Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 57 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

7 mm co oe > 2 > -_—- it!” was the reply. 2 a Floo | Bar! os ; been moreunpleasant than profitable. ihet 3S it Sam?” or Squirrel Sam had ceased his reading, and was lis.c .uus, intently. * 13 Old Buzzard returning,” said Miaco, rising, “rt I hear bhoof-strokes commg cown the gorge. yi ,eomin’ like a dubbel-j’inted comet, too, fer some ca.” ‘ ¢ one accord the miners rose and stepped with- © 5 the tent. The night was inky black, and the > J fell with an ease that was wonderful—fell in tw .izht, large drops that counted where they fell. Wo wind was now blowing, and the air was warmer. The dismal roar and sighing of the pines upon the mo vitain side was now rivaied by the rushing and ro ‘og of Squirrel Creek, swollen into a river of tro nendous volume. As the four men stood outside the tent and list- €ucu, swift, ringing strokes of steel-shod feet were heard coming dowu the north gorge, out of which the rising stream poured. *Rec’on *tain’t Old» Buzzard, after all, tho*’!’’ ob- served the dwarf, aftera moment. ‘* His hoss don’t strike like thet. ‘Pears to me i kinder suspect who that feller is.” * You do?” exclaimed Belmont, turning. ‘* Who, Tra 2 one x4 “‘[T ain’t a-going to tell ye, fer I ain’t sure about ‘* Wait, an’ ye’ll see.”’ The little. lantern over the entrance to Miaco’s marquee cast out but a faint iliumination over the heads of the Miners, yet it enubied the lynx-eyes of Squirrel Sam to make a discovery which he pointed out to Jim Belmont, and the o.uers—simply a little water at their feet—yet it told :i:em that the flood water of the roaring stream was creeping up and rapidly submerging the bar. We ve in fur it, sure enough!’ assented Belmont, glancing at the black sky. ‘The ground is thor- oughly soaked, and tiais rain now but adds to the volume of the stream, After this horseman comes up we must get off the bar or be swept away; for the flood will increase till midnight.” Nearer and nearer came the hoof-strokes, and pre- sently a horseman, with a lantern swung about his neck, was seen spurring madly down the valley, urg- ing his steed with whip and spur. *Thet’s not Old Buzzard, no more’n I am,”’ said Miaco, as soon as he caught a glimpse of the horse gud rider; “nor ’tain’t none o’—”’ He did not finish the sentence, for all had to leap back to avoid being trampled down by the horse, as it rushed swiftly by, across the bar. “That man is an outlaw, (ll wager my life!’ cried tim Belmont, “‘ and his business down hyar is to find «waat kind uv a place we've got.” ‘Verily, I believe thou art in the right groove, James!" agreed Vandegrift, with a devout ‘‘ ah-um!”’ “ The Philistines are all around us, and verily, our lives hangeth on a thread!” “Thet feller was Flying Floyd!” said Miaco & moment of thougut. ‘‘He is Deadwood Dick’s lisutenant, and they call bim the Sky-rocket. Don't irnow what he can want down this way, however, since et’s whispered—but never mind just what, now. Our greatest enemy af present is the water. *Pwon’t do to leave the tents here; we'll hev to take *em along with us back onter ther rocks.”’ ‘**T'll go and see if the way of retreat from the bar is clear!’ said Belmont. ‘The rest of you tackle the tents.”’ | So saying, the Virginian hurried off. , The only re- treat from the bar, a ng ote water, was to follow back and seale a rocky bluff; indeed; this was the only reliable outlet from the Squirrel Creek gorge which the miners had yet discovered. After pass- ing over the bluff trail for a mile or more, a descent brought you into one of the many short but beauti- ful valleys for which the Black Hills country has al- ready become famous, In this valley a half-dozen colonists had built their homes: of them, more anon. Jim Belmont was gone but a few moments. When he returned, the others had the tents down and bundled, and were ready to leave the bar. “ You can’t git off that way!” the Virginian said, pointing over his shoulder toward the bluffs, with a vrim expression revealed upon his face by the lan- torm-lignt. “* Allof Gray Wolf’s red Vagabonds are luggin. the bluffs, waiting for us to come off the ar, so Luat they can riddle us with their pea-rifles.”’ ‘ )hen, what in thunder are we going to do?’’ de- manded Miaco. ‘* Verily, we hath no choice but to surrender our- ,olves into the power of the Philistines!’’ put in the G' USKer, ‘Here comes Buzzard, now!’ exclaimed Belmont, «Sa borseman dashed ‘out of the gorge, and drew rein before them. “ Hallo! where you been all sum- niarty Buzzard?” The little old man sprung out of the saddle, and © 190k himself in his wet garments, before replying. ‘*Great ham—I mean, good heavings!’’ he ejacu- | sted, witha shiver, ‘‘ ef thes ain’t one o’ ther durned . so storms, then chaw ther essence out uv a red nig- ory a3 was ther exclamation o’ Jumpin’ John Liogers, w’en his wife baptized him in ther coal-scut- i.» Wet? Shouldn’t wonder a bit. I’ve hed the badness soaked cl’ar outen my durned old karrack- t:r, in thes equinocksyel rain o’ Ploopiter Juvius. But, bizness, b ys; bizness before pleasure, as ther muskeeter sed ter ther fat victim who war tryin’ ter sleep, w’en @ liuil nation war callin’ fur him ter cum an’ stop remonetization. Ef ye vaily yer auburn tresses, scoot, fer ten mile above hayr e &@ water stoppage, an’ w'ep it bu’sts, things’li Aum, down in tues direction !”’ * But we can’t get off the bar over the bluffs,”’ pro. tested Belmont. ‘“ The Vagabonds aire thar, an’ we could i raise the ascent and live.” after Beadle’s tralf-Dime The old scout whistled his surprise, and, then, turn- ing upon his heel, walked away toward the end of the bar, to see how much of it was submerged. When he came back, his ready wit had formed a plan of extrication from their dilemma. There were two giant linden trees growing close to where they were standing, whose densely leaved tops would not only furnish a safe refuge from the flood, but shelter them from the gaze of their Indian enemies, who held the bluff, In a few words Buzzard explained his plan to the others, and it was accepted. First, the parapher- nalia of the camp, inclu ing the tents, bunks, cook- ing utensils and mining implements, was hoisted up among the branches, and then the five pards of Flood Bar ascended, also. The rain continued to pour down without cessation, and the addition of thunder and lightning made the night more wild and cheerless. ‘I'm glad ter see ther fireworks, b’yees,”’ said Old Buzzard, in answer to some remark, “ Et speaks o’ fair weather comin’ afore long.”’ Louder roared the river below them; it was fillin up the whole width of the gorge from wall to wall, By and by a loud roar was heard in the distance, and Buzzard turned to his com ons. ‘Hang on now, my rosebuds, fer ther dam hes bu’st, up ther gorge, an’ it’s goin’ ter give these trees about all the wettih’ they can stand up under!” They heard it—a roar almost deafening; the mad sea of waters was rushing toward them, CHAPTER I. DEATH BEFORE—DEATH BEHIND, Tue valley before mentioned, which lies east of Flood Bar, was one of wondrous beauty. It had a smooth prairie bottom of half a mile’s width, from which charming slopes stretched away gently up- ward until met by the gray rock of the mountains. Noble groves or mottes of timber dotted the vale and several modern residences, built of quarried stone, stood down near these mottes, surrounded by lawns and outbuildings, and everything to make a home comfortable. The home of the Waltonbys was perhaps the pret- tiest, and one, after days of rough, tiresome travel through the Black Hi country, would have been surprised to stumble unexpectedly into this remote but well populated valley, where half a dozen ven- turesome colonists had chosen themselves homes and had worked their very hardest to beautify an improve their possessions. r.Waltonby had once been a rich man, but u- lation and private claims had impoverished him to such an extent, that but a few thousand dollars had been left him. With this he had joined his fortunes bad a colony, and brought his family into the ills, He had built his comely residence, and had taken pains to make its interior, and the extensive grounds around it, as handsome as his limited means would permit. A stranger approaching the place, one of these wild wet days of which we have been writing, was struck by the inviting appearance, and drawing rein at the edge of the grounds, surveyed the residence with some curiosity. He was a man of an age somewhere between twenty-five and thirty years; with a heavily bearded face, dark, gleaming eyes, and hair that fell half- way down his back His form was stalwart and muscular, and his dress that of a mountaineer **So this is the home of Cyril Waltonby, eh?” the stranger mused merge “He has a pretty place, I must admit, and I'll wager my life that he dreams not of my coming here, in his peace and security. I wonder if my disguise will bear close scrutiny, for I should not want to be recognized un- til my plans are better matured.” So saying the stranger dismounted, and hitching his horse, strode toward the house. As he stepped upon the veranda, a young woman came out of the open door, and the two stood face to face, The young lady was perhaps seventeen or eighteen years of age, and formed in nature’s most perfect cast. In face she was not what a critic would call beautiful—rather ordinary in feature with soft brown eyes, and hair like a reflection of sunlight. Her dress was plain but neat fitting, and there was grace in her movement, and something that was charming about her. ‘‘Miss Ida Waltonby, I believe?” the stranger said, raising his slouch hat. “Tam Ida Waltonby, yes, sir,” the girl replied, shrinking back, as if by intuition ‘that the man w ein: disposed. ‘* Who are you?” ‘ . go by the sobriquet of Red Lark, _ dear young ady. AndI havea eo ote for you, oy and y. But, first let me see your father, whom I have important business with.” ‘ me father is in bed, sir, and it will be impos- sible for you to see him!”’ replied Ida, unhesitating- ly. “ He has an attack of his heart trouble and wi not be disturbed.”’ : Red Lark uttered something suspiciously like an oath under his breath, and paced to and fro across the veranda, “IT must see your father,” he said, at mye 8A | ping before Ida with a savage scowl. ‘Go te m that the cat’s leaped the gate, and the dog’s chased her into the woods, where she is hiding, He will understand, I guess.” Sn ee sss oo | By the gods! I will kiJl the devil-possessed wretch!” | | i | Entering the house, Ida hurried up-stairs to her | father’s chanaper, and gave the white-faced, suffer- ing man upon the bed, the message sent by the course of stranger, Red Lark, : The words seemed to have an electric effect upon Mr. Waltonby, for, with a gasp he sat up, his eyes glaring wildly around. “Where is he?’ he gasped. “Show him to me, | ' “again ‘“‘The man is down at the door, papa; had I not best send him away?” demanded Ida, greatly terri- fied at the sudden rupture of affairs. “H: is your eneiny, I’m sure; please let me send him away.”’ ** 'Y-e-s, y-e-s, he is my bitter ot daughter, and though the blow is destined to fa i, sooner or later, I must postpone it—inust, for your sake and that of my wife, your mother. Go tell him I will not him—that I defy his power to do the worst. Tell him never to show his face here in;"’ Waeecly, ide Obeyed her parent’s dictation, and delivered message to the bearded stranger. Red Lark received it with a sardonic +: ile, and without a word strode down the yard, \2 |'ed into the saddle, and spurred on up the valic . hrough the drenching rain. His coming—what did it signify to the | onbys? ‘‘Hold! stand, you ruffianly crew, or I)l make buzzard food ofyou!” Jy The challenge was delivered in a resolute, ringing voice, by a young man, and the scene was rather a dramatic one. ‘ee eis Mountains all around, with forest-crowned peaks, and in the center a little table-land or plateau. A score of grim, fierce ruffians stood at bay, ear the center Of this, facing a pair of leveled revolvers, in the hands of one who commanded, as above—a youth, in years, though in bodily developmenta man. His stature was about the average of that of western men, and every limb and muscle waslikeiron. His face was smooth, with the exception of the upper lip, which supported a slight mustache. He was every bit a handsome man, and yet one whom one might justly fear as an enemy. Behind him, as he stood confronting the ruffian band, crouched a young girl, not yet seventeen, who was the possessor of a rare, dusky beauty, anda mg of marvelous perfection. Indian blood mixed with American evidently coursed through her veins, but the taint would have scarcely been detected by American, an observant eye. “*Back, you devils!” cried the oung e—*‘ come not a one by one, as long as I again, his aim wavering not a step nearer, or you di have powder or power. is is mine, by right of rescue and protection, and I'll keep her, you bet yer little souls!” A grow] went up from the ruffians, and their leader, a large, burly man, of dark, swart face, gleaming, bloodshot eyes, and a monstrous sweeping blac mustache. He was a human brute of repulsive aspect as one will often meet, and with such a crowd of backers, few men would have dared to face them as this young American was doing, with no little ap- parent trepidation. “Give up the girl! her, or cut yer cursed head off! in a rage. “ You thief, you'll find when you try ter ick a flower frum our posy-bed thet ye've got inter her wrong hornet’s nest.” ‘Oh! no, sir ruffian; I ain’t at all afraid of you, or I’d run. I’ve seen lots of blustering bulldogs like you, and never got bit by one of them, yet. Come on, if you’re hankering after any of my traffic. This girl’s goin’ back to Deadwood Dick’s cote, where she'll get good care. | by the way, my hearties, you’d best watch sharp, jest Deadwood Dick gets after you, for he is not far away, and his name is rng el tae Fig Hope the Yong eut nd so sa , the young lieutenant of Deadwood lek, seized the maiden in his arms, and, still covering the ruffians with one pistol, began retreating step by step backward, along a narrow ridge or hog-back, which ran out from the table- land, and on each side of which yawned a frightful chasm, whose bottom must have been fathomless, Judging from the dark depths. ; ‘The devils mean to try our worth, miss!’ Floyd said, glancing into the ed face of the maiden. He had found her struggling in the grasp of Big John Wolf, upon tumbling accidentally down the mountain side into their sagt and had, in his dauntless way, gone at once to her rescue, with the result.we have seen. “They are as ferocious as wild beasts, but will have to work if they get us as their prey.” “ Oh! sir, I fear that we can never escape them!” exclaimed the girl, in a voice of marvelous sweet- ness, ‘‘ Those men are @ score to your one. How can you hope?” ‘“*T always hope, miss. Never yet gave up the ship when there was a plank to cling to. Those ruffians will not shoot, either for fear they might also hit you, eee, wish oo fake me alive—probabl the er, KHOWIng as they do that ong to Dead- wood Dick’s band !”’ Ma “ The girl gazed searchingly into Flying Floyd’s eyes. “You really belong to Deadwood Dick’s band?” she interrogated with dilated eyes.” Oh! Tam now afraid of you.” ‘Indeed? But without cause, young lady, for no female ever found molestation or can justly speak il} of Deadwood Dick or his men. I belong among them, as lieutenant, since the Prince's return to the hills, and though it is rumored that Deadwood Dick ig on the road, I can vouch that it is not to Ba y ten he poken whilé bh CEO WO eee OE wr, © hurrying rapidl along through the deepening twilight, which a ak hung the aye amee a, mountain landscape, The he remarkable ridge, or hog-back, now gradually curved and ran between two rances of towerin , but the chasms still yawned upon either side. Ahead the view was obstracted beyond a certain distance, by the au The grade of the ridge was slightly ascending, but the back wag She b’longs to me an’ I'll have * shouted the leader, JOO OU S) (E con