Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

| Se teed a i ~~ ww @F Pras Sate Gay sé Ld ee to ee ee OS me oe = 78 =—s4 cv de a ee “ Wea ‘a Y rahe Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. passengers as to the distance they were from | the Water Witch, by rowing in a devious course, marked out the day before. By rowing little more than a mile, Devil’s Dick reached tke steamer, and running his boat alongside, he made it fast, tossing the crippled gambler on deck, scrambling after bim. ‘*Hand out the ladies first, boys,” he mut- tered, securing the painter tossed him, and then catching Drusilla as she was passed within reach, Horace Ward managed to reach the deck un- assisted, and when his trembling wife was poset out of the other boat, be caught her in is arms and carried her to the steps leading to the cabin-deck, followed by Drusilla. The three outlaws leaped on deck, and were starting after their chief, when a loud voice thundered: : : “Surrender, you devils! or we'll blow you through!” ~ With cries of amazement the Fresh-water Sharks turned, to behold a strong force of armed men rushing toward them, from behind the ranks of wood and from the engine-rooms. A howl of fury burst from the lips of Devil’s Dick, and he jerked a pistol from his belt, only to reel back with a snarling curse asa bullet. shattered his good right arm. “Hands up, or die!” repeated that stern voice. “It’s sure death, anyhow!” grated the des- ohh a flashing forth a long blade with his left and, and maple upon his enemies. ‘‘On’em lads! Cut your bigness through the hounds!” Rallying, the three Sharks drew weapons and followed their chief, with savage yells and curses, “Fire!” cried the leader of the enemy, dis- charging his own pistol when its muzzle almost touched the face of Devil’s Dick, who reeled back with a horrible screech of agony and baf- fled rage, sinking to the deck, but even then showing his wonderful nerve by casting his knife with deadly force full at the breast of his slayer. More by good fortune than aught of skill, it was warded off by the stout pistol-barrel. Then —the end came. And three men lay riddled with bullets beside their dead Chief! Trembling, terror-stricken, the Wards stood unable to fiee, staring at the wild melee. But then, with a glad ery, Drusilla darted forward and clung to the ne¢k of the man whose weapon _ laid Devil’s k low in death, as she sob- - Marcus, my love! At last—thank Heaven!” THE BUBBLE BURSTED. | ONCE more in the cabin’ of the Water Witch. Upon one of the sections of the long dining- table, a sort of couch bas been formed, and on this lies a man whose brows are damp with the dews of dissolution. A sheet, dotted here and there with dull red blotches, covers him to the chest, but one can see that underneath this he still retains his clothes, damp and muddy though they be. They can see that both sleeves of his shirt have been cut off close to the shoul- der; that the muscular right arm is swathed in bandages, lying by his side, inert and helpless; but the left! It is as though the same keen im- plement which amputated the sleeve, had taken its contents as well! And this crippled, dying man was Gideon Gil- spie! Beside him, cooling his fevered brow. moist- ening his parebed lips, hovered a e, sad- eyed woman in black. Bitterly as he had wronged her, bis sins were washed from her heart, if nob from her memory. While he lay dying, Rose Enright could only remember that be was her husband,only feel that she loved him now, no whit less than when he wooed and won her in the bright dawn of her woman- hood. ' “There is no hop 7 the gambler, bis sunk upon bh ‘a ‘‘None—save in Heaven,” was the softly whispered reply as she stooped and touched his lips with hers, then bastily averted her head, to hide the hot tears that leaped to her eyes, ‘The doctor said so from the first. There was only one chance—and that has failed us!” She spoke the trath, ‘There was a doctor among the passengers of the Water Witch, who, examined the crippled gambler, and found that while one arm mi ht pose le Rose?” faintly gas en eyes fixed wistfully ibly be saved, the other wasso frightfally shatcered that no earthly wer could save it. He frankly avowed his belief that the pa- tient would not survive an amputation; but it was the only chance of saving his life. The deed was done, and Gideon Gillespie was dying. - fe a brief space silence reigned after ber broken words, but en, more strength in his ton Ulespie u phere ‘So be it, then! I'll die white, if I have not always lived so, Call them, *—you know hom I mean.” They came speedily: Horace Ward, Drusilla : the arm of the manin whose ee beau her faith had never been otakare terribly convincing though the proof seemed t¢ er nst bim; and the captain of the Water _* f% on? 4 « Any oe ings § Tt 4 ° n ‘ - “a __* grief and appre Gideon Gillespie gazed from one to another, bis eyes resting longest on the face of Drusilla Ward, now sober and quiet, but even the im- pending presence of death could not entirely drive that look of supreme happiness and con- tent from her lustrous eyes, ideon Gillespie saw it, and a faint sigh heaved bis chest. But only for an instant. He felt a scalding tear drop on his forehead, and bis callous heart soft- ened as he glanced up and caught the look of in- tense woe which filled the face of his wife, Per- haps it was this that caused the dying sinner to soften the truth soit might fall more easily on her, poor}woman, It would be painful to follow his broken sen- tences; and nearly all that he said has alread been shadowed forth in these puges with sufi cient distinctness for the reader to trace the different threads to an end. Enough that he made’ full confession. He tutored Shaky Joe in bis charges against Mar- cus Dingeon, knowing that the young lawyer was to be waylaid and murdered that same night by two other tools of his. He wrote the letter that sent Rose Enright to claim her sup- sed husband, He it was who concocted the aring scheme by which the Water Witch was captured, and for his share of the Ss See be was to have the fortune of Horace Ward’s, and his daughter, He confessed to the attempted murder of Rose Enright, and of Marcus Dingeon, Slower grew his speech, and more indistinct, despite the stimulants which were given him by the doctor. And then, with one convulsive struggle, his spirit fled. Long before this, Marcus Dingeon had re- lated his strange story, sitting beside Drusilla, ber hand in his, her lustrous eyes watching his fave as though she could never satisfy her love —a love never more to be concealed! hye perf the story was well drawn out, but a brief outline must suffice in this connection. When Gideon Gillespie hurled him over the rail, the bullet which was intended to pierce his brain, simply cut a slight furrow across one temple, partially stunning the lawyer, the burn- ing powder shooting so close to his eyes that he believed them both shot from their sockets; and it was this horrible fancy that drew the cry of agony from his lis He sunk to the bottom, and waswhirled away by the rapid current for some little distance be- fore be could fight his way to the surface again, ironed as were his hands. Fortune befriended him. ‘The wild’ which he cast around as he rose, showed him a drifting tree, and,a skillful swimmer, it was comparatively easy for him to reach the sup- port, even with his hands fastened together. Climbing up on the tree, he lay balf-fainting,. And thus he drifted out of the overflow, and descended the river. Day dawned, and with it renewed hope, for far below him he caught sight of black smoke floating in the air, and an hour later was swing- ing a portion of his coat above bis head and shouting at the top of his voice to attract the attention of the men aboard the Flora Belle, They saw him, and a yawl was manned, the steamer veering aside to prevent his float being run down. And then, safe aboard, Marcus Dingeon hastily told his marvelous story. Fortunately be was well acquainted with one of the pilots, besides several of the passengers, else he might easily bave been set down as one whose brain was unsettled by the watery perils he had escaped after long endurance. ; He declared that he eould recognize the point where the Water Witch was taken into. the overflow, and it was decided to make up a strong force, composed for the most part of the passengers, all armed, and attempt the rescue of the stolen steamer and its human freight. And so it all came about! ; With a great sigh of relief, Marcus Dingeon recognized the mouth of the one-time creek, where he had so nearly looked his Jast on this world, and the Flora Belle was turned from the river into the overflow. She followed the creek fora mile or so, then came to a half, t ing up, while the armed volnnteers entered the boats and pulled briskly away on their mission, S Thanks to the canning scheme of Devil’s Dick to secure all of the rich plunder for bim- self, this was easily accomplished after the stolen steamer was once discovered. The pilots, who were among the party, knew that as yet there was not water enough in the overflow to float the Water Witch should she leave the channel of the creek proper; and by means of sounding, they progressed rapidly, They stole silently upon the vessel in the gray of dawn, to find its crew of Fresh-water Sbarks buried in a dragged and drunken sleep. Not a shot was fired, nor a blow struck in securing complete possession of the vessel, All were joyous, save Marcus Dingeon. He discovered the absence of his loved one, her parents, and Gideon ie. In vain he questioned the passengers, the prisoners, such of whom, at least, as he could sciousness, and he was half distracted with | , bension for her who was dearer 3 +e ; ve . Ps ‘ed (eet 4 ance Great Mississippi, is done, 29 far to him than all the world besides, when an eager voice announced the approach of two boats, one containing women. ' ASingle glance showed him that his ‘loved One was returning, and then the ambuseade wag formed which resulted in the death of Deyil’s Dick and his chosen comrades, —o ‘“*Fore de good Lawd! folkses, gimme drink ob whisky or somefing hot fo’ mix wid de mud- dy water cis ole niggah done p’izened hese’f wid fo’ de las’ six munts!” With a yell of horror Yellow Jack Tandy turned to flee from the dripping apparition which so suddenly popped its head above the deck-railing, but with natural clumsiness, hight- ened by superstitious dread, he fell headlong, kicking desperately as he yelled out his fright. With a chuckling groan, a wet weight alight- ed across bis b back, and he felt the shape of a cross being marked out be‘ ween his shoul- ders. Then a sepulchral voice uttered: *“‘Youmy meat, yalla boy! I wuk de rabbit-. foot on you!” ‘Moke Horner, by all that’s righteous!” “‘Des is, Marse Marcus!” ude the incubus re ee off from the sbivering yellow boy—. “What dey islef’ob him!” - Yellow Jack Tandy cautiously turned his head and took a keen look at the damp fig- ure that was grinning so broadly as Marcus Diugeon sbook his hands y, saying: ** You glorious old fellow! Miss Ward told me how gallantly you came to her aid, and I was pune cone in search of you, to revive or give your body Christian burial, if we were so unfortunate as to find you dead,’ Then it was no ghost—no unholy apparition! And so deciding, Yellow Jack Tandy leaped to his feet, snatched upa deck swab which lay near, swinging it over bis head as he cried: “Fore de good Lawd, niggah, I gwine mash. you’ mouf!” But Moke Horner simply raised his hand,. ert es potent rabbit-foot, and cried: 4 out, yalla boy! I done wuk de rab- bit-foot on you!” a Then, as Tandy dropped his weapon, the hoodoo ’coon caught him by the shoulders and waltzed him around the k, the grinni roustabouts looking on and joining Pout the: chorus to the wild song which Moke Horner chanted. - ‘ : There is no necessity for taking up more time and for this, our story of life on t While steam was being gotten up, and prep-. arations made for sparring the Water Witch off from the muddy shoal, Moke Horner briefly detailed his adventures. Faithful Yellow Jack Tandy, taking advantage: of the banging of Shaky Joe, cut the bonds w vindictive Purty Paddy and his fellow rough, Teddy Huke, had put upon the Boss Roustabout,. Moke had barely time to prec his stiffened limbs when he heard his enemies returning for’ him. He caught up the heavy iron bar, and when Purty Paddy bent over him with bis un- np Bp he sprung up and dealt those ter- rible blows, then dove overboard. Not aiml ly, for he knew that search’ would be made for: him by the friends of the dead men, and when he came to the surface, it was in one of the huge paddle-wheels, There he managed to hide, until the Water Witch was again moved on, i he hid bebind, clinging to the rudder- chains, He was there when Gideon Gillespie took off” the Ward family, and knowing him to be one of the chief conspirators, knowing that his loved Marse Marcus idolized the girl, e dropped into the water and followed the boat through its: windings, peme to scent the trail when be lost sight of the skiff. How he made his appear- ance on the island, has already been de 5 The shot tbat was fired as Devil’s Dick tore: Gideon Gillespie from bis bands, stunned him, glancing from his tough skull, eaviny him senseless for a full hour after. Then, feeling that he must get out of the overflow or perish, he caught a floating log, and the current soon: carried him within sight of the Water Witch, A few minutes reconnoitering convinced him that the reign of the Fresh-water Sharks had ended, and he swam silently to the steamer, to: surprise and scare Yellow Jack Tandy. The Water Witch was taken back from the- overflow, and once more plowed its way up: the Mississippi. Its adventures were over for’ that trip, and in due time St. Louis was reached without further incident of special interest to the general reader. Rose Gillespie went with the: | Ward family, but she did not remain with them long. She grew paler and weaker, and on the. day sudsceding te wedding of Marcus Dingeon. and Drusilla, she closed her eyes forever. | Mrs. Ward gradually recovered her health, and lived long enough to pet and spoil more. than one curly-headed grandcbild. And the Mississippi river never more knew the Boss Roustabout. He, and Yellow Jack Tand tablishment of the Dingeons. THE END. m ¥s (e , became fixtures in the comfortable es~ __ boo as | \ , J . . . . ha a Yas : § é