Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

A uM ~~ eee Beadle’s Half-Dime Lib He went over them, carefully, sorting out each | His eyes were particularly sinister in their expres- man’s vote by itself, or, that is, stacking names in different piles. Two men seemed to have more votes than all the rest combined, and it looked doubtful which of the two would come in ahead, so even were their re- spective stacks. Two pair of evil eyes, in the meantime, were lev- eled alternately upon the table, and at Photograph Phil, who came to the conclusion that they belonged to the men who were, one or the other, destined to be his La eg pra in the pull of death. After the last vote had been stacked, and Diablo arose, with a suppressed chuckle in his voice, there was a moment of deathly silence. Seemingly not a man moved or breathed, but stood with bated breath awaiting the issue. Diablo finally spoke: “The votes have been counted, and it falls to Diuena, the Spaniard, to pull the death-straws. Seize him, knights, and bind im, that he may do no one injury; then prepare to give the new candidate his initiation. at is your name, young man?” ‘** Photograph Phil, at your service!”’ “Very well, sir. Steel your heart to pain, and prepare yourself for the excruciating agonies of our infernal torture!”’ **Go ahead!’ Phil replied. He was resolved that if others could live through the torture, he could, too. Besides he was beginning to regain something of his old confidence, and saucy coolness. His ever-working mind had not been idle, and he came to the conclusion that if he ever got out of this unhealthy scrape, it must be by the unlimited allowance of ‘cheek’? which had hitherto floated him along with the world’s restless tide. Preparations were made according to Diablo's or- ers. The man Diuena was seized, bound and disarmed, and thrown upon the floor. Two of the brethren Spemonsned Photograph Phil, and tightly bandaged his eyes so that it was impos- sible for him to see. Cotton was then stuffed into his ears, and he was seized bodily, and carried about the room by the head and heels, while the whole gang followed in his wake, howling in a frightful manner, making a din that he could hear, although, to him,it was but a faint, indescribable pandemonium of sound. After awhile he was laid upon the floor, but was speedily seized again and raised, but this time upon ab et, from which he was unceremoniously bounced into the air and caught again. Shall we attempt to describe the feelings of the Boy Sleuth during this interesting performance? Our pen would eventually fail us in depicting the strange and varied sensations which he experienced. Sometimes he was awed, and perhaps a little angered. But, he managed to repress any exhibition of his true feeli and literally “ grinned and bore it.”’ The bouncing — was finally finished, and he was stood upon his feet, and stripped of his upper garments, to the waist. Then there was a strange silence! What was going to happen? What new mode of torture was to be adopted by these ruffians, who styled themselves the ernal Forty? ’ Ha! the chief now speaks, his hoarse, cruel voice bearing a spice of devilish exultation in its tone. ‘Bring forth the red-hot ‘forty,’ and mark our man, for life!” There was a hiss from the men, then the bandage was torn from the eyes of the Boy Sleuth. He started with a cry of alarm and horror, at the awful sight that was presented to his gaze! CHAPTER ITI. A MAIDEN IN DISTRESS—THE INEVITABLE THREE OF A KIND. Ovr under the moonlight of that same eventful night, the gulch was crowded with miners and ad- venturers—a heterogeneous mass of people who were hurrying to and fro, or gathered in knots, con- versing upon the main topics of theday. The shar er—the bullwhacker—the gambler-tough—the well- dressed speculator from the East—the scout—the plodding, big-hearted miner—the border ruffian—the red-skin and Chinaman—all were here, in this one golden gulch, occasionally varied with a female,who was either the wife or daughter of some miner, or an adventuress, whose presence was of no particular account, The <~ ys was balmy for November, and the moonlight enchanting enough to warrant lovers in taking a romantic stroll. But very few lovers were there in this lively town of Cascade City—unless they were all lovers together and of one thing— old. % What a scene was that presented there under the full rays of the great soaring moon! In one place, two brutal is, were engaged in a rough-and-tumble combat with knives, ringed in by a crowd of admiring friends, In another place, the wily Eastern three-card- monte man had pitched his stand under the dome of the moonlit heavens, and was plying game with abundant success to self, Man after man crowded around this new sensa- tion, and many a poor fool put down his last pouch of dust upon the cards with the hope that he was going to win. But all in vain. He lost every time, while the gambler won every time, and shoved the pom down into his pockets with a complacent chuckle. He was a brawny individual, with a superabun- dance of fat on his limbs and in his florid face, and was dressed in the fantastic costu.ne of a sport- ing gent from Texas. EE eee ee ee sion, and he boasted of such a monstrous mustache as but few men could cultivate, it being full and thick, of a sandy hue, and the ends, fully two feet in len h, were thrown back over his shoulder. Alto- gether he was a remarkable-looking man, and it was his mustache, perhaps, that drew so large a crowd about him. ‘** Now, don’t be offish, gentlemen!” this man cried, with a complacency of voice that was designed to be encouraging. ‘“ Don’t eit skeert, or, aS my name’s Colonel Bill Sandford, Vl ages up stakes an’ go ter blazes afore I'll stay in t yere town. See hyar! ‘ee as easy ter pick up ther winnin’ card as ter eat uff ler meat. ok at me, now! Watch my eve move and motion, and I'll flip the pasteboards wit my eyes shut, and pick up the Queen of Hearts be- fore I open them!” And the “ Colonel” kept his promise, and not only fanaa up the card, but likewise astonished the “‘ na- t ves 9 ‘No use of backing out because you fail once, fel- ler-citizens. Allis done simply by the twist of your wrist. Ha! ha! what is money, anyhow, compared with sport? Fellow-mortals, | am always happy! You never see me down in the mouth because I lose a friend, or every cent I’m worth. I should be just as cheerful, sitting at this moment on the banks of the Pacific Ocean, a thousand miles from nowhere, with but a crumb of bread in my pocket, as I am now, here with such an intelligent set of stupids. Walls up now! Where’s the man as dare buck ag’ in’ a e ” ‘‘Here, every time!’ exclaimed a voice, and the Sport Rosebud Rob step forward with a cool smile. ‘* Here I am, Sir Monte Knight, and I have come to make you lame!” ** Colonel ”’ dford gave vent to a prolonged whistle as he caught sight of the Sport. e recog- nized him by a description he had previously re- ceived of the Sport, and a twinkle of satisfaction came into his sinister eyes. Rosebud Rob swaggered forward, his silk hat cocked to one side, glasses bridged upon his nose, and lavender kids upon his hands. The rest of his make-up was in accordance with the character he represented, and he was the impersonation of a handsome band-box a ‘“‘Aw! I say, weally, did you—aw—speak to me, sir?’ he inquired, squinting reflectively through one eye-glass at the gambler. ‘‘ Did I—aw—understand you to say that you—aw—would like to flip the—aw —cards with me?”’ ‘** Waal, now, you bet I could skin ye in about five minutes by the moon!’’ the Texan assured, ene gg “But Dll take compassion on you, young feller, an’ adwise ye not ter buck ag’in’ a comet—a regular solid rock mw peek Ye better o d’rect yer attention ter ther cultivation o’ rose- uds an’ eb pet § Ye'll make more outen it than could buckin’ ag’in’ my three-keerd monte table. e ken’t flip a c worth two cents!”’ A murmur of applause ran through the crowd, for strong was the feeling of admiration for this gam- bler with the ferocious mustache, among the “ citi- zens.”’ Stronger than ever had been their liking for the cool, dauntless Sport, who meted out justice to the deserving, and was regarded as a mo who worked on the “* square.”’ ‘“‘Aw! you weally don’t say so!’’ Rosebud Rob drawled affectedly, with a yawn. ‘“ You are deuced- ly clevar with your raises, you know; but, aw! start the game and we will see!”’ - Queen of Hearts is to be the winning card!”’ Bill ord announced, expertly throwing the three eboards upon the table. ‘“* What ye do, ye ttle sleek bantam?” “I'll deposit a hundred dollars thet I can pick up the ‘queen,’ aw!”’ Rob announced, counting out a stack of greenbacks. ‘Will you cover it, aw! sir gambler?”’ “On course!" the Texan replied, triumphantly stacking an equal sum upon the 8 ort’s ‘*chips.”’ ‘Go ahead, ye durned, bleedin’ Yank, an’ nominate San | yer keerd "3 | Hearts “Aw! anything to accommodate you, aw!” the Sport replied, with a chuckle, and picking up the card nearest to him, he held up the ‘Queen of Col. Bill Sandford uttered a curse. A murmur of applause came from the crowd. While the Sport serenely removed and wiped his eye-glasses. “ Hang you!” Sandford growled, “ you only blun- dered into it. Ten toone you couldn’t do et ag’in!”’ ‘Ho! ho!’ Rob sneered. ‘It’s all done simply by a twist of your wrist, “sy know. You never see me down in the mouth—oh, no! not muchly. Bess?” “Here I ar’, pard!”’ and the girl dare-devil pushed forward from among the crowd, ‘“ What’ll ye hev wi’ sugar in it?” ‘‘T want you to hold my money!” Rosebud Rob re- plied, sarcastically. “ D’ye see that individual across the table, who sports the enormous mustache?”’ ‘*Do I?” Bess said, closing one eye obliquely, and regarding the gambler coolly. “Wal, I recky I do thet same. Ye mean the chap wi’ ‘er hoss’s tail sproutin’ frum *'s upper jaw?” ‘*The same. Now, ye see, he is an expert gambler come down here to fleece these gullible citizens of Cascade Gulch out of their hard earnings. Therefore, it behooves me, as &@ guardian angel o’ the peace, to sail in and bu’st his bank!”’ ae liek Jest my sanctimoneyous thoughts, exactly!’ Baltimore Bess assented. ‘‘ Beat the du- cats cl’ar out of him.”’ “Colonel” Bill Sandford from Texas, scowled savagely, and seized the cards fiercely, and shuffled them. “Ye Yankee Brag!” he taunted. “I'll go ye a rary. gether with a hat sw by a ————— ——————— ——_ -~y _——— — thousand dollars ag’in’ a thousand thet ye ken’t pick up the ueen of Hearts this time, one trial.” _. Stack your chips!’’ Rosebud Rob cried. “T’ll either loosen the strings to your purse, or go bu’sted, Bess, gal, can you lend me a hundred, to fill out my pile? I seem to be a little behind the stake,”’ ‘Waal, now, I shouldn’t weather!’ and reaching into a buck-skin pocket, the girl dare-devil drew forth a handful of gold coins, two of which she gave | to Rosebud Rob, who then deposited his wager. The crowd now surged eagerly nearer, for this was momentous and extraordinary gambling, such as was not of everyday occurrence, Sandford shuffled the cards with unusual care, and was not a little nervous, for it was seldom that he met so dangerous an opponent, He had been one of the wealthiest monte gam- blers in the West, but had lost nearly all in a disas- trous ulation, lately, and had come to Cascade City with but a matter of fifteen hundred dollars in pocket hoping to retrieve his vanished fortunes. But, from all indications, he had tackled the wrong man, For although he threw the cards in as dextrous & manner as he knew how, the Sport picked up ae fatal ‘queen,’ with a laugh, and raked in the stakes. Sandford swore roundly, and whipped two heavy 45-calibre revolvers from his belt, but before he could raise them, Baltimore Bess had “ covered”’ him. ‘*No ye don’t, Mister Mustacher!” she advised. ‘* Jest ye restore them aire pop guns to yer belt, or I’m an embodied spirit of Christopher Columbus ef I don’t bore a hole through re quicker’n a cat kin ——— pe a vay Pm ca oe 0’ keerin’ fer vee ragrant rosebud, an c man as says he hain’t a hull hoss!”’ “aia ! ‘Curse you!’’ Sandford growled, 1 ‘urning bis weapons to their holsters, *‘ curse vou. lll get even with you yet. Gentlemen, the .«nk’s broke, and there will be no more gaming to-: | iit!”’ And giving the Sport an ugly li. i, the man from Texas sl away among the crowd; while Rose- bud Rob smiled good-naturedly, as he shoved his winnings into his pocket. “TI reckon that chap won’t play monte again, anyhow?’’ he said. ‘‘ At least, not until he get’s even with me. An ugly bruise to his pride, it was, to be beaten at his own game. Didn't you see him, as he waltzed away? Oh! but he had blood in his eye—likewise gore!—to some extent, coagulated crimson! Oh! yes,muchly! His very soul thirsteth for bloody revenge. Like some Saracen he will fall upon me with a sward of huge dimensions, and mow me down like a blade of grass,” ‘No he won’t!"’ Bess assured, with arms akimbo. ‘See hayr! ain't lon hand? When thet big Texan steer gits on your trail I allow J’U be on hand, Every woman was made ’specially fer ter be ther natural sre aap and guardian of sum man—ther uidin’ element ter his wild moments—ther prone and ter his dispondent spells—ther bleedin’ o’ his ocket-book. hat’s me, Posey—me, clean thru rum A to alphabet, you bet! Fate ordained et thet Baltimore Bess should allus be a strong arm 0’ pro- tection to the weak and innocent!” ‘** But I’m neither weak nor innocent, Bess, so I re- lieve you_ of your self-imposed responsibility,” the Sport replied with a smile, as he sauntered away. Later, a little, feminine cries, and the clatter of hoofs attracted the attention of the throngs in the ch in the direction of the SEN which wound own into the valley from the bluffs to the east. Screams that were fraught with alarm and terror, too, they were, and that echoed and re-echoed upon the silvery moonlit atmosphere of the autumnal night. y’ horseman—or, rather, a horsewoman, shot out into view, and was seen spurring a white horse ae down the slopes into the heart of the c Everybody stares! What is the cause of her af- fright—her screams—her undue haste! a! As she comes nearer, the cause looms into view not far in the rear in the shape of four horsemen, who are lashing their animals to ex- traordinary exertions, Mechanically the crowd surged forward to see the thing through. Revolvers glanced the moon- light in peep he hand, and there was an unhealthy outlook for the pursuers of this lone night-fugitive. As she came before the great breastwork of bu- manity, she drew rein and ceased her screams—sat erect upon her saddle, her hair pushed back in wild ye Seay on, and her face lit in the streaming moon- ight. An involuntary murmur of admiration ran riot among the great crowd. Such a face had never be- fore been seen in the mines—was not often to be seen in a lifetime, if searched for the world over. This was a face which possessed the two charms of beauty which cannot be equaled by other fasci- nations—the charms of exquisite perfection of fea- ture and sweetness of expression. It was a brilliantly-expressive face of perfect fea- ture, fired by a pair of large brown eyes full of smol- dering passion, and half framed in wavy wreaths of chestnut hair. The eyes wore a startled look now; the maiden’s breath came in quick gasps: a burning flush had been aroused in her cheeks by the wild ride. And although she was scarce more than seven- teen, she possessed a form that was willowy and all that was graceful. ; A riding-habit of some expensive dress-goods, to- the strings about her neck, and a cloak about her shoulders, constituted her outer garb. But it was a picture such as those miners and JOO im COME cS (E()