Последний вариант слайдов к "Вождю краснокожих"1.
Bill and I had a joint capital of about six hundred dollars, and we needed just two thousand dollars more for our little secret plan in Illinois. We discussed this on the front steps of the hotel.
“Summit is a good place for kidnapping,” I said. “Parents love their children in small towns. And there are no curious journalists.”
2.
We chose for our victim the only child of an important man named Ebenezer Dorset. Mr Dorset was respectable and stingy. The kid was a boy of ten with red freckles and red hair.
One evening after sundown, we passed by the Dorsets’ house with a horse and buggy. The kid was in the street, throwing stones at a kitten.
3.
The boy threw a piece of brick at Bill’s eye.
“That will cost the old man an extra five hundred dollars!” said Bill.
4.
The boy fought like a bear, but at last we put him in the buggy and drove away.
5.
We took him to the cave.
6.
Yes, the boy was having a lot of fun. He forgot he was a prisoner himself.
He immediately called me Snake Eye, the Spy, and said: “When the Indians return they will cook you on the fire at daybreak!”
Every few minutes he remembered that he was Red Chief, took his stick rifle and looked out of the cave. “I want to see if there are any palefaces. I hate them!” Now and then he cried loudly and that made Old Hank shiver.
7.
We went to bed at about eleven o’clock. Red Chief was between us I was awakened by a series of terrible screams from Bill.
8.
I jumped up to see what the matter was. Red Chief was sitting on Bill’s chest. He was pulling Bill’s hair with one hand. In the other hand he had a knife. He was trying to take Bill’s scalp!
9.
“He put a hot potato down my back and mashed it with his foot,” said Bill.
10.
Mr Dorset,
We have your boy hidden in a place far from Summit. Don’t try to find him. We want $1,500 for his return. The money must be left at midnight at the same place and in the same box as your answer to the letter. If you agree to pay the money, send your answer with a messenger to-night at half-past eight. After crossing Owl Creek, on the road to Poplar Cove, there are three large trees. There will be a small box under one of the trees. The messenger must put the answer in this box and return immediately to Summit.
If you don’t pay the money, you will never see your boy again.
If you pay the money, he will be returned to you safe and well in three hours.
11.
Gentlemen,
I received your letter today by post. I think the ransom you want for the return of my son is too big. I have another offer. YOU bring Johnny home and pay me $250 in cash, and I agree to take him off your hands. You had better come at night, because the neighbours believe he is lost. I don’t know what they will do to anybody they see bringing him back.
Very respectfully,
Ebenezer Dorset
12.
We took him home that night. It was midnight when we arrived at Ebenezer’s house. Bill gave him the $250. When the kid saw that we were going to leave him at home he started screaming loudly and took Bill’s leg. His father pulled him away with great difficulty.
“How long can you hold him?” asked Bill.
“I’m not as strong as I used to be,” said Old Dorset, “but I think I can promise you ten minutes.”
13.
“Enough,” said Bill. “In ten minutes I’ll cross most of the United States, and be near the Canadian border.”
Bill was fat and he was not a good runner. But that night no one ran faster than Bill