Beadle's Dime Library No. 147 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

: 4 4.3 \ 4 ) : oJ . hear, ata wo me eee ‘‘Tarm no more the Jackal Chief, than your father was seen at the head of his band, and I will prove it.” ‘* But you are known to be suspected here, and some one will see you and arrest you, so go at once.” ‘**] cannot Jeave until I go to my quarters for ammunition; had it not been for this, I would have followed the trail of the Jackal’s band at once,” ‘* Let me get what you wish, for you will be seen and recognized, and you leave the garrison at once.” “*T do not fear them, and—” “But if you are under arrest you can do nothing; you saved my father, that he might ve his innocence, so row go, for free, you can do the same.” “You are a sweet little pleader, and I will obey; my saddle-pockets, haversack, and serape, allare in the room I occupied in “I” cabin; lease bring them to me here, if you think it t that I do not go after them.” “I know that it is best, and you must not even remain here, but go at once, and I will join you at the cottonwoods, for I have my father’s bay horse, Red Bird, which is said to be the fleetest animal on the prairies.” ‘* Excepting my own beautiful Featherhoof,” he answered with a smile, while he patted the lendid roan horse he bestrode with real af- ection. ‘*] would like to match Red Bird and Feath- erhoof for a race some day,” said the maiden who had an enthusiastic love for horseflesh, and temporarily forgetting the danger the man be- fore her stood in. ** You shall, some time, for a mile or fifty as you please; but see, they are changing the = , 80 you had better go at once, and I will ready in an instant and join you at the cot- tonwoods. ‘“* Adieu until then, sweet Sibyl,” he said gal- lantly, and touching his sombrero he rode slowly toward the garrison gate. As he approached, he saw thata sergeant was giving some order to the sentinel on duty, and that the eyes of both were upon him, and some — in his breast bespoke trouble a : CHAPTER XVI. THE FLIGHT. Wirh an air of perfect coolness, as though he suspected no danger to himself, The Gentleman from Texas approached the garrison —. The soldier on duty, upon seeing him come rd, ina whisper from the sergeant at his side, ordered sternly: sé Halt 1”? ** Ay, ay, my friend, but I wish to pass out,” was the cool response. ‘“‘ Orders against it, sir,” replied the sentinel. “What means this, sergeant?’ asked Gold Spur, turning to the se t of the guard. “IT was told, sir, that you were under sus- picion, and not to let you leave the garrison,” answered the sergeant politely,for there was that in the bearing of Gold Spur that com- manded respect. ‘I was released by Colonel Eldred from that eharge, yk gma and I acknowledge no other man’s right to detain me,” said Gold Spur sternly. “Sorry, sir, but my orders were given by Captain Moreland, not ten minutes ago.” “ What are your orders regarding me?” ‘To put vou under arrest and carry you to the guard-house, and I do hope you won’t make me use force. ‘* What if I should?” was thesmiling question but it was a mS ag smile, had the sergeant analyzed it carefully. “T have orders to kill you, sir, if you resist.” ‘‘Indeed! then it would be safer to submit quietly. Come, sergeant, walk over to the prison pen with me.” The dite the gelby and, he Wom sy Gold ur ‘ one some forty paces eas the latter Sole soln and dro hie hand lightly upon the shoulder of the soldier, and said in his most winning way : ** Guess you better let me leave the garrison, sergeant.’ **Cannot do it, sir,” was the firm nse. ‘‘Do you think you could stop me if I wanted to go out?” and the smile was as pleasant as ever upon the lips of Gold Spur. : “I know your strength, sir, for I saw you grapple the Hercules lieutenant, and I am ‘the est man in the regiment; but the sentinel there would ot you.” / “What with?’ ‘‘ His carbine, for he has orders to shoot you if you attempted to go by, and a very little ball will kill a very large man.” ‘“ True, but Pil risk it.” Instantly the touch on the shoulder became a gripe of iron, and the littlesergeant was dra m his feet up into the air and seated in front The Gentleman from Texas and held there - with a force that was irresistible “Com rhoo e, At the cry of his master the animal splendid wheeled instinctively and bounded for the gate, EE Sa Gold Spur, the Gentleman from Texas. G —E $$ —____—_—_ directly toward the surprised and startled sen- | her musical voice, pitched to its full hight, had | warned them of her coming. tinel, who half raised his rifle, as if to fire. ‘* Hold! or you will kill your sergeant,” cried Gold Spur, and, unnerved by the possibility, the sentinel lowered his carbine and tried to close the gate. ‘‘Out of the way, or I ride you down!” yelled Gold Spur, and just in time the soldier sprung | aside. ‘* Shoot his horse, Gaines!” yelled the sergeant, undaunted by the fearful gripe upon him and his sition. “Tl do it!” shouted the soldier as the splen- did roan dashed bY and he again was raising his rifle, when Gol Spur quickly wheeled in his saddle, a flash and report followed the thrusting forward of his arm, and the carbine fell to the ground, for the sentinel’s arm was shattered. ‘““T’ve put him off duty for awhile, sergeant, not caring to kill him,” was the grim remark of the Texan, as Featherhoof flew on over the prairie, not seemingly caring for her double bio» 8 **Hark! there’s the alarm; they are to give me a chase, sergeant, so I begin we might as well a company,” was the cool remark of Gold Spur as the alarm rung out in the garri- son, and the bugles were blowing “ boots and saddles” with ringing notes. “IT am willing to part with you, sir, for I must say you are akin to Satan,” raid the plucky sergeant, who felt that he was as a child in the arms of a giant. A merry laugh at his words broke from the lips of The Gentleman from Texas, and he an- swered: “No, sergeant; I do net claim such distin- guished kindred. Ho! Featherhoof!” The obedient animal came to a quick halt, and the sergeant was lowered to the ground with an ease that caused him to remark: **T didn’t think human bone and sinew could get so strong as you are.” ‘*Man’s brain, bone and sinew can accom- plish anything, sergeant, if trained to it; but now, good-by; but say to your commandant when he returns from his fruitless chase, to feel no anxiety for his lovely niece and her fair friend, for I will bring them back.” sé You P 4s Yes.” “You are out of the garrison, now, and bold- ly you got out, too, sir, and f advise you to stay away, or they will hang you.” wed e the chances, sergeant; see! yonder come your comrades in hot pursuit, so I'll leave ou.” ‘** And there comes the Child of the Regiment like the very wind behind them.” ‘You are right, sergeant; and I wouldn’t won- der if she was the only one of the riders that dare follow me; adios, senor, as we say in Texas,” and with a wave of his hand Gold Sptr sped aways for already the troopers were drawing rapidly within range. ** Well, if that isn’t the devilin disguise, just set me down for a fool,” muttered the sergeant, as he gazed after the retreating Gentleman from Texas. CHAPTER XVII. GOLD SPUR’S PURSUERS. ‘*Bravo! for the Child of the oa fn0h The cry broke from a half-a-hundred soldiers, who were grouped about the on gate, ae the score of troopers that had just dashed through in pursuit of Gold Spur, whose daring escape had witnessed by many. Captain Moreland, the officer in command, had mounted picked men only, on the very fleetest horses in the command, and dispatched them under Lieutenant Emmerson, who was known to possess a superb mount, and be an officer of untiring energy, and undaunted cour- age. ‘*T am convinced, Emmerson, that yonder fel- low must be the White Jackal, in disguise, so run him to earth, or kill him!” was the order of the captain. “All right, sir, and the sad-faced lieutenant sprung in his saddle, and with his score of picked troopers dashed away in pursuit. The gates were thrown wide open to let them pass, é wounded sentinel as he was being rne to the hospita] sent a ‘‘God speed” after them, and straight for the horseman far out on the prairie, and the sergeant standing by his side, they went. “Guess the sergeant’s got him in some way, or he wouldn’t stop there,” said a corporal. * Bah! there’s no sergeant or captain either that can get the better o’ that man,” said a buckskinned hunter of the garrison, contempt- east **He’s just stopped to send his respects back to the garrison, remarked another. “ He’s jist ther cool man ter do it,” added a “‘ Clear the way!” The clear tones in a Voice so musical, caused every man to turn his gaze from the prairie to the n parade- nd, and there, to their pges Bernd beheld a horsewoman coming on ey " a It was Sibyl, the child of the regiment, and Quickly they stepped aside, leaving the gate clear, and like an arrow she shot through, and an officer cried: “Which way, girl?” ‘After The Gentleman from Texas,” came back the response, and then arose the cheer and bravo that open this chapter. ‘“That’s the horse as will do it,” cried a sol- dier. “It is her father’s Red Bird,” shouted an- other. ‘The gamest and fieetest animal on the prairie,” put in a third with enthusiasm. Then followed comments about the maiden: ‘* She rides like a Comanche!” ‘* See how she drives Red Bird ahead!” ‘“*She’s gaining on the boys!” ‘““ By Jove! she’ll Le the only one to overtake the Jackal!” “The Jackal will nab her, too!” This last remark seemed to bring conster- nation among the group, for already had the young girl won the bearts of the regiment that 2ad adopted her, and the thought came: “What if the Jackal should get into his power the beautiful Child of the Regiment?” “* Soldiers, “~~ me way, please!” All again turned, and they beheld Clarice Conrad, the beautiful child-widow, and she was looking upon them with ber sweetest smile. Mounted upon a dark gray mare, an animal evidently possessed of great speed and endur- ance, and which she had brought with her, she said, from her ranch in Texas, and dressed in a habit of dark blue, with a gray slouch hat, and sable ostrich plume, shading her lovely face, she certainly looked beautiful enough to turn the strongest bead, and touch the hardest heart. Instinctively the soldiers fell back from before her way, and saluted politely, and touching her hat gayly she too darted away upon the trail of the others who had gone in pursuit of The Gen- tleman from Texas. ‘Waal, this beats my time; gals on ther trail worse nor a wolf,” muttered an old guide in buckskin. “She rides like a witch, and she’s got horse- flesh under her that knows how to go,” re- marked a corporal, as the child-widow flew away from the garrison with the speed of a . “Here comes the sergeant, and we’ll know how he feels,” said a soldier, as the sergeant who had served as a shield for Gold Spur, came ora, toward the gate. é ‘* Well, ser a ee to see you back; had a pleasant ride?” crie a young officer ayly. But the se t seemed in no humor for joking; he still felt the gripe of Gold Spur burn- ing u n his shoulder and side, and answered: ** No, sir, my ride was not a pleasant one, for the Devil had his gripe upon me,” and moodily he passed on into the garrison. RES CHAPTER XVIII. A MAD RACE. WuHeEn Gold Spur rode away from the ser- geant, whom he left standing in the middle of the prairie, it was not his intention to run his pu suers out of sight, as he believed he could do, but to keep out of range of their shots, and he noticed with pleasure, that, believing in the a of their horses, and wishing to aid them 1 they could, they had left their carbines be- hind them. Seeing that the troopers were urging their animals hard, and wishing to measure their — speed, Gold Spur gave the word to Featherhoof to f° ahead, and instantly he discovered that he had no cause to dread the horses upon bis trail. ‘Back, old fellow, for we have nothing to fear,” he said gently, reining the fleet creature back to a swore gallop, that held his distance as he wanted i Then be turned and saw that the Child of the - Regiment was gaining rapidly upon the troop- ers. “The girl is well mounted, and can them Fi yes, she has my saddle-pocket and haver- sack,” he said, placing a smal) field-glass to his eye, and half wheeling in his saddleand regard- her. me By the Prairie Spirit! there is another wo- man on horseback! ho is she, and what does she want in this chase?’ he cried, suddenly, and once more his glass was raised to bis eyes. ’ “ is Clarice! What in Satan’s name oring? her here? ‘By Heaven! but she too is well mounted, and gains rapidly on the troopers.” So saying, he held quietly on his way; but his brow had become clouded, and his lips firm set, for it was evident that some bitter memo- ries had been summoned up from the bygone, at the sight of the child- iw. In the mean time Sibyl had steadily Se upon the party of Lieu Spend, and sate one by one she passed the pursuing troo each of whom had a kind word for i ind an expression of admiration at her splendid horse- and oung on, or te thoughts were On the Lig ahead. . | (ECO AMUSE 90 NO) »~