Frank Reade Library No. 12: Frank Reade and His Steam Man of the Plains — page 15: 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. “Why?” * Don’t you know?” “¥ don’t.” “ Didn't I start out to bring bask Dash Hallett ani the hman?” ** That's so,” said Chariey. ** An’, be the same token,” put in Barney, ‘“‘how ‘was it ye forgot to do that same?” * To tell the truth,” smiled the driver, “I was so excited that I never thought a thing about the Englishman. You see, I had to beat that medi- cine-man that they’ve got in the np and that drove the Cockney out of my head. But I bam- booaled old—what’s his name?” * Mowsher Abiner,” returned Hallett, to whom the boy had appealed. ** That’s it, Mowsher Abiner,” said Frank. ‘The Indians consider him ho grossect tiving medicine- man in the universe, but I made him orawi to his “You just cid,” said Hallett, looking with ap- upon Frank’s t form and long head. You actually beat the devil himself, at own i and on his own grounds, too, for the mat- of that, Do you mind letting on how it was that knife didn’t stick me when you let it drive full split at m Why, of eourse not,” said Frank. “I can show you how the thing was done in leas than two quivers of an eyelash. Here, Charley, grab the ribbons.” Chariey Gorse took the reins, and then Frank clambered down from the seat and went for that all-containing trunk. He took the dirk he had used in the Indian vil- ‘ That's the article, isn’t it?’ ‘Guess 80,” said Dash. ‘‘ You're such a very tricky little cuss that I don’t feel willing to swear to anything.” Frank laughed. ** Well, it looks like it?” he asked. “*Oh, yes,” said Dash. “And you have my assurance that it was used in the »” said Frank. ‘This is one of my odd freaks. In the first place, you will notice that the handle is quite as wide and almost as lon as the blade.” ** And that it would be possible for the blade to retreat into the handle?” , yes.” ** Therefore it would be very plain, too, when I make known the construction to you. Notice €wo knobs, one on each side, and oe to match?” **T see them.” **This on t.9 right hand side sets a remarkably etiff spring on “he inside,” said Frank. ‘When ee arcing is set you can hurl the blade deep into a 5) } “TI understand,” sid Dash. “Then,” said the young inventor, “all we have to do is to touch this other s ring and the euff spring is unset. Then the blade sets on top of a ber spiral spring, strong enough to neep ft out from the hollow hilt, but also limber eno to be driven back by the blede when the point comes in contact with any solid body. Of course, as soon as the knife bounds back from a body the spiral spring forces the blade out again. i's & very simple princi le.” ** Just 80,” said Dash Hallett. ‘But it took a little better thing than simplicity to hatch up the idea. But see here, you ‘had that stiff spring set when you drew blood from the redskin’s hand.” * Yes, and it was set when the point drew blood froin mine.” “Then Ph couldn't have unset it,” said the hunter, “for you didn’t take it in your hand till after he’d hurled it full at your heart.” **Oh, that puzzles you?” oried Frank. “Course it does,” suid Dash. Frank pointed to the carefully made shirt of * You forgot that,” he said. ‘I made that my- self, and no knife will pierce it.” “Oh!” said Dash, “I savvy now.” “‘ Anything else you don’t understand?” asked “‘ Why, yes,” said Dash. ‘What made the old chap jump and holler when he saluted the rela- tive of the sun and moon?” “Did gon notice the little wires strung over my aay or?” 66 es 9D “And did you see me take out two curiously made concerns from the pocket of my coat?” “Well,” said Frank, “those odd-shaped things were inclosed batteries, and the wires were con- mected with them. When Mowsher Abiner laid his paws on me he touched the wires, and in less than the tenth part of a second, he received a heavy charge of electricity from the batteries. They are little, but, oh, my!” But I’m alittle cur’us in these TF Here the Steam Man to slack up, and Frank saw that they were t entering a little gro ve. ** About time for supper, isn’t it?’ Chari asked Ppe: oy ‘“‘ I suppose so,” said Frank, and with slow tread the monster was driven under the shade ofa large tree, close to where a sparkling spring bubbled up from the ground. ‘‘ I’m good and hungry, I_know, and I sup you are too.” ‘‘ And what comes next?” asked Dash. “Why, we must try to rescue that poor. British subject from his dusky bride,” laughed the young us. “And we must get horses at the same time, for my trap won't accommodate 80 many ** But you'll not think of going baek there with your machine at night?” said Dash. °**Why not?” cried Frank. ‘I can travel as wei: by night as by day, and, for the matter of that, can fight like the devil in the dark.” “Oh, you mean with your night pistois, as you call them.” rank. Dash related his adventure with the bear when Charlie had shot the monster by the aid of the light. ‘* But I can’t see how it was done,” said Dash Hallett. “I think you're a match for a hull tribe of reds, cuss me if I don’t.” ‘“*T think so, too,’ smiled Frank Reade. just look here and I’ll explain to you the prinoi- ple of this neat arrangement.” He drew the night pistol or revolver from his pocket, and allowed h Hallett to examine it closely. ‘‘ You see that it is just the same as any other ae ner usver h larger bore th * Yes; only it’s got a muc r bore than common,” aeid the hunter. ‘That is true,” said Frank. ‘“ But I made the weapons m , ona made hen i bee — u . Carry & shou be eimoat as effective as the bullet from a rifle. Next I need a large bore to allow of the passage of the fire-bullet.’ ‘*Go on,” said Dash. “Well, then,” said Frank, taking out one of the cartridge shells from the chamber, “here you have the whole secret. ‘I fill everyone of these shells myself. ot i in acertain quantity of pow- der in each shell. Then in the three shelis I lace my heavy bullets, and they are prepared. n the other three shells I place a chemical pre- paration made in the shape of a bullet, and color- ed exactly tothe hue of lead. This I do to pre- vent any one from noticing a difference in the bullets should it become necessary for me to play tricks with the pistol.” * Exactly,” sald Hallett. ‘‘Go ahead with your old show.’ ‘* The last three shells contain what you might calla Roman candle ball,” said Frank. ‘They are made of chemicals, however, instead of pow- der, as fireworks are made, and last longer than .the ball which shoots from a Roman candle. The weapon is loaded with alternate bullets and fire- darts. The advantage of the revolver being self- cooking <eppesee You hold your arm extend- ed after ng the trigger for the first time, and the fire don’t reveal to you the object. You then cover it and press the trigger ,and down it comes. If you had to cock the weapon you might lose the time you needed for shoo‘ing.’ ‘Very good,” said Dash Hallett; ‘but if it's so dark as to need your dart, how are you to know where to fire the chemical?” ‘“* Does tho darkness affect the hearing?” cried Frank. ‘Oan't you hear the er of a man’s feet when he’s running away, althoygh you can’t see nim?” ‘‘ That's ao,” said Dash. coming on?” The Irishman and Charley Gorse ha. been busily preparing a meal, while Frank was explain- ing uls inventions to the interested Hallett. hey now sung out to the others that supper was ready, and a cup of coffee for each, a slice of cold meat, some pones of white bread, and some preserves, all resulting from the donations of the *‘ How is this supper emigrants to Frank, afforded the prairie travelers a very fair re Here we must leave them and hurry back tothe village of the Osages, for the d Captain Slasher is there, and plans are to be discussed which will have a strong bearing on this story. CHAPTER XVIII. A POW-Wow. Tx buiiet from the rifie in the hands of Dash Hallett had been aimed at the bresst of Captnin Slasher; but, as the hunter had guessed, the stumbling of the steed saved the rider. . Tee, how did you know about them?” asked | ca ** Bud | tal He was elightl ured by ha cought under the Dhdy ot the talline steed, hie follower had soon rescued him from his un- pleasant situation, and in ten minutes he wae all right again. . It’s no use trying to catoh that machine,” he eaid, as his men helped the horse up. “ They can beat us easily, now that our nags our tired : and perbaps they can outstrip the fleetest and freshet horse. Let us go back to the village.” In a moment they were all remounted, and gul- cred away to the dwellings of the reds. e Ind were gathered near to the tree where Dasn Haljett had been bound. Motzer-Ponum and his chiefs were conversing with Sholum Alarkum and bis braves. The white men galloped up and sprang from their well-trained horses, knowing that the ani- mals would net rap tele Captain Slasher saluted the chief, and the grave Motzer-Ponum returned his greeting in the most ceremonious style. ** Why did you let your prisoner go?” asked the m constant intercourse with the Indians on the plains, Captain Slasher could use their lan- as well as his own. ‘**The wonderful medicine-man eaid that the Great Spirit had so ordered,” replied the chief. Motner-Ponum meant Reade. ‘What medicine-man?” demandéd the cap. D. ‘“‘The relation of the sun, moon, and stars,” said the chief. ‘* What are you talking about?” demanded Oap- tain Slasher. “The wonderful medicine.” ** But who is he?” “The relation of the sun——” “You said that once beforo,” broke in the ** But who ie this medicine? Where is he now?’ we ** You should know best.” “‘And why?” ‘** Bevause you pursued him.” “What, that boy?” cried the ** Yes, he is agreat medicine.” ‘*Ha—hal” roared the captain. “ tened by a smart boy. But sa } haven't you & very great medicine yourself ‘* Mowaner Abiner,” seid the chief. ‘* Yea, that’s his name. What did he say to this medicine?” ‘*He bowed his head in submission to the mighty power of this relation of the moon and sun.” ** Bully forthe boy !” laughed the captain. “ But what oan he dot tal * anid th and “‘ Many wonde things © great mighty Moteer-Ponum. “His heart cannot be pierced, and he can give a weapon the power of ife and death.” . Eee) ee the pn. “I musttry to my on very clever young m Fei me what he did.” . Moteer-Pucen had been greatly impressed by the wonder-workings of the tricky young genivs, and he now hastened to give the captain a highly colored version of the boy's exploits, enlargi upon everything with a genuine Ind‘an for veracity, and eu ed in making Frank Reade out to be a very wonderful person indeed. *“‘ That's all very clever,” said the other. ‘ But we will drop this illustrious descendant of the heavenly bodies, and with your permission go into council.” “You wish to have a big talk?” “A very big talk,” said captain. a © council-fire be k la sald the chief. “Let my braves and w rs gather around me.” Boys, you have doubtless heard of the red- business rigmarole, in connection with the cumlocution office at Washi n. That highly ceremonious byreau don’t to match a tribe of savages for ceremony and show. There's got to be the counoll-fire; there has to be the council-ipe, or calumet of thought; there has got to be a speech in full terms from each and every brave and warrior entitled to speak, and the fun of it is that they all knew be- fore they ever began just exactly what dwucision they would arrive at. Soon the sounoil-fire was kindled benoath the tree which had s0 lately been doing duty for a death-stake. The chiefs of both tribes guthered together, forming a good-sized inner circle. Captain Slasher and the deserter also formed part of this inner circle. In a larzer outer cirele were ran the ware riors and braves of the Osage and Sioux tribes. rhe pipe was filled, lit, and slowly went its rounds. Then it. was removed, and the council was de- open. cComicooolkks (SO)