Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 144 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

er oe ee. —-— ~ 12 which each man drew one as his name was called. But there was craft and cunning un- derlying itall. Dainty Lance was to be sepa- rated from Hardy Zeph, and Daniel Rowe was to be his riding mate. So it was decided upon, and so, by adroit manipulation, the ‘* lot- ae of chance” confirmed cs rr — a rough it all, Decoy Duck had been an ct- | tentive if quiet looker-on, but now, as Hammer Fair resumed his hat with an air of relief, she created a sensation. “You appear to have entirely overlooked me,” she said, ina gentle tone, but with a de- termined expression around her lips that warn- ed those best acquainted with her of coming trouble. ‘* All that was decided long ago,” said Fair, hastily. ‘‘ Youare to meet us at the rendez- vous agreed upon before we came here. That was the only condition on which I would let you bear us company this far.” ‘** Exactly—and knowing that, I told a lie,” retorted the fair Decoy, with refreshing candor. ‘**] never intended to obey—I meant to bear a t in the play, and | am more determined han ever, now.’ Daniel Rowe uttered a bitter curse, but said no more. He knew that if he interfered, Duck would only be all the more determined, through malicious spite. Hammer Fair attempted to reason with his daughter, but it was labor spent in vain. Her mind was fully made up, and nothing he might say could alter it. This was a fresh complication which Dainty Lance had not foreseen, but now gave him ser1- ous et. At the consultation which he listened to in se- cret, if had been positively stated that Decoy Duck was not to form one of the party when the attack was made upon the bank, and hence he had not given the matter a second thought. He kuew that if his warning had reached the the hands for which it was intended, measures would be taken by the banker to either kill or capture every person engaged in the bold at- tempt to rob the bank. He had warned them to secure Bald Bisbee in a manner that would fail to arouse suspicion of the actual cause, and to have him guarded so carefully that he could neither escape nor send any, m to the out- law band. As for himself and Zeph, he had felt confident that they could steal away from the o ust before the trap was entered and the cri moment arrived. But now that Decoy Duck was determined to share in the en- terprine, he was greatly taken aback, and al- most regretted the part he had played. He saw Daniel Rowe watching him closely, and that sight warned him tobe prudent. As every one knew would be the result, when Decoy Duck once decided upon a certain course, Hammer Fair was forced to give way at length, though reluctantly. Duck bore her triumph modestly, and soon — left the men alone to discuss the minor de- i These were soon grammed, and in high spirits at the prospect of exciting work and glorious pay, the bank-robbers separated to see to their orses, horse furniture and weapons, Dainty Lance watched his chance, and ere long succeeded in gaining an interview with Decoy ack, nevet a hard matter to do, since her love was his ally. Though he dare not reveal his actual reasons for being so urgent, Dainty ce pleaded hard with the young Amazon to renounce her deci- sion, and leave such dangerous work to the men, as should be. But even his ments failed. “You are going, and I not shrink from any danger in which you bear a share,” she Dainty ce was touched by her tender tone, despite himself, and was on the point of telling her all that he had done, let the risk to bi {be what it might, when he caught a brief glimpse of Daniel Rowe starting cautious- ly toward them, plainly bent on overhearing eir conversation. | as he was of his own life, Dainty Lanee felt that he had no right to sacrifice that of Hardy Zeph, and though he continued his argument, he was careful not te utter a word that: arouse the say Sap of the jealous lover, er rather to turn them toward the eun- ning trap that had been set for him and his. Then Hammer Fair rejoined his daughter and the chance was gone. Nor did another one presert itself. Daniel Rowe plave his part to perfection, sticking to | Dainty L. uve likes bis own shadow, ana binder- in Wim trem speaking a word in private even | ‘to Zevb. All this was brought upon him by Decoy ~ f ee eee oe ee More than once that night did Dainty Lance curse his folly in having yielded to the tempta- | tion of none e edged tools, and of having allowed himself to become mixed up in such a disreputable affair. Though he knew he could clear himself of the charge of horse-stealing, by bringing forward the man from whom he purchased the animal there were still graver charges which could and would be brought against him, if ever he should be taken prisoner. He had been with Decoy Duck when John | Steuben was killed; Tim Farrer and others had been slain when he was rescued from the noose beneath the Gallows Oak. Iiven if he should tell the truth, who would believe it? Duck; yet be could not bring himself to aban- don her to the fate which lay before the rest. She was a woman—and she loved him! The eventful day dawned, and still Dainty Lance saw no way through the fresh complica- tions that still continued to arise around him. _Decoy Duck openly declared her intention of riding in company with Daniel Rowe, but that sullen worthy knew what was really meant. It was not his company that was the attraction and pe scored one more mark against his hate rival. Dainty Lance dared not remonstrate, since all the others had accepted the situation, and it was with no very enjoyable sensations that he mounted and rode out of the cavern, without an opportunity being given him to do more than exchange a meaning glance with Hardy Zeph. During their long ride, Dainty Lance more than once felt strongly tempted to shoot Daniel Rowe dead, and thus save both himself and De- coy Duck from the greater danger in store, but each time his manhood revolted. He could not commit a murder. And at length he saw that any such desper- ate expedient would be out of the question, for, thanks to his utter ignorance of the country around, they were at Clayton before he realized their near approach. usrange as it may seem, now that the die was cast and the fates clearly against him, Dainty Lance felt itively relieved, and coolly ac- cepted the situation. e saw at a glance that there was no unusual stir in the town, that their ap nce attracted no attention, and knew that, if his message had not miscarried, Pierce Ballou had taken pre- cautions not to awaken the suspicions of the bank-robbers and frighten them away, before they were fairly inside the snare. As the trio leisurely approached the bank, they saw that the other parties had timed their advance admirably. Coming from different directions, apparently wholly unconnected with each other, twelve roa and ome woman were closing in on the Hammer Fair and the two men who were to bear him company in his work, were a little in advance, and drawing rein before the quiet building whose precious store they had sworn to rifle, they dismounted and hitched their animals to the posts set in the sidewalk. Casting an apparently idle glance around him, the chief saw that his allies held each one of the four streets, slowly nearing each other, and keenly watching for the signal to begin their share of the work. Satisfied that all was well, he ascended the steps leading into the bank, then turned and made the fatal signal. CHAPTER XI. SPRINGING THE TRAP. A SIMPLE wave of the band, but it was the | signa] for which the bank-robbers were eagerly waiting, and from that moment Pandemonium | seemed to have vomited forth its inmates with orders to rendezvous on the Bank Corner, Yelling at the top of their voices, the bank- robbers urged their fresh and willing horses to top speed, riding to and fro, discharging their revolvers, now into the air, now through the door or windows of the adjacent stores, wherever a curious clerk or employe ventured to show his head, charging furiously down upon whoever made an appearance in either of the cross streets near the bank, shouting amid fearful | oaths, still more terrifying threats of what would follow the slightest hesitation in obeying _ the orders thus given. Dainty Lance hardly knew whether to regret or rejoice. It seeme 1 inust have failed to reach its destination, since | the ouly persone visible rapidly gave way wien Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. eee sss” sss as though bis warning | -their ————— - Ne nn | charged, plainly frightened almost out of their senses. To all appearance the bagnk-robbers were going to have matters all their own way. But then, as the yelling, firing horsemen drew closer around the bank, there came a sud- den change. Upon every hand windows were thrown up in the second-story of the stores, and full two score armed men opened fire upon the enemy below. Hammer Fair had chosen his men well for the sort of work they were intended for, as was now clearly proven. Two of their number fell dead at the first volley from above, before any one of the band realized the peril that so unexpectedly reveal- ed itself, but then, with still fiercer yells than before, the survivors returned the fusilade, send- ing whisting lead toward whatever head and shoulders first caught their eye, riding swiftl to and fro, while the leaden hail hissed aroun them and pattered viciously upon the cobble- stones or sidewalk. Though he had been expecting the springing of some sort of trap, Dainty Lance was quite as greatly surprised as any of the bank-robbers; and well for him that this was the case. Daniel Rowe wa. keeping close beside him in their wild gallopings, and as that volley came, his jealous suspicions caused him to turn os the new recruit with a deadly fury, feeling sure that since treachery had clearly been at work, here he would find the fountain head. But even he could not mistake the genuine as- tonishment so plainly written in every feature, and he turned his half-raised revolver toward a bearded man above who was taking a deliberate aim at him with a repeating rifle. The bullets crossed in mid air, but Daniel Rowe only uttered a reckless laugh as he felt a searing touch across his broad chest, for he saw the bearded marksman drop his rifle, fling up his arms, then fall heavily forward, his body balanced across the window sill, while his life blood trickled out from a hole between his eyes and pattered upon the sidewalk below. The abrupt appearance of so many armed men, all stationed in positions where they were safe from a charge, told the bank-robbers that pans had somehow gotten wind, but they were like bulldogs, bard to choke off, and they still dashed recklessly to and fro, resolved to hold their ground until their chief and com- rades should make their reappearance. Dainty Lance failed to dothem justice, when he hoped to complete the work so well begun, by shouting loudly: ‘We are betrayed! Bald Bisbee has sold us to the Regulators!” ‘‘Shut up!” thundered Daniel Rowe, wheeli ones is eyes glowing like living coal long lack hair floating in the breeze caused by his own swift peasage. ‘* Another cry like that and I'll blow your brains out! We must hold the streets until the captain comes out!” Dainty Lance hardly heard this threat. His whole attention was now occupied by Decoy Duck who, after the first moment of surprise was d, seemed fairly intoxicated by the wild excitement, and with a revolver in each hand she was speeding up and down the street, guiding her well-trained horse solely by the pressure of her knees and the hat Be of her supple body, sending bullet after bullet into the open windows above, at each shot uttering a clear, musical shout of defiance. A glorious picture of tbe wilder sort she pre- sented then; the beau ideal of a dainty dare- devil, for, beautiful as she was, no one not in the secret of her sex would for a moment have suspected her for other than her dress indicated —a boy, half-crazed, in his first fight. Dainty Lance gave no further thought to his own safety, but sped along-side the young Amazon, vainly pleading with her to make her escape before they were irretrievably hemmed in ea the enemy. ‘* Not until my father comes!” she cried. ‘* Whatever his fate I mean to share it,” and Dainty Lance saw from her stern-set features that this was no idle vow. Thanks to the precautions taken by the sus- picious Rowe, Hardy Zeph was one of those most widely separated from Dainty Lance, but. when the ambuscade was unmasked, Zeph dis- regarded all else and rode with a bloody spur to regain bis heart-brother. Just as he came opposite the bank, a shot from one of the windows above, intended for himself, struck bis horse and killed it instantly. Gatlike, Zeph alighted upon his feet, and with a swift glance around him, sought refuge be- hind a lerge dry-goceds box lying against one of the stores, tu. cely had lie done so, when Dainty Lance oxoye) Cc com (E(0)