Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 240 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

& Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. “Is there any outlet from the valley, except by the way [am to enter it?” he asked, when all was in readiness. ‘*There undoubtedly is, but where or of what nature Iam unable to say. Some of the Mor- mons often leave the village and return with purchases, and have done so since they lived there, but where they make their exit or entrance is more than I am able to say.” ‘Then that will be one thing I must learn during my sojourn in the den,” Kit announced, with a smile. ‘‘ Now, lead ahead, and I will make a break.” ‘Tt is not necessary to go out of this room to reach the passage,” Old Meg answered, pulling aside the bedstead, and pointing to another slab trap door in the floor, similar to the one on the table-land above. ‘‘Raise that trap, and you will find a con- tinuation of the stairway it took usso many months to complete. Follow it down carefully and you will come out.in the basin below.” It was as Old Meg had said. The little monntain-locked town of Gold- Flake was a hard place, and in a literal sense, a monarchy in itself, over which one Juan Cordiz, a Spanish-American disciple of the Mormon church, held supreme sway. The majority of the people were firm believers in the Mormon faith, and slaves to the willof their exacting and stern Prophet, while the other part of the population was made up the rutiian element, who served Cordiz for the gold and ase they got, more than for any love or respect they had for him or bis church. Cordiz was a selfish ay unscrupulous villain and tyrant, and hardly g person was there in his church who did not fear and hate him; but they were, as a crowd, bound to support and uphold him in all his actions, whether distaste- ful to them or not. Ever anxious to extend his power and increase his dupes, in number, he had from time to time caused outsiders to be brought to the town, and pressed into allegiance to his rule, and the de- mands of the church, so that it was a hetero- geneous collection of humans that went to make up the population of Gold-Flake. Tae town itself was quite a pretty place, of erhaps sixty or seventy dwellings, most! uilt of logs and stone; then, in addition, there was a sort of temple of stone; Cordiz’s own dwelling, a large, strangely-shaped piece of ma- sonry, built against the side of the basin wall; a supply store, and a large, long, bigh inclosure of logs, partly roofed, wherein was a ring, with tiers of seats around the sides, reminding one of the Roman ampitheaters of olden times. Adjoining this, and connecting with it, was an- other long, low log structure, which was used as a saloon. On the evening that Cyclone Kit started to enter the pocket, a number of the rougher class a the eweumed tm intit ne yo ere in sty oon, enga n imbibing the ardent, pre freely as well as in a discussion that was at once animated and earnest. As usual with their class of characters, when affected by. stimulants, their argument had turned to the subject of personal prowess, and as there were two sides of the dispute, there naturally were two objects of contention in the persons of the same number of local rouvhs. Of these, one was a tall, rawboned ‘border- man, with straggling tow-colored beard, fiery eyes and a red nose, on the end of which was a tuftof hair. He was brawny and powerfully built; and was evidently a man of prodigious strength. companions addressed him as Coyote ee and he looked brutal enough to merit the ible, The other ‘‘ best” man was called Alf Legree, and was of considerable Jesser size, than his opponent, thou a man of great muscular strength and quickness. ' He was swarthy complexioned, and black haired, with mustache and goatee to match, and was the impersonation in point of looks, of all that was disagreeable and evil. $ Both he and Coyote Jake were attired in ei boots, corduroy pants, red shirts and slouc hats, as were the majority of the party, and, likewise, were armed with revolvers and knives. ee those engaged in argument were some half a dozen of otber pilgrims of the same type, who rejoiced in. the ion of such titular Spoeecates as “Turkey Tom,” “ te ,”’ “Grizzly George,” and ‘‘ Prairie Phil,” while the two objects of discus- sion stood leaning against the bar, unable often to crowd a word in edgewise. ‘Thar ain’t no use o’ talkin’,” Turkey Tom ' > of. | declared, smiting his fist heavily upon the bar. ‘““Thar ain’t no sech phizerkle qualities about Coyote Jake as thar is in Alf Legree. Alf he jest stands high cock-olorum 0’ this hyar city, an’ ye kan’t fetch a feller as will knock a chip off’m his shoulder, or beat him at any game.”’ ‘‘ Whew! one would think ter heer ye crow, that Coyote Jack hedn’t won his spurs, as boss 0’ the burg!” Carbonate Cal exclaimed. ‘‘ Ef any o’ you chaps wants ter match Legree ag’in’ Jake fer the ‘scales,’ alb ye’ve got to do is nominate yer ‘pile,’ an’ heer’s w’at’ll cover et, kerslap!” ‘*Bab! there’s no use 0’ wranglin’ about thet, fellers,” Prairie Phil said. ‘‘ Kf thar’s enny doubt about ther respective qualities uv the ‘gents, et’s bound to be settled soon, as ye may surmise!” ‘What! how’s that?’ Legree asked, for the first time speaking in several minutes. ** How’s that?’ Coyote Jake asked, also mani- festing interest. ‘* It’s how like this,” Philip declared, taking in a bugechew. ‘‘ The Prophet is a-goin’ tew take to himself a fresh wife, an’ you know he allus celebrates on sech occasions by lickin’ two 0’ the best galoots in the town.” The faces of the others betrayed surprise. ‘* Juan Cordiz going to marry again?” several exclaimed, simultaneously. “Yas, you bet! leastwise that’s the rumor. Six ain’t enough ter keep him company, so he’s goin’ to build on an addition an’ waltz ina seventh.” ‘‘ Phew! won’t there be war in camp then?” Carbonate Cal grunted. ‘* Queen will be b’ilin’ wi’ rage, and some one ’ll get a job o’ knife- rascon you bet! Who’s goin’ to be the sev- enth¢ ‘*' The gal Prophet’s bin raisin’ up the last few years—the old witch’s darter, you know, Bertie Bird. She’s calculated to be the purtiest in Gold-Flake.” ‘* An’ the i A a-goin’ to take her, eh?” Legree demanded, fiercely. “That's the talk up av the mansion,” Philip agreed. ‘‘Why? Hev you got any lip-in’, in the matter?” “Waal, I reckon! I’ve set my mind on ap- ropriatin’ thet gal myself, an’ I don’t allow ophet Cordiz has any right ter object or in- terfere.” ‘‘Ho! ho! ye’d better not tell him thet, or he’ll.have you jugged for resisting his rules.’ ** To blazes with his rules! I don’t allow he’s no better man than I be, an’ he knows | ain’t afeard o’ him, if Coyote .’ake is.” ‘‘ Who is it that says he fears not Juan Cor- diz?’ a voice cried in 8s accents, and the oup of men turned to, behold the Mormon Fro het standing in the doorway, a frown of displeasure upon his face. oO was it?’ he repeated, when no one an- swered. ‘8 up, some of you lubbers, or I'll run youthrough with my sword.” But the ruffians seemed inclined to shield one ancther, despite their different opinions as to who was the bully of the town, and according- y did not answer the query propounded by their ruler, ‘‘Aha! so there is a pretty bit of tyrann here, eh?’ Don Juan growled, advancing threa eningly; ‘‘a sort of mutinous spirit that needs quelling. Alf Legree, you are the man that said you were not afraid of me.” Legree did not deny it—did not answer at all. It was plain that he was,afraid of the Prophet of the walled city, and that he had company in those who clustered about him, for they all shrunk back as the Don advanced. | , ‘Yes, Legree, I heard you say it—that you were not afraid of me—and it is not the first time I’ve heard it hinted that you would. some day ‘clean me out’ and take my place at the head of our people. You must well know that you are no match for me in point of strength, skill or celerity.” ‘Perhaps not,” Legree finally said, ‘‘ but I presume I could give you a pretty stiff rub. I ain’t much at brag, but I never allow a man to kick dust in my eyes, no matter ef he do feel a few pegs bigger nor I!” The Prophet looked surprised and angered. It was the first time his supremacy had been Capes by any of his flock. e had made it his aim to be feared and obeyed, and had succeeded, until now, ably, He was aman not calculated to inspire any timid person with feelings of assurance or ee ae a who stood = a a 0 om and who was massiv gracefu framed, with a dusky Spanish Eoacandl black eyes, a sweeping iron-gray mustache, and hair - : ——— to match—the whole combined with a habitua) facial expression that was dark, evil and sinister. He was attired in a rich gold-trimmed Spanish costume of velvet, and armed with a gold-hilted sword, and revolvers. He stood regarding Legree for a few moments, after the latter’s declaration, with a glitter in his deadly eye, that meant hatred. ‘* We shall see about this a few days hence, when I take the fair Bertie Bird to my nest. I always celebrate an event of marriage, by challenging the best man in Gold-Flake to meet me in mortal combat, and I hereby challenge you tostand up before me!” ‘‘ And I respectfully decline!” Legree said,, grufily, ‘‘You can try Coyote Jake, here, first!” ‘‘Not muchly!” the valiant Jacob declared. ‘When I want to get dissected, I’ll go before a regular mederkle body.” Don Juan laughed, tauntingly. ‘“‘A brave gang of dowsadla you are, to be sure!” he sneered. ‘‘ Why, when I was of your ages, | could tackle ten men, single-handed. But, [am getting old, now— ‘*** But none too old to marry |’ “By the way, I am expecting a party of people from EasternUtah, to pay me a visit, and desire that the greatest attention be showm them, in order that we may perhaps induce them to settle here with us.” Then, the Prophet turned to depart. the doorway, stood the comman man. And that man was none other than Cyclone But, in g figure of a The Prophet uttered a sanctimonious oath, as he saw him, ‘* Hello! what means this intrusion? Who are you, sir stranger?’ he cried, drawing his gleaming sword, with a lightning movement that would have surprised even a professional swordsman, ‘ , man, before | cleave thy skull in twain, with a single blow. What do you want—who are you?” — ‘Well, sir!” Kit replied, composedly, ‘‘ to the best of my ideas, my name is Cyclone Kit, and I just tumbled down into this pit; to see what kind of a menagerie was kept here. Quite a fall from them rocks, above, I allow!” o.- ‘* More of a fall than you ever made, sir!’ | the Don declared, Fp . “Out with it—how did you reach t lace?” ** As I remarked before, [ come down on the air-line. ‘’Spect, when I tumbled over them cliffs, I'd ’a’ been smashed Up party bad, only L happened to have an ambriller with me, an’ thet_eased me down, like slippin’ off an iceberg.” “You are an infernal liar, and if yoa don’t tell me how you gained access to this place VIR cut you up, inch by inch!” the Prophet cried, flying into a rage. ‘¢1'1] bet you ducats you won't,” Kit respond- with his usual perturbable coolness. “There ain’t enough edge on your toad-sticker there to make a crease in my pelt.” ‘‘Oho! ain’t there, though? You evidently don’t know whom you are talking to, sir!” ““Oh, yes I do—know ye like a Psalm-book.” ‘* Well, who am I?’ the Don asked, in curiosi- ty to know if the audacious stranger really did know him. “Oh! you’re a pocket edition of Brigham Young!” Kit answered, readily. ‘‘ You claim the name of Juan Cordiz here—a Mormon pre- tended Prophet—but thar’s them that knows you once had another name.” “wr, Cordiz started and flushed, while his glitter- ing eyes scanned the face of the young adven- turer eagerly. ‘* Curse you! perhaps bee are right,” he owled. ‘I may have had a hundred names, ut it is enough that you do net know them. You say ie are Cyclone Kit—are you aware that you ve ventured recklessly into your tomb?” ‘‘Ob, no! Iain’t down on the books for sev- eral years yet. You of course will extend me the hospitality of your church and city, provid- ing I hitch on to a dozen wives, more or less— will you not?” ‘‘} don’t think I will,” the Don growled. «You are evidently a person I don’t care to in- flict on the people of my church as a brother. Therefore, as no man entering, here can ever leave alive, there is but one thing else to be done—we must fight!” CHAPTER IV. , RENEATH THE PULPIT. IT was no a to Cyclone Kit when Don Juan announced that he must fight. GONE OO) “Ss ~