Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 489 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

~ — ’ that was heard by more than one person, With a fierce curse, Roarin’ Bob forced the gas into her mouth, but finding that she fought like a wildcat, proceed to choke her until she was quite insensible. As he held her limp form in his arms, the bully heard rapid footsteps approaching. With- out waiting, Bob dashed away into the darkness, bearing the unconscious gir). A sharp voice cried out to him: ‘ Stop, you villain!” Then, as Roarin’ Bob still ran on, there came a sharp report, and a bullet sped by his head. But in firing that shot the pursuer baffled him- self. For a moment the flash of the weapon blinded his eyes, and when he again peered eho ae darkness the fleeing form had dis- appeare traight for the deserted mine the bruiser made his way. In a few moments he reached the place. He paused beneath a big pine, and, laying the girl on the ground, waited for Colonel Allen to appear. He did not have long ments he saw a dark tree. ‘Who's that?’ challenged Bob, cocking a re- volver. ‘It is I, Bob,” replied a voice. got the girl?” ‘* Bet yer life!” Then, as the colonel came up, Bob saw that he had a black mask over his face. “Wat yer got that thing on fer?’ growled the bully. ‘“‘It is best the girl should not see my face, But, what was the meaning of that shot?” ‘* Waal, ye see as how sum durned galoot got after me an’ invited me to stop. I declined, an’ he slung a hunk of lead arter me. Kum durned near takin’ an’ ear off, too.” ‘* How did any one happen to get after you?” ** My han’ bothered me an’ ther blamed gal squealed w’en I grabbed ’er. Dashed ef I didn’t hev ter choke ’er to keep ’er still.” “You did?’ cried the colonel, in alarm. Myo the luck! I hope you haven’t killed her He hastily lit a match and bent over the un: conscious girl, throwing the light in her face. At a glance he saw that she had swooned from fright more than from the choking she had re- ceived. As Colonel Allen bent over the girl, the light from the match reflecting on his own face a shot rung out, and a flying bullet knocked the masked man’s hat from his head! to wait, for in a few mo- orm coming toward the ‘* Have you CHAPTER IX, HIS TRUE COLORS, Tx colonel sprung to his feet. dropping the burning match. A ima voice cried: ‘Death to the outlaw chief!” Then a slender form came bounding through the darkness toward the two men. Placing a whistle to his lips, the colonel blew a shrill blast, and instantly several dark forms appeared, hurrying toward them. The stranger who had fired the shot saw them, and, turning, tried to escape; but with half-a~dozen bounds, the colonel was upon him. . A blow with the heavy butt of a revolver knocked the fleeing form to the ground, and he was bound hand and foot, Then the dark forms, which proved to be. masked men, surrounded them, and the colonel lit another match and bent over his new cap- tive. “Now we'll know who you are, my fine fel- low!” he growled. The light of the burning match revealed the stern face and defiant, flashing eyes of the boy, Ned Cole. : “So it’s you, is it?’ exclaimed the colonel. ‘I tried to knock some sense into your head when ou attacked me in the hotel to-day, but it seems hat I failed.” Then to the masked men: ‘* Gag him, boys!” This command was quickly obeyed. “Now bring up the horses,” was the next order. The chief then placed a roll of bills in Roarin’? Bob’s hand, saying: “There is your pay for this jub. Now, see that you keep your mouth shut. Do not men- tion this night’s work to any one.” ‘¢ Trust ther Boss Bruiser fer thet.” ‘‘ Very well. You had better get back to the camp now.” henas, Ysabclla gave utterance to a wild shriek | The Diamond Sport. Taking the hint, Bob at once struck out for his shanty in the camp. A few moments later some of the masked men came up, leading several horses. After seeing Ned Cole bound securely upon a horse’s back, the leader mounted his own horse, and one of the men handed up the captive girl to him. The other men sprung upon their horses, and with- out a word the masked horsemen. rode silently away. ee | | | ! On into the darkness they rode; away among | the hills, bearing two helpless captives with them—captives who were being carried to an unknown fate. Nota word was uttered by any of the grim band as they rode along through the dark gulches, An hour later, after climbing a difficult mountain-trail, they entered the coficealed mouth of a cave that was large enough to admit the horses with riders on their backs. A guard was stationed at the mouth of the cave, but after a few words he allowed them to pass, A short distance on, they halted in the dark- ness, and a sharp whistle sounded through the underground passage. In a few moments, a bearded man appeared, bearing two lanterns, The masked colonel slid from the back of his horse and lowered the now conscious Isabella to the rock floor. Leaving the men to take care of the horses, the colonel unbound the captive girl’s feet, and tak- ing one of the lanterns led the way through a dark passage. Finally they entered a small rocky cavern or room, at one side of which was a rude table, up- on which a lamp wasburning. There were some rough chairs in the room, and at one side was a sort of couch, covered with a buffalo’s hide. He led his captive to this couch, and motioned for her to be seated. ‘‘ ah! dear Isabella!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ I forgot that handkerchief in your mouth, It must be uncomfortable. Pray allow me to remove it, and [ beg you forgive me for not doing so sooner.” | He removed the handkerchief and untied her hands. All the while she kept her eyes, in the depths of which shone mingled fear and anger, fastened upon him; but she did not speak. ‘*You are free touse your tongue now, my dear,” observed the masked man, when he had unbound her. ‘** Who are you?” was her first question. “Whoam 1? Well, I know of no reason why Tshould not reveal myself to you. Iam one whom you well know. See!” He quietly removed the mask. ‘* Colonel Allen!” exclaimed the girl. ‘Quite right. Back in Bed-Rock I am known as Colonel Allen; but you have known me under another name.” ‘Tl? You are mistaken you only as Colonel Allen.” ‘* Nevertheless, I have known you when you bore a name other than the one by which you are now known,” he declared. ** Perhaps. It matters little if you did. But what was the name, please?” ‘* Annie Maines!” The girl gave a start of surprise, but almost instantly said: ‘‘- You are mistaken, sir. That never was my name. I know not why you have brought me here, but I think you have madea mistake. You had better release me at once,” — Her eyes were flashing now, and it was evi- dent that her spirit was rising. The man laughed shortly. ‘You can’t play that on me,” he said. ‘* You are Annie Maines, and you know well enough that 1 am Dashing Dave, the road-agent chief. You slipped through my fingers once, and, with the assistance of my traitor lieutenant, managed to escape; but I have you now, and mean to hold you fast.” “You are wrong, sir. You have mistaken me for some other person, I would have you know that I have friends in Bed-Rock who will search for me, and it is best for you to set me at liberty at once.” For a moment the outlaw chief seemed an- gered. “Why do you deny that you are Annie Maines?” he cried. ‘You cannot deceive me. You well know that say followers and a band of Indians swept down on the Fairgrave wagon- train and destroyed it, You and your husband were with that train. You were both taken prisoners, but he came to his end when he at- tempted to assassinate me. I was forced to kill him. I carried youto my stronghold and would have made you my wife, but my lieutenant fell sir, I never knew in love with you and turned traitor on me. One | this cavern 1s night he deserted, taking you with him, I fol- | free-and-easy ct a ll Cl lll LL LLL LLL LLL, LLL ED 9 TT —— — = — ee a ——— Sine ee lowed on your trail, but in some manner be baf- fled all pursuit, I lost all track of you, and gave up ever seeing you more. But fortune fav- ored me. When came with my followers to this part of thecountry [had no hope of finding you here. But I did, You were known not as Annie Maines, but as Isabella Arnold, the Song (Jueen, ‘‘ Now are you convinced that I know you?” ‘‘Quite the contrary,” replied the girl “T am now sure that you do not know me, I tell you fairly and honestly, that I am not this An- nie Maines.” The outlaw chief seemed puzzled as well as angry. He was confident that he was right, and the girl’s persistent denials that she was Annie Maines eed him. What could her object be? Finally he said: ‘‘lt makes no difference whether you are or are not Annie Maines. You are the woman I propose to make my wife. I brought you here for that purpose, und when you leave this moun- tainceve you will be Mrs, Dashing Dave.” ‘Then I shall never leave this cave!” cried the girl, with flashing ‘eyes. ‘‘I will never marry you! You cannot force me to do that!” The outlaw chief smired grimly. ‘You do not know my power,” he replied. ‘‘1f you did, you would not say that.” “oy know enough of you! ou bave told me enough with your own lips to make me heartily detest you. ou are a person who has ellied himself with Indians—a renegade white man !— a murderer!” She sprung to her feet and stood confronting him as she uttered these words. When she ceased speaking, her strength failed her, and she sunk back on the couch. For a moment the outlaw shrunk before her. Then a sudden change came over him. He drew near her. ‘““Tsabella,” he said, slowly, half-pleadingly, *T love you. I fell in love witb you the mo- ment I saw you, and saved you from bein slain by the savages who destroyed the train. I you will become my wife I will give up this wild life. I am rich, and will do anything for We will go to some foreign country, very luxury hat is you. where I am unknown, and live. the heart can crave shall be yours, your answer?” ‘‘My answer is No! Rather than to become our wife, [ would take my life with my own and!” The outlaw chief turned away, giving utter- ance toa sharp whistle. A moment later two men appeared. “Take her away!” ordered the chief. ‘‘To the first prison chamber with her, but have a care, for your charge is a precious one.” Without a word the two men lifted her and bore her away; then, taking a lantern, the out- law chief made his wa », Mo one of the lon passages. He descended a flight of steps an entered a long cavern, At ore side was an iron-framed door, across which were heavy bars of iron, It looked like a prison door, and the cell beyond was known in the outlaws’ strong- hold as ‘* The Dungeon.” Holding up his lantern, the chief peered into the cell. The uncertain light showed him a form sitting on a rough stool. Unlocking the iron door with a huge key, the outlaw entered the cell. The light of the lantern he carried now showed the priscner to be the desperate boy, Ned Cole. “T thought they would put you bere,” re- marked Dashing Dave. *t Now, my fine lad, look up here. I have a word to say to you.” But the boy did not raise his head. His hat, which he bad pulled well down over his eyes, kept his features in shadow. ‘You needn’t sulk, my lad,” continued the outlaw. ‘* You are in for it, and may as well make the best of it. I’d like to know who you are, anyway?” Still the boy remained silent. “Why don’t you speak?” cried the outlaw, angrily. ‘‘ You had better not try any cross- ained games hcre, for if you do, you will soon e broke of them. I do not know who you are, and care little. However, you have made two attempts on my life. For what reason I do not know. Probably for some fancied wrong I have done you. But we will let that pass, now. You are in my power, and there is but one way for vou to ever Jeave this cavern alive,” The outlaw paused a moment, then continued: “T have taken a fancy to spare your life. For what reason I do not myself know. But if ou will come to my terms, I will spare you. he only way that you can ever live to leave by joining my band. Itisajolly, life. Will you join us?” , comic » | ow 900Kks.com