Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ge = — -—- +<— ES TR ll Et -te-Sspg —sst-SN-N--ae- se 12 mores could hear Redburn, Alice and the “‘ General’ si up at the cabin, and it told them to be on their guard, as Dick might now come along at any moment. Slowly the minutes d d by, and both were growing impatient, when the firm tread of ‘the Prince’ was heard swiftly approaching. Quickly the lasso was drawn taut. Dick, not dreaming of the trap, came boldly along, tri , and went sprawling to the ground. The ne t his ene- = were on him, each with a long murderous knife CHAPTER XV. TO THE RESCUE! THE suddenness of the onslaught prevented Dead- wood Dick from raising a hand to defend himself, and the two strong men piling their combined weights upon him, had the effect to render him utterly help- less. He would have yelled to apprise his comrades of his fate, but Alexander Filmore, ready for the emergency, quickly thrust a cob of wood into his mouth, and bound it there with strong strings. The young road-agent was a prisoner. . ‘**Ha! ha!’ leered the elder I'ilmore, peering down into the masked face—‘' ha! ha! my young eaglet; so [have you at last, have I? After repeated efforts to get ag in my power, I have at last been reward- ed with success,eh? Ha! ha! the terrible scourge of the Black Hills lies here at my feet, mine to do with as I shall see fit.’’ “Shall we settle him, and leave him lying here, where his gang can find him?’’ interrupted the shee 8 Filmore, who, now that his blood was Up, : little what he did. ‘“ You give him one jab, and I will guarantee to finish him with the second!”’ “No! no! boy; you are too hasty. Before we silence him, forever, we must ascertain, if possible, where the girl is,”’ *“* But, he’ll never tell us.”’ ““We have that yet to find out. It is my opinion that we can bring him to terms, somehow. Take hold, and we carry him back to our hole in the hill.” Deadwood Dick was acco ly seized by the neck and heels, and borne swiftly and silently toward the western side of the guich, up among the foothills into the rift, where the plotters had lain concealed since their arrival. Here he was placed upon the ground in a sitting ure, and two enemies crouched on either side of him, like beasts ready to spring upon their ; Below in the v fey the Utes had kindled one soli- tary fire, and this th a starlike gleam of light from the cabin window, was the only sign of life to be seen through the ht’s black shroud. The trio in the foot were evidently quite alone. Alexander Filmore broke the silence. ‘* Well, my gay Deadwood Dick, Prince of the Road, I suppose you wish to have the matter over with, as soon as possible ”’ The road-agent nodded. ‘* Better let him loose in the jaws,” suggested Fil- more the younger; ‘or how else shall we get from him what we must know? Take out his gag. I'll hold my six against his pulsometer. If he squawks Vil silence him, sure as there is virtue in powder and The elder, after some deliberation, acquiesced, and Dick was placed in possession of his speaking power while the muzzle of young Filmore’s revolver p against his breast, warned him to silence and obedi- ence. ‘* Now,” said the elder Filmore, “just you keep mum. If you try any trickery, it 1 only hasten your destruction, which is inevitable!" Deadwood Dick gave a little laugh. “You talk as if you were going to do something toward making me the center of funeralistic attrac- n. ** You'll find out, soon enough, young man. I have not pursued you so long, for nothing, you may rest assured. Your death will be the only event ert can atone for all the trouble you have given me, n the "i “Ts that so? Well, you seem to hold all the trum cards, and I reckon ae ought to win, though I can’t see into your ino ate thirst for diamonds, when spades will eventually triumph. Had la /ull hand of ubs, [am not so sure but what I could ruise you, knaves though you are!” “IT think not; when win, the game is virtu- ally up. We hold altogether to high cards for you, at present, and beg aS you may, we shall not pass you. “Don’t be too sure of it. The best trout often slips from the hook, when you are sanguine that you have at last been immoderately successful. But, enough of this cheap talk. Go on and say your say,in as few words as possible, for I am in a hurry.” Both Filmore, Sr., and Filmore, Jr., laughed at this —it sounded so sm en funny to hear a helpless prisoner talk of being in a urry. ‘* Business must be pressing!"’ leered the elder, sav- agely. ‘Don’t be all scared. We'll start you humming along the road to Jordan soon enough, if that’s what you want. First, however, we desire you to inform us where we can find the girl, as we wish to make a clean sweep, while we are aboutit,”” » ‘Do you bathe your face in alum-water?”’ abrupt- ly asked a nor gat staring at his captor, quizzi- . “Do you?” “Bathe in alum-water? Certainly not, sir. Why do you ask?”’. “Because the hardness of you cheek is highly sug- gestive of the use of some similar application.’ Alexander Filmore stared at his son a moment, at loss to comprehend; but, as it to dawn upon him that he was the butt of a hit, he uttered a frightful curse. oe ee. tee li een —_ = oO a ———— — = Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. —— ———————————————————— **My cheek and your character bear a close resem- blance, then!’’ he retorted, hotly. _‘‘ Again ask you, will you tell me where the girl is?”’ ‘No! you must take me for an ornery mule, or some other kind of an animal, if you think I would deliver her into your clutches. No! no! my schemi knaves, I will not. Kill me if you like, but it will no accomplish your villainous ends. She has all of the papers, and can not only put herself forward at the nig it time, but can have you arrested for my mur- er!’’ ‘*Bah! we can find her, as we have found you; so we will not trifle. Clarence, get ready; and when I count one—two—three—pull the trigger, and I'll fin- ish him with my knife!”’ , . All right; go ahead; I’m ready!” replied the duti- ‘ul son, Fearless Frank sat upon a bowlder in the mouth of the quartz mine, listening to the strains of music that floated up to him from the cabin out in the valley and puffing moodily away at a grimy old pipe he h urchased, together with some tobacco, from one of he Utes, with whom he worked. He not gone down to the crusher-house for his rp ie he did not feel hungry, and was more con- tented here, in the mouth of the mine, where he could command a view of all that was going on in the val- ley. With his pipe for a companion he was as happy as he could be, deprived as he was from association with the others of his color, who had barred him out in the cold. Once or twice during the day, on coming from within, to get a breath of pure air, he had caught a glimpse of Anita as she flitted about the cabin en- gaged at her household duties, and the yearning ex- pression that unconsciously stole into dark eyes spoke of a passion within his heart, that, thoug it might be slumbering, was not extinct—was there all the same, in all its strength andardor. Had he been anted the privilege of meeting her, he might have displaced the barrier that rose between them; but now, nothing remained for him but to toil away until Redburn should see fit to send him away, back into the world from which he came. Would he want to go, when that time came? Hardly, he thought, as he sat there and gazed into the quiet vale below him, so beautiful even in dark- ness. There was no reason why he should go back ain adrift upon the bustling world. e had no relatives—no claims that pointed him to go thither; he was as free and unfettered as the wildest mountain eagle. He had noone tosay where he should and where he should not go; he liked one place equally as well as another, roviding there was pene of provender and work within easy range; he h ad never thought of settling down, until now, when e had come to the Flower Pocket valley, and caught a glimpse of Anita—Anita whom he had not seen for yoames on whom he had brought censure, reproach and— A step among the rocks close at hand startled him from a reverie into which he had fallen, and caused him to spill the tobacco from his pipe. A slight trim figure stood a few yards away, and he perceived that two extended hands orgs objects, whose glistening surface suggested that they were “sixes ”’ or ‘‘ sevens.”’ “Silence!’"’ came in a clear, authoritative voice. “One word more than J ask you, and Ill blow your brains out. Now, what’s your name?” “Justin McKenzie's ay name. Fearless Frank generally answers me the purpose of a nom de plume,’’ was the nop ; ,’ and the stranger drew near enough for the Scarlet Boy to perceive that he was clad in buck-skin; well armed; wore a Spanish sombrero, and hair long, down over the square shoulders. ‘I’m Calamity Jane.” If McKenzie uttered an ejaculation of surprise, it was not to be wondered at, for he had heard many stories, in Deadwood, concerning the “ dare-devil gal dreamed up in men’s toggery. ‘* Calamity Jane?” he echoed, picking up his pipe. ‘* Where in the world did you come from, and how did you get here, and what do you want, and—”’ “One at atime, please. I came from Deadwood with Road-Agent Dick’s party—unknown to them, understand you. That answers two questions. The third is, I want to be around when there’s any fun oing on; and it’s lucky I’m here now. I guess Dick as just got layed out at i A in the valley below here, and they've slid off with him over among the foot-hills ge I want you to stub along after me, and lend the voices of your sixes, if need be. I’m going to set him at liberty!” ‘*T’m at your service,” Frank quickly replied. Ex- citement was one of his passions; adventure was an- other, ** Are you well heeled?” “Treckon, Always make it a point to be prepared for wild beasts and the like, you know,” ‘A good idea. Well, if you are ready, we'll slide. I don't want them toughs to get the drop on Dick if I can help it.” * Who are they?” ** Who—the toughs?”’ “Yes; they that took the road-agent.” “I don’t know ’m. Guess they’re tender-foots— some former enemies of his, without doubt. They propose to quiz a secret about some girl out of h and then e him. We'll have to hurry or they’ get their work in ahead of us.” They left the mouth of the mine, and skurried Nea into the valley, through the dense shroud of oom, ° Calamity Jane led the way; she was both fleet of foot and cautious. Let us look down on the foot-hill camp, and the two Fillmores who are stationed on either side of their prisoner. ——— The romnger presses the muzzle of his revolver inst Deadwood Dick's heart; the elder holds a long g eaming knife upheld in his right hand. a" Roe . eet counts, 2 the. seh aah “'Two!"’—after a momen pause. Another of time, and then— or ‘Hold! gentlemen; that will do!” cries a clear ringing voice; and Calamity Jane and McKenzie, stepping out of the darkness, with four. g ‘sixes ” in hand, confirm the pleasant assertion! CHAPTER XVL THE ROAD-AGENT’S MERCY—CONCLUSION, NEVERTHELESS, the gleaming blade of Alexander Filmore descended, and was buried in the fleshy of Deadwood Dick’s neck, making a wound, but not necessarily dangerous. ‘You vile varmint,”’ cried Calamity Jane, pulli the hammer of one of her revolvers back to full cock; ‘‘ you cursed fool; don't you know that thet onl S yer own miserable fate?” She took deliberate aim, but Dick interrupted her. ‘Don’t shoot, Jennie '* he gasped, the blood spurting from his wound; ‘‘this ain’t none o’ your funeral. Give three shrill whistles for my men, and they'll take care o° these hounds until I’m able to at- tend to’em. Take me to the cab—” He could not finish the sentence; a _ sickeni stream of blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell back se the ground insensible, Fearless Frank gave the three shrill whistles, while Calamity Jane covered the two cowering wretches with her revolvers. The distress signal was answered by a yell, and in a few seconds five road-agents came bounding up. “Seize these two cusses, and guard ‘em well!” Calamity said, grimly. ‘‘ They are a precious pair, and in a few days, no doubt, you'll have the pleasure of attending their funerals. Your captain is wound- ed, but not dangerously, I hope. e will take him to the cabin, where there are light and skillful hands to dress his wounds. When he wants you, we let you know. Be sure and guard these knaves well, now.” The men growled an assent, and after binding the captives’ arms, hustled them off toward camp, in double quick time, muttering threats of vengeance. Fearless Frank and Calamity then carefully raised the stricken road-agent, and bore him to the cabin where he was laid upon the couch, Of course, all was now excitement. Redburn and Alice set to work to dress the bleed- ing wound, with Jane and the ‘‘ General ” looking on to see that nothing was leftundone. Fearless Frank stood apart from the rest, his arms folded across his breast, a grave, half-doubtful expression upon his handsome, sun-browned features. Anita was not in the room at the time, but she came in a moment later, and stood gazing about her in wondering surprise. Then, her eyes rested upor Fearless Frank for the first, and she w dea white; she trembled in every limb; a half-frighte half-pitiful look came into her eyes. The young man in scarlet was similarly affected. His cheeks blanched; his lips became firmly com- pressed; a mastering expression fell from dark magnetic orbs. There they stood, face to f a picture of doubt; of indifferent respect, of op te strong passions, subdued to control by a heavy hand, None of the others noticed them; they were alone, confronting each other; trying to read the other's thoughts; the one penitent and craving forgiveness, the other cold almost to sternness, and yet not un- willing to forgive and forget. Deadwood Dick’s wound was quickly and skillfully dressed; it was not dangerous, but was so exceeding- ly painful that the pangs soon brought him back to consciousness. The moment he opened his eyes he saw Fearless Frank and Anita—perceived their tion toward each other, and that it would req only a single word to bridge the chasm between them. A hard look came into his eyes as they gazed through the holes in the mask; then he gazed at Alice—sweet a uant Alice—and the hardness melted ore the spring sunshine. “ Thank od it was no deeper,” he sai d, sittin upright, and rubb the tips of his black-glova pis. over the on Reed that 6 snow ay 9 te covered the * though deuc bothersome, it is not of muck account. To the surprise of all he sprung to his feet, and strode to the door. Here he stop and looked around for a few moments, sniffing at the cool moun- tain breeze, as a dog would. A single cedar tree stood by the cabin, branches, bare and naked, stretching out like huge arms above the doorway. And it was at these the road-agent gazed, a savage gleam in his pie black eyes. After a few care observations, he turned his tage retin Mek cate he said, gazing . “ Justin McKenzie,” he ; at the young man, steadily, “I want you todo me a sesvicg. Go to my camp, and say to my men that I desire their presence here, ag her with the two prisoners, and a couple of stout ts, with nooses at the end of them. Hurry, now!” Fearless Frank started a trifle, for he seemed to recognize the voice; but the next instant he bowed assent, and left the cabin. When he was gone, Dick turned to Redburn, “Have you a glass of water beni. Cap? This Jap in the gullet makes me somewhat thirsty,’’ he Redburn nodded, and procured the drink; thena strange silence pervaded the cabin—a silence that no one seemed w to break. At last the tramp of many feet was heard, and GOmMmiliGoooks