Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 776 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. good as dead already. You have got a load of bullion aboard, and Iam going to haveit. Get down from there, both of you, oands still up.” The father and son were down in a moment, . Stepping forward to them, the outlaw, still holding them covered, searched them for wea- ous, . In the man’s belt, under his coat, he found a revolver of ancieat pattern, and taking that he tossed it carelessiy into the wagon, ordering the man and boy then to step to the rear. This they did with greatest alacrity. As soon as they were at a safe distance, the outlaw sprung upou the wagon and threw aside a rough coveriug, The instant he did so, a man eprung up from the bottom of the wagon body, a revolver cracked, and Red Roy went reeling backward to the ground, while out after him Jeaped his as- sailant. Hedgeman Blunt and his son were as much surprised as the outlaw himself could be, for they had known nothing of this man’s presence in the wagon, and seeing the outlaw with some- thing to claim his attention for the moment at least, they took to their heels and ran. : In striking the ground, Red Roy almost fell, but recovering himself instantly he opened fire upon his assailant, with deadly aim but with- out apparent effect, tbe other returning the compliment, and with interest, And, it being at short range, it looked as though one or both must fall, yet neither did, and in a few brief seconds their weapons were empty. And the two, then, for a single moment stood and glared at each other, like two tigers about to begin their death-fight, Who was the man who had thus appeared upon the sceue so unexpectedly? It was none other than Icicle Isaac, the man of ice from Frozen Flats! Only a single moment stood they idle, glar- ing, and then together they sprung and knife met knifein a terrific hand-to-band fray. It looked as though it must surely result in death for both, Like gladiators they fought, dealing blow up- on blow, but their terrible combat was a blood- less one, and in less than a minute each stovd with a broken knife in his grasp. ‘* Will you call it a draw?’ the man in red panted, ‘* Never!” grated the manof ice, ‘* You are my prisoner, and I'll take you alive or dead!” ‘Take me, then! You will take me, or I you, and it will mean death for one or the other of us. Come for me, now, and we'll see who is best man,” On the red mask of the man in red were two brigbt metallic streaks, showing where tbe bullets fired by the man of ice bad struck, and proving that under the covering of red the mask was made of steel. Bullet-holes were in the clothing of each, Icicle Isaac having no less than four in the region of his heart, yet neither appeared wound- ed, The truth or secret of it was plain: each was clad in a suit of chain mail. They were about equally matched, and it would now be a test of strength and endurance, Together they sprung again, like furies, each determined to obtain the mastery, and in their struggles they fell against the hind legs of one of the horses, This was a signal for the brute »to kick, and kick it did, Icicle Isaac, as ill- luck would have it, getting the force of the blow, The men were parted, and at that mo- ment a cheer was heard and several horsemen were seen coming to the spot with all haste. CHAPTER XII. RETURN TO CAMP—THE NEW ALLIANCR. THESE horsemen were those who bad gone out the night before with the decoy wagon, and were now on their return to the camp, Rounding a bend, this scene bad burst upon their sigbt, and with a cheer, as said, they dashed forward to ef- fect the capture of the man whom, by his pecu- liar attire, they instantly recoguized. But Red Roy was on the alert in an instant, and finding himself free from his antagonist, be quickly caught up his revolvers and sprung away up the rocks where the horsemev could not follow him, and as he did so he sent back a yell of defiance, With yells in response, the horsemen spurred forward, firing a volley after the maninred, but without effect, and by the time they reached the spot Red Roy was some distance up the rugged rocks, and had now stopped and was looking back at his foes, With one accord the men threw themselvee from their saddles and sprung to the capture, but in this they were to be check- ed. The outlaw had reloaded his weapons, and now opened fire, One man and then another SSS rrr nr er o- quickly let go and rolled down into the road un- der his fire, and the others stopped. These men were not cowards, but seeing the deadly aim of their foe they sprung to cover, ‘* Come on and take me, if you want me!” the outlaw called down to them, The answer was another volley of shots, none of which seemed to take effect, and with another laugh of defiance Red Roy sprung on up the rocks and disappeared from sight, It was then the men gave their attention to Icicle Isaac, He was crawling out from behind the horses, seemingly more dead than alive, for the kick he had received bad been no gentle one, ** Curse the luck!” he grated. ‘* 1 would have had the fellow, but for that horse kicking me, But, 1 will have him yet; I swearit! This is one for bim, but the next must score for me,” (Juestions were asked, and the man of ice gave an account of what had taken place, He had conceived the idea of trying to take the outlaw single-banded, and fully believing he would attack the farmer, had concealed himself in the wagon, But, failure had been the result of his scheme, and now nothing reniained for him to do but to return to the camp with these men. The two who had fallen were not dead, but wounded, and when these bad been helped to mount, the man of ica mounted behind one of them. Half a mile on they came upon Hedgeman Blunt and his son, both standing in a terrified way, not wanting to lose the teain and wagon, and yet afraid to return for fear of the outlaw, When informed that he bad gone, however, they took courage, and with a show of more bravery than they felt, set out to retrace their steps. The others rode on in the direction of the camp, and in due time arrived, Tiere was excitement when Icicle Isaac was geen coming in with these men, and at once a crowd formed to learn where he had been. His appearance showing plainly that he had been in sore sort of a fray, he was eagerly plied with questions, The camp being idle, according to the mayor’s proclamation, the crowd was great, * Great storm-king!” the mayor kowled, when he bad heard the particulars. ‘* Ef ye bad only let on, Icicle Isaac, and bad another man or two with ye, et would ’a’ been all up with Red Roy.” ‘*] believe you are right, mayor,” the man of ice agreed, ‘** But, I thought to be able to over- come him, taking him by surprise. He isa man of nerve and power, however, and made it hot for me, Still, I believe [ would bave overcome him but for my misfortune in getting a kick from one of the horses,” ‘** Wull, what’s ter be done, me childrun?” the mayor cried, ‘‘ We know the infernal p’izen wnelp is byerin these bills, and how ar’ we goin’ ter run him out? That is the main ques- tion "fore the committee now,” It was a question no one seemed able to answer, so they did about the only thing they could do—nothbing, [n the mean time the old gentleman, Porter Filburn, who had come into the camp by the stage on the previous day, had been out looking about the camp and picking up what informa- tion he could. Thus far no one knew his business, further than he had binted it to the landlord, but it was seen that he took interest in all that was going. on, and appeared to be particularly interested in all that was said about the outlaw, Red Roy, and his doings. Icicle Isaac bad not breakfasted, of course, 80 he set about attending to that important duty now, W hen he came cut, feeling none the worse for bis adventure and mishap, he was accosted on the piezza by Mr, Filburn. ** xcuse me, sir,” that gentleman said, * but are you the man [ bear spoken of as Icicle Isaac? Are you the man who has bid defiance to this outlaw, Red Roy, and who is taking interest in avenging Deadwood Dick?” The man of ice looked at his questioner searchingly. ‘* Yes,” he answered icily, ‘‘I am the man,” ‘“* Then, sir, will you allow me to have some conversation with you in private? Perhaps we can be of service to each other,” ** Are you looking fer Red Roy, too?” the man from Frozen Flats asked, ‘fl am interested in that case, sir.” **In what way?” ‘That [ am willing to discloseif you will oblige me.” ‘* Very well, let us draw up chairs here at the corner of the piazza, and talking in low tones, we need have no fear of being overheard,” ‘* That suits me,” In a few moments they were seated. ‘I observe one thing about you, sir,” Icicle Isaac remarked, ** And what is that, sir” ‘That you arein disguise. You area younger man than you would appear to be, or than any one would take you to be.” ‘* And yet you discover that I am not what I would seem,” ‘*Because [ have given you a searching exam- ination, ‘Well, what is it you want to Say to me?” ‘* You are interested in this outlaw—that is,. in huntiog him out and bringing him to justice, The same business has brought me here, and knowing I can trust you, I want to join bands: with you in the business.” ‘* How do you know you can trust me?” ‘* Because I know you are in deadly earnest in your attempt to avenge Deadwood Dick.” _ “ Well,solam, Is that your object, too?’ ‘‘Well, yesand no. The business for which E was engaged is different, but when I learned of the fate of that noble detective, 1 made up my’ mind to bave a hand in avenging bim.” ‘‘Then you knew Deadwood Dick?” ‘* Not personally: only by reputation.” ‘‘T see, Have you any objection to disclosing your identity to me?’ ‘Not if you are willing to let me work with you in the matter, or willing to aid me in ex- change for whatever service I can render you.” ‘* We!l, that is agreed, if your object is as you: have stated it,” ‘‘ And it is. I am here for the purpose of un- earthing Red Roy, to bring him to account for a murder he is supposed to have committed.” ‘‘In whose interest are you working in this case?” ‘*In the interest of the woman who is with me,, who passes as my sister, a widow.” ‘* Who is she?” ‘‘- You will pardon me if I withbold that. The woman forbids my revealing ber identity to any person whatever.” ‘* Very well; don’t abuse her confidence. But,.. yourseli ?” ‘‘] am Detective Jones, from Boise City.” ‘Ha! a professional, eb?” sé Yes.” ‘‘ Well, Mr. Jones, what do you know?” * Nothing. What do you know?’ ** Nothing.” There was a moment of silence, and both laughed, ‘We shall bave to know more than at present then, that is sure, or we shall accomplisb noth- ing,” remarked the man of ice, “ Decidedly. But how is it to be gained? I mean knowledge concerning this Red Roy. Now is the time for us to strike, while the camp is in: the frame of mind it is,” ‘You are right. I and my companion have been unable to do anything yet.” ** Your companion?” " Yes; Harry Stacey, called Handsome Har-- Pi ‘‘He! I was not aware you were in partner-- ship with him in the matter.” ** You speak as if you would not want to come in with us, after all.” *T tell you I was not aware that yow were in with bim, No, I bad rather be out of it. ** And why so? Can’t you trust Stacey as well as me?” ** You know when a fellow takes a case he has: to be guided somewhat by the demands of his employer. Mine has warned me especially against this mau Stacey and the woman who» runs the Palace Saloon,” ‘*Whew! Is that so?” “< Yes.” ** See here, Mr. Jones, you and I may as well! come to an understanding in this matter. You have placed ccnfidence in me, and J will do the same by you. That Palace Snsloon has something to do with this mystery of Red Roy. That is to say, Red Roy has some control. there,” ‘* And you said you knew nothing.” ‘So did you; yet you immediately disclosed’ your suspicion.” “Well, let us have an understanding, as you say. However, I confide in you only; not in Harry Stacey.” ‘*T understand that, Heisoutofit. This mat- ter is only between you and me, If you are a professional, as you claim, you can understand my object in what I am doing.” “Yes, Isce it. I have not asked you who you are, because I believe that would be useless. Very well, Our suspicions point in the same direce- > mis Silke Po choo!