Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 917 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

—s Sa -— 4 SOFAS: es ¢) F ; ‘ at > i vets eee ee Laws ' »¥, 7 yp ay a . 7 _ want, and if all goes well we'll have them out tion, which threw a § Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. At this moment a new figure appeared on the scene. It was the form of Molly Martin, who rushed in bonnetless and with her hair flying loose. ** What is it?’ she ejaculated. ‘’Tain’t an earthquake, nor nothin’sich, hey? It shook all the winders out o’ my house.” ** You can see what it is,” rejoined Flesh, not taking his eyes an instant from bis prisoners, ‘* Run to Payrock, Send everybody you see out here. Tell them there’sa half-dozen souls buried alivein Dug-Out’s mine and help’s wanted the worst way.” The old woman needed nofurther words, One glance told her the whole story of what had oc- curred, . She turned anf darted away with the speed of a much youngel person. Ors of Flash’s prisoners was yet dazed with th violence with which which his head had ‘ ick the rock, The other was alert, and at vis instant made a sudden effort to rise. A flash and report followed, and a pistol-bul- let went through the arm with which he was = 1 himself pee the ground. Down he went with a groan oO in, ‘“*The next bullet will go through your head,” declared Flash, in stern accents, ‘It will save rope to put the pair of — out of the way on the spot, and I'll do it, as l’m a living man, if you don’t lie still!” This significant warning sufficed; no further attempt to rise was made, For fifteen minutes the scene continued un- changed, the roams miner standing like a stern warder over his prostrate captives, the cocked revolver in his hand, and his eyes fixed on them with keen glances. Then footsteps approached, and several men rushed over the adjoining hill-crest, calling to one another in eager accents as they did so. ‘*Hello, Flash Lightning! Is it you, lad? What’s up? Ha! the mine’s sealed in earnest, as the old woman said! What coons have you there? Was it them that did it?” ‘They had a hand in it,” rejoined Flash. ‘“‘The ringleaders are inside, These are two of the fellows that broke jail. The other one has got his settling dose. Tie those , and then we’ll investigate the mischief.” It did not take long to obey his suggestion. Ina minute or two the prisoners, who made no resistance, were securely bound hand and foot. The miners left them lying helplessly on the ree while they went to investigate the dis- aster. It was quickly say te that it was a most awkward one. The fallen rock was solid and nuEe in dimensions. It could only be removed oy lasting, and it might take a week to reopen e All listened with the utmost attention to lash’s account of the affair. A w! of satis- faction as they learned how neatly the villains had been been caught in their own trap; but it was followed by a shudder of apprehension when they learned who had been imprisoned in the cl mine, “To think that I did it!” cried Flash, in desperation. “It was I that ignorantly sig- naled for the explosion, and I shall never for- give myself.” ‘“‘That’s all sentimentality, Flach,” enjoined one of his hearers. ‘* You couldn’: be ex to know. It’s them two hounds back there that done it. I vote we on them on the spot.” This suggestion found many seconding voices, and only for Flash’s interference the brace of captives would have had a short shrift. *No,” he declared. ‘* They are my prisoners, and I say the law must haveits way. I hardly think they’ll escape Payrock justice with sound necks,” he concluded grimly. By this time many others had gathered, the rrr a ee ne ee | ee | my head to rescue,” rejoined alarming news having spread with great rapid- | ity through the town. Some of the experienced miners were examining the lay of the rock. own shook their heads gloomily as they fin- is ‘‘There’s no chance for a soul inside,” they declared. ‘‘The mine-opening is sealed up air- tight. There’s no chance for a breath of fresh to get in, and what’s inside will be foul be- fore many hours. mney Paes live long in that corked-up bottle of a mine.” Flash listened silently to this serious declara- e of Fy over all faces present. Then with a sudden movement of joy he struck his knee with his palm. _ “Fool that I was!” he declared, ‘‘ what made me forget? They’ll have all the fresh air the before night.” 3 ‘* What do you mean?” cried the miners, look- a ing at him in surprise. ‘‘ That rock can’t be stirred.” ** The old Golden Folly shaft,” he,replied, ‘I had forgotten it.” ‘** The Golden Folly shaft?” ‘*'Yes. Dug-Out blasted through into it three days ago. He has a hole now big enough to drive an ox-team through. There’s an open way for air and light, and for rescue, too. A windlass and rope will bring them out. Hey, lads! all’s safe yet. Let’s to work.” A shout of joy rose from all within hearing distance of this cheering news, Thestory quick- ly spread from mouth to mouth, and a rush of the more uimble of the auditors took nlece for the moutn of the old shaft, far =p the rugged hillside, Alert as some of them wera Flash soon left them all in the rear, borne upward by love and hope. Not many minutes passed ere he stood at the opening to the long-abandoned mine, that was now buried in a thick growth of bushes, Breaking through these, he reached the edge of the wali-like opening. It was a deserted and dreary spot. The strong windlass, by which tons of rock had been drawn to the surface had long since decayed and fallenin, Only its rot- ene remained on the two sides of the shaft. As he stood gazing downward the others ar- rived one by one and grouped themselves around im. ‘We must rig up a windlass and get a rope and basket,” cried one. ‘‘ Does anybody know how deep is the shaft?” ‘*‘ About six hundred feet,” rejoined another, ‘*‘and I’m ready to bet there’s not half enough of rope in all Payrock. Rope’sa thing as ther’ ain’t much call for here, ’cept to hang road- agents and sicb.” ‘The rope must and shall be had!” cried Flash, decisively. ‘‘To know what’s to be done that’s half the battle. Let’sto work at onceand see what the chances are.” The y broke and dispersed. Their late gloom vanished, and the utmost hope and activity now prevailed. By the time they reached the town the whole region had been stirred up by the distressing news. Dug-Out and Bess were universal favor- ites among the poe of the town, while the news that Linda Melton was among the impris- oned party added to the excitement. The tidings soon reached her father, who was distracted with grief and fear on learning his daughter’s — The search for rope was diligently prosecuted ; every scrap that could be found in the town was collected and measured; the result was disap- pointing, There was still a hundred feet want- in ‘There’s not another scrap to be had nearer than Melrose, and that’s a good fifty milesaway, and the road blasted rough,” declared one of the townsmen, ‘“‘ If there wasn’t any nearer than New York we'd have it,” exclaimed Flash. ‘* There’s some good horses in the town. Lend me one to ride and one for a pag and if it’s in the wood, I'll reach Melrose, get the rope, and be back be- fore eight to-morrow.” ‘* You shall have the best horses in my stable; and I’ve got good ones,” exclaimed Mr, Melton; **and money to buy all the rope in the State. And if you only rescue my daughter, you shall have my blessing to boot.” ‘“‘There are those inside whom I would give Flash, ‘‘ Rig up the windlass while lam gone, That will take time. Make it good and strong, for there are valuable lives depen on it,” ‘* Leave that to me,” answered Mr. Melton. ‘* T will see that all is ready.” In less than an hour afterward Flash gal- loped out of the town, and struck into the mountain road that led to Melrose, The horse he bestrode was a vigorous gray, that stretched out with long strides which took him rapidly over the ground, He led a spare horse for a remount, for he well knew that those h mountain roads were terribly exhausting to horseflesh. All hearts followed him with hope as the thud of his horses’ hoofs died away in the distance. They knew that Flash would be back on time if be was alive to return. ) CHAPTER XIV. IN A MOUNTAIN PRISON. INSIDE the mine, consternation reigned su- ee. The roar of the falling rock came like hunder to the ears of those within, while a 1S rush of air followed that almost flung them to. the ground. For a minute or two they stood staring at: a otber with blanched faces and treinbling imbs. ‘* What can it be?” cried Linda, earthquake?” “ Or a cyclone!” asked Bess. Dug-Out had dropped his pick at the sound and stood in an attitude of strained attention. But intense silence had followed tre momentary roar. After a moment he seized a lamp and rushed toward the mine entrance, “* Wait!” he commanded, Fifteen minutes of terrible suspense passed. When he returned, his face was blanched till Ler. eo avnilai ; ‘““The great rock over the mine fa; brig. There is nothing left for us but to say our prayers and prepare for death,” A chorus of cries followed this startling an- nouncement, Bess snatched the lamp from the old miner’s hand and sprung forward. ‘* Flash is buried under it! I know he is!” she cried, in tones of terror. She ran wildly toward the entrance, But she bad not advanced far before she started back in quick alarm. Two human figures had suddenly appeared in the narrow tunnel! She ran back, followed by these figures. A oo more brought them into the open rays of e light. Dug-Out gazed at them with a feeling which it would have been difficult to analyze, He ‘Ts it an recognized them at sight as Abel Griscom and ~ Jerry Jacobs. The old man grasped the handle of his pick, while he fixed his eyes on these unexpected visi- tors, who were trembling with terror. “ What brings you here?” he demanded, sternly. “What have you had to do with this? The two men bore very different aspects. Griscom was white, but grim and silent. Ja- cobs was ashy in color and scared until his teeth chattered. ‘* Forgive us!” he cried. ‘‘ We've all got to die together, Ob, it’s too dreadful to think of! The thing went off too soon!” ‘* Wha —. cried Dug-Out, as the scared villain bl out these significant words. ‘“*Hal It went off like a blast! Ther thing was dynamite! It’s your doin’s!” His fingers seemed to knot themselves into the wood of the pick-handle, as he sprung for- ward with blazing eyes. . ‘Tf you did it, by the Lord Harry—” J sprung k with a yell of fright, but Griscom stood his ground. “We a ne together,” hesaid. ‘If we die we must die together. This fool has let out all he knew, so it’s nosecret. We did de- sign to imprison you in the mine, We are ce aE with you. at is the whole story. I could kill you before you could reach me, old man, if I chose. Butas we now stand it is no time to think of killing.” Dug-Out checked bh at these words, and stood irresolute, though his eyes still blazed with anger. ‘' Where’s the boy?’ he shouted. ‘‘ Where’s one anything to him, by Flash? If you’ve Heaven, ['ll—” Ras lifted the pick and shook it significantly in the air. ‘“‘Heis safe. He ran past us and out of the mine,” Griscom hastened to explain. ‘‘We tried to follow him, but were too late.” He shuddered as he spoke, ‘it was he did it!’ cried Jacobs in terror. ‘* He gave the signal!” ** Taar !” yell roby at stepping toward the speaker with a look that made him leap back in mortal fear. ‘*It is true,” broke in Griscom firmly. ‘The waving of a white handkerchief was the signal. He must have done it.” ‘It is false!” cried Bess, springing forward excitedly. ‘Flash never done that! He'd die first. hoever says he did is liar from head to fogt}” s os ofaced Griscom =. berger lioness. er recent anger a peared. in her indignation at this accusation. ‘I didn’t say he did it on purpose,” Gris- com explained, ‘‘ But any one might have done it by accident,” **Hounds and murderers!” cried Dug-Out, again ad with brandished weapon ; ‘“your devilish plot is all out now, and I‘ brain the pair of ye on the see ye die a slower death. ' ~ Ccomicp 3 (©) 4 ae, 4 i t, only I'd sooner ere caughtin yer: t wat , ry Vy, i , fT, - ** ™ ~i Wn f 4 <4 a! Ste ae Se. ven * ope wat 4, s/ Raat, Atl) i", Tar ~ " le ol a, ‘ire . ow * 4