 1. Too late for the stage. 2. Death notch. Did you ever hear of a more uninviting name for a place, dear reader? If so, you could not well find a harder role. We're dwelt humanity than death notch, along the whole golden slope of the West. It was said that nobody but rascals and rough could exist in that lone mining camp, which was confirmed by the fact that it was seldom for weekly stage brought anyone there who had come to settle. Even the government officials cognizant of the lawlessness within the border of death notch hesitated to interfere because of the desperate character of the residents hardest of the hard. The town lay in a sort of mountain surrounded basin, on the route from Paiachi, Nevada, to Helena, Montana, and had formerly been an Indian camp, until a well-heeled but notorious young gamble named Paiute Dave had come along and driven the Reds away, as he was able to do, having backing of some 40 Ruffians of his own stamp. Near being but a comparative handful of the Reds, they had been scattered when Paiute Dave and his gang went to prospecting and in a short time discovered paying dirt, since that the population had gradually increased to 150 people, nearly all of the Ruffian type and all under the order of the man, Paiute Dave, who ruled as king over the others. In the days when the Indians had held possession, the town had been called Sokwo, afterward it had been named Golden Eagle, until a few months passed when by vote it had been rechristened Death Notch. Of course there was a reason for this, a reason both peculiar and striking. When the Indians had been driven forth, their chief Red Hatchet had declared vengeance upon the Paleface II intruders and cursed the town, vowing to kill off every Paleface who should enter it and to mark each death by a notch upon the council pole. This pole was tall young pine that grow just as the edge of the town and around which it had been the custom of the tribe to hold council, nor had the chief lied. For several years he and the member of his tribe had waged upon the usurpers and the score or more had bit the dust and a notch upon the council tree had recorded each stroke of vengeance. As Paiute Dave constantly added new roughs to his game, the Indians also gradually diminished until no more Death Notches had appeared upon the tree. This state of affairs had continued until about three weeks before our story opens when a placard had been found tacked to the council tree bearing the following message. Beware, Red Hatchet is not yet gone the way of his forefather but lives to wreck vengeance upon the town of Death Notch. In the interval of silence he has only been recruiting his fury, Red Hatchet. With the name Death Notch, Paiute Dave seemed strangely impressed and at once ordered that the town of Golden Eagle be henceforth known as Death Notch. Death Notch gloried in one important fact. It was the midway stage station between Helena and Paiute and the terminus of two stage lines. All traffic from Paiute to Helena or vice versa had to be transferred at Death Notch from one stage or freight line to another. As a result the arrivals and departure of stages being very irregular. It was a thing for passengers or freight to be laid off at Death Notch for a number of days. It was a delay that very few relished who knew the bad repute of the place but there was no help for it except for passengers to go on a foot through a bowling wilderness. The Wednesday stage of the second week of September wheeled down into Death Notch about noon from the mount in trail and drew up before the poker house. The noisy rumble for the poker house was the only hostility afforded transient patronage at Death Notch. Change keys for Helena yelled out Buck Piper, the driver and then he threw the ribbons to one of the several bleary eyed looking pilgrims who were standing in front of the tavern sunning themselves and made for the liquor department to moisten his throat leaving his fares to take care of themselves. There were but two passengers today and they at once disembarked from the stage upon the plank wall in front of the poker house. They were widely at contrast in appearance though evidently travelling companions the one being a pretty young lady while the other was a long gourd loosely constructed coloured man of the darkest ray serene. The young lady evidently was not over 17 or 18 years of age but was the possessor of a fine figure and prettily chiseled features set off by starry black eyes and wavy brown hair. She was tied with a long Ulster Duster over her dress a silk scarf about her throat and a veiled hat upon her head and was by all odds the trimmest little craft that had anchored in Death Notch in many a day. The darky was a very stable individual with the genuine negro physique from the thick lip mouth of huge dimensions to the rolling ludicrous eyes and light curling hair. His feet too were of extraordinary size while the rest of his person seemed hastily constructed and loose pointed in the extreme. He was a tired in white legged played pantaloons too short at the waist and feet by half a foot a white vest and white shirt with wide cuffs and collar a swallow tailed coat cut tight at the waist and a white silk hat somewhat the worst for bad usage. In his hand he carried a bag containing an instrument shaped very much like a banjo. The young lady earned a small handset tool. On leaving the stagecoach the strangely contrasted pair paused a moment as if in doubt which way to go and the young lady turned to one of the low-browed feminist-looking pilgrims lounging on a bench before the tavern. Can you tell me, sir, how long before the stage will leave for Helena? She asked in a pleasant voice. No mum, I reckon not, the address part he said because how I don't know. There comes Hank Shakespeare the poet however maybe he can put you on to what you want to know. And he indicated a tall, raw-boned individual who was approaching a man who looked as though he might be the possessor of a great deal of brute strength and dog courage especially the latter, for he was swarthy and ugly of countenance wearing a stubble of beard and long matted hair while his brows were shaggy and his eyes evil and bloodshot. He was attired in stoggy boots, dirty patched overalls and overshirt abattered, shapeless plug hat minus the rim while in a belt about his waist he wore four large size revolvers and a bowie. Anything but a poet looked the big bullwacker and the young lady was discussing no doubt this when he came up and paused to take a survey of her the coon. Hello, a nigger and a gull, eh? Well, let's all shout and rejoice. We hear a female's voice. How'd he do, man? Going to settle here? We're just needing a woman in this here camp because how, you see, when their boys want to go courting they've got to court one another. No, I'm going to settle here. The young woman replied quite promptly. I wish to find out what time the stage leaves for Helena. Helena, why, bless your man. Their next stage won't go for a week. I allow, because how she started six hours ago. No stage for next Wednesday, sure. An exclamation of disappointment. Excaped the young lady. Oh, that is too bad. I wouldn't have missed reaching Helena for a good deal. Is there no way I can overtake the stage, sir? Reckon not, miss, unless you hoof it. An eye of pioneer wouldn't catch it, then. If your feet was as large as their niggers I reckon you might do it for. Endexter could not compete with that fragrant coon's feet and stand in a show of winning their heat. No, mum, I allow your best hold. Is to stop right here, in death notch, till next stage. I cannot afford to. It seems I must reach Helena one way or another. Cannot we hire saddle horses or purchase them, even in order that we may overtake the stage? Neria boss, their only thing with four legs, said Piper's team, is a pair of oxen. At this juncture, the thirsty Piper appeared upon the scene, wiping his mouth from a recent lubrication in the shape of a bootleaf. Oh, sir, cannot I prevail upon you to take us on until we overtake the Helena stage? The girl said, turning to him, appealingly. We have an engagement to fulfil and must be in Helena by Saturday night or throw it up. Sorry, mum, but my route don't go no further than here and I can't accommodate you. The worthy Piper piped, taking a chew of tobacco. But I will pay you for it. I'll give you dollars if you will put us on board the Helena stage. Couldn't take me with a hundred dollars, mum, for I ain't in Neederton. You can get accommodations, poker jacks ranch, till next week, and I allow of your kin. Flip their boards right perty, without hiding their ace up your sleeve. Their boys won't let you get lonesome. I don't thank you for your assurance, sir, was the haughty reply. Come, Nick, let's see if we can get a room. And they entered the office, which also served the purpose of bar and gambling room. A score or more of ruffian-looking fellows were lounging about, but one among the lot, more professing than the rest, arose and came forward as the two travellers entered. He was dressed in white woolen garments with white shirt and collar, slippers upon his feet, and a round red smoking cap upon his head. In form he was a graceful build, while he was not bad-looking in face, except for a habitual wicker glitter of his black eyes, and a faint cynical expression which lurked under his graceful mustache. Excuse me, but did you wish to see me? He said, unapproaching. If you are the proprietor, yes, sir, the girl replied, a little timidly. Yes, if you be the boss, we'd go into taxia. Have you proper accommodations for two fast-class gusts? The darkie put in, with a considerable amount of erinus. No, no, not gust, you mean guest. Nick, the girl interrupted. Yes, guest, that's it. Without perpetual pre-contemplation, I accidentally absented one bail from the syllable. You see, boss, as the stage done went off and left us, we wanted to engage apartments and superlative substance. We're on to subsist for several days, henceforth, until the next vehicle, deep purring goats, dis you away. Ah, yes, I understand. You wish first-class accommodations, which I can furnish. My name is Poker Jack at your service, and if you will register, I will show you to a couple of rooms. They accordingly went to a desk and registered their names in a book, kept for that purpose, The Darkie As, Nicodemus Johnson, Star Comedian, The Young Lady As, Nisfergy Verna of New York. Then Poker Jack escorted them to a suite of rudely furnished rooms upstairs, just over the large bar and gambling room. If you would be so kind, we would prefer our meals sent to our rooms. Nisferna said, As you like, Miss, have you any baggage? My baggage will be along on the freight wagon, sir. Then Poker Jack bowed himself out. After he had gone, the girl called in The Darkie from their joining room. Nic, she said, We shall have trouble in his place. Mark my word. All our men here, and the most evil, rid-pulsive looking lot I ever came across. Expect your right, Miss Fergie, but you've just bet your lot they doesn't want to come fooling around this child. Or I'll carve them up bad. I'll summon her half when I see mad. But, allowing that we are both brave, what could we do against such overwhelming odds? Should they offer to harm us? Oh, why did we venture here? We shall surely be followed by the human bloodhound, my enemy, and God only knows what evil he can do in this place. Where the people look paypable of any terrible crime. Oh, I am so tired, so weary of this hunted life. The freight wagon arrived soon after the stage, and unloaded two trunks in front of the poker house. Upon the end of one was pasted part of a theatre bill, which read, Miss Fergie Verner, the charming vocalist and musician. On the other trunk was the other part of the proclaiming reading. Nicodemus Johnson, vanjoist and dancer. A crowd of bystanders stood, read and pondered over these little announcements. Hank Shakespeare, among the rest. Yes, sirree, Bob-Tale Hoth, by-zims appear, a show-people. Going to Helena, and they reckon they can slight us cutters here, at death-notch, by not having their circuses here. But they can't not forget Jim. I tell you what, I purposefully trot him down into the bar room, opaque a Jack's crib, to-night, and make him give us a show, as well as their fellas at Helena. What do you say? Bulldog Ben barks yes, a little disgusting, looking ruffian-cried, and the whole gang chimed in assent. Therefore, it was as good as settled, that something was to occur. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Deadwood Dick This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings from the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lizzie Driver Deadwood Dick's Doom, or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure, by Edward L. Wheeler. Chapter 2 A Compact With The Devil's Own About sunset of that same day, in a lonely gulch leading off from death-notch, a young girl was wandering along with a basket upon her arm, now and then plucking a wild flower, and singing the while, in spirit with the merry birds that war-walled among the branches of the trees around her. She was at a glance an Indian, but light a complexion and an average of her nation, betraying a mixture of white blood in her veins. Attired in the picturesque garb of an Indian princess, she looked decidedly pretty, with her dusky skin, her eyes of midnight colour, and long-sweeping wealth of wavy raven hair, which fell back below her waist. In keeping with the wild seen around her was she, and yet happy and free in care as the merry little chipmunk that darted across her path, and disappeared in the shrubbery. Pretty mountain doves are cooing, sturdy robins garner wooing, wonder what all birds are doing, so happy all they seem. She sung as she stopped to pluck a pretty blossom from its stalk. And by the way, little bird, suppose you tell us what you are doing? A voice exclaimed, and the owner, a tall, well-dressed man of pre-possessing countenance, and the owner of a monstrous moustache, stepped from a clump of bushes where he had hithero being concealed. The Indian girl started violently at the sight of him, and would have run away, but he stepped quickly forward and seized her by the arm. Hold on, pretty bird, don't be scared, I will not harm you. He said, laughingly, I simply want to have a talk with you. No, no, Siska does not know pale-faced man, he must let her go. But I can't do that just yet. Come to this log and sit down and answer some questions which I shall ask you, and then I will let you go. And, still retaining a hold of her hand and arm, he forced her to a seat upon a fallen tree close by. There! He said, when they were both seated, now we are all prepared for a nice little chat. The girl did not reply. She was evidently greatly frightened, for she was trembling like a leaf. The stranger noted the fact. Don't be afraid, my girl. He repeated, I will not hurt you. Now, to begin with, I want you to tell me how far it is from here to a place called Death-Notch. A couple of miles or so. Ah, so near! Well, I'm in luck. Now, what is your name? Siska, sir. Please, let me go. Red Hatchet would be very angry if he knew I spoke to a pale face. Oh, he would, eh? So, he's one of those rabid old bucks who is dead set on the white race? Red Hatchet is a great warrior, and his anger is to be feared. Well, then, when you see him next, tell him to slice me a chunk of it, weighing about half a pound. And send it down to Death-Notch. Now, Siska, you seem to be a pretty nice girl. How would you like to go along with me to Death-Notch, and keep a house for me in a snug little ten by twenty? No, no. Siska not like it. She must return to the wigwam of her father. Oh, don't be in a hurry. I'll give you a lot of gold rings and other trinkets if you will go with me, and plenty of money. No, no. The girl repeated impatiently. Siska not like pale face. No go with pale face. Let the Indian girl loose so that she can return to her father's lodge. Well, then you must give me a kiss, my bird of the wilderness, and you can go. No, no. Siska not kiss pale face. She answered, struggling to release herself. Pale face bad man, and red hatchet be angry at him. That don't matter to me. A kiss I'm going to have before you go, or my name's not Carol Karna. So pucker up those pretty lips, my beauty, and submit to the inevitable. No, no. Help, help!" She screamed, struggling so violently that he found it impossible to accomplish his design. Curse you. You are as strong as a young bear. He gritted savagely. Ah-ha! I have you now, though, and now for my kiss. Not by a jugful stranger. A stern voice cried, accompanied by rapidly approaching footsteps. And the next instant Carol Karna found himself lying at full length upon the ground, while over him stood a handsome fellow in sportish dress. Valiant deadwood dick. Ha-ha! He laughed sarcastically. What a figure you cut now, don't you, my presuming pilgrim. You reckoned you had this little girl dead to rights, didn't you, you infernal skunk? Because she was alone and unprotected. But you see, all signs fail when the wind blows me down. The devil take you. Carol Karna cried, arising to a sitting posture and rubbing his cheek with the imprint of deadwood dick. Snuckles were yet to be seen. Who are you that you have this audacity? A cuss from Custer. A bulldog from Bozeman. A diabolical devil from deadwood. Dick replied, dryly, I don't carry any visiting cards as I generally have a sheriff or marshal after me who carries them and posts them up in every convenient place. Viz. Five hundred dollars reward for the capture of the notorious outlaw deadwood dick. Dead or alive. Seen any of them gentle as reminders up in this section? If I had, I should use my own judgment about imparting the information to you. Carol growled, arising to a standing position. I want to know what business you had to strike me. The business of being a consolidated protective association for the protection of widders and orphans and weak humans generally. I found you an unscrupulous name. Attempting to kiss this girl against her will. And I very naturally lost control of my pugilistic members to that extent that you immediately let her alone and set down. You shall answer for the insult, sir. I am going to death-notch. If you take pains to come there also, I'll punish you severely. Correct. Deadwood dick assented with a taunting bow. You may look for me to-night, senator. Be kind. Be kind enough to pedestrianize hence most perceptibly now, will you, as your presence is doubtless very disagreeable to this young lady. Yes, I'll go. But remember, you shall yet repent your insult to me." Karner replied fiercely. For fear I may forget the admonition, perhaps I'd best write it down in my diary. Was the sports parting shot, as the stranger turned and stalked down the gulch? When he had gone from view Dick turned to the Indian girl who stood a few paces away regarding him was surprised in her big black eyes. There, miss, I've banished the snake and you need have no fear of his harming you," he said gallantly. Like always let's me happen along to lay out such reptiles as he. Paleface brave, very good. And Siska is grateful to him for driving off the bad paleface The girl replied, her eyes lighting up wonderfully. Red Hatchet be very glad when Siska tells him. Ah! so you are the daughter of the stern-handed chief, Red Hatchet, are you? I am. What does Deadwood Dick know of Red Hatchet? Oh! so you infer that I am Deadwood Dick, eh? You are sharp. I heard the history of Red Hatchet before I came this way. I allowed Deathnotch is a pretty tough town. Its lodges are filled with bad men and Red Hatchet has placed a curse upon their heads and all who enter the town to stay. Surely you are not going there? Well, I reckon so. Thought I'd drop down that way see if anyone was in trouble and if so help him out. Then let Siska give you a token to always shield you from the vengeance of Red Hatchet or his agents. And she took a large twin star from her pocket with a ribbon attached it and pinned it to Dick's vest. Then turning she waved a hand at him and darted into the forest with the speed of a young antelope. Far up the mountainside not noticeable from Deathnotch yet from where the town was plainly visible nestling in the basin was a great projecting crag the top of which was a plateau is level as a floor from the outer edge of the crag to the yawning abyss among the mountains was a sheer descent of mayhap five hundred feet Deathnotch was not at the foot of the mountains from which the crag projected a low range of hills intervening but was plainly visible from the plateau with the naked eye being over a mile distant on a beeline seated upon a camp-stool on this plateau on the afternoon of the day which opens our story engaged in a survey of the town through a powerful field-glass was an old Indian of bent form and wrinkled features the wreck of a once great warrior now almost in his second childhood from old age this was the father of the girl Cisca Red Hatchet for hours he had sat there and studied the town through his glass the varying expressions of his countenance and the glitter of his dark baleful eyes that a revengeful spirit yet rankled in his breast the stage brings two newcomer he matted in good English proving that he was not untutored like many of his race one is a young pale-faced squore the other a son of the south I wonder what brings them it cannot be that they know of the curse that rests upon the place and all who enter it then for a long time the outcast chief was silent but watchful until a man sorted along down the street whom he recognized through the glass though to the naked eye the man looked but a pygmy from the cliff that is peyote Dave Devil pale-face the chief gritted fiercely Red Hatchet hates him more than all the rest and yet he lives and enjoys Red Hatchet's possessions heedless of warnings of death and destruction he knows Red Hatchet is too old and feeble to take the war-path therefore he defies me but he shall die they all shall die for Red Hatchet has sworn to add new notches to the council pole records of the death of those who drove him and his tribe forth from Sequoy even if he has to hire it done oh how Red Hatchet hates yonder settlement of pale faces and why this hatred red man why this desire to exterminate the people in yonder town a voice asked so near to the old chief that he turned with the startled growl and beheld not what might have been correctly termed a man but more appropriately a human wild beast for it had all the appearance of a wild animal with the dwarfed shape of man the face was entirely covered with hair the head was hatless the dwarfed hump-backed figure was clad in ragged dirty garments the nails upon the fingers were long and like the talons of some wild bird in the eyes there burnt a wild and natural fire and the hair upon the head stood in all directions making the head appear double its real size Red Hatchet gave vent to a startled grunt at sight of this strange being indeed, who wouldn't for it was not an object calculated to inspire anyone with the bravest feelings oh devil the chief uttered for that was the nearest thing he could compare the intruder to yes devil the hairy being replied old scavenger the devil avenger the devil dwarf but the red chief need not fear scavenger harms none but the treacherous whites those of his own blood and colour the red chief also hates the pale faces oh yes, hate him because they drove the red man from his village yonder I understand I understand old scavenger assented they have wronged me too and I madly hate him all I have registered an oath to spare none to cut out the hearts of every white devil I meet ha ha they thought when they all united to strike me a last blow that it would kill me but it only hardened my heart against him did the red hatchet ever see the heart of a pale face and as he spoke the demon dwarf drew from his hunting sack a bloody withered piece of human flesh a human heart indeed and held it aloft with a demonic peel of laughter that is the heart of the false woman who wedded me for my gold and deserted me in my kit when she had secured it oh ho but I hunted her down to death though and after they had buried her thinking to cheat me out of my vengeance I dug her up and secured my trophy haha the dwarf's enough for him the dwarf's enough for him red hatchet's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm dwarf big heat brave he said red hatchet wants great brave but his limbs no longer strong for warpath he can only meditate vengeance upon his enemies instead of performing it red hatchet should get old scavenger to strike for him when he strikes he strikes to avenge red hatchet has no gold or he would readily pay the dwarf avenger to add notches to his council pole and yonder town haha it is not money I want I have gold in plenty but I saw a jewel belonging to red hatchet that I would wade through fire or blood to possess I depopulate yonder town until not a paleface dog remained to usurp red hatchet's rights if the devil dwarf will do this red hatchet will give him his daughter if it is to her the paleface refers to her and none other swear to give the girl to me to do with as I please and I will agree that for every person now in yonder town a deathknot shall be made red hatchet agrees when he can counter the deathnotches of all his sworn enemies and is free to go back to his once pretty village he will deliver syska to the devil dwarf to do with as he pleases then call the girl we will tap a vein in her arm and seal this compact with the draft of her blood the avenger said and an hour later the act was carried out to the letter deathknot was doomed deathknot was doomed the stranger sings Hank Shakespeare was one of the ruling spirits of deathknotch in as much as he was the bully all over and always ripe for a quarrel or a spree one by one he had worsted each of the residents of the town down to the captain Paiute Dave in a fair and square fight and that fact had by no means lessened his esteem of his own prowess so that he was never backward about waltzing right into a quarrel his word next to that of Paiute Dave was regarded as law and the majority of the ruffs would have followed him in case of a split rather than the captain who was of even or worse disposition than his bulldog companion for he was ever too ready to draw a weapon and shoot down a fellow at little or no offence therefore when Shakespeare proposed to have a concert from the newly arrived songsters no one offered to mirror their act bemused to arouse the ire of the burly bullwacker was to give the signal for a fight from the word go therefore after supper a gang headed by the festive Shakespeare who had imbibed more bootlegs than was good for a cute locomotion made a precipitate descent into the poker house and ordered the drinks while the poet with his smile in hand mounted the deal-table nearest the bar and addressed the uncouth assemblage around him fellow citizens noble representatives of the moral town of death-notch it becomes my duty to rise in front of you like a bellow and buffalo bull to make an announcement I, my noble guzzlers I have a great bit of news for you we're on the eve of a great event we have in our midst a human phenomenon as Shakespeare senior said a maiden fair with voice like a dreamer she sings and she plays she's a regular screamer yes, you long-eared pilgrims your humble servant just made the discovery that Sarah Bernhardt Nielsen the famous singer is here in death-notch she who has appeared for all their crowned heads of Europe and Ethiopia and what do you think my noble councilmen and taxpayers what do you surmise this distinguished singist proposes to do why, thunderation, sirs she calculates to give our critical city a death-notch, the death-shake and not open her vocal bugle assured a hell in her now then my prickly pears of the desert I rise to promulgate the extemporaneous question are we to be snubbed like this are we to be cheated out of here in their singist vocalise in our own aristocratic sphere I say no in clarion notes I scream nay some immortal poet in past ages has said very skiantiffially it pleases mortal man to feast music alone to soothe their savage beast and hers the very beast as requires music to anoint the ragged volcano-edge of his erupted bosom what do you ray glutes we invite their gal to favour us with some of her first-class tunes a cheer was the answer the idea was favoured by all that rough assemblage then will I foch forth their great warbler from a conservatory the bull-whacker cried and leaping on the table and drawing a pair of revolvers he left the room up the stairs two at a time he went and rapped at the door of miss verner's room preemptorily the young woman opened it in great surprise her face paling as she saw the great gaunt bull-whacker excuse me mum he said bowing but ye see the bees have found out that you're a singist and they allow that their likeliest thing is to come down and sing for them they're dead for music and though they're rather a rough lot if you sing your perdiest and they're nigger too I opine you'll be all right oh sir you must excuse me vergy cried in distress I cannot sing tonight really I cannot but you must mum ye see how their boys are all on the squeave eve to hear ye vocalize and appointed me as a delegate to represent them and say if you don't waltz down and sing for them I am to shoot ye on the spot you perceive we're old business we daisies a death notch when a mule gets bulky we always drape them out without any preliminary parley that for we allow that if you edify us with a few songs and the nigger too your safety will be an assured fact and if ye don't we'll have to spec for a parson a funeral sermon tomorrow oh nick what shall we do miss verner said turning to the darky pale and trembling what shall we do specs to best thing we can do is to give them some music rather than get to top of our heads blowed off breast is your child's if he's quined to get in trouble when da banja will get him out just you get your guitar miss virgini and I as a raccoon if we can't stir him up perhaps you're right nick but I wish we had never come here the girl said as she procured a handsome guitar from her trunk and then she and the darky who was armed with a banjo followed the bullwacker down the stairs into the crowded bar room a loud cheer greeted their advent from the ruffian assemblage among whom were many of the most bold and lawless desperadoes on the border men who had waited in crime in ruffianism all their lives and had lost all sense of manliness or feeling further than for their own gratification hire the stage mom Shakespeare said indicating the bar counter shall I help you up you need not trouble yourself Virgy replied stepping upon a chair thence upon a table and then to the bar where three chairs had been placed Nicodemus followed and likewise the bullwacker Shakespeare who had evidently assumed the self-appointed position of master of ceremonies for he arose when the two singers receded and glanced his audience over with an important ahem as if to call attention to the fact that he was the central figure of the forthcoming entertainment fellow citizens he began this is an awe-inspiring and sublime occasion when with swelling bosom of pride I am enabled to present for your approval the stars of two countries Europe and Africa consolidated into one stupendous aggravation it does me proud my noble pack of guzzlers to represent this great phalanx of talent and in commemoration of this great occasion my poetical brain-hat conceived a versical offering which I beg leave to precipitate at ye as a prelude of their catter-wallen immediately to faller it is entitled The Biled Shirt and was founded on true incidents then clearing the big throat the bull-whacker laid one hand dramatically across his breast and began it wore six years ago today when Deadwood first there struck a tender foot from Jarzy City togged out in spotless duck oh ye bet he were a gallous pill but a money run amuck he waltzed into the flush curse-slap their flask were squire for deal though that were some who said that Pete were up to sundress steel but I could never quite believe that Pete would stoop to feel down by their board their tender sat a seed toward desperate in his eye as on his snowflake kids his spat and said when me it's rocks or die and though no pigtail cuss were he I thard a poor bill nigh says he to Pete his words were low old pards I'm broke I have no dirt but I'm so dry give me a show just go a V again my shirt it's bald and clean so don't be mean to lose it would my feelings hurt the cures was split upon their put and dealt the tender he were low for Pete he held an awful hand and scooped his jags at every show he raked a trick for every throw we laid the tender foot to rest oh arsenic he tucked a bowl he lost the bile shirt from his breast and then had sought another goal we did their white you see at best we chucked him in a prospect hole a tremendous cheer greeted the conclusion of the bushwhacker's recitation for the sentiment of the rude effusion hit the rough audience in a tender spot any man guilty of wearing a bile shirt had no sympathy from them no matter what his troubles now we'll hear from the nigger Shakespeare said jumping down from his counter among the crowd after the nigger the gal as no nigger sir Nicodemus retorted arising and glaring down at his audience as Nicodemus Johnson a colored gentleman this elicited a roar of laughter but when the darkie took hold of the banjo and began to pound it in a wonderfully scientific manner accompanying the music with burlesque songs he held his audience spellbound no such banjo playing had they ever heard or seen for he would toss the homely instrument and catch it again without interrupting the current of his playing and besides his songs were laughable in original absurdities well rendered encore after encore greeted his artistic efforts and each time he responded with something a little better it was during the darkies playing that the door opened and a newcomer strode into the room a murmur of the captain and Paiute Dave passed among those who noticed his entrance and several nodded to him and then toward Miss Vernon who sat beside her sable companion with a pale face and eyes that flashed with indignation at being thus forced to serve as a starting block for a crowd of ruffians who had neither pity nor respect for womankind Paiute Dave was fully on a part with his townsmen as far as being villainous looking was concerned he was a tall, heavy-set man of some five and thirty years and looked like one who it would be hard to handle in a struggle in race he was dark bloated and sinister with shaggy brows cold gray eyes of evil expression a sensuous mouth shaded by a bristling black mustache and a thick neck and chin the latter ornamented with a slight goatee he was a-tired in knee-boots light-colored trousers red shirt open at the throat quarter-eyed jacket and wide-rimmed hat while a belt about his waist contained a brace of handsomely trimmed revolvers he paused not far from the door with his hands thrust in his pockets fixed his gaze upon the girl upon the bar a gaze intense in its evil significance Vergy felt it by some instinct and turned to glance at the man met the gaze and then shudderingly averted her eyes though terrible to her were the glances of the others the eyes of this man sent a thrill of horror through her being she felt that in him she had a designing villain to cope with and she was not wrong Paiute Dave was a villain a fierce self-willed ruffian who hesitated at no dark and terrible deed that would further his purpose more than one of those who had come to death-notch to avoid Judge Lynch's noose had fallen by his hand for a trivial offense and there was not a man in the town who did not stand in fear of him even including the poetical Shakespeare after his singing nearly a dozen different comic songs the audience seemed to grow tired of Nicodemus and a call was made for the girl to sing Yes gal, let's hear from you the bullwacker ordered rubbing his hands together greedily you're the very nightingale what our ears acheth to hear give us a sort of Methodist tune Suthon what'll make us feel solemn Kali-like as my late lamented namesake Shakespeare had been known on several occasions to remark catch a bird on their wing and force it to sing in all in good time you'll have music sublime Virgy saw that there was nothing left for her to do but comply with the demand of her rough audience as she was alone with the exception of Nic among strangers and without defense she had already made up her mind to get through the concert as best she could and afterward attempt to escape from the town therefore tuning her guitar which was a fine-toned instrument she selected a ballad from her repertoire entitled My Dear Old Mother Face and sung it through in a sweet pathetic voice every man in the room stood in utter silence as though spellbound until she had finished when there is a tremendous outburst of applause rude and uncouth though the auditors they could but appreciate the beautiful song heartily hip hip hooray three cheers for the bar-slingled spanner bow wow wow at this juncture bellowed bulldog bend elbowing forward from the vicinity of a temporary bar where he had been imbibing numerous bootlegs that were Splendiferous Old Gal that were a regular old hymn right from Halifax Harkatha Bulldog Benjamin their majestic mastiff a death-notch sweeter by far than Aries and Solisium were that old song about my old mother I can now see her searching for her neighbourate son along the shady banks of the Mississippi you bet and if ever I did no black to my life I'm going to kiss your firm mind in their old bulldog of his old main bulldog bow wow wow Harkatha and the ruffian bound nimbly upon the bar Virgy sprung to her feet with a cry of horror but before the wretch could lay a hand upon her there was a sharp crack of a revolver and he fell bleeding at her feet End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 of Deadwood Dick This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer visit LibriVox.org Reading by Kristen Hughes Deadwood Dick's Doom or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure by Edward L. Wheeler Chapter 4 Deadwood Dick's Doom It had taken less time to end the life of the ruffian than it has to relate the occurrence For the bullet entering his heart he'd expired almost as soon as he dropped For a moment afterward you could have heard a pin drop in the great bar room of the poker house so great was the intensity of the silence caused by the shooting Then came words to the hearing of all words in a strange, shrill voice whose significance was plain to all within the room except Virgy and Nick Oh-ho! Death-notch 47! and still the spirit of red hatchet calls for vengeance Paiute Dave shall count 70 and Deadwood Dick five more Ha-ha! Then there was a strange wild peel of laughter without the tavern that chilled the blood of everyone who heard it so fearfully suggestive of a demon's triumph it was Not a man within the tavern made a move to discover the author of the Laugh Infernal and of Bulldog Ben's Death Even Paiute Dave swore the visage assumed a grayish pallor as he heard the words of the Avenger and he moved not from his tracks Shakespeare, the poetical bullwacker was the coolest man in the house and that among men who were habitually hard-hearted and possessed a sort of brute courage on such occasions Pop goes their weasel and there will be another notch on the council pole he observed dragging the body of Bulldog Ben upon his shoulder dumping it in an obscure corner of the room Bulldog's gone on his last long canine circuit and I allow I'll have to compose a dog-girl on his Keflamix or an epidemic for his tombstone how'd this be for instance Poor Bulldog Ben he barked and then he jumped the bar a cordon there was a shot Ben took the pot and anted over Jordan but the poet did not get an encore on this effusion in as much as his auditors were in no humor for anything but strong prose enough of this nonsense Paiute Dave said striding forward don't you see that you are all offering yourselves as targets for this secret Avenger whomever he may be I'll take charge of the girl myself and ye can do as you want with the nigger come young woman there's room for such a pretty one as you in my cabin and you're mine oh no no it's you Virgy cried clinging to dick in tears and despair please let us alone sir we are two strangers to all of you and all we ask is to leave this place unmolested can't help that girl Paiute Dave don't often take a second look at a gal but when he does he invariably has her if he wants her so you might as well tumble down from that bar and waltz along with me at once for I allow I'm boss of this town I've got to go to suit my notion but just you look at your now sir cried Nicodemus drawing himself to full height and striking a dramatic pose with uplifted arm you surely forget the culminating fact that this young lady am my protege and I's swear by the plants and the heavens to protect her with the last drop of my royal blood yes sir dem's mighty truth sir on this young lady's person I'll draw the razor from my bootleg and cut you wide open yes I will for sure oh I's bad when I's shampooed I's a waden butcher barber sir ho ho Paiute Dave laughed hoarsely if it wasn't for fresco and poker jack's flow with your black gore I'd blow your brains out you black cuss come girl are you going to some assault down from that bar or shall I come up and help you oh spare me spare me sir oh my god is there no one here to help me the poor girl sobbed nary adorned galoot magal Paiute Dave declared with a triumphant chuckle as I loud before I'm boss of this burg and there's not a man higher as dust lift a hand to help you when I'm around you lie you brute and if you but lay a hand on that girl I'll bore a hole in your thick skull a voice suddenly cried the owner of the voice was deadwood dick while Paiute Dave was speaking he had quietly slipped into the room and now stood mounted upon a chair but a few paces in the former's rear with a pair of cocked 32's in his grasp Paiute Dave wheeled with a frightful oath he heard the words with his hands upon the butts of his own revolvers but he desisted from drawing them when he saw that his new opponent had the drop who are you? he demanded savagely and what do you mean by meddling in my business I mean that if you offer that girl the least molestation I'll make you up into a perforated porous plaster quicker than a Dutchman can say beer the supportive dick announced with the utmost assurance and San foie as to my dramatist persona you may recognize me by the gentle and solemn like title of Richard Harris or Edward Harris or Deadwood Dick or any other name you like Deadwood Dick be in my particular a pertinence when I'm wanted by the sheriff and so forth and so forth you Deadwood Dick Paiute Dave exclaimed in surprise and he was not the only one to whom the noted title was apparently familiar yes I am Deadwood Dick the celebrated cuss from Custer Climb the diabolical devil may care devotee of road agency from Deadwood the hunted Hurricane Harris just as you see me and according to a recent act of Congress if you or any other two-legged individual attempts to harm yonder girl whoever she may be I'll agree to furnish him with a free pass over Jordan by the most direct ethereal line I mean business so let some pilgrim of enterprise and disposition open the market young lady you may descend from the bar and go to your room or home I'll agree to take care of any number of these cusses who may attempt to prevent you go at your peril girl Paiute Dave growled in a rage watching a chance to draw weapon curses on you boys why don't you pull your tools and kill this devil's donkey reckon we know our biz boys the bullwacker Shakespeare declared knowingly we allow our pelt is worth just as much per CWT as you and we ain't no ways disposed to venture a cruise in unknown regions just on account of one gal as brother Byron is to say hang on to Tara firmer though encumbered bad with tax it's cool and very comfortable as compared with Halifax and though besieged it ever turned with mother-in-law and maids you'll find it enough sight better than a good warm birth and Hades your cowardly dogs ever one of you will you let one man bluff you when there's forty a ye to his one look the girl is going to escape a hundred dollars to the man who stops her I'll take it a ruffian shouted and leaped toward the bar from which Vergy was about descending to stop her and you'll get it dick cried as he fired then instantly returned the aim of his weapon to the crowd with scarcely a groan the ruffian fell headlong to the floor not dead as was afterward proven but stunned by the bullet call a murmur of protest ran through the crowd but not another was raised in opposition to the Dakotans will Paiute Dave alone uttered a fearful oath you see I hold the spotter that trumps at every flop Harris remarked when I pair a grenade into a town I always try to impress upon the minds of the citizens first of all the fact that I am able to clean out the whole town single-handedly and able to stand up in defense of the weak and unprotected every day in a week and as many times on Sundays as the him-book orders there the young lady is gone what's the damage I'm willing to settle one tough laid out and a broken window glass besides a ruffle upon the personal pride of our friend here Paiute David what's the expense David your life the captain cried his rage in no wise diminished I'll cut your heart out oh now really David you would not rehearse the tragedy of David and Goliath would you you wouldn't amputate my pulsimeter would you just to satisfy your revengeful spirit yes curse you but give me advantage of the drop you got and I'll show you what kind of a man Paiute Dave is indeed I am to infer then that you are something like a concentrated volcano done up in a dynamite torpedo and when you're touched off you scattered death and destruction in the forwarded directions of a blizzard I had no idea you were so ferocious or I should have fainted hours ago tell you what I'll do though David if your thermometer indicates that your steam has attained such momentum that there is danger of your exploding I'll give you a chance to work off a little of your superfluous wrath you appear to be a pretty muscular chap and I flatter myself I have sufficient for usual cases of emergency therefore we will clear the center of room you take a position at one end I at the other then we will each start for each other weaponless and have a rough and tumble scuffle for the mastery the winner to take the position as boss of the town the loser to be given one hour to leave it never to return except under penalty of death by shooting at sight now then how does that strike you I'll accept the proposition Paiute Dave said with a horrid laugh it won't take me long to break your neck well for your sake I hope not Dick retorted with a smile first however I want to know that there will be no interference from the crowd I'll tend to that young feller Shakespeare declared I'll see that everything goes square I have a plan as fair for one as for the other Paiute Dave said a villainous glitter in his evil eyes a few rods up in the gulch is a bottomless bed of quicksand the weight of a man will sink him there in five minutes forever out of sight and nothing he can do can help him when once he is in it it is gulped down many a dead body and some live ones too so it's just the hole for a death struggle I propose that we go to the edge of this treacherous pocket and the man who is strong enough to throw his opponent into it shall be the victor while the victim shall be left to sink in the sand to his death that suits me exactly as soon as the man is thrown into the pocket the spectator shall march away chanting his death requiem is this perfectly understood I understand I'll allow their boys does Paiute Dave grunted a course we do declared the loquacious bullwacker poet just as soon as one or two other years kerflopped into that death's hole were to start pale mail for the poker house and moisten our bugles perperator to sing in the death march of Solomon correct let's adjourn to the field of action deadwood dick said I came here expecting to run into difficulty and I know the chap to turn tail and back out because of a slight unpleasantness by the way if any of you fellows knows anything favourable of this big loafer I'd suggest that now will be a good time to call them before we plant him after he is dead gone you'll not care to remember him Paiute Dave made a move to draw a weapon but saw that deadwood's dauntless representative was still on guard and so desisted come no funny business now dick ordered but lead the way if you want to furnish me a sepulchre of quicksand I'm anxious to know who is going to draw the prize in this lottery Paiute Dave led the way from the tavern deadwood dick went next then the bullwacker poet and his uncouth associates brought up the rear in single file a strange looking procession they made as they marched down the street under the light of a soaring full moon vergy verner saw them from the window of her room and wondered what was going to happen they are going to hang the brave fellow who came to my room she gasped in horror God forbid down the street to the western terminus of the town Paiute Dave piloted the way and soon they came to a dark looking vernerless spot that every experienced I knew to be a quicksand pocket that it was sure an inevitable death to touch this was the place of struggle deadwood dick threw off his jacket to one side and deposited his weapon it Paiute Dave gave his revolvers to the bullwacker but did not remove his coat evidently not deeming it necessary the two men then walked ten paces in opposite directions turned and at the word go given by one of the bystanders rushed to meet each other it was not until they were within arms reach that deadwood dick discovered that the ruffian had a small dagger in his grasp too late they clinched and struggled and the blade entered dick's left arm rendering it perfectly powerless with the advantage thus gained it was quick work for Paiute Dave to raise his adversary and hurl him forward into the mire of the bottomless bed of quicksand then with victorious shouts the ruff crowd strode away and deadwood dick sunk gradually into the yielding sand of his horrible doom End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Deadwood Dick This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lizzie Driver Deadwood Dick's Doom or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure by Edward L. Wheeler Chapter 5 $500 $500 reward and Calamity on Deck On returning to the poker house from their moonlight excursion to the remarkable duel wild men of death-notch found but they had another stranger still in their midst the individual once before described as Carol Connor he had ridden into the place registered and here put up at the poker and was just engaged in tacking up a placard against the wall as the crowd swarmed in headed by victorious Paiute Dave and his right-hand man the Bullwacker Poker Jack's face bore rather a disappointed expression when he saw that Paiute had come back in place of Deadwood Dick he had hoped and expected it would be the other way for though there was no declared warfare between them but they had decided to engage each other cordially and calculated that the quickest man at pulling a pop would eventually be the death of the other which one it remained be told the man Connor went on tacking up his placard and when he had finished stepped back to inspect his work the placard was a press-print poster in bit-type and bore the following announcement $500 reward will be paid for the capture and delivery to the undersigned of a wandering girl calling herself Virginia Verna but whose real name is Myrtle Morris she is accompanied by a Negro of companion and is wanted for the crime of murder Carol Connor Guardian Paiute Dave read the notice over and over and then took a good look at the man who had posted it I allow you won't be apt to find your girl here Cap he said graphely we don't allow no petticoats in this ear town oh you don't Connor said with imperturbable composure well it won't do no harm to advertise and make sure indeed I am pretty positive the girl is in this town do you mean that Paiute demanded angrily drawing a pistol it ain't healthy for any pilgrim to doubt the word of Paiute Dave experience has taught me not to believe any man till I have tested him was the unflinching answer my sentiment applies no more to you than to the rest if you gents ever indulge you'll find I have an open account at the bar drink stranger well I should cough up a cat exclaimed the disciple of Shakespeare executing a hop skip and jump if ever a thirsty thronger theologians thrived in this terrible path if ever a thirsty thronger theologians thrived in this terrible country wear the ones drink, of course we will boot legs and eye-pen as by the dozen we will dispense in honour of meeting here at your expense and don't you forget it now waltz up thirsty pilgrims and inundate your desert waste with prime old rib tickler irrigate your parched and arid systems with their ambrosial nectar O's D.F.R sure death at forty rods as there are more toil Shakespeare used to remark a gilt edge jest before breakfast a seal skin dinner to settle a horn and a half before supper and a nightcap to put on your metal drink stranger on course we will and I'll take a good straight coffin knell for mine with a bumblebee or a wassup in it to give it life and they did drink to a man with the exception of Paiute Dave who gruffly refused watching his opportunity he left the bar room unnoticed and went upstairs at the door of Vergy's room he knocked softly more like a woman's knock it was than that of a man who is there Vergy asked from within a tone whose accents betokened alarm ah I'm a stranger to you but if you value your personal safety open the door the villain answered in a feigned voice then as he heard her unlock the door he chuckled to himself to see how cleverly he had succeeded until the door partly opened and he found Vergy standing in the aperture with a cocked revolver in her hand I thought it was you she said with more composure than she had yet manifested now that you are here you villain what do you want you're devilish independent all at once Paiute Dave said in surprise because I've got the drop on you Vergy retorted I find that he's best who gets aimed first in this delectable country and accordingly I'm ready for you sly as you were what you want I say I want to come in I've important news for you there's a man downstairs who wants you at about five dollars a pound Vergy gave a gasp and her face turned pale who she demanded though she could have told without asking let me come in if you want to know Paiute Dave said grimly a while ago you spurned the friendship of yours truly now maybe with a wolf howling upon your scent you'll be glad to accept of it between the bite of a wolf and a rattlesnake I have no choice Vergy retorted decisively and therefore if you have anything to communicate you can do it from where you are or not at all curse you then you prefer surrendering to the man downstairs rather than accept of my protection a I shall not surrender nor accept your protection Vergy responded if I am attacked I shall fight till I see there is no hope and then kill myself poo words are cheap listen and I'll tell you what is the most likely thing for you to do as things now stand this enemy or yawn who calls himself Carol Carna don't know yet that you're here and the boys know their bids and won't give it away as long as I say nay now just you marry me and I'll go down and slit your enemies' wizened and that'll put an end to the matter see I comprehend your magnanimous offer but emphatically decline when in need of a husband I shall select a man not a wolf in the guise of a man you may inform Carol Carna I'll tell the boys here, if you like, and tell him also that I have been taking daily practice with the revolver lately and I shall take advantage of the first opportunity to blow his brains out now or I'll open up practice on you go! I mean biz and judging by the flash of her eyes he concluded she was in dead earnest and took as few steps as possible to carry him out of range of her weapon baffled and savage he descended the stairs to the street to cool off his passion and consider feeling that he was he had set his heart on capturing the girl and making her his wife and the failure just now but strengthened his determination Carol Carna although he failed to obtain any information from Paiute Dave concerning the object of his search was in no wise discouraged and made it his business during the evening to pump nearly all the rust in the saloon who, taken the cue from Dave all denied any knowledge of the girl this very unanimity strengthened his suspicions excuse me please if I refuse to believe you he said coolly so positive has been the declaration that the girl is not here that I am sure she is here I demand to see your register when I registered tonight I neglected to look it over to see if there had been any previous arrivals I refused to let you see the register Pokerjack replied a knuckly flash in his eyes as he went on although not that the girl is here and when you attempt to take her away you are a dead man you are any other two-legged cuss in the town I've been watching the way things are shipping tonight and I'll allow that the girl is pure and good and though I ain't anything to brag on about being a saint he left in me to shove four out of six if airy galude tries any guru games about that girl and my name's Pokerjack from Paiuchi and the landlord of the poker house brought his fist down hard on the bar that night when death not slumbered a horseman rode stealthily into the town his form was well wrapped in a long black cloak a wide-rimmed black hat was slouched down over his forehead to the eyes which were covered with the exception of a pair of peepholes by a black mask which was in turn met by an immense black beard that touched the man's waist all giving him a dark and sinister appearance that his mission was a secret one was evident that his mission was a secret one was evident for his animals' hooves were carefully muffled and made little or no noise as they struck the hard-panned bottom of the gulch the strange dark man rode slowly along until he came opposite to the poker house when he reigned his horse close up to the front of the building and halted rising in the stirrups and thence to the horse's back he was able to climb upon the cap of the front door frame which he accordingly did and then crept into the open window which led into the upper hall pausing a few moments and listening intently he started to think and thence and listening intently he stole from one door to another along the hall and repeated the precaution of listening nor did he conclude until he had visited every door that opened off from the hall then he climbed back to the door of the apartment occupied by Vergy and softly turned to the knob the door being locked refused to open at which he did not appear to be much surprised for he drew a slender pair of nippers from his pocket and quickly had the door unlocked and opened then, stealing softly into the room he closed it behind him as quietly as he had opened it the next morning when poker jack took the meals upstairs from Miss Vergy Verna before any customers were about the establishment to watch him he found the door wide open and Miss Verna gone not a little surprised he opened the communicating door of Vergy's apartment and found the gent of colour lying upon his bed bound hand and foot and gagged with a quilt thrown over his head to shut out any sound he might make poker jack immediately went to his rescue and found the poor coon nearly suffocated as soon as he could gain his breath he gave vent to a sigh of relief and gazed about him with eluded crisely rolling eyes to make sure that he was really once more liberated oh the good lord almighty I expect to die as a gone clam for sure what's his exclamation what's a dematter boss what's the reason disunoffensive chili is tied up like a lump of dry goods and a quilt frowned over his head for to keep him from breathin that's what I say as anxious to know well being somewhat in the dark myself I naturally looked to you for an exclamation the host of the poker house replied don't you know how you came in that flight deed I don't know nothing about it boss all I know is that when I woke Dara was fast like the leg of a clam in a shell and with a great scarcity of breathin stuff don't know nothing else about it deed I don't for sure well this is kind of funnism poker jack declared scratching his head someone's been here during the night and won't stop with the girl that's certain what Miss Verge's gone deardass Nicodemius cried an alarm spring into his feet his dark visage growing a shade paler if indeed such a thing is possible I'll allow she is Jack replied least why she ain't in her room oh de good law almighty what's to become of me then I is a dead gone nigger for sure maybe she's got scared say boss maybe she's got scared and done gone hid under de bed or in de wash stand or not a bit of it she's been smuggled after in the night but the next thing is who's a smuggler I allow it won't be healthy for him when I learn who had Jack any inclination to keep the matter hushed he could not well have done so for it wasn't ten minutes before Nicodemius had spread the news all over the town both Carol Connor and Paiute De swore roundly when they heard the news but poker jack eyed them searchingly one or the other if you know where that girl is he said to himself and if no one else is interested in her welfare it shall not be said that poker jack left her to the mercy of two worst brutes than himself that day a horseman or rather a girl dressed in male attire drew rain before the poker house and slipping from the saddle she strode into the bar room and took a glance over the crowd therein the woman was the notorious free and easy reckless wave of the rocky western country Calamity Jane End of Chapter 5 May 2007 Deadwood Dick's Doom or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure by Edward L. Wheeler Chapter 6 A Very Singular Performance Few there were in Death-Notch who had not heard of the notorious girl and several among the lot had seen and now recognized her poker jack among Deadwood the rest for poker had formally thrived in Deadwood before taking Empyosh and Death-Notch Calamity had changed but little time when this pen last introduced her she was the same graceful, pretty girl in britches that she had always been but if there was any change it was in the sterner expression of her sad eyes a murmur of Calamity Jane ran through the bar room as she entered proving that she was recognized by more than one yes Calamity Jane she retorted I see I'm not unknown even in this strange place better perhaps is it so for you'll have a clearer idea of whom I have to deal with I want to know where Deadwood Dick is that's what I want I allow you'll say he ain't here but I won't swallow that he told me he'd be here over a week ago and he always keeps his dates and so you're wanting to me Paiute Dave grunted from his perch on one end of the bar suppose likely you're a part of his name I allow I've been his truest part many a year Calamity replied but that's not what I was asking where is Deadwood Dick well gal if my memory served me right I allowed last I see to him he was a sinkin in a bed of quicksand where I throwed him we had a tassel and the best man was to chuck the other one in the quicksand and the honor fell on to me he weakened and I gave him a boost and I presume if he's kept right on sinkin ever since he's arrived down to the maiden country of the washy washy by this time Calamity's heart sunk within her at this declaration but outwardly she was very calm she had met Deadwood Dick in the lower mining districts a few weeks before and he had said as he took a hand in his imparting I'm going up to Deathknotch Janie on my last adventuresome trail and after that I'm going to settle down for good in some lonely spot and see if the remainder of my life cannot be passed in more peace and quiet than the past has been come to me at Deathknotch Calamity and the hand you have so long sought shall be yours we will go hence down the avenue of life hand in hand together as man and wife and then he had kissed her goodbye and she had looked forward equally for the appointed time to come when she should go to claim the love and protection of the only man she had ever worshiped I don't believe a word you say she said and applied to Paiute's brag but if I learn that what you have said is true look out for yourself for girl though I am I'll make you pay a bitter penalty for your deed then she turned and left the poker house a feeling of sadness stealing over her she soon by inquiry learned the location of the fatal quicksand and the incidents of the strange struggle between Paiute Dave and Deadwood Dick bringing her horse to Grey's she walked out to the place where the pool of stagnant water covered the treacherous bogmire of death oh dick dick she moaned kneeling upon the ground and peering into the pool as if to penetrate into the untold depths I cannot will not believe that you have met your death in this awful place somebody perhaps may have come along and rescued you at the last moment God knows I wish I could credit that supposition dead true friend no no no I will never believe it never until when my own life shall have ebbed out and I find that my search for you has been fruitless tears were strange things in the eyes of Calavity Jane it was more in her nature to laugh at trouble than cry but now everything was changed she had never quite given up the hope that Dick Wood at some distant day recognized her devotion to him and take her as a wife when he had told her to come to Deathnotch all the bitterness of her strange young life had seemingly melted into glorious sunshine and she was happy little wonder then that the bitter grief now returned to torture her when they told her that the famous brave knight had met so terrible a fate after so many years a safe passage through constant peril for an hour she knelt by the dark pool her tears now dried and a deadly glitter in her eyes while a stern expression mantled her features no I will not be rash enough to kill myself I will not be murmured rising to her feet but will live on live to hope that he is not dead to wreak vengeance on those who as a people aimed to tread upon and crush him because because he was Deadwood Dick hahaha laughed a voice just behind her and she wheeled to behold the dwarf Avenger old Scavenger standing near Dick had described him to her and therefore she had no difficulty in recognizing him for surely there were no two persons in the west the nature had made so hideous haha the dwarf chuckled when she turned to gaze at him so you came to look for the devilish road agent in that pool huh you don't find him though neither do I haha no he cheated me out of my sweetest morsel of vengeance curse him how so calamity asked in surprise was not Deadwood Dick a friend of you and your daughter Scavenger no no he was a traitor devilish traitor the murderer of my child I found that pinned to her dress as she lay in death where he left her I pronounced his doom and that of every other white traitor do you see that and he held up the note that he had found on Kentucky Kits body see half-dime library number 201 calamity took it from his hands and read it carefully this is not Deadwood Dick's writing nor a signature old man she said decidedly it is a forgery trumped up the throw suspicion on Deadwood Dick lie Scavenger Ward suddenly becoming furious you lie like all the rest they all lie steal and murder and I hate him every man or woman whose face is white I kill him too each day have I sworn to add one new death notch to Red Hatchet's council poll and you shall be my victim for today you you ha it will be sweet vengeance to kill the girl who loved the devil road agent and even while speaking he drew a long keen-bladed butcher knife from his belt and bounded toward her like some ferocious wild beast rather than a human being calamity sprung back a pace and drew a revolver for she saw that the insane dwarf was bent on her destruction stand back or I'll fire she cried but he heeded her not and she was as good as her word fired once twice thrice full that old Scavenger's breast but without appearing to mind the shots he came on madly with upraised knife and nothing was left to her but to turn and run for her life as her strange foe accidentally bulletproof she didn't run toward the town but up the gulch and as fast as her feet could carry her for she was aware that it was now a matter of life or death to her once and again she turned half about while running and sent an unerring shot at the Avenger but they checked not his chase and he laughed in defiance brandishing his knife threateningly and two he was a remarkably swift runner and the girl sport soon became aware that he was slowly but surely gaining on her in the start off she had got several rods away from him as to be no great length of time where he should overtake her realizing this Calamity began to wonder what she must do to escape could it be that she too had come to this unlucky town only to meet her fate as Deadwood Dick had done faster faster grew the chase both pursuer and pursued straining every nerve to win nearer and nearer to his victim did the Avenger gain a demoniac grin of triumph upon his features suddenly however there was a change a break in the monotony of the race a man stepped suddenly from behind a point of rock into the gulch just after Calamity had passed and stood with folded arms facing the oncoming dwarf not a weapon did he have in hand nor seemed he prepared for battle yet faced the pursuing Avenger composedly wrapped from head to foot in a long black cloak and wearing a tremendous black beard which with the addition of a mask and wide rimmed black hat slouched down over his forehead completely hid his features from view he was a dark and rather sinister individual to behold the same strange person who had written so mysteriously into death-notch the night previous nearer and nearer old scavenger approached flourishing his knife and making strange contortions but not an inch did he move further than to raise his black gloved hand and point one finger at the dwarf had the stranger shown fight there would have undoubtedly been an immediate struggle but his queer action seemed to puzzle the crazed creature and he came to a halt a dozen yards away seeming undecided whether to advance further toward the cloaked customer or not calamity had halted on the other side of him not a little surprised and curious the black unknown now turned toward her and motioned her with his outstretched hand to approach the girl obeyed keeping her weapon ready for instant use when within a few feet of him he motioned her to stop then turning to the dwarf he motioned him to pass by on the left hand side of the gulch at first scavenger made no move to obey but when the stranger stamped his foot imperatively the girl's pursuer did as he had been motioned to do nor paused until he stood where calamity had first halted now turning to calamity the dark stranger pointed toward the death-notch and said in a deep tone of voice the simple word go correct the girl sport replied with a laugh I'm much obliged to you and don't need a second invitation she went down the gulch wondering who was this black individual with the voice like a roll of Midsummer Thunder she looked around just before turning a that would hide them from view and saw that both the black unknown and the dwarf yet retained their same relative positions except that the arm of the unknown was leveled at the Avenger commandingly as she looked to she saw the hand and arm fall to the unknown side while scavenger staggered back turned and fled up the gulch at the top of his speed calamity went back to the town and registered at the poker house and was assigned the room from which Vergy Verner had been abducted Jack, she said to poker Jack who had shown her to it Jack you were a hard fellow when I used to see you up in Deadwood and judging by our surroundings I don't allow you're much saintlier now but that won't hinder you from answering me a question certainly not calamity ask anything you choose well I want to know whether or not you really believe that Deadwood dicks sunk in that quicksand why I haven't any reason to believe that he did not Piute Dave threw him in they say and then he and the gang come back here and left the poor cusp to sink may the Almighty inflict some terrible penalty upon them if this is true but try though I do to become resigned to this conclusion I do not believe that Deadwood dick lies at the bottom of that bed a quicksand toward dusk that evening a woman on horseback attended by two mounted scouts rode into death-notch and dismounted before the poker house she was an elderly lady say of 55 or 60 well-dressed and yet one whose face spoke of a life that had not been all sunshine on dismounting she immediately entered the bar room and after a searching glance around approached Carol Carnar who was engaged in playing a game of cards with Minor Carnar arose with a flushed face as he saw her approach as if it was his intention to attempt to escape but he caught the gleam of something concealed in the woman's hand as it hung by her side and desisted from any such action I expected to find you if I persevered the woman said with sarcasm as he arose and tipped his hat please order a private apartment where I can see you and talk business and of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of Deadwood Dick this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Chris Hughes Deadwood Dick's Doom or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure by Edward L. Wheeler Chapter 7 of Villain Unmasked Carnar seemed to deem it advisable to humor her for he immediately led the way upstairs to his own apartment and when there handed her a chair they seated he said curtly your visit is unexpected to me why do you come here to effect a settlement with you villain that you are such a thing as possible the woman retorted bitterly Carol Conner have you not one spark of tenderness or mercy in your cruel heart not that I'm aware of the man replied seating himself with his heels elevated upon a table and lighting a cigar I never was overburdened with a reproven conscience and when it is likely to interfere with any of my plans I'd do away with it entirely if you come here thinking wholesale tears and supplication for mercy will move me you've greatly missed your reckoning Carol Conner take care BAH don't be so foolish as to threaten me old woman you can't do anything with me I can I can have you arrested for a bigamist huh how are you to prove it I'll think you a court would decide it they would pronounce me an adventurer reprimand me perhaps and there the matter would end why I cannot see that there's any great cause for trouble it's a simple little story I Carol Conner an adventurer go down to California for a little recreation meet and marry the stepdaughter of a rich speculator known as Morris both the girl's mother and stepfather approve of the match when I accommodate them with the little ready-made information that I'm a popular mine owner in the northwest and the wedding goes off as Mary as a marriage bell should go next in order develops the little item of family news that Morris has a deal of property and an equal number of debts in order to save his property he must deed it to someone and thereby defraud his creditors of all the he owes in this extremity Morris proposes a third of all his property and his stepdaughter the other third all which is done legally and thus things stand when comes the news from Utah that Carol Conner's a Mormon has no less than eight fair and buxom wives to whose loving company he is respectfully invited back there's a small size tornado in the Morris camp then and Conner's command to clear out his deed back the property this he kindly refuses to do and about this time two other sensations arise news comes that Myrtle, his wife has inherited an immense fortune by death of a relative next Carol Conner in company with a pair of neighbors finds Myrtle kneeling over the lifeless body of her stepfather with a bloody knife in her grasp what do you suppose is the result suppose you were well aware caught in the act as it were and realized in the consequences Myrtle fled not only from the scene of her strange crime but from California accompanied by a family servant smarting under the blow of dishonor she had put upon my fair name and reputation I vowed to hunt her down and hand her over to the law villain monster Mrs. Morris gasped who had been listening with blanched flashing eyes your villainy is without parallel you know my poor child never committed that murder you know more about how Mr. Morris died than she that he will find it a hard thing to prove Conner replied coolly it's easier to surmise a thing than to prove it I can prove that I found the girl in a suspiciously murderous position with a bloody knife in her grasp all sufficient in the eyes of the law when I succeed in capturing her the law will take her what what is this have you not found her yet the mother demanded excitedly yes on two occasions but she has given me the slip both times the scoundrel declared composedly I found her first fulfilling an engagement in a Leadville theater as Virgil Werner where her musical accomplishments together with those of the Negro had secured her a situation she saw me however before I had ferried her out and fled I was soon upon her trail however and followed her here to this beautiful burg she was here when I came during last night was kidnapped from her room and the dark left behind bound hand and foot and you were the kidnapper Mrs. Morris asserted Carol Conner for God's sake for the hope of the hereafter tell me where is my child dead I hope the Mormon said decidedly but even that is a delusion I know nothing more than I have told you I did not abduct her I do not know where she is you are lying to me have it that way maybe if you choose I would it were so myself why have you thus turned against her you villain after you married her deceived her and wronged her because well for several reasons one in particular I don't need any more wives having a pretty good stock up at Salt Lake I only married the girl in the first place because I found life rather monotonous in California I find that with your demise and her demise there are no more immediate heirs extant and I would come in and inherit the last third of your property and her recent inheritance too consequently see it is only natural that the law should deal promptly with her while as for you well wouldn't puzzle one much to get rid of you exasperating in the extreme was the man's composure as he spoke it but gave evidence of his depravity it is as I supposed she said rising you are disposed to win your little game no matter what the risk you will find however that a mother's love for her child is an insurmountable barrier to battle with ha ha then you will show your teeth eh he said with a light laugh I and you shall feel their bite if you further attempt to harm one hair of her head who is dearer to me than life then she swept haughtily from the room huh matters getting little more business like the Mormon muttered if I mistake not I couldn't have chosen a better location to terminate the business back from the plateau which had been the scene of the strange compact between red hatchet and old scavenger stood a goodly sized strong built long cabin surrounded by a fringe of pine trees whose foliage reached to the ground so admirably arranged was this natural screen it was only on close approach that the cabin could be seen about the same hour that Carol Karner and Mrs. Morris were holding an interview a scene was occurring in the mountain cabin which has a bearing upon our romance red hatchet sat before a fire on the hearth engaged in smoking his pipe while he watched the flames leap upward and at the same time listen to the words of old scavenger who stood to one side leaning upon a rude staff does red hatchet not remember what he promised the dwarf demanded angrily a mad fire burning in his terrible eyes have you forgotten that you gave her to me red hatchet gave not his child to the dwarf devil to butcher the grief replied in a stern tone not till scavenger has completed the destruction of the pale faces town should he lay upon sysca and then it should not be to harm her sysca has become the wife of devil dwarf but he must not harm her I want not a wife I want sweet vengeance the avenger replied with a wild laugh today is past without my adding a death notch to the record every time I fail to secure a victim I will cut off a finger or toes so that they'll not have it that I fail to have my vengeance sysca shall furnish me that trophy no, no red hatchet gasped you shall not do this I will not permit it then does not red hatchet respect the vally sealed of the draft of blood that sysca should belong to me to do with as I pleased if he does not I will kill him and then torture the girl the maniac hissed venomously I will not be cheated of vengeance the old chief bowed his head in his hands for a few moments then he said red hatchet is the chief of a great tribe and his word is good whenever he gives it the devil dwarf shall have one of the fingers of sysca he arose and bobbled to the door of the cabin which stood open sysca's pocket blew a shrill blast upon it a moment later sysca came bounding merrily through the trees into the cabin her dusky face flushed from her mountain ramble she grew pale as she saw the dwarf and turned to her father what is it red hatchet once she asked laying a hand upon his arm the chief gazed at her a moment irresolutely then his face hardened as he led her to her feet sysca is a brave girl does she remember who it was that drove her people from sikoi and killed her brothers and mother the pale face's father who have ever been the enemies of the red race but why does red hatchet ask does sysca remember being told that scavenger the dwarf has consented to fight the pale faces for red hatchet and that sysca was to be his did not sysca consent to this i consented because i knew it was red hatchet's wish true red hatchet promised you to scavenger and now he asks for one of sysca's fingers because he has not been successful in killing a pale face what has sysca to say will she refuse the sacrifice or will she fulfill red hatchet's word of honor to the dwarf a horrified shutter traversed the indian girl's frame listened and fixed her gaze upon the horrible hairy visage of the avenger can red hatchet ask sysca to do this she demanded turning her reproachful eyes upon his stern, unpitying face it pains red hatchet to ask for the sacrifice and yet sysca knows that he has always kept his promises as good as the gold in these mountains and then the devil dwarf is carrying out vengeance upon the pale faces which red hatchet's old age will not allow him to do and if he reviews i'll kill your father and torture you afterward, scavenger said with a diabolical grin oh father i cannot sysca cried covering her eyes with her hands to shut out the sight of the crazy cutthroat i'd rather you take your tomahawk and kill me yourself sysca's but a squad now not like her brave self lay one finger upon the table in scorn as becomes a fearless indian girl and tell yonder bloodthirsty pale faced devil to cut it off red hatchet has spoken and this time the tones of the old warrior were proud and filled with stern rebuke fired by his coldness sysca advanced to a rude table nearby laying her left forefinger upon the board she turned fiercely to scavenger her eyes flashing fire and said there monster take your coveted prize this is vengeance the bad man cried striding toward the table his long terrible knife in hand when i've cut that off my thirst shall be satisfied until a pale faced dog shall come within reach to-morrow the cold of her wrist and did not execute his hellish purpose for at the instant he was about to sever the member from the hand a man bounded quickly into the room and seizing the dwarf by the leg and shirt collar raised him by the strength of his arms above his head then hurled him forward into the capacious fireplace where a hot fire was burning for the mountain air was chill the next instant the stranger had drawn a sword from a scabbard which hung and stood on guard it was none other than the stranger and black who had come to the rescue of calamity jane a few hours before with a howl of rage the dwarf scrambled from the fireplace but not before the flames had severely scorched his hands and face and burned some of the hair therefrom he gasped ungaining his feet and perceiving who his assailant was yes I alone replied in his deep thundering voice once more we have met and your little murderous game is foiled go I give you yet until the 10th of September to live for a moment the Avenger gazed in almost speechless fear at the man in black then with a howl he fled from the cabin end of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of Deadwood Dick this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recorded by Kirsten Ferrari Deadwood Dick's Doom or Calamity Jane's Last Adventure by Edward L. Wheeler Chapter 8 Who Killed P. U. T. Dave when the dwarf was out of sight the unknown turned to red hatchet and gazed at him a moment silently you are like the rest of your red race a demon he said finally with biting sarcasm I'd be doing your child an act of mercy you old snake if I threw you into that fire and allowed you to burn to a crisp oh no no Cisca cried pleadingly don't do that sir he is my father and getting old please spare him for my sake for your sake then be it for I can but remember that I am under deep obligations to you the unknown said bowing Cisca looked surprised the daughter of red hatchet is grateful to the dark stranger she said but does not understand why he feels under obligations to her nor is there need that she should the unknown replied in the meantime beware of the mad dwarf and if he again offers to trouble you shoot him on the spot with the parting injunction the man of mystery turned and strode from the cabin Calamity Jane had overheard the conversation between Mrs. Morris and Carol Carnar for it's so chance that her room adjoined that of the Mormon's schemer and there being only a thin board partition every word that had been spoken came distinctly to her I will enlist this woman against the Mormon villain she said and I'll allow he'll find his hands full she went downstairs into the bar room to see if the California lady was there but found that she was not there is a big crowd of the minors present however among whom was Paiute Dave and the bullwhacker poet Shakespeare the latter had evidently been indulging in a goodly number of bootlegs for he was catering to the tastes of the crowd by some very queer antics in a Terps Aquarian line dense he roared with an extra shuffle why galutes you'd never see your Uncle Wiggle is number 13 I'm a regular old ballet when I get going on single business and when you give me a feminine gala good looks Chesterfield was nowhere with his ideas of exquisite grace just to show you for instance my festive royal old kids here's them Callum from Callanardiville she won't mind trying a mazerky with me I know and he waltz toward where calamity had paused bent on forcing her into a dance with him but just as he reached her his eyes became glued upon a little instrument she held in her grasp which mildly suggested trouble did he advance further so he halted why don't you come on calamity asked Drilly surely you're not afraid of such a little tool as this but great Jerusalem you let me have it right in the bosom I'd see it in your eye well I allow you're a pretty fair guesser for I shall shoot you curse lap if you lay one of your greasy paws on me but you'd get yanked for that not well I can handle a six then you calculate you're a shootess do you right from shootingville I do that same I presume I am most generally able to look out for number one but you can't shoot no siree Bobtail Haas that ain't no mortal that can shoot compared with your uncle the playful poet of the plains why would you believe it gal I'm the first patentea revolvers I am and I can out-shoot any pilgrim from Carver down to the days of David Crockett I'll bet you can't calamity retorted she saw that to gain the admiration and respect of these rude men she must surprise them by some extraordinary proceeding and there is no accomplishment that tickles a western man so much as an exhibition of perfect marksmanship and this calamity was not to be despised for she had handled weapons too many years not to be well acquainted with their use I bet you can't knock the neck off a bottle thirty yards off oh Daniel in the lion's den what foolishness why gal for shooting class I'm noted I'm the aristocratic bloated their party sugar coated pop gun puller of the west I can toss a liquor glass into the air and plunk a hole through the bottom before it comes down you can't do it calamity declared pulling out her purse and I'll bet just a gold eagle again then I'll turn around and bet that if you can do that I can take a revolver and put the bullet down the tube of a narrow neck bottle while it's in the air a cheer of enthusiasm came from the crowd at this assertion of the girl sport while the poet looked rather nonplussed as he surveyed his opponent well dog my cats if you can do that there's a heap more nerve in you than yank for I just bet you square fifty gold bar that you can't do nothing of the kind take it first dose put up your collateral pokerjack will hold the stakes the bullwacker was an earnest and put up his three ounce in Jack's hands forthwith while calamity handed him five eagles and the bet was made now then go ahead and prove your brag Shakespeare cried with a grin and when I get your fifty cuss my golden slippers if I don't treat their boys to the best that house affords oh I'm a liberal cuss so I perceive and when you win a wager on my shooting you'll need to bet the other way calamity laughed you pilgrims get to either side now and leave the center of the room clear for its whole length so that nobody shall get hurt it would be a great pity to harm so respectable an assemblage I could never forgive myself where I'd kill a dozen of you now that new bullwacker procure empty bottle and stand halfway down the room to the right side and when I give the word toss the bottle up in the air the neck toward me I will take my position at the upper end of the room here and if you bottle as I order I'll agree to put a bullet down the neck so that it will come out the bottom get ready now her orders were promptly obeyed the crowd moved to one side and she and Shakespeare took their respective positions gentlemen you want to peel your eyes now the bullwacker said feeling considerable uneasiness as to the result of his wager a gal of starling qualities this gal calam may be but it won't do nary harm to watch her very close you see therefore peel your eyes and peel them good and watch her little game because for me to lose my duck its boys he'd be a beastly shame say la come girl you ready not yet calamity answered taking her position the light in the room is so bright that it dazzles my eyes will someone tie a handkerchief over one of my eyes you pokerjack the host of the poker house assented and according to directions effectually blindfolded the left eye of the eccentric girl daredevil now then one two three she cried and raising her revolver before she had three the instant she muttered the momentous word the bullwacker tossed a long neck bottle in the air as directed with a kai next instant there was a loud report a smashing of glass a yell of human pain down to the floor fell the bottle with the bottom knocked out down to the floor fell piety dave grasping at his side from which a stream of blood was oozing dying the floor calamity had won her wager and piety dave had lost his life had one bullet done at all that was a question unanswerable by any present as all eyes had been riveted upon the bottle as it whirled through the air it had all occurred in an instant and brought surprise to everyone even calamity who heard the fall I'm killed the cursed girl in breeches did it piety dave gasped blood spurting from his mouth as he spoke killer someone cut her heart out back calamity cried tearing the handkerchief from her eyes and leveling her re-cocked weapon at the crowd this is a lie I did not shoot that man look at the bottle there's a hole through it you will at once see that I could not find one bullet you lie you lie piety dave yelled raising frantically upon his elbow and attempting to draw his revolver but the exertion was more than he was capable of and he dropped back upon the floor dead for a moment thereafter the silence in the room was so intense that a pinfall could have been heard then poker jack spoke the gal's right boys he said decidedly she could not have bored that hole through the end of the bottle and killed dave too a gal who's clever enough to chuck cold lead into the throat of a bottle when it was tumbling sombersets in the air and enough possess to the devil to do most anything I allow declared an old minor with a grunt of disapproval and this view of the matter also seemed to meet a favorable response from his companions it's a big thing to do of course poker jack ascended but look yonder's a splinter in the door at the other end of the room that shows where the bullet went after going through the bottle an exclamation confirmed his declaration a bullet was lodged in the door in plain view in a spot where the door had hitherto been unmarred that don't settle the question however a voice cried and carol carner who had been standing since the shooting in the doorway that opened into the hall now advanced into the bar room I've got a little finger to intrude in this pie well what if you got to say calamity demanded turning fiercely upon him for from his voice she knew he was the same man who was dealing so villainously with mrs. morris I have this to say he replied with a triumphant smile that while all other eyes were turned upon the bottle mine were upon you and I saw you fire two revolvers instead of one one was leveled at the dead man here the other at the bottle and both exploded simultaneously making one report my god what a lie calamity jane gasped then back back you devils as the crowd rushed at her and she opened rapid fire upon them with two revolvers resolved to sell her life and liberty dearly but there were a hundred to one what could be the result they had secured her in the hard unyielding grasp of a dozen pairs of hands in almost a moment but not until her unerring aim had sent four strong men upon their backs and several others wounded out with her stringer up roared the bullwacker poet who had been one of those to sustain a scratch in the face yes give the murderous hussy a rope cried carol carner she deserved it long ago hold pause before you do this outrage a deep stern voice cried and there entered the room the same strange black-bearded stranger whom we have known as the unknown he had no weapons in his hand to stay the mob that had calamity jane and their power it was the commanding tone of voice and his dark forbidding appearance that caused the rude crowd to pause and await an explanation of his advent stop he repeated this girl belongs to me to kill I have a mortgage upon the life you would take and I propose to attend to the foreclosure myself still realizing your revengeful spirit toward her I will give you a chance to win her for your own disposal select some man from your crowd who is an expert at knife throwing and we will throw six knives apiece at a round chalk mark the size of a silver dollar on yonder door while standing twenty paces from the aforesaid door the man who puts the most knives nearest the chalk center shall have the girl that's me every day in the week you bet cried the poet executing a ludicrous caper right on my muscle I ride tops and knives way up to the shoulder there bees know who I am and that my specialty is that and compiling beautiful gems of poetry hey boys shall we have a little of their blady amusement put Dave laid dead upon the floor these men of death notch looked next after him to Shakespeare as their leader and gave a growl of ascent it is well the unknown said for had you refused you would never have escaped from this place alive as it is in my power to strike every one of you dead at a single blow it was a bold declaration but it had its effect the crowd cowered in superstition from the gaze of this dark forbidding stranger go ahead and collect a dozen bowy knives and also mark a dollar-sized circle on yonder door belt high then pace off twenty ships and lead off the stranger commanded Shakespeare followed the instructions promptly and then armed with his allowance of knives took his position it was now to be a test of skill for the life of calamity Jane who was still held a prisoner end of chapter eight