Beadle's Dime Library No. 826 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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26 while both were unpopular In the command, was a suspicious circumstance, Then it was recalled by Surgeon Powell that the two men had seemed to constantly dog the steps of Private Fenton, and when he had dashed away in pursuit of an Indian chief in the battle of the pass, they had fol- lowed him. Tbe Hermit had seen them an hour after, a mile from the pass, and then Fenton was in irons, and the two men evidently self-constituted guards. They had made the remark that they had orders to take him to Mission San Juan, and a there all information ended, save that the ae Hermit stated that Private Fenton’s head vi was Dleeding from a wound. “Well, Frank, what do you make out of all this?” asked Buffalo Bill when all had been told. peyote “‘T take it that the two men knew Fenton— | that they enlisted in thearmy forthe purpose of getting bim in their power, and cleverly did so the day of the battle of the pass. ‘Whether they are acting for themselves or for some one else is only conjecture. So it is as to their motive. We can only conjec- ture as to it,” “You are on Vek the trail lam. That those men wanted Fenton for a purpose, and they plotted to kidnap him and have done go, I think is certain.” — ** Now where is this Mission San Juan?” . ‘‘T can tell you, for 1 passed there once, as taking the trail which the Hermit says | they did it must be the sameone, San Juan is in New Mexico, all of two hundred miles | _—- from here, Bill.” Ps _ ‘* Were it a thousand I would go there,” — “Do you mean it, Bill?” | —s« **~ Indeed I do, for I am on Fenton’s trail | to stay, and I shall see the end of it; but you n Be canuot go, for you are needed at the fort?” _ __ ** Yes, I must return, that is certain.” ~~ And you too, Buttons, must go back to the fort and command the scouts in my me V4 place.” ‘ “TI will, sir, but I would like to go with aks? you,” “No, I cannot take any one without the ~_ eolonel’s permission, and it would now re- | __ quire too long to get that, as you know.” | 4 But you will take the Red-skin Ropers, |. Chief Cody?” | + **No, Buttous; they must go back, too, for I would not dare lead them down into New Mexico.” _ | ¥ou must not go alone, Bill, so take the chief, Sioux Slayer, or Scalp Taker at least,” - Surgeon Powell urged. —**1 believe I will,” thoughtfully answered _ Buffalo Bill. _ * Scalp Taker I would like best to have along, as the chicf must return with his _ Lasso-Throwers; but I fear Scalp Taker 4 - would not wish io leave his Fawn Eyes,” rae “Asx him, for my idea is that he is more - anxious to win a name than anything else. Ms big can go on to the Pawnee village with _ the Red-skin Ropers and await his return,” On that suggestion of ‘Surgeon Powell, Wy Buttons went after Scalp Taker, and upon _ his coming back with him the Indian was asked if he would go with the scout, leav- + 7h Z ati iy i g Fawn Eyes to go on with the braves and aid the tepee of his mother to await his re- ) AU we Oy: scalp Taker was ambitious so at once said he would go, for to accompany Buffalo Bill a one he knew meant fame for him, — “That settles it. Scalp Taker goes with me, Frank, and we start to-morrow, for the ’ Hermit will put us right, I know.” “Oh, yes; and when you come back by here Lexpect to see Bostwick wearing the _ brac lets, for you will get him, Buffalo Bill, _as I know your style of doing things,” “There is one thing, Frank, and that is about the Sioux prisoner.” _ Yes, I shall allow him to escape—you ‘see to it, Buttons for the Pawnees will wish to take him to their village and torture him to death 1 Wee “And that must not be,” | “By no means.” | _ **T will see that he escapes to-night, sir,” - promised Buttons. ; _ And so the matter was settled. : night the Sioux prisoner did escape, s hard to keep the 5 ‘¢] f u UG ? a7 M a on .> C . ine > Buffalo Bill’s Sharp-Shooters. / { Red-skin Ropers |‘ Yes ; gee, 1, _ — he la-ez 6 | sh : x rr Red-skin Ropers under their chief, Sioux Slayer, branched off for their village—all save Scalp Taker, the young Pawnee who was our guide into the Sioux country, and who is a host in himself—a matchless man, ir, if he is a red-skin.” «And, pray where is he?” asked the com- mandanié. ‘‘He went on with Cody, sir.” ‘‘But where bas Cody gone? What has happeued ?” ‘<Into New Mexico, sir, to the Mission San Juan, for we discovered that Private Fen- ton and the others were not captured by the Sioux.” ‘‘Ttis better if they had been killed out- right, than live in torture.” ‘But, they were not killed or captured, sir.” Tue suspense at Fort Ready was becom- “Did you go into the Sioux country?” ing most intense forthe safety of Buffalo| ‘‘ Yes, sir; Cody, Scalp Taker and myself Bill, Surgeon Powell, Buttons, and the Paw- | went into the Sioux villages disguised as In- nee Ropers, | dians.” Somehow it had leaked out, for there is | ‘*Great heavens! Powell, you and Cody always a leak where a number of persons certainty bear a charmed life. How eould have a secret, that Buffalo Bill had gone to you dare such an adventure? try and rescue Private Frank Fenton from; ‘‘ But, what news have you of the three the Sioux. | men, if they were not killed or captured?” Of course, when this became known there | ‘‘That Bostwick and Corbett are scamps, was the greatest dread felt for the result. | sir, enlisted to kidnap Private Fenton, and All knew Cody, and that he clung toa’ have done so, carrying him a prisoner into trail he had once started upon like grim , New Mexico. death. ‘This we learned from the old Hermit of They could realize the great peril of the the Pass, of whom so much has been heard, undertaking, in his invading the Indian yet so little known. country even witha large force, and they | ‘‘ We all thought he was dead, but he ig. really enlarged upon the dangers until it be- very much alive, and he it was who saw came an assured thingin their minds that Fenton inirons, the prisoner of his two soldier they could never get back, any one of , comrades.” them, Then Surgeon Powell toid the whole story Doctor Powell was one of the most popu- | of the expedition to the astonished comman~ lar officers at the fort. All liked him, all ad- , dant. mired him. The ladies found in him a sincere. friend, while the children were devoted to him as he was to them. He was neverso happy as when with them. Among his brother officers he was regard- ed as the prince of good fellows, generous to a fault, brave, self sacrificing and ever ready to do a good turn. The men had the same high appreciation of him, also, To them ‘* Doctor Frank” was everything—physician, friend, adviser. As for Buttons he was a jovial good fel- low, ever in good humor and always ready for a fight or foot-race or a funeral, which- When the Hermit had seen them there ever it might be. were but the three men and their three The Red-skin Ropers also came in for their _ horses. share of sympathy from those at the post;| There was the sign of a halt near, which and were it true that they were wiped out indicated that doubtless, one of the soldiers by the Sioux it was feared the blow might . had gone back for the extra animal, leaving be a severe set back to further alliance with the other and their prisoner there, for the the pale-faces. trail of the fourth animal came in from an- So far all had gone one way, the pale-faces other direction, had been the victors; but, with a very severe | That was the way that Buffalo Bill had defeat, might not the Pawnees regret an alli- read the signs. The old Mermit agreed with ance which had wrought only dire disaster? him; and when §calp Taker bad it explained Such was the state of fecling atthe fort, to him he was of the same opinion and so when Colonel Markham sent for Major Mel- expressed himself. ton, one morning, and told him that he must 3uffalo Bill then bade the Hermit good~ make another expedition into the Sioux by, thanked him for his kindness and rode country, while, as they now were at peace on his way with Scalp Taker, the pack- with the Pawncees, the fort would be in no horse following. | danger, so he could take four-fifths of the; Though it had been some time, since the garrison with him, ‘trail had been made, there had been no rain The major was just beginning toccengratu- | and the trails here and there were visible, late himself upon winning more victories, , Buffalo Bill taking his idea of which they when, into the post, rode two horsemen, would go from the nature of the country. - They were Surgeon Powell and Buttons, Then too his definite point was the Mis- Where was Buffalo Lill? sion San Juan, and he had been directed by Where were the devoted Pawnee “ broth- | Surgeon Powell, who_knew that part of the ers” of the great scout? | | country, just where it{was situated, Then 2 Naam flew from lip to lip, as! Buffalo Bill also had been on expeditions Surgeon Powell rode straight to headquar- down into New Mexico several times, so ters. | was not unacquainted with the country and In his anxiety Colonel Markham met him | the people. , at the door, and grasping his hand he said | He was well aware that, at that time, the eagerly: two men could readily carry a prisoner “Thank God you are back, Powell—but— | through the country upon any pretense Cody—” whatever, and hedid not doubt but that “Is all right, sir, or was when I left they would safely reach their destination with Private Fenton. The young soldier, however, he well knew aud they gether for the start on the trail to the fort; and, afiera long conversation with Buffalo Faces two'parted with a warm grasp of the hand. Buffalo Bill and Scalp Taker watched them until they were out of sight. Then they followed the Hermit, who went to put them upon the trail of the two soldiers who had their comrade in irons. Half an hour after, accompanied by Scalp Taker, and with a pack-horse in lead, Buffalo Bill started upon the long trail to find Pri- sh ag Fenton—the longest trail of his eventful ife. CHAPTER LVIII. THE FIGHTING SURGEON’S RETURN. CHAPTER LIX. ON THE TRACK OF THE KIDNAPPERS. BurraLo Brut and Sealp Taker were pub upon the trail of the three soldiers by the old Hermit of the Pass, They found that there were four horses. which made the trail. This would indicate that they had been joined by some one else, or that the two kidnappers had prepared for the flight, and so had caught an extra horse in the confusion of the ‘battle to serve as u pack-animal, or relief. him. ‘*] will tell you the story, sir, and wish to | report myself for duty, though I would was not one to submit tamely, eee given much to have gone on with would find him no easy prisoner to get along LiGade’ ae with. ' “But, duty called me here, and here Iam, ter E POMIDENT SS yale * cam at ou eh ‘through treachery, Buffalo Bill felt assered, “Yes, you did right to return; but, did as they would have found him more the ebu rned wi th me. sir. and | he t e} aig sigs * ee i ayaa <t ate e a a et so - That they had gotten him into a trap, — 2 cd 2 3 ae ‘ sepia) tae eh “a ” am. 7 cag > Sati Sa ° ra PY ie > anand Pee Sag eet are * 7 3 +. ee” bd ooks.com