Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 48 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

28. Beadle’s Dime Library. in his mind and prepared to act accordingly. But some un- known motive turned the warrior from his suicidal purpose, and he toiled on up the hill. _ They soon came to where Billy’s friends awaited their arrival, “Billy Brady,” cried Perry, “what in the nation are you about?” _“Rhiding up to glory on the back of Satan,” was Billy’s prompt, yet irreverent reply. “* Billy, you’re an audacious young wild-cat—a reckless young scalawag,” added Wild Dick, his face almost burning red with inward emotions. ‘* Och, now, b’ys, don’t throw up me poor relations to me face. But come roight down to the fact av it, this rhed-skin is a con- trary, big old booger, but mees rhaked the owld ring-tail from taw. There, Bold Heart,” and the youth leaped nimbly from the red-skin’s back with the air of a conqueror—“ there now is the scalp yees won. Bounce it, b’y, bounce it!” “No, no,” interrupted Perry, with a shudder; “that would be barbarous—inhuman, The captive has suffered enough al- ready,” The Indian, who stood with sullen brow and folded arms, re- garded Perry with a look of silent thanks, while the cloud upon his face grew less dark. _“ Mees caught the scalp for Misther Bold Heart,” said Billy, indifferently, ‘‘and he can do as he pl’ases ’bout hoisting it off the booger’s snoodle. Only I want him to consider I owe him no scalp.” “The red-skin’s a livin’ captive,” Wild Dick said, compassion- ately, ‘‘and it ’d be right ag’in’ the laws of civilized warfare to scalp a prisoner. It ’d be too much like the red-skins would serve us, were we in such a predicament, and I boast of some civilized blood.” **But it seems to me,” declared Perry, “that we’re like the man that drew the elephant at the lottery; we have something on our hands that will be a detriment to us.” “To be sure,” said Dick, ‘‘and so our only course is to let him go at liberty.” The Indian seemed to understand all that was said, for his dusky facé relaxed a little more into its natural expression, “Yes, we'd better let him go,” admitted Perry. ‘On parole?” asked Billy, “Yes,” returned Dick; then he continued, addressing the war- rior: ‘‘ Red-skin, you have been unfortunate in to-day’s adven- ture.. You are now in our power, but I reckon you are aware of that fact. We have it within our province to kill you; that you also know, But look here, red-skin; we’re goin’ to do the handsome thing by you, in hopes you’ll not fail to do the same. We are going to let you go on parole.” “What that?” inquired the Indian, in tolerable English, his face growing brighter. “‘ A promise on our part to let you go free, on condition you will promise to, set free the first white captive that falls into your hands.” “‘ What if him fall into Ingin’s hands?’ asked the warrior, pointing toward his late captor, who stood near, with a grin on _ his face and a twinkle in his eyes. o—™~ “You are to let him go because he is willing now to let you go.. This you must promise before ever we set youfree. Will you promise by the Great Spirit that you will do so?” » “Tall Pine loves life, The young pale-faces are not cowards, Tall Pine. promises that he will set at liberty the first white cap tive he takes.” “If you break faith with us, Tall Pine, we will hunt you down like.a deer and take your life,” was Wild Dick’s threat. “Tall Pine has spoken. His tongue is not crooked.” ‘Then go your way, Tall Pine—” ‘‘ And sin no more,” added Billy, nudging Perry, while he looked down his nose to keep from laughing. The savage turned, and with all the dignity of his proud spirit, walked away, He did not hurry. He would not have shown fear, nor that he suspected treachery, even if he had eéu- tertained such a thought—not even to have saved his life. ‘Now, boys,” observed Wild Dick, as the tall form of the In dian, disappeared from sight, ‘‘ Tall Pine and his followers will make it lively for us, He may keep his promise and liberate the first captive taken; but it won’t do to trust him. It'll be war to the knife from this on.” CHAPTER XXV. THE RIVALS’ COMPAOT, FRANK CASELTON and Idaho Tom gazed at each other for a moment after they had sat down in the dense shadows of the pines. Frank noticed the light in Tom’s eyes, but betrayed no out- ward fear. Tom seemed more confused than excited, and manifested sur- prise at having drawn his revolver, and at once returned it to his belt. A faint smile flitted across his face, and he moved un- easily upon his seat, ‘* frank,” he at length said, hesitatingly, and in a tone that denoted a reluctance to say what was uppermost in his thoughts, ‘vou and I have been friends but a short time—a few hours, in fact.” “Our acquaintance has been limited,” affirmed Frank, in a calm, cool tone. “But in this time I have come to regard you as a gentleman —a boy that can be trusted,” continued Tom. ‘To praise oneself is half scandal; but, Tom, I have always endeavored to be faithful to my friends, and think I have suc- ceeded. But pardon my interruption.” “Certainly; but, Frank, will you be willing to answer a fair question?” ‘Yes; if in my power so to do,” answered Frank, not a little puzzled by Tom’s question, and the object he was driving at. ‘Last night, when I landed on the floating island and made my presence known, I came across you and Zoe Leland in con- versation,”’ ‘You did,” affirmed Frank, an inkling of the truth beginning to dawn upon his mind. “T even heard a few words that passed between you,, for alll was not eavesdropping,” continued the young outlaw. ‘“‘ from the manner of your speech, Frank, I naturally came to the con-: clusion that you loved that girl. Am I right?” Frank blushed crimson. His eyes sought first the ground, then Tom’s piercing orbs, as a smi!é passed over his face. | | ‘‘That is really a leading question, Tom,” he finally replied; “but, to be honest with you, I do love that girl with all my: heart.” i ‘“‘AndsodoI.” Tom spoke with a depth of earnestness for: eign to his usual zealousness. ‘¢ Indeed?” exclaimed Frank, gazing inquiringly into gives: eyes. “Yes, indeed! A wooden man couldn’t help loving that aa —that lovely Zoe Leland. But there is one thing certain: both of us cannot possess her love.” ‘‘T know not whether she cares the snap of my finger for. either,” said Frank. | | ‘Nor I.” ‘¢ And she never may.” “ But you will try to win her love, will you not, Frankf’ “T will.” P i These “ And so will I.” ‘‘T hope then our objects, both of which can not be wratiteds will not make us enemies.” Orie J ‘‘ Never, on, my part.” ij “Nor on mine, Tom,” “‘ My object in introducing this delicate subject was, that by, an understanding we might avert antagonism, and enter into a compact that would guarantee continued friendship. I ama boy of about your own age, Frank, and yet I am called the Out- law of Silverland. I have been reckless and wild, itis true. I have done some things that were not right, yet, were, in»no sense criminal, I am my own worst enemy. I have made money honestly and squandered it, - The spirit of mischief and adven- ture has been in me, ever since I could crawl. Dark and evil deeds have been accredited to Idaho Tom, but there must be an- other person of the same name, Since I became acquainted, or rather since I first saw Zoe, I have felt like another person. - Perhaps that’s why I think there’s another Idaho Tom—my old self with a new spirit. There is a struggle for the better going on within me. I am conscious of the fact that I have got to mend my ways in order to attain the object to which my soul aspires. In this particular, you doubtless have the advantage of me—not standing in need of reform in moral principle. Now, Frank, I am not going to ask you to relinquish your inten- tion regarding that fair girl Such a request would be very impudent as well as selfish, But I want to say this; let us make a fair, honest fight for her love; the one defeated in the contest withdrawing with the honor of a gentleman fairly beaten. I don’t know that either one can win her love, but both, manlike, ig