Old Shadow Shot — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

justice. _ Captain Dave—that if ra id , : > Men? RETRIBUTION? Captain Rough smiled faintly at the at- tempt at humour on his part; and ceased. “That's all?” said Shadow-Shot, laconic- Rough nodded. “You didn’t fracture your own character much, capn. Are you sure that you war only to lose the boy in these parts? Now, wasn’t thar somethin’ said as to how you war to lose him?” . The caged man turned pale again. “Of course, Geoffrey Nixon might think that a boy lost hyer might git back to Chicago an’ upset his arrangements. Now, wasn't thar to be some young blood spilled ?” “Ves!” hissed Rough. “But I wasn’t to do it.” “Oh, no! You wouldn’t harm a fly. Look hyer. I’m huntin’ fur evidence what will stand in law. You war to do it yerself.” ‘The guilty look of Captain Rough betrayed im. “ We'll see if you will tell the same things when we get Mr. Nixon into the clutches of We'll face you with the fireworks- Ian.” “What, are you going to take me back to the city?’ cried Rough. “Of course! Don’t you want to go, cap’n} Old cronies back thar; most of ’em in gaol, I s’pose.” “That is not fair, after what I have said. Leave me here to die somewhere in these wilds.” ““You’re not needed hyer; they’ve got a ig enough. You're wanted in Chicago—wanted badly, cap’n, at two of the courts.” The last speaker was Jack Gustin. “Let me say a word!” cried Violet. “Sartainly, gal,” said Shadow-Shot, look- ing at the fair speaker, whose face was aglow with anxious excitement. “Captain Rough, you say I should be worth fifty thousand dollars to you,” Violet said, fastening her eyes upon the ruffian. “Net that much, perhaps,” he answered. “Those two men will get all they can for ycu, depend upon that.” Shadow-Shot’s eyes sparkled. “That's a lie, cap’n!” he said. “If the gal’s mother is livin’ back she goes, an’ Jack an’ me won't charge a cent. Now, is she liyin’?” “ ? “My mother living!” cried Violet. “Oh, what Joy I shall bring to her heart before long !’ The party who composed the interesting group sat on their horses at the edge of a forest, and in the light of a full moon just rising over the horizon’s rim. I 31 The expressions of their faces were clearly visible and quite various. The eyes of Ruffian Rough moved rest- lessly in their sockets. He abominated the thought of going back to the scenes of his crimes as a prisoner. In the courts his agree- ment with Geoffrey Nixon would be made known, the story of his desertion of the train would be told by Jack Gustin, and the doors of the State prison would be swung open to welcome him, Not only all this, but he was losing the opportunity of delivering long-lost Violet | Collyer to her mother’s arms, and reaping a goodly sum of money for the act. If he were free, he would not give up hope.” The trails that led to the city on the lake were long and toilsome. He could follow the quartette before him, and at last, triumphing over every obstacle, carry Violet to Chicago, and pocket the money 4 yearning mother would give for her child. Freedom and gold! The thought went like an arrow through Captain Rough’s avaricious heart. All. at once he threw his body forward on the horse’s neck, and yelled madly to the beast. ‘he ery was enough to startle the animal, and, with a snort of mingled fright and pain, for the captain plunged the spurs into his flanks, he dashed away. A cry of astonishment burst from the ip, of the spectators, “Stay thar!” yelled Shadow-Shot, as he wheeled his own steed, and darted after the ruffian. Captain Rough, bound hand and foot as he was, could not guidé his horse. But he con- tinued to apply the spurs, caring little whither he was for the present borne. Shadow-Shot at last began to gain on the flying mah. His unnatural position in the saddle told on his horse. The animal kept in the moonlight, eschew- ing the darkened forest, and keeping up his speed as well as he could. Suddenly the handsome horse stopped, and started back with a wild snort of sur- prise. The ranger drew rein and listened. He heard the neighing of a horse which came from the forest not far from Captain Rough, and that ruffian’s steed replied. , The captain straightened in the saddle and turned his face towards the wood, to see—— A sudden flashing of rifles, and to fall for- ward upon his horse’s mane! * Jehoshaphat!” exclaimed Shadow-Shot, half-blinded by the sudden flash. “I reckon the Vultures have paid off an old. score; ne pay another, perhaps, if I don’t get ack, Cconniclooo Ks (C(O) ee ‘ +s } ' 1 , ’ —~ a“ -