Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

or . ofr > SF erty et te CHAPTER X. THE PERSUASION OF A REVOLVER. Nor long did the mountaineer remain near the house. It was among one of the many sus- | Loren in his mind that some of the Leather- acket tribe might be hovering near, and watching with some hostile object, so if was a interest to make as little show as pos- sible. Closely followed by Moses he moved away to the distance of seventy yards. There he again paused near the wall of a building, No light burned inside, and his presence there seemed safe, while a better place could not have been fcund for the purpose he bad in view. Leaning upon his long rifle he looked back to- ward Graham’s. Much of the intense darkness of the earlier part of the evening hau disappear- ed, and he could see as letaty as he desired. He half-expected to see dusky figures prowling around the house, but minute after minute passed and nothing unusual appeared, Yank gradually came to the conclusion that the house was not menaced, and the belief gave him decided relief. His face cleared, and he aroused, threw his rifle across his shoulder and walked away. The dog, who was still ignorant of the workin hand, betrayed no curiosity, but marched quietly by bis master’s side, yet he was so well acquainted with Yank’s habits that he knew some impor- tant work was on hand. The mountaineer did not hesitate as to his course, but moved at once toward the center of the village. At that point the ‘ City Hall” was situated, and that was his destination. As he approached it first his belief was that it was deserted, but as he advanced nearer he saw alight shining dimly behind some sort of cur- tain, was encouraging, for he knew enough of the place to feel sure that the Leather- Jackets were in consultation, Their office, only, was at City Hall, and they lived elsewhere. Going close to the building he found his view obstructed by a blanket which served as a win- dow-curt iin, while the window was tightly closed. | He could hear no sound inside, but the light sti. burned, hile he was considering what to do the sound 0, ‘ootsteps near at hand reached his ears. He pressi'1 close tothe side of the building and waited.'{ 4 dark figure appeared not far away. At first'l discovery seemed inevitable, but the man pé» xd near him and went straight to the office dou. : He rap, ed in a peculiar way and the door was opened, As the light shone out for a brief space of time it fell upon the face of Uncle Hon- est, and is Yank had seen him once before, he did not pass unrecognized. The ‘* Feacemaker” entered the office. Yank dic not fail to improve the chance of- fered him. Well aware that the attention of all who were within would be diverted, be seized the chance and raised the window slightly. _it was then easy to push the blagket aside a little, and the interior was revealed to the mountaineer’s gaze. He saw three persons there beside Uncle Honest; the old man’s stalwart sons were assem- bled in grim conference, it seemed. Aaron and Peter were seated, while Isaac had just admit- ted his venerable parent. ., Well, dear boys,” quoth Uncle Honest, how are you all? I dare say everything is well?” So—so,” growled Isaac. ‘Have you been here all the evening?” as Yes, ” ** And Aaron and Peter?” ‘¢-Veq:? ‘* Where have they been?” ‘‘ Looking around,” replied Aaron, in a surly voice. ; A smile flitted across Yank’s face; it was plain that the younger Leather-Jackets did not wish to nake their wooing public until it had ashamed « more favorable aspect. No wonder Aaron was in an ugly mood¥he had made an offer of b’s heart and hand, and had been eer géd to .et the matter rest ata very vexatious stage. ‘Anything new outside?” asked Eliakim he sat down nl smoothed his patriarchal Senet stowed a prolonged glance upon the prisoner. Uncle Honest. she in his care?’ y: ** Her folks died, and, as the mountaineer was a friend, he took charge of Peggy and brought her here,” A sneering smile appeared on Isaac Outer- bridge’s face. He was nota victim of the ter- der passion. and he despised Peter for having yielded to Peggy’s charms. Curiously enough, Uncle Honest knew less about Peggy’s histor than the other inhabitants of Hornets’ Nest, He made it a point to keep well informed in regard to everybody’s private affairs, but Peggy was only a young girl, and he had paid less attention her. ‘* The point is this,” added Aaron, whose own interests were identical with Peter’s; ‘* Yellow- bird is a friend of the Grahams, and he will be in our way.” ‘*T see,” The senior Outerbridge tapped his long fingers upon his knee thougbtfully, ‘* Yellowbird is a dangerous man,” he added, his mild voice losing some part of its bland- ness. ‘‘ That's the trouble.” ‘He has a remarkable reputation as a brave, shrewd man, and it is hard to baffle him in any case he espouses,” ** Bah!” observed Isaac, ** Well, my son?” ‘‘The lank mountaineer is only human, His past successes are Owing to the fact that he has had weaklings to deal with. If he interferes here it will be at his peril. Should he announce himself champion of the Grabam crowd, let me know, and I will take care of him.” The listening mountaineer smiled calmly. He had heard vain talk before, and if circumstances had been favorable he weuld not have been re- luctant to give the Leather-Jacket a chance to show his abilities. In the present case, however, he did not forget that the disability of Joseph Orme and the absolute power of the Outer- bridges gave them a vast advantage, ‘‘ He must be taken care of,” Eliakim agreed. ‘‘ Don’t give it a thought,” advised Isaac, waving his hand as though he disposed of Yank then and there. ‘¢ Well, as to your prisoner,” said Uncle Hon- est. ‘The report which I received is very con- fusing. What have you got, anyway?” ‘¢The balloonist.” ec No 1» “ Yes,” ‘* But the balloon struck acurrent of air and drifted away toward the northwest.” ‘Winds change, like everything else. The ee tg struck anothercurrent of air and drifted ack, ‘* That is remarkable.” ‘*Not at all. Well, the balloon drove back almost to where it started from earlier in the day—which was odd—and the aeronaut threw out his grappling-irons and came to anchor. He then fell into my hands by chance, as I was moving about Sawtooth Ridge, and I captured and brought him here.” | ** And he is here now?” ** Yes; in the next room.” ** But refuses to talk?” ** Yes.” * Bring him out!” Uncle Honest spahe decisively, and. his nose went down toward his chin with even more of the hawk-like dive than usual. Isaac arose, went to a door at the further side of the office and disappeared in an adjoinin room, Not long was he gone, He returne leading a man, or, more correctly, a boy who was partially bound. This person had not yet reached his twentieth year. He was a slender youth, with a delicate form and a smooth, girlish-looking face. No reat amount of firmness was indicated by that ace, and just at that moment, it bore a look of alarm. Isaac set him before Uncle Hones, prooved: ing as grimly.as usual, whereupon Eliakim be- The elder man presented an appearance less rim than tbat of his sons, and the boy mani- Fostly took courage, what bas Yellowbird to do about it? How came | Aaron glanced at Peter, who hastened to re- ; 9 his verbal argument, but Knifebelt was not con- vinced, He stood silent. ‘Won't you tell Uncle Honest?” blandly per- sisted the old man, ‘*T can’t tell what I don’t know, sir.” ‘You can tell where you met the Ormes—” ‘*T never beard of them until to-night.” **Do you deny that you left them on Saw- tooth Ridge and ran away?” ** ‘Yes, sir.” ‘Why do you waste words on him?’ sharply demanded Isaac. ‘* The Orme girl plainly stated that their fellow air-voyager was named Knifc- belt, and now this youngster owns up to the name, That proves him the person, aud haven't the patience to listen to his lies, He wants another kind of persuasion!” Quickly drawing a revolver, the speaker pre- sented it to Knifehelt’s head and fiercely added: eal you dog! or [ will blow your head The boy fell upon his knees, ‘‘Spare me! spare me!” he shnily cried, his terrcr showing in every way. Isaac seized him roughly by the collar. ** Speak!” be shouted. “They will kill me if I do!” wailed the boy, *¢ 7 shall kill youif you don’t!” ‘“‘My son,” mildly interposed Uncle Honest, ‘do not injure the youth.” ‘‘ He is safe if he talks; 1f he refuses, 1 shall shoot him at once!” ‘That is fair,” blandly agreed Eliakim. Knifebelt looked wildly around, ** Will nobody help me?” he implored, in ab- ject terror. : i ‘‘ We'll help you out of the world,” growled SAAac, ‘‘Spare me!” groaned Knifebelt, Tsaac shook him as a dog would a cat, ‘You little fool!” he cried, ‘‘ I’ve had enough of this. Do you think I will waste time over such a creature as you? No!—by the demons, no! For the last time, will you tell what we want to know?” CHAPTER Xi. KNIFEBELT DOES NOT KNOW. THE revolver was thrust rudely into Knife- belt’s face, and the courage of the boy gave way entirely. ‘* Stop! stop!” he cried, frantically; ‘“‘ don’t © shoot me! Tl tell all I know!” Isaac laughed shortly, and, with one effort of his strong arm, set the boy upon bis feet. *¢ You've saved your life,” he curtly observed, ‘‘now see that you take care of it,” ‘‘T think the little boy will talk now,” mildly added Uncle Honest. ‘Of course it would be a dreadful thing to have him shot, but the law must be enforced. I ama peace maker and a reformer, and my beloved fellow-citizens would © not revere me if I did not look after their in- terests.” ti The tragedy was at least averted and Yank Yellowbird, who had watched all, breathed freer, He had not any time considered Knife- belt in danger, for the men would be very fool- ish to thus dispose of an important witness; but the mountaineer had stood with his rifle ready for use, and Knifebelt was not so unprotected as he had seemed. ity The incident had been sufficient to remove the last doubt from Yank’s mind. He saw the Leather-Jacket Leagus revealed in a way which confirmed Cyrus Graham’s suspicions and showed how warped was the judgment of such men of Hornets’ Nest as looked up to Uncle Honest and his sons as superior beings, at To the mountaineer, at least, they were re- vealed as mere desperadoes, and Eliakim’s con- — tinued mildness only showed how deep was his deceit. N Uncle Honest motioned toward a chair, and © Isaac condescended to place it for the trembling Knifebelt, oe ‘“ Now, little boy,” croaked the old igs, i ‘ef me see you answer every question plainly. - should be dreadful sorry to see you anger the sheriff again.” ‘Pll tell all I know,” said the youth, humbly, ‘* What about this balloon, of which I hear so — much ‘* Tt belongs to Storm Rider.” * af] A” slowly. “No,” briefly replied Aaron; then, after a pause, he more slowly added: ‘There is one item of news.” f: What is that” ‘You have heard of Yank Yellowbird, the mountaineer who is called ‘ Nevermiss’ by the ‘Who is he?" jae: ‘‘T don’t know much about bin. He took me a year ago, and asked me if I would like tolearn to be an aeronaut. I was poor and friendless, _ so I said yes; and I went with him. [ve been _ with him ever since, but not a thing has he ever told me about himself. The Indians call him ~ ‘“*Boy, who are you?’ asked the Peace- maker. ‘““My name is Knifebelt,” was the faint re- nse, ‘‘ A warlike name.” ‘“*T am not a warrior, sir.” The Leather-Jackets smiled. natal i, till de > re Gastain) s ** You are the balloon-navigator, eh?” Storm Rider, because they think he goesupin “He isi ae - ‘t Yes, sir.” the sky over all storms.” Piers “What on ieten Nest. ‘* Late with Joseph Orme and his sister?” ‘‘ Where is he now?” ENV EE Knifebelt looked alarmed again, ‘¢ He went away somewhere for the Ormes,” * “He is at Graham’s,” “[ don’t know anything about them, sir,” he “ What was his object?” yr iee NN a a a a a Ee a a a a A a a a a a a —————————————— ee 'S — on er ce aa pa rg !» pronounced Uncle Honest, signifi- | replied. ‘T don’t know, but—” : iy M. ; ‘My dear boy, what are you afraid of?” be-| ‘‘ Wait a bit; let us goin order, Whoarethe © py. Moreover, he is a fast friend of the family. nevolently asked Eliakim. ‘‘If you knew me | Ormes, anyway?” (e te sacl vii Ps — ee that it was he who | as well as the people of Hornets’ Nest do, you “That I don’t know. I saw them first six shy al al ti here, and gave her to | would not hesitate to trust me, Iam the léad- | weeks ago. We landed by chance pees ud Lah ae if* Ive vom ; ing man of the place, and regarded asafather in Colorado. We caught on aridge, and Storm | ee ee though I had notgiven it much | by all. Uncle Honest, they call me—honest | Rider left me with the balloon and went toa — Brau. pe es, I was aware that Peggy was kim Outerbridge!” town near at hand. He was gone a long time, eas y an adopted child of the Grahams. But‘ He waved his hands in away as eloquent as and when he Go vil cboc icc with Ree Pa | Rot Sikes aie a ia MIEDOOKS. CC 4 e es Se eT _ a ee TM ee ee ee fet: (wt Sa Tbe a ee oS . girs Ley he a