Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 840 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

best man in the place as the worst. may get into trouble.” At that moment came again that loud de- _ tonation overhead which had been heard earlier in the evening, and again was seen the luminous cloud of smoke. For a few seconds it was spotless, and then upon it suddenly appeared the words as before— bee, “DEATH TO DEADWOOD DICK!” But, he , CHAPTER VIL. PROPOSING A PLEASURE. Drapwoop Drck’s declaration was posted, as the mayor had said it would be, and toa certain extent it had the effect John Hartz had prophesied. Certain men of the camp suddenly found they had business elsewhere, and they did not stand upon the order of going, either, but went.“ They had their own reasons, and each one knew his own reason best. Some of these, too, were men against whom nothing was known there, at the camp, and perhaps not all of them had been moved by the threats set forth in the decla- ration, but it looked suspicious. Still, as one blunt fellow remarked, if every man left who had a spot on his name, the camp vel be a lonesome place for the saintly ye couple of days passed. The heroine of the camp was Elma St, James, who had so boldly come to the rescue of Deadwood Dick in his time of peril. Every man in the camp admired her for her pluck, and not a few for herself. And chief among these was John Hariz, who seemed to have struck up quite a favorable acquaintance with her. ' is strongest rival was Watson Cooper. These two, for some reason, had never been friends, and now the breach between them was widening to a dangerous extent. One day, after Hartz had been in conver- sation with the lady on the hotel piazza for some time, Cooper came along just as he took his leave of her, and speaking to her, ascended the steps and. asked permission to sit down. It was granted, and he took the chair his rival had just vacated. ‘‘ Have you secured any new pictures to- wea A he inquired, ‘‘Or any new material to ins ire your pen?” ‘*No, 1 have not, sir,” was the pleasant a response. “Why, ‘have you thought of : something to intaest me? Orof some spot I have not visited? You have already helped me to several excellent pictures,” — \ Oh! there are hundreds of spots you have not visited, Miss St. James, but after all there is a sameness about this rugged randeur, when one has taken as many lasting impressions of it as you have. Then, too, Hartz must have told you of every point of interest,” ‘* He has helped me much, I admit.” ‘* Has he told you about Captain Crusher’s death-line?” ‘‘No; but I have heard something of the sort talked about,” ‘Well, there is one spot you ought not to miss, while you are here.” ‘Tell me about it, Mr. Cooper,” ; “It is a place far up in the mountgins, quite a distance from here and very diffi- cult of access from the camp. A fallen tree spans a gorge, and on that tree is a revolver, which marks the death-line,” ‘* How romantic!” ‘Yes; one would hardly believe it ‘with- out seeing it for himself. Well, when any one attempts to cross that tree, or rather the chasm on the tree, a voice of warning is heard, warning the trespasser to go pack and if the warning i is not heeded it is a death- _ jine.indeed.” ‘‘It will give you an idea for quite a story, Miss St. James, and I wonder that Hartz has not told you about it,” ‘‘Knowing my adventurous spirit, he no doubt feared I would insist upon going there, and he would not desire me to take the risk. That, at least, looks reasonable, | think.” ‘Then I ought to be severely condemned for my thoughtlessness, perhaps. You will look upon his action with greater favor than mine.” *“ Not so, for [ am really delighted to know about the place.” ‘* But, you will now desire to visit it, I fear. No, 1 ought not to say I fear, having told you 1 it is the one spot you ought not to miss. In fact, I intended to offer my- self as your guide to the place.” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. after | | ‘‘For which I thank you, Mr. Cooper. I : will think about it, and if I fully decide upon | going you shall conduct, me. ‘Thanks. And, I hope you will think favorable of it. There i is, really, no danger, if one does not attempt to cross the chasm. At any rate I have never heard of harm coming to any one otherwise.” “Has an y one come to his death there?” ‘* At least one man has, of a certainty, and another,was wounded at the same time.” “Awful! Tell me about that, please.” ‘They were brothers, named Seller. They came this way prospecting, and find- ing signs in the gorge, set out to discover the source. Their hunt brought them to the tree, and in defiance of the warning of Cap- tain Crusher they attempted to cross. One was killed instantly, and the other had his arm shattered.” ‘‘That was terrible! And can this outlaw not be found out and arrested?” ‘Tt seems not. He is wary. The mayor of the camp has done his best, and has a standing reward for the capture of the fellow, a reward which he has recently doubled, but thus far it has been of no avail.” «« And what do you suppose the rascal has hidden there, that he is so determined to guard the secret?” “Why, it is thought it must be his strong- hold.” ‘‘Then I should think your mayor would take a force of men and go and drive him out.” ‘Really, I don't believe the man has thought of that, Miss St. James. But, I doubt if he could find men willing to take the risk. They could be shot off the tree faster than they could attempt to cross.’ ‘‘ Yes, that is so, too. No doubt he has weig icghed well the chances and decided against it.” “<< When will you take me there, Mr. Cooper?” ‘« At any time you say.” ‘“Well, 1 will let you ‘know. We will make up a party, of course, say half a dozen or so.’ “If you desire; but if John Hartz is to be one of the party. I cannot go, for we are not friends—much the less so since your coming here.” ‘lam aware that you and he are not on gied terms, and had no thought of asking him. It would not be pleasant ; for either of | you. Iwill ask the mayor, for one, and some others.” . ‘Yes, the mayor will be delighted if you will so honor him, I am sure.’ ‘Then it only remains to fix upon the time. I will let you know ina day or so; 1 cannot go to-day. “Suit your nih pleasure; my pleasure will be to servé you when you are ready, even at the shortest notice. You will need to be well rested when you undertake the jaunt, however.” **T will gather up strength for it from this moment.” ~ So the arrangement was made. “And tragic, too! ” The lady’s lackey had been behind her =e i i: re at sda PERE RA eK Se ee Re KR ae ae ee | | chair, in his accustomed place, during the conversation. ‘What do you think about it, Patsy?” the lady asked, when Cooper had finally taken his leave. ‘‘ Do you think it will be safe?” ‘* Begorra, it is not fur dhe loikes av me- sel’ to be giving advoice to y’ure lady- ship,” the broad-spoken Irishman responded. ‘* And dhen me opinion is not worth a cint a pound anyhow.” ‘‘Answer my question, please.” “Well, thin, Oi-don’t see anyt’ing wrong about it, sure. But moind ye, av ye do go and Oi go wid ye, not wan stip will Oi be afther allowing av y’ure ladyship to be put- ting av her fut on dhat ould tree, moind ye, aven av ye discharge me from y’ure service dhat same minute.’ ‘Have no fear for me in that direction, Patsy, Iam not courting such risks. May- be I will call upon you to try the experi- ment.” ‘Good hivvins! Would ye have me die av froight dhere in dhe prisence av all dhe company ?” The aay laughed, and so the matter was dropped. Before night the lady had made up her mind to take the excursion on the following morning. She apprised Cooper accordingly, and in- vited the mayor and a,few others, so that, with her servant, there would be five men of the party and two women—the wife of one of the men having been requested to go. It was after supper that John Hartz next found opportunity for converse with the camp’s fairest guest. She was on the piazza, in her accustomed place, and he joined her with an apology for breaking in upon a seeming reverie. “You are welcome,” she greeted, ‘‘and I am glad to have company. Pray sit down and take the scolding J have to give you— Yes, a severe scolding, sir.’ His look of amazement had led her to add the last words, but as she spoke she laughed lightly. ‘‘T guess it can be nothing very serious,” he remarked, as he sat down. ‘‘ What is it I have done to merit your displeasure?” ‘“Why did you never tell me about the pare spoken of as Captain Crusher’s death- ine?” ‘‘Ha! I might have expected it. My pun- ishment, however, is severe enough, so pray forego the scoldin Sh ‘* Your punishment?” ‘Yes; the severest you could have inflict- ed. You have not invited me to accompany ra and your aed on your trip to-morrow. The mayor told me about it, and he is de- lighted. He was amazed to learn that I had one been asked, I speak frankly, you see.’ ‘‘And my scolding is to be morein the nature of an apology, Mr. Hartz. You and Mr. Cooper are not friends, as I happen to know, and as it was he who brought the matter to my mind he fell naturally into place as leader of the party, and for sake of harmony I purposely slighted you. But, you are saved a wearying jaunt, so what need you care after all?” ‘Cooper will find it a delightful one, and | will not think of the hard climb once, I ven- ture to say.’ ** Which would be a pleasure for neither, were both to go.” / ‘You are right; I cannot complain.” “You certainly ought not tocomplain, but rather ought to thank me for thus sparing you at least once upon these my wearying excursions, sir,’ “One could not grow weary in your com- pany. But, as I ‘said, my punishment is brought about by my own act, and I accept it. 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