Beadle's Dime Library No. 392 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

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Ferhape.” 7 A « =. i _ Satanscrown is south of Trigger Bar. conducting me to the man whom I have heard a ~~ > “. v , . - aE Pe x captain’s name?” 14 - y The Lost Bonanza. **T did not,” said the girl. “Neither did 1; but no difference,” was the ‘The shootist, whoever he is, knows reply. vhoeve that another shot, even if it pierced my hoart, would be the death of you, beat him.” A little further on the trail lay in shadow, and | chester lying cocked across the saddle, and the the moment the horses struck it the revolver | girl sat between the other two who talked not, 2 sae from the girl’s head. Then Onyx Oll Jeaned toward the horse’s bit and “Tagg cm the rein. ‘**We ar’ goin’ ter make time,” he chuckled. “The man up the mountain may follow ef he wants ter, but it might prove dangerous busi- | ness.” A moment later the two horses were going ey over the trail side by side. There was ild triumph in the eyes of Onyx Oll, but now and then they would flash savagely, as if he thought of the comrade lying bebind him dead, where he had struck the trail. On ay Ol tarted the h ped yxy s up as the horses stopped. “Oil, by Jupiter!” *€ Topaz J'om!” The next moment Mountain Moss was looking gnto two more strange faces, and the men were eying her with mingled curiosity and triumph. . . s this the bird?” asked Topaz Tom as he - leaned toward the girl. “Tt is nobody else, Topaz. Whar’s ther _ eap’n?” ** Gone back.” “Ter camp?” eh Mountain Moss looked closely at Topaz Tom - and his companion, and turned upon the latter. **T have seen you before,” she said. ** 1 guess not.’ The man avoided her gaze, but she was not to _be daunted. i You dare not look me in the face,” she “Took her in the eye, Agate,” laughed To- Tom. ‘‘The bird may think she has seen you afore, but it’s all gammon. Give her the girl and for veral moments she scrutinized him closely, uch to his displeasure. ‘““ What is your name?’ she suddenly asked. “Agate Alf,” said the ruffian, tartly. “Tt was not always that,” she said. ‘I have seen you before, but when?—where? There isa portion of my life that seems to be blotted from memory—nearly two years, atleast. But I have seen you somewhere; it was when I was a little et _ child, but I cannot fix date or place.” ** Mebbe you’ve seen me, too!” laughed Topaz ‘“‘Tve been pretty nigh everywhar. Pho- tograph me on yer mind, my girl. [I’m no (ys beauty, but what thar is of me, ar’ almighty solid.’ __ Agate Alf seemed relieved when Mountain Moss turned her eyes upon Topaz Tom. ~ * Ov course she’s seen me afore,” muttered ® sport just scrutinized. ‘‘I b’lieve I would ev knowed her anywhar. I kin go afore any ire an’ swear that that is Major Lossing’s ld. She’s changed a good deal since then, t thar is the Lossing eye an’ ther major’s ». We've made no mistake; we’ve found Ee hetrees ov ther Golden Gate!” “Don’t Kppw me, eh?” said Topaz Tom to the ‘irl, who eying him steadily. Mountain Moss slowly shook her head. fous : seen Agate somewhar? That’s have seen him,” and the girl’s gaze re- ed to Agate Alf, who became restless un- t. ‘‘It was years ago. I have told you about the loss of a part of my life. I can’t magine what I am wanted for. Ain’t you men from Satanscrown?” rg Ol burst into a loud laugh. “ Hit it, by Jupiter!” he exclaimed. ‘“ Yes, in Moss, we ar’ from Satanscrown so we won’t try ter conceal that fact any longer. How did you come ter take ther bull’s-eye?” “T knew you were not from Trigger Bar.” ** An’ so yer credited us ter Satanscrown.” am to be taken thither, then?” ‘Weare moving south now. I know it, and You are ; one of you call the captain. I know not who he is, but only that he is your leader, and that it s by his commands that I have been hunted, _ Why is it thus? Who am I that I have to be fer- reted out, my best friend shot dead, and myself prisoner?” “You need not answer any questions,” said Onyx Oll, to Topaz Ss who seemed on the eve Sears ae You are the tools of the man you call captain. ill you say that be will tell me when I see eee Will he tell me why I have been hunted?” hay you that he will,” said Topaz Tom, befo re Onyx Oll could catch’ his eye “ f shall have to wait tillthen. What is your _Onyx Oll shook his head at the somewhat im- Topaz. a : j ,, a a and I am going to | | Tom, to himself. | thar is no Colorado Carlos ter interfere, for ? “ You dare not tell me! ‘He'll tell you, my girl,” was the reply. | two men, Onyx Oll and Topaz Tom, came for- ‘*Satanscrown isn’t far away, an’ ther captain | ward and greeted their chief. is thar.” ‘* Well done, boys! excellent!” said Captain ‘+t will wait.” Rob, in low tones, From that time on Mountain Moss had three “She wants ter see yer, captain,” was the re- guards. Agate Alf rode ahead with a Win- | sponse. “Is she hard to manage?” “Oh, no. You an’ Queen Nell will have no trouble with her.” Ruby Rob opened the door and went in. Nugget Nell eager and anxious was at his heels. As the door shut behind the pair, a graceful but watched her as if she was heir to the uni- verse, ‘*This is what I call a big play,” said Topaz “It’s like raking in a jack- | t with a pair o’ deuces. This is the girl who | figure was seen standing at the rough table, and is worth millions; this is the creature who has | the lamplight fell upon the face of Mountain been lost for eight years. We hev her now; | Moss. I shot him on sight at Trigger Bar and ther Silent Hound ov Californy got his quietus by some un- known hand afore we left Satanscrown. We hev only ter take possession ov ther bonanza with thus girl for ther proof, an’ while Captain Rob makes Nugget Nell a gold-queen some- whar, I kin lay a snare for this mounta/n gold- finch myself. Thar’s only twenty years or so between us, but what’s that?” Mountain Moss did not hear these words. The road was almost smooth and the horses were walking along as if the Colorado gold-hounds were in no hurry. At last the girl’s head inclined forward and her chin dropped lightly upon her bosom. The two roughs saw the movementat the same time, and exchanged smiles and looks. All at once Topaz Tom stretched his hand across the beauti- ful prisoner’s horse, and it dropped into Onyx Oll’s palm. The grip that foilowved was one of mutual congratulation. CHAPTER XVI. THE BIRD AND HER CAGE. It was a long ride, but the two sports and their prisoner rode at last into Satanscrown. Night was just settling down over the place, and the camp’s handsomest and most important character was called from Cuban Con’s and told that the heiress of Golden Gate had arrived. ‘Found? the girl?—Kate?” **Nobody else, captain. under guard,” was the reply. **' Who found her?” **Onyx and Jasper.” **’You’re all back then?” ‘*No; Jasper John got his discharge between Trigger Bar and Tartarus Gulch,” Captain Rob stopped short and almost gave utterance to an exclamation of astonishment. ‘*'You are the person called Captain Rob?” said the girl. ‘*Tam Ruby Kob, and this is my sister, Nell.” The heiress Jet her gaze wander to Nugget Nell as the sport spoke, and the eyes of the two women met, ** We shall be friends. | the Colorado Cleopatra, advancing toward the young captive, who instinctively drew back under the piercing glances of her eyes. ‘*T hope I did not come here to stay,” she said, and then she turned upon Captain Rob, who had been admiring her beauty and fine figure. ‘They told me that you would tell me all,” she said. ‘ Why is it that 1 am hunted down and brought here?” ‘** Who told you that there was anything to be told?’ asked the boss of Satanscrown with a frown, ‘* The men who made up my escort.” i ere Rob was silent for a moment. ** Yes, there is something to be told,” be said ‘‘but this is not the time for the whole story. 1} have come to offer you a home with my sister. Your stay may not be long here; there is an- other home for you and one which will suit you better than the shanties of Satanscr®wn.” ‘**Do you mean Frisco?” exclaimed Mountain Moss, leaning forward suddenly. ‘‘Am I then—” She stopped abruptly and shrunk back. a ‘What were you going to say?” asked Ruby Rob, eagerly. ‘* Nothing now,” was the response. ‘IT have dreamed so often of Frisco that I mention the name whenever any one seems to refer to it. This is Satanscrown?” She’s just got in “Rilled?” ‘Yes. You have never been here before?” ‘* Dropped from the saddle!” ‘* 1 have not.” “Who did it?” ‘**'You will find none but friends here. The man who insults you will wisb before the insult is dry that he had never been born.” ‘* 1 don’t know why any one should insult me, I have had my best friend killed, and by your orders I fear, Captain Rob.” ‘* By my orders?” echoed the sport, feigning indignation. ‘* Who was your friend?” ‘*Tdaho Ivan. I hope the shot fired after that foul murder found the brain of the man who did the deed! You say the time has not come for e to know why ve been hunted and brought ere. When willit come?” | ** Before long.” ‘¢ To-morrow?” ‘*T cannot say.” ‘* And yet you are alcalde here!” said the girl, — tones. ‘‘I want to know why 1 am ** That’s what we don’t know.” “It’s better luck than I expected,” said Ruby Rob, with a smile. ‘*‘ Where is the prize?” P? They’ve taken her to your cabin for the resent.” nt. ‘* Tell the boys that I'll be thar presently,” and the boss of Satanscrown walked away. The man who reported Mountain Moss’s ar- rival was Agate Alf, and he watched the van- ishing sport with a look between a smile and a frown. ‘* It seems to me, I don’t know just why, that ther real play for ther Frisco is just beginnin’,” he murmured. ‘‘ We’ve got ther Golden Gate heiress—thet’s a fact; but we hevn’t got our hands on one dollar ov ther pile. Thar may be some hands played yet thet we're not lookin’ for. Captain Rob counts ther game won—lI kin fell tanscrown’s captive, for I am nothing else.” thet by his eyes; but I don’t—not by a I@pg ‘‘] must turn you over to my sister,” said shot!” Ruby Rob, ‘She will be your friend and com- panion, and while you stay bere no harm shall come to you, and the might of Satanscrown will be your protection.” ; “ Fearing that Mountain Moss would question him further, the boss of the camp made a hasty exit from the cabin, and the two women were alone. ‘*T have seen your brother before,” said the heiress. The woman was Nugget Nell: her eyes glis- Nugget Nell started. tened for the first time since she had been led “T have also seen the man called Agate Alf, back to camp by Colonel Tarantula her evil | but when and where I cannot say,” she contin- genius, and the man who had overtaken her in ; ued. ‘* There 1s a part of my life that is a blank. her flight, , I remember living in a great city. I was sur- ‘ Are you certain you have found the right | rounded by riches, but that is all Y know. That rson?” she asked. ‘All depends on the mak- | city may have been San Francisco, because | ing of no mistake,” dream about it so often; it may bave been some “There has been nor made. I want you to | other city. My name is Mountain Moss. It is o down to the girl with me, and offer her a | a strange name, isn’t it? I must have had an- ome with you. Remember, you are my sister | other some day, but I donot remember.” _ to ber.” Nugget Nell looked searchingly at the girl as Nugget Nell made a hasty toilet, and the two | she spoke. | ’ left the cabin together, / Mountain Moss was beautiful, and the camp. ‘“‘T don’t care now if you couldn't decipher the | Cleopatra must have thought that a dangerous paper we found in Colonel Tarantula’s hut,’ he | rival had come to Satanstown, for her eyes sud- said to her with asmile, ‘‘We have no use for | denly flashed behind her long dark lashes. If it now that we’ve got the key to the gold bonan- | this girl should prove a rival, woe to her! za. It was the,only cipher that ever puzzled | After awhile the two woman walked through you, eh?” | the moonlight to Nugget Nell’s cabin. ‘“*The only one,” said the camp Cleopatra, A smile flitted across Mountain Moss’s face meeting his eye without blushing, and then, | when she surveyed the interior of the little anxious to change the subject, she asked: structure. It was like the one she had inhabit- ‘‘ What is the heiress like?” ed at Trigger Bar. ‘‘T haven’t seen her, but Agate Alf says she is ‘* Tell me now,” she said to Nugget Nell. beautiful. She is dressed in men’s clothes, but ‘Tell you what?” said the Camp Clecpatra, you will give her a part of your wardrobe, and | fastening her eyes on the captive. make her herself again.” ‘Why I am here, who I am, if It was a short walk to Ruby Rob’s cabin, and tell me all, for I am impatient.” The captain of the Jewels went to a certain cabin, the door of which opened from the inside, before he could touch the latch. **She is here,” he said, triumphantly, to the woman whom he confronted. ‘Kate Lossing?” “The heiress of the Golden Gate. She was found by the boys between Trigger Bar and Tartarus Gulch.” you know--~- - * Oe ees ee * a I know we shall,” said - te iG TC€omic a<K . -—_ * 4 ie Py anvil + om op -