Beadle's Dime Library No. 518 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

wow (SY ——— Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. 21 Roger. “‘ In fact, the sooner we are under way the better. The march onward will be a relief, to say the least.” ‘‘How are the horses this morning?” Nellie asked. Roger Mordaunt started. ‘‘ Thad forgotten their lameness!” he exclaim- ed. ‘* Doubtess they are all right this morning, as the iritation produced by McBuff’s jugglery was likely intended to be only temporary.” ‘* Tf they are unfit for work, fill their places from Yuba’s Apache herd,” said Jackson. ‘* Anything to pull through to-day.” In due time, the train zot under way, pushing northward across the plain lying east of the foot-hills, and leaving in in the motte three horses as yet uvable to travel. Not until the sun was almost to the meridian did Roger Mordaunt find an opportunity to ap- proach his daughter concerning the subject weighing so heavily upon his mind. Then the two met in the rear of the train, be- ond earshot of the rest of the party. “Papa, [ wish to ask you a question,” ex- claimed Nellie, as Roger rode up,” and I would like a candid answer. ‘*Whatdo you think of this fellow styling himself Richard Royale?” * Bh” Nellie repeated the question. Fora full midute her father stared hard at her, making an attempt to conceal his amaze- ment. ‘Such a question!” he gasped, at length. ¢* Why do you ask it, my dear?” ‘* Because I should hike an answer, papa,” ‘*‘ Logical—very,” and Mordaunt smiled at his daughter’s intense earnestness, P ‘* But, Nellie, to be candid, I have not fully made up my mind what to think; and, to be equally candid, it was to learn your opinion that I sought you here.” ** My opinion, papa!” ‘‘ Yes, and your suspicions, as well,” ‘* They are yours for the asking,” said Nellie, repressing a start of surprise. ‘7 suspect that the gentleman introducing himself as Richard Royale is none other than Reuben Harpy!” The effect of this announcement upon Roger Mordaunt was not so pronounced as might have been expected. He simply nodded, then smiled grimly, saying. ‘* Exactly! And your reasons for such a sus- picion, my dear?” ‘‘They are many, and too intricate to be set * forth just here, papa. ' i , | | ‘¢ But if Iam wrong, Dick Royale has greatly changed, and not for the better, either,” ‘‘T agree with you there. In fact, it may be said that he has hardened almost beyond recog- nition.” ‘‘ Then, too,” pursued Nellie, ‘ the marvelous likeness that existed between the twomen would make such an imposture possible.” ‘‘Tt would, indeed,” acquiesced Roger Mor- daunt. “To tell the truth, Nellie, my suspicions run in much the same channel that yours have marked out.” ‘** And Uncle Jacskon, papa?” ‘* As yet wholly unsuspicious. Asa matter of fact, he is too intensely wrought up by the un- certainty of Pauline’s fate to have more than merely noticed Royale. ** So, Nell, we will let the matter stand asa secret between us. If the fellow turns out to be Royale, no harm will have been done; and, on the other hand, if it becomes evident that his representations are false, he will be taken by s rise. o this proposition the girl readily agreed, and then Roger Mordaunt rode forward to re- join his brother. ‘‘] wished Pauline were here,” mused Nellie, sighing. “ I have scarcely a doubt that Jenkins will succeed. I have actually come to believe that man invincible. ‘‘When Pauline comes, this pretender will not be far behind her. If he deceives ber, then will he be perfect, indeed, in the difficult role he has selected.” ‘ But the day wore to a close, almost, withoat the reappearance of any of the missing parties. About the middle of the afternoon the train arrived at the entrance of the little valley, up which we have seen Rube, Ben and Old Duke Harpy take their way, and Jackson Mordaunt said: & ‘* We should arrive at the mine before sunset, ©) : 2 i = a) r it is now not more than five miles distant. You have arrived at the final turning-point in your ee ‘*But before we proceed, we must make a reconnoissance, as these hills are at present in- fested by a lawless band known as the Goldites, or Mimbres Bandits, and it is barely possible that their scouts may have had an eye on our movements during the day, ‘*These Goldites are in hiding from a com- pany of cavalry now somewhere in the hills, ten as such a train is tempting, and they are unusually strong, their cupidity may have gotten the better of their judgment.” ‘* Then we may look for an ambush?” Roger ‘*It would be just as well for us to be on the alert,” was the guarded reply. ‘‘ However, a look at our surroundings will probably yield us something on which to base our conclu- sions.” With that, Jackson Mordaunt rode away, | crossing and recrossing the narrow valley. When he returned, it was with a nervous haste that led Roger to.expect the worst. | “There is a strong likelihood that my fears are well-founded,” announced Jackson, as he drew rein. ‘* A number of fresh trails lead up the valley. ‘* But, get the negroes into shape for an en- counter, and we will push forward, as it would avail us nothing to halt here. ‘*T will ride abead. At the first intimation of danger, draw the wagons into a triangle and take shelter behind them.” And touching spurs to his horse, Jackson Mordaunt sought a position some three hundred yards in advance of them, while Roger turned his attention to Snowflake and his sable com- rades, Contrary to general expectations, however, nothing occurred further to mar the peace and quiet of the little party. In fact, the valley and its environing bills seemed wholly deserted, save for their presence. In due course, Jackson Mordaunt turned from the valley into a deep gorge, into which the wagons proceeded with no little difficulty. Not until then did the vigilance of the miner relax. Halting, he waited until Roger and Nellie came up. ‘** We are now within less than the fourth of a mile of the Hidden-Hope Mine,” he announced, as they drew near. “The dangerous points may safely be said to have been passed, and I now bid you welcome—a welcome marred by buf a single pain!” His voice grew husky and tremulous, as he extended a hand to each, the mist of unshed tears dimmed the brightness of his eyes, His agony had at ‘last grown beyond re- straint. Nellie turned pale and silently averted her face, Roger, suffering as keenly, perbaps, as either, was about to sonal enetie: woe-begone ex- pression suddenly changed to one of joyous relief, ** Look!” he cried, ‘‘ Banish pain—let all be jov—for yonder comes Pauline!” | True enough; with the swift, ringing clatter of iron-clad hoofs, the frenzied waving of red bandannas and the feeble fluttering of a dainty linen ’kerchief—followed at a distance of pal yards by a deputation of three brawny, red- shirted miners afoot—came Long Pete Jenkins and Dan Yuba, one on either side of Pauline Mordaunt! CHAPTER XXVIII. THE PRAIRIE GRAVE. ‘“ HE isa fiend as black and wicked as any the infernal se ne could put forth, I verily be- lieve—the Old Boy barred! ** But with all his deatbless hatred, with all his devilish ingenuity, he has failed again and I yet live—live to follow the trail to the bitter end, to frustrate his evil design!” And Desperate Dave Danton staggered weak- ly to his feet, his midnight eyes aglow, his face pale and bloody but rigid and determined. “That was a close call,” he muttered, run- ning his fingers along the edges of a gaping fur- row across his forehead. ‘‘ I was lucky enough to geta glimpse of him skulking there in the bush, or it would bave been all up with me!" A close call—but I’m better than a dozen dead men!” A hasty scrutiny of his surroundings, and then the wounded desperado deliberately set to work, to wash away the bloody stains and dress his wounds as best be could, In due time he accomplished his painful task, then mounted the extra horse abandoned by Jenkins and his companions in their hasty de- parture, and rode slowly out of the glade. ‘* Now, what is to be done?” he muttered, halting at the outer border of the timbers. ‘** Shall I seek the trail of Pauline and her res- cuers, or turn back to Colorado and strike from that quarter? ‘* The first course is by far the shorter, but is infinitely more perilous; and aslam growing weary of this continuous race against death, I will abandon it and adopt the latter, thus striking from under cover and constantly con- fronting Harpy with the man be believes dead.” So striking spurs to his horse, Danton rode ay across the plain, heading to the south- e . ‘*T will find the Mordaunt trail, and follow it back to the town of Alamosa, for I care not to go adrift, almost unassured, in a country so rab with outlaws and red-skins,” he mut- tered. The sun had reached the meridian when he came upon the trail at a point a mile east of the Pe Narie toon good horse, for th f ow, easy, orse, for there is not for you either night or day until we have struck the Iron Trail,” he exclaimed, drawing down to an easy lope, Thus two miles slipped by, and then Danton was startled by astern hail—ringing out from the grass a few paces to the south of the trail— the three words: ‘** Halt—hands up!” The desperado’s first impulse was to risk @& bold dash; but a swift glance in the direction of the enemy brought in its train a sober second thought. Such an object as was presented to his gaze! Truly, it was startling enough to have tested the nerves of the boldest! Kneeling in a shallow grave—from which he had evidently just exhumed himself—bis hair and beard matted, his clothing covered with clinging particles of dirt, his face the hue of the dead, his eyes, wild and bloodshot, glaring along the sight of his rifle, was a man—a burly, broad-shouldered fellow—in the garb of the plains! Big Dale Keith! Again bad Harpy, the pretender, failed in his: purpose, ‘Good! That’re sensible!” growled the wound- ed plainsman, as Danton came to a halt with his hands uplifted. ‘** Now, pardy, which way d’ye come?” ‘‘From the foot-hills, back there,’ replied Danton, with well-defined uneasiness. ‘** Did, eh? Wal, look’e hyar—d ye see eny- thing ov a train ov three wagons?” ‘*T did; it encamped in a timber clump a few miles northwest of here, last night,” ** An’ whar may it be now?” ‘**T don’t know.” ; Big Dale was silent a moment; his eyes were fixed steadily upon Danton’s face. ‘“Pardy!” he finally exclaimed, “I’m goin? ter trust ve, Jest a leetle furder than I like, bein’ es ’m so situated es I cain’t help myself, ye know,” Danton nodded, saying: ‘Yes, yes; you’re down, and I’m not be- grudging you a lift, What is it, pard?” * Rist, rehet pursued Big Dale, “‘ we'll explanify a leet mine, ‘‘Now, my name is Keith—Dale Keith—an’ I am one ov ther ontfit ahead. I was ambushed an’ shot down last night, an’ planted in this hyar hole—es mean an’ dirty a leetle trick es war ever sarved on man, take it all in all. ‘* For ther cur es did ther job war a feller es: I hed treated es a friend—hed piloted ’crost. menny a mile ov plain ter meet his sweet- beart.” Danton turned a trifle paler. ** His name?” he asked, his voice unsteady in his eagerness, ‘* He interjuced hisself ter me es Dick Royale, but, es ’ve sence Parned, he’s better known by ther name ov Monshall.’ Throwing himself from the saddle, Danton impulsively sprung forward, “Stiddy, lad—stiddy!” warned Big Dale in incisive accents. ‘*‘ Ye may mean well enough —but I don’t know it.” Thus brought to a halt, the desperado pushed back his sombrero and ‘pointed significantly to the bandkerchief bound around bis head, ** More work of that devil’s imp!” he grimly exclaimed. ‘‘In my case, though, by his baste he cheated himself of the satisfaction of seeing: me decently planted.” A light seemed to break through the clouded brain of the wounded plainsman. Back to hiny caine the words of Dick Brazzleton. ‘* Associated with Monshall in the murder of Royale and in the evil scheme subsequently put afoot, was a second rascal, fully as dangerous, known as Desperate Dave.” ‘*- Your name, pardner?” he demanded, visibly suspicious. ** Dave Danton.” ‘* Desperate Dave?” ‘*T bave been so called.” ‘*Then ye desarves ter die, fer ye war one ov ther two men who murdered ther real Royale. ‘‘Say yer prayers, ye red-handed scoundrel? I’ve no mercy on sich as ye!” Loud and clear as the blare of a bugle rung the voice of the plainsman, and his eyes flame with a deadly ligbt, Danton, however, stood his ground without flinching, saying: ** Hold, just a minute, Keith. ** Who told you that?” Something in the man’s voice or bearin seemed to have the desired effect—an abatement: of burly Dale Keith’s almost ungovernable fury. = Ay the lines of his face did not relax as he replied: ‘Dick Brazzletan, Royale’s old pard.” ‘*The Red-Hand Sport!” Danton ejaculated. ** Ye know ’im, then?” ‘* Yes: he is straight goods, too, I think—more- than can be said of the general run of self-styled ** Ye pleads guilty?” ‘Yes, and no; guilty, perhaps, under the law, to a certain extent, but reality not guilty at all! “It is true that I was with Monshall at the moment the shooting occurred; and it is equally true that I was as anxious as he, just then, to see the detective wiped out. e--you on your side, an’ me on ° rT Eomilecboo (E “S A} ae P=