Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 838 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

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Im gcing ahead; and as for Move-along—he’s going, too.” When Clean Grit talked that way, disput- ing was not in order, and with ashrug of his shoulders and a grunt of disgust Mike gath- ered his steed together and sent it off along- side that of the hustler, who had remounted in haste. ‘‘The trail’s not just such a plain one,” said Clean Grit, as he retook the gallop. ‘‘ We want to catch up before it gets too dark. ‘If we don’t, there may be a change of the programme that will leave us out in the cold, I don’t yearn to get lost in the mountains,” They had not gone very far before Mike could see his companion had made no mis- take. Although the trail was comparatively smooth, it was one not often followed, and the country through which it passed was growing wilder every moment, From the hoof-tracks Clean Grit knew the party ahead was going ata rapid rate, but as the ground was rising, the advantage was in his favor, and he did not despair of over- taking them within the next hour. ‘**’Pears ter me I hear a sound,” suggested Mike, after he had pounded on in silence for half an hour. ‘* Are you gettin’ up on them, or are they ketchin’ up ter us?. Seems ter be about nip an’ tuck.” " ‘Right you are, fora quarter. It’s some one coming from behind. Keep your eye peeled, but please let me do the shooting. I don't believe in your shooting from horse- back worth a cent, and I'll be too near to be comfortable.” rie The hoofstrokes sounded nearer, and there could be no mistake about the direction whence the sound came, Some one was following them, and ata faster pace than they had been able or willing to take. ‘*P’rhaps it’s Kill; himself. I’d as soon get a measure on him first. Nothing like holding the drop on that stripe.” Mike looked a little anxiously toward that side of the trail, as though he would like to lay an ambush for the coming man. If it was one of the agents it was more than like- ly he would shoot without warning, and shoot to kill. Kill and his gang had less than love for the boys. ‘‘ Geta brace on, Michael. More likely it is one of the guard that has been left be- hind. Draw in a little, and we’ll let him hail us if he wants to.” Nevertheless, in spite of his words, Clean Grit managed to glance over his shoulder from time to time, to make sure the man was approaching with peaceable intentiong, ‘When they slackened their speed he gained rapidly, ‘Thought it war you!” exclaimed a care- less-sounding voice, which somehow seemed familiar. ‘Got through Handy John an’ the Dutch- man in great shape. Didn’t have a brace of slugs between them, Then, I reckoned I'd sooner have company over to the Flat, an’ lit out accordin’, Come nigh ter missin’ u at the forks, though. Can’t you whoop it upaleetle faster? J’ll run ther risk ter ther hoss-flesh.” | The new-comer was Poker Pete, the man from whom they had bought the bronchos i, ae - He talked as though he had been drinking, though he was far from being drunk, and Clean Grit did not anticipate any danger from him, though he was somewhat sur- prised to see him. Unless there was urgent business at the Flat it looked a little odd to be starting out so late in the day, even for the satisfaction of having such company as they were. The boy did not air his thoughts, though, but making some brief answer, allowed Pete to carry the heavy end of the conversa- tion, Fhe gambler asked some few questions, but did not insist upon answers, so they gave him no insight into their plans, an? *t was not long’ before Clean Grit began to listen now and then for the rattle of wheels, Once he thought he heard them, but the sound faded away, and Pete gave no sign he had noticed it. The first positive sign the coach was near was one loud enough and plain enough for those who were running to read, Without the least notice, and at no great distance ahead, there was fired a scattering volley of pistol-shots, which was followed by uw cry as of a man in agony. CHAPTER Vil. A DARING RUSE. Tur hearse bowled merrily along for some time after the transfer had been made, and after a while Helen became satisfied with the state of affairs. She had no great fear of the agents, yet she thought it well enough to take ail proper precautions for the safety of the treasure, How the scheme was going to operate she could not exactly tell, but had no doubt it was all right. As there was certainly no room for more passengers she submitted to the separation from Harker Hazen with the best grace possible, and had not the slightest doubt of their meeting the following day. The guards themselves seemed to be of the same opinion, for they rode along careless enough to all appearance, though there were no sounds to be heard but the fall of the horses’ feet on the ground, and the low rattle and grind of the wheels. Twilight began to come on, at last, and the trail seemed doubly gloomy. At an ex- clamation from the driver Helen looked hasti- ly out of the window, There was a crack of the whip as though a pistol hed been fired, and the horses started off ata faster pace than ever, but she was not so taken by surprise that she did not see three or four men whose faces were well covered by strange masks, who stood by the roadside, Jooking irresolutely at the coach as it dashed by them Ezra’s face was at her shoulder, and in spite of himself the word, ‘‘ Agents!” fell from his lips. If they intended to attack, they werea trifle slow in their movement. They were already being left behind when they ran out into the road, and the foremost man raised his carbine to take aim at the driver of the coach. So it seemed, at least, both to those who were watching’ from the vehicle, and three of the mounted guard who had been follow- ing at a little distance, and had just come into sight. There could be no doubt about what these masked men were, and the men of Pay Dirt did not hesitate, but at once opened fire, Unfortunately, though they delivered a volley at nearly point-blank range, the shots did little execution, One of the outlaws was scratched, and that was all. It was this volley Clean Grit and his com- panions heard, and the cry following it ap- peared to have been from a man who was more frightened than hurt, since he, with the rest of the outlaws, wheeled about on the instant, and barred the way. For a few moments there was a lively lit- tle engagement, and then the men of Pay Dirt took to cover by the side of the trail. The outlaws had received a reinforcement, pie were beginning to shoot uncomfortably close. Meantime the coach bad swung ahead, to get out of the way of chance bullets, It was an unfortunate thing the guard had be- come divided, but the men with the coach sprung down, their rifles ready, intending to take a hand in the fight. With the out- laws between two fires, the chanees ought to be still with them, Then was when the surprise really oc- curred, : Rising by the roadside, as though the had popped up through the ground, a stil larger force of masked men appeared, and they came so suddenly that each one of the guard was covered by a Winchester before he knew the danger. ‘*Stiddy, all you!” came the hail, in a low but stern voice, ‘“We don’t want to do any killin’, but the first whimper we hear, down goes every buildin’—to stay. Drop yer guns, an’ up with yer hands!” At the same time three more of the out- laws advanced to the coach, and while one of them covered the driver, the other two paid attention to the passengers, who had retained their place inside. ‘‘Sorry, Mister Man—you with ther fe- male in tow—but we'll hev ter ax yer to come out ov yer shell. Don't go ter hump , in’ yerself, fer ef we sh’u’d miss you, we'll hit her sure. Not a yelp now, er it'll be ther wuss fur her, ter say nothin’ ov you.” Ezra had as much courage as the most, but here he was fairly cornered, and if the rest of the guard was to be stood off, he did not intend to play a lone hand. For the. present he considered the sponge as thrown up, and submitted to what seemed the inevitable. He had something to lose here; but fortunately he had interests else- where that were worth living for. The coach door was already open, and there was not a minute of time lost on the part of the outlaws. The two passengers were hustled out, and received by a brace of ruffians, while the third swung out the strong box which had been lying on the floor of the coach. ‘Tap her, boys. That’s what we’re hyer fur, an’ it’s too onhandy ter kerry all that plank an’ iron when a sack’ll hold the oro, An’ we'll know what we're gittin’, too.” The order came from the leader, who had moved over in time to see the box passed out, They were all ready for the work. With- out delay the chest was attacked, and did not long resist their efforts, Then, two or three heads crowded together over the box, and willing hands turned out the contents. A smothered execration rose to the lips of the outlaw, No gold was this, but some carefully pack- ed specimens of quartz, such as might be picked up almost anywhere along the road- side. ‘It’s a bite, curses on ther luck! Ther gold must be hid somewhar about ther hearse. Go through it quick.” One man continued to hold Ford in check, but the rest, headed by the leader, began a hasty search, To no purpose, though. If there was any treasure about it was no longer in the con- veyance; and it was hardly likely it had been divided among the guard, to carry in their pockets, Here was a check with a ven- geance, The leader gave a hasty glance around, and as he looked, a ringing cheer came from the rear, and there was a brisk clatter of hoofs, Clean Grit and his companions were coming up to the rescue, As they swept along the trail the guards came out from the shadows, hailing them ag_ .’ ® . Pt Pn a 3 ny ioe ’ >