Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 534 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

a a Se me —Y_ > 2 =~ Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. ‘** And wnat is that,pray, my Christian friend?” | old Job Johnson.* He told of their ope Sly asked, coolly. “This I? was the reply, and thrusting his | to Sylvan Lake; of their visit to the is _ their capture by the infamous Owls; of Jobs and; of hand quickly forward, Hair Trigger seized hold awful death at the whipping-post; and of his— of the detective’s beard, and gave it an upward | ‘‘ Dick’s”—own rescue, and oath of vengeance. jerk. The result was startling. Off came a false beard, mustache and wig, all combined, and before the astonished crowd: stood a young man of not much over twenty- two—a handsome fellow, with a clear-cut, pleas- ant face, keen and brilliant eyes, a graceful mustache of slight growth, and a closely-cropped head of hair. It was indeed an unexpected revelation, and so taken aback were the spectators that, for a moment they uttered not a sound, ‘‘ By Heaven! it’s Deadwood Dick !” Suddenly a voice uttered this cry from some- where near the entrance to the saloon The undisguised young man started violently at sound of the voice, and though evidently much surprised, he quickly found use of his tongue. ‘* Yes!” he shouted, ‘‘I am Deadwood Dick the detective, and I'll give five hundred dollars for the capture of the man who uttered my name!” | The crowd immediately surged toward the door, and then followed a crashing of glass, in- termingled with curses and the cry: ‘* He’s escaped!” The crowd was so dense before him, that it was useless for Deadwood Dick to attempt to reach the door. So he turned to find Jolly Johnson standing by his side. ‘* Ah! is it you, Johnson? Did you get your money?” ‘You bet!’ was the reply, ‘‘ but the posses- sion of it once more is no circumstance to the surprises of this night, By the way, here’s your thousand, Thanks, a millions time, for winning mine back, at the peril of your life!” Dick smiled, ‘* No peril, at all!” he replied. ‘‘In fact, I rather enjoyed the astonishment of the natives.” ‘* Rather risky enjoyment, [ should say. And s0 you are really Deadwood Dick?” ‘‘ Deadwood Dick, Jr., rather. My predeces- sor is unfortunately dead.” ‘*Exactly. 1 knew that, and have often heard of youand your exploits. By Jove! [Im glad to know you, for if stories of you are half-way true, you are a fellow after my own beart. But, tell me, how did you contrive to miracu- lously escape being killed? And tell me, too, about aly 08 dad, whom yuu seem to know, and whom I have not seen in a long time!” ‘* Well, if we can get out by the side-door, onder, we'll go around to my room, at the otel; we'll then open a bottle of wine, and have achat. I am glad to have met you, too, for your father commissioned me to find you, and when you know all, it may be you'll findita matter of choice to double up with me, in aseri- ous undertaking. Come, let’s go!” As they crossed the room, toward the side- door, they, passed Hair Trigger, whose dark visage wore an expression of triumph, “Til see you, in the morning!” Dick said, significantly, and passed on, hey had no difficulty in making their exit by the side-door, ; Dick had been foughtful enough to bring along his disguise, and when they were outside of the Jockey Saloon he put it on again, in order to be able to go to bis room at the hotel, with- - out any questions being asked, * Within five minutes they were comfortably ensconced in Dick’s room, with a bottle of wine at their disposal. ‘* Now, first tell me of the old gent,” Jolly urged, after th. y had lit their pipes, ‘That will be the hardest job of all,” Dick answered, gravely. ‘‘ Are you prepared to hear the worst?—to hear a tale of horror that will thrill you with fiercest indignation, and steel your heart with undying desire for bitterest vengeance?” : ** Yes! yes!” Johnson said, bowing his head. “4 cae what you would say. The old man is ‘* Yes, Johnson, you have guessed it, and nearly his last words to me were to tell you, should I meet you, that he died game, and it was his hope, that shpuld it be your fate to meet his trials, you would do the same, Now, do not sane way, but listen attentively, for what I you will fill you more with a desire of re- venge than with grief!” nodded, and remained silent. Joll Dick then went on to narrate the main inci- dents connected with the terrible death of poor He narrated all the details necessary to give Jolly a full idea of the suffering they had un- dergone, at the hands of the human fiend, Henry Hastings. ‘‘And this Hastings—what of him?’ Jolly asked, huskily, ‘* Well, I ae told you nearly all I can. They escaped and fled. As soon as liberated, I started out upon what I appropriately named ‘Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt,’ and not until I have succeeded in running Hastings to earth will that trailend. Within the past few weeks I have fancied I was not far from my_ foe; in- tuition taurht meso. But, I bad no idea that Hastings was in Red Dog!” ‘Ts he? Ishe?” Jolly cried, excitedly, spring- ing to his feet. ‘*'Yes. The voice that cried ‘By Heaven! it is Deadwood Dick! belonged to no other person than Hank Hastings. That is why I offered the reward for his capture!” “Then, for heaven’s sake, come! Why sit there when we ought to be moving?” ‘“Sit down. Wecan do nothing in this dark night. We have no means of knowing where the man is stopping, or what name he goes un- der. We must wait until morning before we can successfully make a move. Even now he may be miles away, but I doubtit. Finding that I am really after him, he would more naturally set a trap for me, rather than run the risk of my following him to the ends of the earth, as I threatened to do. No fool is Henry Hastings!” ** Maybe not, but it galls my spirit to think we must remain here iu idleness when he is very like] M making his escape.” ‘*| know how you feel, and can assure you that you feel no worse about the matter than I do! In the morning we will set busily to work, and we will not be Jong in striking a clew, I fancy. . Even if Hastings has succeeded in mak- ing his escape, I shall not consider myself baffled, for I have sworn to hound him down to death, and shall do so, I never break my word! Are you with me, Johnson, or do you propose to go it alone?” ‘“[?’'m with you, heart and hand!” Jolly re- lied, emphatically. ‘‘ We'll pard together at east until vengeance is ours! And, as [ have not registered at the hotel, [suppose we might as well bunk in, tegether.” To this Dick Bristol had no objections, and, accordingly, it was so arranged, They chatted until a late hour, and were about to retire, when Dick made the discovery that during their conversation, a letter had been tucked in under the door. He instantly seized and opened it, and what he read was as follows, and caused him an ex- clamation which brought Jolly quickly to his side. **RepD Doe, May —, 188-. ‘Mr. Sty SLATER alias t DEADWooD DICK: “ DEAR SIR:— “Thanks to the exposure of your identity, to- night, lam on my guard, and ere this reaches you I will be far away. . “Tt was a great surprise to me to learn that you were really alive, and on my trail, ‘*T supposed and hoped that you were really dead, on the island in Sylvan Lake, but it appears not, ‘T have not forgotten your threat to yet live to hunt me down to death, but let me tell you you are on a wild goose chase, I have money, without limit, and Ican evade gt easily, So you might as well give up all nope of ever capturing me, and go about your own business. : ‘*] could have killed you, easily, before leaving Red Dog, and thus forever ridded myseif of all dan- ger of pursuit. However, I preferred not to stain my hands again, with human blood, ‘*But, remember this: lam no anzel, and if you persist in following me, I shall be under the neces- sity of laying a trap for you, that will result in your death. A word to the wise is sufficient. ‘Express to the peeple of Red Dog my kindest appreciation of their—or rather, Alonzo Israel’s— contribution toward my future comfort, and should row and I ever meet again. as stokers of the eternal urnace, I trust we meet on friendly terms. ** With best wishes for your personal welfare, ‘*T remain, my dear sir, ** Yours truly, ** Henry HAStTInas, “King of Rogues. ae el .* Give my symy thetic regards to your newly acquired friend, Johnson.’’ 529, | * See “ Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks.” Half- Dime Library No, me CHAPTER IV. OFF ON THE DEATH HUNT. JOLLY JOHNSON had finished reading the let- ter, almost as soon as Dick himself. and then the two pards stared at each other inquiringly. ‘‘ Well, how’s your think?” Dick finally de- manded, ‘‘Ain’t that about the cheekiest com- mu nication you ever had the pleasure of perus- ing? ‘*T should say so. It gives mea better in- sight into the character of the man we have tc deal with,” Jolly returned. ‘‘I reckon be bit the nail on the head when he christened himself ‘King of Rogues,’ eb?” ‘‘Right you are. He is a king of rogues, and no mistake about it. And this letter proves that it was he who robbed and murdered the old Jew, Alonzo Israel!” ‘* Just so. Well, what’s to be done?” ‘‘ Nothing can be done until morning. Then, we shall have to pick up the trail as best we can, So let's turn in and get some rest, for the death-hunt may be a long and tedious chase,” Securely locking their door, and closing the transom over it, they retired for the night. Dick was not long in falling asleep, but, not so with Jolly, for it was long past midnight ere he fell off into a doze. Dick slept soundly, but just how long he had slept, he could not tell, when he was suddenly aroused by a yell, and sat bold upright in bed. ‘*‘ What in thunder’s the matter?’ he demand- ed, rubbing his eyes, after which he perceived J olly was out of bed, and pacing the floor, ex- citedly. The eancle, which had not been extinguished, dimly lit up the scene, ‘*Come! come! what’s the matter?’ Dick re- peated. ‘‘ Have you got the jim-jams, Jolly, or what ails you? Who the blazes uttered that unearthly yell?” ‘¢ Guess it was me!” Jolly replied, with chat- tering teeth. ‘‘What I saw was enough to make any one yell, after being woke outofa sleep!” ss What did you see? Explain vourself!” ‘‘Do you see yonder?’ and Jolly pointed to the transom over the door which was wide open. Dick ghar out of bed with an exclamation, ‘* Well, what of it?” he demanded. ‘‘ Enough!” Jolly growled. ‘I was aroused from my slumber by a noise, and looking to- ward the transom, I saw it was open, and a man’s head was eS into the room, as was a man’s hand, which clutched a revolver, And, such a face! It wore the most diabolical and revengeful expression that, one’s mind could conceive! ‘‘T was so startled that I could not repress a vell, at which the face and revolver disappeared. Jerusalem! If I h d not awakened as I did, one or maybe both of us would have been mur- dered!” ‘‘ A lucky thing, then, that you did awaken!” Dick said, grimly. ‘‘Do you think you would recognize the face, if you were to see it again?” “T did recognize it!” ‘‘ The deuce you did!” “Yes, It was the face of one of the men] was playing poker with to-night!” ‘‘ Which one? Hair Trigger?’ ‘‘No. The man whom they called Abram Audley!” ‘* Phew!” and Dick gave vent toa prolgnaed whistle. “I had a vague suspicion | had met that man somewhere else than in Red Dog; and now, I am sure of it!” . ** How do you mean?” ‘‘T mean that the man you just saw was none other than our mutual foe in disguise.’ ‘*Henry Hastings?” ‘* Henry Hastings.” ‘‘ What causes you to think that?” ‘Intuition, combined with tke fact that I hated the man from the first time I saw hfm to- day in the hotel. Intuition rarely fails me.” ‘Well, what’s to be done?” ; ‘We will dress and go down-stairs, and see if any such man as Henry Hastings or Abram Audley is registered here.” They lost no time in dressing, and, glancing at his watch, igi» saw that it was the darkest hour before the dawn—tbree o'clock, They went down-stairs, and found the hotel office open, and superintended by a sleepy clerk. ‘*We would like to look at your regi ter,” ‘Dick said, ‘‘ to see if you have a man stopping ‘here named Abram Audley.” ‘The gentleman has been stopping here for a few days, but has just left,” the clerk replied. “How long ago?” \ | ‘‘ About ten or fifteen minutes, I reckon.” ‘“* How did he go?” | 7 : ‘i a o 4 aN \ ‘ ey yy J f 4 hy : % A oY : ae ¥ a ts » F ;