Beadle's Dime Library No. 392 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

_— -— — —- - _~- I OP cee ae = ~——— ae Ow - ae! feed er? in -ae - Joon-keeper. that brutality— since my restoration to consciousness, but you 6 The Lost Bonanza. ou struck,” cried Colonel Tarantula. “TI hisw you now though I haven’t seen you for years. There! put up that bowie and come with me. I’m as dangerous as I used to be.” CHAPTER VI. A FORCED SALE. CowED by the eye that seemed to possess a potent spell Cuban Con let his hand drop and the next moment he was walking alongside the man he had attempted to kill. The owner of Satanscrown’s whisky den, though not very tall himself, was taller than Colonel Tarantula. He was that worthy’s su- perior in physical strength, but he knew that the colonel’s grip was like a vise for even after it had been relaxed he seemed to feel the skeleton fingers at his bone. ugget Nell watched the two men until they were lost among the shadows of the cabins. ““T could have told Cuban Con that the man is as quick as a cat,” she said as she withdrew into the cabin and took a small but dangerous-look- ing revolver from beneath the pillow of her couch. ‘I’ve had an unpleasant experience with him, and I’m likely to have another unless pincer! drops him in his boots before he leaves camp. e would not hesitate to take me back to Frisco, and I have said that I will never go back there of my own accord. Cuban Con knows him; he must have listened at the win- dow. The next time he deals with Colonel Tar- antula he must strike before he eo One must not rouse the lion he would kill.” Meantime Cuban Con and Colonel Tarantula were walking toward the saloon. ‘¢ Where do you live?” suddenly asked the col- onel, looking up into Con’s face. ‘‘ We are hyer now,” said the Spanish-blooded sport, nage a cabin on his right by a wave of the hand. ‘‘ Shall we go in?” An eager light lit up the speaker’s eyes when he put the question; the thin-faced man did not seem to notice it. “Certainly,” he said, with a bow. “i am here to see you, remember. We will goin.” ‘‘ And by the eternal gods! my man, you will come out dead!” grated Cuban onjas he turned toward his cabin. _ The two men reached the door at the same _ time, and the whisky-seller of the gold-camp opened it for his companion to enter. _ We need a light here,” the colonel remarked and Con soon produced one which revealed the interior of the cabin. . “Sit down,” continued Colonel Tarantula, taking a seat himself near the roughly made table that stood in the middle of the small apart- ment. Cuban Con obeyed. ‘* My time hasn’t come yet,” muttered the sa- ‘*This man knows me. When we last separated he said solemmly that he would kill me on sight. I am sure he hasn’t forgotten that.” | The restless eyes of Colonel Tarantula told - that he was just then remembering something that maddened him, ‘““We haven't met since we parted on the o,” he said, suddenly. ** No,” said Cuban Con, You had me then, youand yourmen, You left me for dead under a Texan sun, and my last words were an oath, to kill you on sight. You haven’t forgotten this, Cuban Con?” ‘**1’°d like to know how a fellow could with you er in the flesh,” was the answer, at which the colonel’s eyes twinkled mischievously. ' “Do you think I have forgotten?’ continued Tarantula, ac No. ” “T never i anything, and that scene— as never left me for a moment ~ gee, Cuban Con, that I have not killed you on me give you a thousand for your trap,” con- t tinued the little colonel with the glittering eye, and before the astonished listener could reply, a bag of coin dropped from somewhere upon the table. It came down with an emphasis which told Cuban Con that there was at least a thou- sand in it. ‘** Am I obliged to sell?” he asked. ** You are.” **'When do you take possession?” “Right away! You will go with me to the saloon and announce to the customers there that a sale has been made, and that Colonel Taran- tula, from Texas, is henceforth its proprietor.” ‘* This beats my time all to pieces,” exclaimed Cubar. Con. ‘*] thought it would,” smiled the colonel. ‘“* Having made the sale, I will godown and take possession.” Cuban Con looked through his long lashes at ethe man who talked with a coolness that was ex- asperating. *T can’t get a chance at him hyer. I’ve got to put it off,” he said to himself. ‘‘?d give my new thousand to know why he wants to own my trap. Colonel Tarantula had left his stool with his last sentence, and the whisky-seller followed his example. ‘“You need not refuse the payment, Con,” laughed Tarantula, as the Spanish sport’s eyes rested on the bag of coin. ‘‘I don’t pay in drafts on Git-Thar Bank. I deal in the genuine stuff.” Cuban Con picked up the buckskin bag, and looked toward the door. At that moment he thought he saw a face with two shining eyes dis- appear from the window; but he may have been mistaken. ‘“We go down to the saloon now,” said the colonel, and the pair went out into the moon- ae and turned toward Cuban Con’s place, which was only a few steps away. The door was open, and about the half-dozen little card-tables scattered over the room sat the evening habitues of the mountain whisky-den. A few stalwart fellows stood along the counter, showing their broad shoulders and bronzed faces - Colonel Tarantula before he reached the oor. ‘*You will announce the sale,” he said ina oa voice to Cuban Con as they neared the place. The Spanish sport inclined his head and step- ped across the threshold. Those who looked up saw who it was, but the next moment all had seen the thin-faced stranger, who although no giant, was a man to attract attention any- where. Gentlemen,” said Cuban Con, halting before the counter, and speaking in a voice heard by everybody in the saloon, ‘‘I hereby announce that this place has changed hands, and that it now belongs to Colonel Tarantula, of Texas, the gentleman on my right!” The men at the tables sprung up. Among them was Diamon Dave. the man left behind by Ruby Rob to see that nothing went thie | in Satanscrown during the absence of the pards. His eyes from the first became fixed on Col- onel Tarantula, who had drawn his wiry little figure to its full hight, and appeared to assume some pomposity over his new acquisition. Transferring his gaze from the Texan fora moment, he fixed it on Cuban Con. ‘This sale has some mystery about it,” Dia- mond Dave said, under his breath, ‘*‘ [ll bet my head that Cuban Con had no notion of selling an hour ago. And what makes that Colonel Tar- — so anxious to become proprietor of this lace?” sth Walk up, gentlemen, and drink with the new owner of the ranch,” said the colonel at that —_—_—_—_me a ESSSSSSESFSSSSSSSSSFSsSse —_—_--- SC. ‘Unless what? be quick about it!” whispered Ruby Rob’s pard. ’ ‘** Unless she told him what took Captain Rob to Trigger Bar,” replied Cuban Con. ‘** Did that man do that?’ ** He did.” Diamond Dave reached out his hand and took the glass which had been pushed toward him, then he poured it half full of liquor and catching the colonel’s eye, tossed it above his head an gulped it down. ‘*I’m off, but Pll be heard from soon,” he whispered to Cuban Con. ‘‘A man like that doesn’t make a trade of this kind for nothing.” The door was within arm’s reach of the speaker, and a moment later he glided out with a strange light illumining the depths of his eyes. ‘*T war left behind to play a bad hand if any- thing happened,” he said to himself. “I guess I'll have to play one for something has happened. The devil has come ter camp by way of Texas.” Diamond Dave did not remain long in the moonlight before the saloon; he dashed away, but soon came face to face with a woman who seemed to spring from the ground. ‘*The very man I want!” exclaimed the wo~ man, who was Nugget Nell. ‘* And I went you, too,” cried Diamond Dave, seizing her wrist. ‘‘ The new proprietor of the ranch back thar—who is he?” ‘** Colonel Tarantula.” ‘That is what Cuban Con has told me. was to see you?” The camp Cleopatra recoiled a pace. ** Yes,” she said, and then she caught Diamond Dave’s hand and went on. ‘‘I can’t stay here while he is with us. That man is my evil gen- ius. I accused him of killing the tongueless man last night, and he did not deny it. He is our worst enemy; he is more our foe now than Colorado Carlos. Diamond Dave, will you do me a favor? I never asked one yet at your hands.” ‘* Name it,” said the rough. ‘“Go back and kill that man! You don’t know him. Ido! He is interested in the heir- ess of the Golden Gate.” a te settles it!” said Dave between his He —_—_--—--—-- = CHAPTER VII. DIAMOND DAVE’S MATCH. Rupy Ropr’s lieutenant turned and looked © | toward the saloon as he spoke the short and de- cisive sentence, If Colonel Tarantula was interested in the heiress of the Golden Gate, that settled his fate. ‘You will do it?’ asked Nugget Nell, who read death, as i were, in the eyes of the man before her. Pan That's what I’ve said, but tell me one thing ‘ ‘Well ” ‘Cuban Con says he threatened to drag you to Frisco.” | “He did.” ‘* What for?” The camp Cleopatra hesitated, turned pale and let her hand fall from Diamond Dave’s arm. ‘* Ah! you don’t like to tell, I see,” smiled the rt. ‘* Mebbe it’s none o’ my business, but I couldn’t help askin’, youknow. ‘You don’t want to go to Frisco?” **T do not.” ‘*Then I guess you sha’n’t!” was the answer. Nugget Nell took a breath of relief as if the reply assured her that there was to be no more inquiry into her aversion to San Francisco. “You can go back home,” continued Diamond Dave. ‘I will see this Texas cyclone.” ‘*'You must make no preliminary plays,” said the woman. . “ AsI have told you, I know that man. He is quick and deadly. He is no giant in stature, but he has the strength of a lion, and é 4 > , : % ’ : } i e ~~ — nl — ee \ d moment, and without a second invitation the sight.” entire crowd went toward the counter, “‘ I have | a grip like a vise.” , Cuban Con made no audible reply, but he said | yet to become acquainted with your favorite | | ‘Justas if 1 haven’t dealt with such fellows . i to himself: poison, but we'll call it all good and drink ac- | In my time!” laughed the tough. ‘‘ Are you a a _ *T was quite right; this lean-faced devil | cordingly.” : goin’ to your shanty, or do you want to see the ; intends to pay me for lassoing him on the| Hewasbehind the counter while he spoke thus, | settlement?” Sod Pee.” Tano.” and the next moment the toughs of Satanscrown “Tl go back,” was the reply. - | ae : a “What are you doing here?” suddenly asked | had half a dozen long-necked bottles placed be- Diamond Dave walked teward’ the saloon . --- @olonel Tarantula. fore them. ; while Nugget Nell resought the little cabin | x mt ““T am running a whisky-ranch.” Diamond Dave managed to nudge his way to | which had been her home for more than a year, Piss ‘“ What is it worth?” a place at Cuban Con’s elbow and with a glance “Td givea mountain of gold if I had it if 45), “T don’t know. I never invoice.” downward at the Spanish sport he managed to | that man was dead,” cr her lips without = = = ee), “Ts it worth a thousand dollars?” beg the least effort. ‘‘He will do what he threat- . ie Yee Cuban Con almost laughed. His stock of fix-| ‘In Old Nick’sname, what does this mean?’ | ened if he takes a notion. But I have a cham- 3 | tures and fiery liquor worth one thousand dol-| ‘I don’t know,” answered the whisky-seller, | pion who will make a bold _ play for my deliver- “aay I had but to tell Diamond Dave that . glancing furtively at Colonel Tarantula, who seemed to have overlooked him altogether. Colonel Tarantula was interested in the big bonanza. That sent him off as I thought it S lars? Their real value would not exceed three ‘hundred. Did Colonel Tarantula intend to ta" buy? ; ** Don’t know why you sold out, eh?” .aBY “ Estimate your stock,” said the colonel, in aj “Oh, I had ter do thet.” would.” " _-gareless, off-hand way. ‘¢ Because he said so?” She reached her cabin, entered and shut the | ‘ nes **Do you want to purchase?” ‘* Yes.” , door, but a moment later she es at the a +} 'Yos.” Diamond Dave glanced at the lean-faced Tex- | threshold with an_eager face and fixed her gaze Bs Cuban Con thought a moment. an. on the front of Cuban Con’s saloon which was ae “ What if I don’t want to sell?” he said. “Ts he really Colonel Tarantula?’ he asked. | visible from her cabin. : MF = ‘But you must!” ‘‘T never knew him by any other name.” eo ger Diamond Dave had gone back and ! gr “That’s almigh I’m doing a good ‘‘Thar’s some mystery hyer.” entered the whisky den. He found the same queer. prefer keepin’ on.” crowd atthe counter, and a glance told him that the new proprietor had been free with his \stock in trade. Cuban Con had moved to a position behind the counter where he was explaining to Colonel | . i Tarantula the various kinds of liquors in the | (E| oYoKe) “Thar must be. He was to see Nugget Nell.” Diamond Dave gave a sudden start, ‘‘ He threatened to send her to Frisco unless—” At that moment Colonel Tarantula glanced toward Cuban Con: the glance broke his sen- tence. me? business hyer, and Br. ‘*T should think that a man who was to have been shot on sight would jump at the chance to -- gel out.” : - ‘There was a meaning in these words that - gmade the Spanish sport start. ay | pti BOA Com =