Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

_ing more or less 14 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. be safe from both robbers and red-skins,” re- sponded Mrs. Dayton. ‘* Yes, itis, and also as much as to say that we shall be in a position to take some measure for father’s relief,” declared Alice, earnestly. ‘* How eager I am to see him!” The following afternoon was drawing to a close when: the little cavalcade entered one of those great solitudes which are still to be found in the midst of the Rockies, ** What 1 am looking for now,” observed Brit- ton, with keen glances ahead, ‘‘ is that Rolling Tavern, of which I have repeatedly spoken. My idea is to put up there to-night. It cer- tainly ought to be visible within a few min- utes. It was in vain, however, that he scanned the surface of the plains. ‘¢T gee,” he finally ejaculated, with an air of disappointment. ‘‘Since I quit the neighbor- ote 5 the Rolling Tavern has rolled on to some new destination.” *t But can we not follow it?” asked Alice. “Not at this late hour, considering that we have no information concerning the route it has taken,” replied Britton. ‘‘ Besides, [ have mepeamte as far into the wilderness as is desir- able. ‘* Then what are we to do, sir?” ‘*We must be content to pass another night in the style of the last week or two, We cannot do better than to pitch your tent in the edge of the clearing which was so lately occupied by the Rolling Tavern.” The suggestion was duly acted upon, and in the course of another hour—by the time the shadows of evening began falling—Alice and her friends had eaten their suppers and gathered around the camp-fire which Mr. Dayton and his young friends had been prompt to kindle. A long conversation succeeded, every one tak- rt in it, speaking of the Reps st Captain Haskell, the Red Ransomers, the Rolling Tavern, and the other topics belong- ing to the scene, and then Mrs. Dayton and ice retired to their tent for the night. They were still discussing the various great problems of their situation and of the morrow, when the figure of a tnan crept up to the rear of their tent in the profound darkness, and stole a sharp glance ai them through a small slit he made in the canvas. This daring intruder was Captain Ready! The presence of the chief of the Red Ransom- ers was as simple as natural. He received a few severe bruises, and had for a few minutes lain insensible, as the result of the tumble he had received at the hands of Sy Roger Hamlin, but he had scarcely given a were watering their horses, ry thought to his injuries, so entirely was he pre- ovcupied by the fact that his prisoner had made escape. How anidkly he had summoned his immediate followers—how promptly he had aroused his camp—and how sleeplessly and untiringly he had since sought everywhere for Nick and the escaped prisoner, will readily divined with- out the necessity of a word on the subject. Thac this vain search had been one long wrath and vexation to the chief of the Red Ransomers, of them! may be accepted as a mere matter of course. He did not so much care, he said, for the handsome fortune he had lost in losing Mr. Hamlin, but he hated to be beaten, and espe- cially did he regret the loss of prestige the escape was sune to cause him. An almost savage expression could have been ‘seen on his face, as he thus peered in upon Alice and Mrs, Dayton. The bright scene within the tent not only struck him forcibly, but it aroused at once a _keen curiosity and interest. * A woman!” he mentally ejaculated. ‘Two Evidently mother and daughter. _ What a fairy that girl is!) What is she doing here? Who is she?” He looked again and again, listening to the - eonversation of the ladies. flood of eager questions surged into his oul. His dark features lighted up strangely. “Who can they be?’ was the thought with which he turned away. ‘‘And what is their business in this pokerish region?” §till keeping in the shadow of the tent, he bent a keen glance of inquiry upon the various features of the little camp. “* Evidently some family from the East,” he said, to himself, as his glances followed the movements of Mr. Dayton and his aids, who 2 ae ¥ ie | wale, s _-* . # @) a “* They are either very brave or verv foolish to come here in such small numbers. They must know that there are hostiles at no great distance, and plenty of reds near at hand who are ready to become _hostiles the minute they find at their mercy a white man who has a dollar on his person. Possibly that old fellow,” and he glanced at Mr. Dayton again, ‘' bas no suspicion of the danger _ into which be 1s rushing his family. They may ton was & Ss all be killed before morning! It really beats me to see the fellow so foolish, I ought to warn _ him, and I will.” Advancing boldly to the spot where Mr. Day- hes ; . feat busy, the robber-chief saluted him re- 7 and opened a conversation, beginning —_—_——<_——=$_ ——— Lh | formation. In a word, Mr. Hamlin made his: escape seed Bo morning from the robbers, and is safe at this moment in the midst of Captain Haskell’s camp!” “Ts it possible?’ was Dayton’s comment upon this improvised declaration. ** You can depend upon it!” ‘*A thousand thanks for this information,” with a remark about the fine day they had been | having. | ‘*- Yes, sir, a remarkable day for the season,” ; the new-comer | returned Dayton, scanning . ‘6 Be. closely, with the aid of a lighted lantern. long hereabouts, sir?” ‘* A few miles to the west’ard.” , ‘You seem to be alone, and Iam pleased to note the fact,” observed Dayton, after a keen ' exclaimed Dayton. ‘‘ Your good sense, Mr. look in the direction from which Captain Ready , Hobart, as well as your feelings, will tell you had come, ‘‘I take your presence as a proof | how very glad Miss Hamlin will be to hear this that we are safe here.” ' news from you! Will you kindly waJk in a ‘‘That hardly follows, sir,” returned Ready, | moment and see her?” with asmile, ‘‘ Have you seen forty or fifty ‘* With great pleasure!” stray cattle in the course of the afternoon?’ It was all Ready could say! ‘*No, sir. Lost any?’ His soul was filled to bursting with a joy truly ** Yes. A drove of the kind has given one of | infernal. my men theslip. Are you from the East?” The presentation followed in due course and ‘* From the Missouri.’ Ready repeated his declarations, giving pretend- ‘You are? I’m from that region myself. | ed details. From what point do you come?” The joy with which Alice listened to them can “From near Leavenworth.” | only be imagined. ‘* Indeed!” cried Ready, with a start of keen | er father safe, and she so near him! interest. ‘‘I have many good friends inthat; What gladness! neighborhood, and am glad to have met you, What an ample reward were these assurances My name is Hobart.” for all she had suffered! Mine, sir, is Dayton.” How brightly beamed her eyes upon the new- “I'm sorry, Mr. Dayton,” said Ready, ‘‘ that | comer! you have gone into camp here, My ranch She did not fail to notice, of course, that the would have been far more comfortable and safe. | visitor was rather jaunty-looking for a ranch- Are you aware that you are exposing your wife | man, but she explained that by the very fact of and daughter, to say nothing of yourself and | his residence in the great solitudes around her. boys, to rather more peril than I would care to ‘*Tam very glad to have met you, Mr. Hobart,” encounter?” she declared, with a depth of meng which “To be frank, sir,” admitted Dayton, ‘‘I am | greatly enhanced her loveliness. ‘‘f have no not entirely pleased with our situation or our | words at command to express the joy you have surroundings. ‘' We expected to find the Roll- | given me. Can I not go to my father instant- ing Tavern here, or we should have halted | ly?” sooner, 1 expected also to connect with Captain | The robber-chief shook his head. Haskell and his men in the course of the even: ‘*T am sorry to say that Captain Haskell has ing, but I’ve about given up the hope of doing | broken camp during the afternoon—evidently so. for greater security—and that I have no idea ‘‘Ts Captain Haskell your friend?’ asked | where he is. The only thing youcan dois to Ready, with marked interest. honor my ranch with a visit!” ‘““No, sir; but my friend yonder, Mr. Brit- He inclined himself profoundly. ton, was lately a member of his company.” ‘‘ We shall be safe there, in the midst of my “ve heard of him,” avowed Ready, peering herders,” he added, *‘ and you will no longer be sharply through the gloom at the object of his | in peril of falling into the hands of white out- remark, who was helping the young men erect laws or Indians!” an ante ptu shelter, ‘‘Is he conducting you The mien of Dayton showed that he was favor- to Haske ably impressed by this proposition. ‘** Well, yes—it amounts to that.” ‘* We'll go home with Mr. Hobart of course,” ** And will your wife and daughter—” said Alice, ‘‘ if he will kindly excuse the trouble ‘“ Excuse me, sir,” interrup Dayton, ‘‘ the we make him!” youngest lady is not my daughter, but the ‘* The little lean do for you will be a great daughter of my best friend and benefactor. She | pleasure,” assured Ready, as he bowed low to is Miss Alice Hamlin.” hide the crafty and jubilant expression which ‘* Hamlin !” repeated Captain Ready, with a | had appeared in bis eyes. ‘‘ My home is not a wild start. ‘‘ Did you say Hamlin?” palace, but it is far more comfortable than your “Certainiy—Hamlin! ‘The young lady is the | tent, and a thousand times safer.” only daughter of Mr, Roger Hamlin!” ‘* Let’s be off as soon as we can, Mr, Dayton,” it was well the darkness afforded aconvenient | proposed Alice, all eagerness. ‘Mr. Britton mantle to Captain Ready, as his wild start of | can of course have no objections to our removal, surprise and his sudden emotion must have be- | when he understands the situation.” trayed him. ‘Certainly not. I’ve already spoken to him,” What a startling | replied Dayton, ‘‘and we are almost ready for departure.” A few minutes sufficed to complete the neces- sary preparations, and the little cavalcade then resumed its course to the westward, Captain Ready leading the way! hata joyous discovery! compensation for the escape of Mr. Hamlin! hat a singular fatality indeed, that the daughter should fall into the very hands from which her father had so lately escaped! Tt wus nearly a minute before the chief of the Red Ransomers could find his voice, or school his features to the necessary calmness. In all his wide experiences he had never be- fore had such an astounding stroke of good for- CHAPTER XIX. THE DOUBLE QUEST. ‘“Now for a plan of action, Mr. Hamlin,” said Nick Peddie to to the escaped prisoner as they emerged from the creek leading to the cave, ‘What are we to do?” ‘“‘ First, we must put a mile or two between us and Ready and his men, if we can,” replied Hamlin. ‘I think I hear voices and the gal- loping of horses. Come,” hey walked their horses a short distance, un- til quite sure that the man to whom Ready had alluded had reached the creek where their leader was lying. ‘‘Hark!” then enjoined Hamlin, drawing tune. ‘*That young lady is Miss Hamlin, then?” he oe) speaking rather to himself than to Mr, ayton. she is, sir. You appear to be surprised—or interested. Are you acquainted with her father?” “Only by reputation. But what isshe doing here? Is the other lady her mother?” ** No, The other lady is Mrs. Dayton.” ** But what are you all doing here—if the ques- tion is not impertinent?” ** We have come to invoke the aid of the mili- tary, or to take all other possible means, for the release of Mr. Hamlin, who has fallen into the hands of the Red Ransomers!” rein. fe The robber-chief started again, but managed There was no mistaking the uproar which to retain his self-control. arose behind them. ‘‘ They’ve found the captain,” observed Ham- lin, as he resumed progress. ‘‘ No doubt all their attention will be given to him during the next few minutes, or until he recovers his senses, and is able to explain what has happened and give them directions.” Nick assented to this view. ‘We must accordingly improve the time thus afforded us,” continued the escaped prisoner. ‘Do you know where Haskell is encam sor it He saw all at a glance! The story of Mr. Hamlin’s captivity had reached his family, and this fair girl, heeding i rae dictates of her heart, had come to his relie ‘* As brave as beautiful!” said Ready to_him- self, looking in the direction of the tent. ‘* What a prize has fallen into my hands! What a flut- ter she has already given my heart!” He stood as if entranced, Mr. Dayton mean- while looking wonderingly at him, but at length | ‘‘ No, sir—I am sorry to say—and if he asked: would be impossible for me to lay out a course ‘“ Who told Miss Hamlin of her father’s mis- , in that direction. I am as good as lost, sir!” fortunes?” ** My case exactly,” answered Hamlin with a sigh. may old prison to the cave where you found me, aud I have no idea just. where it is,” ‘‘ Well, we are certainly in a good hiding- place,” declared Nick, with his usual cheerful air, and I must say that this is the one great essential of the moment. Have the robbers any hounds or other dogs?” ‘** Not to my knowledge, I’ve never seen any, or even h them,” * () Our triend here, Mr. Britton.” I see,” said Ready. ‘Britton has been a cavalryman, so it is perfectly natural for the in- formation in question toreach him. But that is not the secret of the emotion you have de- tected, Mr. Dayton,” he added, noticing that the latter was regarding him with an earnestess in- dicative of wonder or suspicion. ‘‘ What has struck me as so singular is the fact that I am in a position to give you some very surprising in- aa “ce cael -. aa. Pug C7 es We | Poe gs mi 7 hw 4 io 9 =e te. ‘*] was transferred at dead of night from = eS =e ie 4 vat * ow vir ¢ \, a. F « ¥ 5 ) rae