Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 414 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Sl 7 e en Red Renard, the Indian Detective. 5 Bradley, don’t put °em on my trail, and Ill thank ye. : ‘‘ Whar you come from, who you is, and what ou is doing in this country, I don’t know, and won’t make it my business to find out, as you seems to want it to the contrary, so I says a polite good-evening to ye.” With this he turned his horse and rode away, leaving the maiden watching him, and, when he had gone a short distance, changing her revolver quickly for her repeating rifle, which she still ay covering his retreating form. he Bravo glanced back and saw this, as also ‘that she was slowly following him. In this she had a motive which escaped him and he turned into a trail that he knew would lead him back toward the mining-camps, though he had no intention of going thither. No sooner had he taken this trail than the ‘young girl came on after him in a run, her rifle mec A or use. ‘‘Waal, she has forgot somethin’—jist like a woman—and I hopes it hain’t to kill me,” he amuttered, as she suddenly called out: ** Halt!” “*T am halted,” and he drew rein. “* Your taking that trail convinces me that ‘you are not wholly unacquainted with this country, and I warn you now to keep out of it in future.” ‘**Ts it yourn?” ‘‘ Yes; it is my hunting-ground, and I'll allow no intruders upon it, so beware!” ‘‘ Has you had your say, gal?’ Teg,” ‘‘ Good-evening,” and the Bravo rode on his “way once more, Looking back, after a ride of half a mile, and seeing that he was not followed by the young girl, be turned off of the trail, made a circuit of some distance, and then came out at the very spot where he had parted from her. ‘** Now, leetle gal, Pll jist find out who and ‘what you is, for my opinion are that you & the ‘queen bee o’ a hive of erat es in these ee. and with this he started off on the trail eft by the maiden’s pony. CHAPTER VII. A MOST MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, ‘“*WrLL, cap’n, we’ve had bad luck on the outfit,” said Digger Dan, addressing King Ken- dall, after the were again on the move toward the Dea ountains. ‘“In what respect, Dan?” asked the young miner. “Why, that cussed Injun, Red Renard, come among us and raised a muss, and then we had to tarn Buck Bradley loose to go it alone in ‘these lonesome hills, and I fears luck is ag’in’ ” to find out, Pard ll, in his indifferent “There is but one wa Dan,” answered King Ken “way. And what are that?” “To go and see.” ‘That are so; but you don’t feel shaky then, as the shadows ns to lengthen in these rts?" and Digger Dan glan about him, as though he was invading the realm of departed irits. ‘* Not I, Dan, for I fear neither the living nor ‘the dead.” ‘‘ Then you is the pard for us to make cap’n 0’ ‘this outfit; what says you, pards?” The rest of the band turned in their saddles at tthe call of Digger Dan, and he continued: ‘*T says this outfit should have a head to it, and I moves that we make the Dandy Miner here our cap’n, for we knows jist what he kin do, in spite o’ his sporty looks, as we has seen him tried. ‘‘ Now, I votes him cap’n o’ ther lay-out.” ** An’ so does L” ‘** Me, too.” ‘’ Mv vote are fer him.” “*T wants him cap’n.” Such were the responses of the men, who had ‘certainly come to regard King Kendall with the highest respect, after his bold act of the after- noon, and what they had seen him capable of doing. The handsome young miner raised his som- ‘brero in acknowledgment, the act displaying his shapely head and waving hair, and said, in his pleasant way: “Gentlemen, I thank you, and I willendeavor “to do my duty as your leader.” He said no more, but coolly rode to the front, heading the line, while Digger Dan took his place immediately behind him. Thus they continued on their way, their horses in a ——- walk, until the roar of the falls reached their ears. The trail of the bravo lay before them, and -suddenly another trail became visible. ‘Tt is the track of the Indian’s pony, for I noted his hoof-marks well,” said King Kendail, -dismounting and examining it. ‘‘ Then ther Lord be easy with Buck Bradley, ef thet red-skin are on his trail,” muttered Dig- ger Dan. ‘¢ You think ‘he follows him to kill him?’ “‘Yes, cap’n, for thet Red Fox hain’t no In- zu ter fedl with, and Bravo Buck fooled with im this arternoon. ‘‘You expulsioned Buck from ther outfit, and ther Renard are on his trail, so it are more than likely we'll find a graveyard by ther way, and Buck will be ther occupant.” ‘* Well, the two are man to man, and may the best one win,” said Kendall. ‘**T guesses the Injun will pour lead into him from the rear.” ‘*No, a man who rode as boldly into our | ‘“ That is the question, for not a trace of the logs we cut are left on either side, that I can see,” remarked Kendall. ‘“ Who c’u’d hev did it?’ asked Slouchy Sam. ‘‘ Ther speerits,” was the whispered reply of Digger Dan. ‘* Nonsense! the hands that ’cut that bridge away were flesh and blood. ‘‘'No, cap’n, fer speerit hands is stronger than camp as he did to-day is not the one to be an as- | bone an’ sinew 0’ live folks.” sassin, though bis training may have taught him it was right. | ‘‘Dan, you are a superstitious fool, and you are scaring the rest of the men out of their wits, ‘‘Of the two, I would trust Red Renard | and in broad daylight too; why, when night first, red-skin though he is— Ah! there is a comes ou’ll be afraid of your shadows,” said torrent ahead of us,” and the party came in Kendall, sternly. sight of the swollen stream, ** And a bridge.” ‘** Which are bu’sted.” ‘‘Gone under, as I are a sinner.” The miners were now oe upon the bank where the heavy ends of the bridge had been. They were gazing across the stream at the other ends, which still remained in pence, and he diagnosed the case with remarkable quick- ness and truth, for he said: ‘*Gentlemen, there was a bridge here, as you see, and it was not more than three hours ago that one horseman crossed it in safety.” ‘*The Injun trail leads on to it too, pard cap’n.” ‘True, Dan, but his weight broke it down, and the Indian and his pony went to their death over yonder falls, and Bravo Buck laid the trap to send him there.” ‘* You think he tampered with the bridge?” **T know it, for look at the ends of those three logs and you will see his work. ‘He knew the Indian was upon his trail, and so arranged to destroy him, or—” ‘‘Or what, cap’n?” “Or he laid a trap for some of us, who he knew would come this way.” ‘“* Ther murderin’ sarpint! we’ll hev ter punish him, with a rope neck-tie when we catches him; but what is to be done, cap’n?” ‘** Build another bridge, Dan.” ‘** How can we?” ** We have axes, saws, nails and ropes on our ck-horses, there, so what more do we need, or Lt ae are trees, and we can build the same kind of a bridge.” With this a camping-place was sought, as the banks of the stream indicated that a ford would not be found in many long miles, and selecting four long, suitable trees, Kendall took a sharp ax from the pack-saddle of one of the freight animals and began work with a will.” When the sun set they had the four trees down and trimmed of their branches, and roll- ers ready to convey them to the bank of the stream, Then they had supper and sought rest, one of the y standing guard. | ith the dawn they ‘vere up and at work again, and by noon they had tbe four smaller ends of the trees across the stream. Crossing over they drew the ends we 1 up on the bank, and then proceeded to hew the tops to make them | vel, for a good footing for tho horses, and steady them by nailing braces across, and a railing upon either side. ‘* Well, gentlemen, our bridge is complete,” said Kendall, with some pride, as they struck off work just at sunset and returned to camp for supper and a good night’s rest. ‘Yas, we is fixed, now, cap’n, ard we can continue on our way in the mornin’.” ‘*'Yes, Sam, we will cross to-morrow into the Promised Land, which I hope will prove to be the Eldorado of our hopes,” gayly responded King Kendall, and having discussed, with the relish of a man in perfect health, the tempting camp-supper before him, he wrapped his blanket about him and sought bis resting-place, bidding Slouchy Sam call him at four o’clock, when his watch began. This Slouchy Sam did, and the young miner took his post of duty, and began to pace to and fro until the gray light of approaching dawn came stealing over the mountain. ‘* Now for a look at my bridge,” he muttered, and he walked toward the crossing, which was distant but a bundred yards from the camp. **Good God! what does this mean?” he cried in utter amazement. And no wonder; the bridge was gone ! CHAPTER VIII. THE MIDNIGHT PROWLERS. THE loud call of King Kendall upon discover- ing the bridge to be gone, aroused the sleeping miners, and, with their arms in hand, they rushed to his side, ‘* Injuns, or — o’ ther Death Mountains, cap’n?’ asked Digger Dan, anxiously, as he reached the spot where mapens miner stood. Kendall quietly Bow toward the spot where the bridge gone. ga bridge gone!” he cried, in astonish- ment, ‘‘Ther bridge are gone!” echoed the others in chorus, as they arrived on the spot. “Gone, clean as a whistle; but how?” said Digger Dan. ! ' ——E | A A i ea - - os ee TE LL a y ‘‘ No, cap’n, but I'll be afeered o’ dead folks’ shaders, them as cut this bridge down.” “ Look there, do you not see that the work was done from the otber side? for they were cut there, and let fall into the water, and the force of the torrent dragged the heavy ends off, while the roar of the fall drowned all sound to our ears. ‘‘T'll build another bridge to-day, and to- night will stand guard myself.” ‘“Don’t do it, cap’n,” earnestly urged Digger Dan, his superstitious fears now wholly aroused. ‘‘] will, and if you all donot care toaid me, Pll mers the bridge alone, if it takes me a month to o it.” ‘* Waal, we'll help you, cap’n, but then it do seem like slappin’ Providence in ther face to at- tempt to go across inter ther gold kentry, when ther apeet te hev warned us to keep out. ‘‘ Well, [ll go, warning or no warning, if I go alone; but I wish aid, and you are not the boys to desert me, I know.’ ‘No, cap’n, we'll be thar with you, so here goes to build another bridge,” was the answer, and, while one of the number prepared break- fast the others began work. With the practice they had had on the other, they worked more in unison, and the result was that nightfall found a second bridge, even more substantial than the other, spanning the wild torrent. Mounting his horse, King Kendall rode across it, and back, and all pronounced it a very strong structure. Having had his supper, Kendall led his horse once more across the structure and fastened him in a thicket near by. Then he recrossed and called to Digger Dan. ‘* Dan, you are more afraid of ghosts than the rest of your comrades, so you'll most lik to keep wide awake, and I'll place you on guard for the night on this side. . ‘* Here, sit by this large tree, and, if you make any discovery, give the alarm; but mind you, do not get frightened at your shadow and keep the boys awake all night.” ** And you, cap’n?” asked Dan. ** I'll cross to the other side, and keep watch there, and if I see anything to cause alarm, Til call you, and you call the boys.” “T wouldn't ther Lost Gold Mine,” said Dan, with an ear- nestness that made Kendall laugh, while he con- ti watch for spirits, while I have an eye on the living.” “You is on ther side whar ther ghosts will walk, cap’n.” ‘‘ So much the better, for I have long wished - to see one,” and King Kendall went to the camp-fire, lighted a cigar, repeated bis instruc-_ tions to the others of the party and crossed the bridge to his post of duty, which was a large tree some ten paces back irom the bank of the stream, ‘he cigar seemed to soothe him, for he sat motionless for a long time, his thoughts evi- dently roaming amid other scenes than in that wild, weird land. The camp-fire burned lower and lower, until it flickered out, and a darkness that could be felt seemed to rest upon the scene, for a dense mist arose from the fall and swept along the banks. The roar of the fall seemed dull and heavy, and nature seemed to be dropping off to sleep. Suddenly King Kendail started. His cigar had long since gove out, and he ~ muttered: **T believe I was nail seer | “Tt is too dark to see the time by my watch, and I have no match. “Well, Ill see if Dan’s ghosts have gotten away with the bridge,” and he walked toit. — ** No, it still stan about the earth. ‘‘Ha! was not that astep? ‘*] distinctly heard the breaking of a dry twig. as beneath a human foot. ‘No, it is from the direction of the thicket, and was doubtless Comrade; but I'll havea lock at him,” and he at once walked to where he had left his horse, The animal was lying down, and apparently asleep, but arose at the approach of bis master. “Tt was not Comrade, that is certain. ‘Well, [ll return to my post and try and keep awake, for I have certainly been asleep— No, I'll have to look at Dan first. . Eomichoo gs) Go cross that stream to-night fer a nued: “ ‘* Well, I would, so Pony og and keep a , so it cannot yet be mid- night, the time when ghosts are said to prowl ‘ 3° ais * car.