Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

~— _ Ene eee - _ eh ed Bullet Head, the C night with Ned and Sam. — It was bad enough to journey with them until twelve o’clock, but to camp all night was terrible. He would not dare to close his eyes, and even then he would be at their mercy. What could he do against two bloodthirsty fellows who were so ominously armed? He would bave appealed to Tony, but the desperadoes had already mode friends with , him; he had drank heartily from their whisky- —— — flasks, and very likely he was off the same piece. Reasoning thus, Eben stood shivering by the stage and sincerely wishing he was back in Bt. ouis, CHAPTER XXXI. THE TROUBLES OF A NIGHT. Tony's camp was peaceful if not quiet. The stage had been drawn tosuch a point that, aided by bowlders, it formed c corral for the horses, and close at hand the men were in a group. Eben longed to go apart and get clear of his wild companions, for Sam and Tony had im- bibed of whisky until they were noisy, reckless and dangerous, but visions of Indians, jaguars and, possibly, -constrictors, floated through the lawyer’s brain and he dared not move. As has been said, Tony and Sam were going from bad to worse under the power of the whisky. Of that potent article Eben drank none and Ned very little, Ned, in fact, seemed of a better piece than bis companion, and be soon ceased to talk and lay silently on the ground, devoting his time to the pipe which he evidently loved. Now and then it almost looked as though disgust were pictured on bis dirt-covered face; but his nature was lainty too bold to allow him to feel fear like Garland. Two hours passed. Tony and Sam told tales of the trail and struggled hard for the title of champion falsifier. Justice compels us to say it was a tie. Nothing, however, except total unconscious- ness could deaden Tony’s sense of hearing, and he suddenly put up his hand to call for silence. All listened, and on the air came a sound which would bave puzzled all except Tony, so strange, weird and soul-harrowing did it seem. He, however, was not at fault. ‘‘ Phunderation!” be said, blankly; and then, after a pause of a few seconds, “ A wagon on the Catnip Trail! What sent it bere?” It was surprising, since no one, except him- self, bad ever taken a vebicle through to Red Bullet Bar, and all forgot the fact that the screaming of the wheels betrayed a great need of grease, in their curiosity to know who their fellow-travelers were. The squeak grew nearer, until Sam ran bis fingers into his ears; but it ceased suddenly, and there was peace on the Catnip Trail. Ten minutes passed, and no further sound was heard. Tony raised his head. “ Wait, will ye? I think they have camped; Tl go and see.” 1 He went, and returned in due time. “A party o’ three,” he said; * an’ you kin use my head fur a football, ef they aint got me old stage—ther one I’d throw’d by, you see, was mad enough to sail in an’ exterminate them all, but [ t ht l’d come here first.” ‘* What are they?” Sam asked. _ “ What are they, do you ask? A man and two females. He had a lan , an’ I see’d jewels a- glitterin’ on ther persons of the females—gold, silver, diamonds, ‘and rubies. What do you think of that? I tell ye, that’s a rich train! Every one understood the clause, but a Sam made eg ‘More stuff they’ve stole,” he said, plausi- bly. ‘Ba you goin’ ter stand that, Tony?” ‘Nary time. I’m goin’ ter hev them back. Like ez not ther jewels was stole from my wife ” Considering that Tony was a bachelor, the theory was not one of exact sincerity. Ned was looking grave enough, and he raised his voice to laugh the matterdown. He made a cunning little speech, and said something about having the driver of the other stage ar- rested when they reached Red Bullet Bar; but it was of no use. All that was evil in the natures of Sam and Tony was at the front, and it was clear that mischief was afoot. They soon bluntly announced their intention of descending on the other camp to recover the stage, and Ned knew that a scene of horror would follow if it was done. He took Sam aside and talked to him earnest- ly. It was in vain—tbe ruffian would not ield. 2 Ned glanced at Eben. The old lawyer sat cowering in the shade of the wagon, never rais- ing his voice for fear be would become the ob- ject of the ruffian’s fury; and Ned turned away again, o hope from such a coward. Tony and Sam departed, like a pair of wolves creeping on a sleeping camp. Ned lay quietly for several seconds, but, just as Even was about to e that they appro- priute the stage and make good their own | horses paid no attention. —-rta L l LLLLLLLLL, LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL a ee ee —_— ay a > phe que oo escape, he arose and followed them without a word. Garland could hardly believe his good for- tune; be was free from the presence of the three and with the stage in bis grasp, as it were. He waited about a minute, and then sprung for the horses, It never occurred to him that he would be committing robbery by taking them; he forgot all else in a mad desire to escape from the place. He knew as much about a horse as he did about turning a double-somersault over five mammoth elephants, but he was going to ex- periment with the one as he would have done with the other if he had believed it necessary. Somehow he had secured them to the pole and to each other, and then, mounting the box, he held the reins in one hand and swung the whip with the other. Just at that moment a revolver-shot run cut on the air, quickly followed be a secon and a third. Really, they sounded from the direction of the second camp, but Eben’s fears magnified the danger; he believed they were close at hand, and even fancied he heard the whistle of the bullets, The wildest terror seized him and he brought the whip down with a suiting stroke which made the spirited horses bound like frightened deer. This was just what the lawyer wanted, and he repeated the stroke again and again. By the time he was satisfied to sink back on the seat again matters were quite lively in that section. The lame horse had forgotten his trouble and both were going at the top of their speed, im- pelled by fear to a pace which was terrific, At first they bad been on smooth ground, but small stones began to be found and the result may be imagiced. The stage, striking these obstacles bounced about in ball-fashion and swayed violently from side to side. Eben was delighted, and as he sat on the box and held his hands almost to the level of his nose, with a-loose rein beyond, he felt a thrill of exultation and imagined himself an accom- plished driver. Anon, however, it occurred to him that he had probably distanced his enemies and tbat it would be a idea to moderate his pace somewhat. He pulled on the reins, but the He pulled again, and yet again, but they kept on at their break-neck speed and the stage swung along the trail al- most like a top. ‘* Whoa, Bill!” said the lawyer, persuasively; ‘whoa, good boy! Hold up there! .Good fel- lows; excellent fellows! boa-a-a!” His voice began to tremble a little as he real- ized that he ha Linge of FRO RAYS under his hands, and he hadn’t the slightest idea what he must do to stop them, A veteran driver would bave been in nearly as much of a dilemma had he known the s‘ate of affairs, _When once the horses were on the pole Eben found several loose straps near their necks. Really, they wero the ends of the reins which should have been snapped into the bit- rings, but he failed to catch the idea and simply tied them together as useless st As a result, he was exhausting all his strength against the shoulders of the horses, On, on went the flying team, and Eben’s alarm increased. He wished himself on the ground, but dared not rag His hat had long since dropped off and his false teeth, at last accounts, had gone rattling down on the pole, thence to the ground. ith his eyes dilated and his jaws bumping together, the modern Jobn Gilpin went on his way. Finall , he had a brilliant idea, If he could not safely leap off in front he would at least stand a chance by dropping off behind. He could clamber over the seats, cut bis w aa the canvas and stand a chance for bis ife. He was about to make the attempt when, without due warning, one wheel of the stage struck against a bowlder, and in a moment more Eben arose in the air and sped forward ante space almost as gracefully as a shooting In the mean while, what had transpired at the second camp-fire? When Ned left his own he fully intended to follow close at the heels of Tony and Sam and warn the other campers of their danger, but he had not gone half the distance when he became amege that be bad lost the ruffians in the dark- ess. The discovery was an alarming one, for he did not know exactly where the camp was and might miss it in the darkness, but he at once Started hurriedly forward. At the end ofa hundred yards he knew he had gone astray, but as he paused in irresolu- tion several revolver shots rung out on the air sounding from the right. Ned felt a thrill of horror, for they seemed the death-note of the hapless male camper, but he remembered that the women were still left and he dashed to the rescue. Perhaps half a dozen shots had been fired, but had become silent and be was so ignorant of olorado Bravo. - 25 —_———__—_————- ~~ the position of the others that he had not seen any sign of them when he tripped and feil over some object in his way, He did not imagine it was a buman being until it rolled over and seized him in a tenacious grasp. Another moment and a heavy knee was on bis breast. ‘“‘lLaim ter be right,” said a voice, “but I should say they’re all down but nine.” By this time Ned had made out the outlines of a wagon and he caught at the truth. ‘* Let me up!” he said, burriedly. ‘Lam not an enemy. as this camp been attacked? I was coming to your aid—” He had dropped his own illiterate style of speaking, but his manner seemed convincing to his captor. ‘Set ’em up ag’in,” he said, and then he re- moved his knee and helped him tw his feet. “I reckon as bow I know ye,” he added. He pronounced a name and then Ned ex- claimed: ** Gentle John, as sure as life!” ‘‘Right you are, though them galoots nigh bowled me off the alley. They rushed in, we ihe 5 promiscuous an’I got a stunner in ther head Now, I’m awoke, but whar’s them as tackled me an’ whar’s ther women?” ‘* Those ruffians have seized them, but never mind. I know which way they will head, and do you follow me. We'll rescue them or die trying, though I hate to fight against— But, who were the women?” **One Rose Jackson an’ Mrs, Quain, ter wit.” ‘* Who?’ cried Ned, excitedly. Gentle Jobn repeated the names. ‘* Mrs. Quain! repeated Ned. . ‘‘She here? No; it can’t be possible; and yet, why not?” CHAPTER XXXII. BULLET HEAD HAS A SURPRISE. GENTLE JOHN’S female passengers had indeed fallen into the hands of Samand Tony. Car- ried away despite their struggles, they were wholly helpless when once on the way, and, believing their protector bad been effectually silenced, the r ns bore them toward the own camp, Much to Tony’s surprise he had trouble in finding it. Under the influence of liquor as he was, he was still clear-headed, but the camp unaccountably evaded his search; be was sur- prised that he could not see a pair of horses and a wagon. The women were forced to wander about in that pomnerera quest, but at last Tony abruptly [| aused. ‘* Here’s ther s’ile,” he said, “‘ but whar’s ther wagon an’ ther horses?” ‘** You're mistook, old man,” said Sam. ‘‘[ain’t mistook. Hyar’s ther bowlder we backed up eg’inst, I tell ye. These other feliers have run away with them!” There was a profane addition to the asser- tion, which told how much in earnest the driver was. ** Ned wouldn’t do it,” said Sam, sturdily. **He has!” shouted Tony. “Ther thief bas stole them!” : Whatever Sam’s faults, he seemed loyal to his partner, and an angry controversy fol- lowed; one we do not care to record here, and which filled Rose and Mrs. Quain with addi tional alarm. Truly, they had fallen among hard com- panions. Sam and Tony forgot that they bad drank from the same flask, and the quarrel went from bad to worse. The lie was given, resented and followed by a blow, and then they released their prisoners and grappled. Rose did not fail to see their chance, and catching Mrs. Quain by the arm she burried her away. The elder woman went automatically, never replying when addressed, but Rose was in earnest, and their flying feet soon placed a considerable distance between them and the camp. They saw and heard no more of their late cap- tors, but their strength began to fail, and Rose finally allowed ber wavering companion to halt where half a dozen trees formed a grove, — Both were alarmed, for such events were new and not to their taste, but Rose began to consider what should be done next. ‘*T believe I shall leave you and try to : our team,” she said. ‘Our unfortunate driver is doubtless dead, for I saw him fall, but the team was left. If I can get that we can go on to Red Bullet Bar alone.” ‘**I must go with you,” declared Mrs. Quain. “Why so? I’m sure I can find my way back “Tt isn’t that,” faltered the woman, “but those dreadful men. They will find and me!’’ ‘The chances are against it.” “You don’t know all. Rose, that man who was called ‘Sam’ was no ich Sal to me; he was my husband, Thomas Quain!” The meek little woman uttered these words in 4 quavering voice, and Rose saw that she was as helpless as an infant, | ‘alt Si tem al she exclaimed, in real want of “T tell you it was he. I’ve not seen him for EOOOKS Goim kill. (E() , ee 8 ee —E —