Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 28 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

———— ———— eee oe eee — ——— ini act _——_—_—_—_ we —_———— —_— = | | t f ‘ — = - - - ” ——— -- ————— -—-—————_ —__—_ ——— ee Oa girl thet’s in yer power, I’m aduck ef I don't hev you strung up ter ther nearest tree.”’ FEF i we Pre oe se oin’ do!” St. Elmo re , Sneeringly. “It w re your steady attention to wahok us.”’ bt FR **Oh! never you fear but what Ill make both ends meet,’’ Walt replied, perching himself upon a stump close at hand, without wavering his aim. ‘‘I mos generally go through with what I undertake. ‘“*Some one ‘ll come <x? ees ed whom I can get to give me a lift. Ha! n't I tell you? Here comes a fellow, now.”’ A man clad in full hunter’s costume was descend- ing from toward the top of the mountain, and ata e from Wrestling Walt he A roached., t was the same iron-frame bontarer who had called upon J. Aaron Wadsworth, and given his name as Luke Ransom—or Lightning Luke. “Well! well! young feller, you seem ter hold a full hand!” he exclaimed, with a broad grin, as he ap- proached, ‘Think so! well, now, I don’t count two tricks a very full hand. Couldn't hold enny more, at present, very conveniently, mage “No, I shed say not. ’at’s the row?” *‘Oh! these worthies have been floggin’ somebody inside, there. I called em out, an’ convinced ’em that it was best fer’em to stand here under m guardianship till sum one come along to investi- gate. “Til see about it,’’ Ransom said, striding toward the cabin. “Hold on!’ Walt ordered, authoritatively; “ not so fast, thar, if ye please!”’ ‘** How?” the borderer asked, looking back. ** Don’t be so much in a hurry,” Drayton advised. ** Just bind these two wolves in men and wimmen’s garb, an’ then we'll both take a look.”’ Accordingly Lightning Luke produced some stout cord from his game-bag, and securely bound the wrists of St. Elmo and Silver Sal together. “Thar, now,”’ he said, with a laugh, “‘ ye can take a eee down ter ther guich ef ye like, an’ ex- hibit yerselves fer ther Siamese twins.’’ “Sure enough; git a-goin’!” a d Walt, and with the toe of his boot he gave St. Elmo a start-off, and away went the strangely-assorted pair, howling back their threats. Salwas for staying near to the cabin, and keeping a watch over it, but her unamiable com- _— pulled her along down the hill, bent on find- ing — one kind enough to release him from his onds. Wrestling Walt and Ransom now turned their at- tention to the cabin, after watching the prisoners go down the hill, On entering, they beheld a sight that caused them to involuntarily cry out in horror—to hide their eyes to keep out the terrible sight. Lying upon the floor, welterin blood—blood that had gushed from cruel wounds upon her body, was a young girl, of seventeen, or tiereabouts, in a state nearly akin to nudeness, for ler dress was torn down to her waist. On her back were bloody welts and gashes that had been made by an ugly rawhide whip, which lay upon the floor; blood was smeared upon a face that was very P abina’ in feature; the hair was long and golden, and very heavy. she was lying in a state of semi-insensibility; she did not seem to know of the presence of the two men, yet she groaned in a low, pitiful manner. “ This is awful!’ exclaimed restling Walt, shud- dering. ‘It’s lucky for the poor thing’s persecutors that 1 knew nothing of the enormity of their crime, for I'd have shot them down without hesitation.” ** And served ’em right,’ agreed Ransom. “ But come; let’s git the gal out of this difficulty; ugh! I hate to tech her, fer fear it will hurt her.” - “What shall we do wi’ her?” the wrestler asked, ar sacpeagee b ‘Hanged if I’m much of a nurse fer wimmen kind.” “Leave me ter ‘tend ter that part,” responded Ransom, “I’m sum’at of a nurse myself, We'll just kerry the gal up ter a cave about a mile above here: that’s whar I hold out, and she'll be safe."’ “Very well,” assented Walt. He was glad enough to have the borderman take the responsibility from his shoulders. “ Let’s get to work before that old she-cat and St. Elmo come back upon us.”’ They tenderly raised the maiden from the floor, end while Drayton held her up in an upright posi- tion, Luke Ransom washed and dressed her wounds > with care and skiJl. Her torn dress was then re- adjusted, and she was made more comfortable. etween them the two men carried her out of the cabin, and up the mountain-side, far above where civilization had encroached with its canvas and wooden abodes. Here was a large fissure or open- ing in the crags, which led into a cave of moderate dimensions. ; A fire was burning, which gave the surroundings something of a chee:ful appearance. A few blan- kets, a rude bench or table, and a couple of camp- stools comprised the furniture. “There!” exclaimed Ransom, as the girl was laid upon the blankets. ‘‘ Now, we'll fetch her to, an’ see what there is about this matter. Danged ef she ain't right perty, now, fer one o’ her size.” ‘I[agree with you,” the wrestler replied, admir- ingly. ‘‘Somewhere I’ve seen a face that reminds me of this, and hair, too, alike, but I cannot now tell where.” . The blood was washed from the face, thereby en- hancing its rare beauty, and the hair combed out; then Ransom poured a small quantity of liquor be- tween the pale lips from a flask that he carried. The effect was satisfactory, for in a few moments the poor thing gave a gasp, and opened her eyes, staring about her in evident affright. **Don't be skeered, miss,’ Luke in little pools of said, gently, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. “ Ye're in safe hands, now, an’ ye needn’t be afeard o’ our w’ippin’ you; eh, pard?”’ ‘**No; we’re your frien ““How do you feel?” !” replied Walt, earnestly. Pom so very lame and sore,’’ moaned the girl. ‘‘My back seems perfectly raw, and my head aches, terribly.” — **No wonder; them brutes nigh "bout killed you, hanged ef they didn’t. War the woman yer moth- er?’ **Ugh! no; Lhave no mother nor father—only a same age, and God only knows e er’s home where we lived, and brought me to this place. She brother, of m he is, now. have not seen him fora woman stole me from him and the fur-tr ear. tried to make me dance in a whisky hell, but I wouldn't, and she beat me without mercy; but, thank God, I was strong enough to hold my own, un- | til to-day, when she got a bad man to hold me, while she flogged me with a cruel whip!”’ A ery of horror esca honest Luke Ransom, Menea alt Drayton uttered an oath under his rea she never deemed St. Elmo such a base villain as this. Together they had visited-various towns through the West, and wrestled before large audiences; never on very intimate or friendly terms, yet Drayton had not cared so much about it, for he perceived that St. Elmo was of a grim, taciturn nature. But he had never counted him so great a villain. **T’ll *tend to this matter, lady,” he said. ‘If the woman an’ her eo a don’t suffer twice what you have suffered, why, I’m out of my mind.”’ “Thank you, sir; both of you are very kind, and I shall always feel grateful toward you. Heaven alone knows what had been my fate had not you come and ae eg at the door, for I was fast yielding to the ure.”’ ‘* And do you feel any better now?”’ ‘** Yes, my back does not pain me so much, though it is very sore.”’ “Tt will soon be well, if you keep quiet,” said Drayton, ‘‘ Here you are safe, and need fear noth- ing. But you have not told us your name?”’ ‘I had forgotten, sir, it is Belle Jerome.” “Jerome? I’ve heard such a name, somewhere, What was your brother’s handle?” ‘**Ben, sir—Buffalo Ben, he was more generally called, because he wore a buffalo-skin suit.’ “Buffalo Ben? Is it possible? Why, there is a fel- low here in Deadwood who answers to that name and suit; =, come to think, he has golden hair, like ours!” “Oh! that is my dear brother!” cried the girl, toh up, wonderfully. ‘Are you sure he is ere?”’ ** Positive, for I saw him, not two hours ago, come out of a powder store, down in the gulch.”’ ‘Then, please go and find him, at once, and bring him here, will you?” ** Prudence would advise that I wait 'til night be- fore venturing out, for fear your enemies might be watching, and bring overpowering numbers to recap- ture you. Then, you shall see him.” So they waited ‘for darkness; but before it came there came something else that effectually prevented the wrestler from leaving the little cabin on his mis- sion—something frightful, unexpected. CHAPTER IX. THE DUEL—IN PERIL. *THrer!’’ shouted Fergueson—*“ fire!” Then there were two sharp, ringing reports, and a jet of flame lea from each revolver-muzzle—the sing of two leaden death-messengers was distinctly heard by the spectators. ** My gold nugeit m tJ seventy million dollars, thet ther boyee ain’t hurt!’’ roared the man from Pota- to Gulch. ‘‘ Whoop ’em, Eliza Jane! who wants ter bet—seventy million ag’in’ my nuggit?” All were electrified at the result of the duel. Buf- falo Ben stood with folded arms, uninjured, un- daunted. ‘ Major Fawdon’s left wrist was shattered, and bf freely; and the major was loudly. “Bind up my hand!” he cried fiercely; ‘* I'm going to kill that young thief, next time!” **Oh! Eliza Jane!’ howled Rattlesnake; “ will ye stand that, Buffler!Ben-jam-in? Wull ye allow thet red-nosed gi age — ter call ye a clepto- mannyack h! boyee! boyee! ye’ll never rise to ther Presidental cheer, ef ye allow a feller ter slin ‘thief’ in yer face, et this early stage. Don’t h so much arfter ye’re once elected ther fayther o’ — country; but, now, oh! Eliza, my —— inted p rose, [blush fer thee, I do, frum the very soul o’ my stogy boots!”’ **Bind up my hand, I say, somebody!”’ again cried the major, inarage. ‘‘ The next time I’ll—”’ ** Git salted worse ’n what you did this time!” fin- ished Ben, coolly; ‘‘so Ishould advise you to stop before you go too far.” **Oh! you can crow as much as you please, curse you!’ Fawdon returned, savagely. “It’s your life or mine, now!"’ “All right; I’m satisfied if youare. I judge I can fix es out in fine style, with one more shot. ‘** Hurra! three cheers fer ther Star-jangled Span- ner!’ roared he from Potato Gulch, executing a creditable highland fling, in the middle of the space allotted to the duelists. ‘“*‘ My gold nuggit ag’in’ sev- enty trillion, thet Buffler Ben wins the race wi’out breakin’. He’s a thorough-bred stallion, ar’ Ben, fel- ler-pilgrims, an’ kin jist crawl away frum yonder lazy jack-mule, Jeeutiful!”’ ‘*See here!” the major yelled, rushing up to the eccentric miner, and for the moment forgetting his injured wrist, “you noisy lout, I want to hear less ee | sympathized with him in his trouble. a * - 2 _ ————— — you'll be sorry. Call me that over again, and I’ll undertake the responsibility of knock- ing fans down.” *Oh! Eliza!” geenes the other, evidently aston- ished, ‘‘ you knock me down, you long mule— you red-nose son of a pot-’ras’ler—”’ Up came the officer’s hand, and a blow was aimed full in Old Rattlesnake’s bewhiskered face; but it was dextrously warded off, and the next thing the unlucky major knew he was lying outstretched upon the ground. “Whoop ‘em up! Eliza Jane!’’ sung the miner, victoriously. ‘‘ Thet’sther kind uv a Thomas K. Cat Iam. Did ye hear me me-e-eow?”’ The major was assisted to his feet by a couple who His clothes were dirtied, one foot was wet, having projected in- to the sluice, and his left eye was swollen shut. A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd, as they looked at him. One would have said that he was badly whipped, at a first glance; but such was not the case. ‘““Where is Buffalo Ben?” he demanded, gazing around with his one useful eye. “Oh! Eliza!’’ murmured Rattlesnake, with a grim- ace—‘' I thort he war about ter ask fer 2ne.”’ * Buffalo Ben is here!"’ the youth replied, from precisely the same spot where he had stood when he wounded his antagonist. “If you ain’t satisfied yit, why, come ter time at onc’t, and I'll feed ye." ** Yes,”’ said old Jack Fergueson, impatiently; “ ef ye want any more, major, come ter bizness; time's money, now-a-days, you know.” ** Sech bein’ ther case, hyer’s a me-e-eowin’ Thom- as K. Cat as would like ter swop off a few hours o’ time each day, fer a big allowance of filky lucre!”’ the man from Potato Gulch announced, gravely. The major got one of the crowd to bind up his wrist. It was excessively painful, but his honor was at stake, and he was determined to wreak vengeance on the cool youth, who stood smilingly looking on— the golden-haired young scout, who was hourly win- ning golden opinions from the rude, honest mining element. The wrist bandaged, the major toed the mark, a revolver cocked in his right hand, which trembled perceptibly as it came to bear. ‘** Now, gentlemen, do fer Heaving’s sake make yer pellets count, this time; no more o' yer tender-heart- edness, or I’ll thro’ up the sponge!”’ Fergueson cried, peremptorily. ‘“‘I’ll say one, two, three an’ away she goes, an’ I want ye to sock et ter each other fer kill. D’ye hear?”’ ‘We do!” he en Ben, slipping a loaded cartridge in the place of the exploded one. ‘“ We're y, now, so go ahead wi’ yer Centenyal clam-bake,”’ r’ ye ready, major?” ‘**Perfectly,’’ was the mechanical response, “ Ar’ ye ready, Ben-jam-in?’’ queried the man from Potato Gulch, anxiously. el ad tee, fl assured Ben with a grin. ‘** Very well; we'll perseed ter business,”’ Fergueson announced. ‘* One!” , Up came the revolvers to a dead level. Ben was cool, self-possessed, fearless. Major Fawdon was pale and nervous: his hand trembled so much that it was with difficulty he could keep anything of an aim upon his adversa- ry’s heart. +s Two ; he ommeee / and away she goes!” cried Fergueson, rapidly. wo flames lea from the steel tubes, and then the major utte a yell of pain. This time a bul- let had shattered his right hand, tearing one finger out of joint. Truly this was wonderful marksman- ship; and applause was given without limit. Ben stooped and picked up a long lock of golden- hair that Fawdon’s bullet had c oe from one side of his head, without drawing blood, “Pretty close shave!” he remarked, with a grim smile; ‘they say a miss ar’ good’s a mile, however. What ails the major? Got a stomachful, eh?” ** Have he?’ roared the Potato-guichian, ‘‘ Reckon so. Whoop ’em up, Eliza, blushin’ primrose; ‘het’s ther kind ov shootin’ I luv ter see. Plugged et ter him jes’s hansum as ary mortill man ked do, an’ not half try!” The major swore roundly, and shook his injured right fist at Buffalo Ben eee nen. ‘Curse you!” he cried, his face livid with hate. “Tll be even with you, yet, or my name ain't a Fawdon. Even though you have disabled me, there ar’ men in Deadw who'll work for ey: and whom you won’t trifle with, Remem- r bh) And then the vanquished duelist turned, and left the spot, followed by a taunting laugh from young Jerome, and also another laugh from some unknown source—the terrible, chilling laugh of Deadwood Dick—wild, mocking, awful! But no one knew whither it came; yet a suspicion was naturally aroused, that, in deep disguise, the dare-devil road-agent chief was in their midst! Among a hundred men, how could one man be singled out as the disguised Richard? ajor Fawdon returned to his hotel, and as he ran up the steps Stella came out to meet him, ‘Oh! George!” she exclaimed, her eyes dilating, * vou have been hurt.” ; ‘Ruined for life!” he swore, holding sy ty hands, ae: ‘*Ourse that boy; I'll have his life for is. “T told you you'd get the worst of it!’’ was her offered consolation. “If I had not exacted a prom- ise from him, he would have killed you.” After the duel, Buffalo Ben sauntered off toward the heart of the town, while the crowd dispersed in several directions. . Everywhere were little knots of miners and citi- > OOO) eoim (G S;GOlmM