Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

va = \ the Ge, pa aor 10 Uncle Honest. him. Something had happened to them, for they were pale, nervous and trembling, and Storm Rider, who had always been like a man of iron before, was almost as bad as they.” ‘What was the name of that Colorado town?” *“*T don’t know. would not tell me.” ‘*‘ Haven’t you any idea where it was?” ‘‘Tt must have been in Northern Colorado; that is all I kuow.” ‘““H’m! Well, what happened next?’ ‘‘ My master took the Ormes into the balloon, and we started off again. We drifted this way, and did not make anotber landing until we reached the mountain north of here, where you saw the balloon.” “Wait! Why did your master take the Ormes?” “That is what puzzles me.” ‘Why so?” “It seems they were strangers to bim, and they were very reluctant to go with us;. but Storm Rider urged them strongly, and there seemed to be something they were very much afraid of there.” Uncle Honest nodded his head wisely. ‘‘T don’t doubt it. But didn’t you catch any- thing that was said?” “ Nothing that gave me any clew.” “Do you know what the Ormes were afraid of?” “T got the idea it was some party of men.” “No doubt—no doubt,” Eliakim: agreed. “But why was Storm Rider so interested in them if they were strangers to him?” ‘““That is the biggest puzzle of all, and it seemed to puzzle the Ormes just as much.” ** How so?” ‘*T have overheard them talking avout him, and they tried to think why he should work for them so hard. They had never seen him before or heard of him, yet he was as much interested as though they were old and valued friends.” * And did t ey never solve the mystery?” **T think not,’ ** Well, what happened after you landed on Sawtooth Ridge?” ‘¢ We anchored the balloon in a retired place, found a cave and stayed there a month,” Eliakim and the Leather-Jackets looked at be tre ye in amazement. They were not pre- red for any such statement as that. ‘* We were away over on the north side,” con- tinued Knifebelt, ‘‘and I for one, never sus- pected that a town wasnear, Storm Rider was the only one who ever went out, and he told us we were not near any human habitation. He: must have known different, and I think he said that to keep the Ormes from being afraid. Finally he went away.” ‘Storm Rider?” es Yes.” *t Where did he go?” “T haven’t any idea. He had a long talk with the Ormes, and [ think they confided their story to him, and that he went away to investi- gate something about their case.” ‘That is plain enough,” interrupted Isaac. ‘The Ormes are criminals; the pursuit they feared was that of officers of law; and this Storm Rider allowed himself to become their accomplice.” “It does look that way,” admitted Uncle Honest, Aaron frowned and shook his head. Since he had seen Vashti he was not so anxious to have her proved acriminal. Knowing the power of the Leather-Jackets he was more anxious to use it to frighten the girl, and compel her to ve him, than to bring actual legal trouble upon her. : “You say you have not seen this Storm Rider since?” continued Uncle Honest. ‘*T have not,” answered Knifebelt. ** Nor heard from him?” ** Not a word.” ag Haven't you any idea when he will re- 4c No.” What hanpeces at the cave after he left?” ‘We stayed at the cave a long time, but fin- jelly saw some men near. Perhaps they were only hunters, but they frightened us—the Ormes, at least—and we determined to go away —or, rather, the Ormes made me. I got the balloon ready, and we were all going together, ‘but Joseph, who was helping me, was so ignor- ant and careless that the balloon went up too soon, and I was carried away alone, leaving them on the ground.” Knifebelt’s manner had grown hesitating and _confused, and Yank Yellowbird, at least, decid- ed that he was giving a false account of his part- I asked my master, but he , ing from the Ormes. sy ( How did J oseph get hurt?” asked Eliakim, “*T don’t know.” “Pidn’t you throw him out of the balloon?” © “J?! Oh! no, sir.” 4 4 consequence to us. - severe ‘ ket started nervously. “T don’t believe you, but that part is of no What we want to know is ‘e about Joseph and his sister.” ~Peacemaker then subjected the boy toa cross-examination. He thougbt that i Knifebelt had told the truth until the episode of the last flight was reached, but that some chance expression, regarded by the boy as of 1fo value, might give him a clew to who the Ormes really were, and what danger they feared, Slowly and carefully he asked his questions; making the witness dwell upon each event of the ast, but he only succeeded in emphasizing the act that when he first saw the Ormes they had been under the influence of great fear; and that, beyond doubt, they had been fleeing from some enemy, or enemies. Storm Rider had been un- accountably interested in them—much to their own surprise—and while hiding in the cave, they had bardly ventured to step outside, ncle Honest abandoned his attempt to get news after awhile; it seemed wholly useless. He leaned back in his chair, and everybody seemed to do some active thinking. Yank was not negligent on this point, He believed that Knifebelt bad told the truth ex- cept as to what had occurred when Joseph was injured, and the mystery of the Ormes was ren- dered more puzzling. Yank’s faith was a good deal shaken, He had as yet seen Vashti only a short time; he had not seen Joseph at all; and his only excuse for engaging in their defense oe the fact that Peggy had a good opinion of them. ‘*T must look closter inter this ter-morrer,” thought the veteran, uneasily. Uncle Honest finally aroused from meditation and informed Knifebelt that he would remain in the rear office for the present, with Isaac for a companion. Nominally, the Peacemaker ex- plained, the boy would be a prisoner, but it was only to guard him from harm; he would be well-used, and if he did not deceive his pres- ent companions, no harm would come to him, Isaac took the boy into the rear room, and then the other Outerbridges prepared to go, When convinced that there was to be no pri- vate talk among them, Yank moved quietly away. He did not want to be seen, and it would be useless to dog their steps. Of one thing, how- ever, he felt confident—the Leather-Jackets were dangerously in earnest in their investiga- tion, and, guilty or innocent, Joseph and Vasbti were in great danger. The Outerbridges bad the will and the power to — them suffer severely. The outlook was dark. CHAPTER XII. PEGGY BRAVES THE LION’S WRATH. THERE was no further trouble at Graham’s house that night, Yank and Moses slept in the kitchen, and if any prowler had come near the building he would have done remarkably well to escape being heard by them, They heard nothing, and the inmates of the place passed a peaceful night, All except Joseph met at the breakfast table, and young Orme’s condition was certainly greatly improved as far as an inexperienced person could judge. Nearly all pain was gone, and he privately assured Vashti that they would leave the village before noon. Acting on these sanguine plans he arose and tried his powers. He soon found how limited they were. He took a few steps without trou- ble; then a sharp pain shot through his injured hip; he staggered and would have fallen had he not caught hold of the bed. Succeeding the pain came a sudden feeling of illness, and he was glad to seek a recumbent position again. Doctor Mark arrived soon after. Joseph was feeling a natural depression of spirits in con- sequence of his failure, but he concealed the are of the attempt and assumed a cheer- ul air. dees considered the case and gave his ver- ct. ‘You are decidedly better, and with due care you need apprehend no permanent ill ef- fects, but you must keep your bed for a few days longer.” * Doctor,” urged Orme, ‘‘I want to resume my ag sie very much.” *“*T forbid it. The consequences might be lifelong lameness—the state of a cripple—while as for walking as you are, it would soon bring back the pain. I doubt if you could walk across the room without receiving a pain that would utterly cripple you for a few moments, like a severe rheumatic rg Joseph’s face fell. i one else how accurately Hartley had diagnosed a part of the case. If he could judge as well on the minor point—which Joseph had tested to his sorrow—might he not be equally correct as to the permanent effects? Doctor Mark did not prolong the discussion. As before shown, he felt vexed at the position taken by the Ormes, and the would-be sympa- thetic friend had relapsed into the calm, resolute eg gave his directions, and then quietly left tbe house after promising to call again during the afternoon. Peggy, who was never backward in observa- tion, saw that Vashti noticed‘and felt the doc- tor’s coldness. Her gaze followed him gravely, if not sadly, and her expression was subdued. She had had time to meditate on his unselfish kindness of the previous evening, and though ne : *. e,” e knew better than any she was not ready to tell her story, she was anxious to number Hartley with her valued friends, He, however, without exhibiting unbecoming resentment, was too distant to make her plan feasible. Whena doctor retires into his pro- fessional dignity like a snail into its sbell, as it were, that dignity is about as impervious as a flint rock, Vashti was awed, and no understanding was arrived at between them. Yank had told Peggy that he was going to talk with Hartley, and might goaway with bin for a short time. The veteran had waited out- side the door, and she saw him accost the doc- tor. They talked for a few moments, and then walked toward Hartley’s office. The minutes passed on until they grew to hours. Peggy devoted her time to cheering Vashti and Joseph, and the forenoon was not wholly one of trouble. Peggy was seldom de- prive consoler to her companions. Al] tried to be Bay. but it was not a pronounced success. vcle Honest and the Leather-Jackets were not forgotten, and it was as thougha dark, threatening cloud was hanging, half-visible, over them. Yank did not return, and though no one would utter a doubt, this finally became the source of some worry. Vague uneasiness was destined to give place to something more tangible and serious, Vashti had been in Joseph’s room, but de- scended to the kitchen for a few moments. She approached the front window ard looked out, Searcely had she done so before she made a sud- den start. She had seen something which held her attention, and seemed to turn her to a statue. Several men were pe tach the house in a body. They marched on with the air of those who have a settled pu , and what that pur- pose was Vashti could surmise all too well when she recognized them. At their front walked Uncle Honest, while the Leather-Jackets were close behind. Ominous visitors! After the Outerbridges came several other men, and they bore the very litter upon which Joseph had been brought to the village the pre- vious day. This was as suggestive as the party of men, and Vashbti experienced a sickening feeling of terror. At first she was like one stunned, and unable to move, but as a full real- ization of the danger flashed upon her, she tried to turn and go to her brother. Vain effort!—she seemed chained to the spot; her limbs would not obey the dictates of her judgment. The ominous party paused in the yard, and Uncle Honest advanced toward the door. That broke the spell, and Vashti turned and fled to Joseph’s room, The Peacemaker did not bother with the for- mality of knocking. He entered the house, and after him came the three Leather-Jackets. At that moment the kitchen was deserted by all, and the intruders did not pause there, ey knew where to look for the prey; and up the stairs they marched. Once there they heard sounds which they were not at loss to interpret —the desperate fugitives were trying to drag the furniture forward and barricade the door. Isaac sprung forward and drove his broad shoulder against the frail obstacle. There was no lock upon the door, and though it had been partially barricaded, it flew open at once and the striking scene within was revealed, Joseph had risen in bis ay ember re less of his injuries, and was aiding Vashti to drag the bed toward the door, but this plan of de- fense was rendered useless by the entrance of the Leather-Jackets. Brother and sister stood dumfounded, but the voice of Uncle Honest arose as bland as ever. ‘* Be calm, my children! for fear.” : ‘‘Why are you here?” panted Vashti, in an agony of fear. ‘* For you. my dear.” ** For me?” ; **- You and your worthy brother.” “What do you want of us?” Uncle Honest’s voice had never been milder than when he replied: ‘ ‘‘ T think the law wants you!” Joseph’s hand fell to the bed beside which he stood. Upon it lay a revolver, and he had a mad idea of resisting to the last, but his know- ate of fighting, gained in the Kast, was not up to the times with the way of the headlong West. Isaac, alert and venomous, sprung quickly for- ward, and before Joseph could turn the weapon ia the intruders, it was wrested from his and. Isaac’s fingers sought Orme’s neck. ‘*You scoundrel!” he began, sibilantly, but the voice of the venerable Peacemaker interrupt- There is no occasion him: “ Calmly, calmly, my dear boy! Let no act of undue excitement be done here, Good will to men jis my motto; I hope it is that of my ys. Isaac’s hand fell; turbulent as he was the mild voice of his father somehow exer of her light spirits, and she was a real . an Eomicbooks mA Oe ee , an ~~’ os 7 — as | oh mie ph ob on. 1... ee. a | x yt al iD me wa a A wi at wee, ht bel & @- wv 7 an 8 a -ee, - ee, - ne. pede em ete Pe Aw. he Od —