Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 131 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

The Golden Hand. 3 other seemed to hold them powerless by his| The Golden Hand grew impatient. In an instant the League in Black dashed for- cool, singular manner. Pe f ‘“Will you come, Rock del? I promise | ward. But the Golden Hand disappeared in At length he said: you shall not be molested.” the growth almost ata bound, “Once more I ask who you are?” ‘*T don’t savor of spooks!” answered Rock “ Hunt him down!” cried the leader. “ There No answer. uneasily. ‘‘Can’t you ’scuse me, old pard? he | Fire, quick!” . ‘Shall I waste a gold bullet upon you?” and | feel awful dizzy at my stummick!” e band sent a volley after the fugitive, his eyes flashed like balls of fire. ‘“* We have no secret,” exclaimed the spokes- man, doggedly. ‘‘We are e ‘League in Black.’ ” ‘* From whence comes the League in Black, and for what purpose are they on forbidden ound?’ ‘We are the eo of the dead twelve whose Black Pocket! We have come—” bodies bleach A sharp cry from the Golden Hand, who had suddenly lowered his rifle, caused the speaker to pause. ‘**] recognize your voice. Are you Leon Red- mond?” ** We don’ g° by names now. We are num- bered. I am No. 1.” ‘* Which is as muchas to say that you are the mond. Whoare you? Dos wpe ned appear in your form and ? do they ‘“*Fiends alive!” yelled the other. ‘Is there no end to your impudence?” Mary No man, living, can stay an hour in the Lost Mine.” leader, and the leader of the twelve was Leon always wear masks on their faces?” “Bah! Myp is to warn you out of the With the words he seemed about to depart, but the masked man stopped him by saying: “Wait a moment. you the Golden Hand?” ‘**T am.” ** What is your business here?” “To watch over the Black Pocket.” ‘* What interest have you there?” ‘** All of my relatives are there.” P. Pa you are a relativeof the dead?” ** No. ‘** Then who and what are you?’ “Your enemy! So, see that your weapons are primed. J am going to kill every man of you! Now, I give you your choice to agree to meet me in a duel, one by one, or leave this valley within two minutes.” ‘You are a fool ora madman! Stand aside, or we will fill you with lead!” Without making any reply the Golden Hand sat_ motionless in his saddle, while the League in Black gazed upon him in wonder. ‘*Jeems Cricket!” muttered Rock. ‘‘ Ef ’em ain’t queer doin’s may J be blowed for a rattler. Dust, I am afeerd we are gone beavers!” “f Why?” in ' *S’pose’n ’em spooks git their peepers on us, we are gone to our funerals!” ** What is that Golden Hand?” ‘*Why, bless you, he is a spook es has been tearin’ round loose for a big spell! Unless ’em chaps in mourning have got silver bullets they can’t touch him! He slings gold and—” “Hist! they are going to fight!” “‘Jeems Stopple! won’t they make things lively!” “‘Time’s up,” declared the Golden Hand, tersely. ** Which means—” “That you have defied me. Are you ready to face me, No. 1?” “Tam,” “Albright. As fast as you fall, I will take you in your regular order. - ** Dow’t he mean bizness!” ejaculated Dandy Rock. ‘Shall I select one of my friends to give the signal?” asked the masked leader. ‘No. That would be hardly fair, for I have but little confidence in them.” ‘* What is your wish, then?’ ‘“*T call upon those men watching us from the mountain-side to act as our seconds, and see that ‘ae Eger | is fair.” **Good Lord!” es The-Man-from-Texas; **do they mean us? t’s git like blazes!” CHAPTER III. STRANGE DUELING. ‘Rock RANDEL,” called out the sharp voice of the Golden Hand, ‘‘be so kind as to come here with — rom «negro “ Jeems nag 9b e is arter us!” ‘* Hadn’t we r consent? I think we shall fare as badly if we refuse,” said Dare, ‘* You can do jess as youare a mind to. This ’cvon don’t go pag one: x The League in Black had looked up in sur- rise. ar That Texan here!” exclaimed the leader, under his breath. ‘I thought he was dead.” ‘“‘ But you will come, Dustin Dare? The man who favors me now shall have my lasting friendship.” “Tam going, Rock,” the young man said to his companion. ‘*T wouldn’t! It will be your funeral!” ‘* Bosh! here is to your good luck till I come back,” and with a wave of thehand Silver Dust hurried into the valley. ‘* Let me get one more pow at him,” said the dary to self. ‘It'll be last o’ the poor ; if I am glad you have come,” greeted the Golden Hand. “ You have heard all that has been said, and know what I want. When we are ready, count off the signal.” All this was spoken in a matter-of-fact way, and turning to the masked leader he went on: **No. 1, I challenge you first. I*shall follow in your regular order. See, you stand by yon- der pine. will ride back to that oak. You can dismount or not, as you choose. I shall not “Silently the chi f of the league took his i ently the chief of the i- tion, without dismounting, and the dueliste were ready. At the signal they fired simultaneously—at least on pulled the trigger at the same instant; but, while the report of the masked man’s weapon rung out loud and clear, the Golden Hand’s rifle only sna ! Still, he was untouc by the other’s bullet. 2 something under his breath, he said aloud: “*T will look after you, No. 1, when Ihave dis- ry your euenvalien. No. 2, I challenge you next!’ ** And here is your man, old rusty lock!” cried one of the others, as he rode to the spot deserted by his chief. This time Golden Hand looked carefully to his piece and placed the cap upon the nipple with care. “ec d ” Again Silver Dust counted off in clarion tones the ominous numbers. ‘*Three! Fire!” Like a flash the combatants raised their rifles, and glanced swiftly along their barrels. As before, that of the masked leaguer belched forth its fiery contents, while the weapon of the Golden Hand only exploded its cap! And yet he was unscathed! “Strange!” he ejaculated, and a frown gathered oe his countenance. ‘But I am not done! No. 3, take your place.” He spoke authoritatively now. Still more carefully than before he examined his firearm, and recapped it. This time his antagonist seemed more loth to come forward. ‘* He ain’t no mortal!” declared No. 3; “‘ and I don’t care about facing that shooter of his.” ‘Bah! you are a coward,” cried No. 1. **T tell you, cap’n, he—” “Fire and furies! is that the way you are to address me?” thundered the leader. ‘*Good-by all,” said the thoroughly frighten- ed man, as he rode forward to the pine. “His a ain’t going to fail this time and I am a e _ ‘* Hist! another word and I will send perdition!” exclaimed No. 1. Mechanically taking his position, the cower- No. 3 was ready. you to or the third time Silver Dust counted off the | fatal numbers and gave the signal; and for the third time, too, the affair ended as a farce. The Golden Hand, as if he had a charmed existence, was unhurt by the masked man’s shot; but his own weapon missed as it had twice vefore! ‘would you try again? “Bah!” cried No. 1; This is boy’s ane ‘* Worse than that,” declared the other, frank- ly. “There is a spell upon my rifle. I will give you one more chance to leav. the valley and if you don’t accept, I shall retire from the contest now, but the worst will be your own in the end!” “Out upon you for a fool!” yelled the leader of the League in Black. ‘It is for us to dictate terms and not such as you!” The rider of the m winced slightly, and his animal to ride away, when 0. 1 thundered: ae him, lads! Don’t let the knave es- cape nee ht. = . which was answered by a mocking laugh. Dustin Dare saw the last of them vanish alone. “* Guess I had better away to find his com on. Reaching the spot Shere among the trees and bowlders, to find himself ; escape while I have the opportunity,” he said to himself, and hurried he had left. Rock, he was amazed to find him missing. He dared not shout his name for fear he might be heard by the men in the valley, whom e ardly cared to trust. ‘“‘Tt can’t be he has deserted me. must be near by,” and he fruitlessly searched for the Texan. I can do no better he started down the hillside ly confronted by a horseman, Sprin but, to in Black! the Le _ Hold on !” cried No. 1. you shall smell brimstone!” No; he ‘‘T fear something has happened to him. But an to start for camp,” and at a rapid ‘ Just as he reached the valley, he was sudden- g back he tried to evade the rider, is dismay, found himself encircled by ‘* Another step and Finding he was surrounded Silver Dust leaned against a pinenear by, and coolly presenting rifle, said tersely: “What is wanted?” Only a moment had horsemen crowded into the li leader replied: his and as the dozen clearing their “We want to know what has called you into Black Pocket valley?” ‘If thatis all, you may as well let me go. only came here out of curiosity. Mad River settlement.” I I belong to ‘Spoken like a man. Now we would ask you is?’ who that strange being called the Golden Hand ‘Hold! He knows you and we believe you know someth of him.” “Never saw I live.” **'You have heard of him?’ ss Yes, as the nothing of him. im before in my life, as sure.as i eas Rider of the Lost Mine.” he 3 ould know you and you know “T cannot explain it myself, but it is the truth.” > a is your companion, The-Man-from- Texas?” **1 don’t. know.” ‘‘Beware!” cried the chief as he fixed. his piercing eyes n the other. your doom! tell us where Rock Randel has gone or we will tear you limb from limb!” CHAPTER IV. A RED “IT Don’t know ly. ‘When I é was gone, and his whereabouts.” The speaker was so honest in his the ] accepted them in a Probably he has gone to said the chief. SURROUND. ” reiterated Silver back where I had le am myself sorely puzzled as to words that faith. t, firm- him.he River City,” ‘*Perhaps, though I cannot say.” “{ know nothing of him.” ] “Never mind; we shall fin | os ” The “Tg | “Tt is, Swear him in good * Then Lam at geork | to go my way?” | Yes; upon one condition.” ‘* What is that?” asked Dare in rise. ‘That you never come into this valley again.” young miner looked up in amazement, at my only alternative?” he asked. . ou will never enter | Black Pocket valley again, and you shall be al- ' lowed to depart in peace, | within five minutes.” Refuse and you die tell me why you demand such an un- roascnnita surrender? As “4 vant! ra) bennes near a huge pine, whic from the he saw no avenue of escape. Even had he known Book's fate have easily been driven from was he was determined have it out, ‘Speak!” cried the chief, masked band; but.as he g Lr urry to be away. Which do you prefer— Enough for you to know that we the owners of the Lost Mine, and that it is your interest to leave without another word. Dust was standi Ralertra) 44 ced around he w com (E JOO are er ould not at front S) life or Jeath”’ (E()