Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

16 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. **'Namo it.” ** You have only to guide us to the spot where ou left Mr, Hamlin. Put that man in my ands, sir, and you may go where you like.” *'That’s something I can’t do—not even to oblige you, as much as I would like to be agree- able, Dan.” ** Why not?’ ** Because I do not know where he is.” a Where were you bound when my men met ou? ‘* Just where I have been bound for a week past—to the Dead Man’s Ranch, my new and valuable farm!” The statement was true enough—with the simple mental proyjiso that he was advancing toward his ranch somewhat indirectly! ** And you left Hamlin—where?” ** Not far from the cave.” This, too, was true! ‘* Two miles or ten—the distance was not far.” ** And you can’t take us to him?” **T beg to be excused.” **'You’ve no idea where he went when you left him?” ‘*AllT can tell you is that his great anxiety seomed to be to reach the camp of Captain Has- kell. You had better look for him there,” “That’s a thing we'll do—at the right mo- ment,” declared Dan, ‘From all this it ap- pears, Mr. Peddie, that we are not to have your assistance in the search we are making for Mr. Hamlin?” Li ‘For the reasons I have given—and others!” _ _ ** Especially the others, And such being the | fact, we may as well resume the search, boys, in our own fashion. Fall in.” The little party was soon in ag aeag the pre- tended soldiers crowding around Nick in such a way that he had no chance of escape, especially as his horse was led by one of his captors, **As you see, Mr. Peddie,” observed Dan, complacently, ‘‘ the intrusion of Haskell and his men in plain clothes gave us an idea which we have been prompt to act upon. If he and his troopers figure as robbers, it’s only fair for the robbers to figure as soldiers. At any rate, we have found that it pays the first time trying!” Nick assented, but he didn’t feel at all in- clined to talk. His thoughts were too busy. _ How was he to get out of the clutches of his captors? And what was to become of Mr, Hamlin? Nick was taken in due course to the camp of the Red Ransomers, who were not a little ex- _ cited at his return under such circumstances, _ and crowded around Dan with a flood of eager inquiries. esponding in as few words as possible Dan took bis prisoner to a large tent in the middle of the camp which was known as the guard- _ house, ** Now, Mr. Peddie,” said Dan, ‘‘if you will _ pledge me your word of bonor not to leaveus . imtil ou have seen Captain Ready, I will leave you perfect freedom, and consider you a | guest rather than a prisoner.” ys “You are very kind, I’m sure,” returned _ Nick, ‘‘ but I do not feel inclined to give any | such promise. I’m afraid Imight be tempted | to break it. As you'll readily comprehend, _ Dan, it’s going to a very dull business for _ me to wait here indefinitely for the captain’s ' return, and at the same time feel bound by such i fk stgtentag as you have suggested, I’d sooner re- of my liberty of action, and feel free to take | French leave of you whenever I can.” Dan smiled grimly. | Evidently the answer did not please him. “If these are your views,” he muttered, you need not wonder if I take a few precautions for v * { “ | your safe nico | “ake all you like, of course,” _._ A prisoner of Nick’s sort had never before _ been in Dan’s hands, and for a moment he was | ata loss just how to prevent bim from running | away, and at the same time treat him in a gen- | tlemanly fashion. _ The decision to which he caine was a sort of _ compromise between the two courses open to him, or between rigor and kindness. ___ He left Nick in full possession of his personal _ liberty, but at the same time posted a couple of armed robbers at the door of the tent, with _ orders not to lose sight of him, and to shoot him _ down without the least hesitation if he made _ any attempt to escape, | **Of course I'll let you know as soon as Cap- _ tain Ready returns, sir,” said Dan, as he turned | away, ‘‘and in the mean time recommend you | to be patient. I'll send you the latest papers, _ with some books, and a supply of refreshments "33 a a word, treat you as handsomely as pos- ita ~ a greatly cpliged, Dan.” “s on't mention it, sir,” and Dan inclined _ himself. “TI think I know what I’m about. | Ten to one—yes, a hundred to one—after you _ have taken a look at that famous farm of yours, % eu be ready to join our band sienicnidtisaere. - “Nick could not help smiling at the suggestion, _ and Dan went away with the idea that he was ately to have the least trouble with him. ‘* ® need not pause upon the dullness of the _——_— all “<. captivity that succeeded, notwithstanding the attentions with which it was mitigated. Nick couldn’t get the escaped prisoner out of his mind, The day wore away slowly, without bringing Captain Ready, and night again set in. Watching and listening, Nick had no trouble in detecting that sentries were posted at sun- down around the camp, in regular military fashion, and this circumstance threw a profound gloom over him, as he had almost made up his mind tomake a dash for liberty with the coming of night. He noticed that camp-fires wera kindled in two or three places, and that there was a great deal of consultation and bustle around him, as if the Red Ransomers were keenly alive to the presence of Captain Haskell and his soldiers at no great distance. As weary and weak as he was, Nick did not feel like closing his eyes in slumber.. He was too anxious in a thousand ways—not i for himself, but on account of Mr. Ham- in. What misery it was to realize how anxiously the escaped prisoner was at that moment wait- oe and watching for his return, he night had barely set in, when Nick heard a slight and curious scratching upon the wall of the tent immediately behind him. His first thought was that some insect was climbing over the canvas, or that the wind had blown the end of some branch of a tree against it, but a few repetitions of the sounds told him to the contrary. There was a certain method about them, as about the clicks of a telegrapher, which quick- ly suggested a human presence. Keeping one eye upon his guardians and the other upon the wall of the tent, Nick soon de- tected a hand under the edge of the canvas, and in this hand a slip of paper containing a line or two which he hastened to read: ‘** A friend is here,” began the communication, *‘As soon as the attention of your keepers is called in the other direction, crawl under the edge of the tent to the rear, and I’ll answer for the rest.” Nick looked up as he reached the concluding word, and met the glance of an eye that was ring through an almost imperceptible slit in he tent bebind him, , Nodding understandingly, as be completed the communication, he gave his attention to the two outlaws who were standing guard over him. The next instant he saw that they were look- ing excitedly out into the camp. ‘Why, what’s that?” cried one. ‘** A fire-ball,” returned the other, as he stepped out of the tent. ‘‘ See!” Both became all attention. Nick comprehended, with the aid of a gleam of light that suddenly presented itself a few rods away, in the midst of the camp. The unknowu had lighted a ball of some very combustible material, and given it a roll in that direction, and there it lay, flaming up briskly and brightly. The incident was just enough, of course, to fix the attention of the two sentries, without in- spiring them with either apprehension or sus- picion., One of them still remained in the tent, but the gaze of both turned inquiringly upon the mysterious flame, and the Baap took tempo- rarily the second place in their thoughts. That moment did not pass without due action on the of the prisoner. He glided under the edge of the tent and gain- ed his feet, finding himself in the presence of an unknown, who caught him by the hand and hur- ried him away with as much celerity as silence, CHAPTER XXII. THE TERRIBLE FIND. ALONG an old Spanish trail, not far to the westward of the Missouri River, a horseman was riding quietly southward, A pair of saddlebags were slung across the withers of his horse, and the handle of a revol- ver was visible in a leather belt by which his waist was incircled. The countenance of the young horseman was as indicative of honesty and honor as of intel- ligence, and his mien was as frank as en- gaging. is age was barely one-and-twenty. **How far to Dobb’s Landing, sir?’ he asked of a farmer trudging heavily homeward, whom he chanred to encounter unexpectedly. ** At least seven miles,” was the answer. “So far? They told me quite a distance back that it was only eight.” The farmer smiled understandingly. ‘**That was because they reckoned a short-cut across the bend,” he explained. ‘‘ But it’s get- ting so dark that you'll hardly venture to take the short-cut.” “Why not?” ‘Because the road’s not safe! There have ea been several murders and robberies upon i *“Tndeed? Why have not the evil-doers been hunted and exterminated?” ** The iff bas hunted them, and is still at it, but the “extermination” seems as far off as. ever!” ‘** And no one knows who.or what—” *‘ Excuse me, stranger,” interrupted the far- mer, with an xcited start and a wondering air, ‘“*but the man who has been engaged in this sorry work has a goo: deal of your appearance, isabout your size and buil , rides just such a black horse, and is always on the move at just about this hour, or at nightfall! Of course I do not mean to insinuate that you are the famous * black horseman,’ sir.” ** Then, of course, I can take no offense,” re- turned the horseman, smilingly. ‘“I ought rather to thank you for giving me these details, since I shall lose no time in ridding myself of a resemblance which may prove dangerous, But if I make these seven miles—which I um anxious: to do, I must not linger here. Good-night, sir. The farmer returned the salutation, and the horseman resumed his journey, ‘**T hope the farm at Dobh’s Landing will suit me,” was his. thought. “I’m tired of looking about for land,, and shall bo glad to get settled.” The: horseman continued to ride thoughtfully onward, while the shades of evening fell softly. around him, A steamboat on the river overtook and passed: him, its bright lights rendering oy contrast the succeeding darkness all the more noticeable. Then the road began to run under one of those: long fringes of trees, principally cottonwoods, by which large tracts of the Mi-souri bottoms. are distinguished. ‘* A pokerish place,” ejaculated the traveler, with a keen glance around. “I wish I were. well out of it.” He continued to press forward. The road soon wound down a considerable bluff to a marked depression in the fo m of a. lateral ravine, which was more or less densely wooded. 4 The darkness under the shadow of the thick foliage became more intense. Beyond the lateral ravine, the bank presented itself in its ordinary form. Anon the road became more open, rising away from the river. The horseman was just congratulating himself upon the change in bis surroundings, when his horse halted abruptly, snorting loudly, and reeling in affright. The rider naturally listened, looking keenly around, The clatter of a borse’s hoofs at so great a dis- tance was distinctly audible. Evidently some one was in furious progress. Going or coming? A moment's listening assured the horseman that the stranger was retreating. _.The sounds of the mad gallop died out rap- idly. ‘** Probably he’s taking that short cut of which the farmer spoke,” was the thought of the trav- eler. ‘‘At any rate, he’s getting away at a lively pac iy Gradually the clatter of hoofs grew less and less on the hearing of the horseman, and at length died out altogether. ** Push ahead, old fellow,” then enjoined our es chirping to his horse. ‘ We're getting ated. aoe horse orly reared and plunged more vio- ently. His snorts of gee deepened. His ears were fixed in the direction of a clump Pe bushes at one side of the road just ahead of im. His nostrils dilated wildly. _ ‘“‘ There’s really something in the way then?” muttered the horseman, as he leaped to the ground, ‘‘ What can it bef” Proceeding in the direction so clearly indicat- ed by his steed, and dragging the unwilling animal after bim, his inquiring glances soon en- countered the outlines of a man in the edge of the clump of bushes to which we have al- lu ded. ‘* Hallo there!” cried the startled investigator. ‘‘ What’s the matter? No response was made, unless we reckon as such a groan which came from the recumbent figure. ** Well, this looks like foul work,” ejaculated our traveler, extending his hand to the figure, and then starting at the discovery tbat his fin- gers had come in contact with blood. ‘The man has just heen murdered.” = Another faint groan from the victim, and then all became still. : Startled and dazed, yet with some instinctive idea of ministering to the dire necessity of a fel- low-being, the horseman bent over the motion- figure, thrusting bis hand in upon the eart For an ins'ant he thought he could detect a faint fluttering, but nothing to relieve the hor- ror of his first conviction. Tho unknown had just expired. or was in the act of expiring, and it was equally clear that he had been murdered. A long knife was still sticking in his vitals. ‘‘Great heavens! how horrible!” was the in- voluntary yf aopety i of the traveler, as he gained his feet and looked anxiously around. 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