Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

a —— — a a from one of those large crackers which are so common in the Rockies. ‘‘ You are the firsti human being I’ve seen to-day.” ** | do not wonder at that, pard,” said the un- known, still smiling pleasantly. ‘‘ Nor shall I be surprised if [ should prove to be the last!” ** Oh, [ hope not,” cried Nick feelingly. ‘‘ If ever a man wanted shelter and rest, !m that man! Can you tell me how far we are from that house of which I caught a glimpse not long since?” ‘* About three miles, or possibly two,” an- swered the unknown. ‘‘It passed here nearly three-quarters of an hour ago, just as my bear led me across the trail to the northward.” ** Passed here?” repeated Nick, looking bewil- dered. ‘“‘Certainly, passed here. That house is on wheels, as you'll see for yourself, if you ever overtake it.” Nick stared at the unknown a few moments as if suspicious of a joke, but he was not long in athering from the countenance before him that joking was out of the question. ‘Really? he then said. ‘How singular! But why are they moving it? and where is it going?” “THs simply beating a retreat before the ad- vancing march of civilization and settlement,” explained the unknown, ‘‘or moving for some more vulgar and less creditablereason. At any rate, this is the cighth or tenth time it has moved within a year, or since it was built at Rockdale, a hundred miles northeast of us. Doubtless it was going no further to-day than it can go by daylight, which is as much as to say that it will stop in the edge of the Great Piney, or just about five miles from here.” ¥ At a spot reached by this trail, of course,” pursued Nick. “cc Yes.” ** What sort of a house is it?” “Tis called the Rolling Tavern. It is a rum- shop and whisky hole of the worst description, and as such is respected and protected by every- body—white, black and red, for a hundred miles around!” “How odd!” Nick could not helpsaying. ‘Is it well patronized?” “Yes. A host of miners and hunters are al- ways hanging about it, and also a good many red-skins—these latter tempted by ‘ fire-water,’ just as flies are attracted by a molasses barrel. ever heard of this establishment?” ‘** Not till this moment,” ‘** Then you must be a stranger in these parts?” ** Such is the fact, sir.” ‘** From the East—no doubt?” ** Yes—from New York,” ** 'You’ve lost your horse, I reckon?” “Yes, sir. The fact is, I’ve been lost for the past twenty-four hours, and am frank enough to confess that I’ve had serious doubts for several hours past of ever seeing my way ‘* Indeed? What you tell me agrees with my first impressions. I saw at a glance that br were in trouble, and hence my offer of a little kindness, Have another swallow of brandy and another cracker.” Nick accepted, with excuses for the liberty he was taking. In all his life he had never felt the need of “* bracing up” a little more severely than at that moment. CHAPTER III, A STRANGE RECOGNITION, “May I ask what your business is?” resumed the unknown, after a brief pause. “Certainly. I have been a banker’s clerk, and my health has suffered from so much close confinement. Being advised to take a trip to the Rockies, [ have secured a leave of absence for a few months, and am on my way to a sec- tion [ have purchased in this neighborhood—a place called the Dead Man’s Ranch—” *“Thunder! you don’t mean it?” cried the un- known, with a start. “Yes, sir. What is there singular about that?” ‘“* Well, several things, as you will in due course discover,” and the. unknown smiled in- dulgently. ‘‘ To begin with, the place isn’t worth a dollar, and it’s near the headquarters of a band of robbers known as the Red Ransomers, Didn’t you ever hear of them?” **Oh, yes—for who hasn’t? But I had no idea the Man’s Ranch is such a poor invest- ment. My idea was to‘rough it’ here a few months, and get rid of a sort of pulmonary tightness with which the doctors say [’m threat- ened. I thought of building a log-cabin, and 3 caring for a few head of horses and cat- e, *“ Well, you are out of your reckoning for once,” assured the unknown. ‘A horse or a cow would die of starvation anywhere on your section. So much for buying land before you see it!” : ‘Well, the section cost me little, and it has afforded me an excuse for a. a trip in this direction. I presume you live by hunting and trapping?” The whiaown nodded. * Then I can come to you for lessons in that Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. line, if the Dead Man’s Ranch should fail to afford me a living,” declared Nick, as a smile illuminated the features which had, an hour before, been so pale and gloomy. ‘ In any case, I do not feel inclined togrumble.. Lf I can’t live here, | can certainly return to the East. I sup- pose there is no danger that the Red Rausomers will interfere with me?” ‘No, unless you interfere with them,” and the unknown shouldered his rifle, ‘‘ Have you in view any lodgings for the night, pard?” ‘* Only the Rollimg Tavern, Who keeps it?” ‘*An old couple named Barter, who are as- sisted by their daughter. But 1 wouldn’t go near the place, stranger, if I were you.” “No? Why not?” “It’s a den of assassins! lost. his life there. me,” ** Do you live in the direction of my ranch?” “No. To the contrary, your ranch is in the direction the Rolling Tavern has gone and about a dozen miles from where the tavern will prob- ably fetch up to-night.” ‘Then [ think Pll reserve the pleasure of my visit to you for a few days,” said Nick. ‘‘ To be candid, what you have said has made me anxious to see for myself what there is at the mysterious tavern. There’s no question, I Suppose, about my being able to get lodgings there? ‘Not at all. Dve never known the Rolling Tavern to turn away anybody, whether white man or Injun, honest man or rascal,” “Thanks for the information. You're. not going my way?” ** No, thank you, but l’m not going to let you continue your journey on foot. You see these two horses?” Nick assented. ‘* Well, I am as careful of them as I would. be of two cbildren. When you come to know me, and why I am here, and all that, you will com- prehend why I keep such magnificent horses al- SAye within reach of my hand. But, as much as | prize these fellows, and as many reasons as I have for being well mounted, I am going to let you have one of them till I see you again.” It was in vain that Nick protested against this kindness; he had to accept it. ‘* But bow and when shall I return him?’ he asked, as he leaped into the saddle, **Oh, Pll see you at your ranch in a day or two. To be frank with you, ve been using your place occasionally for a few weeks past.” ** ‘You cannot go with me now, sir?’ ‘* No, I am sorry to say; I’m too busy.” ** Well, let me see you at the ranch at your earliest convenience, Meanwhile, a thousand Many a man has You'd better go home with thanks for your kindness. Good-day, sir.” The greeting was returned, and Nick Peddie resumed his journey. ‘**A queer man, but a nice one,” he said to himself. ‘‘I needn’t feel quite lost in this wil- derness, after this meeting. Here are the traces of the Rolling Tavern,” and he glanced at the trail beneath him. ‘All I have to do is to fol- low them!” In the course of twenty minutes after leaving his new acquaintance, Nick again caught a glimpse of the Rolling Tavern, which was in the act of traversing the crest of a ridge ata considerable distance. ** There she rolls!” he exclaimed, with pleasant excitement, as he patted the neck of his horse. ** We shall soon overhaul it,” The purpose was accomplished in due course, but not until the singular abode had been plant- ed beside the trail for the night. This bouse was ay and narrow, and very much like the little buildings used by roving photographers, except that it pos: above the principal room a half-story which contained two snug sleeping-apartments, A lean-to, which served alike as a bar anda kitchen, had been set up in the rear of the prin- cipal structure. wo stout pairs of wheels, with pole and reach to match, were seen back of the lean-to, and still further to the rear stood a shed, near which were tethered several horses of good form and appearance. A few trees were grouped around the encamp- ment—as it may well be called—and the house itself stood upon six stout blocks of wood, at the distance of a few rods from the trail, A lantern was already blazing brightly over the low doorway, the shades of night having begun to make their appearance, ‘A queer structure,” decided Nick, taking in the scene with a rapid glance or two, ‘ That shed and that lean-to are made in sections, so as to be set up in half a minute, I may as well make a close acquaintance,” He rode up to the entrance and dismounted. At the sounds of his arrival, an old woman of repulsive aspect made her appearance from within, ‘Can I stay here to-night,.madam?’ ques- tioned Nick. The woman scanned him sharply. ‘You can, if you’re not too particular what you eat and where you sleep,” she then answer- ‘Who are you?” Ranch, who is on his way to take ion—” “*T'see! Come in, sir. Wecan give you the oe the new owner of the Dead Man’s LLL LLL _ LDR LLL LLL LLL LLL ty i eee ¢ — os i ° 3 best in this region! My husband will take charge of your horse.” An old man of brawny frame and furtive glance hastened to present himself in response to the reference which bad been made to him, and led Nick’s horse away, while the traveler fol- lowed the old woman into the house, The room in which he found himself was about nine feet by sixteen, It contained a table and several chairs. At the sides and one end were several bunks, some of them cut off from view by calico cur- tains. Several small windows, with the door, served to light the interior. From the center of the low ceiling was sus- pended a lamp, which shed a gloomy light upon everything within the apartment. Despite all his self-possession, Nick Peddie ex- hibited no little emotion as he scanned more articularly the features of the woman before im. ‘*T know you now,” he said, with a smile that was not free from constraint. ** Know me?” The voice of the woman showed that she was startled, as did her manner. ‘** Yes, you’re Mrs, Pawler(” At this unexpected announcement, the land- lady opened her eyes widely, striving in vain to remain outwardly calm, ‘* Hush! Do not mention that name here!” she en joined. ‘* We are known here as Barter.” ‘I heard as much, as I came along the trail,” admitted Nick, ‘* But, you are none the less Mrs. Pawler, of Ironton, New York, where I’ve rusticated two or three summers!” ‘**And who are you, may I ask?’ demanded the hostess, in a voice to which terror and ex- citement had given a strange shrillness, ‘* Nick Peddie,” The old woman recoiled a step or two, literally glaring at the young traveler, | ‘** Sure enough,” shemuttered. ‘* Iam delight- ed to see you,” She offered her hand, which Nick accepted, after a struggle with bimself which was not no- ticed, and then he went through the same for- mality with the husband, who returned at this moment from the shed to which Nick’s horse had been conducted. ; CHAPTER IV. A WARM WELCOME. ‘* Yrs, it’s Nick, to be sure,” muttered the old - man, with an uneasy and suspicious glance from the door along the trail in both directions, as far as the darkness permitted, ‘So, you have come West, have you? How did you leave the folks in Ironton?” ; **To be frank with you,” replied Nick, as he took the chair offered to him, “ I’ve not been in Ironton for many months past!” The assurance gave the old couple intense re- lief, as Nick was quick to notice, They began breathing naturally again, dis- missing the hunted and scared look which had appeared temporarily in their eyes, **You don’t know of anything new in that quarter then?” resumed the hostess. es Ong tos of.” ‘The folks talk there as meanly as ever about us, [ suppose?” pursued the old woman, ‘Talk! Naturally!” ** And what do they say?” ‘You'll excuse me, ’m sure. Why should I. repeat their remarks?” ‘At least give us an idea of what they’re talking about,” pleaded Mrs, Barter, in a wheedling tone, as her husband slipped into the lean-to to replenish the fire in the cooking-stove. ‘** Do tell us now, Mr. Peddie!” ‘*T’d sooner take care of my horse or talk about your new house on wheels,” answered Nick, smilingly. ‘* Besides—” ‘*One word, please,” interrupted Mrs, Barter placing her arms akimbo. ‘Do they pretend to have made any discovery?” ‘* No, Mrs. Pawler—” mt ** Please call me Barter! For fear some one may overhear us, you know!” She looked nervously around, ‘**Pawler or Barter—it’s all the same to me,” observed Nick. ‘You can well understand why we changed our name on coming here from the East?” ** Oh, certainly.” ‘* But, do tell me what the people of Ironton are saying about us!” ** Do you insist upon it?” The woman assented nervously. ‘* Well, they say it’s very singular they’ve not been able to find the body,” declared Nick. ‘** That you and your husband killed the missing Canadian, at the little tavern you kept near Ironton, in the Adirondacks, no one in that neighborhood professes to doubt. So strong is this belief that various parties, at one time and another, have dug up nearly an acre of in the vicinity of your late residence, in a vain attempt to find some trace of the body!” ye Pawler flamed up angrily. * a rhe eating 2 she ee may un e ud t, an a ag least ha the missing mimeo never ik com S Gboo mm