Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Mi A a ee epee eS es en tee a te Oe © See 2 ee ee ee Se en a eee eee ee eee. Such a sentiment trom a Leather-Jacket in regard to a prisoner would have surprised the doctor, had he not possessed the key to Aaron’s solicitude. As it w as, he quietly replied: * You were quite right. Joseph Orme needs care and attention. If he has it he will come out of his trouble all right; but carelessness and neglect may make him a cripple for life. We don’t want men to put that blame upon us,” ‘“* Certainly not,” Aaron agreed. He conducted Hartley to Joseph, The latter was up, and Mark was agreeably surprised by his condition, The exertion of the previous day did not seem to have produced any ill effects, and he was stronger than before. Thanks to the sleeping accommodations tot ang by Uncle Honest, the case seemed progressing well. The doctor was careful not to make > his report too encouraging, He made an examination and bandaged the hip anew, and dwelt at some length on the necessity ‘of care and absolute quiet. if the Outerbridges were determined to keep him prisoner, it was well that he should be considered little less than a fit subject for constant attention. Aaron acted the sympathetic friend, and when Vashti came in he grew additionally cordial, He bade Hartley do his best, and look to the town treasury for recompense, and twice asked if the doctor could suggest anything more, Whatever was advisable should be done, he said, The Leather-Jacket was having hisday. He wished that Joseph bad broken his neck instead of injuring his hip, but, as it was, he must re- ceive the attention due the brother of Vashti. All that Aaron said and did was designed to af- fect the girl, and he labored well. Aaron, how ever, was not at ease mentally. The course of his true love did not promise to run smoothly. It seemed little less than madness for him to hope to sevure Vashti. Uncle Honest had advised his sons to marry, but_the injunc- tion did not extend to persons the Peacemaker had seen fit to accuse. Nobody knew better than Aaron how hard it was to save a person upon whom the ban of the Outerbridges had been placed. He did not dare confess his passion to Uncle Honest, for he knew what a storm he would raise. Isaac would not be less severe. The latter had discovered his younger brother’s fancy, as Aaron well knew, ut, as yet, Isaac did not regard it as serious. The deputy-sheriff had, therefore, to prosecute bis love affair and keep it secret from his rela- tives—all but Peter, With Peter there was a common bond, but, even there, no outspoken al- liance existed. Doctor Mark did not waste a at deal of time with the prisoners.’ He and Aaron re- turned to the court-room, and he proceeded to exchange a few words with Peter. Being very doubtful of Uncle Honest’s good-will toward eo it was well to get on good terms with the ‘After a few moments Aaron suddenly rose and went out. Hartley readily understood his object. Isaac was coming down the street. Aaron waited for him near thedoor, Peter was busy some distance away, and the doctor be- came ambitious to overhear what was said out- side, though he had little hope of doing so. Isaac would have gone on, but his brother stopped him. ‘* Wait a second,” said he. ‘‘ What has be- come of the other prisoner?” ‘* What prisoner?” Isaac asked, curtly. ‘*The one you took here last night. = ‘‘ What do you know about him?” * Hickman and Webb told me of the cap- re.’ “is The ’d better keep their mouths shut!” growled Isaac, ‘Haven't I aright to know what is going on™ retorted Aaron quickly. ‘*T suppose so,” ‘* Then don’t be so sharp,” **Tt would be well for you to remember our good father’s doctrine of peace and good-will,” aap lly replied Isaac. ‘However, as to the latest prisoner, he has gone on.” ** (Gone on where?” “That I don’t know. I took him to the house and left bim with father. This morning he was gone, and when I asked, like you, where he was, our good parent replied’ that he had ‘ gone on!” Isaac told the truth. Storm Rider was no longer in the Outerbridge house. Uncle Honest when questioned, said that he had found the man too insignificant to keep, and had ordered him to leave town atonee. According to bis carelessly-spoken statement, the aeronaut had promptly o bot bn There Isaac’s questions end- ed, but he hard his theory as to how Storm Rider had gone! He belioved the man had started on a as journey than any living man ever ma Philosophically the Leather-Jacket accepted — explanation. He had believed Storm Rider ood man to bold as a witness, but if Eliakim ten thought proper to get rid of him forever, the younger man had nothing to say. Aaron readily understood the remark which | Grabam’s, might have been vague to others, and he had no He did not know what trepida- more to say. caused, nor realize how important the capture had been. Isaac went on, and Aaron returned to the court-room. Near! y every word of the conver- sation had been overheard by Hartley, but he was not much the wiser, Some other unfortu- nate had felt the weight of the misnamed Peace- maker’s enmity, and it might be his fate would never be more clearly explained. The doctor was about to take his departure when Uncle Honest appeared. How would be receive Mark? That was the question in the doctor’s mind, for he was not yet sure whetber he had been laced under the ban with the Ormes. If Elia- im’s manner was a criterion, this was soon settled. The old man was never more thorough- ly himself, outwardly. Bland and good-humor- ed, he saluted all with pleasant, appropriate words, ‘* A tine morniag, doctor,” he added. ‘* Very fine, Uncle Honest.” *' a you seen your patient?” ee ‘* How do you find him?” “There is no change, Thanks to your care for him, he is no worse. His case is not danger- ous, if properly managed, but any indiscretion would do untold mischief,” a Do you think a journey would be danger- ous?’ ‘* Most decidedly, yes.” ‘‘That is bad, for I am going to send him and the girl to Snakefoot Pass, to-morrow. ” ‘** | can’t approve of that.” * Oh! we will take due precautions,” ‘Tam afraid tbe journey will set him into a fever,” ‘** We shall have to trust to luck.” ‘* But what is the necessity of taking them to Snakefoot?’ ‘* There has been a good deal of trouble, and I want them off my bands.” ‘Do you still believe them to be Gunnison Alf and Firefly Nell?” es, ‘** Suppose it should prove otherwise?” “They have only to prove their innocence, and they will be set free.” ‘** But what if they do prove this, and then we find Orme permanently injured by the effects of the journey ?” our question Die a philanthropic spirit which is very commendable, but the law cannot take notice of such things. I believe them guilty, as alleged, and I shall send them to Snakefoot to-morrow forenoon, For the first time in my public career,” and here Uncle Hon- est’s voice grew melancholy, ‘‘ my course has been criticised. All public men must a Po this, yacht ps but I am not accustomed to it, I am eeply grieved, and now I am determined ‘to get rid of the cause of trouble.” CHAPTER XXII. A DARING PLAN, Doctor Mark had the strongest of reasons for maintaining his point, and he did so man- uly. **T am afraid the long journey will utterly eri ple Orme,” he persisted. **T think not, ” Kliakim answered, ** But I speak from a medical standpoirt.” ‘* And I, from that of a believer in that Provi- dence which suffers not a sparrow to fall un- heeded,” unctuously declared the Peacemaker, “ But will not Snakefoot Pass get the reward, if there should prove to be one?” ‘** A portion only, I think. In any case, a re- gard for vulgar money will not influence me.” ‘* How about the fame of Hornets’ Nest?” “That rests with Providence, also.” Hartley relapsed into the silence of despair. He saw how utterly useless it was to continue the argument. The old man was in his most hypocritical mood, and it was impossible to move him, The doctor’s efforts had not been made from fears of injury to Joseph’s hip. From the mo- ment that Uncle Honest announced his intention of taking the prisoners to Snakefoot, another, and greater, fear had been upon the doctor. He felt sure that a plot was on foot which nee aced the lives of the Ormes, and it was only means of a strong effort that he had saved self from openly abe his startled aimee o The storm-clouds of doom were gathering thickly around the helpless captives—and where was ald to be found? The doctor was in a state of mind almost chaotic, but summoned all bis will and tried to appear ‘natural, There were yet several hours —a whole day, according to what Outerbridge had said—in which to consider means of relief, end be became suddenly anxious to get to Yank Yellowbird, The services of the mountaineer had rarely been more imperatively needed. Hartley took his time in leaving, and passed severa' minutes in general conversation, but | when clear of the ccurt-room he went at once to When he arrived there he was pleased to find only the host and Nevetmiss in the kitchen, Mrs, Graham and Peggy being up- tion the Sieg interview with Eliakim had ' stairs, ¢ wd, + A —aa een 4 ai wwe Nabe expecting you,” observed Graham, Why so ‘*'We a you gotothe City Hall, and we thought you would have something worth tell- ong in & ‘Unfortunately, I have.” ‘* What! is there more bad news?” “The very worst! Outerbridge announces that he will take the Ormes to Snakefoot Pass, to-morrow forenoon.” ‘Is that the bad news?” Yank asked. P “ix ey" ; ‘* I don’t jestly see the p’int.” = ‘* The point is this: If our unfortunate friends start on that journey, they will never reach Snakefoot !” ‘* Land o’ Goshen! do you mean—” ‘*] mean that it will be a funeral es you suppose Eliakim Outerbridge will wil feely: yield the profit and renown of capturing two noted criminals? Never! That is not his way. \ He knows very well that they are not Gunnison Alf and Firefly Nell—and, by the way, I don’t believe that such persons exist; 1 think that pretended letter he read was "really only a forgery.” wa ** Jest my idee,” Yank agreed. ! “In regard to ‘this latest move you can make up your mind Iam right. Ask Graham,” ‘Tt would be like them,” the old man agreed, P| tremulously, a ‘‘Strikes me you hev some atrocious insex ; hyar,” the mountaineer observed. ‘t You are only beginning to find them out. If the Ormes are taken on that journey, it will be '¥- fatal. The vehicle would return w th the news\ that an attack had been made upon them by un- “ known desperadoes, and both prisoners shot. In case justice should reach for them, there would be five or six men to swear to the story, and not a particle of evidence on the other side,” v ank caressed his thin beard meditatively. 2 ~ PB ag think they’ll claim an attact, eh?” , ‘‘'Tben thar ought ter be one, by hurley!” ** Do you mean—” ‘** [ve filled about ev’ry sp’ear which the wide West gives mortal man a chance at, ’ceptin’ = that o road-agent. Up ter this time ve had scruples ag’in’ that line o’ business, but I consait | I’ve b’en too finikel. I feel a powerful hankerin! __ all o’ a sudden ter branch out as a road-robber, *Most all the Yellowbirds hev achieved gloryin one way or another. Adam was a powerful | good gardener; Noah was the best or alive | at one time; an’ my gran’father was a master- hand at the tick-tacks o’ war. I’ve b’en kept \ under by the egregious newrolgy, but my chance has now come. lll blossom out asa sey nr Sh i —I will, by hurley!” Nevermiss struck his open hand forcibly u his knee, whereupon his dog started to his feet — with a belligerent growl, Finding everything right, he sunk back, but his eyes gave Yank a surprised lance. Such vehemence was not in keeping with Moses’s idea of dignity. ' “Do you mean to advise a real seer y on the Outerbridge party?” Mark asked, anxiously. ‘To be sure.” ‘* Who would make it?” h Ne ‘* A long-legged critter about my size.” ‘* Alone?” ‘' The recruitin’ offic is 0 ‘*In all Hornets’ Nest the Sthaked have but three male syinpadhinereedMdy, Graham, you and — me,’ af The rest show egregious poor judgment.” ; ** Come to the point, Re eretone: Mr. @ prsiaroen 7 is too far advanced in years to join the party, but 1 am at your service, Neutrality shall no longer claim me, I will do my best to save the Ormes, and then bid Hornets’ Nest farewell — forever.” “That's the way ter talk, You remind me 07 my gran’fatber now, thoagh as he died afore I was born, I don’t remember him as plain asI do you. Ter put it briefly, dcetor, you an’ must ee down on that outfit an’ rescue oS a an « - 2 a | . <“ae Rie > ~ — OR 1 Nea will be five or six guards,” ‘*The more on ’em the merrier.” ’ ‘ Hard fighters, too.” ‘*T take it} doctor, that you wanttogiveme | fair warnin’. Thar ain’t an artom o’ aprten l in yer manner, an’ yer eyes have a bee 2 like; but you want me ter onderstan aang that an egregious pile 0’ i a may come > es o’ our attempt.” ‘*That is it, precisely.’ “Consider it done, “The odds be ‘rn | but — I’ve seen it afore now that a lame dog bark | an’ bite like all creation, ou an’ ain’t ter be despised, ef we don’t count up but ‘two ae ‘Enough, mountaineer! I know your repu- — tation too well to say more on this head. Itis © settled that we make the attempt, be the result | what it may. Now, Outerbridge says they will | leave here to-morrow forenoon. know what — that means. About half an hour before day- — light the gang will sneak away, prisoners —. * all, and at sunrise the drama will be o That is Uncle Honest’s way—he works in ‘tho ar “He may ait inter an atrocious darkness yet!” muttered the mountaineer. * Bus enous q their ambush, Whar do ye think it will be?” ’ * > i fe Gomilehboo (E