Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 981 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ed ee _— — turned: a > Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. 11 the name of the great scout, and he realized as much the moment he had ' spoken. He saw each one of the party he looked to to rescue him take their hands quick- ly off their guns and gaze at the scout with something like awe. “Yes,- gentlemen, Lasso Sol has said aright, for I am Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts at Fort Laramie, and I am going to Fort McRae under orders. “IT rode into your valley, as I take you for settlers of Meadowland, to dis- cover a youth standing by the ashes of his own happy home, and about him were the dead bodies of his loved ones. “Other youths came up, and I left them, being in a hurry to reach the fort. ‘Some miles down the valley I met the Indian chief whom you may know as Lone Buffalo the Redskin Hermit, and the friend of the whites. “He was on his way to warn your settlement of the intended raid, but had mistaken the time. “ As I rede away, settlers were coming to the scene of the ruined home, and then three men followed me to take me a prisoner. “JT was the fortunate one, with the Indian’s aid, and am carrying them to the fort to be sure that they will take my word for it next time that I am Buffalo Bill. “Allow me to pass, please.” “All a lie!”’ shouted Lasso Sol. “He’s taking us to his retreat to hang us. ‘Don’t let him do it, pards!” Several hands again fell upon their revolvers, and one of the men said: “You've got to give these pards of ours up, for we know them as honest settlers. * Hain’t I talking right, boys?” Several answered in the affirmative. *“T shall not give my prisoners up, for they must understand that they can- not attack a Government officer and call him a renegade to suit their humor, “Stand back, there, sir, for I mean what I say—these men go with me!” Buffalo Bill’s story and manner had impressed some of the party. But there wer3 others acheing for trouble, and they were going to get it if the scout had his way. He saw how great were the odds against him; but he was not a man to be driven from his purpose. He had his revolvers ready for use, and sat upon his horse unflinchingly. That the first act of one to rescue the prisoners would bring one man to his death, the older heads knew when they looked at the scout, and. the leader of the party said quickly: “ Have you anything to prove that you are who you say?” “No, he haint. “‘He’s a fraud,’’ shouted Lasso Sol. *“T have, sir, my hame upon my weap- ons, my saddle, my sealed dispatches for Fort McRae, and several letters as well from my home and addressed to me at my headquarters post. “Draw off your men and I will show you my proof.” “Men, we have made a mistake. “This gentleman goes on his way,” said the leader sternly, and yet there were several who dissented, and Lasso Sol shouted to be rescued. CHAPTER XIX. THE DUEL ON THE TRAIL “You are wise, sir; but I thank you for coming to my aid,” said Buffalo Bill to the leader of the party, who re- " : “It is not our wish to do awwrong, sir; but you have three of our men of the valley as prisoners, and it is a charge and countercharge, and so we were in a quandary as to which to believe; but I am sure you are who you say you are, for I have heard much of Buffalo Bill, and few men other than he would show the pluck you have just done.” “A man in the right, sir, will take big chances to go through: but let me show you my authority.” Still holding one of his revolvers in hand, the scout drew outa paper and handed it to the leader, who, with sev- eral others, glanced at it, while three of the party were Whispering apart,’ as though not willing to be beaten out of their intention. . This paper is Satisfactory to me, sir, and all of us, I Suppose,” and he looked toward the whispering trio, while Lasso Sol called out: That paper is forged to help him in his devil’s work. Any man kiu have a paper.” This Save those who seemed deter- mined to stand by him renewed cour- eitun One of them said: at does y i ues Ce you intend to do with “ Take them to the fort.” “ And then?” “Turn them over to c 1 Siege nats the keeping of the “And then?” Nettled by the manner of the man the scout replied: “I Shall tell my story, and it will be believed without a word, while, if I am right that this man calling himself Lasso Sol is the one | once knew as Black Lariat up in Colorado, he. will doubtless be hanged, while the other two go free,” All started at this, and Lasso Sol turned livid. Several of the party had heard of Black Lariat, a noted desperado of the Colorado mines, and of his crimes, “Yer don’t take him with my con- sent,” said the leader of those who wanted to free the prisoners. “ Gentlemen, if I free your settlement from such a man as I know Black La- riat to “be, you will all have cause to thank me, for he is biding there in your valley for no good,.as you would have found, “ It is seldom that I mistake a face; but I may be wrong if .this instance; yet there are men at the fort who know Black Lariat well. “If this man proves not to be that Villain, he will. go free with his pards, { having no apologies to offer after his attack on me,” “I say you don’t take him,” shouted the one who stood Lasso Sol’s friend, and the latter gave a cheer and shouted: “Stand by me, pards!” “You stand alone, Burnett, if you take issue with the scout,” said Mr. Co]- vin, the leader of the party. “Well, I'll stand by a friend if you all do back down from one man,” cried Burnett, and Buffalo Bill, glancing over the crowd, asked calmly: “Do you make this a personal issue wiih me, sir? ’ é if do.”’ “That means that you will take these men from me?”’ “ Yes; it means just that.’ “Good for you, pard! I'll never for- get you,” yelled Lasso Sol, and the other two prisoners faintly cheered, “ Begin work at your will,” said Buffa- lo Bill. “You’ve got your gun drawed. Why don’t yer git down and fight it out like a man.” Several of the men answered this with a cheer. Buffalo Bill said with the utmost cool-— ness, addressing Mr. Colvin: “I trust you, sir, will see fair play.” “I will, sir; but, Burnett, you are wrong in what you are doing.” “IT am of age, and judge of my actions.” “ All right. “What is your will?” “Step off twen.iy paces, put us at each end, back to back, and you give the word to turn and advance, empty- ing our guns as we go. “Does that suit you, renegade?” Several laughed at the man’s calling Buffalo Bill renegade, and Lasso Sol just gave a whoop. Buffalo Bill’s face was as serene as moonlight, and he showed no anger ‘at the insult, but said: “It would be better for you to come on to the fort and find out your mistake than challenge me to this duel, for I do not want to kill you.” “Yes, that would be better,” cried sev- eral. But Lasso Sol cried out against it, and Burnett said: “I am fighting to free my pards, and it goes that if I kill you that settles it.” “Yes, and if I kill you then you have: brought your death upon yourself.” “You hain’t got ther nerve, for I don’t. go under fer any man,” and Mr. Colvin said in a low tone: ““He’s the deadest of dead shots, sir, and quick as a flash.” “So am I,” was the rejoinder, without the slightest show of boasting. Mr. Colvin then stepped off the twenty paces, the settler took the end quickly that he deemed the best, and Buffalo Bill walked to the other stand. Their revolvers were to remain un-: drawn from their belts until the word. was given: ‘““ Wheel and fire!” Then they were to obey, wheeling, drawing their weapons as they did so, and firing as rapidly as they pleased. Never did man look more confident. than did Burnett, and never did man look so utterly indifferent of conse- quences as did Buffalo’ Bill, who said to Mr. Colvin: “TI will not kill him, but wing him in the hand.,’’ All were silent now, and anxious, Lasso Sol painfully so. Then came the words: fire! ”’ Two revolvers were heard, one fol- “Wheel and lowing the other quickly, but the bullet. of the latter flew wild, for the hand: that held it had been shattered by Buffalo: Bill’s shot. ‘“T hope it will not prove serious, sir.” “Good day, gentlemen,” and. mount- ing his horse, the scout rode on with his prisoners, leaving his wounded foe groaning with agony and disappoint- ment commingled. ’ CHAPTER XxX. THE ARRIVAL. ws Buffalo Bill rode off as calmly from the group of settlers as though he had not just won a great victery with tre- mendous odds against him. He passed the two six-mule wagons, . turned out in the direction of the fort, and left behind him the band of men gathered around their wounded com- rade, and doing what they could for him. “We waked up the wrong passenger that time,” said one. ! bie