Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

24. Apaches would escape without further serious loss; so they gathered together to size the situ- * ation. Dead men lay eround all too plentifully, but ‘an inventory showed that twelve whites were ast human aid. Two or three others seemed ikely to follow: them across the divide, and slight wounds were numerous: but, to offset these casualties, twenty-six Apaches had been jeft behind, dead or dyin Bill Bush, as king of neglectful of his duties, and for some time he _ was busy with the dead and injured; but when | be again remembered Cactus Jack and Boze- man he found them at hand, working togetber to bandage a miner’s wounds. : Bush’s eyes had been opened. If he had used his better judgment at the first be would never have thought Ul of one witb Cactus Jack’s re- putation; bat he had yielded to a foolish and unnatural gratitude toward Tom Knott and a love for excitement. Now, Knott’s attempt to play the assassin had heen conclusive, and, be- sides, a man whocould fight like the giant was one to be honored and admired. He went to him and put out his hand frank- ‘*Pard,” he said, ‘‘I have been a mule-eared fool an’ I feel mean enough ter chew dirt. Ef you kin overlook it you kin count me ther best friend you hev in these diggin’s.” ‘* W nat’s the racket now?” Jack asked, in sur- rise. ar? [ wish you would finish lammin’ me fur Jinin’ in ther lyuchin’ picnic.” * Oh! Dil clear myself at trial,” was the care- less reply. show you all just why Tom Knott put up a job on me. He must prove his charge or aval it. ‘Ther cuss is deader’n a dornick,” Bush de- | clared., ‘* Dead?” ' Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. _ Bint, to in previous pa es. All was quiet, and only for a single light in the house they might have thought the family sleeping. After a brief pause they were surprised to hear Cactus Jack’s name pronounced, and as they turned, some one came out of the mes- quites. Dark as it was, the giant needed but one glance to recognize the masked girl who had warned him in the village that day, and he ‘his crowd, was never | to see you, for I have been worrying for fear | } | advanced to meet her with eagerness. ‘* Hallo, miss!” he genially said. ‘‘l’m glad the durned Apaches had carried you off. I looked for you in vain after the fight, and I had about made up my mind I should baveto buckle on my armor and go to your rescue.” ‘*My wits have been sharper since the night you saved me from death in the barranca, and through caution and luck I have managed to keep out of trouble. You are at present in greater danger than I,” CHAPTER XXXIIL. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. Cactus Jack was more pleased at this en- counter than might be supposed, but from the time when he rescued the mysterious girl from death at the barranca he had never succeeded in getting ber out of hismind. He was not the kind of man to fall in love with eich new face —in fact, he bad never bowed to any woman’s power; but this girl and the mystery encom- passing her had made a deep impression on his | mind. | ‘* I'm no road-agent, and I mean to | ler | f He had an amount of chivalry not common to men of the nineteenth century, and all along he had felt that he would gladly fight her battles. Now, for the first time, be had a chance to talk to her and he meant to improve it. ‘*T suppose I know what you mean,” he said, in answer to her last words. ‘* You warned me by letter once, and again to-day. You have “Slipped ther picket fur good. Didn’t you | told me that by warring on the Black Masks I see him turn up his toes?’ sa No.” am daring a good deal, chiefly from secret enemies. [ know all that, but I defy them. The giant spoke regretfully, for he wanted | I’m a tall cactus on the half-sheil and they had his name cleared, but when Bush told of the at- | better steer clear of my thorns.” tempted assassination he felt that he was pretty well vindicated. ‘*They made it warm for you, to-day.” “That lynching affair was started by them, ‘*It only remains to find out why be settled | then?” on me,” he said. ‘‘ Sure as shooting, there was a cause for his charge. I half suspect he isa relict of the Black Masks.” And then Bill Bush once more asked forgive- ness, and when he had explained all to the -' miners they gave a cheer for Cactus Jack. The tide had turned—no more lynching for them so far as the guide was returned. James Townsend, after arriving at the village, had gone at once to hisown home. Two dead Apaches lay near the door, but the fear at bis heart departed when Lucas came out laughing. The bucks had tried their hand on the house, but Lucas had handled his weapons with skill an] some lead bad been carried away in human fish, not to mention the ghastly ornaments at the door. The brothers carried the two bodies out of sigh’, and there, as in other parts of the village, matters soon subsided into a quiet very near the old channel. Brigham and his blue-coats returned in an hour and reported that over a score of Apaches hid been dispatched in the running fight, so bis prdiction that the red bucks would beat a rapid retreat from the vicinity of the Bend seemed well founded. It had been a disastrous expedition for them, and that night the white men rested without mich fear. The painted pale-faces captured in the moun- tain were placed in confinement, but though Brigham tried to connect them with the Black Masks, they stuck to their first story, and he could but believe they had been allies of the Indians. | Darkness came, but neither Cactus Jack nor Bozeman were disposed to remain in-doors, The possibilicy that the Apaches might return furnished a good excuse for activity, and they went out wall armed and silent as nsual. ‘L, *'s take a peek around Townsend’s,” suc- gestea Zeke, when they were alone, **{ reckon all will be quiet there to- ight, They will expect us to be wide awake after the events of the day.” ‘“'Twon’t do no harm ter walk over, an’ mebbe it will be one o’ the nte'\‘s fur ther durned critter. Things are goin’ purty fast round ther Bend, an’ if som*body don’t bring up agin’ a snag ‘fore long, then I’m a liar.” ‘Do you know, Boze, I nev r carried on a work with so little heart as I feel for this piece ef business? When we spring our trap there will be weeping and wailing at Townsend’s, It seems a durned pitv to break up the family— shoot me if it don’t.” ‘Cap'n Brigham will feel it as keen as any- body, IL reckon,” the mountaineer sravaly replied, *‘ bub jestice can’t be thwarted. Ther chariot must roll on, an’ ef any two-legged critter plays with fire he must take the conse- quences,” _ They went on until near the house, and then paused at the edge of the groveso often referred % | | | “The man who called himself Tom Knott was their spy. So was the man you found one night at the foot of the cliff. Do you know who threw bim over?” ‘* Not for sure.” ‘Have you seen the solitary miner called Old Prospect?” as Yes.” ‘‘He basa daughter whom the chief of the Masks desires to possess, He set his spy on Old Prospect’s track to learn where he had his secret home, but the old man was too cunning for him. He laid in ambush and threw him off the cliff as you saw.” ‘* Who is this mysterious chief of outlaws?” ** Don’t you know?” The giant leveled one hand toward Town- send’s. ‘*T reckon he sleeps there,” he quietly said, “He is harmless only when sleeping. Did you know the man called Dupage?” sé Yes. ” ‘* Another life on the hands of this merciless chief,” the girl sadly said. ‘‘ Dupage knew bis ways and Cas him, and, among other things, he went to Old Prospect’s daughter and warned ber. The girl was blind and would not listen, but she little knew what was about fo follow, Dupage has not been seen since. Shall I tell you why? The Black Masks laid in ambush for him and the ctief sbot bis victim to the heart. I, myself, buried the body at the foot of a cliff.” ‘Why did the Frencher hate this prince of cutthroats?” ‘*Wor some injury of the past.” ‘*Durnetion! The critter is old in villainy for one of his smooth tongue and pleasant ways,” The girl shuddered but did not reply. “You sev Tem Knott was their spy,” Jack added, absently, ‘‘ Yes. He was cent here es a victim of the robbers, and in this role he gained gowd will and favors on all sides, especially from Bill Bush. But—but do you know how he died?” ‘*Shot plum-center,” was the careless answer. ‘Mr. Jack, it was J who fired that shot. I was resolved to repay you for your goodness to me, and when I saw the wretch about to shoot you, I stained mv hands with blood for the first time. Yes, I shot him,” ** And saved my life!” cried the guide, seizing her hands, warmly. ‘ Little girl, you are my guardian angel, and by the peaks of—” ‘There! there!” she interrupted, but her voice was soft, ‘‘don’t be foolish, Mr. Jack. We are now even, and we can go on as friends,” ‘*Bet your life.” he answered. ‘ But, see here, can’t you tell your name and explain the mystery of your life? I am all in the dark,” ‘Be content to remain so for a time. do, | may decide to unmask. Don’t be impa- tient with me, Mr. Jack, for you and your hen | the crash comes in Black Bend, as it will soon partner are my only friends, and in time all will be well.” ‘*T trust you to the end,” declared the giant. ‘* Yes, Pll trust you and—and be your friend.” Some further words were exchanged, but the girl had grown restless and uueasy, and in a short time she bade them adieu and went away. ‘Cactus Jack looked after her regretfully, and then abruptly shouldering his rifle, turned toward the center of the village. ‘*Come,” he shortly said, ‘‘let’s get out of this and go to bed.” The events of the day had been of a nature which excited and alarmed Marian Townsend. During her residence in the West, she had been singularly fortunate in escaping scenes of blood- shed and strife, but the protracted struggle in the vUlage bad unnerved her to a degree she had never before known: nor was it at all strange when a part of the bloody work oc- curred at their very door. Lucas and James finally succeeded in quiet- ing her somewhat, and the elder Townsend re- turned to his scientific studies with a placid face, as soon as the Apaches had gone. The brothers had both seen a share of fighting that day, and while Marian shivered at their words, they laughingly spoke of becoming professional Indian-fighters; but if the truth had been spoken, they looked forward rather to a peace- ful life in the East, James had been deeply impressed by Nola, while at the old home was a fair young girl of whom the younger brother often thougut, and whom he intended to again see when their Western experience was over. Marian finally went to her own room, but she was not in a mood to retire. She looked out on the village, which was as peaceful as ever, and then fell to reflecting on the wildness of life in the Wrst. Anon, her thougbts wandered to the night tragedy when the soldier, Woodman, lost bis life, and then, naturally, to the blood-stained coat she had seen in the niche under the floor. How it came there, and where it had gone, re- mained a mystery, for she bad never dared mention it to her relatives. Something awakened a curiosity to again look on the place where it had been, and after once abandoning the idea as absurd, she finally took a Jamp and went to the store-room. Everything was as usual about the place, and after a brief pode she set down the lamp and removed the loose board. Then she started back, almost in terror, fer the blue coat again lay in the niche. Dead silence reigned for a moment, end, mo- tionless, the girl stared at the mysterious par- ment as though she saw a ghost. Its reeppear- ance was as mysterious as anything which had gone before, and as she could not persuade her- self that she was dreaming she knew not what to think. Why was the horrible thing in the house, and who had been engaged in its removal ard re- turn? When she stirred, it was to bend down and lift it from its hiding-place, thereby yielding to an unnatural corlotne she could not explain. Her band accidentally came in contact with the blood-stain, and then it fell to the fleor, ly- ing with the brass buttons uppermost; but it was rone of these things which brought the look of renewed wonder to her face. She bed made a new and strange discovery. When first sbe saw the coat it had been per- fectly whole and well-conditioned execpt tcr the single bullet-hole in the breast; but now no less than five holes were visible, all neer to- gether, all round, clean cuts, all plainly made in the same manner—by bullets. What did it mean? She asked herself the question in vain as she looked down on the gory mystery. Before, the situation had been dark and dreadful, but a perplexing element had been added for which she could find no explanation. How had tho additional bullet-hole been made? The idea that she was looking on a different coat was not to be entertained; she knew it was the same she had before seen. For a momenti she wondered if the additional v ork |¢d been put in during the leaden hail of the day, but his idea was rejected rs soon es conceived aud she shuddering] thrust the coat back. “Tl not try to solve the mystery,” she im- patiently said; a good resolution, but one bard to follow. ‘‘T’Jl ask the boys if they know any- thing about it, and some one must burn the coat. It worries me!” Ab! Marian Townsend, you would be still more worried if you knew of tbe cloud that is hanging over your home, if you knew that the eagle eye of the Jaw is upon et and com- ing of those you hold dear. ell, perhaps, it is for you that no one can read the future, but, in spite of that, the gathering stoim is waxing strong. ' CHAPTER XXXIV. ANOTHER MISSING MAN. THE following day dawned peacefully at Black Bend, showing few signs of the late strife. All the dead had been buried, the comicbooks cor