Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 560 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

— 2 10 **T are called Dick Deadly Hand by boys, ther ‘seein’ as how I shoots quick and ter dead center, but I were christened Richard Desmond, ‘* What are yer regemint?” “The Twelfth Dragoons,” *“*T doesn’t know ‘em; but I guesses yer is lookin’ fer ther trail o’ them Gold Ghouls o’ ther trail as we calls ’em and as they calls themselves the Devil’s Dozer?’ **T am on a Secret Service trail, sir; but su we double the stakes in this game?” said : the officer pleasantl “Tare yer aia.” seitied Dick Deadly Hand, and the game was begun just as Poker Pete entered the saloon again and with two compan- ions. CHAPTER XVI, THE ACCUSATION, WueEn Poker Pete returned into the saloon, ee Dees and they had their revolgers in their ds. The revolver of Poker Pete was leveled at the stranger, and the muzzle was not three feet from bis head, The sudden commotion had been from the men who were in range, suddenly springing to one side, and at this work the denizens of Chance were all adepts. Then, too, all had ceased playing end chat- ting at the bold command of Poker Pete, to see what would follow. The stranger had glanced up quickly, his face had changed color, as with surprise or anger, but he did not spring to his feet or show excite- ment. ‘“‘Then up with them hands, glory through Hallelujah Roost ‘You mean for me to raise my hands above my head at your demand?’ ‘T does.” . “ Why?” a The coolness of the stranger somewhat dis- concerted Poker Pete, but he ed: ‘Cause I holds yer as my gamé, for I knows or you goes ter Py ** And who am I?” . ‘Ther Cap’n o’ ther Devil’s Dozen, I told yer, - and I gits ther price on yer head,” The Men from Merion. The stranger smiled and replied: ‘“*T am an officer of the Twelfth Dragoons, and you must be careful not to make a mistake, or it will be the worst for you, my fine fellow.” **T says yer is ther Chief o’ ther Devil’s Dozen, and ef yer don’t surrender, then I[ kills yer.” With a slight movement of his lips the stran- ger gave a shrill whistle, and his two men stepped forward, ‘* Ask my soldiers, then, who I am, sir?” ‘* Keep bim covered, Dave and Charlie, while I gives a look at these soldiers,” cried Poker ma and he turned to the two men who had pproached their captain. One glance Poker Pete took, and it was a quick, searching one, and then he called out, addressing all present: ‘*Pards, these hain’t no soldiers, ‘cause I knows ’em, too, ‘*They is allof ’em members o° ther Dozen was addressed to: * CapTaAIn RoyaAL RECKLESS, ** Twelfth Dragoons, 4 * Fort . ** Colorado Ter’y.” Taking from the envelope a paper, the Govern- ment stamp was revealed, and it was dated at Fort McPherson, Nebraska, more than ten days before, and there was a page of closely-written matter addressed to Captain Reckless, ‘* Here, gentlemen, you see is my name, here the order addressed to me, and you will notice that the name of Colonel Carr commanding at The stranger bad risen to his feet, after having shown his papers, and his words and manners convinced the miners, almost to a man, that Poker Pete was wrong, and they meant to side with the officer. As for Deadly Hand he was convinced that Poker Pete was in the wrong and so he said: ‘“‘Pard Pete, yer has struck a wrong trail this time, so leave it.” ‘‘Never! That manisCaptain Cruel. Istake my life on it!” cried Pete in a ringing voice, and 3 again leveled his revolver at the strange orlicer, ‘ CHAPTER XVII. MORE PROOF NEEDED, THE bold words of Poker Pete, and his manner seemed to indicate that he was pretty sure of right, or hs wanted to have trouble, here others had been convinced by the offi- cer’s words and orders, be had remained firm in his first charge. There were men there who now recalled Poker Pete’s manner when he saw the stranger, and how quickly he had quit playing and left the saloon, to return with his two allies, One of these now spoke up and said: “Gents, it are Captain Cruel, for I knows him too.” It was Eucher Charlie, and Digger Dave quickly put in another word in favor of his friends, for he said: ‘Poker Pete are right, for Charlie and me knows them fellers, too, and they is from ther hands up mighty quick. “ But it did no good for they shot me while T were askin’ for marcy, and I were left fer dead. ‘* But I wasn’t so dead as I looked, and I seen ’em got hrough the old hearse and rob every one 0’ ther pilgrims, and they got every dollar o’ my gold dust too. ‘*Then they lighted out, but not ontil I hed seen ther face o’ ther leader so I’d know him next time I come upon him, ‘* They was all masked, but ther cap’n, think- in’ I were dead, tarned his face toward me and tuck off his mask to wipe ther sweat off, for it were a hot day and no mistake, and then it were I seen him so well, for he did it several times. “But can’t you be mistaken, Poker Pete?’ asked a miner, who with the others had listened to the man’s story of his loss and sufferings. ** No, I can’t, for it wasn’t ther only time I seen him, as he came to ther station while I were thar wounded, and I seen him — ‘‘He were a-travelin’ then, butI dasn’t say nothin’ ontil arter he were gone, and then I set ther boys on him and they went arter him. ‘* They was three, and he one, but one come back in a hurry and said as how thar had been two suddint deaths back up ther trail. and he hed lit out fer a doctor, and more, he told how - al &. he was no longer nervous. He had become per- | Gang, ther robbers o’ the gold trains. Devil’s Dozen and no mistake,” 7 fectly cool, and there was a strange expression ‘** | says they is, and I is shoutin’.” These three recognitions of the officer and his in upon his face. ‘* Hands up, all three o’ yer, or my revolver | men carried conviction to the minds of many 2 Pete was no saint, and was not known as such | talks, and what it says goes,” that Poker Pete was right. ay in Last Chance. He was not known to bea Still the stranger did not obey, nor did his two Others however thought that Poker Pete catty cheat at cards, but then he wasa wild one; | comrades, meant to have out his words, and bad gotten Tee people had no confidence in him and wholesome The latter kept their eyes upon their chief, as | his comrades to back bim up. : dread of him. though waiting a command from him, or a That Poker Pete and the stranger had met 3 He was noted for his enormous strength, for | sign. before there seemed no doubt, or the miner was a he could even handle Dick Deadly Hand, if it He still remained perfectly cool, and turning | very much mistaken, and was deceived by a . came to a test of muscular power between | to Dick Deadly Hand, who all saw was ready | resemblance of the officer to Captain Cruel. . them. . to chip in on one side or to the other, said: All, or many present knew that Poker Pete ; No man cared to test his grip, and he had been ‘This gentleman has interrupted onr game, | had met Captain Cruel, and had named some “oe known to handle a large and strong antagonist | sir; but let us continue please.” day to be avenged upon bim, Js as though he was a child, The miners became more interested in the N ow all eyes were turning from the stranger’s Ne He was a man of good stature, stout and | man, to Poker Pete, and a score of hands were rest- an powerful of build and stood squarely on his feet, He seemed to utterly ignore Poker Pete, ing upon revolver butts, er while his movements were quick and springy. And all crowded nearer, for they were sure Dick Deadly Hand still kept his seat. Aa He came into the saloon accompanied by two | something was going to be done that wouldend | He was deeply interested in every word and mets. friends, both of whom were known to be his | in a tragedy. look, but seemed to have made up his mind not me. “right bowers.” Many feared that Poker Pete was wrong, | to take sides with either party just then. BS a <. 7 worked in his claim, and were always | and knew tinat if he was he made a great mis- The strange officer was still cool, but he look- ae with him, and they were supposed to be bad | take to attempt to arrest an army officer as an | ed angry and annoyed, and his men were silent, Me men, but nothing more than ‘ quick drawing” | outlaw chief. but some thought a trifle nervous. Be. and ‘‘ shooting to kill ” could be proven on them. If he was right, then certainly there was no ‘‘It is your put to prove yer words, Pard B It was evident to those who had seen Pete’s | escape for the lawless leader &nd his two men | Pete,” said Dick Deadly Hand after a short and | £. gence at the stranger, and the nervousness that; from that saloon, with a huhdred miners to | painful pause. | c ollowed, with his hasty disposition, that he was | aid in his capture. ‘* Pards, PU do it, for I hain’t one to be fooled | ae up to some mischief when he returned to the If he was wrong, then the miners would be | easy. r, saloon with Digger Dave and Eucher Charlie, as | better pleased not to interfere. ‘* Yer all knows thet I digged a fortune onst aiyk his two comrades were called. So there was nothing to do but to stand off | out o’a mine to ther north o’ here, and were | i: As for the stranger he seemed not to have | and await developments. going home with ther dust?” . PY. observed Pete; or if so, he had taken no marked | Addressed as he was by the officer, Dick Dead- | Many nodded assent. uF notice of him, ly Hand replied: ‘* Waal, I hed a cool twelve thousand in dust Be The second game had meogreeed between ‘*T are willin’ ter play, pard, but Poker Pete | on the coach with me, and whar I never ’spected 4h Captain Reckless and Dick Deadly Hand to the | makes a bold charge ag’in’ yer, and maybe | ter see road-agints they jumped us, o end, when Poker Pete and his pards entered the | yer had better show yer papers.” ‘*Ther driver were shooted on ther box by an saloon and came up to the table. ‘*T have a al order in pocket, sir, | my side, thet bein’ Cap’n Cruel’s way o’ haltin’ oa This game Dick Deadly Hand had also won, | as I said, sending me on Secret vice duty, a hearse, and I seized ther reins and thought and he was in good humor, for he was regaining | and I am willing to show the address and sig- | ter g0 through on ther rup. _ ; what be had lost to Pete. _ | mature, to convince you, but the contents of ‘*But them agints was trained same as sol- } ‘‘Tet us make the stake three hundred this | course I will not, for that isa Government se- | diers.” ll time, Mister Deadly Hand,” said the a cret.” ‘ ‘‘ They calls ’em ther Devil’s Dragoons,” said at as he took from his pocket a very well fi led ‘* That is squar’.” a miner, ‘4 wallet and placed the amount he had named ** Yes, give hlm a chance.” ‘*So they does, and they hain’t far wrong, i down upon the table, ‘* Maybe ver is wrong, Poker Pete.” nuther. n ‘“‘T are ther man ter call yer when yer plays ‘* Let him show his papers.” ‘* Waal, ther leaders hed a man a-holdin’ of ie. high, Pard Cap’n, so three hundred goes,” was ‘* Don’t make no mistake, Poker Pete.” ’emn in a second, and two more agints seized ther ayy, Dick’s response. ‘Yes, go slow, or it may go hard with Last | wheelers by ther bits, and we was brought toa a “Hold, pards! I calls ther turn now, and ar- | Chance ter make a mistake,’ halt. By. rests that man as ther Chief o’ ther Devil’s| Such were the remarks of the crowd, and| ‘I shot one man, but that were no use, for Dozen ! which showed the tenor of their thoughts. thar was plenty more.” a ‘Hands up, pard, for my finger is on ther} As for Dick Deadly Hand, as the stranger| ‘“‘I hears they is callad ther Devil’s Dozen, =, trigger!” ; had addressed his words to him particular y, | pards, for they allus goes as twelve, but no mat- ee he words caused an instant of commotion, | he felt called on for a reply, so rejoined: ter if yer knocks over one, two or five of ’em, o then a dead silence in the saloon, and they were | ‘ Pard, ef yer papers is O. K., Poker Pete | thar is allus more ter fill up and keep ther dozen Se uttered by Poker Pete. ’ | hain’t ther man ter press yer.” complete,” said a miner, and his words were es The latter had taken a position to one side of | The stranger at once thrust his band into an | listened to with interest, while another confirm- =. the strange officer, while just in front of him, | inner pocket of his fatigue jacket and drew out | ed what he bad said with the remark: Bt across the table, were Eucher Charlie and Dig- | an official-looking envelcpe. ‘‘T knows that ter be so, gents.” > It had the Government imprint upon it, and | ‘‘ Waal, pards, it wasn’t no use, and sol jist 4 ; rane He simply glanced at Poker Pete and asked: | Fort McPherson is here signed to the docu- ‘Waal, one o’ ther pilgrims druy the old hearse | aes ** Am F to understand that your words are | ment. off, as ther driver were dead, and I were left thar, . as addressed to me, sir?” “Tf this is not satisfactory then I shall not | and I tell yer I hed a day and night o’ sufferin’ I oa ‘Don’t you see my revolver a-coverin yer?” | allow\myself to be arrested by any fool that | kin never forgit, afore another coach come along | ee Ae” se considers he has found in me the famous outlaw | and picked me up, and I has charged it all ter | xa ‘‘ Didn't you heaf what I jist shouted?” chief whose red deeds have won for him the | ther Devil’s Dozen, and thet man standin’ thar || Fue tf aia.” name of Captain Cruel.” are Cap’n Cruel, and don’t you forgit it.” | Comic S.com 7 » ir o : ‘ ¢ * ‘4 , ‘ taf 6 § a & 4 oe! . ‘ a > * ad ‘ A ¥ ‘ m4 " 1 b 4s ¥ } , +* ‘ = ’ . 4 ord ‘ 7 “! » * ; ‘ “ ‘ Pu as . 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