Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 129 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ee —si—Ce —o upon reflection, that you will conclude that it is visable to come to me for terms, since the tables have turned half-way.” ‘“ Well, what terms do you propose?” the Judge demanded, vexed that his plan should be thus sip by a woman, and a very young one at that. **f will tell you,” Edith replied, caimly. “I have been thinking the matter over, and thinka better plan can be arranged. If this man who calls himself Deadwood Dick comes for me, you are to say that I am not willing to go with him, except on different terms—that he must first prove himself capable of taking care of me b fighting a duel. One of you must fight wit him, or if you are all cowards, and timid about fronting bim, free my hands, and I will meet him myself. In this way you can provide for peace, without sacrificing my life, or putting me in the power of that ruffian, For unless he kills his opponent, [ am not to be given up to him, and yet he is to grant you peaceful pos- session of this valley.” ‘*But, there will no one volunteer to fight this ruffian!” ‘* Then I cannot save the life of the entranced colonist,” Edith said, firmly. ‘“‘ You have no mercy for me, and I must force you to have, or else you must lose one of your members. This is final!” The announcement of course was not favora- bly received by the colonists, but it appeared to the only chance for saving Tom St. Celton’s ife. Montague and Ethel were both secretly pleas- ed, but refrained from expressing their senti- ments at that time. They both regarded Edith Marris favorably, and saw that she was but justly defending herself. Finding that there was no other plan left, the Judge ordered a canvass among the colonists, to see who should encounter the bloodthirsty gulch outlaw, and Fred St. Celton finally volun- teered, a ate Judge Elliott reported the fact to {dith, ‘“Very well,” she said, calmly. ‘All you have to dois to swear you will carry out the plan, and I will tell you how to bring yonder young gentleman out of his trance.” ‘*T swear, upon my honor as a gentleman, to have the plan suggested by you, carried out to the letter, in case you free Tom St. Celton from this mesmeric trance!” Judge Elliott said, sol- emnly. “ Good! Hurrah forthe Judge’s resolve!” Montague cried. ‘*Tt is well,” Edith said. ‘‘I think upon re- flection you will all admit that it is better for a man to fight the battle, than a woman’s life and a wife’s honor. Mr. St. Celton can be brought out of that trance in only one manner, except by the mesmerizer in person—and that way is by standing him upon his head for a few mo- ments, and tickling the bottoms of his feet. It may seem a very simple plan, but trial will convince you of its efficacy.” ‘Accordingly the directions were followed, and five minutes afterward Tom St. Celton was able to walk about in full possession of his senses. Morning dawned, before they were scarcely aware of it;.a wet, drizzling day was the promise succeeding the night’s thunder-storm. Soon after sunrise Deadwood Dick was seen to ride from the forest toward the fort, masked and armed, but carrying a truce flag, and it was surmised that he was coming to accept the Judge’s proposition. CHAPTER X. THE DUEL. From the fort the colonists eagerly watched the approaching horseman, for his coming was a matter of considerable moment to them. Should he agree to what the Judge would propose, there would be a duel, and perhaps the loss of another man to the colony, for, though brave to a fault, Fred St. Celton was no duelist, having never been engaged in such a contest. Nearer and nearer the outlaw rode, until he drew rein before the door of the fort. And about the same minute Slippery Sal made her appearance upon the scene, coming in by the northern trail. As the outlaw drew rein, the colonists crowded without the fort, eager to gaze upon the ruffian who had caused them so much sorrow, but their eagerness was because of a bitter craving for vengeance. “T am here!” Deadwood Dick’s Double an- nounced. ‘‘I have come for my wife, pursuant ‘ to the agreement in a letter which I received.” i i ; — << ——~w eo ee - - - ee Deadwood Dick’s Double. — —_—-+-—_--~—i er eel 11 ‘Very well. We are prepared to give up | left bis tracks, although the outlaw flinched a vour lady, sir, but not on the same terms whic offered, as she objects. She declares that you are not the genuine Deadwood Dick, and that ; man!” Slippery Sal cried. she is not your wife.” trifle. ‘‘Hurrah! ther furst fusilade didn’t drap a ‘Not a pilgrim! But thet ain’t nothin’. See’d a duel oncet, over ‘Ha! ha! that is a well manufactured lie, | in Nevada, whar two cusses stud an’ plugged but will not pass muster, to go with me, then?’ Perhaps she refuses | away at each other, fer a hull half a ‘*She does, until you prove to her satisfaction | that you are man enough to protect her. In order to do this, she has suggested that you | fight a duel with one of our party.” ‘*Ho! ho! Is that so? wi ’ gang would be my opponent, then?’ and the gaze of the outlaw swept the crowd sharply. ‘*T am the man, Sir Outlaw!” Fred St. Celton said, stepping forward, with great coolness, ‘*T have volunteered to meet you with pistols, and am ready at any time.” “Hurrah! That’s ther checker!” Slippery Sal said, coming up. “ Thet’s ther wa f like ter heer things work. You're all solid, St. Celt, an’ I'll bet a yaller dorg on et, evry day in a week.” **T will not object to meeting this gent,” the pseudo Deadwood Dick declared, ‘‘ but I first want to understand the business. If we fight and I win, I am to have possession of the gir and this valley?” ‘Exactly. And if St. Celton wins, we like- wise retain possession of both,” the Judge ex- plained. ‘* All well. I will meet your man in duel, with that understanding; if I fall, I am to with- draw my men, and all claim upon the valley— if he falls, I am to have positive and undisputed possession of the valley, and of my wife, whom I dearly prize.” And so saying, the outlaw waved his hand in | | ee cr ay, an’ 'nevver drew a ounce 0’ blood, An’ now, ef we're goin’ ter hev a repetition o’ thet affair, Largy thet we sail in an’ finish up, ter suit our own complexion.” ‘One! two—ihree! Gs!” regain cried the 1at member of your | Judge, and as before pisto's crac.cd, sharply. Still neither party fell, alihough it was St. Celton’s turn, this time, to flinch slishtly. ‘*Cum! cum! fer Heaving’s sake don’t keep us in suspense!” Sal cried, impatiently. ‘ Jest open an artery, so we kin see ther red, Ef ye don’t we shall all die of ennui !” “Yes, gentlemen, please be brief in this mat- ter,” Judge Eljiott added. ‘‘It is no child’s play, and the sooner decided, the better.” Then, after a moment, for the third time came the order: ‘One! two—three! Gc!” And for the third time the weapons shot forth a tiny flash of fire, and the bullet wended forth on its deadly mission, while a shudder ran through the little knot of colonists. For there seemed to be the sound of death in the crack of the weapon. A moment both men steod defiantly erect after the exchange of shots—then, with a stifle curse the pseudo Deadwood Dick dropped for- ward upon bis face, while a loud cheer burst dith, | the air, and a moment later a party of horse- | men rode from the forest toward the fort—a dozen, all told, masked, well-mounted, and) wellarmed. As they drew near, the colonists drew weapons, suspiciously, but the assumed mf ie Dick smiled beneath his mask and said: ‘*Have no fear. They come under my truce, and will not, harm you, except you try to play gum games?” The outlaws soon arrived and drew rein, and then their leader turned to them. ‘*Pards,” he said, “I am about to fight a duel, and I desire that you see fair play. My opponent stands yonder. Our weapons will be revolvers, In case lI fall, these colonists are to retain possession of this valley, and we are to disturb them no more. If, however, he falls in the contest, we are to have the valley and the open of my wife. Do you under- stand?” There was a silent nod from the outlaws, which signified that they did, whereupon the outlaw leader turned to St. Celton, saying: ‘*T am ready, now, sir. Please take your choice of distance and position, and let’s get to business.” “Very well. A hundred yards apart, face to face, will do me,” Fred said, quite as calmly as his opponent. Accordingly the distance was measured—fifty yards along the stage trail in each direction, from directly in front of the fort door. At her expressed desire, Edith Harris was allowed to come without the fort, Montague and Ethel keeping her company. When all was in readiness, the two duelists drew their weapons, and walked tothe respec- tive ends of their line, where they faced about, preparatory for business. e settlers had also drawn their weapons as had the companion outlaws of the bogus Dead- wood Dick, each party seeming to suspect the other of premeditated treachery. ‘‘ Now, then, get ready, gentlemen,” Judge Ellivtt cried, stepping forward. ‘ At the word ‘Go,’ you will both fire. It is 1\0t necessa that your aim should be deadly, but one or the other must fall from the effect of wounds, ere the case can be decided.” ‘*Kerect! and I’m ther as hain’t afeard ter bet my head thet St. Celton wins. He’s a nervy cuss, you bet, an’ et takes a hull horse ter git around him, an’ don’ ye mind et. Ef I war goin’ ter stack my chips on either o’ them galoots, ’d say ther outlaw is a-goin’ ter git Scoo d fer every consarned cent he’s worth.’ “Get ready!” cried the Judge, and the cocked weapons of the duelists came to a level. Both men were apparently cool—not a perceptible sign of agitation or fear did either evince. “One! two! three!” counted the Judge, in measured tones. ‘* Go!” Instantaneously the weapons of the duelists rung out clear and spiteful, but neither man ’ ' i , pits + /t ee, oo, —— ——E from the lips of the colonists at their victory. A movement on their de Lo approack the fallen outlaw, was checked by the leader of the mounted ruffians—a burly fellow whose voice sounded alike to that of Bob Jones. “Hold up!” he commanded, riding f rw with the others at his heels. ‘‘ The duei's up and thet’s all ye’ve got ter do about et, We'll take keer o’ ther Capt’in, an’ ye needu’t bothes yersel’s!” ‘*Very well,” Elliott said, ‘We've wen, and shall expect your early evacuation of th valley.” ‘“That’s jest as the Capt’in sez,’' was the re py: then the outlaws raised the wounded out: aw, and carried him away in the direction ol the forest, to the east, while the colonists turned to look after Fred St. Celton, who had drawn near, only a couple of slight flesh wounds the worse for his encounter. **You did nobly, my boy!” Judge Elliott exclaimed, warmly grasping his hands, as did the others. ‘‘ But for you we should have been in honor bound to give up the valley which you have clearly won for us!” ‘‘And I want to thank the gentleman for so ba 4 preserving me from a most terrible fate,” Edith Harris added, coming forward, and touehing Fred’s hand, reverently,. “ But for your success, sir, I should now be in the power ofa ruthless wretch, who regards neither the laws of God nor man,” ‘Tam glad that I was able to so serve you lady,” St. Celton said, gallantly; ‘* but, aniees 1 guess wrongly, we have not seen the last of the ruffian and his band. Foiled in his attempt to kill me and get possession not only of you but of the valley, he is not the man to back off, as long as he has a foot of ground to stand up- on. “Then you think he will not keep his promise, by vacading, eh?’ Judge Elliott demanded. ‘‘T am almost sure of it. He is as evil at heart asa man well can be, and if I mistake not, he will now resort to other means to sole possession of this valley, which undou : ly is rich in mineral wealth.” Fred St. Celton’s views were shared by Mon, ' rapes several others; consequently, J ) course the oud ws were going to adopt. If they brok™ their promise by continuing ta occupy the valley, it was the determination ol se —— to oe i the bitter end. y the noon stage Montague was dispatched to Leadville for a fresh soppy of edenmavinttion and provisions, and in the meantime, those re. maining at the fort kept close within doors, and on the watch for hostile movements. But, night drew on, and no sign of them was seen, oe the smoke of camp-fires that rose above the trees in the basin. ‘* Don’t ye fergit it, you'll not see ’em leave the valley yet,” Slippery Sal averred, “an’ I reckon it behooves me, in ther interest o’ hn- manity, to explorate an’ see w’at ’em cusses ax’ doin’, So, ef ye need me, all ye’ll hey ter do will be ter screech ‘ Sal!’ an’ I'll be on deek?” EoOmicboo ve orders for all to keep closely within ty the fort, until it was known for certain what \ = —— 38 i ~ i ge 5 ee el » & Sy s el ad * * . >» ° = as a 1 a ESS eS TS Ce a 2 oe ee ew © ope as te r 7 « f a - te al - bia x - d +.