Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 964 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

- the Silent Slayers will get ~~ i. “That tells the story.” “Tt does to me. ‘He came here to kill me, and ran off, thinking he had wounded me, and intend- ing to come baek after I died and fasten this tell-tale badge on me to have it known how I met with my death. ‘Now, what shall I do with this body, for I do not wish it known that I killed him, as it will cause trouble, which I am. ‘anxious to avoid just now.’ The youth looked puzzled, sna Buffalo Bill, after a moment of thought, said: ‘‘ Let us put it upon the Silent Slayers.” ““How?” “ Where does he live?’ “Over in the range, two miles from here, by a claim he pretends to work, though I do not believe he has dug out of it an ounce of gold in all.” “Does he work the mine alone? “sé Yes. 9? ‘‘ And lives alone in his cabin?” ‘No, a pard lives with him, but he runs a saloon over in the camps.” ee And where is that pard now?” “At his saloon, I think.” “Very well, leave it to me and I'll re- lieve you of all responsibility about this body. 4 But that will not be right in me.’ “Oh, yes. I'll carry the body to the mine and place it there, and put this paper and knife on it, so it will look as though he had been knifed, where your bullet cut its way. The body will be found -y! his pard, and a setback that will surprise and worry them, while you come over to the Sports’ Delight to-night, if you feel able.” “Oh, yes. I'll be there, and this will be a good one on the Silent Slayers, to do as - you say; but suppose you are seen with the body?” $s Yl take all chances, and if I am, Vl simply say the man’ went out to kill and wis rot quick enough.” “Tt will get you into trouble, sir.’ “Never mind me, for I came here to prospect for trouble,” was the cool re- sponse, and leading up his horse, the body of Pete Dunn was strapped on his back, the sport told Buffalo Bill just how to find the cabin of the desperado, and away he started to carry out his intention of beat- ing the Silent Slayers at their own game. CHAPTER XVI. SECRET WORKINGS. Buffalo Bill showed his training as a plainsman in making his way to the home of the dead desperado and most skillfully covering up his tracks. As he rode along he pondered over all that the boy had said, and had become convinced of one thing, that he was in no Way connected with the Silent Slayers. But be did believé that the sport knew something about this mysterious band of murderers—perhaps really more than any one else outside of the secret league. He had noticed, the unwillingness of the | youth to tell who he was, but felt sure that | it was not on account of any erime of which he had been guilty. He had also reealled that he had hinted ‘at what he bad passed through, and that he had said he was in Devil’s Canyon for a purpose, and also that he played cards for a purpose, and not taking his winnings for himself, had given the ‘money to those Who needed it more than he did. All these things the scout thought over, | and then said to himself: ‘Well, we shall become better ac- Zs quainted, for if I am not mistaken, he is C very one I need to help me in my - work.” After a roundabout trail, Buffalo Bill game to, the cabin of the dead desperado. fo 6A CR ay ae os : we ead 1 ‘wae Pa ' ve P rats eee eae Tae ‘ - ana y , » ; < we ile es . i a» i « f , me) < ; oN Ma pe, Ad tp, : Pa. - z ey e 4 x“ Pp Buffalo Bill's eoay. It was hidden away in a canyon, with signs about it that work had been done all about there in search of gold. It was on the banks of a small siream, and the tools of the miner, if so he might be called, stood where he had left them when last at work, The cabin door was closed, but not locked, and there was no one there. Taking the body off the horse, Buffalo Bill took it into the cabin and stretched it out upon, the floor, as though it had just fallen there, upon receiving a death wound, His revolver was loaded, when the shots had been fired at the young sport, and the weapons were placed in his belt. Then the knife was put upon his breast, stained with blood, and the slip of paper was pinned upon his breast. His belt of money, and all else were left untouched, and closing the door the scout mounted his horse, which he had left standing in the little creek to cover up his tracks. He had approached by way of the creek, so there was no trail to follow, and going back to the range, he continued on a wide circuit, not caring to return to the camp until later. It was late in the afternoon when he reached the Wide Awake Inn, and Land- lord Brad Burns greeted him. ‘‘T was anxious about you, Cody, for I tell you this is the worst community it was ever my misfortune to dwell in. “Oh, I’m all ris ght, landlord; but there has been trouble.” * Again?” ‘oW’W roll, Pete Dunn got himself into a scrape.” ‘Who with?’ . “Tt’s a secret, you know, but I wish you to keep about your saloon as much as you can and watch all hands when the re- port comes in that Pete Dunn has been killed by the Silent Slayers.”’ ‘* Do you mean it?” * Well, call it so, anyhow, for he'll have their badge on, knife and all.” Where is he?” ‘In his eabin.” “And dead?” “He eouldn’t be more so.” ae “ Where was his pard?”’ “In the camp, I guess.” “Yes, this is his day on duty, and he’ il find him when he goes out to supper, and then report it, and it will create a stir.” “T wish to be on hand to see just how much of a stir, and Bunco must also, for you know a great deal can be learned some- times just by watching the faces of men when taken by surprise, and I feel sure that the Silent Slayers will be surprised when they know, or think they do, how Pete Dunn died.” “Well, Mr. Cody, you know your bus- iness and just what you are about, and I will be guided by you, for I have confi- dence in you. “But I have aieccbilts to tell you.” io ‘Yes ?’’ “The boy hurt Red Sam more ax at first appeared.” ‘“Yes, a pard of his told me he was a wreck. " “And he seems to bear more ill _ will toward you than against the boy.”’ “That is all right.” “T have it from good authority that he intends to keep quiet until he gets per- fectly well, _ and then come out boldly against you.’ “T shall meet him as he may desire: but I will not be idle meanwhile, for perhaps I may be on the war-path after him be- fore he fully recovers.’ “Then you have some clew bs which you can ensnare him?” “Not as much as I could wish; but if he ee i ¢ { in Devil's Canyon. for this hole is not so nearly worked out as — is not one of the Silent Slayers, then I am very much mistaken.” “ Well, you may be right, but have you seen the boy sport?” “I have, and he’ll be on hand to-night, though I must not be too friendly with him in public. * Now, I'll go to Bunco’s claim and look — him up and post him.” CHAPTER XVII, BUFFALO BILL’S PLAN OF ACTION. The claim of Bunco was down the ¢an- yon. He worked it by himself, and now and then was rewarded by finding a handful of paying dirt. If he got more he did not make it known to any one, or at least to the public of Dey- il’s Canyon. He worked hard, and was trying to build up a fortune again. Buffalo Bill walked through the camp this time, leaving his horse at the Wide _ Awake Inn. The men who saw him pass eyed him — with considerable interest, and there was much talk about him, With a number of men in the camp he had already rendered himself popular by his acts. With others he was a cause of dread, As a stranger, he was suspected of be- ing there for no good to many who dwelt A few, infact, decided to lie low until it was found out just what his game was. “Somebody will bring him up with a sudden turn,” said one. ‘He myst show his hand soon,” comment of another. So it went on around the camp, the won- der increasing as to just why that good- looking stranger had put in an appearance at that time at that hard hole. Buffalo Bill found Buneco hard at work with pick and shovel, * Ho, pard Bill, clad to see you.” “ Come in and have a pipe, for you, know I keep nothing strong to give you.” “Thank you, Bunco, I just dropped in for a minute for a little talk. * How is luck?” “Better than I let it be known, pard, was the the lazy fellow 1 bought it from thought. ‘No, it pans out fairly well, with a> steady improvement, and I may yet ,get another fortune; but next time I'll be less a fool than I was before. “ Why, Bill, I deserve all I have suffered. for being such a perfect greenhorn as to squander my fortune on others.” | ‘We learn by experience, Bunco; but, I _ want you up at Sports’ Delight early to- night.” | “I'll be there; but is there to be more trouble?” | “I hope not. ’ “Still, one cannot always tell in a coun-_ | try like this just what to expect. ‘You see, Pete Dunn will be found dead. in his eabin by his pard, Hal Hastings, J when he goes home for supper.” “He’s no loss—just the kind that we: called in last night.’’ * But Hastings will find that there is a knife on his breast, a wound, and a slip ie paper saying as much as that ue Silent. Slayers did the work.” Bo “ Well, you surprise me, for my idea, has been that he was one of that gang.” ‘“ Well, he may be, and it is just to watch” | the surprise of the men when they hear of | it that I want you at the Sports’ Delight * js “T’ll be on hand.” A “ Landlord Brad Burns will be there, a so will the boy sport.” a es Z “You have seen the boy, then?” ees. “Yes, and had a long talk with him.” - “ Well, I venagne now you were ’ ve Jae > ae oe Ks. fom . , ¢ : . — ® é | OO} CSE “ ¥