Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Crimson. 7 Rifle dashed up to the t, followed by Major Malcolm and others, and the former cried: “ Thet’s are’ an’ no mistake; he’s struck a rich lead o’ red blood, an’ he’s a-followin’ it. Hooray! he’s bizziness clean through, an’ he’ll chaw ‘em up, scalps an’ all.” Then, turning to Maud, he continued: “Tf Twere a rape | gal, such as you is, miss Vda heap ruther git soft on a chap like thet Cap’en Crimson, even ef his face is masked, then git gone on a feller as you c’u’d see clean through at one squint.” Maud blushed, but it was too dark for it to be seen, and her face instantly paled, as Rattling Rifle remarked: ‘* It’s over, 40 ‘‘ What is over, sir?” she asked, anxiously. “The rackit, ther bullit fandango.” **1 do not understand, sir.” “* He’s got through, or he’s been wiped out.” ** Killed?” ‘‘One or t’other, miss, but 1 rather guesses he’s all right,” , Maud strained her eyes out upon the prairie; but all was darkness there, and all was silence. Was the strange Man of the Iron Face dead? That question none there could answer, and with a moan Maud Malcolm turned away, for, if Captain Crimson was dead, she felt that the fate of Fancy Frank was also sealed. CHAPTER XI. THE MAD COLONEL AND HIS TIGERS. Not very far distant from the spot on the creek, where the emigrant train had just pone into camp, the band of road-agents, known as Prairie ‘Meers. had encamped for the’ night, and the small trees growing’on the banks of the stream had been hastily felled and made use of as firewood, with. which to cook the evening meal, for the marauders had ridden far that day, and were both tired and hungry, Out upon the prairie their steeds were tethered to feed, while the riders, some thirty in num- ber, were gathered around the fires, watching the ooking of their buffalo and antelope steaks, ov drinking vile whisky, and conversing in the low, but earnest tones of men accustomed to load lives.of danger, and knew not what mo- rnent they might be called upon to mingle in the death-struggle. Apart from the main portion of the band was their chief, cg tapeay Minne serapé thrown in front of a blazing fire, and resting his elbow upon the horn of his silver-bespangled saddle. He was dressed in the full. uniform of a cavalry colonel in the United States army, even to the epaulettes, though he wore a Mexican sombrero, encircled by a gold cord, instead of the regulation slouch hat. His form, as he gracefully reclined at length, was certainly elegant in outline, and his feet, incased in handsome cavalry boots, and gaunt- let-covered hands were small and shapely. As the t shone full in his face each clearly cut f was sever visible, and no one who upon his almost womanly beauty h his small mouth, pearly teeth, large lustrous eyes, and long, curli hair, would have believed that he was the terror of the plains, the chief of the Prairie Tigers, whose ng and devilish deeds had won for him the name of the Mad Colonel, for ’twas said he was an ex-army officer, who preferred, from ‘his fierce nature, to command a band of outlaws, rather than a regiment of honest troopers. Puffing idly at a cigar, he seemed wholly in- different to anything except his comfort; but started, as a horse dashed suddenly up te*within a few oR of i he lay, the rider sprun e ground. “Well, my prairie wildflower, you have the scalp of the one you pursued, of course?” he said, inquiringly, gazing at the new-comer, who was @ Woman—yes, a woman of marvelous beauty of both face and form. She was attired in a deep black riding-ha wore a sombrero of the same somber hue, an also gauntlets, while the steed, who stood peerns at her side, had a jetty hide unmarred y a spot of white, and was accoutered with saddle and bridle of the same funereal appear- ance, But the woman? She was slightly above the medium hight with a form that was exqnisitely molded, and a face that was strangely fascinating for its dimpled beauty, and the look of intense sadness that dwelt far back in the dreamy eyes, and rested upon the ruby lips, which ever and anon ‘quive slightly, as though moved by some internal emotion ever bursting forth from the cells of memory’s casket, ‘*No, he escaped me,” quietly responded the woman, who could scarcely be over twenty- two, and, having thrown back the cloak that drooped from her shoulders, the act discovered that a small rifle hung at her back, and the belt that encircled her slender waist held a pair of revolvers and a knife. “Escaped you, my lovely Black Specter? How was that possible, and you mounted on Ebony?” answered the Mad Colonel, in a tone not unpleasant or unkind. ‘“T know not, excepting that Ebony found his match in the horse ridden by the Indian; I rE chased him for miles and could not inch, so returned to join you at the timber, but discovered that others were encamped there, and meeting Black Kettle’s warriors they told me I would find you here.” ‘Yes, an emigrant train, and a very rich one, I have heard, is encamped in the timber; but I shall soon know all about them, if no harm has befallen my spy— Ha! speak of the devil, and his imps will ap ! Welcome, my allant lieutenant, and tell us the news,” and the road-agent chief held forth his hand to a person who just then approached. ‘“Good-evening, colonel! I am happy to greet you again, fair lady,” replied the new- comer, turning his horse loose to feed near by and joining the chief and the woman, who had also thrown herself languidly down upon the serapé, and who nodded coolly to the saluta- tion. **T got your word that the train was a rich one but strong, Dick; now tell me all about it,” said the colonel, and, as the new-comer turned his face to the fire-light, the bold, dissipated features of Dick Harwood were revealed. “ Well, colonel, I — the layout on the Re- ms mre and have been with them sinco, they slieving me to be a man intending to becomea n an ranchero. ‘““Tt’s a pleasant. party, all of them ate more or less money; and they are strong enoug to make a fight that will stand us off, unless—” “‘Uniess what, Dick?’ asked the chief, as the young man paused. | ‘*“ Unless we join forces with Black Kettle and his band,” ‘*T have thought of that; but that old red sinner and his warriors will want more plunder than I am willing to give.” ‘““There’s & little petticoat plunder in the train he shall not have, unless he puts ‘me under- ground, for ve lost my heart, colonel.” “ What! in love, Dick?” **L am dead gone, and with a girl who, no matter what she may be hereafter, is certainly an angel in petticoats hereon earth; for she’s beaut ful and good, far too good for such as | am, “* And she loves you?” | There was a sneer in the woman’s tone as she asked the question, and the handsome young villain colored, but answered recklessly : **} do not know; I thought so, some time back, but then I had a dangerous rival in that devilish Medicine Chief, who has turned guide; Imean White Beaver, colonel.” “Hal Fancy Frank?” ‘* Yes, sir; it seems he was in Leavenworth and met the party there, and saved the old ma- — life from a crowd of roughs who attacked im, and he volunteered to act as guide, know- ing they wanted one for the train.’ “That man I shall one day kill, for I hate him,” said the colonel, with vindictive hatred. ‘* He may be dead now, for the Indians, some of old Kettle’s band, captured him this morn- ing; but we have another foe as dangerous as ‘* Who, for instance?” “The Man of the [ron Face.” “Ha! Captain Crimson, they call him; he too shall die, for I have heard he seeks my life, and he certainly has killed half a dozen of my mn. ‘*He bears a charmed life, colonel; as I can swear to; just before I left the train, pretending I was coming out on a short scout, he rod away, and cut through Kettle’s line of In- ‘Which way did he go?” | ‘*T do not know, but his trail can be taken at daylight and followed, for we have ty of time te take the train in, as our best plan is to starve them out.” ‘* No, the would be down upon us within the week; we must take them by forée, and can only do so with Black Kettle’s aid.” ‘*But my sweet little Maud Malcolm must not be harmed, colonel.” ‘What name did you say, sir?’ and with a livid face the woman sprung to her feet and confronted the outlaw lieutenant of the Prairie Tigers, for such he really was. ‘*T said Maud Malcolm * he an- swered, coldly; but tho chief was now upon his feet, and he asked in allow tone, and evidently deeply moved: ‘*The girl’s father is with the train?’ ** Yes, colonel; he is its captain,” replied Dick Harwood, wondering at the emotion of his chief and the woman. : ‘* His name, for you should know, sir?” ‘* Major Burt Malcolm.” ‘‘Oh, God have mercy!” The cry came from the woman’s lips, and she covered her pale face with her gloved hands, as though to shut out some horrible phantoms that flitted before her vision. ‘‘Major Malcolm in yonder train? Say, arwood, what others of is family has he with bim?’ asked the chief, in a low tone. ‘‘ His wife, a sad-faced woman; his daughter Maud, of whom I spoke, and a niece, his sr a pretty girl by the name of Violet Vas- us Oh, God have mercy !” Again the cry seemed wrung from the wo- man’s lips, and the young lieutenant said, with a slight sneer in his tones: “ names seem to call up unpleasant memories to the Black ter.” ‘* Silence, sir! You will not comment upon the grief, or acts of my wife, unless you wish to quarrel with me,” broke sternly from the lips of the Mad Colonel. . ‘* No, colonel, 1 will not quarrel with you; but have you orders for me?” calmly answered the lieutenant, though his dark eyes ed fire. ‘‘Yes: remain with the band, and see that they are ready to move at once.” Dick Harwood bowed and strode away to- ward the camp-fires of the men, followed by his well-trained horse. As his form disappeared from sight, the chief turned to the woman he had called his wife, and said in a low tone: ‘* Well, my prairie Wildbird, you heard the words of Harwood?” ‘* Yes, and I shall warn the train of the dan- ger they have to encounter.” “That every man, woman and child knows; but you shall do no such thing.” “What, do you dare me?’ and the woman turned upon him with burning eyes, and stern resolve upon every feature. ‘*No, but I warn: you, Wildbird,” was the low response, and the deep tones of the man trembled. ‘* And I defy your warning, my gallant colo- nel of prairie cut-throats,” and the woman broke forth in ringing laughter, that startled all who heard it, for it was laughter Without mer- riment, but instead, defiant, and, in spite of its sweetness, almost demoniacal. CHAPTER XII. THE BLACK SPECTER ‘MEANS BUSINESS: THE defiant manner and words of the Black Specter, as she was called on the plains, and Wildbird, as the Mad Colonel called her, for a moment seemed to impress the chief strangely, and he paced to and fro, evidently deeply moved. Then he halted and turned upon the woman, who looked grandly beautiful in the fire-light, as she stood before him, her form drawn up, and her attitude that of scorn and defiance. * Wildbird, don’t wound your wings them against the cage I keep you in, for it wi do no good,” he'said, in a low, earnest tone. “ It willdo this good, chief, that I will warn onder train of who and what you are, and hey will resist to the bitter end; ay, sooner than you should harm one of the name of Mal- colm, I will ride to the fort myself and tell the commandant that his troopers are needed,” “You will do no such thing. Did I suspect it, 1 would at once bind those shapely limbs of yours, and send ya a prisoner to my mountain retreat, while wreaked a vengeance upon every one who bears the name of Malcolm.” ‘**No, no, no! you would not do this cruel deed,” cried the woman, her courage breaking | down under the iron will of the man. ‘* I will do them no harm for they might as well live here as elsewhere; but you must swear to me that you will not betray to them our se- ee any way give warning to the train of the movements of my Tigers or Black Ket- tle’s savages. Do you swear asl wish?’ — He turned his piercing eyes her, and her whole form quivered with emo ; but that she would yield was evident, as she seemed entirely swa by his influence for . ‘** Do you promise—ay, swear?” “Tf L refuse?” she almost whispered. “Then I shall kill;and you know my threats are not idle.” No, no, no! you must not do than you have done; I swear do as you ‘*Enough. Now, to proveto you that I know you will keep your oath, I send you to the In- dian line, to tell Black Kettle the chief to come here and see me.” » as I will go.” ‘Of course you will and not betray me either, as I well know, Wildbird. You m also approach timber as nearas possible, and ascerts what kind of a watch the emigrants k as will.” nwt 7 By some sudden impulse he drew her toward him, and imprinted a kiss upon her forehead, and then cal to her horse, raised her light] to her — and lace a word she rotte away, disappearin m ht out upon the prairie, for gathering dlonds Were shading the moonlight. Riding along the rise of the prairie for some distance, she suddenly drew rein, for before her, prostrate upon the ground, she beheld several dark forms. In an instant her rifle was swung round for use, and in a clear, fearless tone she cried out: ke ! or you die!” The answer startled her, for there came the earnest cry, in a man’s deep voice: “Fly! for your life, fly! Iam a prisoner to these Dog Soldier Sioux.” Instead of obeying, the women said, in per- fect Sioux: ter wrong COmMmicnee <S (E(0)