Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 375 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

‘ é - Ps x did not floor the man of rags it was not for want of good intention. ‘‘Oh, no, Mr. Dukely,” laughed Rufe, as he parried the blow with no mean science. ‘“Ef I war a hasty man, I’d pull back both hammers, an’ yank on ther triggers. Yer see, I’m jest about ez tough a case ez yerself, an’ mebbe I’ve traveled jest ez fur.” ‘Then, what in sanctified blazes does yer want with me? Yer got Gentle Joe layin’ back somewheres near, ter chip in, when yer gits ther chance?” Dave Dukley’s wrath was not at sucha boiling pitch as to make him forget his cau- tion, and this was a very natural suggestion. He stopped at the first reverse and waited to see further. ‘Don't you fret yerself ‘bout Joe Lips- combe. Joe runs his own game, ‘thout a cap yer, an’ when he wants ter chip he don’t do it over anybody’s shoulder. 1’m jest a-sug- estin’, an’ ef it don’t strike yer whar yer ive I ain't got no more ter say. Ef ther ain’t no fun on ther outside ov ther Jungie, ll go on an’ see how she are on ther inside.” And very coolly Primrose turned away and entered the saloon by the door through which his two companions had already preceded bim. In this way he had broken the time of their arrival, and had put up a little job on Dukely by which he believed that he would force him to show his hand a little later. Mordaunt Mortimer, it seemed, had enter- ed by himself. As far asa mancould, under the prevailing suspense as to the outcome of the pretty little quarrel between Dukely and the proprietor of the Jungle, he had attracted to himself all the attention of the crowd, and there were plenty of glances spared as he - moved up toward the bar. ‘‘Tam looking fora man known here as Lipscombe, and was directed hither as a place where | might obtain some informa- tion. Has he been seen about here to-night?” The coolness of the stranger in the midst of the subdued but powerful excitement, did more for him than anything else could have done. Lame Johnny, the bartender, turned toward him with an approving smile. ‘* You’ve come ter ther right shop, but a leetle late in ther evenin’. Joe war hyer, but Joe hes skipped; an’ there’s no sayin’ when he'll turn up ag’in. Yer might hang ‘round a bit an’ sce, We won't charge yer a cent, an’ ’ll throw in a heap of fun besides.” ‘“‘My luck to a fraction. 1 might have ex- pected it. Idid,in fact. Any reason for his skipping?” ‘‘ You hear that blame fool outside thar? That ain’t ther reason prezactly, but that’s suthin’ ter do with it. Mart Hammers is a man, and Mart Hammers was a-talkin’ to him, with that galoot as part ov his backin’. Joe bluffed ther hull gang, but he got, an’ now Dukely area-howlin’ overit. Ther boss showed him ther door, an’ he’s jest a-lettin’ him have a howl outside, ’thout a-worryin’; but ef Josey comes along an’ hears sich loose talk, he'll be apt ter pin him up fer a sample.” “Then you think that Mr, Lipscombe will be back again this evening?” ‘‘Life’s uncertain; but if he don’t meet with no backset, an’ hez stren'th ter crawl, I wouldn't be surprised if he would be ’round, ez usual. Anything pertick ler?” ‘‘Yes, something very particular. I have some intelligence for him for which he ought to be truly grateful.” ‘Old pard of hissen, be yer?” “Yes, yes. No doubt he will remember me the moment he sets eyes on me. I have some news in regard to a fortune to which he lately became heir; and someother still more rivate matters. Let him know, if you see im before I do.” “All correct. I'l] do that very thing. Meanwhile, ef you'd jest stand a lcetle ter ther right, you'd be outen ov range with that winder, hen Dave Dukely does shoot, he’s that keerless like that he'd jest ez soon hit er stranger. What did yer say war ther variety yer most loved ter taste?” ‘<The question is quite natural, though I am ashamed to say that I had not yet named it ‘Gentlemen, will you join me?” Of course there was very little hesitation. The loafers ranged themselves at the bar, and whisky all around was poured out. Then the people of the Bar, taking their cue from the men at the further end, and with a unanimous motion, tossed their liquor off, and set their glasses down with a simul- taneous crash. It must have really been a matter of some little practice, and Lame Johnny gave a smile and a wink as he mo- tioned with his thumb toward the thirsty line. ‘‘Byver seen anything ter beat em’? The lambs of the Jungle kin take their fodder by note. Ef you hed ther rest ov ‘em, ez are listenin’ ter Davy, at ther door, they'd jest empty a barrel. Git ’em all together some- time. It’s wu'th seein’; and don’t cost more than ef yer took ’em one at a time,” ‘Thanks for the suggestion. If I stay long enough I shell be happy to do it. Ah, what is the trouble now?” The trouble was that the door had been flung open again, and in stepped a dozen res- olute men, headed by Mart Hammers. With them, though not of the same party, and evidently just met, were Mr. Cathcart and Major Widespin, The two fell aside in earnest converse; the others marched straight over to where the cross-eyed man was seated. Trinnfador, if that was his name, had managed to repair damages to a great ex- tent, and his clothing, though patched, pieced and darned, gave no direct token of the struggle of the night before, while his face was unruflled, and his attitude entirely unconcerned. At the approach of Hammers he scarcely straightered up, though he nodded in a heavy sort of way. ‘*] wouldn’t come no nearder onless ye’r’ a canderdate fur ther bone-yard,” he growled, apparently looking Mart straight in the eyes. ‘Tas’ night I tuk it rough an’ tumble an’ yer didn’t give me half a fair shake. Ter- night I’m right in town, all dressed up fur biz. When [ cut loose, ef I hev ter, you'll hear diff’rent music. What’s it goin’ ter be; peace er war?” Mordaunt’s operations at the bar having drawn the crowd away in that direction it left an open space around the cross-eyed man; and as his back was against the wall he had a fair view of the men that he had every reason to believe were his enemies, without troubling himself about his flanks, At this cool defiance Mart was staggered and turned to his men. ‘‘Blame me ef I don’t begin ter think there’s bin mistakes all ’round. This galoot ain't a fit subjeck fur hangin’—he’s ez crazy ez a bed-bug. Ther ain’t no man with a head half way down to ther level ez would come in hyer, after slippin’ clear by ther skin ov his teeth, an’ try ter buck ther town.” ‘Gentle Joe did it!” said a voice that was pitched in a high, shrill key, evidently one of disguise. ‘‘Oh, thar wasn’t much ag’in’ Joe, ’cept backin’ this very gerloot; and that in a half- hearted way. An’ Jue b’longs hyar, ef he does hail frum Jumptown. But this sucker don’t b'long nowhar, an’ might jest ez well ‘a’ moved on to ther next camp an’ saved trouble. It wasn't him we war after now; but bein’ ez we find him in ther road we may ez well take him in. Eh, boys?” This was the truth, since the party had not yet heard of Trinnfador’s return when the start was made for the Jungle; and Gen- tle Joe was the man they were after. But the fact was that honest Mart Hammers, who had kicked hard enough, the night be- fore when singled out as the man to run things, had been so badgered that he was in a tearing bad humor; and when he had got out of the range of Lipscombe’s friends had been very easily convinced that he had neglected his duty and dropped his sand when he failed at least to hold Joe for the decision of the Lynch court which he could very easily reconvene. : It was natural enough. then, that when Hammers saw the cross-eyed man he should o for him; and just as natural that the bluff should arouse the worst side of his nature, however much he might try to keep his pas- sion down. The appeal to the men at his back was more a matter of form than any- thing cise. The answer, though, chimed in with his own feelings. A dozen voices chorused: “ Right ie are, Mart: take him in.” ‘Fur what?” asked Trinnfador, brazenly looking around. ‘Ther jury, las’ night, sed fur what. Ef Se EN Royal George, the Three in One. — that ain’t ernuf you kin call fur a new trial, an’ ef what we hearn ter-day are true, it won't do you much good.”’ “Dunno ‘bout that,” retorted the man, somewhat reflectively. ‘‘ Las’ night thar war jest a howl raised an’ they tried ter run me through. Now, thet things hez cooled off a leetle, mebbe I'd hev a fair shake. Say, pards, I’ve come hyar ter stay, an’ J want terstart squar’. Ef | hold me hands up will yer guarantee a white performance an’ no skull-duggery? All I ax are ter heva chance ter show I ain’t no sich critter ez they painted me; an’ then live in peace an’ quiet.” © ‘That much Blazer’s Bar ought to prom- ise, to ony man,” said Mordaunt Mortimer, stepping forward. ‘I am a stranger in this camp, and perhaps I could talk the matter over with less prejudice than the most of you. What do you say Mr.—Mr. Ham- mers. Cannot I, in the name of your peo- ple, guarantee to this individual the very treatment he asks for?” 4 ‘“What do yer take us fur, hyar? In course. We'll give him another, an’ an hon- est show fur his white ally. Ef he kin pull through then he kin set Gown hyar an’ stay till ther cow’s horns drop off. an’ ef ary aloot treads on his toes ’thout givin’ warnin’ fart Hammer 1] Le ther fu’st ter see him through ther riffle.” ‘Good ernuff,” heartily responded Abed- nego; ‘‘ but how’s that fur high?” 30 closely together that the bystanders could scarcely catch the shade of time be- tween them, two pistol-shots rung through the room, and Trinnfador staggered back to the wall with a smutch of blood on his fore- head, and a smoking pistol in his hand, CHAPTER XXXII. BABY BURT GETS IN A LITTLE ONE, STRAIGHT FROM THE SHOULDER. Axour half the speetators actually thought Trinnfador was the sole victim, and he had been brought down by a treacherous shot, fired by some one outside of the circle. When they heard a groan and a fall behind them there was a surprise, that was hardly lessened when they comprebended the true inwardness of the affair. Dave Dukely’s revolver was out too—and its owner was on the floor. Trinnfador might be looking at no one in particular, or he might be apparently staring into the eyes of Mart Hammers; but all.the same he was keeping a weather eye out for danger, and had spotted Dukely as he was drawing a bead on him from his place of semi-conceal- ment in the rear of the crowd. Then, with his hand held low down, he shot from under his skirt, in time, at least, to disarrange the aim that would otherwise have been deadly. The ball plowed a ridge along the upper corner of his forehead, and sent him gasping backward. But it was puily for an instant that he was off of his ase. “That’s yer fair play, Mart Hammers! You kin stand an’ pump Wind while yer gang gits in the’r work. I dunno why I don't send you over ther range, which I kin do ez easy ez I dropped that carrion. Yer can’t ketch Abednego asleep—an’ you bet er bottom dollar he looks a1] ways ter once. ou kin prance round me back, er you kin eddle wind all night in front, an’ 1 don’t boa a continental; but ther man ez draws on me ter ther back, front er sideways, drops; an’ don't yer disremember!” For pure sand, in offering a bluff to the Bar after shots had been fired, Abednego certainly took the cake. ‘The confounded fool,” said Major Wide- spin to Cathcart, in a low tone. ‘‘Can’t he see that he is setting up the pins so that Mart and his crowd must make a strike? He looks like a good man and acts like a good man, but he can’t get away wit a dozen, even if he does look every way at once. The chances are there will be a lively time here; and as I am not a fighting man, and you are a stranger, I think we had better get out,” “How about the wounded man? Is he dying?” retorted Cathcart, who, tenderfoot though he was, seemed the cooler of the two. “Tike as not. Some of his pards are car- rying him out, and as they will most likel send a volley in through the window, it is time to go. We have no business here,” é (E (0) LIL! 200 SS ~ eae steal i.