Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 534 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

wer : ly sor ase a,‘ = ~ at = “k® | i ¢ its ~~ r 10 Deathwood: Diets Death » " Ty . s Fg 1 a ’ « “ ' 'T a . nd is a eo. gee 4 a ; ’ - ; ay ge ? > " iY r 4 Hunt, > ¢ r ! We're too far out, I reckon, to wade ashore, if | He was no longer in disguise, and though his we wanted to go back!” **T should say so,” Jolly replied. ‘‘ As for me, I’m in no hurry to go back, ve always yearned for an ocean trip, but hardly expected such an opportunity as this would come to hand. Ven- geance and pleasure, don’t generally travel hand in hand. I wonder when we shall see our enemy?” ‘*Hard tosay. He may keep to his rcom the entire voyage. This is not probable, however, for I believe he is positive he has successfully eluded us, and that we are even now prisoners in the granary, back in ’Frisco. If he is satis- fied he is safe beyond our reach, he will no doubt be on deck to-day.” ‘*T hope so. I want to beable to draw one sure bead on the inhuman wretch, and that will settle him,” ‘*No, no, you must not seek to satisfy your revenge, yet awhile,” Dick protested, decisive- ‘You must wait until you are on shore. Remember we are on board a steamship, now, and if you were to use a weapon you would be put in irons for the remainder of the voyage, and eventually be turned over to the Australian authorities!” “Then, must we remain idle, all the ways when my very spirit cries for vengeance?” Jolly cried half angrily. ‘*That’s what we must do!” was Deadwood Dick’s reply. ** But, I tell you it is impossible. Do you sup- pose I can live through this journey and know that the man who put my father to such a terri~- ble death, is within reach of my avenging hand? No, sir! PU have his life, if I die for it the next instant!” ‘* Well, [ have warned you!” Dick said, stern- ly, ‘‘and now, I command you to make no at- tempt on Hastings’s life, before we are on Aus- tralian soil, If you are wise, you will heed me!” ‘¢ You command me, sir?” cried Jolly, angrily. “By what right, or power, do you command me, Id like to knows Iam my own master, PU have you know, sir.” ‘That may all be, but I would prevent you from committing an act, while aboard this boat, for which you would be the greatest sufferer, in the long run.” ‘*'You’d prevent me, would yout Well, just let me tell you that you can’t doit! Vm not bound to obey your wishes, and if I see fit to kill the murderer of my father, I shall do so!” ‘* Oh, well, do as you please, then!”’ Dick said, his own anger rising. ‘If you’re fool enouth to attempt so rash an act, you forfeit my friend- ship, and if you get into trouble, you must take the consequences, and not depend upon me to help you out.” ‘* A fig for your friendship, and that for your assistance!” Jolly cried, snapping his thumb and forefinger, contemptuously. He then arose, and stalked away to the fore part of the ship. 1 ag gazed after him with rather an anxious smile, : ‘*T do believe the fellow is out of his head,” he mused. ‘‘I hope to goodness he won’t be foolish enough to create any disturbance on board, for if he does, it will only be the worse for both of us.” Trusting Jolly would soon get over his huff, Dick paid no more attention to him, but went below, and got his breakfast, Afterward, he procured a book from the ship’s library, and went up on deck again, where the seated himself in a shady place, and spent the forenoon in smoking and reading. The day was a most beautiful one, with a soft breeze and sky of azure blue, and the water be- ing very smooth, the steamship plowed along at a good rate of speed, Toward noon, the ship’s captain, a genial- looking fellow, approached the * lieutenant.” ** How’s this?” he asked, pleasantly. ‘‘ Your servant has requested that he shall be trans- ferred to steerage passige. I thought before doing so, ’'d come and speak to you about it, ir. ‘*Thank you,” Dick said. ‘‘ Jasper does get a little cranky once in a while over a trifle. Cer- tainly, if he prefers the steerage to my state- room, let him have his choice. I dare say he will be glad to come back again, in due time.” ‘You can rest assured of that,” the captain replied, with a laugh, *‘ for among the steerage passengers there are no less than $ixteen mothers with squalling babies, en route for Sydney.” He turned away then, chuckling to himself, , **T think Jolly is getting the worst of it,” Dick smiled, as he resumed reading. ike in the afternoon, Hastings came on . + an! 3 . . ; : a tae on: ys hee he) eer Ba! e. face was s.noothly shaven, Dick knew him in an instant. He was dressed in a plain broadcloth suit, and carried a gold-headed cane, His face was pale and somewhat haggard, and there was a hunted look about his eyes. After strolling about the deck for a while and scrutinizing the passengers, he took a seat not far from Dick, whom he regarded inquiringly. Directly he moved a few seats nearer. ‘Going to Austrslia, sir?’ he inquired. **T am,” Dick replied. , ‘* You belong to the U. 8S, Army, I take it?” ‘‘ Well, no, not any longer. I am from New York, and bound for the interior of Australia, where I have extensive mining interests!” ‘* Ah! just so. I suppose New York is a great city, from what Ihave heard?” “Tt is the city of the world, in my estimation. Ever been there?’ ‘*No, but, after visiting Australia and Lon- don, I think of going there. I suppose a man of means would find plenty of o»portunities to start into a profitable business there?” “Oh! certainly. A man with money can make money there.” Dick then picked up his book and resumed reading, as a hint that he did not want to con- verse any longer, and Hastings evidently took tiie hint, for he arose and walked away. Soon after, he went below, and that was the last Dick saw of him that day. Night came on—a night just warm endugh to be pleasant, and such passengers as were not sea-sick, thronged upon deck. But, Henry Hastings was not among them. Deadwood Dick eagerly scanned the faces of those near him, but saw no one he knew—until a woman, dressed in black, and wearing a heavy crape vail, came and sat down within a few feet of him. Then, a strange thrill passed through him, and his heart beat faster. Could it be—was it indeed Sylvan, whom he last had seen on the island in Sylvan Lake, Southern Oregon, when sbe had kissed bim good-by, and told him that she loved him? The strange sensation caused by this vailed woman’s proximity to bim, compelled him to believe that she it was indeed! Her graceful figure and small white hands were like Sylvan’s, but ber face—he could not see that on account of the vail. Both were Seated in the stern of the boat, and there were but few in the vicinity. The lady paid no attention to Dick, but gazed silently toward the American shores, now lost to view in the distance. Dick watched her, and once or twice fancied he saw her give a sigh. ‘* Blame me if I know whether to speak to her or not,” he mused. ‘‘I am almost certain it is Sylvan, but, if it should not be, ’'d be in a deuce of a fix!” He hesitated for some time, weighing care- fully what would probably be the result should he make a blunder. At last, however, he decided to run the risk, and uttered, in a low tone, the single word: Sylvan)” He saw her start violently, and turn her face toward him, Evidently she was gazing at him through the meshes of her vail. Then, she leaned forward, toward him. ‘Did you address me, sir?” she inquired, in a slightly unsteady voice. ‘*[ believe I did,” Dick replied. Lady Sylvan, of the Sylvan Island!” ‘** How do you know?” was the quick interrog- ‘You are atory. ‘‘Whoare you? Ihave never met you before!” ‘*Oh! yes you have, Not long ago we parted under very extraordinary circumstances!” She started, violently. ; ‘* What! you—you are not Mr. Bristol?” ‘*The very identical Richard!” ‘Thank Heaven! They told me you were dead!” ** Who told you?” ** He did. ou know who I mean!” There was a silence of a few seconds; then Sylvan quickly arose. ‘I must not be seen talking with you,” she said, ‘‘He would kill me. I will go below and see if it is safe for me to be up here!” ‘** You will come back?” ‘“‘Tf possible, If not, I will see you at another time!” She turned then, and glided awav. Dick watched her until she had disappeared, and then turned his gaze once more out upon the beauteous, tranquil, moonlit ocean, a os / he A ae . iF “Fe - — y ‘4 . es gets . ‘ ’ } e . ae >» i er. ‘ ' i ° :“ ‘ : ; . 5 Laie” ee * ‘. Be 7 ‘ ‘ ae kee ‘ | ‘ ‘‘A human enigma! A woman of mystery, and yet, tho’ faithful to a demon, she loves ine!” was the thought that kept passing through his mind, . CHAPTER XI, SYLVAN’S STORY. SYLVAN came back rather sooner than Dick had expected, and drew her camp-stool up close to his, ‘*T guess all is safe for the present,” she said, throwing back her vail, and r vealing to his ad- miring gaze, her fair, beautiful face, lit up gloriously by the rival effects of the moonlight, and her lustrous brown eyes. ‘‘ He has been drinking hard all the day, and is now sleeping off the effects of his debauch!” **'You refer to Hastings?” Dick asked, 4s Yes. ” ‘* Where are the negro and Blackthorn?” ‘* They are in the forward part of the boat, as steerage passenger's!” “You are bound for Melbourne, eh?” ‘“[T suppose so, Oh! Mr. Bristol, are you go- ing to kill him?” ‘* Well, that’s rather a hard question to an- swer,” Dick replied. ‘‘ So faras 1 am concerned, [ do not propose to molest him, as long as we are on board this ship, no matter whut I may do afterward. But, lam not the only avenger on board.” ‘‘No? Who else is there?” * Jolly Johnson, son of OJd Job, whom Hast- ings whipped to death. Jolly has sworn to avenge his father’s death, and I sha’n’t be sur- prised if he does it, before we touch land, If he does, it will take the responsibility off my shoulders.” ‘‘Then, if he is to be killed at all, I hope John- son will do the job!” Sylvan said, ‘‘although I should prefer that the crime be left undone!” * Why so?” ‘‘ Because murder is a terrible thing!” ‘Very true! But the killing of that infernal wretch could scarcely be called murder. It should be better termed a well-deserved retribu- tion. Look at the black record of this king of rogues, as it pleases him to style bimself. If ever a man deserve hanging, he does.” ‘* But, why not arrest him, and let the law deal with him?’ ‘‘ Justice is too tardy. You seem to take somewhat of an interest in his welfare?” ‘No, I do not, in the least. How much I loathe and abhor the very presence of the man no one can ever know. Still, my very soul re- volts at the thought of murder!” ‘‘ You would rather continue under this mys- terious bondage, than have Henry Hastings killed?” ‘‘ Rather than have him killed by you—yes)!” “ Sylvan?” ‘* Mr. Bristol?” ‘‘Do you remember when we last met, that you told me that you loved me?” And Dick took her fair white hands in his own. ‘* Ye-s! 1 did tell you so, and—” ‘* Did you tell me the truth?” **T don’t know as [ bad any reason for telling an untruth!” was the frank response, while a pretty rose tint stole into her cheeks. ‘‘ I never expected to see you again in this world, or per- haps I should not have spoken as I did.” : ‘a ‘ ¢ ™ - le. ‘You promised me, too, Sylvan, that, if ever — we were to meet again, you woukl lay before me the story of your life, thus clearing away the mystery that surrounds you.” ‘¢- Yes, I know [ did, but it was in a weak mo- ment I did so. I beg, sir, that you will not press me to comply with my promise.” ‘Why not?” ‘Hor good reasons; what I would have to tell you would be better left untold!” ‘*T do not see how that is,” ; “Maybe not. But, if you were to hear all, — you would turn away from me, and despise me, | and then!—then, I should be indeed without a ‘ friend on the face of the earth!” she said, bury- ing her face in her hands, ™ ‘Sylvan, do not say that.. Nothing you could tell me of vour past could change my re- spect for you, for I full well realize that you are martyring yourself toa terrible thraldom, rather than tell of the cause of your suffering. Con- fide in me, and T’ll stand by you!” ‘Will you? Ob! you are so good that Tam almost afraid to sit here, in your presence, lest I contaminate you! But, J will tell be my story, and will try to steel myself to bear the scorn you will have for me, after you have heard it. _ | ‘* The particulars I have to give you, of my early life, are very meager, an not interesting. — + ’ , ie i a