Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 189 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

—— | Wild Bill’s Gold Trail. 15 ‘What is that?” **Die by hanging.” In spite of his nerve the face of the avenger paled. But he said in his reckless way: ‘‘The hemp is not grown yet, Wild Bill, to make the rope to hang me.” Wild Bill sm led, and said, abruptly chang- ing the subject: “You have changed your rig, since I met you in Poker City some days ago.” “Yes, and I am surprised that you reeog- nized me.” “Oh, I would know you under an Indian’s war-paint and feathers. “Did you just come from Poker City?’ iti Yes.” “ And with Miss Insley?” és No. ” “She certainly did not know you in your true character, to come out here alone?” **No, indeed, she knew me, and Kit Carr there, and Hyena Harry, who escaped, as fore ners,” reigners?” is Fen I was Baron Bronx, Hyena Harry was Count Carlos, and Kit Carr was Pierre our servant, and we bad come West to hunt,” and the evil man laughed aloud at the decep- tion he had practiced. But Wild Bill looked stern and said: “‘ And this devilish plot was made up tocap- ture Miss Insley?” “Yes, and for another purpose.” ‘‘ What was that?” To kill you,” was the reckless and bold re- ply, and at this Wild Bill laughed outright. CHAPTER XXIX. AN AVENGER’S FATE. “You seem merry,” sneered Dudley Dun- ean, alias “Captain Corduroy” and ‘‘ Baron Bronx.” ‘Tam, to think you were sucha fool as to believe that I would not know you in any dis- guise.” **T fooled all Poker City who knew mie.” “They did not know you as I have, for I have your image stamped well on my mind, and false beara, or French airs cannot efface it. “Tf you ave a conscience, Wild Bill, you should remember the faces of my two brothers whom you murdered.” *‘It was no murder for they deserved kill- ing. “But I do remember them), though their death at my bands does not cause me: sleepless nights, any more than will your ate if - rests upon me. “‘T hate to take human life, Bit stibl: ‘as you I kill as I would a reptile.” “ And I'would rejoice to kill you, and have lost much time in trying to do so; but what to ask, Wild Bill, for more quéstions have yon y way.” Tam anxious to be on ‘Doubtless, as you fear the parson may an the Vigilantes upon your trail. “Now answer me; do you wish to save eoar life by leading me to the stronghold of the Des perado Dozeni”’ could not if I wished to.” éé Why “Tao: ot know the trail.” ‘You have been over it.” “ Yes. ” “ And do not know it?” ““T do not.” “You are a good borderman.” ! “True, but it would take a bloodhound to ow that trail without going 6ver it’ many 2: How often have you done so?” “Twice only.” Wild Bill frowned, and Captain Corduroy “Aba, ‘Wild Bill, Captain Tiger thwarts ee eo fe in hiding in the mae ow Ye ar, but Il will yet fin s “JT doubt it? y “When did you leave the retreat?” “Two days ago.” ‘ With whom?’ “Kit Carr and Hyena Harry.’ '*¢Hlow did you get there a4 bat knew hot the trail?” “T was taken to the By Sn by one who knew where he was sta ‘‘ Who guided you to the sentinel?” “That I r will not tell you.” “Vory well, it is immaterial; but tell me, is Mr. Insley a prisoner to Captain Tiger? ac Yes,” a _ ‘** And a lady captive he has also?” . + Yes, gy ‘* How are they treated?” “‘T do not know.” ‘‘Well, as you have answered me better than I expected, I will now keep my word to you.” ‘‘ And release me?” “ By no means, but give you a chance for your life, for that only did I promise.” ‘* What is the chance?” , ‘Draw your knife and meet me.” “Wild Bill, that is no chance, and you know it, for youare well aware that [ am no match for you.” ** You are as large as I am, and have boasted of your skill as’a shot and with the knife.” ‘“‘ But it would be certain death for me to meet you.” Then draw your pistol and I will step away twenty paces, and, at a given word, we will advance toward each other, firing until one falls dead.” ‘“‘ That is a chance, I admit, but a slight one, for you never miss.” **“Oh, yes, sometimes I do, ‘* Here is one of my revolvers,”’ Wild Bili, as he spoke, handed to the vil- lain one of bis pistols. Mechanically the man stretched forth his _hand for the weapon, and, seizing it, suddenly threw it forward and drew trigger, with the mvuzz'e full in the face of Wild Bill. To his horror, the cap snapped and Wild Bill laughed, and, springing forward, dealt him a blow that felled him to the earth. Inan instant he had bim bound, his hands behind his back, and his lariat in a noose around his neck, ‘““I expected treachery on your part, Dud Dunéan, so gave you a weapon | knew had | two barrels unloaded, ““T have kept my word and given you a cliance for life and you abused it, so now I shall hang ‘you without mercy.” ‘Do not kill me, Hikok,” pleaded the ‘yil- lain. But Wild Bill was obdurate to all: prayers, and throwing the loose end of the lariat over a limb, he said: “Dud Duncan, three years ago you were sentenced to die on the gallows for a cowardly mnurder, and you escaped, “T would then, as sheriff, been your hang- man, so I merely carry out now tbe orders I had then. $ ‘Tf you’ dare pray do so quickly, for your | life ends within a minute.”’ “ Merey, ees for Iam not fit. to meet death.” “That is your look-out, sir. Pray if you dare to do so.”. ° The wretch groaned in sitgridali and writhed fearfully, but Wild Bill was»stern and. merci-, less, and ‘after wailing a few moments in si- lence, he drew on! the rope, and his great strength readily hoisted the doomed man into the air. The cry on the lips of the struggling man™ was cut off by the tightening lariat, and, making his lariat fast to a tree, Wild Bill walked away, yee the body ‘swaying to ani, m _—__-__— : aa 4 ‘CHAPTER XXX. CAPTAIN TIGER’S VISITORS. Ir is time now to return to the robber stronghold, and those whom the reader re- members had not only become the prisoners, but the victims of Captain Tiger. When saved from certain death at the hands of the woman whom he had deserted and so deeply wronged, Captain Tiger had her con- veyed, it will be recalled, to the cage in the tent where’ Mr. Insley had been held captive, bay: hé, poor man, was taken toa place known “The Den.” ~ ‘Phis loathsome prison the reader will soon have a glimpse into, but now 1 will. make known. what followed, after the deserted wife of the outlaw chief had been dragged away. Going to the guard, after seeing that the fe- male captive was Hyena Harry bade two men, whom the. sentinel: had in bis charge, to follow him. | They were both seotixely blindfolded, and bound, and had an air of trepidation whieh showed, though they had come to volunteer as members of the outlaw band, they would be happier elsewhere just then, “You are now before the chief of the Des- ~~ Dozen,” said Hyena Harry calmly, as e led the two men into the tent. “‘ Unblindfold them,” said the chief, who had removed his disguise = at the table in a free and easy way, p a cigar he bad just lighted. Their eyes were at first dazzled, when they saw the light, but they soon fixed them upon the daring leader of the outlaws, The two men were none, other than Captain Corduroy and Kit Carr, for I am going»back in my story, kind reader, to the..better gather up the threads to weave together at the incident of the finding of the hanging body in the moun- tains, by the Fighting Parson and his fol- lowers, ‘Are you Captain Tiger?” Corduroy quietiy, though he gazed Captain th interest upon the bewhiskered face of the man meters him. ‘*T am so ealled.” ‘You are the leader.of the outlaw band, known as the Desperado Dozen?’ . sé I am. ” “ Then you are the one we seek, for we have come to join your band,” was the bold remark of the man, ‘“Why should you?” coolly asked Captain Tiger. ‘‘ Doubtless from the same cause . that. you are here.” ‘‘And what is that cause?” ‘: Becanse your crimes, have made. it too hot for you to live elsewhere.” ‘‘ By Heaven, but you-are blunt enough.” op | but fell the truth,” ‘Perhaps you do; but yousay you. wish to join my band?” . se I do. ” ‘* And your comrade?” ‘* Also desires to join, but must speak for himself,” ‘‘] kin do it, for Lare a raaiaciods -outer rascal, an’ what are more I knows it,’ said Kit Carr with both truth and honesty. : Captain Tiger laughed lightly, and-said: “ Well, if you don’t belie. your looks 1 think you will make good members, avd my Dozen has been cut down four or five of late.” ‘*Then we are in time.” “Oh, yes, Satan guided you here just as you are wanted; but what is your name?’ “Captain Corduroy.” ‘*'You have been a chief villain somewhere else, it seems, from the title you give yourself; buti here there can be but one captain.” +s Tou »P] “Tam 1 willing, aod I merely gave you the name I am a the law under just. at this time. ad fi “Ah! and ‘your name, sir?’ and Coptain Tiger turnedto-Kit,.who said: . , 7 ‘““My name are Kit Carr.” : ‘Stealing two-thirds of your name, even.” sé How so. ard?’ . “ From Kit Garson.” ‘Nary. It.were. Kitredge Carridine, afore F Ee CD BAS: ras “It were fer a fact; but I hev cut it down ter Kit Carr, an’ yer kin shout that name at roll-eall an’ Vl, be thar every time.” ‘You are a area pair, and I guess you'll do, “What. do pd say, Harry?” and Captain meer turned to Hyena Harry. “Tf they stand the test they are all right,” <c ” ~ ta Hyena Harry! asked aah ‘Waal, you two is a precious pair, Pons all accounts, an’ I thinks so, or Pd lie te a preacher,” “What is the test we will bave Jus stand” asked Captain Corduroy, . ‘“Where are you from?” “The country at large.” .. “Ah, yes, itinerant gentlemen ; but where did you come from last?” | .“ Poker. City.” ‘* Indeed, What was your business there?” ‘To kill Wild Bill, the scout and rauchero, ” was the prompt reply. Captain Tiger started to his feet and asked eagerly: ‘*Did you do it?” “ Not this time. An oath of disappointment broke from the lips of the chief of the Desperado Dozen, and be sunk back in bis ehair, while he said in a vicious tone: micbooks- co (E@)