Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

= -~_—-—— to a standstill, and Ebony halted by his side, and the two, the masked man and the vailed woman stood gazing upon each other. The moon came out from between the driftin clouds, and the woman saw who it was that ha been her captor, and the man felt that he had run down one who was a mystery upon the plains, and whose strange conduct caused many a weird story to be told in the Indian villages, and areund the camp-fires of the hunters. Often before he had heard of the Black Specter and now he stood face to face with her, an not a feature of her face was visible, being hidden by a black vail that served as a mask And the woman too had heard many a strange story of the Man of the Iron Face, and knew that even the brave heart of the Mad Colonel had trembled for fear of him, and she now stood in his presence, and his prisoner. ‘*'You said you wished to talk with me,” she said, growing uneasy under the gaze of the eyes that looked upon her through the holes in the iron face. ‘‘T do; who are you?” ‘‘ T am called the Black Specter, I believe, by those that do not know me,” she answered, with a light laugh. ‘* And by those that do know you, what are you called?” ** Wildbird.” ‘‘ A pretty name for an outlaw.” ‘* Sir!” and there was anger in her tone at her implied character. ‘You are a member of the Prairie Tigers?” he said, inquiringly. ‘Who says this?” ‘Rumor, and if rumor is true you area very tigress.” ‘*Rumor often dodges the truth,” was the quiet answer, and it was a surprise to him, for he expected an outburst of temper. ‘*True, and for the sake of the womanhood you represent, I hope it is untrue.” ‘‘ Perhaps men tell strange stories of you too, for many cruel deeds are laid upon the con- science of the Man of the Iron Face.” ‘True; but if I strike, it is with a motive, to wipe out with blood aninjury,” he said, in his deep tones. ‘* And may not a woman have injuries, too?” . “Ha! youreason well; but, as I make no war against women, even though I know you to be one of the band of Prairie Tigers, I will ask of you a favor and allow you to depart.” ‘“ And that favor is—” , ‘*To tell me if there is one in your band who answers to the name of Harvey Vertner?” The woman started in spite of her nerve, but answered quietly: “Why would you know?” ‘‘ Because I have tracked that man for years, and believe that at last I have located him as a member of the Tiger band. Is he with them?’ ‘*Men leading the lives of outlaws on the plains, generally drop their real names,” she answered, evasively. ‘‘True, and he may have done so now, as he has before; but I ask you is. Harvey Vertner a member of the Prairie Tigers?” ‘* I believe there is such a person in the camp.” ‘Will you bear him a message from me?’ ‘ ’ ‘Tell him that he whom men call Captain Crimson, the Man of the Iron Face, has regis- tered a vow to take his life, and that he shall keep his vow.” ‘*T will tell him; have you more to ask?” she said, coldly. ‘Yes: who was it that killed those two Dog Soldier Sieux, back yonder on the prairie?” ‘* I decline to answer.” ‘“‘ Very well; was it Fancy Frank, the white Medicine Chief, that rode away upon a white horse just before you did?” ‘ec Yes 9? _ “Enough! now you areat liberty.” | She half-turned her horse, and then said: — *‘Have you no desire to know what the in- tentions of the Mad Colonel are, regarding the train in the timber?” ; “IT know; itis to kill, and then to rob; he is as cruel as the savage on these prairies.” ‘‘ Alas! that it is so,” she said, sadly. Then, after a slight pause, she asked: ** Is the train capable of a strong resistance?” ‘That will be seen when the attack is made by Black Kettle and the Mad Colonel.” ‘* Will yes not be there to aid them?” **T will not be far away— Ha! who have we here?” As he spoke, a steed and rider dashed over the ridge of the prairie, and behind him came ge ant a cpr in full chase. ‘*Come! I retract my promise; you must with me,” cried the Man of ths. ven 5 quickly; and seizing her bridle-rein, he urg her horse and his own into a rapid run, while hot on their trail came those behind them, and one glance was sufficient to show that they were the Tigers of the Prairie. CHAPTER XV. WILDBIRD’S SACRIFICE. ' A very few rods had been run, when Iron - Pace made the discovery that his own steed and | lying on his side, securely tied, all day, and it ' horse bebind, easily,” answered Iron Face, with Re —— * 9 just pride in the noble beast that was his com- panion day and night. *“It seems hardly possible, and yet he seems running without an effort: but I have wandered from the subject of thanking you for my life.” ‘*Do not speak of it; I learned of danger in the path of your train, so came to warn you, and ran upon those Dog Soldiers who held you prisoner,” , ‘* Yes, and went through them like a rocket.” But at his words she now glanced behind her, ‘“* Reaching the train, I learned that you were and said, after an instant: | absent, and having discovered you, as I passed, ‘It is the Medicine Chief, and the Indians | told Major Malcolm, and, acting in your stead, are gaining upon him, for his horse seems | led the train to the timber where they are now Captain Crimson. the one ridden by the Black Specter could easily drop the Indians out of sight, while the white animal, coming along in their rear, seemed to need urging by his rider. ‘* Yonder man is Fancy Frank, if I may judge from his horse, and his pursuers are gainin upon him,” said Iron Face to Wildbird, who had offered no resistance to being still held a prisoner, and had remained silent, perfectly passive in her captor’s hands. — fagged out ” fortified, while I came forth to look you up.” ‘*Then I will release you, and drop back to ‘‘It was very generous of you; but I had al- his aid,” boldly said the Scout. ready escaped, and, in trying to reach the tim- ‘‘No, I will suggest a better plan; I am a | ber was discovered and pursued, and owe it to risoner, so of course am in your power; my | you thatI am not again a prisoner, or dead; hove is, or rather was, I believed, until he met | but, where did you meet the Black Specter, the animal you ride, the fastest on the prairie, | that remarkable woman of the Prairie Tiger so we'll drop back, and I'll change horses with | band?” White Beaver.” | ‘TIT saw two pistol flashes, and your depar- ‘Tt will be a dangerous risk for you to run.” | ture, for I was not far away, and discovering ‘‘No, they already know that you hold the | the Black Specter gave chase, and bad made Black Specter prisoner, and will not fire, and | her ake when you dashed up with those you can tie me in the saddle, after I change | devils hot upon your heels.” . horses with Napska, and leave me behind while ‘I was fortunate in riding upon you; but you two ride on ” | see, we have dropped those fellows out of sight, ‘* And are you sure they will not harm you?’ | so let us ride for the timber, as I wish to share ‘‘An Indian or Tiger harm the Black Spec- | the fate of those in the train, be it what itmay.” ter?” she asked, with surprise, and then added: '_ **Do you see yonder timber island?” and the ‘‘Oh, no! they will not harm me; Lut see, | Man of the Iron Face pointed to where the they have opened fire upon your friend, so we | horizon was broken by a dark object. must act at once, would you save him.” ‘Yes; it is over a mile away.” “True,” and instantly the two slackened | ‘‘ Well, there I have a comrade awaiting me, pace, and in a few seconds the man on the | and when I have sent him to the commandant white horse dashed up, and it was evident that | of the fort, with a statement of the train’s dan- the animal was hard presse‘. ger, we will break through the lines of our foes ‘* Are you him whom men call Fancy Frank?” and join our friends.” quickly asked [ron Face. Still pressing rapidly on, the two horsemen ‘Tam; and you?’ soon reached the little motte, and the dismal ‘Tt matters not now; ride on with this lady ; hoot of an owl greeted their ears as soon as and change horses.” | they drew rein in the shadow of the trees. ** And you?” instantly the Iron Face answered with the ‘‘ Will drop back and check those devils while | long, melancholy howl of the wolf, and a sharp you make the exchange.” bark of a coyote followed. ‘*Pardon me, ’m not made of that kind of timber,” was the haughty reply. Tron Face, and, a few seconds after, a horseman ‘‘Then halt here and make the exchange,” | appeared, and at a glance Fancy Frank saw was the rather impatient retort of the Man of | that it was a tall, muscular Indian, dressed as a the Iron Face, and checking his horse he sud- | chief, and following him was a large, gaunt bay denly threw his repeating rifle to his shoulder, | horse. and a perfect stream of fire came from its muz- ‘Well, Red Snake, what news?’ asked the vle as it rattled forth its deadly and lively | Man of the Iron Face. music. | ‘The Tigers and Dog Sioux are friends, and At the same moment Fancy Frank and | make war up_n the settlers,” answered the In- Wildbird had also drawn rein, and the woman | dian, in English. ' cried: ‘True; and their forces?” ‘Quick, exchange saddles with me, for my “The Tigers are half a hundred; the warriors horse is fresh. and as fleet as a bird.” of the Black Kettle Red Snake did not count, — ‘*And you?’ was the provokingly cool in- | for the Specter of the Hills chased him away.” quiry. ‘‘ Ah! the Black Specter? Well, I will not ‘“T am your prison2r: left behind that you | blame you, Snake, for that woman is the only two might escape; here, tie my hands, and with | thing on earth you fear; now ride to the fort your lasso make me fast in the saddle—oh, for and see General Carr, and tel him that the the love of Heaven! hurry, tor see they are | Man of the [ron Face sends him word that pressing us, in spite of that man’s deadly aim.” | Black Kettle and the Mad Colonel are allied ‘*T will make the exchange, though I against the Malcolm emigrant train, now en- — leave you.” _ camped in the Dead Man’s Motte, and help is ‘*- You leave me in the hands of my friends— | needed; 1 will wait for you with the train,’ quick!” “The Red Snake will do as the Iron Face Fancy Frank now hesitated no more, for he | asks,” was the reply of the Indian, and mount- saw that the Indians and Prairie Tigers were | ing his horse, he rode away ata long sweeping — stretching out their lines to encircle them, and | gallop toward the north-west, while Captain - in a second almost the saddles were exchanged, | Crimson and Fancy Frank turned the heads of and Wildbird bound in her own. their steeds in the direction of Dead Man’s ‘‘Now mount and away; I will gradually | Motte, where anxious hearts watched and. drop behind, after you have passed out of im- | awaited their return. mediate range, for they will not fire while I am with you,” said the strange woman. CHAPTER XVI. THE THREE ARRIVALS. Wheeling their horses t oa. again darted for- ifle THoucH Majer Malcolm felt confidence in ward, and the repeating s of the two men kept their foes at bay, until they had merged | the new additions to the train, in the persons of beyond the two ends of the lines sent out to en- | Skeleton Sam and Rattling Rifle, he yet would circle them. have been better ye had either Fancy ‘*Now you can leave me; farewell,” cried | Frank or the Man of the Iron Face been pres- | Wildbird. ' ent, for both of them he had seen thoroughly we some day | tried. “a4 ide he could not’ ead to ‘You are a noble woman; ma meet again,” said Iron Face in his deep tones;| Regarding the fate of his but, unheeding his words, she called out to | but feel very anxious, for he had become deeply Fancy Frank: attached to him, and he was not so blind as to ** Remember the rendezvous.” ‘“*T will not forget; farewell!” in the handsome and erp | prairie rover, for — Away now bounded the two steeds ridden by ( he watched how anxiously she gazed out over the men, he the white animal of Fancy | the prairie, longing for the return ef the Iron — Frank . behind, a desertion that brought | Face, who had promised her he would rescue a reproachful neigh from the noble horse, who | Fancy Frank. ’ did not understand the desertion of his master. | As the time crept on many of the women and ‘Well, sir, [owe my life to him whom men | children sought rest; but there was no sleep for call Captain Crimson of the Iron Face, if I mis- | Mrs. Malcolm, Maud and Violet, and the two take not,” said Fancy Frank, turning to his | maidens were constantly with the major, ev#r — companion, as soon as he saw that the pursuers | had overtaken Wildbird on his tired horse. ‘“-You owe your escape to the splendid ani- mal the Black Specter has placed at your dis- sal, and she it was that suggested the ruse, when she saw that your horse was failing you.” ‘‘-Ves, poor Fleetfoot, as I call him, has been followin ber each hour. At length midnight came, and all was silent upon the prairie, and Skeleton Sam and Rat- tling Rifle had just come in and reported that — the red-skins had placed a line of sentinels around the motte, and they supposed that the main bodies of Tigers and Sioux were encamped stiffened him up; but, he is very fast, though at | over on the creek, where the two chiefs were his fleetest, he cannot hold pace with this ani- | doubtless holding council as to the best mode of mal, or the one you bestride; they seem fairly | attack. to fly.” “And you think they will not attack to- ‘** And my beautiful Whirlwind can drep that | night?’ asked the major. — oo ‘*Nary, pard; they hain’t in no hurry, and j + (El) 0)(0)@) EGoOmie S ‘‘Red Snake is here,” said the Man of the be unable to see that Maud was also interested him as he went the rounds of the tim-