Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 40 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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20 Beadle’s Dime Library. —_—— -———-- —_- ee Though it was found untenanted by other than their own party, there were scattered around ample evidences that the retreat had not long been abandoned. ’ Comstock had not entered the cave, but busied himself looking for ‘‘ sign,” not without success. He found where the outlaws had kept their horses, and found, too, where Simoom and the little chestnut mare, which Kate Markham had ridden, had been tethered. He followed their trail to the front of the cave, and when Colonel Markham returned, he pointed out .two small footprints upon a bit of moist ground. ‘‘Them was made by your daughter. The man with those big boots on, lifted her onto her critter—the same mar’ which she rid that day back yender. Does that look like my pard stole her away las’ night? An’ he with us as airly as midnight?” ‘‘-You think, then, that that fellow lied? That my child is still with this party?’ asked the colo- nel. ‘*T know he lied—an’ if he lied in one thing, why notin the Aull? Jack never had no more to do with killin’ Cap’ Stone then you did—not a durned bit!” ‘*] wish I could believe it—but the proof! the evidence is so strong—”’ ‘‘Took here, boss. I kin prove he was with us steady from midnight, night. Now call out any one o’ your men as knows anythin’ about trailin’. him what time them tracks was made, afore dew-fall or a’ter dew-fall. I kin rove that the dew fell jest afore day’ fa’rly roke—come down most like a rain. Now that cuss back yender said my aernas kerried off the gal afore he j’ined us, full twenty mile from here. Putt two an’ two together; that’s all I ” Colonel Markham said nothing, though Bill saw that his arguments were not lost, and he once more took up the trail, following it steadily and without a break until reaching the point where the outlaws had separated. A brief scrutiny showed him that Simoom and the chestnut mare had not parted company, and that fact decided him which trail to follow. Five minutes later he halted, and at his signal, Colonel Markham advanced. Comstock pointed to where the visible trail . ended, then several threads of woolen stuff scattered around. - ‘The jig’s up, boss. The varmint’s putt blank oes on the critters. Nothin’ shorter’n a rely ors hound could foller ’em now,” quietly the scout. ‘*Té must—it shall be followed!” cried the father, half frantie with fear and sus : ‘*Them’s big words—easier to say than tolive up to,” was the deliberate response. ‘' It mought be did, say a man crawled on his two knees an’ nosed his way, so to —ef he had plenty o’ daylight an’ nothin’ else hendered. But look— the sun is down, an’ wuss: you see them clouds? We'll have a rain afore day, sure as shootin’. You kin guess how much trail that'll leave. A bitter groan burst from Markham’s lips as _he —_ the — of the ree words. Fate seemed against him in every shape. “Find my child—find her, and you shall have all you ask. I will give you a thousand dollars—” “Td do it ef I could—not fer your money, though, but ’cause he axed me to. thar was a show, I’d stick *to it, but thar hain’t. Thar’s only two things you kin do. Send your men out to hunt thethills through; or pay the money as that bit o’ ee told ye. Onless—mebbe you could wring the truth out o’ that wounded cuss. He must know whar the rest was boun’ fer. Putt him in my han’s—let me hev my own way, an’ I’ll squeeze the hull truth out o’ him ef man kin do it!” The sun had set. The black, threate clouds wererapidly overspreading the sky, an there was not the t — of Sore the trail that evening. Reluctantly enough Colonel Markham gave the order to retrace their steps. Comstock rode beside him, two of the soldiers ‘doubling up” for the occasion; and the scout earnestly urged the case of his friend. The colo- nel seemed impressed, but finally said: ““He has been accused of murder—he must stand his trial. Itshall beafulland impartial one, and if he can prove his innocence no man will be more pleased than]. But—if heis found guilty, tho he were my own son, he should suffer the penalty! I can listen to nothing more, though I honor your fidelity to -your friend.” By the time they reached the little valley where tain Stone had met his death, the darkness become intense, and Colonel Markham gave orders for the company to go into camp for the night. The horses were se- curely tied, though feed there was none. Several fires were kindled, and, gathered around these, the soldiers munched their dry rations at their, ease. Comstock gained the colonel’s permission to keep Happy Jack com- pany, on pledging his honor not to aid the pris- oner in any manner to escape. The two friends conve in whispers, eager and seemingly persuasive on Bill’s part, while ~~ . Happy Jack, though his voice was peculiarly soft and even ectionate, appeared to be steadily refusing to grant Comstock’s request. The guards remained where they could see ev- ery motion, by the red glare of the fires, but not so near as to interfere with the privacy of the conversation. As the evening wore on, the wounded man, Ben Watson, ap ntly grew worse. His head rolled uneasily from side to side, and he began to rave—uttering broken sentences, giving vague hints of a dark and troubled past, utter- ing words that caused little Doctor Hurlbutt’s eyes to protrude with genuine horror, used as he was to such scenes. ‘*T shouldn’t wonder if the wretch—why, just think!” he spluttered, addressing the colonel, while inspecting his pocket-case for a soporific. ‘*1f what the fellow says is true, he’s murdered his own father and mother—and the rest of the family, for all I can say!” It was with difficulty that he administered the drug, and the greater portion of it was spilled, but the portion swallowed by the pa- tient seemed sufficient. The ravings gradually grew less frequent, the restless h became quiet, and an hour later the doctor pronounced atson asleep, though greatly exhausted. ‘*T fear he’li never be able to bear transporta- tion to the post, and yet—I can hardly under- stand it! The wound should not be so danger- ous. It has cut no important artery, it missed all vital organs—unless it has taken a diagonal course, from striking a bone. If I only had my tools—” But no one listened to the worthy if prosy little doctor’s words. Colonel Markham was too deeply concerned about his child, the men were too weary and sleepy. Four men were placed on guard, to be relieved at stated inter- vals, and then, seeking such shelter among the rocks as they could from the driving wind and threatening rain, the remainder composed them- selves to sleep. For some time Happy Jack and Comstock conversed over the mysterious events of the past day, striving in vain to see their way through the cloud that enveloped them, but their fatigue and broken rest asserted their claims, and side by side they lay down and ina few moments more were sleeping as soundly as though trouble and danger were not. The storm held off until past midnight; then the low rumbling of thunder broke the silence, and quick flashes of lightning pierced the black- ness. A huge drop of rain, cold as ice-water struck upon the neck of the rd, and aroused his drooping senses. A vivid flash of lightning rendered all around distinct as day—and in that instant the sentinel caught a glimpse of a hu- man figure stealing silently away. With a sharp cry he raised his carbine and fired. Instantly the camp was aroused, and as he § eats to his feet, Colonel Markham shouted oud: «. ‘| Look to the prisoners—shoot the first one that attempts to escape!” But he was too late. The mischief was done! CHAPTER XXIV. BLACK HOLLOW. STRAIGHT ahead rode Baby Tom, a broad smile upon his face, and a soft chuckle playin up and down in his big throat, as he recall how adroitly he had “‘ played” his captive. He looked little like a n, save for his free and easy style of dress. <A little soap and water, a little judicious trimming of the thick, curling beard and hair, would have discovered a comely if not handsome face, by nature filled full of a and blunt hgnesty—and weakness. me was when Thomas Bascom might have been pointed out as a model farmer, neighbor and husband; but whisky and cards changed all this, until now he was outlawed for more than one trangression of the law, was driven to live by the strong hand, to sleep beneath the black shadow of a dangling rope. Choking down her emotions, Kate Markham —- watched the movements of the party she had discovered, and once when Baby Tom turned his head away, she ventured to wave her hand toward them, hoping against hope that they would understand her appeal. Then, asif by magic, the horsemen v ed as utterly as though the earth neneath their feet had opened and swallowed them up. The succeeding ten minutes were full of pain- ful suspense to Kate, for Baby Tom, though clearly unsuspecting the vicinity tu be occupied by other than himself and captive, had changed his course until heading almost directly for the spot where the strangers had disappeared. And her heart gave a wild bound as the four horse- men suddenly spurred into view, uttering loud cries as they dashed forward. Baby Tom wrenched both horses to a stand- still as though about to seek safety in flight, but a single glance showed him the truth, and with a glad cheer he rode forward to meet his friends, for these were the men whose absence was spoken of by Martha Bascom while freeing Happy Jack. In a few hasty words Baby Tom gave them a synopsis of all that had transpi and their reasons for seeking a new lair. Knowing the ‘Ondly—it’s fer your own good; you'd then a to bear the giant company to Black Hol- ow. The time thus consumed was of great benefit fully muffled the hoofs of their horses to Kate. Her hopes had soared so high, the reality had proved so bitterly disappointing, that without those few minutes for regaining her composure, she must have given way entire- ly. Asit was, the remainder of her long ride was little better than a blank. She was con- scious of rapid, steady motion, but that was all. The day was fully two-thirds spent when the little cavalcade came to a halt beside a narrow, but swift and turbulent stream that seemed to find birth beneath a gloomy, frowning mass of rocks and shrubbery, above which, almost per- pendicular, without break or passage, towered the white face of a mountain. ‘* We're ’most to home, miss,” uttered Baby Tom, as he dismounted and lifted Kate from her saddle, ‘‘Thar’s a nasty bit to cross, yit, but you kin trust me to take you through all safe. git skeer- ed an’ most likely pitch us both into the drink— an’ I reckon a feller could go clean through a thrashin’-machine an’ come out in better fix than he would through them rocks!” Kate instinctively shrunk back as shesew him propose to blindfold her eyes, but at the touch of his brawny hand shesaw the folly of attempt- ing resistance, and esirely submitted to her fate. Bidding his followers look after the ani- mals, Baby Tom raised the maiden in his arms, and passed up the stream,’ pressing the leafy screen as though about to attempt toscale the precipitous rocks. But instead, before him yawned a black o ar through which the swift waters rushed with a hollow, rumbling roar. This opening somewhat resembled the mouth of a huge river. The roof andsides were of solid rock. Close to the edge of the water ran a narrow ledge, damp with spray and slime, Along this precarious trail, shrouded in almost inky ‘blackness, Baby Tom moved slowly, feel- ing his way foot by foot, knowing that a single misstep, the ce int slip, would precipitate them both into the swirling waters to an almost certain death among the many sunken rocks and bowlders. And, stout though his nerves were, the giant gave a long breath of relief as the faint glimmer of daylight ahead grew eoeaer and he emerged into a long, narrow valley. . Very a pe had it been christened Black Hollow, for a more gloomy place could scarcely have been found out in the open air. The narrow valley was almost completely roof- ed in with the black and somber pines and firs that shot out from either side of the divided mountain. Only when the sun was directly overhead could its yellow light penetrate the secrets of the hidden valley. e day was twi- sy the night utter blackness. by Tom pressed through the dense shrub- bery until he reached a small clearing in which stood several underbrush huts. Beside one of these he paused, and removing the banda from Kate’s eyes bade her enter. In silenceshe obeyed, and as the brush-wattled door was closed behind her she sunk wearily upon the siege hee littered floor, her spirit utterly broken y anxiety and fatigue. A few moments later she lay sleeping heavily. When she awoke there was a tiny fire glowing in the center of the hut, and beside it crouch Martha Bascom, who raised her head with a wan smile as Kate started from her slumbers. ‘Not a word!” cautiously uttered the wo- man, with a swift glance toward the door. ‘“* Listen, but do not speak. First, you must eat this bread and meat—I cooked it for you my- self, while you were sleeping. Iwish there was some tea or coffee, for you will need all your strength; but this and water must serve. Eat oo I se ee es te’s sleep served one good purpose since it restored her ps ge and after the first taste she ate as though she had been starved for days. Martha Bascom watched her in si- lence, but with an approving light in her eye, pressing bit after bit upon Kate until the maid- en could eat no more. Martha arose and opening the door glanced swiftly around her. veral fires were burning within the little clearing, yet their light was barely sufficient to reach the thick wall of vines and shrubbery beyond. Yet, far above, a thin line of sky was visible, and Kate knew that it was not yet night in the outer world. Around the fires were lying a dozen or more men, some talking and smoking, others sleeping. Satisfied that were there, Martha Bascom closed the door and drew Kate to the center of the hut.. They sat down close beside the dying fire, and spoke in low, guarded whispers. ‘*[ have learned much since we parted,” be- Martha, “‘more than enough to break my eart, had I any left. It was turned to stone long ago, and I am glad now. Hush! listen, but do not There are wicked devils around us, and their ears are long and sharp. I can see that you doubt me—you think me crazy, as others have—but I’m not; the worse for me! There—enough of that! It is of you we must think. You are in danger here—great danger. JOO GOmMic <=) (E@) gt ——