Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 312 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

“Then you will never be free again. You must confess that I hold the king-row, just at resent. I shall take you to the retreat of the igilantes, and there you stay until the Regu- lators cave.” Sam Lefferts felt like howling with rage, but he managed to keep himself within bounds, He looked at the grim young men around him, and, reading resolution in each face, saw how utter- ly helpless he was. ‘We can’t delay here,” continued Rube, im- patiently. ‘‘ You will go to our retreat; your men can return to the Guich. Have you any orders for them?’ “Yes,” said Sam, fiercely. ‘‘Men, you've heerd this rooster; now hear me, Ef any two- legged critter at Torpedo dar’s take ther gal from her room, I'll blow out his brains. Tl starve up thar in ther mount’ns afore I'll give an inch 0’ ground. Redtop Rube, your offer is de- clined; now run on your parade!” The Vigilante chief accepted his ultimatum, and ordered the lesser villains to return to the village. They went, showing considerable re- lief, but glancing at Sam as though expecting something more from him. He, however, kept his mouth firmly closed. When they were gone, Rube directed his men to bind the hands of the prisoner, and when a bandage had been tied over his eyes, the return to the cave was begun. Already it was growing dark, but they made such good use of their time, that their journe was soon finished and Sam confined in a arial room off the larger one, with silent Jack Silver and another man for guards, Around a glowing fire the Vigilantes prepared and ate their supper, at the same time discuss- ing the future. edtop Rube, with his usual boldness, had formed a plan. He believed the Regulators would expect him to remain quiet and rely on his prisoner to bring them to terms, and he looked at the matter like a sagacious general. To be successful in war, one must strike just where and when he is not expected. _ Thus it was that he proposed a midnight dash into Torpedo Gulch, and his summary of the situation was all that was needed to arouse the cowboys to enthusiasm, Excellent horsemen, they had seen so much of like life in Texas, that it was like a leaf from the old book. At the appointed hour the party wound down the mountain, Halpine alone remaining at the cave. For this work Rube would have chosen Jack Silver, but the elder man was an indiffer- ent horseman and, as Sam was left bound, nothing was to be feared from him, When the Vigilantes arrived near the village a halt was made, and Brown Ben went forward to reconnoiter. When he returned he reported all quiet ex- cept at Beldick’s saloon, and the few men who remained there were likely to stay for hours, as they were deep in the mysteries of Ker. PeRabe was satisfied and no further time was lost. Down the main street they started at a molerate gallop, going in a double row with their Ieader a little in advance, The miners were nearly all asleep, for the preceding night and day had given them little time for rest, and they were improving what seemed a good chance. — The little noise made by the Vigilantes did not arouse them, and almost as sHently as spec- ters the little band dashed up to Beldick’s saloon, Rube had selected four men to follow him, and as they came to a halt, they leaped from their saddles and strode in through the door. Seven men, including the landlord, were pres- ent, and as they looked up to see who was seek- ing their classic retreat at that hour, they hada very discouraging view of a line of glittering revolvers which covered every man of them, “Hands up!” ordered Captain Redtop in a clear voice. ‘‘Make one move toward your revolvers and we use ours. Hands up, every man!” Consternation seized upon the gamblers, All of them had seen that first quarrel forced ie the young stranger, but his situation had changed meateally since then, and their sand sli rapidly away. Paso) ot hor on I cried Beldick, first of all. ** 1’m in proper posish,” He put up his arms and his example was fol- lowed by all. Redtop Rube hela the ground just then, but the tigers’ teeth were muffled, not If be went through Torpedo Gulch in triumph he might call bimself a lucky man. ’ CHAPTER VIII. A SURPRISE FOR REDTOP RUBE. Toe Viligante prince turned to Beldick as soon as he saw matters thus situated. a“ Landlord,” said he, ‘‘lead me to Zella Hal- is To Zella? Why she ain’t here,” said Bel- ick, ‘* Don’t take the trouble to lie. I know she is, and you may as well cave. The Vigilantes hold the floor to-night and they ain’t joking. You will produce the girl or Ill fire your old ranch and let you roast inside of it!” Rube had no intention of doing such a bar- barous thing, but his words produced the de- sired effect; they frightened Beldick nearly out of his boots, **Hol’ on!” he cried, ‘‘don’s say that. Ive caved; I’m knocked clean over the ropes an’ outer ther ring; I don’t put in my warble ag’in’ yours at all, but when you’ve gone all over this tbe’ place, from top ter bottom, you’ll see I am right.” _Redtop believed he was lying and perempto- rily ordered him to lead the way, but at that moment there came a revolver shot from out- side the door, followed by a second and a third, and the chief wheeled about. ‘Hold the crowd, boys!” he ordered, and then strode through the door. He found only two of the band at their post, but the others were frisking about among the adjacent cabins. ‘*W hat is it?’ he demanded, ‘‘Some critter took a few shots at us from the dark. Ther boyees are arter bim.” ‘*We have no time to lose; he will arouse the whole camp. Yes, they begin to pour out now. Here, Tom Austin, come with me:” With these words Rube dashed back into the saloon, and when he ordered Beldick to lead the way to the upper part of the building there was that in his voice which compelled prompt obedi- ence, The landlord caught up a lamp and they as- cended the ladder together, but as they reached the floor an awkward movement on Beldick’s part sent the light crashing at their feet, leaving them in total darkness. ‘*Tt don’t make no difference,” said the man, none “The girl is here and you shall have er, ‘“‘ Be quick, then,” the Vigilante peremptorily ordered, as a lively firing began outside the building. Beldick tossed aside a wooden bar, threw open a door and spoke again. ‘The girl is inside.” Before Rube could answer there was a rustle of female garments and some one ran straight into Rube’s arms—a slight, girlish figure he was not slow to recognize as Zella Halpine. ‘‘Oh! let me go, let me go!” she pleaded, as though she thought him an enemy, ‘* My father will give you all the money you ask,” ‘Have no fear, Miss Zella,” Rube hastily said. ‘‘I am not an enemy, but a friend, and I am here for the express purpose of rescuing you. ‘You shall go to your father, Just follow me and you shall be saved.” She murmured a few words of thanks, which the young man scarcely heard. Instead, his ear was stretched to catch the sounds of strife outside. The firing had become brisk; it was plain the roughs were turning out in force; there was no time fo lose. He sprung toward the ladder, and raising the girl, carried her down bodily. The saloon was in darkness, suggesting some new trouble, but one of his men spoke reassur- ingly. RTs all right, cap’n; one 0’ them gamboliers upset the table, but we hold the fort. Have you gut her?” “< Yes. ‘< Yes.” “Then away we go. The whole village is awake, and we must escape while we can.” ‘‘ Don’t leave me!” uttered his fair compan- ion; and Rube, remembering how his heart had palpitated at that first meeting, made a some- what extravagant vow that the roughs should only reach her over his body. hen they emerged from the saloon it was seen that Brown Ben and his men were having a lively little fight; but though the roughs were numerous, they kept well away from the little band, and neither party was doing much dam- age in the darkness. ube sprung at once to his horse, and_ with se girl held in his arms was ready for depar- ure. ‘‘ Attention, Vigilantes! Forward—charge!” is voice rung out clearly, and with a sweep Are the boys all here?” Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. | 7 and dash the ex-cowboys galloped directly to- ward their foes. The latter were not cowards by any means, but a man must be Pretty sure that a sacrifice is demanded before he will let a borse trample him under foot, and without exception they fell back and gave ample room, Each party fired a few harmless shots, and then the Vigilantes shook off their rivals and went thundering through the village, the cow- bo vs making the air quiver with their Comanche ells, ‘ Some one chanced to see a horse, and as war had been formally declared, he was promptly confiscated and prs to the girl; and thus the rescuers rode out of the village in triumph, not having lost a man and baving no wounds of im- portance, 7 Redtop Rube would neglect no precautions, so the girl was placed in the center of 8 little party, while he himself rode at the ead, In this way the return was safely made, and when the hour was yet some distance from day, they re-entered their cave. Rube had been thinking of the pleasant meet- ing between Halpine and his daughter, and as the place was quite dark, since only one torch was burning, he bade her remain silent fora while and, taking her hand, went toward the niche where the elder man and bis prisoner had been left. The former was not visible, nor did he answer to his name, and the chief seized the torch and swung it about to increase the blaze, This act brought a surprise which speedily increased to fear; neither Halpine nor Lefferts was visible. He called the former’s name, once, twice, three times; but no answer was returned, Rube*turned toward the girl, his face very grave, and then almost staggered as a second surprise met him. She was not Zella Halpine! No wonder the young captain stared, for the possibility of such a mistake had not before oc- curred to him, and with parted lips he was for some time speechless. Then he started forward gna seized her arm in a hold anything but gen- e, ‘* What trick is this?’ he demanded, harshly. ‘‘ Oh! Heaven save me!” she cried, shrinking back. ‘‘ What have Idonef Do you, too, turn against me? Oh! what is the matter?” ‘‘ Where is Zella Halpine?”’ he demanded. ‘‘] don’t know; nor do I know who she is, What are you blaming me for?” ‘*Because I am a fool, I reckon,” thought Rube; and then aloud: ‘Don’t you know Zella?’ ‘‘T do not. I think there was another wo- man at that dreadful house, but I never even saw her,” ‘* And who are you?” ‘My name is Ellice Norton, and I live at Gray Horse Bar. I was stolen by those men and confined in the house, I thought you had come as a friend, but I guess—I guess I was wrong.” | She seemed on the point of bursting into tears, as women occasionally do, but Redtop Rube did not seem very much affected, Na- rigs somewhat suspicious, be could not get rid of the impression that there was a trick somewhere, absurd as it seemed; but he was not wholly proof against female beauty and his new acquaintance’s unusually large share of it made him drop his harsh manner. ‘“ We are the friends of all who are desery- ing,” he quietly said, ‘‘and you are as safe as ona, at your own home. I am, however, reatly disappointed, for we went to nomeno ulch to rescue a certain person, and now I find our efforts unsuccessful.” ‘« Was it the other girl?’ ‘**T suppose so.” ‘*]. am sorry for you,” ‘*) am sorry for her,” said Rube, gloomily. ‘For myself, I have but one word—idiot! Boys, you see the blunder I have made and I frankly say I am not fit to lead you. I resign in favor of Brown Ben!” “No, you don’t!” cried that man, quickly, ‘‘ Are you ter blame fur gettin’ mixed ona gi you never see’d sei in ther saloon one’t? I guess not. Weareall sorry, but we don’t blame ye. i say, three cheers fur Captain Rube Red- top!’ hey were given with a will and the young leader saw that, right or wrong, the band was going to stand by him. He expressed his grati- tude and then once more remembered the sin- gular disappearance of Sam Lefferts and Hal- pine. choo Eom S . (E(@) | = Ja ——