Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 42 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

The Phantom Miner; 5 ** Deadwood Dick!’’ was on the end of everybody's tongue; people discussed and re-discussed on the subject. Each man scanned his neighbor narrowl when in a crowd cepecHne to find a disguised Dead- wood Dick by his side, for in so many strange and impenetrable disguises the y outlaw enacted his drama of life, that it was hard to tell when or in what shape he might not turn up. CHAPTER V. THE BOSS POKER-PLAYER FROM VIRGINIA CITY. ‘*T am the boss poker-player from Virginia City!” This announcement was made to an enthusiastic crowd of miners and roughs, by a Steg aye > indi- vidual, who was mounted upon a table in the cen- ter of the Man-Trap saloon, and stood eying those around him coolly, a couple of gold-mounted six- shooters in his grasp. There was not remarkable about him, un- less it was the cool fearlessness and courage ex- pressed in his face, which was smoothly shaven and me. His form was tall and well molded, and exhib- ited to advantage in his suit of broadcloth, which was cut in the latest style, and which, with his immaculate shirt-front, white vest, diamond pin, massive watch-chain and cane, gave him the a ee nines of a first-water dandy of) the mines. was black andworn long upon his shoulders, and surmounted by a jaunty sombrero; his eyes were dark, pie magnetic; a pleasantly-shaped mouth add ty to his appearance. “*T am the. Sboas vokeriet rom Virginia City!" he repeated, around him and stud audience by ee heen glances. “I am -Hot Harris, the brother .of that re and frolic- some individual they call Deadwood Dick. And, by the way, here is a little paper I wish some of bummers would tack against the wall. Its ficance will be readily appreciated by those in the reward business, For the deliverance up to jus- tice of Deadwood Dick, I, Red-Hot H the brother of said Dick, and the boss poker-player from V oar will give— but the paper; I ain't goin’ ter you.” Saying which, the young man whirled about on his heel, and , the gap crowd a few steps in clog, which brought a round of applause. ‘**It’s nothin’ when ye know how, pilgrims,” he said, a smile playing about his lips. “Just ther same way ee er-playin’'—the e indulged in a few years r marriage. But, lookee, sons o’ sunset! how doth yonder advertisement strike inter er hearts? Read, and be made wise; then fetch me "6 woh ge A had h half-length ne of the ers ung a - pos- ter upon the wall of the saloon, and upon it was an accurately engraved likeness of Deadwood Dick, while below were the words: ** $500 Reward.—This will be paid for deliv- erance into my custody of the outlaw and road- agent, Deadwood Dick. Rep-Hor Harris. ‘* At Man-Trap Saloon, Eureka,”’ All hands gazed, first at the reward notice, then at the lithograph of Deadwood Dick, and then at the smiling, quil face of Red-Hot Harris. There was a st Oe eee in the two faces; in fact, the only noticeable difference was that where Deadwood Dick wore a slight mustache and imperial, the face of Red-Hot Harris was shorn of all traces of beard. The crowd gazed at the two faces and commented upon the resemblance; stared at the cool youth on top of the table, and nodded to each other, know- ly. ms Gt bet the younker’s Deadwood Dick hisself!’’ bawled the rufflan Buckskin. ‘I see’d him over in SOs onc't, an’ this is ther same " Yours a liar, by the clock!"’ responded Red-Hot Harris, coolly. ‘You never saw your ‘umble ser- vant in Deadwood or in any other wood. I am Red- Hot from Virginia City, an’ I can lick thet man as sez I ain’t—that’s me /”’ *Then I’m yer meat, you young bull dog!” roar- ed Buckskin. ‘“‘I never take a dare—not even from Satan hisself. Climb down offin that table an’ jerk you off, ef ye want ter yerself ag’in’ a ragin’ torna- der. erlong, or I-I-0—V'-'1—””__ He did not the sentence, for the words froze to his lips. His bloodshot eyes were tin- to the black, magnetic ones of -Hot as if glued in one position; his hands hung rigid by his side; not a muscle moved in his face or ae astonishment the Aabil(ues of on, unable to solve the mys bully of the ranch, and it was proud boast that he had cracked more than any other pilgrim of his weight in Eureka. He was a muscular, cast- iron fellow, with some bull-d and plenty of cheek, and could show about as many battle-scars a that this th in dandyfied garb sh ‘ youta in ould hold the bully of Eureka at bay with the simple power of his eye, was a startling a eng not solved by the rough men of the es. They knew little or nothing of mesmeric influence—the wondrous power of mind over mind, and it was solely by this power that the y “vy n’’—as p from Vir- Eo his wil By the ttrovoch of mind Over mind he stre e) over e completely controlled the b Buckskin. As soon as he saw that his was powerless to Harris turned his gaze upon the “ There he is, gentlemen,” he sai with a peculiar laugh, which brought hack meathections of Dead- sta or dre-arms, and TH guarantee fe to ltt wn un- molested, that he'll be mute and motionless for the the Man-Trap looked next fen hours, unless I should conclude to dis-spell “See hayr, younker, be you d of the devil?” demanded one old weather-worn veteran who had “sl ” the “cradle”. since the. days of 49; “‘or, w’at aire ther secret o’ yer influ’nce over thet chap? J’d like you ter ’splain.”’ **Mebbe you want me to fix you out,”’ Red-Hot said, with a laugh, turning his magnetic orbs upon the old man. But the old chap slunk quickly back into the crowd. He evidently had no desire to become a model of liv- ing pari wat £ like Buckskin, who stood rigid and mo- tionless in the center of the floor. At this juncture Carlos Cambre came into the sa- mee and seeing the crowd collected, pushed for- Ww ° ‘Hello! what's the circus here?’ he demanded, elbowing his way through, importantly. “ Ha! by the devil and all his legions! Dead—” ‘**Red-Hot Harris!’ corrected the young gentle- man on the table, coolly—*“ the twin brother of Dead- wood Dick.” Cambre was about to give some retort of denial, but something caused him to desist, and he came for- ward, with outstretched hand. cm ts “By Jove! so it is! Shake, yo man; see you! You look so much like ‘this -agent devil, that it is hard to tell you a a -Hot accepted the ex-lieutenant’s hand, and shook it, mechanically. “You are looking ts he said, straight 5 wnt poms e ten a . ou also a os A pte poker-player. ou try me a n ey me the boss, up in Virginia City.” Harris slid from his perch on top of the table, and Cambre and he sought a less crowded portion of the room, but to no avail. The miners swarmed after them, bound to see what ae there might be, But they were destined to be pointed. Nothing oc- curred to arouse their excitabilities; all of interest was a quiet game of poker, and onal funny re- marks from -Hot—he invariably winning. At last Cambre threw down the cards in and left the table. Harris was about to follow him when a hand was laid upon his shoulder, lightly, bu firmly. He turned quickly around, his lips tet ad ng an enemy. But he was happily disap- pointed. A young woman of pretty face and form stood over him and gave him a sign to follow her; then retreated toward the marge ‘pe gotth arris — and followed her, wondering what was to come next. Nois faced Nell, for it was she whom he had followed, when they were alone. ‘You must escape from here!’’ she said, excited- ly, her voice lowered to a whisper. “ But I don’t know how. There are no back modes of exit.” ““Humph! I ain’t in no hurry to escape!” replied the boss ker-player, indifferently, staring at her, tee ery . ‘“@Quess no one’s goin’ to give me the unce.”’ “Ah! you have not seen the danger then, sir? One of your worst enemies is in this room—Roxly, the Regulator, from Deadwood!’ - Just so! Roxly, you say? Guess I never heard of ; “Oh! but you cannot deceive me, as you have de- ceived those men,” Nell answered, euiickty, * You are Deadwood Dick— “"S brother!’’ he finished, with a little laugh. ‘I am Red-Hot and no one else, and can’t be made different, if one was to a Seon ptinil “But the great resemblance belies you, sir."’ “Hang the resemblance. Didn't you never see twin brothers that looked alike? Perhaps I look like the devil himself, but that’s no sayin’I am Satan!”’ a Apt burst into a fit of laughter. a , you can be Red-Hot Harris, if you like, but don’t try to choke me with such nonsense. Be you whoever you may, there is urgent need that you es- cape from this saloon, unless you wish to on one of ch’s patent, rope, self-acting collars.’ “Must be you think I am afraid of ’most every one who comes along?’’ the V ia Cityan said, with a of sarcasm wreat eo “Reckon they don’t grow many cowards up in Virginn.”’ - not intimate that you were afraid, sir; in- deed, your past life has shown that you are a to fear. But, for Leone’s sake, and the sake of infant Deadwood Dick, I beg of you run no risks! moo ae and make our way out into the gulch, un- Oo ” a Harris perched himself upon a card-table, with his pretty proprietor of the hoottae gallery. he laughed retty proprietor of the shoo ery, he butright, @ very essence of fun shining front his eyes. wi You still think I’m Deadwood Dick!’’ he —_, atten | his breath to prevent another explosion r. ‘“*T know it!” replied Nell, firmly. * Well Py aioe, oy ta hoe er om Print Ban peace 0 ay ef he pens ve been cast in the same mold of clay sum other feller was cast in. I rec’on if I looked like George, of hatchet fame, you’d swear I was the old man resurrected, wouldn't you?” “Oh! no; I should believe your denial then for simply impossible for you to tell a lie!” was the retort. Red-Hot run his fin through his hair, reflect- ively. How he was convince these stubborn Eureka-ites that he was Red-Hot Harris and not Deadwood Dick, was a question he lacked the means to solve. The resemblance was against him; he had only the influence of his fists, weapons tongue for argument. “Well,” he said, at last, “call me what you like —only, I'd like to have that amiable brother of mine here so I could punch his head for all the trouble he is giving me. I suppose this Leone you speak of is some Dick has roped. in, eh?” “She is your wife, sir, whom you have foully de- se ” “Phew! Worse and worse! Any more of that order, miss?”’ “You know I am speaking the truth, Deadwood Dick. And I should think you would yearn to see your baby boy!” ““My baby boy! ha! ha! ha! that’s too much fo give a feller at one dose. For the Lord's sake, don’t give us any more uv that peppermint!” “Then you deny that you are married, even as you deny that you are Deadwood Dick?’’ the girl ont fai ried, well—I'll go bag ead, - am mar well—I'll go my h and throw it away. The idea of me taking unto me a wife! Got in love with a once, but she flung me over her cold left shoulder, and I forever collapsed on the subject of love.” At this moment the door of the Man-Trap was thrown open, and a man rushed in, bootless, hat- less and is shirt-sleeves, and in one sentence he made known his mission. “Murder! The Oaks has been robbed, and every person but me killed, in cold blood!” he cried, loud enough to be heard all over the apartment, ‘* Mur- der! murder! thieves! robbers!” ‘*Now, miss, I'll prove to you I'm not the one ou'd make out!’’ Red-Hot Harris said, hastily. e then pushed forward boldly through the ex- cited crowd, and in two moments e reckless youth stood upon the bar, his fine figure erect and straight as an arrow. “ the gods! Deadwood Dick!” cried a little, weather-beaten man, starting back in astonishment. ‘You here!" “I'm here—I but nary a Deadwood Dick, old man! I’m Red-Hot Harris, the boss poker-player from Virginia City. I occasionally wear a little badge under my vest collar, which qualifies me to do a little in the detective line. A certain few, here, like yourself, find me like unto Deadwood Dick, the road-agent—my twin brother. I’ve got five hun dollars for that chap who will bring D. D. to me 7 “Too thin!” grinned Roxly, the Deadwood Regu- ken'é fool asi God staget, Pligrine.can I redr ae oe en’t fool an o er. i can I rely on ye to take this road-agent?” d “7 ““Ay! ay!” chorused a dozen voices; “we're be- A Hasty drow Wie veh paratory for th oxly drew revolvers, pre or the coming affray. But he need at ave taken that trouble. Red-Hot ap ntly was going to offer no op tion to their hes. ere ed his standing position on top of the bar; his arms were folded across his breast: an expression of cool defiance rested u some face, his black eyes burning with that pecu- liar magnetic fire that had ccpeares Buckskin. In one corner of the saloon, that bull was just recovering from the effects of merism. “Harris, come down and deliver yourself up!" commanded Roxly, advancing a few paces. “I am very comfortable,’ was the reply of the ker-player, eee J the battery of revolver-muzzles t were leveled at him, indifferently. “Oh! you're still e, are ye? W we'll soon fetch you. Pards, I'm in’ ter count one, two three, an’ ef he don’t budge at the word three, fill his carcass so full o’ holes thet there won’t be any room fer blood ter circulate!” Hold” ered velco hich 1 rely through ** Hold!” c a voice, w ste t the room. “ Enough, Roxly! If you want Dead wood Dick, you'll find him conveniently handy in your rear!’ CHAPTER VI. CAMBRE SHOWS HIS HAND—DEEPER MYSTERY. Camsre left the saloon, after his unsuccessful game of oe with Red-Hot Harris, a dark frown upon his brow. teed spaking dda way. shng.te guich dher one way alon e gulch over w ht find thrown its dark wranitie. “T'll be if lam not puzzled. If that was the Fn po ap I met to-day, this was the Number 2 of whom he spoke. But if that was not the genuine Dick, this must have been him, to-night. But, why-did he not shoot me, as is undoub his intention? Perhaps he did not wish to another career of crime. And ap this was not him. Fina, Rieke never was so set. I served long enough under wood Dick, that I ought to be able to ehim. This Red- ot = a face, Imes bs et reckless co ae coolness; yet—confoun "ll give it up. Iam inclined to the belief that it was he shh I met to-day. Yet he tried to stuff No. 2 down me. I think I see through it. Red-Hot is his brother, and - he wants him removed, for some purpose. Bu what does he want of Leone’s child? That’s none of) my business. I must first consult with Cathie, and then hunt up Leone. I think she will be glad to see me, though I am, her worst foe. Fo ly she don’t know . a His dark § sh face would have been a riddle to have stu . With its constantly-shifting expres- sions, as he strode along. Eureka was blessed with one hotel that was called ‘ first-class,"" in the mines. It was a large roomy structure, and bore the name of the “ Flag of Truce,” (EOAAIIE OKO KS (E(0)