Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 488 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

- 7” — ee ee al ———77E —EE = — _ = iz \s - : 7 “ ae. ed : ‘- r ., am + - a+ an ‘ * . ’ ‘ ~ Ter : ?. ? - by peal ) ns -* . VS J erry . « rt " we 1: ~ s ty ee CAPS - ‘AACS >, ; ders AP ; - é af ay ‘ ~ - 2 4 ' / ‘ t 3 ‘ wr . 7 a +: ¥. ; , ; i * ‘ if ; *. , 4 ' \ | ¢ | 3 The Thoroughbred Sport. A dae | | double-barrel across the counter asits grim muz- ““T could shoot, and not even your firmest | neverso hard! You are to be your own execu- zle was swept from side to side, covering in turn | backer could hint at wrong on my part, after | tioner, remember]” __ 4 every individual within those four walls. ‘Ef | what you’ve done to pick a row, you eur” | ‘If Tam, it will give mea rest from that ‘y PTS Te ee eve Ae ea Men. a 7a they’s got to be a bloody muss spilled all over my place, bet your sweet life I’m g’wine to take fu’st pick!” Unless it was Hart Oakes, not a man present but knew Fatty Wells would unhesitatingly put his threats into execution at the first overt ac- tion, and before his speech was ended, not a hand touched a weapon, save those of the thor- oughbred, ‘That means you in, pardner!” nodded Fatty, sweeping his ‘‘ howitzer” around in that direc- tion, a grim smile upon his rosy countenance, ‘¢ Hf it wasn’t that you was a clean stranger to hyar, ’'d be talkin’ to ye out 0’ this yer’ baby cannon; fer it ain’t my rule to give a warnin’ but the one time.” ‘“Pap always said I didn’t know enough to take a hint without it was followed up right smart by a kick,” laughed the sport, promptly lowering his weapons as he glanced into those little but resolute eyes. ‘‘ Warning goes, pard- ner! Only—if that clumsy brute has got any articular friends lying around loose, they’d etter elect a guardian for him before bis tongue blows his brains out, I can stand ‘most any- thing in reason, but—if be tries to lay me out again, V)l copper him with something more last- ing than a bunch of fives!” ‘* He was only tryin’ fer to git even, durn ye!” growled one of the fellows who had been placed on guard against the return of this cool sport. ‘Even for what? Because I painted his two eyes? And now lve given them a prime coat of varnish, without charging him a cent for either job! Does he want a mahogany frame in addi- tion? If he insists—well, take his measure, and [ll go the whole hog for once in my life!” There was a smile on his lips, and a grim jest on his tongue: but more than one of those pres- ent could read death in those big blue eyes as their owner stood at ease against the partition, awaiting the result, A sound from the lips of Matson drew nearly every eye toward the fallen fire-eater, and all save one or two of the desperado’s best men fell still further away from the center of the room, where he lay helpless for the moment, though regaining his senses. “*T don’t want torun ye out, stranger,” hesi- tated Fatty Wells, a worried look coming into his honest face. ** But—you ought to see fer your own self jest how!” ‘Tm too mighty lazy to run, pardner. And I reckon I'd find an ugly snag right in the chan- nel, even if I were to try!” ‘* Where is he? Show him tome? Tl cut his heart out and—” Hoarsely, viciously, savagely muttering, Bark Matson thrust aside the friends who were minis- tering to him, and sought to regain his feet, one hand clutching a wicked-looking knife, his blind- ed eyes glaring around in quest of the being A ihe tones had startled him from his half- stupor. ith deft rapidity Hart Oakes had his tools out, one of them covering Fatty Wells, and the other holding not only Bark Matson but all the remainder under its muzzle, ‘‘ Sorry to jump you, pardner,” with a fleeting glance of apology to the astonished keeper, who was taken on the flank, and wholly by surprise, for he never even dreamed of danger from that lone quarter. ‘‘But I’ve only got one heart, - and—Matson, have you made your will?” Bark was clearing his eyes of the freshly flow- ing blood, and he caught sight of the thorough- bred just as those words passed his lips. He saw that his life hung ona hair. He knew that long before he could cross even that short space, he would go down with a bullet through his brain. And—what of Queen Esther? ‘‘Tt’s bloody murder—divil a less!” cried one of the crowd, : ‘‘ That’ shows who you’re backing! But the. high-roller comes first. Do you yelp out bloody murder, Matson?” ‘“*Shoot—but Tll get there, just the same!” savagely grated the other, crouching a bit as though gathering his muscles for what could not help eing a death-leap. ‘“Gents—for the sakeo’—” = — ‘¢1t would be a monstrous pity to muss up the floor, wouldu’t it?’ and Oakes laughed shortly, still holding Fatty Wells rai ec so far as turn- ing the muzzle of his ‘‘ howitzer” in that direc- tion wee comietne” ‘i And, for os dear fellow, I’m willing to compromise, for you’ve treated me white. And you, Mr. Matson—” ‘Will kill you or cash in my own self,” was the cold, deathly retort, all flashy rage vanish- ing from his face and voice as by magic. ‘But you hear this gentleman object to hav- ing bis floor mussed up, don’t you? He’s got that right, and there’s more than one way to skinacat.” _ ; “Tts your lifeor mine. That’sall I know just now.” f : ‘Then you’re not so mighty particular how, just so one of us gets there with both feet?” smiled the cool sport. ‘All you ask isa fair and equal chance to turn toes-up to the daisies?” | single cartridge. flashed the thoroughbred, for the first time giv- ing a sign of anger, ‘‘I know your reasons for jumping on me. I know who set you to work, But let that pass, [Tl never blow it, for I reckon we'll come to even terms after all’s said and done. But you—if nothing but gore will satisfy you, [ll meet you on the level!” “That’s all Til ask. work!” “You're two-thirds blind now, Matson,” coolly, ‘* At your best, you couldn’t hold a candle to me with either hot lead or cold steel.” ‘*So much the better for you,” with a cold, vicious sneer. ‘*Or,do you want still longer odds? If so, don’t be bashful.” ‘‘Tt would be simple murder if T gave you your way and met you with either knife or gun. You came here on purpose to kill me. You acted the brutal hound, and put yourself below the level of a gentleman by your conduct; but Only—get down to | that play don’t count. **T’ll make an offer that will test your nerve and prove whether you are a true sport, or simply a foul-mouthed bully. If you prefer signing yourself the last to accepting my offer, then [ll step outside with you and let you name your own tools, with the greatest of pleas- ure in life!” ‘* Spit it ouf, and spare us your breath!” **Good as wheat! Select your best friend to act for you. I reckon this gentleman will condescend to oblige me, seeing I’m a perfect stranger in town,” with a slight nod toward Fatty Wells, at the same time lowering the sera with which he had held that worthy in check. ‘* Jest so ’tain’t too bloody murder,” hesitated the saloon-keeper. At a sign from Bark Matson, one of the com- pany stepped up to the counter, while all the others watched curiously enough, ‘*Select a fresh deck of cards, gentlemen,” coldly added the sport. ‘‘ Assure yourselves that the seal has not been tampered with. Take it into one of the short-card tables in yonder,” with a nod toward the vacant gaming-room. ‘* Break the seal and shuffle the cards well, Pin the deck down with a revolver containing a And when this is done, Bark Matson, you and [ will turn card by card, in ‘ rotation, until death turns up for one of us. Dare you accept my offer?” There was a low buzzof wondering excitement among the listeners, but not a muscle of that bruised face altered, save to utter: ‘**Do your share, Johnson, and leave the rest to me.” ‘* But—itll be bloody murder—no less!” ob- jected Wells. ‘*TIsn’t that what he came here for? Can’t you see that he means-to kill me, unless I get in my work first?” laughed Oakes, lightly. ‘** Please oblige the crowd, and I’ll deposit ducats enough to pay all damages to the place, besides burying the victim.” | Without further objections, though plainly reluctant to have a hand in the business, Fatty Wells yielded. And a few minutes later the two principals were summoned to the fatal table, where ail was arranged as directed. In clear, cold tones Hart Oakes completed his proposition, ** Let my second take your tools, Mr. Matson, and Gen riend can make sure I’m without arms, We'll have no use for other tools than the one on the deck,” In perfect silence both men were disarmed. Then Oakes added: ** Select a card, if you please, sir. I want you to be your-own executioner clean through the deal! Name any one, with the understanding that whichever of us turns it up, we taking turns in facing a single card from tbe deck, is to take this gun and blow his brains out!” ‘‘TvVll be bloody murder!” gasped Fatty Wells, brushing his brow. : ‘* Not at all, dear fellow,” laughed Oakes, his blue eyes glowing. ‘It will simply be suicide, and thus spare any ugly thoughts of lynching eae tke friends of this gentleman—by court- es ‘You think it’s a dead sure’thing, don’t you?” grimly said Matson. **Pve full faith in my luck. I wouldn’t be a gambler if I hadn’t, ill you name your death- warrant “‘Tt takes a spade to make a grave! Let it'be the ace of spades!” ‘‘ Will you turn first, or shall I? I want to give you every show.” Without a word Bark Matson slipped the top- most card from the pack, and steadily faced it before him. It was a simple spot-card. ‘You're not superstitious?” laughed Oakes, as he glanced at the nine-spot thus faced. ‘“ Yet that same card has been the death-warrant of many a better man in—” _ “Weakening already?” sneered Matson, show- ing his teeth. ‘* What for? with a look of mild astonishment tongue, anyway!” After that nothing more was said, each man turning a card in succession, without the slight- est hesitation. Coolly, steadily, neither too slow nor too fast. And if outward semblance alone was to be taken as the test, not one of the breath- less lookers-on but what felt far deeper anxiety as to the result. The round table was drawn out into the center of the spacious room. The spectators, despite their intense interest in the curious duel between the two sports, kept at a fair distance away, though still near enough to seo every card the instant it was turned face upward, On opposite sides of the table stood Wells and Johnson, each man to the right of bis principal, holding the weapons they had taken from the duelists, Card after card was turned, until two-thirds of the deck had been faced, then—Bark Matson drew the fatal card! “With a short, hard laugh Hart Oakes pushed the pistol across the table, and Matson picked it up without a tremor. He glanced into the cyl- inder, and made sure tke single cartridge wus in a proper position, then cocked the weapon— click! click! To level it at Oakes and fire! : But his eyes betrayed him, and with a swift ducking motion the lead was evaded, the pistol wrenched from bis hand and the brass-tound butt brought with terrible force full upon his © bare head! CHAPTER XXXIV. AN EYE-OPENER FOR BARK MATSON. Wirnovur a moan he fell face down across the table; while Oakes leaped to the side of Fatty Wells, snatching a revolver in each band, fac- ing the startled spectators with white face but unshaken tones. ** Who dares stand up for the treacherons cur? Who is foul enough to even bint that I haven’t served the assassin rightly?’ ‘“* Hf they is sech a dirty boun’-pup in the crowd, Pll chaw him up my own self!” indig- nantly spluttered Fatty Wells, fairly scorching up with hot rage at the foulaction. ‘ Git bim out 0’ this, you heelers o’ bis’n! Git him out in a holy minnit, or durned ef [ Con’t drag him out by the hind-leg fer to dump intothe next mudhole! I will—so/” Perhaps it was just as well for Hart Oakes that he found such a prompt and decided backer. Though not one present could find a word to say in Bark Matson’s defense, more than one hand dropped to knife or pistol-butt as he fell under that terrible stroke. And if the thoroughbred had been less prompt in arming himself, he would almost certainly have been struck down or shot from behind. As it was, he regained his own tools, and while the sullen *‘ heelers” were removing their . _ fallen champion, the sport disappeared, noone _ « could say just how or when. Bark Matson was carried to the hotel and. placed on a bed ina chamber which adjoined that occupied by the false heiress. A doctor was quickly brought, and after a careful exam- ination declared that, though the skull was not fractured, 1f was doubtful whether he ever full recovered from the terrible shock, He gave it as his opinion that, at the best, Matson was in for a severe spell of brain fever. Both the false heiress and Judd Varley were absent from the hotel when this transpired, pay- ing a visit to some of the out-lying claims con- tained among the property to which Queen Esther laid claim, through her relationship to the Big Bracer. ‘*T don’t care to be in town when the eat Si ‘comes off,” frowned Varley. ‘' We can't be too careful, you know!” Neither of them seemed to fear failure onthe part of their dupe, and this confidence made the truth fall all the more heavily upon them when, just before dusk, they returned to the | hotel from their ride. Judd Varley, after hearing the account of the row, expressed strong sympathy for his col- league, and thus covered his visit to his room, He found Matson temporarily alone, the man who agreed to pass the first part of the night with him having stolen away to eat his sup- _ Queen Esther promptly admitted Varley at _ his signal, and softly closed the chamber door behind him as she asked: ‘“'You’ve seen him? What's the show?” ““T’ve seen him,” with a muttered curse. “* He's sleeping or in a stupor. I didn’t sto —curse the blundering idiot!” ‘* Amen!” and the word fell from her lips with a short, bard, cruel laugh. ‘‘To think how the addle-pated cur took it all in! tore your eyes honey !”” ‘I'm not thinking of tbat, just now, since it = all took place under my eyes, as you say,” bluntly returned the tall gambler. “ What ’'m thinking of is this: How much did theinfernal learn just which. All I know is that he’s alive _ think how he dare make love to me,rightbe- rennet SS S ‘* Shoot—I’ll still measure the depth of your | in face and voice, as he easily faced the second | botcher let drop before that eool devil? 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