Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 312 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

>3— — -_ —={. Son Redtop Rt Rube, the ibe, the Vigilante Prince. Prinses “T dare not! Zella must not remain among those scoundrels.” ‘Your remarks are all right in theory,” said Brown Ben; “ but you forget that we’re on the weak side, and that the ee holds the fort. Just bold over till to-morrow, old man, and we'll see you right through the game, if the bank bu’ ies won’t we, Jack?” “Through the ame,” echoed Mr. Silver, with nore than usual fervor. ‘*- You can depend on us all,” added Rube, CHAPTER V. THE BLACK REGULATORS’ PROCLAMATION, By this time the last cabin of the village had been passed, and as all sign of pursuit had ceased, they rode slowly up the gulch which led to the rocky fastnesses which hemmed the Gulch in on three sides, Due deliberation convinced Halpine that his oung allies were right; it would be madness to venture near the roughs again, and he only wondered that they had escaped so well. Rare indeed were the cases where people escaped the teeth of the Gulch tigers. Zella’s fate must for the time remain in doubt. He shuddered as he thought of her, but as nothing could be done it was as well to main- tain an outward calmness. ‘‘We must now look to ourselves somewhat,” said Rube, ‘‘ We shall be sought early in the morning, and we should have some place where we can defend ourselves against any force they may bring.” “That is the easiest thing of all,” replied Halpine. ‘“‘There are many caves among these hills, and I have long had one in view as a pre- caution against this very trouble, It is large, easily defended, and so far as I know, unknown to any other person. In it there is ample room for our horses and ourselves.” ‘‘Let us go there by al! means. We don’t know how long a pull we bave against those hounds.” “TY wish I had twenty cowboys here!” Brown Ben uttered. No one answered, but Redtop Rube fell into deep thought. He bad taken an interest in Zella Halpine, and as the troubles of the two, tather and daughter, were primarily to be traced to himself, it was bisduty to belp them. In doing this , they must work squarely against Torpedo Gulch, which was believed to be solid for the opposition, and four men could not hold a town. He had a plan in connection with all this, but it was not then time to men ion it. Halpine led the way to the cave. Difficult of access and easy to defend, it was spacious and well-suited to their purpose, while the dry air of Arizona did not admit of that disagreeable dampness one finds in sach placesin more north- erly regions, Tbe remainder of the night passed unevent- fully, the members of the little party taki turns on guard. Morning found them in ood condition, but the fact was forced upon the that they lacked food both for themselves and horses. ‘‘We must skip breakfast,” said Rube coolly, ‘and then if we succeed ‘at the Gulch, we'll feast at noon. What’s your plan?” he added, addressing Halpine. ‘T shall now risk all, and go to the village,” was the firm reply. “I'll accompany you, and let our friends remain here. Of course we go in a peaceful role.” While they were preparing for departure, Brown Ben came to Rube’s side. ‘* Better keep an eye on the old man,” be said waruingly. ‘* He is that stirred up that he has st all caution, and will run his head into some trouble and get sent over the range if you don’t luok wild.” “That’s just what I intend to look out for,” said Rube quietly. Whatever prudence Halpine might usually bave had was no longer in force; ‘anxiety for Zella had made him really ine ‘apable of govern- ing himself. e had, however, begun to obey all Rube’s directions ‘promptly, and he was not leaning on a brittle reed, Leaving the cave they started toward the vil- lage, and Halpine so far aroused as to take due precautions and lead the way where no danger would be likely to be found. All seemed as quiet as usual though, and it was not until be: gained an elevated place and looked down ou the village that they saw any sign of life. Torpedo Gulch bore no marks of the trouble of the previous night. Lying calmly beneath ihe bot sun, the shanties glimmered as usual, and a few lone pedestrians trod her irregular praile-2:tyene the usual picture, as Halpine soon While they were considering their next move, mney saw a horseman ride out of Beldick’s le and start toward the western bills. Usually this would not have created a ripple in their minds, but as matters were then situ- — they at once became interested in the lone rider. Possibly his business in some way concerned them. This theory was advanced by Halpine, and Rube smiled grimly. ‘“We will make it concern us,” he said, ‘*This is just the chance we desire. From this man we may learn the exact situation at the Gulch, and what has become of Miss Zella.” Tbe elder man caught at’ thea idea, and as the rider 5 hg the hills they proposed to re- ceive bim. His errand seemed wrapped in called for though be wastmaking for a place called Thunder Pass, it was one which finally ended in the mountain fastnesses and horses had seldom trod its limits. Before the stranger reached the rocky region our two friends had ambushed themselves in the pass, and ashe rode forward he was no longer unknown. Halpine announced that he was a friend of Sam Lefferts and named Tor Rose. As soon as he entered the pass he began to look from side to side and their suspicions seemed confirmed, but, just before reachin them, a look of satisfaction crossed his face an he halted and slid from his horse. Just before bim and only a few feet from the ambushed men, the cliff arose for forty feet ina form unusually regular; and toward this rock Tom went, leaving his horse where he stood. He was now in the power of the ambushers, but they had become interested in his move- ments and waited to see what he would do, their uncertainty being very much increased by the sight of a small pail he bore in one hand, Once at the base ot the cliff, however, he went to work with the skill of a professional bill- poster and on the face of the rock pasted the following notice: *$100 REWARD! “The above sum will be paid for the capture of one Reuben Kedtop, alias Redtop Rube, a noted des- erado who is wanted by the men of Torpedo Gulch. he money will be paid and no questions asked to whoever elivers the outlaw to justice. “ Article 2. Moses Halpine is informed that his daughter, Zella, is in the hands of the Black Re c | lators of the aforesaid town,and that she will held until Redtop Rube is surrendered. pen ye is cautioned not to enter the Gulch until the outlaw is secured, as he will be shot atsight. It is hoped that —— he will know i not to protect Redtop at the , expense of his da ter. nen “*Sam LEFFER fr Captain of Regulatois.” Such was the laborious proclamation read by the two men in ambush, and if seemed to arouse all the antagonism of Rube. The bill- -poster had just finished his work when he had a little sur- prise. ‘Tom Rose!” He wheeled abruptly at hearing his name spoken and had a very discouraging view of a ir of revolvers which covered his breast, sg r. Redtop looked sternly along the barrels. ‘You are one of the men who wants Redtop Rube, I take it. Allow me to say that ‘ noted desperado’ is here and you can at once proceed to take him back to camp!” Rose beard, but he gave no signs of joy. On the contrary his face had changed color some- what, and instead of > his bands to his re- volvers as a doughty Westerner is supposed to do, he put both before his face with the palms forward, ‘* Don’t shoot! don’t shoot!” he cried, quickly, **T ain’t armed.” Rube laughed mockingly. ‘“Under what head do you classy those six- shooters in your belt?” he asked, ‘*Oh! they ain’t loaded,” said Tom, looking very honest. ‘*’'You put fresh cartridges in them just be- - you reached the hills, you confounded iar “ao cave, ” was the meek reply, ‘‘ I am heeled, but I sw’ar I don’t want ter tuckle onter you. I got one from your fives in ther saloon last night, and I don’t hanker fur another. [Pm hyar ter put up ther notice, es you see, but that eends my work an’ ef you please I’1l amble back to ther Gulch,” “Don’t hurry, Thoroas, there?” ‘* They’s held a meetin’ an’ formally did what that notice says.” What’s been done SEE 5 ‘‘ And so 1 am outlawed, with a price on my head?” 6s Yas.” ‘‘Comforting, that; very composing to thé mind. But, see here; ‘what of Zella Halpine?” ‘Sam Lefferts bas got her prisoner, ™ ‘To hold till Iam caught? ‘* 'Ye-es,”” ‘You chew your words. Why? Has Sama double game? {sit all a trick on his part? Per- haps—lI’ve heard be once tried to win her for his wife—when he gets me be’ll keep her, too,” “Oh! no, no!” By apy 30 Rose: but his very eagerness betray the fact that Rube bad made a close guess. Up to this point Halpine had kept out of sight, but he now emerged from the cover of the bowlder, ‘‘See here, Tom Rose, I’m here, too, and I am not ina ee mood, either. Do those men intend to keep me out of Torpedo Gulch?” ‘“'That’s what Sam Lefferts says,” ‘‘ What bas he to do with it? Is he king of the Gulch? “Well, they've organized a band which they call the Black Regulators, ‘cause every one wears a strip of black cloth round his left arm, an’ they made Sam captain, He does rule in ther Gulch, jest now.” Halpine laughed sarcastically. ‘‘ A fine man he is for a Regulator. He had better regulate himself, first of all, Tom, where bave they put my daughter?” ‘T don’t know, Mose.” ‘“OTis false, You know well enough, and though I won’t ask too much of you, that much you shall tell, Where is Zella confined? An- wear or, by my life, ll treat youas I woud a wolf!” CHAPTER VI. THE RIVAL BANDS HALPINE’sS eyes glowed with a fight which startled Tom Rose, and he hurriedly raised bis hands again, ‘* Hold on! hold on!” he cried, ** Pll tell. Just give me a chance, and don’t for mercy’s sake chuck me full o’ lead. She was kept in an ole cabin last night, somewbar at ther south eend o’ the villege, but now she i is in ther upper part 0’ Beldick’s saloon, an’ Sam has set five o’ ther Regulators ter watch all ther time.” Redtop Rube burst into a mocking lwugh. ‘Sam goes mighty cautious, considering he is at the head of all Torpedo Gulch, 1 reckon he has had his wits stirred up a bit. See here, Tom Rose, it’s my turn ata proclamation now. You tell Sam that if he don’t meet me at this spot, one hour before dark this evening, I will make the Gulch howl worse than Rome ever did, while of him I won’t leave a landmark. Hear me, Tom—tell your Regulator captain to bring Zell Halpine here this evening. Will you do it Rube spoke with more feeling than usual and the bill-poster went further into his boots than ever. He had seen fighting in his day, but he didn’t care to chip in with a human tornado. He spoke very metuls to the youth, and assured bim all should be as Be said, and then, greatly to his re- lief, he was allowed to ride away. e Well, what now?” Rube abruptly asked, Halpine started from deep thought. " T suppose we may as well soberin to the cave.’ PY iexactly. Now, what hope have you of worsting Sam Lefferts and bis gang?” ‘* We must worst them.” “That isn’t the question, What are our chances? Let us abandon heroics for a while and come down to bed-rock.” ‘‘ 'm afraid our show is poor,” Halpine gloom- ly acknowledged. “So 1 thought. How many men at the Gulch?” ‘' Pifty.” All roughs?” ‘‘Not quite. Three men I am sure are not of that stripe, and I think as many more would be glad to see harm come to the gang.” ‘‘ Well it is clear to me that we must set up an opposition party. They bave organized the Regulators; now let us organize a band of Vigil- ” “Who will ae et?’ ‘‘ Probably half a dozen men from the town, and I know where to find enough more to run our number up to nesr twenty. Brown Ben has confessed that he and his companion ar members of a party of twelve who aes come to Arizona from Texas—all ex -cowboys—for the urpose of finding a new and rich gold region, He told me this morning that the party would EOMIEDOOKS:.c S ——_ —