Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 471 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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24. events of which we are writing, and it is now proper to state that there was treachery also on the other side. Detective Zigzag did not doubt that the telegram which he forwarded to his friends in Dallas was the first news received by them of the holding up of the train; but in this, supposition he erred, for it was known to certain parties within one hour of its occur- | rence. Indeed, while the exasperated rob- bers were vainly hammering on the stubborn safe, it was told many miles away. As a consequence. the five determined de- tectives who held themselves in readiness to fight to the death for the capture or destruc- tion of Arkansaw Amos and his gang, start- ed that much earlier than Zigzag expected, and were therefore due that much sooner at Rialto station. Since the railway authorities were equally anxious to run to earth the band of outlaws that were bringing the fair fame of the Lone | Star State into disrepute, they lent every pos- sible facility to the representatives of the | law, They were expecting something of the kind, and did not compel the officers to wait for the regular train. simply of the engine, tender and one freight- car (the latter to avoid creating suspicion) was dispatched from Dallas, just as night was closing in and at the moment the out- laws were compelled to confess themselves beaten in trying to break open the safe. And in still another quarter was there an important issue based on a cause beyond the suspicion of the brilliant detective. It will be remembered that he and Huff- nagle had a rather sharp dispute concerning the unexpected signal fire and the action of the messenger who brought word that the | outlaws had taken another road to Devil’s Den. Zigzag believed that this messenger was a friend of the robbers, and had deceived the Vigilantes, but Huffnagle would not believe it, though it has been shown that the former was right. Among the cowboys who be- longed to the Vigilantes were several who placed considerable weight upon what the detective said. One of these was Buck Gilligan, who, as he galloped across the country toward the rendezvous beside his leader, did not hesitate to express his belief that crooked work was going on. Max maintained his position, though it was clear from his manner that he, too, was beginning to have his doubts, but they pushed on, reaching the other highway a few minutes behind the men who had started on foot. Among those who had preceded the two horsemen by such a brief space of time were several who held to the same opinion as Buck Gilligan. It naturally followed, there- fore, that a lively dispute was under way. There were five horsemen awaiting the arrival of the re-enforcements that had just reached them, and the report they gave was not calculated to to add to the strength of the position taken by Max Huffnagle. The messenger who had warned the others had taken almost the same course with them; that is, he had ridden up within earshot and called out to them that the outlaws would soon be along that road, and that Huffnagle and his boys would shortly be on hand to in- sure a warm reception for the gang after which the stranger dashed off iat had not been seen since. Max was grum and silent. The conviction was rapidly fastening itself upon him that he had been made the victim of a shrewd trick, but a man is naturally stubborn, and there is no saying how loug he would have held out against his own be- lief, except for a startling occurrence. He was ee on his horse, silent and thoughtful, and looking off in the direction of his own home, and wondering whether if there really was crooked business afoot it was likely to affect the dear ones whom he had left with but a single protector. His distressful state of mind was suddenly intensified by the dull but certain report of a gun which reached him through the stillness of the night. There could be no doubt of the direction whence it came, for it was either from his own home or from a point fearfully near it. The Heart of Oa An extra, consisting | | All doubt and hesitation on his part van- | ished on the instant. | *‘ Boys,” said he, ‘‘the devil is to pay! | We have been tricked! I own up! I’ve _ been made a fool of, but I hope it isn’t too | late! You that have hosses keep with me and the rest foller as fast as you can!” Striking his heels against the side of his blooded animal and uttering a shout to him, | he galloped across the country with the speed _ of the wind. Buck Gilligan and the other five who were mounted, were beside him or at his heels, while those on foot broke into the double- quick. Max’s breast became a raging furnace, as ‘borne upon the wind which whistled by his face he caught the sound of firing again. His horse fairly flew over the ground, but it seemed to the rider that he was moving at a snail’s pace. The reports of the three guns fired by the outlaws simultaneously rung out with pierc- ing distinctness. There was no longer any doubt in the mind of Huffnagle. ‘‘Some one has betrayed usto him! He _knows that lam at the bottom of this vigil- ance business and he is determined to take his revenge upon my loved ones.” The ranchman continued his thundering ace and must soon reath the spot although it seemed to him that he would never do so ‘The coward!” he muttered, grinding his ‘teeth together; ‘‘he has more men than we, _and yet he daresn’t attack us! He waits un- | til we are all drawn away and then brings his _ whole lot against the house. What possessed me to ask the detective to stay? Heisa brave man but he can do nothing against so many.” The impatient Vigilante glanced behind him. Buck Gilligan was several rods to the ‘rear, and the others were strung along at varying distances, while his own horse was ' proving his blood and mettie. It made no | difference; had Max Huffnagle been entirely alone he would have dashed among the out- | laws and begun firing right and left. When protecting’ his loved and helpless ones, the weakest man becomes a lion in strength and | bravery. CHAPTER XXXVIII. IN AT THE DEATH. THe engine and car containing the five men steamed rapidly northward through the Solemn stillness, with a speed which sur- | passed that of the ordinary passenger trains, F oe after all, that isn’t saying a great eal. The same friend within the camp of the outlaws had notified the leader of the party that the disembarkation would take place at Rialto, but of course this man could not have foreseen the stirring occurrences that were to take place in that immediate vicini- ty. He believed that to leave the cars at any other point would draw suspicion to the officers which was likely to defeat their very purpose. So it was that it was the most for- tunate thing which could have happened. As the engineer drew near the well-known spot he moved slowly, so that the engine had the appearance of a monster creeping stealthily upon its prey, and in point of fact that was just what it was doing. Slower ana slower advanced the ponderous engine, until it came to a standstill directly opposite the lonely station, where not a light was burning nor a soul to be seen. The men stood still for a minute, uncertain which way to move or what to do. Faint as was the rumble of the approach- ing engine, it was plainly heard by the out- laws, who paid no attention to it, or, more properly, only ene of them did so. He knew, or at least suspected what it meant. The five men were standing at the station, debating in whispers the proper course to follow, when they were startled by the near report of a gun. There had been firing before but they did not hear it while in thecars They were about to advance in that direction when a low, guarded whistle reached their ears, and the next moment the figure of a cowboy emereen from the darkness and approached them. He was recognized by all, shook hands with ae in turn, while he explained the situa- on. a ee a ne ey ee k Detective. Arkansaw Amos and almost his whole band were gathered around the cabin of Max Huffnagle, with the intention of destroying his family and killing the dreaded detective, who was trapped within. Huffnagle and his men had been decoyed into leaving the place undefended, but the sound of the firing was sure to soon bring them back to the spot. “There he is now !” added the informant, as he recognized the shout of the infuriated Huffnagle; ‘‘he is making things lively!” The rancher had arrived, while right be- hind him thundered the five horsemen, and they went into the fight with the rush of a hurricane, Arkansaw Amos understood what it meant, and realized that the house and its inmates must be abandoned until the new arrivals could be disposed of. He did not doubt that that could be done in short order, when he would bring things to a conclusion with the detective and the family of the leading Vigilante. In the words of one of the cowboys—‘“‘ the band now began to play.” Crack! Orack/! sounded the pistols in every direction; knives flashed in the moon- light; curses sounded on the air; men were shot from their horses, and while lying on — the ground loaded and fired as fast and as long as life and strength remained. Si Snork, having his thigh shattered, tum- bled to the earth, propped his head on his left elbow, which was also wounded, and coolly discharged his pistol wherever he saw a chance to do execution. By and by the pain of his wounds became so intense that when he had but a charge left in the chamber of his revolver, he deliber- ately turned it against his own forehead and ended his miserable existence forever. The five officers had arrived in the very nick of time, and they improved the minutes. Every one was a hero, and, without an in- stant’s hesitation, they ran into the thickest of the fight and did splendid execution. The battle was no more than fairly under way, when the seven who were coming across the fields on the double-quick arrived. The forces against the outlaws now out- numbered them considerably, but the gang fought gallantly, well knowing they had ropes around their necks. There was no movement toward flight on the part of any, for it was do or die with them. \ No one was quicker than Zigzag to read the meaning of the stirring events that opened with such astonishing suddenness. “T’m wanted!” he exciaimed, feeling the thrill of excitement, as he snatched the heavy bar from its place; ‘‘ you folks stay here and keep the door fastened.” Drawing it inward, he threw down his rifle, and, with a Smith & Wesson in each hand, he made a bound outward with a ell. ie Whoop her up, boys! here comes your Uncle Peleg, all the way from New Hamp- shire! Where you see a head, hit it!” There was a flash so near his face that he was almost blinded, and he felt the pistol- ball nip his ear. At the same moment he heard a hissing execration, and Arkansaw Amos, seeing the failure of his shot, again raised his weapon. ‘‘You're the gentleman Uncle Peleg is looking for!” called out the detective, mak- ing one tremendous bound. e came down on the outlaw leader like a mountain avalanche and bore him resist- lessly to the earth. Arkansaw was a powerful man but Zigzag was still more powerful, and he was accus- tomed to this hand-to-hand business. Before the savage ruffian could bring his strength into play, something clicked and he was securely handcuffed! Almost at the same moment resistance was overcome elsewhere, and those of the outlaws who were not killed were made prisoners, Detective Zigzag was so delighted with the rushing success, that he was on the point of indulging in another whoop, when he saw two of the officers who had come with the engine, carrying a form toward the house, with the evident intention of taking it inside for attention. : Glancing at the pale face he was horrified to recognize it as Fred Ripley, known — among his associates as Handsome Harry. . comiebooks com ~