Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 764 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

a, - » ‘ ' | - 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. ‘‘ Before I dosoI must know who and what you are,” ‘*That is asking a good dea], when I do not know jou.” ‘* You ought to know me to be a friend, at least.” ‘** Such I believe you are, but perhaps your re- gard might change were you to know just who and what I am,” ** Tt is quite possible; but I give you my prom- ise not to harm you, no matter in what regard I may be led to hold you when [ know all.” ** Suppose you learn that I am an outlaw, red- handed and merciless.” ‘‘ That I cannot believe.” ** You do not answer.” ‘* Well, even in that case [ promise you your freedom if you will help me in a certain work I have to do,’ ‘‘ That is fair enough, certainly, But, on the other hand, what if I prove to bea detective, and perhaps your worst enemy, if you are not honest?” waif | wg wish you were a detective, that is to say—a Government detective, for then I could depend on you.” ‘* What is the business you have for me to do, if I may ask?’ ‘*T want you to assist me in rescuing Dead- wood Dick from the bands of the bad men of the camp we just left,” ‘*Ha! Perhaps you want to get hold of him to hang him?’ ** Not so; but to save his life, which I know is in danger there, Will you aid me?” **One question first: Are you sure that man is Deadwood Dick?” ‘‘Tam, There is no doubt about that. Why do you ask?” ** Perbaps [am more a foe than friend to him.” “If I thought that, you would not escape us to do him harm,” ‘*Then you do not believe it.” **T do not.” ‘* One question more,” *¢ Ask it, sir.” ‘“* If the man ts Deadwood Dick, he has come here with a purpose, Are you willing to lend him the aid of yourself aud men in carrying out that purpose?” “Tam. To tell you the truth, that is what has brought us here.” ** Well, I can believe you, Anyhow, Iam go- ing to trust my secret to you. Iam a detective, and my business here, or at the camp, was to learn what I could and report to my superiors,” ‘** Your name is—” ** My name here is Carlo Waterstone.” ‘“*T am asking you for your true name, sir,” * Well, having told you so much I see ho harm in telling you more, A fellow may as well be banged for a sheep as a lamb, I suppose. My true name is Ben West,” _ “T have heard of you. Now I believe you are telling me the truth, It is your duty to rescue Deadwood Dick from his enemies if you can, Why did you desert him and leave him there?’ ‘‘ Now, Lady Crimson, that is ratber rough,” the man asserted, “* Did you not force me to ac- company you? But, that was my plan, anyhow, when the chance offered. To remain there meant death, — E-caping, I meant to go back at once, in disguise, and so be ready to help Dick. He stood by me like a@ manand I shall doall I cap to serve him.” | **Good. We now understand each other, I want you to go back there with me, this very night, and see that Dick comes to no harm.” “T am willing, if you can disguise yourself,” ‘Have no doubt about that, for I can do it, I have asked this of you, because you ought to know the camp better than I or my men,” ‘* Perhaps I do; but, what of your men while we are there?” “TY had thought to leave them on this side, within calling distance.” ‘“Too faraway. They must be on the isiand, If wanted, they wil] be wanted in a hurry.” ““ Have you a plan, then?” **T have,” ** What is it?” *“ Have the men swim their horses to the island, landing behind the bluff on the other side of the hotel, and there remain.” ** But, will they not be in danger there?” ** Undoubtedly ; but not in so much danger as you will be there without them to back you,” Perhaps you are right. Lieutenant, what do you think about it?” Lbis to one of the men, It is all right,” was the response. ‘ You have only to order us, lady, and we obey.” ** Have you nothing else to offer? tion to make?” e—_—_— oor OOo So eer - a SS ae eee i a a ES **T would suggest that you do not go into danger at the island at all, but let me and my men do the work for you.” ‘*it is useless to suggest that, I must be where danger is.” ‘*So Il knew you would say. I have noth- ing to offer further, then, but you may depend op us when you need us,” All the men echoed this promise, ‘* Very well; tbat will be the plan, then,” Cap- tain Crimson declared, ** Now, Mr. West,” the woman added, turning to him, *“* what manner of disguise are you able to assume?’ **T will dismount and show you in a few mo- ments,” was the response; and with his words the man slipped down from the horse he was b. ‘You will allow me to step oui of sight for a moment?” he asked, ‘*‘One of my men will accompany you,” was the response. ‘* Very well; I have no objection.” He walked a little distance up the trail, one of the horsemen with him, and was gone per- haps five minutes. When he returned, the transformation in his appearance was wonderful, He was a rough- looking miner, with red shirt and slouch bat, and with hair and beard of a rusty red. The woman looked at him in surprise. ** Are you thesame man?” she asked, ‘‘No, marm;” wastbe response, ‘I’m now Ben West, a miner, sort 0’ prospectin’ ’round in these hyar diggin’s,” The disguise was complete, and by it the man proved his claim to being a detective. He looked larger than be had before, but that was owing to the fact that be hud the sbirton over his other clothes, Captain Crimson laughed. **'You are a good one,” she declared, ‘ Re- main here fora minute and I will show you what J can do,” Going up the trail a little distance, the woman dismounted, and when she came back, ee her horse, she was bardly to be recog- nized. In fact, she could not be recognized as the same person, She wore rough, common clothes, and looked a worthy life-partner to the detec- tive now in the garb of a rough miner, — ‘*T selected. this.from amoung threeor four disguises I have rolled up in my blanket,” she said, “thinking it the most fitting one to go with yours, I can go into the camp with you as your wife, if you think that will do,” ‘*I have no doubt aboutit. But, are we to go now, or wait till morning?’ ‘“We will go as soon as possible, Great danger may threaten Deadwood Dick even now,” ‘* Very well; be it as you say.” The woman now bad no mask on, but a coarse wig, and a horribly dirty aod badly wrinkled face hid ber identity completely. She looked a toothless hag, almost, but her form gave the lie to that, to the close observer. The detective knew that she was not what she appeared, A consultation followed, in which all the men were allowed to express opinions and offer suggestions, and finally everything was ar- ranged as far as could be, and they set out upon the back trail, At the beginning of the corduroy road they parted company, the lieutenant taking the men and horses around to the shore of the lake, where he was to enter the water with them and swim to the island at the point to which the detective had directed§him, while the woman and the detective went across the corduroy on foot. The night was dark, as it has been described already. When they reached the island, they walked silently aad carefully, and stepped upon the ground without attracting the attention of the guard, Proceeding along the edge of the marsh, they soon came to the lake, and continuing on, passed the hotel and proceeded on around to the point where the horsemen were expected. In due time the lieutenant and men, with every horse, emerged from the water and entered under the sheltered nook at the foot of the bluff, Here, final plans were laid, and the old miner ann ae pretending wife made their way to the otel, What would be the outcome of their strange undertaking remained to be seen. No sugges- Bia eet first business was to find Deadwood } ick, a EE ae Sir SC + — on OC rrr ee ae ee CHAPTER XIII. a DICK IN THE CRUCIBLE, To Deadwood Dick the time passed slowly enough, It seemed that his mission to the island samp had been a dead failure. There was little pros- pect that he would be ableto accomplish any- thing. Still, he kad come there to play a lone band, and Dick was a fellow who generally carried out what he undertook, if it was possible to do so; and he had a way of overcoming seeming impessibilities, The fix he was in now, however, was one that he could not get out of without some outside help. Tiger Bill and Bleever Googin had made a good job of securing him, and try as he would he could not loosen bis bonds to any degree, ape to look for help was like hoping against ope. But, was it so hc peless? He remembered Nugget Nell and the strange confession she bad made to him, Not finding bim at the hotel, would she not be likely to bunt for him? And if she knew the island well, as she must, would she not find him? There was certainly something in this to give him hope, for bis foes could not know of the confession the girl had made, and would not think of watching her very closely, Dick was not far away from the truth in bis calculations, A considerable time had passed, when he im- agined he heard some one moving at the en- trance to the cavern, He listened attentively. Yes, sure enough, he was not mistaken, Was it friend orfoe? He waited for some demonstration from the in- truder, It came, * Dick?” So a woman’s voice spoke, in cautious tone, Dick gave a start, The voice was not unlike that of his wife, brave Kodak Kate’s, he thought, Could it be that it was she? No; impossible? It must be Nugget Nell, and it was certain enough that she was not Kate, ** Dick?” So the voice called again, the person having advanced into the cavern a little distance, Being gagged, Dick could only utter a groan in response, ** Dick, is 1t you?” the woman asked. Dick responded with a sound that was as near a ** Yes” as he could utter, In a moment more the person was at his side, ber hands caressed bis head, and she whispered: ‘*l am so glad I have found you. It was a rascally trick they played you, but I will make them sorry for it, you bet, Dil strike a light,” Se had brought a piece of candle with her, in her pocket, and lighting that she was able to see and be seen by the man she he! come to rescue, It was Nugget Nell, as Dick had guessed, / ‘*They left you gagged, did they?’ she cried. ‘*{ was sure of it, the way you answered me. I’}l soon relieve you of that fix.” Findiug a place where she could stand the candle, she quickly removed the gag and gave Dick the liberty of speech, so to say, ‘You bave done me a grent favor, Nell,” Dick hastened to say. ‘‘ But, do not stop at this, but free me altogether,” *““T am going to do that,” was the response, ** but only on condition.” ‘tla! then you are not so much my friend as [ had hoped.” ‘lam more’ your friend than any one else in the world, Deadwood Dick.” ‘*‘Now is your time to prove it,” Dick re- minded. ‘* Have you so soon forgotten what I told you?” No; and am not likely to forget it.” ‘““T must have your answer before I release you.” ‘** You must not forget that you are a stranger to me,” **T do not overlook that. Iam willing to tell you all about myself, and then receive your de- cision.” : ‘*‘ And what if I cannot comply with your re- uest?” “T only hope it will not be that, Dick. That will mean death for me—death for both of us.” Dick felt that he was in a delicate dilemma here, He did not know what to think of this Nugget Nell: it looked es though she must be a trifle un- balanced in mind. She had declared that she loved bim. bad pro- posed that they join hands :n the work he was i” com 1L . “) ' a ecom val OO Ph cate, » 8 - —_