Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

7 set out on foot for the Cottonwoods. Then I knew for certain that they were bent on some devil’s work, and susp: eting that Donald was to be harmed, I do ged their footsteps. They got into the Ronald grounds, by scaling the wall onthe northern side, and secreted themselves in an old unused arbor. I was close at hand. They watched the mansion, and when Quick-Shot eutered it, bearing Ralph Ronald in his arms, I distinctly heard Buck Brady say, with an cath, ‘ Boys, there’s our cbance,’ and they rushed into the bouse. I followed in time to hear Brady’s base, lying charge, and I pronounced it “en utter falsehood, as I do now! Isay heisa liar, and in this matter is coing some other Villain’s work.” ‘‘Ts there any other testimony to offer?’ Judge Laverty asked, drumming on his hastily impro- vised desk. ‘‘There is,” Major Greer answered, arising. *Té looks to me as though there was a scaeme afoot to ruin the prisoner. I had a talk with the general, yesterday, and he swore he’d spena a fortune to drive Quick-Shot from the couutry, or see him hung.” ‘‘ That is a lie!” General Gleasonroared. ‘I never said anything of the kind.” ‘*Can you prove your assertion, major?” the judge asked, ** Unfortunately no, We were alone, when the general uttered the threat.” “It cannot be accepted as evidence, then. Mr. Ronald, do you know of any reason whatever why Donald Waverly should murder your son?” “No, sir, I do not. I never saw the young man before, and am positive my son had ™»t, as when not away at college he was always closely at home.” ‘‘Yet it is not impossible that he did do it. As I view it, the evidence is strongly against him. Here are five men, who have solemnly sworn that they saw the crime committed, The defense bears but one witness, and she a young woman of a susceptible age. Women are tender- hearted, and, naturally, to save a man’s life, would do many things they could not do, under other circumstances—or at least, would not do!” *Do you mean to say I lie?’ Grit cried, with blazing eyes. ‘‘ Why, PU—Du—” “Silence!” the major commanded, ‘ Pro- ceed judge. “Y ‘have little to add,” the judge resumed.” “As no jury has been impanneled, I believe | am expected to act to the best of my judgment, in rendering a just and conscientious verdict. It therefore remains for me to say, that I find the prisoner at the bar—” “Btop!” Mr. Ronald cried, jumping up. ‘‘ Here comes one of my herders, on horseback, at breakneck s Perhaps he brings news!” ‘*Go ahead, muiaes as? your verdict,” Gan- eral Gleason roared. ‘‘ By no means,” Laverty cried. ‘If there’sa i or the prisoner, he shal! have it!” 1 eyes were directed prairieward, where, coming toward the town, at arun, was a horse and rider, thé latter waving his hat in the air, to attract attention. It was an exciting moment! It was a moment of hope, for Little Quick- Shot, at least. In five minutes the horsemen, a sun-browned Texan, drew rein beside the trial stand. “Speak!” the major cried. “‘T have a letter for the judge, in this ’ere case,” the man panted, ‘‘It wasgiven tome bya handsome horseman, whogave me fifty dollars to fetch it here, as quick as hoss-flesh could do ir!” Judge Laverty received the letter, glanced it over, and then said: “Tt is from the man who murdered Ralph Ronald, Donald Waverly, you are a free man!” , A cheer arose from the lips of the muttitude, that made the welkin ring! ** Hurrah! hip! bip! burrah for Little Quick- Sact!” “Silence!” shouted the major, ‘‘ Judge, be kiod enough to read the letter!” Laverty obeyed, and this is what he read: **To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:— “Having learned that one person, called Little Quick-Shot, or the Scarlet Scout, has n arrested, and is likely to be convicted) for the murder of ph Ronald. I wish to correct the mistake, and do the man justice, although I believe bim to be a de- tective, whose mission to these parts is to arrest me and my Cattle Clique. / killed Ralph Ronald, but by mistake. I chased him ten miles, eprie | him to be one of my men who had deserted. .As have since found my man. the man I toppled over last night must have been Ralph Ronald, as I over- took him not far to the south of the Cottonwoods. Yours to command, “Cap, MELTON.”’ nee ees a CS ano ne 4 * eel — oe wan o~ Little Quick-Shot. The judge then turned to Mr. Ronald, ‘-Ts this explanation convincing to you, sir, that Donald Waverly is guiltless of the murder of your son?” ‘* Perfectly, sir.” ‘“Then, this precious gang of perjurers— Hello! they’re gone!” It was even so! While the judge was reading Cap. Melton’s letter, every one was so intent in listening to bim, that Brady and his pals slipped from the platform without attracting attention, and were now gone, ‘* Those scoundrels shall be made to pay dear- ly for their collusion with General Gleason!” Quick-Shot said. ‘‘ Leave that part of it to me!” ‘You are, then, a detective?’ the judge asked. ‘T am. My business in these pars is to break up that organization known as the Cattle Clique, provided I am not too busily occupied in defending myself from the attacks of private citizens,” ‘As Buck Brady will necessarily have to keep shady, and at best has forfeited his rights, as deputy-sheriff, I propose that we appoint Quick-Shot to fill Brady’s office,” Mr. Roneld said, ‘‘ Allin favor, make manifest.” : A rousing cheer went up. That was enough! Donald Waverly was depusy-sheriff of Dag- gersville; and Gideon Gleason realized that, after all, be was not a man of so much power and importance as he had been, Biting his lip with chagrin, he wheeled his horse about to ride away. CHAPTER VIIL WAR TO THE END! But the general was not destined to depart et, : Old Man Ronald called him back. ‘Hold up, general! You have forgotten something, haven't you?” Gleason gave him ascowl, and then drew rein. ‘IT believe I have!” he growled. ‘‘ Come into the Cinnamon Bear, and we will settle our differ- ences in private.” ** As you like, sir.” In five minutes the two foes and the major were closeted in a private parlor. Outside, the topic of excitement had under- gone a change—the quarrel between the two men of means, and its probable result, being upon the lips ofevery ¢ ne. Inside the parlor, the two men faced each otber, stern and angry. The major stood at one side, grasping a pair of revolvers, ‘Tf there’s to be any blood shed here, gents, I'll take a hand,” he warned. ‘“ Order is the rule of my house.” ‘“There’s no necessity of bloodshed at pre- sent!” Mr. Ronald replied. ‘* Henceforth, un- less the general apologizes, we are bitter enemies, and this portion of the country is not big enough to hold the two of us.” ‘‘You never spoke a truer truth!” Gleason cried. ‘‘My hatred for you can never abate until you are overwhelmed with ruin and dis- grace, or are dead.” ‘‘Gentlemen! gentlemen! no good can come of such a state of affairs!” protested Greer, ‘““T give the general an hour to pack his things, and leave for parts unknown, If he don't, be will regret it!” threatened Ronald. ‘*You cannot intimidate me, you English rascal!” was the genemal’s defiance. “I'll spend every cent [I'm worth, but what I'll bring you to the level of the lowest of the class of wretches with whom you consort,” avowed Ronald. ‘ And Pll fight you on sight. Is this understood?’ * As far as I am concerned it is.” ** Then so be it!” ‘‘The word is given. Open the door, major. The matter is settled.” The major obeyed, and the two men passed out, The general mounted his horse, and rode to- ward Villa Voselle. . Old Man Ronald remained about the camp awhile, making some arrangements for his son’s burial. For er Ned Greer to keep a secret was equally as hard for bim as to make himself thin in flesh in a day; consequently news of the de- clared war between the two moneyed factions, was spread all over the town, within an bour, and groups of people conversed in awed tones, here and there about the street. About the time Ronald was ready to proceed homeward, he was suddenly hemmed in by a crowd of miners and others, who were captained by no leas a personage than Little Quick-Shot. —_——- ~——---—_ ‘You will excuse us, Mr. Rona!'d,” the de- tective said, ‘‘but I have been prevailed upon by those who now surround you, to address you, 0u a, to them, important subject.” ‘Relatixe to the quarrel between General Gleason and myself, I presume?” ‘Exactly. These people believe that a des- rate struggle for the mastery is on the tapis, tween you. Is this so?” ‘* Witbout doubt. War has been declared between us, and I know the old soldier too weil to believe that he will allow it to be a civil or peaceable oue. He will, I calculate, mass all his men around him, and endeavor to drive me off my estate and to destroy it, asa first act. What will follow, Ido not yet know ” ‘‘ Have you any idea,sir, what number of men he can call tohis aid, in case of such an at- tempt?’ ‘‘Hardly. He has something like balf a bun- dred men in his employ, and they can perbaps influence as many more.” *- How about your forces?” “T have but fifty cowboys, but they are as true as steel!” ‘You are wrong in yourcount, The fifty odd men at my back sipuity their readiness to see you through. Am I right, boys?” ‘“Ay! ay!” came the hearty response in a chorus. “T am grateful for your proffered support, gentlemen!” Mr, Ronald said, ** for as you form a majority in the camp, I believe we can hold it and the Cottonwoods.” “ Rizht you be!” Quick Shotassented. “ With ou in command at the Cottonwoods, and Ma- tor Greer, here, it will be better than though the whole force were condensed in one position, eb, major?’ ‘Certainly. But, hadn’t you better take command, sir?” *““Oh, no. You are too old a soldier for me to cut out; then, too, I can be of more service as a scout and spy.” ‘* He is right,” Old Man Ronald decided. “ Get your men togetber, major, swear them in, plant your flag where it can be seen, and throw out pabeg (74 men for picket duty—in fact, take all warlike precautions, for Gleason woa’t be idle. lll go to the Cottonwcods, and do likewise. Drive every person of over ten years of age from the town, who refuses to swear loyalty to our use.’ ‘ Will you bury your son, at onee, sir?’ ‘¢ Yes—it is better I should, under the circum- stances.” ‘‘T think so, too. Hello! yonder comes a horseman from the Cottonwoods. It is he who trougbt the letter awhile ago. He rides like mad!” the major cried. ““My God! what can be the matter now?” Mr. Ronald gasped, staggering, his face ceathly white, ‘‘ This time I feel sure he brings bad news, ‘‘Hope for the best, and don’t give way, 4 at the worst,” Donald said, tupporting im. / Antonio, the herder, soon drew rein in their midst, flushed and excited, “Speak!” Ronald gasped, “Out with it, be it what it may!” ‘* It’s bad news, sir. The body of1,0ur son is not to be found. Jt has been stolen !” Tbe speculator uttered a groan cf anguish, and fell into Quick-Shot’s arms, in a faint, ; CHAPTER 1X. MAKING READY. “By HEAVEN! This is bad!” the majo1 cried. ‘What devilment is this? Are you sure, Antonio? Have you made a thorough search ?” “We have, sir, but. not the Jeast trace of the body can be found about the premises, por even a clew to the strange disappearance. The body lay inthe parlor. and was visited every few minutes by Miss Ruth, and a servant, who kept a wet cloth over the face. It was on one of these visits a few minutes ago, that the dis- covery was made that the corpse was gore.” “Strange! strange! What do you think about the matter, Quick Shot?” “To tell the truth, major, I am ratber puz- zled. myself,” the Scarlet Scvuut replied. ‘There can be but two ways about the mat- ter: either the young msn wasn’t dead and has recovered and skipped out, cr else his remains have been stelen, for a purpose, The best thing we can do, is to arouse Mr, Ronald, and let bim and the judge and Rentfrew go down to tke Cotton woods, and personally investigate, while vou attend to matters here, I will hep ou get things in shape, for awhile; then bite a little business to attend to elsewhere.” com F00KsS.com.