The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

Denver Doll’s Device. CHAPTER XI, DENVER AND YANKED SHAKE HANDS, LET us return to Denver Doll, whom we last saw @ prisoner in Wolf Ravine, beyond the river, where Valentine Verner had left her to the not very tender mercy of the ferocious in- habitants of that wild locality. Bat, thanks to the fact, it was not yeb late enough in the season for wolves and bears to be very bold and ravenous, and this gave the girl detective a little hope that she might nob be troubled by them. ” But even though she was not molested by wild beasts, she well knew that starvation stare] her in ths face unless she was rescued by some one, and the probabilities were not very favorable that she would be; hence, the outlook was any- thing but pleasant. The night dragged slowly away. She heard wolves bowl, but none approached her, and at last the welsome rays of early dawn crept into her dark, forbidding place of captivity. This was cheerful, and somehow sho felt im- bued with a strong hope of escape. But the lining of the silver cloud was false. The morning passed away slowly. Not long befare noon she heard a heavy, shuffling tread, and soon after a huge cinnamon bear made his appearance, It pwused, with a sort of whine, at sight of Doll, as if surprised to see a human being there —thenit raised up on its hind legs and Jumbered forward, with the evident intention of making a square meal ort of the fair prisoner. , Doll's face turned deathly white, for the pros- pect of being torn to pieces was horrible. Nearer! near the brute came, with jaws dis- tended and tongue loling, when— Suddenly there was the sharp report of a rifle, and Bruin flinched and turned in the direction whence came the shot, A moment later there was another shot, and the bear staggered and fell to the ground. Then, out from the undergrowth, across the ravine, strode no less a personage than Yankee, rifle in hand, 4 Denver Doll gave a glad cry at sight of him. Here was rescue at last, when a moment be- fore death seemed most imminent, “Thank Heaveo it ls you, Mr. Hisler!” she said, as he approached her and cut her bonds, *tT had about given up the ghost for good.” “T have heen searching for you ever since I saw Verner return to Shining Bar last night, when I suspscted the truth,” Yankee replied, ‘Since leaving Suining Bar I have also made a great discovery.” “ What is it?” ; “ There has been a, stampede of the mincrs to some other town, and McParland’s road-agents, under Valentine Verner, have taken possassion of the camp as @ stronghold. McParland was left a prisoner in thair former road-agents’ den, and Verner proposesto turn him over to the ae aes, providing a suitable reward is off- ered, “* How did you learn this?” “T captured a road-agent a few minutes ago, whom Verner had sent over here tosee if you a et alive, I frightened the information out 0: go free, show us to the old rendezvous, where McParland is confined.” ee “Then let’s go at once. You have but limit. ed time now to secure your child, and I have a | bone to pick with the gent myself,” Tbey accordingly Is£t the plaee where Doll had been confined, and a short walk brought them to where the outlaw was tied toa tree. “We have concluded. to make terms youl” Yankee said, ‘Conduct us at once to the spot where McParland Is to be seen, and we will allow you to leave the mountains,” “Tt's a bargain!” theprisoner said. ‘' Release me, and I will take you there by asurer and safer route than by the way of Shining Bar.” “See that you do; and remember that if you make any attempt to lead us into a trap, your punishment shall be death. On the other hand show us to McParland’s ranch and you shall have your liberty.” He cut the fellow’s bonds then and they start- ed down the bank of the river, crossing it half amile below Sbining Bar and climbing into the mountains, By the outlaw’s guidance they reached the little valleyin due time, and halted at some distance from the cabins, e, ib. “ You remain here,” said Roberts, the guid: ‘while I make a reconnoissance, to learn if will be safe for you to. advance.” nod, “You will find McParland tied up in the large cubin,” he said. ‘‘ I suppose you are done. with me “Yes, you can go. But hold! we may need you to show us the way back to Shining Bar; so youhad better wait till we go, and I will pay you well.” ; But Roberts was too fearfulof being given up, and no words could keep him from taking a hasty departure. . ‘ter he was gone the Sport and Denver Doll crossed the valley tothe large cabin and/en- tered, | The sight that met their eyes caused them tu utter simultaneous cries of astonishment. McParland was tied asthe road-agents had left him, and his clothing below the wound was dyed rel with blood, while a pool of the same was gathered at his feet on the floor. ie He was not dead, but had lost conscionsnass pote: the weskening effects of his great loss of ood, “ By Heaven! there’s been devilish work here,” Yankee cried, pointing from McParland to tha dead half-breed. ‘‘If the gang did this work there isno hell one can imagine tbat would be | too good for them. This is no time to think of revenze, Dolly. We must revive this man, or the Secret of the whereabouts of my child is forever concealed by the barrier of deatb.” “ You areright,” the girlreplied. “ Although this man and I aresworn enemies, I will do in my power to revive him.” They cut the outlaw’s bonds and gently Jaid him on the floor. * From the bar Yaiikee procured liquur and aAninimere it to him, and then dressed his wound, me him, and he will, providing we let him| After ®™ honr of steadv application of such He strode away, and returned shortly, with a y ate ha