Part 16 (1/2)
”I believe you, pilgrim; for, though I am pretty thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the Black Hills country, I had not the least idea that such an enterprise existed in this part of the territory.”
”No, I dare say not. But how is it that we are indebted to you for this intrusion?--for such we feel justified in calling it, under the existing circ.u.mstances.”
”I did not intend to intrude, sir, nor do I now. In riding through the mountains we accidentally stumbled into the fissure pa.s.sage that leads to this gulch, and as there was nothing to hinder us, we came on through.”
”True; I should have posted a strong guard in the pa.s.s. You have a female companion, I perceive; not your wife?”
”Oh, no! nor my sister, either. This is Miss Terry--an estimable young lady, who has come to the Black Hills in search of her father. Your name is--”
”Redburn--Harry Redburn; and yours, I am told, is Fearless Frank.”
”Yes, that is the t.i.tle I sail under. But how do you know aught of me?”
”I was told your name by a partner of mine. Now, then, concerning the present matter; what do you propose to do?”
”To do? Why, turn back, I suppose; I see nothing else to do.”
Redburn leaned on his rifle and considered.
”Do you belong to that other crowd?”
”No, indeed;” Frank's face flushed, half angrily. ”I thank my stars I am not quite so low down as that, yet. Do you know them? That's Deadwood d.i.c.k, the Prince of the Road, and his band of outlaws!”
”What--is it possible? The same gang whom the _Pioneer_ is making such a splurge over, every week.”
”The same. That fellow clad in black is Deadwood d.i.c.k, the leader.”
”Humph! He in black; you in scarlet. Two contrasting colors.”
”That is so. I had not thought of it before. But no significance is attached thereto.”
”Perhaps not. Have you the least idea what brought them here?”
”The road-agents? I reckon I do. The military has been chasing them for the last two days. Probably they have come here for protection.”
”Maybe so; or for plunder. Give me your decision, and I will go and see what they want.”
”There is nothing for me to decide more than to take the back track.”
Redburn shook his head, decidedly.
”You cannot go back!” he said, using positiveness in his argument; ”that is, not for awhile. You'd have all Deadwood down on us in a jiffy. I'll give you work in the shaft, at three dollars a day. You can accept that offer, or submit to confinement until I see fit to set you at liberty.”
”And my companion, here--?”
”I will place under the charge of Miss Anita for the present, where she will receive hospitable treatment.”
Fearless Frank started as though he had been struck a violent blow; his face grew very white; his eyes dilated; he trembled in every joint.
”_Anita!_” he gasped--”_Anita!_”
”I believe that is what I said!” Redburn could not understand the youth's agitation. He knew that the sister of Ned Harris had a secret; was this Fearless Frank in any way connected with it, and if so, how?