Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 438 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

SE —————— 7 - EE 10 _ eee meee ee eee ee ee stupor, and dull expectation that defies ail de- scription, — — 4 —- — -_~ == = — their usual appetites, but like men who force themselves to feed, that their sorely tried —— ee —— a ee ee ee ee ee ee little property to Reap ‘em alive while I made a new home fer ’em, w—thar lays all there is Henry Hornkohl came panting up to the spot, | strength may not fail them when needed most. | left! Dead—dead—killed without time to say a and the questions he would have put died away | And while they ate, Boomer Balt and Henry | partin’ word! Witbout time to breathe a before they crossed his lips. Novice though he | Hornkohl learned their story; one that hardly | prayer!” was, even he could not help reading a portion of the terrible truth in those drawn, haggard, haunted faces. He leaned heavily against the splintered trunk of a tree, trembling in every fiber, racked with pain from sole to crown, each breath seeming to rend his tortured lunj's. Boomer Balt saw him thus, and divined some- thing of what he must be suffering through his own sensations. It was difficult, but he stag- gered to his feet and caught his employer by the arm. oa They’s bin awful doin’s ’round here, pardner, an’ mis’able aS we both feel, it ain’ta tit ona hog to them!” he muttered, with a slight nod * toward the boomers. ‘*T know—it’s awful!” with a shiver, as one of the hollow-eyed strangers passed close by them. ‘‘It’s like—like corpses walking about! If one could only do or say something to help them!” ‘“?Tain’t us—it’s others that needs help, stran- ger,” hoarsely uttered one of the boomers, glanc- ing over his shoulder as he thrust a bundle of splinters into the fire until its tip ignited. ‘“Whar be they? We've got to go an’ gether ’em up!” The last words rose almost to a shriek as his yent-up emotions passed beyond his stern con- trol e swung the flaming torch above his head as he beckoned his comrades to follow his example,then staggered off into the stormy night. Boomer Balt git y Bi heed: and caught 7 au blazing branch, for the moment forgetting his own crippled condition in his solicitude for others still more luckless. ‘* Grab lights an’ scutter out, lads!” he cried, his voice shurp and metallic, ‘‘ Ye ain’t even the ghosts o’ men ef ye cower thar while they’s sufferin’ humanity waitin’ fer aid an’ comfort! Scatter out—an’ the good Lord above grant we may do some good!” It was little they could expect to accomplish with such rude and inefficient appliances, but the stupor was broken, and soon ruddy lights were dancing over the wind-scarred plain, now flaming up, now dying out until only a dull red spark remained. But this first step led to others, and the rude torches were ere long replaced by lanterns as wagon after wagon was discovered where scattered by the howling tempest. Here, as everywhere else that a record has heen kept, the ‘‘ twister” had played many mad freaks. Here, as it ever does, the cyclone had occasionally spared, as though through pure caprice—as though to emphasize its awful power through the force of close contrasts, And on through the storm, through the clear- ing away of the clouds and the ceasing of the rain, beneath the brightly twinkling stars, under the clear light.of the moon when it cleared the heavy ring of clouds that still bordered the horizon on every hand, those men labored, for- getting self, forgetting everything save the needs of their even less fortunate fellows, It was a sad, even horrible quest; this search- ing for the living, to find the dead! All through the rest of that night, the fire was kept blazing high and sendirg aloft its ruddy light. There was no lack of fuel. The mad twister had provided that! One by one the dead, the dying, the wounded and crippled were brought in by the haggard searchers. Those whose troubles were forever company knew notbing about the family required explanation, however, after what their own eyes had witnessed. The company was bound for ‘‘ the promised land,” just as many another company in those land-mad days. They were in high spirits, for they had successfully eluded the soldiers whose duty it was to prevent invasion of the forbidden region, and they were already anticipating their arrival when death and destruction burst upon them. They saw the storm brewing, and though not one among them all suspected the horrors which were to come, all saw that it was to be no or- dinary storm. Making their way toa timber island, where wood and water was plentiful enough for their needs, the company began camping, though so much earlier than their ac- customed hour for halting, As the fates willed it, they stopped right in. the course of the cyclone, and after the terribly significant ‘‘ death-balloon ” showed itself, they had no time for flight or preparation. Almost before the coolest-nerved among them all could realize the actual peril, the storm-demon dropped upon them, then— Each one of the survivors had a different ex- perience to relate. Different, yet with a blood- chilling sameness running through all; eloquent admission of man’s impotence. Without obtruding their own affairs too pointedly, our friends managed to learn that for whom they were searching. That was not so strange, after all. ‘It’s a mighty big country, pard,”’ muttered Boomer Balt as he filled and lit his pipe. ‘‘ Aw’ it ain’t like it was open an’ free to all who tuck a notion to enter it. The boys in blue raally try to do thar duty as it’s laid down fer ’em, I reckon, an’ so a body that wanted to git thar the surest way, wouldn’t be apt to hunt up So out o’ thar own straight trail.” “Tf they only escaped that frightful cy- clone!” ‘* We'll keep on hopin’ fer the best, anyway. It don’t cost no more, an’ it’s a mighty sight more satisfyin’,” muttered Boomer Balt, with a little shudder as a cry of pain came from a wounded woman. With the first gleam of the rising sun, search was resumed, but it came to an abrupt termina- tion. A sharp cry broke from one of the men, and all eyes were turned in the direction of his outstretched hand. A close, compact body of horsemen were ap- peer the spot, and though still far distant, second look was not necessary for recognition. at was a squad of soldiers, Silently the search was abandoned and the boomers returned to the spot where their dead and injured were collected. A few among them wore dogged, sullen looks, and a few hands turned over pistols and rifles; but for the most part it was a dull, listless, hopeless waiting for the inevitable. Boomer Balt drew his employer a little to one side, where they silently waited the result. Though their sympathy was with the boomers, as was natural, after their experience of the past night, when they knew the right was on the side of the soldiers, There was a plain law, plainly forbidding the invasion. The boomers were law-breakers. The military were law-pre- ‘servers. No cool brain could deny this, how- ever unjust that law might appear in itself. The boys in blue drew rein at a little dis- His voice choked, and he staggered back, fall- ing on his knees beside his dead, mortal anguish shaking his gaunt frame. The face of the officer turned white and his eyes closed for an instant like one whose hcart is turning sick within his bosom; but he had a duty to perform, and he dared not neglect it too long. e called in his men, and briefly gave them their orders. They were to scatter out and pick up what effects they could find that were at all worth carriage. nd as there were still several of the party missing, they were to search closely for them, living or dead. Disagreeable as this duty no doubt was to the soldiers, they were far too well disciplined to ut- ter even a word tothat effect: orders were or- ders, and they fell briskly to work. Their coming, too, seemed to infuse f:esh life into the company, and the work went on with redoubled energy. The few sound wagons were collected, and others were patched up until fit for the road. Scattered effects were gathered up, sorted out, and piled on the wagons. Horses, mules, oxen, were herded and harness overlooked. Other hands were caring for the wounded as best they could with such limited appliances. Fortunately there was a physician among the unhurt, and he worked unceasingly. Now that the soldiers had come to aid in the work, Boomer Balt and Henry Hornkobl felt at liberty to take a much-needed breathing spell, They drew a little apart from the rest, convers- ing in whispers. ow would this meeting witb the soldiers af- fect their purpose? Would they be placed under arrest, with the rest? ‘* Fer all he talks so smooth an’ soft, they’s a bit o’ the bull-dog in that critter,” muttered Balt, with a side nod in the direction of Lieutenant Ballingal, who was working as hard as any of his men in trying to straighten things out. ‘‘ Them eyes 0’ bis’n is heap too sharp fer either you or me to play Injun onto him. I might git off by takin’ oath toa squaw an’ pack o’ pappooses, but you ain’t nigh so likely to be that sort o’ cat!” oy We'll find some way out of the mess, never ear. ‘*Got to!” emphatically nodded the veteran. ‘* Play missionary ef—” He broke off abruptly, rising to his feet and shading his eyes with one hand as he gazed keenly toward the rising sun. Following fis motions, Henry Hornkohl caught sight of a small clump of horsemen rapidly following a single rider to- ward the camp. ‘* Missionary no good!” snapped Boomer Balt, with a dark scowl as he dropped back to his for- mer position. ‘' That does cook my goose!” ‘You know them? Who and what are they?” hurriedly demanded the lawyer, his brows cor- rugating. “Tom O’Donnell, chief o’ army scouts—no less!” ‘“How can his coming make matters any worse?” ‘*Mebbe not fer you, ef you kin make ’em b’lieve you ain’t in my comp’ny,” grunted Balt, thoroughly disgusted at the contrary turn affairs were taking. ‘‘ Es fer me—that pesky critter knows me from A to Zed! Knowsme too durned well to listen to any argyment! Knows I’m Boomer Balt by name, an’ boomer Balt by natur’!” The chief of scouts rode up to the camp, touch- at an end were soberly placed together where the | tance, and their chief, a tall, handsome young | ing his hat to the officer, taking in all the details disabled were not compelled to see them too | fellow, dismounted and advanced alone. And | at a single glance of his remarkably keen eyes, plainly. The worst injured were aided as far as he glanced keenly, comprehensively around ‘*Didn’t I tell ye so?” growled the white-haired as ible under the circumstances, and the rest joined the sad hunt. Foremost among the searchers were Boomer Balt and Henry Hornkohl, and already they were receiving their reward for their humanity. Perhaps it was the exercise that kept their sore muscles limbered up; perhaps it was wit- nessing so much suffering far greater than any they bad felt or could feel; but certain it is that as the gray light of a new day began to appear in the East, and they paused to taste the hot coffee which some of the poor women had ven- tured to boil, both of our friends felt like new men. Their looks, rather than their tongues said this much. With so much misery about them, they could hardly congratulate each other. the time day had fairly dawned, nearly all of the company had been found and accounted for: dead, injured, living. And as Henry Horn- koh] listened to the gloomy record, he shivered with horror. ‘*Tt’s terrible enough, but it might ’a’ bin still wuss,” muttered Boomer Balt, as he noticed the same horrible storm!” “God forbid!” the scene of desolation, he uncovered h‘s head with a grave reverence. Under different circumstances all this might have taken on an altogether different color, for it is anything but a pleasant duty for a regular army officer to be sent upon; expected to keep the border clear of all invaders, yet forbidden to use the power they were expected to display. Having paid this reverence to the dead, the yonng officer introduced himself as Lieutenant Ballingal, and asked for the leader of the colony. In silence he was shown a corpse, horribly mangled, The same answer was given to his /speech as he asked for the second in command, | and then he gave over the effort to discover the responsible head of the company, treating with them as a whole. In a very few words he pointed out his sworn duty. He reminded them of the law, as it stood, | ust or unjust; with that he had naught to do. e was placed there to find and turn back all men who tried to enter the forbidden region, an officer, I can only carry out the orders of my superiors,” he oe gravely. mtg as he saw those piercing orbs flash upon 1im fora second. ‘*He’s clapped his tag onto me a’ready! Be sure the boss won’t let me slip through his grip woen he rounds up this gang,” Henry Hornkohl frowned and looked ve rave, but made no reply. And he lay in si- Sense when, shortly after, the chief of scouts came up and spoke to the old man, smiling grimly: ‘‘ Lost your way ag’in, Uncle Balt# Well, you are unlucky, sure!” ‘**Not so bad off as some others, anyhow,” muttered the guide, with an involuntary glance toward a patient who just then utte a wild scream of pain under the hurried hands of the doctor. peewee shrugged his shoulders as he re- plied: ‘Ef they’d bin on Jawful ground, the twister wouldn’t ’a’ hit’em this round. Not but I’m sorry enough fer the poor devils,” with a low- ered, softened tone as his rugged yet not un- handsome face grew graver. ‘‘I kin feel fer that shiver. ‘‘ Your fri’nds might ’a’ bin in the | and he could only perform that duty to the best | them as well as any other man, but—waal, ef : comp’ny.” of his ability. you only knowed how mighty monotonous you ie ‘“Who knows? Perhaps they were struck by ‘* As a man,I can sympathize with you; as | pesky critters makes it fer us unlucky devils, you could understand it better.” ‘*CVar as mud!” grunted Boomer Balt. TT sh iene ee ll ** Amen!” ‘*Hain’t we suffered enough, as itis?” fiercely | Tom O’Donnell laughed softly as he retorted: P cried one of the boomers, wild-eyed and aged ‘* Well, one thing’s clear enough, anyway: an’ , While waiting the dawning of day, the worn years by the awful events of the night just past. | that is we’ll hev the sweet pleasure o’ makin’ x and weary searchers ate and drank; not with ‘I come in here with wife and children an’a the back trip in each other’s company.” ) | ; 4 JOOKS COM rere Bes PN OO, ena Gomie