Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 286 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

‘No, yeou don’t!” said the tenderfoot, with the coolness of a veteran. ‘There ain't no ‘arthly way fur yeou tew git the best on us, an’ yeou may as wal give it up.” ‘What he try ter do?” asked Nemo, in his deep, rumbling voice. “To shoot us,” answered Nora, quickly. “* Hi! Ismash him head a!) to pieces—” The negro paused, for Dave, really alarmed at last, and knowing he would be no more than a child in the hands of the Lurly black, had ex- ecuted some sort of a somersault and disap- peared from view with great haste, ‘*We go on now,” said Nemo, instantly, and with commendable coolness, It was good advice, and they acted vpon it at once. There was nothing like improving the time the ambushers would necessarily require to regain a hostile footing. “Walk beside of me, and let Nemo bring up the rear,” said Nora, addressing Joshua; and then, as he obeyed: ‘* You are Thayer’s clerk, I believe?” “*T have be’n, but I dunnoas I shall be any longer,” said he, ruefully. 4 hy ” “Tt was him that hired these chaps ter kill you,” ** Thayer?’ as Yes. ” “* Are you sure!” ‘“*] heard the bull talk.” ‘" Excellent. But—but why did you side with me? ‘**Gosh all hemlocks! yeou don’t s’pose I was goin’ tew set still an’ see murder did, do you?” “It seems not, and I thank you most cordial- fy for what you have done. I suppose I was very rash to go out as I did, but—well, never mind. Will you come to Magoffin’s hotel and tell me all about this affair?” x Yes, fur 1 can’t very wal go anywhere else. —— CHAPTER XI. THE MOB, ‘THE return to the village was quickly made, and though Nemo, as a rear guard, kept a sharp lookout, he saw nothing of Dave or Sile. Nora had relapsed into silence, and Joshua wes glad thatit asso. He had already begun to think of bis own future. By his recent course he had lost all chance of further service with Thayer & Foster, even if be was inclined to serve such villains, for Dave French would con- vey to the senior partner the story of the fruit- less attack. The idea that he might yet work as one the gang of the Tiger mine did not occur to him, for he did not for a moment think that Nora Barr could conquer the present occupants in the fight she had begun, When the hotel was reached they went straight to Nora’s room, where Joshu, told to her and the negro all he knew about the late at- tack. Neither seemed alarmed at the news, and it was plain that Nora, though but nineteen years of age, had the wit of a maturer person and the courage of a man. She had before believed that ber father had been murdered by Thayer, and now, with her suspicions strengthened, she resolved to fight him to the bitter end. The trio were still talking when they heard a series of shouts outside, but such things were so common at Buzzard Bar that no notice was taken of it. A little later, however, there was a knock at the door and Nemo opened to see Jack Magoffin standing outside. e landlord’s face bore a troubled look. : 4 “T hope you'll s’cuse me for ftroublin’ yer, an’ fur bein’ ther b’arer 0’ bad news, but ef you hev looked outer ther winder you hev see’d that ther boyees are up an’ at it.” | Just then another subdued how! floated upon the air. ‘“*‘ At what, Mr. Magoffin?” Nora asked. $ Somebody’s drunk,” said Joshua, _ ‘*1'd be glad ef that was all:” and Jack looked regretfully at Nora. ‘In plain words, mum, ther boyees sez you are Lightnin’ Kate an’ they wants you.” ‘‘ Lightning Kate? And who is that, sir?’ ‘* A female road-agent that has been opera- tin’ around Ruby an’ that region. She allays bas a big darky with her, an’ that’s what’s ther matter. Ef it’s all right, I hope you kin prove it.” Magoffin pulled his beard vigorously. He was aman on the sunny side of thirty-five and had not outgrown his fondness for pretty women; and as Nora Barr was all of that, his sympathies ee aa j ‘rapidly, Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. _ were with her whetber she was Lightning Kate or a traveling missionary. Still, he expected to see her roughly used and did not intend to risk the safety of his house by taking her part. ‘ Lightning Kate” had done a deal of business through the Gunnison, of late, and when once caught, nothing could save her from punishment. Magoffin, however, did not think best to in- form his guest that the Buzzard Barites were howling for her blood, or that they had a rope in the crowd; nor was she sufficiently acquaint- ed with Colorado fashions to suspect her dan- ger. ‘“‘T certainly am not ‘ Lightning Kate,’” she said, lightly. ‘‘ The gentlemen are mistaken.” “Me be, ef you tell ’em so it will all be right,” suggested Magoffin, ‘That will be the best way. I'll show myself at the window and convince them they are wrong,” Nora turned to carry out her idea, with Nemo close beside her. Joshua glanced first at Jack and then stepped to her side and spoke in a subdued voice, ‘** Dew you smell a mice?’ he asked. * What do you mean?” “Pll bet yeou ten cents that Thayer or Dave French is at the bottom on this all.” Somebody has struck a match, an’! s’pect them ’tarna! cri!ters.” Nora paused abruptly, His theory was not a wild or improbable one. Just then an impa- tient howl arose irom the mob and she shivered slightly. ‘* Don’t yeou be afeared—yeou’ve got tew men at yeour back that'll see yeou safet through,” said Joshua, vine oF Hy She gave him her hand, uttered a few words e thanks, and then walked bravely to the win- ow, Another howl from the mob greeted her, but her face was composed and firm, All Buzzard Bar seemed to have turned out, and the space in front of the botel was filled. ** There she is!” “That's Lightnin’ Kate!” “ Bring ther rope!” Such were the shouts which arose from the excited miners only a few feet below her, but she put out her hand and a hush fel] over them. **Gentlemen,” she said, in a clear voice, “ there are times when I should feel honored by such a call from the men of Buzzard Bar, but when I am told that the visit is really meant for one, ‘Lightning Kate,’ | am at first jealous and then relieved, when I hear you shout so angrily. But, pewttesoen: you are entirely mistaken; Iam not L ghtning Kate.” The hush continned for a moment, showin that they were influenced by her words, anc then a man pressed to the front. “Tm Roaring Ben Bundy, ther Wanderin’ Jew o’ Colorado, I’ve see’d ther hull State an’ all o’ it’s curiosities, an’ here am I ter swear ther gal speaks straight—she are not Lightin’ Kate!” ‘You ave a liar!” shouted an angry voice; and Joshua clutched his revolver tightly as he saw Dave French press to the front. There was now no doubt about the origin of the plot against Nora. Roaring Ben Bundy, however, claimed the at- tention of all at this moment. Evidently his word of honor was something he held sacred, for Dave had scarcely made his accusation when he Md down under a heavy blow from Bundy’s f This was enough toset the mob on fire, for the Colorado rioter is a man who only needs the touch of a match to “yo off,” and in a moment more other men took a hand in the affair, anda model free fizht began. If it bad been one of blows alone it would. soon have been over, but the cracking of revolvers was also heard, and knives flashed in the red light sent out from Jack Magoffin’s botel sign. oshua Pepper wheeled like a flash. : ‘*Naow is yeour time,” he said addressing Nora, “Them chaps has minutes, an’ by the time they git over we can have sneaked eout 0’ the back way an’ gi’n ’em ‘No; I stand my groun¢ “Tf 1 flee it will look like guilt.” ‘Brindle Josh are in the right, marm, beggin’ yer pardon fur chippin’ in,” said Magoffin. - ou them galoote outside are bad; in their eyes, sure. Ther best thing kin do is ter vamose, an’ lay low till ther thing | : nodding his head a ro me dat blows over.” | . , “ Bes’ way,” said Nemo, ‘Dey holler "bout means a hangin’ scrape, for sure, we run, Miss Nora?” the girl, arose from the fighting miners. got other business for a few und!” ‘said Nora, firmly, Ue 9 ou think best. Yes, we'll go,” said ivering as a fresh chorus ef Yells Little needed to be done in the way ef prep- aration, Nora had brought no baggage to the Gunnison, and it only remained for Jaek Ma- goffin to. show them the rear door, deserted recklessly by those who wished to see the free fight, and then Nora, Joshua and Nemo went out into the Light. “Thank ther Lord, they’re gone!” said Mayoffin. en he went to his bar-room, stood before a four-by-six poking glass and, wilh a bottle, de- liberately bruised his forehead until blood showed on the skin; after which he went up stairs and laid pen down on the floer. What was Magoffin’s little game? Simply this: When the rioters found their victims gone, they would be likely to suspect the landlord of helping them off but if they found him on the floor insensible arid bleeding they would at once see that he bad been knocked down by the desperate fugitives and bis pre- cious head would be safe, So reasoned the astute Magoffin. Meanwhile, Joshua, Nora and Nemo had left the hotel and were speeding toward safety. No words 8 between them, but the former was silently given the place of leader and he set his face toward the north-western mountains and pressed on rapidly. Brief as had been his stay in Colorado, he knew something of the temper of its mobs, and he was sure Nora’s only hope was to hide in such a place for a while at least. They left the Mia behind in a short time, but Joshua noticed that the sounds of fighting at Magoffin’s had died away, and he paused in uncertainty. ) “There’s two ways fur us naow,” he said slowly. ‘The shortest is right across the field eou see yender, but if we go that way we want w make sure 0’ a good start, T’other way | is round thar through the bushes, Naow, dew yeou two go ahead tew that single tree yeou sea yonde an’ then look back. If you hear nothin’, eep alead across the field, but ef yeou hear a whistle, turn ter the right an’ make off through the bushes, In either case, Pll ketch up with yeou, A few more words and all was clear, and then away went Nora and the negro, while Joshua stood at his post and watched the rear. He was very much afraid the rioters weuld at once appear, but several minutes passed before there was any sign. Then their yells grew flercer and he saw them approaching. They were too late to be dangerous, however. Nora and Nemo were, or should be, well ad- vanced on the plain, and the tenderfoot cham- pion felt light of heart as be dashed along in the rear. of the level he ex- ** Do as As be reached the ed perienced a revulsion of feeling. A female form stepped into view, and, thinking it was Nora, he cried out sharply: - heavens! be yeou here? Why the mob is a-comin’—git intew them bushes, quick!” ‘Not so fast, Josh Pepper!” retorted an angry voice, ‘ It isn’t your adored Lightning Kate. She is safe in the hands of the miners and ber big darky isdead, All that is my work, and now Jam Me hea to take you to the mob, as you call it, to suffer for helping an outlaw and for. your treachery to my father.” : The speaker poured out her long address rapidly and vehemently, and Josh could sve 2 revolver covering his person. - ** Amanda Thayer!” he almost gasped. _ ‘Yes, it's I,” returned the girl, ‘and yon see 1 am your master, You thought you could play fast and loose with my father, but you see bold the drop. My revolver means sure death if youstir.” . | | Joshua hesitated. Just them a shout arese in the rear, and, looking around, he saw the rioters, rushing down upon tbem, several of the fore- most torches, and all evidently yelling for somebody's life. __ SyRIse, EVENTS... . for abge momen Soxt Pepper hesitated, but as he Tememt d that Colorado mobs had an unpleasant. bation of enthroning Judge Lynch there was trouble in the camp, be made ) he might as well die fora abit ty tren of , _ migh “miss 4 Lynch would ”Fiardl ing to turn. his head, he. bounded rdly ing | : under ee ey Miss Thayer with almost incredible agility. + / COME <SriGO boo >