Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 189 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

as Ll < “ And yet there may be a way to save your life and gain your liberty.” “What are your terms?’ was tho blunt query. ‘‘ You know the road to the secret retreat of Captain Tiger and his band?” **T do,” ‘Lead us there and you shall go free,” *‘ Mr, Wild Bill, you mistake your man, for though I am a bandit, I have honor, and though my comrades are the vilest of the vile I will not betray them to save my own life,” The words rung out from the heart, and brougitt from Wild Bill earnestly: “By Heavens! I like you, young man.” “Thank you,” was the cool reply, and the dark blue eyes of the prisoner roamed admir- iogly over the face of Red Dove, CHAPTER XLI. TRUE GRIT, “ Writ, Mr. Charley Chambers, I cannot but respect the—” ‘‘Hold! you have discovered the name. I bore as an honorable man, and while my poor beg of you not to speak it here again in these wilds,” said the outlaw earnestly, ‘* Certainly I will oblige you. “But by what name are you known to your comrades?’ ‘* Reckless Charley they call me,” “That is better perhaps here, where most men seem to dodge their Christian appellation as they do the officers of the Jaw, and, from your appearance Ido not doubt but that you won your sobriquet honestly, if you don’t get your living that way. ‘<So, Mister Reckless Charley, I cannot but respect, as I was saying, the honor you show toward your outlaw pards, yet it does not do me any good, or those who are sufferers at your hands.” ‘*T must serve my comrades above all else.” ‘That may be, and I must serve my friends above all else, so if you do not lead us into the secret retreat, I will simply save the hangman trouble in your case, and you will be one less to fight when we do ferret out your strong: ho d.” Wild Bill gazed fixedly into the face of his prisoner; but the young outlaw did not quiver in a single nerve at the threat and met his piercing look unflinchingly. ‘You have heard my threat?” “*T have,” *“* And your answer?” ‘J will not betray my comrades.” “There is a large reward offered for the head of Captain Tiger and each member of his band!” “*T know it.” “You can do the country a service, get a pardon for your own crimes, and receive a snug little fortune in gold, with which you can return and support the old mother you profess to love.” ** Don’t tempt me, sir.” “Your mother is doubtless poor, or you would not be here trying to rob for gold.” “IT will not support her upon the blood- money of my comrades,” was the spirited reply. Wild Bill liked the fellow more and more; but his duty was to force from him his secret, and he again said: “Then you prefer to kill a man and rob him, one who has never harmed you, than to take gold for betraying those, who like yourself, are a curse to civilization?” “You are severe, but yet I will not betray those who trust in me. “T am poor, yes, and it is by my own act that I am, for I was a wild youth, and ran through with a small fortune left mo by my father, and my mother paid my. debts with her portion. “To repay her, for at last my eyes wero opened to my course, I came West to dig out of the mines a fortune, “T need not tell you that I turned over tons of earth and rocks, and got only pennies in return in gold, sc rowing desperate, I gambled, drank, killed a man who cheated me, and he being popular, I would have been lynched, but for the aid of two men who saved my life and took me with them out of danger. ‘Those two men were Captain Tiger and Hycna Harry, and in desperation I joined their band. ‘Now, sir, you know my history, and if you knew my nature half as well, you would see it | was utterly useless tc attempt to get me to betray thoso whom J call friends,” All this wer caid in o frank manner that carried truth with overy word, and Wild Bill knew that he had ono to deal with who was every inch a man, | Still he would try and break tho decision of his prisoner, and turning to his Indian allies, addressed them in Sioux, They instantly stepped forward, seized the prisoner, and in a twinkling he was securely bound to a tree. Then, at a gesture from Red Dove, they went off and gathered fagots and brush, and all around the ontuaw they were placed. ‘* Now, sir, you know that an Indian is said to know no mercy, “TI will give them orders to burn you to death unless you lead me to the stronghold of Captain Tiger.” The prisoner turned livid, yet not a muscle quivered or a tremor was visible to run through his frame. He had nerve and courage that could not | but win the greatest admiration of a man so . | blessed with those qualities as was Wild Bill. mother still believes me to be unsullied, so I | “You heard me?” “ ] did,” “ And your answer?” **I will not retract my words, sir.” ‘Wait until the flames begin to creep around your body.” ** You will see that I will put your red allies to tho blush by dying game, Wild Bill.” “ Then you refuse?” ch ! “Enough! If you have a letter you wish to write, or any word to send, I will see that it is delivered, be it to your mother or your outlaw friends.” ‘*Tell the latter that I died at the stake rather than betray them, “In my letters you will find my mother’s namo and address, so please return them to her, saying I kept them always with me up to | my death, and merely say that I was killed by Indians, | ‘That would be the truth, you know,” he added, with a sad smile. ‘Ill do as you wish.” “‘Mind you, not one word as to my being what I am.” “T will not betray you to your mother. “You area brave man, and I respect you, even though you are one of the Desperado Dozen.” : “No, Iam not One, but Three of the num- ber,” said the man, and he smiled at his ghast- ly joke, adding: “We are all numbered, you know, Captain Tiger being No. 1; Hyena Harry, No. 2, and I come third. “But excuse my hurrying you by asking that you set your pack on and let them worry me to derth.” “T will; good-by.” “*Good-by, sir, aud may you meet a less ter- rible fate than I do. ‘“*Good-by, my little beauty,” and he waved his hand to Red Dove, who bent her head and her eyes to the ground, while even the merci- less warriors felt touched at the man’s remark- able gamey nature. “* Light the fire,’’ said Wild Bill to the chief warrior, and instantly it was done, while the scout and Red Dove turned, as though to walk away and leave the poor wretch to his fate. White, yet perfectly calm, the doomed man stood in his bonds, his face reckless and defiant, and his lion heart too indomitable to allow his lips to utter one cry of anguish. CHAPTER XLII. WILD BILL PLAYS A TRUMP CARD. In obedience to the order of Wild Bill, the Sioux at once set fire to the fagots and brush around the prisoner. But, cre the flames could kindle, Wild Bill sprung upon ono side and Red Dove on the other, and instantly the burning brands were kicked aside, The surprised prisoner uttered no word while Wild Bill, with his sharp bowie severed the thongs that bound him to the tree. ‘* You are free, sir,” ‘What, pard, have you changed your mind?” asked the outlaw. ‘“‘No; for lam not the monster to do such an act as that one I threatened you with, but pretended to intend it to force from you what I would know,” at aoe : “21 "Wild horses could not drag the secret from me, “So I discovered, and frankly, X tell you I admiro you, and wish to serve you.” ** As how, for instance?” * Where are you going now?” . ** Down to the Overland trail to look for a ring I lost in the fracas the other day.” ‘Then you are not on duty?” ** Not now.” ‘Good! make me a pledge, and I will take your word, that you will not return to the stronghold in three days,” ““Té I decline?” “Then you are my prisoner, and you must take the consequences.” ‘* Tf I make the pledge?” **T will set you free, and then if you want a friend, and are’ willing to be honest, come to me.” ‘ But I will havo to desert my comrades, and our laws are that only with one exception can a member of the Desperado Dozen leave the band without the unanimous consent of the remainder.” ** And what is that exception? “ Death,” . | “Ah! well, you don’t care to leave the band under such terms, I take it; but I wish you to promise me not to return to the stronghold for three days. ** And then?’ ‘Return if you wish to.” “You have somethiug beyond your words.” “Simply, if you do not find the band there, look me up in Poker City and I'll set you on an honest trail.” | “Tl do it, for Tam not as bad as my being caught in bad company would cause one to believe.” “I think so. ‘Now, here are the things J took from you.” ‘IT thank you most sincerely.” “You are welcome to your life and your effects, I assure you. “]T suppose you will not starve if left alone here?” “Hardly, as I am a good shot and game is plenty; thatisif you allow me to keep my arms?” “Certainly, though I retain your horse.” **T cannot complain.” “Ts he a good animal?’ “T think so.” ‘* Had him long?” “*Ever since I became an outlaw.” “Haw long is that, may I ask?” “ Six months.” *‘ And you are oneof the attacking members of the band?” I do not ou go tosad fro 1 you.” ‘*] mean you go to@nd fro from the Over- land trail to the nghold, to attack the coaches?” | sé Yes. ” “I did not know but that you might be one of the home-guards.” ‘Not I, forI like action too much, and it is the only thing that keeps me from thinking.” ‘* Well, one question more,” . sé Say it.” “You all think that no one can find the trail to your strongbold?” “Wedo, and with justice,” “It is indeed a difficult task, for I frankly confess I am at fault on it,” ** And so will continue.” ‘‘ Who discovered the retreat?’ : ‘‘The Tiger, and it took him a month he says, to find his way out, and he and Hyena Harry aro the only ones who dare attempt it at night, while besides those two, I alono of the band can mako the trip by day without their guidance.” | ‘¢ And yet you just came from there?” “Yes, I left tho retreat some hours ago.” “The Tiger, a: you call him, has some pris- oners there?” | ‘‘T divulge no secrets, sir,” said the outlaw, with a smile. ‘* Not intentionally, I admit,” and Wild Bill smiled peculiarly, and the cause was a mystery to the young outlaw. “Now, my friend, you can go, and remem- ber, remain away from the stronghold until the fourth day from this,” ‘‘T will not break my pledge, ‘*T thank you, and good-by.” RS He turned and walked away, raising his hat politely to Red Dove, as ho passed her, and a salute which she roturned with a smile and (ECON AMUCEL OOO CSS