Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 755 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

” : < ~ ' >’ » *. / NX ee ee ee 7 . _ men must be edith daakaecnnestee-ahgehemeonnnpereacasemsanellllaageaaeeenadsbae engperenpiehabaeeantienindptiaadte inate Acta ah etek flees now rob her of the gold—slay her, if need be, to obtain your end, ‘** My answer, Red Panther, is this: “Between you and me there can be no com- promise! Not the girl,not the casket, not somuch as a tress of her bair, would I deliver into your foul keeping as the price of life itself! ‘‘Do you understand me? Is that plain enough? Begone, you dastardly hound! Get back to your kind, or, by heavens! 1’)l forget your truce, and riddle you with lead!” Loud, clear as a bugle’s note rung the vdice of the young outlaw; his hands were upon his re- volvers, and his flashing eyes betrayed the deep- est feeling. . Red Panther recoiled, then started sharply. His lips moved, but with a mighty effort he choked back the torrent of curses called up by that bold defiance, ** Spoken like a hero, my friend, yet I crave permission te act for myself,” uttered a clear, flute-like voice, and down to the brink of the stream, rifle in hand, rode Media Bradlaw, pale and determined, her blue eyes glowing and glittering with an appalling fire. “* You here?” gasped Reckless Roy, reeling blindly. ‘'Go back to the timber! You are in deadly danger!” ** Nay, I sall remain!” Media returned, stern- ly. “‘ You have incurred peril enough for me and mine, ‘**Go, you, and leave me with this murderous wretch!” “Thanks, my beauty! Such words were ai- most praise from your sweet lips!” cried Red Panther, with an ill-concealed sneer. ‘‘ By heavens! I’ve a mind to possess you as well as your treasure!” A hoarse, inarticulate cry burst from the lips of Reckless Roy, and swift as thought he drew and leveled a revolver, ‘* Wait!” enunciated Media, ber firm white hand closing around the weapon and forcing it down, - “ Have I not suffered at his bands? Leave him to me! If 1 fail, then may you avenge me!” Mutely, reluctantly, his eyes aglow with sup- pressed fury, the young outlaw returned the weapon to his belt and awaited the outcome of that strange scene, _ Media turned to the renegade, her eyes meet- ing his burning gaze unwaveringly. _“ Well, my lady-bird!” mockingly Red Panther, after a moment, wy to meet me. Now, what is it?” ‘To challeuge you to mortal combat I came!” was the ringing reply. ‘In cold blood you have slain the last of my kindred, Dare you meet me face to face, you to contend for the prize you’ve stooped so low to gain, I to seek the vengeance justly mine? r is the jast spark of brute courage within you dead” And aloft in the burning rays of the mid- day #00, Media flashed the casket of glittering s exclaimed ou came here CHAPTER VIII. A BOLD STROKE—GOLD GULCH. A HOARSE cry escaped Red Panther as his gleaming eyes encountered the coveted casket, and for gust a breath of time it seemed tbat he would plunge forward and hazard all an an at- tempt to grasp and wrest it away, ‘Stand! — you devil!” warningly uttered Reckless Roy, divining the thought uppermost in the mind ef the renegade. ‘One step, and you'll never take another!” and again his revol- ver swung up to a level. ‘« Rasy, my rash young¢friend!” was the grim rejoinder, ‘‘Til never tempt Providence at your bands! ‘“* And now, my dainty lady, to your challenge _—yes! You're a girl of grit, and I like you the better for it, ‘“* But I shall notslay you. Ill make you cap- tive, for your beauty and your spirit have won my fancy. ‘‘Now mame your terms, and let the game go on,” Media bewed haughtily. “* The terms are simple,” she returned, ‘‘Do you ride back a hundred yards, and I'll cross the stream, when both shall be at liberty to fire. If I fall, then the casket is yours, and my friends must be permitted to depart unmo- lested; should I slay you; my kindred shall have 1 avenged, ‘‘ Agreed, with one exception. If Reckless Roy is to remain on the tield, then one of my be permitted to come forward to guard against treachery or interference on his Again Media inclined her head, and wheel- | “peed —— eee eee <_-e=-cesnesese” “et ca I CC CC LL LLL LR LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL LL LE LL LC CL LE LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL ae Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath, ing his horse Red Panther galloped back the required distance, then halted and commanded : warrior standing slightly apart from his fel- ows, As Media noted the renegade’s movements, the steely glitter in her blue eyes deepened. Turning to Reckless Roy, she mutely extended her band. The young outlaw eagerly clasped it between both of his own, ‘** Media Bradlaw, you must give up this mad idea,” he protested, in a voice husky with emo- tion. ‘' You meet that merciless devil in a fight to the death! Girl, it is madness! You shall not do it!” Media withdrew her hand. - *f can, and [| will!” she returned coldly. ‘Not while be lives shail I know peace or rest. He bas wronged me deeply, cruelly, and 1 must strike for vengeance. ‘““As for the peril, l care naught for it. I am willing, even anxious, to meet him on an equal footing, for I am a dead shot and will snuff out his life as 1 would the flame of a candle!” ** Let me take your place,” urged the youth, with nervous energy. Let me—” ‘*[ thank you, sir, but it cannot be,” inter- rupted the girl, sternly, and then a touch of her spur drove Hurricane into the sluggish stream ere Reckless Roy could lift a band, Meanwhile, Old Calamity and Big Davy bad not beea idle, Surprised by the sudden appearance of Media Bradlaw, they bad at once become deeply inter- ested in the strange scene, and awaited its out- come with no little anxiety. Nearly every word spoken beside the sluggish little stream had been heard by them; they be- lieved a desperate crisis was at hand, and each crouched behind his leafy covert with rifle ready. Then, just as Red Panther turned back to the position assigned him, Idaho hastily ap- proached the two rangers, and it became evi- dent ata glance that the outlaw lieutenant was greatly perturbed, ** Call in ther cap’n an’ ther gal,” he requested, in a hurried tone. ‘* Do it cautionsly, too, so’s not to alarm ther gang out thar. We've got hot work ahead.” And he turned to hurry back into the depths of the timber. ** Mud-cats an’ houn’ pups! Don’t go off ata run, man!” protested Old Calamity. ‘‘ What’s gone wrong ]” ‘* A lookout in ther trees reports a big band o’ reds on’y three miles ter ther north, headin’ this way ata lope, With them, Red Panther’ll hev force enough ter crush as by sheer weight o’ numbers, We must be up an’ doin’.” At that moment from over the piain came a faint signal, Big Davy started, A peculiar look crossed his face, and he narrowly scanned the distant group of red-skinned borsemen. Old Calamity, regarding Idaho intently, utter- ed a long whistle, “Things do be gittin’ calamitous, b’gosh!” he exclaimed. ‘‘We cain’t git ther cap’n nor ther gal jest now, Idaho, Ther leetle sbe-tiger’s got a duel on hand with Red Panther, an’ in course Cap’n Roy won’t come in till thet’s settled,” ** A duel with Red Panther—thet gal?’ ejacu- lated Idaho, bis agitation visibly increasing. **Good Lord! why did I give her permission ter ride ouf thar!” **°Case ye ec’n’dn’t help yerself, I reckon!” chuckled Old Calamity, ‘* But, Idaho, we can’t make sech a bad matter wuss, b’mighty! so ye take my advice. Jest git ther critters ready fer a run, an’ hev yer men so’s ye kin call ’em in at a minute’s warnin’, fer ’m thinkin’ we'll hey ter cut our way out, b’gosb!” Idaho nodded assent. “Pve got things fixed jest thet way,” averred, and turning he strode away, Scarcely had the sound of his hasty steps be- come inaudible, when from across the stream he came the sharp detonation of a rifle. It was the report of Media Bradlaw’s gun, The girl had ridden out into the plain full fifty yards, and there halted and fired. Pantber remained upright in the saddle, a grimly defiant smile on bis full lips. Evidently the girl’s bullet had gone wide of tbe mark, Again Media raised the rifle, took deliberate aim at the beart of the renegade, and fired; and again was the shot without apparent result, Then for aaeandi minutes the girl regarded her foe wita strange intentness. What could it mean? She was perfectly cool and collected, aud her hands were as steady as those of a veteran bor- derman could have been, Yet she had fired . | 9 twice with deadly aim, and Red Panther sat un- touched and unharmed. Impelled by some subtle impulse, she turned her gaze upon the red-skin guard—a magnificent specimen of the Sioux brave, mounted upon a powerful coal-black horse, armed cap-a-pie, and carrying in his rigbt band, hidden from the maiden’s view, a cotled lariat! Slightly to the rear, and ten paces to the east of his chief, was his guard, and as Media glanced toward him be slowly raised his left hand and pressed it for a moment against his hideously-painted face, Was there aught significant io that simple movement? Wasit intended to convey a hidden meaning—to covertly disclose the vulnerable point in her seemingly imperforable foe? The very source of the suggestion compelled a nega- tive answer! And yet that movement infiuenced the course of the girl. Her eyes emitted a steady glitter, and her red lips settled in straight, hard lines, Swift as thought the rifle rose to her shoulder, and again its sharp report broke across the lain, a Red Panther swerved in bis saddle, and a lock of his long red hair fell to the ground. That shot, so nearly fatal, roused the rene- gade into action. Uttering a fierce yell, he flung himself forward in the saddle and spurred his horse int) a run, Media saw her peril, and was prompt to act. Raising her ready repeater, she pressed the trig- ger, and with a scream almost human in its in- tensity, the noble bay went down, hurling his reckless rider end over end, There was the look of a fiend on Red Panther’s face as he scrambled up from the luckless tum- ble. Drawing his revolvers, he charged straight toward the dauntless girl, uttering an oath at every jump, Then four reports crashed out as one, for as Media and her foe exchanged shots, Reckless Roy and the red-skin guard also fired, and the renegade chief fell back, with blood gushing in a torrent from bis face, A warning yell from Reckless Roy, and the rapid cracking of his revolvers, gave notice to the girl of a fresh peril, and she wheeled her horse to confront the red-skio guard, Too late! Witb the fall of Red Panther, the Indian had touched spur to his horse and swept forward, covering the distance between himself and the girl in less than the time it takes to de- scribe the act; and as Media turned, a triple coil of the lariat fell and tightened around her, pinning her arms and ber rifle against her sides, while a red hand grasped Hurricane’s reins! A burst of exultant yells from the red-skins strung around the motte—a single answering whoop from the quick-witted brave, then due- west across the plain he sped, the gallant little horse of his captive keeping pace with his own clean-limbed black, Dazed, stunned by this bold stroke, stood Reckless Roy, till that savage outburst warned him the game was slipping from his hands, Then thrusting his revolvers back into his belt, he seized and leveled his rifle. ‘Stay! Fire not! That brave is Gold-Dust Dan disguised, an’ he’ll save ther gal or perish! Foller me!” And Big Davy’s hand closed ’round the rifle- po a forcing 1t up just as the young outlaw red. Keckless Roy turned to the Hercules a startled, incredulous face, ‘*Come!” urged the big hunter, sbarply, as be pointed to the border of the timber, ‘ Ther horses aire ready, an’ ther boys mountin’. Rus’le, now, or we're too late ter make ther game!” A glance confirmed the words, and with a de- termined shout Reckless Roy bounded back and vaulted into his saddle, ‘* Forward!” he ordered, in a ringing voice, and away in swift pursuit of the fleeing brave thundered the daring Regulators. Then, as’ the warrior and his captive swept safely by, from right and left the red-skins moved to the center, massing to block the way —to hurl back the charging cavalcade; but on- ward, with a fierce, resistless rush, swept the bri- gade, their deadly rifles pouring out a continu- ous volley. With saddles emptied on every band—with men? and horses going down at every breath, that reckless charge was more than Indian na- ture could stand. A single vain attempt to roll back the tide of defeat, then the red horde broke and darted away in open flight. Stopping only long enough to pick up their wounded and their dead, the Regulators again round» pressed on, and in a moment more closed’ ae ay In | ' s. Le id 7 ‘t rn . ca . 19) oo <s;Gcom lets - . = 4 4% 74q f 7