CHAPTER VII.
THE SECRET SHOT.
Deadwood Dick smiled too, in a grim fashion.
While fate might be against him, yet it was his intention to shootCaptain Joaquin so dead that he would never kick again.
It was a trying moment for both men.
With Dick it was like bantering Providence, while with the Red Rover itwas a last desperate chance, like one in a thousand. With both it was amoment to test their nerves.
That neither was a coward needs no attesting.
Captain Joaquin measured off twenty paces, walking with his back toDick and trusting him fully.
Perhaps he felt that he could trust to the honor of a man who wouldthus give him a chance for his life after having caught him and madehim prisoner.
Not only was Dick doing that, but he was running the risk of his ownlife by so doing. He was making it an even toss between right andwrong, between law and outlaw, between justice and iniquity.
Captain Joaquin stopped and faced around.
"Are you ready?" he coolly asked.
"One moment," said Dick.
"What is it?"
"I do not want to take any advantage of you, nor do I mean to allow youto take any advantage of me if I can help it."
"That is right."
"We must have a signal to fire by, and it must be one that neither ofus can mistake."
"I agree with you there. What shall it be?"
"If we had some one here to count three for us, that would do, butseeing that we have not, we cannot do it for ourselves."
"Why not?"
"The one who counted would have just the shade of an advantage over theother."
"He should not take it."
"If he hesitated, the other fellow would have it."
"I don't understand."
"If I count, I can say three and shoot at the same moment, while itwould take a fraction of a second for you to hear and shoot."
"There's something in that, I guess."
"Now, what I propose is this: We will count up to ten, in unison,keeping perfect time, hands straight down at the sides, and at the wordten we will fire."
"I can't find any fault with that."
"It is as fair as we can make it. Are your weapons in order?"
"Yes; and yours?"
"The same. Place yourself in position."
The outlaw had laid his Winchester on the ground, and with a revolverin each hand, he stood erect, hands at his sides.
Deadwood Dick was already in that position, for the agreement had sofar progressed that it seemed useless for him to hold the Red Roverunder cover when the end was so near.
"Now," said Dick, "count with me, and by the time we reach six or sevenit will sound as one voice. Remember, neither is to lift an arm untilten is heard; then you may shoot just as quick as you can. Are you allready to begin? I don't want to hurry you."
"I am all ready; let her go."
"All right, begin: One, two, three, four," they started, and by thetime four was spoken they were in time and unison, and it sounded asDick had said, as one voice. "Five, six, seven--"
Crack!
The report of a rifle rang out upon the still air.
Deadwood Dick gave a start, partly raised his right hand, and fellforward on his face.
Captain Joaquin looked around in greatest surprise, and hesitated onlya moment before he sprang to the cover of a huge boulder that lay nearat hand.
Evidently he did not want a dose of the same medicine.
A laugh rang out, the laugh of a woman, and a young woman made herappearance from the point where the rifle had been fired.
She was fair-looking, clad in a bright jacket, short skirt and asombrero, her feet incased in stout shoes and leggings. She had a riflein her hands.
At sight of her Captain Joaquin leaped from cover.
"Susana!"
"As you see, my love!"
"But what have you done? Why did you do this?"
"Why did I do it? Why, but to save the life of him I love!"
"But, it was a fair fight; I had no right to any advantage; he wasgiving me a chance for my life."
"And your Susana gave you a better chance; ha, ha, ha! But, who was he?Some hateful sheriff, I suppose, who would not let you mind your ownbusiness your own way."
"No, it was Deadwood Dick, Junior."
"Heavens!"
The young woman started and paled.
"Did you not suspect that it was he, Susana?"
"Not for a moment. Had I, I would have missed him with nervousness,sure."
"Well, the deed is done, and we will not cry over it now. A kiss,my pet, and then I will show you treasure that will make your eyessparkle."
The young woman dropped the rifle and threw herself into the man'sembrace, and their lips met. He caressed her for a moment, then let hergo and she recovered her weapon.
"So, you would not take the chances, eh?" said Captain Joaquin.
"How could I, seeing how cool and determined he looked, and imaginingyou falling forward with a bullet in your heart--Heavens, no!"
"And yet it was a square deal, the squarest I ever got in my life,Susana. If he had killed me, it would have been a fair game, and Icould not have made a kick when I found myself suddenly transported."
The young woman laughed.
"You are not dying yet, though, if I can prevent," she said. "Come, wemust see about that treasure."
"We must first see if you killed your man."
"Killed him? He is so dead he will never move again in this world,Joaquin."
"And he can well be spared, for he has been a terror to gentlemen of mycalling all his life. Your name will be exalted, my pet. There will bea big price on your head."
"And my Joaquin will defend me."
"To the last drop of blood, you are right."
They were walking to where Deadwood Dick lay while talking thus.
As they came near they heard a slight groan, and the young woman gave astart and turned pale.
"Your shot was not so fatal, after all," said the Red Rover.
"He must be dying," said the young woman. "I aimed carefully at hishead."
"And succeeded finely in stunning him. See there, you made a neatlittle crease just over the temple. You will have to finish the job."
"Heavens, no!"
"Why not?"
"I could not do it now, since you are out of danger; besides, he isdown and cannot help himself."
Captain Joaquin drew a pistol and cocked it.
"No, no!" cried the woman, catching his arm. "You must not, you mustnot!"
"It must be his life or mine," said the Red Rover, grimly. "Better now,while he is unconscious. Out of the way a moment, Susana."
"No, no! You must not--you shall not! Did you not tell me that it wasa fair fight, that he was giving you the fairest show you ever had inyour life? For shame!"
Captain Joaquin flushed, and thrust his revolver back into its holsterspitefully. He recalled the chance that Deadwood Dick had given him forhis life, and was for the moment abashed, under the scornful gaze ofthis woman who loved him.
The next moment Deadwood Dick opened his eyes.