The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 14: what you’re looking at

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i ¥ wae fa . peared to be able to take their own part, and 14 The Dragoon Detective. y him heartily, and hope to have him for an escort on my first ride on my beautiful horse.” Thus entered Mr. Conrad and his family into their new home, and their coming was a nine- days worder to Gilt Kdgs City. CHAPTER XXyV. A KNOCK-DOWN ARGUMENT. THE room in which the two Road Raiders had been placed was a stout one, and Landlord Champ said that he did not doubt but that it had been the former guard-house of The Barracks. It was ten feet square and double-walled, the walls being of heavy logs. The same was the cass with the floor and the | ceiling. It was in one corner of The Barracks, and had two small windows, made by sawing ® log in two, but not wide enough to allow of a human | form pessing through. | Landlord Champ was not unkind, and feeling | that it was a foregone conclusion that the pris- | oners were to die, ho made them as comfortable Se gi ble for their remaining: hours, e got two men to watch them, to stand four bours on and off between them, and they had the key of the heavy door, and no one could see the prisoners without the permission of the one who was ou the watch. It was the evening alter their capture, and ex- | pecting that tbe men would be tried that night, there was a large number of people at The Bar- racks, Toe main topics of conversation were equally divided betweon the arrival of the strangers, the killing of Panther Pete by the Dragoon, and the expected trial of the prisoners. All felt sure that they would hang the Road Raiders, no matter who tried them, and no one | cared to miss that very interesting ceremony to them. Why the Dragoon did not huve them at once hanged was what many could nop understand. Among those most iuterested in the prisoners, were two new-comers to Gilt Hdge City. Vhese were two men, who had not arrived on foot, buf on horseback, and had come with money enough to buy a mine if they could not find one, They were stout-looking fellows, men who ap- they had already bought « cabin and a mine that paid fairly well. So they considered themselves citizens of Gilt Kdge City already, and taought they had a right to air their ideas. They had given out that their names’ were Rattler and Stonefist, and one Gilt-Edye citizen who was great ‘‘on his muscle,” seemed to feel that Stonefist implied a fighter, and so ho deter- mined to sample the new-comer’s dexterity and strength. To do this he picked a quarrel with Stonefist, ani insisted that it suould be fought without weapons, That rman regretted having made the mistake of not getting some one else to find out what Stonefist could do, for the first blow of the new- comer sont the Gilt-Edge representative flying into a corner, and it took nearly a pint of liquor to inake him come round enough to know that a mule bed not kielkked hin. Stonefist became a hero at once, aud as his comrade was fully his equal, and his name was suggestive of shooting and other border amuse- ments, he was let severely alone. ‘“Does yer think tne trial will come off ter- night?” esked Rattler ot a newly-formed ac- quaintance, “Now, pard, ther Darlin’ o’ Destiny hain’t come over yit, but if bo does, I guesses 1 will.” ‘* And who are this Darlin’ o Destiny, pard?” ‘“Waal, yer is strange in Gilt Hdge City not ter know thet gent,” and then the speaker gave his version of who the Darling of Destiny was, ‘“Then yer looks on hint as a kind o’ king bee, pard?” ‘“ Yes, fer he are one.” “Thet are a bad thing fer a community ter allow, fer when a man gits the reins in his teeth he’s apt ter run away and hurt somebody; but who are thet gent comin’ in thar?” ‘*Thet are ther Dragoon,” “Waal, he’s likely-lookin’ but he don’t seem ther man ter tos3 folks round,” said Rattler, “ Not much,” Stonefist remarked. ‘Bf you hit him one’t, Stonefist, thar’d be no more o’ him,” * Waal, Pll hit him ef he gives ma ther chance; but I guesses he won't fight without his gun.” ‘YP }Lask him, pard, ef yer yveally is sp’ilin fer a knock-down,” said tho Gilt-Edge citizen, *“*T am willin’,” was the reply, and as the Dragoon passed near Landlord Chaenp he was | hailed with: ‘*Cap’n, Ihas been talkin’ to two strangers | about yer, and one of 'em is named Stonefist, | and he kin knock anything down I kin tell yer, | but I says to him he’d better go slow with you.” “ My dear fellow, [am not a common bruiser; I avoid and do not seek quarrels,” said the Drazoon, pleasantly. ‘Does yer call me acowmon bruiser?” cried /my pard does, we is kilt, for | had been blackened Stonefist, springing to his feet. The Darling of Destiny looked him over very carefully, and replied quickly: ‘“‘T meant not to offend any one, but, as you seem to be seeking trouble, I will say thatif you are not the commonest kind of bully and scamp you belie your looks.” Landlord Champ had tutned. at the first words, and he now saw that the two men had come there to invite trouble; but he felt that the Dragoon was able to take care of himself, so he stood quietly, A hush fell upon all at the words of the Dra- goon, and every eye was turned upon Stonefist. They expected to'see him draw his revolver, or attempt to do so; but instead he said: **T jest remarked that I guess you was afeerd ter tackle a man without yer gun, and yer is here among yer friends, whar, if I draws, and we stands no chance,” ‘‘T ask no one to fight my battles, my man, | and-I seek no trouble with you; but if you drive ine to it -f shall have to teach you a lesson,” ‘* Does yer mean with yer fists?” ‘“ Yes, for you are hardly worth the powder and lead to kill you.” ‘* tere, Pard Rattler, hold these weepons,” and giving his belt of arms to his comrade, Stonefist sprung out into the open space, ready for the fray, ‘*T pass this way, sir, stand aside,” said the Dragoon, in a voice that bad no tremor in it. ‘* You are armed, and I hain’t,” ‘*T shall not use uty weapons on you, sir; but if you do not step aside I shall throw you out of my way.” All present nearly had seen what Stonefist could do in the way of a blow, and they did not feel that, strong as he had shown himself, the Dragoon could withstand one of his terrific blows, So they waited with bated breath the result. ‘“ Will you stand aside, sir?” ‘*T will not, aud you take thet !” As he spoke Stonefist Jet drive his powerful right arin, his huge fist doubled up, and his aim was at tne face of the Dragoon. — \ From a hundred lips came a half-cry of alarm, for all expected to see the soldier, go down, But instead, somehow his left arm was on guard, the blow glanced off on it, and then, with a sickening thud the right fist of the Dra- goon went full into the face of the bully. It was a telling, crushing blow, and Stonefist fell like a log and lay where he fell, while the Darling of Destiny, seeming to realize how hard he could hit, passed on his way with Landlord Champ. At the door the landlord turned and said: ‘*Gentlemen, it is decided that we try those two Road Raiders to-night, so the prisoners shell be brought in, and we’ll have you draw lots for jurors, while the Dragoon has asked me to serve as judge,” A cheer greeted these words, and instantly all was attention for the coming trial. CHAPTER XXXVI. GILT-EDGE JUSTICE. TAKING his seat at one of the tables in the sa- loon, Landlord Champ prepared to act as judge of the court. Mr. Conrad had been asked to come and give his testimony, which he wag most willing to do, and he had arrived in time to hear and see what had occurred between Stonefist and the Dra- goon, and he was more amazed than ever at what it was in the power of the Darling of Des- tiny to do. As for Stonefist, Rattler threw water in his face and then gave him some liquor, which re- vived him. He felt of his nose in a melancholy way, and discovered that-that useful member had been sorely dealt with, Then his lips were cut and swollen, his eyes and altogether he felt as though a puoe-driver bad struck him, ‘* Didn't somebody hit me with a stone jug, pard?” he whispered to Rattler. ad No.” ‘«Then [ was hit over the head with a cheer,” ‘* Nar sat ‘What wasit, then?’ ‘ Thet Draygoon’s fist.” 46 No,” *t Haet,” ‘*T threw up my hands and let drive at him, but missed, and then—” ‘*'You missed because his iron arm warded off yer blow, and then his fist struck yer fair in ther face, and oh, my! I thought you c’u’d hit, Stonefist, but yer hain’t got no business with thet man.” ‘“‘T believe yer. Lead or steel is ther only thing as will fix him,” whispered Stonetist, lov- ingly nursing bis nose and lips the while. “Dit be a sight ter see ter-morrer,” ho said, bi | disconsolately, and Rattler agreed with him. The tvo witnesses, Mr. Conrad and the Dra- goon, then took their places to the right of Landlord Champ, nad the prisoners were brought in. Stonefist and Rattler had heard that two of the Road Raiders had been caught, but which two they could not tell, Now they saw their comrades brought in, and a*+is glance they recognized the two men, who were considered the best in the band. But they dared not utter a word in their be- balf,and theyshrunk back that the prisoners might not see them, as Rattler remarked,in a low whisper: ‘(Hf they has ter hang, like.as not they’d give us away, tov.” A hat was then passed around with a number of white faro-chips and twelve red chips iu 1, and the crowd had to draw for them. The twelve men who got the red chips were then called up near the table and given seats, and Landlord Champ opened court. His words were few and to the point. He told how the honest gold, dug by the min- ers, was taken from them by the band of Road Raiders while it was being sent home to their kindred, and that many a poor man had been utterly ruined thereby, Then, when travelers were coming to Gilt Hdge City, they were set upon and robbed by the Road Raiders, who were merciless and mur- derous. The story of the last run over of the stage was then told, and Mr. Conrad was called upon to tell the story of the halting of the coach and all that had occurred. He told his story in a frank manner that al] heard and which added to his growing populay- ity, for he seemed anxious to appear as one of the citizens of Gilt Edge City. Then the Dragoon was asked for his story, and in his easy-mannered way he told it, speak- ing of himself only when he had to do so, and then most modestly, ‘‘ Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the charges against these men, ‘*They belong to the Road Raiders’ band, and I ask you for your verdict. “* You can retire to the dining-room and dis- cuss the matter, if so you wish,” said Landlord Champ. ‘* No need o’ movin’ from whar we is, jedge, fer we is all agreed, thet is sart’in,” assured one. ‘‘Is this the opinion of you all?” Tre twelve men nodded. ‘* And your verdict?” “ Guilty every time,’’said the spokesman. ‘* Well, prisoners, what have you to say for yourselves?” ‘¢ T says thet Cap’n Brass will make it hot fer this camp ef yer harms us,’ said one, ‘‘Ther Road Raiders will avenge us,” the other remarked. ““The jury find you guilty, and I now pass sentence upon you, and it is that within one hour’s time you be taken to the Execution Tree near The Barracks, aud hanged.” The men turned livid, and they were evi- dently deeply affected; but they knew there was n10 hope for them, and tried to face the or- deal boldly. ‘‘ Lordy, Pard Rattler, they is goin’ ter hang: em sart’in,” whispered Stonefist. ‘They is fer sure; but see, thet cussed Dra- goon are risin’ ter talk.” As Stonefist spoke, the Darling of Destiny arose and said: ‘*’'Your Honor, as 1 was the captor of these men, | ask to appoint their executioners,” ‘Tt is granted, certainly,” said Champ. ‘‘ Then I appoint those two stranger's there, that they may understand what Gilt-Edge jus- tice is,” and the Dragoon pointed directly at Rattler and Stonefist. : CHAPTER XXVII. IN A TRAP. It was a startling announcement of the Dar-- ling of Destiny to make the two new men in town, pretended miners, the executioners of the two Road Raiders. From where the prisoners sat they could not see to whom it was that the Dragoon referred, but the eyes of the crowd were turned upon the two strange men, Stonefist had already made himself conspicu - ous by knocking down the champion miner of the camps, and then getting knocked down him-- self by the Dragoon. His comrade was considered equally as good, the crowd thought, when he got a chance to show what he could do. When the Dragoon made the suggestion that he did there were many who felt that he had some good reason for it. Botb Stonefist and Rettler were strangers. They had ridden into town by night, and the next morning had bought a mine in a business- like way. : They had money, and paid liberally for all’ they got. Introducing themselves by the names of Rat- tler and Stonefist, they had at once set them- selves down to have a say in the affairs of Gilt Edge City without being invited to do so or waiting long erough to get acquainted. As they had begun so well, the Dragoon seem- ed to be anxious to push them ahead so proposed what he did as to their being the hangmen for the Road Raiders. The landlord transferred the arrangement of matters at oner Hon nhiitcs of oto} >. , nek ail