Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

~ “° " f mle a4 4 ote, 16s 4 ee ~ Yew a 18 Texas Tartar. scene he found Yank menacing the man with a | Nevermiss held his hand over his eyes and knife. ** Not a word, you atrocious insex!” cautioned the mountaineer, ‘‘ You see this hyar weepon, don’t ye? Wal, it’s got a sharp p’int, an’ it hurts like the miscbief when it’s ran inter a fel- ler. I know, fur ev’ry man [’ve killed with it tol’ me so @’reckly after. *fore I go ter bed, as it steadies my narves egre- giously.” Had the situation been less grave Texas Tar- tar would have smiled to hear honest Yank as- sume the role of a desperado, but, as it was, he added his word to the cause, ‘* Better kill him at once!” he sternly ob- served, “‘T will, ef he raises a peep 0’ any magni- tood.” ‘*Mercy! mercy!” gasped the man, com- pletely demoralized with fear. ‘* I’m afeerd we can’t save ye, mister.” ‘*T won’t speak a word,” protested the pris- oner. ** You won’t, eh?” “ee No.” ** Who be you, anyhow?” “My name is Jed Nixon.” ** Who be the rest 0’ your gang?” A sudden change passed over the man’s face. ** Never mind,” be answered. **T consait I shall have ter use the knife.” ** Kill ine ef you will, but I won’t tell!” There was that in the smuggler’s voice which showed him to be in full earnest, and Never- miss knew that it would not do to waste time on him then. Possibly no confession could be wrung from him;, certainly it could not be ob- tained without a good deal of trouble. Neither of the captors possessed a rope, but a substitute was soon found, seen that the smuggler resembled him suffi- ciently to make his daring plan feasible, and as he meant to appropriate his hat and coat, the detective’s own coat was promptly offered for sacrifice. Yank quickly cut it into strips, and the prisoner’s hands were bound. Texas Tartar had | ITalways kili a man | peered sharply after the boat, ‘*Tain’t no use; the dark is too muca fur me, It always was too much forme, "Member how I used ter dread it when F's a boy, an’ hate ter go out arter nightfall. My gran’father—he wasa Revolutionary relict, Moses—used ter argy ag’in’ me. ‘** Be you afeerd? sez he. *** Looks condemn'dly like it,’ sez [L. ‘¢¢ The dark won’t ketch you,’ sez he, “ ¢Tt won't git a chance,’ sez I. ‘¢<¢ You’re a weak sister fur a soldier’s grand- son,’ sez he, scornful. ‘¢¢T didn’t run in the war-times,’ sez I. ‘** Who did? sez he, sudden-like. ‘** You ought ter know,’ sez I. ‘** To ye mean J did? sez he. ‘«* Never said nothin’ o’ the sort,’ sez I. ‘¢¢ You insinerated it,’ sez he, in a voice like a mad buffler. ‘Ef you think I can’t fight,’ sez he, ‘an’ hold up my eend with the young ginera- tion, ll give ye a specimen,’ sez he, fairly dancin’ with turbulent an’ voylent wrath. ‘He did, too; be took down the beach stick which was kep’ on purpose ter doctor my blood, an’ the way he sailed inter me was mortal on- pleasant, When he got through I felt tenderer toward him than I did afore, an’ | couldn’t enjoy settin’ down fur sev'ral days. Fack is, he licked me like hurley!” Still looking out on the lake, Yank confided this story of early experience to Moses and the surrounding air, but the dog seemed to think himself specially called upon to reply. His nose was thrust against his master’s hand, and he pushed away diligently. Perhaps he wished to say that he did not approve of chastizement— there was certainly much sympatby and good will in his manifestation. Yank passed one arm around his shagg friend’s neck, but continued to look after tho boat. Every moment that,Texas Tartar was in such company he was in great neril, and Yank was afraid that something was destined to occur which he ought to see, but was painfully anxious When he had been gagged they were ready | to have avoided. for the next step. They had been none too soon. While Yank was stowing the smuggler away in a niche, Texas Tartar had been putting on bis newly- acquired garments, and an uweasy whine from Moses drew their attention to eevibar quarter. The other strangers had come up from the store-bouse. **Be you still detarmined ter go, Texas?” asked the mountaineer, with perceptible anx- iety. ** Yes, Stay around here for awhile after [ am gone; then, if nothing happens, return to Powderhorn Mile and await my return. Don’t be troubled about me, Yank; remember I am The Man with Nine Lives. Down, old friend; down, or you'll be seen!” Nevermiss sunk to the ground and the smug- giers approached. ** Come on, Nixon!” directed one, Promptly the detective obeyed. With a light, farewell gesture to Yank, he walked for- ward and joined the strangers, CHAPTER XXIV. A BURIED SECRET. NEVERMISS watched his friend with great anxiety, for he was sure that Texas Tartar was risking his life with the chances vastly against him. any atime the mountaineer had taken similar risks, and he could have done it then with inimitable nonchalance; but it was quite a different matter to see his ally take the risk. No particular attention was given to the fictitious smuggler, He took place near the rear of the party and walked boldly along. The errand of the men was made le the pack- ages they carried; they had removed a portion the goods from the store-house. Yank moved further torward, He held his rifle ready for use, and did not intend Lo see his friend fight any possible battle alone, but no battle occurred—not then. Reaching the water the smugglers embarked, and the mountaineer saw Texas Tartar secure a place at one side. | | i Evidently he wished to be | where he would have a faint hope of escape, in | ease he was detected, | His vague suspicions proved all too well founded. Ashe looked there was a sudden flash of light, far down the lake; a flash gone almost as soon as it was seen; and then came the faint report of arevolver. Yank leaped to his feet. ‘* What's that?’ he cried. Moses growled ominously. ‘* A shot on the lake!” added Nevermiss, hur- riedly, ‘‘ an’ from jest about whar the boat must be. By burley! I’m afeerd—” He paused and ran forward a few steps, only to pause again, and in every way exhibited a degree of dismay, uncertainty and irresolution very strange to see in cool Yank Yellowbird. If he had possessed a boat he would have acted without hesitation, but he was practically help- less, ‘*They’ve found him out!” he added, ‘The night was too light fur his game ter work— they’ve found him out an’ shot him. Moses, come on!—we'll go up the shore!” He started at what seemed reckless speed and ran toward the east, leaping over rocks and logs, but, great as was his speed, he made no mis- steps. On the contrary he showed agility a boy of twenty years might have envied, and a security of foot worthy of an Alpine bunter. Moses kept by his side, glad of the chance to have active service, and they soon reached the point where the shore curved around to the north. Beyond that point was a narrow beach nearly all the way, and when once the moun- taineer’s feet touched the hard sand he went speeding along with strong, light steps. What good he could do was a problem, and, indeed, he really expected nothing to come of it, but he was painfully anxious to get near the place of shooting and discover if the smuggler boat was still visible, As he neared that vicinity he slackened his speed somewhat and began to use his eyes more carefully, but not acraft of any kind could he see any where on the surface of the lake, A sudden, warning growl from the dog di- rected his attention to the shore, and he was sur- prised to seeamanonthe beach. One glance was enough to tell that it was not Texas Tartar, The oars touched water and the boat moved | for the man was shorter and stouter, but the away from shore. any sound betrayed their progress as they re- ceded from shore. More and more indistinct r nore. The former care was notice- | mountaineer did not pause, ‘able in the wielding of the blades, and scarcely He had gone quite close when the other night- wanderer’s voice arose hoarsely: ‘* Avast dhere, shipmate. Oji’ll throuble ye the craft became to the watching veteran, and | to ka"pe your distance until Oi foind out who ye then it wholly disappeared in the darkness. Yank shook his head gravely. **T hope no harm won’t come ter the boy, but are. “Tim Purcell, is that you?’ demanded Yank. ** T's that same, an’ Oi reckon Oi knuw you, he’s off on a resky cruise. It’s a good’ea] like | too. Phat de blazes be yez doin’ here, Misther what m durin’ bis trip in the Ark. Noah was egregious uncle, Noah Yellowbird, experienced | Yellowbird?’ Nevermiss ignored the question. He had afeerd 0’ the snakes he had on board, but he’d | reached Purcell’s side, and had questions of his contracted ter d’liver them, an’ he was too care- ful o’ the fam’ly pedigreen ter break his word, Kin you see Texas now, Moses?” The dog growled siightly. ** Don’t a'prove on’t, do ye, fics? Wal, vou’re right—you be, by burley! e more I think on’t, the more 1 wish I had gone in his place. Wish I could see inter the dark.” ~ ’ f own to ask. ** How long hev you be’n hyar, man?” * Half an hour, maybe. You see, Oi came out— **Did you see another boat?” ‘Vis, an’ Oidid. You see—” ‘**Did you hear a shot fired?” ** Yis, an’ that is phat throubles me—” ‘ j —— ’ ‘ “» —_ a, 8 « ~ gy _ «a P ~ en Ai hw ~) mn, « 1X Sy : 4 7 Cd » SS ET — ed ** Who was shot?” ‘** Begorra, but I don’t know. an’ flung him overboard—” 46 W har?” ‘* Phere, is 1t? from shore,” ‘* How deep is the water thar?” **Da’pe enoof to drown dhe loikes ave us—a good fifty foot.” Yank jet the breech of his rifle fall heavily to the ground. If Texas Tartar had been thrown into the water there, enough time had elapsed to deprive bim of any spark of life the bullet might have left, Nevermiss became calm and deliberate. ‘*Tell me all about it, neighbor,” he requested. ‘““Oi will, chat same. You see, me thrade has about been kilt by dbe Horned Fish, for no young couples will go out any more at noight, an’ Oj detarmined to kill dhe spalpa’ne ave a fish wid me own hands; so out Oi come to night, but Oi cros’t dhe lake widout anny soight at the murderous blackguard. ‘‘TIt was whin Oi had r’ached dhis shore, an’ was sthandin’ at me ’aise, dhat Oi seen the soight I spa’ke of, an’ dhis was phat Oi seen: ‘A big boat wid siveral men inter it came up dhe lake, but whin nearly opposite this point dbere was some sort ave a rowin dhe craft. Oi heerd angry voices, though niver a worrud could I make out, an’ thin came dhe raport avo the revolver. Oi think dhe first shot was instantly fatal, for pritty soon Oi heerd a voice say,‘ T’row him overboard!’ an’ thin Oi seen some wan chucked into dhe wather. He must have sunk at wanst, tor roight afther it the boat wint on, an’ it soon disappeared in dhe noight.” ‘* Tim, take me out in yer boat!” directed the mountaineer, steadily. ** Home, do you m’ane?” ‘Ter dive fur that man.” ** Howly Pater! would ye doive in forty foot ave wotter, mon?” ‘Don’t stop ter argy,” was the impatient re- y. ‘*Le’s go at once, ef we’re goin’.” **Oi’m wid you, begorra,” Tim spoke heartily and at once moved toward the boat. They entered and he rowed to the place where he believed the man had beén con- signed tohis grave. Yank was not more san- guine than Tim of securing the body, but he could not rest without making a trial, He was reproaching him bitterly, and most unjustly, for having allowed Texas Tartar to run the risk, but it was too late to change the detective’s destiny. He had gone on his ven- ture, and appearances indicated that he had lost his life while thus engaged. CHAPTER XXV. THE NET TIGHTENS. It was eleven o’clock in the forenoon of the subsequent day, and Norma, Albia, David and Edgar were sitting in the parlor of their home. Captain Grandford entered. ‘* Is there any news?” asked Norma, anxiously. ‘‘There is, decidedly,” replied the ex-soldier, deliberately, as he took a seat. ** Concerning Robert?” “No; it is the smugglers, this time.” ae a capture been made?” inquired David, quickly. ‘‘Not of men. but Yank Yellowbird has brought in several articles which he found ina sort of cache, or something of the kind, in the hills Heand Texas Tartar had quite an ad- venture, and there is every reason to believe that it was fatal to the latter. Yank thinks he was shot by the smugglers.” This announcement created immediate ex- citement, and upon Norma the news fell with painful effect. She had placed great reliance upon Texas Tartar. She had realized, in a measure, what was possible toone of his cool, far-secing, sagacious nature, and bad looked to him as the only bope left to Robert Kendall. Now the blow fell heavily, and though she made 2 effort. to speak, no words passed ker pale ips. ‘‘How in the world did it bappen?’ asked David, in a voice that seemed strangely sharp. ‘‘The mountaineer states that he and Texas Tartar found a sort of store-house among the rocks, which, at first sight, they knew was that of the free-traders, and they lay in wait for those men. They saw them, and Texas man- aged to smuggle himself into the boat-load of outlaws, but he was discovered, shot, and flung in the Jake.” “By heavens! this is getting serious!” ex- claimed David, with frowning emphasis. *¢ | should say so.” ‘Three men shot in a week.” ‘Texas Tartar had no business to run such @ risk,” added Edgar, severely. ‘* He wes too daring,” Grandford admitted, ‘* He paid the penalty of interference.” “Surely. Edgar, you don’t take the smug- glers’ part?” The young man’s face flushed, ‘Of course not, uncle, but I hate to see an none man throw away his life in a useless haz- “What articles did Yel'owbird bring in?’ in- quired David, after a pause, com Dhey shot him Out some t’ree hoondred foot (G JOOKS an