Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1032 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 Chris stepped forward, - ‘¢ Pards,” Le spoke, ‘‘our comrade lies before us. Weall know how he cawe there,” An ominous murmur came from the throng, ‘He was murdered,” continued the young cowboy. ‘'We know who fired the shot, It was intended for me, and, as there is a just God in Heaven, I will sce that the murderer who fired it is called to an account!” “We'll stan’ by ye, lad,” assured Round-up Rube, °* Ther p’ison skunk can't escape!” ‘¢ He |,as friends,” declared Chris, ‘* desperate men who will stand by him till the end, And Lightfinger Flip is not the man to surrender without a struggle.” Over the body of poor Jimson the cowboys clasped hands and swore to know no peace till justice wus done, Many of the witnesses shrug- ged their shoulders and shuddered, and one man muttered: ‘‘T w’u’dn’t be in Flip’s boots fer hafe of ther Territory !” Old Rattlebrain moved from the spot. As he was about to pass out at the door, another per- son entered. The new-comer was a girl not more than eighteen years of age. She was dressed in a loose blouse waist and a short skirt that reached just below her knees, A wide-brimmed hat, rom beneath which fell a massof tangled sunny curls, was tipped far back on her head, Around her waist was a crimson sash, which supported a single revolver, Despite the fact that her face had been browned by exposure to all kinds of weather, so a Fifth avenue belle would have declared her complexion was ‘‘ ruined,” she was pretty, Her eyes, deep-blue as the summer skies, lighted and animated her whole face, ; As his eyes rested on this girl, Old Rattlebrain recled back a step, thrusting out his band and uttering a hoarse cry: ‘*My God!” The girl was astonished, In another moment the strange old man gave one cat-like leap and reached her side. “lutch- ing one of ber wrists inasavage grasp, he peered wildly into her face. Although startled, the girl seemed to quickly regain her composure, her free hand falling on the butt of her revolver, ** Well, I reckon you will know me next time,” she laughed, returning the man’s look. ‘ Bat, if you are in doubt, you can look on my left wrist. You will find the imprint of your fingers there.” ‘* That face—those eyes! God!” For another moment he stared like one fas- cinated, then he released the girl’s wrist, clasped his hands to his head, gave utterance to a min- _ gled cry and moan, and staggered through the open doorway into the darkness beyond. ae CHAPTER VI. NUGGET NELL,- WirTH a peculiar look on her pretty face, the girl stared after the vanished form of the mys- terious map. ‘‘ Weil, that is what gets me!” she nodded, ‘* He must be cracked in the upper story.” Pete burried toward her, ¢ ‘* Fo’ de lan’ sakes, Missy Nell, w’at yo’ in yere fo??? be cried. ‘*Dis hain’t no place fo’ o'f ‘‘Oh, there you are, are you!” was her retort. ** You seem to be as lively as ever, Peter.” “1s all right; but, whuffo’ yo’ in hyeah?”’ **]T usually go where I please.” was her retort. ‘**T heard there had been trouble in here, and I was afraid ygu bad been burt, sol came in to ’ \ “Ts dat it? Well, yo’ nebher wanter worry ‘bout dis chile gittin’ buit w’ile his legs am all right. W’en dar’s any danger, I allus mek a break fo’ kiver, an’ usumlly all dat’s seen ob me’ is a black streak in de air.” ‘¢ But who was burt? Can I be of any assist- ance?” : ‘* Yo’ ’s too late, missy. It wur a cowboy dat got in de way ofa bullet.” |. “Poor fellow! Is he dead?” Dead fo’ suah. *It wur one ob dem fellers from de Robinson Ranch, whar we stopped las’ week.” The girl caught Pete by the arm. “Who was it? It was not—not— Wee As she hesitated, the darky broke into a laugh that caused her face to become crimson. “Ob, no, missy; twarn’t him. But it kem drefful night bein’ him, fo’ de bullet wur fired at him. It wur a bressed narrer squak fo’ de young feller wif de long hair.” as Ae Dato Wise ie oie eR AL ie pee ne , 7 * . Nae ¥ re wpe? P en™ st > \ ‘ ' walle; ae Roe >. is ’ - 5 id e 4 a ane tt el a - “am: D- : en dees ¥' « | place for you. ‘* Hush, Pete!” she cautioned. ‘* You talk too much sometimes, Is Mr, Chris in the saloon?” ‘*Suar. He am ober dar whar de dead feller am. But dis hain’t no place fv’ you, Missy Nell. ’Low me to’squart yo’ out ob heab.” The girl shook her head, decidedly. ‘‘T am going to see Mr. Chris,” she asserted. ** Just you lead the way to him, Peter,” The darky lifted his hands with an expres- sion of astonishmeut, ‘* Ho’ Hebben’s sake!” he gasped. ‘‘I’d jes’ like t? know w’at yo’ won’t donex’! = I[f ’twuzn’t fer dat pretty face ob you’n, yo’ ’d be more lek a boy den like aga)! Yo’ jes don’ mine nuffin’ at all, and yo’ goes roun’ whar yo’please. W’en I tole yo’ pore ole mammy dat I’d be a fedder, to yo’ an’ look arter yo’, I nebber dreamed w’at a powers job I wur tekin’ onto my ole shoul- ers, ’Andy ’Arry espied the girl and promptly came forward. Pausing a few feet away, he lifted his wrecked silk hat and made bis prettiest bow, Then he screwed his eyegJass into his eye and surveyed the girl from head to foot, bis as- tonishment and admiration being evidenr, ‘* Well, b’Jove! Ye knaw Hi ham surprised!” The girl returned his inspection, and promptly retorted: , ** So bam Hi!” ‘*Hi never hexpected to see ens Bob not: this sort hin this part of this blawsted bloody. country |” ‘*Nor did I. The shock is mutual. Pete, get me some water, quick, before I faint!” At this the darky grinned, ‘‘ Chawming creature!” gushed the Londoner. ‘*B’ Jove! she looks almost as well as a Heng- lish gir)?” ‘‘That kind of flattery doesn’t go down,” laughed Neil. ‘‘ You are not at all clever, sir, or you would paste it on a little thicker. A girl does not relish being told that sbe looks almost as well assome one else. You must tell her she takes the plum. Goto the American dude and learn a lesson, Jobnny!” *"Arry gasped ip astonishment. ‘* Well, Hi never!” he apluttered. ‘* This his rently aroun. Hi never ’eard a gir! talk so! Hi ham hastounded!” ‘You look it,” declared the girl, soberly. ‘You look dazed, as if some one had hit you with a club, What is the matter with your hat? Have you been trying to stand on your bead?” | ‘*Mv ‘st was hbaxidentally crushed, young lady; but Hi assure you Hi shall purchase bhan- other hat my hearliest hopportunity,” ‘* It.is a pity you couldn’t purchase something to go under it,” ‘* Hi ham not sure Hi bunderstand you,” ‘¢ Well, never mind,—Pete, will you lead the way to Mr, Chris?” ‘* My dear young lady,” and ’Arry placed bim- self directly in Neli’s path, ‘ This is scarcely a Tl isis ban hawful’ole.” ‘¢ Will you stand aside, sir?” “Old hon, miss, Hi -want to taik with you. Hi would be a friend to you, ye knaw,” ‘‘ Many thanks; butI fancy I can look out for number one. Will you get out of the way, sir?” But ’Arry was not to be beffled so easily, ‘Hit is not possible you hunderstand what kind hof a place this bis. There are a regular gang of murderers hand thieves hin ’ere,” he asserted, ‘*Hif you will ballow me, Hi will bescort you to a place hof safety.” ** Didn’t you hear me tell you I could look out for number one?” ‘© Yes, but—” “There are no buts about it,” flashed the girl, her blue eyes getting a dangerous gleam. ‘‘T bave no use for dudes, so the quicker you take a tumble to yourself, the better for you. I have asked youto let me pass. I will repeat the request, and if you do not immediately comply, I shall make you stand aside,” ‘Surely you hare not—” ‘** Will you let me pass, sir?” ‘Hi really tbink hit his my duty to— Bloody murder!” ‘* Stand aside!” . ve A revolver gleamed in one smal! brown hand as the girl uttered the command, and it was pointed straignt at ’Andy ’Arry’s nose, The startled and frightened Englishman recled back a step, throwing up his bands, , ‘Mavens hand hearth!” he gasped, ‘Hi. never saw the like hof that! Be careful, girl! that bloody weapon may be loaded!” . ‘‘ May be! You bet your life it is loaded! Just clear the road, Jobnny.” pF : ’Arry did not hesitate longer, but he mut- tered, as he stepped aside: ake “Well, Hi will be hlowed! ; ‘ me Hi wonder hbif ’ i . ‘ » fs - “ ; ; » i. ’ ' at | ‘ ¥ : ve . ha al Ae, oe ee grr ‘4% ; * y - . ~~ aes, - ‘. a @ a 2 oe ra eae Litre S : Ps — o™ + . ibs R48 Spied a. yim oe i - my I * bh ws > ’ ‘ . ee “a wae ad ‘ oo i y wri ; 7 a ‘ d z oe i . hy : * . bd et Fr, * “ »” ay bas ae ee ae * . 7 7 7 a obs re Poe 4 4 < sy . s ne . é - -_ ‘ i. 7 : eo 3 a’ 4 ee — a ung t ~ TY wey @e - —— “ = Ps .* - al Cowboy Chris, the Man of Caliber. hall Hamerican girts hare like this one? Hif so, Hi ’ope Hi shall never be unfortunate benough to marry one,” ** You never will,” was Nell’s half-laughing de- claration, as she lowered the revolver. ‘* Cause why? ’Cause you will never find one simple enough to have you. See?” ‘* By golly, boss!” laughed Pete, slapping his thigh. ‘* Yo’’s struck de wrong chile w’en yo’ tries to hab any fun wid dis gal, She kin out- chin de bes’ ob’em, an’ yo’’s mighty fur from de bes’. Yo’ bettah go lay do’n somewhar an’ cool cff fv’ a while.” Then the amused negro led the way toward the throng gathered arourd the table on which lay Jimson’s dead body. Cowboy Chris saw them approaching, and bastened to meet them, a look of surprise on Lis handsome face, bh ‘Why, Miss Nell!” he cried. in here ?” ‘‘It is I, be not afraid,” was the reply, as she held out her hand. ‘‘How do you do, Mr. Chris?” He took her hand, a look of gratification over- spreading his fine face, | ‘‘T might have known that you were in Hot Hole, for Pete is here, But during the ex- citement of the unfortunate events which have just transpired, I have scarcely noticed any- oe a ‘¢T hear one of the men from your ranch has been shot, ; ‘Yes, poor fellow! It was Jimson, His life was ended by the bullet intended for me, but the wretch who murdered him shall stretch hemp for it! ‘The boys have pledged themselves to see justice done.” ** W bo shot him?” “Is this you ‘‘A gambler called Lightfinger Flip, whom I Jimson was behind detected cheating at cards, The card-sharp me and a little at one side, fired from his pocket.” ‘‘ And meant to shoot you?” sé Yes,” ; , ‘* That was a close call for you, Mr, Chris,” “Close indeed! But, Miss Nell, this is searce- ly a fit place for you. Shall I—” / ** Now, do not ask to escort me out!” sbe pro- tested. ‘If you do, I shall have to refuse, or that Henglish dandy will be offended ye knaw. He really insisted, and I had to assure him L was in the babit of going it alone,” 7 ‘¢ An’ she ’shured him ob dat p’int at de pint ob de resolver,” grinned Pete. ‘By golly! L reckum dat feller won’t fool roun’ her any more!” , . After a few moments of conference with ‘Chris, Nell and Pete turned to leave the saloon. A stranger in the camp, who bad been gazing. admiringly at her, appealed to a citizen and asked: | ‘* Who is that handsome girl?” , ‘‘Thet,” was the reply, ‘Sis N ugget She’s straight as er string, partner, bet yer skin thar hain’t no flies on her!” CHAPTER VII. | ‘ OLD FOES MEET. Nell, an’ youkin | é -* ° Po tae De wads Sad 7 ‘ y we ae ~ FS Just before the girl and her darky escort __ reached the door, bisky Jim suddenly re- appeared, His gait was decidedly unsteady, and when he saw Neil, . bringing his hand down beavily on her shoulder. ** Hello!” be greeted, thickly. ‘‘ Blame my eyes if it hain’t Nellie! Howdy, ole gal!” . . or , Pete uttered a cry of rageand flow at the big: ifs ; 4 tough like a mad-dog. ‘* Yo’ misserable trash!” he shouted, yo’ dirty han’s offen dat gal!” eo Still clutching Nell by the shoulder, the ruf- back the clinched fist of his free = f ‘hand and delivered a lurching blow that caught. ‘veel the faithful negro fairly between the eyes, —= } knocking bim down, “ike fian swun he staggered toward her, | J é . 4 - : P \ ope "PT ae Pie) i 4x ‘ wee oid “aaa ‘Take thet, you onery black imp:” he snarled, ae’ “T reckon thet will teach you betterthem ter = inner iene with er gentleman. But, if it don’t, »4 ia would do, He never explained what he the saloon close Fred Walker was enterin behind the tough, and he ‘was a witness of the 5 a ‘same. With a cry of indignation, be leaped for- _ ward, his fist shooting straight out rom the shouldér and landing squarely behind Wh Jim’s left ear, The heavy ruffian was lifted off 3) a “ rr pf “Seal one > f any x Lo ag “At 7% ES = i] r i” ar ty wy « # . ihe he - his feet and hurled headlong to the floor. Some =. of the spectators declared it was the handsor knock-down blow they ever witnessed. Fred had not been a moment too soon, ‘fo Fee | ‘Cowboy Chris was rushing to the spct, i on assisting the girl. He balted with amu exclamation, as he saw the young tendé prompt action, eG a Lae at | ‘ * © “IT aS ye | . . . ie , ~) &=10 * ian ce 5 : 3 sas * ye © rf Ot’ . my mt 2 Sted Sie f, “te 4 a" ; 1%, Tt | ley 4 sts ie v*" -, a 7 : Ls be én By roa ° r