Beadle's Half Dime Library (1046) (1897 08 10)
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Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copyrighted 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, August 10, 1897. No. 10 AG. Five Cents a Copy. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, |, Published Every Vol. patie $2.50 a Year, 92 Wui1aM Srreet, New York. Tuesday, ee e————————————————————————— ee Gold Plume, -= BUFFALO BILL , The Boy Bandit; The Pony Express Rider. : BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, a LEE — iif WF V4 i Wi ] CoM ey Co e
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Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. es — — 2 A Romance of Buffalo Bill’s Early Life. Gold Plume, THE BOY BANDIT; oR, THE KID-GLOVE SPORT. A Sequel to “ Little Grit, the Wild Rider.” BY COli PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘THE HUSSaR CAPTAIN,” ‘f THE SEA DEVIL,” ‘DICK DEAD-EY4,”. ‘ THE 30Y DUELIST,” “ LITTLE GRIT,” ETC, CHAPTER I, THE WEIRD VISITOR. “*Bau! Iam a fool to feel a presentiment of evil now, just as I have a fortune in my grasp, hav» purchased back the old homestead, and can give my child an inheritance of which she may be proud; but, why can I not drive the phantoms of evi! to come from before my eyes, and keer this chill of almost despair out of my heart? “No, no, I cannot, for the old feeling comes back to me, and I tremble with dread, just as Tam about to step acruss the threshold of a new life.” The speaker was Daniel Benton, a stock- tender on the line of the Overland Pony Ex- press, and a man of fine physique and striking face, seemingly out of place in that wild lo- cality. Those who read “Little Grit, the Wild Ri- der,” will recognize in Dan Benton an old ac- quaintance, who dwelt with his pretty daugh- ter, Bessie, in a snug little cabin, far from other habitation of men, and both father and child seemingly content in that home among the mountains. Love for an erring brother had cost him the fortune of his earlier years, and destitute, he had sought an abiding place among the western wilds as stock-tender to the Pony Express Company, to the outward eye his only occu ia though seeretly he passed his time, tween the arrivals and departures of the riders, in digging gold in a secluded canyon, unknown even to his daughter. Locked up in his heart he held the secret, and toiled on and on, until at last he had quietly bought back the home of his beyhood and other property he had sacrificed for his brother, and yet had hidden away a large sum in gold dust, while his mine continued to yield generously. But there were enemies who kept an eye upon him, and by accident his secret had be- come known to Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, though the location of his mine could not be found, and efforts were made to force from the mining stock-tender his riches, and re- fusing to give up bis hard earnings, he had been swung up to a beam im his cabin and left for dead, while his’ beautiful daughter, Bessie, would have shared the same fate, had it not been for the coming of Little Grit, the Wild Rider, who rescued Benton from death, and was the means of restoring to him his child, who had been the captive of the outlaws. With threats of death before him, Dan Ben- ton had determined to give up his mine, and with the treasure he had received, go on to Rocky Glen, and, accqmpanied by his daugh- ter, and the Wild Rider, to bid farewell for- ‘ ever to the land of the West, With her lover, Little Grit, Bessie had gone on to the tavern at Rocky Glen, leaving her father to follow after nightfall, with the trea- sure, which he would not take from its hiding- placefuntil darkness fell upon the scene. Calmly he had packed his few traps together, and was waiting the coming of night, when a foreboding of evil caused him to utter the words that open this story. Going to the door of his cabin, he lodked out upon the suniit valley, hoping that the feeling of coming evil would go from him; but it yet semained, as strong as ever, strive as he might to shake it off, and he sat down in gloomy meditation, and again mused: “Well, if this feeling means harm to me I am content, for it is Bessie’s happiness only I want. “That strange, and yet noble youth, whom men call Little Grit, will make her a good hus- band, and he knows where I have the gold buried, and—” He paused, for there came the sound of a foot- fall without the cabin, and a shadow fell upon the doorway. Quickly the stock-tender arose to his feet, for, excepting the Pony Riders, and an oc- casional hunter, few persons ever came to his lonely house. Great God!” The ery seemed wrung from his lips by some startling apparition, and he gazed fixedly at the door with staring eyes. ‘ And no wonder! for, like a picture in a frame, stood a form inthe doorway, a woman’s form, clad in pure white. A loose, flowing robe of light material fell from her shoulders to her feet, and worn around her head, like a turban, and with long ends to serve as vails, was a snowy cloth, that gave to her darkly-bronzed face and large, lus- trous eyes, a weird look, “ Are you of this earth?’ whispered, rather than spoke the man, for his forebodings of evil had excited his mind into almost a belief in the supernatural. ‘‘T am called the Spirit of the Canyon, Daniel Benton,” was the clear response. “Hal you then are that weird, strange creature that I have seen flit along the trail at night,.and who is said to be the ghost ofa woman slain in the Haunted Canyon, years ago?’ he asked in a suppressed voice, ‘Yes, Iam what I am, and, Daniel Benton, I have come for you.” “Oh God! I feared the blow would fall, and alas! it has fallen,” and the stock-tender sunk down on his chair and buried his face in his hands, while in silence the weird - looking woman stood regarding him. CHAPTER II. THE GOLD SECRET. For ful! a moment the tableau, of the sor- row-stricken man and his weird visitor, re- mained, and neither spoke a wcrd; but then, with a mighty effort, the man aroused himself, and said: “I was momentarily awed by your presence, but now Iam myself again, and you will see no more weakness, Why have you come hers?” “‘Ttold you that I had come for you,” was the reply. ** And who are you?” “The Spirit of the Canyon.” “Bah! if I was weak enough a few minutes since to believe in the supernatural, I am not now. You are a woman, masquerading as a ghost, and I ask you what you want with me?” ‘* Your daughter.” ‘“My daughter! In Heaven’s name what do you want with her?” and the stock-tender turned slightly pale, for his child was the one idol of his worship, “The Boy Bandit has sent for her.” “That accursed fiend has sent for my child?” ‘“You heard me.” “Well, thank God, she is beyond his reach. Go and tell him so.” **T cannot return empty-handed; you, or your daughter go with me,” was the woman’s firm response. “IT tell you my child is beyond the reach of harm,” “Then you must go with me.” “You area fool, to think I vgll obey the summons of a woman,” was the stock-tender’s angry retort. . “T have power to force you to ebey.” **T doubt it.” “Do von? Then lool!” and the woman pointed to ibe oven window behind the man. Turning, he beheld with a start, that two mem stood there, and upon him were leveled a couple of revolvers. Again he looked back at the woman, and upon each side of her now stood a huge form, with a cruel, sinister face. With aslight smile the woman said: ‘You see, Daniel Benton, that I bave you |in my power; now will you give up your daughter, or go with me yourself?” ‘7 will never give her up.” “Then you must go, and I wish you to make known the hiding-place of your gold.” ‘‘Néver! You shall not rob Bessie of that, if you do of ber father.” ‘*You refuse to make known the hiding. place.” ** Yes, I do refuse.” “Your life sball be the forfeit of your re- fusal.” ’ ‘So be it; in the grave there is rest.” “Give up your gold and the Boy Bandit will spare your life.” “J will not give up my gold; not one grain of dust shall that accursed wretch receive,” “ Beware, for Gold Plume will kill you.” “T accept my fate.” ‘“‘Then you have just ten minutes to live.” “Do you obey the orders of your chief?” ““T obey the orders of Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit.” “And he commands you to take my gold, or my life?” “Yes, if you will not give up your Jaugh- ter.” ‘‘Take my life then.” “J will; you have but ten minutes, I say, to live, and if you have aught to say, or to write, I grant you permission.” “T can ask no more,” and taking pen, ink and paper from a drawer, Daniel Benton wrote a short letter to his daughter, and handed it to the woman, who took from her belt a piece of paper upon which was some- thing written in a bold hand, and stuck the two upon the door of the cabin. ‘‘What ison that paper?’ asked the stock tender. “Simply a placard for the eyes of Little Grit, the Wild Rider. Now are you ready to die, Daniel Benton?’ “Yes, if I must die, it might as well be over with,” he answered sadly. “ And you refuse to say where your gold is hidden?” ‘“‘T refuse, positively.” ‘Tf I promise you your life?” “T still refuse.” “You are stubborn.” “T am just to my child.” ‘She knows then where the treasure #@ buried?” “No, but there is one other that dees.” “The Wild Rider?” “Tt matters not.” “You will die rather than tell?” “cc Yes,” “Seize that man and-bind him!” The woman spoke harsbly, aud four socn rushed into the cabin, and Dariet fenton the stock-tender felt that the end of his life bad come, and that his foreboding pf evil was fio be verified. CHAPTER IIL. THE YOUTH FROM WANSAS. “Har is goin’ ter be music im ther . round thee heur diggins, pard, or I ure howlin’ liar.” The speaker was a thorough type of the un- couth borderman, yet in his fearless face there was a loek of honesty and goodness that showed the heeet wishin was in the right place. An unfortunate man in his mining under- takings, he had taken to gambling, and was se universally successful in holding good hands that his name of Ned Ress had been dropped wholly, and his companions knew him only at “ od red His remark that opens th chapter kad beet 4 ‘ 1
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a eg Fi 4 at 5) en } . . } addressed to no one in particular, but every | oue in general, for two score of men were in the saloon of the border inn, Rider’s Rest, | whose proprietor; Judge Hunter, was proud of it as a frontier public house, It was growing toward nine o'clock, and teamsters, stablemen, miners, and the attaches | of the Pony Express were dropping into the saloon to spend the time in gambling, drink- imz and gossiping, and the games had only | been deferred on account of the exciting scenes of the past few days in Rocky Glen, for be- | sides being the central head-quarters of the | Pony Express Company, it had just been se- | lected as the terminus of a line of overland coaches, and Colonel Hewlett, a well-known eavalry officer, had arrived there with a mil- itary train to establish a fort in the vicinity. These eircumstances, to add to the impor- | ¢ance of Rocky Glen, were enough in them- selves to create intense enthusiasm, but the theme of special importance, just then, was the fact that Colonel Hewlett’s lovely daughter, Helen, had been kidnapped from the train. by two outlaws disguised as hunters, and had been rescued by Little Grit, the Wild Rider of the Pony Express, who had also performed prodi- gies of valor against the bandits, who, under their boy leader, Gold Plume, had been com- mitting deoredations along the line, and set- ting both the Vigilantes and military at de- | fiance. A few hours before we find the crowd con- gregating)in the ‘ Rider’s Free-and-Easy ”—as the taveri was called—the new Pony Rider, wiio wag'to take the place of Little Grit, had dashedinto the station, bearing with him news that Daniel Benton, the stock-iender, had been taken from his cabin and hanged, or put to death, by some of the Boy Bandit’s gang, and that he had found the stockade deserted, the horses run off, and two papers pinned upon the door, one of which was a letter from the un- fortunate man to‘his daughter Bessie, and the other a warning against the Wild Rider. The news of her father’s death had nearly overwhelmed poor Bessie Benton, who was building castles in the air of future happiness, for, that night, she was to have left Rocky Flen, in company with father and lover, to seek a home elsewhere. But with the death of Daniel Benton, the lover, Little Grit, refused to leave Rocky Glen, and at once accepted a position offered him by Colonel Hewlett, and determined to stay right there in spite of the warning he had received. “ Who is goin’ ter make ther music in ther alr, Trumps?” asked a miner. “Waal, ther bandits sees as how ther Glen are gittin’ popilated, an’ they is goin’ to strike ' while they kin, an’ ther colonel who is buildin’ ther new fort hain’t goin’ ter be ’way back down ther lane, when thar’s work ter be did.” “T thinks yer is right thar, pard; he hes ther look o’ a fighter,” remarked Bony Bob, another miner. “Then, yer see, pards, Leetle Grit hain’t go- {n’ ter run off, skeert by threats, an’ as ther colonel hes give him a commission of 9ftenant, ou’ll find he’ll make it as hot fer ther Buoy andit as he wili fer him, if not hotter.” “Tis sorry thet Little Gri! has left ther road, fer he were ther boss o’ all ther Riders,” remarked a stableman of the Pony Express. ‘Yas, Bunk, thet are so; for he’s made “things lively gossip with his ridin’ ‘in these he are Buffalo Bill!” . diggin’s, an’ thar were few of us ever ’spected ser see ther lad come in any night or mornin’; but then, he wero allus on time, as you knows. “But it are a pity, jist now, as he was/goiv’ ter go off with Benton, an’ git spliced ter pretty Bessie, ter bev poor Dan kilt, an’ hev ter stay, an’ it’s me as says ef he stays yer’ll find he’s goin’ ter make music in ther hills.” “You is right, Trumps, fer thet are my opinion; but I’m thinkin’ he’s yot a young feller as is ter take his place,w'. hain’t no slouch,” remarked Bony Bob, “ No slouch! Waal, I kinder thir’: not, fer ia A I — ao Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. “And who is Buffalo Bill?’ asked a tall, | fine-looking, cruel-faced man, flashily dressed and wearing neatly fitting kid gloves upon his small hands. a circumstance that had gained for him the name of the Kid Glove Sport, for he was a gambler by profession, “Who are Buffalo Bill, you axes, Gambler Gray?’ inquired Trumps. “Yes, who, and what is he?” almost in- solently responded the Sport. ‘‘ Waal, he are a youth from Kansas, I had heerd, an’ thar is as much man put up in his Pony Riding clothes as yer kin find in ther buckskin or mlnin’ suit o’ any party in this heur serloon.” ‘¢You know him, then?’ “T does, Kid Gloves; I know’d him when he were a boy bullwhacker down on the Mormon trail; then he were a guide,,an’ then a scout, an’ be were fust-class at all, an’ as he’s tuk ter Pony Ridin’ yer’ll find he are a pard fer Leecle Grit.” “ A queer name he has; but it seems I have heard it before.” ‘Yer doubtless hes, Kid Gloves, fer it hes traveled some, an’ he desarves it, fer he are not only. ther boss buffler-killer, young as he be, but he tackled a buffler bull once fer a ride, when ther Injins were arter him, droppin’ down on ther bull out 0’ a tree, they says, an’ ther ole critter tuk him right tercamp. Ef thar is anybody in these diggin’s as b'lieves Buffalo Bill hain’t weaned yit, though he’s all o’ twenty, jist pick him up fer a sardine, and yer’ll drop him durn quick fer a shark. Thar’s ther youth from Kansas now,” and Trumps nodded toward the door, through which just entered a handsome young man of twenty, with a tall wiry form, dressed ina red velvet jacket, white corduroy pants, stuck in hand- some top boots, which were armed with heavy gold spurs, and wearing upon his head a gray sombrero, encircled by a gold cord and looped up on the left side with a vin representing a spur. He also wore an embroidered silk shirt, a black cravat, gauntlet gloves, and a sash of red silk, in which were stuck a pair of revolvers and a dirk-knife. With his piercing black eyes, dark com- plexion, clear-cut features, and long brown hair hanging upon his shoulders he looked like some handsome young man masquerading as & cavalier, and yet nearly every one present had heard of that youth from Kansas and his daring exploits as a boy. CHAPTE IV, THE KID GLOVE SPORT. ‘ ‘¢ Come over here, Billy, or, as yer is crowd- in’ six feet, I guess yer’ll hev ter be calt Bill now,” cried Trumps, as the youth from Kan- sas entered the saloon, and glanced around him for a seat, and perhaps for a familiar face, for he was alone. ‘‘Thank you, Ned Ross; yours is the only face I see that Irecall. We were good pards in the long ago, and I hope we will be again now I am on a new trail,’ said the young Pony Rider with manly frankness, and he took a seat next to Trumps, who replied: i. “ We will fer a fact, Billy—I means Buffalo ill.” “Oh, call me Billy, Bill, Cody, or Bison William, for I answer to all, and back at the starting station on the pony line I am culled Gold Spurs, as I happen to wear a pair made ox that precious metal, given me by Mr. Majors, whom you doubtless all know, and if you do not, I will tell you he is one of the squarest white men on the plains.” ‘“‘ We knows Mr. Majors, Bill, an’ he are as yer say,” replied Trumps, while the Kid Glove Sport, who had been intently eying the Pony Rider, remarked quietly: “J should think you would be afraid to risk your gold spurs in your dangerous riding.” Buffalo Bill glanced quickly at the speaker and in one sweeping glance seemed to read him, but answered indifferently: “T risk my life in it, and why not my spurs? The man who gets the one must take the other first.” “Waal spoke, Bill; but let me interdoece yer ter my friends, Pais heur gamecock are Kid Glove, ther gambler, as we calls him, not havin’ been his sponsors ter know bow he were christened, an’ he are a gambler, clean through, so you'll hev ter watch him ef yer shuffles ther pasteboards in his comp’ay. This are Bony Bob, an’ he are a durned sight more bony than he are fleshy, as a blind man kin see, yet he are squar’ tothe marrer, which am more than I kin post up fer some as hears me chiv; am’ this feller are Bunk, ther boss 0’ ther pouy stables. an’ he has led out ther. hosses fer Leetle Grit hisse’f, an’ will do as much fer you. This heur lcng-legged, lantern: jawed, cock-eyed gerloot are Digger Dave, ther Howlin’ Hyena o’ the Mines, ter be are ever howlin’ an’ never lickin’ nobody, an—” “Hang it, Trumps, life’s too short to have you introduce us all round, for i’ve got to take the run out at midnight, so Jet us take a drink, gentlemen, and trust in Providence for a bet ter acquaintance. My Pilgrim of the Spirit Land, be good enough to give my friends the poison they prescribe for themselves! Come, gentlemen, all are included,” and Buffalo Pill glanced over the room, and two score souls, for “spiritual consolation” at once ranged them- selves in front of the bar, and drank to the health of the new Pony Rider. “What is thet you is surroundin’, Bill?” asked Trumps, eying the glass of his young friend. “Water, Trumps.” “Water? What are water, Bill?’ asked tne amazed miner. “Oh, it’s a liquid I am very fond of.” “Does it make drunk come, as the. Injuns say?” persisted Trumps. ‘Not if taken in moderation, Trumps; but, you see, ] never drink anything stronger, nof even tea and coffee, for I’ve got to keep my nerves all right, as my jife frequently depend} upon a dead shot. Will you try a little, Trumps?” ‘No, sir, not by a jug full! I is afeerd it would p’izen me. Billy, give it up, or yer¥ drown yerself some day.” A laugh followed the remark of Trumps, who seemed to have such an antipathy te water, and then Buffalo Bill’s eyes fell upo# the Kid Glove Sport, who remained seated at the table, and the Pony Rider said, apelogeti- cally: “My invitation included you, sir.” “ Doubtless, but I never drink, for, like you — I must keep my nerves steady.” * As you please, sir; it is doubtless as peoes- sary for you to have» clear head and steady © hand in your business, as I require ix mine.” “JT do not understand you,” returned the gambler, half rising, and his eyes flashing. ‘Trumps said you were a card sharp, I be lieve,” was the cool rejoinder. “Yes,I am. Do you play?” was the quiet response of the gambler, where all present expected some violent rejoinder. ; “Sometimes; kut I won’t be cheated,” “There isno man here will accuse me of cheating,” declared the Kid Glove Sport. “Tf 1 caught you at it, you'd hear from me, pard, and that I’ll swear to’, but don’t Jet us quarrel, for I am inclined to like Rocky Glen and its people, only I can’t understand why you all let the Boy Bandit run the road as be does.” “You will soon change your mind when you have ridden on his hunting ground a few days, and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of his wearing your gold spurs before long,” va- marked Gambler Grey, with a sinister smile. “Tf he can get them he is welcome; Mr, Majors didn’t give them to me to make a pre- sent of tkem to somebedy else, and there wid be a merry go-round before I take ’em off.” “Tl wager that you don’t ride the read @ week.” “DM take the bet; name the sum,” wasth prompt response.
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“ Call it a hundred, and here’s my money.” “ And here is mine, and there’s Judge Hun- ger for a_ stake-holder,” lightly responded Buffalo Bill, as the host of the Rider’s Rest en- tered the saloon, Each better deposited his money in the hands ef the judge, and then the Kid Glove Sport asked: , .. “Do you intend to ride as did Little Grit, the ' Wild Rider?” “How was that?” * Without a bridle on his horse, or rein of amy kind.” “T have heard that was his style, long be- fore I eame up here, and I- concluded to fol- low his example, so came in here to look him up.” “To get the secret of how he does it from him?’ sneered the gambler, “Oh, no; for I learned to ride without bridle and saddle; I wanted to get his horses, if he will sell them.” * You talk rich for a youngster,” ‘Oh, I intend to win the money from you te pay for them,” was the smiling response, and Trumps broke outin a loud laugh in which he was joined by nearly all present, “But if you do not buy the horses that the Wild Rider has trained?” ‘Phen I shall train others myself,” **T have a horse I will sell you.” “ & good animal?” “ A better is not on this border,” declared the Kid Glove Sport, proudly. “Do you know the horse, Trumps?” and the young Pony Rider turned to his old friend. ¥ does.” ** Does Kid Gloves speak true of his horse?” ** Yas, the horse is a lightnin’ goer, but thar are more distilled hellfire in bim than in a whole team o’ kickin’ mules,” “The very horse I want! loves.” “You have not asked the price yet.” “ Hang the price! if I want him Ill have im if he’s for sale; but, what do you want for him?’ “TU give him to you, if you will ride him te-night from here without a bridle,” was the ted response, “Til do it,” was the quick acceptance of the offer, and it brought a grim, cruel smile to the faee of the gambler, while Trumps remarked to Bony Bob: ; “Thet durned sport are puttin’ up a job on thet ogy from Kansas, an’ a blind man kin . gee thet them two isn’t goin’ ter be lovin’ pards,.” Til take him, CHAPTER V, THE INSULT, ‘You will ride the horse, Red Devil, with- out a bridle, if I will give him to you?” almost eagerly asked the gambler. “Certainly; only I have noright to accept a present from you,” replied Buffalo Bill. “Ef he’s fool enough ter offer his hoss, Bill, you be wise man enough ter take him, “] knows ther horse, an’ he are Satin’s imp on four legs; but I hes seen you ride, an’ I @on’t go back on sayin’ yer is ther ekal o’ ther Wild Rider, fer no man kin be better,” re- marked Trumps, while the Pony Rider said, again addressing the gambler in his pleasant or : wl yon shall not be the loser, Kid Gloves, for Wil bet you that I ride your Red Devil the @fteen mile ron to the station, and bring him back to-morrow ontime, If I fail, you get yeur horse back, and win my money. What @o you censider him worth?” “T bave been offered three hundred dollars for kim.” Then here is the money, andI put it in the hands of the judge,” and the Pony Rider took -} ent a roll of bills, which caused the gambler to gay insinuatingly: “You are not breke yet.” _ “Be, I have alittle money left, which per- you want.” » "it I can win it, yee.” Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. “There is nothing like trying, and I have time yet,” “Wait until I tell my Chinee servant to have Red Devil ready,” and the Kid Glove Sport left the saloon, while Judge Hunter re- marked, as he drew a chair up to the table: “T fear you have not made a very valuable acquaintance, Cody.” “Oh yes, judge; I rather like men of his stripe.” “‘T think he will not say the same of you, for he evidently has evil intentions against you, in wishing you to ride Red Devil, for, excepting Kid Gloves and his Chinee servant, no one dare go near the horsc; put you come well recommended as a rider, and came in on ‘| time to-day though you had never been over the road before, and met with some detention.” Buffalo Bill snriled, but made no reply, and Bony Bob said in a low tone to Trumps: ‘“‘T guesses ther new ’un is a-goin’ ter be ekal to ther ole ’un.” ‘*T guesses he are, Bony; but it are a pre- cious pair, Wild Rider, an’ Billy,” “So it are; but, heur comes Kid Gloves back again,” and room was made for him at the table, Seating himself, with a pleasant smile the gambler said: ‘*The horse will be ready for you, Buffalo Bill, so now let us have a little game.” “T am willing, Kid Gloves; there is my pile,’’ and he cast theroll of bills upon the table. “*What! do you intend to risk all you have?” asked Judge Hunter, “ Oh yes, sir; why not?” ‘Ther Sport will make a clean sweep o’ it, pard,” warned Trumps, **Yas, clean yer out > dust ther fust go round,” put in Bony Bob, “1'll take the chances, and if I lose it’s my loss; Iam ready, Gloves.” The gambler called for a pack of cards, and shuffling them, the two drew for deal and Buffalo Bill lost, Then the game began, was rapidly played through, and Buffalo Bill won. “You are not such a sharp after all, Gloves, or you didn’t cheat that game; which was it?” asked the Pony Rider in his light, reckless way. “You won fairly, sir,” was the unruffled reply, and again the lookers on.were disap- pointed, for they had expected an outburst of passion, as few men dare speak to the Kid Glove Sport as the Pony Rider had done. “IT know thats if I was a cheat at cards, I’d be a cut-throat too, for there’s no difference; will you play again?’ “Yes,” was the abrupt response, and once more the game was played, and once more won by Buffalo Bill. “Pard, yer is losing yer grip,” said Trumps, addressing the gambler, “You haven’t been drinking, have you, to lose your nerve?” innocently asked Buffalo Bill, as a third time he wae the winner. ‘No, sir, Iam playing fair, and you are—” “ What?” and the muzzle of a revolver sud- denly looked squarely in the face of the Kid Glove Sport, and the finger of Buffalo Bill lightly rested upon the trigger; but, with death staring himin the face, the gambler did not flinch, or lose color, as he said; “You are as quick on the draw as you are in fingering the cards.” “ You mean that I cheat?’ demanded Buffalo Bill quietly, a“ I do.” “ Retract that, or I will kill you!” Every man in the room was now upon his feet, and all eyes were upon the Kid Glove Sport and Buffalo Bill, for that the latter meant what he said there was no doubt what- ever, CHAPTER VI. LITTLE GRIT CHIPS IR, For full a minute not a word was spoken, and not a sound broke the silence in the room, other than the suppressed breathing ef the men. It was a thrilling tableau, one to be re- membered by those who saw it, for the gam- bler sat in his chair, his eyes gaging into those of Buffalo Bill, who, with one arm resting upom the table, across which he was leaning, and the other holding his revolver within a foot of the face of the man who had insulted him, showed by his firm-set lips and burning glance that he intended to touch the trigger if his enemy did not retract the insult, “Shall it be life or death for you, Kid Gloves?” The silence was broken by Buffalo Bill, and all anxiously awaited the reply of the gam- bler At last it came, and ina voice strangely calm. “T am no fool, Cody, so I say life, as I wish not to die yet, having some few little business engagements on hand which J] care not te break,” “ And you retract your words?” ‘“Yes, for I do not believe you cheated, and only said so to try you.” «And you tried me, I hope, to your satisfac tion,” was the dry response of the Pony Rider, as he lowered his revolver and returned it to his belt, ““Of course you will give me satisfaction by playing another game?’ added the Kid Glove Sport. ‘Yes, if you wish it, for I have time,” was the indifferent response, and again they seated themselves at the table, and once more the crowd gathered eagerly around the two play- ers. The game at once began, and was played de- liberately through, the players only now and then breaking the silence with a word or two, and at the end the gambler was the winner. “Tt is not yet miduight; perhaps you would like another game?” suggested the Kid Glove Sport. “Upon one condition.” *< What is it?” “That the man who slipped you cards be- fore, under the table, stands out of reach of you,” was the remark of Buffalo Bill. ‘*Do you mean to accuse me of unfair play” angrily asked the gambler, ‘‘-Yes,” and as Butfalo Bill spoke he attempt- ed to draw his revolver, but his arm was seized with a strong grasp by the very man, 48 beavily-bearded, hang-dog-faced miner, whow he had accused of aiding the gambler. This act gave the Kid Glove Sport time te bring his weapon to a level, and he said, deter minedly: “Now, sir, J hold trumps, you see, and I shall play them, too, if you do not retract your insult to me.” “Yes, turn-about is fair play, pards,” said the man who held the arm of Buffalo Bill. “Do you intend to retract your accusation?® sternly asked the gambler, ac No.” «T will kill you if you do not,” “J will again assert that I saw that man hand you cards,” firmly declared the Pony Rider. “Stick to it pard, ef yer seen it, an’ I'll take a leetle hand too,” chipped in Trumps, whose weapon eovered the man who held Buf- falo Bill, “You love life, I suppose#” sneered the gambler to the Pony Rider. ‘Oh, yes,” was the light response. “Then retract, or I will kill you,” “Tam not a coward like you.” “You refuse?” ae Yes. »”» A deathlike stillness fell upon all, and « score of men present held their weapons, and the result hung by a thread, for the Kid Glove Sport had his satellites there, and there wero a number who weuld side with the Pony Rider. With a eruel smile, Gambler Grey ran bis eye along the barrel of his revolver, whic o
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i} ted full at the forehead of Buffalo Bill, unflinchingly looked squarely into the t ming muzzle, Thea the finger of the gambler toyed with the trigger, and ere it gave a full pressure up went the arm that held it, and a clear voice said :— “Permit me to take a hand in this game, gentlemen!” The spell was broken, and a sigh of relief seemed to break from every lip, while all eyes now turned upon the speaker, to behold a slenderly formed young man in pony riding cos- tume, and a frank, fearless, handsome face that all in Rocky Glen knew well. ** Tattle Grit !” “The Wild Rider !” ** Ther boss of ther road!” The cries arose on all sides, and then came, in the hoarse voice of Trumps: ** As usual, on time you is, leetle pard.” Unheeding the excitement his coming had sreated, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, turned fis gaze upon the Kid Glove Sport, and said: “Grey, I too say you are a card sharp of the worst kind, and I am answerable for my wores,” ‘*Brave words, when your revolver covers my heart,” sneered the gambler. “Oh, I'll throw them in your teeth at any sime, as did Buffalo Bill just now, when you held him at disadvantage. “But, Cody, your time is up, and if you -wish to continue your quarrel with this fellow, do it on your return, if I don’t have to kill him before you get back.” “ All right, Wild Rider; but, I have a wager with him, so let the matter stand until my return. ‘““Now, Kid Gloves, where is your horse, for I must be off withia five minutes?’ *T will go for him, if Wild Rider will take his revolver out of my face,” was the sullen reply. ““Ob yes, but mind you, no treachery,” and Little Grit lowered his weapon; and- the gam- bier leaving the saloon, all followed him. As they halted in front of the tavern, there was heard the clatter of hoofs, and the next moment a horseman was seen flying along the moonlit trail. The next instant he drew rein before the Rider’s Rest, and Judge Hunter sung out: ‘Pony Rider Pet on time! Pony Rider Buffalo Bill to the front!” ** Ay, ay, sir,” and Buffalo Bill stepped up, ready for his run out of eighty-six long miles. CHAPTER VIL. THE START AND THE TRAILERS, “CLEAR the way there!” The stern order came from the lips of the Kid Glove Gambler, and around the corner of Shu Rider’s Rest came a plunging horse held by $wo persons. ‘Here is the Red Devil, Cody; now to carry out your words,” sneered the gambler, as with the assistance of Chopee Stickee, his Chinee ‘servant, he halted a large, fine-lookimg but vicious bleod-bay before the piazza. There was a general rush to give the horse lenty of room, for his devilish nature was wél known in Rocky Glen, and the Chinee took vip*aa Pony Rider’s light saddle, to which Judge Furter bad already attached the express bags. agi started toward the animal with it, while se gambler tried to quiet him by words ana Peas ie. Pyttes Stickee, n sbisee way?’ asked Chopee Buffalo Bill in a peculiar way,fs he e question., * Yes you,” answered the Pony Ride, ’ “No, knowee; Red Devee killee Ridée,” the Chinee gave Buffale Bill avother jar nudge, and started foward tbe fiery héree with the saddle. **That Chinee put a piece of paper under the strap of the express bag,” said Little Grit in a whisper to Buffalo Bill, who answered equietly: oot .a PF 7 ® ~ roe: + 7 - rf el : 3 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. “Thank you; I saw it.” Then he advanced toward Red Devil, who had worked himself into a fearful humor, and was biting atthe gambler even. “* Cody, I do not wish you to ride that horse.” cried Judge Hunter, and as he spoke there | came out upon the piazza a tall man in military uniform, and two maidens, **No, Bill, don’t tackle ther devil, fer he is durnedly like his owner,” said Trumps, “Ef it were ther Wild Rider it would be dif’rent,” suggested Bony Bob. “Gentlemen, I trust you will not worry on my ccount,’” remarked Buffalo Bill, pulling on his gauntlet glovesand drawing his whip out | of his bootleg, where he always carried it when not in use. ‘* Allow me to suggest, sir, that you are tak- ing too great a risk to ride that horse. Why, the animal is mad!” said Colonel Hewlett, the gentleman in uniform, ‘*The wager is to ride him withouta bridle, colonel,” cried Judge Hunter anxiously, “¢ Oh father! do-nof permit him to be so rash!” The words were spoken by Helen Hewlett, and the soft pleading voice caused Buffalo Bill to glance toward her; then, by a sudden im- pulse he bounded forward, and with a mighty leap was in the saddle, ** Let go!” Sternly the order rung from his lips, and, as | the Kid Glove Gambler and Chopee Stickee loosened their holds and sprung out of the way, the vicious horse reared wildly, and pawing savagely walked along on his hind feet, ** Without a bridle was the wager !” shouted the Kid Glove Sport, hoarsely. “ Ay, ay!” answered Buffalo Bill, and he was seen to grasp the head-stall; then came a gleam of steel, and the bridle fell to the ground! With a furious snort Red Devil bounded for- ward, amid a wild chorus of yells, and from the lips of Buffalo Bill, came a stern; ay Go Pr Down, upon the glossy hide fell the keen whip! (Into the heaving flanks sunk the gold spurs, and with a cry of pain, terror and rage commingled’ the frantic animal sprung away along the trail. There was’a short view of a flying steed and fearless rider, and then they swept from the view of the excited, cheering crowd, in the midst of whom stood Grey, the Kid Glove Sport, a triumphant smile upon his handsome, but cruel face, “‘Didn’t I tell yer he were ther twin o’ Leetle Grit, ther Wild Rider?’ cried Trumps, enthu- siastically. “Yer did fer a fact, Trumps; kut I wonder ef he'll ever be heard from ag’in, fer ther Red Devil started off as though he were goin’ to Kingdom Come,” answered Bony Bob, and the two returned to the saloon, where most of the crowd had already preceded them, leaving the front of the tavern deserted by all but one person. That person was a man, standing in the shadow, and apparently watching for some one. For some minutes he stood as silent as a statue, and then his eye caught sight of some- thing moving along the edga of a row of shanties not far away. ‘ “It is as I thought; Kid Gloves is already on the trail of Buffalo Bill, and I will be on his!” muttered the man, and leaving his place of observation he quietly glided around the corner of the hotel, to soon after appear on horseback, As he moved slowly along the trail taken by Buffalo Bill and the Kid Glove Sport, the moonlight falling upon him revealed that it was Little Grit, and that he was mounted upon a splendid black horse that wore no bridle, yet seemed under the perfect control of his young master. CHAPTER VIIL. THE RIDER’S REST, | hour was past midnight, and they were speak- ing of the new Pony Rider, as Buffalo Bill was called, and his daring in riding Red Devil, the horse of the Kid Glove Sport. There were in the room a gentleman and two ladies, the same who had gone out on the piazza to see the departure of the Express Rider, and having seen him disappear around | a curve in the trail they had returned to the room of the colonel, who had just come on Rocky Glen to assume command of that per tion of the border, “T fear i am keeping you up, and worry- ing you with my grief,’ said Bessie Benten, the pretty daughter of the man whese fore- bodings of evil bad so soon fallen upon him,, and who but a short while before had heard the news of her father’s death at the hands ef the Bandits, “Do not speak of it, my child, for we feel deeply for you in your grief, and know well how dreary would be the night to you were you alone,” said Colonel Hewlett, landly, while his danghter Helen responded: “Yes, indeed, we do feel for you, and hope the morning will bring good tidings, for I can- not believe that these men, vile as they are, would deliberately kill your father, who never harmed them.” “ Ah, Miss Hewlett, you do not know the black hearts of the men who serve under the Boy Bandit; they have slain my poor fauher I feel assured, and I am alone in the world.” “Do not say so, Bessie, for you shall remain with Helen, and be like a daughter to me, and Judge Hunter seems very fond of you, and most anxious to adopt you,” said the colonel. ‘‘And there is one other who would not: like to hear you say you were alone in the world,” archly remarked Helon Hewlett. “You are all very kind, my friend@s, but do you know I have a presentiment of evil {0} come? and, as much as I would wish to see tha} murderers of my father punished, I dread te have Little Grit remain here, knowing that he has sworn to avenge him.” ‘** And he will do so, for he is one of the pluckiest men 1 ever saw, and I am glad I made him a lieutenant, so you will have te ~ call your lover Lieutenant Hewlett Lamdell, now, Bessie, instead of Little Grit and Wild Rider,” said the colonel, with a smile. “‘His nicknames will never desert him, sir, should he rise to your rank, as long as he ree mains on the border—hark!” All listened and heard a horse going by, and rising the colonel looked out, seh “jt is Wild Rider—I mean Lieutenant + Lamdell,” he said, recognizing him in the + moonlight. } “Ah me! that is why I dread evil, fer I know he has gone on some expedition of © danger,” said Bessie nervously. i “Do not have any dread, Bessie, for in the morning I will myself start out with a squad+ ron of cavalry, and begin tke good work of hunting down thcse-outlaws, ‘I did wish to get my fort built first, but im the mean time they may do much mischief, se’ I will strike at once a blow which they wili remember,” Then, to himself. he added, as he saw the youth disappear around the curve which Buffalo Bill had taken: “I wonder where that daring youth has gone to-night?” : His mental query was almost immediately ~ answered by a knock at the door, and the en- trance of Judge Hunter, who said, in his blung way: lover of yours in the traces, for he bas gone off after that devil in human shape Grey.” “Ob judge! where have they gone?’ asked Bessie, and seeing his mistake, the hose of the Rider’s Rest quickly said: : “Ob, don’t worry, for he can take care of. + himself; but shortly after Buffalo Bill went of — on that mad horse, Kid Gloves, as we call ¥ “ Well, Bessie, you will have to keep thay | In a pleasant room of the Rider's Rest sat | Grey, mounted and followed, an? one of that’ i three persons in conversation, although the | stable boys told me just aow, inet WHA —..
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PRS REM HIS Sy) TAS Pe ae Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. Rider, or rather Lieutenant Lamdell, as I must call your protege now, colonel, sprung upon his black steed Firefly, and went in pursuit; but I ee it is only to find out whether the Pony ider got killed or not by that beast.” “Yes, I guess that is why he went, judge; Hut do you know aught of this daring young sider who has come to take the place of Lieu- tenant Lamdell?” asked Colonel Hewlett. “Thave heard of him often before as a re- markable youtb, and his daringly mounting that mad horse of Grey’s proves the stories re- Se garding him are likely true; he certainly is a dashing, handsome fellow, a little dandified in fee his dress perhaps, but with the courage of a "a tien aud nerve of an Indian chief, as | saw to- wight, for we had a lively scene in the saloon, colonel, an bour ago, of which I wish you eould have been an eye-witness.” Fe “There was no shooting, I hope, judge?’ * “ I do,” “Waal, you is mistaken.” % ‘* Ben Trotter, you are known as a ele veut liar along the entire Overland, an”. *) do! not hand out that package, the} °Ys il! er'set “ @ tombstone over you, and ha ub on, it, od ‘“«* Died from lying.’” ar Ben looked around him une; have ten thousand dollars in « him, and he deemed it a secret knov himself and the manager of the P: Company. He had had ocular demonstration.” Mat Gold Plume was not alone, and he believed enough regarding the Boy Bandit, to fee! that he would not stand trifling with, so he was in sore trouble, for resistance would be useless, or even worse than madness, bre die ris with only ‘to Express . embroidery encircling it, bad on the left side ee
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> ae *T tell yer, pard, ’ll compromise the mat- ter; rob ther pilgrims in ther hearse, an—” **No compromise, Ben Trotter; that pack- ege or your life.” “Take ther durned old package,” and Ben took a large envelope with a seal on it and threw it upon the ground at the hoofs of the ‘white horse. **Ah! youcan come to terms when neces- gary; now, Jew, let me see your face,” and the Boy Bandit rode nearer the coach and gazed within, “Yesh, my tear, it ish a pleasant tay,” and an unmistakable Hebrew visage was thrust @ut of the window, the teeth chattering with fear. “ You have not paid toll, sir.” “ Ab, vell, how mooch ish it?” **One hundred dollars.” ‘Mine Moses! I ish not got—” “Don't lie, Jew; pay, or —” *‘But, mine fri’nd, I vill sent you te mon- ish,” whined the Jew. “No; I will keep you until I get the money.” Holy Isaacs! you ish don’t men it.” 7 dor “Vell, Lish have a leetle monish mit me, dat ish peleng to mine brudder Yacob, and—” “Hand it out, sir.” Sorrowfully the Jew obeyed, and then sink- ing back upon his seat, he waited to see what the Gold Plume would demand Of the others, | for misery most truly loves company, “Here, sir robber, is my purse; itis all I have with me,” and the lady in mourning held forth her hand. * Keep it; I do not rob women.” “Thank you,” and drawing her thick vail more closely over her face, the woman sunk back in her seat. “Well, sir, I wish your toll,” and the Gold Plume turned to a sad-faced youth that sat on the front seat by the side of a man clad in mining-costume. %T have but a dollar; you are welcome to that,” said the youth, quietly. “You are poor, then?’ asked the Boy Ban- dit. «Yes; and unfortunate.” “T do not rob your kind; here, take this,” and the Boy Bandit tossed him the roll of bills given him by the Jew, who criad, quickly: “ Ah! datish mine! you ish vill not takes mine monish, poy?” “Tf you touch that money, sir, Pll put a bullet through your brain,” sternly said the Boy Bandit. “A pullet mit mine prain,” cried the Jew, and he shruak back into his seat again, while the youth said, proudly: “T*do not take stolen goods, sir bandit.” “Hal you speak well; so be it, go on to yon- der mines and see how long you will remain honest,” and teking back the money, the Gold Plume turned to the miner and said: “Tam waiting, sir.” * You can’t git blood out o’ a turnip, pard,” was the laconic response. * You, too, are poor, then?” * Waal;»J kinder reckon I is; ef yer was ter sell yer elf fer a cent, I c’wdn’t buy ther halter ter lt, og yer with.” ** Ho, sit you can afford to ride?” “ Ga). afford it, pard; played Ben Trotter fer th,» ' ide eg’in’ my ole claim back in ther aines; an’ - ; to his iron-grays and they started rapidly for- | mentioned, and with renewed speed the team ward, and almost instantly rolled from sight | dashed on. around a bend in the road. Hardly had they.dove so, when the miner | sprung to his feet, scrambled out through the | window, to the box alongside of the driver, and cried eagerly: ‘Lay it on, Ben, for I banded you up only an envelope filled with copies of the pay roll, and not the money; they'll soon find it out.” **Durvation! I knows thet voice!” “Yes, 1 am Little Grit—the Wild Rider! lay on your whip I” CHAPTER XI. THE FLIGHT. ‘s Parp, I hasn’t seen yer fer months, but I is more than glad ter grip yer fist now,” and Ben Trotter turned on his seat, and held forth his hand to iittle Grit, who grasped it firmly, while he said quickly. “Give me your whip, Ben, for when the Boy Bandit finds out that we have fooled him, he will give cuase,” ‘¢Thit are so -whew! does yer heur thet howl? they is comin now,” Loudly then aid Ben eall to his grays to jump abead, and Little Grit, in his disguise as a miner, laid the whipon with a skill that | showed be knew well how to handle it. Into a full run the horses broke, and with his reins held well in haud Ben Trotter guided them along the road, while the vehicle swayed wildly to and fro, causing the Jew inside*to call out lustily te come to a halt. ““Sbut up, yer ko+k-nosed Israelite, or Vl stop an’ put yer out fer ther bandits ter kill. “Say, youngs er, insije ther hearse, ef thet old Israel makes any mora tress, jest tap bim on ther head an’ send ther bill ter me,” called out Ben Trotter, and his threat, and the ad- vice given the youth how to treat him, at once silenced the Jew’s cries, and he bent bis every energy to holding himself in his seat, for the road was by no weans a smooth one, and going at the pace they were, the horses dragged the stage along in a manner that threatened de- molition. But Ben Trotter was a master of the reins, and his quick eyes picked out every obstacle to be avoided, and the whip in the hands of the disguised Wild Rider, urged the horses on at breakneck speed. ‘It are better ter smash up, ore then ter be tortured ter death, an’ they'll Jo it ef they catches us,” said the driver. “Yes, they will make short work of you and me, Ben, for I half believe that Gold P!ume recognized me, or at least felt sure I was dis- guised, but why he did not capture me, | know not, unless he saw that I was ready to kill him should he sing out.” * An’ you’d ’a’ done it, pard, fer I knows yer. “Yes, had he made a motion, I would have shot him, let the consequences to me be what they might.” ; * But how is it yer is rigged out in this heur trim, an’ hes hair enough on yer face fer a full grown b’ar?”’ 3 “Oh, I wave been up to alittle game, Ben, so dont give me away to the boys at the sta- tion,” answered Hewlett Lamdell. “Til not, yer kin bet; but jist ter think yer sot down and played me fer a passage through ter Rocky Glen, an’ won it too.” “T did that for a blind, for I have, as you know, a free pass on the Overland coaches.” “* Waal, yer did it well, an’ ther boys won’t know yer when yer git in.” ‘*We are not there yet, Ben.” ““Thet are so, an’ jist look how them fellers is a-comin’ arter us.” “Yes, there are twenty of them, and Gold Plume is leading; it is fortunate he did not look at the package before we left.” “Tt are fortunit, pard; go ’long, yer i»zy critters, fer don’t yer heur ther sound o’ hoof ahint yer? go ‘long, I tells yer! hit thet enssed leader, Wild Rider, fer he are bangin’ back.” The whip descended sharply upon the horse 2." ‘Ef anything should break now, pard, we'd keep right on ter kingdom come, for bheur are ther long hill,” said Ben Trotter. “Never mind the hill, Ben; but keep them at it, for we can gain on them going down, though they will recover lost time ss we go up from the valley; but once up that bili and ve are safe,” coolly said Hewlett Lamdell. ‘That are Gospil truth, pard, but it area mile yit, to the fust shanty in Rocky Glen.” “ And they are two hundred yards behind us, Ben, and Ill try my shooting-irons if they come closer.” “They will shoot back.” ‘Well, we must take our chances. Inside there!” and the young officer bent over and looked in the coach window, “ Vell, mine frint, vot ish te matter?’ asked the Jew. ‘Tam going to shoot at the bandits.” “Tat ish goot, so goot.” “ But they will fire back again.” ‘Ab, dat ish pad}vera pad.” ‘* Let the lady and youth crouch down ir the bottom of the coach, aud pile the eushions und baggage up so as to guard them.” “And me, mine frint, and me?’ gasped the Jew. “You lie down on ther back seat so as ter stop ther bullits,” yelled Ben Trotter, “ Holy Isaacs!” “Quick! protect yourselves as best you evn, for the bendits are in range now,” cried (he disguised officer, and raising his revolver he quickly fired. Down to the earth went a horse, and his rider was thrown far over his head, and lay there stunned, or killed, Hewlett Lamdell hoped the latter. “Ef yer did.miss ther Boy Bandit, yer kilt - one 0’ ther gang,”’ said Trotter. “‘T brought down the one | fired at, fer I care not to kill Gold Plume, as I wish one day to take him alive; the man on the big bay is my game now, Ben,” and watching bis chance, when the stage was runving smoothly, he leveled his revoiver a second time and fired, “By the Rockies! yer got him,” shouted Ben, as the big bay sprung forward, and his rider fell to the ground, rolled over and over with the impetus be had, and then lay in a heap. “There it comes!” said Lamdell, and both men dodged down into the boat, as half a dozen revolvers cracked, and the bullets came flying after them. One struck the top of the coach, and tore an ugly bole, and another clipped one of the, gray leaders on the hip, but nobcdy was burt, and once more the youth fired, ard again his well-aimed shot hit its mark, and a bandit’s horse went down. And down the long hill, flying at the top of their speed, went the six grays, dragging the swaying, bounding, rattling coach after them in a way that was enough to spread terror to the stoutest heart. But at last the valley was reached, are, 25 Hewlett Lamdell bad predicted, the coaeh ved gained ou its pursuers, who dare not ride se rapidly down the hill. But on the level valley road they again gained, and when the ascent of the mouitain began, they seeméd to be coming on at a speed that must soon bring them alongside, and again Hewlett Lamdell opened fire, and bis foes an- swering, a constant rattle of revolvers fol-, lowed, and Ben Trotter got a slight wound on the arm, and another of the grays received a bullet in bis neck, ‘‘The horses will follow the road, Ben, so lay your whip on, and I'll look after those fel- lows,” cried Lamdell, and standing up he faced to the rear, and with a revolver ix each hand, sent shot after shot among the haodits dite to check their advanee, for they were now not — far away. But presently down went one of the jvaders, — a shot in his brain, and the coach came to a sudden halt that well-nigh threw the drive, 2 Wyo: + > > + ee eae ys errs
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—_— aud Wild Rider from. the box, and caused a scream, and a groan to come from within the vehicle, For an instant things looked very black for the flying party; but just as the two men on the stage prepared to fight it out, a horseman dashed by, coming down the bill from Rocky Glen, and with a wild yell charged toward the bandits, who instantly turned in full flight. ‘‘ By Heaven! it is the Kid Glove Sport, and single-handed he has run upon them. Ben, Ihave wronged that man, and [ shal tell him so,” said Hewlett Lamdell earnestly. ‘He hev saved our checks from bein’ called im, that are sartin; shut up, yer durned He- brew Jew! yer knows durned well ther bandits is gone, or yer wouldn’t be axin’ ter git out an’ slay ’em,” and Ben Trotter jamped from his box to cut loose from the dead leader. CHAPTER XIL. THE WAGER WON, J} wILL now return to Buffalo Bill, who the reader will remember dashed away from Rocky Glen at midnight, mounted on Red Devil, the vicious horse of the Kid Glove Sport, and who was almost as generally feared ag was his master. With his keen whip he had forced the flying bay to take the right trail, after leaving the mining hamlet, and then allowed to run along at his will for quite a distance; but when he came to where the road divided, one trail leading around the base of the mountain, and the other straight into the hills, he again attempted to guide the animal by his whip. But Red Devil was in no pleasant mood, and ‘m spite of the keen lash, held straight on, into the mountains, Although Buffalo Bill was a new hand at Pony Express Riding in that part of the coun- try, he had before been to Rocky Glen and its vicinity, and knew that if the horse held on as he was going, he would soon be in a locality where it was most dangerous to ride even at a walk, and he determined to do all in his power to check him. But that was impossible, for the vicious animal held on, and the young Pony Rider put his hand on his revolver, as though to use it, when suddenly he uttered an exclamation, and instantly thrust his fingers beneath the strap that held the express bags to the small saddle, for it occurred to him, with that instinctive feeling that comes over one in danger, that he perhaps had a means of escape in the paper, to which the Chinee, Chopee Stickee, had so slyly attracted his attention. It was a small slip of paper, and steadying himself in his saddle, while the mad animal dashed on with head far forward and snorting wildly, he saw on it some writing. It was certainly a very poor specimen of penmanship, and hard indeed to interpret; but, after several efforts, he made out to read as follows: ** Ponee Billee goodee Melican man; savee Chopee Stickee onee timee from killee; Chopee Stickee gavee Billee from killee. “Horse Devee muchee; but Billee wantee toppee horsee, takee whip and putee ‘tween ear, and horsee e quick; wantee horsee follee Billee, Billee 2,” Having deciphered this curious advice, Buffalo Bill determined to follow it, and in- stantly thrust the lash of his whip between the ears of the running animal, The effect was so sudden, that had not the Pony Lider been a perfect horseman he would have been hurled to the ground, for the animal came to a sudden standstill, and with a suert looked around him. Springing to the ground, for he had faith pow in the advice given him by the Chinee, the Pony Rider started to walk away, at the same tims whistling to the horse to follow. With a low neigh the animal obeyed the call, and Buffalo Biil said, in triumphant tones: “Now, my noble brute, I know the secret of mansging you, thanks to that Heathen Chinee. ‘Your master has trained yor woll, and ex- | beard his horse had not killed me.” wri oI eR) te; OY We sD Gold Plume, the Boy Ba ndit. | see which will die first, the Kid Glove Sport, or Buffalo Bill. Come, my beauty, we must go on our right road.” As.he spoke he threw himself into the saddle, and at once the horse bounded away, but the touch of the whip between the ears brought him to a standstill once more, and in a minute of time he was thoroughly under the control of his new master, and flying .along on the Pony Express trail at a pace that would bring him to the station on time. Arriving there he told the stock tender to give Red Devii a stall to himself, and to be- ware of him, and mounting the horse awaiting him, and which was one of Wild Rider’s an- imals, that were trained to run without a bri- dle, he sped on his way, and reaching the end of his road, started back on the bome stretch once more, What fate had befallen him no one knew at Rocky Glen, and they feared that Wild Rider who was now known to have ridden away on his trail, as if dreading evil to his successor would return with ill tidings of him, and when the time for the coming back of Buffalo Bill drew near, many of the miners and settlers gathered in front of the Rider’s Rest. Presently a horseman appeared in sight; but asecond glance showed those who had _ first thought it was Buffalo Bill or Hewlett Lam- dell, that it was neither, but none other than the Kid Glove Sport. He came on at an easy gallop, mounted on a large roan horse, and dismounting, threw his rein to Chopee Stickee, who came forward to meet him. “‘ Waal, did yer see ther Pony Rider?” asked Trumps anxiously. ‘‘T am not the keeper of Pony Riders,” was the abrupt response. ‘No, it would be derned bad fer ‘em ef yer was: but Buffalo Bill went off on thet mad beast 0’ yourn, an’ you, foller’d soon arter. I had opinion thet yer had gone ter see ef he'd won yer hoss from yer.” ‘‘T went on otber matters that do not con- cern you, Trumps.” “ Waal, we will some day hev some leetle biz together, Kid Gloves, or I are a liar.” ‘‘ Whenever you see fit, miner,” was the in- different answer, and angered by it, Trumps was about to make some savage retort, when a cheer broke from the crowd, and Buffalo Bill dashed into sight, and that he was riding Red Devil, all saw at a glance. A muttered curse issued from the lips of the Kid Glove Sport, while, amid wild huzzas the Pony Rider dashed up to the door, brought his bridleless horse to a sudden halt, and springing to the ground, was followed to the hotel steps by the now thoroughly broken animal. ‘‘ Well, Kid Gloves, I have won the horse,” said Buffalo Bill, and a ringing cheer went up from the crowd, at the Pony Rider’s triumph and the gambler’s defeat, CHAPTER XIIL ENTRAPPED, “Yrs, you have won him fairly, and the horse is yours; but, how you tamed him I do not know,” and the Kid Glove Sport stepped up to Red Devil, which Chopee Stickee was caressing affectionately. But, as be laid his hand upon bis mane bis quick ear seemed to detect some sound in the distance, and turning he made a remark in a low tone to the Chinee and remounting his own horse he rode away. “‘Thet man are as oneasy as a wolf ina circus tent,” remarked Trumps, and he walked around toward the stables and beckoned to Buffalo Bill to follow him. * Didn’t see nuthin’ wrong did ye, Bill?’ he asked, as the two halted near the shed. ‘* How do you mean, Trumps?” “Didn't see Kid Gloves on yer trail arter yer left?” ‘‘No, but the stock-tender when I left Red Devil, toid me he had been there and asked about me, and was mad as a hornet when he “ )on’t Glame him. fer 4e trained chet hose ter kill folks; how in thunder did yer save yer neck, Bill?” ‘Oh, I found out that Red Devil was not so bad as be was painted, and he gave me little trouble, when he knew that I understaed his little ways; but did you want me for anything, Trumps?” ‘Only to say thet I doubts thet Kid Gloves ther more I sees of him, an’I are going ter mount my old Grandpap an’ see whar in thun+ der he hes gone now.” “T noticed that he rode off very suddenly, after having just returned from a long trip.” ‘¢ He did, fer a fact; he went off jist arter ye left and he comed in a leetle afore yerj now he has gone ag’in, an’ I brings old Grand- pap inter rekesition.” ‘He'll bear watching, Trumps, I feel as- sured; if you need me any time, you know you can find me,” and Buffalo Bill returned te the hotel, while Trumps entered the stables and led out bis horse, which he had named Grand- pap. Somehow the name suited the animal, for he was an ancient-looking beast, never had known the curry-comb, and was as gaunt as a deer-hound, while his mane was white, although he was a dark roan. Of course Trumps loved his horse, and was always extolling his speed, spirit and powers of endurance, which he could however, get no one else to agree with him in, though there was not one who would not swear that Grand« pap could use his heels with the dexterity of: government mule, Mounting his antiquated looking though really young animal, Trumps set off at a can- ter on the trail which Kid Gloves had taken, and was hardly out of sight of Recky Glen, when he came upon a stage-coach coming along at a slapping pace, but with one horse leading, which, to the miner was proof positive that there had been trouble of some kind, “Waal, Ben Trotter, I welcomes yer ar yer fust hearse through to Rocky Glen, ar ther boys will git yer drunk fer a fact; but what are up?’ said Trumps, as Ben Trotter drew rein on a little rise in the road. “Oh, the Boy Bandit and his band tackled us an’ got more then they wanted, owin’ ter this heur young stranger; but I must drive on now, so will see yer later, Trumps, an’ we'll hev a leetle whisk tergether,” answered Ben Trotter, and, as he drove on, the supposed miner by his side called out after him: ‘¢ A horseman has charged the bandits back on the road, and you might aid him if you care to.” “Were he a dandy-lookin’ feller with kid gloves on?” asked Trumps. “Yes; but he don’t ride nor act like a slouch,” answered Ben Trotter. ‘Tt are ther Kid Glove Sport; but what in thunder are he chargin’ upon the bandits fer all by hisse’f? ‘711 jist go on an’ see,” and Trumps continued on his way at a rapid gallop, and soon came te the spot where lay the dead stage horse, Then another animal, with saddle and bridle on, lay dead in the road, and next the body of a human being, with a bullet-wound in his forehead. ‘‘ His pockets hes been cleaned out fer a fact; I wonder ef ther Kid Glove Sport did it? but whar is ther livin’ fellers? them is who I is lookin’ fer, ef they isn’t too many of them, fer I don’t want ter bite off more ’an I kin chaw,” and Trumps moved cautiously along the trai! until other traces of Little Grit’s deadly ais came in view. “Thar hes been some scrimmagin’ goin’ « fer a fact, an’ ther old hearse be@ a hard ru. on it; but whar in thunder are thef durned Kid Glove Sport, thet went so breve at Gold Plume ar’ his gerloots?” “ He is here, Trumps, my boy, aud you are his prisoner.” “T are fer a fact; caught like a eoon in a hole,” resignedly answered Trumps, as he saw the face of the Kid Glove Sport over a huge rock, not ten feet away, and his eye glancing aiens 9 nista! harrel ther envered hic heart
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Oe ca ee NT TT CHAPTER XIV. TSE PASSENGER THAT WAS “CHALKED THROUGH.” Tae word excitement will not express what prevailed in Rocky Glen, when Ben Trotter rolled up to the Rider’s Rest, mounted on the box of what he called the ‘“fust hearse through.” Although one horse was led behind, and the zoach and passengers had had a good shaking up by their adventure with the Boy Bandit and his men, Ben Trotter put on considerable style as he came in sight of the tavern, played a few notes on his stage horn, and he was by no means a mean performer, and then crack- ing his whip until it echoed like a revolver combat, he gathered up the ribbons in his | eleverest way, and came up to the stopping- post as though he had no idea of coming to a halt. But the iron-grays knew Ben, and Ben knew how to drive, and when just in front of the tavern, the horses and coach came to a sudden halt, which would have sent Little Grit, in bis | disguise, thirty feet ahead had he not also | known well the peculiarities of the driver, who had been long noted along the whole Overland line and its branches. As it was, it pitched the woman in black and the Jew, who sat upon the back seat, into | the arms of the youth, who sat on the front, | and caused sundry Hebrew maledictions to issue from the inside of the coach, until Judge Hunter threw open the door and bade the passengers welcome to Rocky Glen amid the wild cheers of the citizens, who already had dragged Ben Trotter from his box, and were | earrying him into the bar-room on their shoulders. As if glad to'be where danger from bandits would not come, the Jew jumped out in a hurry, and began to excitedly tell his story of the robbery, while Judge Hunter aided the lady in mourning to alight, and invited the young man into the tavern. “I spose I kin git lodgin’s here too, pard?” | said Little Grit: no one recognizing him in his disguise of a miner, and he having asked Ben Trotter not to make known his secret, as he had disguised himself for a purpose, ‘*Oh, yes, my friend; I never turn away the sleepy, hungry or thirsty,” said the judge, pleasantly, and he ushered the supposed miner into the office where he registered on the book the name of “* Zip Cole, 0? Colorady.” The young man with the sad face, and whose retiring manner and general appearance caused him to seem out of place on the border, wrote in a full, round hand— ‘*Roy Elmore, ——, Virginia.” The judge then registered the name of his lady guest, and it was as she had given it to him, simply: ‘Mrs. Moreland, , New Jersey.” “I guesses she’s hed news o’ ther decease o’ her husbind, out heur in ther mines, an’ he’s eomed ter see ef he are dead, or married ag’in,” said @ miner, who read her name after it was registered by the judge. ‘‘He’d better be dead, ef he hain’t, ef yer speaks ther truth, Ball,” remarked another. ) “Yas, fer though she keeps her face kivered ¥¥ seen her optics, an’ thar were blood in ber eyes; I is raal glad I were never so weak as ter git married.” “Waal, I married, I did, an’ married a widdy too, and thet are ther reason I are out heur, fer she made it hot fer me ter bum, you kin gamble on it fer a fact.” While these worthies were talking at the office counter, they were missing the story of the robbery as told by the Jew in the bar- room, whither he had been invited by Bony Bob to tell what had happened. Elated by the liquor, and unconscious of the presence of Ben Trotter in the saloon, the Jew had told how the bandits had stopped the coach, ant allowed it to go on, when he gaye the amount demanded; but that a young miner, who was riding inside, had immediately | : Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. f | : crawled out the window to the box, and in- | sulted the robbers, whe gave chase, and would — overtaken them, had not they been beaten “Did you kill any bandits, sir?’ asked a miner. “T ish kilt several,” sponse, “You is a killin’ liar from Liar’sville, fer yer was so durned skeert, I ’spected yer would die, and I’d hey ter haul a stiff in on my fust trip through,” said Ben Trotter, suddenly fac- was the proud re- who had sauntered in, and heard the Jew, re- marked gravely: ‘¢ Bf yer did kill a bandit, [1 bet high thet the gang kills you afore yer levant from these . diggin’s,” ‘** Te pand kills me?” 9 both sities, Ben Trotter against the crewd, fy the Jow never moved, and it only neededg spark to explode the magazine. CHAPTER XV. EIGHT REVOLVERS TO THE FRONT. ‘“Parps, yer doesn’t act squar’; ther max | hain’t done nothin’, an’ ’tain’t right ter hang | him,” said Ben Trotter, gazing over the crowd, that had worked itself into a fury, and now considered that the unfortunate Jew had dor3 | seme great injury te Rocky Glen and its cifi. ing the discomfited hero, who looked the pic- | ture of despair, while Zip Cole o’ Colorady, | “Yes,” replied Bony Bob, ‘ they are“death | | on their foes, and they swear to kill all who | | molest them.” “Holy Isaacs! mine frints, I ish ‘a peace | | man who has as yet done you no wrong, and I mansh, [ ish do not’ings mit goons ant pishtols, ant I don’t vant to pe kilt, for I come me here for a leetle pizziness,”’ whined the Jew. * Yer comed out heur ter take advantage o’ and make a good thing of it all round. **T knows yer, fer ther boys on the line has chalked. yer ciean through,” said Ben Trotter, ** Chalk me clean through?’ queried the Jew. “Yas; when ther boys knows thar are a | ther miners, | shark comin’ out ter trade on they chalks him along ther line, fer says Bunk Trafford ter me, when he rolled in at ther station I got yer, says he: ‘*¢ Ben, thar are aJew Hebrew along as Bent Baker says yer must chalk, fer he hev comed all ther way from Omaha ter buy up ther leads o’ ther pards as is unfort’nit.’ “Says I ter Bunk, I says: “*¢Bunk, I will chalk him through,’ an’ now cheap gold mines heur fer sale.” “Durn him, he oughter be stringed up,” cried a voice. ‘*No, let him go. back with me, for I knows he hain’t goin’ ter be poplar out heur,” re- marked Ben. “No, be’s a bad egg, an’ we oughter fix him.” ‘Make cold meat out o’ him!” ‘‘Hist him up to ther tree yonder outside!” ** Don’t waste rope: shoot him!” Such were the angry cries that now went up from. the crowd, against the unfortunate Jew who had come to Rocky Glen to speculate on the misfortunes of others, and it was evident that they meant him harm, as there were many reckless spirits present who would com- mit any crime. Seeing that he had excited the crowd to wrong-doing, and only intending to frighten the Jew so as to make him leave, Ben Trotter cried out: “Hold on, pards! yer hasn't a right ter cheat ther comp’ny out 0’ this heur man’s trip money, so I'll jist take him back with me.” ‘You ish a goot mans, mine frint,” said the now terrified man. ‘But he hes lied to us like a Injun, Ben, an he. hes got ter hang.” ‘* No, pards, he hes not, I say.” ‘Waal yer won’t save him, Ben.” ‘Pards, it are my fust trip through, an’ I don’t want one 0’ my pilgrims h’isted,” ‘“No use, Ben Trotter; he lied ter us ’bout ther bandit fight, an’ he are a shark, so up he es,” ‘“‘Not ef I kin help it he don’t,’’ and Ben Trotter pushed the Jew behind him. ‘‘Ben, we doesn’t want ter hurt you, but we hes got ter hev thet man,” said one of the miners, stepping forward. “Ver knows me, or oughter, an’ will ef I drives this road long, an’ it hain’t ne use ter say yer'll take him, onless yer wants ter fight me,” said the driver firmly. ‘*Waal we does, an’ we will,” was the de- termined reply, and weapons were drawn on J . - : ; some poor miner and buy his lead tor nothing, pards, yer kin tell this gentleman thar are no | | doubt if he intended to. zens, ‘“We issquar’, Ben Trotter, and it are our duty ter see thet no dangersome characters don’t git inter our town,” said the self-ap- pointed leader, and a murmur of approbation answered his words. But there suddenly glided before this leader a slender form, and a clear voice said: ‘«Then why don’t you go out and fight the Gold Plume and his band?’ ‘“Tt are none o’ yer bisness, Buffalo Bill.” ‘¢ You are cowards, to wish to hang a poor No, you face ne danger in dragging him to death,” retorted Buf- | falo Bill, fearlessly. “‘Hold on, Pony Rider, yer has no right ter chip in heur, fer it hain’t your funeral,” said a burly miner. “Tl make it your funeral, Sands, if you at- | tempt to harm ‘this gentleman,” was the promp§ retort. ‘‘Does yer hear thet, pards?? and Sands turned to his followers, who nodded assent. “Yer means you is goin’ ter pervent us hang- in’ him?’ ‘©T mean that you won’t see him hanged if you make the attempt to take him.” Sands saw that Buffalo Bill meant what he said, and he was not anxious to be the object of his particular attention; but he bad imposed ' upon himself the leadership of the mob, and knew he had to carry it out, or his follewers would make it too hot for him. He wanted somebody else to speak; but ne one else did speak, and he then said: “ Bill. Cody, I knows yer fer game clean through, an’ I guess yer knows me too,” “ Yes, for a contemptible coward, Sands,” was the quick retort. The man attempted to level his revolver, but instantly the Pony Rider had him covered, while he said with a smile: ‘You don’t practice getiing the drop on a fellow, Sands, as much as I do, and if you move l’llshow your pards that I can hit the dead center, for you won’t know anything about it.” “‘ Another time, Pony Rider, we'll try this atween us; bub now, pards, let us do our duty,” cried Sands, and the crowd mace a movement forward, but suddenly stopped, as two other forms sprung to the side of Buffalo Bill, and they found themselves confronting eight lev- eled revolvers. Those eight were held by four men, one in in each hand, and the four were, besides Ben Trotter, and Buffalo Bill, Bony Bob and the young miner, who had registered as Zip Cols o’ Colorady. The latter, as he sprung to the side of Buffale Bill, and faced the crowd, said quietly: ‘¢ Pards, don’t crowd ther mourners, or tha will be howlin’ in this camp meetin’.” “Who ther devil are you?” asked Sands, willing to switch off on another tack, as he saw tbat in spite of the large crowd that backed him, the four men in their fromé heid them at bay. ‘He are a pilgrim as come Over with me. on my fust trip through,’ pards, an’ £ seen him drop bandits a durned long way off, se yer better not crowd him, I kin sw’ar,” said Ben Trotter, ‘We. doesn’t skeer worth a eont,* grewled Sands in reply. “Yer standin’ thar proves yer a liar; bat I advise yer ter let up jist heur an’ take.a drink all round with ther Jew,” said Zip Cele & Colorady, whose disguise not one penetrated, ‘““Yer better say yer'll, stand. treat, Jew he
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io pard, an’ take ther hearse back in ther mornin’, whispered Ben ‘frocer to the trembling man he was protecting. “Yesh, gintlemens, 1 ish glat to driak mit sooch nice giotlemens,” said the Jew eagerly, and glad ef 2 compromise Sands responded: “All right, pards, ef he will treat all round, and take ther trip out with Ben, we is willin’, I guesses.” Glad to escape so easily the Jew “ treated all reund” several times, aud the result was that many of his former foes got drunk and became his friends, and seeing what it would result in, Buffalo Bi ll called him aside, and said: “ My friend, you are on the straight road to be banged, for whisky friends aiways renew an eld quarrel when the liga wr’s in, and they will seon turn on you, and—’ “T ish understand, mine frint; zo?” said the alarmed man, “Come with me, and my advice to you is pot to leave the hotel while you remain in Rocky Glen, for men on the border don’t like those who speculate ou their misfortunes,” Eagerly the Hebrew left the saloon with Buffalo. Bill; and not an instant too soon, for already Sands was beginning to foment trou- ble against him once more, when he saw that those who had protected him had gone, vere shall I CHAPTER XVI. TRACKED, “Your name is Greyson Benton, I be- lieve?” “Ha! who the devil are you that has that name so glibly on your lips?” and the Kid Glove Sport turned quickly toward the one who had addressed him as he dismounted from his horse, several hours after his gallant charge single handed upon the bandits wko were pur- suing the stage-eoach. “We have met before, sir, and I came to this far-away Jend only to see you,” was the quiet reply, though the voice quivered slight- ly. The speaker was the sad-faced youth whom Gold Plume had refused to rob, and had offered the money to which he had taken from the Jow. Since his arrival he had been wandering with apparent listlessness about, but into each face he saw, he had looked with a searching glance, until at last he beheld the Kid Glove Sport coming at an easy gallop toward the hotel. “Yes, it is he whom I seek; at last we meet again,” he said in suppressed tones, and at euce walked toward the hotel stables whither the gambler was going. For a wonder Chopee Stickee was not there te take Gambler Grey’s horse, and, as he ' started to care for him himself, he had been addressed by the youth. “ And I ask who the devil are you?’ said the Kid Glove Sport with some show of an- r, _ “Tf you will take a walk with me you shall F , mow. ” “Ha! you are mysterious, young sir, for in ajite of the way you try to hide your face I @8e that you are youthful” i “T have that to say to you which I care not - €o have other ears hear.” s* Al! then come to my room in the hotel.” “No, for walls have ears; do you fear to ac- eompany a beardless boy?’ “No, I fear no man living.” Or woman ?” f _ Boy you are insolent; what do you wish, _ end where have we met before?” ** Come with mé and you shall know.” “All right, lead on; but mind you, no treachery, or I will knife you as I would a ‘eur that tried to bite me.” “TJ do not doubt it, for I know you,” and ‘with a scornful laugh the youth led the way from the stables, by a path that skirted ough the edge of the timber rvund to the - Express and Overland stage road, Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. a ool ‘¢T have seen him before, and his voice has a familiar ring to my ears, where though, I know not, unti) I see his face,” muttered the Kid Glove Sport. Leading the way the youth at last stopped | within a clump of bushes, and turning said abruptly : ‘‘ Well, sir, you ask who I am, and what I wish with “you, and my answer is that Iam here to avenge Celine Duncan!” The man started back with a half cry, but as the youth spoke he had drawn a long- bladed dirk from his sleeve, and springing ‘torward drove it with full force at the heart of the Kid Glove Sport. But, a metallic sound echoed back the blow, and the blade was shivered, for it strack a shirt of steel the gambier wore beneath his outer clothing. ‘‘Ha! ha! ha! my boy, did you expect to catch Grey Benton in that way?’ and with a gripe the youth could not resist he seized his arms in his strong hands, and looked into the white, quivering face now upturned to him. ‘“‘Great God! do the dead come back to life?’ he cried, while his cruel face became livid. “Yes, you are Celine Duncan,” he muttered, after an instant. “Yes, I am Celine Duncan that was, and | whom you believed you had killed; but no, Greyson Benton, your poison did not kill, and the one you hired to bury me had heart enough not to do the work, when he found [ lived, though he took your money and buried my coffin instead. “You thought to kill me, that you might marry Clotilde Leroy, and you were baffled, for already had her parents forced her to be- come the wife of another man. Your crimes forced you to fly here, to these wilds for shel- ter, and where you thought no ove would ever trace you! but see, I have done so, ay, though I had to work as a slave to get money to hunt you down.” ** And what good has it done you?” was the indifferent question. “You shall see, for every one.here shall know who and what you are.” “They will never know through you, Ce- line.” ““They will!” “*T say they will not.” “ And I say they shall, for I will tell them.” ‘‘ No, you will never tell them.” “T shall; and more—I shall even revel in the reward offered for you.” ‘¢ Fool! I believed I took your life once, and it has never troubled my conscience, so I will do | so now.” ‘No, no, you will not do that?’ she cried, now thorougbly alarmed at his manner. “Yes, I will, and now /” She tried to ery out, but he held his band over her mouth, though she bit and tore it with her nails, in her struggle to release it, while he drew his knife from his belt. ‘Now, girl, you shall die for tracking me here!” he said, savagely: “‘Girlee no die; killee bad Melican man first,” suid a voice in his ear, and a second time a knife descended upon him, to be again shattered on his steel shirt. But the sudden coming of Chopee Stickee caused him to release the girl, andshe bounded away, while he seized the Chinaman, “Girl, you shall not escape,” he cried, sav- agely, and ere she had gone ten paces are- volver cracked, and with a stifled cry she sunk in her tracks. “Now, accursed Chines, it is your turn,” and he turned upon the poor Chinaman, whom his superior strength enabled him to hold on to. Seeing that his master meant to kill him, Choree Stickee tried to cry out for help, and struggled fiercely; but a stunning blow in the face dazed him, and the next instant » knife blade was thrust between his ribs, wuile the murderer of a woman and the one who would have saved her, bounded away through the timber like a deer, leaving his, victims where they had fallen, ] | | — CHAPTER XVIL GOLD PLUME MAKES A DISCOVERY. As affairs at Rocky Gin wend the other Pony Express stations were 1... Wu. i sg with per- fect smoothness. after the raiu ov. ite Bandits upon the line, Buffalo Bill and seve al oiber of the riders were expected to do double duiy for a few days, and consequently he was te start out again before sunset for his eighty-six-mi!« run. Mounted upon Red Devil, he left the tav: > on time, and as usual was sent off with a ¢/, from the crowd there assembled, and soon «:-- appeared around a curve in the road, to suu- denly lay his whip between the ears of his horse and bring bim to a dead halt. The cause of this abrupt stop was at discern- ing a human form lying a few feet from the trail, apparently dead. Dismounting, he ran to it, and bending over, | an exclamation of surprise burst frem his lips, and he cried: ‘‘By Heaven! it is the youth whom Ben Trotter brought over this morning, and— Holy Rockies! there lies Chopee Stickee, the Chinee! “[ will return and report this murder; for they certainly have been murdered. Ha! the youth clutches a part of a kid glove in his hand ; this looks suspicious,” and taking the remnant of the glove, he at once started to- ward the horse; but that animal seemed a lit- tle alarmed <.c his hasty. approach and bounded out of revch. Endeavoring to catch him Buffalo Bill fol- lowed slowly, yet the horse kept on down the trail, just out of his reach, and thus it cen- tinued, the rider coaxing his truant steed, but all to no purpose. ‘(Tf you did not bave the Express bags, you might go back to your accursed dominions, you brute,” he said savagely, after Red Devil bad led him a couple of miles on the road toward the next station. But the horse did carry the Express and he: kept straight on, not twenty feet ahead of the Rider, and unmindful of coaxings and cursings. “On! if I bad a lariat, I'd fetch you to terms,” cried Buffalo Bill, and seemingly fear- ing that Lis master did have something of the | kind, Red Devil put double the distance be- tween them, “Oh! Eternal Sierras! there is the half- way rock, and I'll bave to, walk all the way. “No! this has gone far enough, and 1 must end it before it gets tco dark, and I will!” As he spoke ther. came over bis face a look of determination th,.t it was wont to wear only when deeply movea, and dropping his hand on bis hip he drew a revolver, and the flash and report almost instantly fel’ »wed, A wild snort, a bound into the air, and Red Devil’s life had ended. Ruuning up to bim, Bi ffalo Bill u~strapped his saddle, and muttered: “Your former master will soon follow you, Red Devil, or I greatly mistake my reckor big; now for aneight mile trot tothe next station, © for Icannot return to Rocky Glen now.” Throwing the light saddle and Expre -bacs across his back he started ata jog trot -the next station, and arriving there within little over an bour, he mounted a hcrse in waitig for him, told the stock tender the fate o° Red . Devil, and sped swiftly on his way, determined to make up the time he had lost. Though Buffalo Bill regretted, that on ac- count of Red Devil’s shabby trick, he was un- able to return and report the tragedy t! at had been enacted in the timber near Recky G-en, and bemoaned that the bodies would buve to lie all night exposed to the prowling wolves, he little knew that there had been a pair of eyes upon him when he had sprung fm: his horse. The persuu Who was thus watching him, baa been coming slowly up the trail, mounted upon a white horse, and though it was a strange place for one to go, upon whus head a p ice was set, it was none other tha, Gold i 7 the Boy Bandit. f Hearing the clatter of the Pon; Tiuucc’s
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i clump of small pines, and drawing his revolver, awaited the issue, if discovered. Seeing Buffale Bill halt suddenly, go quickly | into the timber by the side of the trail, and the result that followed, Gold Plume, as soon as Red Devil had led his rider from sight, rode from his ambush, and sudden- ly came upon the sickening sight that had met the gaze of the Pony Rider. “Good God! it is the youth that was in the stage-coach, and yonder lies that cunning Chinee! What can it mean? Ha! here are pieces of two broken knives, and, as I live! this isa woman !” Bending over the prostrate form, Gold | Plume thrust his hand into the jacket pockets, and drew eut a leathern wallet upon which was a name that caused him to turn deadly boofs, Gold Plume had quickly turned into a | Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, 12 And yet, upon the face of the woman rested | an aide upon his staff, but absent upon some | a look that showed evil bad left its impress | there. **'You know me now, Hadley Hewlett?’ she | said, in a metallic-like voice, “Ay, do I, Corinne Lamdell, know you; | secret duty. ‘*God, [ thank Thee for this,” cried the poor mother, and she burst inte tears, the first she bad shed for many long and weary years. “Calm yourself, Corinne, and remember that. yes, know you as the one who proved false to | from this day we are friends, and we will | Strive not to see the grim shadow that stands me to stain my hands with the life of Lester | between us. your vows to me in the long ago, and caused Lamdell,” and the colonel moved. “Yes, you took his life; you tracked him to his death and aveuged yourself upon both seemed deeply of us,” ‘“ Why recall that scene now, Corinne? “Ts it not enough that it is true, and that ever here I bear the remembrance, never to be | obliterated?” and he placed his hand over his | heart, e. Instantly he began a thorough search of the | body, and then went to that of the Chinee, and | what he found on both seemed to move him | deeply. Thrusting what he bad taken from the dead ) into his own pockets, he sprung upon his wait- dng horse, and with the speed of a whirlwind went back down the trail, his eyes burning, is lips set, and his face livid. CHAPTER XVIII. THE WOMAN IN BLACK, I WILL now return to the woman in deep mourning, and who was a passenger in the stage-coach with the supposed youth, but who the reader now knows was a young girl. What had brought the woman in black, as the denizens of Rocky Glen had quickly named her, to that wild land none could surmise; but certain it is, that her faca having been kept | from general observation, many a miner's heart trembled with fear that she might have some intention regarding him, for not all thee had by any means led saintly lives in the past. Of her intentions the woman said nothing, but having become rested after her journey asked Judge Hunter to request for her an inter- . view with Colonel Hewlett, which was at once granted. With her faco still concealed she entered the colonel’s quarters, and observing Helen and Bessie, said in a commanding tone: “Tasked for a private interview, sir.” “And you ghall have one; madame,” but the maidens ha@ already ariven, for they liked not the tone of the woman, azti hastily retired, Helen with au angry flusl or ‘her tace. ““Now, madam, pray tel] me whom T have the honor of addressing and of what service I can be,” said the colonel, curtly. “‘Tam registered, sir, as Mrs, Moreland, and I have come West to see you.” “Indese!. may Iask you to be seated, and then inquire the nature of the business that has brought you so far into the Western wilds?” The woman sunk into a chair and said ina toue that was suppressed, and evidently with deep feeling: Ab “e but one purpose in life, Hadley Hew gf... ** Ah! you then know me?” asked the colonel in surprise. “Alas! yes; would I come to this heathenish ce did I not know you? ay, and you shall w me, aud my errand you can guess,” As she spoke she arose and threw back her 2 The act caused the officer to spring to his feet with a cry upon his lips, and lean heavily upon the back of his chair, as though for sup- _ port, while his face became deadly pale, and a strange look came into his eyes as he gazed upon the face before him. Tt was a face that had passed the usual term of beautiful womanhood, and yet it was strangely beautiful, for every feature was per- fect, and the complexion was marble-like in its purity. ; The teeth é perfect, as the half-opened lips revealed, Sod the burning eyes were large mud full of ntense passion, “You do not enjoy the revenge you gained?” she asked, with a sneer. ‘‘Let us not speak of the past, but tell me why you come hither to seek me?” “Because I have wronged you.” “That I well know; but I forgave you with the act that took the life of Lester, Lamdell.” ‘You forgave me, Hadley?” shee 6 *€f do uot believe it.” “T tell you the truth; I forgave you, and | when I Jearned that you were dead, not one unkind memory heid | against you.” “Oh! that I could believe this, Hadley Hew- lett.” ‘*TIt is the truth, Corinne, though God knows you wrecked the fond aspirations of my earlier years; but to him, more than to you I lay tie charge—” “Hold! he lies in his grave, and I live; let me bear the blame. “And, Hadley Hewlett, I know well that I wronged you, and I hated you, oh so bitterly, I can never reveal, and my hatrcd was so in- tense that I reared one up to take your life. “That one was my boy; is son, and mine, and—” ‘¢ T_ know all, Corinne—” “No you do not know all; you heard'that I was dead, ‘*Tt was false, for it was a scheme of mine to get away from the worid, and to watch in retirement his career, my boy’s, and how he kept his oath to me, for upon its fulfillment rested his future. ‘*And in that retirement, Hadley Hewlett, I came back from the trance I seemed to live in; I awoke from that fearful dream of hatred, | and bitter remorse seized upon me for allow- ing myself §o have been reported as among the | massacred in that train that the Indians at- | tacked. ‘*l awoke, and I sought my boy; I did not find him, but I discovered that he was on the trail of the one he had been told to kill. **T could not find him, and so I have come to you, for I know that one day he must find you, and then my hand shall stay his intent, for my own sorrows, my own remorse, Hadley Hewlett, have avenged me. “Here Tam now before you, and, knowing that my husband and myself deeply wronged you, and that you were but human in seeking revenge on Lester Lamdell, I have come to ask you to forgive, if not forget the past, and leave to your guardianship my boy and his wealth, when I have seen him, and relieved him from the oath I have placed upon his young life, : : “*See, Hadley, I am a suppliant at your feet for forgiveness.” As the woman spoke she dropped on her knees before Colonel Hewlett, who, deeply moved, sprung forward and raised her up, while he said in a voice that trembled: “Corinne, I forgive the past, as freely as you forgive me the taking of Lester Lamdell’s life; and, as for your son, I feel no fear of him, for, from his own lips I have heard all.” “You have heard all, and 1 from my son?” “ Yes,” and Colonel Hewlett told of his inter- view with the Pony Rider, who bad overheard his story to bis daughter, and that he was then ' “To Helen, my daughter, I will tell who you are, and she wii treat you as her father would, have her, “Remain here, and Hewlett will soon re- turn, and then in his love you can be happy, for he is a brave, noble youth, and will make aman that any woman will be proud to call her son,” ** I will do as you say, Hadley; now let the past go back inte the shadow, for I have sin- ned in my bitter hate, I have suffered deepest, sorrow, and the clouus have a silver li:ing to them, and no longer ca:t gloom into the depths of my poor heart.” CHAPTER XIX, WHAT THE MINERS DISCOVERED, WHEN Ben Trotter mounted his stage box to start on the back trip the following morning, he was as calm and unruffied as though he tad met with no adventures on the run into Rocky Glen, and had afterward passed half the night in gambling and drinking. In the place of the dead iron-gray he had @ black animal of the pony stables, which Buffalo Bill had loaned him, and Ben said, as he took. his reins in hand: “ Jedge, thet beast thinks he’s goin’ ter carry express, an’ he'll run ther whole durned road ef I Jet him.” “He'll not lag back, Ben, I am certain; but hello! my man, are you not going to remain. with us?’ and Judge Hunter turned to the miner, who bad arrived the day before, and registered as Zip Cole of Colorady. “No, jedge; 1 bas paid up my leetle diffy to yer book pilot inside, for I winned a leetde duckits last night, an’ I intends to levant out. o’ these diggin’s,” replied the supposed miner. ‘We were in hopes you were going te take up your habitation among us, Mr. Cole.” **No, jedge, I don’t habitete beur, and yer hopes wrong, for this are a onhealtby commu- nity, and I hed rather git leetle elsewhar an? live, than git heaps heur an’ die. “Ther Jew are inside the hearse I sees, an’ I intends ter be a inside passenger with him,” “Yesh, mine frint, lish goings avay too; it ish petter dat I does,” remarked the Jew, who was already on the back sext. “Ther gloomy lady an’ ther youngster doesn’t seem ter be going thougb,” remarked Ben. ‘No, Mrs. Moreland, is, I find, a friend of the colonel’s aud remains, Ben; but who bas seen that youth since bis arrival, for I have not?” said Judge Hunter, A chorus cf voices now expressed surprise at the youth, who had signed himself Roy Elmore, not having been seem by any one since just after bis arrival, and the judge was beginning to feel anxicus regarding him, when several miners, who had started to work some time before, were discovered coming to ward the ina bearing something im their arms. It was just time for the stege to start, but Ben Trotter, from his loity perch, instead cf calling to his herses, cried: “* By Hokey! thar’s the boy now, an’ ef he hain’t dead, then I am a liar.” All eyes turned upon the approaching min- ers, five in number, them, two human forms. “Tt are the heathen too!” cried a voice, “Thar’s been hell ter split out thar,” said another. ; But, before more commenis could be made — the small party approached and laid down their ghastly load before the tavern door, while one said: ““Jedge, we was a-goin’ out to ther mines ar seein’ some coyotes snarlin’ in ther thicket and saw that four of them were bearing upon poles, swung between we
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Key | Ne a i went thar, an’ these are what we found, so we fetched ’em in,” “The youth, Kilmore, and Chopee Stickee,” erfed the judge excitedly. “Yes, jedge, am’ dead as rocks, an’ heur yer wees ther cause; a bullet in ther boy’s back, an’ a, knife cut in ther Chimee.” * Could it be possible they had a fight?” *¢ Ther life hain’t in ’em to speak for them- Selves, jedge: we found ’em yonder in ther fhicket on ther Pony trail, an’ they hes been thar for some time; afore ther dew falled last night, fer ther leaves under ’em were not Wamp; but it’s my reasonin’ they didn’t kill each other, fer ther boy’s pockets were turned tnside out, an’ so were ther Chinee’s, as yer sees, an’ if they robbed each other, which one did it an’ whar are ther things they tuk?” This quaint, but true style ef reasoning seemed conclusive te all that some one else had done the deed, and that it had not been a fight te the death between the strange youth and the Chinee, But, in the midst of the talk as to who could clear up the mystery, Ben Trotter called out: “ Waal, pards, clear it up ter suit yerselyes; but ef things hain’t regilated in Rocky Glen, ther biz o’ ther place will play out, instead 0’ rise, as it’s doing now. “Good-by, all! allaboard! Git!” The last was to the horses, and away rolled the stage-coach, followed by ! a cheer from the miners, and within sat but two passengers— the disguised Little Grit and the Jew. CHAPTER XX. THE LYNCHERS AT WORK. Enz the new stage-coach, with the proud Ben Trotter on the box, had gone two miles, it came to a halt. The cause this time was not road-agents under the renowned Boy Bandit, but a body of miners, half a dozen in number, who signaled to the driver to stop. Recognizing some whom he had’ seen at Rocky Glen the night before, Ben Trotter un- hesitatingly drew rein, while he called out eheerily: “Toes yer want a ride, pards, or is thar agents ahead?” Instantly the leaders of the team were seized by two men, and four revolvers covered the unsuspecting Ben, while one said sternly: ‘‘ We means you no harm, Ben Trotter; but yer hasa pilgrim in ther- hearse as we is layin’ fer.” “Who does yer want, pards?” asked Ben quietly. “We wants ther Jew, an’ more is we is goin’ ter have him,” was the determined reply, while from within the coach came the mourn- ful cry: *‘Holy Isaacs! I ish a kilt Israelite.” ‘*Don’t you be so sartin, Jew, fer ther comp’- ny hires me ter drive stage an’ perteck thar passengers an’ I is goin’ ter make a fight ef ' these gerloots says they wants yer; only git yer back up an’ help me,” was the firm response of Ben. “Look heur, Ben, we-wants thet Hebrew Jew; he are ther same as bought poor Binny Burt’s lead some year ago in Colorady, an’ made a fortin’ out o’ it, while Binny kilt his- se’f, an’ we’ knows of other leetle games he hes played on ther »oys, an’ it *tain’t no use, he’s got ter swing fer it.” ‘\ says guess not, , ards, though yer does | fpobd ther drop on me,” “We don’t want ter kill-you, Ben, but we'll ~ dp it, an’ then swing Hebrew, and ‘twill be said es did it,” said the leader of the gang at i ‘ thee is is another pilgrim inside ther hearse, | pants yer will hev ter make a stiff of two.” - Who are he, Ben?” asked one. “¥ are called Zip Cole 0’ Colorady, gerloots,” Reid &@ voice, and the visage of the disguised Pony Rider wos seen in the window of the enna but the eyes squinted along two revol- vers, and each man of the four seemed to feel that a weapon covered him. “Ther devil! yer don’t mean ter say yer w’ud tackle this heur party?’ said the leader. “Nary, I'd sand not,” was the cool re- mse, “Then what in see does yer p’int them weepins at us fer?” “Cause I don’t want yer ter ’tack me,” ‘We does not want you.” ** Ther Jew are my friend.” * He are our inemy.” ‘‘ Waal, ef yer hates more than I loves him, gents, jist cross over an’ swing yer partners,” was the provokingly insolent reply. “ Pards, we has ter use strategy heur; you, Lucky Tom, keep yer weepin on Ben, while you, Dandy, go round to t’other window an’ see ef we can’t change the tune fer ther dance,” said the leader. It was evident that numbers in this case held the advantage, for Ben Trotter, with reins and whip in band, was under the aim of a red- whiskered 1ellow, known as Lueky Tom in the mines, and he dare not move to draw a wea- pon, while it would be impossible for Zip Cole of Colorado to guard both sides, and the Jew, shivering with fright on the back seat was next to useless to offer the slightest resistance even in his own behalf. By the determined look on the face of both Ben Trotter and the disguised Pony Rider, it was evident too, that they were watching their chances to take advantage of the slightest move- ment in their favor, and would fight for the Jew even against the odds of three to one, be the result what it might. But, just as matters looked as though a storm would break in a second, there came the rapid elatter of: hoofs, and up to the spot dashed Buffalo Bill, his horse covered with foam, and riding like the wind. ‘Hello, Ben! what’s up?” he cried in his light-hearted way, at the same time bringing his borse to a sudden halt, and drawing a re- volver in each hand. “Got a pilgrim heur, Buffalo Bill, ther boys don’t like, an’ tharfore they wants ter hang him; but I says no, an’ ther miner inside backs me up, and it’s about ter be nip an’ tuck fur Israel, with the chances ag’in’ nip,” was Ben’s characteristic explanation. “You being nip, Ben, I side with you, and say right out no Jew gets h’isted this day in these parts,” was the decided retort of the Pony Rider. ‘‘Better not interfere heur, Buff’ler Bill,” said the leader in a tone of menace. “Why not?’ “T says no, an’ ef yer does, yers will never ride Express ag’in.” ‘* You are a liar, and J’ll prove it.” “ec How?” You threaten to take my life?” “*T does, ef yer chips in.” ‘* You'll never do it, old man.” “ll do it now, youngster, fer—” He never finished the sentence, for, as he uttered the last word he made a motion to raise his weapon, and quicker than a flash of light he was shot dead in his tracks, for Buffalo Bills aim was seas and his move- ments rapid. Seeming to see at a glance RNG else was hos- tile to him, a second time his pistol flashed and another of the lynchers went down, just as Zip Cole of Colorado opened the stage door and sprung out, pistol in hand, and, with a yell to his horses Ben Trotter made them spring for- ward, dragging the man who was holding them off his feet. “ Hold, pards, yer holds ther winning cards,” cried one of the lynchers, as they saw that the sudden act of Buffalo Bill had turned the tables upon them. ‘*'Yas, we does hold ther keerds ter win, yer cowardly gerloots, an’ I'll report yer \t aid road stations, as fovlin? with my mside pi'- grims, an’ woe be unter yer, pards, says I; git! or Ill ask Buffalo Bill an’ Zip heur ter fill yer full o’ hoies, uw’ then Pil drive over yer Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. LEE HAM GV RU ind i RE Sis Reeser Es vo vt ts afew times so yer’ll make goed book-marks fer yer friends ter tally off thar readin’ with,” and Ben’s suggestion to “ git” was acted upom with alacrity, while with a light laugh, and unmindful of the thanks’of the delighted Jew, Buffalo Bill swept cn at a speed to make up for two or three minutes he had lost by tife delay, and good service he had rendered, CHAPTER XXI. THE PONY RIDER’S THREAT. THE finding of the two bodies near Rocky Glen caused intense excitement among the denizens of that wild settlement, and espe- cially did the circumstance cause comment, when it was discovered that one was a woman, and that the name on the book of the tavern was a false one. Who the unfortunate girl was none knew, nor why she had come to Rocky Glen. nd why she, in her disguise of a youth, had been killed, along with poor Chopes Stickee, the harmless and innocent Chinee, was something that puzzled miners, soldiers and all the more it was commented upon. At last, in the midst of the discussion, upon the pros and cons of the case, Buffale Bill dashed up and was greeted with a shout of welcome, and finding the cause of the ex- citement, be told of his discovery the even- ing before, and of the shabby trick of hig horse, which prevented his returning and re- porting the circumstance. But of his finding a piece of white kid glove, evidently torn from the hand of the Kid Glove Sport he did not speak, evidently de- termined to work up any clew he had as ta the murderer, or murderers, in his own way. After breakfast Buffalo soughy his little room for a rest, and it was late in the after- noon when he awoke. Seeking the free-and-easy saloon he found it crowded with the denizens of Rocky Glen, alj still excitedly discussing the murder, and fur- ther off than ever regarding a solution of ‘tha mystery, for the thought was gaining ground that it had been perpetrated by some of the band of the Gold Plume. ‘“T feel confident some of the Boy Bandit’s bearing band have ventured near and sur- prised the youth and killed him,” remarked the Kid Glove Sport, who had arrived on horseback a couple of hours before. ‘* But the Chinee, sir; do you think he was killed by the Boy Bandit’s men?” asked Buffale Bill. *¢'Why who else could have done it” * Why were the girl and the Chinee to- gether, sir?” “How can I tell, Cody? He was a friend- less youth—” “ He was a woman, Kid Gloves,” “Ah yes, I forgot: they told me he, I mean she, was dressed as a boy; I say she was friendless, and doubtless sought the companion- ship of my Chinee sepvant, and were ;sur- prised. “ At any rate, Iam not sorry to have got- ten rid of that cunning and worthless Chinese, and as for the girl, she was doubtdess intend ing mischief under disguise.” at “T do not agree with you, Gambler Grey, for I believe she took that guise to huat down some villain who had wronged her,” and Buffalo Bill looked squarely in the face of the gambler, who, without the slightest change of color said indifferently: ‘As you please to think, Cody, of course, for we ai! seem to have different theories; but as to myself, I care not who or what she was, and death is too common an occurrence oug here to startle me,” “Well, Grey, I have my opinion who did the deed, and, as you are a betting man, I will . Wager you six months of my pay that I hunt down the murderer.” *‘Done! say before witnesses that you will not draw a dollar from the company for six months, and Ill stake the ount in the hands of Judge Hunter.” “So be it; here is the judg nd I say se | : flim,
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tefore him,” and the bet was made, the gam- bier putting up the cash against Buffalo Bills coming Express Rider’s pay for the fol- lowing six months. “Now, who can tell me where Little Grit is, or rather Lieutenant Lamdell?’ asked the gambler. “You are anxious about him, it seems,” said Buffalo Bill, with a sneer. “‘ Yes, he is so reckless that when he is ab- sent, | always fear he may bave had some harm befall bim.” “You are awfally considerate, Grey; but have you any idea of where Trumps has gone? for no one bas seen him since last night.” “No, Cody; I heard Trotter say that he fol- lowed me, in my run after the Boy Bandit and his men, in their attack on the coach, but I mever saw him; has he not returned?” * No one has seen him if he has; but if the Boy Bandit has got Little Grit.and Trumps, I’ll get leave from the company, and run that gang te earth, if I have to go alone.” “You won’t have todo that, Buffalo Bill,” remarked Bony Bob, while a number of others present cried out that they would volunteer any time to hunt down Gold Plume and his men. “Well, boys, if Little Grit and Trumps do not-turn up by the time I get back, we’ll raid Gold Plume and his gang; now time’s up, and I -must be off,” and five minutes after making his |threat, that boded no good to the road- agents, Buffalo Bill was flying along on his run with the express, CHAPTER XXII. GOLD PLUME’S CAPTIVE, THE morning came bright and balmy the day following, after the finding of the disguised girl and poor Chopee Stickee in the thicket, and in a lovely vale not far distant from the settlement the two were buried. A large number of the: Rocky Glenites fol- lowed the two bodies to their Jast resting-place, and also Colonel Hewlett and bis daughter went; accompanied by Bessie Benton, the stock- tender’s daughter, and who was sorrowing deeply for the loss of her father and the con- tinued absence of her lover, Little Grit. The fort chaplain read the service of the dead for heathen and Christian alike, the graves were filled in, and back to the settle- ment went all who had witnessed the sad cere- mony. No, not all, for one remained. And that one was Bessie Benton, who, wish- img to remain and brood alone over her sor- rows, by the grave of the two unfortunates, had separated herself from the others, and unseen had quickly returned to the lonely yet beauti- ful spot where slept the dead. Leaning against a tree, through the branches of which the wind sighed a doleful requiem for those who slept beneath its shadows, she burst inio tears, and cried; “Oh father! father! what has been your fate, and will I never see you more?” “ Yes,” She started with a cry, half of fear, half of foy, for she believed that her father stood be- fore her. : But no; his well-known form met not her Wiaxa yet there was one before her, and one glance into his face and at his slight formy told her who he waa. It was the Boy Bandit, Gold Plume, in whose presence she stood, and his eyes were fastened upon her with a peculiar look. He was dressed in the same fanciful way before described to the reader, and behind him, a score of paces, Bessie saw his splendid horse quietly and patiently awaiting him. It was evident that, in spite of the rewards offered fer his head, and the danger attending his proxintity to the settlement, he had ven- tured near, and doubtless had seen the burial geremony from a distante. So silently had he approached her that she Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. RS LT ET I A PACTS IEE I SE OTL Te Er EE ET LS SE Te RST ESS POT PTI SETS SEAS aS APTIETEN FSET suspected not his presence until his affirmative reply to her question. “Well, sir, do you value your life so little that you come here, within hail of the settle- ment?’ she asked, determined to put a bold front upon the meeting. “What matters my life to you, maiden, and what is it worth to me, that I should dread to lose it, were it not for the excitement attend- ant upon self-protection?” was the strange re- sponse. ‘¢- You are Gold Plume, the Boy: Bandit?’ she asked, though she knew well who he was. ‘*So 1 am called, with also the name of Cap- tain Firebrand, Satan’s Cub, and half a dozen other appellations,” he replied with a sneer and a smile combined: ‘‘There is a price set upon your head!’ ‘Yes, dead or alive, I believe; in fact I know, for I bave read the notices posted up by the Vigilantes.” “« And you come where I can, in an instant, earn that reward?’ He laughed lightly, and Bessie liked not the laugh; but he said: “You would not touch one dollar of blood money, and you know it; no, no, I. am in no danger here, for your friends are beyond hail, and did.any one approach I could throw my- self npon my horse and dash away like the wind, defying all pursuit.” **You are too confident,” “ Oh, no; but this is nota healthy locality for me, as men- would say, so let us come to busi- ness, for I come to the vicinity of Rocky Glen to.seek you.” ““Seek me?’ asked Bessie in surprise she could not conceal. ‘‘Oh, yes; you love your father, I believe?” ‘Ob, sir! tell me what you know of my father?’ cried the stock-tender’s daughter ear- nestly. ‘‘ He is my prisoner,” ‘“‘He is not dead then?” she eagerly ex- claimed. “ No.” ‘‘ Thank God!” “ You believed him dead?” iti Yes. ” “You are mistaken.” “Then where is he?” “Safe and well in my stronghold.” “Thank God! again I say it, forit is joy to know that he is not dead.” “‘Tt depends upon you whether he dies or lives.” ““Upon me?” “ Yes,” . **Oh tell me how I can save him,” * And you will?” ses.” **Tt will be a great sacrifice.” **T care not.” “You will make it?” “cc Yes.” “‘T shall hold you to your word.” **So be it; I will do asI say.” “You are aware that your father has a mine that has paid him largely.” ‘¢ Yes, so I have lately learned.” ‘‘He preferred death to revealing where his gold was, saying it wasfor you.” ‘Noble father.” “ But I let bim live on, and to save him I seek you.” a“ Go on” ‘“‘If you tell where that gold is your father shall be released.” **T know not.” “Take care!” “T know not, upon my honor!” “There is one who does.” « Who?” “Little Grit, men call him.” ‘ “ Well?” “Where is he?” “T do not know, for he has been absent some time from the Glen.” “Then you must go to your father, bid him tell where his gold lies, and then you and he shall go free.” 13 “Gladly would I give up all I hope tu get if he could go free.” ‘He shall, if Jou go with me.” ‘“‘Ahme! I know not what to say or-do.”” “Go with me.” : * And you will release my father?” “When you make him tell the secret of hig mine.”’ ‘¢ And no barm shall befall me” ““Notif I get the treasure.” ‘« ] will go,” she said firmly. ‘‘You are wise; here, mount behind me.” He sprung upon his horse-as he spoke, ex. tended his hand and drew her toa seat back of his saddle, and his noble horse started off at ‘a gallop, little caring for his double load. CHAPTER XXiil. BEN’S SECOND TRIP TO THE GLEN. Tuer news of Ben Trotter’s adventures om his first run through with the stage-coach hav- ing spread through the settlement, which was the starting-point of the branch running out to Rocky Glen, a large and motley crowd. as- sembled to see him off on his second trip. And Ben was as proud as a peacock, and seemed to fear nothing, although his coack. contained only a party of women, bound, it was said, out to Rocky Glen to look up their husbands. They were a queer. sef, seven in number, and from the fat old matron to the Jean shrew, with but one bandsome face in the lot. “ That’s ther gal as catchcs on ter my optie, an’ she rides with me, you bet, ter view ther kentry,” said Ben, with a wink to one of his intimates, just before he mounted the box. ‘¢ What in thunder is ther goin’ ter do up at ther Glen, Ben?” asked a.miner. “Raise ‘tarnal thunder; out-chin-an’ out- sass all creation; tell more lies in a single tea- sippin’ then thar is prayers in ther Testimint, an’ make more mischief among the husbands as don’t b’long to’em than anybody would be- lieve. “I tell yer, pards, thar will be —— let loose afo’e breakfast, an’ no pitch hot, when I lands thet tea-party in Rocky Glen.” “ But does yer think ther Gold Plume wit let yer slide through with thet plunder?” asked one, looking contemptuously at the eurions - faces peering out of the coach-window, to: see why the start was not made. ‘** Lordy bless yer, pards, ’d pay ther Gold Plume ter tackle this heur load o’ she-pilgrims, jist ter see ther fun; ef they don’t pour red- hot shot on him with thar tongues, then I are a howlin’ liar. “Qh, I'll git through with ’ém; wish some @? . you fellows would go ‘long jist ter see ther ’musement.” “Why, Bem, thar isn’t a feller in to ‘eeptin’ ther parson who runs ther Goepil works up yonder in ther settlemeut, as would ride Yomg with thet gang o’ petticoats. ‘*Seme o’ ther fellers was goin’ over fer ther run this trip, bat they passed when they seen what ther ole hearse were ter carry.” “ Dox’t blame ’em, Pete Purdy; I don’t, one bit, fer thar is seven shes ter go, an’ thar’s only coffins inside ter hold nie crowded. “As ‘tis, thar will be three front, three back, and one poor unfort’nit critter as will sit on ther middle seat fer t’others ter play ball with; but I’m guessin’ I’ll ask thet smart young gal ter ride up with me.” And walking bold- ly up to the door, Ben Trotter made a serape, a bow, and a motion with his hand, and said, addressing the young and pretty girl referred to: “ Comé, miss, seein’ as t’others is mostly old in years, an’ yer might feel lonesome, I’m maki’ brave ter ask yer ter take a seat on ther box, whar yer kin see God's beautiful = kentry an’ heur me chin as we go long.” “ With pleasure, sir,” replied the yo while the others seemed to scowl at the pre- ference showed her. ; But Ben raised the pretty woman lightly i ays the box, sprung up himself, and, with a $9 7 (Oe % . ie Pr
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Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. of triumph at his envious and admiring friends, seized’ the reins, The stable boys sprung back from the heads of the six splendid bays, the whip cracked, and the evefland coach started on its second run on the branch road to Rocky Glen. In high glee, at the delightful companion he had by his side, Ben Trotter drove gayly along, changed his horses at the stations, which he reached ahead of time, for he was “ show- ing off” on the road for the benefit of the pretty woman, and, at the dinner halting-place he escorted bis fair charge into the dining- room and helped her most bountifully, paying tae score himself. Once more on the way Ben even increased his pace, until it would have been evident, had there been any male passengers along who un- derstood stage-driving, that he was driving more rapidly than was usual, from some other motive than to please a pretty girl om the box at his side, The truth was, the time for arrivals and de- partures of stages along the Overland, had been changed, and it brought Ben’s leaving time some two hours late, and would consequently get him abovt dark into the dangerous locality of the Boy Bandit, if he did not make his team step along lively. And so lively did he make his splendid horses throw the miles behind them, that Ben saw, to his joy, that he would, if not detained, reach Rocky Glen by sunset. “Next time they can take ther time; but this heur pretty gal sha’n’t have no skeer ef I kin help it,” muttered Ben to himself, and seeing that he now had ample time for his pur- pose, he drew his team to a walk as they came near a rise. But, as he did so, out from the thicket on each side of the road dashed seven mounted men and startling was the command: “Halt! Up with your hands, Ben Trotter, or you die!” CHAPTER XXIV. WOLVES IN LAMBS’ CLOTAING. Bren TROTTER’S first impulse, when sternly ordered to halt and throw up his hands, with death the-alternative if he did not obey, was te fight, if only to show his fair companion that ‘he were clean grit clean through,” as he would have expressed it. , But a second glance showed him the mad- ness of such an attempt, and he called out lustily: FE pm’ dyin’ jist yit, gents, so up goes my hooks,” Guiting the action to the word, he held his hands, still grasping the reins, high above his head, having put on the breaks and brought his horses to a sudden halt. “Wall, Ben, what have you along this trip, and who are your passengers?’ asked a heavily bearded horseman riding forward, while, some distance off, standing by the side of his snow- white horse, Ben saw Gold Plume the Boy Bandit, watchiug his men do their lawless work, ““Thas no metal, I kin sw’ar, an’ ef yer kin git any lucre an’ dimints out o’ thet party in ther interer o’ this hearse you is welcome.” “ We'll see, Ben; first let me ask this lady by oe side if she has any valuables?’ said the ndit, at the same time keeping his revolver leveled at the driver, while his half-dozen fol- lowers held their weapons upon the coach win- dows to silence any defense, should any be at- tempted. “Say, pard, be a man, ef yer don’t look it, an’ rob ther ole hens inside, ef jist ter hear ’om cackle,” said Ben, with fun in his eye, in spite of the situation he found himself in.” - “7 take the male pilgrims fust, Ben,” re- marked the bewhiskered robber. ‘Yer’ not find ’em in this heur go-cart _ then, for I drives only petticoats on this trip.” ‘What, no men along?’ *“Nary pantaloon.” “That is too bad, for we expected a rich paul.” a ra “Yer is doomed to disapy’intment, pard outlaw; Wut hurry up witb yer dirty stealin’ for I wants ter be on my way.” * All right, I won’t detain you long, Ben, if you have no gold-bugs along,” and he called out in a loud tone; “ Good-afternoon ladies; I must beg of you all a little loan.” “Rob the saucy-faced minx on the box, for she has money, while we are poor as church mice,” cried a squeaky voice from within the coach, and then in stern tones from the Boy Bandit was heard: **Come, come, Danton, do not delay longer.” | ‘¢ All right, captain; but it’s a batch of petti- coats we've caught.” replied the lieutenant, touching his sombrero, and then looking up to the girl on the box, he continued: “ They say, miss, you carry the lucre, so I must beg you to produce it.’ ‘‘ Here it is, the metal I carry, sir!” With the word the hand came from beneath the folds of the shawl and was thrust forward, | while a flash and report followed, and the rob- ber dropped dead from his steed, while instant- ly upon it came other sharp cracks and three other of the bandits went down. Then, out of the stage bounded six forms, clad in feminine attire, but the loud voices and actions told plainly that they were men, wolves in lambs’ clothing, and in dismay the remaining bandits took to flight though an- other fell from his horse ere he got out of range and to the utter astonishment of Ben Trotter, his companion on the box stood up and opened fire upon Gold Plume the Boy Bandit, yet to no purpose it seemed, as that daring young leader, seeing that his men had caught a Tartar, quickly sprung upon his white steed and sped away like the wind, in spite of the bullets rattling after him. Then, back on the seat sunk the supposed young girl, and from her lips broke a ringing laugh and the words: “Ben! Ben! if the bandits had not attacked us, you would have asked me to marry you be- fore we got to Rocky Glen.” “Little Grit, dog-gone your ugly pictur’—’ ‘Hold on, Ben, you have been saying I was a beauty all along the road.” “ Little Grit, consarn yer, I b'lieves yer is a gal anyway, fer yer did play it on me fine; but I gives in, ef yer tells me who them petti- coats is hidin’ thar?’ and Ben pointed to the other supposed women. “Oh, they are all friends of yours, Ben, boys from the Pony Stables, whom I got to join me in this little game to trap the Gold Plume; but his usual luck saved him, for he stood off yonder, almost out of range, while his men did the robbing. “But, let us bury these bodies and hurry on,” ‘Bury nothin’, Leetle Grit; ef you all has fooled me, an’ I admits yer has, an’ I'll treat all round fer every bandit slewed, why I is ter hev my revenge off ther gerloots up at ther Glen, so toss the stiffs on top o’ ther hearse, yer durned petticoat rangers, an’ we'll hev a leetle mite o’ fun with ther boys, from the jedge down.” With loud laughter the supposed women obeyed, and the stage-coach rolled on once more, and arrived in safety at Rocky Glen, when Ben Trotter had his fun out of the boys, for one and all of them took Little Grit and his companions for “shemale pilgrims” as they termed them, and the young officer and ex-Pony Rider came in for loud praise for his clever trick to entrap the Gold Plume. But his heart’ soon lost its light-heartedness when told that Bessie Benton was missing, and the traces showed that she had been carried off on horseback, CHAPTER XXV. A FATEFUL MEETING. Wes Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, stood | apart frem his men, at the second robbery of | the stage-coach, it was on accountef his moody feelings seeming to prompt him te avoid the ? : excitement and leave the work te his com- rades. Almost regardless of what was transpiring, he stood by the side of his horse, until suddeniy brought to consciousness of what was taking place by the shot that killed his lieutenant. Then intuitively he knew thata trap had been set for him, and seeing that his men were 41- ready worsted, and that resistance was useless, he threw himself across the back of his splendid steed, and dashed away from the scene, while the remainder of the band sought refuge in tks thicket near by. Unburt by the shots sent after him, Gold Piume swe; t on, at the full speed of his horse, until he turned into a path, the regular Pony Rider’s trail, but which was not passable for the coaches. Hardly had he gone a bundred yards along this, when, suddenly rounding the spur of a rocky hill, he came unexpectedly upon a horse- man coming toward him. It was Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, mounted on a splendid, jet-black steed, going at full speed, as was also the horse of Gold Plume. Both horsemen saw their danger and tried to halt suddenly, and the hard bit of the ban- dit drew his animal up into the air, until he stood almost perpendicular, pawing wildly. Instantly, with a word from his master-the bridleless black also arose on bis hind feet, and the fore hoofs of the two animals met, and seemed locked together, while Buffalo Bill, lean- tar forward, revolver in band, leveled it in the face of the Boy Bandit, and said sternly: * You are my prisoner, Gold Plume !” It was a magnificent picture, for the instant the two horses stood poised there, and the riders, one with his weapon leveled, the other but half drawn, faced each other. “TI submit,” was the sullen reply of Gold Plume, and, as the two horses dropped upon ald fours once more, Buffalo Bill urged bis black forward and said: ‘*T will take your weapons, please.” Silently they were given up, andthen came, in a tone that seemed so different from Gold Plume’s usual manner that Buffalo bill was as tounded: ‘¢ What will you do with me?” “First, take you to Rocky Glen.” “ And then?” * Hang you, doubtless, as you deserve,” was the curt reply. Gold Plume turned livid for an instant, but said, as he looked into the «aring, handsome face of the Pony Rider; “You are Buffalo Bill, I believe? “ Yes.” “You are the friend of Little Grit?” “ Yes.” “T was going to seek him.” ‘Yes, you have sought him fora long time.”*” “No, Ihave never scught: to take his life; but you misunderstand me, I was not going to seek him in anger, but in kindness,” ' “ Ah!” r **T know you will not believe me; bu. left my stronghold at daylight to attack Ben Trot- ter’s coach, for I wasforced to do so; but we were caught in a trap, and I escaped, and rap upon you; but if you wish to serve Little Grit I can aid you.” “ How?” ; ‘“‘You know that Bessie Benton bar disap peared.” “ Yes.” “ ¥ captured her.” “ Why?” “To save her father.” ‘Bah! he is dead.” ~ ‘He is not; I did not hang him, thougl the cbief thought I did, and ordered ue to do »,” * The chief?’ “ah ‘$ Ves,” * Are you not the Bey Bandit?” ** Yes, so-called,” 4 Chief of the Mountain League?” . No, »” You are Gold Plume?’ —
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! 1s A SR ee a Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. a : , “So-called.” ‘tHe is chief.” + **No, he is supposed to be, but we have an- other chief, and I am simply his lieutenant,” ** Ab! and who is this man?” ‘¢T will teil you, and more, I will place him iu your power, if you agree to my terms.” ‘*Name them.” ‘* First let me tell you that Bessie Benton is this man’s prisoner, and 1 know he intends to fcrce her to marry him; the miner whom you eall Trumps—” ‘*Ned Ross?” ‘Yes, he is a prisoner too, and is to die | by starvation; then, in a secret cave, I have | Dan Benton hidden away; all these will I give into your hands, and the chief too, if you will accept my terms.” ‘You will prove traitor and betray your chief-and his band?” ‘‘ Not the band; they have not wronged me; if you wish to capture them you must lead sol- diers against them openly; but the chief I will tray, and give you up the three prisoners I have named,” “So be it; I grant yeur terms, so name them.” “That you will not betray me, no matter when, or under what circumstances you see me, and I am to go free as soon as the chief and the prisoners are in your power.” ‘All right; but when will you do this?” ‘Now, to-night, if you will follow me.” “To be led into a trap.” “*T pledge you, no.” “What guarantee have I?” “That I act from revenge,” said Gold Plume with savage intensity. “« Ab! he bas wronged you then, this chief?” ‘“‘ Yes, bitterly, and has already given orders to put me out of the way.” ~“ What motive has he?” ‘“¢ He loves another—ha! you have my secret, for Tam a woman,” Buffalo Bill started and said earnestly: ‘‘T will trust you; lead on! if the Express never gets in I will follow.” CHAPTER XXVI. THE CHIEF, In a mountain cabin, built of stout logs, and set in under the base of a cliff, sat a man al- ready known to the reader, for it is the Kid Glove Gambler of Rocky Glen. He is dressed in riding trim, and bears the appearance of one who has ridden hard, for he is bespattered s7ith mud, and his eyes have a tired look, “‘ Curse the woman! where is she?’? he im- patiently exclaimed, as be rose from a rude seat aud paced the floor. ‘She has no right to keep me waiting this way, for [ told her when I should come. “® Well, this isour last meeting, and—” The door opened and broke off bis speech, It was: Gold Plume that entered, and the man said: ‘Vell, Clotilde, you have come at last; you knv*® I dare not be long away at this time, for already I believe the miners suspect me.” ‘**J came as soon as I could; the attack on the coach cost me four men, for we caught Tartars.” ‘Curse them! this is thinning the band out; but where have you concealed the girl?’ he said angrily. “In the Panther’s Cave; do you wish to see her?” ) “Yes; you remain here,” and the Kid Glove Sport started for the door, but suddenly started back, for a pistol was shoved in his face and a stern voice said: ‘You are my prisoner, Gambler Grey.” The man glared like a wounded tiger at bay, feut Buffalo Bill’s hand held the revolver, and well he knew that the slightest move would be the signal for his death. ‘ ‘Take his weapons!” said the Pony Rider, and in obedience Gold Plume, or, as she is now known Clotilde stepped forward and obeyed, ' © “'Traitress! I owe this to you!” he hissed, “Yes; and also that your brother is not dead,” she replied, with a look of triumph, “What?” “True; Ihave kept him hidden from you, and he will recognize you, if not by your face, by the red birth-mark of a gallows you have on your hand, and which your kid gloves have so long hidden,” ** Clotilde, I am not one to give up life while hope lasts, and if I hang not, you shall die by that same gallows marked hand,’ he hissed. “Yes, as you killed poor Ella Roy, who sought you under the disguise of a boy; you see I know you, Grey Benton.” ‘As I do too, sir, for I charge you with the murder of the poor Chinee. as well as the mai- den; ay, and shall denounce you as the chief of the road-agents,” said Buffalo Bill, as he bound and gagged the Kid Glove Sport secure- ly. ** Come, let us seek the others,” said the wo-' man, and she led the way up the mountain, and ere long halted at a cave, before which stood a guard, ‘Brace, go down in the valley and saddle three horses, putting my side-saddle on one,” ordered the woman, and with a salute the man obeyed, and Buffalo Bill, holding fast to his prisoner, followed her into the cave, where a lantern was burning dimly. “Miss Benton, I have come to keep my pledge: your father, yourself and your friend are free,” said the strange woman, and the Kid Glove Sport groaned with rage, as out of the darkness came thre’ persons, And those three were Bessie Benton, ber father, and Trumps, “ Hold! you have mo time for greetings, and congratulations, for *he band is not far away; follow me,” said th woman, cutting off the words of Bessie ani Trumps, at recognizing Buffalo Bill, Silently they foll.wed her, Trumps forcing the Kid Glove Sport to keep up, and in five minutes more they were at the corral at the base of the hill, where the guard awaited with three horses. “Here, Miss Bentyn, are horses for you, your father and the miner; the Pony Rider’s animal awaits him not Lar away, with my own steed for this prisoner. ‘“‘Grey Benton, we wili meet again; Buffalo Bill, we part, now; farewell!.” Silently she glided away, and disappeared in the darkness, while Brace, the guard, said quickly: “jt looks ter me as ef thar was a storm brewin’, so I’d better light out, for I doesn’t understand things.” ‘*Hold! if you wish a snug little sum in gold, go with us, and return and show us how to strike a death-blow at this strong- hold,” said Buffalo Bill. “Durned ef I don’t ef yer talks metal, fer ther chief are tied, I see, an’ ther Gold Plume hev scooted, so I turns honest, so here goes,” and taking another horse from the eorral he mounted, and the party set off at a rapid pace on the trail to Rocky Glen, where they arrived before dawn, to find the miners, headed by Little Grit, or rather Lieutenant Lamdell, about to set out to attempt the rescue of pretty Bessie Benton. CONCLUSION, The joy of all at the retiirn of Bessie and her father, not to speak of Trumps, and the hurrahs at the gallant deed of Buffalo Bill, the Pony Rider, in rescuing them, and capturing the chief of the bandits, it would be impossible to describe. But Rocky Glen was certainly mad with ex- citement and delight for the day, and it was increased when the morning following Lieu- tenant Little Grit, as the boys would call him, returned from a successful raid against the bandits, destroying their stronghold, and dis- persing thore that were not killed. Of the meeting of this gallant youth with his mother, and his union with Bessie Benton, I can | only say that the heart of Mrs, Lamadell once more knew joy, and at the wedding, m Judge Hunter’s tavern, Buffalo Bill was his friend’s best man, and stood up with Helen Hewlett as bridemaid, while in honor of the occasion all Rocky Glen got on a spree. Another grand event in that border town was the execution on the gajlows of Grey Ben- ton, the Kid Glove Gambler, in punishment tor his many crimes. His brother, whom he bad so wronged, with Little Grit and his wife and mother, had al- ready departed for the East there te live, se were saved the painful sight; but there was one who witnessed the death of the wicked gambler whom only one person present seemed to know. That one was Buffalo Bill, and he alone knew the fascination in the death scene for the deeply vailed woman who gazed upon the doomed man without a shudder, and to hima she whispered when all was over: ‘‘He wronged me deeply, for he made me the guilty thing 1am; but in the futureI will pass my days in penitence and prayer.” From that day Clotilde, once known as @old Plume, was never seenin Rocky Glen again, Colonel Hewlett built his new fort, and them resigned from the army, going East, some said on account of the health of his lovely daughter, whom rumor said died of consumption. Of the other characters of my story I know nothing, excepting it be of the hero Buffalo Bill, then Pony Express Rider, but now a man whose fame has spread throughout the world, and with whom I often enjoy chats of Ben Trotter, Trumps, and the other bold spirits of the wild Far West. THE END, eg ee ee Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe: or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmet. } 175 Capvutn Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Dueliat; or, The Mountain Vempires. SBS A Wing Boy}; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 368 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. 378 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 388 Little Oh-my 3 or, Canght in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly; or, A Race fora Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines. 0 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Laseo; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Ridera! 159 Fhe Lest Captain 3 or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the n Polar Sea. { 200 The Boy Bedouina; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 | Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World anderer. 265 The eigen Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY HARRY 8T. GEORGE. 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattling Rube; or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 569 Old Hickory ; or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 108 Daring Davy; or, The Trail of the er Wolf. 166 Hickory Marry ; or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, 172 Thunderbolt Tom: or, the Wolf-Herder_ BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Roy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The nded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rotky Bars 171 Ebony Dan; or, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eve; or, The Voltures of the Rio Grande. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library t» for sale by ail newsdealers conta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Strect, Sew Yorke ’ ag
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BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. | 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick tn Disguise; or, Buffal» Sen. 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. 42 Deadwood 49 Deadwood T Deadwood 178 Deadwood Dick's Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omah#Oll. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ine, the Heroine ' 37 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Guich Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Rncas or, Blonde Bill, 49 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike}; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreams or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. €7? Deadwood Dick’s Doom: or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, 1? Deadweoad Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick's Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Pick, A Romance of Roughs aid Tough, 268 Deadwood Dick’s peveee or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 368 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 09 Deadwood Dick’« Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Uf pendweed 4 sen geh mmante |. <7, Days in the Diggin a, eaiwoo e entenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Dead wood Dick’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmondas. 1 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A ‘‘ Cute Case.” 0 wood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Sie Beieéet lek ins bate . ° b . 458 Dendwood Dick, JrJs Full Hand. 9 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big org tH 65 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Racket at Claim 10, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Dog Detective, 41 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood. Dick, Jr.'s Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Delfverance, 515 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee. 5622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Three. 529 VDendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Danger Ducks, ae menewoes Dick, Jr.’* Death Hunt, adwoo Dick, 544 Deadwood Dick, 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood BS? Deadwood Dick? In. in Pailode hia, ead woo: e Fey in 1 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Jr.. Afloat. 584 Deadwooo or.. in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Decree, 595 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Leadville Lay 612 pecteweos i ont 0 pL Ada ‘ ek, Jr. , ti. 62 adwood Dick, Jr., = Nevada: 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’« Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. In Buffalo. Bey Sscfoesd poe eames eee ok ‘ » Am 660 Deadwood Diek, 3rv« Sanuranes Onsen es 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr.,; tn Durango; or, Gathered In.” Mitaunsiewienie 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. } +9 comes hag | Dick. or op eager Divide, endwoo ra, Drop. re Deadwood Dick, Jr., ‘at Jack-Pot. 10 Deadwood Dick Jr., in San Francisco, 716 Deadwood dra Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood dra Dominoes. 28 Deadwood Jr.’a Disguise. 364 Dend wood Jr.'s, Double Deal. eadwoo Ks atch, TAT Dendwood veh Woublet. 7Z52 Deadwood Jr.’«, Deathblow. +1 mona woes bag pespeunte Strait, adwo . yi . 770 Deadwood Irs Deteat. ie Deadwood Jdr.’a, Resurrection. Jr., in Gotham, 82 Dead wooa drs Dark Days. 8ST Dendwood Dick Jr., Defled. 92 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Double Device. 9T Deadwood Dick, Jr’.«, Desperate Venture, )} 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Diamond Dice, 807 Deadwood Dick Jr.’*, Royal Flush, ¢ 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Mend-olf. 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Rival. $22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom, 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. 884 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’*, Proxy. $40 Deadwood Dick, Jr’, Clutch. $45 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horae. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devils Gulch, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Death-Mole Hustle, 8683 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Bombshell. STO Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Mexico. 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s Decoy Duck. $82 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Silver Pocket. S91 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’a, Dead-Sure Game, 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a, Double Drive. 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a, Trade-Mark. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Steer: 916 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s Double-Decker.~ 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. 984 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Flush Flats. 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Shake-up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Right Bower. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Gold-Duast. 9T1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Oath, 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’#, Death-Doom. 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card. 992 Deadwood Dick, dr. at Gold Dust. 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded, 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dutch Pard. ‘ead woo: Ck, 3Y.’A, gz Four. 1018 Dead dpi Jv.’s, Big F BY T. J. FLANAGAN, 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher, 925 The Young Cowboy Captain. 988 The Two Midshipmen; or, The Corsair-Chaser’s First Craise. 'et4 The Three Lientenants 9 The Mascot Middy ; or, The 966 Figehting Jack Shubrick. 900 Fighting Jack’s Middies ; or, Dandy Dick’s Dash, 0 our Commanders, 9 Jack Lang, the Privateer Rover, 14 Middy Ned, tke Runsway. BEADLE'’Ss H ALF- DIME* 7 IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idy!, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Kob’s penpeestanacy or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’s Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones. 285 Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or, The Road Queen. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Réd Nese. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game. 218 Fritz to the Fronts or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, 248 Sierra Sam's Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam's Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 2558 Sierra Sam’s woven s or, The Stolen Bride. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 96 he Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Oaptain Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 226 The Arab Detective ; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, gf & Oo., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Nat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Boggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon: or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bows Bob the King of Bootblacks. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevadays or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 27 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, wlck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 87S Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’ Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Keith, t ¢ Revenue Spotter. 922 Sol Sharpe, the New_York Night-Hawk, 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunco Men, 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. BY J. C. COWDRICK, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 5614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing aStrange Case, 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Difikilty.” 657 Broadway 5 ti ie Death Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The Longe of Seven, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, 675 Broadway Billy’s« Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 687 Broadway Billy tn Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway Billy's F'ull Hand: or, The Gamin Detective. %35 Broadway Billy’s Business. 7838 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case. 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detective. 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 775 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’« Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Brondway Billy’s Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive, 796 Broadway Billy’« Queer Bequest, 800 Broadway Billy Baffled, 805 Brondway Billy’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Billy’« Wipe Out. 815 Brondway Billy’s Bank Racket. S21 Broadway Billy’s Bluff. 826 Brondway Buty ame ing Jersey Thugs. S88 Broadway Billy’s Raid, 889 Broadway Billy’« Big Boom, 844 Breondway Billy’s Big Bulge. 849 Broadway Billys #100,000 Snap. 856 Broadway Billy’s Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. 862 Broadway Billy in London. 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Slums. 874 Broadway Billy’s French Game. _ 880 Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Tarowers. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, ForSeven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apne tiee; or, A Boy Without » Name, 424 Cibuta Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 epalight Ralph. thie Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Exprese Detective. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 692 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Ronning the Rascala Out. 615 Fighting Harry | the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Tyrewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan. the “ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bars. S87 Battery Bob. the Dock Detective, 894 Arizona Dick’s Wipe-Out. 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee. 906 Safety Sam, the Cycle Sport. 912 Train Boy Trist’s Hot Huatle, 918 The Trump Aros Bet 924 Big Roots Bob, the Fire-Laddle. 980 Kuastler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newshboy Detective’s Chum. 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlie’« Double. 947 The Bowery W restler: or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer, 958 Paddy’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport. 960 The Broadway Sport: or, Flyer Fred’s Clear Case. 967 £1000 Reward; or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. 978 Bantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. 978 Plucky Pat, the Street-Bey Detective. 989 Bicycle Bob’s Hot Scorch, 997 Scorcher Sam, the Detective on Wheels. 1004 Scorcher Sam’s Sweep-Stakes. 1009 Tne Girl Cy clin’s Winning Hand. BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE. 956 Brooklyn Bob’s Bulge; or, Dodger Dot’s Diamond Snap, 968 The East-Side Spotter: or, Turning Down the Big Three 974 Old Sant’s Dark Deal: or, Miner Mat’s Iron Grip. 1015 The Keporter-Detee Ive’s Big Pull, " BUFFALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 1018 Buffalo Bill’« Texas Team. 1007 Buffalo Bill's Sure-Shota. 1000 Buffalo Bills Deeoy Boys. r. , 95 Buffalo BIll’s Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid, 988 Buffalo Bill’s Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bill's Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill's Rifle & ota. 968 Buffalo Bills Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer, 964 Buffalo Bills Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot 958 Buffalo Bill's Mazeppa-Chase. 948 Buffalo Bill’s Snap-Shot ¢ or, Wild Kid's Texan Tally 942 Buffalo Bill’s Tough Tuasle. 986 Buffalo Bill’« Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up, 929 Buffalo Bill's Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo Bill’« Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince ot the Rems, 222 Bison Bill’s Clue; or. Grit,'the Biavo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. BS Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairle Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trost. 1029 The Phantom Spy. BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8, A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, _—_—— BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1081 The Texan Hustlers in Cuba. 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Cuba 1025 The Flying Yankee or, The Ocean Outcast, 1028 The Cowboy Clan in Ouba. 1016 The Boy Bugler in Cuba. 982 New York Nats Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game 926 New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. 914 New York Nat’s Three of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’s Double. New York Nat's in Colorado. New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat’s Deadly Deal. New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. New York Nat’s Trump Card, STL New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. 865 New York Nat’« Masked Muscot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, 868 Dick Doom’s mg rd fl Knock-Out. Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand, Dick Doom’s Death-G@rip; or, The Detective by Destiny, Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Doom; or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom in shinago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Cloe, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue, 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. } 819 Dick Doom’« Girl Mascot, 829 Dick Doom’s« Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. A 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali, 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. 497 Buck ‘Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 787 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s cares. 748 Buck Taylor's Boys; cr, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, Ana Firty Others, BY LIEUT, A. K,. SIMS, 5689 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affeir at Tombstone, 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective $88 Tom-Cnt'« Triumphs or, Black Den’s Great Combine. 5646 Captain Cactus the haparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike, 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver Sport: or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. 588! Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidor; or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout, 689 Billy, the Gypay Spyt_ or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Simple Sim, the Brofiche Buster; or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim’ the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustatiger Detective. 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 785 Lone Hand Joe the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, 882 The Doctor Dete etive In Texan, 872 Two Showmen Detectives in Colorado. 987 The Texan Firebrand; or, Brazos Billy’s Snap.Shob. 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. NEW ISSUES. 1044 The New York Sharp. By Ben D. Halliday. 1045 Mustang Merle’s Mine. By Maj. Sam. 8. Scott, 1046 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 1047 Flyer Fred, the Cyclist Ferret. By Roy Rockwood, 1048 The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. By Waring, 1049 Queen Edna of.the Panthers, By Wm. R. Eyster, 1050 The One-Armed Sport. By T, ©, Harbaugh. 1051 The Boy Hercules. By Ol) Coomes, JUST ISSUED. Tou Ret Beb’« Circus. _ By Arizona Cy. nt A oes Gold Witch’s Shadower, By Col. P; Togroham, 085 Antelope Abe, the Bov Guide, By Olt Coomes. 086 Dandy Dick’s Double. By Robert R, Inman. 087 The Artist Detective. By Col. P. Ingraham t O88 Kansans King: or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. 089 Mustang Merley the Boy Rancher. By Maj § 5. Scott, 040 Buffalo RVs Pony Patrol. By Col. P. Ingraham, 041 Cowboy Chris to the Fore By Wm. W. Wilder, se 2 Little Grit, the Pony Express Rider. By Col. Ingraham, 48 You Bet Hob from Cross Crick. By Arizona Cy. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdeslers, five conts per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of aix cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New York, 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1