Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 515 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

: ‘y i There was a closet in the room, and he found by pressing the body into it and closing and fastening the door, he could for a time conceal his crime. And this he proceeded to do, When the job was accomplished, he hurried from the hotel to the stables, and within a few minutes he was in the saddle. Thence he rode out of the camp at a leisurely gait, but no sooner had he entered Pretty Pass than he put spurs to his horse, and rode swift as the beast could carry him. ‘“* Free!” he breathed, between his -clinched teeth—‘‘ free at last! Now, if the horse does not fail me, let them catch me, if they can!” Evident it was that the horse meant to do its , for it tore along through the pass at a rapid rate, until it finally halted ia front of the toll- ate, which was closed, ‘* Curse the luck!” he growled. “Am I thus to be balked on the road to success?” He sprung from the saddle, and tried in vain to open the heavy barrier, but the strength of one man was inadequate to the task, Turning, in search of some heavy rock or tim- ber with which he could batter down the ob- struction, he suddenly found himself in the grasp of two masked men, who, before he had hardly time to understand his situation, had his wrists neatly confined in handcuffs and his ankles tied together with a rope, *““My lord,” spoke one of the men, whose voice Lindley recognized with a shudder, ‘I think you must be tired, after journeying so far such a dark night as this, and therefore, we must ask you to stop with us awhile, until the route gets clearer.” And that voice! Once heard, it could not easily be forgotten. It was the voice of the successor of one of the ‘bravest men who ever trod the Wild West, one who knew no fear—the voice of Dick Bristol, or Deadwood Dick, Jr. CHAPTER XVII. THE HAWK AND THE DOVE. Tar murder of Mabel Lamont was discovered the next day, and created a great sensation, which, however, was short-lived, after 1t was found that the probable murderer, Lord Lind- ley, had escaped. Jack Jasper, as Deadwood Dick, offered a re- ward for the Englishman’s capture, and also had notices posted, offering rewards for infor- mation concerning the whereabouts of Baby Bess, Johnny Smile and Floy Justice. This, in the main, of course, was but a blind, te screen the fact that he knew where they were, which, sofar as the latter two were concerned, he did not. He had a vague intuition, however, that Floy and Johnny were still in camp, in disguise, and were watching an opportunity to strike him a blow that would depose him. This idea was in a measure strengther.ed by the fact that, one by one, the men who had for- merly been in Deadwood Dick’s employ were dropping off duty and remaining in apparent idleness. , Inquiry revealed to the impostor that there was supposed to be in existence in the camp a secret organization, whose intention it was, as soon as its ranks were strong enough, to fight for ion of Pistol Pocket, This caused Jasper considerable uneasiness, and after a consultation with his new] y appoint- ed superintendent, English Eph, it was agreed to send Bill Monk to neighboring camps in search of new help. As a result, for every man who seceded from Jasper’s yg 3 two were replaced; and the more fully to carry out bis deception, the im- postor conducted the business on the principles and conditions which Dick had adopted, FR studiously sought to keep on thé right side of the men, and avoided creating any suspicion that he was not what-he claimed to be by every possible device, , The days multiplied, and camp life went along in its usual course. The curiosity over the murder of Mabe] Lamont, and the disappearances of Bahy Bess, Johnny and Mrs. Justice, gradually died out, and Jack Jasper began to feel a gratifying sense of security. With the riches that daily rolled in u him, he was fast striding along the road to for- Sa, and at the same time living literally like a my. Not to be off his guard, he had employed Bill Monk to 9? himself posted as to the opebatichis and plans of the Lion Legion: but Monk gained little news, and what he did gain, was not indi- sative of immediate hostility. Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. One day, a week after the discovery of the murder of Mabel Lamont, Jack Jasper mounted his horse and rode away from Pistol Pocket. An hour’s ride brought him to an isolated cabin, among the mountains, and here he dis- mounted The door was secured on the outside by a pad- lock but Jasper had a key to it, and in a moment he was inside the cabin. There was but one room, and this, with the exception of a chair, was unfurnished. Upon the chair, was seated no less a person- age than Baby Bess, looking sad and pale. Her face lighted up with joy, however, when she saw him whom she believed to be Deadwood Dick, and she sprung to her feet, and rushed to- ward him. ‘Oh! Mr. Bristol! Is it you?” she cried. ‘Well, I rather reckon it is,” was the reply. ** Don’t it look like me?” ‘Oh! yes! yes! And have you really come to rescue me from this terrible imprisonment?” ‘I have. It was only to-day that I obtained a clew to your whereabouts, and forced your ab- ductor to direct me to this place!” J asper re- plied. “I have been greatly worried over your disappearance, and have had the surrounding country searched for you. How have you fared?” ‘Oh! I cannot complain, except that it has been terribly lonesome. A strange man, whom I'never saw before, has brought me food, every other day, and so Lhave not wanted for any- thing to eat.” ‘* Were you awake, when you were captured?” ‘* No. and Mrs. Justice retired rather late and I soon fell asleep. .The next thing I knew was, when I awoke, to find myself here. Who was my abductor, Mr. Bristol?” ‘*A fellow called Mountain Mose. He was employed by Lord Lindley to kill you, but his courage failing him, he shut you up here until Lindley had left the country, when, I presume, he intended to release you!” ‘* ‘Where is Lord Lindley, now?” ‘He has gone back to England to lay claim to your fortune, believing Mountain Mose’s as- sertion that you are dead. But, he will find out that he has made a big mistake—that is, providing you are agreeable to my proposition. ‘The fact is, Bessie, I have grown to Jove you dearly, in the short time I have known you, and as I want a wife, and am well able to take care of one, I want you. Marry me, and we will go at once to England, and bounce Lindle from his new acquisition, and land him in jail; for I shajl take Mountain Mose with me, as evidence against him!” “Oh! Mr. Bristol. You surprise me very much!” Bessie said, flushing rosy, ‘“ Getting married is something I hadn’t ought to think of for a number of years, yet, forI am only sixteen, and that is too young.” “Pshaw! no! Plenty of girls get married at that age, and as a rule, their lives are the happi- est for it. Both you and I have plenty of riches in our own individual right, and there is no rea- son why we cannot see all the pleasures that money can procure. Besides, you need a protec- tor, to espouse yourcause. There may be a hard struggle before Lindley can be forced to give up our estate, and with noone to look out for your interests, except lawyers, you would be cheated and defeated at every turn. Marry me, end I can fight your battles for you, and we will tri- umpb over your enemy, and victory will be ours!’ “Oh! Mr. Bristol, I—I don’t want to get mar- ried, indeed I don’t!—not, at least, until I am older. Besides, you know, I was betrothed to Sir Clyde Carleton, when I was only ten years of age, and it was my mother’s desire that I should marry him when I got old enouch,” ‘Youll never have the chance. Mountain Mose bis informed me that Sir Clyde died before Lord Lindley left England. So you can have no cause for hesitation on his account. Oh! Bessie, if you only knew how trulv I love you, vou would at once consent to become my wife. Please say | that you will marry me, and you will make me the happiest man on earth,” He dropped on his knees before her, and, tak- ing her hand, kissed it in true lover-like fashion. @ was very much agitated, and it was several seconds ere she could speak, “* Really, Mr. Bristol, you must not press me for an answer now,” she finally said, gently, but rmly. ‘‘ This declaration of love, on your part, comes 80 unexpected that I am greatly surprised. While I respect you, and am very erateful for bese bing pave done for me, I could not Ma con of ising marry you until I have time to consider.” r ‘‘ Then, I shall hope that your answer will be ee Ee em ; De ae pene ; 13 favorable, but I pray that you will not keep me long in suspense, and, as soon as you are mine we will start for England. How long must ii walt, dearest?” ‘* Perhaps forever!” Bessie replied, ‘“ At any rate, I must have a week’s time in which to consider.” ‘* Very well. A week’s time, then, it shall be. I expect, to-morrow, to sell out all my interests in Pistol Pocket, to the agent of a corporation, so that, when we are married, there wii] be nothing to keep me on this side of the Atlantic. So come, now, and we will start back for camp,” Accordingly, they left the cabin, and mount- ing Bessie in his saddle, the ex-convict set out for Pistol Pocket, on foot, leading the horse. There was a gleam of triumph in bis eyes, for, as Baby Bess had not said outright that she would not marry him, he considered it almost as. good as granted that she would become his wife, and thus the final consummation of his plans would be effected. CHAPTER XVIII. CONCLUSION, THAT same afternoon, four persons stood im the stainp-mil], after the mil] had closed work for the day, and was, with the above exceptions, deserted. It was after sunset, and already the shadows of nightfall, were beginning to gather thick and fast, within the great building. The persons referred to, were Deadwocd Dick, Sir Clyde Carleton, Johnny Smile, and Floy Justice. Johnny, with a nut-brown face looked like a half-breed and Floy with close cropped hair and brown face Jooked like his brother. They had both come into camp together three days after their disappearance and so well acted their part that everybody supposed them to be, as they claimed—the two boys of old John Simus, whose wife was a Kioway squaw. All were cleverly disguised, and appeared to be rough, commonplace miners, Deadwood Dick was speaking, and his words: were directed to Johnny Smile. ‘You are quite positive about this matter, boy?” he demanded, ** Yes, we are sure!” Floy replied, for both. ** We've overheard the whole plot, an’ this cbap that’s been palmin’ himself off as you, is goin’ ta get himself into a fix.” ‘Tell us their plans, again,” Dick said, thoughtfully. ** Well, you see, these fellows who constertoot: the Lion Legion,” spoke out Johnny, “ aire now thoroughly organized an’ ready fer a fight. Jerry Justice hes trained °em like a reg’lar “cmepcheg an’ they would make a strong fight. e an’ Floy, here, hes belonged to ‘em, fer about: a week, an’ we knows purty much all about: ‘em. Weapons an’ ammunition have bin arriv- ing every day, an’ every man has got a re peating-rifle, and ca’tridges enuff to last hima month. So, ver see, they’re pretty well heeled, ‘* But, that ain't all, by a long shot. .That mie has got a head on him, as long as a horse and he’s had some of his pals going around, and buying up all the ca’tridges in the camp. As no wagon-train will arrive until to morrow after-. noon, you’re shut out, in that direction.” ‘“Not so badly,” Dick declared. “I’ve had interviews with all the men employed in the mines. and they are not only well armed, but, to. & man, are ready to stand by me when the criti- cal moment arrives. But, goon. What else?” * Well, the Legion have been ordered ter meet: here, to-night. at midnight, ready for duty. The attack will be made in the early morning, when the night hands of the mines, and the day hands exchange places, and are not perticularly prepared for a fight. ‘In the mean time, when the meeting takes lace to-night, there’s going to be a big time. his feller, Jasper, is to be captured, fetched to the mill, an’ execooted, so that, as Jerry sup- poses. the miners won't have no one to command em, and his victory will be all the more easy !” After the execution, there’s goin’ to be a big blow-out, on whisky, an’ Jerry’s goin’ to git his gang drunk enough so they'll be in good ghtin’ trim, when it comes daylight. Come here! Johnny then led the way toa large tool-box, and raised the lid. The tools had been removed, and in their steed, were sereral demijohns of whisky—enough in bulk, apparently, for a regiment, “This ain’t all I’ve got to show you!” Johnn chuckled, and he led the way to a room originale ly intended for an assayer’s Office, but which had mee we put Pe ae nse, € door was locked, but Johnny had a key and quickly opened it, and they entered. Ls -