Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 321 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 Ra ———__—__— ——s *“ Well, my jewel, we have you at last, eh?” the arch schemer said, leering malignantly into tne captive’s face. 7a> jafe when you refused my terms the other aight. Weare here after the wealth you have boncded up, and we intend to have it before we woove. As time is pressing, we must make the present interview brief. I would like to tarry longer with you, but circumstances will not rinit. So hand over your lucre and we will epart. “Never! Not a dollar—not a grain shall you ever touch!” His voice was firm and decisive. An evil gleam shot from the eyes of Boston Blye. 4 We shall see!” he gritted, ‘‘ Dandy, gather gome fagots and kindle a fire. Be sure to make it as hot as possible. Roberts, hold a pistol to the jewel’s head until we are ready to warm his feet. Jewel, old boy, I'll make you acquainted with Roberts, the man you once endeavored to murder in Boston,” “Tt is a pity I didn’t murder both of you,” the hermit retorted. ‘‘The world would have been spared a deal of sin and sorrow.” Boston made no answer, but watched Dandy Dan prepare the fire, the malevolent expression upon his face making it almiost flendish. In a few minutes Dandy Dan had gathered a considerable pile of pinecones and light wood, aod the application of a match caused it to blaze up brightly. “You see the fire, brother?’ Boston Blye de- manded significantly. ‘‘To you it means the foretaste of roast, unless you tell us where to lay bands on your gold.” ‘Roast itis, then. I shall never give you the «niormation you crave.” ‘“Then we will warm the soles of vour feet, so that you will never be troubled with chilblains., Yan Me get to work!” Without delay Blaek Bob threw the hermit ox ois back, and Dandy Dan removed the moc- gasins from bis feet, The two wretches then bore Jewel toward the fire, and placed his feet uncomfortably near the blaze. ‘*Now, boys, you needn’t hurry yourselves about se pra, | his feet brown all at once. Take your time and do them up rare, at first. He Will relish the sport all the more.’ Jewel could scarcely repress a shudder, even though his face expressed nothing but defiance. That his own brother could be so unspeakably heartless, was beyond his understanding. Yet he was fesolved not to yield, no matter what torture they might inflict. ** Now, Jewel, old boy, how do you feel? Do you think you can bear the racket without wilt- ing?” By have said all that was necessary, I be- lisve,” Jewel answéred. ‘* You have it in your power co torture me, but not to conquer me— no! never!” ‘Then, after you’re sufficiently singed, we'll erect a slab over your tomb—‘ Died, a martyr to money.’ Dandy, shove his feet into the fire.” Dandy hesitated a moment, and then, ap- parently nerved for the task stooped fo re His hands had scarcely touched Jewel’s egs, however, before there was the sharp report of a rifle, and Dandy Dan tumbled to the ground, never tosin in this world again, The next instant two figures, roughly clad in miner’s. garb, dashed in upon the scene with drawn revolvers. “Fly for your life!” Blye yelled to Black Bob, and he suited action to the word by making off down the gulch at the top of his speed, Black Bob following at his heels. Two shots whizzed after them, but did not arrest their flight. The r*scuers drawing old Jewel away from the fire, 2ut bis bonds, ‘You aad a narrow escape!” one of them gaid. ‘‘ It was lucky we happened near, or you would hardly have felt like jig-dancing for some days to come,” “Probably not,” Jewel replied, “ and I thank you gratefully for coming to my aid,” “You are welcome, surely. Do you know who I am, Jewel?’ “You are a stranger to me; therefore I can- not say what is your name,” ‘Yes, Tam a stranger to you, these man years. But it is through no fault of mine, Jewe do von'know me now?” The speaker removed a sombrero and a false beard from the fare and the handsome, undis- guised features f Celia Blys, alias Poker Kate, were revealed! The hermit .orang forward and seized her ete ea ee Roary oo y into “You presumed that you | oe Deadwood Dick's Dozen —-<—-—— is it only a mocking delusion?” “It is no delusion, my dear busband; 1 am Celia Blys. “fwas only lately that ( learned who you were,” ‘‘ God be praised, for he has blessed me in my last days,” the hermit said fervently, after em- bracing her. ‘* And to think you should be my rescuer!” ‘*To m-> the credit is not all due,” the post- mistress said, ‘**Our daughter, here, deserves as much as I, Agnes, come forward.” Once more there was a proceeding of remov- ing false beard, and Agnes Blye stood before her father, with tears of joy in her sweet eyes. We will pass over the scene that followed, and the loving words that were spoken. Suffice it to say that blessings were offered to the Al- mighty, for his mercy. “You must now accompany me back to Phantom Flats,” Poker Kate—as wo will con- tinue to call her—said. ‘‘There you will have both safety and comfort, until we can make arrangements to seek another and pleasanter bome, far from here.” “No, I cannot leave the hermitage until Deadwood Dick and the Dumb Boysreturn. I will then get them to transport my gold to some secret cache, where it will be safe until I want it,” “Dare you trust that fellow? You may not have heard of the reputation be bears.” ‘““T would trust him with a dozen fortunes, if needs be. He has acted the part of a gentleman toward me, and if I leave this vicinity, I shall richly reward bim. I fear we willhave trouble, before we get away.” **'Who from?” ** Who else but my evil brother, who has al- ay made my life so miserable.’ * Then you fear him?” ‘‘No; not so far as my courage goes, I an- ticipate, however, that be will try to rob me whenever I attempt to leave this vicinity.” ‘¢ Let’s make arrangements, then, for you to go at once, I will join you a few days hence.” ‘‘No; T do not intend to leave until I see Dick properly rewarded, and until he succeeds in recovering for the brave Dumb Dozen their lost mine!” ‘¢ He shall never do that!” Poker Kate replied flercely. ‘* Tell me—does he suspect where the mine is?” ‘* He fancies that he knows,” “Where did he say it was ‘* Beneath the Fort.” Something like a groan escaped the lips of Poker Kate, ‘ Curse the fellow! It shall bea bitter strug- gle before he shall havethe mine, It belongs to me, by right of possession, and there shall be a bitter war before I give it up!” ‘‘ Celia, my wife, listen to reason, The lost mine belongs to those who cannot speak for their own interests, Give up the mine to them, for I have ample wealth to gratify all our wants,” ‘ Dictate not to me, sir! I say no one shall own a penuy in the mine tut myself. You. have nothing to say in the matter whatever, and if ou interfere it will be the worse for you.” “This is strange language to use to your near ty foune husband, Celia. “Husband or no husband, I am my own master, and will fight before I will yield up the lost mine. If you do not choose to join in my cause you can do without a wife for the remain- der of your life.” ‘‘So be it, then! "Even for your sake I could not be induced to enter into so dishonor- able action as to defraud the unfortunate Dumb Dozen.” “Then we are enemies henceforth. If you meet your death through your absurd allegiance to Deadwood Dick and his gang, it is your own fault. Agnes, come with me.” “I prefer to remain here,” Agnes replied, quietly. ‘Father must need me, and if there is another rupture between my parents I shall remain with papa.” “We shall see how long you will remain with him. If forced to it, 1 can raise a war inand about these parts that neyer was dreamed of. I go back to the Phaatom Flats now; when If Sg again, you will both come over to my side. And shaking her finger at them threaten- ingly, she turned and hurried away. d Jewel gazed after her with a sigh. ‘I can scarcely believe the evidence of my senses. What will not the iasane passion for money do?’ “A great deal of harm, father; but do not a. oe ~~ re oe re * Celia! Celial My God! can this ee wue. w despair or worry You nave just seen it provem thah my mother is put worthy of your nobdie self, and 30 .t us Pury our sorrows, and try ~ make each other bappy. When Desdwond Dick returns we shall have a brave and fearless protector.” “True, my child. And until then we must guard aT he another surprise, for the enemy may still be lurking in the neighborb«od. After rescuing George Gerald, Deadwood Dick and his Dozen rode away to & quiet copse in the gulch within view of Phantom Flats, and | leaving the Dczen there for a time, Harris dige } guised himself, and he and Gerald entered the ' young city. Arriving there, they found a scene of great excitement at the Fort. A bonfire had been kindled, and the street was filled with an ex- cited popular’ Dick and Gerald pushed forward to investi- gate. . The door of the Fort was closed, and the windows sbuttered. Jose Picard alone paced the veranda, his eve constantly roving over the crowd, while his hands clutched a formicable pair of revolvers, ‘‘Gentlemen!” he cried, ‘‘ there is no cause for all this excitement. ‘You all know that I owned the shebang, and if I’ve chosen to eject the tenants, after selling it to another party, I want to know whose business it is but my own? When the owner comes he shall have possession, which same I propose to hold until he does ar- rive. ‘‘ We shall see about that, curse you!” Pablo Picard howled from the street. ‘‘ You are a cheat and a thief. Jest wait till Poker Kate returns; then, ef she says take the ‘Fort,’ you bet thar ar’ boys enough as will help us take it.” ‘There are not enough of your sort in Phan- tom Flats, Pablo Picard, to do that dittle job. Are there any gentlemen in the crowd who pro- pose to aid me in retaining my own property —in holding the Fort?’ ‘““T for one!” one of the prominent mine- owners of the camp said, mounting the steps. ‘Hurrah, boys, you that want to see a square man have his rightful and lawful protection,” A dozen leading citizens followed. ‘“‘Thet don’t signify,” Pablo Picard sneerec. “Ther genuine fightin’-stock of the town ye wil! perceive don’t budge an inch ter yer racket—dq ye, boys?” A hoarse wl was the answer, Dick nudged Gerald, and called him aside fo» a moment, ‘‘Go to Jose Picard—mention the name of Richard—and tell him to admit everybody te the Fort, and whoever comes afterward to join his party, except Boston Blye, Roberts, and their confederates. I will take a recounoisancc, and see you later.” Gerald nodded, and walked away. Reaching the steps, he ascended to the veranda, and spoke for several moments to Jose Picardo, The latter hesitated a few moments; then gave Gerald che keys, with which be unlocked the door, “Step inside, out of bullet range, gentlemen,’ be said, ‘There bids fair to be trouble in this matter, and we might as well prepare for it, and if possible, crush out the ruffian element vt this camp.” Every man near him.seemed to think bs advice timely, for all hastened to enter. Gerald locked the door after them, he and Picard, how- ever, remaining on the outside. « There's going to be a terrible fight over this affair!” Picard said, in a low tone. ‘Tl hold the Rass for Deadwood Dick, however, if ssible. One after another the citizens came upon the veranda, and were admitted to the building, until there were at least half a burdred withm —then they suddenly ceased to come,.and there was a noticeable thinning out of the crowd in the streets—even Pablo Picard (Cirapprey! : Jose Picard was puzzled. and directe Gerald to make a reconnoissance through the rear of the ort. He did so; but saw no alarming signs. Just as he returned to the veranda, Deadwood Dick came running up: for the street was now deserted, miu “Qlear the building as quickly as ible!” he cried. ‘‘ The entrance to the mine is in another place, as well asin under the Fort, and in five minutes the fort will be blown to atoms!” Gerald immediately notified those inside, and in less time, perhaps, than it takes to write it, the ‘‘ Fort” was evacuated, and its late inmates were ata safe distance, They were none too soon. There was sad com books.com