Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 244 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

| | | | } 90 : oe ee Oe OO SSS and then dashing headlong forward, not noticing the men they had liberated. The sub-chief and the two remaining warriors, alarmed by the vonfusion in their rear, whirled their mustangs and beheld, with amazement and fury, a terrible tableau. The dead braves on the sward, the captives at liberty, and the authors of all this— Single-Eye and a detested Tonkaway—with gory blades and furious hatred in their faces, bounding forward pon them! The astonishment of the three Comanches at this strange and unexpected sight was so great that they were for the moment motionless, Before they could fully recover their presence of mind, Singie-Eye and Turtle were upon them. No time was there now for even a yell; no time for aught but desperate defense. Flight was out of the question, and the thought of scores of their comrades being near at hand seemed to have been entirely lost sight of. There were still three against two, however, and the red warriors recovered themselves as the knives of their enemies clashed against theirown,. Through the — moonlight could now be seen a mingled mass maddened steeds and paint-daubed faces, from which glared snake-like eyes, with wildly flying hair and flaunting feathers, and, in the midst of all, the one-eyed scout and his one-eyed horse—a strik- ing central figure. he terrible struggle was soon over, The six Comanches, dead, orin the spasms of death, lay on the sward; no death-yell or alarming sound of any description having been made by them. This most desperate conflict had ended so quickly and so successfully that the two actors in the tragic drama were themselves astonished. ei now stood, bespattered with blood, and pant- ing with the exertion and continuous, almost super- human action, looking at each other in actual bewilderment. This was speedily blended with indignation; for a backward glance over the scene of the fight showed only the outstretched corpses, now hideous in the silvery moonlicht, Nowhere in sight were the liberated captives; neither was there a horse visible except those hel in check by themselves, and the steed of the sub- chief, with those of the last two braves killed. No aid had been expected, by either the old scout or the Tonkaway, from the captives, after the latter been set at berty; lodente they both knew that the two men had been driven on foot until they could barely stagger along, and were unable, when released, to afford it, But they were surprised and indignant when they realized that those for whom ey had risked their lives against such fearful odds a “ig en the instant, without even a word of anks. For ali this, only a “‘waugh” of astonishment from Turtle, and grunt that meant the same, from Single Hye were the only attention paid it. At once they led the horses of the Comanches and their own inte the undergrowth, and after securing them there returned and scalped the slain, hurling the bodies into the bushes, far from view. This done, they returned to the animals, and without mounting led them down-stream for about a quarter of a mile, until another ‘‘ open” was reached, Then the old scout broke out, in anger and bewil- derment: “Dang my half-sister’s black cat's kittens! What kinder condemned biz air this hyer anyways? ‘Whar did them ornary gerloots skip ter? I hed my peeper freezed on ter red meat ther hull time, 60 I hed no show ter take a peep et_ther two white men we slashed loose. Howsomever, I'm inclernated ter opine they ain't so danzged white es we tuck ’em ter be. I knows that neither war Ole Rock, dead Bure an’ sa i ‘Hit’s some satisfac’, though, ter know we've wiped out half a dozen o’ ther hellyuns; but, dang my cats! I doesn't understan’ how ther white cusses gut away sos y, when they must ha’ bin "bout ready ter wilt down ter grass when we lunged in ter save the’r ha’r. ' ** What d’ye make o’ this hyer biz, Tonk?” * Turtle no talk much—think heap,’’ was the re- ply. “Old Rocky not here. White men not braves. eap bad white men. They hide in bushes, but Comanche find when sup come.” “ Dog my cats ef I keer ef they does git cotched ag’in, sw’ar they ain’tno ‘count. ButI’d gi'n one o’ my years ter know whar Ole Rock air ‘bout now.” Barely had the old scout said this when Turtle dragged him into the thicket gras his arm and near them, * What in thunderation’s ther row now, Tonk?” he whispered, impatiently. ‘ Don’t yank me ’roun’ fer not bad A snake-like hiss was the only answer of the Tonkaway. This was followed by a peculiar bird- like whistle. Grasping the arm of Turtle, Single-Eye said in a hoarse whisper: ** Answer thet music, Tonk. Hit air ther sweetest Tever heered. Dang my bilious heart, ef Ole Rock ain't on deck! Spoke o’angels an’ yer’ll hear ’em sing clos’t after. ‘Hold me, Tonk, er I'll kick an’ rear up, an’ roll so pe Cl’ar Fork, jist b’ilin’ over wi’ pure he ole giad. CHAPTER XXIV. IN THE COMANCHE CAMP, As Single-Eye ceased speaking the Tonkaway gave utterance to an exaggerated imitation of the note of a locust, and soon the branches of the thicket arted and the face of Old Rocky appeared, gazing nto the “open.” Convinced at a glance that all was well, the old man stepped clear of the bushes, followed by Will Washburne, and was at once met by Single-Eye. “ Dang my heart, Ole Rock!” he exclaimed, wring- ing the hand of his pard. “I never hankered arter a gaze et yer purty pictur’ any wusser’n ‘bout now!”’ ** Jumpin’ Jerushe!” returnei Old Rocky, *‘[’m ormighty glad ter strike yer, ole pard, an’ ter find thet Tonk hes j’ined yer, ready fer biz. Dog-zoned ef this ain't some like ole times, sorter nat’ral! How- somever, hyer are ther man we see’d on ther buffler- bull, . U’ll intreduck him es Will Washburne; es & pilgrim, when he’s hisself, es ever come nigh p galervated by ther red heathens.” “Stranger,’’ said Single-Kye, ** I’m a-shakin’ yer 4 Merciless Mart. w out o' pure glad. I knowed yer war a hefty hter et ther hearse, er ther heathun wouldn’t ’a’- n yersich a send-off. This air Turtle, ther Tonk- pard o’ ourn, ‘* He’s ther whitest an’ squarest red on ther *Merican section o’ this hyer big ball o’ dirt,”’ “I’m extre rejoiced to meet you, genfle- men," said Will, “*and I begin to feel more hopeful success, **Thave not entirely recovered from my terrible ride, but I feel nerved to battle most desperately for the rescue of my promised wife." ‘*‘ Jist so,’ responded Single-Eye. ‘‘ We'll resky er leetle gal, I’m reckonin’, afore sun-up. We've eda riffle o’ high ole fun, pard Rock, jist now.” “*T sh*'u’d s'pose yer hed,” said Old ky, point- ing to the scalps at the belts of Single-Eye and Tur- tle; “but yer doesn’t mean ter asservate thet yer prvi arg heads without raisin’ a big an’ gin'ral rumpus “I'm opinin’, pard Will, thet ther leetle party o’ reds hat scooped in ther two gerloots on Elm Fork, hes hed it socked to ’em hyer. Ef so, an’ ther white cusses hes bin sot loose, things air li’ble ter be mixed ag’in,"’ “Is this so?” asked Will, quickly. ‘* Had they two white captives, and did you free them?’’ “I'l teil yer ther hull in no time,”’ said Single- Eye. * Fact air, ther Tonk diskivered ther party 0’ reds on ther plain leadin’ tew white men, an’ we-’uns tuck ‘em ter be you-’uns what hed bin tuk, “Tonk an’ I war in a fix, knowin’ ther big camp war a leetle ways , an’ thet ef we “lowed a yell ter break loose we'd be broke up, an’ ther leetle gal. too. Howsomever, we war boun’ ter resky yer th, an’ we played a lively game wi’ our stickers. ‘Then, arter we'd tuck ther reds all in outen ther wet, we foun’ ther gerloots what we'd run sich risk for, hed levanted, an’ we-’uns hevn't seen ‘em since!”’ **Ther two white men yer cut loose are condemned kiotes,”’ said Old Rocky, * an’ Will hyer kin tell yer all bout ’em when thar’s time. I'm ther pilgrim thet ‘ll gin em @ send-off ef thar’s a show ter do hit, “ They follered Will’s leetle gal, what air blood-re- lation o’ Cap Florence et Fort Fhantum Hill, an’ they'd like ter ter scoop her in an'take her back ter ther States fer a cussed purpos’. * Thet's *nough said atween us now, Single-Eye, but we'll keep our peepers peeled fer ’em. What we're interested in "bout now air ther leetle gal, what must be nigh dead wi’ skeer an’ tortur’, ev yer see’ her, Tonk? Or yeou, ole pard?” Single-Eye then detailed his adventures in the camp of the Comanches, at the close of which Will exclaimed: ‘By Heavens, gentlemen, I cannot remain inac- tive! Vlora must be torn from these inhuman mon- sters at once, or I shall go mad. For God's sake, let us contrive some plan toward her release!” ‘*Kasy, easy We pard,” advised Single-Eye; “hit air a tickll job, an’ hev gut ter be did on ther sly. Everythin’ hev worked slam-up an’ hunk, so far, an’ I knows ther hull lay o’ ther camp. We needn't ter be afeared o’ ther ornary gerloots what we-’uns cut loose doin’ any damidge. ay oe purty well wilted wi’ ther long run an’ ther hefty lashin’ they gut. Ther leetle gal air safe, es fur es they air consarned, ** Say, Ole Rock, what yer gut in yer brain-box?” ‘“*T m tryin’ ter sift ther hull biz,”’ was the reply. “Thar hes gut ter be somethin’ did toward gittin’ Miss Flory outen thet camp afore sun-up. Wi hyer, war nigh onter throwin’ up his ehecks when struck ther buffler-bull; but he’s gut ‘roun’ purt since tea ihren peart, all things consid- ered, Ireckon he kin put in licks ter count, an’ *mong us we kin make things howl.”’ **Hold on!" exclaimed Single-Eye. ‘“ Ef I ain’t struck an idee thet’ll pan out O. K. fer all consarn- ed, l'm ther dang’dest peererer peregrernatin’ ner varicator thet ever p’inted popes at a Piute! er cussed | hace: 4 Cormanches tuck ther nag all ‘cross erick, las” night, an’ thar camp air on this side o’ ther drink, **Does yer tumble ter my leetle game? Hit’s a reg’lar plain open an’ shet, on ther sarfiss scheme, Whoop-er-e-e-e! I wish't I c’u'd laugh an’ yell *bout five minutes. We've gut ther hellyuns, sure es away, & shootin’. Ef we hesn’t, I'll ‘gree ter chaw scorpions fer Ens ther next six moons!” The words and manner of the old scout greatly impressed Will Washburne, and filled him with joy w and hope. The Tonkaway, also, seemed to be we re fem and as Single-Eye closed bis re- mar rtle said: “Good! My white brother great scout." “T sees yer leetle game, pard,’’ put in Old Rocky, * Ye're on yer ole lay-out. Stompede ther stock, an’ then skute through ther camp on ther whiz, when ther most o’ ther reds air jist a-whoopin’ arter thar eThet's ther ame, tight ter ther bull’s-eye; an’ we-"uns kin play hit,” said Single-Eye. “Thar ain't no time ter lose slingin’ tongue, neither, Whar’s yer critters?” Will and Old Rocky answered, by immediately passing from the “open” into the thicket, north; soon returning, leading their horses. ‘ **Thet’s all Bank,” said Single-Eye. ‘‘ We'll leave ther nags we tuck from ther reds, all ’ceptin’ one fer Miss Fiory, whar hit'll be safe; an’ then levant ‘cross erick, lungin’ right inter speedy biz.” Without further talk this plan was carried out. When this was done, all, in single file, advanced to the stream, wading across it, and keeping in the darkest shades. A short halt on the west bank, for consultation, ended in each taking a different path toward the western edge of the bottom timber. The plan was, that each, upon a signal from Tur- tle, should spring upon one of the horse-guards, and knife him, at once, preventing any howl or death-yell; and that then the horses were to be cut loose, as fast as possible, and stampeded away from Pes position, near the line of timber, over the west n. All was silent, for some time, in and around the Clear Fork bottom; then the ominous hoot of an owl caused all to make ready for the desperate en. counter. The signal again sounded. It was not an unusual sound, and did not startle those so near to death, now seated on the sward, and but a pistol-shot in distance from each other. ras a eee =e SS a But a brief interval elapsed, and then four forms, each with a glittering knife upraised, sprung into the moonlight from the bushes, and bounded upon their victims. Grasping them by the long hair, they jerked their heads backward, and plunged the mur- derous blades into the upturned throats, Up into the silvery moonlight, shot spurts and sprays of blood, followed by gurgling and gasping sounds, as the writhing forms struggled in the spasms of death. The reeking sealps were then torn from their heads, and two of the men rusbed, knife in hand, among the mustangs, cutting the ani- mals loose on the run. Old Rocky and Single-Eye quickly Graggen the corpses of the slain together, and lashin em one by one to the back of a horse, ha ill and the Tonkaway to slash them free so. The four prancing, half-wild mustangs scented the blood, and bounded madly forward with snore of frenzy toward the massed herd in their ront. This created a panic, and they all dashed over the plain in a thundering stampede. “Git, boyees! Git fer t’other side ther drink up crick! Git fer our hoss-meat, and then, burra fer Miss Flory. Biz air opened brisk, an’ yells’) soon bu'st out. Skute speedy, fer thar’s a open fera meriy riffle.o’ fun, er a boss chance ter be tortur’d, whichever hit air recorded fer us!” Bingle-Eye rattled these words off with almost the rapidity of lightning, and the next moment he dis- appeared from view in the deep shades of the un- dergrowth, followed by Old Rocky, Will Wash- burne, and Turtle the Tonkaway on the run down- stream, In a moment more, danger-yells, rallying-whoops, and howls of savage rage rung On the night air. The camp of the red foe had been aroused. CHAPTER XXV. FROM THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE FIRE. A Fou. confidence in being secure from attack had caused the Comanche chief, Rolling Thunder, to station less sentinels than usual, and also to allow his warriors to give themselves a feast—something that is permitted only at the end of a war-trail. The only possible apprehension of danger was from the east, and from this point their spies would warn them. They had, therefore, merely taken the precaution to lariat their animals on the west side of the stream, making it impossible for any force of enemies, approaching fom the east plain, to locate their camp by any visible signs. Thus it was that, when the thunder of the stam- pede reached the ears of the guards about the camp, and the slumberers were awakened by the danger- rells, the first thought was of a stampede of buffalo, ut hearing no yells of alarm from the sentinels that had been placed over the horses, the suspicions of the warriors were aroused. This was confirmed by a moment's ssa They. then realized that something was wrong in that direction—something thateimplied the presence of enemies, impossible though it seemed. One thing. was plain: they were left on foot, In the confusion of the moment, many braves rushed toward the stream, which they would not have done except under the circumstances mention- ed, each being eager to secure his horse, ling Thunder was furious at the disaster, but confident that no enemies were near, still he orde half a dozen of the warriors to remain, and gu a camp, while he himself dashed after the mob of raves, At the time when poor Flora Florence was dis- ee by Single-Eye, she had given up all hope of e No longer did there seem a possibility of the sol- diers from Fort Phantom Hill overtaking the war- party, and rescuing her; and she felt sure, that, should they come up with the savages, it would be the signal for her instant death. And hfe vas sweet to the poor girl, now that she had reason to believe that her mother lived. mognene however, was now left, upon which she could build the slightest hope; and a reviewal of her life, with all the wrongs that had been hers from the first, gave to her the belief that she bad, from birth, been doomed to misery, and that her awful fate could in no way be averted. It was no wonder that the arene maiden had be- come completely disheartened. The wonder was that she stilllived. Her one prayer now was, that it would all end soon. In this state of mind Flora saw something dro through the patch of moonlight, and felt a small but heavy object strike her dress. A smail,‘roun substance rolled into the moonlight, and great was re surprise when she perceived that it was a bul- et A ray of hope darted, like a flash of light, into the poor girls mind. She knew that the bullet could not have been in the tree; that it must have been let fall by a human being; and, not only this, but it must have been dropped intentionally, to attract her oaneees and consequently by some ope who was her riend, Raising her eyes, and gazing upward, she at first saw n thing; ut dim however, the wrinkled face of a white man, W th but one eye, met her view. There was no beauty in the face, neverthe- less it was to Flora the face of an angel.. It prom- ised release from death, and worse than death; and her features showed ber relief and thankfulness, as, wiih a wave of a sombrero, the face disappeared in the dense foliage, and was gone. At first, Flora feared that it might be a vision of her disordered imagination, all evidences of the vision—the bullet having been suffered to roll away into the grass—being gone. She listened intently, and, to her joy, heard the movements of some one in the huge tree above her, All doubt now vanished. Flora was confident that help was near. But from what source had it come? Conld if be possible that Will—her Will--had been saved from his awful position on the buffalo, and had foilowed the trail; this one-eyed man having been his , reserver? Lut, no! /isuch had been the case, surely Will himself would have showed his face; or, it might be that Ls guide had prevented this, fearing that, in his strong emotion, he might betray his presence to any : ((o) JOO (¢ S (eo)