Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 480 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

- dwarf, who constituted one of the crowd, ‘“ Ef ther’ Take Oo not to. And so, to put the matter to a test, I will go hy the directions of this mysterious Lone Hand. If it says ‘Go ahead, and have your rights,’ I shall do £0, If to the contrary, I shall abide by the deci- sion.’ And so saying, Dick spread a sheet of blank pa- per upon the table, and placed the tips of those cold, petrified fingers upon it. ‘*The morning will tell!” he said, “‘and I shall know my future course of duty.” Later, they laid down to rest, while the Lone Hand kept its vigil upon the table near the pine-cone fire, which but dimly illuminated the further parts of the cavern, When morning drew on apace, Calamity was first to awaken, and ignite a pitch knot, thereby fur- nishing sufficient illumination for her to note that Deadwood Dick was still sleeping soundly. She had not slept well, herself, ber rest being dis- turbed by innate curiosity to know whether or no Dick would get his answer from the Lone Hand. With torch in hand, therefore, after satisfying herself that Dick still reposed, she moved toward the table. When Calamity reached the table, she saw the hand still there, and the cold,whits fingers held down the edge of the paper Deadwood Dick had placed beneath them some hours before. But the paper was not blank, now; it contained a pencil-written message, the reading of which caus- ed Calamity to utter an ejaculation of astonish- ment: The message was as follows:— “Drapwoop Dick, PRINCE orf THe Roap:— ‘*Your duty is plain enouvh before you. You are daily being robbed of the precious golden dust which I wilied should be yours, and it is for you to begin a war'are against those who are infringing on your rizhts. Pronounce the doom of Grogville, and fight to the bitter end, so that you regain what is yours. And believe that in hours of peril your path will be pointed out by the ‘*Longe HAnNp.”’ ods CHAPTER VII. ‘* ROBBERY! ROBBERY!”’ THe words that rung through the bar-room of the Blazing Brand Hotel, announcing that Deadwood Dick had pronounced the doom of the town, caused great excitement, ae way as they did immediately after Benjamin Butterfly had announced his opinion that the aforesaid Richard had vengeance in store for those who were usurping his rights, Every one looked sharply about, but as the words had appeared to come from a part of the room where there was no person standing at that moment sm crowd stared at each o her in mystification and uiry. ‘rench Ferd was the first one to speak, ‘Who uttered them words?” he demanded, flerce- ly. ‘Show me the man, and [ll take the personal responsibility of blowing his cussed brains out)”’ And the king of Grogville glared about im vicious- ly enough to indicate that he meant what he said. ‘* Ha! hal ha!’ ‘ A ringing, sarcastic ar ry was heard—the laugh of Deadwood Dick, and it sounded as if coming directly from the lips of Mike, the burly bartender of the Blazing Brand, who was engaged in mixing a cocktail. French Ferd uttered an oath, and strode fiercely toward the bar. ‘* What do ‘py mean, you Irish p’izen-mixer?”’ he roared. ‘What d’ye mean by laughin’ at my re- marks, cuss you?” ‘‘ Who’s been laughin’? growled Mike; ‘‘ not me, I'l) swear.’’ “You did laugh! The ‘Ha! ha! ha!’ came right from your lips, an’ I know it!” ‘You're a liar, by the clock!” declared Mike, and over the top of the bar came in view, the muzzle of a ‘*six,’’ backing the assertion, French Ferd uttered a curse, and turned away, “T reckon it was Deadwood Dick himself who laughed,’ observed Butterfly Ben, ‘“‘as the voice sounded a great deal like that of the man who fought the crowd over at Satan’s Snap. Such being the case, Deadwood Dick may now be in our midst, and in disguise.” “Tl give five hundred dollars to the man who will point the devil out to me or secure his captvre, dead or alive!” French Ferd declared, in a voice loud enough to be heard in any part of the room. **Wive hundred for the capture of Deadwood Dick, dead or alive!” ‘*An’ by ther bleached bones of behemoths, I’m — sawed off son-of-a-sea-cook ag is goin’ ter scoop thet boodle!’ declared Purty Pete, the hideous is sech a feller as Deadwood Dick, or whoever else may threaten ther gelorious town 0’ Grogville; he’s my meat an’ munchin’, from ther word go, An’ I rpose, sence French Ferd aire ther only candidate er mayor, we put him inter power at once, so he kin conduct matters ’cording ter law, an’ hang every rebel as sez Grogville ain’t ours, be-gum}!”’ @ proposal was received with general acclama- tion, and voting began, later in the day, at the “ eatin ded electi .¢ was principally a one-sided election, as there being but one candidate. those whe did not conclude to vote for French Ferd, did not vote at all, and were in the minority, anyhow. By sunset all the votes were cast, and Ferdinand French was pronounced “mayor” and in other re- apects, ruler of Grogville City. 4 - The mayor elect showed bis appreciation of the honor conferred upon him by declaring “free bar” at the Casino. for all those who had voted for him, And, as might be guessed, the men would not / Dick’s Dust. quteraeuptentinemesene et te ee CS Deadwood miss an opportunity to get ‘‘ b’ilin’ full,”’ when an opportunity was afforded them, free of cost, so there were many howling drunk and ready for any row, During the evening a notice was posted up in the Casino as follows: **PROCLAMATION! “Tt having come to the notice of the undersigned, newly-celected Mayor of the city of Grogville, Ter- ritory of Arizona, that a noted thief, desperado and blackleg in general, known as Deadwood Dick, has illegally made claim to the gold-producing lands of Gcogville Pocket; and furthermore, that he has made vengeful threats against said town and its in- habitants— “Therefore, do I hereby offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the capture of said outlaw, Deadwood Dick, and an additional reward of one hundred dollars each, for the capture of such per- sons as may be proven to be under his command, or in collusion with him. FERDINAND FRENCH, * Mayor of Grogville.”’ This notice was conspicuously posted and attract- ed no little attention from those assembled at the Cosine, to drink of the new mayor’s stock of Taos whisky, Over at the Blazing Brand hotel a handful of men were gathered, who did not feel warranted in par- taking of French Fred's hospitality, as they did nct approve of him as a proper person to run the camp. Among the lot was Mr, Benjamin Butterfly. Not so with the irrepressible builwhacker, Big Boots. No sooner had French Ferd announced * free bar,” than Mr. Big Boots was on hand, loquacious and thirsty, and was among the first to moisten his throat at the new mayor’s expense. And it was a noticeable fact that when Big Boots got his place atthe bar, he was careful not to vacate it, in order to give any one else a cbance. He tasted lightly of the amber liquor, however, and in half a dozen rounds had not taken more than a reguiation Western man’s swig. French Ferd’s attention was called to the bull- whacker’s presence by Purty Pete, the dwarf, “Yer see him?’’ the dwarf said, ‘ He’s helpin’ hisself as ef he were welcome. Et was he who tried ter git Butterfly ter run fer mayor, yer know ”’ *Soit was, Goorcer him to get out of my place, an’ ef he don’t travel lively throw him out!”’ French Ferd growled. Purty Pete grinned and walked over toward the bar,and when he came up behind Big Boots, he nlappec him heavily on the shoulder, ‘* Come! you git up an’ git outen here!” the dwarf ordered, authoritatively. ‘** Who told you ter put yer muzzle inter this hyer set-out?”’ * Who?’ quoth Big Boots, wheeling sharply around, ‘‘ Why, gol darn yer skin, who d’ye or pose, but meroyal self? That’s who, Mister Stubb, au’ nary another a galoot lent an assenting voice. An’ now, me Christyun friend, what hev you got. ter say erbout et?’’ ‘Pll mighty quick show ye, ef you don’t git up and dust yerself!’? the dwarf blustered. ‘The capting allows yer didn’t vote fer him, an’ he give me orders ter put yer out 0’ his hotel,” “The capt’in did?” * Yas—ther boss—ther mayor.”’ ‘‘ He ordered yeou ter put me out—vyeou, a leetle sawed-off snappin’-turtle like yeou? Waal! waal! I'll be kicked ter death by anty-mires, ef thet don’t strike me as durn’d funny!” And Big Boots glared incredulously at Purty Pete, as if he were inclined to the belief that the dwarf was joking. “You'll find out how funny et is!’ was the fierce answer, “‘ef you don’t git out, without any more mouth, The boss sed ef you wouldn’t go out fer tellin’, ter throw ye out, an’ that’s precisely what I’m goin’ ter do!” ‘Bully fer you! Ther murmur of yer bazzoo pierces ther pan o’ my tynpanum, like a gentle zephyr blowin’ off a cow’s back—et do, by butter- milk? And, ter see yer wade right in clean up ter yer fins, an’ mazourky me out o’ this shebang, sin- gle handed, is one of thes ghts I acheter see. So pitch in, Stubbins, and show us how ye make out!” There was a murmur of approval from the crowd, as Purty Pete pulled off his jacket, for he was a man Of prodigious streneth. and the majority , lieved he could handle Big Boots without any trou- ble. Then, too, the latter had not been known to engage In any more serious wrangle than “ fight- ing with his mouth,” for which he had quite a local reputation, lo see Purty Pete put Big Boots out would be fine sport, undoubtedly, but Big Boots was not going to be made a subject of amusement for the crowd, ae peeanne the bystanders would appreciate such a thing. A peculiar smile swept over the bullwhacker’s bearded face, as he saw Purty Pete jerk off his coat, and be appeared to have no fear of the conseque* ces of a tussel. When Pete had completed his preparations, by rolling up the sleeves on his knotty arms, he glared at Big Boots ferociously. ‘“Come! now—aire ye goin’ ter git out o’ here?” he roared, “or shall I throw ye out, an’ mop the street with ye?” , ‘*Throw me flout. an’ mop the street wi’ me, to be sure!’ was the response. ‘“‘ Just toss me cl’ar over the moon, fer fun!” r With a snarl. Purty Pete leaped forward, as if bent on the annihilation of this opponent, but, he did not succerd in clinching with his enemy, for a well-aimed blow from Big Boots’s fist, knocked him “SS EE rc OO EN , clean off his feet, and he came down upon the floor with a thud, ‘*Hooray! Furst blood fer Big Boots!” the bull- whacker yelled, as a stream of claret spurted from Purty Pete’s nose. ‘*Up wi’ ye—come ter time, ye sawed-off snake, a.’ Pll make yer think that Barna- by Big Boots is a double-headed cyclone o’ pile- drivers on a thirty-day rampage. Waltz me out 0°’ this shebang, wull ye, ye durned adder? Why, Pll do ye up an’ throw ye cl’ar over ther range!” And, grabbing the dwarf up as theugh he were a month old babe, he raised him above his head, and dashed him bodily through the bar-room window, into the street! Almost at the same instant that he did so, a man came running into the hotel, as if pursued by Satan and all his hosts, ‘* Robbery! robbery!’’ he yelled. ‘‘The bank has been entered, sence closin’ time, an’ robbed of every red cent, an’ every ounce o’ gold. An’, posted on the door is a card givin’ the compliments of Dead- wood Dick!” The man who made this startling announcement, was the clerk employed by French Ferd, to conduct ge of the bank, his name being Goff—Giles off, Could it be true? ' Had Deadwood Dick already begun his campaign against the town, whose doom his voice had so re- cently pronounced? CHAPTER VIII, DICK MAKES SOME DISCOVERIES, As may be imagined, the excitement caused b Goff’s announcement was intense—so great, indeed, that the quarrel between Purty Pete and Big Boots was entirely forgotten—Purty Pete, himself, bruised and bleeding, joining in the crowd that rushed from the hotel toward the strong cabin a couple of hun: dred yards distant, where the bank or mining ex change was located. Not only would French Ferd be a large sufferer, if the bank had been robbed, but nearly everv person in the town would be losers. except, maybe, a few recent arrivals; for the institution had accepted de- pose for safe keeping, and had done a general anking business, French Ferd was naturall the bank first. and he and ing the door behind them. ben they came out, the former made the an- nouncement that the bank had indeed been entered, since supper-time, and systematically relieved of all the gold-dust and currency in its safe, tre lock of which had been clevi rly picked. The only clew to the robber was a card which Goft had found pinned to the docr, on the inside. ‘bis card French Ferd produced, and showed to the ex- cited crowd, It was a white piece of paper, of considerable size, on which was traced in ink: ‘COMPLIMENTS OF DEADWOOD DICK.” Of course the crowd fairly howled at this, and a demand was made by some of the miners to see the inside of the bank and the books. This demand was finally granted by French Ferd, although he first tried to persuade the crowd to wait until morning; but they cried the idea down, and were finally admitted. ; An examination proved, surely enough, that the bank contained no money, and the books showed that, at the close of that day’s business, the bank had fifteen thousand dollars in money, and twelve theusand in uncoined gold. About half of this belonged individually to French and the balance to depositors, whose losses would range from five dollars upward, Entrance to the cabin had been gained through a rear locked door, the front door always being heav- ilv barred on the inside, after banking hours. The excitement grew none the less, as the realiza- tion grew older on the miners, that their savings had been appropriated thus feloniously by one who threatened doom to the town. And few eyes closed in sleep ell that night, for the stieet was thronged with an excited populace, who denounced Deadwood Dick in terms too strong to bear repetition here, And it ig needless to add that Deadwood Dick would have been lynched summarily, had he been caught. there and then. | Shortly after daybreak, the following morning, Grogville’s citizens were given another start, by finding posted up in full view, on the cuter wall of the renee a placard, containing the following, in bold chirography: one of those to reach off entered alcne, lock- ‘“*NOTICE! “To THE PEOPLE OF GROGVILLE! ‘Having learned that the charge of robbing your local ‘bank has been laid to me, I wish to em- phatically deny any connection with such a crime. When I have all prepared for my warfare, 1 shall not rob your banks or dwellings, but shall boldly ob- tain my rights, at the muzzle of the pistol. For the robber of your bank, you had b: st look in your own midst, Zhecard was a forgery! ‘Drapwoop Dick.” Of course this bulletin, supposedly coming from Deadwood Dick. created another bubble of excite- ment, and set the caldron of local indignation and donbt boiling over again. The denial was variously regarded. Nearly every person in the camp read the notice before French Ferd ordered it to be torn down, It is safe to say the majority poohed at the denial, and believed it had been made to throw the respon- ; ! | Cc = =comicboo a Ps ‘ a :> 7 ‘ . . : Ac / be) <7 - re * $. bee . S.c€O : va 5