The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

\ The Dragoon Detective. 16 | Bad Luck stumped off to his hut and soon re- turned with a piece of paper. 1t was weather-stained, but the Dragoon readily made out what was writtén thereonina bold hand. He gazed at it a long time and then said: ‘“Now, Bad Luck, who has gotten the old man’s cabin?” ‘Two fellers thet jist tuk possession a month ago.” ‘* Miners?” ‘Yes, and good miners, but bad men.” ‘*On the shoot, eh?” ‘Yes, cap’n, and on ther fight in general, with fist, knife or gun. ‘Tf thet Stonefist hed tackled Bruiser Bill he w’u’d hev been IJaid out at once,” ‘* Bruiser Bill is the name of one?” “Yas, cap’n.” ‘* And the other?” ‘* Bowie Bill.” ‘CA pair of Bills?” ‘Yas, and two of a kind.” ‘¢ And they have the mine?” ‘*No, sir, ther cabin.” ‘“ Ah, yes; but may they not know where the mine is?” ‘‘ Maybe, but it’s my idea they tuk ther cabin ter try and find out from what was init, just whar ther mine is.”’ **T see,” ‘Yas, cap’n,” ‘' Did it ever strike you the old man might have been killed?” “No, sir.” ‘“Tt might have been so,” ‘“ Yas, cap’n, but he left in good faith, and I guess found he had money enough, so did not come back; but it is no reason why his cabin should be taken until the year’s out.”’ “ You allow a year here, do you?” os Yes, sir.” ‘‘ And then if a mine is not reclaimed others can claim it?” ‘Yas, cap’n.” ‘fAnd the Judge has not been gone that long’ ‘Only about half that time.” ‘‘ Did you speak to this precious pair of Bills about taking thecabin?” __ ee K did.” ‘* And their reply?” ‘«That they’d send me to ther Rock o’ Ages if Tsaid anything more.” ‘*So you did not?” ‘*Cap'n, I’ve got good sense.” ‘They are as bad as that, are they?” ioe Wiuss.”’ ‘“Who was the best friend the Judge had here?” ‘*T were,” ‘““You can prove that?” ‘‘'Waal, he told me ef he died here I wou'd find out all about him from papers he had on his pusson, and fer me ter hey him buried and send ther papers ter ther one it was writ to.” ‘* You did not know who this was?” SON O,. chtt.,”? ‘““Well, Bad Luck, these men should leave that cabin.” ‘Bart in” ‘* And they must.” ‘Tt hain’t healthy makin’ ’em.” ‘‘ TN place you there, as the friend of the Judge, to keep it until his return. ‘*T will get a couple of good men to live in your shanty and work the Bad Luck Mine, and remember, your share goes on the same, for I will pay them by the day. ‘*Butyou are to take care of the missing man’s cabin.” **Cap’n, you'll go with me ter take hold?” ‘Oh, yes.” ‘‘Then it’s a go; but I w’u'dn’t go thar and order them Bills out ef half Gilt Edge were ter back me up init.” ‘*T will place your claim before them as the friend of the Judge.” ‘“They won’t go.” “T think you are wrong, Bad Luck, for I am convinced that they will,” fy wach thar is goin’ ter be music,’ said Bad uck, The Dragoon laughed and ordered his horse for the next Sunday morning, when the two men would be almost certain to be found in the house they had usurped. ‘* We will go together, Bad Luck, and Hanni- ba] will lead a horse carrying your traps.” Yeu,” f ‘*T see thet you means | shall go ter stay.” ‘* Thet’s ther game, ef it will work,” ‘*T'll see that 16 does, Bad Tuck.” ‘“Thar is goin’ ter be music, and somebody's got ter pay ther fiddler,” muttered Bad Luck, as he strolled over to his cabin, deeply impress- ed with the fact that the Darling of Destiny ‘*meant business” where Bruiser and Bowie Bill were concerned, CHAPTER XXX, AN AFTERNOON GALLOP. FRM to his promise, the Iarling of Destiny made an early call upon the new settlers in Fort Folly, going as soon as he ms in that they were comfortably fixed up in their cabin. He saw as he approached that Mr. Conrad had not been idle, for a stockade-yard of several acres, running out across a small stream to the mountain-base, had been made for the cattle, while the fowls also had comfortable quarters. Two of the outer cabins had been turned ®to stables, and a number of horses had been pur- chased for work on the place and for the spring- wagon and horseback-riding. Mrs, Conrad never rode horseback, so the spring-wagon was for her especial benefit. Sylvester Vernon had undertaken to supply the table with game and fish, devoting a few hours each morning to the work, which was sport for him, and he was a successful hunter and fisherman. The cabin was in perfect condition, and Mrs. Conrad and Kate were delighted with theirnew home already. ‘ i rooms were large, comfortable and cheer- ul. A force of men were at work, still putting on the finishing touches, and the Dragoon was de- lighted as he rodeup to see what a really de- lightful home they had. Mr. Conrad met him at the horse-rack, and greeted him warmly, while he said: ‘We thought you had forgotten us.” ‘Oh, no, sir, but I concluded to wait @ few days until you got settled,” ‘* Well, we are all right now, and all of us are charmed. ‘*T told my family of the scene at The Bar- racks the other night, and also that I owed you my life on the way home,” ‘Did Darby come, sir?” ‘‘Oh, yes, and I bought the mine, and have good men working it. ‘“Why, I shall make a fortune here, for there are a score of paying leads that men are too lazy to work, that I can get for a small sum, while, when I have time, I shall go prospecting and hope to strike something rich. ‘“That man Darby told me, by the way, to tell you he would keep you green in his mem- fe} Sia ‘‘T shall not forget him,” was the reply. ‘Ribbon Rob came once’ to see us when last here, and he is a splendid fellow. ‘He told me quietly that he was in love with Pink, my daughter’s maid.” ‘(There is no finer fellow on the border than Rob, rough in action, but yet as gentle as a woman and as good,” ‘That is a good character for him; but here is my daughter.” Kate Conrad looked grandly beautiful in her blue cloth suit that fitted her perfectly, and she welcomed the Dragoon in a manner that was most winning. “‘T have come to call, Miss Conrad, and also to ask if you care to join me, in a ride I have to make through the mountains this after- noon.” ‘*Gladly will I go, for I have not yet tried my horse; but we dine in a short while, for we are fashionable, you know, even here, as papa likes his dinner at two.” The Dragoon had dined, but he went to the table with the family, and Mr, Conrad opened a bottle of his favorite Madeira in honor of his presence. Sylvester Vernon had come in with a lon string of fish and some game, but ha patios. slightly when he found the Dragoon there. Still, he appeared pleasanter efter a while, and in spite of himself became interested in the soldier’s conversation, for the Darling of Des- tiny was a brilliant talker, and his easy manner and charming voice were very fascinating, ‘Will you not accompany us, Mr. Vernon?” said the Dragoon, pleasantly, adding: oo we would enjoy the ride we will take, But Vernon declined on the plea of fatigue, and the Dragoon and Kate started off. ‘You are a splendid horsewoman, Miss Con- rad,” said the Dragoon, as he noted her fine seat in the saddle and her perfect control of the Road Raider’s horse, which had never be- fore had a lady rider upon him, and was very restive. ‘*T will soon have my horse understand me, sir, and then we will get along famously to- gether,” was the reply. Then the citizens of Gilt Edge City were treated to a sight they had never seen before, as the Dragoon and Kate dashed through the long street, for the feminine denizens of the camps could be numbered by a score, and a ei i gentleman on horseback werea novelty to gazed upon, especially where the latter was the now famous Darling of Destiny. The trail taken by the Dragoon led by the cabin formerly occupied by the Judge, and seated in front of it were two rough-looking men, They were of the same size, did not look un- like, wore their hair and beard long and were armed to the teeth. They looked up as the Dragoon and Kate ap- proached, and the scowl] they wore showed that their motive was evil. The Dragoon saluted politely and asked: ‘Ts this the cabin that was formerly occupied by the old man known as the Judge?” 4 ————= ‘* What does yer want ter know for?” was the sullen reply. ‘*T have a reason, sir, and asking you a polite question, I expect a civil reply.” There was something in the calm manner of the Dragoon that commanded respect, perhaps it was the presence of Kate Conrad; but certain it is a civil reply was returned. ‘Tt war his cabin, but it are ourn now,” ‘“Thank you; good-day, gentlemen,” and the Dragoon rode on, remarking to Kate as he did sO: “There is a little history about that cabin Miss Conrad, that I am anxious to solve, and ii shall begin next Sunday.” ‘‘And that means more trouble? said Kate somewhat anxiously. ‘*T fear so, but I hope not.” Then they continued on their ride, making a circuit of the camps by the mountain trails, and coming back on the one that led by the cabin of the Dragoon. As they turned into this trail, approaching from another they saw a party of horsemen. ‘‘ They are troopers—an officer and six men,” decided the Dragoon. The soldiers had come to a halt and were re- garding the Dragoon and Kate attentively. They were travel-stained, and their horses seemed jaded; but they were all well urmed. Ata word from their commander, who wore a lieutenant’s uniform, they unslung their car- bines for use, and as the Dragoon approached, the words rung out clear and sharp: ‘* Halt, sir! my men have you covered, and I arrest you as a deserter from the army!” CHAPTER XxXXT, RIBBON ROB’S PASSENGER, Rippon Rog had as a passenger over the Overland, on his second run after having car- ried over the Conrad party, a person who took a seat on the.box alongside of him. He was pretty well dressed, and ata glance Ribbon Rob set him down ag a ‘' tenderfoot,” unused to the ways of the border. ‘* Which way bound, pilgrim?” he asked, af- ter they had rolled away from the station and the stranger had not spoken. ‘“To the mines.” ‘“ What mines?” ‘*Gold mines.” ‘* Which one?” ‘‘There’s a Gilt Edge City that you go through?” “6 Yes.” ‘Tm going there.” ‘t What for?” ‘*T'o make a fortune.” cc No y? oe Yes,” ce How 9g? ‘* Digging gold.” ‘*'You hain’t been West before?” ce No. ” ‘‘ Youll have to keep yer eyes skinned, or yer’ll be tuk in,” ‘Taken in where?” ‘“Tuk in fer a darned fool.” ‘‘T am not a fool.” Ribbon Rob looked at him dubiously,. After awhile he said: ‘‘T tell you, pard, Gilt Edge City is a bad place, and if you was doing a good business elsewhere, you had oughter stuck to it, ‘‘They kills men thar every day, half ther fellers in ther camps has got the’r private grave- yards, and no man sleeps without his boots on and his belt 0’ weepons. ‘Tf they thinks you is green they'll go fer yer, and if you has money they’ll rob yer.” “Dye got a little money to take care of my- self with until I find gold.” ‘* Whar’s yer gun?” ‘“¢ What gun?” ‘* Yer shootin’-irons?” ‘€Oh! do I have to have sich things?” Ribbon Rob looked at him pityingly. ‘*Do you have to have sich things? ‘*Does yer hev ter eat?” ‘Yes, sir.” ‘Well, gine is more necessary in Gilt Edge City than is grub.” ‘*T want to know.” ‘Waal, yer will know, and my advice is fer rie ter get a belt o’ weepons, soon as yer strike st a I will, thank you, sir.” He was a fine-looking young fellow, but Rob ‘eg his ignorance and wished to be kind to So he told him all about the Darling of Des- tiny, Rob’s favorite topic of conversation, the murders that had been committed, the duels fought, the hangings, and the Overland perils, until he got the young fellow’s eyes to staring like saucers. ‘* Here is whar I’ve been stopped half a bun- dred times, and Gilt Edge City is jist five miles beyond in the valley,” said Ribbon Rob, ‘I guess I’ go back,” said the young man in a trembling voice. “*Go whar?”’ ‘* Back again.” ‘* Whar’s that?” ‘¢ Home.” ks Gomichoo CS ~_