Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 339 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

ns ae Spread Eagle Sam. 21 lie to the old man ef he was to ax you did you holp me in anythin’. It won’t do no harm to say you toted a bag o’ salt, fer that don’t count. But ef he was to ax you did I try anythin’ else, you kin say with a free conscience that you don’t know—fer you don’t !” ‘‘ You think it will help you to-morrow?” “Ef not, would I take so much trouble?” grinned Sam. ‘‘ You watch the head of the coulee to-morrow, Jes’, an’. ef ye don’t see me drop the boss o’ the herd right on that bar’ spot o’ sile, you kin eat me fer a sucker!” He would say no more on that point, but he spoke freely enough regarding the salt. ‘¢- You see the critters ‘ll some on ’em come fer water. As they git thar fill, they'll set to pick- in’ the nighest grass, They'll taste the salt, fol- fer up the trails, lickin’ all the way, an’ when they find them holes packed full—waal, it won’t be no little thing that kin drive ’em away from thar, Jes’!” Removing their animals to a fresh een ga place, the two men put up their pipes, freshenec the fire, rolled themselves up in their blankets, and with their saddles for pillows, they lay down with their feet toward the fire, and lapsed into a silence that speedily became sound slum- ber, CHAPTER XVI. THE EAGLE SETS A COPY FOR THE LION. BriGuHT and early the two hide-hunters were afoot in the morning, and a grim chuckle broke from the yellow-bearded lips of Spread Eagle Sam as he held up one hand to detect the direction of the wind. ‘‘Score one fer our side, Jes’, at the fu’st jump-off!” he _ cried, in § ‘*The wind couldn’t be better for the work I done las’ night nur yit more ’commodatin’er fer the critters as 11 want to watch the style a ginewine, skientific workman sots about pilin’ up the bales as com- mon truck scores single hides!” But Jesse Purchass hardly heard or understood a word he said, his whole attention being given to the dull, confused sounds which came to their ears from the direction of the plain. There was the heavy trampling of thousands of hoofs, the bellowing of as many deep voices, with other sounds not readily beg by a novice, — A savage curse hissed through his grating teeth. ‘*They’re stampeding! That laughing devil has played usa foul trick! I know it!” Spread Eagle Sam only laughed with double heartiness as he Jed the way over to the point from whence they had first viewed the big herd on the evening before!” . ‘** Does that look like a full-blowed stompede, es’?” Not very much! The plain was fairly alive with the hump-backed beasts, from the furthest point the human eyes could command, clear u to the margin of the pond. And near the h of the little coulee, where Spread Eagle Sam had laced his mysterious bait, a number of the argest, fiercest bulls were pawing and stamp- ing, routing and fighting like so many hairy de- mons gone mad! ‘“Itd be better fun then a circus, jes’ to watch them fool’ critters fightin’ over nothin’ but a smell,” chuckled the huge hide-hunter, as he drew back and took Jesse Purchass with him, ‘‘ They'll keep it up jes’ as well without as with us, an’ in the eend you'll find the boss o’ the gang standin’ thar with his ha’r on eend a ig; 0’ them he’s whipped out standin’ all round, like coyotes watchin’ a timber gray.” ‘If they were only here!” muttered Jesse, frowning. ‘‘If you could only begin work on them right off! Before they can get up here, the chance may be gone forever!” ut” ‘**Don’t you think it, Jes’. The boss ain’t so turrible fur away as you mought reckon; he made them ole mules hump themselves ontel it got too dark to see straight, I’m bettin’ big money. He'll hev’em on the tight trot long afore we kin git our grub down an’ a campin- lace picked out, don’t you skeer. He’s jes’ as ungry fur the fun as you be.” The handsome young hide-hunter made but a slim meal that morning, and noticing his grow- ing uneasiness, Spread Eagle Sam took pity on him and said: ‘‘Straddle your critter, Jes’, an’ go meet the boss. I'll hunt up a safe campin’-eround, an’ meet you fur enough off so the big herd won’t take the skeer ” He was as good as his word, and before the sun crossed the meridian, Morris Kirkendall and his party were snugly in camp. ‘* They’s time enough atween now an’ sunset, Sam,” decided the veteran umpire, With a know- ing squint at the sun. ‘‘ You'll take your turn jes’ as soon as you like—but ef you fire a shot afore we-all git good an’ fixed #0 see the fun, Pl take you ‘crost my knee an’ make you think they’s a bum’lebee’s nest broke loose right thar— you hear me !” ‘‘ Time a-plenty, boss,” laughed the Hercules, with a half-malicious glance toward Laughing Leo, who stood within easy hearing. ‘’Tain’t like I was buckin’ ag’inst you, or some other ‘sperienced hunter, ye know. No need o' m ili’ up more’n a couple or three hundreds, this ut, 1 don’t reckon!” —_ a **'You want to do your level best, Sam,” and Morris Kirkendall frowned darkly. ‘Ef i ketch either one 0’ you boys like ye was throwin’ | off, durned ef I don’t wipe up the hull -perayrie with your karkidges—so thar!” All parties were too oeey interested in the result to think of waiting for a regular dinner, and Luada had packed up some cold victuals in a basket, which she gave to Jesse Purchass to carry. Spread Eagle Sam had told the young | hide-hunter to act as guide to the party, taking them to the point where the big herd had been first sighted. He, himself, remained behind to make a few final preparations. Jesse Purchass quickly performed the duty as- signed him, and without exposin | | In addition he carried his usual armory of knife and revolvers, though this was probably more through habit than from any idea of using them that day. Morris Kirkendall, Luada and Laughing Leo were supplied with glasses through which they could note the slightest action of the hunter as he entered the coulee and crawled silently tc- ward his chosen ‘“‘stand.” And it is probable that never before in the history of hide-hunting did a man enter the lists with as many or fer- vent prayers silently sent up for his complete success in his venture. Breathlessly they watched his advance, cast- ing occasional] hasty glances at the nearest buf- themselves | faloes to see if any of them betrayed uneasiness too fully, the party were soon eagerly watching | or signs of suspecting the presence of their the interesting scene below. The plain was fairly alive with the shag animals, and where Sam had planted his salt, the buffaloes were crowded as close together as their sizes would permit. On the opposite side of the coulee, a mammoth bull was slowly pacing back and forth, pausing now and then to paw the earth, or with out- stretched head utter a low, threatening bellow as though in ‘fe defiance to the other bulls ranged around him, though at a respectful dis- tance. The pote was torn and trampled. The monarch of the herd bore gaping wounds in his sides and shoulders, freshly inflicted, while many of those around him were as badly or even worse marked. It was clear that there had been | a tremendous fight going on, ending in the suc- cess of the hairy ea § Morris Kirkendall took all this in at a single lance, and there was a malicious twinkle in his little gray eyes as he turned toward Laughing Leo, who stood with carelessly folded arms just behind Luada, ‘** It’s goin’ to be a monstrous hard job Sam’ll cut out fer you, critter! I never see things laid out more convenient in all my ’sperience, an’ Sam is jes’ the lad who kin turn ’em all to mighty good ’count, now J tell ye!” There was a light, mellow laugh, singularly free from anxiety, considering how much was at stake, and Laughing Leo said: ‘With the single exception of yourself, my dear sir, there lives no man by whomI would rather be defeated than by Spread Eagle Sam. But the odds are too heavily against the gallant | fellow. As the champion of beauty,” with a | aceful bow to Luada, ‘‘my defeat is absolute- ly impossible!” An angry flush lea into the face of the maiden, and as her k eyes rkled with mingled dislike and annoyance, she spiritedly exclaimed: ** Self-elected, then, Leo Laughlin, for most certainly I did not select you as my champion. I pin my faith on honest, true heart of gold, Sam Ingalls! As for you—may your defeat be as great as your assurance!” ith a mock courtesy Luada slipped around to the other side of her father, who chuckled heartily at the sharp reproof administered to the man whom he hardly knew whether he liked or hated the most heartily. And in this delight, he failed to notice the fact that Luada was now | close beside Jesse Purchass—or that neither of the youngsters seemed annoyed beyond endur- ance by that singular chance! Spread Eagle Sam came yg Physi at that emer- gency, and thus Laughing Leo was spared the trou "3 of making any reply to that cutting speech, ‘Waal, boss, how is it?” carelessly inquired the huge hide-hunter. ‘ You satisfied with the Yat # things look? Ef you be, I reckon it’s pritty nigh time I was gittin’ down to work.” ‘So fur’s I kin see, it’s all squar’,” was the de- liberate response. ‘‘Onless t’other critter hes some objections, you kin wade in as soon’s you’re a mind to, Sam.’ ‘* No objections, and only one word to say,” uttered Laughing Leo in answer to the inquir- ing glances cast toward him. ‘‘ Do your level best, Spread Eagle. I don’t want to win through a fluke or anything like a walk-over.” Sam grinned, cordially putting out his hand. ‘* Tt’s a p’izen pity they cain’t both o’ us come out on top o’ the heap, lad, but it’s age afore beauty, this bout!” He was the very beau ideal of a hide-hunter, as he turned away to gain the shallow coulee, by means of which he expected to steal within easy range of the buffalo. As before mentioned, his garb was of a dead- grass color, fitting his magnificent frame close- ly, yet permitting perfect freedom of limbs and body. Over his skull was drawn a tight cap which came down to his eyebrows. Around this was fastened a mass of sunburnt hair, taken from the summer head of an old buffalo bull, and so arranged as to closely resemble an uncropped bit of bunch-grass. He bore his favorite rifle, called after its in- ventor, Christian Sharpe, of New Jersey. It was one of the latest models, and at that date the prime favorite with nearly every profes- sional hunter, though since in a great measure gone out of fashion and favor. About his waist he carried a double belt of } ) ] ! ' ) feared enemy ; but the closely-packed ranks near the pond continued to lick the cunningly-baited ound, and the monarch of the herd across the ead of the coulee still paced his self-appointed beat, uttering his savage defiance, watching and watched by his defeated rivals. And then—a puff of light-blue smoke shot out from the withered grass, and the huge bull dropped slowly to his knees as though, weary with his parade, he was seeking renewed vigor through sleep! A subdued report came to the thrilling ears of the watchers among the rocks, and with fiercely-beating hearts they looked to see if the other buffaloes had taken the alarm. But there were no cigns of affright. The shot was not noticed in that confusion of sounds; of clatter- ing hoofs and clashing horns, of bellowing, paw- ing, routing brutes, in play or fierce earnest; neither the little puff of smoke nor the report caused the slightest alarm. And a low cry of grim exultation came to the fips of Morris Kirkendall as he turned and glared into the smiling, handsome countenance of Laughing Leo. ‘*Good boy, Sam! Thar goes the fu’st shot, an’ the head o the big herd is laid out cold as a stone. The Eagle’s gwine to fly mighty high this trip, critter!” ** The higher the better,” was the laughing re- sponse. ‘‘ Ay! though he flies high enough to rch on the apex of the sun, the lion shall pull m down and pluck out his choicest plumes to crown the queen of beauty with!” ‘Of ali sounds, the most disgusting to my mind is the idiotic howl of the wind blowing in and out of an empty whisky-flask!” cruelly ob- se ved Luada, in a tone quite loud enough to meet the hearing of the one who had pa her such a neat compliment but an instant before. | Jesse Purchass laughed softly; Morris Kirken- dal] fairly snorted; Panening Leo smiled as placidly as though he utterly failed to read the riddle. And then another faint report from the distant coulee drew the eyes and thoughts of every one back to Spread Eagle Sam and his fortunes. Having disposed of the proven head of the herd, the one who, by virtue of his important position, is ever on guard against danger, and whose slightest note or symptom of suspicion is enough to set the vast body in motion, while an additional bellow from the same source would set them off in a wild stampede that naught could stop until wearied nature gave out, Spread Eagle Sam knew that the most difficult and deli- cate portion of his work was done. Still, he was too experienced to throw away the slightest chance, even had there not been so much at stake upon his performance that day. He selected his second victim, one of the bulls on the outer edge of the circle, and sending the heavy plug of lead direct into the little spot of short hair behind the foreleg, where the point of the shoulder-blade had worn it almost bare, he chuckled beneath his breath as his second buf- falo sunk to its knees, with a faint, tired bellow It is a curicus fact, but none the less true, that the surviving members of a gang of buffalo will stand stupidly watching the death-struggles of their fellows, showing no signs of alarm at the - rifle reports, paying no heed to the warm scent of flowing blood, while even a severely wounded animal will do no more than plunge and prance around a little without any attempt at flight, so long as they fail to catch the wind of the bunter, istinctly see hgs person. And now, though the blue smoke rose distinctly above the or do not head of the coulee at each shot fired by Spread agle Sam, the dull-witted creatures did no more than cast an occasional wondering glance in that direction, while, in more than one in- stance, an unburt brute would advance to a dy- ing fellow, smelling of the life-blood as it stream- ed from the d.. -h-wound, thrusting out its clumsy neck and almost reversing its flexible nostrils as it uttered a lazy bellow! As bullet after bullet sought and found a vic- tim, Laughing Leo smiled less and less blandly as his interest increased, and he watched the steadily growing list of dead buffaloes which Spread Eagle Sam was placing to his credit, with something like that dark, troubled light in his blue eyes. And Luada, noticing this, smiled and pinched the arm of Jesse Purchass in silent rt ag } P j an And Morris Kirkendall! He wri squirmed so constantly that he could msg e leather, filed with cartridges, handy for use. keep his glass to bear on the slaughter. Ss) (E(@) Re