Frank Reade Library No. 12: Frank Reade and His Steam Man of the Plains — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

etock in trade carried by these rough-and-ready gentlemen of the plains. Every man had at least one pack, as we have eaid, and some of them took real pride in - ing separato ‘“ decks,” sorted for some one of the ‘various es they played. : Near the tree, under which the wounded ca tain was reclining, were Motzer-Ponum, Tolah- fresser, ne graye and austere Sholum Alarkum, and at least @ dozen of the principal braves ef the Ooage and Sioux tribe. Motzer-Ponum’s pock-marked face was further *eautified by a neat slash, which leave a livid scar when it should heal. Sholum Alarkum was spattered with blood, but was uphurt. Tolah-freeser carried his right arm in a sling, and held a conso pipe th his left band, nom which he puffed huge volumes of blue emoke. ** Well,” said Captain Slasher, brea in upon @ moody silence which had hung over the grou for some time, ‘‘ we didn’t succeed quite 80 we Or Wo got hipped didty put in the pluck ** We got whipped,” can ut in the plucky Mutseer, who bore several marks of the battle in which he had taken a very ective part, ‘and if thal stayed there longer I think we’d been ‘“We were deceived,” said Sholum Alarkum. id til ror ye sasher migrants, and “ We ex {o meet only e rants, and we were forces to fight against those wild rangers— And the chieftain shuddered, as though he was muoh disgusted with the terrific fighting qualities of the fire-eaters. ** We would have scooped them, but for Carter and his band,” said Slasher. ‘** And what will you do now?” The question came from Mutseer. “TI don't really know what to do,” moodily an- swered the ca ‘I don’t want to give up what I’m after, and yet there’s too many ol plainsmen there for me to tackle.” ** That is, to meet m ina fair, square, open aght?” “i Buppoes 4 uld trap them?” ** Suppose you co em ** What?” cried Slasher. . a _ say, suppose you could trap them—what on es ‘The Indian, one of the most cruel and crafty of his race, leaned forw. , gobble ’em up, I ; ‘“‘ Yea, I know,” said Mutseer; “but what will you pre me?” ‘* For eatohing the rats?” as Yes.” ** What do you want?” **One hundred doMars.” “* What’ll you do with it?” “J wentto iey something I saw at the big set- en ” ** If you can do anything that will place the box that contains the money into my handg, you shall have that amount of money, even if I have to pay you out of my share.” “You pro ” **I do, and my word is just about as good as three of your oaths.” The treacherous Mutseer grinned. “Never mind,” he said, “I can stick to my word, whether I do or not; and if you promise me faithfully that you'll give me one hundred dollars, whether you get dertake to carry out my idea. They shall be driven into a trap.” “You want me to promise to give you the money, whether I ‘ft e box or not?” ** Just so,” said Mutseer. “‘ That’s cheeky,” said Slasher. ** Not at all,” said the Indian robber. *‘ And why ain’t it?” ak onl engage to give the box in your hands, 6e No,” ** Didn't say that I could show you how to get the por 6 o.” “Then there’s no cheek about it,” said the wily red-skin. ‘I don’t claim to be able to ob- tain the box for you, forI can’t doit. I’m talk- ing about what I can do, and will do, if you come to my terms. You say that you can’t meet the wild rangers in a fair open fight, so I say that { will drive them into a trap for you. I shall not stir one step towards the thing unless I have your promise of the money, no matter what coms up.” ** And why should you demand a price for the ** Because I shall risk my life,” replied the In- “In entrapping them?” e box or not, I’ll un romised to | s ‘lah-fresser, spedking ‘* Yee,” said Mutheer. “In fact, to tell the pro- bable truth, I don't think I shall live to claim your | th merge But I want the hundred dollars, and I will risk my life for it.’ Motzer Ponum, who spoke extremely bad En- glish, and very little at that, could not under- stand what was being said; neither could near- ly all of his braves. The Sioux, from associatin with the white robbers for so long a time, had become fluent in the use of English, and those who were yet awake clustered around the two apeakens, regarding Mutseer with an inquisitive *T think I know what you would do,” said To- to ‘* What?’ “* Drive them into the Wolf's Mouth,” returned his red brother. “Right,” said Mutseer. “But how do you think it can be done?” ‘“‘T don’t think it can,” said Tolah-fresser. ‘‘They are not fools. They cun gee as plain as you, and they do not travel at night. If Phd orced them in it would have to be done in day- light, and I don’t think you can do it.” ‘‘T can,” confidently asserted Mutseer. ‘ And ifI can do it they cannot escape.” ‘“«That is aure,” said Tolah-freaser. ‘‘ Once in the Wolf’s Mouth they are gone. Ten men woald be enough to keep them in there until they would give up.” ‘*TIs that 80?” cried Captain Slasher. ‘* It is true,” said Musteer. “Then I'll give you my word that you shall have the moncy ‘f you'll drive the train into that trap ” said Slasher. : Done,” suid Mutseer, and the compact was made. Mutseer turned to Tolah-fresser. ‘I shall want you and three braves to go with me,” he said. ‘I will leave to you the task of picking out three young warriors who are fleet us the deer and tireless as the buffalo. Now I must eleep. Keep awake, captain, and when its thirteen o'clock I want you to wake me up and call the Medicine man of the ee And then, having given his orders likea leader, the cruel and crafty Mutseer roiled himself in his blanket, tumbled overand went to sleep. CHAPTER XXVI. MUTSEEB’S DEVICE. THE gray dawn of morning stole over the vast plains and sent a revealing light upon the scene escribed below. Mutseer, accompanied by four of his brethren, was slowly riding over the plains toward a sec- tion where an immense herd of buffaloes rested. Over the haunches of Mutseer’s horse there was slung a bison &kin, having the head, ears and horns complete. When about a mile from the spot where the leader of the vast herd lay sleeping, the master spirit drew rein. ‘‘I will leave my horse here,” he said to his companions, dismounting from the stewed and re- moving the buffalo skin. ‘‘ You can now divide and the rear of the herd, and begin firing just as soon as you can getin range. I shall be ready. Don't forget your orders. Keep them on the right course at any risk.” men ed away. Two went to the right and two to the left, and by describing a half circle they could reunite on the other side of the herd. Mutseer spoke to his horse, and the trained beast immediately crouched down and was well hidden in the grass. Then the treacherous Sioux, onnof the most cunning of his race, threw his bison-skin over his rapa and tramped away in thy direction of e herd. He approache2 within a half mile of the fore- most ones, and then proceeded to envelope him- self in the skin. Tins head, eurs and horns set completely over m. The disguise was quite natural-looking, and at a little distance could deceive the bisons into the belief that they looked upon one of their number. Having the disguise upon his form, the Indian went down upon all-fours and took an attitude which made it appear that he was His followers were now approaching the vast army of beasts from the opposite side. They had the advantage of the wind, and in a few moments were enabled to draw very close to THE STEAM MAN OF THE PLAINS. The leaders threw up their heads and sniffed e air. Bang— ! came the rapid shots. te of cn besets tumbled over lifeleas to the p Thd leaders fazed behind them, and then they caught sight of their mounted foes. The alarmed animals see no way of cacape Se ne aay feoding on the ” an, who is a y on the They rush Swatds him, and he, faking to flight, dashes with the speed of a forest deer to where his fleet horse lay crouching amid the tall weeds. This was the full purpose of Mutseer’s neat de- vice, for which he had secured the aid of com- es. carry ou plan, wasto get the ens buffaloes started in the direction he desired. He‘was very fleet of foot, and to ahead of the frightened animals without exertion. He soon reached his horse, flung the bison skin scross his haunches, mounted the animal, and dashed off at a good speed towards the south- west. Onward came the mighty army of buffaloes their leaders forced to matatain the start they had taken, for, if they paused but for a moment, the thousands of dened brutes behind them would trumple them to death beneath their fyicg feet. After them came the four Indians, firing and yelling, and keeping the herd on the course de- sired by Mutseer. The morning deepened, and the sunlight flash- ed over the plains. Suddenly Mutseer gave utterance to a sound that indicated satisfaction. | Far ahead, perhaps three miles away, the freacherous Sioux could descry the long wagon train winding its slow journey over the prairies. ‘‘Good !” he exclaimed; “they are directly on hs track. They will be forced fairly into the p.” He glanced behind him. The buffaloes were coming on with their steady, long gallop. He put spurs to his horse, and the fleet steed seemed to scarcely touch the ground as it bounded lightly along, stretching over the roli- ing prairie like a race-horse gliding over a smooth course. He gained rapidly upon the slow-moving train. In a very few momcats he had gained a posi- tion abreast with the train, and about half a mile on their right hand. He could see that he was noticed by the emi- grants, and ising in his saddle, Mutseer pointed to the herd, which was now booming along about @ mile in his rear. At the same moment the thunder of their hoofs upon the hard plain was borne to the ears of the two Carters, who rode at the head of une train. Then Mutseer heard their orders ring out on the air, and immediately the animals that were attached to the wagon were put under their top Speed: and the long train went dashing over the P. @ Then the Indian dashed away at full speed, lashing his flying steed at a terrible rate, an aiming for a point several degrees off the course followed by the train. In lees three minutes he had reached the spot where the train was bound to pass, and then he continued on, after crossing the course, until about a quarter of a mile had been s : Here he drew up, and placed his rs to his mouth. He blew a shrill signal-whistle, and was an- swered from the weet. Here we must pause to describe the near which Mutseer sat motionless upon panting steed. The vast plain was ribbed with two long and high walls of rock, rising up from the ground like two fences. These two long ribs extended about half a mile aWay to the weat, and then they rose up and uni- ted, growing together, and forming an impassable wall hundreds of feet high, aad fully an eighth of @ mile in thickness. ‘ It will be easily understood that this was a per- ec p. Once in the long entrance to the rong. bie alley of rock, there was no mode of lea the inclosure except by the same opening that al- lowed entrance. This entrance was perhaps a hundred or more yards in width, and could guarded by a few expert riflemen with such effect that those who the beasts without these latter scenting their ap- entered the.biind path could not comn forth proach. without being shot down. Then thc~ began firing rapidly from theirrifies. | Even the most desperate combined ¢ thas The startled brates leaped to their feet, and for| could be made could be checked and wa @ moment they all stood irresolute. by a volley from COMICOOOKS.CON