Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 389 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

—_ oe ee — ot. . wy ¢ ta’ ( 22 =a small measure of aguardiente, although the Mexicans grumbled ai this, as they could not see the propriety of throwing away liquor on a man who would not live long enough to enjoy the sensation of a ‘** drunk.” Then his arms were tied behind his back, and he was mounted on his horse, which was led to the proper place. The fatal noose was placed around his neck, and a Mexican climbed up into the tree to make the other end of the rope fast to the limb. Before the rope had been drawn tight a horse- man came riding at a gallop among the scattered hovels of Sobra. He had nearly reached the group about the tree before his approach was discovered, and his - sudden appearance caused a temporary suspen- - sion of operations. All turned to look at him, and perceived that he was a tall and stalwart man, mounted on a magnificent horse. Ben Hillman, whose face was uncovered, saw ‘the stranger, and his heart beat high with a new hope as he recognized his Arizona partner, Devil Dick. Before they could recover from their surprise, -the horseman had dashed into the midst of the throng, scattering men and women and children, and ata word his panting steed halted at the side of the horse on which the condemned man was ~“mounted A sharp knife glittered in his right hand, and the rope was cut. With another quick stroke the cord that tied ‘Ben Hillman’s hands was severed. Up went the knife to Devil Dick’s mouth, _-where he held it between his teeth, while with scattering -and fright, fired -ers had you foul and no mistake. _get into such a scrape?” and -dead man when I saw you; but then ‘two revolvers he began firing right and left, the Mexicans in all directions. Ben Hillman, as soon as he realized that he was free from rope and cord, snatched his bridle- -rein from the trembling hand of the man who was holding it, and added to the confusion the prancing of his horse. ** Git!" ordered Devil Dick, and the two part- “ners went off at a gallop. The Mexicans, recovering from their surprise a few ineffective shots at the fugitives; but they were quickly out of range, and the picnic was at an end. When they were fairly out of sight of Sobra vand quite beyond the reach of pursuit by the Mexicans, the ners moderated their pace ermitted themselves to talk. ‘‘ That was a close call, Dick,” said the youn- ’ -ger man—‘‘ the closest I ever had, ‘“‘ Should say it was close. Those dirty Greas- How did you Ben Hillman’s explanation required a recital -of his wanderings azd misfortunes since he had trace oe from his partner, and he gave it pretty fully. You are in hard luck,” observed Dick March, ‘‘ and you were within a hair’s breadth of being put out of luck forever when I caught ssight of you.” ‘‘T had given up, Dick, and was as good as a was sure that my time hadn’t come. Did you know me ~when you sighted me?” ‘“-Yes—I knew you by your clothes,” ‘‘ By these wretched rags?” “ Just that. They are rags, as you say; but I caught on to the cut right away, and then | went for you like a.shot.” ‘You couldn’t have turned up at a better ‘time. But how did you happen to be there, cld man? Where have you been, and what have you been doing?” Devil Dick related his adventures, which cor- responded so exactly with the recent career of Jim Sartine in Sandstone, that if the most pre- judiced Sandstonian had heard the tale he must 7 eee been convinced that the two men were identical “* [t is plain to be seen, Ben,” he said in conclu- sion, “t at you are not to be trusted to run -alone. You can’t get,along without somebody to look after you.” “You have been in hard luck, yourself,” ob- served the other. “ Yes, but through no fault of my own, and I came out of the scrape with a whole skin, a fine horse, two good guns, and a fair supply of money. At the first safe town we come to we will rig you out in some new toggery and get some guns and ammunition. Then we will go ‘up to our old stamping-ground and see if we can’t strike a streak of luck.” “Do you think it will be safe to swing out in Arizona again?’ inquired Hillman. | “Safe? What’s safe got to do with us? As safe as any place. Where else would we go? ‘Texas won't suit me for a while.” ‘‘ Tt is too durned hot for me.” ‘““The only other chance would be to light out for the far north, and that is too much of a trip. ‘We will have to work the Arizona mine.” *‘ Arizona it.is, then. We know where we are when we get there.” CHAPTER XXX. BEN HILLMAN’S PLUCK. JepTHa Jones and Walter Brandis, having reached Tucson on their way to Gonzalez. took iti, LS CS LS ee ee - 92 Colonel Double-edge. the stage there to be carried on to their desti- nation. | Both were eager to get back to the Throop Ranch, to learn how their friends had fared dur- adventures in Texas. erty, and Waiter was naturally anxious to re- turn to Etta Throop. As it happened they were the only passengers in the stage at thestart, and the driver was aman with whom Jep Jones was not acquainted; but they did not feel a bit lonesome, as they were sufficient company for themselves, and it was likely that other travelers would on the road. At the third stopping-place, just as night was coming on, four men, got into the ee Nothing of the kind was expected there, as the stopping-place was only a station of one house, and the two friends were somewhat surprised at this accession to the party. They were yet more surprised when they no- ticed the new passengers more closely. The four men were apparently acting in con- cert, and one of them was the leader, This fact was made evident when the supposed leader, perceiving that there were already two passengers inside, directed one of his party to get up with the driver, and his order was in- stantly obeyed. With the other two he entered the stage and took a seat. He was roughly dressed, was armed with a rifleand a revolver, as were also his compan- ions, and wore a big felt hat slouched down over his face. When the stage had started he took off his hat, and the two passengers from Tucson recognize him at once as Lieutenant Cripps of the Gonza- lez cavalry post. The recognition was mutual, and the meeting was a joyful one, ‘IT knew you both as soon as I saw you,” said the cavalryman, ‘‘ though I wasn’t anxious to make the fact known at the station. It was be- cause I found you here that I put one of my men outside.” ‘‘ What are you doing here and in that rig? It looks as if you are on business.” that infernal scoundrel, Devil Dick.” gether. ‘* That same inveterate old enemy.” | ‘‘Has he got back here already?’ demanded | more vicious than ever. hunt him, but I suppose you failed to find him.” | ‘** We found him easy tg but lost him just | as easy. I reckoned that he would make his way back to this region, but bad not expected him to turn up sce soon,” ; The circus man proceeded to relate the adven- | tures of himself and his friend in Sandstone, giv- ing the full particulars of the capture and escape of Jim Sartine. | recital and somewhat puzzled by it.” ‘‘This is simply wonderful,” said he, ‘‘ that a man who is known here as a desperado of the worst kind should have got up a reputation in a | in with a tight rein. I don’t doubt, though,that our Jim Sartine is Devil Dick. he would have stayed to face the music. long since you lost sight of him?” ‘* He has had plenty of time to get back here,” answered Brandis, ‘‘as we loitered in Texas, where we both had business matters to look after, and it is likely that he struck a bee-line for his old haunts.” ‘“* He struck quick and hard. He has already held up this stage twice, and the second time he killed the driver, Sam Jones.” **Poor Sam! The scoundrel had a grudge against him, I suppose,” suggested the circus men. “Tt is likely that he had. As the Gonzalez folks were slow about taking the matter up, and as I was crazy for the scalp of Devil Dick, I de- a trap for the desperado.” “Did you suppose you would be strong enough? The men on the outside have an ad- vantage. How much ofa gang has Devil Dick ot? ‘“ He has only one partner. Two men have ought to be enough. Now there are six, and if that’s not a plenty we ought to go under.” Walter Brandis, who had been aching to ask after their friends in the Gonzalez valley, broke in and put that interesting question to the cav- alryman. “They are all right,” answered Cripps. ‘The young man has nearly recovered his strength and nothing has happened to annoy them,” ‘* His sister is well, I hope,” suggested Walter. “‘She was quite well when I last saw her. I have been out there but once since you left, re- **T don’t understand this,” remarked Brandis. | ‘‘ Devil Dick!” exclaimed the two friends, to- | done the work so far. I thought that four of us | ad. ur- | Dick could be got out of the way. ing their absence, and to relate their interesting | ot - 2 membering our little agreement. If I had not met you on your return, | would have gone to advise them to come to Gonzalez until Devil But I hope there will be noneed of that now, especially as ' we may happen to strike him to-night.” Jep also desired to look after his circus prop- | be picked up | Walter was glad to hear the reference to that ‘little agreement,” and there was nothing: to in- terfere with the amicable understanding between the cavalryman and his friends. Cripps explained his plan to the others, as far as he had a plan, and they gladly put themselves under his orders for the expediticn, At the entrance to Chiapa Pass, which was justly regarded as the most dangerous spot on the route, Lieut. Cripps directed the man who ' i “Tam. The fact isthat I am crazy to catch | the circus man. ‘* Indeed he has, and he is as large as life and | You went to Texas to | Lieutenant mi was geenty interested in the + lieve. Texas town, as a first-class square and law-abid- | ing man. He must have played it mighty fine | on the Sandstone people and have held himself If he hadn’t | en sure that his crimes could be proven on him | ic. How | —a — —— cided upon taking a few of my men and setting | | ' was on the seat with the driver to come inside. Then all examined their weapons carefully, and the stage went on into the pass at its usual rate of speed. The night was cloudy and dark, especially in- side of the pass, yet not so dark but that objects at a little distance might be readily perceived. In the course of time the disguised soldiers nodded, and Walter Brandis and his friend, who were tired by travel, fell fast asleep. It was just at the head of the pass and near the end of the night when the sleepy ones were suddenly roused by a sharp hail and the sudden stoppage of the vehicle. Instantly they were wide awake and attentive to the orders of the cavalrymen, which were given briefly and clearly. Half of the party got out as quickly and quietly as possible on the side of the pass which was supposed to be opposite to that from which the hail came, and the rest made ready for a spring on the other side. This movement was not secret enough to escape the attention of the would-be robbers, who at once perceived that they had struck a trap, and ran for their horses, which were at the distance of a few rods from the stage. The men who had emerged opened fire, the others hastened to jump out, and ali joined in pursuit of the fugitives. It could easily be perceived that one cf them was a tall and stalwart man, and those of the party who had seen Devil Dick had no doubt that he was then before them, though they had not been able to catch a glimpse of his face. The other was a smaller and slighter man, and he ran with a limp, betokening a lameness that was destined to bring him to grief. Devil Dick, who was in advance, bad reached ay mounted his horse, when bis companion ell, Before he could rise the pursuers were nearly on him, and he was abundantly covered by rifles and revolvers, His partner looked back for bim, saw his pre- dicament, and hesitated as if with the thought of oing to his assistance. he glance showed him the uselessness of such an effort, and the shots of his pursuers admon- ished him that he must consider his own safety. It was a wonder that he bad not already been hit; but Devil Dick seemed to be bullet proof, as some of his foes had already had occasion to be- In spite of the shots that were sent after him he gallorss away unburt, and was soon out of sight. His yartner, who was of course Ben Hillman, was left an easy prey to the pursuers. He tad been suffering with a sprained ankle at the time of the attempted stage robbery, and in his fall the injured limb had got another twist, so that it was impossible for him to run any further. So he sat on the ground where he had fallen, and waited for the speedy and terrible punish- ment that was frequently the fate of criminals of his class who were caught in the act, His captors, however, had other views, wish¢ ing to make the prisoner serve a purpose that was more important to them. After a brief consultation with his two friends Lieut. Cripps proceeded to interrogate him. ‘““ Who is your partner?” he demanded. ‘‘ Who is the man who got away?” “ Just a friend of mine,” carelessly answered the prisoner. “Was it Devil Dick?” ‘What would you give to know?” You had better take hold of this thing a lit- tle more seriously,” said the cavalryman. ‘‘ We have caught you in theact here, and havea right to string you up to the nearest tree. If you will tell us who that man 1s, and show us where we can find him, we will give you your life. If you refuse, we will hang you wit Que any more bother.” “Go on with the hanging,” stolidly replied the prisoner. ; ‘* We don’t care about the man’s name,” con- tinved Cripps. ‘‘ We know as well as you do that he is Devil Dick, and he is the man we want. Put us on his trail, and show us where we can find him, and we promise you that you shall go free.” ‘‘ You may think you know what you please,” answered Hillman. ‘*‘ Whoever the man is, he saved my life a bit ago, and I don’t mean to go back on him. I wouldmo more think of do- ing the least thing to help you get him foul, amiliceleyveye) (E() Si