Beadle's Dime Library No. 263 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

a _ — — —— — Tron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer. ~~ worthy of professional skill. Pursued and pur- suers were alike in earnest, though those in the rear boat little knew the importance of that race. After five minutes Griff offered to relieve Doctor Rube, and the latter was not sory. During the last four years he had seen little of aquatic work, and was no match for the fisher- man, or even for Ned Boxfield, who had been a boat-puller all his life. Crouching at the prow of the boat the doctor ultimately saw that they were gaining. despite the fact that the pursued were lashing the water toa white foam in their efforts to es- cape. finite one else saw it, too, and St. Jerome ground his teeth with rage. ‘ Men,” said he, ‘it’s sink or swim with us.” ‘Pm fur swimmin’,” volunteered Ben Bolter. ‘*Ther rest on you may do ez you please, but them varmints can’t gobble me up. I carry a revolver an’ know how ter use it.’ ‘‘ What say the rest of you?” All expressed a preference for fighting rather than running. “Then fight it is,” declared St. Jerome. ‘A little further and we will turn at bay with weapons ready. Then it’s each for himself and victory to the best man.” “‘Ef I was ter chirrup,” said Ben Bolter, ‘“‘Td say this water won’t be a healthy place much longer. Thar’s a moanin’in ther air ther rest on you may not hev noticed, but I kin tell you thar’s a bad one brewin’ in the shape o’ wind, an’ we will soon get it hyar. Ef thar’sa bad pint anywhar,it’s byar. Ef ther breeze strikes us, out goes our candle!” No one laughed at the warning; even St. Jerome, though he was no waterman, found something suspicious in the aspect of nature, ‘‘ We'll get in our stroke before she blows,” he said,.grimly. ‘‘When I give the word, te her around and make for the other boat. Hit her in the side and try to stave her in, if possible, I'll have my revolvers ready and play the battery.” The men heard with admiration, for St. Jerome was one who could thrill less intelligent men in times of danger. They declared them- selves ready to follow his orders through all. The word came soon and the boat swung around. She bowed a little as the already choppy waves strack her side, but, putting her stern to the breeze, darted forward under the ho eeatggng strokes of the oars like an animate thing. The maneuver was all well enough, but it lacked one essential to success, the people in the other boat were not foolish enough to be hit as St. Jerome bad planned. Consequently, as the larger boat sped down its crew saw the nose of the pursuer turned grimly toward them. The latter was willing to grapp e, but they desired a whole craft under em. St. Jerome had another scheme in his mind, He now saw that he must use his “‘ batteries.” He opened the ball without delay, and with a six-shooter in each hand blazed away with macbine-like regularity. Thick and fast came the leaden Fail, and as Doetor Rube had no taste for the role of martyr he resolved to play the same sort of card; so the rival crafts erie for each other with a lively fusilade io progress. “Down with ther tenderfuts!” shouted Ben Bolter, and the cry set the whole menagerie in an wrt early every man seemed to think he hada call to shout, and he did it in a conscienticus and distinct manner, The uproar drowned one other sound which they had better have heeded, -and no one saw the sqyall which was rushing down upon them. As the other boat came nearer Doctor Rube attempted to fire with some method, and he had the satisfaction of seeing one kidnapper pitch forward over bis oar and disappear in the water, Another moment and the boats touched. Griff had been preparing for the crisis, and to those who knew his way this meant a good deal. As they touched he dropped his oars, caught the knife he had for several minutes held in his teeth and leaped like a cat into the Jarger boat, What would have been the result no one might say except to prophesy 4 MOst sanguinary strife, for all at once the scene changed and man was made to see how powerless was his wrath before that of his Creator. aay The gust of wind struck, with its white line of foam, and the boats were raised like egg- shells. It passed, and the smaller craft was floating bottom upward, while the larger sped away on the surface of the water like a fright- ened deer. . When his craft went over Docter Rube in- stinctively threw out his hand and grasped one of the seats, He held fast, though instantly mipeeren. and soon managed to get his head above the surface. The worst of the flurry had passed and there was no trouble in keeping his place. His first fame too, showed him Boxfield similarly _ changed. and congratulatory words were ex- | ‘ - - . , co 7) ‘_ - P ‘ ~ Their escape had indeed been narrow. As the water was left in a comparatively safe condition, they soon made an attempt to right the boat and succeeded. Two of the oars had held in the locks, having been fitted for such emergencies, and Doctor Rube unqualifiedly agreed with Boxfield when the latter gave it as his opinion that they were “ lucky dogs.” ‘* But,” added the junior, ‘* I reckow neighbor Griff bas gone where good fishermen go.” ‘**Or is a prisoner.” ‘He isn’t that. I saw him turn a hand-spring when the blizzard struck and then make a header in the water. I hate to tear up your faith in hair-breadth escapes, but I am inclined to think Mr, Griff is no more.” ** And the abductors have escaped and taken away the madwoman.” ‘The Wild is certainly gone to seed, as I may express it. Her dark browed lover has stolen her from the parental castle and sped away o'er the blue sea like a meteor. The Wild is a goner and my best clothes are wet through. What’ll the senior say when I appear at the forun of justice to morrow?” “Enough of nonsense, Can we do nothing for Griff?” ‘‘That’s about all we can do, though I dare say he would take it kindly if we were to go to his charming daughter and tell how he died in a good cause.” ‘I'll do this to-morrow, We'll give Griff a chance to appear and answer for himself if he has by any miracle escaped.” * ° **Can you leave your patients to-morrow?” ** Will you never be serious?” “T was about toadd that the senior isnot very busy now, and that he would probably spare me for this sad affair, Having had a good deal of experience I might mariage to break it more gently to Miss Norola than you coald.” The speaker’s willingness to act as a sympa- thizer was commendable, but Doctor Rube made no hasty decision. Instead, they decided to look for Griff first of all. . CHAPTER XIX. BOXFIELD BREAKS IT GENTLY. THe~following morning two demoralized- looking young men rolled outi of bed and sat looking “stupidly at each other, They were Doctor Rube and Boxfield, and the room was the former’s chamber. They had returned in time for a degree of sleep, but it had not been enough to really rest them. Their search of the previous night had failed to show them either Griff or the strangers. ‘* Well,” said Boxfield after a pause, ‘‘ we look like a pair of dried herrings after a spree, Eyes red and watery, heads of abnormal size, general superfluity of dirt. Isee a good many such in ma be They usually get off with ten dollars anc . ‘* Ned,” said the doctor seriously, ‘‘we must return and notify Norola of her father’s fate. The forenoon is weari+g on rapidly and it is criminal to delay longer.” ** Judging from a medical point of view. Grammatically speaking, is it correct to say we shall go, or I shall go,and break it gently to Norola?” ‘* We will both go,” practically decided Doc- tor Rube, And so they arose, breakfasted and were on the point of starting when a letter arrived for the doctor, Opening it, he read as follows: “Doctor LrypEeNn:—I wish to see you on eo ant business and will deem ita great favor if you will call at ten o’clock, to-morrow forenoon. Please do not disappoint me. RA TEMPLETON.” Considerably surprised, Doctor Rubs dropped the letter, which was impolitely seized and read by Boxfleld, i “Whew!” he then whistled, equally surprised. But Rube looked ey at vacancy and did not hear him, What did this summons mean? Had Leora heard of the proceedings begun against her in the name of Esther Alton and summoned him to try to stifle the truth? His lips curled scornfully at the thought, but he was far from feeling like disappointing ber in seeing him. He wished to know just what her object was in calling him to ber, and it would be a pleasure to triumph over her after beig snubbed as he had been at the ball. Yes; it would undoubtedly give him satisfac- tion, though he felt mean at the thought of warring #n a woman—at least, on one as pretty as Leora Templeton.” “ Well?” questioned the junior. ‘Ned, old man,” quoth his friend, ‘‘ I will in- dulge vou. Go and see Norola alone, and Pll go to Miss Templeton.” The junior looked sulky for a moment, then brightened, crossed the office and gave Rube his hand. “Done!” he said. And so, half an hour later, the and each went his way. Each felt that he had a matter of importance on hand, and as ed strode along he generously decided that if he could win Norola he would leavea clear field for Rube with Miss Templeton. For it’s all nonsense for him to bate her and make such a show of ears,” he characteristically said to himself. separated ‘way toward 15 art he lost no time, but took his riff’s cabin. At first he was in bis usual buoyant spirits, but as be neared the place be began to lag. From Griff’s remarks he bad learned that St. Jerome's stock stood very low with Norola, and as she bad once seen them together, it was not likely she would receive him—Ned—with open arms. — Still, be beld what courage he found floating around loose, and approached the cabin. When he arrived all was as usual, except that the Ridbengere had left some tirc.s not easily obliterated. ’ No one bemg in sight, the junior knocked ac the door, and a sweet, feminine voice bade bim enter. Knowing it was Norola he wavered for a moment, and then walked valiantly in. Norola was alone. She sat idly in a chair, and her expression was mournful, but her cour- age seemed to bave kept her up in doubt and sorrow. Her expression ea at sight of the visitor, and he bowed very low. : ‘Pardon me for intruding, miss,” he said, “bat I have comeon business, I—I see ji” recognize me.” ~ . “Yes, sir,” she answered, with cold polite- For his own ness. a Then I trust you will regard me as a—a friend,” he continued, feeling like a school- boy. “I am sorry this occasion is not’ more cheerful.” ; ‘Really, sir, I don’t understand,” she said, with increased coldness, “T have come to speak of last. night,” he added. ** Of last night?” . ‘* Of the calamity, I mean.” : ~ * Ah! you refer to the infamous abduction of Miss Wild. So you know something about it. Perhaps you can tell me wliere she now is?” — ‘*Unfortunately, I cannot; but it is not to her I refer,” the lor gravely said, true to his polpery to break it gently. ‘I refer to a eeper calamity; in short, to your father. Pre- pare yourself for the worst.” | ** And what of my father?’ shanna Norola spoke with a severe abruptness, which completel ut to flight what composure Boxfield had left. He forgot his resolution to break it gently, and plunged in headlong. ‘* He—he’s dead!” was the startling announce- ment, ' ‘* Indeed! you escaped ?” ‘** Our boat was overturned by th-—” ‘‘T mean, escaped from the insane asylum,” The junior smiled in a feeble way. ‘You are pleased to be witty ma’am,” he said, ‘but that won't bring Griff to life. He was drowned in the gale last night, much to our regret, and [am here to break the sad news, and offer our sympathy. Whatever we can do practically we shall be glad to do, and the costs will be paid by the court.” Whom he meant by “we” the junior did net make clear; but for a maiden speech his: effort was not bad—in bis own opinion, He had scarcely finished, however, when the Ban- quo affair at the banquet was rivaled. There Permit me to inquire, sir, how was a heavy step at one side, and when Box- ak turned be found himself face to face with riff. Yes, it was Griff; Boxfield could not forget. his peculiar outlines; but as he was not su stitious it soon dawned upon him that it was ; Griff in the flesh. A The old fisherman Jooked stern and forbid- ding, and he raised one hand and shook a long finger at his caller. an. “This hyer is ther fust time I ever heered my own obituary solemnized,” he slowly said; — ‘“‘an’ ef it’s ter bashed up in such ridic’lo styl I never want ter live ter bear it ag bad you feeled instead o’ promulgatin’ vartues an’ pbilosopbism o’ ther dece Se “I was coming to that,” said Boxfield, rally- ing a little as he saw that Griff medi no immediate violence, . **T hey my doubts ef you’d have did it; but ss that don’t count. say I was dead?” ‘Because I thought such the fact.” hy ** Well, I may be, but I hey m site cou “in, Do I look like it?’ Hev I the pond-lily complex- ion of a defunct? Do ros see any reason ter b’tieve ef I was ter start a seminary that I’d be ther fust plant?” “] perceive now that ycu are very lively for a dead man, but you must allow that I bad good reason to believe you were lost, You do not seem to recognize me, so I wil] explain that I was one of your companions in the race last Why did you come hyer an’ night. The other I can produce at any time. We thought you lost, and I came here to break it gent—l mean, to inform Miss Griff.” _ “Oh! did you? Well. you may be oe but I hev my doubts. Ef you was with me last night, it’s a wonder your face don’t linger in my mind. All [I know on you is that w you approached ther door my gal says ter me, That’s one on’em? ‘Who? sez I. ‘Ther chum o’ ther skunk we think hez stole Ther Wild,’ sez she. With that I got inter ambush—an’ now you beaye in un’ tell my gal ’m defunct. That 6 . x4OU bev devoted all ther spare time ter te eS r - % . * ot > fy ‘ =? *. Pate * 4 awa ¥e ube (@)] t " ) om ~ | ! | | | a