Deadwood Dick's Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

DEADWOOD DICK. 33 ’ His hand clutched a revolver, and he was ready for @ surprise. He had not far to go. The footfalls grew plainer, and he presently saw the figure of a man coming toward him. This man was clad in a somber black, wore a mask, and was well armed— yet his bold advance did not seem to: indicate that he meant mischief, Old Avalanche waited until he was but a short distance away. “Halt! who comes there?” he then sung out. “A friend!’ was the answer, “that is, if Old Avalanche challenges.” “Tt’s me what does. Sing out who aire ye?” “A spector form from the tomb—a phenix from an ash-heap!” “Nonsense! Out wi’ it, or I'll drap — ham-bone, yes!” “Well, I’m Deadwoutl Dick!” the stranger said, at the same time advancing. CHAPTER IV. Dick and Avalanche. Old Avalanche uttered an ejaculation of astonishment as the masked man approached and slipped off his mask, . There was no m’stake; it was the true and only Dead- wood Dick—the handsome, invincible Ned Harris of old days in the Black Hills, and looking nearly as young as when Avalanciue had first met him, He wore a slight but well-trained mustache and im- * perial; his gaze was penetrating and magnetic, as of old, and he appeared to be in excellent health. “Waal, great ham-bone that played the divil wi’ old Joner’s larnyx!” Old Avalanche yelled in delight, as he seized the sport’s right hand, and shook it heartily. “Hope I may never ag’in absorb mountin’ dew, ef this ain’t a surprise! Whar’d ye drap from, boyee? Did ye float down on a corrugated zephyr, or a hail-storm o’ demolishun— a reg’lar old blizzard 0’ extinkification?” CoOnmmcoooks.comnn)