Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 144 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

} * 11 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. It chanced that Dainty Lance, weary with the confinement, and tiring of the too pointed love-making of Decoy Duck, had stolen awa and nestled down in a snug hiding-place—a little niche and shelf in the rock wall of the cavern, above the level of a human’s head, and where no ray of light came from the fires kindled for warmth and cooking. From this refuge, he could see without be- ing seen, and he was speedily to reap the benefit of it. Hammer Fair chanced to be the one who re- ceived the spy in the first place, and Dainty Lance knew that he had not guessed amiss when a beam of the red firelight fell athwart the rugged features of the bank-robber, even though he failed to catch the words that were then ut- tered. ‘¢ The old scoundrel has brought some news of special importance—concerning the bank, of course. Well, almost anything would be better than this sort of life.” The rapid tramp of single footsteps coming from around the curve, checked the reflections of our hero, and he saw Daniel Rowe advancing to meet Bald Bisbee and the chief. Until that moment Dainty Lance had not sven thought of playing the part of an eaves- dropper, because he pei Pag gees that if there was anything of importance in the wind, he, together with the remainder of the band, would be called to join in the discussion or deliberations. But the first words uttered by Rowe enlightened him: ‘You and I, captain, are enough to receive his report. Right or wrong, you know my opinion of the new recruits. They may be true blue, but there’s no need of trusting them any further than we are obliged.” ‘He favors Harry Ballou too much in loo not to be some relation of the family,” uttere Bald Bisbee. ‘“‘Idon’tlikehim. J’d rather cut his throat than trust him even as far as you have, You'll regret it, sure!” Hammer Fair yielded, ate toa The icions ente ed and so ly ventilated by Daniel Rowe, had gained a certain influence over his mind. While he laughed at the idea conveyed by Bald Bisbee, he knew it would do no harm to keep Dainty Lance in the dark con- cerning their plans until it would be too late for him to accomplish his treachery, in case he meditated any. He expressed as much, and Dainty Lance caught enough of his meaning to determine him to overhear what more passed between the trio of conspirators, even though he should peril his vez life in the venture. ut here fortune favored him in. The cavern itself was very much like a mam- mouth letter V. The entrance at the base; the ye arms ae Me gy a Es oe rock, separa y a wedges partition reaching from floor to roof, the aatrow ends being directly opposite the entrance, though distant some three-score feet or more. One of these chambers was allotted to Decoy Duck and her father, while the other was occupied by the other members of the band. Fires were kept burning in each division, for, though quite dry, the air of the cavern was two cool for comfort without some such amelioration. Thus whoever stood near the edge of the wedge, could command both chambers and the entrance, nor could they be approached by any one, unseen, even while they themselves were in dense o ity. For these reasons, the three men drew nearer the point, all unconscious of the fact that the very person of whose good faith they had so freely expressed their suspicions, was crouch- ing in a little recess only a few feet above their heads when they halted for consultation. Dainty Lance fully appreciated this stroke of d fortune, and eagerly listened to all that ollowed. Bald Bisbee lost little time in detailing the purpose of his visit, but he was long-winded, and desired to make the most of his services, so there is no need to repeat his exact words. From his account, it appeared that the bank of Pierce Ballou was the depository of all the County funds: that as a large amount of inter- est on the County bonds was nearly due, the r had that day paid into bank nearly fifty thousand dollars to meet the payment. e interest was not due until the middle of the ensuing week, but the margin was none too ar in the spy’s estimation. ou must capture Harry Ballou to-morrow, or not at all,” he added, earnestly. ‘“ There must be no failure, this time.” ‘That was the idea of a romantic girl,” said Rowe, in a sharp, unpleasant tone. “I never favored it. Whereisthe use of our going all around Robin Hood’s barn? I say now, as I said then, that the boldest course is the shortest and the best. One brisk dash, and the money is ours. This gave a hint of something fresh, and Dainty Lance listened eagerly, almost stilling his breath. ‘*Suppose we do ag the youngster; how much better will we be off than now? By tor- ture, we wight possibly learn from him how the money is stowed away, but he would not be likely to have any of the keys about him. We would either have to burglarize the bank, blow or cut open the doors of the vault and safe, run- ning the risk of being overheard and surprised, or else fall back on the plan I have always ad- vocated.” ‘You mean to make the attempt in daylight?” ** Yes; it is the safest and the surest way, if __ only look at the matter coolly. Remember he time when we rescued Lance, thanks to Duck. We were outnumbered nearly ten to one, yet we came off without a scratch. And the larger portion of that crowd were armed, while the opposite will be the case here. ‘We will be a round dozen, not counting Duck, who, of course, wil] not take any active in the work. Three of us can enter the nk, as if on business, timing our movements so as to get there at, noon, when there will be no customers inside to bother us—no one but old Ballou and his son. “The others, at a = can keep the streets open, by using their horses and pistols, long enough for us to do up our portion of the work. Then, in a body, we can easily clear the town and ride away.’ “The shouting and firing would bring every- a Page to see what was up,” demurred Bald is ‘Let them come,” retorted Rowe. “I tell you that with no more than the men now in our band, I can take any town not over twice the size of Clayton. All it needs is the dash and daring—the surprise will do the rest. ‘“* It would be different if they had warning of our coming, or were given time to collect their thoughts and find a man capable of acting as their leader. But there is no danger of that in this case. We will keep our own counsel until the hour comes for setting out. Then, even if am wished to play the traitor—and I would hate to risk my life on the truth of that Dainty Lance, while the other boy would scalp his own mother at the nod of his master—if, I say, any one ete playing us false, they would not have the time or chance for so doing. * ‘If you doubt those fellows, why keep them wat a gear inst their playing double,” sa again eir playing double, laughed Rowe. ‘' With them under my eye, I know what they are doing, but if we turned them loose—” Bald Bisbee made a significant gesture, that caused Dainty Lance to note his name in his black book. : _ “So I will, at the first proof positive that he is playing us false,” coldly said Rowe. “ But, until then, he is safe from our hands, by virtue of the oath we have taken.” There was nothing more said on this point, and, after some further discussion, it was de- cided to act as Daniel Rowe advised; make a bold attack upon the bank at noon, on the next ensuing Monday, trusting to the ve re oe exploit to carry them safely throug with it. Bald Bisbee finally took his departure, and waiting his chance, Dainty Lance descended from his hiding-place and rejoined Decoy Duck without any suspicion being awakened. He congratulated himself on having an abund- ance of time in which to work, and was not lon in arranging his plans. Though he had join the band, and taken the oath of fidelity, Dainty Lance did not feel any particular remorse at the idea of proving false to that vow. All was fair in war, and the sin would be against criminals in favor of honest men. He watched his chance and wrote a full ac- count of the plot, giving facts and figures, but only the names and number of the regular band. Of course it was not his intention to take any in the proposed robbery. Both himself and eph must manage to effect their escape before the critical moment, even if that could not be done until after the band had entered the town. Fetes Lance knew that the jealous and sus- icious lover would watch him too closely for to deliver the sealed warning, but he took counsel with Zeph, telling him everything, and that worthy volunteered to take charge of the warning message, It will be remembered that when the cavern was reached, neither Dainty Lance nor Zeph had their horses. The latter had left his in safe keeping, and the blood-bay was held for a rightful claimant, in Howard, as Bald Bisbee had ascertained. Rowe was determined not to leave the two new recruits behind when the robbery was at- tempted, and so it was necessary to procure horses for them. Zeph saw his chance, and said that he could easily recover his own charger, and was willing to attempt to spirit away the bay horse. His offer was accepted, and that same night the venture was made, Rowe and Tinker bearing him company. Dainty Lance, to cover all contingencies, pin- ned a bank note to the letter, with a few words on an accompanying scrap ing the finder to hasten and deliver the letter to its rightful address, keeping the money for his trouble. “Tf you can’t drop it in the post-office with- out too much risk, put it where somebody will be certain to find it,’’ he whispered hurriedly in Zeph’s ear. Seer en, t is not necessary to follow the ee on their adventure. Let it suffice that Zeph was as good as his word, not only securing his own horse, but stealing that belongmg to Dainty with a skill and silence that raised bim not a little in the estimetion of his companions. And he dropped the letter at the door of the stable from whence he had taken the animal. ‘** Would it be found and forwarded in time?’ anxiously thought Lance. CHAPTER X. MATTERS BECOME COMPLICATED. Now that he saw a probable speedy end to the part he was reluctantly playing, emer Lance became once more the lively, agreeab companion he had been for the first day or two spent the bank-robbers, and, though he kept Decoy Duck at arm’s length 7 bean tact, he did so in such an adroit manner blind girl was happily unconscious of the truth. he not overheard their plans, Dainty Lance would never have suspec they were to the desperate exploit, for neither Hammer Fair nor Daniel Rowe dropped the least hint of the truth where other ears could catch the sounds. Only, once or twice, when some one of the men would utter a growl at their idleness, Dainty Lance caught a meani glance passing between the twain, which successful eavesdropping enabled him to inter- pret correctly. It was not until after sunset on the Sabbath that the subject was openly alluded to. In short, blunt words, mer Fair told his men that the time was close at hand when they would be able to win a fortune by striking hard and sure. ‘* Besides the regular deposits, which Bald Bisbee assures me are very large for a country bank, there is now in its safe, = 4 thousand dollars belonging to the county. Take it all to- oom ay —— be news ten ee dol- ars apiece for us, Isn’t that worth running a little risk for, boys?’ Dainty Lance cheered quite as lustily as any of the rest, but he doubted if the answer would have been quite as enthusiastic, could the bank- robbers have known about the letter directed to Harry Ballou. Hammer Fair knew his men well, and so did not dwell a that point; danger was their food and drink, and not likely to frighten them away from such a glittering bait. He went on to detail the plan already a upon between himself, Rowe and Bald Bis ‘We will Jeave here about nine o’clock tw- morrow morning, and as soon as we are out- side, separate into pairs, making our way to the town from different sides, timing our progress so as to surround the bank directly after twelve o’clock. “Two of you will bear me company; our part of the work will be the most important though no more dangerous than the rest. But — to avoid any suspicion of partiality, we will de- ieee part each man is to play, by draw- ing lots. Dainty Lance, though he was careful not to allow it expression in his features, was a little uneasy at this unexpected decision. If he and Zeph shouid be se ted by the drawing, it would render their aoc of escaping just double what it otherwise would be. Nor would his un- easiness have been lessened could he have known the entire truth. To all 5 age me the drawing was conducted fairly and above-board, short slips of paper be- ing plainly numbered and placed ina hat from GOMIGEVOOKS CO how near |