Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 794 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

stay in Fortune City?—the fearless, devoted Headlight Harry’s Hunt. site shore, and # moment later a second ruf young woman who helped to rescue us from | fian came hurrying to the scene. the hands of the road-agents?” ‘* What, Wild Nell, the outlaw’s daughter? Of course | remember her, bless her pretty picture!” ‘“‘And you also remember that, after the death of her misguided father and the anni- hilation of his band, the girl suddenly disap- peared; and all efforts to discover her where- abouts had, up to the time of our departure, proved fruitless?” ‘* Yes, pard, I recollect it perfectly well, an’ what’s more, I’d give all I possess to know where Wild Nellis at this minnit, It’s a fact, pard, that I took an uncommon fancy to that gal, for a more dashin’ bit o’ caliker I never clapped eyes on in atl my born days.” ‘* Well, Rufe, it is quite possible that you may meet the girl again. In fact, I think she can be found not far from this very spot.” There was a significance in Headlight Harry’s speech that was not without effect upon his companion, who stared at him in sudden amazement. ‘Great jumpin’ horn-toads! Kin it be possible that—” * ’m not making a positive assertion, mind you—it is only mere conjecture. But it strikes me very forcibly that if you should remove that dainty waxed-mustache which Handsome Charlie sports, and supply a wealth of jetty curls in place of his present ‘close-cut locks, you would have a very good imitation of Wild Nell.” ‘* Not an imitation, pard, but the real gen- uine article,” exclaimed Rufe Ruffle, in illy- suppressed excitement. ‘‘Skin me for a woodchuck if you ‘haven’t struck it jest right! Why, I knowed right along that I'd seen that face afore somewhere, but I was too big an idiot to penetrate the mystery.” ‘‘This explains, you see, why Handsome Charlie is so uneasy in our presence. He feels insecure tn his disguise, and fears we may recognize him, though why he should fear recognition by his friends, is more than I can imagine.” ‘‘That’s jest it, pard—that’s a problem which even your shrewd brain bas failed to solve. Why in the name o’ Christopher Co- Jumbus should the gal rig herself up in boy’s clothes, an’ foller us inter this ungodly coun- try? That’s what I’d like to know!” ‘‘Well, I dare say explanations will be forthcoming in due time, But for the pres- ent, Rufe, we must rest content with what we already know. It is best that our fellow- companion should remain ignorant of our suspicions until a more fitting time arrives; so for the present we will continue to refer to him (or her) as Handsome Charlie—” ‘“Hark! What in the name o’ sin was that?” It was a lusty shout, sounding near at hand, which suddenly reached the ears of the men at the tunnel entrance, eliciting the warning exclamation from Rufe Ruffle, and putting a sudden end to their discussion. Even as they paused to listen the cry was re- peated, and an instant later an answering cal) came less distinctly to their ears, In sudden surprise and trepidation the Railroad Pards carefully parted the vines and peered without, only to start violently at the unexpected sight that met their gaze. Standing upon the opposite bank of the «reek, directly in front of the cave entrance, was a stalwart, wellarmed ruffian whom they recognized as one of King Kirby’s mer- cenaries. He was gazing intently across the stream, his keen gaze fixed apparently upon the very spot where crouched the dumfound- ed fugitives. . What did it mean? Was their hiding- place discovered? CHAPTER XII. BELEAGUERED. In an agony of suspense and fear the Rail- road Pards h watched the man upon the oppo- | | | | ‘‘Hyar | am, pard!” was the new-comer’s salutation. ‘‘ Have youdiskivered anything o’ the cussed runaways?” ‘*] reckon I’ve diskivered somethin’ that may have some bearin’ on the subject,” came the prompt reply. ‘‘ Jest clap yer optics on the strip 0’ sand which runs along the oppo- site bank, atwixt the water an’ the cliff, an’ tell me if ye see anything there to interest ye.” ‘‘There’s footprints there, I opine, though I wouldn't swear to it, since my eyesight is none o’ the best,” said the second ruffian, after a long, searching glance in the direction indicated. ‘* That’s jist what my peepers say, too, pard. | Now, what’s footprints doin’ over there, I wonder? Seems to me it'll pay us to exam- ine them thar marks a leetle closer.” ‘‘That’s my opinion, too, Billy. The boss hez offered a han’sum reward to the first man who sights the fugitives, so I opineit’ll bea great feather in our caps if we kin git the bulge on the rest o’ the boys. We mustn’t throw away any chances.” ‘““Oome on, then! There’s a place up- stream where we kin cross without wettin’ our precious toes,” and the pair moved hurriedly away in the direction of the fallen ine. i Meantime the Railroad Pards, behind their screen of vines, had overheard every word of this conversation, and their feelings may be better imagined than described. It was easy to divine that the footprints upon the shore, which had thus unlucki’y attracted the notice of these argus-eyed mun-hunters, were those made by the Spider, who, owing to the utter darkness at the time of his departure, had been unable to remove the tell-tale traces after his usual careful manner. ‘‘Pard, we’re in for it now, and no mis- take,” whispered Rufe Ruffle, as he witness- ed the movements of the enemy. ‘‘ Them aloots are comin’ right over hyar, bent on urther investigation, an’ 1] reckon the fur will fly thick an’ fast afore many minnits.” ‘We are capable of giving them a warm reception, I fancy,” was the resolute re- sponse. ‘‘ Woe be to the scoundrels if they venture too near. Rufe, if those men dis- cover us they must not live to spread the in- telligence to the rest of the gang. Our lives’ and liberties demand that they be squelched, and that too, without the use of fire- arms, if possible, since there's no telling how many more may be close at hand.” Together the intrepid railroaders watched and waited for their foes to reappear, and ere many moments had elapsed the voices of the latter were again heard, this time but a few feet distant. ‘‘Sure enuff, pard, I wasn’t mistook, ‘for these hyer are human footprints, an’ fresh at that. Only afew hours old, or I miss my guess,” declared the first ruffian, triumph- antly. ‘* Mebbe some of our Own gang have made the tracks—” ‘*Mebbe so—mebbde not! I’m a-goin’ to nose inter the thing a leetle deeper, jest for luck. This isa durn queer lookin’ place, anyway. Like as not thar’s a cave or some- thin’ hid away behind these pesky vines.” There was a minute of awful silence as the two men behind the screen waited in breathless suspense for the denouement which they felt must quickly follow. Then the expected happened—the vines were rude- ly pushed aside, and two villainous faces looked into their own!” With every nerve and sinew strained to meet this trying emergency, the Ruilroad Pards acted with wondrous skill and quick- ness. Like lighining their brawny arms shot out, and sinewy fingers crossed about the necks of the astonished trailers, while simultaneously each man dealt a terrific blow full in the face of his victim, at. the same time pushing him violently backward. ! tude for his own welfare. With a loud splash the two ruffians fe into the creek together, and were borne rapidly away by the swift-running current. One of them, however, being but partially stunned by the blow, quickiy recovered his senses and struck out desperately for the op- posite shore, In a moment Rufe Ruffle had covered the swimmer with his revolver. Hazardous though it was to use the weapon, it was cer- tainly better to run therisk of the shot being heard than to court certain disaster by per mitting the escape of the runaway; and, rea- soning thus, Rufe pulled trigger just as his man leaped upon the bank. Down went the ruffinn as the sharp crack of the weapon rung upon the air, but in an instant he was upon his feet again and dash- ing madly away, one arm hanging limp and bleeding by his side. ‘‘Confound the luck! I only winged the varmint,’’ cried the fireman, in deep disgust. ‘‘The mischief is done now, I reckon. "Twixt that chap an’ the pistol-shot we'll have a hull hornets’ nest around our ears,” Nor was he one whit mistaken, for within five minutes a number of the gang had gath. ered upon the river-bank, among them the wounded outlaw, who was seen to gesticulate wildly in the direction of the cliff. From every direction they came rushing to the scene, until the dismayed railroaders could count fuliy a score of well-armed desperadoes assembled in full fighting array. ‘‘Ounfound the rascals! They’re thicker than flies in summer time,” growled Head- light Harry, as he marked this steady increase in the enemy’s forces. ‘* Well, let ’em come on if they want a scrimmage. We have the advantage of position here, and can pick ’em off as fast as they show their ugly heads at the tunnel entrance.” The desperadoes, however, showed no de- sire for immediate hostilities, contenting themselves with a few angry shouts. Not a shot was fired, and the gang was evident- ly awaiting reinforcements ere beginning an assault. The Railroad Pards had retired a few feet into the narrow passage, where they could command a view of the opposite shore with- out being seen themselves, for the vines at the entrance had been torn away during the recent struggle, leaving the entire opening unobstrv.cted. Handsome Cbarlie, mean- time, being awakened by the commotion, ap- peared, pale-faced but resolute, eager to con- tribute his share tothe defense of the strong- hold; but Headlight Harry, now doubly solicitous for his safety, quickly ordered him back to the inner Cavern. ‘This passage is scarcely wide enough for two, and a third man would only be in the way,” he explained. ‘‘ You can take your ease in the cave, acting as a reserve force to be drawn upon in event of an emergency.” “An’ why wouldn’t it be a good scheme for us all to take a sneak in that direction?” queried Rufe Ruffle. with a growing solici- ‘* We'd be a durn sight safer there, an’ could defend ourselves just as well in case of attack. If them galoots should take a notion to send a volley inter this tunnel, we’d all be cold cadavers inside 0’ three seconds.” ‘‘ There’s no danger to be apprehended on that score; I am confident King Kirby is too anxious to capture usalive! Doubtless che has already given order's to that effeet, for you observe that not a shot has been fired by the qneniy, great thoug the provocation to do so. , for one, shal) remain here where L can watch their maneuvers to to the best pos- sible advantage.” ‘‘Then I’m with ye, pard. But I warn ye I shall make ‘tracks for the cave the minnit the firin’ begins from t’other side,” declared Rufe Ruffle, grimly, while he proceeded to look to his numerous shooting-irons and see that they were all loaded and ready for in- stant use. / f ' ' : Psi Pare | DOOKS. com