Old Shadow Shot — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHAMPION LIAR, For a moment there was no response. “Well, if it must come, let it be here!” suddenly cried the Apollo of the woods, tear- ing wide his rich coat and exposing his breast. “A bullet in the heart doesn’t mar the beauty of the face. The man who says that Captain Dave is afraid to die, shoots a lie from his tongue |” Standing erect, with his breast bared to receive the deadly bullet of his boy-execu- tioner, the Vudture captain presented a tragic appearance. “T can’t do it!” cried Nightingale Nat. “T can’t shoot a man who can bare his breast for the bullet. I’m no murderer. I never wilfully shed blood in all my life, and I can’t do it now. Pick up your rifle and try to shoot me, and I'll drop you, too, quick. No! Captain Dave, bad as you are, Nightingale Nat can’t take your life now. So now good- night. Keep away from me, for, by my life! this circumstance will never be duplicated |” Nightingale Nat gathered up the reins and turned the animal's head. Captain Dave breathed freer and' sent a grim smile at the boy. * But he would not thank him for sparing 11s life. It, was getting lighter. Objects were be- coming distinguishable at a distance. With a wave of the hand, in mock adieu, the youth turned from the captain of the Vul- tures. He galloped away quite briskly, while the Apollo sprang to his rifle. Seizing it, he turned quickly towards the victor, and gave a peculiar whistle. The horse instantly stopped, planting his feet firmly on the ground and almost sending Nat, rocket-like, over his head! It was in vain that he spoke to the steed. The animal would not budge. “Fire and furies!” he cried, turning his head as he raised the pistol. “ This is a trick I never dreamed of.” It, was indeed a trick that threatened to bring his career to a sudden close. He was beyond pistol-shot; but the cap- tain of the Vultures, so lately discomfited, stood erect, covering his body with the rifle. “The tables are turned, my little demon!” came the triumphant tones of Captain Dave. ‘ Now we'll see an empty saddle in less than a2ininute. You may spare a foe, but I never do !” The cheek of the speaker dropped again to the rifle. - There was a second of awful stillness. “Shoot if you dare, Captain Dave. I have turned vengeance-hunter !” These words, clear, distinct, and musical as the sound of a silyer bell, startled man and boy. “16 Captain Dave lowered the gun and looked up. Not far away, resting on one knee, in true hunter fashion, with her rifle against her flushed cheek, he saw the girl called Violet Collyer. “T know you now!” she continued. ‘“ You have lived a lie to me for five years. You are Captain Daye, the king of the forest Vul- tures.” More than half bewildered at the sight of the girl, Nightingale Nat kept his eyes fixed upon her. “Shadow-Shot has talked about a girl who would make things lively for the Vultures one of these days. I wonder if that is the one?” he murmured. 2 ee CHAPTER IX. THE CHAMPION LIAR. “7 OU will put aside the rifle!” _ “Tie voice of the girl addressed to Captain Dave was gentle, yet full of firmness, and, with much apparent sullen- ness, he obeyed. “Will you not go and leave us here?” she continued, turning to Nightingale Nat, who had remained a speechless and bewildered spectator of the scene. The boy started at hesitated. “ And leave you with that man who, if he hates you, would not hesitate to send a bullet into your heart ?” “ He will lift no rifle against me,” the girl responded. “T will not cross you, girl; but I will keep within call.” “No, no! Go beyond that. Ride on until you cross a stream. On the further bank you may wait for me.” “That I will,” said Nat. It was with reluctance that the boy left the girl and the captain of the Vultures alone in the forest; but, as the former had saved his life, he felt that he should obey her with- oul equivocation. “Now!” said the forest girl, approaching Captain Dave, “we are alone. What say you to the lie you have told me for five years?” He looked into her face, and burst into a boisterous laugh that made her cheeks tingle. “Acie? Who has been filling you with such nonsense?” he cried. “Did you not call me Captain Dave a while since? Why, that is the name of the wretch who leads the Vultures—the man against whom we have sworn vengeance. Why, Violet, I am inclined to believe that you are losing your wits. What! do you,think that I would the request, and 2) S (0) “T want to be alone with him.” «=~ have placed myself so n in yo er, if rs sf comichooksec ~*~