Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Texas Tartar. SS 3 but some say ’tis a sword-fish, may be. Annyhow, it’s moighty tion. ike aig-shells, an’ they w’u’d all be gone if Oi was fool enough to go out wid thim at night.” ‘You interest me, Timothy. Have you ever seen this demon-fish yourself?” ‘* Oi have, that.” “‘ What does it look like?” ‘*Tt’s not ’aisy to say, for dhe varmint only shows up at night, an’ whin it does appear it comes loike a flash. Whiz! an’ you foind your boat split open an’ siukin’, All you have seen is a black back stickin’ up above dhe wather. That’s the fish, an’ out ave bis head grows a horn, long an’ sharp, an’ it cuts open a boat at wan sthroke.” ** Remarkable! this from most men, but yours is an honest face.” ‘* That’s more than Oi can say for dhe fish. He has a most villainous face, an’ the nose ave him, or the sword, if ye want to call it so, makes a cuttin’ argyment in a fracas,” “‘T score one for you, Timothy. And so this peaceful lake really has a scourge!” ‘** Tt has, that.” A smile flitted over Texas Tartar’s face, and it was plain that he was far from being awed by the story. They were within a few feet of the water, and the Horned Fish might at an moment appear to them, but The Man with Nine Lives was calm and careless. ‘‘] hear that we are to have a wedding in town to-night,” he observed, suddenly changing the subject. ‘Right ye are, mister.” ‘*Do you know the parties?” ‘* Do Oi? Manny’s the toime [ve taken thim out in me boat durin’ the day,” ‘They represent the high-toned part of your citizens, don’t they?” ‘The very bong tongue—-ain’t that what dhey call it in Frinch?” ‘* Bon ton, I think you mean. Aristocratic and rich, eh?” **Oi don’t know so much about Robert Ken- dall, whoisa bit ave a stranger; but Norma Westerley is a jewel. How such a family as theirs iver wandered to a wild place like this, I dunno, but here dhey are. Ould Captain Lloyd Grandford is dhe head ave che family, an’ dhe Westerleys are his sister’s children. There are three ave thim—ave the Westerleys, I mean— for Norma has two brothers. David an’ Edgar are their names, and roight likely lads dhey are. Thin there is Albia Earle, who lives in de house as fri’nd to Norma. Governess, Oi bel’ave they call Albia, but there is no wan to tach’. Toime was she had for a pupil a younger sister ave Norma, but de child died, an’ Albia was kept in de family.” Texas Tartar was looking out over the lake, but it was noticeable that he allowed no word to pass unheard, ’ ee Westerley family all stand well here, I judge, ‘** They do, that.” ** Any other rich persons in town?’ ** Well, dhere is Jacob Ubraham,” ** Who is brabam?” “A Jew trader.” Purcell’s manner had grown scornful, and The Man with Nine Lives smiled quietly. ‘Ts he high-toned, too?” “Ts he? Howly Pater! old Ilbraham is a miser, a ch’ate an’askinflint. It’s not ivery man will speak ag’in’ him, for he is rich an’ not without power; but Oi don’t care if he hears me, it’s a moighty poor opinion Oi have ave ould Jacob.” ‘‘ He keeps the village store, don’t he?” ‘The very same.” ‘* Making money?’ ** He ought te.” “Why so?” Boatman Purcell held up one finger signifi- cantly. ‘‘Mum is the wurrud, boss, but I wouldn’t swear that ould Jacob gets his goods as honest assome. Mon, did ye iver hear o’ smugglers ?” Texas Tartar was ligkting a cigar. é calm- ly finished the operation before he answered. ‘**T believe I have,” he carelessly returned. ** Around here?” **No. Do you have those lively chaps here?” **Howly Pater! Oi should say so! We coome moighty near bein’ roight a-straddle the line be- tween this country an’ t/other, an’ the tempta- tion to carry goods across is so strong some folks can’t resist it. A good bit ave duty is saved thereby.” ‘But the revenue officers? Ain’t there any of them around here to collect duties?” ‘* A heap ave thim, but Go you s’pose they kin baffle all ave the slippery gents?” ‘*T see. They try thefr best, but the smug- glers will, and do, get goods from the British soil over here, eh?” . ** So ’tis said, but Oi can’t say.” Tim was suddenly growing cautious. ** And you think old Jacob Ubraham may be selling some of these contraband goods over his counter?” ** Oi can’t prove it,” . The boatman was deeply devoted to his pipe. phatve that ad ter navi- I would not have believed In his readiness to retail the gossip of the vil- lage he had overlooked the fact that, being a Five ave me boats was ripped open | stranger, Texas Tartar might also be danger- ous, and he suddenly gave such evidence of quickened caution that The Man with Nine Lives smiled and let the matter drop. It lacked but little of actual darkness at that time, and Purcell bad risen to return to the vil- lage when three other men sappeared, walk- ing along the shore of the lake. They came nearer, and the leader addressed Tim somewhat brusquely. ‘** Do you live here?” ** No; Oi live in a house over beyent.” ‘* Where 1s the Westerley house?” ** Fix yer visual optics dead ahead an’ ye may be able to see it. ’Tis the big house over that way. “Thank you!” Answering curtly, the man walked rapidly on toward the village, and his companions followed. Texas Tartar and Tim exchanged a glance, but, oddly enough, neither had a word tosay. Per- haps. however, their thoughts were much alike, “Pll walk to the village with you, Timothy,” observed the young man, carelessly. ‘‘ I’m stepping there, just now. I’m from Texas, my- self, but, being an idle wanderer, I’m liable to be seen ’most anywhere, I came here thinking that [ might see some fun of a truly lively sort.” ‘*Me friend,” replied Tim, ‘‘if ye don’t see all of it ye want around here, it’ll be because ye get shot before ye get yer fill!” CHAPTER III. HUNTING THE SMUGGLERS. THE three men who had inquired the way to Westerley’s lost no time on the road, but just as they neared the house they met another party which, by chance, was of jnst their own num- ber. It was composed of two young men and one who was of somewhat advanced years—the latter being a tall, strongly-formed, soldierly- looking gentleman. This man was hurriedly addressed by one of the first trio. ** Excuse me, sir, but whom have I the honor of addressing?” ** My name is Lloyd Grandford.” ‘Captain Grandford! I thoughtas much. I amin great haste, but I have a few questions to ask you, and I would like a private inter- view.” ‘*Sorry, but I shall have tosay no, TI, too, am busy, and I can’t return tothe house. If you have anything to say to me, speak out,” ‘* But, sir, it is private—” He glanced at Grandford’s companions, ‘**T have no secrets from my young friends, here,” returned Grandford, ‘‘ One, David Wes- terley, is my nephew; the other, Robert Ken- dall, will, Deo volente, be my nephew before morning.” ‘*Excuse me,” replied the stranger; ‘‘ I was ——— —— so was trouble and when the would follow. Continuing their journey the officers were soon at the further end of the village. At this point they sawa man cleaning his rifle care- fullv near the open door of his rude home. ‘** He’s preparing for a hunt,” observed Craver carelessly. The syeaker was right. The man in theshanty was preparing for a hunt, and, like themselves, his object was human game. The man they bad seen was Grizzly George, and he was making sure that his rifle was in peatens condition before going out oa the darkest unt he had ever engaged in. Tabor and his companions bad horses just be- yond the village, and when they bad recovered them, they mounted and rode north along the lake-shore. Night had fully fallen, and any- thing like following a trail was out of the ques- tion, but theirs was not an aimless journey. They had long been hunting the smugglers, and the latest information received was of such a nature that they had hopes of bagging game that night, It was their theory that the smug- glers were far from being desperate men, and their own lack of numbers did not deter them from vigorous action, ‘The capture means an earthquake at Pow- derborn Mile,” said Tabor, continuing the con- versation. **Do vou really think the smugglers have con- federates there?” asked Wells. ‘*T haven’t a doubt of it.” ‘* Was it wise to tell as much as we did?” add- ed Craver, slowly. ‘*To Grandford?” pee Oy ‘* What harm could itdo? Heis the leading man of the town,” ** He is all right, of course, but what of his companions?” ** He vouched for them,” ‘*Oh! [ presume it’s all right, but it is best to be shy.” ‘*That’s what the smugglers think, but we are going tonab them. lam next to positive that the seat of the particalar mischief we are run- ning down is right here at Powderhorn Mile. The contraband articles come across this lake, or along its shores—you can depend upon that. But you will soon have proof.” ‘** Unless the Horned Fish catches us before we catch the smugglers.” ‘** Bah! don’t refer to that silly fable.” ‘*Then you don’t believe in 1t?” ** Not iu the least.” ‘‘How about the boats that have been run down by it?) The people tell straight stories,” ‘** Possibly; or it may be that they are lying. If they tell the truth, 1t is the work of a cpanth. cal joker or an enemy. How about baunted thering in Powderhorn Mile, ightning flasheJ, destruction '| houses? They and their ghosts seem all right, but, when sifted out, it is always found that hu- not aware that the young gentlemen were of | man beings, for a joke or for malicious mischief, your own family. As you request, I will speak , have caused it all, out. TIand my companions are customs officers, and we are looking for smugglers. Can you tell us anything new?” ‘*No. Everything has been quiet here during the past fortpight.” ‘* Still, we have réceived news that valuable goods are about to be run over the line. Just what they are we don’t know, but it is no com- mon trash.” ‘Well, I hope you'll get them,” observed Grandford. ‘‘ Those fellows get the benefit of illegal traffic which does not help any of us. Close as we are to the line, we are all op to it.” ‘**T wouldn't vouch for all your citizens,” ‘**Nor I, for that matter.” ‘* What I want to know is, have you seen two or three vig bed pass through here, on horse- back, during the afternoon?” ‘* No,” answered Grandford, and Westerley and Kendall echoed the negative, when ques- tioned, ‘* We got track of some of the smugglers, and we hope to run them down. We shall go beyond the village—we have horses near—and try to find the other horsemen. It is my theory that the smuggling will be done to-night, and | shall nip it in the bud, if possible. We shall watch the lake sharply to-night, lying in wait at the Point of Pines.” ‘“*T wish you good luck,” declared Grandford, ‘* By the way, is your name Tabor?’ ‘“Yes, and my associates are Wells and Craver.” **T have heard of you. And now, sir, if you are done, I will goon. We are in haste.” ‘“We won't keep you, captain. We, too, are in a hurry. Perhaps, though, we shall be able to show the smugglers to you by to-mor- ‘Bring them on!” responded Grandford, heartily. ‘*We haven’t a jail big enough to hold many, but we can, at least, give you a lift on your way home.” : he two parties separated and each went its way, but no one had any idea what strong bearing. ve apparent common-place interview was to have on the tragic events about to follow. As a thunder-storm gathers in the atmosphere, a > ee So with this mysterious Horned Fish, which goes galloping about the lake like mad.” ** Possibly it will catch us,” observed Wells, **Or the smugglers,” added Craver. Tabor did not relish these remarks. He was too much in earnest to teke interest in light talk, His thoughts were all of the smugglers, and he hoped to make a capture tbat night, Until of late he had supposed that the articles conveyed across the line without the payment of duty were of comparatively small value. The United States and the British Possessions nortb- west of the Great Lakes (especially Manitoba) each he Si articles not common to the other. aay they are mostly the practical articles of e, Of late, however, Tabor had received trust- worthy information that more valuable, and less necessary articles were being handled, These reports were to the effect that diamonds and other jewelry, and laces and silks, were among the things brought over the line to be sold in the great cities of the republic. Where these articles originally start known, Possibly they were brought from Vic- toria or New Westminster, but it was Takor’s theory that they had been sent on from the east ern provinces because, for some reason, the smugglers believed they could work more safely in the West, this gain making amends for the oat that they must operate on a much smaller seale, The Point of Pines, as mentioned by Tabor to Captain Grandford, was where the cfficers oped to catch their prey, and they arrived there in less than two hours after leaving Pow- derhorn Mile, it was a small point of Jand which made out into the lake, and was admirably adapted to the purpose. They were at its narrowest point right there. The little cape took up considerable room, while, on the eastside of the sheet of water, a broken ridge extended into the lake. This ledge was nearly all under water, but sharp points of rock arose above the surface at fre- quent intervals. Consequently, any. one wbo knew the place at all well would naturally seek the deep channel between the end of the ledge and the nose of the cape. from was not — Gomiecboo (e s.c