Beadle's Dime Library No. 351 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

| ; ’ J ' - iy ‘ Sis — = = —— Sey, om a el * ts were, 14 thur Ovelman. “Look! they’re running away! After them! I — the reward! Two thousand dollars for his ea Eo The seatence was never concluded. Nor’ West Nick caught the excited speech and recognized the one who uttered them. <A wicked light flashed into his eyes, and before Dan Brown suspected his inten- tion, he paused and threw up his right arm. Arthur Ovelman saw the motion and read its meaning aright, for a look of terror came over his inflamed countenance, then he turned pale as a ghost as he tried to escape. But it was not to be. The pistol exploded, and throwing up his arms, the capitalist fell from the box, in a lifeless heap! CHAPTER XIV, PROVING AN ALIBI,’ THe easily-swayed crowd turned from their con- templation of the cut-throat buzzard as the angry cries of Arthur Ovelman warned them of how they were being outwitted, and fora brief space it seemed as though they were about to dash after the two men and overpower them by the mere weight of numbers. But as the border detective raised his pis- tol, every man in the crowd faltered, then shrunk back as the weapon exploded, for the marvelous shot which they had so recently witnessed told them that Nor’ West Nick held the lives of a full dozen men at his fingers’ end. The fall of Arthur Ovelman drew a low, gratin curse from the lips of Dan Brown, for he believe the act fatal in more senses than one, ** That settles it!” he muttered, clinching his teeth, but still threatening the irresolute mob with his re- volvers as be retreated a little more hastily. ‘‘ We might have bluffed them off, so long as no one had been killed, but now that faint chance is gone, Well, we can fight it out, anyway!” -A careless laugh from Nor’ West Nick as they reached the door of the little office, where they stood at bay, facing the mob with their weapons, two men against a hundred, with the ranks of their enemics being continually reinforced. ‘You mean that old white-headed coon? He’s all rizht! Te hai so much lip that I thought it best to lay him on the shelf for a bit, just to give the rest achance. You'll see him pop up in a minute or two, livelier than ever, I only creased the rascal.” **You are sure?”’ hastily demanded Dan Brown. ‘Dead sure! I never make mistakes with a re- volver of my own choice,” was the confident re- sponse. “Then it may not be as bad as I feared—hold, ntlemen!” the last word being addressed sharply the mob, which had apparently recoverea trom its irresolution, and was once more showing a threat- ening front. “For my sake as well as your own, I entreat you to pause and reflect upon what you are about to do, before it is forever too late—” “Which it’s that already!” doggedly retorted Mark Davis, unsteady on his legs through loss of blood from his bullet-broken arm. “Life fer life, the good book says, an’ though I don*t reckon we're none too pious ourselves, we ain’t sech p’izen heathen as to go back on ¢hat |” *T see some scratches among you, but no dead men—”’ **Mebbe you ain’t overly anxious fer to see ’em,” with a short, dry laugh. ‘‘Didn’t he jest keel over the old gent?” “Can you blame him for that, even granting that his shot was fatal—which I deny? Who started all this row? Who has urged you on to commit mur- der? Who offered you money to pay for the heart's blood of an innocent man—of one whom he knew was innocent? That same old gentleman, who is no more dead than you or I—unless, indeed, he has died of fright at hearing a bullet whistle about his ears!’’ ‘“*Crumple me up fer a dish-rag to wipe the baby’s nose with ef it ain’t the gospel truth!” cried the voice of Norton Weston Nickerson. “ Ha’r parted in the middle by a bullet; straighter than ever a gal could do it when 'specting a visit from her lovier! Durn such a lead-slinger as that! Now I dl pucka- thee! ‘Good-by, my lovier, good-by!’ Whar’s a hole big enough fer a gentleman 0’ my size to crawl into an lay low ontel this spell o’ onhealthy weather cl’ars up?’ Once more the fat claimant had effected a valuable diversion, and as the unstable crowd once more showed s of indecision, Dan Brown struck swift and sure, “You hear that, gentlemen? And remember it is the evidence given by one who can have neither love nor friendly teeling toward this gentleman, who so fully unmasked those ba e pretenders, only last eve- ning. Arthur Ovelman is not dead, though if he there is not an unprejudiced jury in all the land who would not pronounce it justifiable homi- cide on the part of Nor’ West Nick!” Mark Davis uttered an ugly growl, but he was turning faint and sick from the excessive loss of bldod from his wound, and though a braver man never drew the breath of life, growing weakness was rapidly taking all the fight out of him, hen the first mad rush of a mob is checked, when they pause for deliberation, induced thereto by fear or argument, the worst of the dangeris past, and none knew this better than Dan Brown, It_is blind, unreasoning lust for blood that is most to be dreaded. Danger yet remains, it is true, but only such as a bold, cool-witted man can master if he but plays his hand for all it is worth. eee it’s «ead men you're axin’ fer, thar’s the three pore boys whic we planted only this morn- in’! cried one of the cowboys, aN: “White an’ squar’ they was, too, as ever you'll find. Who rounded them up an’ sent ’em over the range?” “ 7 did!” cried Nor’ West Nick, his blue eyes flash- ing fire, as he showed signs of anger for the first time since uttering that bold nse to the query of Arthur Ovcelman. ‘I killed them, andI am only sorry that I have it not in my power to bring them wYou ad hog off that-a-way—”’ ‘You cain’ fe) a _ “Beg off nothing!”’ interrupted Nor’ West Nick, with a hard, ugly laugh. “I wish I could bring them back to life agaln, so that I could kill them once more, andin doing so, make them suffer one tithe the torture they inflicted nese me! Zhat is what I meant—make the most of it!” his good work had been undone by the reckless, im- passioned speech of the man he was phy | to save, at the risk of his own life. Though Mark Davis was forced to withdraw, reeling as he went, the few cowboys were pressing to the front, with the air of men who meant business. ‘* Why does he wish that?” demanded the Denver detective, earnestly. ‘Why does his hatred follow men who are now inthe grave? Let me tell you— T'll make it as short as I can. “A stranger, a traveler who had lost his way in seeking to reach Rocky Bar, this gentleman, whom I am proud to call my friend, chanced upon the camp of those three men, and paused to inquire his way. be A since they were coming here themselves. They kept their promise—but how? * Without a word of pba ing Sabet Na giving him | into these parts.” the slightest chance to defend himself, they lassoed Nor’ West Nick, the Border Det - asharp cry of warning broke from the lips of Ar- | Dan Brown frowned, for he saw that a portion of © ctive. “Don’t crowd them too far, my friend,’ said Dan Brown, ina whisper. ‘“‘They are simmering down now, but a breath too hot may set the pot to boiling over again. and then there’ll a fair prospect for scalded fingers ail ’round the board.” “Qh, Ul" be as meek and modest as a maiden with her first beau,’”’ laughed the border detective, light- Mi Keep out of their sight for a little while, and it will all come ‘right. If you like, ['llsee you out of. / town —? They promised to direct him—to show him | | him from behind, bound him upon the back of a | wild buil, and then chased him the full tea miles, lashing him likea hound until his garments were cut to ribbons, until there was scarcely a spot on | his body as big as a silver dollar but what it held a red welt raised by their whips, I know, because I | helped to dress his wounds, ‘You know, better than I can tell you, how he came into Rocky Bar. Many of you were eye- witnesses, and tiose who were not have been told the story, no doubt, and given all the particulars. You know what followed. There was a fight, and three men were killed. While sorry for their fate, I can’t say that it was undeserved—indeed, they were treated better than their crime deserved. ‘They treated an innocent man worse than any felon should be treated. He proved his innocence, and then dared them to meet himin a fair ficht. ‘air it was on his side, as allof you can testity—the less said about his antagonists the better, since they have gone to their last account, ‘‘Now, men of Rocky Bar! Since when has it been adjudged a capital crime for one man to kill another in a fair, reguiarly-conducted duel? Since when— “The boys tuck him to be that p’izen critter, Cap’n Slyboots, who robbed them of thar bard-won prop- erty,” doggedly interposed the cowboy. ‘They know’d him to be the head man of those who Jumped them, that night—’’ ba. “On that night he was ia Donver, as I am willing to take oath. He holds @ commission, nesen by Governor Tabor, dated the day following that, and another one from—”’ “All the same, it don’t prove that he ain’t what the boys said. Mebbethey was wrong about his be- in’ the one as run off their stock, but fer all that he kin turn out Cap’n Slyboots!” ‘* Hold!’ cried Nor’ West Nick, until now a care- less and seemingly little interested observer of the dispute on which his life hinged, but now qprings into life and action as the rapid clatter of iron-shovc hoofs were heard, and a horseman came dashing around the corner, riding at speed toward the office, ‘* Keep your distance, my fine fellow—”’ ** He's a friend!” cried Dan Brown, recognizing the foreman of the Jealous Girl in the wild rider. ‘* What's up now, Tim?” “The very devil to pay!" hastily responded the rider, his breath coming short and broken, showing how hard he had ridden. “ Captain Slyboots and his gang jumped us, last night, and just knocked things west-end-and-crooked |” ‘You hear that, gentlemen?’ demanded Dan Brown, turning to the greedily listening crowd, and seeming to forget his own losses in his desire to serve one whom he called friend, ‘‘A man can’t be in two places at once. I can swear that Nor’ West Nick was with me until long after midnight. You know how far the Jealous Girlis situated from Rocky Bar. Now, Tim, when did the road-agents make their attack?” “Nigh two o’clock—there or thereabouts!” was the reply, given without the slightest hesitation, “Good enough!” and there was a ring of triumph in the tones of the Denver detective, ‘* Dismount and come in, Toplift. I'll listen to your report later. Just now—gentlemen!’’ and he once more addressed the crowd. ‘* There's no use in wasting more wores. I have proven Nor’ West Nick’s innocence of all the Charnes which have been brought against him.”’ ** What "bout the talk the old gent give us?” per- sisted the cowboy. ‘‘ Durnacritter that'll treat a lady that-a-way! “Don’t you go to throwing stones too reckless, Tom Duncan, or some of them may fall back on your own head, They say that this climate is a much more healthful one than Wyoming,” ‘It’s all a durned lie!” growled the cowboy, tily. What? About the climate?” and Dan Brown laughed softly. ‘* Well, you should know, for you came from that region,’ . There was a hidden sting in his words, judging from the manner in which the cowboy turned and slunk away, and for a third time the crowd found itself without a leader. ** Whatever may have happened back in the old States, we have nothing to do with here, If there is any diffcully between Nor’ West Nick and Arthur | Ovelman, let them settle it between themselves as best they can. Ihave only this to say: **Nor’ West Nick is my friend. The man who strikes a blow at him, also strikes at me, and I will resent it even more quickly. Put that in your pipe an’ Goutles om” said Nor’ West Nick, speak ‘** Gentlemen, or’ Wes c ing up. “While very grateful to Mr. Brown for all tho Tron, ble he is taking on my account, I hardly think it nec . Lhave always been able to hoe my own row, through life, and I always expect to. You crowded me, and some of you got hurt as was to be expected, Still, if there are any one, two or three men among you who think that Il have misused them in any manner, I will take all the pleasure in life in proving to them their mistake, when, where and how he or they elect. Put up or shut up!” There was an ugly muttering among the crowd at this bold, almost, lent defiance, which told plain- ly enough that Nor’ West Nick had not bettered his case much, but no one ey A forward to accept the pointed challenge. ‘Chey had seen too much of his rsonal prowess to care about meeting him on any- fring like even terms. ————————— —— i ‘ “Thanks,” said Nor’ West Nick, raising his voice so that the crowd could hear his words, ‘‘lappre- ciate the kindness of your offer, but I cannot accept it. Inever yet ran away from danger, and I am too old to begin {now. I like the looks of Rocky Bar— what I haveseen of it—and here I mean to stay until I have concluded the work which brought me ‘You hear gentlemen? Pressing business calls me away from town, just now, but when that is done, I will return, and if any unmerited harm be- falls this gentleman, my friend, during my absence, I solemnly swear that I will call every man to a strict account for hisaction. You know me, by this time.” Dan Brown spoke slowly and with an emphasis that could not be mistaken. Instead of being offend- ed by his plain talk, a cheer arose from the crowd, for they could appreciate fidelity toa friend through thick and thin, like this. ‘*I’m sorry that I must leave you now,” added the Denver detective, clasping the hand which Nor’ West Nick extended. “You heard what Toplift said about the mine—” ‘“‘Tf I can be of any service, command me,” “Thanks! I may ask your help, but not now. Toplift says the gang was off before he dared make a break. I can only investigate the affair to-day, and see what is best to do.” The clasped hands parted, and Nor’ West Nick, seeing that Dan Brown preferred to hear the report of his foreman alone, turned away from the oflice, strolling leisurely down the street, passing through the lane which the slowly dissolving crowd mace for him, a careless smile upon his handsome coun- tenance, showing not the slightest trace of fear, though only a brief space before, these men were thirsting for his blood. It was asuperb exhibition of nerve, as all admitted, CHAPTER XV. TWO GOOD SAMARITANS, Ir was neither from fright at hearing the angry whistling of lead, as Dan Brown maliciously sug- gested, nor from a desire to escape the consequences of the storm he had called up, that caused Arthur Ovelman to fling up his arms and fall headlong from his frail pedestal, For the time being he was little bett rthan a dcad man. True toa hair’s breadth the bullet discharged by Nor’ West Nick glanced along the top of his skull, cutting through the scalp, and knocking him senseless, though the wound itself was not a dangerous one, How long an interval passed thus he had no means of knowing, but when his consciousnessreturned he . found himself in an altogether different situation, At first there was only a black, confused blur before his eyes, and he caught himself vaguely wondering if the day had passed and the night succeeded since that moment of terror and the stunning shock which so swiftly followed. He tried to rise to his feet, but_in vain, There was a curiously hampered feeling about his limbs as he tried to use them, not unlike that peculiar sensa- tion which one sometimes experiences in a night- mare dream, “Don’t ye do it, boss!” came a husky whisper from out the gloom, ‘Fer the love o’ yer life, don’t ye make sound enough to wake a weasel, ef ye whis- pered it in its very ears! Ef ve do, we'll all go to glory together, jest a-whoopin’!”’ Like some grim phantom of the night, one of the deeper shadows resolved itself into the face of a human creature, hanging over Arthur Ovelman with a horrible grimace. Thelittle eyes glowed like those of a cat in the darkness, Theends of a monstrous pax of mustaches twirled and twisted like the flex- le feelers of a huge catfish, | ‘It’s the gospel truth he’s givin’ ye, old gentle- man,” supplemented a hissing voice from the oppo- site side, equally guarded in its tones, ‘Truth, straight as a string; but ef it hain’t tuck the skin clean off o’ his thrapple then I knuckle under fer a OR ey ee wh, 19 ped th 7 oO are you ere am I?” gas the be- wildered capitalist. ‘* What has happened? I don’t understand—”’ “The comick has struck the airth, knocked Rocky Bar west-eend-an’-crooked)]” croaked the first voice, ‘We're jest a-hangin’ on to the ragged aidge o’ cre- ation by the erip Q’ mien ape Ln afore we give the word, an’ you take a \ a rip tg never- come-back-ag’in in a holy minnit!"’ — **Don'’t ye mind htm, boss,”’ uttered the second speaker, and the bewildered capitalist could just manage to make out the dim shape of a human face peering down into hisown,. “Ef the critter should ever try to talk common sense, it’d choke him so quick ii’d make your head swim to look on!” ‘Who did the job?” swiftly came the retort, eae saved him from grim death an’ massacreea- on?’ “Who but me—Nor’ West Nick—” ** Look-a-yer—lI licked you once fer takin’ my name in vain, an’ durned ef I don’t do it ag’in, ye drawed- out angle-worm o’ p’izen cussedness, Onless ye keep closeter to the chaik-line o’ truthfulness—now you hear me preach!” “You couldn’t gee Bony side of a sick kitten, on- less you ketched it ep, an’ hed somebody to help ye— Noyecon't!” There came the sharp click of a pistol being cocked, and after a moment's silence, the fat claim- ant spoke, in a conciliatory tone: “Business afore fun, pard. We kin fight when thar ain’t nothin’ of more ‘portance on hand. Ho does that hit ye?” “Don't come no more o’ that cussed foolishin’, then,’’ was the surly response, During this bit of by-play, the wits of Arthur Ovelman were rapidly returning to his aid, and though the whole affair was still enveloped in mys- (ECON MULE