Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 523 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

The Dandy Sport. = -_— ie ee ee my best to convey you to. Canyon City in | ness the coach was upsetyfand it was only by a | | miracle that myself and fellow-passengers were safety.” As they hastened to emter the coach, the travelers were profuse in their thanks to their young benefactor for his earnest efforts in their shalf, ‘**T will not insulé you by offering you money, for I plainly see tuat you are a gentleman,” said the old gentleman; ‘‘ but rest assured we will not forget your courtesy. My name is Reginald Ray, aud this is Rachel, my niece. We shall both be pleased to'see you at any time during our stay in Canyon City.” ‘* Yes, indeed; come often as you may, you will be none the less welcome,” supplemented the young lady earnestly. “Thank you. I shall not forget to avail my- self of your kind invitation, I assure you,” de- clared the Dandy. “Here is my card— Algernon Arnold at your service. Au revoir!” allantly tipping bis hat to Rachel, the young man leaped to the box and grasped the lines with the air of one who was no stranger to the business. Proceeding carefully at first until the end of Satan’s Kettle was reached, he bowled along at a rapid pace until at length the weary passen- ers saw the lights of Canyon City twinkling ike fireflies in the distance, CHAPTER IL. CANYON CITY\ Tue shades of night were fast falling, as the rough-and-ready, inhabitants of Canyon City began to congregate in front of the “hotel,” whose creaky sign bore the title ‘' Pick and Shovel,” to await the arrival of the west-bound stage, Shut off as they were from the outside world saved from following him over the precipice. We succeeded in righting the coach with con- siderable difficulty, and here we are. These are the cold facts, gents, as my companions will tell you.” ‘* Yes; everything happened as this young man | states,” agreéd Reginald Ray, who was at that by the mountain walls that encompassed their | little camp, these hardy miners were always | ready tovobserve the most common events as a means of relieving the tedium of their humdrum existence; consequently the announcement that Rocky Tom was coming generally proved suffi- cient to attract half the town’s population. Seldom it was that the coach ever brought a assenger so far as Canyon City, for the camp ad seen its palmy days, but, nevertheless, Rocky Tom was always sure of a hearty wel- come. On this particular occasion, ‘‘stage time ” failed to bring the well-known Jehu and his three-in-hand. Rocky Tom was late, and as the moments flew by and darkness settled over the camp, without a sign of the belated stage-coach, the worthy cits began to grow uneasy. - Never before in the career of Rocky Tom had he been so far behind time, for the driver, although rash and reckless, had always manag- ed to “ git thar;” therefore his non-arrival fur- nished food for no little conjecture. However, the miners were not to be kept always in suspense, for after an hour of anxiety had been passed, the welcome sound of wheels reached their listening ears. ‘‘Hooray! Thar she cums, sure as shootin’, ‘* Wor Tom kin Ccrive a three-in-hand, A balky horse or lame; A burro or a wild cayuse, An’ he'll git thar jest the same,”’ quoth one pilgrim, somewhat poetically inclined. “Gee—whiz! Hear him cum! No one but Rocky Tom could drive like that.” But the poetic one was mistaken; for as the stage rolled up, a murmur of surprise rose from a hundred throats, for they saw that the driver was not Rocky Tom, but a perfect stranger. Standing erect upon the foot-board, his feet firmly braced, and his coat-tails flying wild in the breeze, Algernon Arnold created no little sensation, as he dashed through the narrow street and drew up at the * Pick and Shovel,” with all the ease and skill of a veteran knight of the ribbons, ** Who is it?—what is it?” “Shure an’it must be wan of thim things they call a dude.” * Or a tailor’s sign—” “Or mebbe it’s an angel in disguise.” These and countless other remarks, all more or less complimentary, greeted the dandy stranger in a perfect shower; but immediately after all sense of the ridiculous was lost sight of in the face of the more serious question: ‘¢ Where is Rocky Tom?” From a score of throats came the query, spoken as if in one Voice, as Algernon Arnold leaped gracefully from his perch and confronted the excited men of Canyon City, shee “Gentlemen.” he exclaimed, clearly, “‘if it is the.driyer for whom you are inquiring, it ismy pn duty to inform you that he is lying at e bottom of the canyon. Through his careless- a moment assisting his niece from the coach; and then without further words the couple pushed through the gaping crowd and disappeared within the ** Pick and Shovel.” And Algernon Arnold lost but little time in following their example. The miners were earnestly discussing the tragic end of Rocky Tom, who was a general favorite; so for a time the dudish stranger was forgotten, The latter was quick tosee his opportunity, and made his wey into tae hotel. e succeeded in getting clear of the crowd without attracting attention, and, procuriug an apartment, prepared for a night of rest. ‘* Well, well!” he muttered. ‘ This has been an eventful day. Adventures bid fair to pour in upon me even faster than Iever dreamed of when I started on this hap-hazard trip. Now to bed, and to-morrow I'll take in the sights of Canyon City. Limagine I shall find the climate beneficial so songs as pretty Rachel remains. I believe I’m half in love with the little witch already.” In five minutes Algernon was fast asleep, dreaming of fresh adventures, in which the fair face of Rachel Ray constantly attended him like a beauteous vision. The next morning he was up with the lark. His first thought was of his promised visit to his fair companion of the previous day, but sup- posing that she had not yet arisen, he deter- mined to first take a stroll through the town. So early was the hour that but few persons were astir, and the Dandy passed along the only street without incident, Canyon City did not occupy much territory, and it was but a few minutes before Arnold passed the last straggling shanty and found himself in the wilder regions bordering on Spirit Canyon. Strolling leisurely along, twirling his dainty cane, the young adventurer was suddenly made aware of the presence ofa lady. She was seated ona log a hundred yards away, and Algernon gave a start of surprise, for he recognized Rachel Ray, whom he supposed to be fast asleep at the hotel. She was apparently unaware of the young man’s presence, and with twinkling eyes he stole forward, intending to give her a little sur- rise. < But as he drew nearer, Arnold was struck by the peculiar appearance of the maiden. She sat as rigid as a statue, with her hands, filled with wild flowers, folded across her lap. Indeed, she would have seemed to be asleep but for the fact that her eyes were wide open and staring appar- ently at some object before her. ondering what could so attract the young lady’s attention, Algernon eagerly scanned the ground in front of her. He saw an expanse of rocks and sand, a mass of shrubs and bushes, a tree or two, and—ah! an object at sight of which the young man’s blood ran cold, Curled up on the ground but.a few feet from the motionless girl, its hideous head uplifted and moving with a peculiar oscillating motion, was coiled an enormous rattlesnake—tue pest of the border. The reptile had so frightened the girl that she could do nothing but look into those devilish eyes, powerless te move a muscle to save herself, Not a second did Algernon Arnold hesitate, and like a flash the young man’s hand closed up- on a revolver handle, The swaying head of the serpent was a diffi- cult mark; but the hand that gripped the pistol was as firm as steel, , Crack! And the smoke clearing away reveal- ed the rattlesnake writhing and squirming upon the ground, its head wholly shot away. At the shot, Rachel struggled bewilderedly to her feet, and—the Dandy clasped her in his arms! Q ‘“‘Ton't be excited, Miss Ray,” he admonished. ‘You are safe now, though [ must confess I Wouldn’t have enjoyed your position a minute ago. It’s lucky I bappened this way.” he girl’s face Wore an expression of heart- felt gratitude as she looked up into that of her rescuer, ‘* How much I owe to you, sir!’ she exclaim- ed. ‘* For the secon] time within twenty-four hours have you saved we from a horrible fate.” . . a é p . ig a » 4 / ax? . ae ’ - . ~ a =s = a Ps . _—- | | em rr Young Arnold Jaughed lightly as he threw the mangled reptile away with his cane. ‘It must be that Providence has appointed me your guardian angel,” he laughed. ‘* But, come, now tbat all danger is past, please re- sume your seat aud tell me how it is that you are so far from the camp, and, too, at a time when you ought to be wrapt in pleasant dreams.” Rachel laughed musically. ‘Tam an early riser as youbave seen. Noth- ing pleases me Letter than a nice long walk be- fore breakfast, and especially when I can enjoy such grand and picturesque scenery as this, So this morning, knowing that my uncle would never allow metocome out alone, I took ad- antage of his sound slumber, stole from the house, and—here [ am.” ‘‘ Yes; and your disobedience nearly cost you your life,” declared Arnold, gravely. ‘* How- ever, there’s no harm done, and I trust your uncle will not scold you for your foolishness.” ‘‘Oh, no, indeed, Uncle Reginald never scolds me. He is very kind—as much so as my own father could have been.” 4 Then your own parents are not living, Miss Ray?” ‘ Alas, no! My mother died when | was but a babe, and my father followed her a few years after. He wasa miner, I am told; and when he died, left me in charge of his brother, with whom I have lived ever since, in New York.” ‘‘Indeed! And how happens it that you are traveling through this wild country, so faraway from home? You will pardon my inquisitive- ness, 1 hope, when 1 tell you that I am very much interested in you and your proceedings.” A troubled expression swept over the girl’s fair face, and she hesitated a moment before making response, ‘‘T cannot answer your question, sir, for truth to tell I do not know myself what brings us here. I came simply because my uncle bade me do so.” ‘‘ Indeed! And did he give no reason for tak- ing the journey?” : ‘‘None whatever. He simply said that busi- ness called him to the West, and bade me pre- pare to accompany him. The only clew f have to his object is this telegram, which I picked up in the coach yesterday, it having fallen from his pocket.” The young lady produced a sheet of paper and tendered it to her companion for perusal. It was one of the familiar yellow strips of the W. U. T. C. and bore the following message: ‘DENVER, CoL., June 8, 1886. ‘* REGINALD Ray, Esq., No. —— Fifth avenue, N. Y.:— ‘‘Come to Canyon City at once. Big bonanza, Brix ¢ the girl. CARLETON,”’ Algernon Arnold regarded the telegram with considerable interest. ‘“ Well,” he exclaimed, as he returned the paper, ‘I should say that it was business of a most urgent character that called your uncle hither; and, besides, from the reading of this message it is evident that you are particularly concerned, for doubtless you are the girl re- ferred to.’ Rachel nodded absently; her appearance showed that her mind was troubled. ‘Perhaps you may think me foolish, Mr. Ar- nold,” she said, after a pause, “but you have proved yourself a gentleman, and I feel that I can safely confide in you.” ‘* You can trust me with your life, Miss Ray,” declared the young man, earvestly. ‘‘T wish I had never come here, I did not wish to come at first, and now since discovering that message my mind is filled with a presenti- ment of coming danger. I know itis childish, but try as I may I cannot-shake it off.” ‘ ‘Do you know this Carleton, as he signs him- self?” ‘No; I never heard the name mentioned by uncle.” ‘‘ And does your uncle always treat you well, Miss Ray?” queried the sport, whose brain was busy at work. ‘“He never spoke a cross word to me in his life,” declared Rachel; *‘ though he is much dis- liked by many, who call him sharp and avari- cious, yet he never refuses me anything. I be- lieve he fairly worships me.” ‘“Then T can see no cause for anxiety on your part,” exclaimed young Arnold. ‘‘So far as that is concerned, you may set your fears at rest.’ That there is danger enough in this wild country I will not deny; your recent experience has proved that. But that was accident; idea that any one is doing you ill, as you seem to think, is perfectly absurd.” “T will try and think as you do, Mr. Arnold, _" f a : . . - O comicboo