Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 48 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

Idaho: Tom. 29 ee ee will try, nerved up by more or less conceit. I will make an open fight of it with you, Frank, by going right on as though you were not contending for the same prize. I will know no rival, I will resort to no intrigue nor deception. I will not dog your footsteps to shoot you in the back, like a sneaking coward. I will never mention your name to her unless it ig to speak of you as I would of any other friend, I will not, when I meet you hereafter, ask for a comparison of notes in regard to this compact, nor inquire after your success; for one that would speak lightly of Zoe Leland is unworthy of aes notice. Perhaps if she could hear me now, she would despise me for making her the object of a contest of this kind. Neither one of us may suc- ceed; but, if we do not, one cannot blame the other. Moreover, I bitbw we would “be: bitter enemiss—deadly rivals, inside of a week, if some such an understanding was not had between us. It is only for you to say now, Frank, whether you will accept my proposition in this matter.” ‘ “ With all my heart, Tom, I accept of it,” replied Frank, sur- prised by the honesty and magnanimity of the young outlaw, “*here’s my hand; [ pledge you my word and honor that I will pursue an honorable and straightforward course in this matter. I will know no rival in a jealous sense of the word, nor will I persecute Zoe with constant avowals of love. I will pursue such a course as I believe none but a true and honest girl would countenance in any suitor. If I see I am not favored, I will withdraw from the contest, and here, by high heaven, promise to lend my arm to protect her, even as your affianced bride.” “‘To this I say, amen,” responded Tom, and they ended the solemn compact by a clasp of the hands. Both felt much better over this sensible understanding. Their faces assumed their natural expressions, and their eyes their wonted fire of youth, health and composure. “** And now what?’ “We both promised Hubert Leland that we would aid in rid- ding the country of Molock and his minions,” replied Tom, thoughtfully. ‘‘ But, Frank, I think it would be best, under the circumstances, for you to go your way and I go mine, Then one will not know what the other is doing; and we will not make fools of ourselves by trying to excel in deeds of devotion, daring and gallantry. Of course, I shall put my best foot fore- most, and I presume you will do the same, But. all is to be done honorably, and so to guard against differences that might arise, were we to remain together, I think we had better sepa- rate. What do you think?” “T accept your views, Tom, as correct, I will seek my com- panions at omce, and if those islanders institute an offensive movement against Molock, we will join them, S8o, as time is precious, Tom, I'll bid you good-day.” “Good-by, Frank.” And the two parted. | | The morning was still young. A cool breeze drifted across the bay and stirred the tall pines into a soft murmur. In and out of clumps of manzanitas twittered bright-eyed birds with golden plumage. Tiny waves rippled along the shore. The mountain-tops, helmeted with snow, flashed in a blaze of morn- ing glory; and as the sun mounted higher and higher, he shot quivering bars of light down into the somber valleys and deep, dark canons. ; Nature seemed to be in a pleasant moot, and everything in harmony with Frank Caselton’s spirits. The youth felt certain of the prize—the love of the beautiful Zoe Leland. The thought was uppermost in his mind all the time; but when it suddenly occurred to him that all his bright hopes might be blasted, a vague uneasinéss took possession of his mind. He grew nervous and fanciful—the result of a sensitive organization entirely over-wrought. The deep, dense woods seemed to grow darker as the gloomy forebodings of his mind increased. He tried to shake off the unpleasant feeling, but in vain; it grew upon him, and finally he turned and glanced behind him. He thought he heard a footstep, but as he could see no one or nothing, he thought it must only have been fancy. He moved on—he moved faster. Again he heard, or imagined he heard, a soft footstep behind. His heart rose in his breast, and a wild thought flashed into his mind. The thought was that Idaho Tom was following him. And if po, why! Was it to break the compact so recently entered into, and put, him out of the way?.. ‘As Frank asked himself these questions he again turned and, looked back; but saw nothing—no one. » He resumed his way, chiding himself for his nervousness, A’ bullet suddenly “zipped ” _apast his ears, and the almost, sunning 1 report of a rifle pealed out behind him, id ras ae ———oy be ‘Right, after all, by heavens!” burst from Frank’s lips ag he qickened his footsteps into a run, for he was defenseless’ “Idaho Tom is dogging my footateps to murder me!” . CHAPTER XXVL. een THE DEATH CANOR. ! iy bi Niaut hung like a shadow over the land. Hill, valley) méoun- tain and forest had all been blended in one dissolving ‘view. The moon sailed asky, attended by her starry retainers.’ Her full, soft face was reflected in the still waters of Tahoe, The ‘belt of yellow sand that girded the shores of Silver Bay looked like a golden border, and contrasted beautifully with the silvers bay andthe dark-green forest of muttering pines): i ano Un the south side of the bay, in among the rocks! that were overshadowed by mighty trees, a dull light was reflected from the lower foliage of the trees. Evidently a camp-fire burned beneath the spreading branches of those forest monarchs: ‘nd published abroad its location... ‘ A pair of restless, searching eyes detected it, and wits theeh lence of a shadow moved away in that direction: ¥! sis) 4 dior The light, true enough, was the reflection of a dampen within whose radius sat and reclined our friends, the Boy Hunters,» ‘It was the first night following Billy Brady’s adventure with the Indian, Tall Pine. ial heteey Wild Dick, Billy and Beew, were under a shelving rock where no enemy’s bullet could reach them, ‘unless the enemy first made himself master of the position already occupied by their resp guard, Bold. Heart, Billy’s tongue was rattling away as usual, though the pra of Frank Caselton seemed to banish all eye 4 from the pote ye of his auditors, t Frank, his fate, anthvtlil toblanibdsienedd the lating int, were the sole topics of conversation, Guarded by the. vigilant Indian youth, the trio under the ledge felt perfectly at ease, and so the minutes slipped rapidly by, almost unnoticed)... © n bra jveditghid Suddenly 4 far-off groan came to their ears through the lone- some night. tied lo ext! Bold Heart came bounding Soumiriom his look-out into cats in no little excitement... st ay here ‘¢ What’s up, Bold Heart?’ asked Dick. ‘Somebody in trouble on, the a sae? Frank,’ replied In an instant every boy was upon foot, rid i hand, ready to march. . Bold Heart led the way, and, presieg along virciiaie the dense pine) woods, they ‘all descended. te the shores of the bay. . -Pausing just within the shadows at the edge of the, sandy. beach, they listened—they heard a sound like that, which one. im distress would make. It pomearets from aay around the bay, toward the north... von vidolep Keeping within the shadows, the iid skirted ini ‘the) weat- ern shore of the bay, and soon came)in sight of.a skiff, with a, single occupant, ee motionless upon the ae waters. cody mot? tend “Layo iW The occupant of the little craft was & Savage. This the haa could easily see in the bright. glow,of the moon. He had hold of both oars, and. seemed struggling in all the agonies of death, either to use the oars or release Wine, it being impossible to tell which. L did iW . “There! there, boys!” eles wild Dick,“ pase the, canoe of which I was tellin’ you fellers, I tell you there’s some~ thin’ awful about it! It’s death almost to touch it. Some in- visible power is there. I seen a savage drop dead in it one site It’s always around this bay--always,”’ “Its a mystery to me,” confessed Perry; ‘See \aiat the sav- age writhes! He must be suffering the agonies of death itself,”. ‘Death Canoe!” whispered Bold Heart, in euerntiions ter- ror. heti! piled “The fools that attempt to steal. that, gay, piesa an little craft are seized with spasms the moment. they touch the oars,” averred Dick. ‘‘This I have observed on more than one,occa- sion. . It’s @ devilish contrivance of them. si liber ig gh machine to— But look!” ..; 4 bovots avob sda & second savage glided an the shadows, ran across, ‘the open beach, and plunging into the bay, swam to his friend’s assist ance. Arriving ‘at the side of the canoe, he reached up, and seizing his friend by the arm, dragged him from the boat afte a mighty effort had.almnossitelet (90 “WO Jy voy bib bu’ oOmilcbooks (S(O)