Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 561: Deadwood Dick — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

’ father again, alive, brigbtened her up quest. ! After a balf-hour’s chat, Deadwood Dick once more sought the street. He had nothing im par- ticular to occupy his attention until right, but day wasclear, but cold and c: isp. him to the spot where he was to meet Mrs, Gleu- ro . li was a good place for a private interview, for, although there was a graveled walk in the vicinity, it was one of the least used on the ‘along it. tion, he heard the sound of rapid footsteps, and turning, saw half a dozen well-dressed, tough- looking young men advancing toward him, They were headed by Gil Glenroy, and were the same on Federal street. There was a vengeful grin upon the face of young Glenroy thas meant mischief, you’ve got to prove whether you’re any good or not. We boys of Boston don’t alio-y a foreigner to come here, flaunting his colors around, unless be can fight. You alluwed to-day you’d lay me out, if the police weren’t around, chanee. Every policeman of the Common is off to his dinner.” oe suppose you expect me to fight you all, ‘You bet! And when we get through with oy you, tue police won’t know whether you’re hu- man or a lump of sausage-meat some one’s lost!” ‘* Very well; so yousay. But you'll discover your mistake, right in with your white wings, and when the red!” to his tips, and the next instant a pair of selt- cocking revolvers covered the gang of Boston toughs. NG The gang stepped back in alarm. Re ; * Say, that ain’t fair!” young Glonroy cried, ‘““We are men who ain’t afraid to defend our- selves with our dukes, ithout resorting to fire- / arms!” ‘‘Ié is perfectly fair!” Dick cried grimly. ‘* Six to one against me is not fair, but, these two brothers of mine, who never flinch in an hour of trouble, have come to my rescue, And ’ now, gents, if you want to try a bout with the bt three of us, why, come right along. The doors are open, and the tickets of admission are free.” The gang stared and exchanged glances, W haét did this all mean? individual who had suddenly burst in upon their vision, who seemed utterly fearless, and who dared defy the Puritanical laws of straight-laced Massachusetts by carrying concealed deadiy weapons? eo Gil Glenroy uttered an oath, - ‘* Bah! you dassn’t ficht!” he cried sneeringly. . ‘* Mr. Glenroy, thére is no such word as dassn’t in the dictionary, but there is such a word as dare, and that is a favorite wordof mine, Now, , since you are spoiling fora little amusement, Pll tell you what Vil do: If your friends will agree to retire to the other side of the track, and swear rab to interfere in any way in the set-to—for if the for fun, love or money. Iam not a professional lesson in my life in the art of self-defense, while, on the other band, pon have. are scienced in the business, and [ presume you ean knock me out. differences, we might as well bave it out this way as any other.” ee ‘*One word. How came you to know my 3 name?” ‘‘ Your brother told me. But, I sbould have known you sooner or later, anyhow. Every _. chump is bound to gain a notoriety that is far more potent and effectual than a casual intro- 4 duction!” _ Glenroy grew a anya with rage. i “Do you mean nsinuate that I am a chump?’ he cried furiously, ‘* Exactly!” Dick assured coolly. ‘‘ You area post-graduate from the chump school!” _ A number of Glenroy’s companions snickered at tiis, which but further served to increase ete ’ a ” Ul be hanged if I'd stand that, Gilly!” de- miner’s daughter, and the hope of seeing her his ever restless spirit would not admit of his | sitting still in the botel, doing nothing, The | etre Who was this cool, handsome, self-possessed | fighter; I have no science, never having taken a | | Deadwood Dick in Boston. eee ees eee clared one of the party. “It’s a dead insult. You’ve allus been spoutin’ about what you could do, and who you could do, and now’s your chance. Sail in an’ show us what you can do. Ain’t that the thing, boys?” ‘* Yes! yes!” was the general response. | ' | | Glenroy saw that be had got himself into what | might prove a bad fix, but, that he had grit was uring his wanderings he struck into the | (Yommon, and mechanically his footsteps took | Common; and as late as ten o'clock at night | there was little likelihood of any one passing | As Dick stood thoughtfully viewing the situa- | gang who had that forenoon occupied the corner | patent, when he turned to his pals: ‘Very well. Get to the other side of the mortal fear of what may happen, she wi promenade, and under no circumstances mix up | in the battle, no matter who gets the worst of it. | | Hither 1l'1l do up the puppy or he’ll do 1ne,” CHAPTER IX. ‘“*DEADER THAN A DOOR NAIL!” Witn these words, young Glenroy turned flercely upon Deadwood Dick. ‘*Now, you cur, square yourself!” he cried, “and prepare to take the worst drubbing you ever got in your life, Dll learn you what it costs to insult a gentleman by calling him a chump.” ‘If yowre a gentleman, I hope I may be ' buried ere my name-is associated with thatclass me by | * Aha! we’ve got you now!” he cried, * and” ' ' — of live stock!” Dick replied. ‘‘ Are you ready?” ‘ Yes, [’'m ready.” “ Then let her go, Gallagher!” Dick cried, Glenroy did not hesitate, but with arms in pugilisti: pose he advanced. Jeadwood Dick met him half way, and then, _ without another word, the battle began in dead Now’s your | If vow’re looking for fight, sail | \ storm is over they will be kalsomined anarcby | — ' As he spoke, the detective’s hands flew quickly | SE _ ee ee Ge ee ; i did I’d shoot them as [ would a crow—I | will meet you, right here, with bare fists, either | i i I understand you | Still, to settle our little | earnest. The place was pretty well locked in by shrub- bery, and there was little danger that they would be seen from other parts of the Common, unless the fight was protracted. After sparring for points for-a full minute, Glenroy got in the first blow on Dick’s cheek, whereat his companions applauded vigorously. Their applause was cut short a moment later, however, “when the iron fist of the young wes- terner dea.t the young blood a terrific blow be- tween the eyes that sent him reeling backward to the ground. Glenroy had evidently been there before, how- ever, for no sooner did he touch “ grass” than he was upon his feet again, He now took the aggressive, and began to force the fighting with a fury born of a desper- ate determination to bave revenge, and Dick found it about al), he could do to ward off the shower of blows ly 1 at him. It was only at intervals that he could get in a stroke, ‘**T opine I’ve caught a Tartar!” be mused, and it truly looked as if he uttered the truth, for young Glenroy certainly bandled himself with skill. On waged the battle. Dick fought with a waripess not excelled by his opponent, for he | had made a discovery that was not very pleas- ant. Step by step he had been forced back to the very edge of the lake, and it was plainly young Glenroy’s object to force him into the icy water. But Dick bad no idea of taking an open air bath on that freezing day. And Glenroy evidently began to realize this fact, when a perfect tattoo of sledge-hammer blows poured in upon his neck and face, and the blood from a dozen cuts and bruises began to show only too plainly. Dick, as yet, bad not suffered an abrasion of the skin. At last, with a master swinging stroke, Dick’s terrible left caught his adversary under the right jaw, lifted bim clear off his feet, and stretched him out once more upon the sward. This time Glenroy was not in so much of a hurry to get up, as when the first knock-down occurred; but, that did not matter in the least. Dick was pectesny willing to assist him, and pouncing upon the hapless gentleman’s son, the detective seized him as though he were buta child, and raising bim bodily, held him above his head, | The next instant poor Glenroy shot forward like a catapult througb the air, and plun downward head-foremost into the icy waters of the lake, Without waiting for after results, Dick coolly put on his hat and sauntered away, leaving Glenroy’s compectes to go to his rescue. “Tf reckon the North Pole bath will cool off his fighting ardor,” the conqueror muttered, as he made his way back toward the hotel. ‘It was kind of mean to give him the ducking, but, it was tit for tat, for he was trying to back me into the lake, and I bad a mighty hard time preventing him from doing it.” It was a long day to the detective, and he was truly grateful for the shadews of night. Just at dark a snow-storm set in, accom- - : A ; + i “4 ; oe t : oi, &s , aagt ; Pers ” : -* Tks. | ey + ¢ oe ee 'jessened. But, will Mrs, Glenro eae, by a brisk wind, and the falling flakes ing light, a modified blizzard reigned su- preme. ‘This is as it should be,” Dick mused, as he stood looking out of the reading-room window. ‘‘There wiil be few people on the Common to- night, so the danger of imterruption will be come out in Standing in be such a storm? Of course she will. eager to learn what news Brady has for her.” The storm had not abated in the least, when a trifle after nine o’clock Dick left the hotel, well bundled up, and made bis way toward the Com- mon, The wind was now blowing a gale, and swept the snow through the streets in blinding gusts, ‘and few pedestrians were abroad. | ' - é “ € . . J . . os La * ° ae 5 " . Pwr . ¥ . ¥ a ~* “a : tien - he’s out, and gone. Entering the Common, Dick made his way direct to the wegt end of the little lake, and devoted a few minutes to reconnoitering, to dis- cover that there was not a soul in the neighbor- hood except himself, Pee The gas-lamp a short distance away gave but a faint illumination to the surroundings. It was exactly ten o’clock when Dick heard the crunch of footeteps in the snow, and dis- tinguished a beavily-cloaked woman approach- ing. She walked swiftly, and soon was close at hand. “Ts that you, Jack?’ she asked, lifting her vail, and exposing her face. “Of course it is!” Dick replied, in a gruff voice, ‘* D’ye come afoot?’ “No; I hired a cab, which is waiting beyond the Common. How funny you look in them false whiskers and that plug hat, Jack!” “Do I? Well, I suppose it is because you never see me look like a gentleman before.” ‘ “What's the matter, Jack? Why did you send for me?” : ‘‘ There’s enough the matter!” the pseudo Jack Brady growled. Calvin Cool has escaped!” ‘* Good heavens!” ‘Yes, I was there again, having left my gloves there, and found that be had got out— taken French leave.” ‘Why, how could he have got out? The cel- lar was very deep, and there was no way of exit except by the trap-door overhead.” ‘Don’t know how he got out, I’m sure; but And the deuce will be to +. pay now!” | “ Curse the luck!” Mrs. Glenroy hissed, ‘‘ You -’ are right; the deuce will be to pay. He must ' have been so weak that he could not have gone far. Did you search the neighborhood?” | ‘No, for I was in danger there.” “True. You were right. Well, one thing is certain: I must get out of the city. Do you know where George Glenroy’s steam-launch is és No.” i ‘Well, never mind. Come to me at eight o'clock to-morrow morning, and I will have all my plans for the future made up, I must go now.” ‘“Not yet, madam!” Dick said, im his natural voice, ‘I havea warrant for your arrest, and ou will have to accompany me’ to the station- 10use!”’ . : ‘‘nhand me, villain!” she screamed. “ Let go my wrist, or I will call for help!” ‘Call a: much as you please, msdam. You § are my prisoner, and must go with me!” Dick replied, endeavoring to get hold of her other wrist so as to handcuff her. But she struggled so desperately that she completely baffled his purpose, and her voice rung out sharply: “Help! help!’ This so infuriated Dick that he grasped her D by the throat, and would undoubtedly have ~~ shut off ber breath had not an interruption oc- curred. This interruption came in the shape of Dick’s receiving a terrific blow alongside the head that laid him out insensible on the snow-cover ground. The person who had struck the blow had used a club, and evidently bad been concealed in a clump of bushes near at hand. He was none other than Gil Glenroy, with one eye blackened and his face patched up with court-plaster. Mrs. Glenroy, instant. ‘Good heavens, Gilbert!” she ejaculated; “‘ is | that you?” us ‘*T reckon it is,” was the reply. | ‘‘But what brought you here at such an ~ opportune moment?” | %, **T followed this chap here to lay him out for © however, recognized bim in an — Bas. ot, ie tl &