Beadle's Dime Library, Vol. XII, No. 145 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

| } Pistol Pards. 7 no one knew, an immediate movement was | by daylight and not in disguise, just now there made. There were still two of the road-agents’ was hardly a feature about him that could be recognized again, for a bright-red blanket was horses within reach, and one of these the man | drawn over his shoulders, his face was muffled from Cinnabar mounted, while Kate was | by a scarf that was wrapped ’round and ’round placed on the other, and Alabaster Jim strode on by her side. Contrary to his usual habit he was silent enough now. Perhaps he was his neck, while a broad-brimmed sombrero was drawn low down over his brow. He gave a glance at Victor, and then turned rudely to considering that for a man anxious to get | Varna, ahead he had very foolishly thrown away his chances for a speedy departure. his thought he was not greatly mistaken. CHAPTER VIII. SWORN TO REVENGE. ALABASTER Jtm had not deemed it necessary, at the time at least, to say anything in regard to that last view he had of the road-agents, Even if he had done so it would not have been likely to have made any difference, for Soft Hand was abundantly occupied with his patron; and he was not going to charge after the road-agents single-handed. Apt as he was at being drawn into frays he was not fond enough of danger to risk that. So the road-agents, in their retreat, swept up Victor and Varna Page, and carried them off in a mad gallop at the muzzles of their cocked revolvers. Just what was to happen’ neither of them could guess, but they were cool enough and wise enough to reserve des- perate, unavailing resistance until the last mo- ment. When they had gone some distance the band turned shortly off to the left and pursued a narrow, precipitous, upward path that brother and sister had not noticed as they cantered along the main road a short time before. Even if they had they never would have suspected that a horse could be driven up the assent at the speed with which they now pushed on. Once or twice Victor attempted to ask a question, but each time he was sternly ordered to hold his tongue, and he felt that with him at least there would be no trifling. Varna, meantime, said nothing; the quiet nerve with which she accepted the situation was sometbing wonderful, and if it had not been too dark she might have noticed upon the faces, from which the masks had now been withdrawn, looks of admiration; for these were men who could ap- preciate courage if they knew amps, of any stat good quality For ten or fifteen minutes ‘the little party wound inand out along the narrow trail, un- til, at last, there came a hoarse challenge. A halt was instantly made, and the leading outlaw dismounting pushed on by himself and” on foot. He did not have far togo. Before long they beard him in conversation with the owner of the hoarse voice; and what he said was received in no very good part. “Failed, have you?” growled the man be- yond, in a strange, indistinct tone, “ Four dead, sure? Curses on it, what sort of bung- ling cowards have you got to be when it takes» the whole gang to go: -astage? Devils, were they? Of course they were but you” knew that; why did you let them get. the a4 on you? Oh Oh, perdition seize it; why was Manuel not here?’ The answer, given in a lower tone, was nob. audible, but soon the hoarse voice broke in again: ‘Two prisoners have you? What in the | name of Satan did you bring them here for? When you had lightened their pockets why did you not let them go, or cut their throats? which, it would have made very little - ference.” ‘We came so quickly, to bring the news that we had not time. Besides, as ‘one of them was a woman we thought you would have a sight of them. We took them in the bend of the casiyou, just this side of where we stopped the coach.” “Ah, a woman! We want no women here; unless it should turn out—but no, they would scarcely think of that game, Bring them here; if they are worthless throw them into the Devil’s Bowl and have done with them. W more women now than the place can hold,” This was what Varna heard just before she was introduced into the Skull of whom she had already heard more than one terrific story. Yet she neither trem!Jed nor quailed when | ahe and Victor were led into his presence. Whatever the man might be when viewed | | ‘How much can you pay for your life If such was | and that of your brother, my lady?” “You are quick at conclusions; how know you that he is my brother?” ‘He would be blind enough who did not see that; answer my question,” ‘* Nothing, then.” ‘““A pity, too; for unprofitable people meet short shrift here. They die.” “Kill us. It is not so much worse to die than to live.” “Oh, ho! You have money, then. People that talk that way always have. It’s only your poor devils, that are trying to fight star- vation with honesty, who hang on to life with such a tight grip. If we turn yourpockets inside out maybe we can find a ransom.” ‘“‘Not a dozen dollars. You are welcome to them.” ‘* Keep them. You might starve where you | are going.” “* Where.” “Down into the Devil’s Bowl.” “Hardly. If that is the kind: of place I think it is, we will die when we reach the bot- tom,” ‘‘Woman, you are strangely bold. ‘Who are you?” ‘* An avenger.” ‘**Whom do you seek?” ‘That is, our secret. me and mine deeply.” “A man?’ ‘Yes, a man.” ‘“‘ And where do you csaiel to find him?” **I do not know, Iam insearch,; Perhaps at Tierra Roxo. I have heard that he was strik- ing thither.” _“* And his name?” For an instant the woman was silent. With this hoarse voiced, cruel outlaw, so picturesque looking as seen by the flickering flame of a One who has wronged feeble fire, she was strangely confidential. . Perhaps it was the magnetism of a somewhat kindred nature that drew her out; perhaps be- cause she felt near to death she was Careless of her words. But this question made her pause; and in the silence Captain Skull gave the fire a rousing kick, and then stared steadily in her face. Instead of disconeerting her the act seemed to give her a strange courage, Without hesita- tion she broke out: , “Give me your promise that if I-escape ‘| your hands it shall forever be a secret, and I | will tell you.” “You have it. By the heavens, you are | a woman after m own heart!” | | | * His name is “Pierre Redette! In Satan’s name, go, then; and if you find him, kill him! Tl bane, go, then you both loose, . ‘Is your brother as fierce a tiger as yourself? If he is, it might be worth while to come to some terms. You would make worthy assistants; and there is both pleasure and pr ofit in the life we lead. here.” Varna smiled seornfully at the proposition. . ‘One who would play for millions would scarcely stoop to the petty rewards of even successful b . But tell me: go: you know the man I name?’ | Wire = that is nothing to you. I tell you to go and’ seek him. I will do more, There are certain men about Hangtown that, at a word or token from me will aid you in your search, They are devils, I tell you, and will stop at nothing. Do you need them?” “In your own words, perhaps. Name them. If they serve me they will be well paid.” ‘See what a good thing a little ill-luck has brought you. From Kansas to California no man could have pointed you out such a tool as Pedro Mercado. Find him, give him a sign that I will give you, pay him well, and he will serve you in anything. Stay here until morn- of the man ing, and I will give you a ‘ide that ‘will put who, she doubted not, was the famous Captain | yon on the oa or, if ay you choose, you may start at once, though that would be a mistake. Only ly, Swear that when you ‘Gnd this Pierre you will show him no mercy.” | * IT swear!” She held up her band, and the two words dropped from her lips with all the solemnity of an oath. ‘‘ Swear on this.” From under the crimson blanket that was wrapped around him he stretched out a hand, and it held by the blade a gleaming knife with a handle like a cross. From his hand she caught it and kissed it twice. “ By cross and blade, by church and border , oath, I swear to show him no mercy! I hate. him to the death!” “Tcan say no more now, I have said too much already; but in ‘the morning I. will launch you on your work,.. Yonder are a couple’ of blankets... The bed is none of the softest; but those who sleep the sleep of the righteous need not mind tbat,” He ceased speaking, and with a mocking laugh withdrew, leaving them actually and. positively alone. And thus. it happened that the two reached, Tierra Roxo quite late the following morning, and found that the story of the outlaw de- feat of the previous night had reached the place long before them, » , "a9 CHAPTER IX. IRISH MOLLY’S RANCH, HAROLD WILKINS, rested limply .in the arms of his ally: Every step seemed to give him more or less pain, and though, the bleed-. ing -had been stanched, and no. necessarily. vital point bad been reached, the feebleness of. his former weak condition returned, and: it seemed to Kate, every moment, that he must die. She made no moan over the prospect, for she. was @ girl that had more nerve and courage than one would suspect, looking at her petite form and fair, young face; but she eyed her father, anxiously, asked a loving question now. and then, and waited impatiently for Red Cat. Gulch, toward which their progress seemed. painfully slow. Around them the . shadows, deepened, and nothing could be heard but an occasional moan from the wounded man, and. the measured tread of the horses, . Alabaster Jim, having some doubts about the trail, went on ahead, and in the end it saved time, for he went backward and forw , the spot several times before he was certain that he had found the , ? ethers caught up with down. carefully, holding. # Kate's hi bridle, until at last, in a little dingle, ing of dogs told th them that | within. — Up to the door went ter Jim gave, on _| sounding thumps, ‘hear the clicks of two pis mers were forced back, a voice that evidently helena to al [comsne thot iieege. suaiec tet? eoudiown ““ Arrah, now, go wag wid yen yez, ye spalpeens! It’s pat Jead an’ plinty av it be afther gettin’, if yez bothers Irish Molly. Sure I’m good for any four av ye; am’ yez wouldn’t harm a lone woman. If and drink, an’ lodgin’s yer afther, go on wid yez. Sure it’s cuinetedians a os aa goes along like water ina fh t think o’ stoppin’ till you went over ther sould Listen till yer hear what’s wanted an’ see if you won’t do a good turn’ an’ put money in a Hyer’s a man, half — been = Fae ng an’. can’t: g0 .the town.” “Easy, easy; good . FEE / Bt > 11 9 a “Oh, do,” ‘broke.in Kate...‘ open the door! Any place will do. See i ‘i “‘ Bliss yer swate tongue, it’s an honest gurrl yez are, an it's in ye come. Wait a minute till oi make the door open.” m Ebooks (E@) (Elo)