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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
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Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
sata i moana —— Sosa ate
The Girl Cowboy Captain. 19
r
‘“ Sea—there is the chimney, where you see
the gloom brighten. Upon that island—so we
call them here’in the swamp—you will find
those you seek.”
“ Hasten, then—quickly!”
“There’s tince enough, See, yonder is the
shegty used by Captain Arnold as his head-
quarters,” and he pointed out a small, rude
--.. building, balf-hidden by tall weeds,
“But the men—I see no camp.”
*XThey're beyond the trees yonder. Come—
we will go up there.”
Something in his voice startled Agatha. It
sounded different from that she had heard all
along; and turning, she peered keenly into his
face by the dim graylight that fell over the
clearing.
A faint cry broke from her lips and she started
back. She saw now how bitterly she had been
deceived; but in the first discovery, she thought
not of herself—only of Arnold.
“My God! you have slain him!”
_ “No—only prevented your saving him. Major
Tracy will do the killing. ‘Tis well; my hands
are kept clean while my ends are served the
same,”
“Monster! what do you gain by this? Why
have you deceived me?”
“First, I gain revenge upon one who sup-
planted me in the heart of one who I was
taught to think belonged to me. And then I
gain a fair young bride, or else a rich ransom,
just as I may choose, for your father will not
- Stand ata trifle to get you out of Will Dixon’s
hands,” :
Agatha listened to these words in an agony of
despair, but then, as her own peril was realized,
she gave a quick wrench, and freed her arm
from the Skiuner’s grasp. Then, fear momen-
tarily conquering fatigue, she darted away
into the swamp with a step fleet as the startled
deer’s,
With a furious curse, Dixon sprung after her,
knowing that with a fair start, a fugitive might
easily baffle pursuit in the darkness. Fortune
still favored him, however, for Agatha tripped
upon a vine and fell heavily to the ground. As
she struggled to her feet, the strong hand of the
Skinner closed upon her shoulder. .
“ So-ho! contrary as ever, my little bird. But
‘tis no use. You are fairly caught, and though
the cuge I’ve to offer you is not very fine, tis
strong and securo, And then a few lessons,
such as I will only be too willing to give you,
will so clip your wings that you'll never t ink
of . flitting, even when the door is ajar. But
let that pass now. Will you walk, or must I
carry you?”
‘s Where to?”
“The shanty yonder.” .
“ You really mean to kcep me a captive?”
“Indeed I do—at Icast for the present. For
what. else would I take all this trouble, think
ou
“Yon will regret this outrage to the longest
day of your life!” s .
“That is my lookout... But your answer?”
“T will walk,” coldly replied Agatha.
“Very well. The shanty yonder is your des-
tination, Be so kind as to goonin advance.
Then when you try to give me the slip again,
B
eee PR enn Sprarn eemmen eee
Tl not need to expend so much breath in chasing
you.
Agatha moved forward quietly. She saw that
escape at that moment was impossible and could
only result in harm to herself, for in the days
gone by she had learned what an ungovernable
temper Dixon possessed when once fully aroused.
Nothing was too wicked or cruel for him then.
‘As he neared the cabin, Dixon uttered a long,
shrill whistle, and the next moment the slab
door was opened, revealing a dull light with-
in. It was Mother Winkle who stood in the
doorway.
As she beheld her visitors, a harsh, croaking
cry broke from her lips, and with an activity
that belied her white hair and bent form, she
darted forward to the side of the maiden. But
her eager look changed to one of bitter disap-
pointment as she recognized Agatha.
‘Tis the wrong one, Will Dixon—you have
failed.”
‘Not so, mother, because I have not tried as
yet. This bird now; the other soon. But come
to the house. I’m precious hungry and thirsty ;
have been in the swamp all night. ‘You see,
Miss Agatha, this is your cage for the present.
I hope you admire it.” + :
ithout a word in reply, the maiden entered
and sat down by the fire, warming her chilled
forin, Carefully barring the door, Dixon drew
Motner Winkle to the further corner of the
room, and conversed with her in low, eager
whispers.
Suddenly Agatha, with a low moan, fell from
the stool almost into the fire. Dixon sprung to
her side and lifted her up.
“© She’s dead |”
“No—only fainted,” coolly replied Mother,
Winkle, as she bent over the insensible form.
CHAPTER X.
MAX CORGELL’S LITTLE GAME.
Max CORGELL paused abruptly and bent his
ear, From no great distance there came the
low, tremulous neigh of a horse.
“’T know’d it—thar’s bis hoss a-whickerin’.
It’s hitched in the old place, an’ he’s in thar a-
courtin’ Miss Aggy, I bet a cookie. Wal, it’s all
right, I reckon, a’ter all. Courtin’s good—like
it mysely, sometimes, But thar’s time— Eh?”
With this exclamation, Corge]i paused and
bent his ear forward. Though faint and indis-
tinct, his keen ear’ could detect the peculiar
sound of gritting steel that accompanies sword-
ay.
p “T know’d it—thar’s mischief fer the cap’n
goin’ on thar. I know’d he'd git ketched at last
—but they’ve got to ketch me, too, for ’m goin’
so take a band in thar myself.”
Max Corgell did not pause to calculate the
risk he might be running, but glided rapidly yet
noiselessly toward the spot whence came the
suspicious sounds. Gaining the road, he paused
long enough to locate the point.
“The old place at the foot o’ the garden—I
know’d it!” he muttered, as, with a flying bound,
he crossed the road and gained the fence.
He began to have a suspicion as to the real
truth. At first thought he believed the lovers
must have been discovered by old Brand, who,
in his rage, had attacked Arnold. But Corgell’s
a Prete Wim i+
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