Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 312 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

‘$5 » ln, A curses the movements of the young champion were not easily detected. He reached the side of Zella safely. ‘* Have no fear; Iam a friend!” he whispered in her ear. ‘‘ Follow me and you shall besaved.” While he spoke his knife was busy and her bonds fellaway. He saw some one by his side, and, recognizing Halpine, joined their bands. ‘* Hasten away!” he said, in the same business- like manner. ‘ Don’t stop to think of the door; use the window, if possible, and I will guard your retreat.” The elder man had impulsively folded the girl in his arms, but as Rube gently pushed them both, he put sentiment aside and moved away. There had been a genera) call for more lights, and when Beldick assured them he had nothing of the kind the wrath of the roughs broke loose and they turned their curses upon him. One man, however, did not fail to suspect the meaning of this fresh demonstration, and as Redtop Rube turned away he heard Sam Lef- ferts’s voice from near the post: “Ther gal is gone! Howlin’ Hannah, this hyar is a riot. yar, yuu fellers, scatter an’ hold ther fort. Don’t let a man er woman leave ther room. Five dollars ter him who delivers Redtop Rube inter my hands!” His words stirred bd the roughs, but trouble was already afoot. Ipine and Zella suddenly found their way barred, and a rough voice arose: ‘‘Hyar they be—byar’s ther gal! Freeze on ter her!” The fellow himself tried to carry out his plan, but Halpine knew that only one course could ee them, and he had nerved himself to the work. His ready revolver arose, a flash followed, and down went the rough with a shock audible all over the room. Then, with one arm cl d about Zella, the desperate father sprung for- ward, striking right and left with his clubbed revolver. Rube saw where he was needed and sprung into the thick of the fray. They were sur- vounded by the crowd, but once more they had tie advantage of knowing friend from foe, and the window was reached by a gallant spurt. Once more the roughs were learning that they had aroused a bad enemy when they molested toe young stranger, who had been so quiet until forced into trouble. ‘“ Quick—jump through!” said Rube, and Hal- pine obeyed, as all the youth’s friends seemed obliged to do. He leaped out in safety and turned for Zella, but Rube had not allowed any time to go to waste. He had swung the girl outside by a powerful effort, and even as Halpine wheeled sae was set on her feet beside him. “Run!” added Rube: “Ill cover your re- treat.” He did not by any means intend to remain in t .« room to do it, but as the last word passed }i- tips a hand fell upon bis collar and he was j vked back several feet. ‘Shoot ther critter!” * Kull him!” “Git a rope!” So shouted the roughs, but Redtop Rube had r« intention of being thus served. knew the 1-9 Of Torpedo Gulch at last, and, setting his 1 +th, be plunged into their midst as he would “# iong wolves seeking bis blood. The saloon had become a perfect pandemoni- vin, and as several fights bad been started here end there because of senseless quarrels in the dark, it seemed as though the Gulch would be considerably depopula before the morning sin arose. But would Rube Redtop be among the survi- vors? CHAPTER IV. TROUBLE CONTINUES, RUBE was well aware that if he escaped at all it must be done quickly, and as he could not very well face a score of hard fighters alone he resorted to stratagem. While the roughs were endeavoring to get at him in the darkness he uietly changed his position, and then, leaving them to fight among themselves, slipped out of the room, His little trick had been planned and executed with equal neatness, and once outside he has- tened to look for Halpine and his daughter. Hurrying around the corner of the building he look ajl around, but they were invisible. Just then Brown Ben and Jack Silver, who had done their own work well, came to his side, and the exchange of a few words established the ~ -_ a a —— a — | fact that the fugitives must have gone in a westerly direction. ‘| think we are all right if we make haste,” said Rube. ‘ Let’s get away from those howl- ing fiends.” hey hurriedly left the place and started along among the cabins, but not more than a hundred feet had been passed when Ben stum- bled and nearly fell over something in his path. ‘* Hallo! here’s a man!” he said, ‘* Yes, and— hold on there; ’tis old Halpine!” The announcement brought the party to a sudden halt, and Rube turned back in surprise. Sure enough, Halpine lay there, perfectly in- sensible, and, it at first seemed, lifeless. Rube tore open his shirt and felt of his beart. “Only stunned, but some one must have given him an ugly blow.” ‘*This complicates matters,” said Ben. ‘‘T reckon it does, for the question now arises: Where is Zella?”’ It was one none of them could answer, but there was room for the gravest fears. Father and daughter had started together, and now the former was found as described and Zella had entirely disappeared. . They’ve got her again,” said Ben mourn- ully. ‘*[ believe they have, although I don’t think she has been taken to the saloon. We must re- vive Halpine and learn what has occurred, Wait, there may be water in this shanty; Ill go in and see.” As there was no door to oppose him he was soon inside, but the darkness was so great he could see nothing. He had just struck a match when there was a renewed tumult outside, Revolver shots sounded, mixed with shouts, and'as he sprung to the door his arm was seized by Brown Ben. ‘‘Git up and dust!” exclaimed he, hurriedly. He had time to say no more, for just as Rube saw a solid mass of men around where Halpine lay they rushed toward them in such numbers that even Rube thought it wise to retreat. For the time, at least, they could do oe for their friend, and it was not likely he woul be killed while insensible, so it behooved them to look to themselves. We need scarcely say that it was not hard for three active young fellows like them to do this, The darkness was in their favor, and, after dodging rapidly among the shanties for a few minutes, they found themselves beyond the limits of the village, and free from pursuit. They paused where the western hills came down in a bold descent to the level on which stood the infant “city.” “Well, I reckon this here is a lively town, Jack.” It was Brown Ben who spoke, and his taci- turn partner ans vered as usual. “A right lively town.” , ‘See here,” added Rube, ‘‘ we want to decide on our course of action at once. Weare all strangers to this town and its rough citizens, but we have got mixed up with its affairs, and I for one am bound to see the matter through.” Both the cowboys announced that they were with him. ‘Of course,” he resumed, ‘‘ Halpine can’t live any longer inside this place, but he don’t want to die there, either. e and his daughter are in trouble, and I move we see them through, as I said before.” ‘I’m with you, and so’s Jack.” ‘‘Remember, we are to fight the whole popu- lation.” : ‘So much the better. We'll give ’em an idea of how we do business in Texas. We make you rx tain, Redtop Rube, and in your lead we'll oller. Before this honor could be accepted or de- clined, the sound of vociferous cheering from near Beldick’s saloon was borne to their ears, a Reckon somebody’s making a speech,” said on. He spoke lightly, but Rube took a different view of the matter. The roughs were pleased about something, and whatever it was, must be unfavorable to the cause he wished to defend. He gavé his views, and the trio unanimously agreed that they ought to return. Pb Very little time was consumed in gaining a position where they could see what was being done; still less was necessary to understand all. From the upper window of Beldick’s building a timber had been run out, and they were then engaged in making it fast, and in arranging a rope which dangled down toward a man who could be none other than Halpine. ‘‘Great Cicero!” exclaimed Brown Ben, Ri oy ets going to hang him!” ‘*Shall we allow it?’ demanded Rube. Par mes Oe. “- a Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince, © LL eee te nS “ Well, seeing’s how there are at least thirty men in the gang, I doubt if we can help it; but we can, at least, wade in and try.” “T havea plan,” said Rube, quickly. “‘M horse is in the stable behind the saloon, and wit it are other animals. I move we all mount, and then dash into the crowd and try to carry Hal- pine off.” It was a bold scheme, since they, brave as they were, counted but three, and the roughs were ten times that number; but he had spoken to just the right persons for the venture. The cowboys had /seen too many dashes among the Comanche braves of Texas to fear the Arizona roughs. They had no time to waste and with rapid steps they proceeded toward the stable. No one was there to oppose them, and three horses were soon bridled and led out. Each youth had taken his own, though Brown Ben looked long- ingly at some of the others that seemed superior to bis own strong but ungainly animal. Back toward the crowd they then went, where they found the roughs prepared for the last act in the drama. The timber had been secured and the rope adjusted to Halpine’s neck, and in a minute more he would be dang- ling in air. Redtop Rube spoke sharply to his followers, and then, riding abreast, they dashed toward the crowd, In the excitement of the moment they were not seen until close at hand, and then, as the roughs gave sudden attention, the gallant trio burst into ear-splitting yells not discreditable to Comanche braves. The bravest man in the world has no desire to be trampled under the feet of a horse, and the first rank parted before their rush as they spurred toward the prisoner. Just then a loud voice arose commanding the roughs to fire, and the boy pards waited no longer. Right and left they blazed away though, agreeably to Rube’s orders, the fired high, hoping to frighten rather than ki enemies, The leader had rode with a knife held in his teeth, and as he reached Halpine’s side he sud- denly stooped, cut his bonds and raised him to his horse by a powerful effort. Then, if not before, the roughs understood what was afoot, and amid angry yells they opened fire. It was a critical moment for the young men, but they did not falter; their plans had been oor tir 5 3 arranged and they held to them ~< With their lives at stake they wasted no mercy, and, still urging on their horses, sent several well-aimed shots into the crowd before them, while the cowboys nearly split the air with their Comanche yells. ae Luckily, their horses were fiery-spirited and not inclined to be caught by the bit, and amid all this miniature war they swept through and down the main street of the town. Halpine had been gollentty rescued. - Who is burt?’ demanded Rube. “Tve got a lump o’ lead in my arm, but I reckon it ain’t worth speaking of,” replied Brown en. : And that was the ot wound received, though not one of the party but could show a bullet- hole in his clothes. ‘“ We must leave Torpedo Gulch and take to the hills,” said Rube, looking back at their fading pursuers, 3 ‘But Zella—where is she?’ demanded Hal- pine. ‘Now, you have me. What happened after you left me?” “Several men sprung from behind a shanty and attacked me so suddenly that before I could successfully resist, or even recognize them, I was beaten down. I saw Zella seized, and [ have no doubt but that she isin the hands of the roughs.” ‘‘T have an idea that she was not taken to the saloon. Did you see Sam Lefferts when you Wigs under the gallows?” ty Did he ever show any fancy for her in the t?” ‘Yes: and it was because of that I was going to leave Torpedo Gulch.” ‘Then it’s my opinion she is Sam’s prisoner. Where would he be Jikely to take her?” ‘* To the saloon; that’s his head-quarters.” ‘‘T don’t believe she is there, and if she is, we can’t get her to-night. War is formally de- clared between them and us, and we can’t fool them any further just now. Mr. Halpine, I’m afraid you’ll have to let this matter rest until to-morrow.” / com their ea. fs Yann JOOKS.com