CHAPTER IX.

A VISITOR AT PIONEER POST.

Horseshoe Ned, the driver of the Overland coach running to and from Pioneer Post, drove into the fort with an all-important air toward sunset one evening, caused by having a lady seated upon the box with him.

She was attired in mourning, wearing a heavy crape veil which she drew over her face as she approached the gate in the stockade wall.

But Horseshoe Ned knew that it was a very beautiful face, with large eyes that were simply magnificent, though she hid them under a pair of eye-glasses when she drew her veil about her.

Who she was Horseshoe Ned did not know, more than that she had been transferred to his care by the driver who had had her in charge up to the station where his run ended.

“I say, Pard Ned, jist let yerself out in entertainin’ thet leddy, fer she are a sweet one and jist as perlite as kin be. She rides on the box right through, and wants ter know ther whole history o’ ther trail as we goes along. She are mournin’ fer somebody as is dead and gone, I guesses, from her dressin’ in black, and I feel sorry for her, for I sees away back in her eyes that she hain’t just happy, notwithstandin’ her pretty smile.”

So had said the driver who had given her into the charge of Horeshoe Ned, who replied:

“I’ll treat her same as a princess, pard; but what is her name?”

“I hain’t heerd it, pard.”

“Waal, she’s a beauty, so interdooce me.”

The past guardian on the trail of the fair stranger led Horseshoe Ned up to the lady, as she came out from breakfast at the station, and said:

“Here’s whar I leaves yer, miss, but I gives yer inter charge o’ ther best driver on ther Overland, and one who has got a name as a dandy all round, take him at what yer please. He are Horseshoe Ned, miss, and he takes ther old hearse through ter ther fort, and yer see he’s got ther best coach and team on ther entire outfit.

“Don’t be skeered, though his run has been known as the Death Trail, fer on it Silk Lasso Sam and his men have been hanging out for deviltry, though that game won’t be played no more. Not knowin’ your name, miss, I can’t interdooce you ter Horeshoe Ned, only him ter you.”

“My name is----” and after a short hesitation she added the name:

“Ruth Arden, Mr. Baldy.”

Having learned the name, Baldy was not going to leave the introduction half done, so said quickly:

“Miss Ruth Arden, Horseshoe Ned, and if you don’t treat her first-class yer quarrels with me.”

“I am sure that he will do all in his power, Mr. Baldy, to make my ride as pleasant a one as it has been with you.”

And Horseshoe Ned did, for he showed how he could drive, gathered wild flowers here and there for his fair passenger, told her the legends of the trails, and showed her the scenes of Silk Lasso Sam’s red exploits, and graves which he had been the one to dot the roadside with.

“I tell yer, miss, thet Silk Lasso Sam is a terror, and I has seen him do killin’ more times than I cares to remember. It hain’t been so very long since he kilt my Pard Ribbons, and he has nipped me slight several times; but that is his business and drivin’ is mine, and it’s every man to his occupation, and I must say Silk Lasso Sam stood above ’em all in what he undertook.”

“And he is now a prisoner at the fort, sir?”

“Yes, miss. He’s soon ter be hanged, they says, though I won’t believe it until I sees it.”

“Why, do you think he’ll receive a pardon?”

“A pardon, miss? Silk Lasso Sam receive a pardon? No, indeed, miss, never from God or man!” was the vehement response.

“He has been so very wicked, then?”

“He has had nothing but wickedness in his heart, miss. Nobody has been able to escape him, men, women or children, for he is merciless to all, and but for Buffalo Bill, Surgeon Powell and a miner named Deadshot Dean, he’d hev gone on his wicked ways and done no end of harm.”

“I am sorry to hear that he was a man of whom nothing good could be said, for it is seldom you find a man who has fallen so low as that,” sadly said the passenger.

“He brought it on himself, miss.”

“Yes, I can believe that; but why is it that you do not believe that he will be hanged?”

“Well, miss, he has been in so many tight places, and always gives his foes the slip in some way, that I has begun to think he hain’t born ter be hanged.”

“One cannot live an evil life and never expect just punishment in the end, sir.”

“Just punishment for him, miss, would be, to my thinking, solitary confinement in a cell where he’d hev ther chance ter be alone with his conscience and feel all ther deeds he has been guilty of, for shootin’ would be too good fer him, and hangin’ would soon be over with. But there’s the fort, miss, and we’ll soon be there. Has you friends there, miss?”

“I have a letter to Colonel Dunwoody,” was the reply, and after a couple of hours’ rest the visitor to Pioneer Post presented herself at headquarters and asked to see Colonel Dunwoody.

The colonel received his fair visitor without any ceremony, wondering what had brought a lady by coach so far to see him.

He saw a form of exquisite grace, clad in black, and when she threw back her veil and her face was revealed in all its beauty he was fairly startled, for it brought to him at once the memory of an ideal portrait which he had seen in the long ago, and which he had in vain sought to find the counterpart of in life.

He bowed and led her to a seat, while he said in the courteous manner natural to him:

“Pray tell me how I can serve you--miss.”

He added the _miss_ after a slight hesitation, for it did not appear to him that he stood in the presence of a married woman.

“Permit me to introduce myself, Colonel Dunwoody, as Miss Ruth Arden, and to say that I am here to present a letter to insure the fulfilment of the request I shall have to make you.”

She gazed into the handsome face of the man before her with a look in which there was both confidence and admiration commingled.

She had heard of the daring, dashing Indian-fighter, the youngest officer of his high rank in the army, and one whom report said was as noble in nature as he was brave.

“I assure you, Miss Arden, I should be most happy to do all in my power for you, even did you not bear this letter,” said the colonel as he broke the seal of the letter.

A cloud crossed his brow as he read the purport of the communication, an official permission for Miss Arden to visit her brother, the outlaw chief known as Silk Lasso Sam.

“Your brother, Miss Arden?” asked the colonel, and there was almost reproach in the tone.

“Yes, sir, your prisoner is my brother, for I will not disown him, even though I must deeply regret that he is so unfortunate as to be under sentence of death for his many heinous crimes.”

“Miss Arden, I deeply deplore his fate, especially the more since now I have met you. I felt in my conversation with him, that he had been well born and reared a gentleman, whatever the sad circumstances which had made him a criminal and fugitive from justice. I extend to you my deepest sympathy, and I will at once escort you to the place where your brother is held a prisoner and arrange that you see him alone.”

“You are indeed most kind to me, Colonel Dunwoody, and you have my deepest gratitude.”

“May I ask where you have obtained quarters while here, Miss Arden, and how long your stay will be?”

“I have secured a room in the sutler’s home, sir, and his wife is most kind to me. I shall remain only until the next stage departs for the East.”

“Permit me to say that my friends, Major and Mrs. Lester, will be, I know, most happy to entertain you while here, and you will find at their house a relative, Miss Clarice Carr, who I know will extend you the warmest of welcomes also, for she is a true woman.”

“Perhaps, sir, it would be best for me to remain at the sutler’s, for you know that, no matter what I may myself be, I am the sister of the condemned outlaw.”

“Through no act of your own; your misfortune, not your fault, Miss Arden, and my friends will regard you and your position as I do.”

“You are most kind, sir.”

“Then shall we go first to Major Lester’s quarters?”

“You know best, Colonel Dunwoody, only I do not wish to be an intruder and----”

“Come, Miss Arden, for such a thing as your intruding is not to be thought of. Though our trade is war, we soldiers are yet not wholly heartless,” and the colonel led the way from his quarters.

The home of Major Lester was one of the best in the fort, and situated slightly apart from the others. Clarice Carr was seated upon the piazza as they approached, a book in hand, but she arose and met the colonel cordially, and cast a quick glance at the beautiful girl accompanying him.

There was something in the face of Ruth Arden which seemed to win her at once.

“Miss Carr, let me present to you Miss Ruth Arden, a young lady who is here on the sad mission of visiting her unfortunate brother and bidding him farewell, for I refer to the outlaw chief, now under sentence of death.”

Instantly Clarice Carr stepped up to Ruth and kissed her, while she said quickly, with an intuitive knowledge of why the colonel had brought her there:

“And you will be my guest, will you not, while you are here, for you will need me to cheer you up, I know?”

The tears came into the beautiful eyes of Ruth, and she said in a voice that quivered:

“Yes, for your sympathy and friendship will be so dear to me.”

“You did just what I was going to request of you, Miss Clarice, for Miss Arden is at the sutler’s, but I will have her things sent here, as I know that Lester and that sweet wife of his will do as you have, ask Miss Arden to be your guest.”

“They will, indeed, Colonel Dunwoody, but they are not at home just now.”

“Well, Miss Arden will return here when she has seen her brother.”

“I will come within an hour, Miss Arden, to fetch you back with me,” was the prompt reply of Clarice, and both Ruth and the colonel gave her a look of gratitude for her thoughtfulness.

All wondered as they saw Colonel Dunwoody escorting a veiled lady in the direction of the cabin where Silk Lasso Sam was held a prisoner.

Captain Dick Caruth was officer of the day, and Colonel Dunwoody sent a soldier in search of him. He joined them at the barrier which shut off the prisoner’s cabin, and was introduced to Ruth, who still kept her veil concealing her face completely, for in spite of being dressed differently, and with her hair arranged in a different style from what she had worn it as Bonnie Belle, the captain had seen her at Pocket City, and she did not wish to be recognized.

Then, too, she desired also to avoid Buffalo Bill and Surgeon Frank Powell, who also knew her well, and might recognize her as Bonnie Belle.

Captain Caruth bowed low, heard what the colonel had to say, and at once said:

“I will report to the prisoner his sister’s coming, Colonel Dunwoody, and”--turning to Ruth--“if I can serve you in any way command me during your stay here, Miss Arden.”

“You are all so good to me,” was the low reply.

Captain Caruth at once hastened on ahead and coming to the sentinel, he said:

“Sentinel, march forty paces from the cabin and take up your beat there, for there is a lady to see the prisoner alone.”

The sentinel saluted and obeyed, and opening the cabin door Captain Caruth entered.

Silk Lasso Sam greeted him politely, while he said in a tone in which there was some sarcasm:

“This is an honor, Captain Caruth, I appreciate.”

“The honor, sir, is to come in the visit of one whom you should have thought of ere you allowed yourself to become what you now are,” was the stern reply.

The prisoner started and his face changed color.

“I do not comprehend, sir,” he faltered.

“You have a sister, sir?”

“Yes, my sister Ruth.”

“Miss Arden, your sister, is now here to visit you, for she is coming with the colonel.” An expression of joy swept over the face of the outlaw while he said in a tone that seemed sincere:

“God bless her for coming here to see me. She is a brave, noble girl, true as steel.”

“It is to be regretted that you did not think of her in the past.”

“I did, and of my mother, too; but I was born bad, my heart was wicked from boyhood and it was destined for me to be the devil I am.” The prisoner spoke bitterly, and Captain Caruth said in a kindly tone:

“Well, Arden, your sister is here, and so take what comfort you can from her visit. She can remain an hour, and see you alone.”

“I thank you, sir,” and the outlaw bowed his head as the captain turned and left the cabin.

“I have told your brother of your coming, Miss Arden, and he is ready to receive you. I regret that I cannot free him of his irons while you are with him, but it cannot be.”

“I do not ask it, sir. He must not expect favors where he has shown none, and led the life he has,” was the reply.

The colonel then escorted Ruth to the door, and bowing, said:

“The sentinel will inform you, Miss Arden, when Miss Carr comes for you.”

Ruth bowed in silence, and entered the cabin.

Her brother sat there, in irons, his head bowed upon his hands. She turned pale at the sight, brave as she was, and stood for an instant regarding him. Then she said, softly:

“Arden, my brother.”

He arose slowly, his face pallid, and in silence extended his manacled hands. Either he was playing a part with perfect acting, or he felt deeply and despairingly his situation, and that she should see him thus.

“My poor brother,” she said, laying her hand lightly upon his shoulder.

“You pity me, then, Ruth?” he asked, in a quivering voice.

“From the very depths of my heart and soul I pity you, brother. That is why I came at your call, came when I received your letter, to say what words of cheer I could to you.”

“You came to do more, Ruth?”

“You mean to save you?”

“Yes,” he said eagerly.

“I have come to save you, brother, for with you I feel that you are not fit to die, that you should have time for repentance, should do all in your power to atone for the past.”

“God bless you, Ruth, and I know that he will. I felt that you would not desert me in my last hour.”

“No, I have long tried to save you, have worked so hard to help you, to take you from your evil life, and it seemed all in vain, for you seemed wedded irrevocably to sin, and every pledge you made me was broken.

“But I am not here to upbraid you, but to have a long talk with you. Sit down and let me tell you just what I have done and why I am here.” She gently forced the prisoner into his chair while she began to pace slowly up and down the cabin.