Beadle's Dime Library, No. 142 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

a —— o- a - - - —— —_——— - 20 . mr ee eeees—es—eEE ‘* All right, pard, Pll foller your lead,” was Dave’s response, while, raising his voice, as the crowd began to press. around, with excited manner and an words, he said: ‘* Men; fsay this is my friend, and the man who insults him quarrels with me.” ‘* Well, I don’t hesitate to take the risk of a quarrel with you, Fancy Frank,’ and Carter Grey, who seemed to lave forgotten the lesson taught him by.Iron Face at the motte, or hated the Guide on account of his friendship for Cap- tain Crimson, insolently confron the two men, as they stood side by side, their backs against the bar. ‘*T want no quarrel with you, Carter Grey; I came here with my friend on an important mis- sion, and before I can explain you wish to at- tack me, so all I can say is, hands off, or this settlement will have the wherewithal to start a graveyard in the morning.” There was no braggadocio in the tone of Fancy Frank, and those who knew him felt that he would be as good as bis word, and urged an explanation to be given of why he came into Social Hall, with a man known to be one of the worst of the band of Prairie Tigers; but the hot-heads, having imbibed ** liquid lightning,” baptized rum, pretty freely, ‘were in for trouble, and the large herdsman Jack Daws, reached for Angel Dave, as he cri out: ‘You're all right, White Beaver; but this gentleman must swing.” Straight out from the shoulder went a blow from Fancy Frank, and Jack Daws was knocked against his backers with a force that made them reel. But instantly he returned to the fray, a re- ‘volver in hand, and half a dozen more had also drawn their weapons, and Fancy Frank and Angel Dave at bay, ready to fire ata movement or a word. It wasacritical moment, and yet none dare interfere, for a word, a motion, might bring on @ desperate conflict, which many wished to avoid, while others present, the influx from Canyon City, were anxious for a row. Suddenly, in the midst of this instant of ‘peril, and when it could be seen that Jack Daws and Carter Grey were going to force the fight, the door swung open, and in strode Captain Crimson of the Iron Face, A hum ran over the crowd as the masked man walked deliberately between the two par- ties; and said, in his deep tones: ‘‘Ha!l Powell, are you in trouble?” **These gentlemem object to my being in com- pany with Dave here, and threaten to hang im, which they can only do by stepping over amy body.’ ‘Gentlemen, my friend Doctor Powell has business with this man, and my advice is to let him alone,” and the iron face was turned toward the angry crowd. ** Don’t mind the words of a man who dodges justice behind a mask,” cried Carter Grey, in an insolent tone. But the words had scarcely left his lips when Captain Crimson sprung toward him, but was met by a shot, the bullet ringing as it struck his iron face, and glancing off shattered a mir- ror to fragments. Then, before any one knew how it happened half a dozen pistol-shots were heard, m led with cries, groans, curses and stamping feet, aud the affair had ended in a twinkling. But on the floor lay three dead bodies, and pews 4 them were C Grey and Jack Daws, and at the bar stood three men; one of whom — said : ** Come, Powell, you and your friend join me in a drink, for I guess there will be no more trouble; come, gentlemen, it is my treat; take something,” and Captain Crimson looked over the crowd that began to come slowly out of the corners, and rise from behind tables and benches, ‘where they had taken refuge, and approach the bar, while Angel Dave said earnestly : ‘Pard, you is hell on wheels. ina fight, and Dave Titus owes you a life; and bullits) why, they does yer good, as I hes seen, an’ I'll hev my tailor rig me out a suit like jist ter let ther boys practice on me fer a t; ef I.don’t 1 is a howlin’ liar.” The drink was taken, the crowd hiding the dead from sight as they pressed around the bar, and then Fancy Frank said, in his pleasant way : ‘Gentlemen, as my friend, Captain Crimson, has just explained to you, that I bad a right to bring this gentleman here with me, I will now say that the services of every man in this saloon are needed to-morrow, so let him come mounted, armed and provisioned for a three days’ jaunt, and meet me here at the break of dawn.” An excited murmur ran through the crowd, and many questions were asked as to the motive; but the Guide only explained that he wanted three score men to meet him in the morning, and, turning, he left Social Hall, accompanied by tain Crimson and Angel Dave, “Well, captain, I have again to thank you for timely aid,” said the Guide, when they had deft the saloon, ) ‘‘It was an accident my being there, for I sent Red Snake on to the fort with word to Captain Castletqn to prepare, and that I would Captain Crimson. be-along after awhile, and I came to the city to discover just what: force you could bring, for it would not do to leave the valley defenseless, you know,” ‘*No: but I will ask Skeleton Sam and Rat- tling Rife to remiain and: be on the wateh to warn the settlers; and you might ask the com- mandante to send down a few soldiers, as Black Kettle may make a raid into Eldorado City.” *T will; and you will have about fifty men?’ ‘* Yes, perhaps sixty; but do you go at once to the fort?” as Yes. ” “Then perhaps Dave better accompany you, as some may mak trouble with him.” “‘T hesn’t many friends, thet’s a fact, an’ I guesses ef my funeral was ter come off here, an’ only those who respected and loved me for my vartues was to attend, ther percession w'u’d be kinder slim,” said Dave, **Come, Dave, Vll take care of you; - night, Powell,” and Captain Crimson and the reformed Tiger rode away in the direction of the fort, while Fancy Frank mounted his horse and headed down the valley for Hope Haven, as Maud Malcolm had named their new home in the Far West. CHAPTER XXXVI. WHITE BEAVER MAKES AN UNPLEASANT DIS- COVERY, To say that Fancy Frank had Longeahen Bes- sie Ray, the sweetheart of his boyhood — would be untrue, for, though she had n fas- cinated by another lover, and fled with him in a moment of temptation, she had been forgiven by the man she had wronged, and he had sworn to track her betrayer to his death, when he learned that her whole life had been made wretched, and that she had died, as he believed, of a broken heart. ’ From Angel Dave he had learned the truth of Bessie’s sad fate, and feeling that a few more hours would bring retribution upon the man who had brought such a bitter doom upon her, he turned his horse in the direction of Hope Haven, where dwelt one who had been con- stantly in his thoughts since they had met. months before, That one was Maud Maleolm, and each day he had been with her on the long march she had grown dearer to him, as he to her, for his noble nature, lion-like courage, wonderful skill and noble appearance had won her heart, while her was founded upon titude for the service rendered her father, and all he had done for the train on the long trail westward. ‘*] will see her to-night, but not yet will I breathe to her a word of love; no, no, not until pace Bessie has been avenged, and then I will free to tell her how dear she is to me,” he said, as he rode toward Hope Haven. There was a new look upon everything around the commodious and comfortable cabin home, for logs my about the yard, and several out- houses were yet uncompleted; but the residence was situated upon a that gently sloped to the river, and here and there were trees, and a natural lawn, giving promisein time of making a most desirable dwelling-place, Lights were visible in the windows, of what Fancy Frank knew to be the sitting-room, and the major’s bed-room, and leaving Ebony to await his coming, and feed upon the juicy gras while awaiting, he approached the house, Snap- per and Guard, the watch-dogs, recognizing him, and greeting him with a friendly bark. In passing the sitting-room window Fancy Frank glanced within, and then he stop short, and he seemed like one turned to marble, so motionless did he stand. ; The room was large, and was furnished com- fortably with furniture brought in one of the woaees, and with a lamp on the center-table, looked very cosey and inviting. But it was not the pleasant room that riveted the attention of Fancy Frank, and caused him to stand in silence g within. ‘What he saw was a tableau that sent a chill to his heart, for two persons were in the room, the one, Maud Malcolm, and the other Ross 0 And the two were standing near the table, and their arms were around each other, and the sight brought anguish to the heart of the lover who stood without and within. “Oh, God! she loves him and not me; oh how hard is this to bear! Yet not one word of reproach will I visit upon her, though Heaven knows she gave meevery reason to hope that she cared for me. ; ‘* No, it was my vanity that led me astray, for she loves the boy not the man.” He strode quickly on, and knocked at the ma- jor’s door. Instantly it was opened by the major, who ushered him into the room, where sat Mrs. Mal- colm, whose face was growing whiter, thinner and sadder each day, and Violet Vassar, who was the very impersonation of health and beauty. uf Sortie in, Powell, we are delighted to see you; but what ails you, man, for you are as white as though you had seen a ghost,” said the major. **No, I have seen something far more real, Se 8 — major; but I am all right, only fatigued with a long ride, though I will have to take the, saddle again at. dawn, and I have come to tell you an important matter,” and Faney Frank made known the intended raid upon the Prairie Tigers, though he did not speak of the part the Black Specter bad taken in it. ‘*T will accompany you with pleasure, Pow- ell, for once rid.oet those Tigers and we can easily run oll Kettle and his band to earth, but now, as it is, we are between two fires;, but have some supper, and stay all night, for we have room, as you know.” But Fancy Frank refused the major’s invita- tion, and soon after took his leave, going back to Social Hall, where he knew he could get a room, as the place pretended to be an inn, as wellasasaloon. . .. But once there, his bitter sorrow at what he had discovered, prevented sleep from visiting him, and entering the suloon he joined a party at-cards, and until the dawn was near the game went on, Then the settlers began to arrive one by one and in squads, until three score well-mounted and thoroughly armed men set out on the ‘‘ Ti- pernuunh ° as the major called it, and at their pends grim, silent, and sad of heart, rode Fancy rank, A few miles, and the ford was reached, and already awaiting them, for Loyd Carleton was a stirring soldier when there was a fight ahead, was the squadron of cavalry, equal in numbers to the settlers. A quiet greeting between the two meetin forces, and with Fancy Frank, Iron Face an Angel Daye in advance Captain Carleton, Ma- jor Malcolm and Ross Elliott following, and the soldiers and settlers bringing up the rear, the determined band set forth for the stronghold of the Mad Colonel and his Prairie Tigers. But they had not ridden far before a horse- man suddenly dashed over the hill in front of them, and apparently unexpecting such a start- ling sight.as a body of men upon the march, for he wheeled quickly to the rightabout, and dashed spurs into his horse, while a chorus of voices shouted: “* It is Devil Dick!” With the name half a hundred horsemen were in pursuit, and among them Frank Powell and Ross Elliott, while lron Face was tempo- rarily absent on a reconnoissance, As the horsemen got down to the chase, for Devil Dick was three-quarters of a mile ahead, they began to stretch out in a line, accordin to the soos 0 thyolr. steed and the animal rid- den by Fancy Frank gradually forged to the front, and as steadily gained upon the steed in advance, ) Seeing that they had no chance to overtake the fugitive, mounted as he was, the men graduall an out. of the chase, leaving Fancy Fran d several.others to pursue the fugitive, and they did not doubt but that the Scout would render a good account of himself, for they had perfect, confidence in him. It is true that some longed for the presence of the Man of the Iron Face, wishing that he had been near when Devil Dick rode in view; but it was only on account of his horse, and not him- self, for all knew the wonderful speed of the animal ridden by the mnnskon Si, Steadily gaining upon the fugitive, Fancy Frank at followed him intoa canyon, and it nearly proved fatal to him, as Devil Dick had noted the dropping off of his pursuers, and in- stead of continuing his rapid flight, had wheeled into a thicket and awaited the coming of his enemy, determined to rid himself of him, and then continue on to the stronghold, By one of those strange,accidents that some- times occur, and whic rm unaccountable, the steed of Fancy Frank as Devil Dick touched the er of his rifle, and fell to the earth, hurling his rider over his head, But Fancy Frank was as agile as a cat and quick as oy in his movements, and caught nimbly on his feet, to confront Devil Dick as he pore te | from his cover, thinking he had brought down hisfoe. _ There was no time to draw revolvers, for the men came full against each other, and grappled instantly, each holding firmly to the other, to prevent the use of either knife or pistol. ** This is child’s play; let us release our right hands and draw our knivesand end this,” hissed Devil Dick, ‘* As you please, though I could hold you as you are until some of my men come up and then give you a death fitting your career,” wx; the reply of Fancy Frank, as he suddenly re- leased his grasp upon Devil Dick’s arm anil seized his knife, while his foe also grasped a weapon, and the twosprung back several feet apart; but the weapon seized from his belt. by Devil Dick was not a knife, but a revolver, and it covered the heart of Fancy Frank, while an expression of fiendish deviltry came over the face of the man who now held him in his wer, ace Coward, I said knife, not pistol; but I for t such as. you know no honor, and deserve to foolish forgetfulness; but blaze Fancy Frank ' ie for m away, for I fear not to die,” and Comichooks. 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