Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 245 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

— Katie close behind, and there wus another sur- prise when they did not see the black giant on uard, but, not noticing that the walls of the ll had in some mysterious way been moved about, Vivian opened what she thought was the outer door and passed through. It was not until Katie had closed the door be- ‘hind them that the fact that they still trod upon board impressed Vivian as not only strange, but suspicious, and with the idea that they had opened the wrong door she suddenly paused. At that moment, however, a bright light sud- denly suceeeded the darkness and the girls found themselves in the room where Abe Neal bad been so hardly used the night he tried to rourder Barranca Bill. Vivian saw the tables, chairs, bar, glasses and other minuticze of a saloon, but in so saying the half is not told. The chairs were occupied; nearly a score of Hecate’s Lambs lounged about in positions of careless comfort. {In starting from the place Katie had made no attempt to conceal her features, and as Vivian had lowered her own muffler at the thought of a mistake, both stood with their faces exposed to the lawless gazes of the wretches before them. We need scarcely add that every one was looking. et Vivian wheeled precipitately and caught at the door-knob. It turned freely with her hand, but when she pushed on the door it resisted with that grimness pti to an opposing bolt. The door had been locked behind them. The discovery brought a look of wild alarm to her face, but it was not until she had tried again that she would fully accept the truth. In the mean time one of the ‘* Lambs” ap- proached them with a grin on his ugly face. “Treckon you'll need ther key ter go out, my dear,” he said, mockingly. “Go along wid you, you gorilla!” retorted Katie, promptly. “ We’re not any deays av yourn, at all, an’ if that’s phat yez are lookin’ for you'd better take the ould Witch!” A murmur of admiration ran around the room; a subdued applause in favor of Katie. Every wretch in the room was her admirer; they preferred her bold, almost masculine comeliness to the refined beauty of her mis- tress. “Go an’ get a new head, Lige Allen,” one man said, in advice to the Lamb who had first en. ate It wouldn’t do any barrum to the whole av ez,” Katie independently retorted. ‘“‘ Your eads w’u’d make good winder claners wid a stick fastened to wan end, though from the rid- ness ay yer noses I’m afraid the hate w’u’d break the glass.” ‘For Heaven's sake, be silent!” whispered Vivian, who had rapped in vain on the door. “Do not arouse the anger of those men or we are lost. Oh! what does this mean; why has the door been locked upon us?’ “ Bar-keeper, sling out two glasses an’ a bot- tle o’ Bourbon,” said Lige Allen, rallying. ““oTain’t often we have sech angels at our fire- side, an’ I allow they won’t come ag’in ef we let ’em goaway dry.” “Sir” said Vivian, ‘will you show us the way from this house?” “Why, o’ course, my dear. Jest you gobble onter my arm an’ it’s did. Come with me, m pritty, an’ I’ll show you ther way home—Oh! guess I will!” Vivian at once retreated from his dirt-cov- ered hand, but as he followed her she saw that only decisive action would save them. Promptly she drew her revolver and the click ! click ! of the lock was followed by the straight and steady leveling of thebarrel. ‘‘ Back!” she cried, in a clear voice. ‘‘ Ad- vance another step and you are a lost man!” There was no mistaking the fact that she was in full earnest, and a hush fell over the crowd. Every one was looking at her, at last, and many felt a ripple of admiration. ‘Her face was very pale, but all her courage was at last aroused, ‘Now you hear us talk,” said Katie, present- ing her Own revolver, “‘an’ if we spake loud there'll be an earthquake, Dhe tramp dhat has dhe key had better presint it before harrum is done.” A- grow] ran through the ranks of the Lambs. They were men who did not take disagreeable language calmly, and to be threatened by two girls was humiliating. Their temper began to arise, but what would have been the next act in the drama was left in doubt by a new move on Katie’s part. Wheeling, she thrust the muzzle of her revol- ver against the lock of the door and pulled hard at the trigger. It was a wiracle that the act did not result to her own injury, but as luck would have it her sudden idea worked toa charm. There wasa loud report, a tearing of wood, and then the splintered door swung wide without a hand ypon it and the way of retreat was open, *B of twerLambe could interfere, both Before an girls darted through, but their hopes were speedily crushed They ran straight into the arms of Hecate and the man in the blue spectacles—Horace, Barranca Bill, the eee * what does all this mean? My door—’ ‘“‘Oh! Mr. Lincoln, take us home! take us home!” cried Vivian. ‘Those horrible men—” “T reckon the jig is up,” said Horace, angrily. ‘*Our plans have fallen through and we have only one course left, You know what that is, madam.” He addressed Hecate, who needed no expla- nation, and like a hawk she swooped upon Vi- vian. Snatching away her revolver, she tossed the weapon aside and then caught the girl in her muscular arms and bore her away despite her struggles. Horace attempted to do the same with Katie, and he succeeded in wresting away her revol- ver, but when the next act came on the pro- gramme the troubles began. We have before referred to the unusual strength of the Irish girl, and when thus as- sailed she gave Horace'an unexpected proof of her prowess. He was baffled at every point much to the amusement of the Lambs, an when one of them finally came to his aid Katie’s finger-nails had given his face a zebra-like ap- pearance, Still, the force of numbers prevailed and both girls were soon helpless prisoners in a room above, with Hecate and Horace as jailers. Vivian’s indignation had arisen superior to all other things and she looked at Horace with withering glances while he endeavored to re- lace the gray beard Katie had torn from his ace but finally threw it aside with a curse. ‘‘Come, my bold warrior,” said Hecate, with a half-disguised sneer, ‘‘ come down to business if you have any, This drama of yours is crowd- ing all regular plays off the boards and I have other work to do. Talk plain Eaglish to your bird, here,” “Yes,” said Vivian, yg eaehy “T want to know what you mean by this infamous con- duct.” ‘*1’m around to explain,” said Horace, surlily. ‘“‘ Tf there is any one who understands the game itisI. The factis, | am playing for a big stake —your hand, Miss Brown, will you marry me?” Vivian looked at him in utter bewilderment, her anger giving way in a measure to a sus- picion that he was mad. Surely, Barranca Bill, whose praises all had sounded, was not the man to commit so dastardly a crime. | “That is'a question I could better answer at my home, sir,” she said, almost gently. ‘Now is the time; here is the place. You know me; I am one of the foremost men of Comet Camp—second only to your father, | may safely say; and it would not be so bad a match, Ilove you and ask your hand in mar- riage. What is your answer?’ er mood chan before his harsh, swagger- ing manner and she warmly retorted: No; a thousand times, no! My eyes are opened at last, William Lincoln, and I see that you have played me false. From this hour we are strangers.” ‘* Not so fast,” he said. ‘‘ Remember where you are before you fly too high. The Weepin Willows is not the safest place for you, bu with me as your protector you aresafe. Left alone—well, below are the other men. Perhaps you prefer them to me.” ‘There is little choice,” she said, shivering. ‘*Have your own way,” be said, recklessly. ‘‘ Queen Hecate, will you summon your Lambs?” “ Ay, lad, that I will,” the woman replied, as she started for the door. CHAPTER XXXVI. COMET CAMP’S BIG NIGHT. BaRRANCA BILL was striding away from Brown’s after his interview with Agatha when Gentle Jobn and Bad Lung arose to his vision as they hurried toward him. ‘°Tarnal catamounts!” observed John, “ this is a lucky meetin’. You are jest ther man I was arter, or, at least one on ’em. I’m takin’ advantage o’ my dignity as deputy-sheriff ver assemble a posse fur active sarvice,” *‘ Why, what’s the matter?’ ** Ther cow has kicked over ther milk-pail an’ ther dogs o’ war must be unloosed, Ther inemy is bowlin’ right peart an’ ther pins are all down but nine.” Wt down but nine-ee!” echoed Bad Lung softly. «Ther long an’ short on’t is, pard, I see’d a sight at ther Weepin’ Willers as I was passin’ it jest now which sunk deep inter my mind. I creme Brown’s darter goin’ inter ther Witch’s en, ‘« Who?’ cried Bill, sharply.’ ‘¢ Miss Vivian Brown, ter wit.” ‘¢ Gentle John, you speak falsely.” “ Gentle John—only one J—is my name, but ef ye doubt my word, hyar is Bad Lung, ther uarest heathen in Nevada, ter sw’ar to it. ou cari’t fool him, an’ nobody can’t fool him.” ‘* Me see Mliss Blownee; she in Wee Willow welly sure. No fool Bad Lung; bis eyes giteé poor, he set ’em up ag'in.” Barranca Bill, however, needed no further roof. The events of the day and evening had ashed upon him and be felt sure that Vivian had been lured to the den by Horace. i z,< Revolver Champion. | “* Malediction!” cried the Witch, , Shrilly. |! od ——— —_- —~ eed 2 er ane ee —_ The exact nature of the plot be had in hand was uncertain, but Bill could not doubt that something was decidedly wrong, ‘* Lose no time,” he said tersely. ‘‘ Away and gather a dozen men, and [ will await you at the door of the Weeping Wiliows, By my life, if I find old Hecate in another plot notbing shall save her from justice.” He strode away without waiting for a reply. ‘* Wal,” said Gentle John, » et es A hel sorter remark that su’thin’ has riled bim. He flew inter a flame like a brimstun’ arter a skir- mish with a nutmeg-grater.” 27 “We gitee ploss, quick, else ’Meliken man git hurtee so we no setee him up sg’ip,” “ Right you be, my genial fricud,so away we po.” Barranca Bill reached the door of the Weep- ing Willows. The place was wholly dark and silent, but be had already seen how deceptive were appearances in all cases where Hecate had a hand, What was transpiring within those unholy walls? Was Vivian Brown really there, and, if so, had the wretches dared injure her? These and other. questions passed rapidly through bis mind, but be had found no way of answering them up to the time when Gentle Jobn reappeared with a dozen stout men at bis heels, All seemed heeled and ready for activa work, while Bad Lung. lovingly caressed the ten-pin with which he chose to fight. Barranca Bill tried the secret summons by which he had gained entrance on a former oc- easion, but the combination did not work, and the party hesitated no longer, Ata word from Gentle Jobn they hurled themselves agains the door, and it flew open, revealing the big negra calmly sitting in a chair. He at once bounded up, but Gentle John thrust a revolver under his nose. ‘‘ Soft an’ easy on ther right, uncle; don’t ob- struct ther alley, or down go your pins!” It wasan argument which. worked well, but at that moment a door opened and one of the Lambs appeared to learn the canse of the up- roar. One look satisfied his curiosity, and he tried to close the door again, but the miners flung themselves forward, and he was sent spraw ling into the middle of the room, A little beyond, a.glimmer of light proceeded from the room occupied by the roughs; but as the room was suddenly plunged in darkness, Barranca Bill caught an idea. ‘‘Down on your knees, all!” he cried. * Look out for wild lead!” It was a.call the miners knew how to appre ciate, and they promptly obeyed, while a momen‘ later a dull roar shook the room, and a showor of bullets whistled over their heads. ‘Up an’ at ’em!”, shouted Gentle John; and as one man they moved. There was ascrambling along the floor, and then they surged through the door. The room was superlatively dark, and all had grown silent. Barranca Bill recognized the disadvan: tages of their position, and feared for his brave allies. The Lambs were on their own ground, they knew how to avail themselves of every point, and how to take their opponents ata advantage. ; Luckily for one party, and unluckily for the other—only the result could determine to whic belonged the respective words—the Lambs bad. chosen to settle the matter at close quarters, ., There was a sudden stir, a forward rush, and then it was knife and nouscle in a band to-hand. conflict. There was a horrible element, about, the af-- fair, to comprehend which the reader has ge to imagine nearly two-score men in a dat room, closely grappled, striking out with knife and fist, each engaging ‘whoever came first to his hand, that one, perhaps, a friend. Barranca Bill, however, did uot forget that the odds were against bis party; and when the rush was made he sprung forward with a defi- nite object in view. Striking with both fists he passed the Lambs,. receiving a slight gash in one arm, but beeding it not. He reached the table and mounted it; he struck a match and ignited both lamps. The light fell on knot after knot of struggling men, who were fighting with the desperation. peculiar to the West. thas 4 Crack! crash! A acious Lamb had shot ont one of the lights, but before the work could be continued something dropped on his head, and Bad Lung stood over him with his ten-pin. “ Setee ’em up on t’lother alley!” murmured the Celestial, gently, Barranca Bill sprung into the thick of the fray, and for awhile the battle raged hotly. It need not be described in detail. At last the surviving miners stood victorious with no armed foe against them. Some of the- Lambs were dead, some had surrendered, others had folded their wings and silently stolen, away. : = Ail down but nine,” observed Gentle John, looking around bim with melancholy interest. ‘‘Guard these men,” said Bill, tersely. ‘‘ Wat- son and Carr, follow me!” He darted from the room as he spoke, followed. comilebooks:.¢ Ol