Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 777 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

i? . im o 4 ——$—$—<————————— —————————————————————————————— !..enxr--r™-’™”™”"mmneccee§$eoN™—- FH TeETfefeT™_.NMPSeHR_o3]94ean-.-"’-_—ote.-.jnnnonNmN>N?P?".0wwwnon!!!"_ was wide cpen as he watched the steamer flying along. He had already gotten a state-room, and had the key of it, but thought his carpet-bag was safer with him, A young man pacing up and down the deck in company with an elderly gentleman, smiled as he passed the all-absor youth, and said: **Now, there is real bliss; for that young fel- low has seen the town, and is on his way home to tell of his travels. ‘TI envy that class of men sometimes,” ‘*AsI have often done, Gordon; but what a lovely run of it you will have up theriver in this pleasant weather, and I envy you your trip, and wish that I was going further up than 1 am; but don’t fail to come in upon your re- turn, Grayhurst,” ** No, sir, I will do so,” and soon after, Gor- don Grayhurst bade his friend good-by as he left the steamer at a landing some thirty miles above the city. CHAPTER VL THE TEMPTATION. THE steamer sped en her way up the river, night came on, the gong told the passengers that supper was ready, and soon the decks were de- serted, A busy scene followed for an hour in the cabin, when waiters supplied edibles for hungry men, and afterward a few strolled out upon the guards or deck for a quiet smoke, The tables were cleared away and some pas- sengers began to write letters, others to read, and in the ladies’ cabin was heard the sound of ' musie and song. Forward, in Social Hall, men were grouped about the captain’s office and the bar, and as the evening wore on, half a dozen tables or more were set for the pleasure of those who wished to indulge in a fight with fickle Fortune through the medium of cards. Blackleg Bill and his gang were scattered be- tween three tables, and all readily found people to play with them. iamond Jack still paced the deck, cigar be- tween his teeth; and having thrown his weed away, Valentine Gibson entered Social Hall and at once sat down to play upon invitation, and at the table where sat one of Blaekleg Bill’s ugliest faced companions. Apart for awhile stood Gordon Grayhurst, and bis pale face showed that he was fighting a brave battle with himself against temptation. ‘** It is in my blood,” he mused, ‘‘ and how hard I find it to resist. ‘*T know how heavily my father played, and that once he lost nearly all his fortune to that Lawyer Thurston, whom he believed his best friend, and who, but for Dixie Gray, would have robbed Marion and myself of our inherit- ance. ‘*T have never played that I have not lost, and yet it seems that luck cannot always go against a man, . “*T wonder if I dare risk a few hundred? **T only wish that I did not have so much mone with me, for if I get to losing I forget myself and all, ‘* No, I will not play !” **Ah! Mr, Grayburst, I believe? ‘Take my hand, for I am not feeling well. **T leave you a winning hand, you see, so go in and keep up the luck,” It was one of Blackleg Bill’s men that spoke, as he rose from the table. He had seen the young planter standing there, and so rose on purpose to give his pal, who was his partner, a chance to fleece him. Thus appealed to, Gordon Grayburst could not resist temptation. He had inberited the love of gaming from his father, was tempted and yielded. So be sat down, took up the cards, made a bet and won. This he continued to do for some time, while the country youth who was on deck, having filled himself with supper, and frightened the waiter with a fear that he was going to fill his carpet-bag too, for be carried that with him to the table, now stood near, gazing upon the play- ers, But suddenly, when there was a large stake up, Gordon Grayhurst lost, and nearly all he had won was swept away upon the turn of a card, A second large stake went the same way, and the Bc, planter was some hundreds out of et. A third stake followed suit, a fourth and the young planter had lost five thousand dollars, But he was game and did not wince, Another game was being played, when sud- Dick Doom’s Destiny. denly Gordon Grayhburst laid down his cards, and said very deliberately: ‘*I will not say that in the other games you have cheated me, so you can keep the money you have won, ‘** But Ido say that just now I caught you slip- ping a card from your companion on your left, cea that ends my playing with a Black- eg. All heard the words uttered, but quicker than a flash the gambler had leveled a revolver and pulled the trigger full in the face of the young planter, But, just in the second of time his arm was knocked up and the bullet went over his head. And the one who struck up his arm was the country lad, At the same instant the other gambler leveled at Gordon Grayhurst who was unarmed, yet never flinched, But again his life was spared as a shot rung out, and the gambler fell back in his chaira dead man, while Valentine Gibson covered the other with his weapon, and said; ‘*To cheat a man, for I saw you do it, and then seek to kill him, with two against one is what I will not stand. ‘* Get out of this cabin, sir, quick |” The man was caught fairiy and cowed, His companion was dead, and Blackleg Bill who had hastily come from his table was too wise to interfere for he saw that the tide was too strong to stem, He looked around for the man whom all called his chief, He entered just then serene and courteous, ‘* W hat is the trouble gentleman?” Valentine Gibson was the one to reply: These two Blacklegs got this gentleman, whom I have not the honor of knowing, into a game, and a tlast he detected this man, as I did, slipping a card from that one, who is dead, ‘* He rightly accused him of fraud, and would have been killed but for that country lad who struck up his arm, ‘““The other drew on him too, and as I saw his act, I killed him. ‘If you hold any interest, as it is asserted, in these Blacklegs, you will do well to get them ashore,” 7 > sm were bold words to address to Diamond ack, But the man who uttered them seemed able to back up what he uttered, and he had shown bis nerve and aim by shooting one of the Blacklegs between the eyes, All gazed upon the Gambler King. But he smiled serenely and replied: _“*I have not the honor of your acquaintance, sir, though you appear to know me, “*Did you know me better you would under- stand that I protect no man who would cheat, or who is coward enough to fire upon an unarmed man, “That fellow deserved his fate, and I would advise his companions to go ashore with his body at the first landing the steamer makes. ‘* Now, sir, will you join me in a game of cards, for really I wish to make your better acquaintance?” alentine Gibson bowed and said smilingly: ‘* With pleasure, sir, for the desire for better acquaintance is mutual.” CHAPTER VII, . JACK DIAMOND’S CHALLENGE, THE fatal scene about the gaming-table, with the two shots, had startled all within hearing. Those who were writing put away their materials and came forward, Those who were reading laid aside their books and went quickly to the scene. Fortunately, with the booming of the escape pipes and the rattle of the paddle-wheels the shots had not been heard in the ladies’ cabin, and the stained folding-doors cut off a view of Social Hall from the rear of the boat, The affair bad taken but a few minutes, and yet all had felt that Gordon Grayhurst’s charge was just, and the fate of one of his assailants, at the hands of the handsome man who had come to his rescue, was deserved. Tbe young planter got credit for his unflinch- ing nerve ina most trying ordeal, being wholly unarmed, and Valentine Gibson was at once set down as a man who stood no trifling and was dangerous to arouse. It needed but a word then to turn the fury of the passengers upon the remaining Blacklegs and this Jack Diamond seemed to understand when he advised them to take their dead com- rade ashore at the first landing, and then, to rivet the attention of the crowd, bad proposed a game with Valentine Gibson, As he had seemed to surmise, the dead Black- leg and his friends were forgotten in the interest of seeing those two men play, for the challenge appeared to have been given as a test of nerve and skill, In his way Diamond Jack was the idol of many, especially of river men, and here was an- other hero, just as handsome, just as courtly, coming to the front to face him at his own game, Taking advantage of this interest, Blackleg Bill and his companion slipped out of the nearest: gangway with their dead companion. In the mean time Gordcn Grayburst bad turn- ed to tbe youth and beld forth bis hand, while he said in a voice full of emotion: ‘*T have to thank you most sincerely for sav- ing my life, for but for your quick action and pluck I would have been killed.” ‘Tm glad I did it, though it hain’t nothin’ ter brag on, for whar I lives we gits used ter cuttin” an’ shootin’,” ‘Well, my friend, we will talk with each other at another time, for now I wish to prevent this other gentleman, who came to my aid also, from playing with a man whom no one can win against, and who got into it on my account.” ‘* You is right thar, but don’t yer git bim out ter git in yerself, fer I thinks them two is better matched,” said the youth, and he added: ‘*Now [I’m a-goin’ out ter hev a look at ther deader, and if yer wants me my name is Davy Dunn.” ** And mine is Gordon Grayhurst, Mr. Dunn,” and the planter turned toward the players, while the country youth veg ts out of Social Hall. In the mean while, Diamond Jack had called for a fresh pack of cards, bad drawn off his gloves, thrown off his light overcoat, handing it to Black Diamond, bis negro valet, and stvod with bis hand on the back of a chair waiting for Valentine Gibson to be seated. The latter was equally as courtly, and said: ‘* Be seated, sir,” ‘“‘ Pardon me, sir, but let me introduce myself as Gordon Grayburst, a planter, and to extend my hand and friendship with heartfelt gratitude - your kindness to me-—nay, your saving my e. **T shall not forget it, sir.” sae OTe) mg ey of it, pray, for I acted as duty ays , Mr. Grayhurst, “My name is Gibson, and I trust we shall be friends, ‘* Now I must accommodate this—this—” ‘Gentleman, sir,” said Jack Dimond, with a courtly bow. ** Thanks, yes—this gentleman with a game,” ‘“*There’s a case of diamond cut diamond,” muttered Captain C——, of the steamer. “Bunt I protest, Mr. Gibson, for I was the cause of this challenge from that gentleman, and I should be the one to meet him,” ** At another time, Mr. Grayburst, I am very much at your service, ‘“‘T have had the pleasure of playing many a game with your father, and winning, too,” and Jack Dimond bowed. ‘* Ah, yes; I have heard of you, Mr. Dimond and | will “tf that my father always spoke well of you; but [ think [ havea prior claim for this game than Mr. Gibson,” ‘No, Mr. Grayhurst, the challenge was to me, and I must play,” and the two men, as though by commor consent, sat down to the table, while all stood around with the deepest interest, for they saw that it was to be a game between giants, men who had both shown their mettle, and who might be called upon to face each other with more than cards in their hands. before the evening was over. Thus refused to be allowed to meet Diamond Jack in place of Valentine Gibson, Gordon Grayburst could not but remain a silent specta- tor of what followed. CHAPTER VIII. MR. DAVY DUNN ALSO PLAYS A GAME. WHILE this scene was being enacted in the Social Hall of the steamer, one of equal interest was taking place out upon the guards, Black] Bill and his companion had carried their d comrade to the forward part of the boat, where the trunks of the passengers were piled up high. Forward of there was a space, and here the had laid him down, while one went to the slerk and got a blanket and rope to tie the body up in, to carry it asbore. ey had also notified the clerk that thev would go ashore at the next landing, a small river town some miles above where the steamer then was. The clerk had complimented them upon their