The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Se Tar < AE eone ys * 18 The Dragoon Detective. Taking the trail that led through the Rock of Ages graveyard, the Dragoon said: ‘© came this way, Miss Conrad, thinking that you would like to sec a mining-camp ceme- tery.” ‘*{ have been anxious to do so; but how can you, with the shadow upon you that those men have brought, care to go through such a place?” ‘* Hivery cloud has a silver lining, it is said, | Miss Conrad, and I do not stay under the shad- owsuntil | have to. ‘‘See, here begins our burying-ground, and you can see thatit is unique, like our people. ‘There is one thing they hasten to do here, and that is to at once put the name of the dead at the head of his grave, that is, the names by which they are known here. ‘There, for instance, you seo that Panther Pete, who forced me to kill him the night of your arrival at The Barracks, already has his nead-board. ‘* Not far off yonder is Tiger Tom, a despera- do whom I was forced to kill. ‘Just read tbe inscription on the head- board, please.” They drew rein, and Kate read aloud: ‘' Here lies ‘“TramR Tom. ‘He tackled ther Darlin’ 0’ Destiny one night, and he tarned up his toes accordin’,”’ The above was a fair specimen of all the in scriptions, and passing a group of graves, four newly made, the Dragoon said: ‘*''nose are the Road Raiders’ graves, Miss Conrad.” * ehe four that were hanged the other night, sir? ‘“Yes; and you see their inscription reads: ‘“¢Roap RAIDERS, *** Died of Rope-Fever. ‘* Wieked men be warned.” Kate Conrad looked into the face of the man who so calmly passed the graves of Panther Pete and Tiger Tom, men he had killed, and of the four Road Raiders he had brought to the gallows, What he felt he did not show, and she won- dered greatly. The heutenant had heard all that had been said, and he, too, gazed upon the Dragoon in a iatian kind of way. Ashort ride further brought them to Fort Folly, and springing to the ground the Dragoon aided Kate to alight. ‘I willsee you again, for surely this charge against youisa mistake?’she said, anxiously, holding out her hand. us Ob yes, I will come again soon for another ride. ‘© Good-night.” He raised his hat, leaped into his saddle, and said: ‘Now, lieutenant, I am at your service.” CHAPTER XXXIV. THE DESWRTER, THE young officer, who commanded the troop of cavalry, seemed a trifle surprised at the free- and-easy manner in which the Dragoon placed himself alongside of him, ag they left Fort Folly, and said: - ¥ Now, sir, we will go to quarters, where you and your men will be cared for and can rest.” ‘“ We have had a long jaunt after you, and we are all tired,” was the reply, ‘“T am sorry if gave you that extra ride up to Fort Folly, for we passed our stopping-place; but you considered it necessary, and so I said nothing.” ‘* And where is it you intend to stop, sir?” ‘At my cabin, for I wish youas my guest, and cen take good care of your men, too,” ** Your cabin?” ‘“'Yes, sir.” ‘* You have a cabin here, then, already?” ea, sin’ ‘I prefer to go to the tavern, and you are to go with me, for the courtesy I showed you awhile ago was on account of your having a lady with you.”’ ‘* You can go to The Barracks, sir, if so you wish, but I go to my home.” ‘*My orders are peremptory, my man, and you must go with me, dead or alive.” ‘‘My dear lieutenant, I told you before that you were mistaken in beg? man, and I asked you to go to my cabin that I might so prove to you. ‘*T am not mistaken, sir; I feel sure,” ‘‘May I ask what deserter you are looking ce You,.’’ ‘* Be careful, lieutenant, for it is never pleas- ant to have to eat one’s words,” _ * Ha! do you threaten?” ‘“‘T wish you would explain, to me, and itis my right, who it is you desire to arrest, for I tell you again you are mistaken in supposing me to be the one you seek,”’ ““T seek, sir, a sergeant of cavalry, one who was respected and trusted by his officers, but who, hating one, took advantage of his having been sent on a special duty bearing dispatches, and by night crept back and shot his superior as he lay in bed. ‘* He was seen, and by several who recognized him, while the traii of his horse showed that he had returned. ‘* A letter coming to him was opened, and it was in answer to one he had written, in which he said he wouid desert the service as soon as he found an opportunity to kill the officer alluded to and escape without detection.” ‘* Did you ever see this sergeant?” oe No. » “‘ Do any of your men know him?” ‘* No, they do not, for our command came to the fort the day after he departed, and I was | | friends were here,” given a description of him and sent in pur- suit. pearance, sir?” ‘*Yes, very closely, and: more, it was said | that he wore awaya cavalry sergeant’s uni- form, while he belonged to the infantry, and had had made an officer’s undress uniform with- out mark of rank, such as you wear,” ‘‘Ah! was the name of this sergeant Ross Duncan?” ‘‘ Yes, he formerly belonged to the cavalry.” ‘* And his dispatches were addressed to Cap- tain Alfred Taylor, scouting?” ‘* Yos, sir, and as we came along I made in- quiries, as r could, and was told there was such aman stopping at Gilt Hdge City,so, meeting you, and seeing also the horxe you ride, which is also minutely described in my orders, I felt that we had found our man.” ‘* This horse is tae one the sergeant rode away from the fort, sir, and [ will tell yon that the dispatches he carried were safely delivered to Captain Taylor.” ‘* Who delivered them?” CF did}? “You!” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘* And you are not the Sergeant Deserter?” ‘‘ Just ride with me up this trail to the bury- ing-pround yonder and | will answer your ques- tion, sir.” The Dragoon turned into the trail leading to the Rock of Ages and drew rein near a new- made grave. It was growing twilight, but the officer and his men read on the white head-bosrd, painted in blaclc letters: “To THE Mrmory of ROSS DUNCAN, A Sergeant in the U.S Army. ‘Killed May 2d, 18—, while in the discharge of his duty.” ‘What does this mean?’ asked the mystified lieutenant. ‘16 means that the man you seek lies there,” “Dead?” ‘¢ Certainly, or he would not be in his grave.” “ You have proof of this, sur?” ‘‘Tieutenant, accept iny otfer o2 hospitality for yourself and men, and I will give you all the proof you. wish, while, as we ride toward my home I will tell you how the sergeant lost his life.” ‘*! am mystified, sir, but somehow I am in- clined to accept your invitation.” ‘fam glad to hear you say so, and we will press forward at a gallop. ’ Arriving at the cabin, Bad) Luck was there to show the men where to put their horses, while tne Dragoon called out: ; ‘¢ Hannibal, we want the best supper you can get for us, and L have seven guests with me.” Hannibal flew around lively, while the Dra- goon led the officer into his quarters, saying as he did so: ‘| have not the honor of your name, sir.”’ ‘“My name is Henry Ames, sir, and I am a first lieutenant of the —th cavalry.” ‘© And, heutenant, if you will glance at these apers, you will see that I am entitled to be- iet,” He placed some official-looking papers in the hands of Lieutenant Ames as he spoke, and with one look at them, he cried: ‘‘My dear sir, | humbly beg your pardon, and—” ‘‘Do not refer to it, sir, for appearances were against me; but kindly remember I am not to be known to others than yourself, for—” ‘“‘T understand, sir, and I will be careful; but I am really delighted to know you, and beg again your forgiveness for my treatment of ou.” ‘It is granted, bus here comes your men,” and turning to them the Dragoon said: ‘‘ Men, your commander has found out that I am not the deserter sergeant aiter all; but make yourselves at home, and we will soonhave supper.” “And such a supper as Hannibal set before them the soldiers did not forget for many a day, for rank was set aside, and the men were invited to sit down with the Dragoon and their lieutenant. *. ‘‘And your description tailies with my ap- Worn out with fatigue, they all retired early, and the next morning Lieutenant Ames started upon hisreturu tu report how the deserter had met his deatb. Srey had the troopers ridden away when Ribbon Rob put in an appearance. His face wore an expression that caused the Dragoon to see that he had something to tell. ‘*T got in yesterday, Pard Dragoon, and w’u'd hev come over last night, but heerd how yer hed soldier comp’ny, and the bers do say you isa general in disguise; but I has suthin’ ter tell er,” ‘tT believe you are in Jove, Rob.” ‘‘Pard, (m gittin’ thar pow’tu’ suddint, fer ' thet leetle petticoat critter, Pink, hes got an aw ful winnin’ way about her, “JT went thar Jast night whep T found your ‘* And enjoyed yourself, too, Pl warrant.” “Yas, os much as I kin jist now; but I am ' down in ther mouth,” ‘* W hat is the matter, Rob?” ‘© Pana, fool.” “‘ Half the world suffer from the same com- plaint, Rob.” ‘But tkar hain’t a bigger fool than me born.” ‘‘ Why, what is the matter, Rob, for yor veal- ly seem worried.” ‘*Pard, I are worried.” “* But what about?” *1Cx use I is a fool,’ The Dragoon laughed, and Ribbon Rob went on to say: ‘““Now I hada passenger in thet old hearse yesterday thet I thought were so green ther cows w’a’d chase him. ‘“‘Tfelt sorry fer ther young pilgrim, and I told him he’d ’a’ better stayed at home. ‘‘Then I told him stories of ther road and Gilt Edge City ontil his hair seemed ter git like hog-bristles, “At last be said he hed ter go back, w’u’d walk, and was ina hurry ter start, and we was drawin’ nigh whar you roped in ther two Road Raiders then. \ ‘“ Waal, cap’n, he got thet skeert, as he looked, thet 1 felt sorry fer him and let bim take one 0’ my guns, ‘“ Quick as a flash he tuk t?other one from my belt, covered me with it, and jist told me he were lieutenant o’ ther Road Raiders, and asked me ter give up @ thousand dollars I had ter pay ther men off at this end of the line. “‘T gave it to him, and be wished me good- day, left my revolvers on a rock and walked off, serene as a parrot. “Now, bain’t | a fool? The Dragoon laughed heartily at Rob’s story and manner, and then told him every one was liable to be taken in, while he continued; ‘Now, Rob, I know you have only a few hun- dred dollara saved up, so let me lend you the thousand, and you can pay it back at your leisure,” * Pard, you'll be an Angel Dragoon in heaven some day,” and be grasped the hand of the Dar- ling of Destiny, who gave him the woney and then sid: ‘“ Lam sorry you will not be here on Sunday, Ribbon Rob,” ‘Why xo, pard?? “Do you know two men known as Bowie Bill and Bruiser Bill?” ‘“T does, and you jist go slow with em, Purd Dragoon, for they is vicious as a Government mule and treacherous us snakes, while they has ther narve ter back ’em up.” ‘* Well, they have taken possession of an old miner’s cabin in bis absence, and I intend they shall give it up.” ‘Then thar will be music on Sunday, sartin,” was Ribbon Rob’s energetic remark, CHAPTER XXXV. TWO OF A KIND. SunpDAY in Gilt Hdge City was not ushered in by the ringing of Church-bels, as the reader can well imagine, As it was a day of rest, the miners were care- ful to be deserving of rest, and many of them carouxed until dawn, knowing that they could sleep away the hours, There was no church in Gilt Edge City, be-~ cause there was no parson. Hid there been, the citizens would have been chariued, for then they would have had some- body to bury their dead, 2 What he lacked in marriages he could bave- made up in funerals, and he would bave had. little time for other parochial duties, Had he preached, be would have always had a crowded ‘‘ audience,” and he would have been respected, too. There were no schools, because there were no children; no marriages had occurred, for there bacl been none of the gentler sex there, with the exception of a few women on the shady side of forty, until Mr. Conrad’s family arrived, Having seen Kate Conrad, and also, Pink, overy young miner in the camps spruced him- self up for Sunday, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and give them a glimpse of them- selves, CconmicDdoo <S