Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 901 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

“- 4 > —_— ‘~~ ' + ; * e - ? Oo ye ch tee Lk eed Alen, Sead my P ‘ Pr Diamond Dave, the Gi way would be, and examined the quarters in which they found themselves installed with a great deal of curiosity, The lamp by whichethey made their limited explorations showed them a small cell, from which there appeared to be but the one way of exit, and that leading to the larger room where the main force of the outlaws had their headquarters, ‘‘It looks as though two or three of them could hold the path we came by against a hundred, but I’m not going to trouble my- self about it—that’s Master Dave’s business. We can’t get out so he must get in.” Then, Miss Belle pursed her lips up and threw herself down on the couch by the side of Vera, just as Daddy Grimes en- tered with the dinner, CHAPTER XI. A CHECK FOR THE RANSOM, CAPTAIN CursE went off to look after his affairs without any apparent misgivings, but his mind was not as much at ease as he would have it appear, He knew the, soldiers of fortune who were fighting under his orders, and he did not trust them further than his lead could reach them, | 7 ‘‘The infernal wretches are just as apt to play me foul as if | was another man. Since Carter got taken in there’s not a soul there who wouldn’t sell me for a hundred dollars if he thought he could do it and save his own hide in the bargain, If Malloy knows what is good for him and his daughter he won't waste much time in coming to terms. If he don’t turn up promptly I swear I won’t answer for the consequences.” This was about the way the thoughts of Captain Curse were running as he made his way from the cave. Had he known the danger which menaced him as he went down the trail he might have recognized that it was the very uncertainties he was considering which saved his life. Kent Baker had him lined, and it took some argument, and a good deal of firmness, on the part of Diamond Dave to induce him to let down the hammer without bursting a cartridge, } But Dave was not yet ready for an ex- plosion, since he had discovered there was but one possible route toward the robbers, and that was commanded by a sentinel, who could hardly overlook them as they came. Though they had a position almost as im- pregnable, it would be an awkward place to stand a siege; and were their presence once known there would be nothing to hinder the spiriting away of the young ladies while their attention was fully occupied protecting themselves. So far, they had been hunting a Tartar; their ultimate success depended on not giv- ing the Tartar any occasion for hunting them. Time enough for a desperate move when the outlaws were more off their guard, They had unfortunately come upon the scene a trifle too late, and could not now pick off their men in the narrow defile with- out any great danger to themsclves or their prisoners. $o, Captain Curse went on his way un- challenged, leaving behind him the hidden four to discuss in a low tone the plans for the campaign. First, the captain retraced bis steps until he reached the spot where the party had been when Belle Malloy first caught sight of them. He halted there, but did not have long to wait. One of his men came gallopiug up. ‘‘ The train aretied up thar, tight enough,” was the intelligence he brought. ‘It don’tlook ez though they war goin’ ter move it ferquite a while. Track are tore up, n’ no one ter fix it. No train comin’ from ther other end ov ther road, either. Those fellers hev got in the’r work good,” re ES ~ S| SS tees esses stesso en nssps-smeen-gemessen spasm tastiest ast it i ec n e ‘‘ And the passengers? What are they ‘do- ing?” ‘* Some ov ’em takin’ it easy, an’ swearin’ they don’t keer ez long ez ther grub don’t run out. Ther company are bound ter keep em, ‘Some ov ’em are tryin’ ter get on ter Stan’back, but they ain’t so clear how they’re goin’ ter do it, ‘less they try it foot-back. An’ one ov ’em hez stopped off fur good, I reckon. Some’un come fur her, an’ she’s struck off in ther d’rection ov ther ‘ Belle.’ Looked ez though it might be ther female ez lost her lamb, She war a-bleatin’ at a great rate,” ‘* Looks suspicious,” thought Curse, as he put his hand under his mask to stroke his dark mustache, ‘‘Is Jack going to play us foul, or is this part of the game he hasn’t thought it worth while to let me into? I'll talk to him about it when J see him, By the time we get through I’ll have him so deep in the mire he’]] want a partner of just about my size to get him out,” He kept that portion of his thoughts to himself, however, and asked with some show of heat whether itwould not have been possi- ble to stop her long enough, at least, to find out what was her destination and why she went. ‘* Might ’a’ did it boys hed bin together; been heap /better chance fur us to hev stopped lead than ter hev got a halt on her. Thar war a guard with her ez looked ez though they might be riddy fur fin, an’ they lit out fur keeps. Reckon they be about ter ther house by this time.” ‘You did right to run no great risks with- out further orders, Let the spies keep to their work, and we will have a man here at sundown to hear the news.” The scout departed, and Captain Curse threw himself down carelessly, and rested his head on his hand, He was tired with the labors of the previous night, and this was as good a place to rest as any. It did not seem likely any great force had been sent out from the train, in search of the missing» passenger; and if there had been he thought the trail had been too well blind- ed for it to reach him there. ‘‘Malloy has had my note, and time enough, also, to cool off, Asit is all pure business he ought to accept the situation; and he ought to know that he can only do harm by kicking over the traces, I think I can trust him.” The captain was a very good judge of human nature, so that he made no mistake in regard to John Malloy, From the instant the latter had heard of the capture of his daughter he began expect- ing @2 communication and an Appointment, nnd understood it would be useless. to at- tempt anything against the man who made it. ‘“‘T am the restraining power,” the latter wrote; ‘‘and if anything happened to me they would just clect a new captain, and go on with their business, And the new cap- tain might not be as comfortable or as re- liable to do business with.” . ‘“Ah, you have come at last!” Curse ex- claimed as a footstep near at band caused him to turn slightly and look over his shoulder. ‘Yes, you infernal thraitor, Oi have come to see what if wor you wor plannin’ now; an’ av Oi don’t shoot ye down afore Oi have done wid you it will be the won- dher av the world.” ‘* Yes, I see you have your hand in your pocket, all ready for me; but, I wouldn’t if [I were you. It would be a costly bit of sat- isfaction, which couldn’t help you a particle, and wouldn't be sucha bad thing for me. If I could have done it I would have resigned long ago, and that way would be as good a solution of the troyble as any. Under pres- boss, ef all us but thar would Lk ent circumstances I am not sure life is at all worth living,” : Malloy almost forgot his indignation, If this was the truth he had a hard deal to make. The captain never made a move- ment toward the weapons in his belt, and smiled as though the prospect of death was something delightful. ‘Av ye had treated me white, John Malloy would have kipt his conthrack to the last pinny, and thried to do ye good, besides. What have ye done wid me daughter?” ‘* Easy, John. Isee you are still some- what excited, [am keeping my share of the contract as well as I know how. The young lady is at present under my protec- tion, and as long as I can take care of my- self I will see that she comes to no harm. Your daughter is onlyan incidental figure in the game.” ‘‘But what businiss had she cuttin’ any figure at all, at all?” ‘*TIn the first place, I don’t, know that we could have kept her out. She caught sight of the outfit at a distance, and joined it of her ownaccord, Itseemssheand the young lady are old schoolmates, and they were so happy at meeting they did not take much note of surroundings, I left them as happy in each other's company as Clams at low water.” Jolin Malloy gave a low whistle of sur- prise. ‘‘Of course, we didn’t object to the addi- tion. It made it that much the more certain that John Malloy would not forget his con- tract,’’ ‘*Niver f’are for that. An’ av Oi had known it Oi moiglit have saved me tin thou- sand. The thrane won't move for a wake, an’ that wor ajl the toime Oi wanted. An’ the madam is up at me house now, But you've earned the money, an’ whin ye bring the young leddies back, safe an’ sound, it’s riddy an’ waitin’ for yez Oi’ll be.” ‘‘T’m afraid that scheme will hardly wash, In our business we ure foreed to call for cash inadvance. Lifeis very uncertain, and our standing ina law court, were we to try to have a contract enforced, would be pre- carious.” Malloy glared at the cool speaker as though ho would Jike to rend him. fis pistols were: at his hand and he could shoot the outlay down—whrein would be the profit? ‘Just so, John. If I were removed J would not answer for the safety of the pris- oners. In case you came out in force to take them, the first move of Daddy Grimes would be to cut their throats and throw then over the rocks, ‘Then, he and the rest of them would fight as men fight who know their necks are ina noose, If I was there myself I could hardly prevent it Without shooting down three or four of the Worst. But, o course, | would arrange it that vay; and the tigers know it, so they only snarl behind my back, or show their teeth when they think [ am not looking,” ‘An’ av Oil pay yez fourst where is my saycurity ?” ‘‘T’'m not sure I can give you any. The word of Captain Curse has so far been con- sidered a good deal better than his bond. As long as Lum bound in honor I never fail my friends,” ‘Av Oi worsure av yer b'yes Oi wouldn't fear. But wid the morey wanst in their fists—” ‘Give me your check, John, and swear it wiil be paid fair and honest, and I'll get the ladies back safe inside of twenty-four hours,’” ‘“An’ av Oi don’t?” ‘*T know that when you once set that head of yours man nor angel can turn it. Try that game and I'll just do this, VI. blow up the pass so you can’t follow, and. skip through the mountain. man I would sooner have for a father-in-law,. and the next time yougsee your only darlin she will be the wife of Captain Curse, and. wi IT never saw &. a ar oo wale ‘ _/— a wt a Fee a" no ~ = A ¥ a - : s =