Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 500 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

Por ‘Saba bia” k ae om a — =. % ¢ of the whereabouts of Senorita Davenant, the bandit chief would inform the American that a ransom cvuld be effected through tbis ex-out- law’s agency, and he would take care to fix the rate atan estimate which the urgency and the supposed financial ability of Endicott would en- able him to make, Thus he could earn, in addi- tion, the gratitude of the latter, and in that wey very possibly, secure a further hold upon im This was Quevedo’s little game, and he felt that he held trump cards. CHAPTER XXV. ENDICOTT AND HIS INDIANS, ‘SWaA-AL, drag me ter ther bone-yard!” ex- claimed Butternut Ben, as he caught a modified reflection of himself in his new make-up ina mirror in the apartment of his pard. ‘‘I be hanged with a Jariat ef I c’u’d pass myself off as Butternut Ben on my own mammy.” ‘“Not much you couldn’t,” was the reply of Prairie Pink; ‘‘ an’ not much you ain’t, on this yere trail. You is Cactus Kit now, an’ don’t yer disremember it.” ‘© Wua-al, I hopes as I air more liker ther inder- widdle yer ‘luces at nor I air like myself. Ther’ ain’t no lingerin’ doubts on my mind now that I kin fool ther durned sneakin’ kiote.” **He’d be willin’ ter sw’ar,” said Pink, ‘‘ that he never sot peepers onter yer afore, lessin hit war ina fit of ther jim-jams; an’ durn me ef er hain’t enough ter gin ary human in civer- ize, a fu’st-class tack o’ thet disease just as yer stan’s.” ‘“Ef we manages ther Injun toggery es well as yer hes got this hyer up, pard—” “Who in thunder aw’ lightnin’ said anythin’ *bout Injun toggery?” demanded Pink. **T air ludin’ at ther make-up what we air gwine ter scoop in ther pilgrims with,” said Ben, Who ther dogs air talkin’ *bout scoopin’ em in? **Yer knows durn well what I means, Pard Pink; I hain’t fergot ther programme—we is ter pertend ter scoop in ther outfit.” ** An’ yer reckons we is ter git up ther pre- formance 1n a ee togs, does yer?” x rea arn’t thet what ther cuss pur- po , ** Who ther dogs car’s ef he did? I reckon he purposed a durn sight mor’n he’s like ter see performed. ‘‘ Yer’d better settle thet, in yer mind, pard Ben—I sh’u'd say Kit; seems es thet air is yer handle at this fancy-dress s’prise- ‘Then yer doesn’t think o’ follerin’ out ther gerloots structions in ther matter o’ toggery.” *“*T mought ef I hed a fancy fer gittin’ bored; but seein’ es I hain’t I reckon we-’uns’ll hev ter git up our costooms on some less expensive n. ‘“‘ Hit mought be kinder dangerous,” admitted Dn, ‘‘ Sartain death and nothin’ shorter,” was the reply. f But thar hain’t but two er three on em arter all,” remonstrated Butternut Ben, who had evi- dently been quite taken with the Indian idea, and disliked to relinquish it. ‘Them two er three kin shute, I reckon, ter say nothin’ o’ ther female weemin; an’ ther man er ‘oman, ary one, what kin fire a rifle, an’ wouldn’t plug an Injun cn sight, air a human what I never run ’crost till yet, an’ never ’spects rs “‘Dog’d ef I don’t b’lieve yer is more’n half- right, Pard Pink. Hit ain’t goin’ ter be a make b’lieve circus anyway fur es we-uns is consarn- ed, an’ hit ’u’d be safer, es yer says, ter make ther riffle in "Nited States togs. But, drag me ter ther bone-yard ef I wouldn't feel "bout es much ter home in war-paint an’ feathers es I does in this hyer Cactus Kit maskerade!” ‘*Yer'll find hit’s ther safest ’mong ther pil- grims what we ’spects ter interview, an’ lessen yer hes a fancy fer goin’ over the range in ther make-up of a durned red heathen an’ wakin’ up in thar huntin’-grounds by mistake, yer’d better take a fool’s advice fer onc’t an” make te *rangements ter hang out in Texas fer a few more fleetin’ periuds.” ‘Yer is right, pard,” said Butternut Ben, ‘es T most allers finds out yer is in ther long run. So yer thinks we-’uns had better just drap in on ther pilgrims in a friendly, sociable kind er way, an’ gin em all ther infermashun ’bout ther *proachin’ circus that they is interested inter?” ss Thet air prezactly my plan o’ perceedin’s, r d. pe An’ I hesn’t nothin’ ter say ag’in’ hit, Pard Pink. Whats more, I is s’prised thet I didn’t tumble ter yer meanin’ ter onc’t. Hit must ha’ bin this dog-goned wardrobe what yer kes put me inter thet makes me onnatural every way.” ** Must ha’ bin,” said Pink; “‘but ef thet air ther case in civerlized rig, Cactus Kit, dog’d ef yer wouldn’t ’a’ turned plum durn feol ia Injun ‘But, pard,” queried Ben, ‘‘ what air we~’uns ter do when we has come up with ther outfit an’ tole ther pilgrims ’bout this yer’ sneakin’ kiote an’ his *tentions?” “Why, dog-gone hit, Kit, don’t yer see thar won't be ther fu’st durn thing for we’nns ter do, Thet air is ther fu’st, an’ et ther same time ~ 7 ne LYUue-Meart Fardas. thar last duty we hester preform. We puts ther ilgrims on tha’r gyard, an’ seein’ they won’t ev no one but this consarned cuss ter contend with we kin leave ’em ter go on tha’r way. ‘They is strong enough, I reckon; an’ when ther condemned kiote rides up an’ finds ther kaliker-kivered gal what he’s sot atter, an’ nary Injun within smellin’ distance, he kin settle bit aes hisself ef hit’s wo’th while ter tempt ther risk. ‘*T reckon then, we needn’t think o’ callin’ on ther cuss fer our pay when we gits back ter San Antone?” said Butternut Ben. ‘* We is ter hev ther honor of a partin’ inter- view with his Serene High Mightiness mght away, an’ I’ll take keer, now you mentions hit, thet he'll shell out *nough spondulicks ter pay fer our trouble. Ther balance we'll ‘gree ter leave till ther job air preformed: an’ es yer seems ter think hit mought be doubtful ef we-uns had a claim in equerty, shouldn’t won- der ef we drapp’d hit right thar.” ‘* Wa-al,” said Ben, ‘‘ef we hes got to havea confab wi’ ther cuss ‘fore we starts we mought es well git it over with.” : ‘* Yer dreads hit does yer? asked Pink. “Ther fact air,” was Ben’s answer, ‘‘ I does feel kinder narvous till I sees whether or no ther consarned kiote sees through this durned make- up o’mine. Yer see, pard, if he do—” ** Hit’ll be ther woss fer hisself. Thet’s all,” said Prairie Pink. ‘* How yer makes thet out?” “He'll pernounce his own sentence—thet air ther upshot o’ hit. We-uns hes ther deadwood on ther cuss esitair. He can’t stop us in that, noways.” ‘“Jist sc. Then ef he don’t want ter git stopped hisself, bé’ll find it a heap ther healthiest not ter be penetratin’ no disguises.” “Yer wouldn’t slit his wind-pipe, would yer, Pard Pink?” ‘* Not lessen he wants hit did fer him mighty bad, Ther hain’t no danger, [ don’t or ay but durned ef I keers much, Ef this hyer Mister Endicott shu’d begin to see through our leetle game, I'll take keer he stays in thet room o his’n an’ don’t make no disturbance ‘bout ther Menger ontil we-uns is right smart outer wn. ‘“*Tuen he kin foller or not jist es he durn pleases.” **T sees yer,” was the pleased remark of But- rt rg Bas n ; ‘* Perzactly, pard. But yer doesn’t go me one better I don’t reckon,” said Pink. r ‘*Howsomever,” continued Ben, ‘‘ we-’uns mought es well, seein’ es my twilight air com- pleted, waltz round ter ther Menger House an’ air up our keerds ter our distinguished pay- ron. ** Keerect,” was Prairie Pink’s reply; and the ee set out without any more words to try the success of their counterplot. hey were soon in the presence of Mr, En- dicott, who greeted Prairie Pink warmly, ac- knowled the introduction to Cactus Kit graciously, and evidently without a shadow of suspicion that he had ever before set eyes upon the two borderers. Having invited the two scouts to refresh themselves with a really superi- or brand of Bourbon which stood on the dress- ing-table, their host at once proceeded to busi- ness. ‘*Our friend Mr, Pinkston has toid you, [ pre- sume,” he began, addressing Cactus Kit, *‘ of the plan we have agreed upon—a harmless little trick you know, upon an emigrant train—due to-morrow in this city?” ; ** Ya-as,” was the response; ‘‘ Pard Pink hes bin spittin’ out right smart o’ chin-music but I hain’t dead sure thet I hes got a clos’t grip onto his meanin’ till yit.”” ‘You see,” said Endicott; “the project doesn’t involve any injury to any one. You— as Indians, you know, are not required to do any deed of violence further than is necessary to securing the person of the young lady. ““She is the sole object of the attack, and no harm is intended to her. I ami willing to pay well for the work, and I believe I can trust that you and your pard will see that it is duly per- formed.” - , ‘““Whatsomever Pard Pink’grees onter,” re- Ben, ‘‘ air gosp! duty with ole Cactus t. We’uns hes bin pards long ’nough ter make us most like husban’ and ole ‘oman thet-a- way. : Gs I never hedn’t no wife, an’ no more hedn’t Pink, but, I don’t reckon ef ary one on us hed, she’d ha’ stuck ter her pardner more faithfuller nor we hes, All ther same, weemin does stick sometimes wosser’n poor reJations,” ‘Yes; hanged if they don’t!” muttered Endi- cott. ~ ‘“‘Thar’s one SS . here pas in Prairie Pink, as the idea had just struck him, and he was desirous of having his mind set at rest in regard to it. “Hit air this-a-way. We-’uns, in our ’sumed Injun karacter air runnin’ a risk, ter a sartain extent, in lightin’ down in ther way we contemplates ’pon these pilgrims, **Then we runs right smart more o’ a risk arter ther captur’ o’ piece o’ caliker, when hit comes ter thet.” | “In what way?” asked Endicott. \ ; {i 7. “yee ars =P »» in - — le get F te Se Thee iw. aay <> ~ - Liv le +, tT ees. é a? 4 Te - 4 a ‘‘Jist as easy. When yer comes down onter us, es we-uns is makin’ our way ter camp, es hit war, thar’s whar ther rail danger comes in.” **T don’t understand you.” ‘* Hit stan’s ter reason—lI’ll leave hit ter you, Pard Kit, ef it don’t—that a human, on sicha airend o’ mercy es reskyin’ a captered maiding, air dead sure ter be on ther safe side in ther fight.” ‘*Oh, that’s it,” said Endicott, looking de- cidedly pleased at the implied compliment. ‘* Prezactly,” responded Pink. ‘So ridin’ down onter we’uns in thet air kinder ram- bunctious way, hit ’u’d be ther lierblest thing in ther world thet yer would, without mebbe so in- tendin’ hit, plug me an’ my pard, while we war gittin’ up an’ gittin’ wi’ ther gal. ‘*Hit comes nat’ral ter a buman ter be on ther shute when he sees a Injun; an’ | s’u'dn’t rightly lay hit up again’ yer, ef yer did it on- knowin’, so ter speak, Sol ventures ter put in a word that mought mebbe so ‘fluence yer—” **Oh, you can depend on my coolness,” was the complacent reply. ‘‘ I'll bear in mind all the circumstances, and cultivate a real friendly feeling for all warlike Indians, for the next twenty-four hours at least.” ‘‘T feels a heap easier in my mind,” answered Pink, with a sigh of relief. ‘* A right smart heap,” echoed his pard. ‘*To make assurance doubly sure,” said the conceited villain, who began to think tbat he must be a very formidable fellow, *‘ I'll agree to put no bullets in my weapons whatever. I shall have the appearance of being armed to the teeth, you know, and all that to give you a roper scare, as in duty bound; but there will va no danger, I pledge my word and honor.” The scouts contrived to look at this pacific as- surance of the ‘‘ tenderfoot,” as if they bad sud- denly secured a new lease of life. Pleased with the impression that he had made, and desirous of following itup while the iron was hot, Endicott baving given them, as he be- lieved they considered it, a sample of bis mag- nanimity, bethought bim now of enacting the role of a geuerous prince among his henchmen. Pulling outa handful of gold eagles, he be- stowed them upon the two men, adding: ‘‘Make yourselves comfortable, my friends, until it is time to start on our enterprise, and once through with it successfully, you can rely on the balance of your reward as certain.” “The game’s our own,” said Prairie Pink, when the two scouts bad gained the street. ‘* An’ thet air all ther furder reward thet we need keer fer er ’spect, Pard Kit.” ‘‘ He air a bigger double an’ twisted fool,” ex- claimed Butternut Ben, ‘‘norI took him fer. 1 never hed more ter do in my life ter keep from snickerin’ out, nor I hed when yer stuffed bim with all thet bout his extr’o’dinary pluck an’ vim; an’ ter see ther way ther cuss swallered hit.” : ‘‘Hit done him good, pard; a power o’ good. An’ hit sot ther kiote thinkin’ o’ hisself so dog- goned much thet he can’t never git time nor room ter suspicion we-’uns,” ‘*Durned ef thet ain’tso,” said Ben. ‘ But look a-yere, Pard Pink, whet war yer objec’ in ittin’ ha cussed kiote ter promise not ter load is weepins? We-~uns wa’n’t a-carin’.” ‘‘ Somebody else mought, don’t yer see. Hit’s past tellin’ who he mought rush ag’in’ in his dis- appointment when ther time comes, an’ I didn’t want him ter load up, for be mought plug ary human he comes acrost.” ‘‘Wa-al, drag me ter ther bone-yard, if he mought not, pard, so you was wisdom from *way back. ; CHAPTER XXVI. 5 ON THE WAY. Tue journey of Dolly Davenant through the wilderness promised for some tirae after the start to be devoid of much interest, and this, notwithstanding the fact that the other lady members of the party were by no means disposed to et time hang heavy on their hands, Mrs, and the Misses Bilberry were, as Dolly was not slow in discovering, characters in their way, and their conversation would at any other time have been amusing to their traveling com- panion in the highest degree. As it was, it served to relieve the monotony of the trip, to say the least of it. ; ‘Thar’s two things,” remarked Marm Bil- berry, ‘‘ thet most reconciles me ter pullin’ up stakes ther way we hes, an’ leavin’ a civerlized an’ Christyin kentry fer ther front tiers, Hit air this: Fu’stly, them or’nary pa’r 0’ boys, an’ they is jist too enery ter talk about, they’ll find somethin’ ter do, I reckon, ’sides layin’ an’ loungin’ roun’ an’ imitatin’ tha’r elders an’ bet- ters in drinkfn’ an’ smokin’. Hit’s a Scriptur’ fact!” Then, after a moment’s silence, she cortinued: ‘Mother air, bout ther gals,” ‘‘ Now, maw!” expostulated both the young ladies, in chorus. ‘Thar wa’nt no show fer their settlin’ fur es I ever c’u’d see, long es we staid in Alerbam’, though goodness knows, they seemed ter try thur —— on ther fellers. a’n’t no fault o’ harn.” “Now, maw, you just hush yer mouth!” . aS | eee it eee ee I