Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

he said aloud. This seemed to be the only thing to do, and | at once he started. He had made half the dis- | tance when he suddenly came upon a startling | spectacle. | Seated on a bowlder not twenty feet away | was a large man who held a cocked revolver | leveled straight at Eric’s heart. ‘* Hold up thar, you slick-lookin’ galoot,” com- manded the man with the revolver. CHAPTER XXT. A CAPTIVE AGAIN. Ir was Hickory Bill. The ruffian looked decidedly ferocious as he scowled savagely at Eric, **'W’at yer sneakin’ "long byer fer?” demanded | the bully. **{ don’t know as that is any of your busi- ness,” was Eric’s cool reply. ** Ye don’t, hay? Waal, then I'll make it my bisness. I hav’ hafe er mine ter putt a lead pill | through ye.” Eric said nothing, but watched him closely. | Hickory Bill glared at the young man in | grim silence for several moments. . The ruffian | appeared to be considering something. ‘‘ How kem ye hyer?” he finally demanded, ‘*Shapvk’s mare is in a measure responsible for my presence,” Eric did not think it wise to tell the bully that be bad a horse near at hand. On second thought, however, he realized that Hustler Harry had probably told him everything, ‘*T reckon ye mean by thet thet ye walked,” said Bill. ‘* Waal, my advice is fer ye ter tarn tail other way. Ef ye stopps round hyer ye’r’ mighty apt ter run ag’in’ a funeral, This are an onhealthy lokality.” ‘* And why, pray?” "Kase sech fellers as you hain’ wanted yer.” Eric Craddoc looked the bully fair in the eyes. ‘* That is a poor answer,” he coolly asserted.. ‘*Poor or good it’s all yell git. Ef ye hang round, ye'll git sent on a trip over ther river.” ** Who will send me?” ‘* Feller *bout my size. Took a good squar’ look at me. I’ve swallered better men than you be, ‘¢ In your mind,” sneered Eric. Bill uttered an oath. ‘“Ye don’t want ter give me much 0’ yer sass, Id jest like ther fun o’ lettin’ daylight | through ye.” There was a wicked gleam in the bully’s eyes which indicated that he was not lying. urder to such a wretch was little worse than killing a dog. ** What do you want of me?’ demanded Eric, ‘* Want ter warn ye,” was the reply. ‘‘ Want _ ter tell ye thet ye’d better git back ter Cimar- | ron. Thar hain’t room fer ye hyer.” Eric’s blood was started. ‘‘ Well, I am not going back to Cimarron till I choose,” he asserted. ‘* I am not going to give you a clean field in which to execute your villainy. Where is Pearl Molina?” Hickory Bill scanned the young man still closer, ‘‘ Hain’t no funny bisness ’bout thet,” he thought. ‘‘ He don’t know whar ther gal is.” ‘¢‘ Whar’s who?” he demanded, aloud. — ‘‘ Pearl Molina—Martel Molina’s daughter, Don't lie now. What have you done with her?” ‘‘ Young feller, ye’r’ way off,” Bill dectared, soberly. ‘‘ I don’t know nothin* ’bout no gal.” Which was literally true, although the bully thought he was lying. , ** That is thin,” declared the young man. .‘‘I tell you now, you shall suffer if she is not at once delivered into my bands.” ‘*Get out!” and the chief uttered a hoarse short laugh. “TI tell ye I don’t know nothin? *bout her. W’at’s ha pened?” be Hric uttered an exclamation of impatience. ‘** If you do not know anything about it, what did Hustler Harry pay you money for a short time ago?” ‘“‘ Hustler Harry—?” repeated Bill, and then stared blankly at Eric for a moment. ‘“ Yes, Hustler Harry, the pretended cowboy. I saw him with you and your two companions a short time ago. He wore a mask, but such a | disguise is insufficient to conceal his identity | from my eyes.” Hickory Bill’s look of wonder changed to a | rin. are Reckon ther boss ’u’d be thunderin’ he know ye saw.us,” the bully admitted, ‘*Then you acknowledge that it was Hustler Harry that I saw?” cried Eric, eagerly. “No, I don’t nuther,” growled the chief, sud- denly appearing startled. ‘‘ Reckon I didn’t | say no sech thing,” ‘But you virtually acknowledyed it.” ‘‘Vercherally be hanged. I hain’t givin’ nobody away. Reckon ’tw’u'dn’t be healthy fer meefIdid. The cow-puncber bain’t no sech an onery low down cuss as I tuck ’im fer though, His money’s good as any other galoot’s, W’at’s ther racket? mad ef I’ve | got hisstamp on my mug, but I hain’t secha asked the bully. Hustler Harry, the Co ‘**T will go back there, and when he comes, I will force the truth from his lips,” | $$ oe a tarnal fool aster try ’im ag’in, an’ him ther goose w’at lays ther yaller eggs.” The ruffian’s words caused young Craddoc to feel sure that he was right in believing the cow- boy a traitor, Even while he bad been trying to shield the Man from High Notch, Hickory Bill had * given him dead away.” ‘** He shall pay for his treavhery!” asserted the young man, with some excitement, ‘* Waal, now [I'd raythur you’d fool with him | than I sh’u’d,” admitted the tough. * I’ve heerd 0’ playin’ with er muel’s heels, but I never speri- enced anythin’ like et till [ run ag’in’ thet thar galoot’s fists. °Tain’t offen what 1 meets a_ bet- ter man nor [am, but when 1do,1 cotton ter him instanter, '* But we'll let thet drap. My arm’s gittin’ tired an’ I don’t want ter hole this gun up hyer much longer. So Ill jess say as a final warnin’ thet you’d better git back to the Cimarron ef ye wants tersave yerskull, [Vl head yein thet direction. Right ’bout, face.” ‘‘ What do you want?” ‘*Want ye ter turn round t/other way durned ed lively.” Bill shook the revolver menacingly. Eric realized that there was nothing else for him to do, so he obeyed the order, ‘** Good!” came from the ruffian’s Jips. ‘* Now wen I give ther word yer ter march straight ahead an’ not turn roun’ while yer within pistol- shot. Ef ye do, Pil salt ye! Ketch?” ‘* Your words are plain enough.” ** Kirect. Go ahead, an’ mind not ter look round,” Eric obeyed and walked forward until he thought himself beyond easy pistol-shot, Then he looked back. Hickory Bill bad vanished, As soon as Eric started, Bill arose and stole silently away. He was soon beyond Eric’s view should he look around and at once broke intoa run. After he had run quite a distance, Bill settled into a walk. ‘*Reckon [’m shut o’ him,” he muttered, ** Now ter find Pete an’ Cas,” He hurried onward, occasionally casting a look over his shoulder to make sure that he was not pursued. ‘Ther slick youngster war kinder taken back w’en he saw ther ban’ I held,” chuckled the bully. ‘‘I found out w’at I wanted ter know wi’out axin’ questions. He don’t know whar ther galis. Now ef wekin find her.” A short time later he was met by Posey Pete, who was somewhat excited. ‘** We've foun’ her,” announced the bummer. ‘Ther gal?” ‘* Yas, She’s on hyera piece, but thar’s er- nuther gal and an ole feller wi’ her. They bav’ ' cum ontera dead nigger, an t’other gal’s takin’ on turrible. Cas sent me back ter keep ye frum cumin’ up an’ ’larmin’ ’em,” Hickory Bill was delighted, ** Things hain’t workin’ so bad arter all,” he declared, witha grin, ‘* We'll scoop her ag’in an’ capter ther extry ducats what Old Rocks offered. I’d jes’s lives hav’ his munny’s ole Molina’s, an’ thar bain’t so much danger playin’ ther game he’s laid out fer us. He’s a sharp galoot an’ he’s woolin’ ther people in great shape.” ‘* Yas, he’s playin’ a sharp game, but we-uns has ’im inter our grip.” ** An’ we'll squoze’im, He'll pan out rich, an’ don’t ye fergit it. Posey, our forchunes are cumin’,” ‘Ef [ever git back ter Cimarron, I kalkerlate ter have one high ole blow-out,” ‘* But ye must keep ver jaw tired. Reckon rea git a knife atween ther ribs ef ye went ter labbin’.” The old toper turned white. ‘** Ye can’t git likker ernuff inter me ter make me blab!” he declared. ‘*So much ther better fer you,” said Bill. ‘* Now me must git) ther gal inter our han’s ag’in. We don’t want no others. We must man- age ter scoop jest her,” They moved forward, Posey Pete leading, and enjoining strict silence and caution on bis com- panion, After a short time they came upon Casper, who was crouching behind'a clump of bushes, He motioned them to move cautiously. Slowly they crept forward, and _ peered through the bushes. Uncle Peter, Pearl, and Ruth were still beside the negro. Both of the girls were weeping. i : ‘*That’s our bird,” chuckled Hickory Bill, as his eyes fell upon Pear], ‘* But how are we goin’ ter ketch her?” ** Twon’t do ter jump onter all three,” observ- ed Posey Pete. ** Waal, I guess not!” came from the bully’s lips in a derisive manner, ‘* Thet ole galoot hain’t no clam, an’ I'll bet he'll fight like er cor- nered cat. I kin sw’ar as bow he kerries ther gun*. No, thet won’t do.” ** Ef we c’u'd tole her away.” ** But how?” The Spaniard was silent. think instead of talk. ** Waal, what idee you got in yer bead, Cas?” He preferred to + it oll 4 ee . . a a ey acres oe ae eee Le er > ne PEA 2 ly ee) ee ew oe wboy Sport. | ‘¢ Nothing at all just now,” was the reply, “I think that perhaps something fortunate for us will happen,” All three lay still and watched Uncle Peter and the two girls fora time. Pearl was trying to comfort Ruth,»who was quite heartbroken, The watchers could not hear their words, but not a movement or a gesture escaped their sharp eyes. ‘* Wonder w’at struck ther nig?’ asked Bill, ‘** Dunno,” replied Pete. ‘* But it’s plain thet he’s run ag’in’ his last sickness. It’s a case of good-by, John.” After a time, Ruth decided to go for the horses, leaving’ Uncle Peter and Pearl] with the dead negro, Upon the back of one of the ani- mals she would convey Black Joe’s body back to Cimarron and bury it there, The stamp of the red heart on the negro’s fore- head told plainly that the areadful deed was committed by her most deadly foe, Over the body of her faithful old slave she revived her oath of vengeance. When Ruth had departed, Uncle Peter at- tempted to cheer Pearl with kindly words. The girl’s tender beart was torn with grief on ac- count of the great agony endured by her new- found friend, Uncle Peter’s manner seemed harsh and unpleasant just then, and she turned from him and walked away. She had no thought of going far just then, but with bowed head she advanced straight toward the spot where the trio of villains were concealed, A gleam of eagerness and delight shone in three pairs of eyes. ‘*Great Christopher!” whispered Hickory Bill. ** She’s cummin’ hyer /” ‘* Waal, ye’r’ a-shoutin’!” gasped Posey Pete, *“Caramba! Be silent!” hissed Casper, And straigbt into the net walked the un- suspecting girl. With her eyes fixed upon the ground, she had no warning of danger till a buge band closed over her mouth, and she felt herself in the grasp of some one who had sprung upon her, ‘* Good Lawd!” chuckled Hickory Bill, ‘* How slick!” . CHAPTER XXII. FROM BAD TO WORSE. Nora cry or a sound alarmed Uncle Peter Hodge, who was so near the unfortunate girl. Pearl made a desperate perngale for a moment, and then became utterly helpless, although she did not swoon, Then Pusey Pete’s ragged coat was wrapped about her head, to prevent an out- cry, and she was borne rapidly away. ‘This w’at I call a sweet piece o’ luck,” de- clared Hickory Bill. ** We shall be followed,” said the thoughtful Casper. ‘‘ One should remain hebind, to lead in a wrong direction those who come. yet some danger.” “Yer right, ole man,? acknowledged Bill; an’ I’m ther galoot fer thet job, You two kerry ther gal back ter ther cave, an’ be reddy ter work ther leetle game o’ Old Rocks, Tl find him, ef posserble.” They separated, Hickory Bill turning back, Posey Pete and the Spaniard did not pause, As soon as they were so far away that any cry the girl might make would not be heard by the man from Maine, the bummer removed his coat from around Pearl’s head. She was nearly un- conscious from suffocation. “oT wouldn’t ’a’ did ter kep’ her wrapped like thet a great time,” Pete observed. Casper made no reply, but burried on. The Spaniard was a man of deeds rather than words, Pearl soon revived, and noticing this, the old toper declared: . ‘*Eif ye go ter squakin’, gal, it’ll be ther wuss fer ye, Jest keep still an’ ye won’t be hurted,” Sbe did nof answer, but her face showed. that her heart was filled with a terrible despair. Qnee more she was in the hands of those ter- — rible men, for her? c Casper bore the girl,along with comparative ease, The Spaniard was stronger than he ap- ‘ared to be. Once or twice he stopped to rest, but he did not allow the bummer to attempt to carry ber, : a ne Within a short time they reached the small cave where Pear! had first been held a captive. Once more she was carried into the dreaded place. What did the future hold bk cin) ‘Ayer we are,” observed Posey Pete, with a — ‘‘ An’ I'm as dry’s er Cape Cod mack- — flourish. r © 1 eriel. I don’t think much o’ gittin’ ser fur inter ther wilderness thet er feller can’t git er whiff frum er gin-shop. My hull durned stummic’s — sh‘ ivilin’ up, it’s so blamed dry.” Casper raked together the balf-burned brands of the fire, and placing them on the bed of coals, | soon had a fire burning briskly. : ‘Now, comrade,” said the Spaniard, “if you will go to the spot where the horses are con- — cealed and bring some food, perbaps the senorita | would eat. Surely she must be bungry, for the day is well spent.” Pete obeyed, and soon returned with a bundle, There is © Cid i aee 2S . . —s+ is Ya al aft WE Ve ates ' “Sa Gomichboo S a.