Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

— — had alread | good, and the most determined efforts could not ——— ——_ _ meither of ee sbock; but somehow, its bare, white arms seemed to make a mute complaint; while the water covered its trunk and left only those branches above the level. The same remark will apply to Allen and Blenker; their bodies were af the water's top and only their heads were now visible to Bullet Head, and to his men who had gathered quickly on the bank. It was novel sport for - them, and betting was brisk on the ability of the two to stand the pressure. The wretched prisoners were less buoyant. ““T reckon DT’ve got to drown,” remarked Blenker, when they resumed their old position. ‘*T would be willing to if I could once get at that demon on shore,” eed Allen, with a furious glance toward Bullet Head. ‘“'T would bea consolation,” the elder man ac- knowledged, ‘‘but we have our own folly to thank for this; we should not have dealt with the Bravo as with a man of honor. I am chiefly to blame for this, and I sincerely regret my folly. And Ian old detective, too!’ ‘Say no more, old friend,” replied Allen, ‘‘I do not blame you, and if we get out of this alive we will take pay as remorselessly as Bullet Head has dealt with us. He will never willingly explain what we want to know; but I swear to bring him to the gallows if a chance is given. That may bring him toa more pliable mood,” Conversation became irregular as they real- ized that their peri] was increasing. Slowly but steadily the water was rising; measuring its increase with the exactness of their danger, they saw that it bad arisen an inch. Three inches more and it would cover their mouths! Allen und his teeth and struggled furious— ly with bis bonds. Those around his ankles he burst, but this did him no actual wrest bis wrists asunder. They seemed doomed to die there like brutes in a net. On the shore Bullet Head and his friends were calmly watching, though they no longer made any comments, Perhaps they enjoyed the scene, or it may be the leader would not go un- til sure death had claimed its victims, Suddenly, however, one of the men uttered a cry and pointed up the ravine. No need to ask what he meant. There, a second billow of water, broken loose from some impromptu dam, was sweeping down with great rapidity and rising three feet above the water level—high enough to bury the suspended men two feet un- der water. The sight seemed to arouse even Bullet Head, who caper to his feet and looked eagerly to see the result. The water struck—the skeleton tree disap- peared, men and all. A moment neither was visible, and then the tree arose and went shoot- ing downward with Allen and Blenker hanging to the top. It had been torn from its roots and was being swept toward the falls below. As one man the outlaws wheeled and ran down the bank toward the place where the af- fair would soon be settled. Where the water went rushing over the jagged rocks it was eburned to a white foam and no hope seemed visible for those who passed it. On came the tree, with Allen and Blenker in tow, their forms dimly seen through the foam, When the fall was reached some freak of chance elevated the tree-top for a moment in the air, and Bullet Head pointed derisively to the imperiled men. Another moment and it disappeared in the foaming water and the outlaws saw their vic- tims no more. Were they really victims? Letussee, When they saw the second billow approaching, both men were filled with consternation, but before they bad time for elaborate thought it was upon them, almost dashing out their consciousness, but the violence of the shock tore the tree loose and they arose to the surface. One other thing had happened. Allen’s hands were dashed against a sharp rock, and though his only injury was a bruise, the cord which held bis wrists was cut as song by a knife. Realizing the importance of this affair he made several rapid movements, From his pocket he drew his knife with all possible haste, and despite the foaming flood he succeeded in fully liberating both Blenker and himself, Free from bonds they were still in the grasp of the water, and as their only bope lay in clinging to the tree the clung accordingly, though well aware that the fal) was at hand, Once, only, did Allen raise bis voice; fearing that his more aged companion might despair, he placed his mouth at bis ear and shouted: ** It is for our lives!” Blenker nodded, quickly, and Allen saw that gray hairs had not lessened the pores of his mind or his coolness. His eyes had never been steadier. | Another instant and the fall was before them. The tree-top arose and only the foam prevented Bullet Head from seeing that they were cling- ing not banging, and then they shot over. How they went through that whirlpool could ever describe, yet through : ° --—<—_- —--———— ~~ — - Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. it they went, though net clinging to the tree, | That was wrested away almostat the beginning | and the men were tossed to and fro like corks. A singular chance saved their lives; they struck an oblique current and, almost before they realized it, were shot off toward one side and safely deposited in a nook where the water was placid. They looked at each other in mute surprise for a little while. It was the ex-detective who spoke first. ‘*Have you a ticket-of-leave?” His coolness aroused bis companion. ** We bad better get out of this before Bullet Head appears or we may have a ticket to re- main,” he remarked. And they did so; and in five minutes were at a spot where they believed they were safe to “oR and rest, he sun was rising and throwing golden light on the upper peaks, but the poetry of the situa- tion was lost on the late voyagers. They were bruised, wet through, cold, hungry and without & weapon to their names. While they rested they talked of the future. Clearly, it was no use to use persuasive means in dealing with Bullet Head; he had proved bimself a mere brute and bad broken his word, so it was to be war to the knife from that time. Their only hope was to capture the Bravo and force a confession from his lips or bring him to the gallows. It took considerable meditation to decide whether they should return to Bartlett’s, The plight in which they must appear would have to be accounted for, and the mine-owner’s sus- picions might be aroused; but after some delay Syed decided to return and, keeping back the facts of the case, tell a story tu suit themselves. This was done, and if any one doubted tho story they told they gave no signs. They were properly cared for, and when invested in dry clothing, purchased at Jason Perkins’s store, they felt better than was to be expected. A long conversation took place in their room, and Blenker ur a departure from the hou<e, He had studied Bartlett and was convinced he was not the sort of a man to make any un- guarded admissions, while it was not by any means sure he would heed the divine command, “ Thou shalt not kill!” if he became suspicious. Strong as was this argument, Allen J and they remained, Their slight indisposition gave Miss Ware a chance to show her good will and she was un- ceasing in her efforts to make them comforta- ble, and as she and Allen were both on the same line of business there were some passages be- tween them which were outwardly tender. Wicked William seemed to think he had a call to make an observation on the late adven- ture. ** Colorado is a leetle onhealthy fur furriners,” he observed to Allen, referring to bis imaginary account of trouble with village roughs, “ an’ ef I might advance a suggestion, I would advise that ye engage me as a fightin’ brigade. Thar wou’t no roughs fool ’round ye when /’m thar, no more’n a terrier will ’round a bull-dog,” ‘* Should you injure them?’ “Ef nec’sary, | should, my friend; ef nec’- sary, [should. But I don’t think 'twould be nec’sary, fur ef I stamped my foot they'd go. I’m a terror when I scowl, an’ them as knows me kin tell you ’'m bad. I’m a rufyan an’a bruiser, an’ I kin carve my dimensions in them as gits in my way!” he speaker ran his fingers through his al- ready tumbled hair and scowled illustratively. **] don’t doubt you,” said Allen, “ but I don’t care to hire.” “ Better think twic’t. Ther market ain’t glutted with cut-throats an’ I’m liable ter be one when you need me. Ketch on ter me an’ ’m thar, an’ you hey ther champion rufyan in this hyar State. You hear me?” ‘“T hear, but I am not anxious to invest, William. I value you too highly to make you a bired man, but we'll pull together when there is a thief in the silver-closet.” “I yield to your superior wisdom,” said the champion cut-throat, meekly. ‘‘ Mebbo you'll see me ’round when the next blizzard strikes, an’ in case I’m thar you'll see that thar blizzard sell out fur ole clothes. Good-day!” avored CHAPTER XXI. BLENKER’S EXPERIMENT. THE day was not at an end when the ex- detective came to Allen, who bad just stepped out for fresh air after a somewhat tender in- teriew with Hester Ware. I don’t claim to be a mind-reader,” said Blenker, quietly; ‘“‘but faces and motions do amount to something.” Allen smiled. uy fa suppose you refer to Miss Ware and my- ‘* Not in the least. My attention is now cen- red on Mr. Edmund Bartlett.” Ha! What of him?” ; Unless Iam a fool,” said the ex-detective, the old man has got his eyes open. He keeps up @ smiling face, but his eyes look snaky.” ‘“e a RE eee must not, of course, be 17 ‘* In plain words, you think be mistrusts us?” ‘. Yes,” ** Well, what will you do about it?” ‘First, telegraph to Denver for Detective Poore. In my opinion the hour has come to keep Bartlett constantly under our eyes; he ropped on until Bullet Head is ours. Poore is my friend and will oblige me in this, and I’]] take in both the men. We bave made several false moves so far, and we mustn’t do it again. Our game must be made sure of without delay.” *T'll bet a dollar you don’t get « confession out of Bullet Head,” said Allen. ‘Taken! [ll say to Mr. Tom Quain, ‘ Take our choice between a clean breast of it in the inclair case with freedom as a reward, or a hanging occasion for the Harvey and Pike af- fairs.’ Don’t you suppose Tom’ll weaken?” “*T bope so.’ ‘He will. Now, walk over to the telegraph- office and |’1l send a dispatch to Detective Poore after which I'll tell you about a trap 1 have planned for Bartlett.” They went, but when the office was reached they found the operator busy on an elaborate financial dispatch and had to wait their turns. While thus employed Blerker pone up 8 scrap of paper from the floor and read care- lessly, but at the end be looked at Allen in such a way that the latter held out his hand for the document, This is what he read: “ There is a man here who looks like him. Can it be possible ?"’ This message, for it was written on a telegraph blank, was signed with Edmund Bartlett's name and adaressed to Eben Garland, at the latter’s office, St. Louis. Allen turned quickly toward the operator, aper in hand, but the ex-detectives him. e knew there was need of caution, and he was just as sure that he bad made an important dis- covery. Allen, bowever, was surprised to see him fold the paper and place it away in his ket. a When the operator was at liberty the message was sent to Detective Poore, after which Bienker carelessly asked if a message had not been received there the fifteenth, from one Eben Garland, of St. Louis, ‘* Addressed to you?” inquired the operator. ‘** No,” Blenker had to confess. “To whom, then?” ** Edmund Bartlett.” “ We are not allowed to divulge any matters of that kind,” was the somewhat stiff reply. Blenker was anxious, and be persisted until the man became angry and informed them that they had better go about their business. ‘* Take care that I don’t return with the sher- iff and compel you to oblige me!” cried the ex- detective. ‘**] wouldn’t produce that or any other mes- sage without orders from my superior, if you brought fifty sheriffs,” That settled it, and the two went out to- — gether. ** Just as I expected,” said Blenker. “There was a faint bope that an operator in this remote aoe might be wheedled, but you see the re- sult. ‘* The result will be that be’l]l inform Bartlett just what bas happened,” muttered Allen. **] doubt it. ing on the square, and I don’t believe Bartlett, vith all bis money, can win favors from tbat operator. one thing.” ss hy “ For the scrap of paper I bave in my peck It is in Bartlett’s writing and very comaeean. ing; we'll make use of it in a suit yet, see if we don't. Had 1 walked up to thattele and shoved it under bis nose, saying, ‘What reply did you get to this? be would not only have de- clined to tell but would bave demanded the aper. Worse still, be would have enforced bis emand or bad us arrested for purloining pri- vate papers. That one escaped from where thes are stored by mere chance. I foresaw all and concealed the paper.” Allen recognized the truth of bis statements | and gave him due credit. They walked on dis- cussing their affairs from the new point of view. It was no longer probable that Bartlett was suspicious; it was certain. They were not at fault to translate bis telegram: he bad seen that Allen resembled some one, and who should . it be if not Robert Sinclair? ‘““My boy,” said Blenker, quietly, “I e to see you a millionaire in less than a oo x ing of Allen did not answer: be was th Rose Jackson. Her father bad refused him her band because of Thomas Quain’s bad reputation; would be be equally severe in regard Robert Sinclair if the new demand was by a million dollars?” f backed With his knowledge of the world, Allen doubted it; the power of the grandest inven- tions of the world, such as the tele bh and steam engine, become bubbles compared with the power of Es was considering how to avoid secret at cS COMMIUC OO) | give the man credit for be- . You will, at least, give me credit for that o ay. ile he was thus thinking the ex-detective — (ECO) - — = —_ « ~ - - — ee ee » - * ey eae —_— i yee > ™ | ~ ’ “ - . , _ > » + e, * = ESS SO _________ — —— ——