Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 580 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

sd rere oe Ga ‘ . ~~ te nt wat mma . " . . -* “at -9 +e 14 “ Yes, sir,” * Why are you here?’’ “These men, in spite of my having saved them from the wreckers, told me they would hang me if I did not come with them to find the prisoner, so | did as they told me to do.,”’ * Ah, but you confess yourself to having been a wrecker, eh?’’ * Yes, sir; [ was taken on a vessel, and to save my life joined them.”’ “Well, officers, you must show your authority to me,”’ ‘*T told you we lost it.” “Then I shall set this man free,” “You won't dare to do 80, sir, ag’in’ orders 0’ your Government.” “Don't get ugly, for I am not one to brook inso- le: ce. Give me the key to his irons.”’ ** i lost it, sir.”’ Quick as a flash the revolver of the young captain was leveled at the detective, and then came the words: ‘**Hand over that key or take the consequences!”’ It was handed over sullenly. ‘** Now, sir, let me tell you that I am at Fort Vi- dette, am captain of I pie eran £ Fifth Cavalry, and my name is Glen Ric. mond. ‘**Put down what I tell you, for I make myself re- spousible for what I do, which is to release this man from your power,” ‘* Will you let him go, sir?”’ “Yes, but I willask him to give me his p27vle to report to the fort within a certain time, when you can come there with your extradition papers and proo: that this person is the guilty one you seek,” ‘* We know it.” “Then you will be able to prove it, otherwise you will have to give up your man,” * Will a hold him a prisoner at the fort, sir, until we bring you the papers?”’ ‘**No, for | bave no aithonity to do so, unless you can show me that you have such,’’ was the cool reply. , CHAPTER XXV, OFF ON THE TRAIL. BLACK JACK was & mau Who knew when to keep silent. He was not foolish enough to puton bravado where he saw an officer wao knew what to do, and meant to do it, So Barkis was not helped out in his story. Nor did Brewer ** chip in’’ to help Barkis out. He saw that it was useless, and, as for Chaparral Char- lie and Juniper Jim, they were completely cowed. They did not like soldiers, for their consciences were not at peace, As for Travis, the wrecker, he knew that things would go hard with him,if he remained with the detectives, after what h - had said, so he added: ‘Can I go with you, Master Darling? for these men will make it warm for me,’ * Yes, Travis, for I b: lieve you acted under com- pulsion,”’ aud having his hands free of irons once more Dick Darling raised his sombrero and said: “I have tothank you, sir, for saving my life, for well I know what my fate would have been, as I doubtless resemble some man they are in search of and would have been useful for them to get their reward in delivering me over to the Mexicans. *T will gladly give you my parole to be at the fort one month from to-day, ‘y which time they can procure their pects and Ican get mine to prove who and what l am.” **T accept your parole, sir, and as you are going to the ranch of Lone Star Luke, you can accompany ** And this man, sir?’’ ‘He also, if you wish it, for he seems to fear those with whom he has been.” **T do, sir,” earnestly said the wrecker. ** Remember, Iam at Fort Vidette, and you are to come there with your) proofs of this man’s guilt,” and the officer rode away, accompanied by Dick Darling and the wrecker, while the sergeant and the men followed, leaving Black Jack and his party looking after them in moody silence. * Waal. thet area slip, and no mistake,” sxid Black Jack, as the soldiers disappeared from sight. ** Curses on that young officer for his doings! ‘But [ll not give up my man,” said Barkis, hoarsely, ** What’s to be done, pard?” asked Black Jack. a You are a trailer?’ ‘* Well. did you not hear that officer say the pris- vind could come to the fort in a month?” ‘ es.”’ “Then he’s going to be in these parts, and the aerslors are not going to stay at Lone star Kit’s ong,’ **1 kinder catch on.” ‘“When the soldiers have gone, what’s to hinder us from catching the prisoner?”’ * You is right.” “We can mp in some handy hiding-place, you take the trail of the soldiers, and find out where the prisoner leaves them. “Then send back Chaparral Charlie to bring us after you, and we’ll catch Dick Darling, and that wrecker pirate as weil.” “Waal, I'll show yer a good campin’-place, and then me and Chaparral Charlie will ake ther trail o’ them brass button gents, and see whar they parts comp’ny with fd dls and ther pirits.”’ The disappointed, yet still hopeful band then mounted their horses and rode on to a camping- place, which was certainly a pleasant one. Here Black Jack and Gha Charlie left the ° = I {tere —- - a oo See - < ia we _ The Outcast Cadet. The latter bad gone on toward the ranch of Lone Star Luke, and as they rode along. and Captain Glen Richmond conversed with the prisoner, he felt more and more convinced that he was falsely ac- cused by the detectives. ‘**I have just been ordered down in‘o this coun- try, having been stationed in the Northwest, and I was on my way to the ranch of the scout, Lone Star, to secure him as a guite for a few days on alittle war-trail { am on,’’ said Ca; tain Richmond to Dick Darling, when the letter Lad told him that his home was with Lone Star Lu&.. When they reached the ranch they were met by the scout himself, who had just returned, and bis dark face grew stern when he heard how his friend had been arrested. He had never met the young captain before, though the sergeant and the soldiers were known to him, and he said, earnestly: “*Cap’n. it’s a pack o’ les them plextins tells ag’in’ this young pard o’ mine, and I thanks yer fer sarcumventin’ ’em., “Ill go with yér, sir, on ther scout. and when I comes back [ll just put in a appearance myself with my pard here, and we'll see ef we can’t prove a cli/a fer him as to thet murder in Mexico. * But it’s late, sir, so jist camp with us ter-night, and we’ll be off on ther trail by daybreak.” This the captain decided to do, and the party had a pleasant evening of it one night in the cabin, and when the soldi rs departed the next morning Dick Darling went along with them, determined to ac- company them for a few miles on the trail, while Travis remained with Wool at the ranch, CHAPTER XXVI. TWO SKIRMISHES. WHEN Dick Darliog left the soldiers it was late in the afternoon. He started on the back trail, and branched off it on purpose to test his powers of finding the raneh alone and at night. It was nearing sunset, when suddenly, over a rise in the prairie darted a horse and rider. The horse was urged to full speed, and the rider was a woman. A second glance showed him that she was fly- ing from some enemy, and at sight of him she ut- tered a cry of joy and turned her horse directly to- ward him. As she came on he saw that she was young, beau- tiful and looked frightened. She was dressed in a blue riding-habit, wore a sombrero encircled by a gold cord and rode superbly. er horse was a fine one but ran as though tired. ** Ah, sir! I am pursued!” The words came appealingly from_ the lips of the fair gir', and Dick Darling said quickly: **Do not come near me. for they may open fire. ** Ride on, and I will protect you.” He spurred forward as he spoke. while just as he did so a horseman dashed over the rise. A second after another appeared. ‘*Black Jack and Chaparral Charlie, as I heard them called. “N ow for it, as the rest of the gang must be near.’ He came to a halt as he spoke, threw his rifle to his shoulder and cried: * Hold, or you run upon death!” The two men came to a sudden halt, But, as they did so their rifles were raised to their shoulders and their fingers touched the triggers. There were three shots almost together. Then one man fell from his horse, two sprung to- ward each other, revolvers rattled and another man went down, as also did a horse, Itlasted but an instant, this fight of one man against two, but victory was on the side of Dick Darling. He had a wound in his shoulder, but Black Jack lay dead on the prairie, Chaparral Charlie was dy- ing, and Dick Darling stood, revolver in hand by the side of his dead horse, while the lady was riding to- ward him, The fugitive at once walked toward the wounded esperaco, who murmured faintly: ** Don’t shoot, pard; I’m done fer.” “It isnot my nature to strike a man when he is down; but, are you badlv wounded?” : “I’m done fer, as your aim is true. Yer gi'’n it ter Jack in ther head, an’ yer hit me here, and fired but two shots ”’ He spoke with difficulty, and placed his hand upon his heart, ‘* Where are your companions?” “Way back in the timber near where we nabbed you yesterday, They is waitin’ fer me and Jack ter come back and then take your trail.” ** And this lady?” ‘*She’s ther colonel’s darter, and we thought as how, seein’ her alone on ther pararer, we'd git a leetle gold as a ransom ¢f we tuk ber.” Just then the lady approached and said: ‘* These two men, sir, were once Cowboys on My father’s ranch. They were discharged, and vowed revenge against me, for 1 had r y father send them off. But, sir, you are wounded.” “Tt is but a flesh wound, miss, so I must look to this poor fellow, who is, I fear, dying,” Dick Darling turned again to the desperado and mary E, ickly: ‘* He is devd !” It was true, for the spirit of Chaparral Charlie had taken flight an instant before. “‘T am sorry, sir, I brought this upon you; for you are wounded more seriously than you admit. Come) Thus urged, Dick Darling caught the horse of Black Jack, and putting his own saddle and_ bridle upon him, lashed the two bodies upon the animal of Chaparral Charlie, and after aiding the lady to mount, rode off with her across the prairie, “T do not remember to have seen you before, sir, so I will introduce myself as Mrs. Carr, a daughter of Colonel Eben Dudley, whose ranch is my home,” ‘and my name is Richard Darling. Mrs. Carr,” returned Dick, gazing with admiration upon the beautiful young woman. ‘*T have heard that an ex-army officer dwelt on a ranch near here with his family; but I wonder at your remaining in so wild a ripples ‘Oh, 1 was born and reared on the border, except for awhile when [ was at school in New Orleans. “1 like the wild life, and my father is Bro wing old, so I do not care to leave him, while my husban seems ¢ lad to have me remain here.”’ ‘‘ Doubtles; because he is at the fort near,” ‘* My husband is not a soldier, sir, but an artist, and he is now away from home, and has been for a long time, engaged in some work North.’ Dick Darling made no reply, and the lady contin- ued: ‘-T have been married now for two years and have seen little of my husband, but I hear trom him very often,” . They now came in sight of the cabin, which was very commodious, situated on the banks of a small stream and surrounded by a stockade wall. As they rode up to the cabin a gray-haired gentle- ‘man with a military air and frank face greeted them and Mrs. Carr presented Dick Darling and told her story. ‘The devils! they met a just fate, and you have done noble service for the country. ‘‘ Here, Ben, take these bodies away and tell the boys to bury them,” and the colonel called to a ne- gro man who stood near. ‘Now. Mr. Darling, let me look to that wound of yours, for I studied medicine and Surgery in self de- fense while at the fort, and from love of it, though I have no diploma as an M. D. ‘‘Come, this is your room, so make yourself com- fortable while I get my instruments and some lint.” The wound was not a severe one, for the bullet had not gone deep and was soon extracted. With it skillfully ¢ressed and his arm in a sling, Dick Darling joined the colonel and his daughter at supper. he cabin was certainly a most comfortable home. Tnere was a large sitting-room, with a piano in it, a guitar, shelves of books and numerous paintings, the latter having rustic frames which the fair hands of Theo Carr had made to adorn the artistic work of her husband. Over the fireplace was a portrait of a young man, ‘“Why, whose face is that?’ asked Dick Darling, ‘My husband’s, sir; Leigh Carr, the artist,” said the young wife, proudly. ah Carr! why he is the very image of a frien of mine.” ** Indeed?” ‘Yes; and strange, too, it is that my friend is an artist, while there is a similarity in the name, for his is Oscar Leighton,” “ How strange.”’ “That rascal son-in-law of mine seems to find much to detain him in the North, Mr Darling; but it would take only duty as a soldier to keep me away from sO pibae wits as my daughter is, if I do say it.’’ said the colonel. Dick Darling agreed with the fond father, and then looked at a protograph of Leigh Carr. ‘He painted his own portrait from this photo- h. ois it not perfect?”’ ‘It is’ said Dick Darling, and he gazed long and earnestly upon the photograph, as though the face fascinated bim, The next day, after the colonel had again dressed his wound, Dick Darling left for the scout’s ranch, promising to again visit them. Straight to the ranch he rode ata rapid 2 ngage and was nearing it when he saw Lone Star Luke across the prairie. He rode toward him, and the scout said: ‘*A courier from the fort, pard, headed us off with orders not to go on the tral ther cap’n had started on, so I come back home. “And I am glad that you did, Lone Star, forlI bave much to tell you,’ and Dick Darling made known all that had happened. ‘Them three devils, Black Jack, Chap’ral Charlie and Juniper Jim, is cut-throats, and I came nigh hangin’ ’em one’t, fer I know’d they had bin raidin’ with Mexicans on ther ranches: but I branded ’e¢m an’ let ’em go, so as I'd know ’em ag’in, and hanged ther Greasers. | ‘We'll jist light in on ther camp 0’ ther deteo- tives and take Juniper Jim, fer I hes orders ter do it at sight. “well go by and git Wool and ovr pirit friend, fer ther detectives may kick.” Upon reaching the ranch, Lone Star told Wool and the wrecker to mount their horses and go with them, and they started for the camp of the detec- tives. They found the two men in camp alone, Juniper Jim having gone cff to see what had become of his comrades, and the officers remaining behind in case Black Jack or Ch» parral Charhe returned. The detectives sprung to their rifles and opened fire, in spite of cries fror the scout and Dick that they meant them no harm 2 The wrecker fell dead under their fire, and then ge te ct it, detectives under charge of Juniper Jim, while they | with me to my father’s ranch, for it is but three Woo! and the scout opened and the twomen sunk in went off on the trail of the soldiers. miles away.” ) their tracks, ie immtil Bite Pab ; ~~ comicbooks.com Mes Fsim! “~ aoa r ~ — Aad yepwbia., Cf ot Dd bs ae gt ee | rests ee rah ; FA wa i -¥ i wd zy de 7 rains eh Ol fl i \ iC 2) aks CS _ com ee? ; ; . eS ‘ j — aia — ae