Beadle's Dime Library No. 147 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

; + . * t | Gold Spur, the Gentleman from Texas. and if he s clear through he can- not be before widnight. = “And yet you have come from there, you say, since dark last night?” ‘*T am not a regiment, Captain Moreland, for t bodies move slowly; and besides, I havea Fores which has not his equal from the Missouri to the Rio Grande.” ‘*] will side with you there; but without the arrival of the colonel, I can hold this ison against a thousand warriors, ay, against far more,’ ‘‘T do not doubt it, sir, being forewarned; but I have not told you that the ite Jackal has a bold e to play on you.” ‘* What is it?” ‘‘ His band, that passed me last night, were ali dressed in uniform,” ' ‘* What! Indians in uniform?” cried the cap- tain, with intense surprise. ‘‘Yes, sir; steadily has the Jackal collected uniforms and military saddles and bridles, and the red-skins were clothed as soldiers last night, and their horses were saddled and bridled with militar uipments.” ‘“Well, this is good indeed. I he will next offer his red regiment to the general to hunt down the savages,” laughed the captain. ‘‘ Had I not warned you, he would have gar- risoned this fort with his red regiment,” was the significant ay ‘*I tell you, I defy him and all his allies to take this garrison.” ** By force, yes, but by strategy he intends to make the attempt, for, Captain Moreland, his braves are all picked, their horses are also se- lected, and, dressed in uniform, with faces whitened with paint, they would have ridden unchallenged into this fort.” ‘*Great God! do you mean that this was the Jackal’s strategy?’ cried Captain Moreland, turning pale. ‘*T do, sir; they knew the colonel would not break camp until this morning, and perha make a two days’ march back here; in the mean time, believed to be a cavalry regiment from some fort, perhaps the colonel’s command returning, they would have ridden unchallen into this fort, and then you know the scene that would have followed, while the bands under Two Lance and the other chiefs would have swept down' upon the settlements, and the re- mainder of your regiment coming back would have ridden into the trap, little dreaming of the change that had taken place. ei ‘““ Now, sir, you can see, divining their inten- tion by their disguise, and finding out where they were going from the Indian outpost, I rode so hard to warn you.” ‘* This is marvelous, sir, and almost passes be- lief in its devilish plot and ee “It is a bold game, sir, for the Jackal to play; but then you know he is a bold man.” ‘* Yes; but you said you were his prisoner,” and the captain looked with suspicion once more aroused at the Texan. “So I was, sir; but discovering the plot, I made my escape.” “ It is strange that you could escape from the Jackal,” “I did the same, sir, from this garrison,” was the retort. . ‘‘True; you are a remarkable man, Sir Gen- tleman from Texas.” ‘Thank you, sir; I hope you will at least rove yourself a man of sufficient good sense to heed my warning.” ‘“‘T shall doso; and more, my Texas friend, I shall be that sensible, as to hold you prisoner until the truth of all you said is proven. “Do so, sir; but first send scouts to put the settlements on their guard, and—” ‘* Why do you pause?” ‘“‘T was thinking that I would like to go and warn colonel Eldred, and have him come up in the rear of the Jackal’s band and attack them, or lay in ambush for them on their retreat.” ‘‘ Ah} I will send a trusty scout to so inform the colonel, but you must remain a prisoner; by Jove now I think of it, there is not a man in the os I dare send. *T will go, sir.” ‘* You are too anxious, and besides, your com- pony is so charming, I prefer to keep you here: et me see! Must Kit has gone to Fort Wallace with dispatches: Buffalo Bill js still in bed with his wounded leg; Texas Jack is down on that trail in the Indian Territory; Buckskin Mose and Rifle Pa are with Colonel Eldred, aud not a man is fit to goand find the com- mand,” “Tt isa pity, sir; had I had time I would have warned lonel Eldred, but I knew it was a long run for Featherweight, as I had to make a detour to avoid the Jackal.” ‘* Gold Spur, I wish to Heaven I could trust you, and say here is my man; but I cannot, for ou took that deserter, Sergeant Sylvester, out Nore under our v eyes, = oe points so strongly to your being other than you repr: sent vonreell, that I dare not put faith in wT wish to believe you, and the truth is I ” “Gold : Pieced right out at the doubt of Captain Moreland, and said: ee Caren nneennnn nnn nne nen n nnn ncc ccc ence LLL LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LL LOL LL LL tty, ® “As you please, sir; only do not refuse to heed my warning.” “That I will do; now I must send yor back to your old quarters, and if I do wrong, forgive me. ‘‘Oh it matters not, sir; but, by the way, Captain Moreland, the Jackal fs not a man to spare horseflesh, and not expecting a retreat, and with the idea that he is to capture a bon anza in fine animals, he will not tarry, and must arrive within a couple of hours, so I advise you to be prepared for him.” “*T will, if he comes ;” and calling an order] he told him to send a sergeant and file of sol. diers to conduct The Gentleman from Texas back to his old quarters in the guard-house. Ten minutes after Gold Spur was ry Ba and froin the very room from which he had aided the escape of Sergeant Sylvester, and which afterward had been his own prison. CHAPTER XXXVII. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. THAT Captain Moreland, whatever his doubt of The Gentleman from Texas might be, was too cautious and good an officer to leave his warn- ran, Ying was at once proven, for he called to his quarters a council of all the commis- sioned officers in the garrison. To these he prakemty made known all that the Texan had told him. Of course there were some skeptics =e the lot, and a few thought that Gold Spur h returned from some deep motive of his own, and took this means to gain his point by a startling narrative, and one croaker went so far as to say he believed that Colonel Eldred and his a yr had all been massacred by the White Jackal, who was really none other than The Gentleman from Texas himself. Unheeding these suggestions, Captain More- land plainly stated that he believed Gold Spur, although he had placed him in the guard-house, and ordered every officer to go at once and pre- pay for action, giving them instructions to ave their men on duty, with plenty of ammu- nition, and that no show of force, or fight was to be made until he gave the order. To the rise of the women and children, they were ordered to keep near their quarters, and to confine themselves to them, should there be any firing. Though the officers, in spite of many of them believing the story a t hoax, went right to work in earnest to all in readiness, hardly had Captain Moreland dispatched a lieutenant and four men to warn the settlements on the river, before the look-out on duty reported a body of men in sight. Instantly all was excitement, and hundreds of eyes red out over the prairie, to where was visible, a long distance off, what appeared to bea cavalry battalion. They were heading toward the fort, that was certain, and were in uniform. Concealing his soldiers behind the stockades and breastworks, Captain Moreland, and a couple of brother officers, took up a tion where they could command a view of the prai- rie and the approaching horsemen. “* It is the colonel’s command returning,” said one officer. ‘“‘T believe after all you are right,” slowly —_ Captain Moreland, with his field glass to eye. A laugh followed the remark, and as the horsemen drew nearer other comments were ne a at all flattering to the truthfulness of The Gentleman from Texas. “"You’ve been gulled, captain,” said Lieu- tenant Burr. “Yes, Moreland, it will take your whole parece on for drinks, to get let for this,” remarked the quartermaster. “Iam content, for I am not fond of a fight, if I can avoid it,” laughed Captain Moreland, and then he added, with his glass still to his ye. ) ‘Yes, I think I see Colonel Eldred now.” “ that | fellow is certainly the Her- cules; it certainly is the command returning! Ab, Moreland, what will not the settlement do to Fe Somers for gulling them?’ n silence Captain Moreland still kept oe mag upon the coming troop, until at last he cried: ‘* Yes, I reco the colonel, now, and upon each side of him is a lady on horseback; or- derly, go with two men to the d-house, and bring the prisoner here,” and the captain turned to a soldier who stood near. “Ts you afther m’anin’ The Gintleman from Tixas, sur?” asked the orderly. ‘ec es. ya The orderly bowed and oo omg and Lieu- tenant Burr asked, with a laugh: ‘* Are you going to ornament the bar over the stockade gate with Gold Spur, captain, for tell- ing you such a lie?” “IT have half a mind to: but I wish to ask him how Colonel Eldred, who he said was sev- enty miles away at dawn this morning, has ten here in three hours; what is it, sergeant?’ and the captain looked down from his position upon the stockade tower, to a soldier who had called out to him. | | “The young lady, sir, the Child of the Regi- 5 ay See 9, ST ge SR RR eR Pi SR: SR en er oe te ae NN eS eS Ce ee es ee ae se ee ment, says she wishes to drive over to the settlement with Mrs. Benson, now there is no danger.” “All right, let them pass; but I think the fair Sibyl might remain awhile to welcome back Miss Edna and Miss Gerard from their cap- tivity,” called out the captain, addressing Siby who was leaning out of a covered buggy, and looking up at the officers. ‘** Oh, Pll be back soon, captain, good-by,” and the lively girl spoke to the two horses hitched to the buggy, and whirled out of the gate ata rattling pace, driving with a skill that brought the remark from one of the officers: ‘‘The fair Sibyl drives as she rides.” ‘“*She holds the ribbons well, and has gotten two dashing animals there; but what possessed her to ride in that old hearse of a buggy, when she could go on horseback?” ““T cannot answer you, Burr, other than to say that the ways of women are more mysteri- ous than Providence; now, her not remainin only half an hour longer to welcome Edna an Miss Gerard, is as unaccountable as her bitchin that wild horse of her deserter father, and that other animal, in that crazy old vehicle; what it, orderly?’ and Captain Morelard turned to the soldier who had just returned, and whose face showed that he had something to commu- nicate of importance. ** The prisoner has escaped, sur !” ** Escaped! The Man from Texas?” “ That same, sur; he’s afther being gone away, intirely.” ‘“‘ This cannot be, for I sent him to the guard- house, and had a sentinel placed at the door.” — ‘Faith, thet same didn’t howld him in, sur, fer it’s out he is,” ‘“* Burr, go and see to this, and have the sen- tinel that was on duty at once put in irons; and also spread the alarm for the recapture o the prisoner, for he is certainly in the garrison.” . tain Moreland, one minute! now turn our g rmaster, in me hg tones. Instantly Captain Moreland did so, and then came the words, vehemently spoken: “By Heaven! after all, exan was right,” CHAPTER XXXVIII. Wen Gold Spur departed from th HEN pur from the quarters of Captain Moreland, under the c of a sergeant and two soldiers, he was led across the Boba plaza to the guard-bouse, aaa arth y had had an intimate acquaintan with. Walking with a bold and certain reck- less air that seemed na to him, and being well known to all in the fort, he attracted con- siderable attention, for his late exploits were fresh in the memory of all, and they looked upon him as really the White Jac in dis- ise, so Seconaney. had the suspicion against y im, set afloat b e Hercules, gained Seated in the window of her Ss sanek foun : engaged in some fancy work, was one whose keen eyes caught sight of him, and instantly her beautiful face flushed, and then grew pale, when she saw that he was te we : That one was Sibyl, the Child of the ment, and rising, she attracted the attention Gold Spur, who raised his hat politely, and passed on. But hardly had he been incarcerated in the a ange oma and the sentinel stationed at the ray when Sibyl appeared and asked to see .. Gainst orders, miss,” said the + Is no one allowed to see him, forth?’ 0, miss. “But I wish to ask him about my poor fa- ther, Danforth.” ‘**Miss Sibyl, I would do more for you than anybody I know, for I hasn’t forgot the kind- ; ness you showed me t’other day when I was sick; but the captain’s orders are to let no one ots Bus f domi wiah: 80-40 tn), Dentoctla only “ on’t wish to go orth; om to to the prisoner. bone, e soldier hesitated and said slowly: ““Guess that won’t be breakin Sibyl, so Pll jist open the door a leetle cra for yer to look in,” and he took the large ke < from his belt, placed it in the lock, and the door just a little. ony pa pers ” anid th 3 neu and . see go © young k — Spur approached the door, she con- ‘“* Back again I see?” ‘‘ Yes; I came on business that I find detains ree than I hoped for,” he rejoined with a smile. ‘““ Indeed! may I ask what it was?” In a few hasty words he told her why he had comme, and the t, and she deeply surprised and none of them suspect the danger afoot.” Miss 7. upon those fellows,” said the quar-— dat si th « - - rf ‘ By E GpooKs;com (a : , J >. ’ 7 | “) 7 : ¢ - f 4,