Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

——— _ oo ~ > Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. rather have met reproaches, threats or per- suasion. Yet, he faced the storm with manly firmness, as well as manly regret, and the fate of Edmund Bartlett was sealed so far as he could control it. Convinced that this was so, Lila at length went to her room again. She showed no anger or resentment against Allen, and he pitied her more than ever. Another hour passed peacefully, and the fears they had felt when the escape of Foolish Joe was discovered began to abate. One danger must be grappled with early in the morning; Hester Ware would return from her visit to the neighbors, and she was not one to be subdued except by force. It was destined, however, that matters should take another turn before morning. The prison- ers all seemed to be asleep, Blenker was nod- ding, and Allen was hearing, without compre- hending, some discourse from Wicked William, when, without warning, a compact body of men surged through the door and a dozen re- volvers glistened in the light, the muzzles bear- ing on our friends, ‘* Hands up!” cried a sharp voice. ‘ Try to raise a weapon and off go your heads!” It was a command seldom disobeyed when the revolver party holds the drop, but the trio by the table did not cower in the slightest de- gree Every man made a grasp for his revolver, and then there was a roar as the intruders fired in concert and bullets whistled, with live targets at three yards’ distance. A crash followed as Wicked William, pitch- ing forward as a dead weight, splintered the table and brought it to the floor; while the light, flying off at right angles, went out in a provoking fashion and left the room in total darkness, Allen and Blenker were not the men to yield tamely, and when they found they had escaped the first volley their own revolvers began to work. True, they could not see their targets, but they were so much huddled together that a heavy fall at once announced the success of their attack. Then there was a rush and they would have been swept out of existence had not the frag- ments of the table intervened. Down weni the first man, and several others came tumbling on 0 him in hopeless confusion. lenker caught Allen’s arm, pe way; let’s save our prisoner!” he said. They made a move for Bartlett, but when they reached him some one else was in the way. Allen, however, was thoroughly sroused, and by one wr nt, blow he rolled him over on the floor, his fall being drowned by the swearing of those already prostrate. A moment more and the two friends had their man by the arms, and it was no very long task to —~ him out of the room, In the mean while, pandemonium seemed let loose in the other.room, and revolver-shots and angry yells were mingled in a tremendous din. Alien and Blenker would have retreated fur- ther, but they were in a place from which there was but one exit, and they stood still, expecting at every mement to see the enemy invade their new quarters. In the midst of the uncertainty, there was a tremendous crash which clearly announced the fall of the front door. “That's the men of Red Bullet Bar,” said Blenker, ‘‘ and now all depends on where they place their support!” CHAPTER XXXVI. THE SENTENCE OF DEATH. DuRinGall this uproar, Bartlett had remained cool and submissive. He had rec Crisp, alias Lieutenant Darke, when the intruders first appeared, and he had no doubt but what it would end by Lila being carried off, as arranged with Crisp, and in the death of Allen and Blenker, which must occur now anyhow. The coming of the Red-Barites, if such they were, chan the course of events considera- bly. For ten minutes there was a good deal of noise, though no more shooting, and then men appeared at the door with lights and revolvers plentifully displayed. Each one of the trio ized Sheriff Wood at their head, and it was clear the law-abiding citizens of the town were at the front. Both Bartlett and Blenker spoke at once; the former to call for help and the ex-detective to ask the official to take Bartlett as bis prisoner; but as might be expected the rich citizen triumphed over the almost unkno vn non-resi- dents from the very start. s er those fellows!” cried Wood, “‘and if they try to escape shoot them down!” ‘ That isn’t our p , at all,” said Blenker, sturdily. ‘‘I charge man with murder and ask you to arrest and hold him until I can ob- sas orders to ond ite to St. Louis.” aving no doubt of his ability to sway all Red Bullet Bar, Bartlett laughed mockingly. “ A very pretty tale, but it won’t work,” be sneered. ‘*‘My dear Wood, I am not comfort- able enough stay here long, especially as these cut-throats may take a fancy to kill me.” This remark aroused the sheriff. “Hands up, you two!” he said, fiercely. “Will you surrender or die where you are?” ‘* We surrender, of course,” said Blenker, in an even voice. “I have committed no crime and do not fear captivity, but 1 give you warn- ing that you are committing a mistake.” ‘‘ Mistake be hanged! Perhaps you can make | me believe black is white.” ‘‘ Nothing of the kind, sir; I leave it to the future to show you that you now believe black is white.” The sheriff advanced and they gave up their weapons without a word. Bartlett was liberat- in and a guard appointed for Allen and Blen- er. ‘** You came just in time,” said the wily mine- owner, shaking Wood’s hand. “ These wretches were threatening me with death unless I gave up my money. But I had forgotten that I heard some female cry for help; I fear they have frightened my daughter, Lila, Please come with me. Luckily, or unluckily, Miss Ware is not at home.” The sheriff zealously followed, and when Lila’s room was reached it was found in dis- order and the girl was nowhere to be seen. Bartlett was delighted, for he saw that Crisp had done his work well, but he feigned the most violent grief, running about the house in a pre- tended search for her and seeming almost un- manned. When it was certain that she was gone the whole crowd gathered around Allen and Blenker and fierce cries arose on every side. Bartlett had cunningly given out the idea that the two were the leaders of the abductors and the men were mad for revenge for what they honestly believed to be a base outrage. ** Hang them!” ** Get a rope!” “*Kill the wretches!” These cries were anything but pleasant, but | the ex detective, who had seen many wild scenes before, smiled in their faces, **T shall wait just a week for you to say those words over, that time with Ed Bartlett for the a img he calmly remarked. t was a rash remark, but it was drowned in the cries of the would-be lynchers. Allen, who was really alarmed but outwardly calm, saw that the sheriff wavered and felt inclined to yield, but, luckily, as strong as were his pre- judices, he had enough honor to remember the demands of law. With hostile bands outstretched to seize the prisoners for Judge Lynch, he pushed them aside. ‘*No, no, boys!” he said, firmly, ‘‘ you can’t do it in that way in Red Bullet Bar. Give them over for trial, and I'll bet a plug of to- bacco with any one of you that they swing be- fore another sundown!’ He found no takers, so excited were the men, but they yielded to his command and fell back. Lynchers they would not be that night, but one aries fellow tapped Allen on the shoulder and said: ‘You don’t get out o’ this hyar town alive!” Allen did not think prudent to reply. Crisp had escaped successfully with his pris- oner, and even Bartlett did not now where he bad gone. The millionaira had good reasons for never wanting to hear irom Lilaagain, | Wicked William was not to be found about the place and his fate was in doubt. It was clear that his wound had not been mortal, and as th re seemed no reason why Crisp sh ud want him, there was a hop) that he had es- cape BY Lee and the other China~en had been liberated before the arrival of the rescuers, so they were able to come to the scratch and swear to what their master bad said. Allen and Blenker were taken to jail, and when the house was cleared Bartlett found Hes- ter Ware there to helphim. She had promptly returned on hearing of the trouble. “Well,” she brusquely said, when they were alone, ‘‘ you have played quite a little game, haven’t you?” “What do you mean?” he asked, feigning ig- norance, ‘Simply that if the men of the Bar would get the dust out of their eyes it wouldn’t be ealthy for you. My dear uncle,I am now Se sole relative and, I think, your sole heir; t will pay you to use me well.” _, Haven’t I done so?” he hastily asked. Always, but henceforth you must d> better. This is a house of secrets and you want my help to keep them from leaking out, you know.” Bartlett looked into bis niece’s wicked eyes and deeided that it would not be well to quarrel with her. She was not one to be cowed by words; his best course was to go light and, if adh ag obnoxious, remove her in his silent ‘‘My dear,” he said, calmly, ‘‘the m‘shap to Lila places you at the head o my indoor affairs for the time being, and I shall not allow one oc- her station.” position to want for the things due ne Vague as was his answer she seemed to be satisfied, while, on his own part, he knew he had secured an ally who would be faithful while be made it to her interests. At the same time Wicked William was seated on a rock at a point where he could overlook the town. He was looking straight down toward the jail and his face wore a thoughtful expres- sion. “‘They’re thar,” he observed, for the twentieth time. ‘* Yas, they’re thar, but they won’t stay long. Bartlett is afeered on ’em, an’ ez be is bigh lord priest in this suction he’ll let loose thar epidemics and contagions onterthem,. Therred slayer will slay, onless—onless ther champion cut-throat does suthin’ fur ‘em! - But, what kim he do?” That was the question which agitated Wick: d William’s mind, and be was long in coming 1o a decision. ‘Don’t see ary other way,” he finally ob- served. ‘‘I must amble up ther mount'n side an’ tackle Bullet Head in ther name o’ bame~*''~ an’ other things. He can’t ‘ow a first- villain like them two ter perish at ther su. It’s puffectly fit an’ proper fur him terchiy -~ an’ he must doit. Ill go an’ see ther durnativn critter!” In the mean while, preparations were being made for the prisoners’ trial, if such a farce cem be dignified with so honorable a name, From the hour that Bartlett made his charges, they were doomed so far as Red Bullet Bar could contro} the future. Was the richest man for miles around to be thwarted when he wanted to hang a couple of men? Not if the Bar knew its own mind! Yet, there was a ceremony they called a trial. Allen and Blenker were brought from the on and brought to the bar of so-called justice. Bartlett accused them of breaking into his house, robbing him, committing an assault and abduct- ing his daughter. he last crime, as he well knew, was enough to secure a hempen cravat in Red Bar, and the others were not to be laughed at. The schemer also expressed the opinion that the prisoners be- longed to Bullet Head’s gang, and the crowd became so angry that Sheriff Wood directed his men to stand firm against any attempt at lyach- ing. At last the prisoners had their turn, but the refused to say more than toask fordelay. If twenty four hours were given them they would prove their identity by one of the best-known men in Colorado, while a little further research, in the shape of a telegram to the Mayor of Bt. Louis, would not be time lost. Blenker’s manner in making these statements plainly impressed the crowd, but pe apri | at once to the front. He knew his power a be used it. He was not eloquent, but he could remind them that he was the richest ma» in Red Bar, and that his money was of great value to the young town. ‘*Use me well and I'll use you welll” was the amount of his speech, boiled down. | Taat settled it. The idea of the millionsire giving Red Bar the cold shoulder sent a cbill down the spine of judge, jury, sheriff and all; and almost in the twinkling of an eye the pris- oners were found guilty and sentenced to be banged at sunset. They hardly realized their position until they found themselves back in the jail. ‘Well, Tll be hanged!” observed Blenker without seeing how appropriate was the word be used, “if that wasn’t the first time I was ever sentenced to be hanged. I hardly expected to come to it,” Yet it looked as though they must “‘come to it.” They sent in vain for the sheriff, or the judge, in order to explain all; the officials would not come and the hours went on rapidly. The prisoners were utterly helpless. No friend came to them and they were even denied the privilege of writing letters; it looked as though they would die and leave no sign which might tell their friends what bad been their end. It will be remembered they had figured at the Bar under assumed names, One precaution they were able to take. They bad been but imperfectly searched at first, and before they came for the second time Blenker had concealed all their private papers about the jail; these might some day arise to accuse mund Bartlett. CHAPTER XXVII. THE HANGMAN’S NOOSE. | THE prisoners passed an anxious day. It wil be remembered that they hoped to see the Den- ver detective that morning, but hours passed and he did not appear. eanwhile, the bour appointed for the execution drew near, the sun sunk lower in the western sky, and crowds of men, exempt from work for the grand occasion, began to gather near the gallows. This was pe a pretentious affair, though the principal parts thereof were two tall trees which grew in just the right pcsition for a cross-beam to be run from one to the other, | A little before sunset Sheriff Wood entered the jail with his assistants. He found ahees oners perfectly calm and felt a little t of GOmicboo cS cor