Beadle's Dime Library No. 147 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

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Now, sir, repeat your offer, for I have spoken to these gentlemen of it,’ and Col- onel Eldred turned to The Gentleman from Texas, who said quietly, addressing the major, Rilev Rockwell and Mose more particularly: “*T have told Colonel Eldred that force with the Jackal would end in his defeat, and have roposed, as the only way to free the captives, to lew him to send Buckskin Mose in under a flag of truce, telling the chief that Gold Spur, of Texas, is doomed to die, and offering to give hima wp in exchange for Miss Eldred and Miss Gérard.” “ And i think he will do this?” asked Riley k weil. * T know that he will.” ‘* What are you to him?” was the blunt query of the major. ‘* Enough for him to make the exchange,” was the evasive answer. “*T b’lieve yer, pard; but who are I ter see in - ther Seen FOr camp?” ** The chief.” **Durnation! I thought you was ther Jackal.” ‘“‘If Iam held here as a hostage I certainly cannot be the renegade chief.” ‘*Thet are true. All right, 1 are willin’ ter go, kernul, so tell me what | hes ter do.” “This Gentleman from Texas will give you your orders.” ‘Waal, spit ’em out, myster’us pard.” “ At daylight you can enter the hills, carry- a white flag on a stick above your head. hen met by the Indian guard ask to see the chief, and he will take you to him. ‘* Tell him that Gold Spur, of Texas, is in the hands of Colonel Eldred, doomed to die for as- sisti the escaping Sergeant Sylvester the eaartet: and that he will be surrendered to him in exchange for Miss Eldred and Miss Gerard. That is all, scout.” ‘“*T starts at onst, so as ter lose no time, an’ ef my scalp gets tuk I dies in a good cause, Hes | any body got a white noser?”’ ‘ A what, Mose?’ answered Riley Rockwell. ‘A noser, a trumpet twister, a— “Oh! a handkerchief! yes, take mine,” and the young officer held forth his fine linen ker- “‘Or mine, Mose,” and the major also offered his handkerchief. “Guess not, major, fer ther reds might take yourn fer a black flag an’ let inon me. Seein’ as ther captain’s is as clean as a lawyer’s con- science I'll take it and run chances; but, kernul, ef thet Gent from Texas is sendin’ me whar my ha’r will get tuk, jist string him up an’ pro- nounce a benediction over my bones.’ And without another word Buckskin Mose shouldered his rifle and strode away in the dark- ness, while Gold Spur turned to Colonel Eldred and said, calmly: “Tam your prisoner, sir, and surrender my wrists for thé irons, if so you wish it.” **T am constrained to Rut you in irons, sir, as a more dangerous man, I must admit, I never had to deal with. Captain, take charge of this Gentleman from Texas, and if he attempts to escape, kill him.” CHAFTER XXXII. THE MISSION. EpnA ELprRED and Esther Gerard had ‘not seen their captor, since he had placed them under the charge of the Mexican woman, and all their efforts to elicit information from her ignally failed. hat was to be their fate they knew not, and that an attack of the troops to rescue them, they could not but see would meet with only efeat, as the tion of the renegade’s retreat was so well chosen even their eyes could dis- cover its great strength from natural advan- tagee, not to speak of the savage defenders. heir cabin was far from uncomfortable, they were not by any means starved, for the Mexican woman gave them the best food that could be obtained, and apparently, they had their freedom, but were well aware that keen eyes were upon their every movement when ey left the cabin. had they questioned the Mexican re- garding the strange chief, a white man who bad llied himself with Indians against his own ple, and Lecome more cruel than the cruelest savage of his baud, if all reports concerning him were true. But she would answer only that he was a man who was at war with his race, and that was all they could get her to say. Twice they bad caught si H of other white nen, or two whom they believed they recog- | as such under their Indian paint; but of they were not sure. morning of their third day of capex ity 1a and Bites Pgs: gen ~ apy Be , idly con ig what the w a forth, col th exican woman’ wee in- side attending to some household duty. sf : <i EE ——— Gold Spur, the Gentleman from Texas. Suddenly Esther started to her feet and cried anxiously. ‘‘Ah, Edna! see, they have Buckskin Mose a prisoner.” Coming toward the cabin was indeed the noted scout, but he carried upon his shoulder a long stick, at the end of which fluttered what was intended to be a small white flag. But Buckskin Mose was not alone, as several Indians accompanied him, one of whom was evidently a chief from his dress and appear- ance. Approaching the cabin, the supposed Indian chief led Mose up to where the maidens sat, most anxiously awaiting what would follow, and said in perfect English: ‘* Miss Eldred, do you know this man?” Both girls were surprised at the question put in pure English, and a voice, they recog- nized as the same that had addressed them as a soldierin the cottonwood grove, and thus be- come their captor. ‘Yes, he is known as Buckskin Mose, and is chief of scouts at the garrison,” answered Edna and turning to the scout she continued: ‘Ah, Mose, are you too a poor unfortunate like ourselves?” ‘‘Nary unfort’nit, miss, for I are on special duty to try and get yer both out o’ ther clutch o’ this durned white Injun,” was the bold re- sponse. “Yes, Miss Eldred, the scout is here under a truce flag, to negotiate for the release of your- self and friend, for your father offers me fair terms for your restoration.” ‘My father, sir, is a poor man, with little else than his pay, and I regret that your cupidity is such as to force him to pay ransom for me.” “*Pardon me, but there is no cupidity shown on my part, as money would not buy you; but he offers in exchange one whom I would give far more to get in my power, than even your sweet self,” said the chief with sudden fierce- ness of manner, shaking bis feathered head- dress as he spoke, like a horse would his mane. “Ah! may lIask who this hostage is?” said Edna with a sneer, net believing the renegade. ‘““One whom you know as Gold Spur, the Texan, one whom J know under a different name,” ‘‘ And what is this man to you?” asked Edna in surprise. * Everything !” The reply was ina savage tone that made both of the maidens start, and caused even the cool Buckskin Mose to look upon him and say: cater doesn’t seem ter love Texas, renegade pard. \ ‘‘If you mean by Texas, the man Gold Spur I hate him.” ae “Then he area durned fool ter let yer get yer grip onto him, is what I says,” remarked ose ‘* He would not, could he help it.” ‘“‘Wouldn’t he? Waal, I thinks you is chin- nin’ lies fer fun; but never mind, I is silent as a church organ on week-days, I is.” * What do you mean, scout?” ‘Don’t mean a durned thing; only, Texas area durned fool ter let yer git yer grip onto him, lovin’ him as yer seems ter.” ‘*T say he would not, could he help it.” ‘* ‘Waal you oughter know, yer durned painted white Injun; but now ter biz; does yer give up wate two putty gals fer Ther Gent from Texas?” * Yes ‘* Yer surrenders ’em ter me?” “Tf you put Gold Spur in my hands.” “* Go slow, renegade, fer ef 1 puts him in your grip ye has ther gals and me too.” “'T Will send the ladies to the creek half-way across the prairie, under two Indian war- riors—” **Come yerself, fer we’d be cheerful glad o’ yer comp’ny.” Paying no attention to the invitation, the wa chief continued: ‘* The ladies shall go under charge of the two warriors, whom I will order to kill them, should any effort be made to take them by treachery.” ‘Don't you chin about treachery, yer red- pearees white Injun,” said Buckskin Mose fear- essly. * There is more treachery under a white skin than a red one, scout.” ‘* Waal, ef yer doesn’t begin ter b’lieve yer are a Injun, crucify me fer a howlin' liar; yer is right, fer yer skin are white, and yer black heart are showin’ through yer war-paint blacker than ther face o’ any nigger from Afric’s icy strand, as ther Doxology books says.” ‘We will discuss the cause of your coming here, scout, and not my character,” sternly said the chief. ‘“‘Thet are so; Iwere a durned fool ter dis- cuss what yer hesn’t got; why you is—” but see- ing a warning and entreating look from the maiden, Buckskin Mose continued: a you is ready, yer say, fer biz? . +) are ter return fer ther Gent from Texas?” ** And fetch him to the creek?” “Tn irons! is yer 0’ hin?” ‘Yes, I know ‘Waal, he are a tearer, if you isn’t him; but he are so durned clever, I s’pects ter go back ~ find he tuk tracks when I did, an’ thet you is him. The renegade smiled, and replied: ‘‘] wish you to bring him in irons, and only one other than yourself need come to make the exchange.” ‘* All right, I am willing.” ‘‘ And Colonel Eldred is to return to the garri- son without an attack upon me.” ‘‘Is them yer tarms?” sé Yes.” " Guess ef we got ther gals we’d wipe yer out, ‘*] will surrender them only on the pledge of the colonel not to attack me.” ‘* He’ll give it, I sw’ar.” “Well, now return for the Texan, and at sunset, the ladies shall meet you at the creek in the prairie valley.” “Good! now [ll git,” and with an awkward salute to the maidens, Buckskin Mose turned away, and accompanied by the Indian guards who hed brought him there, started on bis re- turn to report the result of his mission. CHAPTER XXXII. GOLD SPUR ASKS A FAVOR. It was a a? a very great relief to the mind of Colonel Eldred, and in fact to all his officers and men, for the mission of the scout had become known, when a sentinel reported Buckskin Mose in sight, and returning alone. Anxiously then all awaited his approach, won- dering what was the result, and if be had seen The Jackal. His white flag he still carried on his shoulder, and upon drawing near to the encampment, and his face showing that he had good news, a wild cheer ted him, asfromone man. \ “Tt seems that he has been successful in his mission, sir,” and Colonel Eldred turned to the Texan, who with irons upon his ankles and wrists, was lying upon the grass near. “I knew that he would be,” was the quiet re- joinder. A moment after Buckskin Mose drew near, and the colonel anxiously asked: ‘‘ Well, scout, what is the result?’ “Prime fer you an’ ther gals, sir, but durned hard on Texas.” ‘What do you mean?” “T seen ther Jackal, I guesses, onless thet are him, fer I are mixed, I sw’ar,” and the scout glanced toward The Gentleman from Texas, who smiled. ‘You saw the Jackal, you say?” ‘‘IT seen a white man, a durned fine-lookin’ feller too, painted and Logged up same as a In- jun, an’ he’s ther chap as I did negotiate with.” ‘* And he agrees to the a of my child and Miss Gerard, for this person?” ‘*T’'m bettin’ he do, an’ he seem ter be all-fired glad of it, kernul.” + A Fagne ~ he < ot e said enough ter make me believe that. he’d make it hot for Texas when he got his grip on him.” ‘‘ Bah! he is not the Jackal, only one of his officers: this man is the renegade chief, and they are anxious to get him out of our clutches,” said The Hercules, ‘Is it not strange, sir, that I came and placed myself in your power?’ calmly asked Gold Spur, and Colonel Eldred remarked: ‘*T ana beginning to doubt the charge you so persistently adhere to, Hale, though I Sous: there is some strange mystery in it all.” ‘‘There is some trick in it all, as you will find out, sir,” was the reply of The Hercules, and Colonel Eldred again turned to the scout: ‘‘ Well, scout, what else was said?” ‘‘T had to pledge for you, that as soon as you got the gals, you was not to attack the band.” ‘* Ha! he demanded this, did he?’ ‘‘Yes kernul, but why I don’t know, as it w’u’d be wuss nor nuthin’ fer us ter attempt ter attack them Injuns whar they is: why I c’u’d lick @ score 0’ sogers myself thar, an’ they hes a leetle more men than we hes got.” ‘* The fellow fooled you,” insolently said The Hercules. ‘‘T isn’t such a fool as ter b’lieve thet one man kin be two men, an’ in two dif’rent places at the same time, as you says o” ther Gent from Texas,” was the sharp retort of the scout, and knowing the hot-headedness of the men when aroused, and wishing to avoid trouble, Colonel Eldred remarked sternly: Lieutenant Hale, Iam in command of this expedition, andp0% pledged for me not to at- : tack the renegades this time, scout?” ‘ Yas, kernul, an’ I was doin’ yer a favor in takin’ ther pledge.” ‘‘ And what arrangement did you make with this chief?” ‘At sunset ther gals are ter be brought to ther creek in ther prairie valley. yonder, by two Injuns, an’ me an’ one , whoever t’other is you is ter say, is ter take ther pris- oner, and he are ter in irons, as ther chief seemed a leetle ski bout havin’ him come. read ae biz.” ” “Yas, Kernwl.” r j * YG | | comicbooks bs 4 | ; A , . 42, ' ay . - a ~ Sate - - - - 2 - - — = a ‘s ~- ” :