Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

Nick wonderingly. uogeguerade naturally gave rise. 24 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. mented Haskell. ‘‘Are you willing to enter the camp to-night, and see if Miss Saati is there?” ‘‘ That’s the very work I was about to suggest to you, captain.” ‘Good again! I shall certainly be very glad to have your assistance. Shall you require company?’ ‘‘To the contrary, captain. I shall be less nervous if I goalone. I would even suggest that you come to a halt, or go into camp tem- orarily, not far from where we now are. In this way, you will be within supporting dis- tance, and not near enough to run any risk of being discovered by the robbers!” ‘* Your suggestion is a good one,” returned Haskell, ‘‘ and I will act upon it,” He gave an order to his first sergeant, and in due course the men took possession of a spot which was excellent for defensive purposes, at the same time that it was in no wise hampered and inconvenienced by those obstructions and other drawbacks which are usually associated with really fine localities for a camp. ‘* And now to stay here till night,” suggested Gordon Vorce, addressing his remarks particu- larly to Mr. Hamlin and Nick. ‘ But as soon as darkness bas set in, I will enter the camp of the Red Ransomers without asking permission, and I have no doubt of soon being able to de- cide whether Miss Hamlin has been seen there or not.” He reflected a moment, and then added: “Tf I am not mistaken, Mr. Peddie, you are sof anxious to go with me?’ ick avowed the fact. ‘Then I will count upon your absistance. Two will not be enough to attract much atten- tion, even in a tight place, and your presence will make the rescue of the prisoners all the more certain.” CHAPTER XXXIV. AN EXCITING MASQUERADE. DvuRING the remaining hours of the day Gor- don Vorce made several expeditions from tie camp—two of which were of considerable dura- tion—but no one gave any particular attention to the fact, although Nick was a little intrigued by these goings and comings. Late in the afternoon, Vorce appeared at Captain Haskell’s tent, where Nick was talking with the captain and Mr. Hamlin, and suggested that it was about time to be moving. ‘‘Oucht we not to disguise ourselves?” de- manded Nick. ‘‘ Certainly,” was the answer, ‘‘ You especi- ally. You are too well dressed. We are goin to figure as free-and-easy knights of the road, dancing the next few hours, and must dress ac- cordingly. Fortunately I have at hand every- thing we may require in this line, and you’re only to fms yourself at my disposal.” ick hastened todo so and thecouple took temporary leave of Mr. Hamlin and Captain Haskell, who wished them success in their dangerous undertaking, and made a number of suggestions looking to their safety and comfort. As the first shadows of night began falling, Nick and Vorce drew near the camp of the Red Ransomers, with the air of being perfectly at their ease. Both were somewhat elaborately disguised, not merelv with clothes, but with false beards and wigs, and with the free use of paints and colors. Their best friends could not have possibly known them, ‘‘ Are we not in danger of being seen by the robbers?’ suddenly asked Nick, as the light of a camp-fire dawned upon his gaze from a central position in the camp. Vorce assented. ‘*We have been seen already,” be announced, with the smiling mien of one who considers him- self master of the situation. ‘* Didn’t you see me raise both of my hands over my head in a peculiar way a moment ago?” “*T did, sure enough!” “Well, that was to tell the Ransomers that we are members of the band. Atany rate that was the signal by which the real members announce their identity, and I haven’t a doubt that we shall pass unsuspected and unques- tioned.” ‘¢-You have been here before, then?” queried ‘“‘ Yes, not only to-day, but many a time, Mr. Peddie. In fact, I have been figuring as a Red Ransomer for several weeks past, I’m known here as Dave Wilder.” Nick expressed the curiosity to which such a d such being my present status, I shall have to give you a new name, in order that you may be a suitable companion for me,” pursued Vorce smilingly. ‘‘What name shall use, in ease I should have occasion to give-you some cal]l Te matters little, nodoubk. _ Supposo Tl #igsire t matters little, nodoubt. Suppose I. as Crottle—Tom Crottle?’ | The suggestion was duly approved. ‘‘But will not all the robbers see that Iam a 65 , rel added Nick. inly,” replied Vorce, ‘‘ but that fact -does not signify anything. There are new ee —————————————————— ————_—$————— pte arrivals here almost tt ie Were it other- | pressed some decided insinuations against your nsomers would socn , good faith!” wise, the band of Red run out, so many are the losses and withdrawals. | ‘*That’s because I do not take them into my The fact that you are with me is a sufficient | confidence, I suppose,” said Vorce, with ap- voucher for your authenticity.” ‘* And we shall have no difficulty about enter- ing the camp?” ‘“* Not the least. No password is required until after dark, and I shall have it, of course, as soon as any one else, I may as well add that I expect to be on guard to-night, and this will be | a point in favor of good results. But here we are, Please model your conduct after mine, and leave me to do all the talking.” Nick nodded assent, and the couple rode direct- ly into the camp, by a route that was evidently in general use, The hour being one of the busiest in the whole day for the robbers—namely, that devoted to their suppers and their preparations for the night—the arrival of Wilder and his associate | parent frankness, ‘** You do not deny, then, that you have been out of camp repeatedly to-day, as on many other days?” rpursued Ready. | ‘* Certainly not, sir.” ‘* What’s the cause of all these movements?” Vorce looked from his tent, listening a mo- ment, and then answered, lowering his voice to _a mere whisper: ‘*T intended to tell you thisevening I found ' avery valuable diamond the other day, in one of the Red Hill ravines, and have been search- ing and searching in the hope of turning out an- other of the same sort!” | He handed over a very handsome uncut stone, attracted no especial attention, beyond a ques- | tion from the sentry who was on guard at that | side of the camp. ‘*Tll take you to my tent,” remarked Vorce leading the way toward one of the most retire: nooks to be found within the line of .sentries, ‘Cand you'll be safe there while I take the horses to their quarters.” The tent in question was soon reached. It was one of many similar abodes, but it stood between two great pines, with a group of re- markable rocks behind it, so that it would not have been an easy matter to mistake any other | for it. ‘Do you mean to tell me that you have this tent all to yourself?’ asked Nick, as the two men dismounted. ‘“Such is the case, Crottle,” replied Vorce, motioning his associate to enter. ‘* Keep quiet here until I return to you.” Nick entered the tent, with a nod of com- ps and Vorce walked away with the orses. When he came back, a couple of minutes later, he found Nick contemplating bis surround- ings with an air of keen interest. ‘“‘T see there are two camp-beds,” observed Nick, accepting the stool to which Vorce mo- tioned him. “Is one of them some friend or chum who is with you regularly?” “Yes, for an associate who has been keep- ing me company,” replied Vorce, ‘‘ but who is now absent, and who does not expect to be seen here again,” and _ the lowered his voice with an air of mystery. doubt you’ll have occasion to see him later. He’s that chap who introduced himself to you asa ‘ Prairie Kitten,’ and who told you to call him Dan. He and I have been busy lately,” and Vorce grew still more guarded in h and aspect, ‘‘ with certain affairs of our own about which you shall be enlightened within a day or two, Nick saw that his new friend was a prey to a deep excitement, and readily guessed the cause. ‘You have news of Miss Hamlin?” he queried, ‘‘' Yes,” was the answer. ‘‘ She’s here—in the captain’s house—and her friends are close pris- oners at headquarters,” Nick drew a sigh of relief. He deemed it better to know that the girl was a prisoner than to be wholly ignorant of her whereabouts. ‘*¢ Just how she has fallen into the hands of the captain,” added Vorce, ‘‘I have not yet had time to learn, but I have no doubt he has made use of some deception or trick.” Footsteps were heard approaching at this mo- ment, and the next instant Captain Ready looked in upon the two masqueraders, CHAPTER XXXV. MAKING THEIR WAY. THE couple arose respectfully, as the followers of Ready were in the habit of doing at his ap- proach. “Ab, here you are, Wilder?” greeted the chief, sitting down on one of the camp beds, ‘“*T have been here two or three times to see you.” The manner of Ready was uneasy and occupied, and it seerned to both masquer that his glances were somewhat suspicious, ‘‘ Who's this man?” added the robber-chief, as his glance settled searchingly upon Nick. ‘* He’s a cousin of mine—Tom Crottle—who has just deserted from the camp of Captain Haskell,” declared Vorce, who did not hesitate a moment to invent any explanation that might be required for the success of his plans. ‘I was about to bring him to you, and should have pre- sented him to you before now, if he hadn’t been chased to our very lines by his late associates, and had to rest here a few moments to recover his breath.” ‘‘Ts he all right?’ asked Ready, searching Wilder’s face intently. ‘Perfectly right, captain,” assured Vorce., ge willing to be responsible for him.” ‘* But who'll be responsible for you, Dave?” re- ers returned Ready, with a serious air he rarely as- sumed to his men. “Some of the boys have been to me with reports of your mysterious goings and comings, and one or two have ex- - ‘ > a a se to-morrow, and ber c which must have weighed in the rough at least fifteen carats, Its general contour was circular, but it never- theless displayed two or three angles where the fire of a real diamond was present in its unmis- takable beauty. ‘““By thunder! it’s the real thing!” cried Ready excitedly, as he took the gem and turned it over and over critically. ‘‘I’m glad you’ve kept still about it. Is there any prospect of finding more of these fellows, do you think?” ‘*There’s certainly good hopes of it,” replied Voree. ‘Vl take you t> the ravine in question ou shall judge for yourself.” The rob ief gave the diamond anotber brief examination, and then extended it to the ** finder.” ‘*Oh, it’s yours, captain,” said the latter, withdrawing his hand, ‘‘ ana I dare say we shall find its mate to-morrow.” The chief expressed his thanks, his whole man- ner undergoing a change. If he had arrived with suspicions rsa enough now that he had entirely d em. ‘‘And as to these chaps copie ts who are so busy with my affairs,” add Vorce, ‘‘ permit me to suggest that they are probably accusing me to cover some of their own shortcomings.” The remark was effective. The chief mused a few moments, carefully stowing away the diamond in a secret pocket, and then he said: ‘‘ At any rate, they’ll have to offer a few facts before they'll find much ofa hearing. In the mean time, I want you and your friend, Dave, to do me a favor.” His hearers were all devotion, of course, and bastened to say so. “You have heard about ny. prisoners,” re- sumed Ready. ‘‘ Among them is a girl who has struck my fancy, and I am resolved to make an impression upon her heart at the same time that 1 lay an effective siege to her father’s pocket- book.” He proceeded to give a rapid outline of the situation, as we have already presented it to the reader, and then added: ‘“‘ Now what I want is to guard Miss Hamlin in such a way that she cannot make her escape, and that no one from outside can communicate with her. Will you take charge of her for the night, Dave, and be responsible for her?” ‘With great pleasure, captain, if you will let me have Crottle for an assistant, and give orders to the rest of the band to keep at a distance, and not trouble us or distract our attention by their intrusions.” ‘* ll see to that, of course,” assured the chief. “By the way, Crottle,” and he turned to his “pd a new recruit, ‘‘ where is Captain Has- kell encamped?” Nick frankly gave the particulars, with a con- viction that they could do his friends no harm, and that possibly Ready was already enlighten- ed on the subject. ‘*Ts Mr. Hamlin with the captain?” ““ He is, sir.” ‘* About how many men, all told, bas Haskell with him?” Nick gave an approximation of the number, taking care not to make it too small. “So many?’ commented Ready, ‘I shall have to wait for afew more recruits before I shall feel warranted to make an attemptto wipe them out. Possibly half a dozen of us could ab- duct Hamlin, by making a bold raid upon the enemy about two o’clock in the morning. Pil think the matter over. In the mean time, if ow ll come with me,” and he arose briskly, ‘T’ll give you all the necessary instructions, and leave you at your posts.” CHAPTER XXXVI. NICK AND VORCE AT WORK., THE installation of the two sentries was the work of a few moments. Nick was placed at the front of the house with the entrance as the center of his post, while Vorce was assigned to the rear. It was arranged that the couple should remain on guard until midnight. ‘*T may as well give you my reasons,” ob- served Ready, after he had briefly set forth his wishes to this effect. ‘‘I paid the girl and her old attendant a visit this morning, and was dis agreeably impressed by their deportment. Mrs, it was ismissed (E(o) im (¢ . eaten + & ~~" IK TAS ’ » oe ".* | Beaty i. a, 7 @ \ ww X LI) Lig. a