Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 394 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

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At last he said: ‘Wait here, Zip, you and your boys, while I meet that fellow who is crossing the river above.” ‘* Well, Massa Night Hawk, yer does know a Ingun fer all he is wu’th. *« Now, who'd ‘a’ thought o’ thinkin’ the Injuns was goin’ to let a warrior swim across ther river?” “and Zip and his comrades were lost in admiration of the cunning of the scout, that overmatched that of the red-skins, Walking swiftly up the stream, Night Hawk took a stand on the bank in the shelter of a little thicket, and waited, while the cow- boys with their attention attracted to the Indian, could see his dark head crossing the river rapidly. Watching, they saw him land and hastily run to the shelter of the timber. Unfortunately for that red-skin, right into a pair of powerful arms, that grasp- ed him with a grip like death. There was a struggle of a few seconds, and | one of the two dropped his length upon the | ground, while the other walked swiftly back to the trail leading to the ford. | ‘‘Didn’t you see him, sah? for he done : cross ober,” said Zip, as the scout came up to) him. ‘Oh, yes, Zip, 1 was there to welcome | him,” was the significant reply, and the cow- | bows saw that the scout was coolly rubbing | the blade of his knife. he ran | | | Night Hawk made no immediate reply, for a ——EEEE _—— --—- --_ _- — — ‘‘Mr. Powell, you have saved my Tife, and and such a debt of gratitude I can never fully re- pay. >? ‘‘My dear young lady, I have, in serving you, but been doing my duty, I assure you, and aiding the Government to get rid of a few troublesome red-skins, whom [| am paid to destroy.” ‘* You make light of it, sir; but it is a seri- ous matter, to me, to owe my ‘life to any one, and within only a few hours, I may say, both you and your brother have saved me from death, ay, worse than death, and Major Monkton has done the same.’ ‘* You have been unfortunate in getting in- to a groove of ill-fortune, Miss Janette, and both my brother and myself, and Major Monkton, too, have been thost fortunate in being able to serve you.’ ‘You will not believe that you have done a great deed, in spite of all 1 say. ‘Yes, it is certainly a good deed to save a human life, and especially the life of a wo- man; but let us ride a little faster, for I have half an idea that Major Monkton may need our aid, as Wolf Fang seems to have divided his warriors into a dozen different parties, for we have met two of them already.” ‘Yes, and a third may attack the ranch, you fear?” ‘‘Such might be the case.’ “Then our aid is needed there.” ‘‘If they are in heavy force, for the major has not a full force now, with these boys ab- sent; but he has made such good fights on several occasions that the red-skins let him The shouting of the two men, and tramp- | alone of late.” ling of the horses were now heard far away, so that Night Hawk gave a long, loud cry, | which startled the cowboys, while he instant- | ly said a few words in a tongue unknown to | them. | “Golly! Massa Night Hawk, is you callin’ | de red niggers ober?” | ‘* Yes, Zip, and I am doing so in their own | language, which will lead them to believe | that their comrade is safe.” ‘* Yes, massa, he am safe fer wolf-meat; but dere dey come, sah.” ‘*Yes, and we have about two to one against us, but we will give them a surprise that will make things even. ‘‘Now get ready to fire, and you, Bob, as | | he ij ‘‘Then let us hasten; come boys, Mr. Pow- hell thinks the Indians may visit your master’s ' ranch,” cried Janette, and away the party dashed at a rapid gallop, the captured ponies being led after them. Again, as they rode along, a silence fell be- tween them for some little time, and was once more broken by Janette. ‘Mr. Powell,” she said. ‘‘ What of your brother?” ‘The Doctor?” “Yes, for have you another?” ‘‘Oh, yes, Miss Janette, and a dashing boy is, with long curling hair black as night, blue eyes, and a face as handsome as a girl’s, ‘*In fact he has made a bandsome-looking soon as they turn back, jump on that pony | woman when dressed up and attending a there, and ride after Miss Janette and bring | Mexican fandango, where he had half the her back. ‘‘ Now, boys, fire when I give the word, and each of you pick out your man, but don’t hurt the ponies. A moment of silence followed on the shore while the Indian horsemen came splashing across the stream, anxious to overtake those ay were in pursuit of. aving seen a number of riderless horses, and only one person mounted, the red-skins evidently suspected that they had a picnic, and would catch a few whites with a drove of ponies and cattle. s they reached pistol-range, Night Hawk ae said, quietly + Mer: li there is your game, so bag T cBire!” Above the rattle of the rifles rung out the wild war-cry of the scout, and, with several of their number slain, others wounded, and panic-struck at the surprise, the: red-skins wheeled and darted back for the other shore, ‘‘Push them, you boys who have horses,” cried Night Hawk, and with four of the black cowboys following him he dashed down the bank into the stream, There were no trees on the other shore, no shelter, and without pausing the Indians went flying away across the prairie, while the scout and his followers coolly proceeded to catch four ponies that had lost their riders. Remaining on that shore, Night Hawk sent Zip back after Janette, and soon the _ whole party were united and ‘pushing on at a swift gait forthe Prairie Rest Ranch, the scout now taking the lead with the maiden CHAPTER XLY. IN THE NICK OF TIME, As they rode along together, side by side, Zip and his comrades following behind, Ja- nette said to Night Hawk, breaking a silence that had iasted for some time: ee Greasers quarreling for a dance with him, and has then had to fight them in his petti- coats, when he made known the joke,’ and Night Hawk laughed at the remembrance as gayly as though he had not a care upon his min Looking into the dark, clear-cut, handsome countenance of George Powell, and remem- bering the Doctor Scout's handsome face, Janette could not but think aloud: ‘You and your brothers are three very handsome and remarkable men, Mr. Powell. ‘‘ Thank you, Miss Janette; but if you like the looks of Frank and myself, just wait un- til you see Billy Blue Eyes.” ‘And who is that?” ‘* My third brother.” ‘‘His name is William, then?” ‘‘Yes, in the family Bible, Miss Janette; but we call him Will, and he bears the names of Blue-Eyed Billy, Wild Will Powell, and Broncho Bill. ‘‘ You know a man has as many names on the border as an English nobleman, or French count; but you must fall in love with Billy, for 1 know he will with you, and I'd like the best in the world to have you for a sister,” For the first time in days Janette laughed —a ringing, silvery laugh, and said: ‘‘ You give me fair warning, Mr. Powell; but I am already your sister, for your brother adopted me as such.” ‘*And Billy will adopt you as—but never 7 he'll be here soon, ‘and you will see im ‘“‘ Where is he now?” asked Janette, inter- ested in Blue-Eyed Billy. ‘‘ He has a ranch a little over a hundred miles south from here, where he lives with our mother. ‘‘He did live in Texas, where he was a ranger, scout and ranchero, but moved up here to be near Frank and myself. ‘ ‘* He will be here soon, you say?” ‘‘T sent, by the messenger who went after the relief for Captain Burt, to ask one of my W hite Beaver, the Exile © of the the Platte, ar “og he wen me Se. VER 5 ’ scouts at the fort to go after’ Bill and have him come here at once. ‘““Oh! I feel that you mean to rescue your noble brother, the i, yoo ‘3 ‘That is just w sent after Will, Miss Janette, to attempt "Prank s rescue, “1 feel that you will be successful, and, if you will have any faith in what I can do, command me, for I am heart and soul now a prairie girl, and shall devote my life to— no! no! no! I will not say that, for | nearly said revenge ; but Geedialy I have a higher aim in life than that, though, when | think of the fate of my poor father, and what may happen to your brother, | feel so full of hate toward those wretches I think I could be merciless, oh, so merciless to them all.” Seeing that the conversation had run into a painful subject, Night Hawk changed it with the remark: * “Tam glad you ‘decided to remain with Major Monkton, rather than go to live at the fort, for I think you will like it better there, though at first it may seem lonely— Hark!” All drew reir suddenly, and the sound of distant firing was heard. ‘They are attacking the ranch. “Come on and ride hard!” shouted Night Hawk, and at full speed the horses were urg- ed forward acrosa the moorlit prairie. A ride of fifteen minutes brought them over a rise that showed them the distant ranch, and now and then from its stockade walls a flash could be seen. Getting nearer, they saw a dark mass of men and horses, which they knew to be In- dians, and they had started on a charge for the ranch. Be Quick, Zip! your bugle!” cried the scout, and seizing it, he blew a ringing cavalry charge Then with a cheer they rode rapidly for- ward, firing as they dashed along, while those in the ranch opening at the same time, placed the red-skin band between two fires, that quickly sent them flying away in terror, while Janette and the cowboys dashed on into the stockade through the gate opened for them by Major Monkton, who, although still suffering from his wounds, was at the head of the colored defenders of their prai- rie home. As Janette sprung to the ground and was warmly welcomed by the major, who told her that she had saved the ranch, she cried: ‘‘T am not the one who deserves the credit Major Monkton, but Mr. Powell here, the chief of scouts at the fort.” ‘‘ Ah! where is he? ‘Powell, where are you, my boy?” called out the major. But no response came from Night Hawk, and all looked around for him in vain. He had not been seen, Zip said, since he gave the order to ride fer the gates with all haste, As the Indians, who were not in large force, had kept on in rapid retreat, Zip and several of the men went out on the prairie in search of the scout. But their search was fruitless, for nowhere was Night Hawk to be found. CHAPTER XLYI. THE CAMP IN THE CANYON. Tue scene changed from the rolling prai- ries to a wild but beautiful spot in the hills, where flowers are growing in the vales, streamlets murmuring as they swiftly dash along, and birds are making the forest ring with their shrill songs, In a small canyon a camp is visible, and fires from which the smoke curls lazily up- ward are to be seen before each door of half a dozen rude shanties that are built under the shelter of the steep hillside. Horses are staked out here and there in the valley, feeding upon the juicy grass, and sad- dles, bridles and pack-saddles hang ready for use in the trees near by. It is a picturesque scene, yet a wild one, and there is every indication that the camp has not been pitched for a day, Afar off, fully a league distant, is a high eminence, rising like a sugar-loaf out of a level plain, with the rolling prairie beyond and the range of hill-land behind it. Its summit is bare of vegetation, and it isa desolate spot for one to seek; but standing there, relieved against the sky, is a man, looking statue-like in his stillness, Under the brow of the hill, and a few | Eomicbooks a YAi5 ied > eee Dy ee Bx ~,. | I | .? a \ IS i