Beadle's Dime Library No. 199 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

Kmail a oe ee ~~ ——- es. ~~ . , - Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver. ‘ 23 feelings; and Dolores jerked the picket-pin loose from the earth, sprung upon her horse, and again returned to the basin in search of Diamond Dick. About the same time that Dolores urged her horse away from the terrible triangle of heads, the horse ridden by poor Jim Jams, after galloping away from the yicinity of the Wild Cats, had reached by man by-paths and crooked ways the level plain, and spe over it, Jim Jams clinging with desperation to the mane of the poor beast, and being weakened by the loss of blood, was from the same cause somewhat relieved from the mania oo drink. It was then, or Namecae 3 then so, that Diamond Dick and Square Sim left the big basin and started over the plain under the guidance of Big Medicine, for a purpose they could not fully understand. The Kioway, after burying Captain Halfhand, had galloped toward the south trail, to lead the citizens to the bandit retreat; but, observing Jim Jams afar off amid the foot-hills, he had traveled many miles in pursuit, knowing by the actions of the poor fel- low, and his tortuous course, that he was insane from drink. This had prevented the Indian from joining in the fight, and after Jim Jams had taken to the canyon, Big Medicine, his horse being f , had halted; then, afterward, as he discovered the approach of Dick and Sim, he decided to show the former that he had done all in his power to serve his white friend, by burying his enemy alive in the plain. on of the parties in This, then, was now the whom we are most interested. Dolores, oping toward the range, north; Jim Jams m the north-west, directly with the wind, toward the fearful place of interment on the plain; and Big Medicine guiding Dick and Sim to the same point, ~ uae inaate the trlastgle of death from the north-east. A thin cloud at this time somewhat obscured the moon, and prevented the different persons we have mentioned from discovering each other; but the darkness was destined to be soon changed to a far brighter light than that cast by the silvery moon, for the horse of Jim Jams, frightened by a wolf, sheered to one side so quickly that the rider was thrown tothe earth. Jim Ja thus finding him- self in the darkness and without a horse, fumbled in his pouch for a match, and striking a light on the sole of his boot, ignited = jy which was dry as tinder, and the next moment the flames spread, and rushed a race-borse in the direction of the tor- tured, half-buried wretches on the plain! ; As the wall of fire lit up the sky and prairie, and the black smoke rolled in dense clouds upward D Dolores halted her steed, and then whirl him around, the flames seeming to make her furious; as, in her insane state, she fancied she was somehow at the last to be robbed of her revenge. With a scream of madness, her horse frantic with terror, the poor girl dashed off wildly in the direc- tion whence she came. Dick, Sim and the Kioway, observing this, endeavored to attract her attention, but in vain, She soon penened the spot, sprang from her steed, which bounded wildly away, an stood by the trio.of heads the coming flames in a defiant manner, while the eks of Halfhand and Lucile, both of whom had recovered their senses, filed the night air. Suffering untold horrors from her previous burns, Lucile Luzerne. ed loudly, and then, with a gurgli , closed her eyes. Bie Medicine, what means this? Where are you pp us, and why is Dolores exposing herself to eath?”’ Thus shouted Diamond Dick as he spurred up to the ae, and caught him by the arm. “Chief of bad white men, he bury in pie. all but head, Man what ride fast in burg, he bury too. Dolores she put Rube in hole. Big Medicine, he put Halfhand in hole.” ‘Great Heavens!’’ exclaimed Square Sim, who had heard the loud-shouted words of the Indian. ‘They will die a most terrible death. There is no help for them; and poor Dolores has. lost her wits. Come! spur back, D or we, too, are lost!”’ ‘*Back! What mean you? I shall save the poor girl, or die in the attempt!” CHAPTER XXX. TERRIBLY AVENGED. pam SHALL save the poor girl, or die in the at- mpt!’’ Thus elled Diamond Dick, as he drove spurs to his dead and thé noble animal flew like the wind toward the wall of rushin blinding, roaring flames. Square Sim and Big Medicine turned their horses, knowing that the poor beasts were fagged, and could not save them unless by a miracle, and galloped on the back trail, belaboring the animals with their rifles, and with little hope that Dick could save wa though his black steed was as fleet as the Ss rts were pare from g above the hissing of the flames, ond Sey saw the carlces girl, as fs hes facing wa , and no paces from it; the lurid light shining vividl upon her beautiful form and face, and the fast f g showers va ders fling the air above and around her. e seemed ear the proach ’ orse as he dashed to her side, but she co a a . An instant stood whe thus; the n Dick had seized her by her belt, drew her upward, and held her fast in his arms, leaving the noble steed un- ed, to fly eastward away from the fearful es, Just esca the north end of the wall their Sries pea down the bank into the basin, | > worst a rebeusions fa naeen to Diamond Dick and Dolores: but, to their d bicat rT neki 4 h “ trail w e where the led from the plain down iito the canyon, Hie avenue of safety, and which they saw by the loyicg done the n, bquare Sim and th horse, would e oway rar most of the "Chileon oe. F e recent t with the Wild Cats, an ey a halted here, greatly alarm th lurid light to the west. PS Layee & —— slowly and Soon Diamond Dick appeared, ridin welcoming sadly down the south trail, the lou comfortable as was possible under the circum” stances. Mounted upon one of the horses that had cries of the citizens being unnoticed by the dandy | been captured from the Wild Cats, Jim was headed from Denver, who bore in his arms the apparently | for the senseless form of Dashing Dolores, As Dick reached the bed of the canyon, the citi- zens crowded around him, but he cried out in a voice, mournful in its pathos: ** She is dead, gentlemen—poor Dashing Dolores is dead! Her life ended when her revenge was accom- lished. She died in my arms, as we galloped away — the flames—died with a smile on her — I heard her say, ‘Pretty boy! I’m coming, baby; mamma’s. coming!’ Lay her gently on the grass, boys. Big Medicine, how many were buried in the plain?” The Indian heid up two fingers. “There were three heads,’ said Dick. ‘* Whois the third? Come, Square Sim; change horses, and we will return by the canyon, and-solve the mys- tery. The ground will be safe to cross by the time we reach the basin. They did not feel the fire, for Dolores sent a bullet through each head before I reached her side.”’ **IT am glad to know it,’ said Sim, much relieved, as he mounted a fresh horse. ‘I would not want to condemn a mad dog to suchadeath. Big Medicine will explain everything to you.” Dick and Square Sim spurred up the canyon, and over the black, smoking plain, soon reaching the spot marked by three black objects, so lately ng over with the mad passions of life, but now senseless and filling the air with the sickening odor of scorched hair and flesh. Both men proceeded to remove the earth from about the bodies with their gh as the only way of ascertaining the identity of the third mysterious victim. In a few moments Diamond Dick sprung nperen with a ery of horror that caused Sim to drop hi knife and cry out also: ** Who is it, Dick?” “Lucile Luzerne! The Woman in Black—the Queen of the Wild Cats!” “Merciful Heavens! How came she here?” “Ask the moon! Itis a mystery, and always will Isu ~ ‘I think I can solve it,” said the sheriff. **You can? Well, proceed.”’ “Dashing Dolores was insanely jealous of that woman. She saw herstand between you and death, and po Ma in love with you—as we of Big Medicine City who knew her so well, could see—in her passion, after burying Reckless Rube, conceived the idea of avenging herself there also, also by cap- turing and burying the Woman in Black. Dolores, poor child, had her insane spells at times, often wandering from her cabin to the mountains; and, since the time of Rube’s appearance in the street of the burg, she has been as mad as a March hare!”’ As Square Sim ceased, another loud cry sounded over the plain from the north, and soon came mov- ing toward them,a blackened object having the semblance of humanity, but acting more like a beast than a human being. It came, crawling, walking and poming alternately, and at length reached the vicinity Dick and Sim, when the nondescript seemed suddenly to discover and reco them, although apparently doubting a favorable weleome. Sinking upon the blackened earth, it cast a distrust- ful glance, first upon one, and then the other of the observers. “By the royal King of Denmark!" exclaimed Dick, in surprise and relief; “ if that isn’t Jim Jams! But his own mother would kick him out of the door- = for an incendiary tramp. I would never have cnown him, except for a thought that flashed through my mind in regard to his disappearance, having connected him in some way—most unreason- ably, I admit—with this burial; and then a peculiar movement of his decided his identity. But isn’t he in a most miserable plight though?’ “You are right, Dick. That is Jim Jams, sure as fate. Poor fellow! He has had a rough trail of it, to judge from his present appearance, sirice he left Big Medicine City!” As the sheriff spoke, Dick went up and lifted the poor inebriate to his feet. “Come, Jim Jams, old boy,” he said, “‘ brace up! We'll take you back safe to Placer Palace. Say! where in the name of wonder have you been?” Not a word, however, could they extort from Jim Jams. He was covered with soot from head to foot, his clothing was torn to shreds, and bis face terribly scratched, while his hands were badly blistered from crawling over the sward. “*Come, Dick,”’ said Jim, ‘‘IJ am sick of all these horrible sights and sounds. Let us hasten back to the burg. I hope never to be forced to go through such an experience in so short a time again. I'll send some of the boys up here to-morrow to bury the outlaws out of sight forever. Well, thank the Fates! New Mexico freed from the murderous gang who called themselves the Wild Cats! “One moment!” said Dick; “I wish to make sure that this is really George Holbrook. I see you have loosened the earth about the body.” Stooping down, Diamond Dick cut the cords.that bound the arms of the corpse, and raised the right arm, disclosing the black-gloved hand. Tearing the glove away, he uttered an exclamation of exultation and relief. “Yes, itis he!’ The fin are all wanting; half the hand has been amputa and that star in India ink on the wrist removes all doubt. Yegods! Jus- Look at that par ay Sim! made strong men their slaves is by the prairie fire. Truly a life of crime, such as h must eee | have a terrible ay _ Dick,” Sqeepe Sim; ‘ enough of this. Tam to get away it all.” Jim Jams, who the runn do non sebed like a little wn sooty cheeks, was by Sim up behind Dick: and in a cloud of black they danked toward the hash, and thence downthe am e who at the third man, whom they thought must be the resurrected “* Y . they When matters were fully explain and found that the singular being was deed Jim Jams, they each endeavored to make the poor fellow as —_—_———————KrKLKR———— TT nnn nnn, eee eee eee ee aaa... eee eee urg: while Diamond Dick once more on his noble steed, received the corpse of the still beautiful Dolores in his arms, and rode slowly toward Big Medicine City, the horse treading carefully, and at times hending his head around, his great expressive eyes filled with a mournful look, as if conscious that death had claimed the fair girl who had, only the | previous night, petted him and whispered in his. ears, with her arms clasped about his neck. . CHAPTER XXXL THE QUIET AFTER THE STORM. A sap cavalcade entered Big Medicine City in the small hours of the morning. The living cared for the wounded, and the dead were laid out in a vacant shanty; with the exception of poor Dolores, who was carried by Dick to her cabin at the foot of the range, and laid upon her own couch. Dick spread his blanket upon the sward at the door, and throwing himself upon it, soon fell into a death-like slumber. Big Medicine seated himself near at hand, and the black horse cropped the at times tossing up-his head, with the long blades en | from his closed jaws, and pricking his ears forward, gazed upon the recumbent form of his master, then at the Kioway, and then into the open door of the cabin, as if aoe thought over the sad and terrible events that had occurred since the previous yf On the following mornin,z, the dead were buried; the last resting- e of Dolores being selected by Dick, near her little home, and within ap ever-sigh- ing motte of pines. Among the effects of the ill-fated girl they found & marriage certificate, proving tha she had been wedded to Reuben Reynolds in San Antonio, Texas; but a letter, written by a woman who claimed to have been panes to him in wedlock at Galveston some months previous to the date of the former, was a proof, if true, that the marriage of poor Do- lores Martinez with Reynolds was A diary kept by Dolores recorded the birth of a male infant, and also the fearful details of the strang- ling of the child by its own father, who afterward became known as Reckless Rube the bandit spy. The murder—so the record stated—was com ted before the eyes of the mother; she, Dolores, being then sick upon her bed, All t joined to the many rambling words and threats of the poor girl, when attacked with insane fits, showed conclu- sively the strong motives she had for the vow of vengeance she had written down in her diary, and which she kept to the letter. The citizens, as well as Dick and the Kioway, felt assured that Dolores had buried Reckless and the Woman in Black as well, as Medicine revealed the fact that when he thus of Captain Halfhand, Lucile Luzerne was not there. he caverns were searched many valuables were obtained, in addition to the gold which the bandit chief had conveyed to the ey: of pg secret entrance. There were, besides, n — paint-bags and weapons, her with bul- et-perforated and blood ed orms of United States soldiers, being plain proof that a recent mas- sacre of the teamsters and escort of a n-train near Taos, supposed to have been committed. by Apaches, had really been the work of the Wild Cats, disguised as Indians. The jewelry, such aS was known to have been taken from passengers on the 8 line, was de- livered by Square Sim to the authorities at Taos, and also such moneys as were proved to have been stolen from the express safes. The remainder was divided equally among the citizens who had been engaged in cleaning out the Wild Cats; such of the relatives of the slain as could be found receiving the share of the same, and the unclaimed surplus being set aside for beautify- ing and caring for the cemetery of the little town. tasteful monument was ordered from Denver by Diamond Dick, to be placed over the grave of poor Dolores Martinez. Within a week Jim Jams had recovered, and Dick gare him his share of the gold, which, with the andsome sum received as his own on—the citi- zens deciding that he had accomplished more by giving the Wild Cats such a scare than if he bad een in the midst of the. fight—enabled him to pur- chase a herd of Texas cattle and establi a ranch down the range. He was effectually cured from his frightful vice, his dread experience aiding very much in Dick’s effort _to prevail upon him to ‘*swear off ’ for all time. When he was sometimes tempted, a single thought of the grizzly bear, al- though the monster was mixed up in his mind with an imaginary menagerie that had exhibited to him without price, and which stampeded with him in close company during his protracted ride among the foot-hills, was a ee strong P iene in the op e direction to prevent his falling from grace. ong other t found in the cave of the Wild Cats was a letter, directed to * George : ) Taos, New Mexico,” and post-marked ‘ sburg, New York,” by which it was learned that the ban chief had sent a spy to his old home, where he _ deserted his family and committed f at the instigation of Lucile Luzerne, which nearly brought about the ruin of James McC} whose the sister of Katharine Holbrook, the murdered wife of the outlaw chief. , MoClellan had left Ogdensburg the avowed em yong of hunting so death “m7 fm amine who so wronged own and others, an livering Lucile Luzerne up to justice. George McCh as Jim Jams him, retarned to his home in Cae along b ety of every one in Big , mu e regret cine’ City, taking the Kioway to the States m Groat was the jer pérente; sister and to were av without his hands having been stained with the blood of the criminals THE END. me ES €