Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 241 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

quisitive cur!” cried Spitfire Saul, with a short, ferocious laugh, as he rudely spurned the quiv- ering carcass with his foot. ‘If you travelin a hurry, you can catch up with your comrade, and aid bim in telling the devil I'sent you—” For the moment the outlaw had forgotten where be was, the imminent peril with which he was still threatened, all save that frightful, satanic glee with which he was invariably in- spired by the sight of freshly flowing blood, when set free by his own hand. In this respect the wild annals of the great West can show but one parallel—that of Manuel Garcia, the terrible pirate of the California placers, Three-fingered Jack as he was more universally known, Like him, Spitfire Saul shed blood for the mere pleasure of seeing it flow from the throb- bing veins of his helpless victims. Like him, too, he was personally without fear. He never connted the odds when the lust for blood took possession of his brain. Then he was mad crazed, lapping blood as a hot and thiraty wolf laps water. Yet he, as well as his earlier pro- totype, could be cool and calculating; steel- nerved in the face of overwhelming danger; swift to see a chance, and equally prompt in taking advantage of it. Shouts of angry horror from one or two per- sons whose curiosity had led them within eye- sight, attracted by the muffled report of the death-dealing revolver, recalled to him a full sense of the peril which surrounded him, and in an instant clearing away the bloody mist through which he glared down upon his latest victim. “ A quick toss of his head cast back the blonde locks of which he was so proud, and as his flam- ing eyes fell upon the startled citizens, he showed his teeth, and, stooping, snatched a brace of re- volvers from the belt of the dead guard. As he arose again, fully armed, the two men fled around the corner, shouting the alarm that the outlaw had broken bonds and was on the war path. A bard, mocking laugh broke from King Saul as he distinguished their words, but then he glanced swiftly around him, as though summing up the chances for and agaiust his escape. The door of a small, low house directly oppo-' site the jail was flung open, and he caught a glimpse of two female faces, As though this sight decided him, he darted forward, and be- fore the door could be closed and fastened, his broad shoulders were pressing it open, almost prostrating the startled women, who vainly strove to bar his entrance. The eldest, thin, pale and careworn, fell back upon a cot, shivering, hiding her eyes in fear; but the other, young, bright and blooming, boldly confronted the criminal. Though she said nothing, there was something in her dauntless attitude that amused and inter- ested King Saul, and he showed his teeth in a sinile as he addressed her: ‘* It seems to me that we have met before, my pretty. You are Sheriff Black’s daughter?’ oe you are the demon they call Spitfire Saul— A shout from the street caused King Saul to glance over bis sboulder, and with a light kindliog in her black eyes, the girl—for her years were 7g | those of a woman—sprung against him with all ber strength, striving to snatch the revolver from his manacled hands, and to push him out of the house at the same tims, But in neither was she successful, and with an angry oath, King Saul thrust her back, his eyes glow- ing savagely, his white teeth grating. ith a ery of terror, the pale mother sprung between them, her clasped hands uplifted, only to fall senseless before a brutal stroke of the chain, ‘*Out of the way, fool!” he growled, vicious- ly, spurning the fallen woman with his foot, “ And you, girl; try another of your tricks, and V’)i crush that pretty face beneath my heel!” Stricken wich a sudden terror, the poor girl fell upon her knees beside ber mother, wiping away the trickling blood with her trembling fingers, shrinking away ashis Leavy hands rest- ed upon ber shoulder. “Get up, curse you!” he snarled, lifting her to her feet with a single effort, and turning ber face so that she could look out upon the street. “Look! that’s your father coming. He’s heard the news, and he’s coming here after his weap- ons. By all that’s holy, Pilsend a bullet through his heart, Bnleee ie alt him! Speak! tell him that I will murder you, if he dares come one step closer, before I give him permission!” Tbrustiog her into the open doorway, King Sau! held her trembling figure erect with one hand, while the otber hand pressed the muzzle, of a revolver against her temple. The poor girl tried to speak, but only an in- articulate. sound came from her throat, and with a savage curse, Spitfire Saul shouted oud: ‘** Halt! old man! Come a foot nearer, or try to draw a weapon, and I'l! scatter her brains to the winds!” Sher ff Black heard the words, saw the peril- ous position of his onlv child, and with a gasp- ing oath, stopped still, as though suddenly turned to stcne. Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. -'§ ——_— me a ee eet oy a a $e — ——— oe ‘First, produce the key that unlocks these cursed irons.” Spitfire Saul laughed mockingly. He knew the full extent of his peril, knew that the tidings of his escape was spreading through the town “T baven’t got it. It’s over at the fort.” like wildfire, but his blood was at boiling heat, Spitfire Saul uttered a savage snarl, but there and he felt a certain grim delight in the knowl- | was something in the tones of the sheriff that edge, | told him he spoke the simple truth, and he ‘[ve got the dead wood on you this time, | added: Jack Black,” be added, more placidly, but still! ‘Then bring a file—and be quick. Remem- holding the pistol in place. ‘‘ You caught me | ber what I told you. I may be killed, but she foul, once, but I hold no particular grudge | dies with me!” against you for that. You took the chances, Pale as death, trembling in every limb so like a brave man, and [honor you forit. But | that he could not walk straight, as he reflected it’s my turn now! Order back those skulking | on the horrible situation of the young girl hounds behind you, If they come any nearer, | whom he loved far more than his own life, the or try any tricks before I’m ready for the | sheriff hurried away, speedily returning with a music, ll send this dainty bit of calico over the | handful of stout files. range by lightning express. You know me for Steadying the rifle which stil] rested muzzle aman of my word, old fellow, when I utter a | down over the wildly-beating heart of the poor threat of that sort, so take heed.” girl, with one hand, King Saul held out the With a stifled groan of agony, the sheriff | other for the sheriff to work upon, at the same turned and called out to the gathering crowd: | time repeating the warning against any tricks. ‘For the love of Heaven, gentlemen, fall | It was superfluous. With that pale, pleading back! He swears that he will murder Lucy if | face at bis feet, with those imploring eyes loo!- he is pressed too close! Givemetime, He can- | ing up into bis own, John Black would bave not escape—” fallen upon bis faceand licked the blood-stained **Cut that short off, Jack Black!” sharply | feet of the King of the Rustlers, had he cried King Saul, with an ugly laugh. “If you | been so bidden. Swiftly and carefully he swear that I shall not escape, you willbe proved | worked, making no answer to the stinging an unmitigated liar, sure /” taunts with which the desperado pelted him, ‘Spare her—do not murder the poor child! As one handcuff was severed, King Saul Shoot me, if you like. I’m a man. you're | shifted his grasp on the rifle, and extended the one, step out and fight ‘me! But let her go! | other. Then, when both were free, he nodded She’s only a child—” at bis ankles, ‘*Quite old enough to serve my purpose,” “Finish the job while you’re at it, my good laughed King Saul, recklessly. ‘‘ You havea | fellow, and bear in mind that the swifter you pistol in your pocket, Throw it aside—as far | work, the sooner your pretty daughter may get as youcan sendit. Dog!” with a savage snarl | up and dust herself.” as the sheriff hesitated. ‘‘Do you want to see ‘You will let her go? You won’t kill her this child die? Good enough!” and he laughed | when I’m done?” huskily muttered the sheriff, mockingly. ‘‘Give mea little more time, and | unable longer to repress the horrible doubts I could have you perfectly trained. Stand in | which oppressed him like a nightmare. your tracks. If you move, or if any of those * Act the gentleman ani she’s safe enough, so skulkers try any tricks on travelers—good-by | far as I’m concerned,” was the careless reply, as girl!” his keen eyes roved swiftly and suspiciousl It was a peculiar situation. Lucy Black was | around him, on the lookout for the snares whic a favorite with nearly every person in town, | he felt well assured the citizens were quietly and though there were some among those who | forming for his benefit, ‘‘ She may go—but not had been drawn to the spot by the exciting | until you take a solemn oath to obey my eve news, bold enough under ordinary circumstances | command without besitation. Refuse and— to do battle with even the dreaded Spitfire Saul, well. she’ll make a lovely corpse!” soe Rapasy back now, knowing full well that the ‘‘Spare her and I'll promise anything! But reckless desperado would not hesitate to slay | after you’re free—when I’ve kept my promises— that innocent being, if crowded. King Saul turned a glance upon the mother, es: nae recovered her senses, and spoke to her sharply: ~* berate a Winchester rifle in the house. Go bring it to me, with the old man’s cartridge- belt. Quick!” The trembling woman arose and left the room for the rear apartment. King Saul kept his eyes roving swiftly from the door to the out- side, still with his steel-like grasp upon the shoulder of the girl, still with the pistol-muzzle pressed against her temple, ready to pull the trlager in case of an emergency. rs. Black reappeared, holding the repeating rifle in her hands, and as King Saul cast another swift glance out at the door, she raised the muz- zle of the weapon and pulled trigger. She had not dared to pause for an aim, trust- ing all to fortune, and the lead whistled harm- lessly between her daughter and the outlaw, who jerked his head back with a savage curse, The next instant he leaped to the side of the desperate woman, wresting the rifle from ber hands, with the same motion bringing the barrel around with stunning force against her temple, knocking her senseless to the floor, Lucy attempted to flee, the moment his grasp left ber shoulder, but one catlike leap carried him to her side as she crossed the threshold, and once more she was helpless in his remorseless grip. At the sound of the shot, Sheriff Black had started forward, but with a groan of mental agony, he paused again as he beheld his idolized child in that crushing gripe, With a savage laugh, Spitfire Saul crushed Lucy to the ground, holding her beneath one foot, as be turned the muzzle of the repeater upon the father, crying: : only equaled by their batred and detescation., ‘*To business, Jack Black! You placed these King of the Rustlers, be called himself, and ornaments on me; you’ve got to take them off like a king of dare-devil cut-throats he conduct- ‘then look out !” ‘*My hand can keep my head, old fellow,” with a careless laugh. ‘“ I’m open to bet that I'll have your scalp within a week from to-day if you do not resign your office and flee the country.” John Black made no reply to this boasting taunt, but bent to his labors with redoubled en- ergy, not pausing to take a free breath, so eager was he to release bis poor child. At last the irons dropped off, and the sheriff id said: “Now let her go. You are free—” **Not yet, oy ood fellow. King Saul is not more than half a king while on foot. There’s a likely-looking nag,” nodding to where a long- limbed, racing-like sorrel horse was tied to a bitching-post. ‘ Bring himover here, I never care about walking when I can ride just as well as not.” The heavy foot was still preerag upon the poor girl, tbe rifle muzzle stil) bore down upon her bosom, and John Black dared not demur nor hesitate, page cat Ny? the horse, he untied the halter and came back, delivering the animal into the hands of the desperado. During all this time, while John Black was on his knees plying the files, nearly the entire population of the little town were gazing upon the strange scene, not oue among them all daring to lift either voice or hand to interfere. Nor was this altogether because they realized the peril of the sheriff's daughter. To one and all Spitfire Saul was known, either personally or by reputation, For nearly three years past he had been a terror to that section of New Mexico. At first almost alone he em his career of blood and outrage, but then bis force increased in numbers and audacity until the entire country held them in an awe that was a rr TT ayain. Look here!” ed himself, now running off a choice lot of As he spoke, King Saul lowered the muzzle of | cattle and borses, to sell them over the border, he cocked rifle until it rested directly over the | quite as frequently bringing back rich plunder heart of the helpless girl who quivered beneath | from the very corrals which he had que replen- the brutal pressure of his foot. ished; now stopping a sta, © or raiding a win- ing camp; now bere, again 1 iles paielid striking swiftly and surely, all the tiie leaving tracks of blood behind him. Literally without personal feor, reveling in dare-devil exploits, never so pleased as when en- gaged in fighting, a giant in strength, active as a panther, perfect master of all weapons used in the West, a magnificent borseman, during those years he bad laughed to scorn all efforts to either kill or capture bim, made by the Rangers the regular troops, and the citizens. A score o times it seemed as though he must be taken, but as often he slipped through the toils, or bloodily cut his way out, to pursue his reckless course with redoubled energy. At last he was talon, through the treachery **T give you all warning. Though you should send a ten-pound cannon ball through my body, it couldn’t hinder my firing one shot. And that shot lll fire, if you make any bones about obey- ing me to the very letter, or if any man tries to get the better of me before I bid the band begin to play. It’s said and sworn to. You hear me sing ?”’ ‘‘Spare her, and I'll do anything!” hoarsely gasped the wretched sheriff. ‘‘ But barm one hair of her head, and [Il roast you alive—” ‘**Go slow, old man,” with a warning gleam of his pointed teeth. ‘‘ Act, not brag or threat- en, and you’!l live the longer.” *‘What must I do?’ asked Black with desper- ate calmness, eee e—— Ee » comicbooks >) % : . a ——_ SOPEF T aS poe ee