Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

as I seen evenin’ out, but ‘‘ Not before Bull Head Rock is reached.” ‘‘T don’t know whar that is, but we will lay our ambush this side o’ Bull Head Rock, at the first p’int whar the lay o’ the land is favor- able,”’ ‘¢ That meets my approval.” ‘‘ Then it’s all settled.” ‘‘ Friends,” remarked Graham, “I am reluc- tant to interfere in a case where the object is so noble, but I am compelled to say that it is sure death for you to try this plan. As Doctor Mark has said, there will be five or six of the guards, and not less than two of the Leather-Jackets will be of the number. What can you two men do against such a party? Bear in mind that they are desperate men to whom human lives lack one iota of sacredness.” ‘Tye seen sech before,” the mountaineer quietly replied. ‘‘l’ye met atrocious insex 0’ all classes, an’ the nat’ral antipathy betwixt us has rendered the tussle oncommon lively, but f don’t mind ’em half so much as [ do a voylent attack of newrolgy. That's a trouble that will warp the j’ints mortal bad. I knowed a man once who had his hip dislercated by a fall. Wal, he took newrolgy in it, an’ the fu’st bad twinge throwed the hip back inter the socket.” ‘‘That was remarkable,” said Graham, doubt- fully. Not at all. I once had the same diffikilty so bad that it set all my bones ter jumpin’ at once, I was powerful thin of flesh at that time, an’ the bones rattled tergether so that you’d thought a drum an’ cymbals was playin’ some melancholy tune.” ‘Tt will be the bullets of the Leather-Jackets ‘that will rattle against your bones to-morrow,” retorted Graham, “T expeck ter git a few gunshot diffikilties, but it won’t be anything new; I’m full o’ lead, now. J’ve growed up on sech troubles, an’ no- body but a Yellowbird could ’a’ stood it. Trib- erlation! Why, it comes as nat’ral ter me as breathin’, When I’s a baby I[ had all the malig- nant complaints sev’ral times—war-whoop cough twice; measles, three times; mumps, four times; and bumps not less than a good many hundreds. ‘* When these a’flictions let up the gals begun ter plague me. I was gittin’ bigger, an’ pootier, but I soon found that good looks a confusion an’ asnare. All the young females set their caps fur me, an’ they worried me like a passel 0’ wolves arter a wounded buff’ler. “Once, LT went ter a huskin’-bee. Ef Id knowed the rules I wouldn’t ’a’ been ketched thar, nohow, but I was jest as innercent as a lamb ontil they tol’ me ’twas a fixed practyse fur a chap ter kiss a pooty gal ev'ry time he found a red ear o' corn, That started the ’rosperation out o’ me like hurley, an’ [ tol’ ’em Fielt sick, an’ I guessed l’'d go home an’ hev my marm make me some pepperment tea. ‘« 1'd’a’ gone, too, but they wouldn’t let me, an’ Ivan in fur it, I took a seat way over in one corner an’ consaited ter myself the gals would be mortal smart ter git me. Wal, gals be smart, an’ I found it out, fur one o’ the critters —an egtegious pooty little thing, with red hair, and with eyes as big as sas’sers—come an’ plumped herself down right afore me, pennin’ me inter the corner, tight. _ ** She give me sev’ral sly looks, and she made some remarks, but I was so egregious flustered I didn’t ketch a word she said. [ un ter husk like «ll creation, an’ that was whar I made my mistake. The nat’ral result was that I soon found a red ear o’ corn. I took faint an’ weak right off, but I slipped the consarned thing ee CT under my coat quick as scat. I hoped nobody. had see’d it, but I want enough pun’kins ter fool the red-headed gal. ‘6+ What's that?’ sez She. ‘¢¢ What’s what? sez I. “¢¢ That you slid under yer coat so quick,’ sez she. “ ‘Twas a mouse,’ sez I, hopin’ ter skeer her. ““¢T like mice,’ sez she, with a snicker; an’ with that she yanked my coat away an’ the red ear rolled out. “Up I bounced right off, an’I p’inted my nose fur the door, but I didn’t git fur. That egregious gal laid hold o’ my coat, an’ she hung on like hurley. ‘-¢ Red ear! red ear!’ sez she, “T consait the ear was white compared ter the color o’ my face, fur my misery was suthin’ melancholy. I kicked an’ squirmed, but *twa’n’t no use; the crowd kept me in. 66 Rigs Sukey |” they yelled. ““* Hang Sukey!’ sez I, beginnin’ ter blubber. ‘+ Pay yer forfeit,’ sez they. “<¢Tt ain’t right,’ sez I, ‘I’s a wal-brought- up boy,’ sez I, ‘an’ sech levity is hijjus. Lemme go!’ sez I. ‘¢* Shame on ye!’ sez they. *¢<T be ashamed,’ sez I. _ DP} cure ye,’ sez Sukey, nigh chokin’ with igglin’, an’ then I'll be condemn’d ef Ahat gal Hidn’t sling her arms around my neck an’ hug me like all git out. She squa up the matter o’ the red ear so’t I didn’t owe notbin’, too, but I a’most died 0’ mortification. “Them oucivil critters made me stay ‘the ou kin bet I didn’t find no hat was my last huskin’-bee, “7-3 ¢ ES SETS x Uncle Honest. too, fur I didn’t mean ter be imposed on, That’s afair sample o’ how I’ve waded knee-deep in triberlation, an’ I needn’t give no more on ’em., ‘“‘ Yes, doctor, we'll be on hand ter play road- agent on that stage, ter-morrer,” Nevermiss concluded, ‘“‘T only wish I was young enough to join you,” said Graham, with a sigh. ‘‘ Don’t think on’t. That reminds me, how about sellin’ Graham’s property at auction, doc- tor?’ ‘“‘ Outerbridge has postponed it.” ** Lucky bon, him.” we Hartley had one more thing upon his mind. The fragment of conversation between Isaac and Aaron had told him of another prisoner who had appeared and disappeared. It was a mystery who this man was, but, naturally, he thought of the Storm Rider. He told Yank and Graham what he knew, and it was agreed that his theory was plausible. As a partial test the mountaineer agreed to make another search for the aeronaut in the mountains that afternoon. All, however, were afraid that the person in question had fallen into the hands of his enemies. CHAPTER XXIII. A MYSTERY FOR ALL PARTIES. THERE was only one road leading away from Hornets’ Nest—that which led to Snakefoot Pass. Everywhere else the surrounding eoun- try was wild, mountainous and broken, and it would have puzzled the well-known ingenuity of Western railroad men to find even a tortu- ous line on which to lay rails.. When Hornets’ Nest dreamed of a railroad, it thought only of the road to Snakefoot. This course was not always direct, but a suc- cession of passes and gulches had done remark- ably well for them, and as a stage-road it was beyond reproach, if not direct. ear a bend of a gulch, where an overhang- ing cliff was known as Bull Head Rock, five men were gathered the morning succeeding the events last described. Their appearance was peculiar and striking. Every man was masked. They were well-armed; they were poorly- dressed; they looked like so many tramps on the war-path. Had they been unmasked they would have been recognizable as men of Hornets’ Nest—the very dregs of -the hybrid population. These men toiled not, neither did they dig for gold, but they found a means of subsistence. Rascals that they were, they formed an important part of Uncle Honest’s ‘‘reform” plan. True, the average citizen never saw him even address these anti-toilers, but all streams do not flow on the surface. Thestreamof Uncle Honest’s pub- lic career was subterraneous, secret and dark. The masked men had a definite object in be- ing at Bull Head Rock, but they grew im- taf with waiting. They watched the road rom Hornets’ Nest constantly. At first they were patient, but hours rolled on and they be- came uneasy. They were there with definite orders, however, and they remained at their post. What they looked for did not come. Nota human being was visible along the road. The sun mounted up the sky, and as its hot rays poured down on the bare ledges, the men fell to grumbling. Their lot seemed to thema hard one, and they wished themselves well out of the venture, Relief did not come in the way of their ex- pees prey, and wonder was in every mind. hat had happened to overturn the plans of the day? They had no orders to guide them in such an emergency, and noon found them still watching the trail. There were other watchers, Two miles nearer Hornets’ Nest another party had undergone the same experience. They were Doctor Mark and Yank. Their had remained firm in their dan- gerous resolution, and had taken a carefully- selected position from which to ambush the Outerbridge party on their way to Snakefoot. Their experience, as before said, had been a repetition of that of the masked men, The Ormes and their guards did not appear; there was no one to ambush. For hours they watched the trail, but nobody relieved the monotony of the winding road with signs of life. Surprise and doubt had given place to a well-grounded _sus- picion, and Doctor Mark had consulted his watch for the twentieth time. ‘¢ We will wait until eleven o’clock,” he said. Eleven o’clock came, and he abruptly rose. ‘* We may as well give it up,” he announced, ‘*T consait you are right,” Nevermiss agreed, ‘‘Something must have happened at Hornets’ Nest.” ‘* What?” “‘Don’t ask me. Perhaps the Ormes have been taken to some lonely gulch near the village and—you can surmise the rest. ““T surmise a good many things, but the trouble is ter pick out the right clew. It's pos- sible we hev fell inter an egregious trap, set by that varmint, Eliakim. Mebbe he never in- tended ter take the Ormes ter Snakefoot, but sorter suspected you, an’ give yeachance ter , o- = . At Ta & = * of = * +» a ~ . * “ és e betray yerself. Mind, now, that’s only a pos- sible idea; but ef it’s kerreck, I consait you’ve run right inter the trap.” ‘* We will test i¢ by returning to the village,” Hartley calmly replied. ‘* That's the quickest way o’ settlin’ it, Some common thing may hev changed their plans, or we may find the village in a mortal uproar.” ‘* And arrest awaiting us,” ** To be sure.” ** We shall surrender, of course,” Mark ironi- cally added. ‘* Thar ain’t a doubt on’t.” ** Mountaineer, I find myself growing reck- less. I have aspired to be a calm, emotionless doctor, and nothing more, but my blood is stir- red up seriously. I verily believe I should enjoy a brush with the Outerbridges.” ‘¢ Thar ain’t an artom o’ doubt that you'll hev the chance. I hev an idee that peace is over thar, an’ that there will be some atrocious scuf- fles ‘twixt us an’ them. One thing let me urge upon ye, doctor "—here the veteran shook his finger gravely at Hartley—‘‘ ef we git inter a fight, le’s uphold our fam’ly pedigreen at all costs. The Yellowbirds ain’t a race that like ter be put down—an’, by hurley! they won’t be put down!” ‘‘T will not waste words to remind you of the odds against us, and I will follow you through. This iniquitous gang at the village can com- mand my toleration no longer. Come; let us start back!” ‘To be sure. Come on, Moses; thar ain’t no game hyar, an’ we may as wal go an’ offer our- selves fur game.” The grim dog seemed to think that an inglori- ous failure had been scored, and he followed his. master without any demonstration. The men did not venture to return by the road, but kept near enough to it to make sure no one passed. In due time the village again appeared to their view. They stood on a cliff, half-concealed by bushes, and looked down into the depression. There lay Hornets’ Nest, quiet, peaceful, without a perceptible change. Doctor Mark looked inquiringly at his com- panion. ‘* No excitement there.” ** Not an artom.” ‘‘TDo you see an Outerbridge anywhere?” | ts No.” “‘ Have you any new theory?” ‘‘Can’t say I have.” ‘Then what do you advise?” ‘That we go ter Graham’s at once, we'll get thar without notice.” Uneasiness was perceptible in the veteran’s. manner, for the impression was growing upon him that their secret journey might yet get them into trouble. It would do no tape to. dwell upon it, so he said no more, They re- sumed their journey, approaching Graham’s in the most favorable way. They were anxious to avoid attention, but were too wise to adopt skulking tactics. As they approached the door, igh saw Gra- ham sitting by the window in deep thought—se deep that he did not hear or see them until they entered. Then he sprung to his feet, ‘* So you’re back!” he exclaimed. *¢-Yes. What's happened here?’ ‘¢ Haven’t you beard?” ee No ” I hope ss Ey erEnOey. else knows. The Ormes are e ‘¢ Gone where?” ‘‘ Heaven only knows.” ‘“*T don’t understand. They did not come along the Snakefoot road—” ‘For which there was the best of reasons. When the Leather-Jackets got ready to take them away, they were found to have disappear- ed strange ps “Not of their own efforts. Somebody had forced an entrance at the rear of the City Hall, and then taken them away.” ‘Ts this the story Eliakim Outerbridge tells?” a Yes.” ‘¢ The man lies!” ‘% How do you know?” “His ‘fine Italian hand’ is visible in the work, It is he who has taken them away. His talk about conveying them to Snakefoot, which I thought absurd at the start, was only a cun- nie dodge to put us on the wrong track.” ‘*T shared your views at first, but I am now convinced that Uncle Honest bas been beaten,” ‘* Convinced by what?” ‘ “His manner and conduct. The Leather- Jackets are in a rage, and the old man no longer talks of peace. He is very angry and disap- pointed, and has offered a reward for their re- capture. He called for every man who could follow a trail.” . ‘© What luck?” the mountaineer asked quickly. ‘*None. There was nobody here who even claimed to, be a trailer.” Yank nodded sharply, and his face expressed satisfaction. He knew a man who was a trai- ‘‘T could give a dozen reasons, and will do so later,” added Grabam, ‘‘but, for now, let it suffice that I feel positive the Outerbridges are hs A ee C0 co < < auf eae * “ 7 . | v O ® A ~~ | ig } = \ IN ‘ > y oe ——/ U