Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1148 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

ee ee Conne in, Buck, for I : _. pany, and, by the way, you have not told me of z » ’ s " é “wy him by Sol Bradford, Buck had become most friendly with the Dandy Duelist. Hardly had Buck entered the cabin, when witha yelp of joy Vermifuge came bounding in and seemed in ecstasies over his master’s return. The dog had been off on a quiet and solitary hunt, as was his wont, and had caught the trail of his master when he entered the camp. ‘‘ Well, old dog, glad to see me back, aren’t you? Wish l’d had you with me, for you’d have cangee me some game to eat, at least,” said Buck. After caressing the dog for a minute, Buck threw himself, dressed as he was, down upon bis cot, and at once sunk into a tired, deep sleep. He had been asleep for several hours, his faith- ful dog lying near and watching him, when in the open door stepped Roddy Armstrong. “Ho, Buck, old fellow, are you asleep?” At the sound of his voice Buck Taylor awoke instantly, and replied: ‘‘T was, but Iam wide awake now,” ‘‘T am sorry I disturbed you! but we were having a little game of cards in Bradford’s cabin, and as it was after midnight, I concluded to come home, for I wished to learn how you escaped.” . ‘You won your game of cards, of course, ? ign “ Well, yes, for I always do, you know,” — ‘‘ Well, Armstrong, there is a game I wish you to play with me, and see if you will win.” ‘* Why you never play?” ‘*T play some games, ‘** Come, Fo and ask Sol Bradford to go with you, and 1’ll call by for the captain, ‘‘ It is late, but I see the moon is as bright as day, andina quarter of an hour I will meet you over at the spring. ‘‘But be sure and bring Sol Bradford with ou,” The gambler looked at Buck in surprise, and sked: s Why what is the matter, Buck, for you act as though your brain was turned?” ‘‘You heard my request, an | and, if yuu do not meet me, as come after you.” ; “Hal you are angry with me for leaving you, when I was sure you were dead, and seek to pick a epee with me, do you?” ** Call it so Armstron wish, I wi ” ‘Well, Buck Taylor, if you ask it I am no man to refuse, | ‘‘ My record don’t show it, as you know.” ‘You will be there?” “sé Yes. ” “In a quarter of an hour?” ‘** Sooner if necessary.” ‘¢ And will bring Bradford with you?” 66 Yes. ” . sc All 7 bt.” So paving he welked out of the cabin, Vermi- fuge trotting at his heels, and he took the path to Captain McNally’s uarters, ‘The captain had been writing some letters, and had not retired. In fact he was wont to keep such late hours that the boys called him ‘‘ The Owl.” ea But then the captain had little memories in bis heart, for he could recall a few years before when the Rangers’ Ranch was his happy home. - His wife and children, a boy and girl, had dwelt there with him, fortune favored him, and : the future promised only happiness and pros- He had gone from home to the town, when one night the M can Raiders or Comanches which, he was never sure, and perhaps both, had gone to bis ranch and death and desolation had followed. 7 ‘Three of his cowboys lay dead about the house, having sold their lives to save others. His son lay murdered upon the doorstep and ee ee a et within his wife was a raving maniac, while his | daughter, a beautiful girl of ten years, was no- | where to be seen, What had occurred Mrs, McNally could never ‘ tell, but she raved of “red-handed Comanches Mexican fiends” in a breath. arThe stricken father could gain no satisfactory ‘elew, but he vowed a bitter revenge upon the murderers, be they whom they might, ~ With his son dead, his wife ina lunatic asylum, and his little daughfer’s fate unknown, Captain -MecNally’s memories were so bitter that be never slept unless worn out, and he was wont always _ to keep late hours. So it was oe: ee found him up, and he said i iet, kindly way: | | . Cone t am glad to have com- ’ WN No, sir, but I come now to ask youif you ' ' ‘ ee ee ee have confidence enough in me to go with me to the spring, where I intend to fight a duel.” “You fight a duel, Buck?” asked the surprised captain. : Ses, siti” ! : * But you are in no condition to meet any oe. ‘*'Your clothes are still covered with mud, your face is haggard, and—” ‘*T am able to fight, captain, and 1 ask you to merely be a witness.” ‘* But, Buck, 1—” ‘*Tf you cannot do so, sir, say so frankly; but I ask you to have confidence enough in me to go with me.” “Til go, Buck, for the Texan border laws allow quarrels to be settled squarely among men, man to man, “But I hope this matter can be arranged.” ‘¢1¢ cannot be, sir.” ‘* Who is your foe?” ‘‘Roddy Armstrong, sir,” was the calm re- sponse. CHAPTER XVI. THE MIDNIGHT DUEL. _ Captarn MCNALLY started, when Buck Tay- lor told him the name of the man with whom he had cause for quarrel. But he put on his hat and walked out of the cabin with the young cowboy. The moon was at its full and shone with the luster so beautiful in southern latitudes. The dozen cabins scattered about the large ranch showed no light, excepting one. That one was the cabin of the two men who yer going to the spring to meet in deadly com- t The door of their cabin was wide open, and ak lamp on the table within was distinctly vis- ible. The camp seemed buried in deep repose, and the numerous horses, tired of eating, were lyin acne upon the prairie, where they were stak ou Afar off on the prairie was a dark object. vis- ible, still as death. It was a Ranger vedette, for a watch of two men was kept during the long hours of the night, even when in camp. The Rangers cared not to be surprised by their wily foes, be they Comanches or Mexicans, In the background of the Camp was a ridge, heavily timbered, Therein was the spring where Buck Taylor had bidden the gambler to meet him. When Buck and the captain reached the tim- ber they beheld two forms standing in an open space near the spring. They were Roddy Armstrong and Sol Brad- ford, and they were standing near each otier, and there was silence between them. ‘* Well, Armstrong, I am here at the request of Buck Taylor, who has told me that he de- mands a meeting with you,” said the captain, ‘* So he told me, and as he is determined in his Fae 1 shall gratify him,” the gambler re- ‘* But what motive can there be between you two, for a deadly feud?” : ‘“Has he not told you, sir?’ quickly asked Roddy Armstrong. ‘* Not a word, so I appeal to you.” ‘*T have nothing to say, sir,” ‘*Tf Buck is grieved that you should have de- serted him, I am more than peter: to testify that you did not do so from cowardice, but to save yourself, believing he was dead.” . No, Captain McNally, the leaving of Roddy Armstrong is not the grievance | have to settle with him. ‘* He knows just why we meet, and the matter remains a mystery between us, and people can judge as they please as to which’of us is wrong,” said Buck. ‘Buck is determined for this meeting, cap- tain, so let us have it over; but I have a propo- sition to make.” ‘Well, Armstrong?” the captain said, “T am a natural gambler, I believe, and I’m willing to make or lose on this meeting. ‘*T want Buck Taylor’s Roan King and his out- fit, and I will place my outfit, horses, money and all, against his. pa _‘* The one who lives inherits the dead man’s little fortune.” — ‘** All right,” said Buck, coolly. | “This is a strange proposition, Armstrong.” ‘It’s gambling on a life, captain, and that adds greater zest to the meeting between us. ‘‘T am ready now, whenever Sol arranges with you how we are to fight.” ‘‘ Revolvers at fifteen paces suits me,” coolly said Buck, Bg ‘captain, the three men sat in silence, ‘ they could not be surprised there atsome time.” 9 “Will my revolvers do, for I see you have none on?” the gambler asked. ‘**Ohb, yes, for they are splendid weapons,” ee Buck returned. rae Sol Bradford now held a few words with Cap- oe tain McNally, and the two silver-mounted re- oh ee volvers of Roddy Armstrong were taken for the TN al meeting, and being closely examined, were <= we eg to be already loaded and in good condi- he on. al ‘They ought to be, for Buck gave them a good lll cleaning for me only a few days ago,” and the a, gambler laughed in a light, reckless way. a Captain McNally then stepped off the fifteen ! panes; and the two men were ‘placed in posi- 4 ion, : | <i It was decided that they should stand with a their backs toward each other, and wheeling at 78 the word—fire. 65, Ss, Sol Bradford left it for the captain to give the word, and then all was in readiness, The two men were as cool as an icicle, Neither showed the slightest dread of the or- deal they were passing through, though Buck oe was strangely quiet for bim, while the gambler ee wasin a most reckless mood, but it seemed a ie trifle forced. ss Asthe men were ready in position, Captain ‘5 ae McNally called out: o) ‘* Are you ready.” . ‘* Yes, sir,” said Buck, promptly. \opa ‘“T am ready to await the result,” responded ot Armstrong, «. se Fire "9 > ms 3: The men wheeled together as though on pivots, and their revolvers were quickly ata aver Then the pistols flashed, almost together, though one was a second sooner than the other. — Buck Taylor had been the quicker of the two, and his bullet pierced the brain of tho gambler, foes whose shot flew wild, for his aim had beende- stroyed by death, In his tracks sunk Roddy Armstrong, and Sol uck,” We Bradford sprung to his side. ‘* He is dead, : «Yes, I shot to kill,” was the cool rejoinder, oe ‘* Well, Buck, you had better seek rest now, for a ou are really used up, and we will carry the Aa y to the hospital, there to remain until morn- a ing,’ said Captain McNally, a ‘I wiJl help you do so, sir, and then go with Te for I desire to solve this . you to your ranch mystery to you and to Sol, though to others it must remain a secret,” and bending over, Buck raised the form in his strong arms, and carried it to the little log hospital. | There it was placed on a cot, the door was locked, and the three went to the captain’s quar- ters, the Ranger leader and Sol Bradford most curious to know the mystery of that wie | spel bepwees two who had appeared the best of ends. CHAPTER XVII. THE MYSTERY. For some time after entering the cabin of the ach one of them seemed occupied with his oma thoughts, and they were certainly of a sad tae nature. | 5 oa The captain’s home was a comfortable one, = and the lamp burned brightly, showing the faces a of the three men as they sat there together. > aa Buck Taylor’s face was still haggard, Si He had recuperated rapidly, from his having en eaten a good meal and had a few hours’ slee eS ig he still looked as though he was very wretch- At last he said, and he spoke slowly: ** Captain McNally, I am sorry that I had to fight a duel with a fellow member; but I will ae tell you and Sol why I did so,and you can ss judge whether I was right or wrong. ~ ae ‘“To others, for the sake of all concerned, it. * had better remain a page aa | ieee “T feel, Buck = you did not acthastilyin the matter,” said t ey bee reer diy We “When Roddy came tome and told me that = he was to fight a duel, and with you, Buck,I was sure that you had the right of it, ~ “He asked me to go with him, and more he © would not say, so I was whollyinignoranceof — the cause of the quarrel between you,” Sol Bradford remarked. | Sa ‘T went from here, you both remember, ona =| secret scout with Armstrong” ~~ Peek ‘6 Yes,” i: ; ; ‘Tt was my desire, as you are aware,cape = = tain, to find the camp ef the Raiders, and seeif' SS ee y e 2 You so told me, but [feared toinvadeMex- = =| ico, for I dreaded complications arising theree = from with the Government.” — y he “Well, sir, Armstrong and myself crossed the == > A > «4 os ~ ea +>» al