Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 136 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

« _tban he requires all the time we have been my real name is M’Don £2 _— + — — aes M’Doniald appeared to be about to speak; but, although he opened his lips, not a sound escaped. His eyes were anxiously riveted up- on Sarah, who remained in a senseless state. * Ob; ‘speak, M’Donald!” said Mr. Powell, leaving his daughter, and seizing the fettered hands of the unfortunate man, “Free us from this torture and anxiety. You know how dear you are to us all; you know bow much we owe to you, and that we cannot, will not believe that you, for whom I would have pledged my wealth, my honor, can be a criminal! I will not credit that you are one of those unfortunate men who mark their path through the bush by plunder and murder!” ‘Mr, Powell!” exclaimed M’Donald, as if overcome by these earnest words, “I thank you—thank you from the bottom of my heart for your confidence in me. Preserve that con- fidence, and be assured I am no criminal.” “That’s .what I thought!” exclaimed Bale, in triumpb. ‘‘And now, Mr. Police offi- cer, the proofs!” “Do you require them, Mr. Powell?” in- quired Walker, “and would you refuse to give him up unless they were produced?” “T would at least spare him this shame,” said he, pointing to the handcuffs, ‘“by becom ing bail for him, and accompanying you to town. But I am curious to know how you have so suddenly become certain of the iden- tity of this gentleman and the bush. ranger, since you had no notion, of it this morning. In that case, you would not have sent all your men away.” “IT can explain that in a few words,” replied , Valker, narrowly watching the prisoner,” ‘“ You are perfectly correct in say- ing that I had no notion this morning who this pretended M’Donald was. The information , that the but-keeper (whom M’Donald confessed to be an acquaintance of his, and whom he has spoken favorably of) was a most dangerous bush ranger first excited my suspicions. As I returned hoine, with the firm intention of in- quiring into the matter, I found—” he stop- ped suddenly. Sarah had recovered her senses, and he perceived that her eyes were firmly riveted upon him, He wished to stop, but she beckoned with impatience for him to continue. ** You found?’ Powell said. “TI found the gray charger on which M’- Donald came to this station.” ** Well, and what of that?” asked Bale, quick- . “* Was that stolen too?” ‘*Yes, and no, The prisoner took him away unknown to the owner, and without his con- sent; but left what might have been considered the price of the animal near the house; certain- ly an unusual thing for a bush ranger to do. The £15, too, afforded an additional proof. My suspicions were afterward fully confirmed on my return to the house. I[ then recognized the fugitive, whom I had seen once before, although only hastily, and whom I did .not know at first, on account of his beard. The bullet fired in the bush, and which comes out of my sergeant’s carbine, was scarcely neces- sary to convince me, It is hig passion for books which set the police again upon his tracks, as, to procure them, he Sriai-vandured with Lilessutonbin boldness into it furtber proofs are wanted,” he contiz a low voice, on seeing Sarah conceal h in her hands, overwhelmed with sorrow, ay can furnish them from my blacks, Fearing | stock these fellows, M’Donald has worn larger boots here. My man managed to Sole Sik the which he wore before, and Yeti we Os firms the certainty of the on. Nov ask him, and let him deny, if is the, man known in Van Diemen’ the name of Jack Loudon, and whe made bis escape.” M’Donald had listened to the less, aud without interrupting him word.. Now,, when the eyes of directed toward him, and as all were Nothing in mute dismay at the pale, guilty wean ae said suddenly, in a firm, calm voice; “Tam Jack Loudon—at ‘least, in 2 the sense which Lieutenant Walker ald. ” exclaimed Mi “Gracious Go ee striking his bands together, then turned affrighted toward the ladies. » * pat Fy 1 am the criminal you ow nyto be,” exclai the ‘Transported, and guiitlon Bale, looking sl apie ‘at the un.ortunate man, ! \ young man quickly answered. thought, for a single instant, that you had even the notion—” Powell brows. a bush ranger into my house, no one can doubt; and I consider myself too much above such a suspicion to have the slightest intention of exonerating myself. I cannot tell how it is, but something makes me feel an interest in this unfortunate man. himself a man of honor; he has, besides, saved my dear child. We all have cause to be grate- ful to him, and my heart revolts at seeing him bound in fetters like a common criminal.” take him to the nearest court. where you—” station, at the mouth of the Darling,” Walker. dertake to escort him to Van Diemen’s Land, or Sydney, as he may think fit.” offer; Bale was de rv eon however waved the apparent ad advan- oe Dalat. contin stock. keeper could pot suppress an i i 2p! r = y , not guilty. Iam not | I do not wn to love sight of this gentleman.” The Outlaw Hunter. —strange, incredible as it may sound—still it is the truth I am telling you. But that, he added, suddenly checking himself, and in almost an inaudible voice, ‘‘is all that I can tell you. As regards my apprehension, I certainly did hope Lieutenant Walker would have kept sacred the peace of this house. Perhaps the time may come, although it will.not be just yet, when I sball call him to account for his | conduct in this respect.” “The accusation is hard, and I should gladly give the satisfaction,” replied the young man, gloomily, ‘‘were it compatible with my duty. This duty, at the same time, compelled me to apprehend, as quickly as possible, the criminal denounced as dangerous by the State.. Your departure, I heard, was fixed upon for to-mor- row. All: my men were away: what else could Ido, if I did not wish to accomplish my pur- pose by violence and bloodshed, but have re- course to a stratagem? If you are innocent, you will be able to prove it legally. nish you with that opportunity is now my duty.” To fur- “Then take me. away,” said M’Donald, “and bring this paaaty which is painful to all, to a close,” “« Stop!” éxclaimed Mr: Powell, within whom a resolution had evidently been strug- gling for the last few minutes. you will deem me, I hope, a loyal subject to the crown—” “Mr. Walker, “I never in my life doubted it, sir!” the “T never “* Stop—do, not misconstrue my words,” Mr. interrupted him, with darkly-knit “That I would not knowingly receive To me he has shown Mr. Powell was silent for an instant, as if overcome by his feelings, and all looked up to him full of expectation. - At last he continued, in a low but firm voice: ‘““T know it is your duty, as things stand, to I do not know ““T. shall take him to the nearest police- replied “The chief of that station will un- “‘Very well!” replied the old gentleman. “What if I now become bail, in any sum you may like to name, for the prisoner’s safe arri- val at the place of destination, Sydney or Mel- bourne? If Ibecome bail for him, and if his word of honor is sufficient to me, surely you will not refuse?” “‘My good father!” said Sarah, who had ap- proached him, as he uttered the last words, her head upon his shoulder. bit his lips, seemed surprised at the ‘ute "ithe iw was a bush ranger, thought the Fy Bee he had not stolen the ad, moreover, behaved himself, horse, ore his bead among them, in a manner bh had gained the hearts of all these rough - | sons of the bush. He felt assured of his inno- cence, and if he surrendered to ae judges, what else could be required of hint The y, deeply noble-mind- he exclaimed, before Wa pis ut L myself neither would n Bis. - exclaimed Mr. Powill with not wish to be. indebted in any ‘way 4 will. of this peotiedinn M’Donald “+ Lethim heeds bec “upon my the peed money?" asked ted, and he nodded con- paealy Mog . head, and euphed his hands bid ” | he exclaimed | he might need it. On’ — Walker blushed deeply. The glance which he cast upon the overseer, and which the latter certainly met pretty indifferently, plainly showed that, at any other time, he would not have let such a question pass unnoticed. His duty, however, fixed him to this place, and he replied in a grave voice: ‘*God is my witness that I would joyfully have paid the head money out of my own pocket, if I could have spared you all this bow.” “And why did you ehoose such a moment to carry out your plans?” cried "Lisbeth, with streaming eyes, and her cheeks flushed with anger, ‘I shall never forget your conduct.” ‘Peace! said Mr. Powell, taking the arm of his. child, “Mr. Walker bas only ddéne his duty. ° Whether he might have executed it at another place and ina more pleasant tanner, is a question be may settle with his own con- science. As matters now stand, and since M’- Donald refuses my bail, nothing remains to be done but to finish what has been commenced.” ** You will allow me, sir, to take one of your outhouses to-night?’ said Walker. “I should not like to make your house a jail. I expect to start at break of day.”’ ** After what bas occurred you may make it a jail if-you please. Your own room, or that before occupied by your prisoner, whichever seems safest, is at your disposal,” ‘* And will you allow me to take a black ser- vant?” “Pray ask me no further questions,” Mr, Powell observed, hastily. ‘* Do as you think best. Her majesty’s servants have full power to act under my roof as the law requires. I now take my leave of you, Mr. Walker, as you will probably set off with your prisoner to- morrow morning before I am out of bed.” The young map felt the bitterness which lay in these words, and bowed coldly. ‘‘And you, M’Donald,” said the old gentle- man, turning to the prisoner, without, how- ever, shaking bis hand, ‘‘fare you well, and may God grant that you may clear yourself of the suspicion weighing upon you; if not, may God pardon you the sorrow you have brought upon my house!” M’Donald started up with a quick and vio- lent motion, but the fetters prevented any movement. He wished to speak, but his glance fell upon Sarab, who hid her face on her fa- ther’s shoulders. With a deep sigh he turned round to Walker, who understood his look, and followed by the officer, hastily left the room. CHAPTER IL TOBY. , On the morning when the black police unex- pectedly arrived at the station on the Murray, Toby, the new but-keeper of the Dry Swamp Station, was sitting before. his hut, and, for want of tobacco, was sulkily chewing a twig which he had broken off a bush in the neigh- borhood. The shepherd had just gone off with his stock, and the place was left to the care of this dis¢onterited individual. “Hem!” he murmured at last, with an oath, “here I am, in this accursed ‘nest, dying of weariness. Hut-keeper, with twenty pounds per annumi—a good he for the hundred set upon my head. Nota of tobacco, and with the prospect of being Lbriveled up in this dry life and place, like a mushroom. If it were not to rest my sore feet and weary limbs, I should play the very devil in watching their and spoil the wild dogs’ sport. Queer 20) this; the world turned upside down, where they make a regular bush ranger a but- , the fox a guaidian, and after all leave ‘nothing he could steal. Cursed countr'y ! nothin for a thousand miles one way or other, Im , Somehow, manage to return to the Soeie d get into’a better country. Tf that stock-keeper. would only comé with i ao th tobacco T'll go anywhere. Loudon here too—a gentleman as cupLIORit Aemed good horse. Well, Jobn ps run. Ibhope at least the bloodhounds of the so-called ‘justice’ will not interfere with | one here; and, by the devil’s help, Jobn” will also get a good horse again, and a coat upon “bis back. If I only get the borse, the rest will-soon follow. Hallo! who comes here?” , on héaring the d of hoofs. He rose to get his gun out of the but, in case through the gum trees, the form of the overseer, he stuck nee hands into his pockets and went out to meet m. AMIE (0) S v.00 ~owtt ne .* (e(o)) ha * Se v