Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

——EEEEe — y uy rung on the air the death-cry of the iv ‘emost pursuer followed. Again the weapon’s startling report awoke ue valley, and again the victim’s dying shrieks bianded with it. With rapid movements Rock began to reload. Oregon Dick and his surviving companions paused in dismay, and before they could com- prehend the Texan’s desperate actions, he had , recharged his piece. Once more he leveled it, and this time at the leader. But he wisely held his fire. With an empty rifle he was at the mercy of the gang. He saw that those to the rear would soon be in front. Thus he regained his feet, and holding the hie oy still menacingly, he retreated at right ungles. es e had caught sight of what appeared the mtrance to a cavern in the side of the moun- ain. ‘ It would at least afford him protection from heir fire, and as his only hope he tried to reach ti The pursuers again rushed on en masse, Before they divined Rock’s intentions, how- sver, he had gained the cave, and with a tri- wnphant shout disappeared into its mouth. Completely exhausted The-Man-from-Texas ‘ell at full length upon the rocky surface. The repeated cuts of the mob outside aroused im, and he looked about for his means of de- "ense, He saw ata glance that the cavern did not “sxtend more than eight or ten feet in depth, «nd that he was surrounded by a solid wall of scranite! Behind the angle of the wall near the entrance he could get partial protection from the fire of those outside. But how long could he keep them at bay? Ata safe distance Oregon Dick and his fol- lowers formed a circle around the Texan re- - breat. ‘* He can’t escape,” said the leader, exultant- 'y. ‘*There is no other exit to the place and if ye can’t do any better we can starve him out.” Sunlight soon died out and night settled over ‘\ill and valley. Rock, after band g 1g his wound as best he sould, commenced li... lonely vigil, and crouch- ng close against the ledge, with rifle in hand, was ever ready for anattack from the two score if men thirsting for his blood. Outside the besiegers were trying to devise a Yan to drive the tiger from his den. Thus darkness wore on apace. CHAPTER XIV. ‘‘OUT OF THE LION’S PAWS INTO HIS JAWS.” THE moon at last disappeared behind the nountain crest, and the stars became hidden by erent inky-black clouds that soon shrouded the tky, so that Gold-dust Hollow was a scene of larkness. Still the sentinel watchers lay in wait for their rey. On either side of the cave, being careful 0 keep back out of the range of Rock’s uner- ring rifle, they built a large fire that lit up the ralley far and wide with its weird glance and lisclosing the cavern-entrance as plainly as un- ler a midday sun. In silence, with dread forebodings hanging iver him, The-Man-from-Texas peered cau- iously out of his retreat, firearms in hand. Thus hour after hour wore on bringing him 10 relief. Cramped, benumbed by his crouch- ng, tiresome position, he looked forward to the ‘coming day with anxiocty. Vigilant and determined, Oregon Dick and tis followers stood at their posts. Then in the midst of their lonely vigil terror towed their spirits and rendered them almost powerless. One of their number standing in a little group around one of their fires suddenly fell stricken with instant death. When his companions saw him lay perfectly motionless, and discovered that he was lifeless, pect 2 gazed around in dismay. om the dead man’s breast was protruding a huge knife. Only that, but enough to tell a fearful tale. A few of the bravest scoured the surrounding forest, and even while they were doing it an- other victim fell at the other fire. Thinking to escape their unseen foe in the darkness they hastily retreated from the light wf the blaze. Five minutes passed and they began to breathe easier. } t was bub a transient gleam of hepe. The Mad Miner. ee a ee —- — —-— + ee Again a victim fell; this time witha cry of pain, but with the same fatal weapon! Terror turned to horror. Once more the woods were searched, but with the same fruitless result as before. Should they flee like cowards or brave it out? Oregon Dick was the leading spirit and de- Seied boldly that they must hunt down the slayer, and must not leave the valley. e infused new courage into the cowering wretches. In the midst of the renewed search the fourth miner fell as mysteriously as the others. The survivors could stand no more. They were brave men and used to facing death, but not in a manner so terrible as this. With no further thought for the Texan hunted down, they turned and fled for Silver- stone, Oregon Dick hesitating no longer to keep them company. neonscious of all this, Rock lay in his cave, and maintained his wearisome watch. He saw the light from the fires grow down and wondered what it meant. Still lower burned the flames, until the last fagot was consumed, and nothing dispelled the darkness of the nighf. Not knowing what it meant, The-Man-from- Texas dared not leave his concealment. At last he muttered: ‘‘Tt’s mighty risky, but I am goin’ to try it. Ef the pesky varmints ain’t left the valley, I mought es well hev’ a onc gH now es enny time; and ef I can’t escape in this hyar dark- ness, I never can.” Crawling cautiously forward, he emerged from his hiding-place. No one seemed aroused. He listened. To his ears was borne from a §}.0t near at hand the cry of a night-bird. ‘‘They are gone,” hesaid to himself, “‘ or that critter wouldn’t be so noe But 1 must keep my peepers opened, though I can’t see but pesky little in this hyar darkness. Howsumdever, it’s jess the thing fer me. Hyar! es I live, the clouds are lifting, and the wind will blow the stormover. Wagh!” Exercising the utmost caution, Rock slowly advanced, until at last, unmolested, he gained the bottom of the valley. Pausing under a clump of bushes, he was try- ing to decide the course best for him to pursue, when he fancied he heard footsteps approaching. Crouching further back into the shadow of the place, he soon saw two men coming near. In spite of the darkness, he recogni them as Gold-dust Buck and Evil Eyes the half-breed. With his first impulse, he half raised his rifle, but with second thought turned to watch the twain, brie gS what they were abroad for at that time of night. Unconscious of his presence, the d care- lessly by, and he was about to follow on their trail, when he heard another coming on their course, Sinking back, Rock was surprised to see the Mad Miner come into sight. It did not take a second glance to see that Wild Wind was tracking the others. Wondering what was up, he too fell in the line behind the latter, and kept cautiously after the strange tracker, who in turn kept the des- peradoes carefully in view. Away down the valley the four men acting so singular a part me steadily on. After a while The-Man-from-Texas saw the lunatic pause, and creeping a little nearer, he found that Warner and the half-breed had come to a standstill. They were now in the center of the valley, and k quickly discovered that ser were near the spot where Harlow had been killed so mysteriously. ‘ Jeems RBIS Vek OD Da | he thought un- der his breath, as he began to tremble, ‘‘I’m might afeerd Pm a goner! I jess hope ’em spooks won’t be tearin’ round loose!’ Further speculation was scopes by the action of those in front: and then he heard a low whistle from the lips of Gold-dust Buck. At the same moment he discovered a dark form lying under one of the larger trees ahead. He recognized the spot in a moment as that where Seth had fallen; and imstinctively he lanced upward expecting to behold his brother ngling from above. To his relief, however, the body was not to be seen; but as his gaze turned back to the other he fancied he saw him move. ‘“‘ Hist!” came from Warner, causing the Texan to suddenly look at his foes. ‘‘Where is she?’ demanded Buck, in a low : tor. 11 ‘“‘T didn’t dare to start with her until you came,” was the reply, given by a third person who had appeared with the others, and whose oe recognized as belonging to Flying e The bushes cut off his view so that he could not see the speaker. ‘* All right,” answered Warner; ‘ we will get her now and be off at once. Ha, Ned! we have no more to fear from that Texan dog!” ‘“ Good!” came the reply, and the three out- laws moved on. Rock, in following suit, found to his surprise that the Mad Miner had disappeared—vanished, as it seemed to him, from sight! ‘*Smoky snakes!” he muttered, ‘‘I sha’n’t be oy to see myself toted off ona pillar o’ og !”? ‘Mercy! what’s that?’ cried Gold-dust Buck, as he entered the opening where Rock had seen the body of one of the dead Harlows. ‘* Ha!” he exclaimed, as he bent over the fig- ure, ‘‘’tis that Charles Harlow! He ranhis race quick,” and giving the form a kick he kept ahead. Rock gritted his teeth as he witnessed the in- human act, but keeping his attention on those in front soon reached the ill-fated spot. Under the influence of dreadful apprehensions he shuddered with terror, and his gaze glancing upward, judge of his consternation when he saw that the body of the murdered man had sudden- ly appeared suspended in mid-air, and swaying to and fro as the wind moved the trees, present- ed a terrible sight! Brave as The-Man-from-Texas was the a pede felled him to the earth as powerless as if stricken by a blow from a war-club, As he fell, his terror found vent in a startling cry. When he came to his senses Rock was a help- less prisoner, while over him, their vicious faces gleaming with triumph, exulted Buck Warner and his confederates, Nothwithstanding his new peril, Randel turn- ed first to look for the awful sight which had epi him into the hands of his most deadly oe. He breathed easier when he saw that if was one. a Ha-ha a nd laughed the desperado leader, ** Oregon Dick said he had wiped out the Texar dog, but it seems he left it to us, after all. We are in luck, and now let’s see if we can maks such a blunder as bungling Dick Lane did!” CHAPTER XV. sé LOST !”? THOUGH it was lighter than it had been it was ae Cam in the valley that nothing could be seen plainly. ‘‘Shall we rid the world of the long-haired Texan?” asked Evil Eyes, as his small glitter- ing orbs of vision fairly glistened with joy at the prospect of seeing the captive miner die. ‘* Have you rope with you to hang him?” was Warner’s reply. bs ee receiving a negative reply he said: “Tt will not do for us to shoot him, as we don’t know who we may arouse.” “Me fix him with my knife,” declared the half-breed eagerly. ‘All right, Evil Eyes,” answered the leader. ‘Silence him forever and rEg two shall have a hundred dollars apiece. hile you are about it I will hasten to the cave and get the gir).” With the words Buck Warner hastened away, glad to escape the cold-blooded deed, brute that he was. “Ugh! me fix him!” exclaimed the chief to Flying Ned as soon as the other had left. ‘Yes; but, hang it; why couldn’t he ’a’ staid and seen the thing through?” ‘He squaw! no brave! Evil Eyes no ’fraid! Killee him quick—git pile yellow money. Lead him, long-hair, out of shade so me see sure.” Flying Ned holding Rock by the arm was in the act of obeying the chief’s order, when a quick coo was heard behind, Frightened, he turned just in season to receive a stunning blow between the eyes. nN a groan he staggered back, releasing his clutch. Evil Eyes had barely time to give a grunt of rise when he shared the same fate. en the terrible twain chancing to glance upward for the first time saw to their amaze- ment the form of a man right over their heads. At the same moment another appeared i: front, when, thinking they were surrounde:! they sought safety in flight. Without a word the new-comer whipped out a knife and severed the thongs that bound Lock, CEONMICLOOO KSEE) su