Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 241 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

a weird light over the scene, and revealed the fact that every man either held a revolver in his hand or displayed the butts of a brace above the top of bis leathern belt. ‘*Thar’s only five more candles left,” called out arough voice at the toot of the pole. ‘‘ Who hezn’t shot yet ov the Cherubs?” ‘*T hevn’t. I’m the last man,” answered a tall, broad-shouldered and dark-bearded man «stepping from a group of fellows of his ilk, and throwing back the hammer of a huge “‘ navy.” ‘All right, Bowie Buck. Now git ready. The Tigers hev four shots on the Cherubs recol- lect. Ef you miss the candle they kin win by one pint. Now, up she goes!” As the speaker finished a spark of fire seemed t> leap from his hand and run up the pole. It was the candle in its bottle, the nocturnal target of the men of Cinnamon. owie Buck kept hiseye on the light until it stopped far overhead and hung in the heavens like a star, then his right hand went up, and at the crack of his revolver the light disappeared and a sbower of shattered glass came down- ward. A murmur of applause greeted this shot. ** Now fur the amateurs,” cried out the man at the foot of the pole as he lit one of the four remaining candles, ‘‘ This is a free-fur-all con- test, boys, ez far as neither the Tigers nor the Cherubs ar’ consarned. Atween them, to- night’s shootin’ seems to be a draw. Placer Pandy hez spoken fur one shot, an’ hez planked down his fee. Whar is he?’ $s Hyar ” The monosyllable was followed by the ap- ptaiwu vf a Man,on the vacant spot occupied by the marksmen Wheu ‘ring at the lighted bottle, ‘* T object to Placer’s shootin’ ez an amateur,” suddenly cried a voice from the dense crowd. ‘‘Ef he wants to keep in practice why doesn’t he jine one ov the clubs?” ith a curious smile and a flashing eye Placer Pandy turned slowly upon the man ha ken, The objector was one of his own build, six feet tall, with a Herculean frame and eyes as keen as an eagle. : ‘* Why don’t I jine one of the clubs, eh?” fell slowly from Placer Pandy’s “ as the eyes of the twain met. ‘‘I prefer to shoot on my own hook, Revelation. ow, Daisy, run up the light.” ‘tT object!” flashed the individual called Rev- elation, who stood at the head of the shooting club known as the Tigers.” Under the fist like mustache that covered his mouth, Placer Pandy bit his lip and seemed for a moment to have changed his mind about shooting at the candle, for he stepped back from the “scoring board” as if to make way for an- other marksman. “We'll take Placer into the Cherubs right away,” called out the rough voice of the bronzed _ leader of that organization. ‘‘ Dangerous Dan leaves to-morrer, an’ hez left the club, so we hey room fur Placer.” * ‘“‘Then he can’t shoot to-night!” announced Revelation Rube, triumphantly. Placer Pandy rejec the proffered election to the rights and privileges of the Cherub Shocting Club of Cinnamon, but his objections were overruled, and against his will he became a member of the organization. This prevented him from using his revolver on the candle that night, and seemed to nip in the bud a quarrel eee rising between himself and Revelation ube, — Piacer stepped back, but cast bis eyes up at the candle burning at the top of the pole. ‘‘Whar ar’ the amateurs to-night?’ called out the man who nate arm the ropes, in a derisive tone. ‘‘ Must the four last candles go beggin’, boys? Mebbe dollars are scarce? Down comes the light ef you all back out.” *‘T’ll take a chance,” said a voice directly be- hind Revelation Rubs, and as the speaker step- to the scoring board, he threw a silver dol- ar at the feet of the man at the pole. Instantly every eye was turned upon the boyish figure which bad appeared in the midst of the men of Cinnamon fico an. apparition. Men pressed forward with exclamations of sur- prise on their tongues, and one snatched one of the lamps from its pole and held it in the stran- spe ace in order that he might be inspected y all, ‘Stan’ back an’ give the boy a show, men! He’s paid his fee an’ is entitled to his shot. He need n’t give us his handle until he’s sent his bul- let to’ards ther candle, Don’t crowd ’im to death! Stan’ back thar an’ give ’im elbow- room. These words and commands had only partial effect. A few of the mystified men of Cinna- mon drew back, but the larger half of the crowd, notably the Tigers, peered Revela- tion Rube, held their ground if, indeed, they did not advance a few inches. The new-comer—no less a person than Dic- tionary Nat—stood his ground, and even smiled at the curiosity of the ruffians by whom he was surrounded. “By Jehu! it’s ther yankee book-rat from Virginia City!” excluimed Revelation Rube in an audible tone, which did not fail to reach Nat’s ears, and cause him to send a quick glance at the speaker, and then, in a louder tone, he addressed the crowd: ‘‘ Let’s all stan’ back, boys, an’ seé whether the youngster kin shoot.” ‘‘ Give ’im a new candle, Daisy! Thet one up thar’s most out,” cried some one from among the Cherubs. “No. Vil take my chances with the spark left up there,” answered Nat Grayscot firmly. “‘T am ready to shoot.” ‘*'Then blaze away.” Up went the youth’s revolver and a moment later its clear report rung out. ‘“‘He’s a daisy, sure enough!” exclaimed several as the light went out. *“*He can’t do it ag’in! candle an’ let ’Im try.” ‘‘T have satisfied myself, men of Cinnamon,” said Nat stepping back, but not before he had sent an arrow like glance full of triumph to- ward the spot where Revelation Rube stood, ‘* T will shoot no more to-night.” ‘*Mebbe he’ll hev to try livin’ targets afore he leaves Cinnamon,” almost hissed Revelation, whose eyes seemed to emit sparks of living hatred. ‘‘He used to practice with the re- volver at recess, V'll bet! Mebbe they used to shoot at candles in Ilinoy?”’ The last sentence went to Nat Grayscot’s heart with a thrill that made him start. How did Revelation Rube know that he used to teach school in Illinois? ‘*T never heard of candle-winking until to- night, sir,’ he said wheeling upon the captain of the Tigers. ‘“‘I have met you Lefore I believe in Virginia City. I trust you have recovered from that meeting.” There was an irony in Dictionary Nat’s voice which darkened with a scowl the face of the man before him. His cutting allusion to his victory over Revelation Rube in the Virginia City faro den where he had actually knocked him down, was enough to arouse all the tiger- ism in the desperado’s nature. ‘‘See hyar, no insolence!” grated the bronze brute. ‘You hed better stayed whar I left you. This is an onbealthy locality fur book- rats, an’ boys!” ‘‘But the chap heza right hyar ez long ez he behaves himself,” interposed Placer Pandy as he threw his tall figure forward and halted almost directly between Nat and his insulter. ‘‘' Thet’s so, Placer!” broke from the ranks of the Cherubs. ‘‘Boy er man, the stranger is got to hev a fair show.” Rube looked at the stalwart men who stood behind him, He was eager for a fight, but for the present the Tigers seemed to sympathize with Nat. ‘‘Make ‘im show his grit over the devil’s dram!” was whispered in Rube’s ear from be- hind. ‘If bis sand is ez good ez his shot war, he’ll prove no baby to tackle.” “All right!” said Rube, answering Placer Pandy, and the men who backed him. “ But the chap must set ’em up afore we give ’im a freedom ov Cinnamon. Thet’s the law for ” No objection was made to these remarks. Nat, who saw that be was caught in a snare, turned round and asked in a loud tone for a drinking-place. ‘“ All aboard fur Idaho Ike’s!” chorused fifty voices, and the crowd began to rush toward a saloon whose doors stood invitingly ajar at one side of the square. Revelation Rube turned away with a glare of savage triumph under his bushy lashes. _, Nat did not hesitate to follow the stream al- ready pouring over the threshold of the largest den in Cinnamon. He threw his glance through the crowd, but did not see Bill Bravo, ‘‘ He’ll turn up when I need him,” he said, to himself. ‘‘And I may want him very soon.” The next moment he felt the fingers of a huge hand close on his arm, but could not make out the features of the man, for he was just then crossing a darkened space. “ Don’t een fast, pard,” was said, ‘“‘ They ar’ goin’ mix the devil’s dram’ fur ye at Give ’im another Bill Bravo and His Bear Pards. OO SSE ER A EAT SAAS TE IS NS ST 28 aa i te 8 ee ee re ee ee Ike’s. [advise you to take it down ef it ar’ a» nasty dose. You mustn’t give Revelation Rube a pretext fur gittin’ his work in to-night in Cinnamon whar he rules the roost. Pm Placer Pandy. You’ve heard from me.” Dictionary Nat started, but did not reply. He had discovered his correspondent at last,. and from that moment he felt stronger and safer, for Placer Pandy and his revolvers were near at hand. The next minute he crossed the threshold of Idaho Ike’s uninviting den. CHAPTER IV. THE DEVILS DRAM, IDAHO Ikx. had built his saloon with a view of accommodating at one time the entire popu- lation of Cinnamon, The interior was commo- dious and furnished with rough benches and tables, the latter not covered with the proverbial green cloth, At Dictionary Nat’s heels, as he entered the place, trod Placer Pandy, the man whose rough scrawl had drawn him into the strange situa- tion, in which he then was. ‘‘ Hyar’s the chap!” greeted Nat’s appearance, but without noticing the thirsty and curious crowd ranged along a chalk line which Idaho Ike had just drawn on the rough pine floor be- fore the counter, he said quietly: ** What will you have, boys?” “Hold on!” exclaimed Revelation Rube.. ‘* We'll take whisky ov course; but ther young entleman must show his pluck by drinkin’ ther initiation dram. Mix it up fur ’im, Ike, and straights fur the boys.” . Nat stepped biak: a foot in order to better watch the manufacture of the drink which Placer Pandy had designated the devil’s dram, and when he halted he found himself at the miner’s elbow. ‘‘Gulp ’er down an’ never wink,” whispered Placer. ‘lf you want to win in the end, swal- ler the insult to-night.” *“*T may,” was the response. Meanwhile the barkeeper was emptying into a large-sized glass which stood on the counter a little of the contents of the various bottles that decorated his shelves. Visible smiles came to the faces of the spectators as he proceeded, and when he broke an egg into the glass and emptied , upon it a quantity o oe ee pepper from an ancient-looking castor, all eyes were turned to the youth. ‘‘'Thar’s yer medicine!” announced Ike, push- ing the mixture toward Nat, who stepped for- ward and took up the glass with the steadiest of nerves, ‘Drink ’er down ef you hev the grit!” hissed Revelation Rube, but his eyes said plainly: ‘‘ Drink the mess or fight!” Nobody watched Nat’s movements with more solicitude than Placer Pandy. The miner took a strange interest in the youth, and when Rev- elation Rube spoke he shot that wortby a glance which at any other time might have heen fol- lowed by the crack of the deadly revolver. ‘* He’s goin’ to take the dose!” went through the crowd as the glass approached Nat’s lips.. ‘‘ He hesn’t the grit ov a louse, ef he does know how to pink ther candle.” A moment later, or just as the young aven- ger’s nostrils caught a whiff of the disgusting mixture, he sprung back and raised the devil’s dram high above his head. His eyes flashed fire; his whole frame quiv- ered with excitement. ‘You can mix, but you can’t make me drink!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ If to refuse to taste this villain- ous decoction is to fight—ZJ fight !” Down came the glass, to be shivered to atoms on the floor at Revelation Rube’s feet, and Dic- tionary Nat stood before the crowd with a cocked revolver in each hand! ‘‘ He’s sp’iled it all,” groaned Placer Pandy, starting back. ‘‘ The chap’s got more grit than discretion; thet’s jes’ what Rube wanted ’im to do.” - For a moment the entire crowd seemed par- alyzed by Nat’s action. They drew back from the running mixture as though it was a serpent crawling toward them. All but Revelation Rube, from whose belt had leaped a revolver, which his right hand cocked in the dead silence which had followed the crash of the glass. ‘‘Gentlemen, I was to treat you,” said the youth. ‘‘Name yourdrinks, I will drink with you, but not the devil’s dram. That’s only for Oo 1999 Not aman moved, not a voice answered. Placer Pandy’s hand was once more at Nat’s. sleeve, but the youth gently disengaged his arm from its touch. : | com S (Gi ONO )0) (E(0)