Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 23 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 self, would have been willing to give her up to her father, rather than to see her suffer thus; but Ada, wily and smart, had gained consider- able ascendency over him, by her pretended puwer of dreams; and this, of course, was used to further her own desires in regard to the punishment of Stella, so far as she could | his sympathy too much | eet without arousin tur his captive. And it was her delight, if she could say or do anything to torture the already wo wretched girl. ‘How would Miss Stella like to see her father, and sweet, dear, Master Paul Malerson ?” she asked, in a sneering tone, while Lagona was for a moment absent. Stella made no answer; but the thought thus cruelly awakened drew tears from hep eyes. “They inquired after your health, a little while ago—would have been glad to see you; but we told them you didn’t receive company during the honeymoon,”’ continued Ada. “Oh, heavens! are they near?” sobbed Stella. “Have you seen my father? Do not deceive me. I forgive your hatred and your wrongs ; but do not deceive me. Is my father near ?” “T saw him less than a half-hour ago; and he was very angry because he could not see you!” said Ada, with a mocking smile. “On your soul, you did ? You are not ut- tering a falsehood ?” “On my soul, I did! trouble to lie for you !” “Oh, thank God—thank God! Lagona will not see me die when they are near. There is some manhood in his soul! Thank God!— thank God !” cried Stella, almost wild with ex- citement. “What is the matter with the White Flower ?” asked Lagona, sternly, coming in at this time. “Oh, if there is mercy in your heart, in the name of the Great Spirit, [ implore you to take me to my father!” cried Stella, throwing herself at Lagona’s feet. “Have you been telling her that we have seen her father ?” asked Lagona, with a frown, turning to Ada. “She asked me questions, and I could not lie,” said Ada, in a humble tone, “You are a fool !” said the angry chief ; and he turned upon his heel and left the lodge, without giving any answer to the request of poor Stella. I wouldn’t take the CHAPTER XI, It was night once more. The camp of the Rangers was a gloomy and silent one, for the men were tired; and though they generally rejoiced in the thought of peril, or an ap- roaching battle, they did not now—for the new, if they had to fight, it would be wit every disadvantage of position, and, probably, with overwhelming odds against them. Very shortly after darkness set in, the major withdrew behind a screen of horse-blankets, which he had caused to be raised something like a tent, for the use of himself, Mr. Delorme and Paul—and, to the utter astonishment of the two last-named individuals, began to divest himself entirely of his clothing. “Why, major, in Heaven’s name, what is the matter?” asked Mr. Delorme, in astonish- ment. “ Surely, he is crazy !” said Paul. “ Not crazy, but a little foolish, young man. I'm going to get that wife of yours, that is to be, out of the Comanche camp to-night, or lose my hair in trying !” said the major, coolly and he produced a bag, from which he took some black paint, and began to cover himself with it, from head to foot. “ Turn in and help me, gentlemen; I’ve got to personate the devil—and, like some women who play the devil in paint, require consider- able color,” said McCullough. Paul assisted, as soon as he saw what was required ; and soon the Major was as black as the ace of spades, from head to foot. Having done this, he now produced a quantity of phos- phorus, with which he caused Paul to draw upon his person the full semblance of a skele- ton, death’s-head and Sai Pa when fin- ished, a figure that, when in the dark, would be apt to shake the nerves of the strongest -and bravest men. With nothing but a strong bandage his waist and hips, in which a brace of revolv- ers and a kuife were concealed, he was near! about | ready for the exhibition whieh he had planned. ‘ -realiy like to know what The New York Library. The next thing which he took was several of | Ada MeAlpin, with a heartlessness which the strong lassoes always carried at the saddle | bows of the Rangers. These he knotted to- gether in a continuous rope, and then an- nounced himself ready for his work. “If it is not against your wishes, I should ou iptend to do, Major?” asked Delorme, as he gazed upon the fearful, scarce human-looking figure before him. “I’m going to scale the mountain, by a kind of pass—which I remember having seen when we were here before—or a kind of opening ou this side, by which I can get to its top, and look down into the valley, where the red devils camp. ne of our scouts went up when we had our fight here ; and in that way we found ot that there were but four Indians in the gorge, then—and we let down men to take them in the rear; and in that way tanned ’em ont, after they had laid out nearly half of our eompany. After I get to the top, I’m going to lower myself away into the camp; end if they don’t run, when they see a fiery skeleton eoming down from above, on ‘em, they’re braver than white men. If they run—as I’m almost sure they will—I’ll spirit your Stella out, safe here into your arms ; and, my men | ready with the horses, daylight will find us 3 long ways from here.” “The plan is excellent, yet full of danger to yourself. If it miscarries, you are lost.” “Then revenge me—that is all that I ask.” “ Cannot I go with you ?” asked Padl. “No; one devii is enough at atime. Stay here, and be ready to run or figat, as need di- rects, when the time comes. Freshen up the phosphoric marks again. Wet the stuff a lit- tle—I must blaze out all that I ean.” The Rangers—having been cautioned, and informed of the fearful and pe: ilous feat which the major was about to undertake—made no remarks when he came out, ready for his work. He looked the fiend, indeed, all over. A musquito fork, or branch, had been affixed, like horns, to his head; and this, too, was rubbed with phosphorus, until it looked like rongs of fire. Shaking both Paul and Delorme by the hand, and uttering a low, but firm, farewell, the noble-hearted and daring Ranger com- menced the ascent of the almost inaccessible mountain. Although the place where he commenced to climb could not be seen from the mouth of the gorge, where he had a guard stationed, it was visible to all of his camp. And silently the men looked upon that skeleton of fire, as it appeared, slowly scrambling up among the rocky cliffs—now half hidden among the scraggy bushes, then coming out bolder, when it stood upon a bar- ren spot. Slowly, but steadily, on it moved, until it seemed to have reached the top, where it lingered for a moment, and then ott Se toy The planter and Paul now had their horses, as well as that of the Major, brought in ready for use ; and the Rangers also prepared to fly or fight, as necessity should determine. Thus, they waited in a suspense almost as terrible as the adventure. CHAPTER XLI. At the same hour when the major was per- pov for his wild and dangerous adventure, zona was pacing to and fro, reatlessly, in the front compartment of his lodge, listening to the heart-breaking sobs of poor Stella, whose anguish omly increased when she thought. how near her father and lover were, et how powerless to help her; for she knew what an immense force the chief had. at his command, also how impregnable was his posi- tion. shown to her when he was received by his people, and ion that, seeing this, she would the more readily yield to the fate which he really believed was her destiny by the will of the Great Spirit. The Comanche camp was very still—he had so ordered it, and the usual camp-fires burned dimly —but now and then the guard-fires down the ravine blazed up brightly as ine watchful sentinels threw on fresh fuel. Ac- cording to the usual custom, every warrior’s horse was picketed by his lodge, and his weapons were ready to be seized at a mo- ment’s notice, in case of an alarm in the the night. It is an Indian’s pride and care never to be caught napping, on any occasion, or under any ¢:-eumstanees. These, he had, in his pride of power, only hate had frozen her into —for naturally she was neither cruel nor wickedly inclined— had cast herself down to rest near the mourn- ing child of Delorme, and paid no attention to her sorrows. Lagona felt badly. His heart was heavy He loved the “ White Flower ” too well not to feel for her sufferings. Yet, he believed he had only obeyed the will of the Great Spirit, in carrying her off—he even regarded the duty, as he deemed it, more than his own feel- ings of love. “Tf the White Flower dies, like a bird in ite cage, it will be the fault of Lagona!l” he muttered. “ And if he lets her go back to her people, then the Great Spirit will be angry, because the dream which he gave is not fulfilled. The path before Lagona is dark —he does not know which way to travel.” The soliloquy of the young chief was sud- denly interrupted by a yell, so wild, so fear- ful, so unearthly, that it did not seem to have come from mortal lips. Even he, Indian as he was, started and trembled. Again itcame, wild and demon-like, upon the still night air, nd cries of alarm resounded through the vil- e. Sabet sprung to the opening of his lodge, where his noble white charger stood, qvfiver- ing with fear at his picket near the camp-fire. And, as he glanced toward the mountain-top in front of him, he saw a sight which was striking terror into a thousand warrior hearte at the same instant—a sight which froze the blood in his own veins, for he had never seen the like before. A figure, seeming to be formed of fire, was dancing upon the crest of a cliff, where he had never known a human foot to tread, and utter- ing yells, far more wild and terrible than ever came from a red man’s throat. The warrior, who never had shrunk from a mortal foe, trembled now. And his people, who, like himself, had hurried forth from their lodge, when they heard this monster of the’ night, now stood, speechless and motionless, ing upon it—not knowing what to do, or whither to turn. Suddenly it was seen descending the perpendicular face of the black mountain, where no human being could, for a moment, find a foothold. With wild cries of terror, the warriors—as well as the women and children—fled within their lodges, or hid away among the rocks and bushes—for they believed that a spirit of destruction was upon them. tterly unmanned, Lagona sunk to the ground, wrapped his blanket about his head, and awaited what he beiteved to be his fate. No thought for a moment, entered his terror- filled brain, that a human being could have descended from that mountain-top—he deemed himself’ lost, and his tribe a doomed people. The fiery figure reached the ground, and still continuing its terrible and unearthly yells, bounded through the village. No one stood up to oppose its progress—terror reigned su- preme everywhere. On, on, it came, to the lodge of Lagona; it bounded t his snow-white steed, which plunged and ancited in fear—it leaped over the prostrate body o the Indian, and enterea the lodge, which was dimly lighted with the Indian lamp. Almost intuitively, it seemed to know the spot where Stella lay, and bounded to her side. She screamed faintly, for it was terrible to look w on. “ Hush friend— gield yourself to me, and you are ' paved!” gaid a iow voice, in her ear; and in the ne..¢ moment, she found herself lifted in strong arms, and borne out from the lodge. Bui another ear heard those words ; and al- thoupA at first struck dumb with terror, when she saw the hideous being who entered, Ada Mc/ Ipin in an instant comprehended that this was some plan of rescue; and with a shriek of anger and of warning upon her lips, she rushed to the front of the lodge, just in time to see him, who had borne Stella out, lift her to the back of Lagona’s horse, loose its lasso from the picket, spring upon its back, and with the double burden, turn the frightened steed’s head toward the gorge, and to the irie beyond. | And none there were to stay the path of the fiery figure—all who yet looked upon its dread course were paralyzed with terror. “Up fool—up coward! They have stolen your bride awoy! Wh | com —— girl! I’m a friend—your father’s | icbooks.co =) mi