Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

_—_——-—-— ——— her fate, and if a man he would surely be con- demned: to an almost living death, if not to death itself, did he not take the fearful oath that bound the wild band together under the leadership of the Mad Colonel. To this place I would have the reader ac- company me to see and not be seen. A deep cauyon pentrates far back into a rug- mountain, a mere chasm as it were, show- | alight gray hat, encircled by a gold cord, was ing where the towering earthen mass had been rent in'twain. Through this chasm the path led to the inner recess, and at its ingress stood a mounted , that could communicate with those a mile in his rear, to warn them of danger, by pulling a telegraph wire, that was in ously arranged to fire off half a dozen muskets as a i$ When this alarm was given it brought the savage denizens of the inner recesses of the mountain to the where a dozen men could hold at bay a undred, until Rar toy could upon the hights above, perch themselves and then woe betide the attacking force in the chasm below. Once through this pass and a succession of vales were seen, forming a chain of miniature valleys that led back into the higher hills be- yond, but which were broken by a rushing river, which securely guatded approach from that quarter. In these valleys, exten not more than half a mile, dwelt the Prairie Tigers, and it was no wonder that the Mad Colonel felt secure, with nearly four-score desperate men to follow his daring lead, and if driven hard by soldiers or Indians to retreat to this almost impregnable stronghold, where nothing less than a brigade wall dare follow him. And from this mountain fastness the Mad Colonel had made his descents upon the emi- grant trains, settlers, stage-lines, and even army posts for several years, holding his desperate crew together with an iron and courage worthy of an honest cause. ’T was talked of in the forts, the settlements, and around the ye camp-fires, that he was an ex-army officer, whose wild life had run him into debt, until in ion he had discarded his uniform one night, and with a few fellow- ts kad attacked and robbed the relief-train of the paymaster’s funds to pay off the troops. her suspected or not, he soon after was dismissed the service, and the next known of him by those who watched his career, was asa torte road-agent, who lay in wait for stages over the Overland, and desperately made the ‘*stand and deliver.” Dressed in the uniform of a colonel of cav- alry, and never baving any one to aid him, he ‘was soon known as the Mad Colonel; but, there seemed method in his madness, for, when guards went with the stages, he di for awhile, to eventually turn up at the of the band of Prairie Me gs bes were too strong to fear —— that the border could em against , With a pace on his head, the Mad Colonel seemed at all worried one pleasant after- noon, the one prior to the departure of Fancy Frank alone from Eldorado City, as he reclined in a hammock in front of his neat log cabin, idly smoking'a cigar, and watching therings of gray smoke float up and disappear in the < a It is true that the loss of the pene dem train had been a sore disap tment to y for his force and Black Kettle’s combined had not been cient to dare an attack on the soldier- Frank, had been too well versed in rategy to permit them to be entrapped cunning. ore, he had been compelled to let it slip through his greedy fingers, and was really not so worried on account, as he did not wish to share the booty with old Black Kettle, and not to do so have caused war to the hilt, between the Dog Soldier Sioux and the Tigers, he well knew. ' ** Another time, men, for these settlers have ar aay stay,” he said to his band, and to Black ‘*Chief, it would be madness, now: return to your hunting-grounds with your braves, and I will watch for an un moment, and then send a secbut for you.” The Tigers were content to follow the com- mands of their leader, and Black Kettle quietly ; acquiesced in the advice given him, but in his cunning heart he determined, when the time came, to bring a force with bim» that would be able to secure the “‘lion’s share” of the plun- der, and, at the same time secure for himself a rize he had long coveted, which was none other than the beautiful Black Specter, whom he had vowed by the Great Spirit should be- come the queen of his wigwam. So, back to his hunting-grounds went the wily old chief, and up to hisstronghold marched the Mad Colvnel, and a season of rest had come; a calm, as it were, before the storm of the Prai- rie Tigers’ wrath, that they intended should soon break upon the settlement. And, as he lay there, that balmy afternoon, for were the victim a woman, sad indeed was puffing his fragant cigar, he was plotting and 17 ‘‘ You have seen them, then?” she. asked, quickly. : “Yes; I lay in ambush as the train passed | through Red’ Cafiyon,'/ and they sat on their | horses, waiting for others to come up, within fifteen feet of me; by the way, as Devil Dick is SABER planning, though his calm, handsome face show- ed no sign of the cunning and cruel heart within. Presently he called out: ** Wildbird !” “‘T am here,” and out of the cabin came the | woman already so well known to the reader, | ill, or pretends to be, I will get you to go on a | } | but her black riding-habit had been exchanged | duty for me.” for a buckskin suit that became her well, while ‘‘ Well, what is it! “It will bea long ride.” ‘*T care not, nor do I fear.” “True, you are just the pluckiest woman I ever saw, and candidly, Wildbird, 1 stand m awe of you when you are angry.” ‘* You have cause, fer I swear to you, that did I believe you meant wrong to those I love or would deceive me, I would kill you as I would a viper in my path.” The piercing eyes of the man dropped before her blazing look; but he said, quietly: “You are silly to think I mean them wrong; have I not or them enough already? But now tell Dave to come here.” The woman silently departed, and clasping his hands over his ~ ee chief mused in si- lence until a voice suddenly said: CAR aoe : like th tly be- : you move so like the sain ing for whom you are named I never heard you approach,” and the chief turned toward Angel Dave, who had won the strange cognomen from being the a as his was not a saintly nature, and his cadaverous face was marked with cunning and cruelty that did not belie A man of powerful build, he was yet leonine in his movements, and not even the Mad Col- onel cared to offend him, or would like to risk a hand-to-hand conflict with him. ‘*f allus moves light, Cul; no need o’ adver- tisin’ yerse’f,” was response, in an insolent ‘* True; where is Wildbird?” ‘*T left her lookin’ arter some o’ ther gang who are a leetle off in health,” ‘* Very well; now I want you to take your best horse and go to Black Kettle’s camp.” **I’m yer honey, Cul.” “‘Tell him thet the Black Specter comes to him to-morrow, or next day, with a message ae me, and that if he wants her he can have er.” “Lordy, Cul, is yer goin’ back on that leetle ’ooman ?” 1 Dave, without ques- jauntily perched upon her head. ‘*Have you heard how Dick was this morn- ing?’ asked the chief. ‘Yes, his servant said he was still feeling the effects of the prairie fire, and the hardships he endured after it,” answered the woman. “Tt is strange how he should have fcund Hazel dead, for who could have killed and not robbed him of either his horse or arms?” said the Mad Colonel, suspiciously. “ As Devil Dick found him, you should ask him, not me,” was the calm reply. T did, and he says he found him in the tim- ber near the ruined stockade; 1 regret Hazel’s death as I sent him on an important mission.” ‘* Did he accomplish it?’ innocently asked the woman, showing no emotion. ‘* Dead lips speak not, so how am I to know what he ered?” and the Mad Colonel looked fixedly into the face of the woman, but not the quiver of a muscle or the faintest blush was visible, toshow that her lips could make known the secret. : ‘Well, Iam convinced of one thing and that is we have a traitor in our band.” “Why do you think so, chief?’ ‘** Hazel’s death, the two Indians be killed who guarded that daring scout White ver; and then old Kettle has sent me word that three of his best warriors, sent on secret duty, were found dead at the ruined stockade.” ** It does look ee could have killed them; perhaps it was White Beaver, or it might have been the man they call Ca Crimson.” ‘‘It might have been, but 1 doubt it; but Serene three mysteries I wish to solve, and J wi ‘* And they are—” ‘‘ First, why is it that this man, D. F. Powell by name, a su nin thearmy some years ago, should suddenly | himself with Indians, become their medicine chief, and now be roam- ing the prairies over as a hunter and a guide, when he has ample means to live in comfort?” ‘* You are doing the same.” ‘True, but crime has driven me to become ‘I do as I please, tioning; Wildbird has not been ~ ing me an outlaw, and no one can say that White | lately, and I'll get rid of her to Black Kettle; Beaver, as the reds call him, has ever done a | did you or any of the band displease me, as you wrong; his face is too noble; no, he has some know, I would use my knife.” ? ‘* Yas, —— right y ne aes knife, Cul; but, Lordy, the leetle gal is a sweet ‘un, an’ she’s so good to ther boys.” ‘*T’ll find one to suit my fancy better.” ‘‘Aho! waal, when a man gits tired 0’ his squaw, ’tain’t no use argufying the case, so I’!1 oO ” ‘* And when you return, telling me'that she is Black Kettle’s captive, for A must remain in at the woman, who answered evasively. his camp until she arrives, | will give you a bag “You forget that Ebony was run down, that | of gold.” . night we were encamped near Dead Man’s Motte, ** Done; I'd make it Brely for my old grand- by the Man of the Iron Face, and that when he | mother for duckits; I'll go to once, Cul,” took me prisoner Fancy Frank: came up, pur- | ‘*Doso— Ah! there comes Wildbird.” sned by po poem: 2 one b The diabolical hireling of a worse. master ‘Ah, yes, I remember, and they took your walked away, just as Wildbird approached, and horse and gave you Fancy Frank’s, at the same | said: time ser free; I had forgotten,” and ‘Twas detained, looking after several who the chief laid back in his hammock once more. | are sick in camp,” ; ‘* And Harwood?” “ Well, now tell me his purpose?” £ ; O Sethe ‘* To kill you ” ; ‘‘Is better; he was sitting in front of his ‘‘- He is not alone in his desire, my dear,” and | cabin, but his hands and face are yet scarred by the fire; I can tell you he made a narrow es- not a shadow crossed the face of the chief; but after a momént of silence he asked: cape from death.” | y ‘It will harden him for the toast Satan will one day give him.” Why does he seek my life?” ‘*] know others that will be at the devil’s ‘*For a wrong done him in the past.” ‘‘ Ah} I have done so many wrongs in the ) ue,” was the bitter reply of the woman, ief laughed, and answered: long ago, I fail to eon pee now how I have “ Well, we'll not discuss that warm subject; sinned against him; but of all those [I have in- jured, my dear, you are the most forgiving, for _ { certainly brought a bitter blight upen; but be in readiness to start with the dawn for jean I loved, W and still love.” | Black Kettle’s camp, and te]l him under no cir- ‘*And 1 loved you, or never would I have cumstances to move ngaings the ement un- shared your evil fortunes as I have, and, ob til he hears from me, for, if we give them a few God! what have I not become!” and she buried | weeks’ rest, they will grow careless, and then her face in her hands, while he said pityingly: | we will have all our own ms 3 ) enlace have vier yt no Be peed but bear up | oe ’s angel ahead to a while longer and I'w ve gained enough to , spy my movemen “= PY Ha! Wildbird, what mean you?’ enable us to seek a foreign land and live in eand comfort.” — ‘‘I may be wrong; but if you are playing 4 ‘*Comfort, yes, but in peace never, with the | game nst me, beware,” and tthe woman tersof your evil deeds, ay, and my life also, | walked into the cabin, muttering; rising grimly before us.” | Well, I doubt bim more and more; but my ‘No, no, we will bury our past in the grave visit to Black Kettle will enable me to keep m of forgetfulness.” | engagement with Fancy Frank; but if I cate ‘‘ Never! there are ghostly memories that will sight of Angel Dave watching me, I will kill not remain buried; but tell me, chief, what is him as I did Hazel,” your intention regarding—the Malcolms?’ she | And the Mad Colonel muttered: asked, suddenly. “{ am growing suspicious of the woman, and “T have not made up my mind,” he an- | I hope l am not too late to prevent her betray- swered, indifferently. ing me, or telling Malcolm all, and thereby “Not made up your mind; then you mean thwarting my_plans regarding Maud, whose them harm?” ) | beautiful face I cannot banish from my heart; “Oh, no; I am sorry they came West, for but it’s a toss-up whether Violet is not as beau- they are a thormin my side; by Heaven! how | ‘ beautiful Maud Malcolm and Violet Vassar “Well, I shall bide my time,” and drawi have become,” ' his sombrero over his eyes the Mad Colone “S “TI can tell you what it is,” said the woman, in a low tone | ‘*Ha! how know you?” and the Mad Colonel half sprung from his hammock. ‘*From his own lips.” ‘‘By Heaven! this is becoming interesting; go on! but where in the devil’s name did you meet him?’ and the Mad Colonel gazed suspiciously a ‘‘Have you sent that dev EOMMIUCL OO) (E(@)