Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 312 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

——— 2 Fe eh mes Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. A thorough search of the cave failed to dis- cover a sign of them, and Rube strongly sus- cted that the young villain had hoodwinked alpine, and agreeing to surrender Zella, had lured him away from the cave. “Yes,” said Brown Ben, ‘ and very likely the old man is by this time a prisoner at the Gulch. Well, let him go; he’s done a pile of foolish things since we knew him, and if he would trust Lefferts he ought to get: pulled in,” ‘Such folly is cortaeny inexcusable, even when we know it was his love for his daughter that sent him on such a dangerous road,” At this moment one of the hand came in from the outer air, ‘*T’ve found Halpine,” he said, ‘* but he’ll never do any more work for the band, or get taken in by a rascal.” ‘Ts he dead?” Rube demanded, ) *‘That’s the name for it, He lays outside with a knife-slash right through him.” And they found itevenso. The unfortunate miner lay a hundred feet from the cave, and Rube’s suspicions were confirmed. Beyond much doubt Sam Lefferts had used his tongue well and deceived his guard, and then, when once outside, he bai seized his opportunity and killed him without warning. The cowboys, practicable and sensible them- selves, neither expressed or felt sympathy, for they strongly condemned the folly which had led to the tragedy; but Rube remembered Zella, and was a good deal depressed by Halpine’s un- timely end. CHAPTER IX. A BOLD UNDERTAKING, Reprop Ruse called his men together and made a brief speech. He pointed out very clearly the fact that the escape of Sam Lefferts would make their cave no longer a safe refuge. Lefferts would, of course, be able to guide the Regulators to the spot, and, outnumbered as they were, they would become practical prison- ers; they might even have to fight hard to hold their quarters. Such being the case, it was best to change to another cave if they could find one. With the death of Halpine went their last member who was acquainted with the mountain, and as they might not easily find this other refuge, it was well to hold to their present one until a better way was open. he disgust expressed for Halpine’s folly led the young leader to fear his men would vote to abandon their comrade; but when he pictured Zella’s situation, deprived of her father and in Sam’s hands, they solidly declared eternal devo- tion to her, and as lasting an enmity against Torpedo Gulch. this pleased Rube greatly, and he then proceeded to interview Miss Ellice Norton, ‘* What do you know of Lefferts?’ he abruptly asked, | “Simply that he came to Gray Horse Bar often and forced his attentions upon me, I dis- liked him, and would have nothiug to do with him, and then I was stolen by his men. He confined mein the old house where you found me, and nearly fri:htened me to death by swearing that 1 should marry him.” All this looked candid enough, and in keepin with Lefferts’s nature, and Rube told himself i was mere obstinacy which still made him doubt the girl, for doubt her he did. ** Where is this Gray Horse Bar?” he asked. ** About fifty miles west of here.” Rube twenty be would have sent her away at once, but it would be impossible to detach a part of his men at such a time. ‘* Well,” be said, pitade f ‘if you can get along with our humble accommodations we will try to see you safely through pope difficulty. Of course we must all remain ide the cave until the matter is decided.” His words conveyed a hint which Miss Ellice did not -fail to understand, but she calmly an- swered that she was satisfied, Rube directed Brown Ben to arrange a place for her an a and then ostensibly retired to bis own nook for the night, or, rather for the two hours of darkness which remained. y, he had wholly different plans, and as soon as his men became quiet he secretly left the cave, well armed, and with his face toward Torpedo Gulch descended the mountain as fast as was possible. His mission was one of danger at the best, but he was resolved to risk all. His mistake in regard to the girls chagrined him more than he could tell; he had taken his brave followers into peril without any perceptible gain, and he ondered. Had the distance been under was resolved to make a second attempt and risk no one except himself. ‘* Perhaps [ am as foolish as poor Halpine, but I don’t believe they will expect another move to-night.” It was half an hour later when he reached the cabins of the Gulch. Nothing could be more quiet than the whole place, not a light was visi- ble, and not a sound arose on the air. The young Vigilante glided along like a shadow. He was prenarhd for any emergency, and as this pts ts might be but a mask such a state of affairs was possible; but he reached the side of the Beldick saloon without trouble. Dark and silent was the whole building, but had he seen less of the place he might have besi- tated before entering. As it was, he thought only of the means, Knowing that Beldick slept on the lower floor, he searched several minutes for a ladder, but such a thing being little used in the town he was unsuccessful, though he did happen ona plank by means of which he knew he could enter. 7 Help mé up,” he said, addressing this novel ladder, ‘‘and as for the coming down, leave me to shift for myself, as somebody said when he was to be hung.” It was not hard to reach the second-story window, and once there he cautious'y pushed it up and paused to listen, All remained silent and, going further, he passed through and stood on the floor. He was now fairly in the den of the tiger, and the chance that the beast was asleep did not look or large when he remembered that Tom Rose had said that Sam kept five men over ber asaconstant guard. Rube was sura this was an exaggeration, but the chance of her being left wholly alone was small indeed. He moved cautiously toward the room in which he was sure she must be confined, but only a few steps had been taken when there was a stir near his feet and something arose and grappled with him, It was a startling interruption, but he was equal to the emergency, and as he recognized the hands of a man he was not long in moving his own until they closed around the fellow’s throat. A desperate struggle then began, and one which Rube felt sure would arouse the people of the house. His adversary was a muscular man, and, though he lacked Rube’s agility, a hard one to conquer, while it was necessary to p hina a firm hold on his throat to prevent an alarm. Back and forth they went, while every mo- ment seemed sure to bring Beldick to the lad- a but Rube was not disposed to delay the end, Catching his antagonist by a cunning lock, he flung him around with such force that after striking against a post, he settled down and lay quite still His head had received a thump wich placed him hors du combat, at least fora while, Satisfied that this was so, Rube hurried to the door where he believed Zella to be, still moving in the dark. A bar held the door, but it was soon removed and he passed within. ‘* Who is there?” The challenge arose quickly and in_ plain alarm, but it was also clear that it was that of a woman—of the very one he sought, unless Rube was mistaken. ‘‘ Hush!” he said warningly. ‘I have come to take you from this den if as I suspect, you are Zella Halpine. ” ‘‘T am she,” returned the girl, with a sudden change of voice. ‘*‘ Are you the young man I saw in the saloon?” sé ‘Yes. ” ‘** And my father?” “ He is in trouble, but your own life depends on your leaving here.” ‘** I will go at once,” | She glided to his side, and he saw she was all ready for flight. Their hands met and he felt a thrill of exultation, but there was no time to lose. Delayin that house would ruin both; the only wonder was that all had gone well up to that time, He led her across the floor to the window, but there he would have been in a dilemma had not she declared her ability to descend cnd proved the fact by going. Hope began to burn brightly, but the flame bad a severe draught as, half-way through the window, a hand closed over Rube’s ankle and though all remained “silent above, he was held asinavise, — Desperately he endeavored to wrench away, ¥ ; ¥ 7 te 2 ey: 2 E——E—— ee ee ee IE TPES i Pe tt Ry “ee but the only result was that be lost his balance and, falling head downward, was in another moment swinging by one leg, still held by his unknown captor. The situation, comical as it might seem under some circumstances, was decidedly serious. Quiet as the town was, it would take but little to stir it up. Rube’s clutching hands encountered nothing except the top of the plank, and he was getting discouraged when a worse phase was given the case. There was a flash above him, a heavy report, and a bullet whizzed near his ears. His unknown enemy was coolly holding him by one foot, while he endeavored to blow out his brains with bis unoccupied hard, Crack! A second shot was fired, but Rube dodged at the flash, and frem that reason or some other, avoided injury, while the attempt at butchery suddenly reminded him that he, too, carried firearms. With a quick movement he drew a revolver, and pointing it upward just as the double click from the unknown heralded a third shot, the youth pulled the trigger. There was a flash, a report, a loosening of the hold on Rube’s ankle, and he shot down, Quick asa flash it occurred to him that to drop that way was to break bis neck, and his hands again seized the plank. He whirled over in the air, and wrencbed his arms severely; but breaking his fall, was soon on his feet. He was none too soon. Loud shouts were sounding here and there, showing that the firing was reawakening Torpedo Gulch, and Rube grasped the hand of the frightened girl. ‘We've got to run forit!” besaid. ‘‘ Don’t be alarmed, for I think we are sure to succeed. Come with me!” He had laid cut his course before entering the house, in case just such a dilemma should be forced upon bim, and with rapid steps they sped among the cabins toa place of safety. The roughs were arousing like bees from their hives, and when it is remembered how lately they had settled down to pexceful rest, it is not strange they awoke in a most ugly mood, Luckily for the fugitives, one of the crowds saw fit to mistake a neigbbor for an enemy, and his shot was the signal for a brisk serenade, which was soon drawing all to a common oint. , Rube had just begun to feel at his ease, when he was hailed by a man who came running after them. ‘* Hold on, Redtop!” said this poner. “Tm our friend and not your foe, and if you want alf a dozen true men to join your band I'll get them for you.” ‘*‘ His name is Lane; he is father’s best friend,” Zella interpolated. The Vigilante remembered what Halpine had said, and as more men were really needed in the band, he bade Mr. Lane seek him at Thunder Pass the next day for a talk. He had not paused while speaking, and by the time he had finished the village was passed, and they hastened on toward the mountain, All depended on reaching the foot-hills before the Regulators, | CHAPTER X. THE SIEGE OF THE CAVE, As the fugitives gained the open space their footing became reliable and they were able t» run rapidly, but it was not long before loud shouts in the rear announced that the roughs were in pursuit. Nothing could have saved them then had Zella weakened, but she retained her courage in a way which surprised her champion and they were yet beyond revolver-shot when the broken conntry was reached, Rube saw with some uneasiness that day would soon be upon them, and dangers seemed to thicken. At the best, Sam Lefferts knew the situation of the cave and could send men to in- tercept them if he was wise enough, and with daylight to ren’er them plainly visible it would be a hard pull. ‘ “Are you capable of ascending this moun- tain?” he asked. ‘‘ Anything; I could almost fly. But, don’t fear for me, I have been over the mountain time and again and I’m sure [ can move as rapidly as you.” he set the example by running lightly up the rough way, and Rube followed with in- creased confidence, ) The shouts of the roughs had grown danger- ously near, but a little while later it became | OOo) com G SS GOr