Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 508 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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18 Topnotch Tim, the Mad Parson. oe disposition that was made of Simon Mar- vel. He was also brought out into the street, and a noose was knotted in a sufficient rope, and he was led under a tree that conveniently stood in front of the next building to Lasher’s piace, ** What do you mean? “What are you going to do with me?” demanded the young man when he perceived these ominous preparations, and understood that they were made with reference to him. = abely as not weare going to hang you,” replied Dan, ‘‘ If your father and his folds don’t clear out and leave us alone, we are certain to do that very thing.” Simon turned pale when this dismal prospect was disclosed to him; but he was by no means so much of a coward as some of his captors might have supposed him to be, and he braced up with the determination of going through his part of the performance like a man, **T hope they will kill the last one of you,” said he. ‘I don’t care what becomes of me, and such scamps as you are too mean to live.” ‘You talk big for a tenderfoot,” observed Dan; ‘but I reckon you will be glad to climb down a peg or two when the rope begins to draw.” This matter was soon to be brought to a test, as Jacob Marvel and his aids, with their new allies from Tolbert, and the remains of the former force whom they had got together,. speedily appeared on the scene. About the first move made by the Tycoons on their return to Topnotch was to send emissaries to the saloon-keepers, warning them to keep out of the fight, and promising them protection if they would stay at home and mind their own business, Between these emissaries and those of the other side, the puzzled saloonists hardly knew how to act; but they were doing a big business just then, which they were unwilling to drop, and the Lasher party might not win, and the promise of protection was something better than ba had looked for. {f their ox was not to be gored, why need they bother about other people’s cattle? Jacob Marvel had been quite unwilling to make this concession to the saloonists, and had done so only when its absolute necessity was im- pressed upon him; but, when he saw how for- midable his foes yet appeared to be, he did not regret the sacrifice if it would secure his forces from an attack in the rear, Though the Tycoons believed that victory was then within their grasp, their opponents were evidently so strong and so confident of their strength, that it was deemed best not to rush upon them too suddenly, thus running the risk of an ambush or some other unexpected stroke of big A It would at least be advisable to summon them to surrender and give the affair a chance to ter- minate peaceably. So Ben Eagleson, acting under the instruc- tions of his chiefs, hailed them, and, in effect, read the riot act to them; but they did not dis- perse. Dan Lasher’s full and rich tones rung out loud and clear as he answered the hail. ‘**Is Jacob Marvel there?” ‘* Yes,” answered the marshal. ‘Tell him that he had better go slow, or he will put his foot in the fire, and will have no chance to get it out.” ** What do you mean by that?” “Tell him that we have no notion of surren- dering or backing down an inch. We know our rights, and mean to stick to ’em. We have whipped your crowd once, and can whip them again if we want to; but we know an easier way than biting to settle this difficulty. Tell Ja- ae Marve that we’ve got a foul grip on im. “* What’s your foul grip?’ demanded Ben Eagleson after a consultation with his chief. ** We've got his son here, and we mean to kee him, dead or alive, untll this thing is settled. ‘You must leave us alone, and agree to keep on leaving us alone, or we will string him up to this tree, and then we will fight you to the death if you want.” / This was a serious statement, and it was clear enough that Dan Lasher meant what he said. That sort of a ‘‘ foul grip” was the very thing that Jacob Marvel had feared. Whether the statement was true was the only question, and it was one that could not be deter- mined by the sense of sight. If there was any donbton that point in the minds of Simon Marvel’s friends, it was speedily settled by the young man himself. He shouted at the top of his voice, as much with the purpos3 of concealing a sible trem- bling of bis speech, as for the eof making himself heard. , “Never mind me! Pitch in and clean the scoundrels out!” That was all he said, and it was to be inferred that summary measures had been taken to quiet Jacob Marvel was almost stunned by the real- ization of his fears. 7 Though it must be admitted that Simon had proved his bravery in declaring his willingness to sacrifice himself for the success of his friends, yet no such sacrifice could be permitted. Jacob Marvel admired his boy then as he had never before admired him, but was not enough of a Roman father to consent that he should be | slaughtered. Simon could only be rescued by the defeat of the insurgents, and it could not be doubted that an attack would lead to his instant execution. Before the attack could possibly succeed, he would be dead. The President of the Topnotch Mining Com- pany was badly broken up by the situation as it was presented to him, To yield to the demands of the insurgents, and to abandon the cherished plans which he had prosecutead at suck a cost in the interests of morality would be a terrible thing; but to lose his only son would be much worse. Yet something must be done, or left undone, | and it was at all events necessary to delay military operations until he could see what sort of a bargain might be struck with Dan Lasher. Consequently the leader of the insurrectionists was informed that a truce would be declared, and that the matters of difference between the two parties would be fairly considered. CHAPTER XXIV. THE TYCOONS ON TOP. THE truce was mainly for the purposeof gain- ing time, though Jacob Marvel might have con- fessed that he had no idea of any special benefit that was to be derived from gaining time. Ben Eagleson, however, who had proposed the arrangement, believed that it would be of use, and he hastened to get his work in, “Tf I had two or three good men, just such men as I want,” said he, ‘‘ I think that we could get out of this scrape.” ** What’s the matter with me?’ inquired Burch Blanton. ‘*T am getting to bean old man, butam pretty good yet,” observed Timothy Marlow, “Tf your idea is what I guess it is,” remarked Marvin Briggs, ‘‘l want to be counted in the game,” Marvin Briggs, as it happened, was the pro- prietor of the store adjoming Dan Lasher’s place, in front of which Simon Marvel was sta- tioned under the tree. Ben Eagleson turned to him quickly. ‘**T reckon you have guessed it,” said the mar- shal. ‘* As there isa risk to your property, I was in no burry to call on you.” Briggs had joined the Tycoons, and had stuck to them firmly, in spite of the danger that might come to his business and his place of business from the proximity of Lasher’s establishment, He was not going to draw back or shrink at that crisis. ’ ' ‘‘That is all right,” said he. ‘‘I am willing to risk my property, and you needn’t worry about it.” e ‘* Have you got your keys with you?” inquired agleson. ‘** Both of them, front and back. I guessed your idea, you see, because I had a notion of trying to work the same scheme, What you want to do, as I take it, is to circle around to the back door of my place, go through, and rush out at the front, taking those scamps by sur- prise, and snatching the young feller away from them. Is that the game?” “You have hit it exactly, Marvin, and we must be quick about it, too, as those men may not be quiet much longer.” ‘*Come on, then. The sooner it is over, the better for all of us,” But, before Ben Eagleson could make a move, he was obliged to get the consent of Jacob Mar- vel, whose son was exposed to danger, and might be brought into greater peril by the bold step that was contemplated. he chief of the Tycoons turned pale when this proposition was made to him; for he real- ized the position of his only son, At the same time he was bitterly opposed to yielding an inch to the demands of the insur- gents, and he hoped that the daring attempt Say Gh prove successful, _ After a brief hesitation he gave his consent, and Ben Eagleson set at work immediately with the three men who had offered themselves, - They were all recognized as good and deter- mined men, in spite of the advanced years of the Mad Parson, and Marvin Briggs would be specially useful on account of his familiarity with his own place of business, It was arranged that there should be a con- ference with the insurgents, and that the at- tempt to rescue Simon Marvel should be made while the conference was being held, The Tycoons in the street, ready for any emergency, were to watch closely the front of rvin Briggs’s store, and, as soon as the res- cuing party rushed forth, were to make a di- version in their favor. As a matter of course, this would be an utter- ly inexcusable breaking of the truce; but the ycoons had suffered so severely, and had been so deeply humiliated, that their ideas of military honor had been decidedly lowered. Furthermore, they were inclined to consider the rescuing party asa ‘side issue,” and were ; as rs Sine Be Ve, Uf : PP ees ys 1 eee 4 ee Al ‘ ' | Gos DR hg Wt PE oe Ri SR CR A a i Ra a a a eS AM ec et et S not to renew the fight unless the rescuers were in need of help. The real fact was, however, that they be- lieved in the maxim, ‘‘everything is fair in war,” and had no doubt that their adversaries would take a similar advantage of them if they saw a chance to do so. As soon as the conference had been arranged, Ben Eagleson started off with his three men, armed only with their revolvers, as the work which they might have todo was expected to be close and desperate. As Briggs had suggested, they ‘“ circled around ” until they reached the rear of his store, All was quiet there, and the darkness was in- tense, as the night was nearly spent, leaving only what is commonly known as “ the darkest hour, just before dawn.” Marvin Briggs let his confederates in at the back door, and led them through the establish- ment, Nothing had been disturbed there, as the in- surgents had shown no disposition to destroy proper sys but, if the attack that was about to e made upon them should prove immediately and thoroughly successful, it migbt be expected that Marvin Briggs’s store would be quickly and completely gutted. No lamp or candle was lighted, and not even a match was struck, as it was above all things important that the desperate attempt should be secretly made. Noiselessly the four men felt their way through the thick darkness until they reached the front door. They had carefully noted the location of the tree and Simon Marvel with regard to the door, as well as the position of the men they were to attack, and each of the four understood the work that be would be expected to do. Quietly Marvin Briggs’s key turned in the lock, the door was suddenly thrown open, and the rescuing party rushed forth, Briggs stopped an instant to close and lock the door, but immediately joined Blanton and the Mad Parson, who had opened a rapid fire with their revolvers as soon as they emerged from the building. Ben Eagleson, who was a tall and stalwart man, of great strength and activity, knocking down or throwing aside the few who stood in bis way, ran to Simon Marvel. ith a sharp knife he cut the rope, and gave the bewildered young man a push in the direc- tion of his friends, bidding him run for his life, and following him up to protect him from re- capture, course a complete surprise to the insurgents, and for the moment it demoralized and scat- tered them; but they quickly rallied, and pro- ceeded to make it hot for the desperate few who had ventured among them, Their assailants, however, scarcely gave them time to rally. Fully realizing the fact that their chances of success and safety lay in the rush, they only waited until Ben Eagleson had cut loose the cap- tive, and had scarcely a second to wait for at. Then they burst through the ranks of their opponents, and headed toward their friends, t was every man for himself, according to the programme which they had agreed on and each struck out on his own hook, without waiting to see what had hecome of his comrades. As the insurgents bad been quietly awaiting the result of the conference that bad been going on between the lines, they were naturally highly indignant at this treacherous attack. They quickly recovered from their moment- ary panic, and pistol bullets began to fly about in the liveliest manner possible; but they came very near being too late. Timothy Marlow’s long strides carried him swiftly out of the way of the greatest danger; but the other three suffered more or less in the melee, Ben Eagleson, who was covering the escape of Simon Marvel, received a severe wound in his left arm, and Martin Briggs was shot dead, pierced by more than one bullet. Burch Blanton was lucky enough to escape with a slight flesh wound, which he considered nothing more than a scratch, It is probable that not one of them would have got away alive, if it had not been for the prompt action of their friends. Utterly disregarding the truce, and. not wait- ing for the response of the insurgents to the sudden attack, the myrmidons of the Tycoons, led by Pete Gannon, started into the fight as soon as the rescuing party issued from the store. Under these circumstances the fighting, as might have been expected, speedlly terminated in favor of the Tycoons, There was no tribunal to which their oppo- nents could appeal for protection against that atrocious violation of the laws of war, and their only chance was to strike a stout blow for re- venge, and then get out of the scrape as well as they could. The blow was not signally effective, as they were badly disorganized and demoralized. 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