Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 "Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. ai “Why should he?” “That’s just what I want to know,” said the masked man, with an emphasis which left no doubt of his sincerity. ‘‘This Belford affair seems to have upset our redoubtable chief a bit. What is Belford to him, I wonder? his morning I beard him mutter somethin about righting the wrong. I judged by tha . he bad at some time done Belford an injury, but what has your father got to do with it? What had he to do with Belford, or with Bullet Head?” The speaker looked at Lila as though he hoped she would step forward and explain what ore lexed him so much, but she did nothing of he kind. ‘*If you are in earnest I can tell you that you are Weae. much mistaken,” she said, indignant- ig.: * father has nothing to do with Cap- tain Bullet: he does not associate with such men. As for this Mr. Belford, I know nothing about him,” emacugh on that head, then,” the masked man said, abruptly. ‘‘ Let us speak of our- selves. Listen: you wish to escape from here. Very well, I shall be delighted to aid you, but there is a condition to the affair, What you to say?” **T will hear you.” “You must, before going to your home, go with me to the minister’s and be made my wife,” Lila recoiled at the proposal, ‘* Never!” she exclaimed, with emphasis; but ~ raised his hand before she could speak fur- ther. “Do not decide hastily. No one will force you to a decision; you are simply given a chance between sa eo and oppression on one side and liberty and the love of an honest man on the other. Wait!—hear me through. I am young, far from being ill-looking and equally far from being a ruffian. I was born and bred a gentleman and I can poms assume the old life—l have the money to back me. Speak, Miss Bartlett; what is my fate?” There was a degree of earnestness in what he said, but Lila was far from being persuaded. She had no desire to become the wife of an out- law, and at that moment she would have taken her chance with Bullet Head rather than with the man in the mask. As for the latter, there was something fa- miliar about his voice, though what it was she could not tell; to the best of her knowledge, none of her acquaintances belonged to the road- agent band. She had been invited to speak, and she did so in a manner the man could not misunderstand. Sbe had no wish to make him her enemy, but she plainly stated that his proposal was not agreeable and that he might as well abandon hope. This, he was not inclined to do, and as a re- gult be launched out ona long plea which dinal- ly became so annoying that she could bearit no longer. You claim to be my friend,” she said, ‘* but ave I am so doubtful that, unless you leave the I shall take measures to test your asser- tion. Depart, sir, or I will sound an alarm and bring Captain Bullet bere!” CHAPTER XI. THE PRISONERS. _ Laa’s firm stand plainly took her visitor by surprise. For a few moments he seemed un- able to speak, and when he did it was without any attempt to hide the anger she bad aroused. Have it your own way, my fine lady!” he exclaimed, ‘* but don’t be surprised if you re- —— it is too late. In this case my in- ts and your own are identical, and the chance to escape Bullet Head may not come n. For my own part, I will not lift a fin- ger to aid youin the future, let your fate be what it may.” /& i : He turned on his heel at the last word, and Lila was too glad to see him go to venture a re- y. He left the room, closed the door and moved the bolt, and once more she was alone. Until then she had remained calm, but these successive intrusions had shown her how com- gietely helpless she was and she sunk upon her ees e a chair. “What next?’ she murmured, “ what next? A week ago I thought myself well protected and happy in the love of Albert Leverett, but has gone away from Red Bullet Bar without a word of farewell and I am truly in the tigers’ soa What will come of it—what will be the en At the same moment her late visitor had ‘reached another cave chamber; and once there he removed and petulantly flung aside his The act revealed the face of Lieutenant _ Darke, the second of the band. -“ Confound the luck!” he muttered, ‘‘ this little scheme is a failure; I have succeeded no better with my lady than when I wooed her with my face uncovered. It’s a wonder she didn’t recognize me anyway, but I did my best to disguise my voice. I don’t care to have Bul- Head know the double part I am plaving. ne of these days I may chuck a bit of lead into him and take command of the band myself; but not yet, not yet.” Darke spent half an hour prowling about his room and then, going to bed, finally fell asleep. The remainder of the night # ores peacefully, The following day Bullet Head was for sev- eral hours closeted with the Chinaman-prisoner, accompanied by three of his men. What passed there the band never knew, though it was said among themselves that the prisoner was being tortured to secure certain secrets which he held; but when Bullet Head emerged from the cell, the frown on his face plainly told that what- ever means he had employed had not been suc- cessful. Lieutenant Darke came to him with a swag- gering manner. ‘* The boys have sent me to you,” he said. Bullot Head looked at him steadily, and though his mask hid his face his voice hada curt inflection at the end not to be mis- taken. ** Since when did the boys become masters of their lieutenant?” he demanded. ‘* The day hasn’t come,” said Darke, flushing. ‘* Look to it that it don’t, All men should render due respect and obedience to their su- perior officers, and they shall do it as long as they belong to my band. Bear this in mind!” Darke was not dull enough to misunderstand so plain a hint, for he knew what had occasion- it. ‘*'Your ideas are correct, captain, but,” to change the subject, will you hear what the men have to say?” “é Yes.” ** They are anxious for service, for booty.” ‘* They shall have it,” said the chief, tersely. ‘*T have my plans all arranged, and I have de- cided to strike to-day. Last week you advyo- cated an attack on the Metropolis mine. [ll give you balf the band; come to me in the morning and say that the work is done.” Darke looked dumfounded. He had advocated a& movement which he knew was foolish and rash, simply to make the men believe he was braver and more dashing than their captain, but the latter had delayed his decision and the lieutenant had not dreamed of his agreeing it. “I’m afraid we shall lose a good many men in the attack,” he said, uneasily. ‘* Never mind; I rely on you to look out for that and bring my tigers back safely. You said the other day it would be easy enough. Send Sergeant Eagle to me.” At the last word Bullet Head wheeled and strode away, leaving Darke mute and motion- less. He had no ambition to undertake the work laid out for him, nor could he avoid an unpleasant suspicion that his want of loyalty was suspected. “T must go slow,” he thought. “ Bullet Head is a hard customer when he gets fairly a-going, and if he really gets the truth fastened on his brain be wouldn’t hesitate to drop me in my tracks,” The day was drawing to an end when the stage from Quickstep Camp came rolling through the mountain pass on its way to Red Bullet Bar. The driver was a man who had seen a good deal of Western life, and when asked by a passenger what time they would reach the Bar, invariably replied: “‘At five o’clock, un- less Bullet Head drops on us.” On the day in question, when he made this assertion, two of his passengers exchanged glances Be gino hs and when they started, one clambered to the box, and took a seat beside Mose Morehouse, After supplying him with tobacco, he asked for more information regarding Bullet Head. ‘** He’s a wild terror, he is,” explained Mose. ‘““Men call him ther Colorado Bravo, an’ I reckon he fills ther boots. I’ve handled ther ribbons twenty year in ther West, an’ hev see’d a good many desprit charakters; but never none wuss than Bullet Head. Not that he’s so very bloodthirsty, bi\t he’s got a sizable band, he kin smell gold five iailes off, an’ when he lights on a stage an’ gits, 1 ou might as well chose a go-as- you-please flea. Yas!” That was abcat all Mr. Morehouse could tell about the Brav«.. except to detail the wild deeds done along the Red Bullet trail, but our travel- ers bad a little personal experience by the way which gave them more light. = It was the stovy so old and often repeated in the West; the ro id-robbers appeared, called for a raising of hands, and soon had Mose in a position of commendable meekness. ‘‘And I advise you ter do ther same,” he added. ‘Ts it Bullet Head’s band?’ the young man asked, veep | Na ‘* Then I surrender.” And when the robber chief called for an emptying of the stage, one man came out promptly, glanced at him on the box, and then stood tamely in the trail. es Any one else in there?’ demanded Bullet eA A man’s face appeared at the window. ‘‘T am here, ez your eyes may perceive,” he observed; “‘but you’d better not insist on a closer intimacy. I am a hard case when I’m mad—” . ; ye !’ interrupted Bullet Head. ‘*‘Come ou ‘‘Not this week, ef I knows myself, an’ I opine I do. Mebbe you’ve hearn ov me, too. I’m Wicked William, the raw-beef-eater. Ef any OV you want a row, come in; I’m always at hum. Ring ther bell ef you want me.” ‘*Tll wring your neck, you idiot, if you don’ come out!” exclaimed Bullet Head, impatiently, ‘* Don’t force me to speak again.” “Gag yourself, ef you want ter; J don’t keer.” ‘* Be silent!” again ordered the road-agent, **Come out before I shoot!” ‘“‘Oh! hang your ole pep-gun! I don’t keer a straw fur it. Um Wicked William, ther wu’st sinner in Colorado, an’ when I git mad I t’ar b’ar. Look out fur ther engine when my bugle sounds!” Thus far Captain Bullet had been going ligbt- ly, but the way of the speaker seemed to destroy his patience and he rode to the side of the stage with his cocked revolver ready. It was enough for Wicked William, and he came out with more haste than dignity. ‘‘ Fold on, there!” he added, “there ain’t no ’arthly use o’ sp’ilin’ ther wehicle; it’s more emptier than my treasure pocket. lll git out; it’s puffectly fit an’ proper.” o attention was vouchsafed him. The rob- bers went through the stage and its passenger but without getting much booty. Bullet Hea seemed disappointed ; he had been informed that he would reap a goodly harvest on the road. The result was not to his liking, and he deter- mined to take the trio to bis cave and hold them for ransom. When he announced bis intention, Wicked William protested loudly, but the otbers heard in silence. One would almost have said they liked the turn of affairs, e stage was allowed to go on its way and then the band wound around among the rocks on the return trip, the cave being reached in due time. Bullet Head reflected and weighed the evi- dence as they went, and as 4 result had the two unknown men sent to bis room as soon as con- venient. ‘* What are your names?” he abruptly asked. ‘‘T am named Birch, and my companion is Allen,” the elder prisoner answered. ‘‘ What are you doing in the West?” ‘*‘ Looking around—thbat’s all.” ‘‘Then you must have funds. You have played asharp game and traveled the road with only a few dollars in your pocket, but, fortun- ately, I know bow to bring you toterms, I shall hold you for ransom.” The younger traveler laughed lightly. “That is said to alarm us. What would you think, Captain Bullet, if I said we have come all the way from St. Louis on purpose tosee you?” The road-robber started, but his voice was calm as he answered: “Tsu you are detectives.” ‘* Nothing of the kind, We don’t want to ar- rest you, but to ask a few questions.” The mask hid the outlaw’s face, but his eyes leamed through the openings and it was plain he was more than usually interested. ‘* Blaze away!” be said with unusual rough- ness, ‘““We want information in regard to the death of Reginald Sinclair, twenty years ago.” Bullet Head started to his feet fda tg” C and bis manner was certainly that of a badly-fright- ened man, but after a moment he laughed harshly and drop back into his chair. ‘“‘The shot tells!” whispered the elder traveler to Allen—the reader bas not failed to recognize the latter, or to suspect that his companion was Blenker. The outlaw’s hand trembled asit Jay on the arm of his chair, but he rallied from his con- sternation with the quickness of one who feels himself in great danger. ‘¢ What rubbish is this?’ he demanded roughly. ‘‘Who is Reginald Sinclair and what do I know about him?” ‘I do not think an explanation is necessary to you, Mr. Thomas Quain,” Allen coolly an- swered, This time there was no start, but the road- agent stared long and earnestly. Perhaps he wanted time to think, to map out his plan for the future, but his manner was composed when he spoke again. ‘What asylum had the honor of holding you before you escaped?’ he demanded, sarcasti- cally. ‘* Your folly is not without an amusing element, but we may as well drop it.” “No doubt you so desire,” said Allen, “ but we are here on business and are not to be silenced so easily. We know that the real cir- cumstances of the death of Reginald Sinclair are known to you and we want you to tell the truth. You will be judged according as you act. Help us and we will help you.” ‘‘TJpon my word, you are infernal kind,” Bul- let Head said, with renewed sarcasm, ‘ You talk as though you had your case all in your own hands, forgetting that you are my prisoner / | GomiEcnpoee é = =)