Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

Capta in Ready, the Red - ‘‘ Then I think the Ransomers will not be able to track us. Their scouting service is not likely to be first class.” He reflected a few moments and added: ‘We are now going directly away from the camp of the robbers, and consequently away from Haskell. This is not a good thing to do, for many reasons, We had better bearaway to the left, and gradually face about, maintaining our present slow pace, and making frequent pauses to listen, In this way we shall keep our horses ready for any emergency, and be getting nearer to Haskell with every step.” These suggestions met with an unqualified ap- proval from Hamlin, and no time was lost in acting upon them. “The captain spoke of a message you had sent by some ‘ chance pilgrim,’ Mr. Hamlin,” resumed ick, ‘* Have you any hope that any good will result from it?” ‘‘ Not the least, and the prisoner sighed pro- foundly. ‘That ‘chance pilgrim’ was a dis- charged soldier from one of the forts west of us who had been captured by the robbers and forced to join them. He happened to be on uard over me one night at my old prison, and {had a long talk with him, the result of which was that he agreed to make his escape on the following day and set out for my home on the Missouri. I accordingly gave him a few lines to my wife, giving him full instructions for find- ing her, and he solemnly promised that he would deliver my message personally, and con- sult with my wife and friends as to the best way of effecting my release.” ** And you have no knowledge of what result- ed from this measure?” ‘* Not the slightest, Mr. Peddie, but I can only suppose—nine weeks having passed since his de- parture—that no good is likely to result from it, It’s only reasonable to fear that my messen- ger was killed by the Indians, or that he has sickened and died on his way to the East, or that some other fatality has negatived the whole project. It would be an act of folly, after all these weeks of waiting, to build the least hope upon it.” During the next hour, as the two men wan- dered through the great forest, endeavoring to et some clew to the whereabouts of Captain askell’s headquarters, they exchunged the out- lines of their respective histories, and conceived a very cordial respect and esteem for each other, They were in the act of scanning their sur- roundings eagerly, with the hope of making some discovery that would throw light upon their whereabouts, when Mr. Hamlin started violently, with a flush of excitement. “‘ Why, there is my old prison!” he exclaimed, in a cautious tone, as be waved his hand toward a curious butte which towered up, jagged and barren, in the midst of a narrow and rugged valley. ‘‘ Let’s be sure that the robbers are no longer making any use of it.” e couple drew rein, peering out into the open space of which the butte was the center. As they did so, a couple of vultures came fly- ing heavily toward the butte, and alighted near its foot on the side nearest the watchers, Looking closer, the fugitives saw that the ob- ject of the vultures’ attention was the carcass of a horse which was little more than a skeletion, so long had these birds of prey been giving it their attention. ‘*BHvidently enough,” said Nick, ‘‘ there’s no human being hereabouts save ourselves, or those birds would announce the fact in their usual noisy fashion.” He advanced a few paces, so as to show him- self to a third vulture which was seated oa one of the crests of the butte, As he had foreseen the ungainly creature craned its neck and flapped its wings at sight of him, setting up a lova cuatter, and the two birds below hastened to rise toward it, and all three flew heavily away in a direct line of re- treat from the fugitives, You see, sir?’ queried Nick, ‘‘There’s no one here save ourselves. Furthermore, there's not likely to be any camp in the direction those birds are taking. We had better turn to the right or left.” he escaped prisoner was slowly munching a morsel of dried beef to which he bad helped , I himself a few moments before, He was very pale, and the manner in which he swayed in his saddle, clinging to it with one hand, was in itself a sufficient indication that he was as weak as a child. *““T realize now,” he said, ‘ how hard I toiled and how much strength I used, in getting clear of that terrible chain I have left behind me, A reaction has set in naturally enough, I can hardly keep my saddle.” ‘In that case, sir,” suggested Nick, ‘‘ why not remain ut this butte, which is certainly a well- defined landmark, while I go alone in quest of Haskell’s camp and the necessary assistance?” ‘“‘T’ve been thinking of that,” returned the es- ca risoner. ‘‘ Clearly enough, asI now feel, I should be a dead weight upon your hands if we should be so unfortunate as to encounter any of the robbers,” : ‘*Then why not remain here a few hours, or until I have made a thorough attempt to con- nect with Captain Haskell?” pursued Nick. ‘‘Is there a cave in the butte?” ‘* No, a mere bollow at its base—a sort of bur- row partly sheltered by the overhanging rock. Tt’s just the other side of that dead horse, The robbers had a tent at the spot where you see those burnt and withered trees, which were killed by the heat and smoke of their fire. Cer- tainly, I couldn’t have a better hiding-place. The Ransomers would never suspect me of going back to my old prison for security—never!’ ‘* And that is one of the many reasons why you should remain here for a few hours, Mr. Hamlin,” declared Nick. ‘I shudder at the thought of encountering the robbers while you are in this helpless condition. The fact of find- ing those vultures in undisturbed possession is a prevty good assurance that you will not be dis- turbed here during my absence, while the prom- inence of the butte is a proof that I shall have no difficulty about returning to you as soon as I have found Haskell.” ‘‘T agree with you, Mr. Peddie, in regard to all these matters,” declared Hamlin. ‘‘ Let’s ride nearer, and see if there is any trace of re- cent human occupation.” The couple were soon at the base of the butte, on the sana from which they had approached, and here they dismounted, with many a keen glance around. ‘* Tt’s doubtful if any one has been here since I was removed to the cave,” observed Hamlin after a thorough survey of hissurroundings, ‘ I feel that I shall be safe here until your return. This rest in the open air cannot failtodo me a great deal of good.” ‘* Of course you will retain your horse, secur- ing him to one of these saplings so that he can- not take leave of you,” suggested Nick. ‘‘ I will also leave with you the bulk of the provisions we have brought with us. Be sure that I shall be very prudent and carefui in every step I take after leaving you, for I feel that your fina) de- liverance and safety depend entirely upon me.” **Tt’s hardly necessary to say, Mr. Peddie, that you have my best thanks,” assured the es- caped prisoner, as he took possession of the nook in which he proposed to remain hidden until Nick’s return. ‘‘ Do not get desperate or flurried. Remember that I am in a position to ass a number of days here in comfort, and that shall be y eotte strength every moment.” A few further suggestions were exchanged and then Nick shook hands heartily with, bis new friend, uttering a final encouraging re- mark, and took his departure, walking away in watchful silence, and leading bis horse by the bridle. A single whinny came from the horse of the escaped prisoner, as if it was conscious of the solitude in which it had been left, and then all became still behind Nick, while a group of in- tervening trees shut him out from the view of the men whose acquaintance he had so strange- ly made, and in whom he had already become almost as much interested as if he bad been his own father. ‘*Most assuredly, I will save him from these infernal blackguards, or die in the attempt,” was the resolution with which he turned anew to the weighty problem now devolving upon him. CHAPTER XX, INTO THE RED CAMP AGAIN, Nick mounted, as soon as his route had be- come reasonably open, and pressed on with an energy which was equaled only by bis caution. Another hour was spent in wandering, watch- ing, and listening, and still the great solitude around Nick remained as tenantless as ever, At the end of this time, however, he struck a trail which seemed to be indicated on a manu- script map of the Dead Man’s Ranch and its surroundings which had been furnished him by the man of whom he purchased it, end this sug- gestion of an eventual outcome gave him a thrill of joy. : He was just congratulating himself on this circumstance, when he saw a soldier approach- ing on horseback who appeared to be absorhed in the perusal of a newspaper. At any rate, it could not be seen that he looked either to the right or to the left, or was even conscious of his whereabouts, Naturally enough, the face of Nick Peddie brightened at the sight. Here was not only a soldier, but bere also was a guide who could and would conduct him as speedily as possible to the presence of Cap- tain Haskell! He hastened to pe himself directly in the soldier’s path, at the same time smiling indul- gently at the complete absorption of that worthy in the sheet he was honoring with his attention. Nick *‘ knew how it was himself.” In the course of his travels, he had often been a week or a fortnight without news of any kind, and hence he had personally experienced the ardor with which a stray copy of a leading newspaper is regarded under such circum- stances. ; ‘*Don’t run over me,” he finally called, smil- ingly. Phe soldier started, and looked up, with a manner that struck Nick as singular. ‘It must be that I owe you something,” pur- @ Ls ie ¥. Ransomer. ———$ $$$ fi wee? . 15 cS sS sued Nick, after exchanging salutations with the new-comer. ‘‘ You are certainly looking <7 hard at me!” he man reddened, as he folded up his news- paper and slipped it into his pocket, | “That’s merely because 1 am surprised to see you alone, sir,” he explained. ‘‘I supposed you were with Captain Haskell!” ** Can you tell me where the captain is at this moment?” asked Nick, determined not to lose a moment in getting the relief he wanted for Mr, Hamlin, ‘* Certainly. At bis camp.” ** Are you bound that way?” The man assented. “Then I will join you,” said Nick, reining his horse ag pa y. ‘“*T am very anxious to see Captain Haskell. The man nodded assent, with a reserve not at all unbecoming his supposed character, For a few minutes the couple jogged on quiet- ly, hardly exchanging a remark, ‘*Do you hear anything, sir?’ then asked the new-comer abruptly. ‘‘T certainly do,” answered Nick, after listen- ing a moment—* the clatter of horses galloping like Jehu!” ‘*They may be robbers,” suggested the sol- dier, ‘‘ Most likely they are. Suppose we turn into the bushes here and lie low until this cara- van has passed us?” ** Just as you think best.” “Come, then.” The two men slipped into the bushes indicated, coming to a halt. The horsemen they had heard came nearer rapidly, and were soon abreast of the spot in which Nick and his new acquaintance had taken refuge. ‘*They are soldiers,” then ejaculated Nick, catching a glimpse of them. In response to this the soldier at his side ut- tered a yell that would have aroused the seven sleepers. And as Nick turned toward him to demand the reason of this strange conduct, the cold ra is of a revolver was placed against his tem- e, ‘No resistance now,” ordered the soldier, as the new-comers came flocking around him with leveled revolvers, ‘‘ You are our prisoner, A word or a move, and you die!” affairs was intense. He gave utterance to words which we refrain from recording. scowled, ‘nor what you do with me! But if I Man’s Ranch—” f The threat was not finished passed inquiringly cover the new-comers, had suddenly encountered a figure with which he bad some acquaintance, resumed. ‘*The remembered as the first presented himself to Nick’s gaze as Mazeppa. ‘‘ Stand back, boys. hurt him, you'll remember. or which I will be responsible.” erties?” pursued Nick. ‘* Tt is, Mr, Peddie.” ‘** What does he want of me?” from the mouth of the cave—” ‘Yes, 1 was there, and I gave the captain for them,” ‘* Certainly not,” assented Dan. were With Mr. Hamlin at the moment of bh flight, it’s only fair to suppose that you fled with him, and that you know where he is hidden!” _ thus presented. ‘*In other terms,” pursued Dan, thought a new another of Mr. witb him.” ; ** Well reasoned, I admit.” fo ‘the captain till he sees you, bu sarily violent.” ‘‘ Thanks for the information. captain? Can’t I see him?” ‘You'll hardly see him before night, a ee, f Nick plain] voatk e features of Nick expressed plainly enough | the disgust these words carised him. sige by “Tf all this is unpleasant,” resumed Dan, scanning the features of his prisoner, ‘‘ there is” an easy way outof the box in which you find yourself,” Eomichoo SS € ie? f The disgust of Nick at this surprising turn of — “I don't care whose prisoner I am,” he ever see again the man who sold me the Dead ; ¥ The glances of Nick, which had naturally ‘*So Lsee you again, Mr, Prairie Kitten?” he — vs leasure is reciprocal,” replied Dan, who will be : rson who a ter the un- consciousness which had succeeded his exploits We're notto }] the cap’n ree uires is his safe-keeping, and that isa matter — “Tt is to the ‘cap’n,’ then, that ) must ex- press my thanks for this abridgment of my lib- ‘* Nothing in particular, beyond your cap Lm and safe-keeping. If your memory’s good youll * recollect that you were in the society of Mr, | Hamlin at the moment when this gentleman gave the captain such a flight down the cliff © ° Wal * an explanation of my presence, Certainly he fl can have no feeling against me fortheactsof — Mr. Hamlin, since lam in no wise responsible “Butasyou | - ig Nick was silent, refiecting upon the situation | a.) a glimpse of you might lead het amlin, as you left the cave © “The captain accordingly gave us orders to— arrest you at sight, and hold you in safe custody — t not to be rough or unnece Bo, Pa Where is the . on (Eloy