Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 917 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

QO DY Pee ~we Sweets ee Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. ee — —_—-- oS rs ee RD me he re VP eeweya + TS ll eg > 7 ees = 7 . up. That pays off some old scores, Mr. | a match from his pocket and struck it onhis| ‘Up with him!" cried Griscom, in a tone of lash.” He followed thé captors with their prisoner, They bad not disappeared when the face of Mrs, Martin again peered over the hiil-slope, ‘*Ther’s queer noises here to-day,” she said. ** Ha! is that what’s up?” she ejaculated, as caughta glimpse of the group. ‘‘ It’s that chap Flash, and them fellers as has him is road- agents! What’s they up to?—Mebbe they’ve took Bess, too!—She ain’t the sort to vell that way fur wothin’, Bess took! Then I'll foller ’em till my feet wear out,” She turned back, snatched up her sun-bonnet and thrust it on her head, and in a moment put herself on the track of the ruffians and their orisoner. She evidently knew something of scouting, for her movements were conducted with great skill and caution. Soon the whole party disappeared over the hill-slope, and silence fell once more upon the scene of these exciting incidents, CHAPTER VII. AT A ROPES END, We introduce the reader to the interior of a strongly-built log-dwelling at u considerable distance from Payrock, and so cunningly con- cealed in a tree-lined cavity of the mountain- side as to render it very difficult to discover, This dwelling is two stories in height, and with several rooms on each floor. The only room which gives signs of being occupied is a large one on the second floor, a room whose ceiling is crossed by a strong, broad-faced beam, nis seems the main support of the peaked roof, The group collected here is one in which we have just pow great interest. In the fore- ground stands Abel Griscom and Flash Light- ning. Arranged around the room are the half-dozen of road-agents, each well-armed. The prisoner is not confined in any way. His limbs are free and he stands erect and heedful, his alert eyes taking in the features of the situ- ation. It is evident thatescapeis impossible. A movement toward door or window would bring him under the fire of six revolvers, beld in sure hands, ° Fiash shrugged his shoulders carelessly. He was in for it, that was clear, and it was neces- wi 7 to adapt bimself t> the situation. e turned to Griscom,who was surveying him with a cold, significant look, ** Well, what cau I dofor you?” asked Flash, in bis most off-hand manner. “[ got your invitation, and you see I’m here, [’malwayson hand when I’m sent for.” ** Yes, it appears so,” rejoined Griscom, dryly. s You are a highly-accommodating young ‘* You turned up the trump card—the six of clubs,” replied Flash, pointing to the road- agents, ‘‘and took my ace with it, But look out, Mr. Griscom. I’m one of the sort that’s hard to take, and harder to keep.” ‘“‘({ fancy you’re safe enougb,” remarked Griscom. ‘The six of clubs is a good holding ’ Flash looked at him from head to foot, as if trying to take in his measure, Then hefixed his eyes on one after the other of his guards, witha fiery glance that made some of them quail. we retty half-dozen of cut-throats,” he re- marked, contemptuously, ‘* And a fitting lead- er,—Well, I'm here now; what do you want with me?’ ‘*In the first place 1 want that paper which ou took from my pocket in Dug-Out’s cottage. e left it in your care, ~You were a fool to take charge of anything quite so dangerous,” eT was. eh? And you’ve brought me here on account of that paper? Well, you haven't got it, and I'll bet you high you don’t getit. What odds will you give?” ; “Ten toone, I fancy that’s a safe bet as the thing stands,” answered Griscom, with a sar- donic laugh. es “Ill take that bet,” rejoined Flash, coolly. “ And make it dimes, dollars, or eagles, as you ease. Let’s haveasmoke on it. I never can o business without a cigar. You don’t object to smoke in your parlor?” ** I fancy we can stand it.” “Then s’pose you join me in a weed. They are the best to be had in these diggin’s.” He took a brace of cigars from his pocket as he spoke and handed one to Griscom. The latter, who was evidently trying to be as cool as his prisoner, accepted the cigar with an air of carelessness, she | boot; ‘shall it be dollars or eagles?—Drat that match! the brimstone’s wet,” he cried, as the match went out. ‘*Kagles, if you’ve got so much money to lose,” said Griscom. ‘* Kagles be it, then, since I’ve so much money to win,” laughed Flash, As he spoke he was carelessly twisting some- thing in his pocket. He now drew another match and struck it, ‘*i’'m in sound earnest,” he ‘Which of these good fellows shall we make | away, stake-holder?” Griscom turned to the party of guards and surveyed them with a dubious eye, As he did so, Flash drew a crumpled and twisted paper from his pocket, lit it with the | any rate. | time to speak it out.” match, and held its blazing end to his cigar, ‘*]T wouldn’t care to trust any of them with a big. stake,” reinarked Griscom, turning back, lasb laughed heartily, as he handed the blaz- ing paper to Griscom, to light his cigar. ** Why, if it comes to that question, I wouldn’t like to trust master or men to far,” he said, * You carry it off with a bold hand, young man,” rejoined Griscom, angrily. ‘“‘I fanc you hardly know the kind of man you are Sank, ing with.” ‘*T could make a shrewd guess,” answered Flash, quietly. ‘* You’re not the first cut-throat l’vyeseen, That kind sometimes get into Pay- rock—and they generally go out at the end of a rope, ‘What, you young devil’s eub!” cried Gris- com,ina passion ‘* Thattome? By the Lord, you want taming, and I'll tame you before I’ve done with you,” At this moment the blazing paper which he held burnt his fingors, and he threw it hastily to the floor. ** You won’t find it so easy to tame the wild- cat of the Rockies,” retorted Wlash, defiantly. ‘* Flash Lightning is the worst thing in the world to hold, and I reckon you'll find that cnt before you’re done with me. I fancy you hardly know the kind of man you are dealing with,” ‘There is enough of this,” retorted Griscom, with growing anger. ‘‘ Pass me over that pa- ag instantly, or Pll take rougher means to get it. **T'll change the bet, and make it ten to one on the other side that you don’t get it,” returned Flash with the same easy manner. ‘*This has gone far enough,” exclaimed Gris- com. ‘*I didn’t bring you here to play the cir- cus clown. Search him,” he said in a toneof authority to two of the men, ‘‘ He has it about him.” Flash made no resistance, but stood with the same mocking smile on his lips as the men made a thorough investigation of his pockets and clothing. ‘* He must ha’ flung it away, ’cause it ain’t no- where ’bout him,” said one of the searchers, ‘* Or eat it,” growled the other, “Or burnt it, maybe,” retorted Flash, ‘I judge if you’ve lost it, you’ve got nobody but yourself to blame,” he remarked to Griscom. ‘*] did not burn a half inch of it. You settled the balance, except that little scrap on the floor,” triscom gazed down in amaze and growing alarm to where Flash’s hand was pointing. ‘*T calculate I've won that bet,” continued Flash. ‘I handed you the paper. If you chose to burn it, that was your lookout, not mine.” With a deep oath of rage Griscom hastily stooped and picked up the blackened scrap of paper, He quickly opened it, and cast his eyes over the few words that were still legible, As he did s> his face grew purple with rage, and an exclamation of fury came from bis lips, ‘* You imp of Satan!” he yelled. ‘‘ You want it then! By all that’s good you shall have it! (’ll show you if Abel Griscom is the man to play off your tricks on,” ““That’s not the only trick I know,” retorted Flash. ‘‘T’ll show you another yet,” The enraged villain turned and spoke a few words to his ruffianly companions, In response they seized Flash and bound bim hand and foot, bis wrists being tied with a small but strong cord in front of him, which was drawn so tightly that it cut deep into the flesh, More ominous proceedings followed. One of the men produced a long rope, in the end of which was a running noose. This was placed around the neck of the captive, while the other end of the rope was thrown over the beam that ran across the room several feet over their heads, Flash turned a shade vale at these ominous preparations. But beyond this natural show of * About that bet,” resumed Flash, as he took feeling hegave nv sign of fear and flinching. + shpat itaraieehts.ptta dy nartrtibila Madigan cndllatth-atitin fury. ‘* Nary time, boss,” replied one of the men, ‘* We never scrag nobody without having a con- fab over it fu’st. That’s one of our rules,” Griscom looked at him threateningly, but the man stood firm. ‘* Very well, if you want to talk,” he remark- ed. ‘* Fasten the end of the rope, so that the fool will throttle himself if he tries to get away. Now, young gentleman, if ycu want to play remarked, | flash lightning 1ts your chance while were When we come back you will likely have a chance to dance in the air,” ‘* What’s tv come will come,” answered Flash defiantly. ‘‘ I never go to meet trouble.” ‘*T should advise you to say your prayers, at If you’ve got any last wish now’s the “Nothing except to finish my cigar, if you'll be sociable enough to give mea light. It has gone out, and I never like to leave & job half done, or a cigar half-smoked,” Griscom stared, ‘* Well, you’re acoolone,” he muttered. ‘‘ But you may have that much satisfaction, if it will be any good to you,” He struck a match, and held it to Flash’s cigar. A few puffs and the tobacco was burning again. ‘* That’s prime. Good-day,” hesaid. ‘‘Come back soon, or 1 wou’t promise to wait for you.” Griscom looked at his cool prisoner again, and muttered an cath, Flash was a little too much forbim, He led the way to an adjoining room. ‘You can have five minutes to finish your smoke,” he said, as he closed the door, ‘*That’ll be plenty,” answered Flash. ‘* And if you find me here when you come back you can hang me for a fool,” he added. Listening a moment to make sure that no one had stayed within hearing, he began to twist his arms, and after a fe\/ seconds succeeded in getting his bound wrists in front of his face. Then puffing furiously on his ciger he quickly had the burning ena of it in a red coal of fire. A minute more sufficed to brine the slender out strong cord that vontued fis wrists 10 con- tact with the glowing end of the cigar. lt smoked an instant, and then burst into a blaze. Only a few seconds were needed to burn , through its strands; the cord parted, and Flash’s ° hands were again free, ‘*The blind fools!” he ejaculated, as he threw the noose from his neck, ‘‘I told them they did not know the man they were dealing with, but they would not believe me,” In another instant he had drawn a knife from his pocket and severed the cords that bound his ankles. He was a free man again. With light but rapid steps Flash made his way to the window, Here he paused and thought. ‘* No,” he said, *f they are trained bloodhounds. They know the ground and I don’t. They will run me down in teu mivutes. It is better to trick them than to run from them.” He looked inquiringly around the room. A flash of intelligence-came into his eye. ‘*T have it,” he said. He raised me window and threw the Largrcped wide open. en turning he graspea the rope that lay over the beam, and climbed it hand over band, This brought him quickly to the level of the beam, It was, as we have said, very wide, and when he had stretched himself out flat on it he was quite concealed from below. ‘** One thing more,” he muttered. He took a bit of paper from his pocket, wrote on it hastily with a pencil, and then let it flut- ter down to the floor. This was bardly done before a sound at the door showed that tbe ruffians were returning, Flash sunk down and lay quiet, The door opened. ‘* Now, my brave fellow,” said Griscom as he entered, ‘‘ are you ready for your dance— Hil- lo! The deuce! what does this mean?” ‘¢ He is gone!” cried the man behind him. The others sprunginto theroom, They were all stupefied with surprise, “The window!” exclaimed one. ‘“ He bas goue that way!” At this instant Griscom perceived the scrap of paper on the floor, He snatched .t up and ran his eye hastily over it. ‘I'm off for Payrock,’’ he read. “Ill see that there are ropes enough ready for the whole gang when you come there to call on me,” ‘‘See here,” cried one of the party, picking up the burnt twine, ‘‘ He bas burnt himself loose with the cigar you lit for him ” cl ce Ks.com