Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 22) (1884 06 11)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
Vol. I, ? ‘ Fz ve 82.50 Priee, o Year. Five Cents. Or, Deadwood | Dick's Bonanza. EA. L. Whe, BY AUTHOR OF Ter, “DEADWOOD DICK,” ETC, ETO, DEADWOOD DIOK’S ESCAPE,
Page 2
2 The Phantom Miner. | The Phantom Miner; Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. A Talo of the Great Silver-Land of Idaho, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK,” ‘DOUBLE DAGGERS,” “BUFFALO BEN,” “WILD IVAN,” ““DEATH- ~ FACE," ETC., ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. “BONANZA” SHOOTING—OLD FACES IN NEW FRAMES. Eurexa! I do not know that. you can find it by looking on the map of Idaho; nevertheless it is there—a pros- rous little gold and silver-mining town, nestling in he mouth of a gulch of the Salmon river mountains and fronting westward toward as grand a prairie ocean as.ever existed. Some one had eried * Eure- ka!” when the wild tortuous ich’s end was reach- ed; and they had stopped right in its mouth, found abundant mineral resources, and built a city, Nota city of brick or stone, but a city of rude cabins and shanties, which were immediately filled by a popu- lation of two or three thousand souls, who rushed in from the other towns to share the excitement of the new-found Srike. The width of the gulch-mouth would admit of but two or three streets, running intermountainward, but the houses were scattered here and there, wherever a foundation could be planted. It might justly be called a modern Deadwood city, for it lacks very few of the features of the Black Hills metropolis, while it adds to the striking active drama of real life in the mines. A rushing, red-hot city is Eureka! She boasts of the best silver-ore and golden sand in the territory; she counts her saloons, hotels and gambling-houses by the score; she has stores, a ehurch G rare thing to find in a far-western mii if town), a post-office. and several.ore-breakers in full ious, whom wealth and refinement has set apart from the main rough mining element, Wide-awake, active and prosperous is the condi- tion in which we present Eureka tothe reader. * Night has fallen over the city; a few pale stars keep a silent vigil overhead, awaiting the coming of the late moon; the air is pure, and Ciaericeuped as it is wafted down from the mighty mountains that rear their forest-crowned summits, far, far-above. Down below nestles the city, not in repose, but bustling and lively, with the streets througed, and the saloons crowded.. A couple of men, evidently new comers to Enreka, were sauntering slong the” main street, smoking _ cigars, onjgyane the invigorating breeze, and watch- ing. the resi ‘ide of humanity around them. wo men, opposite in appearance and age, yet apparently great friends. One a young man, with a fresh, handsome face, bold in expression, and mag- netic black eyés and hair—the-latter fp, be- low his shoulders; straight, erect form, which hard service in rough western life had touzhened, and a bearing fearless and manly to a fault. His dress was black buckskin with ns faneifully bead- 4 , slouch hat of the ed, to match, and a broad same hue his . Unlike thosé around him, he wore belt-weapons, bly trusting to his hands for defense in case of necessity. A peneenne looking fellow be was, and people naturally stared as he sauntered bys” 2 a His compataion was a little dried-up_ indiyidual, well along in years, wiry of form and well-developed —an uncouth, yet comical little fellow, grim of.fea- ture and sharp of glance; a man who might be de- pended upon in friendship or feared in enmity. He was clad in regular frontier style, and armed with a small arsenal of belt weapons, in addition to a Spencer rifle slung to his back. At his heels trotted, in sullen defiance of the jeers of a crowd of boys, an ugly, vicious creature of the genus capru, who seemed to answer the demand for a dog very creditably. Many were the glances centered upon the trio as they strolled along, by the observing Eurekaites, and when at last they entered a saloon, over whose entrance was the suggestive title of “fhe Man-Trap,” not a few of the Eurekaites went also. The interior of the ‘‘Man-Trap” proved to be slightly more attractive than the exterior, being fur- nished after a rude fashion with a bar, chairs and tables, and the walls hung with mirrors and pictures, Tt was a whisky-trap and a gaming den combined, and was already filled with excited patrons. “Come this way. Dicky,’ said the old man, el- bowing his way through the crowd. . “We've a right ter hév our say in heer, if ther old court knows hersel’. How's this,eh? Begins to luk like Deadwood, don't et?” . “Begins to savor that Wess for a truth,’’ replied the young man, a faint smile playing from under- neath his slight Lee | mustache. “Hardly Dead- wood, after all, though.” “Wal, mebbe not, but thar’s fun here, as old Cleo- tra sed when she tickled a jack-mule in ther left ind fut wi’ her needle. Haydoogins o’ fun, Arfter we onc’t git a’quainted, we'll be all hunky.” They sauntered around, now and then stopping to watch a game, but finally moving toward a rear ortion of the saloon, where a shooting gallery was jocated. “Hurral who sez Lain't ther crack shot of Eure- ka?” bellowed one of the crowd who were gathered around the stand, “Seventeen bull’s-eyes out of twenty-five, /'m tellin’ you.” “Pshaw, "Buckskin; you're no shot!” replied the keeper, a young woman somewhere between seven- teen and nineteen years of age, and one of the pret- tiest the two strangers had yet seen in Eureka, “You're a blower; that’s your sum total.” _ “You're a humbug, Noisy Nell,” replied Buck- skin. * Ye think thar’s no one kin shuts quite so purty as yerself, an’1 allow 1 can shute clear over “You've just tried, and have a string of shots to pay for, as a result!” ‘oisy Nell was very pretty of face and feature, witht rose-tinted cheeks, a small shapely mouth of tempting sweetness; flashing, sparkling, brownish- blue eyes, and hair to match, which swept in an un- confined cloud quite to her waist. Her form was east in nature’s happiest mold, symmetrical and She was clad in a silken Spanish dress, low in the neck, sleeveless and just short enough to expose the pretty ankles and small slippered feet. Buckskin was a brawny customer, with ruffian clearly written in his dark sinister countenance, and gleaming from his bloodshot eyes. -“Thev astring ter pay, hey?” he replied; ‘ wal, dest figure thet down on yer slate thet you've hung har; an’ I'll bet a three-ounce nugget, ag’in’ a kiss frum yer honey-trap, thet I kin plum the bull's-eye more times out of forty than you can.” . . "Done! cried Noisy Nell, instantly. “If you win, ou shall have the kiss; if I win, ’ibtake the nugget. ere. give your stakes to this young man,” and she pointed to the younger of the two strangers who had now, drawn near. - * Git out!” cried Buckskin, in contempt; ‘d’ye s’pose I'd trust ¢hat rooster? Not much! Hold my own nugget, “Then you won't shoot with me,” replied Nell,
Page 3
The Phantom Miner. “T wouldn't trust you two feet away. Gen- coolly. is there any of you who wishes to try a tlomen, string?” “Wal, gal, dunno as it would be any harm ter try,” said the elder of the strangers, stepping up and ex- amining the target-rifle. ‘‘My name is Old Ava- lanche, miss, an’ my old eyes can’t crawl along a rifle barrel as they once could. Ef thet target thar war an Injun, Ifancy I ked puta current o’ electri- city thru him wuss’n a streak o’ wicked lightnin’, Tell ye w’at I did do, once. Ther great Annihilation --that_ is me, Old Avalanche, my goat Florence Night-in-a-gale, an’ ole Prudence Cordeliar,my mare, —war up in Montana, huntin’ Injuns, an’ sellin’ their sealps fer dcor-mats. **One day we run forninst about sixteen thousan’ o’ the pesky varmints, out on ther perry, an’ they maneuvered around till they got on ther right an’ left side 0’ me, an’ fetched up in ther rear, leavin’ a nat- ural lane ter scoot thru—a gantlet ter run, wi’ guns coverin me wi’ deadly aim. But thes old devasta- tin’ ea pyceenic pegged nary an inch, not for Han- ner! Ijest raised old Pune hem-Judy, my gun, an’ let drive a bullet down thet lane, like refined Hight. nin’, an’ actooally, sir, ther suction or draft 0° thet bullet war so treémendous, thet et jerked every cussed Injun for’a'd on his face, an’ brokehisa ne k!” A roar of langhter went Me from the crowd, in which Noisy Nell joined heartily. “Thet war no more’n a muskeeter on ther back uv an elefant ter what I hey seen done, tho’,”” remarked the Annihilator, dryly. “* Yes, gal, don't mind tryin’ ter fetch thet bell yonder, tho’ ther old man ain't so young as he used ter be. This is my pard, Dead mean Nedward Harris. He’s sum on ther shute. Yes, don’t care ’f I do.” And the next moment the rifle was at the old man’s shoulder, there was a flash, a report, and an answering ring from the target. “Thar. That's one fer me,” commented the old man. ‘Load up, gal. Noisy Nell obeyed with alacrity, and again the old man sighted and shot. Twenty times in succession he fired, and every time the bell rung. “Good shootin’, sir,” said Noisy Nell, as the An- nihilator set down the gun, “I’ve seen crack shots that couldn’t beat it.”” “ Oh! wait til ye see my boyce, heer, shute,” was the grim response. ‘ Heer, Nedward, try yer fist.” “Not with the rifle; Alva,” repli ed Harris, shaking his head. ‘ There's'no fun in that for me. Give me about four of those six-shooters you carry.” “Heer they are, then, but I'm afeered you're countin’ too much, Thet target are deceivin’, ef my old optics ain’t in fault,” “Oh! that’s all right.” langhed Harris, coolly. “Perhaps there is some enterprising individual resent who wants to bet that I cannot put twenty- our bullets in one mark upon the bull’s-eye.”” Then the handsome ex-road-prince looked calmly around him, scanning the sea of grim faces. It was a bold challenge, with a fair chance for winning, and stili no one seemed eager to wager money on it. “Guess there isn’t much money in the crowd, or else not much savd, Mr. Harris,” said Noisy Nell. “A fair chance, gentlemen, and success for you al- most certain.” This appeal brought forth a tall, lank, gray-beard- ed man, with sallow complexion and sunken, wild eyes, and a murmur of “Red Brand!” ran through the crowd, as he maaped his way through. “Who is it?’ Deadwood Dick asked of the fair game-keeper, as he beheld the man’s approach. “No one knows, except that he is called. Red Brand, and owns the best claim in the gulch. Ts supposed to have heaps of money. His claim is the Big Bonanza,” replied Nell. ** Ah! then we will see. Bet, sir, that I cannot do what I offered?” . "Yes, I will bet,” replied Red Brand, coolly, strok- ing his flowing beard. ‘‘My Big Bonanza mine against your life, that you cannot put twenty-four successive bullets on the bull’s-eye, in one spot. No living man has done it, or can do it. Iam sure,” “Tcan prt as many against the bull’s-eye, on the same spot. No catches?” ** No catches, sir.” “Very well, then. Gentlemen, you all witness this wager, I believe. Iam to put twenty-four succes- sive bullets against that bull’s-eye, in the same spot and win the Big Bonanza mipe; or, lam to fail, an lose my life.” 7 * Ay! ay!’ responded the crowd. Deadwood Dick turned to Red Brand.. “Your name, sir—" “Ts Red Brand!” “ And mine is Deadwood Dick, the ex-road-agent of the Black Hills, at your service!” A cry of astonishment rung through the room, as if the name of the notorious young outlaw were well known in Eureka. es You Deadwood Dick!” exclaimed Nell, in sur- prise. “Yes, one and all, I am Deadwood Dick, but no longer a road-agent, I have come here to Eureka, to lead an honest existence, and bea citizen among you, If you let mealone, [lllet you alone; strike me, I'll strike back, and you probably have heard of the reputation I bear in (hat respect. We can be good friends, or bitter enemies, just whichever you please. Now, then, if you'll watch you'll see me ‘aly win this mine you call the Big Bonanza,” “Tt will be yer death ef you do!’ growled Cal Buckskin, “Oh! will it? What have you got to say about it?” Dick demanded. “None of yer bizness! But mind w'at I tole ye.” “Miss, you will please repaint that bull’s-eye freshly, so we can tell just where the rellets strike,” Dick said, paying no further attention to the ruffian. Nell quickly chev ed, after which the handsome ex- road-agent took his position, one revolver in each hand, Old Avalanche holding the other two. Then up came the right hand, and, instantaneously, parently without taking aim, he fired. Then h right dropped, and a shot from his left rung the bell, ’ His right then followed, then his left, and thus in al- ternation, until the whole of the twenty-four shots had been dispatched a their unerring mission, Noisy Nell and Red Brand hurried forward to ex- amine the target. They found only one visible spot where a bullet had struck, and that was precisely in the center of the bull’s-eye. Yet every shot had dis- tinelly rung the bell! Deadwood Dick had aon the Bonanza! CHAPTER TT. A HAUNTING FORM—THE FIRST Ww. Loup cries of astonishment ran through the Man- Trap. as Nell made kuown the wonderful fect that Deadwood Dick had put each of the twenty-four bullets upon one spot on fhe bull’s-eye. No such shooting as this had the citizens of EKureka ever seen, and the keenest excitement followed. All had heard of Deadwood Dick, and his reckless deeds of daring, but none of them could have be- lieved that he was such an expert with firearms, “Hurra! Great bone that domesticated old Joner!” yelled Old Avalanche, excitedly, while Flo- rence bleated his approval. “Moses in the bull. rushes! thet war ther beautifulest o* ther beanchi- ful! Why, ther singin’ 0’ them aire purggtory pel- lets ’d be condoocive ter a fit of nonhearativeness éf ye don’t wear cotton in yer ears. Dicky, my night- bloomin’ serious, ther Big Bonanza is ourn. : ‘‘And we shall take it,” said Deadwood Dick, | coolly, “Eh? Mr. Red Brand; did I not win it on the square, and isn’t it mine?” “Ves, you won it by the skin of your teeth, and it + is yours,” was the sullen reply. “But beware! A curse is on the place, and you may inherit it." —~ “T fear not for curses, sir, Ihave been cursed all
Page 4
4 The Phantom Miner. Stee ae my life, but have weathered the storm, and can do 80 i Then Dick and Avalanche turned away, and saun- tered about, watching the scenes trans fring about them, and observing the many strange faces. Some of them the great Annihilator was able to recognize, while others were not within his memory. There were girl waiters connected with the Man- Trap institution, some of whom were remarkably pretty, while others were quite the contrary. Deadwood Dick was not a little surprised when one of these creatures, a gay, fascinating little but- patid , tapped him on the arm, and then pulled him aside. “You are Deadwood Dick?" she said, more posi- tive in tone than interrogative. ‘‘ You come from the Black Hills.’ “Yes, ma’am!" Dick responded, respectfully. He hardly knew what to make of it. “Is there any way Ican serve you?” “T believe so; and I can serve youalso. You had in your band a man named Carlos Cambre?” “Ha! yes; how did you know that?” “Oh! I found out. Cambre is my runaway hus- “Phew! this was a discovery for Dick; “ your husband, eh? I did not know that he was mated.” fe He married me in Virginia City, and then desert- ed me. “ Very likely. He is a rascal at heart, and I have a bullet laid aside to use on him for an injury he did | me, “ And it is of him I came to warn you. He is in this very town, searching for you. He may be in ise and will strike you at first opportunity. So keep your eyes about you. He has some desperate game afoot.” “ What nature?” “f{ do not know. All the information I can get I will give you from time to time. But beware of him, lest ve Fb a miss-deal,”’ Then she turned away, leaving the ex-road-agent in_a state of _penpiexey Later in the evening he went back where Noisy Nell was busy at doing nothing in ber business, the customers having adjourned to lubricate. Somehow Dick felt that she was his friend—at least she was a girl, and since parting with Leone, he hourly yearn- ed for female com nionship, when remembrances came bark of the Supy days he had spent. But, now, alas! those days had dissolved into nothing- ness, and he was an outcast on the world, while Leone—ah! he knew not whether she were living or “T must hunt up this Cambre." he muttered, a scowl upon his face, as he approached the shooting- stand. ‘He will know of Leone. Asa lawyer, dis- guised of course, I can gene him dry. But I must make inquirfes about this Red Brand.” Neil smiled pleasantly as she saw the road-agent come up. She admired his cool, fearless ways, and his handsome face and figure, more than a little. “Glad to see you, Mr. Harris. Have you come back to renew your target practice?” she asked. “Oh! no, Miss—”’ “ Brandon, if you please.” “No, 1 have not returned to give the ites of Eureka any more of my marksmanship. I think they have had a fair illustration that I can get there, with an odd little laugh, characteristic of him, “ But 1 wish to question youa little in regard to this chap from whom [won the Bonanza mine. Is he a.dan- gerous sort of an individual?” “Rather a hard customer, sir. Up at Florence City, last summer, he got some hard names, having been proven guilty of several ugly crimes.” “Ah! then I may be on the lookout for him, and ai him to give up the mine without a strug- * Right, sir, for every grain of gold you get out of b ice mine, you may expect to fight a bat- “ Very encouraging prospect, but I'll weather this point, yet. Good-evenin: ged If you hear any news for me, just let me know, and if you ever need astrong right arm to protect you, just call upon Deadwood Dick.” Then the outlaw went back to where he had left Avalanche, * Come, pard, is it not time to seek repose?” he asked, tapping the old man on the shoulder. *‘ Re- member that on the morrow we are to take posses- sion—that is, you are. an! your pard Little Alf. I will remain clear of the incumbrance. But it shall be called Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, however, if you like. Come!” “No, don’t git in er perspiration, boyee,” the An- nihilator replied, grimly. ‘‘Thar’s no burry. It ain’t daylight till et’s mornin’ so don’t sweat yerself inter an appoplectic fit. I’m hangin’ around fer fun an’ thar’s goin’ ter be swads-‘n’-swads, bymeby, you listen to yer legal adviser.” “Ha! Here comes the Eastern stage, now!” cried Dick, asthe crowd surged toward the door at the rumble of approaching wheels. “* Come, let’s go out and see who comes?” “ All Eureka turned out at stage time; consequent] the gulch was well lined with humanity, when wit the plunging and snorting of the fractious horses, and the cracking of Jehu’s whip, the rickety old stage rolled up before the door of the Man-Trap, and came to a halt, ’mid the cheers of the multitude. Old Avalanche and Deadwood Dick were among | the crowd, and watched with idle curiosity the new | eomers who left the stage, which was well loaded down. There were rough miners, and polished in- dividuals who might have safely been classed with the gambling fraternity; men well-to-do, evidently here for speculative purposes; & half a dozen wo- men, most of them deeply vailed. But when Deadwood Dick’s gaze became centered upon one of these—a little, cloaked figure, deeply vailed, and evidently frightened among such a crowd, he uttered a little ery, and clutched the An- nihilator’s arm ie rmeg a A “ Look, Avalanche! y God, can the dead return to life?” he gasped, pointing to the little figure. “ it is she—Z/ith Stone, who you told me was dead— had_drowned herself.” “Pooh! boyee, ye’ve got the spinal meningitis in yer eyes. Lord! ham-bone that was ther last sick- ness uv old Joner! thet’s no more her than you be, you Jisten ter yer legal adviser.” “Tt is she! You cannot fool me, I know her figure too well. And that vail is but a flimsy dis- guise. It is Edith Stone, or her spirit.” He made a step forward as if to foilow her, but the Annihilator held him back with a strong gripe. “Hold yer hosses; no sweatin’ ag'in, I once knew a feller thet got drowned in his own puddle of | sweat. Thet gal ain’t no Edith Stone, an’ I'll betmy | fine-tooth comb an’ et's population on it, But in case it is her, you do not want to see her. Reckel- lect, young feller, thet thar's one little red-haired critter thet’s deservin’ 0’ yer luv, an’ baste me frum North Pole ter South with aged and decrepit eggs, ef ye're a-goin ter luv enny other gal but her! So ut thet in yer pipe an’ chew it. Jest you ante Pade inter yonder lubricatin’ establishment, and ('1] interdooce myself ter ther girl, Horn of ther bull thet gored Moses in ter rushes! Ill soon anylize her, /’m tellin' you:” Deadwood Dick turned rather reluctantly back into the saloon, a strange expression upon his face. “The girl has followed me,” he muttered thought- fully. “I swear it is she, no matter what report Avalanche may big back. He cannot deceive me. And she has come after me. alone. What are her feelings, I wonder—love or hate? [ hope the latter; I can fight it best!” He sauntered along, watching,those about him sharply, for now he might look for a dis, ised enemy in Carlos Cambre. What could the disloyal . lieutentant want of him? ‘
Page 5
“Ha! by Heaven! the blow has fallen at last!’ he suddenly exclaimed under his breath, as he be- held a man tacking up a large poster against the wall. “Again, Edward Harris, are you an outlaw by the decree of the law! They have pursued you, but you will not flee again. Steel to steel, face to face with his foes, Deadwood Dick will fight till the breath leaves his body, Once it was a fight for repu- tation—now it shall be a fight for life or death!” There was a gleam in his eyes that boded no good to those who would strike at him—a grim set expres- sion of his features which, rightly interpreted, meant defiance to the death! ‘What he saw to arouse his old bitterness of spirit was the sheriff of Eureka posting a notice of reward upon the wall in a conspicuous place; one of those heralds that haa hounded him—stared at him from every hand for the last three years, like haunting phantoms, And, in large letters, the poster read, as fullows: “$500 REWARD! By that power vested in me by virture of law, and whereas the Territorial Government of Dakota has repeatedly found guilty of high-handed murder and outlawry the person herein-named, I offer the above reward for the cap- ture and delivery at Yankton, Dakota, of *‘ Deadwood Dick,’ or Edwara Harris, the road-agent, whose for- mer Operations were confined to the Black Hills, but who is now supposed to be in some cf the Territories, “ Affixed hereto, by me, Jomn L, Pennrnaron, on this the 1th day of October, 187—, the great Guber- natorial seal of the Territory of Dakota,” Such was the notice Sheriff Jake McComber posted up for public inspection by the Eurekaites, and it was read and re-read, amid much excitement, by all who were congregated in the saloon. * Deadwood Dick! Deadwood Dick!" passed from every mouth. ‘Deadwood Dick!” shouted the man Buckskin, “Thet very chap was in Mage ter-night, gentlemen— thet very same galoot. He put twenty-four builets out o’ twenty-four on ther bull’s-eye, a-flukin’—" ‘*And Deadwood Dick is here, vow!” cried the young road-agent, advancing fearlessly among the crowd. * You heard me say to-night, pilgrims, that Dead- wood Dick was no longer an outlaw unless forced to be one. HereIam. Loave me alone, and I'll leave ou alone. Come and knock off my hat, and [ll nock off yours; then it will be war to the last—muz- zle to muzzle and knife to knife!” ; Not a man moved for a few moments—scarcely a breath was drawn Deadwood Dick stood confronting the crowd, his face grim, handsome, expressionless, his form erect, a pair of shining revolvers ye full level in his hands, All knew that he would not hesitate to com- mence the game of death, if pressed; he was ag 0 vate and reckless; as it were, their lives were in his hands. Yet Sheriff McComber did not hesitate to do his duty. He stepped forward, a look of resolution on his sunbrowned face, “Tl not knock your hat off, young man," he re- plied slowly. “But I must do my duty and arrest Ee inthe name of the Jaw. You'll see the advisa- nility of yielding without resistance, for they're all with me here,” with a nod at the crowd. * That's the whole family, is it, eh?” retorted Dick, a faint smile playing sarcastically about his lips. “Well, they’re a fine lot. Better adopt a few more, however, fore attempting to arrest me, I give ou fair warning to let me alone, If you don't heed t, abide the consequences.”’ “Come on, boys! we'll take the bi rt, or we'll die a-tryin’, One, two, three, and at him!” The sheriff wasa reckless fellow, whose previous food luck had made him vain, or else he would never ave made the move, for the first. leap he made for- ward was a leap of death, a bullet from one of Dead- wood Dick's revolvers plowing a passage through | The Phantom Mine, 5 his heart, And that checked what might have been a bloody affray. The death of the sheriff seemed for the moment to inspire the remaining Eurekaites with a terrible dread, and they shrunk back, their hands clinching their weapons, their breath bated, a lack of resolu- tion holding them powerless to move, And comprehending the situation, Deadwood Dick slowly backed his way out of the saloon, his revol- vers still covering the crowd, But the moment he issued out into the gulch, he saw them spring forward triumphantly, and knew they counted upon an easy victory, CHAPTER IT, AVALANCHE ENCOUNTERS A PHANTOM, Drapwoop Dick escaped by making a dash through the crowd that still swarmed out in the gulch, and worked his way along by degrees until he was half a mile up the lone gorge, with the mighty walls of mountain rock rising above him, And with his dis- appearance from Eureka there disappeared a friend ou whom Old Avalanche lavished his affection, for on his return from an interview with her whom Dick had declared to be Edith Stone, who was the cause of the parting of Dick and Leone, he found great ex- citement rife, and then learned of the death of the sheriff, and the young road-agent’s daring escape. “Bully fer ther boyee! I'd do the same ef they kicked me on ther shins, Great ham-bone! ef they'd let him alone he’d been peaceable enough, but now thet they've riled his angery speerits, look out fer a comet ter 'splode. Wonder where he'll go to?” And this the great Annihilator was left to wonder, during the next four or five days, during which time he made determined search, but could find no trace of Deadwood Dick. He had either left the diggings, for safety or else was so securely hidden in the mountain fastnesses as to render his imme- diate discovery impossible. After the fourth day of search, the old man came to the conelusion that further effort was useless; then came the remem- brance of Dick's right to the Big Bonanza mine, “T will take persession uv et, an hold et fer ther boyee,” he muttered, and immediately fulfilled his promise by selecting a dozen miners from the crowds of idlers who thronged Eureka, and riding to the mine, which was two miles and a half above the ‘golden town. There was simply 2 straight tunnel sunk into the mountain side, and an easy place to defend, once possession was obtained, Red Brand satin the mouth of the tunnel, smok- ing away at his pipe, as the horsemen rode up, the Annihilator in the lead. “Helio! great ham-bone that kerflummixed old Joner!” hoc Avalanche, in his jocular way. **Heer's our man now, me lads! Hello! Howdy do, Mr, Red Brand?” “Yam well,’ was the reply, as the miner rose to his feet, *“ What brings yon here, sir?” “What? Wal, I don't reckon et’s bard ter ans’er sech a question es thet,” said Old Avalanche, “I am heer, wi' my backers, ter take persession o’ ther ~ * Big Bonanza,’ w'at Deadwood Dick won at shutin’. Tam called Old Avalanche, ther great Injun Annibi- lator, tho’ ther acheevement don't confine itself hully ter ther transmogification o’ ther Injine race, This ‘ere hoss is my left bower, Prudence Cordeliar, an’ thes ’ere beast on my right aire Florence Night-in- a-gale—both of 'em workin’-j'ints o’ ther great Anni- hilator, ther awe-inspirin’, devastatin' eppydemic w'at sweeps like a dose o’ castor ile fizzic thru these boreal lattytudes. I am counsellor and legal adviser °’ a an'I venture to put in his claim fer him, during his absence,” “Your claim shall be recognized,” sald Red Brand, calmly, though the old scout detected a fle a in his vuliar dark eyes. ‘“ Dismount and follow me, and I'll show ye what is to be yours,"” ‘Yes, cum erlong, bayees, but pull yer pistols in readiness, fer we don’t know what sort o’ deeficulty we're a-goin’ ter encounter. Great ham-bone thet
Page 6
The Phantom Miner. engulfed Joner! ef I was as meanas some men is, I'd go an’ sell my head fer a statter o’ Washington, I would, true ’s thar’s soothing influence in a jack- mule’s fut.” The Annihilator then dismounted, and he and his gang followed Red Brand in through the tunnel, which was long and dark. It finally ended, how- ever, but in a way unexpected to all except Red Brand; for once more they emerged into the open air and light of day, finding themselves in a deep, natural basin, hemmed in on every side by stupen- dous piles of mountain-rocks. A basin whose bot- tom was covered with a light, fine sand, throogh which ran a stream of clear, sparkling water, pour- ing down from the crags on one side, and sinking out of sight on the other through a huge crevice in the rocks. And this was Big Bonanza mine. A strongly-built cabin stood at one side of the basin, surrounded by little rows of spruce pines, and looking desolate and uncanny in its solitude. “Here we are, pilgrims,’’ Red Brand said, waving his hand around him, with a strange smile. is Bonanza basin and the place of the accursed. You see yonder cabin, That is the abode of the spirit of Andrew Denhain—the Phantom Miner--who is the terror of this region. There is a little legend con- nected with this mine, which you should know. It was discovered first by Andrew Denham, four years ago. He ts the only one. who ever took away an ounce of gold from here, even though these sands are rich with the stuff. He remained’ here a year, and panned out an immense fortune; then, one day, he was found dead in front of yondercabin. Since then the mine has had ten different owners, but never has an ounce of gold been taken away at any time, A phantom was said to guard the place, and each gang of miners has been frightened away. / bought the mine, and / have seen the elephant, You are welcome to the place, if you are willing to fight inferno and all its legions. I am not!” Saying which, the man turned upon his heel, and strode back through the tunnel toward the gulch. For a few moments after his departure, neither the Annihilator nor his men spoke a word--stood and stared at each other, each evidently waiting for the other to break the silence. At lasz Old Avalanche made the break. “Great ham-bone thet wrecked ther constitoo- chin uv Joner!” he ejaculated, shaking himself by way of preparing for action. “So thes aire an abode uv h sort 0’ hot-house fer cultyvatin’ speerits; but ef thet cuss calkylated he war goin’ ter Skeer yer ‘umble sarvent, he aire barkin’ at ther wrong coon. G'osts! phantoms! hog-gobblins! hurra!”” And the eccentric Annihilator executed a jig in the auriferous sand. “Red Brand didn’t lie nary a bit,” said Hi Samp- son, one of the miners, “Thar is a Phantom Miner, an’ I’ve see’d him ride straight thru 'Reka, like split, an’ we all blazin’ away at him wi’ our revolvers ter no uss, Ye might as well try ter tumble an earthquake.” “Oh! I don’t doubt your word—ham-bone and Joner, no!” replied Avalanche, “* but when ye make this great devastatin’ Spey believe in hog-gob- blins an’ sech, jest expect old Gabriel ter play his trump-et card, thet’s all.” “ And are xe goin’ ter stay heer?” asked one. hr Fe aire. Ef ye don’t want any o’ the a'riferous layin’ around loose, here, jest scoot fer Eureka, as fast as you can. Tm goin’ ter stay!” “Then we're with you, old man, My name is Keno Bill, and I ain't no coward, ef ther court knows herself. e'll stay, an’ we'll hold ther fort!” And stay they did. Caiap was pitched on the bank of the stream, mining implements, provisions and ammunition brought from Eureka; sluice-boxes sunk, and mining begun in earnest at Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. Another week i by, and no molestation was “This | | dread attacked him -gobblins, an’ ghastly perambulators, eh? A | creased to thirty, and the rich sand of the basin-bot- tom was panning out immensely. Curious miners and loafers swarmed in from Eure- ka, to watch proceedings, every day, much to the annoyance of the Annihilator, who did not desire to be disturbed; speculators also came and made hand- some offers for claims in the rich basin, all of which were refused by Avalanche. “T hain’t got no say onter thes ‘ere mine, gentle- men,” he would say, shaking his head in a way that was at once decisive and resolute, ‘ Et b’longs ter Deadwood Dick, an’ I’m merely keepin’. things a-movin’ fer him. ye see.” And when questioned about the whereabouts of the young road-agent, Avalanche would again shake his head, dubiously. saying: “Dunno nothin’ about ther boyee, gentlemen. He cum hyar all along wi’ ther great Annihilation; but he skipped out, an’ that’s the last I’ve see’d o’ him. Expect he'll come back? Waal, thet’s hard to tell, He may cum down on us in @ way thet won't fit our ijees. Ye've distarbed ther seethin’ caldron o’ an- ger an’ got et bubblin, an’ like’s not et’ll seald ye. Great historical ham-bone! ye dunno nothin’ about ther deadly power o’ my Dicky, pilgrims! See’d him paralyze a poor cuss over in Deadwood once, by jest winkin’ his eye—/uct. by gracious! An’ he's a dose o’ fizzic ter them as he don’t like.” And so the days passed by—the soft, hazy au- tumnal days, and at the Bonanza everything ran along in av even tenor. The miners worked indus- triously, and were well rewarded, for the yellow sands were rich with flakes of gold, in some cases panning out a quarter of an ounce to the panful. As yet none of the gold had been taken out of the basin, the miners preferring to keep it in their own possession rather than trust it in the keeping of the Eureka bank, whose officers were rather distrusted by the people. But at last, one night, Avalanche having a con- siderable bulk of the precious stuff, resolved to go into town for the purpose of exchanging it for greenbacks. He left the camp well armed, and mounted apn the back of Prudence Cordelia, no thought of dan- ger entering his mind. Put when he rode into the tunnel. where all was intensely dark, h’s thoughts went back to Red Brand and the story of the Phantom Miner. and an uvexplicable feeling of He was not a coward; neither was he of a superstitious turn, yet he had no power to control the strange sensation that crept over him now. His imagination conjured up exaggerated pictures; a clammy sweat unconsciously broke out n his face and body; he was nervous, and grasp- ed the reins with one unsteady hand, while the other rested upon the hilt of a revolver in his belt, “G@'lang, Prudence, ye durned beast; what is the matter wi’ you?” he growled. using his heels in the place of spurs to urge the sorry animal along. “Drat the hick. I feel ’s spookish as a yearling eg in fly time. G'lang, Prudence— Thunder! hel- 0! The latter two exclamations were caused by the sudden bolting and rearing of the mare, accompa- nied by terrified snorts. “Be still. you ornery beast! Heavens! ham-bone thet gargled Joner! Isee w'at the matter is. Hog- gobblins, as I’m a great disease o’ devastation!” And what the Annihilator discovered did look de- cidedly suspicious—ghost-like and uncanny, in the dense gloom of the tunnel. Tt was a tall, white- robed figure. around which clung a halo of bluish light, moving slowly but surely along toward him, one hand and arm upraised, the fore finger of the hand, the end gleaming like a human eye, pointing accusingly at the old scout. It was such a spectacle as might make even a fearless man like Avalanche quail, and there came rather a whitish expression about his lips, though he sat motionless in the sad- die, a cocked revolver in his clutch, and a stern ex- offered the miners whose number Avalanche had in- | pression on his face,
Page 7
“Ghosts, eh?’ he soliloquized, zinaly —“ hog- obblins an’ evaporating’ speerits, Ke aal, we'll nvestigate this matter right forninst the spot, as the Irishman sed when he went fer ter find ther motive power ina mule’s fut. We'll, ask Mr. Hog-gobblin w'at he wants, an’ef he remains mum, we'll try cold lead as a restorative fer lost speech.” Nearer. came the white-robed figure, apparently parece along on the current of air, that drew through the tunnel. And the nearer it came, the more uneasy grew Prudence. At last it came to a pause, not ten yards away, and now the Annihilator made the discovery that beneath those cloud-like white robes was the shape of a human skeleton! And to his further horror he could hear the harsh rattle of the bones, and a faint wheezy unnatural laugh, sounding far more ghostly than human. Still was the arm of the specter upraised, and the strange forefinger, the end of which glowed like a human eye, pointed straight at Old Avalanche, who for the space of a minute was unable to command his pp wens of speech, But at last he threw off the spell, by a determined effort, and brought. his re- volver to bear upon the phantom. ‘Hello, thar!’ What do you want?” he cried. There was no answer, except a horrible rattling of the bones, and a declination of the forefinger of several Carers, until it aimed at the Annihilator’s belt, to which three leathern pouches of gold were attached. “Oh! ye want ther a'’riferous, do ye? Ye want thes devastatin’ disease ter give ye a few flakes 0’ fortune, do ye? Waal, here they aire then;” and raising his weapon on a level with the specter's heart, or where such an organ ought to be, he —once! twice! thrice! the roar of each report echoin weirdly through the tunnel. But the only result was another rattling of the bones, and that same faint, ghostly laugh—unlike anything the old scout had ever heard. His hair now fairly rose up on end! What was the meaning of this?, Had he indeed tackled something invulnerable—bullet-proof?—a phantom, not of the living but of the dead? An awful horror, such as he had never before experienced, stole over him, and he gazed at the ghostly vision in a sort of fascina- tion, irresistible and intoxicating, The more so, when his e was riveted upon a pair of little black eyes, which gleamed from an opening in the phan- tom dress—a pair of eyes so magnetic that he felt their overpowering influence—felt that he was pow- erless to move a limb or muscle; it was a strange, awful ap in which, though living, he seemed as one of the dead. He was conscious of all—conscious that the terri- ble thing came closer—conscious that his waist was lightened of its load, even though he could feel no touch betraying the agency of human bands—con- scious that the phantom swept past him and yanish- ed, and that he was left alone there in Stygian dark- ness, powerless to move or speak. CHAPTER IV. THE GRAYLFORDS—LIEUTENANT CAMBRE, Ovtsipg of the mouth of Eureka guich, about a mile beyond where the mining element had pitched its town, was. a palatial country residence, such as perhaps could be found in no other part of the wild silver land of Idaho. The property embraced sev- eral thousand acres of immediate billowy prairie, which was well watered and used for grazing pur- poses, and the buildi and spacious grounds, which were known as ‘ @ Oaks,”’ probably on ac- count of a complete hedge-work of these trees which the hand of man had panted around the mansion. The lawn, sloping either way from the dwelling, was well laid and dotted here and there with flower- ing shrubs and beds of blossoming plants, and marked by serpentine walks and carriage drives. Here were shaded bowers, there swings, croquet grounds and the like, and everywhere evidence of The Phantom Miner. a wealth, and an eye for beauty, which had not found training in the wild West. The mansion was built of stone, which had been quarried from the neighboring mountains, and was imposing in paperenes externally, while the inte- rior was richly furnished. Here resided the Graylfords, one of the richest and most aristocratic, as well as influential families in the territory. They counted their money by the tens of thousands, and the senior Graylford owned some of the largest silver lodes in Idaho. He was an inveterate miser, and had few friends among the poor, toward whom he was harsh and haughty. He ,0arded his money and not trusting to the honesty of banks, kept it in a large safe in his mansion. bes Sor had attempts been made Ls outlaws to burglarize the Oaks, but Fordyce Graylford kept a gears over his strong room, and a half-dozen faith- ul male se: vitors; este ret each attempt had been unsuccessful on the part of the fe arate Ot the family there were four, consisting of For- dyce Graylford and his wife; a grown-up son named aay and a daughter of eighteen, named Claudine f his children old Fordyce Graylford had no cause to be proud. Guy was a reckless, worthless reprobate—a gam- ier a spendthrift, and, it had been hinted, an out- W Claudine was haughty, uncivil and bad in temper; treacherous and deceitful, and. though rather-hand- some, as the word goes, she had few admirers. Worst of all, she was a (h/ef. On more than one oc- easion she had depleted the purse of her old father generally in co-operation with her f The elder Graylford was a man of some five-and- fifty years at the time of our story. He derived an immense income both from his mining investments and extensive cattle herds, but this not satisfying his greed for riches, he ventured into speculation in and about Eureka, almost always successful, in spite of the fact that sharpers constantly laid traps for him On the day preceding the night of the Annihilator's encounter with the Phantom Miner, Captain Grayl- ford, as he was called, brought home a new visitor tothe Oaks—a distinguished army officer, he ex- plained to his household, who must be treated with the greatest reapers and consideration, The individ in question was a tall, well-formed fellow of twenty-five, with a dark, Spanish face, dark eyes and hair,anda mustache and imperial tomateb, In dress he was faultless and e} ti. Lieutenant Cambre, he was ed, and claimed to be of the United States Army, which of course was not true, as the reader will readily recognize him as Cambre of Deadwood Dick’s one notorious band. What Cambre’s business was at the Oaks was quite apparent by listening to the conversation between hhh and Graylford, as they were closeted in the speculator’s office, an hour or so after dinner. ‘** You perceive,’’ Cambre was saying, “that the scheme is atuaply immense. . It cannot fail, and the investment of a few hun doubly retrieved seer and by this last move I pro- Old Captain Graylford gazed at the coolly-schem- ing villain opposite him, with ast: gleam in his little gray eyes. He was a keen student of human nature;experience had taught him thesecret of pick- ing out a villain almost at sight. *See here," he said, bringing his hand heavily down upon his knee, “ do you know that J know you to bean unmitigated rascal and a liar? You are smart and crafty above the average, but not suf- ficiently so to fool an old miser like me, who has had dealing with men of just your type throughout
Page 8
& prosperous and eventful life. There is no such project in contemplation as the one youname, and, even if I were to invest capital in such a ‘spec,’ I should do it myself, not trusting even to my own son or daughter, both of whom are a disgrace to the name of Graylford.”” Cambre uttered a flerce curse. Tobe baffled from the beginning was sere but he was not to be cheated of his prey, even at this rebuff. * And you dare to insinuate —"' he began, “I dare to insinuate nothing, sir, but to your face I dare tell you openly that you’re a scoundrel and a Har! To be sure, you at first rather gulled me, but after you began to preach on that railroad scheme, that was enough. You are no longer a welcome visitor in my house, sir."’ * Oh! well, then we'll call me an unwelcome one for the present. I have you completely in my power, Fordyce Graylford, and I mean to make the most of my situation.” “Completely in your power?” repeated the specu- Jator in undisguised amazement, ‘I should like to know how?” “You would! Well, it will ire but a few mo- ments to give you an idea of w I am driving at. I did not propose to enter upon this matter yet, but may as well, to let you know on how little a thread a life may hang. In the first place, I enter a charge against you which the law, except in Utah, pro- nounces @ misdemeanor. Fordyce Graylford, you are a bigamist. You have married @ second uife, while you hare a first wife living!” ! has a thunderbolt fallen? The mine-owner leaps to his feet, with a ghastly white face, his form trembling as in an ague-fit, his eyes blazing luridly. “ You say this?” he cried, his breath coming and soing in quick gasps. ‘Then you lie!” “Oh, no! I do not lie," Cambre replied non- chalantly. “I'm always sure of my point before I show my hand, as the saying goes. I can produce that first wife inside of twenty-four hours, and her heir to all your wealth, in as many more. Aha! I have got it all worked out fine, old man, and you are in my. power!” *Yes—in your power," muttered the old mine- owner, dropping back into his chair—* heavily in a, power. ButIdefy you. You can do nothing. t is twenty years since all that; time has outlawed the case. Sherefused to live with me then or to let me have the child. Therefore, I am legally divore- ed, and the result of that first union is not my heir.”’ “Ah! we'llsee about that,” Cambre said, rising, with a dark frown. ‘ Perhaps you are right; then. again, you are wrong. I will seek legal counsel, and report at the first opportunity.” He left the mansion, and ordering his horse, he mounted, and joped back toward Eureka. But while ga oping along, busying his brain over his little scheme, there suddenly rose before him out of a hollow in the billowy prairie. a figure on horse- back-—-a familiar the sight of whom caused him to crea in his stirrups, with an oath, Could this be?—was he really in the presence of the one he most dreaded, yet was most anxious to meet, the dauntless, daring road-prince, Deadwood Dick? It only one glance to satisfy him that it was indeed the notorious young outlaw, who dis- solved his band and fled hither, where veins of silver run zig-zag through. the earth. Deadwoed Dick as of yore, in his emblematical suit of jetty black, black hat, gloves, mask, saddle- trappings, and horse! A revolver was in the youn; -agent's hand, else Cambre would have spur’ away. But he knew Dick's marksmanship too well to run any and therefore rode straight on until the noses of their horses touched. "Halt! came in the clear, tones of the out- law; ** you are mine, Carlos Cambre. Right here in my hand I — a traitor’s death—who deserves it than you more The unfaithful lieutenant w white about the lips, and shifted uneasily in his saddle. The Phantom Miner. ? true enough, captain,’’ he iow tone. ‘You will never, never for- give me. because I had you imprisoned by your “T am in your power replied, ina rf wife’s orders, suppose. Perhaps I did wrong, and I would crave your forgiveness, only I know you are unforgiving. You have your revolver ready—shoot me, if it will cancel the debt; I am not afraid to die!" “No, tae are not afraid to die,” replied Deadwoo’ Dick, with a low, mocking laugh, “or else I should kill pag which I am not quite ready todo yet, I would first use you for other purposes,”’ “Oh! so you wish to make me your tool, eh?” Cambre sneered, his eyes emitting tigerish sparkles; “*T advise you not to trust me too far. Snakes some- times bite snakes." “Oh! yes,I am aware of that—especially when two venomous reptiles of your mre collide, But you have your choice—death, or the execution of my wishes, whichever you will.” ‘What dirty job do zou want done?” “No dirty icp. wretch! I want you to color your fingers in a little human blood, that is all!” with a reckless laugh. Cambre shuddered in spite of himself. He was Lag ag to find such a change In Dead- wood Dick. as he turning rufian, just because of the loss of a woman’s love? “Name your work. Dishonor and death have ne: petal know not which I shall choose!" he replied, t which there was a contemptuous “‘ humph!” from Deadwood Dick. “You are mighty pious of late, I see,” he went on, deepest sarcasm in his tones. “ Wouldn't cut a man’s breathing pipe, sooner than you'd look at him, I dare say.” “T can proudly say that I have never been guilty of willful murder yet, sir. Nor can any one truth- fully accuse me of such a crime.” “I do not propose to. The case I wish you toexe- cute is this: I have learned that Leone, your confed- erate and my wife, is here in Eureka. I came into ssession of the knowledge by merest accident, but id not learn her whereabouts, for a certainty, She may be disguised or not, just as the case happens. Anyhow, she has a babe in her arms—the first child of our union. It does not rightfully belong to her, and she shall not have it! You must steal it, and bring it to me. Do you understand?" * Perfectly! But you spoke of blood. You surely do not wish me to murder é¢?” “Oh! no. I wish you to murder a certain indivi- dual named Deadwood Dick. the Road-agent Prince!” ‘What! want me to murder you? Are you crazy, man?” “Ha! ha! No.I do not want you to murder me, = bi alae Dick No. 1. 1 am Deadwood Dick ‘0, 21" portunity.” “Very well, see that you do. My spies shall watch you even as you take each step. And if you A to play me false, remember the old sign of the uble as: Then Deadwood Dick wheeled his horse and gal- loped back toward the mountains, taking a course that would lead him a good dozen miles beyond the mouth of Eureka gulch. While Cambre rode slowly on toward the mining town, watching the easy graceful equestrianism of the -agent, and wondering in his mind if it were really Deadwood Dick. “He said he was No, 2, but Hed. There are few persons who ride like him. But who is this other Pr There must be two Deadwood Dicks in the eld. I want the original, but must contrive to meet
Page 9
The Phantom Miner. 9 ‘him when this heirship business gets ripe, and Ican drop him before he drops me. Two Deadwood Dicks! Phew! that promises to make such a little town as this Eureka, exceedingly lively.” And right here Cambre hit upon'the truth. Things promised to be peculiarly interesting forthe Eureka- ites, who had never known molestation from those bold fearless knights of the field called road-agents; for before night of that day all Eureka knew that Deadwood Dick was haunting the town—were told ‘80 by many a notice posted conspicuously about on trees and rocks— “As ye do by me, so will Ido unto you! “*Drapwoop Dick.” People about town read these notices; curious miners peneed on their way from work and stared at the threatening posters; speculators and mine- owners read them, and a general feeling of excite- ment and indignation was rife in all circles. CHAPTER V. ‘THE BOSS POKER-PLAYER FROM VIRGINIA CITY. “* T AM the boss poker-player from Virginia City!’ This announcement was made to an enthusiastic «crowd of miners and roughs, by a youthful indi- vidual, who was mounted upon a table in the center of the Man-Trap saloon,.and stood eying those around him coolly, a couple of gold-mounted six- shooters in his grasp. There was nothing remarkable about him, un- Jess it was the cool fearlessness and courage ex- ressed in his face, which was smoothly shaven and thandsome. His form was tall and well molded, and exhibited to advantage his suit of broadcloth, which was cut iin the latest style, and which, with his immaculate shirt-front, white vest, diamond pin, massive watch- ‘chain and cane, gave him the 5 one of a first- ~water dandy of the mines. His hair was black and “worn long upon his shoulders, and surmounted by a jaunty sombrero; his eyes were dark, piercing, mag- netic; apleasantly-shaped mouth added geniality to this appearance. “IT am the boss pokerist from Virginia City!” he mepeated, gazing around him and studying his audi- vence by quick, keen glances. *‘lam Red-Hot Har- ‘ris, the brother of that interesting and frolicsome individual ving call Deadwood Dick. And by the ~way, here is a little paper I wish some of you bum- mers would tack against the wall. Its significance will be ages ye by those in the reward business. or the deliverance up to justice of Deadwood Dick, 1 Red-Hot Harris, the ther of ‘said [Dick, and the boss pokertiaver from Virginia reg will, give—but read the paper; I ain’t goin’ ter tell you.’ Saying which, the young man whirled about on his heel, and gave the gaping crowd afew steps in clog, which brought a round of applause. “It's nothin’ when ye know how, pilgrims,” he ‘said, a smile playing about his lips. “Just ther ‘same way wi’ poker-playin’—the game indulged in a few years after marriage. But, lookee, sons o’ sunset! how doth yonder advertisement strike inter yer hearts? Read, and be made wise; then fetch me the man I want!” One of the miners had hung a half-length poster upon the wall of the saloon, and upon it was an accurately ensraved likeness of Deadwood Dick, | while below were the words: *©$500 Reward.—This will be erance into my custody of the agent, Deadwood Dick. “At Man-Trap Saloon, Eurek: All hands gazed, first at the reward notice, then at the lithograph of Deadwood Dick, and then at the smiling, tranquil face of Red-Hot Harris. There was a striking resemblance in the two faces; in fact, the only noticeable difference was that where Deadwood id for deliv- outlaw and road- Rep-Hor Harris. a, ——— Dick wore a slight mustache and imperial, the face of Red-Hot-Harris was shorn of all traces of beard, The crowd gazed at the two faces and commented upon the resemblance; stared at the cool youth on a of the table, and nodded to each other, know- ot bet the younker’s Deadwood Dick hisself!"’ bawled the ruffian Buckskin, “Isee’d him over in Deadwood, onc’t, an’ this is ther same chap!” “You're a liar, PY. the clock!” responded Red-Hot Harris, coolly. ‘You never saw your ‘umble ser- vant in Deadwood or in any other wood. I am Red- Hot Harris. from Virginia City, an’ I can lick thet man as sez I ain't—that's me /” “Then I’m yer meat, you young bull-dog!” roar- ed Buckskin, “I never take a dare—not even from Satan hisself. Climb down offin that table an’ jerk = ef Ped want ter snag yerself fan a ragin’ torna- er, u—” ome erlong, or VU—1-Tl— He did not finish the sentence, for the words froze tohis lips. His bloodshot eyes were Raxing siraieue in- to the black, magnetic ones of Red-Hot Harris, as if glued in one position; his hands hung rigid by his side; not a muscle moved in his face or y. In astonishment the Aalitues of the Man-Trap looked on, unable to solve the mystery. Buckskin was the bully of the ranch, and a muscular, cast-iron fellow, with some bull-dog courage and plenty of cheek, and could show about as many battle-scars as the next one, And, that this youth in dandified garb should bold the bully of Eureka at bay with the simple power of his eye, was a startling mystery, not easily solved by the rough men of the mines.” They knew little or nothing of mesmeric influence—the wondrous power of mind over mind, and it was solely by this power that the young “‘ Virginian "—as pilgrims from Vir- ginia Cit —held the ruffian in abeyance at his will. As soon as he saw that his victim was powerless to move, act or ek, Harris turned his gaze upon the crowd with a bland smile. “There he is, gentlemen,” he said, with a peculiar laugh, which brought back recollections of Dead- wood Dick. I have whipped him without the use of fists or firearms, and I'lf guarantee, if he is left un- molested that he'll be mute and motionless for the next ten hours, unless I should conclude to dis-spell im." “See hayr, younker, be you possessed of the devil?” dernatined one old weather-worn veteran, who had “slung” the “cradle” since the days of ‘49; “or, w’at aire ther secret o’ yer influ’nce over thet chap? J'd like you ter 'splain.” *“Mebbe you want me to fix yor out,’ Red-Hot said, with a laugh, turning his magnetic orbs upon the old man. But the old chap slunk quickly back into the crowd. He evidently had no desire to become a model of liv- ing statuary, like Buckskin, who stood rigid and mo- tionless in the center of the floor. At this juncture Carlos Cambre came into the sa- = seeing the crowd collected, pushed for- ward. “Hello! what's the circus here?’ he demanded, elbowing his way through, importantly, “ Ha! by the devil and all his legions! Dead—"’ “Red-Hot Harris!" corrected the young gentle- man_on the table, coolly—“ the twin brother of Dead- wood Dick.” Cambre was about to give some retort of denial, but something caused him to desist, and he came forward, with outstretched hand, “ By Jove! so it is! Shake, young man}; glad to ece you! You look so much like this -agent devil, that it is hard to tell you apart.” Red-Hot accepted the ex-lieutenant’s hand, and shook it, mechanically, “You are looking well,” he said, ogy Seen into the other's ne “You also used to be a poker-player. Will you try mea skein? They call me the boss, up in Virginia City.” ~~ are dub
Page 10
10 Harris slid from his perch on top of the table, and Cambre and he sought a less crowded portion of the room, but to no avail. The miners swarmed after them, bound to see what sport there might be. But they were destined to be disappointed. Nothing oc- curred to arouse their excitabilities; all of interest was a quiet game of poker, and occasional funny re- marks from Red-Hot—he invariably winning. ‘At last Cambre threw down the cards in disgust and left the table, Harris was about to follow, wnen aes was laid upon his shoulder, lightly but firm- y: He turned quickly around, expecting an enemy. But he was happily disappointed, A young woman of pretty face and form stood over him and gave him a sign to follow her, then retreated toward the shooting-gallery. Harris arose and followed her, wondering what was to come next. Noisy Nell, for it wasshe whom he had followed, faced him when they were alons. “You must escape from here!”’ she said, excited- ly, her voice lowered to a whisper. “But I don't know.how, There are no back modes of exit.” “Humph! Iain't in no hurry to escape!” replied the boss poker-player, staring at her, thoughtfully, “ Guess no one’s goin’ to give me the bounce.” “Ah! you have not seen the danger then, sir? One of your worst enemies is in this room—Roxly the Regulator, from Deadwood!” * Just so! Roxly, you say? GuessI never heard 0! tm. “Oh! but yon cannot deceive me, as you have de- ceived those men,” Nell answered, quickly. ‘You are Deadwood Dick—" ‘©§ brother!” he finished, with a little laugh, “TI am Red-Hot Harris, and no one else, and can't be made different, if one was to try forever.” “But the great resemblance belies you, sir.” ‘ the resemblance. Didn’t you never see twin brothers that looked alike? Perhaps I look like the devil himself, but that’s no sayin’ I am Satan!” Noisy Nell burst into a fit of laughter, “Well, you can be Red-Hot Harris, if you like, but don’t try to choke me with such nonsense. Be you whoever you may, there is urgent need that you es- cove from this saloon, unless you wish to try on one of Lynch’s patent, rope, self-acting collars." “Must be you think I am afraid of ‘most every one who comes along?” the Virginia Cityan said, with a smile of sarcasm wreathing his lips.“ Reckon they don’t grow many cowards up in Virginn.” “T did not intimate that you were afraid, sir; in- deed, your past life has shown that you are a Bt er to fear, But, for Lon:’s sake, and the sake of infunt Dead’roo! Dick, 1 beg of you run no risks! Let us try and make our way out into the gulch, un- observed.” Harris perched himself upon a card-table, with his feet dangling off, and looking into the face of the pretty proprietor of the shoot: ng-gallery, he laughed outright, the very essence of fun shining from his es. at You still think I’m Deadwood Dick!” he said, holding his breath to prevent another explosion of ter. “T know it!” replied Nell, firmly. “Well, by Holy Moses! a. feller can't have no peace of mind lately, ef he happens to have been cast in the same mold of clay sum other feller was cast in. I rec’on if I looked like George, of hatchet fame, you'd swear I was the old man resurrected, wouldn't you?” “Oh! no; I should believe your denial then for it would be simply impossible for you to tell a lie!” was the retort, . . Red-Hot ran his fingers through his hair, reflect- ively. How he was to convince these stublorn Eurekaites that he was Red-Hot Harris and sot Deadwood Dick, was a question he lacked the means to solve. The resemblance was against him; he had only the influence of his fists, weapons and tongue for argument, The Phantom Miner. “Well,” he said, at last, “call me what you like —only, I'd like to have that amiable brother of mine here so I could punch his head for all the trou- ble he is giving me. I suppose this Leone you speak of is some Dick has roped in, eh?” “She is your wife, sir, whom you have foully de- rted!*’ “Phew! Worse and worse! Any more of that order, miss?” “You knowl am speaking the truth, Deadwood Dick, And I should think you would yearn to see your baby boy!” ““My baby boy! ha! ha! ha! that’s too much to give a feller at onedose. For the Lord’s sake, don’t give us any more uv that peppermint!” “Then you deny that you are married?" the girl demanded. “Tf I am married, well—I'll go bag my head, and throw it away. The idea of me taking unto me a wife! Got in love with a gal once, but she flung me over her cold left shoulder, and I forever collapsed on the subject of love.” At this moment the door of the Man-Trap was thrown open, and a man rushed in, bootless, hat- less and in his shirt-sleeves, and in one sentence, he made known his mission. “Murder! The Oaks has been robbed, and every person but me killed, in cold blood!” he cried, loud enough to be heard all over the apartment. “ Mur- der! murder! thieves! robbers!"’ “Now, miss, I'll.prove to you I’m not the one you’d make out!” Red-Hot Harris said, hastily. He then pushed forward boldly through the ex- cited crowd, and in two moments the reckless youth stood upon the bar, his fine figure erect and straight as an arrow. “By the gods! Deadwood Dick!” cried a little, weather-beaten man, starting back in astonishment. “You here?” “I'm here—I am, but nary a Deadwood Dick, old man! I'm Red-Hoti Harris, the boss poker-player from Virginia City, I occasionally wear a little ge under my vest collar, which qualifies me to do a little in the detective line. A certain few, here, like yourself. find me like unto Deadwood Dick, the piew road-agent—my twin brother. I’ve got five hun red dohars for that chap who will bring D. D. to me. “Too thin!” grinned Roxly, the Deadwood Regu- lator chief; “‘ye're an ’andsum actor, boyee, but ye ken’t fool an old stager. Pilgrims, can Lrely on-ye to take this road-agent?”’ “Ay! ay!” chorused a dozen voices; “we're be- hind ye—lead on!" And Roxly drew his revolvers, preparatory for the coming affray. But he need not have taken that trouble. Red-Hot apparently was going to offer no opgosiion to their wishes. e retained his standing position on top of the bar; his arms were folded across his breast; an expression of cold defiance rested upon his hand- some face, his black eyes burning with that pecu- liar ,magnetic fire that had conquered Buckskin. In one corner of the saloon, that bullying wretch was just recovering from the effects of his mes- merism. “Harris, come down and deliver yourself up!” commanded Roxly, advancing a few paces, “I am very comfortable,” was the reply of the poker-player, facing the battery of revolver-muzzles that were leveled at him, indifferently. “Oh! you're still game, are ye? Well, we'll soon fetch you. Pards, I’m goin’ ter count one, two. three, an’ ef he don’t budge at the word three, fill his carcass so full o’ holes thet there won't be any room fer blood ter circulate!” ny “One!” repeated Red-Hot, coolly. “Pwo!” from Roxly. “Two!” counted Red-Hot, ‘“One more—* “Hold!” cried a yoice, which rung sternly through
Page 11
The Phantom Miner. 11 the room. ‘! Enough, Roxly! If you want Dead- wood Dick, you'll find him conveniently handy in your rear!” CHAPTER VI. CAMBRE SHOWS ‘HIS HAND—DEEPER MYSTERY. Campre left the saloon, after his unsuccessful game of poker with Red-Hot Harris, a dark frown upon his brow, “Is that fellow Deadwood Dick, or not?” he mut- tered, making bis way along the guich over which night had thrown itsdark mantle. ‘“ I'll be hanged if lam not puzzled. If that was the genuine chap I met to-day, ‘iis wasthe Number 2 of whom he spoke. But if that was not the genuine Dick, this must have been him to-night. But, why did he not shoot me, as is undoubtedly his intention? Perhaps he did not wish to begin anotber career of crime. And perhaps this was no’ him. Hang it, I never was soset. I served long enough under Deadwood Dick, that I ought to be able to recognize him. This Red- Hot Harris has Dick's face, and some of his reckless courage and coolness; yet—confound it I'll give it up. lam inclined tothe belief that it was he whom I met to-day. Yet he tried to stuff No, 2 down me. I think I see through it. Red-Hot és his brother, and he wants him removed, for some purpose. But what does he want of Leone’s child? That’s none o my business. I must first consult with Cathie, and then hunt up Leone. I think she will be glad to see me, though I am her worst foe, Fortunately she don’t know that.” His dark Spanish face would have been a riddle to have studied, with its constantly-shifting expres- sions, as he strode along. Eureka was blessed with one hotel that was called * first-class,” in the mines. It was a large, foomy structure. and bore the name of the “ Flag of Truce,” its proprietor a late Confederate, and probab choosing the name as one appropriate to his senti- ments. Straight to this hotel, which was perhaps a quarter of a mile from the Man-Trup, went Carlos Cambre, a waiter showing him toa commonly f irnished room on the second floor, The only occupant of this apartment was a woman of some five-and-forty years—a woman on whom time had left marks, for her features were wrinkled and pincbed, and her hair threaded with gray. Her eyes, however, still retained. their fire of youth— were rather sinister of expression, inasmuch as they could at times become fascinating in their glances, Her attire was simple, yet neat, and upon her mar- riage-finger a solitaire diamond ring was worn that had cost a large sum. The woman looked up from some sewing at which she was engaged as Cambre entered, nodding me- chanically to a chair opposite her, “You are back, Isee,"' she said, as if the effort to converse was painful. “I suppose you bring the same old story?” “No, Cathie,” the ex-lieutenant replied, ‘I do not. I to-day called upon Fordyce Graylford, and broke the ice. But I fear that your claim won't pass mps- ter. The old rascal claims that it is outlawed, it he- ing twenty years since you left his bed and board,” “Ah! so he will defy me, eh?” and Cathie com- Pr her lips, tizhtly. “ Well, we will see about it. He cannot dispute my son's right to the estate, even if 7am outlawed. Please touch the bell on the table, there, Mr. Cambre!” Cambre obeyed, and a moment later an elderly gentleman ste 1 into the room, hat and cane in hand, he evidently coming from an adjoining apart- ment. “Ah! did you summon me, madame?” he asked, bowing low, ‘* What service can Ido you, pray?” “JT wish to ask you, Mr. Bolton, if I am really out- lawed from claim upon the Grayltord property—that is, really outlawed by fime? As a lawyer, your opinion ought to be decisive on that subject.” Ahem] yes, Well, my dear madame, I am in- clined to the belief that your claim ‘is indeed out- lawed, on account of the great number of years that have passed since you left the shelter of your hus- band’s roof." “Oh! then are all my hopes and expectations to be crushed?” the woman moaned, burying her face in her hands and. bursting into tears. “I believed after I found that my truant husband was bere. could make him own me, or I and my boy could come in for the property after death.” “Oh! I wouldn't be discouraged yet, madame. Your son’s claim will hold all the property, if you can but find him, unless the old gent has made a late will, I don’t know how the case would be, then; I would have to go to Boise City to consult the Terri- torial statutes.” “That son will not be easy to find, I think,” said Cambre, drumming upon the table. ‘Of course I know nothing about who he is, but I have a suspi- cion, derived from a word Cathie let drop when I first met her in Deadwood.” “Ah! so you have a suspicion, eh?” the woman said, gazing straight at him until he was forced to drop his gaze, a flush of guilt mounting his cheek. “TI believe you are playing a double game here, Carlos Cambre.”” “Oh! you do, eh?” he replied, a meaning glitter in his eyes. ‘‘ Well, think what you please. I don’t crave your.employment one iota. You proposed that I Should tender my assistance on account of my knowledge of the country, believing I might be a handy tool, But a tool usually executes mechanism, and, in procw ing copi:s of all your papers, 1 have pro- vided myself for the hour when my services would be no longer needed,” As he spoke thus, the face of the scheming villain was lit up by a smile of triumph, “What? What is this you say? demanded the woman, Cathie, springing to her feet excitedly, while Lawyer Bolton followed her example—*‘ cu possess copies of my papers, Carlos Cambre?” ‘Exactly, madam! I saw a big game at stake. I saw that J had the matter all in my Own hands. I stole your papers and copied them.” ** Ah! but we have the originals still!” cried Bolton gleefully, * and our testimony will overbalance yours —you being iw ex-outlaw.”” **Oh, it’s all right, my friends,"’ replied Cambre, with a sneering laugh. “TI think I can put my fin- gers on the right party, and make him heir, leaving you out in the cold, unless you will pay handsomely 4 he interested... 1 have my papers—the originals, also—” “You Jie /” cried Cathie, fiercely. “Oh! no, [don’t; look and be sure of your point before you show your hand.” , A look of horror overspread her features, and with faltering footsteps Cathie went to a desk, in one corner of the apartment, and unlocked a small drawer. “ Gone |’ she gasped, reeling back, as if she had been struck a heavy blow. “Gone?” echoed Bolton, the lawyer, springing for - ward to ascertain the truth of madame’s statement. “Gone!” assented Cambre, with a mocking laugh, “and Ihave got them—put away for safe keeping. My dear madam, and worthy limb of the law, allow me to bid youa pleasant £00d-night.”” And he bowed himself out of the room, with a tri- umphant smile on his lips, leaving the two astonish- ed victims of his villainy to their bitterest reflections, while he made his way down-stairs and out into the gulch street. It must have been fully an hour after the departure of the terrible Phantom Miner, that Old Avalanche spent in the mine tunnel, unable to move or speak, from the effect of the combined scare, defiance and robbery, before he felt a return of hisstunned senses and the blood onee more coursed through his veins. From some incomprehensible cause he had stiffen- ed where he sat, but soon was able to move hig
Page 12
is The Phantom Miner. hands and feet, after which by violent exercise of t..03e limbs he became himself once more. Prudence occupied the same tion she had be- fore the spell. while Florence Nightingale was brows ing wae at some brush she had dragged into the tunnel. “Great ham-bone thet afflicted old Joner," the old man gasped, when he found that his power of speéch was returning, ‘Rushes thet bull-dozed old Moses! am I or amI not am I. as the lads say? An' whar am I? Be I ther dreaded devastater 0’ the p2raries? Aire I ther great Le ue 0” ex- tarmination—ther terrific Injun fizzic? Or airela phantom—a ghost—a hog-gobblin’ or discomboweled speerit, frum ther immortal shades uv Tinctarrius?”’ He peered around, expecting still to behold his phantom foe, but to his unbounded relief, only blank darkness hovered around. “The dasted critter’s vamoosed, sure’s thar’s fun in a jack-mule’s hind foot, An’, by thunderation! my gold’s gone! Fact, by gracious! Here I’ve bin made.a helpless old galoot by some infernal power, and teetotally skinned uv my a’riferous!”* _ The old scout wassorely puzzled for once in his ven- turesome life. He knew that he had passed through a very strange Il, and had been made a help- less victim—had n robbed of his gold, Then his mind reverted to the fact that he had discharg- ed seven shots at the ghostly apparition, and what human mortal could stand up under such a fire, and every bullet sent unerringly! Ah! here was a mer of mysteries! urning Prudence about, the Annihilator rode slowly back into Bonanza Basin, and down across the slope to where a camp-fire burned upon the edge of the creek. He was resolved to say nothing con- cerning his encounter with the Phantom, yet. He would let things work their own way, and keep a vigilant watch in the future, trusting to his own anges to unravel the mystery of the Phantom. ‘ortunately, he had none of the others’ gold but his own with him, and no one need know anything about his loss. indeed, it would be death to the interests of. the mine to alarm the superstitious as they would instant! aur the claim. He found most of them still lounging about the fire, smoking their pipes and telling yarns, Keno and Little Alf being without rivals when Avalanche was absent. But when he rode into camp on his sorry-looking specimen of a horse, followed by the ugly, sneakish-appearing billy-goat, a shout went, up. “Hurra! here’sthe great eppydemic o’ Injun fiz- zic!” cried Little Alf, with ahearty laugh. He had finished the latter Eni of his journey to Eureka in ee with Deadwood Dick; later had_en- tered Avalanche’s employ in the mines. “Now, tumble off, Annihilator, and spin us an old tearin’ yarn, for you're the boss on lyin’, ef ever there was a boss. You'n’ old Whiffles orter been hitched tergether, like the Siamese. twins. Nick Whiffles was a good shot, by the way. I seen him scrape a rosy blush frum a gal’s cheek, once't, quicker’n ye ther t Annihilation war up in Nevada, scoutin’ ‘round. One night I hed a dream, an’I dreampt iller;-at made my blood b’ile ter see ther cuss iekin’ shed be there was an orful sleep I'd pulled a six-shooter an’ pinned Florence's tail, hayr, ter a cottonwood-tree, jest as nice as yo please. Ther hole’s thar yet, ef ye wish to make an examination.” “Pshaw! thet’s nothin’,” averred Keno, laying aside his pipe. “TI once see’d a feller lay a field- glass on top o” his rifle, an’ shoot clean from Galves- ton ter London and knock a fly offin the nose o' Queen Victory.” “TI pass,” cried Little Alf. “ T guess it remains fer me ter order ’em up, next time we go to 'Reka," added Avalanche, dismount- ing, with a grim smile, “ tho’, gentlemen, I hev beat even thet. I once sent a bullet across ther peraries after a man as owed me ten cents he'd borrowed fer a drink, an’ ther bullet went so fast and attracted so much friction thet et set ther hull prairie afire, an’ ther fire heated ther bullet an’ got it red-hot, an’ ther rays frum it set fire ter thet feller’s clothes, an’ he was a cremated corpus‘ before he'd got any- where’s near ter ther bullet, or ther bullet hed got anywhere’s nigh ter him, and—" “Hold on! we pass,”’ cried both Keno and Alf, deprecatingly. he Annihilator unbridled Prudence, and let her free, while he sat down upon a log and lit his pipe. * Avalanche,” said Alf, exchanging glances with the others, ** we’ve seen the Phantom Miner!” “Eh? You see’d the Phantom Miner?” “Yes. or what we supposed to be his ghostship—a white floating thing in mid-air, sailin’ about as ef there was fun in searin’ folks out o' their wits.” “And by heaven! there comes the infernal thing again!” yelled Keno, springing to his feet. He pointed directly overhead, where, sure enough, a ghastly apparition was slowly and gracefully floating i ae the air, surrounded by a@ mysterious halo of ight! t was far above them and only dimly visible against the inky-black heavens, with no motive pow- er visible. Was it a spirit of the air? Could it be that Bonanza natural beings? The thought was boesitying, But an exclamation from Avalanche warned the group of their danger. The apparitim, phantom, or whatever, was coming swiftly downward! CHAPTER VII. A BLOW STRUCK IN FIRE—WHICH OF TWO. Tue words that rung through the Man-Trap saloon were uttered by a strange horseman who had ridden boldly in through the open door, and with a cocked revolver covered the crowd of miners and ruffianly characters, who pressed forward against the bar upon which Red-Hot Harris stood so defiantly. The words also caused Old Roxly to lower his aim upon Red-Hot, and wheel partly around, uttering a curse as he beheld the daring rider. Was he wrong? Was this black-clad, masked youth on the horse the genuine Deadwood Dick? Ah! what doubt could there be of it? It was the same outfit he had worn in Deadwood, or one a very exact counterpart of it; the same handsome figure and graceful ease in the saddle. ut the two revolvers held in the leveled hands, caused the crowd to'shrink back with fear. Roxly stood for a moment in speechless dismay. “Yes, Iam Deadwood Dick!” repeated the same ringing voice—‘“ the so-called road-agent, on whom the world lavishes such a wealth of pure, undefiled affection,” with a bitter, sarcastic laugh. “I tried to reform, but you would not let me, Your work be ae your own heads; this time it is fire—the next will be blood!” Sternly came these words; then, at a single word, the powerful black horse wheeled and bounded from the saloon, bearing away its dare-devil rider into the gloom of the starless night. “Ten thousand devils! Quick! after him; a thou- sand dollars for a horse!" yelled Old Roxly, spring- ing after him in pursuit, with the excited habitues of Basin was really haunted by super- ~ -
Page 13
- The Phantom Miner. 18 the Man-Trapathisheels. “Stophim! A thousand dollars reward for Deadwood Dick! Shoot him! A horse! a horse!"" But Eureka did not possess many available horses and these, at the time, were browsing somewhere within ten miles of where they were wanted. that Deadwood Dick was free to thunder away up the gulch on his charger, unpursued, while the mighty walls of mountain rock echoed back his wild laugh mockingly. With terrible rage Roxly realized that he was again a subject of defeat, Among those who escaped from the saloon in the rush, was Red-Hot Harris, the boss poker-player. He slipped away unnoticed and hurried off into the darkness, taking the course toward the Deadwood Dick Bonanza, a puzzled expression upon his hand- some, fearless face, and a strange gleam in his black, magnetic eye. “It is time for me to be elsewhere!" he muttered, striking a match and glancing at his gold watch, “Tleft the old galoot at eight; it is now nearly ten, and time I was back. That road-agent chap luckily freed me from what promised to be a precarious situation, Thanks be to him! I guess I'll be all right in the future. Ha! a fire, by all that’s holy!” e@ had now reached the upper end of the town, when chancing to look back, he perceived that sev- eral tents and one frame shanty were in flames, near the other end of the town, at the end of Eureka ulch, Loud yells of anger, borne on the evenin reeze, proclaimed that the citizens of Eureka h discovered the fires. Men, women and children were Hors ted frantically in the direction of the Seening buildings, the light of which lit up the heavens wit a lurid reflection. “Ha! I remember!” Red-Hot muttered, passin his hand over his brow. “ Deadwood Dick said this blow would be fire, and yonder’s the blow! The next will be blood! Ha! ha! ha! but look: yonder are flames creeping up two cabins at ‘his end of town! And now men are coming this way, which makes it necessary for an individual of about iny size to va- muose!”” He watched the fire for a few moments only, then hurried up the lonely gulch, at a brisk pace. Deadwood Dick had made a threat of fire; now he was executing it. Unknown incendiaries were applying the torch to the dry crisp shanties, without being seen, and the heavens were growing 1 mea every minute. Men, women and children were rushiag about in confusion; every heart was filled with indignation and fear; consternation and anger were the prevail- ing ions, as the Eurekaites looked helplessly on to behold the conflagration that was destroying their hard-earned homes. A few puny attempts were made to check the flames by the application of buck- ets of water, but there was a strong breeze astir, and all efforts were fruitless, Old Roxly, the Deadwood Regulator, was rhaps the coolest man on the spot, despife the fact of his late defeat. He gathered around him a score of armed miners, and spread them around, promiscu- ously, with the order to shoot the first incendiary seen, without mercy. This ended the conflagration, and Eureka owed its redemption to the hardened old Regulator, who had sworn to hunt Deadwood Dick to death, or pass in his checks in the — No more fires were set, and when the dozen buildings, all told, had burned to the ground, the fiery blush died out of the heavens and darkness once more reigned supreme. A strict watch had been kept at both ends of the town, but none of Deadwood Dick's band had been seen to escape. Were they still within the village, intending to strike again when quiet was restored? Many feared that such would be the ease, but were happily disappoint- ed; they were not again molested that night. After leaving the Flag of Truce Hotel, on the ter- qoination of interview with Cathie, Carlos Cam- bre turned into a street which ran crosswise of the gulch, and hurried along, a low chuckle occasionally breaking from his lips. “My scheme has worked like a charm, thus far.” he muttered, glancing sharply around to see that no one was within hearing. “Cathie is in my power. and I have nothing to fenr from ber, Deadwo Dick is undoubtedly her « hild, by Fordyce Grayl- ford, although he knows it not. The case 8 ds now between him and these later children of the old miser. Whoever will pay the most shall have these papers. Rnd the villain chuckled again and again at the cleverness of his plot and its prospect of success, He kept a sharp outlook upon all sides, not _know- ing when he might receive a blow from some unseen enemy. But his vigilance did not detect a sti er trim figure that meenly shadowed him—ha shadowed him, unknown and unseen, ever since his arrival in Eureka, He went straight to the cottage of John Jones, who drove the Eureka stage, and found that individual very comfortably ensconced upon the doorsill of habitation, perusing the latest Portland paper, Jones was a brawny fellow, who had roughed it twenty years in the West since he was a youth of seventeen, and had a big heart, which made him as good-natured as the day was long. He bowed fa- miliarly as Cambre approached, and made room upon the sill, but the ex-lieutenant dec! proffered seat with a smile. “T cannot sit down.” he said. “I came to in- quire when you fetched in a young woman with a baby, on your stage?” “Le’me see. A young woman and a baby, eh? Wal, I fetched in two last week, three the week before, and one this week; day before yesterday ; 80 you see it’s hard tellin’ which you mean,” “T should say so. But, the one I have reference to has red hair, and is only of medium stature—very pretty in form and face,” “Dunno nothin’ "bout it, Once got my own ha'r pulled fer commentin’ on the beauties of another woman's capillary possessions." “Where did you drop all these six women with babies?” “All at the Man-Trap; but none o’ ’em stayed there long, you bet!”’ Cambre turned away, without thanks for the infor- mation he had obtained, It looked as if there might be some trouble in finding Leone and her child. Very likely she would remain in seclusion, until she could effect a reconciliation with Deadwood Dick. The first alarm of the fire had just been given when Cambre reached the main street; men, women and children were hurrying in every direction, confused and excited. “Oh! what if it should be my home, and Leone and Dickie asleep!’ muttered one girlish re, that flitted by, toward the flames that were leap- ing skyward. e words were hardly spoken above a whisper, yet Cambre caught them, and his heart gave an exultant bound. ‘Here is my clew when least rgritege- he mut- tered, springing off in pursuit of the girl whom he now recognized as Noisy Nell of the Man-Trap shoot- ing gallery, “Surely there cannot two Leones in Eureka, as there are two Deadwood Dicks.” Noisy Nell soon reached a shanty inclosed by a rough, unpainted picket fence, which stood in close praxtonty to one of the burning buildings, and Cam- re was Close to her heels. A female figure clasping a very young babe in her arms, stood leaning upon the gate, watching the con. flagration, and uttered a little cry of joy when Nell hurried up. “Oh! is it you, sister? I was just out enjoying the hing a great fire," uu fire, I always did glo in wi with a little shivering laugh. “T feared it was nry shanty, and_that you would be very much frightened,” Nellie Brandon replied, opening the gate and stepping inside the yard, which
Page 14
14 The Phantom Miner. she had adorned with a few beds of fragrant posies. “T guess you are not much of a coward after all.” ‘No; my later life has hardened me—both in body and soul, I defy everybody now, and stand upon my guard.” he spoke with bitterness rooted in her tones; it was plain she was losing faith in the world, and its people. “And yet they say that Deadwood Dick, your hus- band, is the cause of this fire. There was a young man in the Man-Trap to-night, calling himself Red- Hot Harris, whom Iand everybody else took to be Deadwood Dick. Roxly, the Deadwood Regulator, undertook to arrest him, when in rode your busband on his jetty horse, and attired in his costume of black, and ordered him to desist. Then he told them this blow would be fire, and the next blood, after which he made a dash, and escaped.” “And what became of this Red-Hot Farris, sis- ver?" ** He escaped when the crowd rushed from the sa- ioon in search of Dick. He claimed to be your hus- band’s twin brother, is a very counterpart of him, and offers five hundre 1 dollars reward for the deliv- erance of Deadwood Dick into his hands.” Leone looked puzzled. * Was not this Red-Hot Harris my husband, then?’’ she asked, eagerly. her flushed face showing how much she was interested. “Oh! no. I believed so, at first, but not after I saw the man on horseback. It was the same dash- , handsome figure you have so often and elo- quently described to me.” A flush of proud joy—genuine enthusiasm, swept over Leone’s pale face. She was somewhat changed since we last saw her (in Wild Ivan, Pocket Library No. 14); her form had lost some of its roundness, but still retained all its old grace of motion; a maturer expression was given to her pale, pretty face, and a softer light to her eye—though there was ever worn about her lips a haunting expression of pitiful regret and sorrow. She had never ceased to love her outlaw husband; she felt that her love was a thousand times stronger now that she had his and her baby boy in her youn: mother’s arms—the little, plump, crowing cheru' that was the very picture of Deadwood Dick; and she never spoke but in a loving, endearing way of him who had so cruelly deserted her, for was she not in a measure to blame? Nor had she given up hope of a final and happy reunion. * Perhaps the horseman was my Eddie,” she said “but I can. hardly believe that he was the cause of this ix He swore that he woul’ no longer lead the of a road-agent, andI never knew him to break his word.” “ And do you think he would dare to ride so boldly into the saloon?” Nell asked, wonderingly-. “ Dare? Why, miss, Deadwood Dick would dare ride into the very gates of the Infernal Regions, if he had any business there!” said a low, insinuating voice, and Carlos Cambreé stepped into the presence of the two girls. ‘ Good-evening Mrs. Harris! This is rather an unexpected pleasure to meet you here.” “Why, is it really you, Mr. Cambre?” and Leone ut out one hand, which he promod warmly. “I id not know you were here, when I came.” a Wid ane not? Well, you see Lam; and Deadwood Dick that old scout, the Injun Annihilator, are both here. Presently old friends will meet. Hello! is this the juvenile Deadwood Dick?" and the ex- lieutenant attempted to take the little bundle of hu- manity in his arms, but the youn ster set up such a piteous howl, that the man shrunk back. “Yes, this is my son,’* Leone said, hushing Master Dick's screams, “and he is all I have left to depend ope. Mr. Cambre. what became of Edith Stone?” e ex-lieutenant stared. “Why, did you not hear? She drowned herself in the Little, Madrass, all for the love of Deadwood ” A pained, regretful expression came upon Leone’s ace. ** Poor child,” she murmured, a tear glistening in either eye; “I was wrong in being so harsh to her, She could not help it; hers was infatuation, while mine was love. Poor Edith!” “She is better off now, Mrs. Harris. It is a dan- gerous thing, sometimes, for two women to worship the same man.” “True. very true. Mr. Cambre, my, dear friend, here, tells me that there were two men in the Man-Trap saloon to-night, who looked like my bus- band, one calling himself Red-Hot Harris, he being undisguised, while the other was rigged out like the Prince of the Road, and called himself Deadwoo.l Dick. Which was Deadwood Dick?” “That’s a conundrum I will not agree to answer, dear lady. Undoubtedly Deadwoud Dick in this case was Deadwood Dick, I thought at first that Red-Hot Harris was Deadwood Dick, myself, for the two are near counterparts, but I don’t believe he is Dead- wood Dick's brother; in fact, Lam positive that he is not. As the matter now stands, there appears to be two or three Deadwood Dicks in the field-—” “ One of whom takes pleasure in presenting him- self for your inspection!” eried a clear, ringing voice. “Carlos Cambre, remember that on the th PH November youare doomed to die the death of a Y CHAPTER VIII. GHOSTLY MYSTERY—A WARNING. Ir would be hard to describe the feelings of the miners and Old Avalanche, when the mysterious Phantom Miner was seen descending. ey were appalled at the weird spectacle, and stood rooted to the spot, unable to flee or speak, until, by a great effort, the Annihilator mastered his fright, and gave a yell of horrer, which aroused the others, and all fléd across the basin pell-mell, toward the tunnel, At the mouth of this they stopped, and gazed back toward the spot they had just vacated. The Phantom descended to the ground, and in his robes of ghostly white and surrounded by that unearthly halo of bluish light, was stalking about camp, examining things in general. “ Great ham-bone thet waz the last sickness of old Joner!” exclaimed Old Avalanche, so overcome with the mystery and terror of the situation that he was foreed to sit down upon a convenient rock. “ 3, this is ther fust time ther great Annihilator's ever bin skeered. Aire it the devil?” “Give it up,” replied little Alf Coyle. “ "Tain’t nothin’ human, I'll sw’ar!” “On course it ain't!’ declared Keno, contemptu- ously, wiping the org iration from his brow. “It’s a ghost, thet’s what it is. Allers knew thar war sich things. Proved it once, too. My old mother-in- law kicked the bucket, about six years ago, up in Minnesoty, an’ fearin’ the old hornet woula escape confinement, I drawed six load o’ big stun onter her grave, an’ darn my socks ef she didn’t rise right out o’ thet grave, an’ chase me six mile thru the woods, till I fainted.” “Good! sarved ye right,” declared Old Avalanche, “Learnt ye ter let mother-‘n-laws alone, I guess. Got learnt suthin’ o’ ther kind once myself. Tried ter p’izen ther old woman, an’ she chawed off about an inch o’ my nose. Boyees, d’'ye parseeve wat thet hog-gobblin speerit iz after? He's snoopin’ eround, seein’ ef he ken’t find sum more a'riferous, true’s thunder!"" “Some more? Then he tuk yours, eh?” demanded Keno, suspiciously. “Yas, boyees; may’s well own up. Met ther ‘tar- nal thing in ther tunnel, an’ it petrified me stiffer'n a poker by jest lookin’ at me, an’ after skinnin’ me o’ every grain, swooped off an’ left me, When I re- covered, I kim back tercamp, "Tain't no use talkin’,
Page 15
we The Phantom Miner. 185 pilgrims: et’s a genuine speerit. I plugged seven chunks 0’ lead right at it, out o’ my revolver, an’ ther consarned thing larfed jest asif et enjoyed thet sort o' fizzie—did, by gracious!” “Old man, ef I hedn’t seen you do sum good shootin’, I shouldn’t be mixpriach As it is, I'm tee- totally knocked way out 0’ all calculation.’ “ Thar goes our a’riferous cuss-durn, the sperrit!"’ growled forle as the Phantom was seen to ap- proach a large ‘box, in which the miners kept their gold, and lift the lid, ‘Oh, great Jerusalem! jest wait till I sight him,” and the young miner threw his long-barreled rifle to his shoulder, But Old Avalanche interfered. “Don't dispense your fizzic yet, boyee,” he said, “One bullet wouldn't effect thet hog-gobblin no more’n would a flea-bite, We must creep down ter ther camp, and make a rush upon et, or our gold is gone whar ther woodbine twineth. Come, now; down on yer horizontal, an’ do sum o’ yer tallest wigglin’, an’ when ye hear ther Annihilation ycll out ‘scoot,’ jist lay fer thet Phantom wi’ yer revol- vers, an’ put moar holes in him than ye’ll find in a pair o’ yearling socks.” Ready to obey one whom they knew to be fear- less, the miners threw themselves upon their hands and knees and crept toward the cane, resolved to make one more attempt to extirpate the Phantom. It was still there, evidently sampling the convents of the strong-box, which the miners had negligently left unlocked, The halo of bluish light still surround- ed the ghostly figure like ashroud; everything about the object seemed unearthly. Closer and closer crept the miners, old Avalanche at their head. Now they were only a dozen yards from the mysterious Phantom, when slowly the ap- parition soars upward into the darkness—is gone! while the astounded miners creep on to their camp- fire, speechless and horrified at what they had seen. The strong-box they found to be rifled of every grain of gold, as they had expected. The Phantom was a thief as well as a spirit, then, * Boyees!” the Annihilator said, wiping his damp- ened forehead. “I’ve been thru more infarnelated scrapes an’ adventur’s than most feller humans 0’ my age, but I’ll be hanged ef I ever hed enny genooine hog-gobblins ter wras'le wi’ before, I hed sum doubts, awhile ago, thet this war no speerit, but I'm satisfied now. Et aire the pure quill!’ “ Exactly!’ added Keno, ecley: “Tt are a genuine floatin’ evaporated soul, right fresh out o’ the regions of Tinctoarius!” “ Which settles it thet Little Alf Coyle ain't a-goin’ ter stay in Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza any longer,” announced that individual, venturing to light his pipe, now that the Phantom had gone, ‘I propose we evacuate.” “Nixy!" Thes great devastatin’ Injun eppyzootic o’ ther peraries aire goin’ ter stay an’ fight it out on this line if it takes all winter, An’ I'll paste thet ge loot beauchiful thet dares go an’ desert!” cried the old leader, The miners exchanged glances. They knew the veteran would not hesitate to back his words—that it would be certain death to that one who made the first move to desert. “I'm with ther Annibilator,” said Keno, promptly. “T can make my five dollars a day heur, an’ thar ain’t no ghosts goin’ ter scare me away.” “*Tve just bin’ studyin’ on an ijee,” said the An- nihilator, slowly. ‘“* Why not go an’ set fire to yon- der old cabin? Red Brand sed thar’s whar ther Phantom Miner held his quarters.” “Yes, an’ look! thar’s ther cuss-darned thin; now!” cried Alf, pointing toward the cabin. Wit! dilated eyes, the miners saw the Phantom slowly de- scend out of mid-air and enter the old vine-wreathed habitation. ** Now’s our time, Jads!’’ whispered Avalanche ex- citedly. ‘‘Ther bird's. caged, an’ we'll cremate it, Snatch a torch an’ kim along. Ther old shell's dry, an’ ’ll burn like old been-zeen|”’ He plucked a burning brand from the fire, and_his companions did likewise; then in a body they rushed toward the old cabin, looking wild and weird under the flaring torchlight. Not a word was spoken, but, like so many flery dragons, they plunged on. and at last stood by the side of the cabin, which was fast yielding to the ravages of worms and decay. The work of setting the fire in half a dozen places was but of a moment; then the miners drew back at a safe distance, and watched the flames run madly through the crisp dry vines that covered the cabin walls. They crackled, and leaped high toward the heavens, luridly iliumining the black night. Eagerly the miners watched the spectacle, believ- ing that they had successfully triumphed over the Phantom—had caged it in this fiery trap. “Ha! ha!” laughed Little Alf, gleefully, ‘it’s good- by, Phantom Miner, now. Hark! don’t ye hear him ar 8 in yonder furnace?” “He's a gone goose, I reckon,” replied Keno, “on- less ye ken't scorch speerits. I never hed enny 'speri- ence in thet line, myself.”’ “Scorch nothin’! suddenly cried Avalanche. “ Look!” and he pointed toward the burning cabin, The vines had nearly burned away, and tho flames were beginning to creep over the dry Jog, when all at once that mysterious apparition of the Phantom Shpetees upon the roof, which was sur- rounded by eaping flames. A wild, awful shriek; then the thing began swiftly to arise, and floated like a cloud off up into the blackness of the overcast heavens, until lost from view. The startling words of threat caused Carlos Cam- bre to wheel about, his hand seeking a revolver in his belt. But he paused and hesitated, when his eyes rested on the black knight of road-agents—the familiar, somber-clad figure of Deadwood Dick. inde ee ?” he gasped, allowing his hand to drop to side. “Yes, J’/" replied the young outlaw. “I saw you here, and came to see if you have forgotten your mission,”’ “N-no! of course not,” the ex-lieutenant faltered, quailing beneath the other's stern gaze. “But, you must give me time.” “ Until the 26th—your death-day!” was the cool, stern answer. “Dick! oh! Dick! Is this really yout” Leone bad put her babe into the arms of Noisy Nell, and sprung eagerly forward—stood before the man in black, hopeful, and oh! so fearful he would repulse her advance. e looked down at her a moment; then put his arm gently around her, drawing her close to him, “Leone, again we meet—unexpectedly, for, 1 a posed you far from here. But, we must part, oath must remain unbroken, 1s that the—our boy?" “Yes, that is our Dick,’’ Leone said, reaching for the babe that he might more closely inspect it, “See, Dickie, this is your papa! Oh! Eddie, heis all I have left, now, since you deserted me. oh! my husband,” and her voice was lowered to a whisper, “will you never come back?” ** Some time, peerless!"’ was the low reply, then he turned and strode away into the darkness. Cambre soon followed. Hesaw no way of steal- ing the child at present, and besides, he had work to attend to elsewhere. After he had gone, I eone and Noisy Nell stood in their front yard and watched the progress of the flames for some time. But at last they grew tired of the glare, and retired into the shanty, which was Nellie Brandon’s home. There were but a couple of rough rooms, but these were neatly furnished and cheerful. Leone seated herself before a low fire which burn- ed upon the hearth, clasping infant Dick close to her breast. There were tears in her eyes, for the words of Deadwood Dick had been more painful than com- forting. They had illy-fed the craving desire within
Page 16
16 The Phantom Miner. her breast--she could scarcely believe that it was re- ally so. Yet, who else could play his part so fault- lessly? Ah! it must be he; but yet so_coid and changed from the once loving Dead wood Dick, She was sine softly to herself, when Noisy Nell came and seated herself by the fire. “What! crying again, Mrs. Harris? Please don’t; yon will ery your pretty eyes out, some of these jays.’ “Oh! I cannot help it, Nellie. You don't know anything about it, for you were never the mother of a loved husband’s child, and that husband estranged from you, Oh! it seems, sometimes, as if I could not live this life much longer, without him, You were never in love, Nellie!’ “ Never,’’ the girl answered, staring moodily into the fire. ‘I’ve been roughing it alone for ten years —since I was eight, but no one ever seemed to care for me, unless some rough attempted to make him- self familiar, when he generally got paid back in his own coin. I've seen those I think I could have loved, but they were such as don’t often notice girls in my ition. Guess there ain't much attractions about ‘oisy Nell.” And then there came a bitter little laugh from the girl that was sad to hear. “Oh! do not despair. Pretty girls like you can- not always escape vbservation and admiration, I hope, however, that you will find a happier lot than Ihave. Oh! lam utterly wretched and miserable. I sere not to live unless Ican have my darling back again, “How did you come to part, dear sister? You promised to tell me your story, but never have.” “ No, because it is painful to rehearse the scenes I try to forget,” replied Leone, closing her eyes wea- rily. She soon roused, however, and told her story in a pitiful way, that affected Nellie Brandon to tears. But she did not screen herself in the recital—told it as it was, even to holding Deadwood Dick blame- less. “ And do you know,” Nellie said, after she had lis- tened attentively to the story, ‘that, after what I have heard, I do not believe that was your husband at the gate to-night? It was some outlaw who has an inkling of your history, and is working up some heinous plot, using Mr. Harris’s name as a shield to his identity. Isaw your husband in company with Old Avalanche, a couple of weeks ago, on the night of their arrival in Eureka, but I do not believe that this was be whom we saw to-night.” “Then is not Red-Hot Harris and this man the same? I am sure the former is not Dick's brother, for I never heard him mention that he had one. He has a sweet sister—Mrs. Anita McKenzie—in Dead- wood, but I never saw, or heard him speak of having a brother,” “T hardly think Red-Hot Harris was this man to- night, for he would hardly have had time to have changed his costume after Fos from the Man- Trap, until this so-called Deadwood Dick came along. There is a mystery somewhere, which I can- not solve.” “IT believe I would like to.see Old Avalanche; he might explain.” “Hardly, t think, for even he knows nothing of the whereabouts of your husband, not haying seen him since the first night of their arrival here.” At this instant there came a timorous knock at the door: then the sound of retreating fooeeere “ What does this mean?” exclaimed Nellie, picking up a paper that had been thrust under the door. “Ha! merey! Listen, Leons; it is a warning to you: “Fly, without delay. If you have male friends, seek them. Above all, beware of Carlos Cambre. He is scheming to steal your child, to deliver into the hands of a man—Deadwood Dick No. 2. Never leave the babe unprotected, Will report further, DETECTIVE.” . CHAPTER IX. A CLEW OF CRIME—FLEEING FROM FOES, On the morning succeeding the fire, when the ex- citement of the night was somewhat subdued, the Eurekaites gave their attention to the matter of the murder and robbery at the Oaks. Cornell, the man servant who had brought the re- port, accompanied by Murrill, a newly appointed. sheriff, and Roxly, the Regulator, with a posse of armed men, set out forthe scene of the massacré, as soon as day dawned, to investigate matters, for, al- though ta! ed Graylford was a miser and not a: general favorite, his influence was not to be despised. Little information could be obtained of Cornell concerning the affair, more than that immediately after dark, on the preceding night, a band of masked outlaws had surprised the bousehold while they were at supper, and had shot them down without mercy, he, Cornell, being the only one to escape. The out~- laws did not seem to have any particular leader, but spree to understand their work as if it had pre- viously been planned out. On their arrival at the mansion, the servant's statement was found to be correct, all except that Fordyce Seared was not dead, but seriously wounded. His wife, son, and-daughter and five ser- vants lay dead where they bad been shot down. The old speculator was wounded in a dozen places, and faint and exhausted from a great loss of blood, but had managed to drag himself about from place to place, leaving a gory trail wherever he had gone, e seemed relieved when he saw that friends had come, “Do Pi suspect the author of this fearful tra- ‘aptain Graylford?” asked Murrill, the pew such a blow. ut that he is numbered with the dead, there is one I could suspect, for he has several times of late threatened my life.” “Ah! perhaps we've dy struck a clew, To whom do you refer?” “To my son, who lies dead, yonder. But I cannot suspect him, now.” *“Ah! he may be the traitor; there is no telling. Men, remove these bodies and see that they are pre- red for burial. Roxly, you are a good surgeon; ess the captain’s wounds.” And after oe orders the sheriff went over to the stark, stiff y of pad Ds eighe and went through the pockets of his clothing. He had once been in the detective service, was shrewd, well educated, and quick to draw correct conclusions, At least, it proved so in this case. From among other things taken from the young man’s pockets, he soon selected a small note, pen- ned in a bold, graceful hand. It had been written on the day before, and ran as follows: “The men will come. Itis best I should not ac- company them, Look out for yourself about nine in the evening. Camere,” “Ha! ha! Cambre,” muttered Murrill, scratching his head. “ As long as Ihave been in Eureka I never before heard that name. Either it is an assumed one, or else this Cambre is a new arrival, Let me see. I will keep this matter close, and work up the case without publicity. I feel like trying my id in foe eg ps ane ep abt ena helped e put the paper in his pocket, and he! remove the bodies. The old speculator was fixed up as best as could be under the circumstances, and left in care of a couple of competent nurses. The aims of the outlaw-ruffians had been, no doubt, to mur- der the household, and_then rob the safe of the hoards of money which Fordyce Graylford was su pag A cine np But in this they were baffled. hey had blown open the safe, but, according to the old speculator, had found no booty, as he had several days before buried his treasure where no one could find it except himself, Thus had the outlaws real nothing but blood for their crime. «
Page 17
ee Sheriff Murrill went back to Eureka, and made careful inquiries after a man named Cambre, but amid the seething populace of the infant Deadwood, no one knew aught concerning the individual in question, But Murrill was not baffled. Ile was possessed of great patience, and one failure Ly no means diseour- aged him, He resolved to watch and wait, trusting to luck and his own keen powers of perception to sift the matter to the bottom. If a Cambre there ™ in Eureka, he was satisfied he could find him, Later in the day he shouldered his rifle, and set off up the gulch, having in mind to shoot a deer if one came within range,” But a couple of hours’ wanderings among the mountain crags put bim all out of the notion of game, and seating himself upon @ natural rocky platform, he drew the little a of paper from his pocket, and scanned the few ines, eager! This was a game that was well worth capturing, if Graylford offered a reward, which he undoubtedly would. “Cambre! Cambre! I am sure I never heard the name, Sort of a Spanish one, I should say. And what now becomes necessary, is that I should dis- cover the whereabouts of this individual. He is the author of this murder at the Oaks, and Graylford’s son was in league with him, but accidentally got into the trap he had helped to lay. This note says, ‘ Look out for yourself about nine in the evening.’ Cor- nell states that the attack and massacre were made at seven; which accounts for matters a little, Hang it! I wish I could find some one who knows this Cambre.” ** Wishes are often unexpectedly realized!’ said a cool voice, close at hand, and Murril] glanced quick- Vy around to behold a person seated astride a bowl- der directly in his rear, where he had evidently been for some moments a listener to the sheriff’s muttered soliloquy. “TI benpen to know this same individual you are in quest of.”” “Eht you do?” exclaimed Murrill, staring curi- ously at the handsome black-clad figure, whose face was masked and shaded by a broad sombrero, “Who are you, pray?” “It hardly matters. I am one whom the world drives before it—an outcast, a wanderer, and an ex- road-agent chief,” ; “You are Deadwood Dick!” Murrill exclaimed, growing a little uneasy, for he perccived that the young outlaw’s hand rested upon a revolver, while dared not reach for one, “Yes, Deadwood Dick, if you like it that ets was the indifferent reply. “The man that strikes back when struck at. Don’t fear; I shall not offer Ae harm as long as you mind your own business, ‘ou know how the other sheri departed, It was all because of rash hot-headedness,’ me You say £0 because you recognize no law, young man. “No more I don’t. But didn't T offer to make amends, and become an honest, loyal citizen, if the poe of Eureka would accept’ of me? Yes, you now I did, and they chose my hete rather than m friendship. They shall have all they want of it. Which do you prefer, sir?” Murrill reflected. He had no grudge against this youth. Why should he enlist against him, when ap- parently his friendship would not be despised? “I prefer your friendship. We can more advan- tageously become friends than enemies, I think, I have nothing against you, and if it is agreeable, we can_be friends in earnest,” Lghiras “It is agreeable, decidedly,” Deadwood Dick said, sliding down from his perch, and extending his black-gloved hand. ‘I have so few true friends in the world, that I am anxious to add to the list. I think you are one whom I can trust.” “Tmplicitly, My friendship is lasting, and you will find me ready to strike in defense of a friend.” “Task no one to fight or battles,” replied the ex- Troad-agent, proudly, “ my life I have had to de- The Phantom [“iner. iv pend upon my own muscle, Ican fight the battle on alone.” “You look at matters on the wrong side,” Murri!l said, when he had listened to a part of Harris's eventful history, ** You can easily quit this sort of life by going East, where you are unknown. ‘Talc my, advice and go. Hunt up your deserted wife and boy, and leave this western sod forever.” But Deadwood Dick shook his head. “No, I could not live away from the West. I should die out in the tame Eastern States. Besides, how long do you suppose I'd remain unmolested by the bloodhounds of the law?” “* Perbaps for years—"” “Not a month. Ill wager my life 'm not un- known there. Chicago and Cincinnati, even, have entered into competition in the race for the rewards set upon my head, No, I shall remain in the West, and fight it out on this line to the end. I see that counterfeits are wrist shoved on the market—that is, sham Deadwood Dicks. We have one here in Eureka—the same individual who rode into the Man-Trap saloon last night, and afterward fired the town, I wish to meet this chap, and learn where he obtained the right to use my copyrighted handle?” “Then you say that was not you?” “Swear to it, if necessary, Saw part of the fire from a distance. Was in the saloon at the samo time this bogus Deadwood Dick entered,” “Ha! then you were, after all, Red-Hot Harris?” the sheriff exclaimed, shrewdly. The road-prince laughed. “Bah! Red-Hot Harris claims to be my brother, but he is not. I do not possess one of those branches of relation, He looks so much like me, that he bas to manufacture some yarn to prevent ping strun up in my place. My wife's brother passed in h checks thus, on account of a great resemblance to me, As it happened in Deadwood, you may have heard of it?” “Yes, at the time. Resemblance to a criminal 1 should say would be undesira! And, now, about this Cambre! You know him, eh?” “Ought to. He was a lieutenant in my road-agent band, before I left them.” “Ah! that is guod, Do you think you would know him, at sight?” “Certainly. T owe him a grudge, and shall not forget him. You want him in connection with this massacre affair, eh?” “Yes.” Then the sheriff showed him the paper, and related what he knew on the subject of the attack and murder, “Cambre and Graylford’s son were undoubtedly in the plot,” Dick said, after listening attentively, “Cambre is sly and wary, yet I know him to bea villain, You have proof enough to hang him, Fol- low up your clew, after the description I have given you, and let me know the result.” “When will I see you again?” “Tmpossible to say, as my movements are uncer- tain. A letter left on this rock, however, will reach me. This is Deadwood Dick's post-office!” Then, after a few more words and a cordial hand- shake, the two men separated, Murrill descending into the guich, and tramping off toward Eureka, which lay some six miles below, Startling and crushing was the intelligence the note brought to poor Leone Harris—that the only man she had thought her friend, was in reality an enemy. And it was his intention to attempt the kid- napping of her babe, that the innocent thing might be delivered into the hand& of this Deadwood Dick No. 2. Who was this Deadwood Dick No. 2? bs 4 did he wish to obtain Ogee. of her child? A) these questions flashed across her mind with light- ning rapidity, when Noisy Nell finished reading the strange missive. * Oh, Nellie!" the poor young wife exclaimed, tearg
Page 18
is The Phantom Miner. nc tt coursing down her pale cheeks. ‘ What shall I do? Where shall I go? hat does it all mean?” “It means that there is more goviltey afloat. than we have imagined. Idid not like the looks of that Carlos Cambre. He is a villain,” replied the girl. “Ah! it seems so, but I never thought him other than a friend before. But now that I think of it, he has several times said things to me that were un- warranted and ungentlemanly, Ah! since the death of my brother all the world has tried to deal me a blow. Nellie, do you know what I begin to believe? —though God knows the suspicion may be an un- just one." “No, sweet sister—-what?” “This—that my husband hates me, and by doing away with the child and then with myself he intends to free himself of marriage bonds, so that he will again be at liberty to woo and win.” bi aay you do not think him so base as this, Mrs. arris?" ‘* Maybe I am very wrong, but I cannot see how else these things can be. I know of. no earthly epany, who could wish to harm me through my “Ah! you are greatly at fault, my dear. Dead- wood Dick is no such a villain, 1 am well satisfied, from what little I saw of him. Perhaps this Dick No. 2is some one who has a grudge against Dick No, 1, and takes the method of striking at him through Fy ones a ellie, you are an angel!” Leone said, laying Master Dick upon the bed and embracing her friend. “You can see things in a truer light than I, Of course my Dick is no such villain, and I have deeply wronged him by my unjust suspicion. But, what shall ldo? It is necessary that I should find another pines as I will no longer be safe here, My poor ba- y Dick! Canit be that your young life is to be be- set with perils and be forever haunted like that of your fearless father? Oh! Heaven forbid! In the morning I will take you to the Big Bonanza Mine, where Avalanche is, and he will prntect ou.” So they remained up through the long night, Serchng for the first streak of light in the eastern sky heralding the approach of dawn. orning came at last, cloudy and dull, with a rogpect of a long, drizzling rain, such as the au- umnal months bring. Nell was the owner of a couple of saddle-horses, and mounted upon these, the two girls rode through the town, and up the gulch in the direction of Dead- wood Dick's Bonanza, Nothing was seen of Carlos Cambre, and a hope entered Leone's heart that she would yet escape him. Once under the protection of Old Avalanche, she felt that she would be safe. But alas! how sudden their fruit destroyed. They were yet a quarter of a mile from the en- trance to the mine, when, on looking back, they be- held Cambre coming furiously on in pursuit, his animal covered with flecks of foam, He was not to be defeated! CHAPTER X. A FEMALE DETECTIVE—INVASION. Tuar night following the flight of Leone and Nellie from Eureka, found the Man-Trap saloon filled to overflowing, both with miners and men-about-town, together with the new-comers fetched in by the evening stago, _ Almost every type of character, from the negro, all through the various imported foreign races, down, to the plain-faced Yankee, was repre- sented within the crowded whisky den. Drinking, gambling, fighting and general carousal were, as usual, the order of the evening, in which all hands were ionally forced to participate or “ante out,” And then, like mays 4 that unlucky individual who refused to share the “ fun,” would be followed and mauled by the drunken crowd. This is how they do things in * brown style” in the lively little unmapped city of Eureka, hopes may be blasted, and Deadwood Dick was amoug those within the room which constituted the saloon, but he was in deep disguise as a rough miner. He had a desire to see the wife of Carlos Cambre, whom it will be remem- bered, he encountered on the first night of his ar- rival in Deadwood. He knew she would aid him materially in discovering Cambre himself, if he were in hiding or disguise. He spied the petite little figure ere long, flitting about and serving drinks to the thirsty patrons of the establishment. It was some time before she passed where he wae lounging at a table, and he had a chance to hail er, “What is it?” she demanded, coming up with a number of beer glasses upon her tray. “ Bring meag' of light wine; also one for your- self. 1 wish to talk with you a while.” “Who are you?” she questioned, looking him over, suspiciously. ‘‘ What do you want of me?” “You will learn in time. Fear not, for lam Dead- wood Dick!” She gave a nervous start, as if the intelligence sur- prised her; then nodded her head and went away, It was full an hour, and Dick was growing impa- tient, when she reappeared bringing the wine, “Indeed! have you come at last? You must im- agine a fellow’s appetite is not strong!” he said. “It is probably not stronger than that of these thirsty brutes around us,” was the reply, ‘‘T knew i wanted news more than beverage, so I let you wait.” “And have you news that will interest me?” “T just have, [have a story—or part of one—to tell you. But, first, what do you want to know?— what prongs you here?” “Curiosity — longing for adventure — want of news,” he replied, with a smile from his jetty black orbs. “ Where is your so-called husband—Carlos Cambre?"’ “About town somewhere, plotting mischief, as usual. Went up the gulch to-day, after Noisy Nell and. Leone—"’ “What?” Deadwood Dick exclaimed, starting vio- esr . “Leone, you say—surely not my Leone—my wife?” “Yes, your wife, Mr. Harris. She is here; has been here for a couple of weeks, Cambre has got a slot afoot to steal her babe, and deliver it wp to this eadwood Dick No, 2, whoever that may be. I warned her, and saw her and Nell Brandon ride up toward Bonanza Basin. Cambre followed, and [ would have done likewise, only that my attention was called to matters here.” ‘ae you do not know what became of them, then?’ “No, but [think they were far enough ahead to reach the Bonanza before he overtook them,” “Thopeso, He is a worse villain than I ever be- fore took him to be. He wes concerned in this Graylford massacre case,” “He was the head instigator of it!” Martha re- plied. ‘I know all about it, He and Graylford's son were in the plot together.” * Ah! a seem pretty well posted upon every: oe ow do you know so much?” “T improve my spare time in shadowing mv faithless husband and prying into his secrets. find that there is a plot on the tapis, in whic’) you are concerned. cannot give you the fu'l ae now—not till I learn more. It appears bat this Fordyce Graylford has a wife and son living by a first marriage. He deserted his first wife—or she deserted him, it is hard to tell which —and wedded again. Now this first wife turns up, and as soon as she can produce her son-heir, whom she has traced here to Eureka, she intends to la: claim to the property—or, rather, intended to, But, something has happened which will for a time check her progress. Cambre ‘entered into her service a few weeks ago, and_ has, while helping her trace u this missing heir, learned the whole story, an
Page 19
stolen all her papers—marriage-certificate, birth- pees, and so forth—with the intention of taking he game into his own hands.” ‘But what has all this to do with me?” Dick de- manded, wonderingly. * You are the jirst and only lawful son of Cathie and Fordyce Graylford !" replied Martha, in a low tone, that her words mighc not be overheard. “Git out! what are you trying to give us now? My parents are long since in theirgrave, for which Tam grateful to God, that they may not know the level to which their son has sunk," Dick replied. “T have reason to think that you never knew your true parents, sir, but cannot at present give you any further information. Cambre holds the rump card inthe possession of those Fs rs, and Ishall try to get them from him. He believes you to be the heir, and will probably try to negotiate with you, when you meet. But, don’t mind him. Leave the matter to me, and all will yet come out right. See here!” and turning her back to the crowd, she partly opened the the bosom of her dress The glim Dick caught of a gleaming silver badge caused him to start, “You are a—” “ Detective,” finished she, with a peculiar little laugh. *‘* You probably wonder how I came in pos- session of this badge. My father was one of the shrewdest and most successful detectives on the border, and on his death, the honor of an appoint- ment was conferred upon me, because I had on several occasions materially aided him in capturing rogues. Thus I have the power to aid justice, even though but a wonian, In my vocation here, 1 have chances to detect villainy, quite often.” “Doubtless. But this is all a great surprise to me, and Tam naturally interested. must now go and look after my wife, Leone, for should harm befall her, I could never forgive myself. I trust this matter in your hands, and when you learn any- thing, and wish to communicate, give a letter Sheriff Murrill, and he wiJl drop it in Deadwood Dick’s post-office,” Then the young outlaw stalked toward the door of the saloon, looking strange in his rough dirty mining suit, and bushy red beard. But he was des- tined not to aie unnoticed, A brawny Californian, who had got more liquor aboard than was good for his peace of mind, stepped forward, and intercepted him, a broad grin widening his flabby, stubbly countenance, “Hello!” he exclaimed, pitchin drunken leer, and extending his huge rough hand, “howdy do, Mr, Joaquin Murieta, How ’n thunder did you ever find yer way down here? Remember the time I b'longed wi’ ye?—I’m Jim Salibuster the great watermelon o’ Quincy Flats——" He did not have time to finish the remainder of his information, for Deadwood Dick pushed him quick- ly aside, and made a leap for the door, just in ors to escape a bullet from the revolver of Old xly. He had evidently been suspected and the Cali- fornian used as a delay-post and trap. But this failed, for when the crowd swarmed out of the saloon Deadwood Dick was nowhere in sight. forward with a “Oh! heaven, we are lost!’ Leone exclaimed, as she beheld Cambre spurring madly toward them, “Ah! my poor baby boy, your battle against the roe has indeed begun! “How, oh! how will it en “Do not despair, dear sister,” replied Noisy Ne “ for there is nothing to fear, tor you. Bide oh, ne til you reach the entrance to the mine, You will not go amiss. for the sign ‘* Deadwood Dick’s Bonan- wz uide you towa é@ tunnel, ide Tear- za,"" will guide you toward the t 1. Ride f lessly through, and in the basin, beyond, you will find Old Avalanche.” *And vou, Nellie—” “7 will meet this villain, and turn him back, There! there! don’t cry’ I’m not afraid of him. Icanshoot The Phantom Miner. 19 straighter than he, and "Il show him the style of girls they grow in Eureka, Go on now, and trust in God; he'll not desert you.” Saying which she reined in her steed, and whirled him around facing the coming horseman, while acne pushed desperately on toward the Bonanza nes, Noisy Nell waited with cool composure for the out- law to come up, one of her fair hands grasping the bridle reins, and the other a small silver-plated re- volver, which covered Cambre’s approach, She had spent nearly all her life amid scenes of peril and excitement, and had grown to take things coolly and indifferently. Few were there that knew her, in Eureka, who cared to insult her or provoke her anger, for she sent her bullets true, every time, and had laid out more ruffians than any other female in the rushing little city. Cambre she believed to be an arrant knave. yet she feared him the least of all those whom she had en- countered, although she could not tell just why, He rode furiously up, but reined in when he per- ceived that her finger pulled the revolver-hammer back to full-cock—and that the weapon never qua- vered a particle. He had heard of her prowess, and concluded it wisest to stop and hold a parley, “Well?” he interrogated, his face flushed with an- gér, “ what do you want?” : “What do you want?” she returned, putting ques- tion for question. “T want to pass. you block the way? “Tf you choose, yes, You are in pursuit of Leone Harris and her boy. You ought to know that she is not without friends, and L will tell you further that any attempt to steal her child will be useless. You cannot go any further in this direction until she has had time to reach Bonanza Basin, where she will find a protector that you will not care to face.” he ex-lieutenant uttered a furious oath, and dropped his hand toward his belt. At the sametime there was a flash and a report, followed by a howl of pain and rage, as a bullet from her revolver pierced his arm near the elbow, causing a stream of blood to spurt therefrom, * That’s the ticket you get!"’ she cried, with a cool laugh. “That isa short-trip ticket, Try any more such pretty moves, and I'll give you one that will take you to purgatory on lightning time. Face about, apply the spurs, and away you go, Eureka ward, or I'll make a case for the coroner’s investi- gating committee!” Cambre uttered a fiercer curse than before. He would have drawn a weapon and killed the girl, on that he knew that she would kill him. But one al- ternative was left, and that was to obey her com- mand, So he turned his animal around, shaking his fist at Nell, with an expression of fon ferocity upon his countenance that would have frightened a less fearless girl. “Go along, now, and get out of range as quick as possible, lest I be tempted to bullet-doze you yet!” she exclaimed. ‘“ And mind that you don't have business up this way again, while I’m around, or there'll be one clock bapa tony “Oh, I'll have revenge for this, you she cat!” the baffled villain cried. “Look out for me, for your life shall pay the forfeit, or I’m a liar!” “Bah! spitz poodles are to be feared, for their bite is poisonous, but not such mongrel curs like you. Any time br want anything of Noisy Nell, you know where to find her,” He did not reply, but dashed down the gulch to- ward Eureka. Nell watched him till he had diesrpenred from view around the bend, Then she turned her own an- imal, and galloped toward Deadwood Dick's Bo- nanza, a contracted et giv of her brows betray- ing some anxiety about something. *He does not mean to give up?’ she mused. “Doubtless he can purchase friends with money to help him carry out his plans,” 3 Are you a highway robber, that
Page 20
20 The Phantom Miner. She rode on, and fifteen minutes later stood in the miner’s camp in Bonanza Basin. Leone was there, es arrived safely, and Old Avalanche was half tickled to death over her and young Master Dick. The old man was very fond of children, and he held the little tundle of pie eet upon his knee, as proudly as if he were its grandfather Leone and Nell were given the hospitalities of the camp. It was a snug, secure little spot here in the basin; it reminded Leone of Flower Pocket, the home of Harry Redburn and Alice, whom Dick had once taken her to visit. The day Nr pa quickly, and night once more threw her shadows over the land. ne grew tm- easy as darkness approached, for it brought to her a foreboding of danger. And it came. One of the miners returning with the announce- ment that a crowd of armed, masked men were swarming into the basin! CHAPTER XT A “SCRIMMAGE ''—THE PHANTOM AGAIN THE i clas li was that Cambre had come with a gang of roughs to make an attack upon the feraalis probably with the intention of capturing its supply of previously-mined gold, and Leone or her child. “Great ham-bone thet old Joner gnawed on!" ex- Seamed the Annihilator, instantly springing to his fect, unmindful of the baby who was reposing in his lap, that youngster being under the painful necessi- ty of taking a tumble to the soft sandy earth. “To arms, boyees! Gather yer spitzbergins and perpare fer lively music. Hoo-o-ray! |’m ther very disease w’at desires ter innocculate etself amongst a passel o’ ther enemy—ther great roarin' flukin’ snow-starm o Sails atone great awe-nspirin’ terrific eppy- demic o’ demoralization an’ electric annihilation, w’at sweeps chru ther northern lattytudes an’ longy- toads like a dose o’ powdered fizzic thru an’ elefant’s constitoochin!” The miners gathered in a compact body, and look- ed to their weapons. The fire was kicked out, and the blackness of the night became more intense, All around lurked a thousand shadows that might easily screen ambushed foes from observation. The two women were thrust into the single tent, and this was surrounded by half of the men, while the other half, under command of Keno, by Ava- lanche’s orders, withdrew to the further side of the gulch. When the attack should begin, they were to circle around the basin, to the tunnel entrance, there- by aclaynd the eseape of the enemy. When this arrangement was made to his satisfac- tion, Avalanche, with Florence, the goat, trotting by his side, crept off to reconnoiter. Not a sound had been given during the last ten minutes, betraying the presence of enemies in the guich. They were doubtless waiting for the coming of midnight, or else were creeping up from all sides, meaning to attempt surprise. Old Avalanche crept along with less noise than a cat would have made, using his eyes bijreh a and occasionally pausing to listen, for although his ears were shaven off close to his grizzly old head, his sense of hearing was just a. .cute as when he pos- these ornamental appendages, He crept stealthily aJong, and not less cautiously followed his companion, the bill Baca The animal seemed endowed with sense and knowledge almost human, sometimes; it had learned the requirements of the prairie and forest trail, and on more than one on had it proven its worth to the satisfaction - of its dauntless master. “Steady, Florence, gal; not much noise as ther *skeeter made when he fell down-stairs and broke his neck. Keerful, like,”’ the veteran cautioned, as they skulked along. ‘Ef these ornery skunks don’t git salibasted in short-meter, ye can Call ther Annihila- tion a condemned fraud, How Id like ter entwine old claws in sum ha’r, jest about this precise minnit—'sh /” : Both stopped stock-still, and listened. A dragging dos sto sore sound through the soft sand, warned them that some one was approaching. And it was no doubt an enemy, as friends were not expected, now Evidently the comer was also on a reconnoissance, for the sound of his movements betrayed an attempt at stealth. “Watch out, now, my beloved j'int!” whispered the old scout, softly, “ an’ we'll errupt this varmint’s constitoochin, in less time ’n et takes a bumblebee ter sock his stinger inter yer cheek, Just you creep around and get in his rear, while I hold ther front in | solid shape,” Florence seemed to understand the words, for with a sniff of assent he turned abruptly to the left, and made a wide detour through the darkness, in order to get around behind the enemy. Avalanche crouched upon his knees, in the dense gloom, pa- tiently, well knowing that not many moments would elapse ere he would be signaled to attack, or be at- tacked. And it came sooner than he had expected, and very much differently, There was pivsently a loud shrill bleat; a vicious *ba-a-ah!” it was; then like a meteor the form of the goat came plunging through the air. A vain at- tempt the old scout made to avoid the calamity, but vain it was, for the sledge-hammer head of the avi- mal struck him full inthe stomach, and rolled him over and over like a rubber “ In the darkness Florence had mistaken his victim, wrongly supposing Avalanche to be the enemy. It was several] minutes ere the old man could com- mand breath sufficient to speak, but when he could, he rolled forth such volumes of oratory to the poor ‘oat us would have astonished a Phillips or even a Webster, We will not attempt to put it down, for now a wild shout arises from a different portion of the basin, and there is a roar of fire-arms that breaks in upon the stillness of the night. Forgetting all about the injury done his bread-bas- bet, Avalanche scrambled to his feet, and, rifle in hand, plunged away toward the sound of the con- flict, which appeared to be at the camp, or in close proximity to it. Florence was close at his heels, apparently regret- ful of his mistake, and bound to be revenged upon the enemy for his deception. The two circled around, and reached the camp from another side, a few moments later. The firin had ceased, and he found that after a feint of attack the enemy withdrawn, probably only to prepare for a flercer and more determined onslaught. Of their number those in the camp h no idea, except that there were swarms of them all armed with rifles. e **Great ham-bone thet fractured the jaw of old Joner!” the old scout exclaimed. ‘ Let’em cum, ef they wanter éncounter a small-sized tornader—a cotchin’ disease o’ ther pra’ries. 1’m thet disease— Tan’ Flor’nce, my goat, an’ Prudence, my mare— we're thet great eppyzootic, Lordy, my triends, I jest wish ye knew o’ allo‘ ther terrific exploits we three 've bin thru! It'd fill a book bigger'n a dozen Bibles. Sum noted historian once attempted ter in- derdoose us into the psalm-books, but they thort et war sacriliggious t r our names,”” “T've read 0’ a peaky old skinflint by your name, sumwhere,”’ said Keno winking one eye and ingulf- ing a huge quid of fine-cut, “ P'r’aps et was you.” Just now a rifle report rung out, and one of the miners dropped in his tracks, with a groan. Then came a series of triumphant. yells, but no attack. The enemy were aearniple oes, and picking off a man whenever Cpporaly, offered. Thus matters stood at midnight. Neither tle outlaws nor the miners had apparent- ly gained any advantage, for several had fallen on either side, making the loss about even, . The positions were not changed, worth mention- ng. The suspense of waiting was more harrowing to the miners than would have been a pitched battle,
Page 21
The Phantom Miner. All were men who had fought life and foes with a strong hand—just that sort of men who would at | time rather fight than eat. ut matters could not_ forever remain thus, and a short time after midnight, an attack was made in earnest, from the north and south side of the basin. The half of the men under Little Alf Coyle took things coolly, and fought with a desperate precision that told upon the enemy, who wilted rapidly under a deliberate fire. Nothing as yet bad been heard from the men un- der Keno, although a signal had twice been given for assistance. Their delay appeared unaccountable Finally the enemy withdrew again, greatly weak- ened in numbers, and when they renewed thé attack they had consolidated their a gta forces into one body, on the south side. Then on they came once more, with evident determination to sweep all before them, without further delay. Little Alf’s men bad suffered a‘loss of over half their number, and the forces now stood four to one, if not more. _ But bravely the miners met the onset, striking for life and liberty with a decision that was in itself heroic. Revolvers were used in the place of rifles, and the conflict became hand-to-hand. Slowly. but surely, the weaker party was driven back toward the northern wall of the basin, and they must have suffered total defeat, only that when all seemed lost, there was a shout of encouragement, and Keno and his men attacked the outlaws in the rear, mowing them down like grain before the reaper. Unexpected by the ruffians was this timely aid. They made a feeble attempt at resistance, but in vain. They were shot down without mercy, not a man escaping the death he so richly deserved. Victory was awarded the brave miners of Dead- wood Dick’s Bonanza, but at what cost! Out of a ng of thirty men, thirteen had pulled their last fri ger. Nor was this all. ring the last attack the defenders had drifted away from the camp, which was left for the time unguarded. As soon _as the last shot had been fired, Avalanche and Little Alf hurried toward the tent, where the two girls had been left, but, to their horror, found that they were missing. Ex-Lieutenant Carlos_Cambre was the instigator of the attack upon the Bonanza miners, but he took no part in it. He left all the management to one Jean Jago, a confederate in crime, while he remain- ed just outside the tunnel-entrance, in Eureka gulch. His orders had been to kill off the miners, take pos- session of the mine, and the two girls, Leone and Noisy Nell, As soon as the victory was complete, he was to be thus informed by a messenger, when he would come in and take command. Outside in the gnich he waited for the meernaee to appear, but in vain. Midnight came, with the sounds of the desperate battle; two o’clock, said the hands on his jeweled watch, and the sounds of con- flict were hushed in the basin; still no messenger, “Can it be that the fools have let that handful of eee whip them?" he growled, angrily. “It must so, or I should long ere this have been in- formed. Curse the luck! I will have to go and see for myself, I expect.” He waited a fow minutes longer, and not being re- warded for his patience, he turned into the tunnel and hurried slong. It did not take him long to reach the basin, and he discovered that all was as he surmised. He saw the miners pl ga about with torches, conspicuous among them being Avalanche and his goat. This told him that his men were extinct or had been taken prisoners. “They are searching for some one or something!” he muttered. ‘* Perhaps it is the two females? Some of my men may have smuggled them off, and are waiting for a chance to escape. In that case they will bring them to head-quarters, so I will get out, 21 lest 1 be seen, and this crime be thrown upon ry good name,” 7 ; He laughed sarcasticaily at the idea, and then turned back into the tunnel, and after a brisk walk of a few moments he gained the end opening out in- to the guich, and was about to step out, when his gaze became riveted upon an apparition so frightful, that he was rooted to the spot, and a deathly pallor came over his dusky features. That mysterious spirit of the air, the Phantom Miner, stood only a few yards away in all its ghostly weirdness, and sur- rounded by the unearthly halo of bluish 1 ht, which was suggestive of the flames of burning brimstone in I atory. 3 ‘ambre bad heard of the Phantom—heard hardy miners tell of encounters with the specter—seen men who claimed to have spent weeks in trying to kill or capture the thing; but he had never before seen it himself, and therefore his terror, He trembled in every limb, but was powerless to move, and a clammy perspiration broke out upon his face, as he perceived that the ghostly thing -was coming nearer and nearer in a slow, gliding motion, one finger of the outstretched hand pointing direct- ly toward him, and the end of that finger shone like a tiny bull’s-eye. Nearer and nearer came the Phantom, until but a few feet only intervened between them; then there was a strange rattling, as of skeleton bones, and a low, unearthly laugh, such as i emanate from sch a creature as this. Thoroughly horrified, Cambre stood like a statue, his terror expressed in his glaring, tigerish eyes. He was no coward; but, rather, was possessed of bull-dog courage. But even that wilted before this thing, be it ghost or devil. Words came, after a pause, in a low, sepulebral voice, hardly above a whisper, yet loud enongh for the ears of Cambre. i “Man, thou hast burdened ed soul with crime — dyed thy hand deep in the blood of thy fellow-men. Retribution will be thine. God's holy hand shall smite thee. Make what reparation thou canst, while life remains. Give up the papers thou hast stolen unto me, or the fire of vengeance shall shine in the heaven, and a thunderbolt shall plow the earth at my feet.” ‘he words sent a deeper horror into the heart of Cambre. He was positive that he was standing in the pres- ence of some supernatural being; he believed the words, and that, unless he obeyed, the penalty would be a sudden and frightful death, : “T have not the papers here, They are locked up in _ my room, in Eureka!” he gasped, in terror, “ Here is the key, or | will bring them to you!" “Bring them!’ returned the Phantom, tersely. “ Put them in thy purse, and we will meet again.’’ Then, to his great horror, the specter began to rise slowly, and he saw it float up into the blackness, and teepper: from view. What great mystery was this? Were things not earthly coming to populate this arth? “God forbid that we ever meet again,” the terri- fied villain muttered, as he leaped into the gulch, and sped away. e : CHAPTER. XT. “THE KIND OF A MAN I AM!’'’—RED-HOT’S ADVENTURE AND ENCOUNTER WITH DICK NO, 2. Nor yet was it morning, when Cambre ted the city, yet all the saloons, stores and gambling- dens were in full blast, Cambre’s terror, owing to his long run, had some- what abated, by the time he reached the town, though traces 0 lor still were visible upon his swarthy visage. He had never before experienced suchafright. | “Curse the thing,’ he muttered, biting fiercel at his mustache, “ how did it come to know that 1 had possession of the papers? By Heaven} I would
Page 22
believe it was no ghost at all, only that T saw it float so mysteriously up toward the sky, with one hand stretched heavenward, as if pointing to its abode. Curses, I say; I'll not surrender those pa- pers—never! Graylford will soon die, then there will be no one to dispute my right to this fortune. Let Deadwood Dick go to the devil!” “Oh! no; not to the devil yet, my larkie!"’ cried a sarcastic voice, and a horseman wheeled out of an whey directly in front of the ex-lieutenant, whose words had been spoken loud enough to be heard. * Not to the devil, by any means. The devil wouldn't disgrace his domains by taking in two such villains as you and I, Cambre. Our souls were scorched, long ago. So you were going to let Deadwood Dick go to the devil, ehY” And there was an ominous click! click of the re- volver the road-agent held in his hand. “Oh! no! no! I did not mean you—I meant the other Deadwood Dick—the real one!” “Ah! but I am the rea/ one!” “The devil you say! Then I meant the other one —the counterfeit.” “Bosh! That's too transparent now, you accursed Forae. You are playing two trumps ina deck, eh? ‘ve And there was a jerk in the speaker’s arm, as though he meant to put the threat into execution. But Cambre put up his hands. “Don't shoot! don’t shoot!” he erisd, supplicat- ingly. “Ihave been faithful to your interests, and tried to capture the brat--"’ * Tried f and failed, eh?” “Yes, I took sixty men—-I alone escaped death!” “You ought to have gons with the rest. Why didn’t you steal the brat before the girl got out of town?’ “Because some unknown person warned them, and they fled before I had the opportunity.” “They are all at the Bonanza mines, then?” 7 Yes, and it would require an army to dislodge “IT care not how many armies it takes. You must steal the brat, and fetch it tome. But, how will I know when you get it? Let me see. There is a ce in Eureka. You may post a ietter in- orming me that you have the child, and where to meet you. Address it to Slippery Sim.” “Very well. But, I see no way ican possibly get the rn ster—"* “ Which makes no difference tome, You must get him, or on the twenty-sixth of November you «/¢,” Deadwood Dick No. 2 said, grimly. “* Remember. But Br days remain in which to accomplisn your work.” Then the black horseman turned his animal's head, and rode leisurely away, while Cambre kept on toward the center of the town, * Curse the luck! matters are pressing all around,” he muttered, his dark face growing darker, “If it were not that I hope to make a spec’ out of this Grayitary business, I'd pull up and clear for another In the mean time, while the two were engaged in conversation, a figure had glided by them and ye the Man-Trap saloon, which was crowded with drunken roughs and miners. The figure, when revealed under the flaring lam light, was that of the boss poker-player from. Vir- nia City, the counterpart of Deadwood Dick, who called himself Red-Hot Harris. Fearlessly he entered the saloon, and sauntered i Mame watching those around him with an eagle nce. eas man managed the shooting in the ab- sence of Noisy Nell, and to him the poker-player finally went, seeking amusement. He tried a few shots, and missed the bull’s-eye every time; then turned away in disgust. Martha Cambre saw him, and, when general at- tention was called to a rough-and-tumble fight in another part of the saloon, she glided to his side. a notion to plug the daylights right outof you!” | The Phantom Miner. | | { “What! you here again?” she said, laying her oe upon igarm. “1 should not think you would dare.” “Hello! what struck you, miss?" Red-Hot ejacu- lated, staring at the little figure and pretty face, in evident amazement. ‘I rather guess you're barkin’ up the wrong tree.” “Oh! pshaw! you can't pull coarse wool over 6 eyes,"’ Martha retorted, with a laugh. ‘‘I’m no fool, though I look it.”” “Eh? you ain't?” the poker-player said, perplex- ‘Weil, by Jove, there's a screw loose some- Who are you?” “Tam Martha Cambre,” the deserted wife of Car- los Cambre replied, with a merry twinkle in her eyes. ‘* You are Dealwood Dick" The poker-player groaned audibly; then muttered a curse. “ By Heaven! again is this confounded brother of mine thrown up in my face. I say, girl, supposing you had a sister who was not as good as she might be. Would you like it if people were to constantly take you for her?” “No. But you are no brother of this Deadwood Dick. He told me so white here to-night. And now, who are you—Deadwood Dick, or his double? Itisa question I must know—and you can answer it.” Harris whistled a few notes from a quaint moun- taineer’s bathe a whirled around upon his heel; then stared straight at Martha, oye ay “Tam Red-Hot Harris,” he said, veep ta f rae any one elss knows better who Iam than I do, my- self, why I'll drop the name, and apply to Congress for a new one.” “You are Deadwood Dick,” the little detective persieten, oy. “Do you know what happened at onanza mine to-night?” * How should I?” with a blank look. “Well, Carlos Cambre went up there with a band of men to attack the mines, and steal the baby from your wifs, Leone!” Martha looked sharp at the pokerist, just then, ex- pecting some sign of emction. But the face of a carved statue was never more placid than that of Red-Hot Harris. Nota visible start betrayed that he was in the least interested. “Carlos Cambre went and Carlos came!” he said with a smile, “He came aione, Sixty dead and dying, didn’t further his aims.” “You speak in riddles. He got whipped, then?” “Badly!” * How do you know?” “Tt makes no difference.” And the young gentleman turned away, as if the conversation was growing monotonous, He kept his eye upon one man in the room, and that man was Roxy, the Kegulator, who was watch- ing him as the hawk watches its prey. Puzzled was thisknight of the Deadwood regulation Seana yet almost positive that the man he wanted was Red- Hot Harris. Suddenly the eyes of the pokerist gleamed angrily and he elbowed his way threugh the crowd, a pat clearing immediately when it was seen that he held a pair of six-shooters in his hands, Straight up to the bar, and onto it leaped the youth, occupying the position he had once upona previous eccasion, though then he beld no weapons n hand. * Gentlemen!” he cried, bis voice ringing out clear- ly, ‘ there is a little matter I wish to settle, here in your presence, When first I came to Eureka, I post- eda five hundred dollar reward paper upon these walls, meaning it should stay there. Some meddle- some loafer has insulted me by tearing it down. I want to see that chap, and bu'st his head---that’s the kind of hairpin / am!” Not a murmur came from the crowd, as the young bravo was speaking, but when he had finished O} Roxly be ped forward, a grim, puckering expres- sion about his mouth. “ You, was it?” Red-Hot exclaimed, a sternness in
Page 23
The Phantom Miner. 83 his glance that ‘forcibly reminded the Regulator of Deadwood Dick. ‘“ Well, sir, I am surprised that you, a pretended dabbler in justice, should be guilty of such a dirty mean act. I believe even a hog would hesitate to commit such an insult to the nation.” Roxly laughed, sarcastically, * Yes, I did it,” he replied, with a grin of triumph, “because I knowed it was only intended ter give us fellers ther blind staggers. D’ye want anything 0’ me, reer : “Decidedly, yes. Please make a ring feller-citi- zens, and we'll have this bizness through with.”’ Red-Hot leaped to the floor, and jerked off his jacket. and belt, and laid them on the bar. iy Hello! what d’ye intend to dc?” Roxly demand- ed. “To fight you, and black both of your eyes, smash your nose, ram your teeth down your throat, polish off your chin, and generally demolish you,” replied “Hot, grimly. “Come! strip yourself.’ **No, Ithank you. We'll try other! weapons than fists,” the Regulator sneered. * I’m no prize-fighter.”’ “Nor I, but I ain't ‘fraid to try you a whirl, That’s the kind of a man /am!' ou acknowledge your- self a coward, don’t come and see me.” A shout of laughter echoed through the saloon, for even rough and villainous though were most of the crowd, they were the very ones tO 4dmire such a dare-devil character as wos this Red-Hot, Harris, “ Hurra! bully fer ther lad!’ yelled Cal Buckskin, enthusiastically. ‘“‘Don’t ye see, geelorious_pil- ims?—thar's aleak in Roxly’s constitoochin w'at’s et all ther sand run out!” * Craw-fish!” yelled another. “ He caves!” re: a third, “ Bulldoze him!” came from a fourth, and thus it ran Jaround through the crowd, until wing des- perate, the Reguiator steppedinto the ring, without removing his coat or belt. “No shamming now!” warned Red-Hot, as he spat on his hands. ‘If you try to use any of those implements in your belt I'll take your life, instead of some of the conceit out of you. One, two, three, now, and here you come, like a full-grown African lion after me.” Both men sprung forward and toed the mark, and then began a bout of parrying and thrusting, Psekons g both to the spectators and the parties concerned, Roxly. it soon became evident, was no slouch at the business, for he was wary, defensive, and agile asacat. But he was no match for Red-Hot Harris, the “boss” from Virginia City, which soon became evident from the battered appearance of his ene- my's countenance, Both of Roxly's eyes were soon nearly swollen shut, and bis nose mashed out of shape. But he grew desperate the more he was pos ished, and sprung forward to clinch in a death-hug. Foolish was this attempt, however, for Red-Hot coolly rained a shower of blows down into his bat- tered face which staggered him back. Still he was undaunted, and rushed forward, but a terrible blow from Harris’s clinched white fist hurled him back against the bar ina heap. With a curse he drew a revolver, and despite the fact that he had been warned that such an action would be his death-warrant. he sent a bullet, well- aimed, toward the pokerist’s heart. / A cry of indignation came from the crowd at this juncture. But Red-Hot only laughed contemptuously, and placed his hand upon his heart. “My heart is too hard for such leaden pellets to penetrate, gentlemen; and as for you, you cow- ard,” sys 9 to tags a who had regained his feet, “your life shall pay the forfeit.” e leaped upon the Regulator and bore him to the floor, and in another moment the revolver was pressed to the temple, and there came a report. ounded was Roxly, but. not dead! Then Red-Hot spring to his feet, and swung the still smoking weapon above his head, “Does any man want to say I didn't do it fair?” he cried, his eyes iy “Speak out, and VIL show ye the kind of aman Lam!" A cheer rent the air. “Hurra! ther boy did it fair—jes’ ’s fair as ary man ken do!” came the response from a dozen lungs. ‘ Hurra fer Red-Hot!’ ‘ A general good-will toward the young pokerist wens manifest, and drinks were ordered ali around, Harris did not. imbibe, but donning his jacke! and belt, betook himself from the saloon into the gulch. It was just then the darkest hour before the dawn of the coming day. It was intensely black. Very few were now abroad; one horseman wes riding leisurely through the gulch, and at him Red- Hot gave only a casual glance as he burried toward the Bonanza mines, or in the direction in which they were located. His mind was too busied with other thoughts to notice that he was followed, and that, too, by the lone horseman, He was not aware of the fact until he saw a noose settle over him, and draw taut above his waist, Fenoning his arms to his side, and jerking him to he ground. The next moment he felt a revolver-muzzle pressed ~ his temple, and a full-masked face bending over m. “Hal ha!” cried a voice, evidently a disguised one, ‘*so this is my man, is it? Good-morning, Dead- wood Dick Number one! Sorry tosee youin such a ht, but there was no other way to get at you. Ny ow _me to introduce myself—your double, Dead- wood Dick Number two!” A curse escaped Red-Hot's lips. " What means this foolery?’ he demanded, an- grily. “It means,” replied Number 2, with a chuckle, “that you are my prisoner. I have been awaiting the opportunity to capture you for a long while.” CHAPTER XIT. RED-HOT IN DURANCE—A BOLD PLAN. TrE announcement caused a flame of deerer an- ger to flush the cheek of Red-Hot Harris, He saw that he was wholly in the power of this Deadwood Dick No. 2, whoever he might be, for aside from his hands being pinioned to his sides by the lariat, pe cocked revolver stared him threateningly in the ‘ace, He was no coward, but he saw that for the present attempted resistance would be worse than useless — would insure his speedy death. “Yes, you are my prisoner,” No, 2 repeated tri- um hanily. “You do not know me now, but you will, ere long, and will be astonished, Ihave a cave in the mountains, and there we will 80. Perhaps you may remain there some time; so if there is any- thing you would have done here below, first, name it and rT will attend to it, to the best of my ability, for “No, thank oe IT am not a business man, and therefore not incumbered with cares that devolve upon such,” Red-Hot replied.‘ But, see here; if you hold me a prisoner with the idea that you are 10lding Deadwood Dick, you are greatly in error. Deadwood Dick, the road-agent, perished nearly a month ago. So you see that you are not holding onto the trump card, as you imagine.” “The devil!’ No. 2 ejaculated; ‘* but I do not be- lieve this trash, I have a test at my retreat, that will bring out the truth of the matter. Come; rise to your feet and march along before me. No funny business, now, or I'll put you out of misery in style!” “Well, [suppose there is no_help for it,” Harris growled, rising to his feet. “Whither away, you cuss? “Straight ahead, up the gulch, Turn only on or- der, and attempt to draw no weapon, and all will be rae Forward!” b -Hot stalked off, biting savancly at his. li while No, 2 followed closely behind, keeping ho’
Page 24
24 The Phantom Miner. of the lasso with one hand, and grasping bis revol- ver with the other. Bound was he that the boss poker-player should not escape him, if vigilance could prevent it. The march was a long and tiresome one. They left the guich a mile above the Bonanza mine, strik ing a defile much narrower and more tortuous, which led upward into the mountains. All around were steep beetling crags, yawning chasms and dizzy declivities; and over the mountain a dense pine for- est cast its shadows. Day dawned, and tinged the peaks rosy red; still the tramp continued, nor did it end until noon, when | they entered a mountain cave, far above the level of the western plains. There was only one apartment to if, and this was rudely furnished with rough stools, a table, and sev- eral piles of skins, showing that it had some day been tenanted by a hunter or trapper. of this s ies of individuals sat before the fire now, eng: in roasting some bits of venison—a tough, blear-eyed, villainous-looking man, of five and-fort } in whose face the word “cut-throat” was plainly written. “ Here we are at last!” the bogus Deadwood Dick cried, as they entered the cave. “ Wake up. Corkus, and disarm this fellow and bind him. He is the bird I have been mya to entrap.” “Eh! ish dot der perl Corkus replied, coming forward and serutinizing Red-Hot critically. ‘‘ Vas dot Deadwoodt Dick?” Indeed, one | “The same notorious reprobate!” No, 2 laughed, | tauntingly. ‘“‘The amiable gentleman I have been ast = 3 to counterfeit.” *You'’re a liar!’ replied Red-Hot, as hotly as his name might have ig ed, “tand if you'll give me my freedom, I can lick thunder out of both of you in less time than it takes to say Eureka!” “No, Ithank you!” No 2 replied, with a sarcastic smile. *‘*I am not risking anything when matters in my hands are sure. I'll soon show you that [ let things mature before I strike.” Corkus deprived Red-Hot of all the weapons on his rson, and pushed him away into a corner where nee were plenty of skins to lie the cave where the fire was burning, leaving the un- lucky poker-player to his reflections. u In the Bonanza mine great excitement prevailed. on the discovery that Leone and her babe, and Nell Brandon, were missing from the tent. Only two sur- mises could be made concerning their absence— in. done, he and No. 2 Tetired t to the portion of | either they had become frightened and fled in ter- | ror to get out of the path of the flying bullets, or | else they had been captured by some of the ruffians, and spirited away. is seemed the more and search was immediately made in the basin, which resulted in the discovery by Little Alf and Avalanche, of Nellie Brandon, lying insensible, not far from the camp. An over the temple, had evidently caused her uncon- sciousness. “Great ham-bone thet paralyzed the larynx uv old Joner!” the Annihilator ejaculated, picking the slender form from Xr and bearing it tender- ly ator: ~ settles ther oyster shell sed w’en it went down ther Irishman’s t t. Mrs. Leoue an’ ther piccaninny hes encoun- tered a condemned snow-starm o’ deefikilty, an’ bin wafted away on sum boreal breeze."’ “ Et looks kinder thet way,” replied Alf, dubious- “Ef the leetle Ape ate run off with, here’s r her. I’m tellin’ ye!’ replied Avalanche. in ther hull world! Never see’d only one sweeter female, an’ thet was Wild Edna. She war actooally 80 sweet that the honey on her lips would form into ly cut upon her forehead, | uestion, as ther | robable, | | in the Man-Trap, was comfortably mounted upon the shugger crusts, der, at the fort Water was dashed into Nellio's face, and her hands gently chafed, but it was some time ere she recover- ed consciousness sufficiently to tell what had occur- red. She seemed dazed and bewildered, but a swal- low of liquor from Keno’s flask seemed to right her Pema e and she glanced around her with a shud- der, “Are they gone?” she gasped. “Bet yer life—gone whar twineth an’ the woodbine—” “There! don’t quote enny rimes, please!"’ growl- ed Avalanche, in disgust, “ especially, if you can’t do it skientific. No,miss,thar ain’ta live outlaw prisent, cept w'at’s layin’ around dead. Whar's Mrs. Leone?”’ “Oh! she’s gone! she’s gone!” Nellie cried, burst- ing into tears. ‘‘ We ran out of the tent to escape the danger of being cut down by the bullets, and two men saw and followed us. One man snatched the babe from her arms, and fled. She ran scream- ing in pursuit, and I would have followed her, only that the other man struck me, and I knew no more.’” “Then, thar’s bizness fer ther great firm 0’ Ava- lanche, Goat and Mare, hullsale Injun Annihilators!* declared the old man, fiercely. ‘* We three ken find that innercent baby ef enny mortal can. When all ther macheenery o' ther acchievements gtis inter mo- tion, I tell ye there's bound ter be a rupture sumw'ar erlong ther ecrater.”’ “Oh! sir, I fear you cannot find her,” sobbed Nellie, piteously. ‘‘Those men may have dragged her away and murdered her. I believe it was Carlos Cambre's intention to do so.” “Wal, we'll hope for the best,’ the Annihilator said, soberly. ‘“* We'll wait till daylight, and then en- deavor to start up a trail.” The rest of the miners now came flocking irregu- larly into camp, with the report that there was no one alive within the basin except themselves, nor any signs of the missing Leone and her child, Which forced the conclusion that she had been aie off by the two ruffians, to imprisonment or death. Under the cover of darkness graves were dug, and the dead outlaws and miners were consigned to their last Dine ih ea After this duty was performed, the miners all gathered around the camp-fire, and waited for day- light—sleep was not thought of after the excitement that night. Morning came, at last, with a cold, drizzly Novem- ber rain, which in this region is about all the winter that the inhabitants experience, After the morning meal Avalanche saddled Pru- dence Cordelia, and prepared for his departure. Noisy Nell having concluded to go back to her post and she'd trade et for balls an’ pow- ther whang-doodle old mare, the Annihilator having volunteered to give her passage as far as Eureka, where he and Little Alf proposed to go first, having left the mine in Keno’s charge. Cathie, the discarded wife of Fordyce Graylford, was very much discouraged after she found thatshe was powerless to do anything on account of the theft of her proof-papers. ith Bolton, her lawyer, she still retained apartments at the Flag of Truce, hard - ly knowing what she was waiting for, now that her hopes and intentions had all been dashed by the treachery of Cambre. Still, she was a persevering woman, and was determined not to give up while a chance re- mained, Bolton had met her in San Francisco, and becom- ing interested in her case, had volunteered to help her prosecute it, he having been promised a liberal fee should she succeed in obtaining her rights. They had first gone Kast and procured necessary evidence, after which they had tracked Graylford to. Deadwood, and then to Eureka. Cathie’s only hope was in the discovery of a losk
Page 25
“ son, If she could find and enlist him in her cause, he could, on Graylford’s death, claim the Pl ip 8 But this lost son was not so easily found. He, too. had been traced to Deadwood, but on their arrival there, they found that he had lately emigrated to parts unknown, ‘The day after the battle at Deadwood Dick’s Bon- anza, Bolton rushed into Cathie’s room pell-mell, like some overjoyed schoolboy, “Good news, so cheer up!” he cried, dropping his beaver, and seating himself with a business-like cross of the lower extremities. ‘ Deadwood Dick, or Ned Harris, is here in Eureka!’ Cathie looked up, a hopeful, anxious expression upon her face, ‘Really, truly?” she demanded, as if she doubted the fact. “ Are you sure?” “Yes, lam sure, There are evidently two Dead- wood Dicks, according to all report, and then there is another fellow, who calls himself Red-Hot Harris, who looks as much like your notorious son as your- self, and “ai very much resemble him.” “Yes; but which of these three is my son?” “Ah! that’s the stick, No one seems to know which is genuine. But I shall keep watch, and en- deayor to find out,” “1 have a little more hope, then, But did you hear from Fordyce?” “Yes; he is no better, The man in attendance who pretends to have an extended knowledge of surgery, says that he cannot live the week out, His wounds and old age cannot but use him up.” * Poor man,” Cathie said. wiping away the tears that had risen to her eyes. “ But that he would curse me, I would gotohim, Ah! that we had never parted! But he was so miserly and cruel that I believed life with him would be an endless torture.” “Tt will be necessary,” the attorney said vely, “for you to go and see him before he dies. Perhaps he might be willing to conciliate. I will keep in- formed of his condition, and take you at the right time. In the mean time, I have work on hand. This Carlos Cambre, it appears, has a wife living here in Eureka, who isin the detective business, having put the harness on her own back when her father died. She accosted me to-day, and we had a long talk. She knows all about our business here, and Cambre’s theft of the documents, which keep us from work- ing. We are going to attempt to break into his room to-night, and resteal them.” “Oh! God grant that you may be successful, sir,” rg doa UT as Bolton took his hat and arose to de . “Tf nothing happens we shall get them, unless he happens to have them concealed on his person, which we doubt,” he said, retiring with a bow. That evening about the hour Cambre was sup- to be at supper, Bolton met Martha near the an-Trap saloon, and they hurried away. Cambre had rooms in a lodging-house at the fur- ther side of the village, and got his meals at a restau- rant some distance from his rooms, so that the plan of the two promised to be successful, if they could only find the villain out. When in sight of the lodging-house, Martha left Bolton, and went to see if the ex-lieutenant was at a neighboring restaurant, where she hoped to find him. She soon returned to the attorney with the an- nouncement that he was there, drinking with a half- dozen of Deadwood Dick's old band, who had just arrived on the evening stage, “Now, come on, and the papers are ours!"’ she said. “T havea duplicate key of the room, filed to fit from an impression, Get your revolvers in readi- ness, and follow me,” They hurried up the street, and entered the build- ing, pyoes J a pair of stairs to the second floor, It was a general lodging-house, and no one of the two or three persons encountered noticed them. Martha Jed the way to Cambre’s room, and for recaution knocked upon the door; and there was a alloa from within | The Phantom Miner. CHAPTER XIV. AN ASTONISHING DISCOVERY—THE GIRL ROAD-AGENT, Rep-Hor Harris was left lying in one corner of the cave, aad was not again molested during the day. Corkus brought him a slice of venison and a cup of water, at dark upon which to eppense his appetite, which had been keenly aroused by his long tramp. A sbort while after, Deadwood Dick No, 2 came, and seated himself near the prisoner, as if fora talk, He was still attired in the jetty suit of buckskin, with gloves, hat and mask to match, which madu him such a clever imitation of the genuine Ned Har- ris. “Well?” Red-Hot interrogated, angrily, manag: ing to raise’ himself upon his elbow, * what do you want?’ “What?” the other replied, coolly, watching the so-styled poker-player with a strange, intense gaze —*what? Well, I got tired of talking to old Cor- kus, and thought I'd come and let you amuse me, I am sometimes weary of the old wretch’s stories.” * Well, [am sorry to say you've clumb the wrong tree, for amusement!" Red-Hot replied. “Lam not in much of a mood for conversation.” “Oh! you ain't? But T reckon you will become interested, by and by. Do you know what I have brought you here for, sir?” “No: Tam sorry to say that I hav’n’t the slightest idea, sir road-agent.” “Well, then, I will tell you. Deadwood Dick when you left your wife. and came here I found ce wife was about to follow: so I came also. My neart was filled with bitterness, which gradually dis- sipated into resolve, I have lately found that she is the mother of a child—yours as well as hers; and caused a definite plan of attack against you, Ned Harris, hi will find that you have one to deal with, who wil fight out this duel—yes, exter- minate everything in my path that is human, to at- tain my object.” “Humph!” Red-Hot drawled, coolly. “I really do wish, if you must talk, that you would say some- thing more interesting to me. Icare nothing about your quarrel with this notorious Deadwood Dick, nor your agen poe revenge. If you know any new points about poker or keno, I shall be pleased to hear from you.” No, 2 evidently would have been relieved if he could have given vent to a round oath; but for some reason he withheld it. The cool indifference of this boss poker-player, was extremely provoking, and conducive to feelings of an unpleasant nature, “Hang the poker,” he growled. “What 1 want is for you to acknowledge that you are Deadwood Dick, and then I will surprise you.” “You'll wait till your teeth decay, I'm thinkin’, before / shall wckady idee anything of the kind!’ this discover: retorted Red-Hot, ‘Did I not tell you that Dead- wood Dick is dead?" r “Yes: but you lied.” “Did 1? No, [think not. Deadwood Dick és dead: Edward Harris lives /” “Ah! I see,” No. 2 said, comprehendingly; “and you are Edward Harris?” “Tam!” was the reply. “Then ha this attempt at deception—this Red- Hot business?" “The name was suggested by hearing a fellow call me a red-hot customer to deal with, en Lleft the Hills, I dropped the name of Deadwood Dick— buried it as we bu the dead, intending never to use it again. But I find that to be an impossibility, I came here as’ Harris, and they recognized me, and I braved them down. Then I shaved off the hair that had grown “poe my face, and reappeared as Red- Hot Harris. e character, by considerable * cheek- ing’ and ‘ brass,’ was partially successful. T yoees a eigen are convinced that I am Red-Hot arris!" D = pads I knew you were Deadwood Dick— the eyes of love are harder to deceive than those of uninterested curiosity-seekers,””
Page 26
2s Hurris started, and gazed keenly at the speaker, a wrinkle disfiguring the placidity of his forehead, “ What do you mean?” he demanded, suspiciously. % = heaven! can it be you, Leone, in disguise?” There was a bitter little laugh of sarcasm; then the answer: ** No, not Leone; she would have more leniency on you than I shall have. Wait a moment and you shall see whom you have to expect mercy from.” Saying which, No. 2 arose and glided away into the darkness of the cave, It was some ten minutes later when a slight, girlish figure reappeared and stood before the ex-road-agent; and he started vio- lently,and uttered an exclamation of astonishment: “ My God! is that you, Hdith Stone?” “ Yes, it is I, Ned Harris—the girl who loved and still worships you—the girl who has schemed for many long days, and now has you in ber power. Dick,” and the beautiful girl-woman came closer, “you are mine now. forever. In this mountain cave you must spend the rest of your days with me!” ‘My Heaven! I thought you were dead—drowned in the Little Madrass, girl ’’ Deadwood Dick rep-ied, gazing at her wonderingly. “ But, instead. see you before me, as foolishly and hopelessly blind as you were before.” “No, not hopelessly, Dick. You are_m/‘ne, now, beyond all other claim-—mive forever. I don’t sup- se you will become reconciled to your lot for a while, but I can‘ bring you to your oats,’ as the ex- pression goes, If love and feminine persuasion won't do it, force will!” “Ah! you are combining force with infatuation, eh?” Dick said, slowly.. ‘* You seem to be consider- ably below what I’d estimated you to be. What force could you use. that you for one moment im- agine would make ‘Deadwood Dick yield—give up his honor, his manhood, to Jead a doubtful life with you?" “It need not be doubtful; you could take me East and marry me. As to the force, I shall soon come into possession of your infant son, You shall then swear, by all you hold sacred, that you will marry me, or Corkus shall eut the brat’s throat from ear to ear, right in your presence, How like you the picture, Ned Harris?" “T cannot say that I particularly admire it!” Dick replied, in his grim way. ‘Neither do I believe L have any cause to fear in that direction.” “Why not?” * Because you would not have done such an infa- mous act as that. Besides, you have not got the child yet, and are not aly. to get it.” “ Don't be surprised if I bave it in my possession before to-morrow this time, As to the other part, that brat shall dieif you remain obstinate, and your red-headed wife shall follow suit, Don’t imagine I fear to do this, or anything else. A desperate wo- ‘man is sometimes worse than a desperate man. I am desperate, and determined that you shall be mine, no matter at what cost. I gave up Sr father, friends and a grand home and luxurious life, all for you, and do you imagine I will let anything balk my designs? No! I would kill you, even, before I would relingnish you to that other girl.” Dick did not reply. He saw that she was terribly in earnest, and he wondered how he was to find ex- trication from this dilemma, which involved not only bimself, but bis darling Leone, whom he now loved tenfold more than ever before. ~ Old Avalanche and Little Alf condueted Noisy Nell to Eureka, and set her down in front of the Man-Trap. Then they stabled Prudence Cordelia, and with the eccentric goat following at their heels, wandered about town, using their eyes and ears, and instiga- ting ge elgao after Leone. ut they were not successful. Nothing had been seen of her. and they finally arrived at the conclu- sion that she had not come back to town. ** Great ham-bone thet choked old Joner,”’ the An- The Phantom Miner. nihilator at last grunted, when they gave up the search. “Ther great snow-flake’s struck a snag an’ collapsed, Ireckon. I ken’t see w’ich way ther boreal breeze kin advantageously waft now.” “Nor I,” replied Coyle. ‘But I’m pretty well satisfied the woman never cum here, or else she could be found,” “Great ham-bone! I s’pose you’re right; an’ yet I orfully hate ter give up ter the noshun thet she’s becum crow fodder!” “Oh! no fear fer that. She’s_plucky, an* got grit enuff for sixty commongals. Eh? Avalanche?” “Wal, I ruminate she hes. But speakin’ o’ spunk an’ grit, ye jes’ orter see’d a gal yer ’umble sarvent one’t went ter court, wi’ sum intentions ter ask her ter shoulder part o’ ther eppydemic’s harness fer lifetime, She war a Hoosier gal, an’ great scriptural ham-bone thet” “Sh! steady! d’ye see them two fellers a-comin’ down ther gulch?” Little Alf said, pointing out from the crowd two men who were coming into the town from the direction of the Big Bonanza. “ D'ye see ‘em?”’ “Yes—two rough-looking pilgrims — evidently mainery One wi’ a bag o’ sumthin’ slung behind his ack, **Karect! an’ don’t et enter yer organ o’ phre- nology, thet thar mought be sumthin’ in thet bag as would suit our fastidgeous tastes?’ was the query, and the young scout watched the approaching men narrowly. * Jaws o’ ther whale, thet_masticated old Joner! ye’re a sharp ‘ur, boyee. Mebbe thet very same bag contains an infant prodigal or whatever you eall it. ’Twon't do ter let them men go unobserved, that is sart’in.”” *O’ course not. We'll let ‘em slide by, an’ then we'll foller,’’ Coyle said. The two men rie back behind a clump of bushes, and allowed the two miners to pass, which they did. Both were large, burly-looking fellows, evil of coun- tenance. and huge of muscle, Neither looked too good for the commission of almost any crime. “They're genuine ‘toughs’ of the blood and butcher-knife order,’ Coyle muttered as they tramp- ed by. . Yas, reg’lar old cavortin’, buckin’ hyenas!’’ as- sented the Annihilator, with a grunt. ‘‘Cusses ter lick wi’ brute force, but no more’n a bundle 0° chips ef ye git ther drop on ’em, or work skientifically. Ef ‘tain’t Deadwood Dick's offspring they've got in thar, et’s sumthin’ they’re mighty keerful uv. See what a grip thet ‘coon hes got onter ther bag.” “Yes, ther kid’s in thar, no doubt. Come, let us saunter along and see whar they go to. Sech game ain't picked up every day. Keep ther goat bebind, or ther de’il will be to pay.” “Not much, I don’t,” the Annihilator replied, grimly. ‘‘ Whar wafteth this boreal breeze 0’ de- struction, wafteth one or more o’ ets pecooliar j’ints. Leave Florence Night-in-a-gale? No, siree! I’m telling you.” “All right; cum along then or they’ll—by thunder they’ve escaped us, now. Where are they?” While they were speaking the two “ toughs” had mingled in with the crowd that swarmed in the gulch, and were lost from view, Cursing their own stupidity both Coyle and Avalanche sprung forward and elbowed their way along in pursuit, but all in vain. Their most careful efforts failed to discover the pair of villains, or where they had gone to, Like shadows they had vanished, It was a bitter disap- pointment to our two friends, who had calculated upon an easy victory. “We're dished again,’’ Coyle said, hopelessly. “We may’s well hang up the fiddle and the bow.” “Great ham-bone, no/ We'll not give up, yit. Thar's thet Careless Cambre; the babe will doubtless be delivered inter his hands. It tharfore behooves a ter keep our optical masheenery glued onter 1im,
Page 27
They wandered about aimlessly during the day— not really aimlessly, for they were constantly look- ing for Cambre, whom Avalanche had once seen, and thought he should be able to recognize again. Little Alf was a good poker-player, and so they went into the Man-Trap saloou and amused them- selves for a while. Noisy Nell came around to their table shortly, poe because she was very favor- ny imaneeseed with the looks and apparent worth of Coyle. And his good opinion of her was not lessened by the fact that she occupied so undesirable a position within one of the worst haunts in Eureka, @ saw that she was modest when modesty was called for, and brave and fearless when the case demand«d; and to he | the little scout admired her, would be ony. drawing it mild. e was nota bad-looking fellow himself, twenty- | five summers in this wayward world having dealt with him kindly. ‘““Hev ye seen anything o’ Careless Cucumber?” Avalanche demanded, as she came up, “No, He has not been in here since I came,” the girl replied, glancing searchingly around her, ** Have you found avy tidings of Mrs. Harris?” “ Nary a tidy, my gal. Saw a couple o’ ‘ toughs’ —one kerried a bag on his back, in w'ich a baby wight have been concealed—but they flung us.” “Those same men came in here and lubricated,” Nell announced, “and then went outagain,”’ “The deuce theydid! An’ did one tote a bag o’ sumthin’ on his nigh shoulder, wich mought ‘a’ bin a baby or a condensed ‘arthquake?” ** Yes!” “Which way’d they go?” “Tecannot, tell, I did not watch them; only no- ticed them by chance.” Avalanche and Little Alf rose to their feet simul- taneously. “We ef trap ’em by visitin’ the different sa- loons,” Coyle said. * Just my ijee, perzactly,” the old man assented. “ For’a’d, march—you take the lead—the dirt allus goes before the broom,” “Thank you,” Alf smiled, bowing to Nellie, and leading the way toward the door, “A slouch some- times follows the broom. also,” They went out, and made a round of all the sa- loons, without result, until they were issuing from the last one, when they came face to face with Car- jos Cambre, CHAPTER XV, HE PAPERS—EYES MIGHTIER SOMETIMES THAN THE SWORD. Martna Campre and Lawyer Bolton shrunk back in alarm as a voice from within. the room responded to the little woman's knock. A shrill halloa it was; in a woman’s voice, evidently; but it told the two | counterplotters that their coast was not clear as they had anticipated, *““What shall we do? This is a deuce of a scrape to be caught in,” the disciple of Vlackstone gasped, clutching Martha bythearm, ‘“ Ourgameis balked; let us escape,” “You can fe; if you want to,” Martha replied, calmly. ‘I ain’t quite so far gone as to back out now;”' and as if to carry out her assertion, she took s little shining revolver from among the folds of her ress. * Halloa! w’at the debbil you’s want?” came again from the inside. “I cum along out dar, pu'ty soon, an’ mop de floor wid you sassy brats,” “Ah! that is explanation,” Martha said, in a whis- r. ‘There is some negress inside, evidently car- foe for the room, Come on,” She glided forward and opened the door, which, as she had surmised, was unlocked, Another moment and she and Bolton were inside the room, with the door locked behind them, {_ An old negress, with a face as black as coal, an] The Phantom Miner, 27 hair white and woolly, was engaged in sweeping the room, and putting things to order, But she stopped stock-still, rooted to the floor with horror, when she beheld the intruders, and the pair of revolvers the worthy attorney and counselor-at-law held leveled toward ber. “Oh! de Lordy sakes alive! Ob! goodness gra- cious!” she gasped, sinking back uaee the floor, with a jar heavy enough to convey the idea that she was a small-sized earthquake. ‘Don’t shoot, marster— don’t hurt a poor ole woman w’at can’t help herself. I be’s innercent—'deed I is, for shuah!”" “Yes, you're an innocent old idiot, sure enough,” Bolton replied. ‘Just you keep quiet, and we'll not hurt you. But if you appeal for assistance, I'll make perforated card-board out o’ you. Go on, miss, and see if you can discover the papers.” “You had better staud near the door with your back against it! Martha replied. “* My villainous husband may be along at any moment, and it would be dangerous for him to discover us in this room, | will turn things topsy-turvy to find the papers She was as good as her word in this respect. She set. to work, first, and went through the con- tents of a large old-fashioned desk then a bureau and washstand, but without satisfactory result. The carpet was then ripped up, and every con- ceivable place minutely examined, where the lost documents could possibly have been concealed. But they were not found, much to the two counter- plotters’ dise ppointment. “T think there is a secret compartment in this old desk,” Martha said at last, pausing before the strue- ture of walnut, which was an oddity in_the way of curious pigeon-holes and drawers. “But I do not know how to find it. Is there anybody in the room below or those adjoining, old woman?’ **No, missus. Dar’s berry few in de buildin’ at this hour.” “Good, Let me out, Mr. Bolton, and I will go down and procure an ax with which to knock this old shell apart.” Bolton obeyed by unlocking the door and letting her out into the passage. With an injunction to fly for safety if Cambre should put in an appearance, she hurried away on her errand. She was not gone long, however. soon returning with a heavy ore bar as a substitute for the ax, ‘Now, if Carlos will only ng away for a little while, we will have a chance to learn if the papers are here,” she said, “Yes, it will take but a short time to find out,” Bolton answered. , “Atleast if we cannot find the Peers, we can wait here for him to come, and force him to give them up to us.” * Ah! but Iam afraid we should have our hands full, there, Such villains as he, combining the char- acteristics of the stubborn bull-dog and the cunning wery fox, would be a hard customer to force.” At his request she surrendered the bar to him, be she took his revolver and stood guard at the oor. He then attacked the old desk with a will, and soon had it lyingapart in different sections, without creating any great noise. Sure aboueh & secret drawer was discovered in which were a package of papers, tied in an oil-silk wrapper, There wasealso a quantity of money, bien, no doubt, also belonged to Cambre, This was al | which she could not find. “ The ers! the papers!” Bolton cried, leapin; forward or seizing thom in his grasp. “* Victory ours at last.” “Don't be toosure, My father always taught me never to hope until I was eure! had something to hope for, sir,’ Martha said, coming forward. Bolton tore off the wrapper and hastily glanced them over. “They are here, he said,exultantly—“ the genuine ones, and the copies Cambre drew from them!”
Page 28
28 The Phantom Miner. Avalanche and Alf Coyle uttered not a word as they faced Cambre in front of the saloon, but push- ed by him as if they did not recognize him—which the scout, Little Alf, did not, never baving seen him before. But Cambre recognized the Annihilator by the goat; and, too, he recognized him as the same in- dividual who had once knocked him down in front of Deadwood Dick’s ceil. “Hello!” he cried, following up, and slapping the old man on the shoulder heavily. * Hold up, old rackabones, if ye don’t wanter git plugged. I recog- nize you.” “Oh! you do!” Avalanche said, turning around with a ‘six ’’ in his grasp, full cocked and ready for use. “* Ye recognize ther great equatorial pestilence, do ye?—ther great distructive eppydemic o’ ther per- aries—the Norweejan snow-flake 0’ boreal Annihila- tion? Wal, thet ain’t nothin’ singyler, since I recky you. Guess thar’s a picture rabbin’ etself ag'in’ your visage, ain't thar, o’ how beauchiful I laid you out, not more’n a month ago? Ham bone thet pre- pared ther obituary ov old Joner! I ‘spect yer wanter see yer uncle on thet score, eh?’’ “Oh! no! Cambre repens smiling graciously, as he saw the Annihilator bad the drop on him. “TIT just chanced to recognize you, and wanted to ask you if you had seen Deadwood Dick, lately?” “Nixy; hain’t seen ther lad since the day we arriy’ in Eureka. But, ef ye wanter fight, et’s all right. Hayr’s what kin accommydate ye.” “Oh, no, thanks; my inclinations don't run in that channel,” the ex-lieutenant replied, turning away. “Now, then, boyee, we've gotter keep our orbs on him!” Avalanche whispered to Coyle. ‘I bet he gits the baby afore midnight, unless we intercept it, w'ich we must try to do.” “Yes, the papers are all here,” Bolton repeated, counting them over—‘the marriage-certificate, the birth-certificate of Cathie’s child, and others of minor or greater imvortance.” “Tam truly grateful to God for this success,” Mar- tha said, reverently; ‘‘ but come, let us hasten from this place, before my husband returns, or he will kill us. Ha! the negress has escaped—how negli- gent of me!” ‘True enough, while Martha’s back had been tury- ed, the wench had made her escape, ** Curse the black-and-tan,”’ Bolton exclaimed, an- erily. “Tt will not do for us to try and escape—"” “Very truly spoken!’ interrupted a cool, sarcastic voice, and Carlos Cambre’s commanding form stood in the doorway, accusingly. ‘‘It will not do for you totry to escape with those papers in your possession. oe them, and you can depart in peace.” “Td drop you, if I had the ‘drop’ on you!” the attorney growl :d, At this juncture Cambre’s gaze rested for the first on Martha. He reeled back with a frightful curse, as if he had been dealt a heavy blow, as he beheld her piercing glance leveled at him, sternly. “Martha! here!” he gasped, his face growing first white, and then flushed, “Yes, Martha is here!” the deserted wife replied scornfully; but in the second of Cambre's surprise he had lowered his aim, and she quickly took advan- e of this opportunity to cover him with her re- volvers—“ here, but not to claim you for a husband. You are a dastardly wretch, even below my con- tempt. Step aside and let us pass. No; go down ahead of us, or [’Il blow your brains out!” He growled not unlike some fierce wild beast when he ig where he had failed, in allowing them to gain a poin' “*T won't go!” he declared stubbornly. “You will!” Martha assured, triumphantly, and back came her revolver-hammers, click! click! to full-cock. “One, two—” Cambre uttered a fierce curse, and leaping along the passage to the head of the stairs, madea mighty spring. A flash from Martha's revolver followed him: then they ran forward and found him lying on the landing below, with his right arm broken, and a bullet-wound in his leg. But he clutched a pistol in his left hand, and there was a gleam of desperation in his eye that foreboded evil. “Halt where you are!” he cried, Jeveling the wea- on, “or I'll fire as long as there’s a cartridge left, f it costs my life!” **Come!” Martha said, pulling Bolton back. “We will be tempting death in trying to pass him, We can better escape from a window.” They hurried back into Cambre’s room, locked the door behind them, and found that the one window, over whose surface cobwebs had been allowed to collect, was neither shuttered nor barred. The sash was easily taken out; and several bed-quilts twisted and knotted together, furnished a mode of escape to the ground, so that in a few minutes the two were on the soil below, and hurrying away through the night’s gloom. “Now to the Flag of Truce to apprise Cathie of our good luck,” Bolton said, as they hurried along. “it will be cheer to the poor woman.” ‘Well, [hope so.” Martha replied. ‘I must re- turn to the Man-Trap to resume my duties there. If yon should bein need of my further bervices, do not hesitate to call upon me.” ‘* Certainly not,” be replied. They walked along until in front of the Flag of Truce, and there separated. It was a painful subject to think upon for Dead- wood Dick—this puzzle of how he was going to es- cape from the cave, and_ prevent the terrible trage- dy Edith Stone had outlined, He was helpless in his bonds, which were of thongs of buckskin, and from which he saw no way of ex- tricating himself. All his weapons had been ta’ en from him, and he was wholly in the power of this desperate young woman—this girl whooe love for him had utterly made her mad on the subject; for from the bottom of his heart Dick believed she was insane. He could not think otherwise, when he re- membered her as the gentle, winning girl he had most unfortunately become acquainted with in the Black Hills. Then, no one would have suspected that the temper of a fury was possible to her, sho seemed so sweetly innocent and confiding; now how she was changed! Rough and passionate, with a tendency to evil, she must be insane; indeed, it would be rather a consoling reflection that she was, Dick thought, rather than that she was in the full possession of her faculties. But he was aware that in either case she would do as she had promised—she was desperately in ear- nest, He lay a long while after she left him, turning the 4 ng over in his mind. The darkness in the cave was intense, the little fire on the oppoutie side illuminating a radius of only a few feet. He could see nothing of Edith or her tool, the man Corkus, and concluded that they had turned in for the night. “Now would be my time to escape, if ever,” the prisoner muttered, rolling off his bed of skins to the hard, rocky floor. “Ah! that I were only out of this! There is a land in this great wide West where I could settle down in quiet, without much fear of being molested on account of the bitter past. With my boy, I could weary through a life that thus far has presented a hundred-fold more of bitterness than pleasure Leone? Ah! why dothoughts of her constantly arise before my eyes—why do they haunt me?’ Have I not parted with her forever? After be- ing cast off as I cast her, very, very few women would come back, even if I begged on bended knee.” Yet he realized that he did not fully know Leone. He had learned some new characteristic of her each of the happy days that had followed their marriage, and yet knew comparatively little of her—only knew that she was the queen of his heart—the one fair vision at whose shrine he worshiped, And he knew — —-—
Page 29
The Phantom Miner, now that he must escape to protect her life, and that of their babe—must was the word that best fitted the occasion. Failure meant death to her, and the same to the pacers of his future happiness, He had resolved, now, to go back to her, and ask forgiveness, and if she ‘still loved him—if even only a tenth part as much as he did her, she would grant the boon, for the sake of their baby boy. Edith glided suddenly upon him, in the midst of his thoughts, like some haunting shadow. “Oh! Dick!” she cried, kneeling beside him, and throwing ber arms about his neck, with a passionate outburst of tears—‘‘I love you so, oh! do please take me to your heart, and let us fly from here, to some spot where we can live as man and wife, in the fullness of our love. For the love of God, do not again put me off, for I do not want to commit this awful crime I have threatened." “Nor need you,” he replied. ‘‘I do not love you, and life with you would be a torture.” * Ah! you love the other!” she cried, with almost tigerish ferocity, a terrible gleam reddening her eyes. “Yes, I love the other,” he replied, firmly, ‘‘and always shall.” “Then she shall die, and the brat, too.” “But their death will not make you any the bet- ter off,” he reasoned. ‘I cannot marry you, in either case,” “What! would a seo them murdered before your eyes, rather than give up your future to me?” “ Yes, rather than become a bigamist, and promise devotion to a mad-woman!” “A what?” she gasped, shrinking away from him, * A mad-woman—a maniac, for you are no less, Were you in your right mind, ith, you would never think of such a crime.” “Mad! mad!” she repeated, staggering to her feet and pressing her hand to her forehead, as if it ached —‘t yes, necigme I am mad—mad in love; but sane enough that no other woman shall ever possess you, my Prince. I will look to that with a perseverance that will some time astonish you.” ‘Tt will be useless. Your life will be only spent in vain.” “ So it shall be then. You will know no peace— that may in a measure appease my hunger for your love. I will haunt you day and night, like some ter- rible phantom, But, bah! why this parley? I can still win you by love, without resorting to harsher measures. See! Iam going to free your limbs un- til morning, that you may rest better. Do not try to escape, however, for Corkus stands yonder in the mouth of the cave with an Evans repeating rifle, and can put twenty bullets into you in Jess time then it takes to count them. So adieu.” With a long bowie she cut the bonds about his feet, leaving his hands still confined. “Thank you,” he said. ‘Acts of kindness and confidence often produce great results,” “Bah!’’ she retorted with a sarcastic laugh. “Don’t think me a fool, or that you can deceive me, Maybe, by some of the infernal power you are said 10 possess, you can succeed in outwitting me. ButI will follow you to the very ends of the earth, A very tigress you will find me, if you try to play any games on me, Remember!’ Then she turned and swept Seay mish the imperi- ousness Of a queen, Deadwood Dick lay still for several hours after her departure, well-knowing it would be useless to pea 8 to escape, until Corkus grew sleepy and relaxed his vigil. But he worked silently at th mds which confined his wrists. If he could but free his wrists, he had no fears but that he could escapé. “The suit of mail I wear beneath my clothing makes me bullet proof, unless the cuss should ha) pen to aim at my visage, when I cannot say as to its qualities against resisting lead, though I’ve been called ‘hard-cheeked’ and ‘brassy’! he muttered, a fim smile playing over his features. ligently he worked away, first soaking the 29 thongs in a little pool of water which ran at his feet, and then endeavoring to stretch them, It was a slow process, but eventually successful, for in a couple of hours he rejoiced in the freedom of both nands, “ Now, I guess it is a safe time to make an attempt to quit this place,” he muttered, tightening his belt, and peering around into the gloom to see if his movements had been observed, But apparently they had not. The intense black- ness that reigned supreme within the cave had pre- vented his being seen, The fire had died out, and the only light was a faint leaden glow in the direc- tion which marked the cave's entrance. “ [ wonder if the villainous guard is asleep?’’ Dick queried, hesitating before starting. ‘ I hope it don't come to a tussle, tn he should crush me in a hug, for he is as stout as a cinnamon bear. If I can only enchain his gaze for a moment, I am almost certain that I can mesmerize him,” He stepped cautiously toward the entrance, his footfalls softer than those of a cat, His fists were doubled on the defensive, in the absence of other weapons; every nerve was strung, every muscle drawn hard; his whole mind devoted to the work before him, Closer and closer he moved, until he souant sight of the shadowy outline of the sentinel, standing sta- tionary in the entrance, grim and silent as some rock-carved statue. His head was turned the other way, but Dick earcd not for this. He stopped in his tracks and threw the whole force of his mind into his gaze, which he directed at the guard, And not long had he to wait for the effect. Soon the man shuddered, and turned around, his bloodshot eyes coming instantly in contact with the hore orbs of Deadwood Dick. His gaze became xed. It was no use for him to resist. He could not break the spell that came over him, from the pecu- liar influence of the road-agent’s all-powerful gaze. Like a statue he was rooted to the spot, immovable, of his own will, and powerless to speak, ‘Ha! hal” Dick laughed, in a low voice, “ this is another victory. Now, the next act on the schedule is to get out of this, find Leone and my boy, and then forever quit this place, I know of one spot in this great, fair earth, where even the hounds of the Jaw scent not, and there I will go with mine own wife and child, and begin life anew |” CHAPTER XVI. PRIZE UPON PRIZE. Oxup AVALANcnE and Little Alf were not far away at the time when Bolton and Martha left the big lodging-house. They had seen Cambre enter, an were crouching in the bushes, not far away, waiting for the men to come with the babe, as they calcu- jated they eventually would, “Great ham-bone thet deceived old Joner!"’ the Annihilator exclaimed, as first they heard the pistol- shot, and later saw the man and woman descend the bed-quilt Jadder to the ground and hurry away. ‘Old Moses thet perambulated through the bull- rushes! Reckon thar’s bin a tussle in thet aire-dor- mitory, an’ Careless Cucumber hes got his rep full, Thet ain't enny o’ our h tho’. Ther percise in- derviduals we're wantin’, at present time, aire them two galoots, oue o’ whom hes got a bag slung over his shoulder. Shouldn't be surprised ef they'd be along afore a great while.” “Likely,” assented Coyle, nibbling away at the end of a piece of plug tobacco retlectively. ‘* But I argue that we had better git inside o’ thet barn or dormitery,as ye call it, fer it'll be easier nabbin’ our larkies thar than out hayr in ther gulch, whar there's chance fer bullets ter skip arround so free.” — . Accordingly they crossed the gulch, and entered the bigJodging-house, which was dark and gloomy. On the first landing they found Carlos Cambre lying, groaning and cursing alternately over his ina-
Page 30
oe 30 bility to move, on account of the painfulness of his wounded. leg and broken arm. “Hello! heer's a weer dying on ther deserted bat- tle-ground,” the Annihilator cried, bending over the villain. “By ther ; reat allegorical ham-bone, it’s Careless Cucumber, sure’s there’s condoocement ter reason in ther arcumentive end uv a mule. / tell ye, et takes old Prudence Cordelia ter persuade a feller thet she’s tickleish in her hind hoofs. Lord! she’s scattered more gory brains over ther peraries 0’ thes pecooliar lattytude than all ther extinct Injun-fight- ers uv ther age. Many’s the time she’s slung a = off a-reachin’ out wi’ them hindmost tenpins o' ern.’ “Hello! what are you doin’ here, pilgrim?” little Alf demanded of Cambre. “Seem ter be kinder out vl tune, jedgin’ frum yer music.” “T’'ve been blown full of holes by a pair of knaves —a man and a woman!” the ex-road-agent replied, with a fresh torrent of blasphemy. “ They're up- stairs, somewhere, now. I'll give you a thousand dollars, if you will go and capture them, an.’ yet me back the papers they have stolen.” “Oh, will ye? Sorry ter say yer pigeons hev fled, my gallus coon—escaped by aid 0’ a bed-quilt lad- der, an’ flown away,” the old man said. “Would ya like us ter assist ye ter yer palatial domi- cile?”’ * Yes, help me somewhere to a bed, and send for a doctor,” Gambre groaned, “I’ve more’n forty chunks o’ lead in my carcass.” “Pooh! subtract thirty-nine frum ther sum given, an’ ye hey ther right figzers, ter a dot. Never know’d a rascal yet thet could tell ther truth. Thet, by tier way, war a great trait in the Hogg family. Thar wasn't a Hogg in ther hull collection o’ Hoges thet ked tell a falsehood ef they were ter try, ’ca'se ye see, old Jerry Hoge. ther originator uv ther ju- venile Hoggs, war a Methodist preacher, an’ we grew up ter regard ther truth as a thing more sacred than terbaccer or tarant’ler juice.” “Do you mean to say that I lie?’ Cambre demand- ed, in a well assumed e. “Oh! no, my dear Careless; I_nevyer yit war guilty 0” callin’ a feller a liar, But, I sw’ar, you look strangely like this great destructive eppydemic, when he pulls ther long bow!” “Td shoot you, if— “You had the drop, wich you ain’t!” was the grim onse. ** Alf, take iy Be sarpint’s fangs, an’ we'll carry him up-stairs, before them galoots cum wi’ ther babby!" “Furies; what do you know about it?” the ex- lieutenant demanded. ** All about it, geelorious Cucumber—thet ye're ex- pectin’ ther consignment into your grub-hooks uv one male infant prodigy, by a couple o’ as ornery dasted galoots as evyer absorbed ther moisture from Virginia barley. But fate ordained thet our desires she’d ruminate after thet same kid! wharfore we embraced the prisent opportunity to wisit you, an’ take persession uv it, accordin’ ter law.” Little Alf deprived the villain of his weapons, and then they carried him up to the room Bolton and fet he recently ransacked, and laid him upon Avalanche, then, with a skill that years of frontier life had perfected, set the sroken arm, and dressed the wounded leg. i This relieved the unlucky plotter of some of his pain; buthis rage was more intense than the pain when Avalanche securely gagged him, so that be could not utter a word. This done, the two men seated themselves to await the coming of the two kidnappers. And, fortune favoring them, they had not Jong to wait. Heavy footsteps were soon heard ascending the stairs, and presently two burly miners—the same the two scouts had seen before—entered the room, closing the door behind them. The next moment they were “covered ” by the revolvers of Avalanche and his companion, The Phantom Miner. — “Move an inch, without orders, and you're both dead corpuses!”’ Little Alf exclaimed. sternly. “Great salubrious ham-bone frum which old Joner manyfactered broth, yes!” put in Avalanche. ‘ Ef yer don’t want ter expeeryence the eternal electric joke, \jes’ becum stationary, or I'll demolish ys sure’s this great devastatin’ eppydemic luvs fun. i forever transfix ye wi’ glory, beattytudes, an’ sich oe punishments!” The two ruffians stood stock-still, glaring around them in astonishment. Such a trap they had not expected to fall into. “Oh! we've got you!” Coyle joined in, triumph- antly, “without a doubt, so just hand over yer wea- pons, and done with it.”’ “Fork ’em over,” added Avalanche. Seeing that they were in the power of the two scouts, the ruffians obeyed the command, by deliver- ing w a pair of revolvers and a knife, apiece. “ Now, then, be kind ernuff ter a thet bag, and gently remove the baby,” ordereé the Annihilator, coolly, “No roughness, now, or I'll salivate ye wi’ lead fizzic fer all ye’re worth.” With an angry growl the larger of the two men slung the bag from his shoulder, and deposited it up- on the floor, Then he untied it, and took therefrom a little bundle of humanity, meee | fast asleep, with a bandage tied over its little mouth, to prevent its screams. It was Deadwood Dick, Jr., sure enough, and Ava- lanche received it into his ‘arms with a grin of de- light. Coyle assisted him to remove the bandage, but as the operation did not awaken the little thing, they came to the conclusion that it had been drugged. But its respirations evinced the fact that it was rapidly wearing off the effects of the po- tion, The two ruffians were now bound land and foot, after which our two friends quitted the lodging- house, Avalanche having restored the babe to the bag, and slung it over bis shoulder, to prevent at- tracting the attention of anyone they might meet. “Now, we'll go back to Bonanza Basin, wi’ our prize!’ he said. “1'll go on ahead, while you fetch Noisy Nell on ther back o’ my mare Pru- dence.” “Why Noisy Nell?” Coyle asked. ‘Why? Great ham-bone! won't she hev ter be ther mither o’ this youngster till we kin find its gin- wine mother? Wish ter gracious my Florence Night- in-a-cale war uv ther tender sex, so we ked derive sum lacteal benefit out @ him fer thes little cuss, As et is, ye’ll hev ter fetch along a bottle o” milk, I *speet, onless et ken chaw venison.” “Dye think et can?” “Dunno. My experience wi’ ther babylonians ain’t werrey much. Better ask ther gal w'at babies eat; she’d be apt ter kno’ sumthin’ about it.” “Who? Miss Brandon?” “Yas—women-folks ginerally take more ter in- funts than men; they orter know "' After a few more words Avalanche tramped away up the lonely gulch, while Alf turned back on his errand. He first got Prudence Cordelia from the stable, and then went to the Man-Trap ofter Nellie, whom he fou d at her ol’ post, and who was ap- parently very glad to see him They soon were out of the Jittle town of Eureka, for Nellie had consented to go and care for Leone’s baby until Leone herself eould be found. On their arrival at’ Bonanza mine, they found that Avalanche had already got there ahead of them; and to their surprise, found Leone thére also, with her babe in her arms. ' She told ber story to all, as they gathered about the camp-fire. She had pursued the two ruffians who stole Master Dick until they had puzzled and lost her in the intri- cacies of the mountain. Then it had taken her many long, ge 4 hours to pick her way back to the mine, where she had at Jast arrived, only a few hours pre-
Page 31
A Me The Phantom Miner. vious to the arrival of Avalanche with the babe, and Alf and Nellie. . That was a happy night in Bonanza mine—happy to Leone, in particular, because of something that promised her future happiness—the arrival of one, at the darkest hour before day-dawn, who of all men they least expected to see—the Prince of the Road ot those bygone days in the Black Hills—Deadwood ick! He came stalking unexpectedly into comp his form erect and face calm; he stopped in the playing firelight, and gazed around him, his eyes resting upon Leone and her babe, The little woman had grown deathly pale at first, but she threw off the faintness that had attacke her by a mizhty effort, and rose to her feet, trem- bling Violently, an appealing look in her eyes. Nellie had taken Master Dick, and the husband and wife stood once more face to face, **Leone!"”” Deadwood Dick said, opening his arms, *T have come.” She gave a low, glad cry of joy, and springing into his embrace, burst into tears. But they were tears of ecstatic joy; how shall we ever attempt to de- scribe the happiness and love that then filled those two reunited hearts? Tenderly Deadwood Dick caressed her; it seemed now that life once more had a future; that he could ever be supremely happy in the love of this glorious little creature whose undying affection had so well stood the test. He had never known the depth of his own love until the hour of this gladsome reunion; he realized how he had wronged, and pained her; and now with her clasped close to his fast-beating heart, he swore a silent vow that in the fnture b kindness and strong true love he would atone for all their mutual unhappiness in the past. Leone was happy, Dick was happy, and so were all about the camp-fire, when they saw ,the young ex-outlaw and his true loving wife reunited. After the first rapturous greetings were over, due explanations were made all around, Deadwood Dick coming in Jast on the list. “And what hev ye bin doin’ wi’ yerself. since the night I Jeft ye, on our arrival in Eureka?’ Avalanche asked of the Prince.” “Well, I will tell you. I fled from the town, after laying out the sheriff, and hid fora couple of days in the mountains which flank one side of this ae fg The first day I spent thus I made a discovery—dis- covered the man, Red Brand, robed in ghostly robes and parading upon a rocky plateau. The hour was eg at dusk, and having heard, previous to our com- ng to Eureka, of the Phantom Miner, I put this and that together, and came to the conclusion that Red Brand and the Phantom Miner were one. f course I 1 a interested, and from my hiding-place I watch- e “By and by two burly men dragged the toggery of a large balloon out upon the plateau, and over a natural gas geyser close at hand, inflated the con- cern, which was of goodly size, and attached to it a car capable of holding four or five persons. When all was in readiness, the two men let go the grapnel, and pprung, into the car, and rose slowly upward. Then ae the secret of the whole business, plain enough. “A rope was attached to the dar upon a windlass, and also to Red ‘Brand, around his body, in under his feet and arms, so that when the full length, of about a thousand feet, had spun from the reel, he was raised upward and borne throvigh the air. In the night his means of flight through the air is a mys- tery, unless the observer has an eye keen enough to enetrate far toward the heaven, where, in what is nown as the semi-counter-current—meaning four currents blowing toa center—the balloon is drifting, The balloon rises or lowers at will, by use of a lever escape-valve, and ballast; if allowed to rise above the concentrating current, it moves north toward the place of starting; if lowered below the said cur- rent, it goes sou'westward toward the prairies. In 31 the daytime the Phantom is not seen abroad, and I think this successfully explains what has been a mystery to the ites of Eureka,” ‘And this Red Brand is the Phantom?” “ Was, until Ladopted his role. We accidentally met. one day later, and he told me of my knowledge o his secret, though the Lord. only, knows how he found it out. He declared his hate for me, and pro- posed that we fight it out.” “If I won, 1 was to Phatnomize it in his stead, Well, we dueled, and Lon!” A piercing scream came from Noisy Nell. ‘** And was he killed?’’ she gasped, “Yes, young lady. I know—he was your father, and I have in trust for you a thousand dollars in gold, which he had secretly mined from the basin.” “And you, then, are the ghost thet robbed us!" Avalanche said. “Yes, by the mesmeric power which gen i mesmerized you in the tunnel, and later robbed the camp. It was to try the experiment. You may have observed what seemed to be a finger of my hand, the end of which glowed like a human eye. It was sim- ply an Sealant conan bull’s-eye-lantern, one side appearing like an eye, and the opposite, by means of a small but powerful reflector, casting around my person a phosphorescent. halo,” Then Dick made further explanations, mentioning that the skeleton shape and rattles were all inge- nious contrivances of Red Brand’s originality; also all concerning Red-Hot Harris and Deadwood Dick No, which caused a great deal of surprise. This is all known to the reader, He also explained the-seeret of his invulnerability by exhibiting a suit of mail worn beneath his garb, which he had found on the body of Red Brand. A week was spent in Bonanza .Pasin, quietly, no intrusion from the Eurekaites making it necessary for Dick to fly. Happy was he with his wife and child, and a prime favorite in camp, During the week old Fordyce Graylford died, and by Bolton’s arrangement, Dick and his new-found mother, Cathie, were prisent. The old man relent- ed in the last hours, and’asked the forgiveness of his wronged ones, and made over all his property, at Dick’s request, to Cathie, Dick did not wish any of it. Though the story of how Cathie had Jeft him with the Harrises in infancy, and the An seemed all genuine, he could not quite make it seem that she was his mother, and he avowed it his intention to still retain the name of Harris. ‘ At the expiretion of. the week he made 4 sale of Deadwood Dick's Bonanza to Little Alf and Keno Bill; then, with his wife and child, and the two aero- nauts, one morning he sailed away over the silver land of Idaho, in his balloon, the Leone,” for a land of the West, where be hoped to bury himself forever, and the er past. Later, Keno married Martha Cambre, the little fe- male detective, who had obtained a legal divorce from her rascally husband, and at the same time Nellie Prancon took the name of Coyle. Cathie Graylford, also, after a period of mourning, took Bolton, the attorney.for a permanent legal director. Cambre suddenly Cisappeared from Eureka, and with him went a fit associate, bullying Cal Buckskin while Roxly returned to i over the unfruitfulness of his mission, so nearly re- sulting in his death. Deadwood, disheartened With Deadwood Dick went that ‘devastatin’ ep- pydemic,” Old Avalanche, and his goat. Prudence was left behind, for want of room in the oon, f Th remely happy, Dick and Leone, but slonally the rf oad the vision of the ex- oceasionally there rises be outlaw, like a haunting of the future, the malignant | face and menacing gleaming eyes of the bitterest — of all his foes, Hdish Stone! Nor is this the end of Deadwood Dick's career: we have simply written to a happy conclusion of fhe PHANTOM bowen. : THE END,
Page 32
BEA DLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. AAA AAA AAA Aydt yyy 32 OCTAVO PAGES. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ee —-—-- ISSUED EVERY WEDNESDAY. —eo— 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Kansas King}; or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. 3 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers. L. Wheeler. 5 The Two Detectives, W. Aiken. 6 The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 7 The Buffalo Demon ; or, The Bor- der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes. 9 Ned Wylde,the Boy Scout. By ‘Texas Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). 10 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L. Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 12 Nick o° the Night; or, The Boy Spy of °76. By T. C. Harbaugh, 13 Vellowstone Jack, By Joseph FE. Badger, Jr. By Edward By Albert 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. | 28 By Edward L, Wheeler. § Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. By Col. Ingraham, >} Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Ol Coomes. Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, Death-Face, the Detective. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena. By Frank 8. Finn, The Phantom Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler, The Sea Cat; or, The Witch of Da- rien. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, Rattling Rube; or, The Night Hawks of Kentucky. By Harry St. George, Old Avalanche, the Great Annihila- tor. By Edward L, Wheeler. Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. The Boy Captain ; or, The Pirate's Daughter. By Roger Starbuck Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, No. 98 William Street, New York.