Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 519 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Mystery. Jist take ernuther look at ye don’t recergnize me! Et must be thet ye know my beaucherful phisog! ther Border Boomerang!” The prisoner uttered an exclamation. “Why, confound it. man! how do you s’pose I kin see ye in this darkness?”’ “Hang it all! I fergot erbout thet. Dashed ef I kin see any better than you kin! Cum te# think on et, [don’t believe ye know me arter all, fer ye know, I don’t chum aroun’ wi’ outlaws ter any great ex- tent.’ ‘Then you ain’t one ov ther gang?” ‘“‘Waal I sh’u’d remark not/ Ghost o’ ther Pan Handle! w’ot d'yer take me fer?” ‘* How came you here? Who are you?” ‘‘Waal, I kem heer ov my own free will, an‘ my cognomen are Ole Bumshell. I’m ther great outlaw- extarminator o’ ther West. Me an’ ernuther feller, w’ot same are er ragin’ cyclone, jist drapped down this heer hole on business. I clapped my peepers onter Ole Mystery ez he war cumin’ heer, an’ fol- lered him. 1 war jist outside ther door while you two chums were havin’ thet pleasant little chat jist now. Real sociable sort ov er time, warn't et?”’ ‘Curse him!" cried the outlaw. ‘“ He has doomed me ter die!”’ Old Bombshell had felt his way along to the pris- oner, and was now crouched besid. him. “Then you don’t love Ole Mystery to any great extent? You don’t feel er warm spring o’ effection bubblin’ up in yer buzzum toward yer ole chief?” ‘‘T hate him!’’ was the fierce reply. “I would like to get my fingers on his lyin’ throat! He pre- tends that he believes me a traitor, but he lies! He never liked me because I wculd not cow down afore him an’ chase his every beck an’ nod, like ther most servile slave. An’ now he wants me killed off out o’ ther way, curse him!”’ * Waal, now, frien’, don’t you think et is sarvin’ e erbout right, fer being mixed up wi’ enny sich a piratical gang o’ measly outlaws? W'ot in thunder are you heer fer, enny way? C’u’dn’t ye get er liv- in’ in enny other way?” ‘*T hev no excuses ter make fer bein’ found in such company,”’ with a hard laugh. “I am known as a respectable miner back in Bowlder Bar, an’ hev friends thar who would hardly believe me an out- law. Thet is ther way with nearly haff o’ Captain Mystery’s band. They are considered hones’ men in ther camp.”’ ““Now looker heer, my man," and there wasa stern ring to Old Bombshell’s voice; *‘do you want ter escape bein’ shot in ther morvin’?”’ “Dol? Incourseldo! If I c’u’d escape from hyar, I'd bring er gang o’ men down on this cussid camp afore mornin’ as would wipe Captain Mystery’s gang 0’ outlaws from ther face o’ ther ’arth!”’ ** Now, (het’s business!" Bombshell exclaimed, in delight, a new thought evidently striking him. ‘‘I sw’ar. ef you'll ergree ter git er crowd heer frum Bowlder bar afore mornin’, I'll set ye free, get ye out o’ heer an’ furnish ye with er hoss ter travel with! W’otd’ ye say?” ‘Agreed! I’ll hev twenty men hyar inside er five hours—ernuff ter wipe out ther gang. Jist cut thege cussid ropes!”’ Old Bombshell did not hesitate. From what he had overheard, he judged that the accused outlaw would be only too glad of an opportunity for re- venge upon his former chief. In a moment Fred Hawkes’s bonds were seve “Thar ye be, my mam, free, You can fight fer yer life now.” ; ‘Thanks ter you, an’ w’en I ferget it may my right arm wither! Now, let’s get out o’ hyar, fer I’m anxious ter strike fer Bowlder Bar. “Right. Cum on.” Old Bombshell led the way, the outlaw following _ him. Howard Thorne and Sylva Blair saw them as they left the jail, and thought them two of the out laws. “‘ Heer’s our ladder,” said Old Bombshell, as they reached the place where the rope was hanging over the precipic’. “‘Can you climb?” : ‘Waal, I can try mighty hard on this occasion,”’ responded the outlaw, “All right. Up I go, an’ w’en I reach ther top, I'll shake ther rope. Youcanclimb up then.” . With these words Old Bombshell began climbing the rope, mounting upward hand over hand, actu- ally reaching the top with less exertion than it caused Howard Thorne to perform the same feat. He looked around for Thorne, and was surprised at not seeing hin. Wonder whar ther chap kin be. He must be round, fer et can’t be thet he'd be fool ernuff ter go down thar arter bein’ tole ter stay heer.” He shook the rope, and 4 short time later the out- law appeared, coming slowly Upward, seemingly nearly ** winded.” a > “Give us yer han’, pard!” he gasped. = ** Quick)” Old Bombshell grasped his hand and drew him safely up over the brink, when the outlaw sunk to the ground, exhausted. . 9 ee ‘*Thet’s wot ye can call er climb!” he gasped, as soon ee he could speak. ‘ Thort I shouldn’t make it one spell,’’ Soon he arose to his feet and followed Old Bomb- shell a short distance along the mountain-side. Suddenly the low warning growl of a dog came to their ears, causing the outlaw to pause in surprise. “Don’t be skeered,” said Bombshell. ‘‘ Ghost o’ ther Pan Handle! that’s only my ole dorg, Lion, Left him ter watch ther hosses an’ rifles ye know.” At the sound of his master’s voice, the faithful ding joyfully forward to meet him. They found the horses shell ond his @ientakedueioe ne “Now,” said Old Bombshell, “you can take one ov these heer critters an’ strike out fer Bowlder | Mountain. Bar. To be course you know ther way. You'll hev ther most deefikility in gettin’ down this here Reckon you'll hev ter lead ther hoss.”’ ‘*Reckon IL kin get down, an’ as fer knowin’ ther way ter Bowlder Bar bet yer boots I know thet! But I want ther best one ov these hosses—one as is sure- footed an’ has got ther wind.” For a moment Old Bombshell hesitated. A suspi- cion that the outlaw might play him false and steal the horse came over him. But almost immediately he stepped forward and singled out his own horse for the outlaw. The outlaw reached for the horse’s bridle, but he felt an iron grip on his wrist. ‘*Easy, frien’,” admonished Bombshell. ** Not too fast. 1 hev a word ter say ter ye afore ye go. I am goin’ ter let you hev this heer piece o’ property without anything fer security, an’ ef sou play me faise. by ther Roman gods! [ll see to et as yer hung fer an outlaw!”’ Hawkes laughed lightly. ** Never fear; | haven’t ther slightest intention of playin’ you false. I will return afore dawn, with- out fail. Lhev an object—re-enge/”’ ‘“‘Thet’s ernuff; heer’s yer hoss. I reckon as how you'll hev er moon afore short'y, an’ thet’ll help ye sum, Send Tornado right erlong es fast es ther lay o’ ther lan’ will let ye.” ‘*Don’t worry about thet; [ll get out all ther speed thar is in him.” ‘Turn out er good strong crowd 0’ men, an’ hev ’em cum armed an’ p red fer hot work. I s’pose you can gain admittance to ther outlaws’ camp?” ‘Jest ez slick’s er whistle. We can easily take keer o’ ther guards.”’ “ Allrite. Now git." Leaving the outlaw to make his way to Bowlder Bar, Bombshell turned toward the outlaws’ camp. Thar!” he exclaimed, to himself, ‘Ill be hung ef I didn’t clean fergit Robin Redbreast while I was startin’ thet galoot fer er crowd te clean out ther outlaws. Wonder ef he’s waitin’ fer me now?” He reached the precipice overlooking the outlaws’ camp and looked sharply around for Thorne, but, of course, did not see him. Bombshell was a little alarmed by the young man’s absence, for he feared that he had descended into the outlaws’ camp and would get into trouble and be captured. He also feared that he had acted unwisely in not communicating with Red Robin so that the kless might know what he was doing. e was about to swing himself over the precipice, when, from the north side of the camp, startling sounds came to his ears. First, a wild, hoarse shout, then pistol-shots! The next instant, from the pomee side of the camp came a shrill female shrie Old Bombshell uttered one explosive exclamation, then over the brink of the precipice he went, hastily descending the rope. But when near the round, he missed his hold and fell. Springing to his feet, he started forward, only to pitch head- —_ to the ground, a cursing groan escaping from is lips. One of his ankles was sprained! CHAPTER XIII. FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS. THz moment Howard Thorne heard that shrill female cry for help he knew that it was Sylva’s voice, and instantly realized that she was in danger bably bad again fallen into the outlaws’ hands. stantly he bownded forward in the direction from whence the cry had come, He py mcf came nce ee — in whose rude grasp a fe e was impotently struggling. Hawesd was upon the two ruffians almost before they were aware of it, and seizing one of them by the shoulders, he hurled him to the ground, then sprung toward the other, who released the girl and turned to meet him. The two men grappled fiercely, just as Sy)va, turn- ing to flee, ran st ht into the detaining arms of a third outlaw, who appeared on the scene. The struggle between Howard and the outlaw was short and decisive. Thorne ended it by suddenly giving his adversary a twisting wrench over his hip, sending him to the ground nearly ten feet away. But then, asthe young man sprung toward the third outlaw, who still held fast to Sylva, the one whom he had first hurled to the ground sprung to- ward him, knife in hand. Thrusting his hand into one of his side coat-pock- ets, Thorne jerked out one of bis heavy selt-cockers and thrusting it forward, fired with the muzzie al- most touching the ruffian’s breast. The outlaw uttered a hoarse cry of agony, flung up a arms, reeled backward, and sunk to the round. By this time the other outlaw was on his feet. and as Thorne whirled round, the ruffian threw up his arm and pulled trigger, There was @ Spout of flame, a sharp report, but Howard was untouched, Like an echo came the crack of the young man’s revolver, and flat upon his face fell the second out- law. As number three was having about all he could comfortably attend to in holding the struggling girl, he was not aware of the termination of the struggle. A heavy blow upon the head with the butt of orne’s revolver knocked him senseless. Catching the girl by the hand, Howard cried: “Come, Sylva, run! More of the outlaws are: “Tony Goon way h the darkness they ran, with halfa d ling outlaws h po them. yel “ Stop!" came the cry. “ Halt, or we fire!” eee heeding, they still fled on, they knew not Bullets began to whistle around them, but sudden death from a bullet was preferable to falling into- the outlaws’ hands. Thorne knew that the ruffians would soon over- take and capture them, if he could not find 4 place of refuge where he could “‘ stand them off.”’ Suddenly he came to the side of the sink where the walis rose almost perpendicularly. He could runneo further—he was cornered. But, catching sight of a large bowlder, he quickly drew Sylva behind it; then peering over the top, he cried to the outlaws: ‘“* Halt, you infernal villains! Stop, or I fire!”’ Unheeding his cry, they still came on. Taking a quick aim, Thorne fired at the foremost pursuer, and with acry, the man pitched forward on his face. This had the effect of bringing the other ruffians to an abrupt halt. “Oh, waltz right along if you want to!” cried Howard. ‘‘Don’t pause! l rather think I can wipe eut the whole crowd with the show I've got.”’ For a few moments the outlaws conversed with each other in low tones. Then one of them ad- ence a step, and speaking distinctly and sternly, e : “You had better surrender, my man. You are cornered, and it will avail you nothing to attempt resistance—in fact, such a foolhardy action wil only make it worse for you.” “You don’t say!’ came the scornful, defiant re- ly. ‘“ You actually astonish me! So you think I ad better surrender?”’ ‘“‘If you don’t cave in at once, when you are taken, we'll string you up to a tree and riddle your’ body with bullets!”’ “Sho! Now that’s really terrifying! When you take me—well, when you do, I'll be there to witness: the sport.”’ ‘*Do you surrender?” ‘** Well, not this eve; some other eve—perhaps.”’ Again the outlaws conversed in low tones, and while they were talking, stirring sounds again came from the other side of the camp. First came a loud, fierce shout, oe from a dozen brazen throats, then a rattling volley of pistol-shots, For an instant, peering in that direction, Thorne could plainly see the flashes of the weapons which were being discharged. He knew that either Old Bombshell or Red Robim —perhaps both—had been discovered by the out- laws, and were fighting for their lives. The outiaws were evidently alarmed by the racket at the other side of the camp, and for a few mo- ments seemed undecided as to what they should do. Finaliy the former spokesman again said: ‘“* My man, we will give you one more chance. If a refuse to surrender this time you are doomed! e can easily overpower you and take you prisoner, then, | assure you, your fate will be no mild one. You are foolish if you do not at once come to terms.’” Thorne laughed defiantly. “So you say; J think differently. I shall ~ever surrender as long as there is strength enough: oa ungers to pull trigger. If you want me, you wilt have to take me, and as there are but five of you fellows in fighting condition, and 1 have seven shots: remaining in my revolvers, I fancy I can furnish you with considerable amusement.” The outlaws seemed a little taken back by the voung man's defiant words. It became evident that he could not be frightened into surrendering. In conversing with the outlaws, Thorne’s head and shoulders were above the level of the top of the bowlder, but he was keenly watchful that none of his foes should lift a weapon. But the outlaw whom Howard had shot down was not killed, although badly wounded. Of course, Thorne expected no danger from him, but the mam was yet dangerous. Slowly he drew a weapon, and taking deliberate aim at the poane man’s head, fired. The bullet grazed along Howard’s temple, doing no Seesewet damage, yet causing him to stagger backward for a moment. He straightened up to find ed mee outlaws almost upon him. He had time to fire just one ineffectual shot, then the struggle became hand-to-hand. Almost with igantic strength, he hurled his assailants back ae hey sprung upon him. For severa) moments it seemed as though be would prove a maich for the five ruffians: but suddenly one of them, whom he had knocked over, seized his legs and tripped him down. Then bis foes sprung upon him and held him helpless. He was quickly bound and thus made a prisoner, Meanwhile, where was Red Robin? After Old Bombshell left him, he crouched beside the cabin a few moments, deeply thinking. ‘Who is this Captain Mystery?” be muttered. ‘‘No one seems to know. In Bowlder Bar I am branded as being this outlaw chief. It was Faton Stone’s voice that first accused me—Cyrus Gaines was the name signed to the notice. By Stone accus- ing me of being Captain Mystery, I came to think that he might be in some way connected with these outlaws. ill my suspicions prove true?” For a time he was silent, then he again muttered, half aloud: ; “I wonder how we can manage to rescue the girl without alarming the ean I fancy it will prove a difficult job. There probably is a guard over her. I fancy I have seen her ere I came to this part of the country. Both her face and her voice seem famil- iar.” He again relapsed into silence. Suddenly he ob- served a dark form, that was moving cautiously and slowly toward the cabin. He crouched nearer the. ground, grasping a revolver. On came the , passing withina short distance. | ecomlEenpoo ‘S on