Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
Full Title
The Girl Cowboy Captain; or, The Skinners of the Carolina Swamps / by Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
Author
Badger, Jos. E. (Joseph Edward), 1848-1909.
Date Added
9 January 2014
Format
Journal
Language
English
Publish Date
1889-05-18
Publisher
New York : Beadle and Adams
Series
Beadle's Boys Library of Sport, Story, and Adventure > v. XXI, no. 266
Source
Dime Novel and Popular Literature
Alternate Title
Beadle's Boys Library of Sport, Story, and Adventure, v. XXI, no. 266, May 18, 1889. Skinners of the Carolina Swamps.
Topic
Dime novels > Specimens.
About
More Details Permanent Link
Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
The Girl Cowboy Captain,
Shelby had also assumed the garb of a man.
She wore a light, easy-fitting suit of gray cloth.
Leather boots incased ber feet, armed at the
heel with spurs, At her side hung a light sword,
In the belt at her waist were visible a brace of
small but valuable pistols. A visorless cap of
fur rested upon the table. Her hair, black as
midnight and_ slightly curling, hung unconf:ned
over her shoulders.
Such was Maria, the Girl Cowboy Captain.
“Ina word, then,” impatiently added Maria,
“the game is at a hill-point, near the Black
Swamp?”
“* Yes, they’re thar.”
“‘ Very well. You have done nobly, Duncan,
and after I have punished this murderer, I will
know how to thank you.”
“Don’t need no thanks,” muttered the old
man, his eyes glistening with an almost reveren-
tial love, as he stood before his mistress.
“ But come—time passes. Go and gather the
men before the door. They must learn who is
their leader.”
As Maria Shelby stood upon the threshold, ber
face and form revealed by the lurid glare of the
pitch-wood torches, a thrill of admiration agi-
tated the band of Cowboys, drawn up before
their Girl Captain.
Then at a motion from Maria, Ben Duncan led
up her charger—a small but true-blooded beast.
Lightly she sprung into the saddle, sitting astride
with the grace and firmness of a true-born
Mexican woman.
With Ben Duncan as guide, Maria led her fol-
lowers through the night, now riding swiftly
along the road, now slowly threading the tangled
woods or cautiously picking their way through
some brief swamp. But, true as a hound upon
a breast-high scent, the old man led his party
through the devious windings until the hour of
midnight was long past.
At length he drew rein and turned toward
Maria.
“The game is near, now, and we must be
heedful, or we'll on’y find the empty nests,” he
muttered, as she’ paused by his side. “ Afoot
we kin surround ’em an’ bag the hull kit.”
The word was quietly passed round, and each
man dismounted, securing vis animal to the
nearest tree, Then, after a look at the condition
of their weapons, the party glided. noiselessly
after Ben Duncan.
Ben Duncan knew that there would be little
faltering or hanging back when he gave the
word to strike. Though originally neighbors
and close friends, for the most part, there was
now hatred the most intense between these rival
ands.
Duncan led the way, though Maria Shelby
kept close at his heels, not a little to his uneasi-
ness. His only fear that night was for bis mis-
tress, and he longed to urge ber to fall back to a
less dangerous position, but a glance at her
sternly-fixed features told bim how vain would
be such remonstrance.
“Ban!” suddenly muttered Maria, touching
bis shoulder. ‘ look yonder—a sentinel!”
- The hill-point had by this time been rounded,
and now the encampment of the Skianers lay
before the Cowhoys, though nearly hidden by
thesbrubbery. A dimly-outlined, solitary figure
stepped out from a clump of bushes, and seemed :
to peer keenly toward the spot where the Girl
Captain crouched. That his suspicions were
aroused, was plain. .
“Who's that skulkin’ thar?” he uttered in a
deep rumbling voice, and close following came. -
the clear click that told his weapon was cocked, +”
“It’s me—Juck Smithers,” replied Duncan,. —
as he rapidly advanced, one hand fumbling at
his belt,
“A lie—Jack’s dead!” and then the sentinel
gave vent to a sharp, quick yell, that echoed far.
away through the hills. :
‘You go foller him—
A sharp crack—a bright flash of flame lighted
Ab!” a
up the spot, and old Ben Duncan staggered back,.- —
flinging up his arms. A light figure brushed, _
hastily past him, balf turning him around. ic
It was that of Maria Shelby. With lightning
rapidity, she made two passes with her sword—
or ratber rapier, The first gritted against the
rifle-barrel of the Skinner. The second buried
the serpent-like blade two-thirds its length in the
ill-fated man’s hody.
“‘Come—men! the dogs are aroused—they °
will take to the swamp. Follow me, and strike
home—for vengeance!” the Girl Captain cried,
turning her head.
To her surprise she saw Ben rising to his feet,
in a confused manner, but far from like a dead
man. In fact, though the bullet had: creased
bis cheek, and the flash scorched his face, the
old man was little the worse for his salute.
That the alarm had been given, was now
lain. A faint bustle and noise could be heard
coming from the direction of the Skinners’
camp.
“ Bon, take some of the men and cut the ras-
cals off from the hills. I'll look to the swamp
side. Hasten—sbow none mercy save Dixon.
He must be taken alive—you understand!”
“ Sure!”
No more time was lost. That the Cowboys
were well-trained, was evidenced by their
prompt obedience.- A number followed the
lead of Maria, the others darted after Duncan,
A few moments later tbe collision came,
fierce and deadly, though brief. “The Skinners,
confused by the unexpected alarm, had seized
their weapons and gathered around their horses,
ready for flight or fight, as the case might war-
rant,
By the glare, Will Dixon beheld the ghastly
pale face of Maria Shelby, anda cry of horror
broke from hislips. In that moment a spell fell
upon him from which he was never to be en-
tirely free, thereafter.
He had leaped upon his horse, and had been
fighting desperately, His immediate antago-
nist—a_ tall, brawny Cowboy—had just went
down before bis arm, cloven to the chine, when
that white face shone out before him, and the
once soft, black eyes, now seemed balls of fire,
glowing with a baleful light.
“Ah! devil—we meet at last!” shrieked
Maria.
CHAPTER IV.
THE GIRL CAPTAIN’S RUSE.
Wirn a tow ery, Dixon wheeled his horse
and sought to flee. He was not himself, A
—
Se
v.