Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 194 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

OE em _ CT we 3 — + ——— a * 18 large bowlders were piled up in confusion, and no sign of a cave was seen, but it seemed a fact that the faintest possible breaths of smoke were ereeping oul among the rocks, Fully convinced that the cave lay underneath they finally resolved to return to camp and arouse the men. Acting on the idea, they soon had a crowd of sleepy, morose-looking fellcws about them, but their news stirred most of them into life. As might be expected, Roberts sneered at their assertions, but for once, Judge Austin was not with him. He had little faith in the new discovery, but be was not the man to leavea stone unturned to accomplish a desired result. So the march to the elevation was begun, and to Rivers’s surprise, the sheriff pushed to the froot. The Cavalier could not understand his sudden change of tactics. ‘Ther critter means mischief,” said Joe Pike. “Did you obsarve ther look on his face? Ef he is playin’ fast an’ loose with our gang, I'll bet er hé has some tarnal scheme afoot. His face | es variagated an’ curious ter look upon esa map oy pee ‘* Perhaps he intends to warn San Antonio.” - “Ef he does, I'll snuff his candle fur all time.” They had reached the base of the elevation when the sheriff, who was the foremost man, suddenly darted ahead, but catching his toe on a stone, fell headlong to the ground. ‘He was on bis feet in a moment, however. ‘* Did you see him?” he excitedly asked. “See who?’ Austin blankly returned. | “IT saw a man whisk in among the rocks . there, sure as fate. I believe we are on the track, for unless it was some outsider, it must have been one of the outlaws,” CHAPTER XXVIII. WITHIN THE CAVE. ' i] LAURA and Viola had been escorted to a room off the main cave, which was much like the one given to Horace Wilder. What Nature had not done, the outlaws had finished, and the walls were tolerably smooth, while the furni- oe — ms ng po and pip eal Ls» oubtless, of some t raid of the band. Mitch at once left A but the door was i barred behind her and they were securely im- | boa prisoned. | ‘What do you think of the prospect?” Viola asked, with commendable calmness. “Tam afraid father will be two thousand dol- lars poorer when we again see Arcadia.” * **Nonsense! He will gather the people and sweep this den of vipers away like chaff.” he “Tam not so sure of that. Men who live all the time under the ban of the law, are both shrewd and wary, and I fear San Antonio will Orr T wish I ‘“ like you i respect.” ish I was you in one ** What do you mean?” “T have no lover to rally to my rescue.” : “ Have I?’ Laura asked, in seeming surprise. ) ** Certainly.” | bye “Whom do you mean? Not Sheriff Roberts, ish I oe. ‘No, indeed. I mean Theodore Rivers.” het | “Mr, Rivers? What is he to me?” : “Your lover, Laura.” “Now it is my turn to say ‘nonsense!’ What . does he care for me, or—or [ for him?” | «FE will not peruse to answer positively for _ . @ither of you, but, in my opinion, it isa case of | . mutual love.” ** How can you talk so foolishly, Viola?’ The younger sister laughed merril y. if the Cavalier ** Never mind, but we will see does nof come to your rescue.” In this way they talked for some time, trying to be as philosophical over their trouble as pos- sible, but, after some hours, time began to drag, and they were not so very sorry when San An- tonio on them that evening. _ He remained for half an hour and repeated his assertion that they need have no fear while in the cave. They had been seized solely with a view to money-making, and when the ransom was paid they would be released unharmed. a he went away and called on Wilder. ‘How fare you?” he pleasantly said. . “Well, Iam getting along pretty salubrious- ly, but Ican’t say I e it very much,” the prisoner answered. ‘*Have you been well-fed?” “ Like a lord, your excellency.” ** Oh, we live well here.” “ So I oo ney ee here, captain, I’ve a proposition to make to you. 0: “ang it.” pieced , play you any game of cards you say to see whether I stay with you or go free.” . ‘Tn other Weslo, of a ransom?’ **T want to try.” _ “YT shall be obliged to refuse, for you_are ee ae expert with the pasteboards. Now, ‘ll make a proposition to you.” “0 ts = “You seem to me like just the kind of man I cael in my band. How would you like to oi Wilder looked weet at the outlaw. * Are you in earnest? - y you want to beat me in lieu ———_— = a SN LE eee essere ——OE—OE————————————————————————————————— ae a a a a -———+ ie” ade _— . ——_— 4 = — —<- ee + ‘c Yes.” ‘*Well, it is rather unexpected, and, like a timid maiden, I shall bave to ask for time to think it over. It isan important question and should not be answered rashly.” ‘That is sensible,” said San Antonio, im- pressed by the coolness of his prisoner, ‘Tl give you twenty-four hours for reflection. That you accept, you shall have good usage and your share of all booty.” “IT can ask nomore. Perhaps I would make a good knight of the road, for the fat. woman of the N, E. & C. always declared I was some day bound to become ‘extinguished.’ VU think of ib. San Antonio looked pleased, and then, after a little hesitation, pro da game of cards, They played, and, at the end of half an hour, the captain went away victorious. Wilder chuckled when once more alone. “‘That was a bait,” he commented. ‘‘ His luck may tempt bim to accept my own pro sition, in which case I will whip him out of bis boots. So he wants me to tie up to his band! The idea is absurd. Bad asI am, I won’t turn road-agent. What would my faithful corners say at the thought? The Triad would be bu’sted all to smash and Ishould never become a rich man. If the tattooed man wasin my place he might accept, but no bare-back rider would stoop so low.” He laughed unconcernedly, and then proved his mental serenity by going to bed and soon falling into 4 rab Vm aoe . In the morning, Marah brought his breakfast and he managed to delay her for some time. He liked her looks and, under any circur.- stances, would have enjoyed a conversatio.. with her, so that, now he was working his way slowly toward a practical end, he was remark- ably fluent of speech. he girl listened and smiled at his humorous remarks, and he was shrewd once to eee a decided change in her manner since first interview. “‘T believe I have made an impression,” he said, aloud, after she was gone. ‘She acts quite amiable, and, before night, I will propose an elopement. But, what if she turns traitor to San Antonio for my sake? It won’t do to leave her in the lurch, and Il—” He broke off abruptly and stared at the blank wall for some minutes, . ‘‘P'm -not sure but that I would prefer her to Viola if she only had money-bags to back her, She is a jewel, and eighteen carat fine at that. TH see what can be done,” ' He ate his breakfast in a mood unusually thoughtful for him, for, light-headed as he was, he had a true man’s heart under his gay ex- terior and he had no desire to have the girl get into trouble for him. ‘*But she must aid me if I can make her, and, after that, I will see that she does not want,” was his final decision. The day wore away wearily enough, and he waited with impatience for her evening visit. ‘Sbe came, at last, and he looked into her pretty face with a welcoming smile. ““T am delighted to see you,” he declared. “You are the good angel of my solitude,” ‘“How can you so foolishly?” she an- swered, but there was no resentment in her oice. ‘*I speak only the honest truth. I am as lonesome as an orphan kitten here, and when you come you bring sunshine with you.” “Do you mean the food?” ** Now, you mock me, Marah. You know I refer to your own pretty face. There! don’t be angry, but I mean all I say.” “You will make me vain,” she said, laugh- ing, bs there was a suspicious flush on her cheeks. ‘““Marah, you may think me foolish, but I have been ghting a battle here in my cell wherein you played an important part.” “Yes, Do you know that San Antonio has mene me a place in his band?’ * Yes the ould considerin - Well, I have been sik prow how you matter, and I have wondere act toward me in such a case.” J “*T would be your friend,” she said, with some embarrassment. **T have been rash enough to ho that, if 1 remain here, you ma something more to me than a friend. Marah, do not blame\me, but you fill a*niche in my heart where I would gladly keep you.” He was king very earnestly, “but an unusual gravity was on her face. ‘“‘T am an outlaw,” she sadly said. “You can shake off the life if you will. The world is broad, and, if you will marry me, I will take you beyond the old life’s shadows.” He had not thought to say so much, but, with her face before him, a wave of real tenderness swept over him and he longed to clasp her in his arms, She did not at once answer his last speech. “Come, Marah, my mountain girl,” he eagerly continued, “‘ what is your decision?” for more— Don Sombrero, the California Ro takes us forward to the time when Judge Aus | tin will ransom his daughters, you know. If | —- . Henne ncc ence tam a a ee ee ee ee oe os e ae a _—-- — — = — -_—_ - ad Gent. CHAPTER XXIX. HAND TO HAND. SHERIFF ROBERTS'S assertion that he had caught sigbt of a man among the rocks thoroughly aroused the searching party and they pressed forward to the spot. ‘There is no entrance here,” said Austin, whe saw only a confused pile of bowlders, ‘“‘I am sure! saw a man disappear right in this place,” the sheriff dcaieitis said. ‘‘Of course, if he entered here he closed the wav behind him, so we must try to find it. Lay hold of these rocks, men, and see what can be done.” “Tt believe I smell smoke,” said one of the men. ‘*Then we areon theright track. Use your muscle, my brave fellows, and see what will come of it.” Rivers and Joe Pike stood a little back while the others obeyed, and the former, at least, was trying to “size” the sberiff’s new departure. “Plainly, if the cave is found, he wants all the glory,” he muttered. Suddenly Roberts uttered a subdued cry. A big roek bad been rolled from its place, and, beyond, a dark hole was plainly seen. ‘Keep on,” he said, excitedly. ‘‘ Take this one next.” Two others were dislodged, and then all saw an opening of considerable size yawning in front of them. ‘‘Don’t speak above a whisper,” said the leader, raising his band. ‘‘ We have found the cae, but we must take the outlaws by sur- prise. ‘* Let every man get his weapons ready,” the judge added, ‘“We want torches along with us, but we will not light them until needed. The light would betray us,” said the sheriff. Some of the men went for pine knots, but Joe Pike touched Rivers’s arm. ‘“ What is a-comin’ now?” he asked. ‘**T don’t know.” “It would be mighty easy fur the critter ter lead us inter an ambush ef he means treachery, It may be all a put-up job with San Antonio.” ** Should it Seth so, Roberts dies on the spot. He shall not live to profit by his treachery. ‘* Bravo, my boyee, bravo!” the veteran com- me , By the time the men returned with the pine knots all was ready for the venture. The en- trance was so narrow that only one could go at a time, and it was Roberts who went first, and when Austin, who followed him, looked around, he found Rivers at his back. ‘‘We may expect hard fighting,” he said, a little softened by the sight, for he was aware that the Cavalier had been rebuffed during the campaign. ‘“‘l reckon we are good for it,” Rivers coolly replied. ic It will be nothing new to me.” The younger man did not answer, for it was no time for talking. They were in utter dark- ness, slowly feeling their way, but finding rocks on every side and a firm footing underneath. In brief, it was a passage where two men could barely walk abreast, but no one longer doubted that it led straight to San Antonio’s den, Rivers held a revolver in each hand, but he did not know upon whom he might use them, He kept watch of Roberts, so far as was possi- ble, and was firmly resolved to shoot him down at the first sign of treachery. ‘‘Tf-I should drop both him and Austin I should be doing the world a favor,” he thought. “Perhaps no better time will ever come to square the account with the judge; but I am not an assassin.” . They had gone fifty ge or more, very slow- ly and carefully, when Roberts suddenly paused. ‘‘ Ain’t that a glimmer of light ahead?’ he asked. Austin looked, and he, too, saw what seemed like the reflection from a fire or lighted room. ‘* We have them at last!” he exclaimed, “Sh! Do not givethealarm. Pass the word to the men and let them press well forward. When we show ourselves it must be with a rush which will sweep all before us.” This looked very much like business, and Rivers wavered in his belief, but he could not get rid of the impréssion that Roberts was play- ing.an underhand game of some sort. ey crept forward to where poy bad seen the light, and then it was evident all that some one was to be found just beyond the point of rock. “Remain where you are, and I will take a look,” said the sheriff. ‘“‘We don’t want to bark up the wrong tree.” He dropped on his hands and knees and crawled forward, then stopped, removed his hat, and peered beyond the rocky obstruction. Rivers’s gaze was fixed upon him, but there was no sign of treachery, ~~ There wasa brief pause, and then he came back in the same silent yi a : “They are there and Antonio is with them,” he said. ** How many ?” “Not over fifteen. We outnumber them.” - t are our chances?” They are in a sort of chamber, Eomichbooks (C EO re m