Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 904 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

at knock, on a night like this, if he could open the door himself. As yet, however, the place had not ex- perienced the ‘‘boom” that usually comes to most mining-camps, sooner or later, al- though every citizen stoutly maintained that it was close at hand. _ The night which marks the opening of our story was about as bad a one as the camp of Whoop-up had ever experienced. It was winter, and along in the afternoon a snowstorm had set in with a force that bade fair to make it the deepest snow of the season, By nine o’clock the snow was body deep to a horse, on the level, and not a citizen was to be found out of doors, although for the most part they were congregated in the Cocktail Saloon, where they were amusing themselves in various ways, after the ap- proved fashion, Outside the wind’ was hcwling, and the snow-ghosts dashed up against the windows, or brushed past, wild, weird and fantastic. Inside all was mellow light and goodly cheer. Said “‘Buck” Williams: ‘*Et’s goin’ to be a ‘bad ’un, an’ you kin tell yer folks I say so.” Williams, by the way, was the proprietor of the Cocktail. As everybody agreed with him in his view, he was not disputed. - The bar of .the saloon was being well patronized, but the chief center of interest seemed to be the green-cloth tables; and of these, particularly that one where the “‘ tiger” held sway. sft ! rss, ' Here several men were engaged in'gam- bling, and as they were leading citizens of the camp their stakes were by no means trifling. is There was Samuel Bergman, chief cwner and manager of the Squint-eye Mine; Robert. ‘Terrell, chief clerk and cashier of the local bank of which Henry Hurston, another of the players, was the head; and others whose names will be mentioned further long, © Suddenly every man in the roo _ startled by a resounding knock at t door, - . i ‘ Walk right in!” sung out Buck Wil- ims, - ps ie ut the knock was repeated. | ** Come in! come in!” the proprietor shout- ed at the top of his voice. was front Again, however, came the knock, this time londer and. more imperative than ever, and every man looked at his neighbor, ‘What kin et mean?” questioned one ‘‘ Fire-eater Flip.” - ** Open ther door an’ see, Fire eater,” or- dered Williams; but, the direction was un- necessary, for the fellow had stepped for- ward to do so, even as he spoke. The door was thrown open, a great bank of snow came tumbling in, followed by a cloud of the same propelled by a gust of wind, and also by a man on horseback, muf- fled to the ears. | Every man was on his feet in an instant, and ejaculations of surprise were heard on every hand, In his hand the rider held the heavy-han- dled whip with which he had knocked. Horse and rider were alike covered with snow. ‘* You were slow about opening your door, landlord,” the rider complained. ‘‘I can tell vou every minute counts one, out there, gentlemen; if you don’t believe it, just step out and see,” ‘* We'll take Fire-eater Flip. | ‘* Thought yer could open fér yerself,”’ ex- plained Williams. ‘‘ Didn’t know yer was mounted. [hollered fer yer ter come in right off ter oncet, soon’s yer knocked.” ** Not likely that any man would stop to yer word fer et,” assured I couldn't reach the latch, rou see. But, no matter; here we are, and 4 on of things I guess. we have come ostay” : : at me *, . ~S: . - ‘ ae 4 >. : : ; he. tae Ve : ; ". A é rt ‘oll 7 \.- . . ° vb is’ chee ‘ ‘. ~ A Ae Uf Spee * a ae ue f « ‘ Es < * o {7368 t ?¢ . 8 we > o* _ o hit 4 oy . 4 = | Deadwood Dick, = * y : - em — —_—————s ee eee ee eee - . ee CM LUND Ores" ae Ci er re oe Veh ee The stranger had slipped out of his sad- dle, and was proceeding to unbutton his coat and shake off the snow. He had thrown off his sealskin cap, and his face could be seen. A young man, maybe twenty-five years of age, he had black hair and eyes and a dark mustache, ‘‘What about yer hoss?” asked the pro- prietor. ‘Just what I meant to ask, soon as I got around to it,” was the response. ‘‘ Where can you put him?” : ‘‘Thar ain’t no place, ’cept a shed back of the saloon, I reckon he’ll have to take his chances there, ef et ain’t snowed full.” “That the best the camp can do?” ‘‘T opine et aire,” ‘*Then my horse will have to stay right where he is for the night. We'll put him a there. in that corner, out of the way, an ee ‘Ha! ha! I’m durn’d if that ain’t cool, anyhow! Make a stable of the Cocktail Saloon? Well, I reckon not. Stranger, | wouldn’t keep yer hoss in hyer fera ten- dollar yallerbird!” ‘*T’ll give you twenty dollars for that cor- ner for the night.” \ ‘Yer couldn’t have et fer fifty!” ‘‘T ll give you sixty!” ** No!” ‘‘T’ll make it seventy-five, spot cash!” Still the answer was no, but the new- comer noted that it was not spoken in so positive a manner as before. ‘Tell you what I'll do,” he said quickly: ‘*T'll give you an even hundred dollars, not acent more, Take that or nothing. I am going to stop here, and my horse is going to stay with.me,” . i" ‘‘Wull, seein’ that it is a most durnation nasty night outside, I’ll let ther critter stay fer that figger.” ‘There was a mediately. w i “You area man of business, Buck, sure enough,” observed Henry Hurston, ‘‘ You know a hundred dollars when you see it.” As the- stranger had by this time cast off his rubber garment and overcoat, a better estimate of him could he formed, and not a laugh from the crowd, im- portunity. He was well dressed in. a suit of dark stuff, anc had on a pair of tall topped water- proof talf boots, with his trowsers folded jn- side the legs, of course. He worea ‘‘ b’iled” of his shirt, which did not show a wrinkle, flashed a diamond pin, | This pin was peculiar in itself, and at first glance one might think that a stone was missing, but such was not the case. It was shaped like this: ° * * Cieaty % ; Where the stone. was apparently missing there never had been a setting. ath The man drew aroll of bills from his ocket, counted out the one hundred and aid it on the bar, and that done, gave atten- tion to his horse. He took off the saddle and bridle in a mo- ment, while the landlord was putting away his money; then he led the horse to the cor- ner which he hed paid for, while comment ran round the room. ‘‘ Now, where is the man who wants to make five dollars by procuring feed and bedding for the animal, and taking care of him?” the sport asked. _ Fire eater Flip was prompt to sing out: ‘I’m yer bower, at that figger.” ‘* All right. Here is your money; and now, landlord, you can fodder me, if there is anything to eat in your. sheban I suppose you have got something stored away in the larder.” : \ bd , Trade-Mark., a ee ee eee OS OS ‘the bar at the sports inquiry. ‘stranger in a strange camp.” man in the room but was improving the op- shirt and standing collar, and on the bosom. . “ Tbeg your pardon, stranger,” he saic where’ before,” answ g, and f : ¥ ea r a4., =< wy 4 ‘ > ed PSS ‘» oe ® ye) Ja ‘* Oh, yes, thar’s somethin’ spe fae strar ger; but et’s lucky Grudge an’ Higgins gc in a stock before the storm.” ‘* Who are Grudge and Higgins?” ‘“They keep the only general store o camp at present affords, sir,’’ spoke up Her ry Hurston. ‘‘ Weare provably safe agains getting starved out, evenif we do get snow ed under.”’ ‘‘ Well, that’s good, anyhow, I take this isn’ta regular hotel], eh, landlord?” ‘‘ Et is, an’ etain’t, Et’s the nearest thin to a hotelin ther camp.” ‘' Well, trot out the feed, please!” ‘‘ Yes, ter besure, ‘You, Ben, go an’ kic that Chinee in ther kitchen, an’ tell him t git up somethin’, double quick, By the way, stranger, what’s yer name?” ‘*T am called Deuce-Trey.”’ ‘* Deuce-Trey ?” ‘* Yes, Deuce-Trey, the Five-Spot Sport. ‘¢ What ther deuce fer a name is that, any how? D’ye hear what he says his cognome aire, boys?” The game at the faro table bad been at standstill ever since the first summons at th door by this stranger, and the name had bee heard by‘all, since all were attentive. ‘ The deuce-trey, as you see, sir,” rejoin ed the sport, as with his finger he indicate the pin on his bosom, ‘‘ and from it I tak my name—Deuce-Trey, the Five-Spot Sport Who will come up and take a drink wi me?” ~ ~ dod “ oe he" SS wie “> —*, a - x a —_— -~ Pe . CHAPTER II. THE PLACARD AND REWARD. THERE was no need of a second invitatior Every ‘‘galoot’’ in the place was c hand promptly, there being a grand rush fc ‘Ha! ha!” the Five-Spot Sport -laughes ‘*Tsee you are not at all backward her gentlemen. Set out the stuff for them landlord, and take it out of this,” flippin; a double-eagle upon the bar as he spoke. ‘“‘ like to do the right thing when I arrive ‘‘Three cheers fer ther Deuce-Trey!” on man proposed, and while they were bein given the sport’took a seat at a vacant tabl ty the wall, where he awaited the coming His supper~ #. Fe RS, a During this time one man in the room ha been observitig him keenly, and this on was Robert Terrell. | Wares He now cashed in his few remaining chi and pulled out of ‘the game, _ | : . ree over, he took a seat at the sport table. — ne ‘‘ but it seems to me that I ought to kno you; your fuce is certainly familiar.” ** Quite likely you jhe seen me som red .the Five-Spe Sport, suavely. ‘‘I have traveled up an down the world quite a little in my time.” ‘‘May I ask where you are from?” — sé Oregon.” , ‘Is that your home?” ; ‘‘T am as much at home here as anywhere sir.” ‘“* Which politely tells me to mind oe Owr ee ea ty, not meddle with yours, I tak | : * ‘You are putting your own constructiot upon my words, sir.’ | PP LIP ‘‘Well, no matter; I find I was mistaken I took you to be a gentleman of some dis tinction whom I knew by'sight a couple o years ago. Beg your pardon for pushing myself upon you.’ OR tak a ‘‘Oh, don’t mention it. But, whom dic you take me to be?” | Bn Se os The man leaned over and said in lowe! tone: Si ‘Deadwood Dick, Junior.” ‘‘T have heard of the fellow,” said the sport, in his same easy manner, ‘‘ Some: thing of. an outlaw, I believe. I certainly 4% ; . * ate ‘ 1» ‘ ae ‘ eee, d ~ (957 |. ee