Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 580 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

—L ee — ee ee ee LE SE hh ie ee > - - — a i o Docs Yer see this slit in my ear?” ** Yes, “Lone Star Luke slit that with his bowie.” “Well, Black Jack, do you know where the ranch of Lone Star Luke is?” **T does.” ‘*Will you guide us there?” * Tl do it if you go strong enough.”’ **How do you mean?” “Does yer go to tackle him?’ * we go to arrest a man w2o is there.” ~. fed," ** And, besides yourself, there will be three of us ”’ ** And there is three there.”’ *“'Three?”’ ‘**Sart’in,” ‘* Who are they?” “Ther scout, ther man yer wants ter git, and ther nigger.”’ A negro?” ‘* Yer pet, and he are as dangersome as a wolf.’’ ‘* Well, you think we will need more?” “ Vaal, be sart’ia ter go fixed.”’ “ How many men would you say?” ““T has got two pards, Juniper Jim and Chaparral Charlie, as would jist be ther angels ter take along. fer, like 1] is, they hain’t friendly with Lone Star Luke, be heviu’ mistook them fer catile one day, and put his brand on ’em as he did on me,”’ fe beg would make our party six in number.”’ * Yas.”’ ‘* And about the price?” ‘Well, we'll be easy on yer, leastwise I will fer us all, as it ar’ a trail o’ revenge.” ‘* What do you call easy’”’ ‘How long ww yer want us?” ‘*To the end of che trail.”’ ** Call it a couple of weeks.” * Well?” “lll go for expenses and a couple o’ hundred, and expenses and one hundred each for ther boys.”’ “itis a bargain ”’ ‘*Then thar’s ther outfit.”’ ‘* Have you not your own?” ‘We has, you bet; but you hasn't,’’ ** We will need three horses and weapons,”’ ‘*Pards, you needs five horses, two extra critters for packs, and ter use ef one goes under. ‘Then yer needs a rifle each, a pair o’ revolvers, and a bowie apiece, plenty o’ powder and lead, grub for the outfit, blankets and sich.” ‘1 guess you are right.” ae Enoww is, and lll get the whole outfit for yer, fer seven hundred dollars.” *Tt’s a big sum.”’ “ Waal, it’s a big undertakin’, fer Lone Star Luke are at ther other end o’ this trail.” ‘* We'll pay the price; but you must engage to go on with us if our man is not there,” “Tl go.” “Then go and select the horses and outfit, and we will join you later and pay for them.” Black Jack departed, and bad he mused aloud as he left, we would have heard him say: ‘I'll make a couple o’ hundred in gittin’ ther out- fit, so it hain’t no bad spec fer me, arter all, ’special- ly asl gitsa chanceter kill Lone Star, an’ thet are wu’th much whar it don't cost me nothin’.” CHAPTER XXII, CAUGHT. DARLING was delighted with his new home, The wild free life of the prairie just suited bim, He found the cabin most comfortable, Wool was a splendid cook, the larder of the scout was always well supplied, and with vegetables, came, chicken and eggs there was certainly abundance to eat. The scout, aftera couple of weeks’ rest decided to make the rounds of the forts to see if there were any orders for him from the commanders. _ *T may so some time, Pard Dick, so jist un- derstan’ thet this is your home same as mine. ‘You and Wool is pards already, and I guess pe got an idee of prairie life so you will l’arn uick. ‘ “When I return I'll come through San Antone and just pick up 4 lot of priovsions., * Tf there’s anything you want to know just ask Wool, for he knows it all. So said Lone Star Luke, as he mounted his horse preparatory to d Soe upon his trip. Soon after Dick Darling was alone with Wool and, d+termined to learn all he could of prairie and wooder :ft he devoted bis days to hunting, some- times extending his rides for many miles from the ranch, Six weeks Lad passed away and yet th» scout had not returned, so that Dick Darling began to grow anxious He knew that Lone Star had expected to be gone i month, but he felt a fear that all was not t with him. ey guess he'll tarn up, sab, but he hain’t often stayed away so long,” said Wool. *T'll make a wide circuit of the country to-mor. row, and see if I can meet him, for he should be re- turning about thistime sur ly.’’ Dick Darling replied, & next morning be mounted his best borse and set Off alone, He wished to replenish the larder with game, and at the same time try and find his friend the scour, He seemed content in this quiet life he led, and yet at times he was wont to say that there was work ahead of him that should be done. It was afternoon, and he camped for his noonday me His horse was staked out near him, and he was | broiling @ venison steak on the coalsof a camp fire, when suddenly into view rode a party of horse- men, = > ar A = » Whe 5 » * ae ee ae ae ee The Outcast Cadet. Dick Darling sprung for his rifle, and ran to the side of his horse, prepared to mount quickly, They were all well mounted, six in number, and had two led Pea Naat while they were armed most thoroughly. Dick Darling stood by the side of his horse, calm- ly awaiting their approach. He noticed that they rode two by two and those in advance were dress-«d in buckskin, had long hair and wore the broadest of sombreros, Halting not far off the party were conversing to- ether for a moment and then one rode forward, olding up his hands as though his errand was peaceful. As he drew near to Dick Darling he called out: * We is friends, pard, and wants ter camp with ** Who are you?” * Texan Rangers o’ Sam Hall's outfit.” Dick Darling had heard of Hall's Texas Rangers, aod seeing six white men together had no reason to doubt their honesty, so he said: ‘*T'll be glad to welcome you and your friends, for I bave plenty of game for all.” ‘*Thankee, pard!” and turning in his saddle the stranger called out: * Come, fellers!"” The others now rode forward, while the horseman dismounted and said, as he offered his hand to Dick Darling: *l’m proud ter. meet yer. “Who might yer be?’ **My name is Dick Darling.”’ “Ah! and you is a darlin’, an’ no mistake. ** But here’s my gang o’ comrades,” and turning to the others who now rode up, be continued: ‘** Pards, this gent are Mister Dick Darlin’, and you bet we is glad ter see him.”’ As he spoke the revolver of the man covered Dick Darling, who, to his horror now found six weapons leveled full at him. To resist was certain death, and there was nothing to do but to submit, ‘* Who are you and what do you mean?” he said sternly, turning upon the crowd. Then his eyes fell upon faces that he knew, and he was face to face with the two Government of- ficers and Travis the wrecker. “What does this mean?” he repeated, sternly. “It means, mate, if you raise a finger, or wink an eye, you are a dead man. “You dodged us pretty slick, but we took your trail. and here we are, ‘You are a p isoner, Richard Darling.”’ Barkis was the speaker, and Dick Darling knew that resistance meant death. He was caught, and there was then no mistake for him. The men had dogged him to that faraway spot, and they were in deadly earnest, ‘*IT submit, Barkis, because the odds are too many against me. “Tf only you and your accursed comrade, with that treacherous pirate, formed the party, I would take my chances with you.”’ | ‘Better be sensible and submit,’’ Barkis replied. ‘*IT do. So come, let us go.to dinner, which your coming interrupted me in.’ The coolness of the prisoner threw the men a little off their guard. “Is you alone, pard?” asked Black Jack, a trifle uneasily. “lam sorry tosay thatI am, for if my friends were with me you would sve fun,” “Chaparral Charlie, you and Juniper Jim take a leetle round among ther timber and see ef they is any aren a this ants about. 4 “We ev yer dinner ready ag’in turn,"’ sai. Black Sack. LG yee 1e two men, with desperado stamped upon ever feature of their faces, obeyed the Pdr y riding away, while Barkis dismounted and placed upon the wrists of the prisoner a pair of atal handon Ss, Thus was Dick Darling once more a prisoner. CHAPTER XXIV. A TURN OF TUE TIDE, Tue band under Black Jack were highly elated over their success in the capture of Dick arling. They had gone first to San Antonio, and had heard that Lone Star Luke and some friencs had lately been there, but hae gone to the upper forts, Believing that the fugitive was with the scout, they started cff on their trail; but after a couple of we ks following it, found the party, but to iscover that Lone Star had left them some time before, and was alone. ; Chagrined at their useless loss of time they had gone back to San Antonio, retit ed for the trail, and had then started for the ranch of thescout, __ It was when within a couple of hours’ ride of it that they discovered th : fugitive, and the two officers at once recognized him in spite of his buckskin suit and sombrero. They and the wrecker dropped back in the rear, while the three desperadocs, for such were Black Jack and his two comrades, rode in, frent, thus shielding them from observation for féar Dick Dar- ling would recognize them. Unsuspecting harm from Halls Rangers, as they pr _fessed to be, Dick Darling fellintoatrap. — Having been taken he mace no fuss about it, but aabmitved calmly end with seeming indifference to his lot. He told the men to help themselves to his food and ate a steak with apparent relish. oe aceupied mop they with their dinner, that the not see a orsemen appear over a bi behind them. Pick Darling did Ah them, but he made no sign of their coming, 1 | | | | | | A few moments after the horsemen dashed up to the camp. The men sprung to their feet in alarm, and seized their weapons, but as quickly withdrew their hands, for they discovered tLat the new-comers were soldiers. Also they were quick to observe that they were four to one against them. They were a party of cavalry from a fort over to- ward the Rio Grande, and numbered an cfficer and twenty-five men, The officer wore a captain’s strap, was tall, hand- some and had a face full of daring resolution, He re'urned the salute of Black Jack and his: companions. and then asked: “Well, my men, where from and which way lies your trail?” ‘ Weare rangers, Pard Cap’n, from down Indianola. way. and has been ona hunt for a prisoner,’’ black Jack answered, and he added: ‘* Won't yer ‘light, sir, an’ take a bite with us, you and your men, while we also has a flask o’ sperrits, ef yer’ll try some,” , ‘Thank you, but we camped for dinner a little way back, and I have a flask of brandy with me.” “Tt’s good for snake-bites,"’ said Chaparral Charlie with a grin. The officer paid no attention at this effort at wir, but asked: ; ‘* Who is your prisoner?” “Tam, sir,” and Dick Darling stepped before him, his hands in irons. The cavalry officer gazed with considerable sur- prise at the face of the prisoner, and said, after a moment: ‘*Of what are you accused?” “I'll tell you, sir,’ ond Barkis stepped forward. ** Who are you, sir?” ‘*A Government detective, sir, as is alto my com- rade here.” ** Well?”’ * This man committed a murder in Mexico, robbed a wealthy ranchero, and fled to the States, “Mexican Secret-Service men were put upcn his trail, and they were unable to follow him in the Unvited States so we was put under pay and started on the track o’ this man, ‘*We ran bim down in the North and got a permit to take him back to Mexico. where a big reward i= offered for him, dead or alive. “We started on a sailing schooner, were wrecked, and he escaped, so we employed these three mem as trailers aud tracked our fugitive here, capturing him nor half an hour ago.” The story seemed to inter: st the officer, and he again turned his earnest gaze upon the prisoner. ‘*My man, you are in a bad way,” he said, “There are two siles to every story, sir, and f appeal to you to hear mene,” said Dick Darling. ** Certainly, I will.” ‘He'll tell y u a pack of lier, captain,” Barkis interposed, quickly. ‘Silence, sir! Now, my man, what have you to say?” y would gay, sir, that I was seized one night near my own home, in the North, and carried off by these two men, aijed by others. They showed me no warrant for my arrest, but charged me with a mur- der commit in Mexico, vessel bound to Galveston and Vera Cruz, and con- fined in the hold, heavily ironed. We were wrecked one night on the Bahamas, and I would have per- ished but for the fact that tl ere was on board as @. senger a scout returning from visiting his people n the East, He released me, and finding that we were on a wreckers’ island, and were to be robbed, if not murdered, I suggested a plan to defeat cur oes. * We did beat them off, captured their scl ooner and esca, ed in her, heading for Galveston—one of the wreckers, that man there, whose name is Travis, serving as our pilot and coming with us. ‘**In spite of the remonstrance of the scout, Lone Star Luke—”’ ** Lone Star Luke?” ~ ¥6s, sir.”? “Where is he?” ‘Ho has gone on a round of the forts ” a, was just on my way to his ranch; but, go on, Please,”’ “Well, sir, in spite of his remonstrance, they put me in irons egain, but in the cabin. and upon our arrival at Galves on the captain and crew and these men drank deeply. and I escaped. ‘This man came with me ashore, and there | jeft him, while I came ou here with the scout, That is the whole truth, sir.”’ ‘“ And you are not guilty of murder?” ‘No more guilty than you, gir.” ‘When did you leave Mexicoy” ‘*T was never in Mexico in my life, sir,” “Wh escape?’ * Well. [had good reasons for not doing so, or at least, not just yet,” ‘Haye you the papers for this man’s arrest?” and the officer turned to arkis, ** No, sir.”’ **\ here are they?’’ ‘We lost them when wrecked, sir,” “Yet I lost nothing, sir, that I had about me, and if you would search them, you will find that they have other papers that were nof lost.” “My men. you have to show some authority for arresting this man and carrying him to Mexico, for well I know that he need expect no mercy ther¢.” : oe word is our apthority.” cing It is not eno was the stern re er. Then the captain turned tothe on Fan and asked > Is the story of this young man true?” 900 comic did you not return home after your I was taken on board @ '