Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 197 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 cutioner, now, and unless this abominable criminal humbly begs for that mass of hair, it xoust and shall pay the penalty !” For a moment it seemed as though Barnacle Bill was about to humble himself as hinted, to save his cherished beard, but then aj] the man- hood in him took fire, and he only said: ‘“‘T kin an’ do ax pardin a thousan’ times over fer any harm I’ve done you two, an’ eat the words I said when I was fool-drunk, but that’s as fur as I kin or will go!” ‘‘So much the better for those poor, silly girls whose hearts are taken captive through their eyes,” retorted Dashing Della, with ahard, mocking laugh, as she took the hairy mass in her hand and mercilessly applied the keen edge of the knife. ‘‘ From bitter experience I know bow dangerous such a decoration can be in the possession of a graceless Lothario.” Never a word spoke Barnacle Bill as the heavy strands fell one by one before the knife, but there was a hard-set look on his face, an ominous glow in his great eyes that should have warned the fair barber. But if she saw this, no sign betrayed the fact, and cool as an iceberg, she went on with her work, now and then stepping back a pace to complacently view the effect. This was even more startling than that of decrowning and only with the greatest diffi- culty could she keep from laughing outright at the wonderful transformation. Little fear of even the most impressionable girl or woman falling in love with the giant now! His goggle- eyes were brought out into almost painful oer’ and the lion-like look had entirely van- ished, Flushed with shame, and feeling as angry against the merciless woman as she was against . herself for the part she had taken in the de- gradip pang perm Pet Flamsteed stood with averted face, longing to depart, yet restrained by a fear least her absence would make Dashing Della still more cruel, At last the job was completed to her satis- faction, and Dashing Della drew back, viewing her victim, her head on one side, her arms akimbo, and a roguish smile in her lustrous eyes. a Really, my dear sir,” she said, drawlingly, ‘‘T fear | have bettered it but very little. You are even more bewitching than before. But that can’t be helped now.” “Ef you’re through, mebbe you'll turn me loose now?” uttered Barnacle Bill, in a subdued tone, which was in strong contrast with his customary manner of speaking. “ Or do you reckon it’d "prove my looks any to take off my hull hide? Ef so, don’t be bashful or stan’ on saremony—go the hull porker while ye’re at it! It’s your funeral—J hain’t got a blamed word to say!” ‘That will be the next lesson, should another ever be required,” was the cool retort. ‘I have punished you all I intended, for the pre- sent, unless you look upon the good advice I am about to give you in the light of punish- ment. ‘*It may be briefly summed up: William Tholuck, beware of ‘budge! There is the mak- ing of a good man in you, good and true if you only steer clear of strong drink. When sober, von are a man any one may be proud of claim- ng as a friend, though your manners are @ trifle rough; but that don’t count in this coun- try. When drunk, you are just the contrary; a disgrace to the form you wear, a nuisance to those who would otherwise be your friends, and a laughing-stock for your enemies, “Do not pour spirits into your stomach to steal away your wits. Keep your head cool our conscience clear, your beart frank and onorable. If you seek for a wife, do so after the fashion of a man, not as a windy blowhard, for of such is utter abomination of all women who are worthy the name!” The hard light in the great eyes of the giant w softer as Dashing Della rapidly uttered these words, for there was no trace of mockery in her earnest tones now—notbing but genuine good-will and sincerity. Even Pet Flamsteed, though one woman is proverbially harder to conciliate by another of the same sex than the most obdurate man, began to soften toward the fair gambler. ‘Tf the lesson I have read you, seems a hard and bitter one to you now, the time will come when you may think different, if you will reflect soberly on the insults you poured upon this lady. I will now release you—”’ ““No, you don’t!” cried a sane, unpleasant voice, ‘* Up with your hands, or [ll blow you to glory, woman or no woman!” CHAPTER XIII. JASPER QUIGLEY PLAYS A LONE HAND. - Ir ever mortal being was completely taken by surprise, that person was Dashing Della on the present occasion. The voice which uttered those unpleasant words, in a yet more unpleasant tone, sounded ‘from directly behind her, and at no great dis- tance away. She saw from the startled look which so suddenly came intothe great eyes of the giant, that the warming was a genuine one, ‘(The dirty cuss hes got ye kivered, an’ thar’s shoot in the two eyes o’ him!” muttered Bar- nacle Bill, warningly, as he read a desperate resolve in her white face. ‘‘ Don’t try it now— wait fer a better chaince—” ‘* Not another word, you overgrown idiot, or I'll send a bullet exploring your empty skull!” snarled the voice, menacingly. ‘'And you, Dashing Dell, up with your bands, or it’ll be the worse for your health! Hold up, I say!” There was no alternativo save death, and Dashing Della accordingly lifted her hands above her head, though her face said that the dose was bitter indeed. But what else could she do? Even the knife which she had used in barbering Barnacle Bill had been replaced in her bosom, and long ere she could hopes to draw, cock a pistol, wheel and sight the unknown, he could riddle her with bullets atwill. The giant was helpless, and poor Pet Fliamsteed, with one startled glance in the direction from whence the snarling voice came, uttered one low cry— ronounced one name—then sunk down help- ess, ber already overtasked senses giving way beneath this increased strain—for the face which she recognized, the name which she ut- each was that of Jasper Quigley, her mortal oe! Dashing Della saw the fall, heard that moan, and a look that was terrible in the intensity of its hatred came into her face. From that mo- ment Jasper Quigley counted one more enemy who would be satisfied only when death had canceled his crimes. However little he may bave cared for that, in i‘self, it was clear that Jasper Quigley was a very prudent man, and resolved to run no un- necessary risks, for he sent his voice warningly before bim as he began his descent of the rocks: ‘Remember my warning, Dashing Dell! At the very first sign of trickery on your part, I'll let fly and leave you a feast for the coyotes and buzzards!” A bitter, mocking laugh came from the lips of the blonde siren, followed by the still more bitter words: ‘* A brave man, truly, to threaten a poor, de- fenseless woman after such a brutal fashion! And as you do so, I can detect your voice trembling with fear, coward that you are.” ‘* Rail on, Miss Spitfire!” retorted the villain, her taunts glancing from his thick hide as though she were hurling cambric needles at a rhinoceros. ‘‘ You talk and I'll act. Better a cautious coward than a bull-headed fool who dares too much and so loses all. Ive heard of you before, and how well you know how to use the weapons you wear. I’m not anxious to be a target for your bullets, and as long as my head keeps cool, I'll run no unnecessary risks. Isaw how you handled that overgrown lum- ae oe and don’t care about sharing his ate. Barnacle Bill writhed in secret at this taunt, and bis uncovered face flushed hot with anger at the uncomplimentary epithet. He strained at his bonds, but they had been thoroughly ap- lied, and he failed to free himself, his efforts ing cut short by the watchful villain, whose keen eyes detected the attempt as soon as be- un. ‘* None o’ that!” and Barnacle Bill saw the revolver muzzle shifted so as to cover his form, while those dark eyes glittered above the pol- ished tube of death. ‘“‘ None of your nonsense, or it will be all the worse for you. I have no particular quarrel with you, and will leave you as sound as I found you, untess I am driven to put a stopper on a fool. You can understand plain English?” A sullen growl from Barnacle Bill was the only reply, but the giant realized the worse than folly of tempting the malignant scoundrel further, and ceased his efforts. Using the utmost caution, Jasper Quigley made his way over the broken rocks and down to the level where the three persons whom he had so unexpectedly entrapped, were. ‘* Keep your hands up, my dear,” he said, of iy ag Dashing Della from behind, still olding his revolver in readiness for instant use. ‘*[ know itis awfully ungallant, and all that but I am playing for too large a stake to throw away a single chance, even at the risk of incurring your undying hatred.” ‘Do your dirty work, since you must, but do not add torture to outrage,” sharply uttered Dashing Della. ‘‘ Spare us the infliction of your odious voice, at least.” Despite the thickness of his skin, Jasper Quigley was stung by the ineffable contempt and loathing which filled the voice of the blonde siren, nor was this feeling at all lessened by the jeering laugh which broke from Barnacle Bill, ‘Drop that, you clumsy dog!” he snarled, flashing a venomous glance at the giant. ‘‘ Drop that, or I'll soon make you Jaugh out of the other side of your mouth! And as for you, my dainty darling, you will do well to keep a still tongue while your head is in the lion’s mouth—” ‘*Sneaking coyote, rather—begging pardon of the animal for the odious comparison!” re- torted Dashing Della. A short laugh, but with little of mirth in if, came from the thin lips of the angered villain. He had sense enough, though, to see that he | hissatisfaction, Jasper Quigley turn Revolver Rob, the Red-Handed. —<—~maasaasaaaatttttt C CCCC tC EL LLL LL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL | | death as the sole reward for his complicated oo — ee oS 0 ——$_$___—— _ - — } was likely to gain little by such an encounter of tongues, and said, sharply: ‘*Keep your hands up. Offer to lower them, | end so much the worse for you. I’ve gone too far to stop at trifles now, and if I have to treat _ you roughly, blame yourself, not me.” As he spoke, Jasper Quigiey stooped and ran bis left hand around the waist of Dashing Della, searching her for the weapons which he knew she wore somewhere about her person. He found and secured a revolver, but at that in- stant Dashing Della made a desperate attempt to turn the tables. Swiftly lowering one hand and snatching the keen knife from her bosom, the blonde siren wheeled and struck at the villain so viciously that, had the weapon reached its intended des- tination, Jasper Quigley would have reaped plottings. But it was not so to be. Knowing from popular hearsay that the blonde siren was a dangerous woman when fairly aroused, the rascal never once suffered his watchfulness to relax, and as she turned upon him he ducked his head and dexterously warded off the flashing weapon with his left hand, while with the other he dealt her a cruel blow on the temple with his clubbed pistol. Without a cry or moan, Dashing Della reeled cong and sunk to the ground, knocked sense- ess. As be saw this dastard blow, Barnacle Bill uttered a roaring cry of rage, and struggled fiercely to burst his bonds, but swiftly as thought, Jasper Quigley wheeled upon him, and fired a shot almost in his face. “* Take that, thou uneasy elephant!” he snarled, for the moment believing that he had slain the bound giant. But be was mistaken. Barnacle Bill was still living, though his escape had been almost mira- culous. At the very moment of firing, his head had made a backward movement as he strove to break asunder his bonds, and the dastard’s bullet, instead of piercing bis brain, only cut across his forehead, taking part of the shaggy eyebrow with it. Stunned and bewildered by the benumbing shock, Barnacle Bill ceased his efforts, his shorn head drooping, the red blood trickling down over his lap, the picture of a dead or dying man: and that Jasper Quigley for the moment so considered him, was evident from his actions. Dropping both weipons, without further thought for the Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak, Quigley took a coil of rope from where it was wound about his waist, and with a noose he drew the arms of Dashing Della behind her, fastening them at the elbows. Grasping her form beneath the arms, he we ier toa rock much the samc as that to which Barnacle Bill was tied, and propping her back against it, preceeded to bind her fast. The rope was a common lariat, such as is used to picket out horses at night when travel- ing, and had been brought. with him by the thoughtful scoundrel for the precise purpose in which it was now employed. The explauation of his sudden ee on the scene can be readily accounted for. After his unceremonious dismissal from the Flamsteed ranch, by Gold Mask, on the evening before, Jasper Quigley had concluded to beat a speedy retreat, though by no means abandon- ing all hope of yet succeeding in the foul plot he had been so many days in concocting and bringing thus near completion. Through that night he thought the matter over in all its bearings, and concluding to go for reinforcements, before renewing his attack, he mounted bis horse and was this far on bis way, when the curious actions of Barnacle Bill attracted bis attention, and he bid his horse, then crept forward just in time to see the Wall- eyed Pike o’ the Peak grasp Pet Flamsteed by the arm, then fall like a dead man befvre the aim of Dashing Della, whom he instantly re- cognized, having seen her during his brief stay in Nugget Camp. His curiosity was excited by her appearance, and the answers which he received to the ques- tions he put, convinced him that the fair gam- bler was a dangerous woman when her passions were fairly aroused, and now as he saw how she handled the giant, Jasper Quigley was more than ever of that opinion. Yet the sight of Pet Flamsteed made him resolve to dare all rather than lose this chance of winning his long-coveted reward. Lying in ambush until he saw that the women were not likely to leave the spot very soon, Jasper Quigley stole away to where he had left his horse, and securing the trail-rope, he crept as cautiously back. He, as well as Barnacle Bill was completely deceived by the admirable manner in whic Dashing Della played her part, and was in hopes that the giant would be left bound to the rock, while the women separated, thus givin him a chance to capture Pet Flamsteed withou anything like a struggle. On this chance he waited until he dared wait no longer, when he interfered as given in detail. When Dashing Della was fairly di of to to where Eomichboo (S S ~~ —™eow (E(0)