Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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26 : But he could only distinguish two, Unfortunately these were mounted on horse- back. Such being the case it would be impossible for the carriage to distance them, provided their animals were any sort of travelers at all. What was to be feared from such pursuers, inasmuch as the two were too weak to make a demonstration against the fugitives? They could follow the vehicle until it halted at some town or station, as it must soon do, and they could secure the arrest of the entire party. Their presence therefore, so near at hand, was a cause of uneasiness to Orson Oxx. ‘‘ We must throw them off the scent in some way,” he said, after discussing the matter with Jake Calkins, “That won’t be an easy job, onless we sbculd capture them.” ‘Capture them!” repeated the astonished de- tective, “‘ what are you talking about?” ‘Why couldn’t we coax ’em up close and then down ‘em? Then we could make ’em promise to turn round and go back as fast as their animals could travel?” Orson Oxx looked at his companion on the seat, The stars were now shining and the homely countenance was plainly visible. From the expression brooding there, no doubt could remain that he was in sober ear- nest. His confidence in the prowess of the great detective was unlimited. CHAPTER LI UNPLEASANT NEIGHBORS. Orson Oxx foresaw unpleasant, if not seri- ous consequences, from the proximity of the pursuers. But how to shake them off was the question. The utmost speed of the team would not sur- pass the gallop of the animals behind them. After some minutes’ careful observation, Orson Oxx became satisfied that only two were following them. Why didn’t they basten forward and attempt to stop the fugitives? The detective was sure he knew the reason why they failed to do so, and it was anything but reassuring. They were simply dogging the carriage, and intended to keep it in view, until they could ride forward and summon assistance. By direction of Oxx, Jake Calkins drew the team down toa slow walk, so as to give their pursuers an opportunity to ride up beside them. The horsemen, as soon as they observed the decrease in pace, checked their steeds, and maintained about the same relative distance in the rear. Then Jake struck into the swiftest trot of which the excellent team was capable. This was continued a half-mile. When he and Calkins glanced back, they saw the phantom horsemen only a short dis- tance behind them. Orson Oxx became more annoyed than he was willing to admit. Calling down tbe carriage, he asked Brayton Russell to return him his pistol. At the same time he told Ethel not to be alarmed over what he was about to do. “‘ Now, Jake, stop the horses.” Calkins obeyed. The horsemen did the same. ‘That’s enough; drive on.” As the animals resumed their brisk gait, Orson Oxx pointed his weapon backward, and discharged two of the chambers, The distance was too great to do any harm, and he deflected the muzzle so as to avert the possibility. He hada faint hope, from what seemed a lack of courage on the part of the pursuers, that such a demonstration might induce them to withdraw. On the contrary, they instantly returned the ‘‘ By Jewhilakens! ’ exclaimed the frightened driver, ‘‘that’s coming a little too close for comfort.” ** How is that?’ ‘* Didu’t you hear that bullet?’ *“‘T should say not.”’ “I did; it passed right between us; it grazed my face, and I feel the sting on my cheek.” Orson Oxx laughed. ‘Under all circumstances and on all occa- A Cool Head. sions, Jake, you display a resolution to main- tain the reputation you won long ago.” “‘ Honest Injin, there's no fooling about that; the bullet that ‘ere feller fired grazed my cheek.” “Tf it had struck it fairly I don’t think it would have harmed you.” Jake thought this remark was too personal, and held bis peace for a time. But he, too, was troubled over the dogged- ness with which the horsemen kept up the pur- suit without “ uncovering,” as may be said. _— — — discovered that two roads crossed at the point | where the strange carriage turned to the left. ' ; | | | He bad seen so much of the performances of | the Man of Iron, that he felt unlimited confi- dence in them. He proposed to Oxx that he should dismount, go back, and ‘‘lambast” the presumptuous rascals until they would be glad to stop annoy- ing them. ‘‘T have done a great deal more of that busi- ness, Jake, than is pleasant to me.” ‘T guess it was a darned sight more pleasant to you than to the other fellers,” was the truth- ful comment of Jake. ‘‘ Possibly it was, but I dislike it, neverthe- less. Let me ask, are you familiar with this road?” ‘“* Perfectly.” ‘* Ave there many cross-roads?’ ‘* About the average.” ** And stretches of woods?” ‘“‘ Now and then we may expect ’em.” The answers of Jake Calkins were none the less prompt because they were entirely blind. ‘<T don’t know as it is possible to throw them off, but I think I see a faint chance, provided the woods and cross-roads are abundant, and you know every turn.” “Let your mind rest easy on that,” was the unblushinz reply of Jake Calkins. ‘* How far is it to Burrsville?’ Tbe monumental falsifier glanced right and left, as if in search of landmarks, Then he quickly answered: ‘‘ Right miles and three tenths.” Orson Oxx looked suspiciously at him. ‘* Jake, this is no time for fooling, remem- ber.” ‘‘That’s my opinion, ’zactly.” ‘* And we must know the truth, and nothing else.” ‘‘ Which is the reason why I'm telling you the ‘square, honest truth, right straight al) along.” And Jake Calkins looked as though his feel- ings had been hurt by the insinuation contained in the observations of his invincible friend sit- ting by his side. CHAPTER LIL HIDING IN THE DARKNESS, Axoot this time, the two horsemen displayed a disposition to daily with the parties in front, ‘something after the manner of a cat with a mouse which she is sure must fall into her hands in due time. They fell back until they were invisible, and then in a few minutes dashed forward into view again. They hovered on the line of invisibility, sometimes beyond and sometimes in plain sight. Shortly after, the watchful eyes of Orson Oxx observed a carriage in front. In the darkness, he could not make out its character, but it was advancing about as fast as themselves. The discovery seemed to give the Man of Iron a new project altogether. ‘‘ Jake, let me take the lines a short while,”’ said he. ‘‘Do you know how to drive?’ asked the other, passing tbe reins to him. ‘‘T have you at my side to prompt me.” Orson Oxx now strove to hold himself about half-way between the horsemen and the vehicle in front. Both were dimly in sight most of the time, but the pursuers, apparently in mere wanton- ness, frequently dropped back out of view. Suddenly the carriage was observed to make an abrupt turn to the left. Orson Oxx glanced behind him, and, seeing nothing of the horsemen instantly struck bis own team into their swiftest pace. It was not a trot but a full gallop, and he called upon Jake Calkins to lash them to their utmost, Not understanding precisely what it meant, the countryman obeyed and the carriage bounded forward at a terrific pace. With a thrill of pleasure, the new driver | j | i | | | | } } | / | } | | ' | ' | | | | | | | rr ee Cr Or It was the very thing he hoped for, but he hoped also with fear and trembling. He made a right-angle in the opposite direc- tion and kept the team at their best pace. Jake Calkins now perceived what the plan of his friend was and he admired him more than ever, though he could searcely believe he would succeed. ‘‘Take the lines, Jake,” said he, ‘‘ and don't let up one jot until I give you the word.” Calkins did as requested, while Oxx glanced back every second in quest of that which he dreaded to see. When he supposed the horses of their pur- suers were close to the cross-roads, the detect- ive touched the arm of the driver and told him to halt. Jake Calkins quickly brought the animals te a standstill. Then they carefully listened. And this they were satisfied was precisely | what the horsemen were doing about the same time. Having lost sight of the carriage in front, they would stop and listen for the sounds which would tell the direction it had taken. As the vehicle itself was standing still, Or- son Oxx was hopeful tbat they would mistake the faint noise made by the other and follow that over the wrong road, Minutes passed, during which Brayton Rus- sell thrust his head out the door and was told what it all signified, and then each listened for the noise of horses’ hoofs, But the straining ears failed to catch the alarming sound and with hopeful hearts, the fugitives resumed their flight. ‘¢ Won't they be likely to find out the trick I played onto ’em?” asked Jake Calkins, when they bad driven some distance. ‘‘T wasn’t aware that you had played them any trick.” ‘“‘T mean us—it’s all in the family.” ‘Tt is liable to happen, but I think not likely; they seem to have adopted the custom of keeping so far back, that they can gain only a dim view of us. Such being the case, they are not apt to notice the difference between the carriages.” There could be no certainty on this point, however, and the two drivers, as they may be termed, were continually listening fcr the un- welcome sounds. A half-mile further on, they crossed another road and shortly after encountered a couple of men in an open wagon. ‘‘T’m sorry for that,” remarked Orson Oxx, ‘‘ for if our pursuers meet them, they will gain the knowledge we don’t want them to have,” They now had reached a stretch of forest, which bordered the bighway on both sides. ‘We must throw them off the track, if }ossi- ble,” said Orson Oxx, ‘‘and we may bave suc- ceeded, but it is too soon to rejoice,” In the darkest part of the wood, the horses were stopped and all listened. Brayton Russell opened the door of the carriage and he and his sweetheart sat silent and attentive. ‘‘T hear horses’ hoofs,” she suddenly ex- claimed in a low voice, audible however to all. “So do I,” promptly chimed in Jake Calk- ins, so promptly tbat every one knew he was falsifying. It was like Jennie Brown at Lucknow; no one else caught the sound for a minute or two, Then the noise of horses’ hoofs came dis- tinctly through the stillness of the night. The two men whom they were so anxious to avoid were upon their heels again. Orson Oxx leaped from his seat and examined the woods upon each side. ‘The road is pretty broad,” said he; ‘‘ pull the team out to one side, as far as you can, Jake, and we will see whether we can’t bide while they go by.” Calkins followed instructions with no little skill, The spirited team showed some objection to the unusual proceeding, but they were forced from the main highway, until the wheels crowded the fence on the right, and their traces grazed the rails. An examination then showed that a party standing in the middle of the road would not notice the team on the rigbt. There was no moon and the darkness under the trees was impenetrable, ’ All our friends left the carriage and stoo near at hand, Jake Calkins placing himself at cComicbooks (e(6) ~