Beadle's Half Dime Library, Vol. XIV, No. 351 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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certain that ten men will do you? Hadn’t you better take more?’ “Ob! no, You see, I know just how the cap- ture will have to be effected, and I can bandle ten men in those quarters far better than I can more, I lead my party directly north from here and all other parties must shape their route in different directions, lest they scare away my game, I will start half an hour in advance of the rest of you, so that I will be well toward my destination ere any of you have started. Remember! my offer bolds good to whoever fires the shot that puts out the light of pecay oe Dick’s candle, or that of Daniel Staf- ord, Parrimore then selected Black Bird and nine other men from the crowd, and they rode away out of the camp. ‘ It was a noticeable fact that every man be selected was a typical ruffian, fit for any evil work; but in the excitement of the moment, little attention, if any, was paid to the matter. Pierre Parrimore and Black Bird rode at the head of their party, several yards in advance, Bird’s face bad rather an ill-humored expres- sion upon it, and there was a treacherous glitter in his eyes. Parrimore noticed the fact readily enough. * What’s wrong?” he demanded, grimly. “Enough,” the other ruffian growled. **Things are getting pretty near a focus, and I haven’t seen ye shell out any o’ the filthy, I sha’n’t wait many hours longer!” ‘Nor will you have to. Before sunset to- night, ’ll place ten thousand dollars in your hands.” ‘*Bah! I’m cussed if I believe you've got ten dollars to your name,” “Sh!” and the arch-villain glanced appre- hensively back at the other men. ‘ arte you’re right, my boy—bnt listen! Independent of the girl’s fortune, l’ll place the sum I named in your hands by sunset if you stick by me!” ** How ye goin’ to do it?” Black Bird demand- ed, still suspicious and doubtful, ‘‘ Don’t think ver’ pickin’ Black Bird up fer a fool, Pierre arrimore!” ‘*Did I mention such a thing? No! Dye know what I’m goin’ to do?” ‘** How should I?” ** Well, spur up a little, and I’ll tell you.” They soon were so far ahead that there was no dagger of their being overheard. Then Pierre Parrimore said; * Pll now unfold to you my plan. I gave you credit of suspecting that | was playing a game to win ay, and so I am. en the other searchers leave Nowhere, what condition is the camp left in? There'll not be a dozen people left to protect it! Yet, within the precinets of that very camp there’s money enough to set us up independent for a dozen lifetimes, ain’t there?” ** Correct! “Well, bere goes. Before we git to the stronghold we halt, and you remain behind with the gang. I go on to the stronghold, os- tensibly to reconnoiter, but in reality to git the boys. We return, creep up on you, and shoot down every mother’s son of you—except yourself, of course. Then we go on to No- where, sack the town and take all the money we can get bold of, There [ leave you, and each man shifts for himself. There’s not the shadow of a doubt but what the other searchers will end the vendetta for me; anyhow, they shall find me badly wounded, which will, of course, prove me loyal to their cause; and if you like you can play the same racket, and we'll work together for the hundred thousand.” “That all sounds very pretty,” Black Bird said—‘‘ except one particular, Supposing you Should make a mistake, and shoot me when ye cut down the others? It won’t work, for a cent!” “‘Bah! I was never that false. If you like, we will capture such of the gang as will surren- der, and shoot the others, At any rate, I give my. word of honor you shall not be burt.” '-. “Well, go ahead with your dance, Tl | look out and be ready to pop you if a bullet stings me!” They rode on, Tt was nearly sunset when they neared the outlaw stronghold. Then, iu a little chaparral-surrounded glade, they came to 2 halt, and after a few explana- tions, Parrimore went ahead—to reconuoiter, Go on" . he told bis unsuspecting dupes, Had they known bis real intention, he would Bot have lived five minutes more of his sinful 8. ' He went direct to the stronghold, an old cab- in in a neighboring ravine, Re, ‘ = men Jeft of my band,” Dick said. . bee ee ae en ee eee — : Deadwood Dick Sentenced. Here, to the road-agents, he outlined the pro- ed attack, and painted a vivid picture of the immense haul in store for them. After a little consideration the masked band consented to become parties to the scheme, and in ten minutes were mounted and en route. Arriving near the glude they dismounted and ener in upon the victims of Parrimore’s plot, and took them wholly by surprise. A bitter fight, however, ensued, in which Parrimore did not expose himself. ’ Five of the miners were shot down, and four captured and bound to trees. lack Bird was not molested. Then, with Parrimore’s order, all of the read-agents mounted, and with the two arch villains at_their head, dashed away toward No- "| where, All except one road-agent, who, unknown to the main party, had managed to remain CHAPTER XX. THE VENDETTA ENDED. To explain who the road-agent was, who had remained behind, it will be necessary to make a slight retrogression. The trip of the Staffords, to Top-Knot, under Deadwood Dick’s able guidance, was accom- sre without any incident, and Dick and Jathie saw the general, Stella and Atwood safely aboard the stage, bound for St. Julien. Some Pumpkins bad been left bound, near the camp, where he might eventually be found, and released. After the departure of the stage, Dick and his fair companion left Top-Knot, and rode ‘| rapidly away, Dick having purchased Cathie a horse ** Where do we go, now?’ she asked ‘* Direct to the outlaw stronghold!” he re- plied, briefly. As he did not volunteer further information, she did not press bim for ib. After two hours’ rapid ridin they reached the ravine, and soon commanded a view of the stronghold. Bidding Cathie remain behind, Deadwood Dick went ahead, and soon disappeared. It was half an hour, ere he reappeared, shortly after which two masked men came up. ‘“These two fellows are the only two loyel ‘Parrimore is e ted, to-night, and we are to take these fellows’ places in the gang, until he comes, and our mission is ended. These gents are about to desert, anyhow!” The two men disappeared in the trees, and in due time returned in entirely different disguises. Their former road-agent attire and accouter- ments they surrendered to Dick, receiving in exchange the horses Dick and Cathie had ridden; then they departed. Dick and Catbie put on the road-agents’ gar- ments over their own. One of the men—a mere boy in years—fortu- nately had been about Cathie’s bight, and his clothes fitted her nicely, and a false beard, sup- plied by Dick, fixed her out beyoud recognition. When their arrangements were all complete, ick gave her such instructions as she might eed, and then they advanced boldly toward tbe cabin.. As they entered, Dick nodded, and said “all clear” to the guard, and they went and threw themselves upon benches, a string of which ran around the interior of the great room, and no particular attention wes paid to them by the thirty-odd occupants of the den. They had not been there long, when Pierre Parrimore arrived and unfolded is plot, ‘*We go with them,” Dick whis ‘When the attack is made, watch g your chance, and escape. hen we goon, you ride like wild-fire to the vicinity of the cliff, where your brother is buried. Get some of the citi- zens together, and fetch them cautiously to the vicinity of Nowhere! Ill meet ’em, and lead on on!” ' onsequently, the road-agent who had been left behind was Cathie. < When the hoof-strokes of the road-agent party bad died out, Cathie hastened into the glade, and related to the prisoners Pierre Parri- more’s plot. : As thev consented to sim in tbe attack upon the road-agents, she released them, and bade them basten to the vicinity of Nowhere. She then mounted ber horse and sped away, for she was a skilled equestrian. Better luck than she had anticipated greeted red. 15 her, for it was not long ere she met two of the bands of searchers, and a third was soon added. Then they set out for the mining-camp, It was dark ere they reached a point as near as they dared approach without reconnoissance. Here a halt was made, and they were directly joined by a horseman. ‘*Gentlemen,” he said, ‘bas my friend mada known to you who I am?” **No!” Colonel Ezra Crocker replied. ‘She has, however, explained the situaticn.” ‘Enough, The road-agents of Pierre Parri- more are now robbing the camp. The bank has not yet been touched. If you desire to put ih under my command, I will lead the attack!” . ‘“* Certainly we will. ee I But who are you?” am one who strikes for vengeance to-night —Deadwood Dick: We are friends for this occasion. If after we sweep those detestable villains from the town, you desire my surren- der, I will do so.” ** Not if I have anything to say about it,” the colonel cried, while the men heartily echoed his sentiments. Dick then made a final reconnoissance, and re- ported the road-agents battering down the door of tho bank. “Come! Now is our time,” he cried, and waving his hat in the air, he led the attack. The road-agents being unhorsed, were taken wholly by surprise, and few if any escaped, the majority being ruthlessly and mercilessly shot own, It was an easily-won victory, and when the last pistol-shot had been fired, the victorious party made the night ring with a shout—one, too, strange to issue from their lips: ‘*Hurrah! hurrah for Deadwood Dick, as square @ man as ever met a foe!” When the dead and wounded were gathered, Dick and Catbie found to their regret that Pierre Parrimore was not among the number. ‘The vendetta is not yet ended,” Dick said. : ~~ you pursue the villain further, Miss Staf- or ‘You remember I bave a twofold ven- geance to wreak on that monster.” *“Then I cannot leave you to pursue your ob~- ject alone, and perbaps fall into Parrimore’s clutches. We had best wait till daybreak.” Accordingly, they did so. In the morning, as they were preparing to de part, Colonel Crocker approached them. ** Another victim was found, awhile ago,” he said, ‘‘but be has just died. He left a death message for you.” 6 ae — — he?” ‘* Bir ack, He said—tell you that can easily find Parrimore, He is badly wounded in several places, and could not bave done other- wise than leave a trail of blood behind him. Ha it was who gave Bird his death wound!” “The wretch!” Dick exclaimed. ‘ Villain though I knew kim to be, I did not think bim brutal enough to kill his own emissary.” They took their departure, A search was made, and they indeed soon struck a trail of blood. To follow it up, was no bard task. When noonday came, they reached a lonel spot in the mountains, where lay Pierre Park. more, dying. ‘Spare me! they approached. “Spare you!” Cathie cried, the light of un- dying hatred burning in her eyes, **Did you spare my brother? Did you spare my husband—my child, you inhuman wreteh— you hyena?” She laid ber hand upon a revolver, but Bick prevented her from drawing it. ‘*Don’t!” he said. ‘* The vendetta is ended,” Pierre Parrimore bad sunk back, dead! Wretch though. be was, Dick buried his re- mains: then he conducted Cathie to St. Julien, and restored her to her father and sister, The three, thus united, afterward went to California, and there Deadwood Dick lost track ofthem. re Sis Soaker and Gilderoy O’Gall were not killed, but afterward had many a good drunk to- gether. aS As for Deadwood Dick, he is still in Nevada, where, as usual, he has fallen into a series of adventures, which may constrain us to again re- cur to the lion-hearted ex-knight of the read. ~ are me, I pray!” he moaned, as THE END, CORmiclooo© com