Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 241 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

' Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. 21 laws paused from lack of breath. ‘‘There’s a hearty, whole-souled ring to your voices that pleases me, for it declares that my safe return gives you unalloyed pleasure. I, too, am re- joiced, perhaps with still better cause for thankfulness; and yet—it was with my heart full of bitter, black suspicions that I came here to-day. Right or wrong, I more than half be- lieved that some one among this band had sold me out, and delivered me into the hands of the Philistines!” A groan that was almost a how], arose from the bandits, and the devil gléamed forth from more than one pair of eyes, as Brocky Bill, still whittling, still with that indescribable whine which invariably marked his utterance, gave voice to the sentiments which animated all save one of the league: **] reckon we don’t want to know no more then the name o’ the dirty critter which you ’spects, boss. Jest give us the name, an’ see how easy we boys kin take a dose o’ business afore gittin’ drunk on frolic. Jest the name, boss !” Silently, secretly, the hand of Lofty Dick crept toward the butt of a revolver as be stood not far from the elbow of his chief, though only ared glitterin his blue eyes told aught of the deadly resolve with which his heart and brain was filled. Though he knew that bis own death would follow at the hands of the infuriated Rustlers before he could strike a second blow, he was determined not to cross the dark river wholly without company. But Spitfire Saul never once glanced toward him, never made a sign of suspecting the actual truth. “‘ What would be the just reward of the cow- ard who would act thus?’ he cried, half laugh- ingly, turning toward Queen Dixie, who just then emerged from the adobe building. “Death, if you appoint me as judge, King Saul!” she cried, without the faintest sign of shrinking from his fiery gaze. ‘* With these honest rascals, I say—give us bis name, and you shall never suspect bim again!” ‘ “You would not kill the poor devil, simply on suspicion?’ a. 2 ‘* His giving cause for your suspecting him is grounds enough,” was the swift response, ‘‘ Once more, King Saul: give us the name of the false- hearted wretch, and leave the rest to us. As Brocky Bill says, business before pleasure!” ‘* You are too fierce, my dear,” laughed King Saul, throwing his arm about her waist and ressing his lips to her glowing cheek, regard- ess Of all the eyes upon them, ‘Suspicion is not proof, and lamin too good a humor with myself and all the rest of mankind to-night to care about runping the risk of spilling innocent blood.” ‘Which I don’t reckon them critters is, back in town, then,” whined Brocky Bill, looking like a man aghast at his own audacity, and holding himself in readiness to dodge either bullet or blow, in case his words were offensive. But Spitfire Saul only laughed, loud and heartily, as he recalled the more prominent events of his latest triumph. ‘‘That’s a fact, old sinner! I did open their eyes a little yesterday, and if you back me up as well as you always have dene heretofore, we'll not let them go to sleep again very soon. The story’s too long to tell now, but you shall have it in full in good time, A frolic now, for there’s big work ahead of us—plenty of excite- naent and lots of hard cash to salve the rough knocks we may get in change! “ Your arm, Queen Dixie. To the ball, gen- tlemen. We'll have a dance of joy forthe pres- ent, and vengeance for the future.” ‘‘Whooray fer King Saul an’ Queen Dixie!” squealed Brocky Bill, capering around like some stiff-legged puppet as he tossed his ragged hat high into the air, ‘‘Ef they ain’t a pa’r 0’ bloomin’ daisies, then ’m a durned ole ground- hog!” Into the building Spitfire Saul led his beauti- ful queen, clasping her waist tightly with one arm as he called out: ; ‘Light up, boys. Don’t spare either oil or candles. I’m on it to-night bigger’n a wolf, and if we don’t make music in Israel before daylight comes, my name’s not King Saul!” A minute later the interior of the apartment was brilliantly lighted by a score of candles and as many Oil lamps, fastened to the walls or hang- ing from the ceiling. The room was one of considerable size, nearly square in shape, with high ceiling. At the end opposite that in which was the doorway through which the present company had entered, was a _ partition of canvas, tightly stretched, a light frame marking the middle, and giving support to a narrow door. ie King Saul and Queen Dixie passed through this door, and a few minutes later there came a sharp, long-drawn note from a violin, and several of the Rustlers leaped to the partition and swung it in halves back against the side walls. A curious sight was thus revealed, but one that did not appear to take the Rustlers by sur- laps: though they greeted it with enthusiastic cheers. Against the center of the rear wall, was a sort of dais, elevated several feet above the level of the earth floor, covered over with skins and robes, and upon which were placed two chairs, formed of curiously entwined elk-horns. Above the seats, hung a bright canopy. Just in front, a candle-filled chandelier hung from the ceiling, while lights were fastened to either side on the walls. King Saul and Queen Dixie occupied those chairs, dressed in mock representation of royalty, in silks and broadcloth, gold and silver lace, rings and ornaments which flashed gayly in the lights, On each head rested a crown of metal, the mock jewels with which they were thickly set, reflecting many colored rays as their wearers moved their heads. Every inch a king looked Spitfire Saul, with his commanding iorm, his leonine head and massive shoulders, his magnificent forked beard, And not a whit less regal was Queen Dixie, her dark and glorious beauty emphasized by the robes she wore, looking larger, more superbly developed than when in her masculine garb. “Gentlemen subjects!” said King Saul, soft- ly touching the strings of his violin as he spoke. This night we will cast aside all care, and for- get that there is such a word as work or busi- ness in our vocabulary. We will dance and make merry. Don your finery, ye who can transform yourselves into charming ladies at will, Brocky Bill, set out the pipes. We will see if ycu have lost any of your skill since I’ve been out on the loose,” As he ceased speaking, King Saul raised the butt of the violin to his shoulder, and swept the bow across the strings. Then he began playing, handling the instrument with rare skill and exe- cution, awaking such music as responds only to the touch of a master musician. With shouts and cries of merriment, the Rustlers obeyed their chief, One-half their number rushed outside and soon returned, bear- ing bundles which, on being torn open, dis- played a most wonderful collection of female clothing, highly colored and ornamented with gaudy ribbons and artificial flowers, torn and tattered, looking like the remnants of a mil- linery store after a cyclone had worked its sweet will. In these fantastic garments they quickly ar- rayed themselves, caring little whether they were put on hind side before, or after the cor- rect fashion; if anything, rather giving the former the preference, Brocky Bill brought forth a shallow basket full of long-stemmed, white clay pipes, select- ing one from the number and snapping off two- thirds of the stem. Each man quickly imitated his example, seeming to vie with each other as to who should sport the shortest stem, King Saul all the time playing his liveliest airs, as though to work his subjects up to the top notch of excitement, Her face sober, an uneasy light in her eyes, Queen Dixie watched the scene, but gazing most frequently at Lofty Dick, who leaned moodily against the wall, his lips curling in scorn as he listlessly noted the mad antics of hiscomrades. She bit ber lips sharply, as she strove to catch his eye fora warning glanee, but in vain. He scrupulously avoided looking in that direction, or if he did, never raised his eyes high enough to read her meaning. He was pondering over those words which King Saul had spoken outside, concerning a traitor among them. He felt that he was the man suspected, and he believed that there was something dangerous hidden beneath this mask of merriment; that Spitfire Saul was only seek- ing to throw him off his guard, to lull bis sus- picions of danger, but to spring the trap, and make his vengeance all tho more acutely felt. ‘If I don’t strike first, he’ll kill me, and that without giving a ghost of a chance for striking a blow in return,” he mentally exclaimed; then strode forward and picking up @ pipe, held it in plain view as he snapped the stem, leaving a scant inch attached to the bowl. Spitfire Saul nodded, with a smile of grim approval. ‘‘Texpected no less from one of your nerve, Lofty Dick,” he said, still playing, but so low that the chords seemed the distant wailing of the wind through tree-tops. ‘* But I’m sorry to see you have not yet forgotten nor forgiven the hasty words I let drop, out yonder, when I looked upon the grave of grim old Buffalo Red; when I learned that be hed died at your hands, and you failed to come and meet me with the rest,” ‘They were sharp, and cut deep—all the deeper Hae Iknew that they were wholly undeserved by me,” said Lofty Dick, boldly, facing the King of the Rustlers, his blue eyes filled with a fire that was little short of de- fiance. ‘*T admitted as much, as soon as I heard the truth of the affair,” said Spitfire Saul, speaking with unwonted gentleness. ‘‘ When a man has apologized for a wrong committed in heat, can any one expect or receive more?” The eyes of Lofty Dick sunk before that steady, paretenging gaze, and a little flush came into is pale cheeks. ‘ ** Of course not,” he uttered, slowly, speaking with seeming difficulty. ‘‘And yet, when @ man finds himself so sharply blamed, while all a bp the time conscious that he has only done what he felt bis duty, it is not so easy to cover up all trace of the scar. By to-morrow, I pledge you my word, as your faithful follower, you shall see no trace left to offend you!” Was there a bidden threat in the words, in that swift-appearing, swiftly-vanishing smile that curled the red lips? If so, King Saul did not appear to notice it, though Queen Dixie cid, and with an imploring, yet warning light in. ber eyes she leaned for- ward, seeking to catch his glance—only to fall back again in her seat as Spitfire Saul turned his face toward her, bending his head ina whispering a word in her ear. She forced a smile to her lips, nodded her head, and he turned once more to the gathering. “You, Lofty Dick, will have the lovely and graceful Miss Snapper Jobnny for your part- ner in the pipe dance. The others can select their own partners. Do honor to your queen, our king, and to yourselves, my gallant nights,” With ludicrously exaggerated politeness and most comical assumption of dignity, the Rust- lers in male costume sought their partners from those attired in burlesque imitation of the fair sex, then glanced expectantly toward the dais, One flourish of his bow, then King Saul struck up a lively air, his clear, sonorous voice calling out the changes as the dancing proceed- ed, waxing fast and furious. No longer ham- pered by the mock dignity which they had at first assumed, the Rusilers caused their boot- heels to ring upon the hard-beaten floor, leap- ing and prancing, kicking and stamping, crow- ing like cocks, squealing like angered horses, imitating with more or less skill, almost ever sound that could be uttered by beast or bird, yet peony ly obedient to the changes as called forth by their chief. Then came a brace of sharp discords on the violin, and as if by magic, each right hand clasped a revolver butt, while the sharp double clicks as the bammers were raised to full cock, sounded even above the rattle and clatter of two-score feet on the brick-Jike floor, Yet not foran instant did the dancing flag, only now there was no more of the wild, fantastic fling- ing about on the loose. Each man had bis eyes riveted on the face of bis especial partner, hold. ing bis revolver with the tip of the barrel touching his right shoulder, “Salute your partners!” rung out the voice of King Saul, like the call of a trumpet, and blending with the last sylable, came a horrible discord on the violin, Swift as thought the revolvers came down to { a level, the men who held them bowing low at the call, then rising erect, still dancing, and when that false note.came totheir ears, each . and every pistol in the crowd exploded, almost as a Single report. Then, as though suddenly turned to stone, the dancers ceased their capers, standing stiff and erect. The floor was covered with fragments of | white clay—no longer pipes. With marvelous skill, and nerve to saat it, the Rustlers had shattered the bowls with their bullets, The bits of stems were still retained between the close-clinched teeth, and as exch couple, be- ginning with the pair who stood at the head, turned to face their king, they opened their lips and dropped the tiny tubes, Not one had failed to hit his designated mark, while all were dancing swiftly; a score of bullets were imbed- ded in the adobe walls, while—greatest marvel of all, it seemed—not a wound had been re- ceived by any of the company. King Saul nodded approvingly as the curious inspection came to an end, and there was cordial congratulation in his tones as he ad- dressed them: ‘‘ Nobly done, my bold and skillful knights! If our enemies would take pattern after our pecu- liar sports, perhaps they wouldn’t waste so much lead when we meet them in battle array. I wish they were here now, to take notes!” “Softly, King Saul” whined Brocky Bill, seemingly ready to dodge behind his partner,in case the chief should resent bis proffered advice. “of ‘‘ Don’t breathe it out loud, fer the good Lawd ~ knows they shoot plenty cluss fer this olecoon as it is—they do so, 1 tell ee now!” | “Never fear, Brocky,” laughed the chief. © ‘*T never knew an honest man who would risk his life at such sport as this. He holds it at too high a price, to indulge in such recklessness, and so knows nothing of the wild fun we Rust- . lers revel in to our hearts’ content. And Tsay, good enough! Let them live the longer, while we live the jolliest! ‘Now to work again. One more mad dance, then to sleep and rest for the greatest, richest strike I have ever planned. To your pipes, my lads! Do yourselves honor, now or never!” As before, there was emulation in seeing which one would dare break the stem of his pipe the closest, and more than one among the mirth-maddened rascals left scarce enough to grasp between their teeth while the small bowl was pressed tightly against their lips. Snapper ~ Johnny was one of these, and as before he faced Lofty Dick, when the stirring sounds of the rarely handled fiddle called them to their mad, vite insane dance, 4 \ ay > =) ¥ om comicbooks