DUSKY DICK:
OR,
OLD TOBY CASTOR'S GREAT CAMPAIGN
A STORY OF THE LAST SIOUX OUTBREAK.
BY JOS. E. BADGER, Jr.,
AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING POCKET NOVELS.
59. The Texas Hawks.
63. The Florida Scout.
NEW YORK:
BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,
98 WILLIAM STREET.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
BEADLE AND COMPANY,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
DUSKY DICK.
CHAPTER I.
DUSKY DICK'S PROPOSAL.
"Annie, girl, who is that coming up the spring path? Ah me! I fear myold eyes are beginning to fail me at last!"
"Coming up the—ugh! father, it is that Dick Morgan!"
"Dusky Dick—what can he want here, I wonder?" and there was cadence ofmingled uneasiness and dislike perceptible in the old man's tones thattold but too plainly the advancing figure was not that of a welcome orrespected guest.
The first speaker was an old man, whose head was frosted by the snowsof over half a century and whose form—still athletic and supple—wasbeginning to bow beneath the weight of years. An honest, open face wasthat of old Edward Wilson; a true index of his heart.
He was sitting in the doorway of his humble log cabin, smoking thewell-blackened pipe as a dessert to supper, just finished. But as hespoke the last words, he roused himself up and stood with crossed armsin the doorway, as though he would fain bar the intruder out, who wasnow within a few paces of the building.
The form of this man was clothed in a rough garb of tanned skin andwoolen stuff, despite the warm weather, and a broad-brimmed slouchedhat rested upon his head, concealing the upper portion of his face fromcasual view. A long barreled rifle rested carelessly in the hollow ofhis left arm, while the haft of a knife, and a revolver butt peepedfrom the belt at his waist.
"Good evenin', Wilson, and the same to you, Miss Annie," he utteredin a strong clear voice, as he half paused, and then with a carelessgesture pushed the hat away from his brow.
The clear mellow light of the full moon shone down upon him, andfairly revealed his features. A glance at them may not be amiss, asthis worthy is destined to figure somewhat prominently in our narrative.
At the first glance, a strange peculiarity about him would attract thegaze, and leave an unpleasant impression upon the mind of the beholder.And yet it was not that the man was so hideous, in features.
But there was a strange tint to his entire face and neck thatinvoluntarily repelled one. And from this had come the sobriquet,known far and wide throughout the western country of DuskyDick.
Indeed, more than one person who was well acquainted with him, wouldhave been puzzled to have told whether he ever had any other name, orif this was not the one by which he had been christened, supposing thatceremony had ever been performed. And Morgan seemed to be rather proudof the title, than otherwise.
In some way he had been badly burned by an explosion of powder, andthough no other scars were perceptible, this bluish tinge caused bythe burned powder penetrating the skin, remained clear and distinct.The dye did not fade as he grew older, but seemed to deepen and showbrighter.
His features were regular and clea