Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 639 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Ate ete SE — re rr ee _— Se a ‘¢ The one thet come in hyar,” *‘ No ove has come in here,” Jockway seized his companion’s arm in a grasp so tenacious as to be painful. ‘Don’t ye lie ter me!” he exclaimed, threat- eningly, and then grated his teeth like a wild animal, ‘¢ No one has come in here for half an hour—” ** You lie!” Buck gave Saul a savage shake, whereupon the youth’s eyes sparkled angrily. ‘Let go my arm, or [ll knock you down!” he commanded, resolutely. Jockway’s jaw fell. For a moment he forgot his errand. Proud of his strength as a jungle tiger might be, and holding all men of the Kast in profound contempt, he was amazed to hear a mere boy address him thus, ** Eh?” he muttered, blankly. ‘Your touch is offensive, off, or I will let go at you.” ‘You?’ ** Nobody else.” ** You—a kid—hit me?” **And knock you down!” coolly added the newsboy. ‘‘ You may have had the nightmare, but I am not inclined to let you crush the bones of my arm. Let go!” The man from Lame Horse promptly obeyed. ““T’ll do it, bJudas! You've got sand, you hev; an’ I’m proud ter know ye.” He cast an admiri ing glance up and down Saul’s well- developed form, but suddenly started, ‘“‘T was forgettin’ one thing. The man—the man! Don’t tell me you don’t know whar he is!” 2 No one has come in here. it?” Again Jockway’s eyes glittered, and his ex- pression was ominous, **?Twas the man I’m a-huntin’!” be hissed, his big flugers worked nervously around one certain pocket in his coat. ‘*T don’t understand—” **T come East ter kill bim!” The words recalled the Western man’s first account of his mission, and the explanation was sufficient. ‘Do you mean that you have seen him?” ‘“*T hev!” ** 'W here?” *‘[n the forrud car. Id fell asleep, anc was woke up by some one monkeyin’ around me, man was lookin’ down inter my face, an’, as [ got awoke, [ looked up ipter his’n. Boy, whos d’ye reckon T seen? The light fell on him, an’ I seen that man !” Jockway’s rude, dramatic force was having due effect upon Saul. ‘* And then?” he breathlessly asked. ‘“* He run!” The miner swept a glance through the car, ‘* Kf he didn’t come in hyar he got off the platform, an’ Pil find him yet. He’s one o’ the assengers, an’ I'll find the critter afore I quit. hen do, b’Judas! *twor’t take long ter settle it!” Wheeling, he left the car, All this was of deep interest to Sunrise Saul, and he lost no time in following. As he de- scended the platform steps he saw Jockway b the car, and saw him draw something from his pocket, He held it up a little, and the light fell upon it. It was a revolver! Saul felt that he ought to interfere. Plainly, Buck Jockway intended to kill his enemy if he found him, and the newsboy did not under- estimate the gravity of such adeed, But he was so absorbed in strange Mr. Jockway, his ways and bis tragic purpose, that he coul only watch and let him work. The Lame Horse citizen passed swiftly along the side of the car, his keen gaze always wh He scanned the next platform, the car-trucks and the rocks, and bushes by the track. Some- where there his enemy might be in ambush, There was danger that he, too, might be armed, and ready to shoot, but Buck cared not a rush for that. All he asked was to find the man. He was burning with a desire for vengeance, If he found his enemy, one of them must die, It is possible that Jockway did not fully real- ize the enormity of the act he contemplated ; and it was also possible that, as had been alleged, the man was not what he seemed. In no place did he see his enemy, so he passed on to the rear of the train. Then he returned on the other side, walking forward until he reached the freshet-made river. He could not go around the locomotive or the tender, for they lay in the angry water. Take your hand What man was Sunrise Saul. He turned slowly and saw Saul. ** You here?” he muttered. $'¥ oe,” sé Why 9” “Toe ad what you would do,” Buck brought his big hand down upon the boy’s shoulder forcibly, ‘Say, I like you!” he declared, **Do you?” ‘Yes, b’Judas! You are jest my kind an’ I’d like e fur a pard. What say?” ‘tn the killing of your man?” Again Jockway’s thoughts shifted. _ Beats the dickens whar that feller went; he got out 0’ om like a jack-rabbit on the ump, b’ Judas! ut he’s nigh—he’s nigh, an’ a hev him yit!” ‘* Are you sure ’twas your man?” ‘*Sure? [saw him once. Mebbe the woman is nigh, too. Wish I knowed, fur she couldn’t run away in fashion like his; ‘but I never have set eyesonher, BJ udas she’s the worst o’ the two; a mild little lump 0’ pooty flesh ter look at, but a fiend inside. D’ye know, I can’t decide whether ter shoot her! ‘It don’t seem jest the right turn 0’ the cards, but 'twould save man- kind a pile o’ sufferin’. She is worse at heart than a tigress!” Saul listened while the big miner rambled on. There was no chance to think him deranged; there was a straightforwardness and a terrible though quiet, resolution to his manner that told of coherent purpose, Whatever might be the provocation, the man was remorseless on the trail. ‘* ’m goin’ clear through all the cars until I find the critter!” the miner added. ‘* You will not be allowed to do that.” ces No?” ‘‘No,. It’s the order to keep the cars quiet and no one can enter any car but his own, an the smoker. That's to give sleep to all, and protect property.” ‘* Wal, I s’pose I kin wait, though I[ hate ter,” and J ockway’s manner testified to his regret. ‘*The feller must be one o’ the passengers, an’ he will be around ter-morrer, ef he don’t skeer away.” Another man approached, walking through the darkness and slow drizzle of rain. It proved to be Abner Plunket. ‘* How’s the night?” Saul asked. ‘Darn the night!” answered the Haybottom gentleman, in disgust. ‘‘I wish I’d never left home!” ** You’re having a pile of experience,” ‘*Tve lost that money. Now, what will the heathen in Afrikay do?” ‘‘Same as the heathen in New England—do without,” ‘* Pesky queer how I was robbed!” Plunket shook his head soberly, and then turned to Buck Jockway. ** You set aside me!” he added. ‘* What of it?” Buck growled. “Dye think J took yer cash?” CHAPTER VI. A STRANGE LETTER STRANGELY FOUND, ‘*LooKs sort o’ suspicious!” Plunket ad- mitted. Jockway’s anger flamed up again, and his expression might have taught the Haybottom nl caution if the darkness had not been in the of a distinct view. You think J took yer durned old boodle!” repeated Buck, this time in a musing tone. ‘* | make no charges, fur I ain’t got no proof.” sé Eh?” ‘*T know enough 0’ law ter be cautious as ter what I say.’ ‘* But you think I took ’em?” ‘*T’ve got ter suspect somebody.” ** Did ye see me hev yer money?” “ No. ”? * Or see me nigh yer pockets? ** Wal, no,” ‘Yet, you charge me?” “« Somebody took it!” sulkily returned Plunket. Jockway laid his hand on the farmer’s shoulder ‘Stranger, out at Lame Horse we never say what we can’t prove. We aim ter do justice ter all men, an’ be charitable ter all. With us, DO- body’s a thief unless we kin prove it, an’ bim who would accuse a feller-critter thout proof is a durned mean skunk, That’s about your size, Ireckon. Now, Ill show you how we use mean skunks!” Swiftly shifting his rrasp to Abner’s collar, the miner proce2ded to shake him as a dog mightarat. There was nothing playful abou it; Buck Jockway was thoroughly angry, and BS. a en en oa aa be put forth all his great strength to avenge the aspersion on his honor, oor Mr. Plunket was a passive actor in the athletic exercise. He was too badly frightened to resist, and, if it had been otherwise, his strength would have been of no avail in opposi~ tion to the brawny man from Lame Horse, Ile was kept in the air much of the time, and his arms and legs flew about wildly; he trade almost os many contortions as a jumping-jack, Finally Buck bumped his victim up against the car. ** Got enough?” he demanded. ** Ye-ye-yes!” gasped Abner. He was given another bump. ‘* Ef not, I’m still at band!” ** Mercy ! ! mercy !” ‘Think I’m a thief?” ** No, no!” Another bump. ‘** Want ter ruin By ene ‘*No, no! Indeed, Mr. Jock—’ Another bump. ‘Take it all back?” ** Yes, by gosh!” * All right,” quoth Jockway, growing good~ bumored at once, ‘*‘I know a gentleman when I see one, an’ that’s what you be. Id take yein ter drink su’thin’, but I’m dog-goned ef I know whar the stuff is kept in this saloon. Shake, Plunket! you’re white!” Very hearty and genial was Buck’s voice, and Abner breathed a sigh of relief, His bones ached from his recent punisbment, but he was willing to call it square rather than get another lesson, As soon as he could doso conveniently, he beat a retreat. ‘*We’ve all got our crosses an’ vexations,” Buck observed, ‘“‘ I’m a bit put out by losin’ my man, but I’m bound ter find him sooner or later. Then— Wal, I carry a shooter!” ‘Why are you hunting that man?” Saul asked wonderingly. és Eb? 9)? ‘* Why do you hate him so?” ** Oh! it’s all on account of that affair at Lame Horse— But you don’t know about it, Never mind; it ain’t necessary you should. I kin do my job, go baek West, an’ ask nor give no p’ints. Understand?” ‘* No, I don’t; but you may get into trouble, in your pursuit ‘of vengeance,’ “They can’t git the drop on me!” ‘* The law may.” ‘What! fur killin’ sech skunks?” ‘‘ The law protects every one, here East.” ‘‘Durn the East! I wouldn’t live here, b’ Judas! ef you’d give me a whole section o’ land. Nary! Look ye, young feller! that man [ will kill, an’ the gal, meek little mouse that she kin pretend ter be—wal, let her look out!” Then Jockway slouched away toward his car. ‘*T’'d hate to have him for my enemy!” So thought Sunrise Saul as he watched the muscular miner until he disappeared in the dark- ness. The fall of rain increased from a driusle to a brisk shower, and the newsboy sought cover. He had reached the platform of a car which was the first behind the smoker, and the second behind Jockway’s, when a man came out quick- ly. It was James Enonbridge. The old gentleman’s face brightened, ‘** W here’s the conductor?” he asked. ‘In the smoker, possibly; he’s not sleeping, at all, but. moving about, and keeping a general watch,” ‘Perhaps you will do. You can read?” ‘** Rather!” ‘“* Then read this. My eyes are not as good as they were once, and Tam not sure that I make it out correctly. He extended a half-sheet of paper, and Saul read aloud the words written upon it: “To JAMES ENONBRIDGE:— ‘* You are all adrift. and like a vessel moving tos ward the breakers of a strange coast. Look a little Ant You will never be able to help your son, Iph, until you get your eyes open and see things as ma ley are, The worst danger lies not in the young man’s arrest, but on this very train. There is more to the affair than you suspect, and you will do welk to employ a skillful detective and let him sift the whole affair to the bottom, Unless you do this, the future of the Enonbridges looks rock > ee Ere. When Saul finished reading, the old gentleman. looked at him w yrepenler ob Is that what it says? "Yes, sir,” “ That's what I made it out, but I don’t un-~ derstand it, at all,” ** Where did this paper come from?” ‘“*T found it pinned to the front of my coat,” ‘Pinned to your coat!” '; <