Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 630 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 ‘‘Do you know where Golconda is?” he demanded abruptly, as he came up. ‘* Not exactly; 1 suppose he is about town somewhere.” ‘‘T have looked for him, but can’t find hide nor hair of him,” ** What do you want of him?” ‘*There will be need of more than two of us, if we go to Puerto. Hard crowd there,” Dick meditated a minute. ‘‘ Well,” he said directly, ‘‘ you wait here, and I will see if I can find him. If not, [ll go for Jim Lane.” Nix!” Oaks demurred. ‘*‘ We don’t want him. He is working on the side his bread is buttered the best.” ‘How do you mean?” ‘Well, I'll tell you. I was once a fairly educated man: I know a few things yet. My reputation here, I will admit, is not good, but when I clinch to a feller, [never go back on him. I believe Lane is workin’ to throw you off the trail!” ‘*Give us your reason for that idea.” ‘You remember that there was money put up in his hands?” dhe Sas ‘* And it was suddenl bettor disappeared, and directly afterward Old Rocks was found dead, and Singing Bird had disappeared?” ‘* Yes; all very true.” ‘Thornton backed his man—in your eye! ue returned the money before he left, no ear!” ‘* But, how do you connect Lane with the matter?” ‘Money talks. Did you ever know a public officer, big or little, who did not like the feel of boodle?” ‘* Well, there’s something in that, maybe.” ‘You bet! And when I went for the horses, I saw the two havin’ a confidential interview in Kelly’s saloon over a bottle of wine,” ‘‘ Anything strange in that?” ‘Why, them two men have been bitter enemies for over a year.” ‘‘Indeed? Then you think Lane is in col- lusion with the other?” ‘‘1’d stake my life on it!” ‘‘If that is the case we must work care- fully. IJ’ll find Golconda, if he is in town. We won't be beaten by treachery if we are by force.” Dick hastened back into the heart of the camp. About a hundred yards from the hotel a gigantic rock towered twelve feet high. t is yet known as the Hayden Rock, hav- ing been so christened after Professor Hay- den, the geologist, who visited the country some years ago. Its top is only to be reached by a flight of stone projections, resembling steps. Indian tradition of The Strip says that the top used to be the throne of the Great Mani- tou, and there it was where Dick discovered Golconda, He was seated upon the edge of the crest with his legs dangling over, and his face - buried in his hands. Dick clambered up the rude steps, and ad- vancing stealthily, he seized the giant under the arm-pits and hauled him back on the rock. Golconda was astounded. ‘You here?” he ejaculated, arising. ‘Yes, I’m on hand!’ Dick replied. ‘*What in the name of common sense are you doing up here?” Thinking!” “Thinking? Of what?” ‘Of Singing Bird. There is a superstition that any one whocomes up here to think will recover a lost friend.” ‘* Well, have you found her yet?” ‘* No! not yet.” “*Nor are you likely to, sitting up here. Come with me!” | ‘* Where to?” withdrawn and the | ih le» ** Puerto.” Golconda brightened up. ‘* Have you news?” ‘* A clew, I think.” Dick then explained. ‘*T believe she is there,” ‘*No doubt of it. Lead ahead!” The two men then left the rock, Golconda going for his horse. During his absence Dick purchased a re- peating rifle and ammunition, and half-an- hour later the party were off. The ride was a tedious one, up-hill and through sage-brush, but, finally, Beaver River was reached, and then Puerto soon came in sight—a long, low building of adobe on the bank of the river, which at that point runs very swift. The house was surrounded by some very good farming-land. Oaks explained that the farm was let out, on shares, to a man named Heep, brother of the Heep introduced in our first chapter. The principal products of the farm were corn and rye, and these were converted into whisky, there being a still on the premises. When the trio came within sight of the house, Oaks ordered a halt. Weld peter consult before we go any further,” he said. ‘‘Old Heep has five or six men working for him and they are tough —eh, Gol?” The Gladiator nodded. : ‘If the men are at the still, we are all right. If not, we shall have to use strategy. The still is over in the woods, yonder. You two stay here.” Oaks then dismounted, and stole away, and it was a full hour before he returned. ‘*Tt’s allright!” he announced. ‘‘ There’s no one in the house but old Heep’s woman! Come on!”’ : . And they rode on toward the rakish-look- ing building, prepared for fight if necessary. ‘Do you know Mrs. Heep?” Dick asked, of Oaks. “ Yes, quite well—all I want to know of her. She's as treacherous as a cat, and a fit mate for the old man. He’s what you might call a corker!” The trio reached the door of Puerte. ‘‘Pismount, and follow me!” Oaks order- ed. ‘‘I know the racket to work. Giveme ten dollars, Bristol. , We will drink /” ‘T’ll supply that,” Golconda said, tossing him a gold piece. - Then Oaks knocked at the door, which was opened by an old woman of vinegary aspect. ‘‘ We want some bug-juice, mother,” Oaks said. ‘*Can we come in?” ‘‘Shure, sor!’’ was the reply. And they entered. CHAPTER XY. DICK DECIDES TO FOUND A ‘‘ CITY.” Mrs. Heer was a thin, angular woman, with a face sallow, wrinkled, and severe, The interior into which the three were conducted was a big roomy apartment which served as a kitchen and general living room. The furniture was scant, and of the rudest manufacture. Tnere was arousing fire in tbe stove, for the day was raw and cold, and drawing some stools near the stove Mrs. Heep said: . ‘*Sot down, boys. W’isky is it?” ‘You bet!” Oaks replied. ‘‘It’s nasty out.”’ ‘*Cussed nasty.” The old woman took a bottle from a cup- board, and poured out three well-filled glasses. ‘You will find that A 1,” she averred. ‘The old man knows how to manufacture the prime stuff—better than anything you can get in Beaver City.” And serving the drinks, she remarked: . ‘“‘T know you, Jim Oaks, and I know Goleonda, but I dont know t’other feller. Who is he?” Deadwood Dick Jr. in No-Man’s Land. ‘*A One!” responded Oaks, ‘‘ the same ag your whisky. He’s a billionaire from Eu- rope, and has come here to establish another city that will knock Beaver into a cocked hat. Your chances will go up fifty per cent. The gent’s name is Gifford, and if you treat him on the level you will find him O.K!” ‘‘Every one is treated on the level who comes here,” assured the old woman, with a ; spice of pride. ‘‘No one doubts that, ma’m! no slouch, as plenty can vouch for. Golconda?” | ‘* You're right,” responded the Gladiator. ‘‘Many’s the drink I’ve had here,” went on Oaks. ‘Well, I propose we have another,” sug- gested Dick, ‘‘and.that Mrs. Heep joins us, if she does not object!” ‘*T never refuse!” was Mrs. Heep’s re- sponse, with a horrible grin. The drinks were had—and another, and still another. Hardy men, the liquor did not have any particular effect upon the trio of girl-hunters, but it was different with Mrs. Heep. She soon began to show evidences of being in a decidedly jolly mood. ‘* Where’s the old man?” asked Oaks, ‘Over at the still.” | ‘* And Tom?” ‘Dunno. In Beaver, I reckon!” “Seen anything of Singing Bird, lately?” ¢é No’p kg ‘‘T heard she was boarding here.” ‘Not much, I’ve no use fer boarders /” “You would, if they paid well!” ‘‘ Well, that might make a difference. I reckon the old man might make a kick tho’!” ‘‘T don’t think so. My friend, Gifford, wants board, while he looks over the lay of the land around here.” “The old man won’t refuse him, [ guess.” | More drinks followed, and Mrs. Heep be- came hilarious, to the extent that she offered to dance the fandango with Golconda, who promptly refused. After performing an impromptu jig herself, Mrs, Heep turned to Dick. ‘How much do you want to pay for board?” she demanded, ‘How much do you want per day or week, madam? I may be here one week, I may be here six. It all depends on what territory I can get for my town site.” “Pll call the old man and he'll tell you. The old man runs things here!” She then seized a shell dinner-horn and blew a loud blast. “That'll fetch him!” - And it did; in five minutes’ time the old man appeared. He was a little, weazened face personage of sixty, with a hooked nose, ferret eyes, white hair and beard. When he entered he ‘sized up” the visitors, seemingly at a glance. ‘‘Well, what’s wanted?” he demanded. ‘‘ We're havin’ a smile,” Oaks replied, ‘and have brought you a customer!” ‘What kind of a customer?” still suspi- cous. “This gentleman,” explained Oaks, point- ing to Deadwood Dick, ‘‘ is a capitalist, who You ain’t En! mediate vicinity, that will knock Beaver gity higher’n a kite. 0 it with, too. A town here will be sure to raise still profits, eh?—save transportation, and other expenses. Am I not level?” * fart, But, who is this man? Is he level?” ‘‘Squareasadie! While he is prospecting. and planning he wants to get board. Can you give him room and meals for a time?” Heep glanced at his wife. ‘‘ Well, I don’t know about that,” he an- swered. ‘‘ What d’ye say, old woman?” “Well,” responded the other half, ‘‘?’m a ‘Cor | proposes to found a town here, or in the im- | mm He’s got the sugar to’ ee 4 cbooks:co OES. Tk > “2 - t an : * al ~~ )