Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 328 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

Another drink of whisky was administered, ‘ and then the second canteen of water was made use of, King Kent, a moment after, seemed to recover sufficiently to recall the near to mind. He gazed around upon the familiar faces, and then sprung to his feet, clapping his hands to his brow; while he turned, as on a pivot, star- ing upward, and scanning the border of bushes on all sides of the basin. His eyes, at length, rested upon his dead horse. Then all that had been cloudy seemed to become clear to him, He sprung to the side of Big Bill, c utching the arm of the giant bandit, and gazing wildly in his face; as he cried out, in a hoarse and un- natural voice: : ‘“* Bill, have you ever seen a ghost—a spook, an apparition?” The big bandit laughed heartily, yet there was that in his eyes which contradicted the laugh, and proved that he was superstitiously inclined. ‘*'Ya-as, I’ve see’d a heap on’em, Cap’; but they never hurted me. Why, hes yer bin chased by sperits? Spit out ther hull thing, boss! Hit’s a ormighty serious thing ter see sperits, an’ hey *em run yer. , ‘*Reckon yer critter gut a peep et ’em, er hit wouldn’t ha’ lunged over ther high bank, an’ killed hitself. Whar, in thunderation, yer bin meanderin’?’ King Kent released his hold on Big Bill and began walking back and forth, circling his arms wildly : while his gaze was fixed straight ahead as though he saw some dread sight, that filled him with horror. At length he halted, and again spoke, All his men had watched him with interest, and in silence—all greatly puzzled, and impress- ed, more or less superstitiously, by what they had heard, It was truly a wild scene. “‘Tve killed him! Dve shot Daring Dick!” thus yelled the bandit chief. ‘‘I shot him, and his body is now floating down the Brazos. But, for all that, he appeared to me in the timber riding his own horse, and his face was cover with Stood, ‘* He chased me, and a hundred demons shriek- ed in my ears, on the trail. I rode for my life! ‘What thall Ido to be rid of the spirit of Daring Dick? Can we not watch the river, re- eover the corpse, and burn it? Will not that lay the ghost? ig Bill stroked his beard reflectively. Perhaps there was not one of these outlaws, who not killed his man ina cowardly man- ner, and who had not been, in his i ination, haunted by his victim; consequently, there was not one to ridicule the assertions of either Big Bill, or King Kent. All believed that their captain had been chased by the ghost of his victim; they being all the more impressed with the idea, from the fact that they were all tapering off, after a long debauch. ‘*T reckon Darin’ Dick air catfish bait by this. He'd lodge onter some drift. Whar ‘bouts did yer plug him, Cap?”* ; ** About ten miles Bp the Brazos, ina bee-line. I’ve been riding wild, all over the country, since then.” ‘‘Then thar ain’t no use ter look inter ther drink arter him. He'll come slow, ef he doesn’t lodge. Reckon yer’ll hev ter levant outen this locate, ef yer’ve bin, an’ gone, an’ done hit. “Did he git a show ter pick triggers wi’ yer?” King Kent again began to pace up and down, being evidently taken aback by the question. e knew it would not do to assert that Daring . . Dick had fired at him, for he had no wounds to ‘show, and Dick was the crack shot of that sec- tion of the country. He also knew that he must confide in the out- laws, who had but recently chosen him as their leader. ) It would not do to deceive them in any single rticular. His whole future—yes, his very life—depend- ed upon their loyalty to . ; Never again would he dare show himself at home, or among the ranches of the Brazos and the Leon. He was now as much an outlaw as any in the band. : He had thrust his neck into the noose of a lariat, so to speak; and henceforth, outside of man’s hand would _ these es outlaws, aroy be turned against him. Under these circum- stances, there was but one course to pursue, He would bind the band to him, in every pos-: sible eo ; And King Kent was not without his plans in connection with Lola Landers. He realized that he must fly with the band of men who were around him, and who had placed their lives in his hands in the past, by trusting implicitly in him, even to the extent of choosing him as their leader. He would fly with the band, southward, to- ward the Rio Grande. But he would not give up the one dream of his lifs. Lola Landers should bear him company! -He-would abduct the maiden at once. The band were dissatisfied, he well knew. pon Back long been wishing to change the scene of their operations. King Kent. They would also want gold, when they reach- ed a point where they were unknown. He would rob his father, who, as he knew, had gold in plenty, buried in his cellar. His father, he never expected to see again. There was no love between them, and Kent must have gold, to bribe the men to do his per- sonal service. He now halted, crying out, at once: ‘* Boys, I shot Daring Dick from a thicket! I knew | had no show, if he once pulled on me, I am an outlaw! I have banished myself from home, and friends, and civilization, by the act of yesterday. ‘* We are all in the same box, and I propose to lead you toward Mexico, to new fields. But, first, I shall give you gold. Ill rob my own father, for you; then you'll help me corral old Landers’s daughter, and we'll be fixed. When this is done, we'll levant south,” Every sombrero was hurled into the air, and the basin rung with wild cheers for King Kent —for Captain Kent, the chief of the Basin Ban- dits!” A moment later, a low-browed, villainous- looking Mexican galloped into the basin, and was welcomed by a eA King Kent rushed to the Greaser’s side, cry- ing out, while all gathered around: ‘What do they say at the ranch, Antonio, about the absence of Daring Dick?’ ‘*Senor, Daring Dick is at Rancho Landers. I saw him walking with Senorita Lola!” Had a hundred-pound shell rolled into the basin and burst, killing all except himself, King Kent would not have been more amazed. He stood with his mouth agape for a moment, then, with grating teeth, he asked: *“ Antonio, are you sure of this?” ‘* Antonio both saw and spoke with Daring Dick.” ‘* When did he arrive from up the Brazos?” ‘* ‘When the sun was two hours from setting.” **'Was he alone?” ‘* No, senor.” ** Who, in Heaven’s name, was with him?” ** Turtle, senor, the Tonkaway.” ‘* By the fiends, I see it all now!” roared King Kent, clutching the whisky-bottle and drinking heavily from it. ‘‘ My bullet must have glanced. I was a fool—an infernal idiot! ‘** It was the Tonkaway’s yell I heard, and he saved Daring Dick from the river. He painted him up, and when I was crazed with liquor, caused him to a sg to me. ‘* By all the gods, this is terrible! It is worse than if I had really killed him. He'll blow on me, and Ill be run out of the country, or mar ph ** That infernal Dick will shoot me like a dog! But, by Heavens,no! I'll win the game yet. Antonio, Pll give as a hundred pesos to stam- pece the horses of Colonel Landers across the olorado to the San Saba.” ** Antonio will do it, Senor Capitan |” ‘* Hurrah; boys! That will cause Daring Dick to follow the stampede to recover the nags. Then we can abduct the girl, gallop to the San Saba, and corral Mr. Dick Robinson. ‘*T’ll make sure of him next time. You shall all have gold to-morrow, do you hear? J’ll rob Knowles Ranch to get it!” SS a the chasm resounded with wild cheers. isky was procured, and a general carouse was at once commenced, King Kent recovering, as the liquor stimulated his brain. CHAPTER IX. FEARS FOR THE FUTURE, AFTER the flight of King Kent from the Bra- zos river-bottom, Daring Dick and the Tonk- away rejoined each other; but the stoical Indian expressed not in any way the satisfaction he felt at the success of his scheme. ** Turtle,” said Dick, ‘‘ I would not be in that man’s place, and suffer the tortures of mind that he is enduring, for all the gold in the Rocky Mountains.” ** Drink heap brandy. Bad spirit-water make head wild. ebbe so take his own scalp.” ‘* He does seem to be in a state to commit sui- cide,” mae the young Texan. ‘But now, what shall [ do? I propose big wc 4 off my war- paint, and returning to the ranch. You must go with me; the colonel and Lola wish to see you. ‘* We will not say anything about King Kent's cowardly act at present. We must t see what he proposes to do. When he finds out that I am alive and unharmed, he will be too fright- ened to commit any more devilment for a time, I reckon, for fear I will expose him. ‘Tf I meet him in the company of others, I'll force him to fight; and I have no fears of the result. Ishall not kill him, but [ll maim him for life, in ment for his dastardly attempt to faect Hy ill you go with me to the ranch, Turtle ‘* Turtle will go to ranch,” was the laconic re- ply. Daring Dick then guided his horse up the river-bank, and proceeded to wash off the paint. The Tonkaway dismounted, allowing his mus- tang to graze on the wild rye, while he stood erect, and gazed into the waters. “What are you thinki about, my red @ “yghet inquired Dick, as he finished removing the paint. ‘* My white brother no like Turtle,” was the reply. ‘‘ Turtle have enemy, kill, scalp. King Kent bad white man, heap bad. King Kent like panther. Hidein tree. Jump down on my white brother. Comanche a bad, King Kent, he more heap bad. Waugh!” “You are right, Turtle, but lam not afraid of him. I know his real character now. But why do you bear such hatred toward the Co- manches? You must have good grounds for it.” The breast of the Tonkaway swelled outward, his breath came and went in long-drawn throes a look of fierce hatred flashed from his eyes, and his fingers clutched the handle of his scalping- ey as the bright blade shot from its sca ard. “Turtle have squaw, have pappoose. Turtle love squaw, love pappoose,” he exclaimed, with intense fire and fury. ‘‘ Turtle go hunt buffalo. Many warriors go. Come back to village when moon big. Goon hunt when moon small. ‘“‘Squaw gone. Pappoose, he gone. See Co- manche trail. Goon trail. Find torture-stake. Squaw dead. ag acs dead. Heap stones at stake. Stones all blood. Comanche stone mi ty Stone pappoose. Both dead. Both lose scalp. ™ Irhen Turtle call on Great Spirit. Great Spirit see what Comanche do. Turtle do what Great Spirit say. Look,”—pointing at the many scalps on his belt and leggins—‘‘ heap scalp here. Heap more on Comanche head. Turtle will have more. Belt must hang hcavy. *‘War-path open, always open. War-cry on Turtle lips. When sound de ath-yell, then no more scalp Comanche. It is good. Waugh!” As the chief ended, he gave the terrible war- whoop of his tribe; at the same time, circling his knife in his rig t, and his scalp-trimmed quiver in his left hand, around his plumed head. ‘*T do not blame you for your implacable ha- tred,” said Daring Dick, as he extended his hand; ‘“‘God knows you have been greatly wronged Mey pirates of the plains; and, if I ever ve a chance, I'll send a few bullets among them, on zor: account. I can never forget what you have done for me, and your noble friendship generally.” ‘““Daring Dick take care Turtle when Co- manche arrow in leg. Turtle no forget. M nite brother give Turtle gun ”"—pointing to his e ‘When Daring Dick have enemy, Turtle shoot, scalp. When my white brother say, King Kent die, Turtle kill with rifle. Kent my white brother enemy. King Kent ba as rattlesnake, bad as tarantula, ba pede. Waugh!” : . , my red pard; but I can do my own shooting, as you are well aware. Ill keep a sharp lookout for him hereafter, rest assured. But I fear him not. Indeed I do not believe he will remain in this section another day.” Little did Daring Dick think how greatly he would regret not taking the advice of the Turtle, and rid the earth of the miscreant who had at tempted his life. Little did he think of the an- ish of soul, the torture of both mind and y, that would be occasioned by this despica- ble villain. However, the words of the Indian seemed to have impressed the young man greatly, for he said but little after swimming the river; and the two friends sped over the plain, southeast, to Landers Ranch. Before reaching the ranch, a bright vision greeted them. This was Lola Landers, who rode out to meet them, upon a milk-white pony of most graceful build; the animal seeming to have been especi- ally created for its lovely mistress. ver the ice it sped, through grass and flowers; disturbing and distributing the per- fume of the leaves and buds, which filled the atmosphere with its fragrance. The fair girl was attired in a riding-habit, of some light fabric, a delicate shade of blue; and a pink sash was about her waist. Into this sash was thrust a small sized Colt’s revolver and a dagger—arms that seemed ill-fitted for such an angelic maiden. : ‘“*T am rejoiced to see you return so soon ” she said, addressing Dick; ‘tI did not expect until quite late. Why, you look fatigued!” Lola then urged her white pony to the side of the noble black steed of the Indian. | Both the latter and Daring Dick had halted. The neck of the Tonkaway’s horse was proud- ly arched, its black eyes glittering, and fixed upon the little steed of Lola Landers. No grander and more warlike tableau could well be imagined, than the Tonkaway upon his glossy ebon steed, thus surrounded. in all, the picture on the prairie, illumi- nated by the blood-red declin sun, framed in by verdure and various colored flow- ers, was one to entrance an artist, and chain the attention of the most stupid dolt in Christendom. P ahaik te light in Peaks es ante ae to = ee respect and regard, as she rcde side the chief, and placed her little hand in his eat bronzed palm, which was immediately ex- ded to her. saddle, until his eagle-plumes (ECO AMIE) SOKO) as centi- “S The Indian leaned over in his the pink (Ele)