Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ee a 6 within a large circle which had been marked out | Captain Diablo said, leading the way out into the plateau, further. on the floor, motioning Phil to imitaje his example, which he did, and, to his surprise, they began to go zoey downward into a pit of darkness like unto . a. Sern-downe- St was not able to judge how far ere the platform upon which they stood ground upon a rocky bottom. ‘* Be careful, now!”’ cautioned the voice of Diablo. “ Here—take my hand, and follow me.” ** Photograph Phil will look out for himself, never you fear!’ was the reply; ‘‘so sail ahead.” They stepped from the platform into a little niche in the rock, and immediately the platform arose rapidly upward to the floor of the outer-world edifice which ey, had recently quitted. ‘*Come!’’ Diablo said, sharply. ‘Get down upon our hands and knees, and follow at my heels, until bid you rise to your feet.”’ Phil obeyed, for there was nothing else todo. He found that the passage through which they were to creep was barely large enough to allow of their moving upon hands and knees, and, moreover, that the rocks were wet and slimy. The blackness was intense. From the mouth of the shaft the passage tended ‘‘ There is one more point I wish to advise you on,” ‘The so-called moontide which washes gold into the valley below is also a work of my organization. To the north-east of this retreat -asmall stream flows tranquilly along until it reaches a point just beyond us to the south, where it de- slightly upward, and, in many places, water dripped | down upon them from crevices in the rock, wetting | ing in order to puzzle him, and when his nostrils them to the skin, As he crept along, the mind of Photograph Phil was notidle. Remembering the situation he had oc- cupied when he had left the above-ground retreat, and the way he had co from the platform, he gradually figured it out that they were creeping in a northerly direction, ' were saluted by the fr bouches from its subterranean course and pours in a cascade into the gulch. Once a month, three streams, which wash gold from the San Guiese mines, are turned into Cascade creek, and a great quantity rushes with the tide, and is led off into this cavern by trap sluices. Much of it also goes over into the gulch, but so insignificant a sum as to be scarcely worth no- tice in comparison with the Saharas of golden sand which reach us. Several venturesome men have at- tempted to unravel the seeming mystery of the moontide, but they have been summarily captured and dispatched. We will now blindfold you, and re- turn you to the gulch, in away which you shall know not, for the ways of the Iniernal lorty are Many and mysterious.” At a signal from the chief, two of the masked miners approached. Phil was securely blindfolded and his hands bound behind his back. He was then pushed forward, and the way led b Diablo. After much walking, climbing and descend- ing, he came to the conclusion that they were so do- rance of mountain flowers, and he felt grass beneath his feet, he was aware that | they had accomplished their object. There was a quick cutting of the bonds which bound his hands—then, flying footsteps, and by the and this decision, added to the | dripping of the water, convinced him that they were | either traveling in under the bed of the creek, or were beneath the falls which tumbled into the val- journey would never reach an end. Diablo uttered not a syllable but moved straight on, and nothing was left for Phil to do but follow in his wake. It seemed many hours ere they emerged from the narrow channel into a large niche in the rocks, the size of an ordinary room. Here they were enabled to rise to their feet and stretch their cramped limbs. From the niche, or cave, a broader passage ran on—all of these strange excavations seemed to have been wormed out by | water-power. After taking a drink from a canteen Diablo led on. Pursuing the course of the passage, they soon emerged into a scene which was strange as it was startling. There was a gigantic plateau of sand and rock of five or six acres’ extent, walled up on every side by perpendicular walls of rugged pine-timbered rocks to the hight of several hundred feet, leaving a sort of basin, as it were, locked out from the world. Upon the eastern and western sides of the plateau were rows of small but neatly-arranged log huts or cabins, counting up to the number of forty—twenty upon a side, And ebout, within this peculiar scene, were gath- ered two-score of men, clad in the miner’s costume, and wearing upon their faces full black masks, They were =e red in panning out sand or ewinging the pick, while, as in one voice, they sung hilari- ously. It was a strange, wild scene upon which the moon, from far above, poured a halo of beautiful light. Diablo sto in the entrance to the plateau and gazed upon the picture with a smile. ‘They are all mine!” he murmured, with evident satisfaction; ‘‘ all mine, bound to me body and soul. They are my slaves who toil that I may realize gold from their labors. Dost see them, Philip? Every man has lost his tongue; they work, but cannct speak, but can sing. ‘‘Behold the works of a man _ whose re aim is to serve the dgvil—whose only delight in gold and revenge. a! the word arouses me to my work. Listen! Ihave brought you here to see this secret gold-mine—to show you the slaves who work for the Infernal Band of which I am chief. But one man, outside of our order, knows of this secret mine. That man is the Sport, Rosebud Bob. He must die, and I have ordained that you shall go into the outer world, as my agent, to this Sport. Then, and only then, will our order realize anything from this mine—then, only, shall we be free from fear of detection.” “ And pes I fail to kill the Sport?” Photograph Phil inquired. He was estimating the chances of warfare against these brethren who would use him for a tool—these pards in blackest eer “You shall be set at liberty, to enter into that busi- ness which may most please you. But you shall ever be watched as closely as though you were to re- main here. A shadow shall ever be upon your track that will note your every action and report tome. Any attempt of yours to leave Cascade City will be thwart- ed by my band; any attempt at treachery on your part shall be rewarded with a horrible death. Re- member! you cannot escape, and if your life is pre- cious to you, you will preserve your faith by action in behalf of the order. One month will be given to you to kill the Sport, or whoever may learn of this secret mine. of drunken miners; if you heard the crac EE Ee If the lifeless corpse of the Yankee is | not left wheére I can assure myself of his death, with- — in the pe shall set my bloodhounds after you, | and they sha what part of the earth you may flee!” Phil bowed. Iudeed, he did not know what else to do under the ciccumstances. His first thought was to get out in- to the outer world, and leave his necessary plaus un- tu afcer that. hunt you down to death. no matter to | | i ih time he had torn the bandage from his eyes, the person who had accompanied him was gone. In vain he glanced in every direction, hoping to catch a glimpse of the person; he had vanished, and ley. _ the Boy Sleuth found himself standing alone in the On—on they crept; it seemed to him that their | valley, near where the stage-road wound down from amoug the eastern bluffs. The a streamed just as brightly as when he had le2: the gulch, nor was the throng of hu- manity beneath the white autumnal moon percepti- bly diminished. All along the guich the crowds were gathered— the music of dance-house orchestras throbbed up- on the clear air; sweetly came the perfume-laden breeze wafting up from the south, with almost in- toxicating effect. Outdoors ‘“‘cheap Johns” were crying out their merchandise; the saloons were discharging f Ay artes of a pis- tol accompanied by a yell of agony, you would be considered pardonable if you gave no further atten- tion to the matter than by remarking: * Another pilgrim shuffled off.” For such is life in the mines. If aminer or a citizen dies a natural death, it is apt to attract more attention than though he were to get * salted,” or should commit suicide. “Lam an outlaw!’ Photograph Phil murmured, as he stood gazing upon the scene, * and all because ot my infernal curiosity to investigate the secrets of that temple of ‘Bacchus,’ as it is called. I am a sworn and branded outlaw—the servant of an earth- ly Satan. Ha! ha! we shall see how far I will serve you, Sir Diablo! We shall see what can be done in your case! Certainly ti > doings of to-night have given me a ee into a hell upon earth, and it would be queer if I fear to work. quiet shall serve me best. To-morrow, I will go ahead and start up my photographing business, and while | work at that, as Photograph Phil, the ever- watchful Boy Sleuth shall be upon his oo and work even as the ferret works. As to this Rosebud Rob, I must make him my special study Tired and sore, he resolved to hunt up a lodging- pina at some miner’s cabin, or perchance bunk in wagon. 9? . CHAPTER V. MURDER AND ROBBERY. Tue tables were turned fairly upon the reverend Virginian and his backers, for evident it was that these citizens of Cascade City, headed as they were by Rob, Bess, and the bunrmmer, were in no way dis- posed to see foul sone The black-mustached companion of the reverend Sag per swore furiously as he saw that it would e death to attempt to take the maiden from the Sport, who stood half-supporting her on his strong arm * ‘** Curses — you!” he growled. Then turning to the kt ie LUCA, he a tome 4 Se e use of arguing with these medd fools, and we had better mative until we can robe the aid of the law.”’ ‘*Nay, my son; I fear we have arrived in a border of Hades where there is nolaw. Let me appeal to them once more.”’ And rising in his > abhthe! > he glanced into the sea of rugged, hairy faces which were turned upon him —some of them, however, with anything but encour- aging expressions. _ ‘My Christian .friends,’’ he began, in an affected tone of sorrow, “I wish once more to appeal to your honor—to your manhood, in this, my Soar of trial. I simply ask a boon that is in your power to grant— the restoration of my poor, nfisguided ward, who, I may as well tell you, is at times slightly deranged. Oh! how much sadness she has caused—how much ain and worry! The more so, perhaps, because I now that she is young and illy fitted to take care of herself, even were her mind in a sound condition. Therefore, my dear friends, I implore you to restore er to my arms—rescue her from that young ruf- fian, who has, I see, cast an evil and admiring eye upon her. Oh, Lord! thou wilt not permit the unho- ly sacrifice !”’ J: Pa a aN i EERE cata n the meantime, , At these words, a hot flush rioted over Rosebud Rob’s face, and he made a gentle effort to release himself from the fugitive ward of the Virginian. But with a low cry of alarm she clung closer to his arin, seeming to regard him as her protector. ‘**Don’t give me up to him—please don’t let him take me!” she cried, piteously. ‘* Never fear, for 1 do not intend to do anything of the kind!’’ the Sport replied, in a whisper. ‘Be calm, and I will arrange ali for your personal safe- t fie Mi Oh! thank you, sir. How can I~” ‘Don’t mention it, please,” he replied; then dis- engaging himself he stepped to the big miner, John Mason. There were a few moments of whispered conversa- tion, after which the Sport went back to his charge, with a gleam of triumph in his eyes. ‘“Gentlemen!”’ he said, glancing about, “as this seems rather a peculiar case, anc as this young lady has assured us that the reverend gentleman is a scheming hypocrite, unworthy of the care of a young and unprotected lady, | motion that for the present we put her under the guardianship of our esteemed fellow-citizen, John Mason, miner, who is willing to accept the charge, and is willing to vouch for the readiness of his sister, Miss Priscilla, to care forher. You all know Mason to bean honest, faith- ful citizen, and I feel sure that you will sanction my little arrangement!” “Hip! yip! hooray!” yelled Baltimore Bess, ex- citedly, and there rose upon the air of the night a tremendous shout of wg en that showed how deeply the public believed in the Sport. “That settles it!’”” Rosebud Rob said. turn the young lady over to your care. I make you acquainted with your future org Mr. Mason, whom I am positive you will find in every way a gentleman,” ‘But, my enemies—they will make him give me up,”’ the girl said, gazing with a shudder at the Rev- erend Lucas Alyne, who had ridden nearer, and was watching the proceedings, narrowly, in company with his swarthy-faced, villainous-looking son. ‘Never fear about them, miss!’ the big miner said. “You can bet they'll keep away from the cabin while I’m around—an’ when I ain't, thar’s m old-maid sister, Prissy—she’ll dust *em, now, I tell ye. Priscilla’s a reg’lar tearer, when she’s a mind to be, you bet!” . ‘*And as fer you!’’ Rosebud Rob said, turning to the Alynes and their backers, ‘‘the sooner you ‘dust,’ the better it will be for your health!” “Waal, neow, ef thet ain’t Scripter, ve kin count my vote out next election!” Baltimore Bess agreed. “Come! hoist yerselves, ye pie-faced coyotes, It’s one, two, three—bounce; an’ ef ye don’t bounce, I'll assist ter bounce ye, you hear me / Evidently the party came to the conclusion that **bounce’”’ was their only alternative, for wheeling their horses, they galloped away through the town, without a backward glance, Then, Rosebud Rob offered Jennie his arm, and motioned for Mason to lead the way, which he did, the crowd parting to let them through. As Mason lived some distance down the gulch, the Sport had opportunity for quite a chat with his new charge, and he was agreeably surprised to find that, although she wasyoung in years, she was old in wisdom, Her conversation betrayed no lack of education or refinement; her movements were graceful—her na- ture that of the impulsive, warm-hearted maidens of the South, ‘‘T owe you a great deal,” she said, as she put her fair, soft hand in that of the Sport, just as Mason’s cabin loomed up before them, “and, being penniless, I am afraid it will be a long time before 1 can repay you for your kindness.”’ “The longer the better,’ Rosebud Bob replied coolly, as he p her hand warmly, “‘ forIs ould hope to be shot if I ever was tempted to take pay for a ee done a lady. Please do not mention it again.’ aS If it annoys you, I will not. Will you call upon e, Mr. ‘*Mapleton is my name, although I generally hail to the cane of Rosebud Bob, ort S . rt. “But you haven’t answered’ my the little beauty reminded, ‘*Oh! as to that—yes, if you like. be needed to drive away these enemies of yours.” And, with 8 et laugh, he shook hands for the last time, and, bidding her good-evening, saun- tered back into the h of the town—for the cabin of John Mason stood partly back against the bluffs, somewhat isolated from other habitations, The yy being warm the door was wide open, and a bright light streamed therefrom, cheerily, “It ain’t much o’ a palace, miss,’’ Mason said, hum- bly, “ but it’s a purty snug leetle home after all, an’ I reckon a m orter be satisfied wi’ what he can To in t wc tena thfuil ae “You speak very truthfully, sir,’’ Jennie replied; ‘‘andIam sureI shall like my new home. J feel ashamed that I have no money with which to compensate you for your trouble.” “Tut! tut! don’t speak of it, little lady. Your bright an’ cheery presence will more’n pay for what little you eat an’sleep. Come right along inside, and let’s find Priscilla,” Priscilla Mason was easily found. She was seated before a table, paring potatoes, preparatory for the morning, and humming an ancient Sabbath-school song, which she must have committed to memory years before, when she was a blooming young maiden. For Priscilla could now be safely called an old maid, when five-and-forty years had dragged over her head, and left furrows and wrinkles in her pinchee and bony countenance. Indeed, Priscilla ‘** Mason, I Miss Grey, m er question,” Perhaps I shall COMIC OOO KS (E (El)