Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 28 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ee eee ow OS - . = a ee ee eee ——— ae io oor llr? ——_—_ --———_- = + — - oe —— — — ——— - wo . -_—— ed, by your order, and your babes, unknown to you, sold toa band of roving Indians, You have always supposed them dead, along with ror wife, and you have lived as sinners are tted to live, in the supposition that your would have no heirs. In this you were mistaken, “One of your wife’s children grew up to maiden- hood, aud was placed under my care by an old north- ern fur-trader, and I now take pleasure in present- ing her a) your inspection. Stella, my dear, raise your vail!’ The young woman obeyed, and the rich man’s in- credv.ous gaze fell upon a fair face, perfect in out- line oud sweet in expression—a face that an artist ighi \vorship, or that might become a poet’s idol. . e cir was golden in hue and fellover the pretty shoul crs in profusion; the girl, as_a whole, was re- mark:.bly pretty—for she was yet but a girl not out of her teens by three years, “There!” the major exclaimed, enthusiastically, his eyes gleam with exultance, ‘how like you the piclure, Mi. Wadsworth? Do you not see before you tho very image of the wife whose death you caused, years ago? Stella, dear, this is the father = whom I have told you. What do you think of im 7? “As yet I haven’t formed-an opinion,’’ replied the gi}, eying the man, yeah, gimean “Ana you, Aaron Wadsworth—what do you think of my claimant?” “T recognize her,”’ was the reply, without hesita- tion, ‘‘ as Elvira’s child, and my heiress!’ But tere was a tone of menace underlying his speeca! CHAPTER VI. EVENTS OF A WILD, STORMY NIGHT. “Ha! ha!” laughed Deadwood Dick, defiantly, as he perceived that none of his comrades had been in- yured by the volley of bullets. ‘‘ Mates,” he said, his v Jice betra eg f ‘‘ we're in a tight fix, an’ no mistake. e ought to have come mounted, and then we could have shown these dogs our heels. But we didn’t, and here we are, neatly cornered, and with only one way open to us for escape—namely, vu») this ravine, which, after a mile of tortuous wind- inz ends in the face of a big, craggy barricade. tr .ere is no use, then, for us to try to escape in this d-rection. All we can dois fight, and let every shot t ‘la tale to these Regulators that will never be for- potten!’ “ Bravo, captain!” said Lieutenant Cambre, earn- e tly...“ Let this teach ‘em a lesson long to be borne in mind—that we're life even to the death,” And the road-agents took up the cry: “We're life even to the death!’ The gloom in this place was perfectly dense, and no idea could be formed of the exact locality of the euemy.”’ “T will try and reconnoiter a little,’’ said Dick, after consultation with the lieutenant. ‘The devils rvay be waitin’ fer it to lightning,” with an appre- honsive glance skyward, “and then they can pelt it to us handsome.” “Hold on,” ventured Buffalo Ben, eagerly; “let ene do the scoutin’,’ captain. Don’t be afraid to trust ine, fer I ain’t a-goin’ to try to run off till you say so.”" “Good!” Deadwood Dick exclaimed, cutting the y man’s bonds. ‘“‘Lreckon you're to be trust- ed, and I’ve heard that your skill as a scout _is won- derful; SO go ahead, and bring us back all the news ou can, J Ben tightened his belt, and after looking to the condition of his revolvers, which the road-agents had armitted him to retain he stepped cautiously away i ito the impenetrable loom, “We orter hev thet feller pa us,’’ declared one of the a admiringly, after the scout had disap- sare‘. : “T would not put his neck in the judge's noose by oin us,” replied Dick. iaffmencing him “True!” eed Cambre... ‘The brand of a road- arent should never rest upon his shoulders, as it ‘_0es upon ours. What kicked up the row to-night, captain, and stirred up the Regulator hornets’ nest?’ He who has once before caused me trouble—the Vieserter and traitur, Fred Audley,” replied Dick, “ J was passing through the street with my mask off, end a beard upon my face in place of it, when he recognized me, and pointed me out to Old Roxly the Regulator. “* Before I could draw a revolver and fire upon him he had oe in the crowd. I saw there was an un- healthy outlook for a feller of my description about then, so I lit out.” “You met the cusses started for here?” asked “Yes, or rather, ran through ‘em, and got several lead pills into my carcass,”’ witha low laugh. ‘“ But {i don’t mind ’em much, though they weakened on me at first.” In the meantime Buffalo Ben was creeping out of the mouth of the dark, narrow ravine, where his companions were waiting, into the wider and more inviting gulch, wherein. nestled Deadwood’s magic city, and from whence had come the discharge of s again after we divided and bre. s. The darkness seemed to be increasing—at least the sky was growing momentarily blacker, and threat- ened a fierce storm, ere long. Already Faint blushes of lightning were beginning to play across the angry heavens, and a dull roar of thunder became audible. “Let her pour as much as she pleases, but dis- pense with the fireworks,” muttered the young seout, crawling along, inch by inch, with utmost caution. “Sonechow, I wouldn't like to see Deadwood Dick aad his fellers cit laid out, though they ain’t much to me, to be sure; still, the Prince, as they call him, appears to be a pretty fair sort o’ chap.”’ n he gled, making less noise than a mouse; never off of his g , his eyes scrutinizing each sus- picious object until he was satisfied as to its nature, A half—yes, three-quarters of an hour passed, and Deadwood Dick and his men waited anxiously for the return of the scout. What could be the cause of his delay? “To me it seems about time the chap were giving an account of himself,’’ said Cambre, impatiently. “I could have scouted half around Deadwood in this ime.” “You express my thoughts, too,’ replied Dick, pacing back and forward. “He ought to be back by this time.”’ . ‘* And is back!” exclaimed a voice, and a dark figure loomed into view through the gloom, ‘ But ther ain’t time fer palaver, if you want to escape; so come along, an’ don’t make no more poise’n a cat!” . And without further explanation, he was gone, leav- ing for guide only the sound of his footsteps. But, this clew was sufficient for Deadwood Dick to follow, and he and his companions crept away through the darkness, labori under the delusion they were following the lead of Buffalo Ben. But, they were soon to be apprised of their mistake, Just as they debouched from the ravine into the gulch, there was a terrible jarring roar of heaven's artillery. followed by three successive flashes of lightning, that illuminated the black night with a vivid glare. Then came the deadly ring of a score of rifles— wild shouts of victory from a swarm of men who poured out from cover of the scattered pines—dying groans from dying road-agents:—it was a terrible moment, aud one in which life was expiring with every weapon’s ring—for a few of the Night-Hawks, with Deadwood Dick at their head, had stood the fire, and their flashing revolvers were speaking death to the enemy, each and every moment. But their number was ony five and the Regulators counted full three score; they made a triumphant rush, and swallowed up the little band—captured them, and bound them hand and foot. Then throughout Deadwood spread like wildfire the news of the capture of the dare-devil road-agents, and even thougss the storm poured down its deluge of water, and the thunder boomed along the heavens and the lightning’s glare was constant, the streets were thronged with an excited populace, eager to learn the truth of the matter, and get a glimpse of the prisoners. But in this ey were doomed to disappointment for Deadwood Dick and his pals had been hurried away to confinement in a strong cabin on the south- ern outskirts of the town. Here the crowd assembled, and standing in the drenching rain outside the grim structure, inside of which the road-agents had been locked, they dis- cussed the s ing events. Old Roxly, who had succeeded Denby, as chief of the Regulators, had stationed a guard every yard around the cabin, and warned them that if the pris- oners were not there at sunrise theirown necks must satisfy the hangman's noose. Then with the rest of his posse, he had spurred back to the Metropolitan, which was their head- quarters, and full a gallon of ‘“ tarantler juice ’’ was used to wash down the thirst occasioned by their great victory. In the meantime let us visit Deadwood Dick in his range prison. > The interior of the cabin was all in one apartment, and unfurnished. It had been one of the first struc- tures erected in the gulch, but for some strange rea- son, which we shall not attempt to explain, it had never been tenanted. Therefore Old Roxly had fitted it up as a cage for his captured birds, and the Prince of the Road and the remnant of his band were the first to occupy it. They were thrust rudely inside, bound hand and foot, after which the Re tors departed, locking the door after them, and leaving the little band to their meditations. Fortunately they were not gagged, and this left them a freedom o es 5 they hastened to improve, * Well,’ Deadw Dick said, after the Regulators had gone, ‘‘I reckon we few that’s left may consider ourselves lucky. I expected we'd git our necks stretched, sure Pov, when I found that the cusses were too many for us. How many is there left of us, mates; for I have not taken time to count up?” “There's six of us,’’ replied CamSre, who had been among those to stand up under the terrible fire. ‘Jean Douglass, Rock Luger, Dan Torbray, Kit Custer, and you and me.” ‘* And there were a dozen of us before!” the young chief muttered, bitterly. ‘* But, thank the Lord, our band ain't all gone ay There’s enough left at the stronghold to thrash the life out of these Regulator dogs—and they'll avenge us, too, bet your pile on st that.” ‘‘May my curses rest upon that Buffalo Ben!” cried Catbré, fiercely, ‘lt is to him we owe this summary defeat, for had we remained in the ra- vine —”’ “They could have picked us off, one by one, with the lightning’s aid, and made a more complete vic- tory than they have now!” finished Dick, decisively. “Traitor though this Buffalo Ben is, he couldn't have worked it any better for us; for while, if we had remained in the ravine we should all have been shot down, in coming out, six of us are alive, and stand a show of pony tee * A devilish poor show!"’ growled Kit Custer, “I opine we'll be called upon to try on Lynch's brand 0’ halter-collars afore another sunset, and that'll be the eend of our career,” ‘‘ Never give up the ship while there’s any hope, e SSeS SSS SSS —_——_ --—__— | | | | f see | | | which there always is as long as there is life,’’ said Dick, cheerfully. ‘‘Il would not take an offer of a thousand dollars for my carcass, now, for all death is grinnin’ at us, and apparently comin’ nearer ‘n’ nearer. My motto is your motto, mates—‘ we’re life even to the death.’ Is it not so?’ “Ay! ay!’’ assented the other five. ‘‘ We're life even to the death.”’ ‘Which, allow me to remark, ve expresses my sentiments !’’ exclaim ing from a rear end of the cabin. “Hello!” Deadwood Dick cried, startled beyond expen ‘*who are you, away back there in the ar de “I reckon the letters of may sognemen, properly placed, would spell Buffalo Benjamin!’’ was the cool response, as a dark object came rolling across the rough, wie | floor, “Guess you didn’t speculate that ye'd find hayr did ye, judgin’ from your conversation.’ . Well, no!’ the young chief admitted. ‘‘I sup- ° posed you were feasting with the Regulators, over your success in betraying us to our enemies.” ‘Hold on, thar, pard!’’ the scout cried, rather sharply; ‘‘I ain’t no traitor, and I don’t want to be called one. Ef the durned galoots hadn’t captured me, I should have come back to you with my report. As it is, I'm elected to swing along wi’ the rest o” you, all because they think I'm a road-agent, which I ain’t, nor don’t care to be.” ‘‘Ha! then you say you did not come and lead us down into the very face of the Regulators’ fire?” “T swear it, if necessary. By feelin’ o’ my uni- form, you'll see it’s buck-skin, instead of my buffler garb, The galoots give my suit to one o’ their crowd, an’ as a consequence he cum and fetched you right down into the limericks!”’ Deadwood Dick saw, with his keen power of per- ception, that the fearless young scout was telling the ruth, ‘“T must beg you to forgive my unjust suspicions ou!’ he said, earnestly. ’ utside the storm roared and tore with unusual fierceness; the rain poured down in a deluge, and made a rushing river down through Deadwood, put- ting to rout all pedestrians that were abroad; tear- ing out dams and sluice-boxes, and even carrying away tents and now and then a ‘saaoay 4 that stood in the way of the furious torrent. The thunder boomed and crashed as it had seldom been heard to do be- fore, and the terrible vivid glares of lightning came and went, incessantly, Only the guards paced their beats, and faced the weird musie of the warring elements. Silence prevailed in the cabin prison. No one seemed in a talkative mood; and, too, the roar of the storm nearly drowned the sound of their voices, The confined road-agenits dropped oif, one by one into a sound sleep. Buffalo Ben was not long behind them, though he tried to keep awake. It was approaching day-dawn when they awoke— awoke to make a startling discovery. While wrapt in repose somebody or something had prove their bonds, and they were free, to use their m pee their astonishment = further increased when, on “coun noses,’’—to use a western ex- pression—they mF the discovery that, by some strange and unaccountable means, one of their num- ber had effected his escape / And that one was—Deadwood Dick / appropriately a voice, com- me ip. of CHAPTER VIL. OUT OF BONDAGE—MUZZLE TO MUZZLE. Yrs, gone was Deadwood Dick, and no mistake, for he was notin the cabin, and a shout of joy es- caped the road-agents as they became assured of the act. ‘Thank God our captain has escaped, even though we are still in durance!”’ said Cambre, earnestly; ‘he will now strike a blow for our liberty, and we shall again be free!” , “Hurrah! cried the others, in unison—‘t Dead- wood Dick, forever!”’ “I'm puzzled to know how he escaped,’’ observed Buffalo Ben, examining the walls of the cabin. ‘*Hyer’s only one window, an’ that’s guarded with bars of iron. The dooris locked from the outside, an’ that leaves no other avenue of escape, as I can “Unless it is up through there,” pointing tothe fire-place and its accompanying huge chimney. “ He could get up through there if he had outside help, which he probably did.” “Right. That explains his escape.” “Couldn't we make a break in that direction?’” “Durned ef I ain't gittin’ in hayr.”’ to try to escape, I reckon,’ asked one of the men. tired 0’ stayin’ penned u “It is too near daylight replied young Jerome. ‘I've got a better plan,” said Lieutenant Camb thoughtfully. ‘*‘ Doubtless we shall soon have a visi from the Regulators. We must be on the watch, an’ when they open the door to comein we must rush out, and trust to our feet to take us out o’ danger,” “ You can do it if you like—not I!” Ben declared, decidedly. ‘‘Perhaps it may be your best chance, but, as for me,I am not a road-agent, and if I re- main it will be that much proof inmy favor. See?" “I’m afeard Old Roxly won't look at it in that light, pard. He’s a stubborn old jack-mule, an’ don’t listen toreason worth a cent. He'll calculate ye’re one of us who hadn't ap enough to attempt to es- cape, and consequently Judge Lynch will officiate at your funeral ‘twixt now and sunset.” “Well, mebbe so, an’ mebbe not,’ Ben answered, carelessly. “‘Reckon I'll stand my chances, anyhow. A feller can’t demise only onc’t; I hain’t very pur- tickler as ter ther time.”’ (El) (G) 90 )(0) S)(ElO)