Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 194 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent. —_—--- —- -——— but I s’pose ther jedge would turn up his nose at Joe Pike.” The veteran, who had always liked Rivers, talked on for some time, but they suddenly ar- rived at the point where the abductors had taken to the higher land and idle conversation was suspended. The half-breed dismounted, and, with him still in advance, they went on slowly. He showed remarkable shrewdness at his call- ing, and, though the trail was often lost among the rocks, he would manage to find it further along. ** Roberts is interested,” said Joe Pike, anon. **See bow anxious he looks. He’s afraid his sweetheart is in trouble. That’s Laura, you know.” Rivers frowned, but made no reply. The last words had not pleased him. A little further on the trail ended abruptly, nor could the half-breed find further sign. ‘‘They have doubled on their tracks,” said Roberts. “Very likely,” added Austin, ‘You are wrong,” said the half-breed, quietly, ‘© What then?’ Roberts sharply asked. “They have muffled their horses’ feet by binding them with buckskin or cloth.” Rivers, who chanced to be looking at the sheriff, saw a look of annoyance pass over his face. Hoe seemed angry at any opinion or will opposed to his. ‘It strikes me that is more romantic than probable as a theory,” he derisively said. “Outlaws are seldom practical,” observed Joe Pike. Roberts darted an angry look at bim. ‘You seem well posted in regard to them,” ‘*‘ T’ve see’d a few since 49,” “Too many to be longer a judgo,” said Roberts turning away. It was the ceneral opinion, however, that the half-breed’s t ory was correct, and they sepa- rafed into stmull parties and began a systematic ‘search for tho cave they felt sure musi be near. Somehow, Judge Austin and Roberts strayed some distance from the others, and they were passing through a ravine when, without any warning, a sharp voice shouted the old, familiar command: **Hands above your heads!” They turned quickly, only to see three men on each side of them with rifles raised and leveled, the muzzles covering their breasts, hammers raised, and a general lock of dead- earnestness about their possessors, Judge Austin’s hand dropped on his revolver, but he who had before Pecans a resolute-look- ing fellow who stood a little apart from the others, sharply added; ‘Hold, where youare. Try to draw a six, and, by heavens, off goes your heads!” ** Don’t resist!” said Roberts, quickly. ‘‘ We must beat these fellows by cepa! ** For the last time, will you put your hands above your heads?” The jJudge’s face was almost purple from rage, Lari he saw the sheriff obeying and he followed suit. “That is better. me?” ‘*No;” growled Roberts. “Tt am San Antonio. I believe you were looking for me.” ‘* Yes, sir, I was,” said Austin, hotly, ‘I have come to rescue my daughters,” “Two thousand dollars will do the business,” “Two thousand devils! I will not pay a cent, you villain, and, unless you give them up eaceably, I will blow your whole gang to ophet.” San Antonio elevated his eyebrows, ** How will you do it?” ‘he cooliy asked. *‘ [have plenty of men at my back.” “ Keep them there, for there they will do the most good. If you had all California with you, it would make no difference, You can not find my caye, and the only way to recover your daughters is to agree to my terms.” ‘* Never, sir, never!” Austin declared. ‘*Don’t be hasty; better say you think you never will. You evidently mean war. Now, what is to hinder me from taking you two to my fold with the other lambs,” ‘Oh! you’ve got the drop on us now,” Roberts ‘acknowledged, “‘but our day will come,” “You bad better keep still. I’m not talking with you,” Sam Antonio curtly said. “Tam backing this gentleman with the law,” the sheriff declared. The outlaw laughed disdainfully. Now, gents, do you know ‘A fig for you and the law. Now, Judge Austin, I will give you a last chance. ill you agree to my terms?” ** No,” was the hot reply. “In that case I will bid you good-day for now. Tlllet you try your own way until you see the folly of it and are ready to ery for quarter. While we are going you must keep your hands up and remain quiet, or off goes your heads. Do you understand?” The judge looked eagerly around him. He would have given much for a sight of his allies, but not a man was visible, CHAPTER XXVIILI. HOW THE PLAN WORKED. As the judge turned his gaze back to the scene before him, he was amazed to see Roberts suddenly spring from his saddle and rush toward the outlaw captain. Brave as he was, the act looked to him like suicide, but San Antonio withheld his fire, perhaps because he was afraid to use his re- | means, has set his heart on ther reptyle o’ a sberiff, an’ be is stubborn as Pike’s Peak. volver when so near the searchers, and prepared ) to meet the sheriff empty-handed. Austin’s chance for joining in the affray ended abruptly as one of the men glided for- ward and thrust his revolver almost into the judge’s face. ‘Keep your hands where they are,” tersely said. And then they saw Roberts and San Antonio grapple like gladiators, and a desperate struggle began in the lonely ravine, Desperate as it was it soon ended, and Austin could hardly. re- ress a shout as he saw his ally kneeling on the reast of San Antonio. He had gained a gallant victory, but it availed him nothi:g. The other men rushed forward and then Austin groaned as he saw the sheriff dashed to the ground by a blow from a reyol- he ver. He lay perfectly still, and San Antonio speedily arose. . “Take that for a taste of our mettle,” he sternly said. ‘* This dog of the law is lueky ho does not get a knife-thrust in his heart, but such is not our policy. We are going now, but I swear that*if you move before you hear a whistle from the top of the bluff you shall be shot. You will be covered all the while, so keep your hands well up.” A torrent of angry words burst from the {odge§ lips but San Antonio heard in indif- erence. He spoke to hismen and they moved away through the gulch, speedily disappearing among the rocks, Austin was almost foaming with rage, but he had enough wisdom to obey the orders he had received, He remained motionless until tho whistle sounded from the bluff—and no longer. His loud shouts quickly brought half the searchers to his side, where they found him i a over Roberts, who was just beginning oO stir. Confusion reigned for awhile, but the sheriff arose to a sitting position, and, with his hands over his head, urged.an instant pursuit; so the men darted away, headed by Austin, only .o reurn in half an hour as empty-handed as Mey went, The outlaws bad not been found, The entire party of searchers assembled in the gulch, disappointed and angry, but Roberts who had fully recovered, took it upon himself to console them, ** Never mind,” he said. ‘‘ They have won the first moVe in the game, but we have discovered that we are on the right track and we will soon poe Foe howl,” : “Your face is pale, Roberts; that blow was a hard one,” Austin solicitously said. ‘* A mere love-tap. I don’t mind it,” was the brave reply. There was a murmur of admiration from some of the men, but Joe Pike saw a curious expression on River's’s face, “ What do you think on’t?” the veteran asked. **T don’t know.” ‘What d’ye mean?” “Simply that if the idea was not wild I should believe this affair\a put-up job with Rob- erts as a party thereunto,” onl ‘*Correct ter a cent!” the miner declared. “‘T'y seed suthin’ o’ Californy life sence ’49, an’ I allow it ain’t ther way o’ any galoot who is on bis muskle ter let a man ante up ther way ther sheriff did.” **Can it be he is leagued with San Antonio?” **T don’t think no better o’ the critter.” ** Tt will not do to say so.” **See hyer, pard, spose we keep mum an’ play alone hand. Ef he is up ter any trick, he bound ter balk this game ef he can, an’ the men all think him a saint. Ef you an’ me work tergether, we may find a clew.’ ** Agreed,” said Rivers, promptly. And so, when the party scattered for a fresh search, Pike and the Cavalier kept together and looked very closely, but not the sign of a cave was found by them or any one else. In brief, the work was kept up all day, and Roberts and Austin urged the men on when- ever they wavered, but, if the cave was near, the entrance was too cunningly concealed to be found by ordinary means. It was a tired, cross and gloomy party that assembled for supper, and Austin had relapsed into tiger-like sarge, but the sheriff showed remarkable pluck and eccnfidence, and tried to infuse a part of his own good spirits into the others, i ** He is a cunnin’ critter,” Joe Pike observed to Rivers. ‘* All this works in his favor an’ his stock is boomin’. Ef we should find ther gals, he would get all ther credit, an’ ther jedge your be ready ter go down on his knees m. Rivers looked frowningly at Austin, “Why is the man so infatuated with such a wretch? Has he no eyes?” he asked. ‘“‘ He sees through a glass, darkly. At least, I reckon that is it, though I don’t know what it Yer see, ther jedge is stubborn. He I don’t admire either one on ’em,” ‘*T suppose Austin means well.” The veteran looked angry. mi are ther last man that ought to say that. ‘Why so?’ Rivers asked, with a start, “Don’t he favor Roberts ag’in’ you?” “I believe he does.” *“Course he does, an’, fur my part, I'd like ter choke him, jest fur luck,” Rivers did not answer, but, looking at the judge’s stern face, played nervously with the andle of his knife, ‘This man speaks more barshly than I dare,” he was thinking, “‘ but his cause for anger is a mere breath to my own. If Il keep my vow, I must hurl Judge Austin to ruin, but—l am not 4 murderer. Ab! this air stifles me; I must be alone.” . He arose and walked from .the camp, while the others remained to smoke and rest. No searching could be done during the night, but Roberts, with his usual energy, suggested that they once more scatter about ibe place and remain quiet for a few hours before sleeping. — Perhaps, in the seeming security, San Antonio would venture out, and so fall into their hands. All was done as he advised, but, at ten . o'clock, they met again and each man acknowl- edged failure. ‘We must now sleep,” said Austin, ‘ or we shall be in no condition for to-morrow.” It was good advice, and, 4 hg vee, their pisnee? in the best oe gre oe ge eae eft one man on guard and pre ge what rest they clita. -” Rivers and Joe Pike bad made a show of camping together in a recess among the rocks, but neither felt like sleeping, and they soon arose and wandered off among the rocks, | The former bad taken a fancy to the miner and was confiding more to him than he ha confided to any one else in Mount Tabor, and, ds they discussed the events of the day they” severely criticised Roberts. No, In their opinion, a mistake bad been mpde from the beginning. At that time, they had expressed the opinion that no ‘Rood would come of an cpen search, for San Antonio was no boy to leave clews bebind him, and the result had thus far justified their views, me ) ‘Ef the interview had be’n kept an’ a trap laid fur ther varmint, some good might have come on’t,” said Pike, ‘but, es much es ther jedge has praised Roberts, J say he has a matter a good deal worse.” % ‘‘Tf the ladies were strangers to.me, I would et once withdraw from the party,” answered vers, ; “You mean, ef you was less interested in Laura,” Joe slyly said, “T understand your point, but Laura Austin can never be arrything to we,” ‘“Why not?’ the miner asked, in astonish- ment, te curtly answered. , | ‘‘Nor me. Thar was a time when a pooty face wotld make my blood bile, but thar ain’t a simmer left.” ; A long silence ensued, during which both men leoked thoughtfully into the darkness, but. ve py suddenly stirred and snuffed vigorously at the air.. “Be you gain’ ter sneeze?” Joe carelessly asked. ‘* 1 believe I can smell smoke,” “Tt can’t be, fur thar ain’t any fires er. ‘i Not unless it is that of the outlaws.” The words stirred Pike into activity, and he, too, used bis nostrils critically, aro ‘““Durned ef I don’t believe you are right,” he finally muttered. They had been sitting on a shelf of rock, but Rivers at once arose. ’round “Tf there is smoke, it can have but one origin,” he said. ‘‘ We have built no fires, and, as it is not likely there is a third party near us, the fire must be that of San Antonio.’ ‘ ‘Let’s go slow an’, mebbe, we will find out suthin’. O’ course, ther fire ain’t out 0’ doors; they would never be sech fools as that. There- fore, it follers that it must come from some crack in ther rocks.” ‘* But where?’ ‘That is for us ter find. I} in ther air, an’ we must line it.” ‘‘ We will move about slowly until we locate 4 9) They acted on the idea, but, though they | searched carefully, the work was not an easy one. For some time, the smoke seemed a very will-o’-the-wisp, Go where they might within a considerable circle they could smell it the same, -but no fissure was found as they expected. Patience and shrewdness were at last reward. ed, however, and they fixed upon a rocky ele- vation with considerable confidence, ere, am not a marrying man,” Riversalmost I know thar issmoke ‘ 7 CONMIE OOO KS (Elo) | {! | mt) * i) 3} m7 é ui