Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1023) (1897 03 02)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
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= Nallalallalalal \\ Ze Z Z)3 iT fly un \ \ RY x ; AY D \ \ \ ‘ N NY ; N \N a sy AAT . AN Y Angas Ww LAY I J] { \ WW \\\ \\ AY \ Li Pale, bor “We 5 Oe CL)! fa 1 (ZU Cs YYy . 4 ar oa ‘e N (= 'z L j \( = ‘CHARGE, MY GALLANT COWBOY FILIBUSTERS!” CRIED CAPTAIN CHASE.
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ey ‘ _ cued you, senorita, and the Senor Agra- a) \ _ monte and his wife too?” The Cowboy Glan in Guba; OR, THE Texan Black Flags to the Rescue. A Story of the Fateful Struggle. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BUFFALO BILL” NOVELS, ETC. CHAPTER I. IN THE LAND OF DEATH. “Come, sister Lucita, we must get the overseer, Vance Mendoza, and his family to go with us, for it will be death to remain. We will ride up this path to their home. He has horses there. “Come, or they are lost. They will obey you, where they would refuse me! st These words from a youth of seven- teen, were addressed to a girl several years his senior. Both were mounted— the youth in the dress and with the equipments of a Texan Ranger, the girl in a neat riding habit, but hatless. They were on the sandy shore of the Cuban coast, where the waves of the -guif broke at their feet. The night was dark, but starlight, and in the mouth of a lagoon near by a steamer was moored against the bank. Her decks were lit up with electric lights and a busy scene was in progress, for dead and wounded men were being car- ried on board in haste. Upon the highlands rolling up from the coast was heard the sound of hot fighting, for men were struggling madly in a death struggle. . Back from the steamer the rattle of repeating rifles was heard, whence a band of mea were holding at,bay a party of Spanish cavalry. It was a strange and thrilling scene there on that wild and picturesque coast, for the steamer had crept in under cov- er of the night and landed a party of Texan cowboys, who had come to res- cue a comrade, his wife and sister, who had fallen under the ban of Spanish cruelty and deviltry. The rescue had been made, save that the wife of their comrade was up at the plantation villa, and thither had gone a band of rescuers. The overseer of the plantation and his family the youth wished also to take from the island, for well enough he knew what fate might be visited upon them. | Urged by her brother, Lucita Agra- monte had dashed along the coast with him, followed him up a steep trail to the plateau above, and, ten minutes after, the two had ridden up to the overseer’s home. All was silent there; but a light burned within, while, in the distance, where were the quarters of the plantation ne- groes, was heard the sound of wailing, as blacks were alarmed at the fierce fighting as the cowboys fought back the Spanish guard up at the villa, and held in check the cavalry down near the filibu&ter steamer. _ “Ho, Mendoza! Come out! and fly with us; you, your wife and children! ” So shouted the youth as he and his sister halted before the house. The door swung open quickly, and a man appeared, his wife and two chil- dren behind him. “Ah, Senor Harry, it is you, and you too, Senorita Lucita?’ vind . “So the brave cowboys of Texas res- country of Texas, and on the The Cowboy Clan in Cuba “This is no time, Mendoza, to ask questions or to answer them. You must go with us, for my brother and sister were rescued from the fortress, and the cowboys are now at the villa to take brother Rafael’s wife from her impris- onment there. “Tf you remain you will be butchered, you and your family.” “No, Senor Harry, I have kept to my home, and the Spaniards will spare us.” “No! no! They know no mercy!” cried Lacita. “TI must remain on the plantation, for here I have lived for years, and I must do what I can to save it, and the ne- groes.” “You will be killed and the place ruined! Hark! the fighting at the villa has ceased! “The cowboys are on their way to the steamer, and you must come. “You have not a moment to lose, Vance Mendoza,’ anxiously urged the boy, while his sister added: “You must go with us.” “No, no; we cannot! We must re- main here, Senor Harry and Senorita Lucita. It is our duty. Go! or the steam- er will leave without you, for hark! how fierce the fighting is there in the lagoon.”’ The boy listened an instant: “Tt is true!” he cried. ‘I believe the steamer is backing out, for they think ;we are on board, Lucita! Will you come with us, Mendoza?” “We cannot! But go! for the love of God go, or you will be too late!”’ almost shrieked the man. “Come, Lucita! ” The boy spoke sternly and away dashed the two. They quickly, reached the cliff, and there halted, for what they beheld filled them with dismay. The steamer was already on her way out from the coast, and the Spanish cavalry ashore were firing wpon her! The Boy Bugler of the Cowboy Res- cuers, and his beautiful sister had been left in the Land of Death, | CHAPTER II. A STERN RESOLVE. “My dear friend Chase, I cannot stand this suspense—this remaining in idle- ness and safety here in Texas, while those I love are in Cuba, in prison or suffering, I know not what. I must re- turn to save them, if alive, or take the consequences be they what they may.” “Well said, my noble Rafael! for as your wife, a true daughter of Cuba, I too feel the terrible suspense hanging over us in not knowing what disaster has be- fallen your brave young brother and sister—they should be rescued, or at least the attempt made to rescue them.” The speakers were a man of thirty- five and a woman of twenty-two, whose dark faces, black eyes and hair denoted foreign birth, for they were Cubans. The man was taller than the average of his race, broad-shouldered, well- formei, and strikingly good looking, while his dress of a Texan cowboy was most becoming to him. The woman was rarely beautiful in face and form, and had in her dark face much to do and dare, did occasion de- mand it. ‘ A third person was present, and to him had the Cuban first addressed him- self. He was an American, handsome and daring-faced, well built, and with the manner of a dashing, courteous man of the world. *)) a) _ His dress was half Mexican, half plains- The scene was a ranch in the cattle he border- land of civilization and wild life. ' rr ee, —_—_——— - a ally was your brother, our Boy Bugler. them,” they are suffering in this. J aie a guards "4 rave Cuban women who are fighting for _ Cuba, and hence I go with Bigs Fj and we follow you and your Cowboy | Rangers even unto death cue both Harry and Lucita and to for Cuba Libre,” and the face of the — When the Cuban and- his wife har both spoken, the American replicd in a ™ thoughtful way: 3 “T appreciate your wish}' Rafael, and your suspense for your brother and sis- ter’s fate. “T too feel the same, for you well know how dear your sister Lucita is to me, and when you returned to Cuba to marry and live there, leaving your young broth- er Harry to my guardianship, the brave lad became as dear to me as though bound by brotherly ties. “When he received the letter from Mendoza, the overseer of your planta- tion, that you had been captured and were a prisoner with your sister in the Spanish fortress near your home, and your wife was held captive in the villa, how gladly did I call upon the Cow- boy Clan_of which I am chief, to go to , Cuba and rescue you, their former cap- tain, from certain death, and my main Hotspur Harry, “You know the result but too well, our landing upon the Cuban coast by night, our dash to the Mountain Fortress, and rescue of yourself and Lucita, and of your wife here from the villa where she also was a prisoner, while, when we escaped to sea we discovered that neither Hotspur Harry nor Lucita were on board the steamer. “They had mysteriously disappeared. “What their fate is none of us here know. “ But Rafael Agramonte, it is for me, not you, to return to Cuba and seek their rescue. “Though a Cuban born, you are an American citizen; as a Boy Patriot you came here with your father and mother after the ten years’ war. “The general, your father, marrying here, his two children by his Texan wife, both Harry and Lucita, are also Americans, now in the hands of Span- iards. “Now that your home in Cuba is in ruins all your interests are here, so . here remain with your wife, while I will return to the island and seek the rescue of Harry and Lucita, or to avenge them — if they are dead or have been harmed, 7} “My Cowboy Clan wif gladly follow me, and I can charter the same steamer, the Mustang, to put me upon the coast of Cuba as before. “Taos, the Cuban coast pilot, as you know, is on my ranch, and he can guide us, while my cowboys are more than anxious to return and rescue the Boy. Bugler and his beautiful sister, 34 “I am alone in the world, you are not. “You can care for my ranch, and I» will at once begin arrangements to sail for Cuba with my cowboy rescuers, and you and your wife, mark my words, we | will rescue them, or bitterly avenge ‘ “Captain Oharlie Chase, you are true as steel, and a noble man; but I am a Cuban, and Rafael is a Cuban, and we go with you. “Our ranches here can be cared for by managers, and it is Rafael’s duty to rescue his loved Cuba, as it is mine. ‘ “He was a patriot as a boy in the | ten years’ war—should he be less as a man? mys He “Women suffered in the last war, and f “But both Gomez and Maceo ha in their cor ia to rescue both elke « thd
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Cuban wife lightened up with stern re- solve, while her husband cried: “You have decided, Stella, my wife! We go together to the rescue of those so dear to us!” CHAPTER III. PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT. sae Tt was a dashing, daring band, the 18 Cowboy Clan of Texas, and when they Bs 3 took the war trail evildoers and red- ry skins went into hiding at once. ans i It was in the ranch country of Texas me they dwelt} and in the discharge of 7 their duty they were, as cowboys, scat- tered far and wide through the cattle country. « But, bound by ties as strong as death, holding regular meetings in a secret re- treat to keep their order together, they ‘were ever ready to rally at the call of ‘their leader, Captain Charlie Chase, whenever he sent their Boy Bugler out to ring them up by the stirring notes Ms of his bugle, as he sped from ranch to ranch. , But their last rally at the bugle call } jad) been to rescue their former chief, Rafael Agramonte, who had returned to Cuba to live after marrying a Cuban girl, and his sister had accompanied him, ¥ leaving Hotspur Harry, as the Boy Bugler was known, under the guarlian- rs ship of the wealthy young rancher, Char- lie Chase, who had become the cowboys’ captain. The rally had been made, the run to de Cuba followed, then a landing, the res- es cue and escape, but, alas! the Cowboy aves od ees rel ai = Sat - “Sere See 473 1, yi sey ay | i ‘Clan had left their Boy Bugler behind, ee and his sister, too, had disappeared. oe ? Loudly had the Cowboy Rescuers de- y ae manded to be relanded upon the coast % to tear the captives from Spanish hands. ve But prudence prevailed, the steamer i a ‘Mustang returned to the shores of Tex- ee: eae as, and the cowboys dispersed to their coe af x respective ranches, few knowing of the successful expedition. 7 oe But the Boy Bugler was missed from his accustomed haunts, and the cowboys we ‘were hoping that another expedition : ‘would set sail to rescue him and his sis- tter, as had been his brother Rafael ‘and his wife rescued. “It will come some day,” had been the words of the cowboys in dispersing. ““No news from Hotsput Harry?” had jbeen the first question asked between . the brave Texans when they met. Se matters stood when Captain Charlie Chase, with the Cuban patriot and his -wife, are presented to the reader, and the fair daughter of the Gem of the Antilles had uttered her stern resolve to ‘become an Amazon avenger for her strug- giling land. In response to her brave words, Char- die Chase had grasped her hand and said: “With such daughters, what should not the sons of Cuba be? “T will call the Cowboy Clan together, ‘tell them the duty before us, telegraph to Captain Telfair of the steamer Mus- tang to return to the same rendezvous on the coast of Texas, and we will have as many brave men as I can muster to be there to meet the vessel and sail for Cuba. “But the greatest secrecy must be ob- eans, and the laws of our land must be Cuba Libre.” “By all means, Captain Charlie, and _ Spanish spies and traitors.” “Very true, Rafael.” _ “Have you heard anything from Don ‘alee Se Aha you found out to be served, for we are here in Texas Ameri-_ respected in our striking a blow for our first duty is to keep a lookout for —— The Cowboy ( Clan in Cuba a Bentard’ and not a Mexican, aids lies sought to betray you in your last expe- dition? ”’ “T am told that he is again upon his ranch, though pretending to have gone away. “The wound he received in my last meeting with him. has not fully healed. Dan Dallas tells me, and he is in hiding until he fully recovers, while he has been secretly trying to buy members of our clan to turn traitor and sell us out, for he confidently believes that there are cowboy filibustering expeditions to go | from Texas. to Cuba, and he is revenge- | ful, you know.” “Ah, yes; especially as my sister, Lu- cita, refused him, and he regards you as his successful rival. “He prefers to destroy you rather than aid Spain, Charlie.” “Very true, and as you did not like him as a lover for Lucita, he is re- vengeful toward you. “You may be sure that, though he is keeping * quiet, really in hiding at his ranch, he is planning mischief of some kind, and is watching us through spies his money will buy, for Don Ruiz Valdos is not a man to forget or forgive, if he thinks he has been wronged.” “Then put spies upon him and his spies, Charlie, and call upon me for all money, for you know I have gold hid- den away.” “Yes, and I have a fortune in jewels to give to the cause of Cuba,” added Stella Agramonte, earnestly. “You both would give life and fortune | in the cause, I well know. “But I will at once set a watch upon Don Ruiz Valdos, and bring him up very suddenly if I find he is plotiing against us, while I will also call the Clan of Cowboys together and swear in the men who are to be the rescuers,” and after a few more words together Captain Char- lie Chase remounted his horse and rode away from the Agramonte Ranch. “That man will rescue Lucita and Harry or die in the attempt,” said the Cuban to his wife as they watched the departure of the cowboys’ captain. “He will win,” was the answer. : CHAPTER IV. A TRAITOR TO THE’ CLAN. Don Ruiz Valdos was a man of im- portance in the Texas cattle country where his ranch was located. Though his home was a log cabin without, it was palatial within, for the ate was gifted with most luxurious hab- ts. His cattle were numbered by the thou- sand, his sheep as well, and hundreds of horses ranged his lands. The Don was supposed to be a Mexi- can, who, for reasons he kept to himself had come across the Rio Grande to make his home in Texas. What he really was Captain Charlie Chase of the Cowboy Clan had discov- ered—a Spaniard. He belonged to the Secret League of Cowboys Though all knew that he longed to be their captain, and was not therefore fond of Captain Chase, who was their leader, while being also his rivat he hated him for having won the love of Lucita Agra- monte. But the Don had been regarded as an honorable man by his cowboy comrades_ until circumstances betrayed him as treacherous, and wounded in a hostile meeting with Captain Chase. afterward been regarded as a traitor to the clan, and such a charge was most serious with those men. © He had- [ Seated : in his cabin home, when pre- | sented to the reader, his. face was grave and stern, and his eyes had a malignant glitter in them. If he was still suffering from his wound he did not reveal the fact. At length, with an impatient caih, he said: ‘Curse the fellow; why does he not come? ” Hardly had he uttered the words be- fore there came a rap at the window and a voice said in Spanish: “Don’t, open the door, senor, or the light will be seen. “ Raise a window in one of the rooms without a light, and I will come in.” The Don arose, entered another room, and, raising a window, a man sprang in. When he entered the sitting room he was seen to be a Mexican, but if Texas cowboy dress. | “Well, why all this secrecy, Andrea?” said the Don, who certainly, barring his angry face, was a very handsome man, just such a one to catch a woman’s eye. “T thought the senor did not wish to be known to be at home,” “Neither do I, save to my servants and you.” “Your home is watched, senor, and if the door was opened it would show that it was not dark, but held an occupant.” “Ah! I am under watch, then?” “ Yes, senor, and. have been since Cap- tain Chase returned from Cuba.” “Did they really go, he and his cow- boys?” “They did.” “T have had no letters from Havana to that effect, though I do know that fully a hundred of the cowboys were missing for two weeks or more.” “They went to Cuba, sir.” © “ Landed? ” “Yes, senor.” “With what success?” “They rescued the Senor Rafael Ag- ramonte and his wife.” “And his sister?” “She did not return with them.” “Ha! can this be true?” “They are back upon the Agramonte Ranch, but the young lady is not, nor is the boy, Hotspur Harry.” “Curse the boy!” “ But it was the boy, senor, that got Captain Chase to take the cowboys on that expedition.” “T can hardly believe it.” “They went, senor, for I know that the boy went to Key West and was landed in Cuba in some way, to prepare for the coming of the cowboys, and ar- range signals for their vessel to run in by. “There was a steamer landed on the Texas coast, the cowboys embarked, landed in Cuba, rescued Agramonte and his wife, and disembar the , clan > again. ; “But the Senorita Lucita and her young brother did not return with them.” ; “T find it hard to believe it.” “Still it is true, and more, senor, as they claim you are a traitor to the clan from what they have found out about you, and really believe you to be a spy ay of Spain to prevent filibustering from Texas, they intend to arrest you and try you by the law that governs | the — Cowboy Clan.” “ Caramba! “Tt does, senor.” “ And you say my ranch is watched? ad “Tt has been for two days, senor.” “Why did you not come and re ‘me before?_ “ Are you a traitor to neh i ce Oh, no, senor. a that means death! if
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+ The Cowboy otro’ in Cuba “T am true to you, and to my interests.” “Tt will be to your advantage to be. “JT know that well, senor. “But I was unable to get here sooner, for the ranch was so well guarded. - “You will be arrested if you do not | escape, and you know what a trial | means.” * But too well. “Yet how to escape is the question.” “TI will arrange it, for I will find some way, never fear, for you must be at large, must seek safety in the town, as there is work for you to do, and quick- 1y¥."" “What is it, Andrea? ’’. “Another cowboy expedition is going to Cuba from Texas! ” ““Tmpossible! ” “‘Tt i8 true.” “For what purpose?” “To rescue the Senorita Lucita and the Boy Bugler, for in the excitement that followed the last landing the steamer sailed without them.” “ And Lucita Agramonte is in Cuba?” “Yes, senor.” “ And the Boy Bugler?” “Yes, senor.” * Andrea, I must escape, and, more, I must go to Cuba. “But how do you know this?” ‘“‘T know it as a member of the Cow- boy Clan, senor, for I attended the meet- ing called by Captain Chase two nights ago at the secret retreat of our League, but, as I said, I could not before warn you, senor.” own ” CHAPTER V. A PAIR OF VILLAINS. Don Ruiz Valdos seemed as nearly startled as a man of his nerve allowed himself to become at what the Mexican cowboy had told him. Andrea was not one of the cattlemen upon the Don’s ranch, for he was more useful to him elsewhere. In fact, it was not a secret that the Mexican and the Don were not to all outward appearances friends. Andrea claimed to have a cause of bit- ter complaint against the Don, and no one of the clan had suspected that it was a part of a plot for one to be more useful to the other. Still, it would not have done for the Mexican cowboy to be seen visiting the ranch of Don Ruiz after the secret meet- ing of the clan, for Captain Chase had called the band together after leaving Rafael Agramonte and his wife. What had been decided at that meeting the Mexican knew, for no spies or trai- tors were supposed to be in the band. After pacing to and fro for a minute or more Don Ruiz turned to the Mexican and said: “Tell me just what was said and done at that meeting.” Andrea obeyed, telling of the plan of. Captain Chase to again go to Cuba with his Cowboy Clan on a rescue expedition. » “And the start will soon be made?” “Within a week, senor.” “ How many will go?” “Perhaps volunteers out of the band, yet cowboys, will be taken, making a force all told of a hundred and fifty.” “Horses and all?” “Yes, senor, and the very best of arms, and plenty of them.” “Where will they. start from?” “That secret has not been told, senoi. “The men will leave on the day before the night or sailing.” “And the vessel?” “Has already been secured, senor. ~ Tt%s ne’ same as on whe: Tat bictaniets -up ” in Cuba of the Clan of Cowboys. “This expedition. must be headed off, Andrea.” “As you say, senor.” “You were not on the last one?” “No, senor, I was il], you remem- ber.”’ “Yes, and I needed you then, too.” ‘““T am sorry, senor.’ “Now I think of it, Andrea, dition must be allowed to go.” “ Yes, senor.” “And wiped out when they get there.” “Tf you knew where to find them, se- nor.” ‘They will again land near the Agra- monte estate, known as the Wild Flower Plantation, and which Rafael Agramonte got by his marriage with Stella Aquilar.” “Yes, senor.” “There is where the expedition must be captured, and that will mean that every member of it must suffer under the garrote.” * You know, senor Don.” “ But I must get away from here, go to Havana, get a command given me by the Captain General, and be on hand to meet these Texan Cowboys, whom their daring leader intends to land upon Cu- ban soil.” “ You will surprise them, senor.” “Yes, and the Senorita Lucita Agra- monte is there, and that means—” But the Don stopped short. He had apparently been aloud. “And her brother, the Boy Bugler, is there, senor,’”’ ventured Andrea. “Yes, and with him a prisoner I can force—” But the Don again paused. He felt that he was saying too much, even to the Mexican, his hireling. Suddenly he said: “See here, Andrea, I must leave here at the earliest possible moment.” “Tt is necessary, senor, if you love life,” “Then I leave all to you.” “T will do all I can, senor.” “What will you do?” “T will go and arrange for your flight to. theetown.” “ When?” “To-morrow night. $2 “Not sooner?” “Impossible, senor.” “And then?” “T will be here to guide you to safety.” “Good! “T must catch the train to New Or- leans, where I take the steamer to Ha- vana.” “Yes, senor. “And will you accompany me?” “T go with the expedition, senor; but please remember, in the wiping out of the clan, that I am your friend.” “My servant you mean, for no man is my friend. “T will remember, however, and re- ward you well.” “Thanks, senor. “T am a poor man.” “That has ever been your song, An- drea. “But I will give you other work to ao once we reach Cuba.” “T thank you, senor. “T will arrange with you to betray, if I can, the cowboys into your hands, for, senor, I hate all Americanos with undy- ing hate. “T can never forgive them,” and the Mexican spoke with savage earnestness. “As I also hate them—the men, An- drea. “But now to arrange our plans for the future,” and for a long while the two the expe- thinking ” EL as eau a men were busy with their piot to entra the Cowboy Clan to their they landed upon Cuban soil. This plot settled, the Mexican slipped quietly away as he had come. CHAPTER VI. THE DON. Left alone Don Ruiz paced the floor with a slow and thoughtful step. He was planning mischief, and to strike a blow that would be felt. Like many Spaniards, he hated Amer- icans, and when he had made his home in Texas it was simply for his own in- terests, not because he cared for the country or the people he dwelt among. As a ranchero of means, he had joined the band of Scout Vigilantes that were known as the Cowboy Clan. It was for the protection of all against Indians, Mexican raiders, and outlaws in general. In this league all were equal, and they were bound together by the strongest ties. Just who they were no one, member, pect. Of course, when so many men were banded together, there must be naturally some treachery. There were tares among the wheat,. and Captain Chase had made this dis- covery. The ironbound laws of the clan were as binding as death, and the man that broke them took his life in his hands. Two men had proven traitors, and their penalty was to die. Through them the Don had been dis- covered to be a spy upon his own «om- rades, and he was known to be watching the Texans to see that they allowed no breaking of the neutrality laws against Spain, for when the insurgent struggle again broke out in Cuba rumors were rife that Texas would lend the aid of many of her bold sons of the saddle to join hand in hand with the patriots. But the Don had overreached himself, attacked his chief, and received a wound that, though not severe, had given him the chance to remain in hiding to plot against the clan. The lover of Lucita Agramonte before she had gone to Cuba with her brother after his marriage, he had hated both Rafael and, Hotspur Harry because they liked his rival, Charlie Chase. In fact, the Don was a good all-around hater of every one save a pretty girl and himself, But known to be a spy of Spain, he had gotten himself into trouble, for his treachery to his comrades would soon bring him punishment, unless he acted promptly and well. Thus matters stood when he was skulk- ing in his own house, and had the Mexi- can Andrea for his spy and hireling. His servants, a negro man and his wife, had their cabin some distance off, so the Don dwelt alone in his house, The servants had their orders to say that the Don was away, and the cabin had the appearance of being deserted. But he was there as has been seen, and Andrea knew where to find him. “T must act promptly, get away from here, go to Cuba, and I can make good terms with the Captain General, and thus obtain the power I wish there. “So Lucita is there, is she, and that wild young fellow, the Boy Bugler, also? “T am in luck. “And Captain Charlie Chase is going with his clan, while Rafael Agramonte will accompany him. “This is my chance to strike them all not @ knew, though they might sus- DS anaes Ji -» death, once ee) ee ee Se
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with one blow, and then the fair Lucita will find in Don Ruiz her best friend. “But I must live two lives, her friend and their foe. “Tf they could catch me now the cow- boys would quickly end my life, so why not end theirs? *T will, and do a good turn for Spain as well.” Having seen what chances were before him, the Don made his arrangements for his departure, packing up the few things he could take with him, and putting them in a large pair of saddle bags. He brought out of a hiding place in the chimney of his cabin a belt full of gold and bank notes and a small bag that contained a number of fine diamonds. The Don did not intend to go broke into Cuba evidently. His finances attended to, the Don turned in for the night and was soon asleep. The servants appeared in the morning, bringing a waiter upon which was his breakfast, for no fire was built in the cabin kitchen, as the place was closed up. The Don arose, ate his breakfast, and felt that he had an anxious day before him until Andrea should come. for him that night. He was right to fee] anxious, for not long after his breakfast he saw three _ horsemen approaching. “ One of them is the chief, yes, and Ra- fael Agramonte is another—Caramba! The third is Andrea, the Mexican. “My God! What does it mean?” and the face of Don Ruiz became livid. CHAPTER VII. THE DON’'S VISITORS. Had Captain Chase and Rafael Agra- monte come alone to the Don’s ranch, the latter would not have been surprised. But to see with them none other than his faithful spy, he, being treacherous himself, at. once felt that Andrea had played him false. But the Don was as tricky as a fox, and at once sprung into his bed and played ’possum, He would pretend to still be suffering from his wound. The look of pain upon his face was well assumed, and when he heard voices with- out he was prepared to receive his vis- itors. If Andrea was false he would claim that his wound had taken a sudden and unfavorable turn in the night, and, as he still had his side bandaged, he could thus deceive his visitors, even to the Mexican, for, though not serious, he had still been quite severely wounded. His servants he was sure he could trust, and he felt relieved when he heard them tell Captain Chase that their mas- ter was suffering with his wound and would see no one, in fact, they had or- ders «to say he was not at home. “He will see us,’ the captain of the cowboys had replied, and he knocked at the door. The Don felt cheered, for had Andrea turned traitor they would have bolted right in. “Come in,” he said in a faint voice, and the look of agony upon his face was enough to touch the hardest heart. In came the visitors, Andrea waiting at the door. There was not the brightest light in the Don’s room, and at first the visitors, coming out of the light, could not see fliistinctly, but they heard the faintly ut- tered words: The Cowboy Clan in Cuba “This is an unlooked for honor, Cap- tain Chase, after our last meeting.” “Tt is a call I deemed necessary, Don Ruiz, under existing circumstances; but I did not expect to find you in bed.” “Have you so soon forgotten the wound you gave me?” “No more than I have that it was in return for your treacherous shot at me. “T, however, supposed, as you were able to leave the cabin of Don Dallas, where you were taken, and come home, that the wound was but slight.” “It was my leaving that opened the wound afresh. “T have been a great sufferer, but am improving.” “T am sorry to see any one suffer, especially by my hand; but you recog- nize the gentleman with me, I suppose? ”’ “Why, it is Senor Rafael Agramonte— I am glad to see him, but I supposed you were in Cuba.” “No, I have returned to Texas with my wife, and regret to learn that Don Ruiz Valdos, one of the Cowboy Clan I was so long chief of, has proved a traitor to the cause,” said Agramonte quietly. “T have been acused of that of which I am not guilty. “When I am able to get out I will prove my truth.” “Senor Don, I regret to find you thus, for I came to announce that at the league meeting last held it was decided to take you before a jury of your comrades and try you upon the charge of treachery, as the worst of the crimes of which you are deemed guilty, for your attack upon me I did not bring up against you. , “It was further decided that you should be arrested and held a prisoner in the Retreat until you could be tried, and I came here to-day to make you a pris- oner.”’ “Caramba! ” growled the Don. “Under the circumstances of your be- ing still confined to your bed, I cannot send you under guard to the Retreat, as was my intention. “IT am unable to stand the ride, senor captain; but I am willing to stand trial when asked to do so.” “It will be well to consider that it will be a trial where your life hangs by a thread.” “I have no fear, and will report at the Retreat when able to ride there, giving you my parole of honor to do so.” “Senor Don, I will not take your word, for I know well it is worthless,” “You insult a man when he is down, Captain Chase,” “Oh, no, I do not wish to fret, or ex- cite you now, but I must do my duty, and not being able to trust you, I must leave you under guard, make a prisoner of you in fact, and I will therefore leave Cowboy Andrea, the Mexican, here to watch over you until you are able to ride to our Mountain Retreat, and then take you there. “But let me tell you that he shall have orders to kill you at the first at- tempt at escape on your part.” The look of suffering on the Don’s face increased tenfold; but it was to hide his joy at knowing that Andrea, the Mexi- can, was to be his guard./ The Mexican was accordingly called in- to the room, given his orders, and Cap- tain Chase and Rafael Agramonte left the ranch, feeling that the Don was be- yond the power to do them harm in their intended invasion of Cuba. CHAPTER VIII. FOR THE CAUSE OF ‘CUBA LIBRE.” “ His wound was worse than I had be- lieved,”’ said Captain Chase, as he rode 5 away from the Don’s ranch with Rafael Agramonte. “He appeared to have suffered much; but then he is a sly coyote, and as cun- ning as a fox.” “JT know that; but then I dared not send him to the Retreat, in case his wound might prove fatal.” "Trae! “But are you sure of that Mexican, for to me he has villain branded upon his whole face. “He was not a member of the clan when I organized it.” “No, he joined after you left; but he is an American citizen, he claims, owns a small ranch over on the river, and hates Don Ruiz as he does a rattlesnake, though why, no one seems to know; but the Spaniard has wronged, or of- fended him in some way. only the two of them know how.” “If hate governs the Mexican, then, Don Ruiz is safe, for that fellow will find that there is no escape for him.” “Yes, Rafael, and knowing how the Mexican felt toward him was why I selected him as guard, when I met him this morning; but you. know I have had a couple of the men watching the Don since he returned home.” “Yes, and it was a good idea; but you told me this morning, Charlie, that you had heard from your ward?” “Yes, I had word from Captain Tel- fair that he was just about to leave New Orleans for Mobile to get a cargo, when he heard from me, and at once cancelled his contract and sent his steamer on the ways to be cleaned and put in proper condition for our expedition, for you know it don’t do to make any mistake in running the Spanish blockade.” “No, indeed, for it was the foul con- dition of the Virginius that caused her capture, as, had she been in good order, she could have doubled the speed of the Tornado, her capturer. “Tt was the sending out of hard coal, instead of soft, which lost the Hornet, and the bad condition of the Command- atario which caused her capture. “Oh, no, life hangs on the speed end condition of a vessel in dealing with merciless Spain, and’the captain of the Mustang is wise, indeed.” “Yes, better the delay of a few days than capture by neglect, for we have in this war already lost the steamer Hawkins, you know.” “Yes, only if it came to close quar- ters with the Mustang, and our Cowboy Clan aboard, woe be unto the Spanish captain and crew that would run his cruiser alongside to capture: us.”’’ “Yes, indeed, for our Cowbdy Filibus- ters -would be worse than old time pi- rates in boarding a Spaniard.”’ As the coming of the Mustang to the rendezvous appointed on the eoast of Texas, as soon as she could be gotten into perfect condition, was an assured thing, Captain Chase had determined to only allow the picked men for the ex- pedition to know of the selected spot of embarkation just in time to reach there, so that no traitor who might appear among them would be able to foil him in departing. Each man had been told to pring his best horse and equipments, and every fifth man was to bring an extra pony, in case of loss and accident. All were to have a couple of repeating rifles, two belts, and one holster, revol- vers, a machete, lasso, canteen, haver- sack for provisions, roll of blankets, and plenty of ammunition for all arms. No other weapons or stores were to be taken for the Cubans, for it was to be merely an invasion of rescue, to ge the
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ae en ee . — . 1 NR ART Soe me ong, RN ty ager en Boy Bugler and Lucita out of the hands of the Spaniards. If Rafael Agramonte and _ others wished to remain to join the patriots they could do so, but the mission af the cowboys was that wholly of rescuers. Continuing on their trail toward the Agramonte ranch, Captain Chase con- tinued: “TI suppose your wife cannot be changed from her purpose to accompany us? ” “No, indeed, for she is heart and soul in her determination to go, and, if I re- main, becoine an amazon soldier. “Of course, Harry and Lucita being born in Texas, their mother a Texan, as you know, I hope they will return with you; but my duty, Charlie, is plain, for my father, as you know, was a Cuban patriot; as a boy I was with him, and when the Ten Years’ War ended, only then did he fly to Texas and become an American. “He found a grave in Texas, and I, as a Cuban by birth, an American by adop- tion, may find a grave in my native land, for I owe it to my race, my island home, to fight for the cause of Cuba Li- bre, and Stella will live or die with me I know, fighting, as many another fear- less daughter of our land has for Cuba 2 Libre, this just cause we have against Spain. “Should we lose our lives there, to your care I leave my half brother ‘and sister, Charlie.” “And I accept the trust; Rafael: but Heaven spare you, my noble friend, for captain’s reply. CHAPTER IX. THE MEXICAN’S STRANGE SACRIFICE. Don Ruiz was silent for a long while after the departure of Captain Chase and Rafael Agramonte. He seemed to be waiting for the Mex- ican to speak. The Mexican was, however, for Don Ruiz to address him. Andrea had received his orders, and his face had a look upon it as though he intended to carry them out. At last the Don said, as he saw that the Mexican did not intend to speak: . “Well, Andrea, I am in luck.” or .. ““In what way, senor?” Sy oe “Tn having you for my guard.” “Captain Chase did not seem to think , so, senor.” 4 “é Why not? ” “ He told me to guard you well, to kill you if you attempted to escape, and if you were found secure when your time of trial came I should have one thousand dollars paid me out of the cowboy s treasury.” “ Indeed?” “‘ Yes, sir.” “ He does not appear to slike me as highly as I supposed.” “That is what he said, aenor,? “When did you meet him? ‘- ‘ “JT met him on the trail, sir, between his home and Senor’ Agramonte’s. _ “T was going to see what I could find out that could be of use to you, senor.” _“ Well, what did you discover?” “Nothing, senor; come with him to your ranch to ate you. ” “Tt was a surprise when I saw you with those two.” “You suspected.me, senor?” — a “Oh, no, Andrea: I know you are true to me, and it will be greatly to your in- ear eet: to be so.” “But, sen Tam niared to watch and if you aan di rT will be shot.” waiting many years to come,” was the cowboy for he made me_ 6a ES Fe LS Ee Sa Ge OV Te ernest” nee ce No! ”” “It is true, senor.” “ Does that mean that you do not in- tend to let me escape? ”’ ** My life is dear to me, senor.” ““T see.” “Well, sand dollars the captain offered.” “It cannot be, senor.” The Don looked positively startied. Did the Mexican really intend to guard him for fear of losing his own life? “See here, Andrea, I do not intend to stand any trial for that means death to me.” “And death to me if I allow you to escape, senor.” “We must come to terms, senor.” The Mexican shook his head. “T must escape at once, make my way to New Orleans, and sail for Havana.” “Tt would be all right, senor, if death would not fall upon me,” “T can arrange it.” “ How, senor? ” “Captain Chase believed I was really suffering with my wound.” “Yes, senor.” “He did not suppose I would be able to ride to the retreat for a couple of weeks.” “No, senor.” “Tf, therefore, you were to return to him and say I sprung upon you when you believed me helpless, bound you, and escaped, he would not blame you.” “Oh, yes, senor.” “JT do not see how.” “He knows my strength and pluck, senor.” oe Ah! ” “He would not believe I could master you? ” “No, senor.’ The Don became lost in thought. He was plotting further miscief. At last he said with a smile: “T have it, Andrea.” Yes, senor.’ “ Are you afraid of suffering?” “How do you mean?” “Of physical suffering? ” “T have suffered much, senor, in my time.” “Then you know what it is? ” “Yes, senor.” “My plan is to strike you a blow on the head that will cut to the skull, but do little harm.” “Yes, senor.” “T can also send a bullet through the fleshy part of your arm.” “What for, senor?” “So you can go to Captain Chase after a couple of days and tell him that I shot you when you were not expecting trouble and it benumbed your arm so as to make it useless for the time being and I sprung out of my bed and dealt you a blow that rendered you insensible. “When you came to you lay upon the floor of my room, bound with a lariat hand and foot and also gagged. “ Also you can tell him you were thus found by my servants when they brought my supper; but I had mounted my best. horse and had half a day’s start, and at | night you could not find my trail. ’ “ How will that do, Andrea?” “What is it worth to you, senor?” “Call it a couple of thousand.” “And the one added that Captain Chase promised me?” “ Well, yes; but you are grasping.” “Not when it is your life one way, ‘mine the other, senor.” “Tl pay it and arrange for my going.” “Better put it off until to-morrow, senor.” “ Why 9” “Mt Will look too maine the other | . way. ” u The Cowboy Clan in Cuba I can pay you the one thou- “Very well.” “ And you will go to Cuba?” ¥en “If I come with the cowboys you are to. protect me?” “Yes, but you had better desert after your arrival, and then I will know all about the force, and there will be no danger to you.” “T will senor.” “But about that blow and shot I am to receive? ” “Well? ” “Suppose you cut an artery?” “ Bah! I know where to hit you.” “All right, sacrifice, but I am taking mighty big chances for little money.” “T will remember all, once we meet in Cuba.” good Andrea, CHAPTER X. UNDER COVER OF THE NIGHT. It was just the night for a secret ex- pedition. It was dark, threatening, and a chill wind was blowing, a regular Texas north- er. As the wind came from off shore, a steamer had come close in under the lee of the land, to take on board a very strange freight, in that she was to load under cover of the darkness, There were horses grouped upon the shore, piles of saddles and bridles, rifles in great numbers, belts of arms, rolls of blankets, and camp equipage. Built out hastily from the shore was a small wharf, and against this lay a flat-bottomed boat with bright sides capa- ble of carrying a dozen horses closely packed together. There were two of the steamer’s boats ing packed into the large flat, used as a ferry, the saddles and other things were being carried out in the yawls. The ponies were driven into the ferry, two men stood at each sweep, and the work of embarkation was begun. In swing stalls the horses were hoisted on board rapidly by derricks, the small boats deposited their loads, and in a few hours’ time the crew, horses, and all had been transferred from the shore to the steamer. Little was left to be done, save to take away the temporary wharf and destroy all signs of the embarkation of the secret. expedition. Standing upon the shore, w-iting to go off in the last boat and watering the men destroy the little wharf were “whet ap- great coats. But one was a woman, It was Stella Agramonte, the beautiful and daring Cuban wife of the patriot, side, The third of the group was Captain Cowboy Clan loved to speak of him, Turning to Senora.Agramonte Captain Chase said: “We are nearly ready to go aboard now, but several of the men return, you _know,, senora, and I wish to give you a last chance to go with them back to the must candidly tell you.” has come, senor?” asked Stella. your ranch, leaving Rafael and myself | to go on the expedition. “Do you not think so, Rafael? “4 ‘one can tell what | swered Hataeh. . at senor, I will make the there also, and while the horses were be- , peared to be three men, muffed up in Rafael Agramonte, who stood by her Chase, “ Captain Charlie,” as his devoted ranch, for this is no expedition for you, I “Do you mean that I should back» = down, now that the moment of danger “TI mean that you should return to hp “T would preter 8 Stella not to go, for no is before us,” an-
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_The Cowboy. Clan in Cuba “T appreciate your kindness, Senor Charlie; but I feel that I must go. “JT will do what other Cuban women have done, go with my husband in the struggle. “No, where he goes I go, and whatever be his ‘fate Iam willing to share it. “T know how I feel, but there is no backdown in a Cuban woman who loves her country as I do.” Captain Charlie said no more. He knew that the mind of the brave young wife was made up, go she would, be her fate what it might. He had written Captain Telfair of the Mustang to make arrangements for her coming, but he had hoped that at the last moment when the few men returned from seeing the expedition depart, she would be influenced to change her mind and go back to the ranch. But he saw his mistake, and Stella was to go. re Pail ready, sir,” said one of the men, and before reply could be made the sound of rapidly approaching hoofs was heard. At once all was excitement. Had United States officers learned of the going to Cuba of the Cowboy Clan, and were they coming to stop the expe- dition? They were too late, if so, for the men, horses, and equipment were all on board, “and there was the boat to bear off to the steamer the two leaders, Stella, and half a dozen men engaged in the last work on shore. The few cowboys who were not to go were at once ordered to mount their ‘thorses and scatter, not await the result. The rest of the party hastily entered the boat and hauled off shore a short distance. The hoof-falls grew louder and louder, and were made out to be coming along the shore trail directly to the spot where the embarkation had taken place. Nearer and nearer came the echoing hoofs, until it was known that there was only one horse. But one United States officer might be dangerous, if he was resisted, and the boat was ordered still further away from the shore, while the horsemen that had scattered hid in the chapparel to see who the rapid rider might be. CHAPTER XI. 2 THE LONE RIDER. “Tt will not do to resist a Government officer, Rafael, so we can only hear what he has to say, if it is a United States Marshal, and make no reply, pulling out to our boat,” said Captain Chase. - “ Yes, that is all. “But may he not be one of your men?” asked Rafael Agramonte. “T do not know who. “Not one besides those here knew where to find me, and I called the roll and every man is present, just one hun- dred and fifty, counting you and I—” “And one woman makes one hundred and fifty-one under your command, Cap- tain Charlie,” said Stella. “Yes you are to be my aiddecamp,” was the answer of the captain, and just then the lone horseman darted up to the shore. He looked about him an instant, seem- ingly fixed his eyes first upon the 'steam- er lying a couple of hundred yards off shore, and then, as he beheld the yawl close in, he hailed: “Ho, ‘that boat! ” wa AV ay.” responded Captain Charlie, with ihe professional] tone he had learned ee an _ officer of the United States “What boat. i is that?” asked the voice. “A yawl belonging to the steamer ly- ‘ing off shore.” “ What steamer is that?” “Why do you wish to know? ” “T am on an important service and wish to make no mistake.” “ Who are you, and what is your busi- ness with us?” “T bear the name of Andrea the Mexi- can, and am a cowboy.” “Ho, Andrea, is that you?” quickly asked the commander. “Yes, Senor Captain, for I take it that you are Captain Chase.” ie St Pik “Give way, men!” and the yawl re- turned to the shore. “What brings you here, Andrea?” asked Captain Chase as he leaped ashore. “Senor, I have bad news for you.” “What is it?” “My prisoner escaped from me.” “Ah! This is bad; but he can do us no harm now. “How was it, Andrea?” “ Why, senor, when you and Senor Ra- fael were there he was playing a cun- ning game, for he was not badly wound- ed as he pretended to be. “He was all right, but still played possum on me until he got a chance to act, which was two nights ago.” “You are hurt, I see, as your arm is in a sling.” “Yes, Senor Captain, he shot to kill, at a moment when I had an idea he was half dead. “His revolver he had hidden in his bed, and he bided his time. “But, though he shot to kill, his aim was not true, and the bullet passed through my right arm. “Tt is but a flesh wound, but the shock benumbed me for a moment, and before I could resist he laid my head open with a blow—see the cut here—and I fell stunned. “When I returned to consciousness I found myself bound hands and feet, and I was gagged as well.” “And he was gone?” “ Yes, senor,” “T cannot blame you, Andrea, for he hig Senor Rafael and myself as well. “ But he is a very dangerous man to be at large, holding the secrets ‘he does.’’- “T wish I could have done something to recapture him, Senor Captain; but I was not relieved of my bonds and gag until found by the ‘negro servants the next morning, and he had been gone a dozen hours then.” ? “Too bad.” “He had taken his most needed things on a pack horse, and that seemed to in- dicate that he was going well away. “T was so badly used up that I could not ride until the next day, and then I went to Doctor Tyler, to find him gone.” “Yes, he is our surgeon on this expe- dition, and which you knew of. “JT had forgotten that you knew our rendezvous on the coast.” ee Yes, senor, and I wish to go with. you.” “ How about your wounds?” “ Doctor Tyler will soon have them all right, senor, and I have had too many hard knocks to mind a wound so long as it is not serious.” “ All right, Andrea, it is about the best we can do for you. “T will ll back the men who skipped off your coming, and let them take your horse.” . “Oh! Thank you, Senor Captain! ” said the treacherous Mexican warmly. The mounted men were called from were given the Mexican’s horse to take back with them. Then good-byes were said to the party } on shore, the beat was rowed out to the steamer, and half an hour after the fleet craft was ploughing the dark and rough waters of the Gulf on her way to land the Cowboy Filibusters in Cuba to rescue Senorita Agramonte, and the Boy Bugler | of the Secret Clan, in whose midst wa Andrea, the traitor. CHAPTER XII. A TERRIBLE ORDEAL. It will now be well, while the steamer Mustang is on her way to Cuba, to land the Cowboy Filibusters upon the island in their good cause of rescue, to return to the two who had been left in the confu- sion of the retreat to the tender mercies of the Spaniards. Again it was through the intention of the Boy Bugler of the Cowboy Clan io save the overseer of his brother’s plant- ation from Spanish fury that will fol- low the landing of the expedition, that had gotten his sister and himself into trouble. The youth had believed that Lucita’s going with him would induce Mendoza and his family to at once fly with them. But he was mistaken, as has been seen, for the overseer of the Wild Flower Plantation had his all at stake, and if he went from his home he felt that he would be as a beggar in a strange land. Thus had he refused to go, and it was with a feeling of relief that he saw Hot- spur Harry and Lucita turn and dash away. “They are safe, now, wife, and all will be well. * “But what a splendid rescue those Texans have made. “Tf Cuba only had more’ of such dar- ing and desperate fighters they would soon drive the Spaniards into the sea— Great God! they have missed the steam- er! ” The cry rung out in a tone of horror and anguish as the overseer saw the brother and sister dashing back to his home. “They have missed the steamer—see there!” and the overseer’s wife pointed out upon the Gulf to where the Mustang was just visible, going seaward, having backed out beyond the shelter, of the overhanging cliffs. Just then up dashed Hotspur Harry and his sister. The brave youth tried to be cheer- ful, but his voice had a quiver in it as he said: “They have left us, Senor Mendoza, “They thought we were on board.” “My God! what is to be done,” groaned the man. “Don’t give up, but act. “For myself I do not care, for I can rough it and work my way to the Patriot camps. “But I got my sister into this scrape by coming here, for I thought we could get you to go with us. — “You look after Lucita, and I will take care of yourself. “ Quick, man, act, don’t think!” and the boy spoke. steraly, for Vance Men- doza seemed to be dazed by the sudden responsibility thrust upon him. But the boy’s words caused him to rally, and he said quickly: “Yes, yes, we will take care of you, is Senorita Lucita, for they would not per- haps notice you, if they search the house, where they would the young senor.” “T do not wish to leave my brother. “We will meet our danger wight ate oe | the chapparel by a loud whistle, and | was ha! agin reply. ee
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——$$$<$ $$ The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. “No, no, for he would be cut down be- fore our eyes, and you would be taken back to your fortress prison. “Come, you must stay here, and Se- nor Harry can go to the glen where he was in hiding when he came to arrange for the running in of the steamer with | its rescuers.” “Ves, I ean hide there, sister, until I get a chance to slip away to the moun- tain camp of the patriots. “My camp outfit is there, hidden in a cave, and so are the signal lamps I had, and maybe they may be useful for an- other expedition to run in, for I don’t know Captain Charley and the Cowboy Clan, if they don’t return to rescue you and me, Lucita.” “Yes, we will care for you, senorita, and the Senor Harry can hide in the glen,” said the overseer’s wife. “But will you be safe there, Harry,” urged Lucita. “As safe as you are here, sister. “ Dismount now and let me get rid of these horses, for I must make my way on foot to the glen.” “Yes, Senor Harry, and I will bring you provisions as soon as I dare do so.” “There is food enough there for a couple of days, Mendoza, so don’t take any risks until all is safe. “Senora Mendoza, I know you will care well for my sister.” “Yes, indeed, I will.” The brother and sister had meanwhile dismounted, and after a hasty farewell the youth slipped away in the darkness, leading the two horses, which Mendoza } had stripped of their saddles and bridles. The two Texas ponies were taken sev- eral hundred yards from the overseer’s house, and then set free by Harry. ; Looking back at the house the youth caw that all was dark there, for the overseer knew full well that the Span- ish eavalry would soon visit him, to know if he had played any part in the landing. This the youth also knew, and as he ‘had several hours of night yet to make the glen, and felt anxious to know the result of the Spaniard’s call, he hid in the foliage to wait. From his position he could see the Mustang, black and without a light vis- ible, making away at full speed. ana ¢t was hard to force back the choking scen- sation ‘that rose in his ‘hroat. But a moment after he heard the rapid fall of many hoofs, and he slunk back into the bushes, for he knew that an ordeal of life or death was b2fore him. CHAPTER XIII. UNWELCOME VISITORS, The heavy tread of half a hundred horses in a gallop fell forebodingly vpon the ears of the young Texan in hiding. The steamer was gliding swiftly sea- ward, he had been left in a land where death stalked about mercilessly, and a few minutes more might see him lying dead under the starlight he well knew. With clanking of sabres the cavalry troop swept past him and on toward the overseer’s home. ‘The Spaniards had ceased to fire upon the retreating steamer, and there was now no sound of firing. The stars looked down .upon silence now, save the murmur of the surf, the moaning of wounded men, and the tread of soldiers. The Cowboy Rescuers had made red work of their midnight landing wpon the Island of (uxhba. The fortress had been taken, and the rececue of Rafael Agramonte and his s‘s- Pray Perens: Pee ’ Tr Q 7 & a ee os ter accomplished, while the Senora Agra- monte had been taken from the villa. The Spaniards had rallied to the scene of conflict, the Cowboy Rescuers had been pressed hard back to their steamer, and now the dead and wounded remained. And they were maiy, for the terrible Texans had shown their pluck end deadly aim at close quarters. From the landing place to the fortress | dead and wounded Spaniards strewed the trail. From the lagoon dotted the way. The morning breaking would show how well the Texan cowboys had done their deadly work. But were more deaths to follow? The Boy Bugler feared that it would be so, as he saw the troop ride toward the home of Mendoza. He watched them halt, surround the house, and heard the loud command: ‘“Mendoza, come out here! ” A light glimmered within, and Men- doza appeared. * Ah! You are there are you?” sternly said the officer of the troop. ‘Yes, Senor Major.” “T had half an idea that you would not be.” *“ And why, senor?” ‘““T know that you are half an Ameri- can.” ‘“My mother was an American, senor, my father a Spaniard. I am a Cuban.” ‘And you pretend to be loyal to Spain?” ** Certainly, senor.” ‘Colonel Delrossa trusts you, and or- ders you protected; but I believe you secretly aid the rebels. And had I not found you at your home now I would have made quick work of you.” “Senor Major, Colonel Delrossa trusts me and allowed me to remain to care for the Agramonte plantation.”’ “ Yes, he is very kind to the Cuban rebels, where he should kill them ere they strike the blow that will drive Spaniards from this island. “But, are you not curious as to this trouble to-night, for you are not deaf?” ‘No, senor, I have heard hard fighting down on the shore by the lagoon, and also toward the villa, while I saw a steamer running out from the coast; but my experience has been not to meddle in what does not concern me; so, not being a soldier of Spain nor a Cuban rebel, I kept close to my home.” “You were wise, Mendoza, and if you do not wish that head of yours to sever connection with your body, keep close to your home, for I give you fair warning that I will kill you at the first suspicion that you are treacherous to Spain.” “You have the power to do so at will, senor; but I am under the protection of Colonel Alfredo Delrossa.” “Caramba! It is that alone that pro- tects you; for I believe you to be a traitor.” “T am no traitor, Senor Major Blanco Bartello.” “Time will tell whether Colonel Del- rossa is right, or f.” “ Will you tell me if all is right up at the villa, senor, for I dare not venture there to-night to see?” “No, all is wrong there, for a band of filibusters, accursed Americans, landed and rescued that arch-traitor Rafael Agramonte and his sister from the mountain fortress, and took with them —_ the Senora Agramonte from the villa, “They have killed over half a hundred brave Spaniards, and wounded heaven only knows how many more.” to the villa they s “Then you were surprised at the fort- ress, Senor Major?” “Yes. Caramba! We mistook the dev- ils for Colonel Delrossa and his guard, so let them in. “Tt is their perfect knowledge of just what to do which leads me to suspect you, Mendoza, and I shall see to it that there is a guard placed over you.” “Colonel Delrossa has already placed a guard here, senor, but he left at the sound of the fighting. “T certainly would be glad to have a guard here to protect my home, senor.” The Spanish Major’s reply was a bitter oath, and dashing his spurs into the flanks of his horse he rode away at a gallop toward the villa, not without leaving a mounted soldier behind as a guard. All that the major had said, and the answers of Mendoza, the youth in hiding distinctly heard, for they had spoken in a loud tone. Now that the troop had gone, however, the youth to his dismay saw the Span- ish cavalryman, after making a circuit of the house, ride toward the cliff and halt at the very place where the path descended to the shore, the only way he would be able to reach his hiding place in the glen a mile away. CHAPTER XIV. HEMMED IN. The situation in which he found him- self, through the Spanish soldier taking up the position he had, was a most crit- ical one for the young Texan. He knew the plantation and its sur- roundings well, having tramped or ridden. over every acre of it after game, when visiting his brother Rafael before the breaking out of the patriot war. He knew therefore that he could reach the glen only by going down that path to the shore, or by making a wide cir- cuit by the very paths where the Span- ish soldiers were then on in numbers looking after the wounded. Even if he escaped being seen by them, before he could go around that way day- light would come, and it would be impos- sible to go along the shore to the glen and not be discovered, for the scene of the landing would be crowded by Span- jiards he well knew. If he was not found up the glen he would be in great luck, he knew, for the surroundings of the landing place would be pretty well searched. Having heard the overseer speak the name of the Spanish officer, Hotspur Harry knew him to be a man who had been + desperately in love with Stella Aquilas, and that she had repulsed him and married Rafaei. The major was a man of forty, and was said to be rich. He was. attractive looking and a favorite in society, yet not liked by men or his soldiers. Belonging to Colonel Alfredo Delrossa’s regiment of cavalry, he had command of the mountain fortress, while the colonel had his quarters in the Wild Flower Plantation Villa, for no other purpose, those said who knew him best, but to protect Senora Agramonte, whom or- ders from the Captain General forced him to hold there as a prisoner. Through some influence not known Ma- jor Bartello had managed to have Lu- cita. Agramonte held a prisoner in the fortress where her brother Rafael was awaiting sentencé to death as a secret insurgent. \ It was said by those who were sup- posed to know that the major, having failed to win Stella Aquilar, was glad to have his successful rival, Rafael Be a Saag Nk Sgt a ng Se an oa I oo / a . poms
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— F Cag es Soars ke Poe et : had transferred his affections to Lucita, whom he had hoped to win by saving her brother from death. The escape of the brother and sister, therefore, had greatly enraged him, what- ever was his motive, and, as the Senora Agramonte had also escaped from the villa, he was in anything but a pleasant irame of mind, for he had hoped to be able to make her suffer for her refusal of him, once she was no longer protected by Colonel Delrossa, also an old lover of the Ouban girl whom Rajiael had won from his many rivals. Whatever the motive of Major Bar- tello, that of Colonel Delrossa was sin- cere, for he was a courteous gentleman, a gallant soldier, and a noble man. If he had had his way the colonel would never have held the Senora Agra- monte and Lucita prisoners, though com- pelled to arrest the husband and brother. He was a Spanish officer who did not believe in warring upon women and non- combatants. But he was aware that there was some recent influence at Havana that forced him to act against his will, but what that influence was the colonel could not as- certain. For his major, Bartello, Colonel Del- rossa did not hold a very high opinion. He did not like him as a man or a soldier. But he was forced to acknowledge him officially, and did so with the best grace he could. That Major Bartello hated this colonel many believed, and that he held more influence with those in authority in Spain all knew. All this did Hotspur Harry know, and he was well aware of the danger to him- self and his sister did Major Bartello discover that they had not escaped on the steamer. But the young Cuban knew that his first duty was to escape that mounted soldier cutting him off from the path down the cliff, Allowed to roam about the overseer’s house at will, the Spanish guard might remain there on the cliff until daybreak. What was to be done? The youth was armed with his repeat- ing rifle, belt of arms, and machete, for he had encumbered himself with them as very hecessary belongings when he let the horses go free. He could shoot the Spaniard, of course. But that would raise an alarm. It would also get Mendoza into trouble. Just what to do the youth did not know. But he was a quick thinker in time of danger, and acted with equal prompt- ness. _ He had his lariat coiled over his shoul- der, and he noticed a large tree just about twenty feet behind the soldier. “Just what I want,” he muttered, and he unslung his lariat for service. CHAPTER XV. THE LASSO AS A WEAPON. Would the Spanish soldier wait until his unsuspected foe could get near enough to act was the question. This thought flashed through the mind of the young Texan, as he left the thicket and made his way to the large tree at the back of the Spaniard. The soldier sat upon his horse like a statue, his eyes fixed upon the gulf, where the retreating steamer was then visible in the distance, from a light now visible upon her. The Spaniard seemed to have taken up The Cowboy Clan of Cuba. 9 Agramonte, in his power, and that he | his position there on the cliff for an in- definite time. | The youth wished he would find busi- | ness to call him elsewhere. | But he did not leave. | He was without doubt gazing across the gulf to far-away Spain, and thinking of those who loved him there and longed for his return. Nearer drew the young Texan, his lar- iat coiled and ready. He reached the shelter of the tree, and the large trunk shielded him. Placing his rifle against it, he un- buckled his belt of arms, and placed them upon the ground. He did not wish to be hampered in his movements so as to prevent a perfect throw of the lasso. One end he made fast around the tree, and then he caught the coil and took his stand ready to throw the fatal noose. The soldier sat still in deepest reverie, His horse was equally as motionless, but his drooping head indicated that he was asleep. The man and horse were boldly, re- lieved against the starlit sky. The boy now stepped out from the tree about with orders, Another and another whirl was made around his head, to get the weight, the aim, and the distance exactly. The young Texan was known in the Cowboy Clan as the most expert of lasso throwers. Now it would be a throw for his life, or the Spaniard’s. Up toward the villa voices were heard and the thud of hoofs as men dashed about with orders. Down on the shore where the battle had been fought, other voices were heard, and lights flashed here and there as the soldiers searched for their dead and wounded comrades. But there on the cliff and over toward the overseer’s house all was as silent as the grave. Only the chirp of insects and the song of a nightbird could be heard. Swifter and swifter whirled the lasso, and then it shot out from the strong and nervy hand of the youth with a sudden swish. j The horse still slept, for he had not moved, The rider was still lost in reverie. But the man and the horse were awak- ened, the one from his reverie, the other from slumber, suddenly and rudely, The noose of the lariat had settled over the head of the Spaniard, and a drag on the line had brought it taut. The horse, startled, and beholding some one behind ‘him, forgetful of the cliff a few steps in front of him, sprung forward. Too late he realized his error. In vain he tried to check himself upon the edge. The cliff crumbled beneath his iron- shod hoofs, and down he went with almost a human moan of anguish. And the rider? The man had felt the noose tighten about his neck, and, as he did so, the horse plunged downward, he still in his saddle. But the lasso tightened with a sharp twang, the cry of the Spaniard’s lips was choked off, and, while the horse went downward, the rider was checked in midair, and hung there; his neck broken by the sudden drag upon it. The boy heard the dull thud of the horse as he fell far below, and knew by the twang of the lariat that the Span- fard had been dragged from his saddle. It was more than th. ’outh had ex- pected, He had expected to make the man a prisoner, not to kill him. But the horse had gone down to the beach below and lay there crushed to atoms. The rider was hanging dead at the end of the rope. A moment Hotspur Harry stood in si- ‘| lence, awed by the tragedy. He dare not remain longer, for some- thing must be done, and quickly. He ran to the edge of the cliff and Shuddered as he saw the swaying form. But he drew it upward, laid it upon the cliff, felt for a heart beat, found none, then loosened the noose, and pushed the body over after the horse. “It had to be. “They'll think his horse carried him over. “Now I must ‘git up and git,’ as the cowboys say.” With this Hotspur Harry coiled his lasso, picked up his weapons, and went swiftly down the cliff path toward his hiding place. CHAPTER XVI. IN HIDING. Down the steep cliff path the young Texan hade his. way. Reaching the shore he turned to the left and passing the bodies of the man and horse, he pushed on to where the glen ran back into the ‘hills. Up this he made his way, and a walk of half a mile brought him to its end, and there steep walls of rock overhung him. But he had found there among the rocks a cave, when he was before in Cuba, and he did not believe that it was known to any one save the overseer and himself. There he had remained in hiding when he had come to the island alone and ahead of the Cowboy Rescuers, and there he had that night of their coming left his camp outfit, not expecting to so soon need it again. But there he was back in his retreat, and, climbing up to it, he unrolled his blankets and was soon asleep. The dawn was breaking as he dropped off into a deep slumber, for he was not one to worry about future trouble. He would await its coming. The day had passed noon when he awoke, and hhe had awakened with a start, for he heard voices. He dared not peer out from his retreat, but he knew that there were Spanish soldiers dangerously near to him. Speaking Spanish perfectly as he did, he heard the words of the soldiers, and set them down as half a dozen in number. They were looking to see if any of the Cowboy Invaders had come up the glen or their horses had strayed there, The cavern was about ten feet over their heads, opened into a rent in the cliff, and could not be seen unless one climbed up the steep wall of rocks. If the soldiers did not climb up the rocks, he was safe. If they did not know of the cavern, they would hardly do any climbing, for the Spanish soldier is proverbially lazy. The Spaniards were discussing the dar- ing landing of the cowboys, and wonder- ing if they had not sent a force on into the mountains with munitions of war to join the insurgents. Hotspur Harry heard the sergeant in command of-the squad say that he would give a month’s pay to know. He could have told him, but he didn’t. “Come sergeant, there is no rebel, dead or alive, or horse here, let us re- turn, for it’s dinner time,” said a sol- dier.
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eR EINE pee ter a tt a a a RR . " apt = ie ies pal Oita - poms a nA Parry ae wma pe — 2 ea etn ae ™ 10 To the great delight of Hotspur Harry the others seemed of the same opinion "bi and departed. ' The young Texan gave a sigh of relief, . and the suggestion about dinner time ; reminded him that he was hungry. Out of his haversack, left at the cav- - ern, he took a cold “snack” and ate it. Then he went to sleep again. It was night when he again awoke, and, eating sparingly of his food, he de- cided to go out and reconnoitre. He was not sure when Mendoza could visit him. Down the glen he went with all caution. Glancing along the coast, he saw the body of the Spaniard who had gone over the cliff had been removed, while the . horse had been dragged upon the beach for ‘the waves to carry off. This proved that the Spaniards had | been busy during the day. i} But what idea had they formed as to } the cause of the Spanish guard’s going over the cliff, he wondered. On to the little valley he made his way, to the lagoon. All was quiet there. Only the dead kept vigil on the lagoon’s banks, for the youth stumbled over a number of newly made graves. ‘ “There is a whole graveyard of them here. The cowboys did desperate work, surely,” Harry reflected. i Then he made his way back to the path + up the cliff, and had reached the top when | the started back and hid among the rocks, for some one was approaching. ay. Nearer the person came. Birds hy “Tt must be Mendoza,” inferred the watchful Harry. : A moment more he called out: as F “Mendoza! ” oe The overseer started, dropped his hand upon a weapon. “Harry! Is it you?” ““ Ay, ay! ” a “Glad I found you here, for a mounted es sentinel makes the rounds of my house Te ee every hour, calling me up each time. He ioe has just left, and I started with this ; bundle for the glen. *“ Now we can talk together, and I will » get back in plenty of time.” “You are an awful good fellow, Senor Mendoza, and I thank you. How is my sister?” “ All right, but anxious about you.” 4 “Tell her I am lovely. Six soldiers and a sergeant came up to see me, but didn’t stay, so that ended their search. - How goes it up at the villa?” “Tam sorry to say that Colonel Del- Ly rossa, who was a noble man, has been pt’ ordered to Havana for some reason, and wart Major Blanco Bartello, as bad as they make them, has taken up his quarters . in the villa, for he is in command now.” “That means danger to us, eh?” “Indeed it does.” “Well, I'll keep in hiding for some . time, and then, if the cowboys do not '* come back, as I feel sure they will, I'll ' skip some night for the camp of General . Gomez and get him to let me come down ' with a band of patriots to attack Major Bartello and rescue my sister.” a toe “Yes, unless the cowboys return for you it will be best, for you can’t keep in hiding always, and I have fear of your _, sister being discovered any day. - “But I have some food and other things here for you, and say we meet here - three nights from this.” “All right.” Aas) ““7¢ I don’t come one hour, I will the wi 29 _ + next. and good-by” the two friends parted. x SS aa eRe The Cowboy Clan “11, wait, for I have just now lots of | time upon my hands that I don’t know | what to do with,” and with a hand grasp | CHAPTER XVII. THE STRANGE CRAFT. Time did hang heavily upon the hands of the youth in hiding, though he had the books which Lucita had suggested the overseer should take to him, and spent a great deal of the day in sleeping. “Tf I’m behind in sleep I'll catch up now,” was his philosophical way of put- ting it. The third night, as agreed upon, he was at the rendezvous appointed with the overseer. a After a considerable time the overseer appeared, but, as the youth had seen the Spanish guard upon his rounds, he had known the cause of the delay. The youth greeted him warmly and in his dry way: “You and I are still alive, Mendoza, and I hope you have as much to say for your wife and my sister, for Spaniards respect neither sex or age.” “They are alive, also, yet the senorita is most anxious about you.” ‘‘T should be the least of her troubles, tell her, for I have nothing to do but to read, eat, and sleep, and I’m rather tired of the monotony of all three. “But time passes, and if the cowboys come back at all, it will be before very long.” “T hope so, Senor Harry. “But I have more books and food for you.” “No more sleep, I hope, for I've had enough of that.” “T’ve got something to tell you.” a“ Well? ” “The mountain fortress has been ‘strengthened and half a thousand more troops sent there, while a couple of hun- dred cavalrymen are camped in the villa grounds, for Major Bartello is there, oc- cupying the best room, and I furnish him with fresh supplies, for it gives me a chance to find out much.” “Tf my Cowboy Clan gets hold of those Spanish troopers they’ll wish they were in Spain,” muttered the young Texan, and then he asked: “ Any more news, Mendoza?” “ Nothing more than about the increase of the Spanish force, which now must number a thousand men within four leagues of the Wild Flower Plantation.” “They are preparing against another landing.” “T guess they fear one; but let me ask you if you saw any Spaniards the night you went to the glen after leaving my house? ”’ “T saw one, but ‘he did not see me.” “T thought as much.” “Tt was the guard.” “ Yes.” “ You lassoed him?” “Ah! How did you know that?” “JT had to cook breakfast for Major Bartello and take it to the lagoon, where the steamer landed, and the guard had been missed, but later found at the base of the cliff. “They supposed his horse had fallen over through his going too near and its caving in under his weight, but I knew better, for it had caved but little; the man would not have gone that near, and I noticed a bruised streak around the neck of the soldier, just as I have seen around the neck of a hanged man when I was in Texas and Mexico.” “So knowing that I had my lasso with me, you supposed that I had been using it?” E “Yes, as I saw that the guard fell from the cliff right where the path was, and about the tree near was a ring cut in the soft bark.” “Your life in Texas. taught you much, Senor Mendoza,’ said the boy with a in Cuba. smile, and then he told about the death™ guard sometimes missed several rounds. of the sentinel. Back to his cabin retreat went the youth, the overseer to his home, and. several days more passed ere they met again at the head of the cliff path. Another and another meeting they had, and the youth had at last told the overseer that he had decided to make his way to the camp of General Gomez, . as it seemed as though the cowboys did i not intend to return, or had been pre- vented for some reason in doing so. ‘““Wait three days more, Senor Harry, before you go. “ See if anything turns up then in your favor,” said the overseer, and Hotspur Harry agreed to it. The three days passed and the youth again sallied forth from his retreat to go to the rendezvous. The time had been set for as near mid- night as possible, for among the middle hours the overseer had said the Spanish i i A w As he came out of the glen, the youth glanced seaward, and was surprised to see a vessel headed close in shore. Was it Spanish? No, for a Spanish cruiser would carry lights. It must be a filibuster craft, for not a light was visible, and the vessel was small, running at reduced speed, and heading for the mouth of the lagoon. Nearer it came, and the youth suddenly recognized it, for he had run to the la- goon, where it flowed into the guli. “Tt is the American yacht Faithful, the very craft that brought me to Cuba. when I came ahead of the Cowboy Clan. “T’ll warrant that Captain Leon De Leon, that brave yachtsman, has come to rescue Lucita and myself.” S CHAPTER XVIII. THE COURIER YACHT. Keeping in hiding, the young Texan watched the lightless yacht, silent as a spectre, glide into the lagoon’s mouth and make fast to the bank. ’ Then he called out in a low tone: “Ho, the Faithful! ” “Ah! Who calls?” “ Warry Agramonte.” ; “Thank the Lord,’ and a tall form stepped quickly toward the youth as he appeared indistinctly in the gloom. “Captain De Leon, you have again come to Cuba,” said the youth. “Yes, the last time I came to bring you, as the avant courier of your Cow- boy Rescuers; but now, urged by that sweet little Cuban lady in Key West, who is to become my wife, I have come to peor: see if I could find out aught of you and ies your sister, for Captain Chase wrote me | that you both had been left here in his — retreat, and he intended to soon return with a large force and attempt your res- © cue, but wished to learn if I could find — out anything as to your fate. fm “I at once determined to run here, land a Cuban with me, who knew this coast well, and let him see what he could discover, xveturning for him another night, for i do not wish to do aught that. is lawless, you know, though my yacht’s | papers will protect me, cr avenge me if the Spaniards do not heed them. Ms “Thank Heaven, I find you here, and, — if you and your sister cannot go out with me, I'll go and meet the cowboys’ — steamer and tell Captain Chase where to find you.” bor ee Hotspur Harry heard the story of th young American yachtsman with deep est interest. aay, Cowboy Clan It told him that the not deserted their Boy Bugler. After a moment of thought the »t i j ys i . Ps yo ak
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decided that it would be best to go cn to the head of the cliff, meet the overseer, tell him the situation, and have him ¥ go back to bring Lucita there, so that both could leave in the yacht. This was decided upon, and the youth i at once went back toward the cliff path, ; while the yacht lay quietly in the izzoon, her crew talking in whispers. Up the path went the young Texan, and at the top of the ciiff he waited. He grew impatient as the minutes passed, and at last began to think that Mendoza had been there and gone. An hour went by, another, and he felt sure that something had kept the overseer from keeping the appointment. Could he have mistaken the night? , No Spanish sentinel appeared, and this . was a surprise to Harry, not to see him upon his rounds. “Tt is growing so late I must go and send the yacht away. : “That gallant young captain must run no more risks, so I’ll tell him not to re- turn, but to meet Captain Chase and tell him to come in on such a night, and 1’l] show signals as before, and be waiting = J aeneg A ks : for the vessel. “TI am half tempted to go on io the b house, but I might get Mendoza into trouble if I was seen and captured. “T’ll go back and send the yacht off.” With this the youth descended the path, walked rapidly back to the lagoon, and found Captain De Leon pacing to and fro, while he was getting a little nervous at the long delay. “ Ah! back again at last; but alone.” “Yes, Captain De Leon,” and . then Hotspur Harry explained the situation and urged the yachtsman to put to sea at once. ; “TJ will take you with me at Jeast.” “No, no, sir, 1 would not go, not know- ing what had happened to my sister.” “ But I will bring you back to-morrow 2 | night.” / Yr + ed + th igi ae ery il legs 2, “No, sir, it is too dangerous for you to a run in. “T remember your last run and chase by the Spanish vessels, and cruisers are constantly passing up and down the coast.” “T can outrun the fleetest of them.” Vg _ “Yes, sir, but you might be crippled e and so caught. “You must go, sir, and tell Captain n Chase, for if the Cowboy Clan come in I don’t care for the Spaniatds.” gz “JT forgot to tell you that Captain l= Chase wrote that your brother and his ut. wife would return with him, along with oO a larger force of: cowboys, enough to o hold their own if attacked.” d “T am glad to hear this, for the head- Le quarters are now at Wild Flower Plan- is tation, and there are a thousand men nh of all arms within two hours’ call, Ss while Colonel Delrossa has been or- tl dered to Havana and Major Blanco Bar- -tello is in command. e, “Please tell this to my brother, Cap- is tain De Leon, and he will understand ld just the situation, so can act promptly or upon landing.” A> dom “JT will, and I’ll meet the steamer +: ee - Mustang, with her Cowboy Filibusters, a Oo ey West as before. eS “Now, good-by, for I must get away, ae -as I cannot fight if cornered, with my ut small crew and toy yacht guns.” s* __ It was with a sad heart that Captain De Leon bade the young Texan good-by, ad to be done, and the yacht backed it into. the waters of the gulf, swung ward, silent as a phantom, dark and ade ate leaving him behind on the island; but er sharp prow around, and went flying The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. Hotspur Harry stood watching her, and as she was disappearing in the dis- tance a large cruiser rounded the head- | land, the dark craft far away was sight- ed, and the thunder, of a heavy gun was heard, as a solid shot was fired after the Faithful. But the yacht was well away, and the shots fell short, to Harry’s great de- light, while, conscious of his own dan- ger, as the firing would bring Spanish soldiers to the shore, he sped along for his retreat in the cavern, CHAPTER XIX. THE SURPRISE. Hotspur Harry well knew that the fir- ing of the cruiser in the night close to the coast would rouse all the Spanish soldiers within hearing, and along the shores and inland troops would be pa- troling as soon as daylight came. Perhaps he would have to again face the ordeal of a search party in the glen near the lagoon, : Again, it would be thought that an- other party of filibusters had been land- ed, or were driven off by the Span- ish cruiser when about to land. Again was there excitement on the Wild Flower Plantation,\and this would make it be doubly guarded. Brave as he was, Hotspur Harry begun to dread the outcome. Mendoza, the overseer, had failed to meet him, as usual, and it was an omi- nous sign the more he thought of it. But the young Texan was not one to surrender readily, and returning to his retreat, he calmly ‘vent to his blanket bed and to sleep. It was broad day when he awoke, and he knew that the ordeal was upon him, for he heard the sound of voices and hoofs as well. A party of Spanish cavalry were com- ing up the glen. ~ They came, too, as though they had a definite object in view. Soon they drew near the cliff in which was the cavern, and to his great relief Hotspur Harry heard an officer say: “Tt is evident that no one landed, for we have not found a trace of them, and this glen is the place for them to have hidden if they did not push for the- mountains.” “And few could hide here,” responded another. “They may, at least, have landed a courier, sO we will make a search, for he could not have gone on to the mount- ains, as it was too near dawn.” — The men, a score of them, were then ordered to search the head .of the glen among the rocks and underbrush. They dismounted and did so, and for ten minutes did Hotspur Harry sit in his retreat enduring the severe ordeal. “No one here, sir,” called out a sol- dier, and he was not fifteen feet from where the youth was. “I could tell him differently,” grimly said the young Texan, and he felt re- lieved as others of the searchers made the same report. “All right, it is well for those who landed that they cannot be found, for they would be shown no mercy. “This is a war to the knife and knife to the hilt, a Black Flag war, that means no mercy to rebels and their sympathiz- ers, and Major Bartello says that we are to kill on sight,’”’ said the officer, “But the Cubans will also raise the Black Flag against Spaniards,” added the other. “T wonder that they have not done’ St so, and it. | will more quickly end this rebellion. so before; but let them do “T tell you, senor, that Major Bartelio is the man to fight insurgents, and he has made up his mind to spare no one in future, and that is just my idea, too. “ But if any landed they have escaped us, but woe be unto them next time.” With this the Spanish officer rode back down the canyon, followed by his men. As they got some distance off Hotspur Harry peeped out of his hiding place and gazing at them, with a smile upon his face, he brought his thumb up to his nose and begun to move his fingers in a way so well known in the United States to mean derision, defiance, and “a can’t come it, you know,” expression. The visit of the Spaniards told Hot- spur Harry what he had to expect if captured. The edict had gone forth that mercy ’’ was to be shown to Cubans. The Spaniards intended fighting under the black flag. “T don’t see the use of saying that,” muttered the Texan, “for that is always their style in dealing with Cuban pa- triots; yes, and with women and chil- dren, too, Brother Rafael has told me. “Tf they capture a prisoner thby shoot him afterwards. “Ah, yes; the Spaniards love to fight that way, and I am glad to know Major Bartello’s intention, for the Cowboy Clan will understand what to expect, and I guess they can fight under a black flag if forced to as well as the Spaniards. “But I must lay low here for a day or two, as they will have the whole coast protected to-night.” : And “lie low” the young fugitive did for several days, for several times was the glen visited. At last, however, matters seemed to have quieted down, and, as his provis- ions were running low, and he felt more anxious about those up at the overseer’s house, he decided to venture forth. | He was sure the Mustang would soon be off the coast, and he wished to tell Lucita just what to expect, and urge Mendoza and his family to go out with them, for he was sure the overseer would get into trouble if he remained. So out of his retreat ‘he crept one night, silently glided down the glen, paused some time before he went along the coast, but, confident that no one was there, he went on, reached the path up the cliff, and ascended. ae no Cautiously he peered over, and saw no. one. The house of the overseer was dark and silent. Across the open space he went, reached the house, and was about to knock upon the door, when suddenly he heard the } stern command in Spanish: ** Move, and you are a dead man! ” , CHAPTER XX. A STARTLING RECOGNITION. . Lucita Agramonte was fretting under her close confinement to the house of the overseer. Both Mendoza and his wife were de- voted to her, and as kind as they could be; but she knew the deadly peril her young brother was in, and the suspense of his fate and hers was terrible. She dared not show herself for a mo- ment, fearing diseovery, and only now and then would go to the windows and. — look out when the Spanish soldiers were — not on their rounds. — 4 t She was fearful of being seen then, and was most careful. One day she watched the guard ride - away toward the villa and then she ap- proached the window and looked out. — _ She was so fond of outdoor exercise and ei ae Fn vp: - ae a
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12 The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. of riding, driving, and boating that to be cooped up was a great hardship to her. As she looked out upon the bright sunshine she suddenly’ gave a cry and started back. ‘““What is it, Lucita?”’ anxiously asked the Senora Mendoza. “Did I see his face, or was it imagi- nation?” she cried. *“ Whose face, Senorita?” kindly asked the woman. “The face of a man I kneW in Texas, one whom I hate. “IT was looking over the grounds and his face peered at me over yonder rose- bush—heaven have mercy! It was no hallucination, but a reality. “ There he comes! ”’ As she spoke her face was livid and she stood trembling with dread. Gazing out of the window the Senora Mendoza saw a man of fine appearance approaching the house. He was on foot, dressed in the uniform of an officer of Spanish cavalry, and was apparently alone. “It is a Spaniard, senorita.” “So I have always believed, but in Texas he claimed to be a Mexican. ‘He is a bad man at heart, I know.” “He has seen you, senorita.” “Oh, yes, hiding is useless now. “But what is he doing in Cuba, and in Spanish uniform?” A moment more and the man came upon the veranda that ran across the overseer’s house. His knock at the door was answered by the Senora Mendoza, and he said: “TI desire to see the Senorita Agra- monte, who is your guest.” “Tam here, Senor Don Ruiz Valdoz. *“May I ask why I see you in Cuba and in Spanish uniform, when you claimed to be an American citizen?” and Lucita, feeling that further disguise was useless, stepped forward. Her cool manner and words took the Don aback, and for an instant he seemed confused, but said: “If you will go with me, Senorita Agra- monte, to yonder arbor on the cliff I will explain my presence, for there we will not be overheard.”’ Lucita Agramonte at once obeyed, She seemed to feel that it was useless to do otherwise, and the two walked to the arbor, where she sat down while the Don remained standing. ““Now, Senor Don, I will hear your ex~- planation,” she said coolly. “T came here to save you, senorita.” “From what?” “‘T know all, senorita. “TI know that Captain Chase, your brother Harry, and a band of cowboys landed on this coast to rescue the Senor Rafael Agramonte, his wife, and your- self, and that in their bold work they were partially successful, for you were left behind and Hotspur Harry also. “Where Harry is I do not know, but you were seen by a soldier this morning, and I came here to have a talk with you, for I am up at your house, the villa.”’ * And a Spanish officer? ” “ Let me tell you that Iam a Spaniard, that I was exiled from Spain for a term of years, upon charges that were false. “The charge was proved to have been unfounded only a short while ago, and I was written to at once to return and as- sittme my rights there, receiving my army rank once more. ,I did not care to return, for I had made a new home in America, but I learned of your having been left in Cuba. “T at once determined to use my re- stored rights to save you, and I sailed for Havana. “There I learned that my regiment was guarding this part of the coast, with headquarters in your old home. “T also found that I had been pro- moted to the rank of major, the officer holding that rank being advanced to the coloneley, for the regimental com- mander had been ordered to Havana for being too lenient with the Cuban insur- gents. “T saw my chance to find you, for I could not believe either you or your young brother to be dead, and I came here at once and joined Colonel Blanco Bartello, as he now is, and whom you know, he tells me. ““T showed my ‘authority for searching for you, and placing both you and your brother under my protection, though, I confess, to gain it, I had to say what was not true, for I told the Captain General that you were to be my wife.” “Don Ruiz Valdoz! How dare you?” “Tt was necessary to gain the power I hold, and I tell you frankly, Senorita Agramonte, that it must so appear, as Heaven only knows what the end may be to you or your brother, for he is in hid- ing, I feel sure, but will be found, and there is no hope of escape.”’ “T will not act a lie to save my life, senor.” “But I will pledge you my word to hold no claim upon you the moment that you and Hotspur Harry are safe.” : *“T accept no terms, Don Ruiz Valdos, on such conditions,” was the firm re- sponse of Lucita. CHAPTER XXI. THE DON’S VELVET HAND. The Don was taken aback at the words of Lucita Agramonte. He had toid her the truth only in part, for he had been exiled.from Spain years before, but had been pardoned and re- stored to his rights, the wreck of a once large fortune, and given the rank of major in the regiment he had been a lieutenant in, but on condition that he would serve in Cuba. Going to Havana he had been well re- ceived by the Captain General, and pre- tending that he knew of a number of American filibusters that were to land on the island, and he could capture them, having spies among them, he was sent to join Colonel Blanco Bartello, who had been made commander in place of Colonel Delrossa. He had told the Captain General that he was engaged to Lucita, who was an American girl, born in Texas, and living with jher rebel brother and his wife in Cuba, Then it was that Don Ruiz had hast- ened to Wild Flower Plantation, confi- dent that Lucita and the Boy Bugler were in hiding somewhere about the plan- tation. He had a long talk with Colonel Bar- tello, and then set out to play the spy. As ill fortune would have it, he at once, almost, discovered Lucita at the window of the overseer’s house, and the meeting with him. followed. If he could make Lucita Agramonte believes he owed her safety to him, if he could capture Hotspur Harry, and hold his life at stake, he believed he could force the Texas girl to become his wife. Thus the plot of the Don is made plain, and his prompt flight from his ranch to Havana, and gaining the power he really possessed as a Spanish officer, placed Lucita Agramonte in a very crit- ical position. But the Texas girl was not to be forced or driven. She was plucky and determined, and she boldly told Don Ruiz that she would accept no favor at his hands upon the conditions he had named. Devotedly loving Captain Charlie Chase, she was not one to give him up even to save life. The Don looked at Lucita in a way that it was hard to read. After all, would she escape him? Would she defy him in spite of the po- sition he found her in? At last he said, and he made up his mind to make no mistake by an ex- hibition of temper: ‘“‘T believe in time you will see me, se- norita, that it is best for you and those you love to at least put on the semblance of friendship for me. “You know that I love you, for it is an old story to you; but I will not force myself upon you. “JT have simply sought the right to protect you by claiming that you were my promised wife.” “Which I will save my life.” “You know best. “ But now Colonel Bartello says that you must return to your home, the villa, and where your servants still are, and where the Senora Mendoza can accom- pany you. “In the wing occupied by the Senora Agramonte you will be secluded, and Colonel. Bartello, occupying the other part of the house, as did Colonel Del- rossa, will but be a protection to you.” “IT prefer to stay here.” * But Mendoza will then be arrested as a suspect, while there at the villa he can see you.” “T will go there to save him and his wife from*harm,” and Lucita was begin- ning to wonder as to poor Harry’s fate. True, Mendoza would find some way to still help the youth, but as a prisoner he could not do so. After some further conversation, the plans were arranged that they should go to the villa, but not until the following day, as there would be much to be done. This Lucita was firm in, for she knew that that night Mendoza was to meet Hotspur Harry, and. the youth must be told all that had happened and be given supplies sufficient to last him for some time. Then, too,-the Don had unintention- ally let fall a hint that the house of the overseer would be used as a guardhouse by the Spaniards. Escorting her to the house again Don Ruiz informed the Senora Mendoza of the plan and then returned to the villa. Mendoza came in soon after and was told all, and the three were positively alarmed at the situation, but congratu- lated themselves upon a chance to in- form Hotspur Harry that night. But this hope soon faded away for a soldier came with a note for Lucita. With a dread of evil she opened it and read that Colonel Bartello ordered that the removal should be made at once, and that soldiers, an ambulance, and wagons would be soon there to re- move, the household to the villa. The note was a most courteous one, and from the Don, who said he had in vain pleaded for delay until the morrow. To get te- the glen and acquaint Hot- spur Harry with what had happened not admit, senor, to was impossible, and so Mendoza, his’ wife, and child, and Lucita, had to ac- cept the situation and prepare for the removal, for a squad of soldiers had ai- ready arrived at the house, to take up their quarters there as soon as they should leave, a
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CHAPTER XXII. DOOMED TO DEATH. It was the saddest moment of her life when Lucita Agramonte returned to the villa, her *®old home, and took up her abode there. Colonel Bartello received her cour- teously, but there was an expression of triumph upon his face he could not hide. She and the Mendozas were to occupy one wing of the large mansion, the Span- ish officers the other, so that they would be well apart. Mendoza knew that he was shadowed by a Spaniard constantly, so he could not get away to warn Hotspur Harry or carry him the needed supplies. Night came on and Lucita and the Mendozas were very blue. They were anxious about Harry. Yet the overseer dared not leave the villa. He was told to manage the estate as before, but given to understand that he was regarded as a secret insurgent and would be shot at the first suspicion of treachery to Spain. It was that night that the yacht Faith- ful ran in, and the heavy guns awakened all in the night. Lucita supposed that it was Captain Chase returning to rescue her and Harry. But the firing soon ceased, as the yacht ran away from the cruiser, and they breathed more freely, for the Spaniards were in great alarm, yet did not know what to do, “Captain Chase and his Cowboy Clan could stampede Colonel Bartello and his whole command, even with the Don to help them,” Lucita said to Mendoza. “Indeed, the captain could, senorita. “But what about the Senor Harry?” asked the overseer. The night passed, and the next day the Spaniards were dashing about with great energy. The sunlight dispelled the fear of an enemy hiding on the coast. Thus the days wore on, and Mendoza, in leaving the villa, and going about the plantation, had been accompanied by a guard of two soldiers constantly, while at night a watch was placed in the wing of the villa in which he dwelt. The greatest anxiety was felt for the safety of Hotspur Harry, but as he had not been brought in a prisoner, it was hoped that he had escaped to the patriot camp, for had he been killed Don Ruiz would surely have reported it. Then it was hoped that he had escaped in the vessel the Spaniards had reported as having landed near the lagoon, be- lieving his sister safe. Lucita believed that the vessel must have been the Mustang, with the Cow- boy Filibusters, who had deemed it best to return upon another night. Thus believing, she still kept up hope, ‘for did the cowboys land she knew that she and the Mendozas would be very quickly rescued by them, as no few hundred Spaniards could check ‘them. But when at breakfast one morning Mendoza came in, his face as white as death. “They have caught him, senorita.” “My brother?” “ Yes, senorita.” “Ts he dead or a prisoner?” “A prisoner, senorita.” “That is better, for the cowboys will rescue him,” was the hopeful reply. “How did it happen?” asked Senora Mendoza. “I do not know. “They, had him at our home when I went ‘there on my round of duties this morning.” The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. Soon after Don Ruiz sent his card to Lucita and asked an interview. | 13 — ee ican-born citizen, a youth in his teens, had been tried by the Spaniards and, She promptly granted it, and heard found guilty, was sentenced to be sho? how Hotspur Harry had come out of his to death at sunrise the following morn- hidiag place, gone to the home of the | ing. overseer, and been captured by the soldiers there, for he had been seen com- ing from the patth. “What does he say?” asked Lucita. ‘* Nothing. “He simply took the situation like the brave fellow he is, asked no ques- tions, and would answer none.” “Where is he?” “In the villa. “T had him brought here, and I tried hard to get Colonel Bartello to allow him to go upon his parole and my pledge.”’ “And he would not?” “ He refused. “He says that your brother came here with the Texans who rescued Senor Ra- fael Agramonte and yourself from the fortress, released his wife from impris- onment here, and got left behind, as you did, in some way. “This is punishable with death, and Colonel Bartello says that the boy must be ‘tried as a rebel, and will be executed if found guilty.” “Why have the mockery, of a trial, Don Ruiz, for it is useless? “But Harry is a mere boy, and his life should be spared, for he came here only to rescue his brother and those he loved.” “ Very true, senorita. “But the fact of his coming alone dooms him.” “Yes, for Colonel Bartello has raised the Black Flag against all Cubans, be they soldiers, old or young women, or children. “He is a merciless monster, and as he sows so shall he reap, mark my words, and you, Don Ruiz Valdos, Major in ‘the Black Flag Regiment of Colonel Bar- tello, will suffer with those with whom you have cast your lot, for mark my words, Cubans are in this fight to win, and woe be to those Spaniards who raised the Black Flag against them.” The man was deeply impressed by her words and manner. She spoke with intense passion, and he dared not meet her blazing eyes. But he could but admire her the more, and said, earnestly: “Lucita, if you will promise to be- come my wife I will save your brother from death.” “Tf I refuse?” “He must die.” “That shows how despicable you are, for you have the power to save him, and do so only at my sacrifice,” said Lucita, with scorn. Then she added: “Much as I love my brave young brother, I refuse to sacrifice myself to you, for he would not have it. “T will die by my own hand when he is murdered by your act, Ruiz Valdos, so do your worst, for I defy you!” “T will de my worst, for he shall die,” shouted the man, stung to the quick by her words, and hastily leaving the room, while Lucita sank upon the floor in a deep swoon. There the Senora Mendoza found her, and when her husband and herself had restored her to consciousness, she said, plaintively: “Tf I had only died. “Why did you bring me back to life?” Several hours after Mendoza came in with more sad news. Harry Agramonte, the brave Boy Bugler of the Cowboys’ Clan, an Amer- Then Mendoza added: “And I am to be tried to-morrow. “The Black Flags are merciless to all Cubans who love Cuba Libre.” CHAPTER XXIII. THE COWBOY FILIBUSTERS. The night set in dark and stormy. A severe gale came on as the sun went down, and the Spanish soldiers kept close within their quarters. Mendoza had been arrested, and was a prisoner in the same room in the villa where the Boy Bugler was in irons, sen- tenced to die upon the morrow. Don Ruiz Valdos had it in his power to save him, and he would play his last ecard on the morrow, when Lucita saw her brother in irons marching out to die. To the surprise of Mendoza, Hotspur Harry did not seem to have lost his nerve. He had told Don Ruiz he would rather die than see his sister his wife, and he meant it. “Don’t get blue, Mendoza, for luck may come our way to-night. “You see this gale will drive the Spanish cruisers to harbor, and the sol- diers will not be on the watch ashore, and the Mustang should have been off the coast two days ago, if the yacht Faith- ful met her all right, “This is just the weather for filibusters, and Taos, the Pilot, is on the Mustang, and I believe she’ll come in. “Tf she does, the only risk we run is in being shot down if the cowboys charge the villa. “Tm going to sleep and wait to see what will turn up.” “Well, you are the pluckiest boy I ever saw, Senor Harry, and Heaven’s everlasting curse fall upon those who take your life,’ said Mendoza. But Hotspur Harry made no reply. He had made himself as comfortable as possible for a nap, for he had an abiding faith in Charlie Chase and his cowboys. They would surely come, even though they came too late to save his life. Had he been able to have seen, out upon the storm-swept waters of the gulf just then, his heart would have bounded with joy. There was a vessel moving in toward the coast. Her prow was pointed toward mouth of the lagoon. Not a light was visible on board, and she pushed through the waves in a de- termined way that meant business. Upon her deck were many. men, and horses saddled and ready to land. By each horse stood his rider, calm- ing the animal in the wild sea that was runming, while showers of spray dashed over them. At the helm was Taos, the Cuban Pilot, and by his side were Captain Chase, the Cowboy Clan’s chief; Rafael Agramonte, and his wife, all in storm eoats, but Stella now dressed in her pretty uniform, as a Cuban Amazon. “ Now I get my bearings, senor, “We are all right, for the mouth of the lagoon is dead ahead,” said Taos, the Pilot, as he marked some point on the black shores. “ As we get no signals, Harry evident- ly did not expect us to run in on such a night, for Captain De Leon told us, you know, that he would be constantly on the watch, and at the beacons,” said Ra- fael Agramonte, the
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- men who had been edging to the front, The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. “We do not need them, now Taos has his bearings; but I wish Harry was on the watch for us,” Captain Chase re- sponded. ‘Nearer and nearer the Mustang drew to the coast. She had met the Faithful, and Captain De Leon had told how Lucita was safe in the overseer’s house and Hotspur Harry was in hiding. The Cowboy Filibusters would not have to go to the fortress to rescue them, but could perhaps get Lucita from Mendoza’s home, and then Rafael Agra- monte and his wife, with two-score of Texans, who had decided to’ remain in Cuba, and Taos as their guide, could strike for the patriot camps in the mountains, reaching there before day- break, while the Mustang, having accom- plished her mission, would return to ‘Texas with the fair Texan and the Boy Bugler on board. As an American, Captain Chase did not care to do more than rescue those he had come for, and land Rafael Agra- monte and those who wished to remain with him and join the et on the coast of Cuba. Straight as an arrow in its flight, un- der the skilled hand of the Cuban pilot, the Mustang ran in'to the lagoon, and was brought alongside of the bank and made fast. Taos, the Pilot, and Rafael Agra- monte went off to reconnoitre, while the vessel was landing the horses and men. Within the hour they returned, Ra- fael Agramonte having ventured dan- gerously near the overseer’s home. “We saw nothing of Harry and the Yhome of the overseer is occupied by some Spanish soldiers, for I saw them there. “Something has happened, and per- haps poor Harry has, been captured or killed. “The villa is the place to go, and I will guide you there, keeping my party separate from yours, so I can make a dash for the mountains as soon as I know just what is the situation.” This plan decided upon, the men mounted, and Rafael, with his wife on one side, Taos, the Pilot, on the other, and his volunteers following, started ahead. Then came Captain Chase and his Cow- boy Clan. At the steamer two Gatling guns were in position to sweep down the Spaniards if they pursued, and the crew were armed with repeating rifles and ready for work. The gangplanks were so arranged that the horses could be ridden on board and the steamer at once back out of the lagoon. After a ride of fifteen minutes Rafael Agramonte halted and ‘pointed to the lights of the villa. “This is my road, direct to the mountains, and I am sure no Spaniards are on it. T will wait here to cover your retreat, and then can ride for it, when I know the result. “Tf Lucita and Harry are prisoners, why I will be here in Cuba to do what I ean for them. “And I will return for them if I hear from you that they can be rescued, if we | fail to-night. “Now, I will say good-by to you and Stella, for no one knows what is before us—ah! who is that? - “Drop him if he refuses to halt!” ‘A shot rang out at one of the horse-( a suddenly spurred away toward ‘the villa. . The shot emptied the saddle, and a cowboy called out: “Tt is the Mexican, sir, Andrea, and he was wrong to warn the Spaniards of our approach. “ Several times he tried to ride off after landing.” “His fate is just, then. “The Spaniards are aroused, so fol- low me. “Charge, my gallant Cowboy Fili- busters!” cried Captain Chase. With wild yells the Cowboy Clan fol- lowed their leader, and into the camp of the surprised and terrified Spaniards they dashed, their repeating rifles and revol- vers rattling merrily. CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION. It was a complete surprise. The Spaniards were surprised in their camp in ‘the grounds of the Wild Flower Villa, and the weapons of the Texans made wild havoc among them. It was a stampede, for with the wild yells and rapid rattle of rifles and re- volvers the Spaniards seemed to feel that Gomez and his patriot soldiers were upon them. Colonel Bartello and Don Ruiz Valdos appeared in the grand hall of the villa, saw that the cowboys were carrying all before them, and they had to fly for their lives, for resistance was apparently use- less. Just as they disappeared out of a door bounded the Boy Bugler and Mendoza, for their guards had fled. Using their chains as weapons, they, rushed upon the retreating Spanish sol- diers, striking right and left, the Boy Bugler shouting: “These are the Black Flags who show no mercy. “Let no mercy be shown them!” “Ho, Harry, you know this villa well, so find your sister and retreat with her down the trail and you’ll find your broth- er awaiting you. “Remain there until I retreat with my men, and we will then go to the steamer,” cried Captain Chase. “Come, Mendoza!” cried Hotspur Harry, and the two disappeared to find Lucita and the Senora Mendoza, and take them to where Rafael Agramonte and his party were waiting ready to answer a call for help if. it came or to dash away to the mountains, where word came that all was well. It took but a short while for the Boy Bugler and Mendoza to find Lucita and Senora Mendoza, and they started to join Rafael, Stella, and the Cowboy Patriots, ‘Half an hour after the charge of Captain Chase and his men the retreat of the Cowboy Clan had begun. The rescue had been reported to Ra- fael Agramonte, and he and his men went dashing toward the mountains to join Gomez, Stella riding by the side of her husband. Captain Chase knew that the Spaniards from the other camps would soon be upon > them, and in force, so the dead and wounded cowboys were quickly gathered and then the retreat was begun to the steamer. Back came the tle Filibusters, fighting the gathering Spaniards as they returned, and reaching the deck of the Mustang orders were given to set the Gatling guns to going. This was done as the Mustang backed ‘out of the lagoon, while, suddenly over | Z Ps the storm-swept waters came a light tha revealed the vessel. “Tt is the overseer’s house!” cried Captain Chase, and ‘jhe turned io ihe cap- tain and ordered him to stop the steamer, for he beheld in the light a man on the cliff waving frantically to the vessel. When the screw had stopped turning all listened and the man cried in broken English: “ Captain Agramonte took the Senorita Lucita, her brother, and those with them f up to the mountains with his party, so i they will remain with the patriots in i Cuba! ” , The words fell like a blow upon all who heard them. They had rescued the Boy Bugler and k his sister, and they had remained upon ; the island. “My God! I thought they were all safe in the cabin of the steamer,” cried Captain Chase in almost despair. ‘** No, sir, only Captain Telfair is there, and he is dying from a wound he re~ ceived. L, “No one came aboard, sir, except you ig and your men,” said the steward of the j steamer. H Raising his voice, Captain Chase called out loudly to the man on the cliff: {i “Why did they not come to the steam- J er as agreed? ” i “They were cut off from doing so, and had to go with Senor Agramonte, ” an- swered the man, and with the last word he was seen to turn and fly away from ; the cliff, as though for his life. 4 “Too bad! Too bad! Too bad!” said ii a cowboy. cop aan “Oh, no, for had we not come Harry would have been shot at daybreak, or his sister been forced to marry Major Bartello to save his life, for that much I learned. - “The expedition has been a great suc- cess,” responded Captain Chase, cheer- ily. But all knew that he deeply felt the disappointment in not bringing Lucita ep the Boy Bugler out of Cuba with m. With her prow pointed out into the gulf, the Mustang pushed on under a full head of steam, her way lighted by the burning house of the overseer, while the | disappointed Spaniards were maddened with rage, and couriers were sent flying up and down the coast to send cruisers out of their harbors to pursue the daring Texan filibusters. But as well might they have chased the wind, for the Mustang ran the coast of Cuba out of sight by dawn. But Cap- tain Telfair had died, and the steamer was under charge of her first officer. The brave cowboys were landed some days after upon the coast of Texas un- der the shelter of night. The Cowboy Filibusters dispersed to their ranches and their duties, and look wisely innocent when anything is hinted at to them of there having been a secret expedition of rescue to the Island of C, Cuba. ae As for Captain Chase, he was not satis- a, fied with his last filibustering venture, for the girl whom ‘he had hoped to make his wife was in the Island of Cuba, as was also Hotspur Harry, and he made up his mind that it would not be very long. ae before he would return there, even 2 though it was to fight under the Lone Star Flag with a ‘band of his Sawbes Clan to follow his lead. And he was right, for not very lo after the gallant, Texan ae more sail for the Ever Faithful Isle to - those who were so dear to hir mh there THH END. f. :
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—_ Published Every Tuesday. BEADLE'’S« H ALF- DIME*« LIBRARY, Each Issue Complete and Soid at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeavers. BY OLL COOMES. é 246 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 7 168 Kit Bandy tn Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, 208 Kic Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercules. 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur, 78 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Bsn. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled, or, The [niant Giant, = 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, the Young Whirlwind. 799 isit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sam. r 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. $27 Kid Bandy’s Brigade in Arizona. 989 hit Bandy’s Star Engagement. ) 158 Jack Drew; the Nemesis, or, Eagle Kit4the Boy Demon. 182 Jack Drew's Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. f 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. r B81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the l’rairies. 1 h & Vagabend Joe, the Young Wandering Juw, | 28 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mnstanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 21 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Wawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Kollo, the a, Ge anger; or, The Heiress, 984 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 248 Rear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. ‘R18 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, , 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s se : 228 Little Wildtire, the Young Prairie Nomad. ia 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. { 248 The Disguised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. H 272 Minkekin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. iy 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, B00 The Sky Demons; or, Raindoit, the Ranger. B84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; wr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webfoot Mone, the Tramp Detective. it Adz Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. , 468 Tamarac Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy. f 482 Stonewull Bob, the Boy Trojan, 7 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappot. 4} @52 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 778 Highiand Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 28 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY T. 3. FLANAGAN, 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pir: her. i 925 The Voun Cowboy eA Aaaaaag * 9838 Fn abel idshipmen; or, The Corsalr-Chaser’s First BY DAN DUNNING. 746 Quiet Jack, the Seerct Service Spy. 767 Mae and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. 875 Detective Dave's Close Call, | S84 Farrel Fox and His Girl Ferret. ; 98 Farrel, Fox’s Sweep-Stakes. ‘ BY GEORGE 0, JENK&. “are 3 486 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, i 492 Git Thar Owner's Pledge. t4 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective. 581 Double-Ourve Dan, tne Pitcher Detective. , ‘598 Flute, tne Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Roles t G08 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Dan’s Double Play. { ‘@16 The Ocean Detective; or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear. 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. "86 Larry the Theroughbred; or, Goon on Every Side. @79 Lron Hand, the Charmed tive ‘$54 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. ¥ BY WM. G, PATTEN. a 66% Violet Vane’s Victory 4 or, The Jasper City Clean Out. “205 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, Th C3 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq: tvs. 8 355 Violet Van 4 the Venquidhed, or, Th cy row ty port. ~ : . d Bo i i Bous Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, hl 1214 Old Misery the Man from Missouri, ‘274 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never-Say-Die Detective, ‘289 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, ; Steve the Ranch Mascot. ett Sorte N at, the Tenderfoot Detective. ; 6 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. + BT Spotter Bob in New York. _ $66 Spotter Bob's Bowery Racket. ce RY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 4 { i Beas or, The Vailed Lady. 48s bod day " or, The Gambler's Big Game, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, \ Sea-© , The Witch of Darien. 0 z Pt ae or, The Doge’s Deughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. Lance and Lasse } ot, The Children of the Chaco, The Seavt tanters} or, The Land of the Elephant Rid ite Loat Captain: or, Skipper Jabex Coffin’s Cruise, © Boy Bedouins; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. Mile Romer the Animal King; et, Round the World, The r Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle, Black Niek, the Demon Cade Et ree gett BY CAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS. regon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy- Eye; the Great Shot of the West. eseuree the Boy Trapper. en’s Pets ith The Valley of Death, dian ; or, The Scout of the Yeilowstone, 3 or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. SS —— RY T. C. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Litti- Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains. 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait. S82 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 128 Kiowa Charley the White Musianger. 189 queee Lynch Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade. 231 Plucky Phil; -or, Rom, the Res Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolicy te King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents. 279 Old Wineh; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 gg poy Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Gorhetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. 826 The Ten Parda?: or, The Terror ot Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Larso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thuniderholt’s Secret. B56 Ooo) Sam and Par? or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlasa¢ or,’ he B-ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The | win Champions of Blne Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rosec Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21, 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or. The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Whurt-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Dick’s Best Podge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’a Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodeer Dick’sa Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Roy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three. 578 The Two Shadows; or, Dodzer Dick’s Stop Game. 582 Dodger Dick’a Drop; or, The Man from Jersey. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champton Pards; or, The Lucier of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 653 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Roy Hustler: or, Shadowing'the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. ZO1 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Datay Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Games Z42 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective, 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagie Ned, the Boy on Guard: or, Tne Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard 827 The Bantam Sport. 848 Clip, the Battery Ferret; 01, eack veutrs Fowl Play 4% Davy, eons Big. Bounces. andy Nugget, the Bow Shadow. 921 The Bey rom Denver. BY OHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 6 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 2 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, y Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 52 Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Kacer. Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods. Billy Baggage, the Railroad vom. A Trump Card; or, Wil! Wildfire Wins and Loses Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Hockett, the Bank Ruriner, The Hidden Hand}; or, Wi!! Wildfire’s Revenge. 87 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuggiers, 189 Bob Rockett; or. Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed } or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tannor; or, The Black Sheep of the Floek. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Rill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: o:. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly dim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’« Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound;: or, The Young Thoronghored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota: or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Keady, the Hote) Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 28 Fred Flyer. the Reporter Detective. 2 Invinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick,Ahe Jolly Vaganond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. A479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 48% Wild Dick Racket: or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, bA6 The Secret “crviee Boy Detective. B9@ Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. — + 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanane: or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 4 The Curbstone Detective: or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. &? Detective Frank’s Sweep-staken, 69 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker, R81 Turkey Billy, the Shine-’em-vp Detective. 917 Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 4 ” eiedarlarieliodal-aicsies PAIAAIRAH ASCP ORw Pe a 11 The Two Detectives: or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buek of Angele an 447 New York Nat. A Tal 8 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. poly Ry the Cirese Prince. ; ROR” » tae Arizonn Sport. 10 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detecttve. Bis Soot Selerade'tn New Work: or, The Cowboy’s Fight BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR 0.8. A. 191 B Nwhacker. 194 Buftals Bitz. fhe, Bor Tis Gambler Guide. 4 2237 BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Glant« of Nowhar’. f 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Man Withont a Past, 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \ eteran Detective. 620 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery o. tne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector. 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 75S Gold Pust Dan’s Cath; or, Reekless Rey, the Regulator. 928 Gold-Dust Dan’s Snap-Shet. ‘ BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Juck; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bi } or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 ween d Rams o7,The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Llawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Rameh. 44 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Resene, 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly ray ae or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pardes; or. Dainty Lance Unm 211 Croeked Cale, the Caliban o7 Celestial City. 810 The Rarranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide ~ 855 The King of the Woods: or. Danie! Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Streteh. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOR Light-HNeart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Lichi-Heart Lute’« Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. } 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bae 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trail. | 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard : BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 Tho Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Sheree, BY LIEUT. I. D. PERRY, U. & N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch ot the Fort, 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78% Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. {87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, e 187 The Helple«s liand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-xeeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY CRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Ialand Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 191 The Captain of the Club} or. The Riva) Athletes. - 161 Jack Narkaway in New York. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Morse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Rett and Froderick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulltver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful ore. 16 ae hap Rage ee nee) 18 Stndbad the Saflor. ven ages. 1e Tha dee Serpent? or, The Boy Robiosen Creme, By Juan wis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. ; 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By ¥ S, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. Texne Jack. 51 The Roy Fiftes: or. The fey: aren Camp. By A. C.Irons. 95 The Rival Mev ern or, The Freebootere of the Mississipp: t.-Cal. ne. 28 Robin Tlood, the Uutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green" ‘ood Prof. Gil wood. dersleeve. 105 Old Ly rat the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Onptain olmes. 112 The Mad Hunter: or, !beCave of Death, By BertonSare. ; 124 Tippy. the Texan} or, The Young Champtos, By George ~ jerson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Strongheld. By 148 Rharp Bam tor, The Adventures os a Friendiess Boy. By J. Alexan ‘atten. : ; 227 Dusky Darrell, : or, The Green Ranger of the Yel. | 5 eS ae ~? ¥ ak Bey bak } 26 erguse Fearnaug e New x es Aiken. 266 eh Gute: or, Davy Crockett’s Trail Mm ~~. arren. 298 Red Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. <7 B28 The Sky Detective 3 or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Hono, By Maior Mickey Free. 856 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Ree venge. By Ned Buntline. RES Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. A. P. Morris. 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’e Double Match. 6 H. Morse, 876 California Joe’s Firet Trail. By | Thomas Hoyer Monastery. pik Prey temas the aot Lae = ol By F. 8. Winthrop. e Blac . By Jobn arner. Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henrv J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. Bas Wil Waterss tie Bov Ferret. By I, Rnton. aters, the Bov Ferret. By MN. En ‘ 82 Tha Wend Petective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 21 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pare, By Will Lisenbee. : 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the 814 Ace High, the Friseo Detective, By ©. E, Tripp. : ce Hf e Friseo Tetective. a 880 The Grim Lodgers In Rag Alley} ©, Citen Rube of Number Seven. By Ben D. Halliday, 881 The Chicago Prummer’s Deal. By J.6. Bethure, 841 Prince Charlie, the Cat’s- Paw Sport. Ey Marm nke ve. —s Blue-light BM, the Sappimre Sport; or, The Denver Detew tive’s Lone Hand, By King Keene. ; A New Iasue Every Tuesdays The Half-Dime 1 te tor ania vy all Newsdea™ ~ ON ental ck setpiaicn mab emer eo BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pubiishera, get Billy Lag the Swamp Fox. Ry Chas. F. , . 98 William Street, New York,
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Published Every Tuesday. BEADLE'S+ H ALF- DIME«]_IBRARY. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s« Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Caatle. 42 Deadwood Dick's Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ne, the Heroine 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Aets or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. j 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. | 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s liom > Base; or, Blonds Bill. 149 Dendwood Dick’s Ibig S:rike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’sa Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick’a Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’a Doom: or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Pick’s Peath-Plant. Pick. A Romance of Roughs and Tovghba, i beg bs sees or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. ek’a Death Trall, Pick’« Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, Diek’a Dozen: or, The Fakir of Phantoin Flats Dick’s Ducata; or, Days in the Diggings. Ree ent or, The Terrible Vendetta, ek’sa Claim, Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonds, Dick In New York} or, A “Cute Case.” Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Diek, Jr.; or, The Crimson Crescent Sign. Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance, Dick, Jrs Full Wand. Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. Dick Jr.’s Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr.’a Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.’s, Doge Detective, Dick, dr., In Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. Dick Jr.’s, Inheritance, Dick, Jr.’s Diggings. Dick, Jr.’a, Deliverance. Dick. Src, Three” . . ° ° Dick, Jr.’a, Danger Ducka, Dilek b det Death Munt. ck, Jr, in Texas. Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeg Dick, Jr., on Mia Mettle. Dick, Jr., In Gotham, Dick, Jr., In Boston, Dick, Jr., in Philadeiphia, ie Se a ck. a oat. S24 Deadwooe Dick. vr.. in Denver. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Decree. . 595 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, h G05 Dendwood : ? Dead wood Deadwood Gold-Duat Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 262 Dead wood 405 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 445 Deadwood 458 Deadwood 459 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 4A7L Deadwood A476 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwooa Deadwood > Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood SEY Deadwooa 544 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood 561 DeadWwooa 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Kob on Mand; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob's Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob's Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 251 Denver Doll's Victory: or, Skul! and Crossbones. 255 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. / 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gathererys or, The Life Lottery. 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, ¥ B85 Yreka dJim’s Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nese. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister's Devotion. 248 Sierra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy or, The Ange! ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sanva Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. ! 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-F ace, Detective; or, Life in New York. 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arsbs and Angels. 117 Gilt-Edged I Vick, the a ‘de Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 201 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-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 BIL; 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 Boas 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. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs. 880 Little Qu!ck-Shot or, Nhe Dead Face of Daggersville. B58 Firat-Clase Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned: or, The Secret of Slab City, BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s 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 e Revenue Spotter. 922 Sol Sharpe, the New York Night-Hawk. 948 Old Hayseed Among Buneo Men, 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. BY J. Cc. COWDRICK. 490 Brondway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. 614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing aStrange Case 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay, 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Diftikilty.” 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 5ST Broadway Billy's Peath Racket. 618 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Cincinnati, 579 Broadway Billy’« Surprise Party. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Nevada. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act: or, The League of Seven 686 Dendwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 642 Deadwood Dick Jr.. tu Buffalo. 675 Broadway Billy's Beats or, Beating San Franciaco’s Finest, 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Acrosathe Continent | 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. . 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 696 Broadway Billy tn. Texas; or, The River Rustlers. 660 Deadwood Diek, dr.’a, Lnaurance Case. 708 Brondway Billy’s Brand. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Tack in the Mines. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe or, The Clever Deal. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” | 720 Broadway Billy’s« Full Wand: or, The Gamin Detective, 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Dixcovery; or, Founda Fortune, | 785 Broadway BIlly’s Business. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazale. 788 Broadway Billy’« Curious Case. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. 695 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, . 762 Broadway Isiily’«a Bargain; or, The Three Detective, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at JInck-Pot. 77> Broudway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 710 Dendwood Dick ry in San Franclsco, 788 Broadway Billy's Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Still Hunt. 786 Brondway Billy’« Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pall. %22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Dominoes. 790 Broadway Billy’« Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. 728 Deadwood Dick, dr.’a Diarulse 796 Broadway Hiliy’s Queer Bequest, 784 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'s, Double Deal, 800 Broadway Billy Baffled. 740 Deadwood Dick Jr.’*. Deathwatch, 805 Broadway Billy’s Nabe Scoop. TAZ Deadwood Dick, ore? H, loublet. 810 Broadway Hilly’« Wipe Out. T52 VDendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deathblow. a 815 Broadway Billy’s Rank Racket. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Desperate Stralt, S21 Broadway Billy’s Bluff. 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, =~ 826 Broadway Billy Among Jersey Thugs. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Vetent. 888 Kroadway Billy’s Raid. Z76 Deadw Dick, dr.’a, Resurrection, 889 Broadway Billy’« Big Boom. 782 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’a Dark Daya. Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. TST Deadwood Dick Jr., Defled. 849 Broadway Billy's S106 000 Snap. T9Z Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device, 856 Broadway Billy's lind: or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Jr’.s, Desperate Venture, 7Z9T Deadwood Dick, 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Diamond Dice, 807 Dendwood Diek Jr.’«, Royal Flush. 812 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s Head-off, $16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Rival. 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. 884 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Clutch, 845 Deadwood Jr.’s, a Horse. 852 Dendwood Jr., at Devils Gulch. 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Reath-Hole Hustle. => 868 Peadwood Dick, Jr.’« Bombshell. S70 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Mexico. S76 Deadwood Jr’a Deeoy Duck, 882 Deadwood Jr. in Silver Pocket. S91 Dead wood dr.’s, Dead-Sure Game, | 898 Deadwood dra, Double Drive. 904 Deadwood Jr va, Trade.-Mark. 910 Deadwood 916 Deadwood 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarvilie, 934 Deadwood I Jr.. at Flush Flate, 940 Dendwood Jr.’s, pene Sa ’ 946 Deadwood dr.’s, Double Drop. ' 951 Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’s, Right Bower, } 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Pick, Pr,'e Gold-Dust. / 9T1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Oath, 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Denth-Doom, 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Best Card, 992 Deadwood Dicks Jr., at_Gold Duat. 99S Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded. 1011 Deadwood Dick, Je.’s, Dutch Pard. BY T, J. FLANAGAN, eee pesbiamen Dares, the Fixeke Catcher. un Ww aptain. 988 The Two Siidshipmen ors The Corsair-Chaser’s First se, 949 The Three Lieutenants 3eo eee t Middy < ty The Four Commanders, B08 Hlehtine fuck Apri. panty Die Dac B44 Jack 8 a) the Privatee T. 014 Sniday Nea, tke Runaway. f: 862 Broadway Billy in London, 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Slums. S74 Broadway Billy’« French Game. S80 Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. 860 &llver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold ! ing; or, For Seven Years Dead. 480 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without , Name, 424 Olibuta John? or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 Redlight Ralph_ the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detecttve; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Rareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tynewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the “‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar. 8ST Battery Bob. the Boek Detective. $94 Arizona Dick's Wipe-Out. 900 Jumping Jack's Jubliee. 906 Safety Sams, the Cycle Sport. 912 Train Boy Trist’« Mot Hustle, 918 The Trump Dock-Boy. 924 Big Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddte. 980 Kustier Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newshboy Detective’s Chum. 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlle’« Double. 7 947 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, Fiver Fred’s Clear Case, 967 81000 Reward: or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. 978 Bantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. 978 Plucky Pat. the Street-Boy Detective. 989 Bieycle Bob's Hot Scorch, 997 Beorcher Sam, the Detective on Wheels 1004 Seorcher Ram’s Sweep-Stake s. 1009 Tne Girl Cy clist’s Winning Hand. BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE, 956 Brooklyn Rob'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-Detective’s Big Pull, | | BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 1018 Buffalo Biil’« Texas Team. 1007 Buffalo Bill’s Sure-Shots, 10006 Buffalo Bill's Deeoy Boya. 995 Buffalo Bill’s Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid 98S Buffalo Bill’s Lasso Throwers, 981 Buffalo Bill's Fighting Five. 905 Buffalo Bill's Hille § ots. 968 Buffalo Bill's Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer. 964 Buffalo BUVs Decoy 3 or, The Arizona Crack Shot. 95» Buffalo Bill’s Mazeppa-Chase. 4 948 Buffalo Bill's Snap-Shot ; or, Wild Kid’ Texan Tally 942 Buffalo BUl’s Tough Tussle, 986 Buffalo Bilta Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvia’ Hold-up. 929 Buffale Bill's Crack-shot Pard, 650 Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy, 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Bison Bill’« Clue: or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout, or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorade; or, The Trapper’s Traat, BY CAPT. ALFRED’ B, TAYLOR, U.S. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. , York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Gang y York Nat and the Traitor Ferret, y York Nat Trapped. X York Nat’s Three of a Kind. y York Nat’s Double. York Nat’s in Colorado. York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. } y York Nat’s Deadly Deal, j y York Nat’s Crook-Chase. ' York Nat’« Trump Card. , York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, y York Nat's Masked Mascot. y York Nat. the Gamin Detective. < Doom’s pong) + oo Knock-Out, Doom’s Ten Strike. Deom’s Flush Hand, < Doom’sa Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. Dick Doom’a Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. Dick Doom; or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York, Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, 8 Dick Doom tn Chicago. __ Dick Doom tn the Wild West. Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in « Clue. Dick Doom’s Death Clue. Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big Haul. Dashing Charlies or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trais. Dashing Charlic’« Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Taylor, King.of the Cowboys. k Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, Pawnee BIIl, the Prairie Shadower. Pawnee Bills or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Redfern’s Curtoua Case: o:, The Rival Sharps. 697 Kedtern at Devil's Lanch; or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Redfern’s High Sand; or, Blue Jacket. 707 Redfern’s Last Trail: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, And Fifty Others. BY BY LIEUT. A. K, SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone, 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triu mapas or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral 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 §8affron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Videcq; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 611 Biland Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 646 Cowho Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling Williem the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. fily the Gyps Rpy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Simple Sim, the Srondbo Buster; or, For Big Stalfés. 712 e Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mal Prospector, 745 Kanaaa Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 785 Lone Wand Joe the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the Higb-Kicker from Killbuck. 882 The Doctor Dete etive in Texas. Two Showmen Petectives in Colorado. 987 The Texan Firebrand; or, Brazos Billy’s Snap.Shot, 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. NEW ISSUES, 1021 Doctor Pau", Detective. By Leon Lewis. 1022 Dare Sloan's (lose Call, By Maj. Dangerfield Burr, 1028 The Cowboy Clan In Cuda. By Col P. Ingraham, 1024 Dandy Dick, Detective, By Robert R. Inman, 1025 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean ‘Outcast. By Col. P. Ingrabam. JUST ISSUED. The Boy Bugler in Cuba; or, The Cowboy Clan On Yeck. By Col. P, tagrabar. 1017 De ective Ma‘t*« Man-Hunt or, Downing the Des- perate Dozen, By Ned St. Meyer, 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jt.’s, Big Four. By E. L. Wheeler 1019 Burd Bayard’s Close Call. By Capt. Hawthorne, 1020 Barn y Blake, the Boy Privateer. By H. Johnstone, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, fve gents per copy, or sent by mat! on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New York, 1016 r