Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

| I i | a ee a - fellow, whom he had knocked Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. and Lovering sat in the cabin, it merely seemed to have the effect of arousing him to new life. He bad enemies in Bowlder Bar who plainly intended to make the fight one to the death, but he did not propose to give them aclear track any longer. A desire to work out his case sub rosa had led to his twice falling into their hands, but half-way measures bad been proven foolish and he had returned to the town resolved to look well to himself, Consequently, the bullet had hardly passed his head before he was on bis feet, and with three long strides hereached the door, Tearing it open, he sprung out, a cocked revolver in his hand. One man only was visible, and he was briskly running away, Sol bounded after him like a bloodhound on the trail, and it required but a few seconds to overtake him, He caught him: by the shoulders and whirled him around, and then, as a revolver was shoved forward, knocked it out of his hand. ** No, yer don’t!” he observed. ‘* You might have better luck at this distance than you did before,.and Iam not to be perforated at your will, Come this way!” The fellow had tried to make a stout resist- ance, but he was helpless in Sol’s hands, and was dragged back to the cabin with as little ceremony ‘a8 though he bad been a Government mail-bag. Then the rover sent him sprawling on the floor. ‘‘ Here he is!” Sol coolly observed, ‘‘ Fine specimen of the genus assassin, isn’t he?” ** About what might be expected,” answered earering, looking at the rough face before em, Tbe man rolled over and sullenly arose. ‘*T’ll have your blood for taat!” he growled, ‘Go away!” said Sol. ‘‘ You must joking. Your worst fault is your modesty, Why don you ask for the earth? If you'll allow me to set up shop as a prophet, I should say what you are the most likely to get is a broken head!” The prisoner did not answer, but. stood look- ing alternately at Sol and the door, The rover did not heed his evident desire to escape. ‘‘The thing now before the jury is: Who the blazes are you, and why did you try to shoot |. me?” \ “I didn’t try,” answered the rough. ‘‘I was only passin’ ther house, 1 saw aman fire, and then he ran away.” “Oh, rubbish!” Sol commented. ‘Do you take me fora fool? I can see some distance on aclear day. You tried to kill me, and I am going to have the bottom facts of the case or make you bowl. How is it—do you talk #w not?” The question was not answered, A glitter in the man’s eyes, which were still turned toward the deor, aroused Sol’s suspicions, and he turned toward that quarter just.as three additional men leaped through the doorway. That ‘they were allies of the first man was clear, and as they came with revolvers in their bands, their errand admitted of but one construction. ‘ Sol’s change of attention gave the prisoner a chance, and he bounded upon him like a flash, wrapping his arms around his body, while his voice arose loudly: “Close in! Kill them both!” There was a forward movement, but’ Lover- ing quickly showed of what material he was made. He had stood passive before, but he had seen his share of wild life in the past, and he was not inclined to cower in the present emergency. He threw up his revolver and fired twice tn quick succession, and one of the assailants clap- ped his hand to his breast, staggered a few steps and then fell prostrate to the floor. Another moment and all the party were mixed in a confused, but desperate struggle. Silver-Plated Sol now showed the strongest side of bis character. He was one who prefer- red to keep out of trouble while he could, but he knew the roughs were there for no other pur- pose than murder, and he was not inclined to yield all so tamely. : He shook off the man who had seized him, and then plunged headlong into the fight, There were revolvers drawn against him, but he did not touch his own: Instead, he struck out from the shoulder with lusty blows, which sent his foes right and left—where he charged there was a perceptible giving way of opposing seat ial. In the midst of the fight, however, a cry arose from the other room—a cry in a woman’s voice —and it acted on the rover like aspur. He knew Lois was in danger, and he made a dash ' to clear his enemies. He would have passed them all had not one I down, seized bis foot and tripped him, He was quickly up, and his hand was on the door; it resisted him—it i qe e flung himself against it with all his force wr it aks ne yo) binges, : ne glance in the room was e h to show him that Lois was not there, feel ae He retreated to the main room just as Lover- ing sent two shots after the ee ne roughs. Two of their number were left on the floor to “The girl is gone!” cried the rover. | tell of Lovering’s good aim, __ _—_ ie A - a, & > ty my 4 iz te r ) . . < » A Pe , ‘ ' ‘ oa ” Fas ‘** Gone?” Lovering echoed, **- Yes; there were others in the assault, and those fellows merely engaged our attention while she was stolen. To the rescue!—follow me! He dashed from the cabin, closely followed by the elder man. He expected an ambush, and his own hands were on his revolvers. He was thoroughly aroused at last, and bis flashing are were like those of an angry and bunted ion. When the open air was reached no shots met them, however, and they saw the kidnappers retreating toward the west. One brief exchange of words passed between the two men, and then they hastened in pursuit. Lovering was the cooler of the two, and look- ing back he saw that a general uproar was go- ing on at the village, while a red glare was shooting up against the sky from more than one burning building, Bowlder Bar seemed to have lost its head ae on an era of violence and blood- shed, ‘Tis a red night!” he muttered, as he kept at Sol’s side. ‘It will be a red night for those hounds!” the rover declared, hoarsely. ‘‘ You asked me to- night if 1 would risk my life for Lois; we’ll see now who will do the most.” ‘*God bless you!” said Lovering, fervently. “You are a man of lion beart, and though I thought I was forever off the war-path, [ll be glad to take one more brush at your side.” No more words were spoken, but side by side they strained every nerve to cut down the lead of the kidnappers. Perhaps their efforts would have been useless, but the fugitives were bur- dened by their prisoner, and as Madrock Ledge was neared they lost ground perceptibly. Always keeping his gaze on Lois to see that they did not execute any trick, So! shouted. to them to halt. The order was not obeyed, bow- ever, and he dared not fire lest he should hit the _wrong person, The ascent of the ledge was a fatal work for the kidnappers, however; they went up but slowly, while Sol cut down the remaining dis- tance with long, agile bouads, *‘ Surrender!” he shouted, “Shoot the fool!” ordered a harsh voice, and several revolvers arose together, They spoke together, but the rover had drop- ped flat to the ledge, and he arose uninjured. “If it’s war you want, war it is!” he hissed, and he fired twice in quick succession, There was no longer danger of shooting Lois, and his shots went so true thas both men fell. Lovering came in with a lively fusilade, and, unable to stand so much. hot work, all the kid- nappers turned and fled with a single excep- One man remained, and he leveled his revol- ver with one hand while holding Lois with the other. ’ **Back!” he cried, hoarsely. ‘‘ Another step and you are dead men!” But Lois caught his arm and turned it aside. ** Now !” she cried, to Sol. The rover leaped forward, and in a moment more his strong hands were on the kidnapper. They clinched, and on the bald surface of Mad- rock a furious struggle began, They were well matched, and they whirled about so rapidl that. Lovering could see no chance to aid Sol, He followed, weapon in hand, but, like the com- batants, was blind to one fact until Lois’s voice arose in frightened tones, “ Merciful Heaven!” she exclaimed, “they will fall into Mad river!” Her words aroused both men to fresh.efforts. They were directly above that point where the river flung its foaming waters against the rag- ged ledge—a point where a fall meant death— and thus warned they fought with renewed vigor, overing pressed close, seeking a chance to aid his friend, but the rover was equal to the demands of the occasion, Putting forth all his powers, he raised his antagonist in a resistless hold and flung him from the rock, A faint ery arose from the darkness, and then Sol dropped nearly breathless on the rock. Lois knelt by his side, while Lovering looked down on the village where the'red glow told that the Listers Hae done their work thoroughly, if not well. Silver-Plated Sol’s prostration was but tem- porary; he arose, drew a long breath, and de- declared he felt once more like himself. A conference was holden, and they consulted as to the best way of returning to the village so as to escape observation. 1 suggested the course past the Eighteen-Carat Mine, True, the rioters were there, but tbey were not likely to make war on a woman, and they could pass near without being seen. They went, and were moving cautiously among the rocks to avoid discovery, when Dave Bond appeared on the scene. They paused for a pe ae as he n bis address to the mob, and Sol saw with pleasure that he was likely to control the rough element. But suddenly a man arose ata paint not ten feet from them, and. took aim with a revolver at the rover. Sol leaped up, but he was too fe in vain to get 1 ‘ ‘ - - 4 ’ he * . aot of “ eg ey las ve 4 sy ot rae ae ood wnt | fy : “or ee. i s y ~ US ciel > iA i late to sini the shot. The fellow fired and Dave fell. Another moment and Sol’s arms were about: him, and despite his struggles be dragged him into the view of the miners, “ Here is the assassin!” he cried. “ Bring a rope and Dave Bond’s death shall be aveuged!” There was a responsive shout, but the suppos- ed dead man arose, laughing. ‘* Wait till ’'m burt, men,” he said. “I see’d ther critter aimin’, and thought it best ter drop | before ther pistol went off. I’m right side up with care, but ez I don’t like to be shot at, per- haps we hed better give this feller a lesson, Tbrow him in ther river!” CHAPTER XLI. THE MAGICIAN UNMASKED, SILVER; PLATED SOL would have preferred to see the would-be assassin kept for trial, but Giant Dave ruled the crowd during the hour, and at his command the fellow was flung over the rocks. His life was not in danger, but he was liable to carry off a few bruises. At. this point Alvord advanced. ‘‘Men,” be said, “I bave a word to say to you, Jason Bunker wishes to make a pe (a mise. He says hehas hed enough of Bowlder Bar, and that if ron will let up on your punish-. ment, he will sell the Eighteen-Carat and leave the Bar to-morrow,” A faint cheer arose, but a thoughtful miner inquired: ** Who's ter be ther purchaser !” “*T am,” A ringing cheer arose at one side. It came from the best of the old force of the mine, who bad marched there in a body, and who could not restrain their enthusiasm at the prospect of working under Alvord. If the rioters had been inclined to hesitate, the chance to get in their voices was taken from. : them. Alvord, as we already know, was a ‘ great favorite at the mine, and the old hands: | made themselves heard and felt, and the matter’ ; was soon settled, the mob only making one pro- vision, rs They demanded that the transfer of the mine: should at once take place. : ( Neither of the principals in the affair’ ob- ; jected. Bunker was anxious to close out’ all! connection with the mine, and he had placed the figure of sale at so low a point that Alvord was equally anxious to close the bar- | fein hetone he would have time to change his , mind, 1, Thus ended the riot, and the whole party acted as an escort to Bunker and Alvord on : the way to Lawyer Acton’s office. Once ‘ there the bargain was soon consummated, and’ rats became the legal owner of the Eighteen- ) arat. He made a speech, in which he said that: all’ ‘ thé old men could return to work as before, nt and he appointed David Bond superintendent,. in place of himself, resigned. The promotion: Biessad the crowd; they cheered Ilustily ; and) } ave found himself the hero of the occasion. His fortunes had taken such a sudden turn that ~~ he could hardly believe be was awake. Twenty- ‘. four hours before he had been out of work and ’ miserable: now he was BS PenaLen Aen of the hy mine and Ettala was his wife. iy How Lois was placed with friends likely to protect her in the future, and other minor points, we need not explain; enough that the night, which had begun so redly, closed in peace and harmony, with little danger of future rioting. Silver-Plated Sol and Lovering slept tly in their cabin, but when a con uictly | the rover arose with a fixed purpose. He bad a been using his perceptive faculties, aswell as asking. what questions he could, and he had vals gained both facts and theories, and intended (My to make use of them to the best of bis ability. : He surprised Lovering by asking him it he é would go to the mountain and leaveanoteata — certain point. . et ae ‘Leave a note! For who?” said Lovering, in ee surprise, . ‘You may see it and judge,” said Sol, smil- inbe “Fie then folded a sheet of blank 4 aperintothe form of an envelope and handed it ‘to hiscom- panion 3 See ‘What sort of a joke is this? Thereisn’ta = word on it,” the elder man said, dubiously. ‘ “True, and there is no need of ee byt.) “(sags the signal will be answered quickly, It'll — bring certain men to town, and this mixed-u case will soon be settled. The dogs of war are closing in, and the end must come — “I know more than you Spepeetys: said — Lovering, steadily. ‘‘ Wouldn’t it be well to trust me?” ‘ Don’t ask it: I like to play a lone hand.” ey ‘** At least give me one promise,” soot acta “ And that?” . " 5 that, you will not make war on Lois,” ‘swear Sol spoke earnestly, and the two men c ! hands on the compact. Then Lovering took the ank note, wire. out without a word and start- - ed for the mount ¢ —~-comicbooks.com m * Pa ates