Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 105 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

_—*_ = —e - - SO ee = TO, SY Eanes IS A ee —— - . - ao eet te ee 16 began screwing it down, after the assembled crowd had viewed the sup corpse, theso two hidden men performed their part of the given comedy, what slictht noise they made being cape pe by the movements of the anxious marsial, A hole nearly as long and as wide as the ~ “in had been sawed in the table. The cloth .3 @lso cut at both ends and one side. The zo of table was lowcred, hanging on hinges. 2 bottom of the coffin was arranged in the 29 manner. The hooks fastening this were ‘ened, the bottom lowered and tho lifeless ‘cay of the detective caught in their arms, 2en rested upon the floor. A long, stout bag, closely stuffed with meal and weighted with [2artz, was now raised up and secured to the vanving bottom of the coffin by stout straps arranged for that pu his was now swung back into be and hooked fast; the table top and cloth replaced, and all was in readiness beforo Enoch Dodge drove the last scrow firmly home. When the “funeral” departed, the insensible detective was placed upon a couch and left to recover his senses at the proper timo. This did not occur until after Enoch Dodge had been lured away by the cunning bummer, Billy Cooper, and after disguising himself and aiting until his patience was exhausted, Dan Brown wroto a brief note cautiously explaining his plans as far as he cared to, then left the ho- tel, watching his chanco and slipping out with- out attracting eny attention, though his disguise was absolutely per‘ect. As “Idaho Ira,” he intended to try and join the band under leadership of Captain Moon- chine, and at the proper time deliver them up to vended justice, With tuis purpose he was ranging through the rocky fastnesses, somewhere in which he be- i.eved the road-agents had located themselves, when ho caught sight of the party having noch Dodge in charge. Stealthly creeping upon them, desirous to learn beyond doubt who and what they wero, his amazement may be im- ogined when ho found his old friend a prisoner in the hands of a bitter enemy. Ifo, too, was deceived by the admirable act- ing of tho discuised bummer, and resolved to play a desperate gamoia order to capture the primo objoct of his vate How bs p!ayed bis part has been seen. It was rondered tac moro difficuls from the marshal’s failing to recoen'’ze him in his admirable dis- 7 we oe eee - . ——— os ‘suise and perfect acting. Tue taunt uttered by Dodges, with a viow to an escape from the threatened torture by provoking a speedy death-blow, was scriously uttered, but the coun- terfeit ‘Idaho Ira” promptly turned it to good cecount, an revealing his identity as he severed the bonds that confined his friend, under pre- tense of slaying him. The marshal, though ereatly amazed, played his part well in the travody that succeeded the bit of comedy. Acting upon a sudden impulse, believing that he cou!d thereby frighten the two prisoners in- to maling the confession he demanded as the prico of their life, the detective threw off his cisruiso and announced himself to them as what bo really was. Their amazement was intense, and their dread ef the detective increased in due proportion, but still he failed to wring the dosired informa- tion from their lips. “Twill sco you again to-morrow,” he said, finally. “‘ Before that visit make up your minds io confess all you Imow concerning Captain Moonsiino enl his men, or I swear that you shall never sce another day dawn! One word will sot tho mob on fire, and if they ever lay hands upon you, you will be torn limb from limh, Remember—to-morrow!” With this, Dan Brown rte the signal and was permitted to leave the prison, hastening at ouce to tho Golden Eagle. The gz rd detailed for the inside entered and released tio lower limbs of their captives. Wor a time they were vivilant enough, but then sleep weizhed down their eyelids. The jail was guarded by at least a dozen men. The prison- ers wero bound and helpless. There could be no harm in their taking * forty winks.” So they rensoned, but just before dawn, a guarded signal came from outside the grated window, and noiselessly Billy Cooper crept to the ventilator, whispering softly into the ear of his friend outside: “> and warn the captain. Dan Brown of Doner is alive and huxt'ng us down. He must . be killed, or we are lost !” CHAPTLI XVI. RACHEL IN DANGER. In a silence that was more siern and ominous than Joud and angry specch, the Vigilantes re- leased the mangled corpse of James Kintner from thd end of the avenrer’s lasso, and then dug a shallow grave beneath the death-tree. He was unmarried and, so far as any of those present Imnew, had no living relative. It was a ru‘to burial, but there were sincerely sorrow- ire hearts around as (he battered shell was for- ever h'cden from mortal view. There was am le time for all this. The hounds had seen thetr trail to its end, ani wily ti¢scent - eee ee a — — a em Dan Brown cf Denver. EE I a . a ee ee ee ——- of fresh blood in their nostrils, they could not , seemed takeu by surprise, and though his pistol be i.ade to take up the trail left y the bold | was hastily discharged, the bullet, whistled avenger as he rode away from his hanging | harmlessly past the ear of the charging youth | who, with a courage and coolness rare in one so Nothing more could be done until daylight | young, held his fire until the muzzle of his victim. came to aid them, and vate: | : : rabtree ranch. Vigilantes rode back to the Here they dismounted but did not uncaparison | their horses. dealt a blow; it was barely possible that those loomily, the | cocked revolver was thrust almost against the broad breast of his antagonist. The outlaw seemed dvomed to death, and had Twice the desperate avenger had | the lad’s revolver proved faithitul, a corpse would speedily have cumbered the ground; Lut two escapes would lead him back to make a | as the hammer fell, only the cap exploded. third attempt. With a fierce curse, the outlaw grappled with To insure his death or capture in case of such | David, tearing him from the saddle and shaking a venture, half a dozen men armed to the teeth, stole away from the rest aud surrounded the | lad struggled desperate buildings at a distance, lying close to the ground with rifles in readiness, ut all these precau- tions proved needless, The dread avenger seem- | ed satisfied with the bloody work he had already | done, and the new day was born without the ex- pected denouement. A hearty breakfast had been cooked and eaten; food was stowed away by each member of the Vigilantes, and then they mounted and rode away toward the grove, intending to take the trail of the avenger and follow it to the bit- ter end. Frank Blackwood insisted on bearing them company, as did also young David Crabtree. To equalize this, though there was but little danger of any attack upon the ranch or those left behind, two of the company were detailed as guards. here was some difficulty in placing the hounds on the trail of the avenger, and as the hoof marks were clear and distinct, the com- pany set forward, riding by sight. What suc- cess they met with will be shown in the proper time an< ae Ezra Biackwood remained at the ranch, in anything buta blissful humor. The entire al- teration in the manner and habits of bis life, at his age, bore beavily upon him, and despite the magnitude of the stake for which he was play- ing, more than once on that bright morning ‘- caught himself wondering if the fortune he ex- pected to gain was worth all this risk, trouble and discomfort of both mind and body. Rutb had passed a terrible night. In the mid- night assassin she believed she had recognized both the figure and the voice of her lover—al- most husband. Knowing that now a double barrier of blood was raised between them for- ever, she was almost crazed. But then, as the day dawned, her over-wrought brain yielded to the svothing influence of opiates, and she fell asleep. | i | the pistol from his grasp at the sametime. The I , but he was no more than a child in the deadly grasp of his muscular antagonist. A sinewy hand was fastened upon his throat, and ina few moments his struggles or and he hung limp and motionless as lead. Such appeared to be the thoughts of the out- law, for with a short, sinister laugh, he allowed “ body to drop to the ground, where it lay in a heap. As ‘David made his bold dash forward, the spell which bound Rachel was broken, and with a sobbing cry of terror, she wrenched her horse’s head around with the intention of seeking safety in precipitate flight. But before she could do more, a second horseman broke cover and quickly grasped her bridle-rem, mastering her mount almost immediately. He also was masked, and sat his horse quietly, looking upon the fierce if brief struggle in which his fellow was engaged, seemingly having iull confidence in the powers of his friend, since he made no move toward lending his assistance. The result justified his action, and the victor rode forward to the side of the terrified maiden with a short, bard laugh of reckless triumph. ‘*Go take a look around, Grizzly, and make sure that we are not interrupted without ample warning. I will attend to tue lady. We have a little private Lusiness to transact.” Rachel shuddered and closed her eyes, feeling faint and sick at heart. It was the same deep, liar voice which she had noted when her usband first addressed her. ‘* Look here, my lady,” uttered the outlaw, in a harsh voice. ‘‘ lm not very tender skinned, but I don’t like to see such an expression upon the face of my bride! You married me of your own accord, and with your eyes open. If you have been listening to evil advisers, close your ears to their words, after this, or it will be the worse for ail concerned.” Despair lent Rechel a degree of courage v4 Lich Rachel, who had not removed her clothes that | surprised herself, and rallying, she sternly re- night, now lay down and took a nap, only awakening when David Crabtree returned from the man-hunt, in company with Frank Black- wood, who, he explained, had been suddenly taken ill while on the trail, and being ignorant of the route to the ranch, he, David, had vol- unteer ed as guide. The young lawyer la to rest, declaring himself much better, An hour later David, have taken a strong fancy for his beantifal cousin, persuaded her to go out for a ride, de- claring that a brisk gallop over the plain would be the very thing to restore the faded roses to her cheeks. Being passionately fond of equestrian exer- cise, if was not very difficult to persuade Rachel that there was not the slightest danger, and donning her riding habit, the maiden who was a wife in name, at least, soon found herself in the saddle and racing swiftly over the level prairie. When free from his father’s oppressive pre- | ' ; down | eady. | who appeared to | of faintness was stealin lied: ee I was a fool then—blinded by a silly g'ri’s romantic folly. I began to realize my tite! mistake the moment those irrevocable worcy were spoken. An unutterable horror of \ ou and yours came over me—and that feeling | is only deepened and grown stronger ever since. ‘* And then you lied to me. ou claimed (a be my best friend. You solemnly swore thai you would never approach me—would never molest me or make arf¥Y attempt at asseiting your rights as a—as my—husband—” Here her voice faltered, and she ceased spea):- ing. Her face was deathly pale, and a feelin: over her. But with a | powerful exercise of will, she fought against tix ' robbed me as well. sence, David Crabtree could be gay, cheerful | and a particularly pleasant companion, as Rachel now discovered, and her depressed oe were speedily alevated by his animated ta That pleasure ride was destined to be a me- morable one on more accounts than one. The cousins were slowly riding aiong the little used road that wound throngeh the tim- ber bordering the river, at a point some two miles distant from the ranch, conversing gaily, when a horseman spurred around an ab- rupt bend in the road and confronted them with a leveled revolver. ‘“‘Halt!” he cried sternly. forward or to retreat, an your accounts, youngster!” A gasp of borror parted the lips of the maiden as her face turned deathly pale and her eyes widely dilated, for in the man who blocked their way, she believed she could recognize the form and general appearance of the man whom she had so recklessly wedded—Captain Moon- snine, the dreaded outlaw. There was the long, oor black beard moving in the breeze, and hough a heavy cra alge she felt that she was gazing upon her hus- nd! David Crabtree was also startled, but In a brief s he recovered himself and showed no little of the high-courage that distinguished his sire. | Disregarding both the leveled weapon and threats of the masked rider, he whip out bis revolver and urged his horse forward. ‘Make a move a blue pill settles illness, and conquered it. _ ‘There are two sides to that question,” shary - ly retorted Captain Moonshine. “At the very altar you eloped from me in company with 1)": deadliest enemy. And not only that, but yor Both together was enoug: to ruffle the temper of the most indulgent hus. band in life. : ‘Only for that double insult and injury, m pledge would have been solemnly kept.” An: even row, if you restore that certificate, or viv. me information «hich will result in may findine the document, I am ready to renew that pledy: and keep it to the very letter from now henec- forward.” ‘“What I told you night before last, I now repeat,” said Rachel, firmly, the time consumed by the outlaw in speaking having enabled her to conquer her weakness and command hey voice. ‘I know nothing of the paper—but if | did, I would not tell you. Why are you so anxious to obtain possession of it? It can only be to make an evil use of it—” . While she was speaking, the road-agent ab- ruptly stcod erect in his stirrups, his dark eyes flashing through the opeving in his mask as e short, sharp whistle came to his ears, accom- mask concealed his fea- ; panied by the rapid trampling of horses’ hoofs, Rachel heard the same sound, and seeing that Captain Moonshine had released her bridle-rein while talking, a desperate resolve rapidly shaped itself in her brain. The excitement of Captain Moonshine on hearing that signal and the ae- companying sounds, convinced her that aid was close at hand, and striking her horse a oy _ blow with the whip, she urged it along the bac track. A wild yell of rage burst from the lips of road-agent, as he darted forward in swift ~~ suit, almost instantly overtaking the fugitive and wrenching up both horses with his iror The onset was sq surden that the outlaw grasp, a es S) (E@) Eomicboo \ ' ee