Beadle's Dime Library No. 51: Red Rob, The Boy Road-Agent — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

36 Beadle’s Dime Library. eee e—e—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeE—>E—>E——E—ETETETETETETETETEE effected a safe landing and sought the cover of the trées that fringed the river. ** Now then, young man,” said Dakota Dan, ‘‘ I’m in my element, and if you'll jist trip along with me up to whar Humility, my dorg, and ole Mortality, my rifle, are, I’ll be much ob_eeged to you.” ‘** Dakota Dan, I am at your service in anything you may command,” Asa said, as they started off up the river. ‘' You have saved my life, and—” ‘* Certainly,” interrupted the ranger, for he knew what was coming, ‘‘ I’ve been doin’ a great deal for sufferin’ humanity for these thirty years, and it’s jist as common fur me to save a life as it is to wing a red-skin. But them war really rob- bers that haltered you up thar, war they?” ‘‘ They were outlaws of the vilest character, but what led you to think they were?” ‘A little black negro boy, that drapped from the clouds, told me they war. He wara cute little brat I tell ye—called himself the Weasel.” ‘* Indeed?” exclaimed Sheridan. ‘‘ Has he gone?” ‘‘Gosh, jings, no! Massa Shear-a-ding, here I is!” ex- claimed a voice, and Slyly came bounding through the dark- ness, and seizing Asa by the hand, kissed it withjoy. ‘‘ Oh, Cesars, Massa Shear-a-ding! You don’t know how glad I is dat you’s safe. I told dat man it war you and he saved you; and now the young missus ’ll git me a whoppin’ big plug ob tobacker. Ki-yi! ain’t dis chile happy as a pickle?” and the youth executed a leap and a tumble that would have done credit to a young gymnast. “Where is Zella, Slyly?” Sheridan asked. ‘*In de ruins locked up,” replied the boy; ‘‘ ole massa’s jist been raisin’ de partic’ler ole Scratch down dar. He shut de young missus up; cussed ole Huldah, de nigger cook, black; and whaled de very nation outen dis chile. Whew! but de ole sinner jist scotch!” ‘* What was the matter with the monster?” asked Asa. ‘He war mad—jist hornet-mad ’bout de bears.” ** What about the bears?” ** Jings! but it'll make yoah hair stiff up when I tell you. You see ole massa war gwine to put you in de tiger-pit and let de bears eat you up smack and smooth. But Miss Zella tell dis chile to p’isen de bears, and, gosh! I done it. And den’s when de storm begin to mutter; ole massa jist rave and dance. When he sees dar war a storm comin’, away he went wid you to de island—swear he drown you, and away I poked arter him. I couldn’t do any thing, but I war aw- fully tickled when dat gemman come up. I told him who you war, and away he went to save you. Golly, massa, he’s a bully ole chap.” Dan chuckled to himself. “‘And your mistress is a prisoner?” asked Asa, ** Yes, sah.” ** And can you get into her prison?” * Yes, sah.” ** Will you see her to-night, and tell her I am safe?” ** Yes, sah; any thing else?” with a broad grin. **Tell her to be patient—that I will rescue her as soon as 1 can get force enough together to capture the outlaws and all.” ‘* Lord sakes, massa! if you takes de young missus away, and kill de robbers, what'll come ob dis poor nigger boy?” ‘*I will see that you are well cared for, Slyly. You have been a faithful friend to your mistress and to me.” *‘ Ki-yi! dat sounds good, massa; I’s your huckleberry.” “‘ Be careful that your master does not catch you in your going to Zella’s prison.” ‘“* Pll see to dat, massa; but, scissors! wouldn’t I like to tell ole massa dat you am safe.” “Why so?” ‘Oh, jist to see him snap his teeth and grit his eyes.” Dakota Dan indulged in a fit of hearty laughter over the odd expression of the lively little darkey. ‘But 1 won’t tell him, in course, massa,” the youth fon- tinued. ‘‘Then hasten back to the ruins and see Zella at once.” ‘*‘ All right, massa,” and the boy was gone. Dakota Dan and Sheridan continued ou up the river till they came to where Humility was guarding his master’s weapons. ““That’s Humility, my dorg, stranger,” said the ranger, and he went on and gave a detailed history of the animal and his wonderful exploits, winding up by inviting Asa to @ccompany him to the camp on the del los Pinos, Sheridan gladly accepted, and the two started off up the river. The young man’s spirits became revived. With the as- sistance of the soldiers, whom Dan informed him were 80 near, he hoped to be enabled to effect the rescue of Zella and the capture of the outlaw band. CHAPTER. XXXII. RED ROB UNDER TRIAL, Ow1nG to circvmstances—that of high waters—over which they had no control, Dakota Dan and Asa Sheridan did not reach the camp until the next day about one o’clock. They found the trial of Red Rob going on when they ar- rived, and so great was the excitement, and so deep the in- terest manifested by all parties, that Sheridan had no oppor- tunity of making known the object that laid nearest to his own heart; but was compelled to await the termination of ‘the proceedings, , During the day a party of soldiers and several Mexican ranchmen, who had suffered losses at the hands of Red Rob, came in from the east, and joined Captain Rushton, who had been expecting them a day or two. This party had come directly from Conejos, from whence they had followed Red Rob’s band, word having been previously sent to the nearest military post that the young outlaw and his gang were in the vicinity of Conejos. When it was found, how- ever, that the robbers were headed for across the mountains, & messenger was dispatched to Fort Wingate for assistance, or rather, for the military there to endeavor to head the rub- bers off, as it was generaily believed that they were moving toward Arizona. At the very time that the messenger reached Wingate, @ party of excursionists—all gentlemen—from Santa Fe, reached there also on their way to the San Juan valley. Among them were Judge Obed Thompson and several officers of the civil government of the Territory, besides several pro- fessional gentlemen, all of whom were spending their sum- mer vacation in a trip to northern New Mexico. But the news of the outlaws’ movement checked their gushing spirita of romantic adventure; and all would have returned home, had it not been that the commandant of Fort Wingate de- cided to send a party of cavalry, under Captain Rushton, up to the San Juan to look out for Red Rob and his gang. The excursionists all resolved to go on with the soldiers, and did so. As fate would have it, Captain Rushton’s party was destined to capture Red Rob and his band; while Judge Thompson was also destined to ‘sit in judgment on the young outlaw.” The judge was one of those remarkable Western men, more noted for his eccentricities than legal lore. He had an abundance of self-esteem and dogged perseverance, which, in a measure, accounted for his holding the high position he did; though some attributed all to political favoritism. But, be that as it may, Judge Thompson claimed the right to convene court at any time in criminal matters, and at any place. He was a strong adherent, or at least had been, to the laws of Judge Lynch, having had considerable experi- ence at one time and another, in Texas and Arkansas. The judge had convened a special court for the trial of Red Rob. He was not very particular about those many little technicalities and points of order so closely observed by most judicials. Nor was he at all particular about his own choice of sentences, often using those more forcible than elegant. In short, Judge Obed Thompson was 4a re- presentative Western man. In the absence of regular officers, the judge supplied their places by appointment. A sheriff and prosecuting attorney were selected from among his Santa Fe friends. He then is- sued a venire facias for a jury of twelve men. The jury was composed of seven soldiers, three of the ex- cursionists and two of the settlers. The former were really exempt from such duty in civil courts, hut upon this occa- sion, wherein they anticipated an interesting time, they con- sented to serve. The jury being impanneled, the judge announced all ready for the trial to begin. No stately edifice inclosed the band of courtiers; no princely court-room was destined to ring with the legal elo- quence of that dashing young disciple of Blackstone who EGomichbooks |