Frank Reade Library No. 12: Frank Reade and His Steam Man of the Plains — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM MAN OF THE PLAINS. “yt would be pleased to witnnes a portion of his sa ty. medicine-man evidently ed our Nero wih some contempt. aula “He wants a sample of your power,” said the hunter to Frank. “Tell him I will now salute him as the male descendants of the sun, moon, and stars salute each other,” said the humorous ius, lo whom Hallett made known the -sounding titles bestowed upon him. “Also say that I shall ex- pect him to return the salu manner.” Dash called this out to the Indian medicine. The old man bowed. Frank walked up to him, nodded with great grevity to the north, south, east, und weat, and seized Mowsher Abiner’s body with his two hands, and forcibly spun the medicine-man around three times. When he was released, the Indian fraud nod- ded similariy in front of the white fraud, and thea placed hands upon the boy’s body, as Frank had done with him. Here, however, the imitation came to a sudden en e As soon as he touched Frank’s body, the and mighty Mowsher Abiner yelled out like a pall, oa leaped four or five feet straight up into 6 came down with a thump. e braves and chieftains could not restrain their mirth. wine te ne himself, altho he dignifi avo, grinned over his broad face = The medicine-man was mad. He was ripping mad. He was a great sight more mad than he was frightened or hurt, and as the laughter of the muach-tickled In tauntingly in his ears he to his feet and drew a long knife from om @ sort of pocket which adorned his sane blazing eyes he leaped upon the brave eink firm and undaunted, stood directly in Not a muscle quivered as he faced his wrathy enemy. The keen knife was lifted on high, and was then driven straight at the very heart of the young magician. The silence of death enthralled the lookers-on. The point came steadily down against the young breast, as Frank Reade stood with his right foot armly planted. He reeled slightly as the blade struck him, and then stood firm in, while the enraged Mow- sher Abiner rolled headiong to the hard earth, the hilt of the knife still clenched in his strong fingers. nits blade of a enife bob caselsed. and ibe unharmed, loo own upon prostrate val with mild contempt ee uoder |” ra a lo peas “T thought we was both of us gone that e. ** Didn't I say that I could beat the very devil himself?” smiled Frank. *“* I reckon as how you make out to do it,” grin- ned,the hunter owsher Abiner new picked himself up from the ground. a. was ready for him again, but he had noth- eur. owsher Abiner was a sadder and much wiser man, aad with servile tread he crept up to the boy's feet and bowed dis decorated head in token of,submission. ** He’s knuokled under!” cried Dash. ** Does he give in beaten?” cried Frank. “Clean gone,” said Hallet. **Then bid him depart to his wigwam.” Dash complied, and the quashed dealer in slunk away. ** Now tell them anything awful that you can — up in order to make them cut you free,” said “‘ Heaven !” rogred Dash Hallet. “ This mighty medicine-man commands you to release me at once, or he will cause the Great Spirit to hurl down 8 mountain of fire upon your That setlled it. In less than a minute the brushwood was scat- tered, and the knife of the chieftain cut the pris- oner’s bonds. **Follow a few feet behind me!” commanded ctl boy, and at a leisurely pace walked off to the WwW e Two minutes later u loud chorus of cries out, m with commands, and a large body o white and red horsemén galloped into the village from the cast. ** Double quick, younker,” called out Hallet to the boy. ‘*‘ There’s danger behind.” on in the same | sto good a greed a ho deahed ahead towards tht aon a 8 ) e at the west, Dash following. There was danger behind ! CHAPTER XVI. THS DESERTESR. Ir must not be supposed that the band of red and white brigands are to be dropped from the Osher events have crowded them out for a while, but we now come upon them . Some ten miles to the north of the place where the emigrant train was first attacked by these i we cone across the stronghold of the A low range of hills spring up from beside a brawling stream. These hills, long, low and rocky, are full of hid- den and chasms, intersected with man cunningly concesled paths. - A few hundred yaris up from the bank of the noisy stream, 8 pathway, guarded by a tall senti- nel, conducts us to an open giadeon a rocky lateau. . This plateau, some fifty feet wide, and fully a hund feet long, is do with numerous rough- ly built huts of hewn logs, the cracks and spaces ed with: mud and bark, and square holes filled with daylight serving for windows. A stun tree, low and broad spread, covers part of ‘he little rocky plain, and beneath the far- | P reach branches reclines Captain Slasher, the leader of the ruthless band of cut-throats, banded toget her under the name of “‘ The Brethren of the ps.”’ He was a splendid looking fellow, this terrible Captain Slasher, and looked as though he had n & gentleman in his time. He was tall and road shouldered, with flashing, devil-may-care black eyes, and a general expression of boldness. He really was as fearless a freebooter as ever rode the plains. Around him sat or reclined numerous members of the mixed band—red and white. Sholum Alarkum, the head chief of the treacher- erous Sioux, who second chief, were seated near the white ca , also indulging in the weed. Some men could also be seen in the huts, busy at cooking. Previous to their terrific battle with the sturdy em perhaps two-thirds that number, and not a fow of these were wounded. The brave proneors had struck boldly and well in defense o perate resist ance. “‘I say, chief,” said Captain Slasher, turning to his brother devil, “we must recruit our band in some manner.” “* We are not strong en sized y on the plains, u them by surprise.” ‘That's tha way,” coolly said the savage, who, along with his followers, had learned to speak English while with the white men. ‘You must always wait for darkness; you ought never to strike until an hour before dawn. Then tho sleep hard, like dead, and you can kill men an women without taking a blow in return.” ‘Poh !” disgustedly cried the other, turning up his nose in contempt at the red rascal's plun. ‘ could not fightthat way. In fact, it is not figbt- ing at all, I like to face my foe, weapon in hand, and strike blow for blow, send back shot for | band dark—bah !” shot; but to stab in the ‘It’s a safe way,” remarked Sholnm Alarkum. ** Yes,” said the outlaw captain, “and it’s quite The rentence ended abruptly. A peculiar call came echoing up the rock-form- ed way that led from the of the stream to the stronghold, The two leaders looked at each other. **That’s Mutseer,” said the captain. Pei said the chief, and he’s bringing in a prisoner.” ‘“* Who the deuce can he have chanced upon?” was the meztal query of the cuptain. In a moment ringing footateps were heard upon the rock path way. The plaster | Mutseer, one of the most cruel add unconscionable dogs in his whole vile race, came up the path, leading a strapping white man by the arm. ‘*Ho—ho!” cried Captain Slasher fixing his piercing eyes upon the face of the tall white prisoner. ‘‘I k I have seen this man before.” ** Where?” demanded Sholum Alarkum. “With the emigrant train,” said the other. him down by the s captain, smiling, as he noted the broad shoulders of the . sin you don’t get Mutecer’so easy,” proudly said oO jan. ‘* Well, my man,” said the captain speaking te the pricier: ‘‘what have on aot © say for yourself?” cap and disc combined with the white men for murderand plunder, and Tolahferrer, the ots, the robbers had nnmbered overa hun- dred strong. Nowthey did not muster more than their rights and their loved ones, and bandaged limbs bore evidence to their des- to attack a decont eas Wwe could take ** He fought well then.” Mutseer now came forward and placed the prisoner before the two leaders. ‘A prize for you, captain,” he sald. “I got * It’ der he didn't a,” sald the ni gently sty Tall form and “ Bush, eaid the Set he “Speak |” comman captain. ‘‘T suppose you remember me?” grinned the ‘“‘ Rather,” d sald the —— removing hie a black and blue mark on his “TI think Lowe you for this beauty spot.” : t right,” sald the man, m “I struck against and now I've come to say to you that for you.” ‘What do you mean?” ‘** What I say.” “Have you deserted from the train?® ée I have,” “To join us?” ‘‘ That's the ides.” ‘Do you mean it?” “T reckon you ain’t about the best man in wo-id to joke with about such a matter,” sald ris Slasher. ‘Your head ie head. the the omer. ““) ich ” sald Captain co tent But what is your motive in doing ‘“- The same motive that moves the world,” said, ee Go on,” anid th capil ‘I'm listening, as on,” 8a e , I'm »” ‘Well, you see,” the fellow, ‘I drove one of the teams from place where the train started, and I happened to find out that one of the regular express wagons that croes the plains under a strong guard was not ready to go out, and see the agent of that big irm—what do you em 09 eee a oe ee t in the ca ‘ ‘‘ That’s it, Wells, Farge & Oo., pat alot of money in one of the stro ree use. They an idea that old could take the moncy through just as safe as their or press could, and I was one of*the men that helped to stow the specie in a wagon.” “Tam getting intereated,” said the ca **I thought I could wake you up,” grinned the teamster. ‘‘ Well, I didn’t like my work nor the way I wus being tossed, und I thought I should like to have a whack at this pile of money. I heard Snap Carter talking bout your place, and so I had no trouble in finding you. hat's all I’ve got to -~ You know oF expert- enco that I am no slouch, and therefore you needn’t bo afraid to admit me in your dand.” ‘“‘Have you ever been a rover before?” asked Cap‘ain her. “Welt, io tell you the truth,” proudly admitted the teamster, ‘‘I have been a burglar in my time. I tried honesty, and it don’t seem to with me. I can’t sleep well nights. So I’ve made oP my mind a ne oldilife again. The certt ry i seem get along very well togother, think I'll resume work fOr 1 my old master.” Captain Slasher pecred closely into the fellow's eyes, and then bestowed a smile of approval upoa m. “T like your style,” heéaid. “I think that we shall get along together first: rate, and if we im- prove upon acquaintance I'll soon raise you.” e Then I may consider myself a member of the ‘‘You may,” sald Captain Slasher. ‘We have two mottoes: one, ‘ Die for our Brothren,’ and the other, ‘Death to Traitors.’ Beside that, we have passwords and signs which you will learn, but, as you value your Iifo, remember our two mot- toes. When our band is once enterod, there is no such thing as leaving it n, and should desert us, the moat horrible torture, the moat ter- rible death that man, white or red, can devise, shall be your doom!” ‘“‘T shall stay as long as Iam treated in a half- decent manner,” said tho teamster. “I mean posi with you, not treachery, so I have noth- ear.” ory nearly all the men fn the band were now collec in a large circle nround the speakers, listening to the conversation. ‘You are sute that you are dealing fair with me?” demanded the captain. “Of course I am.” ‘* And that you come as a friend?” “Certainly,” said the other, looking wonders ingly at the speaker. ‘I have told you nothing “Lair!” cried the captain, his eyes blazing tiku S COMICDOoOKS.c©