Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

oo Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. ‘May the blissid saints make your bed, sor!” cried Purty Paddy, dancing around like one suddenly gone crazy with pure delight, when he id a caught by his mate, with a warning oath: ‘‘ Strike while you oan, fool! He may take back the word in his next breath! Come—now or never!” Purty Paddy, thus reminded, rushed past his comrade with a devilisb grin on his ugl mug, not pausing until he stood by the side of Moke Horner, who was lying near the stern, “Augh! ye black devil, ye!” triumphed Purty Paddy, stooping and slapping his enemy in the face. ‘‘Sure ye want to git yer rabbit- fut to doin’ ay its worruk ina hurry, or it’ll be wp es too late! We're goin’ to stritch you’ nick—” He never completed his brutal sentence, With a savage howl, the Boss Roustabout leaped to his feet, a heavy bar of iron in his unbound hands, and two swift blows sent the two villains down with shattered skulls, Then, with a wild laugh, the desperate negro dove head-first into the swiftly flowing water, be- nore, ® hand could be outstretched to arrest im! CHAPTER XXIII, FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS. Fora few moments those of the Fresh-water Sburks who had witnessed the swift and dead! onslaught made by the Boss Roustabout on bis vindictive enemies, stared aghast at the terri- ble sight of those two skull-shattered corpses— for both Purty Paddy and Teddy Huke were Geen men before their bodies could touch the eck! Then a wild uproar ensued, and a score of | eyes watched the negro to break water, balfthat nuniber of rifles or shot-guns being held in readi- | ness to riddle him with lead. But they watcbed in vain. Moke Horner never rose to the surface within their range of vision, at least, Boats were got out and acareful search made for him, for hundreds of yards in every direction, | but equally witbout success. And it was final- | ly concluded that he had, in diving, struck bot- tom so violently with his head as to break his neck, and was then, in all probability, slowly drifting beneath the surface along the muddy bottom of the overflow. At the usual bour, breakfast was prepared and pghicts by the cooks and waiters. The ironed passengers were led out in small com- panies, their bands set at liberty long enough for them to eat what they required, while half a dozen masked men kept them under guard with rifles and guns. he black stewardess was permitted to take food to the lady passen- gers, in their own state-rooms, Devil’s Dick in person assuring himself that all was made safe | afterward. . Not until this performance was over, did the Fresh-water Sharks release the well-secured Water Witch and once more steam slowly through the overflow. Almost creeping, at times keeping out boats with poles and hand- lines to mark and sound the crooked channel, much time was consumed in going a very sbort distance; but the outlaws apparently cared lit- tle for this. Under the most favorable circum- stances, there were very few settlers located along their course, and all of these bad long since been driven from their homes by the ris- ing tide. They were so far away from the river proper, that there was Co par ely no | danger of curiosity being excited the smoke © from the stacks of the Water Witch; even | should this be noticed, who would even think of investigating the cause? Thus the day wore on until the afternoon was half-spent, when the Water Witch ran its nose so heavily into a muddy shoal that all thoughts of backing ber off were quickly aban- inate They must either wait for the water to rise higher, or else complete their journey in the boats. Devil’s Dick and a tall, masked man, spent an hour or more rowing around through the vax G waste together, and when they returned, bot appeared to be in great good humor. The chief with his own hands rolled out a half-barrel of whisky from the bar and bade his men make gou cheer. Asa matter of course, they fol- | ae owed his advice to the very letter, — It was wearing well along toward midnight when a dark figure crept silently along toward | the outside guards, bis face toward the ladies’ cabin. He SiN cee the lattice doors | as he passed them, ing at one and tappin gently against it. Tbe faint murmuring which e had been able to distinguish within instantly | ed, save for the | ceased, and perfect silence reign occasional burst of coarse laughter or drunken shouts from the office Again he tapped, then sin lips close to the | screen, he cautiously uttered: “Mr. Ward, do not be alarmed. It is [— a friend—come to save you all from a frightful | doom!” “Who are you?” came the low response. - “Must we be mocked and insulted, as well as berbarously treated?” ~ "2 , ae ¢ | footsteps moving away. ‘the inmates of the little state-room listened , | out of the state-room, “1 am a friend—don’t you know my voice!” ‘* Gillespie!” muttered tue merchant, seeming- ly startled. ‘*Yes—come to save you from worse than death!” was the swift reply, as the crouching figure drew a knife and hastily cut away sev- eral of the slats, then reached in and drew the bolt that held the door fast, opening it and slipping inside. t was indeed Gideon Gillespie, and as he cast a swift glance around the small apartment he saw by the light that came in through the open transom, Horace Ward, his wife and bis daugh- ter before him. ‘*Come!” he muttered guardedly, seeming to listen anxiously to the sounds which came from toward the bow of the boat. ‘‘I am risking my own life in the hopes of rescuing you, and the loss of a single minute may be fatal to our chances.” ** Father—mother—do not trust him!” impul- sively uttered Drusilla. ‘ Better the evils we know, than to rusb blindly into others which may be tenfold worse!” The merchant also seemed to regard the gam- bler with a certain degree of suspicion, It is true, he had seen him among the prisoners who were led out to their meals, but how came he at liberty now, and armed? What chance was there of a single man’s saving them, there in that trackless waste of waters? “ Hark!” muttered Gillespie, drawing a knife and bending forward like a panther about to make its deadly leap as the sound of hasty foot- steps were heard crossing the ladies’ cabin. ‘“‘It may be too late now! Butif too late to save you, Drusilla, I will die in protecting your—” He abruptly ceased, as a coarse Voice spoke without: “* How goes the game, mate? What luck?” “The devil’s own! I don’t git a smell! You’re to take your shake now, but the cream’s gone a’ready! The boss hes got fust choice, an’ he froze to the gal in yender— Ward's!” ‘‘The boss? ou mean Devil’s Dick in _ course?” ‘*No—that cussed lawyer from Orleans—fer- git his name. The one that got up the bull trick, they say.” ‘“Durned ef I keer nuther. Well, take m gun an’ I'll go fer a wife! Ef I hit it ric mebbe I'll whack up with you.” There was a slight rattle of arms, then hasty In breatbless silence then Gillespie cautiously whispered: ; ** You see now what I meant? The devils are laying for the ladies, and your fate, Miss ard, seems to be already settled, unless I can carr you off from this hell afloat.” All doubts, all hesitation was swept away by those terribly significant words between the Sharks, and trembling with eagerness they lis- tened to their pretended friend, ‘“] bribed my guard with a check for every dollar I have on deposit and he set me free, gave mearms and procured a small skiff;for my use, I believe he is faithful, but lest be repent we must lose no time. Come, think what a horrible fate awaits al] women here!” While burriedly muttering thus, Gillespie was knotting sheets and blankets pagerney, forming arude but substantial rope, He ‘led the way ollowed by Horace Ward, his wife and daughter. Dimly visible by the moonlight which sifted through the thickly laced treetops, he pointed out a skiff which floated close under the guards. ‘“We must lower the ladies first then follow. Not a word or sound must be uttered, for dis- covery now would only precipitate your fate. Be brave—trust in us and all will be well.” Thus he whispered while tying the rope in a loop large enough for the women to sit in it while being lowered. Without a word Drusilla submitted to be lowered first, steadying herself in the frail vessel and assisting her mother to enter. Then Horace Ward followed, after him coming Gideon Gillespie. Crouching low they listened with bated breath. Nota sound came to tell of awakened mua on, and, cutting the rope which held the skiff to the steamer, Gillespie pushed it far away into deeper shadow. He softly secured the oars, and then with cautious strokes that awakened not the faintest echo, be worked the skiff still further away, increasing bis efforts as the shape of the Water Witch grew more dim and indistinct. “Now,” he uttered with a short, bard laugh as he bent to the oars with redoubled energy, sending the light craft rapidly through the overflow, ‘let the bounds yelp as they may, i care not. Water leaves no trail, and I defy them to overtake us in this trackless wilder- ness!” Horace Ward drew a lorg breath of relief as be cast a quick glance around him, his heart beating with something of its wonted regu- larit for the first time since overhearing the brief conversation of the guards in the cabin. And yet, ashe saw bow gloomy it was there beneath those old forest trees, how easy it seemed for even one thoroughly acquainted od with the locality under its usual aspect to be- come bewildered and uncertain which one of the many twisting, intricate aisles to follow, a new fear assailed him. ‘‘We are all very grateful to you, Mr. Gil- lespie,” he said, in tones that betrayed this new anxiety; ‘‘but are you certain you know the way! It looks so easy to get lost here!” ‘“So we lose the old Water Witch and those who havo taken possession of her, I care little for anything else, just now,” was the light re- ply. ‘Bearing in mind on which side of the river we entered the overflow, it will not be difficult for us to gain the Mississippi or run over to the high lands, whenever we think best. The current will direct us, there.” ‘*But you are crossing the current!” ‘* Precisely,” was the quiet response, ‘ Your escape cannot go long undiscovered, and then hot search will be made for you by the thieves and robbers, They will naturally take the back track, and many arms might easily catch up with one pair.” “Then you mean to hide?’ doubtfully asked Ward. ‘For the present, yes, Those arch villains will be afraid to linger long near the boat, when once they know we have escaped. They will fear our return—my return—with aid, and they will take to the hills to morrow. We will be safer if we do the most of our traveling by day. A sunken snag or bit of driftwood in the dark—you see?” he gasped, with difficulty right- ing the almost overturned boat as it struck a shag or submerged stump with a sidling blow that almost pitched them into the muddy wa- ter, . Horace Ward was silenced, if not convinced, and little more was said until Gideon Gillespie, on two hours after leaving the Water Witch, drove the bow of tbe skiff ona bit of dry land, scrambling out and holding the craft. steady while the merchant assisted his wife and daughter ashore. Just where they landed it was dark and gloomy, but a little way beyond,a break in the tree-tops suffered the moon to shed its silvery light on the earth, revealing a gently rounded knoll, surrounded on all sides by the steadily rising flood. Hastily securing the skiff, Gideon Gillespie roduced a small lantern from the bow, and fighting it, led the way over the damp ground to the highest point, where it was drier. ‘““We will spend the night here,” he said, turning away without waiting a reply, snap- ping off dead branches from the surrounding trees, breaking them up into convenient lengths, cutting the driest into small shavings. A few minutes later he had a small fire burning, its nial warmth proving most acceptable to the adies in that damp atmospbere. And Horace Ward also enjoyed it most thoroughly, though at first he looked upon building it as a most im- prudent action. ‘* There is little or no danger,” replied Gilles- ie. ‘*We are in just the opposite direction — Pros that which it will be most reasonable to look for us, and we are half a dozen miles away from the Water Witch. Besides, it may save the ladies from catching the chills,” Then he broke off a quantity of small limbs with which he covered a space of ground, around which he soon buddled larger boughs, forming a rude hut where the ladies might be. in comparative seclusion, yet close enough to the fire to feel its comforts. The two men sat near, doing little talking through the Jong hours which intervened be- tween their arrival and dawn. Then, when the moon sunk from sight and the light of the Feit Mes began to appear in the gray East, Horace Ward broke the silence broaching a subject over which he had brooded all through the night: ‘Gillespie, can you explain the meaning of what we heard pass between those two rascals, before leaving the boat?” | | ‘“Yes,” was the slow answer, with a side lance toward the brush hut, ‘‘ You remember bribed my guard to remove my irons and permit my escape, with you? It took all of m money, but I counted that a when be told me the plans of those arch fiends! They were to decide the possession of the women by play: ing cards for them—all save your daughter.” “But they spoke of some one winning her!’ > ‘That was a blind to prevent a cry of fa- re voritism. Her fate was decided before the- Water Witch left New Orleans!” “Then I was right in suspecting—” hesitated Ward, his face showing pale and deep lined in the growing light. x “You were,” slowly replied Gillespie. “TI would rather not tell all I heard from that man. Your daughter bas never been bond to me, though Heaven knows I would give my life ten thousand times over for one tithe the love she has lavished on that infernal scoundrel who thought to make h.r bis victim, through his lust for your wealth!” “There can be no doubt? May not the fellow | have lied?’ asked Ward, still loth to pve up all + Sew faith in the man whom he had both lovedand = respected up to a few days before. sorts “You heard what they said. That lawyer ‘EO JOO — *? % ’ m Cc Ss (Eo) 1 1}