Beadle's Dime Library No. 411: The White Crook — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

, oo ‘much more than a + . ' +) 7p ee ore PE x. ¥ pe + ¥ “> ee. > 7 # , - es o “di -_ Apaches was considered as good as anybody’s, declared that his nose reported nothing to him. The Mexican continued to insist that he smelt Apaches, and expressed the opinion that the party had been followed ever since they left the mountains south of the Gila. He was asked how he supposed it to be possi- ble that some Apaches, or even one Apache, could have followed them from below without being discovered, when they had traveled ‘through reaches over which they could see their trail for a long distance backward, and no per- son had been visible in that direction. This he explained by asserting that while they traveled by day and rested at night, their pur- -~ . i "7s OF a eA AE 3 4; I “A ~-——* ~@- suer or pursuers could travel by night and rest | by day, thus keeping near them but out of their sight. ‘His explanation and idea were both treated as chimerical by his companions; but he was not to be argued out of them. As the party proceeded up the valley and ap- proached Bella Vista, the Mexican’s mania in- creased until he became very restless. ‘‘T smell ’Pache stronger’n ever,” said he. **Dey’s comin’ closer.” ' ; "Seaa™. F 9 ~~ : ‘ a i = A oe’ - eo; ite a ; <a. as . . > ‘ . —- ~~ - a 7 <.) ‘2 ~~’ * bes 7, * i . ~~ =e ‘ ie °. = “ a ss 2 : + wwf ee = . . * The White Crook. bad one of its kind and promised a serious dis- a of a face which had no beauty left to spoil. surgery, dressed and bandaged it, and made the old lady so comfortable that she persisted in stirring about the house and trying to make herself useful. Shawnee Kate, who was no slouch at rough . In the house there were still plenty of pro- | visions and other odds and ends, and the soldiers were so well treated that they were glad that | dinner as usual, and proceeded to the south- They showed their gratitude by cheerfully | they had got into such pleasant quarters. doing everything they could be asked to do and more. They buried the body of Barney Driscoll in a spot selected by Hettie, cleared up the remnants of the two Apache sieges, straightened out the scene of the dynamite explosion, turned the water back into the irrigating ditches, attended to the growing crops on the plateau, and in various Ways made themselves useful about the house. In short, they gained an enviable reputation at Bella Vista for good work and good nature. After all things had been straightened up and This scent—or sentiment—took such a hold | cleaned out, there was little for the people on upon him, that, at the last nightly camp before | the plateau to do but to eat and drink and be reaching Bella Vista, he determined to do some investigating on his own account, Accordingly, when the rest of the party had made themselves comfortable for the night, he mounted his horse and rode back on the trail. He did not return until near mo: ning, and then his horse was in poor condition for another day’s travel; but he did not mind that, What he minded was the failure of his at- tempt to discover anything to confirm his sus- picions. ‘‘Did you find any Apaches, Manuel?’ de- manded Hark. ‘‘No. Smell ’em plenty, but couldn’t find tem.” ‘You gave them a good chance at you though, if you followed the trail back, and i there had been any of them hanging around, I doubt if they would have let you come back to us.” Manuel suggested that perhaps he did not happen to be the man they wanted; but this suggestion was merely laughed at. . ncon they did not halt to prepare dinner, as they were then within sight of Bella Vista, where they might hope to get plenty of rest and good food. Soon they reached the mouth of the pass at the southern side of the plateau, and there they were made joyful by the sight of two persons, a man and a woman, who stood at the edge of the cliff and waved to them. Of course these were Mark Stepney and Hettie Sarpy, and their presence relieved their friends of any apprehensions they might have cor concerning the state of affairs at Bella ista. ** Look at your sister, Eva!” cried Jack, as he pointed up at the cliff. But Eva was looking sorrowfully at Jack. ‘When you see my sister again,” said she, ‘* vou will never look at me any more.” ‘*T shall never care to look at anybody but you as long as I live,” whispered Jack, and so na fark Berpy entered the abe eve Cobety tol ark Sarpy ente e pass , closely fol- lowed by Manvel and Shawnee Jim. Next came Jack and Eva, and Captain Dun- ning and his two ranch hands brought up the rear. The Mexican whispered to bis comrade that he smelt ’Pache stronger than ever; but there was no sign of the presence of any foe as they joyfully filed up the pass. ' Sud enly the loud and sharp report of a rifle- shot near by startled the silent party. Hark Sarpy reeled in his saddle, and would have fallen from his horse if Shawnee Jim had not dashed forward to his assistance. _ Before the echo of the shot could die away, there was another report, this time from Man- uel’s rifle. There was a heavy fall at the right of the ravine, and the Mexican dismounted and ran thither. He returned quickly, dragging over the rocks the body of a half-naked and painted In- dian, “Told you I smelt ’Pache!” he triumphantly shouted, Eva_.reined up her horse, and looked down at the dead savage, | ‘* It is Carroh,” she said, CHAPTER XXXVITI. THE WATCHERS AT BELLA VISTA. Arter the departure of opens Lang and bis party from Bella Vista Mark Stepney and the three women had three good reasons for re- oicing. d First, because they had been freed from a great peril; second, because they were well pro- tected against another of the same kind; and third. because it was believed that the soldiers would overtake Hark Sarpy and his friends and make their pursuit of the paches a safe one, Mrs. Dunning’s flesh wound, though it was a ra’ hurt was found to be not LL st hs a oe /, : ‘a? <t 5 ; es ; a 7 * - a e yi ; = Fo» 7. i o* = Pape : oni oad as merry as they could while they awaited the return of their friends. There was something more, as may be sup- posed, for Mark Stepney and Nettie Sarpy to do; but it was a matter in which they needed no assistance, and in which the presence of a third party would have been quite out of place. ; From this it is reasonable to infer that they were very much in love with each other, and that is exactly what ailed them. For the extension of this important business they made the best use of their opportunities and nothing could have advanced it better than the soft and balmy air of the days and evenings which they enjoyed together at Bella Vista. As it was to be supposed that Hark Sarpy would have the assistance of Captain Lang and the soldiers in his pursuit of the Apaches and search for his child, it was also highly probable that he would succeed in his undertaking and bring Eva home to Bella Vista. Therefore Mark Stepney was of the opinion that it would be proper for him to prepare her for that event by telling her the story of her sister’s rescue from the Apaches and her re- turn to them. She was astonished and greatly agitated by this revelation, and was at first so incredulous that Mark;was compelled to cai] on Mrs, Dunning to testify to the truth of bis narrative. Mrs, Dunning not only confirmed his statements, but had so much to tell about Eva during her stay at the ranch, that Nettie actually for a while deserted the society of her lover for that of the old lady. That is to say, he would have been deserted if he had not insisted upon staying and help- ing her listen. ettie was then agitated by fresh fears con- cerning her father. She had not previously been aware of the dangerous nature of his occasional employ- ment, having been led to believe that his long a ces were caused by ‘“‘ business matters, with which she had not been accustomed to as- sociate any idea of peril. en she learned that he had been employed in hunting Apaches and seeking his lost child in remote and almost inaccessible regions, and that his absence from Bella Vista at that time was caused by a similar ‘“‘ matter of business,” she became very uneasy about him, and feared that she would never see him again. ** Don’t’ you be scared fur him, my dear,” said Mrs. Dunning. ‘‘ He’s been in plenty o’ scrapes afore now to which this here don’t amount to so much as apicnic. He’ll come back to you all right, and will bring your sister, and then you'll all be as happy as the Lord allows pore mortals fur to be.” Mark also assured her that there was nothing to fear, and after a while she became quite cheerful, looking forward eagerly to the arrival of her father and sister, Thongh nothing then seemed to be more im- possible than another Apache attack, the safet of Bella Vista was assured by regular reliefs of guards at each of the passes, and when the inmates of the stone house went to bed at night they felt that their sleep was secure. _ There was also another sort of guard mount- ing which began on the second day following the departure of Captain Lang and his com- mand, and that was performed by Mark Step- ney and Hettie Sarpy. hey were in the habit of strolling along the western and southern edges of the: nlathed, the ostensible object of the stroll being to watch for and welcome their returning friends. It must be admitted that they began the business rather early, and that some doubts were entertained as to the singleness of their Eat poey -< in fact, it was supposed to have a sort of b J . leness. | It must also be admitted that they gave to the business more time : necessary, and oncaslonally condueted h 7° +< ¢ ‘ es % a bal i - og, &s ee nal A ¢ 4 Fd e a > Pp /=9™. ' “re ee es aA f ' ‘4 ag “ rrr as Bie Viste = ne fs “> ~~ v y= M4 s * ' ES SS through the secret cliff to his home at | There he was met by his eldest Caughter, Ye - to or ' hours when the darkness must have prevented —_— them from seeing far, But they doubtless supposed that they proved their sincerity by carrying on their rounds the field glass which Hark Sarpy had left at home, and which Mark ostentatiously displayed when~ ever they went out together. Such intense devotion to busimess deserved success, and those persistent watchers were finally rewarded. One day they went out together directly after west corner of the plateau, where they seated themselves in the shade and proceeded to watch each other—very closely. It is evident that they were not watching any- thing else in particular just then, as a mounted party coming up the valley had nearly reached the mouth of the pass before they were discover- ed by those two sentinels. Mark happened to look down and catch sight of them. ‘‘Here they are, Hettie!” he cried eagerly as: he jumped tp. ‘* Here comes your father with the rest of them!” The next moment they were waving to the ap-- proaching party, and joyfully perceived that. they were recognized. ‘They are all there,” said Mark, “and sister Eva is with them. “Take the and look at her.” While Hettie was looking through the glass, Mark espied Mrs. Dunning in the distance, and he ran and called her, bringing her almost breathless to the edge of the cliff. your By this time the party below had gone into. the pass, and would soon be out of sight of the watchers above; but Mrs. Dunning saw her husband and her son and Eva, and she clasped her hands in thankfulness. “Thank God for this great blessing!” she ex- claimed. ‘* They’ve all come back safe, and now we'll be so happy.” A shot down below interrupted the expression of joy, and before the watchers could determine what it meant there was another shot, The scene that followed, though they could not fully understand it, was too plain to them and changed their delight to sudden grief. They saw Hark Sarpy lifted from his horse, and knew that he was badly hurt. They also saw the body of an Indian dragged. down into the pass, and knew that the first — ey heard had been fired by some vengeful ache. ‘My father has been killed!” cried Hettie. ‘“‘He has been hit,” said Mark; ‘ but that is all we know about it yet. Let us hope for the best. They will be bringing him up here as” _ span as possible, and [ will go over and meet. — em, ou, Mark.” ‘* I must go with ce the thoughtful soul that Mrs. Dunning, li she was, hastened to the house to prepare a bed. and bandages for the wounded man, | CHAPTER XXXIX. THE END OF THE HATER. Hark Sarpy was badly hurt by the shot of the lurking Apache; but it was not easy to as-. certain the extent of his in As the bullet had entered bis aide, there could be no doubt that the wound was very serious. His friends did what they could toward stop-- ping the flow of blood, and hastily prepared a. itter of poles, on which they carried him ss and up the cut in the ella Vista. fell into such a passion of tears at the sig his pale face and his pepe Mark Stepney was obliged to lead her away. The wounded man was carried to the ho where all possible attention was given him by” Mrs. Dunning and Shawnee Kate, aided by ’ Captain Dunning. aptain Dunning, who had been for so many | years a pioneer and frontiersman, was of co familiar with ment; but he shook his head sadly, ted that this case was beyond bim. Mark Stepney was anxious to ride off and seek a physician; but there was nothing of the — kind to be found inside of fifty miles, and it was evident to most of those present that no- medical assistance could be brought there in- time to be of any service to the wounded man, ** Tt’s of no use, my boy,” said Hark. than mine. That Apache followed us u below the Gila to get even with me for the new and the,old, and when he got his chance he ry about me any more. i 7 : ee « . ae * } . +. $r garments, that - \ se Man- ’ uel was right all along, and his nose was better > from — ° : Ses glass, Hettie, . - red : x > pt = 4, | Pel poy ee Ve > g 1 - f - De 4 , | 4 . - 4 ‘ as oe ,. er we “ Zz ee Fee , 5" ‘eco, « n-shot wounds and their treat- - +) ae as he admit- - 49 ‘SS es mn ~ > a 6 “J ete’ > ne > i= . plugged me where tie meant to. No doctor - pall could save me now, Mark, and you needn't wor-. am glad that the in-~ 5 a w%& * fernal red-skin didn’t get a chance to become _ my son-in-law.” horse, and she saw him inortally a ye by love which he had longed to receive from came to him quickly and fully. - there in the hen Hark Sarpy was helped down from his = ? the hand of Curccle ties ; Eva. een + ed ie She was “an impulsive little savage,” as he» was absolutely | had said, and her heart went out to him then as. it at she leaped from her horse and knelt at his side, AME (E() JOO