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diff --git a/old/65834-0.txt b/old/65834-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 02b71e4..0000000 --- a/old/65834-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2052 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Riders of Ramapo Pass, by Dean L. Heffernan - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Riders of Ramapo Pass - -Author: Dean L. Heffernan - -Release Date: July 14, 2021 [eBook #65834] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Roger Frank - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIDERS OF RAMAPO PASS *** - -[Illustration: The Riders of Ramapo Pass] - - - - -THE RIDERS OF RAMAPO PASS - -by Dean L. Heffernan - - -[Transcriber’s Note: This story appeared in the December 20, 1919 -issue of the _All-Story Weekly_ magazine published by the -Frank T. Munsey Company.] - - - - -CHAPTER I. A DOUBTFUL WELCOME. - - -There was a time in the West when hard men lived hard—and died hard! The -mountains and ravines were pouring out their long-hoarded treasures with -reckless prodigality, and the lure of gold, like a magnet, drew -creatures of every description and nationality. So rapid was the -invasion of eager fortune-hunters that law and order, unable to keep -pace, were left far behind. - -On the strength of a mere rumor, towns sprang up overnight, flourished -feverishly and briefly, and expired. Fortunes were hourly lost and won -on the turn of a card. - -A hasty word produced a hasty funeral. Men came to accept strangers at -their face value; nor did they inquire too closely into the past life -and antecedents of even their best friends. Every one was a law unto -himself. The long-barreled six-shooter was the accepted judge, jury, and -executioner in all controversies, and the slowest of tongue, the -quickest of arm, the surest of eye, were the longest of life. - -It was an everyday affair for a man to be a beggar at morn, a -millionaire at noon, and a corpse at night! - - * * * * * - -The Red Valley stage, rocking and swaying, bowled down the steep, rutty -road and came to a jarring halt before the “Silver Star” amid a -swirling, scurrying cloud of dust. For a second or two it paused, with -horses panting. Then old Bailey, the driver, shouted and cracked his -whip, the four horses strained forward, and the next minute the -lumbering vehicle careened around a bend in the road and disappeared -into the forest. - -It left a stranger behind it, standing in the road beside his baggage. - -He calmly looked over his surroundings. Then, with perfect ease, he -lifted his heavy wooden box by its rope handle and advanced to the group -of men who had been more or less disinterestedly watching him from the -low porch of the town’s combined saloon, post-office, and general store. - -A miner who was distinguished by his height, his unusual slenderness of -waist, and a long scar which drew up the left corner of his lip into a -repulsive grin, eyed him closely from the front of the group. The new -arrival set down his baggage and addressed him. - -“Is this Ramapo, friend?” he asked quietly. - -The miner let his eyes rove superciliously over his questioner. He saw a -young man almost as tall as himself, with curly black hair. His features -were clean-cut, his figure straight, and his shoulders broad and -powerful. He wore the comfortable, careless western costume of that -period, now dusty and mud-splashed from traveling; but he carried no -pistol at his hip. Except for an indefinable air of breeding about him, -and a soft drawl in his speech that proclaimed him as a Southerner, -there was little to distinguish him from any member of the group before -which he stood. - -“You gits a bull’s-eye, Curly,” the tall man answered, making no effort -to conceal the sneer in his voice. “This is the great an’ in-famous -metropolis o’ Ramapo, itself! An’, bein’ one of its leadin’ citizens an’ -misfortunes, I hereby welcomes you, an’ invites you to plant your stakes -in this fertile landscape an’ decorate the scenery with your charmin’ -personality.” - -There was a little snicker behind him. - -“Thanks,” the stranger answered coolly, his gray eyes, under his -broad-brimmed hat, looking steadily into the other’s. “Evidently Ramapo -has some curious attractions.” - -“The keenness o’ your observation is astonishin’” the other replied, his -face pushing and his eyes narrowing. “Ramapo has special attractions to -induce the weary traveler to locate here, the most convincin’ o’ which -is a good supply o’ lead, forty-four caliber, which it hastens to offer -to them as has command o’ language, but no control of it.” - -“I suppose you’re a newcomer then,” the curly-haired man remarked -evenly. Then, seeing the other’s scowl darken, he added quietly: -“Perhaps you can direct me to Major Dudley’s house.” - -The other’s face instantly became suspicious. “What do you want there?” -he asked. - -“I reckon you needn’t worry about that, friend,” the stranger answered -pleasantly. “Now, if you will kindly point out the major’s house to me, -I won’t take up any more of your undoubtedly valuable time.” - -For a moment the other eyed him angrily. Then he smiled. “Why, yes. I’ll -do that, Curly,” he said slowly. “I al’ys endeavors to prevent the -wayfarer gittin’ lost in the mazes o’ this here metropolis. It’s that -one yonder that you see stickin’ above the trees at the bend in the -road.” - -The stranger looked up the road in the direction indicated. - -“There are three white ones there,” he said. “From your vivid -description, it might be either.” - -The ugly grin deepened on the miner’s face. “I never was no hand at -disseminatin’ description,” he drawled. “The domicile to which I refers, -Curly, is the one with the broken winder in front.” - -With careless unconcern yet astonishing speed he drew his revolver and -fired. From where they stood they could all see a pane in a front window -of the farthest house collapse. The tinkle of breaking glass came to -their ears. - -A loud guffaw broke from the group. Passers-by stopped for an instant, -saw what had happened, shrugged their shoulders and went on about their -business. The miner with a mock bow thrust his revolver back into its -holster. - -“That ought to help you locate it, Curly. Think you’ll be able to find -your way there now, or do I gotta send a guide along with you so’s you -won’t git lost?” - -The stranger gazed toward the house a moment, then turned to his -informer. His face preserved its pleasant expression; but it was paler, -and his eyes held a little gleam. - -“I suppose there are people living there,” he said. - -“Your supposition is in accord with the law an’ the evidence in the -case,” the other replied. “That disinspirin’ mansion has the honor to -contain the major an’ Ramapo’s pride an’ joy, his daughter.” - -“Then, of course, there was a chance that your clever manner of pointing -it out might have resulted in killing one of them.” - -“Them little accidents has been known to happen here, Curly. But us -inhabitants o’ this thrivin’ city don’t lose no sleep over no such -uninteristin’ reflections. Y’see, we git whisky here for a dollar a -throw, an’ life for nothin’; so we natcherly figgers as how the former -ought to git considerable more respect an’ attention. Life ain’t at no -high premium here, Curly.” - -The stranger’s gray eyes had not left those of the man before him. “It -mustn’t be,” he said pleasantly, “when they permit you to live here—you -drunken dog!” He calmly reached for his baggage. - -At the words a little murmur went up from the group. It shifted -expectantly. The face of the miner went black with wrath, and his lip -curled back from his discolored teeth in a vicious snarl. His revolver -again flashed from its holster. Over on the side of the crowd some one -laughed. - -“’Fore y’kill it, Williams,” the voice said, “ask it where it wants the -remains shipped to. Maybe its maw is pinin’ for it somewheres, an’ might -git angry if it was put away without no nice flowers an’ oratory an’ -sech like.” - -The tall man turned quickly. “Shut up, Red! Reckon I can emanate all the -elocution necessary for this here occasion.” He turned again to the -stranger. “Just a minute with that baggage, sonny, while I gives you a -hint or two regardin’ your future behavior in this here town. Them -remarks you was uncautious enough to drop ain’t considered courchus an’ -proper in polite s’ciety in Ramapo. We usually relieves our feelin’s by -applyin’ gunpowder an’ lead to the offender an’ turnin’ him over to the -undertakin’ Oscar for treatment. But o’ course ’tain’t reasonable to -expect a newcomer to git to know us an’ all our little customs all to -once. So we’ll overlook them little violations of etikett. Howsever, as -spokesman an’ representative o’ this here unnoble metropolis, I begs to -state as how we takes sort o’ natcherl to entertainment, an’ al’ays -displays a brotherly interest in the accomplishments of our new -citizens. We has a hankerin’, therefore, to see what you can do. Next to -drinkin’, dancin’ is our fav’rite sport an’ recreation. S’pose you gives -us some idear o’ your abilities along that line, Curly. Better begin -now.” - -As he finished speaking, he lowered the muzzle of his revolver, and one -after another the bullets cracked around the newcomer’s toes, sending -spurts of dust over his boots. But the young fellow did not move. He -stood coolly eying the man before him. When the six chambers were empty, -the miner angrily drew his other pistol. - -Before he had time to fire a single cartridge, however, something -happened. The stranger leaped forward like a spring suddenly released. -His right hand shot out and struck the revolver from the miner’s -fingers, and his left, knotted into a solid ball of bone and sinew, -flashed straight from the shoulder, collided firmly, but quite ungently, -with that individual’s unimposing physiognomy, and hurled him sprawling -into the dust. - -For an instant the miner lay where he had fallen; then, with a roar of -rage, he started to scramble to his feet. He found himself, however, -looking past the businesslike bore of his own weapon into two very cool -but earnest gray eyes. Discretion hinted that it would be best to retain -a sitting posture for the time being. - -“Keep your hands away from your guns, boys,” the stranger was remarking. -“It would be embarrassing to have to shoot such new acquaintances! As -for you, you emaciated rum-hound, dancing is an excellent recreation, as -you say, but unfortunately I enjoy it only when I do it to amuse myself. -Now, listen—I’m not in the habit of repeating! My intentions in this -place are perfectly peaceful; and I didn’t come here to start trouble. -But if you feel any inclination to begin it. I’ll hold up my end. I’m -pretty generous with it, when I get going. It would be best for your -health, therefore, not to waste more of your valuable lead or time on -me. Try to remember that, friend, and I have no doubt we’ll get along -splendidly.” - -For a moment he continued to gaze steadily into the furious, blood-shot -eyes of the miner. Then he smiled, picked up his box with his free hand, -and moved away in the direction of the house with the broken window. -Fifty feet from the group, he tossed the pistol into the road. It lay -there half-buried in the dust. - -The crowd of miners milled around uneasily and murmured under their -breaths. It was an unwritten law that no man interfere in the little -misunderstandings and arguments of any other man. One of them walked out -into the road, secured the discarded weapon, and silently handed it back -to its owner. It was evident that the tall man was one of these -creatures who frequently attained a doubtful leadership in the early -days of the West through sheer brutality and terrorism, and the ability -to kill too quickly to be killed themselves. As he scrambled to his -feet, his small, darting eyes caught the question and doubt in the faces -of the men around him. He burst into a volley of profanity, raised the -weapon, and pointed it at the disappearing figure. - -Before he could fire it, however, there was an interruption. A big roan -horse had darted suddenly from nowhere, flashed before the group, and -reared up on its haunches before him. Now a riding-crop swung through -the air and descended on his wrist. For the second time that afternoon, -the revolver was sent spinning from his fingers. - -Mad with pain and fury, he reached for the weapon. But the rider forced -the horse against him and jostled him back. He looked up into the -snapping blue eyes of a remarkably handsome and remarkably pale girl. -She was dressed in a riding costume almost mannish in its Western -simplicity, and a very serviceable revolver was suspended at her side -from a well-stocked cartridge-belt. - -“You coward!” she blazed. “Would you kill a man with his back turned!” - -He was silent a moment, trying to meet the fiery gaze. - -“Don’t reckon I owe you no account o’ my doin’s,” he answered with a -curious mixture of deference and sullenness. “You better be on your way. -I don’t fight with women!” - -“Oh, you don’t! But you’re perfectly willing to shoot a man when he’s -not looking! Brave, aren’t you?” - -His eyes dropped before her. For some reason, the man seemed to become a -different creature in her presence. When he answered, it was almost -respectfully. - -“I don’t intend to have no quarrel with you, anyhow.” - -“No?” Her eyes quickly ran over the smirking faces of the group behind -him. “I’m glad to hear it. But I can’t help wondering why I’m so highly -honored.” - -“You know why just as well as I do!” - -The girl flushed. “I’m not just sure that I understand what you mean,” -she answered coldly. “But if you insinuate what I think you do, I advise -you not to make a remark like that again, if you value your life! I -don’t! Perhaps you understand me.” - -His face darkened; but the ugly smile appeared again on his lips. - -“I ain’t a man what gives up easy,” he leered. “An’ when I wants -anythin’, I usually gets it sooner or later! Maybe you gits _my_ -meanin’!” - -The blood slowly drained from her face. The clean line of her chin -seemed to become more apparent. Her fingers tightened about the handle -of the riding-crop until the knuckles showed white. - -“I ought to shoot you like a dog for that,” she said quietly. “But, -instead. I’ll tell you this: There isn’t a decent woman alive who would -tolerate you near her! As for me, if you ever so much as repeat what you -said, or show yourself inside our gate, I’ll kill you without a second’s -hesitation! That’s all I have to say to you.” - -With easy grace, she wheeled the big roan, touched him lightly with her -spurs, and galloped up the road. - - - - -CHAPTER II. JEANNE DUDLEY. - - -“I’m glad you are here, of course, Rand—awfully glad! But I can’t -understand how you ever came to leave God’s country for—this!” - -Her voice, soft and reminiscent, came to him through the darkness as -they moved slowly across the little garden toward the high bluff -overlooking the river. The garden was Jeanne Dudley’s special care and -pride; and the delicate odors of the vivid flowers were very sweet and -refreshing to him after his long journey. Overhead, stars twinkled with -the bigness and brilliance which they show only in the high, free lands -of the mountains. - -“‘Beggars can’t be choosers,’ Jeanne,” Rand Cameron, the curly-haired -man, laughed. “Dad left nothing—but bills; and they swallowed the -plantation! I had to do something. The gold-fields seemed to offer a -chance; and, as I knew you and the major were in this neighborhood, -I—well, here I am!” - -“Yes, here you are,” his blue-eyed companion answered seriously, “in one -of the wildest gold-fields of the country!” - -“But—with you,” he replied softly. - -She did not answer, and he took her hand. After a moment, she gently -withdrew it. - -“Don’t Rand, please.” - -“You’re—you’re not holding that silly quarrel against me, are you?” he -asked dejectedly. “Five years, Jeanne! I—I hoped you would forgive and -forget that!” - -“I did, Rand! I realized long ago that I was wrong, too! It’s not that. -I’m afraid I can’t make you understand. It’s just that—that I’ve seen so -much of the wickedness and greed and brutality of—men, since gold was -found here, that—well, I don’t expect—oh, I can’t talk about it, Rand!” - -“But we’re not all that way, Jeanne!” - -“I know that, of course. But it—doesn’t seem to make up for some of -the—things I’ve seen.” - -“Then—is there no hope for me?” - -“I’m afraid not.” Her answer was in a low voice, and she did not look -up. - -They had come to the edge of the cliff and now stood looking down at the -chattering little river whose magic name had summoned the -treasure-seekers from far and wide. - -“Nevertheless,” he said quietly, “I _will_ hope. I haven’t come across a -whole continent to—to give up now! I love you, Jeanne. I always have -loved you. I won’t lose you just because these creatures out here have -been making—gold-beasts of themselves!” - -She was silent a moment. “Then,” she questioned softly, “it wasn’t true -that you came here for the gold-fields?” - -“That was the truth,” he answered slowly, “but only a small part of it. -I came here for _you_! And just as soon as I make my strike, I’ll try -again—and keep on trying until I win or there’s not a chance left. But -until then, Jeanne, you will not be bothered about it any more. I give -you my word for that.” - -There was a little awkward pause. - -“The major is looking well,” he said, changing the subject with an -effort. “The air and the climate out here must have helped him a great -deal.” - -“Papa was getting along wonderfully until gold was discovered.” Her -voice was troubled. “But since then the excitement and the—the fever -here have almost undone it all. It—it almost makes me cry to think of -it! It was so beautiful and peaceful here, Rand. Now they’re flocking -into the valley by thousands, all kinds of creatures, some of them -almost savages! They’re fighting and robbing and killing each other -every day. There is no control whatever. Crimes of every kind are -committed as if they were nothing! I’m afraid we’ll have to move again, -for papa’s sake!” - -“But can’t something be done about it? Aren’t there any decent men here -at all?” - -“There are lots of them,” she answered hopelessly, “but they are all -demoralized by the worse element. They have no leader, and they’re so -eager to get rich themselves they haven’t time to think about anything -like organizing. No one will accept the office of sheriff, or any other -office that would require them to take risks! You must be careful, Rand! -You did a dangerous thing in quarreling with Williams the very first day -you were here!” - -“Williams!” he echoed. “Oh, you refer to that thin, sneering brute that -I had the pleasure of knocking down this afternoon. I’m not much worried -about him.” - -The girl glanced at his clean-cut profile. It was evident that he was -not aware of what had happened that afternoon after he had taken his -departure from the “Silver Star.” - -“You don’t know him,” she answered anxiously, “or you would be! They -call him ‘Wasp’ Williams, and it’s not merely because he looks like one, -but because he _is_ one. He is a coward at heart, I’m sure—like all -bullies! But he is dangerous. He is the best and quickest shot around -here. He has killed any number of others, and he won’t hesitate to kill -you, too, Rand, if you give him an excuse—and you have already done -that, according to their code! He has a queer smattering of education, -and he has got to be one of the leaders of the men. Most of them hate -him; but they fear him even more so. You needn’t expect any mercy or -fair play from his creatures! There are quite a few who were probably -glad of what you did, and would like to take your side! but they do not -dare to. They know how any kind of a duel with him always ends! The -worst of it is, Rand, he—he—” - -“What?” He suddenly stopped in front of her and shot out the question. - -“He—oh, Rand, it makes me shiver to—talk, about it!” - -Very quietly he took her by the shoulders, and stared down into the -shadowy oval that was her face. When he spoke his voice was calm; but it -was the dangerous calmness of deep waters. - -“Jeanne,” he asked, “did that beast dare to—make love to you?” - -“He tried to,” she faltered, “but I—I drove him away!” - -“Good God!” His arms dropped to his side. “If I had known that this -afternoon, I would have smashed his leering face to pulp!” - -She placed a small, strong hand on his arm. - -“Rand, for my sake, and father’s, you must not do anything like that! -Any trouble now might—take him away from me. I’m hoping we’ll be able to -manage till things get better here. And, in the meanwhile, we’re -just—being careful!” - -He walked up and down for several moments in silence. Then he turned a -controlled face to her. - -“Perhaps in time we’ll find a solution,” he said. “In the meanwhile, -don’t worry, Jeanne. Above all, don’t worry any more about that creature -you call Wasp Williams. There isn’t a drop of courage in his entire -body!” - -“That is why we should fear him!” she said quickly, “If he was a decent -man, he would move in the open, and there would not be so much to be -alarmed about. But he is a—a snake, Rand! You have not been here long -enough to realize what a nest this place has become.” - -As if to prove her words, at that very moment a volley of shots rang out -from the direction of the village. A sharp cry, a chorus of hoarse -laughter, and then the usual low hum of the night-life in the little -town! - -The girl trembled. “It is happening like that every day and every night. -I’m afraid poor papa won’t be able to stand it much longer! And I have -gotten to love this place so, Rand—these mountains and rivers and -cañons! I love them in spite of—this!” Her arm swept in a wide -semicircle which took in the entire town. “It would break my heart to -leave Red Valley!” - -There was another little pause. He stood with grave face, looking in the -direction whence the sound of the shots had come. - -“There must be some way,” he said thoughtfully. “I wish I knew what it -was.” - -“There is only one way I can think of,” she answered slowly. “It has -often occurred to me, but it is unusual and extremely dangerous! Still, -it succeeded once before, however, and might again.” - -“What is it?” he asked, trying to see her face in the faint light of the -stars. - -She came closer, and for several minutes whispered eagerly in his ear. -Then she stepped back and waited. He drew a long breath. - -“I think it would work again,” he said at last. “Your father was one of -the chiefs, wasn’t he?” - -“Chief of the Clans of our whole State,” she answered proudly. - -“It has this advantage,” he said after a moment, “that it is most -powerful against the ignorant and superstitious; and that is mostly the -kind we would have to contend with here! And it would give the decent -men a chance to do something without being known! Jeanne, I believe we -can do it! I believe we can save this place yet!” - -“We would need help, Rand, and we would have to be careful. But I’m sure -if we got it started we could get many more to join us! I could name a -dozen. And, if we began to be successful, the better element would be -glad to flock to it. It would be hard at first; but I believe we can do -it, too.” - -“Then we will!” he said quickly. “It’s well worth the danger and the -sacrifice. I’m willing to do my part, no matter what it brings!” - -“And I’ll do mine,” she answered very quietly. - -With a little murmur, he took her hand again; and this time he would not -let it go. - -“If we win,” he said with grim tenderness, “I might not be willing to -wait until I make my strike. I might claim my reward at once, Jeanne; -and it will be—you!” He raised the hand to his lips and kissed it. - -“For success!” - - - - -CHAPTER III. LAW AND ORDER COME TO RAMAPO. - - -One morning the riotous, reckless, feverish town of Ramapo awoke to a -new excitement. On a rude bulletin-board in front of the post-office, -appeared a poster in large, clear letters. No one knew how it had come -there. The post-office force had discovered it when “he” arrived to open -up for the day. - -Its message was brief and to the point: - - To the People of Ramapo: - - Law and Order are hereby declared in force. All men are warned that - henceforth lawlessness will be met with swift punishment. Serious - offenses will merit death. J. - -Though the letters in all the rest of the notice were black, the “J” at -the end was in bright-red. It was large, and set squarely in the center -of the sheet. There was a quiet power in the single red character, an -absence of bluster in the wording, that did not fail to have their -effect. A large crowd quickly gathered. Men read the poster with serious -faces, and questions flew thick and fast as to its origin and meaning. -No one knew. No one could find out. Some openly scoffed. But the large J -remained there, looking out at the crowd with a sort of calm and -confident power! - -Rumors sped from mouth to mouth and were expanded at every exchange. A -vague uneasiness, a feeling that there was something in the wind and -that the warning boded new and sinister experiences for the town, served -for a time to throw a damper on its reckless gaiety. - -Then a tall, thin miner forced his horse through the crowd, read the -message, and broke into a loud guffaw. It seemed to relieve the -situation. Several others laughed with him. - -“Feller citizens,” said Wasp Williams, wheeling his horse and facing the -crowd, “I begs to call your attention to this noble appeal which you -sees behind me. You all knows the respect an’ esteem which I feels for -them two contrivances, knowed as law an’ order! There ain’t nothin’ to -compare with ’em! They offers refuge to tender feet an’ pertection to -the weak-kneed. Them which is careless with language, but don’t hanker -none to face the business end o’ these little toys us men is kind o’ -partial to out here, cries for law an’ order like a baby for its bottle. -They gotta have it so’s red-blooded he-men won’t decorate ’em with lead -when they gits naughty. I’m in favor of it, by all means! But it strikes -me, friends, as how this here notice shows a disconcertin’ lack o’ -common ornamentation; and I figgers you’d be kind o’ pleased if I fixed -it up pretty an’ attractive-like.” - -He turned again, and drew both of his revolvers. With careless accuracy, -he fired bullet after bullet into the sign. Twice he reloaded, and the -flame leaped in a steady stream from the muzzles until the chambers were -empty. Then he thrust them back. He took off his hat, made a jeering bow -to the groups before him, and addressed them. - -“As a leadin’ inhabitant o’ this here flourishin’ metropolis,” he -remarked, “I has the honor to present my answer to the aforesaid -warnin’.” - -There was a shout, then a roar of laughter, from, the crowd. The tension -was broken. Across the face of the notice the bullet-holes dearly traced -the letters D-a-m! That was Williams’s version of the spelling of the -word. - -Another horse cantered up to the outskirts of the crowd. In the saddle -was the straight, graceful figure of Jeanne Dudley. Seeing her, Williams -made another mock bow and called to her across the heads of the men -between them. - -“We is celebratin’ the beginnin’ o’ law an’ order here in Ramapo,” he -said. “P’r’aps you would like to git a glimpse o’ the announcement o’ -this surprisin’ an’ gratifyin’ change. Boys, give way there a little an’ -let the lady through.” - -The crowd parted. The girl leisurely walked her horse nearer. Then she -saw the bullet-holes in the poster and stopped. With a scornful glance -at the man before her, she drew her own weapon and leveled it at the -sign. - -“Your spelling is rather poor,” she remarked coolly. “There is another -letter in that word. Perhaps I can impress it on your memory better by -using your own methods.” - -The revolver cracked out six times, was quickly reloaded, and flashed -again. Then the girl returned it to its holster, skillfully piloted her -roan through the crowd, and trotted away. - -Another burst of laughter and applause went up from the crowd. The -missing “n” now appeared on the poster, and its even lines exhibited -much more perfect shooting than had the letters stamped by the leaden -markers of the Wasp. His triumph had been snatched away from him! -Chagrined and flushing, he stood scowling after her. - -“Got yuh that time, Wasp!” one of the men before him laughed. - -Williams looked down from his horse upon the speaker, a small man -notable for his very gray hair and his pleasant expression. The heavy, -vertical lines between his eyebrows deepened. - -“Mebbe so,” he answered; “mebbe so! But git this idear into that little -think-organ o’ yourn, an’ plant it there; I’ll git her ’fore I’m done, -an’ what I gits I keeps!” - -“You got a full day’s work ahead o’ you, then! There ain’t no ‘fool’s -gold’ about that girl!” - -“Your tongue is too active for a feller o’ your size, stranger. Reckon -you better be movin’!” - -The little man paled, but his voice, when he replied, was even and -unafraid. - -“I never run from nobody yet, an’ I don’t figger to begin now.” - -“No? Then stay, since you insists! An’ accept this little token o’ my -esteem!” - -The revolver of the Wasp darted from his hip, shot forward, and flashed -once. The other staggered. He strove to keep his feet, but collapsed in -the dust. A couple of bystanders carried him into the nearest house, -while some one casually looked for a doctor. One of the bearers, a huge, -powerful fellow, swore violently. - -“The hound!” he growled. “He didn’t give little Peterson a chance!” - -The other eyed the wounded man sympathetically. “Williams ain’t bothered -with no sech scruples as that,” he said. “Besides, he’s been totin’ a -grudge agin ‘Smiley’ here, an’ figgered this was a chance to git even.” - -“How’s that?” - -“Seems the little feller strayed into town a couple o’ days ago an’ -showed some nuggets so big they nearly made the eyes o’ Wasp an’ his -gang pop out. They tried to git him full an’ then find out where his -claim is. But it didn’t work. The little man was too sharp for ’em.” - -“Good for him! Hope he gits well an’ shoots the everlastin’ daylights -out o’ that coyote!” - -“He’ll git over it, all right. Ain’t nothin’ serious, I reckon. Guess -the Wasp wasn’t tryin’ to kill him outright, ’cause then he’d never git -to know where the little feller has planted his stakes! An’, if I was -you, McCoy, I wouldn’t be too careless with them remarks. Funerals is -too common in this town as it is!” - -Outside, the momentary hush which had fallen upon the crowd was quickly -lifted. Some shrugged their shoulders. Others laughed. One or two tried -a few pot-shots at the red “J” for luck; and in a short while the town -was about its haphazard business as indifferent, as unconcerned as ever. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. THE RIDERS. - - -But less than a week later it had occasion to remember the incident! - -The stage was held up and robbed in the deep woods just before it -entered the town. Old Bailey, gallantly attempting resistance, was -brought down with three bullets from the revolvers of the highwaymen. -But the keen eye of the old Westerner somehow recognized the two -assailants. Before he died, every one knew that the bandits were “Pete” -Slocum and “Red” Ritter, two of the worst characters in the valley. Yet -no effort was made to apprehend them. They quietly disappeared. No one -assumed authority to trace them and administer punishment. - -Nevertheless, two days afterward the bodies of both men were found on -the post-office steps. The looped ends of the ropes with which justice -had been done upon them had been left around their necks. And on the -shirt-front of each there was a piece of black paper about four inches -square, with a red J in the center! - -This disquieting incident was quickly followed by others. “Big Bill” -Bondy, slayer of “Gabby” Taylor—and others—was found sprawled out on the -floor of his shack with a bullet-hole in his forehead. The room showed -abundant evidences of a struggle—and the red J was pinned on his breast! - -In the weeks that succeeded, other leaders of the worse element, men -whose pistol-stocks bore many a notch, and whose sense of decency and -morality bore more, met the same fate. After a particularly notorious -example of his marksmanship, and disregard for such trifles as the -conventions, one would be located swinging from a tree; another -discovered, lifeless, in his cabin; still another picked up, now and -then, from the dust of the road. In every case the same terrible red -letter on the body showed whence the retribution had come. - -Fear and excitement ran high in the valley. Men became cautious about -venturing out after sunset. All went fully armed. But, withal, it did -not escape the notice of many that the better inhabitants were not -molested. Only those whose crimes were known and certain had suffered. -There was a large element which found relief and satisfaction in that -reflection. - -Rumors began to spread of night-riders roaming the valley. On several -occasions pale-faced men galloped up to the “Silver Star” and reported -having seen small troops of horsemen flitting along the dark roads. -Their tales were usually incoherent and contradictory; but all tallied -in one particular—that the riders wore some kind of long, dark, flowing -garment, and that nothing could be seen of their faces. - -It was observed also that certain of the lesser desperadoes were -mysteriously disappearing from time to time and failing to return. Their -shacks betrayed signs of a hasty departure. Invariably hoof-prints -around their deserted cabins indicated that a considerable number of -horses had been present. - -At last, at two different times, parties composed of the most determined -and desperate of the troublesome element set out in search of -information about the nocturnal raiders, and, if possible, revenge. -“Wasp” Williams was not a member of either of these expeditions. For -some reason he found it necessary to attend to important business each -time they were being formed. - -The first party returned late at night, unsuccessful and grumbling at -their long, useless ride. The second one did not return at all! - -Two hours after they had ridden away from the town, a solitary horseman -galloped furiously through the Pass, launched himself from his foaming -animal before the Silver Star, and staggered up to the bar. His face was -ashen. He gulped down glass after glass of whiskey as though it were -water. Then, somewhat calmer, he noticed the gathering around him, eyed -them stolidly a moment, and spoke: - -“Boys,” he remarked grimly, “I’m sayin’ ‘Adios!’ I got my fill o’ this -here hell-hole, an’ I’m pullin’ my stakes soon’s I can git my dust -together. I wish you all luck that stays here, but I reckon Ramapo ain’t -in fer no happy times!” - -It took a long time, and much coaxing and whisky, to get him to explain -more fully. Finally he consented. - -“We was trottin’ through that gulch they calls Rapheel’s Ravine—’count -o’ the echo, I guess—an’ Bud Borresky was leadin’. We was all feelin’ -pretty boisterous, when all of a sudden we hears a voice yell ‘Halt!’ We -don’t see nobody at all, but we don’t waste no time comin’ to a stop. - -“Well, we waits awhile without sayin’ nothin’; but I can see everybody’s -kind o’ loosenin’ up his shootin’ iron, Then a figger rides out from -behind a big rock about thirty yards ahead. It’s all rigged out in a -kind o’ shapeless black cloth or somethin’, an’ has a sort o’ hood over -its head. Couldn’t see no face at all! There was somethin’ on its chest -that looked like a letter. - -“I ain’t a goin’ to deny as how I gits to feelin’ kind o’ creepy! The -moon was up, an’ the light, comin’ down from the openin’ at the top, was -queer an’—an’ confusin’. The place is full o’ big boulders, an’ the -shadows an’ bushes an’—oh, hell!” He took another gulp of the liquor, -and stared gratefully into the empty glass for several minutes. Finally -he drew a long breath and resumed. - -“Well, this black thing eyes us a couple o’ minutes an’ then says, kind -o’ quiet an’ convincin’, ‘Better turn round an’ go back. If you value -your lives, don’t try any more o’ these excursions!’ - -“Boys, I knows right off I has heard that voice before. I couldn’t make -out who it was, but it was somebody from this here town. - -“But don’t say nothin’ for a second or two. Then he pushes his gun out. -‘You damn night-runnin’ coyotes!’ he yells, ‘I’ll git one o’ you -anyhow!’ With that he lets fly. The black figger gives a little cry, -rolls around in the saddle, an’ drops off. - -“Then I hears a whistle blowin’ loud an’ shrill. Good Gawd! At that a -reg’lar flock o’ them black birds dashes out everywhere, an’ the whole -place busts into uproar! Guns begins crackin’ from behind every bush an’ -rock, an’ the noise an’ echoes ’d wake the dead. Bud an’ about five o’ -the other boys goes down with the first volley. We tries to git in a few -shots ourselves, but we was wastin’ lead—didn’t seem to have no heart in -the work, nohow! Some o’ the horses is hit, an’ they all begins kickin’ -an’ tearin’ around. Fust thing you know, what’s left of us is gallopin’ -back up the hollow hell-for-halleluiah, all mussed up an’ gittin’ in -each other’s way! But we ain’t gone far when shots begins to from that -end, too, an’ another flock o’ them hooded devils pops out! Some o’ the -boys drops off. Gawd! I ain’t no good recollection o’ what happened -after that, an’ I don’t know how I ever got out o’ that particular -portion o’ Hades! A couple o’ them black figgers dashes out from behind -rocks an’ comes after me on horseback. I ain’t denyin’ as how I give -poor old Billy some rough persuasion—but there wasn’t no time for -kindness an’ sympathy! I ain’t no clear idear when them two give it -up—didn’t have no hankerin’ to look back! But I guess they must’ve -followed nearly all the way to town!” - -He resorted again to the bottle, then turned away. No amount of coaxing -could induce him to delay and tell more. With drunken awkwardness, he -mounted his horse, mumbled several times “I’m through, boys! I’m sayin’ -‘Adios,’” and vanished into the night. - -The following morning a small party set out, very doubtfully and -cautiously, for the scene of the encounter. They buried four of their -former comrades, and brought home three whose wounds had received a rude -first-aid from the night-riders. The other doughty members of that -notable expedition, wounded and otherwise, were never seen again in -Ramapo. - - - - -CHAPTER V. A TRUST. - - -Two riders appeared upon the crest of the hill overlooking the Pass. -They drew rein and looked down at the rough little town below them -straggling along beside the river. - -“Jeanne, we are going to win,” he said at length. There was quiet -triumph in the tone. - -Her eyes remained fixed on the scene below her. When she answered, her -voice was sad. “Oh, Rand, think of what it is costing! I know that it -has been necessary. But it’s terrible to me anyhow!” - -“Is it any more terrible than what was going on before?” he asked -kindly. “It was happening then simply as murder and crime. Now it is -justice! There is a tremendous improvement all over the valley. Most of -the people are secretly in favor of us, and there are a great many now -who openly support us. It is a rough cure, I know; but remember that -there was not one of these creatures we punished who had not merited it -a dozen times. No one was ever killed in cold blood. All that did not -resist were given the fairest trial we were able to give them under the -circumstances. Nearly all of them admitted their guilt in the end. Of -course, some of them fought it out; and I must admit that their courage -would have been fine, if they had not been merely murderers resisting -justice. My only regret, Jeanne, is that we haven’t been able to get our -hands on that coward, Williams! But he’s shrewd enough not to leave -town, and to keep close to the Silver Star.” - -His voice had been growing more and more earnest as he spoke. “That -incident in the Ravine was regrettable; but after Borresky killed poor -Bernard, there was no hope of restraining the boys. You need not waste -your sympathy on those rascals, Jeanne! They were caught in a trap they -had hoped to spring themselves!” She did not answer, and after a moment -he spoke again. - -“We have done well in the first part of our work. But we will never be -entirely successful until we make a public display of our power, and -convince them that we are not merely a band of marauders working under -cover of the dark, but a strong organization, capable of holding its own -in the open. That is our final goal! It’s a chance; but if we win it our -work is done. And we are strong enough now to try it with good chances -of success.” - -“And this time,” she said quietly, “I’m going with you.” - -He started a little. “I hope you won’t do that,” he answered, his gray -eyes gazing anxiously into hers. “You’ve done your part, Jeanne! Without -that endless work of yours, we could not have made much of an -impression. Isn’t it enough,” he asked, smiling a little, “to have -supplied the—er—army with uniforms, without going out into the thick of -the battle, too?” - -“Not quite, Rand,” she replied. “I want to feel that I’ve done something -more than just sit at home and sew. I want to have a little share in the -actual _winning_ of this victory! I’m jealous of you getting all the -honor, you see!” - -He hesitated. “You have done too much to be denied whatever you ask, -Jeanne,” he answered seriously. “Moreover, the whole thing is your idea. -I have no right to refuse you. But I hope you will change your mind.” - -Her clear, blue eyes looked up into his, and she smiled. “We have an -unfortunate habit in our family,” she said quietly, “of not changing our -minds.” - -She patted her horse affectionately, and moved off with her companion’s -powerful chestnut pacing gracefully beside her. - -They had scarcely begun the descent of the hill, however, when a voice -hailed them. A moment later a small, gray-haired man trotted up. He was -smiling amiably. - -“Howdy, Miss Jeanne! Howdy, Rand!” - -“Hello, Peterson,” Cameron answered heartily. “How is the convalescent?” - -“Gittin’ along fine,” the little man answered. “Say,” lowering his -voice, “I thought I’d tell you I’m with the boys to-morrow night.” - -“Do you think you’re well enough?” Cameron’s voice was doubtful. - -“Well or not well don’t make no difference! I got a few little -obligations comin’ to me which I’m meanin’ to collect if anybody’ gits -excited.” - -“Suppose I forbid you?” - -“I’d shore hate to go ag’in’ the rules o’ the organization,” Peterson -grinned, “but I’m afeard I’d have to chance it.” His face became serious -again. “Can I see you alone a minute, Rand? I asks your pardon, Miss -Jeanne, but I got to talk over a little business with Rand in private.” - -The girl smiled and nodded. The two men drew away a little, and Peterson -took a sealed envelope from his pocket. He held it out to Cameron. - -“I’m askin’ you to keep this,” he said gravely, “in case somethin’ might -happen to me durin’ the next couple o’ weeks. Better put it in a safe -place an’ take care of it. If I’m unlucky’ y’ understand—open it up. If -not, I’ll take it back; an’ then I’ll have a little business proposition -to talk over with you. But whatever you do, don’t lose it!” - -Cameron took the envelope and put it in his pocket. - -“I’ll be glad to, ‘Smiley,’” he said quietly, “and you can trust me to -see that it’s kept safely.” - -A look of relief flashed over the little man’s face. “Thanks,” he said. -“It means a lot!” - -They rejoined the girl, who had ridden her horse fearlessly to the edge -of the cliff and was now looking out across the green valley. A moment -later the three trotted down toward the town. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. AT THE “SILVER STAR.” - - -“Hands up!” - -The command rang simultaneously from three directions. After a startled -interval, during which many arms made unconscious gestures toward many -hips, every hand was raised. These men that lined the counter, and -crowded the sloppy tables of the “Silver Star,” were rough creatures all -of them—men that had ridden weary miles, borne bitter hardships, and -faced death in countless forms, in every State west of the Mississippi! -But this was different. They were awed. More than one strong face paled. -The silence became intense. - -From every window at least two bright rings of metal—remorseless eyes of -the grim forty-four—were turned upon them. And behind each weapon was -the motionless, black figure of one of the dreaded night-riders! - -The costume of the visitors consisted of a long, effuse garment which -fell almost to the feet, and was topped by a cape, so arranged as to -cover the back and breast while leaving the arms free. It was surmounted -by a round helmet-like hood. A flap, which fell like the chain-mail of -the knights of the Middle Ages from under the hood, and in which oblong -horizontal apertures were cut for the eyes, effectively concealed the -entire head and face. The sinister blackness of the habit was relieved -by just one thing—the even more sinister red “J” on the right breast of -each rider! - -One of the visitors, distinguished by his height, his powerful -shoulders, and the slightly larger “J” on his arm, advanced into the -saloon. The men gave way before him, and he stood alone before the bar. - -“Keep quiet,” he said in a clear, emotionless voice, “and there will be -no trouble.” - -Nevertheless, from the back of the crowd, a voice spoke. “I know you,” -it snarled. “Tryin’ to work the Ku Klux Klan again, eh? Well, that old -game won’t go in this town!” - -Very quietly half a dozen revolvers focused themselves on the -unprepossessing face of “Wasp” Williams, rising above the heads of his -companions. He did not speak again. - -The black-robed figure in the center eyed the silent assembly keenly for -a moment, then beckoned toward the door. Another figure entered, -carrying several articles. It climbed nimbly upon the bar, straddled the -space between it and the wide shelf where the array of bottled liquor -stood, and, with leisurely attention to symmetry and design, pasted two -posters upon the mirror behind. Then it coming down again. It stood for -a moment beside the other, and seemed to be dwarfed by comparison. Its -eyes could be seen traveling slowly over the speechless crowd. Finally, -with a gesture plainly expressive of contempt and disappointment, it -turned and passed out as silently as it had come. - -The posters were printed in large, black letters, and at the bottom of -each was the now familiar red “J.” - -The tall man before the bar again addressed the crowd. His voice was -quiet; but there was a quality in it which conveyed a stern warning. - -“Just a word or two before we leave. This organization has been formed -in the interests of decency and justice. It will exist just as long as -it is necessary—and no longer. No man who is decent and straight has -anything to fear from us. - -“One of these posters announces an election three days from now. It is -time this town had a mayor, a sheriff, and tome sort of governing body -and authority. We propose to give it a chance to select those. The -notice explains all that is necessary. Every man is welcome to vote, and -vote as he pleases. Nobody will be molested, no matter how he votes, -provided he is peaceable. But you are warned against attempting -lawlessness of any kind. It will be put down without mercy!” - -He turned, crossed the room, and went out. There was the sound of men -getting to horse. A little later all but the four figures at the doors -withdrew; and, a moment later still, four others on horseback appeared -at the windows, and the ones at the doors also backed out. After a short -delay, during which the noise of pawing hoofs and the jingle of -trappings entered the silent room, the black figures at the windows -suddenly vanished. - -A dead instant followed, every one in the saloon standing with hands -still up-raised. Then, with an oath, a burly miner, who towered above -his fellows, rushed to the door, jerking out his two revolvers as he -ran. Fifty yards along the road, a large body of black figures was just -getting under way. He fired into the very center of the group. - -A little muffled cry came back on the wind, and a figure, strangely -smaller and slighter than the others, reeled for a second in the saddle. -Instantly, the tall rider who had addressed the crowd, wheeled his -horse, glanced at the smaller figure, saw that it was again sitting its -horse easily, and galloped back toward the door. - -Spurring straight into the stream of bullets that poured from the two -revolvers before him, he swiftly closed up the interval. His arm darted -from under his cape, and a flash of light stabbed the darkness. The huge -man in the doorway clutched once at the jamb for support, then toppled -backward. A clean hole in his forehead told that he would never cause -trouble again. - -Others in the saloon had also hurried toward the windows. But the sight -of this sudden retribution stopped them in their tracks. - -The avenger waited a moment, facing them unmovingly, then rode back to -his comrades. After a deliberate delay, the black band, unmolested, -trotted quietly away. - -Back in the saloon, the pause held but a moment, broke, and left the -crowd in uproar. One or two ran out into the road and sent a belated, -scattered, and harmless volley after the riders. Others examined the -fallen miner; but it was evident that he was past assistance, and scant -attention was given him. It was the way of the youthful West to pay -ready homage to any one who could amuse, interest, or terrorize it; but, -once a leader went down, it turned readily and quickly to any one else -who could take his place. There were not a few who openly murmured that -Simpson had got what he deserved. The majority ignored him completely -and surged around the posters. - -As the leader of the visitors had said, one was simply an announcement -of an election, giving the time, place, and details, and suggesting the -names of various men as likely candidates. - -The other was a column of seventeen names. Beneath was a curt order -giving their bearers forty-eight hours to leave town. The name of “Wasp” -Williams headed the list. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. WHAT CAME IN THE STAGE. - - -As the empty stage reached the edge of the town on its homeward trip, it -slowed up and stopped in front of Major Dudley’s house. Dooley, the -young fellow who now had the proud distinction of driving Red Valley’s -only means of rolling transportation, climbed down from his high perch. -To the casual observer he would have appeared to be examining one of the -wheels. As a matter of fact, his sharp eyes were carefully scrutinizing -the surrounding territory. After a little, he began to whistle. - -Almost immediately, the door of the house opened, and Jeanne Dudley -hurried out. He whispered earnestly in her ear. - -“That’s fine, Jimmie,” she answered, elated. “But we haven’t a minute to -waste! I’ll have to be a bit careful with this shoulder, but I think we -can manage it. Let’s get to work!” - -“He shore paid—for—what he done to you. Miss Jeanne,” Jimmie panted, -struggling with a heavy box in the interior of the coach. “Rand didn’t -waste no time in givin’ him what he desarved!” - -Together they began to lower the box to the road. They had nearly -succeeded when the young fellow caught his foot on something inside. His -momentary loss of balance tilted the box, jamming the girl’s left -shoulder between it and the side of the coach. With a sharp gasp of -pain, she started back, losing her hold. She tried to recover it again, -but failed. The box fell to the ground with a heavy thud and split wide -open. Bolts of black cloth, and several large pieces of red, were -revealed. - -For a moment they stood eying the catastrophe in silent consternation, -the girl biting her lips to keep back sobs of pain, and the driver -flushing in mortification. Then she sprang again to the broken -container. - -“Quick, Jimmie! If we get it into the yard and under the bushes, there -is no harm done. Hurry! Some one may be coming.” - -With considerable difficulty they managed at last to get the wrecked -packing case and its contents into the yard. They concealed it as well -as they could under a big laurel. Breathing heavily, she sat down upon -it. She leaned back with closed eyes, and fought to keep down the tears -which insisted on welling out between the long, dark lashes. The boy -eyed her miserably. - -“Gawd, Miss Jeanne,” he burst out, “I’m hell-fired sorry! I wouldn’t ’a’ -hurt that shoulder o’ yores for all the dust in Ramapo! Damn Simpson!” - -“Steady, Jimmie, steady,” she said, trying to smile. “My shoulder will -be all right in a minute or two. Don’t worry about it—it was just an -accident, anyway. And you’ve done wonderfully, Jimmie, wonderfully! Now -hurry along or some one will be passing and wondering what the coach is -doing there!” - -Somewhat relieved, but bitterly cursing his clumsiness, the young fellow -trudged reluctantly away. A minute later, as the lumbering old vehicle -gathered headway, he turned around on the box and lifted his -broad-brimmed hat in a gallant, if somewhat awkward, salute. He saw a -white handkerchief flutter in answer. Vastly heartened, he lashed the -horses into a gallop. - -For several minutes Jeanne Dudley remained sitting on the box under the -laurel. Then, having regained her composure, she started to rise. - -A man suddenly stepped around a thick fringe of shrubbery, vaulted -lightly over the low fence, and stood before her. Her startled eyes met -the leering gaze of “Wasp” Williams. - -“Evening, Jeanne,” he said. He lifted his hat and swept it almost to the -ground in his usual mocking manner. - -The girl stepped back a pace. Her face alternately flamed and paled. - -“Don’t seem to be particular cordial in welcomin’ your guests,” he -grinned, putting the hat on again. “Thought all us Southerners had the -name o’ bein’ mighty generous that-away!” - -“Apparently,” she answered through set teeth, “you have forgotten what I -told you some time ago.” - -“You can’t kill with conversation,” he replied calmly. “So I guess -you’ll jest have to have a nice little chat with me instead.” - -The girl’s hand dropped quickly to her waist, and she reddened. In her -hurry to come out, she had not thought to strap on her belt and -revolver! - -“No, I ain’t goin’ to forgit what you said,” he continued. “An’ what’s -more, I ain’t goin’ to forgit what I seen out here on the road a few -minutes ago, either!” - -During the last few years, Jeanne Dudley had undergone hard training in -a rough school. Many things had been indelibly graven on her mind that -had had little effect upon her in her untroubled, girlhood days in the -far Southland. Not the least important of these was the value of keeping -cool under all circumstances, and steeling the face never to betray the -thought that lay behind it. But the remark of the man before her was a -bolt from the blue; and the significant tone in which he made it was not -to be misunderstood. For an instant, in spite of herself, her eyes were -wide and frightened. - -“Well, what do you think you can do about it?” she asked coolly. “By the -way, I understand that you and some of your friends are going to leave -town to-day or to-morrow.” - -The ugly grin vanished from his lips. “I wouldn’t risk no dust on that,” -he remarked scowling. He stared silently at the lovely, scornful face -before him for several moments. His expression slowly changed. Finally, -he came a step nearer. - -“Listen, Jeanne,” he said in an oddly pleading tone, “I—I ain’t a-goin’ -to do nothin’ about it—give you my word for it—if—if—” - -“What?” The question cut through his sentence like a knife. - -“—if you—treat me right! I ain’t never done nothin’ to you to git -treated like—a dog! Ain’t I al’ays been respectful an’—an’ decent?” - -“Oh, remarkably so!” Her voice was so soft, her face became so pleasant, -that he was actually deceived. “You have always been a gentleman, at the -least! Really, I _have_ been rather unkind to you, haven’t I?” - -“I ain’t a-goin’ to say no more about it,” he said, surprised and -encouraged. “I’m a good man to them I likes—an’—an’ I shore likes you, -Jeanne! I’d shore treat you mighty fine! I’m askin’—I’m askin’ you to -marry me!” The last words came out in a rush. - -For a moment the girl’s steady eyes gazed into his. Then suddenly she -burst into laughter, high, clear trills of genuine amusement. Astounded -by this remarkable change, he stared at her uncertainly. Finally she -regained her calm. - -“Get out!” she ordered briefly. “I warn you for the last time not to -come here again!” - -It took him several seconds to realize that he had been duped. Then, -with an oath, he sprang. He gripped her fiercely by the shoulders. - -“You little cat,” he snarled. “I’ll learn you to fool with a he-man!” - -The girl struggled fiercely in his grasp and struck again and again at -the vicious face before her. She was young and strong; but the fearful -agony of her wounded shoulder rapidly weakened her. The miner, though -thin, was sinewy, and not without a sort of wiry power. Gradually he -pinned both her arms behind her and held them there. He forced her -writhing shoulders against him, and began to press kiss after kiss upon -the white face. - -Then suddenly she was released! He seemed to fly from before her face -and to go tumbling over and over into the bushes! - -Sobbing weakly, the girl sank to the ground. - -When she could open her eyes, she saw Rand Cameron standing over the -fallen miner. - -“You yellow hound!” he was muttering with murderous intensity. “I’m -going to send you to join the rest of your crew in hell!” - -He extracted both of the other’s pistols from their holsters. It is -highly probable that, in the violence of his rage, he would have slain -the brute without mercy, had not the girl, with a cry, thrust herself -between. - -“Don’t, Rand!” she begged wildly. “Don’t, for God’s sake!” - -He would have pushed her aside even then; but she clung to his arms. The -fury of the man was almost uncontrollable. His baleful eyes glared past -her. At length, with a tremendous effort, he regained some measure of -control. But it was long before his heavy breathing calmed. - -Finally, he drew a deep breath and lifted her to her feet. He tenderly -assisted her to a seat on the stump of a tree. - -Then he turned again to the stingless “Wasp.” “Get up! You’re not -through yet!” - -When the dazed creature did not respond quickly enough, he roughly -dragged him to his feet. Without giving him time to speak, he hustled -him toward the girl. - -“Now,” he commanded grimly, “get down and beg her pardon on your knees!” - -At last beginning to recover his senses, Williams declared with violent -profanity that he would not get down on his knees to any woman alive. He -started to back away. - -In an instant Cameron was upon him. Breaking down the miner’s resistance -as one might crush the puny efforts of a child, he seized his wrist, and -forced it around behind his back and upward. Then he began to twist. -That hold, properly taken, is one of the most terrible tortures to which -a man can be subjected. Each attempt to escape only increases the agony. -Under its deadly punishment, strong men break down and cry like -children. - -That is exactly what Williams did. His breath coming in harsh sobs, he -at length muttered the words of the required apology. - -Cameron instantly released him. Again jerking him to his feet, he -hurried him to the gate and shoved him out. - -“Now go,” he ground out, “and thank God, if you know who He is, that -you’re alive! Never mind the revolvers! I’ll take charge of them. And, -if I ever catch you around here again, I’ll shoot you on sight!” - -He watched the man as he made his way, humiliated, venomous, muttering, -into the town. Then he hastened back to the girl. - -“Oh, Rand, oh, Rand,” she whispered through white lips, “I wish I had -never seen this place!” - -“Don’t feel so badly, Jeanne,” he pleaded unhappily. “It will soon be -the town you used to love. We have little to fear from that beast now. -And I think, sweet—er—I think we have almost reached the goal! Our work -the other night won all of the good element over, and most of the -doubtful ones. The big majority are eager for the election. I feel sure -we are nearly at the end of our troubles!” - -But had he known of a bitter meeting which took place that night between -a certain seventeen, he would not have been so confident. - -“I know who’s at the head o’ this thing now,” one of them was muttering -savagely. “I seen somethin’ to-day, an’ I know all I needs to know! I -figgers that if we can git rid o’ the leaders—or any o’ the rest o’ -them, in the meanwhile—we can put a stop to it yet! An’ I’m not a-goin’ -to leave Red Valley until I gits one o’ them myself!” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. THE WASP’S STING. - - -Two days later, at nine o’clock in the morning, a cavalcade of -black-robed riders, in column of fours, trotted silently into Ramapo. -There were at least two hundred of them. Their costume was identical -with that of the body which had appeared at the “Silver Star,” with one -exception—behind the large, red “J” other smaller letters completed the -word “Justice.” - -Once inside the town, they quickly broke up into smaller units. Strong -groups posted themselves at the head of each road leading into the town. -Others quietly patrolled the streets. The main body formed in front of -the post-office and made preparations for the work before them. There -was a skill in the disposition of the riders, an orderly snap and -precision about all their movements, that betrayed competent leadership -by one experienced in military strategy. When the visitors had taken -position, there was as much chance for resistance in Ramapo as for the -proverbial snowball in the well-known place of warmth and discomfort. - -But no resistance developed. There was no organization in the town which -could combat these well-drilled and determined men. Not all the -inhabitants were in favor of the riders; but the few who were not -displayed no overmastering desire to attempt to subdue them alone. The -majority were loud in their expressions of welcome and approval. - -For a brief period after everything was in readiness the men hesitated -to come forward. Then one of the hardier spirits stepped up and recorded -the first vote ever cast in Ramapo. He was quickly followed by others. -The ice once broken, it was only a short while before the self-appointed -election commissioners were working under high pressure. Lines were -formed, directions given, and the voting went merrily on. At the -invitation of the riders, several of the better known miners took their -places on the board, as an assurance that everything was being done -“above the table.” Half in a spirit of jest, half in a spirit of grim -earnestness and sober satisfaction, the rough and-ready men of that -rough-and-ready country hastened to deposit the little slips that told -of their choice. - -It was a crude election, if you will. But in those pioneer days men had -neither the time nor the inclination for the complicated restrictions -which the law of the present day casts around its ballot-boxes. A -pencil, a piece of paper, a basket, and a battery of forty-fours to -guarantee peace and fairness, were all that was necessary. On this -occasion they were amply sufficient. The votes were squarely cast and -squarely counted. - -At two o’clock the last man dropped his ballot. At six the committee, -which had been working steadily throughout the day, had completed its -work. The precious slips were carefully locked in the post-office -safe—the only one in town. Then the leader of the riders advanced to the -porch of the building and quietly announced the results. - -Ten minutes later the riders reformed. A few sharp words of command, a -rolling beat of hoofs, a cloud of dust gently eddying upward above the -road, and the black cavalcade had vanished as unostentatiously as it had -come. - -Not a shot had been fired during the whole day. But now, as the last of -the visitors disappeared, a perfect blast of explosions shattered the -quiet. After a momentary pause the black company moved leisurely on, and -under every hood there was a broad grin. That was merely Ramapo’s way of -celebrating its first proud consciousness of the inauguration of law and -order! - -A mile from the town the troops halted. The leader rode back toward the -center of the column and drew rein. - -“Boys,” he said in a quiet voice, which nevertheless came clearly to -every man’s ears, “I can’t thank you for the work you’ve done. It’s -bigger than words. All I can say just now is: we’ve won! I’ll have to be -content with that until the general assembly to-morrow. After we break -up I’m going to take a short cut back to Ramapo and see that everything -is still all right. I’d like to have about thirty men with me in case -anything goes wrong.” - -More than that number promptly offered themselves. Then, at a word from -the leader, the rest broke ranks and began to disperse, going in all -directions. The new party plunged into the woods. In a few seconds the -black riders had disappeared as completely as if the earth had opened -and swallowed them up. - -Two of them, however, were moving along a by-road which led in a -roundabout direction back toward the town. Talking over the victory, and -trotting leisurely through the soft light of early evening, they had -covered nearly two-thirds of the distance, when more than a dozen men -suddenly dashed from the trees of each side. In an instant they were -surrounded. In the face of such odds their resistance, valiant though it -was, lasted but a moment. Both were roughly dragged from their saddles, -disarmed, and secured with stout cords. They were then hurried beneath -the overhanging branch of a giant oak. - -“Boys,” said Wasp Williams, “I reckon it wouldn’t be decent an’ -respectful not to call attention to the fact that Providence has -obliginly presented us with two o’ these here coyotes, accordin’ to our -prayers! So don’t waste no time with them preparations for the ceremony. -After we has decorated the scenery with these black beauties from time -to time, Ramapo ’ll begin to see as how there’s al’ays two sides to -every question. An’ by the way, reckon it would be considerable more -satisfyin’ to git a look at these pretties ’fore we elevates ’em.” - -He advanced to the nearest prisoner and lifted his hood. The undaunted -eyes of Smiley Peterson looked out at him. - -“Well, well,” the Wasp grinned, “this is shore a unexpected pleasure! I -didn’t make a very good job o’ you some time ago, friend; but I guess -there ain’t no excuse for not completin’ it this time. Now, let’s see -who we got here.” - -As Williams advanced to the other, Peterson struggled fiercely to -extricate himself from his bonds. The cords had been bound only around -the waists of the two, securing their arms to their sides, and not very -tightly at that. It had not been the intention of the captors to waste -much time on their prisoners. Nevertheless, the little man was -apparently unable to loosen himself. After a short struggle he desisted. - -Williams smiled tantalizingly. “Enjoyin’ yoreself?” he asked. - -“I will be,” Peterson growled, “if I ever meets you in the next world!” - -“Look here, Wasp,” one of the others broke in, as he clambered up the -tree and threw two ropes across the overhanging branches, “git through -with that there little comedy o’ yourn, an’ let’s git out o’ here. We -ain’t exactly in no encouragin’ situation ourselves.” He lowered himself -to the ground and waited impatiently with the two looped ends in his -hands. - -Williams ignored the thrust and coolly lifted the hood of the other. -Then he started back. “Gawd!” he ejaculated. - -Before them was the ashen face of Jeanne Dudley. She was standing with -closed eyes. Her white teeth had sunk so deeply into her trembling lip -that a little drop of blood had welled out and now stood like a -bright-red spot upon the soft, pale bow of her mouth. - -For several moments Williams stared at her in genuine amazement. Then, -gradually, the consternation on his face was supplanted by his evil, -leering grin. Under the influence of their surprise, none of the captors -was watching little Peterson. Very slowly, very cautiously, his right -hand was working its way into a slit in the side of his garment. There -was no hope of entirely freeing himself, and he had no weapon even if he -succeeded. But he was not entirely at the end of his resources. - -Williams turned to his confederates. “Boys,” he said, “as I says before, -I got a lot to be thankful for; but I never counted on no blessln’ like -this! You’re welcome to that little ungrowed bunch o’ cactus there; but, -as for me, I reckon I’ll jest struggle along with this one myself!” - -“You mean yo’re a goin’ to take the gal?” one of the men asked, -grinning. - -“Them’s my sentiments,” Williams answered. “Y’ see, I been holdin’ a -sort a’ option on this here person for some time. Reckon I’ll jest take -it up now that I got the chance. Mrs. Wasp Williams! Sounds purty nice, -don’t it?” - -The girl opened her eyes. They were dark and glittering. - -“You coward!” she taunted. “Why don’t you shoot me? I dare you! I dare -you all!” - -But the grin on his face only broadened. - -“Reckon I ain’t a goin’ to do nothin’ foolish like that—sweetheart,” he -mocked. “I got better plans.” He advanced toward her. - -Just then Peterson, with a supreme effort, withdrew his hand from the -slit in his robe. There was a small cylindrical object in his knotted -fist. So far he had not been noticed. Now he suddenly stooped forward -and struggled to reach his half-freed hands with his lips. He could not -quite make it. Without hesitation, the quick-witted little man dropped -the object he had been holding to the ground. He threw himself upon it. - -The others had quickly realized his intention, and with a rush they were -upon him. But they were a moment too late. He had succeeded in closing -his teeth upon the precious whistle, and before it could be knocked from -his lips its loud, long blast had shrilled through the woods. - -Taking advantage of the momentary pause that resulted, the little man -managed to drag himself to his feet. Now he hurled himself, bonds and -all, at the figure of Williams. With a snarl of fury, that highly moral -and conscientious individual snatched his revolver from its holster and -fired twice, point blank. Both bullets buried themselves in Peterson’s -breast. - -The little man stopped, stood still an instant with an old, surprised -expression on his face, and crumpled up in the dust of the road. - -“Don’t stand there gawpin’, you fools!” There was a note of alarm in the -Wasp’s shout. “Quick! Git aboard them nags o’ yourn an’ clear out! First -thing y’ know, we’ll have a flock o’ them black devils on our heels. -I’ll take care o’ this here person.” - -He leaped at the girl, lifted her in his arms, and carried her in among -the trees. He thrust her upon his horse. She was too stunned by the -sudden catastrophe that had just taken place to resist. Williams sprang -up behind her. - -Several minutes later all were in the saddle and driving in their spurs. - -But they had not gone twenty yards when there was a heavy crashing among -the underbrush. A moment later black figures seemed to swarm into the -road in front of them. So sharp and furious was the onslaught that the -demoralized ruffians had no time to prepare themselves for the shock. -Some of them were literally ridden down; others managed to fire a few -scattered shots before the attackers were upon them; the majority turned -tail and fled. The leader of the newcomers had picked out one man and -ridden straight at him. Williams had no opportunity even to draw his -weapon when the other’s fist smashed him senseless to the road. - -In less time than it takes to tell it the mêlée was over. Those of the -defeated party that had not escaped, or gone down in the skirmish, were -standing sullenly in the road, well guarded by the rescuers. The steady -drum of galloping hoofs and the occasional crack of revolvers, dying -away in the distance, told of relentless pursuit of the rest. - -“Rand, Rand—come quick! Cut these cords!” At the girl’s despairing cry, -the leader had dashed again to her side. In a moment she was free. She -leaped weakly down, and stood there, grasping the saddle for support. - -“Peterson!” she gasped. “Williams shot him—when he—blew the whistle! -Back there on the road!” - -Then she let go and rushed dizzily back to where the little, gray-haired -man lay on his side. Careless alike of pain and the eyes that watched -her, she dropped beside him and took his head into her lap. Little -wordless murmurings fell from her lips. - -Peterson opened his swiftly dimming eyes and looked up. He recognized -the two faces bending over him. A smile, a shadowy reflection of the -pleasant expression that had given him his nickname, hovered round his -lips. - -“Guess—it’s—good-by—this time,” he whispered faintly. “Rand, reckon you -can—open—that letter now. An’—an’—take care—o’—Miss Jeanne here. She’s a -fine—girl—a almighty—fine—fine—” - -The last words trailed off into silence. And, with the little smile -still on his face, Smiley Peterson crossed the Great Divide. Minutes -later Rand Cameron, utterly unsuccessful in his efforts to console her, -rose from beside the bitterly sobbing girl. He walked softly back to the -group which had been watching them in silent sympathy. - -“McCoy,” he said in a low, hoarse voice, “I’m going to take Miss Dudley -home. She’s been under too great a strain. I wish you’d bring back -little Peterson when you come. I’ll leave these creatures to you, -and”—his gray eyes burning into the steady pair that showed through the -slits in the black hood before him—“you can use your own judgment!” - -McCoy threw back his mask. His gaze strayed to a big overhanging branch -a little farther back beside the road. His jaw lightened grimly. - -“All right, chief,” he answered coolly. “Reckon everything’s all ready -to take good care o’ them!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. THE AFTERGLOW. - - -The afterglow of the sunset, welling up from behind the ridge of -mountains along the western horizon, bathed the girl’s face in its soft, -warm light. She was seated, cross-legged, on the outermost point of a -narrow, jutting crest, and her gaze roamed out across the town of -Ramapo, far below her, and the rolling, green velvet of Red Valley -beyond. A little way behind her, her big roan, Ted, was peacefully -nibbling at the scattered tufts of coarse mountain grass. - -She heard a step in back of her and turned quickly. - -A tall, curly-headed man was smiling down at her. His dusty clothes -showed abundant evidences of long, hard riding, and he appeared to be -exceedingly weary. But there was a quiet satisfaction in his eyes that -seemed to overshadow everything else about him. - -“Rand!” She sprang to her feet, and her voice was glad. “Where have you -been all this last week?” - -“I’ve been about twenty-five miles from here, Jeanne,” he replied, -coming forward and taking her hand. “In fact, I was that far away until -this very afternoon. Then I decided that there was nothing to keep me -away from you any longer; and Baldy and I came back in a hurry.” His -gray eyes looked into his blue ones; and, under the influence of that -steady gaze, the blue ones dropped. Her cheeks became the color of the -red rose. “Let’s sit down for a while, Jeanne,” he said, after a bit. -“This is a pretty spot you’ve selected.” - -“Now,” she said severely, when they were seated, “perhaps you’ll let me -know why you were so unkind as to rush off without telling me a word -about it. I could not find out what had become of you.” Her smile of -welcome, however, robbed the words of their pretended rebuke. - -“I went away for two reasons,” he answered slowly. “One was that I -wanted to verify some information that I had received; the other was -that I had something to say to you, Jeanne, and I felt that I couldn’t -say it while you were under the—er—influence of certain—certain events -that happened recently.” He was beginning to have a hard time of it. - -After one startled look the girl turned away her face, and her eyes -stared vacantly across the valley. He waited for her to speak; but when -she remained silent he resumed. - -“Jeanne, do you remember when we were out riding some time ago, and -Smiley joined us just as we were starting down toward the town? Do you -remember he asked to talk to me alone?” - -She nodded without looking around. - -“Well, he gave me a letter then and asked me to keep it, -unless—er—something happened to him. Perhaps you remember what he said -to me about opening a letter when he was dying?” - -She turned slowly, at that, and her eyes were misty and questioning. - -“I remember,” she said softly. - -“That letter contained a queer document.” His voice was strangely deep -and quiet. “It told where his claim was located, and—it gave it to you -and to me. That’s where I’ve been, Jeanne. I was looking for the claim -and investigating it. It is one of the richest I’ve ever seen. His -document—I don’t know what else to call it—asked us to take it as -partners and develop it.” - -It was long before she answered. - -“Poor little Smiley!” she murmured. Her lips were trembling and her eyes -were full. - -“A finer or braver friend never lived,” he answered gently. - -He waited with averted eyes until her heavy breathing calmed. At length -he rose to his feet and began to walk uneasily up and down behind her. - -“Jeanne,” he said finally, “there is no reason for—for me beating around -the bush any longer. The first day I came here I told you what had -brought me here. I told you it was you. I still love you—I always have, -and I always will. I can’t be without you any longer, sweetheart. But I -told you also that I would not ask you again until I made my strike—or -until we brought peace and decency back to Red Valley.” - -He paused a moment and glanced at her in an effort to read her thoughts. -But her face was turned away from him. She was unconsciously pulling out -blades of the long grass and winding them in and out between her slender -fingers. - -“I’ve kept that promise, Jeanne,” he said quietly. “Both conditions were -fulfilled a week ago. I did not come to you then because you had just -been through some terrible experiences, and were—er—weakened from your -wound and depressed and—and pretty well worn out. But now—” - -“But now,” she interrupted in a low voice, getting slowly to her feet, -“after deserting me, you follow me out here, and take advantage of me -when I’m lonely and unhappy to—to tell me all—this! It is no use, Rand.” - -“Jeanne!” His voice was hurt, dumfounded. - -“Yes,” she continued still in the same subdued tone, “I could have given -you my final answer a month ago—and I won’t change it now, Rand, even if -you have taken me unawares!” - -She faced him, and his despairing gaze met the deep, tender light that -glowed in her eyes. - -“It is no use, you see,” she said softly, “because you must have known -long ago that I love you.” - -“Jeanne!” This time the glad cry fairly echoed over the mountain. In a -bound he was beside her. He took her face between his hands. - -“You adorable torturer!” he cried. “Why did you give me that terrible -minute?” - -“Because,” she murmured, “you kept me—waiting so long till you made your -strike! Did you think _that_ mattered?” - -“Good Lord!” The exclamation came forth on a long sigh of relief and -happiness. “Oh, Jeanne, why didn’t I have enough sense to refuse to take -your answer that last time!” - -“Why didn’t you!” she breathed. “It would have been just as well.” There -was a little gleam deep in the blue eyes beneath his. “You are so—so -stubborn, Rand, that I knew as soon as you came here it was useless for -me to resist.” - -He drew her closer and gently tilted back the blushing face until the -tender sweetness of the red lips lay defenseless before him. - -And only the evening star, peeping down from the deepening blue of the -twilighted sky, saw what he did then! - - -(The end.) - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIDERS OF RAMAPO PASS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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