Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 492 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

- Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter. » Ba Sy AS ye ly in the face ef 1 was seen settin’ bya gal. Lick me ef ye must,’sez I, while ay tears splashed like rain-drops on the floor, ‘but I'l con- demn’d ef Iset beside them egregious gals)’ ‘© You see, Richard, I’d took a stand fur up- right principles, an’ I’s bound ter stick ter it. I did, too. The master thrashed me like hurley, but them gigglin’ gals didn’t hev no chance to worry me.” The last words were absently spoken. They had been advancing at good speed along the trail, and had reached a point ery on a line with the camp of the allies, It was, however, a mile further south, and it became clear that Lefferts intended to avoid every one and have the prisoners—for such, Yank felt sure, Agnes and Guv’nor really were—all to himself, The trailers had been gaining, and the moun- taineer found ground for hope, but there was now a new complication. He paused, looked sharply around, and then turned to Prior. ‘Richard, I’m afeerd thar is bad news,” he added. ‘“ Right thar, somebody has had hosses tie¢. They are now gone, an’ I'll be thrashed ef I don’t b'lieve Leg-it has drawed all the best keerds. He's got his party mounted on hosses, an’ how in hurley be we goin’ ter run ’em down?” CHAPTER XXIX. OLD PORCUPINE’S PRIZE. Wuen Agnes and Guv’nor were left in the cave by Richard Prior, both were in an extreme- ly nervous mood. Of the two, Agnes was the braver, but her mind was in a state where clear thought was out of the question, and she could only brood over her misfortunes and 4 cive place to dark forebodings as to the fu- mo ture, Prior's mission, though plausible enough on the surface, was wild and impracticable. He felt weak and helpless, not because he lacked natural courage, but on account of his igno- - yance of border ways. He felt, and with cause, that he was no match for the wily foe, and it was the small hope of finding Yank that led him to leave his companions. Considering the hour—just before daybreak— this seemed to be the wildest of schemes, yet, if he had taken the right coufse, he might have ; te Yank leave his canoe after crossing the lake. -_-He did not, and events followed fast. Not long had Agnes and Guv’nor been alone - when footsteps sounded not faraway, Agnes _ looked up quickly. Had Prior returned? No! The man who stood there, distinctly revealed by the light of the fire, was Old Porcu- pine. * . She experienced a feeling of disappointment and doubt, which was not unmixed with hope. - Toisman had beena member of Yank’s party, and though her association with him had not _ been pleasant, there was a shade of hope in his _ presence. | His own manner was easy, confident and . oS, ‘ eeeny. _ * Hullo! hullo!? he exclaimed, smiling broad- | ly. “So you’re hyar? Prior give me directions, but I was afeerd I might go wrong.” _ “Did you come from Mr, Prior?” she eagerly | asked. Sie did that. He’s out with Yank Yellow- _ ‘Ts Yank here?’ cried Agnes, in delight. He ain’t ten minutes’ walk away. He an’ _ Prior is watchin’ the reds, while I—-” _ * Are the Indians near?” _ Bet yer life!” _ What is to be done?” she exclaimed, clasp- ett ng her hands. “Why, Im ter take ye to them—ter Yank an’ - Prior—an’ then we'll all slip away an’ beat the reds. We've had a heap o’ trouble ter find ye, _ but ef we kin once get ter the big cave we'll win the fight. With Yank at the head, thar ain’t no question of it.” Lefferts was watching her slyly while he poke. He knew that he would come to grief if - Yank once got his hands upon him, and was not quite sure whether Agnes regarded him as a doubtful character or not, That she did not -_kmow the full measure of his perfidy was proven by his reception. ‘Let us go to Yank,” she replied, stepping quickly forward. ah . right; an’ the sooner we git thar, the _ better, “Massa Leffi’ts,” put in Guv’nor, “be you -suah de Shoos won’t ketch we’vuns? I’s a dwefful wicked niggah, an’ dough I’s tryin’ to repent, I er: n't decompose my mind from thoughts ob _ ¥Yowll be all right, Blacky; bump yerself, an’ trot along with me. You needdn’t be scared; ‘ ert face is so durned black it ain’t visible only _ “Old Porcupine chuckled at what he imagined to be a goed joke. He was in high glee at the result of his device, and could hardly keep grave enough to suit the occasion. He led the way through the passage to thegulch. Day was ave dawning, and the rocky gap was light enough to Lefferts looked, be fairly open to one’s gaze. _ and then stepped quickly back. __ * Thunder!” he exclaimed. | i NE wT SSS? Se , pa a Sa diate SENN RRS a I SR a ‘““What is it?’ whispered Agnes, catching the startled inflection of his voice. ‘p An Injun, by thunder! Look fur your- self! | Agnes obeyed, but she wanted no prolonged survey. She saw the Indian, and that was enough. He was near the entrance to the smaller gulch, and was evidently making a care- ful reconnoissance. He was one of those subse- quently encountered by Yank and Prior; he had seen Lefferts go in, but had not recognized him, and was now Investigating. ‘¢ Ain’t*thar no other way out?’ Old Porcupine asked. sé Yes.” ‘¢ Whar is it?” ** At the rear.” ‘* Lead me thar at once.” The man spoke with a show of alarm, which looked to Agnes like proof of his sincerity. Really, he was afraid his prize would fall into the hands of the Sioux. The sight of the war rior settled Agnes’s: last doubt, and she and Guv’nor went willingly. It:was the work of only a few moments for Lefferts to remove enough of the stone barrier in the fissure for them to go out. This done, he replaced. the stones, correctly thinking it might deceive the Indian skulker, and then led his dupes away. They-made the half-circle along which Yank afterward followed. Old. Porcupine managed to still Agnes’s first doubts with plausible words, and when the sound of rifle-shots reached their ears, at the time of the skirmish had by Yank and Prior with the Indians, it proved a further aid for the schemer. He convinced Agnes that Yank was bravely keeping the Indians at bay to cover her flight, and that it would not only be dangerous to them but unjust to Yank to waste any valuable time. In this way he lured her to horses waiting. His whole life had been one of popsenys and few men were any more fertile of expedients, On the present occasion he was deceiving every one, and nobody more than Storm-Cloud and Lieutenant Nolaw. He had discovered Agnes’s refuge the previous day, but had told no one. Stealing two horses from Storm-Cloud’s party he first left them where he wanted them, an then made the attempt to capture Agnes. When the horses were reached, however, he knew that he must show his hand. He had but two, and as speed was a great necessity, he would not be burdened with Guv’nor. He bade Agnes mount one of the animals, and himself swung into the saddle of the second, By this time Guv’nor’s face had lengthened. h-wh-whar am I gwine to ride?” he asked, ‘You'll walk!” curtly answered Lefferts. ‘¢ Ts it fur to go?” plaintively asked the boy. ** You'll see. Git up!” The last words were to his horse. He,struck each of the animals a sharp blow, and away they went at a rapid trot. Guv’nor came flying behind with his eyes looking almost as large as two moons. Guv’nor was a badly frightened boy. Agnes looked back uneasily. *Can’t he ride with one of us?” she asked. ‘* No!” was the surly reply. ‘‘ But he can’t long run es fast as this.” ‘* Then let him stop.” ‘“‘Surely, Mr. Lefferts, you would not desert the poor child, would you?” ‘** He’s only a nigger.” ‘“‘Sir, he is a human being, and a deserving boy: T insist upon stopping for him!” he made a motion to check the speed of her where he had horse, but Old Porcupine caught her arm roughly. ‘*No, you don’t, my lady!” he owled; ‘fT ant runnin’ this circus, an’ I'll do it to suit my-. self. Raising the stick which he carried, he brought it down several times on each horse, lashing them until they broke into a rapid gallop. Guv’- nor saw his last chance fading. ‘* Hol? on!—hol’ on!” he loudly cried, his voice full of terror. ‘* Doan’ leave me; de Shoos will kill me dead, suah! Help! help! Doan’ leave me! Isa wicked niggah, an’ I want time to repent. Oh! oh! Doan’ leave me!” t was a pitiful appeal, for it was brought forth by mortal terror, but Old Porcupine did not heed it. He continued to lash the horses, and the boy, though straining every nerve, was rapidly left behind. Agnes had made another remonstrance—this time one full of spirit and indignation—but she might as well have appeal- ed to a rock, “Talk ef ye want to,” Lefferts age re- plied, ‘fur I don’t care a red fur your babble.” ‘Sir, I believe you are deceiving me!” she exclaimed. ‘*In what way?” ‘*T don’t believe you are taking me to my friends.” Old Porcupine laughed hoarsely. ‘“You’ve jest about hit it, my darlin’!” he mockingly replied. ‘‘Am I fool enough ter take you ter that long-legged, lank Yank Yel- lowbird? You bet, I ain’t!” ‘*Then where are we going?” _ “On our bridal tower. Ha! ha! Ain’tita jolly occasion? When I proposed ter you, an’ ——— Ss 2 ia Gein paso mln 66 ok ou said No so glibly, you didn’t know the t Link from Locust, did ye? You didn’t know my gentle way, did ye? I’m the only one o’my kind. I’m honest, but I ain’t a hypocrite. Now, my bouny bride, say farewell ter the Black Hills. Mounted on two good hosses we’ll soon be out o’ them, an’ we won’t stop untila good bund’ud miles away. Somewhar, fur away, we'll find a little cottage on the prairie an’ live like turkle-doves, with none ter molest or make us afraid. Ef they do molest us, Vll ut a rifie-ball through their blamed heads, ur you, fair Agnes, I’ve given up all, frien’s an’ kindred—Inez,' ’mongst the rest—an’ [ll live only fur you. Ha! ha!” Poor Agnes, pale and frightened, gazed at her companion in dumb dismay. His manner was as wild as his words, and as he lashed on the rapidly- oing horses, it almost seemed that he was insane. ut he was not; he was sane, speaking in the orthodox sense, and all the more to be feared. She was his captive, and her last friend vanish- ed when Guv’nor was left behind in the mad ace. ‘* P’r’aps,” added Lefferts, when he saw that she did not reply, ‘‘ you won’t be so pert when | ag’in offer ter prove ye innocent o’ runnin’ away with Reginald Eyre. Dick Prior accused you unjustly; I kin prove your innocence, an’ I alone. Ill do it when youre my wife—not be- fore.” ‘‘Inhuman monster!” Agnes ejaculated, ‘TI will never be your wife!” ““Soft an’ easy, my dear. Weare goin’ whar you will hev uo choice, I sha’n’t care a red whether you say yes or no, an’ then the Lost Link will come forth in all bis glory.” ‘“Man, man!” faltered Agnes, “if you are human, have mercy upon me!” **T do hev it.” ‘¢ Then take me back to my friends,” ‘Hither you’re a fool or I’m one!” bluntly re- sponded Old Porcupine. _‘‘ Arter all I’ve resked, ter give up the game? No! Ill see ye a clod fu’st, by the fiends!” They dashed around the beetling point of a cliff, and then Lefferts suddenly reined in his horse. A troubled expression flashed to his face, and it almost seemed that his bronzed cheeks grew pale. They had ridden almost into the midst of a party of horsemen who were com- ing from the opposite direction, and were so near that a collision almost occurred before the horses could be checked. 3 These men were dressed in blue, and at their head rode Nolaw! CHAPTER XXX. THE DESERTERS’ CAMP, No one was more surprised by this meeting than Lieutenant Nolaw. He reined in his horse and his men did the same, but their impetus had carried them forward so that, as all parties came toa halt, Lefferts and Agnes were half- surrounded by the deserters. There was no at- tempt at escape, and such an attempt would have been wholly useless. Lefferts sat in the saddle the picture of disap- ointment, anger and dismay, and though, know- ing that only one course was open to him, he made a desperate effort to recover and act a part which flashed upon him as his sole hope, his tongue lacked its usual readiness. ‘“ Hullo! what have we here?’ Nolaw demand- ‘¢- You come jest in time, lieutenant,” answer- ed Old Porcupine, trying to be as bluff as ever. ‘** T should say so, on here—an elopement?” The deserter looked suspiciously at Peter and his captive. alaugh. ‘‘ You see, I've ketched her,” ‘*T should say so.” ** An’ was breieey her to you.” ‘‘Oh! Then why did you turn your horses” heads away from our camp?” ih was ter git away from Yank Yellow- bird.’ ‘¢ Ha! is that fellow astir?” “JT reckon he is, an’ he come nigh puttin’ a lead pill inter me. He was actin’ as guide fur her, but I see’d em, an’ when they halted a bit I slipped in an’ got her away. Ycllowbird sent a b let so close ter my ears that [ heerd it sing, but I got away.” : The fellow lied glibly, and now that. the first shock was over, he looked honest and frank, He really had little expectation of deceiving Nolaw, but all his natural instincts prompted him to lie, and the words came fluently enough. Nolaw smiled grimly. “‘ So you were taking her to me?” **T was that.” ‘¢ Well, you’ve done it ”—Nolaw’s smile ee: ened—‘‘ and now I'l] take charge of her. Mr. Lefferts, | thank you sincerely. Let me press: Ate set m glad ter be 0’ sarvice to ye, lieutenant.” The two shook hands with an appearance of warmth. Leffertshad a suspicion that Nolaw did not believe one word he had said, but he was not going to let a little thing like that discom- pose him. He expected to be obliged to tell more: What the dickens is going - ‘¢ Great Ceesar, no!” and the Lost Link forced. ee APs - = - a* ” Se eee a