The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 25: what you’re looking at

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The Dragoon Detective. 25 *¢T’m durned ef I do.” “Where do you remember that you were right last?” ‘Back at them big trees on ther creek.” ‘Then come back there.” ‘*Ts you goin’ ter show me ther way?” ‘*Tm going to show you how to find it.” “ All right, ef you kin do it.” They rode back in the darkness to the place in- dicated. ‘‘- You are sure you passed here?” ce Yes,” ‘* What proof have you?” ‘We halted here a few minutes, and I rode from here on alongside the lieutenant, in ther lead,” “You rode the horse you are riding now?” ease" ‘‘Then start him ahead and give him the rein. ‘\ JT will follow.” ‘CPard,.”” ‘* Well?” ‘You has a brain.” ‘Thank you.” ‘J pulled ther horse off the trail awhile azo, fer he wanted ter go one way, and I thought my way was right.” ‘Then start.” They hurried on and the horse went forward at a brisk pace. He remembered that he had been stabled and had been given a good feed up at the retreat. So on they went until the dawn broke, Then Tempest said they were not far from the retreat. The valley was reached and the canyon turned into, the horse taking his own way. Then came the steep climb up the mountain- side through the narrow chasm, and as they reached the top they were brought to a halt by the guard. ‘¢Hands up! Who are yer?” cried the guard, protected himself by the rocks, and with a rifle at his shoulder. ‘ Pard, I is ther Gilt Edge spy, as was here with ther captives last night. ‘‘Pve come ter see ther chief,” said the des- perado. ‘Yas, I knows yer now, fer I tuk yer to ther chief’s cabin; but who is with yer?” ‘(A pilgrim as wants ter j’1ne ther band.” ‘You had no right ter bring a man without ‘askin? ther chief.” ‘¢Pard, we is both exiles, and it’s all right, so shout fer ther chief,” The man gave a call, a comrade came, and word was sent to the chief, Soon he returned with word to bring the men to him, Murdock took in all that was before him, and yet appeared to be indifferent, The chief was at breakfast, and the men went up to his cabin, where he wasseated under the pine-straw shed in front of his door. ‘* Well, sir, back eo soon?” he said, slowly, to Tempest. “Veg, cap’n, as yer sees.” “¢ And who have you with you?” “¢ A pard in distress!” “< Why are you here?” *" We is exiles.” ** Wiles?” ‘« Yes, cap’n,” ** What do you mean?” “- We was druvy out o’ Gilt Edge City.” ‘*‘ Ah] it seems very hard for me to keep a man there.” “‘T was willin’ ter stay; but ther fact is we was a-playin’ a leetle game o’ keerds at The Barracks, early last night, and our partners was ther Darlin’ of Destiny and Landlord Champ. ““Me and myjyard was winnin’ heavy, by a little trick we knows, when ther Dragoon up and covers us both, says we was cheatin’, and thar was Old Nick ter pay. ‘““He told us wehed ter git out o’ Gilt Hdge, but ther crowd said hang us, ‘Then he said no, he’d said he’d giveusa chance and ter go. ‘‘ We didn’t stay thar ter discuss things, but | : ot.” rr You were wise. for cheating isnot ellowed in Gilt Edge City; but who is your pard?” ‘‘ He’s been my side-partner fer some time, and he’s game ter kill, while he war a-plottin’ a leetle game with meter capter sonie o’ ther bi folks o’ Gilt Edge, and fetch *em ter you ontil ransom were gael ‘Indeed! then you may be a valuable man,” and the chief gazed at Murdock with a look that seemed to read him through and through. But the young miner met the gaze unflinch- ingly and said: | have an idea the Dragoon can be captured, sir.’ ‘Indeed! and in what way?” ‘“‘ Well, sir, he is a soJdier, and if an officer | and several mon, or rather men pretending to be such, stopped at his cabin all night, lam sure they could capture him after dark and run him up here to you, along with his horses and all, whiie he also keepsa great deal of gold-dust in his cabin.” The chief sprung to his feet, his face flushed with delight, and grasping Murdock by the | hand, he cried: ‘* Young man, you are a treasure, ‘*Do this for me and [’ll make your for- tune.” ‘Tt can be done, i am sure, for I know about the different regiments, and officers, having been a soldier for five years myself. ‘“T can claim to be some new lieutenant, fresh from West Point, whom he does not know, and DU take him in without a doubt.” ‘© You shall be my second lieutenant if you do, | and get a handsome sum as well,” ‘* You have the uniforms, of course, sir?” ‘*No, I have not, unfortunately.” ‘Tt would be necessary to get the uniforms, arms, and equipments for the horses, and I do not think I should take Jess than four men.” ‘“No, for he is a hard one to handle; but where can the uniforms and other things be got- ten?” “There is a sutler at the fifth stage station from Gilt Edee City, and they always buy such things, finding a ready sale at big money for them at times.” ‘Will you gothere and get them?” “Yes, sir, but I will need two pack-animals to brivg them back.” OP will give you money to buy horses there, for [ need more, and you can have a man to go with you, but not Tempest here, for I will need him.” ‘¢ Any one will do, sir.” ‘When will you start?” ‘“To-night, sir, for I need to-day to rest.” “ Allright, my fine fellow, it is a bargain. ‘*T declare I feel elated, for I shall get a big ransom for my fair captive, another for the Gilt Edge parson, and more than you imagine in capturing this Darling of Destiny. ‘“Now I will have you shown quarters, and just make yourself at home.” The young miner thanked the chief for his kindness, and went with Tempest to the cabin assigned them. : “What in thunder is yer goin’ ter do, pard?” said Tempest. ‘“Yowll get your share, pard, so don’t be alarmed. “T saw that the chief did not take to me kindly, so I played:that trump cord about the Dragoon, aud it will pan out big for us to catch him, for we’ll get dust as well as revenge.” ‘“Thet’s so; but what about tbe gal?” “) 11 tell you my plan when I’ve thought it all out,” was the reply of the miner, and Tem- pest wus assured tbat Murdock was plotting some big game to play for their mutual interests, CHAPTER XLIX. MATT MURDOCK’S BOLD GAME, It was Tempest’s intention to try and get the ransom for the parson, which he knew the gen- erous miners of Gilt Edge City would pay for his return. He told Murdock that they must let the parson into their little scheme, and he would doubtless join thom to regain his freedom, allowing them to make the money. But against this arrangement they saw the te ride away after dinner, and the cblief told urdock, whom he seemed to have taken a great fancy to, that 1t was to negotiate his own and Miss Conrad's ransom. ‘* And he will do it, for when they know he has vowed to return, if my terms are not agreed to, they willcome round rather than see him come back and have the girl remain captive in my hands,” : ‘*T guess he’ arrange it all right, sir; but will you let me know who is to go with me to buy the uniforms?” ‘*T suppose, pow that I have used the parson to arrange the ransom matter, you might as well take your pard with you.” ’ . ‘¢ Tempest?” oe Yes.” ‘“Thank you, sir, [ suppose it would be better, and we'll etart about sunset and push through with all haste.” ‘* Come tome before you goand get the money you will need.” Murdock returned to his cabin, and sitting down wrote a few lines on a piece of paper, which he wrapped tightly around an arrow, which with a bow he found in the hut. He was very cautious in his movements, and kept watching through the half-open door to see that no one approached. His cabin was the end one of those occupied by the men, and had a door in the\front, a small window in the rear. Back of it a hundred feet was a cabin which had been used for the storage uf booty taken by the Road Raiders, and it was strongly built, had a stout door and a padlock and chain to se- cure it. This cabin had been cleared out for the use of Kate Conrad, and made as comfortable as was possible by the chief, = She had been forbidden by the’ guard, who carried her breakfast to her, to leave the cabin, though the door bad been left open for air, Murdock bad spied her there, and a close ob- servation through the rear window of his cabin convinced him tat she wasalone and no special guard was kept over her, though the Road Raiders were all ordered to keep an eye upon her. He saw her seated in the cabin near the door, and he seized upon the bow and arrow found in his cabin, as a meaus of communication. He wrote on the slip of paper as follows: ‘“Do not retire to night. Beon the watch. “The winduw in the rear of your cabin has a pad- lock and staples upon it, and will doubtless be locked to-niz ht. ‘By that way you must look for aid, and a knock will be given on the shutter as a signal.” Murdock then walked out of his cabin, made a circuit of it and saw that no one was looking. Then he went in, opened the rear window, and taking a good aim, sent the arrow flying into Kate’s cabin. He saw the maiden start from her seat, look about her and then run and pick up the arrow. Then he went out and sought Tempest, and the two gave their horses a good rubbing down staked them out where there was plenty of grass, and made their preparations for their start. ‘Dll clean your guns, Tempest, as J am going to look over mine, while you circulate among the boys and seeif you can find out what the parson has been sent away for by the chief.” ‘““ All rigbt, pard,” said Tempest, and he did as he was told, not aware that Murdock already knew just why the parson had gone. ‘When Tempest returned he found his own, and Murdock’s belt of arms, all cleaned and loaded, but the young miner was not there. Looking out of the cabin he saw him coming. “ All right, pard, the chief gave me money to buy the uniforms and a couple of good horses, so we will be off at once.” They left the cabin with their traps, saddled and mounted their horses, and rode down the chasm path to the canyon. ‘* Yer pushes fast, pard, fer a long journey,” said Tempest, as Murdock pressed on at a can- ter. ‘*T am anxious to strike thestage trail as soon as possible.” he chief had directed him how to turn to reach the well-beaten Overland trail, and so he held on until at last they turned into it, and at a point not far from where the coach had been halted the day that Kate Conrad rode on the box with Ribbon Rob. Once in the trail Murdock knew that their horses’ trails would not be noticed, where there were so many more tracks. And once in the Overland trail Murdock sud- denly halted, and quickly throwing his lariat over the neck of the horse ridden by the des- perado, at the same time leveled a revolver, while he said: ‘*Pard Tempest, you are my prisoner for keeps.” CHAPTER L. THE YOUNG MINER'S TRUMP CARD. ‘Ou, pard, I say what does this mean? “‘T don’t want no jokin’,” cried the amazed desperado, as he glanced into the muzzle of Murdock’s revolver. ‘‘Tt means, Tempest, that I am not the man you took me for—hold on, pard, for you have not a bullet in your revolvers; they are loaded blank, for I saw to that.” ‘“‘ Cuss yer ferever, Matt Murdock,” hissed tae desperado. Tha young miner laughed and said: ‘*Now, Tempest, [am going to tie you in your saddle, or kill you if you resist,” He cid as he said, tying his captive’s feet be- neath his horse, and his hands behind bim. Then he took hold of the bridle-rein of Tem- pest's horse and started off at a sweeping gal- lop. ** Whar is yer going?” ‘To Gilt Hdge City.”. ““Theyll hang yer, and me, too.” ‘¢ T guess not, for you played me for as bad a man as you are, andl played you for a fool. The men in Gilt Edge think | am of your stripe, pard, and I let them think so; butit will all be cleared up soon, and they’ll see how nicely the Dragoon tuok you in with my aid. : **Oh, Tempest! how I did squirm when the Darling of Destiny told me I was a cheat and i me off with you.” ‘You cussed varmint, 1’) kill you yet.” ‘* A toreatened man lives long, they say, Tem- | pe t,” was the reply. ‘Don’t yer intend ter ransom fer her?” ‘*Tintend that Miss Conrad shall be free to- night, and that is why I am riding so fast.” Tempest swore and growled as they went along. He complained that the bonds hurt him, but all to no purpose, for Murdock kept the horses at a run, dashed into Gilt Edge City at the same pace, and swept on toward the cabin of the Dragoon before any stragglers that ware out could recognize them. Riding up to! the cabin of the Dragoon, he met them at tbe door, for he heard the rapid clatter of ihe hoofs. Their horses were dead beat, but Murdock COMMcooOolK<s git ther gal and ther col