Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 339 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 kin spread the eagle a bit, when they ain’t no need o’ stickin’ to business; but you know, too, that I don’t brag fer the sake o’ makin’ folks think me a notch higher up then I raally stan’. ‘*Go ’mongst them who’s got the best right to know, an’ ax ’em who’s the boss hide-hunter now on the range, sense you've drawed out 0’ the business. Ten to one they’llsay 1 be. That his is so, I stand ready to uphold, let who will buck aginst it. An’ claimin’ that I’m the Boss 0 the Range, I tell you calmly an’ in dead airn- est, the next to me comes Jes’ Purchass; the very critter you’ve bin tryin’ to ride over rough- shod. Isay it ag’in, he’s the second best man on the range.” ‘* Allow me to correct you, my dear sir,” ut- tered a cool, musical voice, and Sa Leo advanced, smiling carelessly, a veritable plains Adonis. ‘If Mr. Purchass stands one notch be- low you, his proper number is third, not second, since | I have the honor of holding premier posi- tion.’ ‘* Premium physician be—blowed!” blurted the giant, with a contemptuous snort. ‘I said man an hide-hunter.” ‘* And I repeat, in plainer terms, for your es- ial benefit, Mr, 5 hg Kagle Sam,” lightly aughed Laughlin, ‘‘that J am the best man and most skillful hide-hunter on the range this day! You may be second, or you may fall back to third position in favor of your friend and partner, Mr. chass, if you like his reputation better than your own.”’ : Morris Kirkendall had been sharply stung by the desertion of his old-time pupil in favor of the young man whom he derided, and gare? at the chance of getting even thus offered, Stump- ing forward and grasping Laughing Leo’s hand, he cried, eagerly: ‘‘Ef you kin make your word good—ef you kin take ’em both down a peg, critter, ax me fer anythin’ I kin give ye, an’ it’s yourn that very minnit!” ‘There is only one reward I covet, Mr. Kir- kendall.” ‘* Win the right to ax it—beat ’em both blind, the boy in petick’lar—an’ what you ax is yours!’ ** Even if I ask for your most precious treas- ure?” uttered Laughing Leo, his blue eyes all low with eager earnestness, ‘‘ Even if I ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage?” ** Even that, ef you win the match, far an’ squar’!” cried the trader, blinded by his un- reasoning gg Until now, Luada, though suffering as only a true, modest, sensitive maiden can suffer under like circumstances, had remained near, dreadin to take such a decisive move as to flee withou the age of herirate parent. But this was the last feather, and her face flaming, her eyes flashing, her voice ringing out in just indigna- tion, she confronted them with: 7 Never! Not even a father can force me into such a shameless contest! Never shall the match be made with my consent!” She covered her face with her hands, turned and hurried back to her tent, closing the flap behind her. Morris Kirkendall scratched his head with a half-shamed airas he stared after her. He mut- tered: ‘* Durned ef I didn’t ferget she was nigh. But no matter. You've ft my word, younker, an’ it’s my bond. Beat Sam an’ the squirt ina far trial at buffler, one single stand, an’ come to me fer your winnin’s, You'll git ‘em, dead sure!” Laughing Leo warmly shook the extended hand to close the strange compact, then turned to Spread Eagle Sam with a cool, business-like air that made the trader chuckle and rub his hands together in approval, ‘*'You and I make claims to the same title, Mr. Ingalls, and as neither one is likely to take water in favor of the other until absolutely compelled to do so, let’s see if we can’t hit on a plan to set- tle the dispute, now and forever.” Spread Eagle Sam met his smiling gaze fora moment, then slowly shook his head. A dark flush came into his bronzed face, and the tremor which unsteadied his voice told how hard and bitter it was for him to utter the words, but his native eae and true manhood lent him the strength needed. ** ‘You hearn what she said, critter? She don’t like the idee o’ bein’ sot up like a beeve fer the best shooter to take in pay. I don’t see my way cl’ar to any ’rangement.” ‘*T will stake five hundred dollars against ge position as chief of this x , the result ne i upon the number of buffalo we can each kill in a single stand. If I lose, the money belongs to you, and you will never again be troubled with the sight®of my face. If I win, you are to either hunt up another place, or take a situation under me, as my best man. What do you say to this offer, Mr. Ingalls?’ ** She said no,” hesitated Sam, frowning. ** But you will say yes, my dear fellow,” ] ughed is rival, softly. ‘‘If you persist in declining my offer—fair enough, as even you must admit—lI will publish it far and wide that the brag hide-hunter of the range took water! That he was afraid to risk his laurels in open competition with a novice—a greenhorn who never shot a buffalo for money in all his life!” ‘* An’ sign your name to if as a dirty liar!” | Spread Eagle Sam. nS nnn nnn nen ee ca ETE nT SSynI Ey ett LL A LLL EE cried Spread Eagle Sam, with his face that of one pushed beyond endurance. The laugh fied from the face of his rival, and hands moved toward the weapons at their belts; but Morris Kirkendall pushed between them, his own pistol out and cocked, his voice ringing out harshly as he grated: ‘““Ef they’s any shootin’ to be done, Ill do it, critters! ‘etch a weepon, an’ by all that’s holy! Tl riddle ye!” Laughing Leo was the self, and with a light laugh he said: ‘*Your servant, Mr. Kirkendall. I promise not to shoot, even if Spread Eagle does show his claws.” ‘* Sam, you heathen!” and Kirkendall turned upon him, coaxingly. ‘‘ You’ve got to meet him as he says, fer the honor o’ the craft! Beat him, an’ ’ll make the same promise to you—” “Do give me whatever I ax, to do with as I like?” eagerly muttered the giant hide-hunter. *On my sacred word, Sam—Luada herself, if you like!’ ‘** Done—with all-two-both o’ ye!” cried the hunter, his eyes glowing, a grim smile on his bronzed face. ‘‘ Your tarms suit’ me plen good enough, critter,” to Laughing Leo. “Ef you beat me, Pll skin out an’ spread the news that a new king hes come onto the range, an’ Spread Eagle hes to hunt a new nest.” “Thanks,” and Laughing Leo bowed. “ As I am new to the business, will you arrange all matters, Mr. Kirkendall?” rst to recover him- CHAPTER XIV. A MAN OF MAGNETISM. “You couldn’t pick out a better man, ef they was a hull rijiment afore ye, stranger,” vigor- ously nodded Spread Eagle Sam, all traces of doubt or ill-humor vanishing from face and tones. ‘‘ An’ sence it’s to be jes’ a fa’r, squar’ tug atween you an’ me, fer the best mar to come out on top, I move we putt the hull a’fa’r into his hands, an’ let him make all ’range- ments fer the two-both on us. What say?” ‘** Nothing could suit me better, my dear fel- low,” replied Laughing Leo, with a cordial nod. ‘* Tl take the ’sponsibility on one condition,” said the veteran hide-hunter, speaking seriously. ‘** They’s too good stuff in both o’ ye fer either one to gitcroaked by tother. J’ine han’s an’ say you'll fergit all this spit-spattin’. Give your words as men an’ honest hide-hunters that, let the trial go which way it will. you won’t nuther 0’ ye lay up a hot gru aginst the other. Do it, an’ mean it, too, or durned ef I don’t swaller every word I’ve spit out an’ ’clar’ the offer off!” ‘Your wish is sufficient, withohit that terri- ble threat, Mr. Kirkendall,” said jeugaing Leo, smiling frankly as his gaze wandered from one to the other. bloody chasm, I am willing to ask the gentle- man’s pardon for my blunt words of a few min- utes since. It was purely parliamentary lan- e, and having gained my point—that of a air meeting on an open field—I am willing to have it expun from the record.” Spread Eagle Sam shook his head doubtingly, his honest face lighted up by a broad smile, his voice brisk and frank: ‘You cain’t prove it by me! I reckon it’sall right, fur ’s that goes, but whether you're talk- in’ Low Dutch or high Jarman, it’s *~way up fer my grade o’ schoolin’.” ‘** You kin rest gg’ Sek your int’rusts is in my han’s, I reckon, ,’ and Morris Kirken- dall, apparently in high good-humor with him- self and all around him, slapped the giant pat- ronizingly on the shoulder. ‘The younker means as how he on’y brustled up so ferce to make you come down from the high hoss Beau- ty-bird pitched you onto. He wanted a match, an’ he tuck the shortest road to git thar—see?” ‘* And whether he comes out first or last, he hopes to win and retain the good-will of Spread Eagle Sam,” softly added ughing Leo, with his most genial smile as he held out his hand. The huge hide-hunter grasped it with honest fervor, his blue eyes glowing through their many-hued settings, his voice cordiality itself: ‘Ef you don’t deal in hoodoo, it gits me! Here you come ‘cross my path, kickin’ up the devil’s own delight without ay, yes, or no. You run contrairy 0’ my pard, doin’ the best you know how to putt his nose out o’ jint. You rub mud all over me. You knock me west- eend-an’-crooked with them wimmen-arms an’ babby-han’s o’ yourn. You set me an’ the boss chompin’ our teeth at eachother. An’ then you smile an’ laugh an’ say ef we'll be good boys, you'll fergive us. An’ the most cur’ous part o the bull thing is that I’m jes’ durned fool enough to cain’t holp doin’ what ye want!” ‘‘In other words?’ smiled Laughing Leo. “Thar she am—the paw of a man that hes on’y one face fer his fri’nds, an’ one face fer his inemies.” ‘‘ And Tam classed among the former, I trust!” ‘‘Sart’in! Ef not, it’s the back o’ the han’ an’ that han’ a fist that you’d git from me. I like ye—I cain’t ey iti You've got a way that’s more s’archin’ then a dose 0’ quicksilver. You jump right into a critter’s heart, whether he wants to see you thar or no. But mind e, frind; Jes’ is my one pard, fer all, an’ ef I rr mss Se i —SSSSSSSSSSSSeSeSeSEeeseENN"n__r_ CL a beat ye in this match, you needn't look fer me to hold my han’ beca’se I say I like ye.” ‘*Nor would I accept any such favor,” was the prompt reply. ‘‘AsI mean to do my level best, so I expect you to bring all your resources into play. is is no idlerivalry; it is for more than life or death!” “Of all the windy critters!” sniffed the im- tient trader, adding with a mock surprise: ‘What! you ain’t come to a campin’-place, hev e?” ‘* And waitin ou to catch up, Mr. Kir- kendall,” said ughlin, with a soft laugh. > Wie Eagle yr myself fully understand each other, now, and we are ready and eager to hear your final decision.” ‘“-You, too, Sam?” ‘*T’m in your han’s all over, boss.” ‘All right. Now lis’en to the peppergram as I’ve laid it out fer your ’proval or disa’proval.” ‘* Of course hides ain’t quite in thar prime, as it, the season hes hung off so ’markably; but this hunt is fer somethin’ heap more ‘portant then hides. Fer that reason, the trial shell come off jes’ as soon as we kin find the bulls to work for n. ‘*The bet shell be decided by the work done on one day fer the each o’ you. They’s to be on’y one stand fer each man, an’ that stand begins the minnit he fires his fu’st shot. Ontel he fires that shot, he ain’t obleeged to take that bunch, nur to shoot the trial from that kiver. He kin go whar he likes, an’ take all the time he wants, jes’ so he makes his score in the da sot fer him—twixt sun an’sun. But when his fu’st shot is fired, all’s to oo as she lays, onless the other critter comes foul play onto him. In a case like that, the jedge kin use his own jedg- ment; give the match to the man fouled, or set another time fer him to hev another trial. “Tl send out the men right off to see whar the big herd is feedin’, an’ when thar signals o” diskivery is see’d, afore we kin say anythin’ *bout the lay o’ the ground or sech-like, you'll draw lots to see which man shoots fu’st. The other will take his chainces the next day. ‘* Them’s my idees, boys; what think of ’em?” ‘* They kiver the bull’s-eye a foot deep!” ‘* Tf Spread Eagle is satisfied, I am.” ‘Then that settles it!” and Morris Kirken- dall began stumping toward camp. ‘I'll git the men out scoutin’, I’m red-hot all over to see the fun!” ** Reckon you'll find my lads hes the best idee whar to do the lookin’, boss. Ef you like to send them, they’re at your sarvice.” ‘*Start em out, then, while I git the rest afoot.” ‘*Come along an’ see that I don’t play ye no dirt, mate,” Spread Eagle Sam said to Laugh- ing Leo, who smilingly shook his head as he re- “Tf it will help to bridge the | plied led: ‘‘T’'m not afraid to trust you, Sam. When you get down to playing dirt, I'm ready to leave the world and climb a tree!” He laughed, smiled, bowed, then moved leisurely away to the spot where his magnificent: black horse was standing. The herculean hide-hunter watched him for a. brief space, slowly shaking his head, a puzzled light in his big blue eyes. ‘*It’s hoodoo—it must be hoodoo! They ain’t no other way to ’splain how he kin git over me, like he does! Thar’s little Jes’, my pard. His hull soul an’ body’s sot on the ole man’s gal. Ef he cain’t git her, he'll do bloody murder to hisself or somebody else—that’s dead sure! He *pends on me fer clappin’ a i pa over this: critter, an’ as his , ’m boun’ to do my level best. But—durned ef I don’t ketch my fool’ self wishin’ that the laughin’ critter may come out top o’ the heap! It’s hoodoo—it cain’t be nothin’ else !” Nor was Spread Eagle Sam the only person who remarked that peculiar magnetism exer- cised by Laughing Leo over all with whom fate brought him in contact. Though the afternoon was pretty well spent, such was the ardor of all concerned that ib was decided best for the men who could be best spared from the ope the set out at once in quest of the ‘‘ big herd,” which the hide-hunters knew was somewhere in their neighborhood, though none of the party as yet had seen the drove. As already mentioned, each hide-hunter proper, has two men assigned him, whose duty t is to skin his game and take care of the hides until they are fit to be ‘‘ baled.” The “ skinners” attached to Spread Eagle Sam’s party, were divided into two bands, and each party was then busied in building a dug-out at widely separated points along the regular range of the bison, for successive use as head-quarters when the hcrd should work further to the south. All this was by no means the regular rule with even the best appointed hide-hunters, but: the season was so backward that they had ample time for use, and Spread Eagle Sam felt that there was little sense shown in roughing it when one might as well be comfortable. An experienced hide-hunter can—or could, be~ fore his occupation became a thing of the past— almost unerringly mark out the route of the “big herd,” and even point out their position with marvelous accuracy for any week in the season, for months in advance. Of course, im (E(0) EOMNMUCEL MOO KS