Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

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He saw that death threatened him upon every side, that a dozen pistols and half as many knives were ready to drain his veins, if the word was given, or if he should make a suspicious movement, He made no attempt to arise or change his po- sition, simply stretched out his hand and picked up a stili smoking pipe which had been dropped by some one of the startled conspirators. Coolly ramming the icosened tobacco down into the bowl, he griped the stem betwixt his teeth and Ps his lack-luster eyes slowly around the room, uting each one of the wondering ruffians with a short, pointed puff of smoke. *A Quaker meetin’,-I reckon? You fellers was talkin’ lively enough long’s I stayed up thar on the ruff, a-listenin’ to ye—” she drawling utterance came to an abrupt cessation, as the big blue eyes came in turn to the person of old Hark Foster. Bothof his pis- tols were now covering the intruder, and his evil black eyes were glancing wickedly along the leveled tubes. An ounce more of pressure upon the triggers and the death-knell would be sounded. ) ** You don’t want to be ’so p’izen keerless, old man,” and the fishy-looking blue eyes of Simple Simon underwent a truly remarkable change, seeming to pierce Hark Foster through and throu “*if one o’ them barkers was to go off, ita kill at both eends. Let up on it.” *You’ve been listenin’-—you hearn what we've been talkin’ abdéut?’ demanded the old man, in a low, grating tone of voice that was peculiarly impressive. ** Right you air,” was the prompt reply. ‘‘ Pd 4” hearn more, only ter the con-demned smoke. The idea o’ makin’ a fire on sech a warm night—” **You didn’t come here alone? You've got some fr’ends outside?’ interrupted Ioster. ‘‘ You needn’t try to lie—” “Is you that’s dojn’ tle lyin’ when you say that I didn’t come alone, fer I did. You six feller-critters is the only fri’ads I know of in **So much the wuss fer you, then. But ef you was backed up by a thousan’, you don’t git out 0’ this afore we’re satisfied fer why an’ what ou’ve come. Now you want to hold up your fan's, an’ I won’t ax ye twice, nuther. Jake coe ore ph go through him fer weepons.” Fool on was sensible enough to realize the utter folly of resisting this blunt command, and promptly elevated both bands above his head, while the man indicated by name glided behind him and removed the weapons from his belt, then ‘“‘ went through” his pockets in the most approved style, dropping the articles thus ob- edin a A dl upon the floor between Hark Foster and his captive. “ Hevin’ things all your own way, ain’t ye, boys?” the latter grinned, as, his task completed, Ramsel fell back to his old: position. ‘' How- these parts.” -_ sumever, I reckon this foolishin’s gone ’bout fer Tongue’s good fer talkin’, but fingers when they kin say what mine does. like it, boys?” As he spoke, his uplifted hands were put in motion, and the fingers made the same swift hat had stood Sweet William and Leo Friend in such good stead barely an hour be- fore. Nor wasthe result lessremarkable in this case. Hark Foster lowered his pistols with a sharp cry of astonishment, while his comrades stared at Simple Simon as though unable to be- lieve the evidence of their own eyes. . Fool Simon grinned broadly around the circle, between the puffs of his pipe, for he felt that he held the ein his own hands. None of those present would dare dispute the authority of - enough. those significant signs. But all was not so serene as he imagined. Hark Foster was fot one to be easily choked off from what he deemed an honest prize, and that he was far from being satisfied in the present easily read in the sour expression of “You've got the all right, an’ I don’t _ deny but what we’re all bound in duty to respec’ an’ obey them as makes’em. But thar’s two sides to the question. You’ve gotthe signs, but _° how did you git them? By listenin’ down chim- bly, as you was doin’ jest now? You're a clean 5 Page] to allon us, You come down through the ruff, ’stead o’ by the doorway. Ef we look «on _ye sorter dub’ous- like, they’s nobody to blame cae ur own self.” **That is all right, Hark Foster,” and as he Oe - | dropped his pipe, Fool Simon “the: broken roof. ~ a eee _—- a eS a =v é dl - f~ William, the Trapper Dete ut aside the drawl and vacant look of the half-wit, ne clear and rapidly, the man of action all over. ‘‘ From what I have heard of you, I should have been greatly disappointed had you accepted me without further investigation. Give me your hand and satisfy yourself.” The old man grasped the proffered hand, and, as his secret grips were correctly answered, one after the other, his faintest doubt fled, and he listened to the words of Simple Simon with an air of the most respectful attention. **And now I am ready to explain my reasons for acting as I have,” said Simple Simon, re- suming his seat, refilling and lighting a pipe. ‘* In the first place, you all know that there is a big job on hand, though you hayen’t been told exactly what it is. _Word was sent you from head-quarters, down the river, to prepare for hot work. The same messenger told you that the general would, in a few days, send a man up here to inspect the members of this section, with a view to weeding out the untrustworthy, and to tell the faithful just what was intended to be done. Iam the messenger intrusted with that double duty. **Since word was sent you we have learned that there is at least one traitor among your number here, and my final orders were, before all else, to learn who that traitor was. reason I came in disguise, accompanied by men enough to carry out whatever orders I might give them. I waswarned not to trust any man, without first thoroughly proving him. For this reason I have closely followed and watched you six men, and it was to remove the last, lingering doubt that I listened to-night upon this roof. “I feel that I can trust you, and now tell you that there is work for you to do, in the interests of the family. I am almost sure who is the traitor, buf he will be far more apt to betray himself among his old friends than with stran- gers like myself and men. I have my plans al- tnost perfected, and when the time comes I de- pend upon you six men to aid me in carrying them out.” ‘* Jest breathe his name an’ he won’t make no more trouble in the family,” said Foster; ina low, deadly tone? ‘You will know it in good time. Until I give you the word you must keep close guard over your tongues and faces. The man [ suspect you all trust as with your lives, and he would prob- ally be the very first you would think of con- fiding with what I have told you. So, I repeat, trust nobody. Don’t even talk the matter over between yourselves, for the traitor is cunning and sly asa snake.” At that moment no man upon earth had a more devout believer than Simple Simon had in Hark Foster. The smooth and plausible tongue had made a warm convert in the cun- ning ald fox, who would have been the first to resent any hint that Simon was other than ex- actly what he represented himself to be, That worthy saw this at a glance, and smiled in- wardly at the sudden change his words had effected. , He was fated to witness another no less sud- den change in the same person. The faint but unmistakable clink of an iron- shod hoof against a stone came to their ears from without, and immediately after could be distinguished the rapid, heavy trampling of human feet, as a number of men apparently surrounded the hut. -Instinctively Simon cast a glance upward at The light from the fireplacs was shining Paras the aperture, and reflected upon the boughs of the tree, by the aid of which he had gained the roof, served as a beacon to those night-rovers without. A heavy hand struck the door, and a stern voice cried: ‘*Open—in the name of thelaw!” | At the first sound of the betraying hcof- stroke the ferret-eyes of Hark ter had sought the face of Simple Simon, and his lulled suspicions were aroused by the strange expres- sion therein. He glided noiselessly to the man’s side, and, as the summons to open came, Simon turned with a start to meet the fiery glitter of the old man’s eyes, to feel the hard muzzle of a rues pressed mp gn his ribs, and to hear the ing whisper in his ear: ‘\ Ef you hev sold us Pll kill you, by —!” Without a word Simple Simon stepped for- ward, and, removing the fastenings, flung the door wide — For a moment there was a breathless silence, The seven men within the but could distinguish nothing but intense gloom without. Five of their number were cowering close to the wall, as though expecting a death- shot from out the darkness, a hang-dog looking sét, whom no one could mistake for honest men. Hark Foster was partially behind the door, his eyes riveted upon Simple Simon, a drawn pis- tol in readiness to carry out his threat. Of ns all, Simon alone boldly faced the unseen peril. The next moment a tall, dark-robed figure stepped into the flood of light, and addressed on “We are searching for Leo Friend; have you seen him anywhere to-night?” vn ; i . lee : For this. ‘ue & ctive. As from one voice came the unanimous re- sponse in the negative. ‘**We thought he might be here when we saw the light,” added the Vigilante. ‘‘ Remember, he is condemned to death, a price set upon his head. Any man who harbors him, or gives him aid in any shape or form, will be deemed ecuilty of a serious offense, and ‘be treated accord- ingly.” Without another word he and his fellows faded away amid the gloom, and then the sounds of their horses’ hoofs were heard going down the hollow. ‘I ax your pardon, boss,” and Foster hung his head in sullen sheepishness as he spoke, ‘I thought you was playin’ double on us, Vilknow better next time.’ “Your motives were good, and I take no of- fense, On the contrary, it rather pleases me to find one so ready to avenge treache You and I will get along finely, I fancy. ow, one word of business. Arrange a place of meeting for to-morrow, as we can’t talk any more here, at present. Who knows who may be watching us? Those black rascals were far too polite not to mean mischief,” ‘‘It was all fixed afore you came in,” mut- tered ark. ‘* We’ve gota job laid out fer to- morrer night. Tho boys onderstand jest what they’ve got to do.” ‘Very well. Then we may as well say good- night.” **'You must go ‘long o’ me, boss,” said Foster, respectfully, but firmly. ‘‘ Thar’s a good deal to talk over, an’ some few peints I want you to cl’ar up. We'll be safe to say what we want up to my shanty.” Simple Simon hesitated, but there was some- thing in the steady gaze of the old man that de- cided him to comply, which he did, with a good grace, in outward seeming, at least. The sage? separated, Simple Simon following his host. ot a word was spoken on the way, and an hour later they stood before the log house. Before Foster could knock, the door opened and a lithe form slipped out and past them. If was Mattie Foster, and she bore a cocked pistol in her hand. ‘Go in, father, and you, sir, please follow him,” she uttered, in a clear, metallic voice that produced a far from pleasant impression upon Simple Simon. As Foster obeyed without any remark, he did the same. Mattie brought up the rear, stopping to bar and chain the door, though all was dark as death. This done, she sounded a shrill whis- tle, and Nancy, the servant girl, immediately appeared with a light, revealing Mattie leanirg against the door, covering Simple Simon with a cocked pistol. “What on airth do you mean, gal?” demand- ed Foster, ‘**] mean that :you have been deceived—that yonder wretch is a treacherous spy, who, in seeking to entrap us, has come his own death!” CHAPTER XX. A PAGE FROM THE PAST. Brix staggered back, confused, bewildered, unable to believe the evidence of ber ears. A sad, pained smile passed over Anderson Glad- den’s face, then left it darker, more gloomy than before, _ No, [ ain’t gone crazy, nur yit IL ain’t drunk,” he said, with sche, uneasy laugh. ‘*’You’d hev to Yarn the truth some time, an’ I réckon this is good’s any other time fer makin’ a clean breast of it. Set down, Belle—it’s along story, an’ not the most agreeablest, nuther, fer a young an’ tender thing like you to listen to.” he, maiden obeyed, mechanically, sinking into a chair, her dazed eyes following the mo- tions of the man who denied being her father, although, since her earliest recollection, he had accepted and seemed proud of the title. It was like a strange, unnatural dream—a nightmare from which she longed to awaken. Anderson Gladden closed and barred the door and drew the cloth curtain over the one win- dow of the room. This done, he took a séat beside the table, filling and lighting his pipe. “Tt’s the gospel truth, though the good Lord knows how I wish it was a lie,” were the first words he uttered, bis voice unsteady and husky, despite his efforts to the contrary. “IT ain’t your sure-enough father, child, though I’ve tried to be as good as the best to ye, an’ 1 kin honestly say that they never was a father as loved his child with a truer heart- love then I hev given you, from the day when you was putt in my arms, a teenty-weenty little cooin’ crowin’ baby.” “You have—you are my father—I have known no other parent but you,” sobbed Belle, sinking at his knees and oath her cold cheek against his horny, trembling hand. ‘Do not say any more. t me forget it all, if I can. We were so va my contented—” “I would ef I could, little ’un,” and the big, bushy beard was mingled with the soft, brown hair, as his pipe dropped unheeded to the floor. ‘* But the words has bin said, an’ you’d never be the same gal ag’in, even ef I wastf’t to say no more, I al’ays ‘lowed to tell you, some day, : i i lire as — a ( £ } : | Hoe: Care ‘*] hain’t—hev any o’ you, boys?’ i nial “ . mee giaes: aes » oie Eomicbooks.com ~ b pat ; =" + , . a ; ra , s cal : j ; + ry 3 4 << t ESTERS, = a. . s . 4 ee Pe oe i - ‘ e Cae | -- ¥ 3 fret +3 "he ~— - ~ 4, i , ‘ ‘ ‘ > : 4 aa a +t Biers ¥-