Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

aah ja 14 Pearl! masks over their faces. They came here to rob me—two men— She came—they took her away! May God’s curse follow them! My pr hada beautiful Pear]!” ‘When was this dun?” * Oh, I don’t know! Pearl! Pearl! Pearl! Come back! come back! Oh, sir; you will bring her back? My dear girl! They carried her away—those devils in masks! Ah!” He paused as he saw Eric standing near. Reaching out, he caught Harry by the arm and drew him nearer. “* There,” he sibilated, hoarsely, ‘‘ he was one of them! He pretends to love her—my Pearl! He is a wolf! He was one of them who carried her away!” Harry turned toward Eric. ‘**He’s ravin’ mad,” said the cowboy, soberly. ** Ther varmints hav’ turned his head as well as stole his darter.” “She is gone,” came hoarsely from Eric’s lips; ‘‘but I will rescue her from the bands of the villainous kidnappers. If [live I swear to restore her to her father’s arms,” **An’ Tm with ye, my lad!” exclaimed the Man from High Notch, heartily. ‘ I'll stan’ by ye through thick an’ tbin, as sart?in as my andle’s Hustler Harry, the Hard Nut ter Crack. Hyer’s my han’ on et,” Then their hands met in a firm grip. CHAPTER XVII. HARRY TO THE RESCUE, AWAY through the darkness into the hills the kidnappers bore their unconscious victim. They had succeeded in getting beyond the bounds of Cimarron City without being stop- ped, although they had barely escaped detec- tion. Beyond the limits of the camp they had re- moved the masks from their faces, and day- light would have shown them to be Posey Pete, the bummer, and his more crafty and desperate companion, Casper the Spaniard, ** Ah-ha!” laughed Casper, as they galloped away through the night. ‘*‘ We were foiled at one turn, but’ the senorita is a treasure not to be despised. For her Senor Molina will pay very much, This night’s work should make us rich, comrade.” Posey Pete uttered a growl. “1d rayther got mer fingers onter ther ole shark’s ducats,” he admitted. ** Those will follow, comrade; those will fol- low,” declared the Spaniard, reassuringly. **The senor will pay well for the safe return of his daughter.” ‘*T’m as thinkin’ he’ll pay well fer ther capter o’ ther galoots w’at tuck her away, Thet’s w’at trubbles me !” ‘* Ah, comrade, I fear you are not a brave man. But trustto me. This is not the most desperate game in which I have taken part.” **I know ye’r’ a hummer, Cas,” acknowledged the bummer; “ but ther best o’ us are apt ter git inter a snarl sumtimes, Ole Molina’s got ther rocks ter hire a small army ter hunt us down.” ‘Tf he does that, we will threaten. We will say that senorita’s life shall pay if we are hunt- ed. That will cause him to have a care,” **T reckon yer right, but fer sum reason I feel thet this hyer ’fair’s goin’ ter git us inter a *tarnal snar!|,” **'You need liquor to strengthen your cour- age,” laughed Casper. ° a smoke, yer” right!” exclaimed Pete, quickly. ‘‘ Hain’t ye got a drap, ole man?” But Casper was too wise to give the bummer liquor just then. **[ have none,” he replied. Casper was the owner of the horses on which they were mounted. The Spaniard told the truth when he declared that he had engaged in mes that were more desperate than the one ey bad just begun to play. In fact, he was a thoroughly desperate and reckless man. It was a long ride away into the hills, Pearl, whom the untiring Spaniard held in bis arms, ained consciousness a short time before they ted. They fiaally reached the point for which they were aiming. “Here we stop,” said Casper. cave.” They dismounted, and while Pete was attend- ing to the horses, the Spaniard bore Pear! into a cave, the mouth of which was concealed by some bushes, Casper appeared to know the surroundings, for he advanced through the dense darkness without hesitation, ** Here we are, senorita,” he finally said, as he placed her on her feet in the darkness, Pearl had not regained her strength, and at once sunk to the floor. Casper struck a light and soon found a ag WY Ses candle standing on © narrow, rocky shelf. Evidently the cave “There is a had been used before. With the candle in his hand, Casper assisted Pear! to arise. “You shall not be harmed, senorita,” de- clared the Spaniard, with attempted gallantry. ** You need have no fear.” Pear! did not ap A feeling of terror and despair locked her lips, She allowed Casper to her still further into the cave: __ They finally came to a deep niche within the = rar wall. At the further extremity was a mass of | dead boughs, which had evidently been used as a couch, Pear] flung herself down there and burst into tears. After vainly attempting to pacify her, Cas- per set about gathering some brands, and soon started a small fire, the smoke of which passed upward through some unseen outlet. The light of the fire dispelled the shadows and made the place appear less gloomy. Posey Pete soon appeared, and he and Casper engaged in a long consultation, Carefully they planned their future movements, and Casper repeatedly cautioned the bummer not to drink. ‘*If you do so,” declared the Spaniard, im- pressively, ‘‘ you will be sure to talk and tell things which you should not, If we are cap- tured by the men of Cimarron it will mean to hang. Guard well your tongue.” His words were not wasted on Pete. **T reckon ye’r’ right,” admitted the bummer, soberly. ‘‘I bain’t bankerin’ fer ter git my neck stretched yit awhile, an’ I reckon they’d count gal-stealin’ ekil ter hoss-stealin’.” ‘* Then bave a care,” warned Casper. ‘‘ When the chance comes, bring our comrade to this spon We will then arrange a message which shall be sent to Senor Molina,” The Spaniard accompanied Pete to the mouth of the cave, where they* separated. The bum- mer rode one of the horses back to camp. The other was concealed in the midst of a dense mass of ‘bushes. When Pete was gone, Casper returned to the cave. He found the captive still lying face downward on the boughs. She lifted a tear- stained face as he entered the circle of light made by the small fire. ‘** Oh, sir!” she cried; ‘‘ why was I brought to this place?” Casper smiled. She was beginning to throw off her weakness. He hked that. ** Now, senorita,” he said, in a smooth, oily tone, as he advanced, ‘‘do not unnecessarily alarm yourself, IL have assured you that you shall not be harmed, and I always keep my word,” ‘But you have not answered. Why was I brought here?” ‘“*The principal reason is because you hap- pened to come upon my comrade and myself at an unlucky moment—for you.” ‘*[ eame upon you just as you were robbing my father, you villain!” retorted Pearl, with sudden spirit. ** And spoiled our little game,” smiled Casper. ‘‘We were forced to leave Senor Molina’s wealth untouched just then, but we brought you away with us, hoping that the wealthy Ameri- cano would see fit to pay a ransom price for ou. ‘* Another method of robbery,” sneered the rl. ** As you like it,” bowed the Spaniard. ‘“-You will pay dearly for this. My father will put many men on your tracks, and you will surely be captured.” ‘*T fear that little.” Pearl ceased to talk with her captor, and finally fell asleep and dreamed of her father and Eric, The little fire made the place quite comfortable, and she slept for hours. Casper sat nodding near the fire, catching brief bits of sleep, but never losing bimself for more than two or three minutes ata time. He wet 5 the fire burning steadily. lowly the night dragged away, and finally No light penetrated within the morning came. earl slept on and Casper little cave, and still nodded by the fire. Finally the Spaniard full his way to the open air.. appearing quite contented. ‘He is all ta until they return,” he said, meaning Pete and Bill. ‘‘ They should be here soon with food, if nothing has ag ; When he returned to the cave, he found that Pear] was fully awake, ‘*Ah-ha!” be muttered. ‘“ Wide awake and looking decidedly better for the sleep.” She gazed at bim scornfully, but did not peak. ‘Be cheerful, senorita,” he cried, ‘* M comrades will soon bring food, and we shall learn how things are in Cimarron. Iam sure that you will not have to endure captivity long.’ Within her heart Pearl hoped not, but she said nothing. The hours wore slowly away, and still Posey Pete and Hickory Bill did not appear: After a time Casper began to grow restless, Noon came, but still the expected ones from Cimarron City did not showup. Both Pearl and Casper were hungry, and the latter tried to comfort the girl by telling her that it could not be long before food would be brought them. Little did the Spaniard dream that a foe had found that very cave and was within it, creep- 10g cently toward him even as he spoke to earl, Suddenly a dark form leaped out of the shadows and alighted on Casper’s back. Al- though taken by surprise, the Spaniard fought fiercely, but the new-comer handled him as if he were a child. awoke and made e found the horse Bega *.F - ae -- ; > : t4 = = ve ea , a Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. “* Kerwoof!” cried the stranger, with a mel- low laugh. ‘“ Lay still, ye kickin’ critter! Don’t ye know ye can’t git away frum me? [Pm Hustler Harry, ther Hard Nut to Crack!” lt was, indeed, the strange cowboy, In a short time the Man from High Notch had disarmed and bound the Spaniard. **Thar!” be exclaimed, as he gazed with satis- faction on the helpless man. ‘I reckon ye will lay thar fer er while, ye dirty gal-stealin’ Greaser!” Pear] sprung up and ran to Harry’s side. ‘You have come to save me!” she cried, joy- fully. ‘‘I am sure you have!” ‘**Wal, Lreckun thet’s bout ther size of it,” admitted the cowboy, as he gazed admiringly on her tear-stained face, revealed by the flaring firelight. A string of Spanish oaths came from the lips of the discomfited kidnapper. **You shall pay for this with your life!” he frothed, as he glared at Hustler Harry. ‘I will cut your heart out!” **T reckon not jest at present,” laughed the Man from High’ Notch. ‘‘Them thar strings will be apt ter hold ye till yer pards cum’ an’ release ye. Arter thet I shell hav’ my weather eye open fer ye, an’ if ye try ter stick a knife in my back I'll railroad ye ter Kingdum Cum’ in two shakes,” Casper seemed a trifle awed, thougb he con- tinued to swear savagely. ‘*Did you come to my rescue alone?” asked Pear], as she gazed into the darkness. Harry knew of whom she thought, and smiled, ‘*T didn’t start out alone,” he said, ‘ Eric left Cimarron with me, but we split ter s’arch fer you, ’greein’ ter meet at a spesbul place.” The girl’s face lit up with a look of delight. ‘* Eric!” she cried, joyously. ‘‘ Take me to him,” “*Come on,” he smiled. He picked up a blazing brand from the fire, and giving Pearl bis arm, they started to leave the cave, paying no heed to Casper, who was still swearing and threatening. CHAPTER XVIII. PEARL AND RUTH. Wirt8 a feeling of joy and thankfulness, Pear? allowed the gallant cowboy to guide her from the cave. Eric, ber lover, was near, She would soon meet him. happiness. They reached the open airand Harry threw aside the brand that he had taken from the fire. 4* Reckon ther han’ of Providence led me ter find thet gal-stealer’s horse,” observed the Man from High Notch, soberly. ‘‘ We've bin mighty forcbernate in our hunt fur ye, leetle one. Ther dirty whelps w’at stole ve frum yer home was spotted cummin’ this way. Thet guv us ther direction; Fate must hav’ dun ther rest.” ‘* And 1 owe you a deep debt of gratitude for saving me single-handed and alone from that terrible man.” ‘*Ho! Thet’s northin’,” declared Harry. ‘* Thet Greaser wasn’t a flea-bite. I’ve handled men as ¢’u’d kill him with both han’s tied ahind their backs,” ‘* Hric—you say he is near?” ‘* Wal, he hain’t fur orf. We was tergether nor more’n a n’ourago. He’s s’archin’ fer ye sum’w’ares, I tell ye, leetle one, I’ve kinder cottoned to that thar chap. He’s all wool an’ a yard wide, You hear me!” Pearl murmured a low response, and the irre- pressible cowboy continued: ‘“’Tain’t offen wat I freeze ter strangers in this byer way, an’ w’en I do I never make a mistake, Eric Craddoc are white. He tells me that he’s dead head an’ heels in love with er leetle gal *bout your size, but that her dad don’t look on bim with favorable optics.” The girl blushed, but said step ‘*T tole bim as how sech was offen ther case, an’ not ter git ’scouraged, fer it w’u’d all cum out in ther wash. He sed yer dad had his eye on a feller named Kelnot, what owns ther Silver Palace. I've bin tryin’ ter git my eye onter this hyer Kelnot, but blamed ef I kin. He's shy’s a wild steer wen I’m round. Jes’ ther same, I’m reddy ter bet he’s er rascal. Why I am, I can't tell no more’n I know why I cotton ter Eric: but it’s got inter my head, an’ I can’t shake it,” Pearl looked up at him eagerly. **Oh, if you could only convince father that he is a wicked man!” she cried. ‘I would do anything for you!” ; “‘ Not marry me, I reckon?’ laughed the cow- boy. ‘‘Ob, no; sumbuddy else w’u’d object ter thet. But I'll do it ef I kin, an’ let ye name yer reward. A kiss frum ther bride, or a chance ter dance at ther weddin’ ’Il satisfy me.” Pear] could not help joining in his laugh, which seemed contagious. But with sudden anxiety, she asked: “But father—how is he? One of those cruel men struck him ess before my eyes,” | Hustler Harry’s laugh ceased abruptly. © ‘“‘T don’t think ye need ter be ‘larmed "bout him,” said the cowboy. ‘“‘ Ther blow was a The thought filled her with | * Eomicboo! - ee * %, yt Ay ".