Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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23 20 bold as to inquire?’ asked Dan, with a very Riel and singular smile playing upon his alf-averted features. **T will tell you. Listen.” The captain proceeded to set forth the facts in ‘the case as they are known to the reader. ‘*An odd case, to be sure,” commented Dan, *“and I do not wonder that you stand in some bodily apprehension of the man who has suffered so much from your career as the ‘ black horse- man.’ But it certainly ought to be an easy thing for you to get track of him, and to make er end forever of all you have to fear from vim!” “Well, we will at least hope for success in our search,” said Captain Ready.. ‘‘If- you'll take a turn through the great pinery as you go back, I will do as much for the Frost Queen Valley.” And ways. **The poor dupe,” muttered Dan, looking after his chiof. ‘*So he thinks Dave Wilder 1s the robber! I wonder what would be his emo- tions if he were to learn or discover that one of the Ho gato robbers in this case is really me with this they rode their separate CHAPTER XLIT. THE CONSPIRATORS, For a few minutes Dan rode along with an air which would have struck an observer as being very rank with self-congratulation, ‘* Here we are,” he then muttered. He had reached the edge of a pond not far from forty reds across, and which had in its center a small, circular island which was dense- ly wooded, Reining his horse into this pond, Dan traversed a causeway, which was evidently artificial, and upon which there was scarcely three inches of water, proceeding to the island of which we have spoken. He had barely reached it when a man aroused himself from a recumbent posture in the midst of the trees by which it was shaded, and ap- proached him, with an air of eagerness and in- terest, **'You don’t know how impatiently I’ve been waiting for you, Dan,” declared this personage. **You are an hour late, at least. I was afraid some discovery had been made by Ready or that something had gone wrong.” ** Well, the fellow has at last missed his treas- ures,” replied Dan, ‘‘and for several hours past he has been having a hot search for tiem.” ‘* In vain, of course?” ‘* Yes, but still he has some suspicions which are more or less to the point. We'll have to be getting oust of this neighborhood, and the sooner the better. I must even be candid enough to add that you have fallen under-very serious sus- picions.” ‘I, Dan?” ‘Yes, you, Dave. To begin with, he regards you as the robber, for the simple reason that you have been so much absent lately and made so many mysterious journeys!” **Why didn’t you tell him I am innocent, Dan?” asked Dave, dryly. **T have indeed dropped one or two remarks to that effsct, Dave, and another to the effect that Sword Bearer is the guilty party,” declared Dan, “ but | must say that my suggestions have not met with much success,” ‘* What's the reason?” ‘** Well, the principal reason seems to be that the cave has been robbed as late as last evening and that he saw you near it.” *“A very good one, to be sure,” said Dave. ** Ts he a good deal upset by bis discovery?” ‘Yes, a good deal,” avowed Dan, ‘‘ and I do not much wonder at it. Jt’s no small matter, after years of such dreams as he has had, to suddenly awaken to the fact that there is a trai- tor in his camp, and that his hard-stolen booty has slipped through his fingers.” The cheerful whinny of a horse resounded at this moment within a few rods of the two men, and from the midst of a small dense grove which covered the center of the island. ° *“Ab, he wants to be moving, too,” com- mented Dave. ‘Did the captain say anything about the missing horses?” “Yes, but nothing of any moment. He has no suspicion that we have run them off to this retreat.” ** Why should he have?” “True enough. I flatter myself we have been very clever in this matter,” said Dan. “We've not only run them off one at a time, but we have taken good care to act when there was a flurry from wolves, or when some general movement was under foot, so that it has been possible to offer a dozen plausible explanations,” Dave assented, and led the way to the horse which bad announced its presence, This animal was not only a magnificent, but he was one of four which the two conspirators had in their possession, *You’ve had uo alarm in my absence, I sup- ?” resumed Dan. _ ** Not the least, why should I have? I doubt if a single member of our band save ourselves has ever been here, There is no boat on the pond, and the water is supposed to be very deep as indeed it is upon every side except the spot where we have filled it up at the cost of so much labor.” ‘** All very true, Dave,” said Dan, ‘‘ but I am none the less inclined to leave these scenes for- ever immediately.” ** Quite right,” was the response. “‘I am only too anxious to be moving, Faving got all we ever expect to get, what earthly reason have we for hanging around here a moment longer?” ‘** None, certainly. I’m ready to start at any moment, if none of the Red Ransomers are stir- ring in this direction. Let’s hitch up im- mediately.” The four magnificent horses were duly harnessed, and then they were led toward a small building on wheels which had been model- ed after the Rolling Tavern, and which wasa very close copy of it! [t even bore the name, What has been said already has, of course, given the reader an insight into the situation, Dave and Dan, while carrying on the affairs of the Red Ransomers with special reference to | all the band, had also taken the trouble to carry them on with especial reference to themselves and to their own pecuniary advantage. In other terms, they had taken possession of the strange little island under our notice, and had not only built the causeway by which they reached it, but they had made this spot the basis of their piot against the strong-box of the brotherhood. With zeal, energy and patience they ybad car- ried the treasure of the robbers to this island, storing it away in that strange imitation of the Rolling Tavern, and the scene that interior now presented was one of the most singular which was ever presented to mortal attention, This imitation ‘‘ Rolling Tavern” was liter- ally crammed with treasure! **And now to understand what we are do- ing,” said Dan, as the couple began hitching their horses to this house on wheels, ‘*‘ We are going to roll away from this island, and keep on rolling to the eastward, with the intention of being at least seventy-five miles from here by daylight to-morrow morning. Itisnotin vain I think, that we have ridden over our proposed and annoyance. ‘‘I think it would be wise to clean them out of your lands, and be rid of them forever!” Passing her arms around the burly figure of her wooer, with that pretense of affection she so well knew how to assume, she drew him to- ward the lean-to, where sat her father and mo- ther. Greetings were exchanged, and Sword Bearer accepted the chair Mabel offered him. ** Ail this while,” she said in her most wheed- Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. How long wou!d such be the case when he had once gone through the rude ceremonies which were held by his people to constitute a marriage? Drawing her husband one side, under pretense of cleaning out a spring, she proceeded to ease her mind of a number of thoughts which were little less than a burden. ‘*Of course we have no occasion to remain another night in this vicinity,” she declared, ‘““now that we have secured possession of all that money !” ‘Certainly not,” was the response. ‘‘ The one aim to which all our thoughts must be di- rected is—escape! We must get clear alike of the red-skins and of the Red Ransomers!” ** Agreed, and nothiny is *asier,” replied Mrs. Barter,‘‘ as far as I can now see. Sword Bearer bas come here alone, and he seems to have been engaged in some unusual exercise. “Most as- suredly he is more thirsty than usual. Mabel has just.given him a second punch!” ‘ ‘And it was understood that she would mak? them twice as strong as usual, so it can- not be long before we shall have him out of the way.” ‘* In the mean time,” said the wife, ‘‘ why not be quietly hitching up your four horses and pre- paring toact rapidly when the road becomes open?” ‘*Quite right,” was the response. no necessity of losing a moment,” By tke time two or three punches had disap- peared down the throat of Sword Bearer in rapid succession, it was easy to see that they were taking effect upon bim., His speech became thick, at the same time that his manner became boisterous and effu- sive. Mabel began to wish herself well out of the scene upon which she had entered. In due course, however, the tongue of the warrior became more and more unwieldy, and it was not long before his head became tco heav to hold, as was proven by the frequency with which it descended upon his breast, ‘** Another,” was the thought of the fair plot- ter, when his tumbler was once more empty. ‘* And this time—” She did not venture to shape the hideous *¢ There is it, especially after—” He finished with a look which spoke volumes, and his wife and daughter understood him. Nothing more was said until the horses had been fully secured to the Rolling Tavern, and Barter had taken his place as driver. ‘*'We are still unobserved,” he remarked, after anotber long glance around. ‘‘ This is as it should be!” With this they started. The ponderous load had sunk considerably in route again and 1 a during the summer, I[ | thought in words, but she none the less poured think I know just how to get clear of the land | into his drink a powerful drug which she had of the Red Ransomers!” ' more than once used to reduce him to helpless- ‘*Tbe same here,” returned Dave, ‘and it , ness. would be strange if we didn’t. My idea is to The result can be foreseen, get out of this nest in safety, and to proceed to Ere long he lay at ber feet as one dead. some corner of the world where such treasures At a gesture she made, ber parents drew near as are now in our possession can be turned to | and contemplated the sleeper. account!” ‘* You can leave him to us,” then said the old ‘*That’s the idea,” declared Dan, with calm} man. ‘ We know just what to do with him!” earnestness. ‘‘ As nedr as I[ ean figure the Ascending to the top of the Rolling Tavern, value of our boodle, we are now the possessors |! with a powerful glass in his hand, he bent a long of millions.” glance in every direction around him, Thus discussing their plans, and rejoicing at Not a form! not a movement! the situation, the couple finished the task of at- None of the Crows were within sight. taching their four horses to the strange vehicle, Descending to the ground, he assisted his wife and were ready for departure. in placing the burly figure of Sword Bearer up- ** Now for it!” cried Dan. ‘‘ Be the result for | on the floor of the kitchen. good or evil, we at least have a fair start!” ‘**Get ready now to leave, both of you,” he said to his wife and daughter, as he proceeded CHAPTER XLIII. to hitch the horses to the Rolling Tavern. HOW MABEL’S PLANS RESULTED. ‘‘ Perhaps you have not remarked that hit of THE chief of the Red Ransomers had scarcely | prairie about a hundred rods to the south of us. taken leave of Mabel and Sword Bearer, as re- | There is a depression there that renders the soil lated, when the latter said: nici? and the grass has grown very luxuriant- ‘** As soou as we have taken possession of our | ly. It must have grown to the hight of ordinary new abode, I shall have afew words to say to | oats, and is as dry as tinder. It is there that we that man, Star Eyes. Iam getting tired of the | will leave him.” very sight of him!” ‘* And his horse, papa?” suggested Mabel. ‘**T can say as much,” declared the girl, with *¢ We had better leave it where it is!” he re- a countenance which was a picture of wrath | plied. ‘‘ It would not do for us to be seen with ling voice, ‘‘Il am forgetful that the day has been very warm, and that you have had a great deal to do!” She proceeded to stir up the punch she had taught him to appreciate so highly, pee by pretending to him that it was endowed with ex- traordinary virtues, and in a few minutes he was getting far redder in the face with it than was necessary for his comfort, ‘‘ Where are your people, Sword Bearer?” asked Mrs, Barter, after a considerable pause. ** You do not seem to have brougit any of them with you?” ** They are all still at work at the house,” he replied. ‘I do not expect tosee any of them here until morning!” Mrs. Barter understood him. She knew quite enough of the cbief and his pak to realize that it entered into his desigus have a tremendous ‘ blow out” on the mor- row. Thus far, in all her own acquaintance with the chief and that of Mabel, they had been able to ‘ manage” him. ee ee ee the yielding soil, but the four stout horses had no difficulty about handling it, and in another moment were in motion at a rapid trot toward that depression in the prairie which had fixed the old man’s attention. It continued to creak and surge on its way, as much to the delight of the three plotters as to their relief. A groan or two came from the unconscious chief, as a result of the shaking he received from the movements of the vehicle, but a glance at him was enough to attest that he was still utter- ly oblivious of all his surroundings, The face of Mabel gradually grew livid with impatience and excitement. “Can you not go faster?” she suddenly ex claimed, as if she had begun to be nervous witle the dreadful thoughts to which she was a prey. ‘‘ Don’t worry, child,” enjoined the mother, with a stolidity of bearing she had seldom been known to lose. ‘* The distance is so short—” ‘* Silence!” interrupted the driver, touc bape ba gently with awhip. “I want to— (EO) micbook , SF" A endl Ss Ps : 2 < , — eo