Part 21 (1/2)

”Yes; they that took the road-agent”

”I don't know 'm. Guess they're tender-foots--some former enemies of his, without doubt. They propose to quiz a secret about some girl out of him, and then knife him. We'll have to hurry or they'll get their work in ahead of us.”

They left the mouth of the mine, and skurried down into the valley, through the dense shroud of gloom.

Calamity Jane led the way; she was both fleet of foot and cautious.

Let us look down on the foot-hill camp, and the two Fillmores who are stationed on either side of their prisoner.

The younger presses the muzzle of his revolver against Deadwood d.i.c.k's heart; the elder holds a long gleaming knife upheld in his right hand.

”One!” he counts, savagely.

”Two!”--after a momentary pause. Another lapse of time, and then--

”Hold! gentlemen; that will do!” cries a clear ringing voice; and Calamity Jane and McKenzie, stepping out of the darkness, with four gleaming ”sixes” in hand, confirm the pleasant a.s.sertion!

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ROAD-AGENT'S MERCY--CONCLUSION.

Nevertheless, the gleaming blade of Alexander Filmore descended, and was buried in the fleshy part of Deadwood d.i.c.k's neck, making a wound, painful but not necessarily dangerous.

”You vile varmint,” cried Calamity Jane, pulling the hammer of one of her revolvers back to full c.o.c.k; ”you cursed fool; don't you know that that only seals yer own miserable fate?”

She took deliberate aim, but d.i.c.k interrupted her.

”Don't shoot, Jennie!” he gasped, the blood spurting from his wound; ”this ain't none o' your funeral. Give three shrill whistles for my men, and they'll take care o' these hounds until I'm able to attend to 'em. Take me to the cab--”

He could not finish the sentence; a sickening stream of blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell back upon the ground insensible.

Fearless Frank gave the three shrill whistles, while Calamity Jane covered the two cowering wretches with her revolvers.

The distress signal was answered by a yell, and in a few seconds five road-agents came bounding up.

”Seize these two cusses, and guard 'em well!” Calamity said, grimly.

”They are a precious pair, and in a few days, no doubt, you'll have the pleasure of attending their funerals. Your captain is wounded, but not dangerously, I hope. We will take him to the cabin, where there are light and skillful hands to dress his wounds. When he wants you, we will let you know. Be sure and guard these knaves well, now.”

The men growled an a.s.sent, and after binding the captives' arms, hustled them off toward camp, in double quick time, muttering threats of vengeance. Fearless Frank and Calamity then carefully raised the stricken road-agent, and bore him to the cabin, where he was laid upon the couch. Of course, all was now excitement.

Redburn and Alice set to work to dress the bleeding wound, with Jane and the ”General” looking on to see that nothing was left undone.

Fearless Frank stood apart from the rest, his arms folded across his breast, a grave, half-doubtful expression upon his handsome, sun-browned features.

Anita was not in the room at the time, but she came in a moment later, and stood gazing about her in wondering surprise. Then, her eyes rested upon Fearless Frank for the first, and she grew deathly white; she trembled in every limb; a half-frightened, half-pitiful look came into her eyes.

The young man in scarlet was similarly effected. His cheeks blanched; his lips became firmly compressed; a mastering expression fell from his dark magnetic orbs.

There they stood, face to face, a picture of doubt; of indifferent respect, of opposite strong pa.s.sions, subdued to control by a heavy hand.