Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 42 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

| Ww) cloud quite to her waist. Her form was cast in na- ture’s happiest mold, symmetrical and graceful. She was clad in a en Spanish dress, low in the neck, sleeveless, an just short enough to expose the pretty ankles and small slippered feet. Buckskin was a brawny customer, with ruffian clearly written in his dark sinister countenance, and gleaming from his bloodshot eyes. “Theva ter pay, hey?” he replied; “wal, jest figger that down on yer slate thet you've hung thar; an’ I'll bet a three-ounce nugget ag’in’ a kiss frum yer honey-trap, thet I kin plum the bull’s-eye more times out of forty than co can.” **Done!”’ cried Noisy Nell, instantly. “If you win, ou shall have the kiss; if 1 win, ll take the nugget. ere, give ped stakes to this young man,”’ she pointed to the younger of the two strangers, who had now drawn near. “Git out!” eried Buckskin, in contempt; ‘‘d’ye spose I'd trust that rooster? Not much! Hold my own nuggit.” “Then you won't shoot with me," replied Nell, coolly. A wouldn’t trust you two feet away. Gen- i apes there any of you who wishes to try a 8 ’ ‘** Wal, gal, dunno as it would be any harm ter try,”’ said the elder of the strangers, reg and ex- amining the target-rifle. ‘My name Id Ava- lanche, miss, an’ my old eyes can’t craw! along a rifle barrel as they once could. Ef thet target thar war an Injun, Ifancy I ked put a current o’ electri- city thru him wuss’n a streak o’ wicked htnin’. Tell ye w’at I did do, once. Ther great Annihilation —that is me, Old Avalanche, my goat Florence Night-in-a-gale, an’ ole Prudence Cordeliar, my mare —war up in Montana, huntin’ Injuns, an’ sellin’ their fer door-mats. **One day we run forninst about sixteen thousan’ o’ the pesky varmints, out on ther perary, an’ the maneuvered around till the got on ther right an’ le side o’ me, an’ fetched up in ther rear, leavin’ a nat- ural lane ter scoot thru—a gantlet ter run, wi’ coverin’ me wi’ deadly aim. But thes old devasta- tin’ opp demic nary an inch, not for Han- ner! jest raised old Punch-’em-Judy, my gun, an’ let drive a bullet down thet lane, like re light, nin’, an’ actooally, sir, ther suction or draft o’ thet bullet war so treemendous, thet et jerked every cussed Injun for’a'd on his face, an’ broke his neck /"" A roar of laughter went up from the crowd, in which Noisy Nell joined, heartily. ‘“‘Thet war no more’n a muskeeter on ther back uv the Annihilator, dryly. “Yes, gal, don't mind tryin’ the An r, dryly. es, , don’ F ter fetch thet bell, yonder, tho’ Tacs old man ain’t so young as he used ter be. This is my pard, Dead—I mean, Nedward Harris. He’s sum on ther shute. Yes, don’t care ’f I do.” And the next moment the rifle was at the old man’s shoulder, there was a flash, a report, and an answering ring from the target. “Thar. That’s one fer me,’’ commented the old ‘man. ‘Load up, gal.” Noisy Nell obeyed with alacrity, and again the old man sighted and shot. Twenty times in succession he fired, and every time the bell rung. ““Good shootin’, sir,’’ said Noisy Nell, as the An- nihilator set down the gun. “I’ve seen crack shots that couldn’t beat it.’’ “Oh! wait "til ye see a was the grim response. ‘ Heer, Nedward, try yer “Not with the rifle, Alva,” replied Ned Harris, shaking his head. ‘There's no fun in that for me. Give me about four of those six-shooters you 2a Pang | “Peer they are, then, but I’m afeered you're @ountin’ too much. Thet target are deceivin’, ef my at i that's ‘all right * laughed Harris, ll “ 'g ? ug coolly. “* Perhaps there is some enterprising individual “present who wants to bet that I cannot put twenty- our bullets in one mark upon ‘he bull’s-eye.”” Then the handsome ex-road-prince looked calmly around him, scanning the sea of gr n faces. It was a bold challenge, with « fair chance for ‘winning, and still no one see..ed eager to wager money on it. ** Guess there isn’t much “aoney in the crowd, or else not much sand, Mr <dfarris,” said Noisy Nell. “A fair chance, gentleman, and success for you al- mThis appeal b he forth a tali, lank beard a roughe forth a ank, gray- . ed man, with sal'ow es a and sanken, wild eyes, and a murmur of “ Brandt” ran through the crowd, as he pushed his way through. ‘* Who is it?”” Deadwood Dick asked of the fair -game-keeper, as he beheld the man’s approach, ‘“No one knows, except that he is called Red Brand, and owns the best claim in the gulch. Is supposed to have heaps of money. His claim is the Big Bonanza,” replied Nell. Ah! then we will see. Bet, sir, that I cannot do what I offered?”’ ** Yes, I will bet,’ replied Red Brand ing his flowing beard. “My Big Bonanza mine against your life, that you cannot ee: twenty-four successive bullets on the bull’s-eye, in one spot. No li man has done it, or can do it, I am sure.” can = as many against the bull’s-eye, on the . No catches?” “Very well, then. Gentlemen, you all witness this wager, I believe. I am to put twenty-four succes- sive bullets against that bull’s-eye, in the same no and win the Big Bonanza mine; or, I am to fail, Ay! a . responied th d ‘* Ay! ay?” 6 crowd. Deadwood Dick turred to Red Brand. boyee, heer, shute,”’ coolly, strok- Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. —_—-———_ - ————_ _ ——-- -~- ‘Your name, sir—"’ **Is Red Brand!”’ mine is Deadwood Dick, the ex-road-agent of the Black Hills, at your service!” A cry of astonishment rung through the room, as if the name of the notorious young outlaw were well known in Eureka. “You Deadwood Dick!’’ exclaimed Nell, in sur- prise. *Yes, one and all, I am Deadwood Dick, but no longer aroad-agent. I have come here to Eureka, to lead an honest existence, and be a citizen among you. If you let me alone, I'll let you alone. If you | encroach upon my cornfield, I'll encroach upon yours. If you strike me, I'll strike back, and Noe probably have heard of the reputation I bear in that t. We can be good friends, or bitter enemi j whichever you please, Now, then, if you’ watch you'll see me fairly win this mine you call the nanza.”’ Bo F Rit will be yer death ef you do!” growled Cal Buckskin. **Oh! will it? What have you got to say about it?”’ Dick demanded. , oe of yer bizness, you galoot! But mind w’at e ye.”’ ~ you will please repaint that bull’s-eye freshly, so we can tell just where the pellets strike,” Dick said, paying no further attention to the ruffian. Nell quic yo ved, after which the handsome ex- road-agent took his ition, one revolver in each hand, Old Avalanche holding the other two. Then up came the right hand, and, instantaneously, a parently without taking aim, he fired. Then his right dropped, and a shot from his left the bell. right then followed, then his left, and thus in al- ternation, until the whole of the twenty-four shots had been dispatched upon their unerring mission. Noisy Nell and Red Brand hurried forward to ex- amine the target. They found only one visible spot where a bullet struck, and that was precisely in the center of the bull’s-eye. Yet every shot had dis- tinctly rung the bell / Deadwood Dick had won the Bonanza! CHAPTER 1. A HAUNTING FORM—THE FIRST BLOW. Loup cries of astonishment ran through the Man- Trap, as Nell made known the wonderful fact that Deadwood Dick had ~ each of the twenty-four bullets upon one on the bull’s-eye. No such shooting as this the citizens of Eureka ever seen, and the keenest excitement followed. All had heard of Deadwood Dick, and his reckless deeds of daring, but none of them could have be- lieved that he was such an expert with fire-arms. “Hurra! Great bone that domesticated old Joner!’’ yelled Old Avalanche, excitedly, while Flo- rence bleated his approval. ‘Moses in the bull- Henge Scag betes aa pac meng o’ ther aap § y, ther singin’ o’ them urgato - lets ’d be condoocive ter a fit of homhicauelavenses of e don’t wear cotton in yer ears. Dicky, my night- af serious, ther Big Bonanza is ourn, by fair e,"" ‘“*And we shall take it,”’ said Deadwood Dick, coolly. ‘‘ Eh? Mr. Red Brand; did I not win it on the square, and isn’t it mine?” ** Yes, you won it by the skin of your teeth, and it is yours,’’ was the sullen reply. “But beware! A curse is on the place, and you may inherit it.” ““T fear not for eu sir. I have been cursed all weathered the storm, and can do my life, but have pn. Curses affect me about the same as bul- so lets.”” Then Dick and Avalanche turned away, and saun- tered about, pi = wey Rage scenes transpiring about them, and observing the many oehys 3» . Some of them the great Annihilator was able to recognize, while others were not within his memory. There were girl waiters connected with the Man- Trap institution, some of whom were remarkably pretty, while others were quite the contrary. ood Dick was not a little surprised when w one of these a gay, fascinating little but- arm, and then pulled him e. a tapped him on “You are Deadwood Dick?’ she said, more - tive in tone than interrogative. ‘“‘ You come from ne y norte Dick ded tfully. H ma’am respon ully. He hitdly knew what to make of it. ‘Is eve any way I can serve you?” “*T believe so; and I can serve you also. You had in your band a man named Carlos Cambre?”’ * Ha! re: how did you know that?” cane found out. Cambre is my runaway hus- “Phew |" this was a discovery for Dick; “ Ne husbanc eh? I did not know that he was married.” edi He murried me in Virginia City, and then desert- me.”’ “Very likely. He isarascal at heart, and I have a bullet laid aside to use on him for an injury he did me."’ **And it is of him I came to warn you. He isin this very town, searching for you. He may be in and will strike you at first oppo ° keep your eyes about you. He has some desperate game afoot.” ‘** What nature?’’ ‘I donot know. All the infor~ation I can ee > will igh bss from time to time. . 1t beware of : lest he give you a miss-deal.”’ e ex-road-agent Then she turned away, leaving in a state of perplexity. Later in the evening he went back where Noisy Nell was busy at doing nothing in her business, the customers having adjourned to lubricate. Somehow Dick felt that she was his friend—at least she was a ae girl, and sinee parting with Leone, he hourly yearn- ed for female companionship, when remembrances came back of the happy days he had nt. But, now, alas! those days had dissolved into nothing- ness, and he was an outcast on the world, while om 5 pl he knew not whether, she were living or ead. ““I_ must hunt up this Cambre,”’ he muttered, a scowl upon his face, as he approached the shooting- stand. ‘*He will know of Leone. AS a lawyer, guised of course, I can pump him . But I must make inquiries about this Red Brand:” Nell smiled pleasantly as she saw the road-agent come 4 She admired his cool, fearless ra and his handsome face and figure, more than a little. “Glad to see you, Mr. Harris. Have you come back to renew your attempts at the target?’’ she asked. ‘*Oh! no, Miss—”’ “Brandon, if you please.” returned to ‘"No, I have no ve the ites of Eureka any more of my marksm p. I think they have had a fair illustration that I can et there,’’ with an odd little laugh, characteristic of him, ** But I wish to question At a little in regard to this chap from whom I won the Bonanza mine. Is he a dan- gerous sort of an individual?” ‘** Rather a hard customer, I am afraid, sir. Up at Florence City, last summer, he got some hard names, having been proven guilty of several ugly mes 7? ““Ah! then I may be on the look-out for him, and oe him to give up the mine without a strug- e ” “Right, sir; for every grain of gold you get out of Mo Bonanza mine, you may expect to fight a bat- e ” “Very encouraging prospect, but I'll weather this point, yet. Good-ev to you. If you hear any news for me, just let me know, and if you ever need a strong — arm to protect you, just call upon Deadwood Dick.”’ Then the outlaw went back to where he had left Avalanche. **Come, pard, is it not time to seek fepose?’’ he asked, tapping the old man on the shoulder. ‘“ Re- member that on the morrow we are to take posses- sion—that is, rN are, and your pard Little Alf. J will remain elear of the incumbrance. But it shall be called Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, however, if you like. Come!”’ ** No, don’t it in er ane See ne tige the = nihilator re re “Thar's no hurry. ain't aaylignt til et’s mornin’ so don’t sweat inter an appoplectic fit. Seen a feller up in Green- land, once, who war engaged at cuttin’ ice fer ther Knickerbocker company, and ther scaldin’ ira- tious substance from his pores poured out on the ice, melted it all up an’ drowned the poor Greenlander, besides deprivin’ ther K. company o’ that yeer’s cro of ice—fact, by gracious. As I sed before, don’t git in a sweat, boyee. I'm hangin’ around fer fun, an’ thar’s goin’ ter be swads-’n’-swads, bymeby, you listen to yer legal adviser." ‘‘Ha! Here comes the Eastern , now!” cried Dick, as the crowd surged toward the door at the rumble of approaching wheels, ‘‘ Come, let’s go out and see who comes?”’ All a turned out at e time; consequent! the guich was well lined with humanity, when wit the plunging and snorting of the fractious horses and the cracking of Jehu’s whip, the rickety old stage rolled up before the door of the Man-Tra , and came to a halt, ‘mid the cheers of the multitude. Old Avalanche and Deadwood Dick were among the cruwd, and watched with idle curiosity the new- comers who left the stage, which was well loaded down. There were rough miners, and polished in- dividuals who might have safely been classed with a au fraternity; men Hips apg gd ere for § tive p ; a a dozen wo- mie aifterent stations In life, most of them deep- Vv ° 7 But when Deadwood Dick’s became centered upon one of these—a little, cloaked deeply vailed, and evidently frightened among such a crowd, he uttered a little cry, and clutched the An- nihilator’s arm, exci ‘ e?” he , pointing é little a is she—Haith tone, who you told me was dead— had drowned herself.” “Pooh! boyee, ye’ve got the spinal meningitis in yer eyes. rd! ham-bone that was ther last sick- ness uv old Joner! thet’s no more her than you be, you listen ter yer legal adviser.” e well, And that v ut a s- guise. It is Edith Stone, or her spirit.” He made a step forward as if to follow her, but the Annihilator held him back with a strong gripe. * Hold — hosses; no sweatin’ . once knew a feller thet got drowned in his own uddle of sweat. Thet gal ain't no Edith Stone, an bet my fine-tooth comb an’ et’s pomees on it. But in case it is her do not want to see her. Reckel- lect, young teller, thet thar’s one little red-haired critter thet’s deservin’ ore luy, an’ baste me frum North Pole ter South with aged and decrepit eBeS, ef ye're a-goin’ ter lu eany other eal bat $ ut t r an . #@8t you ante “3 bre F Tabricatin y * establishment, an’ I'll ack inter yonde Mae Horn of ther bull interdooce myself ter ther girl. thet gored Moses in ther rushes! I'll soon anylize her, /'m tellin’ you! wood Dick turned rather reluctan back into the saloon, a strange expression upon face. “The girl has followed me,” he muttered, biting at the white nails of his still whiter fingers, thought- fully. “I know it is she, no matter what report ,OO <€om “S (E (El)