Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 256 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ag ‘ ’ 2. ; ) A % => - ‘ ( - - a - ' ‘ iL i ie bY er" a 7 ¥ Rates Sif. 2 _ - ——————— -_! 7 = ¥ ~ > ti me 4 ‘f°. ee ty : - r rer — 12 Double Dan, the Dastard. he known of poor old Dan’s having been mur- dered by the miserable dastard, now in such deadly peril. Had Roy been aware of the old slave’s death, and tbe cause of it, he would have felt no pity, no mercy, but considered that the miscreant merited the death which seemed in store for him. As it was, however, our hero immediately secured his belt of arms about his neck in such a manner as to prevent the same from getting wet, and grasping a log of deadwood, dry as tinder, he launched the same into the river, and with one arm over the log, struck out in a quar- tering course over the stream, landing at the very point where Le Grand had fallen into the by gg and had previously lain in wait to shoot im. He felt convinced that Le Grand’s horse must be near at hand, and, as be had already formed a plan in regard to the imperiled man, he struck through the woods, imitating the neigh of a horse, which was at once answered, and ae was soon at the side of the black steed. etaching an extra lariat from the cantle of the saddle, the young man sprung at once down the river, being, in a very short time, directly above the position of Le Grand, who bad coiled his limbs around the root of the tree, and was gazing downward, trembling and quivering in abject terror, bis strength evidently fast leav- ing him. Hastily adjusting a noose of the right size, and tying a knot to prevent the same from slipping, and cast the noose over, allowing sufficient length to reach the belt of Le Grand. In another moment Roy knew that the peril- cusly placed man bad succeeded in getting one limb through the loop, and was sustaining him- self by bis hands, a situation that was comfort- evle and safe compared with clinging to the yout, {t required a great exertion of strength to pull Le Grand up a couple of feet, where it would be im ble for the alligators to reach Lim, without the former seeing to whom it was | that he was indebted for his rescue. So Roy kept back from the edge of the bank, and the earth kept falling into the face of Le Grand. Midway between the foiled alligators and the top of the bank Le Grand was now suspended, and Roy, making fast the rope, left him thus and hastened up the river. He was satisfied that his pecallenly secured captive was for a time in a position from which he could not es- cape, and that he would be there when wanted. f the comrades of the sik eh hs assassin were still in the camp, Roy resolved that he would force them to accompany him, and prove Le Grand to be what he suspected him of being. This could be done by trailing him, as the sward in the bottom was soft, and Roy felt positive that the shot had been fired from the very thicket from which Le Grand had fallen into the river, Without hesitation, therefore, be appropri- ated the horse of Le Grand, noticing that the animal had been ridden far and hard, and con- vinced that it was his face that Rosa Ray bad seen across the Brazos. This trail could be followed, but Roy decided that he would not mention it, for he wished his meeting with Rosa to be kept secret. Soon he reached the vicinity of the camp, and was some- what rised to see a large fire blaze up, as if just kindled. This revealed the comrades of Louis Le Grand, all in their saddles except one, who had appar- rey dismounted to start the fire. The young men apprates tobe in a very ex- ted state, for which Roy could not account; neither could he for the fact. that they appeared to have just arrived upon the scene. ng into the camp, in the broad circle of light, our hero with a revolver in each hand, cocked, pointed, and presented at the young men, cried oat in a voice that was firm and clear as a bell: **Hands up, gentlemen! or affiliators and helpers of an assassin—I know not which I ought to call you! Answer me Maal Where is qour leader, Louis Le Grand very hand was immediately raised as order- ed, for all saw business in the eye of their visit- or; his eye and manner proving that he meant what he said, while they answered in chorus: _“ We have not seen him since just before sun- set last evening.” ‘We left this camp at that time,” added one, ‘tand Le Grand and old Dan were here then. There lies the old man dead. He has been killed by a_ bear. “Dead! Killed!” exclaimed Roy in amaze- ment, and utterly disbelieving them. Then, as he cast his eyes on the opposite side of the ao he lowered his revolvers, sprung | d veal the whole facts, for I may know more than from his saddle with a look of deep grief upon his countenance as he repeated: ‘Dead! Killed! old Dan, dead? What does this mean? Gentlemen, excuse my haste and suspicions. When you know everything you took a turn around the trunk ofa stout, smooth-bark sapling with the slack end, | So CHAPTER XI. SAVED, BUT FOR WHAT? GRASPING a torch from the fire, Roy at once hastened to the spot where lay the corpse of old Dan, and the dead bear. The first thing that attracted the attention of our hero was a terribly swollen bruise on the head of the negro, extending from the temple, back over, and beyond the ear. This was plain evidence of there myn been a crushing blow struck with some hard and unyielding sub- stance. A hurried inspection of the position of the dead slave and of the bear, and a close exami- nation of the ground followed; and then Roy discovered that the bark on a tree near the bear was much seratched. Not only this, but he sprung upward and detached a piece of cloth, to which clung a button by a few threads. The face of our hero suddenly assumed a stern and merciless expression, as he held the tell-tale cloth near to the fire-light. There were neither stones nor logs beneath the tree, the sward so near the water bein moist and soft, it was ae evident that ol Dan could not have received the bruises by fall- ing from the tree. Neither could the bear have caused it by a blow of its paw without leaving the mark of its claws. These were, at the same time, inspected, and it was found that nota single particle of wool clung to them. he young men maintained their — watching eagerly every movement of , and all being sincerely grieved at the death of the slave, They had had their fun on many occasions, and in rather a rough way with poor old Dan, but they all liked him, and had often remon- strated with Le Grand when the latter ill- treated and abused bim. This was when they were sober; for, when drinking, they drowned the better part of their patures, ** Men!” cried out Roy at length, “‘ secure our horses and attend here! There has been oul play.” Without a word, all ra this summons, and hastened to the scene of blood. ‘‘Now, gentlemen,” continued the young man, ‘‘ look at and examine poor Dan’s head. Look at the respective positions of the bear and the man. That bear was called long after Dan was. The beast was evidently slain by Le Grand, who was chased up the tree oth him. You recognize this cloth and button as belong- ing to your friend’s hunting-jacket?” ‘ Yes!” was the reply from all present. ‘“ Well, I found that up the tree. Now, open the beast’s mouth and you will see that it re- ceived its death-wound from a pistol or rifle. The tongue and lips are burned with powder, and the course of the bullet can be easily traced. Le Grand shot the bear while be was in the tree and then stabbed the beast with bis bowie. You see he was not cunning enough to put old Dan’s own knife in his hand. There was foul mur‘’er racking bis brain or be would never have so forgotten himself. ‘‘ T here assert, and maintain, that poor Dan was killed—murdered by his master—last even- ing, and that the bear was slain vot long since. You can see for yourselves that the carcass is not yet stiff or entirely free from animal eat— Roy stepped quickly beyond the listeners to ste uickly beyond the ners to- wind the cove Bi picked up a club. ‘‘ Here is fresh evidence,” he said, holding the billet near a torch. ‘‘ Advance all, and you will see that this is the weapon with which Le Grand struck the terrible blow that freed old Dan from bondage and life in an instant! Blood and wool still adhere to it. Are you con- vinced?” ‘Rather strong evidence, I admit,” agreed one, “but how can we prove that Le Grand struck the blow?” one of you did it?’ exclaimed Roy. he are all who have been in this locality.” ” Except ourself, Randolph,” another, *‘ from the manner in which you collect evidence one would naturally say that you had been a Mer ga to the deed, if not a participator n it. Not the least show of anger was in the face of Roy, or in his voice, as he returned: “ Did not you gentlemen soon after camping here make a wager with Le Grand in regard to a certain young lady who resides on the Rio Brazos?” ba young men stared at each other in amaze- ment. ‘‘T am answered,” said Roy, quickly. ‘‘ Now, tell me what followed without reserve, and re- you suppose, This is no trifling business, young men, as you will soon admit.” Ww 0 “py speak for all,” said one, gazing at bis companions questioningly. “ Either Louis Le Grand struck the blow, or | ‘* You and | | much incensed them; and this explained their corrected | but no one suspects you, although | work, evidently wishing to pretend that he had discovered nothing unusual. Le Grand had, however, observed him, and he sprung to the bank, we following, I just caught a glimpse of you, as you lay asleep in your boat, when a — ordered us away and stole down the ank. ‘* We decided that he intended to start you adrift, and not peg to be implicated in the affair, we bastily saddled wp and slid out.” **Why did you not alarm me? How did you know that his intentions were not to mur- der me?” ‘“‘He would have shot the first man who in- terfered with him in any way,” was the reply. ‘* He has had it in for you ever since the duel,” ‘‘We knew,” said another, ‘‘ that he dared not kill you, in the helpless condition in which you were. That would have been murder.” ‘** It seems,” rejoined Roy, ‘“‘that he did not hesitate to murder his helpless old slave. And what would you say if I should tell you that he secreted himself in a thicket, and shot me from behind? ‘You can see the track of his bullet on my rer ‘Gentlemen, I tell you that your friend Louis Le Grand, is a vile coward aaa assassin ? Do you profess to be his friends, knowing this? If so, quit my sight, or I will not answer for the consequences!” ‘““We are the friends of no assassin!” ex- claimed one of the young men, while the others stood for a few moments dumfounded. They then advanced to examine Roy’s head. ‘‘T hope to see you act accordingly then,” said ourhero, ‘* Three times Grand has at- tempted to take my life, and each time in a most dastardly manner; twice since you en- camped here. ‘‘ And now I swear that he shall die! ‘ He shall fight me—fight for his life! I take no advantage of any man; and Iask you now to follow me, as witnesses. But first, let me explain bis acts and movements since you left the camp.” Roy now related, but without bringing Rosa Ray into the narrative, his two trips up and down the Brazos; his baving been shot, the fright he gave Le Grand, and the saving of the latter from a horrible death. As may be imagined, all were greatly aston- ished and exceedingly enraged; for although as has been mentioned, they were dissipate gamblers—though this was more for lack of something else to do than aught else—they were not men who would commit any great crime. All were satisfied that Le Grand a murdered old Dan, and had also attempted to slay Roy Randolph in a most cowardly manner: and elise been associates with Le Grand, they were furious, feeling that all this reflected on themselves. Consequently they were not averse to seeing the Dastard worsted, as he would most assuredly be at the hands of Roy. We will here mention that, at the time and place of which we write, there was but little attempt to administer justice by regular course of law, the people, or organized bands of Vigi- lantes dealing promptly with those who merited punishment, and in some cases with those who did not. And no crime was considered greater than a. or using weapons on an unarmed man, unless it might be insulting a woman or stealing a horse or cow. All were greatly and favorably impressed with the forbearance of Roy, who, in place of oe Le Grand from the alligators, ougbt. they declared, to have left him to his fate—a fate he richly merited, There was not a man in the crowd who, un- der like circumstances, would have spared the miscreant, or given him any chance for his life; and all agreed that Roy was a fool to engage in a personal conflict with him—that he ought to hang Le Grand like a dog, thus putting an end to his miserable career, in a manner that his acts deserved. The mi hnoanags insolence and assumption of superiority over t em of late by Le Grand, had sudden repudiation of him as a friend, and a desire to well rid of bim before he disgraced them further. Yet not one of the number would have assumed leadership against Le Grand, for the purpose of hanging him; for they all feared him, and deemed his blustering bravado downright bravery. The blood-stained face, the bruised head and gray wool of old Dan greatly incensed all against the murderer; and Roy Randolph brusbed a tear from his cheek, as he gazed down upon the ashen, smeared features, and soulless eyes of the poor old slave, who bad oft sung to him, in bis own quaint way, the songs of the old plantation. Butthe murderous scene also stirred up the strongest feelings of hatred against Le Grand, and a desire for immediate revenge. With tis feeling uppermost, Roy yelled: ‘‘To horse, gentlemen! To horse! J’ll give Le Grand, the Dastard, a fair show, steel to = will not blame me. They all nodded in acquiescence. steel; but justice rules my arm, and he dies! Ve ‘Please to remain where you are untilIex-| ‘Old Dan went tothe bank of the cave to | He shall pollute this fair earth no more with his a amine the body of rold Dan—the best and | pick up wood and betrayed by his actions that | vile breath and tread.” . kindest-hearted, the worst abused slave on the | he had seen something strange that startled All yy 4 into their saddles, and left the ; Rio Brazos.” him from below; but he soon went on with his ' camp; the flames of the camp-fire, at times, “S ers is eOMliel exoXe; com