Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 916 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Dou bullets were flying and there was a fair chance that somebody would put himself in position to stop one of them. Mayor Pitts leaped down from the table and turned to where several men were caring for the Self-cocker Sport. John Klein was the principal of these. “Ts he dead, John?” the mayor asked. *“No; he gota blunt on the head, but it was a close call,” was the response. ‘‘It was the leather band of bis hat that saved him, nothing else in the world. I would like to know who it was fired at him, for I rather like the stranger ” ‘* You think he is square?” **T know he is.” *‘How d’ye know?” The sport whispered a word in the mayor’s ear. “The deuce ye say!” the mayor exclaim- ed. ‘‘ Hold fast to that other prisoner, boyees, and lodge him safe in the cala- boose.”’ ‘* You bave no right to do that,” protested the prisoner. “The deuce I haven’t!” **] mean no right in justice, sir. There is no more against me than there is against this other man.” “There is the fact that the murder was done while you was makin’ that ’citement at Lacy Mulvern’s game, and that makes it look ’spicious against you. We'll take care of you, anyhow.” ‘* Sir, I protest, I protest! Give me—” ‘Take him off,” the mayor shouted. **Lock him up, and see that he stays thar till we have time ter deal with him.” ** But, Lam innocent, sir; I am—” ** Yes, tell all ther boys there is no proof against him yet,’ shouted the mayor, ‘‘ But all the same hold fast to him.”’ The long-coated stranger was dragged away, shouting his protests, and the mayor turned his attention again to the Self-cocker Sport, with whom John Klein was still busy. The noise outside was still kept up, but the firing was not so close by as it had been at first, | Some of those whom the Self-cocker had knocked over were attending to their in- jured eyes and noses, and one fellow de: clared he thought a mule had kicked him, **] don’t wonder at et,’ declared the mayor. ‘‘ We didn’t know jest how bad et was loaded; hey, Klein?” ‘‘That’s what’s the matter,” the home sport agreed. ‘* Is he comin’-to?” sen” In another moment the Self-cocker Sport opened his eyes, For a few seconds he appeared dazed, and ‘then he raised his hand and felt of his head. ** Did I get it bad?” he asked. “** Notas bad as you came mighty near get- ting it,” answered Klein. How long have I been on my back?” * Maybe two or three minutes.” ** Oh, that is not much of a loss, then. po A the Old Saint? Did you let him <)> oe. of 2 x ° ‘> od x ~ ° ¢ f . P, \, 7 a - ‘ - . - * Ad 2 ss = 7k “ ~~ . . p< F aie - Py See ae, ; . o- = : a . 4. ey “You can bet your life we didn’t!” ** Just as well,” as he made an effort and got up, staggering a little at first. ‘‘I have asuspicion something like your own, that everything is not square with him.” “Yes, and I beg your pardon fer thinkin’ you was in et,” The Self-cocker Sport looked at the mayor sharply, and from him to Klein, who gave a quiet signal for him to say nothing. “‘T want to speak with you in private, gentlemen,” Center-fire said. “* All right; we can step right here.” ** Where is all the crowd? ‘* Gone ter see ther fight.” es; thar’s another battle on between phher Wo mines,” = Fo” Sia ¥ fa s¥.. *) > as oe be “ 44! Age o a. ~ -, = ee ~ . at . bd — - t,o » ye ; : ie See —_ -— a " a ae = on >: . - oe) yt } de thea! - vo . ) ‘ a4 Fy 4 hy I ses Va " 7 ' 7 ‘ 7" - é b ; oy PAY, é (a* el a & $ t ** Then you have some mine-rivalry here, have you?” ‘* Well, you can bet hard that we have!” This was said ina way to give the impres- sion that it was a matter of no slight impor- tance, They had now drawn aside from the others, and the stranger said: ‘‘T suspect that you know more about me now than you did before this mishap, gentle- men.’”’ ‘*Wull, ruther,” drawled the mayor. ‘We know who you are, sir,” averred Klein. ‘““That’s what I thought. know?” ‘*Not another one, I guess.” ‘And you will keep it still?” ‘That's what we will,” the mayor prom- ised, speaking for both. ‘You see,” said the Self-cocker, ‘‘ Il am here on business, and it might not be well to let it be known that lam Deadwood Dick, Junior.” ‘* Ef I had knowed et, thar wouldn’t been any sech fool work on my part, sir,” said the mayor, humbly. ‘That was all right, as it stood at the time of, it,” admitted Dick. ‘‘I’m sorry I had to topple over some of your good men, but there was nothing else I could do.”’ ‘* Except to be arrested,” laughed Klein. ‘* And that I couldn’t allow to happen if I could prevent.” ‘Right enough.”’ “ But, what is your opine of ther hull mat- ter?” asked the mayor. ‘‘It isa mystery. 1’m sorry I was not on hand to see that wonderful specter-coffin.” ‘‘ And so am I, too,” declared the mayor, ‘‘There is no doubt but Mainard was right in declaring that it was the work of human agency —in fact, we need noone to tell us Hae it is evident he had reason to know t. "7? You think so?” ‘It is plain enough. He withheld from me the words that were spoken, while he engaged me to find out the author of the mischief.”’ ‘‘And what did it all mean?” ‘‘The words give us our only clue,” ‘‘And you take it that Mainard had done some crime?” ‘ Yes, undoubtedly.” ‘: And now revenge has been had for it.” ‘* That is the way it looks to me, now that we know a little more than we did.” ‘IT reckon you aire about right,” put in Ned Anthony. ‘‘ Anyhow, Mainard is now on ther dead list, ripe fer a funeral.” ‘*But, about this mining war; is Colonel Blondow’s mine involved ?” ‘* He is one of the fighters, sir.” ‘Then it looks as if I would take a hand in that matter, too, before I get done here,” ‘You came to see Blondow?” asked Klein, Do any others ‘* About that strange case of his?” . ‘Since you know ny secret, through no fault of mine, I will trust you.” ‘*You need not be afeerd ter do so,” as- sured the mayor. ‘‘ You ar’ no stranger to i reputation, an’ we’]l stand by ye.” ‘*[ take you at your word, then.” ‘* And that’s why you are here?” ‘That is it; 1 have come to find Blondow’s missing child.” | | ‘Well, it isto be hoped you can find him, for the old man has been almost out of his head ever sence the little fellow was miss- ing.” ‘* Has either of you a suspicion?” “We think the same as Blondow himself —that Tramwell knows something about it.” ‘* But there is no proof?” | ** Not a pinch.” | ‘* Well, mind that you keep what you have learned, and I'll. do what I can toward sift- ing this newest mystery for you.” ! : ’ ¢ “* > > ye _ > Ae as. wT 4 I a LS i “) ~ i »?/ tenes BHD ye ¥ el ee, ES eT ET ble-Decker. Sr. Their talk was carried on for a few mo-. a ments, when they parted company, themayor — turning to give his attention to the murdered man and the business of that matter, while Deadwood Dick and John. Klein went out upon the street In company. There was a lively time a little further up the gulch, where the two mining-camps were located, and they bent ther steps in that direction. CHAPTER VIL. THE REASON FOR THE TROUBLE. Deapwoop Dicx felt that he had struck @ lively town. s we have said of it, it was a roaring town in more ways than one, and it was certainly a roarer in one way. Outside the saloon, the falls made such a noise that Dick had to pay close attention to his companion to understand what he said. Klein, however, being used to the roar did not appear to notice it. ‘‘ A wonder that noise don’t set you crazy, ~ Dick observed. : ‘* We don’t notice it,” was the response. ‘* You won't mind it after you have been here a month or so.”’ ‘‘T have no present thought of remaining that long, But, about this mining difficulty : what is it all about? They seem to mean business, I shou:d say.” ‘You can bet your life they do. I think this will be the final battle.” '“* Then they have been at it before?” ‘*Oh, yes.” “And which is in the right?” ‘‘Weli, itis my opinion that Blondow is in the right.” ‘‘Glad to hear that, since I must throw my weight with him in the matter of his missing boy. What is it about?” .“* A piece of ground claimed by both.” * Valuable?” . ‘‘Mighty. The best spot in the whole gulch.” ‘‘ No wonder they both want it, then.” ‘Nota bit.” ‘‘And you say Blondow has the best claim?” ~ ‘“Yes, so I think. You see, he was the first here, and he took up an old claim that had been abandoned.,’’ ‘* 1 see.” | ‘The original papers called for three cer- tain lines of certain length running in certain directions, but the fourth was omitted, some- how.” | yj “ ” ‘‘ Yes, but it is to be inferred that it would have been a straight line, like the opposite, thus forming an oblong square, and it seems to me that it was merely the mistake of the man who wrote up the papers.” ‘* Very likely.” ‘But, alony comes Bill Tramwell, an finding this v. iable ledge, he stakes out e square that takes it in, but by so doing, one corner of his claim runs away up into — Blondow’s claim, where the missing line ought to be, and there is the whole thing in | a nut-shell.” “It is plain to me that Blondow is in the right.” ; . * ' “That is my opinion, and most of ‘the “ best men of the camp think the same; but ooo Tramwell has a big following among the = rougher element, and he has been able to = hold his ground.” ats ae “But, you think they are now preparing = for the final fight.” ee i aaa ‘‘Yes, Tramwell has prepared to work | the ledge, and Blondow swears that he shall a Sih not doit.” ” ) re «And what was the shooting about, think =| ar Well, I hardly know, for I did not aha ‘ )saaneae it would be a fight by night, for that’sabad time for gunning,” : aati Dick laughed | A a4 os f “ 7 i Pe Sle AAS ii Sie ta ee a A * 2 7 ary 1h) > > ley ¢ x 4 ‘ ee Pots . ‘ ‘| Lay ‘ riety ooks.com