Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 197 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

a“ ‘“ Another was that in no other way could your position as chief of Nugget Camp sosurely strengthened, and there was need of it, for some person or persons have been working against you of late, none the less effectuall ae in secret. This you know as well as I,’ . ‘‘ Let it come to a head, then crush it once for all—that is my style,” tersely answered Re- volver Robinson. ‘‘For the third reason, count up the ducats we fleeced our fellow-citizens out of—more than the tables of the Oasis could win in a week— Ey the only expense being a little powJer and ead, “Hang the money!” growled Revolver Rob, with an ugly scowl. ‘ I would not play the same farce for ten times the amount. Nor would you, my fine fellow, if you knew how dangerously near I was to sending that bit of lead through your brain-pan instead of over your shoulder. For one moment I would not have given a dollar for your lease of life,” Lucky Jackson changed color slightly, and there was an uneasy echo in his laugh, for there was nothing of jest in the tones of the desperado as he uttered those words. ‘But you resisted the temptation, and all is square now.” ‘‘ Captain Nemesis is not buried yet—” “He will have to wait until to-morrow, and then I will relieve you of all trouble on that score,” was the quick reply. ‘‘ We will have work enough to do to-night without that,” ** Yes, and do you know, pard,” said Revolver Rob, slowly, a far-away look in his eyes, an unwonted softness in his tones, ‘‘I believe that after to-night I will walk the straight path. [ have served the devil long enough, and faith- fully enough to deserve a furlough—and that furlough I will take, if all goes well, as I now feel confident it will.” “Sure to!” was the enthusiastic reply. ‘‘ Why, what can go wrong? I’m open to lay ten to one that there will be no need for burn- ing even a single grain of powder,” volver Rob smiled quietly, butdid not take the trouble to explain what a wide difference there was between their two meanings. Even to this true friend eould he bring himself tu dwell on his love fur Dashing Della, and the hopes he entertained of winning her? No: that part of his life was sacred. There is no particular need of reporting their further conversation in full, since a brief synopsis will serve all purposes equally as well. Warned by the repeated losses which they had suffered at the hands of the road-agents under the. notorious. Gold Mask and others of less renown, the different mine owners of Nug- get Camp had not made any shipments of bullion from the valley for nearly three months, but now. the accumulations were to be sent away after a fashion which seemed to promise perfect success. Provisions were freighted in mule teams from the nearest railroad town, and taking advantage of this well-known fact, the mine-owners were going to send their gold and silver by the teams which to all appearance were empty, save for the bay and grain for the mules which drew the wagons.; Since no guard could, be sent along, lest the very suspicions which they were so anxious to lull be awakened, the freighters were carefully chosen and prom- ised rich reward if they ran the gantlet safely with their precious if hidden freight. ‘‘Go warn the boys to be ready for work,” said Revolver Rob, arising. ‘‘ Bid them leave the town singly, before dark, to wait at the rendezvous for our coming.” Lucky Jackson made no objections, and wait- ing until he had passed down-stairs, Revolver Robinson proceeded to the door of the outer room occupied by Dashing Della and rapped. Almost instantly it was opened, by the blonde siren. herself, ready dressed and hatted as though for a walk. She stepped outside, clos- ing the door quickly behind her, for inside the death-drama of Jasper Quigley had but recently ended, and for reasons of her own, Dashin Della did not wish the desperado to learn o her peculiar connection with Pet Flamsteed, “‘T was just going out for a stroll, but if your business is very urgent—” she hesitated with a slight flush that was in itself the very perfection of acting. ‘*Let me escort you, and my business can wait,” quickly interpolated Revolver Rob, fall- ing into the trap, just asshe intended he should. **T was only anxious that you should learn the exact truth of what happened to-day, before hearing the wild rumors which always distort the facts.” CHAPTER XXIIL “A SURPRISE ALL ’ROUND. THE mill-owners and their employees for the occasion played their parts well, and when the train of freight-wagons rumbled slowly out of Nugget Camp, few there were who vouch- safed them a second glance. It was late in the afternoon ere the train cleared the town, but as it was the custom for the boys to camp for the first night only a few miles out of town, so that should anything be forgotten it could be pro- cured witheut much loss of time, nothing was thought of this. Yet the regularcamping ground did not see them halt that evening, the teams eens briskly on foran hour or more after the f moon rose to light their way, Revolver Robinson and his gang seemed fully posted on the purpose of the freighters, for their ambush was formed far beyond where the train usually encamped, and during their silent wait- Revolver Rob, the Red-Handed. ing, neither doubt nor very serious anxiety as- | sailed them, though there camea general mur- mur of grim satisfaction as they heard the faint crack of a whip and the distant rumble of wagon wheels coming from the direction of the town. ‘‘ Ready, boys,” said Revolver Robinson, his voice ean recognizable even though it came from behind a hooded mask of heavy black stuff. ‘‘Our game is coming, and there must be no mistake or blundering this time. your weapons ready for use, but don’t burn powder unless I give the word. The boys’! ; $$ -__——__— —— eee fer to hyste onto the ropes which’ll send them to glory—’ k cold, metallic laugh from Gold Mask cut bim short. “You are quite sure they were so bad fooled, Jack Healy? You are confident that you are not the treasure train?” ‘* Does this look like it?” spluttered the driver, turning and motioning toward the clumsy wagons; but a close observer might have seen that his countenance changed as he spoke. ‘‘ Things are not always what they seem on the surface, my dear fellow, and I fear we must investigate a little before bidding you go on your way. Ready there, men!” he added, his voice changing to one of stern business as he dismounted and advanced to the lead wayon. ‘Slit open those tilts, and let the moonlight in on the contents—now /” At the last word the white covers suddenly | rolled up, but it was not because of the extenc- Keep | hardly try to make a fight of it, for they will | think it only a lark ora mistake ou our part. Still, keep your eyes skinned, and if you must strike, strike so that there’ll be no call fora second blow!” ‘‘Tt may possibly be a trap set for us, or rather Gold Mask,” muttered Lucky Jackson. | “That infernal Flamsteed, when he is not stupefied with bad whisky, is cunning as the devil himself—” A warning growl from Revolver Rob cut him short. Though the train seemed distant, there was too muc at stake to rum any unnecessary | risks of alarming their coveted prey, and the | silence of death once more settled over the ata- buscade. On came the half a dozen wagons, huge af- fairs, with double width sideboards and can- | vas tilts, each one drawn by. six mules, the ; _ weapons from around his waist, then uttered a driver riding one of the wheelers. Suddenly the lead mules of the pioneer team, recoiled with frightened snorts, throwing their mates | into contusion, and drawing an angry curse| from the driver, But only for a moment: then he saw that the road was barred by two stout ropes stretched from side to side, and his cry of anger changed to one of alarm as a stern chal- lenge rung out from the wayside: ‘‘Hands up and fingers off of triggers, or down goes your meat-houses for good and all!” As the stern words rung out, masked men with leveled revolvers arose from cover all along the line, and each driver found himself covered. The surprise was complete, and with- out the least sign of resistance, up went the six pair of hands, while the lead driver ven- tured: ‘Up she goes, ’cordin’ to orders, but 'pears to me that you’ve made a sorter mistake, fer we ain’t that sort o’ cat—nuther the stage nur the treasure coach!” ‘* Of course not,” retorted Revolver Rob, with a short, hard laugh. ‘‘ But you are stocked with provisions for the trip, and we are hard up for chuck. Don’t be alarmed. You may have to turn about for a. fresh supply, or else poe yourself on short rations for the down trip, ut we will only relieve you of a portion of your load this time. “Steady, there, boys! Hurt no one unless he is foolish enough to offer trouble—then make short work of it! ‘Course you kin do as you please,” muttered the head driver, in a tone of utter disgust, ‘* but all the same it’s a durn shame to tackle honest, hard-workin’ boys like us—” Hold!” rung out a voice, sharp and clear as aclarion note. ‘ Hold hard!’ Who dares try to collect toll on this highway without asking permission of Gold Mask?’ From the darkness of the bushes into the clear moonlight leaped a noble horse whose hoofs ave forth not the slightest sound, bearing on its back the picturesque form of the noted road- agent, Gold Mask himself! The surprisers were surprised, and almost be- fore they could realize the fact, two of their number were overthrown by choking lassoes, while the rest were held at bay by the wane cordon of leveled firearms, for the bushes which had so recently sheltered themselyes, now vomited forth a dozen yellow-masked men, armed to the teeth. ‘The man who fires a shot or strikes a blow dies the death of a dog!” cried Gold Mask, bis voice stern and menacing. “Up with your hands, and you sball receive quarter. Neither Revolver Robinson nor Lucky Jack- son raised their voices in opposition, for the were the two who had fallen helpless with their throats encircled by the suffocating lassoes, and left without a leader, taken completely by sur- prise, the first gang of robbers yielded without striking a single blow, suffering themselves to be disarmed and bound by the bold and active followers of Gold Mask. ‘Glory to Moses, boss, fer that!” exclaimed the head driver, apparently in huge glee at the outcome. ‘ Those durned fools tuck us fer the treasure coach, I reckon, from the p’izen way they jumped us, though they said they was only after chuck. Ef you say so, we'll lend a hand : | enn ee ed hands of the road-agents—the motive powcr came from within / At the same instant a stout band seized each outlaw, while a revolver covered each ore of the road-agents. ‘‘Surrender or die!” thundered the voice of Colonel Forrest Flamsteed, whose sinewy fi - gers held Gold Mask powerless, ‘‘ Resist, and we take you all the same, but it will be as food for the crows!” For the second time within that hour the tables were most completely turned, and though one or two of the more desperate among the outlaws made some slight resistance, the sur- prise was so complete, their wits were so be- wildered, that they were quickly overpowered without any serious damage to either them- selves or their captors. With a dexterity which wceuld have done honor to the most experienced police cflicer, Colonel Flamsteed clasped a pair of handcuffs on the wrists of Gold Mask, stripped the belt of ringing cheer. ‘‘Hurra for our side! <A glorious night’s work, most admirably performed, if it does sound a little like self-praise! Head your schooners toward town, my boys. And the rest of you see that our guests are placed be- yond the temptation of hurting either themselves or still better men.” ‘** Rope or powder or cold steel?’ asked one literal fellow who seemed quite willing, not to say eager, to put either of those agents into operation, ‘‘Rope, and plenty of it—but not around their throats, this time,” laughed the colonel, in high glee at the complete success of their plans. ‘‘ Bind them hand and foot, then tumble them into the wagons. Lord! but won’t this be a gay old night in Nugget Camp! Boys, if any one of you dare go to bed sober this night, or go to bed at all, for that matter, I'll take it as a per- sonal insult and demand the satisfaction of a gentleman! I will, by the thunder of Mars!” ‘‘ Shall we take a look at the faces of our game, colonel?” asked one of the mine-owners, while the wagons were being turned around in the difficult trail. ‘‘ Hope you haven't forgot- ten our little wager as to Gold Mask being Re- volver Rob—” ‘*Not now, Stephens—not now, Don’t let’s discount the fun. I warrant you that there’ll be more than one surprise in store when these gentlemen are unmasked, but I’m in favor of taking it all at one dose—of being surprised and | astounded together with our fellow-citizens of Nugget Camp. Put yourself in their place. How would you like to sip only the skim-milk, while others lapped all the cream?” If not satisfied, Stepbens was silenced, and the wagons now being turned toward town, the two batches of prisoners were bundled into the deep beds, each vehicle containing two guards in addition, while the rest of the victorious party rode on the horses which were found in the bushes where the road-agents had left them. Two hours later all Nugget Camp was aroused to a sense of something of great importance being on the docket, and a couple of huge bon- fires were started in the square near the center of the town. Close by stood the wagons, and balancing bis prey form on one of the spring seats stood Colonel Forrest Flamsteed, eloquent- ly setting forth the exciting details of that night’s doubly successful raid. Inaspeech well worth reporting in full, too, did not lack of. space forbid, ‘‘And here, gentlemen,” making a sign at which two bound forms were uplifted and held where the full glow of the fires fell upon them, ‘are the two leaders of the first gang!” The disguising masks were stripped off, re- vealing the pale but stern-set and defiant faces of Revolver Rob and his comrade in evil, once Lucky, but now Unlucky Jackson. For a brief space silence, as though the crowd were stupefied by the revelation—then a wild, ringing cheer. olonel Forrest Flamsteed smiled and nodded grimly. ‘A terribly sad blow to our pride, when we recall the fact that for six months we have trembled at the frown, grinned at the pleasure, EGOmiliecooo cS (E(@)