Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 480 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

* All the liquor the crowd can drink for an hour -against ten dollars.” *It’sago! Go ahead wi’ yer circus; an’ by ther great horned ace o’ Honduras, ef 1 can’t do anything you can, the ten dollars shall be yourn, sure’s I’m ‘ther big-futted banty from Butte City.” Freuch Ferd did not insist that the money should be put up, as all he cared about was to get the bum- mer to jump into the barrel; then it would be an easy matter to rush upon him and capture him. At least, French Ferd so calculated, A flour barrel was procured, placed i. the center of a ring formed by the crowd, and French Ferd pulled off his coat and stepped forward. * This ain’t no easy job, gents!’’ he declared, ** but I will endeavor to show you that one man can do what many another man can not,”’ He then walked over to the barrel, and, making a spring, landed down in the inside of the receptacle, the top head of which, of course, had been pre- viously removed, It was a clever jump, and the crowd cheered vo- -ciferously. “There you are, big feet!’’ Ferd cried, we hn out of the barrel triumphantly. ‘'D’ye think you ‘kin do that?” “* Well. I should snicker!’’ Big Boots declared. ‘* I kin do thet jest as easy as rollin’ off a log, an’ easier too. Why, I kin Bn inter two bar'ls, one a-top the other, ef ye only give me the chance!” “ Bah! go ahead, you fool! You can’t jump into the one, let alone the two.”’ **What'll ye bet?” Big Boots demanded eagerly. “Ef you've got anything as sez I can’t, jest poke et’s head out where I can see it,’’ and flopping his arms, something as a rooster would its wings, Big Boots leaped into the air, turned a complete somer- set, and landed safely on his feet. The crowd gave an appreciative yell, while French Ferd uttered a grunt of disgust to see that his enemy was so nimble. : “Come! What er yer goin’ to do?” Big Boots de- manded. ‘ Yelet on ye'r’ sech abettin’ chap, why ‘don’t ye show yer spurs? What'll ye bet I can’t jump inter two bar’ls, one a set on top o’ the other, an’ both heads out o’ the top bar’l? Spit it out, now, an’ I’m yer man, tooth and toeenail.”’ The expressions of approval were so pronounced, that French Ferd felt it necessary to do something to meet the bummer, and ‘* go him one better.”’ *“ What’ll I bet?”’ he echoed. “ Why, anything | — want, providing we have a proper understand- of the bet. Do you wish to bet you can make what is known as a standing jump?” “That's jest what I do wanter bet! [ll take a persition in ther tracks whar you stood, an’ lll pela straight upward, an’ come down inside the arrels.’’ “You're a fool. Sucha jumpisimpossible. Why, I'll bet you my hotel against your head that you can’t do it!” “Tf I win, I get your hotel, and all that’s in it?” “Yes. And if you fail, in three attempts, your head belongs to me for a football!”’ *“Tt’s a bargain. Shake |” Big Boots put out his white, shapely hand—a hand so hard at contrast Wica his general appear- ance. “Never mind the shaking part!’? French Ferd growled. ‘*Go ahead wi’ yer jump.” ‘That I will!” was the answer. “Get another barrel, an’ knock both hvads out 0’ et.” Another barrel was soon procured, both heads were knocked out, and the shell remaining, was plac d on top of the first barrel. This made a complete tube, about five feet in hight. ft must, indeed, be a clever jumper who could bound into the air, and land down within the tube, ‘without personal injury to himself; yet Big Boots did not seem to regard it as an extraordinary feat, for he surveyed the barrels, adjusted them properly, and then smiled broadly. “Waal, boyees, hyar we go!’ he said. jovially. “Et’s a hotel or a head, and I’m inclined to believe that it’s a hotel, If it is, you may be we will all dine together!” With this assurance, he once more faced the bar- 8. He spat on his hands, rubbed them together, and then was suddenly seen to rise into the alr. As if lifted by some mechanical power, he soared straight upward, and then shot down out of sight, within the barrel inclosure, His head had scarcely disappeared from view, when French Ferd swung bis hat in the air, with a triumphant yell. “Quick! boys!’ he cried. barrels is Deadwood Dick! oo hho sure, this time!” Ithough the words rung neh every part of the bar-room distinctly, the crowd stared at the new mayor as if they doubted his sanity, making no move whatever to attack the barreled Richard. ‘*At him! at him! secure him!” fairly shrieked French Ferd. ‘Shoot him! shoot him!” This furious'y delivered order was caused by see- ing the pyramid of barrels rise upward, and Big Boots’s feet protrude from underneath the bottom barrel; when, wit) exceeding swiftness, the pyr- amid moved toward the door, which stood wide open. **At him! riddle the bar’ls wi’ bullets!” French Ferd fairly howled, as he saw his prey slipping away out of his gregh *You cursed fools, do you mor see he is escaping? That man is Deadwood By the time the astonished crowd could draw a weapon to fire, the pyramid of barrels stood in the goorway, and the few bullets leveled at it did no rm, “The man in them Pile onto him! We've | f ] His W q Ye yet! h Deadwood Diek’s Dust. A moment more and it was out of sight, and when the crowd rushed from the Blazing Brand, they saw the barrels lying in the street, but the man they had shielded gone! A search was made, but no trace of Deadwood Dick was found. Had the earth opened up, and swallowed hit, he could not have disappeared more surely |! French Ferd’s fury knew no bounds, for he felt positive that Deadwood Dick would seek a speedy revenge. He endeavored to find Dennis and Jakie, but they, too, had been seen to leave the pocket, and were no- where to be found. Leaving the townspeople to be watchful among themselves, French retired once more to his room at the Casino, his face da: k and gloomy. “*Curses take the luck!’’ he growled; “this last escape of the outlaw, unnerves me, for I fear him more than I fear any other man. He has sworn vengeance against me and the eg eer of this camp, and now that we have captured his wife, be won’t be slow to put it into execution. Naturally, he will seek to strike me, first!”’ The conclusion appeared to give him much uneasi- ness, He rapped upon the table fiercely, and the sum- mons speedily brought Purty Pete into the room. ‘Bring me a bottle of wine!’ the mayor ordered, gruffily, ‘and then go hunt up Goff, to come here at once, Cause a double guard to be placed over the jail, and constantly urge the miners to be on the out- ook for Deadwood Dick, and shoot him down, at sight. D’ye hear?”’ * ** Yes, boss.” “Allright! See that youdo. You can go.” The dwarf nodded, and took his departure. The wine was soon brought to French Ferd, and he helped himself to a couple of brimming glasses, and then began to pace toand fro, ‘**Tt’s my only course,’’ he muttered. ‘I’m hang- ed if | want to stay around here and be murdered— not much! We made a good haul, in the bank transaction, and the money will keep me indefinite- y. So after I settle any objections Goff might have to my departure, Ill steal quietly away, and let Deadwood Dick take his vengeance out of the peo- ple, instead of the people’s mayor.”’ The conclusion seemed in a measure to guiet his uneasiness, combined with frequent drinks of the wine, so that by the time Giles Goff arrived his may- orship was feeling quite comfortable. Just before Goff’s entrance, French Ferd had dis- solved a white powder in the bottom of one of the two glasses on the table, and when Goff entered, and took a seat at thé table, both glasses were filled, and one pushed toward the cashier, ‘*Join me in a snifter, then I'll tell you what I want,’’ Ferd said, ‘‘It’s better wine than I sell over the bar.”’ “Thanks. I don’t usually drink wine, but will conform with your wishes, this time,’ Goff said, and the wine was swallowed, Goff was a tall, brawny fellow, who did not look as if afraid of the ordinary run of men, and his countenance had something sinister and villainous in its expression, eyes were keen, and as their inquiring glance rested upon French Ferd, that individual shifted un- easily on his chair. * Well, sir, what can I do for you, Mr. French?” Goff inquired, lighting a cigar—‘‘anything in par- ticular?’ ‘Oh! no; but you ree I’ve something to tell you. ge got to get up and light out of here,”’ ‘*Jestso. You have heard about Big Boots, being identified as Deadwood Dick and of his escape ?”’ ** Well, he will make it lively for this camp, before many hours, acd he’l] strike right and left, without mercy, you mark my word.” “Do you poor think so?’ **] know it, e won’t do He hasn’t been keeping quie for nothing. He has without doubt been getting a ang together, sufficient to make a strong and rmined figbt. There are plenty of men who would jump at the chance to join him in an attack. So, when it comes, l’m betting high we won't stand a ghost of a show toward defense. The risks are big we'llbe shot down without quarter, and for my part. I don’t care about passing in my checks quite ** Nor I!’ Goff grunted. rather drowsily. **Sol presumed. Therefore, as we've made a fat aul, we'd better take time by the forelock, and vamoose while the chance is 2 gerade “Just my idea. Heigh-ho! that w deuced strong, for it makes me sleepy.’ “Tt is old. But. it isn’t that. You’re not as used to drinking asIam. Now, about our escape. Can aa ready, and meet me at the cuche, at mid- nig , Goff made no response. | His chin had dropped upon his breast, and his head gradually sunk forward upon the table. The drug administered by French Ferd was doing its work; Goff was expiring, without a struggle! This horrible act seemed only to affect French Ferd with diabolical glee, for, while he sat and drank glass after glass of the wine, until he had emptied the bottle, an occasional chuckle es- ae his lips, and there was a triumphant gleam in his eyes, When he was satisfied that all the power had left his victim’s body, he arose and arranged the recum- bent head upon the arm. on the table, in such a man- ner as to give the impression that Goff was fast asleep; then going through his pockets, and reliev- single-handed, neither. for over a month, all ine must be . —— ll —e — - : ing him of what valuables he had, French Verd left é room. ' In the bar-room he met Purty Pete, and said: “Goff’s in there, drunk,” indicating the inner oper, ‘so don’tdisturb him He'll soonsleep it off.” _ He then passed from the Casino. Without, night had settled dark and muggy, over the mining camp. French Ferd walked to the outskirts of the settle- ment, and there pausing, gazed back at the twink- ling hights, with a grim laugh. * Good by, citizens of Grogville!” he spoke in a loud tone; “‘ you are about to lose your mayor, and Deadwocd Dick is about to lose what dust this pocket has panned out. While you are enjoying the cut- law’s vengeance, I will be enjoying much that you have toiled for. Now, for the cache /” and turning, ge ate rapidly toward the outlet to the locked valley. True, he was leaving much behind, but the cached money more than made up for the loss, and then, too, was he not escaping with his life? CHAPTER XIV. DICK’S MISSION, Wuart of Deadwood Dick? When French Ferd had proposed the jumping bout, in the Blazing Brand Hotel, Dick had at once suspected that something wes the matter. Literally e bad “smelt a very large-sized rat,’ whose pro- portions were magnified when he noticed Ferd’s eager manner and saw the exultant gleam in the new mayor’s eyes, That, with the capture of Calamity, his identity was divulged, and that French Ferd wanted to get him into some trap, in which be could attack him with more safety, was Dick’s conviction; so, know- ing by «xperience that he could jump inte the two barrels, he bad made up his mind to adopt that ex- dient of getting out of the bar-room without get- fin seriously wounded. ow well he succeeded the reader has seen, Oace outside the door, he dodged around the cor- ner of the hotel and bounded py hny a little win- dow into the half-cellar in under the hotel, Here he secreted himself among the barrels and boxes, and remained undisturbed f.r over an hour, no one appearing to think of looking for him so close to the vicinity. When it was quite dark he crawled out of hiding. He was now divested of his superflucus and rag- ged clothing, and his false hair and beard, and bore is natural wr) 8 apes He mana to get to the stable in the rear of the hotel, and there secured his horse, and in half an hour was out of the locked valley, en rowte through Big Gulch at a lively gallop. he mountain camp of {formon Pill was his des- tination. He must lose no time in reaching it, for he must be back in Grogville or vicinity before day- break, with a force strong enough to rescue Calam- ity and Winthrop, or their doom would be a cer- tainty. So he spared not the spur, and his horse being fresh and strong, covered distance rapidly. Only once he paused, to examine the map Mormon Bill bad given him; then he dashed on, and at length spurred up the mountain path leading to Fort Freeze- ut, The horse leg ee down exhausted ere he reached the summit, and Dick was obliged to complete his journey or foot. As hestepped upon the plateau, he found himself confronted by a burly man, and at the muzzle of a repeating rifle. ‘Halt!’ the sentinel cried. what do you want?” ‘*I am Deadwood Dick,” was the prompt response, “‘and come from Mormon Bill with a message to Lieutenant Lily.” ‘*Give the countersign, then.” “T have none to give. Callyour liettenant and I will give him my message.”’ The guard hesitated a moment and eyed Dick sus- piciously ; then he said: ** Wait here, then, till I call the lieutenant.” He strode off to the stone building, soon returning, accompanied by Lily. e to you from Mormon “Who are you and *“T have a mess Bill, who is in jail in Grogville!”’ Dick announced. ‘ By read- ing it you will learn his wants!” ‘Come this way,” Lily said, receiving the jpaper- Dick followed, and tney entered the * Fort, The most of the memgers of the band were loung- ing around a fire, but Dick failed to a er the prisoners, whom he had seen on his previous visit. Lieutenant Lily took Mormon Bill’s letter to the fire and glanced it over eagerly. Then he turned to Deadwook Dick: “The captain does not mention the cause of bis incarceration,” he observed, ‘‘ Why is he in jail?” ‘An attempt was made to arrest him by the citi- zens in the belief that he was one of my agents—or perhaps you are not aware that I am waging a sort of bloodless warfare against the mining-camp of pag, Hp ‘*T heard about it.” ‘‘Well, your captain resisted the attempt to ar- rest him, until he had killed and wounded a number of men; then he was jailed, and, unless released, he will be shot to death to-merrow morning at sunrise. I managed to get into the jail as a guard, but ¢ do no more than promise to come here, and guide youinan attack against the town, for the purpose © releasing ‘pies captain, and my wife, Calamity Jane, both of whom are confined in'the sam2 room.” ‘‘And in behalf of the boys, I will say that we are ready to go at almost aninstant’s notice—eh, boys?” IOO com