Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

“major declared, —— ae Se —e Mr. Ronald was soon restored to conscious- ness,and shortly afterward, he, Rentfrew and the judge set out for the Cottonwoods, Autonio having preceded them. After they were gone, the major once more brought the trial stand into use. He and Quick-Sbot mounted it, and the major made a brief address, stating the resolve of the larger part of the populace to stand by the owner of the Cottonwoods, and warning those who were averse to being sworn into Ronald’s service to at once quit the town, under the pen- alty of imprisonment, The work of swearing in then commenced in earnest, and continued the remainder of the forenoon, during which time seventy able- bodied men were secured, together with their families, This left only about a dozen who refused to join the Ronald movement, among them being uck Brady and his five pals. ‘**'You’ve got to either swear loyalty to our cause, and stick to your oath under penalty of death, or you’ve got to quit the town!” the fat ‘‘Thar can’t be no split in our | side of the ticket!” **S’posin’ we won’t do nothin’ o’ the kind!” Buck Brady growled, with an ugly leer. ‘I guess you hain’t got no rigbt to boss us around,” ‘“You have heard what I said!” Greer re- turned calmly. ‘'IT’ll give ye an hour to make up your minds,” be work of preparing for the struggle went rapidly on. ¢ A tall pole was planted, in plain view of Villa Voselle, and a large American flag run up. Almost immediately afterward a tattered Confederate flig floated to the breezs from the staff,on the cupola cf VillaVoselle! ‘““Hlooray!” the major cried, executing a clumsy jig. ‘‘This puts me in mind of old times! on’t we make these new rebels scat- ter, though | Ten men were detailed for picket duty, on the various approaches to the town, Twenty more set to work throwing upa breastwork on the eastern slope, looking toward Vilda Voselle. O.bers were detailed to get together and inven- tory all the ammuopition in the camp, and it was found that there was enough to last for a pro- tracted siege, together with a sufficient quantity of weapons, When everything was vary nearly in readiness up the gulca. He found a cheery scene there, that made bis heart beat with pride and gladness, Lenore had exchanged her costly attire for a neat but more inexpensive suit, and was busied in putting her new home to rights, singing the whilo like an unfettered bird released from its prison. Already she had transformed the miners rude and humble place into the semblance of a bome, by many littleimprovements and touches peculiar to 2 woman’s hand. *‘Oh! Don, how you startled me!” she cried, joyfully, flying to his embrace, as he crossed the thresbold. ‘*What do you think of our home, as compared with last night?” ‘You have the art of making a lowly huta charming home, my darling,” and he kissed ber fondly. “ButI fear it will not be our lot to remain here long.” ‘“Why, Don? oh! please tell me what has one wrong—for I see by your face it is some- thing not connected with your arrest. I have had forebodings of trouble, all the forenoon. Then, too, after you tell me, I’ve something to tell you.” He led her to a seat and placed her upon his knee. ‘‘There is trouble brewing, Lenore—bitter trouble, born of sudden-born hatred, which can only end in bloodsbed. Your father and Old Man Ronald have quarreled, and are even now planning the preliminaries of war against one _ another, with a view of driving each other from the happy home he owns, down the grade to ruin, disgrace, and death!” “Oh! Donald!” “Tt is true, dear, and not to be helped,” ‘‘ But, who caused this feud?” ‘“ As far as the past is concerned, I know not. As far as the present, and what I have seen of it, your father has been grossly in error, and in- sulting in the highest degree—not only to me, but to Mr. Ronald, the major, and otbers. To cap the climax, be has outlawed himself in the eyes of every 200d citizen, by unfurling the re- bel flag, over Villa Voselle!” Lenore bowed ber head a moment; then a strange hardness of expression crept over her beautiful face. a ‘* Well, the die is cast. I bave often chided Little Quick-Shot. es a ae Ow him for his terrible temper, only. to receive un- warranted abuse for my pains. He has been a father to me only in name, and as be has made his bed, so must he abide by it. I have nothing to regret in the choice I have made!” ‘* Bless you, Lenore—nor may you ever have cause for regret. Now, dear, tell me what you promised,” ‘*Ob! yes. An hour ago, I was startled near out of my wits. On chancing to look toward the door, I saw an Indian girl standing there, richly attired, and very beautiful, so far as In- dian beauty goes!” The face of Little Quick-Shot suddenly as- sumed a peculiar pallor, which fact did not es- cape Lenore’s sharp eyes, and she involuntarily drew away from him, ‘**Don’t,” Le entreated, ‘‘Goon,then. I will explain a!].” ‘*Can you?” ‘* Truthfully, as God bears me witness.” ‘* Well, she asked me for a glass of water, and then demanded to know if this was the home of the Scarlet Scout. Isaid that it was, but that you were not at home, Sbe regarded me piteously for a moment, then asked me if I was your wife, Ireplied that I was, and then she said: ‘Silver Dove is also the wife of Scarlet Scout, but he no longer loves her, Tell him, when he comes, that Flat Nose and his warriors are on bis trail. Silver Dove has news for him.’ She then turned and fled.” ! : * Lenore, the girl is crazy. Even her father, Flat Nose, will tell youso. Once I visited their camp, on a fur trade, and she insisted that I was her husband. She bas followed me ever since, aud I believe has influenced her father to give credence to her claim, That explains have no love for red-skins, of either sex.” ‘“T believe you, Don, and that I am the only one you love, How long are we to remain here?” “You can safely stay here until develop- ments as to your father’s plans are more plain; then I will come and take you to the Cotton- sy og ‘Then you are going awa ain?” “Yeas it is iene that I should get back to Daggersville, as.my services may be needed - — minute, You are not afraid to. remtin ere?’ ‘‘Ob! no, I will keep the door closed, and I _ He kissed her, and took his depar ure, CHAPTER X. THE DARKEST DEED OF ALL. Night drew on apace, bringing with it unmis- takable evidences of another nocturnal tempest, At the miniog-town, preparations for a siege were nearly perfected, and it but remained for those who had sworn to fight for Old Man Ronald to stand ready for orders, Buck Brady, refusing to take the acquired oath, bad quitted the camp and gone down to Villa Voselle, as had his five pals, Their de- parture left the camp without an untrustworthy recruit. About an hour before sunset, the discovery was made that a large band of cowboys and herders had come in, and were campad out around Villa Voselle, and that they numbered nearly all of Gleason’s forces. A few, perhaps, had been left upon the range to keep the cattle from stampeding. ‘It begins to look like war in earnest,” the major remarked, as he called Little Quick Shot's attention to the collecting forces. ‘ I don’t see why Ronald don't call in his herders.” ‘*Maybe he prefers to wait until night to do that, so that Gleason won’t know the exact number of his foree. Do you contemplate an attack during the night?” ‘‘T do not; but if I am not mistaken, Gleason will make an initial charge before morning. He is a hot-headed old fighter, and as revengeful as you often find ’em.” ** Til try to slip into the enemy’s camp as soon as it comes dark,” Quick-Shot said, “and see what their plans are.” Shortly afterward, he sauntered down to Grit Gleason’s cigar store, and entered. As he did sO, a man was standing by the counter con- versing with the pretty proprietress—a_ tall, athletic personage, well dressed, a free and easy manner, and as handsome as an Apollo. A strange cry escaped Little Quick-Shot at sight of him, and, drawing his revolver, he covered the man with deadly aim. ‘At last!” he cried, sternly, causing Grit and her companion to wheel about in startled sur- prise. ‘Oh! Mr. Waverly! What do you mean?” Quick-Shot paid a visit to the little lone cabin | don’t think any one will disturb me.” , | not let me 9 —_—_—_ —_— ee em a eee ee the girl cried in alarm, while a tinge of grayish pallor swept over the Apollo’s face. ‘‘T mean that good fortune bas found me the man | am here to capture.” ‘‘You bave made a mistake, sir. Tois ismy friend, Mr. Tabor, whom I was speaking to you about, and I am sure you can have nothing against him!” ‘Indeed, ‘Tabor is a very good name, Miss Gleason, where a man wants to screen bis own identity, but you see | happen to know your obliging friend, a little better than you do, He is most popularly known as Cap, Melton, chief of the Cattle Clique, of which you may have heard,” ‘Tis false, my name is Tabor!” the outlaw growled, watching for a chance to draw a wea- pon. ‘“Your name, so far as I am concerned, is Cap. Melton,” Quick-Shot replied. ‘‘ You know I have been after you tora year, tut until now, you have cunningly eluded my grasp.” ‘* Well, what are you going to do about it, if all you claim is true?” Bulidog ferocity was in the expression that had settled over his face. ‘“1¢ depends somewhat on circamstances,” Quick-Shot replied. ‘‘ You are aware that were yourpresence here made known, your life would not be worth the air you breatie,” ‘* Perhaps not.” “Then, why do you venture here—te spy upon us, for the benefit of the enemy, or te plan a raid on your own account?” ‘Neither. Perhaps I was bold to veuture my neck into jzopardy, but allow meto say that I did it with an bonorable motive, to see this estimable young mers whom it bas been a pleasure to me to slightly befriend. So far as hostility isconcerned, | came for no such pur- ‘‘Be it so, then. Murderer though you are, and thief, too, I think you are telling me the truth. 1 suppose, however, you know what my duty is.” ‘‘l am not dumb. If ycur duty is to arrest me, go ahead and do ir.” ‘* But it is not my intention to do any thing of the kind. Were I to capture you as being Cap. Melton, the people wouid cut you to pieces before you c.uld even beg for merey. You saved my life on the murder case; | now offer you an opportunitv to put wiles between you and this camp, Then we sre the same us be- fore, and the next time | capture you | shall not let you go!” “ The next time you do catch me you need 0,” Melton replied, with a hard laugh. He then turned to Grit: **You have heard all—ycu know I deceived ou in name, but it was only because I feared o make known my real name, lest you should spurn me. You know me now, as I am, and t — are all in all tome. Will you go with me ‘‘No! Once deceived is often enough. I can never be cugbt to you—indeed, never thought of such a thing!” Grit replied. ‘‘ You lie!” the outlaw cried, fiercely. ‘*Un- til this detective devil came you thought well of me, Now your fickle mind has taken a farcy to him. But, ob! wait! Il dispel any*such dream as that. 1 have yet to get even with the both of you, and I’Jl do it or die in the attempt!” And, shaking his fist at them, be turned and strode from the siore. Quick-Sbot watcbed him from the door until he was cu’ of sight beyond the camp; then he turned to Grit: ‘‘ Well, you see what a nice fellow Mr. Tabor is?’ he smiled. ‘‘] see that you have removed a snake from my path, and lam wry er to you for the act,” she replied. ‘‘I did, indeed, believe bim to be a nice gentleman until now, for he talked so nicely and acted so refined.” ‘‘ He is a polished rascal—a dargerons devil, and you will need to kiep your eyes open lesi he nabs you when you least think.” Darkness fell like a shroud over the earth, blotting out all objects from buman gage. The heavens were overcast with ominous clouds. _ and a mist fell over everything. | ‘ No report bad reached the village from the Cottonwoods, where all was somber and silent. The same might be said of Villa Voselle, in which direction not a light was to be seen, ‘There is mischief brewing!” Quick-Sbot de- clared, ashe and Greer stood by a camp fire, near the Cinnamon Bear. “I feel it in my bones, as the saying is.” ‘* Hark!” the major rejoined, « Gomicbooks : ‘ (E(0) z= | - o. t ,