Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 365 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

said. We serve justice now—not Dropshot Bluff. Forward!” The pards of Red Eye, or at least the greater portion of them, headed by Rattlin’ Roy, took up their march for the man who all the time fully warned and doubly armed, was quietly waiting for them in his cabin. The crisis was at hand, and Red Eye Bar was about to witness events which a few days back seemed impossible ones. It was a short walk to the alcalde’s cabin, and the quick ears of its cool tenant caught the tramp of the bronzed mutineers as they came down the one street behind the pistoled hand of Rattlin’ Roy. ‘“* They'll be surprised ter find me ready,” he murmured with a smile. ‘‘ Ther ten minutes ar’ about up an’ they’re hyer on time.” He heard the crowd halt in front of the cabin, and the next moment he was at the door. ‘* Hello!” he said opening it so abruptly that Rattlin’ Roy and his pards pacatled a step. ** What's ther news, boys?” The mutineers exchanged looks. ° There was nothin’ in Dropshot Bluff’s tones to indicate that he had been warned. They saw that he had no revolvers in his hand; it looked like attacking an enemy already at their mercy. ‘*Thar’s no news, cap’n,” said Rattlin’ Roy motioning to those behind him, ‘‘ We want ter see yer on business,” ‘“In a minute.” The big alcalde stepped back but his body was hardly out of sight when he reappeared, “T am ready now,” he said so significantly that the mutineer’s glanced at his hands, Yes, he was ready, for each hand held an enormous six-shooter, and his eyes were riveted on the crowd that confrnoted him. ‘Yer business with me, men ov Red Eye. Spit it out!” He stood in the door before them all, and leaned forward a little while he spoke with a leer of triumph on his swarthy face. ‘**T understand,” he went on, ‘‘that I am ter go back ter Utah under guard.” A murmur of astonishment broke from the lips of one-half of Rattlin’ Roy’s backers, ‘“« Betrayed!” exclaimed several unable to hold their tongues. The alcalde laughed. ‘‘Given away, an’ ther traitor lies dead under my table!” he said. ‘Ter youl am Dave Das- tard, ther Mormon elder, who is ther most want- ed. man out o’ doors. I am ther man who got even with ther soldier. I am only Dropshot Bluff by name. Isn’t this about ther size ov ther charge, eh, Rattlin’ Roy?” By this time the man who had headed the mu- tineers had recovered, ‘* Thet’s ther charge, cap’n,” he said. ‘* Thar’s no crime hated by mankind lice ther one thet once stirred ther Gentile part ov Mormorndom. You ar’ Dave Dastard, ther head man in thet deed,” pee Vs you hev been his slaves!” cried the al- calde, ‘*I hey been ready for this expose ever since I crossed ther bcundary ov Utah with all mankind ag’in’me. Iam not unprepared now. What! go back thar under guerd from Red Eye Bar? What d’yer take yer old alcalde for, boys?” ‘Why resist, cap’n? Wo ar’ all ov one mind,” said Rattlin’ Roy. “‘ This is Red Eye for justice. Wear’ Gentiles every one. Down with everything tainted with Mormonism!” ‘“Thet means me!” exclaimed the alcalde, coolly, and the next second his two revolvers lea into the faces of the mutineers. ‘Go back ter yer shanties an’ let me play our gold game through for Red Eye.” ‘‘Ophir be hanged!” answered Rattlin’ Roy. ‘‘Gilbert is dead, an’ ther secret is loct forever, Don’t try ter buck all Red Eye, cap’n.” | ‘‘- Yer won't go, eh?’ came over the aicalde’s lips like a last sentence, ‘i No !” A second later the outstretched revolvers flashed in the faces of Rattlin’ Roy and his pards. Men fell back with loud cries or staggered to One side without a groan, ‘I meet the crisis when it comes,” said the man who did the shooting. ‘ Thar’s one sierra chick who never goes Back ter ther Gentile noose!” The men scattered from before the death- dealing weapons of the mad alcalde, The shots rung throug out the camp and came back from the mountain attended by many weird echoes. A dozen men rushed to the scene from differ- ent parts of Red Eye, and paused amazed be- fore the desperado who handled the revolvers. ‘* When I am trod upon I’m once more Dave Dastard!” he said in hisses to the thunderstruck group that looked on from a short distance away. ‘* This is ther second play ov ther hand thet trumped ther Gentile ace in Mormondom. Ther men lyin’ thar hev made their own graves. If Rattlin’ Roy could speak, he would regret thet he wanted ter escort me back,” The last shot had been fired, and the alcalde had stepped from his cabin with the hot revol- vers in his hands, Even the group still true to him drew back. He had admitted his identity, and Dropshot Bluff from that hour must be the hunted Mor- mon elder, ‘*T hold no man ter his oath,” he went on. ‘‘'You swore ter reach ther lost bonanza with Dropshot Bluff. You will never find it with Dave Dastard for your captain. Gentlemen, we dissolve partnership forever. I bid farewell ter Red Eye ter-night.” He waved one of the revolvers toward the speechless group and stepped aside, but with his eyes fixed upon them. ‘* We may hunt yer, cap’n,” said a voice. ‘‘ All right!” was the answer. ‘‘ Before you throw yerselves upon my trail look at ther six men lyiw’ ‘innehal shot between ther eyes! Once more I feel like my old self. I’ve got ther world ag’in’ me! But for all that Pll get ter ther end ov ther original gold game in prime condition. Dave Dastard is once more on top!” Nobody stepped forward to intercept the alcalde’s retreat. The silent group saw the half- lifted revolvers and stood spellbound. “They waked up ther wrong animal,” laughed the stalwart man who walked off. “I’m not much ov a saint when [ve got on my fightin’ garments. Ef Vera ther Sorceress war hyer she’d regret thet she took Grim George an’ Thunder Tom, an’ spared ther biggest devil in ther deck.” He walked toward the mountains behind the dark cabins, leaving a swearing group of men inspecting six figures that lay in the starlight. His eyes still flashed and his teeth seemed to bite off the words as if he hated them. Once he stopped and whirled toward Red Hye with a furious oath. “Why not go back an’ give ther hull camp ter ther wolf an’ ther vulture?’ he exclaimed, ‘‘ I kin take ’em by surprise an’ finish ther job, With Red Eye uninhabited, [ could hunt for Floss without fear ov molestation, an’ arter thet march straight ter ther closed gates ov Ophir.” He was on the eve of going back to camp. The alealde felt himself a match forall the dead- ly revolvers there. ‘Pll go back as Dave Dastard,” he went on. ‘* When they see me they’ll know that I’m play- in’ ther second act.” “Not while I’m hyer, cap’n,” said a voice be- hind him. Dropshot Bluff turned before the sentence was completed, and just in time to see a figure leap forward like a mountain panther, The next instant the two men met. ‘* Mebbe ye'll not go back ter Red Eye,” the assailant went on. ‘‘ Ye’ve fallen inter ther clutches ov a man who is ashamed ter say thet he’s been yer right-bower, Don’t yer know me, Cap'n Bluff?” he big alcalde who had been forced back by the attack saw the face and the flashing eyes of the man in his front. ‘‘'You’ve got more lives than a cat,” he said. ‘‘T discount a hull family ov felines,” was the reply accompanied by a laugh, and then the speaker raised his voice. ‘‘Come hyer, Ken- nard! I’ve caught ther shootin’ battery ov Red Eye, an’ by heavens! we'll take vengeance for blood on ther boy.” There was a light cry and a quick step in re- sponse to the summons and Dagger Johnny felt a hand on his arm. ‘‘Hyer yer ar’,” he cried looking up. “ By Jerusalem! Ken— In God’s name is it you ?” “Yes,” said a strange voice. ‘‘I am Vera the Viper, and Dave Dastard there knows my mission!” CHAPTER XXXI OUT OF TUE FIRE. ‘* Look! the whole mountain-side is on fire!” **Tn God’s name who did that?” **T cannot tell.” The person who spoke last was the young girl Floss, and the face into which she looked wore a black mask whose fringe fell to the mouth and almost concealed it, The fire was that started by the blazing mass of pine cones dropped from the mountain sum- mit by Keen Kennard in search of Gilbert, and in going back to that night we are only keeping track of several important characters of our ro- mance, Floss was still Queen Moro’s companion and prisoner, and she it was of the two who first discovered the fire which they had watched for scme time. They were below the flames which seemed to increase in violence as they spread rapidly, and, for some minutes after the girl’s last sentence no other words were spoken. ‘‘T remember that I saw a meteor dart down- ward, as if from the top of the mountain,” said Floss at last. ‘‘ It was some time before the fire burst forth. I happened to be looking up; but that did not start the flames.” “Tt might have fallen from human hands,” Queen Moro replied. ‘© Who would fire the mountain, and for what purpose?” ‘Heaven knows, but these sierra tigers will do anything. They are allon the famous gold trail, or think they are, and they will resort to Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. ae It was even so as the masked mystery had spoken. There was no longer that fierceness about the fire which had characterized it until within the last few minutes, and Floss could see that it had suddenly met some formidable ob- stacle. ‘We will move now,” said the woman. ‘* Our path lies toward the fire-swept lands, and we may come in contact with the devils who applied the match.” Stepping back from the trail on which they stood Queen Moro found two horses which she led forward by the bridles and told Floss to mount one. The next instant the twain were moving over the trail slowly up the mountain and toward that portion where the fire still found meyer | to feed ie ge although its destroying strengt was nearly spent. ‘‘IT would like to find these roasters out!” grated the Sacramento mystery, in tones not intended for the girl’s ears. *‘Maybe they are the men who hate me because I took Keen Ken- nard from them after the triangular duel. They imay be trying to roast me out for my share in that fight. Fools! if they attempt that.” The two females were not long reaching the region of smoke through which they were oblig- ed to force themselves like blindfolded persons. Queen Moro’s left hand continued to grasp Iloss’s bridle, though at times she could not see her beautiful captive. All at once the masked woman uttered a startling exclamation, and Floss felt her bridle violently jerked and then released. Her own horse stood still and a nameless thrill shot through her frame. What had become of Queen Moro? The thick smoke had settled down upon the spot like a heavy pall, and tho blackness of darkness surrounded the girl. She covered her face with her hands at times and gasped for breath. For several moments this terrible state of af- fairs continued, and the girl’s repeated efforts could not urge the horse forward one step. ‘Where are you, Queen Moro?” she asked, in audible yet cautious tones. ‘‘ In Heaven's name, tell me what has happened?” To these words there was no response. Floss ceased to urge her horse forward; she might stand upon the brink of some chasm into which queen Moro had disappeared. At last the curtain of smoke began to lift, the air became less disagreeable, and Floss was hap- py to breathe freely again. But she was still in an unpleasant situation, and alone. A wind finally drove the smoke away, and, far above, the girl could see the last torches of the mountain fire, Then again she called on her companion but her calls remained unanswered as before. Puz- zled beyond description, Floss dismounted and moved ahead on foot. By degrees she was enabled to see her way in the light of the stars, but her progress was slow, for she was on the lookout for that chasm into which she believed Queen Moro had fallen. All at once the young girl came to a halt and then fell back with a light ery escaping her lips. ‘““As I feared!” she ejaculated. “I am alone!” To all appearances the trail had come to an end and ata spot but a few feet from her halting-place., oss looked over the brink and saw a yawning chasm of darkness, but its depths her eyes could not fathom. Past it. wound the trail she had been following, but the sharp cry suddenly uttered by Queen Moro amid the stifling smoke told her that the wo- man of mystery had been one of the unfortu- nates, ‘There is another vengeance that will never be carried out,” murmured the girl as she made her way back to ber horse. ‘' The mask will be torn off by the vultures, and no human eye willgaze upon the branded face of the Sa- cramento mystery. Now, whatam Itodo? I am lost. I know not the trail back to Red Eye Bar, and why should I go there if Idid? Drop- shot Bluff is there. Duncan who took me from the camp may be hunting me now, but [ am not destined to feel his protecting arm again. Merciful heavens! what am I to do? Gilbert, Gilbert! all this for you! My bitterest enemy would be welcomed now!” The terrible situation and the ghostly sur- nouncinge unnerved the girl. She reached her steed and fell against him, trembling the while, and for the moment confronted by despair. By this time she could see no fire up the moun- tain. The last spark had yang been ex- tinguished, and where the flames had raged with fury was now the gloom of night. A light breeze that afforded peony of air was playing with the boughs above but that could not cheer the girl. ‘Which way—up or down?” she suddenly cried. “Iam more than half bewildered. I must wait for daylight on the mountain, then whither?—heaven knows!” She took the bridle and led her horse up the trail. She shuddered when she passed the ood er, any means to beat back their rivals. Ah! the | precipice over which she believed Queen Moro fire is dying out. It has struck a green belt. Nature is fighting it now.” had tumbled headlong, and her steed kept close to the wall opposite, > OMmIcHOOKks: nn! led * Cia =©€) ao | ‘