Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 105 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

oe a ey ee . — >> — —— * a é 4 ‘ ' ; ‘ ' ' yi ‘ ; " 4 ‘_ afl ; iz f - é a vo ee) ; \" 4 } , } 4 al a , | | a « ty, tie nw ne ee ed - / os to conceal the entrance from casual observation were torn and trampled to the ground; and this little fact told the keen-witted man-hunters what they might expect inside. Enoch Dodge and several selected men dis- mounted and cautiously entered the cavern, creeping along in the darkness until fully as- sured that the great chamber, at least, was un- occupied save by themselves. But to make all iuings sure, Enoch Dodge uttered an agreed | upon signal that put his immediate companions , upon the alert, then struck a match and touched i. to aspirit-saturated sponge which he took from » tin-case. As this flashed up with dazzling brillianey he hurled it into the center of the Loom. bach man saw only his own friends, and re- volvers were uncocked with murmurs of grim cisappointment. Tnere could no lenger be any doubt about the matter. The road-agents, warned by the escape of Dan Brown, had hurriedly dismantled the retreat and fled in search of a more secure re- fuge. ©, Hinoch Dodge called in all of his men save a horse-guard, and with hastily prepared torches, - egies retreat was thoroughly ex- nored, ; This was found to consist of half a dozen cham- bers, the majority of them small but tolerably comfortable. A second means of exit was found, large enough to admit the passage of a horse, and the last chamber, from the abundant sign scattered around, had clearly been used as a stable. ‘That settles it for the present, at any rate,” said Hnoch Dodge, intense chagrin written up- onevery feature. ‘‘The p’izen critters is skun out, an’ it’d call fer a bloodhound nose to trail ’em through these rocks. Anyhow, no more 0’ that kind shall ever find kiver in these holes.” The worthy marshal had come prepared for every emergency tvat could arise, and returning to the horses, be unpacked severad canisters of riant powder from the saddlebags with woich is saddle was furnished. Briefly explaining bis plan, he called for sev- eral volunteers to pass through the hill and com- plete the work of destruction from the uther side. Giving them their instructions, he waited until the ecaoes of a pistol-shot reverbrated through the hollow hill, tien piaced his destruc- tive agent inthe most favorable position, and ossuring himself that bis men were out of dan- cer, he touched off the fuse and beat a rapid re- ytvoat down the narrow defile. Five minutes later came a tremendous crash, nnd the very hill seemed annihilated. vocks rose high into the air. The roof of the hill fell in with a tremendous crash as the rock walls cracked and separated. Great — ‘And -in a few minutes more there came a. second explosion, scarcely Where the hollow hill had reared its crest proud- ly, now lay a mass of broken rocks and smoke- blackened debris. The outlaw retreat was no more. less destructive. | i Still, this was but poor consolation to those | who had set out in strong ho ding the country of a merciless scourge, and it was a silent, sullen crowd that rode back to the town. Enoeb Dodge entertained strong hopes of learning something important through his pris- oner, Bruiser Bill, and after dinner he left his hotel and visited the stout stone building which served the purpose of calaboose. Here again he was doomed to disap for he found the battered pugilist ina raging of forever rid- | intment, . Dan Brown of Denver. over me, I’d give him a long rope an’ a tough limb,” retorted the marshal, significantly. “Nd serve the dirty cuss right, too,” was the | rompt response. ‘But it ain’t overly safe to be see’d in’ bout sech matters in the open street. Critters like Cap. Moonshine an’ his boys have got prodigious memories, an’ ef a in’ very long.” ‘What do you know? Spit it out, an’ ef it comes to any thin’, ll pay you whatever it’s wuth,” ‘“'Tain’t me that’s got the goods to sell—wuss luck! But ef you will deal on the squar’, Ll take you to the man that kin ‘liver the articles you most want just now.” A keen judge of buman nature, Enoch Dodge believed the bummer was king the truth for once in his life, and bade him lead the way. Even if evil was contemplated, he was armed, and felt fully able to guard his own life. ‘“Mebbe you’d better kéep a little ways be- hind,” said Cooper, with a leer. ‘Ef folks thought you was follerin’ me, it might ruin my reputation as a gentleman—” ie ceased and shambled ahead at a half run as Dodge made a quick step forward. Clear ms marshal was in no humor for appreciating a Joke. A few minutes carried them to the same | saloon and restaurant where Frank Blackwood found his tools on the night before, and with a covert sign to the bartender, Cooper led the way to a small room at the rear end of the Fy where a heavily built man was seated at a sma | table, facing the door. ‘* This is the gentleman I said Cooper, with a wave of his hand. you kin make the deal.” sh the room, he closed the door behind im. ‘Help yourself to a chair, Mr. Dodge,” said the stranger, in an affable tone. ‘‘Draw up and a have nip and a smoke.”’ Upon the table were glasses, Bagor and cigars. Not to be outdone in coolness, ke of, marshal,” “6 Hope [ | — - - . —— a eee = turns out you hev bin playin’ any gum game. I don’t run no resks—” The sentence was never ended, for at that in- stant the traitor sitting opposite to the marshal uickly shifted his foot, and like magic the oor gave way, precipitating Enoch Dodge into a unknown regions below! barg’in was struck, an’ any o’ them was to git | away, I don’t reckon salt’d keep me from spil-— ? ly game | | odge drew a | chair close to the table opposite the man, se- | the lieutenant descended. Tuking up the bull’s- lected and lit a cigar. While thus occupied, his eyes were busy. Gifted with a rare memory for faces, he knew that he had never met this person before, At the same time he mentally set him down as a thoroughbred rascal. ‘*No doubt you are wondering why [ hired | that drunken hog to guide you here,” abruptly — began the stranger. ‘‘One reason was because tk new we could have a quiet talk, without | our words eavesdropped. | didn’t care to approach you | ht be turned | danger of bavin Another was that openly, not knowing what eyes mig upon us.” ‘You have some information to sell: what is it?” bluntly. ‘“ What amount would you be willing to pay for relianle information concerning the gang of Captain Moonshine? Of his present biding- place, full direction show to find it, with the signs, signals and passwords used by the gang?” ‘Do you know all this?’ demanded the mar- shal, his eves glowing, his cheeks flushing deep- y. ‘‘No, but then I think I am sharp enough to learn if it is made worth my while. You see, since Dan Brown of Denver is off the trail, I’ve thought some of turning detective myself, and this would be a good opening stroke.” There was a mocking cadence in the fellow’s answer that annoyed the marshal, while it told fever, delirious «nd unable to understand a. word that was spoken to him. He had received frightful punishment at the hands of the detective before he yielded, and Dodge began to fear that Dan Brown had done his work only too well. Giving the jailer instructions to have in a premature admission. nurse and to afford the prisoner every thing | nece sary, the expense to be charged to him, Dodge left the building. ‘‘Reckon Bruiser is in a powerful bad way, j ’ from his yelpin’ an’ howlin’,” uttered a voice at his elbow. Even before he turned sharpl upon the | him that he was not to be isi, ies into any | Put smothering his ire as best he could, Dodge said: “Thavr’s fifteen hundred dollars on the head 0’ Cap’n Moonshine, in three different'rewards. But to the mau that brings him to justice, or ives information that leads to my ketchin’ | —_— CHAPTER XII. MARSHAL DODGE IN DIFFICULTIES. WITH one mechanical, ineffectual grasp at the table as he felt the floor sinking beneath him, Enoch Dodge shot swiftly down through what seemed an immense distance, then struck an earthen floor with a force that shattered his chair to atoms and nearly disjointed his own bones—a force so great that he wasstunned and rendered senseless for the time being. Yet through it all he seemed awake to the fact that no sooner had he touched bottom than he was ne upon by enemies lying in wait, = stily but thoroughly bound hand and oot. Nor was this alla fancy. There had been a cunning plan laid to entrap the city marshal. The bummer had cunningly baited the trap, and the pretended traitor to Captain Moonshine had sprung it, knowing that four stout men were hidden in the pit, ready to secure the ame. It was well that they were so prompt, for Enoch Dodge quickly recovered from the shock of his fall, and with every nerve tensely strung he sought to make a tough fight for his life an liberty. But the four ruffians had done their work well by the light of a bull’s eye lantern, and Marshal Dodge felt himself bound hand and foot with cords that would not yield even to his great strength. ‘* Raise the ladder and let me come down,” cried the man who had sprung the trap, and who appeared to be one in authority, judging from the prompt manner in whic e was obeyed by the others. In fact, he was the same ruffian whom, on the night before, Captain Moonshine had addressed as Wolf, and was the second in command of the road-agents. A light ladder was raised and held firm while eve and assuring himself that the bands of the marshal were thoroughly applied, he bade the four men ascend the ladder to the room above, . sont to replace the trap-door and await his Call, As promptly as before he was obeyed, the four men being glad to leave the damp, cold and generally uncomfortable quarter wistes they had spent several hours in waiting. ‘* Well, marshal, old fellow, this doesn’t look much like capturing Captain Moonshine and his merry men, does it?’ uttered Wolf, with a mocking laugh, as he squatted down beside the prisoner, turning the full glow of the lantern upon his hard features. ee im, alive or dead, Tll agree to raise five | thousand dollars by subscription. Don’t you think tha?ll pay you?” ‘Write me out that pledge, and then we will | | There came no answer in words, but from those steely gray eyes came a look of such deadly hatred and menace that the outlaw, iron-nerv- ed though he prided himself on being, felt a cold thrill playing up and down his spinal col- umn. “Turning sulky will do you no good, old man,” added the road-agent, crushing down his sensation of uneasiness. ‘“‘ You have played trapper so long that it is no more than justice you should be trapped for once. Be wise, and no harm shall come to you. Be obstinate—well, I reckon Grenada will have to look up another marshal, that’s all.” “Talk to the point,” growled Enoch Dodge, sharply. “Good! Tbegan to fear that you had bitten your tongue off when you took that little tum- ble,” laughed Wolf, sneeringly. “‘In one word, then, where is the certificate of marriage?” The marshal stared at himas thoagh unable to comprehend the meaning of this ques- tion. Assuming a patience he was far from feeling, Wolf said: ‘You must know that Captain Moonshine talk business,” was the prompt response, as the | was lawfully wedded last night to Miss Rachel fellow produced pre and ink from bis pocket, then tore a blan leaf from a memorandum- Ss er, the marshal recognized the voice as book at of a dirty, greasy, disreputable bummer, | wrote out the pledge and signed it in firm, bold whom the eye of justice had long regarded with icion As a general thing, Billy Cooper | carefully kept out of range of the marshal, but | now there was a change in his manner that at once attracted the attention of Enoch Dodge. His little, bloodshot eyes twinkled avaricious- | | v, and there was a cunning expression, not un- mixed with apprehension, playing around his Sabby mouth. ‘““ What is it you’re oP to, Billy?’ demandea Dodge, sharply. “Spit 1t out, unless you want me to lay you by the beels in the cooler, yon- ” der’. ‘Ef I happened to know anybody as could tell you ali you wanted to l’arn of Bruiser, in thar, mebbe you'd be willin’ to make a trade— money for infirmation?”’ hesitated the bummer, evidently ready to take to his heels at the first aggressive :ovement on the part of the mar- shal. “ Ef a man was tryin’ to come any gum game The marshal did not hesitate a moment, but characters. co are ‘““Thar you hev it, an’ no man livin’ kin say that Enoch Dodge ever went back onto his bare word, let alone his written bond. Now tell me when an’ whar J kin find the thievin’ dog that murdered my pard, Dan Brown.” “Good! now I see you are in earnest, and don’t mind admitting that I am one of Captain Moonshine’s men. Just why I am y and ‘anxious to betray him to justice, don’t matter ' now. Enough that he lied to me and injured me deeply on a very sensitive point. But, one thing must be settled. I will give you all the necessary information, but I’ll not act as guide, nor must we be seen ther even for a mo- ment, town is full of spies, and if m treachery was even suspected, my life wouldn be worth an hour’s purchase.” “You shell be put in a safe place—an’ wher I know whar to put iny hand onto ye ef so be it : : ; ' ‘ ‘ ' Trowbridge. Your friend, Dan Brown, the self-styled detective, interfered and ran off with both the bride and the marriage-certificate. For some reason of hisown he kept the docu- ment, since Madame Moonshine declares that he did not deliver it to her. Last night Dan Brown was rubbed out, and this morning buried. You alone were with him when he died, and natural- ly fell heir or custodian of his secrets and ef- ects. Among them must have been that paper. It is of no value save to Captain Moonshine and bis wife, and to recover that certificate is the only reason why I have opened these negotia- tions with you.” ‘IT don’t know nothin’ about any sech paper an’ if I did, ’'d see you all in the hottest fires o° —— afore I'd tell you whar to find it,” bluntly growled Dodge. ‘Don’t be too positive, friend Enoch. [Pye dealt with just as obstinate men in my time and convinced them against their will, too. When it becomes a question of life or death, the best of us will weaken. You are sure you haven't cot the certificate with von?” The marshal deigned to meke wo reply, ang eCoya allie SA(E0) IOO Ea .