Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 40 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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18 — a ee her to the saddle. As he did this a peculiar, short laugh parted his lips. Kate glanced at him sharply, but he turned quickly away and mounted Simoom. Thecavalcade trotted briskly along the valley. The first red rays of the sun were tinging the highest. rock-points. The air was fresh and balmy. Under almost any other circumstances, Kate Markham would have enjoyed the ride; but it was almost positive torture, now. The terrible uncertainty whether her father was living or dead—the danger that threatened her- self; these anxieties were almost unbearable. For an hour or more the party rode on, then, at a point where the country was more level, the outlaws separated into pairs, save the three men who each had one pack-horse, and who set off alone. After riding a few hundred yards beside Kate, Baby Tom dismounted, and with cloths andskins brought from the cavern, care- fully wrapped the feet of both horses. In that minute came a strong temptation upon the maiden, andshe cast a quick glance around her. But there were three different parties still within sight, all engaged on the same work as the giant, and she knew that the time had not yet come, Baby Tom remounted Simoom and once more ursued his way through the apparently track- ess waste of rocks. et he never hesitated, ne- ver once seemed at a loss which course to pur- sue. For more than an hour he never uttered a word, scarcely glancing toward his prisoner, seemingly satisfied that while he held the hal- ter of her horse, she could not escape him. Kate’s left hand rested upon something hard and heavy, which was concealed within the folds of her riding-skirt. It was the revolver she had taken from the giant a few hours pre- viously. She felt that one shot from it would set her free—she had resolved to make the at- tempt; yet Baby Tom seemed so unsuspicious that the deed looked almost like murder. ‘*T)’ y’ know what I’ve bin thinkin’ about?” suddenly uttered the outlaw, turning his head and looking squarely into her eyes. ‘‘Ive bin thinkin’ what ('d better do: keep right on an’ meet the boys, as I , or take you an’ strike out on my own hook. Which ’d you say, s’posin’ I was to give you the ch’ice?” ‘Take me back to the fort!—to my father! act the part of a man and a Christian—” impul- sively began Kate- ‘** An’ git a chunk o’ lead fer my pains,” dryly interrupted Baby Tom. ‘That would be smart!’ ‘** You shall not be harmed—lI pledge roskg If you want money, you shall i ‘*T spect to. I was.thinkin’ ef it wouldn’t be the best plan to marry you out-an’-out—” A sharp cry of anger broke from Kate’s lips, and her face flushed at the gross insult. It was the one thing ny Str y and she slipped her hand down until it firmly grasped the pistol-stock. Then, forcing herself tospeak calmly, she looked the - full in the face, and said: ‘* You ask my advice, then?” ‘“* Sartin,” came the unhesitating response. ‘* Here it is!” As she uttered the words, Kate raised the re- ou my have volver, noning it with the same motion, and fired, the muzzle almost touching the outlaw’s But the next moment she felt the weapon twisted from her grasp, and heard Baby Tom utter a taunting laugh! Quick as her action had been, he had been no less alert, and duck- ing his head, the bullet had whistled harmlessly y. ‘‘Now we'll ride on,” he said, laughing. ‘‘That was all I wanted. Ye see, I felt the weepin when I lifted you on the hoss, an’ I knowed you’d be on the look-out fer some sech chaince, but I didn’t like to s’arch ye afore the boys, So I’cluded to git your mad up—an’ I te dared not trust herself to reply. The hot tears ara Ws to well up into her eyes, but she averted her head to keep them from his sight. And as she did so, she saw something oe caused her heart to beat with suffocating orce. Far away, ahead and to the left, were several horsemen. They were upon high ground, and as the mc g sun shone upon their forms, she could see that they were white men. She could see, too, that one. of the number rode a large white horse—and the wild hope flashed through her mind that this was her father, upon his fa- vorite charger, searching for her! And she prayed in her heart of hearts that her captor would not observe them in time to avoid the meeting. CHAPTER XXL HAPPY JACK IN TROUBLE, appy Jack with his murder, Cap- tain Lawrence Stone sunk back, dead! and a “ ! the ae so ‘ coeaat when he saw man’s finger leveled at_ hi , the ee comet d until the full force of the situation was revealed to him by: the involuntary shrinking away of the two soldiers. Not until then did he Beadle’s Dime Library. Sear. seem to realize the whole truth—that he was branded an assassin, An angry cry ted his lips, and he started forward as though to force a retraction from the lips that were already locked in death, but Bill Comstock stepped be- fore him, saying, gently: ‘The man is gone, d. I reckon he was crazy when he said that. [I know you wouidn’t ‘a’ tetched him onless it mought in a fa’r, man-to-man fought.” ‘‘T had pledged my word to keep the peace with him. So far from doing him harm, I tried to save his life. Look over yonder—by the black rock. You willfind my game there,” said Happy Jack, coldly, though his eyes were still filled with a lurid fire.: Comstock uttered a joyful yellas he sprung to the rock indicated, for there, in the shape of a rough-clad man, now groveling in a poul of his own blood, he found what he believed would ow the true solution of this terrible enigma. he two soldiers and Happy Jack slowly ad- vanced, and as the wounded wretch looked up the scout uttered a little cry. He recognized Ben: Watson, the decoy! : cn a stiff lip, pard—stick it out—I won’t ch! PThe words dropped from the outlaw’s lips in snatches, and a look of intense cunning stole over his face, while his eyes rolled wildly from side to side, Comstock started. Bowen and Obermeyer interchanged swift glances— but He py Jack caught them, and his face flushed ot «don't know what you mean,” he uttered, stooping and endeavoring to fix Watson’s eye. ‘That I shot you, I don’t deny ; but it was only after you shot Captain Stone.” Sergeant. Bowen now interposed. His tone was grave, and there were traces of painful re- gret upon his face. ‘*Gentlemen,” he said, though his eyes were fixed upon those of the young scout, “ this is a very pains affair—and one that must be cleared up, at whatever cost. I think I can manage it. But first—sir,” and he extended his hand to Happy Jack, ‘‘I believe you are as in- nocent as I of this crime.” ‘You do me. no more than {uatice, friend,” quietly replied the scout, ‘As for your plan— all we want is the truth.” ‘‘T know it, sir. Then lend me the pie you have in your hand, Thanks. See—I mark it with two crosses. Comstock, will you mark that one?’ and the sergeant nodded toward the re- volver lying beside the wounded outlaw. _ In si- lence the scout pointed to the initials ‘‘B. W.” rudely cut upon the walnut stock. ’ ‘“Good! you see—this pistol—belonging to Happy Jack—is Colt’s Army pistol, while that one is Navy size. One of these two weapons must have killed Captain Stone. Unless the bullet has passed entirely rng his body, it will not be hard to determine which weapon it came from.” A quick smile flashed across the scout’s face but Comstock muttered something that sounded very much like a curse. Sergeant Bowen turn- ed toward the corpse, and Comstock spoke to Jack in a quick, guarded tone: ‘““'They’s only two ag’inst us—I kin knock ’em both over—everybody Il lay it on them In- juns—” ‘* Are you crazy—or drunk?’ and Happy Jack stared at his comrade in genuine astonish- ment. ‘* Look here,’”? added Comstock, holding up the istol which had fallen from Ben Watson’s d. ‘‘ You see that?” Happy Jack turned white asa snow-drift, as he divined the scout’s meaning, and for once in his life he realized the full meaning of the word His hand shook as he sei the weapon and closely inspected it. There was no mistake. The wea; d not been discharged! and around the tube upon which the hammer rested were small particles of dust ! ‘‘Quick—say the word—it’s you or them!” hissed Bill Comstock, his eyes on fire, his mus-. cles quivering. “* Never!” wee responded Happy Jack, toss- ing his head proudly back. ‘‘I am innocent, before God! 1 will not—” ‘‘Then ’knowledge he threatened you—drew fu’st; you hed to shoot him to save your life—” “T did not—he ne Pg me, nor I him.” ‘‘ Sergeant’s found the bullet—wants you to come an’ witness,” said Obermeyer’s hoarse voice, and as the two scouts turned toward him they caught asuspicious glance that brought the hot bl to Happy Jack’s cheeks. : ‘‘Hark!” exclaimed Comstock, bending his ear, ‘‘somebody’s comin’—I hear hoofs! ‘Take to kiver—” “They are whites—I hear the jingle of sa- bers,” interrupted Happy Jack, not moving. “They must be friends; yet Martin could not bave gone and returned so quickly.” ; Obermeyer ran rapidly up the rocky hill and peered over into the v ey beyond. Then he rose SOC rn AO with a loud cheer, swung his hat above his head, then disappeared. Sergeant Bowen arose from beside the corpse and said, with anairofrelief: : “They must be friends. We will wait. The more witnesses we have the better. The bullet ———— is there—lodged just under the skin. A few minutes will show.” Comstock sat down, moodily picking at the earth. There wasa brief period of silence, then, with Colonel Markham at their head, a squad of cavalry trotted up to the spot. From the troubled look upon the commander’s face, it was evident that Obermeyer had spoken of the tragedy. Uponthe faces of the soldiers rested curiosity, but there were no traces of respect in the glances cast upon the dead man. His con- duct in life had not been such as wins either love or respect from his inferiors in rank, “Your report, sergeant,” said Markham, dis- mounting. ‘‘ Obermeyer tells me that Captain Stone was murdered.” Saluting, Sergeant Bowen briefly detailed the facts so far as known. ‘‘Give me the weapons. marked?” The pistols were handed him, and closely ex- amined. A quick glance toward the accused told that he had made the same discovery as Bill Comstock, but without a word he turned to where the corpse lay. One hand still clutched the butt of a pistol. Markham gently unclasp- ed the stiffening fingers and held the weapon u where all could see. It was richly ornamented, and bore the peculiar monogram of the dead man upon a plate set into the stock. A single chamber was discharged. The weapon was one of those commonly called ‘‘ Colt’s Navy.” “* One word, Colonel Markham,” said Happy Jack, coldly. ‘‘I have been accused—wrong- fully, as God is my judge!—accused of murder- ing that man. Before you investigate further I wish to make a statement. Sergeant Bowen and myself were searching for a trail in the valley beyond. Wecame upon soft ground, and found that our game had not passed in that di- rection, and cut across that ridge to. rejoin our comrades. Captain Stone and Walt Obermeyer were searching for the same trail in -this valley —Comstock in the one just beyond. Sergeant Bowen fell behind—he had gotten some gravel in his boot, I believe. I passed on ahead. Just as I passed around yonder large rock—the one with the three cedars upon it—I saw Captain Stone arise from his knees and step forward, calling sharply to some person, at the same time drawing hisrevolver. Then I caught sight of a man—he lies yonder, wounded; I saw him in the act of firing at the captain, and, cover- ing him, I fired. Both he and the captain fell. Iran forward, thinking there were more ene- mies near; but it seems there were not. Then Obermeyer came; and shortly after Sergeant Bowen and Comstock.” :* Boy many shots were there fired?” asked You say they are Markham. ‘**T heard only two—my own and that of the deceased. And yet—there must have been an- other, since he was shot.” “You were standing by that bowlder when you fired?” ‘‘Yes, Captain Stone was standing just ioc he fell; the stranger was beside vonder rock. ‘*You are positive that when you fired, the deceased and the wounded man were facing each other?’ ‘*T can take my oath to it, if necessary,” was the promt reply. There was a sudden change in the colonel’s face as Happy Jack made this answer: brow grew dark and his thin lips were firmly compressed as he advanced. *“f must request you to deliver me your arms—” The scout started back with a low cry. Com- stock strode to his side, an ominous fire in his black eyes; but this movement served to bring Happy Jack to his senses, and gently pushing Bill aside, he resigned pistol and e. “Thanks. I hope soon to return them with congratulations. A brief examination will serve to prove who killed the deceased. Until then—sergeant, this gentleman is under your charge.” ‘* Make a break for’t, pard—T'll kiver ye!” ea- gerly muttered Comstock. ‘‘ Dodge ’mong the rocks— “You, too, think me guilty, Bill?” and the accused smiled sadly. ‘‘I thought you knew me better—” “The man as dar’say you did it, or even think o’ sech a thing, Pll chaw up like smoke!” grunted Bill, with an ugly glance at Bowen. “Tf you could manage to knock me down, sir,” dropped slowly from the soldier's lips, as he edged close to Jack. ‘‘ Strike hard and sure —don’t be afraid of hurting me—snatch my re- volver and run forit. Itis your only chance —a moment’s delay will be too late.” ‘Are you both crazy—or am I?” impatiently uttered the scout. ‘‘Or are you both in league to make me appear guilty, whether or no?” ‘* Will you swear that you are innocent—that you did not—I mean, could it not have been that e bullet glanced, or something—” ** His blood is not upon my head, by accident nor design. Iswear it by m mother’s rave od quietly, but earnestly responded Happy ack, “T believe you! only—God gran that the murderer did not use a pistol of the same caliber as yours, for if he did—!” EOmicbooks (E eon —