Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 525 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

— * od Ort . night air. * pensed with 10 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy. ‘¢ Shows what it is to havea good reputation,” laughed Frank, as they dashed away. “Got off with him, bag and baggage. The biggest chief I ever saw don’t want to die if there’s another turn in the box and nobody look- ing on to see him take water.” “Reckon you ain’t goin’ ter talk about it in Brace Box though?” asked Robert. ‘‘ Brace Box, thunder! When that interest- ing burg sees me again it will be after to-night. We've got to surround this outfit and make a straight shoot south. If he don’t yell too soon we can do it justas easy. The Black Eagles have business on hand to-night, and won’t throw away a chance for good money following too far after us if they think we’re going into town,” “ Hev yer own way, I’m hired by ther month, It "pears ter me, though, ez if he war shoutin’ now,” Sure enough, a sharp whistle rung out on the in the silence of the shadows it could be heard a mile. ‘* Let him shout, we make the turn right here, and unless they take some cut-off that I don’t know anything about it’s ten lemons to a goose- berry that they don’t get any nearer to-night.” He turned the head of his mule as he spoke and led the way into a narrow trail that branched off from the main one, leading away to the south west, Whether it was that the doubling back de- ceived them, or that, as Foxton had said, their business engagements detained them, Captain Wilson and his Black Eagles were seen no more that night. CHAPTER X. THE FACE BY THE FIRELIGHT. Rwopa RALEIGH had not been quite so heart- less as Frank Foxton might have supposed. She went away without bidding him good-by; but not before assuring verself by a quiet peep, while he was sleeping, that he was in no par- ticular danger. Moreover, it was at her suggestion that the services of a guard were procured, to look after his safety at night. Mr. Raleigh would gladly enough have dis- is daughter’s company, bad she re- mained within the limits of civilization; but he rather preferred taking her along to leaving her installed as nurse to the fresh young sport. When she insisted that Jones should be engaged he could only yield. When that had been done she was ready to accompany him without ques- | tion, The rough experience of the ways and wiles of this out-of-the-way region had not frightened ber from her purpose—of which, by the way, her father knew but little. in return for her lack of confidence Mr. Raleigh gave her just as little information as to his plans as he conld. . Rhoda was prudence itself, and there did not seem much likelihood of her finding any one to | whom she would make an undesirable revela- tion, yet after her first declaration that she would go along, Raleigh was reticence itself, When he found her thrown so very confidential- ly into Frank Foxton’s company he was es- pecially glad of bis reticence. It was about sundown the second day out from Brace Box. The loveliness of the afternoon ust passed bad been intense, Not a human ing had been met, and scarcely a living crea- ture. As it was understood that they were to camp for the night at a spring some indefinite distance ahead, Rhoda might have been pardon- ed for showing fatigue or nervousness when the ambulance continued to grind along long after the hour when she was accustomed to take her supper. er father seemed moody and Old Sirene much less talkative than usual. Neither was supplying unasked-for information; and how- ever much Miss Raleigh would have liked to know what sort of camping-ground they were to have, and what were its advantages and dan- ers, she asked no questions, but remained as silent as the other two, Tt was something of a surprise, and consider- able of a shock when, from the gloom ahead, there rung out a sharp voice: “ Halt( Who comes thar?” *« Good!” was the major’s answer. “*G)ad to see you’ve commenced by having your eyes open and everything sbipshape. Is that you, Destiny Dave?” ‘It’s what luck an’ hard livin’ hes left ov me. I jedge it’s Major Raleigh thet’s talkin’ but I don’t see ez straight ez I mou’t, Sp’ose yer jist step forrads mighty keerful an’ considerin’ thet thar’s a peck ov lead p’inted an’ all ready to come your way.” ‘Nothing like carrying things through ac- cording to rule,” laughed Raleigh as he stepped it with his hands up, to satisfy the sen- tinel. A few words of conversation in a low tone appeared to be satisfactory to both, for the major came briskly back and sprung into the coveyance, . “Whip them up Si. It’s a long half-mile to the spring and I would like. to get there before daylight goes entirely.” Sirene gave a grunt and applied the braid. He oer anxious to get to the camping-ground him- se Quite romantic it looked to Rhoda when she saw the fitful flashing of the fires some little dis- tance ahead. This meeting with an army was unexpected, though it gave her a welcome feel- ing of safety, even if the main body appeared somewhat careless. As the ambulance halted a number of figures came clustering around, but only one stepped forward to greet the major. ‘‘ Destiny Dave, he reckoned you’d be ’round *bout sundown ter-night. Guess yer met him back on vher trail. He’s bent on keepin’ a guard out, an’ ez thar warn’t nobody else anxious he went hisself, Idoes think it ain’t no great use throwin’ pickets out inuch afore midnight. Thar’s two men down there south-ways, which orter hold everything level.” Safe enough for the present, but it’s no harm done keeping a sbarp lookout,” said Raleigh, shaking the outstretched band. ‘‘T want to get things in shape for the night, and a mouthful of supper. Then I'll be ready to talk thinks over. There have been some devel- opments. Dave will be in in an hour, and per- haps it would be better if some one relieved him, Iam not sure, but itis very likely that I have been followed, and though there might be no danger of an attack on the camp, or any other immediate harm, still, ’d like to know if we had any undesirable neighbors.” While Raleigh was conversing Sirene was busy, A couple of the loungers had relieved bim of his mules, and were staking them out, while he had appropriated a side of one of the camp-fires, and was preparing supper. For the present Rhoda retained her seat and watched the scene. She had been in the camp of a band of outlaws, and had to confess that this looked a good deal like it, though there was a comfortable difference. She was a prisoner there, while here she was a guest; and she had every confidence that her father could only be engaged in some legitimate enterprise, little as he bad explained to ber the particuiars. The ambulance made a tolerably comfortable home, if the accommodations were somewhat contracted. Though tired with the long journey of the day she did not feel like leaving, at least, till her father was ready to serve as her escort around the camp. Sirene’s style of cooking was primitive but substantial. In a very little while he served up an excellent supper, and after that Rhoda had the chance she was waiting for, to inspect the camp under her father’s guidance, Quite in military shape she found it, now that darkness had actually set in. The ambulance was about the center where the man on guard in camp could keep an eye on it at all times during his vigil. Another sentinel kept watch over the horses and mules, The men were all heavily armed, and seemed to be of the rough and ready class; though perfectly respectful in their de- meanor in her presence, ‘‘Something of a surprise to you, I suppose,” said the major, waving his hand toward the men who were again clustered near the fires, smok- ing their evening pipes and conversing in Jow cnes. “T have said but little to you in regard to the object of the trip and I heartly wish I had said less, If I had thought that the announcement of business in Mexico would have led to your pie i oe I certainly should have kept si- lent. hy under the sun you should be anxious to risk the hardships and dangers of the trip is more than [ can understand.” ‘ Well, father mine, the fact is that we have both been rather reticent. You said you were going to Mexico; and [ said that I was going along. Probably I have certain unspoken rea- sons, also.” , ‘‘ What possible reason can you have for visiting the heaven-forsaken region, through which I expect to pass?” “What do you want there yourself? You bad a pretty large field of usefulness as 1t was. I should judge that this expedition has cost you a pretty little fortune already; and as you made it all in the last few years, you seemed to be doing well enough where you were, without ey A fate here,” ‘“‘ Nonsense! What were the few thousands [ had slowly raked together? This has a fortune in it that is worth the possessing. A thousand times a thousand—perhaps millions are in it.” ‘‘T am not presuming to dictate, or to ques- ‘tion your judgment, so there is no use for us to quarrel. I have long had a fancy to visit the very portion of Mexico whither you are going, and when I saw the opportunity I could not resist the temptation. rtainly I could never go in better company.” She spoke lightly, but her joking manner did not have much effect in dispelling her father’s ill humor. He looked at her keenly, though he could only see the outline of her face. ‘‘T hope that Frank Foxton has nothing to do with this very inconvenient desire.” ‘Mr. Foxton? What an idea! Until a few days ago I did not know that there was such a person in the universe.” ‘“‘ Nevertheless, you found yourself on confi- ! dential terms with him in a remarkably brief | e . . i LS ee ee — —— Se i ee time; and he spoke as though it was his inten- tion to journey in the same direction as our- selves. To say the least, it Jooks suspicious,” ‘Of course it does, and it relieves my mind mightily when you growl about the gloomy prospects ahead, We have the chance of meet- ing him in the sweet by and by. From _ what you say, and what I have seen, he is a valuable man to have about. I only wish he was here now, and wonder that you did not make an effort to attach him to your party, It would have been worth your while to wait a week rather than lose bim,” ‘*‘ My cblld, it’s all right to catch a Tartar, in the way of war; but it’s all wrong when the Tartar catches you. This Fresh Frank is a Tartar. Ido not fear that, of himself, he could seriously interfere with my business; but he could be a very dangerous man if he tried, and sige up a partnership with those that I know ‘With the Black Eagles, for instance? But then, after the little 1 have seen of them, I have my doubts if any sort of partnership could be patched ap between them,” ‘Perhaps not. And yet he is scarcely mak- ing this trip alone, unless it is a preliminary to spy out the land.” * But I thought you said that he was follow- ing you? I am hoping, perhaps again hope, that he is, When the dangers that you talk of are around, 1 want Mr, Foxton to be around with them. Now, let us talk of something else, I am tired enough to be yearning for rest and sleep, and this stuff grows monotonous, How many days’ journey is our destination away?” ‘‘T can hardly tell. If we travel fast, and our journey is uninterrupted, it may be but a few days. Yet it is possible that we may be weeks on the way. I will perhaps have a better idea when Destiny Dave comes in, He is the guide for the expedition, and I trust largely in bisjudgment. He should be here soon, Per- haps you had better go back to the ambulance. I do not wish you to run any risks until we are better acquainted with our men,” The little stroll they had taken relieved the cramped feeling caused by the long ride of the day, and Rboda began to feel honestly tired, The advice of her father was not bard to take and when she stretched herself upon a long seat that served as ber bed by night, and tucked a soft pillow under her head, the restful feeling was delicious. She closed her eyes to en oy it, and before she was aware that she was sleepy, consciousness was lost in slumber. When her eyelids raised again it was long after midnight. The camp-fires had burned low, only an occa- sional flicker showing where they bad been, All around ber was silent, and as far us the ambu- lance was concerned she was alone. She listen- ed a moment tocatch the breathing of the major, whose place was on the opposite seat. He was usually not a very light sleeper. When she could not hear the long-drawn breathing, as she expected, Rhoda felt a little thrill of apprehension, Another moment of thought reassured her, however, Probably Destiny Dave had delayed his com- ing, and either the major was now conferrin with him, or had gone to seek him, The idea o there being anything to fear was simgly ridicu- lous. Yet in spite of the fact that she could hear no sound she was conscious of a presence, er nervous suspense grew beyond bearing. Slowly she rose to peer out under the curtain and at that moment the fire gave a higher flicker than usual, sending a faint stream of light into the vehicle, and slanting as it came across a dark, fierce face buta few feet from her, It wasa scar- red face, a painted face, the face of an Indian. CHAPTER XI, FOUND AGAIN, RHODA was not much given to nerves so she did not scream, unexpected as was the sight that had met ber eyes. There was only a mo- mentary glance of that savage face, for the fire died down as rapidly as it had risen, and in the darkness she could see no more and the only sound was the click of her revolver asshe forced the hammer back. : ‘“‘ Big Injun me; big friend, heap big; white girl g0 slow, hear what Rattlesnake say, Speak low The voice came after a moment’s interval, in a thick, guttural whisper; and the head had evidently been withdrawn from it’s close prox- imity to her own, ‘‘ Who are you; what do you want?” 7 Rhoda, under the circumstances, was inclined to think that the best plan for ber was to fol- low his advice. She spoke low, but firmly; and held her revolver ready. Since the affair with the road-agents she prepared for action at once in all donbtful cases and did not intend to delay too long going into! action. ‘Me Rattlesnake, big chief. Hear what white man talk, See whitegirl. Heap sorry. Bad men in way. Make big trouble. Keep | eye open. Much fight. Much blood. 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