Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 533 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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22 wouldn’t be tryin’ ter hide thar. Keep an eye out an’ p’r’aps we'll see their looker-out.” There was no One in sight, bowever, and they approached cautiously, keeping under cover as they went, until they could obtain a glimpse of the doorwa Mi They could see right in and the place appear- ed empty. It migat be nothing but a miner’s deserted cabin; and the man they were after might not have gone anywhere near it. Cau- tion was hardly needed, and yet the could have sworn they could not have employed more of it than they did, until, at last they were almost at the door. Then Sam pointed. At the distance of a few yards they could distinctly see the impression of a horse’s feet, tending directly toward the door. The animal could scarcely have gone into the cabin; yet where else could he have gone to? They listened intently, but could not hear a sound, and altogether felt quite puzzled. Ryan was determined to know more, Leaving Ben on guard, he crept closer, until] he was crouching in the doorway, and could see that the room was entirely empty, though there were signs of late ene Y k ‘* Come on, Gunn!” he called, in a low voice. ‘“‘There’s danger sittin’ out thar avy some one gittin’ an eye on yer, It’s empty hyer, but thar’s sign.” It was a little strange that the cabin should have been left so if Viola bad really been there; though it was possible the occupants had been suddenly frightened away. Gunn came in and the two stared around. There was a fire-place, a cracker-box fora seat, and a couch of branches over which were spread several blankets. There were a few cooking utensils that might be carried on a man’s back, and altogether it looked like a pros- pector’s cabin—the temporary residence of a man who was satisfied with a few of the neces- sities of life. ‘*T don’t see none ov yer sign, Sam. we're wide off,” ‘‘ Very wide!” laughed a yoice, in answer to Gunn’s complaint. ‘‘ Hands up, pards, or over you go!” Their man was in front of them, in the door- way, with a six in either hand, They might have discussed the question with him; but be- hind them they heard two hammers click strong as they went back, a band dropped on a shoul- der of. each, while the cold muzzle of a pistol went against the ear a little above either hand, ‘*‘ Now, boys,” continued the spokesman, “ I don’t want any nonsense, and I don’t want to have to hurt you; but you areso fresh | must salt you away to keep you for awhile. If you Guess ‘behave yourselves for a couple days, I'll send you home pepe If you don’t, if you’re ever found, it will be with a lead shaft about the sternum. You can think it over as you go along. For the present you'll have to step out, and that lively. Confound you, what did you mix in this thing for, anyhow? March them out, boys!” (iat so, as the pards understood the situation thoroughly, and had as much judgment as nerve, they stepped off without demur, and con- tinued stepping, far into the mountains, This was the reason that Solid Sam and Ben Gunn did not put in their appearance at Judge Lynch’s necktie party. CHAPTER XXVI. OREGON ON DECK, OREGON lay senseless in the darkness, He had not thrown up bis cards of his own vaccord. In fact he had held on to consciousness with a nerve that not one manin ten thousand would have shown, and kept back tothe end the shouts and groans he might have uttered had he not known them to be useless, A trial or two of the cords at his wrists con- vineed him that struggling was vain, and after that he just took passively what the fates sent him. An hour—a half hour—perhaps a few more minutes of this, and then would have come, for him, the end of all things. When once more he knew anything, the most excruciating pains were darting through bis arms, bis legs, and over bis whole body. The rack was nothing to them. He doubtedif he could bear them a moment more and live. Next, he knew that some one had poured whisky between his lips, and was rubbing him with no very gentle force. It was the reviving circulation that was giving him all this pain, At first be would have thanked his preserver if he had ceased these efforts, and allowed him to die. In a little while, he was only afraid that he would. Consciousness began to broad- en, and he understood better what was being done for bim. 9 was no longer in utter darkness, though the lantern that stood a few feet away, scarce- ly gave light enough for him, in his state of confusion, to see very clearly who it was that had come to his rescue. By and by, however, he heard a chuckle that sounded familiar. ‘¢'Ther roarin’ lion kin roll ’round in ther net, ‘but he can’t git out till ther leetle, teetle, teenty ‘mouse comes. He, he! An’ Paul Morrison’s a ood leetle man ter tie to, Brace up, pard! er won’t go over ther range this time.” ‘* By ther rollin’ wheels, it’s Chestnut!” Oregon was doubly surprised. He would not have given Chink credit for either the will or the wit to come to bis rescue, **It’s Chestnut, pard! and he wants ter git yer outen this jest too quick. Thar’s work ter be done, big work, an’ you’ve bin wastin’ a day, snoozin’ hyer at yer ease, Kin yer stand?” It was premature for the effort, but Oregon made it and found that he could stand, though that was about all, He held on to Chestnut’s shoulder, and at first nearly capsized them both. **Oh, you'll do,” said Chink, with a satisfied intonation to bis voice, ‘*Let me lead yer an’step’round abit. Ef yer cain’t hold level an’ shoot I dunno ez I want yer whar I’ goin’. Sure yer got yer senses, now?” Oregon made so vigorous an effort to obey that he came near to throwing bimself sprawl- ing, and Chestnut with him, Strength came back slowly. ‘*T’m nearder gone than I thort fur, but I kin hold my sixes ef youcan find ’em. They may be lyin’ ’round in the corner somewhar—but it’s more ner likely they didn’t run no risks, The cussed she-tiger don’t make sich mistakes ez those, Whar d’yer want ter take me?” ** Jest ez soon ez yon kin travel I want yer ter Ht ez witness afore a Jedge Lynch law-court, hat young kid’s chances ain’t gittin’ no bright- er fast, an’ he won’t run ner fight. Thet’s what he sez; but mebbe ef he seen ther noose he might jump big ter git outen it.” ‘* An’ hez nothin’ been heard yet of Miss North?” ‘* Nothin’—ef Paul Morrison an’ his purty wife ain’t got onto ther trail. They’re all a- swearin’ thet she’s gone through ther flume, an’ wantin’ ter send ther young :nan after her. They’re goin’ ter try it on most mighty soon, an’ you hed orter be thar.” “Ah! I can bardly understand it, What, him? Young North! Help me outen this. Ther fools they was ter come ter Brace Box; an’ ther bigger fools not ter tell me what big hands would be played ag’in’’em. ‘You ain’t much on a row, but you kin help me thar as well eza better man.” ‘* Don’t shout too loud, pard. Thar may be some ’un watchin’, Ef it hadn’t been fur leetle, teetle, teenty Paul I wouldn’t a-dropped ter this. He war busy er he’d come along.” ‘*Thar ye goag’in. Ef he’s ez big a fraud ez you be, l’d orter shoot yer both. Mbebe Ill hey to yet. What’s Paul a-doin’, and whar are we now?” ‘* Ye’r’ jest whar Merry Mav war when they couldn’t hold ber; an’ he’s a-nussin’ that leetle bit of furs an’ fire. Some ’un tried ter p’izen her, But she'll climb up this time, hunkey dory.” ‘Poison! Who? Merry May?” ‘* Yes, I tell ver, thar’s bad men in Brace Box, an’ wuss outside. You folks have struck ther worstest ov all.” Chestnut was talking to gain a little time, for Oregon was hardly yet able to journey alone, and he was rather a large armful to carry. It was about as safe, and a good deal more com- fortable, to run the risk of an interruption there, as to take the sport out before he was able to care for himself. ‘ But Oregon suspected something of the kind, and had seen a prospect of having his hands full from the news he had already heard. He quit asking questions, and began to give orders. When Chestnut saw that he was really in earnest he led him away. Darkness had settled down on Brace Box, as the two men made their way toward Jimmy’s, As yet court bad not convened, but there was a portentous stir on the street, and when the reached the hotel, Oregon did not have to loo wice to decide that it was under guard, though the men on the watch endeavored to mask their purpose, ‘* An now, Chestnut, ef they’ll only jest hold off tell I git some my r, dinner, an’ breakfast all rolled tergether, Pll be ready fur ther next move in ther game, Mebbe you'd better scout around while I peck grub, Thar’s no preshus time ter waste,” Oregon was weakened by both fast and con- finement, but he believed it would only be tem- porary; and, weak or not, he intended to be on hand when the trouble began, Just now, much .as he wanted to see Neville, he felt that there was something more important, The boarders had eaten and gone, and there was no one at the table but Jimmy Bower. His eyes expanded to the size of saucers when he saw the Sport with a Scar come staggerin into the room and take a seat at the other end o the board, Perhaps he had no evil intentions, but he bas- tily rose to his feet, and would bave left the room. ** A minute, Jimmy.” Oregon leaned toward the landlord, and crooked his finger. ** Don’t rush matters. DP’m not a reg’lar; but ‘ > Oregon, the Sport with a Scar.. with ther table set, an’ me ther biggest kind of bungry, Pll be byar fur a few minnits yit. Tl be takin’ part in ther evenin’s exercises furder on. Jest take it easy, an’ give me a leetle ov yer presence now, while I talk the matter over. How did yer come ter light onter Mister North? It’d take a man ov real genius to git so fur outen ther right way.” There was no threat in the words of the sport, and he never looked less dangerous, but some- how Jimmy changed his intentions very sudden- ly. He moved down to Oregon, and gave bim his view of the affair as straight as a string. A rather plausible story he made of it, and he wound up by saying: ** Ov all the queer rackets in Brace Box this are ther fu’st one thet opened out in my house, I ain’t standin’ it, an’ ’!'m backin’ jestice. Sorry ter say it, es he’s your pard, but they’re goin’ ter hang him, sure. An’ ef you git too fur for- ward they’ll be apt ter bang you too. I heered more ner one ov’em sayin’ that you an’ bim war in ther same boat.” ‘**T b’lieve they’re hangin’ him now,” said Ore- gon, coldly, and rising slowly. He had just heard a hum outside, and the tramp of numer- ous feet. It was earlier than he had expected the camp to rise, but he bad not taken into ac- count the ferment of the day, or the fresh im- petus that had just been received from a iste discovery. **Don’t you go near ’em,” whispered Bower, as Oregon, a good deal thestronger for bis meal, started toward the door. ‘*They’re howlin’ hyenas, I tell yer, an’ you’d stir ’em up mad ez ho’nets, an’ twice ez thick, ef you went ’round ’em now.” : ‘*Thanks, Jimmy; but Oregon can’t be bluffed. I'll stand my chances with the crowd, and if my time ter go under hez arrove I'll have to go. But, Jimmy, old man, I’m counsel for the prisoner, if no one better turns up, an’ ['d like most mighty well to see my client fur a mo- ment afore ther frolic begins,” ‘*’m reasonable, Mister Oregon, an’I don't object, though I’m responsible fur his ’pearance. [ve treated him squar’ ez I could, an’ nobody’ll be gladder than meef he shows up innercent. But then, the girl! I wouldn’t be white ef it rile me clean to the bottom ter think ov what’s her fate, and who brang it. But ye’ll find hjm in ther little bedroom, back ov ther office. Ther shutters are closed, an’ ther’s a man watchin’ him, Oh! go ter thunder!” Oregon’s patience bad become exhausted at the way Jimmy was wasting time. Without a word he walked away, leaving Bower to finish his address to the dishes, It was not had to find Neville, or to gain ad- mittance to him; but it was impossible to have any confidential talk, since the room was too small to get out of hearing of Billy Devan, who sat, solemn as an owl, with a cocked revolver resting across his knees, That made little difference. All the world might have heard what Oregon had to say. ‘* It’s a put-up job. North an’ you war a fool not ter kick hard when they beyan ter open ther game, Coldcard’s bin fooled outer town, Solid Sam’s missin’, an’ Killer Rollius ain’t bin seen ter day. They’re goin’ ter try ter kerry it through with a whoop, When they git tired, an’ quit, Brace Box’ll know a thing er two ’bout ther men that want ter be chiefs, Ef ye’r’ bent ter stand a trial Ill be with yer in a minnit. Keep yer head cool an’ eyes open. Ef’we don’t hev a fair show they’ll hev ter fight, an’ don’t you forgit it. Dll be byar ag’in in a minnit. They’ve bad me in a box all day, an’ tried hard ter kill Merry May.” Without giving North time to reply he slipped out, and away to Neville’s room. He knew there was a pair of heavy revolvers in the young man’s trunk, and he wanted them. It only took a minute, and feeling as though he had gained the strength of a dozen men, he came running back just as a cry from a regular mob outside rent the air. There was no longer any question—Judge Lynch’s court was about to be convened. CHAPTER XXVII, A LOCK OF HAITR, At first Neville North thought a great deal more about Viola and the chance of her having sloped with their cousin than he did about his own predicament, Tbe accusation seemed so supremely ridiculous that it hardly was worth while to express his indignation. ‘He did not think it worth while to even protest when Jimmy Bower placed bim under surveillance, The warnings he received from Solid Sam and the young lady gambler opened his eyes somewhat, and what he was able to pick up during the afternoon showed him still more the seriousness of the charges against bim. He began to think less of Cyril and more of Viola; in the end becoming much alarmed for her safety, as well as seriously troubled about himself, If he had understood better the nature of a frontier mob, and the apparent proofs that had been accumulating against him he might well have dreaded facing the court that he had good oVoro) <S m (E(0) (E €oO . : ) | 4 | .