Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 414 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

\ - He crossed the bridge with firm step mayed by the madly-rushing waters him, and called out in a low tone: se Dan 17 ** Ay, cap’n, are thet you?” “*-Yes; and I’m glad to see you awake.” ‘Yas; this hain’t my sleepy night; but you looked awful white a-comin’, and I thought you was a ghost on the bridge.” **No; it is the mist; but have you heard any sounds of a suspicious nature?” **T hain’t; but I expects to, fer it are a ’most midnight.” King Kendal! now returned to his post and resumed his seat: beside the tree. In spite of himself, he seemed to be over- whelmed with sleep, and once or twice he seem- ed to inhale some delicious odor and aroused himself with a start, only to sink back into what appeared a delightful dream, which held him spellbound. At last his head sunk upon his chest, and thus he remained, while suddenly out from behind the tree against which he sat glided a white- robed form, No face was visible, and the figure was envel- oped in a snowy mantle like a shroud, Bending over the sleeping sentinel, the shad- owy form stood thus an instant, and then crossed the bridge with the same gliding movement, that did not seem like a walk. The mist was more heavy now, and its chill had caused Digger Dan to draw his blanket about him so that he became comfortable, and the comfort made him sleepy,for he began to nod. Up behind the tree against which he sat glided “la ae ae form, and bent over the sleeping u > A moment or so it stood thus, as stiillasa ‘marble statue, and then the head of Digger Dan was bowed, and he seemed to be buried in deep slumber. Then, about the bank glided the ghostly form, bending over here, halting there, and then re- tracing its way across the bridge, where it came upon another shrouded figure. _ A sign, but no word seemed to pass between. them, and then the two bent over the end of the bridge. A moment they stood thus, and then came a plunge in the waters, half-drowned by the roar of the fall, and with a grating, tearing sound, the bridge was swept away down the mad tor- rent, while the ghostly forms glided away from sight in the thicket, just as dawn broke over the distant mountains, and Slouchy Sam arose to see what had happened to the captain and Dig- ger Dan during the hours of darkness. Reaching the side of Digger Dan, he saw that he sat motionless, all in a heap, and then he took undis- beneath _ agilance toward the stream, and loud rung out his cry: ‘* Pards, ther bridge are gone ag’in!” To the spot hastened his alarmed companions, and they saw that the bridge was indeed gone, while their companion, Digger Dan, re- mained as motionless and silent as though dead. Across the stream they now beheld King Ken- _ dall, crouched all in a heap, and still and seem- Red Renard, the Indian Detective. 4 Digger Dan looked alarmed, and fearing the party might take flight, King Kendall called out: sé Sam 1? ** Ho, cap’n.” ‘*T wish you would get your breakfast, and then start down the stream to find a ford, so that you can join me on this side.” ** And us, cap’n?’ asked Digger Dan anxious- y. ‘* Go to work at building another bridge.” ‘* Fer ther ghosts ter git away with?” ‘*No, for you to cross over on, for Sam will reach me before night, I guess, and then we two will watch this end, and all of you the other end, to find out what it is that does all this mis- chief,” ‘* Tt are ghosts, cap’n.” ‘* One would certainly think so, but I don’t be- lieve it. ‘*Now set to work, and Ill throw my lasso over the ends of the logs and aid you to draw them over as best I can.” The men went to work nonce more, and with a will, anxious to get the bridge completed by night, while Slouchy Sam, after a bite, mounted his horse and struck off down the river-bank upon his lonely scout. The trail he followed led down into the val- ley, around a spur of the mountain, and he had a fine view of the fall, while he came sudden] upon the dead body of the Indian pony, whic the current bad forced ashore. It was mangled and bruised terribly, and the bridle and saddle were gone. ‘*Ther water and ther rocks didn’t take ther saddle and bridle off, that are sart’in. ‘* Human hands has done that, sart’in. ‘* But it are the Injun's pony, sure, and ef Red Renard took ther same tumble, | are glad, tho’ I doesn’t see his carkis lyin’ around loose. ‘* He are a pesky Injun, are thet red-skin, and I'l] put a bullet inter him ef he hain’t dead, and I sees him; but I guesses he hev tu’k ther trail fer ther happy huntin’-grounds.” Thus saying, Slouchy Sam again mounted and rode on down the stream, anxiously looking for a crossing. f A ride of a few miles brought him to a spot where he could enter the stream, and some dis- tance down upon the other side he saw where he could make a landing. It was a dangerous undertaking, but Slouchy Sam was a brave man, and boldly made the venture. The swift current ote him clong at a terrible pace, but he aided his horse all he could the while toward the other shore, and at last reached it in safety. After a rest he wended his way along the other bank, his path going upward at a con- siderable incline. Often he would have to leave the stream to flank some rough country, but again made his way back to it. ‘“T cuess ther sun will leave me afore I j’ines ther cap’n; but I hopes not,” he said, anxiousl glancing toward the west, while he urged his horse to a faster pace. ance of the bridge, and this was that where he had made the ends fast with stout grape-vines, to act as ropes, they had in each case been un- fastened from the trees, or pegs, and had gone with the balance of the structure. ‘‘ This proves that whoever did the work took their time about it. ‘* But to-night we will solve this mystery,” he muttered, as he worked hard in the building of. his third bridge. With Slouchy Sam away, and Kendall upom the opposite shore, the work did not progress as rapidly as before, and darkness found the bridge still incomplete. | But it was in a condition permitting the men to pass back and forth on, and when night fell, two camps were made close to the ends of the bridge, and the miners anxiously watched for the coming of Slouchy Sam, little dreaming what fate had befallen him. Late into the night they sat about the camp- fires, watching and waitiug, and then, worn out with their labors, all but those on guard sought rest. And those two, King Kendall and Digger Dan, as on the night before, sat each on an end of the bridge and waited. Slowly the hours passed away, and, worn out. with their labors of the past few days, and want of rest, in spite of themselves they would occa- sionally lose themselves in sleep. Suddenly from out of the pine thicket, not far from where King Kendall sat, appeared a white form. It was the same shadowy being that had been seen the night before, and with the same glid- ing motion as then, it came toward the drowsy watchers. Nearer and nearer, and more noiseless than a breeze passing over the earth, it came until it: stood behind Kendall, as he sat upon the bridge, his back against the railing, his feet upon the rocky hank. Then the two white-shrouded arms were stretched out and seemed to clasp him about the neck, A few moments they remained thus, and the young miner toppled over to the ground. By his side lay the form of Denver Dick, a brawny miner, who slept sound and snored like a lion in anger. Over his form the ghostly visitor bent for a while, and then glided away across the bridge, which seemed not to vibrate uvder its tread. Upon the other end sat Digger Dan, and near- him, within reach of his feet, lay his compan— ions. Dan was asleep, that was certain, his head leaning back against the railings. But a of his congredes, Bae a peck. was pert less, and, opening his eyes, they fell upon wha appeared tpisi to be a ghost coming across the brid One yell he gave, and springing to his feet_ he darted away, quickly followed by Digger Dan and his other comrade, who, beholding the spec-. tral being, echoed his cry of affright and pursued his example with an alacrity that was astonish-. ing. Into the thicket they went, leaving horses, 4% ingly dead. At length he reached the top of a lofty ridge, > ‘**Pards! they is dead! ther’ ghosts hev kilt | and, making his way along it, found that it ter- | blankets and rifles behind them, and only seem-- . %em, an’ it are time for us ter git out o’ this,” | minated in a cliff overhanging the sea. ing anxious to get space between them and the appalling vision, At length they could go no further, for hu-- man nature gave out under the strain, and, panting like hard-run hounds, they sat down to- He had to retrace his way, to continue on up the torrent, and, as he turned, his horse started, for a horseman was aed ame him. ‘*""her Red Renard, by ther Rockies! a * cried Slouchy Sam in tones of horror, and be was leading the way toward the camp, when they suddenly saw King Kendall move, then _> * & ? ae oe his arms out wildly, and next stagger to _ his feet and glare about him like a man gone ‘* Come on, yer wild red-skin, fer I wants yer | rest. . dazed. scalp!” It was a long time before they eould find the. * ” ‘Me come! want your scalp!” was the calm | power of speech, and then Bonanza Bill asked. rege CHAPTER IX. reply, and the Indian spurred toward him. huskily: | a THE MINER’S LAST SCOUT. he animal ridden by the miner became ‘* What was it?” -~--- For full a moment did King Kendall stand | frightened at the rush of the Indian and his ‘Ther ghost,” answered Black Jack. _ gazing about him. pony toward him, and reared violently. ‘‘ Who seen it?’ inquired Bonanza Bill. 4 - It was evident that he was bewildered, sadly Red Renard at once drew rein, but his horse ‘‘ Didn't you see it?” asked Digger Dan. go, and was striving to collect his scattered | had an impetus not easily checked, and, also *0.” . ss senses, rearing, his fore feet became interlocked with ‘What in thunder did yer yell fer then?” ao At last he shook himself together, as it were, | those of the miner’s animal, and thus they stood growled Dan. -_- -ubbed his eyes and head violently, and walked | an instant, the Indian, knife in band, seeking to “Cause you did, pards; I were a-sleepin’ ther- toward the stream, the miners upon the other | grasp his foe, who twice fired his revolver, | sleep o’ ther just, when Jack thar opened in my | bank gaping at him the while in dumb surprise, | though with bad aim. ear like a Comanche and made tracks, and seein’ Suddenly he stopped, and his eyes became It was certainly a most critical moment, for | you git lively, too, and yell a war-whoop, I were. -_--—- ¥iveted upon the spot where the end of the bridge | the animal ridden by the miner began to give | with yer, pards, and here I are.” way backward, and his hoofs were upon the} ‘ Waal, 1 seen a ghost,” urged Jack. had been. ee ‘‘Heaven above! the bridge has gone!” he fairly shouted. “That are so, pard, and we thought you was dead!” yelled back Slouchy Sam. ss “Dead! no, I’m alive, but benumbed with _ eold; and, now I think of it, I have been dream- ing of finding acres of gold, and my head aches very edge of the cliff. “ And so did I; he were comin’ across ther~ ‘‘Great God, Injun! I cave, for we'll be over!” cried Slouchy Sam indire terror, his face white and his teet chattering while he now grasped his horse about the neck. But too late his words, for one hoof of his horse slipped over the cliff, his balance was ee ‘+ He were, Dan.” ‘‘ Whar was ther cap’n an’ Denver Dick?” ask- ed Bonanza Bill. “Thet I hain’t calkilated ter inform ver. “T were on watch, and hed jist lookt across a savagely; but who cut away the bridge?” and the animal of the Indian pressing hard | ther bridge, and seen all were quiet over ther, as" eB he ghosts.” against him, there was no alternative, for they | when Black Jack turned up, and I know’d suth- OP. ‘¢ Nonsense! what does Digger Dan say?” must go over together. in’ awful hed come ter pass. eee _ “Thar he sits, just as you did, cap’n.” A scream of mortal terror from the fright- ‘‘Hed it been Injuns, or road-agints, I'd ’a’ been thar with my shootin’-iron; but when it comes ter ghosts, then I is entered on ther race-- track ag’in’ time, you kin gamble on it.” ‘*Waal, Dan, I waked up and seen ther ghost as it were comin’ fer you, and so I give a yell. ter skeer it, and here roont ‘* You is right, Jack. ‘Waal, my opinion are thet yer was botlr a leep and dreamin’ ther sheriff hed yer for yer~ THE HAUNTED BRIDGE. sins, when ther cap’n comin’ across ther bridge. THERE was one thing that surprised King | skeert yer ‘inter a race,” growled Bonanze. | Kendall, regarding the mysterious disappear- ‘ Bill. ‘fe | ened animal, a shriek for mercy from the blanched lips of the miner, and over he went, borne by his horse, while Red Renard, slipping ae § from the back of his pony, said laconic- ally: ‘Bad pale-face and good ponies go over cliff, yes; but Red Renard take no tumble this time.” CHAPTER X. “Shake him and arouse him.” This was done, and after some difficulty, Dig- ger Dan was awakened, and staggered to his -—~—s * Lordy, pards! ther ghost led me ter whar I eer -_ found gold-mines ter sell— Rats in ther Rock- jes! ther bridge hev gone!” and his cyes fell -_-- upon the bridgeless stream. That are so, pard; but ther cap’n are over _ on tether side, and he were asleep, too, and he don’t know no more about how it come ter go than we does,” LL LL wg ——— ee OO . 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