Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

| | : u } ; , ti "fl oo Prey - —_s ta ey - ' if a confession might be fri and ve their aid there. Both were disguised, 26 wear twenty years, but I can’t forget. It was his voice and bis form; it was Thomas Quain.” ‘“‘The man who can tell Allen the truth about the Sinclair tragedy?” 4c es PS TS SE SO ‘‘ He must be captured!” Mrs. Quain looked at her friend in renewed alarm. “ Captured?” ae Yes. ” “ How?” 46 By us.” If the younger lady had declared that they must enter a heures den and each bear away a full-grown and untamed beast under the arms, Mrs. Quain would pot have been more utterly thunderstruck, In the old days the voice of her husband had the power to drive every particle ef color from her face and she used to watch his own in fear and yembling as a mariner watches his barometer for co storms; now, to think of making war on her nt was too stupen- dous for consideration. | On the other hand Miss Jackson was all cour- age and resolution. She bad followed Allen en | from St.Louis because she loved him, the rougbs | of the Catnip Trail had not dismayed her, and it would be a poor quality of devotion which would risk nothing for a loved one, 1 It was neither bravado nor cruelty which made her repeat her intention and assert that Mrs. Quain must go with her; together they must capture Tom. They left the grove, bound on their hostile mission, though one would never have mistrust- ed to look at Mrs, Quain’s shrinking figure that she was a warrior bold, and the search for the ¢amp was begun. . It was a useless effort, for in the darkness and with nothing to guide them they knew not which way togo. Still, Rose was courageous, and it was only when her friend becams» utterly exhausted that she would think of halting. Another grove was found and there they passed the test of the night. ‘Naturally, they tell asleep despite all danger. When they awoke day had dawned, though the grayness showed that the sun wasstill some distance below the horizon. Rose, arising, stood amazed. At the edge of the grove stood the regular stage with its horses attached, while both were making their break- fast on the shrubs and bushes. There was no sign of Eben Garland, but though the legs of the horses bore more than one bruise they seemed in very fair condition, Something like the truth dawned on Rose’s mind and she proceeded to capture the team. In this attempt she was successful, and then she felt like a Wellington after a Waterloo. Mrs. Quain showed her exultation, but they were lamentably at fault on the points of the ype orem as applied to their situation. True, the sun would soon show them where the east lay, unless the world’s machinery. was out of erder, but Red, Bullet Aa) be due west, or oe or southwest—they didn’t know which... ‘‘ But it, don’t matter,” said Rose, bravely. ‘* We'll push on and see what'll be the result.” Luckily, she had a better knowledge of horses and harnesses than Eben Garland, and the reins which be had arran in goah an original way were properly adjusted, and the stage rolled away: due west, guided by the first beams of the sun, and with the fairest driver on the box that Oe Hand led the ribbons on the Catnip Trail. _ Both horses showed signs of lameness, but the matter was not serious, _ w . | _ A few hours before this a score of men, who ere encamped on the track not, far away, were ease at gad rv oy pes lan into Pa prey hey were promptly seized and questioned, an e the abies of Gentle Jobn and Ned. Gray, ut he latter, who had been using his eyes, spoke to the nearest man in a Jow voice, | _,‘‘Isn’t this Bullet Head’s band?” he asked. _ “What of it?’ demanded the person addressed, “Simply that Iam the man who went out with him, and if you are what I think I may explain that ein are mixed.” _ “But where is Tony’s stage?” , “Til be hanged if I know. ‘Things have gone wrong and I'm afraid Eben Garland won be your prisoner to-night. I also believe you are Allen, by pamie?” eye tee And here a few words of explanation are ne- cessary. It will be remembered that Garland’s letter to Bartlett, which fell into Allen’s hands, contained exact information of the time and means ofhisarrival. Having learned this, Allen resolved to intercept and adn him, and see tened ont of him. Bullet Head was ina pliable mood and he id tohelp. It was decided that his band ould lie in ambush for the stage, while the Bravo and one other man were to ngers ullet Head became Sam and his compan- On oe aivee rded th ts of th e hay reco e events of the trial, and yeah New had explained as much to Allen the latter saw that Bullet Head’s folly had ears all unless they could regain the scattered threads. Neither Ned nor Gentle Jobn could tell where Tony’s camp was to be found, for the simple reason that what went to make up the camp had disappeared, and they decided to settle down and wait until morning. Allen felt restless and ill at ease. He had laid his plans to capture Garland and compel him to confess, and this hitch in proceedings made him nerd the old lawyer would get into Red Bar rst. This restlessness caused him to leave the other men, who had flung themselves down to sleep, and wander away in the darkness. He went on aimlessly, finding a pleasure in the cool air, but betraying a recklessness which was due: to his inexperience, When he turned and tried to retrace his steps he failed to find the camp; he was lost as the others had been before him. Morning, however, was well on the way and he gave himself no uneasiness. Finding a rough spot by the wayside he finally placed bis back _ against a rock and. tried to make himself com- fortable. : He had not been there over five minutes when a peculiar sound arose on theair. We say “* pe- culiar,” and so it was for that vicinity, but when Allen had duly analyzed it, it proved to be no more or less than a human snore. Clear, full and regular the blast arose on the air, but the music had less effect on Allen than the fact that other campers were bear. ek og crept forward and looked among the rocks, ‘By the dim light he saw two men lying side by side, but he bad no meansof knowing if they were acquaintances, While he looked one of the two arose, rubbed his eyes and muttered something Allen did not catch. His face and form struck the young man as being familiar; unless he greatly erred, Bullet Head was before bim. The man arose and moved toward his sleep- ing companion. He bent over and seemed about toawaken him. Allen did not suspect that it was Otherwise until he saw bis rigbt hand arise and saw the shape of a knife. Realizing the truth, Allen bounded to his feet, resolved to avert the tragedy. He was too late. The knife descended with a dull, beavy thud, even as Allen found his voice. . ‘*Hold, Bullet Head!” be cried, in horror. The assassin bounded to his feet and faced him. CHAPTER XXXITI. THE RETURN TO THE BAR. For a moment there was silence between the twomen. Allen was horrified at what he had seen and his companion was hot wholly indif- ferent to the fact that he had been caught ina terrible and cowardly crime, Then he started a little. ‘* Allen!” he muttered. : . “Yes, Bullet Head, it is I,” Se net an- swered. “I have seen an tnexpected sight.” The Bravo rubbed his eyes, confused by the stern and rebuking tone. : “The infernal hgtor was in my brain,” he muttered. ‘It wasn’t my nature, anyhow, but he annoyed me a good bit. We lost Eben Gar- land throtgh his folly, and we had a rough- and-tumble last night. Waking qugdenly: now, the former anger was in my mind and I bit him before my head was clear.’ ee Allen bent over the stricken man. It was the unfortunate Tony and he wes stone dead. The Bravyo’s knife had gone home so surely that his victim bad not even uttered a groan. ‘The world lost nothing by his death, but Al- len shivered as he thought that, he was asso ciating with sucha man, Bullet Head wasas worthy of confidence as a jaguar. | Resolved to say nothing further about the crime, Allen turned abruptly away. one | alae are the women you captured last night? ‘How did you know about them?” demanded the Bravo, somewhat sheepishly. “Ned told me.” | ‘Well, they knew enough to clear out when Tony and'I ‘had our first fight. I haven’t seen them since.” te . Allen had no desire to remain near the driver’s body, so. they went a ‘little one side to await ey t. This was not a long task, for at the end of half an hour they discovered the band, ‘and speedily rejoined it, Bullet Head once more taking command, Daylight, too, was improved to look about for certain things they wanted to find, Half a mile to the east Gentle John’s unique team was discovered and secured, but Tony’s outfit, the ladies and Eben Garland were alike invisible. ‘‘We must trail them,” said Bullet Head, promptly, for he had resumed the kind of dignity he assumed when with the band, and was no longer the drunken boaster of the previous evening. Tt was less easy to follow the trail of the women than that of the heavy stage and fiying horses; but only a few yards had been crossed when from out a grove came the whole together —Tony’s outfit at a gentle trot, with Miss Jack- son on the box handling them like a professional, and Mrs. Quain by her side. - — ae - ee ' a ‘the t Head, the Colorado Bravo. The sight of somany men would have alarmed them; but Gentle John promptly reined t ward them, and they grew reassured; his outfit was not to be confused with that of any other stage line in Colorado, Chance had caused Allen to take a seat beside Jobn, and be soon startled. that worthy man by a most empbatic exelamation, and then re- mained deaf to his request foran explanation; but as the teams halted near each other, Allen leaped from one vehicle to the other, and folded the bandsomer lady of the two in bis arms, Gentle Jobn opened bis eyes still wider, ‘*T aim ter be right,” he said to himself, ** but I thinks as how 1 may softly assert that my youngest passenger hez got a defender!” The reader wiil easily understand the situa- tion and Allen’s surprise, When he left St, Louis after Mr. Jackson had refused bim Rose’s hand, he little thought their next meeting would bein the wildest part of Colorado, ‘* He basa pooty c’rect eye fur beauty,” added Gentle John; ‘‘ but I didn’t,s’pese;.my passen- gers was friends of highway robbers an’ sech, lt looks ez though I was ther teal honest man in ther each an’ lL begin ter feel a desire ter — road-a utant, though L usually aim ter be right. nto ‘*Puffectly fit‘an’ proper!” | The words arose from near his,elbow, and he snddenly wheeled. .He was face to\face with Wicked William. One moment Gentle John gazed, and then he leaped from the box, and caught the ragged man in bis arms. _ ‘““Whoop-ee!” he yelled. ‘Set ’em, up.om tother alley.” ‘* Poffectiy fit an’ proper,” William again observed. Old friends were they, having been over half the wide West together; but they had drifted apart a year before. Since then Gentle John bad made a little money by running a bowling- alley at Comet Camp; but Wicked William had not met with any inheritance, and having a lofty scorn for labor, soap and such trifles, bad e to seed, | This, however, did not prevent his old friend from welcoming him back with open arms. There was a third unexpected meeting on the prairie, though only one party shared in the sur- prise, Av .1¢vewod . Bullet Head, moving forward to speak to Al- len, suddenly stopped as though shot. His gaze had rested upon the meek wife he had deserted years before, and the lapse of time had not de- stroyed the memory of ber face. She did not see him, but he stared blankly for several seconds before he recovered bis usual composure. When he did be turned abruptly away, and after that, took care not to let her see his face. The. fact that he failed to recognize her the previous night was because in capturing the women, ‘Rose bad fallen to his lot and Tony had taken Mrs. Quain. - | ‘The party soon set their faces toward Red Bul- let Bar and moved on. Some ‘strategy was necessary to make an entrance there without creating suspicion, for it would bardly do for the road-agents to ride im as a for the tn tt Lae . stages. : yt fiually agreed that Gentle Jobn should take both in, aided by Rose, and then it would be easy to tell ofan attack by robbers and the death of Tony.. © So the party went -on, Bullet Head riding well im advance to beffle the eyes of bis wife; Allen ser att the driver’s box with Rose; and with Gentle John and Wicked William on the second vehicle, r fled 1 ttads 3 : The latter pair’ were the happiest persons there, taking it all in all,for they were without eares and they were Jaying plans for a future together. Gentle John was about to move fur- ther west,'but both he and! Wicked, William agreed that they wished to see this Red Bar drama through. eT goriaviege ) When near the village Bullet Head and his band prepared to leave. Of course) Allen had to do the same, but he had: said. to Rose that he would disguise himself,and soon be wear her again, To go as he was would be to dare the wrath of the town, which.must not be done. Leave-takings were duly made, and the twe stages rolled into the village with Gentle John on the foremost and Rose handling the ribbons over Susan and Buttercup. | | The Barites were already excited.over the non-arrival of the stage, and. its appearance under such circunstances completed their won- der. oe _ a general ol for Gentle Jobn to know what had happened. 6 There had been a fear that his word would not be taken with Tony Wells lying dead out on irie, but the tes took to him from the first, the women gave tone to his statement, and the mail and team mo in safety. Gentle John was believed. , Rose and Mrs. Quain not only found them- selves forgotten, but such a crowd hlocked up the door of the hotel that they were unable to enter. While in this dilemma they were ap- proached by a smooth-faced Chinaman who emiled in a gentle way. | “’Melican man sendee me,” he explained. ‘* You no gitee in theree; hotelee all fullee. Go JOOKS nearly (ECO NMUCE (E(@) " |