Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 597 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

4" ? eet - 6 ‘“Tll inquire; but ef he skipped off from the States on account o’ murder, bank-breaking and—”: ‘‘ My uncle did no wrong, sir, but simply came to make a fortune in the mines,”’ * Lsee; but I fears be won’t bitch on, if he is too honest, for ther sinner are ther one ter hev geek in these parts,” and Landlord Patrick led is guest to his room, ‘* There were six beds in it already; but a space as pointed out where another bunk could be put, and with the exception cf rude closets for the occupant’s clothes, there was nothing in the room, fur a bench served for chairs, and the ‘‘ wash-room” of the hotel was the brook that ran near the front door. When be went in to dinner Edgar was given a seat by the landlord, who introduced him as ‘“‘My young pard, Mister Edgar, who has brought me news oO’ a hangin’ by law up at Gold Dust, on Friday, the seventeenth instant, gents, awd Golden Gulch must be represented thar in ther interest o’ justice and curiosity.” Many expressed their immediate determina- tion to go, and Edgar was questioned almost to death for facts, As he said, the man had been captured by Cook’s Detectives, several of the men changed their minds about going, as they said they would be too busy. Upon one of them Edgar Dumont’s eyes had rested for a moment, but only for a moment. He had seen the face before, and had not for- gotten it, and he felt that the man had not recognized him, Tne fellow was one who looked the brute, and that he was a bully to dread, young Dumont re- alized at once, The table, as Landlord Jim Patrick had said, was high, for it came up well toward the chin of the diner. ‘The service was of tin plates, cups and steel forks and knives, without cloth, or napkins. The food was wholesome and well cooked, and that was all that could be said in its favor, for its variety was decidedly limited. Still the young Texan enjoyed hisdinner, and, as he had brought the news of the hanging at Gold Dust City, he found himself quite an im- portant personage, ‘* Who is that man?’ asked Edgar of Landlord Patrick, referring to the man whom he was sure he had met before. ‘That fellow are called here Satan’s Cub, and he are a dandy for a devil, you bet.” “* But his name?” ‘‘ Lord knows what it are, but he calls himself Texas, and we have baptized himas I told you,” ‘* Ts he a miner?” ‘‘Ef he happens ter strike it rich, yas; but more ginera’ly acard sharp, and allus on the kill. Yer don’t want nothin’ ter do with Texas, young pard, and I gives yer that straight.” ‘‘f am not acquainted with the trails and camps hereabouts, so would like to hire a guide, and I beard him say at dinner he knew the mountains perfectly, so thought I would ask him.” ‘*Waal, I hastold yer what he are; but yer kin ask him what yer pleases, though keep yer eye onter him.” ‘*Tnank you; I will; so please call him and introduce me.” This the landlord did, saying in his quaint way: ‘Texas, this area young pard o’ mine who wants ter ask yer about ther mountain trails.” ‘*T are yer man, pard, for 1 knows’em from *’way back,” was the reply of the man whose acts of lawlessness had won for him the name of Sa- tan’s Cub, ‘‘T am searching for my uncle, Charles Ken- nerley, and am anxious to visit all the mining- camps to find him, so would like a guide, if you know one I could get?” ‘“‘ Know one? Waal, what’s the matter with me?” ‘‘But would aman of your position in the mines be willing to act as guide?” “Waal, gold talks, and ef you has ther rocks, I are your guide.” ‘What would you charge me, say by the week?” * You ter find grub and outfit?” 4é Yes.” ** Call it a fifty.” “All right; but I may need you fora long time, as I am determined to fine my uncle.” ‘“*Whet did yer say his name were?’ ‘* Charles Kennerley.” ** Lordy! I knows him well.” *“* You know him?” asked Edgar, with natural surprise. ‘* You bet I does! He’s an oldish man.” « San 4 ae OP Pas te © + ¥ .ee ay ; ; :) : « ee > A. y / oe ij nN 7 /-. i : - 4 ° s 9 ee e The Young Texan Detective. . .c 4 2 pres 3 * SE tg TER Wf 4 SP AelL Pe. 8 8 Mie eS ' : , y ea” ‘* Has grayish hair?” té Yes,” ‘**Ts medium tall?” * re is,” ‘* They calls him Charlie for short?” ‘*T guess so.” **T kin find him for yer, pard.” ‘Then get ready to start in the morning.” ** Til do it.” And iu the morning they started for the trail, young Dumont taking Texas as his guide, against the urging of Landlord Jim Patrick for him not to do so, ‘“* Don’t fail ter watch him,” was Jim Patrick’s parting advice to the youth, CHAPTER X, THE DETECTIVE’S GUIDE. THE reader has seen that Edgar Dumont had a motive in making the desperado his guide, and what it was will be developed soon, Though appearing to wholly trust Texas, Ed- lowed one act of the man to escape gar never a him, He watched him closely during the day, and | to keep him from suspecting anything of his purpose, pretended to become very confidential as they rode along together. He told Texas a long story of his family, and of his uncle, said that be had with him consider- able money, so that if he did not find his uncle he would be able to get back home, Texas drank it all in eagerly. Shrewd, cunning as ke was, he was being de- ceived by a mere boy. ‘*Whar is yer from, pard?’ he asked, after awhile. ‘* Texas.” The desperado started, and cast a quick glance at the youth, But Edgar’s face was as innocent as a child’s, ‘Yas? But whar does yer hail from in Texas?” Edgar Dumont gave the name of a town in eastern Texas, and asked again: ‘* Have you ever been there?” ** Well, yas, I has; but it was over San An- tonio way, and that’s why they called me Texas, ’cause | come from thar to ther mines, ‘Them were bad parts whar I lived, ’cause Bravos made it hard on a honest ranchman.” ‘* Who were the Black Bravos?” asked Edgar. ** Oh! they was Texas robbers; but they give up there and is said ter be on ther gold trails 0’ Colorado now, though I hain’t seen none of ’em. ‘* Guess you has heerd o’ ’em,” ** Yes, several times; but I have not been in the mines long, you know. ** I hope we won’t meet the Black Bravos,” ‘* Now I only hopes we won’t, d, and that are why I takes this trail round through the mountains, for ef we did meet ’em, why it would all be up with us only too sudden; but yer say yer uncle hey struck it rich out here?” ** So his letter said, that he had found a mine that would pan out largely, and it was away off to itself. ‘* He wanted me to come out and join him, but I lost the address he gave me, so have to look him up.” ‘T see, and maybe, if you finds him he'll make you his heir?” ** Yes, I am his heir.” ** He’s not married?” se No.” ‘* Has yer brothers and sisters?” ** None.” ‘* Maybe he has?’ ** No, my parents are dead.” ‘* Waal, you are ther one ter git his dust, ef he should die; but didn’t yer people kick ag’in’ yer comin’ out here?” ‘* T have no relatives, and sono one knew of my coming.” ‘* | see, and you must feel lonesome like; but TPll be yer friend, young ‘feller, and just as lief help yer uncle and you work the mine as not, ** Folks does say as I has a rough way and ail that; but I has a big heart and are too honest fer my own good. ‘* But I likes you, and I'll stick with yer and no mistake! but we camp here fer dinner,” and the guide led the way off the trail to where a rivulet fell over the rocks not far away, and with grass in abundance about, was a good ss ig Pt They lingered long in their noonday camp, as the guide said the way before them was a hard one, and they needed all the rest they could get. When once again on the way Edgar Dumont remarked: | ** This is a round-apout trail, Texas,” ~- + he « “ ; . : “? i* P e - re = : 5 ~ ei J ~~ 2 oe. »* ~4 * ‘ ~ , f,* J >. ins rn. vanes ny "} ‘> RG * Fit > / ls - 7 /+-* ts 7 ~~ ' 5 es >? c + ae 4 , a “A o> ie ther Comanches, ther Greasers, and ther Black ‘¢ Tt are indeed; but it’s about the only one we kin follow, and we’ll reach a good camping- ground afore dark, but we will hev ter be awful careful, as we will be in a neighborhood whar ther road-agints sometimes comes.” It was just before sunset that they reached the camping-place, a wild defile in the mountains, But there was good water and grass, the can- yen was well sheltered, and the rocky nature of the ground, as the guide said, left no trace to it. They ate a good supper, for the appetites of both seemed sharpened by the crisp mountain air, and then Texas said: ‘* Pard, I thinks it well as one o’ us sh’u’d be on ther watch ter-night, so ll jist take stand ontil one o’clock and you’ kin hang on from thet hour ontil dawn o’ day, when we kin light out and git our breakfast arter a few miles rfdin’.” ‘‘Tam always ready to be on the safe side, Texas; but I don’t think you should stund six hours to my four.” ‘‘T are older and more ust to loss o’ sleep, pard, while it are ther dangersome hour up ter midnight,” ‘‘ All right, Texas,” replied ‘the youth, and so it was arranged. The horses were watered and staked out, a fire was built and supper was cooked, Texas having shot some game, and spreading his blankets on the fine straw Edgar Dumont lay down to rest, while Texas took his stand a hun- dred feet distant down the canyon. The youth however did not go to sleep. He lay with his eyes and ears wide open, and he was as watchful as a panther. Suddenly his eyes saw a moving form, and he beheld the guide steal softly by him up the canyon, Had the guide come ten feet nearer he would have received a bullet in bis brain from the youth, who, though apparently sleeping had his revolver pointing out of his blanket to kill if necessary; but the man passed on and soon dis- appeared toward the horses. Then the keen ears of the Young Texan de- tected the sound of hoofs and he ran and cautiously crept toward the grassy plot where the horses had been staked out. The guide’s horse was missing; but the saddle still hung upon the tree where it had been placed by the rider when he came into camp. The youth knew by this, and the fact that the guide’s blanket and traps had been left, that he would return. But where had he gone? Would he return alone? These questions the Young Texan could not answer, but he was determined not to be caught napping. he idea flashed upon him to mount his horse and depart. But then he concluded that, being forewarned, he was a match for the guide if he meant to be treacherous. So he sat down toawait the return of the man he now had every reason to doubt, At last he heard the sound of hoofs, and his ractical ear told him that there was but one orse approaching down the canyon, and he was moving slowly, He retreated to his blankets and lay down, but a revolver was in each hand ready for use, He soon after saw a form steal toward him, and he covered it with his revolver as before, ready to fire at the slightest act of treachery on the part of the guide. CHAPTER XI. HEMMED IN. Untiu he had passed him by, Edgar Dumont was certain that the guide meant him harm. His movements were so stealthy, and his acts: had been so suspicious that the youth felt that. he meant to kill him, But the guide passed on and thus saved his own life, for he did not know that a revolver muzzle covered him, and a dead-sure hand was toying with the trigger. he youth turned over noiselessly as the guide passed on, and saw his form disappear down the canyon toward his stand. Thus an hour passed and then the guide was seen returning. ‘‘ Come, pard. git up, fer it are your time ter stand on duty, and I are awful tired,” be said aloud, as he approached the youth. Edgar Dumont pretended he did not hear him, and not until the guide shook him did he rouse up and ask: ‘* What is it?” ‘¢ Waal, boy pard, yer sleeps like a drunkard, and yer sh’u’d not do it in these parts, or yer may wake up some time with a bullet in yer. TERT EG oleye . 7 y r , - P - . » -* *, . 2 > Lia 4% ‘ ye : : \F.4 . » ~~, al bs * b + J 4 Ls Py ates 2 » Ae Pe S Y fe et od a “ . 4 ah ir, “V LP REIN in Foe ee Sa aight Fea. e ¥ fay 3s ye , pe fi A o> ~ ee a ee eee ee - - ee 7 e - > ~~ - « = on Set Pte emir <> ~~ SP ~~ i = ena Ey DR al a ee pg ergs ee ee = ey ee oo — Se + { i