Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 597 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

A A LN A le ttl ag, Nhe pet sé Ah 1”? ‘Is yer ready?” ‘*T am.” The guide led the way, creeping off in the darkness, and Edgar Dumont followed silently. The guide seemed to be strangely familiar with the top of the ridge, and especially with the spot where the horse of the youth was staked out; but the detective made no comment and followed in silence. The animal gave alow neigh, as his young master approached, and he was quickly saddled, bridled and his hoofs muffled, for a piece of old blanket and the saddle and bridle wera conven- iently neur. The guide still led the way, and they soon reached the spot where the guide was wont to be on duty. There was a man there; but he lay prostrate upon the ground. This fact again caused the young detective to fear, after all, that he had wronged bis guide. But he followed in silence, his horse following and shying at the sight of the prostrate form, Half a mile down the canyon they came to where the guide had left bis horse, and mount- ing they set off at as fast a pace as they dared venture upon, The guide led the way, Edgar Dumont fol- lowing in silence, and miles were gone over be- fore a word was uttered by either. Then Texas came to a halt and said: “Pard, yer is rescood.” ‘Yes, [owe it to you, Texas, and you know Iam grateful. **You accomplished it well; but which way now?” **] guess we will just look to our safety, and then kinder keep up ther hunt fer ther uncle.” ** Ah, yes.” Edgar Dumont said no more, but his thoughts were busy. The words of the guide caused him to think that he was most anxious to find that alleged uncle. Putting this and that together, the young de- tective came to the conclusion that to find the supposed Charles Kennerley was a greater cause of anxiety to bis guide than to himself, After camping for a couple of hours’ rest they resumed their way, and the detective observed that the guide seemed not to have the slightest dread of being pursued by the Black Bravos. It was one hour before dawn before they camped for the rest of the night. They went to rest, Texas telling Edgar that there was no need of keeping a watch, The youth was satisfied aud sunk to sleep, He had not the slightest dread now of his guide, or, at least, just then. He knew taat the guide wished him to live, and mcre, he foun! him valuable. So he slept serenely until the sun was well up in the skies, With good grass and water and rest, the horses were ready for the journéy once more, and after breakfast, for the guide was well sup- plied with provisions, they again set off, ** Now, where first?’ asked Edgar. ‘* Waal, maybe we had better go to the Silver Canyon Camps first.” ‘* Why not to Gold Dust City?” ‘* Waal, itare a good place ter luk, but we'll come back thet-away,” , ‘*If we get there by Friday we'll see the hang- ing, you know.” “Yas, but I has seen hangin’s; buat when did yer bear o’ thet hangin’, boy pard?” ‘*Hrom parties [ met before I reached the camp where I met you.” ‘They said he were a Black Bravo?” ‘¢Tt was suspected that he was, ‘He might be, so let us go to Gold Dust City and see him hanged,” urged Elgar Dumont. **No, we'll come around thet-away, and go ter Silver Canyon Camps first, then the Eagle Peak Mines, and so on,” | ‘“You thought you knew just where my un- cle could be found?” “So I does: but men moves round curious like in these mines, and it’s well ter go thro’ and try each camp, though I are pretty sart’in whar Pll find Charlie.” ** Where do vou think?” ““At Gold Dust, I guesses; but we comes by thar lust.” ‘* We will not—we go to Gold Dust City now,” was the reply that startled the guide. CHAPTER XX. THE DETECTIVE WINS, In spite of his having been winding around the mountains with his guide, and his capture The Young Texan Detective. by the Black Bravos, Edgar Dumont had been studying geography. That is, he had beenimpressing upon his mind distance and locality. When he had escaped from the retreat of the outlaws, though he had said nothing about it, he had observed that the guide did not take the trail they had been on before their capture, Silver Canyon had been the point they were first to strike, the guide had said, in their search, and yet, where they were, as be now said, going first there, Texas had taken an opposite direc- tion, as though he thought the detective, igno- rant in a measure of the border, would not notice it, But Edgar Dumont was deceiving the guide even more cleverly than Texas supposed he was deceiving the one to whom he pretended to be a friend. Having become convinced that the guide was treacherous, the detective determined to act, and act promptly. He was sure he was within a day’s ride of the retreat of the Rocky Mountain Detectives, for he had recognized a rocky ridge and brook he had passed the day before he had saved the life of General Dave Cook, If he wronged the guide be would make all right at another time; but 1t was best to be on the safe side, and so he acted in self-defense, When he had said that they would go to Gold Dust City first, he had emphasized the words by leveling his revolver full in the face of the guide. Texas was amazed. His face wore a doubting, peculiar expression. ‘* Why, boy pard, is yer clean gone mad?” he asked. ‘‘No, lam in my right senses, Texas, as you shall see. i ‘‘Up with your hands, or I will send a bullet through your brain.” ‘* But, pard—” ‘¢ Hands up, sir!” There was no mistaking the words, no mis- taking the look in the eyes of the young detec- tive. **Pard, I—” ‘‘ By Heaven, I swear [ll pull trigger if you hesitate!” Up went the hands, for the young detective’s revolver was cocked, the finger on the trigger, and the muzzle but a few inches from the eyes of the desperado. Coolly yet quickly the youth took the revol- vers and knife of the guide away from him, and then unslung bis rifle from his back. Dismounting then, he took the lariat of the guide, and securely bound him to his saddle. There was not a word spoken now, but the face of the guide was livid. He could not exactly comprehend it all. The one he had deemed a ‘ tenderfoot,” had suddenly proven himself his match. W hat did the young man know? What did he suspect? MAC he really what he had represented him- self? It began to dawn upon the mind of the des- perado that he was not, But what did it all mean, and how would it all end, were the two questions that worried him immensely, Having taken possession of the weapons of the uide, and tied him fast to his saddle, Edgar Pioment remounted, and with the bridle-rein of his prisoner in hand started on bis way. ‘Whar is yer going?” suddenly asked the desperado. ‘You will know in good time.” ‘‘ This hain’t ther trail ter Gold Dust that yer is follerin’!” ‘*T know that.” ‘‘ What does yer know about it?” ‘* f have changed my mind, for [ am not going to Gold Dust just now.” You hain’ ?” ts No,” ‘* How does yer know?” : ‘‘T am somewhat acquainted with this trail.” ‘‘Durnation! I is afeerd yer hain’t ther fool I tuk yer fer.” Edgar Dumont laughed, and the desperado resumed, ‘* Waal, ef yer go ter Gold Dust I'll give yer a inter.” ** What about?” ‘* Has yer ever heerd tell o’ Biil Curran?” ‘““Yes, as one of the worst desperadoes in Texas.” ‘* Waal, he'll be at Gold Dust City at the hangin’,” ** How do you know.” “* He told me so,” 11 ** You know him then?” ‘Yas, I bas met him,” ** What kind of a looking man is he?” ‘*He’s a big man, with one eye, for tPother was shot out; but the one he has are a good one. ‘* He hev a bullet mark in his cheek too, and has lost two finvers o’ bis left hand. ‘** Oh, he’s been cut up, he bas, and as thar is a big reward fer him, lll go shares if yer’ll let me go and you run him in.” ‘*Thank you; but, after your description of him I cannot fail to recognize him, so V’ll be on hand to capture bim on the day of the hanging, and in the mean time lll take you to where you will be safe.” ‘* Curses on yer,” growled the desperado, who hegan to feel that he was no match for the quiet youth he had expected to make big money out of and whom he thought he bad so surely in his power. Edgar Dumont fully realized all the danger he ren. At any time he might come upon some of the Black Bravos, and his position would be changed to that of the guide, for he was now certain that Texas was recently one of the outiaw band, and his reference to Bill Curran the desperado convinced him the more. Then, too, he was certain that he had not made a mistake in having seen the guide in Texas, But the young Dare-Devil Detective was equal to the situation he found himself in, and was determined to take his prisoner to the camp of General Cook at all bazards, Texas fretted savagely under his imprison- ment, appealing almost piteously at times for his freedom, then demanding it, and again making terrible threats what he would do to the detective once he got away. But Edger rode calmly upon his way, now following the traii he had been on before, in his: search for the camp of the Rocky Mountain Men the day be saved the life of their chief, He balted at the very rock for a rest, behind which the two men had ambuscaded themselves,, and then pressed on once more for the camp, ‘Whar is yer goin’, boy pard?” asked Texas, in acheerful tone, after having remained silent for over an bour. ‘* To Dave Cook’s camp.” “Oh, Lord!” ‘¢ You know him, then?’ ‘‘ Waal I does, aud he are ther wu’st terror im these parts and don’t you forgit it.” ‘‘ A terror to outlaws, you mean, and fcr that reason you fear him.” ‘*T bain’t no outlaw, pard.” ‘‘ You shave it pretty close, Texas, for 1 know rou.” are Who is yer?” ‘Did you ever hear of Colonel Dillon Du- mont. the Texan Ranger?’ As Edgar spoke he fixed his eyes firmly upon the face of the man. He saw him start and pale, and quickly lower his eves. ‘* No, I don’t know bim.” ** And yet you are from Texas.” ‘*Who says so?” ‘‘I do, for I know you, Brute Benton, as one of my father’s cowboys who skipped off with a dozen ponies one night two years ago, ‘*T have tried to recall your face, and have at last done so, and more, you killed one of the men who pursued you. ‘‘T know you, Brute Benton, and that your name of Brute was given you on accountof your inhuman acts toward cattle.” ‘*T hain’t ther man yer takes re fer.” ‘“Oh, yes, you are, and you remember me now: but not expecting me to be here, and not wearing long hair now, while two years have changed me greatly, you did not recall me, ‘But you do now, Brute Benton, and as you are one of the Black Bravo band, you were with them when they murdered my father and burn- ed my home.” , ‘¢ Tt are a lie, fer I wasn’t with ’em that time,’” ‘“ Ah! you as much as admit that you are with them, and, if the truth was known, I be- lieve you are the one who led them there, ‘¢ But we are near camp now, and I will see what General Cook has to say about you,” and half an hour after the young detective and his aga ag entered the camp of the Secret Service en. CHAPTER XXI. THE DETECTIVE STRIKES ANOTHER BLOW. GENERAL DAVE COOK was at his quarters: when he saw the Dare-Devil Detective ride into. the camp. Edgar Dumont, knowing the secret signs of