Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

~~ — Se. ee fissure. It fell lightly upon the Horned Fish, but that formidable m. nster did not stir, Nevermiss grasped the rope with both hands and evinced an inclination to descend, but »aused with his li nbs banging over. Even then his humorous fancy was active, and the old, quaint smile moved his bronzed face. ‘* Ef the atrocious insex sbould swaller me as | Jonah Yellowbird was swallered by the whale, I trust, Texas, you'll see my case properly writ up, put on the fam’ly records an’ given all the publicity o’? Jonah’s case, "round a few days, too, ter see ef the Fish vom- its ms up, though it would be jest my condemn’d luck ter agree with him so that he’d keep me down.” With this whimsical remark the mountaineer grasped the rope more tightly, slid over the edge of the rock and went down, hand over band, toward the lake monster. Texas Tartar watched and waited, and finally imitated Yank’s movements. He only paused to bid Tim follow, and then went down the rope. Tim, looking down, saw both his allies stand- ing on the Fish’s back, but bis Irish blood was | up, and he would let no man go where he dared not follow. He, too, parted from the rock and slid slowly down to meet whatever experience fate had in store for him, CHAPTER XXXIV, THE FATAL CLOCK, Tim’s feet toucbed the lake monster’s back, but still it lay immovable, More than this, it was clear that no other fish had a back like it— to Tim’s feet 1t felt as hard as a floor, Texas Tartar. | —ef he did, he neglected ter mention it in his oussonal memories, which he writ up fur the ellowbird pedigreen book,” : It b’ates dhe Ould Nick!” deposed Tim Pur- cell, ‘*To be sure; we have beat him, jest as you say. But now, frien’s, we don’t know how long we'll bave a cVlar field hyar, an’ [ propose we git rigbt ter work an’ see the sights. Texas, you rummage inside—l want ter see the egre- - gious sword with which this critter slashes other ° You might hang | boats in two,” Before the veteran had ceased speaking he was on the steps, and he again mounted to the top. Dimas was the light there, he was not long in solving that point, The top of the strange craft was nearly all of sold wood, cov- ered with sheet-iron, but near the bow, or front part, was an iron frame in which was set the sword, which, combined with a hard top and impetus of the craft, had done so much damage to frail boats. The sword projected upward about two feet, and was a heavy contrivance well calculated for its purpose, When Yank had satisfied his curiosity he re- turned to thecabin. He found Texas Tartar reading a manuscript paper, but the latter quietly passed it over to the mountaineer. ** Read!” he directed, with stern brevity. Yark was not the mosé brilliant of scholars, but it required only one glance for him to dis- cover that the writing in this mote and in the letter be had found on the like-shore was the work of the same hand, He read as follows: “Be very careful about landing the next cargo, Thaveasemi-reliable re port tnat several government officers are soon to be here, to wateu for contraband Again Texas Tartar motioned for silence, and | goods. Run no unnecessary risks. I would advise Yank stooped until bis hand touched the fish’s back. Tim saw the veteran lay bold of an iron | ring—a queer oraament fora fish’s spinal col- umn!—and lift steadily. A small, square sec- tion of the oval top rose on hinges, and a cavity was revealed below. “‘Howly Pater!” muttered Tim, under his breath. Nevermiss did not hesitate, into the cavity and followed it with the otber, kis heels. Again Tum brought up the rear. seemed like inviting the Horned Fish to swallow them, even as Jonah was swallowed; but the {rishman found regular steps awaiting his feet. The mysterious Horned Fish was transformed into an equally. mysterivus water-vessel, and a few steps took him to the cabin, or hold, or whatever the interior was called. Tbe intruders saw a long, low compartment, with a dim light burning at one end and various articles scattered about, but there was not suf- ficient light to show. whether they were alone. The craft was larger than any stranger bad ever suspected, but no space existed for many men or many inanimate things, Were any man except themselves on board? Yank took a few cautious steps forward and paused again, anxious to have the advantage of a surprise on their side if possible, but luck was against them. No motion of the craft was visi- ble, but a tin dish suddenly fell from somewhere ani went rattling across the floor. Had it been a string attached to a jumping- jack it could not have had more decided or prompt effect. Up leaped a man from the darkest corner, and in a mument more his voice rung out loudly: ‘‘Treachery! Wake up, men; wake up)” Before the words were out of his mouth other men were seen rising, and Yank added his voice to the sudden disturpance. ‘+ At ’em, neighbors! Wade in an’ flax the atrocious insex like hurley!” The intruders sprung forward, Beforea blow had been struck it became evident that the ** Strong-Armed Squad ” was outnumbered but they were not men to be daunted bythat, They made an assault with vim, aud that little cabin speedily became the scene of a desperate,confused struggle. It defied description—each of the in- vaders found a fuernan, with some to spare, but the whule affair was decidedly mixed. Back and forth they staggered, fighting as only strong men can, and lusty blows were given and received. Now and then there was a fall, and defiant shouts were blended with cries of pain, but no one man knew how the contest was going until, all of a sudden, Yank and his friends found themselves masters of the cabin. The mountaineer had a man under his knee; Tim sat astride a second; and Texas Tartar was menacing a thirsl with his revolver. Two more lay near at hand, unconscious. The detective deftly handcuffed his rcan, but that exhausted his supply in that line. Ropes were at hand, however, and in a short time the ‘om party of strangers were rendered help- ess. “Land o’ Goshen!” quoth Nevermiss, * that was a mighty lively tussle. Started the par- spiration out of my cuticle like hurley, <A very remarkable skrimmage, take 1t all in all; an’ it beats the ’sperience o’ Jonah, Yellowbird, my an- cestor,allter nothin’? Jonah went inter a whale’s stummick like we bev, but I consait he didn’t He put one foot | and so sunk slowly down with the detective at | ford 15.8 stoul ‘seppoxter of the law. It | that the Horned Fish be kept in the cove and the gonds held back. My position here is too valuable to loze, and the wedding takes place next week. “Should you land the goods, place them in the cave store-house as quickly and quietly as possible. I will convey a blanket to the cave which you can use to wrap around the lacas, to protect them from moisture. I cannot agree to have any goods s'ored in Westerley house. The family is so Jarge that some one would bs sure to find them, and that would expose us all—-you know that Captain Grand- ‘Lhis roof must cover no ‘ goods.’ ‘*In conclusion, it is better to be safe than bril- liant. You may use your own judgment, but my idea is that it will be best to cease operations for awhile.”’ Yank looked up and met Texas Tartar’s gaze, The detective made a gesture to enjoin silence, but this did not prevent the mountaineer from grasping several facts. The writer of the unsigned note was shown by the penmanship to be identical with Eve Hendricks’s ex-lover, and it seemed equally clear that he was a dweller in the Westerley house. Other points might as well apply to Robert Kendall as to one of the previously- mentioned family but the range of suspicion seemed restricted when the writer, after refer- ring plainly to Westerley house, added, ‘‘ This roof must cover no ‘ goods,” If that did not mean that the letter was written inside of the Westerley house, words went for nothing. And the only males in that house, besides Captain Grandford, were David and Edgar—no men servants were employed, Even then it occurred to Yank that Robert Kendall might have been the writer, and have written the letter at the house of his betrothed, but there was no time to dwell upon the matter, Texas Tartar’s voice broke the silence as he addressed one of the prisoners. **T desire you to run this craft down to Pow- derhorn Mile,” he said. ‘*Do you?” sneered the man, be Yes.” *¢ You ean have it out in ‘ desirin’,’?” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘* Neither I nor one of my mates will put finger ter the machinery!” “Where is the machinery?” ‘* Find it yerself, ef you can.” **T depend upon you, and—” “You depend in vain, Even ef you found the machinery, you couldn’t run the boat. The motive power isa thing no outsider could un- derstand. You can’t run it, an’ we won’t!” **Do you know that a revolver has strong persuasive powers?” “It ain’t got any fur me; an’ I want ter tell you one thing more, Ef you stay bere five minutes Jonger, you'll be blowed higher than the top o’ Babel!” - ** How’s that?” ‘In acertain part o’ this craft isa keg o’ powder... Connected with it isa wire that runs toaclock, Start this clock, an’ at the end o’a given time it will strike upon the wire, drivin’ the wire violently agin’ a sert o° percussion cap. This cap will flash in the powder, an’ this boat an’ all in it will be blowed up!” ‘* A likely yarn.” “It’s true, an’, what is more, I have set the clock a-goin’, Listen!” They obeyed, and a faint click !-click! was auclible at some point bard to locate. ‘*Howly Pater!” cried Tim Purcell, would blow yourselves up?’ demanded Texas Turtar. ‘Believe what ye will, its true. We ain’t men ter stick at trifle. When we become the crew o’ this boat we swore by all good an’ holy that she should never fall inter the hands of others. That’s why the clock was fixed, an’ we hev set it a-goin’. Afore five minutes is gone, this boat goes flyin’ ter glory!” **St. Catherine defind us!” cried Tim, who had never agreed to fight such a foe, He was not the only one moved, Texas Tar- tar saw very plainly that be had to deal with desperate men, and the stamp of truth was upon the bold speaker’s face, The detective turned to his companions, , ‘‘March the prisoners ovt!” he directed. *¢ We will test this matter, at least.” ‘‘T consait thar is severial tons 0’ hoss-sense in what ye say, Texas—I do, by hurley!” Yank agreed, The trio turned to their prisoners, who look- ed greatly relieved at the idea of leaving the craft, and the whole gang was started upward. Captors and captives alike stepped with alacrity, and as Texas Tartar, who brought up the rear, ascended the stairs, he beard the ticking of the death-cleck behind them, When the top was reached the spokesman of the prisoners looked around somewhat anx- iously,. ‘* My advice is that we all go ther quickest way. Tied as my hands be, ’d ruther take my chances in the water than ter risk a slow climb, A few foot away the water is not over breast- deep. Shall we jump?” The influence of the hidden danger was upon Texas Tartar, moving him as he badrarely ever been moved before, and he tersely replied: ** Jump!” Almost immediately there was a series of splashes as the several men sprung into the lake, Tbere was method in their movements, and they had only a short distance to go to be safe, Dut, as the hands of the prisoners were tied, they re- quired some aid to reach shallow water. Prompt action took them to the shore. All remained quiet, and the detective began to think he had been hoaxed, but the silence was suddenly broken. A roar burst upon the air; there was arending, tearing sound; and then rocks, bushes and other objects went flying high in air. The shock flung every man to the ground though neither that nor the subsequent fall o the up-hurled material did serious injury; and when all was over Texas Tartar went forward to see the result of the explosion, A mass of bent, twisted metal at the bottom of the water, between the ragged, riven rocks, was all that remained of the once-dreaded Horned Fish! CHAPTER XXXV. THE AUTS ON THE HILLSIDE, TIME has moved on to another mile-stone since the events of the Jast chapter. Anotber night has fallen upon Rifle Lake, only to be succeeded by day again. Suurise saw three men walking briskly north- ward, passing around the west shore of the lake. They were the Strong-Armed Squad, or, to speak more definitely, Texas ‘Tartar, Yank Yellowbird and Tim P«rcell. There was a resolute, business air about the trio which indicated that they had a stern pur- pose in view. All were well armed, and the persistency with which they held to their course proved that they had only one object, Tim was as zealous as any one. The work just suited his bold nature, and he was proud to serve un- der such leaders, : Timothy had one source of delight to which he never tired of referring. From that day his boats could go out cn Rifle Lake with safety, for the Horned Fish was a thing of the past. It had been proved a contrivance wholly free from the superratural; it had been proved not to be a freak of nature; aud now there was no harm left in the miserable remnant of the ‘‘ mon- ster.” The prisoners taken from the craft had been secured in arude way, but no confession had been drawn from them. Doggedly accepting their lot, they had declined to answer all ques- tious, It was plain, however, that they belong- ed to the*smuggler band, and that the Horned Fish had been put on the lake to aid the gang in getting their contraband goods across the line. Texas Tartar, Yank and Tim were now off on another expedition, and new developments were npr for. The Strong-Armed Squad then numbered four, for Yank’s dog gravely kept pace with them, The veteran never became so much de-— voted to business that he forgot Moses, “Pll trouble ye ter cast your optics at that doz. Texas,” he said, as they tramped steadily along. ‘* Some scoffers might doubt it, but L kin tell you that Moses knows as wal what we’re goin’ for as we do.” ‘ ‘You don’t say so!” ejaculated Tim, in sur- rise. “To be sure. Moses isa clairviolent mejum, an’ he knows a good many things not ginerally es find no other men down thar ter wrastle with ‘Do you think you.can make me believe you knowed. My cousin, Nettie Effie Minnie Josie Se ae oe cGomilcbooks.;com » 4 at bt