Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

¥< Forests, 4 aE - 4 : <! — a SS : a r Uncle Honest. Ms a the result eagerly. Storm Rider was seen to look around, but in no way did he betray ex- citement. ‘* You have missed!” cried Uncle Honest, an- grily. ‘‘ Shoot again; and if you miss, I'll shoot ou!” “ Obediently enough Hickman pulled the trig- ger, but his nerves were utterly upset. This time he had aimed at the man, instead of the balloon, and it was plain that he had made an- other failure. Uncle Honest snatched the rifle away and, kneeling on the rocky surface, sent bullet after bullet flying toward the air-ship. It was now an effort of desperation. The balloon was mov- ing rapidly away, and the best of marksmen would have had little real hope, but the warlike ‘‘ Peacemaker ” did not cease until he had emp- tied the weapon. Then he hurled it against a rock with such force that the stock was splintered. Despite the fusilade, the balloon was going on triumphantly, and, soaring higher in the air, bade fair to soon be entirely out of sight to those who stood on Sawtooth Ric ge. Hickman looked anxiously at Uncle Honest, The latter’s face had assumed a purplish hue, and the evidence was so strong of bis being in an ungovernable rage that his follower almost expected a personal collision with him. Hick- man was not a coward, but he knew the ways of Eliakim Outerbridge well enough not to desire his enmity. Not until the leader’s gaze was again with- drawn from the balloon was the silence broken. Then Hickman meekly, regretfully stammered: **I—T am very sorry I missed.” ‘*Don’t mention it, my good Hickman,” re- plied Uncle Honest, in his usual mild, bland manner, His want of outward emotion staggered Hick- man, but did by no means reassure him. He placed no reliance in that strange composure. ‘*The rifle never failed me before,” he re- sumed. “This failure was due to a defective cart- ridge, I dare say,” answered Eliakim. = Arter that,” explained the subordinate, with new trepidation, ‘‘ [ reckon I got excited.” ‘‘ You were hunting new game, friend,” kindly returned the Peacemaker. ** Yes, ruther,” Both men looked toward the balloon once more. It was going along in finestyle. The current of air was brisk, and the lone voyager was every moment putting more ground be tween him and Hornets’ Nest. Uncle Honest sat down upon a rock, and as he rested his hands on his knees, they trembled greatly. The late scene had shaken him even more than Hickman suspected. In the first place the sight of Storm Rider engaged in such work wasa startling surprise, for he had had the best of reasons for believing that the man was not in condition for active service of any kind; and then came the failure to stop the bal- loon. Now, it was drifting safely away, and Eliakim was filled with lively apprehensions as to what would be the aeronaut’s next move. If he told to the outside world all that he knew, even the iron rule of the Outerbridges would not serve to give safety to the head of fhe family. Several minutes passed before Eliakim spoke or moved from the rock, He felt weak physi- cally, and time was necessary to restore his strength and his disturbed. nerves. He finally arose, “TI think, Hickman, that I will return to the village. I am not feeling very strong, and I don’t know that I can do any good here. You may remain and continue to search for the Ormes, If you run upon one of my boys, re- port to him for orders,’ | ‘“‘Thank ye, Uncle Honest. Excuse me, but I’ve an idee about that thar ballon critter.” “ What is it?” ‘¢ Ain’t he one o’ the gang who took the Ormes away?” a ‘‘No: I am positive that he is not. recognize him?” “He looked like the critter the sheriff cap- tured at the City Hall.” “It was he, I don’t mind saying, Hickman, that he was left in my house, and that in escap- ing from it, he fell from the window and sus- tained severe injuries—so severe that he could not possibly have taken part in the rescue. No,” added the Peacemaker, decisively; ‘‘I know it was not Storm Rider who took the Ormes ai 8 ‘* I don’t see who did it, then.” ‘* Nor I,” Eliakim admitted, with a thoughtful frown. “It is very mysterious, but I hope my dear boys will find the runaways before night Now goto them, friend Hickman. Tell them I’ve returned to Hornets’ Nest,” Uncle Honest waved his hand, smiled benevo- lently upon bis subordinate, and then began his return. Hickman went the other way to find the younger Outerbridges, CHAPTER XXVIII. PETER ASTONISHES HIS PARENT. THE day was drawing to a close when Doctor Mark and the mountaineer abandoned the Did you 7 search for the Ormes and started for the village, The Outerbridge gang had given it up and gone home previously, and the smaller party had been compelled to follow their example. There was no trace of the missing persons. That they had been taken to the hills by those well acquainted with the region was clear, but the skill of the unknown rescuer, together with the natural disadvantages of Sawtooth Ridge, had foiled even Yank’s skill for the time. ) did not yield wholly, but the fact was un- Genla bie that there was thus far absolutely no ciew, During the day they bad seen the Outerbridge searchers now and then, but no conversation had taken place. If hostility was felt, none was shown. Nevermiss and Mark were about to emerge from the rougher country into the valley when they were surprised to see Peter Outerbridge coming toward them, From the first it impress- ed both men that he had a definite object in view, and Mark mentally inquired if an ambush was to be looked for by the way. Peter, however, came on quietly, without any exhibition of hostility, and reaching them, stop- ped short. ** What luck?” he asked, calmly. ** Luck at what?” Hartley returned. ** Looking for the Ormes?” ‘** We have no idea where they are.” ‘*‘ Nobody has. I suppose you have heard the news at the village?” ‘What news?” ** About the Grahams,” ‘‘ What about them?’ Hartley asked, un- easily. ‘* They are arrested,” ** Arrested!” cc Yes.” “By whom? For what?’ ‘““My worthy father, Mr. Outerbridge, be- lieves that they were concerned in the rescue of the Ormes, and he has very properly had them incarcerated in the very cells occupied by Gun- nison Alf and Firefly Nell—alias, the Ormes. My father desired to maintain peace in Hor- nets’ Nest and protect the people, for whom the town exists, and very fitly, too, from all vio- lence and discords and turbulent elements,.and possible contamination with disreputable and degenerate characters who may be in,or may be suspected of being in, its peaceful limits; and as his far-seeing, just and unfailing observation showed him that the Grahams were dangerous persons, no less by means of past offenses than what they are now suspected of, he wisely, though reluctantly, ordered the arrest, and they are now imprisoned as before said.” This prodigious sentence, which would have strangled almost any other man, fell smoothly and unctuously from Peter’s lips, For insin- cerity he had usurped Uncle Honest’s well- grounded position, and that person could not have maintained a sentence through so many long stretches as Peter had done. Doctor Mark was dimly conscious of all this, but minor facts were swallowed up in the one important, painful fact of the arrest, “This is unjust!” he exclaimed. ‘‘I am sure that the Grahamsare wholly innocent.” ** Perhaps they can prove it,” responded Peter, looking at the sky absently. *““What could that weak old man and two we tong th t guilty.” erhaps they are no ; **T know they are ok y ere is?” asked the Leather-Jacket, indiffer- ently. **T don’t know, but—” ‘* Some suspect you,” e Me?” “ Yes, ” ‘‘ Absurd! I know nothing about it.” “*T dare say my good father will talk with you—I am sure he will. Happily, doctor, you can rely upon his wisdom, magnanimity and mercy. Good-lay, gentlemen!” Peter bowed with calm dignity and walked on. He left two astonished men behind him, Mark and Yank watched in silence until he was out of sight; then they looked wonderingly at each other, ‘What do you make of it?’ demanded the doctor. **T can’t imagine why he did it,” Yank re- turned. ** Do you think they are really arrested?” _ ““Tconsait so; but that ain't the mystery that is percolatin’ through my mind. The question is, why in hurley did Peter tell us on’t?” **T am utterly at a loss to know,” ““T consait he come hyar on purpose ter tell us.” , ** Why should he do that?” **] haven’t an artom o’ an idee.” ‘* He has not been so friendly before.” ‘““Ef he’s friendly now, he’s got some selfish motive in it. You don’t ketch im actin’ from any other cause, Now see hyar—he tol’ us we was ter be arrested, or that we was suspected, or somethin’ o’ the sort, didn’t he ‘* An’ he knowed that would put us on our guard?” ee 5) ‘* Wal, why’s Peter workin’ ag’in’ that paren- tal ancestor e claims ter be so oncommon fond ‘Yank, I believe there is a deep plot here, What new hook has Uncle Honest baited for us?” ‘**Mark my words,” replied Yank, leveling bis forefinger at his companion, ‘the old man ain’t in it; this is Peter’s game, an’ he’s at it egregious brisk. Why? [ kin only suspeck ’tis on account o’ Peggy, though why Peter’s fancy fur her should extend ter us I don’t know, by hurley!” : ‘* He has some idea.” ** He has, sure’s you live; an’ it’s ragin’ like malignant newrolgy, though it may not be so bad on the jints. We owe Peter some good- will fur warnin’ us, but it won’t do ter imagine that angels’ wings have sprouted under them big shuulders o’ his. His pedigreen wouldn’t allow that. My advice is, keep a sharp eye on Peter or he’ll get us inter some mortal triberla- tion yet.” “I believe you. another question. village?” ‘1 consait that the hills are good enough fur us,” dryly answered Nevermiss. ‘*Then here we stay; but what of the Gra- hams? Must they stay in prison?” And now we are to meet. ‘ Shall we go boldly to the sO, : ‘* Mountaineer, we are their only friends,” — resumed Hartley, with feeling. “To be sure. courtin’-time, You would size up as an able- bodied man, but I’m a’flicted egregiously with newrolgy, an’ my left foot is a coward—a mortal weak sister. Nothin’ but my regard fur the glory o’ the Yellowbird pedigreen, an’ the memory o’ my gran’father, the Revolutionary relict, enables me ter keepup. By the way, doc- tor, I hev an idee.” “What is it?” - “‘Graham’s folks don’t want ter stay in jail an’ I know it. Now, the chances are all ag’in” us, but I move that we hustle ‘round, as soon as * . ~ it’s dark, an’ see ef we kin rescue them.” ( pt, ‘* Are you in earnest?” a ‘To be sure.” : Give me your band!” **T am with zou! Ims and the compact was — They crosse sealed, but neither showed any enthusiasm. They knew very well how desperately the chances were against them, and it was only grim courage which actuatedthem. Confidence they did not, and could not, feel; and if they made the attempt, failed and were captured, they could expect no mercy from the ruling powers of the town. i we In the mean time Peter had let no time go to waste. His conduct proved that he had sought ese, for after leaving ‘them,he 0" . 4 baie! 7 them on pu made a half-circle at a rapid pace and thenre- turned to the village. He went at once to his father’s house, and found that worthy in his: room, - Eliakim had already received a report from | Isaac, so he had only to greet Peter. did in his usual fatherly manner, after which 7 he added: +) ‘Sit down, my dear boy; I want totalk with u.” 15 ** And I want to talk with you!” ~ Peter spoke steadily, and Honest with a firm, fixed intentness which man re cated that he had something of importance to say, and plenty of courage with which to say it. - “JT will hear you first, my son,” graciously answered Eliakim, witha waveofhishand. — ‘*T want to speak of the Grahams.” An ‘* Proceed, Peter,’ eo “We have always run Hornets’ Nestinthe _ manner best suited to our own interests, haven’t we? adae 1S ‘ ~ lo the interest of the people you mean, my Oy. iy, of I accept your correction,” i continued the young teather-Jacket, “but I t you will admit the fact that, while looking outfor the péople, the Outerbridge family bas never — allowed itself to get very badly left. But we need not dwell upon that point; let usspeak _ solely of the Grabams. They are prisoners, and — J suppose you will deal rigorously with them,” — ‘ a With the blessing of Providence I shall be Pigs” unwaveringly a my boy; but I fear their their crimes will compel me to use some severity, as much as I shall regret the necessity.” | Woe ‘“‘ Exactly,” coolly pursued Peter. “With | im our permission I will suggest a mode of punish- vient for one of them which will be novel and 4 ‘ > * ust, ** Explain ye by an means, Peter.” on “* Com e marry me | wee +a eat uttered the words — The young ther-Jacket utt ae with precision almost machine-like, bat Uncle _ Honest started back in blank amazement, on * whats er he See en **T want to ma eggy 7 ee “You do? writ want to— Ha! ha! Isee; — you are joking, my boy. Very good; very good, but—” om >. - bu per “ Wrong, father—wrons. be never more > *=ncomicbooks:com ee Ge ee o ‘‘T hate like the mischief ter hev them do an ” ' We two men ag’in’ a town, an’ pet. = one on us is ruther past the prime o’ life an” I "1h "te x so # a —_ —-* 508 Se a Re de by -! wf Thishe — e looked at Uncle > eeeEeE—e—eEeEe—e—e—e—————eeee ~~ ~ » ore , = » ~ . pe he a ee a ee oe —_ i ~e CP at —<— ff ae es ‘ee oem ae Sa on Se ee ee aA