Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 523 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

-~-—ws - a ee . at ee . <> a ee - Though with considerable reluctance, Tommy the Kid ventured to grasp the outstretched hand; and the process proved to him that it was no ghost with whom he was dealing, but really the dandy pitcher {n the flesh, “Great jumpin’ tomcats! Who'd a-thought of finding you here?” he managed to splutter. ‘‘Hang me fer a Chinyman, if this ’ere don’t beat the Dutch!” Mutual explanations were now In order, As soon as he had recovered his equanimity suffi- ciently, Tommy the Kid hastened to give the sport a detailed account of his doings since they yarted more than four-and-twenty hours before. e told how he had overheard the conversation between Ray and Cool Carl, and thus learned the secret of the New Yorker's visit to Canyon City; then he rehearsed Reginald’s desperate flight and subsequent capture, and related his own bold but unsuccessful attempt to rescue the prisoners, ‘“Ye see,” he explained, by way of conclu- sion, ‘‘ when the galoots drove me inter the tun- nel an’ blocked up the entrance, I made up my mind things wuz gettin’ too all-fired warm for comfort in that quarter; so I determined to in- vestigate a bit, hoping to escape in this direc- tion, an’ so fool the chaps that had me shut up like aratinatrap. I soon caught sight of this light, and hastened this way; sohyar I am.” Arnold listened with rapt attention to his young friend’s rehearsal. Everything was a revelation to him; for so exciting and varied had been his experience for the past day and night, he had no opportunity to see, or hear from, his New York friends. It was gratifying to learn at last the object of Ray’s trip to Can- yon City, and get to the bottom of Cool Carl’s scheme; and the young man now saw that his early suspicion of fo play had not been with- out good foundation. he fact that Reginald and his lovely niece were already in the gam- bler’s clutches, caused the sport no little uneasi- ness, and he resolved to lose no time in hastening to the rescue, ‘*There’s stern work cut out for us, Tommy,” declared Arnold, determinedly. ‘The prison- ers must be saved at once, if human skill can accomplish it. I can rely on your assistance?’ “Can ye? Ole pard, kin a duck swim?” and tke honest hand of the mountain boy sought the dainty palm of the Dandy Sport. ‘Good! We must force an entrance to the cavern, if possible, before Cool Carl returns. You know the way, Tommy, so lead on! There’s no time to waste.’ The gallant rescuers at once plunged into the dismal passage, leaving the fairy grotto, with its gleaming walls, behind. CHAPTER XIII, TO THE RESCUE. Tommy THE Kip glided like a shadow through the underground passage, with the Dandy Sport close at his heels, grim and determined. As he proceeded, Arnold took the precaution to look to his weapons and see that they were in serviceable condition, ‘‘Tenderfoot” though was, the youth had already learned one thor- ough Western trick—that of concealing a re- volver in each sleeve, attached to a powerful elastic cord, so that, while concealed from view, a dexterous Movement of the arm would send the weapon into the owner’s hand, ready for use. Thus hidden, the weapons had escaped the eyes of the Silverton gang, and Wizard Arm was still possessor of an elegant brace of ‘ sixes,” capable of doing efficient service in practiced hands. Ps. : Tommy the Kid led the way without much difficulty, until at length they found further progress effectually barred by the mass of stone that blocked the passage. ; ** Stop here for refreshments!” announced the mountain boy, grimly. Cool Carl’s men hev writ ‘No thoroughfare’ all over this rock, an’ [ reckon we'll hev to cum to a perlod—which is to say, a full stop. ‘Not much! Nosuch frail obstacle shall pre- vent us from accomplishing OUr purpose, de~ clared the -Dandy, vehemently. “Brace up, now, Tommy, and push with all your strength.” The lad Sheertullty obeyed, and together the pes pushed and shoved, straining every nerve, ut in vain! As well might they have essayed to set aside the very mountains. Te ruffians within the cave had done their work well, for the ponderous mass, wedged tight! into the opening, obstinately refi to stir a hair. Realizing the folly of wasting strength for so useless a pu Arnold gave up the attempt in. a The ’ ga rt was deeply chagrined to find a emt oats off so effectually. He ee The Dandy Sport. chafed with impatience to reach the chamber wherein his friends were confined, but, as things were now situated, such an achievement seemed impossible. Wizard Arm was in despair; but suddenly he remembered a small flask of gunpowder, which he carried in an inside pocket Eagerly the young man drew it forth, « the way 1s Clear enough, now,” he exclaim- ed, elatedly. ‘*‘ Brimstone and saltpeter shall accomplish what muscle and sinew have failed to do.” ‘‘Topine ye mean ter blow the rock away, eh?” ‘‘ Exactly. But, hold! I have no means of igniting the compound, This is, indeed, unfor- tunate. Ob, for one solitary match!” Tommy the Kidimmediately produced a hand- ful of Lucifers. ‘‘Behold ther necessary timber!” he said, gleefully. “‘I’m a reg’far walkin’ match-box.’ Wizard Arm at once set to work preparing the blast. He poured the whole of the flask’s contents into a hastily-dug hole beneath the stone; then laid a tiny train of powder for a distance of several feet. Soon everything was in readiness, Tommy the Kid discreetly retreated some dis- tance down the passage. Striking a match, the sport stooped and de- liberately applied the flame to the powder-train ; then, as the destructive spark shot hissing for- ward lke a fiery serpent, he turned and fled through the tunnel for his lite. Boom! The blast exploded with the sound of a dozen cannons, fairly shaking the cavern walls, and sending a shower of fragments into the air. Wizard Arm and the mountain boy were pros- trated by the shock, but instantly were upon their feet instantly, ready for action. ‘There could be no doubt but that the explo- sion had answered the purpose for which it was designed, for light in the chamber could be seen through the now open mouth of the passage! Scarcely had the echoes died away, when the two pards, with ready weapons, rushed reso- lutely into the cavern, e Dendy Sport was in advance, and as he bounded into the chamber, an exciting scene met his eyes, The flaring torch-light revealed the occupants of the cavern, all in a state of intense excite- ment, causedt Ly the terrific explosion. The fol- lowers of Cool Carl, now reduced to four, stood, motionless as statues, near the center of the apartment, too bewildered to move a finger. The two prisoners crouched trembling in a dis- tant corner, _ Such was the situation when the sport burst into the underground chamber, with Tommy the Kid close at his heels. At sight of them, Cool Carl’s men began to realize the true condition of affairs. Rousing to action, they all sprung forward, their hands seeking ready pistols; but, before they could level their weapons, Arnold opened the ball. Crack! crack! The walls of the cavern re- sounded with the spiteful reports of the sport’s revolver, while the Kid came up bravely by his partner’s side, and used his shooter with the coolness of a veteran, One of Cool Carl’s gang fell backward, witha bullet in his brain; another went to the floor, mortally wounded, The two remaining ruffians, losing courage at the fall of their comrades, turned and fled from the deadly fusilade. Shot after shot followed them, the bullets whistling viciously about their ears, as they fled into the tunnel. “it 2 The conflict was over; though brief, it was de- cisive, and the two pards were left masters of the situation. 4 Arnold at once hastened to the captive’s side, and as may be imagined, they were rejoiced to see him again. Reginald Ray was speedily re- lieved of his bonds, and at once proceeded to re- late his experience; but the sport good-naturedly cut him short, ‘Spare yourself the waste of time and breath, my friend, since I already know everything,” he said. ‘* What?” interrogated the New Yorker, in astonishment. “Yes; I understand it all. I know who brought you here, and for what purpose. Where I obtained my information, it matters not. Suffice it tosay—I am pleased to be instrumen- in saving you from the clutches of irr task which is not. yet fully accomplished, I fear,” declared Ray, apprebensivel ‘ Me True, we are for the present triumphant, but remem- ber, the two fellows who escaped will carry the news to Cool Carl. Instant pursuit, of course, ent Se i TT —EE — ee Teee eee Teer ener e eee sss SSS SST _---------—-:??Rk.—rr—— se C+ SS nn a ee. ee Se I men of Canyon asticall ence a gence that all for the missing sport, this being one of the vari- ous parties sent out to scour the country in - every direction, 13 will follow. J understand that the gambler is very powerful here, controlling the entire Camp. Against such numbers, resistance would be useless. Alas! I fear we are doomed,” Arnold smiled self-confidently. ‘* Don’t let that worry you, my friend,” h» responded, assuringly. ‘* Things in Canyon City have changed considerably in the past twenty- four hours. Tn that time [ have obtained a de- gree of popularity, which, | am conceited enough to believe, the efforts of Cool Carl will fail to overcome, “But enough of this. Let us leave this dis mal place, and return to the camp. Once there, we shall be better prepared to face Cool Carl.” Reginala Ray willingly acquiesced, being thankful enough to escape from the irksome prison. While wondering at Arnold’s assur- ance, yet he forbore from questioning, as he saw the sport was disinclined to vouchsafe any further information, Without further delay, the party prepared to return to Canyon City. Leaving the under- ground chamber, they pruceeded cautiously through the passage. Tommy the Kid led the way, while the others followed in single file. he end of the secret tunnel was soon reached, and the quartett stepped out into the canyon, rejoiced to breathe pure air once more; but as they left the passage, it was only to start quick- ly back again, in utter dismay at the sight they saw | Drawn up in line, directly opposite the open- ing, stood a squad of stalwart fellows, grim and motionless as figures of stone. They were armed to the teeth, each man clutching a brace of lev- eled revolvers, the barrels of which were con- centrated upon one common mark—the heads of Wizard Arm and his three companions, It was not difficult to recognize the party as Cool Carl’s sympathizers, Indeed, two of their number were the very ruffians who had suc- ceeded in making their escape from the cavern— sole survivors of the Dandy Sport’s fierce on- slaught, As luck would have it, these fellows had fallen in with a number of their associates, while flee- ing down the canyon; and now, with desperate resolve, they sought to turn the tables. ‘Hands up! We've got you covered, so thar’s no use kickin’,” growled the nearest rough, and it was plain that the gang meant business. Taken by surprise, the sport's party had no’ alternative but to obey, There was no denying the fact that the gambler’s hirelings held the drop, and to offer resistance undér such unfav- orable circumstances meant certain annihila- tion, Reluctantly the discomfited sport elevated his hands, an example that was immediately fol- lowed by his companions. Highly elated at their success, the ruffians ad-. vanced to disarm and bind the prisoners. But this task was never secomplichad At this moment the sound of many excited voices broke suddenly upon their ears, as a large body of men, whose approach had been conceal- ed by an abrupt turn in the trail, now appeared upon the scene, Confusedly they swarmed through the can- yon, and as the party approached, Wizard Arm gave a joyful shout, for he recognized the new-comers as his friends, the men of Can- yon City. Startled by this unexpected interruption, the gambler’s gang turned, forgetting for the mo- ment their intended prisoners, Arnold was quick to seize the golden oppor- tunity. Like lightning he leaped forward with leveled weapons. Tommy the Kid was scarcely a second behind him. Crack! crack! And as the pistols spoke er fully, two of Cool Car!’s followers threw up their arms and fell headlong to the earth. Wizard Arm was not slow to follow up his advantage, and fiercely pressed the demoral- ized ruffians, firing shot after shot with fata] effect. Panic-stricken, the toughs fled from before the deadly storm of lead, only to be met by the surging mob of Canyon Cha ates, who, compre- hending how matters stood, were making all possible haste to reach the scene, Hemmed in on all sides, there was no escape for the cut-throats, who were speedily over- whelmed and made prisoners. Wizard Arm hastened to meet his friends, the City, by whom he was enthusi- greeted. 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