Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

é ers teed ae Texas Tartar. \ Tabor expected the smugglers to do this with- out fear. They knew that attention had been id to them, an 1 had left some deceptive signs, hese signs went to show that the traffic was by way of another part of the lake, and it did not seem likely that the free-traders would expect any trouble at the Point of Pines. he officers secured their horses several rods back of the water’s edge, and then walked down to the extreme point. Tall, vigorous pine trees were everywhere about them, the tops forming an almost unbroken mass, while the ground was so covered with needles from the trees that it was like a carpet, They settled down to their watch, They had eviously conveyed a boat secretly to the cape Sut did not expect to use it. In their opinion, they had only to hail the ‘smugglers, as they tried to pass, and the men would surrender at once, The officers had weapons, but did not expect to do any fighting. None of them felt the usual monotony of a lonely watch, for the scene was grand. The lake was calm, and nothing is more majestic and subtle in its influence than a forest of pines. Two hours passed, and midnight was near at hand. The watchers reclined on the needle- laden ground and quietly kept their vigil. ** Hark!—what was that?’ Tabor suddenly raised his head. No one an- swered, but his gaze was fixed up the lake. Was it fancy, or did the faint splash of oars come to them on the heavy air? ‘** Be ready to enter the boat,” added the leader, ** but don’t do this unless I give the word.” ‘““Somebody’s surely coming!” declared Craver. He was right; there was no longer room to doubt that the sound they had heard was that of oars. A boat was on the Jake, and it was ap- proaching from exactly the Bec they expected the smugglers to come. oO great care was being used, though the oarsmen seemed to be skillful, and the echoes fell with the peculiar siege always noticeable in such cases in a still night. t last the boat, itself, was to be distinguished, adark speck in the night. The officers arose, drew their weapons and stood close to the oes edge, yet far enough back to be invisi- e Another brief delay, and the craft loomed up boldly only a few fathoms away. Four men were the occupants, and Tabor did not doubt that they were those he sought. He prepared for the venture. * Boat ahoy!” he called, in a loud voice, Somewhat to his surprise the oars were memely lifted, and the boat drifted noise- ess . oe Row this way!” added Tabor, authoritative- y- ‘* Who are you?” replied a voice. ‘“*Some one who has business with you. I command yon to land, in the name of the law!” ‘*The law of spies don’t prevail here, you miserable sneaks! Fire, boys!” The words came from behind the officers ina hoarse, angry voice, and Tabor wheeled abrupt- ly. He saw several forms in the semi-darkness, and it flashed upon him that they werein a trap, but he had time to see no more. The last order was obeyed, and several rifles flashed as one, Tabor heard a bullet whistle past his head, and a prickling sensation on the side of his neck told that one bullet had come close to a vital part, But the volley did more than that. Craver reeled and fell against his superior, and then, as bis life-blood spattered upon Tabor, fell dead at the lattei’s feet. Wells also went down, and the officer realized that of his own party he was the only one left alive. The riflemen were rushing toward him, and the instinct of self-preservation overcame all other impulses. He turned and made a rush for the water—the only way of escape open to him. A revolver was fired, but he kept on and plunged into the lake. a He was a strong, skillful swimmer, and had not lost his presence of mind. He calculated the chances and considered the dangers accurately, and knew that he must at once getaway. To remain would be to share the fate of his unfor- tunate companions. Even then he could, he thought, see the cause of all this tragic work. ‘‘It was the smugglers,” he thought, as he swam for life, ‘‘ and I have been betrayed. No- body knew we were coming here but the three men | rashly told at the village. One of them has betrayed me!” CHAPTER IV. THE HUNTER SEEKS HIS PREY. GrizzLy GEORGE took down his rifle in. He had cleaned it until not a speck of st, or dust adbered to it, and then prepared and eaten his frugal supper. He was strangely, ominous- ly calm, and that it was anything but a natural mood was revealed mune fact that he no longer seemed to mourn for his lost daughter. To kill Robert Kendall—to shoot him as he stood in the presence of bis bride—was now the ‘Tuling passion of the ex-hunter’s life. He was rrr SSS sss ene Ss not, and had never been, a cruel or lawless man, but Eve’s fate had stirred him to the quick, law into his own bands. Kendall had trifled with the girl’s affections, and grief had driven her to suicide. Was it not right that the false lover should suffer to the ut- termost? This was Grizzly George’s line of reasoning, and he was not gifted with mental qualities necessary to tell him that there was a doubt in the case. Kendall had seemed to be his friend, and he had liked the young man. The cnly evi- dence against him was the anonymous letter. If the ex-bunter had lived in the busy wofld, instead of the almost unsettled region of the West, he would have realized the importance of making some investigation before believin statement to which the writer dared not sign his as a rule, as honest as himself, He had watched the time critically, and when the hour for the wedding drew near, he took down his rifle and left the house, The village was supposed to be a mile long, and there were houses scattered that distance, but it was not a a walk to the big Westerly house. hen he reached the vieinity be found the house well lighted throughout, and, greatly to his satisfaction, tbe curtains of the main room, lowered. The invited guests were assembled inside, and all were in high spirits. Remote as Powder- horn Mile was from large towns there were many persons there who dressed well scens was by no means a rude one. compare favorably with more pretentious scenes. Grizzly George stood well back and looked keenly at the company. Norma Westerley, the bride-elect, was not present, nor was her friend, Albia Earle. But where was Robert Kendall? The ex-hunter looked in vain, and soon satis- fied himself that none of the prominent parties were present, ‘“*T wish he’d come,” the would-be avenger thought. ‘‘It’d be rather rough ter shoot him ter suffer as my Eve did. He winced at the thought which then arose, Would not Norma suffer, anyway, when her ee y husband was shot down in the marriage our “Tt’s hard,” admitted Grizzly George, shak- ing his head gravely, ‘‘ but it’s got ter be done.” He sat down on a convenient rock and kept up bis observation. He was as calm as though be was watching for deer, but his purpose re- mained unchanged. He intended to shoot Kendall, and he rarely looked along the rifle- barrel in vain. Ten minutes passed. He knew that the ap- pointed time must have arrived, but there was no sign of the bridal pair. Instead, a singular change seemed to have taken place in the man- ner of the guests. Before, they had been laugh- ing and talking merrily, but, now, the laughter was hushed, and they had gatbered in a group and were talking gravely and earnestly, ‘* What's up?’ inquired Grizzly George, as though he bad a companion to answer. Several minutes passed, but there was no change in the situation. Half an hour wore away. Still the bride and groom did not ap- ear. It was nearly an hour past the set our—the delay was puzzling, but everything indicated that something unpleasant had oc- curred, Grizzly Meerge could bear it nolonger. He saw, just outside the door, two men who, he knew, had been engaged as servants for the night, He walked forward to them. ‘* How’s the weddin’?” he asked, abruptly. ‘* Thar ain’t none, yet,” was the answer. * Ain’t it time?” ** Lon st,” **Then why don’t they git married?” ‘* Miss Westerley has took sick.” ** How's that?” ; ‘* It’s mighty mysterious, that’s how ’tis.” **T don’t understan’.” ‘‘No more does anybody. She’s gone inter sort 0’ trance.” ‘*More likely she’s dyin’,” corrected the second man, **T don’t believe that,” returned his com- anion, ‘‘’dthank ye ter explain,” patiently, insisted rge. ‘Wal, ye see she has goneinsensible. The other gals had her all fixed up in her female fripperies, an’ then she sot down in a cheer an’ actually seemed ter go right ter sleep. The gals thought this oncommon cur’us, an’ when they tried ter wake her up, they couldn’t do it, b’ osh! They thought as how she was Pies a joke, thought it was oncommon unlike Norma esterley ter do it; but Albia Earle, she said the bride was sick, an’ she sent for the doctor.” **'What does he sare obige George asked the question mechani- cally. his thoughts were still of Robert Kendall. > allt - and the | Tt would | down by Miss Norma’s side, an’ I don’t want her | | | and, four once, he was determined to take the | i | name, but Grizzly George believed other men, | where the ceremony was to take place, were not | | ** He’s puzzled, Doc is, He don’t onderstand what the racket is.” ‘The gal is goin’ ter die!” persisted the man with the gloomy view of the case.” ** T don’t think it.” ‘* What’s up, then?” ** Dunno, b’gosh.” **'W boever knowed a bride ter fall inter sech a state afore? She don’t know a blamed thing. She’s jest like a person asleep, only the slee ain’t nat’ral. It’s the most queerest thing ever hear’n of.” ° ** 'W har is Kendall?” inquired Grizzly George. **Som’ers in the house,’ ‘* What’s he doin’?”’ ‘** Feelin’ bad, I reckon.” This careless response was not in Spon with . ae a! Grizzly George’s terribly-earnest m looked toward the doors from under scowling brows, handled his rifle nervously, and wished that Kendall would appear and have it over at once. ** Will the weddin’ be tponed?” he asked. * Waal, I reckon ’twill unless the gal wakes up. George gave the idle joker an angry glance. _ ** The doctor may tring her ’round,” ‘¢ He’s tried his level best, an’ he’s failed. He don’t reckon she’s dangerous sick, but thar is somethin’ about the biz he don’t ketch onter at all, The ex-hunter was tempted to send for Ken- dall, and bave the matter settled, but if the groom was mourning over his stricken bride, it pipet no means sure that he would respond to a call. Looking at the matter thus, George retreated to bis old position, and sat down upon the rock to keep his grim death-watch as before. The appearance of Robert Kendall would be the sig- nul for the tragedy. Truly, the prospects of the bridal evening were iat Bes but pleasant. Another half-hour passed, and then there was a stir in the house, moment later the guests began to come out, and Grizzly George realized that the wedding had been postponed. The chances of seeing Kendall at once seemed good, and he grimly prepared for tke last act in the “eThe disappointed ed | e Cisappoin guests emerg na ve, subdued mood, but there was no Soiteving, aud the last had soon passed the door. Kendall, however, had not appeared. Grizzly George waited somewhat longer, but w anxious in a short time. The men he bad | Interviewed before were still near the door, but | the regular employees of the family began to close the house. George went forward to the men. ‘* What’s become of him?” he asked, abruptly. “* Become of who?” ** Kendall.” ** He’s gone.” **Gone whar?” **T don’t know, but him and Dave Westerley went out by other door jest afore the guests began ter go.” rizzly e scowled angrily. ‘* Which way did they go?” **T didn’t notice. Did you, Ben?” te No.” ‘* The gal ain’t recovered her senses yet,” add- ed the leading speaker. The ex-hunter turned impatiently away, At that moment he did not care a posvene whether Norma Westerley was conscious or not. His one desire was to get the coveted shot at Ken- dal], and he was certainly frustrated for the time being. His inexorable purpose did not change in the least, and he walked to the house where he knew the young man had been boarding. It was dark’ and silent. The life-hunter waited half an hour, but, as there was no change, final- ly went away. He had no object in view, but, without any premeditation, finally found him- self once more by bis daughter’s grave. There he found enough to occupy bis mind but he had previously nurse bis revengeful st so much that his thoughts took another rn, - Memory went back over the long years that Eve bad been the light of his otherwise solitary life,and he found himself dwelling uponthecount less incidents wherein she had cheered and delight- ed his simple nature. Hatred and revenge were forgotten, and he fell into a gentler mood, This was his condition when he finally turned his face homeward and walked along the water- line, Midnight was at hand, and he had not expected to meet any one, but when he reached Tim Purcell’s boat-house he came suddenly up- on two men who were engaged in earnst con- versation, Grizzly George was not in a social mood, and _ he would have passed without giving them eny e was but little interested in Norma; | = y- J etd os 4 « - y = ok sg er ee i p+ ; oe . oN ti ae“ ‘ ; * =. 74 Cg sor «7 ‘et aor, at ‘ ead’ 2, .. P particular attention, but it was not soto be. One of the two addressed bim. _ ‘*-You are ont late, Hendricks.” The ex-hunter stopped quickly. He believed that he re the voice, and was not sur- pace when he saw that the speaker was David esterley. Without replying, be looked at the second man. It was Robert Kendall. Grizzly George’s mood had changed wonder- comicbook : anit ae te el ee tied 1c Gav ie) Viet as I i tl