Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 156 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

a —EE » ? ~ 7 me ae ee - - > a . . 2. Sak hee ie ceeiaha ’ Sa bim his footing, just as Velvet Face again Py “Lam sorry, lady, to have you witness such a scene, but it is life and death between us,” and again his revolver flashed, just as the arrow left the bow in Blue Snake’s hand, and min- gling with the echoes of the shot were two asec 8 shrieks, as two more steeds plunged death with their riders, and Muriel again reeled as though about to swoon away, and once more was upheld by the lariats, “Steady, Midnight, old fellow,” she heard in the tones of Velvet Face, and a fascination she could not resist caused her to look at the re- markable man before her, and she beheld him _ slowly slipping back over the haunches of his noble steed, dnd light in safety upon the shelf. With another word to Midnight, she beheld him creep beneath him and then rise before him and pat him gently, after which he approached oo erhoof, and she cried out anxiously to save er pet: - on sir, must poor Featherhoof meet the same fate as the others?” ** Not if he is careful, but it is a long and tedious backward trip he'll have of it; come, old fellow, back!” . At the words of Velvet Face the noble ani- mal, though trembling violently, slowly obeyed, and made several steps in safety, “He understands what is expected of him and will come out all rizht, for a few steps will put him on the shelf where itis wider; now per- mit me to aid you,” and skillfully passing Featherhoof, Velvet Face steppéd to the side o Muriel, who said anxiously: ‘*But my poor horse, sir, needs more care than | do.” . “Oh, M idnight will look after him, see! come, Midnight! Obediently to the call of his master the black steed moved cautiously forward, and as he ad- vanced Featherhoof receded, with almost hu- man sagacity, and seeing that her pet was safe, Muriel permitted Velvet Face to release her from the coils of the lariats, and snpport her u the pach, most dangerous indeed even to a foot- man. In tront walked the Indian chief, while, naving drawn up the lariats, on the top of the cliff they saw Red Dove awaiting them, and at a snail-liko pace behind came Midnight, forcing Featherhoof to retreat before him, forming a strange, thrilling scene, never to be forgotten by those who a few minutes before had wit- nessed the fearful tragedy and death-plunge trom the Devil’s Ladder. CHAPTER VII. PLAYING HIS TRUMP CARD, ‘WHEN Velvet Face heard the ringing cry of Muriel Merle for help, he had darted away like the wind, and after a rapid climb by a steep pathway, with which heseemed acquainted, he reachod the spot where he had seen her seated upon her horse, and then seized by her. captors. Dismounting he made a rapid survey of the ground, with the skill of a thorough border scout, and had come *to some conclusion as to who the captors were, when suddenly before him, appeared the forms of the two Bannocks, both father and daughter, panting from the fatigue of their climb up the hillside. ‘‘ Hal chief, you and your child must have wings to reach here so soon; but you are wel- come, as there has been foul work done here,” said Velvet Face, and the chief held forth his hand, and saidimpressively:; >. : “‘Let the Blue Snake thank the great paler face for he owes him his life, and the life of the Red Dove.” oa ean eats ‘Don’t mention it, for you may refurn the Coppi ans some day ; now tell meif you know what these traces mean?” and, with a face that the ring ale get apap ite selves ace pointed to the tracks upon the sward, ., ' “The Blue 9 sees the trail,of the Danite aries ought; poor girl, if. e wer of those devils; she doubtless belongs to be train [have seen heading this way, and we must save her if in our power.” > ar The chief and Red Dove both acquie in this resolve, and, after a short eonaurtatiga ue Snake, who knew every covert and path in the mountains, led hale until they came to where the Danites had turned from the path, to throw their pursuers off their scent. | But the masked leader had no idea that such trained trailersas Velvet Face and Blue Snake would be on his, track, and failed to deceive him, and noma at where they would again strike the main trail, and at once determined upon a course of action, which the Border Bravo heawly formed in his mind, and which with the aid of lariats procured from the Indian’s re- treat, which was fortunately near by, was most ully carried out, as the reader has seen, Payne Fenaned the plateau with Muriel, Vel- vet Face halted, and was joined by Blue Snake and Red Dove, whose sweet face quite won the heart of the city waiden, already drawn toward her by the part she had played in her rescue from the masked Danites. But, until Featherboof at last reached the plateau in safety, Muriel was nervous, and, : ee when she saw that her pet was safe she threw her arms around his neck in affectionate greet- ing, which the beautiful and faithful horse ac- knowledged with low whinnies of delight. “Chief, you need feel no fear in coming to the camps, for I intend to live there for awhile, and wish you to come and see me, for I am the friend of yourself and Red Dove,” said Velvet Face, as he prepared to start on the way back to the valley. ; ‘“And I too am your friend, and we shall meetagain,”. and Muriel held forth her hand to Red Dove and then to Blue Snake, and turned to Velvet Face, who raised her to her saddle as lightly as though she had been a child. ** Now, lady, I will—” ‘*My name is Murie!—” she hesitated an in- stant, as she caught the dark, fascinating eyes of Velvet Face fixed upon her, and added in a low tone—‘* Merle.” ‘* And I carry my name in my face, so men say, Miss Merle, as they call me Velvet Face, though my headis hard enough to make up for it,” said the man, with a smile, as he threw him- self across his saddle, and, with a arting wave of the hand to the Bannocks led the way back to the trail. “But that is onl your border name, sir, given by your friends? ‘‘T have no friends, Miss Merle,” he said, sadly, and she saw that behind his light man- ner and smiling face lay a vein of sadness; but he added in the same light way as before: ‘* The nomenclature of the plains and moun- tains is something remarkable, Miss Merle, for every peculiarity of a person is seized upon by the sel Pag Sap sponsors in baptism to desig- nate one by; 1 too have another name, for Iam called the Border Bravo,” and his lip curled slightly, as though he did not feel honored by the yd imnpeine wee ae what I have seen of your deeds, 1 Ax ) Aw : “My name is Velvet Face, Miss Merle,” he said, politely, yet with that in his manner that gave her to understand that he cared not, for some reason, to be known by other than his frontier cognomen. ‘*Well, Mr. Velvet Face, I do not wonder that you have won the title of Bravo, if, as I under- stand it, ij means a man who has no fear, and whom all men fear, as there is no deed too rash for him to attempt.” “‘T fear I do not prize it, as it was won in too many wild scenes such as one has to pass through on this border; but may ILaskif you understand why the Danites kidnapped you?” “The Danites?” cried Muriel, in alarm, as ber face turned white. ‘Yes, those were some of the Mormon Danite band; I thought you knew that.” “No, no; they came upon me unawares, for with Paradise Valley, the destination of our train in sight, [dreamt not of danger, and rode on ahead; oh! sir, from what have you not saved me?’ and the beautiful eyes filled with tears, while Velvet Face said significantly: ‘There isas much danger to be dreaded in Paradise Valley, notwithstanding its name, Miss Merle, as on the trail, and Ll fear you have come to a dangerous country to dwell.” “Alast I fear so; but is it not strange that I have not been missed from the train by my father and friends, and—” “Halt! Velvet Face, my beauty, I holds irymep keerds now, an’ yer is my game.” . he hoarse challenge and words that fol- ended in a cruel, mocking laugh, and both the man and maiden drew rein, for over a bowlder, not twenty feet away red the cernel, triumphant face of Carlof Co orado, and his rifle covered the heart of Velvet Face, lowe CHAPTER VIII. MAD MYRA OF THE MOUNTAIN. THOUGH taken by surprise, and at once real- izing his danger, Velvet Face did not change color, for he had too often before looked death narely ta the face and escaped it, to me oe although he recognized in the one who held the rifle aimed at his heart Car! the Killer, the very man whom, a few hours before, he had con- quered in the knife encounter. Muriel Merle also recognized thé man, for she had had a fair view of him from her perch on the cliff above, and she felt assured that he would now avenge himself upon his enemy. A creature of sudden impulse, and utterly fearless, she immediately determined to save Velvet Face, and with a word to Featherhoof, the faithful animal bounded at once before Midnight, and the body of the maiden shielded the man from harm, : ‘ “Now draw your weapon, sir,” she quickly ceri But Velvet Face did not movea muscle, for he knew the man beyond the rock, and would not give him an excuse to risk a shot at him, through the body of the maiden; but he calmly ‘““ Miss Merle, I thank you; but ride from be- tween us, please, for he has the advantage, and let him do his will.” “You is a plucky one, pard, but yer pluck hein’t a-roin’ ter save yer, ier we don’t want ss +S 6 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo. no sich men as you be in these diggin’s, so I in- tends ter kill yer.” ‘* A barking dog seldom bites, Carl of Colo- rado,” was the sneering reply of Velvet Face, and he again urged Muriel to ridefrom between them; but she was firm, and still shielded him as much as possible, while Captain Carl, know- ing how well he had the advantage, was in- clined to play with the man in his po'ver, es a cat does with a mouse, and said in his hoarse were) at the same time nodding his head to one siae: . “A leetle more to ther right, gal, as ther photograph y man said ter me when I hed my ictur’ tuk; a leetle more ter ther right wit het puty face o’ yourn, or I kin chip thet pretty cheek o’ hisn right off; thar, thet’s bet- ter; now look straight heur, Mister Velvit Face, right inter this leetle hole, an’ V’ll hey a nice pictur’ of yer arter death, ter hand down ter posterity—thar, thet’s it, smile sweet—now—” om me Killer, move one inch and you ie!’ Terse and to the point came the words, just as Carl’s finger was about to press the trigger, and neither of the three saw the speaker; but with a muttered oath, Carl of Colorado glance over his shoulder, and his cruel face turned livid, for he saw that he was in thesame dan- ger with which he threatened Velvet Face. And, in the instant of that look, the positiorm of affairs changed, for spurring his horse around the rock, followed by Muriel, Velvet Face dropped his revolver quickly at an aim upon the huge ruffian’s head, and the tableau. was reversed, ‘*Hands is up, pard! Don’t shoot, I begs yer,” almost shrieked Captain Carl, for he ex- cted instant death at the hands of the man he: a moment before held in his gah a ** Whining cur, I would not have your life upon my hands,” and Velvet Face turned to- ward the one who had so opportunely turned the tide in his favor, and saw that it was a wo- man, and, with an exclamation of surprise, Muriel recognized her as the strangely beauti- ful creature who had warned her not to remain in Paradise Valley. That Velvet Face had never seen the strange woman before was evident, for he seemed sur- prised at her wild attire and presence in that desolate spot; but he said in his pleasant way: **T owe you thanks for my life, young lady; but may I know whoit is that I am to remem- ber for a favor so great?” ‘*That man knows me; let him tell,” was the uiet reply, as she now, for the first time since she had changed the situation of affairs, low- ch her pistol, that had covered Carl of Colo- rado, ‘** Yas, I does know yer, gal, an’I isn’t ther only one as isafeerd o’ yer, fer yer is Satrn om wheels, as we knows down in ther valley.” ‘“‘And my name?” she asked, sadly, as if wishing him to speak it. ** They calls yer Mad Myra o’ ther Mountain, an’ I has heerd them call yer ther Hermit Hun- tress; but whatever is yer handle I wishes ter steer clear 0’ one who they say has dealin’s with the devil,” and the man seemed awed by his superstitious belief regarding the strange woman. ' **‘Just now I have dealings with the devil, Caz! the Killer, and not liking his company I order you to go—that is, if this gentleman does not wish to kill you, as you would him, had I not been on your track, and believing you meant deviltry, followed you.” “*T guesses he hain’t ther man ter kick a dog when he’s down,” whined Carl of Colorado, looking slyly up at Velvet Face, who answered contemptuously : ‘ “T raise my hand only against those who have the courage to meet me, not to cringing curs; leave your arms there, sir, and when we are gone come back after them.” = = Carl the Killer quickly obeyed the injunction, and slunk out of sight in the nexrest pine thicket, to await the departure of those whom he now had just cause to dread. “Will you accepta seat behind my saddle miss, and go to the settlement with us?’ asked Velvet Face, when he had watched the ruffian out of sight, and he turned to the strange child- woman before him, for she seemed scarcely over twenty, and was very beautiful, though it was a wild, weird beauty in keeping with the life she led, and which had gained for her the name of Mad Myra of the Mountain, for, thougk she often x ge in the settlements, it was only to purchase food, which she carried to her secret retreat in the hills, and which no person had yet been able to find. : Who she was none knew, and nothing was known of her, other than that a year before she had appeared at the settlement and claimed a mine, showing evidence that it had been staked out and nya or pesca the miners had. come to that part of the country. The vite cross-grained, idle fellow, had contested her right, and she had challenged him to fight her for it, and he had consented, to es~ cape the jeers of his comrades. ll Purgatory had assembled to see the duel, which was with revolvers at fifteen paces, to ECO NMIGIOOKS (E(o)