Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 609 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

enn = OS een. ~ MP Emme wae 4 4 i I ee Bolly Darrit, the Veteran Detective. 5 Grim. ‘I’ve no more liking for this job, in its present shape, than have you, Red Pepper; but we’ve got ourselves into a box, and I’m willing to adopt any measure to get out, 30 long as we can hide our hands,” ‘*That’s me,” Menace declared, Pepper.” Tke marshal slowly drew his hand from his pocket and disclosed the timepiece taken from the captured detective, ‘* Thar’s Buster Mack’s ticker,” he muttered, huskily, his bloodshot eyes glancing from one to the otter of his confreres. ‘‘ Et guv ther bull snap away, an’ [ reckon et kin be made ter putt Darrit’s head through a noose!” Menace recoiled, with an oath, bis dark eyes aflame. ‘* Mack and Darrit were one!” he ejaculated. ** Jes’so, pard,” grimly uttered Pepper. ‘* But we aire ther on’y ones thet knew et. Ef Buster’s ticker, wrapped in a bloody ’kerchief, war found on Bill Williams, an’ ther fact should be- come known, w’ot w’u’d be ther result?” ‘Judge Lynch would have a case before morning,” Major Grim replied. ‘* Buster Mack was the most popular sport that ever struck the camp, and vengeance would follow swift and sure. ; A peculiar smile flitted across the marshal’s a ce. ‘‘Thet’s ther game,” he declared, briefly. ** Push et, an’ we'll win!” ‘The plot is feasible,” averred the gambler, after a moment of deliberation, ‘** The night is yet young, and if we crowd things, morning will see us clear,” ‘**Vllgo0 down and order the release of the cab,” said Mayor Grim, ‘‘ Come with me, Pep- per, and we'll Lave Keene follow closely, so that this Little Lightning will have no chance to give bim the slip.” ** And Orthodox?’ queried Major Menace. ** Keep him here until [ return,” the mayor replied, ‘‘ We will pay the bishop a visit be- fore midnight and we'll carry the spy with us,” The two officials then took their departure, proceeding straightway to the lock-up. Old man Keene was not far in their rear. Arrived at the prison, Pepper rapped sharply at the door, which a moment later was opened, revealing Sandy Jordan. ‘This way, Sandy,” uttered Mayor Grim, cautiously. ‘I want to see you in privatea mo- ment.” ‘Pm yer huckleberry,” the jailer exclaimed, and he followed Grim into the shadow at the corner of the building. * W"ot’s ther row, boss?” ‘Sh! not so loud!” warned the mayor. **There will be trouble in Yellow Dust before morning—a lynching bee,and I want to put you on your guard!” ** Ther fat galoot?” “Yes; it has Jeaked out that he waylaid and killed Buster Mack, and as the sport had made many friends in the camp it is not at all unlikely that something tragical will hap- D ** Proceed, “Oho! I see, I see, es ther goose remarked ter ther fox.” ‘You will do all you can to protect the pris- oner, 80 that the law may take its course,” the official continued. ‘I can’t just bring myself to blame Mack’s friends, but it is time Yellow Dust put upon the shelf that wild and woolly character, Judge Lynch,” ‘I allow ye’ve jumped astraddle ov the right animal,” Sandy Jordan observed, nodding sagely. ‘*Yaller Dust kin git along ’thout the good ole jedge, an’ ye kin jest slap yer pile on et thet thar’!l be no neck-tie party ter-night! ‘Ther jail war built fer sarvice, an’ [ kalkil- late [’'m the sportive sport w’ot kin hold et : ag’in’ all comers, bar none!” ‘* That’s about the size of it,” readily assented the mayor; ‘‘ but I want to caution you on one point, Sandy. ‘‘ It is a clean case against this Williams, and if it comes to the scratch and the boys refuse to take a stand-off you are not to lay any of ’em out, The cuss isn’t worth it.” The darkness hid the peculiar grin that crossed the jailer’s face. ‘¢ Mebbe not,” he assented. ‘* But w’ot about ther kid?” ‘ve concluded to release him,” replied Grim, ‘‘He might fare bard if the boys conclude to get in their work.” In the mean time Bolly Darrit and Little Lightning had stealthily left the couch and en upa poeition near the door, determined to ae what passed in the adjoining room, if i As the jailer stepped outside at the request of Gideon Grim, the marshal entered the building and walked rapidly to the back of the room, ‘* Some derned skin game,” muttered Darrit. ‘IT wish ther long-legged critter hed left ther wicket open. Et’d ’a’ bin a consarned sight more satisfactory.” Then the click of a revolver-lock came from the direction in which Pepper had gone, and both listened intently. A lapse of two minutes, and then the sound was repeated, ‘‘ Bring out the cub,” ordered the major, throwing himself into a seat, The prisoners beat a stealthy retreat to the cot. ‘*Look out fer a cold deck,” warned Darrit, ina low tone. ‘‘ Ef ye git a chaince, git word ter yer pards. Mebbe—-” At that juncture the wicket was opened, and a bolt of light flashed across the cot. Sandy Jordan’s face appeared in the aper- ture, ‘‘Hyar, young feller!” he exclaimed, grufily, ‘come out ov thet. Ther mayor wants ter git his peepers onter ye.” The next minute Little Lightning was in the presence of the pair of scheming officials, ‘*'Young man!” exclaimed Mayor Gideon Grim, as he softly polished his spectacles, ‘‘ l’ve concluded that it would be better for all con- cerned to release you on your own recogni- zance. ‘*Take up your tools and scoot! If you are not outside of Yellow Dust in fifteen minutes, the end >f a halter awaits you!” For just a breath the piercing black eyes of the young ranger met the mild blue orbs of Gideon Grim in a steady glance, then shifted to the face of Pepper. The two plotters shivered. Then, his revolvers and knife again in his belt, his Winchester at his back, Little Light- ning strode out into the streets of the camp. CHAPTER YV., THE HERMIT-MINER AND HIS DAUGHTER. ‘RACHEL, my child, I must leave you to yourself to-day—perbaps until far into the nigbt.” ** Whither now, papa?” “To Pioche, to wind up my affairs there.” ** Papa! you have attained your object!” There was a glad ring in the pleasant young voice—-a sparkle of delight in the lustrous blue eyes of Rachel Carson, ‘Tl have, my dear,” was the grave response, ‘‘ That 1s, | have amassed wealth enough to keep the wolf from our door forevermore. As for the other matter—” Lewis Carson hesitated; then his teeth came together with a sharp, resolute click. ‘* Tbe old aversion remains, but I shall live it down,” he steadily cautioned, after a moment. ‘¢ You are out of place in these hills. My jewel must have a proper setting.” ** Papa!” ‘Well, Rachel?” ‘Why not remain here? Are we not happy and contented?” Carson smiled sadly, yet tenderly, “We have been, dear—more so than I could have hoped,” he replied. ‘‘ But it is all at an end now. I have been tracked within a mile of here, time and again. Let it once be discovered that Mase, the Hermit-Miner, and Lewis Carson are identical, and all peace, all security, will beta : “No, it is my duty, it is the part of wisdom, to go. I told youof my suspicions some days ago; they have been verified, and this shall my last trip to Pioche. ‘*T will go now and secure the horses,” That brief sentence ended the conversation, Buckling on his revolvers and knife, Carson left the cabin, Rachel gazed after him wistfully, her blue eyes dewy with unshed tears, ‘*Poor papa! there is a cloud upon your life!” she murmured, sighing as she turned to her work, Beauteous was this girl of sixteen, and stamped on every feature was the promise of a glorious womanhood. No child of the mountains was she, rude and uncouth; refined, graceful, a graduate of one of the best schools of the country, and pure in mind and heart, she was all that heart of father could wish, The neat interior of the cabin bore on every hand traces of her presence; the dooryard was a mass of bloom, and the windows were embow- ered in vine and blossom, Lewis Carson was not long absent. On re-entering the cabin, he carefully inspect- ed his weapons, then selected a repeating-rifle from a number in a rock against the wall. Tall and spare, yet agile and muscular, dressed in therude garb of a hunter and booted and spurred, he certainly presented a redoubtable appearance, Aud that appearance did not belie the man. A moment sufficed to complete his prepara- tions, and he then caught Rachel to his breast. ‘* Good-by, my sweet one!” he murmured, ten- derly kissing the upturned face. ‘‘ Be wary and cautious. Itis the last time you are to be left alone in this solitude. If you grow weary, go to the Retreat and await me there,” ‘** Have no fears for me, papa,” was the brave response, Yet another exchange of caresses, and then Carson left the cabin and hurried toward the artfully-hidden stables, From the doorway Rachel watched his re- ceding form, At the edge of a dense thicket he turned and looked back at the slender, dark- robed figure, thrown into relief bv the first rays of the sun. The tiny white band waved a fare- well, and, sighing, Lewis Carson plunged into the undergrowth, A narrow path wound through its depths, leading beneath an overhanging bluff, where were tethered two horses, fine, sleek-looking animals, one bridled and saddled, the otber fitted with a well-filled pack-saddle. The hoofs of both were muffled, Mounting, Carson pushed forward on the nar- row, gloomy trail skirting the foot of the bluff for the greater part of a mile, then turned into the thicket, and thence into a rocky, tortuous ravine leading down into a dismal defile. Here be balted. After a careful scrutiny of his surroundings, be sprung from the saddle and removed the mufflings from the hoofs of the ani- mals, ‘* Steady, boys, steady!” he muttered, patting the sleek, well-kept grays to quiet their restless- ness. ‘‘ Better save your fire for the work be- tore you.” Then, with enother look up and down the de- file, Carson gathered up the mvfflings and glided through a mass of foliage into a small cave at the foot of an adjacent bluff. Time hung heavily on the hands of Rachel Carson after the departure of her father. Never before, when left alone at the cabin, bad a day passed so drearily. Her books, the potent charm of which had abridged many a lonely vigil, seemed suddenly to have lost their power and were laid aside. Uneasy, starting at the slightest sound, the ber- mit’s daughter finally sprung from ber easy- chair, exclaiming: “Tll walk it off! A long tramp will rid me of disagreeable fancies and restore tranquillity.” And drawing on a pair of stout walking-boots and donning a broad-brimmed chip hat, Rechel took up her rifle—a light repeater—and closed and locked the cabin. . Taking ber way through the neatly-kept gar- den at the rear of the house, she sought the path through the thicket, which Ler fether bad taken some hours before, Arrived at the point which the hermit bad mounted, Rachel turned into the narrow trail winding around the foot of the bluff, going in os direction opposite to that taken by her fa- ther. Half a mile from the cabin, the thicket opened out into a splendid timber growth. ‘* Now, which way?’ was Rachel’s thought, as she came toa balt. “Straight ard around the mountain, of course.” The place was strange to the girl. It was her first venture in that direction; but she push- ed abead with a light, springy step, her blue eyes busy with her surroundings, A mile from the thicket she came upon a gloomy defile, reaching far back into the range. At the same mcment she was startled by a mellow laugh, and tke sound of apprcaching footsteps. Just time to skrink behind a friendly towlder, had Rachel, and then into view strode two young men, apparently from the defile, Handsome, stalwart fellows they were, and it required no second glance at their garb or their weapons, to tell that they were prairie rangers. One was dark, the cther fair, and there all difference ended. In form and in feature, in garb and in weapons, they were doubles, There could be no doubt that they were twin brothers, and their age was evidently tetween eighteen and twenty-one, ‘* Kent, we separate here, for the time being,” said he of the dark face, coming to a stop with