Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 294 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 the voice of the figure that blocked his path- wavy. ' Colonel Sandbanks made no reply, but stared at the speaker, who was neither tall por short, but a well-built man with a pair of shoulders that suggested an uncommon amount of strength. He was apparently unarmed, although it was not likely that he was really in this situation, and there was a vein of hidden humor in bis tones. ‘** Mebbe you’d better stay at home an’ ’tend ter bizness,” he went on, looking at the proprie- tor of the Setemup. ‘* Wife-huntin’ among ther ‘lack Hills ain’t the healthiest kind ov employ- rent an individual kin get into. 1 thought ' war my Christian duty to inform you ov lis, Instantly the eyes of Colonel Sandbanks lit 9 with the spirit of ’49. “Thunder an’ guns! what makes my bizness yours?’ he almost roared, and a lengthy stride carried him almost to the cool interrupter. ‘Who ar’ you anyway, an’—” **Don’t you recognize me, kernul?”’ grinned the man. ‘Only a few bours ago I registered at this Deadwood palace, thet you call the Set- emup. Didn’t I ake yt Hy on yer fragrant page ther legend ov ‘A B. M. from I.-G?” *Tbet’s a fact! You're the galoot, sure enough!” exclaimed the colonel. **Wal, 1 stand by that legend, fer its just what Iam—A Bad Man, from [ron-Grip!” The ccoloess of the man and the manner in which he uttered the last words were tautaliz- ing. ‘ You haven’t come back to stay?” cried Col- onel Sandbanks. ‘“ Look at that notice on the door. I’ve shut up the Setemup for a while,” **I would infer that from your remarks,” was the reply. “No; [m not hyer ter claim my room, but I’m back on a little private bizness. Ar’ you really goin’ arter thet girl?” ** Perhaps.’ **T wouldn't, kernul.” ** Simon Pome wel, run his own affairs a good many years, pard.’ or ae tevie war in love before?” The colonel bit his lip. ‘**That’s my bizness!” be snapped, tartly. ' “Ov course. It war only an observation oy mine, I’ve advised yer ter stay hyer an’ do the honors ov ther Setemup, but if you won't, ker- nul, why—go!” The Man from Iron-Grip stepped back and looked at the proprietor of the Setemup, with arms folded upon his good breadth of chest. **Thet’s just what I’m goin’ to do!” exclaimed ae colonel. ‘* From Iron-Grip, eh? I don’t now whar the claim is, an’ durn my skin, ef m goin’ ter ask. But you nor no other man— don’t keer whar be hails from—arn’t goin’ to ‘irn me from a purpose formed deliberately. m a ’forty-niner, lam; went overland with the rst gang, and saw more squar’ fightin’ and hardships than Iron-Grip ever dreamed ov, Put thet down, my prophet ov evil. Thar stands before you to-night one ov ther hardened relics ov 49, a man ov muscle, an’, when you stir him up, a wildcat with all the claws on!” To the colonel’s disgust his peroration was followed by a laugh, and the man in the star- light kept on till his eyes twinkled and his sides shook. “Td like ter exhibit you at Iron-Grip, scrub my back ef I wouldn’t!” he exclaimed. ‘ Thet speech would immortalize you. What ’ll you take for a two montbs’ tower through the Juni- per Hills?” A bowl of rage was the colonel's answer. *T'm no fool!” he roared. ‘‘ Open yer mouth agi’n an’ I'll pulverize you before I proceed on my journey. Il’ll make the damsels of Lron- Grip sigh for the Bad Man's return.” e stood so near the cool visitor that their toes almost touched, and the fists of the cht etor of the Setemup were clinched till they re- sembled knotted mauls of iron. “Shut up!” he thundered. “ Not another word, my hollyhock from the Juniper Hills! Ym a pulverizing machine ov the days ov 49. [can feed men, er crush ’em. Keep yer talk- jrap sealed, er by ve im ah Pll mash you!” Tbe Man from Iron Grip stepped back sud- lenlv, but not in alarm. ‘* Excuse me, I[ didn’t know I had struck a quartz mill,” he apologized, and then: “I’m a man masher myself, an’ wherever I go I man- ter keep up the reputation of n-Grip,” and suddenly lowering his head, be struck the proprietor of the Setemup between chest and stomach, and lifting bim entirely off his feet, burled him against a huge cactus in a wooden tub at the edge of the porch, over- turning and completely crushing it. The Man from [ron-Grip watched for a movo- ment the ludicrous contortions of the fallen land- lord, and ‘then turned away with a light chuckle. ** Some fools will find out before they die,” he said, “that I’m a dangerous Man from Iron- Grip.” He did not look behind bim to note the re- sults of Colonel Sandbanks’s tumble; but walked off and directed bis course toward the Full- Hand Casino, a ee LL att ee _RESRREIRE erOTl, PRE, APE BE ine andy. ‘lve got you at my mercy,” continued the colonel. ‘Do you know what I’m goin’ to do?” ‘** Not exactly.” ‘Pll tell you. The shootin’ ov thet whisky- glass from be hand war only a little diversion ov mine. I could hey dropped yer dead in yer tracks. Now, wy oe rose from Iron-Grip I’m goin’ ter send ye bome marked for life. I should take yer life, but I’ve concluded only to spill a little blood this time, Keep them hands up!’ The cheek of the colonel was pressed close against the stock of his Winchester, but the shot was not delivered, for all at once the door of the Casino was sbut in bis face, striking the muzzle of his rifle, and burling bim back several feet, His tussle with the colonel seemed to have — him unusual delight, for under bis over- anging brows his black eyes twinkled, and he | broke out into another laugh as he crossed the tbreshold of the place. **] bated to spile a healthy cactus with such a man as Kernul Sandbanks,” be said. * Arter this, P'll apologize ter every plant Isee. When you make thet daisy girl yer wife, kernul, just notify this individua/ from Lron-Grip, will yer?’ CHAPTER IX. THE COLONEL OBTAINS SATISFACTION. | CoLONEL SANDBANKS picked himself up after | several minutes’ tussle with the needles of the cactus, and looked madly in every direction for Bowie Bluff, who, of course, did not ma- ‘‘No man shoots my customers when I can terialize. | bluff bis game!” exclaimed the barkeeper who He swore roundly and to good advantage, as | bad glided down behind the counter to the wall it seemed, for his profanity relieved his mind of | and sbut the door, “ Now,” to Bowie Bluff, a great load, | “ye’re on a par with that old ’forty-niner out ‘*Butted through a cactus!” he growled. | thar, an’ if you don’t get even with him it’s yer ** By Jove! nothin’ but gore can wipe out this | own lookout.” insult! I'll have the blood of that Iro.-Grip| The inmates of the Casino heard Sandbanks’s coward for this. I’ve a notion to forego my howl of rage at being thus suddenly cheated bunt for Alice, an’ set out on a crusade for bis | of bis revenge. heart. The white-livered skunk! he wouldn’t | ‘Think ter trick me, eh?’ be exclaimed. tackle me in a civilized manner; but made a | *‘ By Jehosaphat!—Il’ll get even yet.” batterin’-ram out ov himself an’ knocked me | He sprung to the door and sent it flying. open almost into the interior of next week! It’s more | than humanity can stand. Simon Sandbanks, you must have blood for this brutality!” The doughty TS oes of the Setemup secured the Winchester which bad parted .com- | pany with bim in bis headlong tumble, and felt able, for the moment, ‘‘to.whip bis weight in wi'deats.” He then proceeded to relieve bimself of numer- ous spines that bad adhered to bis skin, and it.is safe to say that the more he picked the madder | he 4 es , at the mere ach spine, as he removed it, increased his| ‘‘ Thet’s hatred for Bowie Bluff, and if the Man from | Bowie Bluff. Iron Grip had put in an appearance ores the | might prove unhealtby just now. cute ee to be witb a kick, then sprung across the ste uched confronted with a revolver that almost ny Thr f lease!” said ‘‘Throw up yer paws, if you please!” said a cool voice, and the fituriated man brougbt sud- denly to bay looked over the leveled weapon into the face of the Bad Man from Iron-Grip, ‘*Hadn’t you better postpone that markin’ fer life bizness? I object ter hevin’ it performed just now.” What could Colonel Sandbanks say? He was of the man from Iron-Grip. ght, postpone it, kernul,” continued ‘An attempt to perform it We'll take a operation, the colonel would certainly have | little straight p’isen.” attempted bis life. What! drink with you?” sputtered the “Tl explode with rage if I stand here an’ | colonel. hunt my anatomy for cactus needles!” be sud-| ‘‘ That’s what Linsinuated. Don’t start. You denly growled. ‘Ill hev to inaugurate my | shall! You ar’ at my mercy, an’ if you refuse, crusade against that Iron-Grip rough, or heat | the next time you fal] you mayn’t light on the up till I furnish a case of spontaneous com- | soft side ov a cactus. March up to thet bar an’ bustion, He may have left Deadwood; but I | drink to ther health ov A B. M. from I,-G,” think not. Let me meet him! I’m dyin’ to Simon Sandbanks bad sense enough to see cover the devil!” that a refusal, or a display of stubborvess might As the Casino was the most prominent place | send a pistol ball through bis head from the of its kind in Deadwood, it was but natural | rough’s weapon, so, smotbering bis rage as well that Colonel Sandbanks should first seek it for | as he could, he walked up to the bar, two reasons, The bartender was promptly on band, In the first place, he wanted to add fuel to the ‘Til take the worst rot-gut A ot,” he fire by taking a glass of the decoction sold over | said. ‘I feel like kickin’ myself into the inte- the bar of the Casino, and secondly he hoped to | rior of next month. The worst p’isen you’ve find Bowie Bluff there. got, pard.” Carrying bis Winchester at full cock, he | ~The heavy glass was placed at the colonel’s marched toward the place. disposal, and from the bottle at its side he pour- The door was open. and a quick glance beyond | ed out a drink that was envugh to fire the blood the portal brought Sandbanks to a sudden halt, | of six men. and threw his rifle almost up to his shoulder. ‘* Hyer’s ter Lron Grip, accordin’ ter. orders,” Fortune was favoring bim. . he growled, as he turned to Bowie Bluff, ‘*One At the bar of the Casino stood the very mau | ov these times, My perfumed dandelion, the he sought, and the colonel saw witb delight that | toast ’ll be on the other side,” Bowie Bluff was just raising a glass of whisky | . A single gulp took the liqucr down, and then to his lips. with an “I guess I'll go,” be turved and bur- “Thar goes one drink that'll never be tasted!” | ried from the Casino, to the amazement of St poe Sandbanks, ‘I'll pay fer the glass, | every one present, r. lron-Grip. This is fer thet tumble through Bowie bluff seemed the most nonplused of the cactus!” ali, A moment later the ringing report of the col- “*T wasn’t done with the old sinner yet,” he onel’s Winchester cut the air, and the whisky- | said. ‘‘1] war goin’ to tell bim eg’in that he'd glass, shattered into a thousand pieces by the | better give up his wife-hunt. One girl-bunter unerring bullet, flew from the rough’s bronzed | came to grief to-night, an’ another—” hand. The sentence was broken by the unmistaka- **Great God!" fell from Bowie Bluff’s lips as | ble crack of a Winchester in the bands of some he wheeled toward the door, bis fingers clutch- | one without, and with a wild shout which filled ing the butt of a revolver as he executed the | the interior of the Casino, Bowie Bluff reeled action, “ Whar’s the Deadwood skunk what | from the counter and spun across the floor. __ did that?” It was the mad sbot of a mad man, and if z yer, Mr. Iron-Grip!” came the answer, | fired with deliberate aim, the Man from Iron- and the muzzle of the colonel’s weapon was ey was already a corpse. tbrust inside the Casino with the deadly-flashing “T guess thet sets us equar’!” hissed the man eyes of the enraged landlord behind it. ‘*The who lowered a smoking rifle from bis sboulder, shootin’ tricks 1 learned in “491 bevn’t forgot, | as Bowie Bluff struck the floor. ‘It’s not ez Just keep yer bands down, please, er [’ll shatter oo ez fallin’ through a cactus, fer a death- yer bead like I shattered yer glass!” ullet never burts. Now fer Alice. 1] learned ‘*Bless me! ef it ain’t old Sandbanks!” ex-| ter shoot in ’49, an’ I bevn’t forgot my cun- claimed more than one man as he started back | nin’.” from the counter or sprung up from the tables Colonel Sandbanks never went to the Casino and gazed in astonishment at the man who stood to ascertain to a certainty the effects of bis shot; in the doorway. *‘ The old badger’s got fightin’- | he seemed to take it for granted that it had put blood in his veins at last.” a sudden and terrible termination to Bowie Yes. the colonel’s “fighting - blood” was | Biuff’s career, and he felt that he was at liber- “up,” and his eyes told plainly that he was | ty to begin the bunt for Alice which he had in- there to have satisfaction or death. augurated only a short time before. Bowie Bluff saw the unmistakable menace of | Nobody seemed to follow him, just asif such eye and rifle; he stood at the bar facing the | scenes were common in Deadwood, as indeed mad proprietor of the Setemup, but with that | they were in those lawless days, and he was not cool expression which nothing chases from the | molested, face of the hardened deaperado: He went to the stables of his hotel, and sad- ‘“Thet cactus tumble war no fun,” came over | dled a borse as well known in the Black Hills Sandbanks’s rifle. ‘*How’d you like ter have a | country as thé owner bimself, and led the ani- thousand fine needles jabbed inter yer from | mal into the starlight. ati NEE sss See four sides? It may bea oe fer ther jabber, * Colonel Sandbanks, bave you seen Paradise but it’s none fer ther jabbed. See byer! Just | Paul lately?” asked a silvery voice, at the sound bold up yer hands, Iron Grip. Hands up!” of which the landlord of the Setemup whirled as if it had been a sérpenv’s hiss, | The swarthy fingers of Bowie Bluff fell back from the revolver with forced reluctance, and up went bis bands. rein dropped from his band, (E —_ -- -—-- - - mM ——— — - ‘a ee ee 0 te —_ ill . t ‘ e in we tee ee ee — China nb ndashigtle —" tn, ~* —z o “. i | ee > he a He looked at the speaker for a moment, then _ the bridle- and he ————— . , Ws | 7? a = ; > . 2 : -, * ;