Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 414 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

he : oh a BT Le Mo -" 2 eae | Pane | Red Re * welt — nar 3 = . d, : - > : the Indian Detective. 1S ‘A stage goes through Friday, thet car- ries dust, I heerd.”’ ‘Til halt it; but how long before you are ready for work?” «“'To-morrow, I guesses.” **Good! pick four of the best men and strike out for the trail of King Kendall and that Indian. ‘*Remember, I wish both of them taken alive, if possible.” “You mean fer me to go into Bonanza after them?” ‘“No, send one of the men who is not known there to find out where they are. * If they are not there then they have gone to the Gold Mine in the Death Mountains, for L believe they are pards, and if so, from one or the other we must get the secret of the lost gold find, for once we have that, we will not need to remain road-ayents, Buck.” *‘] believes yer, cap’n. I shall do ther best I knows how, and don’t you fergit it,” ‘Remember, | shall stake you well if you will bring me King Kendall alive.” ‘*] shall nuss him same as if he were a baby, cap’n,” was the answer, and the Bravo went to his cabin to get the rest he so much needed, for he was indeed a sufferer, while Captain Kit ordered a search to be made in the chasm for the body of Badger, and made preparations for starting out to intercept the Overland stage that Buck said would carry gold-dust. The search of the chasm was made by lowering a man into it, by means of lariats tied together, and the result of his discovery was the finding of the body of Badger, but without a dollar upon him. There were two horses there also, one of which was recognized as the animal which had belonged to Badger, and the other was stripped of his saddle and bridle, and it was believed that he must have been a stray, fol- lowing the outlaw paymaster, and tumbled over with him. ‘ There was a mystery about Badger’s death that Captain Kit could not fathom; but he hit pretty near the truth when he muttered to himself, on hearing the result of the search: ‘‘The man who killed Badger is in this band, for all knew that he was to return with the gold.” Early upon the next morning Captain Kit, accompanied by ten of his men, rode out of the Buzzards’ Nest, on their way to halt the Overland. coach and demand toll, as was their wont. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE OVERLAND STAGE. Tue lumbering vehicle that was known as the Overland Mail Coach, was rather a hard- looking aff.lir, battle-scared and dingy; but it was the pride of Bonanza City, and the driver, Rattler, oras he was more often called, ‘The Rattler of the Ribbons,” was an im- portant personage along his line of travel. The run of Rattler was about fifty miles to and from Blue Bell Mines to the east of Bonanza City, and Fairy City to the west. It was through a hard country, on horses, coach, driver and passengers, and more par- ticularly upon the latter, as the Gold Buz- zards were wont to often relieve them of their surplus valuables while en route, The Gold Buzzards cefied pursuit and de- struction, for it would have taken an army to invade their retreats, which were generally supposed to be in the Death Mountains, a place to be avoided as the home of spooks, so thought the miners. Rattler was a dashing driver, a brave fel- low, and a handsome young man whose pocket-book was anybody’s friend, as many had had cause to know, If there was a chance of success on his run, when halted by the Gold Buzzards, he got success out of the chance, and had not only dropped the man who ordered his ‘‘ hands up,” but had been wounded several times. If the tide was against him he was sensible enough to tell the passengers it was ‘‘ no go,” the odds were against them, and to hand over their dust and save their lives, Rattler’s coach rolled into Bonanza the day after the departure of the Bravo, and as he sprung from the box he was met by a man who said: “The Doctor wishes you to stop at the Free-and-Easy, Rattler, as he has a passenger and some tin for you to carry.” ‘ | } i j | ** All right, Il be there, tell him. _are ther rumble o’ ther wheels,’ ? and the» “Now, pards, a drink all round,” and highwayman settled himself to be ready for~ saying the last in a loud tone Rattler led the | his devilish work. wa who always hung around to await his com- ing, knowing well the invitation that would | follow. into the bar cf Parson Pete’s Bonanza | Hall, followed by the crowd of dead-beats | CHAPTER XXXIV. THE DOUBLE TRAGEDY IN SHADOW VALLEY. Wuewn Old Hickory, primed with ‘ four As he left the bar and sprung upon the | fingers straight,” came out of the bar of the wheel to climb to the box, the horses started, | Free and Easy, to mount the box, Doctor and in spite of a grand effort to save himself, | Dick said: he fell heavily. Instantly he staggered to his feet, but | valuable load, and a lady passenger.” turved deathly pale and sunk down again, | while he said quietly: ‘*No use, boys, the leg is broke, _ark through.” while a hanger-on drove the coach. *“‘ Rattler, you are laid up for two or three | months, anyhow, so let some one else drive | your coach, and it must be a good man, for | have passengers to go, and quarter's earnings to send to bank,” said Doctor Dick. “All right, Doc, select your own man, and as I have to be caged, there is no better place than here, and no better company than re yourself,” was the repl ‘* Selecting a driver, Rattler, in your place is no easy matter; but I'll see who can go, as | the side door of his tavern, escorting a lady, > soon as I have sect your leg. ‘Never mind my leg now, Doc; but get the coach off first, for it should pull through the Shadow Valley before dark, as there are bad places there, and the Gold Buzzards may be flying low, for we've been let alone for some time, now.” The Doctor left the room and soon re- turned with two men. They were not persons to be selected as models of virtue, to judge from their faces; but they were known to be good drivers, and that was the main requisite just then. ‘*Here’s Old Hickory, Rattler, who will drive, and if he won’tdo,I have brought Slippery Jim for your inspection.” ‘Old Hickory will do, Doc, for I don’t take any stock in Slippery Jim, and, for that matter, precious little in you, Hickory,”’ was the frank rejoinder of the stage-driver, and then he added: “Get on the box and put ’em through. ‘The team is a good one, and if you have to make a run for it from the Buzzards, they are lightning.” ‘All right, Rattler, ’1l not disgrace yer box, or hurt ther old huss,” was the reply of Old Hickory, and he went out to take a look at the team, and get ready for his trip, In the mean time, Slippery Jim left the room, and going out to the rear of the tavern mounted the horse of a miner he found hitched there, and pushed off down the Overland trai!, and looking back as he reached the canyon that shut Bonanza City out from view, he saw Hickory just mount- ing the box. ‘‘T knows what ther Doc sends on thet coach, and bein’ as thar is but one passenger, an’ she’s a gal, [ll jist knock Old Hickory over, git ther dust, and leave these diggin’s, whar | hes hed nothin’ but ill fortin. ‘*Tt are a bonanza day fer me, I sw’ar,” he said, as he pushed rapidly along. After a ride of a dozen miles, Slippery Jim came to what was known as the Shadow Valley, forit was as dark as twilight there at noonday. The road was pretty good then for miles, excepting several dangerous curves that fol- lowed the banks of the stream that ran through the valley, and a better place for road-agents to halt a coach could not be found, There was no place the coach could turn about, or turn cut, and huge bowlders and canyons were all along the way. Going into the mouth of one of the small canyons, Slippery Jim hid his horse eenredy and then selected a break in the huge. bowl. der in which to lie in wait. From his position he could halt the coach without being seen, shoot Old Hickory from the box, and then rob the vehicle and the lady passenger, [It was a well-laid plan, and Slippery Jim lay complacently contemplating his little scheme, while watching for the coming of the coach, **T'll jist rope in a bonanza— Tark! thar | | has found no trace of him about Bonanza.” my last | | | Now, old man, remember you carry a very” “ 228, oc.” a ‘‘ The lady wishes to go to Fairy City, te | look up her brother, she says, though I ‘Some one else will have to run the old | guess it’s a runyway lover, whom she be- is | lieves is mining in the mountains, and you yo - He was carried to Doctor Dick’s at once, | do all you can for her at the other end of the - : line,” + *T'll do it, Doc.” ae “‘She came here on Rattler’s last trip, and. *‘ All right, Doctor Dick, I'll take care 0” her, so trot her out and put her in ther old huss, fer I are ready.” . ‘*The box of tin is under the back seat, Hickory.” | Ba : ‘*T hopes it will stay thar, Doc,” was the reply. ery. A moment after, the Doctor came out of” eS: <- A who was dressed in deep mourning. ew) Her face was vailed heavily, so that it. — could not be seen; but her form was slender’ ss and graceful and looked youthful. * Bee She carried a snall sachel in her hand, and it being ungloved, was seen to be small, shapely, and as bronzed as an Indian’s. e4 ‘‘] thank you, sir, for your kindness to. ~~ me, and if you hear aught of my brother, Pee. Kent Kittredge is his name, will you kindly: write to this address?” and she placed in Doctor Dick’s hand a card, a The Doctor helped her into the coach, raised his hat, and as the vehicle rolled away, glanced at the card, and read aloud: — “SHARPE & CHEATHAM, > om ‘* Attorneys at law, ae ‘Sr. Louis, Mo.” , es ‘¢ Whew! that are the names signed to the reward offered for the murderer of the old Hermit Miner, and for the finding of the Lost Mine. ; ‘‘There is a mystery about that young ~ . ? girl’s coming here, that I would not besur-- prised would be cleared up soon. Ne ‘‘ Well, it is none of my business,so T]I wait developments. : ‘‘Now to set poor Rattler’s leg,’ and the Doctor went to the room of his patient, — et while the coach rolled on its way, O1d Sead é 3 Hickory handling the ribbons in astyle that. showed he was not new to the business. As the coach reached the canyonit over-- took a horseman, who had just come into the Overland from atrail leading down from | the mountains. - “4 His horse was covered with foam and’ — seemed used up, and the rider hailed: 4 . 1 coal ie 1 te ‘Ho, old gentleman, I'll ride with you, = for my horse is done up.” i Hickory glanced at the speaker. eee He bad seen him before, and said,as he- drew rein: SS ‘‘ You be the young blood who they calls. By King Kendall, hain’t you?” i pe . ** Yes. Ge ‘“‘I seen yer in Bonanza onc’t, end hev-= heerd o’ yer after; but these be dangersome- times ter pick a man up on ther Overland.” oe ee ‘You certainly are not afraid I will rob. you?” was the question in a pleasant way. aie ‘* No, but Ihez to be keerful, pard, and ef yer’ll ride inside the huss, youkindoso;, »_ but not on ther box.” er: ‘All right; I'll toss my saddle and bridle in the boot and jump inside.” yas ‘Ts yer goin’ ter tarn yer horse loose?” pele: ‘* Yes, for he is dead beat.” . ‘*T'll look him up on my return.” ‘You can have him and welcome. ‘‘Here is your fare, and keep the change _ for drinks,” and he handed up a bank-note — ‘vith a $50 on it. Pea) ‘You is ginerous, pard, so jump in, please.” | : Feu lis ve ‘ * ome at . ’ Fae iw my A M4 ey “4 King Kendall threw open the door and. eet sprung in, ae Then he started, doffed his hatand said: - 7% JOO Gone KS +