Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Crimson. | 19 company of men, who, with the soldiers, would soon this part of the country of the Mad Colonel and the hostile band of I “ “You did all in your power to get him to re- turn to Louisiana ‘*Yes, or to Texas; but he said he would in- vest his money in cattle, and in a few years, when he became a cattle king, would return and purchase his old home, where he hopes to be buried among his ancestors.” The woman was silent for a moment, and then said, as if thinking aloud: ‘*Perhaps it is as well now, for with their chief out of the way the Tigers will quickly dis- band, as Devil Dick can never hold them to- gether, and the settlers can easily keep off the red-skins; yes, it is perhaps best’as it is, for there is a fortune in the cattle business out here, and he deserves to make money to repay him for what he has lost; now I will return and woe be to thee, my gallant colonel.” ; Almost forgetting Fancy Frank in the thoughts that flashed through her mind, she turned to go, when the Scout asked: ‘** Have you any wish regarding Angel Dave?” ““None; and yes, I would not have you kill him, for he told me that which I would know.” “Thave questions of import to ask him too,” *‘Hal l remember you said at the ruined stockade that your duty on these plains. was. to kill tte Mad Colonel; how has he wronged ou? wa You would know?’ «ec Yes. ” ‘‘Come and you shall hear all,” and Fancy Frank led the way back to where Angel Dave lay bound, watching with eager interest the two persons, who he knew held his life in their hands. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE BLACK SPECTER’S PLOT. “WELL, sir, | have a few questions to ask ou, and remember I expect you to tell ‘the ruth.” ‘‘Pliido it ef ee will wag truthful, ‘dy but it’s got kinder nat’ral like fer it ter ‘‘T']l keep this persuader in your eye; now, answer me; you were born in the State of New eaceerdueed pnow: , para. “In your native village dwelt a man who was your schoolmate, and one day saved you from drowning?” ‘*Gospil ag’in; he were therson 0’ a rich man, an’ his name were—” ‘‘ Never mind the name; he went into the army?” | és ure.” ‘*'You commited a crime which caused you to fly for your life?” **'You has it down like readin’, pard.” “In the South-west you again met your old schoolmate, and entered his company as a sol- dier?”’ «You aided him 4 ymaster ** You ai im in robbing the ter’s train, disguised as road tay ou “Talk it off, , fer you knows.” “ After he left the army he returned home, and soon after joined you on his ratich, and he brought a young girl with bim?’ ‘*He did; she was e purty leetle gal, the dar- ter o’ ther parsoh in our Village, an’ she was dead gone on him.” “Did be marry her?’ ‘*He promised to, but he didn’t keep his word.” ‘* And where is she?” “With ther angi Anes i er 5 hesitated, nd, seeing it, Fan nD ve a ng it, Frank said, sternly: if ** Tell me!” **T guesses she’d ’a’ lived longer ef it hadn’t been fer” ‘* For fer sir?’ and the face of Fancy Frank was very ‘““P*izen.” . ** Poison! did he poison her?” “He aor her some Injun mixture, an’ she “You know this?’ **T buried her.” | The Scout was silent a moment, and then he d: Sah you remember ever seeing me in the st? ‘“‘T ust. ter see yer at the fort, where yer was * iocaate = * Not ore ‘‘'Yer does has a familiar look, but I hain’t able ter place yer.” | ‘Then why did you attempt to kill me once?” “To git yer aa was the bold answer. J ware Diied ards eA tai dresser, wore Nary, : a gold hie? anu’ lariat ter hang it to, vet ust ter rrv duckits in quantity in yer pockets, so I thotght I'd struck a nef lead, and drawed on 7 Opn I nearly died from the wound Pp gave me; but, do you not remember an old school- mate at the vi y, by the name of Frank Powell?’ ‘Lordy! [has yer down now in my mem’ry chist; put it thar, pard, I’m lad ter see yer ag’in,” and the man made an effort to extend his bound hand, while Fancy Frank gazed upon him, and Wildbird stood silently by. = I will not take your hand; not because you attempted my life, Dave Titus, but because a r oe Ray to be sore a er home and paren y 2 villain, w oO r life when he became tired of her.” ‘Yer see, pard, she was goin’ ter let her tongue slip on him, soon as she found out he was a—well, it’s a hard word, but I'm not preachin’ a funeral sarmon, so I'll say it—khorse- thief, an’ he were a leetle worse, too,” ‘*'To save himself, he killed poor Bessie?” ** Youis talkin’, sf ‘“*And you aided him? ‘*Nary, for in lookin’ at her the old Mohawk river rose before my eyes, with the village on its banks, the ivy-grown church on the -hill, where was sleeping my poor old mother, whose heart I broke by my evil life; yes, Bessie brought back all those memories, Frank Powell and 1 would not have harmed her for the go of California.” The outlaw had suddenly dropped all border dialect, and his breast heaved, and tears stood in his eyes, showing that he still had a heart. Instantly Faney Frank severed the bonds that held him, and said with some emotion: ‘“* 1 will take your hand, Dave Titus, for I see that you are not wholly bad, and it was you that placed her in her last resting-place,” “Yes, I buried her, and I have often had the spot rise beforé me in my dreams; it was cruel of him to betray her and then kill her, Frank.” ‘*He shall not escape my vengeance for the deed, Dave Titus, for I loved that girl with all mv heart; and after he left she confessed her love for me, as it was only a fascination he had over her; but I left home, and when I went back to claim my bride, she was gone, and people said, with that man whom I hated, and who in boyhood was my rival. ‘* What cared I for the rank I had won in the army? Nothing, for I gave it up and became a dweller in Indian camps. to find him whom I had sworn to kill, and now I know the end cannot be far away. ** Now tell me: do you wish to go back to your old life, and in the end be weing up as an outlaw, for the days of the Prairie Tigers are num or do you wish to change your life, and aid me in bringing them to justice?” ‘*P'm on ther. trail with you, pard,” was the answer of Angel Dave, who dropped back into his old n° of speaking once more, * weg I trust you, and we will decide what is t to be done,” and Fancy Frank turned to Wildbird, who had been a silent lis- tener to all, and her face showed that she was d By moved by what she heard. "k esterday, no price, no inducement could have made me betray the Mad Colonel and his band; to-day I think differently, and I will aid you,” said the woman, in a low, distinct voice. “How and when?” asked Fancy Frank. ‘‘You are a physician, I believe?’ she said, turning to the Scout. sé Yes.” ¢ 4 you ever carry any medicines with you now ‘Yes; [have a small case of medicines, and also of surgical instruments in my saddle eee a Ihave often found of use; are youi ‘Yes, and the pain is here,” and she laid her hand upon her heart; but in a low tone she added; ‘‘ Have you any poison in your case?” **T have one is most deadly indeed; why do you ask?” “Give me it, and then I need a powerful opiate, if you have such.” ** May I ask why?” ‘Do not ask, for I can only answer that the are to aid you in capturing the Prairie Tigers, . en . “To-morrow night; Dave will lead to the Pass, there, t, shall be under the influence of your opiate: once in the Pass, and, if you bring a hundred men with you, nen are at your mercy.” ‘*En Le : trust you— Ha! who comes there?’ and Fancy Frank turned his pe across the a oe an the an which, a league away, came two horsemen a —_ . The Black Specter raised a small glass + eyes and said quietly: ‘*Itis your friend of the Iron Face, and an Indian I gave chase to some days ago; see, he looks down, as though following a trail.” “Tt is mine, he will come to this spot; I am glad he is coming.” “<P care not to see him, so give me the opiate and poison.” Fancy Frank stepped to where —— awaited him, and took from his saddle-pocket two small vials, one containing a Smee the other a few ca of colorless liqui ‘* Here is the opiate, and this is the poison,” he said, as she held forth her hand eagerly for them. ‘**f thank you; now I will leave you, so re- member, to-morrow night.” ‘I shall not forget.” The woman sprung ightly into her saddle, and with a wave of her d rode away at a sweeping gallop back toward the moun CHAPTER XXV. ANGEL DAVE IN THE LION’S DEN. For some moments after the departure of Wildbird neither Fancy Frank or Angel Dave spoke, the former seeming lost in deep thought, and the latter keeping his eyes on the approach- horsemen. t length he said, uneasily: **Pard, I hain’t wholly in love with that chap comin’ yonder with ther iron face, an’ p’r’a I’d better light out, too, an’ jine yer arter he has levanted.” “* No, he will not harm you, knowing that you are to aid us.” * The settlers will want ter hev me in at ther in’ match, I guesses.” ‘Pll protect you, Dave; but after the Tigers are nabbed I would advise you to seek a more healthy region.” ** lll do it, pard, fer I guesses this climate are aleetle consumptive to a feller with a delikit natur’ like mine; but isn’t yonder Iron Face a howlin’ devil on wheels, an’ ther horse he rides are a locomotive on stilts, fer jist see how he’s a elimbin’ this heur hill, an’ ther red hain’t ae back down ther lane fer tearin’ along nuther?’ The Man of the Iron Face was now within range of the thicket, and he and the Indian suddenly drew rein, as though their quick eyes had detected danger ahead. But Fancy Frank stepped out in°full sight, and waved his hat in welcome, and Captain Crimson and his red ally came on ata gallop, and the pete cache nee meee | men clasped han warmly, while Angel Dave and Red Snake eyed each other with a look that showed there was no love between them. | “ Well, Powell, I took your trail, fearing you might get in trouble and need a friendly hand,” said Captain Crimson, pore | ‘*You were very kind, captain, and I am glad you have come, for I have news for you.” . ‘“*So it would seem, when I see who is your companion.” “| tole yer, :pard, thet Capt’in Crimson an” myself was acquainted; we don’t need no in- trydoocin, I kin tell yer, as he licked me one night at ther post fer cheatin” a ni at keerds, an’ ef he hed knowed I war a ‘ger I guesses he’d called in my checks.” ‘‘T remember you, sir, and I would warn Doctor Powell against you,” was the stern re- ply. “Oh, he knows me, ; raised me from a pup inther ole Mohawk valley, an’ we is thick as ee now fer he’s hed ive me my tres- passes thet I trespassed ag’ im. ‘“*] know the man, Captain Crimson, and though he wasa member of the Mad Colonel’s band he is now our ally, and when [I tell you that to-morrow night he leads us’ into the stronghold of the ae you may know that I have not come here for an idle te **'You do not fear treachery, Powell?” “Not I; we hunt the Tigers in their den to- and get Captain Carleton and his troop, 1 will and get e and his ; Bee: to Eldorado City and return with all emigrants I can raise, and meet you at the river an hour after sunrise to-morrow.” “*T will be there with the a as we have little time to lose, we ‘better start now,” answered Lron after the four men started on the fort and Eldorado City. . Riding ae on their way the four men reached the ford at sunset, and there they divided their forces, Frank and Angel Dave heading away to Eldorado City and Captain Crimson and Red Snake going Arriving at Social Hall, Fancy Frank dis- mounted, and telling Angel Dave to follow boldly entered the saloon, where already had gethered a dred men, drinking ying ecards and chatting about the mow anitional ! and its prospects. Bvery eye fell n the Scout and his com- Aneel De - uld not tre man, ve could not repress a tremor of fear, for he knew that many would him as one of the Prairie Tiger band. ‘‘Hallo, White Beaver, what news?” cried H Maverick, coming forward. “Have a drink with us, Guide?” called out another, while a third asked: ‘In the devil’s name! who have you there, Frank?’ “A friend of mine; what will you drink, Dave?” was the quiet response of the Guide, as. he and his companion turned toward the bar. ‘Then I must say, White Beaver, that you keep devilish bad company,” said a tall herds- man, coming forward. “That's so; he’s one o’ the Tiger gang, for T knows him; up with him, lads!” cried another. At this Angel Dave half drew his revolver, determined to die game; but Fancy Frank checked the movement, and said, in a low tone: “Keep cool, Dave, for they will not harm. you. the back trail for Face, and afew moments — EONMICMIOOKSA(COag)