Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 508 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

—— He had company there, as Simon Marvel had been sent to the mine by his father, partly to get him out of harm’s way, and partly to act as a reporter and watch Blanton as well as the miners. In that capacity Simon was practically use- less, as Burch Blanton had become his closest friend, whom he regarded as little short of per- fection. If he made any reports to the Topnotch au- thorities, they must have been merely a reflec- tion of the opinions of the engineer. An occasional visitor to the mine, but a pretty frequent one, was Timothy Marlow, whose re- gard for Blanton had strengthened with better acquaintance, and from whom the engineer got much useful advice and information, the Mad Parson being uothing like as mad as he was reputed to be. twas near the hour when the day-sbift was to go off and the night-shift was tocome on, and Burch Blanton and Simon Marvel were standin near the mouth of the mine, conversing confi- dentially, when the rapid hoof-beats of a gallop- ing horse were heard coming down the mountain. ‘That must be a runaway horse,” said Blan- ton, and he hastily climbed a ridge, followed by Simon. From that position they saw a woman on a pony coming toward them at the best speed the pony could make. The ground was rocky and dangerous; but the fearless rider urged the little animal forward as if with utter recklessness, though in reality she was guiding and managing him with consum- mate skill. ‘*Tt is Miss Marlow!” cried Simoa in amaze- ment, ‘* Yes, and her horse is not running away with her, but she is running him for all he is worth. Something must have happened at her home; but she is safe, thank God!” They ran down to meet her, and she gladly reined in her panting and almost exhausted ny. ; BRR either of them could assist her to dis- mount, she alighted and stood before them looking radiantly beautiful with her face flushe by exercise and excitement. ‘‘ What is the matter?” eagerly asked Blanton. ‘** Ts there any trouble at your house?” ; ‘* No—the trouble is here. Dan Lasher is coming with a crowd to take the mine.” Briefly she told the story of her spying, and gave a description of the hostile party. ; Blavton did not need a moment for reflection, but at once decided what he would do. It is lucky for us that you have brought the news,” he said, ‘Those men have probably followed you down, and they will be here soon. It would be too dangerous for you to try to g0 back, and your pony is so badly used up that he can carry you no further. If you will stay with us, I think you will be safe.” ‘‘ That is what I meant to do,” she answered. ‘**T will stay, and I want you to give mea rifle.” ‘‘T don’t think we will be so hard pressed as to need your services as a fighter, though you can use a rifleso well. Go into the mine with Mr. Marvel, and 1 will bring the pony.” The mine was likely to be more hardly pressed, though, than the engineer sup —at least, the danger was greater than his words implied —and Susie Marlow proved to be very useful to him, not as a fighter, but by the fact of her presence there, When he explained the situation to the men, and begged them to stand by him and the mine, several of them firmly declared that they would do no fighting for the high-headed Tycoons who controlled the Topnotch Mining Company, and the number of those who wanted to keep out of the fight would have been greater, but for the gallant girl who brought the news. She must be defended, at all events, and the best of the men rallied around her without the least hesitation. Others were prompted by pure ‘loyalty to stand by the mine, and in others the instinct of fighting was so strong that they would welcome a lively row, no matter who their adversaries might be. The rifles were distributed among those who were willing to use them, and preparations for defense were made as speedily as possible, but not a bit too soon, as the approach of the out- laws was reported before the arrangements were complete. It would have been better for Dan Lasher and his pen if thev had not got there so soon, as they had traveled so fast in their pursuit of Susie Marlow that they were too tired to go into action at once. They were absolutely obliged to halt and rest; but their approach had been discovered, and they were not to be allowed to take their ease and arrange the affair to suit themselves. Burch Blanton, who believed that war was in- evitable, thought that it would be best to force - the fighting, rather than give them a chance to rest and choose their point of attack, So he led out a few trusty men to a ridge that overlooked the hollow in which the outlaws had halted, and opened fire upon them. Sa set the ball rolling at a fast and furious Ta j Dan Lasher’s men, full of wrath at finding | and the outlaws had been so panic-stricken that themselves assailed when they had expected to | be the assailants, started up and rushed for the mine. The scouting-party retreated in good order to their defenses, and the battle was begun in earnest, So impetuous was the onset that the defenders of the mine were nearly overwhelmed at the opening of the engagement. lt was the presence and example of Dan Lasher that aroused the enthusiasm of his fol- lowers, and filled them with fight. He proved himself to be a capable com- mander, skillfu] as well as courageous, and led his men right on, as if by instinct, against the weakest point of the defenses, going to the front s a gallant style that compelled them to follow im. The miners rallied to their work splendidly; but their line was broken, and soon they were huddled together in such bad shape that all the advantage was on the side of their adversaries, Blanton did his best to straighten out matters and form a new line of defense, and was specially anxious to strike down Dan Lasher, who was quite as eager to get at the engineer; but each of them seemed to bear a charmed life just then, and in the press and huddle they could not come together. Soon the fighting was at such close quarters that the rifles could pot be used, and revolvers were brought into play. It was, in fact, a rough-and-tumble fight, and in the darkness that had settled down, it was difficult to distinguish friends from foes, Simon Marvel, when his blood was up, fought admirably, and won the respect of the miners as well as the praise of his friend Blanton. Susie Marlow, who had been placed, before the engagement began, in what was believed to be a safe position, soon emerged from it with a rifle in her hands, and played a man’s part in the exciting performance, Blanton caught sight of her when she had started into the fight, but was not able to pre- vent her just then, as he had bis hands full, and could only hope that she would not get hurt, It was Simon Marvel who had the luck of coming into collision with Dan Lasher, and it was bad luck for him, too, A shot from the gambler’s pistol stretched him on the ground, and Dan was about to rush forward over the young fellow’s body, when he was confronted by Susie Marlow. The sight of the girl more than astonished him — it seemed to almost paralyze him. ** You here?” he cried. ** You here?” As he halted, powerless to advance or to raise a weapon, the girl, who had exhausted every charge of her magazine rifle, swung it as if to bar his passage or strike him down, Burch Blanton, perceiving what he believed to be her danger, dashed in between the girland the gambler. Dan Lasher, recovering from his astonish- ment, clinched the engineer in what promised to be a death-grapple. Instantly the followers of each pressed for- ward to the help of their leaders, and Susie Marlow would surely have been knocked down and run over in the melee bad not a new arrival made a sudden change of scene, The arrival was Timothy Marlow, who burst in upon the combatants unexpectedly, armed only with bis long and stout stick. ‘* The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” he shouted, as he rushed among the outlaws, al- most mowing them down with the staff which he wielded with both hands. It was probably his wild looks and his frantic yells, quite as much as his quick and vigorous aggression, that scared and stupefied them, They fell back before him like sheep before a blizzard, and for a moment the cracking of the revolvers nearly ceased, Blanton hastened to take advantage of the diversion in favor of his party, as he and Dan Lee had been separated without damage to either, ‘“* Pitch in, boys!” he shouted. ‘‘ Now’s your chance! Pitch in and clean them out!” The miners did pitch in with a will, animated by the example of the Mad Parson, whose ap- pearance might have been taken for a direct in- terposition of Providence in their behalf, en they had got their adversaries on the run, the rest was easy. The outlaws, led in their retreat as in their advance by Dan Lasher, broke and ran, and again the revolvers cracked merrily. They scattered as they ran, the growing dark- ness and the broken ground giving them shelter and escape, and the miners were too glad to get rid of them to pursue them far, Blanton was obliged, however, to chase and stop the Mad Parson, who was absolutely frantic with excitement, as he seemed for a time to regard the entire affair as a plot against his daughter, and wanted to push forward and make an end of the outlaws, _.When he had been brought back and controll- ed, the engineer and his friends were able to ‘take account of stock,” and they were glad to find thomselves as well off as they were. The casualties had been heavy on both sides, = ———————————— ww wT TTT test-retest eee 1 , ne 2 Ne they had scampered away without carrying off any of their dead and wounded, who had been left to the care of their adversaries. Simon Marvel, who had been supposed to be dead, was alive and nearly well, Dan Lasher’s bullet having stunpved him by grazing his skull, but leaving only a scalp wound, Susie Marlow, unburt, but pale with excite- ment, was glad of the chance to soothe and pacify her father, who soon quieted down when he was assured of her safety, She told bim how she bad happened to be there, and he praised and blamed her by turns for her courage and for what he chose to call her recklessness. Then he started home with her in the night, walking by the side of her pony. CHAPTER XXIX, PEACE ON THE PLATEAU, On the plateau where Timothy Marlow and his daughter had their home it was peaceful and pleasant enough one bright summer afternoon, shortly after the desperate fight at the Topnotch mine. Whatever difficulties and contentions there might be elsewhere, it looked as if trouble could never invade that lovely spot. The flowers were blooming abundantly about the house, the vegetables in the kitchen garden were growing pase sy 6 the mare was quietly cropping the grass in her inclosure with the colt frisking at ber side, and sweet Susie Marlow wasin her favorite seat in front of the cabin, busy with her sewing, and enjoying the balmy air and the beautiful view. She was alone, too, as it was fully twenty- four hours since her father had been home, and Cesar had gone away to attend to some neces- sary business, Consequently she was startled when she heard a tread near by, and saw a man coming toward her from the direction of the Topnotch trail, The next moment it was clear that there was no occasion for alarm, as the man was surely harmless, at least as far as she was concerned, She smiled when she became aware of the slight but trim and well-dressed figure of Simon Marvel, who had more of the look of a dandy on dress parade than of a miner or mountaineer. Such as he was, he was welcome to Susie, who rose and gave him a friendly greeting. “J am very glad to see you, Mr. Marvel,” she said, ‘‘ especially as I was beginning to feel really louesome.” ‘** Lonesome? Is it possible that you are alk alone here?” anxiously inquired the young man. **T was quitealone until you came; but your arrival bas made a pleasant difference. Take a seat out here, Mr. Marvel, and tell me all the Topnotch news.” ** Thank you. no yi} ge wah ‘**OFf course I have no objection. you enjoy yourself.” Simon lighted his cigar, but did not seem to 1 soyins himself, or to be in any hurry to ‘* What is the matter?’ asked Susie. ‘' You look thoughtful and troubled.” *T am sane) sp at finding you here alone, and must confess that [ am worried about it. That ought not to be so. It is dangerous,” ‘**T don’t fear any danger.” **'You may not fear it; but the danger exists. You have had trouble here before now, as I have good reason to know, and you may have trouble again.” ‘The scoundrels who attacked us then are dead, or the worst of them are.” ‘But there are plenty of others alive and about, The men who were run out of Topnotch are camped somewhere in the mountains, with more of the same sort, and they are none too good to worry unprotected people.” I will light a cigar, if you have I like to see “T fancy that the knock-down blow they got | at the mine has put them out of gear for awhile.” ‘** Tt won’t do to trust too much to that fancy, and you know that they havea grudge against ou. Where is your father!” ‘* He left here yesterday morning,” ‘Do you mean to say that he has not been here since then? Thatis bad. I am afraid that he is crazy indeed.” ** He is crazy just now. gone away.” “He is really crazy? He has gone away in a crazy fit? And you can speak of snch a mis- fortune so calmly? Miss i me.” ‘*T am surprised at myself sometimes; but I am used to it, you see. The sufferings that we have learned to bear lose much of their pain, I will tell you a secret, Mr. Marvel, though it is not much of a secret, as I suppose that man people about here understand it. father y crazy once every year. The fit strikes him on the anniversary of the loss of his wife, my mother. I need'not go into the particulars of that sad event, He lost her under very di8- tressing circumstances, and that is what turned his head. On that anniversary he always goes away, and I neither see nor hear anything of him for three or four days, sometimes longer.” **Do you not know what becomes of him?” Eomichbooks G That is why he has — arlow, you surprise Pd ai m4 af z us Fi pi tend | Cola