Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 Rane?!" she cried, ‘* They call him Laced Leon. 1 rever saw him until to-night.” ‘Nor I, but the moment he showed up in his true character he resembled some one I have seen. Let me think. Where have I seen that man? It must have been long ago, in California perhaps.” ‘‘ Or in Colorado,” suggested the girl. Major Ralph passed his hand over his fore- head as if to clear his thoughts while Inez looked on and waited breathlessly for the result. ‘*T can’t place him now; but [ have seen him somewhere,” said the Texan. “Tl get at it by and by, perhaps.” At this moment a few rods away a man stood up in his stirrups and shoox his fist at the ha- cienda, _ ** Refused an’ driven off, eh?” he cried. ‘* Ef Texas ‘Trump fails ter git thar in ther end, major, ba!ce ‘im for a clam!” CHAPTER VI. A NEW DISGUISE. _ . *TaR’s no prouder man in New Mexico ter AS epeht than Heavy Hugh. Boy, yer don’t know how I’ve hunted for a trace ov yer. I knew m sister had a child, but, until a few days ago, didn’t know for sartain whether thet child war dead or alive. You look like her. I kin see her eyes in your head, an’ your voice—Jehu! it is Lucy’s ter a dot!” ry The man who spoke thus occunied a three- legged stool in a small cabin, and the listener was a handsome young man who occupied a ] similar seat near at hand. ~* Heavy Hugh was one of the odd characters of _ Camp ‘Coyote which lay near the western boun- | dary {the Llano Estacado, He was aboutforty- - ~ five, rather dark, and a giant in stature. Quiet - almost to moroseness, he had led many to believe - that he was partially insane; but now his eyes ' fairly twinkled while he talked. { : Roy Berdan’s coming to Coyote seemed to have made him ten years younger, There was no resemblance between the two thus brought together, yet, they were uncle and nephew young man being the child of Heavy 4. 4Hugh’s favorite sister. «~The Mute Comanche had piloted Roy safely “to camp after rescuing him from the revolver.of " * Texas) , and without waiting to receive any thanks for his service had slipped away no- body knew whither. , » © Itwas thesecond night after Roy’s arrival “4 when Heavy Hugh declared that tho meeting ~ “had made him the happiest man on earth, A thousand questions about Roy’s mother had followed the reunion, and the young Texan cid not get to narrate his edventures until tho second night. ‘“ What! did you hev ter face ther dronper ov Texas Trump?’ cried Heavy Hugh. ‘ We all know that llano g’lootan’ he knows better than ter set foot in Camp Coyote in any capacity. I sent no letter ter yer at Hermosilla. While I war anxious ter fold Lucy’s child ter my heart, I wouldn’t hey torn yer from ther ranch rose.” ‘‘Then who invented the decoy?” exclaimed « De *J he t “? oy. (Ph Texas Trump,” was the answer. ‘‘ Why does he hate me?” ‘“‘T don’t know, but ye’r’ interferin’ with a ame ov his. Thar’s more than one lasso gapin’ for ther Border Rattler. Thar’s a standin’ notice in Coyote ag’in’ *im an’ nobody knows it better than himself. When, you go back ter Hermosilla, Roy, Pll go along. Major Ralph an’ I ar’ friends. We war Vigilantes together when men needed rope in California, Hark! What fool’s struck Coyote now?” The two men attracted by the same noise went to the door together, and as it was opened they heard a man sing out in lively tones: ‘*T make no brags, gentlemen, but I’m a hust- ler from Hustlertown! I kin laugh longer, jump further an’ sing more psalms than any saint in christendom! Vm no oil chromo; nor a long- lost Murillo, but I’m a picterin a dandy frame! Whoopee! six feet in my boots an’ a terror ter scales an’ suspenders! Come around me, Coy- otes ov Coyote Camp! Gaze upon this piece ov decorated anatomy an’ wish ye war like me!” ‘That man’s a fool,” said Heavy Hugh with a smile and a glance at Roy. many such visitors. Let us take him in.” A crowd comprising more than one-half of the inhabitants of the camp had already found the | — on who Ae o top of aa 8 i dis- is magnificent physique to all. ¢ He had arrayed himself in a buckskin suit nearly new, and fantastically decorated. A cape was one of the numerous luxuries , and his boots were adorned with ‘* We don’t have |! Texas Trump, the Border Rattler, —— a ee ewe ~~ tassels which shook when he moved. A large slouched sombrero, ornamented with a wide red ribbon, adorned his head covered by a great amount of black hair. His face was dark as a Mexican’s, but cleanly shaven, which seemed to lend a strange and unnatural appearance to his eyes. ‘‘A border fool sure enough,” ejaculated Heavy Hugh, as he and Koy drew near to the man on the saddle. ‘‘ We used to have these rovin’ dandy-loafers among ther Sierra camps, but this is ther first one thet ever bit Coyote. He’s a model, ain’t he? Look at thet figure!” ‘* Shall I sing) you a song, gents, er do yer want Captain Bottlejack’s address to ther Piutes? Choose yer treat an’ draw on this livin’ treasury. I’m a pressed pippin from Eldorado’s orchard.” ‘‘ Give us a song!” called out a dozen specta- tors, eager for fun. * All right, gents. Stand still, Morphine, [’m goin’ ter make Coyote think thet a mockin’- bird from Eden hez struck camp.” The horse needed no command to remain mo- tionless, for he had not moved a limb since the halt, and a moment later the new-comer started off in a rollicking song which could have been heard in any quarter of the place. He had a notably good voice, and knew how to use it, and it was seen from the first that his singing had captivated the denizens of Coyote. He sung the song through, accompanying the chorus with a dance on the saddle, and at the end was greeted withshouts of approval and up- roarious laughter. ‘‘Now, gents, Happy Hank will give you Captain Bottlejack’s address ter ther Piutes,” continued the man. ‘*T’ve got enough ov this,” said Heavy Hugh in a whisper to Roy. ‘Ef you want ter hear more, stay an’ take it all in. You know whar ther shanty is, boy; ther latch-string’s out.” Roy had concluded to remain, and Heavy Hugh went back. The boy had not watched the dandy close enough to see that more than once his eyes be- came fastened upon him. Happy Hank seemed just what he claimed to be—a roving free lance, who got his whisky for his antics in the silver camps, and who led an easy, idle and worthless existance. The promised address of Captain Bottlejack to the Piutes was nothing great, judged from a literary standpoint, but the delivery pleased the crowd to such a degree that Happy Hank was invited to Coyote’s best saloon, where it was proposed to pay for the entertainment in moist goods, ‘*Thar never war an offer thet Happy Hank war known ter decline,” laughed the sport. ‘¢Tfevin’ refreshed ther interior man, gents, Vl give yer some selections from Shakspear an’ ther poets when I'll proceed ter show 12y Jump- in’ qualities.” ‘*T can out jump him myself!” exclaimed Roy. 2 You? then, by Jupiter! we'll hev a match!” cried a man atthe youth’s elbow. ‘ Say—” ‘‘ No! I did not mean to speak aloud. I did so unconsciously,” interrupted the youth catching the man’s arm. ‘‘I don’t want to be matched against that man,” ‘¢ We'll do it anyhow!” was the reply. ‘* Ye’r’ Heavy Hugh’s nephew, an’ a part ov Coyote already. You must become our champion. We'll back yer, Roy. Say, boys! Hyer’s aman what says he kin out-jump anything now in Coyote. Tl back ’im for luck!” n an instant Roy found scores of eyes fasten- ed upon him, and under the ordeal he blushed to the temples. ‘‘ Whar is ho?—thet youngster?” cried Happy Hank in derision ashe took Roy in from head to foot. ‘' Does he b’long hyer?” ‘* Yes,” said the youth’s self-appointed backer. ‘‘Then I jump him as ther champion ov Coy- ote. Let me take ’im squarely in.” The camp’s visitor jumped from the saddle and came up to the young Texan. From the moment that he touched the ground Roy felt the influence of a pair of eyes that | seemed to blaze while they regarded him. He drew himself up and stood the inspection in an admirable manner. wi gig did you ever jump?” suddenly asked a ‘‘T haven’t jumped in a match for three years,” asthe reply. ‘‘ This trial is not of my own . oosing. I mutteringly spoke aloud—” ‘* Oh yes; ther old tale ov modesty !” laughed the loafer, ‘I'll jes’ take down yer comb afore we ad- journ ter ther cock-tail department ov this camp. Ar’ standin’ jum yer specialty?” ‘Suit yourself,” said y, carelessly. ‘The match is not of my seeking, I say. I object to being made the champion of any camp.” ‘* My forte is a runnin’ jump.” ‘¢ We'll test it, then.” The crowd drew off and prepared for the match. Roy took off his jacket and tossed it to the man who had announced himself his backer. More than one exclamation greeted the young man in his shirt-sleeves. He was a perfect spe- cimen of youthful manhood, a real athlete, and , from that moment he had fifty friends and backers, The night was one of those rich starlight ones found so often in the wild Southwest. oO arti- ficial lights were needed and the jumping line was casily seen when one was macc in the ground. Roy Berdan seemed confident of his powers, and when everything had been arranged a silver” dollar was tossed up tosee who was to jump first. Heads meant Happy Hank, tails, Roy. ‘‘T open ther ball,” said the dandy when the result of the toss had been announced. ‘*t Now, gents, you'll see some ov ther tallest air-cuttin” you ever took in.” He walked back from the line with an air of bravado, but not without a dark glance at his young antagonist. All at once he sprung forward and left the ground at the line. ‘* Thar!” he said, recovering where he lit, and turning upon Roy and his backers. ‘‘ Ther like ov thet jump Coyote can’t beat. Oh, lm a daisy when it comes ter this bizness,” Roy walked away with a smile on his lips. ‘Tf I don’t beat this bravo, ll leave camp,” he muttered. | The next moment he halted, turned suddenly on his heel, and sprung forward. He went through the air like a rocket, and the following second a wild yell announced that he had dis- tanced the stranger. A dozen excited men went forward to make sure of the distance, and another shout confirm- ed the young Texan’s triumph. ‘* Beaten by five inches! Hurrah for Coyote!” The face of Happy Hank grew dark, and a pair of baleful eyes glared at Rov. ‘‘ See here!” hissed Hank, reaching the youth’s | side. ‘*I kin throw yer two best out o’ three.” ‘*T never wrestle,” answered the Texan quietly. ‘*Oh, yer don’t,” sneered Hank, drawing back and eens hisrage. ‘* Mebbe ye fight.” ‘ O 3 ** Then I'd like ter see yer privately a minute. By Jericho! ye’r’ a dandy.” Before Roy could move, the beaten champion had put his arm through his, and was leading him away. The crowd looked wonderingly on. A Happy Hank’s horse followed at his master’s eels, Wondering what communication his antago- nist had to make, the Pees Texan permitted. himself to be Jed beyond the nearest cabins. Five, ten minutes passed away. The crowd grew impatient, and at length. several men ventured behind the cahins. ‘‘Thar’s nobody hyer! They’re gone!” was the cry. Gone!—Roy and Happy Hank? A brief investigation proved this to be true. ‘‘ Have I lost him already?” exclaimed the big man, who approached suddenly among the ex- cited and swearing men. ‘Boys, thet man warn’t Happy Hank any more than I’m Stone- wall Jackson! I krow him now, when .it’s too late. Ther Mute Comanche baffled him ther other night an’ he came ter Coyote for re- venge.” ‘Who is he, Hugh?” cried the crowd. ‘‘ Name ther hound!” ‘‘Texas Trump!” said Heavy Hugh. ‘ Roy has fallen inter ther clutches ov ther tiger thet wants his blood!” CHAPTER VII. THE DESPERATE PLAY. ‘¢ Hr out-jumped me ter get euchered in ther end! They don’t beat this llano rattler more’n once ther same night, eh, King. my boy?” Texas Trump, still clad in the garments that had distinguished him as Happy Hank, leaned toward the half-breed boy who was riding over oe plain at his side in the first light of a new y. Behind the pair stretched a flat but not arid country, and far ahead a line of rough cliffs: marred the evenness of the horizon. ‘*T don’t see him,” said the boy, looking back... *‘T reckon yer don’t,” was the reply, accom- anied by a laugh. ‘‘ We’ve made a famous: azeppa ov ther young Texan thet stood be- Comic —-— & ge .