Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

‘‘ Are these the braves of Black Kettle?” me from the grass. them arose two. Indians in their war toggery, wae one of them an- swered in his native ‘*The warriors of the slack Kettle have the eyes of an owl; see in, the dark, and they knew the Black Shade of. the Tiger braves; they await the words of the squaw of the Mad | Chief.” ~ ‘IT was going to seek thy chief, braves; the white-faces lie encamped over the prairie, and they are strong and weil armed, and the Mad Chief would hold counsel with the Black Ket- “The Black Kettle is off on the prairie; he mourns for the chief Bad Hand and many braves, slain by the Iron Face of the Plains,” said the Indian, sadly. “*T will seek hae there as prisoner?” ‘*A pale face brave; the red-men call him Napska, and he is the medicine-chief of the Winnebagoes, but the foe of the Dog Soldier Sioux.” ‘“‘Ha! have -_ whites c uickly. ms Pie 1 Black Specter has spoken straight; it is the White Beaver, and when we return to our lodges he must die.” For a moment the woman remained silent, and then she addressed the guide in leaks, wok ‘*Are you he whom men Frank?” ‘‘ What there is left of me,” was 4 e laconic “ee ‘ How did you get into this scrape?” Rode right upon the red devils who were lying down upon the prairie, and turning tu y, my horse trod ina ohne hole and fell with me, and here la “You take it coolly, cae, " ‘‘ What is the use fo fret? For myself I care little; there is but one time to die and I[ have gone hand in hand with grim Death so long, I ook upon him ~ a friendly pard to help me out of trouble some ee There was something in the man’s philosophi- cal tone and manver that impressed Wildbird, and she felt drawn toward bim most kindly, for her association with the Prairie Tigers had not made her wholly callous, and she said, with a eT I am sorry I have not the power to release you, and yet I know the Indians will kill ou. me Oh, I know that; but if I was certain of one thing, and had accomplished a duty I had oe out to a I would care but little, for life is rdly worth the living.” ‘True, true, true,” broke from the woman’s lips most earnestly; but, as though ashamed of her ae having betrayed her, she said arial I aid you in finding out what you would know?’ ||)009 but who is it you have ou as prisoner the one whom Fancy Frank?’ asked the wo- ‘Yes, perhaps; where is the Man of the Iron Face?” ‘In the timber with the train.” ‘Th God! These red devils lied to me and said they had killed him, and I feared it, for I did not see how he could live, doing what or did this afternoon. Why, he bearsa charmed e,’ **So it would seem, from all I have beard re- garding him, and | you, too, are. said to be bullet arrow proof.” ‘* Wish twas so; now tell me, where are the Mad Colonel and his cut-throats?” ‘* How should I know?” “Oh! I know who you are.” ** Who am I?’ “Tn the camps you are called the pWildbacd, ter; the Indians have named you Wildb and rumor has it that you are the wife of the Mad Colonel, and serve him as a lieutenant, at times, and at other times as—” as what?’ she asked, in a constrained I ahs deceyts d the suspectin to th “Asa beh ead the un gin 3) clutches of rs.” ‘And he oatiers this?’ she asked, sadly. Ta a wg beet Creep or pg 4 ve; but I know to bea member of the Chief’s band, or I have seen you in his camp, and but now you told these Indians that t @ Colonel had sent eet Ae for Black Kettle, for I speak Sioux te A! now tell me if you were the guide of the train in yonder motte?” sc Yes. ”? ‘‘ Where was it heading?” «To seek homes on the South Platte.” e You know Major Malcolm?’ '* Yes. ** And his family?” ** All of them.” ‘“Why have they come to this wild land?” “Misfortune of some kind overtook them in their old home, I believe, and the or sought these Western prairies, as Many»ot have done, to build up his shattered fortunes.” “Poor man, he li tle knew where he was coming! But tell me, do you think he would take your advice?” e might.” ‘*] mean not as a guide, but as a friend?” ee Sains +4 ‘‘ Perhaps illo you. promise to do as I, wish, if. 1 make you a free man?” ‘* Better not attempt. it, for it will but get, you into trouble,” ‘‘ I will. look after that.” ‘*Lam Black Kettle’s prisoner, and if you re- lease me, it will get the Mad Chief into trouble with the Dog Sioux,” ‘* W hat.care you?” ** Oh, nothing; it was you I .was thinking of for I wish that old Kettle and: the Mad Colonel would be like the Kilkenny cats.” i Promise to do as I wish, and I will set you ‘* What do ‘** That I wi third night from this at the ruined stockade ten miles to the north of here.” “TI know it; but I cannot promise, with my hands and feet bound, and Sneep savages sitting on me like coroners on @ cor The woman made no rep - ‘but her actions certainly spoke louder than werds, for her hand was thrust forward, two sharp reports followed, and the two red-skin guards dropped dead in their tracks! . ou. wish ?” tell you, if you will meet me the CHAPTER . XIII. MAN OR SPOOK, HarRpLY had the report of the pistol-shots died away, when the Black Specter was upon = round, and with her keen knife had sey- the bonds of Fancy Frank; and, while he ne stretching his cramped limbs, she per- formed a like service for the splendid white steed that had been bound also, and lay near his master. ‘Well, you have released me with a ven- —— »’said the scout in great surprise at the ng act of the woinan, and tow her as ; one to thank her. But she waved him away, and cried, hastily: ‘**You are free, now ri @ for your life, but meet me as I request. Quick! for my shots will bring the Tigers and ans upon us.’ ‘* And you?” “Oh, go! Never mind me; go/”’ she cried, impatiently. ithout a word he took his arms from the side of the dead Indians, and threw himself into the saddle; then he paused, and she once more cried: * Will falls com : - Yes; ‘<- will be at the ruined stockade; good- y” Wheeling the noble white steed he bestrode he darted away like an arrow from a bow, an disappeared over the rise of the prairie, while hr Do you not hear rapid hoof- the woman rae sprung into her saddle, and, at a word to orse, h meg from the — scene where a tragedy had enacted; and, just in time, for both Prairie and Sioux, — had heard the shots and seen = flashes, ere hastening toward the spot. ” Bok hardly had the woman gone a dozen s, when, glancing behind her, she saw a orseman d = to the spot, where lay the dead Indians, and, drawing rein, leap to the ground. That he was nota red-skin she felt certain, and was half-inclined to come toa halt to see who he was; but the coming of the warriors and Tigers, whom her two shots had alarmed, caused her to dash on once more, not caring to be found near the scene, as questioning from the Mad Colonel might bring von some ugly facts she wished to remain unknow An instant only did the Black. Sipacter hesi- tate, and then away sped her swift steed, urged on by whip, now, tor his rider saw that the strange horseman had only halted momentarily at the wpot, ong then remounting, came on in of He has discovered me and follows: but I need not fear him mounted on you, my ‘bird of the Prairie,” she said, leaning forward and oo ting her horse affectiona tely. But, hardly had she gone a hundred , when she saw that her pursuer was gaining, in spite of the oh se of her horse, and with sur- prise wen heme od him on a ose — found his ar 8 on to greater exertions. i) aad the. lash, which seldom marting und touched his whoa r hide, the fleet animal sped on at + AD rgd mary ould bave kept up with a srale but, shatdile gaining upon him, came his ursuer. Glancing over her shoulder, Wildbird saw that the horseman sat upright and motionless in his saddle, and was using no effort to _ his steed on, the splendid animal @ eet running at his own will, and eviden capable of far greater speed if driven hard. ‘J would discard even you Ebony, to own that horse,” muttered Wildbird, and she again | plied the lash to her straining animal, while she said, half-reproachfully: | “second time within twelve bours you | have met your match, for that Indian horse- | man held his own against us this afternoon, and this horse’is your superior, for be gains steadily ; but you can dono more, my beauty, and I must aid you.” As she spoke, she brought her small repeat- Sounds | qoialard riflé around for use, and, drop the reins upon the neck of her horse, she yore § in her e and raised the weapon to her shoulder, Her poset was ayy Wane ote y “, ds, and coming silently on, yet steadily gaining at eve bound of. the spina brute he rode. : » WwW atching ber opportunity, when her horse was steaciest, sho fired, and the flash illumined the prairie for an instant, and the sharp crack was heard by the group of Indians and outlaws, grouped around the two dead red-skins. As the smoke drifted from before her vision, Wildbird gazed eagerly toward her pursuer expecting to see his saddle empty, for she had perfect confidence in her aim. But, to her intense surprise, the rider sat as silent and motionless as before, and his steed still pressed on. Again she fired, and with a like result; and then again and again; but the pursuer remained as before. What could it mean? She had herself loaded her rifle, and she knew well the accuracy of her aim, She was not uaturally superstitious, yet she had so long dwelt erg ey who believed in — and spirits, and had herself so often played the phantom, that a chill of dread began to creep over her brave heart, and she had nate the strength to raise her rifle for a sixth shot ‘IT will try once more, and then if I do not kill him, I will know that he is not hu for my aim never fails,” she muttered, in a half- scared tone, and once more the repeating rifle flashed, and with straining eyes she eagerly watched the result. And there was a result, but one unlooked for and undesired by the woman. The rider still remained silent and motionless in his saddle; but bis horse suddenly sprung for- ward with increased speed, and with a few mighty bounds was almost alongside of Ebony. most reeling in her saddle, and driven a_i $0 ) Comer aaa at the silent pursuer who oy ke em Wildbird hastily drew a re- Titel a and in the face of the man, now not a length from her. But, ere ber eyes had recovered their sight from the blindin flash, she felt a grasp upon her she could not shake off, and an arm en- circled her waist with a power that proved she was whey at the mercy of her pursuer, be he man, devil or phantom, CHAPTER XIV. TRON FACE AND HIS PRISONER, WuHeEn the Man of the Lron Face left the emi- ay nt encampment, or rather fort, for such it become, e broke through the Indian line like a fier 2 Blin whirlwind, and, with his miraculous good luc ed unhurt, and sped away across the ae at a pace that rapidly dis- tanced the Indian ponies upon his trail Dropping them from sight he wheeled aby he tly to the left, and ay for the ere oe had broken through the band on is nar ia join the train eon assured that several would be left there =e the uney Fenn who he felt was without doubt F pte at the spot he found that the Indians ne, and slowiy he was wending his way coord the distan camp-fires of the Prairi Tigers, whither —— supposed Or FB been taken, and was arranae * ga ph an to rescue xy cae suddenly he beheld a dark object in ront Instantly he halted, and the sound of voices reached his ears and then came two rapid — and pistol- shots, & belt cepcnnes od cry, 8 ringing order, up from Lehane pas Bt like form of pik tates over the prairie sped a horse and rider Drawing his pereiver the Iron ace pe, eo toward the spot, just as another horse and rider darted away a moment after he had dis- mounted was bending over the lifeless ow, es has been trouble here, and if I mis take not, the white horse I saw dash away was ridden by Fancy Frank; but who was the other ‘¢That peasy I will first solve, for if Fancy Frank has escaped, he will at once rejoin the saying the Iron Face again sprung into his saddle and darted away on the trail of Wild- bird, and, as the reader bas seen, not only es- caped death from her shots, but soon discover: ing that he was in pursuit of a woman, he rode silently on, trusting to the speed of Whirlwind to overtake her, ‘Say that you will not attempt to escape, and I will release you from my grasp,” said the Man of the Iron Face, as he held the woman firmly in his arms, the two horses running along side by side together. Reassured by his voice and strong grasp, Wildbird felt that she had to deal with no spook, and said, quietly, yet still in a voice that was tremulous: ‘*T promise you, for I am in yout wer.” Instantly she felt herself free, an the Man of the Iron Face said; ‘‘ Now draw rein, for I would talk with you.” Whirlwind, ata word from his master came GOMmilecoooks (E(0)