Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 148 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

~_— ~=_ One-Armed Alf. 15 they fall bach they. baeak and run like fright- ened sheep. The efaces follow and shoot down wherever overtaken. ten minutes more not a living savage is within the fort. But the ground is strewn with lifeless bodies, and fear sounds are heard ec oing through the woods, Our triends stand amazed. They are saved, but they know not from whence this unexpect- ed assistance came. They know, of course, that it was from friends; but why were they in masks? and such masks, too—masks of glowing me! But, the battle is over. The savages have fled in terror and affright, and now one of the mysterious Firefaces approaches our friends, Colonel Bliss advances to meet him, and when near can see that bis mask was covered with phosphorus, which gave it the fire-like appear- ance. ‘* Ho, stranger-friend!” exclaimed the colonel in a tone that was intended to be fearless an frank, but he could not conceal the tremor of doubt and uncertainty which he felt; ‘* your coming was opportune. A minute later and we were lost.” ‘“T dare say,” replied the Fireface, in a strange, muffled tone; ‘‘but you and your friends are still in danger, and my advice to ou is to leave here at once, if you would avert ouble.” ** We'll endeavor to profit by your advice, Sir Stranger,” replied the colonel, ‘“‘ but 1l’d like well to know who you are.” “] presume s0, sir; but that information I decline to give. Suffice it to say you have been saved from an Indian massacre by a band of disguised men, who, to tell the truth, are not re \y our friends,’ “ Whew!” ejaculated Bliss, in astonishment; *‘that’s singular information; but if it’s your wish I'll add no further questions. In behalf of myself and friends, let me say that pa ase un- known strangers we extend our best es and we In re ly. let ji that we ha est ‘In reply, let me say we have a requ make of you.” to : ‘Name it, ’squire, name it,” “ That each and all of you take an oath that never rev e. of your Javed 2B pe death by a band of masked wy “Well, really, captain, that is a hard request to comply with. The masked stranger moved uneasily when | Bliss addressed him as “captain,” but without adding a word he turned and motioned to his companions to come u The colonel made known the desire of the Fireface to his companions and friends, who, vA right, captain,” shouted Bliss, “we'll “ t, cap shou w swear shethal secrecy in this matter of yours.” The Firefaces a hed and formed them- selves in a line before our friends, who were also drawn up inline. Then the leader of the band forward and requested them to he hand; then in a clear, distinct 8 h : “You and each of you do solemnly swear that you. wal never reveal the Sore & eat payin rescued from death ed a of mask men in this fort on the night of the — of July, 1812; so help you God.” Our friends all bowed silent affirmation, when the masked strangers repeated in chorus: “We are living witnesses to your solemn oath.” “And now, friends,” said the leader of the unknown men, ‘‘ take my advice and leave here at once, or you may have other than Indian dangers upon a so farewell, forever.” - Stet orever,” repeated_bis comrades; then they all turned and moved away towar the side of the fort, leaving our ds in a The. mn gio ES behind th he § gers soon p cS) row of wooden buildings, and when Tom Koder looked after them a moment later, they were nowhere og, be sae. , bedi bce epitd parations were at once or ; ure fron the fort. This occupied but a short time, and in a tew minutes more they were out in the forest, journeying toward Detroit. They traveled on until nearly morning, when they stopped to rest in a little woodland glade, where they remained until after daylight. Tom Koder procured some wild game, which was cooked and served up for breakfast, after which dispositions were made for immediate departure. But, judge of their heartrending surprise and horror to see, when about ready to resume hein Jouney, an Officer of the English army enter opening with a flag of truce, and ifollowed by two score of soldiers and Indians, Ani like a death-knell sounded the officer’s voice when, in stern tones, he demanded the im..cdiste ond unconditional surrender of the li tic Laid of persecuted fugitives. | CHAPTER XXIL. r ! inute the fugitives under Colone Biis oa eet xi to the spot with terror en the d made. nd for their surrender was The old colonel scratched his head in dire P pes , and it was not until the de- mand of the officer was repeated that he gained com e to reply. ‘“*] do not recognize your authority todemand the surrender of a party of peaceable people— women and children and non-combatants,” he said. The officer, as if in reply to the colonel, ad- vanced slowly toward our friends, waving his flag above his head, while a living line of In- dians and British soldiers poured into the glade | from all points. | The enemy were a detachment of Brock’s ad- _ Vancing army, numbering about one hundred and fitty soldiers and Indians, all of whom made their appearance as if to destroy all hopes of escape in the hearts of the fugitives. ‘*T demand your surrender,” the English of- ficer finally said, ‘‘in the name of the king of England, and guarantee you a safe conduct to the nearest post held by our forces.” “To Halitax with with you,” roared the old colonel, ‘‘ who ever heard of a peaceful party of old men and women surrendering? If you can’t capture us, you’d better retreat, cowardly knaves that you are,” ‘*T have no time nor desire for trifling with you, old Yankee,” replied the officer; ‘‘ but, if you will pass over your weapons in a quiet way, no harm shall come to you.” ‘* We would be a very foolish set of old folks to undertake to contend with the whole British army,” replied the colonel; “‘ therefore, I sup- we will have to submit. But it is with ut little hopes of you fulfilling your promise. The presence of those peer, eg ay re- cols the horrors of Wyoming and Fort William enry. 4 You need have no fears of treachery, sir,” said the officer, advancing and taking the colo- nel’s gun. The rest of the armed fugitives followed the colonel’s example by giving up their arms, nani were carried away by three of the sol- ers. The prisoners remained in the glade, a detail of about thirty Indians being placed over them. Bliss objected to the savages as guards on. the ground of characteristic treachery; but now, that ey, WaEe at their mercy, the officer id no atten to him, and in a few minutes with his soldiers, leaving the captives solely in charge of the savages. left the fugitives in a constant state of fear, for they knew not what moment they “Sh aoe Pate the a parture of the soldiers, ortly a e de @ so two men on horseback rode into the openng. One was a civi the other an officer; bo were hmen. Riding up to the captives, they glanced from one to the other h the cool, speculative manner of cattle buyers; then they spoke a few words in an undertone and rode away, apparently disappointed. The savages kept the prisonere in the glade until about when they set off upon the trail of the soldiers. The captives were not hurried, though a constant and close watch was kept upon them. An hour before night they went into camp; and now Tom Koder and old Colonel Bliss no- ticed movements among the savages that boded no In fact, the terrible ion arose in minds that plans had been laid for the massacre of the whole , and that their movements were made to divert at- tention from the tru Our Meade Bett were somewhat surprised, however, when they saw the savages building a double row. of camp-fires down a wide ave- nue beneath the great forest trees; and were induced thereby to change their minds as to the intentions of their captors; though they were at a loss to know what was to be done. They were, however, not permitted to remain in doubt long, for a savage approached Tom ei ag? and informed Ps that . was to fur- amusement for the evening by running a gantlet of fire-brands and awifahen: Tom received the news with a cool indiffer- ence that was provoking to his captors. He at once nerved | lf for the ordeal, and at the same time revolved in his mind the chances that the punishment would afford him for es- cape. Phe women and children had all been placed in a tent or bower made of bushes and poles, and a placed over them, while the men had been securely bound to trees and sap- lings hard by. | e preparations for Tom Koder’s torture went on, and in the course of half an hour all the arrangements were concluded, Then Tom was led out and stripped to the wuist, for his neked back was to be the mark of the nar ning brands and toughened switches as he down the double line of foes. As yet Tom had not manifested the least fear regarding his proposed torture, and stood, im- movable as a statue of stone, waiting for the : to start down between the two lines of upraised switches and flaming, sputtering At length the signal is given, but, before Tom So start, the atten ion of the whole party was drawn to a pair of new-comers, whose presence detained the opening of the torture for the time being. The intruders were One-Armed Alf and his dog, Sultan. CHAPTER XXITI. DARCY’S STORY TOLD TO HANNAH. WHEN Darcy Mayfield regained his compo- sure, he arose to his feet, and pg tpelemy. him- self by the mast, gazed around in hopes of ob- taining some clew to the sudden disappearanc: of that strange girl, Hannah, the Maid of Michigan. But, the watery waste around bim, broken by no living creature or inanimate object upon its pulseless bosom. Advancing to the fore part of the craft, he gazed down into the deep blue waters that were parting before the sharp prow of the little schooner. ‘‘How do you like the Specter Skiff, Mr. May field?” It was Hannah’s voice that asked the tion. Darcy whirled around, and found self face to face with the Maid of Michigan. ‘‘In Heaven’s name, woman—Hannah! where have you been?—where did you come from?’ A clear, musical laugh was the only r nse. ‘“T am certain, Hannah,” Darcy continued, “that itis a serious matter to me; this excite- ment is too much for my poor brain.” His physica! strength seemed to give way, and he slid down upon the bottom of the skiff, his brain confused and throbbing with ues- im- Here for hours he lay tossing and raving ina delirious fever of the brain, totally unconscious of the sweet, fair face and tearful eyes bendin over him, and of the smooth little hand tha chafed his throbbing temples and laved bis burning brow. It was a long time before he grew easier and even then it was hours ere he regained consciousness—far in the silent depths of the night. When he had recalled his situation and condition, he found that darkness was around him, that he was still upon the lake, and that the Maid of Michigan was seated at his side, applying cold cloths, dipped in the water, to his brow. ‘‘Oh, Hannab!” he exclaimed, when taking in his situation, ‘* I have passed through a fear- ful ordeal since I went tosleep; but I will never TET bre. taly: Weak aa discouraged, Mr. ‘You are only w an ° Garfield. You must remain quie and not let your situation trouble you,” Ha ree “T cannot remain yy now; I must talk, Hannab. lam going die; I will never see to-morrow’s sun. “Oh, sir, do not talk so!” she remonstrated, pelt ening in utterance. ‘ Youare not going “T tell you I am, Hannah. It is no use ling against fate, however reluctant we may to i: t ae —_ But if I do die ore we reac , perhaps you can manage- to consign my body to the lake, for I would not bave. you incum with my sary Vie would, however, like to tell you a little secret before death silences my voice forever, and ex- act a promise of you to t the same story to one person in the world, should you ever meet her, that she may know how I have suf- fered and died.” *T will oS to serve you,” she said, seating herself by his side, “by listening to your story, although Iam sa you will sur- vive this attack. pe “ es Darcy raised himself upon elbow, then in a feeble tone, that told of his weakness, he **Scarcely three years ago, Hannah, I was the happiest man on earth—the husband of one of the fairest and dearest women on earth, at least she was so to me. We dwelt in a plea- sant little home in Pennsylvania, and alth we were far from rich, we were comfortab and happy. Maria, my little wife, was of English parents, in whose veins ran the noblest blood of England. Her father had, for some ee Wi offense, been banished from his native d. He came over and settled in America when Maria was a little child, and before she bad grown to womanhood she was left an or- phan. But she was not alone and friendless; she had two half-brothers—children of her fa- ther’s first wife—who loved the pe Maria with all the fondness of the human heart. And noble fellows they were, too, the eldest stand- ing in the place of a father to Maria until L married her “ As time ran on, Maria’s mother succeeded, by lineal descent, to a large property in Eng- land, but, as she was dead at the time, Maria became the next beir, It seems as though there had been some curious wills made in con- nection with the property, with still more curi- ous provisces. ‘*One day a letter came to Maria. from a cousin of hers that surprised her very much, Her cousin, Robert Imbercourt, wrote that his and Maria’s uncle, Sir J a "Pellington, then residing in Montreal, had been appointed ad- ministrator of the ish oe ee as that of a large fortune to which Robert was heir. He was also the guardian of young Im EGOmiliecboo ‘S (E(@)