Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. eee ee a @ He had scarcely finished his first sentence ‘torch in the party flickereil phantom when she made a gesture toward the prisoners, and he at once began what seemed an elaborate explanation. ‘ ‘Ther gal is mad; that is sartain,” said the keen-eyed mountain man, ‘ Prob’ly she don’t hanker arter pris’ners in ther stronghold, an’ he is tryin’ ter smooth ther matter over.” ‘‘ Maybe they'll get up a free fight among themselves.” ‘* More likely she will order us shot ter onct. These durned galoots ain’t given ter marcy. Zina! Yas, we will remember it, and we'll re- member all the voices we hear.” For several minutes the man and woman in masks conversed together, and then they ad- | Le up like this? 1t ain’t agreeable.” The lieutenant did not answer and their | vanced to within afew paces of the prisoners. Zina, as she had been called, looked at them at- tentively, as though to impress their faces in- delibly on her memory. ‘*Marm,” said Bozeman, with uncommon po- liteness, ‘‘ 1 take it you are ther commander in- chief of this caravan. Ef so be you are, I’d like a word with you.” “What do you want?” was the reply, in a voice unquestionably feminine, but without an inflection of pity. ‘‘ 1’'d mightily like these ’ere strings taken off. I’m an old trapper and guide, an’ ain’t used ter an’ then, but it ain’t generally did by them o’ my own color.” *¢-You are here charged with murder.” “ Wheream Il? This’ere is no court o’ law, an’ I don’t see ther legality o’ holdin’ us, ’Sides, we ain’t done no murder. Ef yourefer ter ther man that tumbled off ther cliff, ther story we told your men was true es preachin’.” ‘* Appearances are against you.” ** Nevertheless, we are innocent, miss,” broke in Cactus Jack. ‘‘Thar ain’t a man or woman near Black Bend that can say I ever did him or her harm, while my pardner here is fresh from the mountains of Montana.” ‘*- You will not be condemned unheard. You shall have a fair trial.” ‘*We don’t know who you are, or by what right we are held.” ‘The right of might rules in New Mexico, sir. At Forts Black, Thorn, Selden, McRae and such places, the power of the United States troops is resistless. Move north of here and you strike the Apache territory, where they rove as Jords of the prairie. Further on, the Zunis claim Control, peaceful though they may be at times, and around the head-waters of the San Juan the wild Navajo is supreme. All have their places of power, and ours is here.” The fair Zina seemed ambitious of oratorical pire but her eloquence did not move the e, ** And who are you?” he asked. Something like a laugh sounded from behind the mask. “You ask too much, sir. Be content to wait and learn.” She turned abruptly away and walked to- ward the other robbers, followed by her right- hand man. — ‘Not much hope there,” the giant muttered. *“We have heered ber v’ice, which is one thing in our favor. Ob! we'll yet work our Be out, even though we go a step at a time.” he mountaineer assumed a cheerfulness he did not feel. Really, he feared this wild band would find it convenient to put them out of the way before the game was ended. ‘Put your wits to work, Boze; we must es- cape.” How this was to be done was not clear. To me, they were not closely watched, but the enemy were not far away, and, even if the field had been clear, the bonds on the prisoners’ arms were too strong to be broken. Before then, they had chafed such impediments away on points of rock, when in similar trouble, but no promising place was now Visible. @ masked band drew together and con- sulted for some time. Judging from appear- ances, the prisoners were like millstones about their necks, and Zina, in particular, showed considerable spitefulness in her gestures to- ward them. A conclusion was at last reached and the robber lieutenat—as they believed him to be— page mere with half a dozen men at his heels. ey loosened the thongs around the guides’ ankles and then lifted them to their feet, ‘Prepare to trot,” the lieutenant grimly said. : ‘Where are we going?’ demanded Cactus Jack. ‘Not far enough to tire you. Don’t be too inquisitive; I am not a dictionary.” “Do you s’pose we like to be treated this way?’ OM hat question requires mature reflection before an answer should be given. Tl let you know to-morrew.” They asked no more questions, but the fact that the lieutenant bad condescended to indulge in pleasantry was slightly encouraging and they bad little fear that they were going to im- mediate execution, For nearly a hundred feet they went into the depths of thecave, and the light from the single lieutenant. ———— | | bleak, black walls and Jow roof of rock. ually the way widened until it was scarcely more than a passage, and then they turned abruptly to the left and entered a smail cave- chamber. It was a place not over twenty feet square, with walls, floor and roof of what seemed solid rock, while not an article of furniture was visible. ‘*'You can camp anywhere here,” said the “This will be your office and counting-room for the present. Men, tie up their ankles again.” ‘*See hyar,” expostulated Bozeman, “ain't you a /ettle rough on us? Why need we be tied limbs were soon bound again. Two men en- tered with a quantity of pine branches and pair of bearskins, from which a couch was soon formed in one corner, were seated. Realizing that they would soon be left alone, they used all their arguments in an attempt to loosen the tengue of the lieutenant. Even if On this the prisoners | | | were upon them. 72 on | the conversation the pause might have been sus- rad- | pi icious. r Cactus Jack’s blood began to circulate more rapidly. He held a serviceable knife in his hands, and, if nothing went wrong, he hoped to make it a stepping-stone toward escape. The knife was his, but how was it to be used? Both Bozeman and himself were bound hand and foot, and the eyes of a wide-awake guard How, then, was the knife to be made useful? “lve got ter work alone,” thought Cactus Jack. ‘* 1 can’t even take Boze into my confi- dence. I might kick his leg to draw his atten- tion, but keen as he is, he would surely do some- thing which would spoil the whole business. Can [ cut my bonds unaided?” It was a most forlorn hope, as the giant well knew, but he had pluck and patience, and he began to work carefully, even while appearing to be very much interested in what Bozeman and the guard were saying. Getting the knife into position, he moved the blade toward the cord, but the very first at- they were left in doubt as to what their fate | was to be, they wanted to hear the fellow say who he and bis companions were; but he made | them, True, ther ’Paches hev tied me up now | no satisfactory answer and soon prepared to ce- part. One man was left as a guard at the door, and then the others went outside, and their foot-_ steps soon ceased to sound on the floor. The torch had been left in a crevice and it enabled the prisoners to see that their guard was a muscular fellow, but the mask over bis head made further investigation out of the question. Cactus Jack, however, was not disposed to lose much time before making an attempt on his faithfulness to the band. ‘*Pardner,” he said, ‘‘can I have one word with you?” ‘*T reckon,” was the grim reply. “] want to get out of this.” ** Possible?” ' od Certain as death. Now, bow am I to do t? ** Ask me something easy.” ‘* You can free us if you will.” * 1 know it.” ** Well, will you do it.” sé No. ” * Why not?” | “Because I am no fool. Iam amember of this benevolent and charitable organization with which you find me, and our life is one of unceasing mirth, luxury and ease. Loyalty, however, is an imperative necessity, and the reward of treachery is death. I value my life at just one hundred billions in United States money, nothing less; for, without it, I should be upa stump. is being the case, loyalty is a necessary virtue with me and I will not turn traitor to the band.” The fellow showed a reflective and philosoph- ical bent of mind not to be expected in one of his calling’ and was evidently in earnest; but aE 5 Jack was not the man to give up tame- y: “Life is a good thing,” he admitted; “ but money is not to be despised.” ‘*I don’t despise it,” said the robber, quickly. **T take to it so kindly that I would be willing to eat, drink and sleep in its company. Yet, it is not often in my pocket. When I put out my hand, it pulls in its head like a snail. All samee, Pll pass my hat if you’ll cbip in.” “Your cheerful alacrity is to be commended, but, unluckily for you, we left the cash-box at the village. Tell you what I'll do, pard: set us free and we will afterward drop a thousand dollars where you can find it.” ‘*My terms are casb in advance,” P BN. 20 thunder! I tell you we ain’t got the ust. “Sorry, very sorry. Still, if you had, you couldn’t bribe me. I’m not that kind of a clothes-wringer.” Jack did not answer,and Bozeman took up the conversation. He clearly read the robber. He had so little conscience that he would have cut their throats for a paltry sum, but he did not care to play the traitor for an uncertainty. Still, men are like fishes in a brook; they sometimes. bite after avoiding the hook for some time; and Zeke believed no harm could come of displaying the bait, he giant had not given up in despair; it was a far different motive which had led him to abandon the conversation. . As he lay on the bearskin, his face was to- ward the robber, and his hands, bound behind his back, naturally rested on the robe. While he talked, his fingers had been mechanically ee i } pulling at the tufts of hair, and if was while | thus engage that he encountered something of a very different nature. At first he was at a loss to understand what it was, but ke fumbled steadily while he talked, and, despite the position of his hands, soon had in their grasp a long-bladed knife. When he discovered this to be really a fact, | ’ tempt served to open a gash on his wrist which was not agreeable or necessary to his purpose. He grimaced, but the robber was looking at- tentively at the mountaineer, who was rising high on the wings of eloquence, and Cactus Jack went grimly on. Three or four slight gashes were made, but finally he got down to solid business, and the thongs began to weaken. Again he drew the knife blade along the way, fearful lest he should carve himself instead of the cord, but it touched the proper place, and, with a little snap, the thong gave way. Then ensued a momentous pause. Zeke and the guard were still talking, but the latter was proving his devotion to the band, and the voice of the veteran was growing a little excited. Cactus Jack paused to reflect. The robber sat en a bowlder with his handsaround bis rifle, which stood between his knees. By the slight- est movement in the world he could bring the weapon, or his revolvers, to bear upon them, and then both could be disposed of before they could save themselves. Clearly some stratagem must be used, but what one would have any effect on the guard? If he could be got out of the room—but how was it to be done? CHAPTER VII. A BIT OF STRATEGY. BOZEMAN grew silent and moody. He felt like giving this stubborn guard a compressed opinion of himself, but, 8s it was hardly advis- able, he kept the peace, ‘“* Well, pard,” said Cactus Jack, once more xverny | his own hand to the helm, “if you won’t free us, perhaps you can do a lesser favor without fracturing your conscience.” **'W hat is it?’ “1 want a drink of water.” The robber hesitated. There was water only a few yards away, but he disliked to disobey his orders to watch them without ceasing. ““1’m afraid it won’t do,” he said. ‘“Durnation! can’t we wet our whistles?” snapped Zeke. e man arose, walked to the entrance and looked down the main chamber. His comrades were all busy, and there seemed no risk in granting the request. It might be done, but what would his superiors say if they knew? While he hesitated Cactus Jack acted. The fellow might or might not comply with their request; but it would not do to trust to possi- bilities. It was the old case of a bird in the hand and a rustle in the bushes which — be a pair of birds—or a skulking coyote—arnd Jack was too old a hunter to neglect the visible bird. He moved as soon as the masked man turned his head. One sweep of his knife freed bis an- kles, and in a twinkling more Zeke was also clear of bonds. Cactus Jack bad not waited to see what his friend would do. He remembered the robber and knew that only prompt action could pre- vent him from giving an alarm, This alarm must be prevented. The man was just turning Lis head when a broad hand closed over his throat, the strength of a giant seemed to burl him back and he found himself lying on bis back with the eyes of Cactus Jack blazing above bis own. ‘* Be silent!” hissed the guide, plenting his knee on the robber’s breast. ‘* We'll omit the water, but you’ve got to play the kitten for awhile.” Bozeman moved forward and plucked the fel- low’s knife and revolvers from his belt, The latter weapons were two fine forty-one-caliber ‘ bull-dogs,” and, taken with the rifle before referred to, made quite an arsenal for argc’ “ b ‘‘Get the strings, old mah, and bind continued Cactus Jack. It was a work easily done, was old at the business, while the prisoner made no attempt to resist the giant ‘‘He must be gagged,” said Zeke. ‘‘Of course, which will necessitate the. re- he was so surprised that he forgot to answer the | moval of bis mask. Take it off, Boze!” robber, and only that Zeke Bozeman took up Tue head of the robber performed an angry EGOMmichboo (E S vw. The mountaineer — (E(@)