Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 ‘And Big Buckskin—" “Is here!" a voice answered, as a man stepped into the shanty. “I am glad to be just in time to participate in the arrangements for my disposal.’’ CHAPTER X. BURK MURDOCK STRIKES AND GETS STRICKEN. THE sudden appearance of Big Buckskin, caused Jubal and Agnes Andre to leap to their feet in con- sternation. ’ ‘The faces of both grew white, and they stood lit- erally at bay, as if expecting an attack. Buekskin advanced into the room, and closed the door behind him, after which he placed his back against it, a strange, hard smile coming over his features. “ Well, you seem to be surprised,” he said. La bear, that you stare at me, so?” “You are an intruder, here!’ Jubal Andre re- torted sternly. * Can’t see how you make that out. I believe it is customary for one to visit one’s wife, and daddy-in- law, occasionally.” * Begone, man! You have no such claim on me. * Am Begone! I say, or 1 will have you cast back into | prison from which you have escaped.’ “Ha! ha! That was liberal of you to provide for me, eight years, wasn’t it? But as it happens, now, { remained in jail about two weeks. A homeless chap wanted a permanent place to stay in and [ let him try his hand on mine. So you see, you got left on that calculation as you will on all others, In Fact, you are getting pretty close to the end of your rope.”? “You are Andre sneered, “ Not a bit of it!’’ the sport replied, coolly. ‘* De- spite the noble plot of yourselt and my exquisite bride, to kill me, I am still alive. The Murdocks are evidently not disposed to tackle a man whom they have been dodging for some time.” Jubal Andre grew livid with rage, for he knew that the sporthad in some strange way made him- self aware of their infamous compact. Rig Buckskin went on, coolly: * } just overheard you mention something about making a disposal of me, and as I am quite inter- Benod, in such matter I'd like to have you state your plan. “If you mind your business, you will likely fare all right!’ Andre growled. ‘“ Butif you meddle in our affairs, you’) rue it. My daughter does not like you, and desires you to keep as much out of her sigi:t as is possible.” “Tam aware of her very affectionate feelings to- ward me,’ was the taunting answer, “It is a pity she can love only me, when so many poodles and snobs need her attention, But, by the way, I hear that the fair es is about to marry the English manikin who himself Sir Royal Rignoldy” “ You are misinformed!"’ Agnes returned, haugh- tily. “Until I get a divorce, you probably under- stand that I cannot marry any one, unless fortune should will it that you die, soon!” * Fortune, presuinedly, will not accommodate you, in this respect. However, I came to warn you that Lam aware of your design to put me out of the way, and any move in that direction will be frus- trated, and you'll find yourself cast into jail. A word to the wise is sufficient!" He turned and left the shanty. As he was crossing the gulch, toward the Bonanza, an arrow sent with great speed, just grazed the tip of his ear. Wheeling, he was just in time to see a figure dodge down out of sight, bebind a large bowlder, and it required no second thought to couvince him that it was the vindictive 1 Eagle. Drawing a revolver, he dropped upon his knees, and crept toward the rock, keeping his gaze on the alert, so as not to allow the savage to escape. To reach the bowlder behind which the savage was concealed, a number of clumps of bushes had to be skirted; in passing them, Buckskin had no thought of enemies being concealed therein, until— suddenly he felt himself borne flat to the earth, with a weight upon his back of several human bodies, and a hand was clapped over his mouth. In quick time he was helplessly bound and gagged and undisputably a prisoner of the Murdock Broth- ers. Ii was now evident that the arrow fired by Red Eagle had only been sent as a decoy to lure Big * Buckskin into the Murdocks’ trap, for the warrior now skulked forward with a demoniac grin. “You smuggle him off down the trail,” were Burk Murdock’s orders to his companions, ‘and guard him closely in the cave, while I go and hunt up Jack and make terms with Andre. Curious what bas become of Jack!" He then left them to get the prisoner out of the town, without attracting attention, while he went more into the heart of the camp in search of Jack, who, asthe reader knows, Denver Doll had locked up in the room at the Bonanza Hotel. After a deal of inquiry, by which he succeeded in learning nothing satlatactory. he came to the Bo- nanza Hotel, just as Denver Doll was about entering it, in company with Little Bill, Burk Murdock was ignorant of the fact that the Detective Queen had been intimate with his brother, but knowing her profession, be did not care to con- verse with her. But the moment she saw him she called out: * Hello there! Looking for some one?” He turned with a start, but quickly recovered his ge See * Who said I was Inkin’ fer any one?’ he demand- ed, and then wheeled and stalked on. possibly mistaken!’ Jubal } --- OE -— ~-_-----—-—_ = ceeecemmeere se - Denver Doll's Decoy. Denver Doll sprung down the steps and drew a revolver. He faced about, however, leveled at her. “‘Ourse you!” he roared, ‘ li blow your—” The remainder of the sentence was drowned by the report of his weapon. Denver Doll tottered back, the bullet having grazed the cap of ber left shoulder, and her weapon drop- ped to the ground. Murdock cocked his weapon quickly, with the with a cocked weapon evident intention of finishing the job, but just then | resounded two distinct pistol reports, and Burk Murdock, the noted desperado, threw up his hands and took his last breath as he fell to earth. One shot Little Bill had fired, and that had struck the outlaw in the thigh; the ‘other, which had pierced bis brain, had been sent by the unerring aim | of no less a personage than George Washington Gum, who had opportunely been approaching the hotel from another direction. A crowd quickly gathered about, and the excite- ment naturally ran high. ** Who is this fellow?” several asked. * 7] can answer that question!’ Denver Doll cried, walking forward with an effort. ‘‘ That man is, or rather was, Burk Murdock, leader of the notorious | Murdock Brothers—for he is now dead!" ! . when on being asked the reason why, he explainod | | ; } ; ' t | | ' * And I, George Washington Gum, was the feller | ter put the rat-hole in his temple. Gents, my mis sion here is as a book-agent. Irepresent the leading yublishing houses of the country. al volume here, entitled the *‘ Art of Shooting,’ also ‘How to Make Love,’ ‘How to Play Games,’ * How to Eat,’ ‘How to Conduct Funerals in fact, any- thing and everything. Who wants to buy?" But the excitement was too great for Gum to push his case successfully. The news quickly spread that the notorious Burk and there was rejoicing among the majority of the populace, So excited did the rougher element grow that the body of the unfortunate man wes strapped to one end of along hickory pole, and it was raised and planted amid thundering cheers! Wild ana unfecling, these men who participated in this unseemly celebration numbered a majority, and the minority did not dare interfere, Fifty feet above terra firma was Burk Murdock, at least, if he never got any further toward the gates of the Eternal City, and a most novel and striking example, too, of the vengeance of the men of Bill's Bonanza upon their enemies. After declaring the identity of the outlaw, Denver Doll weut into the hotel, and got Nelly Kelly to dress throughout the town T have a de-uti- | | | | —- - a ee eee —_ to Doll, whom he had followed to the hotel: *Wull, fairest Lulliputian, I will tell ye,” he said, disgorging a huge quid and hurling if out of doors; “TflLunbuzzom myself, so thet ye won't allow there's nothin’ cowardly about me. Ye sev, 'm in love- despritly in love, for the fust time in my life, an’ I jedged aforehand that should I go inter battle an’ get salivated, I might never be able to reach the sununit of my aspirations. Sol stayed behind An’ now, I want to ax a favor 0’ you, mum.” ** What is it, Gulliver?’ Doll demanded in curiosity. “Why, ye see, I want ye ter intercede for me wi’ my dory, who don't ’spicion that I keer fer one rib in her corset. I want ye jest to bite a hunk onto’ her wax-like ear, and then whisper to her thet I love her, hey got thirty pound o’ coined bar an’ three mules, and want to harness on ter her as my leader thru’ this weary vale o° tears.” ‘** But who is this amorita of your fancy, Gulliver?” ‘**Whor Who else, indeed, but the queen of royal beauty, Sal Slap!” * What! that old termagant?” * Perzactly! Ef evyer thar war mortal business in mortal woman it sticks right out ov old Sal, by gum! An’ then, tew boot, she’s so pritty and fawn-like, that I allow she an’ me would make an excellent match,” ‘Well, I'll see what I can do for you, by and by,’ Doll said, turning away, her face clouded with anxiety and apprehension. She was apprehensive lest Big Buckskin might be killed ere assistance could reach him, forhe had told her that the Murdocks were bis deadly enemies, and would kill him at sight if they got a chance. And no wonder she was keenly worried about him, for she had grown to admire him greatly, and was not blind to the fact that the same feeling was in uo J | measure returned by him, Murdock bad been killed, | , | | | her wound, after which she went forth into the | gulch, again, feeling all right. The sight of the elevated corpse of Burk Murdock ave her a start, and she used her influence to have it taken down, but all to no avail. The idea was vociferously vetoed, She was searching about for Big Buckskin, when | she met the giant, the self-styled Gulliver, from Lilliput. “Glad Uve met ye," be said, calling her to one | sidé, ‘* Bin Inkin’ fer ye, me fairy Litiputian. See; they've cotched the desperado.” Doll nodded without spee king. She did not admire the huge human—or tips him — —-in any particular. ‘Waal, that’s good. See, I an* Bockskin made up friends, an’ he delegated me as one 0° his W izer- | ] | lants, an’ ef some one hadn't ’a’ fixed the chap yon- | der, | should, By the way, thar’s bizness ahead! ©“ What kind?” “Why, reg lar quorum biz. Buckskin is?” , “No, Ihave been searching for him.” D ye know whar Big . | ‘*Wuaal, he is captered, an’ run off by the rest o' ” Murdock’s gang. See’d the whole purceedin’ my- self, but dasn’t move for fear I'd git a buzzer in my ear. Heard Burk, yander, order ’em to take him to a cave, down the gulch, an’ they dragged him away, | but they ain’t goin’ ter kill him till the captain j'ines ‘em, Ef they hear o’ the captain's death they ll most | likely carve him up to onc’t.” “You are right, Gulliver. Come with me. Little Bill knows where this cave'is, for I heard him tell of it one day. We'll have those outlaws yet.” You shall be rewarded for this, | - you to-night, perhaps. She sought our Little Bill, and made known to him Gulliver’s report **Yas, Iknow the place,” he declared. “It is a deep cavern twenty feet up the mountain side, wi’ a big ledge overhangin’ it, an’ a similar ledge in front of it. Bet I know a capertal pian! Let a gang 0 fellers take a round-about way an’ git on top the ledge, from whar they can peer down onto the lower ledge. I'll git down the gulch an’ scream out like a woman w’ot’s got conniption fits. The outlaws will rush out onto the lower ledge, to see what’s ther “T've one satisfaction,’ she mused, as she entered the hotel. “If they do nof succeed in rescuing Buckskin, Jack Murdock shall swing for it.” She then went to the outlaw'’s room. To her un bounded astonishment she found the door unlocked, and Mr. Jack minus. For a moment she was tbunderstruck and he disappointment was keen. Then she set to work io find out how the outlaw procured liberation. “Me set ‘Melican man free,’ John Wah, a do niestic, said, on being questioned. * Findee "Metican in room—hear him callee; when pass door. T*ink he lockee up by mistakee, an’ lettee him outee, alles same, Muchee ticklee bir.” Giving the stupid Celestial a cuff beside the head’. Doll went out of doors, but of course Jack Murdeows had taken all care to make his escape. It might on well be added right here, that he was never again seen around Bill's Bonanza after that. Deeply excited and angered over the disappoint- ment, Doll turned about, when a wheezing vole spoke in ler ear: * Excuse me, fair lady—my name is Gum—George Washington Gum, and lam introducing a number of valuable books—" ** Go to blazes!" Doll eried. “ You cannot fool me with any of your book nonsense, Mr, Rack-a-bones! You'll have to pick up some other greeny.” “Tf Tam not what represent, what do you take me for?’ Gum demanded, rather tartly. * Tt wonld be a difficult job to tell what you are,” Doll retorted, ** in some respects, but of one thing I am satisfied—you are either a detective, or else a blamed fool!” *{ lay no claim to the latter calling, whatever.” “Then, you are a detective?” ‘Privately, to you, yes. I am John Stark, the London ‘shadow.’ I would not tell you this, only I have noticed that you wear a U. 8. badge.” ge ha nks for your confidence. Who are you here ‘after?’ * Sir Royal Rignold, better known in London as Jack De Haven, the forger and burglar,” “You don’t say! And so this worthy knight is wanted by the law?’ * Yes; Tam now daily awaiting a requisition fromm the Government, so that IT can arrest him and take him back. I shall have to watch him closely or he will escape me yet.” ‘Not while Pm around. I'll corral the game for Walk back to the hotel wit); me, and I'll let you into my plans, which you'll agree are good.” He obeyed, and as they sauntered along, Dol! came toa full understanding with him, and ar- ' rangements were made that will hereafterward be i | matter, an’ the fellers above can drop down lassoes | an’ hook ‘em up like fish.” ‘Bill, you're a genius. It shall be done.”’ “Hey hum! The babies is giants nowadays, an’ the giants is babies!"’ sighed Gulliver. The Detective Queen went quickly but que to | om work, and picked out the half-dozen men w Buckskin had chosen for his Vigilance Committee, and ordered them to eopaysters go down the gulch around the bend, as cautiously as possible, armed with weapons and lassoes, and there wait. A GENERAL SUSPENSION. Denver Do. did not sccm the party, but put them under the guidance of ‘Little Bill, in whom she had grown to have all sorts of confidence. Gulliver from Lilliput also lingered behind, and i } i explained. Let us follow the Vigilantes, who had set out to capture the outlaws. t was not long after the Detective Queen had given them orders before they were all collected in the gulch below the bend, Litte Bill included. The stalwart, bearded miners looked down upon their youthful captain rather doubtfully, for he | didn’t appear much like one born to command: yet ] } Doll had expressiy stipulated that the attack shenid be made under his direction. | “Well, Bub, we're ready, an’ ef you're major- ineral, jest spit out yer orders,’’ one miner said, ryly. : Bil aquinted one eye and looked over his company critically. ‘ “Wull, I guess you'll all pads muster!” he ob- served. “I ‘spose you've all sed your catechisms, It’s best, tho’ ef ye foller my lead, I'll fetch ye out a-swimmin’, The cave’s down a ways furder. So come along as keerful as a fly in the butter.” Half a mile they proceeded, and then Little Bill pointed up the mountain side. to a spot nearly ; | | And drawing a pistol, he led the march. Gom (E cS JOO