Frank Reade Library, Vol. VIII, No. 191 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 FRANK READE, JR., IN TEXAS, Together they stole along in the shadows. A moment later ao remarkable aight was spread out before them. The canyon seemed to end in what seemed a besin-like siok or depression right io the heart of the bills. Upon either side rose bigh pinnacles of stone, inaccessible to the climber. The canyon seemed the only entrance and exit to this re- markable natural den. Surely one migt.t have roamed those parts for yeura, ere making the discovery of this ub- scure place. In every respect it seemed a wonderful spot fur the train robber or road agent. He was safe from spying eyes, and well de- fended. It would have required a small army to drive him out of the den. Ligots were hung from the cliff walls about, and various fires lit up the busin. Vegetation there was none, the surface be- ing exactly like that in the canyon. at the bandits had brought in boards and timbers and several shanties had been built. About the camp-fires Frank and Barney could see numbers of the outlaws lounging. A few women of the balf-breed class were also to be seen. They were engaged in various colinary pur- suite as it wus plain to see. “Weill!” Frank exclaimed, with some ad- miration, ‘‘Mike Mosely certainly could not Lave chosen a better place.” **That's tbrae, sor.” ‘*He has a practically safe retreat here.” **I believe ye, sor.” ‘** Now the question is, Barney, in what part of this deu are we to find Katie Rollin?” The Celt gave a sharp whispered exclama- tion at that moment. ‘*Whisht! an’ wad yez luk at that!” he said. yraak did loek and beheld a thrilling spec- cle. Across the basin in the glare of the camp- fires he saw two of the half-breed women Jead- tug a young girl, evidently a captive. She was pale, bat very Ceautiful. Long yel- low hair felldown upon ber sboulders, and her featares were delicate and regular. * By Jove, she is pretty!” said Frank. ‘* Just to think that she ja in the power of that in- human brute ” ** It’s too bad, sir!” ‘But she sball not be for long. rescue her.” ** Faith, we'll thry bard.” Katie Rollin, for she it was beyond doubt, was led across the open space by the half-breed women. Near the entrance to the canyon there was @ sbanty, and to this the young girl captive was led. She disappeared inside. After some time the women caine out. Frank could hardly wait for action. He would no doubt have devised some plan for entering the ebanty in short order but for an jucident. Suddenly two of the train robbers came that We must way. They were strolling along at a slow pace and ep in conversation. hey pansed when near Frank and Barney, who were concealed in the shadows, and every word was heard by the two rescuers. **T tell ye, Bill Smith, that they’re gittin’ onto Mike bad. That confounded Steam Man has spoiled our trade hereabouta.” “«T believe ye, Jim. But ye can’t make Mike think so.” “*T know it, an’ that’s where he makes his mistake.” ‘“* I think eo.” ‘‘In course he does. Don’t ye see that Pecan City and Long Pine are settiin’ up thick- ly, arn° the more people as come into a place the less chance for us?” ‘Jn course.” ‘¢T tell ye we oughter go further weet. This was a royal good stand, but we've bad our day here. I.et’s move on, I say.” ** So do I.” ** 1 tell ye Mike’s makin’ a mis‘ake.” *+Tu course he is. Jes’ fer jastance, keepin’ eee yeller haired gal bere. What's he want of er? ‘*T bearn Sike Bender say that be reckoned Mike was emit with her and was going to marry her.” “ Thander! fool?” ‘* Fact.” “* Wall, I'll be Dluwed! Don’t ve know that a womun’s at the buttom of all cusseduess? If ye let ’em alone they’re all right in their place. Bat when ye go to carryin’ ‘em off un’ tryin’ to muke ‘em marcy ye yer allus git the wurst of it.” ** Sartin!” ‘Ye know that gal is sure to have a lover. He'll break his neck to save her, an’ the result a yelre hunted twict as much as ye would Ye don't tell me he’s sich a **] agree with ye.” ‘*I tell ye Mike oughier turn over a new leaf.” ‘Why, sartin. If he dont—I kino tell ye thar’s n> mau so good but thar’s another jest as goud to take bis place.” * Exactly.” ‘*Now that’s the way I look at Mike's cage.” ** And ve've got the right of it.” “*T think so.” ‘*Dead sure. Let’s go over and buzz some of the boys.” The two train robbers moved away. Their words bad beea a revelation to Frank aud Burney. It had showed conclusively that there was much disaffection amoug the train robbers just now. And also that it seemed to epring mainly from an unsuspected cause, namely, the abduc- tion of Katie Rollin. ** Well,” mused Frank, after the duo bad departed, ‘‘I should say that Mike would need to look out for bis laurels. It looks to me very mach like sedition ia the ranks.” **Begorra, that’s thrue,” agreed Barney; ‘*but, Misther Fraok, howiver will we get that girrul out av the shanty?” ‘«Laave that to me,” said Frank, quietly. There was deep shadow in the sear of the shanty. The train robbers evidently had fall confi- dence in the security of their retreat, for no guard had been placed there. The coast was clear. Frank found po trouble whatever jo reaching the rear of the shanty. A small window was within reach. Only a shutter covered it. It was but a momect’s work for Frank to noiselessly unhinge this. Then he lifted himself up and wert over the sill. The next moment he was in one of the rooms of the sbanty. His movements had been quite noiseless, but he felt sure that the room held no other occupant, although be heard a move in the next chamber. CHAPTER X. THE RESCUE. Frank waited cautiously to make sure that there was no companion with the girl pris- oner. He heard her walk once across the floor. An idea occurred to him. He crept to the partition. Jt was a thin affuir. He placed his lips to a crack and sent a thrilling whisper in: ‘“*Have courage! A friend ia near you!” He heard a half-stifed scream and then a hasty ".ovement. ‘““Take courage!” said Frank, again. ‘‘I am your friend.” Then an answer came back. It was the low, huabed and melodious voice of the young girl. ‘*Qh, thank Heaven! Who are you?” ‘¢T am Frank Reade, Jr.” ‘*T do not know you.” “No, bat I am sent by sour father and by Jack Fair. Iam here to rescue you!” A atified cry of joy eucceeded. os Heaven be praised! Oh, where are you now! ‘*] amin thenext room. I climbed through the window. You muat be brave and strong.” ‘‘Iam. But you must tell me what to do.” ‘* Where is the sour to your room?” ‘Iv opens from a passage ou this side. I think your door is the same.” ‘* Ah, thank you. Now keep calm and quiet.” Frank felt bis way along the partition. In the passugeway be ventured to light his pocket lantern. He vow saw the door plainly enough. It wae a thio affair of boards, with a com- mon bar of wood uga luck. Fraok lifted it and was face to face with Katie Rollio. But there was no time for any matual ex- change of explanations. It was necessary to work with tLe utmost despatch. All depended upon getting out of the shanty as quickly aa possible. At any moment some one of the half-breed @omen might come in. «* Follow me!” whispered Frank. She obeyed implicitly. Frank lei the way into the other chamber and to the window. Barncy was already there. With an apology, Frauk lifted the girl's light form and placed ber in Baruey’s powerful asp. eryhe Celt deposited her safely and lightly on the ground ou.side. So much bac been accomplished. But the danger most jinminent bad bot been passed. There were suapeneefal minutes of watching to make sure that the coast was clear. Then al! three stole into the canyon. Once in ite shadows, they started with all speed for the cataract. They passed the bound and gagzed sentry on the way. If tbey could only reuch the Steam Man, Frank knew that the game waa won. That Pomp was yet waiting for them he felt eure. Had he koown the truth, his sensations might have been different. The gray dawn had begun to show Itself in the east. The darkness was lifting, and it was neces. sary to get oat of the canyun ut once. They tad reached the cataract, when Katie's strength gave out. This was a most unfortanate thing, for at this moment startling sounds came down the canyon. They were loud cries and the sound of har- rying feet. ** My soul!” cried Frank Reade, Jr., excit- edly. ‘They have «liscovered the guar). We will have to hastle lively now, if we would es- cape.” ** And itis I who am detaying you.” said Katie, in distress. ‘‘Oh, do not take any risk, but go and leave me.” * Do yez think that av us, mise” guid Barney, reproachfully. ‘Share, Misther Frank is too mach av a gintleman for that.” But Frank wastrying to find a solution of the difficulty. He plunged through tke wall of mist at tho base of the cataract. The secret way under the cataract was seemingly smooth and no passage deviated from it. There was not even a crevice or a nook that they might hide ia. Returning, Frank sald: ‘* We must go as far as wecan. They will soon be upon us. Barney, you and I must carry the lady.” * All right, sor!” Of course Katie Rollin’s light form was no load for the two men. But it nevertheless impeded anything like very rapid progress, Still they made pretty quick time through the cataract. Arrived upon the other side Barney cast a vlance upward and said: ‘* Be me sow), Misther Frank, I belave we cud climb ap thar.” ** Where?” COMICLOOKS (SO)