Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 197 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

eh el oe ee i Ss eS = Revolver Ro are exerting all your witchery to rivet his chains the more surely. Through you | will strike my first blow at his heart. | swear to’ woman! —_ ‘Don’t make a diff o’ bitterance!” he said, doggedly. ‘A lick is a lick an’a womanisa An’ him as chugs sich, as I seid afore, never know rest or quietness until I have hunt- | cain’t swim in the same hole with the only ed you down to death and degradation. but that your beart would bleed bitterly enough without my aid—false to one, false to all, and in the end that faithless villain would desert ou as surely as the moon is shining over our land this night, and itis not from motives of Not | great an’ ’riginal Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Pike— | which is me, individooally an’ collectively, amen!” The eyes of Revolver Rob kindled afresh at the obstinacy of the giant, and the remarkable influence which Dashing Della had gained over mercy or compassion that I take this oath to | a man of his passionate nature, may be-guessed save you from that pang. But it wason your | at by the fact that without replying to this re- behalf that the craven cur struck me, and only your heart’s blood can wipe out that degrada- tion!” She ceased speaking from sheer exhaustion, not that the vials of her tempestuous wrath had fairly emptied themselves. | For the first time she seemed to notice the } i } eagerly listening crowd around them, and a) hot flush of shame mantled her cheeks. With- out another word she turned and fled from the gambling hall. This abrupt termination to the scene took the spectators entirely by surprise, and though thus far Revolver Robinson had acted with won- drous gentleness, they knew bow foreign it was to his fiery temper, and began to dread his seeking revenge on them for having dared to listen while he was receiving such an unmerci- ful tongue-lashing. Had they been given time to do so, they would have beaten a hasty retreat before the beautiful fury took her departure, but she fied so suddenly that this was impossible, and they were left trembling in their boots lest his pent- up wrath should discharge itself on their de- voted heads, But there came a sudden reprieve for the majority. ‘The two-legged critter as lifts his hand ag’inst a woman save to chuck her onder the chin an’ call her his dear little chub or shiner, ain’t fit to chaw bread fer sick monkeys!”’ Clear and distinct came these words, uttered with a deliberation that could not be mistaken. Beyond a doubt they were intended for Revol- ver Robinson, and uttered as a challenge to the noted desperado. That worthy likewise understood as much, and turning from Dashing Della, to whom he was just on the point of speaking, he whipped forth a revolver and half-raised it to a level as he saw the crowd scattering to either side, leaving the redoubtable Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak standing alone, plainly the author of that biting speech. All through that evening Revolver Robinson had acted strangely unlike his wonted self, nor was the exception noted now. With him it was shoot and then ask the needed questions afterward, but though he was morally certain that the giant had uttered that criticism, he held his fire. Of all present, the Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak alone did not seem to realize the full ex- tent of the danger he was incurring, for he stood easily there, his hands efopty, making no offer to draw a weapon. Though bold enough, bis wits seemed too slow to take the initiative. ‘Did you utter those words, sir?’ sharply demanded Revolver Rob, his dark eyes aglow with suppressed passion. “Did 1? Waal I should snicker to laugh—” Swift as thought the pistol of the desperado rose until the shining drop on the muzzle fairly covered the brain of the giant; but still Barnacle Bill did not flinch or move a hand toward a weapon. ‘Pull trigger ef you’re coward enough to shoot down a man with empty hands!” he eried, undauntedly. ‘What I said was no more than the truth. A manas would strike a—” ‘** Stop!” thundered Revolver Robinson, his face dark as a thunder-cloud, whi'e the angry flashing of his eyes would have served admira- bly for the accompanying lightning. ose words, and I'll scatter what little brains you have, all over the room!” _ itseemed as though he would put the threat into execution anyhow, but Dashing Della glided rapidly to his side and rested one fair hand upon his pistol-arm. ‘Spare him if possible—for my sake!” No other ears heard her words, but all could see the result. The pistol was lowered, and the ugly frown faded from the face of the des- perado like hoar-frost before of the morning sun. ‘You are a fool, stranger, but for all that, you are too brave a man to send out of the world all unprepared. I don’t often taka the trouble to explain my actions to any man, but as you seem troubled by what has occurred, I don’t mind telling you that when I struck that woman to save my own life, I had not the slightest idea that she was other than what she seemed—a man like myself.” ; Surely this was enough to mow any rea- sonable being, but just then the Wall-eyed Pike 0’ the Peak was deaf to all reason. He saw that only the hasty whisper of Dashing Della had saved his life, and instead of being grateful for that favor, his big heart swelled with rage at this fresh evidence of confidence and under- standing between the twain. the genial breath | j i —EE ————————— —— ** Repeat | ee Se Sc peated challenge, he turned and cast an appeal- 'ing look into her face. Plainer than mere words that glance begged her to withdraw the injunction she had placed upon him. oftly came the whispered response: ‘*Read him a lesson, since he is so persistent, but spare his life, unless the taking of it be- comes absolutely necessary for the preservation of your own.” An eloquent glance from his lustrous eyes thanked her, and turning quickly toward the giant, whose injured feelings were by no means soothed by witnessing this brief conference, he spoke sharply and to the point: ‘*Do you put yourself forward as the cham- pion of that woman, to avenge such wrongs as you may fancy I have done her?” “Champion o’ the fair sect—that hits me right whar [ live!” ejaculated the giant, clearly tickled by the title. ‘*Good enough!” retorted Revolver Robinson with a short, hard laugh. ‘It would be a pity to balk such a gallant knight errant, and you shall have your will. Say when and how!” “ Don’t keer a flip of a gar’s tail!” was the rompt reply. ‘‘The Wall-eyed Pike o’ the eak kin swim in deep water or flip-flap his way through the rifles— ‘*Exactly: no doubt you are a remarkable fish and scaly customer generally, but empty blowing is not business. Say when and where you are willing to settle this affair?’ ‘* Right now and here.” “‘ Better still, Those who saw the beginning can see the ending, and judge for themselves. Have you any particular weapon which you prefer?” “They ain’t a minner’s scale o’ difference in the hull lot-an’-b’ilin’ of ’em, fur as old Wall- eye’s consarned,” was the prompt reply, which did not sound at all like empty boasting as it came from his lips, though it may have that ap- pearance when seen in print. ‘‘ He kin shoot off the stinger of a bal’ hornet flyin’, an’ do it so slick that the critter won’t know he’s lost any- thin’ ontel be tries to tickle the fust bar’-footed boy he comes across. He kin split a hair with the pint of a tooth-pick at a hundred yards, ten times out o’ nine, or drive it through a two-inch slab o’ steel at one lick. Them’s what old Wall-eye kin do when he’s in a good-humor, but when he gits his back-fin cl’ar up—go aie 4 all you little minners! They ain’t words enoug in all the dickshunaries to tell all he can’t do.” ‘*T wan’t to know!” drawled Revolver Rob, his dark eyebrows forming anarch of mock sur- prise. ‘ You quite startle me with your list of accomplishments, and though I am considered no slouch by those who ought to know, Ll .am strongly tempted to draw out of the game be- fore I’m teetotally bu’sted.” The giant eagerly snappéd at the bait. “Bf L let ye off easy, ll you agree not to come snoopin’ ’round my swimmin’ bole, tryin’ fer to ketch a nibble at yender dainty little shiner—” + . A quick frown chased the sneering smile from the face of Revolver Rob at this unmistakable allusion to Dashing Della, and an imperious wave of his hand cut the speech of the giant short. ‘“On second thoughts, it would bea pity to disappoint these worthy gentlemen, and unless you prefer to play craw-fish, we’ll settle the dis- pute right now and here.” ‘** An’ the anngelifferous madam yender kin act as referee,” cheerfully amended Barnacle Bill, with a low bow toward Dashing Della, who smiled sweetly in response—so sweetly that the giant was emboldened to make an addition to his amendment. ‘‘ An’ whichever one o’ us rits his nose rubbed in the dirt, hes got to roop his back-fin an’ tail-feathers an’ *knowledge that t’other is cock o’ the walk, an’ the only one ’Jowable fer to walk home with the anngelifferous madam from singin’-school an’ sech like. How’s that?” A mischievous light filled the blue eyes of the siren, and ere Revolver Rob could reply, she said: ‘So mete it be! Do your devoirs gallantly, gentlemen, and I will crown the victor with bays!” Revolver Rob was by far too deeply in love with Dashing Della to find fault with aught she could say or do, and gallantly bowed his acqui- escence, while Barnacle Bill; with overweening confidence in his great prowess with both arti- ficial and natural weapons, was even more eager in his acceptance. © squared himself for a regular speech, but that Revolver Robinson would not suffer just en. ‘* My dear sir, pray spare our ears and your , the Red-Handed. | | | | | $$$ — ee -_—- + 13 breath. Time enough to crow after you have read me a lesson, which, of course, you are going to do,” ‘‘ Anything to please the fam’ly,” was the cheerful response. ‘‘ The easiest critter in all he world to please, is this same Barnacle Bill, the one great an’ ’riginal Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak. Hunt your holes, ye little minners, fer this yer shovel-nose sturgeon which they call "Volver Bobbus is jest sp’ilin’ fer to git mopped ES my in the dirt—” e paused abruptly, eying his adversary sus- piciously, for Revolver Robinson had aitqunea and was criticalry running his hand over the immense masses of muscle with which the arms and shoulders of the giant were endowed. ‘* Don’t get nervous, old fellow,” coolly ut- tered the gambler. “I’m not trying to put a epell on you, but simply to discover what you consider your best point. I mean to best you, of course, and wish to do the job so thoroughly that it need not be gone over with again. ou understand ?” *Durned ef I do!” ejaculated the puzzled giant. “Yet it is very simple. For reasons of my own, I do not want to kill you outright, while still reading you a lesson which will not be for- getter inahurry. Ina dozen ways I might de- eat you, and you would still be able .to con- vince yourself, if none other, that I was favored by fortune, and that but for an imaginary acci- dent, the result would have been reversed. wish to avoid this, and I believe I have discoy- ered the exact remedy.” Barnacle Bill scratched his head with a per- plexed air. ‘* Your tongue runs so p’izen fast that I cain’t keep track o’ your meanin’, ef you’ve. got any; but the odds is the difference! Long’s the ann- gp Seronn madam as referee is satisfied, old all-eye ain’t a-goin’ to kick.” ‘You left the manner of settling our diffi- culty with me, I believe?’ : Barnacle Bill nodded shortly. “Very well. You are a strongman, well put together—I can’t remember when I’ve seen as big aman with so little useless lumber in his composition—and should be able to stand a ety fair hug without squealing—” ‘Ef you've got a grizzly b’ar which you want the ile tried out of without goin’ to the trouble o’ startin’ a fire, jest fetch him along an’ sling him into these ’ere fins!” ‘“‘Jndeed!” and there was a thinly disguised sneer in the voice of the d rado, ‘** Then I’m sadly afraid I bave got into a bad box; but all the same I won’t take water. I'll play the grizzly for this evening only.” ‘* A fa’r an’ squar’ stan’-up bug?” asked Bar- nacle Bill, his pop-eyes glistening. ‘‘ No wras- tlin’ tricks—no trippin’ an’ sich like?” ‘* Unless you try them, I shall not,” was the ulet response, not a little to the amazement of © the crowd, for the desperado was well known as a proficient in all the cunning arts of the wrestler, and he seemed to be throwing away his sole chance of coming off victorious in the contest. | “Hold on, ye p’izen critter,” cried Barnacle Bill, in a tone of unadulterated horror as he saw Revolver Robinson begin removing bis tightly fitting garments. ‘‘ Don’t ye fergit that thar’s a lady in the room—” The desperado flushed hotly, while Dashing Della pressed her handkerchief to her lips to smother the laugh which almost mastered her. Barnacle Bill laughed sheepishly as he saw that there was no occasion for bis alarm, his antag- onist satisfying himself with removing coat and vest, and rolling his shirt sleeves up past the elbow. His own preparations were equall short consisting in removing the weapons from his belt and dividing his enormous beard into equal rts, then knotting the ends behind bis neck. his done, the rivals confronted each other, and for the first time a critical comparison could be made between them. At first glance the odds seemed terribly in favor of Barnacle Bill, and as she compared the twain, the face of. Dashing Della grew a shade paler, as though she dreaded the result. But the difference would not have seemed near so ag bad the two men been stripped to the buff. And those who looked the most closely saw that a wondering light came into the eyes of the giant, as though the develop- ment which seemed to have taken place in the desperado astonished bim. dor he was given no time to study the puzzle out, ‘“‘ Are you ready, gentlemen?” asked the clear voice of the fair referee, and when she re- ceived an affirmative reply from each, she a‘ided: ‘*‘ Time!” i 2 Swift as lightning in bis motions, Revolver Robinson secured the hold he had selected, be- fore Barnacle Bill could make a move, locking his hands behind the giant’s back, exactly over thecenter of the spine, and throwing his powers into full play, contracted his muscles until the at masses stood out on his own back and shoulders so that it seemed as though his gar- ments must be split wide open. The result was quickly seen, by none so com- i EMMI cS oKoye) (Eo)