Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

OO Ee thick, tangled growth of brushwood encircled | ly, as he grasped his confederate’s hand, ‘‘ don’t them, Without a word Seth cautiously approached the spot from whence came the sound, while Charles followed close behind, The next moment they came in sight ofa small clearing, and saw with surprise the form of a man in the edge of the growth beyond. A second glance showed them that it was the Mad Miner. He was sitting flat upon the ground, and seemed busily engaged, though they could not discover his work, Wondering what his actions meant, they crept still nearer, not caring to arouse eat! They soon saw that he was simply piling a lot of small stones he had picked from the creek near by intoa square, much as children are wont to do wben at play. Slightly vexed that they should have taken #0 much trouble for nothing, Seth was about to speak to him, when Charles motioned for him to remain silent. ‘‘ Let’s watch him a few moments before we make our presence known,” hesaid; ‘‘ I am anx- ious to learn something of that being’s mysteri- ous conduct.” More out of curiosity than any thing else they continued to note the listless movements of the idiot. Carefully he piled the pebbles one above an- other till all had been used. Then, witha low senseless exclamation he tore them down an. began his task anew. This was repeated several times, and still the diligent worker never turn- ed from his occupation. Out of patience at last the listeners were about to speak to him, when they saw him abruptly pause, and intently down the valley. Only an instant, however, when he resumed ais work. Glancing in the direction the other had, the vrothers started with amazement when they saw a couple of mea arise as if from out of the earth. Both were heavily framed and wore masks on their faces. Unable to retreat, even if they wished, the hiding twain crouched still lower in the under- growth and waited in breathless silence. ** Hist!” exclaimed the foremost of the new- comers, ‘‘I thought I heard some one speak.” tf Only our fancy, Sam; there isn’ta living re a league, Til venture. That Valley Guard of mine was a capital idea. But I don’t see where Joe Dickey is. He left this afternoon with a dozen or more of the Guards to corral those Harlow brothers. It can’t be he has made a miss-go.” ‘“Tll risk True-Blue Joe every time,” mutter- ed his companion. ‘ But are yesure, old pard, thet that Onlucky Miner hes got back inter ther valley?” ‘Oh yes; there is no mistake. But it won’t do for him to stay here, jany more than it will for that Man-from-Texas. S Blame ’em! They don’t either of them die rasy! “They are only mortal, and a steady hand will lay them out, any day.” ‘‘I dunno! Thet ar’ long-haired Texan ain’t to be sneezed out of the way, I tell ye. Menny’s the time he has been squarely corraled, but he alwus comes out at the top o’ the heap! And as fer thet Shadow, I tell ye, cap’en, I don’t be- lieve the lead was ever run es w’u’d earth him!”’ ‘*‘ Nonsense, Stockton Sam; you are not the man I have taken PP ise: for, if you fear that sneaking outcast, pine Luke, Ha! listen to me, and I will tell you how we can remove both the Texan and him, and get possession of the eye Cave. I have this minute thought of a p n.”’ With bated breath the brothers listened. Even the Mad Miner seemed to move more sluggishly than ever, and ever and anon he cast furtive * Femina at the speakers. ‘What is it?’ asked Stockton Sam, as his companion hesitated. ‘** Well, no matter ef I don’: tell you my full plan. Enough if I look after Randel. No matter how, but I will see that he is disposed of. You must look after the Unlucky Miner and you have nearly all of Gold-dust Hollow to aid you there. To-morrow he and the Texan will pr 6 the cave lead. Doubtless they will go alone or nearly so. Get Evil Eyes and his savages to assist you and the game is yours. If you bag The-Man-from-Texas, all right; but if you fail I will cook his fowl for him.’ ‘Yeare an old ’coon, pard. Gi’n us yer paw, and then I'll jess swing over to the city to ceie- brate a leetle ready for biz ter-morrer.” ‘** Look here, Stockton!” cried the other, stern- The Mad Miner. you get on a drunk, and expose our whole scheme. aa a steady hold and we shall cer- tainly triumph in the war for the Valley of Gold. It lays within our power.” “Ye ken trus’ me every pull, old pard. I know my papers. I—” “Hist!” exclaimed the other, suddenly; ‘what was that noise?’ His companion shook his head, Both listened attentively, and borne to their ears was the faint, clinking sound made by Wild Wind as he carelessly piled up his column of stones, “Tis only the water rushing along the rocky bed of the crik,” Stockton Sharp affirmed. “I doubt that;” and plunging through the thicket, he discovered the idiotic worker. At sight of them the latter sprung half to his feet and scattered the stones right and left; but quickly sinking back again, he resumed his oc- cupation with a laugh. ‘ Furies!” cried the ruffian leader; ‘‘ that fool made the noise,” and with a breath of relief he turned to leave, when Sam said: ‘“* Look hyar, cap’en, he mus’ have heard every word we said.” ‘What of 1t? He can’t harm any one.” ** Hookey, old pard, we hed better gi’n him his walkin’ papers. *Tis surest.” ‘* You are right,” his chief answered, quick- ly. “It will remove all risk;” and even as the words left his lips he gave a low whistle, when almost instantly a dozen armed men bounded up from the ground into sight. Seth and Charles Harlow came near betraying their presence with a start of terror as they saw the coarsely-dressed, heavily-bearded throng appear as if by magic. till the intended victim, the Mad Miner, continued to pile up the stones as unconcernedly as ever. CHAPTER VI. DEATH AND MYSTERY. ‘“‘ Capture the fool!” commanded the masked leader, as his followers gathered around him at his cal In the twinkling of an eye the horde over- powered the resistless idiot and bore him for- ward into the center of the clearing. ‘*Ky-ya!” and the strange being laughed in high glee. * Look here, Wild Wind,” cried the chief, ‘* what are you in Gold-dust Hollow for?” Without comprehending the words the other gazed vacantly about, finally bursting into a violent fit of laughter. “Satan take you! Can’t you speak? Tell Die gt Wind, what you are doing in the val- ey ‘See him run! see him hop! He purty bird!” and the captive P cries: excitedly at a ground- hog near at hand. ’Tain’t no use to spend yer wind on him,” growled Stockton Sam. ‘‘ He’s clean gone stark, staring mad.” ‘ ‘* Lash him to yonder sapling, and we will see if Oaickly eetieeshirn ag ano 3 a of A « ic dragging him to the designated tree, the bandit began to secure him to its body, the Mad Miner all the while wildly protesting against it. ‘* Oh—oh—h! him pinch! Wild Wind be good, ony let him go. is captors, unheeding his piteous appeals, soon made him fast, and two of the gang were selected to shoot him. “Tis quickest done,” the chief had said. ‘Let there be no waste of powder,” and the twain were ordered to take their positions. It was a trying moment to the concealed brothers, They felt it their duty to lend their aid to the doomed man, and to doit was to hazard their own escape—ay, it seemed that it must seal their fates! ‘“‘If we only had our rifles,” whispered Seth; ‘‘but we must try these revolvers, and if the worst comes we can only sell ourselves as dear! as possible. You take the shorter one, and will try my hand on the other marksman.” Hastily raising their weapons they prepared for the shot. Unconscious of their impending fate, the outlaws covered the cowering prisoner with their rifles. A moment of double peril! Then the sharp click of a pistol-lock cut the air, instantly succeeded by a second, — Every outlaw turned toward the thicket con- cealing our adventurers, in dismay. The twain shuddered as they saw the dis- advantage and deadly peril the failure of their weapons had drawn upon them. LC ' —————— The quick eye of the outlaw chief caught sight of their white faces, and he saw their forms through the breaks in the foliage. ‘* Ho, boys!” he yelled, ‘‘ foes are in ambush. Quick! cut them down before they rally!” and with a revolver in either hand he sprung for- ward, closely followed by the horde. The brothers simultaneously leaped to their feet, and defiantly faced their enemies. Again the hammers of their firearms fell, and once more the weapons failed! No better than unarmed they would have retreated, but ’twas too late for that! 7 oS in they were forced to take the odds. Confident of an easy victory, the rufflans fe pell-mell upon them. High above all other sounds rung frant shrieks from the idiot. No one thought of him now. In hand-to-hand encounter friends and f¢ grappled for life and death. Two of the foremost assailants fell from the strong blows dealt by the desperate pair. Then Seth Harlow felt a stinging sensation in his left arm and the limb dropped by his side. A wild, terrifying shout suddenly echoed. above the confusion of the strife. With sharp cries the foremost bandit reeled to the earth. Searcely had he fallen when another shared similar fate, The others abruptly paused when the brotls ers fell back, and were allowed a moment’s re spite, As the living desperadoes gazed upon thei slain comrades, they started back with horror. Protruding from the breast of either was the haft of a huge knife! Spellbound they made no move for a mr omcent. The Crazed Miner had dropped at the foot of, the tree and was laughing and crying out in wild glee. An instant thus, and with no warning word or sound, one of the terrified ruffians suddenly fell forward and dropped to the earth lifeless. The masked chief turned the body and saw» the fatal instrument of death—the knife! They could stand no more. As the Valley Gu under the live oak had flown, they fled— fied for dear life! With a piercing scream Wild Wind bounded up. A laugh—a shouwt—a wave of the hana-— and he rushed away after the fleeing outlaws. Once more Seth and Charles Harlow owed their lives to the mysterious slayer. ** What can that mode of warfare mean? art who can the unknown destroyer be?” Seth asked the question, as they examined the slain, though he could not expect an answer. ‘*I can’t tell,” said Charles; “ but let's gct away from here, Seth, while we can,” "You are right. But do you think we con find this placeagain? Wemustfind where thi se ruffians came from, for I believe they have a rendezvous near here.” ‘More than likely. But it will not do to au lay’ now. Ha! look there!” he exclamation was caused by the sudd:n appearance of a man rushing like mad do, n the ey ““The Mad Miner!” ejaculated Seth, as | o caught sight of the streaming white hair and haggard ace, “Yes; but what in the world is up now?” “* Let’s follow.” Quickly dashing forward they hurried afior the other, though they found it no easy taslr: ta keep him in view. or some distance down the hollow the rc ce continued—the pursuers with no object,perha~s, save that of curiosity. a small stream known as They had follow Silverstone creek. Where the brook made a sharp turn they saw Wild Wind leave its bank and dart into (ic thick growth growing to the right. In an instant the idiot disappeared. ‘Let him go,” said Seth. ‘We have not (ie@ time to follow him; and neither do I see how .: would benefit us.” They turned to retrace their course and le! ti the strange fugitive to pursue his way i peace. The brothers had not gone far, however, |« fore they paused in glad surprise. ‘Tis gold!” whispered Charles, as if fear's the trees would hear his words, while they ¢; amined a lot of shining particles taken from ¢\ bed of the stream. _ “Yes, gold!” Seth echoed, in transport of joy. For some moments they eagerly looked f the treasure, and when at last thoy joined each Gomicbooks EO!