Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 486 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

y Hunki-Dori, but had confined his connection to another portion of the band known as Division ff , 2, whose principal work it was to operate upon # the road. ag: , Captain A arose and extended his hand, which the heutenant shook heartily, at the same time | looking over the erowd. ' “ Well?’ the captain demanded, interroga- tively, ‘‘ what brings you here? Has anything gone wrong?” ‘Wrong? Well, I should say so!” and the yourg man shrugged his shoulders. ‘* What do you suppose has happened?” ‘‘T haven't the slightest idea!” ‘‘T presume not. The fact has been betrayed to my superior officer that IL am connected with + the mountain band. Consequently I have had ® to desert from the army, and am now an outlaw 4 in every sense.” : 4 e \ The captain laughed lightly. ‘Why, that’s nothing wonderful. You were really an outlaw before—how much worse are ou now?” ‘ ‘‘A devilish sight worse. Orders have been issued for my arrest, and you can judge what a court-martial would do for me, sir. I’m a hunted man!” ‘* We are all hunted, for that matter! don’t seem to catch on to us very lively.” ‘‘ Be not too sure of your safety. A company of cavalry has been detailed to search for me, and if more is needed they will be supplied. Scouts have also been sent out after me!” The captain looked thoughtful for a few mo- ments. ‘* Who squealed on you?” he asked. “You might know!” Lee sneered—‘ the one who would have been dead long ago, had I had my way!” ‘Walter Bent?” ‘Ay! Walter Bent, the sleuth-hound of the West, who hassworn to have my life and yours!” ‘* How did he find it out?” / - “Tow do I know? He found it out, at any rate, and telegraphed my regiment from Olym- phia, ordering my arrest. The thoughtfulness of a friend, only, helped me to escape.” ‘* Have you been to the Den?” _* Yes. I traveled a hundred miles more than needed, so as to make the place and leave no ‘trail behind. At the Den another disappoint- ment greeted me.” ** What?” the captain demanded, Poet ee ‘* What could you expect?” he gritted. ‘“‘ The They —_——- a . 7% -~ | ‘Tt can easily be settled!” B assured. “C, you and I will do the job!” ‘**T ain’t purtic’ler fond about it, if ye please,” C demurred, announced, ‘‘ Il owe the fellow a grudge, and | want to make sure it is paid.” ‘‘ Tf it is so decided, we will adjourn the meet- ing until to-morrow night!” the captain pro- claimed. ‘‘I beg of you gents, if yen do the job, to make no bungling about it that will be a discredit, or in any way implicate any of us in the transaction, as regards our private life!” The meeting then adjourned. ! | Half an hour later, two forms, enveloped in hooded cloaks that nearly hid their faces, crept toward the primitive cabin-jail, bent on a mur- derous mission. Each man grasped a revolver, ready for use, and other weapons studded their respective belts. ‘Won't there be danger,” Lee’s companion | asked, ‘* of pistol-reports being heard? It might | give us trouble.” ‘* Nonsense!” was the retort. ‘*The contents of both our revolvers can be dischareed into his carcass in a second, and we sball have ample ' time to get out of reach of detection.” They went on and reached the cabin-door. All was dark and silent. The guards were nowhere to be seen! A suspicion of the truth flashed across Lee’s mind. He drew a dark-lantern, shot the slide, and flashed the bolt of light about. He then examined the door. It was unlocked. With a curse he flung it open. A glance proved that the cabin was indeed untenanted ! ‘*By all the furies! the scoundrel has es- caped!” Lee cried, furiously. ‘“‘ Again have I been cheated of my vengeance!” . ‘* How could he escape?” his companion asked. ‘‘ Two stout miners were put here to guard the door.” ‘*Bah! the’ accursed sport is never without money. He has bribed the guards, and they’ve all skipped together.” ‘‘ What shall be done? A general alarm should be given.” Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. Se “Tl fill your place, then!” Lieutenant Lee | ** 1 ]l show ye!” he roared. wi’ you, Placer Poll!” | “ Have ye? Then transact it at a proper dis- | tance, 1f you please. What d’ye want?” ‘“T want you! Et looks fc ap that you | hed somethin’ ter do wi’ the escape o’ Sealskin Sam, bein’s you took his part last night, an’ et | becomes my dooty ter take ye in!” ** You take me in, Lije Landers,” and the girl _burst into a peal of laughter. ‘‘ With what ,0Wers are you vested to arrest me On suspicion, *d like to know?” ‘‘I’m sheriff, constable an’ everything for | this hyer camp!” {Ye ain’t nothin’ o’ the kind. There’s never been an officer of the law elected or appointed here. Isn’t that so, Mr. Clarkson?” ** Precisely so!” Clarkson replied. ‘** I don’t keer a tinker’s darn. I’m ther chief .o Vigilantes, an’ this gal is suspicioned of abet- tin’ a criminal to escape, an’ I want her. She’s got ter be locked up!” | ‘* What! you lock me up, Lije Landers? Well, | I guess not! Ef ye want ter know how the | Sparkler escaped go find out of Muggins and Murphy—don’t come a-buzzin’ around me, ye big buzzard!” \ | ‘You won’t come, eh?’ Landers demanded, an | evil glitter in his eye. ' ‘Of course I won’t!” and Poll’s eyes flashed with fast rising anger. ‘*Durn yer picter, I'll take ye, then!” He took a step forward, but hesitated as he saw a revolver gleaming in her hand, “Come on!” she cried. “If you want yer town-clock tinkered you’ve struck the right jeweler this time.” ‘*Cuss ye!” Landers gasped, not knowing what to do. Young Clarkson now interfered, authorita- ‘*Pve got bizness Oe ‘You'd better go about your business, Lan- ders!” he said. ‘‘ The girl has done nothing, and, more than that, you have no business trying to arrest her. So be off with you, or I'l] take the law into my own hands and have you put in the jug!” A dark scowl] clouded the Vigilante’s face, for he knew that young Clarkson would make good his promise were further provocation given bim, e was one of the most popular fellows in Hunki-Dori camp, liked by nearly everykody, and was regarded by his subordinates as a kind and easy-going taskmaster, when obeyed, but — game was gone!” ‘Nonsense! Do you want to betray the fact | a very ugly customer when any one attempted b ‘+ Gone?” echoed the captain, in undisguised | that we were prowling around here? Nothin to be treacherous or abusive to bim. 1% astonishment. s could be done, if an alarm was raised, as Seal- " "Tain’t a fair shake, nohew!” Landers growl- es ‘Yes, gone! If she is not captured there will | skin Sam has taken good care to get himself | ed, turning onhisheeltodepart. ‘ Ef criminals ‘be some blood spilled.” well away from here, long ere this, Just let | git off this easy, the Lord cnly knows what will ‘¢ Are the boys searching for her?” matters rest as they are, until morning. Some | become o’ this hyer town!” ; ‘*A couple cf the shrewdest The rest are | one will discover the thing.” See He trudged away, evidently with the most in- keeping te the Den for fear of being run down They soon after separated, each going in a | tense dissatisfaction, followed by a mocking laugh ; by the cavalry and scouts.” f different direction. , from the girl sport. Be ad ‘‘ She may come here!” . Lieutenant Lee had spoken truly, ‘*T had a mind to plug him, as it was!” she de- | a ““T believe it more than probable that she | It was barely daybreak, when a miner made | clared. ‘‘ I'll bet, if the truth were known he an will,” the discovery of the Sparkler’s escape and sent | knows as much about the Tribunal of Ten asany Arsh ¢ ‘‘ Then we will keep a sharp outlook for her. | out a general alarm. one else.” : ie By the way, is there anything more about Wal- In a half-hour the whole camp was aware of ‘* Perhaps!” Lerov Clarkson said, absently. aS) ter Bent?” : the fact that the suave gent in sealskin had | ‘‘ But, by the way, Miss Polly, you haven’t given rh ‘Yes. He has, I believe, a commission from | slipped beyond their reach—vanished, as by the | me an answer tomy proposition. Donotsay no, ¥ - the Government to come here and break up this | wave of a magic wand. This wild sort of life is not suitable for one as ‘os eee band.” | | The magicians of the oceasion, however, were | fair as you. Adopt the attire of your scx, and Fy RS ‘* Aha! that puts a different phase to the | undoubtedly the two guards, Muggins and Mur- accept a home with us, as my sister Bertie’s com- ———s matter. Does he travel under an assumed | phy, as no trace of those worthies could be | pavion.— We have all talked it over, and would et. | lm name? You will remember I have never seen | found. ' like to lift you out of the rough world you now - more than a photograph of him!” The escape excited much comment, and not a | live in.” \ Pie «a iy ‘He has an alias, It is, I believe, Sealskin | little indignation on t2e part of some, and sev- ‘**I can never sufficiently express my gratitude Se ete Sam, and he wears a handsome sealskin ulster!” | eral individuals spread the impression that Seal- | for your kind offer, Nr, Clarkson, for I believe ee OS “Aha!” the captain eried, bringing bis hands | skin Sam’s escape was all-sufficient proof that | it to be an honest, kindly and considerate one, te together. We have the honor of having the | he was guilty of what was charged against him | but I cannot accept; nor can I comprehend why ss gentleman already caged, in our own camp a —of being the leader of the notorious Tribunal you bave taken such an interest inme, Iama get: Sale “ What?” of Ten. waif of the mines, with no other name or past ,. = &§ealskin Sam is locked up in the strong Talk will influence, and asa consequence, as | than that by which I am known here. Oh no;I 7 _ ¢abin, and will be tried in the morning, on the | the feverish excitement waxed hotter, it became | could never think of such a thing as accepting» ite -—s eharge of being the actual leader and chief of | pretty generally believed that such really was | your offer. But. belLeve me, Iam deeply, truly reg the Tribunal of Ten! Ha—ha!” and he laughed | the case. ea grateful!” and tears camé into her beautiful z: “) -sperrily, | . The one self-important individual of the town, | eyes. — <a> Ss *§ Then he must not live till morning !” Lion Lije Landers, was in a terrible passion, and ‘* But, pray, consider!” he persisted ; ‘‘ we know J) - Ten of the twelve men uttered this verdict, | started in circulation a paper, soliciting contri- ; you must have another name—must bavea past * ei in grim, decisive tones. butions toward raising a big reward for Sealskin | and very likely secrets that may shadow it; but ae re “BravoP? Lee approved. ‘Tam with | Sam’s capture, dead or alive, — let all that be forgotten. Some day yeu might te _-youin that. We’ye got this devil by the horns, Mr. Landers then paid a visit to the sbanty be able to explain, Then, too, were you to be- ay and if we give him an inch he will gain a fur- | where Placer Poll made her home with a miner's | come an inmate of our home, I—I—I hope—” AN ae long!” family, She was not in, but he continued his| She looked at him so quickly that he left the % ae at dye say now, Cap?” sneered Letter | search, and finally found her standing in front | balance of the sentence unuttered. He was By -C, while Letter B laughed with sarcasm, of the office of the Clarkson Mining Co., engaged | ing into her face eagerly, his eyes glowing with ‘ . The captain did not reply for a moment—then | in chatting with the junior member of the firm, | evident emotion. : ~ he looked up, and said: | Mr. Leroy Clarkson. | : en Don’t hope,” she paid, qeety _“ T will be K © suppose your verdict is law here, gentle-| Straight up to the girl the Vigilante chief | frank wit you, Mr. ‘son—it isnot worth — ) men, and his fate is irrevocably sealed. What | str8de, with ) spain mien, and endeavored to | your while. I repeat, J am very grateful forthe — ee shall it be?” nal bad clap his hand on her shoulder, but she eluded hienh little courtesies you hare paid me— : 7 _ “Not fynch law!” Letter C decided. “It | him, .. _.-, | highly honored, in fact—but the hope you wou! Pent might attract too much attention, and might, | “Oh! no ye don’t, Lije Landers!” she cried, | have expressed wo far better <a , get some of us into trouble!” mockingly, ‘* Hands off, if ye please!” spoken. | . 5 4 a | ty! | | | sash: , 3 rey 1a } aes Promina. e280," aes Frege a ay faye "pr Se GEKA on nthe yes Poe as Ty ate ate f iw LT SA ae ERS Se 2 hs oul a a “i ee eer creat 2 ae i im Sant oe Si he ee nega eR oc 2) ak a ee , phe! “ag ed RNa Vac ote ch eee It iM at) ee vs pth eee OS Oe Nocti 2 Lh Nek * r rail > Ye yas as Ns are #5 Py. 5° Sain, ie . *” ‘ k . Ai eS arts ; eames © POC