Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ee + ee ew ee - eg ae eee te ee ec ec ee a —- — — SS _ -- - — en te ee ee ee ee - ————— ——— — ——— L 10 In ten minutes’ time two score of brawny, half- dressed Utes were rallied in the valley, and Redburn was at their head, accompani ed by the “‘ General.” “T will now go forward and hold parley,” said H as he wrapped a kerchief about the muz- zle of his rifle-barrel. ‘If you see me fall, you can calculate that it’s about time for you to sling in a chunk of your lip.”’ He had fallen Into the habit of talking in an illiter- ate fashion, since his association with the “ General.”’ ** All right,’’ assented the old locater; “ef they try ter salt ye, jes’ giv’ a squawk, an’ we'll cum a-tearin’ down ter yer resky at ther rate o’ forty hours a mile more or less—consider’bly more o’ less than less 0 more.” Redburn buckled his belt a hole tighter, looked to his two revolvers, and set out on his mission. The road-agents had, in the mean time, circled off to the right of the fissure, and formedintoa compact body, where they halted and watched the rallying of the savages in the valley. Fearless and his lovely companion remained where they had first halted, awaiting developments. They had stumbled into Paradise and were both sur- prised and bewildered. Redburn spproedaes them first. He was at loss how to open the confab, but the Scarlet Boy saved him the trouble. “I presume I see in you one of the representatives of this concern,” he said, doffing his hat, and show- ing his pearly teeth in a little smile, as the miner cam. 6 up. “You do,” replied Redburn, bowing stiffly. “Iam an owner or partner in this mining enterprise, which, until your sudden advent, has been a secret to the ony belie we Hi ilgrim; for, though I tt . eve you, p ; for, thoug am pretty thoro ny acquainted with the topography of the Black country, [had not the east idea that eu an enterprise existed in this part of the terri- OXo, I dare say not. But how is it that we are in- debted to you for this intrusion?—for such we feel justified in calling it, under the existing circum- stances.”’ **I did not intend to intrude, sir, nor do Inow. In ey Frege tee the mountains we accidentally stum- bled into the fissure e that leads to this gulch, one as pare was nothing to hinder us, we came on rough.”’ “True; I should have posted a strong guard ‘n the pass. You have a female companion, I perceive; not your wife?” “Oh, no! nor my sister, either. This is Miss Terry an estimable young lady, who has come to the Black Hills in search of her father. Your nameis—”’ **Redburn—Harry Redburn; and yours, I am told, is Fearless Frank.”’ “Yes, that is the title I sail under. But how do you know ann of me?” “I was told your name by a partner of mine. Now, then, concerning the present matter; what do you pro to do?” per do? Why, turn back, I suppose; Isee nothing else to do.” Redburn leaned on his rifle and considered. “Do you belong to that other crowd?” “ No, indeed;”’ nk’s face flushed, half angrily. “T thank ay oe Tam not quite so low down as that, yet. you know them? That’s Deadwood Die the Prince of the Road, and his band of out- ws $9 “ What—is it possible? The same gang whom the Pioneer is ma such a splurge over, every week.” “The same. That fellow clad in black is Deadwood Dick, the leader.” “Humph! He in black; you in scarlet. Two con- trasting colors.”’ “That isso. I had not thought of it before. But no cance is attached thereto.” “Perhaps not. Have you the least idea what b ht them here?” “The road-agents? I reckon I do. The military has been chasing them for the last two days. Prob- ably they have come here for protection.’ **Maybe so; or for plunder. Give me your deci- wer pe I will arg see what they want.” “There is no ng for me to decide more than to take the back track.” Redburn shook his head, decidedly. “ You cannot go back!” he said, using positiveness in his ent; ‘“‘that is, not for a while. You'd have all wood down on usin a jiffy. I'll give you work in the shaft, at three dollarsa day. You can accept that offer, or submit to confinement until I see fit to set you at liberty.” ‘* And my companion, here—?” “*T will place under the c eof Miss Anita for the present, where she will receive hospitable treat- Fearless Frank started as though he had been struck a violent blow; his face grew very white; his eyes dilated; he trembled in every joint. “ 7h , 99 ee “*T believe that is what I said!’ Redburn could not understand the youth’s agitation. He knew that the sister of Ned a secret; was this Fearless Frank in any way connected with it, and if so, how? ™ ou know her?”’ " Her other name is—”’ “ Harris—Anita Harris, in full, Do you know her, or aught of her?”’ ““I—I—I did, once!’ was the slow reply. ‘‘ Where is ene t want to see her?”’ urn took a moment to consider. Would it be_best to permit a meeting between the two until he should be able to learn somet more definite conce the secret? If Ned were here would he sanction such a meeting? No! some- thing toki the young miner that he would not; Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. something warned him that it could result in no | cimen as they make, merrier, ood to to g w the scarlet youth an interview with sad, sweet-faced Anita. “You cannot see her!” he at last said, decidedly. “There is a reason bain hi, two should never meet — and if you remain in the gulch, as you will be obliged to, for the ahem ou must give me your wo of honor that you not go near yonder cabin.” Fearless Frank had expected this; therefore he was not rised. Neither did Redburn know how close he shied his stone at the real truth. “T promise,’’ McKenzie said, after a moment’s de- liberation, ‘‘on my honor that [ will not approach the cabin, providing you furnish me my meals and lodgings elsewhere. If Anita comes to me, what then?’ “*T will see that she does not,’’ Redburn answered positively. Gradually he was assuming full control of things, in the absence of Harris, himself. ‘‘ Miss Terry, you may ride down to yonder cabin, and tell Anita Isent you. Pilgrim, you can come along with me.”’ “‘No; I will accompany Alice as far as where Asad forces are stationed,”’ said Frank, and then they rode down the slope, ‘Redburn turning toward where the road-agents sat mpon their horses in a compact body, with wood Dick at their head. As the miner drew nigh and came to a standstill, the Prince of the road rode forward to his side. ‘* Well—?” he said, interrogatively, his voice heavy et pleasant; ‘“‘I suppose you desire to know what izness we’ve got in your cornfield, eh stranger?’ ‘“That’s about the dimensions of i yes,’ replied Redburn, at once conceiving a liking for the young road-agent, in whom he thought he saw a true gen- tleman, in the disguise of a devil. “‘I came over to learn the object you have in view, in invading our little valley, if you have no objections in telling.” “Ce nly not. As you may have guessed al- ready, we are a band of road-agents, whose field of action ag <M mee a to the fee ye country. ave the honor o the er, an ou have doubtless heard of io Deak wood Dick, he ‘ Road-Agent Prince,’ as the Pioneer persists in termi me. Just at Fae things are rather sultry in the immediate vicinity of Deadwood, so far as we are concerned, and we sought this locality to escape a small army of the Deadwood military, who ax? > ea gu around after us for the past week.”’ “é e — 9 ‘Well, we happened to see a man and woman come this way, and believing that it must lead to somewhere or other, we followed, and here we are, out of the reach of the blue-coats, but, I take it, in the way of a party of secret miners. Is it not so?” “No, not necessarily so, unless you put yourselves in the way. You wish to remain quartered here for the present?” “Tf not contrary to your wishes, we should like to, es be) “T have no objections to offer, providing you will agree to two points.”’ ““ And what are they, may I ask?’’ “These. That you will camp at the mouth of the e, and thus keep out any other intruders that may come; second, that you will keep your men to this side of the valley, and not interfere with any of our laborers.”’ “To which I eagerly agree. You shall experience no inconvenience from our presence here; you fur- nish us a haven of safety from the pursuing soldiers; we in return will extend you our aid in repelling a host of fortune-seekers who may any moment come down this way in swarms.” “Very well; that settles it, then. You keep your promise, and all will go well,” The two shook hands; then Redburn turned and strode back to dismiss his forces, while Dick and his men took up their tion at the place where the fissure opened into the gulch. Here they made pre- parations to camp. burn, while returning to his men, heard a shout of joy and ‘ee | up, saw, to his surprise, that the old ‘‘General”’ an ce Terry were locked in each other’s arms, in a loving embrace, CHAPTER XII. AT THE CABIN, What did it mean? Had the old hump-backed, bow-legged mine-locater one crazy, or was he paspoeesy, insulting the beau- ful maiden? Fearless stood aside, =g ml rently re no objections to the hugging, an e Indians did likewise At least Miss Terry made no serious attempts to free herself from the ‘‘ General’s ’’ bear-like embrace. ing, breathless, perspiring. ‘‘ What is the meaning of this ul scene?’ he demanded, ‘ “Disgraceful!” The old “General” set erry down on her feet, after giving her a resounding smack, and turned to stare at the young miner, in astonishment, ‘* Di ful! Waal, young man, ter tell the solid Old Testament truth, more or less— consider’bly less o’ more *n more 0’ less—I admire yer cheek, hard an’ unblushin’ asetar’. Ye call vin’ this Bay piece o’ feminine gander a squar’, atherly sort o' a hug, ce hee re do ye? et’s all out o’ ther bounds 0’ propriety do ye?” “T look at it in that light, yes,’ Redburn replied. “Haw! haw! haw!” and the General shook his fat sides with immoderate laughter. ‘“ Why, pilgrim- epger te this ae ga poroh pee) Pr osy ex pounds o’ fe e gender b’longs to me—ter yo ruly wi usingham Nix—an’ T have 6 ect, indervidual t ter an’ kiss her as much as I please, wi’ou brookin’ nny interference frum Fou dear this ar’ Harry Redburn, sup’intendent o' ther Flower Pocket fe EM owghey "but as fair spe-. A few bounds brought Redburn to the spot, pant- - formall t AN Tex Nae orm resent you ce » my darter lin F Pa Redburn colored, and was not a little disconcerted on account of his blunder; but he rallied in a mo- ment, and acknowledged the introduction with be- coming grace and dignity. ‘You must excuse my interference,’ he said, ear- nestly, ‘I saw the old ‘General’ here taking liber- ties that no stranger should take, and ong nothing of the relationship existing between you, was naturally inclined to think that he was either drunk or c ; therefore I deemed it necessary to investigate. No offense, I hope.”’ ““Of course not,’ and ce smiled one of her sweetest smiles. ‘‘ You did perfectly right and are deserving of no censure, whatever.” After a few moments of desultory conversation, Redburn took the “‘ General” to one side, and spoke on the subject of Fearless Frank and Anita Harris— of his action in the matter, and so forth. Nix—or pests f as the latter was evidently his real name— h ily coincided with his views, and both agreed that it was best not to let the Scarlet Boy come within range of Anita, or, at least, not till Ned Harris should return, when he could do as he chose. Accordingly it was decided that Fearless Frank should be set to work in the quartz mine, that bei the furthest from the cabin, and he could eat an sleep either in the mine or in the crusher building, whichever he liked best. After settling this point the two men rejoined the others, and Frank was Kee of their decision. He made no remarks upon it, but it was plain to see that he was anything but satisfied. His wild spirit yearned for constant om, The Utes were dismissed and sent back to their work; the “General” strolled off with McKenzie toward the quartz mine; it devolved oe urn to escort Alice to the cabin, which he did with pleas- ure, and gave her an in uction to sweet, sad- faced Anita, who awaited their coming in the open doorway. The two girls greeted each other with warmth; it was apparent that they would become fast friends when they learned more of each other. As for Redburn, he was secretly enamored with the ‘* General’s,”’ ohne | daughter; she was beautiful, and evidently accomplished, and ‘her progenitor was financially well-to-do. What then was lacking to make her a fitting mate for any man? Redburn porsieres deeply on this mage eg: ee he left the girls hastens and went out to see his duties in the es. He found Terry and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine, looking at the swarthy-skinned miners; exam- ining new projected sl ; Suggesting easier meth- ods for working out different mee! be of gold-bearin rock. While the former’s knowledge of practical mi wae Sxseney, the latter’s was limited. 3 et thar ar’ bigger prospects yet, in fur- ther,’ the old locater was savin. ~~? ain't much varsed on jeeological an’ toppygraffical formation myself, ye see; but then, it kinder ‘peers to me thet this quartz vein ar’ a-goin’ to hold out fer a consid- or Doubt ar Mire’ st ight d “Doubtless. More straight digging an’ less slo I mit think would be Tractionblew McKenzie > served. . ‘I don't see it!” said Redburn, joining them. ‘* Sloping and transversing discovers new veins, while line work soon plays out. I think things are working in excellent order at present.” They all made a tour of the mine which had been dug a considerable distance into the mountain. The quartz was aga productive, and being rather loosely thrown together was blasted down without any extra trouble. After a short consultation, Red- burn and the “General” concluded to place Frank over the Utes as superintendent and mine-boss, as they saw that he was not used to ng, blasting or any of the rough work connected h the mine, ag an pte Mong ee ponies a“ inventive, en tende e on it was gra ac- cepted by him, he expressing it his Stanton to Sie for the interest of his employers as long as he should stay in the og ight at last fell over the Flower Pocket gold- mines, and work ceased. The Utes procured their own food—mainly consist- ing of fish from the little creek and deer and moun- birds that could be brought down at almost any hour from the neighbo and slept in the open air. Redburn had McKenzie a comfortable bed made in the crusher-house, and sent him out a meal fit for a prince. As ets Anita knew nothing of the scarlet youth's identity ;—scarcely knew, in fact, that he was in the valley. At the cabin, the rh naps meal was tch with a general expression of cheerfulness about the board. Anita seemed less downcast than usual, and the vivacious Alice made life and merriment for all. She was witty where wit was proper, and sensible in an unusual degree. Redburn was infatuated with her. He watched her with an expression of fondness in his eyes; ho admired her every gesture and action; he saw some- thing pew to admire in-her, each moment he was in er ; When the evening meal was cleared away, he took down the guitar, and sung several the old “General ”’ accom him with his rich deep vass, and Alice with her clear birdlike alto; and the sweet melody of the trio’s voices called forth round after round of rapturous applause from the road- nts camped upon the sl and from the Utes who were lo here and among the flower- beds . But of WAS the cai cap Tle cama te caercet ante E@NMIE DOO;KS,E@ al