Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 365 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Keen Kennard, tho Shasta Se are Bluff started and almost left his stoo ‘** Don’t disturb yerself,” continued Duncan with a smile. ‘‘It’s only one man goin’ off. Cap’n, we can’t git along. I don’t like ter cross yer any more whar ye’ve been alcalde an’ boss so long, so ve concluded ter leave ther field cYar. I relinquish my claim ter ther lost Ophir cnless,” with a broader smile, ‘* onless I should stumble on it myself. We can’t hitch any l-nger, cap’n, arter what crossed yer lips ter- nicht. Yer went too fast with Vera an’ lost er.” Up leaped the alcalde of Red Eye and tho next ioment he was coming around the table with a pair of flashing orbs fixed on Duncan when the long-haired sport waved him off, **[’m not hyer for a clinch,” said Duncan. ‘ I came ter say good-by ter Red Eye. I don't sneak off like a wolf. I go when you know I’m goin’. I don’t expect ter find O shir. Dropshot, but I merely remarked that sheila I stumble on it, (ll not throw up my claim ter my share.” The alealde stopped. He knew the man who had come to say good-by. Did he see the tiger that showed his teeth behind his long black lashes? ‘** Yer goin’ will outlaw you!” growled Drop- shot. ‘* You know ther laws ov Red Eye.” ‘*T know all.” “ Yer’ playin’ ther boy,” sneered the alcalde, ** Yes, [ guess ye’d better go.” * All right.” Duncan was trying to keep back the madness | that seemed to rend him, cut like a bowie, **Fare ye well,” he went on. ‘Ten years ov huntin’ for ther lost benanza hev resulted in— nothin’. Gilbert still holds his secret from Red Eye, an’ you let a masked woman walk off with ther only person who has listened ter ther boy with success. Arter all this I ought ter go.” Duncan moved toward the door and his bronze hand put behind him was on the latch when Dropshot Bluff came forward again. ** Ar’ ye goin’ alone?” he asked. ** Who'd [ take along?” was the coolly-spoken rejoinder. ‘I hevn’t stirred ther pards ter mu- tiny. No man in Red Eye but yerself knows that Duncan has made up his mind to leave.” ‘Then git out o’ camp as quick as possible. I make no promises. 1 may hunt you down, for we have sworn ter show no mercy ter traitors n’—” ‘ What’s that, cap’n?” And Duncan’s hand left the latch as one foot crept forward. ‘‘ I’m anything but that foul galoot. But, no! 1 didn’t come hyer fora fight. I said that ’d keep my temper ef it took ther hide, an’ I will, Hunt me ef ye will, but let me say that ther man who leaves Rod Eye is able ter take keer ov himself.” The door opened to the hand of the Red Eye pard, and as the two men exchanged looks in which there was but little friendship, Duncan stepped across the threshold and was gone! ‘** One fool less!” grated Dropshot Bluff, as he went back to the table and took up the chalk again. ‘‘I wouldn’t care much ef ther hull blamed camp turned their backs on me. I'd hev it all ter Floss an’ myself then, an’ when I get ter ther doors ov Ophir thar’d be nothin’ ter divide.” For some minutes there was no sound in the alcalde’s cabin, The chalk as it moved across the surface of the table made no noise, and Dropshot Bluff tediously drew the lines he had seen Gilbert draw once on his own table. Still on the hunt of that lost mine which, after all, might prove one of the greatest myths of the century! Still gold-haunted and trail-lost, but striving to get at the mystery 1 a manner that promised no beneficial results! Dropshot Bluff drew and erased. He seemed to have forgotten the scene at Grim George’s grave; Vera and Queen Moro in passing from sight appeared to have passed also from mind, ‘Hang it all! I can’t get at it!” suddenly cried the alealde. ‘I didn’t see the map long enough ter get a grip on it. I must depend on Gilbert for it after all. When I next get at ther boy, Pll shoot ther information from him! What ef Duncan took some ov ther boys along? Jupiter! he didn’t interfere with Floss, I hope. 0; brave as he is, he knew better than to cross the alealde ov Red Eye in thet particular! However thar’ll be no danger in lookin’.” At that moment something seemed to strike the door. Dropshot Bluff drew a revolver and went to- ward it. He listened intently with his finger on the latch. “Thar war suthin’ out thar,” he muttered. ‘* My ears hev never fooled me yet.” Yes ‘‘ something ” was on the outside. If he could have seen the human figure that had walked into Red Eye with unsteady step he would have opened the door without listening. It actually leaned against the cabin. Dropshot Bluff at last opened the door, and put one foot across the log at the bottom, ‘“* Mebbe, arter all—” ‘‘Ter hades with ther pard thet leaves an- other one dyin’ in his shanty!” The alcalde of Red Eye started back with a wild exclamation of horror, and fell against the Dropshot’s sneer had | ** Who says I did that?” ho ejaculated. *‘Ther man what faces ther boss ov Red Eye!” was the reply. ‘* Jehosaphat! Dagger Johnny!” ‘Bet yer life, Cap’n Bluff. Hev ther un- speakable joy ter look inter ther dropper I hold in my clutches, an’ send ahead ov yer soul a ca for pardon!” The thunderstruck alcalde could not speak. If the grave on the mountain-side had opened and released Grim George, he would not have been more astonished, for Dagger Johnny was the last man he expected to see before him. ‘* Ar’ ye through, cap’n?” resumed the wound- ed sport, with a grin, while he leaned against the rough jamb and with both hands steadied the revolver thrust into the alcalde’s face. ‘I guess this is Johnny’s last shot, an’ itll be some satisfaction to send ahead oy ’im ther man who spurned ’im when dyin’ for a gold myth. Oh! thar’s no mercy at my heart, Dropshot. I’m a tiger just broke loose from Tartarus!” ‘*Give me a word, Johnny. I thought yer dead when I left yer. I—” ‘*T don’t want alie,cap’n, Ef thet’s ther kind ov goods ye’r’ goin’ ter dealin, Pl] send yer on with a full stock.” The next sound was the report of a revolver, and Dropshot Bluff reeled and pitched across the table, CHAPTER XIX, BETWEEN TWO FATES. So much for thet one!” grated the wild-eyed man who leaned against the door and stared at the effect of his shot, ‘* I guess he’ll never leave another dyin’ pard for a gold myth. Wal, hardly, cap’n. It isn’t healthy when Dagger Johnny’s ne one thet’s left.” He seemed to recover strength while he stood there, for all at once he drew back and walked away. His step was still unsteady; he had the gleam of a tiger in his eyes, and his fingers clutched the revolver which had just covered the boss of Red Eye Bar. Dagger Johnny did net stop until he reached the cabin lately occupied by Gilbert. He open- ed the door and looked in, ** Not back yet, eh?” he muttered, ‘ Ther last I saw ov ther youngster he war bein’ marched. off by Keen Kennard, ther Shasta Sleuth. Ef he war hyer, by Jupiter! ’'d choke ther secret out o’ him; but I can’t skin a fox before he’s caught.” Dagger Johnny suddenly went back up the one street of Red Bye. “Tl take one more look at ther cap’n,” he murmured, stepping to the alealde’s cabin, and the next moment he was leaning inside. ‘*Gone!” was the sudden ejaculation. ‘ By hokey! I left ‘im hyer dead not twenty minutes ago. Ill have ter investigate this a little,” ‘**Yowll investigate nothin’!” was spoken be- hind him in terrible tones, “Put one foot across thet threshold, an’ [ll shoot yer ter pieces!” Dagger Johnny looked behind him and saw in the starlight the stalwart figure of the alcalde, a revolver in each hand and a demon in his eyes. ‘*About face!” continued Dropshot Bluff, ‘* Advance toward me, Dagger Johnny, or Ill cash yer life checks whar you stan’! Let thet dropper slide ter ther ground, please. I don’t like it whar it is, though ye’r’ not very harmful at short range.” **Didn’t I ht yer?” gasped the Red Eye pard, as he was forced to relinquish the weapon. ‘* A graze, nothin’ more!” laughed the alcalde. ‘*T saw yer hands shakin’ while ye war holdin’ ther shooter. Can’t yer shoot better nor thet, old pard?” Dagger Johnny did not know what to say, but he growled to himself: ‘Ef I hed itter do over, by heavens! I'd do ther job up in apple-pie order. You'd better fix me right away, cap’n, fer I'll git my work in ef yer don’t.” The leveled weapons of the big alealde forced Dagger Johnny forward and almost wp to their muzzles, ‘* Hyer Iam, cap’n,” he said. ‘I’m not much 0’ count as a physical beauty. I’ve been keep- in’ up under a strain ever since I fought Queen Moro for ther boy’s map.” “T want yer ter walk nhead o’ me ter ther boys,” said the boss of Red Eye, ** Which means thet I’m ter be tried by a sort o’ court-martial for breakin’ one ov our rules?” “Perhaps. Keep right ahead. ‘I'll tell yer when ter stop. Yer shot straight at my head,” Dagger Johnny’s eyes said ‘‘ yes” in language not to be mistaken, and in the best step he could assume he walked ahead of the alcalde along the street. ‘‘One word, cap’n,” he suddenly said, as he halted, despite the menace of eye and revolver. ‘“What would yer give for information about Gilbert?” : Dropshot Bluff gave a start which was noticed by the threatened rough. ** Yer don’t know,” he said. ‘Don't I?’ said Dagger Johnny, his eyes twinkling. ‘‘ What shell ther bargain be, nt e Shadow. 17 person who but a few minutes before had at- tempted to take his life. ‘“ We'll bargain after ther trial,” he said. ‘*Torward! Johnny.” ‘** But I know,” persisted the Red Eye pard. ‘See hyer. Ef you don’t move along Pll scatter yer brains over yer shoulders!” Dagger Johnny clinched hands and teeth. “Yl stan’ no show with ther boys ef Drop- shot catches their eyes,” he said to himself, ** te this camp pard shows no mercy ter pard when ther test comes. I may ret over ther work ov Queen Moro’s knife ef t hov a chance; but unless I kin wriggle out ov thistrap, Pll stan’ a mighty slim chance ov gettin’ my clutches on ther Ophir. Pve got ter take anothertack. Cap’n Bluff,” he said aloud, halting again, ‘‘ what ef I hed a genuine map ov ther mine—one worth a thou- sand ov ther kind matted with blood?” ** But ye hevn’t—go on!” was the reply, **T hev, I swear it!” cried Dagger Jobnny. ‘** We'll find it arter ther court-martial,” said the alcalde coldly. The game had failed again, and once more Dagger Johnny ground his teeth, and marched ahead of Dropshot’s revolver, “Tve got ter stick it out, I guess,” he said sul- lenly, and relapsed into silence. Three minutes later several men suddenly con- fronted the mountain roughs, and stared at the alcalde’s revolvers and their prisoner, “Call ther boys hyer. We've got ter try a pard,” said Dropshot. ‘It’s a hard ‘thing ter do, but this ar’ one ov ther times when it can’t be avoided.” The command was obeyed, and in a short time Dagger Johnny, still showing the effects of his desperate encounter with Queen Moro, leaned against a cabin and looked into the faces of the pa he of Red Eye, who stood revealed by the ight of several lamps. » ‘** Ther charge is attempted murder,” said the alcalde, glancing from the prisoner to the bronze crowd, jury and executioners, at once, ‘ He will not deny it. Thar stands ther man who came back ter Red Eye awhile ago, an’ shot at my head with a dropper clutched by two hands. Ask him,” The men turned to the Red Eye pard. Their looks were questions. “IT did it,” said Dagger Johnny, stepping clear of the shanty. ‘‘ Pards ov Red Eye, Drop- shot Bluff stan’s thar because my eye failed me. ; war in no condition ter do sure work. See yer. He threw wide his dark gray jacket and showed the crowd the shirt glued to his bosom with his own blood. The wild men pressed eagerly forward. "ey got it in ther service ov Red Eye,” he went on. ‘I fought for ther key ter ther lost bonan- za, Which we've trailed like a pack ov wolves for ten years, I got it. I fetched it hyer, an’ threw it ter Dropshot Bluff. I thought then I war at ther end ov ther string, an’ when my senses swam that man left me, It isa part ov pardship thet while life lasts, brother must stand by brother. Ther alcalde ov Red Eye has broken that rule. I wandered from camp. Madness an’ my wounds drove me back. I for- got ther woman who cut me—I didn't think ov ther lost Ophir. Vengeance directed me ter. Dropshot Bluff’s shanty. I saw him only, an’ while ther fit war on, ter see war ter shoot. Thet’s ther hull case, gents. I put in no plea ov self-derense. Put yerselves in my place. It is ther unwritten Jaw ov ther sierra thet when pard deserts pard, ther man deserted may kill.” The men had listened breathless to Dagger Johnny. He stepped back, and rested his case. He didn’t like the jury, but he could not choose another to his own liking. He had to submit. ‘Ef I thought him alive ’d not hev left ’im,” said the alcalde with a smile. ‘‘ Ther pards ov Red Eye know Dropshot Bluff too well ter call him false. He shot ter kill; his nervousness foiled his aim. Thar must be one ov two ver- dicts in a case ov this kind—immediate death or eternal banishment, ter be shot on sight.” ** Whatever yer verdict be, yer can’t cheat this sierra sample out o’ much bliss,” said Dag- ger Johnny with a strange smile. ‘*Put yer- selves in my place; thet’s all [ ask,” The sierra court so suddenly convened in the lam mi le looked puzzled. They would have to deel e between two pards, one the alcalde himself, the other a man who had made himself a favorite of the camp. Dropshot Bluff kept the men constantly under his eye as if he feared that to omit the espionage for a moment would be to lose the game. Several minutes of singular silence passed away, the lamps flickered over the heads of the mountain court. At last one of the men asked permission to re- tire for a minute; it was granted and Dropshot Bluff and the prisoner were left alone. ey looked at one another but did not speak and the silence was unbroken till the men came back, Dagger Jobnny tried to read the verdict in the faces of the sierra pards; so did the big alcalde. ‘**Tt is pard an’ pard,” said one of the jury, looking at Dropshot Bluff while he spoke. “ We hope we may never hev another case like this, Our verdict is—” “> re ae - . 4 ne 2 i be See rn LLL SS LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LE ALL LL A i gee The alcalde did not reply for a moment. table almost losing his balance. seemed to see in theman before him only the! The interested pards started forward, ats * + 4 g | | uy \ ebook —=— +. =." he eA | (E(©)