Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 194 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

Seas] - Ve za : — = | Don Sombrero, _ instinctively laid his hand upon the revolver in ars THE OALIFORNIA oR, 4y . BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, «§ AUTHOR OF “LADY JAGUAR,” “ YOUNG KEN- TUCK,” ETC,, ETC. - AMONG THE OUTLAWS, ‘Tax traveler who chanced upon Jason Bax- \otel at the date of our story, wouid find it a very plain and unpretentious building even for California, and, at sight, he would wonder how its proprietor managed to get a liv- | . ing out of it, but when he reflected that it was lirectly on the road to the ore of Mount Tabor, he v be likely to change his opin- , ter, a shrewd New Englander, had tho all this before he er his house, and the subsequent rush of trade had justifi his expectations. Nature had furnisbed abundant ornament be- fore the house was thought of, and, once built, it nestled among a cluster of handsome trees which almost reconciled one to thé absence of architectural beauty. Tbe night on which we open our story was dark and gloomy, the clouded heavens presag- ing speedy rain, but, even then, the cover of the trees seemed to have an attraction for at least one of the guests of the hotel, for he was stroll- i out where they grew the thickest, smok- ing a cigar, but in a way which showed he was Orr ai hought. threw away the weed, at last, with an im- patient gesture. ** The stuff bas lost its charm, Iam as rest- less as ever, and I may as well fight it out as to waste my ammunition. I thought I was free | from this weakness of the flesh, but the situation is, perhaps, one to make nervousness excusable. Iam almost at my journey’s end, and then be- ins a work which will try my mettle. At imes, I falter and find that I have a conscience, but when I think of my cause for work I shut my eyes and go on. hat will be the result? Only time can tell, but I have much to dare and Tam just as likely to get a bullet in my precious skin as to bring my enemy to the dust.” Reflecting thus, he paused under the cover of a tree, with the drooping branches shutting him in as by a curtain, and remained for some time | in deep thought. He was aroused by the sound of voices, and, as they seemed to be approaching his cover, be | his belt. “Bah! I am ‘a fool!” “There are desperate characters enough about | bere, but these.men probably belong to the hotel and. will pass without seeing me.” | He stood still, but the previous speakers, who proved to be twoin number, paused when di- | he then muttered. rectly beside his cover. “Wear to talk here,” said one, * Now. what stopped at the hotel, of course “ee long enough for supper re) . the d ptinn, and then [heard Baxter him by name,” ‘That settles it. Did he see you?” | ‘IT suppose so; but, as he took no ap t notice of me, I can’t say positively. Bax e urged him to stay over night, for fear he x t encoun Antonio’s outlaw band.” — “Hal ha! Well, what its “That hi not id to; it was in so indifferent a manner that I am s' he thought there was no danger of such & g- “Til show him; and pexhaps he won’t sneer the next time he hears my name mentioned. Did you see any signs of his money?” “No. He showed only that with which he paid his bill to Baxter.” | ‘*Of course he is too shrewd to do more, but I know he has it, and we will soon be on his | oh ' ‘track. Was he armed?’ e- There were two revolvers in his belt, | mer“ . “That was sensible. Well, we mustn’t give him too much of a start, so we will away at once and get the boys, We can ride him down in a short time.” : They walked off toward the public road, leav- | ing the chance listener once more alone. ‘ Well!” he muttered, ‘‘I have run agen a 1s | pretty web of iniquity, and no mistake. an Antonio, as he calls himself, intends to pounce upon some traveler and relieve him Of his money, perhaps of his life. A very pretty scheme, one which seems likely to wor well for him if no one upsets it, and there ir ao ene except myself to do the deed, [I’m half in- || do it! » league with San Anto and the pursuer saw j **He is wide-awake, ani. maybe, thinks I am ; . ure of the man?” — his “Certainly, captain, I knew him at paee by prehensions.” ‘ ‘ and she’ looked well to them before he rode | } - Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent. clined to take a handin thegame. Ive come to California on a reyengeful mission, and if I can belpa lame dug over the fence it may off- WO gant | a dae By thunder! Vl ub how | : He reflected for a motions and was on the | point of going to the hotel-keeper with his story | would bave when a thought natural to his suspicious nature stopped him. Possibly the man might be in , in which case it would be an unwise move. é “T have it Ill simply order out my horse and then ride pell-meli after the unknown, by which course I will be able to warn him before the storm comes in the shape of the outlaws.” Having thus decided, he strode to the hotel rd a for his horse, much to the surprise of “It's going to rain great guns,” he expostu- ‘‘ et her rain,” was the coo! hey ‘But you may run afoul of San Antonio.” “Ah! And who is be?” “he chief of a band of outlaws who have their home in the hills to the south. He lives by plunder, and the cutting of a man’s throat no im nt te his plans.” “He ain’t afraid of me.” “Afraid of you? Well, I reckon he ain’t; but—” ‘* Here is your money, my good man. Now trot out se; horse.” Finding his guest in full earnest, Baxter gave way gracefully, and the former was soon mounted and speeding away on the road toward Mount Tabor. He was well mounted on a strong, black horse, which he handled with the ease of one long accustomed to the saddle, and, though the night was dark and dismal, he had no fears for himself. Still, his po emg ape in regard to the un- known man whom he was following were well founded. California, though a land of gold, of beauty and of rare attraction in many forms was wild and wicked. Since the palmy days of 49, a flood-tide of inhabitants had been pour- ing to the Pacific coast, and, among them, were many men who had left dark records behind them in the East, and were making equally dark ones in the West. Our traveler had never heard of San Antonio until that night, but it was enough that he was an outlaw, He must be thwarted in his lans. ‘ < There was no need to urge the black horse he rode. Witb a loose rein over bis neck be was going at a gallop, and he was covering ground at a surprising rate of s : At the end of two miles the ground be to grow higher and rougher, with rocky sides in many places, and as the wood often fringed the road, the way was wild and picturesque, as well as a fit place for a robber’s work. The black horse showed no signs of weariness, and, when two miles more had been passed, his master began to look for the unknown. Unless he had gone faster thah seemed probable, he must be near at hand. | His calculations proved to be correct, for a sudden curve in the road as sudden] showed him another rider just in advance, and he mod- erated his pace as be went toward him. ~ | The unknown was riding at a moderate + him turn bis head and look keenly backward as he ap aroad-agent, Ill soon relieve him of his ap- Then, checking his black horse still further, he nodded pleasantly and said: ‘“‘T beg your pardon, sir, but I think you are | the mai for whom Lam looking. Are you not’ sank f from Baxter’s Hotel” — “T had sypper there,” was the quiet reply, while the speaker continued his close regard. It was a mutual exchange of searching | hammer % | glances, but the darkness made atiy portect ae | estimate of face and character out of the ques- tion. The owner of the black his new com saw that heav- nion was well dressed and ily bearded, but that he could tell. _** Exactly,” he d, ‘after the 5 answer. ‘° Now, if you are a were warned before you left that there was _ danger from one San Antonio, a robber.” cc es, e been better if you had heeded that warning.” ae Why so?” ‘ $ ‘¢ Because San Antonio is on your track.” “Ts that so?” sir.” ich prom “Well, I am inclined to think it would have | by the stranger, who for granted that my visit West was te draw funds trom the bank, I suppose.” ~The owner of the black horse was not deceived by this statement, but he rather admired the man’s caution. If be bad acknowledged that he carried a large sum of mong his pocket, he too childlike a oreature for California air. **Do you propose to keep straight on?” be asked, . “T see ee . There are no houses in this vic ty, and I do not care te take te the w “ Then, if the outlaws appear, we must either run or fight.” ‘That is all we can do. I say ‘we,’ for, from — own expression, I judge that you intend keep on with me.” ‘*To turn back would be to run straight into San Antonio’s men. Yes, on.” They increased their pace and rode for half a mile where rocky ridges for the most part hemmed them in, and the intervening spa were thickly wooded. The younger man was scarcely at ease, The horse of his companion did not seem inclined te move rapidly, and he n to apprehend that if San Antonio was really foll « be would overtake them before a refuge was reached. His occasional] keen glances to the rear at last bore fruit, for he suddenly turned te the ether man. ‘*T believe they are coming, sir,” he quietly said. ‘Rein in your borse and listen.” They paused, and both could plainly hear the clatter of hoofs. ‘* Half a dozen of them, I should think,” said the younger man, “‘and, beyond a doubt, the outlaws. We have failed to ride them down— what now do you propose?” ‘We must take to the trees,” said the other, a little anxiously, but still calmly. “‘We will ride into the cover and let them pass.” A little beyond they saw a wooded depression, and they spurred forward with increased speed, but they had gone only a few yards when a line of: horsemen suddenly appeared in their path, CHAPTER II. CLOSE QUARTERS, THE fugitives pulled in their horses suddenly, for, though the strangers might be honest men, they had an ominous look as they sat grimly on their horses in a line which barred the whole road, and both of the former had in- stantly suspected that they were allies of San Antonio. They beard, too, the clatter of horses’ feet close in the rear and knew there was ro time for delay, but, at that moment, one of the men in front spoke ina quick, sbarp voice: a se rt) ‘*Hold on there!” be commanded. want you, judge.” ‘““Who are you?” demanded the elder fugi- tive, bis voice like that of a gladiator at bay. ‘(A highwayman, at your service, and one of Captain San Antonio’s stars, We want your money, judge, before you pass,” The man thus addressed felt a touch om bis arm. ‘‘We must charge through them,” said his companion, grimly. ‘‘ Now, together!” They were men to move promptly, and the start was made almost as soon as projected. Their horses leaped forward, and the yeunger of the two swung his revolver aloft. ‘Out of the way!” he shouted. ‘ Draw off, or out go your brains!” ~ It was a plainly -spoke: ening, but the foe seemed in x ste to obey, and the judge, whe w thi of California pretty well, ‘hat ta revolver would furnish the best . f e the trigger, but only a click fol- lowed. It was the first time he had ever known the weapon » f iss fire, and he raised the just as the moment of coliision ar- black horse’s master had one of the rob- bers covered, but at that moment the judge’s apimal, Sty scenes new to him, made & bolt to the left and plunged into the bushes like harmless shot fol lowed him from tbe near- an, and a moment later the fellow was al- “? dunt tod: he rush ¢ oysters which y urged after its mate solved to stick to the judge. As he , he leaned over and knocked the robber out of his saddle by a blow his re- . ' 1001 cas volver, and, in a moment more, he, too, was The stranger was looking keenly at his new | within the bushes. acquaintance, and the latter could not but see | % All this bad occurred very quickly, but not that he was not yet ready to implicitly believe; | quick enough so that the outlaws had no chance but it was a wise measure of precaution and could not be blamed. : He briefly relatec 2*’ he had overheard in the grounds of the hotel, sn. =Ider mar showed more animation. “Tf such is the case, and there can be no doubt of it, I shall have to be on my guard. I thank you very kindly for your interest and trouble, but the outlaw is mistaken in thinking have any amount of money with me. I own property at a igs Tabor, and he has taken it | to do any s ooting. Their failure to do so, in- ‘dicated that they did not wish to harm their | quarry. Just then the party from the west reached the spot, and, as had been expected, it was San Antonio who rode at their head. **'W here is the judge?” he demanded. —s_ , **In thar,” answered one of the men, pointing | to the bushes. ; ‘Why did you let him gain cover?’ ** His hoss made a bolt an’ we had ter let him © m (C (ECO) JOO S as Ps , rr. | a! OE |