Beadle's Dime Library No. 199 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

- an’ letter. the clump of cedars to capture the assassin who had shot their hero. ) . Big Medicine and Jim Jams ran to the side of Diamond Dick, while Bowlder Bill sprung with cocked revolver directly toward the cedars, for he had located the position of the assassin from having seen the flash of his rifle. Before he reached it, there came a second report, followed by a Sey? of agony, from but a short distance ond it. ging through the thicket, Bill came upon the of aman, with rifle lying by his side; while ey hemor her own weapon stood one whom all weré given for Dashing Dolores. ing for an instant by the corpse, Bill | said: ** Yer made a center shot, Dolores, ef that’s er handle. Plug’d him in ther brain-box. ho are he?” ‘““Cache Charley,” was the laconicreply ; and the young female darted through the cedars to- ward the street. * She’s a cool piece, thet Dolores,” said Bowl- der Bill, ‘‘ an’ I-wouldn’t keer ter git on ther off side o’ her. Jist ’zamine that rifle, will yer, ’an aor ef he shoved in a cartridge since he shot ic ** Ya-as, Bill,” said one of the miners; ‘‘ hit’s loaded up, an’ I'll bet a doubloon he war a- drawin’ on Dolores when she plugged him.” ““Jist so. But who ther dickens air Cache Charley. Has any o’ yer see’d ther pilgrim afore? I sw’ar I hain’t.” ‘He war “lowed two hours ter git up an’ git outen this berg ‘bout three weeks ago fer threatenin’ ter shoot ther sheriff over ther range,” said another. Bowlder Bill thrust his hand in the pocket of the corpse, and took out a letter and a black mask, “Bucks an’ buzzards! Boys, what d’ye think oO’ thet?’ Thus spoke Bill, holding up the articles men- tioned. ‘‘ He war a road-agent, er I’m ther boss liar o’ New Mex’! Whar’syersheriff? Hit’s plain this hyar Cache Charley wouldn’t ’a’ shot Dick, ef he wa’n’t a pard o’ Pueblo Pete’s. Bet yer life, thet’s what Pete air, an’ I begins ter smell a lynch picnic. Fetch ther stiff along ter ther street, boys. Don’t git riley ef yer think ’ma leetle too brash round yer burg. I think a heap o’ thet Dick, tho’ I never see’d him ’fore ter-night. Don’tspit out a word ’bout ther mask Let’s see ef we kin pump Pete.” Bowlder Bill was immediately obeyed. The me So of the so-ealled Cache Charley was car- ried out, and laid in front of Pueblo Pete; the latter ne —— om tree, ve py: ~ ing position, his life having been spared for the time being by the urgent pleadings of a few more cool than the rest. Square Sim, the sheriff, who had been aroused from slumber by the din, held the citizens in check, pending the arrival of those who had gone in search of the man who had shot Dia- mond Dick. | The eaoellent official had wou his sobriquet from reputation as a straightfor- ward man, and was possessed of a faireducation compared with the others who had chosen Big Medicine City for a ‘‘ locate.” : When the body of Cache Charley was laid in front of Pueblo Pete, the latter jturned pale; a fact which was noticed by those who were r to obtain evidence that would jus- — ‘“lynch picnic.” wider Bill, for one, was convinced that the two had been pards in the near past; and if were so, he had proof suflicient in his pouch to hang him. Just then, however, he thought of Dashing Dolores, who might give some information in regard to the man who shot. At this time, Big Medicine, assisted by one of the miners, was bearing the body of Dia- mond Dick toward the cabin at the base of the mountain, which nearly all knew to be the one Dolores. The latter was leading the way, and this led to the conclusion that she was going to have the sport from Denver taken care of. aiedwine the litth party was Jim Jams, oar magnificent horse, black as assole, which Bill ed from its highly ornamente saddle and bridle to belong to Dick. Up to this time, no man had ever been known to enter the little dwelling of Dolores, since she had erected the same with ber own hands, de- clining any assistance from the citizens. Clear- ly the mysterious maiden must have taken a ncy to the dandy from Denver. Only for a moment did Bill stand gazing af- ter the party who bore Dick away. He at once turned his attention to Pueblo Pete, whose gaze was now bent and frozén upon the corpse of ‘Cache Charley. The one quick glance are he gave around him at the motley crowd, with ined faces, showe wy. that they would be beyond the control of Square Sim should anything occur to prove the previous bad character of their captive. Bowlder Bill was =e in regard to the re- __“Did yer see Dolores, es yer calls her, when she struck ther street, Mr. Sheriff?” he asked. ew, for immediately wild cheers | ‘* Yes,” was the reply; ‘‘I came just in time to see her with that young sport’s head in her lap, eae erying, as she always does when she is excited.’ ‘** Does yer think she ever friz her peepers on him afore?” ‘“ How could she? He has just come into the burg, and she has been up and down the range for two years. She might have known him in the States, but that’s hardly reasonable, for at his age he must have changed greatly since Do- lores struck New Mexico, and sbe would not have recognized him. No, she’s always on the lookout for something, and I reckon she was around just in time to see the assassin shoot Dick, and then she put a ball through the coward before he could reload and draw a bead on her, which he would have been forced to do, as she stood in his way of escape.” “Thet’s *bout ther way I hes put ther hull thing up myself; but I doesn’t understand how yer comes ter be so well posted on ther ‘lay- out. ‘I have been told all about the particulars,” said the sheriff, ‘‘ and I am not slow in forming opinions, which, by the way, are generally cor- rect, as the boys here will inform you. You are Bowlder Bill, I believe, the unlucky pros- pector from down the range?” ** Bugs an’ bufflers! Whar did yer git yer in- fermashe bout me?” Bill’s face and voice both expressed his surprise, as he put this question. ** Never mind how I got it. I know you are ‘ white,’ and that’s enough. Have you any tes- timony to offer in regard to this Puebio Pete?” ‘“Yaas. Reckon yer'd better round up ’bout a dozen good squar’ humans, sot yerself es a jedge, an’ call me es a fust-class ’telligent wit- ess. “ All right, Bill; I'll do so at once.” The jury was quickly summened, and, as Pueblo Pete witnessed the proceedings, his bur- ly frame he to shake as if with an ague-fit. Bidding the jury seat themselves in a half- circle, Square Sim, the sheriff and acting judge, called out: ‘6 Order!” All became silent, painfully so. It was a most impressive scene. The bright moon shone down upon the white face and glassy eyes of the d man, and upon the horror-stricken face of the prisoner. Twoscore of rough and vari- ously-appareled men, with stern features and folded arms, stood about the tree to which Pete was bound in perfect stillness. “rr ill,” said the judge; ‘‘ we haven’t otany Bible, but I reckon you will give the a far as you know the same, as if under Oa . “Thanky, Sim. Reckon ye’ve got me down ‘bout whar { belongs. Fust off, I'd like ter ax yer, Pueblo Pete, does yer know ther pilgrim what hes in his chips, quit ther game, an’ + ese at stompede speed over the range Pete gazed searchingly toward his questioner for a moment, and then replied: ‘* 1 hes see’d him at Taos onc’t er twicet.” ‘¢ Then he ain’t a pard o’ yourn?” “Nary pard! Never mixed with him ’tall.” ‘Then how does yer ’count fer his riskin’ his chances fer bein’ flopped over, er strung up a limb fer yer?” ‘* Hit "pears ter me thet he must ’a’ know’d ther Denver sport afore, an’ wer’ dead ag’in’ him fer somethin’. I don’t reckon he’d risk his life fer me. Reckon he war off his kerbase ter some extent, er he’d ’a’ know’d he’ be enatched 70 anaes Thet’s ther way I’m calkerlatin’ 1 ~ By this time Pete had begun to brace up, and had a bolder and more unconcerned air. It was evident that his explanations were reason- able, and that his words and manner bad begun to impress the citizens semewhat favorably to- ward him. ow, pards,” cried out Bowlder Bill very indignantly; ‘‘Icalls Pueblo Pete thar, the dang’dest, bald-headed, bar’faced liar this er vother side ther Rio Grande. I hes found a black mask an’ a letter in the bullet-pouch 0’ Cache Charley, which proves he war a road- agent. Yer knows thet he war driy outen this burg fer threatenin’ ter bore a hole through Squar’ Sim, ’cos ther sheriff ’rested him fer cornfiscatin’ a mule ’longin’ ter a man, Now will someon yer ’zamine Pueblo Pete’s pouch an’ pockets, ter see bout how he pans out?’ are Sim now approached the prisoner whose face again assumed a ghastly hue, and soon uced from his pouch a letter. ‘* Come this-a-ways, Sim,” said Bill, ‘‘ an’ low me ter ’zamine thet privately.” As the witness spoke, the sheriff joined him, — Bill said in a low voice, as he gazed at the etter: ‘Dang my skin! Both on ’em seems ter be totin’ Uncle Sam’s mail. Let’s compar’ these billy-doos. Wa-al, I’m dashed ef they ain’t both fer the same human!”, ‘You are right, Bill. But one is from Den- ver, and the other from Ogdensburg, New ork. They are for George Helbrook, Taos, New Mexico. We'll open the one from Denver.” And suiting tke action to the word, the sheriff Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver. a tore open the envelope, and in a low voice read as follows to Bowlder Bill: “* DENVER, Colorado. ‘* ParRD GEoRGgGE:— “ The information you received from that friend of yours in Ogdensburg was correct. The party has no doubt been on many false trails, but is now on a warm scent. George McClellan is about eighteen years of age, but above the average hight and strong in proportion. He is well fixed financially, and is the most fancifully attired and armed dandy sport that ever struck this section. You may depend if he gets a fair show he'll blow you out of your boots. He is reckless and daring to a fault, and dangerousin the extreme to you and to our band. I have written to Cache Charley and Pueblo Pete tolay for him, and send him, “‘ overthe range ”’ if they get a fair show. °S AP Halfhand will be more appropriately named “Cap. Half-head,”’ should McClellan get the cron op you. There will soon be paying work for the Wild Cats,as a heap of dust will be run through from the lower country within a month. I have been laying for information in regard to Wells, Fargo & Co.’s expected shipment. Jesse James has made a big haul in Missouri, and Claude Duval struck it rich in Utah. Look out for the Denver CASO who knocks everybody blind by his heavy style. “Yours, this side, or ‘ ove? the range,’ * DEAD Sxor. “**P. 8S. Lhave written Pete and Charley to wipe out McClellan if it can be done safely. Tell Pete to get the mail at Taos before he spreads himself to- wards Denver. I may strike a down trail any day. Have the Wild Cats keep their claws sharp mb a ‘* Cat-fish an’ corn-shucks!” exclaimed Bill, as Sim finished the postscript. ‘‘ That settles hit! Don’t t’ar t’other letter o hey a show ter find out th brook by hit.” ‘*'You’re right, Bill; you have more solid sense than I gave you credit for. Come, I’ll read this to the jury. Pueblo Pete’s fate is sealed.” ‘Will yer ‘low me ter shove in my tongue. ag’in?” ‘Certainly. Go ahead.” ‘‘'Wa-al, bit ’pears ter me we'd better call ther jury inter Placer Palace, Hit'll be a tough job r read thet billy-doo by moonlight: ’sides, ete’ll know soon’s yer commence thet he air a choked-off pilgrim. No need o’ punisbin’ a human like ther ’Paches.” ‘All right,” agreed Square Sim; and he called to the jury to follow him, as well as all all others who chose to join the procession. It is needless to say that, as soon as the letter had been read te them, a mob of maddened men rushed out of doors, and to the tree, cutting the desperado loose and dragging him under a limb, over which a lasso had been thrown, The next moment Pueblo Pete was swinging between heaven and earth, the raw-hide rope choking out his life. At this instant, down the street galloped on his superb black steed, Diamond Dick. He was hatless, and his long fair hair was fly- ing in the wind. Up to the crowd he rode, his eyes flashing with excitement, and the blood running down his face. : Jerking his horse to a sudden halt, its hams almost touching the ground, he drew and leveled one of his revolvers; then fired three shots in a succession, cutting the lasso in twain, and the half-dead body of Pueblo Pete fell in a heap n, We’uns may cuss George Hol- on the sward with a sickening thud. CHAPTER VII. THE BANDIT SPY, THE sudden advent upon the scene of the man whom every one had supposed to be either dead or mortally wounded, had been a most puzzling surprise; but this was nothing compared with tbe indignation that took possession of the citi- zens of Big Medicine City, when he braved and insulted them by interfe x the their prompt and decisive mode of “ civilizing ” Pueblo Pete. The fact that the ‘lynch pienie” had been brought about chiefly through their desire to avenge the cowardly assault upon himself made matters still worse. However, no sooner had Pete’s swaying body struck the ground, than our hero returned his weapon to his belt and sat on his horse with his eyes fixed upon the apparently dead body of his recent antagonist; but when he saw the deadly tubes that were now aimed at bis own breast, he began to realize his situation, although not the slightest shadow of fear crossed his face. his right hand, he made a gesture to ask attention, which was needless, for every eye was fixed upon him, and he began in a clear voice: ‘*Gentlemen, lower your weapons! Iam not going to run away, and I do not fear to face you. When I have ri yang my actions and motives, you can do with me as you wish. Do you think I came to this far-away land for gold or silver? If so, you are greatly mistaken. I came for something that is dearer to me than either—revenge. You thought it strange, no doubt, that I did not kill Pueblo in the ‘of Placer Palace, and stranger still that I did not ut a bullet through bis heart or bra n when in he duel. Now you are angry—and I admit with good reason—that I should iuterfere with (E IOOKS €om €O - 28.0 pmey me aeen ee ee yo He wor waif