Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

. fy " Ss - & a4 {* “ * &, r * & es + : ~—s ae . TC As one who repeats a name which is perfectly ‘new to him! “Speak! Where is he?’ demanded Alice, ex- citedly, ‘‘ Has he left for home?” ** Excuse me, miss,” returned Britton, “ but I ‘see that you are laboring under some mistake. There has been no Mr. Hamlin here. Who do you mean, anyhow?” “‘T mean my father, I am Alice Hamlin. Mr. Rodman told me my father was left here in your care ten or twelve days since—” “All a mistake, or worse, I assure you,” jn- terrupted the rancher. ‘* But who is your Mr, Rodman! That short man who rode by himself as you approached?” “No, that is Mr. Dayton. Mr. Rodman is the man that rode up first to the house.” ** And so you call that chap Rodman, do you?” asked Britton, with a curious smile, ‘** That’s what he told me his name was,” pro- tested Alice, with what gathering excitement will be readily imagined. ** Well, he lied, then. His real name is Gil- man, and the fellow with him is named Brower. They are both runaway cavalry soldiers, and staid here one night about ten days ago, when they informed me that they were going to the Missouri to seek their fortunes. They are two of the meanest liars, not tosay two of the most miserable wretches, to be found on the plains. Ah! there they are now,” he added, as a flame arose in the bottom of the hollow, lighting up the figures of a couple of men standing beside it, ‘* That man cn the right is Gilman—” ** He calls himself Rodman.” ** And the other is Brower—” “* He calls himself Potter!” ** Well, his real nameis Brower. He is usu- ally called Dirker, on account of having dirked a miner.” ‘* But are Britton?” ‘““As sure as T am that my own name is not Houseman,” answered the rancher, smilingly. ** The fact is, Iam fresh from the cavalry ser- vice myself, and know these fellows as well as you know your own mother. But I see that you are the victim of some flagrant imposture. Please enlighten me as to its nature, that I may be able to render you assistance.” Alice hastened to comply with the suggestion, ‘ut she bad not said a dozen words about her father before Mr, Britton interrupted her. ‘You're all at sea, miss,” he assured. “ Your father is not in the hands of Roaring Bison, for the very aor reason that there is no Roaring Bison! - Hamlin is in the hands of the Red Ransomers, the chief of whom calls himself Captain Ready. I have these facts from Cap- tain Haskell, my old commander, who has re- ‘cently sent me handbills respecting these de- serters, and who has written me in a friendly way about all that’s goiug on around him since I left the service.” oe sat a few moments in speechless wonder- ment, How strangely events were turning! ete where is this Captain Ready?” she asked. ‘‘’Way up at the foot of the Rockies, several hundred miles to the westward. Captain Has- kell is in that same neighborhood, and writes m* that he is watching for a chance to rescue Mr. Hamlin from the robbers.” Alice gasped for breath again. How mercifully the very lies of Rodman had been overruled for good! She had really got track of her father by fol- lowing the lead of that perfidious villain, who really knew nothing about him! A moment she struggled with her joyous ex- citement and relief, and then she resumed: ‘But these men had a letter in father’s hand- writing, Mr. Britton—a letter believe to be authentic!” _ She hastened to produce it and so set forth its purport. Britton smiled again. “The cunning dogs stole it from its original bearer, or became pecans of it in some other improper manner,” he declared, * In any case, ouare the victim of an infamous and‘ heart. ess swindle—a most cruel and wicked impost- ure, These two fugitive cavalrymen can do nothing toward rescuing your father, and have no intention of rendering you any such service. They are far more likely to get you into some terrible trouble than to help you. Are those other three men with you to be trusted?” ** Perfectly.” “Then you must get away from here very early in the morning, giving these two lying miscreants the slip. Ill take good care that they do not discover the route you have taken. frank with you, there is a company of soldiers not far distant, and I'll have these two men arrested not far from midnight, and car- ried hence to take their trial as deserters. As to your own course, Miss Hamlin, you must be the jude. If you wish to push on toward the land of the Red Ransomers, I shall be glad to give you my escort and_best services, But ush! Here comes your Mr. Rodman! Don’t mention that you have seen me!” And with this Mr. Britton vanished. you sure of their identities, Mr. that we really ae ae The emotions with which Alice awaited the approach of the impostor can be imagined. The interview between Alice and Rodman was quite unsatisfactory to the latter. . He couldn't quite understand the sarcastic utterances of the young lady, nor her _undis- guised incredulity in regard to several of his most plausible falsehoods, or the reserve with which she saw fit to invest her views and opin- ions, and especially ber plans for the morrow. ‘‘Something’s up,” was the sententious re- mark of the ruffian, as he returned to his con- federate. ‘* That gir?ll make us trouble. She thinks we’re liars, if not villains!” ‘* Let her think what she pleases,” muttered Potter, as he lighted a cigar. ‘“‘Are we not alone on the prairie? Do you care the snap of a finger for that girl’s anger or reproaches? At the first offensive word from her, just let her know tbat you are master.” ‘* But ber good friend Dayton?” Potter looked around stealthily. Mr, Dayton was engaged, near the ruins of the house, in pitching the little tent in which Alice and Mrs, Dayton had passed almost every night since leaving home, ‘* We'll tumble him into a hole without cere- mony, if he makes us any trouble,” answered Potter. ‘“‘ But don’t forget that fair means are better than foul. I think we can feed the young lady on promises a few days longer. Be that as it may, let’s get a good night’s rest in the shelter afforded us. There’s no necessity of a watch, as I see,” *“No. We shall not be troubled. Let's have a good supper, and then a sleep that will fix us all right for any possible squabbles and cares of to-morrow,” The evening passed away in the usual manner Alice retiring toher tent with Mrs. Dayton, and Mr. Dayton and the two yonng men making themselves comfortable under an improvised shed at no great distance. As to the two plotters, they made so free with sundry stores provided for the journey, that they vere in a profound slumber long before any one i the camp had thought of retiring for the nicht. The reader will not be surprised to hear, after what we have seen of Mr. Britton, that this sleep was destined to be detrimental to the schemes of the pair. In fact, they had scarcely ‘‘ turned in” in the retired nook selected, with plenty of prairie grass under them, and good blankets over them, when Britton appeared cautiously and silently on the scene, and took a good look at them. ‘‘There you are, my fine fellows,” was his mental comment, ‘It’s time to ring down the curtain and put up the bars,” He waited grimly until the breathing of the two men attested that they were soundly locked in slumber, and then he uncovered a dark lan- tern be carried, allowing a bright gleam of light to shoot out upon the prairie to a great distance. Not long afterward, a number of men, in the unlform of cavalry soldiers, arose in the tall grass immediately in front of the light. The eager face of the leader of the new-comers —a lieutenant—was thrust close to that of Britton. ‘‘ It’s all right, lieutenant.” said the latter. ‘“‘ Just listen a moment, and you'll hear your men snoring. They are close behind me, I trust you’ll make very sure of them. Don’t let them escape, either before they are court-mar- tialed or afterward. It would be very awk- ward if they should make Miss Hamiin any more trouble,” ‘* Let me once get hold of them,” responded the lieutenant, ‘and you may hold me respon- sible for all the mischief the rasca]s can do for many a long month to come,” **Knough! Seize them.” Tbe astonishment of the two ruffians on being rudely awakened and secured was too great for expression. They could only glare at their captors in mute astonishment, ‘Your little game is up, my two enterprising runaways,” assured the officer. ‘‘ Miss Hamlin has been duly enlightened, and knows all about you. She has been told that you are a couple of runaway cavalrymen named Gilman and Brower, and that you have no knowledge what- ever of the whereabouts of Mr. Hamlin. As to the old acquaintance who has done yon this good turn, he desires to present his compli- ments.” The couple did not need to ask the name of the old acquaintance in question. They ground their teeth in concert in savage consternation. “That traitor is Ben Britton,” hissed Rod- man, otherwise Gilman, as he tried to free him- self from the stout cords which had been placed around his wrists. “Yes, I’ve let a little light into your dark- ness,” admitted Britton, prewnting himself to their view. ‘‘ Would you have me stand by and see the confidence of a sorrowing young lady abused by two such worthless ruffians?” “Oh, it’s all right,” exclaimed Potter, other- wise Brower. ‘The day Il come when you'll hear from us, Ben Britton!” Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. ce sls esses cess ile 13 ‘* [tll be after you’ve carried a ball and chain awhile as deserters, I think,” said the officer, with a smile of satisfaction at the night’s work, ‘And with this we'll take our depar- ture.” Five minutes later the two villains had passed out of sight and bearing with their captors, and Ben Britton was explaining to Alice and Mrs. Dayton just how the arrest had been managed, and what would be the probable consequence of their appearance before a court-martial. ** You can now rid yourself of all anxiety re- specting them,” be concluded. “ True, you have spent a week in traveling upon their impostures, but there is a greater degree of truth in their representations than they would have dared to imagine!” Alice assented with a face beaming with joy. ** Would it be safe for me to go on toward the Rockies, Mr. Britton?’ she asked—‘' to the i mean, where my father is held a prisoner by the Red Ransomers?” ; ‘Certainly, especially if I go with you as guide. The company of Captain Haskell is nearly a bundred strong, and the intention of the expedition is to remain at the Dead Man’s Ranch—that’s the spot where they are encamped —until Mr. Hamlin has been released, and even until the Red Ransomers have received their final quietus. If you are not too tired, there- fore, with the journey you have already accom- plished—” . ‘Oh, I could travel a lifetime without fatigue with such an object in yiew!” de- clared Alice earnestly. “Then suppose I join your little party as guide aiid scout,” proposed Britton, “and we'll all push on in the morning for the Rockies!” ‘Tf you will be so kind, Mr. Britton,” return- ed Alice earnestly, ‘‘I shall never cease to be grateful. As to the business terms of your services—” ‘** We need not speak of that now, Miss Ham- lin,” said Britton. ‘‘ Ask any officer of the army, or any man who knows Ben Britton, and he will tell you that I’m all right. At what hour will you be ready to start?” ‘ 4 “Suppose we say at daylight?” suggested | Alice, after a word with Mrs. gets “So be it. I will talk with Mr. Dayton, and everything shall be ready.” He withdrew with this assurance, and Alice and Mrs, Dayton were left to their great and joyous excitement. . t was no wonder that cleep fled far from em. They talked and talked until long after mid- night, and each would have gladly talked until the new day, if it had not been that each was solicitous for the health of the other. Alice especially was in a thrill of eagerness to go to her father’s rescue, \ But at last they slept. CHAPTER XVIII. INTO THE ROCKIES AND THE ROBBER’S GRIP. ALL the igh long Ben Britton sat or stood — about the little camp, with a well-tried double- barreled rifle in his hands, but he did not have occasion to use it, Nothing was seen of a disquieting nature. It was in vain that Mr. Dayton and his young men offered to take their share of watching. ** You just do as I tell you while hn have the chance,” was Britton’s answer to their sugges- tions. ‘‘ You’ve been watching iately, and I haven't. Ill see that you get enough of the business before I leave you!” The night at length wore away, and the little cavalcade resumed its course to the westward, All was now hopefulness and animation, Any one who had seen the party the day pre- vious would have hardly been able it as the same, were bound, and they had faith in their guide, The day passed without incident, except that Britton reported that a considerable band of Arapahoes had passed to the northward during the night Spesneet | It was a cheerful camp-fire around which the scout and his new friends gathered early in om ) the evening. The P were all well; good water was at command in any desirable quantity; the weather was simply splendid; and all the events and of the day had tended to make ful about the results of her bold expedition. 3 The second day of the tt under Britton’s idance was even more agrceable than the first. - ore distance was traversed, and Alice tion one pres Seve as if by enchantment, and the litt Sep roarned the foothills which descend from e Rockies into the plains of Colorado. to recognize — so greatly had the substitution of | Ben Britton for the two plotters changed all its aspects. The explorers knew now just whither they © rogress had been excellent, the horses conversations Alice very hope- other days of this description pasa % e cavalcade 2 1 +” i] ; < y of . -, rs >* a ' ‘ - *' * * “~s +" _ ‘ a .' ¢ az ay al . id | wv more and more content ever bour with her situa-— he oa & ‘ 4 “ Before this time to morrow,” said Britton to. the ladies, with | been made snug for the night, ‘* we shall be within a few miles of Captain Haskell, my old friend and commander.” ; great satisfaction, after all had 4 . ~ “And this is as much as to say that we shall _ (co) mltelo) ookske om