Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 - Denver Doll's Decoy. Oe ee “Bill, you are an inveterate liar!” “Git out! *“Twer’ red-birds he killed.” And with a triumphant whistle, the “ pro- prietor ” of the Bonanza swaggered out of the ‘ office” for a walk around town, leaving Old Prowler to deliberate over the situation. In the mean time Big Buckskin had locked his door and thrown himself upon the apology of a bed with a yawn, for a long ride in the lumber- ar, Yaaro bs coach had wearied him. 6 soon dropped off into a refreshing sleep, and did not awaken until the supper gong sounded, when he made a hasty toilet and went down-stairs. To his satisfaction he was given a table apart from the rest of the guests, at which he was later joined by Denver Doll, whose fair cheeks were are a flushed, and who looked very at- tractive in her habitual neat costume of male attire. “This privacy I deem an exceptional honor, fair hostess,” the sport remarked, graciously ‘‘not to mention your own company, which i am proud to have. I believe [ should have felt decidedly awkward at the other tables, but now I feel so reassured that I can eat as much as a starved grizzly.” “Perhaps I bave made an unprofitable move, then, considering the high price of provender,” Doll laughed, jokingly. ‘*Do you contemplate remaining here long, Mr.—Mr.—” ‘* Call me simply Buckskin,” he added. ‘ Yes, I propose to lie around loose until I can get on the sure trail of the notorious Murdock Broth- ers. I have sworn to break up the gang, and rather expect the excitement will attract them here.” “T can perhaps be of service to you, then. I am of the opinion that they are in camp now.” Big Buckskin stared. “Do you know them?” he demanded. “Not all,” Doll replied; ‘‘ but to-night when ou were registering I observed two rough- ooking fellows staring in at you through the open door, and saw them exchange what ap- peared to be significant glances. After you went up-stairs they left. Both wore reddish beards, which I at the time concluded were false!” Big Buckskin whistled. **T doubt not but what you are right,” he said. ‘*The Murdocks are as much my sworn enemies as I am theirs. That they are here ahead of me, however, is something of a sur- prise. They no doubt calculated as regards the excitement in the same way I did. I will look around this evening.” ‘** Are you not afraid of a shot in the dark?” ‘No, I have been shot at more times than I am years old, They can plug anor at my form as much as they like, as long as they don’t get above the top of my sboulders,” ‘Ah! then you wear some protective ar- rangement beneath your clothing?” “Yes, a suit of the finest and strongest mail —a present frum an old Russian officer whom I chanced to meet a few years ae “ Well, [ wish you success. you need any tance call on me.” ‘I will, for I have heard much of your daring and could not ask for a greater defender. Are you alone here?” “Oh, yes, except for my youthful apprentice, Billy. e boy is quite as good as any detec- tive; in many respects better than a man,” . After supper the sport bade her good-evening, and lighting a cigar which he purchased of Old Prowler at the bar, he sauntered out to see the sights of Little Bill’s Bonanza by lamp-light, if such were there. And there were. Several dance-houses and gaming-houses had already opened up, but they possessed no at- tractions for the sport, who merely glanced in. Sal Slap's ‘‘ Guzzler’s Glory,” however, caught his attention, and out of curiosity he entered. tered. The long saloon was filled with the worst characters of the male persuasion that bad flocked to the camp—-men whose wretched lives were photographed in their faces, and whose evil expressions were a mirror’s reflection of their hearts. The center of attraction, however, was a giant who occupied the center of the floor and was en- gaged in a noisy breakdown to the music of a wheezy aceordeon. Big Buckskin was manifestly a large man as compared with the ordinary run of human beings, but even he paled into insignificance as compared with the typical bullwhacker, who, while he danced, roared like a lion in its native jungle, =~ o-0 + ed ** Heer am I—old Gulliver, right up from Lil- | ‘‘T am not aware that I owe youany apology liput—the same old nubbin’ o’ corn what et tuk | whatever!” Big Buckskin retorted. ‘* You hull armies to capture. It’s me, an’ ro dispute, and I’m down here on purpose to get my old sheet-iron copper-lined bD'iler full o’ bug-juice. Goin’ to treat, bubby?” He addressed his remark to Big Buckskin, on whom his eyes had instantly become fixed. Buckskin did not reply, but turned his gaze away, for, although by no means afraid of any man he had ever met, he had no desire to enter into a quarrel, nor did he desire to humor a man whose every lineament betrayed the human beast in glowing colors. But Gulliver from Lilliput, as he styled him- self, did not propose to let him off, evidently, for he swaggered up with a show of braggadocio and glared at Big Buckskin with a leer. ** Did ye heer me articulate a minnit ago?’ he growled, fiercely. ‘‘ Did ye heer me ax ye war ye goin’ to treat?’ **] believe [heard you!” Big Buckskin replied, calmly. Pr ye did, did ye? Waal, what ye goin’ to ‘* Nothing at all.” ‘Oh! ye’re stingy, aire ye? Waal, J ain’t. I'm old Gulliver from Lilliput, I am; so come up and drink wi’ me.” ‘* Thank you, but I do not care for anything!” ** But I say yes /” the giant roared. : a I say no!” Buckskin replied, coolly and Y. “Then, durn ye galoot as won’t wet got to fight!” This declaration very naturally elicited a murmur of applause from the rough audience congregated within Sal Slap’s saloon. To their crime-hardened natures nothing was of greater pleasure than a bloodthirsty battle between two human beings, for mastery. Such fights between ordinary men were of nightly occurrence in the den; but a struggle be- tween two men like Big Buckskin and Gulliver promised to be of more than usual interest. Huge and ponderous was the gian*, but many a discerning eye in the room saw qualities in the nervy figure of the handsome sport that were wanting in the cumbrous giant. Big Buckskia received the declaration of bis huge confronter with as much coolness as he had manifested in answering bis questions, not a change of expression in his face denoting any alarm on his part. “Did ye heer me?” Gulliver roared again. . Ef ye won't drink you’ve got to fight, you lit- e pigmy. fight it is,” Big Buckskin replied, Take my advice, man, and mind your ona ee or, ten chances to one, you'll get ur The giant paused a moment, in a half-squat- ting position, and glared in a puzzled way at the sport. Then he burst into such a guffaw as made the house fairly tremble. **You hurt me, the unconquerable, famous Gulliver from Lilliput!—you, secb a leetle suck- ling babe! Why, pilgrim, I'll fight you single- handed. I want ye ter try to to lick me, I — yer to knock some o’ the conceit out o’ me ‘“‘That’s easy enough done!” Buckskin replied ; and before auy one had any icea of bis inten- tion, he sla Gulliver across the mouth with the flat of his hand. The blow was delivered with startling quick- ness and terrible force, the report being audible in any portion of the room. So sudden was it that it took the Goliah by surrrise, and upsetting his equilibrium caused him to roll to the floor. . For a moment he lay panting for breath— then, sitting up, looked at Big Buckskin with a broad grin. ** Dog my cats, if ye didn’t do thet up brown, pilgrim!” said, hoarsely. ‘“‘ Done mé more good than a cactus thorn in a glass o’ bad habit. Tell ye what I'll do—bet ye can’t bit me again.” ‘*T have no desire to do so, as long as you be- have yourself,” Buckskin replied, sternly. ‘If you bother me again, however, I shall endeavor to knock your teeth down your throat. look to yourself.” Saying which he walked across the room to the bar, and purchased a fresh cigar and lit it, As he did so Gulliver raised himself from the floor and shook himself like some great shaggy ou’ve got to fight. Any bis whistle wi’ Gulliver has dog. a See here, pardner,” he said, once more swaggering up to tbe sport, ‘‘ you an’ I ain’t thru’ yet. I allow I ain’t got nothin’ ag’in’ you, nohow, but, all the same, you’ve insul me, an’ [ want ye to ’polergize like a man.” wanted the conceit taken out ef you, and | en- deavored to accommodate you; but I see that you have a plenty left.” “Bet 1 have, pilgrim! I’m a roarin’ rbinos- seross, l[am—a reg’lar terror uv the desert, wi’ no one to dispute that I’m the king of beasts. | axed ye to drink, an’ ye slapped me in the mouth for my pains. Jumpin’ Panther: thet aire riled me, stranger, an’ | want satisfaction. Wull ye be a gentleman, an’ step inter a ring wi’ me?” ““Tf you demand redress you shall have an opportunity to get it.” “Waal, 1 do.” “Then it is settled. How shall it be? Are we to be quits hereafter, or shall I be compelled to do the job for you now?” “Ef ye kin knock me out o’ time, pilgrim, dog my cats ef we won’t shake hands over it and sw’ar friendship and good will toward one another forever!” the giant declared, with a flourish. “Then, gentlemen, will some of you kindly chalk out a ring?’ Buckskin asked, calmly. ‘‘Mr. Gulliver, get ready!” , The ring was quickly made ready for the con- test. The nt then began his preparations, watched with interest by the crowd. He first went to the bar and took a tremendous born of whisky, evidently as a “ bracer,” to nerve him up for what he knew must come, then he di- vested himself of all his garments except his trowsers, and thus stepped into the ring. Big Buckskin had stood leaning against the bar, idly watching his opponent’s preparations, but his eye kindled with admiration as he be- held the massive muscular figure of the border Briareus. “‘Come!” that worthy roared, glaring at the sport with self-conscious pride; ‘“‘ye ain’t a-goin’ to weaken, are you?” ‘If I do, it is for the first time in my career,” Buckskin replied, relighting his cigar, tipping, bis hat back upon his head, and stepping for- ward, “Wh ready then?’ Gulliver demanded; ‘ to git at ye!” ‘‘Tamready. Step into the ring, and square yourself!” The giant looked his surprise! “What? Ain’t ye goin’ ter strip?’ he asked. seeming to feel a little uneasy. “There is no need of that!” Buckskin de- clared. ‘‘I can hit just as hard a blow with my duds on as off.” Gulliver shut one eye, and reviewed his oppo- nent speculatively. ** See hyar!” he cried, * hi wull ex-keuse me,» but I believe you're a perfesh!” ‘You are wrong. ere is nothing I detest more thoroughly than fighti ng: “Yas, mebbe; but, *twixt us Lilliputians. ou don’t often git left. Now, before we begirt his hyer funeral, I want to make one partin” request.” ** And what is that?” ‘ ** Don’t Peg me on the smeller. Hit me any- where’s else, but for Heving’s sake don’t dislo- cate my proboscis so } can’t tell good likker from bad when J smell of it.” “You must Jook out for your own horn, my friend!” Buekskin replied. “It I get a chance at it, I shall endeavor to make it look the color of the barkeeper’s!” hs And he nodded toward Sal Slap, who was arm interested spectator. ‘*Oh! you insultin’ loafer, wait till I catch ou alone!” she screamed, getting red in the ace. 1’)! arn ye how to cast insinuations on an innercent woman’s beauty !” Gulliver had good cause to be sensitive in re- gard to his nasal appendage, for a huge seed- wart grew upon the end of it, and made it very tender. ‘*Come! I’m ready!’ Buckskin called out. ‘‘One! two! three!” At the word the two men came to time in the ring, and began a series of feinting experiments,. for the purpose of testing each other’s science. | Although big and clumsy, Gulliver was evi- dently not an amateur at the manly art, and soon succeeded in getting in a light blow upon the sport’s left cheek. That was nothing, however. The next in— stant Buckskin’s fist shot against the giant’» left optic with terrible velocity, and followed with a companion blow against his nose. To say that Gulliver dropped, would be ex- ressing it mildly. He went down, literally. ‘like a thousand of brick,” and lay stretched in thunder don’t ye bore and get m anxious one “i oe (EOMNMUC JOO “ cS (E(@) ai ———