Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 483 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

- unperceived to the rear of the buil ive iw 16 ites in that quarter, who sent a messenger around to Judge Stacey to inform him of this last dis- ‘hea ~ A » ter. Judge Stacey, who was in reality commander- in-chief of the Staceyite armies, had been grum- bling for some time about the separation of the force into two bodies, and was convinced that the recent series of disasters was clearly the re- sult of that separation, As combined action appeared to be impossible, it was best that all should be united under one head, and there could be no better head than bis own. Consequently he sent an order to the other body to join him at the eastern side of the barri- cades, and they obeyed the order by making a detour to the rear of the shoemaker’s house. The men were then dismissed, to get their sup- ers wherever they could find them, and Judge | tacey held a consultation with a few of the leading Staceyites, to decide upon the next step to be taken, It was admitted that the capture of Jeff Sta- ‘cey was a calamity, and that his rescue was a matter of the highest importance, not only on account of the disheartening effect that his con- tinued captivity would produce upon his follow- ers, but because of the possible ill-treatment that he might sustain at the hands of the enemy. Of course he was a prisoner in the hotel, and could be reached and rescued only by the cap- ture of that position. It occurred to Judge Stacey that an attack upon the hotel from the rear would be likely to ai successful, and if so the campaign would | ended ata blow. . The chances were that the rear of the hotel Was unguarded, and that a surprise attack would put the assailants in possession of the remises before the enemy could know what had appened to them. | Bramwell Stacey declared that if there had been a sufficient force under his immediate com- mand, and he had not submitted to the guid- ance of Colonel Jeff, he would have captured the hotel befcre then, instead of wasting men and time by butting against the street barri- cades. That, he said, would have demoralized the enemy utterly by striking them ‘‘ where they lived.” It was not too late to win the pene by this play, «nd the capture of Colonel Jeff made the move more necessary than ever, Therefore Judge Stacey, having decided upon pecnng the hotel from the rear, proceeded to ae his plan in execution with the least possible elay. Perhaps he was a little too quick in action after his design was formed, In fact, it may be said of the Staceys that they were as a rule inclined to be ‘‘ too previ- ous,” prone to act upon impulse, and without sufficient forethought and preparation. His idea was that he ought to strike the Inde- Ms Cigar at their supper hour, when they would taking their ease, with their minds disen- gaged from the duty of attending to their de- nses, Accordingly, as his men came straggling in at what might be termed the headquarters of the army, he held them in readiness until he thought he had enough for his purpose. Then he formed them into a battalion, under _ the command of a Stacey whom he could trust, _ and sent them around to attack the hotel in the rear. To insure the success of this movement, he promised to make a diversion in favor of the _ party by attacking the barricade, In this, it will be perceived, he was a little too “a hasty, as he could not be sure of being able to - use his men before he had them in band, The men who were to capture the hotel were well led, and as they went to their work there _ seemed to be every prospect of their success, They found no difficulty in Ee their way ing, and in _ fact were not discovered until they were ready _ to spring upon their foes, Jt was then, however, that their troubles . sage he first obstacle in their way was Big Mary, _ the chief cook of the hotel, a stalwart negro - woman, as black as charcoal and as strong as a mule, She was stepping out of the kitchen door with ie pail of boiling water in her hand, when she discovered a body of armed men, who had eyvi- __ dently come over the fence, creeping toward the ouse, She did not know who they were, but was sure that they were there for no good. Being pretty badly scared, notwithstanding her size and strength, she ‘‘ fetched a yell” that was heard through the hotel and out on the street. When the Staceyites rushed at her to silence |} her, she flung the pailful of boiling water in _ their faces, and retreated into the kitchen, as where the other servants added their screams to _ Searcely anything can have a more depressing effect, even upon warlike men, than boiling | water, and several of the assailants were badly | ‘damaged by the scalding fluid, o Flush Fred, the River Sharp. Besides giving the alarm, Big Mary had suc- ceeded in delaying their attack, thus giving the Independents a chance to rally to repel them. Flush Fred had been thoughtful enough to detail four men to watch and guard the rear entrance to the hotel; but, as it happened, they were not attending to their duties as closely as they should have done, and the intended sur- xrise would have been effective but for Big fary’s alarm and ber pail of hot water. At the first yell they rushed to the door and opened fire upon the assailants, There was also a squad of half a dozen men in the dining-room, who bad of course brought in their weapons, and they jumped up from their supper and took part in the action, Then came Charley Taintor and Ben Stanni- ford and Andrew Bates, shortly followed by Fred Henning. Men also came rushing in from the street barricades, until they were ordered back by Flush Fred, acting as general in command, He believed that he already bad enough there for the defense of the hotel, and that the barri- cades might be in danger. They ought to have been in danger, but they were not, If Judge Stacey had just then performed his promise of making an attack in that quarter, he would have greatly aided the party at the hotel, and would have given them something like a fair chance to accomplish their object. But, as ‘the stars in their courses fought against Sisera,” so was luck that day against the Staceys. The men who had gone to get their suppers did not réturn near as rapidly as Judge Stacey had expected then to, and, though he sent mes- sengers after them, they could not be burried forward fast enough to suit him. Consequently, when the firing began at the hotel, he had not a sufficient force to charge the enemy in his front, and hard swearing did not help the case a bit. The only thing he could do was to send for- ward the men as fast as they came in, with orders to keep up a constant fire from con- venient points in the street, hoping thus to annoy the Independents and hold them where a were, he men behind the barricades, however, soon perceived that no real attack was intended, an they pald little attention to the desultory ring. Thus it happened that there were plenty of men in the hotel to meet tue attack in the rear, They had, also, the cover of the house, and the advantage of the lower and upper windows to fire from, while their opponents were in the open comparatively. ‘Under these conditions the combat became onesided, and was soon over. When a charge was made from the house, the defeated Staceys scampered and got away un- der cover of the darkness, and the wounded men they left behind were captured and carried into the hotel. Flush Fred was still unhurt, and so were Ben Stanniford and Andrew Bates, Charley Taintor had received a flesh wound in his left arm; but that was a matter of little consequence, The four friends washed «their hands and faces, and returned to the room in which Colo- nel Jeff Stacey had been left. He had recovered his senses, had succeeded in getting into a sitting posture, and was strug- gling to free his hands, ——— CHAPTER XXIII. AT THE LAST GASP, ‘* Now, Colonel Stacey, if igo please,” ob- served Fred Henning, ‘‘ we will return to the subject which we were discussing a little while ago. The prisoner looked up with an air of bewil- derment. ‘‘You needn’t stare at me like that,” con- tinued his tormentor, ‘‘ There is nothing at all the matter with us. Not a single fly on us. We are all right, I assure you. Allow me to help you to a seat, and then I will tell you all about it.” Colonel Jeff was lifted into a chair, where he grumbled at the style in which his hands were tied behind his back. ‘It is a pity about that,” said Fred; ‘but it can’t be helped. You were so vicious when your hands were free a little while ago, that we really must not let you have the use of them now. It is my duty to inform you, colonel, that the Staceys are not on top, as you had fondly hoped they would be, They made a bad failure of their last little scheme. They tried to capture the hotel by attacking it from the rear, but were fearfully thrashed.” Colonel Jeff groaned audibly. ** Yes, it is very sad for you, and we are mean enough to rejoice in your misfortunes. Your friends can’t stand many more such blows, In- deed, they must be nearly knocked to pieces by this time. As I told you, colonel, it has been decreed that the Staceys must go.” - “Just wait till the men from Swampville eee eee —.._ a a 0 SS at so come in,” roared the angry colonel, ‘‘and then you’ll see who’s on top.” ‘*T fancy that we can worry the men from Swampville,” replied Fred. ‘* We have more friends to come in, too, I suppose that you really do not know how you Staceys have got yourselves hated in this county.” ‘* Mighty little we care for that.” “‘ Under the circumstances, colonel Stacey, it would be advisable for you to part with a little of that information which you keep so care- fully concealed, and tell us what we want to know.” * You will get nothing out of me. I will answer no more questions.” ‘** Ask me no questions, and Pll tell you no lies. That is your platform, I suppose. Well, it is better than a continued course of lying. You ought not to go out of the world with a lie on your lips; for we do mean to hang you, Colonel Stacey. Unless you come down with the truth, we will hang you until you are asdead as Julius Ceesar.” ‘Go on with the hangin’, I reckon I can stand it as well as youcan. I don’t see, though, what chance there is here for that kind of work,” ‘*Oh, the ait lear: are handy enough. No trouble about that. Get the rope, Charley, please.” Charley Taintor brought in a rope in which a noose had been neatly knotted. “Tt is not exactly the article I could have wished it to be,” observed Henning, as he passed the Jine through his hands, ‘‘A little too large, as you perceive. But it is the best we can do, colonel, and you must make allowances,” The prisoner turned pale, and gritted his teeth. ‘* Now, colonel,” said Fred, ‘if you will. have the kindness to accompany us, we will see what we can do for you.” Colonel Jeff had that kindness when he was seized hy two men and led out into the yard at the rear of the hotel. A big Juneapple tree grew there, with a limb which, though not far from the ground, was high enough for hanging purposes. The kitchen was then dark and deserted, the servants having refused to return to it after the combat. Though it was night, a piece of a moon in a clear sky gave sufficient light. The noose was placed around Jeff Stacey’s neck with the knot drawn close under his left ear, and the rope was thrown over the limb of the Juneapple tree. A few men were called in from the street de- fenses, and stood ready to aid in the execution, if an execution it was to be, ‘¢ You had better go slow,” protested the prison- er. ‘‘This business will bring you men to the gallows.” ‘‘That is our lookout,” replied Fred Henning. ‘“ Are you ready to answer my question? Where is Miss Eva Bramwell?” ‘¢ T have nothing to say.” ‘Run him ne he The men pulled with a will, and Jeff Stacey slowly rose in the air at the enc of a rope. The bough of the Juneapple tree bent with his weight, until his feet were buta little distance from the ground; but that distance was sufficient for the purpose of the inquisitors, His eyes were starting from their sockets, and his face was pecoming discolored, when Flush Fred made a sign, and he was quickly lowered, He came to the ground in a limp and doubled- up condition, but had not lost his senses, though he was badly dazed and demoralized. The rope around his neck was immediatel loosened, and a whisky flask that was put to his lips revived him. ‘‘Don’t you do that again,” he murmured, ‘Don’t you dare to do it.” ‘¢- You will force us to do worse than that,” said Flush Fred, ‘‘ unless you come down with the truth, I will give youone morechance, Where is Miss Bramwell?” The prisoner replied with a savage impre- cation and a resolute refusal to answer the question. ‘‘Run him up!” ordered the leader. Again the bough of the Juneapple tree bent under the weight of Jeff Stacey, and again his eyes started from their sockets, and bis face turned purple, with a tendency toward a yet darker hue. This time he hung a little longer than when he was drawn up before, and was probally less able to bear the strain. Watching him closely, Flush Fred gave the signal to lower him again, and when he reached the ground he was senseless, though it was evi- dent that life was not extinct. Water was dashed in his face, and the infalli- ble whisky remedy was used; but the struggles of returning life were difficult and apparently the most painful part of his severe ex; erience. When he opened his eyes and breathed, he was still so helpless that he had to be supported in a sitting posture. Flush Fred knelt down and questioned bim sharply. Ny Where is Miss Bramwell? Tell us that, and we will let you go.” (Ee) ul | j