Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

She turned imploringly toward him crouching upon her knees, and with her hands stretched forth in earnest supplication. Captain Crimson. —EEE ee ——— herse is in the thicket—go?’ ‘“‘ And leave you here to make love to this gal- But a cruel smile rested on his face, and he | lant Scout whose deeds you extol, and—” asked: ‘Why not now, woman?’ ‘Because I have a duty to perform; if it kill.” i ; ‘‘And what, Devil Vick?’ she asked, in a hoarse voice. still | shot him, and his arms will serve you, and his | miration of their chief, Black Kettle, and sev- ‘* And lead him, with a squedron of soldiers, | were not for that, gladly would 1 tell you to , upon our retreat.” Instantly the muzzle of the revolver was | ‘*T cannot give you the delay, for I hate you, | thrust into his very face, while with blazing and I want you out of the way; so | shall s you now.” ‘* Shoot me instead.” Both started at the strange voice, the woman with a cry upon her lips, the man with an oath, | and their eyes turned to the back of the cabin, where, opposite to Devil Dick, was a window. Now the wooden shutter was open, having been silently removed, and leaning upon his arms, and glancing into the room, was Fancy Frank, no weapon in his hand whatever, and a strange smile upon his handsome face, as he of- fered himself as a substitute for the pistol prac- tice of the lieutenant of the Prairie Tigers. CHAPTER XXVIL. WILDBIRD’S TRUMP CARD. THouGcH taken by surprise, and utterly amazed at the indifferent air of the man who had like an apparition appeared before them and whom he reco cas Devil Dick stood ready for action, and tbrust his revolver for- ward, aimed with unflinching hand at the head of Fancy Frank, while he said in a hoarse tone: ‘‘By Heaven! I will shoot you, Pewell, if you move a muscle, for I’ve the drop on you.” ‘So it looks, Devil Dick; but why don’t you blaze web for if you don’t I will,” was the provokingiy cool response, and the Black Spec- ter expected to see the daring invitation of the Scout accepted, and she knew but too well the deadly aim of the outlaw officer. But the slightest movement she made caught the quick eye of Devil Dick, and he cried out: ‘*Hold! Wildbird, you die, too, if you make @ movement to aid him.” ‘Your pistol may hold the lady in subjec- tion, Devil Dick, but I do not dread unloaded weapons,” said Fancy Frank, The dark and begrimed face of the outlaw changed color at this; but he said, harshly: ‘*Do you think I am a fool to earry an un- loaded w n?” “‘Oh, no, { think you showed your sense in firing off your arms, and throwing away your cartridges, before the fire swept over you, knowing the powder would blow you to the devil: but I'll take the chances on that weapon being loaded,” and with a light bound the Scout sprung through the window into the cabin, while the outlaw cried, earnestly: ‘Back, Powell, or, by Heaven, I will kill you." mocking laugh was the reply of Fanc Frank, and he sprung Reever. _bathee his enemy as if to grapple with him. But there came no flash, as Devil Dick had threatened, but instead the weapon was hurled at the head of the Scout, and skillfully dodged while the next instant the two men confren each other, knives in hand. ‘Hold! as you surmised, I fired off my wea- pons, and threw away my ammunition. so am armed only with my knife,” cried Devil Dick. “7 am not the man to take advantage, sir: here, madam, I intrust my arms to your keep- ing,” and Fancy Frank unbuckled his belt and handed it to Wildbird. Then he in faced his foe, and that each man was in deadly earnest there was no doubt, for each knew well the prowess of the other, and knowing Devil Dick now as the outlaw lieu- tenant of the Prairie Tigers, there was an old score to settle between the two, for Fancy Frank had been their bitterest enemy. “ Now, sir,are youready?” said Fancy Frank, sternly, placing his knife on d. “T am ready, sir,” was the answer of the So outlaw. ‘“‘And I too am ready, for you are both my prisoners.” The two men were wholly taken aback at this, for suddenly a revolver muzzle looked into the face of each, and the Black Specter who held them knew well their use, and both the outlaw and Scout felt that she was in earnest. Then followed an instant of silence, which was broken by Devil Dick, who asked, sternly: ‘What means this a ew ge Wildbird 3 ‘‘Tt means, Devil Dick, that I return good ‘for evil, and save your life.” S ‘* Save my life; how, may I ask?” A derisive smile swept over the woman's face as she replied: ‘* You seem to forget that you are confront- ing a man who bas but one equai on the plains: why, he would kill you in a second’s time, and 1 do not wish you to die just now, for the col- onel has need of you, so I set you free; but, re- member, not one word in regard to meeting me here, or— ‘Do you threaten me, my beauty?” “ ” ‘« We shall see.” _ “*T do not fear you; Hazel lies dead where I | | | | nm oot | eyes and trembling voice the woman cried: ‘Retract those words, Devil Dick, or 1 will kill you, so help me God!” The man knew that she would keep her word, and said, quickly: ‘‘T was severe on you, Wildbird, for 1 know you to be as true as steel.” — 15 —_———— et ine iend- eral times before he has endeavored te into his power, in spite of his professed ship for the Mad Colonel. ‘*In coming bere 1 was seen by his warriors, and these three were sent on my trail.” ‘Well, they have followed their last trail; but remain here while | scout around, for there may be more of them.” ‘* No, these three are all; Black Kettle set five to watch me half a year ago, and take me pris- oner, if it could be done without the Mad Colo- _nel’s knowing it.” “Enough! now go, but not one word to the | Mad Colonel about meeting me here.” ‘* And what must I say about the horse and arms of Hazel?’ ‘‘A man whose face has lie stamped on it, ‘* And the other two?’ ‘‘Are in the Happy Hunting Grounds,” was the bitter reply. ‘“‘Ah!” and Powell gazed upon the womam with a strange look, which, observing, she con- tinued: ‘*They dogged me, and I killed two of them; _ they dare not fire on me, and Ebony carried me need not be at a loss for a falsehood for his | tongue; but I am losing my patience—go!” ‘Powell, we shall meet again, and when I am not—” ‘*So much like a singed cat as you now look; well, what were you going to say?’ said Fancy Frank, in his indifferent way. ‘Then we'll have our little affair out.” ‘* Even so; if you are not a fast rider, I may overtake you.” ‘Tl see that you do not, sir,” boldly said Wildbird, who still held Fancy Frank under the aa of the revolver in ber right hand. “Ah! It was all that Fancy Frank said, and as Wildbird’s eyes again turned upon Devil Dick, he made a mock-polite bow, and went out of the deor, which the woman closed behind him, while she said, in a low tone: ** Quick, sir! out of the window and see that he gets neither your horse or mine; but do not harm him, for J need him.” Fancy Frank had been undecided as to the course of the Black Speeter, up to this moment: but now seeing that she was his friend, he quickly obeyed her, and glancing cautiously around the house saw Devil Dick leaning over the dead body of the outlaw Hazel, which the conversation of Wildbird proved she had killed. Watching his opportunity, the Scout dodged into the timber, and soon saw his enemy mount a steed hid in the thicket and ride away. But he had gone but a few steps, when he drew rein, and within a few feet of the spot where Fancy Frank was crouching, while he muttered: “lL have half a mind to have arms, and am moun out.” A moment he remained in silent thought, and then, seeming to think better of it, he drove the spurs into the horse he had so opportunely gained possession of, and rode away at a rapid lop. ite started on his return to the cabin a sud- den, loud shriek rung out on the air, and Fancy Frank well knew that it came from the lips of the Black Specter, and he sprung forward at full speed to solve the mystery of that piercing cry for help. Arriving at the cabin he dashed the door open, and sprung within, his revolvers—which the woman had returned to him when he followed Devil Dick—ready in each hand for deadly work, should they be needed. And needed the Scout’s revolvers eertain] were, for by the light of the fire, which Wild- bird had kindled upon arriving at the cabin, Fancy Frank beheld three huge Dog Soldier Sioux, two of whom held the woman in their strong grasp, while the third turned to confront the intruder upon their little game. ** Napska !” ‘* White Beaver!” ““The White Medicine Chief!” The three names, by which Fancy Frank was known to the Indians, broke almost simulta- a from their lips as they recegnized the out. _But Fancy Frank gave them no time to re- sist, for his revolvers a deadly rattle, and down went two of the number, while the third, er eye 4 his captive, sprung upon the Scout, knife in hand, and instantly a fierce conflict be- gan, but was quickly ended by Wildbird, who said, coolly: “Let me end this.” As she spoke, a sharp report rung through the room, now thick with smoke, and the Dog Sioux fell dead in his traeks, CHAPTER XXVIII. FANCY FRANK’S PLEDGE. As the Indian fell under the bullet of Wild- bird, White Beaver turned toward the woman, whose fatal aim he kad a third time witnessed, and said coolly: ‘* You show little mercy for a woman.” “« Ah, sir, the life I have led, the bitter past, has made me merciless; but I strike not cruelly, only when necessary, and these men I know and their object.” ‘Indeed! and what was their object?” . ‘I have had the misfortune to attract the ad- back, now that I , and see this thing | | | ——— mean em aaa out of denger; but howismy beautiful Ebony?’ ‘‘In splendid condition, and as faithful to me as a dog, as you will find, for I rode him here to return to you.” ‘‘ Keep kim asa present from me, he has but one superior and two equals on the plains, and one of these, Whaleboue, I rode here, and the other belongs to an Indiau | chased the day I met you.” ‘But I have no right to take your beautiful horse from you.” ‘*You must, for your horse I rode to the Tigers’ retreat, and he is in bad cendition, so we will call it a fair exchange; now, tell me, did Devil Dick ride away?” ‘‘He did, though after he mounted the out- law’s horse, and secured his arms, he seemed half-inclined to returm and try conclusions with us.” ‘* It is well he did not; I would have let you kill him awhile ago, only I want him to live for a purpose; now tell me if you are willing to keep the promise made me the other night? “lam.” ** And the train?’ ‘*Has gone on to the intended set{lement, un- der the escort of Captain Loyd Carleton and his rm ee ‘* Well, let them remain if so they like and settle here, excepting Major Malcolm and his family: they must return to their old home.” “It lunderstand the circumstances, the ma- jor has lost his old home, and all the wealth he possesses he has with him here.” ‘True, but fifteen thousand dollars will start bim anew on a small farm, and it is better than remaining here; in fact he must not, shall not remain on this border.” ‘You speak strangely for one who does not possess the power to back your words.” ““] have the power, White Beaver, Fancy Frank, or whatever men call you,” she said, de- terminedly. ** And what is Major Malcolm to you?” ‘**Oh, do not ask me! only pledge me that you will do all in your power to urge his return; let him strike for the nearest railroad station, and then retrace his way to Louisiana.” ‘*]f he refuses?” ‘**He must not; see here!” she went to a door in one end of the cabin, and opening it, dis- closed a small shed, in which stood a large, blood-red bay, built like a grayhound., From the saddle-pocket she took a large en- velope that had not been sealed. This she opened, and by the firelight PowelE discerned that it contained a number of new crisp bills of the denomination of thousand and five hundred, and a letter which she read aloud. It was dated New Orleans, some months back, and read: “Mason Burt MALCOLM: “Str: Hereby I return you fifteen thousand dol- lars of ‘conscience oem é *which was won from you by fraud at the card-ta le. “If it gives you a stepping-stone out of your pres- ent ‘slough of despond’ and misfortune, one who . ou a victim will be more than content. you prosperity and happ I remain ** Yours, ARD a “This is a strange letter,” said the Scout. ‘Oh yes, and this is a strange world; but here is the money, and now see what an act of the Prairie Tigers allows me to do very cleverly.” As she spoke she displayed an express enve— lope, and turning it to the Scout’s gaze he saw that it was addressed and marked as follows: Forwarpine Express Company, New ORLEANR To MAJOR BURT MALCOLM, Care Commandante Fort Moreax, On Sours PLATTE, $15,000.00 Colorado, ““ Well, what does all this mean?” asked the —— White Beaver. Sebel th *‘it means that the Tigers tap e line, called in the express ckages, and that you were attacked by one Hazel, an outlaw whom you killed, and upon his person found this pack- age, opened, as you see, and—” _ But I do not rob the dead, even if they are made ae Ww “No one would suspect you of jt; but you (E(@) mie S) EO JOO