Beadle's Dime Library, No. 13 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ty’ ——— — a ’ —_ Pathaway. 20 “You see, rascal,” he said, “that things change sometimes quicker than we anticipate. Not'long since you were my jailor; now it is different. Had you been the prisoner and I the sleepy sentinel, you wovid have killed me.” The young hunter paused, thrust Jack's pis- tols into his belt. appropriated his ammuni- tion, and took his rifle, then added : “One blow would end your miserable exiet- eneg, but I forbear. I shall stop at the out- side of the hut a short time to see how you beLave. If you struggle and try to get out— Pi—pisit you again !” There was too much meaning in the man’s voice to admit of doubt, although the threat was used more to intimidate than otherwise ; for the hunter did not stop at the door only ‘ong enough to determine upon the direction to pursue, then moved quickly and softly away. The night lay still and dark on the outlaw encampment. The supper-fires had waned snd ‘died out, and the gorged and weary moun- tainvers were wrapped in slumber. The hour was favorable, and Pathaway’s heart beat fast with gratitude, as his eyes swept from hut to hut and took in the scene. ey had long Yeen used to security, which had never been listurbed, probably, by the intrusion of ene- mies since they adopted their lawless trade. In their fastnesses they were safe, and Sleep —_ to them without the companionship of ear. The young man remembered the stories he had heard of the difficulty of getting out of the valley when once in it ; but he apprehend- ed no serious trouble in finding Trapper Trace —the key to the home of the outlaws, He pea onward rapidly, and the huts were fad- g from view, when a figure appeared in the rkness. It was a woman—it was Carlota ! Pathaway experienced a sickening sense of dis- appointment. Was he areca ? Possibly not. He stood still, hoping that the night would prove his shield. She had discovered bim—-she approached, with uncertainty at first, with decision as she drew near. Her manner was indicative of surprise. “ Be silent !” said Pathaway, authoritative- y, in tones suppressed and penetrating. “Do you command?” answered Carlota, ~~“ ms rs ou a woman; do not force me to eat you as if you were not. I am escaping, and T will. not be baffled {” wee “ But if I choose to raise my voice and say : “ Ro—” “Pathaway sprang forward, and put his hand over her mouth. “Emergencies require prompt action,” he said, with sternness. She did not stir, made no effort to shake him off, but stood, calm, disdainful, dignified. Pathaway held her by the wrist. “ Before the matter of life and death, all other sablpere sink into insignificance,” he added “We even sacrifice other lives to save our own,” “T know!” returned Carlota, coldly. “Car lota, the wild girl of the mountains, cannot be influenced by menace.” “Then, by Heaven! I will use the strength that Nature has given me to some purpose !” Pathaway threw his right arm around her waist, and was in the act of covering her mouth with his left hand, when she said “ Stop |” with so much imperiousness, that the last movement was arrested. “ What would you have?” she asked, in a voice that, through some emotion, was tremu- lous. “Is there rem to compel woman but threats? Did I say I would betray you?” She looked deprecatingly at the hunter. “ You were about to ¢all for help—to sound the alarm through the encampment,” returned Pathaway. “You did not allow me to proceed; my say remained unsaid. I was about to tell you that I had only to call out, ‘Ho, mountain- eers v9 “For God’s sake, girl, desist!” cried the hunter, again stopping her. s“ Dia t raise my voice above its natural tone?” she asked, in a voice of rebuke. “ Could I not have shrieked before this as wo- man only can shriek? Was it in your power, or is it now, to hinder me from sending a thrill of life and activity through yonder si- lent camp ?” Carlota drew herself up more and more, and spoke in the voice of a woman who feels herself wounded in a sensitive part of her na- ture. _ Carlota!” anawered Pathaway, changing his manner to one more friendly, “I believe T have mistaken you; if I have, forgive me, | | exact nothing. Remain here a few moments, and I will send you one that will guide yor and allow me to depart without delay. Con- | faithfully to the camp of your friend.” sider my position. Remember that at your request I spared the life of Hendricks —yorr father, husband, or lover, I know not which. I appeal to your compassion ; I throw myself ee mercy !” “ Not till threats had failed; not till you had laid a rough hand upcn me!” answered the girl, Woduall ; “It was the instinct of sclf-preservation— = instinct ever active and always pardon- able.” “ But not easily forgotten,” she said, in ae cents slightly sneering. “Girl! girl! every moment is mexpressib- ly valuable. You are detaining me in the very jaws of death.” * Have you asked my assistance ?” asked Carlota, with a proud glance at the young man. “ Yes, I have—I do ’” returned the hunter, earnestly. . And if I interpose no obstacle, will you find aol way from the Valley, think you ?” “Do not doubt it! Once in the bridle- path, and I am safe; for I am hardy, experi- enced, and swift.” “I have heard of your exploits. You are brave and steady, but you do not understand the ways of woman. Follow me!” Carlota turned and walked from the en- eampment toward Trapper Trace, Pathaway treading in her footsteps with silent yet ex- cessive surprise. Presently they came to a horse saddled and dridled. “What means this ?” Pathaway inquired. “Can you not imagine why this animal is here ?” answered Carlota, eurtly. “ Dare I believe that you meditated my es- cape, and provided this horse for the pur- se ?” “Believe what you will; the creature is, now yours.” “This is kind—this is generous! I com- plained too soon of your ingratitude.” “Say nothing: replied the girl, proudly. “A mistake once made is made ioteven! She used and struggled with some powerful feel- ing. ‘I will provide you with a guide,” she added. Pathaway looked up ge she noticed the glance, and ecloring, remarked : “Still suspicious of treachery. Your sex is ever ready to do injustice to ours. You tempt me to abandon you. Don’t answer, for the night wears on. 1 must exact one condi- tion of you.” “Condition? I thought a woman was un- conditional; that what she does is on trust and free.” “In matters that relate only to herself, it may be so; but where others are concerned, it is different. These men must not be betray- ed. You must promise that you will not re- turn with hostile intentions.” Carlota considered hira with earnest atten- tion. It being dark, she advanced her face close to his to catch its expression. “Do you hesitate ?” she asked, “You put me in a painful position,” an- swered Pathaway, much embarrassed, “ While I do not wish to refuse a request of my bene- factress, I should be wanting in duty to man- kind did I give the pledge you require. It would give me pleasure, truly, to drive out these bad men and bring safety to the lone hunter and trapper, and avenge the wrongs of those who have fallen victims to their wanton- ness and eupidity.” ‘Tt is as I suspected!” sa:d she, patt- ing the ground with her foot. ‘‘ Your wish and intentions are easily read. You are re- joicing at this moment in anticipation of a successful return with. overpowering forces at your back—a p of soldiers, perhaps, from the nearest miliary post ; for I have heard rumors that an expedition was to be sent against us by the United States govern- ment. In this manner you purpose to repay my good offices.” “T will promise,” replied Pathaway anon, “to lead no troops or armed men against you ; but I cannot pledge my word not to visit Trapper Valley myself. And you forget, fair Carlota,” he added, playfully, “ that your own presence here may have something to do with my movements. Charms like yours—” “Rnough! enough! Don’t insult me!” in- terrupted the girl, resentfully. “An empty compliment cannot deceive me, but hypocris will make me angry. I waive all pledges ; | es ee ‘‘Woman will be woman!” murmured Path- away. “Pardon me, Carlota, there is one subject of which it were unmanly not to speak ; it has too long escaped me in the ex- eitement of the night. It is of the Freneh- man’s daughter I would ask ?” “This is no time for continued question- ing,’”’ replied Carlota, hurriedly, and evidently startled by the query. ‘Do you—do you know this Ninon ?”’ she added, dropping her voice. “T never saw her,” said Pathaway, “ but the claims of common humanity appeal to me strongly in her behalf. What has been her fate? Will you, can you do nothing to save her? Portneuf escaped ; I haye seen him.” “Hendricks was right ; he has indeed much to fear from you. This is the first time I ever betrayed him; but no matter; it is done. Do not stir till the guide joins you.” Carlota walked away quickly and was soon out of sight, hidden by the darkness and in- terposing trees. CHAPTER XX. INDIAN JOE. Pathaway awaited the coming of the prom- ised guide, not without feelings of distrust. Perhaps she had changed her mind and would send, not a guide, but a party of outlaws to take him back to captivity and its consequen. ces. His anxiety grew momentarily greater and his doubts had begun to assume reality, when the sound of horses’ feet admonished him that some one approached. He drew 4 pete an unnecessary precaution, for the orseman proved the expected guide — an Indian boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. “Oome from white squaw ; show ‘pale face the way,” said the boy, taking his place in ad- vance. “Carlota sent you,” said Patuaway, quite assured that there was no mistake. “Joe tell you once, no tell same thing twice. Ingin no ask question; white man ask question,” answered the boy, curtly. Pereeiving that his guide was not disposed to talk, the gray hunter followed him s)lently, thinking of Carlota, of Sebastian, Nick, and many other things conneeted with his recent Ei yaa t was near morning, and the young Indian made what haste he could, urging his horse to a gallop when the way permitted. In many places the path was dangeroue, but the am- mals appeared accustomed to traveling it, and bore them onward with sure and trusty feet. The day dawned at the moment they were leaving the Trace, and at this peint the hunter supposed that his guide would leave him ; but he kept on before, choosing with evident skill the most accessible ways, and directing his course, as he could readily perceive, toward the spot where he had met Hendricks the pre- vious night. The sun was high im the hea- vens when they reached the scene of ®e con- test. “ Here, I suppose, we shall part,” said Path- awuy. “No part; Joe go on,” replied the boy, eomposedly. . But you'll be miased. What account will you give of your absenee? If Captain Hen- ricks should know of your agency in this matter, I fear you would not come off with whole skin.” “Joe no fraid Cap’n. Go with you to white man’s camp-—Nick, you eall him.” Joe glanced at Pathaway, then looked fixed- ly at his horse’s head. “Did your mistress—did Carlota bid you attend me so far?” asked the hunter. “Tole me stay long’s i pleased. Perhaps Joe no go back; perhaps he go here, there, everywhere—no know where he go. Be war- rior sometime.” “Then you are at liberty to do as you wish ?” answered the hunter, who had been so much preoccupied during the ride that he had bestowed little notice upon Joe ; but now thought it worth while to observe him more closely. He was a well-clad, well-formed Jad, who looked capable of making his way in the world as efficiently as any of his race. His long black hair hung straight and curlless upon his face and neck. He was quite dark, even for an Indian, and old enough to delight in paint and plumes. He had, clearly, been @ (COMME DOO) <S