Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 100 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ge seny “Sh! Is there no way you and J can rescue him, Avalanche?” ‘(Great patriarckal ham-bone! I wish thar war, C’lamity, an’ ye could count on ther Anni- hilator, every day ina week. But, I fear et’s no use o’ our interferin’, fer thar’s thirty ter our one, an’ they’d only mob us.” ‘They shall have a dear time trying to hang. him!” the Girl Sport said, her eyes flashing darkly. ‘‘I but wish I knew where his camp is, and I'd soon have his men down here to his res- cue.” The crowd did not seem to decrease, but grew denser in the street in front of and around the Tontine. A deadly spirit was generally preva- lent against the cornered Prince. Men were here who had heard of him, and perhaps been the victims of his early depredations, up in the Black Hills; men were here who had never seen or heard of him, but having sometime been robbed by other agents, were none the less vin- dictive toward Deadwood Dick; men were here who gloried in taking human life, whether in self-defense, in justice, or cold-handed. And then, the citizens who were law-abiding were there to keep the ball a-rolling. But none seemed willing to attempt to enter the hotel, and take the famous Prince of the Road, whose hand, with a pistol init, was a sure rantee of death. He, together with Sir oel Farnsworth, was quartered ina room over- looking the street, and it was suspected that the baronet would also fight in the behalf of his Blacker and denser grew the crowd, and the glitter of knives and revolvers were seen on either hand. But one glance at the notorious Prince of the Road did these excited, bloodthirsty men want, to settle his accounts. seep hy, the sheriff, was present, trying to urge on different men to enter the building and * take the Road Prince. But death seemed to have no temptation for them, as not a man moved; and a shout went up, when, at last, Sir Noel Farnsworth stepped out upon the balcony in front of his room. Every voice became hushed, and all was silence among the mob, After clearing his throat, Sir Noel spoke: ‘‘My friends, I highly appreciate your pre- sence in so augusb a body, but not knowing how Iam indebted for this gathering, will you be kind enough to tell me what you want?” ‘Raith, we want that divil’s own imp, Dead- wood Dick!” replied Sheriff Murphy. ‘So tumble him out, bedad, or it’s niver a bit we’ll let up on yez.” “Ay! ay! give us Deadwood Dick! was the shout that went up from the crowd, A smile came upon the face of Sir Neel. ‘¢ That is impossible for me to do, my friends!” he said, pleasantly. Tom, called upon me, but as soon as he saw you gathering in the street, he donned another garb and disguise, and made his escape, and—your Deadwood Dick is gone if ; The yell of rage created by this disappoint- ing announcement, was furious, and Sir Noel was obliged to retreat into the hotel, for a shower of sticks, stones and bullets were hurled up at Wild were the mob over the loss of their prize, on whom they had counted so much— especially the ruffian element, to whom the name of Deadwood Dick was a terror. Resolv- ed upon revenge, they made a rush toward the entrance to the Tontine, but the ‘sudden closing of the doors by the manager shut them out. In the streets they still swarmed, however, and dark threats were made against Sir Noel. Chief among the leaders of the now riotously disposed gang. was the Leadville giant, Beauti- ful Bill. “Filled to the neck with bad whisky, he was a howling beast, more than a man. Working their way around to the rear of the restaurant, Calamity Jane and Old Avalanche succeeded in obtaining admittance. Upon demand they. were shown to the parlor of Sir Noel’s suit. e baronet was pacing to and fro, excitedly, while Lady Farnsworth lay upon the sofa, sobbing out her hysterical fears. Sir Noel looked up in surprise, but bowed courteously, as he saw his new visitors. He had seen both, before, but not to be acquainted with them. ; BE VWE i ‘We come without invitation!” Calamit Deadwood Dick in Leadvill — — — $$ Sr SS “The man, Thoroughbred | charge of cavalry!” ‘Tt means that Deadwood Dick has come to | show them that he can be either saint or devil!” | pend on noone. But you’rein danger, and came | 'not faster they flew than came on the road- to advise you to slide toward the risin’ sun, just as fast as you can crook your ankle.” “You think I am in danger, lady?” ‘‘T do, certain, or I shouldn’t have said so. That gang down there, are talking strong of lynching you, for assisting Deadwood Dick to escape.” $ f didn’t assist him. He didn’t even ask me to, but slipt out of his own accord.” ‘‘Tt matters not: you could not change their opinion; and the pot’s a-boilin’ red hot among ‘em. I opine that unless ye git out before sun- set, there'll be a lynching, right in front of the Tontine!” “ But I cannot. My sister is a captive in the power of Captain Hawk, the bandit, and I can- not return East, until I regain possession of her.” ‘“ Have you heard from Captain Hawk-since her capture?” ‘“‘No. I have not.” ‘‘ Well, it will not be safe for you to remain here, unless you’ve plenty of grit, and intend to face afree scrimmage. In that case, I'll stand by you.” ‘* You ?” Sir Noel said, in surprise. ‘Ay, I!” Calamity Jane.replied, with a smile. ‘*You may think me a strange character, and perhaps I am, but I enjoy a free fight, when ib is for the right; and Avalanche here, will tell oo that I never shoot twice at the same ob- ject. ‘‘Great ham-bone that war ther final obit- uary o’ old Joner, no!” the Annihilator said. ‘‘ Jennie she ar’ sum on ther shoot, Cap, Fer in- stance, when she ken brush an eyewinker off ’m a muskeeter at a thousand yards wi’out puttin’ on specs, she ain’t doin’ so bad, ar’ she?” ‘Well, no, I should say not,” Sir Noel replied, with asmile. ‘‘ Indeed, | thank you both for our kindness. As to myself, I shall not run. 1 shall stay here, and fight it out!” ‘‘Good! Ihonor your resolve. You can count Old Avalanche and me on deck with you. As Ido not anticipate any trouble, immediately I will go and secure a fresh stock of condensed death—that is to say, ammunition. But first, and while I think of it, let me warn you of ene- mies other than those yelling toughs down there in the street.” ‘(received a similar warning once before, since coming here. [hardly know what to make of it.” ‘‘Well, keep your eyes on a certain dark- faced brother of yours. He means you mis- chief. In conjunction with your other brother, he is plotting against you!” ** My other brother, lady ‘*'Yes—have you not another, by the name of Roy Farnsworth?” ‘Once I had such a brother!” Sir Noel re- plied, blushing, ‘‘ but now he isin Van Dieman’s Land, paying the penalty of a rash crime.” ‘* Not so, Sir Noel. Roy Farnsworth is in Leadville, and is plotting against you, in part- nership with your brother, Chandos. I saw them together, and playing the spy, I learned that you had this brother, and that the two were plotting against you.” What have ‘‘ Miss, this is almost incredible, I ever done to make them my enemies?’ Sir Noel asked, pacing to and fro, in great agita- tion. ‘‘ As near as I can learn, Sir Roy, who here in Leadville goes under the name of Ralph Gardner, cherishes a grudge against you, be- cause you refused to buy him out of going to the penal colonies, and the brothers together, hate you because you are the heir of Sir Roder- ick’s wealth.” ‘*By Heaven, if this is true, they shall find me game, to the bitter end!” Sir Noel cried, an- grily. ‘*I am usually free-hearted, and easy to get along with—sluggish they even go so far as to call me; but they shall find that I have some of old Sir Roderick’s fiery blood still in my veins.” ‘* Hark!” Calamity Jane suddenly cried, leap- ing to her feet—‘‘ listen to that, will you?’ Sir Noel did listen, and heard a bugle blast pealing along through the valley; then, the wild clatter of many iron-shod feet. ‘* What does it mean?” he asked, following the Girl Sport to the window. “It sounds like a 999 4 Ve —L——$ — —_ ———_——— 11 some cursing, others yelling, and firing. But agents, headed by the straight, handsome, mask- ed figure in black—the unconquerable Dead- wood Dick, Prince of the Road! Like a charging army they came on, their horses at a run, every man masked—two score of them in number, with cocked revolvers in each hand, for they used ne hand upon the rein. By the simple pressure of the knee, or the wave of a hand, they guided the flying animals down the main street of Leadville, an occasional yell escaping the lips of Deadwood Dick. On—on they came, and soon there was & sig: nal report from the daring chief’s pistol, after which the whole band began an incessant roll. ing fire upon the flying ane panic-stricken mob. ‘‘Kerwhoop! Great ham-bone that discom- bobberated ther terrestyal gravytation uv old Joner’s larnyx!”’ cried Old Avalanche, excited- ly—‘‘ thet’s ther kind o’ a hair-pin Deadwood Dick is, every day in a week, an’ don’ ye fergit it! Ef I warn’t so old, I shed give three cheers and a tiger fer him!” “See! not a man falls under their fire!” Cal- amity Jane said. ‘‘It isa well-arranged plan to scare away the mob. And now, Sir Noel, is a capital chance for you to escape to better quar- ters, for, even though we might have fought the mob here, it is not a desirable place for you to fight your scheming brothers. It has just occurred to me that F can ruide you to the stronghold of this Captain Hawk, if you are willing to trust me.” ‘* But where would I leave Lady Farnsworth, in the meantime?’ Sir Noel demanded. ‘* Leave her here, until your return.” ‘Perhaps it would be the best plan. Have you any other questions?” ‘*What have you done with your valuables?” “T was warned by this Deadwood Dick to deposit them in the hands of old Levi, the Jew!” ‘Allright. If Dick told you, you may count on it as a safe place, unless an attempt should be made to rob it, which is not unlikely, on the part of your brothers.” ‘‘Maybe they are accomplished cracksmen enough, to crawl into an iron safe for them?” Sir Noel said. ‘If so, let them try.” A glance down upon the street proved that Deadwood Dick had swept it of the mob, with- out killing a man, and he dashed on with his men into the dense belt of pine timber on the northern side of the camp or town. It had been a huge scare, and the wild deri- sive yells of the road-agents rung back upon the bars of the frightened citizens with maddening elYect., Still, they dared not pursue the handsome daring Prince, for none were there who cared to face him and his band of invincibles in a fair open fight, whick would be the ultimate issue, should they organize a pursuit. “They’ve cleaned the mob out!” Calamity said, ‘*‘ and now is our time to puckachee,” The scare of the ride of Deadwood Dick through Leadville, was a theme for excited dis- cussion in the town, among the miners for the rest of the day. Miners gathered upon the streets to distribute their ideas on the matter: the daily paper, on the following morning had an extended notice of the bold act of the road. agents. In closing, it added: “The so-called English baronet, Sir Noel Farns- worth, laid himself liable to arrest for assisting Dead- wood Dick to escape while he was corvaled in the Tontine, but having made himself scarce, accom- panied by the notorious Calamity Jane, and © scout calling himself Old Avalanche, Sheriff Murphy is unable to get a hold of him,” Another notice was posted throughout the town, reading as follows: “Whereas the people of Leadville, without cause or provocation, turned their hands against me, be- cause of past deeds, I caused the raid to be made into the town, for the ge th of Ulustrating that Deadwood Dick fears no living man—or men, here below, and so long as he is warred against, those who oppose him shall be mete out a measure full, ** Signed, Drapwoop Dick,” CHAPTER IX. | : THE AZTEC’S STORY—BRAVE LANY FARNSWORTH. Yes, the man was Ralph Gardner, who had eome into the stronghold of Captain Harriot Hawk, And by the peremptory order of the | ‘‘T wanted to give yqu a little opens | said. replied Calamity. ‘He has come to disperse | bandit chief he was promptly released. if you are in the habit of accepting such. My | the mob, and show them that he fears them ‘¢You did wrong in attempting to come with- handle is Calamity Jane. This companion of | not!” | out my orders,” the captain said, as he took | bad mine is Old Avalanche, the scout. You,Isup-| They stepped out upon the balcony, to gaze Gardner to his private room. ‘* The men might ’ | have shot you for a spy.” q ‘But I came all the same,” Gardner said, pet are Sir Noel Farnsworth?” upon a strange scene, | “and now I want my prize. Where is she?” og aye. In what way can I serve you?” The crowd that had been collected before the No way, I reckon, as I generally don’t de- ' Tontine was rapidly scattering in all directions } : | | Eom JOO (E <SGOMmM