Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 *. Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. The landlord uttered a chirping sound, which was evidently intended as a warning, and the old woman's countenance became livid, as if she | had been betrayed into saying something she | regretted. Dropping into a chair, she carried | a handkerchief to her eyes. ** How shameful it is for those people to talk so about us!” she exclaimed. ‘It was not enough that we were obliged to leave Ironton, and sell our property there at a quarter of its value, and take ourselves off to a distance of two thousand miles, No, it was not enough that they broke our hearts and made us all this trouble, actually reducing us to beggary, but they must still keep up this hue and cry at our heels—” ‘*Excuse me, madam,” interrupted Nick. ‘** Am I not the only person familiar with that Ironton history who has ever been seen here- abouts?” ** Yes, yes!” ‘*Then of course there’s no hue and cry at your heels from that quarter,” assured Nick. Noone in Ironton has taken the trouble to | follow you, so faras I know, and in any case | my encounter witb you here is entirely an acci- | dent. I had nosuspicion of your presence in this quarter of the world until my eyes rested u you!” The old woman dried her pretended tears on tbe instant. ‘* Are you travelin for pleasure, Mr. P him ee * Upon bot accounts, madam. My objective point is the Dead Man’s Ranch, of which I am now the owner, as I teld you.” The evident sincerity of the young traveler added not a little to the sense of relief the old couple had already experienced. A very acceptable supper was soon placed be- fore him, and hedid not hesitate to render it ample justice, being satisfied from the general aspect of the situation that he could do so with this way for business or die?” she asked, scanning safety. a rif know one person who will be more sur- prised than I ain to see you here,” remarked the old woman, as Nick neared the conclusion of his repast, *‘ and that one is Mabel.” ick pretended not to hear the remark, al- though it broughta sin sion and disgust to his features, ‘*'You remember Mabel, I presume?’ resumed Mrs. Barter, with an apparent desire of making herself as agreeable as possible. ‘* Perfectly, madam,” replied Nick, almost at Bhe is well, I hope?” aloss what to say. ‘ ‘* Yes, and as pretty as a picture, don’t see where she can be so late,” and Mrs. Pawler looked anxiously from the door, ‘‘She went _ out to gather a handful of wild flowers—she is so very fond of them!” Nick arose and 2 prs a cigar. ‘*T think [Pll look after my horse,” he said. ‘* He’s too fine an animal to be neglected.” And with this he walked out into the night. Seating himself on a ridge overlooking the scene he had just left, he smoked his cigar and reflected earnestly about his situation and about these people of the Rolling Tavern. Here was a family which had fled from the East under the gravest suspicion. They had not merely changed their names, but their reputation was as bad in their new home as as in their former one. In both cases they were accused of keeping a wer in which travelers were murdered hould he remain over night in such company or not? He had made it clear enough that he had no great amount of money on his person, and it would hardly be natural to kiil him merely be- cauee he had known the family formerly. True, there had been some feeling against him the previous summer on the part of Mrs, Paw- ler and her daughter. The gir] had *‘ set her cap” for him during his last visit to the Adirondacks, and had re- ceived only mortification for her folly, but even this was not a situation that called for deadly vengeance, As the Rolling Tavern was probably the only house within many miles, it seemed best for the young traveler to remain where he was, the more especially as it was desirable to keep his horse as fresh as possible. Besides, it looked like a weakness to be scared before he was burt. Even taking the ground that the inn was a den of cut throats, it did not seem the part of a geod citizen to fly at the first suggestion of ril, Ore was well-armed, and might have a public duty to perform in the premises, On the whole, therefore, he decided to pass the niga at the mysterious dwelling. He had barely reached this conclusion when a hand touched him gently upon the arm. He turned to behold an old acquaintance— Miss Mabel Barter, otherwise Pawler! The new-comer did not stand upon pecans but hastened to greet Nick as one greets an o d “Why, Mr. Peddie!” she exclaimed. “ When ma told me you’d come, I couldn’t believe it!” “* But yeu see that I’m here,” returned Nick, lar expression of repul- | | arising and bowing. ‘‘ Our meeting is asstrange as accidental.” ‘“*Ma told me you had come out here fora stroll,” said Mabel, beginning to pick to pieces nervously a bunch of wild flowers she had in her hand. ‘I could see for myself where you were, and so I have come out here to welcome you to the wild West,” ‘*T'm greatly obliged, I’m sure!” ‘* So far as 1 can see in the.darkness, you have not changed #n atom.” **Nor have you, Miss Pawler—I mean Miss Barter.” The countenance of Mabel clouded; her form swayed impatiently. ‘** Call me Mabel, please,” she said, ‘‘and then ‘4 will not matter about that awkward change of name, The idea of that change was mother’s, She thought we had been lied about so cruelly in Ironton that I would never be able to get a hus- | band if I stuck to the nameof Pawler. But you know what says the great poet: ‘A rose by any other name,’ and so forth. Ma tells me you are going on to the Dead Man’s Ranch?” “Yes, I’ve bought that place.” ‘Delighted to hear it! We shall almost bo neighbors. Are you traveling alone?” ick assented. ** 'You—you are still unmarried then?” faltered the girl, with an interest she could not conceal. ‘Oh, yes—and you?” Mabel sighed as if her lungs had x roms been changed into a pair of blacksmith’s bel- lows. ‘* 1’m still cherishing my ideal,” she simpered —the bright magic of—of last summer.” ‘* But in such a new country as this,” suggest- ed Nick, pretending not to see the point of her remarks, “‘I should think your hand ought to be in great demand.” ‘*True enough,” smirked Mabel. ‘I presume every desirable single man within a hundred miles has endeav to pay me attention.” “Speaking of paying attention,” said Nick, throwing oot er stump of his cigar, ‘* it is time for me to be looking after my horse. He ought to have some water. I suppose we are en- cam near a spring or brook ‘*Certainly. Permit me to show you. [ll bring a lantern from the house, and we'll look after the horse togetber.” She paid no attention to Nick’s repudiation of this ob pl ogegnne but hastened to get a lantern and the way to the shed. She was tall, lithe and cori showing in her every look and movemént the effects of good living and an out-of-doors existence, But her glances were bold; her features al- most stern in their forced repose; and the corn- ers of her mouth were habitually drawn in grim ang as if she had learned to look with hatred and scorn upon everything and everybody. There was nothing womanly and refined about her, either mentally or physically. Altogether she had an air and appearance very much in keeping with the rude and rustic features of the wilderness around her. CHAPTER V. THE CROW CHIEF’S BONANZA, THE couple had barely given the necessary attention to Nick’s horse, Mabel holding the lantern, when two rough-looking men, evidently hunters, made their appearance, with many a rude greeting and exclamation, at the entrance of the Rolling Tavern, ‘*There are two men who have been sweet on me,” simpered Mabel, with a flash of excitement, ‘““They’ve almost quarreled with each other about me, but I told them [ would never speak to either of them again if I saw any more actions of that nature. Gracious! You should have seen them wilt at my threat! They are here for the night.” De vx. live hereabouts?” ‘*No. They belong up in the mountains, near the new mines, but they seem to have a great deal of business along the trail. At any rate, they are constantly going and coming. ee! it never rains but it pours! Yonder are some red- skins—four of them—who will also pass the night at the tavern.” ick regarded the new-comers with more than passing interest. ‘* Some folks are as friendly with one color as with another, I suppose?’ he queried, looking sharply from the four stalwart savages to his companion. “Oh, we have tobe! We take good care to serve everybody, and to give no offense to any one. This is the only way in which we could exist here. See! what was I saying? Yonder comes a wagon-load of miners returning east- ward from the mountains.” She quietly extinguished the light of her lantern, and added: ‘** There is no occasion to call any of them this way by showing the light. There are two or three rough customers in that last batch. There is even one I am actually afraid of.” And why, if you please?” Because he’s mad at my late refusal to marry him! He’s a nice man enough in his way, and he has a handsome cabin up in the hills, but—I was made, Nieholas, to never love but once!” “ “ And again she sighed deeply. If Nick had not been so preoccupied with the new arrivals at the Rolling Tavern, he would ‘have been rendered decidedly uncomfortable by the conduct of Mabel, who had evidently con- ceived for him a more absorbing passion than ever. He noticed her close allusions, to be sure, but he was determined not to make any response to them, if he could help it. ‘*Ah! what have we here?” he demanded, after a brief silence. as a distinguished looking red-skin, evidently a chief, came dashing up to the entrance of the tavern. Mabel started, with an exclamation of sur- prise and delight at sight of him. ‘** That is the famous chief of the Crows,” she replied. ‘“‘ His name is Sword Bearer!” **Indeed! I’ve heard of him. He seems to be a new edition of Sitting Bull. From all [ have heard in the papers, he is a man of great powers and influence among his people.” “Oh, yes. He could put hundreds of braves on the war-path within twenty-four hours if he had any occasion to doso. He claims the land we are now onand for hundreds of miles around us. He has a retreat about thirty miles from here which is called Sword Bearer’s Roost, which is said to be one of the most natural for- tresses to be found on thé continent. This Roost is the top of a high butte which towers bundreds of feet above its surroundings, and can only be reached by an almost perpendicular path where only one man can pass at a time!” ‘* How curious! I'd like to see the said ‘ Rcost.’” Have you been there?” ** Not yet, but Sword Bearer is very anxious to have me pay him a visit.” ‘* You know him, then?” “Oh, of course, as he comes here very often for his whisky. He has long been drinking a gallon a day—he and his braves.” “Ata Sgr round price I presume?” “Yes, ten dollars a gallon!” “ And cash, at that?” “*Certainly—the best of greenbacks and gold certificates. You have no idea how rich that man is, or, at any rate, bow much money he has in his possession. He talked the other day of millions!” “ T should be afraid he had taken a ‘ drop too much’ on that occasion,” suggested Nick, dryly, although with an interest he did not seek to con- cea], ‘* He had been drinking deeply, to be sure,” avowed Mabel, ‘** but, on the other hand, he was talking confidentially—to me alone—and as he would talk to no one else!” ** Why, how’s that?” ‘* Oh, Sword Bearer is sweet on me—more so even than all the rest. He really seems pos- sessed for a week past. He’s not only here every day, but he hangs around for hours, availing himself of every chance he can get to exchange a word with me.” ‘* But he must have plenty of wives at the Roost!” suggested Nick. ** No doubt of that, but he is anxious to make me a queen over them, and has offered me a million in cash if I will marry him!” Nick concealed his disgust, and contented him- self with saying: ‘* Tf I were you, I should ask to first see the money !” ‘* The very answer I made to him, and he said. I should see it to-night!” ‘*Hedid? Really? In all seriousness?” cried Nick, wonderingly, ‘* Yes, he did, and I fancy he is now here to see me in regard to that very matter!” CHAPTER X, A NEW CAVE OF ALADDIN! THE voice of Mrs, Barter was heard calling from the rear of the Rolling Tavern at this mo- ment: ‘“* Mabel! Mabel! Where are you?” ‘‘ Here, mamma! Do you want me?” ‘* Yes, Come here, please!” The girl turned to Nick. ‘*T understand what’s wanted,” she said. ‘* Sword Bearer wants to see me! Will you ex- cuse me a little while, Nicholas?” “* Certainly—certainly !” ‘* But I mean, will you be here when I come back?” Nick hesitated as to his answer. ‘‘ If you will,” added Mabel, hurriedly, ‘‘ I will te you what Sword Bearer was to say to me, The hegre was quite enough to govern Nick under the circumstances. ‘* T will stay here till you come back,” he de- clared, * right here, where I am at this mo- ment.” “* That is right—thank you! I shall be pleased if you keep out of the house until some of these guzzlers—or all of them—have filled themselves with their favorite ‘ fire-waters’ and gone to bed. Adieu for a few minutes!” As she said this, she threw her arms around Nick and gave him a hearty kiss before he was: really alive to what she was doing, and away she went like a ficsh toward the tavern, soom becoming visible to its occupants. “ Ab, there you are. Star Eyes?” cried Swerd ecoim (< = ie _#™..