Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Texas Tartar. 13 greater, and the uselessness of pursuit finally became so evident that the detective turned to his companion, ‘*You are throwing away your strength, Yank.” The veteran raised his oars, ‘*T consait you’re right, Texas. The critter is whiskin’ away like the mischief, an’ a leetle more 0’ this voylent exercise will give me a con- demn’d newrolgy, I know. [ll give it up!” He dropped the oars inside the boat and picked up his empty rifle. ‘*“VYank,” said Texas Tartar, dryly, ‘* we’ve seen the big fish.” ** Ail but the horn.” ‘*That may be a fable, though I am prepared to believe anything regarding the creature.” ‘** What’s your opinion o’ this fish, anyhow, as fishes go?” ‘* It beats a rhinoceros for invulnerability.” ‘*T dunno what that last word means, but it must be suthin’ pooty bad.” ‘*1t means proof against injury or wounds,” “The fish has ’em; he’s got ’em bad, It wouldn’t s’prise me, neither, ef he’s got the jim-jams, fur the way he thrashes ’round is atrocious,” ‘* What do you think of it?” ‘* It?s a morta] queer fish.” ** Ts it a fish?” ** What else can it be?’ “Did you hear the peculiar sound when my bullet struck?” ‘** To be sure.” ** Tt seems to me this thing is iron-clad.” “Seems ter be o} the hard-shell persuasion, ter say the least.” ‘*T should like to see it beached,” ‘*Should like it, myself. I was lib’rally *beeched’ myself, when I’s a boy, an’ nobody could wield the stick ekul to my gran’father, the Revolutionary relict, Ef we had the old gentleman hyar now, ter apply the ’ile o’ beech, the Horned Fish would cry out ag’in’ the tick- tacks o’ war in the wu’st way.” A threatening growl from Moses interrupted again, and they saw him looking witb all his former hostility and uneasiness in the direction the Horned Fish bad gone. Almost at thesame moment the splashing was heard, and out of the darkness came the lake mystery at even greater speed than before, ‘Look out, or itll run us down!” cried the detective. Yank swept the oars through the water. He, too, saw that the course of the mysterious navigator was directly toward them, and his Raver strokes sent their craft shooting to one side, This time the Horned Fish did not seem to be on an idle voyage—it changed its course at once and, still heading for the boat, came dash- ing ahead. Moses, frightened for the first time since Yank had owned him, sent up a lugubri- ous howl, and the men realized their danger. Texas Tartar knelt in the boat and took the most careful aim possible at the on-coming monster; he pulled the trigger, and the rifle flashed obediently. He might as well have held his fire—the ad- oo of the pursuer was not checked in the east, Yank’s rifle lay loaded in the bottom of the boat, but the detective, after once reaching for it, refrained from using it, He had seen the folly of such efforts, and all attention was now on the attempt to escape being run down. Nevermiss was using the oars gallantly, but the Herned Fish gained at every yard and the re- sult seemed determined. That it would crush the boat as it had crushed other boats seemed almost certain, Would it add to the list of men it had killed? That Yank remained cool need scarcely be stated; that Texas Tartar did was greatly to his credit. He was trying to learn more of the strange object, but with little success, The oval back arose above the water black and smooth—unless, as the detective thought, the deadly sword was faintly visible near its fore- most part. ‘ Yank Yellowbird was pulling gallantly, but he saw that it was impossible either to reach the shore or outstrip the pursuer, ‘* Be you ready fur a swim?” he demanded, through his set teeth. ec Yes » “ Then hold to yer rifle an’ look out!” The Horned Fish was almost at hand, but by a skillful effort the veteran swung the craft around and tried to escape by what might well be called ‘* dodging.” Unwieldy as the boat was for such a man- euver, it would have succeeded but for one thing, The Horned Fish rushed by without even touchiug the craft, but the latter was caught by the disturbed water which boiled back from the monster’s side and flung over at one resistless motion. Another instant and Yank, Texas Tartar and the dog were immersed in the water. The detective regained control of bis limbs with a skillful swimmer’s ready art, and then ‘Yank’s voice sounded close beside him: “*Swim fur shore!—swim fur your life!” Texas Tartar needed no urging, The friendly le cover of the trees was not far away, and they made for it with strong, rapid strokes. Looking around, they saw that the Horned Fish bad turned and was again moving toward then, and this certainly did not lessen their desire to gain the land, A second rush on the part of the monster might end more tragically. Forward came the assailant, but just as they drew near the bank they saw that its attention was not on them, but on the upturned boat. There wasacrash, and then the Horned Fish passed by. Yank and Texas Tartar reached land and quickly gaimed safer footing; then, looking back once more, they saw the object of their trouble dashing away toward the center of the lake. Not a word was spoken until it disap- peared, but Yank then broke the silence, ‘Texas, I’m slightly o° the opinion we've found the Horned Fish. What d’ve think?” ‘* We have met the enemy and got beaten.” ** Land o’ Goshen! I should say so, an’ a nar- rer escupe we’ve had. The critter’s last rush smashed our boat ter pieces, but you an’I are safe, an’ you will obsarve Moses is with us, What next?’ ‘** An adjournment seems in order.” ‘* Should say so, an’ we’ve got to tramp back ter the village. We're beat, but we may be heerd from ag’in. Yes, by hurley!” CHAPTER XVII. NEW EVIDENCE AGAINST KENDALL, THE following morning found Robert Ken- dall still an inmate of the jail, but Captain Grandford and the Westerley Brothers had announced their intention of ‘‘moving heaven and earth” to prove his innocence. That they could accomplish such a wonder did not seem likely, but Norma saw how earnest they were and took courage. There was to be an in formal examination of the accused, but Grandford did not intend to wait for that hour. He was not satisfied with the idea of the arrest having been made on such frail grounds, and purposed seeing Grizzly George at once, to judge if any reliance was to be placed on his charges. oing to the ex-hunter’s home he found anoth- er villager acting as attendant, Grizzly George was in bed, flushed with fever and exceedingly restless, He turned his gaze upon Grandford with abnormally bright eyes, but gave no sign of recognition, ** Well, my good friend, how are you?” asked the captain, bluffly. ‘Pm wal enough; how be you?” flippantly replied Hendricks, ** Quite well, thank you. Do you know me?” ‘** You're Gentleman Jake,” ‘* Who is that?” ‘You ought ter know, as much as we've hunted together in Iowa.” ‘**Come down to modern times, George. I am Captain Grandford. Don’t you know me?” “Don’t talk nonsense!” George answered, curtly. ‘* How did you get burt?” ‘** Kendall hit me,” ** Why did he do it?” The ex-hunter’s face darkened, ‘Pd given him warning that I’d be revenged on him fur breaking my Eve’s heart,” ** Did he do that?” 4c Ves,” ‘* How do you know?” ‘* Now you talk nonsense again!” irritably re- plied the ex-hunter. He see Kendall when he hit you?” ‘ 0) ‘¢ Then how do you know it was he?” ‘** Didn’t I tell you I had threatened him with unishment fur breakin’ Eve’s heart? David Avanterley heerd me,” ‘* Heard you threaten Kendall?” | Yes. ” ‘“ When was this?” ‘* A few minutes before Kendall hit me.” **'You must be mistaken—” “TY ain't,” answered George, doggedly; and then he continued with increasing irritation and excitement: ‘‘ Don’t you tell me; I know who did it, an’ when I git ont o’ bed, I have an ac- count ter settle with Mister Kendall. Ill show him he can’t kill the father as he did the da’rter, Old Grizzly George ain’t dead yet, an’ the man who has fit Injuns an’ grizzlies ain’t goin’ to cave under to no boy Try Dll have revenge —revenge!” The speaker had lashed himself up to a fury, and Captain Grandford understood the look the attendant gave him and rose at once, ‘Yes, yes, Temple; [’d better leave, and Pll goatonce. It’s clear George is wholly out of his mind.” That's a fact, captain.” ‘Sheriff Troy was hasty to make an arrest on the word of such a delirious person, especially as phe admits that he did not see the assailant at all.” , **T hope it'll come out all right,” replied Tem- ple, who bad the respect for Grandford which is due a town’s first citizen. Leaving the house, the captain went hack and found David, To him ke repeated George’s as- ! sertion that he had heard a quarrel between the ex-hunter and Kendall, and asked for particu- lars. David spoke with reluctance, @ con- fessed that he sbould have to _ corroborate George’s story to that extent, but gave the best ssible account of the affair. He stated that enda]l had denied the charges, and had con- ducted himself with moderation and dignity. ‘** How long after that did he remain in your company? Grandford continued. David's face clouded, ‘* Well, the fact is, we separated very soon after.” ‘* Which way did Kendall go?” ** North.” “What! in the direction of George’s home?” ‘e Yes,” “ And the course George had just taken?” o* Yeu,” ‘‘ And, very soon after, Hendricks was found beaten and bruised.” “That proves nothing.” warmly. ‘Don’t accuse cause!” ‘““ My dear hoy, this is a strictly private talk, and I shall not tell—” ‘*Of course you will not, uncle. for my hasty words.” ow ; ‘‘That’s all right, David. This is a delicate point, and we must discuss it frankly, Asa rule, I believe m rendering unto the law all things known, but if your story was to go abroad it would do great mischief; hence, I am compelled to advise you to withhold it,” ** Exactly my idea.” “But here,” added Grandford, frowning, ‘t rises Grizzly George’s assertion that you over- heard the interview. If he had told Troy that, we should have heard of it, We may infer that he did not tell Troy, but if he keeps on babbling, it will soon be common news. Let us hope he will not repeat it. But if be does, and you are questioned, what shall you say?” : ‘* What do you advise?” asked David, with a troubled expression. “ Give me time to think, You don’t want to tell a falsehood, yet we ought to avoid having the quarrel made public.” _ 3) ‘‘ Uncle, what is your sincere opinion? Is Robert guilty or innocent?” ‘‘Tnnocent!” answered Grandford, emphati- eally, ‘I will not believe otherwise.” David grasped his hand. ‘‘Good! You give me fresh courage.” “We'll stand by the boy to the last, for Norma’s chosen husband must be innocent. Guilty! Never! I will not think it. Andnow, David, let us go the examination.” They went at once. Kendall had already been brought out, and the examination was about to begin, so, when the presiding justice called upon Sheriff Troy to tell his story, Grandford asked permission to question bim in the prisoner’s interests. He showed consider- able skill, and, as Troy was not at all reluctant to tell all that wasin Kendall’s favor, as well as against him, the fact was soon developed that the arrest had been made on Grizzly George’s feverish charges, The doctor was then called to testify that George was not in his right mind, and it began to look as though there was really no evidence, and that Troy had acted very hastily. Grandford asked for Kendall’s discharge, but the justice told him to wait until he asked the prisoner a few questions. * Are you guilty or not guilty?” he demanded, ‘“‘ Not guilty,” replied Kendall, firmly. “Did you inow Eve Hendricks?” ** Yes,” answered David, Robert without Pardon me ‘* What were your relations with her?” ‘* We were friends, and nothing more,” “‘- You did not make love to her?” ** Never!” ‘‘ Some one is accused of having trifled with her affections, and driven her to suicide. Do you know who it was?” ‘¢T haven’t the least idea.” “ Did you meet Hendricks last night?” “ Yes pe ** And quarrel with him?” ‘“*No. He accused me of having been Eve's lover, but 1 denied it, and pitied the man too much for his bereavement to bear him iJl-will because of his hasty words, David Westerley was with me, and can testify that I did not threaten or blame Grizzly George.” Grandford had tried to get Kendall’s attention and prevent bim from talking so freely, but the effort wasa failure. David was in the case de- spite his hopes of keeping out, and the justice who cared as little for forms as be knew about them, suspended Kendull’s examination to ques- tion Westerley, Fortunately David was let off verv easily. When questioned he fully corroborated Ken and declared that the latter had answered Hen- — dricks temperately, and had shown him no ill- will, Every moment he expected to be asked where Kendall went when they separated, but the inexperienced justice missed the one impor- tant point. He turned from David to the prisoner. ‘* How soon after this did you leave Mr. Wes- | : terlev?” a * Probably iv about ten minutes.” S con | ) > aa”