Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 40 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

the White Sioux returned it should be to find his people dead and their scalps stolen. Little Bull brought the news, and the wife of the White Chief bade me ride like the wind to bid him return.” “Were there no men among the Sioux, thata squaw must act asa runner?” and the brow of the chief grew dark. ‘A squaw could ride as swift, though she might not fight so well. ere were few braves to fight so many wolves, and the Yellow Pine said no warrior must turn his back to the foe. She bade me find him, or die. I have obeyed.’ ‘“And God bless you for it, my Eunora!” muttered the White close to her ioux, his li ear. ‘‘I am very proud of m ohildiren. though my words may sound cold when spoken where others can hear.” Then adding, aloud, address- ing the warriors, who were greatly excited by the startling tidings: ‘‘Go prepare your horses for a long and hard ride. The Crow dogs are threatening our women and children. We will teach them a black and bitter lesson. Go—and quickly!” ‘*T do not see Kenekuk—where is my broth- er?” ‘“‘Come with me—no, child,” he added, quick- ly, as the fair face of Eunora grew pale; ‘‘ there is nothing to fear. The lad is wounded, but not badly. ellow Pine will have good cause to be roud of her young chief, for he fought well to- ay—he struck the enemy even before my arm could reach them.” They found Kenekuk eagerly awaiting their coming. From his resting-place he had recog- nized his sister as she dashed by, and called to her, but his voice was too weak for the words to reach her ear. His wounds in face and body were such that Eunora dared not embrace him, but their hands met in a loving clasp that was a partial exposition of their deep and pure af- fection. In a few words the White Sioux made known the important tidings brought by the youn irl, and the knowledge of the peril whic reatened his mother seemed to suddenly re- store the young brave’s strength. ‘We must go at once! why do we wait?” he uttered, seemingly not feeling the pain the ef- fort to k caused his lacerated cheek. ‘‘ Our mother is in danger—and I am lying here—” With a sudden motion he arose laughing faintly as a little cry of alarm parted Eunora’s red lips. The chief said nothing, though he drew nearer as though expecting the wounded youth would fall. ** You cavnot—it will kill you—” ‘Tf I die it will be in the saddle, my face to- ward our mother,” was the resolute reply. ‘I will go, though I go alone and upon foot!” « Good | you are her son, to the heart. If your body is strong as your spirit, you shall tell your mother we are coming with blood in our eyes!” exclaimed the White Sioux, just as the mounted warriors came across to where the trio were standing. A murmur of aeyrore ran sarong the dusky crowd. The eye of their chief ed; he had intended his words to be heard, and was well satisfied with the result. Among the led horses were three that had es- caped from the foot of the hill, when the falling rock had burst their tethers, and, breaking away from the warrior who led it, the ungainly brute with which Comstock had rienced so much trouble ran up to the White Sioux, with a glad whimper. At the chief’s command, his own saddle was placed a the animal, and then Kenekuk painfully climbed into it, doggedly re- fusing any assistance. Eunora and her father quickly followed his example, and then the rode rapidly out of the valley—less than one-half the number that had entered it that morning. ; Bill Cotiistodk would have opened his eres coud he have witnessed the manner in which his troublesome capture bore its present rider. At a motion from the White Sioux, the big- boned, loose-jointed animal became a marvel of swift, yet smooth and gentle motion, carrying the woaneee brave og-sce7 and carefully asa loving mother her ; The trio rode at the head of the cavalcade, heading straight for Fort Western, And while they progressed, Eunora told her story with greater detail. ; A cunning scout of the Sioux had discovered the plans of the Crows, who, it seems, had learned that the White Sioux with the larger portion of his braves, had departed upon some tion which, from their elaborate prepa- rations, was evidently to be a prolon ab- sence. Naturally enough they resolved to seize upon this golden opportunity of striking a heavy blow at an audacious enemy, and to make sure of success, they were to in seve- ral bands which were then absent hunting. Afraid to weaken their small force by ated away even one man, Yellow Pine, the chief's wife, bade her daughter carry the news. Right nobly the girl obeyed, her horse dropping dead when still several miles from Fort Western. Hastering on, she dispatched the Sioux, whom she found in the valley, to the aid of the vil- lage, then, freshly mounted, sped on along the The Long Haired ° Pards.’ White Chief's trail, reaching him, as heretofore stated The sun sunk from view, and the curtain of night fell long before the party came in sight of the fort. any were the anxious glances cast upon Kenekuk, by father and sister, for, pty he never betrayed by a sound the tor- ture he was undergoing, a loving eye could see that his strength was fast failing. And then, all at once, the stout-hearted lad gave way, and would have fallen but for his parent’s hand. Without slacking his speed, the chief sprun behind Kenekuk, and holding him fast, cared his horse on—on like the wind, reaching the val- ley far ahead of his followers. Dismounting, he bore the youth up a steep ascent, entering a coer 4 concealed cave, small, but airy and comfo le, then descended and awaited the coming of the rest. “You will ride on,” he said, addressing a middle-aged warrior. ‘Stop for nothing. I will soon follow you.” As the ag passed along, he selected two of the braves. These, with Eunora, he led "4 to the little cave, where he briefly gave them their instructions. Upon no account were they to venture from their covert except at night, and then every trace of their e was to be carefully removed. If discovered, they were to fight to the bitter end—if need be, to kill themselves rather than be captured. To Euno- ra he gave directions how to dress the wounds of her brother. Then, with a silent hand-pres- sure, he descended to his horse, mounted and rode swiftly away. On through the night, like the wild huntsman of old—on, without pause, over hill and rock, through valley and prairie, overtaking the Sioux, and shouting for them to press on at speed while their aniinals could keep their feet, still on the White Sioux dashed, mor paused for rest until the sun peered over the mountains. One hour he allowed his horse for rest and food, then once more sped on, riding against time. Twice during that day he was forced to draw rein, not for himself, but not even his faithful horse could accomplish the impossible. As the night fell once more, he overtook the warriors whom Eunora had sent ahead. He rode with them for a few miles, for the village was now close at hand. Then—faint and indis- tinct, but unmistakable came the sound of fire- arms! The Crows had made their swoop! Using his knife for a spur, the White Sioux thundered on, his heart sick withdread. He ut- tered his wild war-cry as he entered the village and the exultant yells of the Crows were turned to yells of dismay as that dreaded foeman plunged into their midst. With revived cour- age the Sioux braves rallied—forced back the enemy, slowly but surely. Then came the re- inforcement. The tide was turned. From vic- tors, the Crows became vanquished. Blood flowed like water. Stout braves fell like the leaves in a storm, and the retreat of the Crows was marked by a trail of peasy s Seto may Pale, his right arm b ed to the elbow, the White Sioux returned to his vil- i A faint voice saluted his ear. A cry of sickening dread parted his lips as he sprung to- ward his lodge. Four forms lay close together. more were Crows—the fourth, his wife, Yellow ine! As he raised her head to his bosom, the red light of the blazing lodges revealed a smile up- on her lips, and she murmured: aaaten rs son—I leave him three scalps—for She raised her head, feebly pressed her lips to his, then dropped heavily. Yellow Pine was CHAPTER XX. AN EXCHANGE OF QUARTERS. WITH a of horror Kate Markham sprung forward and turned the threatening shee: rg aside from the temple of the outlaw’s e. This ern 9 ee Baby so that he fairly relinquis ober | upon the weapon, an advantage that the maiden, rendered despe- rate, was not slow to seize upon. ‘Release that woman—move not to injure her in any way, or I will shoot you like a dog!” With a courage and decision born of the emergency, Kate Markham confronted the gi- ant and leveled his own revolver at his head. Her voice rung out clear and commanding, there was a kle in her eyes that boded dan- ger, and the d that leveled the pistol was steady and true Slowly the fingers of the giant relaxed their ressure, and his arm dropped to his side, His ig blue eyes were fixed upon Kate—but their only expression was that of ad ge Taken throughout he was the very picture of utter amazement. He seemed utterly unable to com- proton what had occurred. Then, slowly, the 1 force of the situation appeared to dawn up- on his sluggish wits. The ludicrous look of be- wilderment disappeared before a ually broadened grin of amused admiration as he slowly e ated: ‘“ Waal—I—ber-durned!” “Promise not to her, or I fire!” re eh i steadying heavy piste] with t- th 17 “*T never railly ‘lowed to hurt her,” eoolly re- plied Baby Tom. ‘TI jest wanted to skeer the truth out o’ the critter; but ef I wanted to kill her the wust kind, one word from you’d be more’n enough to save the powder,” and a hot light of admiration filled the outlaw’s he ‘* Especially when backed by a loaded pistol,” retorted Kate, with a rather hysterical laugh. “Tbe weepon ain’t nigh so dangerous as your two eyes”—but the undoubtedly sincere, if rudely-expressed speech was cut short by a low satirical laugh from Martha Bascom that caused the hot blood to darken the giant’s brow, as he turned nae upon her. ‘‘You want to go slow, old woman! I let ye off this once—an’ you kin thank this young —. for’t. But go slow! ef ever I find you’ve had anythin’ to do with lettin’ that feller slip us, you'll never get another chaince of playin’ your devilmen mind that!” ‘* The day is past, Tom Bascom, for me to care for either your hate or your love. I almost wish you had blown out my brains. I would do it eng only I know that would please you too well— “*That’s enough. Now you two want to git ready fer a long an’ hard ride. We've got to skin out o’ yer, an’ that mighty lively, too! You ronda tee gy time, an’ you’d better make the of it. Baby Tom, without attempting to recover his revolver from Kate’s hands, turned and left the chamber. He wesin a far better humor than when he had entered it. The unlooked-for dis- play of spirit on the part of his captive, seemed afford him no little gratification. With a caution to Simpson against letting the women him, the giant made his way to the cave entrance, where still lay the ing of the d whom Happy Jack had slain in making escape. Day was just he ae dawn, as — creamy tinge beyond the h bore evi- ence, Baby Tom gave vent toa t—whether of satisfaction or of disgust, would be hard to tell— ashe saw a small group of men approaching. He recognized them at once, and his cat-like vision told him that Happy Jack had not been so ype by them at least. “The varmint got clean off!” said Ben Wat- son, in a tone of intense disgust. ‘‘ A blood- houn’ couldn’t foller a foot trail through rocks. Some o’ the boys kep’ on, but use. They ll never ketch a man like him !” ‘* An’ that knocks your big money higher’n a kite!” sourly uttered one of tis fellows. ‘* An’ we’ve got the gal on our hands, to boot. Ef ever you ketch me in a-nother sich fool job—” . ‘You kin skin out jist as soon as a like, Bar- ker,” interrupted Baby Tom. ‘“Thar’ll be so tno much the more fer the rest. 5 he did git away, what does that hurt? e’ve got the gal, hain’t we? An’ we’ll hang on to her ontel the old man shells out the chink, or he’ll never set his — eyes on her this side o’ monkey-hea- ven ‘* That’s the talk—I knowed you'd got the sand, cap’n! Wekin rake the pile ef we jest play our hand fer all its wuth. e must hunt out another hole, take the gal thar an’ keep her close, while we send on our tarms to the fort—” ‘“Who'll kerry ’em?”’ interrupted Barker. ** He’d better ’sure his life, fust.” “TI will—ef you all a to give me Dick’s sheer—that cuss hit harder’n a mule kud kick! Pll run the resk, ef yousay so. Ef I don’tcome back inside a week, you kin know that I ain’t in travelin’ order, an’ then you must look out fer snags. But ri put it to’em so strong the old man won’t dar’ eo any tricks.” “What wedo’s got to be did soon. They’s no tellin’ but that cuss may run ’cross some- body outhuntin’ fer the gal, an’ we want to be somewhar else when they call, Ireckon. Ef the rest o’ the boys was here—but they kin take thar chainces. I reckon we’d better make fer Black Hollow. Kiver’s good, an’ we kin git in by the crick ’thout leavin’ any sign,” ‘Better play the old game. Start off to- — then split up an’ shoe the critters. Wait r fer me— ‘*Ef we have to wait too long, Ben, I reckon I'll come to see what's the matter. Five thou- san’ dollars is a pritty big load fer one man to tote,” quietly added the giant. “Tt M1 be in greenbacks, an’ not so hefty,” re- plied Watson, evidently not caring to notice the implied threat. fter some further discussion this plan was adopted, and the outlaws at once set about their es ions. ile the men were busied with the horses, several others, including Baby Tom, hastily packed up the few articles of use or value which e cave contained, and which could be trans- ported on horseback. Then the giant summon- ed Martha Bascom and Kate, finding them in readiness for the road. They followed him in silence to the outer air, where the animals were awaiting them. Kate could not suppress a little ery of strangel me led emotions, as she re- the paldn Simoom among the others; but Baby Tom gave her little time for reflection. His brawny hands clasped her waist and raised CONNIE OOOLKS Cc CO