Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 394 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

ya - a: * art “, at > . ts oo « . x. a ? wx faa *er ‘a 8 at AS he ae 2 Exile ° 1 - od * °.397? * - ¢ al ** _ White Beaver, the Se ES ee ee a ee Ee ee ee ea ee ee eee ee ee) ee Le a oer oe —— ee —_— —-—- = skill; but, if the men felt their chiet was out of | Upon his knives, rather than upon his two re- danger, they v.ovld act to suit themselves, and |; volvers, did Dead Knife Jim more thoroughly Captain Kit would not weep over the surgeon’s | rely. loss. | Ina combat he always used his knives, where It was this knowledge that put Frank Powell | it was possible to do so, and could throw them at bay, there in the outlaw bivouac, for his mind | with wonderful precision to a great distance. was made up to bring the matter to a climax! He enjoyed the reputation in the band of right there. | having killed two of his comrades in a duel, The outlaws had not expected such a fearless | where they used a revolver and he his knife, front from the Doctor Scout under the cireum- | and this had gained for him the name of Dead stances, and stood still, not knowing what to do. | Knife Jim. As for Van, he was anxious to push matters, | __As for conscience he never had possessed any but he saw that h: woz ld not live to see the end- | his pards said, and he would kill a wounde ing, as the Doctor had him safely covered. | man without the shadow of compunction, while “Well, men, you see what I am going to do _ his greed for gold was a passion, about it,” said Frank Powel, breaking the si-; Such was the man whom Van, the outlaw, lence that was growing oppressive. had bribed to strike Doctor Powell in the back, ‘Yas, yer looks dangerous, Doc, an’ ef yer | and who had so promptly accepted the gold and shoots, then yer may ’spect thet ter be ther | the task. trumpet ter sound ther jubilee, fer ther sojers| The shot of the Doctor Scout brought the out- will rush in on one side, Injuns on t’other, and laws to their senses, and, in spite of watching then ef ther cirkis hain’t opened, I am a liar,” | the bold man who confronted them, they turn- ed anxious glances quickly toward the soldier and Indian camps. But the Doctor had begun hostilities, and he was ready to meet the consequences. ‘*My fine fellow, I give you your life, but leave my mark on you, for that arm will have to come off,” said Frank Powell, calmly, and the wounded man cried savagely in response: ‘Tf I loses my arm, I'l hev your life, Scout Doctor; you kin bet on thet.” “Well? lose it you will, and I'll take the chances on your killing me. ‘*As you threaten me, I see I did wrong not to kill you, instead of breaking your arm. ‘* But come, the soldiers and the Indians are making no show of an advance, although the shot alarmed them, so let me look to your wound, my man.” Dead Knife Jim was standing, surrounded by his pards, and his left hand was grasping the shattered arm, while, in spite of his nerve, groans burst through his shut teeth. The words and manner of the Doctor seemed to completely master him, and he made no Savage response, as his comrades expected he would. ‘You must let me look at your arm, for I pledge you. that you will lose your life with that broken bone.” ‘*How does yer know ther bone are broke?” asked the outlaw, with a twinge of pain, ‘*T shot to break the elbow and I did it,” was the reply, and the Doctor Scout laid his hand gently upon the shoulder of Dead Knife Jim, while he continued: ‘**Come, I shot your chief, and have got him doing well, so let me repair the damage I have done you, as far as lies in my power.” ‘*By Heaven, but I'll do it, for I believes you is squar’, an’ w’u’dn’t cut even my arm off on- less it hed ter be did, **Thar’s ther arm, Doc, or what yer hes left 0’ it, so jist see ef yer kin patch it up, but ef yer can’t, jist nip it off clean an’ give ther bone ter ther coyotes ter pick.” With a touch as tender as a woman’s, Doctor Powell cut the sleeve of the hunting-shirt and examined the wound. A very short time was sufficient to show him that he had been right in bis conjecture, that the limb would have to be taken off. ‘*My man, I shall have ta amputate your remarked Old Joe. ‘‘ The chances are more in my favor if I do bring on the terrible conflict, than if I go with you ironed ond helpless, ‘¢Come, shall it be war right here, or shall I g)a free man, bound only by my word no to attempt to escape until your captain is out of danger? ‘Speak quick, men,‘or your comrade there dies, for my finger itches to pull the trigger upon him,” Tne manly bearing of the Surgeon Scout won the admiration of the outlaws, evilas they were, cnd well knowing that they would not stand the le st chance if a triple fight was precipitated, and beheving that he was a man to keep his word, several said: ‘** Pards, let’s let np on ther Doc,” ‘What does you say, Van?’ asked Old Joe. The answer came with alacrity, for Van was in danger greater than all: ‘**T will side with you, boys.” ‘* Enough; but let me warn *you that as your chief makes me the leader until you are out of this difficulty, I will ailow no interference from any or all of you.” ‘* But you won’t attempt to escape, Pard Doc or to commoonicate with the sojers?” asked Old oe. ** No, I will consider myself as a soldier on arole,” ‘*'Thet are squar’, pards.” ‘*'Yes,” said a number of voices, and the Sur- geon Scout turned to walk back to the chief, near whom he had spread his blanket, when a tall form glided toward him, a knife in his up- raised hand. The assassin made no sound as he went over the velvety grass of the prairie, and not a word of warning was given by the outlaws as they saw his intended work, for if their prisoner could die silently then and there, all right it was in their minds. Breathlessly one — watched the gliding form, for he had hired him for the work by slipping a bag of gold into his hand, and in a whisper said: ‘* Dead Knife Jim, take this gold and use your blade on him, quick!” The Surgeon Scout had walked a dozen paces, and the assassin was almost upon him. Another moment and the career of Frank SSS |S Powell would have ended then and there; but | limb.” suddenly a shadow fell before the Doctor, lent ‘* Ampy what, Doc?” by the moonlight upon the prairie. ** Amputate.” He was on the alert, and beheld the dark * What are thet?” shadow of a sneaking form, upraised arm, and ** Cut it off.” knife in hand. As though on a pivot he turned, a flash and report mingled, and Dead Knife Jim uttered a wit ery as his knife fell from his hand and stuck in the prairie sward, Again did Frank Powell stand at bay, this time as before, with his hands thrust forward, and each holding a revolver, while he said, sternly: ‘ ‘* Why didn’t yer say so in Bont English like I talks, an’ not sling out yer French?” ‘Well I tell you so now.” ** When are it to be did?” ‘* The sooner the better.” “A are willin’, ef yer hain’t able ter doctor it up. Mi It would be impossible.” ; “Well, git out yer weepins an’ set ter ‘** Cowards, to attempt to strike a man in the | work.” : back! Out with your weapons, and meet me ‘‘T can give you something to deaden the face to face!” ain.” ‘*T’ll take a chaw o’ tobaccy, an’ thet are all.” ‘‘Here, take this cigar, an’ put it between your tegth, and I have another for you, too,” and the Doctor took from a handsome case a fine Havana. ** Is this Connecticut cabbage-leaf, Doc?” ‘* No, it isa real Havana.” “Lisa little afeerd it are blood, fer [ hain’t smoked a kilt a dandy ranchero, some year ago, an’ he hed his pockets full of ’em;~ but they didn’t agree with me.” : ‘Well, your arm will give you no time to think of the cigar, I am afraid. ‘Here, my man, bring me your canteen of water and help me,” and Doctor Powell called Wearing a knife with a blade of great length, to Old Joe, who quickly obeyed, while all the and which seemed to have served ina butcher- other outlaws gathered around to see the worl: shop at some time in its ugly existence, he knew | done, and with very little show of sympathy how to use it with great skill, and had the happy | for their comrade. faculty of using one hand as well as the other. | A lantern was am up and lighted, and On this account he wore two knives, one upon | then, Dead Knife Jim havirg placed imself ina CHAPTER XXVIII. DEAD KNIFE JIM’S FAREWELL GRIP. DEAD KNIFE JIM, as he was known to his Red Angel pards, was considered the most reckless devil of the little outlaw community. He was a tall, gawky man of forty, peing over six feet in hight, and all skin, bone an muscle, ; Sometimes, on account of his long, gaunt figure, and willowy motions, he was dubbed ‘‘Snakey”; but few men dared call him that to his face. , He could run like a deer, and was known to possess great strength and endurance, while he was feared by all in an encounter. too rich for my raal weed sin’ I ee a _ either side, and the mate to the butcher weapon | reclining posi ion, as comfortable as was possible was a bowie, as handsome in get-up as the other | there on the prairie, was rude in workmanship. Doctor Powell began his work, remarking quietly: Pe Ale, gl Sg of the Platte. 13 ‘**Now, Dead Knife Jim, Pll amputate your arm in short order; but I would have saved my- self trouble bad I killed you instead of making you a subject for surgery.” ‘‘T’d rather lose ther arm nor my life, an’ I begs yer ter be keerful] thet yer don’t take ther — speerit out o’ me when yer cuts ther arm off.” In spite of the vile character of the man unde his knife, Frank Powell could not but feel r admiration for the great nerve and courage’ he exhibited under the most painful operation, and he said to him frankly, when he had thrown down hisinstruments and begun the work of dressing the stump: ‘You are as brave as the bravest, my man, and I'll do all in my power to alleviate your pain — and fetch you around al] right.” : ‘Thank yer, Doc; but is it over now?” ‘** Yes; I'll soon have you as easy as can be ex- © —— a - pected.” ' he ‘* Yer is a boss doctor, an’ no mistake: hain’ — b 9 c he, boys?” A general assent and murmur of admiration — followed from the crowd of outlaws, and it was very evident that they had highly enjoyed — the nerve of their comrade and the skill of the — surgeon. ‘* Will yer let me see thet arm, Doc?” a Frank Powell took up the severed hand and arm, which had been cut off just above the — _s and held it before the vision of the out- _ aw. ore. ‘‘Give us yer grip, old pard, an’ let me say far’well, fer we parts comp’ny now forever. ‘* Yer hes done a heap o’ mean things, an’ a. deeds, I guesses; but yer hes never lost yer 2 fer friend or foe ontil now,” and w th his left _ hand Dead Knife Jim firmly grasped his lifeless _ right, as the Surgeon Scout held it before bim. _ In spite of himself Frank Powell was affected by 2% strange act of the outlaw, and said earn- — ‘* Now, my fine fellow, Pl bury your arm — myself, for you are too brave a man to throw — it on the prairie for the coyotes to feed up- on. Ee CHAPTER XXIX. Hes ON THE ALERT, | HavinG kept his word, to bury the severed — arm of the outlaw, Doctor Powell looked at the sleeping chief, whom the negro, Brick, had ad- Me vised of what had happened, and then wo himself down to rest. ae The life of peril by day and night which the — Doctor Scout had led, caused him to sleep like Napoleon, ‘* with one eye open,” and there was _ not a movement near him that he did not at | once become conscious of what was going on, He had half an idea that some of the out- “i laws would attempt to assassinate him while he — Oi sle t. <a oe The soldier camp was seemingly on the alert, — and the moonlight revealed forms moving here and there among the staked-out horses. + ae The outlaw camp was comparatively quiet, though some of the Red Angels, perhaps too — anxious to sleep, with the gallows rising before . their eyes, were strolling about like wandering _ spirits, Eig? In the Indian camp all was as still as 5 $ grave, for no sound came from there, and not a pony or red-skin seemed to stir. » trae ow and then alow moan would come from — the wounded chief for Dead Knife Jim, show ng |. that they suffered in their sleep, and thrice did — the attentive Surgeon Scout arise and look to ~~ their comfort. A Thus passed the night until just before dawn, and then even the horses seemed to sleep in the ~ bivouac of outlaws. +g But there was one whose eyes were wide open, and that one was Doctor Powell. .™ His knowledge of Indian character caused — him to feel that if the Indians intended any — cunning game, it would be started upon in the — shadowy light between midnight and dawn, . | Therefore, wheu all of the outlaws had drop- _ ed off into a nap, even to the guards he quietly — eft his blankets and crept tothe outer line, He there lay in the grass watching the Indian — An was still there, but his glass showed him ~ that their ponies were all collected ina mass. ‘*This means trouble,” he muttered, and he scanned every spot of ground carefully between _ himself and the camp. : 2 8 Many persons would have been satisfied with this examination; but Frank Powell was not, — and he turned his glass upon thesoldier bivouac. All was as still as death there. ee i ae he swept the prairie to the right and saw £4 nothing. ven Upon the left the ground was more uneven, rising in small hills here and there. — a Sos Over this expanse Doctor Powell now looked, and the words that were slowly uttered showed __ that he had made some discovery, for he said: ‘*T thought they were up to'some cba’ ah ‘‘ Now to rouse these cut-throats without any disturbance.” 1 Fr sleep in the — t Gliding to a guard, who w grass, the Doctor said, as he awoke him: Be. ‘Come, my man, the Sioux are yer ap See ward us yonder, so be on the alert, but do no& } at . rise, or in any way show yourself,” ‘comicboo! Cc (s-com