Beadle's Dime Library No. 1 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

at Wo, 1. ‘Major, I want that man, and we must try — _A Hard Crowd; or, Gentlema and capture him. Stand by me, now as youare my friend.” ‘In heaven’s name, what do you do? You can’t take himalive. He half a dozen villains at his back who will stop at no , “T must try!” replied the doctor, laconically. ‘‘Gineral,” crie urpose to_ Dauntless Jerry, ‘‘ better | take a fool’s advice an’ git while yeou kin! | You’ll git bounced, sure!” But the doctor was not to be won from his © urpose. Taking his revolver by the barrel + stepped back to the left-hand side of the door. torn open by the next instant had pulled him from the room. ‘‘Lend a hand, major,” he cried. Major Gravesend sprung forward and grasp- ed the other foot; and together they ran, drag- ging the unconscious villain after them, and eaving Dauntless Jerry to cover their retreat. That quick-witted individual took in the situ- ation at a glance, and uttered the menace which deterred The Red Hand’s pals for a moment. But when the lights went out, he cried: “Gineral, the jig’s up! They’re a-comin’ sure! Drop the carcass, an’ light out hot foot!” His voice attracted one of The Red Hand’s fol- lowers, who bounded toward him with an oath, discharging his pistol as he ran. Jerry no desire to kill any one unless forced to do so in self-defense, and feeling secure in the darkness, he took to his hvels with a shout of derisive laughter. ‘Peg away, ole hoss!” he cried. ‘“ All down but nine!” He would have joined his friends, but was in- tercepted by the men who rushed from the sa- loon, and so took the A ag direction. Meanwhile, Dr. Chillingworth and Major Gravesend found themselves greatly em ess was lost a n Sam’s Sister. ‘‘ Well, don’t talk any more. I will get a doc- tor immediately, and then lose no more time.” But it was an hour before the surgeon was | got; and then the major set himself to the carry- ing out the wishes of his friend, who would not rest until assured that active measures were on what done this oot. Meanwhile, ‘‘three fingers” of raw brandy | had brought The Red Hand to his senses. When he had recovered his fu was only equaled by | | the rsensy in which it found expression. as he slid?” he yelled, with a torrent of | blasphemy. ‘‘ Where is he# Did you let him art git away?” No sooner was he in position than the door was | The Red Hand. Like a flash the doctor struck him fairly between the eyes, and | him had he not partiall ‘*Cap’n, we—”’ But the speaker, Nebraska Larry, was felled to the earth, by a blow which might have killed dodged it. At this strange procedure the spectators utter- ed ejaculations of surprise. Why should The -—- ee " Ef he ain’t the devil -hisself!” muttered an- other. Further remark was cut short by The Red Hand, who turned to Poker Tom, and said: ‘‘Pardner, I reckon yeou’d know the cuss s, when yeou see him agin?” “Bet a hoss I would, pard!” was the epigram- matic reply. “Kin yeou find him, s’pose?” ‘¢T allow I could scare him up some’rs.” ‘‘Wal, if yeou’ll put that thar paper into his hand, to-night ur to-morrow morning, Pll stand yeou in beer-money fur a week.” And The Red Hand extended the blood-writ- ten document. | Red Hand offer such violence to one of his own | _ He’ll be found dead some o’ these fine mornin’s; I companions, with no apparent provoeation? The fellow pwr himself up fram the floor, and stood with hanging head. He was a ture of unmurmuring subjection. This, too, caused a murmur of wonder. Why should one man allow another to knock him down without rotest? As they asked themselves the ques- ion, more than one d furtively sought the butt of a revolver, and from beneath more than one shaggy brow. As for The Red d, he seemed only more irritated. Had he seen the lurid light that lowed in the eyes of the man upon whom he put so gross an indignity, he might have experienced a different emotion. As it was he merely repeated his question in an even more imperious tone. “ Did yeou let that man give yeou the slip?” ‘“We follered ’em until they dropped yeo an’ then they shook us in the darkness,” repli Nebraska Larry, in a monotonous tone which barrass- showed that he was holding his voice under ed by the burden they were trying to drag off. | control. Allt eadvantage gained by the dar by the unavoidable noise .made in drag heavy a body over the soon short of wind and d pressed by their | wit foes beside. ‘“Hyar they air, boys! Come on!” yelled a | voice, anda pistol ball whistled by the doctor’s | head, asa dark form appeared bounding toward An answering shout came from near at hand, and then the rush of hurried feet and several pistol shots in rapid succession. ‘“This will never do!” cried the major, letting go the leg he held. ‘‘ Wecan’t moreitha: escape unimpeded.” For answer, Dr. Chillingw hold on The Red Hand, and drawing both his pis- tols, fired several rapid shots at the ap gare shadows. A yell of pain showed that at 1 one of the shots had taken effect. But there was an answering volley, and the doctor swerved to one side, to be caught in the arms of his faithful friend. Major Gravesend was strong; and lifting the doctor on his shoulder, he ran with him down the street, and turned the first corner. Here he sto breathless, and set the wounded man on his feet. Then he drew his weapons, deter- mined to make defense, if still at mene Fortunately, when the confederates of The Red Hand came upon their unconscious chief, they gave over the chase and addressed them- selves to his relief. Raising him from the und, the four who were unhurt bore him back the saloon, while their companion, who had received the doctor’s bullet, limped after them venting his suffering and rage in groans and oaths. Finding that -_ were in danger of no fur- ther molestation, Major Gravesend turned to his wounded friend and said: ‘* Are you badly hurt?” “T don’t know;” was the faint reply. ‘It isin my left breast and the side of my head. Take mo to where I can get some water.” ‘Can you walk if you lean upon me?” ‘“‘T think so.” Major Gravesend put his arm around his friend’s waist, while the latter passed his around the major’s neck; and so they walked slowly to the hotel. The landlord lent his aid to carry the wounded man up stairs and put him to bed, where he lay faint with exhaustion. ‘‘Qravesend,” he called feebly, when he got his breath. | “Well,” said the major, coming to the bed- side. “Don’t let him escape. Get men, and offer a reward for his capture alive.” hw quiet, and rest assured you shall be avenged,” ‘“‘Tt’s not that. I have r reasons for wish- ing to take him, Don’t let them shoot him, even if they have to let him escape. It will not bet- ter matters if he is killed.” ‘Very well; it shall be attended to the first ing in the morning.” “That won’t do. He must be taken to-night, or he will esca It will be easier before he re- covers from the blow I gave him. Spare no pains, Gravesend; the whole object of my e turns on this t.”” ‘a | | | | ; — —— ‘Dropped me? I reckon yeou didn’t have to ging so | foller him fur, until he seeped me, seein’ he und, and they were | dropped me right hyar,” rep | a scowl and oaths, misunderstanding the its rude coffin ! ied The Red Hand, usion. ‘“T don’t mean the lick yeou got hyar; but they hauled yeou through the mud by the legs until we scart ’em off.” . ‘Ts that how I got all this mud on me?” “Tt air. Ireckon they proposed to bag yeou, body an’ breeches.” e Red Hand swore more fiercely than ever, and wheeling toward the crowd, he demanded: ‘““ Who is he, anyway? Does any man know?” The men addressed looked at one another orth loosened his | evidently knowing nothing of the doctor, unti one of their number ventured, somewhat sul- lenly: ro calkalate he ain’t ae in these hyar parts. Nobody never seen him before to-day.” ‘Wal, then, I reckon thar won’t no one see him very often after to-day!” replied The Red Hand, significantly. The crowd looked even more sullen at this. It was plain that for some reason they were be- | awaited them. vin hes regard The Red Hand with less favor ore. Without heeding them, The Red Hand passed over to where Missouri Bill still lay untouched in the middle of the floor. ‘‘ Pardner,” he said, turning to the bartender, “is thar any way we kin git a pine box made righ t off?” ‘Thar’s lumber under the house; an’ hyar’s hammer an’ nails,” was the reply. “Take yer pay out o’ that, an’ let’s have the fixin’s right smart,” said The Red Hand, tossing some money upon the bar. “Sam an’ Joe, yeou knock a box together. An’, Quickstep, take Dave with yeou, git a shovel an’ pick some’rs, an’ break ground in the holler. a boss send-off, anyhow, an’ git the job off our hands.” Then rough | the sawing and nailing was going on, The Red | raged Hand stood beside lifeless form of his , desire to bury quondam ‘** er.” ic- ‘‘ Did!” cried Poker Tom, to indicate his ac- ceptance of the mission; and he took the paper, while the man who before expressed his belief in the alliance of The Red Hand with the Evil One now nudged his neighbor and whispered: ‘‘T allow I don’t want none o’ that in mine. an’ that’s what’s the matter with him!” The rude box was soon ready to receive its tenant. Missouri Bill was now dressed in the ks of suspicion. peered | ———EEE ———— | | | | | ' ; 1 | | ! ell give him | The Str clothes he had worn, The Red Hand taking charge of his weapons. Then he was placed in the box and the cover nailed down. ‘‘ Gents,” said The Red Hand, “ this is a pretty nasty night to plant a Christian in; but it’s the best we kin do; so bear a hand, an’ we'll have the grass a-growin’ over him the fust thing in the mornin’.” Enough volunteered, and the box was raised upon their shoulders and borne out into the wet, drizzling night, The Red Hand preceding it with a lantern. They found that Quickstep and Dave had already dug a shallow grave; and into this the box was lowered. It was a strange scene. The uncertain light of the lanterns led meenen the fog and drizzling rain and fell upon the gloomy faces of those brigandish men—fell upon their uncouth dress—fell wpon the arms peeping here and there from beneath their garments, where they were protected from the wet—fell upon the sodden grass—fell age the yawning grave and o priest—no mourners—no heads uncovered with es ume A moment they stood, looking silently, gloomily into the open ave, while Quickstep leaned upon his spade. en The Red Hand spoke. er Yeon all “Gents,” he said, ““he was a good an’ always took his whisky straight. seen him out; an’ I allow thar won’t none 0’ ye deny but what he died game. May none of us have a worse send-off than Missouri Bill. Requiescat in peace!” 2 pce pee — her ggecnindie = he “wan't no great shakes of a gospel slinger; but he meant that his ‘‘ pard” should have a “white” burial, and he did the best he could— at least such was the impression left on the minds of the spectators. W hat was true, what false, in this opinion let the sequel disclose. The dirt was then shoveled back and tramped down; and the strange burial cortege set out on their return to the saloon, little knowing what CHAPTER IX. ON SIGHT. WueEn The Stranger left the saloon his mind was in a whirl of perturbed thought. Out from the spectral gloom of the past came long- buried shadows to haunt him anew. “Ten years ago to-night!” he muttered, with | a shudder; and could one have seen his features, he would have discovered them wrung by a throe of anguish that left them as gray as the mist, where the light streamed out into it, over the red curtains that covered the lower half of the saloon windows. r drew up his coat collar and t closer over his eyes—not to pro- for he did not slouched his tect himself from the weather boards were brought; and while | notice that, so much greater was the storm that within his breast) but with an instinetive himself in deeper gloom. And so he plodded on through the mud and rain, not “That's a blasted shame!” he said, with an | heeding whither his steps tended. But he was oath, looking with regret at the ghastly and | attempting distorted f @ pard as any man , tri ace. ‘‘As § ever had! He could throw his meat at twenty paces like a book! Wal a Christian send-off, an’ then we’ll do his busi- ness fur the — what laid yeou out!” With’ his foot he pushed the body so that it rolled over on its back, turning the repulsive | rest will were to come wu | and then—then ' | face more fully to the poe. ‘A blasted shame!” he repeated; then turn- ing to the bartender, he demanded a piece of wri paper. | Receiving it, he chewed the end of a match, | the - followin coagulating blood which lay upon | eye so as to form a sort of brush. This he dipped into the fast i | we'll give yeou | fli | ; | | that evasion which millions have ed, and millions will try vo owe the vain ef- fort to elude the specter within by physical ht. At last! at last!” he muttered. ‘‘ After ten yee '—ten interminable years! I swore it, and have kept my oath—that part of it. And the follow—I feel it! Great Heaven, if I n him, now! God grant it! shall have nothing further te live for—nay, but one thing!” On saromcs ee, Connon and the mud nae constantly pp rain, unconsciously the m r stidands of the physical while the es pl that flitted before the the floor, and traced upon the paper the words: | mental eye absorbed his whole attention. On, ‘‘ T PROPOSE TO SHOOT YOU ON SIGHT!” Then he di his broad palm in the blood and pressed atts the paper, et nie the im- PTh oo veda eee this proceeding e spectators upon r with scinehbing ie a superstitious chill. ‘Tl go bail he’s sold out to the devil!” whis- pered one, with a shudder. ¥ : with step hastened by the fever of eagerness that seethed in his brain. “T must be wary,” he pursued, after a long si- lence. ‘“‘He may come upon me at any moment. He and his satellite cannot be far apart. Two such fiends are too well mated to forego one an- other’s society, except by the ccath of one t hem, But, suppose he were dead! Ten vears I00 (Ele) ae S) pg er ee ee es