Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 438 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

ee ees that fashion, and after a little awkwardness at the start, they did their duty well. Both Wright and his wife bore the trip better than McBride had dared to hope. The little nourishment which he had managed to get down their throats appeared to have done them great good, and they were conscious, sane enough to thank him faintly when the wagon came to a halt at the hills and he looked in upon them. This was far better than he had dared to hope, and it was with a light heart that he talked to ——_--+-— i ee ee them while his men were preparing letters such | as they had used to convey the wounded youth to the cave in the rocks. He told them that their son was safe, though injured too much to take a prominent part in their rescue. And as he saw the great tears of joy roll down their haggard cheeks, he felt richly repaid for all the toil he had undergone on their ac- count. He dared not question them too closely, as yet, about the missing girl, or how they came to be left as found, ‘They were far too weak as yet, and nothing could be done in that direction until after they were taken to the cavern, He begged them to take a little of the whisky and water which he mixed for them, and fairly cheered in his delight when Evander Wright climbed out of the wagon with his aid, and de- clared that he was already strong enongh to ride a horse, Mrs. Wright was placed in a litter, and witha man riding behind the boomer to steady him in the saddle, the party left the wagon and started into the narrow valley which led to the cavern. The trip consumed time, for Evander Wright was still very weak, and more than one pause was necessary on his account. But the trip was made without serious delay, and when the foot of the winding trail was gained, Evander Wright made no resistance when four stout men offered to carry him up it. The litter with Mrs. Wright went first, the boomer following. And when the two suffering ones caught sight of Perry Wright lying on his couch near the fire whose ruddy glow lit up his face, their agitated cries cau his eyes to open —his lips to utter the first lucid speech that had passed them since Oklahoma Nick left him in the canyon. enry Hornkobl watched this meeting with interest, and though he kept well in the back- ground, he closely scanned the faces of mother and father, like one who either knew them well, or wished to impress their features upon his memory beyond the. possibility of ever mistak- ing them. Molly Feathertop quietly moved aside to give them place, though her thin, grave face still were that indefinable expression which only nurses seem capable of wearing. It was plain enough that she still looked upon Perry Wright as her especial charge. , After his first greeting, Evander His. 5: gave place to his wife, as men instinctively do under’ such circumstances: for our sex makes but clumsy nurses at the best, and who so fit as a mother? And that mother seemed to forget her own suffering, ber own weakness, in caring for the young giant who was still a baby in ber eyes, in her heart. Dick McBride, seeing how much better Evan- der Wright had borne the ordeal than he had dared expect, now ventured to question the boomer as to what had occurred at tue camp by the timber island. And in broken, uncertain h, Evander Wright told him all—all save the frightful tortures which he and his wife had endured before their coming. Then the scouts drew a little to one side, con- sulting together as to th»ir wisest plan of action, and while the Boomer was thus left to himself, Henry Hornkchl approached him, introducing himself and at the same time asking pardon for resuming to enter on business matters when so much anxiety prevailed. ‘But when | tell you that I am going to join those men in their search for your daughter, Mr. Wright, you can understand why I am un- willing to leave my sworn duty uuperformed. Of course [ expect to come through in good shape, but accidents will happen, and I want to leave a clean record behind me,” Evander Wright muttered something in re- ly: what, he hardly knew himself. He was in- Hood in a poor condition for business, after all he had undergone, after the loss of poor Otelia and the misfortune which had crippled her brother, just when his aid was needed most. But Henry Hornkohl was not easily bluffed off, and feeling that he had a duty to perform, he fell to work. ‘ : “BY close questioning he satisfied himself that vander Wright was indeed the person he had sought for so fou, and then he made known his mission. ‘You had an uncle, named Onesiphorus Wright, I believe?” ' Evander Wright nodded assent, his gaze still fixed on his son. ‘‘T am sorry to inform you that he is dead, and—” “You lie!” almost savagely cried the boomer, flashing one glance into the face of the startled man, then breaking into a hollow laugh as he pointed toward Perry, who partially lifted his ? a ———— all . — + ae ee eis Oklahoma Nich. head at the sound of his father’s voice. ‘‘ See! he’s livin’—he'll git well ag’in!” ‘*T meant that your uncle was dead: Onesi- phorus Wright,” distinctly uttered the detec- tive. ‘‘ Your uncle, not your son.” ‘‘Oh—Uncle Oney—only him?” muttered the boomer, brushing a hand across his damp brow, then adding in a steadier tone: ‘‘ Ef you don’t mind, stranger, we'll put it off alittle. Im—lI feel all broke up—I ain’t fit fer talkin’ nur yit listenin’, ye see.” ‘*I only ark a very few words, my dear sir.” oF The ruffian said still more, but poor Otelia did not hear, or if she heard, did not heed him. The- name of Oklahoma Nick seemed a revelation to. her. She believed now that her blackest fears bad fallen far short of thereal mark. He wasa traitor of the deepest dye. It was all his cruel work—all his plotting and scheming! She felt that he had connived at the theft of their horses, even if his fertile brain had not long before plotted the whole thing. She felt that he had led off Perry to captivity or death, _ simply to rob her of her dearest, truest protector. persisted the detective, with an uneasy glance to- | ward the scouts whose conference seemed about atanend. ‘I must insist on telling you why I have taken so much trouble to hunt you up. I | must give you these, which you can look over at your leisure. Then, if anything should hap- pen to me on this little trip, you'll know just | what to do and where to turn first. ‘Your uncle Onesiphorus Wright is dead, and has left all his property to you and your family. to which you can reasonably object when the great amount of the property is taken into con- sideration. ‘* Please take the papers, and stow them safely away; unless you will glance over them now, which course I would greatly prefer, as guard- ing against possible accident. You will find the name of the law firm which has charge of the matter, marked on the papers, so—” A sudden bustle among the scouts and soldiers cut him short, and he glanced around just im time to catch sightof Boomer Balt as he entered the cavern, the red light of the fire revealing a strongly agitated countenance. “Got ’em—thank God!” the boomer guide ejaculated as his hurried glance showed him Evander Wright and his wife, the latter sitting beside the wounded youth, his sound hand _ten- derly clasped in hers. ‘*Got them, as you see, pard,” laughed Dick McBride, his eyes glowing with honest pride and delight, ‘* And we'll have the little circle cotn- plete before another sun, too!” ‘* Bet you we will, now!” chuckled the guide, with astrange hoarseness in his voice that Henry Hornkohl felt was purposely assumed. * And a moment later he felt fully confirmed in this suspicion, for when Evander Wright, elec- trified by something in the voice or manner of Boomer Balt, rose to bis feet and staggered for- ward, the detective saw how adroitly the guide backed around until his rosy face was kept in the shadow, ‘* You know somethin’—you fetch some word o’ my pore ’Telie!” gasped the boomer, his voice so choked as to be hardly audible, ‘*"Deed I jes’ does, pard!” croaked Boomer Balt, coughing lustily behind one hand, bowing his head with a suddenness tbat cast the long white locks over bis forehead and eyes, **She is—she is not—not—” The sorely shaken father could not utter the words, and Dick McBride almost angrily cut in: ‘*Oat with it, man! Don’t you see how the poor fellow suffers?” ‘*She’s well, I reckon, though I didn’t jes’ see her with the own eyes o’ me. I knows whar she is, an’ I kin putt the hand o’ me on her in the dark with my eyes shet! An’ ef rs lads— ‘course you will!” with another croaking laugh as he whirled about and cavght u_ the twin children, thrusting them upon the trembling boomer as he added : ‘* Tl fetch her back to ye, safe an’ sound! An’ thar’s the s’curity fer keepin’ my word good! Take ’em, pard! Grip’em tight, an’ ef [ don’s come back to deem ’em inside o° this night, you kin freeze to the twins an’ Molly Feathertop throwed in—dummed ef you cain’t, now!” CHAPTER XVIII. OKLAHOMA GROWS DESPERATE, WHEN Otelia Melb ag recovered her senses, she found herself confined in arwle brush wicki- up or shanty, in a measure protected from the still falling rain, Fora brief space she could not recall what had happened, or where she then was; but the mists gradually passed away from her poor brain, and with a gasp cry she started to her feet—only to be confronted by the brutal face of Jack pital eg ‘* Don’t you git too skittish, gal!” he growled, showing his teeth by the red light of the camp- fire that followed him through the lifted blanket that served as a door. ‘* Father—mother—let me go to them! Think what they are suffering—” ‘*I’m thinkin’ heap more *bout how I’m suf- ferin’, an’ who done it,” interposed the outlaw, with a grimace, as he tenderly nursed his band- aged shoulder, ‘ Better you hold your hush, pritty! The boys hain’t got over talkin’ "bout Jan Switzer yit, an’ ef they should take a no- tion fer to make you pay fer his kickin’ the bucket—waal, I don’t reckon they’d be ’nough o’ ye to go more’n hafe-way ’round! Best hold your hush, I tell ye. Keep a-fergittin’ all ve kin, an’ count it a lucky trip that Nick Van Bibber made a mis-cue in the dark an’ fetched up here stead o’ whar he was aimin’ fer.” There are certain conditions, but none | _—_ oO ee —— ee IT + AOL agua” SEL FRAT RO ee te aan hte cog eT TE eA AE OE | EO A Le ee a ee ee eT See ee ee i ee - That it was by his orders Jerry Viggles had re- turned to raid the camp, to leave her parents to. a lingering doom, to carry her away in order tbat the cunning schemer might try to win her- love by a pretended rescue. She saw it all now —and her poor brain reeled until she sunk back on her rude couch with a choking moan, feeling” that all was indeed lost, There must bave followed a spell of wild deli- rium, for she could afterward diuwly recall strange figures moving about and passing to and fro; could recall faces and even snatches of con- versation such as one may remember after a des-- perate fit of lliness. And she remembered, too, bow she raved at the sight of Oklahoma Nick. Or—was it all a horrible dream? There was a foundation of truth. Jack How- good grew alarmed at the death-like appearance of the poor girl as she sunk back on her grass- couch, and called in assistance. Itcame none too. soon. The poor girl broke out into the wildest ravings, calling piteously on ber mother, her father and brotber. She fought against her- captors as long as her poor strength lasted, now bitterly upbraiding them for their cruelty, then pitifully begging them to let her go and set her- parents free before they starved to death. At length her powers failed Ler and she lay exhausted, sleeping heavily from the strong drink which had been almost forced down her’ throat. The night passed, and it was far along in the day before she awoke, weak but with a clear’ brain. She lay almost without motion, without thought, gazing dreamily up at the rude raf-- ters above her bed. In a vague way she was. wondering what had happened, where sbe could be, when a low groan startled her and she lifted: her head. | To utter a gasping cry of mingled surprise: and fear, of wonder and almost loathing, as she recognized Oklahoma Nick lying on the floor in one corner of the rude cabin to which she had been removed while unconscious, The door swung open and a shaggy head thrust itself inside, then withdrew and a sharp- ery followed, A minute later the door again opened and Jerry Viggles entered the cabin, inning and rubbing his hands as though tick-- ed half to death. ‘* Lookin’ bright an’ peert as—durn ye, crit- ter!” with a vicious curse, as be stumbled over- the prostrate guide. ‘Git out o’ the way when you see a gentleman comin’, cain’t ye!” and he- rudely kicked Oklahoma Nick in the side with his heavy boot. ‘* You cur!” gratingly cried the guide, lifting” his head, only to be hurled back by another bru— tal kick. ‘If my hands were free for a single instant V’d—” ‘* Git swallered alive an’ kickin’, without pep-- per, salt or rng !’ laughed the outlaw, turn- ing toward lia, who was now sitting up with her face full of bewilderment. ‘He there—bound!” she muttered, almost. agg 2 ane A ‘*He wouldn’t be thar ef I hed my say,” growled the ruffian, with a malignant scowl, one hand cceerens to the knife at his waist. ‘““Ef it was all my game, he’d stopped behind whar we ketched you both, to feed the buzzards: an’ coyotes! But the boss wouldn’t hev it that way. An’so we hed to tote ye both al? this fur—an’ pore Jimson Joe layin’ out in the- damp, too!” ‘** Where you should be, you cur!” grated Okla-- homa Nick, straining at his bonds, his face- owing fairly purple with strong emotions. ‘Fool! that I didn’t stop to make sure you were: killed, not playing *possum!” Jerry Viggles laughed mockingly, though: there was a certain tenderness in his touch as: one hand rose to his head. “It wasn’t your fault that I ain’t out yender- ‘long with Joe, durn ye!” he snarled, viciously. **T kin show the crease o’ your lead, an’ boss or~ no boss, it ain’t goin’ to git clean well until I’ve- ot my knife workin’ a pritty little hole clean through your blood-pumper! Yeu chaw onto. that, Oklahoma Nick!” Despite the shrinking of the maiden from bis- loathsome touch, Jerry Viggles felt of her pulse. and gazed keenly into her sunken eyes. ‘You'll do, pritty,” he decided, with an owl- ish nod of his shaggy head as he stepped back a pace. “The fever’s gone, an’ you'll be fit fer to see the boss when he comes back in the- mornin’.” | He called ont to the guard at the door, who» passed the word along to some one else. And im afew moments a tin dish of warm focd was. handed in to the ruffian, together with a cup of hot coffee. “Now I'm goin’ to stand right over ye, pritty, Eomichbooks a (ie ~e ~~ —e mene ~ —— apo - ‘CO