Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 188 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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Sine . oo — : 2 ‘ 4 ; | : : —_ The Phantom Mazeppa. | 15 CHAPTER XXV. AN INHOSPITABLE RECEPTION, ALTHOUGH Grizzly Gabe and his two pards got off scot-free from the Texans, where they had expected trouble, from being recognized as in the crowd the night before that was antago- nistic to Iron Arm, they did not feel wholly at ease, and it was decided that they would, for the present, give up the search for Flash, car- rying bound to his back the body of his dead master, and endeavor to kidnap Arta from the ranch of Harvey Preston, where they believed she had gone fo live. ‘Sides, pards, a horse loose on ther pararer are as likely ter be in one Pines as another, an’ we may run across ther body bein’ toted round, an’ perhaps we mout strike ther t’other chap as that leetle devil wants dead or alive,” remarked Grizzly Gabe, as he headed for the crossing of the North Platte, with a view to make for the Preston ranch or its vicinity. ‘“What a leetle devil thet feller be, Gabe: seems ter me thar a all-fired quantity o’ evil in his hide, fer one so young and so small,” remark- ed Hank. ‘““Thar are indeed, pards; but as he hes got ther rocks, he are a prime feller ter do inner- cent leetle jobs fer, and I intends ter freeze ter him,” put in Bedrock Mose. ‘* He looks as though he could ’rastle a keerd to the queen’s taste,” suggested Grizzly. ‘*So he do, an’ somebody as picks him up fer a tenderfoot will find he hev got horns.” “You is right, Mose,” remarked Hank, and thus discussing the merits and demerits of Tiny Tim the party rode on their way until noon, when they camped for awhile to rest. Before them, stretched out on the prairie, they saw the tired and gaunt Texas herd, with still enough cowboys remaining in charge of them to protect them from cattle-thieves. ‘‘Thar w’u’d be a fine haul fer us, pards, ef it wasn’t fer them wild mustangers,” remarked Grizzly Gabe, wistfully eying the cattle. ‘* Yas, Gabe, an’ when they gets to ther ranch on ther Disma , which this Texas ranchero hey homesteaded, we’ll hey a sample o’ them hides.” ‘Yas, ef them Texas fellers goes back home; ef they locates heur, Hank, our biz are goin’ ter git dull,” dolefully replied Bedrock Mose. ‘* Let’s sidle round ther herd, pards, fer ef we keeps close comp’ny we mout be mistook fer cattle-thieves, an’ them mustangers hes a way, ve heerd tell, of shootin’ a feller fust an’ then tryin’ ter find out what he hey did ter git shoot- , and I doesn’t want no sich inquest held over pai loved form.” his opinion of Grizzly Gabe seemed to meet with approbation, and bearing to the right, the party went up through a canyon between a range of high sand-hills, and were glad that they were no longer under the espionage of the mustangers, who watched them closely until they were out of sight. iding until late at night, they went into a dry camp, and at dawn mounted and continued their way once more, soon after coming in sight of the Preston ranch. . ‘‘'Thet durned feller do take comfort to his- se’f, ef he do be in ther pararer,” remarked Griz- zly Gabe, as he observed the comfortable cabins which comprised the Preston ranch. ‘* He do indeed; but, Gabe, what’s ter be did now?” asked Mose. ‘“ Waal, we'll ride up to ther ranch ter ask ef ther Iron Arm are thar, an’ say we has been sent by Dave Perry ter look fer him, an’ this will give us a look at ther place an’ ther sur- romain’, an’ how many thar are ter tackle, ef it comes ter a muss.” ‘* Yer’ll not take ther gal ter-day?”’ ‘**Oh, no, Lisn’t no durned fool ef I does look it; we does our dark deeds at night; yer see, we is not got ter be suspected in this biz, but ther Injuns hes.” ‘*Thar hain’t no prowlin’ red-skins this side o” ther Bad Lands, or ther Big Cheyenne, as would dare do it, on account o’ ther sogers,” said Hank, ‘‘ Waal, sogers knows Injuns is Injuns, an’ ef thar is deviltry done they lays it on ’em, an’ ef we looks like Injuns, talks li e Injuns, an’ acts like Injuns, why we is Injuns, an’ ther sogers will go up to ther Sioux villages an’ raise par- tickler fits.” ; ““Thet are so, Gabe, but whar is we ter git ther Injun fixin's?” ** At ther lay-out on ther Loup, an’ then come back; but, now look pious, fer I see a feller look- in’ at us as ef he didn’t think we was mis- sionaries.”’ The ** feller” referred to by Grizzly Gabe was Sancho the Mexican, and he was alone at the ranch, for after an early breakfast Ramse Preston had ridden over to the Birdwood wit his cousins, to install them in their new home. ‘Well, sefiors, what is it?” asked Sancho, as the trio rode up to the ranch door. ‘‘A cup of water first, pard, and then we'd like ter know ef yer hev seen ther Texan they calls Iron Arm, the Ranchero?” answered Griz- zly Gabe, in his politest way, which, at the best, was bad enough, : ‘*There is the pump and a cup; “m4 men selyes, sefiors; as to the one you speak of, I only last night heard of him, and have not seen him.” ‘**He are lost; gone astray, an’ Dave Perry, the howlin’ justice o’ Platte, sent us ter see ef we c’u’d find him,” ** He is not here.” **Ts not this ther ranch o’ Mr. Preston, fer I knows his’n lies in this locality?’ ee ge ** Are he at home?” 6¢ ATA 9) = Away from home?” “Ves.” ‘He were in Platte yesterday.” «< Yes. 79 “ve got some hoofs I'd like ter sell him.” **He does not wish to buy.” ‘These are prime critters.” ** He does not wish them.” * They is Texas cattle.” “c No. ) ‘*Ef I c’u’d see him maybe, he—” “I say no, sefior.” ‘Waal, you ought ter know, fer yer looks like a knowin’ cuss; but all ther same I w’u’d like ter see ther boss.” ** He is at the Birdwood ranch.” **Thankee fer nothin’; good-day,” and Griz- =? Gabe rode away, followed by his pards, and ll of them were profuse in their oaths against Sancho. ‘*To ther Birdwood we go, pards, an’ durned ef I don’t believe we kin do a stroke o’ biz thar,” and having suddenly formed some plan in his mind, Gabe led the way toward the Birdwood for he knew well where was the other ranch of Ramsey Preston. CHAPTER XXVI, GRIZZLY GABE CATCHES A TARTAR. *“BEDROCK Moser, does yer think yer kin smooth ther devil out o’ yer face sufficient ter play honest?” and Grizzly Gabe halted, when within a mile of Birdwood ranch, and turned to Mose, who replied: ‘**T kin try, Gabe.” ‘*Waal, you is not known ter ther gang in ther ranch as hevin’ been in my comp’ny last night, an’ I wishes yer ter go up thar an’ say er is a scout, carrying dispatches from Fort andall ter Fort McPherson, an’ hes got chased off yer way by Injuns an’ is lost.” Waal?” ‘* Now heur is a dozen diff’rent trails, an’ you jist ax ranchero Preston ter come heur an’ set yer on ther right one, an’ Hank must be heur ter cover him.” “Waal?” ““He hey got plenty o’ money I know, an’ we kin make him pan out rich, or make wolf-meat out of him.” ** Waal, Gabe?” **] will sneak up to ther ranch an’ do a Ieetle biz, fer Pll git ther gal, an’ knock her daddy over with a bullit,” ‘* That are prime; but do TI look like a healthy scout, Gabe?” said Bedrock Mose, with rueful countenance, ** Waal, you isn’t han’some, like Buffalo Bill at Fort McPherson be, an’a gazelle are more gracefuller than you be, Mose; but yer’ll do fer a scout, seein’ as yer isa most noble liar, so spruce up, an’ go ‘long, an’ you, Hank, jist stan’ heur an’ get ther drop on ther cattle man.” There was little more talk, for the villains understood each other thoroughly, and while Hank Lazarus took up his position in the timber fringing the Birdwood, Bedrock Mose went on his way to the ranch, and Grizzly Gabe dogged his steps to seek a chance to act his part. Boldly riding up to the cabin, which was pic- turesquely situated upon the pretty Birdwood, Bedrock Mose saw three persons seated in front of the door, one of whom he recognized as Ram- sey Preston, the Ranchero, for he had seen him in North Platte on several occasions. Saluting politely, and uickly, for he saw that the ranchero drop his hand upon his revolver, he said: ‘Prairie pard, I am off ther trail, havin’ been chased by Injuns, an’ want to find Fort McPherson, for I carries dispatches from Fort Randall.” “By going up the river a mile you can strike the direct trail,” said Ramsey Preston. **T was up thar, an’ seems as ef thar were a trail leadin’ everywhar; wish yer’d obleege me, pard, by settin’ me right.” It was a request that rene! Preston could not refuse, and rising, he walked toward his wince that was lariated near, the saddle upon aa | “I will keep on to my ranch, Berkley, but will ride over to-morrow,” he called out. ‘Stay and take supper with us,” asked Arta, with forced politeness, ‘No, I wish to get home by dark, for I have no desire to see the Phantom Mazeppa again, I frankly confess,” and so saying he threw him- self into the saddle, and followed by the pre- tended scout rode up the river. ‘‘ Arta, when I went after my runaway horse Isaw some antelopes, so I'll take my rifle and try and bring one in for supper,” said Berkley Preston, as soon as his cousin had gone, “Don’t be long away, father,” said Arta, and entering the cabin she hurried herself about setting her new home to rights; but while she worked diligently her thoughts seemed far away. ‘* What! back so soon, father?’ she suddenly cried, as a form darkened the doorway. “Yas, I are heur, leetle girl, an’ you is a putty one, too,” and Grizzly Gabe stepped into the cabin, and gazed with insolent admiration upon the beautiful girl, for she was now no longer in male attire, but dressed in a most be- coming Mexican suit, which Ramsey Preston had told her was one of his lost Alita’s dresses. At sight of the cruel-faced intruder Arta turned deadly pale, yet did not lose her pre- sence of mind, though she recognized the man whom she had last seen in the saloon of the Overland Rest. ‘* Well, sir, what want you here?” she asked, with all the coolness she could command, ‘*T wants you, leetle gal, fer yer is worth su’thin’ ter me, yer is.” ** Leave this cabin, or I will call for aid.” ‘Yer kin call, leetle gal, but it won’t fetch, fer yer coz, ther ranchero, hev gone up ther river, an’ by this time are the prisoner o’ my pards, an’ yer daddy hev gone down-stream arter game fer supper, I guesses.” * Then I shall have to protect myself from you, as I would from a wild beast,’ was the fearless reply. ‘* Lordy, leetle gal, yer hes pluck, but it hain’t goin’ ter do yer no good,” Arta made no reply, but her eyes flashed and then suddenly she glanced to one side of the ae out of the open door, and cried fervently: ‘*Father! thank God you have come!” Grizzly Gabe turned quickly, his hand upon his pistol butt, and that instant, with a bound Arta was by his side, the weapon was knocked to the floor, and her own revolver, which she had in her sash, was leveled at the face of the desperado, while she said sternly: ‘** Now, sir, the tables are turned, and you are my prisoner. Grizzly Gabe turned pallid, for he saw that in the face of the maiden that told him she would kill him, and the revolver she held was no toy weapon, but cocked and ready for use, and he dared not move, for her hand was as. firm as a rock, ‘* Leetle gal,” he said, ina whining way, and with a sickly smile, “I were jokin’,” ‘**T am not.” ‘*T comed heur ter do yer a favor.” “Tf you do hot do as I direct I will do the country a favor by killing you.” ‘** Lordy! don’t be so keerless with thet wee- pin; it mout go off.” ‘* W hat if it does? it will only kill a brute.” ‘* Holy Rockies, yer is a tough oné; let’s see ef we can’t compromise.” ** No compromise; I mean business.” ‘Yer look it,” and Grizzly Gabe was watch- ing for some chance to catch her off her guard; but she seemed to understand this, and said, sternly: ‘* Hold up your hands, sir!” - hes ther roometiz, an’ I can’t do it, leetle gal, *“Rum-it-tis, more likely,” and Arta was as- tonished at her own courage in making a pun at such a time. * aie with your hands, sir, high above your ead. ** Doctors says ’tain’t healthy.” “The doctors will say you died of a bullet- wound if you do not obey.” ‘**Rocky-ghany Mountains, gal, but you is wuss nor a Texas steer.” ‘*Did you hear me?” ‘Yas; my hands is up.” She stepped back a pace or two, and took from where it hung on the wall, a lariat, and still covering the villain with one hand, she arranged the noose with the other. ‘* Lordy! she are goin’ ter hang me,” As Grizzly Gabe spoke the lariat was skill- fully thrown, the neose chanel down around his waist, and being at once drawn taut by who ordered: ‘* Lower one hand, sir!” With a muttered oath the desperado obeyed, and the rope was then thrown around the neck, brought down around one arm, pinioning it to: the waist, and still kept taut. ** Now the other hand, sir!” ‘* Leetle gal, let up on a feller,” whined Gria- zly Gabe. Obey,” was the stern response, and the second arm was pinioned in the same way, ‘* Now lie down upon your face, sir.” ‘“‘I’m durned ef I do! ‘*Then I shall shoot you as I would a wolf.” ‘* Yer hasn’t ther sand.” Her answer was to touch the trigger and the bullet scraped his scalp; but the pistol still covered him, and her cool tones showed she was in earnest. ‘Next time, Pll send the bullet through your brain; you see I am accustomed to fire arms.” + ef yer hain’t; yer tells me ter lie down?” and it was evident that Grizzly Gabe was badly frightened, JOO! GOoOmic S) (E()