Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 560 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

{ ; at bed ee — or ee ee ee el The Man from Mexico. li ther gent had said he were Cap’n Cruel and in- vited ’em all three to take him, and git ther re- ward fer his head. ‘* And, pards, them two gents thar, were alon with thet gent, when he robbed ther coach, fer seen tha’r faces too fer a glance, so I was able to identify ther outfit afore yer as Cap’n Cruel and two o’ his gang, and they hev come inter Last Chance ter play it on us heur fer no good,” The words of Poker.Pete created an impres sion. There was something in his manner that showed he firmly believed what he said in re- gard to the three men, The miner who had before asked him if he might not be mistaken, glanced at the accused man, He was pale, but as cool as ever, and his eyes flashed with anger. He had a confident smile upon his lips, that looked as though it was in his power to show that the miner was all wrong regarding him, His two men had turned very pale, and were standing close together, and it was very evident that they did not likethe situation in which they found themselves, even if innocent, At last the miner spoke, and he was a man of influence in the community. He was well off, and kept the store at Last Chance, ‘* Pard Pete,” he said, ‘‘ it is aserious thing to make a mistake, where an army officer is the victim, so | hope you will go slow in this mat- r. ‘* This gentleman has told us he is a captain of cavalry in the Twelfth Dragoons, and is on special service, and he has shown us papers to prove his words. ‘* He has two men with him, and they say he is what he says he is. ‘* Now, the officer may greatly resemble Cap- tain Cruel, the Chief of the Devil’s Dozen, and no one would wish tocatch that outlaw more than I would; but he would hardly venture here, and I must say I believe you have made a mistake.” ** Say, Pard Carter, don’t Eucher Charlie and Digger Dave agree with me, and they was once in a coach in New Mexico as was robbed by Cap’n Cruel, and a woman in ther hearse 7 off his mask, and they seen his face plain. ‘** And is this the man whorobbed your coach, ards?” asked Mr. Carter, turning to Poker ete’s two companions, ‘* Fer a Gospil fact he are,” replied Eucher Charlie. ‘* And you, Dave, what do you say?” ‘* li sw’ar he are ther man thet robbed our coach, and ther woman unmasked, and we were told it were Cap’n. Cruel and his gang who did ther work,” was the rejoinder of Digger Dave. Then Carter turned to the officer and said: ** You have heard, sir, andif you are what bec say you are, certainly you can give us some urther proof, for otherwise Poker Pete will hold you a prisoner,” CHAPTER XVIIL THE PROOF. AT the words of Carter the storekeeper, all eyes turned upon the officer and his two men, The better class of men, those di to have peace, were glad to see Miner Carter, as he was often called, for he had several claims in the valley, take a hand in, for they knew his good sense and discretion would bring matters around without trouble if it could be done. When he had told the officer that Poker Pete would arrest him unless he gave more proof of his being who he said he was, all glanced at the accused. His face suddenly changed from its smile, and he said sternly: ‘“* This is an outrage which will cause you men so suffer who accuse me, soI warn you not to interfere with an army officer in the discharge of his military duties.” ** But, sir, will the delay of a couple of days, until a man can be sent to the nearest military post to bring proof of what you say, incommode you much?” asked Carter. “It will greatly, siz, for my orders are im- pasa and I only halted here for a few hours r ‘* Where are you stopping, sir?” ‘*] had not put up anywhere, yet.” ‘* And you came mounted?” ‘‘ Yes, my horses are near,” This Jooked strange, anda hum ran through the crowd, when the accused man said: ‘*T will frankly admit now, as my situation is becoming not only annoying and unpleasant, but serious, that [ have been before taken for this outlaw chief, and have been joked on my resemblance to him by my brother officers,” This seemed to be in favor of the accused, but Poker Pete again held the trump card by the remark: | *‘How did they know you resembled Cap’n Cruel, for he allus goes masked, and if not it are when he are playin’ gent, or some game same as you is springin’ on us now or to? “I tells yer, pard, I only seen thet cap’n’s face ! by accidint, and when he were at ther stage station, and I can’t be mistaken in recognizin’ them two fellers also.” The accused bit his lip as though in anger, and then said: ‘ Well, what is your intention regarding me?” ** My intention are ter jist make yer hands up and tie yer, and then git proof thet you is Cap’n Cruel, when I'll be at yer oye ok and then rope in ther five thousand offered fer yer head, and two thousand on them men o’ yourn, fer thar heads are wu’th in ther market one thousand apiece, **So don’t make me miss ther hangin’, by kill- in’ yer, soup with them hands o’ yourn, or I pulls trigger.” ** Never will I submit to such an indignity. ** Stand out of my way, all, for I pass here!” The words rung out like high notes, and the speaker suddenly leveled a revolver. Then some one fired, and yet who, no one knew, and one of the soldiers fell dead. Quickly several others shots followed, two from the revolver of the accused, and Digger Dave fell dead, while Eucher Charlie was wounded, But in spite of his temporary success the bold man found himself suddenly surrounded by a wall of humanity, and Poker Pete, with a score of others, had him covered with revolvers, Another step and he would have been riddled with bullets, ‘**Hold! what means this trouble?” The words came sharp and distinct, and sweeping a pathway through the crowd, sud- denly the Man from Mexico confronted the ac- cused officer at bay. A dead silence followed, and all eyes were upon the Man from Mexico. The stranger, at sight of him, started, and then said, quickly: ‘*Ah! Senor Merl! I am glad you are here, for these men say lam not Captain Reckless of the army, and are going to hang me as Captain Cruel, of the Devil’s Dozen,.”. All saw the start the Man of Mexico gave as his eyes fell upon the stranger. The words of the latter had been heard by all, and they implied that he was all that he repre- sented himself as being. Then the Man from Mexico spoke, and it seemed to those who heard him that he replied reluctantly: ** (Jentlemen, this officer must go free,” **Man o’ Mexico, that hain’t no officer, but Cap’n Cruel, o’ ther Devil’s Dozen gang,” cried Poker Pete, now stepping forward so as to con- front the Mexican. **T said that this gentleman must go free, and I recognize him,” **T don’t kere a durn what you says, Mexi- —_ for 1 says thet are a outlaw, and I knows im. ‘*He hey kilt one o’ my pards, poor Digger Dave thar, and wounded Eucher Charlie.” **T was fired upon, Senor Merl, and my two men lie dead there, so I but protected myself,” the officer said. ** Waal, yer don’t go out o’ this saloon alive, onless yer goes Se baci and I says it, fer yer is worth five thousand dollars ter me, and I know yer is Cap’n Cruel.” All saw now that there would be trouble, for Poker Pete meant to press matters, and Dick Deadly Hand was seen to speak to him ina whisper, but no one caught his words, “And I say this officer shall not be disturbed, so be warned,” the Mexican returned, quickly. ‘ He are right, if he knows him, Pard Pete.” ** Yas, Mexico has recognized him,” ‘** Don’t crowd it on, Poker Pete,” Other remarks were made, and it was sup- posed that Poker Peter would yield to the gen- eral pressure, But instead, he said, emphatically: ‘** Pards, hear me! ‘*T says thet man thar be Captain Cruel, and I stakes ag’in’ my words, ter back ’em up, every dollar I owns in Last Chance, and I’ll give ther papers to thet effect. ‘He are ther Chief o’ the Devil’s Dozen, and ef he hain’t proved so, then I loses all I has got. ‘Ef he are proved so, then I hangs him and get ther price on his head, and I collects for them two men 0’ his, too, for I dropped ’em, so you has heard me.” ‘** But, Poker Pete, the Senor Merl has recog- nized the gentleman as an army officer, I am told,” said Landlord Sampson, coming forward ust then, and having learned from one of his artenders just what was going on. ‘*See here, Pard Sampson, I don’t hev ter be told what I knows, and I says ef thet Mexican stranger says thet man are not Cap’n Cruel, then he are one of ther gang himself, and I be- lieve he—” The words suddenly ceased, for Poker Pete, giant that he was, suddenly found himself in the grasp of a man who seemed fairly to play with: m. With a power that raised a yell of amazement and admiratian, the Man from Mexico seized Poker Pete in his powerful arms, swang him over his head and dashed him with terrific foree into the corner of the saloon, Then, quigk as a flash, he had his revolvers drawn and stood at bay while he spoke ina voice that rung with deadly earnestness: ‘*Is there any one else here who dares to make the charge against me that man did?” asked the Man from Mexico, CHAPTER XIX, A SPY ON THE TRAIL. THERE was not a man in that large saloon who dared, even if he cared to do so, make the charge against Senor Merl which Poker Pete had done. Poker Pete had not been present when Dick Deadly Hand had tried to bully the Man from Mexico, soall he knew of the affair was from hearsay. He had been reckless in his assertion that Senor Merl was an ally of Captain Cruel, as he had vowed the stranger to be, and this accusa- tion which he had clung to against all seeming facts to the contrary, had cost the life of Dig- ger Dave, the wounding of Eucher Charlie and the killing of the two men who he said were not soldiers but outlaws. Poker Pete saw in the capture of these men, the chief and two outlaws, shculd they be roven to be such, seven thousand dollars for im, not to «dag of revenge for what money he had been robbed of, and his having been wounded by the Devil’s Dozen. So with all this he was desperate, and deter- mined to beard the Mexican. He realized his mistake in this the moment he felt the iron grip of the Man from Mexico upon him. He had trusted in his own giant strength and quick aim even against a man who was om- ing an idol in Last Chance without having played the desperado to become a hero, ’ He had never met his match where a test of strength was concerned, and he had not ex- ted to find him in the slender-formed Mex- ican, He was pre to draw when he uttered his words, and yet the Man from Mexico was too quick for him. He had also expected Dick Deadly Hand to back him up; but that worthy had not done so, even if he had intended, and his face showed how thoroughly he was amazed at the strength of the Mexican, In the previous trials he had had with Poker Pete, Dick Deadly Hand was able to fully ap- preciate his great muscular power and activity, and yet the Man from Mexico had handled the miner without resisting effort. So Dick Deadly nd had quickly gotten from under the eye of the Mexican. As for Poker Pete, he bad fallen with such force that the breath had been knocked out of his body, but otherwise than 3 good shaking up and bruises he was not harmed. He rode slowly, and ina dazed sort of way, and looked about him. ‘* When did I light, pard, fer itdo seem ter me as though I been flyin’,” he said, in his quaint way, addressing a miner who was aiding ‘“* Yer did take a leetle fly, Poker Pets, and yer lit hard. “*Thet man are a terror.” ** How many of ’em flung me over heur, or did somebody back a mule up ag’in’ me?” ‘*No, thet gent from Mexico shot yer over heur, and he hev iron arms, or I sweetly lies to er. my I didn’t think it c’u’d be did with me; but let me draw on him,” and Poker Pete reached for his revolver. ‘* Hands up there! None of that!” **Durn him, he kin see through ther back 0’ his head,” and Poker Pete raised his hands as ordered, for the Mexican had seen his act. ** My man, I don’t wish trouble with you; but you insulted me and I punished you for it, so if you do not consider that we are quits say ‘*T calls ther game off, pard: but what is yer ‘ter do with thet outlaw?” In an instant the weapon of the stranger was leveled, and the finger on the trigger. ‘But quicker than was his movement, the Mexican knocked up the revolver, and the bullet flew over the h of Poker Pete, who stood with his hands upraised, as the Man from Mex- ico had ordered. ‘** How dare you fire on a man, sir, when his hands are up?’ he said sternly to the officer, and turning quickly to Poker Pete, he con- tinued: ; ‘T told you that I recognized this officer, and that must settle it, so do not again make the ac- . cusation against him that you just did.” “ Pard, I must go ag’in’ my eyesight not ter do so—yes, and my ears too; but I owes you my life, and I thanks yer and says let up, so I Pe «e oa gon “ Thankee, and I won’t fight yer; but ef_yer does find you is mistaken, and Poker Pete hain’t, jist tell me about it. diss ** Pards, I says evening, for I to my lay- out, as I feels asef I had rh’umatiz in every iden- tical jint. ¢ = -<€om ‘ iS a poo ’ a ~* * | ad | 4a, . a oe ee Diag —