Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 659 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

**He told me to ride on, when he was done with me.” ** And which way did he go?” ‘**T did not see; he was standin’ there by poor Frank yet, when I started,” Other questions were asked, too, but these uoted seemed to give the sheriff all the in- Wiaiiation he really cared for, and he went off at once to take action in the serious matter. His first work was to get together four of his deputies, and send them out after the body. Thay were soon off, and then he set about ar- ranging other matters, Calling his remaining men into his office at the jail, he had a secret conference with them, and when they came out each man went his wey to attend to the duty that had been assigned to him. When the conference was over, Inspector Riggles called at the office, before Cibuta could go away, and offered the service of himself and man. The inspector had realized that he was out of his element away out there in the wilds, and had come to look upon Cibuta as his leader. **T do not know where I can use you, now that my arrangements are all laid,” said Cibuta, honestly. ‘¢ Use us anywhere,” was the request. ‘ All we ask is to have a hand in the capture of this rascal.” **'You have no clew, then, and no suspicion, eh?” Cibuta asked. ** None whatever.” ** And are at loss how to proceed?” “Exactly.” ** Well, then, unless I am muchly mistaken I have a surprise in store for you. You may go and report to my lieutenant—as I call him, tell him I sent you, and join him.” ; ‘*T would prefer to go with you yourself.” ‘Yes, I know; but that isimpossible. In the work that I have laid out for myself I must act one.” ‘* Well, then, we will do the next best thing. We will go with your men. I freely own that I am at loss how to act against such a fellow, here in his native jungle as it were. Besides, you have the best claim to him, now.” ‘* Yes, his other offenses are trifling compared with his latest crime.” The inspector went out, and he bad been gone but a little while when Ducats Dion came into the office. ‘*Welly things have taken a serious turn now,” he remarked. ‘A very serious turn,” Cibuta agreed. ‘“*T suppose you will now redouble your efforts to capture the fellow,” ‘“*] cannot do that,” was the confession, ‘‘ for I have been doing my best right along. I shall put forth every effort, of course.” ‘‘T am going to try it myself, too,” the nabob sport announced, ‘I am going to set out from here to-night and invite him to stop me on the road. If he does, it will be one or the other of us. I am not afraid of him.” ‘** You run a big risk,” Cibuta warned. ‘*T know that, but I am used to that sort of thing, as people up in Washington could tell you. By the way, how would you like to make a little bet?” * What sort of a bet?” “Tl la a a hundred that I Jand the fellow in this jail before morning.” ‘*To make it interesting, I take the bet,” Cibuta announced. ‘“‘Who shall hold the stakes!” ‘*Oh, you needn’t mind putting up the cash, unless you want me to do so. Iam not afraid to trust your word, sheriff.” ‘Very well, so be it,. You intend going it alone. then?” — ‘Yas, entirely alone.” ‘¢ Well, I wish you luck, but I am afraid.” The nabob laughed, and a few more remarks being exchanged, he went out. Cibuta John rose and paced the floor, He was in a thoughtful mood, Events were shap- ing shepinel ees so that he was hardly sure of his uD ° ‘ . o Where his suspicion had been directed, the ground seemed to be breaking away from under the foundation he had erected. In a little while one of his men came in to make a report. “Well, what is the word?” Cibuta asked, ‘I think your suspicion is correct,” was the Ree answer, » Why do you think so?’ | _ The man explained. . _“* Well, you must be right,” Cibuta commen , ed, ‘and now I think I see into it all. Wes soon know, however. Go back, and do not let mee him escape your eye if you can help it, but do not let him know that you are watching him.” ** All right.” The man went away again, and a little time later the beat of hoofs was heard as the four men rode into town with the body of the mur- dered messenger. They rode up to the court-house, aud the body was carried into the ante-room, where the in- quest was to be held, and Cibuta put out the light in his office and prepared to go over. The jail set well back, and somewhat in the shadow, and just as the sheriff opened the door and stepped out a powerful arm was thrown around bim and a voice hissed in his ear: ‘** Cibuta John, you must die!” At the same instant a knife flashed before his eyes, the blade descended and struck his breast with full force, and as he reeled and fell he saw a manin a long, black cloak speeding rapidly him, but his shot was wild, and he went on and emptied the weapon, in order to bring assist- EVENTS CROWDING TO THE CLOSE, Tue rapid firing brought men running to the spot, and they found their sheriff lying on the ground, the blood flowing from his wound. ‘* Heavens!” was the exclamation, ‘‘ Cibuta has been killed!” They shouted for more help, which was un- necessary, as a crowd was rapidly collecting, and then stooped to examine the hurt, ** Don’t do anything here,” Cibuta faintly re- uested; “carry me right home and get the octor there at once.” To order was to be obeyed with him, for he was loved by his fellow-citizens, and the men took him tenderly up and carried him to bis The news flew like wildfire, and the murder of Frank Denton was almost forgotten in the face of this new Saag A great crowd followed the men who carried the wounded man, and at Cibuta’sr man ran on ahead to prepare his wife for the When they arrived at the house the doctor was already there, men having gone for him with all haste, and Cibuta was carried in and the door closed between him and the crowd, Tn a moment one man dashed out and started away on a run, returning in a very short time with the sheriff’s lieutenant. They entered, and for about five minutes nothing more took place that could give those without any information, At the end of that time the lieutenant came out, and a cry immediately went up to know how Cibuta was, ‘‘ He is dying,” was the sad respo A silence fe silence as great as though every man had been turned into stone, No greater blow could have been given. The silence lasted for a moment, and then was heard the sound of strong men weeping, and slowly the crowd went out of the yard away, pret that their presence there could 4 They followed the lieutenant, and when they yer some distance from the house they stopped ‘* Lieutenant,” a volunteer spokesman asked, ** did he say who it was struck ther blow?” “Yes,” was the response, ‘‘ he believes if was nlight Morgan, disadvantage, and so unexpectedly, that he could not resist, and the fellow got away after doing his deadly work, Cibuta saw him, and Boyees, what is yer say?” one old citizen called out. county?” es, yes!” was the eager response. ** Hold on!” exclaimed the lieutenant, “ hear what I have to say. Cibuta’s wishes in this matter.” ** Yes, that we will.” ** Well, he desires you citizens to go right on with the inquest over Frank Denton, and leave me and my men to handle this other affair.” ‘* Did he give them orders?” was the demand. © Yeo" the lieutenant assured, *‘ such are his i ons. “Then they shell be obsarved.” Moonlight Morgan. In a little time the doctor came out, and when asked the all-important question he sadly u%tered the one word: ‘* Dead.” A dismal but suppressed groan followed the announcement, and the crowd immediately dis- persed to spread the sad news, In a little time the sheriff’s house was dark- ened, and an impressive and respectful silence reigned in the vicinity. Ante-Bar was in mourning, In the mean timg the lieutenant had gone to the court-bouse, bad announced the sheriff’s wishes, and the coroner had drawn his jury and begun the inquest. Virtually, Cibuta John had been little less than absolute sovereign of the county, and the recognized head in every thing, The inquest was not a lengthy one. There was only one witness whose testimon was important, and that one was the mail- carrier. He told his story plainly and simply, and the evidence of the men who had gone out to bring the body in, supported it as far as could be looked for. The verdict was rendered immediately: that Frank Denton had come to his death at the hands of the outlaw known as Moonlight Morgan. ; As soon as the verdict had been announced the deputy sheriff, Cibuta’s lieutenant, reminded the people again of Cibuta’s wishes that the cap- ture of the outlaw should be left entirely to bim and his men, and the lieutenant being well- known, the request was respected, though it was lain that the population would have preferred turn out en masse to scour the country. He drew his revolver and fired after CHAPTER XV. house that the sheriff was dead, and a meeting was immediately called by some of the leadin spirits of the town, and it was voted that all business in the town, as far as possible, should be immediately suspended. Within an hour the whole place was dark and almost silent. It was close upon midnight when a vailed wo- man crept stealthily around from the rear of Steve Haydon’s store, stopped as she came out to the street to make sure that she was not seen, and then proceeded hurriedly up the valley and out of the town. 6 } The reader will readily infer that this was . Amelia Haydon. As soon as she was clear of the town the wo- © man increased her pace to a run, and in a brief time was at the place where the trails divided. Taking the one bending toward the south, she sped on, but naturally could not long continue her running. When she stopped running, however, her walk ‘was still brisk, and a man who followed cautious- ly after her found it hard to keep near her with- out letting his presence become known, The woman’s pace gradually slackened, how- ever, and the man drew nearer to her, walking as silently as a shadow. It was about a mile to the fork of the South Trail, the place where Morgan Underweed had directed Amelia to meet him, measuring from the head of the valley; but the woman was not ‘ uest one nse, over the crowd immediately, a and When she approached the fork she walked stilt slower, and the man who had followed her used the utmost caation as he drew near, keeping close Finally the woman stopped and looked about her. She was right at the fork of the trail, and the moonlight fell upon her as itcut its way through a break in the trees. Her vail still covered her face, but any one knowing Amelia would have been sure that it was she. : The girl’s wardrobe was not so extensive that her attire was not to be recognized. The man who had followed her saw that she was cladin | her every-day store costume, | ; For some minutes silence reigned, and the girl ; He was taken at such a at he was clad in a long, black cloak,” ‘Shell we turn out an’ scour ther ‘¢T know you will respect Presently the silence was broken by the whis- pered name: “ Amelia!” The girl started and looked around. No one to be seen. After a few seconds’ silence the name was re- peated The crowd broke, the majority going to the “Here I am,” the girl answered, using the court-house while the rest returned to the | same guarded tone, , vicinity of the sheriff's residence, where they | ‘I will join immediately,” spoke the other | parapet to hear the sad report that was | voice then. or at any moment. } unaware, forI am in disguise. Do not be so een They had not ldse to wait. foolish as to scream when you see me.” | % 4 in the deep shadows of the rocks and trees. G stood and patiently waited. vids long in making the distance. | ¥ bt ‘ « wf ‘I did not want tocome upon you a About that time the word reached the court- ~.