Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ther Rockies he are b’iled thunder on ther war- th, an’ he’s my congregation fer life, you kin t ‘*He are wuss nora nest o’ young wild-cats, pard,” was Rattling Rifle’s tribute to the Man of the Iron Face, and the two quaint plainsmen went off to their little camp to cook their mid- day meal, leaving a constantly increasing crowd of emigrants discussing the probability of whe- ther or no Ross Elliott was not a secret pard of Devil Dick, for a number of circumstances had come up, during the short time he had been Ny the train, to make them suspicious of im. ‘*] can tell you, my friends, that I saw sev- eral strange looks pass between Ross Elliott and Dick Harwood shortly after the former joined us last evening,” remarked a young emi- grant who seemed particularly bitter in de- nouncing the youth, whose attentions to Violet Vassar he did not like, as he himself was “ soft” in that quarter, and had already built up air- castles of his future cabin home, presided over by the fair maiden. ‘‘Carter Grey, I believe you are right; Ross Elliott was talking fora long time last night with Devil Dick, as we now know he was, and I tell you I think they were pards,” an- swered another emigrant. ‘**T almost knows it,” said a third. ‘I believe if we don’tend his days he’ll end ours,” remarked another. ‘**That’s the talk; dead men ain’t dangerous,” cried a huge fellow, who was in for any mis- chief, while Carter Grey added: ‘* We have too much at stake in this train to be careless or merciful; 1 believe the boy is here to lead us into a trap, as Devil Bick Jed Miss Vassar.” ‘* What says the Lron Face?” asked one. ‘And Fancy Frank, our guide?” queried an- other. ‘* Oh, the Lron Face don’t belong to the train, and as for Fancy Frank, he seems friendly to- ward the boy; but, what we do must be done quickly, and without their knowledge, for there would be some tender hearts to prevent us if they knew it,” said Carter Grey. ‘* Better go slow, Grey,” said Henry Maverick, who had not spoken before. ‘‘No, Maverick, I feel convinced that Ross Elliott’s presence here means mischief, and the only way to prevent it is to—” he young emigrant paused, voices asked, in a low tone: ‘* What, Grey?’ ‘* Hang him |” was the stern response, ‘You are right; the fellow must be strung up, and at once,” cried one who seemed bent on mischief. And the seed thus sown ripened with amazing quickness, and ere ten minutes nearly two score men were clamoring for the life of Ross Elliott, and a messenger had been sent after him, for they wished to keep their deed from the sight of the women and children, and those of the men who might object to their summary course. Henry Maverick endeavored to stem’ the tide of opinion, but he was hushed up, and the urging on of Carter Grey and several others carried all opposition by storm, and like wild beasts awaiting the coming of their prey, they crouched down in a distant thicket of the motte and several and bided their time. Presently the messenger returned, and with him the victim, wholly innocent of the storm about to burst upon bis young head, for he said piseseniiy as he glanced over the set, pale, and owning faces: ‘“*Gentlemen, how can I serve you, for I am ‘told you wished to see me?” ‘‘ We do, young man, or rather these gentle- men do, for I wash my hands of this work,” said Henry Maverick. ** As before, I ask how can I serve you?” was the query of the youth, who now saw that something of deep import was on hand, and t he was connected in some way with it. ‘We intend to serve you, Ross Elliott, as you wouki serve us, did we give you the chance,” said Carter Grey, assuming the lead, as the eyes of all turned upon him, as if by common consent they would make him their leader. “I do not understand your words, sir,” was ae -saggeney remark, though his face paled ightly. F You shall fully understand; you have heard that Dick Harwood, the pretended cattle-king, turned out to bea traitor, in fact, none other than Devil Dick of the Prairie Tigers?” ‘Yes, anc though it may seem cruel. I think that he deserved the awful fate he met.” ‘“‘Ah! Iam glad to hear you say so, for vou have passed sentence upon yourself,” was Car- ter Grey’s sneering retort. ‘In God’s name what do you mean?” gasped rather than said, Ross Elliott. ‘‘T mean that you came to this camp as did Dick Harwood—to betray us.” The young man dropped his hand on his re- volver-butt, and his eyes flashed with indigna- tion, either real or feigned; but a dozen pistols - covered him in a second, and he said simply: “You are cowards, to thus accuse me of guilt, because Dick Harwood was a traitor.” “We are just to look after the safety of A —_ Captain Crimson. those we love, and suspicion pointing upon you as the secret comrade of Devil Dick, we will run no chances, but at once put you beyond doing harm.” ‘What! you surely cannot mean that you would kill me?” ‘‘That is our intention; we will hang you,” was the cold reply. ‘‘ Without any proof against me, you would commit murder?” ‘*Oh, we have proofs enough.” “1 defy you to produce them,” ‘We thought Harwood a good fellow, and found him a must hang for it,” said Carter Grey. The young man dropped his face in his hands, and his whole form quivered with emo- tion: but he started suddenly as he felt a touch on his shoulder, and cried piteously: ‘‘Oh, men, have ye no mercy? I am not what you believe; I am—” ‘*String him up!” came the stern order from i ' iger; but talk is useless, and you | | Carter Grey, and the noose quickly thrown | around his slender neck choked off further -9n | terance, while the hands were quickly bound behind his back. But instantly the bonds were severed, and the noose loosened by one who suddenly strode into the midst of the crowd, and said quietly, but in his deep, stern tones: ‘* Gentlemen, go slow.” CHAPTER XXIV. CARTER GREY’S THREAT. ‘* HOLD on, my friend of the Lron Face, you are not interested in this affair,” angrily cried Carter Grey, as that mysterious personage sud- denly released Ross Elliott, and said quietly: ‘* Gentlemen, go slow.” ‘““That depends, sir, as you shall see,if you mean harm to this youth,” was the calm retort of Lron Face, who laid his hand upon the shoul- der of the young man, who kept close to the Scout, as if knowing that he could protect him. ‘*We mean justice, for he is like the traitor we discovered, nothing more than a Prairie Tiger,” said Carter Grey, with considerable show of anger. ‘*T, not you, sir, discovered that fact regard- ing Harwood, and it would take much to make me believe this youth guilty of evil.” ‘‘ Well, we suspect him, and we shall hang him; ready, boys, for we must not let this fel- low bully us,” ‘*] shall do more, if you lay a hand on this youth,” was the very calm, but firm response. ‘* And what will you do?” sneered Grey. ‘You have but to attempt to injure this young men to ascertain.” ‘** By Heaven! [’]l see if you dare put yourself against us,” and Carter Grey sprung forward to place his hand upon Ross Elliott, but fell like a log, for the seemingly iron fist of the Scout met him fairly with a blow between the eyes, and he lay stunned at the feet of the youth he would have injured, while, with angry lances the emigrants pressed around, their hands upon their weapons. But Iron Face was neither intimidated or ex- cited, and said calmly: ‘Gentlemen, do not press me, or there will be wailing in this camp! but I shall protect this youth, come what may.” ‘* Bravo! Iron Face, and so will I,” and Fancy Frank threw the crowd unceremoniously aside, and took his stand by Iron Face and Ross El- liott, who stood with their backs to a breast- work, that had been hastily made by the emi- grants during the night. ‘Thank you, Powell, but I guess we will have no trouble,” said lron Face. But he was mistaken, for Carter Grey was no man to take a blow quietly, and was now rising from the ground in a kind of way, as though he did not know what had happened. But catching sight of Iron Face he recalled the blow, and knife in hand sprung toward him, calling to his backers to follow. But, as quick as a flash of light, Iron Face seized him in his arms, and, strong as was the young emigrant, hurled him upon his comrades with a force that — half-stunned him, and also sent several others to earth under the weight of his body. Surprised at this wonderful exhibition of strength, the emigrants recoiled before Iron Face, just as two more forced their wa through the crowd and ranged themselves as his supporters. ey were Skeleton Sam and Rattling Rifle, and the former cried: “A family row, are it? Waal, I jist bet thet my twin an’ me will be in ther muss, an’ Ice kilates we'll side with you an’ White Beaver, Cap’en Crimson,” ‘‘Thank you, my friends, but we must have no bloodshed among ourselves, for this train is in too much danger for its defenders to throw their lives “er in the effort to harm this routh, for I shall kill the first man that lays a nd on him.” This coo] assertion of Iron Face calmed the a 7 geations of many of the emigrants, who realized that he would keep his word, and also that th> train was in danger from the Prairie Tigers and Black Kettle’s band, and they in- ~ ' ' es pe is f al- | plains? dut £ encamped on the river, an stantly fell back; but a few, the immediate friends of Carter Grey, held their ground, as if determined to cause trouble, and, seeing this, Fancy Frank stepped forward and said, a ‘I don’t think you boys want trouble with me, but you shall have it if you don’t stop this matter right here and at once; this gentleman is my guest, and my friend, and I will uphold him in his defense of young Elliott; you know me, boys, so push the matter if you wish.” ‘‘T have no quarrel with you, Powell, but that man struck me, and he shall answer for it,” said Carter Grey, again coming forward. ‘* Better let well enough alone, Grey.” ‘‘No, I will not take a blow from any man.” ‘‘T am wholly at your service, sir, at any time,” said [ron Face, coolly. ‘‘Not now; but another time both you and that youth shall know that Carter Grey is a deadly foe.” ‘‘Threatened men live long, sir; come, El- liott, let us return to camp,” and Iron Face accompanied by the youth whose life he had saved and Fancy Frank, sought the quarters of Major Malcolm, where they found all exeite- | ment, as the scene at the other side of the motte had just been reported by Henry Mave- rick, and the major was about to hasten there when they arrived. ‘“‘T am sorry you have made a foe of Grey, Captain Crimson, as he is a dangerous man,” said the major. ‘‘] neither fear his enmity or desire his friendship, Major Malcolm; but I would ask that you keep an eye on young Elliott here, as I believe they mean him harm; what is it, White Beaver?’ and Iron Face turned to Doc- tor Powell, who was attentively gazing out upon the prairie. ‘‘T saw a bunch of feathers appear above that rise just now.” . ‘Red feathers?’ se Yes. ” ‘‘Tt is Red Snake, and he is reconnoitering before coming in; I will give him my signal, and raising the lower part of his mask he placed his hand to his mouth and gave a call that could be heard a mile away. Instantly over the rise appeared an ser and following him was a bay horse, as fait as a hound. Throwing himself upon his back he came on rapidly toward the motte, and soon drew rein in the midst of the group. ‘* Well, the Red Snake did not go to the fort?” said Lron Face. ‘*‘No, chief; he saw the pale-face warriors their chief now comes to the aid of his people.” ‘The Red Snake has done well: let him seek food and rest.” ‘‘T will give him food, and Jack shall look after his horse, for they both seem tired,” said | Violet Vassar, and the Indian, with a thankful smile followed her, while the major asked: ‘* The soldiers are coming then, captain?” ‘*Yes, sir, and you have nothing more to fear, so I will say farewell as soon as they ar- rive,” and there was a tone of sadness in the voice of Iron Face. “Leave us? Why, I was in ho that we were to bere bee with us,” answered the major. ‘*No, sir, I have duty calling me elsewhere— ah! there come the troopers now, and there are sufficient to protect you, so I will now say good-by,” and he offered his hand, which the major grasped warmly, at the same time urg- —— to remain longer. ut Iron Face was firm and touchin is crimson sombrero to Mrs. Malcolm and Maud, he turned away to seek his horse, when hand was grasped by Ross Elliott, who said, earnestly: ‘One of these days we shall meet again, and I can thank you as your service to me de- serves. ‘‘T hope we shall meet again, but I deserve no thanks for doing my duty,” and he turned to Fancy Frank, who just then came up, and said: ‘*Powell, lowe you adebt of gratitude you little dream of; but one day you shall : tell Red Snake to join me at the rendezvous I 5 -by.” ew atte hands a second, and springing into his saddle, Iron appointed with him, please, and e two splendid-looki Face headed toward the prairie; but before he | a form. It was Violet Vassar, and she said softly: “ Why are you going?” ‘* Because duty calls me.” vd | thought you were a free rover of ‘iT am, but it is in discharge of a certain “Ah! and you were going without saying ood-by to me?’ — ane man was silent an instant, and then said, sottiy: A. And would you have cared?” “Do you ask that of one whom you have saved from worse than death, ay, and from had gone far he drew rein, for in his path stood | death itself, only a few hours ago?’ and Violet’s. “% | - tone was one of reproach. ‘‘ Forgive me, and farewell.” He held forth bis hand, having drawn off his ICO com (c S) co