Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 189 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

lt =~ turned and glanced curiously upon her, while | had lived alone in those hills, canyons and e said, addressing Mr. Insley: ‘‘ Hugh Harcourt is the name, you say?” ci Yes.” “ Té seems to me that I have heard it before; mountains, and all that time his daily work was to find a safe retreat from foes, That safe retreat he most certainly did ind, for, like wheels within wheels, no one unac- ‘but give me one of them aliases and perhaps I | quainted with the secluded spot could follow can tell you if I know him.” the trail leading to it, and even thoss who ‘He is also known as Handsome Hugh, Old | knew it well, in broad daylight, needed all Buekskiv, and the Indians call bim Lone Pale Face, as he dares not live among his own race, | their nerve and skill to keep to it. By night, the captain alone, it was said, had but hides like a hermit in the mountains,” anil | had the hardihood to follow it, and Hyena Mr. Insley spoke with a sneer, while he kept | Harry, making the attempt by moonlight, had his eyes fixed upon the bearded face of his | lost his horse, and barely escaped with his own captor. *“T have Heard of all these names too, and | | life. It was no wonder, then, that when pursued that the wearer of them was a dangerous man, by the Vigilantes or soldiers, the pursuers ‘But you, sir, are in my power, and I am | halted at the dangers they were forced to con- Captain Tiger, the chief of the Desperado Dozen, and—” ‘*T have heard that Captain Tiger was tall, splendidly formed, with a dark face, hand- some, full of fascination for those who saw not the evil beneath the surface, while you are—” *‘Quite the opposite, miss, for though a large man, I am, as you see, neither gracefully formed or handsome,” and Captain Tiger again turned his searching gaze upon the vailed lady, as though striving to see the face she so earefully concealed. Just then a man approached and said some- thing to Captain Tiger, addressing him in ®iocux, which both seemed to understand per- fectiy, but which they believed was an un- known tongue to the prisoners. He said: ‘The stage escaped, and the boys have re- turned, and with them Sandy Tom, who is just from Poker City, and reports that Wild Bill is ia town, and evidently plotting mischief against the Dozen.” ‘Yes, and my word for it that Wild Bill yet causes each one of this band to swing for this day’s work,” bursted out Mr. Insley, unmind- ful of the fact that it were better, did he keep the secret of his understanding the Sioux tongue to himself. ‘*Ha! you understand Indian, do you? ‘Well, you have befriended us all in mak- ing the fact known, and in the name of the Des- perado Dozen I thank you,” and Captain Tiger bowed with marked respect. Mr. Insley bit his lips with chagrin at tho mistake he had made, and remained silent while Captain Tiger again spoke to the man who had just brought him news of Wild Bill being in Poker City, and who was none other than Hyena Harry, the second in com- mand of the Desperado Dozan. “Hyena Harry, bring horses for these pris- oners, and then we will go to our stronghold, fer I expect the Vigilantes will take our trail after to day’s work,” said the leader. “There is no doubt of it, and for the risk we run this lady and gentleman should be made to pay a royal ransom to us,” answered Hyena Harry, who was a man evidently in fermer life accustomed to the best society, and, though fallen and crime-stained, yet had a polish of manner that was marked, even in perpetrating his most devilish acts of cruelty. That be was disguised was evident, and even Captain Tiger, it was said, had never seen his face free of the false beard he wore. In obedience to the order of his superior, he led horses from the canyon, and placed the / vailed lady in a side-saddle, evidently bought for the use of Edna Insley, as easily as though she had been a child, for she offered no resist- ance. — Mr. Insley was'then aided to mount, and the party rode away further into the mountain re- cesses, the men very gloomy over having had their Dozen reduced to seven of late, and losing the treasure they had hoped for, CHAPTER XVIII. THE @®UTLAWS’ EDEN. I witt follow the Desperado Dozen into their mountain fastnesses, which Nature had done s@ much to make a safe retreat, that it Was no wonder that a band of half a hundred Vigilantes had not dared pursue them there. A narrow trail, which forced them to ride in Indian file, led for several miles around the abrupt sides of mountains, through canyons which were mere splits in the hills, across foaming torrents at fords known only to the Desperado Dozen, and where the misstep of a horse would hurl him and his rider on with the ourrent and dash them to atoms on the cata- tracts below. For months, it was said, the outlaw captain front, especially when there were passes to go through, which one man, with a pair of revol- vers, could defend against half a hundred. Taking the lead, and with Mr. Insley’s horse next his own, then the one ridden by the vailed lacy, and behind the band, Captain Tiger went on the way to the secret retreat, Several times Mr. Insley paled at the dan- gers that were before them; but the vailed lady, silent and her face unseen, showed no emotion, sat upright, following the leader, her reins held well in hand. At last, after passing through a tunnel, formed by earth, rocks: and trees, choking up the narrow top of a deep canyon, the party came out io an opening, the beauty of which caused an exclamation of surprised pleasure to burst from the lips of the vailed horsewoman, and Mr. Insley to say: ‘‘ Well, this is certainly a lovely scene, an Eden in which dwell devils in human form,” ‘Yes, I love nature, and this is my para- dise, as it will prove your purgatory, Boyd Insley, ‘You are welcome, sir, and you, lady, are also welcome in the haunt of the Desperado Dozen.” | The spot was indeed lovely, seemingly a garden of wild flowers in the wild mountains. Cliffs covered with wild ivy mantles were to the north and east, and sloping hills to the south and west. | Purest streams of water flowed through the basin, and beneath a clump of majestic trees were half a dozen white tents, the mark of U. 8. upon them showing that they had been captured from the army. A marquee, evidently intended for some gen- eral, was the abode of the outlaw chief, and soft bear, buffalo and panther-skins served as a carpet, a Mexican hammock for a bed, and with a table covered with books, several easy carpet camp-chairs, and other articles of com- fort, it was byno means a disagreeable abiding place. ‘Here, my fair vailed nun, will be your home until we can arrange upon terms which will give you your freedom,” and the chief turned to aid the vailed lady to dismount. But discarding his cffered hand, she sprung lightly to the ground and entered the marquee. “There, Mr. Insley, are your quarters for the present, and it will depend upon you what they will be in the future,” and Captain Tiger led the way to,a tent near by. Upon raising the fly Mr. Insley started, for be saw that within a cage of iron rods had been ingeniously made, : It was about seven feet square, had a canvas hammock and camp-stool within as furniture, and that was all. A door just large enough fo admit a man was in the front, and two padlocks held it se- cure, . ‘That, sir, was made of iron rods captured in one of Uncle Sam’s quartermaster wagons, and one of my men has manufactured a safe cage for you to dwell in, as you see, Mr. Ins- ley,” said Captain Tiger. ‘‘Great God! will you confine me in there like a wild beast?” and the poor man shrunk back. ‘For the present, yes, and after that you are to determine what is to be your fate. “Unbind him, Harry, and put him in his cage, for he is a rare bird I wish not to escape,” and Captain Tiger turned away with a rude laugh, while the poor captive was thrust into the iron. barred prison. CHAPTER XTX, UNVAILED AND UNMASKED. Tuk following morning Captain Tiger wend- ed his way to the marquee, or large canvas, where was the vuiled lady. “May I see you?” He stood outside and politely asked the ques- tion. **Come in,” was the quiet answer. He found her seated in one of the easy camp- chairs, her arm resting upon the table. She had thrown aside her wraps, yet her vail sill concealed her face, and observing it, he looked disappointed. But, he sat down and asked: ‘Do you still assert that you are not Edna Insley?” ‘*T do,” ‘* Your voice is strangely like hers?” ‘Voices are often alike,” was the calm sé- ply. “Your form and general appearance also resemble her.”’ ‘‘ Yet Iam not the lady you deem me,” ‘‘ How could I be so mistaken, for I saw her face’ distinctly, recognized her, and she, too, was dressed in dark clothing, and when wound- ed, I bade Hyena Harry to seize ber, and you I find instead of Miss Insley—that is, if you are truthful in your denial.” *‘l am truthful, for I am not Miss Insley.” “Will you permit me to see your face?” ‘When I have heard from you what your intention regarding me is,” *‘To obtain ransom.” “You have a different motive regarding Miss Insley?” “é Yes. ” * And her unfortunate father?” “és Yes. ” ‘‘ But you will release me for ransom?” “7 will.” ‘‘ Name your price.” ** Are you rich?’ ‘‘T am able to pay a fair sum,” ‘Such as a couple of thousand, for instance?” “é Yes. ” ‘Suppose I say five thousand?’ ‘You are exorbitant,” ) “You will not pay that sum, then?’ ‘** Yes, but upon conditions,” ‘‘Then I must make the amount larger to meet the conditions.” ‘‘T will not pay one dollar more,” * Then five thousand it must be,” ** Upon conditions.” ** Name them.” “You said you knew of one called Hugh Harcourt?” | The man started, and it did not escape the quick eye of the woman, “TIT have heard of such a man,” was the evasive reply. | ‘‘ Do you know where he is now?” cs No. ” “Could you help me to find him?” “T could not; but why do you ask?” “That, 1 will not disclose,” ‘* There is a secret in it then?” éé Yes. ” . “Tf I knew,” said Captain Tiger slowly, after a moment of hesitation, “‘ the whereab of one person, I might tind Harcourt for you, that is if I was certain you meant him no ‘Why skould you care what befell one such as he, is?’ “Simply, I care for him upon the principle of fraternity, for, as.a villain myself, it is my duty to protect a fellow villain.” The words were uttered in a tone that riveted the attention of the woman, who said in measured tones: ‘*T am so anxious’to find him, tbat, I must confess to you that he is connected: tome by ties of the strongest kind.” psf Wi Again the man started; but. with,assumed indifference he asked: ) ; ted ‘‘ A brother, perhaps?” éé No. »? ‘Not a husband surely?” éé Yes. ”? . ‘By Heaven! you are Gertrude,” The words broke from the man’s lips, full of frenzied passion, and he turned livid, It seemed evident that he had betrayed him- self, for a curse was crushed back between his lips, as-tho woman cried; “Yes, I am Certrude, his deserted wife, whom he so cruelly wronged. “But who aro you that calls me by name?” ‘*[—I—have to confess that I know Har- court well, and he has often spoken to me of his wife, Gertrude, whom be loved so dearly, and whom a cruel fate caused him to be separated from,” ‘‘Man, you dare not bring me face to facal Gomicbooks @ |