Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

4 1g | | captive. ‘Wal, my purty one, I’llsave ye while I can,” and he swiftly cut the thongs that bound her. Nearly overjoyed at her release, the fair girl cried: ‘‘May God bless you. But do you think we can escape?” ‘‘Sartin, as Climbin’ a pillar o’ smoke, But, rracious! ’scuse me, I feel jess like a baby. any’s the tramp Luke and me hev hed to. rether, and now ’em coyotes hev sent him on his long trail and left old Rock alone.” ‘‘Is your friend dead?” cried the maiden, anxiously. ‘Stone dead, miss. But—hark! the varmints are comin’ back, and we must git.” The Texan was about to flee with the girl, when he suddenly exclaimed: ‘* Randel Rock! I ain’t no sneakin’ coyote to go back on a friend. I sh’u’d want him to do it for me, and [ll do es much fer him, or I didn’t hail from old Texas!” Wondering what he meant, the maiden saw him dash back to the side of A} pine Luke. Louder and nearer came the cries and sounds from the growth. Frightened she followed the miner. ‘‘ By the gold o’ Silverstone creek!” cried The-Man-from-Texas, as he bent over the un- conscious form of his companion, *‘ no red var- mint shall hev yer top-knot as long es Rock Randel is hyar; @’ye byar thet, old pard?” Then his fingers deftly parted a lock of the | us alive. fallen man’s hair, but while he raised the other | hand with his knife to sever it, a Maas of leaden hail flew so thick and close about his head that he fell back in dismay. ‘Tis a goner, old boy! but I did the best I could fer ye. Pll see yer score settled,” and knowing that only instant flight could save himself and the maiden, he turned to her, with one last look at his dead companion, ‘Quick, my gal! it’s a race fer life.” ‘*Grasping her hand, and half-carrying her along the rock-strewn valley, he bounded away. Only a few rods behind followed the savages. Rock heard them give renewed yells as they reached Alpine Luke’s body, and had it not Leen for his fair charge he would have turned and sold his life as dearly as possible. As it was, for her sake he bent every effort | going to give up my pa without a struggle!” Cha toward escape. Forward through the tangled brushwood he led the way. ty and by they came out into the rocky bot- {ou of the valley, where the shrubbery ceased to grow. ‘*Golden Cave is not far away and if we can only git there we shall be safe for a time,” said Rock me ponte ges as they crossed the open- ing, and again plunged into the shadow of the growth, The words had barely left his lips, however, when the cries of foes in front warned him of new danger. Seeing a huge bowlder near at hand that tow- ered above his head and promised partial pro- tection in case of an attack, he succeeded in reaching it, just as a dozen rough-looking min- ers came into sight. At first look k’s spirits rose as he saw they were white men, and felt that they were friends. But when he recognized the leader hope fled. The others discovered them at the same mo- ment, and paused abruptly. At the head of the new-comers and facing The-Man-from-Texas with amazement, was bis mortal foe whom he had long supposed dead. ‘“?Tis Buck Warner!” whispered the maiden, with a shudder, which told that she ha4 before met Calaveras county’s most noted desperado. As she spoke, Rock raised his rifle, but before he could answer the outlaw exclaime1: ‘‘ Ho, Rock Randel! I was looking for you.” “What would you have, Gold-dust Buck? But I warn ye not to kem one step my rifle don’t burn powder fer nothin’!” gritted the Texan coolly. ‘* Put down that shooter, dog of Texas, or—” ‘Hold! talk bizness, or Pll let daylight through yer brain-pan afore ye can yip! I hed hoped ye hed turned up yer toes and ther hon- est people w’u’d hev peace.” ‘‘Ha-ha!” laughed the outlaw, mockingly, ———EE | a mm nearer fer | ee _ hight, while his eyes gleamed and sparkled as The Mad Miner. oo -—— — —___ _ ee me ne —- —— oe eee bright as the gold adorning his person, he swered Siege thE ** Never! en Rock Randel! goes out of Gold- one Hollow he will not leave Buck Warner be- ind! al- CHAPTER III. THE MAD MINER. ‘HALT! another step and you die!” Two horsemen coming up the Silver Mountain stage-road from Drytown, California, toward the close of a September day, 1853, suddenly found themselves surrounded by a dozen mask- ed men, who covered their persons with as many rifles. Quickly drawing rein they exclaimed: ‘* Who are you, and what do you want?” ‘*Ha-ha!” laughed the leader, ‘ you will find out to your sorrow if you don’t carry a civil tongue. We are the protectors of Gold-dust Hollow, and we call ourselves the Valley Guard ; does that suit you?” ‘‘ Stand aside and let us pass. ful travelers.” ‘*Not so fast, my young fellows. Ain’t you Seth and Charles Harlow?” ‘We are.” **And you are going to the Golden Cave?” ‘* Does that concern you?’ ‘**Concern us? Sirrahs, it was to warn you from going there that we stopped you. Weare the Valley Guard, and no one is allowed to pass So if you value your lives turn quiet- ly back for Drytown.” ‘* We question your right to dictate us. Sup- pose we refuse!” ‘*Then you shall swing from these saplin within ten minutes, a warning to other ho headed fools. We are not trifling; turn back or die We will give you fifteen seconds to decide in.’ The twain were young, brave and reckless, armed tothe teeth, yet against the twelve or more they were hopelessly at odds. ‘What say you, Charley?’ asked the elder, his frank, handsome face all aglow with excite- ment, ‘‘shall we turn from our course like boys and be driven back to Drytown?” Never!” answered the other, defiantly, ‘‘ We have paid for a share in the mine, and I am not We are peace- ‘* Bravo for you, rley! Lam with you.” ‘** Come—time’s up!” cried the masked man. ‘‘Remember that we can do with you as we wish, and you shan’t leave this place alive unless you agree to our terms. That Man-from-Texas has no right to the Valley of Gold, and all who buy of him are humbugged, so we shall see that no one works the claim till the rightful owners pain possession. Are you going back like sensi- le men?” sé No!” The terse reply surprised the others. A moment only did the masked men hesitate, then the leader cried fiercely: ‘Take them, boys! and show no mercy,” In. a flash the others hurled themselves upon the defiant travelers. The brothers discharged their weapons with a poeea that sent two of their assailants to death, The remainder, infuriated by the fate of their comrades, instantly surrounded them; and fore they could Pep ent the shots they were forc- ed into a hand-to-hand combat. This was too unequal to last long; and the next breath the brave twain were overpowered, ‘* Bind ’em, boys, so they can’t git away, and we'll show ’em how to shoot down in cold blood peaceful citizens,” cried the chief, as he tried to stay the crimson stream that gushed from a wound he had received. ‘*Yours to aT,” grunted one of the gang, ** Wot next?” ‘* Jess fasten this bandage fer me, and then Vll pick out a tree. Ireckon it will be a warn- ing to other fools ef we leave our sign round hyar,” and he laughed, hoarsely. Leading the way into the growth fora pea of rods, the outlaw leader stopped under the overhanging branches of a large oak. ‘“*f reckon we can’t find a better one,” he said, “so let’s swing the greenies up ter wunct.” ‘‘For Heaven’s sake! would you murder us 3 — eee ee . = -— “Enough said! We gave you fair warning, but you refused to heed it, and now you must suffer the consequence, The war forthe Valley of Gold has begun. We are its defenders, and it’s our duty to see that none hostile to its right- ful owners go prowlin’ round there. em, boys, hurry up with yer rope; and let’s git this job off hands. Cords of sufficient length were quickly pro- cured, and the chief was about to adjust one around the neck of Seth Harlow, when a start- ling cry from his followers caused him to stop, in amazement. ‘Good Lord, cap’en! look there!” Not dreaming t any one was in the vi- cinity, the party were surprised by the dis- covery of a man leaning against the opposite side of the tree in a sitting posture, fast asleep. At the sound of their exclamation, however, he awoke, and rubbing his eyes as if but half- awake he staggered to his feet, and faced them indolently. ‘°Tis Wild Wind, the Mad Miner!” ejacu- lated the leader of the masked horde, with a breath of relief. ‘*Ky-ya!” muttered the sleeper, scratching his head sluggishly. A stranger specimen of humanity than this uncouth character was never seen in the Silver Mountain district. : Quite tall, with an angular form, dressed evi- dently in the discarded garb of some miner of larger size, his face well-nigh covered with a mass of ‘‘tow-white” beard, while his counte- nance bore a blank, vacant stare, and his eyes continually wandered from object to object with a listless light never seeming to have any expression, and a tangled burden of bair fallin down his neck of the same colorless hue of hi whiskers, his every look and action proclaime a harmless imbecile or lunatic. He had been seen in that part of the country but a short time, and was a person of uncer tain age—in short he was an individual of whom 4 nobody knew anything.” ‘* Hil” he exclaimed,with a long-drawn yawn, ‘Wild Wind had big mayor pt ‘Git out of our way ef ye don’t want to git ay last sleep!” growled the masked leader of he “ Valley Guard.” If the ** looney ” understood the words he paid no heed to them, but watched the others with apparent wonder. ‘Don’t mind him, but run up that dog of a Harlow. The fool can’t harm us.” The noose was fitted to Seth’s neck, and then his horse was led forward for him to mount. “Te-he!” laughed the witless stranger, and too much amused to stand still, he tried to hel the outlaws lift the doomed men upon the ani- mal, “Out of the way, ye lunkhead!” snorted one, as he felled the too willing assistant aside. ‘*Oh-h! ky-ya! him hurt!’ and the crazy crea- ture danced about in frantic pain, Suddenly the horse reared and plunged furi- ously, and before the surprised captors could secure him he broke from their hold and dashed madly off, bearing upon his back clinging to the saddle with desperate energy their prisower, Seth Harlow. Shots were instantly sent after the flying fugitive but they flew wide of their mark. o pursue him would be folly; and cursing themselves for their carelessness, agra pe turned more closely to their g captive. e lunatic stood aloof, while his form quiv- ered and teeth chattered like a frightened monkey, for all the world. ‘‘ The one who lets this dog escape shall swing in his place!” exclatmed the chief, as another rope was brought forward. t took but a moment to fit it for its twa ann anes Charles Harlow was dragged beneath the ; . Without giving bim the chance to say a le word, the ruffians threw the end of the line over a limb, and willing hands seizing it, the victim was swung into the air. Searcely had his weight been lifted from the und, when with a snap the cord parted, and he fell in a heap. The outlaws looked upon each other in sur- rise, Pi The looney laughed and danced to and fro in wild glee. _ “Try again,” the chief, commanded. Once more the rope was prepared, and the ins stood ready to execute their leader's order ‘* Draw him up slowly this time, and see that there is no blundering,” he fiercely warned, as he raised his hand as the signal for the execu- ‘‘Buck Warner ain’t left Gold-dust Hollow free | to ye yit! What is more, he ain’t a-goin’ to. I hey’ now over th true men to aid me, and we will wage war till death ef ye don’t give us | our rightful own. What say ye, Man-from- without a show for life?” cried Seth Harlow, as he saw preparations n.ade for the horrible roceedings that were to send himself and rother to eternity. ‘‘ What have we done that you give us no mercy?” ‘* Look there!” and the ruffian pointed to his Texas, will ye quit yer claim here and go away fully, or shall we have to throw you to | dead followers. he vultures?” ’ | ‘* But you compelled us to do that,” protested Drawing his commanding form to its full the other. ‘‘ You-—” nnn nr Sse Eomicboo Sjo(GO)