Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 508 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

“On, to the mine!” way the cry that was raised. ; By this time the original fighters, including the saloon keepers and their dependents, had been reinforced by a numerous crowd of roughs and rounders, who were not only quick to join the winning side, but believed that they saw in the canal disturbance opportunities for help- ing themselves to other people’s property which ought not to be neglected. nflamed by victory, as well as by fighting whisky, the mass of the insurrectionists had got it into their heads that it would be an mak thing to capture the works of the Topnotc Mining Company, and take possession of the mine. By so doing they believed that they would place themselves in the best possible position for dictating terms to the Tycoons. They did not perceive, as Dan Lasher did, that in this they would be abandoning the atti- tude of defending themselves and their rights and pressing forward to do a clearly unlawfu act. ‘‘On, to the mine!” was the cry, and there was no restraining them. CHAPTER XIX, DEADWOOD DAVE’S STRATEGY, AMONG those who might be countedin the mob of insurrectionists, and whose ideas differed somewhat from those of the supposed leader of the faction, were Deadwood Dave and his ang. . They had noted with intense satisfaction the rogress of the storm that was brewing, believ- ing that they would sooner or later find profit in it for themselves. The big fellow plumed himself upon the fact that through him the true character of El Paso Pete had been discovered. He had followed the picturesque stranger after the interview at Bart McGinley’s, not because he suspected him of being anything but what he claimed to be, but because he wanted to know more about him, hoping to be able to use the knowledge for his own purposes, When Pete Gannon entered the office of the Topnotch Mining Company, and remained,there quite a length of time, and the watcher after- ward discovered that be had been closeted there with Superintendent Eagleson, Deadwood Dave's suspicions were aroused, Taken in connection with the revelations that had been made to El Paso Pete at McGinley’s, the visit really did have a suspicious look. Yet it might have been made merely for the purpose of applying for the ** posish” of which the stranger had spoken, As Pete did not again put in an appearance at McGinley’s, though expected to do so, the big fellow continued to watch him, and the more he watched, the stronger his suspicions grew, He made no mention of them to Dan Lasher, however, until the crisis of the storm arrived, and then his whispered statements resulted in the sudden exposure of the spy. Deadwood Dave had no doubt that by this per- formance he had ‘‘ mado himself solid” with Handsome Dan, and would thenceforward oc- cupy a foremost position among his supporters and friends. : Yet the big bully did not hanker after a posi- tion in the front rank of the fighters, nor did he seek to occupy such a position. He and his comrades had theretofore accom- plished their iniquities with as little personal risk as possible, and they hoped to continue to get their chestnuts out of the fire without burn- ing their fingers, Weare Dave went to join Dan Lasher at his castle, he enjoined it upon his comrades that they must remain at McGinley’s and keep quiet, but must be ready for immediate action when he should give the word. . “Thar’s goin’ to be wild doin’s,” he assured them. ‘‘ Topnotch is likely to be all tore up, and thar’s no tellin’ who will be on top when the scrimmage isover. But it’s sartain that we’ll have a gay old chance to skip about and pee up things, if we keep our heads level, and never look out for nothin’ but Number One.” His advice was so sound that the rest of the gang followed it implicitly. : ter he had carefully kept himself cut of the way of bullets in Lasher’s up-stairs rooms, it was not to be supposed that he would frantically rush out with the rest to seek a fight with the myrmidons of the Tycoons, and he did no such rash act. Assoon as there was no danger to confront, and it was evident that the Tycoons were on the run, he sneaked out and hurried to McGinley’s. There he found his comrades awaiting him anxiously and somewhat impatiently. ‘““What’s been keeping you, Dave?” angrily demanded Sandy McGinley. ‘‘ There’s the big- est kind of a row going on, and we could never ope for a better chance to do a little busi- ness. “« Don’t I know more about that than you do?” loftily replied the big fellow. ‘‘ Hain’t I been out t among ’em, whar the fire was flashin’, and the smoke was rollin’, and the bullets was flyin’, reskin’ my life for you fellows? Have you -!- got it into your fool heads that Deadwood Dave don’t know what he’s about?” ‘*That’s all right; but we ought to be doing something. It seems to me that we are wast- ing a lot of time. Why didn’t you get here sooner?” ‘* Because the thing wasn’t ripe. Because the time hadn’t come, It has come now, The Ty- coons are whipped, and t’other fellers are chasin’ ’em hot foot, all as crazy as loons. Now is our time to make the best strike we ever made,” as ‘¢ What sort of a strike?’ inquired Bad Lands en, ‘* While those cusses are drivin’ the Tycoons out o’ the camp, and foolin’ away tha’r time with fightin’, we will pitch right out for the minin’ company’s office, and gobble up the cash thar.” ‘** Supposin’ it’s guarded?” **Tt won’t be. The Tycoons allowed that they had a sure thing, and they didn’t have no notion 0’ gittin’? whipped. So they never thought 0’ guardin’ or hidin’ anythin’, No, boys, thar won't be nobody thar. If any men had been left thar, they’d soon be scared off.” ‘*T hope yow’re right about that, Dave. You ought to know more about it than we do,” **Come on, then! As public sperrited citizens, it stands us in hand to make hay while the sun shines,” As it happened, there was somebody in the office of the Topnotch Mining Company, though not a somebody who was calculated to interfere with the plan of Deadwood Dave and his friends. Jacob Marvel, who had been informed of the unpleasant adventure that was his son’s first ex- perience in Topnotch, and who had little confi- dence in Simon’s disvretion and ability to take care of himself, had exacted from the young mana solemn promise that he would not stir from the office until the expected conflict was ended. Therefore Simon, who was a man of bis word, stayed right there, though he was anxious to get out and see what was going on, and he had a tedious and lonesome time. He heard firing plainly enough, and plenty of it; then it partly died away fora while, and then it started in fiercely once more, Simon’s eager curiosity prompted him to wan- der forth and see how the struggle was likely to terminate; but his promise kept him in, Though he could not doubt that the Tycoons would succeed in their endeavor, as he had been assured that the preparations were perfect and the force was amply sufficient for the work, he could not help feeling uneasy, in view of the continued rc that seemed to be going on. It was certain that his friends were not havy- ing as easy a task as they had expected to find, As nobody came near him, and the vicinity of the office was silent and deserted, he was unable to satisfy his curiosity, and could only fret and worry in his voluntary prison-house., Again, as his hearing served him, the excite- ment died away, and it was to be supposed that ove side or the other had gained the victory; Hi he could only guess at the result of the con- ict. He wished that somebody would come along to tell him some news and break the monotony of his confinement. When at last somebody did come, there was plenty of news, with no monotony, and his time arrived to take part in the excitement. Deadwood Dave ana his gang made their way to the mining company’s office quietly and speakingly, careful not to attract attention to their movements, and keeping out of the way of all crowds and groups. When they reached their destination, they perceived that there was a light in the office, and it behooved them, in consideration of their precicus scalps, to learn whether there were any men inside. Dead wood Dave sneaked up to a window, and looked in. When he returned to his friends, his ugly face was lighted up by an expression of joyful malice, ‘What is it, Dave?’ inquired Ben Staples. ** Anybody thar?” ** Yes, one feller, and that is right into our hands,” ‘Who is he?” ‘*‘ The tenderfoot that we caught awhile ago, and had to turn him loose—old man Marvel’s son, We'll git bim, if we don’t git anythin’ else, and he will be wu’th a pile to us.” Deadwood Dave led the way to the office door, followed by his partners, in the sneaking way that indicated their proclivity for thieving, Trying the door, and finding it unlocked, he gave the signal, and the gang rushed in. Simon Marvel was seized and overpowered before ho knew what was the matter. He instantly recognized his captors, and was fully aware of the factthat he had fallen into bad hands. ‘What do you mean by this outrage?” he an- grily demanded. ‘‘ What are you here for?” “Jest attendin’ to business,” answered the big bully. ‘We've got you now, sweetness, and we mean to git out of you all the valley thar is into you.” “You had better get away, if you want to save your skins, My father and his\friends will ae oor eS ee en eS. Topnotch Tim, the Mad Parson. 15 be here soon, and they will string you scoun- drels right up by the necks.” **Not mueh, sonny. It ain’t them that’s doin’ the hangin’ jest now. The Tycoons and all that tribe have been whipped out o’ tha’r boots, and scattered over creation and part o’ Topnotch. It’s likely that your dad and them Eaglesons have been hung afore now,” ‘Hung! My father hung!” ** Well, we didn’t go to the hangin’; but Dan Lasher and his pards was arter the Tycoons with blood in their eyes, and what can you ex- pect? I tell you, bub, it don’t do to fool with the Topnotchers. ‘Them as tries to squelch ’em is liable to git squelched.” **T cannot believe it.” ** Don’t believe nothin’, if that’s any comfort to you; but you know what becomes of onhe- lievers, Come, boys, we can’t waste time on this youngster. Gobble up the vallybles, and we'll pull out.” This order was easier to give than to exe- cute. | The money and other valuables which the company kept there had been hived away and locked up in a safe, fire-proof and burglar-proof, so strong and heavy that it had cost quite a pile of money to get it up to Topnotch, Deadwood Dave and his partners eyed the safe mournfully, recognizing the fact that it was beyond their burglarious ability. They ordered Simon Marvel to give them the key; but he had neither key nor combination, and a thorough search failed to discover any- thing with which it could be opened, After ransacking the desks and finding noth- ing of value to reward their labor, they wreaked their spite on the office by smashing the furni- ture and destroying the papers they came across, Then they led forth Simon Marvel and piloted him toward Bart McGinley’s. ‘*T wonder, Dave, what has become of Top- notch Tim,” remarked Aaron Isaacs as they sneaked homeward, ‘‘ Did you see him any- where to-day?” . ‘* No, and I don’t want to. I hope he won't turn up in Topnotch very soon.” CHAPTER XX. AT THE MINE, Ir was true that Timothy Marlow had not been in Topnotch that day, and he had not in- tended to visit the scene of the struggle. From his conduct at the opening of Dan Lash- er’s gambling rooms it might be su that he would favor the purposes of the Tycoons; but the Mad Parson was known to be an eccentric character, whose opinions and actions were pre- sumed to depend considerably upon the humor of the moment. Yet he was in reality not a bit whimsical, and might generally have given sound and substan- tial reasons for all he did or left undone, se who were best acquainted with him knew that he did not believe in stuffing religion down the throats of pes or in enforcing morality by means of a club, Instead of visiting Topnotch, he went to the mine, where he sought and easily found Burch lanton. It was a singular but not unlikely friendshi that had sprung up between the old man an the young one, and it was founded upon the knowledge which each had gained of the other’s good points, producing that mutual strcng es- teem which is the basis of the best friendship. On Blanton’s part, his respect for Timothy Marlow was doubtless enhanced by his affection for the old man’s daughter, which be knew, b this time, was fully reciprocated, und whic had therefore become a clear case of happiness for two. He would, however, have seen but little of Susan Marlow, and would have had scant op- portunities for pressing his suit, had it not been “i the favor with which her father regarded im. ) “T am glad to find you here,” said the Mad Parson, as he met his young friend, *“*T can generally be found here,” answered Blanton, BY I seldom go anywhere, except to your house,” “T thought it quite possible that you might be in Topnotch to-day, Of course you know what is going on there.” ‘*'Yes, indeed. Mr. Eagleson invited me to go to town and take partin that performance, and theinvitation amounted almost to an order.” **Did you refuse?” | meanereths declined, telling him that I was not hi for that sort of thing, and that my work at the mine was as much as [ cared to attend to.” ‘““No doubt you were right about that: but it may make trouble. Jacob Marvel and the men who are with him are determined to makea success of what you call the performance, and oe may be discharged for your refusal to help them. : ‘* Perhaps I could stand that. independent person, myself.” ‘‘Perhaps in the long run it mightdo you © more good than harm, Tell me, Blanton, what Tam a pretty cComicbooks.com