Wildcat Bob, the Boss Bruiser — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

, 34 end fallen in love with her; how Pt daige™ No. 6. Wildoat! Bob, theyBoss Bruiser. Wildcat Bob shook his head. He had no de- sire to take the life of a fellow-creature, unless forced to do so in self-defense, and after a few moments’ deliberation, he said: ‘* Lieutenant cbse I have no deadly enmity against you, nor do [ want your life, for all *Aeacae ‘given me a deal of trouble in the I ve but to give the order, and these followers of Carlos de Monterey will shoot you. ButI do not want your life, and will accept your propo- sition. Remember, however, that this is for the last time. Cross my path, ever again, and I will shoot you down like the dog you are. You are now free to go!” A sigh of relief escaped the officer's lips, and he turned on his heel to depart, but Wild Car- los called him back. ** Hold! sir soldier! Your men are in the for- est, under guard. Half an hour hence I wiil withdraw the guard, and you can go and re- lease them. Go!” Lieutenant Perton bowed coldly and hurried ot A pb later ae wae ee ga view, i isappeared in the w at the opposite side of the glade, and then the chieftain turned to Wildcat Bob, extending his hand which the pugilist pe ge again and shook warmly. **God bless you, old boy! You have saved my life again, and I know not how to thank you ‘sufficiently. This makes three times you have come to my rescue—once up in Golden City, once at the Pompeii diggings, and lastly here. How can I ever repay you?” “You repaid me years ago, comrade, when you saved me from being lynched by the Kan- gas vigilants. Carlos de Monterey never for- gets a friend nor forgives an injury. So few are his friends that he knows how to prize one when he proves him true,” There was a thrill of sadness in the outlew’s voice, and he seemed suddenly touched with ri at something. Perhaps it was because he elt separated from the world and his fellow- men—an adieu to their love and sympathies. He was an outlaw! That was enough to bar him out, and prevent his ever having any future association with civilization. But in a moment he cast off the spell, and grew brighter. “By the way,” he said, after they had con- ve a few moments, “T have some bad news for you.” ® then narrated how Thomas Lamonte had bought the Haunted Claim, and had subsequent- ly left the legacy of gold to Iris Wood; how he (bo Monterey) had twice met the aa beauty hrough one o his spies, he had learned that the Bloodhounds ha’ fiendishly murdered old Bill Wood. *‘ And Tris!” exclaimed Wildcat Bob, excit edly—‘‘ where is she? The Bloodhounds did not get her too?” “Ne, thank God. My spy met her in the woods, searching for the family cow, and after he learned about the tragedy at the mill, he brought her to my retreat, where I saw her two hours ago, as I came into ap witi: a fellow I rescued from the quicksand in McVeigh’s swamp. “She is safe and well, then?” ** Perfectly so, Every attention shall be hers while she is my guest. I must beg to keep her, however, for a short time, for I am getting this and that together, and will soon have ma- tured a plan by which I hope to clear away a vail of mystery that overshadows several lives— yo my friend, in particular. Fortune has siaced in my hands a most remarkable series of ge both animate and inanimate, which, when have added a few remaining facts and proof I shall transform into a in rea life, and expose some of the most terrible crimes ever known. I and my men are constantly working to further this aim.” “What! is it possible that you, an utter pag? to my past history, can know aught of pe B h—who I am, ati who were my par- en “* By luck, I'do. Every fow days of late, cirdeeibanone have made me wiser as to the history of several who are to figure in my and ere long much that has hitherto been in the dark will be brought to light. Wrongs will be righ and crimes avenged. Now, nt Rosary I must bid you adieu. I sup- it Oh as intention to return to the Pom- ** Yes, I salt ge back there for a time.” “Good. Should I need you soon to take part in my drama, I will then know where to find Look out for the \Bloodhounds, and take care of yourself.” nig better keep a guard, hereafter, rest assured. But, chief, there is one thing more I'd hola] Mheahd rather thasvont oat tee g to Wood of rete | ve me oe why so? is certainly a very Seta lady, and moreover, is your ‘*Ha! how know yon that?” “She showed me the coin check I ve you patti orl ys udged from that.” ““Humph! Yes, she has to mre long I rescued the girl, in the streets of Den- ver, ois a gang of ro zhs under one Rowdy h, who had attempted to kiss her, She was at the time stopping in the place, and while she was evidently smitten with me I was not less in- fatuated with her. We met severa] times per agreement, and the last meeting we-had, I gave her your coin to remember me by, promising to pay her a call when I came down into this sec- tion, But since that I have found that I do not really, truly love the girl, except as I would love a sister, and, not having the heart to tell her so, I thought it best to let her forget me, if she could. ou see nOW my reasons for not wishing to bring back to her the memory of our meeting.” “ Cortainh . Then you do not lay any claim to her, senor?’ ‘No. Did I love her enough to make her my wife, Ishould consider her a prize among women, But I have met another who has smitten me deeply, and I think this time I am done for.” . A glad light shone in Wild Carlos’ eyes, ** Brother—for you seem a brother to me,” he said, ‘‘ the fair Iris shall not lack for some one to love her. The heart of Carlos de Monterey went out to her on the first meeting, but believ- ing that your affection was centered in the maiden, I forbore speaking of my own love. I think that I can teach her to love me, in time, and then, with her as my wife, the earth cannot contain a happier man. I love her, yet half afraid am I to tell her so, lest she scorn me as an outlaw and a man unfitted to care for a lovely woman. Have I your wishes, senor, for my success?” ‘** Most assuredly, chief. You will make her even a better husband than could I, and she is all that man could desire. Besides, you relieve me of an unpleasant duty, that of telling her that I do not love her enough to make her my wife.” *“Did you ever have any female relatives, chief—a sister or a cousin?” ‘*T have a cousin in one of the Southern States, but that is all. Once there was a beau- tiful girl that I loved almost to idolatry, but she was stolen from my home and murdered, and | since then I have been an outlaw to avenge her death.” ** And have you avenged it?” ‘*Nolalasno! But the day is not far distant when the foul fiend who destroyed my Jessie shall feel the blight of my hand. God granting, he will be one to take a prominent place in Wild Carlos’ Life Drama.” The chief spoke the last words a trifle flercely; | then, once more he wrung the pugilist’s hand, and turned away. This was the signal for the Wildcat to depart, and, taking possession of the weapons that Perton had left behind, he set out afoot toward Pompeii’s gulch, and shortly be- fore noon reached the mining settlement. Things here had assumed their old shape, ‘and | but few were hanging about the two saloons, the greater share being engaged in the gulch be- low, panning and ‘ cradling.” Colonel Tupper was anxious about his “star's” disappearance, but when he saw him enter through the doorway of the *‘ Spread le,” he at once became all smiles Sane Upon inquiry Bob found that M. Leek had been there after Ma Belle, but on the colonel!’s refusal to give her up to him, he had gone away uttering threats against the whole establishment. After making himself as presentable as pos- sible, the bruiser entered the room behind the bar, and found his ch partaking of a late breakfast. She arose on his entrance, however, and greeted him warmly, her pretty face aglow with pleasure at his coming. ‘“*T was id you had forgotten me rites’ OF she said, pointing him toa seat by the table side her; “and really, I think, you must be hungry, for the landlord said you had been ab- sent since last night; so I shall insist upon your breakfasting with me. The establishment gets up a very creditable meal.” Now Bob was as hungry as a bear, and he did not hesitate in accepting the young beauty’s in- vitation; and, accordingly, selves before the re “As if [ could ever forget you!” he said, can- didly, giving her a tender glance that caused the color to fly to her cheeks. ‘I believe I should sooner forget to eat, and that is an im- possibility so long as there is plenty of proven- der to be had for the asking.” “Oh! you are making mort now.” “*T mean what I say. ce seen, you are not so easily forgotten, especially by a person like myself, for instance, upon whom your beauty has taken such a strong hold. 0 love you would be as natural as seeking the sunshine. If Wildcat Bob received just a very sligkt box upon the ears then, he had himself to thank for it. But it seemed to him he could endure seve- ral slappings if they were administered by the soft fair hands of Ma Belle. Her touch thrilled him, and her smile made him forget all else ex- | a t bake that ey ss tuous fellow!” * There at, you presumptuous fellow cried Ma Belle, with one of her as she gave the boxer a loving Blow. * You should know better to me.” 7 th seated them- | mn = eo enpeaalWik, st Brave an’ honer’ble oecks 19 - Sey SEED | “And why not make love to yout You are certainly beautiful enough to love, and enough too. On the whole, no more lovable | woman have I ever had the fortune to meet than your charming self.” | The pugilist’s tone was serious now. He was not much on ‘‘makin’ love,” but he had com- menced now, and meant to go through with it. | Ma Belle flushed and averted her head; but | with the persistency of mankind he caught it | between his two hands, and gently forced her to face him, while he gazed steadfastly into her eyes, as if trying to read the secrets of her heart. She blushed, trembled violently, and tried to disengage herself, but he held her firmly, and continued to gaze into the depths of her clear blue orbs, as if searching for know- ledge hidden there. Gradually a sense of peaceful security came over her, and she ceased struggling. ut she dropped her eyes from his rapt, almost hungry gaze, while a continual wave of carmine blushes Beas over her beautiful face. ‘Mine, mine alone,” he murmured, softly, while he rained passionate kisses on ber lips. Then, suddenly, as if to mock his happiness, arose a voice in the barroom outside. tting Ma Belle aside, he sprung to the door, and the next instant was in the apartment whence came the voice. And he was not mistaken. There stood, in all his repulsive glory, the overgrown | bully—Big Hank! CHAPTER XVIII MAN TO MAN. Yes, there stood the giant chief of the Blood- hounds, in all his glory, armed with a small ar- senal of weapons, and giving vent to his jovial feelings by hopping, skipping, and jumping about the bar-room, while his tongue was not in less motion than his limbs, “Wah hoo! wah hoo!” he roared, doing a somersault with an ease and grace something remarkable. considering his immense avoirdu- pois. “I’m ther great high-cacklin’ cockolorum o’ Kansass; ther dubbel-j’inted, twist-tailed, pol- ished-spurred, thick-combed rooster o’ ther To- peeky hen-roost; ther fam’uss clipped-wi game ginny-hen o’ ther howlin’, yowlin’ wilder- ness; ther historick fightin’ banty shanghigh 9’ ther peeraries. Oh! “*It's ther ehenemien chicken An’ ther shanghigh hen, An’ ther cockolorum robber An’ his shangbigh men; Ther shang— ‘Hello! w'at’s this I parseeve? Ar’ I dream- in’ or ar’ I not, or is this really ther speerit o’ ther’ departed dead?” So cried the bully, as Wildcat Bob issued from behind the bar and confronted him. ‘There are no spirits here, unless they’re ‘ ar- dent speerits,’” ayers the pugilist, grimly. ‘* All thar is 0’ me is flesh an’ bone, and now, | you old elephant, we'll settle the little account that is standing between us.” “Ther ackount?” gasped the giant, quailing under the fire of his adversary’s eye; “ther ,ackount! Why, bless yer little toenail, my verdant: Roslin, ye don’t mean ter intermato | thet me, ther grate egg-speckulatin’ shangh | 0 howlin’, yowlin’ Owes ye anythin’, | do ye?” ** Perhaps you don’t owe me a haga meas | sir, but I have the pleasure of owing youa | debt of gratitude, and this is the précise | tunit crave to wallop you. Do you a | you lumbering elephant? I’m going to baste all you for the attempt you made to make two How will you take ' men out of me, last night. it now—toe, tooth or knuckles; or carver, barker, or arrow?’ “Ye don’t go fer ter cackle thet ye’re on | a fightin’ fit, do ye?’ replied Big Hank, un- _ easily, hitching, as he spoke, out of arm's | ‘“* Ye ain’t agoin’ ter peril yer indervid ty . | by confrontin’ me, ther pane banty o’ ther | golden roost, ar ye? Why, my utive | goslin’, I'd scorn ter tackle so small an ob as ye. No feller with a bit o’ human ty in | his boosum fer ther small an’ ther , ked | harm sich a little insect like ye. Why, you're nothin’ but a pigmy—a slender, tender ‘plant 0’ natur,’an’ I'd no sooner ti 0’ chawin’ up a helpless innercent like ye, than I would © swal- lerin’ ther tail-feathers o' a we ‘You are a coward!” was the contemptuous reply, ‘‘and afraid to fight.” “Afraid? great 0’ Job's turkey! d’ye heer ther banty talk? id to stan’ an’ | fight! Who’n ther name of ther Sulkin’ Sam’ | ever heer ther ekal! Afraid ter fight—me, ther | great high cockolorum o’ ther Te hen- roost—ther cacklin’, scratchin’, diggin’ pullin’, wo tes he-male fowl o° howlin’, yowlin’ Kan- sass. Oh! Latimer! It makes me larf jes’ like an overjoyed shemaline mule, arter he’s been tickled under ther fiftieth rib wi’ a o oats, Young feller, llallow ye're tas — an animile as they bbeda ae : | sum | ac make laugh on t’other side o’ mouth preeesiiy Come come! are yeu » > ce UKs of DO