Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 148 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

& One-Armed Alf. 17 Robert, for as I said before, they were all mur- dered—Maria and her husband, and her two brothers, Charles and Amos.” ‘Yes, and who murdered them?’ St. John asked fixing a stern, desperate look upon the villain. ‘* Why, as I told you, a band of Indians and English renegades.” . ** And by your instigation, too, was the mur- ‘der committed! J heard your arrangements Sor the deed with one Major Mackclogan, that same night that we met in Montreal !” Sir Joshua turned ghastly pale, and for a moment it seemed as though he would be un- able to maintain bis seat. ‘** Robert,” he finally gasped, “vou are fast growing into a hot-headed, mpulsive Yankee.” ‘* Better that than an English assassin.” Again Sir Joshua winced under the youth’s cutting retort. ‘It’s no use talking to you, Robert Imber- court,” he said, stenaeg f “Tam not Robert Imbercourt, but Pbili St. John,” interrupted the young man,” and glory in the commission of a captain of the merican army, given me by President Madi- son. “That commission may prove your death- warrant, too, impulsive boy. Had you married “hoa cousin three years ago, as I wanted you “Yes,” again interrupted the captain, ‘‘ then our inheritance would have been as one, and by one sweep of your murderous knife, you ‘would have been immensely rich. Sir Joshua ground his teeth with a rage he dare not ey openly, for at heart he was a base coward. ** Laying aside all war of words and taunts, Robert,” he finally said, “let me inquire how -you knew Maria was married at the time I saw you in Montreal three years ago? You tcld me then that you had never seen her nor either of her brothers,” “Tsay so yet. I never saw the Bradburys in my life, but I learned through a friend that Maria was married to one Walter Garfield, and so I wrote forthwith to her of your proposition to me and warned her of the damnable plot you and Mackclogan had concocted for her murder, which you finally carried out by kill- ing the whole family.” ‘Do you know Darcy or hg of Point Michigan?” the villain coolly asked, “T have seen him; but what designs can you *have against his life?” was the cutting re- sponse. ‘None at all, my dear nephew; I have heard that he is Maria’s husband, Walter Garfield.” This was really news to the captain, but it letin a ray of light upon a matter over which he had pondered a great deal, His thoughts went back to the cabin of One-Armed Alf. He recalled the demand of Long Run for Darcy Mayfield’s surrender, and the conviction was at once forced upon him that Long Run ‘was acting in accordance with the wish of Sir Joshua himself. He recalled the fact of Darcy’s silent demeanor, and the deep trou- bled look that his face wore, which led to,the belief that he was the terrible avenger, the Spirit of the Woods. His deadly hatred of the red-skins tended to confirm this fact; and from what he had already gleaned from Pellington, taken in connection with what he had seen himself of Darcy, he was satisfied that May- #,eld was Maria’s husband also. Before either Sir Joshua or Captain Philip could again speak, the tramp of hoofs, and the jingle of aahee broke upon their ears, and the next moment a number of horsemen drew rein in front of the tent, “Ah,” exclaimed Sir Joshua, “it is General Brock and his staff; and now, Robert, the army will soon be on the march toward Detroit, and it will not be incumbered with prisoners. So you must make up your mind—decide yes or no—remembering that the latter will be death!” *“You have my answer already,” replied the indomitable youth; *‘ it is No!” “Then your’vlood be upon your own heac: oF now I shall seo the general and report to im. So saying, Sir Joshua went out of the tent, leaving Philip to ponder over his fate. Tbe Englishman spoke to the general, who, leaving his well-trained steed standing unhitched in front of the tent, stepped aside, and entered into a low conversation with Pellington. The flap of the tent was left open, and Philip could see all that was passing in front. He suw Brock leave his steed standing unhitched, and saw that the attention of his two guards and the general’s staff was drawn away to the gymnastic performance of some young Indian warriors at the further side of the camp, All this filled his mind with a desperate resolve—a resolve to attempt to escape. It was an under- taking that would result either in freedom or death—one that none but a man of exceptional brayery and daring would attempt. ~ Philip, however. did not wait to calculate his chances, for fear discretion might get the better part of his valor, but with a sing e bound, like that of a panther, he reached the side of the general’s horse. Another leap, and be was SNe $s upon the animal’s back, flying through the aay with the speed of the wind. His daring adventure was discovered almost instantly, and shouts and yells arose upon every side. But this thunderous noise only served to increase the speed of the fugitive’s frightened steed. The whole army was instantly astir, and a stream of ‘leaden hail sent after the fearless oung captain. Brock’s staff and body-guard instantly leaped into their saddles and gave chase, but well they knew that the general’s horse had no match for speed in the army. The fugitive cleared the encampment un- harmed, and away into the woods he fled, pur- sued by a hundred horsemen. But he was soon out of harm’s way, and as his fears began to subside, those terrible words of Sir Joshua Pell- ington began to ring in his ears: ‘You were engaged to one Hellice Arvine a low-born, plebeian American girl, whom i have taken the precaution to put out of the way. CHAPTER XXVI. TROUBLE IN CAMP. THE uuceremonious intrusion of One-Armed Alf, the Giant Scout, in the Indian camp, at the very moment that Tom Koder was to me the victim of the savages’ barbarous entertain- ment, was met by a general murmur of indig- nation. At first the red-skins did not recognize the scout; but when the light of the camp-fires re- vealed his face, they appeared completely non- plused by the cool indifference with which he came among them, carrying no weapons of any sort. is, in fact, disarmed them of hos- tile feelings against him, for his calm, matter- of-fact intrusion appeared to be made with im- punity, arising from ignorance of the existing of hostilities between the whites and Indians. Pausing in the center of the camp the scout leaned upon his long cane, and ran his keen eyes over the assemb without appearing to notice what was about to be enacted there. “Good-evening, red-skins,” he said in a tone devoid of rs ede mer or dramatic effect. ““Howdo?” responded the leader of the sav- age band, known as Wild Cat; ““ why One Arm come here?” ‘‘I was journeying in these parts, when, es- pyin your camp-fire, concluded to call and spend the night with you,” replied the scout. ‘*Scout for Yankee Fadder, eh?” “They tell me there is war between my - ple and the English; is it so?’ he replied evasively. ** He much so.” “Then you, being my friends, can have no ie 2 to me scouting for my people can you | “One Arm don’t know all. Ojibways fight for Canada Fadder.” ‘Is that so, Indian?’ replied the scout, ap- parently surprised at the news. ‘** Wild Cat say he so—that make him so.” **But I see one of my people among you,” said the scout, referring to Koder, who stood si- lently listening to the interview, with his arms folded across his breast; ‘‘ and I see he is not a prisoner—not bound at least.” ‘*He run gantlet soon—there plied Wild Cat, pointing out whites who were bound. a ose Lees 0 rye! Have * and your ple against my people He so. Canada Fadder have more gun, pewder, blanket and whisky to give Ojibway than Yankee Fadder have.” ‘*T am sorry to hear this, Wild Cat, for the judgment of the Great Spirit will surely come upon you. He will send the dread Spirit of the Woods to slay you one by one.” “Waugh! One Arm can not frighten Wild Cat and his warriors. The Spirit of the Woods is a coward, and will not come where there are many brave Ojibways,” ‘“You are mistaken, Wild Cat. can come among you and yet him, for he is lke the wind. see you have many pale-face captives—even women and chileren in yonder bower. And now I advise you to release them, Wild Cat, if you would live to see your squaw again.” ‘“OQne Arm talks well, but he can not advise Wild Cat, Let the white scout leave, for my braves look angry upon bim.” ‘‘IT come with peace in my heart,” replied the scout, ** but Wild Cat mistrusts me: does he fear me?” _ "No Ojibway fears One Arm. He carries no weapons because he can not fight. The Great Spirit made him with but one arm, and the hand that age the tomahawk and scalp- ing-knife, and the finger that ens the trigger he kept that they might not be raised agains the red-men. And so the red-men would make the Great Spirit angry if they should slay One Arm, for he isan example of what will come to all the pale-faces that strike the Indians down.” ‘*T don’t believe in any sich doctrine, Wild Cat,” said a burly French balf breed, who Batwa re- ose of the The Spirit ou can not see pushed his wa juncture; “Til ever day.” ow? Can Yellowface prove what he says?” responded Wild Cat. ‘Yes; wouldn’tit be proof to find a knife or pistol upon the person of One Arm?’ **It would,” replied Wild Cat; ‘‘the brain of Yellowface is long. Would One Arm object to being searched?’ ‘*Would it make any difference if I did ob- ject? Are not the Ojibways many and strong —all got two hands and arms?” ‘““One Arm does not answer my question straight,” replied Wild Cat, as though he sus- ted the scout’s reply to be an evasion. ‘*] will not consent to be searched, though I will offer no resistance,” the scout replied. ‘“Theu let Yellowface search One Arm, for it was he that brought the matter up.” ‘*T will do it with the greatest pleasure,” said the balf-breed, advancing toward the scout, with an air of self-assurance. . One-Armed Alf quietly submitted to a care- ful search of bis person from head to foot, ren- rake | the insolent half-breed all the assistance possible. | The search occupied but a few moments, and, when it was concluded, the look that set- tled upon the half-breed’s face indicated his disappointment and baffled triumph, for ho found nothing—not even a jack-knife. And, to still add to the villain’s rage and mortification, his comrades burst into a peal of derisive laughter, that called forth a yer Be indignant oaths. Nor was his rage permi to cool with this, for One-Armed Alf joined his comrades in their laugh, and this set him fairly foaming. ‘*Cuss your picter, you white skin!” he ae howled, ing an attitude of defiance; ‘‘ I take no sneers and insults from your likes, If you hain’t got but one arm, you needn’t think you've license to insult me.” ‘I did not intend to offend you, Yellowface,” said the scout, “‘ but if you are inclined to take it so, I svall take no pains to retract, for your brutal impudence does not merit an apology.” ‘Sacre! Bilarst me skin if you ain’t got to swaller that, or you’ll never leave here with- out a bruised head, you rampin’, long-legged sneak!” raved the vindietive half-breed, ap- proaching Alf, as though be were going to devour him on the spot. “‘T have heard a jackass bray before,” coolly replied the scout—a retort that added new fuel to the renegade’s wrath, and the other savages gathered around the disputants in anticipation of some savage sport. ‘‘'Thar’s no use sayin’ any more, Long-legs,” said Yellowface; ‘‘ you’ve said enuff to warrant you a sound slappin’, and now take it, too.” So saying, tbe irate half-breed made a furious leap into the air, aiming a desperate blow with his open hand at the face of the scout. But he had reckoned without his host. The scout, being on the alert, dextrously warded off the blow with his left and only arm with such power and skill that the half-breed was sent spinning away fully twenty feet. A wild, jeering laugh led from the lips of the spectators, whose sole attention was now drawn to the two combatants. Yellewface quickly regained his feet, and, stung to madness and fury by the taunts of his friends, made another desperate lunge at the scout with clinched fist. But he met with a reception in the shape of the scout’s huge fist, that caused him to see a galaxy of stars he had never seen before, and sent to the earth with great violence. Yells and shouts of laughter again pealed from the lips of the spectators, while curses of frenzied rage escaped the lips of the defeated half-breed. Calmly One-Armed Alf stood regarding his antagonist with a keen, watchful geze, his face growing white and rigid with some terrible in- ward emotion. Yellowface again gathered himself up, and, bent upon revenge of the severest nature, he drew a double-barreled pistol and leveled it at the scout’s heart. But the latter, seeing his danger, quickly threw forward the end of his long cane and struck aside the arm of the half- breed, but the jar of the stroke seemed 10 have caused both barrels to go off, for there was heard the double report of a fire-arm. But to the surprise and horror of all, One-Armed Alf stood erect, unharmed, while Yellowface, stag- gering backward, clutching at his breast, ut- tered a groan of agony and fell heavily to the earth, the blood spurting in “rimson jets from the wound in his breast. The savages were completely astounded by this strange turn in affairs, and for full a minute they stood motionless, gazing around them, as if expecting the rush of a concealed foe. One-Armed Alf, too, cast a quick, i = glance around him, then leaning forward, wit his hand upon his rs Same he gazed down at the S vering form of Yellowface amd said: **Yellowface is dead. The Great Spirit be- came angry because he drew his pistol upon One Arm, and he turned Wild Cat’s own t ullet and sent it through his heart. The Ojibuays Ebooks through the crowd at this et this feller kills his Ojibway ecoim