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Full Title
Custer's Last Shot; or, the Boy Trailer of the Little Horn : a Romance of the Terrible Ride to Death / Col. J. M. Travers.
Author
Travers, J. M.
Date Added
9 January 2014
Format
Journal
Language
English
Publish Date
1883-07-11
Publisher
New York : Frank Tousey
Series
Wide Awake Library > v. I, no. 565
Source
Dime Novels and Popular Literature
Alternate Title
Wide Awake Library, v. I, no. 565, July 11, 1883.
Topic
Dime novels > Specimens. Little Bighorn, Battle of the, Mont., 1876 > Fiction.
About
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Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
CUSTER’S LAST ‘SHOT.
11
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BOY TRAILER AT WORK.
Ir needed no sevond look to convince Mason
that it was the giant’s canoe his eyes beheld, nor
did he stop to examine the moving object more
closely.
Having arranged his course of action long be-
fore, he now stepped quietly into the water, and
when it reached as high as his neck, began swim-
ming out. :
So dexterous were the movements of the boy
whose cause Custer had taken up so
and might have carried out but for his
untimely death, that no sound resulted from his
locomotion through the water, beyond that which
even the most suspicious of mortals would take
to be the swishing of the wind-driven wavelets.”
When the canoe came even with the spot on
which he had stood before entering the water,
Mason was directly in front of it.
‘As only his head remained above the water and
the giant’s direction was directed further on, it
was not strange that Red Goliath failed to dis-
cover anything suspicious just at the prow of his
anoe,
- The boat glided past, and Mason’s hand sought
the ring he had hunted up previously.
. Luckily he found it, and in this way managed
to keep alongside of the boat, just behind the
jant.
s Red Goliath stood up like a statue, and for
such he might indeed have been taken but for the
regular pendulum motion of his arms, as the
addle was shifted from side to side, in order
that the momentum caused by the current might
be materially aided by long silent sweeps.
Adele sat in the bow, motionless. .
Young Mason’s heart gave a great throb of
sympathy when he heard what sounded suspi-
ciously like a sob from the girl.
. His sister had been stolen from her home in
New Orleans by Hoskins and this giant, and like
#.sleuth-hound this boy had followed-on the trail,
tracking the fugitives from one border town to
another on their northward course,.and yet al-|q
ways coming too late.
He had met Custer years before, and had been
afriend of the yellow-haired cavalry leader, so
when he found the general in these regions, the
latter at once took up his cause, and sent out
scouts to discover where Hoskins and his fair girl
captive were.
These men, experienced as they were, failed to
accomplish their end.
It was Mason himself, by his indefatigable ef-
forts, who first discovered Sitting Bull's, village,
and reported the fact to the general, who was al-
ready heading in that direction, aiming for the
Little Big Horn.
The boy also declared that Hoskins was with
the Indians, which fact Custer was prone to be-
ieve.
‘After this Mason vanished, nor did he make his
appearance until the doomed command was rid-
ing down the bluffs into the ambuscade,
How the latter proved fatal to the gallant troops
is already know.
The wily Sioux allowed them to come on, pro-
tending to give way, until the men were fairly in
the trap, when they closed about them in a solid
mass. _
After this explanation, which I hold as due to
the reader, I will resume the thread of my narra-
tive where it was dropped. °
The canoe passed down the stream for several
miles in this way.
_ It may seem strange that Red Goliath, shrewd
as he has shown himself to be, should risk so
much in passing the Indian village after arousing
the inhabitants by creating such an alarm, but
the fact was, he proved to be one of those cun-
ning fellows who believe that under the existing
circumstances the safest place is that nearest the
seat of action.
In spite of
compass him,
alarm. .
Soon the firing on the right shore could be
heard, and this became louder as they drew near-
er, until they were abreast of the scene of Reno’s
obstinata defense. a
Passing by, the giant continued on its way
down tho river, until Mason began to wonder
whether it would ever stop, his poor arm feeling
the effects of the long pull. .
Red Goliath had another object in view while
taking this route, besides that already mentioned.
. There was a cave in the hills below the village
which he intended to ccoupy 3 for, although Adele
was in his hands, only half of the mission which
he had been intrusted with by the duelist was ac-
complished. :
The boy yet remained, and although the words
“he had heard Hoskins boastfully utter had ereated
the danger that seemed to en-
the giant passed by without an
-:, a@suspicion in his mind that’ Mason had fallen
po. Soo sO ‘uf
tia, : os
7 .
with Custer’s command, he intended remaining
in the vicinity until this could be proven by
searching the battle-field.
Shortly r passing the bluffs where Reno was
battling with overwhelniing numbers of crafty
foemen, the giant made a sudden sweep with the
paddle, and turned the prow toward the shore.
As the boat struck, he sprang out and pulled it
into a clump of bushes, which, with the reeds
growing near the bank, proved an effectual hid-
ing-place. Adele still sat motionless,
The giant addressed her, for the first time since
starting on his water voyage, and Mason could see
her tremble at the sound of his rough voice, as if
it meant something of horror.
“Come, gal, we leave the creek here. There’s
asnug little hiding-place I intend taking you to,
where there'll be no chance of discovery. Now
that you're in my power again, I don’t intend
losing sight of you. You’re in somebody’s way,
therefore you have to be removed. It depends
on yourself how this is to be done. Two ways
are open: one, by carrying you off to some foreign
land; Vother, leaving you to the mercy of the
forest beasts,” and the unfeeling giant laughed to
himself.
“And they would prove more merciful than
such a monster as you,” declared Adele, as she
stepped from the unsteady boat and faced Red
Goliath. How her eyes shone, as they flashed
out the scorn born of her soul!
“Bravo! I see the little gal hain’t lost her
spirit yet. I acknowledge the corn without hesi-
tation} hain’t got such a thing asa heart; never
had, either. Remember how I used to delight in
pinching the wings off butterflies, and running
pins through ’em when I was a little boy—which,
considering my present size, was a long time ago.
So you see, gal, I must be what they eall a mod-
erm monstrosity, a maf without a heart. How-
aver, I can say this hain’t my doing. I onl
wanted tu get a ransom from your mother; but
this other fellow must step into the pic.”
“Do you think I cant tell who you mean? It
is a fit idea to originate with such a man as Luke
‘amden,” said the girl, in scornful tones.
Red: Goliath started, and when he spoke his
voice was as gruff as ever.
“ Remember, I mention no names.
we'll ba going. Give me your hand.”
Adele drew back ‘vith a shudder of horror;
willingly she would n6ver touch it.
ia will walk beside you in plain view,” she
said.
“ All right,” growled the giant, who could not
but notice the shudder and knew its import, and
he looked at his hand as if half believing that he
yyould see the red marks that had so often dyed
Now, gal,
it.
* All right, my gal; but remember no tricks, or
ag sure as there is life in the air we breathe, I
shall shoot you down;” and as if to enforce this
horrible threat, he whipped out a revolver.
Side by side, the man and his intended victim
walked through the woods. When speaking of
his method of traveling, stalked would be a bet
ter word, for he covered three or four feet with
every step, so that Adele was compelled to al-
most run in order to keep up with him.
Neither of them saw the water-drenched form
that flitted from tree to tree in their rear.
Half a mile, perhaps, was covered.
Mason, on several occasions, thought he heard
a ‘noise in his rear, as.though the trailer him-
self was being trailed; but his attention being
almost fullyoeeupied in front, it soon passed from
his mind.
The hills were reachod at length, and the ascent
commenced.
Before five minutes had passed Red Goliath
came to a pause.
Before ‘them a black orifice yawned in the
rocks. The giant made Adele enter, first, and
himself followed after, as if afraid lest she should
give him the slip after all.
Another moment and they stood in a cavern
some twenty feet square, the dimensions of
which could seen by the star-light that found
ingress through the large cracks above.
In spite of his protestations as to not harming
her, there were dark thoughts inthe mind of
the giant.
Bloody deeds were every-day affairs with him;
the girl stood in his way; therefore she must be
removed, :
“Why he had not done the deed before I cannot
say. .
Perna s,in the beginning his plan was differ-
ent; and, once in the canoe, the outery she
would make might draw a cordon of enemies
around him, :
Red Goliath replaced his revolver and drew his
knife, running his finger along the edge in a de-
liberate way.
His eyes gleamod like thoso of a snake, and
appeared to fascinate the girl. : .
‘ ‘ ‘
Not a word did the giant utter, but his actions —
needed no explanation. :
He took a step towards Adele.
She sank ‘on her knees terribly frightened at.
the savage monster’s move.
The little hands were clasped and wrung de-
spairingly, but they might just as well have ap-
Jed to a man of stone. :
As the long blade was raised the light glittered
along the steel.
“Be merciful, as you expect to receive mercy,”
moaned Adele, |
The giant did not expect any mercy; at least ~
his actions betokened as much, for, as if he had
not heard her at all, he continued to advance,
Another step and he would be upon her.
She seemed to shrink even closer to the rocky
floor, and seeing no hope in that ferocious coun-
tenance, covered her eyes with her hands to shut
out tho dread sight.
Unknown to himself, Red Goliath was sealing
his own doom.
As the knife quivered in the air, and was just
about to descend, Mason’s voice rang out through
the cavern.
CHAPTER Xv.
A MAN WHO NEVER BROOKED AN INSULT,
Once within the rifle pits, Pandy Ellis drew
his breath more easily, for the present danger
was over,
The first person he met was garbed as an offl-
cer, and this man, although brave as a lion,
proved to be an arrogant fellow in this time of
anger.
“Whar kin I see Major Reno?” asked the
ranger. laying his hand on the arm of the officer,
a familiarity he semed to resent, for he shook it
off as he turned haughtily toward the other,
“What are you doing here, fellow, when all
brave men are at work?”
Pandy smiled a little.
He entertained a curious feeling toward the
army.
In one way he felt a edntempt for them, and
then again he almost reverenced everything per-
taining to the great governmental system.
* Bocause I’ve jest come in; crawled amongthe
reds. Been wid Custer, an’ by ther, Lord Harry,
spon ther general an’ every man wiped out,” suid
andy.
manded the officer.
The ranger overlooked the insulting speech;
for he knew that what he said was astounding
news. *
His tone was dignified when he repeated it,
however.
“T said Custer, Cooke, Gates, Keogh and every
man of ’em had gone uuder.”
“It is impossible,.man alive; there is some-_
thing behind this, Look here, fellow, do you
know what we do with spies?” A vague notion
had entered the officer’s head that this might be
a ruse of the enemy to%force Reno to surrender.
Pandy’s eyes flashed fire; here was something
he could not stand.
“Do ye know what I would do wid such cusses
as you? Wal, sir, I'd jist snap ye atween my
fingers like a pipe-stem, bust me ef I wudn’t,”
said Pandy, grimly. “
“And this to mel” exclaimed the officer, in
such a tragic voice, that had Pandy ever read
Seott’s works he would have been reminded of
Marmion and the noble earl, Lord Douglas.
“Who the devil are you, sir, may I inquire?”
It was evident that the man in authority had
taken the ranger for one of the regular scouts
belonging to the expedition, until his thoughts
ranged on something worse,
. Whatam 1? A free ranger; man who never
took an insult in his life from red or white. . Who
am I? {Ifreckon I’m a man, sir, which is more than
kin be sed o’ you. My namo? I_never_ was
ashamee of it. If ye'll go an’ let Major Reno
know what I told you, an’ say ter himthat Pandy
Ellis sent ye, thar ‘ll be no more sed about the
matter.”
The soldier leaned forward, and peered at the
thin face of this leathern-clad warrior, Pandy
stood like a rock, and their eyes met,
“It's him; curse me if I haven't put my foot
into it ;” and, whooling about, the officer strode
away, his sword jingling musically when it cme
in contact with the epur that adorned his heels.
He never reported to Major Reno, as a ball laid
him low not three minutes afterward.) So
Pandy Ellis was a curious fellow, taciturn, one
might call him, Although he fought through the
night side by side with the cavalrymen, he never
once mentioned a word of what he had seen, sup-
posing the officer had reported to Reno, and that
the major did not communicate the news to his
'
a va
y- . .
“* Look here, fellow; what canard is this?” de-
~