Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

16 — + —_ —————— ee . = — Eee eee Rock sunk back with a ery and closed his eyes as he felt his end had come. Again Buck Warner was thwarted. Simultaneous with his movement a man was seen to spring from the crowd of new-comers, and with his long hair streaming inthe wind rush to Rock’s rescue, In a moment he closed with the desperado in a death-grapple. The lookers-on turned from the flying ruffilans to the exciting combat, but there was no chance for others mingle in the engagement. Locked in each other’s arms they plunged and tossed to and fro. ‘Let me hev’ a show for the fun!” cried Rock. Seeming to forget that he was freeing a prisoner from the hands of law, Mark Hanson quickly cut his ligatures, and The-Man-from-Texas joined the spec- tators just as one of the combatants arose, victor of the strife. At first it was,in the starlight uncertain to the crowd who had conquered, but in a moment the cry went up: ‘* Buck Warner is dying!’’ ‘“‘Served him right, too!’ cried Vic Haven. ‘* He has shown his true character in this act of to-night if never before.” ‘‘ Yes! yes!’’ chorused the crowd. ‘ But is Rock unburt?”’ ‘Wal, x reckon!” cried that worthy himself, “he’s jess the ’coon fer fun, my boss beavers, so gin us yer paws.”’ - Loug life to Rock Randel owner of Gold-dust Hollow!, and may he be forever rid of all unprinci- pled foes!"’ cried he who had just overcome the Tex- an’'s most. bitter enemy, Unheeding who gave the cry utterance, the listen- ers took it up, until the air rung with its sound. In the midst of the eg k turned to greet the speaker, when to his joy and wonder, he met Wild Wind, the Mad Miner! “‘Jeems Stopple! dye my eyes deceive me, or is this ye, old chap, alive and icking?”’ ‘‘ ts 1, every time,’ replied the unknown, as he erasped the other’s hand, “though I thought, one while, I should have to give in to that desperate Warner... However, the fight is over, Rock, and your path is clear,”’ ‘Yes: and L owe my life and all to you!”’ he said fervently, as he held, long and firmly the other’s yalm., Ay, at last the fight for the valley of gold was ended and Rock had triumphed. And that, after all, was his ddom! CHAPTER XXII, PARTING FROM FRIENDS. Arounp the dying Buck Warner gathered the spec- tators. ‘My race isrun,”’ he said, faintly. 4¥ have made a life and death struggle for the gold in this valley but I am done for at last. The Texan was right and I was wrong, so it is only justice for him to triumph. But who was it who placed me here?”’ ‘* Wild Wind, the Mad Miner,”’ some one said, ‘““Wild Wind! It can’t have been him, Yor I saw him dead in the valley presienda 1)? ‘‘ You are mistaken, for Iam living yet,’’ deelared that person, approaching his side. Warner uttered a cry of dismay as he reeognized the other. ““T don’t understand it!’ he muttered. ‘ But, who are you, for I have decided some time since, that you are not what you profess to be?”’ “Tt is time, perhaps, that you all should know me,” the unknown said, and quickly tearing off his false hair and beard the features of Alpine Luke were revealed to the wondering crowd / ‘TY don’t understand it!’’ exclaimed the astonished Warner. “The explanation is this,’ replied Luke: “ you all looked upon me as the Unlucky Miner, and wherever [went you mistrusted me. To aid Rock and work as a sort of scout for him [ adopted this disguise. Soon after I was -verpowered, shot down and supposed to have been killed by Evil Eyes and his savages. My wounds did, not prove fatal; I es- caped, but alowed the report of, my death to pass for the truth. Since I have appeared only in my disguise as.the,Mad Miner.’ ‘Anda better yard never took the trail!” affirmed Bock, as he gr sped again his noble friend’s hand, “But hew. did. you come to life in the gully? I know you were dead then!” “ Another mistake of yours. By as dence my disguise looked at a distance and appearance of that singular being, the mad Calvo, who 0 owned this valley and haunted it ever since, every one who has come in his way with that fatal rifle of his charged with ‘ air- wder,’ so that no. report is ever heard. Though is hair was white from age and mine from nature they looked much alike; so much in fact that you rene have mistaken him for me in the ravine yes- terday.” “T see it all now. But how blind I have been! But tell me of the fight in the cave.” ‘** While. k w. you in front I came alon and wishing to drive you out entered the caverna ante entrance, with what result you already ow. “It was me also whom you discovered at work in the cave. When I rushed by youl met the half- breed at its entrance, and had to dispatch him be- Yore I could_eseape, “Though I have done much, that Silent Slayer the mad Californian, has often been en for me and his work confounded-with mine. Butyou might ave easily distinguished us. While he relied upon ing rifle solely, my weapon was the knife, and so ex- i coinci- e the dress The Mad Hunter. pert have I become in its use that I can throw it half . ae yards and be certain of my victim every ime)’ The speaker paused as he noticed the sudden change taking place in the countenance of the wounded man. Five minutes later he was no more. At last one of the most dreaded desperadoes that ever slew his victim in Calaveras county had run his race of crime, and again right had won. Cut down in the primo of manhood, educated and talented, how different might have been his end, Truly he ae expect to reap aught but thorns who sows riers. Silverstone was free at last. Rock and his friends were greeted cordially on every side. From the many stories told of the strange events which had transpired we give the following in ex- planation of those incidents in our narrative that may not be readily understood! Of the mission of the Harlow brothers none could tell aught as they perished early in their work. Both had been killed by the ‘‘ Silent Slayer,’’ who spared none who came in his way. It was he also who stole the body of Charles away and suspended it from the tree, while others were preparing a grave. The action was simply a freak of his madness, The same motive greg Sa him to treat the body of Stockton Sharp in like manner. Of the last appear- ance of the ‘‘ Night ~hantom,’’ the outlaw mistook the body of Seth for that of Charles, the latter hang- ing from the sapaing all .e while, The remains of the unfortunate men were afterward properly in- terred and over their graves blocks of granite have been raised. Of the fight at Silverstone Ledge those under Rock fled from the fight as soon as possible, They were all, save Seth, tools of Burke’s. We think the mystery surrounding the Mad Miner has been so far removed that the rest can be dispelled with a little consideration. His work, as he said himself, had been confounded with that strange, si- lent rifleman. Wind aided Rock in his duel in the dark, and fled before the crowd discovered him. In fact his whole object was to assist the other and he performed his dut Pep scimb oe A word in regard to the “Silent Slayer,””"* A few years before two brothers named Calvo owned Gold-dust Hollow, but while trying to work their claim they were driven out by a gang of despera- does led by Buck Warner. One of them maddened by a bullet wound continucd to haunt the valley and became the dreaded Silent Slayer. Rock Randel re- ceived the mine from the other brother who had seen enough of war. Still the crazy Calvo followed up his vengeance. But he was never seen after that frightful leap from the Golden Cave, The Silverstone mine proved a grand success. Rock xd his treasure with his gallant friends, Alpine fmke, Temperance Tim and Mark Hanson, while Vic Haven and others were not forgotten, The-Man-from-Texas became the leading spirit of the Silver Mountain district, and later, when Sil- verstone selected him as mayor, well might he be proud of the conquest he had won. Though rough and unlettered, no one was respected more, Noble Rock! We dislike to part from him. Alpine Luke, though owning a share in the mine, soon after left Gold-dust Hollow, when he found the miners still looked upon him with dread, as they still considered him the same Unlucky Miner as of old. In a claim below he became the central actor in scenes that have gained for California her notoriety. Last, but not least, when rich enough to leave the valley, Mark led to the altar the fair Lenore, and seeking a pleasant home in Los Angelos County, the twain are living there to-day, happy and contented, with we peace and prosperity that a kind Provi- dence has so benignly bestowed upon them, THE END. "3¥ © would refer those who desire to know more of this strange being and his work to Half-Dime eaee No, “Dandy Rock, The - Man - from exas,”’ BEADLE’S Half-Dime Library. 1 DeEaApwoop Dick, THe Prince oF THE Roap, By Edward,L. er 2 YELLOWSTONE JAck. By J 8 Kansas Kino. B 5 Vv Va ena mpage Oll Coo 10¢ AGABOND JOE. By mes.. .. é : LD ng Rar B ees S. Ellis. 5c, Tue FLYING YANEEE, , By ngraham..... 5c. 8 SevnH Jones. By Edward §S. Ellis 9 Tue ADVENTURES OF Baron MUNCHAUSEN.... 10 Nat Topp. By Edward S. Ellis, ..........,. 11 Taz Two Derectrves. By Albert W. Aiken. 12 GuLLIVER’s TRAVELS... .. ... .. «.- 13 Tae Dums Spy. By Oll Comes 14 ALADDIN, .... Se wank. cumvye . gitdee t *S. «Tessar 15 Tue Sea Car. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 16 ROBINSON CRUSOE..... ' 17 Raupn Roy, THe Boy Buccanegr. By Col Prentiss Ingraham, 18 SINDBAD THE SAILOR.... ........ 19 Tae Poantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill... ...... 20 THe Dovste Daccers. By Ed, L. Wheeler... $$$ —— 21 Frontier ANGEL. B 22 THe SEA SERPENT. 23 Nick o’ THE NicuTr. By T. C. Harbaugh.... 5c, 24 Diamonp Dre.’ By Col, Prentiss Ingraham,. 5c. 25 Tue Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck BC. 26 CLoven Hoor, THE Demon. By E. L. Wheeler 5c. 27 AnTELOPE ABE, THE Boy Guipr. By Oll 5c, 28 Burrato BEN, THE PRINCE OFf THE PISTOL, By Edward L. Wheeler... ....0..3...... .. 5e. 29 Toe Dump Pace. By Capt. F. Whittaker... 5c. 30 Roartna RaupH Rockwoop. By Harry St. 5c. 5e. Edward 8. Ellis Col. Juan Lewis George .. 31 Kreen-Knire. By Oll Coomes..,.............. 382 Bos Wootr, THE BorRDER RUFFIAN, By Ed- ., ward L. Wheeler ot oe 33 THe Ocran BLoopHounD. By 8. W. Pierce.., 84 OREGON Sout. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams...... 85 WiLD Ivan, Toe Boy Cuaupg Duval. By Ed: ward L, Wheeler. 36 THe Boy Crown.. By Frank S. Finn 87 THe Hippen Loner, By T.C. Harbaugb.... 88 Nep WyLpr. By Texas Jack 89 DeaTH-F ace, THE DETECTIVE. By Edward L. 40 Rovine Bren. By John J. Marshall 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes 42 Tue PHantrom Miner, By Ed. L. Wheeler.... 43 Dick DARLING, THE Pony Express Riwer, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker... |... 44 RatTuine Ruse. By Harry St. George 45 OLD AVALANCHE, THE GREAT ANNIHILATOR, By Edward L, Wheeler 46 GuAss-EyE, THE GREAT SHOT OF THE WEST, By Capt. J. F...C. Adams. ..... 47 NIGHTINGALE Nat. By T, C. Harbaugh 48 BLACK JOHN, THE RoapD-AGENT. By Jos. E. Badger, J By Edward L. Wheeler 49 OMAHA OLL. ‘ 50 Burt Bunker. By Charles E. Lasalle......... 5e. 51 Tae Boy Rirues. By Archie OC. Iron 52 Toe Waitre Burra.vo. By Charles E, Lasalle.. 53 Jim Biupsor, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler.... 54 Nep HAZEL, ee Capt. J. F. C. Adams 55 Deapiy-Eye. By Buffalo Bill 56 Nick WuirrLEs’s Petr. By J. F. C. Adams.... 57 Deapwoop Dick’s Eaaies. By E. L. Wheeler.. 58 THe Borper Kine. By Oll Coomes 59 Otp Hickory. By Harry St. George 60 Tae Wnuarre Inpran. By J. F. C. Adams 61 BuckHorN Britt. By Edward L. Wheeler 62 Tur SHapow Surp. By Col. P. Ingraham..... 63 Tae Rep Broruernoop. By W. J. Hamilton. 5c. 64 Danpy Jack. By T..C. Harbaugh............. Be, 65 Hurricang Bit, By Jos. KE. Badger, Jr 66 SINGLE Hanp, By W. J. Hamilton ' 67 PATENT-LEATHER JOE. By lip S. Warne.. 68 Tue BorpeR Rosin Hoop. By Buffalo Bill... 69 GoLD RIFLE, THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER, By Edward L, Wheeler.......... est’ 70 Op Zre’s Casin. By J. F. C. Adams 71 DeLAWARE Dick. By Oll Coomes 72 Map Tom Western... By W. J. Hamilton %3 Drapwoop Dick ON Deck. EF. L. Wheeler... 74 Hawkeye Harry. By Oll Coomes 75 Tue Boy Dueuist. By Col. Ingraham Bi, 16 Ape Cour, THE Crow Krier. By A. W. Aiken 8; 77 Corpuroy CHARLIE. By Edward L. Wheeler. 5! 78 Buue Dick. By Captain Mayne Reid.... .. &} 79 Sou GINGER, THE GIANT PPER. A,W. Aiken [2 80 ROSEBUD By Edward L. Wheeler... .. tn 81 LiGHTNine Jor. Captain J. F.C. Adams... {i 82 Kir HAREFOOT. iy T. C. Harbaugh be 83 RoLLo, THE Boy RAnGerR. By Oll Coomes... be 84 IpyL, THE GrrL Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler.. Se. 85 Buck BuCcKRAM. BY Captain J. F.C. Adams... 5c 86 Danpy Rock. By G, -s» BC 87 Toe Lanp Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid.,... 88 PHoroaraApH PH. By Edward L. Wheeler... 89 IsLAND Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyn 90 Tae DreaAp Rmer. By G. Waldo ~~ 91 Tue CAPTAIN OF THE CLUB. By Bracebridge ered hoon stead w/iadltt. bus 92 CanaDA CuerT. By Edward L. Wheeler 98 Tue Boy Miners. By Edward §. Ellis 94 Mipnigut JACK. By T. C. Harbaugh 5e 95 Tue Rrvat Rovers. By Lieut. Col. Hazeltine 5c. 96 Watcu-Eye. By Edward L. Wheeler Be. 97 THe OvuTLAW BrotHers, By J. T. Marshall.. 5e. 98. Rosrn Hoop. By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. . 99 Tue TiceR oF Taos, 100 Deapwoop Dick IN LEADVILLE. be. be. be be By Edward ] 101 Jack HARKAWAY IN New York. By Brace- bridge Hemyng 102 Dick Deap-Eym By Col. Prentiss In am. 5c. 1038 THe Lion or THE Sra. By Col. Delle Sara. 5c. 104 Deapwoop Dick's Devicz. By Ed, L. Wheeler &c. 105 OLp Ruse, THE Hunter. By Capt. H. Holmes 5c. 106 OLD Frosty, THE GUIDE. T,C. Harbaugh. fc. 107 Onz-EYEp, Sim. By J. L, Bowen..... 108 Dartna Davy. By Harry St. george 109 DeADWwoopd Dick as DETECTIVE. Edward bs Wheeler.us s/o Oe EOS A 110 ae BLACK STEED OF THE PRAIRIES. By James , wen Vee? eck no eee dA 111 Tae Sea-Devm. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 112 THe Map-Honter. By Burton Saxe.... 113 Jack Hoyie.. By Edward L. Wheeler..... . 114 Tae Buack ScHoonrr. By Roger Starbuck.. 115 THe Map Miner. By G. Waldo Browne 116 Tae Hussar Caprarn. By Col. Prentiss In- ~t | A new issue every week. Beadle’s Hali-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per OR or gent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS Publishers, 98 William Street, N. Y. omicbook By George W. Browne.. 5c. Be, Se. 5c. Be. . “com