Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 700 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

* 4 ‘ ‘ rb * we. oe or i ; heh. slat peer thee — 2 This spring was a wonder in asmall way, At intervals of about ten minutes it would begin to hiss and foam, and presently it would be seetb- ing away like a boiling caldron, almost over- leaping its rocky basin, Then, after a minute or so, it would quiet down and become calm, as if recovering strength for another effort. The water of the spriug was unfit for apy use, being strongly impregnated with alkali, salt, sulphur, and other delightful ingredients, aud from the fact of its being hot, too, its discoverer had dedicated it to His Satanic Majesty, dub- bing it ‘‘ Satan’s Spring,” a pvame that had never been improved upon; and when the town sprung up in the valley pocket, it took upon it- self the same proper title, The afternoon stage was a little late. It was due at this growing town of Satan’s Spring before sundown, Now the shades of night were gathering, and it was ouly just entering into a long, dismal gorge. This mountain defile was known as Devil Canyon, and was something over four miles long, from its beginning on the south to Satan’s Spring. From that point it continued for half a dozen miles further, before it finally terminated in the foot-hills on the northern side of te range, where it was lost to sight from the plains beyond. he stage stopped over at Satan’s Spring, and it is there that our interest centers. ° As the rattling old vehicle, that had seen bet- ter days on the old Overland, swung into the canyon, the Jehu flung out the lasb toward the leaders’ ears, shouting: 5 lang there, Polly, durn yer stubborn old hide, or I’m a-jabberin’ ijjit ef I don’t bite a chunk out o’ both yer years!” The whip cracked like the report of a pistol, the mules leaped forward, giving the stage a savage jerk, and then went spinning along at good speed into the gloomy and silent canyon. There was a good load aboard. The in- side was full, there were four on top besides the driver, and the rack behind held consider- able baggage. The stage was drawn by four mules, which, on a good many trails, have been found prefer- able to horses; and » ark ‘arene fellows they had proven to be. So far, the journey had been without mishap, ‘‘Curlin’ smoke!” one of the outside passen- gers exclaimed, when the stage Was jerked as mentioned, and he made a grab: for the low railing; *‘ why don’t yer tell a feller when ye’re goin’ ter do that? Ye near a’most toppled me overboard.” The driver laughed lightly, as he gathered in the ribbons a little. ‘*Can’t tend ter you and these hyer mule- critters at ther same time,” he declared, ‘‘ You must be lookin out fer sich Jeetle JES, as I’ve told ye afore. Yer have got nothin’ else ter do but ter hold fast, and ef yer don’t ’tend ter busi- | ness, why et’s not my funeral.” . ** How much further is it to Satan’s Spring?” another of the top passengers inquired. ‘Et ar’ about four miles, now,” he was informed. ‘‘And et’s’a straight ride through Devil Canyon all ther way. Et’s goin’ ter be darker’n all git out, afore we git thar, too. * We can stand that, I guess, if you know the trail well,” another passenger spoke up. * And I don’t know of ary cuss thet mounts ther box what knows et better,” the driver proudly asserted. ‘* We'll git thar all safe and sound, you bet, ef Captain Death don’t tackle us. Ef he do— Wull, mebby some of us will ride inter town in our funeral garments, all ready fer plantin’.” ** And who is this Captain Death yon speak of?” asked another of the men on Lop, a young man, having a pair of keen, flashing eyes. ‘* Who ar’ be?” the Jehu repeated. ‘* Haven’t yer never heard o’ Captain Death of Devil Can- yon? He’s jest the cussedest road-agent that ever took to ther trail, an’ that I’m tellin’ ye, By ther way, ef any of you gents has got vally- bles about yer clothes that yer don’t want ter part with, now is a good time ter amuse yer- selves with eatin’ em. Nothin’ else will save ’em, ef we should meet ther road-agert,” All heard his words, those inside as well as those on top, an? some made a hasty business of slipping their pocketbooks into their boots. ‘* So that’s the sort of chap Captain Death is, _ eh?” commented the young man who had asked concerning him, ‘ You_ give him a good )recommendation, driver. Has he ever held you at That he have, and more than onc’t, too!” ‘was the answer. ‘And I kin warn ye all that ‘ 4 gee ay Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. he don’t make no fool job of et, nuther. He’s a terror on high stilts, is that same Captain Death,” ‘** And how came he by such a name as that?” the young man further questioned. There is something about this young man that seems' familiar tous, Is it his voice? Perhaps; but, there is something more, His easy air re- minds us of some one we have known. Ha! he is about to lightacigar. Let us watch for a glimpse at his face, He strikes a match, the flame darts up bright- ly, and he applies it to the cigar be has just taken from his case. Now is our chance— What! can it be be? Yes, be and none other; he, Richard the redoubtable; he, our Deadwood Dick, Jr.! ‘‘How kem he by sich a handle?” the driver repeated. ‘* Yes,” Dick repeated: ‘“ what gave him such a lugubrious appellation?” ‘¢ Wull, I opine et kin be laid to two ’counts,” the driver proceeded to enlighten. ‘* First, ’%eause he most gen’ly is death, ter them what don’t come down with the’r dudads when he ex- tends ther invite; and nextly, ’cause be’s a skil- oe a fact, and yer kin look right through im. ‘* A skeleton!” ** You'll say so, ef ye ever see thercuss. Why, yer kin count bis ribs, ter say nothin’ about every tooth in his grinnin’ jaws, ef yer wants “ Well, this is something unique, anyhow,” Dick observed, as he puffed away coolly. “ It would quite break the monotony of this long ride if be would give us a call.” Barely had the words left his lips when there came a ringing order for the driver to stop. ** Halt!” That was the command. ‘*Whoap!” cried the Jebu, clapping on the break and throwing his weight back upon the reins, ‘‘whoap! Consarn yer, Polly, don’t yer know what manners is yet?” ‘‘Hands up, now, every galoot of you!” was further ordered. At that instant a bright light flashed upon the scene, coming from the rocky walls on bota sides of the stage, and the stage was found to be covered by half a dozen rifles that gleamed from cover here and there. Just in front of the stage, on the right, and abreast of the wheel-team was a horseman, bav- ing a pair of revolvers in hand. And he was of such appearance as renders him worthy of description. He was mounted upon a black horse, over which hung a long, funeral-like robe, or cloth, buckled before and bebind, and held in place by the saddle-girth passing through it at the sides. The horseman himself wore a loose black cloak, a black slouch hat, and was otherwise clad in sable from crown to foot. But, the striking thing about him remains to be told. He did not appear to be a man of flesh and blood, but was a skeleton, was a grinning skull, his neck was the bare and shining vertebrae, and bis open clcak revealed his gleaming breast-bones and ribs, while bis arms and hands were no exception, It was a startling sight, and one calculated to take the “nerve” out of any traveler who might encounter such a being on a lonely trail. All this could be taken in ata quick glance, When the order for the passengers to raise their hands rung out, all obeyed, but as the hands of Deadwood Dick came up, the right held a revolver in it, and barely had the words left the skeleton road-agent’s lips, when Dick fired a snap-shot at him. But in the same instant, almost, one of the rifles cracked, and Dick’s revolver went spin- ning out of his hand, carried away by a bullet. is hand was numbed by the shock, but, for- tunately, no damage had been done. “Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the grinning skeleton, “did you think to kill Captain Death? You ought 'to know that death never comes to a mortal but once, and he Jong ago came to me. But, beware, for anotber shot like that, from any of you, will signify instant death to the person who fires it.” Deadwood Dick was amazed, Expert with the revolver as he was, he knew his shot had not missed. Had this daring highwayman been mortal, he must have tumbled out of the saddle, with a bullet ir his body, _ ‘ Could it be that it was indeed something su- pernatural? Was it of a verity a ghostly being, endowed with life that was superhuman? Deadwood Dick put these questions to him- self, as, seeing that be was forthe time being in His face | | on, the same fix as his fellow-passengers, he, like them, put up his hands in token of submission, By this time another personage had ap- peared at theside of the stage, and was re- questing: ‘“*Pass out your valuables, now, ladies and gentlemen, and lose no time about it. No use kicking, for you are covered, and any sbow of resistance will signal your funeral. One at a time now, if you please, and be wise enough not to try apy tricks.” In his right hand this fellow held a revolver, cocked and ready, while he extended his left to receive the forthcoming booty. This man was completely masked, and nothing of his face could be seen. ‘* Yes,” supported the skeleton leader of the band, ‘‘ pass your wealth over to my assistant, Be as lively abovt it as you can, too; I don't want to detain you long. And, for your own sake, don’t try any more foolisbness.” There was no way out of it, so the passengers had to ‘‘come down” with as good a grace as possible, 4 Nor was Deadwood Dick any exception. But, that was noting to his discredit, for it was one of those cases where the “‘ other fellow ” had the best of 1t. In another way, though, Richard bad the “bulge” on this unearthly and _ terrible-look- ing gentleman of the road. Only a tithe of his personal belongings was in bis outer pockets. ‘There you bave it,” he said, cheerfully, as he passed it down to the receiver, ‘I can’t say that you’re welcome to it, though, and I’m glad there’s no more of it than there is.” ‘““Small favors thankfully received,” re- sponded the assistant, ‘‘and larger ones in proportion. Don’t try to bold anything back, any of you, for it won’t work with us, Here, you fat party inside there, off with them boots, if you please.” The ‘‘ fat party ” groaned, but the boots came off, and a watch and pocketbook rewarded the further search, This extreme measure was carried out with several others, with similar results in some cases, and finally the business was at an end and the bold robbers were ready to take their leave and allow the stage to proceed. CHAPTER Ii. THE ARRIVAL AT SATAN’S SPRING. CAPTAIN DEATH and his rifles still held the stage covered, he collector’s work fivished, he closed the bag into which he had dropped the booty.’ This bag was of the common sachel order, held at his left side by a strap over bis right shoulder, after the usual manner. As be clcsed it, he put bis revolver into his belt, lifted his hat to the exasperated passengers in mock politeness, and walked coolly away up the back trail and out of sight. A few moments passed, and then Captain Death said: | ‘‘Now, then, Ribbon Johnny, you can drive it is a pleasure todo business with such a man as you. I'll probably have dealings with you again, but I hope I'll never find it necessary to perforate you, Gather up your strings, now, and go on with your old hearse,” ‘You'll never find it necessary, you bet!” responded the driver, lines. ‘I have too much regard for my good health not ter obey orders when they come from you. G lang there, now, Polly, durn yer old skin, or I’m a cross-eyed kioodle ef I don’t cut yer years off, clean! ) feller what’s allus growlin’ ’cause I don’t warn yer when we're goin’ ter start, or yer may git toppled off fer a fact,” The long whip shot forward, cracked savagely, and the four mules started off lively, giving the stage a jerk that, only for the driver’s warning, might have deposited the complaining passenger in the road. : “ Curlin’ smoke!” the fault-finder cried, bold- ing on for life to the rail, ‘ye near a’most done et anyhow. If I ever ride wi’ you again bon Johnny, Pl git a rope and tie meself fast afore we start, you bet.” | This man’s name was Tombstone Dan, or rather that was what he was called, owing to the fact that he claimed citizenship in the Ari- zona town that flourishes under that delectable llative. | oT Tht aire won't be necessary,” Ribbon Johnny retorted,“ fer ef yeever ride. wi’ meagain it willbe on ther baggage-rack, strapped down | ter fa ° As the stage ) | lights went suddenly out, and all was darkness. as he reached for the « Hold fast back there, you , Rib- — / ‘ with ther trunks and other things what's likely vor had passed Captain Death, the , iy 2. | SS ee “