Beadle's Dime Library No. 147 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Gold Spur, the Gentleman from Texas. — oo — eee ee ee 2 21 the loss of men and ponies, caused them to de- cide upon another course, for if they swept down upon the Gerard settlement, with the garrison in their rear, they knew a large force of cavalry, well mounted and splendidly armed, would be hurled upon them, and still force enough remain to hold the garrison. To gain time The Jackal advised that a feint should be made, asif to attack the garrison, and, if there was a possibility of success, really do so after nightfall. eee ———+ = ee to | him,” groaned the young his Another force, under old Whistler, was to be | sent back to lie in ambush for Colonel Eldred on his return, and thereby give the savages | some chance of revenge. Having settled u upon their ponies, to form in a semi- poner circle, and move slowly toward the garrison, | to rest a wing on the river bank, each fort. intending side of the this plan, the larger | force of nearly one thousand warriors, mounted | The remainder, and comprising several hun- | dred warriors on the freshest horses, were sent back to intercept the returning troopers, All these movements were eagerly watched from the fort, and to hint not to crowd them, ‘20mg Moreland sent several shells from a twelve-pound how- itzer into their midst. ive the advancing linea | | A moment after she was by his side, and then, inwardly, if not audibly cursing his luck at not having saved her, the young lieutenant gave or- ders to his men to “right about,” and started back for the fort, while Sibyl was lost to sight among the warrior-horsemen that surrounded her and her father. “Oh, curse that sergeant! he is indeed a rene- gade, and he has now taken his daughter with lieutenant, as he joined rother officers, and bitter indeed were the anathemas that arose on all sides against Mau- rice Sylvester, the deserter sergeant. CHAPTER XLLI AN UNEXPECTED APPARITION. I WILL now n to The Gentleman from Texas and Sibyl, after their departure in the chaplain’s rather antiquated buggy. nused as were both the horses to being in harness, they still behaved with remarkable kindness, until the rapid jolting of the c vehicle caused it to rattle forth an accompani- ment to the hoof-falls of the animals as the sped along in a rapid gallop, instead uf a digni- ed trot. This intense rattling, growing each moment more pronounced and disagreeable, at last caused the impatient and nervous bay to send his heels These shots, at such long range, made them | back — the dashboard with a blow that wary in their approach, and correspondingly | made delighted the defenders of the garrison. Presently a cry burst from a hundred throats, and every eye was turned across the prairie to discover the cause that had so excited those who beheld it. At first it was believed to be the returning troopers, and joy filled every breast; then it was thought the long guns had caused the red- skins to start in rapid retreat. But no, neither of these had caused that loud cry. And out on the prairie was visible the cause. A horse was flying like a whirlwind toward the garrison gate. And upon that horse was not a man but a woman. And then all ized horse and rider, and another wild cheer burst from every throat, It was Sibyl the Child of the Regiment, mounted upon the large blood-bay she had driven out, hitched to the chaplain’s buggy with Featherhoof. The red-skins saw her purpose, aud started to intercept her, and having a less distance to ride, the thing looked possible, But the right arm of Sibyl was seen to rise and fall rapidly, and it was evident that the keen lash was driving the bay to do his utmost. And the red-skins also urged their horses for- ward at a tremendous pace, and another five minutes must tell the story. “Turn those guns upon the devils, but for God’s sake don’t hit the gir],” cried Captain Moreland, and the two howitzers that could be brought to bear on the red-skins, opened with angry roar, heered by the thought of help, Sibyl seemed to urge her horse on more rapidly, and hope arose in the hearts of all in the garrison, for they thought the Indians would be driven back at the firin g. But no, there were noted chiefs in that band of horsemen, and they faced death recklessly, and urged their ponies with their knives to greater haste, cutting gashes in their backs. Now and then a savage went down under a shot, but his comrades held on, and matters were looking dubious for the Child of the Regiment, when Lieutenant Burr cried out: “Captain Moreland, may I call for volunteers to go to her aid?” ‘You can, my boy,” was the cheery reply. ‘Half a hundred fathers here to save their beautiful child!” shouted the young officer, and twice that number sprung to obey. But, contenting himself with two score gal- lant troopers, the lieutenant mounted in hot haste, the gates were thrown open, and out they dashed amid a ringing cheer from their com- rades. Sibyl saw this movement for her rescue, and waved her handkerchief; but there was one other who saw it, too, and he dashed suddenly ahead of the hundred of Indians in the mad race end dropped tbe ponies behind him with a speed ee proved he was mounted upon no ordinary sorse, And yaar ih too, he gained upon the blood bay of would head her off, if none of the others could. And upon this man the cannon poured their shell, for he was seen to be in uniform, and bis face was white, And more, that face was known to all, for, devoid though of the beard he was wont to wear, they with a groan of derision, Mau- rice Sylvester, the deserter sergeant. And upon this man the eye of Siby! also fell, and then her course was changed, for, from run- ning directly toward the gallant troopers coming her rescue, she dashed right for the solitary and her t ery reached the ears of Lieutenant Burr and his party. “Father! father! you will save me, will you not?” SS cee aaa ll CL CLL LLL LLL LLL LLL ALLL LL LL ae the splinters fly, and by no means im- proved the appearance of the vehicle. The ringing laugh of the really reckless young heroine, caused the bay to repeat the perform- ance, and in a short while the buggy was ina conditition to make the chaplain mentally swear, howsoever close together he might keep his ae “Well, Miss Sibyl, we cannot keep on at this rate or the bay will kick us back to the fort, so let us take to the saddles which you so thought- fully ae under the seat,” said The Gentleman from Texas, as he brought the horses to a sud- den halt, the shock of which made almost a wresk of the vehicle. Hastily he saddled the two horses, and paces site upon her horse as easily as he would lifta c ‘* Now, sir, I must leave you,” she said, ** Leave me?” “é Yes.” “Why, I thought—” “Now don’t say that you thoughtI was going on with you to join the colonel, for I had no such idea.” ““T was in hopes you had,” he said, in a disap- pointed tone. sc No. » ‘* Miss Eldred and Miss Gerard are there.” ‘True, but they are not here; no, I go back to the fort.” “Tt is three miles away.” ‘*T do not care, I shall go.” ‘You run a great risk.” ‘*T do not care for that; I came out with you to aid in your escape, and now I have had my ride; but do throw off that dress and bonnet, for | do not wish to remember you as the Widow Benson.” He blushed and hastily disrobed himself of the dress the easiest way: id est, by running his knife from the neck down. ** Now you have spoiled the widow’s dress.” ** She shall have a silk one in place of it.” ** That bonnet is not becoming.” ‘““Ah! I had forgotten it,” and the widow would have gone mad to see the way her bonnet i of with a kick. “Now, good-by. “You will not go with me?” ** No,” she said, firmly. ‘*Then allow me to thank you for what you have done for me.” ‘* It is no more than Ishould have done; good- by, and if you see my father tell him I Jong to have him come back and remove the ow upon him.” The face of Gold Spur darkened at her words, but he said, quickly: ‘“* I will tell him; good-by.” She held forth her hand and he grasped it warmly, and said; “Ride hard, head for the main gate near the river, and may you arrive in safety.’ Wheeling suddenly he bounded into his sad- dle, and the next instant the two were flying over the prairie in different directions. But not far had eitber gone when the firing from the fort came to their ears, and The Gen- ibyl, and it seemed evident that he | tleman from Texas drew rein and called loudly to the maiden to halt. But she unheeded his call and rode on. To overtake her he knew would be impossible, so, with a sigh, he once more rode on, while Sibyl pressed forward, determined to run the gantiet before her in spite of its Of that daring race the reader is aware, for they saw a regiment of fathers lose their child and one man gain a daughter. But, had Gold Spur seey this, too, bitter in- deed, and sad, would have his thoughts, as Featherhoof, pele rested by his stop in the fort, fairly seemed to fly over prairies. As Shouse he knew just how to direct his course, Gold Spur did not hesitate other than to draw his noble horse down to a swift canter, a ee which he knew he could keep up untiringly mile after mile. If Colonel Eldred and his command had left their camp the night before, he knew that he would soon head them off; but if they had not broken up the encampment until dawn that morning, he would have a long ride before him, And the latter he rather hoped for, as the na- ture of the country would enable the troopers to the better ambush the red-skin band of the Jackal on their retreat, w hich would be hurried, Gold Spur knew, as he already had premised their defeat at the garrison. And thus mile after mile Featherhoof cast. the miles behind him, his master drawing rein now and then for a swallow of water at some clear stream, and a moment of rest. At length the shadows of horse and man be- gan to lengthen far out upon the prairie, and at the speed he had come, Gold Spur knew he could not be far distant from the command, if they were coming by the trail he was follow- ing. ii they had taken another trail, when he reached the river he would discover it, and aoe following them, he could soon overtake them. Presently the fringe of trees ‘hat bordered the river came in sight, with tie wooded hills beyond, and just as the sun touched the horizon Gold Spur uttered acry of joy, for far in the distance his quick eyes caught sight of the glit- ter of steel, and he knew that there was the iment be sought. he thought that when last among the troop- ers be had been a prisoner, that he had been called the White Jackal, and had shot The Her- cules down in a duel, did not trouble him in the least, for he was a man to take all chances as they occurred, and meet them with a nerve and pluck that carried him through dangers that most others would succumb to. “Come, Featherhoof, there is rest ah ” he said kindly to his horse, and slackening his pace, he held on for the distant hills. A refreshing draught at the river, a walk of a mile, and the camp-fires were gli ring in the timbers near by. ce ge ht up to the sentinel, he an- swered the challenge with: —s Dispatches from the garrison for Colonel Eldred.” _ “ Pass,” said the sentry, not recognizing The Gentleman from Texas in the darkness, and he held on directly for the large camp-fire, which was pointed out to him as where the colonel could be found. Around this fire, watching the colonel’s servant, Moor, cook the evening meal. were commandant himself, his daughter, Esther Ge- rard, Riley Rockwell, and several other offi- cers. Happy in having gained their object, the rescue of the maidens, the yo officers were chatting gayly, when suddenly in their midst appeared the well-known form, which they so little expected to see. Edna uttered a startled cry, which Esther Gerard echoed, as though they had seen a ghost, and up to their feet sprung the officers, the colo- nel included. | And there, calm, smiling, and with his splen- did horse a few paces behind him, stood Gold Spur, who, seeing that all seemed too much amazed, even the commandant, to speak, said in his ye “nS ‘* Ladies, lam glad to see you looking so well; gentlemen, good-evening.” ‘You are indeed that remarkable man,” and the colonel] filled it out, while Gold Spur added: “The Gentleman from Texas, yes, sir.” “In the name of Heaven! how came you here?” : ‘“*On horseback, as poor Featherhoof but too well knows.” ‘“*T deemed you in the lines of the enemy.” ‘*On the contrary, Colonel] Eldred, I have just left your lines.” “Yes, the garrison.” “That is impossible, sir; for at sunset last evening you were carried in irons to the Jackal chief; at least, so you said.” “* And so I still say, sir; but I escaped, urged to make my escape sooner than I intended, to save your garrison, and I am glad to say I suc- “Why, what service could you render the ison, Sir Gold Spur?’ asked the colonel, oubtingly. fi ‘Save its inmates from death, sir,” was the reply. ‘It is more than you can do for yourself, ac- cursed renegade!” cried a hoarse voice, and suddenly the tall form of The Hercules bounded into the space, and leveling a revolver, fired full at the heart of The Gentleman from samme, who beheld before him the man whom he believed to be then lying in his grave. CHAPTER XLIL Ww A WOMAN’S oh te ur sudden- ly confronted by The H not in m, vial hiees teal nine, he to