The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

The Dragoon Detective. Such was the condition of affairs in Gilt Edge City at the time of which I write. On the Sabbath Day that the Dragoon had appointed to oust the two Bills from the old tminer’s cabin, he arose rather late, ate his breakfast without a seeming thought of the large undertaking before him, and then took a careful survey of his weapons. These seemed to be to his liking, and so he sent for Bad Luck. The miner was ready, dressed in his best, and he had his pack of things to carry with him, all ready to strap upon a horse. Hannibal led out from the stable four ani- mals. One was his master’s, another for Bad Luck, a third for the pack, and Hannibal was to ride the fourth. All being in readiness, they started for the cabin. Bad Luck was to ride up, dismount and tell the men that he had come to take charge of the cabin for the absent miner. If they attacked him, then the Dragoon was to be on hand. Arriving near the cabin, they saw the two Bills seated out in front, They were dressed in their best, and several miners were near, seated on a log, for the two usurpers had doubtless told them that they were expecting visitors, Riding boldly up to the cabin, Pad Luck dis- mounted, and said, by way of breaking the ice: ‘* Mornin’, pards,”’ ‘* Well, ald gameleg, what’s wantin’?” said Bruiser Bill, rudely, ‘* Pards, | hey come ter hey a leetle talk with yer about this cabin.” ‘““You needn’t waste yer breath, old game- leg.” i But I wants yer ter know thet ther Judge were my friend, and he left here and stuck up a notice on his door to ther effect he were com- ing back, “ T carved his own wordin’ inter ther door, and thar itis, and I asks yer ter go away and let me keep it fer my friend.” The two men laughed rudely, and one said, glancing at tbe Dragoon, who was waiting out in the trail with Hannibal: ‘*Now, yer thinks yer kin come here and scare us; but yer is awful mistaken, fer we don’t skeer a bit, and I tells yer ter git, and git lively.” we Fie come ter stay, pards,” boldly said Bad Luck. The answer was for Bowie Bill to get up, step quickly toward the old man and raise his hand to strike him. But the blow did not fall, as, with the sharp crack of a revolver the doubled fist was shatter- ed by a bullet. ‘* Coward! would you dare to strike a manlike that? ‘* Come and hit me!” The Dragoon had spurred forward and sprung from his horse to confront the men. As he did so Bruiser Bill called out: ‘« Are it guns or fists, pard, you wants ter hev it out with?” ‘¢ Hither,’ was the cool reply. ; ' ‘* You mash him, Bruiser, and I'll knife ‘him, fer he hev shattered my hand |" yelled Bowie Bill, *“ Men, you have no right to this cabin, and as you would not leave it at that man’s request, I will force you to do so,” sternly said the Dra- oon. ‘JT kin do a leetle forcin’, too, pard, so ef yer wants ter knuckles up with me, jist come on, or say guns, and guns it are: but I am Bruiser Bill, Iam, and I jist wants ter sp'ile thet pretty face you hev and let yer feel my fist. ‘*Tm Bruiser Bill, 1am, and I’m comin’ fer er,’? ‘ . As he spoke he made a spring toward the Dragoon, his hands raised in perfect pugilistic style, while Bowie Bill was nursing his wounded hand and cursing. Seeing this the Dragoon called out: ‘‘ Hannibal, come and look after this cow- ard’s hand, while I punish hiscomrade as he de- serves.” ‘‘ Punish Bruiser Bill, will yer? Take that!” He aimed a blow directly at the face of the Dragoon, and with a power that would have been terrible in its result had he bit hin, But the Dragoon dodged the blow, and quick- ly gave his adversary a body blow that knocked him completely down. The bully was amazed, and enraged be sprung to his feet and rushed upon his enemy, think- | ing there was some mistake. ‘But again bis blow was skillfully warded, and once more the Dragoon’s small firm fist did service, this time in the face of the bully. ~ It was a stunner, and Bruiser Bill sat down | heavily, ‘* What in thunder ails yer? go at him ag’in!” yelled Bowie Bill, as Hannibal was dressing his wounded hand, and at the same time boat ras the pugilistic encounter, for the negro enjoye a. scientific set-to with bare knuckles, and kruiser was scienced, as be had been a cham- pion prize-fighter, until he killed an adversary with one of his terrific blows and had to fly for his life. ” But the Dragoon’s education at fisticuffs did not seem to have been inthe least neglected. As the men standing about laughed at Bruiser Bill’s second knock-down, he became livid with rage, and, urged on by Bowie Bill’s words, he again sprung at his foe, But again he was promptly met and once more his bleeding face caught the full force of the Dragoon's blow. | Down went the desperado, and he was badly staggered, for he rose with difficulty. ‘‘ Better decide to give up the cabin, for I do not care to punish either of you more,” said the | Darling of Destiny quietly. ‘“Giveitup! Well, yes, this way!” As Bruiser Bill spoke, or rather shrieked the words, he dropped his hand upon his revolver. But it never left the holster, for the shar crack of a pistol was heard, followed by a seriok from the desperado, as his arm dropped helpless | to his side, ‘Do not force me to kill you— your hands, or I fire!’ The words ruug out and Bowie Bill, who had | suddenly put his hand on a revolver, as quickly went down under a blow from Hannibal, while Bruiser Bill’s unhurt hand, which was at his hip, went up into the air, for he loved life. ‘Now, men, let my colored comrade dress your wounds, and then tramp, for this cabin you shall not remain in, ‘*What belongs to you, you can take, but nothing else. ‘“ Will you go, or will you force me to kill you?” As the last word left his lips there came a sharp report followed hy a second one, and a bullet clipped the flesh as it sped by the temple of the Dragoon, for Bowie Bill had, from his re- cumbent position managed to get hold of his pistol and fire, But it was his last shot, for Bad Luck stand- ing near, had seen his act, and he senta bullet into his brain. ‘“*Great God! I’m done fer, pard, so don’t shoot me!” cried Bruiser Bill, ‘“T do not intend to unless you force me to it, ‘Come, let Hannibal look at your wound, and then be off, and remember, I mean for you to leave Gilt Edge City.” ‘*T has a mine here, and thar lies my poor ard—” ‘What is your mine worth?” ‘Three thousand, cash.” ‘‘T will buy it from you, andif you set foot in Gilt Edge City after to-morrow, you will rue it.” ‘You pay me ther money for my mine, and bury my Pard Bill, and T'll go.” ‘‘Tt is a bargain,” was the ready answer, and anxious not to show his. face in Gilt Edge City after his defeat, Bruiser Bill allowed Hannibal to dress his arm, which had received a flesh- wound near the sboulder, and with his traps slung on a stick over his shoulder, and his pay for his imme in bis pocket—for Hannibal had ridden to the cabin to get it—he set out on foot to shake off the dust of the town, But he went off as bad Finsh Fred and Darby, vowing vengeance against the Darling of Destiny. ‘‘Now, Bad Luck, you are in charge of this cabin, and I wish you to see that this body is buried this afternoon, ‘* Here is money for expenses, and to treat the boys, who will doubtless all turn out, as it is Sunday.” So saying, the Darling of Destiny, without entering the cabin, mounted his horse, and, ac- companied by Hannibal, set out on his return to his home. Arriving there he saw Mr. Conrad and Kate Ha! up with urged her father to go over with her to his cabin and ask him to join them in a Sunday dinner, for she was anxious about the termina- tion ot the affair, which the reader will remem- “ext, had told her would occur on the Sab- ath, In regard to his having been arrested as a de- serter, she also knew nothing more than that the young licutenant and his troopers had left Gilt Hdge City, and that the Dragoon still re- mained. | ‘*J must know more of this strange man, and I must know what this Sunday morning has brought forth,” she said to herself, and then it was she had urged her father to accompany her to the Dragoon’s cabin to invite him to dinner. CHAPTER XXXVI. A PARSON ARRIVES IN GILT EDGE CITY. ON his next run over, Ribbon Rob brought a | passenger that certainly was welcome in Gilt dge City. He was a manof good physique, and had a | clean-shaven face. Large gold-rimmed tacles gave him a benign, as well as a scholastic air, and this was ‘added to by his dress, which was that of a clergyman. In fact, he was a full-Aedged border mission- ary, trying to do his duty to benighted Indian or miner, and he had drifted into Gilt Edge City at the suggestion of Ribbon Rob. Rob had met him at the station, and had , aud whites all attending service been charmed with his manner of conversation, so had said: ‘* Whar is yer hangin’ out now, parson?” ‘*T go wherever I can do the most good to my fellow-man,” was the reply. ‘* Wal, thar bea lot 0 your fellow-men in Gilt Edge City that needs ther Gospil driven iutoa ’em with a hammer, and I guesses thet are ther vin’yard fer yer'ter work in.” ** How far is it, my friend?” ‘*Wal, d’ll run yer free over thar, if ver cares ter go and tackle ther lostsvuuls o’ ther Gilt Edge community. ‘Thar is buryin’ ter do in plenty, and yer might sling Gospilat ’em on a Sunday.” ‘*Tll go, for I feel that Iam called there.” ‘€HMnough then, Pard Parson. **] goes out in half an bour,so jist git yer traps and take a seat up with me, ef it won’t make yer dizzy.” Thus came into Gilt Edge City Parson )Zekicl Prim, and Landlord Champ gave him a good welcome, while a hush seemed to fall upon the frequenters at The Barracks at the thought that they were to havea parson in their midst. re seemed too much good luck for Gilt Edge ity. Landlord Champ had the interest of the place at heart, and he knew if Gilt Edge City was known to be less wickcd and desperate that many more good people would ecoine there and the camps would grow into a town, and he had a shrewd head for speculation in the future, He found the parson a pleasant fellow, a little giv nto drawling his words with a pious twang and apparently knowing little Leyond the Gos- peland converts. © He spied the Chinee servants, caught sight of Hannibal as he passed with some groceries, saw a couple of Indiaus, whom Champ kept as hun- ters and fishermen for The Barracks, and then glanced around at the motley crowd of miners. ‘“‘T’'ve a great field here, Brother Champ, a great field, and I’ have Chinee, Indian, negro before long.” Landlord Champ hoped so, but doubted it. Still he did his share when he said: ‘*Pil give you a room and board free, par- son, for six months, and you can see how you like it here. ‘* Then, if you thrive, we can build you a lit- tle cabin and church.” This seamed to please the parson greatly, and,. interested in the new man in Gilt Kdge, theland- lord rode over with him to call upon the Dragoon. He was given a cordial greeting by the young soldier, and handed fifty dollars to start him in his new work, Then Fort Folly was visited, and Mrs, Con- rad, ever an enthusiast in good deeds, entere'l heart and soul into the cause of the parson and promised to build him a church herself, He was invited to come over when he pleased, and to make use of the really fine library of Mr. Coured as though it were his own. Thus it was that Gilt Edge City seemed to be taking a new departure. | Mr. Conrad had settled down to business, and he had purchased half a score of mines and hired good men at fair prices to work them. The Dragoon also had threeminesin which he had placed good miners, and Landlord Chamip- had fallen into the same way, so that there was no need of idlers in the town, as work could be had if they wanted it. Bad Luck had not been disturbed in his cabin: of the old miner, and having bought a horse, he rode daily to the Bad Luck Mine to do hisshare- of work. Glad to show the parson around, Landlord oes _ Champ exhibited to him all of these. improve- just riding up to his door, the maiden having | ments of a few weeks in Gilt Hdge City, and then felt that he had done his duty by the par- son as a Starter in his new field of usefulness. The parson seemed charmed with Gilt Hdge- City ; rough miners saluted him politely, he wae asked to ‘ take suthin’” a hundred times a day, and he never lost a chance to throw in a little. good advice about the ‘‘ intoxicating bowl.” He seemed anxious to select a site for his church,and rode and walked over the entire valley. He bought the best horse in Landlord Champ's: stable, on credit, and ig the principle that ‘‘ when in Rome do as the Romans do,” he se-— cured a belt-of-arms to wear’under his ecclesi- astical coat, for he was told that he might be 3 romped on” at a moment’s notice. | He did not seem to understand just what be- ing ‘‘ dropped on” meant, but he was willing to follow the advice of all and prepare against. such an emergency. Hence he wore a couple of revolvers and a knife, and slung by astrap to the same belt were a Bible and hymn book. Such was the entrance of Parson Prim into Gilt Edge City, and already the camps seemed the better for his coming, and Ribbon Rob was. delighted at what he had done for the benighted people of the community. CHAPTER XXXVII. THR PARSON ‘‘ CATCHES ON,”? It was the Sunday f 19 Bruiser Bill LG i olowing the exit of imicbOoks.cor