Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 394 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

~ itr : é ¢ - ee ne * . ee | 8 Fascinated by the sight, it was some time be- fore Janette again turned her gaze upon the scene ahead. Instantly she saw that a change had taken rlace. The cattle were going at arun for the timber, and behind them several horsemen were urging them on, while directly toward her, seemingly having just left the ranch, came four other horse- men to her rescue, ‘* No, not yet, not yet must I die,” she mutter- ed through her shut teeth, and she again looked back at the Indians. | As she did so, her horse stumbled, recovered | himself, and again stumbling, fell heivily to the ground. Warned of his going down, Janette was ready for it, and gathering her skirt about her, she saved herself from a severe fall. But hardly had her feet teuched the ground, when she sprung to the side of the fallen horse, and seized the repeating rifle that hung there, while she sunk down upon her knees, using the body of the animal as a shield, and facing the coming red-skins, wita the words: ‘‘The chances are that the Indians reach me first; but I will not throw a single precious shot away,” and she smiled grimly as she spoke, _ though her face was white andher lips quivered. It was a chance in favor of the Indians getting the girl, for they came swiftly on, and if not checked by her fire, would ride right down upon her, and beon the retreat before the ranchmen could come up. Seeing this, they pressed on the more rapidly, urging their tired ponies to the utmost, and, in wild admiration at the pluck of the girl, the — horsemen drove their rowels deep to save er. Glancing backward Janette saw that the ranchmen were yet along way off, tacugh com- ing onat break-neck speed, and also she discov- ered that those who had been driving in the cat- tle, had now turned about to her rescue. Looking at her foes she was glacd 10 see that they were well strung out, one Indian being a hundred lezgths in advance of the others, and then from twenty tosixty feet aividing those that followed behind. The leader was a chief, mounted on a spotted pony, and certainly a most beautiful animal it was, being marked as prettily as a zehra, whilo he ran along with ease, the only one of the pur- suing horses that his rider was no? urging with quirt and voice, In truth, Janette saw that the chief was hold- ing his pony back, being already furthcr in ad- vance of his warriors than he seemed to desire, under the circumstances of the ranchman com- ing to the rescue. ‘That befeathered and besmeared savage is in for it,” she muttered, as she hell the Doctor’s repeating rifle ready, though out of sight of the Indians. The white horse was dying, only nervously twitching at times, having really bled until 0 strength failed him and he could hold up no onger. is body, with the high Mexican saddle, stir- rups and stirrup-leather; thrown over his back, made a good breastwork for the girl, and she knelt down so as to receive the best protection from it. Thus several moments, moments of awful sus- pense to the girl, passed away, and the leading chief was within easy range, while the ranch- men were om a quarter of a mile away. One look she cast over ber shoulder and her eyes brightened as she saw other horsemen, five in number, just leaving the timber, the third rty that was coming to her rescue, and malk- ing ten in number. ‘*Tf I can check tue Indians, those brave men will soon put them to flight, if they are two to five against them,” muttered Janette, drawing her conclusions from what she had seen of the battles between the whites and red-skins in com- ing across the prairies. *Now may Heaven help me,” she said, trem- - ulously, as it came time for her to fire. But conquering ber momentary weakness, she raised her rifle to her shoulder, took a deliberate aim and fired. The chief had evidently not dreamed of her having a rifle, and when she raised it, his eyes were doubtless upon the distant ranchmen. But wandering back to the coveted prize once more, he suddenly saw a weapon leveled full at him and held as drank as though at the shoulder of an old Indian-fighter. . Quickly he threw himself over on the side of his pony, but not quick enough to escape the shot, and to get full in the forehead a bullet that would have, but for his change of position, struck him in the thigh. Stone-dead he dropped to the ground, while Janette, overwhelmed by what she had done, as quickly dropped the rifle and covered her face with her hands, while she murmured: ‘*God forgive me, I have taken the life of a human being!” CHAPTER XVI. THE RANCHERO AND HIS SABLE COWBOYS. THE weakness of Janette, shown for a mo, ment, after seeing the chief fall under her aim, ft White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. : “aa f iS a Lae — - — ’ . a * : 7 a ae . 7 aa * : Lj weli-nigh proved fatal to her, for three warriors next behind him poured upon her a shower of arrows, several of which buried themselves in the body of the dying horse. Even the yells of rage of the Indians and thuds of arrows as they struck, failed to arouse her; but then arose one prolonged shout of warning from the ranchmen, and a manly voice cried: ‘* Fire again, my brave girl!” Thus recalled to herself and her great peril, Janette started, brushed the tears from her eyes and again grasped her rifle,.and not a mo- ment too soon, for the next warrior was almost upon her. Quickly she raised the weapon, took aim hast- ily and fired, Headlong forward to the prairie fell the In- dian pony, and quick as was his rider, he could not save himself from a heavy fall, which mo- mentary stunned him, Seeing the fate cf their leading companions, and hearing the loud shouts of triumph from the ranchmen, who were now drawing very near, the Indians hastily drew rein, and arrow after arrow was sent at the intrepid girl, ‘*Down! down for your life!” shouted the same manly voice, anticipating the act of the red-skins, and aerating | anette obeyed, dropping down behind the horse, while the ar- rows flew over her head, stuck in the prairie upon either side, or found a target in the body of the dead auimal. Under cover of this firing from his comrades, the Indian whose pony Janette had shot sprung to his feet and dashed back to join his brother braves. But be had not made half a dozen bounds be- fore an arrow went whizzing above the girl’s herd and found a lodging-place in bis heart, killing him instantly. The next moment the advance party of ranch- men dashed by, and the leader cried out: ‘* Courage. my noble girl, and we wiil give the red devils a lesson they will not soon forget.” The speaker was a man advanced: in years, for his beard and hair were white, tue latter hanging far down his back. But he sat his horse superbly, and rode with the air one who did not feel his years. Seeing the advance of the ranchmen, who, they had hoped, wonld be content in rescuinys the maiden, the Indians began to retreat, for they knew that their ponies were tired out, and that they were hardly a match, even on fresh horses, for half their number of well-armed and mounted foes. Pressing on, the ranchmen opened fire, and the others coming up, a line was formed, and shot after shot was poured upon the retreating and sullen Indians, who uttered howls of rage when they saw a warrior or pony fall, while their arrows were falling short and doing no harm. Ilaving driven the red-skirs for a mile or more, and having punished them severely, the Jeader of the ranchmen left his men to still dog their steps as they retreated, and rode hastily back to where Janette awaited him, and who, in the mean time, caught the handsomo spotted pony of the Sioux chief she had killed. The animal had made no effort to fly at her approuch, and looked as though she had done him an especial favor in slaying his savage rider, for he rubbed his nose affectionately against her shoulder, Just then the ranchero rode up, and said in a cheerful voice: ' »‘* A pretty picture, upon my honor, and you have surely won the pony, miss, and the chief’s scalp too. ‘* The former you have taken already, so allow me to offer the latter, which I took for you, and few girls can claim the honor of such a trophy.” ‘Oh, sir, I would not touch it for the world,” and Janette drew back from the hideous trophy. ‘Certainly not, my child, if you do not wish it: but out here we scalp an Indian to be sure that he is dead; but you look pale and worn, and I must look to your comfort, and find out how it is you are alone here on the prairie. ‘““My name is Monkton, miss—Oliver Monk- ton, a Nebraska cattle-man, wholly at your ser- vice, as is also my home, my pocketbook and my friendship, if you stand in need of any of those necessities of life.” ‘“Indeed, I do need a friend, sir, for I am alone in the world, and only lastnight my father was murdered, and to-day, two hours ago, one who proved so noble, so kind to me, was slain, and I have had a race for my life, and I owe it to you that I too am not dead,” and the tears filled the beauti’ul eyes. ‘*My poor, dear child, you have indeed suf- fered deeply; but you are not friendless, I as- sure you, for I am alone in the world, living yonder with only my men, and you shall be my daughter, my ward. ‘*Come, let me aid you to mount your spot- ted prize, and we will ride at once to your new home, and you can tell me all that has hap- ned. He lifted ber to the Indian saddle on the spotted mustang, and then said: ‘“‘T will leave my boys to bring your sad dle.” ‘It is not mine, sir, for my horse was slain, —— ee en ee ne en nn nn nnn ne eee enn nnn en sili SSS a resell —— we oe - - and my brave preserver took me on his own horse,” ‘* Ah! I should know that saddle, for there is not another like it on the plains. It is Pow- ell’s!” cried the old ranchero, excitedly. ‘Yes, sir, it was Doctor Frank Powell who rescued me.” ‘*Great God! do you mean that Powell 1s dead?” In a few words Janette told the ranchero all that had bappened since the attack upon the emigrant train by the Red Angels. He listened with the deepest interest, and then said: **Did you see Powell slain, my child?” ‘* No, sir; but they were dragging him toward the river when I saw him last.” ‘‘ Ah! that gives me hope, for unless you saw him dead I cannot believe it, and if he lives he will escape, ‘* You see, my child, that Doctor Scout, as we call him, bas had so many hair-breadth escapes, and is so thoroughly able to take care of him- self that I cannot believe but what he will con- tinue to do so, and I shall look for him to turn up, and if he does he wil] come to my ranch, for I am the one he sent you to-- Ah! my bovs are coming back, I see, and it is well, for they are not strong enough to meet a large force of red-skins, such as you say were over on the Dis- mal River.” After a little while the returning horsemen came up, and Janette then noticed with svr- prise, what before she had not observed, they were cowboys, well-armed, mounted and dress- ed in buckskin and sombreros, but they were ne- groes ! CHAPTER XVII. PRAIRIE REST RANCH. HAVING learned from his sable cowboys that they had returned on account of seeing a num- ber of Indians coming to join those they were driving, the ranchero started for his home in the timber, Janette riding by his side and the negroes following after, as soon as they had buried the Indians et their master’s order, and stripped the white horse of his trappings. Approaching the prairie home, Janette noticed that it was most delightfully situated upon the banks of a beautiful stream, and in the mid:t of a large grove of timber. As I have before stated, the prairie here arcse to almost a till in hight, and the approach on three sides was open, while the fourth side was guarded by the river. _ A stockace wall ren around the timber, and inclosed a space along the river-tank, where cat- tle could be driven in case of danger, and where- imu were then several bundred head, with sixty = seventy pomies and a few fine American L0rses, A few barns, stacks of prairie hay, anda large vegetable garden were passed on the way to the ranchero’s home, which was a Juarge cabin built of logsand containing four rooms, Upon one side were several smaller cabins where the negroes dwelt, and altogether there was an air of comfqrt, and almost luxury abcut the place seldom seen in afar Western ranch. But right there had Oliver Monkton pitched his tent three years before, having come frcm the South with his negro following, and whotod once been his slaves, but preferred to stick to their old master though he journeyed far toward ethe land of the setting sun. ‘‘Here I live, my child, with a score of my faithful servants, and we bave proven ourselvcs so well able to take care of cur property that the red-skins and even the outlaws let us alone, now.” S ‘‘ And you are happy here, sir?” said Janette, more in affirmation than as a question. ‘* Contented, if not happy, my child,” anc a shadow stole over the old man’s face, But he added quickly: ‘You see I have four rcoms, and am not un- comfortable, so, with the sunshine of your pi es- ence I will be happy, for this is your home now, rememter.” ‘‘It is such a home as my father hoped to have some day built up out in this prairie land; but, sir, aS poor papa is dead and you have promised to take his place, most gladly will I aecept your generous hospitality.” ‘‘There, bear up Janette, my child, and be strong. ‘‘ See, here is old Auntie Fheebe, my life-long friend and housekeeper, and she will lock after your comfort, while I see what these red-skins are doing. ‘© See, Auntie Phoebe, I have found a daugh- ter upon the prairie, and you must do for her as you bave for my poor lovcd ones that have one. : Auntie Phoebe was one of those dear old souls so often met with in Southern families, and she said, kindly: ** Lor’ bress your sweet soul, chile, I take keer ob you same as ef yer was ole massa’s dorter an’ my own pickaninny, an’ ole Phoebe mighty gla’ ter welcome you ter dis new plantashun, which, ef it hain’t like de ole place on de Marsersip, am not so bad, for we gits plenty ter eat an’ sich— Hole on, ole massa, don’t you git reckless goin’ arter dem red nigger Injuns, jist cause yer hes Gomicbooks > 7 A Pe - * hie mM eee Leste nad ¢ f= mi v