Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 443 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

_ hundred galoots. «Deadwood D Dick Jr. ws 2 o’ actin’ as chief cook an’ bottle-washer ey lynchin’-bees than any man west o’ ther issipp. Et hev bin many a year sence J first acted as judge, but since then, r ll be durn- ed fer a donkey ef I ain’t sed ‘ three’ fer over a An’ so, feller-citizens, ef ye want yer pic-nie ter go off in first- class sty e, jest ’p’int me judge o’ ther ceremonies an’ thar won’t be a hitch ner a balk. ‘I’m Lynch—that’s the Judge, An’ I'm some on ther budge,— I’m narvous, an nigh all a-quiver; But I'll send that ar lad e Ter a place Warm and bad,— Judge Lynch’s head -quarters—Salt River!’ ”’ ‘Hurrah! first rate!” cried Paul Potter. *“What der ye say, boyees—shal]l we ’p’int the tough vet’ran judge on this occasion? Yer can see he’s the stuff!” There was a ringing cry of assent from two- thirds of the men in the room, and they, of course, made up a majority. J udge Lynch waa invited to drink, and did SO, and then all hands loft the Daisy Saloon for the laza, t The night was dark, and the heavens wore a threatening shroud of ominous clouds, which predicted a rain; hence it was necessary to call torches and lanterns into requisition, and the gg of the mining-cam made an odd ctacle as they gathered about the glaring hts to attend the trial. Chairs were brought from the saloons and a semicircle of seats arranged, which were occu- pied by the twelve men whom Hyatt had select- ed as jurors. Just in front of these were two other seats which were allotted te the Penner, In front of them, with a ig e of barrels for tables, Mr. Hyatt and J udge Lynch took their positions, a the crowd made a circle entirely around the scene, holding torches and lanterns above their heads. After taking his stand and clearing his throat, David Hyatt said: ‘* Citizens of the mining-camp of Bummer’s Bar, we have before us, as a people—a law-abid- ing and honorable people—a duty to discharge, namely: the trying of two persons, both str an- gers to us, on the charge of conspiracy to rob and defraud. ‘‘The names of these persons, as they have been given to us, appear to be Carl Clyde and California Kit, otherwise Kitty Kenyon. * The first-named is charged with having cut a sht in the pantaloons of your representative, in such a manner as to lay open the left-hand pocket, and to have extracted from said pocket, feloniously, a wallet containing a one-thousand dollar note, and also a roll of bills, amounting to thirty-nine hundred dollars, which had been given into charge of your representative as wagers on a boxing bout between California Kit _ and Big Mose Magoon. t appears that both prisoners arrived in town about the same time, knew each other, and it _storai>+5 reason that they were here for the se of accumulating money, through the purpo ; g irl’s pugilistic accomplishments. They, there- ore, were in collusion, and being so, in one sense, is pretty reasonable assurance that they were likewise in collusion in more senses than one. ‘The young Man was seen, on leaving the stage, to stand close beside me for several min- utes, and then go immediately to the barrel, upon which he perched himself, and in which the money was afterward found. As he must have covered the hole in the barrel, in sitting upon it, no one else could have slipped the money into it, ‘‘ As your representative felt the money in his pocket but a moment before said Carl Clyde left the stage, it stands to reason that said Carl Clyde stole said money, secreted it, and that he and the girl prize-fighter stood in collusion to keep said money, and in addition, to attempt to hold your representative responsib ble for its loss, The ag of this camp, by a popular vote of pad ike ple, are to the effect that any person who adjudged ilty of stealing, or robbing, Patte pen, pe or seg ing to y’ or swindling, or o be punished steal, rob or swindle, sha ing. “ EBoeccto your representative would re- spectfull y refer the case in question to that most honorable judge and jury of this court, for de- cision, praying in the behalf of the people, and honorable loca government, that the verdict be rendered in accordance with the facts stated.” Mr. Hyatt then sat down, and the unprepos- hang- _ sessing and blear-eyed Judge Lynch arose ‘Ther prisoners have no counsel, hev they ” he demanded. ‘“‘No, nor they don’t need any. As judge of the court, you have the questioning power,’ Hyatt replied, with a sbrug. ‘*Carl Clyde arise!” thundered the judge, tragically. Dick arose. His face was well composed, but his gleaming eyes betrayed the indignation repressed within his bosom. ‘* Prisoner at ther bar, is your name Carl Clyde?” demanded the judge. ‘* No, sir. “ What is it, then?” ** Richard Bristol, sir.” ‘*Did ye say ye war Carl Clyde, sence ye hev been in Sami” ’s Bar?” Tl did.” ** What for?” ‘** Because I chose to.” ‘*Phew! Did you steal the money?” ‘No, sir. I did not !” “Did you ever steal?” ** Never!” ‘* How came Mr. Hyatt’s money in the bar’]?” ‘*T don’t know; I have no idea,” ** Did you stand beside him?” ‘For an instant, I did !” ‘* Did you rip his breeches down the leg?” ‘*No, sir! 1 did not!” ‘Were not you and California Kit in kerlu- sion to git the money, by hook, or crook?—are you not ; pards? ia ‘No, sir. I never mether, before to-night— I never heard of her until to-night. ” ‘‘ What is your business?” ‘‘T have none, just now, except that I’ve been on a prospecting trip, and looking for business,” ** Sit down!” Dick obeyed. He had answered the questions with a decision and coolness that surprised nearly every one who beard him. ‘‘ Kittie Kenyon, arise!” ordered the Judge. Kit arose. ‘*What is your name?” ‘* Kittie Kenyon.’ ‘‘ Where do you live?” ‘‘ Wherever night overtakes me.” ‘‘ What is your business?” ** Knockin’ out w ould- be sluggers, an’ ’tendin’ to my own affairs.” This, with a little laugh. “What do you know about this case?” ‘‘Nary; and I'll bet Dick didn’t have a finger in stealin’? the money! He’s not that kind of catnip.” ‘Did you ever know him, before to-night?” ‘‘ Nixy! no more’n he ever heard ov me,” ‘‘ Who d’ye think did the job?” Kit looked deliberately about, until her gaze fell upon Frozen Bill. ‘“T reckon his whiskers, yonder, w’ot calls him- self Frozen Bill, knows about as much as any one,” she declared. ‘What makes you think so?” ‘‘ Because, he was the first one who Seemed to have any idea where the money was.’ ‘That willdo. Frozen Bill, take the stand.” Frigid William shuffled for ward, with a grow] of dis spleasure. ‘* What do you want of me?’ he demanded, ** What do you know about the robbery?” ** Nothin’!” ‘Did you see Richard Bristol standing beside Mister Hyatt?” “Vas, I did; so did others.” ‘* Say yes, sir, to this cour t!” “Yas, sir!” os Did you see the accused commit the rob- bery? . sé Le —no! 999 ** Did you see him put anything in the bar’l?” ‘* N—o, sir.’ re How came yer to suspect that ther money was in ther bar’l, then?” ** Tt jest popped inter my head, sir.” ‘* Did you, at no time, stand near Mr, Hyatt, while ther boxin’ was goin’ on?” *F Se. 0rr.! “Are you a stranger in camp?” ‘Yes. I’m frum ’way up in Washington Territory, whar it’s cold enough to freeze a nig- ger, in winter time.” ** Your name is Frozen Bill?” “Yes. That’s et, you bet!” x aa, what ” “Very well, Buck; sit down!” Then, turning to the jury, Judge Lynch went on: ‘Gents o’ thes hyer jury, I hev questioned as far as I see fit, an’ I'll be chawed up w neg 3 mounts, and sniggled at by snakes, ef I can any posertuy convictin’ proof ag’in’ ther ori 9 —E te oner, Bristol. As fer ther gal, she aire out 0’ the question, an’ I can’t see how ther boy can be convicted Jest because he stood beside = hi a minute, an’ arterward sot on ther bar’ which the money was found. Therefore, galoots o’ ther bench o’ jurisdiction, I adwise e, in consultin’ on a verdict, ter weigh the evidence, same’s ye would nuggets, or Chicager bacon, an’ give ther prisoners ther decent size of a show fer their white alley. When ye yell out ther verdict, I'll finish up the case, an’ we'll all have a snifter—y our treat!” The jurymen were a hardy-looking lot of sons of the mines, whom, be it said to his credit, David Hyatt had not selected from his own staff of employees; therefore, they had nothing to fear from the mine-owner, nor were they un- duly influenced by him. They left their seats, and walked toward the bank of Reese river, which seemed. to surge around the bend with a louder roar, than ever before. In five minutes they returned to their seats. The crowd craned their necks forward, eager to hear the verdict. ‘* Gentlemen o’ ther - ry, hev you arrived at a verdict?’ demanded Judge Lynch, ‘Your honor!” said the ‘foreman, rising, ‘* we have found the parties guilty !” “Then!” quic ly cried David Hyatt, rising, “T, as Chief of the Law and Order and Vigi- lance Committee of Bummer’s Bar, do hereby—” ** Sit down !” It was Judge Lynch’s voice that made the or- der, and the judge held a glittering “‘ six ” in his grip, which was at full cock, and lovainet direct- ly at the mine-owner., ** Down with ye!” yelled the judge. ‘“‘J’m runnin’ this hyer court, ef ther court knows her- self, an’ ef there’s any | sentencin’ ter be did, Pll purty near take keer o’ ther job, myself!” fou have nothing to do with it!” roared Hyatt. ‘* But, I have, tho’, Them prisoners ain’t done nothin’ to deserve lynchin’, an’ they ain’t goin’ ter be lynched. Prisoners at the bar, you have been found guilty, and must be 7” ied ’cord- in’ ter yer crime. ‘Tain’t right ter hang a young pair like yer ’uns, fer the first veaie’ but PU hev ter stick et on ter you, purty tho’. So I'll sentence yer ter be raft, or > tater a boat, bound hand an’ foot, aad sent down ther river, a- “kitin’, Ef yer don't get spilt off, ye will be a devil oa ways from here, when ye get reskued, an’ ye’r’ warned ef yer ever show muzzle around Bummer’s Bar ag’in, you'll be burnt at the stake, reg’lar Injun fash- ion. ‘** Now, then, I'll leave et ter ther crowd, ef Judge Lynch ain't give as tough a sentence as ther pair o’ kids deserve, since the boodle’s bin recovered,” All eyes turned instinctively toward Hyatt, to see how he would receive the proposition. He arose and gazed for a moment at the two prisoners, then said: ‘Men of Bummer’s Bar, Iam satisfied that the sentence imposed by J udge Lynch is sufficiently severe. Let a raft be rigged at once and the prisoners set adrift.” He then turned to de voice of Deadwood Dic pause. “Stop! David Hyatt!” the young Avenger cried. ‘ Before you go, hear me! You ccnsider you are acting justly, but you are not, for neither myself nor California Kit were concern- ed in the robbery. I wish to ask of you one favor. Release Kit and Jet her gofree. I am not afraid, and will take the trip alone. But, for God’s sake, do not send her adrift.” ‘You both go together!” Hyatt returned coldly and decisively, and then turned away an nd disappeared in the irection of the Daisy Saloon. All was now excitement. The novelty of setting the prisoners adrift on the roaring and dangerous river, appeared to ap- pease the appetite of the crowd or lynch law, and while some of them stood guard over Dick and Kat, others lent a willing d toward the hasty construction of a raft, since there was no boat in the camp. ‘* Do you think we can live thr ough the ordeal, Dick?” the girl from ’Frisco asked, in a low tone, as the two sat side by side. ‘** Doubtful,” Dick replied. art, but the rin x Jr., caused hin to “The stream is very rough and swift, and I’ve a fear we won't . Py able ‘to get out of this ser ape. But if we 3 And his teeth went together with a click, ** What then, Dick?” * Vengeance |! va he replied. “I'll make the — toughs of this camp wish this night’s work had ra never been done!” "put onter a ane