Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 28 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

ee - | ¢ - } re! You struck the fusti lick, an’ now we’re in’ fer keeps, you mind that,” retorted Zimri, is loophole. “That’s a lie! you shot me last night like a oward sneak in the bushes!” screamed Sleepy eorge, evidently fairly awake now, if never efore. }) “ When I pull on a critter, he’s dead meat, he | Say yer say, or shet your trap.” | “That’s easy said—short an’ sweet,” inter- \fiapted another voice, impatiently. ‘‘ You Pave jumped our claim, hyar, agin’ all diggers’ |}aw, an’ when we ’tempt to git ‘back our own, Ik ‘ou pitch onto us from a ambush an’ shoot one ii? us, dead. We've got the law on our side an’ ould be held cl’ar in shootin’ ye down like hieves an’ murderers; but we're easy-goin’ itters. We don’t want to be too hard on ye is time. Jist promise ye won't try to make o more rumpus, an’ we’ll let_ ye go free, takin’ ith ye what you dug yesterday. That’s plain | im’ easy to onderstan’. Now what ye goin’ to o bout it?” “ust: every word you’ve spoken is a durned e, cept what’s true, an’ that’s a lie, too! This sour claim. You never knowed oO’ this spot jill you dogged us here. You watched us ontel ‘| tou thought you cotched us nappin’, then you || ried to wipe us out—you burned the fust pow- ler. We did make cold meat o’ one o* you, an’ an’ ready to sarve the rest jist the same way. | s fer skippin’ out, that hain’t our style. @ tiwn this place an’ we mean to hold it, too. ar—you’ve got your answer; how ye like it?” ‘‘ Better than you will in the end. . All we’ve i tot to do is to take our time ontel you’ve || jot the deadwood on ye. 1 | | the pile of stones, and instantly sent a bullet | arved into good sense ag’in. You see we've We can send out for read and water—but you cain’t. Jist figger hat up an’ see how the sum comes out,” chuck- | ed tho miner. |, A pistol-shot replied—followed by a fierce urse. The keen eye of Little Volcano caught glimpse of a red shirt through one of the rocks feel its texture. All parleying was now at an end. Several ots were interchanged, aim being taken at the ttle loop-holes or cracks, but apparently with- ut material success. And,+knowing that a hance shot might end all, the besieged lay close hile keeping a good look-out. . And so the day wore on, Zimri keeping his ngue well limbered with stinging taunts and eers, seeking to madden the enemy into risking Il upon one “bold rush; but without success. i (sither they had some better plan in view, or epee Bias, oa e sun passed its meridian, and still no hange. Zimri was fuming and boiling over, eclaring that if this lasted much longer he vould break cover and clean out the lot him- elf, when Little Volcano pointed down the val- ey. A body of horsemen could just be dis- rned, and they: were panty coming up the to tell whether the | | | jhey were too thick-skinned to be stung as he | t way—and from the stir among them it was lain that oe also had made the discovery— he secret of the gold placer would no longer be heirs. ' “Took! they mean business, whoever they e!” cried the boy miner, as the horsemen roke into a sages ‘* Aw’ so do I!” grated Zimri, as his rifle racked spitefully. The gamblers had broken cover and were nning at full speed toward the hills; but one ould never reach them. Overtaken by the leaden missile, he plunged heavily forward, writhing in the throes of death. s ? 0!” shouted the foremost rider, in Span- h, ashe dashed up. ‘‘Who are you—friends pr foes?” “ That’s fer you to say—ef ur one,” undauntedly cried oleano sprung forward. _ ** You should know my face, senor—” | With a glad cry Joaquin Murieta leaped from is horse and came forward, warmly greeting boy miner. Zimri stood grimly by, while his comrade told the outlaw all that occur- Evidently he did not like the situation, ‘and cast more than one anxious pare to- disap- pgrard the rocks where the gamblers ‘Wee ed. § “My men shall hunt them coyotes down—and 4en return here to help you secure your trea- sure,” warmly cried the outlaw chief, motion- in g his men forward. 1, “No—there is no need of so much trouble. ‘Now they have fled, my friend and J can man- age very well,” said the boy miner, a little coldly, for he, too, had not forgotten how his name had been coupled with the outlaw al- PAALY « . = Vary well—Joaquin Murieta is not one to thrust his aid where ’tis not welcome,” a little sharply said the outlaw. ‘‘ Forward, men! hunt down those dogs va let one are to tell of what they have seen!” and he leaped to ‘his saddle and spurred away, followed by his ou be twenty to imri—but Little Gt he kin only do it!” muttered Zimri. ‘Ef a ee a SSRN IIE ENE nn npn RRR RnR RR RR eneeeeeeeee eee aera Ee ee ee ee eee en ——<$<—— - — Beadle’s Dime Library. he only kin! But let one o’ them cusses git back to Hard Luck, an’ our chance won’t he wuth a rotten aig!” CHAPTER XXIII. JACK HAYES RAKES DOWN THE POT. Ir is not difficult to imagine what intense chagrin must have been felt*by such a man as Sheriff Hayes at the double escape of Joaquin Murieta from Hard Luck, the headquarters of a strong force of men organized expressly for the purpose of killing him and exterminating his band of cutthroats. A more deadly insult could not have been offered him. Until this, he had been deemed invincible; and though, as a rule, Jack Hayes was a quiet, unassuming man, he prided himself not a little upon this reputation. It was not to’be expected, then, that he should quietly submit to this double in- sult, and the Hard-Luckians knew that ‘the old man ” meant business when he bade his com- parry of Man-Hunters to prepare for a long and ard ride. **°Tain’t none too soon, nuther,” said Arkan- saw Jack to a chum, as they mustered before the Drew-Drop Inn. ‘They say Cap’n Harry Love hev tuk the trail ‘long 0’ some twenty odd o’ the boys he know’d in the greaser muss. Ef it’s ti we’ve got to work right piert ef we tec, to finger any o’ that head-money, you vet | Jack Gabriel led the way to Arroyo Cantura —the spot where he had had his first fight with Joaquin—but the game had flown, leaving no trail behind them, no sign save the coal ashes of their fire, the beaten ground where their tents had stood. Here and there the Man-Hun- ters rode—but it was like chasing a will-o’-the- wisp. Information they had—too much of it, in fact. Nearly every man they met could tell them where Joaquin was likely to be found, and nimble tongues readily mapped out the course they were to follow—but the results were the same in each case: disappointment. The same in all, that is, but one. Four times they had been deceived by false information; the fifth time, after hearing all the dirty, greasy, tatter- ed yet pompous and dignified Senor Don Some- thing-or-other had to communicate, Jack Hayes nodded to Jack Gabriel, who coolly collared the Spaniard and unceremoniously seated him upon the cantle of his saddle. And when the end of the trail was reached, without sign of Murieta, the Man-Hunters rode quietly out of the valley; but behind them, dangling from the limb of an oak tree} remained their guide. And yet, as it afterward proved, the wretch- ed Spaniard had been perfectly sincere in_his information, however he had gained it. Joa- quin had intended to pause for the night in the very valley where the Spaniard dicd—had he not been drawn aside by the sound of rifle- shots. The Man-Hunters were just finishing their morning meal, having given it more time than customary, as Hayes scarcely knew in which direction to ride next. The sharp challenge of their outpost called the attention of all to a lit- tle band of men who had just made their appear- ance upon the hillside. Though dirty, blood- stained and wayworn, the new-comers were readily recognized, and one—whose hand was in a sling, whose face was swathed in a bloody bandage—was drawn aside by Sheriff Hayes, who listened eagerly and with closest interest to his communication. Boot and saddle was sounded—the men quick- ly mounted and fell in order, leaving the four wayfarers behind them as they rode rapidly away. Winding through the hills for several miles, Jack Hayes led the way into a narrow valley, long and irregular in outline, ‘““They’s game ahead, boss!” cried Arkansaw Jack, his eyes glowing as he pointed up the valley. ‘‘Look at the two-legged cusses split fer kiver!” ‘Rasy, Jack—don’t burn your powder before the time comes. Gentlemen,” he added, turning toward his followers, “‘I think we’ve struck a lead at last—but mind; I’m going to work this job up my own way. You are not to toucha weapon until I give the word; remember that. I have my reasons, but if any gentleman don’t think they are sufficient, I | be most happy to convince him, after the show is over.” They were satisfied and said so; few persons who knew the sheriff’s wonderful —— of ar- ent, ever cared to differ with —at least in open words. r As Arkansaw Jack said, the game was afoot; but it did not make a long flight, only a few rods, then disa ed behind a pile of rocks. Toward these Hnsok led his men, but when within one hundred yards a sharp voice bade him stand. ‘‘Halt there! You needn’t mind ’bout com- in’ no closter ontel you tell us what you want,” was what the voice said. ‘Don’t act the fool, old man,” retorted Hayes, but nevertheless he drew rein as the dark muz- zle of a rifle covered him. ‘‘ You'll gain noth- ing by it. Even if we meant you—far more than we do—how could you help yourselves—” “You wouldn’t come no furder, an’ a good chaince 0’ your men wouldn’t make the hull trip — here—that much we kin dc, anyway; but— what do ’ee want, anyway?’ ‘We want you, Zimri Coon, and your part- ner—Little Voleano as he calls himself. If you will give yourself up quietly, so much the better for us all; if not—then we'll have to take you, alive if possible, but take you any- way. : What have we done that you come here with a crowd as though hunting wild beasts?” cried Little Volcano, angrily. ‘That you will learn in good time, if you don’t know already. But I don’t come here to talk. If you surrender, quietly, I promise you fair treatment and a square trial. If you are foolhardy enough to resist, so much the worse for you both,” coolly uttered the sheriff, riding leisurely forward, followed at a little distance by his men. ** He’ll keep his word—we must give in, little un,” hastily muttered Zimri, to the boy miner. “IT don’t b’lieve they kin prove anythin’ ag’in us.” Then adding aloud, as he stepped outside the rock fort: ‘‘ You’ve got the budge on us this time, boss. We'll take your word fer givin’ us a fa’r show an’ no favor—it’s all we ax,’ ‘** You shall have it—I give you my word. I really believe you two are square men, clean through, or I should have acted a little differ- ently; ’'m better on the act than on the talk,” laughed the sheriff. ‘An’ Jack Hayes is the only man I’d give up to, without knowin’ somethin’ more o’ his rea- sons then this. But see here, cap’n—we’ve made a strike here, an’ though we hain’t got our pa- pers jest yet, it ’d be rk hard to lose our claim by havin’ it jumped while we’re in limbo onder a mistake, now wouldn’t it?’ ‘‘'None of my men shall interfere, and if, af- ter you have cleared yourselves—as I hope and trust you will—there are any interlopers, I will see that na have justice.” ‘“‘Good enough! Then mebbe you'll take charge of a little dust what we’ve manidged to scrape together. I reckon thar’s enough to pay fer totin’ it,” and with a self-satisfied chuckle, res Coon unearthed their goodly store of gold. The Man-Hunters crowded around with ex- clamations of wonder, envious looks and some black thoughts; but Sheriff Hayes held them un- der good control, and what he ordered was promptly obeyed. The gold was secured upon one horse, the prisoners mounted behind two of the men, and then Hayes addressed his men. He said the two prisoners must be taken back to Hard Luck, op there closely guarded until his return; six men would be sufficient for that purpose. They were to be held responsible for the safety of both prisoners and gold. Himself and the main body were to press on in pursuit of Joaquin, who had passed through this valle only the evening previous. This said, the six men were drawn by lot, and the party divided, Arkansaw Jack being placed in charge of the captives. t was evident that Jack Gabriel meant to run no unnecessary risk. His captives had al- ready surrendered their arms; now he caused their arms to be bound firmly behind their backs, and as they were placed en coupe, a stout thong was passed around their waists, and that of the man behind whom they were seated. ‘*The time will come when you fellows will have to pay big for thisy” muttered Little Vol- cano, in a strained voice, but the Man-Hunters only laughed at the threat as they rode on, heading for their last night’s camp, where they found the four men still aweiing’t eir return, It was a bitter blow to the prisoners, this meeting with Sleepy George and his comrades and more than once they cursed their folly in not levanting while they had the chance, satis- fying themselves with the moderate fortune oer had already gathered. ow that the guardians of the placer were in bonds, Sleepy George and his chums were eager = go ~— Men ae a“ was not tobe. Jack ayes given his orders, and Gabri parte pes ——— all hazards, ada ouw’re goin’ ’long o’ us, bac lad—them’s the ca ins orders cot te see they’re follered or bu’st somethin’. “You've set this a goin’, an’ now you've got to keep up your eend, or they'll be a funeral mighty quick—an’ you'll be fust mourner a J os. from Arkansaw, eepy George knew his man, and so, makin the best of a bad bargain, submitted. The bac trail was taken up, and though the party were forced to travel slowly, Hind Luck was finally reached. Before entering town, Jack had a private word with the amblers, stating that if each and every oneof them were not prompt- ly on hand whenever wanted, he would take it as a personal insult, and act accordingly. Their arrival created an immense sensation in Hard Luck. Every one crowded around er to view the prisoners, and to learn for what crime oe § had been arrested. All this was bit- ter enough to Little Volcano, but doubly so was the sight of Mary Morton, a witness of his dis- grace. After that he cared little for the rest, too,” bluntly moving and looking more like an animated ,OO corpse than aught else. (E(0) m (E <S (EO) ™