Beadle's Dime Library No. 429 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

rd - ‘ —— > «278 >< a ar Se ee bee ee , “e * he eee eek ee eo ra = - ~4 . oe _——_ — - = eee — =— eee ae ‘he said, forgetting to cough, and drawing ‘Leona softly away. ‘‘Come with me to the house. See. Others are arriving, I de- ‘clare, I—I am all broken up. Foolish girl, ‘to run such risks. But it shall be the last time.” She offered no objections, since then and . ‘there she did not care to have the subject of _must have discovered what her absence discussed. Together they hur- ried toward the house. She had already ‘thanked Hawkins with much effusion, and Adhere was nothing further for her to do then; and something to think of elsewhere. The governor and the rest had considerable experience in gun-shot wounds, and the first thing was to examine the wounded. ‘Um doing all right,” said Hawkins, ‘‘ but just look my pard over. He wasn’t dead a minute ago, and if you give him half a show he'll pull through yet. What the—blazes is the reason ve got to be lying here, when I ought to be looking after him? Get him up to the house first and then help me along. 1 nurse him through—lI swear [ will!” *“ An’ you killed ham?” queried Uncle Dan- iel, touching the defunct Carey with the toe of his ragged old boot. ‘*Tt’s so reported,” answered Hawkins, with a gentle sigh, ‘‘and it’s the only conso- lation left me in this vale of tears.” ‘Then yer shot him in ther back,” merci- ess}y Gontinued the fiddler, ‘An’ LIl bet a heap ov rocks thar ain't a load missin’ puten yer sixes. Ye'r’a mighty good leetle man; -but ve obsarved yer spend too much time ‘atalkin’ an’ dwell too long on yeraim. Ef not, I want ter know. Yes. That's so.” ‘Oh, glory! Now I lay me!” feebly ex- claimed Hawkins, in dying disgust, and he dropped easily backward, fainting from pain and disappointment. After that the wounded were carried up to ‘the house, and arrangements made to bury the defunct outlaw. ‘‘T allers s'picioned he war Longhand,” grieved the fiddler, ‘an’ now, when it’s too lite, | know it. Yes, that’s so.” At the same time he looked sharply ecough et the others, in search, perhaps, of the coun- ‘terfeit Tommy Tough, and as he set down «xe end of the litter on which they had car- vied the Cracker, his face showed that he was thinking deeply. The presence of Hawkins and the rest ‘was easily accounted for. The party had met the foreman of the Isabella, who gave ‘them all the particulars in regard to the bridge which they expected to get in shape for use early in the morning. In addition, he ‘brought the intelligence that to all appear- -ance it had been tampered with for a purpose. He suspected that the intention was to detain ‘the stage over night at Ab Nye’s. Knowing that the colonel was in search of ‘money he suspected that he might be the "passenger spocty marked, and he an- nounced that he had ordered some of the ‘roen up, so that if an attack on the cabin “was made by the road-agents they would “meet with a warm reception. They all started back forthe Llalf-way House,the governor going first, Hawkins after an ivereel: while Boutelle lingered, talking “with his superintendent, about the latest de- velopments at the mine. It took some time to clear up the wounded, -arrange the prisoners, and get over the hub- dub of excitement. After that came a con- -sultation as to food for the multitude. It ‘was found that between the stock of pro- visions that Nye had on hand, and the rem- ‘nants of the lunch brought up by Becker, the travelers would fare decidedly better than ‘they expected and the idea of returning to ‘the Bar was given up. When the detach- ment from the Isabella arrived the prisoners _could be further taken care of, and it looked as though all further danger for the night was over. Supper brought out Mr, Darelle and his daughter, wonderfully refreshed. ‘‘ After all, there is aoad off my mind,” he admitted. ‘That ruffian has been following me ever since | left Red Bend, and he and his men seemed so utterly reckless that it was no wonder I began to fear. In some way’ he large amount “of money and collaterals I had about me. It és imprudent; but what is the use of having ‘jt if one can’t use it as he wants?” ‘* Well, aw, wouldn’t it be better, aw, to Hair Trigge ll — a - - ee eee ——<—<$_———— htt CTE EE EE LL __— o—_————__.._ ee <a leave this heaven-fawsaken country, aw?” tion of the pawty. I can stwike, aw, befoah you can think; and no doubt shoot, aw, just asked the dude, in considerable earnest, whereat the rest laughed, r Tom of Red Bend. as well as you, but | am weally afwaid to let He had a story of his own to tell, but as it; my passions wise. Suppwose, aw, I did kill took time, with his drawl, to get over the geround, Fairy Fanny told it forhim. The little woman seemed quite subdued by the dangers and deaths she had met along the trail, and spoke more quietly than usual. Woburn, as his drawl pronounced the name, had been brought thither by the out- laws, who had sent Fan warning to be in that neighborhood with the ransom. Ilis idiotic manner had caused them to view him with contempt. They had brought him thitherward by night without much care. As a result he slipped off in the darkness, hid in the moun- tains, and the next day very nearly wandered back into theirarms, That was his story, as he had given it to Fanny, and as she re- tailed it to the company. ‘What in the name of common sense ever brought him here, anyhow?” asked the colonel, looking him over as though he had escaped from a menagerie. “And you don’t mean to say that he’s your brother? If so [I wouldn't own him.” ‘* He’s like the singed cat you read about. He’3a good deal better than he looks,” laughed the little woman, somewhat emerg- ing from the ¢loud, Tr ne can’t shoot—and I’m not so sure that he hasn’t picked that up among his other accomplishments—he has more muscle than youd think for, and if he don't pull the cards at furo he has nerve cnough to give the tiger a hard tussle now and then. Oh, he's not the best brother in the world, but he’s all I’ve got, and I'll speak a good word for him” ‘*But what brought him here? Back East they have that kind, and he was lost in the crowd.” The colonel’s voice was low and confiden- tial. When he had nothing else on hand he had no objection to chatting with the hand- some queen of the Quartz. ‘To see me, of course. How could I know that there was too much water about him to mix with the oil of Bad Man’s Bar? I hadn’t seen him for half a dozen years, not since I came West with Barmore’s Combi- nation. And then he picked up another idea along the road,” she added glancing at Leona. ‘‘I hope he hasdropped that. And ashe was shrewd enough to save me ten thousand dollars last night I have some right to admire him,”’ : ‘Well, I hope he will get through all right with Mr. Becker; but that worthy chief seemed to be very much in earnest about getting even.” ‘‘Tf Mr. Becker’s not satisfied with what he got | shall interview him myself, aad I'll come with the sixes, and Ill shoot to kill. Lu stop that foolishness the moment it begins.’ The young lady spoke confidently and firmly, and as if in answer they heard a whoop outside. ‘‘T think,” said the colonel with a smile, ‘that the foclishness has begun, ” CHAPTER XXXI. THE AUBURN FAMILY PLAY AS PARTNERS. Tux trouble with Pluggy Becker was that, being a recognized chief—his subserviency to the governor being a thing unknown or un- noticed—he had a certain reputation to sus- tain. That reputation did not allow him to accept his defeats; and yet it forbade his attacking the dude without warning. Inasmuch as he caused him to leave the Bar he did not feel quite so bitter, yet the sight of the young man from Boston was about the sameas a red rag to an enraged bull. He lowered his horns and went at him. When Arlington Auburn strolled out of the cabin he went into trouble. ‘‘T tole yer we two couldn't stay in the same deestrict, an’ I mean it, every time. What yer doin’ sneakin’ round hyar? It’s run er fight. Hev yer got yer weepins ready?” Becker bristled up to him with bis revolver ready; and this time he meant there should be no chance to get away with him. ‘‘Mr. Becker, killing people, aw, is your profession. It, aw, is not mine. I don't like to. And—aw—er—it hurts. If you—aw—become wiolent I shaw]! throw myself on the pwotec- | SS a a ee ke eh ee ee rou?” “You kill me! You've talked that way before,” roared Pluggy, raising his pistols. Crack! Crack! Away went the hammers of his pistols, while on the porch above Miss Fanny ap- peared, a smoking revolver in her hand. ‘‘Up with your hands, you cowardly vil- lain, and be glad those bullets didnt go through your skull. He can shoot all around you every day in the year; but because he won't you are trying to dig your own grave. I’ll take a hand in this, and you know me, I am no chief, but I’m bad when I start. If you force me to it you are dead meat.” ‘Allow me,” said another voice, and Eg- bert Shaw stepped out. ‘‘“We've had enough of this, and it’s time to quit. The young man is perfectly inof- fensive, and as you drove him out of the Bar it is hardly the thing to attack him here.” Becker was staring straight at his hammer- less pistols, which he was holding up straight before him. He did not seem to hear the sharp, incisive order of the governor. ‘Kill me!” he shouted; ‘‘but Pluggy ‘ll die a-tryin’ ter cit even!” Ife dashed the useless Weapons down and once more Wilh his bare hands sprung at the dude, striking right and left as he,came, But he found Arlington Auburn at home. With nature’s weapons he was never inclined to take a back seat; and this time he played for keeps. He just turned his head and Becker's left whistled by it. Then he threw up both fists, and there was aloud snap as Piuggy’s right arm broke between them. ‘‘And heah goes fawh your jaw,” he hissed as he shot out his rigbt, hard and straight, with the whole weight of his body following it. ‘‘ You won’ttwubble me again fawha month!” A louder crash as the blow went home; and the toughest chief of the Bar fell as limp as a dishcloth. ‘*T don’t, aw, shoot gentlemen, but, aw, the muscle is what I twavel on; and when I hit it goes wed hot.” ‘* He teaches that sort of thing, back East,” said Miss Fanny to the colonel, who had fol- lowed her to the porch. ‘Some call him the fighting dude—ounly, a fight out here means something else. 1 shouldn’t wonder if he would go back to the Bar, now, and take Pluggy Becker's place. I don’t know, after all, but what it is a more manly way of set- tling differences.”’ ‘“ Yes, but the pistol puts all men onan equality,” said the colonel, somewhat aghast at the unorthodox suggestion, ‘‘So does trained muscle—or did before shooting became one of the fine arts, | have spent some hours handling a revolver my- self; but I can’t say 1 prefer it—the fault of my early education, I suppose. Becker weighs fifty pounds the most, and has the dead strength of a mule. Why can’t he use them, and let lead and steel alone?” ‘‘Because it’s not the fashion, my dear. Another Yankee Sullivan will have to arrive to rekindle the old enthusiasm—and I|’m afraid he can’t doit.” = ‘* Unless he settles in Boston,” sighed Miss Fanny. ‘‘ But that is hopeless, I am afraid; and just now I am more concerned to know what provision can be made for the night. Mr. Nye may be a conjuror, but I can’t even then conceive of his stowing us all away in comfort. Mr. Hawkins and his friend have one little room to themselves. The little fel- low is limping around, swearing he will shoot the first intruder, and 1 think he means it. Mr. Darelle and his daughter have another, the governor has pre-empted a third; and J’d like to know what is to be- come of us in particular, and the rest in general?” ‘* Well, there’s the stage, you know. Al- ways a chance to camp down inthat. But can’t you arrange with Miss Darelle? The old gentleman will probably, from a hint I have had, be ever with Shaw playing draw, and I will be a looker-on, even if I doen't get interested. They have some sort of a friend- ly controversy between them that they are going to settle to-night. After the session is over I see no reason why Darelle could not aeComicbooks (c ‘ a ae Eo