The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

Doll engaged at a game of cards with Mr, Ver- oe 4 Cr. Sauntering around, the Sport finally suceeed- ed in gaining a‘ position immediately in the _ age might not be aware of his presence. The game was poker, and Doll won, and as | the pot was for a hundred dollars a side, Verner | naturally felt not a little chagrined. : “You are very lucky, young woman,” he de- elared, sotrly. “If you have sufficient assnr- ance, we will male it five hundred for one game venge|!” “That is satisfactory to me,” Doll replied, calmly, and with the declaration sheproduced a roll of bills, and counted out the sum named. Verner did the same, although he had the smaller roll of bills of the two. The game was then played, and the winner was the Detective Queen, who pocketed the stakes with a sang froid that was inimitable. Verner took this loss more quietly than he bad the first, but there was an ugly glitter in his eyes that became as wicked as that of a corraled rattlesnake when he beheld the quiet smile of | the Sport, who stood just behind his chair, “Very g00d; you have won, and won honest- ly!” he said, ‘Your success, however, was abetted by the signals of the individual behind | me, Charles Kisler, gelvane a sneak and a spy, | and I challenge you here before all, to meet me in mortal combat—a battle of life or death be- | tween us.” Yankee was somewhat surprised, for he had fancied that his presence in the rear of the speculator was not known to him. “Tf you really challenge, I accept,” the Sport answered, calmly. ,‘*‘ What weapons do you nominate, Lord Vanity?’ “The Ghoice, I believe, according to the code of honor, should be left to you,” Verner replied, with intense bitterness of tone. “Then I will take advantage of that right,” ‘Yankee said, grimly. ‘‘Each man shall strip to the waist, and the weapons’shall be salt and | Pepper, at three yards, propelled from suitable shot-guns. One gun shall be loaded with pow- der, in addition to the salt and pepper, but the other shall not be, We will draw sticks to see who has the shot with the salted gun. No mat- ter who wins, he must stand up and level his weapon in duelistic fashion, and accept of the general-results. Is this agreeableto you?” Verner could not very well say no. He had proposed the due! himself, and that by Bee. the code gave Yankee the chuice of arms; so he stiffly inclined his head in acqniescence, | ‘“Willsome kindly disposed person lend us a _ couple ot shot-guns!” Yankee asked, looking over | the crowd, : | _A handsome ud of muzzle-loading fowling- pieces were tendered, and after being examined, _ Were accepted by the Sport, . A ‘Now the next thing we want ig an honestand | reHable man to load one of these Weapons, as di- | ected,” 5 f ls “Pray allow me the honor of #cting for this duel!” cried Jones, raepiae. up. “I bave fought | and won more than fifty duels myelf, and being ___ the favoritereporter for the Caveriin’ Cyclone, | _ rear of the speculaior, in order that that person- | —just one game, you know—no calling for re-- pes y | ean do honor to the occasion. Jonesismyname — —Chawles Pygmalion Jones, of the Cavortin’ — Oyclone.” **Guess not, Jonesy. I reckon I'll act in thie matter, if ther old court is aware of herself,” Denver Doll cried, arising from the table. “ vi gee that the mill is conducted in square shape! Load it with salt and pepper, did you say, pard?” and she took the guns, “Yes; give the one weapon a goud dose, and now, while you're at it, we will retire to the out- side and arrange things.” x ‘* Pll fix the weapon all right, never fear,” Denver Doll said, as Yankee Jed the way, and the crowd followed him out of the room, Procuring the necessaries from the bartender she retired to one corner of the room, where she ceeded to load one of the shot-guns as she ad been directed, leaving the other leaning agninst the wall until she should be ready to take them both from the calcon. : As soon as she had it loaded she left the sa- oon, Out in the main street of the town the motley crowd was congregated teneath the rays of the moon, which lit up the secene with mellow radi- ance, The distance had already been measured off, and the antagonists were ready und in position, Denver Doll paused midway between them, and looked from cne to tba other, at tbe same time holding up a coin between the thumb and forefinger of ber right hand. “ Mr, Verner,” she said, ‘' yov have the choice of choosing lots in this affair, Wh*ch shall it be—hends or tails?” ‘- Heads up!” Verner cried, The girl tossed the coin into the sir, and it fell upon the hard-pan bottom of the street with asharp ring, Verner and Yankee advanced) and peered down at it. “Tails up!” Doll cried. ‘ Yankee, the salt and pepper gun is yours. Take your position; all ready, you spectators on the sides, for this . hyat’s got to be a sled thing!” Verner received his weapon with an oath— tbe oath, more particularly, when he gazed around him and perceived that there was no hope for him to avoid the ordeal. ankee received his weapon, an expression of triumph upon his face, “ Get to your places!” Doll cried. “Mr. Ver- ner, your gun is loaded with a blank dose of et 2 so that can do your antagonist no harm, ou must fire, nevertheless, at the given signal. Are you ready, gents?” “ Ay!” spoke up Yankee, raising his gum. * All ready!’ Verner growled, evidently not relishing the dose in store for bim. “Correct!” the Detective Queen declared. “Fire at the word three, One! Two! Three} Fire ] They did-fire, each volley being discharged almost simultaneously, The result, cansed a murmur of astovishment among the line of spectators, ee Verner was dancing about frantically, rnb- bing his chest and face; and bowling with agony—for if none of you readers have ever “* been thar,” let me remark that a volley of sal¥