Deadwood Dick Jr. Branded: or, Red Rover at Powder Pocket.. Wheeler Edward Lytton
and brought forth a small key, handing it to Captain Joaquin.
"Not much of a trick I could spring on you, my good fellow," observed Dick. "If you tried it, you would find that you could not unlock the bracelets to save your life, even with the key in your fingers."
"Ther doose I couldn't!"
"Not if they were on your own wrists, no."
"All the same, I will retain the key," assured the Red Rover.
"And what kind of a fair show do you intend to give me?" again demanded the prisoner.
"What kind of a show do you want?"
"Just a chance for my life, that is all."
"You picked off two or three of our men, though," one complained.
"And you killed about as many of ours, so that account ought to stand squared," argued Bristol.
"Well, call it square," rejoined Captain Joaquin. "I said I would give you a show, and I will. How would you like to become one of us?"
CHAPTER IV.
REJECTING A PROPOSAL
Dick Bristol smiled grimly.
He knew that Captain Joaquin was no fool, and also that the outlaw did not take him to be one.
Was this the chance for his life the road-raider intended to give him? It looked so. Dick could plainly see the string attached to the gift.
He did not respond immediately.
"You don't answer," urged the Red Rover.
"What is the use? Were I to accept, all in good faith, you would not trust me."
"Why not?"
"Because I am Deadwood Dick, the Dead-Set Detective and Rogue-Runner."
Captain Joaquin smiled in his turn.
He and his men had now removed their masks.
"That is a good enough reason, certainly," he said.
"And that is the only show you intend to give me?"
"What else can I do? I will give you an equal share with the rest of my men of the plunder we have taken to-day, according to the rate I divide with them, and make you one of us. I can't do any more than that."
"There is no use our trying to fool each other, Captain Joaquin."
"Then you don't believe that I will do what I say?"
"Yes, I believe you will do that, if I say I will accept the proposition."
"Then what is the matter with your accepting it? You would make a fine lieutenant for me, now that poor Hoxey is dead – thanks to that express-messenger."
"I had rather deal openly with you then underhanded, Red Rover," was Dick's response.
"What do you mean?"
"Just what you know – that I am first, last and all the time against birds of your feather, and that were I to accept your offer it would be only to do you a trick at the first opportunity."
A murmur of admiration ran through the company of cutthroats.
"That being the case, I must recall the offer, that's all. I have no way of convincing you that I meant it in good faith."
"No, you would find it impossible to do that."
"Well, I have given you the show I promised."
"And it was about what I expected, at your hands. You have got me; you mean to do away with me. Well, I do not blame you for that."
"Thunder! but you are a brave cuss, Dick Bristol! What a team you and I would make, if we could only have confidence in each other and work together! But, that is out of the question."
"Entirely out of the question."
"Then, what can you propose?"
"Let me go, and I pledge you my word not to move against you for a period of ten days, you to observe the same armistice."
"And after that?"
"War to the knife again!"
"I hope you do not take me for a fool."
"Not at all, save only that all villains are fools in that they go wrong instead of right."
"Have a care, Bristol! Some word of yours may cost your life without a moment's notice. I am not the man to brook many such insults. I give you warning."
"Neither are you a coward, Red Rover. You would not shoot me down handcuffed as I am."
Again a murmur ran through the band.
"You have nothing more to propose?"
"No; I considered that proposition a sort of even exchange; that was all."
"An exchange? Where does the exchange come in, I would like to know? I do not see that I would be getting anything out of it."
"It would be giving me my life for yours. I could have picked you off easily when you entered that car after me, but spared you."
"Ha! ha! Lucky for you you didn't do that; you would have been a dead man the same instant."
"And you would have been just as dead, for I seldom miss my mark when I take a bead on a man."
"Then why didn't you shoot me? Come, now, why didn't you?"
"Because I knew it would cost the lives of the others in the car, who hadn't the nerve to follow where I led, on the first occasion. It would have been much easier to have shot you than it was to take those two fellows who already had the drop on the car."
"Well, that cuts no ice with me, since you didn't spare me for any love you have for me. There is really no reason why I should spare you, that I can see."
"Nor I."
"Then what are you kicking about?"
"All I am asking is a fair chance. When I put on these handcuffs I had your word that I would get that."
"And I have given it and you have refused it. I can do nothing more than that. It has been war to the knife between us, as you expressed it, and I have won the fight. I would be a fool to give up the advantage gained."
"Just as you have a mind to look at it."
"Suppose you had captured me, would you let me go again?"
"No, sir!"
"Then say no more about it. Neither can I let you go. I would be a fool if I did."
"Well, I have to agree with you, Captain Joaquin. As I said before, there is no use in our trying to fool each other. We are foes to the bitter end, and so be it."
The outlaw gave a nod and a wave of the hand in acquiescence, and which, at the same time, cut the subject short.
A little later he called a halt.
"Here, men," he said, "is the place for us to part company. You know what the programme is."
They answered that they did.
"You, Hurley, I will make my lieutenant in place of Hoxey. Take the men on at speed to Injun Ford, and there divide your force, half going up the creek and half down. Part by twos, and scatter to every point of the compass until the time of meeting, as agreed."
"All right; we understand," answered Hurley.
Captain Joaquin dismounted.
"But, what about ther prisoner?" his lieutenant inquired. "What are we goin' to do with him?"
"Hang me if I know," responded the Red Rover, rubbing his chin in a meditative manner.
"Jist whatever you say, captain," assured Hurley.
"I am afraid to trust him with you, boys," decided Captain Joaquin, after a few moments' reflection. "He would be sure to find the soft spot in your hearts, if you have got such organs, and play upon it. I guess I will take him with me. Dismount, Deadwood Dick!"
"And be murdered in cold blood somewhere in the mountain passes?"
"You