Beadle's Dime Library No. 297 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

{ a * . —— 7 = —— é —— esses Se ae a ln 3 ‘+ ~~" - = 3 R . — ao St sere ga eT 7 ° ad - a ~~ — ~ 1 -—-— Rio Grande, he practically carried the road in his vest-pocket. As be spoke he handed his card to the mayor, but the latter was too deeply affected to read it atonce. From its infancy Hotspur had had three great ambitions. First, full-grown city; secondly, to hear the whistle of a railroad engine daily in their town; thirdly, to be quoted as the rival of Leadville. The first ambition had been gratified, as we have seen, and now the second seemed knocking at their doors. No wonder the mayor was surprised and pleased. ‘* Indeed, sir!” he said, with a’ beaming smile, *‘T did not suspect the Denver & Rio Grande intended anything of the kind.” ** Very possible; for we did not wish to be asked to do that which would bea pecuniary loss, and we would not speak of our project un- til we had looked the ground over. It was for that purpose, sir, that [ came here, and since my arrival I have simply looked about and said nothing to betray my business here. [| am, however, convinced that the plan is feasible; that Hotspur is destined to become a place of importance; and the Denver and Rio Grande mean to put the road through if Hotspur gives proper encouragement.” umford was eagerly waiting for his chance. ‘*l assure you, sir, you won’t find our city backward, Our growing importance ”—he im- proved the chance to use a little diplomacy, himself—‘‘ will soon make our present accom- modations inadequate, and the railroad is men- tioned just in time. We realize it, and we stand ready to back it, sir.” “We thought we had not misjudged Hot spur’s public spirit,” said Broderick, who, hav- ing carefully planned bis way of reaching the mayor’s heart, was delighted to find his fiction had fallen on fruitful soil. ‘You certainly have not. When will work be begun?” ‘‘Immediately after a decision is reached, but the board of directors are so busy that they cannot get this way for a month yet. We ex- pect the road tobe in working order before snow flies, however.” ‘* That’s good news.” ‘*T am directed to say to you, however, that it is best to keep the matter secret until the visit of the directors. Spur City has petitioned the Denver and Rio Grande to run a branch to their village, and as we can’t accommodate both places, it will be just as well to keep the news from them—and it will surely spread if ou publicly announce that I have decided in avor of Hotspur.” Again Broderick scored a hit. There was jealousy between the two points he had mep- tioned, and he had taken the surest way to seal Mumford’s mouth; and seal it he knew he must, for if it became generally told that the Denver and Rio Grande had an agent in Hotspur, the road would not be backward about announcing that John Broderick was a swindler, He manipulated the mayor as he saw fit; so much so that Mumford invited him to make bis house his home during the month which would intervene before the visit of the directors. . It was a tempting offer, for the schemer would thus meet Zetta several times a day, but he knew he would thus acquire a prominence he had no wish to encounter; so he explained that it was best that be should keep somewhat in the background, and that he would continue to reside at the Old Rye Hotel. He would, however, he pleased to visit Mr. Mumford often, be added, and the two drank to their new friendship from a bottle of the mayor’s best sherry. Broderick had cunningly delayed long enough to be invited to dinner, and there he once more met Zetta. If the meeting was not a mutual surprise it seemed to be, for the plotter ex- pressed himself to that effect, and Miss Willis was both surprised andsorry to find him a guest in their house. Toacertain degree he had scored a success, for he had gained admission to the house which sheltered his new charmer, but he was sharp- eyed enough to see that he had not created a favorable impression with her. ‘** Never mind,” he thuught, as he went away. ‘Birds naturally revolt against captivity, but my fair Zetta will find her struggles all in vain. I’ve set out to make her Mrs. Jobn Broderick, and in my dictionary there’s no such word as fail, While Mildred is alienating Ralston and his wife, and laying the foundation for breaking up their home, Ill be subjugating the charming Zetta. Victory shall be mine!” Five hours later the Buzzard brothers were eating supper in their house on Sugar-Loaf’s top. They had been mining nearly all day, and as there were rich deposits of gold on the peak, they seldom worked without something to shuw for it. On the present occasion their collection of the recious metal was piled on the table between hem as they ate. , At one side their picks leaned against the wall, and, just above them, their belts hung on megs. The afternoon was warm, and as no to become a. Eee or enemy had ever come to the Roost, and none was expected, they had hung the belts carelessly up with their weapons still in them. ‘*One day o’ ther three gone,” said Bill Buz- zard, as he cut off a huge slice of meat and laid it between two slices of bread. ‘Wonder what Hotspur thinks about it?” asked Jack, with a grim smile. ‘“T’ll bet my head she’s shakin’ in her boots,” added Tom. ‘Let her shake!” retorted Bill, biting vicious- ly at his sandwich. ‘‘ Ther place is goin’ ter be a graveyard, afore I git through with it.” ‘*Remember what you said about Mona,” in- terpolated Dave. ‘* What'd I say?” **She’s not ter be harmed.” ‘*Tf I said so, it goes that way?” ‘Didn't you say so?” Dave slowly asked. ‘**Mebbe.” ‘Look hyar,” said the younger brother, sharply, “I ain’t ter be treated ez a boyee ora nigger. When you talk ter me, Bill Buzzard, I want ye ter talk business, an’ you'll do it or I leave ther outfit!” ® Bill’s sandwich stopped half-way to his mouth, wavered, and was then laid down, Jack and Tom never disputed his authority. From the days when he learned to walk alove he had been ** boss” among the Buzzard brothers. Jack and Tom always obeyed him, and when, as in the present case, he saw fit to be non-committal, they let it go at that and waited his royal plea- sure. When he saw fit to speak, he spoke, and not before. But his younger brother—this Dave, who was not yet twenty-three yeers of age—was not like Jack and Tom. Bill could not understand him. The boy bad a will of his own; a will which, of late, often came in conflict with that of his eld- est brother. Bill saw his absolute monarchy trembling on its throne. ‘“ What d’ye mean?” he asked. ‘*T reckon I spoke plain enough,” Dave an- swered. ‘*So ye want ter leave ther outfit. Mebbe ye want ter go an’ hang ’round Mona, ez you used ter do in old times,” Dave flushed; he had been touched in his one sensitive part. In his opinion, his ‘ softness ” toward his sister was his one weakness; he deemed it a weakness to care for a woman; but Mona had been a kind sister to him in the past, and, when her other brothers would bave turned like wolves upon her, he stood like a rock in their path. He cared not how soon Hotspur City was made a graveyard, but Mona must be spared. ‘You lie, an’ you know it, Bill Buzzard,” he hotly retorted. ‘‘Mona bas cast us off, an’ when she did that she ceased ter be a sister 0’ mine. No; I ain’t goin’ ter her, an’ [ll lick ther man that says I be; but you’ve gi’n your word, Bill, that she sha’n’t be injured, an’ I won't hev no waverin’. But ther main p’int is, when I ask ye a fair question, | want a fair answer, an’ I’m goin’ ter bev it!” The sturdy rebellion cut Bill Buzzard more than he would have liked the others to know, but he could be wise when his interests were at stake, and he did not want the number of the Buzzard brothers to be lessened until his oath against Hotspur was fulfilled; so he resolved to swallow his rebuff, making the mental reserva- tion that, at an early day, fist and muscle should decide whether he or bis younger brother was to he leader of the Buzzards. Jack helped him out of his dilemma. ‘* You're settin’ Bill wrong, Dave,” he said, as mildly as his nature would allow, ‘‘ We don’t mean ter go back on our words. We'll spar’ Mona,” ** Yas,” said Bill, ‘ we will keep that promise, an’ now, ther question is, how be you on ther game ag’in’ Hotspur, Dave?” ‘T say, death an’ destruction ter Hotspur!” the youngest brother answered. ‘* Mebbe you’re ready ter do your part.” ‘“‘ Haven’t [ said so?” fiercely demanded Dave. ‘“‘Ef you’re hard o’ bearin’, I say, ag’in, put me ter any work in ther game, I’m ready ter do my part ter make Hotspur a graveyard!” “Good! Ye’re ther kind o’ a man I like.” Bill reached forward and clasped the other’s hand. It was a Judas act, but he was pleased at Dave’s course, and the giant brothers must remain united until after their vendetta was ended. “If the me chip in! It was a new voice which sounded from the door, and a quiet voice at that, but the Buzzards bounded to their feet like startled wolves. Hach face was turned toward the point from which sounded the voice, and they saw— Colorado Rube ! He stood just inside the threshold, where the last rays of the setting sun wrapped bim ina yellow mantle, and bis face was as calm and careless as though he was in Independence Hall with a bundred stout men at bis back. No weapon was visible, and he had the appear- oe Sg a man who bad dropped in for a friend- y ca A deep, terrible exclamation fell from Bill grip ain’t private, perhaps you'll let Buzzard’s lips, following a hush of utter amaze- ment, and he made one stride toward the pega where hung bis revolvers, but Rube thrust for- ward bis hands dnd, somehow, a revolver shook out of each sleeve and came into place in his white hands. ** Halt!” He spoke but one word, and his voice was not raised above its ordinary pitch, but there was an incisiveness, a steel-like ring about it, which, coupled with the fact that two revolver muz- zlies bore upon him, told Bill Buzzard that it would not be wise to dare his wrath. He halted. ‘* That’s right,” said the Strong Arm of Hot- spur, coolly. ‘‘I like to see aman know when to stop, and you strike me as being a wise per- son.” There was no answer. The Bugzards were like wolves held at bay, and their faces express- ed the darkest passion known to man, but they were practically helpless. Their weapons hung in their belts, and Colorado Rube ‘held the drop.” To attempt to reach the weapons was to court certain death ; he could not miss them at that distance. On his own part, he had not revealed himself until he knew what ground was beneath his feet, and, knowing, he felt able to cope with all. Brave, keen-eyed, alert and a sure shot, he had often before taken as great odds and come out of the press victoriously. ** You’ll do me a favor by resuming your seat, Bill,” he added, in his usual even tones. ‘‘ Your face has a hungry look which is not agreeable. Who knows but your quarrel with Hotspur has driven you to the terrible necessity of being a cannibal? Sit down, Bill; sit down!” CHAPTER XIII. THE GIANTS ARE BEARDED IN THEIR LAIR. BILL BuZZARD, wrong-headed and obstinate as he was, was not incapable of drawing a con- clusion, and he had found out that Colorado Rube meant business every time be announced his views; the affair at Independence Hall had shown that. Consequently, when Rube said ‘‘Sit down!” his brother-in-law obeyed, but he did so slowly and sullenly, and there was a look in his eyes that was like lightning playing along the edge of dark thunder-clouds. If Bill had been angry inauguration night, be was wild now; the Buz- zard brothers were bearded in their den. ‘‘T dou’t want to seem brash,” said Rube, in an even voice, ‘but if is my wish that you four gentlemen keep your seats, It will be to our mutual advantage. In this connection, I'll trouble you to observe that I hold the drop, and to avoid unpleasantness [’]l keep it.” ‘You don’t know what ye’re doin’,” gasped Bill. ‘‘Tll have your life fur this!” ‘‘Don’t be so modest, Bill, Ask for the earth.” ‘* You'll git six feet on’t.” ‘*Probably I shall, about fifty years hence, but not now. Seriously, I don’t want any trouble with any of you, and my sole object in putting out my Smith & Wessons is to keep the peace. You are the brothers of my wife, and, as such, I want to be on terms of neutrality, if nothing more.” ‘‘Mona is no longer our sister,” interrupted Dave. ‘‘Sbe was born your sister, and your sister she will remain as long as you amd she live, The ties of blood can’t be repudiated by a word. Further than this, she wishes you all well. You have disowned her, bnt she is still your friend.” ‘‘We won't hev her friendsbip!” cried Jack. ‘You can’t belp it.” We'll do that which’ll stop it.” ‘* What, for instance?” | ** Kill you!” / “IT don’t believe it. I am not going to be killed, and you may as well throw up your ven- detta and be decent, I have no grudge against you, and you have no reason to hate me.” ‘‘ You stole Mona!” hotly cried Dave. ‘*“Pardon me, but I did nothing of the kind, I married ber, according to the Way, of the world, but you never bad reason tO Sour on me. Am I not a man of knife and revolVer, a man of the wide West, like the rest of you?’ | “Ef you think you kin work us over by “ily words you're almightily mistaken,” broke in Bill, recovering speech at last. ‘I see how ’tis; Hotspur is skeered, an’ youve come byar ter beg off, ez cowards always do.” ‘*I’m not here to iE for pur, but, speaking ouly for myself, l’llsay I’m not fright- ened in the least.” la The Buzzards were in a towering F Their faces expressed a bitter hatred which would have appalled a man less brave, and though the un- wavering revolvers held them back from in- stant action, they were like panthers crouched for a spring. Confronting them, the Strong Arm of Hot- spur stood as unmoved as though they were his best friends. His face was calm, his voice was even and moderate, and only for the fact that nothing escaped his eagle eyes, one might have thought bim as indifferent as he seemed. ‘* Critter,” said Bill Buzzard, buskily, ‘‘ you- ’ve got ther drop now, an’ it’s your turn ter > fa b ie - - =