Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

- ‘ — —_ glance, though the idiot shuffled after him and took his old position at the top of the ladder. Bullet Head, | ———— ——— ee ee fellow? He is probably a very ordinary rascal | glitter of the revolver was answered by the glit- and a coward at heart. You see my name on Tne. young man went about his painting at | the register—Abram Belford—and I hereby an- once. Rar and he was anxious to finish it. When fin- ished, he would be free to prepare for his jour- ney. one of the walls was half painted when some- bing—he could not tell what—caused him to Bed and direct his gaze toward the ladder-open- ing. What he saw gave him a littlestart. Tho Jadder had silently and entirely disappeared, having been drawn up, of course, and the only thing to relieve the mass of masonry was a dark, hideous face which appeared at the little opening—the face of Foolish Joe. The idiot broke into a loud chuckle, and for the first time there was something like a look of intelligence on his face, “‘ Here, you, what have you done. with that ladder?’ Albert threateningly demanded. “*Drop if down here at once!” The chuckle increased to a laugh, and though it was harsh, and unnatural of sound, Albert could not. doubt but that Joe believed be was playing some rare trick, On his own part he could not appreciate it, and he bad begun another demand when the idiot disappeared, and, a moment later, a heavy clang was followed by a cloud of dust as the iron plate which formed its door fell into place, Foolish Joe had literally buried the carpenter Alive! The latter was startled for a moment, and then he laughed quite naturally. ; ‘“That’s a new freak for Jo, but it will all end well. Bartlett will soon discover what is wrong and let me out. In the mean while, Pil finish my work.” He did this faithfully, painting the whole in- terior of the vault, but though he often glanced at the door in the roof, it had not been opened when he finished. The fact annoyed him, for as it was too high for his reach he must rely on others to help him out, ' He shouted several times, hoping to see Bart- lett or the Cainamen appear, but all remained silent above; repeated shouts failed to bring any one to his aid. Hours passed. Albert had shouted until he was hoarse, but all in vain, He had grown very angry, knowing it was time for him to start for Brickyard Bend, but the feeling finally gave place to a grave fear. : Remembering the secret circumstances under which the vault was built, he really began to fear he was intentionally buried alive! CHAPTER II. KIDNAPPED, THE stage rolled om into Red Bullet Bar, and the passengers, who were three in number, lost no time in alightin . Mose Kidder’s hotel looked decidedly inviting after a ten-mile rattle over Pickax Ridge. They entered, and, one after another, wrote their pames on the register Mr. Kidder pro- duced, ‘‘T’'m glad to see you got through unmolested by Bullet Head, gentlemen,” he said, rubbing his hands. ‘**Bullet Head? And who is he?” asked one, a man with a big black beard, bis curiosity ap- parently excited by the oddity of the name. ‘*Bless your heart! you must be new in this a road-agent, he is, and the worst in Colorado. If he didn’t light on Ae stage to-day, twas because be was going where else.” The questioner laughed. ‘‘l’m sorry it happened that way,” he said, tersely. A second passenger held up both hands in horror, | | ay “ Don’t say that!” he implored. ‘I’ve heard of Bullet Head, and he’s a man to be feared, dreaded, loathed.” ‘*-Yet,” cried he of the black beard, ina more élevated voice ‘*T don’t fear bim a particle, I am nota fighting man, and I don’t banker for trouble, but I would really like to see this Bullet Head. If I had him here I would pull his nose for him!” a The third pomenger held out bis hand quickly. ‘Such sentiments do you honor, sir. 1 have before said that Iam a preacher of the Gospel, and [ am truly averse to shedding blood; but I think we ought to defy and exterminate these frightful road-agents. hrough somebody some- Perbaps you will take the job,” said the man who had no desire to meet Bullet Head, and there was a good deal of sarcasm in his Ca... “f will ” said the ministe soberly. . Pa "PY, PAKS, re “ He is a hard fighter,” added Kidder. ‘“‘ He we he - over this region for pone Sai ee: drops on a stage and says, ‘ Hands up!’ nobody kicks. Why, only last Weck he took in wep aig: on the road with only one man to “Bah!” cried he of the b lack beard, “ were calves. Why didn’t they try lead ered on the | region or you would know without asking. He’s It was to be his last job in Red Bullet | ] | & nounce that if I see this Bullet Head while I am near this town 1 lead him captive to your sheriff.” A call to supper ended the conversation and the subject seemed forgotten. After all, it was but a bar-room talk, and probably as idle as such talks usually are. Man seldom takes wis- dorm into such places. Night fell over the village, work ceased in mine and on growing building, and the citizens of the place proceeded to enjoy themselves as best they could. There was on this occasion nothing to ener the tongues of the people on ‘any one topic. few expressed surprise that Bullet Head and his band had not been heard from for three days, but if was not through re- ret they mentioned the fact. Tue Outlaw was well-known and universally feared all around Red Bullet. Bar. True, there were men who would gladly have pitted:them- selves agninst bim in equal fight, but such chances were never given, » When Bullet Head appeared it was‘at the head of his band of road-agents, and under circumstances tremen- dously in his favor. He had become a power in that immediate vicinity and was credited with being eunning, remorseless, immensely rich and, some even as- serted, in direct communication with that in- ve supposed to watch over and aid evil- oers, Of the three passengers before noticed, only one mixed with the crowd in Kidder’s saloon. Mr. Belford and the minister had retired to a private room, at the latter’s suggestion, and were engaged in conversation. if Belford had been more interested in) what was occurring around him he might have been driven, as time passed on,*to doubt if his ¢om- panion was really what he seemed, for his fanguage was anything but befitting his self- claimed office, In fact, one would bave almost said he was trying to draw some comment from Belford, but the latter gave every evidence of being in mind miles away from bis y: The minister looked annoyed and finally spoke abruptly: ‘May | ask of what you are thinking?’ Belford did not start, and a dim smile crossed his face as he looked at bis questioner. “It willdo no harm to ask,” he coolly said, ‘but I must decline to answer. That covers the whole ground, and I need only add that I do not intend any breach of courtesy.” ‘Let me change the subject,” said the min- ister, aprope ls ‘‘I believe you expressed a wish ~~ pull the nose of Bullet Head, the road- agent ee Possibly I did,” said Belford, carelessly. ‘*T don’t remember, positively.” “Do you recede from your position?” } “Not at all,” was the curt reply. “If I agreed to pull the nose of Bullet Head, at sight I thank you for reminding me of the fact. I shall not fail to keep my word.” ‘Then, proceed with your work at once. I am Bullet Head!” The words were quietly spoken, and as Bel- ford’s face did not ehange color it was fair to suppose that he did not believe the statement. He drew a cigar from his pocket and severed the end with his knife. ‘* You look like it,” he tersely said, His companion arose, cast off his cloak, a wig and false beard, and appeared truly meta- morphosed. By the change ten years seemed removed from his age and his character was not less changed. He was now seen to bea stoutly: built man of middle-age, while the unusual deve ent of chest and arms gave him a peculiarly round, barrel like appearance which also extended to his head. This latter organ was nearl ll, so round, in fact, that Belford could no longer doubt that the notorious ** Bullet Head ” sat beside him. The face expressed ‘cunning, resolution and a low and rather brutish nature, but there was nothing particularly villainous about it. Belford laughed lightly, wt | ‘So I was speaking in the hearing of Bullet Head himself, when I made my statement.” ‘““Yes, and ycu expressed the opinion that I was a coward,” was the sharp reply. - “I remember.” “Well,” said the outlaw, after a , dur- ing which he seemed waiting for Belford to make clear his position; “ it is now time for you pt ear good your boast. You have said w ‘Come around the table, where I can reach ou, and you shall be accommodated,” was the aZzy reply. The outlaw looked surprised and angry. He was accustomed to see men tremble and turn pale before bim or else set their teeth and dare all, but Belford was as cool and indifferent as though he had been facing a child. All this an- noyed Bullet Head, who liked to be feared and. hes akan and he drew his revolver with a jerk and leveled it at his companion. | ** You will come to me!” he declared, and the the Colorado Brayo. up,” be said, main as round as a he ull my nose; now, let me see you doit!” 3 —_—— -— ter of his eyes. **] see you have the persuaders, and I won’t argue the case,” replied Belford, yawning. ‘* But, allow me to ask what you will o in case I don’t obey?’ ‘* VL) blow out your brains!” The threatened man coolly lit his cigar and, leaning back in his chair, began to smoke with evident enjoyment, ‘*] reckon, then, you'll have to blaze away!” he added, ; The man with the revolver looked angry, puzzied and then irresolute, by turns, : ‘*] reckon you doubt my. identity,” he said, slowly; ‘‘that you don’t believe 1 am the so- called Bullet Head,” ‘‘ On the contrary, I believe every word.of it. Your looks carry out the statement.. Beyond a doubt, you are the celebrated knight of. the ‘‘ You believe this, and at the same time defy me?’ ‘‘Hardly.. Lam not,sufficiently interested to defy you. If you want to play. for the dance, right on.and I won’t meddle. Blow out my rains, if twill amuse youl”... . 7 old Belford pamyes agaiu, smoked : slowly .and, wi'b half-elosed eyes; seemed wholly. at.his ease. Bullet Head. bad beenja good deal puzzled, but. bis face suddenly. cleared. ; ‘* Tsee how.it.is,” he said. . ‘‘ You baven’t had a smooth road.in life, your existence.is of no value to you, and you had, just. as soon die as not,’ | ‘‘On the contrary; I want to.live, badly.” ; The outlaw struck his, clinched fist. on the table: | “* And ** Yes, Bullet Head looked very much surprised; so much surprised that several seconds passed in silence. ben Belford aroused, knocked the ashes from his cigar and calmiy added: . “liexplain. Life,as l have said, is of value to me; but it is a bauble 1 don’t expect to ban onto a great while;anyhow. 1 came. to Red Bullet Bar expecting to.die bere. Such being the case, what does it matter whether your hand, or that of some other person, sends me over the divide!” — outlaw thrust bis revolver back in bis yet you practically dare me to fire?” , t. “What the dickens are you driving at?” he demanded. | ‘*The truth,” was the indifferent answer. ‘‘ You came to Red Bullet Bar expecting to be killed?” ss Yes.” A whom?” ** My enemies.” ‘t My way is to kill, rather than be killed.” : = Unfortunately, they are more powerful than ‘Then why come at all?” ‘* Because they desired it.” Bullet Head sat in irresolution, Toaly at a@ loss to understand his companion. Was he tell- ing the truth, 1 deliberately, or insane? He certainly did not look to be the latter, and his manner was perfectly frank. ‘* You’re a fool to be killed in this fashion,” he finally said, bluntly, |‘* Why, if I just bankered to die, I wouldn’t allow an enemy to wind up my career if I could helpit., I believe infighting to the last. Swear to me that you are telling the truth, that theré is no trap, or treachery, in this, and you can have’ Bullet Head and bis gang at your back. . I take to you and I’l) help you. hat do you say?’ : For the first time Belford seemed to be inter- ested; plainly, the road-agent’s pope tion had sroneed. him from his sonrelen indi ference, ‘You'll shoulder an elephant if you take me ly. s companion smiled, ualed “If you doubt my courage, ask any one what my reputation is. Hard up, I came to Red Bul- let Bar at a certain time and took to the road, I adopted the name of Captain Bullet, from that of the town, but le saw the shape of my upper story and called me Bullet Head, a name L did not decline. At my first. exploit they } turned out to bunt me, bent on vengeance, but at the nt day they are too glad to let me and my party alone. [ tell you, you cannct find another protector as strong aslam. Con- fide in me; tell me your story; and after that it will be strange if we don’t join hands, What say?” , ‘By Jupiter! Tl do it!” Belford declared, tossing a away. It was three hours later, that same night, that four men approached the house of Edmund Bartlett, ss very slowly on account of the heavy burden they bore. en, an ob- server might have seen, had the darkness been less, was the body, animate or otherwise, of a man. | «: : rd _ A second glance would have shown that the four bearers were, without exception, China- men, | They reached the rear door of the mansion, and one of the y liberated a band |] enough to rap af’ tes door, It was instantl? CORNICE AO KS (E()