Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 129 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 * on ‘ ’ Deadwood Dick’s Double. saw something ahead in the darkness, that caused him to halt, abruptly. Two gleaming balls of fire, they were, about the size of a pair of eyes, but he could see no outlines of head or face, and was unable to de- termine whether they belonged to man or beast. Doubtful as to the practicability of advanc- ing, he stood still in his tracks, and gazed stead- ily at the gleaming fiery orbs, that seemed to have in themselves a mocking, triumphant ex- pression. And the more he gazed at them the more he felt like gazing at them—a strange ecstatic feel- ol pst laying hold upon him. as it a trance, or what? There he stood, while the rain drops began to patter down, faster and faster—stood rigid and silent, leaning partiy upon his rifle, not so much asa muscle in his body appearing to move while his gaze continued steadfastly riveted upon the two gleaming orbs that shone out of the darkness. Finally they began to grow nearer and nearer; slow was their approach, yet steady, until at last the owner, a masked man, loomed out of the darkness, and stood within a foot of the colonist. Amon clad in black garments, with a mas! over his eyes, the lower part of his countenance being exposed to view. A moment his fiery eyes ed into those of the colonist—then he waved his gloved right hand before his face in several gesticulations, none of which Fred St. Celton seemed to notice. en, with a chuckle, the masked man passed on, and into the open doorway of the fort, Fred having left the door unlatched. Upon the threshold the masked stranger in ae and peered into the great apartment fore him, which was dimly lighted by a single candle. Evident it was that he preferred to look be- fore he leaped. The apartment was a large one, and the colo- nists and their families occupied beds dotted about, here and there—those old-fashioned curtain beds which belonged to the days of our ancestors. Therefore, while the prowler could see the ron bedsteads, he could not see the occu- nts. He listened several minutes, but as he heard only the suppressed breathing, he seemed reas- sured, and stepped softly into the cabin-fort. A glance showed him where Edith Harris was confined, and he stole toward her with cau- tious steps. “She was g upon a hastily improvised couch that had been furnished her, and was evidently asta. . Not so with the great mastiff, Daggers. He arose promptly to his feet from a position beside the couch, and sniffed the air inquiring] y: Then he wagged his tail familiarly, as if he recognized the intruder. “Sh! Dag, old boy!” the masked man whis- pered, ‘‘ Lay down, and be quiet.” As if fully understanding the words addressed to him, the dog obeyed: then the night prowler nee forward and bent over the recumbent form of Edith, as she lay in slumber! CHAPTER IX. A CASE OF MESMERISM AND A WOMAN’S WIT. -“Eprra! Edith!” It was the voice of the stranger hushed to a whisper, that called. “The sleeper aroused with a start, and proba- bly ‘would have screamed at sight of the eppoker but for his motioned injunction for her Ae silent, accompanied by hasty, whispered words, *“*Sh! don’t alarm the others. "Tis I, Dick— your husband!” “Oh! thank Heaven!” Edith breathed in re- lief. “‘I see now, Daggers knows you, and would permit no other man to approach,” ‘“True. Daggers is a faithful friend and pro- tector,” Deadwood Dick returned, in the same gueried tone. ‘* Tell me when you were brought ere and what for?” Edith accordingly narrated, in as few words ag possible, what is already known to the reader —how she bad been captured asa shield against the pseudo Deadwood Dick, and the proposed barter that was to be made, **Curse them!” the ex-Prince of the Road muttered, fiercely. ‘‘I would be their friend, but they are taking the wrong course to win my friends ip. Iscarcely know what to do in this case,’ ““ Free me, my husband, and let’s flee from this spot!” Edith suggested, eagerly. **No, I cannot do that. It would not be the y ) ‘protect you. square thing. These colonists hold you and treat you as a prisoner of war, and, under the circumstances, they do right, as they deem you to be my wife, and me the outlaw who is giving them so much trouble. Do they treat you re- spectfully ?”’ “Yes, [ am treated civilly, although with two er ceninne, I am regarded sternly and unpity- ingly. z Very well. Isee you are not actually suf- fering, except in spirit, and that fact takes a eat weight from my mind. I must not tarry onger, as some of the colonists may awaken.” “Oh! are you not going to take me with you, my husband?’ ‘“Not now, pet. We are miles from our home, and I would have no place to take you. You had best remain here, for the present. If they attempt to kill you, be of brave heart in the knowle ge that I will be near and ready to ‘* But in case the Double comes to take advan- tage of their offer?” ‘Go with him, the same as if you knew it were I, and take assurance in the fact that I our husband, so directed you,” Deadwood ick said. ‘*T will do as you have told me,” Edith re- plied, trying to very brave, although the tears would spring into her eyes. ‘Of course you will, my pet, and_now good- by until you see me again, which I trust will not be a long time hence,” he said, kissing her, and receiving in return her loving caress. Then he turned to leave the fort, but stopped short, with a stifled exclamation of disappoint- ment, for not a dozen yards away stood Tom St. Celton, holding a lighted candle in one hand, and a cocked revolver in the othor, the | latter being leveled at the breast of the ex-road | Prince. A triumphant smile was upon the face of the. colonist, and he stood coolly gazing at Dead- | wood Dick, with the air of one who had gained the complete mastery, as he imayined he had, over the famous outlaw. So he thought, but he reckoned wrongly. Scarce were the men who had ever been suc- cessful in holding Deadwood Dick long in abey- ance to their will, and Tom St. Celton was no exception to the rule, burly aud strong though he was. The very fact that he stood gazing triumph- antly at his supposed cuptured game, was where he lost, for the eyes of Deadwood Dick met his in a steady gaze, and after a mo- ment, feeling a strange sensation stealing over him, he found it literally impossible to over- come the fascination of the gleaming orbs of the ex road-agent. Rigid he grew in his tracks, vacancy of ex- pression taking the place of brilliancy in his eyes. Then, Deadwood Dick Henped orward, and waved his hand in front of bi face, and Tom St. Celton was effectually done for, for the time being, although he looked grim and dan- gerous, as he stood positioned in the middle of the floor in a warlike attitude. ‘Weapons keener than daggers, have I,” Deadwood Dick whispered, triumphantly, as he glided back to kiss ith once more. ‘‘ Be of epod shee, now, and I’ll be on hand, again, by- and-by. rae he turned a 1 from clas pone in é pouring night, with its crashing, pound- philg ERODE and its vivid lightning. he passed the spot where Fred St. Celton et , he is hand several times be- ore his eyes, and then darted on into the stormy darkness, So thatere Fred St. Celton had recovered from the mesmeric trance into which Dead- wood Dick had first thrown him and afterward relieved him, that knight of the trail had suc- lly made his escape Although in a trance, Fred had been aware that some figure had flitted past him into the fort, and no sooner did he recover sufficiently than he dashed out of the rain, into the great room, to see if all was right. Then he saw Tom St. Celton standing in the middle of the floor, holding a candle in one and, and a revolver in the other, the latter aimed at Edith Harris, who sat pale and awe- stricken, upon the edge of her couch, with the big dog, peegers sitting close beside her. ‘Hello!” ed exclaimed, as he beheld the sight—“ what the deuce does this mean. What are you up to, Tom, old boy.” No answer! Poor Tom was incapable of moving even his tongue. Thinking it queer, Fred approached nearer, and slapped him on the shoulder. “TI say, hang if, why don’t you answer a ee er ee ——ee————eeeeeeeeee ee oe ' | fellow? What the blazes you doing, standing bere pointing your pistol at the prisoner?’ Still Thomas continued to gaze straight at Edith, in a vacant way, not moving so much as a muscle, or paying the least attention to Fred’s words, or presence. ‘Well, may I be kicked if this ain’t mighty queer,” the young man muttered. ‘‘ He ap- pears to be awake, and yet is as mum asa deaf crab. I wonder if I can’t bring hir: to his senses.” And putting his lips in the region of Tom’s left ear, he gave vent to an ear-splitting yell. But it had no apparent effect, except te arouse the whole fort, the men hastily putting in an appearance, while the females peeped in alarm from their curtained beds. ‘*What under the heavens is the matter, Fred?” the senior St. Celton demanded, as he approached, in company with the others. ‘‘That’s precisely what Id like to know, myself!” was the reply. ‘Just look at Tom standing here, as if struck dumb. You can’t et a confounded word outof him, to suave your ife. ‘‘ITcan explain what may seem to you a mystery, if you will allow me!” Edith said, speaking from her place of confinement, in a tone that all could hear. * The gentleman you call Tom is mesmerized, and all your efforts ip arouse him will be un- availing, unless you Understand how to doit,” ‘‘How came he mesmerized?’ Judge Elliott demanded, sternly. ‘That is easily explained,” Edith replied, coolly. ‘‘ My husband, the original and genuine Deadwood Dick, is possessed of wonderful mes- meric power, and has it in his power to put any person into a trance whose eye he can catch ina steady gaze, and whose mind is weaker than his own. Hecame here to see me to-night, while you were slumbering, and as he was about to depart yonder personage blocked his path in the exact attitude you see him now, and was thus mesmerized.” ‘But, how did this marvelous husband of yours effect an entrance to the fort?’ the Judga cemanded with a frown. “Fred, you perhaps can best answer this question!” ‘*T don’t know,” the young colonist answered. ‘* IT believe I was mesmerized too, when I ccma to think of it. I remember of seeing a pair of eyes staring at me out of the darkness but suddenly forgot all about it, except that | felt mighty funny. I also remember seeing soreness like a man’s figure flitting by me toward the fort, but had no power or inclina- tion to give chase. A little while ago I awoke to find myself standing out yonder, in front of the fort, in adrenching rain.” ‘* You were undoubtedly mesmerized, too, but my husband probabl paced you out of the trance when he took his departure,” Edith added. ‘‘ This is the strangest piece of business I ever heard of,” Judge Elliott declared, angrily. ‘* You state that all our efforts to restore this youn man to consciousness will be of no avail, do you? ‘1 do, unless you have the proper directions. He would not live long in that state,” ‘“Where will we seek these directions, then?” ‘*T could tell you how to do it if I chose,” Edith replied, coolly. “ y husband taught me once, that I might know.” “Then, tell us at once. It will not do to let him remain thus.” ‘Mr. Elliott, you hold my life in your hands, and propose to use me to whatever DUrDpoRe ma best serve you, even if you have to killme. Te me, is this not so?” | ‘You bave undoubtedly struck close to the truth; yes,” the Judge replied. ‘‘ You being the wife of a bloody-handed, outlawed. ruffian, you cannot expect to have much respect or mercy shown you.” ‘“‘ Exactly,” Edith replied, pale, but very calm. ‘I supposed that was how you regarded me. I am a prisoner of war, and you hold wy life at your disposal. onder, helplessly stands another prisoner, whose life I hold ab my disposal. us the case is pretty even, I be- lieve!” The colonists exchanged glances. They saw that it was as Edith had intimated—they had not all the power on their side. “Surely you would not let this young man die in this condition, when you could easily save him?’ Judge Elliott said, endeavoring to argue the point. ‘Surely you will not let me die, or fall into the power of a ruthless wretch whom you are afraid to battle except by doubtful stratagem,” Edith returned, coolly. “The matter is just about as broad as it is long, sir, and I think, ICO cS" €O comic