The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 15: what you’re looking at

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v-, The Dragoon Detective. 15 who ordered the prisoners to be taken back to their lock-up for half an hour. Once they were out of the room the Dragoon slipped out upon the piazza and confronted Stonefist and Rattler, who were quietly decamp- ing, after having made a bluster about their being glad to hang the Road Raiders. “This way, gentlemen, for 1 was just looking for you,” The two men muttered an oath, while Rattler said aloud: ‘“Yas, pard, we were going round by ther hallway ter see yer, fer if was socrowded makin’ our way through ther saloon.” ‘‘ Yes, it was easier to slip out upon the piaz- za; but come, I wish you to meet the judge, and he will give you directions what to do.” (Yas, Copp Ma Mentally cursing their luck, and wishing that they nad been content to take a back seat and not push themselves forward, the two scamps went into the saloon where Landlord Champ and Mr, Conrad sab. ‘t Judge, kindly tell these men the duty they are to perform, for when strangers come into Gilt Hdge City, they must be willing to show that they are anxious to become good citizens, and hence these gentlemen shall have the honor of hanging the Road Raiders,” ‘Certainly, captain, and I am glad you thought of it,” said the landlord, and then he said to the two men: ‘*You are to wait here until the prisoners are brought forth, and then each of you are to take one as your man to execute, ‘¢ You will pinion their arms, place a noose about their necks, walk with them to our gal- lows-tree, in front of The Barracks, and there jsalimb there over which the ropes are to be thrown and made fast.” ‘‘Ther same limb hey bore ther same kind o’ fruit afore,” said a bystander. ‘‘ A cart will be beneath the limb, and the men are to stand up in it. ‘‘ When ready you are to drag the cart out from under them and your work is done, ‘Do you understand?” ‘© Yus,” growled Stonefist. Rattler nodded. ‘*One moment, judge,’’ the Dragoon said. ‘‘ Well, captain?” ‘‘T have a desire to have these executioners and the prisoners meet face to face unexpected- ly, and you and Mr. Conrad, with several others t desire to take note of what occurs,” and the Dragoon whispered the words. Mr. Conrad was then called aside and notified, and half-a-dozen of the miners also, The half-hour was then up, and the prisoners were sent in. Ignorant of the little plot of the Dragoon against them, the two spies stood apart, and Rattler said: ‘‘T hopes ther boys won’t give us away, pard.” ‘‘Tt are ticklish, fer neither one of ’em likes you and me, Rattler, andthey was mad because ther cap’n sent us instead o’ them.” ‘“We must give ’em ther wink and sign not ter betray us, fer ef they does thet tree are likely ter grow more fruit.” ‘Yas, 1 don’t half like ther tarn things hes tuk.” ‘ T wishes they hed come instid o*us.” ‘‘Waal, we is all here tergether now, and I hopes fer ther best,” ‘Lordy! ef they sh’u’d squeal?” ‘« Ther jig is up fer us,” The men broke out in a cold sweat at the thought. They had looked for a good time in Gilt Edge City, and they had suddenly gotten into a trap. Destiny roundly, but in their mind, for there were eyes upon them. CHAPTER XXVIII. “ TH WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD,” THe guard had gone for the prisoners and they were heard returning along the hall, They had been allowed halt an ‘hour alone in the guard-room fo: prayer, if they wished to so devote their time, They knew the border too well to expect mercy and they were sure they would have to e. In that half-hour of bitterness there came to them the thoughts of their past, their first crime, and then they glanced along the down- ward course they had taken, Instead of joining in the larger army of hon- est miners and toiling hard for a fortune, the had preferred to turn Road Raiders and to ki for gold. ‘« We has got ter go,’ said one, ‘* Sure,” was the reply of the other. There were four guards with them, one on eitber side, and thus they were marched along the hallway and entered tbe saloon. Tbe Dragoon had arranged it so that they should come face to face with Stonefirt and Rat- tier. and, under a pretease to ese Tt ther: bo their rooting and have al: ready, the two conled ropes hud been thrown over the uecks v2 toe spies and & miner was upon either side, In their terror they cursed the Darling of - ‘* Hello! they’ve got you, too, pards?” cried one of the prisoners, at sight of them. Stonetist and Rattler were dismayed, for | quickly they had made signs to their comrades not to betray them. Instantly the Dragoon stepped between them and said to one of the prisoners: ‘* Yes, L have four of your gang now, as you see; but tell me what are the names of these two?” ‘*Stonefist and Rattler,” was the ready reply. A perfect howl went up from the men present, | and, seeing that Rattler meant to use his revol- ver, the Dragoon threw himself upon him. The man was possessed of great strength, but in aninstant he was disarmed, while with a re- volver held at his head by Landlord Champ, Stonefist gave up his weapons, It would be impossible to portray the rage of | Stonefist and Rattler at their being so cleverly | entrapped by the Dragoon, and they uttered the wildest profanity . The two condemned men seemed to enjoy the situation, for by a strange coincidence an en- | mity existed between these four, when other- | wise, knowing that they were doomed, they , might have sworn to no knowledge of the | others. **yentlemen,”’ said the Dragoon, and instant- : iy there was a dead silence, for the crowd was always pleased when called ‘‘ gentlemen.” Also, they liked always tu hear what the Darling of Destiny had to say. ‘Gentlemen, you may have thought itstrange that I should have selected two strangers in town as hangmen. ‘“‘ But [ had my motive, as you shall see. ** You remember the ttle affair that occurred between your esteemed fellow-citizen, Flush Fred, and myself? ‘Well, being anxious to seek revenge upon me he waylaid meintheroad. \ “Tt was just after nightfall, and he mistook pine straw in my uniform, mounted upon horge- back, for me, and fired, ‘‘T was near, and he was willing to place his hands above his head at my request. ‘*T did not kill him, but let him go free, and he went to join the Road Raiders. ‘Taking a fancy to some horseflesh I have in my stable, he came down during my absence, and these two gentlemen escorted him, ‘‘T have a colored servant, and he was awake, also Bad Luck was on hand, and though the horse-thieves had stolen my horses, they did not get away with them. ‘«The ees of Flush Fred was killed, and that worthy climbed the sides of the canyon and struck out on foot for the retreat of the Road Raiders. ‘““The other two dashed by my cabin, and Hannibal followed them. ‘* He came suddenly upon two horsemen com- ing toward Gilt Hdge Crty. ‘“He drew rein and asked them if they had seen two horsemen riding rapidly along that trail, for he was not sure that he had taken the way that the horse-thieves had. ‘“They had seen nothing of other horsemen than themselves. PO aig course Hannibal had to believe them— then. ‘‘They said they were miners, going to settle in Gilt Edge. ‘*But Hannibal dogged them, saw them go to a tavern and then he returned, _ “At dawn he and Bad Luck were out trail- ing. ‘* Hannibal is a good trailer, and cutting a hoof off of the dead horse of Flush Fred he fol- lowed its trail. ‘“It led back through some soft earth, and the three tracks came together at my stable, two horses went back along the trail, turned and came back, halted to talk to Hannibal, and were then tracked to the cavern where these two men stopped, ‘‘This convinced me that they were Road Raiders, seut here on some secret mission, and you have seen, gentlemen, the recognition by them of tle prisoners, so there are four, instead of two men to hang, and Judge Champ will ap- point the executioners.” The words of the Dragoon were received with cheers, and turning to Mr, Conrad, be said: ‘* Are you ready to ride home, sir, for my way leads in your direction to-night.” “You will not wait for the execution, then?” ‘* Ah, no, for my life causes me to be forced to witness too many sad scenes not to escape those that J can avoid,” ““Itisto your honor that it is so, Captain Gaston ;but Iam ready, for I feared I would have to remain.” Sotbe two mounted their horses and rode away, just as the four doomed men were being dragged to the gallows-tree, - As thev passed » large bowlder near the trail, the Dragoon sudden)y wheeled his horse and spurred around jt, while he cried: ‘ Hands up, sir!” A man sprung to his feet and promptly obey- ed, while he cricd: ‘“Ho, Pard Dragoon, it’s me, Darby. and I hain't doing notbin’,” s | “Mr. Darby, I know that you were lying in ambush here to shoot Mr, Conrad and rob him on his way home, ‘“*T am determined to clear Gilt Edge City of just such characters as you are, and I would serve you right if 1 took youup to The Barracks and let the mob hang you with the four Road Raiders, ‘* But I will give you a chance. ‘You have a good mine, but are too lazy to work it, and tiis gentleman wishes to buy.” ‘*T don’t want ter sell.” ‘*You must, and after breakfast you go to Fort Folly and sell this gentleman your mine. ‘* You cousider it worth two thousand, and he will give you that for if, “Then, Mr. Darby, just get your traps to- gether. and by suuset be on the trail out of Gilt Edge City.” E ‘*T don’t want ter go.’ ‘* Very well, if you will not take one way you will another, ‘* Come with me, and I'll give you to the mob, telling your crime, and you make your exit from Gill Edge City via the Gallows-Tree and the Rock of Ages.” tk 20, garda’ ““ Which wav?” ‘Tl sell out and skip.” ‘* Allright, eee that you do,’ and the tworode on, the Dragoon telliog Mr. Conrad that a miner came to him and told him Darby was plotting to kill and rob him, and that is why he accompanied him home. Then bidding Mr. Conrad good-night, the Dragoon rode back by Tho Barracks, and there in the moonlight beheld the forms of the four Road Raiders hanging in the Gallows-Tree, while the miners were making merry in the saloon. 2 OHAFPTEHR. XXEX, BAD LUGE’S STORK: InstHAD of looking upon the two extra horses, which his master had brought when carrying the dispatches of the dead sergeant, as so much more trouble to take care of, Han- nibal was delighted at the acquisition. He saw five superb blacks in the stable, any one of them superior to the best horse in Gilt Edge City, unless it was an animal ridden by Landlord Champ, and the one presented to Kate Conrad by the Dragoon. Not to be caught napping, Hannibal rigged a line across the canyon, so as to be placed at night, and no one knowing of its being there and < phegrent either on foot or horseback, caused a gun to be discharged, thus giving the alarm. The Dragoon congratulated him upon his in- Serge but advised that he at once post Bad uck, as otherwise he might give him a severe shock. : Bad Luck was called and initiated into the secret, and then he said: ‘‘ Cap’n, Ive got suthin’ ter say ter you.” ‘Well, Bad Luck, out with it.” ‘*Tt’s about an old man that were here onc’t, as folks called ther Judge.” The Dragoon started, in spite of his great nerve. ‘He used ter live in a snug leetle cabin, down on ther creek shore, and a mighty nice man he were, ‘“He were handsome, had long gray beard and hair, were edicated like a parson, and had leetle ter say to anybody. ‘“He used ter go through ther mountains looking fer gold, and one day he struck it rich, fer Ribbon Rob said he sent about sixty thou- sand dollars off East by him. ““ Nobody know’d about his mine, and in fact it wasn’t know’d he had struck, it rich ontil he went away, when Rob told about it.” ‘* And when did he go away?” ‘* Last fall.” ** And you have never seen him since?” “No, sir.” ** And his mine?” ‘* Nobody knows about it.” ‘¢ And his cabin?” “ Tt’s thet I am coming to.” ‘* Did he tell no one good by?” ‘* Not as I ever beerd of,” ‘* And you knew him well?” *¢ As well as folks c’u’d know him, fer he was- n’t intimate with no one, ““He were kind ter me, and I hoped he’d do well. : : ‘‘l went ter see him one Sunday, as I some- times did, and I found he hed gone, and on Jiis door were stuck up a notice on a bit o’ paper.”’ ‘ What did it say?” ““Thet he were gone Hast on business, and w’u’d come back, and fer no one to distarb his cabin.” ‘‘ Well, did any one do so?” ‘“T seen, as he did not come back in a few weeks, thet ther paper. was playin’ out, so I just tuk my knife, fer I used ter be a wood-carver, and I cut inter ther door, jist what he had » cit; on ther paper.” ‘* And the paper?” S eo “] has it in my cabin, cap’n. iri COMIC DOO (S@)