Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 394 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

cas = ’ rer" + » ‘ a i, em oe ae ‘‘ We have plenty of time, Janette— no need to hurry.” ‘¢ No need to hurry with those bloodhounds on our track?” she ejaculated, almost indignantly. ‘¢T killed the bloodhounds, Janette.” ‘‘T mean the buman bloodhounds, for they have no less mercy than the brutes.” ‘True, but their horses are tired with a long run and ours are fresh, so that we can galiop away from them.” ‘*T never thought of that, sir,” and Janette began to feel more and more impressed by the remarkable man at her side. She had seen him dash up to the rescue of her- self and father with the odds three against him; she had witnessed his deadly shot at the man who resisted being bound by her, and then had seen him dro haste nor in the least degree moved by the dan- gers about him. Now he showed to her that he held no fear of their foes, ten to one though they were, and she at once conquered all nervousness and with- out trepidation gazed back at the coming horse- men. ‘*Come, Janette, we must swim the river, or the Red Angels will be upon us,” said Powell, and he rode into the water, followed by the led horse, while Janette dashed into the stream after the Doctor Scout. Once across on the other shore, they could see that their pursuers had reached the dead blood- hounds and had momentarily halted there. At this Doctor Powell also drew rein and sur- veyed the party through his little field-glass, ‘I see there our two prisoners of last night, Janette, so that accounts for the pursuit.” ‘*Oh! if they only had not escaped!” murmur- ed the girl. ‘* Well, some time they will be caught for the last time. Here, take the glass and look at the man on the black horse. He is just moving on after us once more.” ‘*T see him. He is dressed in black and wears a red mask,” said Janette, looking through the glass now with the utmost deliberateness. ‘‘That is the arch-angel,” exclaimed Powell, with a smile. ‘*T do not understand you, sir.” ‘‘ Well, he is the one who first won the name of the Red Angel.” ‘*Tndeed! It is the chief, then?” ** Yes, ee Kit, or Captain Hyena, for he is called both, as also the Red Angel. He began his life as a Gentleman of the Road, a year ago, in Kansas, where he, single-handed, was wont to stop the Overland stage-coaches and rob the passengers, killing any one who resisted. But we will ride on, and I will tell you more of the outlaw chief as we go along,” and Powell re- sumed, as their horses galloped along side by side, ‘‘He was called the Red Angel first from the fact that his mask was a pair of crimson wings, real bird’s wings, dyed, and they were so ar- ranged as to wholly conceal his face, his eyes ring through two holes in the feathers. ‘* As they made it too warm for him in Kan- sas, after awhile he came here to the upper trails, gathering around bim a band of cut- throats, and now has a score or more that are a terror to the country, for they have eluded even our best scouts and picked soldiers sent after them.” ‘ ‘‘Has he no haunts to which you can drive him?” ‘* Tf so we have never found them, for he seems to live on the prairie wholly, and rumor on the plains has it that he buries his treasure in cer- tain places, determined to come and get it after he has accumulated a certain sum,” ** He isa most mysterious man, indeed,” said Janette, with deep interest at all she had heard rding the Hyena Captain, as the outlaw = was often called on account of his cruel- es. ‘Yes, and it was to solve the mystery re- garding him that Iwas away from the fort when I so opportunely came upon you, for I love adventure and danger, and it is because I often take long scouts upon the prairie alone that they give me at the fort the name of the Doctor Scont. But see! they have halted at the river, as though they see it is useless to pursue us further.” ; ‘‘Thank Heaven for that,” fervently said Ja- nette, as she saw that the Red Angels had indeed halted in the timber, and were dismounting from their horses, as though having given up - the chase. CHAPTER IX. THE CAMP IN THE TIMBER. THE two prisoners, whom Doctor Powell had so securely bound to their horses, were cunning villains, and they realized fully if taken to the fort by their captor that their lives would come to a speedy termination, for already they were branded as outlaws and under sentence of death for their crimes. Seeing the touching scene before them, when the emigrant was dying, they very naturally concluded that they were for the moment for- gotten, the three bloodhounds in quick | succession, while in all he had neither seemed in | They sat upon their horses, some thirty feet from Powell, and one whispered to the other: “It is our only chance, pard.” ‘* Neck or nothin’, so go in ter win ef yer hes a idee,” was the response. | The other bent over in his saddle until bis _ teeth touched the bridle-reins, and drawing up- 'on one, he gently urged his horse to turn and | move away. | His example was followed by his companion, and the two animals walked slowly across the | prairie, making no sound upon the grass, and unnoticed by Powell and the girl, so deeply ite Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. 5 ** Ah, Sam Slick, that is you, is it?” called out the captain, recognizing the two men. ‘* Itare wy remains, cap’n, fer I hain’t myself, sir,” ‘* Bound hand and foot, as I live, and your two comrades that went with you dead, you say?” ‘* Yas, cap’n.” ‘* And one man and a girl did this?” said the chief with a sneer. ‘* Yas, Pard Cap'n, it were done by one man an’ a gal.” ‘‘ Bah! you were cowards to let that old emi- erant and his daughter get the best of you in Once they had reached a safe distance, the | this way.’ I certainly believed that you four two villains urged their horses intoa gallop,and | could capture him, and, as you didn’t, I only they had a good start before their escape was | wish that he had killed you, too,” and the chief | were they occupied. observed. _ Gnving their horses rein, for in fact, bound as _ they were, they could do nothing else, they | went ata sweeping gallop over the prairie, un- til in the moonlight they discovered a moving | mass ahead, The horses snorted in alarm, and made a cir- cuit to avoid what lay before them in their ath. r ‘*It is Buster Ben’s body, pard, an’ ther coy- otes is jist a enj’yin’ him,” explained one. ‘* Yas, it are ets fer here are about whar thet Doc salted him. An’ we w’u’d hev been in a like fix ef we hed not levanted, fer thet saw- bones are a terror on wheels.” ‘Yer is right, he are, an’ ther Red Angel chief hes got ter mark down two gerloots ag’in’ him this heur night, fer he hes reduced ther force by thet figger!” | ‘He hev, fer a fact, an’ durned ef I don’t wish he’d stick ter doctorin’ up at ther fort, fer ther pills he gives ter us pilgrims is suddint death, or I prevaricates ther truth.” ** Yas, one o’ his pills does ther biz; but which way is we ter go, pard?” : ‘* T guesses ther horses is takin’ us right, fer it are my desire ter catch on with ther boys an’ | it this rope overcoat tuk off what thet Devil octor give me.” ** Yas, mine fits me oncommon tight; it kind- er binds me so as | hasn’t ther full use o’ my arms; but say, pard, hain’t thet a glimmer o’ a yrs Sn yonder?” ** Yas, an’ it are in ther timber we calls ther Emigrant Park.” sé Yas.” ‘* Does yer think it cin be ther boys?” ‘*T guess so; but ef it hain’t, we is going thar, fer these durned animiles hes got the’r necks | stretched fer thet fire, you kin bet.” Whoa! ho! I says me = “Tm agreein’ with yer— ter rer !” and the two villains now began to call to their horses to stop them. But they could not check their gait, and, in fact, their cries started the animals off in alarm and they went dashing away at their full speed for the distant camp-fire. The horses saw rest there for the night, and were not to be disappointed, for their instinct told them that their riders were powerless to check them. The riders held hope that the camp-fire was that of their friends, whom they had reason to believe were somewhere in that locality. But, should 1t be the camp of a scouting-party from the fort, or an emigrant train, with some guide along with it that knew them, they were well aware that their hours on earth were num- bered. With every effort, therefore, they endeavor- ed to check their horses, and failing in this, to free their hands and legs, But the man who had tied them knew his business, and they were wholly unable to free themselves. As they drew nearer to the timber, in which was now visible a large camp-fire, the sweat broke out upon their foreheads, and they be- came fearfully alarmed. ‘‘ What are it, pard?” asked one. ‘‘T hain’t able ter guess, but I does hope that it aire our own men,” was the answer. And on the two horses sped, right. up to the timber, and unheeding a ringing challenge to halt from a guard in the edge of the thicket, they were fired upon several times in rapid suc- cession. Down went one of tke horses, while loud rung the cries from the two men to cease firing, for they were friends. The challenge of the guard and the shots were followed by the ringing notes of a bugle up in the timber, and almost instantly a number of horsemen came dashing to the spot, their re- volvers in their hands. ‘* Ho, guard, what is this alarm?” called out a deep voice. ‘* Two of our band, cap’n, have come, sir; but, as their horses was in full run, and I could not see that the boys was tied, I opened on ’em with my six and dropped one o’ the’r animiles,” said the guard in ex Reutians ‘*Who are you?’ and the man addressed as captain rode to where the guard was untyin one of the men from his dead horse, while the other animal and his rider had been halted near. ‘* We is what is left o’ four o’ yer pilgrims, cap’n, seein’ thet Buster Ben an’ Buck accepted a invite ter hand in the’r chips.” | turned and rode back to the camp-fire in the | timber, where he had been enjoying his supper when warned by the shots of the guard that there was something wrong. CHAPTER X, CAPTAIN KIT, THE RED ANGEL. As he dismounted from his horse at the bivouac fire, the chief threw his bridle-rein to a huge negro who advanced to take the animal, and said: ‘* Brick, it was a false alarm, so let me have my supper.” ‘* Yas, massa,” answered the negro, and stak- ing the horse out, he returned with the cookin utensils and provisions he bad hastily gathere together at the alarm, and began again to pre- pare supper. A hundred yards distant were several other camp-fires, and to these the men of the band re- turned, accompanied by their two comrades whose strange rush into the night camp had called all so quickly to arms. There were fully a score of men gathered about the several fires, and 9. wild-looking, desperate set they were, armed to the teeth, and dressed in buckskin hunting-shirts and leather leggings, while their heads were surmounted by huge black sombreros. Their faces were heavily bearded, and without an exception were cruel and villainous in expres- sion and features, while all of them wore their hair long. Staked out to feed not far distant, and with a man standing guard over them, were fully half a hundred horses, half of which were pack- animals, for the packs were then lying near the fires. It was a wild but picturesque group, and the man who lived apart at his own camp-fire, with — his huge negro servant to do his bidding, was the leading spirit of the band. Spreading upon the ground a handsome Mexi- can serape, the chief used a saddle for a pillow, and tbrew himself down at full length, his feet to the fire. Taking a cigar from a handsome case, he put it between bis lips, while Brick brought coal of fire to light it by. The man as he lay there was a remarkable looking personage. He was dressed in black, the cloth being of the finest broadcloth, cut to fit him in a style acity dandy might envy. boots came far above his knees, were shapely, and armed with gold spurs. He wore a white flannel shirt, with embroidered front, and under the collar was a black silk scarf in which glit- tered a diamond of rare beauty and great value. About his slender waist was an officer’s belt and sash, and he carried a revolver upcn either hip, and a knifein a scabbard fastened to the shoulder-band that supported the belt. Thus located, right across his breast, the knife was ready for an instant’s grip. The man was of handsome form, slender, gracefu', yet his physique denoted strength above the average. His hair was a mass of golden curls, hanging half-way down his back, and his head was sheltered by a black sombrero encircled by a gold cord, and with a small pair. of red wings looping up the flap in front. But the strangest of all about this remarkable personage was thathe wore a mask, It was not a mask such as one sees at a bal masque, buta pair of crimson wings ! They were fastened together just above his mouth, the tips running up above the crown of his hat, and being bent backward, they conceal- ed his entire face to the ears, excepting his mouth and chin—the former being half-hidden by a long, silken blonde mustache. In the wings were holes through which gleam- — ed a pair of bright eyes that appeared to be black, as they glittered in the firelight. Upon his hands were a pair of black kid rid- ing-gloves, and the little finger of the left hand “ah 5 an elegant solitaire diamond, worn over the kid, and which danced like an evil eye in the firelight. A massive gold chain encircled his neck, and he impatiently took out a gold watch of rare workmanship, and said: “It is getting late, Brick, and J] am very hungry.” | ‘*Yas, massa, [ hab de supper fer you now, sah,” and tne negro took from a pack-saddle a small folding-table and chair, and soon spread a Gomichbooks:co him a His ©