Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 312 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

EEN aa —— —— m - 6 | Redtop Rube like nothing better than to play outlaw fora | ‘*‘ Want ter give ye decent burial arter hang- while, live in the mountains and make things warm for the Regulators, as they call them- selves.” , aaa this work?’ Halpine asked, more hope- ully. ‘‘ It’s our business to make it work. As near as I size Torpedo Gulch it is a place which needs purifying. don’t believe in letting a gang of toughs hold forth as those fellows do, and if I _ do anything to upset them, I’m going to Oo it. Halpine put out his hands. ‘‘ By George! you’re a brick!” he declared. “You put me to shame, for you have more energy at eighteen than I have at forty-five. You teach me a lesson and ||] take it seriously ; from this time Ill be a rock instead of a reed,” They shook hands over the understanding and then hastily returned to the cave. It was de- sirable to get the cowboys to the scene as soon as possible if they were coming at all, and Rube wished to see Brown Ben. That young man literally jumped at the offer. The idea of wild, mountain life in a resolute band just suited him, and when he left to look up his absent friends, Jack Silver laconically remarked that when the footing became good Ben would make his horse ‘‘ fly.” Nothing of interest occurred at the cave until the middle of the forenoon, when they were agreeably surprised by the return of Ben and his reinforcement. He bad found them much sooner than was to be expected, and every man had hailed the chance to join the “ Vigi- lantes.” Rube was not long in deciding that good ma- terial had come to his band. Rough, the cow- boys were; but not ono seemed vicious, and though Brown Ben had made an explanation, they required another from those at the cave before they would make any promises, aud their scruples removed Rube’s last doubt. As a result, they were formally enlisted as a beginning of the band which was to oppose the Black Regulators, and though Halpine was the only One in the lot who had seen twenty- one — it was a resolute party. Rube had named Halpine for captain, but that man emphatically declared that the younger man bimself was fittest of all for the office, and when a vote was taken he was unani- mously elected, with Ben for bis lieutenant. It was a strange unanimity when the nature of young men and the fact that Rube was a stranger are considered: but he had a way of winning men when he tried and all hailed ‘‘Redtop Rube” as prince of the Vigilantes. When once these preliminaries were settled Rube gave attention to another matter. He had asked Sam Lefferts to mect him in Thunder Pass at sunset, and as he bad an idea that oung rascal might try some trick he resolved hold the winning cards in case of a crisis. Thus it was that, at the end of an hour, the little Vigilante band was stationed near the rendezvous, well armed, but concealed from casual view. A little before the time Rube had named, Sam appeared in the pass, walking from the town as unconcernedly as though peace reigned all along the hills. Rube bad been attentively watching, and just as his rival reached the place of meeting, he might have been seen coming from the opposite direction, Sam’s face remained calm, but in his eyes was a glitter which indicated that he intended to make the meeting something more than a conference; while the absence of the revolvers from his belt, where he always kept them, might have been a sign of peace but did not so inform the young Vigilante. The Regulator remained silevt as they came face to face, and Rube, pointing to the notice ted on the cliff by Tom Rose, spoke quietly: This is a very appropriate place for us to ‘¢ You'll find me ready ter talk, an’ them’s still my sentiments. Torpeder Guich has spoke ina big voice an’ she don’t shake her record.” ~ ‘By which you mean that I am still an out- Ww ‘Yas; an’ so ter stay till you stretch hemp.” “Go away; you can’t be serious.” ‘‘T am all o’ that,” said Lefferts, savagely. ** Well, we will speak of this later. First, let us talk of Zella Halpine. I suppose she is still our prisoner.” ‘Right, my young | pases tend right.” = oO a will yield her when I surrender?” es, i ** What do you want of me?” . 3 dvs - sf a eT. J. * ——_" —s. a _ ee ee in’ ye,” Sam growled. ‘“Go away; you wouldn’t really dig a hole in this sun, would ye?’ ‘*No; but I would in ther ground.” **‘Good! Iowe youone, Samuel. Well, you see J can’t think of surrender; I’ve no wish to stretch hemp, as you playfully express it, so I shall have to decline. But, in what other way can we trade? Of course the girl isn’t to blame for our muss, and I really think she ought to be set free.” ‘Oh! do ye? Wal, now, that’s queer; I thought you was jokin’, Wal, she can’t go free till you are cooped in her place.” ‘* Why should you persecute a girl?” ‘“‘That’s my business, It’s enough for you et Pe got ther king-row, an’ that I mean ter eep if. ‘** You're fixed in this resolution?” 6s I am.” ‘* Well, it’s a cowardly piece of business.” ‘* What?” shouted Sam, “IT say that any one who will persecute a girl to gain revenge onsome other party is a coward and rascal. Unless you free Zella Halpine you are both of these.” Sam’s face had grown very red, and when he would have spoken only a gasping sound came from his throat. He was amazed that any one should dare to talk so plainly to him, and his overpowering wrath prevented a verbal reply. Oue way was, however, open to him. From out his pockets he snatched his revol- vers, and murder was in his eye, but Redtop Rube had been in close corners before and he did not waver or hesitate. One quick blow sent the first revolver flying several feet away, and then Sam’s other hand was seized in an iron- like grasp. Baffled end angry he made a des- perate effort to release it, but very much to his er surprise, he made no headway against that old, He bese up the struggle after a minute and looked at Rube with furiouseyes. For years he had not been mastered—it was his reckless bra- very and fighting qualities which had made men twice his own age elect him captain of the Reg- u/ators. ‘‘Free my wrist, or, by the fiends, Pl kill you!” he hissed, madly. ‘Try when you will, but I believe you will succeed no better then than now,” was cool repl ; ** Of me!” **Oh! Dll take the risk, I see you are in a passion; but we are not now in Beldick’s saloon, among your bravos. You wanted a row then, and got it, but if any doubts remain in your mind as to who is the best man, try me!” This perfectly cool challenge was too much for Sam, and he lJanched out his right fist in a heavy blow—struck, and then found himself lying on his back with Rube’s foot on his chest. ow it was done he never really knew, for the young Vigilante had moved like a flash. Quickly, however, Sam uttered a whistle, and then from the cover of the rocks three of his men sprung into view and covered Rube with their revolvers, CHAPTER VIL. THE FIRST COLLISION, Sam LEFFERTS looked to see his enemy quail in this new danger, but Redtop Rube remained provokingly calm. ‘‘ Hello!” quoth he, coolly; ‘‘here are some of your friends. Glad to see you, boys, for Sam- erg: not well; in fact, he seems to be quite sick. “Tet me up!” roared the Regulator, while his men seemed uncertain whether they ought to shoot or not, “Will it be quiet if I do?” ‘Yes, for I am going to take you to the Gulch. It would be poor satisfaction to wipe ye out hyer; once at ther Gulch, I’ll make ye bow], an’ keep Zella besides.” ‘Now you talk business, Up you get!” ‘Rube stepped back a little and Sam arose. There was murder in his heart, but above all arose his pride; he must hide the truth from his followers, ‘‘Ha! ha!” he said, with an unnatural ane ‘Quite a little episode, boyees. It war all did fur effect, fur I wanted ter see ther critter turn pale when you popped out.” | ‘*Got your wish, didn’t you, Samuel? I look pale as a ghost, don’t I?” Rube laughed unconcernedly, and the Regu- lator was again stung to a fury. ** Fool!” be exclaimed, ‘‘ you don’t know ther ae , the Vigilante Prince, trouble yoware in. You're as good as planted. poy see them revolvers?” € pointed toward his nearest man, who had not lowered his weapons, but Rube answered as coolly as ever: , “T was just looking at them. Thirty-two calibers, ain’t they?” ‘You blamed tlockhead! don’t you see the the sled you arein? You are my prisoner, an you're goin’ to ther Gulch as sech—unless Job’s ger slips an’ you git a lump o’ lead in your bead.” ‘*Even your rhyme don’t take the rough-edge of horror off your remark, and [ earnestly re- uest your patient friend not to make a slip till the show is over, Act two now begins!” Rube whistled in turn, and from the rocks at the other side of the narrow pass arose half a dozen of his Vigilantes, with rifles presented, while every bowlder in the vicinity seemed to be surmounted by the same kind of an ornament, ‘‘- Your man is covering me,” laughed Redtop Rube, “‘ but my Vigilantes have the drop on the whole congregation!” Sam Lefferts was never more surprised in his life. He had not suspected that Rube had more than three men for a following, but they seemed tos ring from the very earth at his command. Sob. ’ added the master of ceremonies, ‘‘ put up_your pepper-boxes!” Job quickly obeyed, but Sam’s surprise began to give way to boiling wrath. Being no coward he was tempted to try to strike his enemy dead and take his chances, but he had an unpleasant fear that one of the riflemen would drop bim before he could strike. “It must by this time be clear to you that you are outwitted,” continued Rube. ‘‘I dropped to your game and covered the ground first. I saw your men ambush themselves, but it just suited me. I wanted to show you that I am master, and I reckon l’ve done it. P ‘You dare not meet me in equal fight,” said am, For a moment Rube hesitated. “T will not,” be then seid, firmly. ‘‘ Other things go first, but I'll accommodate you some day. First of all, let me refer to that placard. You ordered it up?’ “Yes,” was the defiant answer, “Very good. Take it down!” Lefferts changed expression but did not stir. ‘‘Do you bear?” ‘Yes, I hear, but J’ll be shot afore I tech it!” ‘““My man, you tried to bully me in the saloon, when you held the king-row, and I let ouamble. Now I take pay for that insult and or your abuse of Zella Halpine. Take down the placard!” Sam grew white with emotion. He knew he was wholly in the power, of Redtop Rube, but the bumiliation threatened was terrible to him, ‘*T’]l die first:* be hissed. ‘¢Tt’s for you to choose, but I warn you I am in dead earnest, I give you just three minutes in which to decide,’ All the jesting mood had gone from the young Vigilante, and his expression was enough to have cowed a man less brave. He called his nearest follower and bade him time the Regula, tor, and then silence fell over the crowd—that same silence observed when a crowd at a lega) execution watches for the last act in the drama, Sam Lefferts had grown pale under all his bronze. It wasa terrible hour for him, for he saw that his pride must be dragged in the dust, For a moment he felt like defyimg the Vigilante and dying where he stood, but that would be too great a triumph for his enemy. No; he would submit to this shame and live ; for vengeance. Without another word he turned to the cliff and began tearing down the notice. Tom Rose? had done his work well and the paper stuck closely, but Sam plucked away doggedly and piece after piece fell. ‘““That will do,” said Rube, at length. ‘The rock .ooks as though a circus-manager bad stepped on it, but it no longer calls for gore.” fferts turned back in silence, but his gaze rested on bis rival’s face with a terrible glare. “You will see there .3 another band in the field,” added Rube, quictz. “* Tbe Black Regu- lators need regulating, and that’s why the Vigi- lantes are out today. Their purpose is very simple, however. When Ze]!:, Kialpine is safely delivered to her father, my men disappear and you can run Torpedo Gulch to suit yourself.” “Tf you want her, go an’ get her!” snapped Lefferts. ‘‘ Excuse me, but 1 know a better way. You are my prisoner, and such you will remain un- til, by your orders, your men bring Zella here.” i They shall never do that!” EOMIEDOOKS: