Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 367 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

i - - —— ing mustang. And close at his heels rides Sol Scott. Ten minutes later, and they can see the ruins of Single Pot Ranch. A heap of ashes, with a few tiny curls of smoke still ascending from them. Beyond, the fences of the corrals, one end charred and smoking. The wide-spreading tree, its leaves shriveled and crisp from the great heat sent out by the burning building; on its trunk a gleam of white paper, At its base a recumbent figure, with a bloody blanket for a shroud. Straight for the tree raced Dan Brown, leap- ing from the saddle as his steed dashed past. He tore the knife from the tree-trunk, and with a single glance, as it seemed, drank in the con- tents of that paper. ‘Thank God! It might havo been worse!” These words broke from his parched up as he handed the paper to Sol Scott. One glance was all he gave the written lines, then dropped the paper, saying huskily: ‘*Pray that my loved ones have fared no worse! I’m off!” It was the turn of Dan Brown to act the part of prudence now, and his strong grasp checked the detective, his voice rapidly uttering: ‘‘T saw some of your men—one, at least—with the party we met. Wait for him; they are coming back. He will know all.” Sol Scott yielded, just as Dan Brown had yielded to him the evening before. The delay was short. Already the cowboys were racing up, and then a few brief questions from Dan Brown told Sol Scott the worst. . His wife and child had set out for Single Pot Ranch, under guard, and with a man who claimed to have a note from Mrs. Brown. When the red glow in the heavens attracted attention, the three men remaining on_ his ranch at once sped in that direction, to lend what aid they might to the sufferer. They had eyes only for the fire, and but for the sudden shying of their horses as they neared the coulee, they would have ridden over and past their murdered mates without discovery, ‘* All dead?” grated Sol Scott, his eyes glow- ing vividly. ‘ All but Top Dancer, an’ he so nigh to it he couldn’t more’n make signs how it come about,” was the grave response. ‘* Where is he?” ‘‘Thar by the coulee,” was the response. “* We couldn’t fetch him ’long with us, he was that weak an’ so nigh gone. We didn’t like to leave him thar to die alone, so Ben Jimson stop- ped “long with him, while we rid on to do what we could, Tom ’nd me.” ‘‘Ben hasn’t come up?” The cowboy shook his head in the negative. ‘‘ Then Dancer must be alive. Dan, you take charge here, while I go to learn the truth from ‘Top Dancer.” | Without another word Sol Scott plunged spurs ‘into his new mount, and dashed away at break- neck speed. The st iy stared covertly at Dan Brown, as- tonished at his icy composure, where they na- turally expected wild excitement if not furious ravings. They little realized what a hell of pas- sion was seething and boiling beneath that calm exterior. Dan Brown singled out.one of his men, the oldest and most a meonng 0 of the lot, and drew him a little apart from the rest, though still re- maining within earshot. He questioned him sharply, until he had gleaned a telerably accu- rate account of all that had transpired. He told of the coming to the ranch of the three strangers, and the cool, confident manner in which they had deceived Mark Hopkins. He told how the reports of revolvers inside the house gave them the first hint of trouble, and then, a little shame-faced, he told how their at- tempted rescue was foiled through their love for the mistress and ber children, Tn stern silence Dan Brown listened, his face *howing neither reproach nor approval until the Lowboy broke down, his voice unsteady, his — eyes filling with tears of indignation and ie ‘* You were not to blame, West,” the detective said, one hand resting on the shoulder of the cowboy, turning him around until their eyes met. ‘I know those hellhounds well. The would have murdered my wife and children if you had made a rush then. You acted for the ‘ But I feel like a durned, no ’count, aig-suck- in’ cur over it!” the cowboy ejaculated, his fists clinching savagely. * Big, stout men like us, to stan’ by an’ seo them imps o’ Satan kerry off— oh, blazes !” If so hard for him, what mustit have been for the husband andfather? Yet Brown showed no outward signs of grief or rage. He was cold and composed. vit cP 2 Before pressing his investigations further, Dan Brown raked together a few living brands, and on their glowing coals he dropped pinch af- ter pinch of the curious powder, sending ae black balloons similar to those produced by So Scott shortly before that terrible night race was begun, And standing near the little fire, occa- sionally dropping on the powder, he bade his man continue his recital, _ \ $ oe? a =! A Set ee Royal Flush. 13 A good deal more at ease, now that he knew | ‘‘Not then, or I'd have riddled him at the his employer did not hold them accountable for his measureless loss, West Long proceeded to tell of the departure of the marauders and what followed. It was well along in the evening when the bound and helpless cowboys were startled by the breaking out of the flames. The first light showed from the rear of the ranch, and the building was well on fire before ae so much as suspected anything of the sort. They neither saw nor heard anybody about the place, after the departure of the gang under lead of Aces- and, but such there must have been, since it was not likely the fire could have smoldered $9 long before breaking out. More desperately than ever did they strive to ee ee ee ee burst their bonds, but with no better success | than before. They had been bound by men who evidently understood their business. “Tt looked like we was boun’ to sizzle afore | long,” grimly added West Long; passing his scorched hands over his charred garments, *‘ We was piled up by the fence nighest the house, an’ what little wind they was blowed right in our teeth, fetchin’ the smoke an’ the heat straight fer our hides. The fence wouldn’t’low us to roll away. We jes’ shet our teeth to grin an’ b’ar it, when we hearn a yell, an’ up rid Tom an’ Jack Purcell, come to see what was up an’ to lend a han’ ef they was time to save anythin’.” Thus the apparently doomed cowboys were set free, and none too soon, as their scorched ex- tremities and charred clothing bore ample evi- dence, The ranch was beyond their saving. The corral fences caught fire, but there they could do more, and soon cut off the fire. They hunted around for sign, aud discovered the note pinned to the trunk of the tree. They consulted over what course to pursue, and finally decided to send out men in search of the detec- tives, though they knew nothing more of them than that they were operating somewhere up toward the upper line. The result has been seen. While listening and sending up the signal smokes, Dan Brown had been glancing over the men around, and now, as West Long ceased speaking, he slowly uttered: ‘*And how many men have taken the trail of the kidnappers?” There was no immediate response. The cow- boys interchanged quick, furtive glances, then they lowered their eyes. West Long shifted nervously from one foot to the other, but said nothing. ‘** L see here the faces of all my men, save that of Mark Hopkins. His body lies yonder, and his death proves that he at least tried to do his duty. Not one of you have taken a step to res- cue your mistress, yet I hired you for men, In- stead, you prove yourselves cowards |” West Long was gazing toward the tree under which rested the body of Mark Hopkins. A sudden light flashed into his eyes, and striding forward he picked up a slip of paper from the ground, It was the same which Aces-and had pinned to the tree directly beneath the note written by Mrs. Brown, but which had some- how become detached and fallen to the ground, thus escaping the notice of the one for whom it was intended, Dan Brown, of Denver. West Long quietly handed the paper to the de- tective, whose keen eyes drank in the brief con- tents: “To Dan BrRowN AND HIS BLOODHOUNDS:— “If any attempt is made at pursuit or rescue before my messenger brings you our terms for ran- som, I swear that the five captives now in our power shall be killed without mercy. You know me, at least by reputation. ACES-AND,.”’ “That’s our ixcuse, boss,” quietly said Long. ‘It is sufficient, and 1 take back my words. Instead I thank von for your thoughtfulness,” gravely uttered Dan Brown, passing rapidly around the little circle, and warmly grasping each hand. Meanwhile, Sol Scott had ridden direct for the coulee where Johnny-jump-up had placed his men in ambush in order make sure the capture of Mrs. Scott and her little girl. s he drew near the t he saw a man start up with ready rifle, but the recognition was in- stant, and in another minute Sol Scott was kneeling beside poor Top Dancer. ‘*T did the best I knew how, boss,” feebly muttered the wounded cowboy, a wistful light in his sunken eyes, ‘I’m glad Dve lived long enough to tell you that we did our level best.” ‘Of that I am certain, Dancer, old friend,” gently responded the detective, as he answered the feeble grip with an earnest pressure, “If my trust in you had not been perfect, would I have left such precious treasures in your charge?” ‘*To lose ’em at last!” groaned the wounded man, “ Not through fault of yours, I am confi- dent,” ‘‘ Nor that of the boys, boss,” was the quick ejaculation. ‘‘They died for her, though they couldn’t save her nor the darling from that laughing devil! Died—end he didn’t give us a chance to fire even a shot in their defense—hell’s blackest curses on his head!” ‘** Who was it, Dancer? You knew him?” | ‘ ' } ) ! rr LT LL LL LLL TT TT jump-off, boss,” was the calmer reply. “He played it mighty well. He fooled us all. He made the madam think he brought a note from Mrs. Brown. She trusted him, and so did we, though I kept in mind your orders never to permit her to pass off the place without escort ing her.” ‘* Who was it?” - as chany Jump UP, boss.” ‘* That merciless devil!” **Sure, boss. I heard him tell the madam so before they rode cff.” ‘*He ambushed you at this point, of course?” ‘* Yes—at least, 1 suppose so. know I re- member catching a fst oy of other men: but Johnny-jump-up did all the work, He opened on us without a word. We hadn’t time to touch a gun before it was all over.” ol Scott arose and was about to mount again when Top Dancer said, in trembling but eager tones: ‘Let me go too, boss! Don’t make me sta here to die! t me ride back to the ranch wit you. It’s a dying man asks it!” ‘‘T’m going back to Dan Brown’s,” was the kind reply. ‘* You would not be able to stand the trip. I will send men to take you home.” ‘“ With you—to see you—set off after those— hounds!” the wounded cowboy gasped, broken- ly. . ‘If not ride—crawl as far—” He actually made the attempt, turning over on his hands and knees and dragging himself in the direction of the Single Pot Ranch! Sol Scott quickly intercepted him, saying; ‘*Tf you insist upon it, Dancer, you shall go; but I warn you that it will most cer‘ ainly prove your death, *Tve got it anyway, boss,” with a haggard smile. ‘* The smiling devil sent his lead home, but [ll live to see the outfit take the trail. Vl know the boys’ll strike one blow, fire one shot, for their—old pard!” Scott understood just how the wounded man felt, and though he had serious doubts as to his ability to make the trip, he could no longer deny him. With the aid of Ben Jimson, who had long since bound up the builet wound, he lifted To Dancer into the saddle of Jimson’s horse, hold- ing him steady while Jimson climbed up behind him, then bestrode his own horse and rode peibe f back to the ruins of the Single Pot Ranch. Top Dancer bore the journey much better than might have been expected, and when the spot was reached, he was carefully lowered to the ound and placed beneath the tree, with his ead and shoulders leaning against the trunk, so that he might see all that transpired, without straining himself, Dan Brown, intrusting the signal-making to West Long, drew Sol Scott aside and showed to him the brief warnin a, an by Aces-and. ‘*T have not decided whether it is more than a bluff to gain time or not,” he said, in low troubled tones. “The scoundrel is none too good to carry out his threat, if crowded, though he must know that in so doing he would be sealing his own fate. The world wouldn’t be big enough to hide him from us then!” ‘*Tt isn’t big enough to hide him long, even now,” was the quiet response, those big blue «yes glowing like coals of fire. ** Of course, but you know what I mean.” ‘Yes, And I think we will wait a bit before taking the trail.” :, ** And give him a chance to get into quartcrs where we can’t drive him out?” a little sharply ejaculated Dan Brown of Denver. ‘Wait abit,’ was the cool response, ‘Of course we'll take the trail, when we startin force. But while you are waiting for his messenger, what is to hinder me from playing a lone hand? I can do it without his smoking me, were he ten times as cunning.” ‘Tf he should discover you, them free without aid, and them for the venture. meant to send a messeuger to treat for ransom, ‘* You should know him better than that. He’s after the money, no doubt, but when he gets that, do you for a moment believe he'll throw eway his only safeguard? That he’ll set the priscners free and so—” ; The sentence was never finished. A hoarse angry cry from tha lips of Top Dancer startled them, and turning, they saw him lean forward, a revolver in his trembling grasp—saw him dis- charge it at a horseman who had just appeared from behind one of the corrals. ‘* Tt’s that laughing devil!” gasped the wcund- ed cowboy, falling forward on his face. ‘It’s that devil’s whelp, Johnny-jump-up!” CHAPTER X. JOHNNY-JUMP-UP MAKES A BLUFF, For a single breath the startled spectators ou couldn't set e might punish stood like men suddenly paralyzed, and proba-. bly not one among their number fairly under- stood the meaning of the scene until the shot was fired and Top Dancer fell forward cn kis face in his mad effort to leap to his fect. Then, as they caught the name of tke Ccsye- rado who had played so prominces a part inthe tragedy, a hoarse roar Eoin (E If I thought he realy . IOO “S) (elo) * Ae! ‘sh