Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 —_,- In a short time Little Quick-Shot was arrayed in the new costume, and armed with wea enough oo out a score of men, had he the hande to use m Through the ‘‘ devil’’ masks, were eyeholes, and mouth slits for breathing, with projecting forked tongues, that could be manipulated from the inside by the wearer's tongue. “Now, then, Sat are all fixed!'’ the Dead Face an- nounced. ‘A finer looking six arengess, would be hard to pick up on these prairies. You are an ex- rienced frontiersman, Donald Waverly. Can you ‘U us where we are now?” _ Little Quick-Shot looked about him, with a discern- ing eye. ey were, apparently, still in mid-prairie, the only object nisher than grass, in view, being them- selves and a half-dozen saddle ho near by. “T reckon you have got me, aslam literally a stranger in these parts, and not familiar with any cular phical landmark!" Quick-Shot confessed. “I should judge, however, from what I can remember of my trip, that rsville lies some- where about thirty-five miles to the northwest.”’ ** You could not well have guessed with accuracy. But come! let us mount and be off. We have a number of miles to ride, yet.” The mount was made, and they struck off ata gaeerin a northerly direction, never drawing rein, until the sun set, and dense shadows were set- tling like a pall over the prairie. en they paused at the brink of a uarrow wind- ing: arroyo, or ewe water y, the bottom of which lay fully enty feet. bottom, singularly enough, was almost choked with a forest of pines on 80 Closely together that it resembled a jungie. narrow bridle-path led down into the depths of this wood, A column of smokecurling up through the tree- i wes, the only sign to indicate that the grove was “There's where the Cattle Clique have their head- ra rh Dead Face ned, pointing down into the arroyo. ‘*They'’ve got a shanty in among the trees, and there's a nest full of the cusses in it, ‘*Do you know how many ?”’ Quick-Shot asked. “No. It depends altogether whether any of the gang are away on a raid, If the ful! force is at head- quarters, there are nigh about fifty of them.”’ ‘*Then, what business have we got trying to at- tack them? They’d soon makeshort work of us!"’ ‘That all depends on how we get at them, sir, I will leave you here, and go down for a reconnois- sance. If I make any discoveries worth reporting, I will be back shortly. If not, you had better make a careful search for me.” * All right. We will allow you half an hour to get back in!’’ Quick-Shot remarked. : The chief then dismounted and leaving his horse with the others, descended the bridle-path on foot, soon losing himself from view among the trees. uick-Shot and the others waited. en, fifteen, twenty minutes passed, and darkness had once more settled upon the prairie. Then Dead Face came up out of the valley, carrying an Indian youth on his shoulders, who was securely bound. CITT ee ** Well, where did you catch on to that?’ Quick- Shot demanded, as the chief deposited the prisoner upon the ground. “Down yonder, He's your mutton!” “a Why go?”’ ‘‘ Wor the simple reason that he is a go-between for the tm beer and knows all the ringleaders. He just brought news to the stronghold that an entire party, numbering all but four of the Clique, were yesterday captured by soldiers who are advancing upon Daggersville.” “Then we shall have an victory below?” ‘*No!” Dead Face said, “ reis nothing more to do down there. I spared the red-skin because he promised to turn State’s evidence against the oeeeut, Miss Gleason—-where is she?” Quick-Shot asked. **Coming up the path behind me. Ah! here she comes, now. Look! yonder goes the stronghold of the Cattle Clique, with everything in it, except what money I could find!"’ ted down into the grove with a laugh of triumph, just as Grit Gleason reached the top of the He poin a ht light could be seen below, that increased : until forked tongues of fire lea up thronga the tree-tops, with a crackling sound. out speaking, the pang marche’ the flames time; then, at Dead Face's order, they all and rode away. The declaration of Cap. Melton, that he was Gideon Gleason’s son, as narrated in a previous chagents aoneee the general to turn whiter than ever, W ous curse esca his lips. “You lie—you lie!” he : “] do not,’’ Melton replied, triumphantly. “I can prove that we are wife and sonto you. Lenore is not ad child, or rather was not.” ** How do you know?” “We do know. You adopted her from an asylum, ete Pecctted. We, ANE ft us upon the work to look after ourselves. Not long since, you me gn age that pre sig Bey sw mgt ae ~ nore w good paren 4 was shortly cm into soa eoere ie ecetiies sy inp oe You wo rogues ur heads together possession ' of the fortaie: by wh gg a between McIntosh and Lenore. Luckily for the poor girl, she was such a fate,” “Ay! accursed be he who murdered her!" the general cried, bitterly. Little Quick-Shot. “Why heap curses upon swrcenen’t It will not drive away the phantom that ever haunts you. But, enough of that. We could make you suffer on more than one charge, but don’t propose to do that, if we can arrange terms.” ‘*Terms!’’ ‘Exactly. Listen, and I will explain. My little business of cattle-thief has gone up. The cavalry has struck me hard by capturing my men and burn- ing my stronghold. They are likewise now after me. I therefore propose to retire from business in such @ way as to not be obliged to bother my brains about lucre, henceforth. I mean that you shall help me to do it. I have, here, one hundred thou- sand dollars in cash, and the marriage-certificate. You put up an equal sum of money, and we will play agame of cards. If I lose, I am broke, and will put up my life against another purse of money.”’ “Tr you win?” ‘‘You still have a chance to gamble as long as your cash holds out, and even to putting up your other property. You see in that respect you have au immense advantage over us; you can gamble for hours, while we can only play until we lose both money and life.”’ ‘* Supposing I refuse to do anything of the kind?” ‘Then, before we leave this house, you are a dead man, as sure as I am your son!”’ ‘IT will play. If you lose, you shall pay the for- feit, depend upon it, The world cannot hold us both.”’ ‘*.am perfectly willing to doso.”’ The eral went to his safe, and returned with several large rolls of money, and a deck of cards. The game was to be eucher. ‘*Out for deal!’’ Gleason said, as they seated themselves at a table. ‘If you please, gents, I'll take a hand in that game, too!"’ a strange voice said. The startled trio gazed toward the door in alarm, What strange transformation was this? Was it retribution? Eleven persons s in a row, just within the room, e¢a asping a revolver in his right hand. Seven of them were attired as the demon aven- gers. The remaining four were Old Man Ronald, rep Greer, and the two other men who had been held as Gleason’s prisoners. Gideon Gleason trembled like an aspen at sight of the ominous line—each one of whom, he doubted not, had some deadly account to settle with him. Cap. Melton uttered a savage oath, but made no motion to fight or escape. He saw that the odds were too largely against bim, and he could but tremble. when he caught the stern, menacing gaze of Old Man Ronald. It had been Dead Face, who had spoken. “ My oy my 4 is good as any one’s!’’ he continued, draw forth a roll of bills, and advancing to the table. ‘*‘So be kind enough to deal me out a hand. I know the terms of the game, and am satisfied to abide by them.” The general and his wicked son exchanged glances, and the game began. Four hands were played, and the Dead Face went out, he stem J the game between Melton, and the general. They played the hand out quickly, and the gen- eneral, , Went out! Melton grew pale, but dealt the cards, with appar- ent determination to win, + Ue or forty thousand this time!’' he gritted. The Dead Face raked in forty thousand, and left twenty on the board. The ren made his stake, and the game began the table surrounded by the avengers, who watche with breathless interest. The Dead Face went out on the fourth hand again, leaving Melton to play off with his father, ain. eBoth handled the cards nervously; both were pale and trembling. There was an audible murmur in the room when he gonene made a eucher, and won by two nD . For instant there was a deathlike silence— then Melton’s mother suddenly placed a revolver to’ son’s head, and fired. ‘* You shall never kill him!’ she hissed, addressing the enern “He was ason to me, and we will die er!’’ Before she could be prevented, she placed the pis- tol to her own temple and fired. The two fell to the floor almost simultaneously. The bullet did not produce death for Melton, for several minutes, and he gazed about him, | “It’s all up with me!" he said. “I ask the for- giveness of them I’ve wronged. You've won, old man, but I reckon we'll meet, at head-quarters. My last igh ts tge mother.”’ ‘It shall be done!" Dead Face said, “and to re- lieve your mind of one sin, sir, I will tell you that you did not kill Ralph Ronald. I brought him back to life, and he is present, now!”’ Ata motion, one of the party removed his mask, and, sure enough, Ralph Ronald stood revealed! A look of relief passed over Melton’s face, and his lamp of bfe went out, even as Old Man Ronald and his son embraced each other. " General Gleason still sat at the table, like one in a daze, as he nervously fingered the cards. The Dead Face once more turned to him. “Gideon Gleason!" he said, sternly, ** Your un- fortunate wife and son have paid the ae maps: of their crimes. You are even a greater criminal were they, and vou too must answer. We willgoon with the game!” ‘*{ have but fifty thousand dollars left,” the gen- eral doggedly. Maybe not, but you have the deeds to your own ranch, and you have your cattle. We will gamble for all! You need not produce the fraudulent deeds of your brother's estate, for they are no account!”’ * Then, we will gamble for my own, eh? Very well. If I lose it, I will still have the other.” ‘“*We will gamble for yours alone. By investiga- tion, it has been proven that your brother's estate was not incumbe:ed a cent’s worth, and you have no legal claim to it; therefore, it reve to his daughter. When you have lost all, you must stake your life against the whole, which, if you win, you shall have undisputed ssion of. ou og course your life pays the forfeit. We will play t for oo Bg raey me dollars a side; secondly for your real estate against my hundred thousand ; thirdly, your personal estate against my bundred thousand, and lastly your life against the whole results of our games.’ bint, ‘*You evidently calculate to win every game!”’ the general sneered. ‘**T shall try to,”’ ‘‘If I refuse to play?” **T will then leave it to my companion avengers, to devise the most excruciating plan for putting you out of this world,”’ ‘*Ourse you! be you man or devil, I'll chance yon on the cards, since I see no other way of escape,”’ “Tama man in some th —a devil in others, I warned you of my coming. You should have heed- ed my chemically prepared letier!'’ and the arene a being laughed, strangely. ‘* But, let’s get down to business. I would be through with it as soon as possible! Have you a fresh pack of cards?"' The cards were produced, shuffled, dealt, and the game of seven-up—for it was mutually agreed to play that game—began. The bodies of Melton and his mother had been re- moved, and those most interested of the party crowded about the table, eagerly. It was to be a game for life or death—or, more Propeny, the first of a series of games. The general was a fine player, or had been in his day, and still prided himself that he could beat the ordinary run o pace: That the Dead Face could play, one did not want better evidence than to watch him. movements and whole demeanor were those of a cool and easy- going man of the world. The cards of either player came down upon the table with force, the thumping of the men’s fists making the table fairly dance upon the floor. Not a word was uttered—every one was too much interested in the game to speak. : Point after point was made on either side until the game stood three and three. In the next hand the general made two points and Dead Face one. The next hand would decide it. It was played, and Dead Face won, and hauled in =e “same s pile toadd to his own, with a quict chuckle. ‘*Produce your title deeds,” he said. Sean eey eompanes for one of his flery tempera ment, the general obeyed. Dead Face examined the documents, and wrote out an order of transfer to Gertrude Gleason, which the general signed. Both pores were then laced on the money. The cards were shuffled and dealt, and the second game began. Gleason bad regained something of his old color, and appeared to play as if not particular whether he lost or won, “You play a very strong game!’ he remarked. ‘**I do not happen to know ge but, whoever you are, T fancy I have played with you before now,’ ‘Undoubtedly!’ the Dead Face replied, ‘At least, I reckon you will be convinced by the time you are through with me.” “If youintend that as a menace, let me tell you I am not afraid of you.” ‘**Oh! perhaps not!”’ The game went On, — Finally they stood tie at two points. The next hand Dead Face went out. ‘*Good!"’ the general said, calmly. “Go ahead, and draw up a bill of sale for one dollar, of all my personal he, ge It was done, and the general signed it cheerfully. The third game began. The result was the same. Gideon Gleason had lost everything but his life. Go ahead. We have the fifth t ‘“Go ahead. We have the game to play yet," he said, lighting a cigar, and blowing a Ssoud of smoke into the air. ‘If Llose my life may I have the honor of know- ing who is to take it?"’ “That will be decided by cards between the six of us who have masks. Six cards will be dealt, and the one who receives the ace will be required to pro- nounce your doom and execute the sentence,” “Very well. My only request is that I may be buried in a coffin as becomes & gentleman. Pro- ceed.”’ Again the cards were dealt and the game com- menced. With bated breath the watchers awaited the re- sult. It was evident that each man played his best. The e came down to close points—one to one! But fate did not grant that the general should have a winning hand, and he threw down the cards with a bitter oath. ' ‘‘T have lost!’ he said, arising and folding his arms across his breast. ‘ Devil that you represent, devil you are. You have, however, won honorably and my life is at your your work and keep me not in suspense.” Dead Face re-shuffled the cards and called ail of GEomicboo Cc <S