Beadle's Dime Library No. 147 — page 3: 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. 3 —— me, major, if I decline to know the fel- ow. “By the starry heaven! but that speech shall we A ou acquainted,” came in ringing tones from The Gentleman from Texas, and with a bound he confronted the Hercules, out from his shoulder shot his right fist, and the huge bull fell in his tracks as though he had been siruc with a sledge-hammer. Then, before any one could interfere, the | tranger had his small foot upon the throat of | he prostrate man, and with a revolver muzzle at bis head said sternly: “* Retract that, sir, or [ will kill you.” ‘“‘T can do nothing else wher you have me at disadvantage,” growled the surprised and really alarmed officer. ** You retract then?” **T do,” was the surly response, ** Enough! see that you need no further in- troduction,” and removing his foot the stranger stepped back, the admiration of the group of officers, not one of whom sympathized with the crestfallen Hercules. But those who knew Hiram Hale felt that the seed of a bitter feud had been sown that night, from which he would reap a rich harvest of re- venge for the humiliation that had been cast upon him. ‘‘ Lieutenant Hale, as you have been most promptly and thoroughly punished, for the in- sult offered toward one whom I presented to you, I will not report the affair; but see that this matter ends here, sir,” said Major Gregory, as the discomfited lieutenant arose to his feet and with some low, muttered repl walked away, just as Buckskin Mose, who Gad ctor in the shadow and seen all, stepped forward ‘and said: ‘Stranger pard, put it thar, for you is lightnin’ turned loose on a rackit, an’ ef you is a specimen copy o’ ther gents from Texas, I'll go thar an’ m a so I will.” A general ramet follov owed the scout’s remark, and the stranger warmly grasped his hand, while several flasks were produced, and a toast drank all round to— “Gold Spur, The Gentleman from Texas.” CHAPTER IIL. BROUGHT TO BAY. As the night wore on, one by one the officers and their men, bivouacked in the timber, wrap- ped their blankets around them and sought re- pose, but many not to find sleep come to their eyelids, for the corporal and others had re- ‘ le: the strange, phantom-like forms of a orse and rider seen upon the pean and the strange words and conduct of Sergeant Mau- rice Sylvester who had started in pursuit. Who and what was the ghostly form, and why had not the se t returned questions officers and men asked them- selves, over and over again, and with no in- ae response framing itself in their The courage of the sergeant none could yo ony ‘aang heer Aare stern devotion be en why strange wo seeming tion of a mysterious canal The major, worried more than he cared to admit by the tance, tioned his visitor, the man from Te but he knew nothing of it more than he heard from the lips of the corporal and Buckskin Mose, but seeing that the commander was re- ally greatly exercised about the affair, he vol- unteered to go insearch of Sergeant Sylvester. “No, no, for it would be impossible to follow his trail to-night, or I would send scouts after him; he knows where we are encam and if he returns after we leave here he can follow us, for he is a plainsman,” said the major. “Stil he may need aid and 1 will go, for my horse is as fleet as a bird, and is not tired, while I care not for rest. ‘“*T will join you on the Republican to-mor- row, major, if nothing happens,” and several minutes after the stranger rode out of camp, and soon disappeared in the distance. “st ess you made a mistake, major, in let- t fellow “ e major turn uickly to find Lieutenant Hale, The Hercules, cant near, sis Why so, Hale?” he ask uickly, ““He may be the White Jackal himself,” was ee Great Godt. Hal * Grea ! Hale, would you believe that of the man?” cried Major Grezory with a fore- boding at his heart. ‘““Who knows? The White Jackal, they say, tin ,i8 given to many disguises and strange freaks of ‘daring and tampering with his life. **That is true; I will send after him a score of troopers under Rockwell.” “No, let me go alone, for you know my horse, major.” ‘**As you please, but you already know he is no man to trifle with, Hale,” remarked the commander, significantly. | bring back with me the White Jackal, you may find that he isalso The Gentleman from Texas,” sneered The Hercules, and with a simple good- night he mounted his] and splendid roan horse and rode away in the direction in which the stranger had disappeared. Major Gregory gazed after him for a long time, and seemed lost in deep thought, for he was recalling to mind the cruel stories told of a renegade white man, who with several reckless companions, had leagued himself with the red- skins, and urged them on in their hatred of their own race. ‘* No, Hale’s hatred has prompted him to the assertion he made, for that man, with his face, as I saw it inthe moonlight, cannot be the hideous monster whose red deeds have gained for him the hideous name he bears; ab! it is time we were on the march; bugler, sound ‘boots and saddles,’” and in answer to the major’s command the bugle notes, clear and ringing, startled the quiet camp into busy action, and ten minutes after a long line of troopers filed out of the timber, and wormed oe over the moonlit prairie in the direction of the Republican, for, still trusting in the words of the mysterious stranger with the strange name, Major Giles Gregory was has- tening to the rescue of the emigrant train re- ported coming up from Kansas. It was just daylight when they came upon a large and fresh trail, and all knew it to be In- dians upon the march, and they were heading toward the point where The Gentleman from Texas had said they intended to ambush the train. ning wae urging their horses on the troopers soon heard ahead of them rapid firing and wild yells, and dashing over a hill they came sud- ra Spee a thrilling scene, for, in a valley be- low a hundred wagons were encamped, and charging upon them from the timber near by, were bands of mounted warriors. With right good will the emigrants met the attack, and the rattle of their rifles, the heavy tramp of the ponies, and wild whoops of their red riders made up a picture of awe-inspiring realism, and into which the gallant troopers charged with clashing swords and ringing cheers to mingle. But suddenly, as they dashed forward a start- ling cry was heard in the clarion voice of Major oe ‘* Great God! look there!” All eyes followed to where the saber pointed, and a hundred voices shouted forth one name: ‘“* Sergeant Sylvester !” “Yes, a deserter and a renegade! take him dead or alive!” was the cry of the officers, and madly the troopers rushed upon the Indian band in the midst of whom was seen the tall form o the sergeant, mounted upon his well-known bay. tn among the red warriors charged the troopers, and unexpecting an attack from so willing and warlike a foe, they turned their ponies in wild flight, unheeding the stern calls of their chiefs. But a ng hy from a trooper brought down the noble bay, and Maurice Sylvester fell heavily to the earth, and ere he could rise to his feet, his own captain, Riley Rockwell, held a pistol to his heart, and cried sternly: ‘Sergeant Sylvester, you are a prisoner.” “1 submit, sir,” was the low reply, as the haughty head was bowed upon the broad breast, and a moment after he was securely bound, while in his ears rung the insulting epithets, from the lips of his comrades in arms: ** Deserter and renegade |” CHAPTER IV. THE DRAGOON’S DAUGHTER, THERE was no more dashing soldier in the army, than Captain Riley Rockwell, and in the charge upon the Indian bands he had been most conspicuous; but the triumphant light of vic- tory had faded from his eyes, and in them sad- ness only rested, as he rode into the emigrant encampment, with Sergeant Maurice Sylvester walking by his stirrup a prisoner. In the shape of a crescent the emigrants had encamped, the ends of their train resting on a small creek, and within the open space were their tempo camps, and here were gathered the women and children, while the men had as- sembled about the wagons, which were used as a barrier, or fortification. It was into this half-circle that Riley Rock- well rode with his prisoner, and the eyes of many a fair ape ee maiden rested upon the handsome face of the young officer with admira- tion, to then full upon the pale, stern coun- tenance of the sergeant, and wonder why his hands were bound behind him. ‘** Who is the leader of this train?’ asked Cap- tain Rockwell, riding up to a group of men and women, who were discussing the attack, and the sudden coming of the troopers that had “T shall not forget that, sir, for [am not one | saved them from the mercy of the red-skins. to forget or forgive: but do you go to the Re publican, as he advised?” “Veg” “‘ Beware of a trap.” ““T'll risk it.” **I am, sir, and in the name of all here I thank — for your timely aid, for we were little reaming of danger here,” and a man of soldierly bearing, with a dark, stern face, and dressed in homespun, we forward and confronted the I will look for you there, and if I °' officer, who rep en. emma as . ‘We were on a scout after the Indians, who bad — been troublesome in the neighbor- hood, and were returning to the garrison when we learned of your train being on the march, and an intended attack upon it; | am glad we arrived in time.” ‘* And we all say God bless you, sir, for your coming; but are you from the Platte garrison?’ answered the leader of the train. ‘** Yes, sir, and Major Gregory begs me to re- uest that you will carry our wounded on to the garrison, and also this prisoner, as we must continue the pursuit of the Indian bands.” “Gladly, sir, will we serve youin any way} but may I ask who is the prisoner?” ‘*This man, Sergeant Maurice Sylvester, who deserted last night, and—” A startling cry interrupted the speech of the young captain, and out of the group of women and children bounded a young girl, halting be- fore the bound sergeant, and gazing upon him with eyes that seemed to read his inmost soul. She was scarcely more than fifteen, and her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her form the perfection of grace and willowy in every action. Attired in a gray dress that fitted her well, the short skirt displayed her tiny, shapely feet, while her sun-shade, falling back from her head, displayed a wealth of red-gold curls that the ivory comb she wore seemed to find difficulty in holding together. “*] beard the name of Sergeant Maurice Syl- vester: where is he?’ she cried in a pleading tone, seemingly addressing Riley Rockwell, but with her eyes fixed upon the face of the pris- oner. ‘*‘T am Maurice Sylvester,” was the low reply. ‘““ You! You Maurice Sylvester! Then you are my father,” she cried piteously, and spring- ing forward she threw her arms around the nec of the bound man and burst into tears, while his proud head drocped upon her own, for no answering embrace could he give to her. Instantly Riley Rockwell slipped to the ground and severed the bound hands, and the sergeant said with a trembling voice: ‘*God bless you for that act, Captain Rock- well, for now | can clasp my child in my arms.” Around her slender form his strong arms were thrown, and in silence they thus stood, while all present gazed upon them with the dee pity in their hearts. At last the sergeant spoke in a low tone: “Yes, you are indeed my child, my little Sibyl, whom I have not seen for twelve _— : years; but why is it I find you here, Siby away from your mother, here upon this wild border?” *“*My mother is dead.” The reply came with a piteous sob, and it | wrung a groan from the heart of the strong man. ** Dead?” he gasped, after a while. ‘Yes; she died one year ago, and I at Jast found where you were, father, and came to seek ou, to ask you to take me into your love, for I ve no one else in the world, and mother told me to come to you.” ‘* She told you to come to me?” he asked, in @ hoarse w r. ** Yes, father.” as ee a she forgave me the past?’ he asked, eagerly. Yes, father; mother forgave you all,” was the low but earnest reply. “Thank God for that, Sibyl, thank God for that,” and the man drew the young girl to his heart once more, and his whole frame trembled with emotion. At last he said vreteeS ** You did right, my child, to come to me, and from to-day I will devote 7 life to you; I will —— the past, and we will live for the future, and— Great God! I forget, I forget that there is no future for me, for Sibyl, my poor child, I am now a prisoner, under the double charge of be- inga deserter and a renegade to my own people.” ords cannot portray the agony with which the strong man spoke, and Riley Rockwell turned his face away to hide his emotion, for he had greatly liked and ever respected the brave sergeant. ** You a deserter, father? No, it cannot be,” said the young girl, hoarsely. “ Alas! Sibyl, my poor child, no matter what feelings, what motive prompted me to do as I did do, in the eyes of my officers and comrades I am a deserter, and you are a deserter’s daugh- ter, and have come to have me bring disgrace upon your young head, and to see me die, for death is the penalty for what I have done.” ‘“No! no! no! you shall not die!” and the maiden threw her arms about her father’s neck; but they loosened their hold, and Elmer Gerard, the leader of the emigrant train, caught ber as she was falling for she had fainted. ‘*My men are calling, sir, and I must leave you; but I give into your charge the prisoner,” said Riley Rockwell, anxious to escape from the sad scene. “He shall not escape, sir, and I accept the trust,” replied Mr. Gerard, and giving Sibyl Sylvester into the hands of a tall, splendid-look- ing girl who came forward, he turned to the bool, and again fettered his arms as before. Gone cS 900 er, who stood silent and with bowed. co