Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 198 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 a eee: LS. tae ee thousand reverberations, not a hand went up to level a revolver at her heart. ‘Ar’ you traitors?’ thundered the irate colo- nel, ‘‘ Must the life ov a boy stan’ between you an’ duty to the cap'n ? ‘‘A boy, cunnel ?” ventured one of the boldest. ‘The most ov us hev knowed fur a long time thet Esmer i isa gal, an we can’t kill sech a cree- tur. Efitar’ ag’in’ duty, why, wecan’t ie it!” The man’s words did not allay Colonel Tbhun- der’s excitement; he was still a tiger, seeing nothing but the prey that was about to be torn from his clutches. “Pll do it myself!” he exclaimed, cocking his revolver as he sprung forward, ‘Stan’ aside, Ksmer, an’ let me at the Queen’s spy.’ The girl’s answer was a defiant flashing of her restless eyes; butshe did not stir. “Touch him ‘if you dare!” she said sternly. ‘“‘Tam here to defend him, and to kill the per- son who attempts his life.” Her pistol covered the man she addressed ; the light of the torches enabled him to look into the barrel. All this scene had passed in the short space of three minutes, during which time Halleck was recovering his bewildered senses. ‘* But one life is sought here; two must not be scrificed !” he suddenly exclaimed as he pushed Esmer gently aside and stepped to the front, ‘Now if you, coward-like, take the life of an unarmed man, [am at your mercy. But they say, and I have helped to confirm the report, that Colonel Thunder fights only those equally oe with himself. Pardon’ me if I have i The eyes of Gold Conrad’s man sunk to the ground abashed; but only for a second. ‘*Throw him a weapon!” he said to his men. Five hands went forward simultaneously, and five revolvers fell at Halleck’s feet. 6 The young man did not disdain the offer of assistance, but stooped and caught up two of the weapons. A look of superiority beamed in his orbs as he rose and faced Colonel Thunder. ‘*l am ready for you,” was his cuallenre. “ButIam not for you,” was the strange re- ply. “If you will restore the revolvers VI! promise to meet you at some future time.” ‘* Acreed!” said Halleck throwing duwn the distols. ‘*1 didn’t come to the Bar to fight you articularly, Colonel Thunder; but as you are is friend, you will always find me ready to meet you.” A mad flash of Thunder’s eyes was the only answer. Suddenly they fell upon his protegee. ‘What ar’ you goin’ to do?’ he exclaimed. “AY you goin’ to take up with the Queen ov Fate's ~y, or ar’ you goin’ to stick by me?” “We ‘meet again,” said Esmer in a hasty undertonue to Halleck before she answered her enrageu questioner. ‘‘ But for your sake I hope that meeting will not take place here. Iam ameangely bound to that man. I must go to ‘““Go!” merely said Halleck. Esmer’s hand touched his as she started 6» ross the “i that separated her from Cotcne! | Thunder. The men had already recovered their revolv- ers, and Thunder had turned awa “1¢ I would fight Gold Conrad, T must fight those fellows, as well,” Halleck murmured. ‘* Well, I will not shirk. The @ueen’s spy? I can afford to be called that since she hates tlhe same man I do.” The torches disappeared, but Halleck had fol- lowed them to the opening of the mine. He was once more beneath the canopy of the hea- vens, and not far from the spot where Thunder and his minions had recently seized him. He paused in the starlight for a few moments and ——— to the noises made by the depart- in : ees oa not safe here at present,” he mur- mured. ‘‘I will seek the hills. Among them I can plan in safety, and then I must be near the girl who risked her life to-night for me.” Halleck hurried away, but a short time af- terward he halted suddenly, and then sprung back from an object that lay in bis path. This object had a human shape, and, asit lay so still, the young man ventured to examine it. “What!” he exclaimed, as he turned the body over. ‘Catana? Who has taken coveted ven- geance from me? Ah! Isee. The Man withthe Knife has been here. Then he hates all who serve Gold Conrad. The Queen of Fate hates them, too, as Ido. What is this mystery?’ and Halleck gazed strangely and with a perceptible shudder into the cold face of his young Indian enemy. ee Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife, 2 ee o_o —— —— CHAPTER XI. HOODWINKED. It was the evening of the next day, and eighty miles from Vulture Bar a man with an anxious face stood in the shadow of a great hill and looked eagerly westward. He was apparently waiting for some one, for he was growing restless, and. every now and then he cursed the ill-luck that br ought nobody to his side. In short, this man was Gold Conrad, and he was waiting and watching for Catana, his In- dian, the bearer of his first message to the Bai N ight fell about him, the stars came out, and over the rim of the far-away horizon peeped the resplendent moon. ‘‘Curse the laggard!” cried the magnate of Lodeton. ‘‘He was to have been here before this hour. What keeps the scarlet dog?” . His question was answered by the sound of hoofs that came from the west, and a gleam of satisfaction lit up bis eyes. ‘Coming at last, the rascal,” he exclaimed, starting forw ard, but a minute later he went back with a cry of astonishment and drew a pisto The person was not Catana, but a stalwart fellow who sat astride of a heated hae se, and Gordon had seen at a glance that this man’s face was concealed by a mask. The eyes that glittered beneath the dark fabric that formed the mask saw Gold Conrad at the very moment of his discovery. ‘‘ Hello!” said the two men simultaneously, and the rider drew rein and leaned forward. ‘‘Gold Conrad, by the stars!” he exclaimed. ‘You must hev knowed thet I war comin’,” and the speaker chuckled. ‘* No, sir; I was not waiting for you, Gordon answer ed, anc witha proud curling of his lips he added: “ And, besides, I never make en- gagements with people who hide their faces.” ** Oh, you don’t. Then Vil go on an’ you kin wait fur the next man from the Bar.” The tone was a careless one, and the hands of the unknown quietly gather ed up the reins. From the Bar? A messenger from Colonel Thunder perbaps. Gold Conrad started. ‘‘Tf you are from the Bar you are for me,” he sai quickly. ‘““ Jes’ ez you like it. 1 didn’t swear thet I would give you the message I hev on my kar- ciss,’ Curiosity was almost devouring Gordon. ° ‘‘A message? Quick! let me have it.” The eyes under the mask seemed to have a triumphant twinkle, and eagerly watched Gold Conrad, as he snatched the piece of paper from the hand that extended it. ‘You can’t read it hyar!” said the mask. ‘* We'll see!” and Gordon glanced over his shoulder at the moon. ‘‘I haven’t lost my e . sight, and besides I’ve read by moonlight ae ; F ortunately the handwriting was large and plain, and Conrad mastered it as it seemed with a single clance. It was a short message but one that made him | grow pale. ‘“You_are wanted here at once, The crisis is at hand. Catana is dead! THUNDER.” Gold Conrad looked up at the eyes that re- garded him, ‘What has happened at the Bar? Tell me.” ‘“‘T am obeyin’ orders. I was pot to tell you ay Sing The cunnel will do thet.” tordon looked disappointed. ‘‘But my faithful Indian is dead. Was he murdered?’ ‘They found him with a great big bowie stab over his heart. The knife must hev been thrown at him.” Gordon shuddered and grated his teeth. ‘‘The Man with the Knife!” he muttered. ‘By Jove! I will make short work of him! So the crisis is at hand? Good! I saw Peewee that it was coming. Now I will not shirk it will go at once.” The last sentence was spoken aloud, and to the messenger from Vulture Bar. ‘*T thought you would,” was the reply. ** When can you go back?’ Conrad asked. ** Any time; but not on this horse.” “Of course not. Jil furnish the horses, Come.” Gold Conrad turned and walked rapidly toward Lodeton which was not far away. He entered his house, got an additional re- volver from the strong room, put some private eo in his bosom. and went to the stables. Vhile he was in the house the messenger, still masked, stood on the porch waiting for him, ee ee ee we All at once a toad hopped into the moonlight from beneath the house and began his usual quest for food. The eyes of the man sparkled at sight of the little animal, and when it stopped about twenty-five feet from him he drew a huge bowie from his belt and threw it carelessly at the little creature. Over and over went the blade, its polished surface scintillating in the moonlight, and a moment later it cruelly pinned the toad to the ground! The knife-thrower seemed to rejoice at his feat, and taking several mas strides toward the spot he quietly resumed his wea- on. . A short time afterward Gordon appeared mounted and leading.another horse by the bridle. ‘We will go now. sundown to-morrow ?”’ ‘“We kin try,” was the response, as the mes- senger vaulted upon the back of the horse brought from the stables forgbis use. ‘“‘ Now we’re off, cap’n.’ Lodeton was asleep, or apparently so. Nota figure was seen by the two men as they began their journey. As they galloped by a certain pretentious house Conrad turned his head and looked at it. His face held a mingled expression of contempt and triumph, and turning quickly upon his a Agape he found his eyes fixed on the same ouse ‘‘1 wonder how Queen Merta gets along?’ Conrad said, smiling. **Oh, the Queen Is thet her shanty?” “ “hat is where she lives, but one doesn’t see Ler much of late. She doesn’t like me, I fancy !” and Gold Conrad tried to laugh, but it was ap- parent that his thoughts were far from the subject. Side by side, when the mountain road was wide enough, the two men galloped toward the Bar. Conrad no longer paid attention to his guide, The hours sped away, but they did not balt, and morning found them still among the silver mountains of the San Juan countrv Daylight showed Conrad the figure and dress of his guide—the former was burly and strength itself, the latter commonplace and un- suspicious. When the road was narrow the messenger went ahead. The day witnessed a few brief halts to rest themselves and their steeds, and night overtook them near their journey’s end. All at once the guide dr ew rein. ‘‘T must leave you hyar,” he said, looking at Conrad. ‘‘ Yonder is the Bar,” and be stretched out an arm famous for its great length. ** You know whar the colonel lives. You’ve been hyar afore, ". believe.’ Gordon neve’ ‘1 will »p . for your work,” he sid. ‘“ All you have .oco is to mention this service to me, and—”’ 2 Oh, (’m paid already,” was the interruption. ap obey orders; thet’s my duty. A wave of the bronze hand that had held a rein for forty-eight hours bade Gold Conrad adieu, and the next moment he was alone. Eagerness carried him Lae forward and halting a few minutes later before Colonel Thun- der’s door he shouted for its master. The summons was almost immediately an- swered, for the door flew open and the stalwart figure of his man appeared on the threshold. There was a strange, mad flash in Thunder’s eyes, and for a moment he stared at the face before kim. Then recognizing it all at once he uttered an oath of surprise. “Stay back!” he threw over his shoulder in whispers to some onesin the interior of the cabin, and then, shutting the door, he sprung to Gordon’s side. ‘‘In the name of Hades what brought you to the Bar at this time?” he exclaimed. “ They're all hyar, an’ the crisis hez come, an’— “'That’s what you said in your message.” ‘*My what, cap’n?’ ‘‘ Why the message you sent by the man who wore a mask.’ Another oath, a start, and a maniacal stare that paled Gold ‘Conrad’s cheeks. ‘‘T sent no message. By the grave of my mother! I hevn’t written a line fur a year! You’ve been hoodwinked, cap’n.” Gordon seemed about to fall from his horse. ‘*T "lowed they war up to suthin,” Colonel Thunder went on. ‘I’ve met the devil with the fourteen inch howie, an’ hyar’s his mark,” and the speaker smiled as he exhibited a band- aged shoulder to the staring eyes of his master. ‘* He missed my heart because I moved jes’ as Can we reach the Bar by Gorm ~~ —_ IOORSTCcom