Frank Reade Library, Vol. VIII, No. 191 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK READE, JR, IN For he heard a rustling noise bebind him, | Severul made au attempt to catch the Steam and gave a mighty start. Pomp tried to turn about, but before he could do so a panther-like fourm was upon him. Some being, whether Suman or not, he knew a with the strength of a giant was upun im. He made a quick and desperate attempt to throw him off. Bat ia vain. The darky was not terrified. for he knew tha! his antagonist was tangible flea) and blood “Huh, darl” be grunted. ‘What fo’ yo' tackle me dut a way fo’? Who is yo’, I’d jes’ like fo’ to know?” Bat Pomp’s unknown assailant did not seem disposed io answer this questiun. His sole motive seemed to be to down the darky. To this treatment Pomp was very much tie- posed to object. His hot breath wag in the darky’a face. He was a very powerful fellow. But on the other hand, so was Pomp. The durky’s muscles were of steel, and for a moment it was nip an tuck between them. Pomp had geen the flash of a knife tlade in the light. This be had instinctively feared at firet, and bad guurded against the blade by clutching his assailawt’s wrist with one hand. He heid on to it stoutly. ‘*No, yo’ don’ do dat!” he sputtered. ‘I jes’ tiok yo’ hus got hold ob a gen’leman who am as strong as yo’ dis time.” A deep curse broke from the unknown’s lipe. It was the first time that he hud spoker. The atruggle went on with great fury. For @ time oelther had the advantage. Then the unknown by a powerful effort broke Pomp’s hold. He placed a whistie to his lips and blew a shrill blast. A faint halloo came from the mountain side above, and thea voices and harryipg footsteps were heard. Pomp heard this with a thrill. He knew at once tliat his foe had friends near and that be ba‘l signaled for them. ** Huh! dat won’ do yo’no good,” cried the darky. At that moment his fingers closed upon tke other’s throat. The struggle was quicaly decided. The unknown assailant strove in vain to ats that awful hold. But Pomp did not re- ox It. The hurrying footsteps were drawing nearer every moment. Pomp realized that bis time was brief, ani he acted with dispatch. With all of his powerful strength concentrat- ed. he forced the unknown to his knees. There was a dull, gurgling tremor of the frame, and the unknown assailant lay buck limply. hy Golly!” muttered Pomp. ‘‘ I'd jes’ like to know who dat feller am. I jes’ fink I takes a look at him.” And this the darky proceeded to do. He drew a match from his pocket and lit it. By its rays he saw the features of his man plainly. They were of a coarse type, and belunged to the order of raffian. Pomp made no doubt that he was one of the road robbers who had come upor. hit by atealtb. The fellow was not yet dead, ani already began to show signs of returning conscious- ness. Pomp, however, had no desire to taxe his af 6. He dropped bis head and then at once left the fetlow to be found by his friends. Reaching the cage Pomp sprang in. It was buat a moment's work for him to open the tbrottle and stert the Steam Man from the place, He was none too quick. The air was broken with the report of rifles and a iarge body of the out:awa with wild yells burst from the -woods. Man. **No, yo’ don’ do dat!” erled Pomp, excited- ly. ** Not if dis chile knows all about it.” 6 Bullets rattied like luil against the steel net- ng. But of course these could vot harm the plucky darky. ie kept right on letting the Steam Man have full head. Gut onto the prairie he went at preat speed. He heard the clatter of hoofs behind him ard realized tbat some of the truin robbers were mounted. But they stood scant show of overtaliing the Steam Man, thougk they gave Pomp a ten mile ruce. The darky distance them, however. When at length he wag satistied however (hat he was at a eafe distance, he brought the Steam Man to a halt. Pomp was at ou loss now what to do. If he started to return he would be very like- ly to run across the train robbers ogain. To re- main where he was was hard, Jo fuce of the re- fection that Frank and Barney ho return ul auy moment from their expedition up the pass and need bim. ‘¢ Sakes alibe!” muttered the perplexed darky. ‘* Whatebber is I gwine to do now?” The more he thougbt apon the sabject the more perplexed he vecame. But the light was already beginning to ap- pear in the east. TEXAS. 9 rescue Katie Rollin before we give up the es The band of Vigilants cheered. But few more words were said. It wns lecided that Pomp should lead the way to the haunted pass which Frank aod Barney had started out to explore the night before. With this plan in view the Steam Man led the way across the plain. CHAPTER IX. IN THE LIONS’ DEN. Fra Nk and Barney proceeded with all speed toward the spot where they had hearu the grent cheerl.y. Suddenly lights were visible, and then the explorera hau u most narrow escupe from be- Lrayul. They were marching along at a rapid though noiselees pace, when suddenly Frank saw a dark form not tien yards before him, la dold relief ngainat the sky. It was :he form of a man, and he carried a rifle over his arm. It was na sentry, and only one fact saved the two rescuers from discovery. This was the fact that he had been walking ie beat in the opposite direction, and his back was turned. Of course he did not see the two forms be- hind him. But he would turo in a moment, and if they remained in thelr present position they would ** IT jes’ fink 1’tl waita bit fo’ de light ob aay,” { be seen. concluded Pomp. It was not long in coming. But just us the gleaming lunces of the sun begun to shoot above the eastern horizon Pomp beheld a body of borsaemen npproaching from the south. Aa first the darky was not a little disturbed “Golly!” he muttered. ‘* Dat am a berry funny Ving. *Pears to me dat dey cain’t be train robbera coming from that direckshun.” The darky touk Frank’s long-distance tele- scope and begun to study thein. He saw that they bad sighted the Steam Man, aud were making signals with their bands. As well ag he could see, Pomp did rot be- lieve tbat they were of the Mosely gang. In fact, they looked more like respectable etockmen and « iners from Pecan City. It re- Quired but a brief scrutiny to satisfy Pomp that this was ao fact. ‘““*Pon my wo'd,” he mattered, ‘‘ dey looks to die chile like as how dey was some ob dem Vigilants what are aftnh de train robbers.’ Pomp had bit the nail upon the head. Nearer the horsemen drew. Now Pomp coald distinguish their faces, and in the van he saw two men whom he at once recognized. One wag James Rollin and the other wae Jack Fair. Pomp held the Steam Man at a standstill un- til the baad of Vigilante—for such they were— came up. Fuir rode up to the cage and shouted: ‘*Hulio, Pomp! Where are the others?” ‘I donno,” replied Pomp, quickly. ‘* Dey lef me las’ night fo’ to go up dar in de mount- ings, an’ dey bain’t come back yet, or if dey hae, I hasn't seen ‘em, fo’ a big gang ob de robbers done chuse me out yer on de perairy.” “Oh, I see,” replied Jack. ‘* Frank and Barney are in the hills, eh?” * Dat’s it, sah!” ** They are looking for Mosely’s hidlog-place, I suppose?” ** T reckon ao, sab!” ** Good enough!” Bat Pomp was gazing with wonder at the large bocy of Vigilants. fally one hundred and fifty in number. ** Massy sakes! What am yo’ gwine to do wif all dem men?” he asked, wonderingly. ‘* We are going out to help you people whip Mosely,” replied Jack. Pomp’s face brightened. * Well, I jes’ reckon Marse Frank he be berry giad fo’ to see yo’.” ‘I bope so. We must overtake Mosely and But they did not. Both ehrank back into shadows. ‘* Begorra!” mattered Barney, ‘that was a close wan, Misther Frank.” ‘Ic was,” agreed Frank, ‘hat we must get by that sentry in some manner.” * How?” **"Sh! Leave it to me!” The guar: was now advancing toward them at a leisurely pace, At the end of his beat he paused and seemeu to listen. Then he turned methodically and began to pace back to the other end of the beat. It wae Frank’s moment. ‘* Barney!” be whispered. ‘Well, sur?” ‘*T am going to down that guard if I can. I want you to staud back of me and ready to help me.” ** All roight, sor.” Frank waited no longer. He crept up stealthily behind the sentry. In an inetant lice o panther be sprang forward and fasteued his grip about the guard’s wind- pipe. Frank knew that he must guard against the fellow making an outery. All would be Jost if he did not succeed in do lng this. The ustonished sentry wus taken completely by surprise. He made a brave effort to free himself, bat Frank had a wonderful grip. The young inventor's talon fingers clenched about his windpipe shut off his breath, aad in a few moments this deprivation began to tell. The fellow reele:!, struguled iu a futile way, and then sank back insensible. Frank quiokly released his hold, for he did not want to kill the fellow. Then he drew a handkerchief frem his pock- et. Barney was now by his side, ‘¢Whiaht! bot yez did that in foine ebtyle, Misther Frank!” ** We are in lack!” declared the young invent- or. ‘“‘Here, Harney, biod bis aukles and ariets.” Barney tied the fellow’s arms behind him with his coat and then secured his ankles with the shoulder strap of his rifle. Frank by this time had the fellow well gagged. He had pow regained consciousness, but was unable tc speak or move a muscle. Making sure that he could not move, Frank said: **Now, Barney, the coast is clear.” ** All roigbt, sor.” GOMGIOO SS (SO)