Beadle's Dime Library No. 429 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

CF ie -———— time if you attempt to interfere. Stand aside!” ‘Listen to me. It is your own danger that Lam telling you of. I did not come here to seek you, but to arrange for the ransom of my brother who was in the clutches of Longhand. I warned you against this journey. Yourevery movement has been watched, and even if you can make your wav back to your father I doubt if you will tind safety. Both of you are in danger. That cabin is no protection.” ‘“ Then why delay me here?” questioned Leona, recovering more and more, and meet- ing Fan with the smiling scorn that she had always shown her. * Are you in league with them?” ‘‘Hush! Lower! This path is watched beyond. The outlaws are reconoitering Ab. Nye’s cabin and will doubtless return this way. There is another more difficult, vet in it we may find safety. Come. Trust inme. I would save you if I could!” Leona hesitated; and in that moment the precious time was lost that would have en- bled them to glide unseen into the other trail. Fanny had darted away, but as the other lingered three men made their appear- ance, within a stone throw of the spot. ‘*Ha, ha! Thar’s the beauty now!’ rum- bled the nearest. ‘‘Ain’t makin’ no mis- takes thistime. Ther right mutton by ther ear, fur rocks!” He sprung as he spoke, even white a clear voice was ringing out: | “This way, run!” Then he staggered back, hard hit, as Fan began to shoot. ‘** Doctored ag’in an’ this time fer keeps.” ‘*Hole on, Cracker, we're with yer!” shouted the ruffian known as Red Top, he and Abe shoving to the front with a suddenness that was in marked contrast to their slowness on a former occasion. The fact was, then, there were three; now there were four, and the fourth man the best of the lot. He was in the path and noise- lessly he sprung, and reaching over Fan’s shoulders snatched her weapons from her hands before she could fire a second shot. ‘** Don’t like to do it; but down you go.” As he spoke he dashed her to the ground in a senseless heap, and then bounded out in- to the broader trail. ‘‘That’s right, Red Top, don’t give the little tiger cat a chance to show her claws. She’ll bite deep enough if youdo. Carry her off, and Abe and I will look after the Cracker. Knock her lightly on the head if she won’t be quiet. I'll have her or her corpse this time. I'll swear it’s the same wo- man. How are you, old man?” The Cracker staggered to his feet, a look of pain on his brutal face as he felt his left shoulder, and winced at the touch. ‘Drilled through an’ through, but I don’t guess it’s the bone-yard this time, Curses on it, | knew she would shoot.” “Lean on me till you get your wind again. I'll stick to you if you get faint, and I'll make it up to you in hard coin. This time there’s no mistake about it, if they haven't got back to the house, yet, and that shot dont bring ’em. We'll take the chance of that, though. There’s mighty big money in it—twenty thousand dollars sure—and if this court knows herself there’s more in it besides. When I m&ake the cards I calculate to go for all that’s in the bank. I’m all wool, and a yard wide.” Red Top obeyed orders literally, and Abe, seeing that his help was not needed with the Cracker, gave his assistance. Between them they hurried Leona away, the other two fol- lowing slowly, leaving Fanny where she lay. Scarcely had they disappeared when she began to stir, to move restlessly, to rise, As she crouched on the ground, with her hands pressed to her temples, trying to realize what had happened, some one came stumbling down the mountain-side. ‘Aw, weally, What has been going on heah?” It was the redoubtable Wellington Wo- burn, turned up once more. ‘Aw, Fanny, as true as gospel! What has happened to her? Something dreadful!” ‘*] sh’u’d grin’” chimed in another voice. ‘*Bin intervooin’ Colonel Longhand, er I’m aliar. An’ got ther tough end ov ther talk, Gosh, yes, why warnt Thyar. What's ther racket?) =Which wey did they go?” “ eee eee EEEEEEEOe——eEEEEwe. eee eee -_ Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend. Woburn’s captivity seemed to have broken him all apart, as he did not notice the inter- may. The voice had an effect on the young lady. She pointed toward the trail. ‘That way they went. There were four of them, and they nave taken Miss Darelle. Goand gethelp. One of them was wounded. They cannot go fast and they may be over- taken. Take the other trail up to the cabin, Go! Will you stand here while they carry her away. You must have help quickly or it will be too late.” ‘Four ov ’em you say, an’ one of ‘em wounded? It’s ska’ssly wu’th while ter waste time goin’ to ther house ef there’s on’y three ov’em. Ef yer plugged one that takes off two, an’ ther gal’s good fur another, that leaves one fur me, an’ I’m goin’ fur his back hair. Gosh, yes.” And Tommy Tough, with a revolver in either hand, started off in hot pursuit of the outlaws. He had not gone very far before he heard | the rattle of pistols not far ahead, and he redoubled his speed, wondering what was the matter. Hart Hawkins was the matter. Leona had scarcely quitted the spot when jhe came cautiously sliding down the steep mountain-side, looking warily around to see if possible who had discharged the weapon he had heard. He came upon Sam Loftus, lying where he fell. ‘*Good heavens, pard! Are you dead? There’s been murder bere, and I’ve had my pard killed with my cursed foolishness over a woman. Look up, Sam. Don't say you've | cashed in. You’re worth all the calico that ever drew breath. Answer me, pard, and say that you’re not dead.” Silent Sam was very silent now. He lay | still and quiet. ‘“‘Let’s look the matter over,” continued | Hawkins, serious for once in his life. ‘I can’t believe that you’re gone up the flume. | You wouldn't leave me, | ' I’ve seen so many | just as still as he is get up and dance; he'll do it, too. So. Shot through the lungs, as I’m a sinner; but he’s living yet, | swear.” A feeble groan attested the truth of the | assertion, and without more delay Hawkins snatched his knife out and began cutting the | clothing away from the wound. He fingered the spot softly, turned the wounded man over gently, and his face grew brighter. He deftly plugged and bandaged the hole, and then looked up, rapidly debat- ing whether he should leave him here and go for help, or whether he, alone, should at- tempt to carry him up to the half-way house. . It was at this time that the outlaws with their captive came hurrying down. ‘Hair Trigger Tom! This is your work, is it, you scoundrel? Draw, if you dare. There’s a finger on the trigger in front of you. With the utmost celerity the little gambler whipped out a revolver, and brought it to bear in deadly aim. , “Hold on there, Tom, I’ve got the call and this time I mean to take it, but 1 never shot a man without warning, and I can’t shoot you. Pull and drop.” Counterfeit or not this Hair Trigger Tom was wonderfully quick with his tools. His hands moved like a flash, there were two re- ports so blended that they sounded as but | one, and two men spinning round and round and dropping together. ‘‘ Awful brimstone!” exclaimed Red Top, dropping his prisoner. An’ T’ve got you!’’ shouted Tommy | Tough, springing upon him from the rear. | ‘*'Thar’s one fur fun an’ two fur bizzness. What's goin’ on hyar ?” The three shots made lively music as they | rattled out in rapid succession, and none of | them seemed entirely wasted. Red Top fell, | the Cracker winced again, while Abe | ig est away with the speed of a stricken | eer, | CHAPTER XXX. | A RATTLING RAOKET—FAIRY FAN GROWS | CONFIDENTIAL, | Lona looked earnestly down at the bodies Which Tommy Tough wag examining for | s signs of life. _and she doubted not that he was dead. ruption, but wrung his hands in silent dis- | his knees, tried to draw his revolver. his duty. 27 Sam Loftus was again still, It seemed to her that this attack of the outlaws was her salvation, though she did not understand the presence of Hawkins on the scene until Fairy Fan and her brother came running up. Then she believee that the faro queen had sent both to her rescue. ‘* Ain’t ez clean a haul ez it mou’t ‘a’ bin, but ther ketch’ll do fur dry weather. Gesh, yes. Hyar’s three stiffs fur sure, an’ about ez many cripples Would yer, eh?” ke cried, as Red Top, twisting around and to ** Lay thar, and be quiet!” He brought a swinging blow down back of the outlaw’s ear that tumbled him over with- out much sense left. ' Then Tommy, with handkerchiefs and suspenders, rapidly bound the ankles and wrists of the three agents, though Hair Trig- ger Tom seemed beyond the need of it, propped Hart Hawkins up, and addressed himself to the young ladies. ‘Guess that settles it. We've saved ther- wu’st ov ther gang, an’ thar won’t be no more monkeyin’ ‘round ther band-wagon. Gosh, no. But you folks hed better look a leetle out thet ther balance don't kim back, an’ ther dude, ez ther best runner, hed better git up to Ab’s like a streak o' lightnin’ an’ git help fur ther wownded. I’m er modest man meself, an’ can’t bear ther smell ov blood, so Ill jist take ter’ ther bresh, an” scout ‘round after them ez got away, tell all the flummery ov ‘graturlashum hez hed time ter die away. Jest tell ’em all Tommy done Gosh, yes.” He disappeared as he ceased speaking; hardly hearing the words with which Fairy Fan urged away Woburn—or Auburn, as his name should be pronounced—or the pit- | a-pat of his footsteps up the trail. As for himself, he did not do much of the scouting around that he spoke of, for the moment that. he could do so, he struck out into the nar-- rower and more difficult path, along which he made his way with a speed that bid fair to double discount that made by Arlingtom Auburn. ‘*Gosh!” came suddenly from his lips. as he heard the noise of some one plunging downward toward him Before he could leap aside and conceak himself, he was face to face with the stroll-- ing fiddler, Uncle Daniel. Tommy Tough’s face only showed intense disgust at the meeting, but Uncle Daniel’s lengthened into the wildest surprise. ‘‘Hole on, thar, who—who be you?” he spluttered, seemingly taken all aback. “I'm Tommy Tough, from Red Bend; don’t yer draw, for I’ve got yer kivered. Hands upan’ fingersempty. Now you know . me?” ‘* You onmittergated liar from Liarsville: | I’m Tommy Tough meself, an’ you've stole You're one ov. my clothes. Yes, that’s so. ther gang, an’ I'll take yer iner go ontew ther wet.” And with reckless strategy the stroller: flung himself forward, turning two bhand- springs in the direction of the redoubtable Tommy. If his object was: to confuse his aim the — stroller might have saved bimself the trou-- ble. The revolvers of the imitation Tommy disappeared in a twinkling, and, as Uncle Daniel rose with cutstretched arms to grasp him the tough from Red Bend shot out a straight hit. ‘*Ez [I remarked afore, lay thar! Gosh! | yes,” mumbled Tommy, and leaping over: the prostrate body. he shot up the ‘trail ‘Ther boss hes got | with a rapidity that almost instantly took * him out of sight. For a few moments Uncle Daniel did lay there. Then he rose and doggedly stumbled’ down the trail until he came in sight of the little picnic Tommy and the rest had pro- vided for him. As he came upon the seene, others were arriving by the other road—Colonel! Boutelle,. Eebert Shaw, Fanny, the dude, and Sidney Darelle in a state of great excitement. He flung his arms around Leona, and trembling in every joint, stared around. It was an ugly little exhibition, anyhow, though everybody else took it with more cr less coolness. ‘‘ We, we, can do no more good here,” EOmiGdooks -— * ‘ ae (E(@) " rr