Beadle's Dime Library No. 392 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

* ee” qr, res 4 x -" 8 for the night was gene stood the an r figure of Pious Phil. He had not lost sight of the Satanscrown pards since their arrival in camp, and he was now watching them like a hawk while his ears were taking in the conver- sation between Ruby Rob and the miner. All at once Pious Phil turned on his heel and walked from the saloon. His eyes snapped under the influence of some strange excitement, his | sallow skin seemed flushed. ie did not speak till he reached a certain ‘ «cabin whose door he pushed open and entered. A young man, dark-eyed, well-built and handsome, sat at a table where, with eyes shaded with a piece of bent pasteboard, he was tracing a diagram on some paper. ‘*Tdaho, wake up! Somebody has come ter ‘Trigger Bar,” said Bious Phil, and at the sound -of his voice the young man looked up with a question at his lips. ‘* Who has come?” ** Three men.” ** What are they like?” ‘‘They are big fellows with big hats, high boots, and ride tip-top hosses.” ‘Well? what do they want?” ‘“‘T heard one o’ them tell Gold-dust Jim that they war goin’ on ter Shasta, but his eyes and his voice told me that thar warn’t a bit o’ truth in what he said.” ‘‘Then, you think—” The young man halted and looked at the long sport. ‘It looks that way,” said Pious Phil with a smile. | Without another word the youth rolled up his - diagram, and laid it on a shelf above the table, then he turned to Pious Phil again. ‘* Where are these men?” he asked. **T left °em at Rustling Rube’s.” ‘‘ Did their horses look fresh?” ‘*Not very; those fellers have come a long way.” O) Pious Phil, nothing must happen to the occu- pant of the middle cabin,” said the young man anxiously. ‘‘I want to see these men before I act.” ** We'll go down an’ take a squint at’em,” was the reply. The two men went out and found the three horses still in front of the gold-camp saloon, and Pious Phil, after a look, told Idaho Ivan that the new-comers were still in the ranch. The young man glided forward and, protected + by the horses, looked in upon the scene. He saw two of the visitors at the counter, but the third and the one whom he would have selected as the leader was talking to Gold-dust Jim over a rough table and a formidable bottle. Pious Phil watched his companion narrowly during his scrutiny of this scene; he saw the youth’s eyes dilate and drop, he saw his lips close and his fingers sink into his palms, as it w \ ere. ** Phil?” suddenly said Idaho, without taking his eyes from the scene. ‘lm right hyer, boy; what is it?’ and the youth felt the long syort at his side. ; **T want two horses. Can | take yours?” ‘‘Sartainly. You could take a thousand if i had ’em,” was the answer. ‘‘ But what think you ov Trigger Bar’s visitors?” -** Pye seen enough of them! Those men are never going to Shasta. They are here for a purpose; they are looking for Mountain Moss.” “Ts that yer opinion, Idaho?” exclaimed Pious Phil as his eyes suddenly kindled. “se It is, ” ‘¢ Then, by the souls ov the saints! they never get further than Rustling Rube’s!” ) With the utterance of the last sentence came the click of a revolver lock, and Idaho Ivan turned upon tho man at his side. **No; you don’t want to force events,” he said, laying a hand on the sport’s arm. ‘‘ Give me two horses and let the three men yonder find Mountain Moss if they can. I have seen the man who is talking with Gold-dust Jim. Any man ai _ who has 1 Sew any time in Satanscrown knows Ruby Rob after once seeing him. That man take a sudden notion to go to Shasta? I would as soon expect to hear of him bound to Pata- onia.” are From Satanscrown, eh?’ exclaimed Pious il. ‘Tf Ruby Rob hails from there his compan- ions do, of course. They will show their hand before they are six hours in camp, but Mountain Moss must not see them play it.’ * Take the hosses, but whar will yer go?” ‘“‘ Tot me answer you some other time,” was the reply. ‘‘ Tell Mountain Moss that it’s got ter be, that - Ruby Rob an’ pards hev come ter camp, lookin’ —no! Thunder an’ swords! what am I sayin’? Tell ‘er what you please, Idaho. Good-by.” Idaho Ivan glided back to his own cabin, but did not remain there long. When he came out he looked like a person who had suddenly equip- ped himself for a journey. A Winchester was s] over his back, and his pantaloons had been stuffed into his boots; besides this, there were spurs at his heels. He went straight to a cabin that did not differ from its neighbors exteriorly. — Instead of | lifting the latch without authority, EL ES a The Lost Bonanza. he rapped lightly and the door was opened by some one on the inside. Idaho Ivan went in and greeted the youth with blue eyes and the girlish face. ‘*T was not expecting you, Ivan, but you are welcome all the same,” said the occupant of the cabin. ‘* I come on strange business,” began the young man. ‘* We are going away.” ‘We? ‘* You and I.” ** When?” ** To-night—now!” The speaker’s lookand the seriousness of his voice brought the cabin’s tenant forward. ‘“What has happened? Your words imply that we must become fugitives.” ‘* That’s very nearly it,” wasthe reply. ‘‘ Pious Phil is watching them now.” ‘** Watching whom?” exclaimed the person be- fore Ivan. ‘* The three men from Satanscrown. Mountain Moss drew back, and in the horror that settled over the fair face, proclaimed be- yond doubt her sex, ‘*T am in your hands,” she said. ‘‘ Whatever you consider best I will do without a murmur. I understand that those three men are looking forme. Why? Whatcrime have I committed that I should be hunted? Whoam I above any one else that I should be disturbed when I am happy here? Whither do we go, Ivan?” ‘* First to Tartarus Gulch,” was the reply. ‘They may follow us!” ‘*Not while Pious Phil lives,” said the vouth with emphasis. ‘‘He would have walked into Rustling Rube’s awhile ago and shot the three dead on sight if I had not prevented. Are you wer «fll ‘*] will be ready within five minutes.” **]T will rejoin you at the end of that time.” A moment later Mountain Moss was the sole occupant of the cabin. ‘*Three men want me! Oh! what does it all mean?” she exclaimed. ‘* [Idaho [van will do the best he can, and Phil will stand between meand any danger that threatens.” She went to the wall behind the table and took from one of the logs a square piece of wood about an inch in diameter. ‘*T will leave this behind,” she said, slipping a plain gold ring from her finger and hiding it in the opening made by the removal of the bit of wood. ‘‘ There is no telling what is to happen.” The allotted five mmutes were soon up, and Mountain Moss met Idaho Ivan with a smile when he came back. The two went to the western confines of the camp, and the youth opened a cabin door and went inside. In a minute, however, he came out again leading a horse; it was followed by another animal, and both were saddled. Mountain Moss was soon upon the back of one, and the young man was about to give the signal to start, when she uttered alight cry and pointed away. ** ‘Who is that man?” she whispered. ‘ Is that your Ruby Rob?” ae Ivan felt his revolver and leaned for- ward. _ Oho! P’ve seen him before,” he said, laugh- ing lightly. ‘‘It is Colorado Carlos!” CHAPTER [X, SHOT ON SIGHT. THE mountain Ishmaelite looked colossal to the young pair as he occupied the saddle in the moonlight and almost in the very center of the trail that led to Tartarus Gulch. He sat bolt upright like a mounted Cossack on guard, and seemed to be looking beyond Idaho Ivan and Mountain Moss. ‘‘Ts there no Other way?’ whispered the girl. ““f don’t like that man. He sits between us and Tartarus; his presence here means evil for us.” ‘‘ Colorado Carlos harms only his enemies,” said Idaho Ivan, ‘* We are going te pass him and he shall see us, too. Come. eep on my right, and he will not see your face.” he two rode forward and straight at the man on horseback. | ** Hello! what’s this?” suddenly exclaimed Col- orado Carlos, as if until that moment he had not seem the fugitives. He leaned forward as he spoke, and his left hand seemed about to catch the young man’s bridle-rein. ‘*T am Idaho Ivan. times,” was the reply. ‘* Your friend?” ‘This is my fellow pard, Mountain Moss, We are going down to the Lode Star Mine in which we have an interest,” Idaho Ivan looked like a person who was tell- ing a straight story, and the piercing eyes of Colorado Carlos were fastened upon him while he spoke. All at once he glanced at the girl, I have seen you a dozen Her face was shaded by the boy’s hat and the strange sport woved his head to one side so as to see her better. ‘‘ Mountain Moss, eh?” muttered Carlos. ‘My pard in the Lode Star Mine,” said Idaho Ivan. - it - ay **Teuess you do,” was the answer, and the mountain Ishmdelite looked toward the grouped cabins. ‘‘ This is Trigger Bar, eh?” ‘* Yes,” said Ivan. ** Anybody strange thar?” ‘‘ Three men have just come.” An eager light leaped up in the sport’s eyes, ‘* Go to your mine,” he went on, ‘‘I hope it'll bp out better than mines are doin’ nowa- ays. ountain Moss almost uttered a cry of joy. Her hand, white and well-shaped, caught up the rein, and at that moment the Ishmaelite saw it. ‘** Mountain Moss, did you say?” he’said, throw- ing a quick look at Idaho Ivan. ** A man-miner never bas a hand like that. This pard is a girl!” | Mountain Moss recoiled with a gasp that ew for- | ward his horse to kec p back the hand of Colorado Carlos. ‘‘ Let my friend alone!” he said menacingly. << ‘*Though you be every man’s enemy, and pow- erful and desperate, you shall not touch him | without my consent.” , ‘*Sha’n’t eh?’ laughed the Colorado sport, ‘* Tf your friend is the person I want, I have a oo to say whether she shall go to Lode Star ine.” Idaho Ivan darted forward and struck back the hand about to dart at the young girl. ‘Keep cool, boy!” said Carlos threateningly. ‘There is more than one game going on in Southern Colorado to-night. You don’t know who you cross when you oppose me. I am called every man’s foe, and I guess Ive won the title.” ** You touch my friend at your peril!” and be- fore Colorado Carlos could prevent he was look- ing into the muzzle of a leveled six-shooter. ‘ You won’t shoot anybody,” he laughed be- tween his teeth. ; ‘You don’t want to try me!” cried Idaho van. ‘* I want to see your friend, ap Pve got a document that is worth its weight in dia- | | | SL. at —< seemed to whiten her face, and Ivan t an tm oo nN we monds,” ““I don’t care if you have fifty. You don’t touch Mountain Moss.” ‘*Mebbe you want a little toning down,” flashed the sport, and his hand fiying up sudden- ly caught Ivan’s pistol wrist. ‘‘I am quicker ; than mad lightnin’ you see. Look hyer, Moun- tain Moss, as they call you; look me squarely in the face. I’m looking for a girl like you. By heavens! it is the very faceI want. Say, you’re worth a cool million; yow’re worth your weight in gold ten times over!” Mountain Moss shrunk from the big sport who leaned forward and spoke thus. Meantime, he held the youth’s wrist rende:ing him powerless, a bis other hand seemed ready to fly at the irl. Suddenly he cooled down. “If I let you go on to the mine will you come back?” he asked. ‘* Yes,” answered Ivan. It was anything to get away from Trig: er Bar; the three men from Satanscrown were the terror that forced the falsehood to the youth’s lips, Calobado Carlos straightened in his saddle and the youth’s hand. A asouees “Go. I don’t take much stock in the mine story, but when I want you I will know whol’m looking for. You had better not stop at the mine if it does exist, and you don’t want to go to Tarturus Gulch, either. Mountain Moss you callher here, I see. She isn’t called that on the papers I’ve got.” ‘What do you mean?” cried Idaho Ivan. ‘““No difference. Go to Lodestar or where you please. Take good care of Mountain Moss, Idaho Ivan. I hold you responsible for all that P happens her. You don’t want to go to Tartarus Gulch. Remember that.” Idaho Ivan would have spoken again, but the big sport’s horse bounded forward and the next moment he was beyond speaking distance, Mountain Moss was the first of the astonished pair to speak. Ts that man mad?” she asked looking at her companion, ‘“*T have always regarded him as a strange ad- mixture of sanity and madness,” said Ivan who was staring at the sport. ‘If he has the docu- ments he spoke of, by Jove! I'd like to see them! We must not follow him.” | “T don’t want to,” said the girl. ‘“‘If the three men who came from Satanscrown have eyes like his, I don’t care about going back.” The well-known figure of Colorado Carlos had already disappeared, and the young couple rode on in an opposite direction. mountain Ishmaelite went into the camp at a gallop and drew up in front of’ Rustling Rube’s beyond the open door of which were the harsh voices of men. All at once there rung out on the night air the sharp report of a heavy revolver, and Colorado smes0e ener from his saddle and pitched to the | groun | |The shot came so sudden and without warning that the bar-room voices grew still. Somebody | ran to the door and saw a big man rise from the Li ground and try to plant himself firmly as if to ¥ te resist the attack of some foe, , ; oF ** They’ve got the old man, but not for keeps!” a. (ECONNMIUCS Se ee Oe ae | ‘ I00Ks.cor —