Deadwood Dick Library (London, England) (no. 7) (1928)
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DEADWOOD DICK TANDREDBRAND
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CHAPTER I ‘BONANZA ’’ SHOOTING I po not know that you can find it by ‘looking on the map of Idaho ; nevertheless it is there—a prosperous little gold and _-silyer-mining town, nestling in the mouth ‘of a gulch of the Salmon river mountains and fronting westward toward as grand’ a prairie ocean as ever existed. Some one had cried “Eureka!” when the wild tortuous gulch’s end was reached; and ‘they had stopped right in its mouth, found abundant mineral resources, and built a city. Not a city of brick or stone, but a ‘city of rude cabins and shanties, which were immediately filled by a population of two or three thousand souls, who rushed in from ‘the other towns to share the excitement of the new-found Strike. 3 \ Wide-awake, active and prosperous is the condition in which we present Eureka to Shad ee the reader. ; Night has fallen over the city ; a few pale stars keep a silent vigil overhead, awaiting the coming of the late moon. A couple of men, evidently newcomers to Eureka, were sauntering along the main street, smoking cigars, enjoying the in- ‘vigorating breeze, and watching the restless eofhumanity around them. - - ‘Two men, opposite in appearance and ge, yet apparently great friends. One a ‘oung man, with a fresh, handsome face, old-in expression, and magnetic black eyes and hair—the latter reaching below ‘his shoulders; straight, erect form, which hard service in rough western life had ‘toughened, and a bentine get a ac ‘manly to a fault. His dress was blac e piaketcin with moccasins fancifully beaded, ‘match, and a broad-brim, slouch hat of 1e same hue upon his head. Unlike those aun 1, he wore no belt weapons, — a + DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND ° probably trusting to his hands for defence in case of necessity. His companion was a little dried-up individual, well along in years, wiry of _form and well-developed—an uncouth, yet comical little fellow, grim of feature and sharp of glance; a man who might be. depended upon in friendship or feared in enmity. 2 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 de- fiance of the jeers of a crowd of boys, an ugly, vicious creature of the genus capra, who seemed to answer the demand for a dog very creditably. Many were the glances centred upon the trio as they strolled along, by the observing Eurekaites, and when at last they entered a saloon, over whose entrance was the sug- gestive title of “‘ The 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 furnished after a rude fashion with a bar, chairs and tables, and the walls hung with mirrors and pictures. : It was a whisky-trap and a gaming den combined, and was already filled with excited patrons. “Come this way, Dicky,’ said the old man, elbowing his way through the crowd. © They sauntered around, now and then stopping to watch a game, but finally moving toward_a rear portion of the saloon, where _ a shooting gallery was located. hn Says “ Hurra! who sez I ain’t ther crack shot - of Eureka?” bellowed one of the crowd — who were gathered around the stand. | ‘* Seventeen bull’s-eyes out of twenty-five, I’m tellin’ you.” #2 “ Pshaw, Buckskin; you're no shot!” — replied the keeper, a young woman some- where between seventeen and nineteen es)
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“much ! _ the Annihilator set down the gun. “Ohl wait ’ti PE iio as = $s ge) SSN 7 VS ae. Ey ee - DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND years of age, and one of the prettiest the two strangers had yet seen in Eureka. “ You're a blower; that’s your sum total.” “You're a humbug, Noisy Nell,” replied Buckskin. ‘‘ Ye think thar’s no one kin shute quite so purty as yerself, an’ I allow I can shute clear over you.” : “You've just tried, and have a string of shots to pay for, as a result !” Noisy Nell was very pretty of face and feature, with rose-tinted cheeks, a small shapely mouth of tempting sweetness ; ‘ flashing, sparkling, brownish-blue eyes, and hair to match. - . Buckskin was a brawny customer, with ruffian clearly written in his dark sinister countenance, and gleaming from his blood- shot eyes. +g Soe a Gil : “T hev astring ter pay, hey ? ’”’ he replied ; “wal, jest figure thet down on yer slate thet you’ve hung thar; 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.” “Tone!” cried Noisy Nell, instantly. “Tf you win, you shall have the kiss; if I win, I’ll take the nugget. Here, 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 that rooster? Not Hold my own nugget.” “Then you won’t shoot with me,” replied Nell, coolly. - “‘I wouldn’t trust you two feet away. Gentlemen, is there any of you who wishes to try a string?” “Wal, gal, dunno as it would be any harm ter try,” said the elder of the strangers, stepping up and examining the target-rifle. “My name is Old Avalanche, miss, an’ my old eyes can’t crawl along a rifle barrel as they once could. Ef thet target thar war an Injun, I fancy I ked put a current 0’ electricity thru him wuss’n a streak o’ wicked lightnin’. 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—I 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. Pa “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 rang. “ Good shootin’, sir,” said Noisy Nell, as til ye see my boyee, h eres shute,” was the grim response. Nedward, try yer fist.” “Not with the rifle, Alva,” re Harris, shaking his head. fun in that for me. Give me about four of those six-shooters you carry.” xf “Heer they are, then, but I’m afeered you’re countin’ too much. Thet target Pes deceivin’, ‘ef my old optics ain’t in aul. [ities a e acd a “Oh! that’s all right,” laughed Harris, coolly. ‘‘ Perhaps there is some ent prising individual present who wants to bet that I cannot put twenty-four _bullets in one mark upon the bull’s-eye.” : Then the handsome ex-road-prince looked — calmly around; him, scanning{thefsea of grim faces. “% It was a bold challenge, with a fair chance for winning, and still no one seemed eager ' to wager money on it. : a “Guess there isn’t much money in the crowd, or else not much sand, Mr. Harris,” said Noisy Nell. ‘“‘ A fair chance, gentlemen, ~ and success for you almost certain.” = This appeal brought forth a tall, lank, — grey-bearded man, with’ sallow complexion — and sunken, wild eyes, and a murmur of © “Red Brand!” ran through®the crowd, — as he pushed his way through. Sheer “Who is it ?’? Deadwood Dick asked of © the fair game-keeper, as he beheld the man’s — approach. ? ee ‘No one knows, except that he is called — Red Brand, and owns the best claim in the gulch. Is supposed to have heaps of money. His claim is the! Big#Bonanza,” replie Nell. 2% 3 ‘sie es pk ee ‘Ah! then we will see. Bet, sir, that I cannot do what I offered ? ” bps te “Yes, I will bet,” replied Red Brand, — coolly, stroking 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, I am — sure.” G oe “T can put as many against the bull’s-eye, — on the same spot. No catches?” , a5 “No catches, sir.” ; "he “Very well, then. Gentlemen, you all witness this wager, I/ believe. I am to. twenty-four successive bullets against that bull’s-eye, in the same spot, and win the Big Bonanza mine; or, I am to fail, and lose my life.” ; : “Ay! ay!” responded the crowd. Deadwood Dick turned to Red Bran “Your name, sir——” Frey “Ts Red Brand!” :
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* - room, as if the name of the notorious young outlaw-were well known in Eureka. ** You Deadwood Dick !”’ exclaimed Nell, _in surprise. : __ “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 be a citizen among you. If you let me alone, V’ll let you alone; strike me, I'll - strike back, and you probably have heard of the reputation 1 bear in thai respect. We ean be good friends, or bitter enemies, just whichever you please. Now, then, if you'll watch you'll see me fawly win this mine you call the Big Bonanza.’ “It 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,” said Dick. _ Nell quickly obeyed, 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 fight hand, and, instantaneously, appar- ently without taking aim, he fired. Then _ his right dropped, and a shot from his left rang the bell. His right then followed, then his left, and thus in alternation, until the whole of the twenty-four shots had been dispatched upon their unerring mission. ws Noisy Nell and Red Brand hurried for- ward to examine the target. They found only one visible spot where a bullet had - struck, and that was precisely in the centre of the bull’s-eye. Yet every shot had dis- - tinctly rung the bell I : Deadwood Dick had won the Bonanza ! 7 CHAPTER II ' THE FIRST BLOW Loup cries of astonishment ran through _ the Man-Trap, as Nell made known the - wonderful fact that Deadwood Dick had _ put each of the twenty-four bullets upon one spot on the bull’s-eye. No such shoot- ing as this had the citizens of Eureka ever seen, and the keenest excitement followed. / “All had heard of Deadwood Dick; and his reckless deeds of daring, but none of em could have believed that he was such an expert with firearms. Ba ake Hurra 1” citedly, while - his approval. ous, ther Bi = ‘DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND elled Old Avalanche, ex- . * : 3 Papa I not win it on the square, and isn’t it mine?” - “Yes, you won it by the skin of your teeth, and it is yours,” was the sullen reply. “But beware! and you may inherit it.” “7 fear not for curses, sir. I have been cursed all my life, but have weathered the storm, and can do so again.” Then Dick and Avalanche turned away, and sauntered about, watching the scenes transpiring about them, and observing the many strange faces. | 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, fascina- se little butterfly, tapped him on the arm, and then pulled him aside. ““You are Deadwood Dick?” she said, more positive in tone than interrogative. “You come from the Black Hills.” “Yes, ma’am!” Dick responded, re- hig ed ‘Is there any way I can serve you ” “T believe so; and I can serve you also, You had in your band a man named Carlos Cambre ? ” h “Ha! yes; how did you know that?” “Oh! I found out. Cambre is my runaway husband!” “Phew!” this was a discovery for Dick ; “your husband, eh? I did not know that he was married.” “He married me in Virginia City, and then deserted 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 disguise and will strike you at first opportunity. So keep your eyes about you. He has some desperate game afoot.” a Then she turned away, leaving the ex- road-agent in a state of perplexity. Later in the evening he went back where Noisy Nell was busy at doing nothing in her business, the customers having adjourned to lubricate. “JT must hunt up this Cambre,”’ he mut- tered, a scowl upon his face, as he approached “He will know of A curse is on the place, .
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% - weather this point, yet. - ing wheels. - ened “Oh! no, Miss a ** Brandon, if you please.” “No, I have not returned to give the folk 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 +I wish to uestion you a little in regard to this chap om whom I won the Bonanza mine. Is + he a dangerous 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.not expect him to give up the mine without a struggle ? ” “Right, sir, for every grain of gold you get out of the Bonanza mine, you may expect to fight a battle!” “Very encouraging prospect, but Tll Good-evening to you.” 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. ‘“ Remember that on the morrow we are to take possession—that is, you are, and 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 Annihilator replied, grimly. ‘‘ Thar’s no burry.. I’m hangin’ around fer fun an’ thar’s goin’ ter be swads-’n’-swads, bymeby, you listen to yer legal adviser.” “Wat! Here comes the Eastern stage, now!” cried Dick, as the crowd surged toward the door at the rumble of approach- “Come, let’s go out and see who comes?” All Eureka turned out at stage time; consequently the gulch was well lined with humanity, when with 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 newcomers who left the stage, which was well loaded down. But when Deadwood Dick’s gaze became centred upon one of these—a little, cloaked’ figure, deeply veiled, and evidently fright- among such a crowd, he uttered a , and clutched the Annihilator'’s little © “DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND Stone, who you told me-was dead—ha drowned herself.” ” Mi Ree Seine He made a step forward as if to follow her, but the Annihilator held him back with — a strong grip. ae ‘“Hold yer hosses; no sweatin’. ag’ Thet gal ain’t no Edith Stone, an’ T’ll bet my fine-tooth comb an’ et’s population on But in case it is her, you do not want to see her, Reckellect, young feller, thet thar’s one little red-haired critter thet’s” deservin’ o’ yer luy, an’ baste me frum North Pole ter South with aged and de- crepit eggs, ef ye’re a-goin’ ter luv enn) other gal but her! So put thet in yer pipe an’ chew it. Jest you ante back inter yonder lubricatin’ establishment, and Pll interdooce myself ter ther girl. Tl soon anylize her, I’m tellin’ you!’ FE eadwood Dick turned rather reluctant! back into the saloon, a strange expression upon his face. iS He sauntered along, watching those about him, sharply, for now he might look for a disguised enemy in Carlos Cambre. What could the disloyal lieutenant want of him ? * Fe “Ha! by Heaven! the blow has fallen’ at last!’ he suddenly exclaimed under his breath, as he beheld a man tacking up large poster against the wall. And, in large letters, the follows : “ $500 Reward! By that power vested in me by virtue of law, and whereas — the Territorial Government of Dakota bee poster read, as " Se repeatedly found guilty of high-han murder and outlawry the person herein- named, I offer the above reward for the capture and delivery at Yankton, Dakot, of ‘Deadwood Dick,’ or Edward Harris, — the road-agent, whose former operations were confined to the Black Hills, b who — is now supposed to be in some of the Terr! tories. ; : “ Affixed hereto, by me, Joun L. Pen NINGTON, on this the rath day of Octobe 187-, the Great Gubernatorial seal o! th Territory of Dakota.” : Such. was the notice Sheri f McComber posted-up for public inspeci by the Eurekaites, and it was read and read, amid much excitement, by were congregated in the saloon. _ “Deadwood Dick! Deadwood
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~~ searcel - DEADWOOD. DICK AND RED BRAND Setied the young road-agent, advancing fearlessly among the crowd. “You heard me say to-night, pilgrims, that Deadwood Dick was no longer an outlaw unless forced to be one. Here I ‘am. Leave me alone, and I'll leave you alone. Come and knock off my hat, and TV’ knock off yours; then it will be war to the last—muzzle to muzzle and knife to knife |” Not a man moved for a few moments— a breath was drawn. Deadwood Dick stood confronting the _ crowd, his face grim, handsome, expression- sy in his hands. ae he replied slowly. die a-tryin’ oh - them less, his form erect, a pair of shining revolvers upon full level in his hands. All knew that he would not hesitate to commence the game of death, if pressed ; he was desperate and reckless; as it were, their lives were Yet Sheriff McComber did not hesitate to do his duty. He stepped forward, a look of resolution on his sun- browned face. “T'll not knock your hat off, young man,” “But I must do my duty and arrest you, in the name of the Jaw. You'll see the advisability of yielding without resistance, for they’re all with me - “here,” with a nod at the crowd. “* Come on, boys! we'll take the braggart, or we'll One, two, three, and at him! The sheriff was a reckless fellow, whose - previous good luck had made him vain, or - else he would never have made the move, ' for the first leap he made forward was a _ leap of death, a bullet from one of Dead- wood Dick’s revolvers ploughing a passage through his heart. And that checked what $ ou have been a bloody affray. e death of the sheriff seemed for the moment to inspire the remaining Eurekaites with a terrible dread, and they shrank back, their hands clinching their weapons, their breath bated, a lack of resolution holding owerless to move. And comprehending the situation, Dead- wood Dick slowly backed his way out of the saloon, his revolvers still covering the crowd. But the moment he issued out into the gulch, he saw them spring forward trium- hhantly, and knew they counted upon an Creasy victory. ; _CHAPTER III “AVALANCHE ENCOUNTERS A PHANTOM Drapwoop Dick escaped by making dash through the crowd that still eaten stiraan up the ; Big Bonanza mine. ie unk gulch, and worked his way along rd ‘ise y' until tain rock rising above him. : pearance from Eureka there dis- ~ appeared a friend on 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 excitement 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. Wonder — where he’ll go to?” And this the great Annihilator was left te wonder, during the next four or five ~ days, during which time he made deter- mined search, but could find no trace of | Deadwood Dick. After the fourth day of — search, the old man came to the conclusion — that further effort was useless; then came ~ the remembrance of Dick’s right to the : I will take persession uv et, an’ hold et Me fer ther boyee,”’ he muttered, ae immedi- ately 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 a straight tunnel sunk into the mountain side, and an easy place to defend, once possession was obtained. : Red Brand sat in the mouth of the tunnel, - smoking away at his pipe, as the horsemen rode up, the Annihilator in the lead. “Hello!” cried. Avalanche. our man now, me lads! Hello! do, Mr. Red Brand?” “T am well,” was the reply, as the miner rose to his feet. “What brings you here, ir “What ? Wal, I don’t reckon et’s hard 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’. I am called Old Avalanche, ther great Injun = Annihilator. I am counsellor and legal /- adviser o’ Dicky, an’ I venture to put in his claim fer him, during his absence.” “Your claim shall be recognized,” said Red Brand, calmly, bers the old scout detected a fiery gleam in his peculiar Ti oe eyes. ‘‘Dismount and follow me, and ae show ye what is to be yours.’ “Yes, cum erlong, boyees, but pull pistols in readiness, fer we don’t know wi at sort o” deeficulty we’ re a-goin’ ter en. counter.” The Annihilator then dismounted, we he and his gang followed Red Brand 1 throngh e tunnel, which was. tone dark. I ne eric: cy pu Vv a Y o-all exc y Heer’s. Howdy (erae
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6 ~ 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 stupendous piles of mountain-rocks. A basin whose bottom was covered with a light, fine sand, through which ran a stream of clear, sparkling water, pouring 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. ‘‘ This is Bonanza basin and the place of the accursed. You see yonder cabin. That is the abode of the spirit of Andrew Denham—the Phantom Miner— who is the terror of this region. There is a little legend connected with this mine, : which you should know. It was discovered first by Andrew Denham, four years ago. He is 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 yonder cabin. 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. J bought the mine, and _ J have seen the elephant. You are welcome ' to the place, if you are willing to fight inferno and all its legions. Iam not!” $5 Saying which, the man turned upon his heel, and strode back through the tunnel toward the gulch. As 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 last Old Avalanche made the break. 2 Great ham-bone thet wrecked ther - constitoochin uy Joner!” he ejaculated, shaking himself by way of preparing for action. ‘So thes aire an abode uv hog- gobblins, an’ ghastly perambulators, eh ? A sort o’ 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.” “Red Brand didn’t lie nary a bit,” said Hi Sampson, 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 purpuss. Ye might as well try ter umble an earthquake.” : re 7 DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND “Oh! I don’t doubt your word—ham- — bone and Joner, no!” replied Avalanche, ~ “but when ye make this great devastatin’ eppydemic believe in hog-gobblins an’ sech, jest expect old Gabriel ter play his trump-et — card, thet’s all.” a ** And are ye goin’ ter stay heer?” asked one. “Sartain, I aire, Ef ye don’t want any o’ the a’riferous layin’ around loose, here, jest scoot fer Eureka, as fast as you can. , I’m 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. We'll stay, an’ we'll hold ther fort!” And stay they did. Camp was pitched on the bank of the stream, mining imple- _ ments, provisions and ammunition brought from Eureka; sluice‘boxes sunk, and ~ mining begun in earnest at Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. = Another week passed by, and no molesta- — tion was offered the miners whose number Avalanche had increased to thirty, and the rich sand of the basin-bottom was panning out immensely. em And so the days passed by—the soft, © hazy autumnal days, and at the Bonanza everything ran along in an even tenor. The miners worked industriously, 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 a But at last, one night, Avalanche savin = a considerable 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 upon the back of Prudence Cordelia, no — thought of danger entering his mind. But — ‘when he rode into the tunnel, where all was — intensely dark, his thoughts went back to — Red Brand and the story of the Phantom — Miner, and an inexplicable feeling of dread attacked him. - ““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. oe “Drat the luck. I feel ’s spookish as a yearling colt in fly-time. G’lang, Prudence Thunder! hello!” os The latter two exclamations were caused — by the sudden bolting and rearing of the ~ mare, accompanied by terrified snorts. = “Be still, you ornery beast! Heavens! ham-bone thet gargled Joner! I see w’at the matter is. Hog-gobblins, as I’m a great disease o’ devastation |” ie And what the Annihilator disccvered did look decidedly suspicious—ghost-like and uncanny, in the dense gloom of t he : 2 ; pee E me
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aes DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND (ws It 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 forefinger 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 saddle, a cocked revolver in his clutch, and a stern expression on his face. Nearer came the white-robed figure, apparently floating 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 y made the discovery that beneath those cloud-like white robes was the shape of a human skeleton \ “Hello, thar! cried Avalanche. There was no answer, except a horrible rattling of the bones, and a declination of the forefinger of several degrees,” until it aimed at the Annihilator’s belt, to which _ three Jeathern pouches of gold were _ attached. : “Oh! ye want ther a’riferous, do ye? Ye want thes devastatin’ disease ter give ‘be a few flakes o’ fortune, do ye? Waal, ere they aire then ;” and raising his weapon on a level with the spectre’s heart, or where such an organ ought to be, he fired—once! twice! thrice! the roar of each report echoing 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 fascination, irresistible .and intoxicating. The mote so, when his gaze was riveted upon a pair of little black eyes, which gleamed from an opening in e phantom dress—a pair of eyes so mag- ‘netic that he felt their overpowering influ- -_ ence—felt that he was powerless to move a limb or muscle; it was a strange, awful spell, in which, though living, he seemed as one of the dead. He was conscious of all—conscious that the terrible thing came closer—conscious _ that his waist was lightened of its load, even though he could feel no touch betraying the What do you want?” antom swept past him and vanished, ECR Sart n se - ee gency of human hands—conscious that | and that he was left alone there in Stygian _ darkness, powerless to move or speak. ; CHAPTER IV THE GRAYLFORDS Outsrpr of the mouth of Eureka gulch, ~ 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 several thousand acres of immediate billowy _ rairie, which was well watered and used * or grazing purposes, and the buildings and spacious Ps which* were known as “ The’ Oaks,’” probably on account of 4 complete hedge-work of these trees which the hand of man had planted around the mansion. ; The mansion was built of stone, which had — been quarried from the neighbouring moun- tains, and was imposing in appearance externally, while the interior was richly furnishe: 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 thou- sands, 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 hoarded his money, and not trusting to the honesty of banks, kept it in a large safe in his mansion. Of the family there were four, consisting of Fordyce Graylford and his wife, a grown-up son named’Guy, and a daughter — of eighteen named Claudine. S % The elder Graylford was a man of some — five-and-fifty years at the time of our story. — Hefderived an immense income both from his® mining investments and. extensive cattle herds, but this not satisfying his greed for riches, he ventured into specula- — tion in and about Eureka, almost always — successfully, in spite of theffact that sharpers — constantly laid traps for him. “Sa On the day preceding the night of the — Annihilator’s. encounter with the Phantom — Miner, Captain Graylford, as he was called, — brought home a new visitor to the Oaks— a distinguished army officer, he explained to his household, who must be treated with Lieutenant claimed to be me
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PM gd eho ok a eae til aS Sig te eels! } DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND = which of course was not true, as the reader “Oh, no! I do not lie,” Cambre replied — - will readily recognize him as Cambre of nonchalantly. “I’m always sure of my — _ Deadwood Dick’s once notorious band. point before I show my hand, as the saying — What Cambre’s business was at the Oaks goes. I can produce that first wife inside was quite apparent by listening to the of twenty-four hours, and hey heir to%all_ conversation between him and Graylford, ‘our wealth, in as many more. Aha! I ~ as they were closeted in the speculator’s have got it all worked out fine, old man, office, an hour or so after dinner. and you are in my power!” < _ ~“You perceive,” Cambre was saying, ““ Ves—in your power,” muttered the old “that the scheme is simply immense. It mine-owner, dropping back into his chair- cannot fail, and the investment of a few “heavily in your power. But I defy you, hundred thousand will pay twenty-five or You can do nothing. It is ine years thirty per cent. the first year, and after since all that; time has outlawed the case. that increase with age. It is a sure thing, She refused to live with me then or to let and capital invested is bound to pay _a me have the child. Therefore, I am legally — handsome revenue.” divorced, and the result of that first union f Old Captain Graylford gazed at the coolly- is not my heir.” eta E / scheming villain opposite him, with a strange “Ah | we'll see about that,” Cambre said, — gleam. in his little grey eyes. ” rising, with a dark frown. “ Perhaps you “See here,” he said, bringing his hand are right; then, again, perhaps you are — heavily down upon his knee, “do you know wrong. I will seek legal counsel, and report — that J know you to be an unmitigated rascal at the first opportunity.” ee 3 2 and a liar? You are smart and crafty He left the mansion, and ordering his — above the average, but not sufficiently so horse, he. mounted,s and galloped back — _ to fool an old miser like me. There is no toward Eureka. be -such project in contemplation as the one But. while galloping” along, busying his — you name, and, even if I were to invest — brain over his little scheme, there suddenly capital in such a ‘spec,’ I should do it rose before him out of a hollow in the myself, not trusting even to my own son _ billowy prairie, a figure. on horseback—a_ or daughter, both of whom are a disgrace familiar figure, the sight of whom caused to the name of Graylford.” 4 Ly him to leap up in his stirrups, with an- Cambre uttered a fierce curse. To be oath. +s baffled from the beginning was maddening, It was Deadwood Dick, as of yore, in his but he was not to be cheated of his prey, emblematical suit of jet black, black hat, even at this rebuff. Si gloves, mask, saddle-trappings, and horse ! “And you, dare” to™insinuate——” he A revolver was in the young road-agent’ | _ began. in hand, else Cambre would have spurred away. fe “1 dare to insinuate nothing, sir, but to But he knew Dick’s marksmanship too well your face I dare tell you openly that you’re to run any risks, and therefore rode straight _ a scoundrel and a liar! You are no longer on until the noses of their horses touched. a welcome visitor in my house, sir.” j “Halt!” came in the clear, pure tones ? “Oh! “well, then we'll call me an un- of the outlaw; ‘‘you are mine, Carlos welcome one for the present. I have you. Cambre. Right here in my hand I hold a completely in my power, Fordyce Graylford, traitor’s death—who deserves it mor and I mean to make the most of my than you?” a situation.” The unfaithful lieutenant grew whi “Completely in your power?” repeated about the lips, and shifted uneasily in his the speculator in undisguised amazement. saddle. “i ee **T should like to know how?” “T am in your power, true nr i *““You would! Well, it will require but a captain,” he replied, in a low tone. “ You few moments to give you an idea of what I will never, never forgive me because I had _ am driving at. In the first place, I enter a you imprisoned by your wife’s orders, charge against you which the law, except in Perhaps I did wrong, and Utah, pronounces a misdemeanour. For- dyce Graylford, you are a bigamist. You have married a second wife, while you have @ first wife living!” Hat has a thunderbolt fallen? The breath “ Th en. 2
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tigerish sparkles. ‘‘Name S your work. _ Dishonour and death have equal terrors—I know not which I shall choose!” “The case I wish you to execute is this,” - said Deadwood Dick. ‘‘I have learned that Leone, your confederate and my wife, is here in Eureka. I came into possession of the knowledge by merest accident, but did not learn her whereabouts, for a cer- tainty. 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 under- stand ?”’ “ Perfectly |” replied Cambre. - ‘And then,” continued Deadwood Dick, . T wish you to murder a certain individual named Deadwood Dick, the Road-agent Prince!” : ~ “What! want me to murder you? Are you crazy, man?” “Ha! ha! No, I do not want ie to murder me, but Deadwood Dick No, 1. I am Deadwood Dick No. 2!” ““You are lying!” he said, decidedly. “You are the veal Deadwood Dick, and I know it.” “Oh! you do, eh? Well, in case that what ee say is true, who is No. 2 Deadwood Dick ?” “ That I cannot tell. Nor can T tell your object in wanting such eae killed. It _néed not matter to me, however. I will get the babe, at earliest opportunity.” _ “Very well, see that you do.” ~ Then Deadwood Dick wheeled his horse and galloped 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 road-agent, and wondering in his mind if it were really Deadwood Dick. ms CHAPTER :-V a THE BOSS POKER-PLAYER FROM VIRGINIA CITY -“*T am the boss poker-player from Virginia ‘City 1” This announcement was made to an enthusiastic crowd of miners and roughs, ~ by a youthful individual, who was mounted DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND x. courage se A in his face, which was- smoothly shaven and handsome. ee ““T am the boss pokerist from Virginia — City!” he repeated, gazing around him and studying his audience by quick, keen ~ glances. “I am Réd-Hot Harris, the brother of that interesting and frolicsome individual they call Deadwood Dick. And — by the way, here is a little paper I wishy some of you bummers would tack against the wall. Its significance will be readily appreciated by those in the reward business. For the deliverance up to justice of Dead-— wood Dick, I Red-Hot Harris, the brother — of said Dick, and the boss poker-player from Virginia City, will give—but read the paper; I ain't goin’ ter tell you.” oie Saying which, the young man whirled about on his heel, and gave the ‘gaping Ret crowd a few step€ in clog, which brought a round of applause, f One of the miners had hung a half-length poster upon the wall of the saloon, and upon it was an accurately engraved likeness of Deadwood Dick, while below were the words: ‘S $500 Reward.—This will be paid for deliverance into my custody of the outlaw and road-agent, Deadwood Dick. : *“ Rep-Hot HARRIS. ** At Man-Trap Saloon, Eureka.” All hands gazed, first at the reward notice, than 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 Dick wore a slight moustache 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 top of thé table, and nodded to each other, knowingly. “Tl bet the younker’s Deadwood Dick hisself !”’ bawled the ruffian Buckskin. es “ You're a liar, by the clock !”’ responded Red-Hot Harris, coolly. ‘You never saw your ’umble servant 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!” eae 2 “Then I’m yer meat, you young bull- dog!’ roared Buckskin. “I never take a ~ dare—not even from Satan hisself.. Climb down offin that table an’ jerk off, ef Pied want ter snag yerself ag’in’ a ragin’ torna ie Come erlong, or PU—I-1 U—Vil-——" He did not finish the sentence, for the — words froze to his lips. His bloodshot eyes ~ were gazing ao into the black, mag- — tic ones of Red-Hot Harris, as if glued ne position ; his hands hung rigid by his
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Pe. A agi Soe 4 t - side; not a muscle moved in his face or body. In_ astonishment the “ habitues zof the Man-Trap looked on, unable to solve _. the mystery. As soon as he saw that his victim was powerless to move, act or speak, Harris turned his gaze upon the crowd with a bland smile. “There he is, a art he said, with a peculiar laugh, which brought back recollections of Deadwood Dick. “I have whipped him without the use of fists or firearms, and I’ll guarantee, if he is left unmolested that he’ll be mute and motion- less for the next ten hours, unless I should conclude to dzs-spell him.” At this juncture Carlos Cambre came into the saloon, and seeing the crowd collected, pushed forward. “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 gentleman on the table, coolly—* the twin brother of Deadwood Dick.” Cambre was about to give some retort of denial, but something caused him to desist, and he came forward, with outstretched hand. ie “ By Jove! soitis! ~ glad to see you!” Red-Hot accepted the ex-lieutenant’s hand, and’ shook it, mechanically. “You are looking well,” he said, gazing straight into the other’s eyes. ‘‘ You also used to be a good poker-player. Will you try me a skein? ‘They call me the boss, up in Virginia City.” 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 occurred to arouse their excita- bilities; all of interest was a quiet game of poker, and occasional funny remarks from _ Red-Hot—he invariably winning. At last Cambre threw down the cards in disgust and left the table. Harris was about to follow, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder, lightly but firmly. 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 was she whom he had followed, faced him when they were alone. - “You must escape from here!” she said, Shake, young man ; DEADWOOD DICK AND . actor, boyee, but ye ken’t fool an old stager. — i ‘oad- — zs excitedly, her voice lowered to a whisper. agent ? D BRAND & “But I don’t. know how. There are no back;modes of exit.” 3 “Humph! I ain’t inno 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 Dead- wood!” > eT | “Just so! Roxly, you say? Guess I never heard of him.’ ““Oh! but you cannot deceive me, as you have deceived those men,” Nell answered, quickly. ‘‘ You are Deadwood Dick——” . “°S brother!” he finished, with a little laugh. ‘I 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, — ““Hang the resemblance. Didn’t you never see twin brothers that looked alike ? Perhaps I look like the devil himself, but that’s no sayin’ Iam Satan!” : i, Noisy Nell burst into a fit of laughter. aa‘ Well, you dan be Red-Hot Harris, if you like, but don’t try to choke me with such nonsense,” she said. At this moment the door of the Man-Trap was thrown open, and a man rushed in, bootless, hatless and in his shirt-sleeves, and in one sentence, he made known this mission. 7 “Murder! The Oaks has been robbed, © and every person but me killed, in cold blood!” he cried, loud enough to be heard allover the apartment. ‘“‘ Murder ! murder ! thieves! robbers!” f “* 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 excited 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?” “Ym here—I am, but nary a Deadwood — Dick, old man! I’m Red-Hot Harris, the boss poker-player from Virginia City. I occasionally wear a little badge 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 frisky road-agent—my twin brother. I’ve got five hundred dollars for — that chap who will bring D. D. to me.” rs “Too thin!” grinned Roxly, the Dead-— wood Regulator chief; ‘“‘ ye’re an ’andsum Pilgri 5, can T rely on ye to take 1 a8 Gene Se
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i “Ay! ay!" chorused a dozen voices ; “we're behind ye—lead on!” And Roxly drew his revolvers, preparatory for the coming affray. But he need not have taken that trouble. Red-Hot appar- ently was going to offer no opposition to their wishes. He retained his standing position on to of the bar; his arms were folded across his breast; an expression of cold defiance rested upon his handsome face. “ 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 levelled at him, indifferently. “Oh! you're still game, are ye? Well, we'll soon fetch you. Pards, I’m goin’ tex 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!” “Ay! we're thar!” “Correct! One/” **One !”’ repeated Red-Hot, coolly. “Two!” from Roxly. “Two!” Jtcounted Red-Hot. “One. more——” j-* “Hold!” cried a voice, which rang sternly through the room. ‘“ Enough, Roxly! If you want Deadwood Dick, yowll find him conveniently handy in your rear!” CHAPTER VI CAMBRE SHOWS HIS HAND CamBreE left the saloon, after his un- successful game of poker with Red-Hot Harris, a dark frown upon his brow. “Is that fellow Deadwood Dick, or not?” he muttered, making his way along the gulch over which night had thrown its dark mantle. “I'll be hanged if I am not puzzled.” Eureka was blessed with one hotel that was called ‘‘ first-class,” in the mines. It was a gree roomy structure, and bore the name of the “ Flag of Truce.” t@ Straight to' this hotel, which was perhaps a quarter of a mile from the Man-Trap, went Carlos Cambre, a waiter showing him to*’a_ commonly-furnished 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 ‘pinched, and her hair threaded with grey. Her attire was simple, yet neat, and upon her marriage-finger a solitaire ?’diamond ring was worn that had cost a large sum. DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND _ r BE The woman looked up-from some or Ps at which she was engaged as Cambre enti Ke : poece mechanically to a chair opposite er. ““ You are back, I see,” she said, as if the effort to converse was painful. you bring the same old story ? ” “No, Cathie,” the ex-lieutenant replied, — “J do not. I to-day called upon Fordyce Graylford, and broke the ice. But I fear that your claim won’t pass muster. The old rascal claims that it is outlawed, it being twenty years since you left his bed and board.” : “Ah! so he will defy me, eh?” and Cathie compressed her lips, tightly. ‘‘ Well, we will see about it. He cannot dispute my son’s right to the estate, even if J am outlawed. Please«touch the bell on the table, there, Mr. Cambre !”” Cambre obeyed, and a moment later an elderly gentleman stepped into the room. “Ah! did you summon me, madame?” he asked, bowing low. ‘‘ What- service can I do you, pray?” “T wish to ask you, Mr. Bolton, if I am really outlawed from claim upon the sei ford property—that is, really outlawed by time? As a lawyer, your- opinion ought to be decisive on that subject.’ = “Ahem! yes. Well, my dear madame, I - am inclined to the belief that your claim is indeed outlawed, on account of the great number of years that have passed since you left the shelter of your husband’s roof.” “Oh! then are all my hopes and ex- pectations 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 here, I could make him own me, or I and my boy could come in forthe property efter death.” : “Oh! I wouldn’t be aiseouraeed 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.” “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 suspicion, derived from a word Cathie let drop when I first met her in Deadwood.” ! L ‘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. ‘I believe you are playing a double game here, Carlos Cambre.” _ “Oh! you do, eh? ’’ he replied, a mean- — ing glitter in his eyes. ‘“‘ Well, think what you please. I don’t crave your employment — one iota. You®proposed that should | tender®my “assistance on account of my knowledge of the country, believing I migh hers “T suppose ~
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12 DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND be a handy tool. But a tool usually exe- _cutes mechanism, and, in procuring copies of all your papers, I have provided 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?’ de- - manded the woman, Cathie, springing to - — ber feet excitedly, while Lawyer Bolton followed ‘her example—‘‘ vou Fe gacen copies of my papers, Carlos Cambre “Exactly, madam! I saw a big game at _ stake. I saw that 7 had the matter all in my own hands. I stole your papers and copied them.” : sas ‘Ab! but we have the originals still!” -- cried Bolton gleefully. “Oh, it’s all right, my friends,” replied Cambre, with a sneering laugh. ‘1 think --Ican put my fingers on the right party, - and make him heir, leaving you out in the cold, unless you will pay handsomely to be interested. I have my papers—the originals, also——” “You lie!” cried Cathie, fiercely. - “Oh! no, I 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 t”’ she gasped, reeling back, as if she had been struck a heavy blow _ “Gone?” echoed Bolton, the lawyer, springing ferward to ascertainithe truth of madame’s statement. “ Gone!” assented Cambre, with a mock- ing laugh, “and I have got them—put away - for safe keeping. My dear madam, and worthy limb of the law, allow me to bid you a pleasant good-night.” And he bowed himself out of the room, with a triumphant smile on his lips, leaving the two astonished victims of his villainy _ to their bitterest reflections, while he made nie way downstairs and out into the gulch street. . . . . . . It must have been fully an hour after the rcitire 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 his stunned senses and the blood once more coursed From some incom- had before the spell, while “Florence Niet igh: she — Great ham-bone thet affiieted old Joner,” the old man gasped, when he found that his power of speech was returning. “Rushes thet bull-dozed old Moses! am I or am I not am I, as the lads say? An’ whar am 1?” i He peered around, expecting still to behold his phantom foe, but to his un- bounded 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 oid scout was sorely puzzled for — once in his venturesome life. Turning 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 concerning 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 sagacity to unravel the mystery of the Phantom. Fortunately, he had none of the others’ eae but his own with him, and no one need ow anything about his loss. Indeed, it would be death to the interests of the mine to alarm the superstitious miners, as they — would instantly quit 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, shout went up. “Hurra! here’s the great eppydemic o” Injun fizzic !” cried Little Alf, with a hearty. laugh. The. Annihilator unbridled Prudence, ‘and let her free, while he sat down upon a lo; 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 ? z “Yes, or what we supposed to. we ghostship—a white floating thing in mi air, sailin’ about, as ef there was fun scarin’ folks out o’ their wits.” ‘And by heaven! there comes t infernal eae again !”” yelled Kerio, spring: i. to his feet. He pointed directly overhead, ee : enough, a shasily apparitionyu ale was browsing away at some b : ad Bragsed into the tunnel. a
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acefully floating through the air, surrounded y @ mysterious halo of light! — . Suddenly an exclamation from Avalanche warned the group of their danger. The apparition, phantom, or whatever, was coming swiftly downward 1 CHAPTER VII A BLOW STRUCK IN FIRE Tue words that rang 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; thesame handsome figure and graceful ease in the saddle. * But the two revolvers held in the levelled _ hands, caused the crowd to shrink back with fear. Roxly stood for a moment in speech- ' less dismay. “Yes, I am Deadwood Dick !” repeated the same ringing voice—‘‘ the so-called Toad-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 upon your own heads; this time _ it is fire—the next will be blood!” him; 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 I a thousand dollars for a horse!” yelled Old Roxly, springing after him in pursuit, with the excited habitues of the _ Man-Trap at his heels. “as the mi; back his wild laugh mockingly. With “Stop him! A thousand dollars reward for Deadwood ae Shoot him! A horse! a horse!” tt Eureka did not possess many avail- able horses and ‘these, at the time, were - browsin: - where they were wanted. So that Dead- somewhere within ten miles’ of wood Dick was free to thunder away up é gulch ‘on"his charger, unpursued, while ty walls of mountain rock echoed terrible rage Roxly e Tealized that he was again a subject of poe feat. ee DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND 1 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, takin; the course toward the Deadwood Di Bonanza, a puzzled expression upon his~ handsome, 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 pare at his gold watch. “‘I left 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 © Thanks be to him! I guess Pll Ha! a fire, by situation. be.all right in the future. all that’s holy!” He had now reached the upper end of the town, when chancing to look back, he perceived that several tents and one frame shanty were in flames, near the other end of the town, at the end of Eureka gulch. Loud yells of anger, Borne on the evening breeze, proclaimed that the citizens of Eureka had discovered the fires. ““Ha! I remember !”” Red-Hot muttered, passing his hand over his brow. ‘* Dead- wood Dick said this blow would be fire, and yonder’s the blow!” Men, women .and children were ross about in confusion; every heart was fill with indignation and fear; consternation and anger were the prevailing passions, as the Eurekaites looked helplessly on to behold the conflagration that was destroying itheir hard-earned homes. A few puny attempts were made to check the flames by the application of buckets of water, but there was a strong breeze astir, and all efforts were fruitless. Old Roxly, the Deadwood Regulator, was. st perhaps the coolest man on the spot, despite the fact of his late defeat. He gathered - around ‘him a score of armed miners, and ~ spread them around, promiscuously, with on 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 Dead- wood Dick to death, or pass in his checks — in the attempt. After leaving the Flag of Truce Hotel, BS on the termination of his interview with Cathie, Carlos Cambre 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 chatm, thus far,” he muttered, glancing sharply ae around to see that no one was within hear. ing. ‘Cathie is in my power, and I have nothing to fear from her. Deadwood Dick —
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Fa is undoubtedly her child, by Fordyce Graylford, although he knows it not. The case stands now between him and these later children of the old miser. Whoever will pay the most shall have these papers.” He kept a sharp outlook upon all sides, not knowing when he might receive a blow from some unseen enemy. ~ But his vigilance did not detect a slight, trim figure that con- stantly shadowed him—had 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 his habita- tion, perusing the latest Portland paper. He bowed familiarly as Cambre ap- proached, and made room upon the sill, but the ex-lieutenant declined the proffered seat with a smile. “I cannot sit down,” he said. ‘‘I came to inquire when you fetched in a young woman with a baby, on your stage? ” “TLe’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; so you see it’s hard ~ tellin’ which you mean.” “I 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.” “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 information he had obtained. It looked as if there might be some trouble in finding Leone and her child. : 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 figure, that flitted by, toward the flames that were leaping skyward. The words were hardly spoken. above a whisper, yet Cambre caught them, and his heart » gave an exultant bound. “Here is my clue when least expected !”’ he muttered, springing off in pursuit of the girl whom he now recognized as Noisy Nell of the Man-Trap shooting gallery. Noisy Nell soon reached a shanty enclosed _ by a rough, unpainted picket fence, which stood in close proximity to one of the pees buildings, and Cambre was close to her’ heels. A female figure clasping a very young babe is a er - DEADWOOD DICK AND Lie ee ae ee RED BRAND 4 oo P=, in her arms, stood leaning upon the gate, watching the conflagration, and uttered a ~ little cry of joy when Nell hurried up. “Oh! is it you, sister? I was just out enjoying the fire. I always did glory in eka we! a great fire,” with a little shivering augh. ey feared it was my shanty, and that you would be very much frightened,” — Nellie Brandon replied, opening the gate — and stepping inside the yard, which she — had adorned with a few beds of fragrant — posies. ‘I 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.” She 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 husband, is the cause of this fire. There was a young man in the Man-Trap to-night, calling himself Red-Hot Harris, — whom I and everybody else took to be — Deadwood Dick. Roxly, the Deadwood ~ Regulator, undertook to arrest him; when in rode your husband on his jet black 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.” PD “And what became of this Red-Hot — Harris, sister ? ” > “* He escaped when the crowd rushed from the saloon in search of Dick. He claimed to be your husband’s twin brother, is a very/— counterpart of him, and offers five hundre dollars reward for the deliverance of Dead- — wood Dick into his hands.” * ~ Leone looked puzzled. Seer e “Was mot this Red-Hot Harris my — husband, then?” she asked, eagerly, her flushed face showing how much she was interested. is “Oh! no. I believed so, at first, but not after I saw the man on horseback. It was the same dashing, handsome figure — you have so often and eloquently described to me.” patie A flush of proud joy—genuine enthusiasm —swept over Leone’s pale face. t E “ Perhaps the horseman was my Eddie,” she said. ce “And do you think he would dare to ride — so boldly into the saloon?” Nell asked, — 4 We SInELy pe “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 Cambre stepped into t © presence. of the two girls. ‘ Good-evening, Sere 22 ree Neate ete
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Hartis! This is rather an unexpected pleasure to meet you here.” Co eee “Why, is it really you, Mr. Cambre?” and Leone put out one hand, which he pressed warmly. “I did not know you ‘were here, when I came.” “Did you not? Well, you see I am; and Deadwood Dick and 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 humanity in his arms, but the youngster set up such a piteous howl, that the man shrank back. “Yes, this is my son,” Leone said, hushing Master Dick’s screams, “‘ and he is all Lhave left to depend upon. Mr. Cambre, what became of Edith Stone?” The ex-lieutenant stared. “Why, did you not hear? She drowned herself in the Little Madrass all for the love of Deadwood Dick.” A pained, regretful expression came upon Leone’s face. “Poor child,” she murmured, a tear glistening in either eye. ‘‘Mr. Cambre, my dear friend, here, tells me that there were -two men in the Man-Trap saloon to-night, who looked like my husband, one calling himself Red-Hot Harris, he being undis- guised, while the other was rigged out like the Prince of the Road, and called himself “Deadwood Dick. Which was Deadwood Dick?” - “That’s a'conundrum I will not agree to answer, dear lady. Undoubtedly Dead- wood 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 Deadwood Dick’s brother; in fact, I am 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 present- ing himself for your inspection!” cried a clear, ringing voice. ‘‘ Carlos Cambre, _ remember that on the 26th of November you are doomed to die the death of a dog!”’ CHAPTER VIII j A WARNING Faw Ir would be hard to describe the feelings mysterious Phantom Miner was seen de- .scending. They 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, DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND of the miners and Old Avalanche, when the~ d gave a yell of horror, which aroused the others, and all fled across the basin pell-mell, toward the tunnel. ae ye At the mouth of this they stopped, and gazed back toward the spot they had just vacated. » The Phantom had 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 forced to sit down upon a convenient rock. “Boys, this is ther fust time ther great Annihilator’s ever bin skeered. Aire it the devil 2?” “Give it up,” replied little Alf Coyle. “°?Tain’t nothin’ human, I’ll sw’ar!”’ “* Boyees, d’ye parseeve w’at thet hog- gobblin speerit iz after?” said Old Avalanche. “‘ 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, koyees; may’s well own up. Met ther ’tarnal thing in ther tunnel, an’ it petrified me stiffer’n a poker by jest lookin’ at me, an’ after skinnin’ me 0’ every grain, swooped off an’ left me. When I recovered, Ikim back ter camp. ’Tain’t no use talkin’, pilgrims: et’s a genuine speerit. I plugged seven chunks o’ lead right at it, out o’ my revolver, an’ ther consarned thing larfed jest as if et enjoyed thet sort o’ fizzic—did, by gracious !” “Thar goes our a’riferous cuss-durn, the sperrit !”’ growled Coyle, as the Phantom was seen to approach a large box, in which the miners kept their gold, and lift the lid. “Ob, great Jerusalem! jest wait till I” sight him,” and thé young miner threw his long-barrelled 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.”’ Ready to obey one whom they knew to be fearless, the miners threw themselves upon their hands and knees and crept toward the camp, resolved to make one more attempt to extirpate the Phantom. = It was still there, evidently sampling the © contents of the strong-box, which the miners had negligently left unlocked. The halo of bluish light.still surrounded the ghostly figure like a shroud; everything about the object seemed unearthly. =e Closer and closer crept the miners, Old Sy
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Avalanche at their head. Now they were only a dozen yards fromthe mysterious Phantom, when slowly the apparition soars ward into the darkness—is gone! while e astounded miners creep on to their camp- ANG, speechless and horrified at what they had seen. a) The strong-box they found to be rifled of every grain of gold, as they had expected. ae Phantom was a thief as well as a spirit, en. * Boyees!”’ the Annihilator said, wiping his dampened forehead. ‘“ Pve been thru more infarnelated scrapes an’ adventur’s than most feller humans o”’ 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, decisively. Slt Are..a genuine floatin’ evaporated soul, right fresh out 0’ 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 indi- vidual, venturing to light his pipe, now that _ the Phantom had gone. “I propose we evacuate.” “Nixy 1” 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’ T’ll paste thet galoot 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. “Ym with ther Annihilator,”’ said Keno, apomipely: “T can make my five dollars a day ee vee thar ain't no ghosts goin’ ter alive peat Maine ely on Rt ijee,” said ator, slow: go nt set fire to y onder” old cabin Red Brand sed thar’s Whar ther Phantom Miner held. his quarters.” “ Yes, an’ look! thar’s ther cuss-darned thing now!” cried Alf, pointing toward the ois: With dilated eyes, the miners saw the Phantom slowly descend out of mid- air and enter the old vine-wreathed habitation. ““Now’s our time, lads!’ whispered Avalanche excitedly. “Ther bird’s caged, an’ we'll cremate it. Snatch a torch an’ - kim along. Ther old shell’s dry, an’ il 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, ooking wild and weird under the flaring torchlight. — : “The work of Les the fire in half a ‘DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND 3 BH 1 0 faltered, fies beneat! 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 j 4 $ heavens, luridly illumining the black night. - i Eagerly the miners watched the spectacle, pelleevine that they had successfully eee h hed over the Phantom—had caged it in this fiery trap. “Hal hal” laughed Little Alf, glee- fully, ‘‘ it’s good. bye, Phantom Miner, } now. Hark! don’t ye hear him frying in yonder _ ‘ furnace ? ”’ “He's a gone goose, I reckon,” replied _ Keno, “ onless ye ken’t scorch speerits, I~ never hed, enny ‘sperience in thet jine, X myself.” nothin’ |” middenty cried Avalanche. *“ Look /” and he pointed a toward the burning cabin. $9 The vines had nearly burned away, ‘and 3 the flames were beginning to creep over the 2 dry logs, when all at once that mysterious Z apparition of the Phantom appeared upon _ the roof, which was surrounded by ear : flames. A wild, awful shriek; then the : thing began swiftly to arise, and floated like a cloud off up into the blackness of the avec heavens, until lost from view. The startling words of threat caused Carlos Cambre 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, sombre-clad figure of Deadwood — Dick. ers “You?” he gasped, allowing his hand to", oe eee to his side. “ Yes, I!” replied the young Sule PEL ere nision $0, en tae 7 ats the the one's stern ) gaze. ut, you must give me time.” oe “ Until the 26th—your death-day 1” was 9 the cool, stern answer. pe “Dick! oh! Dick! Is this really you. Ge. = Leone had put her babe into the arms of ~ Noisy Nell, and sprung ae forward— stood before the man in black, hopeful, and — a oh! so fearful he would repulse her advance. — 5 He looked down at her a moment; then — put his arm gently around her, drawing } her close to him. “Teone, again we meet—unexpectedly, for I supposed you far from here. But, we must part. y oath must remain broken. Is that the—our boy?” Ves, that is our Dick,” Leone = reaching for the babe that he Ree. closely inspect it. “See, Dickie, this i
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Eddie, he is 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. He saw no way _ of stealing the child at present, and besides, he had work to attend to elsewhere. After he had gone, Leone and Noisy Nell _ stood in their front yard and watched the progress of the flames for some time. But at last they ge w 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 burned upon the Baath clasping infant Dick close to her breast. She was crying softly to herself, when moey. Nell-came and seated herself by the “What! crying again, Mrs. Harris? _. Please don’t; you will ery your pretty eyes & out, some of these days.” ‘ “Oh! I cannot help it, Nellie. You . don’t know anything about it, for you were __-Mever 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.” ; At this instant there came a timorous _ knock at the door: then the sound of -~ retreating footsteps. "What does this mean?” exclaimed Nellie, picking up a paper that had been _ thrust under the door. “Ha! mercy! Listen, Leone; it is a warning to you: ead saab without pear If Att se ware le oaelve into ie re of a Deadwood Dick No. 2. Never jaye fot Babe adie ty Will report further, anon. Detective.” CHAPTER IX FLEEING FROM FOES On the morning succeeding the fire, when the excitement of the night was somewhat subdued, the Eurekaites gave their atten- tion to the matter of the murder and robbery at the Oaks. Cornell, the man servant who had brought the report, ea ees by Murrill, a newly ss sppoinsed sheriff, and Roxly, the Regulator, . ae pose of armed men, sat out for oe a “pEADWOOD' ie ee AND RED BRAND so to investigate matters, for, althoughFor: dyce Graylford was a miser and not a — general favourite, his influence was not to be despised. On their arrival at the mansion, the servant’s statement was found to be correct, all except that Fordyce Graylford was not dead, but seriously wounded. His wife, son, and daughter and five servants lay. dead where they had 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. He seemed relieved when he saw that friends had come. p “Do you ‘suspect the author of this fearful tragedy, Captain Graylford ?” asked. Murrill, the new sheriff. “No! God only, knows who can have struck me such a blow. But that he is numbered with the dead, there is one l could > suspect, for he has several times of late threatened rari life.”” “Ah! perhaps we’ve already struck a clue. To whom do you refer?” “To my son, who lies dead, yonder. I cannot suspect him, now. “Ah! he may be the traitor ;_ there is no- telling. Men, remove these bodies and see ~ that they are prepared for burial. Roxly, — you are a good surgeon ; dress the captain’s wounds.” And after giving these orders the sheriff went over to the stark, stiff body of young ~ Graylford, and went through the pockets of his clothing. From. among other things taken from the - young man’s pockets, he soon selected a * small note, penned in a bold, graceful hand. _ It had been written on the day before, and ran. as follows: It is best | “The men will come. I should not accompany them. Look out for “yours self about nine in the evening. But. : ‘Camneni® “Ha! ha! Cambre,” muttered Murrill, scratching his head. ‘As long as I rete. been in Eureka I never before heard that — name. LEjthet it is an assumed one, or else this Cambre is a new arrival.” ioe He put the paper in his pocket, and helped’ remove the bodies. The old speculator was fixed up as best as could be under the cir- cumstances, and left in care of a couple of Bs competent nurses, Sheriff Murrill went back to Eureka, and made careful inquiries after a man named. — Cambre, but amid the seething popula oe of the infant Deadwood, no one knew aught — concerning the individual in uestion. ; But Aareill was. ot ba Hed. He w
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J starin, possessed of greatzpatience, and one failure by no means discouraged him. He resolved to watch and wait, trusting to luck and his own keen powers of perception to sift the matter to the bottom. i 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 axcouple of hours’ wanderings among the mountain crags put him all out of the notion of game, and seating himself upon a natural rocky platform, he drew the little piece of paper from his pocket, and scanned the few lines, eagerly. ““Cambre! Cambre! I am sure I neVer heard the name. I wish I could find some one who knows this Cambre.” “ Wishes are often unexpectedly realized!” said a cool voice, close at hand, and Murrill glanced quickly around to behold a person seated astride a boulder directly in his rear, where he had evidently been for some - moments a listener to the sheriff’s muttered soliloquy. ‘‘I happen to know this same _ individual you are in quest of.” “Eh! you do?” exclaimed Murrill, curiously at the handsome black- gure, whose face was masked and ““Who are clad shaded by a broad sombrero. you, pray?” “It hardly matters. Iam one whom the world drives before it—an outcast, a wanderer, and an ex-road-agent chief.” *“You are Deadwood Dick!’ Maurrill exclaimed. ! ““Yes, Deadwood Dick, if you like it that way,’ was the indifferent reply. ‘‘ The ‘man that strikes back when struck at. Don’t fear; I shall not offer you harm as long as you mind your own business. You know how the other sheriff departed. It was all because of rash hot-headedness.”” “You say so because you recognize no law, young man.” **No more I don’t. But didn’t I offer to ' make amends, and become an honest, loyal citizen, if the people of Eureka would accept of me? Yes, you know I did, and they chose my hate rather than my friendship. They shall have all they want of it. Which do you prefer, sir?” urrill reflected. He had no grudge 3 against this youth. Why should he enlist against him, when apparently his friendship would not be despised ? “JT prefer your friendship. I have nothing against you, and if it is agreeable, we can be friends in earnest.” “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.” “DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND > “Implicitly. My. friendship is lasting. 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 good. Do you think you would know him, at sight ?” “Certainly. I 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. j ““Cambre and Graylford’s son were un- doubtedly in the plot,” Dick said, after listening attentively. ‘“‘Cambre is_ sly and wary, yet I know him to be a villain. You have proof enough tohang him. Follow up your clue, after the description I have given you, and let me know the result.” “* When will I see you again ? ” Ea“ Impossible to say, as my movements arejuncertain. 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 handshake, the two men separated, ~ Murrill descending into the gulch, 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 Lidnagpigg of her babe, that the innocent thing might be delivered into the hands of this Deadwood Dick No. 2. Who was this Deadwood — Dick No. 2? “Oh, Nellie!” the poor young wife exclaimed, tears coursing down her pale cheeks. ‘‘ What shall I do? Where shall Igo? What does it all mean?” ; “It means that there is more deviltry afloat than we have imagined. I did not like the looks of that Carlos Cambre. He is a villain,” replied the girl. 44. : “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 unwarranted and ungentlemanly. Nellie, do you know what I begin to believe ? ” ux'* 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.” rh “ Surely you do not think him so base as — this, Mrs. Harris?’ _ C ee “Maybe I am very wrong, but I cannot © see how else these things can be.” “ +
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SiC ate “Ah! you are greatly at fault, my dear. aniwood Dick is not such a villain, I am well satisfied, from what little I saw of him. Perhaps this Dick No. 2 is some one who has a grudge against Dick No. 1, and takes the method of striking at him through you.” ‘Ah, Nellie, 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 I do? It is necessary that I should find another place, as I will no longer * be safe here. My poor baby Dick! In the morning I will take you to the Big Bonanza Mine, where Avalanche is, and he will protect us.” So they remained up through the long night, watching for the first streak of light in the eastern sky heralding the approach of dawn. Morning came at last, cloudy and dull, with a prospect of a long, drizzling rain, such as the autumnal 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 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. Nothing was seen of Carlos Cambre, and a hope entered Leone’s heart that she would yet escape him. But alas! how suddenly hopes may be blasted. They were yet a quarter of a mile from the entrance to the mine, when, on looking back, they beheld ‘Cambre coming furiously on in pursuit, his animal covered with flecks of foam. He was not to be defeated ! yi CHAPTER X 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 : ee newcomers fetched in by the evening Stage. Deadwood Dick was among those within the room which constituted the saloon, but he was in deep disguise as a rough miner. He had a desite to see the wife of Carlos Cambre, whom, it will be remembered, he encountered on the first night of his arrival in Deadwood. _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 DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND he was lounging at a table, and he had a — chance to hail her, ; ee : ““ What is it ? ” she demanded. ¢ “Bring me a glass of light wine; also one for yourself. I 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 I am Deadwood Dick !” She gave a nervous start, as if the intelli- gence surprised her; then nodded her head and went away. It was full an ho impatient, when the wine. . “Indeed! have you come at last? You must imagine 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. ‘“‘ But, first, what do you want to know ?—what brought you here?” ~ Conley oes for adventure—want of news,” he replied, with a smile. ‘* Where , and Dick was growing e reappeared bringing is your so-called husband—Carlos Cambre ?”” - “About town somewhere, plotting mis- chief, as usual. Went up the gulch to-day, after Noisy Nell and Leone——” “What?” Deadwood Dick exclaimed, starting violently. ‘“‘ 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 plot afoot to steal her babe, and deliver it up to this Deadwood Dick No. 2, whoever that may be. warned her, and saw her and Nell Brandon ride up toward Bonanza Basin. Cambre followed, and I would have done likewise, ou that my attention was called to matters ere.” “And you do not know what became of them, then?” “No, but I think they were far enough ahead to reach the Bonanza before he over- took them.” i “I hope so. He is a worse villain than I ever before took him to be. He was con- cerned in this Graylford massacre case.” % “He was the head instigator of it!” Martha replied. ‘‘I know all about it. — He and Graylford’s son were in the plot together.” feta “Ah! you seem pretty well posted upon everything. How do you know so much ?” my faithless husband and prying into his ~ secrets. I find that there is a plot on the — tapis, in which you are concerned. Icannot give you the full particulars now—not till I learn more. It appears that this Fordyce — improve my spare time in shadowing
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_ 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 lay 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 this missing heir, learned the whole story, and stolen all her papers — marriage-certificate, birth-paper, and so forth—with the intention of taking the game into his own hands.” “But what has all this to do with me?” Dick demanded, wonderingly. “ You are the first and only lawful son of Cathie and Fordyce Grayljord!” replied Martha, in a low tone, that her words might not be overheard. “Git out! what are you trying to give us now? My parents are long since in _- their grave, for which I am 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 trump card in the posses- sion of those papers, and I shall 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 turn- ing her back to the crowd, she partly opened _ the bosom of her dress. The glimpse Dick caught of a gleaming silver badge caused him. to start. “You are a——’ “ Detective,” finished she, with a peculiar little laugh. “But this is all a great surprise to me,” said Dick, “and I am naturally interested. I 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 anything, and’ wish to communicate, give a letter to Sheriff Murrill, and he will drop it in Dead- wood 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. *“Oh! heaven, we are lost!” Leone ex- claimed, as she beheld Cambre spurring madly toward them. __-“Do not despair, dear sister,” replied _ Noisy Nell, “‘for there is nothing to fear, for you. Ride on, until you reach the entrance tothe mine. You will not go amiss, he ; ° a SIME» Bis Pn DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND ‘for the sign ‘Deadwood Di ck’s Bonanza will guide you toward the tunnel. Ride — fearlessly through, and in the basin, beyond, — you will find Old Avalanche.” : a ““And you, Nellie ——” “Twill meet this villain, and turn him Saying which she reined in her steed, and ~ whirled him around facing the coming horse- man, while Leone pushed desperately on toward the Bonanza Mines. Noisy Nell waited with cool composure for the outlaw to come up, one of her fair — hands grasping the bridie reins, and the other a small silver-plated revolver, which — covered Cambre’s approach. He rode furiously up, but reined in when he perceived that her finger pulled the — revolver-hammer back to full-cock—and that the weapon never quavered 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 anger, ‘‘ what do you want?” G “What do you want?” she returned, — putting question for question. “J want to pass. Are you a highway — robber, that you block the way ? ” ** If you choose, yes. You are in pursuit — of Leone Harris and her boy. You ought ~ to know that she is not without friends, and - I will tell you further that any attempt to — steal her child will be useless.” tes The ex-lieutenant uttered a furious oath, ~ and dropped his hand toward his belt. » At the same time there was a flash and a report, followed by a howl of pain and rage, asa bullet from her revolver pierced his arm — near the elbow, causing astream of blood. to _ spurt therefrom. : “That’s the ticket you get!” she cried, ~ with a cool laugh. Sona, Cambre uttered a fiercer curse than — before. He turned his animal around, — shaking his fist at Nell, with an expression — of savage ferocity upon his countenance that would have frightened a less fearless girl. Then he dashed down the gulch — toward Eureka. ees Nell watched him till he had disappeared from view around the bend. Then she — turned her own animal, and galloped toward Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. : ? She rode on, and fifteen minutes later stood in the miner’s camp in Bonanza — Basin. Leone was there, having 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 bundle of humanity upon pie peer as proudly as if he were its grand er. %
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for it brought to her a foreboding of danger. _ And it came. announcement that a crowd of armed, Masked men were swarming into the basin ! CHAPTER XI THE PHANTOM AGAIN _ THE supposition was that Cambre had Come with a gang of roughs to make an attack upon the camp, probably with the mtion of capturing its supply of previ- ously-mined gold, and Leone or her child. “Great ham-bone thet old Joner gnawed age tent, and this was surrounded by half of the men, while the other half, under command of Keno, by Avalanche’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 enemy. _ When this arrangement was made to his itisfaction, Avalanche, with Florence, the S0at, trotting by his side, crept off to Teconnoitre. _ He crept stealthily along, and not less : iously followed his companion, the Alar? “goat. : y __ “Steady, Florence, gal; not much noise as ther ’skeeter made when he fell down- Stairs and broke his neck. Keerful, like,” he veteran cautioned, as they skulked along. Shs? Both stopped stock-still, and listened. Then a wild shout arose from a different ortion of the basin, and there was a roar f fire-arms that broke in upon the stillness of the night. 2 _Avalanche serambled to his feet, and, Tie in hand, plunged away toward the _ Sound of the conflict, which appeared to be the camp, or in close proximity to it. tiorence followed close at his heels. The two circled around, and reached the amp from another=side, a few moments fer. The firing had ceased, and he found that after a feint of attack the enemy had drawn, probably only to prepare for a er and more determined onslaught. _ their number those in the camp had all armed with rifles. One of the miners returning with the 5 pores found that they were missing. Ll - lea, except that there were swarms of ever opportunity offered. Thus matters stood at midnight. Neither the outlaws nor the miners had apparently gained any advantage, for several had fallen on either side, making the — loss about even. The suspense of waiting was more harrow- ing to the miners than would have been a pitched battle. But 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 fou desperate precision that tol upon the ht with a enemy, who wilted rapidly under a de- as liberate fire. Nothing as yet had been heard from the men under Keno, although a signal had twice been ‘given for assistance. Their déiay appeared unaccountable. Finally the enemy withdrew again, greatly weakened in numbers, and when they renewed the attack they had con- solidated their separated forces into one body, on the south side. Then on they came once more. But bravely the miners met the onset, — striking for life and liberty with a decision ~ that was in itself heroic. 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 Slowly but — of encouragement, and Keno and his men z attacked the outlaws in the rear, mow- ing them down like grain before the reaper. : Unexpected by the ruffians was this timely aid. They made a feeble attempt. They were shot at resistance, but in vain. b down without mercy, not a man escaping the death he so richly deserved. Victory was awarded the brave miners of Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, but at what — Out of a gang of thirty men, thirteen cost ! had pulled their last trigger. this all. : During the last attack the defenders had Nor was 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 “Ex-Lieutenant Carlos ‘Cambre was “th - instigator of the attack uponjthe Bonanza
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Pon em ae te} ie 22 DEAD miners, but he took no part in it. He left all the management to one Jean Jago, a confederate in crime, while he remained just outside the tunnel-entrance, in Eureka gulch. His orders had been to kill off the miners, take possession 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 gulch he waited for the messenger to appear, but in vain. Mid- night came, but still no messenger. “‘Can it be that the fools have let that handful of dirt-diggers whip them?” he growled, angrily. ‘‘Curse the luck! I will have to go and see for myself.” It did not take him long to reach the basin, and he discovered that all was as he surmised. He saw the minets hurrying 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 casé they will bring them to head-quarters, so I will get out, lest I be seen, and this crime be thrown upon my good name.” He laughed sarcastically 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 into the gulch, 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. Cambre trembled in every limb, but was powerless to move, and a clammy perspira- tion broke out upon his face. 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 might emanate from such a creature as this. Words came, after a pause, in a low, sepulchral voice, hardly above a whisper, yet loud enough for the ears of Cambre. “Man, thou hast burdened thy 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 - plough the‘earth at thy feet.” r pana dts WOOD DICK AND RED BRAND The words sent a deeper horror into the heart of Cambre. ; Sela **T have not the papers here. They are locked up in my room, in Eureka!” he | ae in terror. ‘‘ Here is the key, or I will bring them to you!” nae “Bring them!” returned the Phantom, — tersely. ‘‘ Put them in thy purse, and we will meet again.” = Then, to his great horror, the spectre began to rise slowly, and he saw it float up into the blackness, and disappear from ew. : “God forbid that we ever meet again,” — the terrified villain muttered, as he leaped — into the gulch, and sped away. ; @ CHAPTER XII “THE KIND OF A MAN I AM!” Nor yet was it morning, when Cambre — sighted the city, yet all the saloons, stores and gambling-dens were in full blast. % Cambre’s terror, owing to his long run, — had somewhat abated, by the time he ~ reached the town, though traces of pallo still) were visible upon his swarthy visage He had never before experienced such. a fright. e a Curse the thing,” he muttered, biting fiercely at his moustache, ‘“‘ how did it come _ to know that I had possession of the — papers? Curses, I say; I'll not surrende those papers—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!” ‘ae “Oh! no; not to the devil yet, my larkie !” cried a sarcastic voice, and a horse- man wheeled out of an alley direetly in — front of the ex-lieutenant, whose words had been spoken loud enough to be heard. ats : And there was an ominous click! click — ee ve revolver the road-agent held in his — and. - 2 “Oh! no! no! I did not mean you—I meant the other Deadwood Dick—the real — one!” uae ees “Ah! but I am the real one!” Pets “The devil you say! Then I meant the other one—the counterfeit.” : : “Bosh! That’s stoo transparent now, — you accursed rogue.. You are playing two trumps in a deck, eh? I’ve a notion to plug the daylights right out of you!” But Cambre put up his hands. : ; “Don’t shoot! don’t shoot!” he cried, supplicatingly. “I have been faithful t oat interests, and tried to capture th rat——’ y ; “\“ Tried ?_ and failed, eh?” az pa‘ Yes. I took sixty men—I_ alone escaped death!” a
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pa a at’ __. “You ought to have gone 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 oppor- tunity.” “They are all at the Bonanza mines, then?” ' ‘Yes, and it would require an army to - dislodge them.” ‘J . “I care not how many armies it takes. You must steal the brat, and fetch it to me. But, how will I know when you get it? et me see. There is a post-office in Eureka, You may post a letter informing Me that you have the child, and where to Address it to Slippery Sim.” animal's head, and rode leisurely away, While Cambre kept on toward the centre of the town. In the meantime, while the two were €ngaged in conversation, a figure had glided by them and sought the Man-Trap saloon, hich was crowded with drunken. roughs and miners. The figure, when revealed under the flaring lamplight, was that of the boss _ Poker-player from Virginia City, the counter- art of Deadwood Dick, who called himself _ Red-Hot Harris. _ fearlessly he entered the saloon, and Sauntered about, watching those around m with an eagle glance. Martha Cambre saw him, and, when - Seneral attention was called to a rough-and- tumble fight in another part of the saloon, _ She glided to his side. “What! you here again?” she said, : laying her hand upon his arm. __ “Hello! what struck you, miss?” Red- Hot ejaculated, staring at the little figure and pretty face, in evident amazement. __ 4 rather guess you're barkin’ up the . wrong tree.” Oh! pshaw! you can’t pull coarse wool Over my eyes,” Martha retorted, with a laugh. “I’m no fool, though I look it.” “Eh? you ain’t?” the poker-player Said, perplexedly. ‘‘ Who are you?” “I am Martha Cambre,’”’ the deserted _ Wife of Carlos Cambre replied, with a merry twinkle in her eyes. ‘ You are Deadwood “s 8. ate ‘ _ The poker-playerzgroaned audibly ; then Tauttered a ctlee. : Pa é _ “By Heaven! again is this confounded “= er ciety S DEADWOOD DICK Lz AND 98 brother of mine thrown up in my face. I say, girl, supposing you had a sister who RED BRAND 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 while here to-night. And now, who are you—Dead- wood Dick, or his double? It is a question I must know—and you can answer it.” Harris whistled a few notes from a quaint mountaineer’s song, whirled around upon his heel; then stared straight at Martha, quizzically. ‘ “JT am Red-Hot Harris,” he said, posi- tively. “You are Deadwood Dick,” the little detective persisted, coolly. ‘Do you know what happened at Bonanza mine to-night ? ” “How should I? ” with a blank look. And the young gentleman turned away, as if the conversation was growing mono- tonous. ise He kept his eye upon one man in the room, and that man was Roxly, the Regulator, who was watching him as the hawk watches its prey. Suddenly the eyes of the pokerist gleamed angrily and he elbowed his way through the crowd, a path clearing immediately when it was seen that he held a pair of six-shooters in his hands, a Straight up to the bar, and on to it leaped the youth. ““Gentlemen !” he cried, his voice ringing out clearly, “ there is a little matter I wish to settle, here in your presence. When first I came to Eureka, I posted a five hundred dollar reward paper upon these walls, meaning it should stay there. Some meddlesome 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 J am!” Not a murmur came from the crowd, as the young bravo was speaking, but when he had finished Old Roxly stepped forward, a grim, puckering expression “bout his mouth. “ You, was it P” Red-Hot exclaimed, a sternness in his glance that forcibly re- minded the Regulator of Deadwood Dick, 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, younker ? ” “Decidedly, yes. Please make a ring, ~ feller-citizens, 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. , <3 :
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“Hello! what d’ye intend to do?,” Roxly demanded. 3“ To fight you, and black both of your * eyes, smash your nose, ram your teeth down your throat, polish off your chin, and gener- ally demolish you,” replied ~Red-Hot, grimly. ‘‘Come! strip yourself, a “No, I thank you. We'll try other weapons than fists,” the Regulator sneered. “Tm no ent fighter.” “Nor I, but I ain’t *fraid to try you a whirl. ‘That’s the kind of a’'man 7 am! If you acknowledge yourself a coward, don’t come and see me. The Regulator stepped into 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 Vill take your life, instead of some of the conceit out of you. One, two, three, now.” Both men sprang forward and toed the mark, and then began a bout of parrying and thrusting, interesting both to the ete and the parties concerned. Roxly, it soon became evident, was no slouch at the business, for he was wary, § defensive, and agile as a cat. But he was : no match for Red-Hot Harris, the ** boss” from Virginia City, which soon became evident from the battered appearance of his - enemy’s countenance. But Roxly grew ‘ desperate the more he was punished, and sprang forward to clinch in a death-hug. Foolish was this attempt, however, for Red-Hot coolly rained a shower of blows down into his battered face which staggered him back. Still he was undaunted, and rushed forward, but a terrible blow from Harris’s clenched white fist hurled him back against the bar in a 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 contemptu- ously, and placed his hand upon his heart. “My heart is too hard for such leaden peticts to penetrate, gentlemen ; and as for you, you coward,’ turning to Roxly, who had regained his feet, ‘‘ your life shall ', pay the forfeit.’’ ; He 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. Wounded was Roxly, but not dead! 2A DEADWOOD DICK AND RED ‘BRAND! == - Then Red-Hot sprang to his feet, and eae the still ing weapon above his “Does any man want to say I didn’t do it fair ? ” he cried, his eyes blazing. sf Speak out, and I'll show ye the kind of a man I am!” A cheer rent the air. “‘Hurra! ther boy did it fair—jes’ ’s fair as ary man ken do!” came the response © ane a dozen lungs. “ Hurra fer Red-- < ot |” A general good-will toward the young pokerist seemed manifest, and drinks were. ordered all around. ‘ Harris did not imbibe, but donning hid jacket and belt, betook himself from the saloon into the gulch. It was just then the darkest hour before : the dawn of the coming day. Very few were now abroad; one horse- : man was riding leisurely through the gulch, ~ and at him Red-Hot gave only a casual glance. His mind was too busied with other thoughts to notice that he was followed, and that, too, by the lone horseman. a He was not aware of the fact until he saw a noose settle over him, and draw ta above his waist, pinioning his arms to his side, and jerking him to the ground. The next moment he felt a revolv muzzle pressed to his temple, and a full-_ masked face bending over him. a SFfa-t bat? ‘cried a voice, evidently = disguised one, ‘so this is my man, is it? refer Ae Deadwood Dick No. rf Sorry to see you in such a plight, but there. was no other way to get at you. ie to introduce myselfi—your double, Dea ; wood Dick No. 2!” A curse escaped Red-Hot’slips. “What means this foolery?” he manded, angrily. i “ It means,” replied No. 2, with a clined 3 “that you are my prisoner. I have been awaiting the opportunity to capes you for a long while.” CHAPTER XIII “ AsBOLD PLAN Tue announcement caused a- - flame oe anger to flush the cheek of Red-Hi arris the present attempted resistance oul worse than useless—would ensure his speedy death. : “Well, I ees there is no in ‘Ip for i ‘WEEE is
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Don tn ea eS at ESAS i eS DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND | é eeping hold of the lasso with one hand, in pursuit, and I would have followed her, nd grasping his cri with the other. only that the other man struck me, and I ‘Bound was he that the boss poker-player knew no more.” “Should not escape him, if ‘vigilance could “Wal, we'll hope for the best,” the Anni- prevent it. hilator said, soberly. ‘We'll wait till ~The march was a long and tiresome one. daylight, and then endeavour to start up a Day dawned, and tinged the peaks rosy trail.” y ed; still the tramp continued, nor did it The rest of the miners now came flockin énd until noon, when they entered a moun- irregularly into camp, with the report tha tai cave, far above the level of the western there was no one alive within the basin plains. except themselves, nor any signs of the ~ *¥fere we are at last !’? the bogus Dead- — missing Leone and her child. ‘wood Dick cried, as they entered the cave. Which forced the conclusion that she had “Wake up, Corkus; and disarm this fellow been borne off by the two ruffians, to im- nd bind him. He is the bird I have been _prisonment or death, planning to entrap.” The next morning Avalanche saddled Corkus deprived Red-Hot of all the Prudence Cordelia, and prepared for his _ Weapons on his person, and pushed him departure. Noisy Nell having concluded ' away into a corner where there were plenty to go back to her post in the Man-Trap, of skins to lie upon. was comfortably mounted upon the old | This done, he and No. 2 retired to the mare, the Annihilator having volunteered portion of the cave where the fire was to give her passage as far as Eureka, where burning, leaving the unlucky poker-player he and Little Alf propesed to go first, haying to his reflections. left the mine in Keno’s charge. 28 In the Bonanza mine great excitement The day after the battle at Deadwood prevailed, on the alecorey that Leone Dick’s Bonanza, Bolton rushed into Cathie’s “and her’ babe, and Nell Brandon, were room pell-mell, like some overjoyed school- — Missing from the tent. Only two surmises _ boy. ‘could be made concerning their absence— “Good news, so cheer up!” he cried, either they had become frightened and fled dropping his beaver, and seating himself. . in terror to get out of the path of the flying‘ Deadwood Dick, or Ned Harris, is here “bullets, or else they had been captured by in Eureka!” oy some of the ruffians, and spirited away. . . Cathie looked up, a hopeful, anxious ex- ~~ his seemed the more probable, and search —_ pression upon her face. ai Was immediately made in the basin, which “ Really, truly?’ she demanded, asifshe ~ “resulted in the discovery by Little Alf and doubted the fact. ‘‘ Are you sure ?” ao ' Avalanche, of Nellie Brandon, lying in- “Yes, I am sure. There are evidently — “sensible, not far from the camp. An ugly two Deadwood Dicks, according to all yi “cut upon her forehead, over the temple, ceport, and then there is another fellow, — vhad evidently caused her unconsciousness. who calls himself Red-Hot Harris, who - Water was dashed into Nellie’s face, and looks as much like your notorious son as - her hands gently chafed, but it was some ae ara and you very much resemble ime ere she recovered consciousness suffi- him.” ciently to tell what had occurred. She “Yes; but which of these three is my Seemed dazed and bewildered, but a swallow son?” a of liquor from Keno’s flask seemed to right “Ah! that’s the stick. Noone:seems to — her memory, and she glanced around_her know which is genuine. But I shall keep — ith a shudder. +> watch, and endeavour to find out.” tue ae a they gone ? ” she gasped. “T have a little more hope, then. But ~ “Bet yer life—gone whar ther whang- did you hear from Fordyce?” » : a. loodle twineth an’ the woodbine———”_- “Yes; he is no better. The man in “There! don’t quote enny rimes, attendance, who pretends to have an ex- lease!” growled Avalanche, in disgust, tended knowledge of surgery, says that he» = ‘especially, if you can’t do it skientific, cannot live the wéek out. His wounds and No, miss, thar ain’t a live outlaw prisent, old age cannot but use him eit weds * “ Poor man,” Cathie said, wiping away ~— : the tears that had risen to her eyes. Fees one |”? Nellie “It will be necessary,” the attorney said We ran out. pay “for you to go and see him before e dies. Perhaps he might be willing to conciliate. I will keep informed of his gol _and take you at the right time. me, I. have :
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28 This Carlos Cambre, it appears, has a wife living here in Eureka, who is in 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 working. Weare going to attempt to break into his room to-night, and resteal them.” “Oh! God grant that you may be successful, sir,’ the lady muttered, as Bolton took his departure. That evening about the hour Cambre was supposed to be*at supper, Bolton met Martha near the Man-Trap saloon, and they hurried away. Cambre had rooms in a lodging-house at the further side of the village, and got his meals at“a restaurant 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 “Iodging-house, Martha left* Bolton, and went to see if the ex-lieutenant was at a neighbouring restaurant, where she hoped to find him. She soon returned to the attorney with the announcement that he was there, drink- ing with a half-dozen of Deadwood Dick’s old band, who had just arrived on the evening stage. a “Now, come on, and the papers are ours!” she said. “I have a duplicate key of the room. Get your revolvers in readi- ness, and follow me.” They hurried up the street, and entered the building, ascending 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. #EMartha led the way to Cambre’s room, and for precaution knocked upon the door ; and there was a halloa from within It CHAPTER XIV aN ASTONISHING DISCOVERY Rep-Hor Harris was left lying in one corner of the cave, and was not again molested during the day. Corkus brought him a slice of venison and a cup of water, at dark, upon which to appease’ his appetite, which had been keenly aroused by his long tramp. : rr A Pent while after, Deadwood Dick No. 2 came, and seated himself near the prisoner, as if for a talk. He was still attired in the jet black suit of buckskin, with gloves, hat and mask to match, which made him such a clever imitation of the _ genuine Ned Harris. is DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND “Do you know what I have brought r here for, sir ? ” he asked. : *“No; I am sorry to say that ‘the slightest idea, sir road-agent.”’ é “Well, then, I will tell you. Deadwood Dick, when you left your wife, and came here, I found your wife was about to follow : so I came also. My heart was filled with bitterness, which gradually dissipated into resolve. I have lately found that she is the mother of a child—yours as well as_ hers ; and this discovery caused a definite plan of attack against you. Ned Harris, you will find that you have one to deal with, who will fight out this*duel—yes, exter- minate everything in my path that is human, to attain my object.” ‘: ““Humph!” Red-Hot drawled, coolly. “*T really do wish, if you must talk, that you would say something*more interesting?to me. I” care> nothing” about your” quarrel with this notorious Deadwood Dick, nor your contemplated "revenge. If you*know any new points about poker or keno, I shal be pleased to hear from you.” pees No. 2 evidently would have been relie if he could have given vent to a round oath but for some reason he withheld it. My “Hang the poker,” he growled. ‘* W. I want is for you to acknowledge that you are Deadwood Dick, and then I will surp: YOU.” SESE et Pea or “You'll wait till your teeth decay, I’m thinkin’, before I shall acknowledge an thing of the kind!” retorted Red-Hot. — “ Did I not tell you that Deadwood Dick is — dead?” SiGe “Yes; but you lied.” ; “Did I? No, I think not. Deadwood Dick ts dead: Edward Harris lives!” ~ “Ah! I see,” No. 2 said, comprehend- ingly ; ‘and you are Edward Harris?” — ““T am!” was the reply. : : “Then why this attempt at deception— this Red-Hot business ? ” 2 “‘The name was suggested by he fellow call me a red-hot customer to deal with. When I left the Hills, I dropped the — name of Deadwood"Dick—buried it “as wi haven’t ; bury the dead, intending never to use it again. But I find that to be an impossi: 4 bility. I came here’'as’ Harris, and they — recognized me, and I braved them down Then I shaved off the hair that had gro upon my face, and reappeared as Red-Ho Harris. The character, by *considerabl “cheeking’ and ‘ brass,’ was partially su cessful. I guess the Eurekaites are con vinced that I am Red-Hot Harris!” — “* Probably. I knew”you were Deadw Dick—the eyes of love are harder to deceiv than those of uninterested curiosity- meitt st % fg His ae seek
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2 Speaker, a wrinkle disfiguring the placidity of his forehead. / you mean ?” he demanded, ae jheaven ! can it be you, ~ There was a bitter little laugh of sarcasm ; hen 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 -®x-road-agent; and he started violently, and uttered an exclamation of astonish- Ment : ’ “My God! is that you, Edith Stone?” _ * Yes, it is I, Ned Harris—the girl who loved and still worships you—the girl who ‘as schemed for many long days, and now has you in her power.’ -»‘*My Heaven! I thought you were dead— drowned in the Little Madrass, girl,’ Dead- ‘Wood Dick replied, gazing at her wonder- a “we “ But, instead, I see you before me, S foolishly and hopelessly blind as you ere before.” “No, not hopelessly, Dick. You are ame, now, beyond all other claim—ine forever. I don’t suppose you will become i 1 Teconciled to your lot for a while, but I can __ bring yeu to your oats,’ as the expression es. If love and feminine persuasion on’t do it, force will!” _. “Aht you are combining force with in- torce could you use, that you for one moment ‘Imagine would make Deadwood Dick yield— ae up his honour, his manhood, to lead a loubtful life with you? ” ; “Tt need not be doubtful; you could ake me fast 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 cut the brat’s throat _ 4tom ear to ear, right in your presence.” Dick did not reply.. He saw that she _ Was terribly in earnest, and he wondered _ how he was to find extrication from this dil Old Avalanche and Little Alf conducted Noisy Nell to Eureka, and set her down in of the Man-Trap. ; ien they stabled Prudence Cordelia, od with the eccentric goat following at their ls, wandered about town, using their S a » and instigating inquiri es = eo DEADWOOD DICK AND RE fatuation, eh ?’ Dick said, slowly. ‘ What _ Tepe ay Rre eae = Bi D BRAND — PA tia But they were not successful. Nothing had been seen of her, and they finally arrived at the conclusion that she had not come back to town. “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’yesee’em?” | “Yes—two rough-looking pilgrims, evi- dently miners—one wi’ a bag o’ sumthin’ slung behind his back.” ; “Karect ! an’ don’t et enter yer organ 0’ phrenology, thet thar mought be sumthin’ in thet bag as would syit our fastidgeous tastes ?”’ was the query, and the young’ scout watched the approaching men narrowly. While they were speakin “toughs ”’ had mingled in wit that swarmed in the gulch, and were lost from view. Cursing their own stupidity, both Coyle and Avalanche sprang 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. “We'll not give up, yit,” said Old Ava- lanche. “‘Thar’s thet Careless Cambre; the babe will doubtless be delivered inter. his hands. It tharfore behooves us ter keep our optical masheenery glued onter him.” They wandered about aimlessly during the day—not really aimlessly, for they were constantly looking for Cambre, whom Avalanche bad 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 saloon and amused themselves for a while. Noisy Nell came around to their table shortly, perhaps because she was very favourably impressed with the looks and apparent worth of Coyle. He was not a 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. *) the two the crowd He has not been in here since I came,” the girl replied, glancing searchingly around her. ‘‘ Have you found any 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 might have been concealed— but they flung us.’ ; : “Those same men came in here and lubricated,” Nell announced, “and then went out again.” “The deuce they did! An’ did one tote © a bag o’ sumthin’ on his nigh shoulder, w’ich mought ’a’ bin a baby-or a condensed ’arthquake?”? - aed
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De NS 28 Ltd Yes ! ” “ Which way’d they go?” “JT cannot tell. I ata not jwatch them ; only noticed them by chance.” Avalanche and Little Alf rose to their feet simultaneously. “We may trap ’em by visitin’ the different saloons,’’ Coyle said. They went out, and made a round of all the saloons, without result, until they were issuing from the last one, when they came face to face with Carlos Cambre. CHAPTER XV THE PAPERS Marra CamBre and Lawyer Bolton shrank back in alarm as a voice from within the room responded to the little woman’s Imock. A shrill halloa it was; ina woman’s voice, evidently. * What shall we do? This is a deuce of a scrape to be caught in,” Bolton gasped, clutching Martha by the arm. “ Our game is baulked ; let us escape.’ “You can go, 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 a little shining revolver from among the folds of her dress. “Halloa! w’at the debbil you’s want?” came again from the inside. *" Ah! that is the explanation,” Martha said, in a whisper. “‘ There is some negress inside, evidently caring 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 oe the room, with the door locked behind them. An old negress, with a face as black as coal, and hair white and woolly, was engaged in sweeping the room. 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 coun- sellor-at-law held levelled toward her. “Oh! “de Lordy sakes alive! Oh! goodness gracious!’’ she gasped. ‘‘ Don’t shoot, marster—don't hurt a poor ole woman w’at can’t help herself. I be’s innercent—'deed lis, for shuah!” “Yes, you’re an innocent old idiot, sure enough,” Bolton replied. “Just you keep "quiet, and we'll not hurt you. ~ and see if you can discover the papers.” “You had better stand near the door with your back mee 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. I will things tops: DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND Go on, miss, : thar’s a picture rubbin’ etself a; row : ‘ain’t thar, be roheful She was as good as her word in respect. She set to work, first, and went through the contents of a large Retern. * y desk, then a bureau and washstand, without satisfactory result. “I think there is a secret compartmen in this old desk,” Martha said at last, pausing before the structure of walnut, which was an oddity in the way of curious pigeon-holes and drawers. “ But I do not know how find it. Is there anybody in the room bel or those adjoining, old woman ? ” “No, missus. Dar’s berry few in. de. buildin’ at this hour.” 4 “Good. Let me out, Mr. Bolton, and will go down and procure an axe with whic to knock this old shell apart.” rs Bolton obeyed by unlocking the door letting her out into the passage. She was not gone long, however, soon returning with a heavy ore bar as a si seats for the axe, which she could not At Bolton’s request she surrendered the bar to him, while she took his revolv: stood guard at the door. He then attacked the old desk with a and soon had it lying apart in differ sections, without creating any great noise. Sure enough a secret drawer was - covered in which were a package of papers, ais in an oil-silk wrapper. There was also uantity of money, which, no doubt, also be onged to Cambre. This was all. “The papers ! the papers !”” Bolton cri leaping forward and seizing them in his — grasp. “ Victory is ours at last.” __ a. He tore off the wrapper and hasti fi glanced them over. : “They are here,” he said, exultantly “the genuine ones, and the copies Camb drew from them!” oe Avalanche and “Alf Coyle uttered aot a word as they faced Cambre in front of the — saloon, but pushed b by him as if ail did not — recognize Henewht the scout, Lit! did not, never having seen him before. Cambre recognized the Annihilator b: goat; and, too, he recognized him as same individual who had once knocked down in front of Deadwood Dick’s cell. “Hello!” he cried, following up, — slapping the old man on the a heavily. ‘* Hold up, tx rackabones, don’ t wanter git plug: eged I recogni “Oh! youdo!” valanche sade around with a “six” in his gras cocked and ready for use. “* Wal, the nothin’ singyler, since I recky you. Gues
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Sete DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND | ay “Oh! no!’ Cambre replied, smilin; made*a¥mighty spring. A flash from — " graciously, as he saw the Annihilator ha Martha’s revolver followed him; then they - the drop on him. ‘I just chanced to ran forward and found him lying on the recognize you, and wanted to ask youif you landing below, with his right arm broken, ~ had seen Deadwood Dick, lately ?” and a bullet-wound in his leg. But he ~ _ > Nixy; hain’t seen ther lad since the clutched a pistol in his left hand, and there day we arriv’ in Eureka. But, ef ye wanter was a gleam of desperation in his eye that fight, et’s all right. Hayr’s what kin foreboded evil. re “accommydate ye.’ ** Halt where you are !”’ he cried, levelling ~ “Oh, no, thanks; my inclinations don’t the weapon, “or I’ll fire as long as there’s tun in that channel,” the ex-lieutenant a cartridge left, if it costs my life!” replied, turning away. “Come!” Martha said, pulling Bolton *“Now, then, boyee, we've gotter'keep back. “We will be tempting death in ur orbs on him!” Avalanche whispered to trying to pass him. We can better escape - Coyle. “I bet he gits the baby afore from a window.” midnight, unless we intercept it, wich we They hurried back into Cambre’s room, _ Must try to do.” locked the door behind them, and found 3 % 3 < Fs 5 that the one window, over whose surface “Yes, the papers are all here,” Bolton cobwebs had been allowed to collect, was epeated, counting them over—‘‘the mar- neither shuttered nor barred. The sash ~ -Tiage-certificate, the birth-certificate of was easily taken out; and several bed- — Cathie’s child, and others of minor or quilts, twisted and knotted together, fur- greater importance.” < nished a mode of escape to the ground, so _ “JT am truly grateful to God for this that in a few minutes the two were on the — “success,” Martha said, reverently; “but soil below, and hurrying away through the, come, let us hasten from this place, before -night’s gloom. i; -my husband returns, or he will killus. Ha! : i i m : Pex tey ts. the negress has escaped—how negligent of It was a painful subject to think upon for émet”, Deadwood Dick—this puzzle of how he was _ “Curse the woman,” Bolton exclaimed, going to escape from the cave, and prevent _ angrily. “‘ It will not do for us to try and the terrible tragedy Edith Stone had out- escape ——” ined. ea “Very truly spoken!” interrupted a He was helpless in his bonds, which were -cool, sarcastic voice, and Carlos Cambre’s of thongs of buckskin, and from which he commanding form stood in the doorway, saw no way of extricating himself. All his — a i “Tt will not do for you to try weapons had been taken from him, and he to escape with those papers in your pos- was wholly in the power of this desperate Session. Drop them, and you can departin young woman—this girl whose love for — : him had utterly made her mad on the sub- .. “Yd drop you, if I had the ‘drop’ on ject; for from the bottom of his heart Dick - you!” the attorney growled. believed she was insane. ; At this juncture Cambre’s gaze rested for He lay a long while after she left him, _the first on Martha. He reeled back witha turning the subject over in his mind. __ ; _ frightful curse. Edith glided suddenly upon him, in the “Martha! here!” he gasped, his face midst of his thoughts, like some haunting ‘owing first white and then flushed. shadow. ve ~“ Yes, Martha is here !” the deserted wife “Oh! Dick!” she cried, kneeling beside — eplied scornfully; but in the second of him, and throwing her arms about his neck -Cambre’s surprise he had lowered his aim, with a passionate outburst of tears—‘“ I lo’ and she quickly took advantage of this youso, oh! dé please take me to your heart, Opportunity to cover him with her revolvers _ and let us fly from here, to some spot where -““ here, but not to claim you fora husband. we can live as man and wife, in the fullness ‘Step aside and let us pass. No; go down of our love. For the love of God, do not ahead of us, or I’ll blow your brains out !” again put me off, for I do not want to co -_ He growled not unlike some fierce wild mit this awful crime I have threatened.” east when he saw where he had failed, in ‘Nor need you,” he replied. “JY donot allowing them to gain a point. love you, and life with you would be a “I won’t go!” he declared stubbornly. torture.” ; ieee “You will!” Martha assured, trium- “Ah! you love the other!’ panty, and back came her revolver- with almost tigerish ferocity, — : ‘ ne g click 1 click! to full-cock. gleam reddening her eyes. _* Yes, - love the other,” he replied,
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* 9c ng) Re | eee = 80 “But their death will not make you any the better off,” he reasoned. ‘I cannot marry you, in either case.” ; “What! would you see 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, Edith, 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—“ yes, perhaps 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 per- severance that will some time astonish you.” “It will be useless. Your life will be only spent in vain.” “So it shall be, then. You will know no pee that may in a measure appease my unger for your love. I will haunt you day and night, like some terrible phantom. But, bah! why this parley? I can still win you by love, without resorting to harsher measures. See! I am going to free your limbs until morning, that you may rest better.” With a long bowie she cut. the bonds about his feet, leaving his hands still confined. 4 Then she turned and swept away with the imperiousness of a queen. Deadwood Dick lay still for several hours after her departure, . well knowing it would be useless to attempt to escape, until Corkus grew sleepy, and relaxed his vigil. But he worked silently at the bonds which confined his wrists. If -. he could but free his wrists, he had no fears but that he could escape. Diligently he worked away, first soaking the thongs in a little pool of water which ran at his feet and then endeavouring to stretch them. It was a slow process, but eventually successful, for in a couple of hours he re- joiced in the freedom of both hands. “Now, I guess it is a safe time to make an attempt to quitythis 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. “TI wonder if the villainous guard is asleep ?”’ Dick queried, hesitating before starting. '« He stepped cautiously toward the en- trance, his footfalls softer than those of a - eat. - Closer and“ closer he? moved,7 until? he ight sight of the shad ) DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND outline of the sentinel, standing stationary in the entrance, grim and silent as some rock-carved statue. — His head was turned the other way, but Dick cared not for this. 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. ls Soon the man shuddered, and turned around, his bloodshot eyes coming instantl in contact with the gleaming orbs of Dead- ~ wood Dick. His gaze became fixed. It was no use for him to resist. He could not break the spell that came over him, from the peculiar 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. : “Hat ha!’ 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.” * He stopped in his — t 2 CHAPTER XVI PRIZE UPON PRIZE far away at the time when Bolton and Martha left the big lodging-house, They had seen Cambre enter, and were crouching x Otp AvALANCHE and Little Alf were not in the bushes, not far away, waiting for the men to come with the babe, as they calcu-— lated they eventually would. “Great ham-bone thet deceived they heard the pistol-shot, and later saw the man and woman descend the bed-quilt ladder to the ground and hurry away. “Old Moses thet perambulated through the bull. rushes! Reckon thar’s bin a tussle in thet aire dormitory, an’ Careless Cucumber hes got his crop full. Thet ain’t enny o’ our ash, tho’. galoots, one o’ whom ever 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 re- flectively. ‘‘ But I argue that we had better git inside o’ thet barn or dormitory, 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 around so free.” ; Accordingly they crossed the gulch, and entered the big lodging-house, which was dark and gloomy. re i On the first landing thera tound sees Cambre lying, groz and cursing sly over hisdpab pose fre ove cc old | Joner!” the Annihilator exclaimed, as first — 7 Ther percise inderviduals we’re — wantin’, at present time, aire them two — hes got a bag slung ~ By - a
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Piel é « of the painfulness of his wounded leg and broken arm. “Hello! what are you doin’ here, pil- im? ”’, Little Alf demanded of Cambre. “Seem ter be kinder out of 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. Little Alf deprived the villain of his weapons, and then they carried him up to the room Bolton and Martha had recently ransacked, and laid him upon the bed. Avalanche, then, with a skill that years of frontier life had perfected, set the broken arm, and dressed the wounded leg. This relieved the unlucky plotter of some of his pain; but his rage was more intense than the pain when Avalanche securely gagged him, so that he could not utter a . word. — is This done, the two men seated themselves _ to await the coming of the two kidnappers. > And, fortune favouring them, they had - not long to wait. Heavy footsteps were soon heard ascending the stairs, and pre- sently 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 re- volvers of Avalanche and his companion. ___. “Move an inch without orders, and you’re both dead corpuses!” Little Alf exclaimed, sternly. 3 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, triumphantly, “‘ without a doubt, so just hand over yer weapons, and done with it.” “* Fork ’em over,” added Avalanche. Seeing that they were in the power of the _ two'scouts, the ruffians”obeyed the com- - mand, by delivering up a pair of revolvers - and a knife, apiece. : »‘* Now, then, be kind ernuff ter open thet __ bag, and gently remove the baby,” ordered ~ 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 upon the floor. Then he untied it, and took therefrom a little bundle of humanity, apparently fast asleep, with a bandage tied over its little mouth, to prevent its screams. _- It was Deadwood Dick, Jr., sure enough, and Avalanche received it into his arms with a a of delight. : e two ruffians were™now bound hand and foot, after which our two friends quitted the lodging-house, Avalanche having re- _ stored the babe to the bag, and slung it over 8 ae DEADWOOD DICK AND RED BRAND | his shoulder, to prevent attracting the attention of any one they might meet. fp “Now, we'll polback to Bonanza Basin, wi’ our prize!” he said. ‘“ I’ll go on ahead, while you fetch Noisy Nell on ther back 0’ my mare Prudence.” 4 “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 ginwine mother i 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 after Nellie, whom he found at her old post, and who was apparently very glad to see him. They soon were out of the little town of Eureka, for Nellie had consented to go and care for Leone’s baby until Leone herself could 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 there also, with her babe in her arms. She told her 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 intricacies of the moun- tain. Then it had taken her many long, weary hours to pick her way back to the mine, where she had at last arrived, only a few hours previous 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, be- — cause 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 of those bygone days in the Black Hills— _ Deadwood Dick ! : He came stalking unexpectedly into camp, 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 attacked her by a’ mighty effort, and rose to her feet, trembling 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 Dickjsaid, opening his arms, “‘ I have come.” Rea 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 describe the happi- ness and love that then filled those two réunitedjhearts ? After the first rapturous greetings were . * * . z. 2
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32 over, due explanations were made all around, Deadwood Dick coming in last on the list. “And what hev ye bin doin’ wi’ yerself, ~~ ‘since the night I left 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 for a couple of days in the mountains which flank one side of this gulch. ‘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 lateau. The hour was just at dusk, and aving heard, previous to our coming to Eureka, of the Phantom Miner, I put this -and that together, and came to the con- clusion that Red Brand and the Phantom Miner were one. Of course I grew inter- ested, and from my _ hiding-place I watched. - “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 concern, 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 Tet go the grapnel, and sprung into the car, and rose slowly upward. Then I saw the secret of the whole business, plain enough. “A rope was attached to the car 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 through the air. In the night his means of flight through the air is a mystery, unless the observer has an eye keen enough to penetrate far toward the heaven, where, in what is known as the semi-counter-current—meaning four currents blowing to a centre—thé 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 current, it goes “sou’westward toward the prairies. In the daytime the Phantom is not seen abroad, and I think this, successfully ex- plains what j shas| been a, mystery to the Eurekaites.” ft “And this Red Brand is the Phantom ? ” “Was, unti! I adopted his vole. We accidentally met, one day later, and he told ‘me of my knowledge of his secret, though _ the Lord cee knows how he found it out. i He declared his hate for me, and proposed that we fight it out.” Bi nA eater Ee “DEADWOOD DICK AND RED ‘BRAND. “Tf I won, I was to” Phantomize it in gee stead. Well, we duelled, and I won!” — 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 re from the basin.” “And you, then, are the ghost thet robbed us?’ Avalanche said. “Yes, by the mesmeric power which I possess, I mesmerized you in the tunnel, and later robbed the camp.’ Then Dick made further explanations, — mentioning that the skeleton shape and rattles were. all ingenious contrivances. of Red Brand’s originality ; also all concern- ing Red-Hot Harris and Deadwood Dick No. 2, which caused a great deal of ae cs This is all known to the reader. He also explained the secret of his ages vulnerability by exhibiting a suit of mail ee worn beneath his garb, which he had found on the body of Red Brand. A week was spent in Bonanza Hania f quietly, no intrusion from the Eurekaites making it necessary for Dick to fly. Happy was he with his wife and child, and a prime — favourite in camp. During the eee old Fordyce Graylford died, and by Bolton’s arrangement, Dick and his new-found mother, Cathie, wer ; present. The old man relented in the last hours, and asked the forgiveness of his wronged ones, and made over all his = perty, at Dick’s request, to Cathie. Dick did not wish any of it. Though the stor of how Cathie had left him with the Harrises in infancy, and the proofs, 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 expiration of the week he made a sale of Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza to Little Alf and Keno Bill; then, with his wife and _ child, and the two aeronauts, one morning — he sailed away over the silver land, of Idaho, in his balloon, the “‘ Leone,” for a land of the West, where he hoped to bury himself Toner ek and the bitter past. With Deadwood Dick went that “ di vastatin’ eppydemic,” Old Avalanche, and his goat. Prudence was left behind, for want of room in the balloon. They are supremely happy, ‘Dick and Leone, but occasionally there rises before the vision of the ex-outlaw, like a haunting of the future, the -malignant face an menacingly gleaming eyes of the bitterest of all his foes, Edith Stone THE END
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