Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 217 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 Captain Crack-Sho ee ee —_,:0 ATT AB as only three men esc2ped with their li 7e*, and | play off hurt until he could get an opportunity they, in aismay, retreated, with howls of terror. “That was a blizzard!’ Deadwood Dick mut- tered, with a lite shi «r.is be noted what havoe he ha! wroucht. ‘*: g ve ’eny air warn- ing, any v » and their rash ess bos met i's re- ward. The deuce is to pay, down yonder, however!” And -o it: was, The reports of the cannon had drawn the citizen’s juity from cover, to see what was the matter, sud watching for something of this kind, the roughs had made on attack upon them, and a furious batile was Leginning to rage in tae st:eet, the reports of weapons avd shouts ¢f men making a great din. ‘*No uso trying to do anything with the guy, now!” Deadwood Dick said, grimly, “The likeliest thing we can do is to cut around, and reach our paity. If we sre expeiitious, we muy Le able to be of some service to them.” They accordingly made a run for it, in a roundabvut way. Ten m nutes’ run brought them up in the rear of the citizen party, who were bravely standing the r ground, and fighting like tigers. Their number bad been considerably less ened, already, but not more so than had that of the roughs, who were still headed by the femate brigand and Arizona Abe, while the ¢itizens had bunt one leader to look to, in the person of Old Somersault, and when he should fall, they promised to Jose courage, - But, just when the tide seomed near turning in the favor of the rufflans, Deadwood Dick and Cal.» mity pusbed in to the front, well equipped wiih the revolvers which they had taken from the dead men, Their coming and Dick’s ringing shouts of encouragement seemed to inspire the citizens with new spirit, and they swent forward with increasing fire, fi) rcing the ruffians back. Crack-Shot saw Dick, and knew it was his coming ‘hat had reinspired the citizen crowd, anil also realized that ber crowd was going to — unless be could be dropped from the ** Curse you,” she shouted, ‘ll have my re- venge now!’ And she leveled a revolver straight at his heart. But before she could pull trigger, a shot struck her in the leit side, that wilted her like a leaf to the ground. “Great hail-storins! we’re done fer, now!” Arizona Ab: cried as soon as he saw her fall, and with (the pu: pose of deserii: g his comrades he made a leap to one side to escape, But, comprehending bis intention, one of her men shot him down before he had gone ial/ a dozen steps. The battle thereafter was short and decisive. With victorious shouts the citizens rushed at the ruffians, who began to retreat under the witheriug, ceaseless fire, until finally, as if by mutual covs nt, they broke ranks aud fled pell- mell for life and safety. Several, even then, bit tho dust before they got out of riflerange, but about half of the brigends succeeded in making their esvapo to the moun- tains. And, as may be imagined, the escaped roughs did not return to renew the contest, but took theniselves to other scenes of action, a safe distance fr. m Durango, of bloody memory. When morning dawned, which was not long after the conclusion of the battle, tie wounded of both parties Were picked up and carried to the tavern, and every cara bestowed upon them that could serve to relieve them of suf- fering. The k lied were buried, and the scene about the town was once more, to outward view, calm and serene, Among the apparently wounded, John Met- calf was jound, by Deadwood Dick and Old Somersault, lying flat upon his back, very com- posedly. | Investigation proved that he was noé hurt in the least, aud that ho was evidently trying to tu escape unnoticed. ‘I. think wa _ will take this worthy in charge!” Dick said, grimly, and they bound him securely, ‘‘ Calamity :au across a man in the grove in the night, whom I thwk this wreteh murdered—anu besides, I aliow there are numerous unbea.thy charges against bim.” “Wor Gid’s sake, let me go!” Meocalf pieaded, piteously. **t confess to killing Le gh, and other treachery, but let me have my liberty and I will forever leave this spot, and promise to be a better man!” ‘* Nineteenth century promises are about as tran-parent #s etoereal gauze, umless clinched by security,” Dick replica, *‘ I will have noth- ing to ssy concerning your disposal, You must lcok to your enemies for mercy.” He was taken to the tavern and put under guard, Dick sent for the body of the Duke of Leigh, and for Ledy Myra and Wildcat, Joe in whom, on bis arrival, be recognized a lormer member of his once famous road-agent band, Lady Myra’s great grief at her father’s death, aroused the citizens to extreme wrata against Metcalf, as he had confessed having committed the crime. Tosuch an extent did their anger get the better of them that tho poor wretch was taken in charge by a number of them, and dragged to the tree where Leigh bad been murdered, and there Jynched! Captain Crack-Shot was among those who had been picked up, more dead than alive, and conveyed to ths tavern. About sunset she made a requést to see Deadwood Dick, and that at once. Somewhat surprised on being informod of her desire, Dick made his way to her bedsi‘e, and found ber sitting up, bolstered by a pillow. “Did you wish to see me?” ho asked, ap- proaching. ‘¢-Yes. I have not long to live, and wanted to talk with you,” she said, in a matter-of-fact way. ‘‘I bave prayed for forgiveness, and hope te receive it. I was a fool to think [| could ever git the best of a man of your cali- ber. And, now, that the end for me is near, | want to ask your forgiveness for sybat injury, attempted and real, that I have dene you.” ‘Your feeling is commendablo and I freely forgive you,” Dick said, kindly. ‘‘Oh! I am so glad! I know you are a brave, noble man, and my admiration is not less for your wife. I am dying, and I must leave behind me immense wealth. Not the earnings of my jawless career, understand you, por the earnings of my gambler fa‘*her—but gold! goll that would enrich a down people. [ found it once buried in a secret place, where some people of generations long past and gone evidently buried 1t. I intended to enjoy it some day, but now that will be impossible. To tell you where to find it [have not strength nor long enough lease of life. Here is a golden cross, however, that holds the secret, It is hollow, and a spriog cpensit. Inside you will find full cirectiong, Will you accept tris from me as a present—as an atonement for what wrong I have done you?” “Tf you wish; I wil not refuse,” Dick re- plied, in astonishment, ‘““Then take it; it is yours forever. But don’t open it until I have been dead one month. You may go now, as I wish my last moments to be in prayer for God’s pity and forgive- ness,”’ So Dick left her presence, bearing in his hands the cross that was the key to a buried fortune, The next day Captain Craek-Shot died, and thus ended the career of a noted Western ad- venturess, Deadwood Dick was requested by the citi- z-ns, whom he had been largely the means of re-establishing in the town, to accept the posi- tion of mayor over the prospective young city, but respectfully declined. A few days later Le quitted that vicinity, f ee ee ~ . t, the Girl Brigand. anna! ao ey ’ : accompanied by Calamity, and they set ont for sc: nes anew, wherein to figure in spite of themselves in a life of commingled peril and adventure, THE END. ou ie g oy Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Waoa, Eyma! and 59 other Songs. 2 Caprain Curr and 57 other Songs. 3 THE GAINSBORO’ Hat and 62 other Songs, 4 Jounny Morcan and 60 other Songs. 5 ut StrRikge You Wir A FEATHER and 62 others, 6 GEORGE THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs, 7 Tae BELLE or Rockaway and 62 other Songs, 8 YounGe FEL_LAH, You’RE Too Fresa and 60 others. 9 SHy YounG Grr and 6 other Songs, 10 ’'mM THE GOVERNOR’s ONLY Son and 58 other Songs. 11 My Fan and 65 other Songs. 12 Comin’ THRO’ THE Rye and 55 other Songs, 18 Taz RoLLickine IRISHMAN and 59 other Songs, 14 Oup Doe Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 WaHoa, CHARLIE and 59 other Songs, 16 In TH1s WHEAT By anv By and 62 other Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs, 18 I’m THE Boy THat’s Bounnr To Buaze and 57 othors, 16. Tum Two OrnpHans and 59 other Songs. 20 WHAT aRE THe Witp WAVES SayIna, Serre? and 59 other Songs, 21 InpIGNANT PoLLyY Woe and 59 other Songs 22 Tae O_p Anm-CHaAr and 58 other Songs, 23 On Consy Isianp Braon and 58 other Songs, 24 Otp Srmon, THE Hot-Corn MAN and 600 others, 25 I’m rn Love and 56 other Songs, 25 PARADE OF THE GvuARDs and 56 other Songs, 27 Yo, Heavz, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 "Twit Never po To Grerr up So and 60 others, 29 Buve Bonnets OVER THE BorpDER and M4 others, 80 Tae Merry TAcvenine Man and 56 other Songs, 81 Sweer Foraert-mn-Nor and 55 other Songs, 82 LEETLE Baby Mine and 53 other Songs. 83 De Banzo AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR ME and 53 others, 84 Tarry and 50 other Songs, 85 Just Tro PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs, 85 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 othera, 87 KoLorep Kranks and 59 other Songs. 88 Ni. DrsPpeRsNpvuM and 58 other Songs. 89 Tar Grru I Lert Besrnp ME and 50 other Songs. 49 "Tys put a Lirrrite Fapep Fiower and 50 ethers. 41 Prerry Ware tora and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING IN THE Barn and 68 other Songs. 43 H. M.S. Prsarore, COMPLETE, and 17 other Bongs, Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents r copy, or sent post-p.id, to any address, om re ceipt of Str cents per number. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PurvisHens, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEw Yor«. The Saturday Journal, “The Model Family Paper —AND— Most Charming of the Weeklies.” A pure paper; good in every thing; bright, brilliant and attractive. Serials, Tales, Romances, Sketches, Adventures, Biographies, Pungent Essays, Poetry, Notes and Answers to Correspondents Wit and Fun— All are features in every number, from such celebrated writers as ne paper in America can boast of. What is best in POPULAR READING, that .the paper always has: hence for Hom, SnHop, Lr- BRARY and GENERAL READER it is without a rival: and henceits great and steadily increasing circulation. The SATUKDAY JOURNAL is sold everywhere by newsdealers; price sia cents per number; or to subscribers, post-paid, at the followimg cheap rates, viz.: Four months, one dellar; one year, three dollars ; or. two copies, five dollars. Address BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. 00 Eom (E SA a a a a ‘S ~~