Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

The Mad Miner ; ' Dandy Rock’s Doom. ia A Thrilling Story of the War for the fess ie arnt Valley of Gold. " BY G. WALDO BROWNE, /. |. /#{ THOR OF ‘‘ DANDY ROCK,” ‘‘ DREAD RIDER,” “TIGER OF TAOS,” ETC. CHAPTER I. THE RAFFLE FOR LIFE. ad LOOK \”? Over the mountains of California the setting gun was shedding its last rays. Upon an overhanging cliff, that seemed to cling to the side of the rugged Silver Mountain with so slight a hold that it might be precipi- tated into the valley a hundred feet below at any moment, were outlined the forms of two foot travelers, who had paused there for rest. The elder of the twain, and who gave utter- ance to the exclamation quoted as he peered over the brink of the ledge, was strongly built, and midway in the prime of life, with a physique and dress once seen not likely to be forgotten. AY; Dandy Kock, The-Man-from-Texas, need- no introduction to any one in Calaveras county. His raven hair, now tinged with gray, still falls down his brawny shoulders; he has changed but little, save that his costume is more y than ever. Heavy gold rings, studs—in act he seemed literally covered with the pre- cious metal. Even his rifle, revolvers, bowie, etc. were mounted with gold. Well could he afford it, for all of Gold-dust Valley which lay at their feeb with its untold wealth was his! The second person was the strange Alpine Luke, otherwise known as Shadow, the Unlucky Miner—one of the most incomprehensible char- om, acters to be found in that land of unassorted men. ‘¢ Jeems Stopple!” Rock muttered, as he bent further out over the Paes “Ef there ain’t mischief, may the Old Boy tote me off fer oven- » wood!” J - His companion, gazing in the direction he pointed, saw a sight that caused him to utter a ery of horror, stoical as he was. the center of the valley was a score or more of paint-bedaubed savages dancing hither and thither in mad glee, while in their midst was a captive maiden, bound to a stake, around —— was piled a line of brushwood ready to It took but a glance for the miners to see that ‘the victim was young and extremely handsome, and that she was meeting her o bravely. ‘It is that old Californian’s darter,” said The-Man-from-Texas, ‘‘and that half-breed, a mw with his coyotes has routed his camp, “Yes; but see! they are firing the brush! Can’t we do something to save her? “We must try,” was the terse reply, as the other continued to watch the savages’ proceed- in 28. | Soon the tiny spark applied to the dry wood was fanned into a flame, and rapidly it spread right and left, while the smoke arose in vol- umes. What was to be done must be done at once. Though in plain view of the Indians, the whites were in no real danger from them should they be discovered, for not one could scale the steep side of the mo Armed as they were they might put the sav- ages to rout without conperiftng eir own lives; a even when that was done the captive was less in the power of her inhuman captors. ‘and higher darted the fire till the heat was almost intolerable, and the poor victim bogs to writhe, and cry out in fearful distress. ilder and flercer grew the yells of the sav- —— as they danced about. and Luke shuddered as they gazed upon the heart-rending scene, “ “My ious!” ejaculated aaa Dem coyote and see ef wecan’t make terms with “All right,” assented the Unlucky Miner; “anything to save that girl’s life. We can take care of ourselves.” . The next instant valley and mountain ss with the Texan’s stentorian voice. The fie paused in their mad excitement, and clu 1g their implenients of war with nervous Mold, clved around in terror. The Mad Miner. Again Dandy Rock gave utterance to his defi- ant cry. Thea the twenty dark visages were turned upward, when they discovered the daring twain looking down upon them. ‘‘Hough!” cried the half-breed leader, as he raised his rifle to fire. ‘‘ Hold!” Rock yelled instantly, as his own iece covered the chief. ‘‘ Move a hand and Pll rop you!” ‘Tis The-Man-from-Texas!” exclaimed the baffled wretch as he fell back. ““By Randel Rock, it am! and ef ye don’t free thet gal thar, ‘ell think the hull o’ Texas ar’ on yer heels! Dye hyar, now?” ‘*What do you want?’ gasped the one known as Evil Eyes. ‘‘ What do I want?’ thundered Rock fiercely. “ Hain’t I tole ye? I want that gal set free, and no more tomfoolery !” ‘‘Ha-ha!” laughed the renegade recovering his self-possession, ‘‘and you think me will do it?” ‘Look hyar,” the Texan replied, “Rock Randel ain’t one to see sich a purty creetur’ as thet gal put to sich an eend. Now jess walk that fire away frum her and let her go in peace or I’ll dig yer funeral es true es I kem frum old Texas. Hyar thet, old smoky-skin?”’ ‘‘Bah! you talk like a fool! White gal die fast! See!” Moaning most piteously the captive was fran- ce 4 trying to break from the ligatures that held her. Rock trembled violently, as he saw her sufierings, and it required a mighty effort to keep from shooting the chief. e next moment the half-breed turned his aze back to the couple above, and cried quick- y: ‘“ Would the white men have the captive’s life spared?” ‘*' Yes,” they answered together. “ And are willing to accede to fair terms to have it done?” ris em he received an affirmative reply. ‘Very well; the chief will talk.” ‘‘But for God’s sake extinguish that fire or she will be burned alive while we parley,” cried Luke, as he saw that the maiden was fast yield- ing to the overpowering heat. hen it was done so that sha experienced no further agony fromit, Evil Eyes again ad- dressed the miners. ‘“‘ Listen,” he cried; ‘‘the chief sees before him two of his most hated foes. Long has he nunted them; but the end of the trail is not far away. Hecan capture them without trouble. But they ask for the life of the pale-face maiden, the Mountain Rose, and he will grant it upon one condition. ‘““What is it?’ they asked in.chorus, as the speaker pa ‘“‘ Will they accept the terms?” ‘‘ Anything reasonable; but not until we know them.’ ‘‘Evil Eyes will let the captive go free, and romise that she shall not be molested while in he valley, if the white men will take her place,” and he watched the twain closely, to see what effect his bola demand would have. ‘‘ Jess es I expected,” muttered Rock; “ but it might hev been wuss.” ‘‘You are right; andif the red brute would be satisfied with one of us, I for one am willing to take the girl’s place.” : ‘“So I am,” responded the Texan, ‘‘and ef it will work I the best we can do. “Look hyar, old saff’on-face, ye ax too much! There ar’ two o’ us and the ain’t but one. Either o’ us are willing to swap chances with her, but ye can’t hey both on us—though I reckon she’s wuth half a dezen o’ us,” he add- ed under his breath. ; The half-breed turned to consult his followers. was a chance théy had not looked for. Long had they sought for their brave foes, and it took them but an instant to decide that while it really mattered not whether the girl lived or died, the possession of either of the men was worth much to them’ ‘“‘ Hark!” he spoke to the whites. ‘‘ When one of you has surrendered himself into our hands the girl shall go unharmed.” : “3 !” exclaimed Rock; ‘‘ anything to save the urty one.” “ And am the one todo it. Can we depend upon the chief?” said Luke. ‘‘T think so. But Iam older than ye, Luke, and with little to live for, so I am going to take the gal’s place.” “It is certain death, Rock; and you have friends who will miss you, while there is not one in the whole world who will mourn for me, and I had rather die than live if I can save an- 3 > ete eet ee ih other life by mine. So let me go, old mgr and tell them at camp the Unlucky Miner di one good act in his days,” “Wait! ’tain’t fair for ye to go off so. I don’t hev a fair shake! Let’s raffle fer it.” “Just as you say,” replied his companion in- differently. Selecting a couple of small sticks of different length, Rock held them in his extended hand saying: ‘The one who gits the short one goes.” Slowly drawing the nearest, the Unlucky | Miner held it up to be measured by the other, when they found he had drawn the fatal right to offer his life for another’s redemption. CHAPTER IL. A LIFE FOR A LIFE. ‘‘T am to take the chances,” said Shadow slowly; ‘‘and 1 am glad of it. Seethat the girl one Rock, and I ask no more.” ‘*Gi’n us yer paw, old pard; ye ar’ true grij and no side-show ; but 1 am sp’ilin’ for ther fun, so let me go.” Luke shook his head. ‘*'You have more to live for than I, Rock Take good care of yourself, and—well, the sav. ages are impatient, so I will go.” ‘I sha’n’t fergit ye, Luke; and ’member yé hev one true friend who will stand by ye through thick and thin.” ‘*Thank you, Rock. There, tell the half. breed I am coming, while I follow this path into the valley.” A cordial grasp of the hand, and Alpine Luke was gone on his awful mission. Dandy Rock, seeing the enemy was getting anxious, said to the leader: ‘‘ Don’t git narvous. My pard is on his way to ye.” “ Then Shadow takes the gal’s place?” ** T reckon.” té (tood 1” The-Man-from-Texas, while he watched anc waited, looked carefully to the priming of !|:\+ fire-arms, for he felt there was to be ‘* sum ¢.: yit,” as he would express it. The captive, unable to comprehend 1. : change in affairs, looked upon those around |..: in wonder. Very soon Alpine Luke had reached the gorge, and approached his foes without a sign of hesi- tation. Their fiendish faces lit with exultation, the horde could hardly keep from rushing upon him. their satisfaction was so great. | Dandy Rock never allowed his gaze to leave them for an instant. If there was treachery afloat he was not ona to be csneet napping. _As the Unluc y Miner reached them, the In- dians gave a wild yell, and then followed a scene ee Cates serene: ap an instant the volun captive was borne to the earth. shyt While his horde were in the act of doing this, Evil Eyes, who had planned for a double vic- ors raised his gun to discharge it at Dandy oc The Texan was too quick for him, however, and before he could press the trigger a shot from the other’s rifle sent him reeling back with a yell of pain. As his followers saw him fall they uttered cries of amazement, and thinking they were «ut- tacked, sent a volley of bullets flying about their helpless prisoner, half of them at least striking. his person. is blood gushed forth from at least a doze wounds; the doomed man fell over, lifeless. - Rock Ran gave utterance to one of his. “old Texan war-whoops” that awoke the val- ley for miles, and emptied the second barrel of his rifle into their midst. The savages, terrified, fled. Dandy Rock drew his revolvers and sent shot after shot among their fleeing forms, giving more than one his death-wound. In the excitement the captive was left un- ed. Rushing swiftly down the mountain side the Texan quickly reached the spot. ‘My God!” he groaned, as he bent over the still form of his companion, “‘Luke is stone dead!” Literally riddled with bullets, and fairly bathed in blood, the body of the brave miner was indeed devoid of life. ‘*Randel Rock o’ Texas! Ef I don’t make this day’s work cost ’em varmints their lives may I be thrown cold!” e started up at the sound of rushing feet in the growth below. Perhans the red demons were coming back. aw a nm comicbooks (Ele)