Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 115 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

| : | | | gs SES aS a a a ee es oe eS ‘Randel Rock! I am goin’ to huff it! Git with me, or ye ar’ a gone buffler!” | “Tt is my brother!” cried Seth, excitedly, and ‘wild with grief he rushed forward to the spot. e "Roék saw him reach the place and throw up his hands to grasp the moving form, and then he saw him, in the same breath, stagger back pe ase to the ground like one stricken instant- ity dead, Not a sound had broken the night stillness. Seth Harlow gave a few spasmodic struggles, and then his limbs straightened in the rigidity of death, and he lay perfectly motionless. Paralyzed with fear Rock did not move for several moments. But at last,shaking off the spell, he bounded away, with one lingering look over his shoulder, and he did not pause until the fatal spot was left far behind. Perhaps The-Man-from-Texas was foolish and cowardly, but can we blame him? Without Coubt it saved his life. Though he met with no further adventures Rock did not reach Silverstone until toward 1norning. A few were astir, and from them he learned that Conrad Burke had spread the story that his e tion had proved a disastrous failure. In fact, that all had perished save himself. Thus the Texan was greeted with surprise. Ay, more! He saw that Burke’s story had cre- ated considerable ill-feeling toward him, and that many who had heretofore professed friend- ship now met him coldly. owever, he heeded it aslittle as possible, and told to the amazed listeners the scene he had witnessed in the valley. Though no one openly denied his report, *bwas fait many disbelieved it. ‘‘ A likely tale to come to us with!” sneered Burke. ‘‘Tt seems you are a coward as well as fool, Rock Randel, from your own words.” How the Texan would have received this insulting speech is easy to imagine, had not something of more startling interest demanded the attention of all. Puffing and panting for breath, the post- master joined the throng, with the astounding declaration that Lenore Cassa had left his house and was nowhere to be found. ‘“‘She was with us, last evening,” explained Cotton, ‘but she ain’t to be found this morn- ing.’ ‘Them pesky red varmints hev toted her off!” declared Randel, boldly, as the crowd listened to the speaker's words in silence. ‘‘Don’t be too fast, Man-from-Texas,” broke in Burke. ‘‘Remember you don’t know any more than the rest of us. Ill bet she left of her own free will, and was there only as a decoy to bring us trouble” Rock strode fiercely away toward the post- office, without seeming to notice the other. Nearly all the “ city ” centered at Temperance Tim’s, and for a time great confusion and ex- citement e After a thorough examination it was given up that no evidence of an abduction could be found, and that Lenore Cassa had left of her own free will. A few there were, however, who would not accept.this for granted. Among them was honest Temperance Tim and The-Man-from-Texas. “Pll bet my top-knot ag’in’ that plug hat 0’ yourn, Cooney Burke, thet Miss Lenore was stole away by Buck Warner or sum o’ his coyotes,” eclared the Texan. ‘Of course you are welcome to your good opinion of your judgment. If you are sure that is the case, why don’t you institute a search for her and save her from the clutches of such a wretch?’ “Tf I don’t ye may call Rock Randel meaner nor a Digger fnjun! Rock was in earnest. Most of the miners believing with Burke that it was a “ put up job,” gave the affair but little thought. Mark Hanson, who had been hired by Rock to svmerintend the working of the mine, was called : 8 side by the Texan. ‘‘Look hyar,” said the latter, grasping the | ordy overseer’s hand. ‘That gal isin peril, end k Randel ain’t one to desert her. Ye pee eee things straight at the pits till I kem JACK, “T will it,” replied the other, but adding frankly—“ I fear there is trouble ahead. That burke is doing all he can to set the men against ‘I will cook his hash ’fore long, or he shall i 1” ortited Rock. “Do the best ye can, i i, and [’'l see that ye don’t lose by it.” The Mad Miner. The day peared, and still another, and yet Rock Randel was not seen. He had said himself that he was on a ‘‘ blind trail,” and there were many who believed he had left the valley forever. At the mines nothing new had occurred. In the evening of the second day the Bang-up was crowded with loafers. “You lie, Rock Randel!” were words that suddenly hushed the hubbub of the place. CHAPTER X. A DUEL IN THE DARK. APART from the main crowd was an excited group. Rock Randel had suddenly ‘‘ put in an appear- ance.’ ‘“Wot’s the word?’ asked an old weather- beaten miner. ‘““Nary a chip,” was the response of The-Man- from-Texas. “I hev tram and hunted like mad, but the lead hes rung it cold on me,” ‘*Can’t ye find enny trace o’ the girl?” The Texan shook his head. ** I expected no more,” avowed Cooney Burke, who came forward at this juncture. ‘ The whole thing is a sell, and it has proved a pretty dear one, too.” ‘* Look hyar, Coon Burke!” cried Rock, excit- edly, ‘*I reckon I know beaver from ’possum! and I tell ye thet gal war no sneakin’ coyote! She jess talked bizness. That ar’ cuss o’ Buck Warner is bound to drive every honest person out o’ Gold-dust Hollow, but jess let me set my peepers on him ag’in, and [ll dig his funeral quicker’n scat!” ‘*Bah! you try to heap upon Gold-dust Buck just what you are doing yourself. I say again im presence of these gentlemen your whole con- duct bears the stamp of fraud. Of course I care nothing what is done, I have no share here, and to-morrow shall quit the valley, but I speak for those around me.” Trembling violently, Rock replied: ‘*'Ye ar’ meaner than a p’izen snake in sun- shine! and I'll bet my bottom dollar ye ar’ chip- ped with Gold-dust Buck, Coon Burke!” . 2 Yoo lie, Rock Randel!” yelled the other, ercely. “*Ketch me quick! or I'll dig the varmint’s funeral)!” shrieked Rock, hoarse with passion. ‘You are a coward,” sneered Burke, *‘ and you dare not meet me like a man!” “D’ye hyar that?’ roared The-Man-from- Texas, when, like a flash his revolvers gleamed in the air, and Burke drawing his as quickly, the crowd fell back with yells of terror, leaving the foes face to face, and in the act of springing at each other like tigers. ‘* Hold!” commanded the clear voice of Mark Hanson, rushing to the spot in season to avoid the expected collision. ‘*If you must fight let there be no foul play, but meet as men.” ‘* Heis checked—the dog!” gritted the Texan. dalooe Randel don’t play greaser fer any 00 ‘‘ All I ask is for the sneak to face me like a man,” howled Burke, doggedly. ‘“Lam jess the beaver poe yer trail!” roar- ed the enraged Randel. ‘‘I’ll meet ye ten paces ter-morrer mornin’, and one o’ us shall ride in a funeral.” “Why wait till morning?” asked the other, Sag ‘* Fighting by eke a is well enough or boys, but it takes a man to face the muzzle in the dark! Dare you do it, you Man-from- Texas?’ ‘* Jess say I daresn’t!” ‘Very well; I suppose you would like to wait till morning and perhaps levant in the time; but I challenge you to fight me with your re- volvers to-night—here in this room—alone—in the dark!” The crowd was awed by the cool determined words. Affairs were taking a startling turn; and the excited spectators felt that a duel was inevitable, and that it was likely to prove of more than common interest. . ‘Bravo for you, Coon Burke!” cried one of the throng, and others echoed similar encour- agement. . _ “That coyote don’t live es says Rock Randel is afeer’d o’ enny critter this side 0’ Texas, much more sich a mule-eared gopher es ye, Coon Burke!” ‘Enough said,” exclaimed the cool sharp. ‘* Let preparations be made for the duel. Clear the room at once.” ‘* Look here, Rock,” whispered Mark Hanson, ‘‘ain’t you getting into deep mire? Better let the dog go, or if you say the word we'll over- power him.” ‘Norv 9 chip, old pard. Iam in for it, don’t ye see? ‘Thar ain’t any backing out; but don’t fear fer Rock Randel. He’s seen too menny funerals to let thet bantam dig his. Wagh!” ‘*T shall help see you through, however.” ** Corraled., It was soon arranged that the combatants should each be armed with their revolvers and a knife each. Then once left alone in the room they might fight it out as suited themselves. Accordingly the crowd hastily departed and soon only the duelists, Hanson and one other was left in the apartment. These last satisfied themselves there was nothing wrong in the arrangement, that the antagonists’ firearms were loaded alike and that they had no weapons concealed about. their per- sons. This done the lights were blown out and the seconds joined the crowd outside, closing and securing the door so that no one might go to the aid of either. The duelists were alone in the pitchy dark, Hosentepid on opposite sides of the room and each facing the place where he supposed his foe to be waiting. Outside the crowd listened anxiously for the first round of battle. A moment’s silence fell upor the scene within, broken at last by a low whistle. Rock started. The time for action had come. He fancied he could see the outlines of his foe across the room, when quick as thought he dis- charged. one chamber of his revolver, springing noiselessly one side as he did so. A sharp cry followed and then a bullet just grazed his forehead. Hurried tramp of footsteps succeeded and the room seemed filled with men. The-Man-from-Texas felt that some trap had been sprung upon him, but fearless as ever he rushed into the melee like an infuriated tiger. Those without heard the wildest cries, shots and groans, and curses, and still the mad fight went on. Rock sprung into the center of the apartment, and firing at random into the horde of men he felt was in front, he heard one fall to the floor. The next instant he closed in hand-to-hand combat, fighting whom he could not tell, but at least half a dozen armed men, Back and forth, to and fro, the wild combat- ants raged. Twice Rock felt himself wounded, and still by maintained the unequal contest. He had emptied the chambers of one revolver, and the other would soon be useless, Again the dull thud of a falling body was heard, and a fearful death-cry rung through the building. Another of the assailants was ne, ‘“‘Curse the Texan!” roared the voice of Cooney Burke; ‘‘ take that!” and Rock received a fearful blow onthe head. _- By a fortunate movement, however, he part- ly parried the stroke and closed with his antag- onist. But his revolver had been knocked from re ETRE and his sole defense«now was his ife. Their lives at stake, the duelists fought madly. Those around tried to join in the battle, but for their lives they couldn’t tell friend from foe. ‘ OH suddenly another fell to the floor as if e Heavens! Some one was in their midst strik- terror and death among them! n a flash still another gave his last ery ana cropped to the floor, y one was left, and he found himself in the fatal embrace of his unknown, invisible foe. In the meanwhile Rock and his adversary were doing their level best. Conrad Burke was a powerful man, and the two were evenly matched. Randel felt the other’s iron gripe clutch him DY the throat, and he suddenly grew weak and aint. Tighter and wy bey pressed the vise-like hold till it seemed to take away the Texan’s breath. He seized the hand by the wrist and tried te wrench it off. \ n vain. Burke had seized his right hand, and was try- ing to gain possession of the knife. a! the other had mere his! Quick as a flash Rock, with his left hand, seized the knife from the other and struck furi- ously at his antagonist’s side. Burke gave a sudden wrench upon his neck, or the blow must have proved fatal. Asit was, the warm blood gushed out in a torrent. In the movement The-Man-from-Texas stum- bled, and taking quick advantage of the mishap, Burke hurled him backward. om EVOOKSTEOM