The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

th aA on ry { wv e Dragoon Detective. afore he left, and sent plenty o’ dust East by stage. ‘* He lefta leetle bag o’ dust with me twice and it were welcome, and he told me then he'd hit it rich; but nobody knew whar his mine was, and tolks felt cur’ous about it. “Still they didn’t find out,and I is afraid that 1t is-to try and diskiver, from what ther Jvdes left in his cabin, thet made them two fel- lers pre-empt his leetle home, and I’m going to ask the cap’n to jist pay’em a visit and know why they 1s thar. ‘* They is hard citizens, yer must know, and it hain’t many folks as cares to ask ’em questions as to their business; but thet boss o’ yourn will ask’em,” ‘* Yas, boss, and he’ll git a answer, too, 1 reckon,’ and Hannibal langhed. “You think hell try and find out for me about the Jedge?” Hannibal was a peculiar negro, for at times he talked in the dialect of a cottonfield hand, andagain would drop it quickly and speak with the words and manner of one who had been well educated, He was wont ’most always to talk correctly when alone with the Dragoon, but with others he appeared to be the uneducated negro. But now he answered, in almost a different voice from his ordinary one: ‘Tam sure, sir, if you tell the Dragoon that the Judge was vour friend, and the men took his cabin without any claim for doing so, he will inquire into it for you.” Bad Luck started, for he seemed to almost feel that another person than Hannibal had spoken to him; but he was very shrewd, and so appeared not to notice the change in Hannibal's words and manner, and said: ‘“ Waal, they is terrors on the fight, with knife, gun or fists, and they knows what they kin do, so it makes’em sassy. ‘*They is both named Bill, but Bill what no- body knows, so the boys calls em Bruiser Bill and Bowie Bill, for one is a terrible bruiser, and tother is a fearful hand with the knife; but you tell ther Dragoon about ’em when he comes, and Tu ask him ter hunt ’em out o’ ther Jedge’s cabin, ‘*Now I must be goin’ ter my roost, so good- night, pard.” annibal called the miner to take a night- cap, and then Bad Luck departed; but’ he had gone but a few steps when he called out: ‘* Ho, pard, thar is some one at ther stables.” This was enough for Hannibal, for he seized his revolvers, dashed out his light and was out of tne cabin in an instant. ‘Here they comes!” cried Bad Luck, ‘‘Jump to cover and draw your weapon,” said Hannibal, though he did not set the ex- ample of hiding himself, : There was heard the clatter of hoofs and a small cavalcade came dashing down the glen. Hannibal understood the situation at once. Some one had been to the stables, stolen the horses and were escaping with them; but they bad to pass the cabin, he well knew. The mounted party were dashing along, evi- dently feeling success certain, when suddenly a Jong, shrill cry was heard. It came from the lips of the negro, and hear- ing it the two splendid, kidnapped black horses suddenly wrenched themselves loose f.om their captors, as they were being led along at a gal- lop, and darted off among the pines in search of the one who had given the well-known call. ‘‘Curse the brutes, they are gone!” yelled lush Fred, and he drew rein, as though to go in chase. But just then a flash and report came and a bullet whistled by his ears. ‘his decided the desperado, especially as his two comrades were anxious to get away it seemed, as they rode straight on. The shot had come from Bad Luck, and it was returned by both Stonefist and Rattler as they dashed along. Then Hannibal fired and Flush Fred’s horse stumbled, staggered and fell, throwing him over bis head. But Fred was on his feet in an instant, he saw that his two comrades had passed the cabin, and oe darted into the pine thicket and up the steep side of the glen, only anxious to escape, tor somehow the idea struck him that the Dra- goon must have returned. Ip the darkness, and not having seen the two blacks break away from their captors, Han- nibal feared they might be ridden by the thieves, so dared not fire, and so the two mount- ed desperadoes got by the cabin, they firing ra- pidly. and Bad Luck ch at it., But as they reached the trail loud neighs were heard, in answer to another call by Hannibal, and up dashed the two blacks. ‘*You hold Guide, boss, and [ll pounce on Scout,” cried Hannibal, and he threw himself astride of one of the animals without saddle or bridle. Away he started in chase, and reaching the trai) halted, for he did not know which one of the three the men had taken. Listening, he heard the hoof-strokes, but the rocks caused many echoes, and the trail he took was at a venture, Along he dashed however, and after a short | ride beheld moving forms ahead, and a voice called out: ‘* Which way, pard, in such a hurry?” Hannibal drew rein, for two horsemen were before him, only they had been riding toward him. ‘*Did you see two men on horseback, gem- men?” he asked. ‘‘Only ourselves, and we is bound for Gilt Edge City; how far is it?” ‘* A mile, sah, to the first cabin; but you didn’t meet two horsemen running for all they was worth?” ‘* No, pard, we hain’t seen any; but is you from Gilt Edge City?’ “as, sab?! ‘Why, you is a black man?” ‘* Yas, boss, I hain’t white.” ‘‘ Waal, we wants to gitin afore tho taverns close up, s0 we'll ride on.” Hannibal remained seated upon his horse, looking after them. His hands hung on each side of him, but each held a revolver, and a movement of either of the men to draw would have been anticipated by a shot from the negro. “T half-way believe they are the men, and are fooling me, ‘Tf so, they belong in Gilt Edge City, and I will know all about them.” He followed them slowly, left his horse with Bad Luck to put back in the stable, and then ran on foot after the two men. He soon came in sight of them, for they rode slowly, and after dogging their steps for a short distance saw them stop at the Gold Dust Tav- ern, the next public house in importance to The Barracks. Through the window he saw their faces and heard their story how they were miners in ill- fortune, and had come to Gilt Edge City to settle, ‘“T was wrong, and yet I half-way suspect them,” muttered Hannibal, as he retraced his way homeward. Bad Luck had put up both the horses, and was on guard. Getting a lantern they examined the dead horse of the desperado, and Bad Luck said: ‘‘That’s the very horse, saddle and bridle Flush Fred bought afore he left, for 1 seen them then.” But Flush Fred was not to be found, for he was hastening along on foot, on his way back to the retreat of the Road Raiders, perfectly furious at his bad luck, and vowing renewed vengeance against the Darling of Destiny and all connected with him. CHAPTER XVIII. RIBBON ROB’S RUSE, It will be remembered that it was with con- siderable dread that Ribbon Rob drove away from the station, with the strangers in his coach. He liked the old gentleman’s looks, was pleased with Mrs. Conrad’s appearance, was struck by Kate’s dashing was and felt a soft spot in his heart for her maid, Pink. As for Sylvester Vernon, he did not ‘‘ freeze to him,” as he expressed it, for there was some- thing about him that he did not like. That he had a precious load on board, Rob knew, not to speak of Mr. Conrad having a great deal of money with him. Kate had asked to ride on the box, and Rib- bon Rob was as much pleased as Sylvester Vernon looked displeased, The cvage-driver was a gallant fellow in his way, and as they rode along he entertained the maiden with stories of the road until she said, laughingly: ‘Tf you tell me any more horrible things, Mr. Rob, I shall not be able to keep my hat on, for each separate hair is begi g to grow stiff with fright.” But the scenery was grand, the horses were fast and open the road was good, but dan- erous,and Ribbon Rob’s masterly skill won ate Conrad’s unbounded admiration. ‘We are not very far now from whar ther Darlin’ 0’ Destiny beat Cap’n Brass at his own game,’’said Rob. ‘* Yer see, it were as I told yer, miss, upon ther ridge, and that is whar ther Road Raiders gits ther advantage. ‘* We has ter climb ther mountain, and then Bo along ther ridge on pretty level ground for alfa mile, ‘Then begins ther descent of several miles ter ther valley whar Gilt Edge City is.” ‘¢ And how long ago was that?” ‘* Only five weeks; it was the first time I hed met ther Dragoon. ‘“He comed up to ther station on horseback, with his colored man, and left him to come over next day, for their horses were tired, and he rode with me, ‘*He rid inside, and I kinder took a notion he was no good; but I changed my mind when the Raiders struck us, for I tell you, miss, he proved the gamest man I ever see, and we is friends now. ‘*T tell yer, he is king bee in Gilt Edge City now, and | only wish he were along to-day. ‘© Ts your pa much on ther shoot, miss?” “Do you mean to ask if he is a man who will fight?” ‘“ Yes; pull his gun and use it, miss? ‘Papa is a brave man, and if you advise re- sistance if we meet the road-agents, he will do as you say.” * And t’other one, miss?” ‘*Mr, Vernon?” ** Yas, miss,” ‘*Oh, he will be ready when you need him, I am sure.” ‘* Now, miss, if we is halted, and resist, some- body’s got to tarn up his toes. ‘Tt may be me, may be you pa, and per- haps t’other gent, while, if bullets flies thick, some o’ you lady folks might feel lead, so it comes to ther question as to whether we allows ’em to s’arch ther old hearse or fight.” ‘Suppose you halt and ask my father?” The halt was made, the case stated clearly, and it was decided to hide the large amount of money and valuables in some way and allow the Raiders to search them and get afew thingsand a small sum. Now, Rob had a secret receptacle in the coach, an idea of his own, and in there the money and jewelry were placed, and the sfage drove on. Declining to enter the coach, Kate remained on the box, Her face was pale, but she had nerved herself to bear any ordeal through which they had to pass. Suadenly, and just as Ribbon Rob had whis- pered, ‘‘ Here, if anywhere,” there rung out in loud tones: ‘‘ Draw rein, Ribbon Rob! “* Hands up!” *‘Cuss yer, Cap’n Brass, don't yer see I hes leddies along this trip?” cried Rob, putting on the brake and coming to a halt, while he held his hands up over his head. Not a Raider had been visible when the com- mand was given, but now Captain Brass rode out into the trail,and while two of his men sprung to the heads of the horses, a half- dozen more ranged themselves on either side of the coach. Riding near the coach, the outlaw drew rein, and raising his sombrero, bowed low to Kate, ny gazed earnestly upon his masked face, He said : ‘*T do see that you have ladies with you, Rib- bon Rob, and one who is most beautiful; but what other treasures have yon?” ‘* Mighty little, I guesses, for folks hain’tas big fools now as they was a couple of months ago.” a I believe that you have a rich booty on board, Ribbon Rob.” ‘‘) had one that was a leetle too rich fer you, some weeks ago, Pard Brass, but how’s yer hand, for I wishes ter tell ther Dragoon, as I knows he’ll be anxious about you.” : A curse came to the outlaw’s lips, and he said flercely: : ‘*Some day I'll meet your Darling of Destiny again, Ribbon Rob, and then woe be unto him.” ‘You'll find the woe in your family, Cap’n Brass.” ‘* Bilence, sir, or PU kill you.” ‘¢ No, don’t kill me, for no other driver will be fool enough to run this trail, and you'll be knocked out of your business.” ‘<Te]l me who you have on board.” “ [ll tell you, sir, for besides myself there are my father, mother and maid, with my father’s secretary, Mr. Vernon,” said Kate, fearlessly. ‘‘ And you have money and valuables, miss?” ‘“Tf you think so, it is your place to find them.” ‘‘T know so, for I had a spy on your move- ments, and he saw you halt, and I know you did it to hide them; after seeing you stop he rode on and told me.” Mr. Conrad groaned and Kate turned pale, while Ribbon Rob hissed forth: “You infernal thief o’ther rogd,I'd give a cool thousand ef ther Dragoonand his company c’u’d come on and catch yer now.” ‘*T do not fear him or bis soldiers for they are nowhere near.”? ‘You fool yerself with thet idee, Brass.” ‘*Ccme, out with all that you have hidden, and at once.” ‘(7 will never do so,” said Kate, firmly. ‘Come, old gentleman, life is too short to here, so give up your money, or I will—” ‘© Would you kill me in cold blood?” sternly asked Mr, Conrad. ‘J would if you provoked it; but I think I en to strike you, and that is not through ear. ‘* What do you mean, Sir Robher?” ‘‘T mean that I shall take your daughter as a beatae until you give up your Bo ie ou would not dare,” indignantly cried te. The Road Raider chief laughed, and said: ‘*You are mistaken, young lady, for I dare do anything, and unless the money is forthcom- ing within five minutes I will take you as my captive.” ‘Ther things was hid back down ther road, Brass,” said Ribbon Rob. oO GComichoo <SEIGON