Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 136 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

‘The Outlaw Hunter: 5 soil consisted of bard red sand, scantily cov- ered with wild oats and grass, and the horses went at a brisk pace. They might have been riding thus for an hour, side by side, each occupied with bis own thoughts, when a black was seen running across the path before them, and quickly dis: appearing among some tea-shrubs. Walker pulled up suddenly, and the black riding behind him rose high in his stirrups, to watch the dark form as far as he could, Upon M'Donald this apparition made a strong im- pression. He fancied that, in the hairy upper body of the black, he recognized Kakurru. When they arrived at the spot, where the black had crossed the path at one bound, they stopped; Walker’s attendant dismounted, and, placing his head upon the ground, examined the track. ‘** That’s of no use, my man,” said his officer, laughing. “ No doubt we came unexpectedly upon some black belonging to one of the neigh- boring tribes, and he scampered so fast to get out of our way. All these fellows have a bad conscience, and take to their heels as soon as they catch sight of our uniform,” The black did not seem to understand two words of his lieutenant’s speech, but carefully examined the track. It was only when his officer bad told him repeatedly to proceed, and not to trouble himself further about the mat- ter, that he could be induced to desist. When he overtook the lieutenant, the latter wished to learn what he had discovered; but the poor devil did not understand a word of English, and clattered in his own dialect a long tale of which Walker, on his part, could not make ou a syllable, ' ‘‘A pretty business this!’’ he muttered to himself. ‘The sergeant has given me a man. to whom I cannot even make myself under- stood,” “‘His communication is not of any conse- quence,” said M’Donald, who had listened to the black with the greatest attention. ‘‘He only says he does not know the track, and be- lieves the man belongs to another tribe.” ‘You speak the language of these people?” said Walker, quickly, with great astonishment. ‘‘ At any rate, I understand most of what they say.” “Very well,” replied Walker, laughing. ‘Then, perhaps you will be so kind as to tell him to light a fire at the next turn in the river to which we come, that we may get a cup of tea. We have none of us had breakfast yet.” M’Donald translated this order to the black, The latter looked inquiringly at the officer, as if to receive confirmation, and, on seeing bim nodding assent, he hastened forward to execute the same, The two horsemen followed the scarcely visible track left by a bullock-dray in the sand, Walker was silent, and lost in thought; but M’Donald’s attention was excited to the utmost, and he moved along in almost breathless expectation. He had again observed the same black form close by the road-side, about a hundred paces in advance; and it was evident they were observed and followed by some native tribe. Whatever might be their intention, he must be a gainer. Death itself would bave been more welcome to him than the prospect of a new imprisonment, more frightful than any be had before suffered. If he had seen aright, and if the strange visitant really was Kakurru, he had nothing to fear for his own safety; for that man was deeply in- debted to him, and he hated the native police like death. With these impressions, he began fidgeting his bands, and this movement first attracted the attention of the officer to him. ‘‘Do the bandcuffs hurt you?’ he asked, with greater kindness than M’Donald had ex- pected, for he looked at his keeper with an ex- pression of astonishment. The latter, however, recollecting, as it were, their mutual position, added in a much rougher manner—‘‘ Yes, they are an unpleasant thing to wear, these darbies; but I cannot take them off.” M’Donald did net reply; but, placing his hands upon the pommel of his saddle, he looked silently and gloomily before him, The officer suddenly stopped the horses, looked narrowly at his prisoner, and observed that he was watching him. ‘‘ Answer me one question, M’Donald,” he said—‘‘a question which | do not ask you asa lieutenant of the police, but as a man to a man.” “‘ And what is that?’ replied M’Donald, as a slight and bitter smile played about his lips. “Simply this. Did you really intend, if you had not been discovered, to take a station here—to found a home—to—” M’Donald scarcely paid any attention to what he said. His eyes were fixed with as- tonishment and surprise upon a dark form, no other than that of Kakurru, emerging from a wild salt-bush close behind the officer’s horse, and swinging in the air one of those small Australian clubs, the so-called ‘‘ waddy.” Wal- ker quickly followed the direction of his looks; but had scarcely turned his head, when the waddy, disappearing in the bush, came whirl- ing the next instant, and striking the young officer upon the forehead, he fell senseless to the groun’, as if hit by a bullet. With the rapidity of a kangaroo, the black rushed out and seized his weapon, and before M’Donald could quiet his horse, which had taken fright, he bent over the senseless body of the officer, and, with exultation, produced the key to the prisoner’s handcuff. ‘‘Kakuirru, you have come at the right time!” shouted M’Denald joyfully; but the black, with a sign of his hand, advised him to be silent. He was not saved yet, as the soldier, who had gone on before them, might return at any moment. Moreover, the horse kept shying at the dark form of the black. M’Donald, laying his fettered bands on the pommel of his saddle, sprung to the ground, and held his arms, trembling with wild emotion, to the black. Three seconds after he was free. “Now, then,” said Kakurru, with a laugh; at the same time he bent over the prostrate body of the officer, and, seizing his waddy with a firmer grasp, exclaimed, ‘‘ we had better make an end of him at once,” “Stop!” exclaimed M’Donald, interposing to prevent this deed. ‘‘No blood shall be shed save from necessity. Give me the handcuffs!” A wild smile played on the countenance of the native. ‘Also good,” he said, perceiving the in- tention of M’Donald. ‘Turn the tables, Ha, ha, ha! bow he will look when he recovers! Good! the white man may live; that is your affair, Jacky. You may do what you like with him, but the other is mine,” “What are you going to do?’ exclaimed M’Donald, as Kakurru stepped up to the officer’s horse, and took the carbine. ‘What am I going to do?’ repeated the black, with flashing eyes; ‘“‘kill the black spy! A curse upon the dogs who turn traitors to their own tribe, track them, and give them up to the white men. Oh! that Kakurru could kill them all with one bullet! You secure this one, I shall take care of the other!” : Before M’Donald could-answer a word had disappeared in the thicket. M’Donald had scarcely time to secure the hands of the prostrate man, and the irons had but just closed, when Walker, who wus merely stunned, opened his eyes, and made a motion, as if about to jump up. ‘« What is this?” he exclaimed, on feeling his hands secured. ‘‘ Mahong, rescue! Mahong!’ ‘* Lieutenant Walker,” said M’Donald, who had meantime taken the pistols out of the holsters, and went up with thenr toward the young man, “you see fortune has changed. Our parts are reversed, and you are in my power. Little as I wish to hurt you, you will, however, compel me to do so, for at the first shout you utter I will blow out your brains, or, worse still, leave you in the bush, bound and helpless as you are, Submit, therefore, to necessity, Providence, through the assistance of a faithful black, has made me free, and I am determined to preserve my freedom better than I have hitherto done.” Y “Treason!” said the officer, gnashing his teeth. ‘‘ Think of what you are doing, before you dare to lay hands on one of her Majesty’s officers.” “Jt certainly is a fearful crime,” replied M’Donald, with a smile; ‘but, considering what I have already to answer for, I do not think it will matter very much.” Walker did not reply, but the anxivus look he cast in the direction the black bad taken, plainly showed that he expected help. Sud- denly the report of a gun was heard in that direction, and M’Donald, listening for awhile, ran quickly to the officer’s horse, replaced the left pistol in the holster, keeping the other in his hand, and vaulted into the saddle. At the same time, he unfastened the cord by which the horses were tied together. i ‘Your escape is hopeless!” exclaimed Walk- er, in triumph. ‘Your black accomplice is by this time bathed in his blood; and, with my men upon your tracks, you cannot get away.” M’Donald gave no answer, and only looked attentively in the direction whence the report had been heard. At the same time, bis teeth were firmly set together, his cheeks deadly pale, and he was evidently struggling with some wild, desperate prompting of bis heart, Suddenly a dark form became visible; hucfs were heard, and Kakurru galloped up, shout- ing wildly, and triumphantly swinging the short carbine over his head, while with the waddy in his left hand he urged the horse to a quicker gallop. When he reached the two men, he stopped short and pulled his horse up, which obeyed its mad rider, snorting and puff- ing. The sight he presented was fearful. His black form shone witb fat freshly rubbed on, and was streaked with blood. Fat even trickled from his band and beard, and his eyes sparkled with exultation. Walker concealed bis face in his hand with an expression of horror, and even M’Donald turned away with a shudder, Both knew too well the habits of those wild tribes not to per- ceive at once that he bad slain his antagonist, and anointed himself with the fat of his kid- neys. Thereby these unfortunate men fancy the strength of their vanquished enemy is added to their own; and this ointment is, moreover, the greatest and most honorable sign of victory. “That is the consequence,” at last said M’- Donald, after a short pause, ‘“‘ of your misera- ble system of setting black against black. The hatred of these unfortunate tribes is daily increased; .their thirst for blood and their desire of revenge, however useful they may be to you now and then, often produce terrible consequences,” “‘ And what do you intend doing with me, now?” asked Walker, gloomily; ‘‘1 am in your power—what are your plans?” “ You are free,” M’Donald answered, quick- ly, ‘fas soon as you have pledged me your word of honor to allow me eight-and-forty hours’ start. Afterward, you may pursue me in what way you like.” ** Never will I make such a promise,” ex- claimed the officer, with firmness, ‘ The moment that I am again free, I shall collect my men and be upon your tracks, It will be- come the aim of my life to secure you again.” “Then nothing remains for me to do,” said M’Donald, shrugging his shoulders, * but to take you some distance,—at least out of im- mediate communication with your men.” “s “And if I do not follow you willingly?” asked the officer, proudly. “You will compel me to use violence!” an- swered M’Donald, gravely. ‘‘I am driven to extremities; and between me and crime but a narrow and. scarcely visible boundary-line exists; I wished to lead a steady, retired, honest. life—to earn my bread by the sweat of my brow, and begin a new existence with a world which has ill-used me; even the recol- lection of everything that bad passed was to be buried. Fate wills it otherwise, and I am firmly resolved to dare all, Condemned, although inaoocent, by a chain of circumstantial evidence; transported, ill-used by coarse over- seers, and. almost driven to madness, I took refuge. in the bush. Hunted down, like a wild animal, I sball, if necessary, show my claws. You therefore, have your choice. Either fol- low me willingly, and consent to be deprived of your freedom for a few days, as I followed you—-underwent once more the tortures of the prisoner, or your death shall answer for your silence, However,” he added quickly, and ina more tranquil manner, “you perceive our mutua) position too well for me to say a word about it. You know perfectly well that I can- not act differently, if I do not wish to fall again into your people’s hands. Therefore, spare me the bitter necessity of committing a deed of violence.” With these words he turned away from the officer, to leave him to his own reflections, and went to his horse, to settle the bridle and sad- die in order. He took his saddle bag and pistol, which hung on Kakurru’s horse, and re- placed them upon his own, as well as the car- bine which the black had taken from.bis victim. He threw the line round the neck of the officer’s horse, and beckoning his prisoner to follow his example, vaulted into the saddle. Walker arose to comply with the order. “T only yield to force,” he said, gloomily; comicboo! (G S) ) 7 Y