Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 217 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

r aes 2 Oe ers-. ¢ ~~ — ee ee ee ne ee 0 oe Captain Crack-Shot, THE GIRL PBRIGAND; OR, Giygsy Jack From dJimtown. 4A STORY OF DURANGO, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, A@pwen OF ‘DEADWOOD DICK,” * BOSS BOB,” ‘“*ROSEBUD ROB,” ‘* GILT-EDGED DICK,’”’ ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. ga DELEGATE FROM JIMTOWN. Tw was vot wiauy months ago that the discov- ery of gold ab Durango, Colorado, brought the usual influx of miners and adventurers to the then litth town of fifty or sixty inbabitants, and it inwaediately. began to ‘‘ boom” toward the sizo am! population of a small city. Miners, speculators, gamblers and roughs flocked to the new Eldorado; shanties and busi- noss places were rapidly constructed; the streets, rude and irregular, presented a busy scene, as ie rasked to and fro, asif ina great hurry -3t some industrious mortal should get more of the ‘* dirt” than they. Per gold there was upon the flats and im the hilis that fringed them, and, it being mostly in placer washes, was easy to get. The fats which surrounded the town prasent- ed a scene none the less busy. Everywhere men were digging with pick and shovel im the sandy surface, and a system of sluice-boxes laid from the mountains, a mile away, furnished the * wash * for each miner’s dirt. The surface in places did not preduce “ pay,” and in suca instauces a shaft had been and @ one-herse-power windlass provided for hauling up the di:t and rock and dumping it inte a cart, from whence it was hauled away to the vicinity of the stam)-mills, yet pe. amg and dump- ed in eerded piles until it could be milled. Mining for quartz was also being carried on te some extent in the adjacent bills and gulohes, bub it formed only a small percentum of the basinesa done upon the flats. Yuo claims were small and numerous, and it was pot unusual that the owner of a claim ‘had stack up his tent and lived where he worked, in order to guard against invasion upon his rights. Consequently, with these little canvas habita- tions dotted about, it looked as if an army of troops had camped out upon the flats below the bustling young city. Bere and there about the flats were staked ows claims that yet remained for sale in the hands ef speculators, who, foreseeing a “‘ Md had lumped off the territory previous to the y of “gold ho!” and were now realiming on eir investment most handsomely. Tho more people there came tne higher was asked fur leases, and in some cases thousands cf dollars were paid for small pieces of the earth, which had good promise of yielding largely of the auriferous. Aud, remarkable to relate, there were, of all the humans who had flocked hence to populate Durango, only about half adozen women, and these, with two exceptions, were wives or daughters of miners—the exceptions being a eouply of girls from Leadville, who bad setup a igar and lunch stand down on the flats. *hese virls were known as Gertie and Josie Wood, They always attended strictly to their business, and repulsed any advances made to- ward jamiliarity ; hence bad earnedethe sobri- que’ alnong the miners of *‘ Spunk ”,and * Hor- net. Qae day, when the streets of Durango were less crowded (han usual), a cavalcade of Ghree on horseback galloped leisurely into the town from the north. | In the lead was a flat-visaged, comical-look- ine Chi aman, dressed in the inevitable white frock, panis and sandals, with bis pig-tail gayly ornamented wiih ribvons, and a shiny silk hat apon his head, sii htly cocked to one side. He was tacusicd upon a fine gray horse, and was a goed rider. Bext besind him came a beautiful white herse, of well-rounded body and clean limbs, aseride of which rode a wild, Gipsyish-looking fellow, Who was sure to attract more thana passing glance. His age ranged somewhere be- tween iweniy-one and twenty - five years, theugh his face still possessed much of boy- hbeod’s freshness. He wore o graceful black mustache, which Vas waxed to a point at the ends; his mouth es a A it tt was firm and habitually pleasant in expression; his whole face in fact was ‘* handsome,” with dark, magnetic eyes; his hair was dark and abundant, and fell in a graceful wavy ripple over his shoulders, Upon his head be wore a round red cap, with- out any ‘ scoop,’ Lut ornamented with elaborate embroidery in blue, white and gold, with a cord and tassel vbebind. His attire otherwise, consisted of fine boots with patent-leather knee tops; white-tanned buckskin breeches, fringed; a ‘* b’iled ” sbirt with a broad open collar at the throat, and a cluster diamond pin, upon the polished bosom, and a short red velvet jacket, trimmed with gold lace and silver buttons. Then, too, be rode without saddle or bridle, with the greatest apparent ease, a word or mo- tion serving to guide bis handsome steed. The third rider was a medium sized, shaggy dog, also mounted, bare-back, upon a perfcct mate of the first white horse, and riding with as great apparent ease as his master. egvas au intelligent-looking canine, with an open countenance, and eyes that sparkled know- ingly and with mischief, Such was the noticeable trio as they rode into town, attracting no little attention from the bystanders. In front of a small “‘ office,” which stood mid- way up the main street, the three horses were halted; their riders dismounted and entered the office in question. It wasasmall affair, divided in the middle by a counter, behind which a bald-headed party presided. He was a fat old chap, with a face habitually sour in expression, sharp gray eyes, and a double chin. He wore no beard, and had but very little of the hirsute on his cranium. A tless shirt-front was ornamented by a single amond of great size and eds goa and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses were bridged upon a very prominent and highly-colored nose, The Chinaman and the immediately took seats on entering, while their master advanced ee re the manager of this i ou, I su are the m oO n- stitution, eh?* he inguired. “Tam, sir,” was the jerky reply, and the fat saa Nien on writing. ‘Who are you, sir “Well, Iam Gipsy Jack, from Jimtown, you see. My other companions are Rhy Sam, from Formosa, and Skip, my dorg. e latter, in particular, is a very extraordinary person.” ‘*Presumedly so, but as lam not cultivating canine acquaintances,-if you bave avy business, be kind enough to state it briefly,” the fat party said, tartly. ‘*Oh! yo needn’t be afeard o’ my dorg,” Gipsy Jack assured, calmly. ‘*‘Ho don’t notice com- mon folk, unless they’re up to mischief. As to business, that’s what I’m here for, exactly. Your name is John Metcalf, isn’t it?” “That is my name, sir.” ‘* And you own several claims on the flats, below?’ **T do, sir. Do you want to purchase?” ** Well, that depends. What do you ask for the claim No. 30 ‘Ten thousand dollars. Itisadouble track, and what with being slongsido the creek which crosses the flats, and being in close proximity to several cof the best claims, it is well worth double the amount.” ** Tumph! y® I s’pose,” Jack said, taking off his cap and giving his curly bead a scratch. ‘‘ By the way, how much did you pay for this claim 30 when you purchased it?” The broker did not answer immediately, but busied himself with his pen a few minutes, to conceal any agitation he may bave had. ‘‘That is a matter that hardly concerns you,” he finally replied. “Oh, suit yourself about that. how much you paid for it.” ‘““How much, sir?’ “Wary a reply The claim was left in vour charge by an old so-called witch, Mexican Mag, until I should come forward to claim it. There- fore, appeareth I, Gipsy Jack, to take posses- sion,” ‘* Impossible, sir! I purchased the claim from the Mexican woman, and shall not yield it to any one short of the sum I ask for ii!” **Oh!t you won't, eh?” ‘Decidedly not, sir!” “But, supposing I have the audacity to dis- pute your right, and go and take possession in defiance?” ‘‘' Then I'll have you put off, in a hurry, sir.” ‘* Sure of it?” “ Absolutely certain. If you do not wish to I know just Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. Rew get yourself into trouble, you’d best keep off from) what is not your's.” ‘‘But itis mine. Mexican Mag willed it te me! 1 can prove it by Shy Sam, here, and my corg, Skip!’ ‘* That does not matter, sir. I have a deed of the claim, and it is mine, and I shall hold it.” ‘“Who signed the ueed?’ Gipsy Jack de manded calmly. ‘Tne Mexican woman, of course.” ‘“That’sa lie. She eculan’t write!” Metecali’s face flushed angrily. ‘** Get out of my cfhice, ycu i: sulting rowdy he cried, *‘or Lil put you out!” **No you won't! You're no fool, not toknow that you’ve too n.uch avoircupois to haidle me. When I get ready, Vil go. I sbell take posses- sion of Mexican Mop’s claim. If you cfier to trouble me, I’) tlow your Lrains out, and feed you to Skip! D’ye understand?’ ‘*T’}] see about it. Set foot on that c'aim, if you dare, and I'll give you cause to regret it.” “Very well. L'il Jook cut for you. If there's a cemetery around here I'd advise you to speak for a lot, in case you conten plate instituting a sanguinary compaien against me. Skip, dorg, do you see the bald-headed delegate?” The eagacious canine geve a bark, and a knowing rod of his head. He evidently fully understood wv hat was asked of Lim. ‘* Well, what is your estimate of his charac- ter?” Jack asked, lighting a cigar. The dog got down upon the floor, thrust his tail between his legs, hung bis head, and looked decidedly sneakish. ‘‘Ha! ha! that’s just my idea, too,” the man from Jimtuwn said. ‘ Now, Skip, Low would ou like a good sirloin steak off from this bald- eaded delegate?” The dog hung his head still lower and gagged, as if the idea were not to his liking. John Metcalf uttered a curse, and Gipsy Jack laughed, ‘You see, even the dog can read you! | shall o down and take possession of the claim, now. if I see you over that way, look out you don’t get shot. aan Be Then the remarkable stranger strode from the office, accompanied by his dog, and followed by Gby Sem. When he had sine, the speculator uttered 9 curse, and paced to end fro within his office, in a great state of excitement. ‘Fool that I was not to’get rid of that claim, before!” be growled, savagely. ‘Now, the deuce is to pay. This new-comer is no ordinary rough with whcm I bave to ccpe. He is fear- less and cunning, but he shall find me equal to the caper gensy Taking a Jarge brass star froma drawer in the counter, he went to the office door, and at- tached it to the outside knob, with a small screw, and then returned to bis v my What significance had the star? es ita signal of distress, or of warning? it is probable that not cne out of a hundred noticed it, in passing the office, and yet it was not long ere ove individual] caught right of it, a the street, and entered tbe speculator’s office. Hie was a burly, six-foot ruffian, with black bristling hair and beard, and a face with an ugly, brutal expression. e was roughly dressed, and a belt about his waist contained ea {c1midable arrey cf revolvers and knives, ;ivirg him at once a warlike and dangerous appearance. CHAPIER IL, A NEW PEASE—THE DOG AT CARDS. Gipsy Jack and Lis companions did not re- turn tu the fluts, after leaving the spee lator’s office, but rode on into the heart of the town, and drew up before the principal com- bined hotel, salocn, and gambling-place, known as the ‘Old Bourbcon—Kentucky, bill, proprie- tor.” Here, to the amezement of the crowd, the Gipsy and his dog began a free bit ot circus, for the benefit of those who were disposed to take in all the free sights. He steod upon his bands, on top of the horse, with bis feet in air, end while prered 1n this position, the segacious brute made a flyirg leap from the beck of the other white Lcre, and landed upon Gipsy Jack’s elevated feet. culy to stand erect upon his own hind feet, ana give vent to a victorious bark. The feat was yreeted with a wild shout of ap- pleuse, and the bystanders gathered nearer as Skip leaped back to bis own horse and turned aconm:plete somersault in so doing—a wonder- ful act by t*e way, seldom to be seen under any circumsiuuces, !? DOO S —_aGOm ~~ (EO)