Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1032 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

' from Old Rattlebrain’s lips, ee —— oe Cowboy Chris, the Man “Those were the very words! The voice is the same! Where is the devil who spoke?” ~ The desperadoes were startled by the furious aspect of the madman. ‘Where is he?’ howled Rattlebrain, glaring wildly around. ‘ Let me get my fingers on his ‘throat! I will have vengeance—vengeance !” The fingers of his powerful bands worked as if ho were ci ushing the life from something. Those in his immediate vicinity fell back before him, terror written on their faces, ‘* [t has been years,” he went on wildly; ‘** but still 1 remember those words. ‘Foul play!’ That was what he cried! Where is he? I will kill him!” “Get out of the way, old man, or you will get hurt,” commanded Lightfinger Flip, his face being as pale as that of a corpse, A hoarse scream that was terrible in its inten- sity broke from the madiman’s lips, as he bent forward in a crouching position and glared into the gambler’s face, “That is the voice!” shouted the demented managain, ‘‘ The face does not seem to be the same; but thatis the voice! Devil, I have found you at last!” The card-sharp suddenly whirled from Cowboy ‘Chris and covered the madman with bis cocked ‘weapon. “Stand off!” he commanded, ‘Stand off! {f you approach me, I will shoot you in your tracks!” ** Do you think you can kill me? You tried it once, you assassin, and failed! I have lived all ‘these years for the purpose of settling the score, and now | shall settle it, Ha! ba! ha! I will end your life in a moment! I will tear your body limb from limb and cast it to the winds for the vultures to feed upon. Prepare to die!” .The gambler fell back a step, terror plainly ‘written on his face. Although he was usually ‘steady and cool, at that moment his band was shaking badly, showing how unstrung bis nerves had become, ** I hold the drop,” be cried, huskily, ‘* I shall shoot you as surely as you approach me! Keep your distance, if you want to live, old man}” ‘** Ha! ha! hal” once more fell the wild laugh ‘Your face is 'white with terror, for you are looking on one ‘whom you supposed dead. But the dead lives— lives to wreak vengeance on the one who sought to murder him! Your time has come!” As he sprung forward with outstretched hands, Lightfinger Flip pulled the trigger! CHAPTER X, THR CARD SHARP'S DODGE, As thé gambler’s weapon spoke, Old Rattle- ‘brain balted' in his mad rush and swayed as if about to fall, stretehing out bis arms blindly, As if the report of Flip’s weapon had been a preconcerted signa], there was a crash of shots that was fairly deafening, and with a rattling jingle of broken glass, the lights in the saloon were extinguished for a second time that night, Then followed shouts, shots, and the soddeu thuds of heavy blows, Men who were rushing in opposite directions collided and went to the floor ia a yelling, struggiing mass, Pandemo- nium reigned for the time, In the midst of all the noise and excitement, there came a loud, piercing shriek—a woman’s ery of terror! Like the keen blade of a knife, it cut to the heart of many a man. For a moment there was a hush in the wild excitement, then the turmoil went on with re- doubled fury for a sbort time. When the excitement had ceased in a mea- sure, some one found an overturned and chim- neyless lamp and lighted it. Ina few moments other lights appeared, then those who remained in the saloon began to look around. Cowboy Chris was standing erect in the center of the room, his undischarged revolver grasped in his hand, His left sleeve had been slashed by a knife, and the blood that slowly trickled from | the ends of his fingers told that be bad been cut. There were three prostrate forms .on the floor, one that lay Jimp and silent, one that was groaning dismally, and one that was bound to an Overturned chair, The last was Fred Anthrop. Pebeinger a and his pals had disappeared, and Nugget Nell was also missing. Nor was Old Rattlebrain to be seen, As the cowboys came hurrying into the saloon, Chris bent over Fred Anthrop, ** Are you hurt, Fred?” he asked, “Not a bit, Chris,” was the ready reply, **Some one pushed me over, and I fancy that Saved me from Whisky Jim’s knife, I think I ss who befriended me at such a critical mo- men ** Who?” ‘The girl who so heroically faced the whisky tough when he was about to cut my throat, W here is she?” ‘*She is gone,” explained the young cowboy, as he produced a knife and cut the tenderfoot free from the overturned chair, ** tone!” echoed Fred, ** Yes; she bas vanished.” The young men looked into each other’s eyes. ** Those devils—-” ‘* Have carried her off.” ‘*‘ And the shriek—” ** Was her cry.” Fred smote his clinched hands together. ** She must be saved!” he almost shouted, ** That is right,” from Chris’s. lips. ‘* We will save her from those ruffians, or—” ‘Or die in the attempt!” melodramatically finished the young Kasterner, ‘*If they barm her we will lynch the whole gang!” ‘* But you are hurt, Chris,” ‘* Thet’s er fac’,” nodded Round-up Rube, the veteran having reached his young comrade’s side, ‘* Ther crimson is runnin’ off ther eends o’ yer fingers in er stream. Some dirty cuss tried ter stick ye in ther dark.” ‘Tt is nothing but a scratch,” declared Chris, calmly. ‘*Don’t mind me now, Lightfinger Flip and his pards must be followed.” ‘But you’ve gotter hev thet cut tied up,” as- serted the bow-legged cowboy, ‘ Flip can’t git very fur away, Vll’low, An’ ther rest o’ ther boys are lookin’ arter bim, It won’t take me more’n two shakes ter fix thet slash sother blood won't keep er runnin’ down yer arm.” With reluctance, Chris consented to have the coe bandaged, and Rube soon had it looked after. With one or two exceptions, all the cowboys had entered the saloon and gathered around their youthful leader, “Some of you sbould know which way that tricky gambler went,” said Chris, ‘ Did no one see him?” ‘‘[ saw er dozen figgers skoot past wen ther lights went out,” declared one; ‘tbut Ill be blowed ef I c’u’d tell ef ary one of ’em wuz Flip!” **It will not do for that devil to give us the slip now,” came sternly from the youthful cattle- man’s lips. ‘*‘ He and his pals have carried off Nugget Nell. They may decide this town is get- ting too hot for them, and strike for pastures new, We must prevent that, if possible. Out, pards—out and look for ’em!” He led the way from the saloon, But, when the street was reached, they scarce- ly knew which way to turn, ‘We will turn the whole town bottom up but ae will find them!” hotly declared Cowboy bris, ‘* Right, lad, right!” agreed Round-up Rube, ‘An’ wen we do fine ’em,I reckon we won't fool with ther skunks any longer,” An ominous growl came from the entire party. < The respectable citizens of this town should be ou our side,” asserted Chris. ‘I fancy the would be glad to get rid of the gambler and his ang,” They had not proceeded far before ’Andy ’Arry sneaked out of the deeper shadows and joined them, ‘*Blawst my ide!” be gurgled. ‘“ Hi never saw sucba bloody hinfernal place as this ere one! A man never knows what confounded thing will ’appen next! Hi wish Hi was back hin hold Hengland!” ‘*Do ye ’spect ter git back erlive, Johnny?” asked one of the cowboys. ‘‘Hit’s doubtful hif Hi do,” confessed the Londoner, ‘Hi ham hin constant fear hof has- sassination. Hi would like to hask hif there isn’t hany law in this confounded country?” ‘* Lots of it, Pard Jobnoy. W’en we gits our ban’s onter ther feller we’re arter, you willseea sample of our law if you are around, Our law is mighty spry w’en it gits ter work, but it some- times takes it a blamed long while ter git start- ed. ‘* Hi would go to bed hand try to get some sleep,” said ’Arry; ‘*but Hi ham hafraid Hi would be bassassifnated hand never know hany- thing babout hit,” " Waal, you're in danger of dyin’ fer want of sleep,” Where's ther nigger?” asked one of the party, ‘*Hain’t seen. him since ther lights were doused in ther saloon,” replied another, ** And whar’s Ben Holt?” “He hain’t byer.” owe Myo!) FP - V 5 wi bs 4 ; : : - i _ Se). ae oft, De ; aD of 4 : Ott ee OTE « >" ; 7 : . \ 3 Yr. One of their pumber was missing. ‘‘ Hes ary one seen hiin since ther blow-out in ther saloon?” No answer, ‘Pll bet some of them critters hev wiped him out!” ‘* if they hev—” ‘* The score against them will be doubled,” fell icily from Chris Comstock’s lips, At this; moment a figure came burrying to- ward them out of the darkness, and a well- known voice hailed them, ‘* It’s Ben!” exclaimed Round-up Rube, with satisfaction. ‘* Ther ole man’s still on bis pins,” The cowboy hastened to join his comrades, ‘*'Yer want ter foller me, pards!” he panted. ‘Ther nigger an’ I hev located ther skunks!” ‘* Flip an’ bis pards?” 66 Van,” ‘* Whar are they?” ** In a cabin over hyar. watch,” ‘* And the girl?” cried Fred Anthrop, eagerly, ‘** Is she with them?” **T reckon.” ‘** Lead the way,” cried Chris. With bis comrades at his keels, Ben Holt bur- ried swiftly through the darkness till he reached a cabin that stood on the very outskirts of the town. They approached the rude building cau- tiously. ‘*T wonder whar ther nigger is?” muttered Ben. *T left him hyer or hyerabouts, an’ he said he w’u’dn’t stir tell [ kem back.” But, Pete was not to be found. ‘* Thet’s mighvy sing’ler!” growled the cowboy, ‘*T don’t reckon he wuz skeered away, fer it takes a heap ter skeer thet nig w’en ther gal’s concerned, Suthin’s happened,” ‘t Well, let’s make a raid on the cabin,” eager- ly suggested Fred Authbrop, ‘We'll spread out an’ surround it fu’st, so ther critters can’t guv us ther slip.” ‘‘That is right,” assented Chris, ‘* Surround the cabin, boys, and whistle when you get in place,” In a few minutes a series of short sharp whis- tles told that the men were peey for business, Then Chris Comstock advanced boldly toward the cabin. The young cowboy was still some distance from the door when a voice from within’ called out for him to halt,. ‘* Jest chain up thar,’ commanded the man withinthecabin, ‘* Puttdown brakesef ye don’ want ter chaw lead!” Chris balted promptly. ‘* Thet’s right,” commanded the unseen man, “T bev ther drop, an’ I hev it bad,” ‘*T should advise you to go a trifle slow about using your gun,” said the young cowboy, “If you get too fresh in the way you handle it, Ia may find yourself hung up to dry from the limb of a tree,” ‘* Now, thet’s derned bansum tork!” snorted the person inside, ‘* Ef er man hain’t got er right ter defen’ bis own propperty, Pll ‘low I don’t know er blamed thing ’bout ther law of this great an’ glorious kentry!” ‘‘T am not here to palaver,” was the young cow- boy's declaration. ‘Waal, I’d jes’ Jike ter know w’at ye are hyer fer? I kine of tuck it thet ye wuz er fire-hug goin’ ter tetch off this yere Queen Ann ey of mine. I jest erbout reckoned I’d run er hole in yer system ef vbet wuz yer game.” ‘This house issurrounded by my friends,” as- serted Chris, ‘* We have come to take Lightfin- ger Flip.” ‘‘ Waal, ye bev come ter ther wrong place, He hain’t byer.” . ‘That will not go down. He was seen to come here.” ‘‘ Some galoot’s eyes played ’em er mighty scalv trick.” * ‘Open your door.” ‘‘Not by a blamed sight! Jest you an’ yer pards keep yer distance ef ye don’t want ter chew lead!” ‘¢ Tf you do not open your door, we shall batter it down.” ‘*It will be derned unhealthy fer ye ter try thet. IT’ll guv some of ye their everlastin’ sick- ness, you bet!” ‘ And hang to the limb of the nearest tree for your folly. If you have any brains at.all, you will make no resistance. e care not if you have twenty men at your back, we are going to have Lightfinger Flip.” ‘‘ Waal, go take bim, an’ be dad-burned ter e! But I do want ve ter git out of this, TI ain’t but jes’ got ready ter roll in fer ther night, an’ I ‘low ba like @ bit of sleep afore sun-up. Come, crawl out of this!” I left ther nigger ter *. : - . z Ad ’ ' * \4 ih tae tal * S 4 wy Va Si : » = uM ; ‘ ! y* + ee Le : . ! YA his: 9s f . “ ey oa Apts , " ‘ ~_DOOK > |i , ~