Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

and the major turned to the wagon-master, who rea ‘onfered the, teamsters into position for: the night. ) CHAPTER V., | THE RED GANTLET... As the train filed. into position, forming a crescent, with each end resting on the bank of the stream, the coming horseman was momen- tarily forgotten by all, excepting,.Maud Mal- colm, who was narrowly watching him as he drew nearer and nearer, riding at an easy gal- lop. vi Father, take my glass and see if you can make out. from that man’s face whether he is white, red or black?’ cried, Maud, handing her father her tiny field-glass, which. he at once turned upon the stranger. ) ‘I cannot see his features, Maud; he is a fine horseman, rides.a splendid animal, and is well armed PRONE Ds be. he white, black or red- skin,” answered the major, and others of the train. now came up and joined the. father and daughter, among whom were Ross Elliott and Violet. Vassar, With renewed interest all now gazed upon the coming horseman, who was yet f a mile away, and. though three _field-glasses were lev- eled at him, not one could trace his features; but, suddenly, a. startled cry broke from the lips of Maud,and it was followed by a shout from Henry Maverick, for, as if by magic, u from the prairie grass sprung half a hundre savage forms and as many steeds, and between the wagon-train and the solitary horseman. ‘‘In Heaven’s name what means that?” cried Major Malcolm, in alarm. ‘Tt means death to yonder stranger, major, for these Indians were lying in his path, and seeing that they would be discovered, they are DOW, UP and after him,” cried Henry Maverick, quickly. ‘And they were lying in wait to attack us to-night, doubtless,” , ** Correct, and would haye given us a bad surprise; but, in the name of Satan, don’t, yon- der stranger see the red-skins?’ anxiously cried the wagon-mastér. . “Tt would seem not, for he has not swerved fxm his direct. path toward us, and does not appear to see them charging upon bim,” an- swered the major. ' “Come! let us go to his rescue,” called out Ross’ Elliott. ) ‘Hold! youngster,..you.,must, take. it cool; this, train.is worth more than one man’s, life, aid, besides, we don’t know how many more I \juns are hiding there in the) grass,” cried the wagon-master, and he added, with enthusi- Se OO ee “That man don't scare worth, a cent, or-—” Or what, Mr, Maverick?’ asked Maud “ “ Or he is deaf and blind both, for see, he has | not yet drawn rein, nor turned outof.his way, though he is riding at a much greater s at And the words. of the wagon-master were true, for, seated like a statue im, his saddle, his horse fairly flying over the. prairie, the stran- irectly on toward the train encamp- ment, though a few rues yards.in his front. tlie Indians had spread out into a long double line, and. were moving, at.a.slow,gallop to meet nin and evidently wondering, at. his reckless **T fear he is in league with them, for, he has not yet been fired, at by “he devils, and seems utterly regardless of their presence,” said one of “* Tt, would seem so,.Benson; but, our. duty is plain; we must. form a.corral, and prepare for attack,” answered the major, .. : ) ou are right, major, t I dre L.no attgok hata tre aan ees had joined the train at the last town POT RAR Meike nt Doacsed dak iacive face Socugn a a dark attractive face, thoug war teteed by, a look of pation and a cer- sinister expression that in repose -eyer rested there, but which. vanished. when he was versing 42 ANSW rg AG Sp Oe he had been a oe. Pr on mission of f ii 0 asm tance, c ronrerted : cach as hed icant, t9 become a ca Behar itt e West. me y — 3 ring ne he had been e he urin had age? _himse cause er Ww poner’ the more tov er pa wire tal a. ways the tedium of many a he fe, arate a rm lyin ar wad; for nothing Ha! see! the oe i them,” cried Major Mé the horseman was seen to AY | le, and a seeping. bis onward, pace, to, fire; oO ice! twice! thrice! hye a d yell broke from the emigrant for they, now saw that the sigs was a friend, not a Bop ad, moreover, oiFith wild: yells the red “skins. now rushed a. : Pad Wantnienctoae tnd take of , heri he bad. Mr Hoch ata. spoke raise a.short Captain. Crimson, ee ee -_-—_—— upon the brave man, still, however, not firing as they seemed to wish to take him alive, a } | pet though quick, and apparently nervous. s attire was also striking, for it consisted of could not understand how: it; was possible for | a pair of black velvet pants, stuck in top-boots, him to midst. But, unheeding this dangerous maneuver on their part, and apparently not noticing it, the strange horseman rode on; his splendid animal | increasing his speed at every bound, until he seemed to be fairly flying over the prairie. ‘Great God! why does he not turn?” cried the major, ‘It is too late, sir; the line encircles bim,” answered Dick Harwood, and with staring eyes them, and were consequently ex- | tending their line so as to encircle him in. their | the heels of which were armed with gol urs; his jecket was of crimson plush, a strikin target to aim at, and was elaborately trimme with gold buttons and gilt braid, While a shirt. of soft white silk was visible underneath. Around his waist was worn a@ crimson silk sash, half-hiding a belt that held a pair of gold- | mounted, ivory-handled revolvers, and a bowie- all now gazed upon the strange sight, of one reckless man fearlessly endeavoring to break through fifty foes. ) Breathlessly men, women and children gazed upon the daring rider, until again they saw him raise his rifle at the group of Indians immedi- ately in his front, and toward which he and the other red-skins were now heading. Again and again flashed the trusty rifle, un- til it fairly rattled forth shot after shot, as though half a dozen revolvers were cracking, and yet the stranger swerved not from his path, nor checked his wonderful speed. A. few more bounds and he must be in the midst of his foes, and all in the train held their breath; then they saw him lower his rifle, and in each hand flashed forth a revolver; a wild yell broke from his lips, and he was in the thick of his enemies! With silence, and staring eyes, the emigrants gazed upon the strange scene, and beheld a struggling mass of men and horses, heard wild cries, death-shouts, the rattle of firearms, the fierce ne}ghing of a steed, and above all the war-cry they knew burst only from the throat of the stranger, ‘To his rescue, men! that man must not die perore our eyes for want of aid,” cried Ross El- lott. ‘‘Hold! he needs not our aid—see!” almost shouted Henry Maverick, the wagon-master, as suddenly out, of the melée emerged the splendid steed, his master in the saddle, and turned half around so.as to. confront. his foes, still sending death-shots from his terrible revolvers. A. wild shout of triumph burst from the emi- grants, the women and children also joining in, and as it reached his ears the horseman turned; and just in time, for suddenly there arose in his front, and in his pathway, the form of a large horse and. rider. He was an Indian, and a great chief, it was evident, and those who had just met the darin horseman seemed to co their pursuit an await the result. With long lance. in rest, the chief awaited like a knight of old the charge of his fearless adversary, as pocug® confident to aceomplish what his d had failed to do, and this very confidence caused a feeling of dread. to fill the hearts of the emigrants. bite But there was no time for suspense, for, like a hurricane the horseman charged, the Indian’s arrow left its. bow, and struck fairly in the ered to the name of Dick Harwood, | every. breast of his foe; but, unheeding it, the rider still came on, barely giving the chief time to drop his bow and raise his lance. to. be shivered to atoms by the blow, and the next instant the red-skin was’ torn from, his saddle by the strong arms of his enemy, a‘flash of steel was seen, and, after several bounds of the superb black steed, a lifeless form:fell wpon the prairie, while around the head of the vietor was waved. the gory sealp of the Indian; again was heard that ringing cry, which was an- n and again b emigrants, who vane 9 WEN <ooge at waa ane rate _ tlet. run ranger, apparently Sebamed by the clouds of arrows sent after him by the maddened savages, who had nearly a score of their band to mourn over. CAPTAIN CRIMSON... | ‘Ww, if ever man bore a charmed life, that one does,” said Major Malcolm, as the orange horseman came, on out of danger, leaying the discomfited Indians gazing after him as t: they believed him of su wers. acti ) "tl this remark of the major’s all concurred, and eagerly stood around in groups, awaiting swered airly the long lance struck the daring man, » though. a ments were made the.coming of the superb animal and his daring | A moment more and. he dashed into. their midst, and drew rein, while every eye was closely scanning horse and horseman, and splendid, points of the black steed Vinee ad munlosy for him from all lovers of was certainly one to win respect and ad- miration, for he sat his saddie:with am ease that showed he was.at home there, and his form was ou as to command regard in any assemblage “slender, and. with; broad shoulders, his scaly sl indicative .of great endurance and strer above the average, and yet was. ele- and his every movement was eae. knife, the companions to which rested in holsters: on one side of the broad horn of his Mexican saddle, while a lasso, neatly coiled, hung upon the other side, and his deadly. repeating-rifle was carried across his knees, showing that he was armed to the teeth. But still more remarkable was the fact that an iron mask concealed his face from view; but, that he was a white man one of his hands, from which the gauntlet glove had been re- moved, revealed. The only features visible beneath this iron covering, which was shaped to fit the face, were a pair of brilliant black eyes, but the metal cur- tain that fell upon his shoulders, encircling his neck, concealed all else, excepting the masses of waving dark hair that bung ar down his back, almost to his waist. Upon his head he wore a crimson sombrero, and it was evident that an iron skull-cap inside of it had protected him from the arrows of his foes, for there were several cuts in it, made by missiles meant to take his life, while the rent in his shirt-front where the lance of the chief had struck, proved that it had met something harder than human flesh and bone to resist it. His jet-black stallion, long in body, gaunt as a grayhound and clean in limb, wore a housing of steel network painted black, and hardly visible at a short distance, while the large Mexican saddle had also protected him from lance and arrow wounds, though he was bleed- ing from several insignificant cuts upon his legs and neck. Back of the silver-mounted saddle was a roll of oil-cloth, containing a Mexican serapé and army cloak, and upon each side were leather pockets, one for provisions, the other for arm- munition and a change of clothing. In fact, this Man of the Iron Face, and gorgeously- p- poaim stranger, was equipped most thoroughly or a trip across the plains, or a‘deadly combat: with red-skins. What he was capable of, the emigrants well knew, for they had just seen him tried, and with undisguised admiration they gazed upon him as he drew up his panting horse, and with his ungloved hand touched a spring in the mask, that caused the lower to slide up, and re- vealed a firm chin, and decided, fearless mouth, shaded with a brown mustache. All were in hopes that he would remove his mask wholly, but he disappointed them, and thereby set usy brains to work, wondering why he concealed his face from the gaze of” his, fellow-man, ‘It cannot be from the fear of recognition from: some crime committed, for so brave a man could not be a criminal,” thought Violet. ‘‘ Some hideous sear received in battle doubt- less causes him to wear a ” was in Maud Malcolm’s mind meme — sae ger, who apparently unheeding the Gact that every eye was upon’ him, and some of them very pretty ones too, said, in a.calm, deep tone: aes the emigrant train of Major Mal- colm? , * It is, sir, and I am Burt Maleolm;” answered. e major. | . ‘“‘ Word was brought to the fort, sir, that: our train was coming West, and I volunteered . come and warn you that double danger lay on your trail, for not only is that accursed ban- dit, the Mad Colonel, and his Prairie Tigers ly- ing in wait for you, but Black Kettle and his. Dog Soldier Sioux are on the war-path.” ‘And yet ae alone, have safely passed through their lines,” said Maud Malcolm, with interest. ‘+ Ah, lady, one man who understands prairie eraft can go where a hundred could not. But Major Malcolm, I give you the knowledge of ‘} the dangers before you,'and you’ know best what to do, as to going on to your destination. or retracing your way.” | ‘What would you advise, sir?” “First ask your guide, who I learned at the fort is the famous Medicine Chief, White Bea- ver, as the Indians call him, and whose good looks and fanciful attire have won him the name among the hunters of Fancy Frank.”* ** Doctor Powell, or Fancy Frank, is our guide, and has been since we left Fort Hays, where he volunteered to act ‘in that es y> when knowing I needed a man I could thor- oughly rely on.” A White Beaver, sir, but his ‘‘T have never met | reputation as a man who knows the plains, and _* A real character; Dr. D. F. Powell, an pe -eyreeon of the army, and a man whose life has been of er gre 2 adventures. He now lives in Minnesota, and is known as White Beaver, the Medicine Chief. Ceonniclooolkkes (E@)