Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 245 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

ae _— — was when the lynchers invaded the town, Then, away went every patron, and Gentle Jobn was left in utter despair, with no com- panion eye the meek Chinaman who did his menial work. : Gentle John plunged his hands deep into his ockets, and with his hat jammed down over is eyes, scowled ferociously at the ten-pins which stood in line, with a metaphorical chip on their shoulders, or lay hors du c at, ac- cording as the end of the interrupted games had left them. ‘Hang riots!” said Gentle John, disconso- lately, ‘‘an’ hang ther hull durned business, What do I keer ef Comet Camp es rollin’in gore? Let loose ther bull-dogs o’ war an’ let natur’ howl. Thar’s four pins down, an’ not a cent ter show fur ther scars they got.” “ Me set 'em up ag’in?” asked the Chinaman, softly. ‘Set ‘em up? No, you durned idyit. Dye s"pose anybody'll prance in hyar an’ invest when they kin knock over live ten-pins outside, an’ never pay for it? No; I guess not!” ‘**Melican man howl welly loud.” “Tet ’em howl, Durn their ugly hides, I hope they will bu’st. Them galoots owed me seventy-two cents fur knockin’ out Bay pins, an’ I’m afeerd [ shall bey ter detract et from your wages, Bad Lung.” A look of alarm crossed the Celestial’s face. “Ki-hif dat welly muchee no light!” be plain- tively declared. ‘ Me no makee liot; me no amakee ’Melican moke lun out an’ not payee. Me work welly hard some other timee; me settee ’em up welly quick.” Gentle John did not reply, but after a mourn- ful look at the disordered pins, bimself set them into place, handling each one tenderly, and complaining if he found a scar on their hard surface. He was a man of middle age, short, broad- shouldered and muscular, and with his rough face, tangled hair and beard, and his_miner’s dress, made a fair specimen of the Western ‘veteran; but he was by no means a rough—he had a big heart, and all bis tenderness was lavished oa his ten-pins, Bad Lung, his assistant, was a typical China- man, except that he was wonderfully plump. His round face was a portable chart of con- tentment, and he had a way of handling the pins which pleased Gentle Jobn, ' The latter had just finished arranging his ets when, without any warning, a young lady varted through the door and seized his hand, ‘* Help! help!” she cried wildly, “ Heys What—what— Oh, I see! Set ’em up ag’in, Bad Lung—” Thus far had Gentle John spoken, when through the door darted two more persons— this time burly men, on whose faces was plainly written ‘‘ rough,” and the woman clung closer to John, ‘‘ Save me—save me!” she gasped. Luckily for her, she had not mistaken her man. Gentle Jobn was a model of evens ys and in a moment more a revolver gleamed in each of his hands, “Set ’em up ag’in, Bad Lung!” he roared, and then the roughs came to a sudden halt as his weapons frowned upon them, it Prands up, an’ take et easy,” added Gentle Jobn, ‘‘ This ain’t no place for a riot, an’ you'd better skip ther ranch. “Hold hard, thar!” retorted one of the roughs. ‘‘ Don’t you mixin this game or you'll git your last burt.” ‘What in durnation be you hyar fur?” “ After that girl.” ‘Wal, you can’t hev her, Make a note o’ that an’ set em up ag’in. I hold ther fort an’ ther big guns are loaded.” ‘ We are two ter one, an’ we mean business,” declared the man. “Get out o’ ther way, or down you go eatin’ lead!” CHAPTER V, ANOTHER CALL FOR BARRANCA BILL, It was very evident that the two roughs meant mischief. They were of the class that bas no respect for honor and little fear of law; the only way to quell them was through the power of muscle and revolver, and even In defeat they would be vicious. Before their savage front the girl stood in alarm, but Gentle John did not waver in the least. He stood like a rock, and to his side crept ig Lung; a ten-pin grasped in each of his ‘hubby hands. . He va not a prince of the revolver, but loy- alty to his employer demanded some exertion on his part. ““T reckon,” observed Gentle John, “ that we had better wipe off ther blackboard, set ’em “up ag’in, an’ start fresh. Intimidation won’t go down hyar, an’ I'll presarve ther sanctitude of my ranch or make blood run wild. You’d better git!” & Wewoni git!” shouted the rough. ae Fur ther last time, will you give up ther gal? No,” said Gentle John, sturailye It was the red flag of battle, and the leading rough dropped one hand toa devel, deftly slip- ping a revolver from his sleeve and presenting it with the same motion. Barranca Bill, the Revolver Champion. 5 A greater mistake was never made, There was a rush of something through the air, the report of Gentle John’s revolver, and the fellow reeled back and fell to the floor. ** All down but nine,” said John, cheerfully ; “who comes next?” But the second rough, instead of rushing to close quarters, stared blankly at his fallen and insensible comrade. He was without a wound, for the revolver shot had been a trifle later than the ten-pin which Bad Lung had lanched with admirable accuracy, but for the time he was out of the fight. ‘* Do you chip in?” Gentle John continued. *‘Nary chip; I cave!” was the hasty reply. ‘* Jest hold your lead, an’ ef you say so, P’ll pull Dick Ellis out o’ ther way,” The idea was a one, and with ed granted the building was soon cleared, ** May Heaven bless you, sir,” said the young woman, warmly, ‘I can say no more, for words are weak in such a case.’ ‘* You're entirely welcome, marm, but I want ter call your attention ter-my yaller boy. Did ye observe how Bad Lung tossed ther pin?” ‘*Me settee ’em up ag’in?’ meekly asked his follower. “Yas, set ’em up, fur I reckon horstilities is over. Set ’em up, an’ I'll see this female critter home.” “‘T wish to find the house of Mr, Cephas Brown,” she hurriedly said. “I had started from the hotel they call the Cosey Corral when I was interrupted by those men. Iam terribly alarmed, I confess, and if you had not so brave- ly aided me it would have been far worse—I shudder when I think of those brutes.” “*T don’t shudder es I know on, though ther idee is good, but PIL see you straight aes ter ole Brown’s; an’ woe be ter any biped who tries ter stop us,” “Thank you, Mr.—” “ Gentle John—only one J.” ° ‘‘ And my name is Helen Neville.” Introductions having thus been made, the party proposed to depart. John had only to slip another load into the empty chamber of his revolver, but Bad Lung, who always followed his master, secretly thrust a ten-pin under his Celestial coat. . ‘*Mebbe we hab to knockee’em all down but nine,” he murmured to himself, And then they passed out of the shanty and stood in the rough street. Night was less pro- nounced than usnal that evening, for from one end to the other of the village men were out with various kinds of lights~—mostly the pine torches obtained by the lynchers on their jour- ney. Miss Neville shivered as she looked the scene over, and there was ample reason for fear, Comet Camp bad awakened before the antics of the men of Ramrod Bar, and it required no great genius to see that serious trouble might occur before the night grew old. Whatever Gentle Jobn thought he expressed no fear, but with a confident air moved alon the street followed by Miss Neville and Bad Lung, in order. The Jatter looked b'and and meek as ever, but under bis flowing coat his hand caressed the ten-pin and he was a bad man in Shh clothing, Gentle John was not long in perceiving that a direct course toward Mr. Cephas Brown’s resi- dence would take them into the midst of a howling section of the mob, and as he was not sure they would look on bis protegee with favor, he wisely made a slight detour. All went well until they approached the house of Superintendent Lincoln, and there Jobn perceived several of the Iynchers; but they were in so quiet a mood that he pushed forward without fear, and was soon abreast the oor, Using his eyes, he saw Barranca Bill biddin adieu to Mr, Sam Soaper and his followers, an it was clear they had just finished an amicable search of the place for Paul Pindar. Gentle John maintained a dignified silence, and he was just congratulating himself on taking Miss Neville safely through when that young Se to speak metaphorically, knocked him off is pins. ith a little cry, she suddenly darted from his side, pushed the lynchers right and left, and in a moment more had seized the hand of Bar- ranca Bill, Every spectator stood in amazed silence, but her voice arose clearly and joyfully. **Oh! Donald, Doaald! is this you?—are you alive? Thad thought you dead—ob, Donald! 1 am so glad to see you!” She ceased, and for a moment not a sound was audible, Gentle John, Sam Soaper, and all the others stood with their eyes turned to- ward the principals in the scene, wondering what it all meant. ; Barranca Bill, on ‘his part, seemed amazed, confused and embarrassed. He was a brave man, but this affectionate greeting in public from a pretty woman was 4 little more than his nerves could stand. Miss Neville was caressing his hands, and her face was full of joy. “Oh! I have searched for you so long!” she said, in a plaintive voice, — Bill disengaged one hand and brushed the perspiration from his forehead. **T reckon you’re on the wrong trail, miss,” he observed. ‘‘ITam not named onald, while as for you, though [ would feel honored by your acquaintance, I never saw you before.” he young woman s amazed and ag) less, and Bill’s eyes were keen enough to see coat some of the rich color receded from her ace, “Oh! Donald, Donald!” she said, as though frightened. “There is some mistake,” said the superinten- dent, gently; ‘‘ you are deceived by a resem- pa, I suppose. Whom did you take me to “You are Donald Lander,” she said, faintly. “You are wrong, my dear youtip lady. Tam named William Uhooln, and that have borne ever since I left my cradle. Tam not Donald Lander, and I never heard of the man before.” She uttered a wild cry. **Oh! Donald, Donald; do not deny me thus! Do not forsake one who would die for you! Have you forgotten the old days? Have you forgotten me?” ‘Tt is not one of my weaknesses to forget, but you I never saw before. Iam sorry to thus nye you, but if’ 1 bowed to the wind [ should e.a bogus article. Rather than that, let me tell the truth, and if you bave lost a friend I'll do my level best to help you find him,” , It was a frank, manly offer, but it did not satisfy Miss Neville. On the contrary, she burst into tears, and, once more seizing his hand, sunk on her knees and began pleading and moaning at one and the same time, The men of Ramrod Bar began to look at each other and mutter darkly. They were men who were rough from their boot-heels up, and always ready to drop an enemy in a fight, but for the female sex they ha Be sort of rude, chivalrous respect; and, believing this hand- mg woman, they began to scowl on Barranca Sill. ' Gentle John stood mute in the background; the case had gone beyond his contro] and he be- gan to realize the nature of the work he had engaged in when he undertook to pilot around a woman, Sam Soaper, however, did not permit him to remain neutral. ‘** See hyar, who's this anngel?” he asked. “Wal, now, you hev me thar, fur [ can’t tell; I’m actin’ ez her guide, an’ furder tha that, ther testator sayeth not.” " ** Me knowee her welly wal,” chimed in Bad Lung. ‘* Sbe comee in on stagee this evenin’ an’ stopee at ’Melican Hotelee,’ *“‘So-ho! astranger in a strange place,” com- mented Sam Soaper. ‘TI reckon ther lgrim yonder is a runaway husband. Durnation! I ae in hyar!” ith thesé words he slouched up to Barranca Bill and struck him a resounding blow on his shoulder. : ‘Tsay, pard, what's this racket?’ he asked. The interruption, coming at such a moment, annoyed Bill, but he kept his coolness as usual. “Itis all a mistake,” he said, quietly. ‘ This lady mistakes me for some other man.” ' ‘Tis no mistake!” cried Miss Neville, ‘Oh, Donald, Donald, what horrible mystery is this— why do you deny your identity? Think of the happy days of the past, of all we have been to each other, and then end this jest, if such it is, and acknowledge that you know me.” It was a thrilling appeal, but another speaker was before Barranca Bill and every gaze was turned on a new actor who appeared on the scene, CHAPTER V1. THE WITCH OF THE WEEPING WILLOWS. — “Traut and soft, my lady: why don’t yer ask for eternal life? Who ever beard of honor in a man?” Such were the words which, arising immedi- ately after Helen Neville’s appeal, caused every one to look at the speaker. The men of Ramrod Bar were treated to a rather interesting sight. They saw a woman old in years, bent and withered of form and truly witch-like of general appearance, so that those who had seen Macbeth on the boards in- stinctively recalled the caldron trio of that lay. Probably the woman was less than seventy years old, but, except in point of gy dey she might have claimed to be a hundred, — m and face were very attenuated, and over the latter were numerous wrinkles; the total ab- sence of teeth brought her nose and chin into close companionship, her eyes were deep-set and restless, and over her neck fluttered, coarse, uncombed and erratic gray bair; while a man’s hat of true Western style, and a long ‘black cloak, made a somewhat unique form of dress, es she stood before the crowd she leaned her bent form on a long staff which was forked “at the top, and to some she seemed feeble; but the men of Comet Camp, knowing ‘ also knew that almost masculine strength lurk in her long, bony arms. thename [I . Down at the further end of the ail was & Eomiecboo j SCO