Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 42 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

The Phantom Miner. 7 made to check the flames by the application of buck- ets of water, but there was a strong breeze astir, and all efforts were fruitless. Old Roxly, the Deadwood tor, was perhaps the coolest man on the spot, despite the fact of his late defeat. He gathered around him a score of armed miners, and spread them around, promiscu- ously, with the order to shoot the first incendiary seen, without mercy, while, after a little delay, he sted a guard on every house-top in the town, with he same ietennediee. This ended the conflagration, and Eureka owed its redemption to the hardened old Regulator, who had sworn to hunt Deadwood Dick to death, or pass in his checks in the attempt. No more fires were set, and when the dozen buildings, all told, had burned to the ground, the fiery blush died out of the heavens and darkness once more reigned supreme, A strict watch had been kept at both ends of the town, but none of Deadwood Dick’s band had been seen to escape. Were they still within the e, intending to strike again when quiet was restored? ay feared that such would be the case, but were happ y disappoint- ed; they were not again molested that night. After leaving the of Truce “Hotel, on the ter- mination of interview with Cathie, Carlos Cam- bre turned into a street which ran crosswise of the a and hurried along, a low chuckle occasionally reaking from his lips. ‘“* My scheme has worked like a charm, thus far,” he muttered, glanci = sgl tg to see that no one was within neartor: ‘Cathie is in my power and I have nothing to fear from her. Deadw Dick is undoub her child, by Fordyce Grayl- ford, although he knows it not. The case stands now between him and these later children of the old miser, Whoever will pay the most shall have these pa rs.”? And the villain chuckled again and again at the cleverness of his plot and its prospect of success. He kept a sharp outlook upon all sides, not know- ing when he might receive a blow from some unseen enemy. One cannot exist without more or less en- emies out in the wild, rough West. But his vigilance did not detect a slight, trim that constantly shadowed him—had shadowed him, unknown and unseen, ever since his arrival in Eureka. He went straight to the conage of John Jones, who drove the Eureka stage, and found that individual very comfortably ensconced upon the doorsill of his habitation, perusing the latest Portland paper. Jones was a brawny fellow, who roughed it twenty years in the West since he was a youth of seventeen, and had a big heart, which made him as good-natured as the day was long. He bowed fa- Iniliarly as Cambre approached, and made room declined the upon the sill, but the ex-lieutenant proffered seat with a smile. “I cannot sit down,” he said. “I came to in- quire when you fetched in a young woman with a san is your stage?” ‘*Le’me see. A FOUns rwromen and a baby, eh? Wal, I fetched in two week, three the week before, and one this week; day before yesterday; so you see it’s hard tellin’ which you mean.” “I shouldsay so. But, the one I have reference to red hair, and is only of medium stature—very pretty in form and face.’ **Dunno nothin’ "bout it. Once got my own ha’r pulled fer commentin’ on the beauties of another woman's capi possessions.”’ WR Nh d you drop all these six women with es 9 “All at the Man-Trap; but none o’ ’em stayed there long, you bet!” Cambre turned away, without thanks for the infor- mation he had obtained. It looked as if there ht be some trouble in fin : ick. The first alarm of the fire had just been given when Cambre reached the main street; men, women and children were hurrying in every direction, confused and excited. “Oh! what if it should be my home, and Leone and Dickie asleep!” muttered one girlish . ae by sas rh the flames that weer oe yward, e words were hardly en above a whisper, yet Cambre caught them, ena his heart gave an exultant bound. ‘‘Here is my clew, when least !” he mut- tered, springing off in pursuit of the girl whom he now as wig Fog of the Man-Trap shoot- ‘wes ere canno in enon as there are two Deadw Noisy Nell soon reached a rough, unpainted picket fence, w roximity to one of the burning b A Teale figure clasp A female & very yo babe in her arms, stood leaning upon the gate, watching the con- flagra ation, and uttered a little cry of joy when Nell u up. “Oh is it you, sister? I ee ust out enjo the , w ory in w & great Rey with a tittle shivering ee f I feared it was my s anty, and that ‘you would be very much frightened,”’ Nelly Brandon repli cpening. the gate and stepping inside the yard, which she adorned with a few beds of fragrant posies, Agaen you are not much of a coward after all.” No; my later life has hardened me—both in body my soul. i defy everybody now, and stand upon he spoke with bitterness rooted in her tones; it vee lain she was losing faith in the world, and ‘its e “And yet they say that Deadwood Dick, your hus band, is the cause of this fire. There was oO man in the Man-Trap to-night, calling himse - Hot Harris, whom! and everybody else took to be Deadwood Dick. Roxly, the wood Regulator undertook to arrest him, when in rode your husban on his jetty horse, and attired in his costume of black, and ordered him to desist. Then he told them this blow would be fire, and the next blood, after which he made a dash, and Pe tees pee? d what became of this -Hot Harris, sis- r 7 “He escaped when the crowd rushed from the sa- loon in search of Dick. He claimed to be your hus- band’s twin brother, is a very counte of him, and offers five hundred dollars reward for the deliy- erance of Deadwood Dick into his hands,”’ Leone looked puzzled. “Was not this Red-Hot Harris my husband, then?’’ she asked, } Ow rly, her flushed face wing h much she was interested. a “Oh! no. I believed so, at first, but not after I saw the man on horseback. It was the same dash- ing, handsome figure you have so often and elo- quently described to me,” A flush of proud ‘joy—genuine enthusiasm, swept over Leone’s pale face. She was c ed somewhat since we last saw her (in Wild Ivan); her form had lost some of its round- ness, but still retained all its old grace of motion; a maturer expression was ere to her pale, pretty face, and a softer light to her eye—though there was ever worn about her lips a haunting expression of pitiful B,. phit and sorrow. She never ceased to love her outlaw husband; she felt that her love was a thousand times stronger now that she had his and her baby boy in her yo mother’s arms—the little, plump, ei cuatt that was the were epctire of Deadwood Dick; and she never spoke but in a lo , endearing way of who had so cruelly dese her, for was she not in a measure to blame? Norhad she given up hope of a final and happy reunion, “Perhaps the horseman was my Eddie,” she said “but I can*hardly believe that he was the cause of this fire. He swore that he would no longer lead the life of a road-agent, and I never knew him to break his word.” ““And do you think he would dare ride so boldly into the saloon?’ Nell asked, wonderingly. “Dare? Why, miss, Deadwood Dick would dare ride into the very gates of the Infernal Regions, if he had any ‘business there!”’ said a low uating voice, and Carlos Cambre stepped into the presence of the two girls. ‘‘ Good-evening, Mrs. Harris! This is rather an unexpected pleasure to meet you here.”’ ‘Why, is it really you, Mr. Cambre?” and Leone 99 out one hand, which he pressed warmly. “I d not know you were here, when I came.” ** Did you not? Well, you see Iam; and Deadwood Dick and that old scout, the Injun Annihilator, are both here. Presently old friends will meet. Hello! is this the juvenile Deadwood Dick?” and the ex- lieutenant mpted to take the little bundle of hu- manity in his arms, but the youngster set up such a piteous howl, that the man al back. +6 es, my son.”’ ne said ushing Dick's screams, “and ‘he is all I have left to de u a Mr. Cambre, what ever became of th ne ” The ex-lieutenant stared. did you not hear? She drowned herself in Madrass, all for the love of Deadwood ; A pained, regretful expression came upon Leone’s ace “Poor child,” she murmured, a tear glistening in either eye; “T was wrong in being so harsh to her. She could not help it; hers was infatuation, while mine was love, Poor Edith!” ‘*She is better off now, Mrs. Harris. It is a dan- — thing, sometimes, for two women to worship e same man.’ ‘True, very true. Mr. Cambre, my dear friend, here, tells me that there were two men in the Man-Trap saloon to-night, who looked like my hus- band, one aie dikes wan rhanek on — ae undisguised, while the other was out like the Prince of the Road, and ealled himself Deadwood Dick. Which was Deadwood Dick ?” **That’s a conundrum I will not to answer, dear lady. Undou Deadwood Dick in this case was wood Dick. I thought at first that Red-Hot Harris was Deadwood Dick, myself, for the two are near counterparts, but I don’t believe he is Deadwood Dick’s brother; in fact, I am positive that he is not, As the matter now stands, there a to be two or three Deadwood Dicks in the field—”’ ‘One of whom takes pleasure in presen self for your inspection!” cried a clear, voice. ‘Carlos Cambre, remember that on the of ae oe you are doomed to die the death of a og ’ him- CHAPTER VIII. GHOSTLY MYSTERY—A WARNING. Ir would be hard to describe the feelings of the miners and Old Avalanche, when the i Phantom Miner was seen gio ye ey were a gore at ye hin A spectacle, and rooted to e spot, unable to flee or speak, until; by a great effort, the Annihilator mastered his fright, “and ve a yell of horror, which aroused the others, all ee pe a em re) an toward the spot they had just ate on The Phantom had descended to the and in his robes of gh white and edhe om unearthly halo of ng thi any he was stalking about - Great ham-bone thet Was the last sickness of old Joner |” exclaimed Old Avalanche, so overcome with aT a and terror of the situation that he was: fo to sit down upon a convenient rock, ‘“‘ Boy- ees, this is ther fust time ther great Annihilator’s ever bin skeered. Aire it the devil?’’ a Meade “Give it up,’’ replied little Alf Coyle. nothin’ human, I'll sw’ar!”’ “On course it ain’t!’’ declared Keno conten - ously, wiping the iration from his brow. “It’s a vi ost, thet’s what Allers knew thar war sich things. Proved it once, too. My old mother-in- law kicked the bucket, about six years , up in Minnesoty, an’ fearin’ the old hornet woul escape confinement, I drawed six load o’ big stun onter her grave, an’ darn my socks ef she didn't rise right out o’ the ve, an’ chase me six mile thru the woods, till I fainted.” ““Good! served ye right,” declared Old Avalanche, “Learnt ye ter let mother-’n-laws alone, I . Got learnt su’thin’ o’ ther kind once, myself. ed ter ther old woman, an’ she chawed off about an inch o’ my nose. Boyees, d’ye egg wat thet hog-gobblin speerit iz after? He’s snoopin’ eround, seein’ ef he ken’t find sum more a’riferous, true’s thunder!” “Some more? Then he tuk yours, eh?’’ demanded Keno, suspiciously. “Yas, boyees; may’s wellown up. Met ther ‘tar- nal thing in ther tunnel, an’ it petrified me stiffer’n a poker by jest lookin’ at me, an’ after skinnin’ me ‘ we grain, swooped off an’ left me. When I re- er Saiothtan ex % ak gendinn SAMG T Silierned eerie ye : et’s a genuines . I plugged seven chunks o’ lead ri he at a out o’ my revolver, an” ther consarned thing larfed jest as if et enjoyed thet sort o’ fizzic—did, by gracious!” “Old man, ef I hedn’t seen you do sum good shootin’, I shouldn’t be surprised. As it is, I'm tee- totally knocked way out o’ all calculation.’ “ Thar our a’riferous cuss-durn, the sperrit!"* grow... Coyle, as the Phantom was seen to > ee - la se V eglt -g Sas ene meer kept ee , an S-iee. great Jerusalem, Fait till I sight him,” and the young miner threw his -barreled rifle to his shoulder. But Old Ava- lanche interfered. ‘*Don’t dispense your fizzic yet, boyee,"’ he said. “One bullet wouldn't effect thet hog-gobblin no more’n would a flea-bite. We must creep down ter ther camp, and make a rush upon et, or our gold is gone whar ther woodbine eth. Come, now down on yer horizontal, an’ do sum o’ yer tallest wigglin’, an’ when ye hear ther Annihilation ¥ out‘ scoot,’ jist lay fer thet Phantom wi’ dc revol- vers, an’ put moar holes in him than ye'll find in a pair o’ yearling socks.”’ Ready to obey one whom they knew to be fear! the miners threw themselves upon their hands an knees and crept toward the camp, resolved to make one more attempt to te the Phantom. It was still there, evidently sampling the contents of the strong-box, which the miners had_ negligen left unlocked. The halo of bluish light still surround. ed the like a shroud; everything about hostly the ob seemed unearthly. Closer and closer crept the miners, old Avalanche . at their head. Now they were only a dozen yards from the erious Phantom, when slowly the ap- parition soars upward into the darkness—is gone! while the astounded miners creep on to their camp- fire, speechless and horrified at what they had seen. The ‘box they found to be rifled of every grain of gold, as they expected. The Phantom was a thief as well as a spirit, then. ‘* Boyees!”’. the Annih r said, wiping his damp- ened forehead, “I’ve bin thru more infarnelated scrapes an’ adventur’s than most feller humans 0° my age, but.I’ll be durned ef I ever hed enny gen hog-gobblins ter wras'le wi’ before. I hed sum d awhile , thet this war no speerit, but art — o’ my mistake, now, Et aire ther pure q sh] ‘Exactly !"’. added Keno, decisively. “It are a nuine floatin’ evaporated soul, right fresh out 0’ e regione of Tinctoarius!”’ ~ ch settles it thet Little Alf Coyle ain’t a-goin’ ter stay in Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza any re gg announced that individual, venturing to light hig pipe, now that the Phantom had gone, ‘I propose we ey “Nixy! Thes devastatin’ Injun yzootic 0’ ther peraries in’ ter stay an fight it out on this line if it takes all winter. An’ I'll paste thet ga- loot Seaeene thet dares go an’ desert!”’ cried the old leader. The miners exch glances. They knew the veteran would not hesitate to back his words—that certain death to that one who made the first move to desert it would be “I’m with ther Annihilator,” said Keno, promptly. “T can make my five dollars a day hear, an’ ain’t no ghosts goin’ ter scare me away, § "0° ghosts, emen, reminds me thet I once hed an uncle w ose speerit riz frum ther grave, He'd allus , an’ one day when I war plant- in’ thistles on his grave,-he poked his t up out 0’ gro an’ axed me how much ther fare waz ter they hed so much summer w down in his kentry thet it effected his constitution, an’ he pro ter emigrate further north. “Co | You may up to the head o’ the class, Mr. Keno,” sai Boyle. ‘“‘Fizzic, we'll hear reat t bsti ’ replied the An- us & substitute, boyee,’ e gay owly. *Tve jist olay i ark - j Why no an’ set fire ter yonder Old ca ae sed thar's whar ther tom Miner held hig “Yas, an’ look! thar’s ther cuss-darned now!” cried Alf, pointing toward the cabin. IOO eom <S (E (EO)