Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1126 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

'% &} * 4 a. > * 5 Pe “ ; a“ {, y 0 -) o Lh. L he . ae b : fi é di y" VP Ee ? ’ ' h, ‘ 1 ei The , 4 Be wv ; rhe Ye rh by ae til UP by 7 L's 4 Ate ihe 7 - oe § & Pe} iJ 1% 4 yar’ vi ) A j Sn 4 * ¥ ia | WS . x % i” ? ‘7 ’ a 4 Lis | iHeTE || ees . d cel : | a et ie Pa, Ley rey eat) ; : ¢ Lehi re ¥ er Ser ~ 4; “4 ¢ , . Oty eee Oo eaten Les ere — i — — ee ee ee iC “One shot at fifty yards, another at a hun- dred, ind a third at one hundred and fifty yards.” “Thank you, sir,” “Now, my boy, blazé away when I give the word,” He placed a revolver in Joe’s hand, as he spoke, and at the word the youth leveled and fired six shots in rapid succession, sé Bov 17 e sir.’ ‘‘ What is your name?” ** Joe Bruce, sir!” ** Do you shoota rifle as you do a revolver?” ‘* Yes, sir,” [ think so,” “T guess you may scare some of those shooters, anyhow, for you put two bullets in the bull’s eye, anc only one missed the card, and that by a trifle. Try again.” Joe did try again, and the man remarked: ** You'll scare ’am, sure.” He then led the way back to the camp and found the marksmen were beginning to arrive. In an .hour’s time all had arrived, the lists quickly filled up, and the shooting began. CHAPTER IV, A BOY’S LUCK; Jor was number thirteen on the list of names for the Belt of Arms, and the owner, who had taken a great interest in the little “ pilgrim” said ina whisper: ‘It’s an uniucky number, lad, and [ wish | could change it for you.” ‘*T don’t mind it, sir.” The twelve shooting before Joe did some crack work, and the boy watched the marksmen anxiously, as each one took his place to fire; but when his turn finally came he stepped out with perfect coolness, A number laughed rudely, as they saw a boy having the temerity to contest with dead shots for a prize; but a cheer fol- lowed the laughter, when Joe’s six bullets went into the bull’s-eye! ‘*‘ The belt is yuurs so far, lad,” said the owner, in evident glee. Then followed the other marksmen, and when the fifty had all fired it was found that Joe and Your others would have 10 shoot off the tie. The boy speppen out once more, with the same coolness as before, and again his bullets entered the bull's eye and a shout of applause arose, The other four followed quickly, but only one tied Joe, '* T yield to the boy,” he said generously, and then he asked: “Youngster, in what learn to shcot a revolver ‘+ T learned in New York City, sir, for I never was in Texas.” “The mischief you did! Then Pll shoot the tie off with you, for city teaching could neyer make you do that a third time.” So the tie was shot off and Joe won by getting his six bullets fairly in the bull’s eye, while the man had one on the line. ** The Belt of Armsis yours, Joe,” decided the owner, handing them over, with real satis- faction. Then the marksmen were called up for the rifle-shooting, which would win the horse, saddle and bridle, ' By a strange coincidence Joe was number thirteen on this list, also. At the fifty yards distance Joe saw that his bullet was not as near center as several of the others, and he anxiously watched the others that followed; but, none did better «than the shots already made, and the New York boy gained Rr of Texas did you - confidence once more. At the hundred yards he made a dead center shot, and repeated it at the longer range. There was one who had made a dead center for the fifty and one bundred distances, so he tied Joe, and they sbot off several times, but with the same result. ** We'll draw for it, my boy,” said the man, who was the same who had tied him before. Twenty-five numbers were then written on bits of cards and dropped into a boot, and the one who drew the highest number won. “Go ahead, youngster,” the man ordered; - ,.““you shall have first, pull.” Joe put his han.l in quickly, for he knew that 2t trembled, so near was he'to the coveted prize. “Thirteen, sir,’ he announced, holding up the mber “Twelve” called out the man, and a shout wentup for Joe - “Thirteen seems a lucky number for you, my and I’m right glad of it. is your horse, and your outfit for Texas is about com- at (' 4 ' ; 7h “Ty ~- a - < - - - “~ wP - ~ -~ b a e " « « — ee ee —— ' ——— TL LL TTT LL J Oe. Arizona “Texas Jack, I named him after a friend who is the greatest scout in Texas.” ** ve read of him, sir, and of Buffalo Bill, too, ana I wish I could become a great scout such as they are.” | ** You have started in well, little fellow; from | the way you shoot I think you will do for Texas,” was the answer, Shaking hands with the man, whom bis acci- | dentally meeting had brought him such luck, | Joe mounted bis horse, and with his belt of arms about his waist, rode back to town, He soon purchased two blankets, ammunition, provisions and all that he needed, and returned to the camp with forty dollars left and a light heart, for he felt that be had laid the foundation of bis fortune! The wagon boss, having been a witness of his remarkable shooting, called him aside for a taik, the result of which was that Joe was hired at | twenty dollars a month as a train hand, | Finding that he was already earning money the dutiful son went into town and expresse back to’ his mother twenty-five dollars of what | he had, writing her a long letter, and telling her of his good fortune thus far. , The next day the wagon train pulled out for Texas, and Joe felt that he was fairly launched upon his new and adventurous career. But, hoping for adventures to beset his path, he little dreamed what was before him in the years that must follow. —- CHAPTER V, TREACHERY, Jor Bruce had gone to Texas, as it were, to ‘“‘grow up with with the country,” and he de- termined to learn all there was to know, as fast as he could master it. Heattended to his duties faithfully, and yet had time to listen to the stories of those in the train who had had ex- perience. He made friends with the guide, and learned now to judge of the * lay of the land,” and loolt out a good camping-ground. He went on hunts rg the vay race tae train and soon became uite expert, while he got ali the “‘ points” he Gotiid oh Tndias-ightine ut Joe soon grew to be a great favorite with all, and one night was called upon to give a history of himself for the edification of all, In his modest way he told the little story of his life,and having brought him the several gold badges he had won, along with the very elegant one given him by Mr. Duke he showed them around along with bis gold watch and chain and told how he was going to the ranch of his old chum’s father, to sta:t in on the life of a nace nk 4 up you do not get a place there, Joe hie wi f you , asked ate r ; , ’ve got money enough to keep me until I find something to do,” he pee ixry : ‘You'll not starve, Joe,” replied the man, who seemed deeply interested in the youth, and he added: “lve got a ranch myself, and if you don’t get along elsewhere come to me, and [ll find work for you.” Joe thanked the’ speaker for his kindness, and from that day the two become great friends. | They had now crossed the Red River, and | many here left the train, branching off to their | respective destinations; but there were a num- | ber of emigrants who still held on, going to the | ocalities where they meant to settle, Joe kepé | with them, as the Duke Ranch was not very far | from where they intended to halt. The man who hed became so friendly with thé New York lad wes a rough-looking fellow known.as Parson Prime, for bis name was Peter Prime,and he had won the title of parson from the fact that he was always singing bymns around the camp-fire and upon the ranch. One day he asked Joe to goon a hunt with him, and then bad started off bright and early, the guide telling them to keep a bright lookon$ | Ye: Indians, as they were in a dangerous local- ity. They saw a quantity of game, but Parson ae prays that they Heap on, saying that he new the country well, and that th ‘oulc soon find buffalo. $ OMe Delighted at this prosrect Joe was more than haipay and with confidence in the “* Parson,” he sail nothing more about going back. vi At last they came to some hea vy timber, and | Parson Pete said; a a — —e——i—“_i—TS— LC — one ee ee ee ee ee nel 2 Pe per : s over. ar ‘‘ Now, parson, I’ve got you! Put our | hands, or I will kill you.” Listed eS): “Eb! What! Curse it, Joe, no fooling with — mS me, Cue “T am not fooling with you. Up with — aah our hands or I will kill you,” and Joe evident = I ee x their dinner, his eyes fell upon a slip of paper ppon the ground. To his surprise it was addressed to *“*MusTanaG Moser,” Now Mustang Mose was a man who bad takem _ several horses into Arkansas to sell, and was carrying back to Texas several animals which he intended to dispose of. - Joe had heard it whispered around that Mus-~ tang Mose bad doubtless stolen the horses at each end of the line, for the man was an evil- me | faced fellow, with the reputation of being a ; rascal. ~ Opening the slip of paper he read: **Go at. daylight to the Red Timber Motte, and Pu be there about noon. I'll leave him on some excuse ~ and find you, and then you will | now what to do, | and we'll find out if the result repays us for our ra trouble. Pets” ag This little slip of paper set Joe to thinking, ~~~ Parson Pete had alw ays seemed to hate rate ( tang Mose, and yet here be was secretly plotting with him, and it could only be about him, eh) He remembered that Parson Pete had told him that very morning that he believed there wasa thief in the train, and to be careful to carry his gold aleet and money with him, leaving nothing hind, Insitantly suspecting the parson, he creptaway on his trail. xe A walk of a 4 eos of a mile, and he saw the rson ahead. But he was not alone. Mustang ose was his comipanion, and the latter was — mounted. Instantly Joe retraced his steps to where the horses were, and at once looked to his-wea In a short while Parson Pete returned which lcoked suspicious, 7 a - te 2 re one— rie you see any red-skins, sir?’ asked | # oe, m..3 ‘Nary red,” j **Then we are all right?” “Yes, lad.” adi pend nobody is about the timber there, sir hs ** Not a soul, Joe.” ‘*Parson Pete, how’ll you trade revolvers and knife?” “Tm willing for a trade, any time, Joe—al- ways on the dicker; it’s one of my failings,” ‘* Let me see yours, ? : The parson unbuckled \ : se, his belt and passed it y was in dead earnest. ‘* But, boy, I—” ig “Quick!” and the revolver was cocked and leveled directly at his head. as. The man muttered a curse and obeyed. “3 ‘‘ Now, Pete, you walk off out on the prairie, — and keep going, for Pl. send a rifle-bullet after you if you halt.’ ree ““ But, Joe, I—” ‘gs ro ) a Wea « **'Do you hear?” rea The parson heard, and he ed, and w er FS had disa} peared over a rise in the prairie, a al yards away, Joe quietly hid in some bru ee Pa He had not long to wait, for he saw Mustang Mose riding slowly toward the camp, glancing aye about bim, as though searching for some one, bi and seeing the horses of the parson and Joe, calk — ed out: | i “Tio, Pete, whar is yer?” ne ‘*‘ Hands up, Mustang Mose!” as « The nat started, attempted to drop his hand upon a revolver, when there can’e a sharp Te ee port and cne of wis fingers was clipped off ak thet SG midd'te joint. 14 “eg “ Fiands up, I say, fer Pll sheot to kill next’ ' ore time!” cried Joe. 7 ina es went the hands of the ruffian, while he) 7% shid: ’ eet a ‘* What in thurder ails yer, boyy” \ eget as geen Mose, if you tel] me the truth, Pil 4 Jet you go, but if you lie to me I) kill you, 36° 9 take your choice,” and Joe left his amtuth and quietly walked toward the de: peradc, still co | ering bim with his rifle. hay’ i ve hd Re bap * . an aur rn D3 ‘ion ; en. te % ie a CA: . MASTER OF THE SITUATION, = ~~ ec ’ , eae does yer want o’ me?” sullen * r? we . : . - - 4 , . yt ou just camp and rest here, Joe. wile I ‘* When did yow leave cam pm tee bo look about us, to see there are no Indians about, | ‘Early this merning.” Aan, | oe, Abteniyanted, lariated ont the two' horses, “what Tope Bes daee. ‘yhage "As Joe was, preparing to build e'fire, to ¢ook' “Hunting whe ie ica ‘ , ’ ey Oo eer tofu La tp. G hie | gil ’ all | WAS ” wat cam! / l an ; W il «ley