The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

Denver Doll’s Device. @ reputable life atone in some degree for m past. you give me my freedom, 1 will tell you where to find those who are dear to you; then we will shake bands and part frivnds, if you care to allow mie to enter into a better life, where by good acts I may be able to purtially -Tedeem myself.” There was a momentary silence, and then Yankee answered: “ For my part, I have nothing to say, You are free to go, and it shall be ny prayer that you lead the life in the future ‘of an honest man,’” ““As my duty as a detective I should arrest you,” Denver Doll said, thoughtfully. ‘But if you swear that Gerty is safe, and will truth- fully tell me where I can find her, I shall not claim you as a prisoner.” “Tt isa bargain, and I shall expect you to fulflll your part ot it, for all my friends having forsaken me, I am literally Lomeless and friend- Jess, . The child Ethel, and the two women Dora and Gerty are, so far as I know, at Crystal Car- rol’s, At Ieast,I sent Gerty thers with the shild, late last night, before I knew definitely of the mutiny. I would advise you to go there secretly at ovce, and get them ont of tha camp, as Satan alone knows what Verner would not do, should they fall into his clutches,” - “You areright,” Yankee assented. feel able to ride?” : « ‘*] vhink £ could bear up long enough to get me at a safe distance from this accursed spot.” - ‘* Very well. There is one horse remaining in the gulch. We will help you off,” The horsa was procured, and tbe wounded ¢ehiet assisted tomount. A stock of edibles and liquor was put in his saddle-bags, and bidding Yunkee and Denver Doll a sorrowful farewell, he rode slowly away out of the gulch, to be for- evermore los} t» the world as the terror of the trail under the famous name of McParland, th Toad-agent, - “Treckon wehave acted in the wisest way, after all,” Yankee observed, as they watched himridsaway. ‘‘ There's the making of a man in him yet, and I guess we were right in giving him a chance, And now, let's get back to Shining Bar. There may be lotsof work for us to do yet, before we get at those we seek,” “Ay! and mark you, we will find the route into the town guarded, so we shall have to go «careful. They were about leaving the gulch when roans attracted their attention to one of the smaller cabins, not far from where they were passing. “Let's investigate,” Yankee suggested. **Some one is in trouble, that's patent.” They crossed the vallev anil entered the cabin, The sight that met their gaze was one that caused them each a smile of wonderment and amusement, The author of the groans was the Oyclone re- “Do you porter, Charles Pygmalion Jones, He was tied to the wall, in an immovable osition, and was attired in woman’s clothing, aving been deprived of his own, Amost Iaughable-looking girl he made, to San the least, and it was »vident that McPar- land had appreciated the fact when he substitu. ted the ayo ee s “Hello! Cyclone,” Yankees saluted, with a hearty laug.. ‘t Whatare you doing herey” “Oh! he’s takin’ items for the Cuvortin’ Cyclone,” remarked Doll, ‘' What a beautiful lookin’ gal he is, anyhow.” : ‘“\Tain’t)” Jones growled, ‘SI was captured by the road-agents, and have them to thank for this fix, Ob! the experiences I have passed through would fill a large volume of prose. I haye already enough matter on hand in mind, to keep the Cyclone a-going for years,” “T presume you'll take the breath away from the wiod with your effusions. But we must be oing now, Yankee,” ~ “What! what! are you not going to take me along? Free me, oh! free me, or I shall die!” “ Well, we will; but you've got to go back to Shining Bar io the saine togs you've got on,” Yankee announced, ‘There’s no others in this camp; and besides, 1 wouldn’t have you spoil your present beauty, so come along, as we’ve no time to lose.” Jones’s bonds were out, and having no choice but togo in the dress be wore, le followed his deliverers from the gulch, looking and feeling decidedly sheepish. The journey back toward Shining Bar was not attended by any incident worthy of mention, until they were within about a mile of the camp, when they suddenly came across a party of six soldiers, under the command of a lieutenant, whom Deuver Doll remembered of having met before. The recognition was mutual, and the lleuten- ant said: “You are just the person I most wished to meet. I want to know what sort of a miuing- camp that is down the gulch, I went down there with a squad of men this morning, and after losing three was forced to beat a re- treat,” 5 = “You were lucky to get off so cheaply,” Doll replied. ‘'MeParland’s road-agent gang is in possession of the town, and It will take a good troop to root them out, as they are well forti- fled, She went on and related what was known of the mutiny, and the ruse by which the gang had gained possession of the camp. “Things dowt look quite so bright as they might, that’s true,” Lieuteaant Larrowe ‘said, ** but PU contrive tv break up this sort of busi- ness, Ireckon we'll camp here in the vicinity while Lsenod one of my men back for the rest ok my company. Will you two join us?” ‘No; I will goon and reconnoiter, and per- haps maybe able to get into their camp and rescue those who are dear to me,” Yankee re- plied. ‘‘ When your men come remain here for a time, and I will try to report what is the con- dition of affairs in the camp.” ~ “Te you go I’m with you,” Denver Doll said, “Jonesy, you better stay here and write up your article for the Cyclone, and maybe you can muke a raise of a snit of clothes among the crow.” And Charles P. was of the same opinion. Since learning of the condition of affairs at Shining Bar, ho was not so particularly anxious ere