Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 168 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ee he —— eee (a -—— Deadly Dash. 15. ed village whose fires still lighted up the heavens for many a mile around. Black Dan Boller turned sick and faint at heart as he was brought into close contact with what had once been the man to whom he was fast linked in the bonds of mutual crimes for he knew that he was none the less doom to death, unless he could find someone to snatch him from the hands of the comrades whom he had betrayed. During his ride thither Hovey had decided upon his course of procedure. He knew that Sally Bedell would be on the look-out for their return, and fearing lest she should discover the death of her father before he could gain time to break the dreadful tidings, he resolved to leave a few men behind to bring on the bodies, while he and the others pressed on inadvance. Then, were Sally to ask for her father, he could truth- fully tell her that he was coming, and then, when alone with her, gradually and tenderly prepare her mind, Among the other plunder brought from the village, were a goodly number of horses, and Deadly Dash accepted one of these in the place of the one he had permitted to go free, ‘* Leave this body as it hangs,” he said to the men who were to remain behind, ‘‘as a sample of how Dudley Dashwood avenges his a ‘all Following the bed of the creek, as once before described, Seth Hovey pressed steadily on until the cave-retreat was reached, where, as he an- ticipated, he found his betrothed awake and on the alert with a tearful greeting—tears of Joy at his safe return, but the r girl was doomed to shed tears of bitter grief ere those of gladness were dry upon her cheeks. Deadly Dash entered the chamber into which the prisoner was led, though barely aware of his presence or even existence when, while mood- ily pacing to and fro, he chanced to encounter the anxious, terrified gaze which never once shifted from his face. Even that made only a momentary impression upon his mind, for the apa past was coming up before him, bit by it. There was his happy childhood in a sunny Southern home. A loving, beautiful but delicate mother. A proud, handsome, indulgent father, who thought nothing too good for his dear ones. And there was the quaint old hunter who taught him the wonders of the field and forest, and set his brain on fire with strange, thrilling tales of wild life toward the setting sun. Then came a season of travel, for the health of the mother. The father remained behind. And while they were in Europe, a letter came to her, bearing terrible tidings. Just what, beyond the one fact that his father was dead, he, Dudley, did not learn for years afterward. But it was dreadful enough to wring the wife’s heart dry, and she never lived to reach her home. She placed Dudley at a school in the North, then died of a broken heart. There was a guardian whom Dudley never saw, who paid all bills, and for three years the lad remained at school, At the end of that time, he fled, because, in a fos quarrel, one of his mates let out the fearful truth—Beverley Dasb- wood had been lynched for the murder of a man with whom he had quarreled over the gambling table. Straight to his old home the youth went, and finding Gilbert Sampson, learned the black truth. He—Sampson—had fought hard for his old master, but was nearly killed, and could do nothine. he “4reourts, father and son, had been the woving spirits in the lynching, and though they had tried to live down the odium following that act, finally were forced to flee from the ban of public opinion. rom that day Dudley Dashwood was a boy no longer. He set cunning men to work to find out whither the Harcourts had fled, and mean- while, with Old Mythology for a tutor, unceas- ingly practiced with rifle, pistol and knife, until he was master of the different weapons. Time and again he started out on some fancied clew, but not until the day on which this record opens, did he succeed in finding the man whom he had sworn to kill. . Believing his father had been innocent of the crime for which he was lynched, was reason sufficient for him to risk what he did in the at- a to preserve Joshua Bedell from a like ate, Thus far his reflections had wandered, when Black Dan Boller hesitatingly pronounced his full name, adding: ‘‘T saw your father murdered, and that fora crime he was innocent of. If I can prove this— if lcan clear his name from every suspicion— will you—” _- out. ‘‘He can’t do nothin’ fer you, even ef he wanted, ever so much,” bluntly interposed one of the men placed as guards upon the traitor. ‘* As soon as the boss comes in, you’ll be tried, an’ you know what that means to one as plays —_—_ CHAPTER XVL. CONCLUSION. THE escape of Old Mythology was little short. of a miracle. As the reader is aware, he had been knocked the traitor to his solemn oath. You’re no better | senseless by Tom Mason, with the butt end of a than a dead man!” ‘* Save me from them, and I swear to reveal | the name of the man who murdered Fred Mad- | den!” cried Boller, clinging to the hope of a respite, even though death should still be his reward, Just then Seth Hovey came in, and to him | Deadly Dash turned. As briefly as possible he related his past his- tory, as faintly shadowed forth here, then re- | peated what Boller said. ‘‘T know that by the laws which govern your band, he has justly forfeited his life, but if he speaks true—if he can clear the name of my | _ believed dead, no especial care was taken to see murdered father by revealing the actual crimi- nal and bringing the deed home to him, you | _ throat failed to draw tight. must aliow me to take him back to Virginia, or else to kill me too,” ‘Threats can gain you nothing that good- will or a sense of justice on our part would re- fuse you,” replied Hovey, in the same coid tone. ‘* Let him tell his story. be done in no other way, he may go. with you. But our eye and hand will bear him company, and at the proper time will claim our own.” tain death would be his portion here, and he wisely concluded to run the risk of a full confession. might effect his escape, or even get clear with his life, after trial. There is no need to follow his words one by one. He was very, trying to soften and excuse so he had played in the tragedy of the past. He was a gambler by profession, though for the most part an unlucky one, always in need of a friend to ‘‘ stake him,” and so a fitting tool for those who were more lucky, or keener witted than himself. On the night of the murder, he was in the ne hall where, among others, Beverley ashwood, Edwin Harcourt and Frederick Madden were playing. The betting ran high, and all three of those named were winners. Between them, the prin- cipal faro-table was forced to suspend, and then the three successful gamblers sat down together to play draw-poker. They agreed to play freeze-out, or continue the game until one was the winner of all. From the outset, fortune favored Madden, and in an hour, Harcourt retired, completely cleaned The other two continued, both drinking freely, but fortune still smiled upon Madden, and as he swept down the last stake, Dashwood, heated by liquor, insinuated that he, Madden, was more indebted to his fingers than his head for his unbroken good fortune. The lie was given, blows passed, and when the players were separated, both men uttered bitter threats toward the other. Madden, with nearly fifty thousand dollars in his pockets, was followed and murdered, by the dead Black Dan Boller. Edwin Harcourt found him robbin man, and by threats of exposure, induced Bol- ler conspire with him against Dashwood, whom he hated for some cause unknown to Dani. The murderer had no choice. The charge was made, sworn to, Dashwood was arrested and committed for trial. Then came the lynch- ing, and that over, Harcourt, defying his ally, me all of the money so bloodily earned. here were many more details in the confes- sion, but enough has been said for the under- standing of the reader. Seth Hovey listened intently, and at the con- clusion said: ' | rifle. This, added to the excessive loss of blood during the ride from the village, rendered his pulse so faint that the fact of his still | eing alive, escaped the notice of the excited settlers, and only for the malignancy of Edwin Har- court, by no means lessened with the excrucia- . ting pain of his shattered elbow, he would have been left where he lay, among his slaughtered companions. But Harcourt bade his men hang the carcasses up as a warning to the rest of the outlaws of the fate the future had in store for them, and this command was cairied out. Among the others, Old Mythology was drawn a couple of feet from the ground, but as all were that the nooses fitted snug, and that around bis No doubt had the proper precautions been | taken, he could have been restored to conscious- | ness long before he awoke to life again, but every | body believed him dead, and it was not until lf justice can | Deadly Dash and the main force of the outlaws were at the cave, and those left asa guard were. preparing the horses to receive their ghasitl _ burden, that he gave signs of returning sensi- Black Dan hesitated, but he knew that cer- | bility. As soon as they could realize the truth, the | outlaws did what they could to assist him, and At worst, he could but be killed; | at best, during his long journey to Virginia he | thanks to their liquor and care, Old Mytholo- gy was just able to walk when the cave retreat was reached, That morning a vote was taken among the outlaws, and when they were satisfied that Black Dan Boller would almost certainly end his career upon the gallows for the murder of Frederick Madden, they agreed to yield him up to Deadly Dash. That same day Dick Dado made his appear- ance with startling news, The entire county was aroused by the destruc- tion of the village, and measures were bein taken for the utter extermination of the band o outlaws. They were to be hunted night and day until the outrage was avenged. Seth Hovey collected his men and placed the. situation fairly before them. That their occu- pation was gone in that = of the State, all could see as well as himself. *‘ All are absolved from the oath that has bound us together,” he added. ‘‘Those who wish to do so, may leave the cave, with their share from the treasury, on pledging themselves to take every possible precaution to leave no trace by which our enemies can find the secret entrance. Butif you will take my advice, gon will do as I do: remain in here until the t fury of the hunt is over. ‘“We have water in plenty, and there is no danger of our starving while there are nearly a hundred horses in the stable.” To a man, the outlaws remained, snug and safe while the whole country was scoured by hundreds of enraged enemies. No living man outside of the cave was in possession of the secret of their hiding-place. For nearly a month they lay there, then em- erged one by one and sought other more freges regions for the exercise of their particular tal- ents. Some were recognized, captured and hung, but the majority succeeded in escaping from the State. Among the successful ones were Seth Hovey, Sally Bedell and with them little Dick Dado, They crossed the river into Illinois, and at the first favorable opportunity, were made mar and wife. : Seth Hovey, partly because he was sick of such a life, but mainly through the persuasion of his wife, never more sinned inst the laws of the country he lived in, but pre-empted a ‘“ All of the band must be here when the deci- | homestead and settled down as a steady-going sion is given, but I think Ican promise you what you ask. In a the memory of your fa- ther, Boller will his own death-warrant, and if he crore the gallows, our laws will be avenged a While he was speaking, the signal from with- out heralded the coming of the outlaws with the bodies of their comrades, and Deadly Dash me- chanically moved forward with the rest, to re- ceive the ghastly cortege. But what a surprise awaited him! | A pele, tottering man entered the cave on foot, and with a faint laugh, fell forward into the arms of the youth. PR ox Old Mythology, still alive and in the | procured a flat-boat and in it esca granger, having Dick Dado to assist him. Deadly Dash and Old mt he ype Hi arm nearly cured during that month o aemioni. un- pleasant questions, as well as safely conveyed their prisoner to the scene of his past crimes. __ Black Dan Boller was duly hung for the mur- der of Frederick Madden, and the clouded memory of Beverley Dashwood was cleared from all stain. But Deadly Dash could not long remain where all spoke :o loudly of his innocent_ childhood, and in company with faithful Old Mythology he turned his face toward the setting sun, an left the home of his youth forever. THE END. al (E comicbooks.co