Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 728 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Pd a - lhe —_- — cai — a a cok SP ee ee ST ea ee — a * - - ~ —- TE i, Ee ae eo ~— . 7 +. & » “A ' 7 ~ ‘ 10 ,;* Ry NAN Renew) Nr tr os 3 ~ — — —- m " a — - , 7 On tien ee . Ry ere NE oe rete — . sr a Q ‘ , naam Sten — <a wey a ——— my eS cll any. —_ ee. ad la ttt > ovo - Ge Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise. pulled up when we wanted to get back, the lat- ter remarked, “Thar’s a way of gettin’ around that, too,” was the reply. ** And how is it?” ** Yer see ther top byarar’ open fer a distance back, an’ et ain’t very high.” é Yes.” *‘Wull, thar’s a trail as leads around to et, an’ all that bas ter be done is ter go around, elimb up, an’ then drop in.” **I see; but why isn’t that used altogether?” **Et most allus is, daytimes, but o’ nights et ar’ safe enough ter leave ther ladder down,” Iron Ivan was posting himself upon every particular. They descended the ladder, and the guide led the way to a point where the camp of Pond Lily could be seen from the ledge, ** Thar she be,” he remarked, “‘ an’ you bet et war a surprise to ’em ther night we galoots went an’ robbed ’em of feed enough fer a month or more,” “IT can well imagine it, and it will be a sur- ney to them to-morrow morning, when they nd the mark of Iron Ivan around their city walls, so tosay. Let’s go on, and you can show me the trail.” “Tl war thinkin’ about that,” was the answer. ** We mought be seen. Tell yer what is better. If you is bent on goin’ thar ter-night, why—” ‘“* And I an, if all is quiet at the camp.” **Wull, Pil go with yer, ez fur as ther trail leads to ther main trail, an’ thar Vil wait till yer comes beck, Then yer won’t make no mis- take,” ‘* Just the thing, We'll have it understood so.” That settled, after a further look around, and further explanations on the part of tbe Terrible, they setyout on the back track to Coffin Camp. All was quiet there, when they arrived, and leaving them for the present, let us turn a little of our attention to Pond Lily, where we have ing interest,and where exciting scenes are shortly to take place. The leading saloon of Pond Lily was the ** Royal Princess.” It wasa palace in its way, and was managed by a woman, one ‘‘Queen of Diamonds,” so called, Sie was a woman of between thirty and forty, in point of years, with well-preserved appear- ance and stately carriage. She was rather large of person, used a super- fluity of paint and powder, and displayed a wealth in diamonds that was simply amazing. Her appea ance told ber story, and she was one of the best sown characters of the “ city.” Her palad.: was one of the several ‘‘ wicked ” spots of the ca “p, and was a favorite resort for all who wantéi to see the “elephant,” that fabled animal of uawritten fame. Does the reader remember what Deadwood was, when in its glory? Let him picture this camp of Pond Lily on the same scale, and he will have it in mind as it was, What the ** Metropolitan ” was to Deadwood, that was the ‘‘ Princess Royal” to Pond Lily, It was all the imagination can picture, and maybe more. Pen description is uncalled for. On this afternoon all was quiet within its walls, Night was the time when it held its bigh revel, apd when the ‘‘ elepbant” was on exhibition. Tne ** Queen of Diamonds” bad just come in, having slept all the forenoon and having just bad dinner at this late hour at the hotel. She was looking around her domain, giving orders bere and there where things were not to her liking, and was seeing that everything was being put in order for the night’s business. W hile she was thus engaged, a rather flashily- dressed man entered, looking idly around. He was not a bad-looking man by any means, was perbaps thirty-five years old, had mustache and imperial, and sported considerable jewelry. The quick eye of the Queen of Diamonds soon caught sight of him, and she gave him a nod of welcome, aithough he was a stranger to ber and rie never, to her knowing, been in her place be- ore, He responded to the greeting, and advanced. Ph gay palace you have here, madam,” he spoke, “It is asleep now,” was the smiling answer. “*If you want to see it alive, drop in at ten or eleven to-night.” ‘I can imagine all that,” was the rejoin- der, ‘‘I am not new to such places, I assure you, By the way, you know everybody here, I suppose. oe ‘Ob, no; Ido not claim that distinction. Still, there are not many faces unknown to me.” “‘T can believe that. two?” ‘* Why, certainly.” ‘‘Have you heard of a man called Deadwood Dick as being around here?” ‘*T have; he is here now, or not right in the camp, perhaps, but has his headquarters here at present,” ‘You know who and what he is, of course,” ‘““A fearless detective, if all said of him is true,” “Yes: all of that. Have you seen him?” ** Yes; I have, sir.” “Do you think he will be in your place, to- night?” “It is very hkely that he will, if he is in town atall. My place is the main attraction, | am proud to say.” ** 1 donot doubt your word. Its appearance proves it. Now if Iam here, and this man comes in, will you do me the favor to point him out to me,” ‘* You intend him harm?” ** No, not at all.” “Very well, then, I will do what you re- quest,” . The stranger expressed his thanks, and pres- ently went out. ho and what was he! What was bis business with Deadwood Dick? May I ask a question or CHAPTER XI. AT THE ROYAL PRINCESS, THE remainder of that day at Coffin Camp passed quietly. No attack was made on the camp by the be- sieging party, and there was no indication that = would be made. ight ceme on, and when the outposts bad been stationed, and every precaution against surprise had been taken, Iron Ivan arnounced his intention of going to the city of Pend Lily. *“*T want to show them that Iron Ivan is as good a man as Deadwood Dick, every day in the week,” he declared, ‘‘It won’t do for them to have the laugh on us, pards, nct by any means, When they awake to-morrow morning they will find our defiance written all over their town.” ‘* That's ther proper tune!” coincided Thomas, surnamed Terrible, ‘‘ Go, an’ good luck go with yer, An’ ef yer kin see Deadwood Dick one Letter, do et,’ “T will, be sure of that. But, about your going with me to the end of the trail—your lace is here. Another man can go with me just as well, any one who is well acquainted with the trail.” ** Jest what I war thinkin’ erbout before you mentidned et. It won't do fer loth of us ter he absent ter oncet, that’s sure, an’ et ar’ je-t ez eure thet J ain’t ther one ter go ter Pond Lily. Now hyar is Jonah, who knows ther trail all right, an’ be will be jest ther one.” ‘* Very well, then, you and 1 for it, Jonah, 1 don’t suppose you are the same Jonah who swallowed the whale, but you look like a pretty honest outlaw, on the whole, so I'll take you,” ‘* Honest!” exclaimed Jonab, “I’m ther most honestest hoss-thief you ever sot eyes on, Iam. You'll find that 1’m ther r’ale prime ar- ticle, and ther best jedge o’ poor whisk in ther hull durn bills,” ‘* And that reminds me, Thomas,” said Iron Ivan, ‘‘ that there must be no drinking here. Every man must be as sober as a judge, ready to defend our camp if an attack is mad.” ‘Trust me ter see ter that,” promised the Ter- rible, ‘* Thar’ll be no drinkin’, that I ‘sure yer. Not ef Terrible Thomas is any good, an’ he thinks he ar’,” That point was insisted upon by the new cap- tain of the bard, whoevidently bad the well- being of the camp at heart, and when other de- tails had beeu arranged, Iron Ivan and his man Jonah set out. Descending the well, they went through the cavern in the ranner before described, descend- ed again to the trail st the falls, and thence on in the direction of Pond Lily until they came out upon the muin trail, where a halt was called. * And here is where you are to wait for me, isn’t it?’ Iron Ivan questioned. “Ther identic spot, ’cordin’ ter program,” Jonah assured, ‘* Very well, then, here I will leave you, Don’t get into trouble, and don’t fail to hail me if | go by when I return.” ‘** Yours to ther boots,” Jonah responded. ‘I ain’t ther same Jonah of ther whale story, but I weigh jest as many ounces to ther pound, an’ lll det on et, You kin ’pend on me.” Jonah was something of a great talker, but Iron Ivan cut bim short on this occasion, and was soon on bis way to Pond Lily, It was something after nine when Iron Ivan walked boldly into the Princess Royal. There was now a different scene from what we saw awhile ago. To begin with, the place was now ablaze with lights, and a band was dispensing tbe latest pop- ular airs, In the far end of the long room was a stage, upon which two seantily attired young women were giving a song and dance exhibition to an admiring audience. Nearer the front were gaming tables, well fill- ed with eager, feverisu devotees of that sort of amusement, while the foreground was occupied by the gorgeously appointed bars, Between the bars and the gaming-tables were numerous drinking tables, and the same occupied the space beyond vearer the stage. A great crowd was present, and moving about among these tables, and elsewhere, were enticingly ar- rayed girls of varying degrees of good looks, n sucha place as this, a stranger attracted little notice upon entering, unless be did some- thing out of the usual todraw attention upon himself, Nothing of this sort did Iron Ivan, but ad- vanced down the room with cool and leisurely air, his handsome face wearing its half simile, and his keen eyes taking in everything that was to be seen, On the right of the room, half-way down and opposite the gaminy-tables, sat the Queen of Diamonds, feeling like a queen indeed perhapse as she surveyed this den of iniquity, all errs and noted the golden stream that was pouring into her coffers. And she noted Iron Ivan as he approached, , Not far from ber, at one of the small tables, with one of the mentioned enticingly arrayed girls beside him, sat the flashily dressed man with mustache and imperial who had that afternoon made inquiry for Deadwood Dick, He, too, noticed the Stercoes of the straeiey ard glanced immediately at the Queen of Diige monds, as if toinquire if this was the man he desired to find, The wcman understood the meaning of his glance, and sbook her head in the negative, The man locked disappointed. Evidently he had taken this to te bis man. Iron Ivan came on, glanced at the man at the table, and on to the Queen of Diamonds, and thence te the gaming. : | Giving a little attention to that, for a fee" utes, be moved on toward the stage; where a handsome girl bad just appeared to render a song, ani sat down at a vacant table, e had taken a seat witb his back to the wall, where be could not cnly see what was going on upon the stage, but bad a full view of ali the rest of the room as well, And soonafter he had taken hisseat one of the girl waiters approached. ‘‘ What will you bave, Charlie?’ she asked, smiling. ‘“You baven’t guessed right,” was the re- sponse, ‘*My name isn’t Charlie, by several de- grees. ‘You may brivg a‘bottle of wine, how- ever, if you will sit down and drink it when it is brougbt.” ‘* 1] do that, you bet!” was the exclamation, and away the girl tripped, evidently well pleased with the strike she bad made, : x The wine was soon before them, with glasses, and she proceeded to pour it out, ‘* Hold on,” checked Ivan, when one glass had been filled, ‘‘ Don’t pour any for me,” amazement. ‘So I said. : thing any more. If you will think, you wil) re- member that I ordered iton condition that you would drink it yourself.” “Yes, I know you said that, but I supposed you meant that I was to drink with you, Well, you are a goody-goody, for sure. No matter, ‘ll pour yours just the same, or Queen of Dis- monds will notice it. less you want to,” , “ All right, pourit, if itis better for your busi- ness, and then if you do_ not object we'll talk a little. Tam astranger here, and I don’t doubt but you can give me a good deal of mformation, But whatshball I call you? A girl without a hame is a poor piece of furniture.” - The woman laughed. ‘“‘Rather, I should smile,” she responded. ‘You may cell me Daisy, And I ama daisy, too, you bet!” she exclaimed, archly, with a wink, ‘And as for inforsnation, ’m as full of it as Tam of fun, and I’m as full of fun as—as Ican be, And now what am I tocall you, since you say that your name isn’t Charlie.” ~ ‘*(iaj] me Charlie, as that is the name you seemed to think would fit me,” was the reply, ‘Not pour any for you!” in the greatest ~ I don’t indulge in that sort of — You needn’t drink it un?” se.