Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 333 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

| | Pe es eS a re ‘You are right. It is time that we are gone. Come, brother mine, give me a lift until my own legs seem stout enough to carry me. e are together again, and this time we'll stick. Had ou been with me this would not have happened. ‘hat’s right. Away we go.” Deck Bright had coolly resolved to accept as afact the version the giant had given of the singular connection between him and his | brother. He generally believed what he saw, and if he did that there was little room in the case, to doubt. Even the last ten minutes had | doctor, has to be the one man that fails to see | | rub too hard: borne their evidence. When Ananias had at- eee on Bright from the moment of his entrance, and disengaging himself from the man with whom he was conversing he came forward. Derringer Deck, the Man with the Drop. 13 ‘*That’s right, Buddy. Now, colonel, ve got you foul!” With a sudden, graceful bound, Deck sprun ‘See here, you; I don’t want to make trouble | sideways and reached the wall, his left han in Mike’s shebang but Pll have to talk plain if it | came to the front, the derringer disappeared, burns the bark off. Brad Awl has no need for you.” sé No?” The monosyllable was about half a question, but was as cold as Thompson’s address was hot. ‘*No, sir. I’m very sorry that my friend, the y because ou as you really are, and it is tempted to flounder into the conversation Samuel _ he won t be warned that a few of us have de- had simply waved his hand, and knit his brows for an instant. That moment Ananias became as strangely quiet as if he was enchanted. Now he sprung into life again. Catching up the form of his brother he threw it carelessly over his shoulder and strode away, with long, easy steps that made Bright hurry his pace to retain the position by his side. This was kept up until the more uneven ground had been Then Sammy Jawler at a whispered order, was placed on the ground again, and though for a time he was a little staggery, by putting a hand on the arm of Deck on the one side and Ananias on the other, he ‘managed te get over the ground at a pretty fair rate of Tc Colonel Coldsteel and his party had apparent- ly disappeared, since the three managed to find their way into Brad Awl without much delay, and with no interruption. ‘Now, what are you going to do with me?” vishly asked the younger person, his temper ing by ne means improved as his strength re- turned. ‘Oh, if you’ve got nothing better I mean to take you right to the Ark, where I hang out. They mind their own business there, and keep a hotel. If you are willing, You shall be my guest until you have a chance to turn around.” ‘‘The Ark! What sort of place is that? Annie, old boy, you think it will suit my style? You were in the town and ought to know the ranches.” “Suit yer toa T; but it’s too high-toned fur me. We never /in sail in ther same boat; an’ T’ve got my campin’-ground picked. Go ahead. Ther leetle sport ‘ll see you through. He’s safe ter tie to.” There was a quiet admiration in his tone that ought to have pleased Derringer Deck, and per- haps it did; but he made no comment. Out- wardly it moved him no more than did the rather ungracious reception of his MF io dang hospi- tality. .As Brad Awl was just at hand there was not much chance for further discussion. ‘They entered it in not very enthusiastic proces- sion and moved straight upon the Ark. It was well upon sundown when they reached the hotel, and by some strange fantasy of fate at that very moment Laughing Lil came airily out and was just stepping from the porch when she saw there for the first time together the three who halted in front of her. Deck Bright felt the arm that was linked in his give a quiver, and then Jawler braced him- self, while from Lil's lips dropped the exclama- ‘tion: ‘* You—Samuel Jawler!” Then, instead of waiting for greeting, or re- ply, she slipped nimbly by, and hurried down he street. “Ah, so you know Miss Bascombe, and the recognition seemed quite mutual. Perhaps you can give us boys a point or two. We're dying to know where she comes from. We know who she is—the best and squarest female sport that ever worked the mines. Mike Mulloney knows the rest; but he won’t tell.” ‘‘ Hush,” answered the other, in smothered ‘tones. “‘Too much is coming at once. You may know more by and by. Not another word now: I cannot bear it.” “ Of course, if you say so; I don’t want to in- ‘trude. Heres my den. Make yourself comfor- table until I can see the boss of the lay-out. He'll put you somewhere, and, gentle nie, there, can attend to your wants till you get stronger. I’ve another sick man down town that I must take a look at, so don’t think I’m neglecting you if I don’t show up.” erringer Deck was as good as his word; and then, having made a hearty supper, he slipped off to Ante Pete’s where between questions, an- ‘swers, and the story of his adventures with the Jawlers, the evening had received a pretty fair start when he got away and headed for Mad Mike's, { ) A little to his surprise almost the first man he saw there was the doctor, who was following in the wake of Colonel wn a ‘“Tve squared it with Early Joe,” he whis- Pe “and I rather suspect he will stand my riend. In case of emergency I am going to count on you. I suppose I may do it?” ‘* Don’t trust me much more than the rest, and don’t trust them at all. Then you'll come out about right. Anything fresh?” ** Nothing but what I have told you.” The two spoke only a few words, and in a ded way, that was not likely to attract at- fention, but Colonel Thompson’s eye had been cided, after a careful consideration of the af- fair last night, and all its points, that you’ve got to go.” | “Where? Put it very plain, for I ain’t as bright as my name would seem to make me.” e colonel’s voice was raised to an angry | and he faced the crowd over two revolvers that were made for work. How it was no one could tell, but the spec- tacles had disappeared, and a pair of clear, keen eyes seemed to take in every soul in the room as they shifted from one to another. ‘* Gentlemen,” he continued, ‘‘ I don’t mean to ut I see that if I want to stayin Brad Awl, as I intend to, this thing must be settled now. All lask isa square deal and my hand to count for just what itis worth. I came here a stranger, with coin enough to carry me through, and I’ve done just what I saw the rest doing. I’ve stepped on nobody’s toes, and have- n’t swindled a man-jack of you out of a cent. pitch, while Derringer Deck’s was low and | The whole town isn’t here, but the rest of ’em quiet. ‘* Anywhere so you get out of this camp. From here you’ve got to move.” ‘* In your mind, perhaps. I’ve done anything in Brad Awl that any one could take offense at, except to kick you out of Ante Pete’s last night after you’d taken asitting shot at me, and missed. What you couldn't do then, when you had me alone, you can hardly do’now, when there’s a crowd around to see fair play. But if you think so try it on.” “That might be so if you had a chance to jump me again in the dark; but you won’t have that | | | | | | here, and Brad Aw] thinks as I do. [’'m only run- | ning things. If you are wise you'll leave with- out making trouble. The most of them want to furnish you with a hemp necktie and a wooden overcoat.” ‘Then, what’s all this chin about? Why don’t they do it without giving me a show, for the white alley? Are you afraid of scaring your pigeon if you cut up too rough?” ot very much show was he having if Colonel Thompson told the truth. The decks were cleaned for action, and a general call for board- ers had been quietly passed around. So it looked, at least. The tables were vacant, Laughing Lil was nowhere to be seen, while Mike Mulloney stood behind his bar, flanked by Rapid Johnny and another of his satellites, his arms folded over his breast, and very much of a bulldog look in his face. He knew what wasu : and intended to take hold somewhere when the time came. If signs went for anything Derrin- ger Deck’s hour had about arrived, in Brad Awl. ** You're a cool hand, Colonel] Thompson,” con- tinued Bright, ‘‘ but even here they don’t sen- tence a man until he’s been accused of something ; and the trial don’t begin until there’s a prisoner at the bar. If you think you are man enough to bring me there why don’t you begin?’ ‘* There is no rush, my young friend. It is just as well for you to hear beforehand how public opinion stands. It will save foolishness if you know that we mean it all, and that the very first move you make to resist down you go, Hands up, and surrender; we’ve got you cover- ‘**So you think; but the man behind me is look- ing straight into a forty-four caliber, and the first move either makes I'll kill you both.” With a wonderful quickness Derringer Deck Bare his right hand a flirt and from his sleeve ropped down into the palm of his hand one of the ugly little weapons from which he derived his sobriquet, its muzzle staring the colonel full in the face. Thompson neither winced nor grew pale. “Shoot him, Bud,” he shouted—coolly taking his own risks. And from a few steps beyond Bright’s shoulder came the answer: ! ‘**T dassn’t stir. Ther durned cuss looks both ways. My hammer ain’t drawed an’ he’s got me kivered.” Sure enough, the left hand of Derringer Deck had stolen behind him and now from under his coat-tail a pistol barrel lined Bud Bunker, while the derringer held the colonel at bay. CHAPTER XV. A REAL BAD MAN CHIPS IN. THE advantage was with the little man of the tacles; and it had been all the more readily obtained because his glasses concealed his eyes, and up to that moment the colonel had sup- eerie hat he had attracted his exclusive atten- ion. The derringer lay in such point-blank pier 9 that he did not dare to move himself— and he had not intended to. How it came that Bright should be protecting his rear flank was a puzzle that he did not much believe in. ut at any rate it was a state of equilibrium that could not last long, dangerous to the three as its disturbance might, and Bright knew it well enough. ‘* Easy, my lord,” he drawled, “and you, Bud be rag? drop your tool and hold up your fin- gers. When I count three I fire. One, two—” Down went the revolver to the floor, and up went a dirty pair of paws. Bunker had been se- lected, not for his sand, but for his willingness to take a shot at the back of ot peepee man. It was not every man that would ing to accept such a job, ; | ‘have talked t gemersihy go with the crowd at Mulloney’s, so if square it with you, I’m solid with the camp. Now speak out, cold and quick. What's the I’m not aware that | charge?” The colonel had held his peace wonderfully well, but he had his reasons. He had never seen the dashing little sport shoot, but he did not doubt his abilities; and as his own courage had always been held above reproach he did not care to run any unnecessary risks until he was ready to move. If he spoke now he had a rea- son. ‘You want talk with the bark on, and you may as well have it. We've got your measure, and we don’t want you. If you didn’t think it would be hard to prove anything against you, you would scarcely have trusted yourself here; but Brad Aw] isn’t large enough to hold a sus- picious character, and after last night it is pret- ty clear to my mind and to those with whom I tif youdidn’t attempt Miss Gor- don’s abduction yourself, you had something to do with it, and that what happened at Ante Pete’s came right along in the programme. To- day you wentup into the mountains, and by to- morrow you'll have your gang here at the Ark. If we don’t hang you it’s because my friend and his daughter have begged you off; but any way you've got to go.” A little cry—a woman’s voice—interrupted him; and right after the cry, at the other side of the room, there was the noise of a blow, the sound of a falling body, and the crack of a pis- tol. After that a sharp, quick voice: ‘** No you don’t Mr. Bunker. I’m the real bad man from Bitter Creek, and that’s my side ard you're laying fer. Stand back here, you rad Awl sinners, and let a white man talk. What’s the game, Deck? Shall I open my bat- teries; or do you want to hold them level all yourself, alone? This tough citizen was just taking good aim when I gave him a love-ta and saved your bacon. Speakup. What’s it about?” Sammy Jawler strode forward with a quick, confident step, and behind him slouched the other talen twin, the original Ananias. It was a reinforcement by no means to be despised. One man with grit and skill can sometimes hold at bay a crowd thatis not actually ravening; and three good men, back to back and pistols drawn, make a respectable army. That they were ready for a shin and full of work was elds by the rompt way in which Sam had knocked down ud Bunker who, having got out of the range of his eyesight, was ‘about to take a felon shot at Derringer Deck. **One good turn deserves another,” he con- tinued, as there was a momentary hesitancy. ‘* This afternoon he saved my life when that in- fernal Colonel Coldsteel and his gang thought they had me booked sure fer a voyage u 8 flume, and to-night, if you'll give me the chance I'll return the compliment or step over the range with my best boots on. How is that, say you?" He looked straight at Thompson as he spoke, and shot the last few words at him like the cracking of a pistol. **Howld yer whist, kurnel dear,” interrupted Mike Mulloney, fer the first time, ing. ‘*‘Sure an’ it’s all chin-chin an’ no foightin’. Whin Oi sed go ahead wid ther cattle show Oi meant somethin’ sing an’ div’lish, an’ didn’t m’ane yez ter be afther shtoppin’ me business all noight. Oi say forninst me the mon thiey say bu’sted me winder. Oi’m a p’aceable mon but Oi want its valley er his blud on ther floour.” ‘‘Here you are, two or three times over. I’m the man that made him do the trick: and we dropped in here expressly to pay the demages. qs nothing small about Sammy Jawler. ext?” As he spoke, the young man tossed a big gold coin over upon the bar, with a skill that made it drop and stop right in front of Mike. ‘*That sames honest loike, anyway, an’ takes the blud out av me eye. ‘Yez towld us this oung man saved yez frum Kunnel Cowldstale., he did, it’s not his fri’nd he is at all, at all; an’ may be it’s the wrong thrack ther b’yes hez bin barkin’ on. Prove it, an’ this coourt stan’s adjoourned onless ther joodge there wants a wrastle wid ther boss tipstave.” “Your head’s level, Mike. If you want to give the rooster fair play, I’m with you.” com S Gbhoo 2 ee eee il Se eS eee & ———s