Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 560 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

sv ‘pould ride like a Comanche, and was a dead shot. Then he had been a great hunter at home, and Joved the free life of the woods. But here an opportunity was offered him which he should not refuse, and though he al- most felt that it looked like accepting pay for what he had done for Ruby Rolston, he con- eluded to take the situation if he was sure it was not offered him for his services. ‘Do you really need a clerk, Mr. Rolston, or are you offering me a place, sir, in payment for my accidental services to your daughter?” he asked. ‘‘ Well said, my young friend, for it shows the man in you. ‘But I do need a clerk,and was about to write my cashier to get extra help, for I am en- larging my business.” ‘“Do stay,” said Ruby pleadingly. ‘¢ Yes, my son, remain with us, and do nofgo into the wild western plains,” urged Mrs.Rol- ston. Lillie yielded, and the next week became a clerk in the banking-house of Andrew Rolston. CHAPTER Ii. BLACK BEN. THE banking-house of AnJrew Rolston was situated in a part of the town which at night ‘was deserted, tor it was among the business houses. A porter had always slept there at night; but he had been taken ill, and Mr. Rolston decided to offer Gordon Lillie a chance to make more money by taking the place of watchman, so far as sleeping at the bank was concerned. ‘It will give you pleasant quarters, Gordon, and enough extra to pay your board, so you — lay up your regular salary,” the banker said, Gordon at once accepted. the offer, though he imew that it was attended with danger and some privations. He would have to carry the keys and always be in his room at nine o’clock, as the town pa- trol was withdrawn at that hour, His room was a pleasant one, looking out upon the river, for the stream wound along at the rear of the building, and Mr. Rolston had fitted it up in a most comfortable manner, making the youth a present of the carpet and furniture. From his room he could look into the bank through a window that commanded a view of the ‘vault and offices, and he had to pass in and out through the main door opening upon the street. ’ Several months after having been installed in his new quarters, Gordon became annoyed at the fact that Andrew Rolston, Jr., frequently be- came his companion at night. He would be wakened up at night by a knock on the door, and would find Andrew there very much the worse for drinking. The young man had become cashier of the bauking-house, and Gordon was sorry to see him spending his nights in dissipation, when his arents, who dwelt in the edze of the town, be- ieved that he was working at the bank, and at such times was wont to share his quarters with him. That Mr. Rolston did not suspect his son’s wild life was certain, and in fact, as all his es- capades were after nightfall, no one believed him to be other than a thoroughly sober young man, one who would become’a worthy successor of his father. Upon Sundays and holidays Gordon was wout to dine at Cedar Hill, the elegant home of Banker Rolston, and he noted on such occasions that Andrew never drank more than one glass of wine at dinner. . Studying hard, Gordon Lillie felt that he would soon bave a good education, and he never once regretted his having remained as a clerk ia the employ of the banker. His extravagance was in keeping his horse, which he exercised every day in a gallop out into the country, and also he would carry along his rifle and revolver and keep up his practice with them. wis Frequently Ruby was his companion on such rides, and between the two there bad sprung up the strongest friendship, a regard that was deepening steadily into love, young as the two ‘were. One afternoon Gordon was returving from his accustomed ride, and he was alone, when sud- cenly he met a horseman at a turn in the road, The map wore a heavy beard and long hair, and was well mounted, He seemed to start at meeting the youth, but bowed politely and rode on, “Try it for awhile at least, Lillie,” said” Andrew Rolston, Jr,, and thus urged, Gordon } ‘‘ Where have I seen that man before?’ said Gordon to himself, as he went on his way, ‘¢T have met him somewhere, and under disa- greeable circumstances, 1 am sure; but I cannot place him.” For a mile or more he rode on his way, trying to recall the face of the horseman, Suddenly a ¢ry broke from his lips, and wheel- ing his horse, he dashed back along the road at a gallop. e kept up his rapid gait for several miles, and then came in sight of the borseman, as he ascended a hill ahead of him, ; It was certain that the man had ridden rapidly also; but as he saw the youth he drew rein and allowed his horse to continu® on at a walk. But Gordon kept on ata gallop, and was soon in hailing distance of the horseman, ‘‘ Hands up, Black Ben, for you are my pris- oner!” shouted Gordon Lillie as he rode up be- bind the horseman. But the man whom he had recognized, as Black Ben, the Highwayman of the Trail, as he was called, was prepared for his pursuer. * He ulready held his revolver in his hand, and, my asa flash he wheeled in his saddle and red, The bullet crashed into the brain of Gordon’s horse, aud falling heavily, going at a gallop as he was, he threw his rider against a bank, stun- ning him, while Black Ben, with a_mocking laugh dashed on, as the rattle of wheels coming along a branch road warned him,of danger to himself, ans CHAPTER IV, THE MIDNIGHT VISITORS, By a strange coincidence the vehicle, the roll of wheels of which bad startled Black Ben, was the carriage of Banker Rolston. The banker was returning from visiting a friend living in the country, and was unaccom- panied by any one excepting his driver, + — Both the banker and the driver had heard the shot fired by Black Ben, and had ‘seen a horse- man dash rapidly by them. A moment after they had come upon the dead horse lying in the roadside and saw Gordon Lil lie just rising to his feet and passing his bands, over his eyes as though he was wakivg up from a deep sleep. Instantly the banker sprung from his carriage and was at his side. ‘‘Gordon, what has happened?” he cried anx- lously. ** Where is he, sir?” Who?” | ‘‘ Black Ben, sir, for Lmet him in the road, and remembering whohe was returned after him tocavture him; but he was too quick for me and killed my horse, and gave me a fall that knocked the breath out of me. “Did 4ou see him, sir?” “Yes, he dashed by me like a rocket; but are you sure it was that highwayman who was a terror to the country about my farm?” * Yes, sir, I am sure.” * Yes, sir, that was Black Ben, as I know now, for [saw him once you remember, the day he robbed your wife, sir, when I was driving,” the driver said. “Well, we must put the hounds of the law pps his track, for he means no good in being ere, ‘*] am sorry your horse was killed, Gordon; but you were too daring, to attempt the capture of that desperate man alone, “T will give you a fine animal to replace yours, 80 take off your saddle and bridle and let us drive rapidly on to town, so we can put some one on the track of this Black Ben.” Ten minutes after, the splendid. bays were going swiftly along the road toward the town, ana the news soon spread of Gordon Lillie’s ad- venture with Black Ben. the brizand, and ke ‘became a hero with all who knew him. Black Ben, though pursued, was not taken, and soon after he was forgotten, and it was sup- posed he had left the country. ~ One night, some weeks after his adventure, Gordon Lillie was sleeping soundly. The night before he had been kept up until dawn by Andrew Rolston, who had come in at midnight very much intoxicated, and had re- fused to retire. So, utterly worn out, Gordon. slept more soundly than was™his wont, and failed to hear a noise at his window overlooking the river. The distance to the ground on the rear end of the building was some fifteen feet, and the ros shore was hardly as wide to the river's re, Down the river had come a boat containing ; three men, and its oars made no sound in the ue | Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. ———————————_—_———_ 3S rowlocks, giving the impression that they were muffled. The boat came slowly, and it seemed that there was something in tow. The night was cloudy, but warm,'and Gor- don, loving fresh air, always slept with his win- dow up. In fact, be had never anticipated danger from the river, as there was a high wall with a spiked fence guarding the back yard of the ank building, and the few feet there ended sid tately in a cliff overhanging the river some dis- tance below. The boat stopped under the cliff; and was anchored at both ends. Then a dark object was drawn from the river—that which had been in tow—and was placed upright in the boat. It was a ladder and the top reached to the edge of the cliff. Up the ladder then went a man, ascending cautiously. He stepped upon the cliff and examined the surroundings carefully. Then he gave a low call and the other two men ascended the ladder and stood in the rear ard. , The ladder was then drawn up from the boat and that it made no sound upon the rocks show- ed that it had been carefully wrapped with cloth to prevent it so doing. Then the ladder was borne to the side. of the house and placed under the window of Gordon Lillie’s room. Up went one of the men then, and the sash being raised, he passed into the room. All was dark within, but through the window looking intowthe bank came a dim light, fora lamp was always kept burning there. The man cautiously stepped into the room, and listened. _ The deep breathing of the occupant of the bed came to his ears, and bolding bis hand out of the window he dropped a pebble. See was a signal for the others to come up {), This they did, though one made a misstep and nearly fell; but the sound did not awaken the sleeper. Cautiously through the room two of the men went, going into the bank, while the other stood guard at the window, end kept his pistol pointed . toward the occupant of the bed. Gordon Lillie awoke quietly. He simply opened his eyes, and they fell upon a form at the window. He did not start, for the thought came to him that it was Andrew Rolston, Then he remembered that Andrew had gone that afternoon to a neighboring town on busi- ness, and also recalled the fact that he had not let him into the room that night. So Gordon Lillie was wide awake and think- ing. But he remained motionless. At last helecided to act, and that meant to * spring out of the bed and try conclusions with his midnight visitor. But. in the nick of time, he heard a clicking sound in the bank. The man was not alone, then, this told bim, He must act cautiously then. How many there were he did not know; but they should not rob the bank, unless they first killed bim. Slipping his band under his pillow he drew out his revolver. He did not wish to kill the man, but he would wound him, So he leveled at the unconscious robber, who little believed that the young man was awake, and pulled trigger. He had aimed at the arm resting upon the window sill. There came a wild cry mingling with the re- port, running steps and the fight was begun, Gordon had instantly thrown himself out of the bed, and as the two men rushed in from the bank be fired a second shot. There was a groan, a heavy fall and an an- swering shot, and then a fall of a body upon the recks below. Tt was the man who had been wounded in the amn, and who had fallen in getting out of the window. . The third man gained the window with a bound and nfter several rapid shots toward the bed, went ont, . Instantly Gordon Lillie sprung to the win- dow and heard a heavy plunge. One of the midnight visitors had escaped, bué | two remained, one groaning in agony on the rocks at the foot of tbe ladder, and the other lying motionless in the room, icboo (elo) (S.cO ~~ m aoe Ty Ra of 1 N® as cr wee CT to ww tT