Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 816) (1893 03 14)
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DEADWOOD DICK’S REMARKABLE ROLE! —_, ange — ease Se = ss ey ak \ ae. a “4 i Lalla al alalialadn| Ye ey ye M lallaadallel 4. LIL my \ | Wi ily \ -) ‘ . a! (Dam: (ial aS __ March 14, 1898, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, ‘ 004 No, 816. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. Vol. F eww Sapiisdiee esse receees ()ld (Lideon’s Wine-out BY EDWARD LI. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETC, OPENING SCENE, DEADWOOD DICK DOWNED, ** HANDS up, Deadwood Dick!” Bigg the order, startling the command, prompt the compliance! A horseman, medium in size but broad of shoulder and strong of limb, suddenly confront- ws gee a dozen armed men, : = ——— SSS e ———- = a = —— rider wasa young map, seemingly not DICK NOW TUGGED AT HIS BONDS TILL THE VEINS STOOD OUT UPON BIS FACE LIKE Over thirty years of age, with dark hair and RIDGES RAISED BY THE BLOWS CF A WHIP,
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2 mustache and keen, piercing, magnetic black eyes; and having brought his horse to a stop he coolly asked: “ Well, what’s wanted?” “You ar’ wanted, Deadwood Dick, that’s what’s wanted,” he was promptly told. ‘‘ You have come to ther end of yer rope now—or any- how ye will be at the end of et in less ’n an hour —the noose end.” The lone horseman smiled, spite of his danger- ous situation. la ‘‘ You have made a mistake this time, gentle- Seen declared, *‘ My name is not Deadwood ick. “Bab! go tell that ar’ to the buzzards, won’t yer? Don’t ye s’pose we know ye well enough? -Ihev seen'ye before, me lad, and we’ve been lookin’ fer ye hyer. We hev got ye now.” ‘* But,” and the horseman spoke seriously, ‘‘ I tell you [am not he. For once in your life, my man, you have mado a mistake. E “Phat don’t go down, You can’t git off wi’ that kind o’ yarn,” “Tt is the truth,” ** An’ I tell ye I know better, T haven't gone cross-eyed sence I seen ye last time, an’ I guess Vd orter know ye. Dusky Dick is waitin’ fur ye, and thar will beachoker party when we take yein. Ha! ha! ha!” ‘*Dusky Dick, the Dark Dread? You would not give me into his hands? By all that you hold dear I entreat you to let me go, and I will reward you greatly. 1 will take you with me ‘ and give you double what you can bope to gain by serving this devil in human guise.” _“ Hal ba! ba! Show ther white feather, do ye? I thort ye would, ef ever we got our claws on ye. Nary a let go fer you, Deadwood Dick, till we let ye go atther endof arope. Ther captain has been expectin’ you, sooner or later, and has been ready and waitin’ to receive ye, Keep yerself quiet, now, or you'll have ter be : taken to him dead.” The leader of the half-dozen had given a sig- nal, and his companions had flung themselves upon the borseman and were binding him hands and feet. . “‘ But I tell you this isa mistake!" the prisoner protested, atop ling to free himself, ‘*I am not Deadwood Dick! Free me, and give me a chance to prove who and what I am!” ‘“* Nary a free, ine noble Richard. We'll hang ye first, and then try yer case after that, and ef we find ye innercent we'll draw up reserlushuns of regret, or somethin’ of that sort,’ Bring him on, pards, and we’ll hand him over to ther cap- tain fer him ter deal with.” — Their work accomplisbed, they moved for- ward, one of their number running on ahead as though to carry the good news in advance, Deadwood Dick, if it was he, wasin a'desperate strait. “yy @ é: . CHAPTER I. bE GIDEON’S BAND, ‘© WaHoapP, thar, pilgrims!” { ** Whoa! oa! Wull, what’s ther mat- ? r? ; ‘* Nothin’s ther matter, but we want ter know who ye be, what Ne ar’, and whar ye ar’ goin’,” ‘*By what right do ye make them ’ar de- ty, mands?” ‘We make ’em by ther right of might, We have got ther lift on ye, so ye bad better come to time and onwind. Thar’s alump o’ lead hind every trigger, and we mean biz,” In the depths of a rugged mountain pass. A little band of horsemen and plodders on rae brought suddenly to a stop at a bend in the rail, Before them five or six rough-looking fellows wearing half-masks, each with a revolver pre- sented, blocking the way—for the time being holding the advantage of the situation. ‘ hair and beard, apparently past the prime o Pet life, aged beyond ‘bis years by hard knocks and yaa rough buffeting against the world, as one might a} guess; his keen eyes, however, yet undimmed, and his manner fearless, ‘*Wull, strangers,” this man said in a blunt now, but ye'll find that we dont scar’ worth a cent, My name is Gideon G. Gripes, and these gd with me ar’ my people—Gideon’s band ez et wur, We ar’ honest folks, as folks go, an we're headin’ fer a new diggin’s we’ve heaml te of—Bank Garden,” ! hh ‘t Jest what we thought, that you was bound fer Bank Garden, and we're hyer to give ye notice to turn right about and go back ther way yehevcome.” — ; * By what right do ye do that?” The leader of the emigrants, a man of griznled ‘way, ‘‘ you seem ter have ther best of et just | Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. ‘Right of might, same as before, pilgri ns. / We own this Bank Garden yehave heard about, and we've got all ther folks thar we want. So don’t stand on ther order, but turn tail to and ' it. ** You'll find that Gideon and his band ain’t that sort, pardner. We hev set out fer Bank Garden, and thar’s whar we ar’ goin’, if we have ter fight our way thar., I guess that ’ar is plain enough fer you to onderstand, ain’t et? Ei et ain’t, don’t know how ter make et plainer.” “Then you refuse to turn back? ** Most ’suredly.” Then fell a moment of silence. “‘ By ther way,” the spokesman of the oppos- ing party next asked, ‘‘ what is et takes ye to that ’ar camp?” : ; “Ther desire fer gold au’ gain,” was the prompt answer. ‘ We hev heard tell it’s ter be had thar, and we ar’ bound ter have ‘a share of etif wecan. That’s ther long and short of et.” “ But, have you heard of Dusty Dick? ; “Not to ther best of my b’lief and knowl: edge.” f ‘ ‘“Wull, he’s boss of ther camp, and he has made a decree, as he calls et, that no more citer- z-ns will be ‘lowed ter come in an’ share,” ‘Guess he didn’t reckon on Gideon’s band when he made that ’ar decree, did be?” ‘* He made ther decree all ther same, though, pilgrims, and we ar’ hyer to aid in carryin’ out his laws. Thar’s only two trails leads to that camp, and this hyer is one of ’em, Both of’em ar’ guarded, and ther chances of your gettin’ through is ruther lean.” . ‘But, we ar’ goin’ through all ther same.” ‘‘ We don’t sea how year’ goin’ ter manage et. We have got ther lift on ye bad, so what ar’ ye goin’ ter do about et?” : - ‘°Wull, I’m disposed ter argy ther p’ints with ye, first, and ef that don’t do, then we'll try some othér how. You kin make up your mind toet that Gideon G. Gripes and his fambly ar’ > ter Bank Garden or bu’st.” ‘© Then et’s likely ter be a bu’st. Dusty Dick, our chief, has made his orders plain, and we ar’ bound ter turn ye back, even ef we have ter shed blood ter do et, so what’s ther use kickin’? This camp of Bank Garden is private property, and Dusty Dick is the owner,” : ‘Hold on, tiere, boys! Don’t begin to kill!” The call came from a little further around the bend than where the half-dozen of guards- men stood, With one accord every man of them turned his head to look in the direction of the voice, seeing the emigrants look suddenly that way, and immediately a mocking laugh was heard. “Hal ha! ha! No, don’t begin to kill, boys, but up with your hands, every man of you 1d That loud laugh, and the louder command, came from the same place whence had come the other words, and in the alarm the guardsman looked back again toward the as: ag oe In that brief moment the situation had been changed wholly! f There was the leader of Gideon’s band, with a big revolver aimed straight at the head of the guard spokesman, and eyery.one of the band resented either an old gun or revolver, cover- ing all the Dusty Dick gang. “Do ye see ther p’int?’? demanded Gideon, “This is ther pintof my argymint. Lift yer hands, or by ther day o’ doom ef I don’t lift yer roof s>? quick ye won’t ever know what bit ye! Up with ’em! or thar will be‘ wailin’ in yer wigwam fer ther brave that never kem back.” The tables had been turned, and the bands of the masked men were raised, with their weapons still gripped in them, 2 No sooner ‘that done, than three or four of |: Gideon’s band stepped forward and disarmcd them. ’ And, not only so, but proceeded forthwith to bind them as well. ‘“‘ Yo thort ter git ther bulge on old Gideon G, Gripes, did yer?” the leader of the little com- pavy scolded, while this was being done, “ Guess ye have woked up to ther fact that Gideon and bis band ain’t ter be ketched nappin’, We'll take ye in to this hyer Dusty Dicky, or what- ever et is ye call him, and see what he thinks of e. Et will be our card of interduction.” “it will be yer check to ther other shore, that’s what et will be,” stormed tne chagrined leader of the guardsmen. '“ All right, ef so; we'll have corapany, you bet! “But, I reckon et won’t work that way, fer ‘Gideon and his band ar’ hard nuts, every one of us, and we kin hold ourownin a scrimmage, every time, Ain’t that so, Elviry?” He turned suddenly and appealed to one of his Pot bat one was a woman, a most homely old Dien | what et means ter be downed, and I’m ther hag, whose mouth was cavernous in its dimen- sions when she ov,ened it to reply. ‘*Wull, you kin jest bet your terbacky on thc t, Gideon!” sbe cried, in a high and cracked voice, ‘‘We are a faiably what don’t know mother of ther null of et. By ther great—” ** Dye hear?” interrupted Gideon, turning to his prisoners again. ‘‘ D’ye bear what ther old dame has ter say? That’s ther kind of spring chickens we ar’, and mebby this hyer Dusty Dick of yours won’t *bject ter takin’ us inter his roost when he comes ter size us up.” The prisoners had by this time been made secure, Putting them ahead of his company, two by two, Mr. Gripes ordered them forward, and they all went along down the gulch, We have bad time to take note of this , ‘** Gideon’s Band,” as its head has given us name for the party, and a word just here concerning other members of it will not be out of place. There were ten persons besides the leader. One of these has been mentioned and descrih- ed; the others were well worthy, in appearance, to be called ber chiJdren. There was another woman, one whose age could hardly be guessed, sitive she might be unything from twenty-five to forty-five. She was rather : slatternly attired, and’ her face and hands were not remarkable for cleanliness, Then there were six men, some of whom were hard-looking characters, and two youths, In brie!, the old leader himself was about the most reputable-looking one of the bunch, but he did not improve upon extended acquaintance, He, the two women, and one man besides, were the ’ only ones mounted. % Little was said as they moved along, and final- ly they came out in a broad pocket, where before them was seon the place of their destivation. It was, at a glance, a camp of about the usual type, but as they drew nearer a difference could be noted, There was wanted the activity which genuine trade and competition inspire. As they drew yet nearer still, 2 crowd poured out into the one main street of the place, and then a shout went up. : The citizens—denizens, or whatever you will— had discovered the'plight of their fellows, and great was the excitement their discovery cre- ated. Who and what were these strangers! . CHAPTER II. PROVING THEIR CLAIM, Just a word right. here for this camp of Bank Garden, The gulch pocket in which the camp was situ- ated wasa garden indeed, No fairer spot can be imagined, : If there was a blot upon Nature’s handiwork, that blot was the camp itselfi—a blot that was made ali the blacker by the hordes of cut-throats that made it their stronghold, " The camp had been located, as all such camps are, by prospectors, and it might have grown and prospered, but before it could geta fair start Dusky Dick, the notorious outlaw known as the ‘‘Dark Dread,” swooped down and captured it, giving the rightful owners their choice between death and submission, The owners had named the camp, and the out- laws had never seen fit to change the name, When first discovered one of the discoverers had exclaimed, ‘‘A garden!” And upon their striking it ‘‘rich” and locating, another de- clared it was as good as a bank. : Your mining-camps are named upon trifling incidents, sometimes, and so it had come about that this one was called Bank Garden, os ope The outlaw, Dusky Dick, was a terror to the an whole Southwest, C3 Having a powerful band at his command, he had never yet encountered a force large enough to overcome him, and he was lord of all that country. He had been hunted and hounded by Seebihy 2 ae cans and Mexicans alike, but had ever to make it convenient to be on the other side of the line when things got too warm for him from either party. He was Spanish by birth but talked English — like a native of our land, and hls dark skin had given bim his nickname “Dark Dread,” For the same reason he had been dubbed “* Dusky Dick. His band was a horde of pried, made up after the manner of such bands in Dusky Dick’s own country. They were ripe for any evil,and — more than once had taken and held persons for ransom, And that, too, with success, There — was no deed of daring too risky for them to un-
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s Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. — country infested by them. Such, then, was Bank Garden, and such the ‘crew it harbored. When Gideon Gripes and bis band, with their prisoners, entered the camp, great was the ex- citement, as stated. Men poured forth from all the buildings, but for the most part the crowd came out froma large building which had the appearance of be- ing a saloon, or having been built for one, and out from this place came Dusky Dick himself, “Hello!” he cried, whipping out a brace of revolvers. ‘*‘ What means this, my men? Who are these strangers? Why—” The discovery that his guardsmen were pris- ouers in the hands of thése invading strangers interrupted his speech, for his first impressions bad been that the strangers were the prisoners, ‘* Et means that these hyer hev done up our boys cap’n,” said one man, ‘Then mow them down, curse them! Blaze away at them,I tell you! Never mind your pards! Cut them all down, I tell you!” f ** Hold !” The voice came out of the air over Dusky Dick’s bead. The brigand chief looked quickly up, as did all his men, and from the same quarter pealed out a mocking laugh. ** Jest s’pose ye go a little slow, at ther start, captain!” spoke up Gideon ry es as the laugh- ter died away; and as Dusk ick and his crew looked again at him they found the band with ‘weapons drawn ready for use. ** Curse you!” cried the enraged chief, ‘*‘ Whd are you, and what means this?” “Go slow, and we'll try to explain all to your satisfaction,” Gideon rejoined, ‘These hyer men 0’ yours ain’t ter blame that they are pris-” ners, fer we got ther drop on ’em jest ther game as we have got et on you this minnit; that iz ter say, by ther help of our guard’n speeret.” “Your guardian humbug!” roared Dusky Dick. ‘What trick is this, -anyhow? By blazes! but you'll pee us a straight story, or will never go out of this place alive,” “That hits ther thing right on ther head, captain; we ain’t goin’ out in a hurry, fer we have come ter stay. Do yer see?” ‘* You have come to stay?” - ** You bet!” ‘Well, maybe you will, as dead men. Yer ‘wimmen we kin make use of fer our dirty work, ‘But, who are you?” ‘ iver hear of Gideon’s band?” **No; and, what’s more, I don’t want to hear ‘of it,” ; “Wull, ye behold et, whether ye want to or mot; Gideon G. Gripesand hisfambly!” **See here, Red Mike,” and the brigand chief, stepping forward, addressed the captain of the guardsmen in bondage; ‘I want to know what this means? How did this happen?” ‘You have had et straight, cap’n,” was the answer, ‘‘We held ’em up on ther trail all night, but that speeret voice ye hev jest heerd spoke ahind us, and we turned dur heada fer jest one second, and thar we was, ina trap! That’s all thar is to tell, and hyer we be,” ‘“‘That’s a straight yarn,” declared Gideon, ‘the shaggy-headed leader of the little company. *‘That’s ther card of interdoocin’ we bring to ye, Dusky Dick; a sort o’ letter o’ recommend ter tell ye what our caliber is; ef we could drop down onto a round half-dozen of your picked men and gobble ’em like we did, don't ye think ave have et in us ter make ourselves useful mem- . bers of yer band?” “What! you want tojoin me” “That’s ther idee that brought us hyer, cap’n.” ‘ Well, I'll be lynched if this ain’t gall—gall of the first water!” ** And we're a fambly noted fer gall, as you wit find out ef ye give us a fair show ter prove r) ** It don’t need proving, for it stands out for itself, Put up your weapons and we'll talk it over, and I'll hear what you have to say.” “No, we can’t dicker that way,” Gideon ob- jected. “‘Ef it’s all ther same ter you, and whether et is or not, we'll keep our teeth in sight till peace is patched up tween us.” ‘ Well, then, who and what are you?” The crowd was silent, or nearly so, all eagerly looking on and listening, ** As ter who we ar’,” the head of the Gripes family made answer to that, “‘you have heard ; Gideon G. Gripes and his fambly.” ““ Well, then, what are you?” “That brings us right to ther p’int, cap’n. We ar’ a fambly what’s had it nip, an’ tuck with ‘ther Toxas rangers fer a good while, and what’s / Se - M4 } rs 4 4 faa? oe ye Pics KL tae Stade AS = eri at s > Rees Te eee dertake, and they had become the terror of the been routed out at last and made ter do ther tall hustle act fer green flelds and pastur’s new.” ‘* Then your record isn’t the cleanest?” **Our record! If thar’s one thing we pride ourselves on, cap’n, et’s our record. Tbar’s nineteen notches in our death-stick, asa fambly, and not one of us has ever been nabbed, though rin have had us hard ter ketch fer a good while? A Well, I begin to see you now in a new light, But, what has brought you to me?” ** What’s brought us? Wull, we hey come ter dwellin your tents,ez es wur. Things got too hot fer our fambly out'Texas way, and we had ter git out; and bavin’ heard ‘bout you we thought we'd come and see if we couldn’t lodge with ye, so ter say. | Ther fact is, what we want is your protection, and in exchange fer that we ar’ willin’ter live with ye, fight with ye, and die with ye, too, ef need be,” As the shaggy-headed old man ended, Dusky Dick put up fis weapon and stepped forward with hand outstretched. “Pat up ard guus!” he invited, “If your story is straight you have nothing to fear here. What proof can you show that it is straight, though? How do we know your story is true?” ‘* Not just yet,” demurred old Gideon, still keeping bis weapon to the fore. ‘‘I hey cut my ‘wisdom teeth, cap’n, and ain’t ter be caught nappin’ ef I know et, When our bargain is made, then it will be plenty time enough fer us to onhook our hosses an’ settle down, And fer proof—Elviry, whar’s them papers?” “‘ They’re right hyer, Gideon!” responded the old woman, opening her mouth like a tunnel. ‘* Right hyer they be, an’ I only wish we could ‘a’ stayed thar long enough ter have added an- | other notch to ther death-stick, and that notch ter stand fer’ ther feller that writ what these hyer papers has ter say bout us. Et would ’a’ done me good—” . She had been rummaging for something in a saddlebag while speaking, and as she brought to light a couple of folded newspapers; Gideon took them from her and interrupted by addressing Dusky Dick, “Yas, hyer they be,” he said, “‘and thar’s a couple o’ notices you kin read, You will see ther papers ar’ from Texas way, and that they ar’ a month old or more, an’ by that ye kin know it’s all ginooine, e ar’ ther fambl what’s referred to thar, an’ you kin see that it was ’bout time that we made our presence less. in them diggin’s wi’ some soonness of dispatch— ez et wur. But, read ’em, and size et up ter suit yerself, cap’n.” The brigand chief had opened one of the pa- rs, and had fixed his eyes upon an article eaded thus: “(GIDEON'S BAND DOOMED! © Tur Nororious ,Griprs FAMILY WARNED, THE GOVERNOR ORDERS OUT TROOPS TO ‘ DISPERSE THEM. TEXAS SOON TO BE RID OF THIS BAMILY OF CUT- \ THROAT OUTLAWS.” Such was the heading, in big display, and the article was more than a column in length—by far too long to be quoted here, ‘ It gave the history of the Gripes family, told of their numerous crimes and depredations, de- nounced them “as tbe worst wretches in human form, and rejoiced that at last they were to be dealt with summarily. The other paper, of like date, had the article in about the same form, While Dusky Dick read his face lighted up, and when he had read all, he cried out: ‘““ Welcome, Gideon’s band! We will take you in with us, and give you a fair deal, This is all the proof that can be asked of yon " He extended his band ageln, and this time the head of the Gripes family took it, at the same time putting away his weapons, as did the men of his band, _ ° ie So the compact was sealed, CHAPTER ITT, DEADWOOD DICK DOOMED, Axout the time when Gideon and his band were being received with open arms by Dusky Dick and his horde, aman was seen running across the gulch in the direction of the camp center. . first called the attention Those who saw him of the brigand chief to him, and Dusky Dick ex- claimed: ; _ “ Why, that’s Stuttering Steve! Somethi is wrong, boys; get out your weapons an stand ready for whatever is comin He’s excited, and there’s something in the wind.” Bie ‘ / The men all drew their weapons, Gideon and his band following their example and ranging themselves with the others, realy to play their part in whatever they might be called upon to do, The captured guardsmen had been released, of course, before this time, To a few seconds the man came up, half out of breath, and he began to stutter desperately: “ K-K-K-K-K-K- -Captain! We bavek-k-k- k-k-k-k caught—” “ Sing it out, confound.you, sing it ott!” order- ed Dusky Dick, sharply. ‘‘Confound you, you know you can’t talk!” oe e—have—caught—Dead wood—Dicky, I— tell—ye—we—havel!” So sung the stutterer, in a rather pleasant voice, without a suspicion of a stutter any’ where, t The poor fellow, whenever be had anything to say ina hurry, was le by obliged to sing; re) and being a singer, too, no mean ability, he was called the Sweet Singer of the band. ‘“What!” cried the brigand chief, ‘ You have caught Deadwood Dick? It can’t be ible, here did you get bim—and.how?” 1 -t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-—” : “Sing, hang you, sing/” roared Dusky Dick, though he used a stronger word than “‘ bang,” ** He—came—riding—along, so—fine—and—so — gay, and — we— got — ther—drop—on—bim; 70 me bet — we-— did, captain, you — bet—we— did! So the stutterer sung again, and the super- fluous words he worked ip were for the purpose of rounding out the measure of the tune he em- ployed to impart the information be had to ive. anh Hooray!” yelled the crowd, wildly throwing up thelr hats, ‘‘Now thar will be a jubilee hyer, you bet!” ; “You can bet there will,” assured Dusky Dick, “if there is no mistake about this. We will hang that cursed detective higher than Haman. How many of you have seen bim?” : Some four or five of his men held up their ands. “Good!” the dark-visaged chief cried, ‘*Bnough to identify him beyond mistake, and we will soon put him where he can’t do us an harm. I have been expecting Deadwood Dic to tackle me sooner or later, and he bas come at last. Where is he, Stuttering Steve?” ‘*'T-t-t-t-t-t-t-the b-b-b-b-b-boys are b-b-b-b-b- rary yo him.” ‘Tf they are as slow about it as you are with that tongue of yours we won’t see him before dark. Butare they sure he’s the man they’ve got? Sing, now!” , “* Yes, captain, they—are—sure, very, very— sure; for—Rooster—Rube—he—bas—seen—bim —before, and—he—knows—him—on—sight; tid- dy—iddy—iddy—iddy—um |!” The euding of his message caught the tune in the middle of a bar, and hencgthe ‘‘ tiddy-iddy ” to carry it to the end, The crowd laughed, and especially Gideon Gripes and his band, for this, to them, was some-. thing new and decidedly oy “T tell ye whatet is, Dusky Dick,” old Gideon cried, ‘ef you have got holt of Deadwood Dick you have made a rich haul and no mistake, do hope it’s bin,” — “Do you know him?” ‘No; but I’ve heard ’bout him, and I’d ruther. have a dose o’ p’izen after me than that same Deadwood detective, or whatever he’s called for | short. We got right into his stampin’ ground, comin’ out byer, and I tell ye I di till we bad got out again,” ‘“‘Hyer they come! Hyer they come!” So cried the crowd, and the guardsmen, with their prisoner, were seen approaching. They shouted and hurrahed wildly then until tie party came near, when those who claimed to have seen Deadwood Dick before cried out: “That’s him, captain! Don’t need but one look at that face, ter know et! He is ther cuss! Rooster Rube has made no mistake! You are in ther fix of yer life this time, boy!” , The prisoner, pale, but determined, faced the angry crowd without flinching in the least. *“Deadwood Dick, I am glad for this oppor- tunity of pegs 4 your acquaintance,” greeted Dasky Dick, with mock politeness, “T can’t say that I'm proud to make yours,” was the stern retort, ‘But I desire to set you right on one point—I am not Deadwood Dick! 1 have no desire to rob that gentleman of any honors that are rightfully his.” The crowd laughed loudly at that, "t feel easy ‘**No, [ suppose not,” rejoined the chief, “But, as it happens, you are positively — recognized by at least half a dozen men here, so your story don’t go down, And if there could we 1 Ogg gh nate F 940 , "ee Oe ee AE OS Bot spine 2 Ae To a eee \ \ thal
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pee . —- a ae be a mistake it wouldn’t help you any, or we'd give you ‘the benefit of the doubt and bang you anyhow.” ; ‘* He can bet his life we would!—beggin’ your ardon, cap’n, fer stickin’ in my lip,” cried tideon Gripes. ‘‘Thar’s war to ther knife "tween us and you, Deader-than-wood Richard, and that war will be ended right byer, you bet.” “You needn’t beg pardon of me for talking that way, pard,” the brigand chief waived. ** But, T tell you you do mistake,” urged the prisoner. ‘Search me, if you will, and see if you find anything on me to prove what you charge.” ‘* What's ther use?” cried Rooster Rube, ‘‘ We wouldn't expect ter find ye comin’ hyer with yer name branded onye.” —_ *That’s what's ther matter!” cried another of the crowd, ‘Et ain’t no use,” ‘**What is your name, then, since you deny eal ane as Deadwood Dick?” asked the read, ‘* My name is Philip Phillips,” ‘* Philip Phillips lies like sin,” cried Rooster Rube. ‘ Confound it, what is ther use o’ your holdin’ out when so many of us knows ye?” ‘* What ar’ ye going to do with him, though, Captain Dick?” inquired old Gideon, ‘A new idee has jest pop inter my mind, the reason Iask. Do ye really mean ter yank him?” * Certai se I mean it! hat else do you ne would do with him? But, what is your 1d2a The old man was about to respond, when a woman’s scream was heard. All looked in the direction whence the sound had come, and beheld a woman running toward them, arms outstretched. ‘* Save him!” she cried. him!” ‘*Thunder!” cried Dusk grew darker than ever. ‘ to escape?” Even as he questioned, a hideous old hag was “Save him! oh! save Dick, and his face ow has she managed seen running after the woman, and as she ran she called out loudly to the crowd: “Ketch thet she wildcat! Ketch her! Ill bet I'll scar her purty face fer her, fer the trick she played on me! Don’t let her ’scape, and don’t let her git no weepon!” On the woman came, apparently seeing noth- ing but the oe and she pushed her way to- ward him till roughly stopped by Dusky Dick. ‘* Here, what means this?” he demanded, ‘Richard! Richard!” the woman — rather girl—cried, ‘‘ why did you venture here? They fe ee OES . ” the prisoner ga as if in to be Gelbardl: “Kate” But be cut himself short at that, and at the same instant the crowd broke out with a wild whoop. “ Ain’t that ther proof?” they yelled. ‘‘ She has called him Richard; what more d’ye want ’n’ that? Let’s string him right up, Dusky Dick; mpd oe ther fun right now while we all feel ike e “No! no! no\” the young woman cried, wildly. ‘Spare him, him! Take my life, if you will, but spare him!” “Oh, yes, we are full of that, you bet!” laugh- ed Dusky Dick, detaining ber by force. ‘‘ We prefer beauty to the beast, every time, my little tiger cat. Don’t hurt yourself struggling so.” he young woman could not be more than twenty-two years of:age, and was decidedly comely, though it could plainly be seen that her toilet had not had proper attention for many days. She fought likea tiger indeed, to free herself from the unwelcome restraint. ‘“‘Let mé go, monster!” she cried, ‘* Let me o! If you will kill him, show me the mercy to et me die with him.” The man had tried to force himself to be calm, but impossible. He now tugged at his bonds till the veins stood out upon his fce like ridges raised by the blows of a whip. ‘*Free me,” he hissed, ‘‘and Pll fight the whole of you! Free me, and more than one of you shall bite the dust before you deal death to he - Free me, just long enongh to rob you oIr— ‘* Well, hardly,” drawled the brigand chief. ‘* We'll take care of you, and then we'll see that the lady is well cared for after that, Leave all that to us, and there will be notking for you to worry about, Sorry not to oblige you, but it can’t—” “Curse you! I'll have—” The desperate struggling of the prisoner had loosened his feet, which had been tied together underneath bis horse, and he sli over and would have toppled off had it not been for old ¢ Gideon, who sprung forward and caught him in his arms, and together they fell to the ground, the old man having stumbled over a stone. ‘* No, ye don’t!” he cried aloud, the next mo- ment, ‘No, ye don’t, me noble Dicky Dead- wood! Not while Gideon Gripes is around ter take a hand in things. Whar’s that ar’ rope ye ar’ goin’ ter use, cap’n?” With a wild scream, at that, the woman faint- ed, and Dusky Dick gave her into the arms of the old hag, saying: ‘* Here, Jezebel, take her back; and mind, you do not harm one hair of her head, if you value your witbered old life. Bring a rope, boys, and short work shall be made of Deadwood Dick, Bring him to his feet, Gideon, and we'll show ps how we do such business here at Bank Gar- en.” | CHAPTER IV. ANOTHER PLAN ADOPTED, GipEON GRIPES, showing the strength of a Hercules almost, lifted the prisoner upon his feet and held him firmly. “Hyer he is!” he cried. ‘ Bring ther rope, and I'll show ye how Gideon kin tie a necktie.” A rope was being brought with all haste. ‘* Hyer is yer rope, and a good one,” sung out Red Mike, captain of the guardsman Gideon bad / captured so neatly. ‘‘Hook et onto him, and we'll have him danglin’ in air in no time.” ‘* What! you hyer yet?” ; Old Gideon looked’at the man in some sur- prise. “‘Hyer yet ? What do ye mean by that ‘ar?” ‘““What do I mean by et? Dusky Dick, is et possible that yer camp is onguarded at this time?” ° ‘¢ Zounds!” and the brigand chief brought out a favorite Spanish exclamation in English with full force, ‘‘I did not think of that, Back to your posts, all of you, and see that you keep your eyes open.” ; "etl a disappointed air the inen turned to obey. They wanted to see this hanging of their very worst foe, which they had looked to us a rare treat, ‘* Mought I be allowed to make a suggestion, cap’n ? asked old Gideon. ‘Certainly, old man.” Et ain’t that I want ter meddle, ye onder- stand, but with my own neck in danger, same He ther rest of ye, I have some iuterest in things yer. a ** Certainly, certainly; what is it?” ‘Well, seein’ that we have got hold o’ Dead- wood Dick, ain’t et likely that he has got men some’rs around? He wouldn’t coms here all alone, 1 wouldn’t think, would you?” ** Of course he wouldn’t. He must bkave men near at hand.” ‘Then, I should say, double ther guard at each Pp and so make double sure that his men don’t steal a march on us us.” “That is s rattling good idea, oid man, and Pll do it,” Dusky Dick cried. ‘* You have got something in that hairy old head of yours, that is sure, And, while I’m at it, Ill send out new men altogether,” As it was then within an hour of tho time for changing the guards, the chief sent ont two. other captains in hie of Red Mike and Rooster Rube, giving them twelve men each with which to hold the a atc to the camp against any foe that might make the attenipt to get in. his business occupied a little time, and when it was finally done the passion for the hanging had slightly cooled, ‘*Now fer ther hangin’,” said Gideon, az he proceeded to make a noose in the end of the rope, “‘] want to ask you something first, old man,” spoke the chief. “ All right: what is et?” : The old fellow stopped in what he was doing and looked up. “Why, just atthe time when that woman came out here yelling so, you had said you had & new idea in mind, hat was it?” ‘“That’s so, by ther day 0’ doom!” the old fellow exclaimed. ‘*She yooved et up so that she knocked et cleau out of my thinker, Why, I was goin’ ter ask fe ef ye knowed much about this Deadwood Dick.” ‘*T know he is the devil himself at detective business, and if he bad half achance he would bring me and my men to trouble, the same as he has done for many another man, and I had made up my mind that if he ever got into my wer I’d make short work of him,” ees “*That’s a good idea, I allow, and I ’prove of et; but, my idee was that it was a grand chance fer you ter make a big haul.” “ ow id ' “How! Don’t ye know that Deadwood Dick is worth a million dollars at the least?” “No! Is that so?” *T told ye meand my band kem through his place on our way out byer, and thar they tell that: he’s a reg’lar Crushus, fer wealth, Owng the hull city, and has a bar’! o’ money besides,” ‘* And your idea was to hold him for ran- som?” * Jest 20,” ‘*That’s a risky piece of work, with such@ man. The whole Goverment would come to his: rescue,” ‘* Not a bit more ’n et will come, anyhow, ef ye hang him, fer you can bet he never kem hyer alone. But, they, would find us tough ter git, here in this pocket. We could defy ’em.” “ll be hanged if I don’t see something in what you say. I’ve a notion to try the scheme.” ‘Try et by all means,” urged Gideon, and he threw the rope away from him and far over the heads of the crowd. ““Tll think about it, anyhow,” decided the brigand chief. ‘* By the way, prisoner, do you still deny that you are Deadwood Dick?” The prisoner smiled, ‘*) find it’s no use denying it further,” he made answer, ‘‘ You have got me dead to rights, and I might as well own up and try to wate the best of it. “Yes, I am Deadwood A “That's ther tune!” cried old Gideon, joyfully. ‘‘That was what brought him to time, Dusky ick, Heseesa chance for his life, now, and he ain’t goin’ ter let. et slip ef he knows ets Life is worth more’n money, every time!” “That's et,” cried the crowd. ‘' We'll hold him fer ther kerdoodleum,” ‘What price are you going to value me at?” the prisoner inquired. ‘¢ How much do you think your life is worth to you?” Dusky Dick asked. ‘* Well, about ton thousand dollar’, maybe.” ‘Pshaw! that would not pay us for our trouble. Why, that’s the price I have set on the head of that gal that came tearing out here— By the way, how is it she is acquainted with ou? ‘*Mebby et’s his wife,” suggested Gideon, ‘*So it strikes me,” agreed the chief, ‘ No,” the prisoner denied, ‘‘sbe is not my wife, or indeed anything tome. She has mis- taken me for some one else. She called me. Richard, that I admit, but Richard is a common name, I never saw her before, and know noth- ing, about her.” ; ‘How was et, then,” one man demanded, ‘that you called her Kate? I heerd ye call her that, wi’ my own ears.” ‘*1f you heard if at all it must have been wit your own ears, that is sure,” the prisoner said, smiling. ‘But, you are mistaken, I think. You have understood something a “That won't do,” declared the chief, ‘‘ Now that it is brought to my mind, I remember your muttering that name half aloud. You had bet- ter ewn up, if you expect to get this chance for your life. What do yon say “ Well, I have to admit it, then,” vs euros are Deadwood Dick and his wife?” 8, “ What oily liars you are, the pair of you; for she gave me the straightest kind of a story about herself, and you began by tellivg another, or commencing one,” The prisoner smiled again. ‘¢ Allis fair in love and war,” be remarked, ** Now ye have got ’em down fine,” insisted Gideon, ‘‘and ye want to sock et right to ’em. Make et just a quarter of a million fer the pair, and narry a cent discount, either.” ‘*Hooray! Hooray!” So yelled the excited horde, ‘¢You make the figure a pretty stiff one, old men,” the prisoner observed, “ Et ain’t none too stiff, though, fer I kiow ye kin stand et; I have seen that city ye own, and I know how Ph are heeled. What do you say, Dusky Dick?” “Gideon, you are a whooper!” the brigand chief complimented.. “That is the figure we'll make it, but I'll be hanged if I see our way carr for getting the money. Think we can do i “*Wekin make a try fer et, anyhow, cap’n. I don’t brag of my head, but if thar’s anything in et that will help on ther skeem any, you ar’ wines” spoke up Mrs, Gripes,“ you jest ister,” spoke up Mrs, » * you jes trust Gidcon, ef thar’s any divilment ter be hatched. I know Gideon, and he’s jest a terror, he is, Great—” : e “You seth fe jaw, old woman,” Gideon sharply ordered.
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. 5 *“That’s all right, Gid, that’s all right; I hey had my say. But, it’s so, an’ you can’t deny et. Ask ary one of our sons hyer. Ask Pete’s wife, Sally, hyer.. Ask her two boys hyer. See what they’ll all tell ye ’bout Gid- eon G. Gripes. By ther—” ““Shut your head, I tell eee thundered Gideon. ‘‘ You Jet mestand on my own bot- tom, and let ’em find me out fer just what I am.” The old woman subsided, with many a wink and nod to the crowd around. She had had her say. Dusky Dick and his crew were all laugh- ing at the old woman’s earnestness, and the chieftain now remarked: ““Your good word for your husband, Mrs. Gripes, is all right, and it supports the good opinion I had already formed of him. are all these men your sons?” “Every one of ’em, sir,” the old hag de- clared, waving her arm proudly to indicate them all. ‘And I’m proud of ’em, too, Every one of’em isa man, with most of ther good p’ints of their dad. We had no gals in our fambly, you bet! By ther great—” “Tf you don’t shut your infernal head, old woman, [’ll knock et shut fer ye!” the old man now severely threatened. ‘All right, Gid! all right; et’s shut now; I had ter answer a proper question, ye know.” ‘ “Ye more’n answered et. Don’t get her mill ter runnin’, cap’n, whatever ye do. Thar’s no end to et, ef I ain’t by ter shut her ‘trap fer her. She knows me, you bet, and when | say shut, shut et’s got ter be.” The old woman smiled, and such a smile! and nodded her head this way and that to the crowd, as if to say—‘‘ My Gideon is talking now.” es “Then you think we can get the money, do you?” Dusky Dick asked. ***Course I do,” declared Gideon. ‘‘ I don’t boast what I kin do, as I said before, but if you and me puts our heads together I'll bet we kin git up a skeem that will work.” “ We'll try it, anyhow, Take the prisoner But, away, boys, and see that he don’t have the ghost of a chance. to get off. Don’t harm him in any way, for if we come to terms with his people, we’ll have to give him up in good condition.. You, Gripes, come with ‘me and we'll have a talk. | CHAPTER V. A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. GIDEON GripEs gave some directions to his family about going into temporary camp, and then followed the brigand chief into the salgon. This was a rough-looking den, dirty and ill-kept, which the band evidently made a sort of headquarters, There was a bar, but it seemed’ to be dry, the, supply evidently exhausted. “Now,” said the chief, as he sat down and invited Gideon to do the same, ‘let me hear what plan you can suggest.” “Great day o’ oom!’ the old man ex- claimed. ‘Et ain’t fer me ter try ter put my head before yourn, cap’n. I couldn’t think 0’ doin’ sech’a thing as that. Id only prove what a ole fool I am.” ; “You ate over modest, old fellow. You have the advantage Wwf me in years, and if age counts for anything, it stands to reason that you ought to know most.” “ But, do ye think I could give p’ints to Dusky Dick ther Dark Dread?” ‘Who can say? That is just what I want to find out.” ““Then ye want me ter toot my baz00?” ** Yes, to be sure.” , “Well, then, jest let me think hard fer a minnit, and I'll see what I kin hatch fer ye.” The old fellow rested his head upon his hand for a moment and was lost in deep study, ; { *“Wull, mebby I have got et,” he spoke, | presently, ‘* Let me hear from you then.” ** You hev been thinkin’ too, I s’pose.” i fo Sei | “ All right, then ef I git off ther track you ; can put me on ergain. And, ef my notions ar’ wild, jest stop me and say so; or, ef ye don’t see my meanin’, or how things is ter come out, chip in yer questions.” ** All right.” ‘““Wull, then, hyer is what I’ve thunk up: You send a man down ter Bristol City— { that’s ther name of Deadwood Dick's home beer? ye know—and send word what’s want- ed. At ther same time let ther min carry a | message in the prisoner’s own writtin’, ter show et ain’t no false report.” **Good enough; but, it will be as good as death to the messenger; or, anyhow, he will not come back again.” “That's all right; send a feller what ye'd as leave lose out of yer band as not.” “No, we are off the track, old man.” ‘* How’s that?” ‘* Why, they would have to send the man back to let us know what their answer is.” “ No, ye don’t ketch on. Deadwood Dick must himself order ’em what ter do, and they must come right down with ther dudads ‘foré they git him. See?” ‘““Then maybe they'll make use of the man to guide them here.” “That may be. Or, if ye want to, send yer best man, and say to ‘em ef he is harmed it will mean sartain death to Deadwood Dick.” ‘*T think that’s the plan.” “All right; that part is settled, then. Does yer best man know ther way out | thar?” | _ {Don’t think he does, but he can find it,” **One of my boys kiu go with him. That will be a check on both of ’em, and no chance fer a crooked deal.” “No danger of that, if I send Rooster Rube.” ‘** He’s yer man, then, and with him we'll send my son Sam, as good a one fer ther job as I kin pick.” “That is good enough so far;.now comes the worst part of it.” ‘*What’s that?” ‘**Tlow to make the trade with them,” **That’s so, fer both sides will be wonder- ful’ s’picious.” ** And that is the sticking point. How is it to be done? Now is the time to test your- self.” *“Wull, let me think—I hev et, by ther | | | day o’ doom!” | | **So soon?” ‘Right on tap; et jest kem to me,” ‘Well, what is it?” ‘* Et’s fer us ter say ow et shall be did, ye know. We'll send ’em word what our rule is. They must send ther money by half a dozen men, and let ours come: back with them.” “Well?” ““Then, say further, that if one more’n the ialf a dozen comes, et won’t be no: dicker; and let ‘em know w@ll have men on ther watch ter see. Tell ’em ter come to a sartain place, and thar stop: and send one man on alone till he meets a man from our camp.” ““T see; and what then?” “In ther mean time, let ’em hold our two men fer security, and if they see anything crooked they have full leave ter kill ’em— we havin’ ther same right, then, ter do ther ; Same with Deadwood Dick and his wife. Their man and our man will have a talk, and our man will be posted ter tell ’em what | ter do, an’ I reckon et won’t take long ter dicker.” ““T see one thing, old man.” ee ’ What’s that?” a You are aiming to make the trade a fair ‘* Ain’t that what you want, cap’n? Ef et ain’t, of course them ar’ plans ar’ no good.” ‘Td rather get hold of their var and. kill Deadwood Dick, too. That would be killing two birds with one stone, don’t you see.” «But, that would make et hot for us.” “ Any hotter than it would be if we let Deadwood Dick go free?” ‘’Wull, that’s so. Et’s about as broad as et’s long, I should say, Dusky Richard.” ‘Then what's’ going to be done?” “How would et do ter let ther noble Richard go free, and let him come with a boodle ter redeem his wife?” ‘Not to be trusted. He is too great a general to take any chances -with. He is in my power, and here he must stay. Tl tell you what it is, old man, I am afraid the scheme won't work,” ‘* What skeem?” * Getting the ransom money.” ** Great day 0’ doom! Ain’t goin’ ter give et up so easy, ar’ ye? Ain’t et worth workin’ fer? Think of et—a hull quarter-million!” ‘“Then you still see a hope?) Remember, I want it worked so that we can get the money and still do away with Deadwood Dick. I'd never know an hour's peace with him on my track,” * You could light out fer some other land.” “Po you think the world would be big enough to hide me from Aim? No, he must die!” “Then ye might as well take him out an’ hang him now, an’ make sure of him, [ should say. But, hyer’s another thought.” ‘© And what’s that?” . ‘Why not go and have a talk with him, and see what plan he can suggest, sence he is willin’ to ante up the quarter-million? S’pose J go and have a chin with him, to see what he’ll say.” : “No, it won’t do to kill him yet, if we have any idea of getting the money. . We'll have to have him alive to show when it comes to making the deal, you see.” ** Yes, that’s so; he’s worth more alive than dead, jest now.” might do that—” * Wouldn’t et be more proper fer you ter ao?” F “No, Dil let you attend to it, old man. Just put it to him straight, and see what he will say. He’s a man to invent, and he'll have a way to work it, no doubt about that,” and were for the most part listening to this planning. At that point Stuttering Stephen, the Swect Singer, entered. He advanced to where his chief sat. “K-K-K-K-K-K-Captain,” he cackled out, “that p-p-p-p-prisoner W-w-w-w-w-w—” “Great Scott!” cried the chief. ‘Why don’t you sing?” ye—ter—oncet, and—he—wants—ter— see— e—bad.” ° ** What does he want?” He w-w-w-w-w—” ‘Sing, blast you, sing /”. ‘‘ He—wants—ter—see—ye—’bout—ther— bargain—fer—his—gettin’—free; sing—idd- ley—diddledy—diddle—diddle—dee,” “All right; you go back and tell him that I'm going to send this man, Mr. Gripes, to him, and he can arrange every thing with him. And, you want to put a tune to it and sing it,” “All right, K-K-K-K-K-K—” He kept right on cackling till he had _pass- him finish it. ‘““Ye see,” cried Gideon, “he is anxious — *bout et, cap’n, and I’m of ther mind that et won't be no hard matter ter pick up that ’ar lump o’ stuff. I’m fer doin’ et, even ef we have ter let him go. But, ’course my voice don’t count in et.” “And then about going to see him, you - Nearly all the band were in the saloon, ' * That—prisoner—he—wants—ter — see— ed the door, and not a man inthe place heard \
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‘That's what’ he is, and nothin’ else. TI a ce aed enceemaieahae —— ee ' Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. ed ee oe oa aie Reverie “We'll see what he has to say, before we decide further, You go and see him, and let him think he is going to get free, if the money is forthcoming. Let him think we are going to deal square with him.” ‘“Well, ef you say go; but, et seems like a myself for’d in your business, Dusky ick.” ‘‘ No matter how it seems, you go.” That was final, and Mr. Gripes obeyed. % CHAPTER VI. DISCARDING THEIR MASKS. In the mean time the fainted woman, who had been taken away by the old woman, had come to inthe cabin to which she had been borne. © The old Jezebel had tied a rope about her prisoner’s waist, which was secured to one of the inner logs of the cabin, and her arms had been pinioned at the elbows, leaving them only limited freedom. The young woman gave a start as she opened her eyes. **He! he! he!” chuckled the consort of Gideon. ‘‘I have ye safe now, my wild- cat.” ‘“Where is he?” the young woman de- manded. “Your dear Deadwood Dick? ‘Wal, I wouldn’t wonder ef he’d stretched hemp by -this time, my dear.” ‘““What do you mean? harmed him?” “No, not ef hangin’ won’t harm, I don’t reckon they have; I guess that’s ther worst they’ve done ter him.” ““Then they have killed him? My God, why did they not hang me with him? Why have they left me? But, woman, tell me, zs it true?—/ave they killed him?’ *‘T see ther story is straight; you don’t deny that he’s that detective hound?” “T paid no attention to what you said. Only tell me this—is he living or is he dead?” ‘* Wal, he’s alive, yet, but I won’t promise how long he will be.” ‘Thank Heaven! -They must take my life if they are determined to kill some one, and let him go free. Yes, they must—they shall do that!” ““Which I don’t reckon they will at all, my dear. Purty gals is at a premium hyer, ye see.” And again she chuckled at the anguish of her prisoner. ‘* But, what was it you called him?” the iri me guess ye know well enough, gal.” They have not ‘‘No, for I paid no attention to the name.” ‘“Wal, then, I called him Deadwood Dick.” ‘“* What an odd name. But, there is a mis- take; this man was never known by that name.” **He! he! he!” the old tramp laughed. ‘« That is ther same dodge ther feller himself tried ter work, but’et wasn’t no use. He had ter own up at’ last. “He! he! he!” “‘T fail to understand you, old woman. Do you mean to tell me this man admitted his identity as Deadwood Dick?” **Ter be sure [ do. He! he! he!” ‘* And who and what is Deadwood Dick, if there be such a personage? What did you mean by detective hound?” ‘“T meant jest that, gal, a detective bet ut, he has run on his last trail, I reckon, for he is in ther grip of Dusky Dick now.” ‘Tt is impossible for me to understand. And you would make it to appear that I am his wife?” . “Don’t we know ye ar’?” ** No, you know nothing of the kind. My name, as I have told you repeatedly, is Kate Rossetyr, and it is nothing else. Iam a sin- gle woman, And this man, whom you in- sist upon calling Deadwood Dick, is Mr. Richard VanDeyke.” ; resently asked, choking back her sobs. good, I vum But, et’s no and you had ‘‘He! he! he! That’s purty et is, miss, a purty good yarn. use, fer yer man has owned up, better do ther same thing.” “You talk in riddles; Tadon’t understand.” “That is ter say, ye won’t onderstand. Wal, I don’t blame ye, fer ye show that ye will stick to ther story ye *have agreed ter tell, an’ stick to et through thick an’ thin. All right; but et ain’t no use, as ye will find. When ye see yer man, ef ye ever do again, he will tell ye et ain’t no use longer.” “You puzzle me, old woman. You won’t take me to him now, so that I may hear from his own lips what he has to say?” **Can’t do that ’ar.” ‘Weary? ** Dusky Dick would ‘kill me as he’d kill a dog. A life more or less don’t make no difference ter him. He said bring ye here and see that ye didn’t get out again, and I reckon I'll see to et that ye don’t. Ye won't play another trick on me, you bet.” “Tt is pretty certain that I will not, if you intend to keep me bound in this fashion.” ‘And I'll do that, you bet. I’d do worse by you, if I dared; I'd scratch that face of yours so that it would sp’ile your beauty, I tell ye I would!” ** You have no love for me, that I know, but I cannot yet understand why it is in- sisted that I am other thanIam. I know not Deadwood Dick, though now I believe I have heard mention of his name some- whree.” ‘*Oh, yes, of course ye have: he! he! he! By ’n’ by et will come back to ye that ye ar’ his wife, I reckon.” ** What is the object in such a story?”. ‘See hyer, gal, et’s foolishness fer you ter keep this up, when et is all settled who an’ what ye ar’.” “And you tell me Richard VanDeyke has admitted that he is Deadwood Dick.” «Yes, that’s what I tell ye.” iy a he has said I am his wife?” ae es, ”? ‘Tf you speak the truth, then I am bewil- dered. But I do not believe you; I think you must be lying to entrap me into some manner of admission, though I know not what, for I have told you the whole truth already.” The old pilgrim laughed again, rocking herself to and fro on the low stool upon which she was seated. A considerable time passed. Finally there came a rap upon the door. The Jezebel got up and opened the door, and there was Stuttering Stephen, the Singer. ’ ‘Wal, what do ye want, Singer?” she de- manded, * Je-Je-Je-Je-Je-Je-Je-Je—” ** Jerusalem /” the old hag finished for him, in her own way. ‘‘ Why don’t ye jerk et out of ye? What do ye want?” “Ther k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k—” * Yes, ther captain; and what is et he wants? Sing, now, and no more of your je-je-jerkin’ and k-k-cacklin’.” ‘* Ther—captain—he—wants—you— ter — bring—ther—gal—and—come—to—ther—sa- loon—at—oneet; sing—ri—ti—taddy, de— do—dum.” i ; ‘« Wants me ter fetch ther prisoner to ther saloon? What does he want that fer? But don’t stop ter tell me, but jest lend a hand. and we'll take her there in no time.” “Where is it you would take me?” the girl asked, in fright. ** To ther captain’s office, my daisy.” ‘“No, no, do not do that, but rather let him come here to me.” . ‘* Wal, that’s cool, too. -Guess et will have ter be as he says, my fine lady. I only wish et ‘was as J’d say, you bet I'd take ye thar in style /” The objections of the prisoner were not heeded, but she was set free from the rope hag and Stuttering Steve, was taken to the saloon. Entering there, it was found that Dusky Dick and all his band were assembled, ex- cept those on guard and those who were out. of camp on other duties, And, too, there were old Gideon Gripes and his family, and the prisoner who had admitted his identity as Deadwood Dick. It may be mentioned just here that the outlaw chief’s band consisted of about sixty men, all told, of whom about half were now in the camp. When the three entered the room, Dead- wood Dick was the first to speak. “Kate,” he said, ‘‘it is of no use carrying on the deception further. I have admitted my identity, and you may do the same. I have told these rascals that I am Deadwood Dick, and that you are my wife.” The young woman looked at him blankest éimazement. ** Dick,” she gasped, ‘‘ I—I hardly under- stand.” ‘Tt is plain enough,” answered the other prisoner, smiling sadly. ‘‘ We simply admit that we are Dick Bristol and wife; or, Dead- wood Dick, as J am better known, and you, as Kodak Kate.” ‘‘Have you gone out of Dick?” ‘* Not in the least. We are in a trap, and, admitting oir identity, there is a possibility of our getting out of it again, I am going to buy our liberty.” As he said this, he looked straight into the woman’s eyes, putting all possible earnest~ ness into his words. : She cast her eyes upon the floor. ‘* Well, I admit it, since you do,” she said, in low tone. 4 “That is right; it is the only way open te in your mind, us, Kate. No need to carry the deception further. You are no longer Kate Rossetyr,. but Kate Bristol, my wife; or, in other words, Mrs. Deadwood Dick. y Now, men of Bank Garden, be satisfied.” -“* What did I tell ye?” cried Gideon Gripes. “Et took me ter deal with him, an’ I won him over, Ther case is a plain one, as any- body kin see.” Gideon, by the way, had spent half an hour or more with Deadwood Dick in the cabin in which he had been imprisoned, and on coming out had brought the prisoner with. hy to the saloon, when Kate had been’ sent or. ‘‘That is all we want of the woman,” declared Dusky Dick. ‘‘ Take her back again, Jezebel, and see to it that she does not get esd But harm her not, for she is the most valuable prisoner we ever had yet.” ** Yes, see well to it that no harm comes to her,” added Deadwood Dick. ‘‘If it hap- pens, woe to this camp when I get free, that’s all!” **T'll take keer of her, I'll take keer of her, never fear,” chuckled the old Fury. ‘‘Come on with me, Stutterin’ Steve, and help me get her safe back again. Tlletake keer of her, cap’n.”’ ® 5 ** See that you do.” ‘* Be of good courage, Kate,” the prisoner called out, as she was taken away. ‘‘ The way of deliverance is about to open for us, No need to carry on the deception further; admit freely that youare my wife.” “‘T will do that,” the girl called back, ‘‘though I do not understand. It is enough for me that I have had it from your own lips. I trust all to you, Dick; I trust all to ou, the power of these devils in human guise.” CHAPTER VIL ANOTHER PRISONER MADE. Tue brigand chief looked after the woman for a moment without speaking, or until she was no longer in sight from where he sat. “ That is rather strang language,” he then around her waist, and then, held by the old | quietly remarked, God help us that we may get out of © “am,
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em, wood Di * mean me. _«Gid “You ar’ right et is,” agreed Gideon Gripes, “ Hadn't we better sock on another Rowena fer that?” ‘*Don’t take the truth so to heart,” spoke the other prisoner, boldly. ‘‘ Andas for rais- ing the ransom, don’t try that, for it won't bear stretching another dollar. It is at the outside limit, now.” “What would you do, were I to raise it to half a million. at one jump?” asked Dusky Dick. **T would tell zon to do your worst.” “‘ And do you know what that would be?” “‘Death, of course.’ ** And maybe ina manner to add to its horrors. Do you know, Gideon, I have a notion to do that?” ““Et won't do, partner,” “Why not?” ’ “Et would take him too long to raise et. It will take time fer him ter git even ther quarter million together, for he don’t carry it in his vest pocket, as ye know.’ “*That’s so, I suppose. Well, Deadwood Dick, you have talked , this all over with Mr. Gripes, he tells me.’ : *“T have.” ‘And you have some plan in mind by Men Shy money can be brought here?” ae es ” “Yes, his plan is all right,” declared Gideon, speaking up. ‘I was about half a hour in ther cabin wi’ him, as ye know, and I sifted him thoroughly.” “« Well, what is the plan?” «« Let me ask one question,” said Dick. “* What is it?” ‘“‘Ts it your intention to deal fairly with me?” “‘Oh, certainly; that.” “On your word, man to man?” ‘* Yes, I swear it, if that will satisfy you.” “Tt is all I can ask, of course, and I shall have to believe you. I shall do the same by ou.’ *¢ That is understood.” ¢ “Then you are ready for my plan?” ‘“ aie ‘ my eae J? . i hs rir es) Pee athe ig e ; y sae wild bt a - rf ry v4 ere ne pe “You are the prince of liars, you mean. Why, don’t try to make me out a fool alto- gether, Dick VanDeyke. I know you, and ike know me— Ray bold Brandson. You snow why I am here.” ‘*On the contrary, sir, I do not know why you are here. Never saw you before in my life that Iam aware of.” - . The other stepped nearer, as if to make sure of his recognition, ‘You lie like the infernal!” he hissed. “Say, what do you make of this, Gid. eon?” demanded Dusky Dick, turning to his already trusted comrade in crime, “What do I make of et, cap’n? Why, I take et this Deadwood Dic k must look some- thin’ like t’other feller; and, come ter think of et, mebby that’s what led to his takin’ his name in ther first place.” CHAPTER VIL. COMPLICATIONS ARISING. At that Deadwood Dick smiled. “You are a close guesser, old man,’ Avan said. “Then I hit et right, did I? Wull, et wasn't hard ter guess Ct. ” “What confounded jugglery is this, any- how?” the other prisoner hotly demanded, ‘Don't I know you as well as I know my- self, Dick VanDeyke?” “Tt is only: too plain that you don't, in this instance, sir,” was the cool reply. “You mistake me forthe real V anDeyke, that is true, and with some good reason; but, lam - | not he,” “Tell me next that Tam deaf, dumb, blind, and a fool to boot, will you?” ‘‘Tt is not necessary to go so far, sir.” “You know you are lying, Dick Yan- Deyke. ‘You know me, and with might good reason you fearme. Where, | demand, is Kate Rossetyr?” /* Ha! ha!” laughed Dick. ‘‘T see how you have been misled, sir, That woman was, and is, my wife, Kate Bristol. She is here, @ prisoner like we ourselves, but we hope to get away in due time.” ‘‘Here? Kate here?’ Heavens, she must be saved—”’ ** Don’t trouble yourself further about her,” said Dick. ‘‘ Being my wife, I will attend to her rescue myself, “ ‘Your wife? You lie—you le! Where is she? JI demand to hear this from her own lips, before I will or can believe it. Where is she, Sir Chief?” e turned to Dusky Dick. / “* Have the avoman brought here at once,” the chief ordered, “7 am interested in this question, now.’ Some men went out immediately i in obe- dience to the command, ‘You are welcome to bring her,” said the other prisoner, as coolly as he had’ spoken to all. ‘I think she will convince you of the ‘truth of it, sir.” ._‘* She cannot, if it is she. And if ue ‘ . a Se ot ea eee ra es Midd seine eked a < Steere 6 Ges a eee eens fod = "aa as cad gies bt Pe eee ~ ae 53 Bg OE ee a ee at oe
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~~ — — -as you say. ee I ee er er ee ee ee 8 she, then this camp will be the place where one or the other of us must fall. These men will let us fight, I know, and then beware of Raybo!d Brandson!” Dick smiled disdainfully. ‘*] know what your cause of quarrel was with VanDeyke,” he declared, ‘* but J have no quarrel with you. None the less, if I am forced to protect myself against you, let me warn you in turn to beware of Deadwood Dick.” ‘*“Et do beat all,” cried Gideon Gripes. “Darn me ef et wouldn’t make up a good story, if anybody could write et out.” “Truth knocks fiction all hollow,” ob- served Dusky Dick. Further talk was had while they awaited the coming of the woman prisoner, but it is néedless to quote it all. The men who had gone out presently re- turned, bringing with them the old hag Jezebel and her charge. The young woman was pale, and her lips were tightly compressed. She was brought forward, and as she came her eyes fell upon the new prisoner and for a single second she was seen to start. The next instant she asked: ‘“* What is wanted of me again?” ‘*You are wanted,” spoke up Deadwood Dick, ‘‘ to inform this man that you are Kate Bristol, my wife.. He will not believe that I am Deadwood Dick.” “ You were quick to speak,” said Dusky Dick, in a tone of objection. ‘I was going to be the one to speak first.” ‘*T had to answer my wife’s question, sir.” ** Well, it’s all right.” ** Of course you are Deadwood Dick,” the woman said, boldly, ‘‘and lam your wife, Is that all you want me to reply to?” : ** Kate Rossetyr, you know you tell what is not true!” cried Brandson, hotly. ‘‘ What is the use of such deception? You know me as well as I know you, and you can’t get out of it.” : “TI know you not,” was'the bold reply, and she looked him full in the face. ** What did I tell you?” demanded Dead- wood Dick, ‘“ This is the woman whom you have seen, we admit, and whom you have taken to be another person, but she is my wife, and, if you molest her in any way, sir, you shall answer to me for it. Kate, be- ware of him.” * You need not warn me, Dick.” “ Well, Pll be hanged,” muttered Dusky Dick, ‘‘if this don’t beat all. This is as good asa play. I’m only sorry I can’t let you two fellows fight it out, for I would like to see the fun; but, that cannot be,” ‘Yes, let it be,” urged Brandson: ‘ Let us fight, and see if I do not show you a dead man in less than five minutes—” “No, no, Deadwood Dick is worth more to us alive than dead, and it cannot\, be allowed.” ‘“No, do not let them fight!’ cried the woman. ‘Dick, you must not risk your life against his, you must not do that.” ** Don't worry, my dear,” spoke Dusky Dick. ‘‘ We know the value of your hus- band to us, and we'll see to it that no harm comes to him, you can bet.” ** And J’'ll see to it that ‘harm does come to him,” cried Brandson. ‘‘ They may deceive you, but they can’t fool me, for I know them. Beware of me, Dick VanDeyke, if I get a chance at your coward heart!” Dick smiled at him ina cool way. “Take thé woman back gain,” ordered Dusky Dick, ‘‘and see to it that she gets no possible chance for freedom. And this man, take him and make him doubly secure, for if he gets free our dreams of that quarter million may go up in smoke. But, first, a word with you, Raybold Brandson, if that is your name,” 2 ; ** And it is,” the prisoner cried. ‘I have no reason to hide my name,” . SE ————— eg” SRN ANS AEB BIE tS AR era RN: le NO oe Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival, ‘Where did you hail from?” / ** Mexico City.” ‘* And. what is your rating there?” | ‘* What do you mean?” | “Well, how much are you worth?” “Oh! Well, mighty little, I can tell you, } if you think to hold me for ransom.” ‘*Do you think your friends would ante | ten thousand dollars for you?” | ‘*No; and if they would, they have not got it to put up.” ‘“Then it will probably mean a green grave here*in the valley for you. Just | think it over, and remember that you are in | the hands *of Dusky Dick, the Dark Dread, as I am called.” He waved his hand, then, and the prisoner was taken away. ‘“Now, Deadwood Dick,” and Dusky Dick turned to him, ‘‘ I want to know some- thing about this strange affair. What does it allmean? Lam sure you must know some- thing about it.” “Yes, I do happen to know something about it,” was the answer. ‘‘ This man Brandson was the rival of Dick VanDeyke for the hand of a young woman named Kate Rossetyr, and has threatened to kill him, I believe. I and my wife happen to iook something like that couple, and so his sus- picion has fallen upon us.” ‘Well, where are the real VanDeyke and the young woman?” **T don't know where they are now, but I suppose happily married and off on their tour. There is a romance back of it all.” ‘© Well, I'll hear that at another time when I have nothing more important on hand. Here’s another question I want to put to you, Deadwood Dick.” ‘¢ What is that?” ** Did you come here alone?” ‘“No, for my wife was with me, ‘* No; wife and I are alone.” “You swear to that?” “T do.” ‘*What had you to hope in coming here against me in that way?” ‘“We came to spy upon you, to get the number of your men, and to learn all we could.preparatory to an attack upon you.” ** Well, you are cool about it, anyhow.” “So we have to be, in our work, and there is no use going back on it now that you have got us in the toils.” “And you have came for?” ‘We have got s good deal more than we came.for, for we have gotten ourselves into a bad fix.” ‘You are right you have, you are right you have. But enough of that for the pres- ent. We are going to act upon your sug- gestion, so get ready that letter to your peo- ple at home.” ‘What am I to write with? And-how can I write if Iam kept bound up this way like a turkey for roasting?” ‘* Well, that’s so. got the information you Til tell you what, Pll *come around and see you after awhile, and you can write the letter in my presence,” ‘That suits me. You-will then know ‘there is no underhand work about it.” though she fell into your hands first.” “<That is not what I mean. I mean this— have you a force of men here with you?” “Yes, I will work it that way. Men, take the prisoner out.” So Deadwood Dick was taken out and lodged again in the cabin ‘prison from which he had been brought. No sooner had he passed out of sight than old Gideon slapped the brigand chief on the leg, exclaiming: x , '< en did I,tell ye, cap’n, what did I e re a? ’ «“Weéll, what did you tell me, old man?” “Tl tell ye again. But, clear these hyer idlers oyt first. Hyer, Elviry, you hev heard about enough ter sattersfy yer woman curiosity, so git. d all ther rest of ye.” He spoke to his own people, who were all present. ‘“‘ All right, Gideon, all right!” the homely old woman answered. ‘‘ Ef you say so, why of course et’s my place ter "bey; but by ther great—” ‘Shut your fool head and git right out, L tell ye!” Gideon thundered. ‘‘ How often must I warn ye not ter talk back ter me? I'll brain ye one of these days,-even ef ye ar ther mother of all my boys.” The old woman beat a hasty retreat, her ‘boys ” with her, and the brigand. chief en- joyed a laugh at Gideon’s earnestness. _ ‘«That’s ther only way ter deal with a blasted woman,” Gideon growled. ‘ Ye have ter make ’em know their place, I tell ye ye do. Now, let’s see, what was I goin’ ter say?” CHAPTER IX. PLOTS BEHIND PLOTS. In their talk before, they had spoken out so that all might hear, unless at times when their words were not for other ears, and then they had dropped their voices to & whis- per, almost, Dusky Dick set Gideon straight on what he had started to say, and the old man took it up anew. They talked now, however, in lowest tones. ; ‘I tell ye et’s workin’ right into our hands, cap’n,”’ the old fellow said impressive- ly. : . ” * Well, let me have your view of it, Gid- eon.” ‘Why, et’s plain as dzy. Won't do ter let. ther boys hear all we have ter say about et, though. Et couldn’t be better ef we had had ct made ter order,” ‘*T suppose you know what you are talk- ing about, and: have no reason to doubt your judgment.” é * « Et’s jest like this hyer, cap’n, We will pick out four fellers that we don’t keer much about anyhow, an’ let ’em go on that errand - .to Bristol City, and if we don’t ever see ’em again, no great matter.” ““* Hat now I catch on. right track.” “Then, when the dozen fellows come hyer with ther money, we'll wipe ‘em out, have ther money, and then do away with Deadwood Dick in short order.” : ‘*Splendid! And then Ill marry his widow, if she’ll have me. Ha! ha! ha!” ‘‘Thev no doubt but ,you’d be hardened enough ter do et, cap’n, fut et would be yer death knell, I’m tellin’ ye.” ‘** How is that?” ‘*Why, she'd be yer death, sure.” “Oh! yes, no doubt; thought you had something else in mind.” “No, nothin’ else; that would be enough fer you ter handle in ene dose, I’m thinkin’.” “Well, about this business we have in hand.” f ** What do ye think of ther plan?” “Tt’s excellent, as I said. Itis just what I wanted to get at.” ‘“Then, with the money ours, and Dead- wood Dick out of the way, what would be done then?” - ‘*Why, what now?”’ **Wull, ye see, et would be known thar at Bristol City whar Deadwood Dick is. and that men had set out ter find him, And when You are on the they didn’t never come ‘back no more, et’s likely ther hull city would come,ter see what was wrong.” **Ha! you are right. This place would not hold us against them.” ‘“‘Nary a hold, for the regular army would come against us, asa last resort, and then we'd git et fer sure.” ‘* Well, then, what?” i “T s’pose you count me an’ my band in with you in ther deal?” i 4 a ee KS 2 te 4 a. ames * eee Me te ° ney oe : Re 4
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5 i 3 ae a4 PaaS aes ~ es! ee ” me ‘Yes, I was sure I could, but it may be that you do not understand just what Iam coming at, for I have not told you all of it ret.” . ‘* Let us-have ther hull of et, then.” You know all about tlie plan to geta quarter of a million dollars out of Deadwood | Dick.” ‘* Yes,” “Well, this fellow Gideon has struck me for a plumb quarter of that.” “Ther goose he has! Wal, I guess ther rest of us will have somethin’ ter say about: that, won’t we? I think we will, ef 1 know meself.” Z “That is just it, and here is what I want to keep secret for the time being: You know there is a price upon the heads of this man and his family, and after we have made use of them we'll sell them.” ‘A good idea!” ‘¢ But, keep it as stillas death for the pres- ent,” ; “Oh, sure I'll do that.” “You see, on the sly I’ll communicate with the authorities, and somehow arrange a plan for giving them up and raking the re- ward, And that rewayd I'll let you men have all to yourselves. ‘ See?” ** Yes, you bet.” ‘ “Then say nothing about it, and don’t let Gideon suspect that anything is up. We'll get the quarter-million first, and then we'll attend to his case after that. We'll make them all prisoners,and fill our pockets at their expense. We are looking out for our own first, Injun Jack. Say nothing, and I may tell you something more after awhile,” NN re er CHAPTER X. BSCAPE AND RECAPTURE. ** K-K-K-Capratn!” Out came the name at last, loud and shrill, after a considerable time spent in pre- liminary cackling. No need to inquire who the caller was, for his tripping tongue told the tale for hin. It was Stuttering Stephen, the Sweet Singer of the camp. K-K-K-Captain!” : So he called again, louder than before, and stuttering »~vorse than ever in his hurry to get the word out. ‘* What can that fool want?” the brigand chief had exclaimed, at the first call he heard, ; ‘“* Give et up,” answered Injun Jack, Tt was while this pair were in the room over the saloon. Stuttering Steve was down in the street, and seeing the light.in the window, had evi- dently judged by that where Dusky Dick was. The chief strode to a window, and lifting it, called out: : ** Well, what do you want, Singer?” © Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th—” ‘Sing it, confound you, if you expect*to get it out to-night!” ; ‘© Y{-h-h-h-how k-k-k-k-can a m-m-m-man $-8-8-s-sing When he’s g-g-g-got t-t-t-to hol- ler?” “Why, sing loud, you idiot!” *T d-d-d-didn’t t-t-t-think of t-t-t—” ‘Sing, curse you! or I'll stop your stut- tering tongue for you forever with a bullet!” The threat was enough, the Singer began to sing his loudest, and.in that way made known what he wanted to inform his chief about, ** That—prisoner— has — got—out—some- how, captain, and — we — don’t — know — where— he—is; with —a —ring—ding—did- d me oP What prisoner?” thundered Dusky Dick. “ Ther — one — what — Injun—Jack—and Rifle—Rob—” Dusky Dick waited to hear-no more, but closed the window with a slam and made haste to get out, closely followed by Injun Jack, both swearing vigorously. _ When they reached the street Stuttering Steve had just about finished his song reply to the last question, 7 Another man had come up by that time, and it was less trouble for him to tell the story. “That feller Brandson has got out, some- how,” he cried, ‘‘and we can’t find him no- where.” ‘*What’s this I hear?” broke in Gideon - Gripes, as he came running to the spot from the direction of the cabin where he and his band were stopping. ’ “That last prisoner has escaped, Gideon,” informed the chief. ‘Scatter, them, and find him!” Gideon shouted. . ‘* Nobody knows whar ter look,” one man responded. ‘Look everywhere,” roared Dusky Dick, “Yas, and we must look out fer Dead- wood Dick, now, with Aim out,” suggested Gideon. “Zounds! Yes, you are right. Men, double the guard around Deadwood Dick’s prison at once, and see that no harm comes to him. If you let him be killed, away, goes all hope of that quarter-millioh!” ‘“And look out fer ther gal, too,” cried Gideon. ‘You know what ther diffikilty is, ‘tween them fellers, cap’n.” ‘Yes, that’s so. See that the woman is not carried off. A hundred dollars to the man who will capture that fellow—alive, of course.” “| Mev an idee, cap’ny” It was Gideon who offered this. ** What is it?” We. Ue ‘ Why not put ther gal in my cabin, whar
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SS hae pe RUE Ea ~ a er a, = — ata eae aaa a tae ea aS 10 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. ‘‘ Well, that I prefer not to tell. I had help, and I am likely to have it again if you don’t look out.” “« Thou fool !” . That voice came out of the open air over their heads, and every man of them looked up, to see—nothing. ‘“What’s the meaning of that, Gideon , Gripes?” demanded the brigand chief sternly. ‘*How should I know?” was the demand in retort. “That’s what T’m going to do, Gideon,” the answer. ** Miss, we are not here to take your life, or anything of that kind, but to transfer you to another cabin where you will have more safety. We have found that you are in some danger here.” P ‘*Do you tell me the truth?” ‘Certainly. Don’t you suppose it is, to | Elviry and Sal kin watch her, gnd you kin bet nothin’ will happen to her. Then ther men that’s guardin’ that cabin kin be of use som’ers else.” **That isa good idea, and I'll do it, for that old hag, Jezebel, is about played out anyhow, and not fit to watch over her and take care of her.. Come on, and we'll make the change at once. Rustle, boys, and get that man if you can!” All was bustle in a moment. ‘* And byer’s another thought,” suggested Gideon. ‘“ What is it?” ‘Better send word out to ther men on guard in ther passes ter look out he don’t git by ’em.” “Yes, yes, that’s so.” “They ar’ on ther lookout fer fellers comin’ in, ye know, and one goin’ out might not ketch their eyes.” | “Tll do it at once. Here, Joe, Dan— ou run out to the guards and tell them to ook sharp for an escaped man. Tell them not to let him pass if they have to kill him.” The men were off immediately, ‘with all haste. ‘Now, how did that fellow escape?” Dusky Dick made inquiry. “Don’t see how et was, cap’n?” one of the guilty guardsmen answered. ‘* Wasn’t he bound?” “Yes, hand and foot.” “And the doors and windows were se- cured?” ** Yes, all of them.” ‘* And what were your men doing?” “Doing our duty, and we didn’t hear a single sound in ther cabin at all.” ‘“Tt’s cursed funny. I'll see about it, and if I find you have been asleep, or have been They hastened away to the cabin where the young woman was held. A loud rap at the door brought Jezebel out. ' ‘* Asleep, were you?” cried Dusky Dick. “Yes, fer I couldn’t keep awake, cap’n,” was the reply. ‘‘ But, I had my head pil- lowed on ther prisoner’s body, so she could- n’t move without wakin’ me. She is all right, cap’n, she’s all right.” ** And so are you, curse you!” | ~ Without any warning whatever, the heart- less wretch drove a dagger to the hilt in the Ym woman’s breast, and she fell dead at his eet. “That is the way I serve sleepers,” he cried, fiercely. ‘‘ You take notice of it, Gideon, and know the responsibility you off your posts, I'll have you sliot like dogs!” | | are going to bring us such rich returns?” “Yes, yes, I suppose it must be so.” “Of course it’s so. now, and we’ll put you in the care-of two | women instead of one.” ‘*T hope they will be more like women than the one who has been my keeper here, sir.” ** Never you fear ’bout that ’ar,” cried old — oner. , « Gideon. ‘‘Ef my our interest to take care of the prisoners that | ““TIsn’t that the voice of the guardian angel -. Come along with ts, | you claim is following you and your band?” ** Et sounded like et, I admit.” “Then what have you to do with it?” ‘‘ Nothing.” ” * Mighty queer.” ‘*The voice was right,” spoke up the pris- *T wasa fool to breathe that I had had wife Elviry and my | help in“ getting out, for that will balk any darter-in-law Sal ain’t wimmin, then thar | further,help that I might have received.” never was any, that’s all.” ** You are right,” came the voice from the Dusky Dick had now freed the prisoner | air again. from the rope that held her bound to the log of the cabin, and she was led out. At the door was the body of the old hag. The girl had not awakened till after her death, so did not know of the fate which had overtaken her. At sight of the old woman lying there, with her life blood staining the sill and the |, steps, the girl gave vent to a scream and fainted dead away, and had to be carried to her new quarters. There she was put in the charge of the two women of Gideon’s band, ** And you see to et that she don’t escape, Elviry,” Gideon ordered. ‘‘ Ef ye do, yer life won’t be worth a pinch o’ snuff to ye?’ “That I swear,” declared Dusky Dick. ** And you, too, Sal.” ‘‘ She sha’n’t git away, you bet, dad.” __ ‘‘ Here’s your fate if she does,”and Dusky «See here, Voice,” called out Dusky Dick. ‘Well?’ in deep tone, further away than before, yet straight in air. “Who and what are you, and what was your object in aiding this man to get out of my hands?” ‘* Ha! ha! ha!” ‘Only a mocking laugh came back to him. ‘* Answer my question!” the brigand chief- tain thundered in anger. “Well, yes, I will do so, for I will never \ lg ae : _ id him to escape again; he does not deserve | 4 ” upon Deadwood Dick that I freed him from his bonds.”’ ** Tell me, then.” ‘*Tt was that he might wreak his vengeance ‘*Ha!l then you are no friend to Deadwood Dick?” “Be not surprised if you find him dead on Dick pointed out to some men who were | your hands some morning.” just carrying the body of Jezebel away for burial, | At that moment a shouting was. heard without. ‘**Something is up,” cried Dusky Dick, | and with a final word of warning to the | new guardians of the woman prisoner, he hastened forth. amazement undisguised. make of this? The men around looked at one another in What could they ‘“Who and what are you, I demand?” cried Dusky Dick. ‘* Ha! ha! ha!” The mocking laugh, faint and far away, was all that came back to their ears, and all Gideon went with him, and it was found | was still. that the excited cries came from the direc- } tion of the cabin where Deadwood Dick was imprisoned,” ““We hev got him!” one man called out loudly. e You have got who—what?’ demanded Dusky Dick, quickly, ‘““Why, ther ‘scaped prisoner, | “This hyer gits me, I’m blamed ef it don’t!” cried old Gideon. ‘* T believe you know something about it,” declared Dusky Dick, savagely. ‘* Me?” ‘Yes, you!” ‘*Wull, pardner, you are away off yer cap’n! ; quill, thar.” better?” Hyer he is, and he was jest goin’ ter try ter do up Deadwood Dick.” ‘*'Y-y-y-yes, and I'm ther m-m-m-m-man wh-wh-wh-wh-what k-k-k-k-ketched him, t-t-t-t-too!” frantically stuttered Stuttering Steve. ‘‘ I—want—that—hundred — dollars are assuming when you take this prisoner to your cabin,”’ ‘ Every man of them had stopped short, with momentary horror, at the terrible crime, and Gideon was the first to recover. _ **T notice et, cap’n,” he said, in even tone. **T begin ter see that you have a good claim on the name ye wear.” ** You will find that I have not been called the Dark Dread for nothing, when you come to know me better, old man,” ** What do you want here?” It was the young woman prisoner who de- manded. ‘ She had been awakened out of her sleep by the rough voices around her, The excitement and.terror of her position had made it impossible for her to sleep much, but nature had at last claimed its due, ‘“We want you, my daisy, that’s what,” Dusky Dick roughly answered. : s No, no; let me remain where I am, I beg of you. Men, if men you are, think what you do. Some of you have sisters, it maybe, and you all had mothers—” ** Et needn’t do ter ‘larm ther gal need- less,” spoke old Gideon. ‘She might go off inter a fit, cap’n, and not come out of et. | Tell her what's up? Don’t ye think ye had make that part of it thoroughly plain. CHAPTER XI. THE UNSEEN FOE. Dusky Dick, Gideon, and the others, all ran in the direction of the scene of excite- ment, ; The guardsmen and the others were in a group behind the cabin in which Deadwood Dick was confined, and in their midst was the other prisoner, whom they were holding securely. ‘*How did you make yonr escape?” de- manded Dusky Dick. -** Find out,” was the surly reply he got. “That is what I want to do, and it will not be well for the man whois at fault when I'do find out, I can tell you.” ** None of your cursed crew is to blame.” * What?” ; blame for it.” ‘** How is that?” —you—can—bet!” ending «by singing “T said none of your cursed crew is to | ‘“Do you mean to tell me that you don’t know anything about it? Haven’t you said already that this voice is from your guardian angel, as you called it?” “J take et ter be ther same voice, pard- ner, but that don’t say that I know et any better’n you do. I never seen ther voice, that’s as true as ther stars shinin’ up thar in ther blue.” ‘ “ What do you know about it, though?” ‘*T know that more than once it has done me a good turn when in danger. But, cap’, I think we’d better act on a hint we got from et, don’t you?” “ And what was that?” *“ Why, et threatened Deadwood Dick, ye know, and we don’t want ter lose him, not by a big heap. We had better put men inside ther cabin as well as outside, after ther way this other prisoner was got out.” ‘*Ha! you are right! But, say, prisoner, tell us about this escape-of yours, now that you have been fool enough to let out so much about it.” “Yes, a fool I was, to ruin my chances of further help from the same direction,” the prisoner cursed. ** Well, you have done it, so you may as well tell all about it,” “What will it be worth to you to know?” i rv as — ge nsec ee
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_ have broken your word with me. Deadwood’ Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. —— com 11 **T might make it lighter for you.” “ Will you let me go free, if little I do know about it?” *‘Well, there is no use my telling yon a *The prisoner was seen to tremble, in spite tell you the | of himself. It was enough to chill the blood of afy man, these words from so heartless a wretch lie out and out, sor the game isn’t worth it. | as Dusky Dick. No, I won’t let you go.” “Then there is one other thing I would | ask.” «¢ Ask it.” “Will you bring Deadwood Dick out here and let me fight him, man to man?” ** Yes, by Harry, I'll do that.” A great shout of approval went up from the crowd. “What!” cried Gideon Gripes. ‘* You mean ter ruin ther chances fer that ’ar quar- ter million?” “T don’t see a big hope of getting it, Gideon, with this unknown enemy in the camp fighting against us. We are likely to have Deadwood Dick dead on our hands, the sume as the spirit said.” **Nary a time we won't! Ain’t we able ter guard him ’gainst that?” is We might be, if we knew what the foe ‘Then make this man tell what he knows, whether he will or not.” ** Your word has been passed, captain,” reminded the prisoner. ‘‘ Free me, and then let that man come out here and face me. It shall be his death or mine, and I little care which.” ‘* Et wull be yer own doom,” Gideon. ** How do you know that, old man?”, ** Because, ef allis true that ther captain hyer has told me ’bout this Deadwood Dick, he never misses his man.” ** That’s why I am willing to see the fun,” the brigand chief declared. have little fear for Deadwood Dick, old fel- low. Let’s bring him out and let them fight it out.” . ¢ ‘** Captain, hev ye furgot our talk?” Gideon demanded. ‘* Not at all, old man; there’s no danger.” ** But, thar’s a resk ter be run.” ‘* What’s all the trouble out there?’ called a voice from the cabin. it was tliat of the prisoner within. ** Why, this hyer foe of yours wants ter fight ye, Deadwood,” answered the old man. “* What do ye say about et?” ‘* He is no foe of mine,” came back the an- swer, ‘‘ He mistakes me for another, and there is no reason why I should fight him. I don’t want his blood’on my hands, Take him and lock him up again.” _ “Then you won't fight?” asked ‘Dusky Dick.” “* Not a fight.” ‘That settles it, boy. If he won’t meet you, then I won’t make him do it, for it would only be your death to do so, But, you have not told me about that person, or spirit, or whatever it was, that aided you to escape.” ' % What's more, I won't, now that you And the more fools you, fo let that prisoner deceive youas he is doing, I swear to you he is is declared not Deadwood Dick, but one Dick Van-, Deyke. He is closing your eyes beautifully, for some reason.” «‘ That is nonsense, man,” disputed Dusky Dick. ‘‘ Haven’t we the confession of his wife in his support? And didn’t I see him | blow falls.” write a long letter to his manager at Bristol City this afternoon? Yow talk like a fool.” - And a fool lam—a howling idiot, if this ds not Dick VanDeyke.” — «Then you refuse to tell what you know about your escape from that cabin in which you ne imprisoned?” Penetgety 6 Nad ; “Remember, it is Dusky Dick, the Dark Dread, you are yefusing. My dagger is i. still warm and wet with blood, It may take | a drink of yours, if you are not mindful of “You need, a a i That his name had become a terror need not be wondered at; yet these little sugges- tions we have dropped were as nothing com- pared to what he really was in character. ‘“* Well, I don’t know that it will be of any use for me to keep it back, now,” the prison- er yielded, *“T don’t see how it can be. Tell me all about it.” ' “‘ There is little to tell. I suddenly found a& man with me in the cabin, and in the dim light I saw that he was masked. He freed my. hands and feet, and told me to steal out at the rear door when I heard a whistle without, and go at once and take my revenge upon my foe.” «That all you know?” ‘That is all. He went like a shadow, and I don’t know where or how he disap- peared.” “Tt is mighty strange, and I’m half in- clined to think you lie—” ‘*No, I speak the truth, I swear it.” «And you followed his advice, and found the way open for you: by the rear door, so that you could escape without the know- ledge of the guard?” “Yes, 1 opened it silently, on hearing the signal, and seeing no one, stepped softly out and went forth at once on my mission of vengeance, thinking that perhaps the way had been opened for me by the same mysteri- ous hand,” CHAPTER XII. THE WARNING VOICE. Dusky Dick turned in a towering age from the prisoner to the guardsman. “What!” he thundered. ‘‘No man on guard at the rear of that cabin? Who was he, and where was he at that time?” No one spoke, ; “Who was he?” the Dark Dread cried again, fiercely. ‘Speak his name, some man, and then let him come here and face me. I'll have it known that Dusky Dick is to be feared and obeyed!” “It was—was Freckles,” one man spoke out, weakly. ““Freckles!| Then let him come here, or the worse for him. Come, you coward, and show yourself,” One of the brigand chieftain’s band came forth, ina slouching manner, a fellow noted for nothing in particular, so far as appear- ance went, unless for his freckled face. ‘““ Why were you off your post?” the canv- tain demanded. “‘1—I—only went around ter git a chaw of terbacky, cap’n,” the poor fellow said humbly. “You wanted something to chew on, did you? Well, chew on this, and let it satisfy you for all time! The rest of you take warning by his fate.” - With his words he lifted his hand and sent a bullet through the man’s heart, drop- ping him dead in his tracks. The next moment came the voice from the air again; saying: “Dusky Dick, terrible thy fate when the ‘‘By: ther day o’ doom!” cried Gideon Gripes, ‘ but that ar’ was rough, cap’n, I be hinged ef et wasn’t.” «“You attend to your own business,” cried the reckless murderer, ‘‘or the same fate may be yours. Iam in no mood to be trifled with, I warn you. Away with that prisoner, before I drop him.” The men hurried the for their lives. *“Wull, I don’t want ter cross ye now, cap’n,” Gideon said, without any show of prisoner away, afraid ye ter pay heed ter that voice, fer I hev never yet knowed et tertell a lie. You heard what. et jest said.” “Yes, [ heard; what of it?” “IT take et that et means we had better take ther best kind o’ care that no loophole o’ danger is left open in this hyer camp.” ‘We have taken care of that.” ‘You hev jest fixed out one of yer mem fer bein’ off his post o’ duty, ain’t ye?” ‘* What of it? He deserved it.” “That is one less to back ye, that is all, icap’n. No, that ain’t quite all, either.” *“ What more, then?” “How do we know what ther other guards- men.ar’ doin’?” ‘* By Harry, that’s so!” ** Ye see, cap’n, my neck is in danger hyer as wellas yours, and these things can’t be looked after too keerfully,” “Well, what do you propose?” **T p’pose that you an’ me together takes: a walk out ter both posts, and sce fer our. selves jest what’s goin’ on.” “Tl do it!” ** And that will give us a good chance ter talk.” ‘We'll go. Boys, bury this fellow along with Jezebel, and every one of you take warning by their fate. Come on, Gideon.” ““ K-K-K-K—” Stuttering Steve had stepped up to the chief, and hat in hand humbly, began to cackle before him. ** Well, what do you want?” Dusky Dick demanded, breaking in upon him and so sav- ing him the trouble of getting out that word, at least. ‘*DP-d-d-d-don’t f-f-f-f-fergit t-t-t-t-to p-p- p-p-pay erat rnd th-th-th-th-that ,hn-hu- hu-hundred d-d-d-d—” Dusky Dick broke into a laugh, and for the time being his passion was over and men’s lives were safe. ** All right, Singer” he said, ‘‘ 1 won't for- get it, for you did a good piece of work, if what you say is all true. You are quicker with your weapons than with Pon tongue.” “Tf I w-w-w-w-wasn’t, re-re-reckom t-t-t-t-t’other fe-fe-fe-feller would ‘a’ got ther d-d-d-d—” “The drop on “Yes; he would buried, Steve.” The others laughed, and Dusky Dick and ‘Gideon set out upon their mission, ‘I tell ye, cap’n, ye take a big resk,” | Gideon remarked. ‘“ Why, how is that, Gideon?” the Dark Dread asked. “Don’t ye see—” | Before the old man could finish what he had started to say there came an interrup- tion. It was again the voice from the clouds, ** Gideon?” it called. ‘* Hello, what's wp now, I wonder?” Gid- eon exclaimed, stopping. Then he responded: ’ “Wull, old guide, whoever ye ar’, what’s wanted 0’ Gideon?” Then came the rejoinder, in words too plain and too distinct to fail of being under- stood: “‘ Gideon, beware; thereis treachery in the heart beside thee!” ° / Quicker than the lightning’s flash the old man had whipped out a glittering revolver, and its cold tube was pointed straight at the nose of Dusky Dick. “Did ye hear that ar?” the old fellow cried. ‘Did ye hear ~vhat ther voice said ter me? Thar’s only one heart here besides this old thumper o’ mine, and that other is yours.” ‘You're a fool!” cried Dusky Dick, coolly, though he was slightly pale in spite of his dark visage. ' “*Mebby I am, pardner,” said the old man, grimly, ‘but I’m not fool enough ter not 8-£-8-8- you?” the chief finished, we had you dead and fear in his tone, ‘‘but I do want ter warn | take a hint when it’s:dropped by that ar” . . 7 4 ‘ fee ge ® yl +f a ue Ay; t “unt ¥ Maa RNP Se eric : foe Bete CEL oe Dy DBhe Acar vie FS vac re pigs here, a © an i! 2 roe habeas * Abe SAT de! ig 4 Pt tind shi tines eee 7 a rn" . ‘ Sb i ac 4 ” nen 16 ows Sopra) a= Tee ane ci dia ta Fy nt lak ards
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and mebb ‘ 12 onseen voice that has often got me out 0’ fixes.” “Well, what are you going to do about it?” The demand was in as cool a tone as a man could use, and the keen eyes of the brigand ’ chief showed no fear. ‘First, pardner, I want ter know what et means.” “Tt means nothing, Gideon; what do you fake me for?” ‘*T know what ye ar’, Dusky Dick.” “What am I, then?” “Ther blackest-hearted wretch on the face of God’s earth this minute.” “«Thank you. And what are you?” **Not much behind ye, I reckon, ’cordin’ to ther reports ye hev read about me in ther papers from whar I’m knowed best. Thar’s a pair of us,” “Then why do you think’ I would play you false?” “Why? Didn’t ther voice jest say so?” ** And you believe in that fodlishness?” “You bet I do, pard. When that ’ar voice speaks, then I’m goin’ ter take heed teret. I reckon ye took notice thet I wasn’t a big heap offwhile gettin’ ther drop on ye.” ** You did it pretty soon,” I admit.” “And I’m goin’ ter keep et thar purty hard, too, you bet. Now, what ar’ you goin’ ter do about et?” ’ “What do you think I'll do about it?, I can’t do anything. You have got me ina fix, just now, and the more fool you. Come, put up your gun, and we'll talk it over like men of sense as We go on.” **That’s jest what I claim ter be, Dusky Dick, a man of hoss sense, and ther hardest kind of hoss sense at that, t6o, Qo ye'think Td let you git ther drop on me, now, and det ye do fer me what ye have jest done fer that old woman and that poor devil of a guardsman? Nary.” “Then what ave \you going to do about it?” “T’m goin’ ter keep on top, whar I am now. Up with yer hands, or by ther day o’: doom, I'll bore ye!” . They had spoken in low tones, and: this command, too, was in an undertone, * “Why, ‘you old fool, you have gone crazy.” The face of the brigand chief was now de- cidedly ashy,.and his voice a little shaky. **T guess et,” the old man declared; ‘‘ ’m jest crazy enough ter believe that ‘ar voice what we both heard, and now I give ye one second ter lift yer paws. I don’t mean.ter harm ye ef ye do that.” The order was so stern, the tone so grim, that the chief obeyed. “Thar, now ye hev showed yer hoss sense,” Gideon said, ina more friendly.tone than before, ‘‘I'll jest disarm ye, fer my own safety, while we walk on together, we kin come ter some sort of understandin’ in this hyer matter. I hope we kin,” He took the outlaw chief’s weapons from him while he was speaking, thrusting them in the legs of his boots, ;“* Well, this is the first time I ever got held up in my life,” Dusky Dick then said, with a light laugh. “ Et’s likewise ther first time ye ever bucked up ergainst old Gideon Gripes,” was the rejoinder. “And what have I done to you now, old man?” “That is what I want ter know, pard. ‘Ther voice said you had treachery in yer heart, and I want ter have et out with ye.” ». “ That voice is a liar.” ‘‘ Et yuster tell me ther truth, Dusky Dick. Et never lied to me before.” “Well, it has done so this time, and I ‘want you to take my word forit, Come, give me back my weapons.” . The brigand chief lifted a hand—for he had been allowed. to lower his arms—as if Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. to put it forth ina suey way, but with | the spring of a tiger he hurled himself upon éhe old man and tried to bear him backward to the ground, forced, and in a moment he ‘ay on the ground, flat upon his back, with his victori- ous antagonist astride of him, holding him there. CHAPTER XIII. ‘‘T see your game, now,” the Dark Dread gasped. T ‘ y oF Oy: wa? S H : char pels gaa * Et’s about time ye had a notion of et, pardner,” the easy response. “You think to put me out of the way, usurp my place, and then handle Dead- wood Dick to your own profit.” ‘You hev hit et, pardner.” As he made that reply to the brigand’s guess, he pulled his arms together closely and a pair of handcuffs were clasped upon his wrists. ** Handcuffs!” the man gasped. THEY were some distance away from the center of the camp, and unless one or the other called out, they were not likely to be heard. As a silent struggle it began, and as such) it continued. The first force of the attack varried the old man backward a little, but quickly his strong muscles came into play. Dusky Dick quickly found that he had found his match. ‘Curse you!” he hissed, ‘‘ T’ll grind you to “Yes, pard, and ef I can’t find ther key powder!” when et’s wanted, reckon ye will have ter * Not ef I kin help et, boy,” the invincible] have ’em filed off'n ye. But, ye won't want Gideon responded, a ‘em’ off right away, fer that won’t do,” “*Tll have your life!” “ Having done that, Gideon next gagged “ Not ef, I know et. You hev bucked up | the man and tied his feet, and that done, lifted ergainst Gideon Gripes from Texas, me son.” | him as though with no effort and bore him The brigand chief exerted his strength to | away. the utmost, but strength was met by strength, FoHowing out upon the trail that led and soon his force slackened. from the camp northward, he proceeded for ‘“That ther best ye could do?” inquired | some distance with his burden, and then he Gideon, coolly, holding him with a clutch of | turned from the trail wnd clambered off steel. ‘‘ Ef et is, ye ar’ not a match fer yer | among the rocks. dad yet, not by no means ye ain’t.” Finally he stopped, laid the helpless man ‘‘Ourse you, what are you made of any- | down, and said: how? There is nota manin my band can “Thar, cap’n, jest rest easy now till I come stand against me.” : baek ergain. Tl be back in less’n a day or ‘Yes tharis, too, cap’n, and hyer he is— | two, ef I come at all, and then we'll see Gideon Gripes.” what’s ter be done wi’ ye. Take et easy, “Well, I give up.” ; ;, and don’t git yerself in a fret about yer It was a forced surrender, for the chief | fix.” could do nothing against this man who op- With that the old fellow turned and re- posed him. } traced his steps, having deposited his man ‘* Satisfied that ye can’t do et, hey?” in such a position between’ the two rocks ** Yes; let up.” that it would beimpossible for him to get out ‘* And let you kill me at ther first chance?” | and away without help. “JT won't do it, Gideon. I know your When he came out again upon the main value too well, now.” : trail he did not return to the camp, but went “And I know your treachery, fer you | on in the direction of where the guardsmen would ’a’ killed me hyer and now, ef ye | were stationed. could.” He could hear them talking, as he drew ‘«T was in a rage.” near, and knew they were awake at any **No, ye wur cool enough, and ye meant | rate. ° cool murder, too.” When he came up he was promptly chal- “Well, what are be going to do about it? | lenged: One call from me will bring my men, and a “Who ar’ you, thar?” . word will send you to your fate.” ** Gideon, of Gideon’s band.” ‘“ You try et on an’ see who will die first. ** What's wanted, old hoss?” You open that trap o’ yourn fer a single *‘T hev come out ter see ef everything’s yaup, and see ef yer candle ain’t snuffed | all right,” , *fore ye kin say peep.” ** Yas, everything's lovely hyer.” ** What! you mean to kill me?” : ‘* You must keep an eye out fer a s’prise. ‘“‘Nary; won't harm one hair of yer head, | We ar’ afraid Deadwood Dick’s men ar’ ef ye will keep yer yaup-trap closed. Ef | around somewhere, an’ they may drop in not—” onter us when we least look fer’em. Keep “Then what do you mean to do?” wide awake, or ther captain will do fer ‘‘T mean ter protect my own life, that’s | ye.” what., That’s only nat’ral, ye know. I hev ‘* No sleepin’ hyer, you bet.” been warned, and Gideon Gripes den’t need ** All right.” but one warnin’ from that source.” The old fellow turned away, but stopped “Well, let’s go back, and you and your | before he had gone a dozen paces. band had better get out so there will be ** Say,” he called out, ‘I think you will no further trouble between us. downed me, and I own it, and as it is the first time I’m willing to take water.” ‘* Et can’t be done that way.” “Why?” *“Can’t tell ye nothin’ now; wait an’ *‘Can’t trust ye. I hev seen. enough of | see.” yer work this niglit to prove all the bad I’ve eard of ye, and more, and I know my life | the outpost in the other branch of the can- won't be safe a minute ef I let up on ye.” . ‘Well, call one: or two of my men, then—” ‘ ‘*No use, I reckon I kin take keer of ye | camp, where all was now quiet, without any help, and ef I can’t I'll have ter He entered the saloon. take ther wu’st of et.” " With a sudden effort the chief tried to | see who it was, and seeing him alone, they tear himself out of the grasp of his captor. demanded; But, it’ was the same as before, and he “* Whar’s ther cap’n?” soon had to submit. Gideon was ready for him, then, and as soon as the strength of the chief was relaxe he exerted his own, f about gettin’ thar.” ** What’s up?” awhile,” was the grim answer. ** What yer mean, old man?” Backward the terrible Dusky Dick was You have { be called in early, and ef ye ar’, we may have | news fer ye when ye come in, so don’t delay | yon. , Theré he had about the same talk with the men,‘ and leaving them, returned to the The men there looked up immediately to ‘“‘T have laid him by on ther shelf fer *“Wull, he tried ter do me up, same ashe — Ap He went on, then, and made his way to —
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did ther old woman and that poor feller, and he got ther wu’st of et.” “© What!” ** Not dead!” ** Ye ain’t killed ‘im!” ‘Keep yer shirts on, now, boys, keep yer shirts on, and don’t git excited about et. He ain’t killed, ner even hurt.” ‘«Then where is he?” ‘‘Laid on ther shelf, as I said. Doye know what he was goin’ ter do wi’ you lads?” ce No. ” ‘‘ Why, he meant ter give ye ther shake.” ‘* What do ye mean by that ’ar, old man? What was he goin’ ter do?” ‘“Why, he meant ter gobble that quarter milliOn, when et kem hyer, light out, an’ then leave you ter stand et.” ‘Was he goin’ ter do that?” ‘“'That’s what he was.” ' “Then whar is he?” demanded one man. ‘© We hev been talkin’ over ther way he done et up fer poor Freckles, an’ we hev about made up our minds ter take things in our own hands hyer.” Ye had?” ** Yas, we had.” ‘*Then I’m yer man fer a new dea!?” ‘What ye mean?” “7 mean that I’m with ye, and we'll go fer ‘*Hooray! That's what we'll do!” “’Rah fer Gideon! We'll all belong ter Gideon’s band!” ‘‘Ha! ha!’ ha! Yas, that’s what’s ther matter, fer Gideon is ther best man any- how.” “You bet he is,” ‘He'll be honest with ye, anyhow,” the old fellow declared, ‘‘an’ he’ll give ye what ye deserve, every time.” ‘* Hooray ! e'll all belong ter Gideon’s band, an’ we'll jest git up an’ whoop ’er up fer all we're worth, you bet! You ar’ ther new captain, old man; you ar’ the new cap- tain.” . ‘All right, boys, I’m willin’ to take et, but thar’s one man of ye that has got ter sur- render ter me.” : ‘* An’ who's that one, old man?” For answer, Gideon whipped out a revol- ver and pointed it at one of the men, the one who had planned with Dusky Dick to play him false. ‘* Thar he is,” he cried. ‘‘ He plotted wi’ Dusky Dick ter hand me and my family over to ther law and git ther reward that’s on our heads, and I ruther reckon we'll be doin’ ther right thing ter take keer he don’t do et. Hey, boys?” CHAPTER XIV. 5 SPREADING THE NET. ‘‘Wnat’s ther matter?” the prisoner de- manded, pale as death. pal, ‘** You know well enough what's ther mat- ter,” Gideon, declared. ‘‘ You know what you and Dusky Dick had in mind ter do.” *‘No, I don’t, nuther; you ar’ away off.” “Well, mebby I am, but you ar’ my pris- oner all ther same. Keep them ‘ar hands right up, now, while I talk a minute. This galoot, pards, is a traitor to us all, ther same as Dusky Dick himself.” ‘Hang him!” was shouted. **No, we won't do that,” said Gideon, “but we'll take care of him so’s he can’t do any harm. He was goin’ ter help Dusky Dick sell me out to ther Téxas officers and _ git ther reward, and then they was goin’ ter _ skip out with all ther boodle and leave ye in ther lureh.” : ; . .‘ Hang him! Hang him!” \ We'll hang him an’ Dusky Dick to- gether!” ~ ie _ “No, nothin’ of ther kind, but we'll take }. keer of ‘em that they don’t git out of our ‘ that quarter million and make a fair and | be content wi’ a small dose. Hyer, Jim square divide all around when we git et.” Gripes, go to ther cabin an’ git that jimmy- So, the men divided themselves in two» Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. aie 13 ——_-_—_ hands ter do us hurt, and we'll see to gettin’ , P’ll l'arn ye a lesson ye won't forget in a. that quarter million out 0’ Deadwood Dick; | hurry.” and, when we hev divided thall all around, | ‘*Gid Gripes, do ye know who you ar” share an’ share alike, we'll scatter and git | talkin’ to?” out, fer et’s goin’ ter be too hot hyer ther ‘Yas, I reckon I do, old woman; I’m talk- first we know.” in’ at you, straight. What have you been doin ‘*'That’s so.” | pokin’ your nose inter this jimmy-john—” “Yas, that’s what we'll do. _ | “7 won't stand that from you, Gid Gripes, ‘“Well, boys, hev ye got anything ter | I won't stand that ’ar from you! I want you drink in this hyer camp? I haven’t seen a | ter know that you and me’s one, and what's. ‘op sense I have been hyer.” yourn is mine; and by ther great old—’ drop en have hyer. “asl you ine; and by t g d— : No, thar ain’t a drop in ther Garden, Get out!” yelled Gideon, and lifting the cap’n,”’ | cmapty demi-john he threw it at her with ‘‘ We hev made hogs of ourselves, and now | force, barely missing her head, and she we're in a famine on ’count o’ that.” turned and ran. “« Jest what I thort meself. Waull, I want ye to drink to my good health, seein’ that ye 1ev made me yer cap’n.” me in that fashion, you bet. And you, Jim, ‘“Reckon we'll *thave ter drink water, | you run and git that jimmy-john before she: then.” downs ther hull thing fer spite.” ‘Nary. That won’t do. I hey got some- The son obeyed promptly thin’ along wi’ me, in some of my traps in| , ‘‘ Now, boys,” the new captain said fur- ther cabin, and I'll fetch it out. "Thar ain't | ther, ‘I want ye to go out and take yer much, but as I don’t drink meself et will go | places on guard, and _let t’other fellers come around, I guess.” jinand git a taste. You kin tell ‘em what's: ** You don’t drink?” > happened, and tell em we have made a new ‘No, fer ther reason that I’m ’flicted wi’ a | deal and ar’ goin’ ter have honest govern sort 9’ dainty stummick and can’t stand et. | ment hyer or none.” But, that don’t need ter interfere wi’ you, so ‘* All right, cap’n, what you say is law- I'll send and git ther nectar and let ye} And you bet they'll be hyer on a tall run, have a taste. Et won’t go fur, so ye must | when we tell 'em thar’s somethin’ ter tickle their throats with.” john.” ; companies and went out to take their*places: One of the old man’s sons set forth at once | on guard. upon the errand. ’ Gideon had cautioned them, too, to he ex-- They talked on until his return, and the | tra vigilant, declaring his belief that Dead: old fellow rose in favor among the menvery | wood Dick had help near at hand, and that minute. unless every precaution was ‘taken a surprise» When Jim came back he had the’demijohn | might be sprung upon the camp. , in hand. It was not a great while before the relieved. A cheer greeted him, and the gang of | guardsmen came running in, all out of ruffians quickly ranged themselves at the | breath. bar. ' ‘* Whar is et?” they panted. Gideon’s sons were among the others,| ‘“ Right hyer, boys, right hyer,” answered’ and Gideon himself took the demijohn and | Gideon. ‘‘ Come up and take et, fer et’s like. stepped behind the bar to deal out the ‘‘ dew | salvation—free ter all.” of hell” to them, , The men took their portions of the yile- “This hyer jimmy-john ain’t full,” he | stuff eagerly, and when all had drank, then: cried, as he shook it. ‘‘I thort it was full, | Gideon told them of the change that had been: to ther top. I'll bet ther old woman has been | made, and the reasons for it. . at et, and ef I find she has I'll give her per- They all greeted their new leader with a ticklar fits, you bet.” hearty cheer, Only one glass could be found, the others As by that time it was getting late, Gideom ld seek their bunks,, having been disposed of as targets for pistol | proposed that jhoy shou ile the whole camp was: practice when the bar went dry. and ina little w ‘“‘ See hyer, you boys,” Gideon said to his | asleep. sons, ‘‘ you jest drop out of this hyer till we | | The guardsmen who were watching over’ — see ef thar’s enough ter go around. Ef thar | Deadwood Dick and the other prisoner had’ is, then you will come in fer a drop, and ef | not been forgotten, by the way, but some of thar ain't ye won't.” _ | the liquor had been‘sent out to them while: His ‘“‘ boys” drew back from the bar in |; the outside guardsmen were waited tor, obedience, and the stuff was poured. F Next morning the sun was high before the: .From man to man Gideon passed along, | camp began to stir. giving each one about an equal quantity, and at the last man the supply gave out. up for some time, however, and had done: At that Gideon’s sons began to com- some important work. plain. . The old man and two of his sons had gone: “Ye didn’t do that fair, dad,” said one. out and brought in the prisoner—the brigand. ‘‘What’s ther reason I didn’t, I want ter chief. know?” was demanded. He had been placed in a cabin’ by him- ‘“* Ye gev ’em too much all around.” self. f \ ‘‘Never you mind me lads. These hyer| The men were a sleepy-looking lot, when ‘fellers has been wi’out fer a: long time an’ | they came forth, and they looked at one an-- they had ter have whether you got a drop or | other in an almost foolish manner. not. And thar’s more of ‘em out on guard ‘* What in ther doose has struck us?” ques-- that’s got ter have a dose, too.” tioned Injun Jack. ‘‘I never slept as tate as: Said one man: this in my life afore, and I feel now as if I ‘* Et looks like a dry chance fer ‘em, now, | hadn’t had half enough.” cap’n.” ; ‘*Th-th th-thet is 'j-j-j-j-jest wh-wh-what’s: ‘‘ No, I’ve got a little more of ther stuff at | ther m-m-m-mat-matter wi’ m-m-m-me,” stut- ther cabin, ef that old woman ain't drunk et | tered ‘Stuttering Steve. “I f-f-f-feel lili all up, an’ ef she has—” | like a f-f-f-f—” At that moment the better half bounded |. ‘‘ Yes, and ye lok like a fool, too,” inter- into the place with a whoop. _ _ | rupted Rooster Rube. ‘ ‘See hyer, you Gid Gripes!” she cried. “PD d-d-d-dang et! I wasn’t g-g-g-g-goin’ ‘What d’ye mean by sendin’ and takin’ that : ter s-s-s-s-say f-f-f-f—” , ’ar likker out of ther cabin, when—” ‘Ye had better wait till ye git over inter: ‘Look hyer, now, old woman,” Gideon | ’ternity, ’fore ye try ter git that word clear: interrupted, ‘‘ you shut your head and git ! out, Singer,” suggested Red Mike. : right back whar ye kem from. | Ef ye don't, | And at that there was a laugh. or ? “‘T’ll Varn her what she'll stand!” Gideom. . cried. ‘I don’t let no woman talk back to: . Gideon and his band—his family—had beem ~ ]
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gee, ees 14 Gideon Gripes ¢ame out from his cabin, stretching himself, and called out: ‘«Guess we hev tried ter make a hull night ©’ et, boys. Thought we had begun our everlastin’—er that’s what I would’a’ thought ef I had thought a tall. When I woked up 1 thort ther camp was dead. Wonder how ther guard stood et?” ‘« Et wasn’t no guard at all, ef et slept like I did,”’ said one. “Wull, go out and bring ’em all in,” or- dered Gideon, ‘‘and we'll try ‘Dusky Dick and see what’s ter be done wi’ him.” Messengers set off, and.while they were gone the other prisoners were brought 6ut, the old man, Gideon, saying he would make . one job of the-whole business, Deadwood Dick and the other men were brought forth bound, but the woman pris- -oner was allowed to come forth free. She had been permitted to make her toilet, too, and was altogether a different person in_ appearance. Young and fine-looking, she had the air of a lady born, and a face of intelligence. At sight of her the prisoner—Brandson— cried out: ; ‘*Kate!l—Kate Rossetyr! How can you longer deny your identity? I would know you among a thousand!” CHAPTER XV. . MAKING THE HAUL. THE young woman looked at him when he spoke, but gave him no other sign of recog- nition or attention. He addressed her again, with more strength of language, but was not noticed even then, and in a rage he turned upon Deadwood Dick. ‘““And you!” he cried. ‘‘ You He when bi say you are other than Dick VanDeyke. know you, and you cannot deceive me. Were I free, I would have your life!” “* You will not be free in a hurry, though, Raybold Brandson,” was the answer. ‘‘ You are in the hands of persons who will take care of you for that little job of forgery.” The man paled. ‘““How knew you of anything of that, Deadwood Dick?” he demanded. “Ha! you admit that I am Deadwood Dick, then?” ‘* You must be, to know that.” P ** Well, you are not far from the truth.” Just then a cheer was heard. Gideon and his son Peter were coming from one of the cabins with Dusky Dick a prisoner. There wasa shout sor liis hanging without trial, and a rush was made, but Gideon way- ed them back with a revolver, shouting: ‘‘ No, not yet, boys; wait till Ihave some- thin’ ter say “bout et.” . _ Gideon and his son led’ the prisoner for- ward to the stoop of the saloon, which raised them a little above the others around, so that all could see as well as hear; and turn- ing to his band, said: : : ‘Now, before we, attend ter this galoot, let’s see about t’other prisoners and see jest what’s what. Deadwood Dick, you first: Is that your name or is it not? We want straight facts, and we’re goin’ ter have: ’em.” ‘Well, then, it is no¢ my name.” “* Who, then, ar’ ye?” , ‘*T am Richard Van Deyke.” “What, then, was your object in tellin’ that ye wur Deadwood Dick? That’s what I want ter know.” ‘‘T did it to save my life.” ‘And how was that goin’ ter save ye?” “Why. if Deadwood Dick is rich as you say, I thought to pass for him,” ‘“*Wull, that’s a purty weak story, I take et. If ye got found out at et, do ye think that would save yer life?” ** Hardly.” ; | “* And do ye think we'll spare et now?” A SS ee ee =-et Deadwood Dick, J r.’s, Rival. thing by holding me, and you can’t gain any- thing by killing me.” ‘* Let us both go free,” cried Brandson, ‘and only one will leave this place alive!” “No, your goose is cooked,” Gideon de- clared. ‘‘ We’ll see what Dusky Dick has ter say fer himself before. goin’ further. Pete, jest give him ther use of his jaw.” _ The gag was removed. ‘“* A thousand curses on you!” the brigand chief roared. ‘‘ Men, I call on you to shoot him down like a dog, and then free me!” “That little jig is up,” said Gideon, calm- ly. ‘‘ We have had a new deal hyer, Iam now captain, and all these men ar’ Gideon’s band. Ye see, that don’t work fer a cent.” “What! You are false tome?” the chief cried. ‘* Yas they ar’,” Gideon answered for them. “T hev told them how ye meant ter play ‘em, and they ar’ onto ye.” ‘Men, it’sale /” the frantic prisoner cried. ‘« He is the one who will play you false! Re- lease me, and we’ll-hang the lot of them, and then for that quarter million.” Hands fell upon weapons. “That quarter-million will be all right,” declared Gideon, ‘*‘and when et comes hyer every man will get a shareinet. But, ye see, now, this prisoner denies that he is Deadwood Dick, and ef that’s ther case ther money is gone ter smoke.” ** He lies!” ‘‘No, I do not lie, for Iam not Deadwood Dick.” ** Hearken, ye!” The voice came from the air over their heads, and all looked up. : : “Ther voice again,” cried Gideon. ‘‘ Wull, what is et?” “The time is now ripe. The net has been spread; now make the haul.” The men looked at one another in wonder- ment. — ‘*That’s what’s ther matter!” a high-keyed voice shouted, ‘* Great old hambone of de; vastatin’ days o’ chronic demolishun! I kin stand this hyer rig no longer, an’ hyer et goes!” - The personage was ‘Mrs. Gripes,” and as she shouted she came running to the front, tearing off her clothes as she came, and as she ended she stood forth a homely, wrink- led old man—a man without any ears, a de- fect which the wig of woman’s hair had kept from notice before. There was no mistaking him, it was Old Avalanche, the one-time ‘‘Great Injun Annihilator.” ‘ ‘*No more blasted woman’s toggery for me!” he cried, prancing around. ‘Great hambone of ther dusty days o’ prehistoric revolutionary floods an’ famines, no! hev a plenty, thank ye. And fer you, Dicky, boy, yer ears shall be punished fer many & day ter come, for ther forced silence ye hev made me observe!” He shook his head at Gideon. : No one seemed able to take in the situa- tion yet. What meant it?” ‘Yes, the time is ripe,” Gideon spoke, in a changed voice, a clear, stern, ringing tone. With afew quick movements he cast off his false hair and beard, and threw from him the over garments he had been wearing, and there stood forth—Deadwood Dick, Junior, the redoubtable Richard himself! The men paled, fell back before him, and every hand drew a weapon. j ~ «Who ar’ you?” demanded Rooster Rube, in a husky voice. ‘‘T am Deadwood Dick,” was the cool re- sponse. f ** Kill him!” thundered Dusky Dick. A scote of weapons clicked, but no report came forth. And then came the order from every side for the band of villains to raise their hands. They looked, they paled, and dismay fell - “You might as well. You can’t gain any- upon them. Ten men, besides Deadwood | — CO — Sar ! : Dick himself, held them covered with glitter- ; ing revolvers! Deadwood Dick laughed at them. ‘* You see you have fallen into a trap,” he ; Said, ** Dusky Dick, I was sent here by the Government for the purpose of capturing you and your band, and I have done it. I have only these ten with me, my Decade, I ' call them.” ‘‘Oh, that I might be free, with a weapon inp hand!” the brigand chief cried, and he tugged at his bonds to get free. ‘“You are helpless,” said Dick. ‘It is all up with you. Ihad my plans well laid, and though I had to change them greatly to accommodate circumstances as I found them | here, I have been successful. This lady, sir, is my wife and able partner in my werk, Kodak Kate. You can now see that she and this other lady look very much alike, and that I and Mr. VanDeyke resemble each other.” Yes, Kodak Kate was there, having pass- ed as ‘‘ Sally Gripes,” wife of ‘‘ Peter,” and mother of the three youths. These were, re: spectively, Dolan Hardy, Billy Bucket, and Johnny Smile. ’ The other six were well-known detectives on Deadwecd Dick’s staff—for Dick, now, was at the head of a strong agency in the West-land. ; ‘Tt was.a clever trick, lam willing to claim,” Dick said further. ‘‘ These papers we showed You were printed in full at Bristol City for the one purpose of deceiv- ing you, and it worked well. And, had anything miscarried, we had enough dyna- mite bombs at hand to blow you all out of this gulch in one minute. And now, since you know me for what Iam, it is needless for me to go over my work in detail.” “Can I duy my freedom?’ asked Dusky Dick, coolly. ; ‘*No; you can not, sir. You are my prisoner, and I will hand you over to the authorities.” ‘Men, at them!” the brigand chief then shouted. ‘‘ You are five to one, and you can down them if you will! At them, no matter | if you are unarmed!” ens | ‘The rush was made, and it would have succeeded, but weapons spoke sharply and half a dozen of the rascals went down; and seeing that only death awaited them, the { others threw up their hands, ‘“Hold on!” cried out Stuttering Steve. “«T sur-sur—” ’ value, your life,” Deadwood Dick declared, piri: © ‘* Bind them, men, every One.” | That was done. Then Richard VanDeyke was released, and he and Kate Rossetyr clasped each other in arms. Their story was simple. Kate was the only child of a rich American residing in Mexico, and her father had desired her to marry Brandson. She had refused, and in order to wed VanDeyke, whom she loved, had eloped with him. They had fallen in the way of; Dusky Dick, who captured the ‘he men, searching for her—and Brandson for VanDeyke, likewise fell into the hands of the outlaw \band. : and his ten tcok their prisoners safely to the | ' deserved. Dick received great praise for the | difficult task he had so skillfully accomplish- A ed, as well as the reward that had been offered, and the latter he divided equally among his men. VanDeyke and his prom: ised bride went with them to Bristol City where they were married, and where they | settled down—for a time at any rate, having become fast friends with Deadwood Dick and Kodak Kate, whose parts they had been forced to play. i THE END. ay ae ah Sass ae ee a . eee ae mm! pene ty ‘Yes, the only thing you can do, if you” ~ roung woman and held her for ransom, - And so ends our story. Deadwood Dick authorities; where they delivered them up,. and each one of them met the fate he justly poe jg ag FF BNE a 2 iets Sey tas 5 vA —— a OF £ TOR, «
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+ ee al pe > OP Aan SET Pry he eats - = ’ a ay he re 2 base, i aie “g Se Re act > ah Pee" En RSH 7 be ¢ oe Oe se 7 ey: = PN. + fe eye .up the running, an From the New York Evening Sun. . TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. = The Deadwood Dicks, Senior »« Junior, are the Gentlemen, ' There Have Already Been Ninety Volumes Published Relating to Their Astounding Courage, Coolness and Skill. In only one sense of the word can. it be regarded aS a novel statement when the fact is here recorded that literature has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader will have to think a moment over this remark before the subtle Melloney of its genial wit strikes home, But il is most essentially a half dime novel state- ment that will be news to many when it is added that literature, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, would show but few heroes that in the eyes of boy- hood would be even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly reveal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. Perhaps if everything were known of his career in bookland, Robinson Crusoe would rank above any hero ever offered to the boys of the world, fur Robinson made his appearance a long time ago and his adventures have been translated into pretty nearly all the languages that are priatable; but while Robinson is and ever will b : a worthy person- age, he is, it is to be feared, most decidedly a back number in the eyes of several millions of the boys and young men of to-day. And then, too, Robinson’s reputation was made and safely anchored to leeward at a time when com- etition in the manufacture of heroes of juvenile Ftesature was so slack that it is scarcely worth mene tioning. Had he a ater his debut until to-day Robinson would have had to hiré a press agent, o the very objectionable type known asa hustler, and even with that assistance the odds are that he would have experienced a severe frost. Robinson, like many other bygone characters calculated to thrill the juvenile mini, labored under the disadvantage of having only a comparatively few adventures, and he was further very heavily handicapped by having to confine his adventures within the narrow circles of probability and com- mon sense. The modern heroes of fic.ion for youn America, who are now as countless as the sands o the sea, and of whom the Deadw20d Dicks are much the most important, are not trammeled by any such coofined conditions, and with the bars let down ad- mitting them to the boundless expanse of the utter- ly impossible, it is but natural that their unnatural- ness should bear away the palm of Bopularitys and such as Robinson be left far behind in the race. Therefore the statement 6f the surpassing promi- nence of the two Deadwood Dicks having been so emphatically made, it will be as well to justify the emphasis with some facts about their history from a bookseller’s point of view, before plunging into the seething vorex of their recorded lives, Deadwood Dick made his first appearance before the public in 1877, under the auspices of Beadle & Adams, the William street publishers of popular literature for the masses, and for fourteen years he or his son has been reappearing at intervals, which were at first irregular, but they have now settled down ta a basis of once in six weeks. Tt was in 1885 that Deadwood Dick the elder made his final appearance after thirty-three volumes of adventure, and his son, Deadwood Dick, Jr., who had been growing up in them for many years, tuok has kept it up to the tune of very nearly fifty volumes more in the six years that have passed since his remarkable father was buried. ; During the fourteen years they have been on the market these stories have been sold at five cents a volume, and the circulation ak have attained throughout the length and breadth of the land, has been in the aggregate something truly vas*, for the entire series 1s kept constantly ia print, and many of the early issues are pow enjoying a sale of their ¢wen!y-seventh or thirtieth edition. Tt can bs easily believed, therefore, that the two yy engrafted on the tree of, popular y_itse! | interests of morality that the flow of bot are known as Deadwood Dick clubs, which are or- ganizations consisting of from three to a dozen boys, who take turns in buying the Deadwood Dick novels as they appear, and reading them in rotation, so that in the case, for instance, of a club of six mem- bers, each member would be kept thoroughly in- formed of his pet héro’s latest doings, at a cost of only five cents once in thirty-six weeks, while when nine of these economical young enthusiasts pool their issues in the same direction a nickel will serve the purpose for a whole year. Mr, Victor, in his curious and intervsting task of editing this phase of the literature cf the day for one of the most extensive publishing houses in the business, has weighed the Spano carefully, and finds that a volume once in six weeks is just about the amount of Deadwood Dick, Jr., that his count- less admirers can comfortably absorb and digest, In England, too, this extraordinary series of eighty volumes telling of the doings of father and son has been republished for years, to the infinits delight of the boys and youths of Great Britain and the solid satisfaction of the London publishers that had the pleasure of thus getting square with America on the piracy question. “ When I received the first Deadwood Dick story,” said Mr, Victor, ‘I was struck with the freshness of the author’s siyle, and after toning it down a little sent it to the pagal The story made a hit and I accepted another and another until we found that the character was becoming unusually popular among our patrons, **T kept urging the author to make the stories less terrifically forcible in the language of his rougher characters, and gradually thé sulpburous nature of their dialogues became moderate enough to need but little editing, and at the same time the torrents of liquor that flowed like rivers through his earlier manuscripts, dwindled to rivulets under the influ- ence of my appeals for Jess rum, “The author urged the absolute truth of both the language and the amount of whisky-drinking that he attributed to his characters, but [ begged in the one and the other be curbed, and of course the stories were none the worse for his doing so. **Deadwood Dick, himself, was also gradually re- formed and changed from the outlawed terror of the law-abiding to the deadly foe of the law break- ers, and when once that transformation was achieved his subsequent course in the path of vir ue was an assured success. “True, the path was a’ somewhat rocky, bloody and dangerous one; butno one who foll:ws him along its various ups and downs can doubt its virtue, an’ from that virt..e he never deviated,” The tull and official list of the titles of tLis re- markable series would fill at least a column of The Brening Sun. It contains some real gems in the way of names calculated to attract the youth in search of a thrill. For instance there is Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross, A Wild, Strange Tale of the Leadviile Mines—of Men of Steel—of Toughs and Tigers—of Road-agents, Regulators, Avengers, Adventurers, and of the Thrilling Life in the New Eldorado. Can any one deny the comprehensiveness of that or his probable power of seducing nickels from the pockets of novel-reading boys? Then there are a number ¢f delightfully alliterative titles, such as Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, or, the Double Daggers, and Deadwood Dick’s Double, or, the Ghost of Gor- gon’s Gulch. Peculiarly fetching, too, in their forceful effect on the small boy’s p°cket money must be Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop Up; Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crackshot, the Girl Brigand; Deadwond Dick’s Death Trail; Deadwood Dici’s Death Plant, and Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. In the selection of localities fur his adventures Dead- wood Dick, Jr., shows far mere desire for variety than the old ‘man ever did, for he has volumes that relate his remarkable doings in New Yofk, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Roches- ter, Buffalo, San Francisco, Denver, Galveston Lea‘ ville, and« ven at Coney Island, The tilles of the younger hero’s volumes show that he met with and got the better of swindlers, bunco men, coun- terfeiters, bank robbers, horse thieves, smugglers, pirates, stage robbers, and, indeed, pretty nearly every sort of criminal known to the pol'ca, while his father confined himsrlf almost exclusively to root- ing out the Weste:n type of badmen. Progress has, therefore, a worthy representative in Deadwood Dick the younger. It is surely not necessary to add that in the mod- erate compass of a newspaper article, only the merest shadow 9f justice can be done to the careers of any heroes that have had such an eee ate collection of stories as that written about them. If month or so were given toa careful reader for the task, he might, with the assissance of a double-entry bookkeeper, tabulate the number of blood-curdling episodes that occur in the eighty volumes, together with the exact number of persons who are shot, stabbed, hanged and removed in sundry less cons ventional borderland ways, such as peng tossed into quicksands, burned inthe tops of forest giants, fed to bears or made to try and walk on tight ropes across bottomless chasms, > The final summary would be something eppaliing in its gory magnitude, and would form a record o slaughter that would shame tne battle of Gettys- | burg, but it might prove a source of eatertainment to some idle person of a sanguinary turn of mind, anc so the ideais suggested here. The variety of duels in these stories is another sources of wonder to the reader, and it must be ack- nowledged that Mr. Wheeler has as prolific an imag- ination as it is possible to conceive. Every volume of the series fairly bristles with episodes of a nature that makes those related in the more ordinary 10- cent or 5-cent stories seem as mild as hotel milk, and hotel milk has been pronounced by scientists to be th» mildest object in nature. In coming face to face with the notes of a variety of episodes and adventures in the books which thc writer made as he hurriedly went th:ough the eighty volumes, and which he hoped to utilize in this article, an overpower sense of pave bucked up against the impossible rears its dre front and mocks the man who dared to face the task of doing justice to the subject, / Once or twice a flowing L food, has been tossed off, and with grim determina- tion the struggle made to sift the material on hand and condense it into something like a reasonable shape. } With a heartfelt sigh the colossal task has, however. been reluctantly abandoned. Ther are the eighty volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope to do panties to chem collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tween them, The three larger pictures illustrating this article have been selected at random from eighty just as interesting, and the smaller ones are por raits of Deadwood Dick, his wife, Calamity Jane, and Deadwood Dick, Jr, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts from their lives causes infinite pain, but if once ~ start were made in that direction, it would be crue’ to Zhe Brening Svn’s reac ers to stop, and it is there-_ fore’ better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written, and until :he glut of gore and supernatural courage and success of the heroes becomes indi- geatible to the ordinary mind, there is much amuse- ae to be found in adventures of the Deadwood icks, The small boy and his larger brother have min?’s attuned by nature to absorb the music of the con- stant flow of villains’ blood and the never-cessing cracking of rifles and revolvers that keep the silence in a perpetual state of unrest throughout the Dead- wood Dick series, but it is not so with a more meture mind, and unless you sre a small ey ora y uth prone toadmire tbe terrifically heroic in li erature, you are advised not to purchase the entire eighty volumes, but to try a sample here and there from the list. If you area small boy, or the other fellow you doubtless know more about it than the writer, | and so don’t want any advice on the subject, Asa parting tribute to Mr, Wheeler, the owner of the brain that bas evolved and continues to evolve the most porte boys’ stories of the day, {t is but fair to add, and an interesting fact as well, that he has also found time to dash off some novels about Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; Bob Woolf, the Girl Dead-Shot; Death-Face, Detective; Old Ava- lanche; Wild Edna, the Giri Biisand; Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phoenix; Buckhorn Bill; Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; Rosebud Rob; Nugget Ned; Idyl, the Girl Miner; Photograph Phil; Canada Chet; Watch: Eye; Jack Hoyle, the Young Speculetor; Gilt- Edged Dick, the Sport Detective; Cinnamon Chip, | the Girl Sport; Bonanza Bi!l hoe Reb, the King of Bootblacks; Solid Sam, the Agent; Cap- tain Ferret, the New York Detective; New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective; Nobby Nick of Neva- da; Wild Fiank, the Buckskin Bravo; Fritz, the Bound Boy Detective; Snoozer, eee Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; Denver Doll the Detec- tive Queen; Turk, the Boy Ferret; ao 2 the Tcll-taker; "Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; Rate rie & Co, the Detectives of Philadelphia; . Little Qnick Shot; - raroo Kit, the Mysterious Miner; Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood; First- _ ‘el d: Yreka Jim, the Gold,Gatherer; Nabob Ned; PERL Kit. the King of Kids; Bicycle Ben; Wrinkles, the Night Watch Detective: High Hat Harry, the Baseball De the Beggar Boy Detective; Jim Private Detect ves; and Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher, He may therefore be Drone ae airy be 4 ler from Etorytell-rsvilie, and the Deadwood Dick stories will be bis towering monument, eaker of mcexie o7 nerve | y_ Sharp; tective; Sam _ Slabsides,
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Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. wee DEADWOOD payee 1 Deadwood Dick. the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double aggers, 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, 85 Deadwoo! Dick in his Castle; or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Cliade Duva), 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, %3 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy Rover. Deadwood Dick in Leadville. Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. Deadwood Dick as Detective, Deadwood Dick’s Double. ano Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde ill. Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel. Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure, Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam, 232 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Eagle Bar. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ocean to Ocean. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. 321 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Pnantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. 351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or. The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. ~ 5 Co ~ ‘ ~_ 100 104 109 129 138 149 156 195 201 B 217 \ : ( “cath mA Th Deadwood Dick in New York. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned. 53 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferret, 5 Deaiwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, Deaiwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Huniboldt Harry, the Hurricaue. Dea !wood Lick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Mys‘ery. Dea iwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of the West, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator, 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cowl, the Road Raider, 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, 5%2 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, 599 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom, : 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville. : 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s List Green Game, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44, 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue. 654. Dead wood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, or, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ** Gathered In.” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. 695 Deadwcod Dick, us at Danger Divide; or, Jeveloping the Dead Secret. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight, 710 eet eiage ais in pic Francisco; or, Codak Kate, the Snap-Shot, 716 apy roel ng cian Jr.’s, aoe Hunt; or, The econd Roun: in San Francisco, 922 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 per, Aga Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, e Man of Iron. 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The: All-Around Surprise, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch. 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, %64 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat, %76 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. 787 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied, 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Device, oe oa ena ae ! r,s, an dsia pM seen ead Ww ck, Jr.’s, Diamor ce, 807 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Royal Flush, 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. in Durango; or, The The or, or, Issues to Follow: 817 Wideawake, the Train-boy Detective. By Col. A. F. Holt. 818 Clean Grit, the Boy Hustler. By William. R, Eyster. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. By Col. Prentiss. Ingrabam. Ready April 4. For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.