Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 296 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

~ : 3 e _« s * » = * . —s. > J ~ — —_ at ot y a“. ’ Pid eC Smear peas aE : - . Y 5 —? . = @ roe ot ee —, ie - Ms % “<i ' — 2 « . ; " - Dee i - ’ = — > ee he’s returned 1s eee” 5 a bene . ¥ se Ce SO ree ot ree et ene 6 ee a Senyee, but now, from nowhere, in particu- ‘‘ Aha! but, I mean, your friend’s name: I might be able to help you to find him,” “That’s so. M obleeged, but ye see, | don’t know exactly what be might called, hysarabouts. He ginerally basa new name fer every place he goes. Last time I heard o’ him, he called hisself Sunflower Sam.” > “Ab! then he is here. He has a shanty and é claim down the gulch, but I believe he’s off for a hunt, to-day, and won’t be home fill dark. if you like, since you’re so old, I'll show you where he lives, to-night.” ‘‘'You are very kind, sir. It is seldom I meet an acquaintance so friendly, I will accept of your offer; and in the mean time I think I'll hire a room, in the hotel, and rest until it is time to go.” ‘Certainly. I will secure one for you. Come with me.” And the Avenger led the way into the hotel, and had the best bedroom placed at the old ‘wanderer’s convenience. **T can afford to do this!” he said. ward will come to-night, I know!” Night came on, and about sunset, old Reuben Morse appeared upon the veranda, where Ari- vona once more sat smoking a cigar, ‘‘Well, my good friend,” the old man said, “*T feel much rested, and am ready to go in search of my old friend.” “Don’t be in a hurry,” the Avenger re- sponded. ‘Take a seat. Sunflower Sam, I dare say, won’t be back until moon-up, and we'll start in good season to catch him at home. I suppose you are an old veteran, in_mining. een you think of our Lilliputian Eldorado, ere?’ ** Ob, if looks like a lively town, wi’ promise o growth!’ was the answer. ‘‘But I tell ye, boy, California used to be the boss mineral State, and itis yet, for that matter.” ‘* Ah! then you’ve roughed it there?” ‘‘Abl ves, for a number of years. Know the mining life pretty well, o’er thar.” ‘*] suppose they used to have some pretty rouvl times over there?” ‘* Reckon as how they did, S’pose ye might 0’ Leacd o’ that footpad, Joaquin Muriete. ip war a tough customer, an’ made himself a ter- ror. But, I tell ye, we roped him in, at last, an’ put an end to his sarcus,” ‘‘] have heard of his tragic fate,” the Avenger said, averting his face to conceal its revengeful expression, ‘‘I presume there’s few living who had a hand in entrapping bim, and bringing him to his death?’ “ Well, I reckon not. I guess I’m about the only one—though I didn’t take no direct part. T’ve hearn tell that thar’s some chap what is a-killin’ off all who knew anything about the job, no matter whether they bad any hand in it or mot. He must be a cussed fool. Joaquin Muri- ete was a was a red-handed assassin, and no jus- tice could give him his just deserts, [ tell you!” Arizona did not reply, but, to conceal his agi- tation, arose and entered the hotel. There was a dark, malignant expression upon his face, and his eyes gleamed wildly. It wasa me ‘table change that came over him—a change, as it were, from the docility of a lamb to the rage of a lion. He kept himself aloof from the wanderer, un- ee er OR a Se Pwr Heme * evew . eter ee 8 Or ERENT ee em eee _ tilit was quite dusky, and the moon bid fair to Pop up from behind the horizon; then, he went ou the veranda. ‘*Well, I guess we'll walk down to your friend’s shanty, now,” he remarked, ‘‘and see if from the hunt. Are you ready?’ ‘* Yes, ’'m ready, thankee!” was the reply. » They descended into the street, and Arizona . | the way across the Flats, toward the rapid + eek, which, now swollen by the recent rains in .@ mountains, roared loudly. lu due time they reached the big tree, where the Avenger had met Christie Blob. Here they paused, and Arizona faced his victim. The tree was far enough from the camp that n' loud ery would not be likely to attract atten- on. ‘‘ Why do you stop here?” Old Reuben asked, gezing at the swiftly rushing waters. “For a pu ,’? was thestern reply. ‘‘ Reu- ‘ben Morse, do you know why I have brought you bere?” “No. Why?” the old man asked quickly. “To fulfill a long made oath!” was the an- awer, as the Avenger drew his long keen knife. “Tam to kill you.” ‘Kill me? In Heaven’s name, what have I done to , man?” ‘* Nothing to_me, direct, but, if | you must | know it, [am Joaquin’s Avenger, and you are ee ee ee OS _——_ some Ores =e oe a a gg Fe en een oe Ce ee — _— _ Denver Doll’s Drift. - ———— ae eee ee eee oe Oe me the one of two that remain, before my ven- geance is complete. I do not intend to strike yon down like a dog, on account of your age, ut give you a show for your life. You have a knife; draw it, face me and fight, and may God have mercy upon us both!” ‘Tf am too old to fight; have mercy upon me. A ——— te ee re emeeree eee ete ee ee ee Tam!” They drew their knives, and the moonlight glistened upon the blades. Olid Reuben Morse uttered acry, and fell fainting to the ground. Doll gazed at him, a moment, and then tarned and faced the Avenger, her eyes glistening like I never did any one a wrong—indeed, I did | diamonds, not.” ‘*Tt matters not!” was the stern reply. ‘‘I swore to avenge Joaquin’s death, and nothing can keep me from my purpose, You must fight, or I will strike you down!” ** Will you?” It was not the old man who said this: it was Denver Doll who leaped forward through the gloom. ‘The devil!” escaped Arizona’s lips. ‘‘ What brings you here?!” ; ‘‘To deiend my old father, sir, against the attack of a vampire!’ was the stinging retort. “T thought you a man, Arizona Alf, tut you are a coward and a coyote! If tbere’s any fighting to be done, allow me to inform yvu that 2’/ take a hand in it, myself.” And her pair of gleaming revolvers indicated her purpose. Arizona Alf did not answer for a moment, for be was too much surprised. He had had no idea of Reuben Morse being the father of Den- ver Doll, or of being in any way related to her. And, too, the words uttered by the queen of road-agents stung him to the quick, for he real- ized that she was dead in earnest, and regarded bim as a man of little more account than a typ- ical ruffian of the mines, ‘You probably do not understand this mat- ter!” he finally said. ‘“‘If this man 7s your father, he was concerned in the killing of Jo- aquin Muriete in California some years ago, and as I registered an oath to kill every indi- vidual who was concerned in Joequin’s death, ou will naturally see that your father must be included in the lis*. 1 am sorry of this, for your sake, bul I cannot break my vow for any person’s sake.” ‘*But, [ rather opine you will care, if you at- tempt to harm a hair of his head, I have got the drop on you, and you know the style of a gir) lam too well, 1 dare say, to tempt me to send a bullet through your brain. If you de- mand satisfaction, | ain’t atraid to meet you, even though I am but a girl. You shall never touch my father.” ; ‘You are foolish!” the Avenger said, ‘‘TI never could bring myself down to fight a wo- man, nor do I want to fight you. Your father, as you call him, is the meat I’m after, and have his life, I will, sooner or later! Let us adjourn this affair until some other time.” ‘‘Not much! It has got to besettled to-night. You have got to promise upon your hope of an after life, that you will never attempt to harm my father.” ‘I shall promise nothing of the kind.” ‘Then, sir, you and I shall settle this here and now!” Doll declared, with stern resolution in her fine face, The moon had just appeared over the moun- tain crest, and siot a mellow ray of light over the girl’s determined face. : ‘My child! my child! do not quarrel with this terrible man, Let bim kill me, and have done with it!” Old Reuben cried in tremulous tones, ‘‘ Silence!” was the quick reply. ‘‘Iam not afraid of him. I have not been a wandering outcast for nothing. What have you to say, Sir Avenger?” ‘Tl believe it is unnecessary to say much?!” the Arizonian replied, bis tones cynical and cut- ing. ‘You choose to represent your father, whom it is my purpose to slay. Y coat break my yow—consequently, you must take the conse- quences, or 1.” “Exactly! may IL ask?” “The same that Joaquin generally used—Mv- riete, the knife. I can shoot, but prefer the blade!” “Very well! It is immaterial to me. Now let us understand ourselves. If I donot kill you, isthere any honorable gratitude in your eart?’ ‘‘None, whatever, so far as vour father is concerned, let me assure you. You had better make sure of me, if you can, for, were I to be wounded and yet recover, my Oath is unful- filled. I shall endeavor to slay you first, and penis ota father. You can govern yourself ac- cordi sé What is your choice of weapons, y: en, it must be to the death. Are you ready?’ | eee a - = —E oem oe ceo ' i | ‘* Ready !” she called out steadily. They then crept toward each other, their hands holding the instrument of death in 4 firm clutch. Eye to eye, face to face, they drew nearer to each Other, then, when nearly within aim’s- length, began to move around, on guard, watch- ing each other with lynx-like intensity, and studying for an opportunity to leap forward and strike a telling blow, without incurring one in return. A spectator, familiar with this peculiar style of dueling, would have been filled with admira- | tion at the novel and skillful moves they made, ‘All's fair?’ Doll said, interrogatively. ‘+ All’s fair, to the death!” was the re nf The next instant the blade Denver Doll had held, was buried to the hilt in the left side of the Avenger, after being hurled with awful celerity, by ber deft hand. Arizona endeavored to leap forward at her, but could not. He staggered, then fell to the ground, with a faint groan, Doll sprung forward and pulled the knife from the wound, at which he put up his hands, imploringly. ‘Mercy! don’t!” he gasped. ‘‘Never fear; I am not that cruel,” she re- plied, a trifle bitterly. ‘‘ You will not die. I simply aimed with the intent to lay you out, By the time you will have recovered, my fa- ther and I will be far from here, I trust.” ‘Will you? Well, perhaps you may be!” a hoarse voice exclaimed, in her ear, and turning she heheld Jean La Force but a few stepsaway holding a pair of revolvers leveled at her. ** Ha’ ha! my beauteous road-agent, [ happen to have the drop on you, now!” ‘¢ And, old chestnuts, I’ve got a couple 0’ pops pintin’ straight at your area!” another voice cried, and out from behind the tree scooted Little Bill, a gleaming pair of self-cockers in his grasp! La Force gave a startled glance around, and instantly comprehended that he was in bad company, and there was little show for bim; so he dropped his weapons, and ran like a deer to- ward the camp. ‘Don’t fire, Bill!” Doll cried. ‘‘There’ll be an alarm quick enough!” “Oh! jest let me plug him in the spine, fer luck, Dollbaby !” ‘‘No! Isay!” she warned. ‘See that these men are both properly cared for, because I must get out of this quickly. Did you get the machinery ?” “Yas. It’s on the road.” “Good. We'll be ready for it, when it comes, I fancy. I’m off, now,” And before more could be said, she was speed- ing away, up the bank of the stream. She was not wrong. While Bill was dashing some water into the faces of the two men—for Arizona had also fainted—Jean La Force came running up, with half a dozen others. ‘‘ Where’s the gal?’ he roared. ‘‘Dunno!” Bill replied, dauntlessly. ‘She told me to take care o’ these fellers, an’ then skipped.” | ‘* Which direction, you cussed little imp o’ Satan?’ “ Down-streem!” Biil lied, with a placidity that was unpardonable. “Darn ye, you’re the cause o’ her escape!’ the gambler yelled, and he gave the boy a terri- ble blow beside the head, that sent him spin- ning to the ground, deprived of his senses. “Now, boys, some o’ you take the two chaps back to camp, an’ the rest o’ us will give chase.” ‘‘ Better let ’em Jay here, an’ the bull o’ us join in,” one of the gang suggested. “Then come along.” They rushed away cown the st’eam like a pack of hounds on the scent of game. They were hardly ou’ of hearing when Arizona Alf recovered from bis faint, and raising upon his elbow, took in his surroundings. ‘¢ Pm not wounded to the death, it seems,” he muttered. ‘‘If I can wslk, [ must get away from here. There’s old Morse lying there like a log, but Vi not kill him now because tke gir! was merciful to me. Hello! the kid is here tco! The roughs must have been here, and gene in pursuit of Denver Doll. I must get away before <? | *€O S G mNIiGoOOK