Beadle's Dime Library No. 851 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

ere —_____. But he wanted to plan so that they would not follow him. How to do this he was considering. With Pony Bob to consider was to act. He was not long hitting upon a scheme. Glancing over his horse, as he ran along in the moonlight, he saw that one of his wounds was in the flank. That was the most serious one, Another wound was in the neck and was bleeding freely, ; The third wound was in the fleshy part of the hind leg. ‘*Pretty fair shooting that, for you got four wounds, the pouches two and my hat one. ‘*T got off well,” muttered Pony Bob. ‘* Now, old fellow, you have served me well, and it seems ashame to have to doa cruel deed to you; but then it is best, all things considered—ah! you nearly went down, and are growing weaker. ‘‘There is some timber ahead, and there you shall rest—a last, long rest.” ‘o the timber the straining horse car- ried his rider and was then turned off the trail, After riding a couple of hundred yards, Pony Bob forced the horse into a small thicket of undergrowth and dismounted, ‘‘[t seems a pity, but you might neigh and tellthem I had not gone on still mount- ed, ‘*Good-by, old fellow, and don’t bear any ill-feeling toward me if in the hereafter you ever see me in the horse heaven looking for a spirit mount.” Sosaying the Pony Rider took his knife and drove the long, sharp blade deep into the neck of the already dying horse. As the animal fell he sprung aside, gather- ed his pouches close about him, reloaded his revolver, and walked rapidly back to the trail. Reaching it he set out in a brisk trot which he had learned from the Indians and knew would. carry him along at asix mile an hour pace. Ile had gone but a short distance when he ecard the clatter of hoofs after him. ‘They are after me, and I was wise to ill the horse, for he might have betrayed that I was dismounted, and had they seen his dead body in the trail it would have also told the story. ‘Now I can find a hiding-place and let them go by, and if they keep on and attack Gentleman George’s station they will get a bitter dose, for Buffalo Bill is there by this time. ‘*] wonder if those shots 1 heard up by HKagle Rock, after I regained the trail, was the King of the Cloven Hoofs killing those men I got by as he threatened, ‘* Well, I won’t mourn their !oss, and they a ec ——— — a ee ee Then he had paused, and he was riding at a run, Behind him, riding in single file, came his followers, and Pony Bob took good care to count them. ‘“The Cloven Hoof chief men. ‘* But there were more than that, for some body died this night back yonder under the shadow of Eagle Rock. “ Well, if I get through to-night, Ili find out on my way back, I’m afraid, more about them than I care to know.” With this he left his retreat and again be- gan his brisk trot along the trail, much presaes with what he bad thus far discover. ed, and eight CHAPTER LII. A WOMAN’S WARNING. For over half an hour did Pony Bob keep up his steady trot, going along the moonlit trail just as he had followed it often on horseback, He did not seem to tire, and his eyes were constantly kept on the watch ahead, while he occasionally cast a backward glance, He did not intend to run into a snare knowingly, and he was as determined that no one should overtake him, had any of the outlaws remained behind. ‘Suddenly, as he Jooked far ahead, he caught sight of a group of horsemen. They had come ton halt in the trail, and he was not long in following their example, But only for a minute, for he saw that the condition of the country just there was such that he could skit along the trail and keep tidden in the thickets and among the rocks. He knew that he was within a few miles of Valley Farm Station, and he-was anxious to get as near to the outlaws as possible to learn why tuey had stopped. He had gotten to within a couple of hun- dred yards of them, and was then compelled to halt, for there was no thicket to hide him further, Just where he halted he knew there was a broad trail branching off from the one he fol- lowed as a Pony Express Rider. This trail wound around the thicket and not a dozen paces from where he was hiding. Ile remembered that just here it was that Ed Darke, a Pony Rider, had been, killed by | the Cloven Hoofs, and Diamond Ned, another Pony Rider, had been trailed to this point, and then all trace of him was lost. He had carried a valuable freight, and his going had been put down as a ‘‘ mysterious disappearance.” : A few, perhaps, had suspected that he had run off with the pouches, but those who knew him best resented the charge. Like Jim Judson, another of the riders, who lad disappeared in the same way near say that is the way King Cloven Hoof has ; Wolf Den Pass, his fate was unknown, of doing.” So along, no longer a rider but a runner, He kept his head half turned as he ran, Just where the trail led Pony Bob did not musing, Pony Bob trotted himself | know, but now the Cloven Hoofs had halted suspiciously near it, As Pony Bob watched the Cloven Hoofs Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma. that he might watch for the coming of his| he saw them start and come slowly back | pursuers, and one who saw him would have thought he was strangely recklessin that respect, as he held on until they were close upon him. But Pony Bob knew that he was no longer running in the moonlight, but in thick tim- ber where he could not be seen. Then, tov, he was anxious not to delay a minute longer than was necessary. When he felt that he dared not take further chances, he dashed into a thicket just off the trail a few feet and crouched there, “ Couldn't be better,” he muttered, as he have to pass in full view of him. | A minute more and they were passing, and Pony Bob’s eyes were riveted upon them. . The leader of the Cloven Hoofs was mag- nificently mounted upon a jet-black horse, _ handsomely saddled and bridled. He rode with easiest grace, like one accus- ‘tomed to the saddle from earliest boyhood. He was dressed in black top-boots and a broad sombrero in which he wore a sable plume. | i § _ aninstant as he passed, and Pony Bob saw 3 - * that it was full-bearded, and that he wore ; that the be, BY rr tere.4 se ey f my ; oy Rion a% a . oe ay." a te, a me t m xe i ry b+ i r% "AEG RP. ‘east ‘ > y Gr 7 re be A as ¢ ; x : é t - So a th 45 _ * ‘ 1 ~! yi 4e ie | i les po aS mes ey a ‘ J P di % eee we i rf ae t arel - ; ‘ ——[—_$S$——_—_—$ $$ saw that there was a break in the timber there and the whole party of pursuers. would. The moonlight shone full in his face for \ : " , . ‘ “i _- ta pie” 12° A, - a , along the pony trail. This move Pony Bob had not expected, and he at once thought that he had risked too much, for he dared not move then, as he might catch their eye, and to remain there where he was he felt was about as an un- pleasant a duty as he could perform, But he was in for it and so crouched close down between the two little serub pines where be had taken refuge. . As they drew nearer to him Pony Bob saw that the chief still rode at the head of the horseman, But he was not alone. By his side rode a person upon whom Pony Bob's eyes were fastened in a way that fascinated him. ‘*A woman as sure as death is certain,” came from between the Pony Rider’s set teeth. . : / It was » woman and no mistake, and as | the moonlight fell upon her, Pony Bob be- held a slender form clad in a dark habit, a fe sombrero and plume, and a masked ace. She was mounted upon a black horse, and her seat in the saddie was perfect. . _ The ‘horses were now ata slow walk, a as they neared Pony Bob’s position, he 2 Cloven Hoof chief and the wom ‘rode well in advar ce of the others iid at Want es ; e * , * Fe. er i Ke ie a aie 44 y 7 * : Fp eM / , oa ee " fhe ae See ai HP ren | ee | * pew eed = ‘ 2, aud ae Wp Bot | 4 ‘ ve, re’ Re as tA hs George, to get me a horse and rifle, that is Ml ot started back for h were left alone. | 4 They were talking, too, and in no low key and Pony Bob's ears drank in every word that was said: ‘You are sure of this, that a large Pon Rider Patrol is going to scout along the trail to-night?” said the King of the Cloven Hoofs In an angry tone. ‘“Yes, our spy in the ranch came in with the news, and I came at once to warn you, for you told me that you would strike to- night Eagle Rock,” answered the woman, and her voice was sweet-toned, though pitched a little high. ‘‘You were prompt, as you always are, — and we must go into hiding at once, ‘‘T struck to night at Eagle Rock—let’ us halt here—but that sly devil, Pony Bob, dashed by us by a clever ruse, and we pur- sued him this far, when I halted for the rest of the men to come up, so we could go on and attack the station of Gentleman George and capture Pony Bob’s freight and Buf- falo Bill's, at the same paying off old scores,” ‘‘T’m a goner,’’ muttered Pony Bob, for the man and woman had halted within fifteen feet of him. ‘* You had better call all your men off,” said the woman. ** T will at once, ‘‘ There are five back on the trail, burying the dead, for Pony Bob killed one and I shot two for allowing him to break through their lines. ‘* They will soon be along.” ‘Send a man to hurry them up, while we ride on,” said the woman, and Pony Bob said fervently: ‘* God bless that woman,” The chief’s men had now halted near him, and calling to one to ride with all haste to — Eagle Rock and hurry along the men there, as a Pony Riders’ Patrol was on the trail, he rode on, accompanied by the woman and fol- lowed by the others, They took the trail branching off around the pine thicket, while the messengerrode away in the direction of Eagle Rock, | Pony Bob waited until they were all out of sight, and heaving a big,sigh of relief, he said: ‘* Choke yourself, Pony Bob, or you will yell for joy and have the whole gang back on top of you.” | Fa Vith this admonition to himself, he sprung to bis fect and darted along the trail at a far better pace than he had been going before when forced to take shelter, - This pace he kept up until he neared the brook, and then be * ?, fore him two horsemen ~ . Wye ry Me came into view. F - : ’ rr 4 ve : ' CHAPTER LIII. 2 Ups THE OUTLAW-HUNTERS. faa ee : Fi ~ C.F : ‘¢ Tie Pony Rider afoot!” Such was Buffalo Bill’s hail ) as he came in sight, and stopped his trot only | when he reached the spect where the others — awaited him. | ‘ ‘* Don’t mention it, Bil. Y ‘“I’m lucky to be on earth,” responded Pony Bob, in his funny way. | ‘* Had a bard time, pard?” ‘“‘ Hard! well I guess so, at ed me that way. rk “ But wait until [ get my lows calmed down and I will another horse here?” | eee) * No, but you can ride mine, for you are panting like a hound.” — ae “I'm glad I’m panting, for my breath nearly left me awhile back, i **But how long will it take, Gentleman | Al \ Pony Bob, yt ‘ _-_ ’ ¢ , pa ats el “ae - ’ \ p+ | Bae 3 T ~* P fy A y 4 ji: J , breathing-bel: Af i? tell yougot i . t: i least it impress- ad UN a if you would like to rope in some outlaws, five of them?” ; it Ee I will go immediately, Pony Bob; butis it far back on the trail?” a “A couple of miles, or a little over, but it hag seemed a good deal more to me. Pea ee ©, ‘* Suppose you bring the pouches I am to is >; carry on and I will push through fromthere, and you, Pard Bill, can take mine now, and you'll find they’ve got bullet-holes in them JN Loo.” P ; S Ne or Without longer delay Gentleman George is cabin, and the two par ss “Til tell you all about it, Bill, and you vay an 7s NS . py " asst » vi, “Od 4 Fp Sy Ay fi A lye ‘ - ’ ' 4. few ¥ Y~ , 7 - ; - Be » Sih, yenayh ly vo Pa es ee i —) . Sa 4 ia