Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1042) (1897 07 13)
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~ FS CAR re Ata Mor” Coprzsnted 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Five Cents a Copy. ADAMS, Publishers, Published Every '\ $2.50 a Year. 92 WitL1AM Street, New York. Tuesday, ess Rider By Col. Prentiss Ingraham,
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‘ qn se ee “St sy eae ws aed ic BE alte in Ia nn 2 “Little ‘Grit, the wild Rider Then came several pistol-shots in rapid suc- cession, the shriek of a wounded horse, a fall, Little Grit, THE bor RIDER; < Bessie, the Stock- ne Daughter. | ‘ & Romance of Pony Express Days. BY Cuu crENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF “THE c-coaR CAPTAIN, ” THE SEA DEVIL,” ‘“‘DICK Diia~ eyp,” bere BOY DUELIST,” ETC., Ext horse and a rider prostrate upon the ground, a revolver to the head of the other. recogniz’d by the bright light of the moon, the one who nad been called The Wild Rider. CHAPTER IL THE THREAT, “TarrLn Grit, yer bas got me squar’.” CHAPTER I. THE WILD RIDER. Tar bright moonlight streamed down upon an exciting scene, and a strange one, for over the prairie three horses were going at break- neck speed, two running side by side, and one a few rods in advance, _ Upon the former were two meh, and their ¢eruel spurs were lacerating the sides of their straining animals. Upon the latter horse, the one a short dis- _ tance ahead of the others, was mounted a ' ‘woman, and ber keen whip fell with stinging - blow upon the splendid animal she rode, and which was striving so bard to leave his pur- suers behind, yet seemingly with little hope, _ for slowly but surely they gained. “Gal, ef yer don’t halt, Vl shoot yer,” yelled one of the mea, as for an instant the flying animal ahead, seeméd gaining. t But the maiden made no reply, and simply _ glanced over her shoulder, the act showing that she was young and very lovely, though her face was white with dread, and ber lips - ‘were quivering with nervous excitement. _ But the man did not carry out his threat of | _ shooting the girl, though he fired in the air as | though to frighten her, But though she started at the ringing report, fhe did not check her speed, and urged her struggling mare on more rapidly, while from -. her lips came the words: : “JT would rather die than fall into their _ hands.” And, again and again the pistol flashed, but ‘the girl would not halt, yet she believed her "pursuers were really firing upon her, - Before her was a slope, that after a short _ distance rose into tie foothills of the moun- tains beyond: yet where was succor for her in ell that vast solitude around, for nowhere was ‘visible the habitation of man? “Come, Princess, they are gaining upon if "ben come, my beauty,” said the girl encour- egingly, and cheered by her voice the noble beast made another effort to drop her pur- suers; but in vain, for they were mounted up- on bardy prairie horses, which, though Prin- cess might easily run away from.in a short Trace, when it came to mile after ‘mile of hot _ chase over plain, hill and dale, they held the power of endurance that the blooded animal had to succumb to. “Poor, poor Princess!’ cried the maiden, as up the bill her mare staggered with fatigue. “Hal hal my gal, we has yer now,” cried one of the men in great glee, as their’ horses | now gained rapidly, and they knew that a few ‘moments more would bring them alongside of their victim. ut, just as their steeds were within a length Princess, and they were stretching. forth their hands to capture the prize for which they were struggling, there was heard the rapid ; clatter of hoots ahead, and instantly there i ashed into sight a horseman, He was going by like the wind, as if unmimd- of whom he met, when from the lips of the en broke a for help, and a glance ved him iat situation of affairs. y, with a word to his horse, be iad i, and charged directly upon the two fellow lying there,” with me?” Til do so with pleasure, with intense interest upon the scene. ed, as her rescuer, gree. aman would attempt, revolvers, comfort of the horseman, ter. riding habit she wore, like strands of gold in the moonlight. revolver. an excuse that my father bad sent for me,” said the maiden, in a sweet vo ‘You then belong to a t how it was I found you here.” I saw that they were deceiving me, and they told me that they would hold me until well paid for taking me back.” } pate it bot for TH Ge and, as the dust and smoke drifted away, the maiden, whose tired mare had halted, beheld a and two horsemen close together, one holding ‘Thank God! he bas saved. me!” came in fervent tones from the maiden’s lips, for, in the victor in the short but fierce combat, she **T aq corry I did not kill you, as I did that e ‘‘T are glad, for {don’t want ter hand in my checks yet; but what are you poing to do “That depends entirely upon what this lady wishes me to do with you; if she says kill you, Will you please come here, miss, for this dog won’t bite now?’ and the horseman turned to the maiden, who sat on her panting horse a short distance away, gazing At his words she rode nearer, and the moon- light showed her a mere boy, splendidly mount- His form wasslender but wiry, and his small waist, broad shoulders and square chest, de- noted strength and endurance in a marked de- His face, as the moon shone upon it, was that of a youth of seventeen, and the features were clear-cut, handsome and full of deter- mination, while his dark eyes had a flash in them that showed he would dare anything that He was attired in a black velvet jacket,white corduroy pants, stuck in handsome boots, the heels of which were armed with spurs of sil- ver, and wore a gray sombrero with broad brim, and in a belt around his waist a pair of His horse was a long-bodied, small-legged black, and had no bridle on, while the saddle was exceedingly small, for the limbs of the rider hid it, and seemed more to be used to strap a pair of leather pockets on, than for the - The man who had been in pursuit of the maiden was a rough, uncouth specimen of hu- | manity, heavily armed, and dressed as a plainsman, and evidently a dangerous charac- ‘As the maiden drew near the two, the youth noticed that she was a mere girl, scarcely more than sixteen, and that her face was very beauti- ful, and form exquisitely graceful, in the dark Shaken down by her hard ride, her hair} hung down upon the back of her horse, and looked | “Now, miss, if you say the word, I'll send a bullet through this fellow’s brain, said the youth, who held the ruffian under cover of his: ‘No, no, sir, I would not wigh that, though he is a very badman, and with his companion there, decoyed me away from the train, under ee wondered “My father commands a train of supplies going to Fort Aspen, sir, and these’ men be- longed to the party, and of course, I did not expect harm from them, and when they said my father wished me to go on ahead a mile or two and join him, I aceompanied them, until ers of the maiden, who quickly turned to “ Aha! that is your game, is it, ace bim, Pom: oe one had eqnig’ - — kins, for you see I know you? Well, ‘Il report : | your conduct along the wae and the ert will | stretched reer a for miles. oS “Does yer mean it, Little Grit?” asked man, eagerly. “‘-Yes—no, remain here and look after your — dead pard; and I will see you back to the train, miss, but you must ride fast, as I am riding Pony Express, and wouldn’t have stop- ped, if I hadn’t seen that it was a lady in trouble; come, miss, please, and you, Hank Hawkins, remember that Dll keep my eye on ou.” “ And I know somebody es hez the’r eyes on you, Little Grit,” said the man, threateningly, **Bah!. what do I care for you?” it you.” ty Who i is it, then?” * Ther Boy Bandit.” “So be it; I fear that fellow and his gang of borse-thieves as little as I do‘ you; come, miss, we must be off, and you'll have to drive your horse hard to keep up with Firefly.” ' As he spoke he wheeled his splendid horse alongside of Prince w and the two animals started off at a rapid gallop back toward the plains from whence the maiden had come, CHAPTER IIL THE RED RAVINE. ““-Your horse seems used up, miss,” said the gether for a few minutes, and Princess earn increased signs of failing. “ Yes, she seems to feel her long and rapid run, and I am sorry that I detain you, sir,” replied the maiden. “Oh, don’t mind me— Hold!” The sudden ejaculation of the young horse- over a ridge ahead of -theth, of half a dozen horsemen. Suiting his action with his words, he had quickly seized the rein of his fair companion’s horse, and the two animals had come to'a sudden halt. “Who are they?” asked the maiden anx iously, seeing the youth gazing earnestly at the approaching horsemen. stances, Ido not care to raeet; the same ones whom "Hank Hawkins threatened me with; but fortunately they do not yet see us, and we'll see if we can get away unseen,” Still holding the bridle-rein of the maiden’s horse, and guiding his own by a movement of his knees, the youth wheeled short off of the trail, and endeavored to reach a thicket of scrub pines not far away. At first he believed be would escape the laughing and talking together, and not very ‘watchful; but a sudden shout warned him that he was discovered, and he: said quickly: “Come, you must ride behind me, for your orse is useless.” As he spoke he threw his arm around the maiden’s waist, and with an exhibition of strength that surprised her, quickly raised her from her saddle, and set her down behind him. “ Firefly will lead those fellows a long race, fellow!” as the splendid black bounded away at the word of his master. keep up without your weight.” And it was evident that Princess, at the call’ of her mistress, determined to make a des- was carrying her load for her; but a few hun. - dred feet were sufficient to chow her that Fire-,’ fly would soon drop her behind. _ As the black bounded away the horsem whom the youth had said were dangerous to meet, started in rapid pursuit, and in minute ‘the .chase began across the plain, for a short run brought the pursued free ‘of the | foot - - hills, and the rolling ) “?Tisn’t me, altho’ I doesn’t intend to fer-— youth, after they had been riding along to-. man had been occasioned by the appearance, | ‘*They are fellows that, under the circum- | observation™ef the horsemen, as they were “ But my poor Princess,” an the maiden, — + “Must fall to the enemy, unless she can perate effort to keep along with the black that # = 7 4 A even if he does carry a double load; come, old
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insta - &md we can hold our own, I think,” said the youth, hopefully, as Firefly ran along like the wind, with his pursuers, seven in number, stretched eut in hot chase, ‘But they may fire upon you and wound your horse,” she said, with dread. ‘*No, they are the band of the Boy Bandit, and.they wish to catch me alive.” “The Boy Bandit! I have heard the scouts in the train tell strange, wild stories about him at night around the camp-fires; but is he really a boy, sir?’ “Yes, their leader, Captain Firebrand, is said to be but fifteen; see, that is he in ad- vance, on that white horse, and he is gaining upon us.” “And they would harm us if they. captured us? : “They would kill me and demand ransom of your father for you, miss; but don’t be frightened, for Firefly holds up well, and if he fails under his double load, you are a splendid rider and he can easily carry you on to the station on my saddle.” “ And you?” quickly asked the young girl. “T'll drop off at the Red Ravine and they can never find me.” “‘No, no, let them take me and father will pay Phe ransom, for you have said they will kill you if they capture you.” “You area brave girl, but don’t feel worried, for they won’t get either one of us, I promise you.” The maiden hoped that her brave companion spoke truly, but glancing behind her she saw that the white horse was steadily gaining, and was now but fifty yards away. A look behind showed the youth that, although Firefly: was doing splendidly, he had a horse on his trail that, with his double weight, was more than a match for him, and he said: “Do you see that lone tree ahead, miss?” a“ Yes. ” ‘‘ Well, that stands at the head of the Red Ravine, and there I shall drop off, while you go on to the station.” “No, no, I will not allow you to do this; put me off and your horse will carry you rapidly out of danger.” The youth turned and looked the maiden squarely in the face and replied: “You are a plucky girl; but I’d rather haul up and fight the whole band of the Boy Bandit, than do it. I tell you I know the Red Ravine well, and can easily dodge them in it, while Firefly will carry you on to the station and save you and the express and letters, and you can tell Handy, the agent, that ’m coming, but won’t be on time.” ‘ Are you sure you can escape?” “TJ know it, for P've gotten out of many @ worse scrape; now, I'll change places with ou.” As he spoke he again put his arm around her slender waist, and raising her easily, brought her round in front of him, while he slid back into the place she bad occupied. Leaning over then, he bastily shortened the stirrup and placed her foot in it, and said: “Now hold hard to Firefly’s mane, for you see I use no bridle, and he will carry you safe; here is the tree; good-by, miss.” Ere she was aware, he had suddenly leaped ‘lightly to the ground, just as Firefly ran under the shadow of the huge, low tree, and glancing back as the horse bounded on, she saw that the youth had mysteriously disappeared, while, relieved ef his extra burden, the noble animal she rode was rapidly dropping the Boy Bandit behind him. And still anxiously looking back over her shoulder, she discovered that but three con- tinued im pursuit of her, the others having halted at the tree. “They saw him spring from his horse, and he will surely be killed— Oh?’ The cry broke from her lips as several pistol- shots rang out in rapid succession, and greatly terrified, she looked back over her shoulder, to ) SSS aye en reer See + yiteie “SY eee ee Little G Le ee ee ae a Pre =. > ghee nas as rit, the Wild Rider. see a horseman dart out from under the sha- dow of the tree, ard come ou swiftly after the three who were pursuing her. CHAPTER IV. THE WILD RIDER’S RUSE. WHEN the Wild Rider slippea off of Firefly at the lone tree, growing at the head of the Red Ravine, his first intention seemed to spring down into the gully and run for his life; but a second thought seized upon him suddenly, and changing his first impulse, he sprung back into the shelter of the trunk and broken limbs piled up around it, and muttered: “There’s the ravine for refuge, if my little plan fails,” Hardly bad he gained a hiding-place in the shadow of the foliage, and drawn # revolver, when he saw the white horse a!=*0S6 upon him, aud he looked straight into -M¢ face of the Boy Bandit. eS Ose glance, by wie bright moonlight;chowed nim that the rider of the snow-white steéa was certainly a most youthful personage, with long, | golden curls hanging upon. his shoulders, 9 suit of buckskin, fringed and beaded, a broad, black sombrero, and a belt-of-arms. He sat his horse, a splendid animal, like one born in the saddle, and his eyes were fixed in- tently on the flying black and his fair burden, in front. “T could kill him, and—but I won't,” and the Wild Rider lowered his revolver, which he had half-raised, and the Boy Bandit swept on, little dreaming of danger, for he saw not the dark form crouching in the shadow. “No, another time we will meet on fairer terms, and then one of us must die,” muttered the youth, and he crouched stili closer as two of the band, large; bearded men, swept by on the heels of their young chief. A few seconds more \and up dashed another of the band and halted, and the remaining three did the same, one of them, the first-comer, calling out: ‘‘ We'll await the chief here, pards.” But, as the words left his lips, out of the shadow around the trunk of the tree came a flash, another, and another, and down from his horse fell one of the bandits, and to the ground dropped the steeds of the balance, while out from his hiding-place darted the Pony Express Rider, and ere the startled out- laws knew what had happened, and could ex- tricate themselves from their fallen animals, the Wild Rider bad thrown himself into the saddle of the man he had slain, and with a ringing laugh, rode away like the wind, fol- lowed by a few scattering shots, and bitter curses from his discomfited foes, whom his unerring aim had dismounted. The Boy Bandit heard the shots and looked back, but intent on the wished-for prize ahead of him, he held on, confident that his men would jnot be defeated by anything they had found at'the head of the ravine, and little dreaming that it was the one he sought, that bad so cleverly mounted himself and dis- mounted the outlaws. And thus the chase continued, with the maiden mounted on the bridleless horse of the Wild Rider, dashing along in advance, and steadily gaining, and the white steed pressing on hard in pursuit, urged by the Boy Bandit, while behind half a hundred yards, came his two men, who rode side by side, their horses seeming of equal speed. ; About a like distance in the rear of these two, came a gallant bay, evidently held in check by his rider, upon whose face was a triumphant smile. Presently over a roll in the prairie appeared a band of horsemen, and they were a score in number, while at their head rode a large ma in undress military uniform. At a glance he saw the coming black, and ‘instantly was on the qui vive, and fluttering in the moonlight was visible a skirt, which caused him to cry out: i “Thank God! it is my ebild!” and raising his voice he cried in ringing tones: 2 ee ee (Co Sal os) ae a a a “Helen! Helen! my child, come to me!” Back on the wind came the response: ‘*Father! Iam safe, come!” But the black swerved from his course, and increasing, rather than diminishing his speed, sped on like the very wind, to the amazement of all who saw him. “In heaven’s name! what dces it meané*™ cried the fatber, and raising his voice again, he called out: “Helen, stop! wait for mei’ ‘‘T cannot! come!” ; Back to their ears carm- "¢r reply, and all stood an instant ge~“8 into each other’s faces in wonder, re*' One quick eye caught sight of three p+Semen flying back over the prairie «ove! they were in pursuit of her!’ cried che man, and from several lips broke the words: ‘‘The Boy Bandit and his men!” “Then after them, a dozen of you, while I follow my child,” and calling to a half a dozen | of his followers to accompany bim the officer sped away in chase of Firefly, while the re- mainder of the party, with wild shouts, rede off in pursuit of the snow-white steed, so well known along the overland trail. But on went the flying black, straight te the station, Where soon after he drew up, panting from his long run. It was but half a dozen shanties, Rocky Glen. Station, besides the stables and public house, which a wonderful stretch of imagina- tion called a hotel, and,as the rapid clatter of hoofs told the idlers within that the Pony Ex- press Rider was coming, nearly two score of reugh-looking men stepped out of the bar- room to greet Wild Rider, who was a great favorite along the line, CHAPTER V. AT THE RIDERS’ REST. “THET festive youth are half a hour late, pards, an’ it’s sure suthin’ is gone wrong, for he are allus on time, an’ a leetle ahead,” and Trumps, a large-bodied, frank-faced frontiers- man, who had been trapper, guide, teamster and miner, and gambler through all, threw down his last card, a trump, and raked the win- nings into his capacious pocket, while he gazed around upon the motley crowd in Judge Hun- ter’s Riders’ Rest Tavern, to get some one to con- tradict his statement that something had, gone wrong with Wild Rider of the Pony Express. “T fears you is right, Trumps, fer ther boy isn’t one ter tarry on his run, ef it do be a leetle ride o’ ninety miles and but seven hosses ter do it with, an’ it up hill an’ down dale an’ over pararer too,” replied Bony Bob, another border character, who had just lost half a pound of gold dust to Trumps, who had won > his lucky name from always holding a trump card to defeat an adversary with. ‘‘Qh, the boy will turn up all right: the devil takes care of his own, and that youth seems to be one of his especial pets,” remarked a person sitting at another table playing cards, and winning heavily too, but with that none chalant manner that betokens the professional gambler and the cool sport. He had been known at the different stage coach and pony-riders’ stations, along the Over- land, as Gambler Grey, and yet was more fre- quently called the Kid Glove Sport, from the fact that he always wore a pair of kid gleves upon his shapely hands, no one ever having seen him without them, asleep or awake. He was dressed in a suit of Mexican cavalier — costume, trimmed with solid gold buttens, gold braid, and with the inner adornments ef the slashes in the sleeves and pants of silk and fine lace, A white, blue or red silk sbirt, with the wide _ collar turned back over his shoulders, and a cra~ vat of fine lace he also wore, as suited his fancy, | and a pair of patent-leather boots and black sombrero completed his very fancy costume, if I except one important feature in the shape ef a belt of fancy leather, in which was a jewel- hilted knife and two pearl-handled pistols. His face was dark, always wore a sinister
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‘Little Grit, the Wild Rider. smile, and yet was strikingly handsome, as far seen coming toward the station at a rapid as regularity of features went, and his hair was long and curling, and the ends of his black silken mustache rested upon his shoulders. The days he generally passed in the saddle, going no one knew where; but his evenings he spent in the saloon of the Riders’ Rest, where he had a room, and nightly he added to his winnings, for be was a skillful gambler. In answer to his remark about the Pony Ex- press Rider, Trumps responded: “You ought ter know, Kid Glove, who ther Aevit fwenecies, fer you is said ter be kin ter him.” The dark eyes of Ganes.. Grey flashed for ie. instant in anger, but checkio,. quick reply, aid : “Tf you and I should ever quarrel, Trus.ng, you would think me Satan himself,” “Ob! I knows yer has grit, fer I has seen yer tried; but I doesn’t fear yer, Gambler .Grey, an’ we will hey mor’n a quarrel ef yer don’t quit throwin’ slurs at thet Pony Rider, when he hain’t round ter hit back, as he would do if you insulted him.” - “JT did not insult Wild Rider, Trumps. I know that he is, although a boy in years, the inferior of few men as regards strength, en- durance and pluck; but I think there is some- thing wrong about him.” ‘“What does yer mean by wrong, pard?” asked Bony Bob, ‘Oh! it matters not what I mean; I have my opinion about him, and Ill keep it until the right time to make it known.” “Ef it’s a bad opinyun, yer’d better keep it dark, pard Grey, or yer’ll git inter trouble, fer Tloves thet boy; he’s grit to ther back-bone, an’ it were I who gave him ther name o’ Little Grit, arter ther three duels he fought up at Sweetwater with ther galoots thet picked him up fer a baby ’cause no ha’r don’t grow on his face. “T heard of that one he fought with a knife and killed him; the second he shot, and the third he thrashed in a fair fist fight,” said Gambler Grey. ‘Fact! I seen ther rackits, an’ it were done prime; but I hears a rattle o’ hoofs without, an’ it’s ther Wild Rider hisse’f.” Out of the saloon then Trumps the miner 'ed the way, followed by all the others, anid from the lips of the crowd broke a shout, as the black steed of the Wild Rider was recognized, _ coming up to the station at a full run, But the next moment up he dashed to the door, and an exclamation of amazement was _ heard, as, instead of th:,Wild Rider, they saw upon the Firefly’s back ‘the slender form of a young girl, whose beautiful face. was turned, upon them with a look of surprise, if not of alarm, { “Satan has metamorphosed noe boy into a By sy) beautiful girl,” said Gambza.Grey, as he w _ forced bis way to the side of tye horse, just as ea! . % _ Judge Hunter, the proprietor * cried in astonishment: “aides Well, miss, has Wild Ridergiven up the _ ‘Express to you?” “For the run into this station, yes, sir: he i. Riders’ Rest, rescued me from two men who bad captured me, and being-hard pressed by the Boy Bandit and his band, he sent me on alone. on his horse, 5 while he sought refuge in the Red Ravine,”,, Rivedeiied every ear. “TY hope no hdrm has befallen the boy; but an it’s jest like him to be doing some brave action, _ and he cares little for the consequences.” - “T do hope, sir, that he has escaped; but I rds, does yer heur? Ther Wild Rider “ba trouble, an’ I wants men ter go with - me ter help him out,” cried Trumps, interrupt- ing the maiden, and his words were answered with a shout from the crowd, while Gambler oe , asked quickly. “ But who comes here?’ é _ All eyes turned in the direction,in which he f poked, and nearly every hand dropped on a evolver butt, fora »arty of horsemen were pace. “Hold, gentlemen! it is my father, Colonel Hewlett, "who has been sear ching for me; I passed him several miles back, but this horse would not stop, and they followed me here,” said the maiden quickly. ‘It’s just like Firefly, miss; the Wild Rider told him to bring you on to the station, and he has done it: but dismount, miss, and come into my hotel and rest.” The kind-hearted proprietor of the Riders’ Rest lifted the maiden from the saddle and led her into the house, just as Colonel Hadley Hewlett and his followers dashed up, the officer in evident alarm. “My daughter! have you seen her?’ he cried, eugorly, as he threw himself from the saddle. “¥es, sir, Se ig here,” answered Gambler Grey, and he led the officer into the tavern, and Trith a cry of joy the maiden threw herself into her father’s armas; “My child, what has happened to you?’ cried Colonel Hewlett, anxiously. ‘“Two of the train men were traitors, fa- ther, and they led me away, with the excuse that you were on ahead and wished me to join you there, when their intention was to make you pay a large sum for my recovery.” “The scoundrels! they shall suffer for this!” ‘One of them is dead, sir, for I escaped from them, and was only saved from recapture by a young man they call Wild Rider, a Pony Express Rider. ‘‘ He killed Red Fred, and made Hank Haw- kins a prisoner, but released him and came on with me until we were chased by the Boy Bandit and his men, and he left me to come on alone on his horse, while he jumped off at a ravine.” “ And there you left him, Helen?” “Yes, sir; he sent his horse on, and I could not stop him.” “Ah, now I understand why you did not stop forme; I hope no harm has befallen the brave lad.” As Colonel Hewlett spoke a loud shout was heard without, and then followed the clatter of hoofs, and a cry from Trumps: “* Hooray ! hooray! ther boy are coming |”? CHAPTER VI. THE DEATH TRAIL. HARDLY had the cheering ceased, when the door of the hotel sitting-room opened, and in stepped Little Grit, the Wild Rider, his face calm, and no trace of excitement in his man- ner, though it was evident that he had just passed through some scene of thrilling ss ger. ‘‘ Ah, my boy, I_am delighted to see you for I had my fears about your safety as this young lady told me where she left you,” and Judge Hunter stepped forward and warmly grasped the hand of the youth, who answered quietly, and modestly: “Tt was a dangerous situation, judge; but I managed to rid the border of an outlaw, get his horse, and prevent the others following me by dropping the animals they rode, though I think it would have been better to have shot the riders,” ‘«Then it was you,.sir, that I saw dash out from the shadow of the tree after the firing?’ said the maiden, in surprise. “Yes, miss, and when your friends, as I be- lieved them, put the Boy Bandit-to flight, I followed him, hoping to get a close look at him; but I dashed suddenly into the midst of his band, encamped over a rise in the prairie, and I tell you it was a hard run to get away; but here Iam, you see.” “And I am glad to thank you, sir, for all you have done for me; this'is my father, and he will prove his appreciation of your service to his daughter.” “ Boy, who are you ?” The question came as a demand, and in tones of excitement, from the lips of Colonel Hew- lett, as he turned his eyes full upon the youth, who colored at the peremptery almost rade as PF dress, and answered: “y am called Little Grit along the Oven land, sir.” “But you have another name?” was the stern rejoinder. “Yes, I am also known at the stations as the Wild Rider.” “And he deserves the title, colonel, for he is the best horseman on the trail, and can get more out of an animal than any one else on the border,” said Judge Hunter with enthu- siasm. ‘¢ Nonsense! I am not speaking of his prowess er ability, but his name, and again I ask you, boy, what it is?” said the colonel pettishly, Evidently nettled by the officer’s manner the youth replied: “T have given you two, sir, and you ad@ that of Boy, and I think the three should an- swer you.” “ Ha! that is your answer is it? But I wilt more, boy, the name you refuse to tell me, even if you are ashamed of it.” ‘* Father! you forget what I owe this young man; what matters it to you what may be his name?” said Helen. Hewlett hotly, while the judge put in: “Out here, colonel, hardly any man goes by his own name, and Ido not see why Little Grit should tell you what his is, if he prefers not to.” ** He doubtless hides it from the camse that other men conceal their identity under false names; but I know his face, and have met it under no very pleasant circumstances, I’ll war- rant, and for that reason wish to know wha he is, but it is a matter of indifference I as- sure you; come, Helen, we will return te camp.” ** My horse you know, father, is lost, and—* ‘Take the horse you rode here—” “Father, that one belonged to this young gentleman, and I have already received more kindness at his hands than I can repay, and which you do not seem to appreciate.” “Pardon me, miss, but your horse galloped into the station just ahead of me, and she will readily last you to your camp; I will bring her to the door for you,” and Little Grit left the room, while Colonel Hewlett, with a clouded face turned to Judge Hunter and said: “Can you tell me, sir, the name of that youth? “Tf I could, sir, seeing that he does not wish you to know it, I would not; but the truth is; no one here knows it and he i is entered on the Pony Express books simply as the Boy Rider, $ You think you have met him before?” ‘I am convinced of it; how long has he been on the Overland route?” “About a year, I beliove; he was riding when I came here six months ago, and ix’ known as the most daring rider on the road, while he has rendered valuable service on many occasions, and is the particular dread of the Boy Bandit and his band.” “Yes, I have heard of that curse of the bor- der, too; in fact, I met him six months ago when I’ came West on special duty, for he robbed the stage-coach iu which I was a pas- senger, and to be frank, I really thought that boy, Little Grit as you call him, was one and the same.” “That is impossible, Colonel Hewlett. Lit- tle Grit is a most honorable youth, and the Boy Bandit’s implacable foe. I am sorry to have you hold such a suspicion against my young friend,” said the judge, warmly. “Well, it was only a suspicion; but I intend now to have command of this border, and Boy Bandits, desperadoes and all will have to look out, for I shall put down all outlawry, I assure you,” and ere more was said Little Grit entered the room and stated that Helen Hewlett’s horse had been caught and awaited her. In spite of the maiden’s low request to her father, to thank the youth for what he had done for her, the colonel did not do so, but. placing her in her saddle, mounted his own —
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horse, and followed by the men who had ac- the: companied him to Rocky Glen Station, rode off to the encampment of his train, some half- the dozen miles distant. Hardly had they disappeared from sight he when there came the rapid clatter of hoofs, get and ows of the timber, some hundred yards on away, came a horseman at full speed. hu- “It is Jeckey Jack coming back,” cried Judge Hunter, referring to the Pony Rider who vess rode between Rocky Glen Station and the point ou, | seventy-five miles beyond, and who had darted | , away with Little Grit’s bag, as soon as Firefly the had come in with Helen Hewlett mounted , upon him. add “Tt are Jockey Jack for sure,” said Bony an- Bob, and all glanced anxiously upon the com- ing horse and rider. wilt Another instant and the animal with a loud me, meigh halted at the door of the tavern, and all crowded around the rider, who sat bolt upright yung in his saddle. e his “Great God! he is dead!” the The cry came trom Judge Hunter, and in amazement all recognized the truth of his goes words, for strapped in his saddle and held up ttle by stout sticks upon either side, that were firm- | efers | 1Y fastened around him, was Jockey Jack the Pony Express Rider, with a bullet in his that | brain. false Here ar@a piece of paper with writin’; some et it |© You as has better eyes fer readin’, spit ont war- | What is writ on it,” and Trumps took from the whe (|*28n’s breast, where it was pinned, a card on 1 as- which was written a line in a bold hand, mn 46 Taking it, Little Grit read ‘aloud: “Death lies in wait on the Overland. Your turn 1a—* [Hext, Little Grit the Wild Rider.” A hush fell upon the crowd, and it was brok- roung (% by the one who had just read this fearful more (“teat against him, and he said: , and “Judge, if you will let Hook bring round lash, Pll ride poor Jockey Jack’s run and _ let loped hem know along this line why he did not i she Ping the Express.” [ wilt |. ‘‘ But you start back on your ride to-morrow Little Pight, Little Grit.” wlett, True, judge; and I shall be back to ride ‘unter {* a A hundred and fifty miles by dark to-mor- that [OW night, my boy, and then your own run? t is impossible.” | wish “I shall make it, judge; please order Flash,” ath iss vas the firm reply, and the judge, who was on the ~ “lon agent, reluctantly obeyed. Rider! Fi 2 minutes after, Little Grit sprung upon §, savvack of his splendid bay, that, like Firefly, 1as he, © Tidden without a briale, and a rousing y & er greeted the daring Wild Rider as he sped riding v like the wind, regardless of the threat arid ‘ast his life. road, “* oe! on CHAPTER VII. cad ue THE RESCUE. WurLE poor Jockey Jack was receiving ade- 1e bor. P?% burial, at the hands of his friends at ns ago }2cky Glen Station, Little Grit was flying for he {228 the moonlit, trail, the ciatter of the iron- a pas- 10d hoofs of his horse the only sound that ht that ??ke the deatblike stillness that rested upon md the © Scenes through which he flitted like a phan- m rider, _ Lit- | Mile after mile was cast behind by the swift nd the 4 tireless Flash, who ran with neck stretched rry to #t 8nd at a pace that few horses could equal, ist my hile his master sat Jike a statue in his small ddle, his eyes peering into the misty distance ‘intend (¢@4, to spy out any danger that might be nd Boy ‘king in his pathway. 1 look \4t length Flash swept over the ridge of a Sorat bill, that marked fifteen miles from Rocky entered (°”, 40d before bim a short distance, lay the ’shorse [CY cabin of the stock-tender, where Little t expected fo change horses for the next to her 7° 4 dash across prairie-land of six leagues. he had |. hy, Benton is up late to-night; doubtless 80, but. "ing a game of cards with somebody that is own |° 2Yopped in,” said Little Grit, as a light in bin-window caught his eye. wile 1€ next minute he dashed up to the low 1g rintlas pprmhnnag 4 ona ele met piger oe Wide sii! pete ae uae “ MANE NN EUS tay B27 t Little Grit the Wild Rider. there for the Pony Riders, standing hitched outside, while angry voices were heard within. As he came to a halt, a loud cry was heard within, and then came in piercing tones: ** Jockey Jack, help me! save me!” “Jockey Jack are dead, gal, an’ yer yells in vain.” This last was said in a gruff voice, and the one who called for help Little Grit knew to be the stock-tender’s daughter, a pretty girl of eighteen. In an instant he had dismounted, and revol- ver in hand, was advancing to the cabin en- trance, when he again heard in the same rude tones: ‘“T knows yer has gold dust heur, gal, -so give it, or yer’ll suffer as did yer daddy.” **T tell you I know not of any gold here, and my father would have given it up, rather than be murdered; oh! what shall I do?’ With the last word Little Grit stepped into the room, and a thrilling scene met his gaze, for two rough-looking men held in their grasp Bessie Benton, the pretty daughter of the stock- tender, and in front of her stood a burly ruf- | fian with a rope end in his hand, and which was passed over a beam in the cabin, and around the girl’s neck. To the same beam, swinging to and fro, and with blackened and ghastly face, hung the form of a mav, whom the youth recognized as Dan Benton, the stock-tender, while ransacking some boxes and chests in the bumble cabin, were four more of the band, whom Little Grit knew to be outlaws. “We has kilt Jockey Jack, gal, strung yer father up, an’ up you'll go, ef yer don’t tell us whar ther gold dust are hid, for we is goin’ ter work ther whole line o’ trail now,” and the apparent leader of the outlaws gave the rope a pull, until it tightened painfully around the neck of the maiden. But it was the last act of his life, for, re- gardless of consequences, Little Grit drew trigger and the man sprung into the air with a shriek, and fell upon the floor a corpse. But quickly followed two more shots, and down went one of the men who were holding Bessie Benton, while the other let go his hold and clapped his hands to his head with a howl of rage and pain. “Come, Bessie, here!’ shouted Little Gric, and in the dense smoke the girl saw a slender form glide to her side, and though the other outlaws now fired at random from their corner, she felt herself borne to the door, andthe next instant was out in the pure air. am “‘Quick, Bessie, spring on the best horse of your lot and ride like the wind and warn them at Rocky Glen,” cried Little Grit, as he forced the maiden through the stockade’gate and out among the horses, “‘And you, Little Grit?” asked the girl. “Till go on Jockey Jack’s run; quick, for those devils are coming,” and he almost threw Bessie upon the nearest horse, and cutting loose the halter gave her the end. “Hold on thar! we is coming,” came in stern tones from the cabin, and the door, which Little Grit had closed behind him, was thrown open, and out dashed four outlaws. “Go, for God’s sake, Bessie!” shouted the Wild Rider. “T will not leave you in danger, Little Grit,” was the determined response. “Tam going, now!” and the youth struck her horse a violent blow, just as several shots came from the outlaws, and startled the fright- ened animals fastened to the fence. Away darted the horse with Bessie, and with a shot in response, Little Grit threw him- self upon the back of Flash, and with a defiant shout darted away. “‘Tt’s the Wild Rider! foller’ him, pards,” yelled an outlaw. ee ‘* No, let him go, for he’s a-ridin’ toward ther river; come, cotch ther gal, or she’ll rouse ’em ‘yo “ocky Glen,” replied another, and two men rus, © out and mounting in hot haste Bessie Benton. salt yg) yr cole . os ibe As young Instantly Little Grit halted, and gazing back watched the chase for an instant, and then said in a joyous tone: ** As luck would have it, I mounted her upon a fleet horse, for she is dropping them; now, Flash, old fellow, there is double work ahead of you, but I cannot spare you; come, show your mettile,” As if understanding the words of his young master, Flash darted off like a bird, and once more the Wild Rider was dashing along the moonlif trail, having lost just five minutes at . Dan Benton’s stockade; but ere he had gone a dozen rods, he halted and turned back, saying firmly : “TU risk it !” CHAPTER VIII. THE PHANTOM RIDER. WuHeEn Little Grit struck the horse, upon which Bessie Benton was mounted, she was compelled to go and leave the brave youth, whether she cared to or not, and realizing that he knew best what she “should do, and that he was fully capable of taking care of himself, she urged the animal on rapidly up the trail leading to Rocky Glen. But she had not gone far before she dis- covered that she was pursued, and at once she felt anxiety for her personal safety, as she knew how cruel bad been her foes, and the hanging form of her father was before her eyes, in all its horrid ghastliness. Encouraging her horse to greater speed she soon felt assured that she was mistress of the situation, as he ran along easily and gained steadily, although her pursuers were pressing their steeds with whip, spur and shouts. As if seeing how utterly useless the chase was the two men gave it up, but yet Bessie Benton continued her rapid flight until she came to a narrow canyon, where she lessened the speed of her horse for an instant, and then, with a startled cry came to a sudden halt, while with staring eyes she gazed before her _ upon: 4% object that stood in her path. Jusu'' where ‘a few mconbeams struggled through the foliage, and fell into the canyon were a horse and rider, ov phantoms. Asnow-white. steed, standing as motionless © as though carvéd in marble, and a rider. that was clad in a gauzy material sat in her saddle, for it was a woman, and .eemed gezing intent- ly at the maiden who had invaded the dark re treat. ; “Tt is the Ph*ntom Rider! the Spirit of the Canyon!” cried Ressie i: dismay, and in ter. ror she turned té and, as if also startled afi the strange appaistion her horse sped away at fearful speed, ai’, unguided by his rider, turned into a trai‘ running along the ridge of the hill. As she gained the path, where the fev? sirsg- gling trees did not okstruce une view, Bessie Benton glanced ever her shoulder with a shud- der, to see if she was followed, and a cold chill seemed creeping ever her heart, as she beheld the Spirit of the Canyon coming rapidly on in chase.., Aa; - “Fly! oh fly!good horse,” shé cried anx- icusly, and she long end of the jbalter serving no & Wiip, she .ashed the flying animal savage- ly, and smarting with pain he increased his speed, and bounded along at a pace that was dangerous in the extreme, considering the na- ture of the trail. “She is gaining upon me, and yet I cannot hear the hoof-falls,” said Bessie, ,and she strained her ears to catch the sound; but her own horse made such a loud clatter as his iron shoes struck the loose recks and flinty ground, that it seemed to, drown all other noise, and — she felt that it was-her imagination ouly that caused ber to think that the white teed be- hind her was gliding silently along rather ihau «ee _ lat running. tb At last, unable'‘to stand this uspense any — longer, she suddenly drew hard on the halter and brought her horse to a stand-still, = ous , « ie a - «a Ay tt |
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i 2 ‘ : while her eyes were riveted upon the coming phantom-like steed and rider. No, not a sound did she hear, not the ring of iron, or heavy stroke of a hoof; the strange animal was coming silently and swiftly on. Once more, with renewed terror, Bessie rode on, almost reeling from her seat as she felt that she was being pursued by creatures of a super- natural nature, and at last she became so un- nerved that her horse took his own course, and unguided by her, fled down hillside, through valley, aud over level plateaus at his own free _ will. « But as he ran each moment his speed de- creased, and the maiden felt that ere long he would fail her, And what then? Alone in those wild solitudes with a being she felt assured was /not of the earth, what would be her fate? She feared she would gomad with terror, for Mreaay there was an icy chill at her heart, and her brain was on fire. Aucther glance behind her she gave, just as her horse staggered out of the waters of a shal- low creek, and then she felt herself falling, and down upon the soft sward went steed and rider, and behind them came silently on the Spirit of the Canyon. One piercing shriek broke from Bessie’s lips and she knew no more. CHAPTER IX. JUST IN TIME, WuHen Little Grit turned back from his run on the express route, he suddenly gave a series of wild yells, repeating them so rapidly, and so changing his voice, that one who heard them would have believed half a score of men were coming. And so the twe outlaws that were pillaging the cabin of the man they had hanged did be- lieve, for they hastily took their departure, and were mounting their horses, just as the two who had pursued Bessie Benton rode up. ‘*They has wind o’ our doin’s, pards, so we’d better levant,” said one, and as the yells now reseunded hearer, and there came the echoes ck from a cliff not far away, they departed in haste, each man carrying with him a led horse from the station. 2 But hardly had they disappeared in‘ the spruce thicket, when Little Grit dashed up to the cabin, having been watching their de- parture. “Thank goodness they did not overtake Bes- sie, for she’ll soon reach Rocky Glen and the boys will make it hot for the outlaws. Now to see if it was imagination oggfy part,” and the youth entered the cabin and walked straight up to the suspended form of Dan Benton, the stock-tender. Pressing his head against his breast he listened for an instant, and then said quickly: bad con “*T was right: helives !” Quickly he cut the stock-tender down, un- bound his hands from behind his back, and commenced rubbing him to create circulation. But life seemed hard to bring back, and no “ eee) ey - , f , Little Grit, the Wild Rider. the news to the judge, that the Boy Bandit’s gang is tap- ping the stations and stealing the stock.” ‘* Bessie is a good, brave girl; but how is it I find you here, Wild Rider?” “Jockey Jack started with my express sachel, and came back dead in his saddle, and I am riding his trip, though I’m an hour be- hind tithe now, so will leave you, if you are all right again.” “Oh! I'm allright; see, I can sit up,” and with an effort he arose to his feet. He was a fine-looking man, with long beard and bair, and dressed in a miner’s suit of red shirt, black pants, top boots and sombrero, His face was strangely sad, but intelligent, and one seeing that he was a man of refinement and education, would wonder why he had sought that wild land, and heid the position of stock-tender to the Pony Express Company. “Boy, I owe you my life, for you saved me from death, and itis no idle boast for me to say that if necessary I would give it up to serve you; Iam a man of a few words, but I feel deeply, and Dan Benton will not forget this night.” “They strung you up because you would not tell where your gold was hidden; they must think the company pays stock-tenders a high salary,” said Little Grit, ‘to suspect that you could get rich here,” Dan Benton gave a piercing look into the boy’s face, and a strange expression hovered about his mouth, but he said quietly: “They did not get gold, that is certain; but do not let me detain you, Little Grit, for I know how you love to be punctual. *¢T will remain here until Bessie returns with the boys, but don’t you be rash and meet poor Jockey Jack’s fate.” ‘“‘T’ll be careful; there’s some stiffs to show the boys when they come,” and pointing to the dead outlaws he had slain, Little Grit with a light laugh left the cabin, and once more throwing himself into the saddle, darted away at the full speed of his noble horse, leaving Dan Benton standing before his door gazing earnestly after him, CHAPTER X. : THE AMBUSHED. REFRESHED by his rest at the cabin, Flash sped swiftly along over the stretch of level plain, that the trail led over after leaving Dan Benton’s station, and at last went over a rise in the prairie that would have given his rider a view of the next halting-place, had it been visible. Batffleappointed neigh from Flash, and an exclamation of surprise from Little Grit came in chorus, as instead of the cabin with its stockade wall surrounding it, but a heap of smoldering ruins was visible. ‘They have been here too, and poor Mus- tang Pete has doubtless been killed; yes, there he lies,” and drawing rein Little Grit, sprung to the ground and bent over a human form that lay motionless in bis path. It was a man clad half in buckskin, half in Mexican costume, and the moonlight showed several bullet wounds in his head, while a pis- tol was clasped with a death-gripe in his hand, showing that he had not died tamely. “Yes, it is Mustang Pete, and they have run the horses off, so Flash, old boy, you will have to make fifteen miles more, and over bad country too,” and Little Grit patted his horse affectionately; but a sudden start of the ani- mal caused him to be on his guard at once, and instantly he was in his saddle, his revolver in hand. This sudden move saved his life; for there came a flash from behind a part of the stock- ade that had not been burned, and a bullet whistled uncomfortably near. “Coward! that’s your game isit? Come out from your shelter and fight me like a man,” cried Little Grit, and, as he spoke again over the stockade appeared a dark object and once more came the flash and report of a rifle. But that instant had been enough for the quick eye of the youth, whose revolver also - 4 We gin vier " er , Wat y Ys rr, rung forth, the two reports sounding as on@; and a cry of pain following quickly. i | But the cry came not from Little Grit, wh spurred forward, unhurt by the bullet of bt 1 foe, to suddenly go down to the earth, as i 1 noble horse staggered and fell, the shot havi struck him instead of his rider. **Curse you! I knew I had not missed yo cried a hoarse voice, and a man sprung fr behind the stockade and rushed toward t prostrate youth. But as he bent above his supposed victim revolver was suddenly thrust into his face a he heard the unwelcome words: ‘You did miss me, you accursed assassin. | up with your hands!” | Up went one hand quickly above the he of the man, and again came the stern order: “The other hand, sir!” Sa “ Pard, I can’t do it; yer broke it with yin shot,” came the whining response. in “Then I did not miss you, I am glad | see,” and still covering the outlaw, Wild Rit! th arose from where he lay on his back and c¢ te fronted the now frightened prisoner, who cr out suddenly: “Lordy! you is ther Wild Rider!” wi ‘¢-Yes, so men call me; why did you s¢ye my life?’ ‘Didn't seek yer life, pard, but ther lif Jockey Jack, should he escape ther lads beye on ther trail.” . ‘He did not escape them, but J did,” ou “But this hain’t your run, Wild Rider,” )@n is 7 s f a Vv r a “Yes it is for tonight; so you wantedSPt rob the express, did you?” ib “Ther captain told me to lay for him.” Sait ‘¢ Captain who?’ : \wh “Captain Firebrand.” Pic “The Boy Bandit?” Sr, “That’s ther rooster. Lordy! but my 4¥° do hurt,” and the man winced with pain. 4 ‘You should have been saved suffering DOUS bullet through your heart.” ape “Now, pard, don't talk thet way.” BRS “Tl act, not talk, sir; now tell me, widar is Mustang Pete?” ou “Gone,” or * Where?” Vv ‘‘ Cashed in his checks.” ejo “ You killed him?” abl “Oh, no, not me, fer I are too tenderfod®@*¢ pard, ter hurt anybody.” ox “So you just proved by firing twice at hit Who killed him?” “Ther boys.” Full ‘¢ Some of your men?” ral ““-Yas, leetle pard.” and ‘“‘And burned the station and ran off Tou stock?’ ho “‘ Gospil, pard.” eigl Rider?’ ‘ ““Yer has it down fine.” “Well, yeu've beouw caught in your trap, but as Pve left my mark on you not kill you as you deserve.” “T are bleeding free, pard.” “‘T don’t wish you to bleed to death; let me see your wound.” The youth drew the sleeve from the JOCK the man groaning with pain, and saw tha® 5" bullet had cut an ugly wound in the flesk3/anc below the shoulder, and that the bon is SJ ‘And you were left here to await Ur en ight t prur rid] f th der han; “ce C broken, “‘T will bandage your arm, and the can hasten to your stronghold, and let comrades care for you; where is your h It ‘‘ Over in the timber, pard.” ng ‘(Ts he a good animal?’ peyon “ He are for a fact.” ame, “Then I shall take him and continue of® 78 run.” ce “ , { ee pard, what is yer goin’, Ww ‘an Ww hin jhe “ Your life.” oles ““Mankee; I’m obleeged to yer; I be cause ter grumble.” 4 M “Tam glad you are pleased,” and Aut bound up the wounded arm he cont “Now come and show me where your x See ry 7 i!) OT we
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A Pes ee =F ape eet ban pt aot, La tS ae Ra a Little Grit, the Wild Rider. | i bl: arma “4s, and then, if you value life, you had better as on@make tracks, for the boys from Rocky Glen will be along this way soon.” it, wh of BH makin’ such a big thing o’ the strike along ther , as line ter-night.” havi “They have done enough to keep them in remembrance, you can be assured,” and un- strapping his saddle and leather express sachel from his dead horse, and patting bim affection- ately, Little Grit turned to go with the outlaw, a you g fr ard t when he looked squarely into the muzzle of a | ‘ictim} revolver, and heard in triumphant tones: ‘ace al “‘ Leetle pard, I’m guessin’ I’fl keep my hoss, ) an’ trouble yer fer them ’spress bags.” assin. | q CHAPTER XI. he he THE LEAP FOR LIFE. rder:/ “I was a fool to trust.a wounded snake,” said Little Grit, withan air of almost reckless with indifference at the position he found himself in, glad} “‘ You takes it coolly; but when I tells yer ld Rit'thet thar is a price offered for you, an’ I in- and cd tends ter win it, I guesses you'll wilt.” rho cri ‘‘ Well, what are you going todo with me?’ “Carry yer ter ther Boy Bandit, our chief, who fer some reason 0’ his own, wants ter see you s¢yer durned bad.” | “Well, let us be off; what shall I do?” er lifé ‘‘ March ahead o’ me, leetle pard, fer close to ads bayer comp’ny are mighty dangersome,” ‘ ” ler.” vante an unlucky move on his part, for with the spring of a tiger the youth was upon him, and \his gripe of iron held the weapon, while he Said in the same tone of seeming indifference which he had before used: “ Turn about is fair play; now make tracks, jsir, or ’' repent and break your head asI have ; my your arm.” ain. “Which way, leetle pard?” asked the thor- ring doughy alarmed man. , “North, south, east of west, but go!” , “Jist watch me!” and away the outlaw ne, whdarted, most anxious to get out of range of the “neeety pistol and expecting a shot in his back, or he felt that he deserved it. | With a light laugh at the man’s haste, and ejoicing at baving so cleverly turned the ables against his foe, Little Grit took up his dle once more and started at a quick trot x half lowered his revolver; but it was m. ”? derfo or the thicket, in which he found a long-bodied | ice at White horse hitched to a sapling. “Holy smoke! it is my own horse, Prairie Full, they stole from me some months ago; nal ha! old horse, have I got you once more; | und the boy threw his arms affectionately an off round the neck of the truly splendid animal, | ho recognized his young master with low | eighs of delight. await) Unhitching him, and taking off the accouter- nents of the outlaw, Little Gkit threw his own ight saddle upon the back of Prairie Gull, and your /Prug upon his back, and away dashed the you ridleless horse spinning along from the scene f the burned station, and proving to his young der that he had not been injured by his short leath; hange of masters, One hour and forty-five minutes behind n the Jockey Jack’s schedule time,” he said, drawing | sw tha® Small gold watch from his pocket, and 16 fles Jancing at the time by the moonlight, while @ hangs spend horse, seemingly rejoicing to be peain flying along under the express sachels, 1 them ®® with a speed that hurled the miles rapidly nd jet 2ehind him, our hot 1# was a rough piece of road between Mus- lang Pete’s station, and the one fifteen miles yond, but Prairie Gull seemed worthy of his ame, and oyer hill, lowland, and down dale tinue of® Tan with the same ease and swiftness, his 100fs seeming hardly to touch the ground. in? Presently there arose a hill before them that } “jhe Wild Rider knew would give him a view f the station ahead, and he peered anxiously I jorward, while a shout broke from his lips as ’ pe saw that it still stood and that the outlaws end a not yet visited it. ’ Testi But, as he looked he saw far down in the © yor r " * 1 ; me : Ba ta a to “You don’t say! then our pards hain’t been | Little Grit turned, as if to obey, and the | | lowlands on his right, a group of horsemen coming on at a gallop, the station evidently being their destination. ‘Qn, Gull, on! we must save old Barney,” he cried, and encouraged by the words of his rider Prairie Gull seemed to fairly fly, and ina few moments dashed up to the stockade. ‘*Quick, Barney! the outlaws are striking the stations, so get out your stock and strike for the hills,” shouted Little Grit, as he dis- mounted from his panting horse, and seized upon one of the animals in the pen, and which | he knew to be a fast runner. “Waal, waal! what’s ther mather afther bein’?’ cried a voice with a tinge of the | Emerald Islein it, and Barney the stock-tender came hustling out of the cabin, his rifle in ) hand, | **The outlaws are raiding the Pony Stations; Jockey Jack’s been killed and I’m riding for him; Mustang Pete’s dead and his cabin in ashes, and yonder up the valley come'a gang for you, Barney,” said the Wild Rider rapidly. | ‘*I’m damned if they gets me, my foine boy, or ther critters either, for I’m off with ther four legs ter cnst,” answered the old Irishman, and throwing his saddle and bridle on his favorite nag, and taking a few things out of his cabin, he mounted and rode out of the stockade, just as the half dozen horsemen came in sight, not two hundred yards away. ‘“How’s: Leatherlegs’s wind, Barney?” called out Little Grit. ‘¢ Good as a hound’s, youngster.” “Then I'll give those fellows a check, and you'll have more time to escape.” “You're a brave young ’un, mavourneen,” said Barney, and he dashed up the canyon near the cabin, while Little Grit, with loud cries darted directly toward the advancing horse- men. Instantly they came to a halt, and then | quickly sought the cover of a clump of trees, until they, saw that the boy was alone, and then they charged forth to meet him, firing their revolvers as they came. Little Grit would have wheeled and ridden on up the pony trail; but he suddenly realized that he did not have one of his own well-trained horses under him, that he had taught to run without a bridle, and with regret he saw that Leatherlegs would not turn back at his corh- mand. “Well, go right through, brute,” he cried, and with a revolver in each hand and a loud . yell, he spurred right into the midst of the horse- men, There were rapid shots fired, a fall of a man and a horsé,.loud curses, shouts,and then a ringing cry, as the Wild Rider, unhurt dashed on. ‘The Wild Rider !” The cry rung out loud from the lips of an outlaw who had recognized him, and, unmind- ful of their fallen comrade, the party started in pursuit, a dismounted man, whose horse had been killed, following on the steed of his slain companion. “Now show your heels, you devil!” said Little Grit grimly, and he sunk his spurs into Leatherlegs in no pleasant humor, and after wished to go, though he was now far off the regular Pony Express Trail, stubborn, and darted up a mountain path, that Little Grit knew terminated abruptly at a cliff that overhung the deep river, fifty feet beneath. “Great God! he’ll kill us both,” cried Wild Rider; but looking behind and seeing that ‘his pursuers were pressing him hard, ke continued ‘ on up the hillside, “T was a fool not to bridle him, that I might break his jaw,” muttered the youth, as the flying animal, having gained the summit, sped along the rocky ridge with frightful rapidity. in broken limbs, if not instant death, and the youth knew that there was but one way to get | ‘Don’t pity me, for I deserve not the p But Leatherlegs, from sheer fright, seemed’ hard work turned him in the direction he | - she said earnestly, while now fully recove To spring off among the rocks would result { she arose to her feet: down the mountain, and that was by the path he had come, and behind him, not sixty yards, came the outlaws in hot chase. No, there was another way—off the cliff to the river below.” “Tt is fifty good feet, but Tl risk it,” he muttered through his teeth. But us he settled himself well for the leap Leatberlegs began to slacken his pace, as if well knowing what was before him. “Qn! on! you brute! you shall not fail me again,” cried the boy, and he drove the spurs into the flanks of the steed, and with shouts urged hifh again into a full run. But again the frightened horse slackened his speed to once more spring forward with a snort of rage aud pain, as he felt the keen point of the youth’s knife pricking his back. “Aha! I am master now, if I drive you to kill us both,” said the youth, and as the cliff, barren of trees and jutting out over the river, came in view, he added: “Our trail lies on the other bank, old horse, and you'll have saved ten miles by the jump; if you do not take us both to death.” And again the horse slackened, but again did knife, spur and shout urge him on, and with a frantic snort be bounded into the air and took the mighty leap, while, horrified at the act, the outlaws drew rein suddenly and uttered loud exclamations of amazement and admiration, Once free from the cliff, and Leatherlegs drew himself up in a heap and with his fearless rider sitting upright in his saddle went down like a rock, and the outlaws heard the loud report as he struck the river. Down beneath the dark waters sunk steed and rider, and for what seemed a long time the river closed above them; but then up above the surface they came, and as the splendid animal, unhurt, but frantic with fright, struck out for the shore the outlaws heard the ring- ing shout that came from the triumphant youth, and hastening to the cliff gazed upon him as he sped along on the trail, his mocking laughter rebounding with many an echo from the rocks. CHAPTER XII. THE SPIRIT OF THE CANYON. I wILt now return to the heroine of my story, pretty Bessie Benton, who my _ kind reader will remember was thrown heavily to the ground, and who lay unconscious on the green sward, as the Spirit of the Canyon rode up. Had Bessie not been insensible, she would have seen a slender form, graceful and lithe, spring quickly from the back of her snow- white steed, and approaching her, bend above her, *‘ Poor girl, I hope she is not injured; but I was determined’ to capture her,” said a soft voice, and, as she passed her hands rapidly over the form of the prostrate girl, she added: | “No bones are broken, and I will soon re- store her to consciousness,” Naira Diligently she set to work, and presently ~ Bessie awoke from insensibility to find bending ~ over her a face of rare beauty, yet with a stern look that seemed out of place upon the || fair features. WS She was clad in white, her rebe was loose and flowing, and a vail of gauzy material, en- circled her head, and could be drawn at will across her face, giving her a ghastly appea ance, ; Noticing Bessie start and shrink from her, BY she said quickly: Va “Do not fear me, for I will not harm you.” ~ “Who are you?” asked Bessie in a low tone, — ‘ An outcast.” : Ma The tone was bitter, the word had a dis- agreeable sound, and it brought pity rather — than fear from the stock-tender’s daughter, for _ **T am sorry for you.”
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Little Grit, t aad - ek. Seis e W Maer of the good and pure; you are Bessie Benton, I ' believe?” “ Yes. ” “Your father is Daniel Benton, a stock-ten- der for the Pony Express Company?’ “* He is.” ‘““Why does he remain in this wild land?’ iy ‘* He is poor, and sought here to make a liy- ing for bimself and child.” es “« & living on the poor pittance he receives i>, as stock-tender?”’ a “Tt is sufficient for our wants.” **Ts he not a miner too?” Se ‘Veos.” i ** And has found gold?” “No, he has been particularly unfortunate in, his gold-digging.” We “¢ Are you certain?” es # You,” Fs; ‘Girl, would you lie to me?” and the strange he =" woman laid her hand upon Bessie’s arm. ey “‘ How dare you, because you are false your- fi self, accuse me of wrong?’ said Bessie indig- ne nantly. hie “Pardon me: I deserve your rebuke, and I Bi: believe you: but it is strange that a man of te edueation, such as I know your father to be, ie and who has a daughter whose beauty would make her a belle in any land, should remain in this wild country, throwing away his time for Se a few dollars a month.” BS, **-You know him then?” asked Bessie quick- (hea ly. ‘Yes, I have met him.” ley “He hopes to find gold, which will enable him to return home again and live in comfort.” “Why came he-here?’ Bessie did not reply, and the woman again asked: “ Why did he come to this wild land?” “ Misfortune brought him here.” Are you sure?” a Yes. ” *-7¢ was not crime that drove him here?” Do you insult me because you have the power?” Ke “Forgive me again: if your father is not ' the pauper he seems, and if he is a criminal, hiding from justice, I believe you do not know it; but I am forced to take you with me.” wee Whither?” “Where do you think?’ After a moment of hesitation, Bessie re- _ plied: ' , “ It is said that you are the ghost of a lady - who was murdered in the Haunted Canyon, some years ago; but my good sense causes me ' to laugh at the superstition.” aga “Then why did you fly from me?’ “J will tell you; the bandits came to my _ father’s house, and because he would not give his gold, which they said he had, up to them, they hanged him, and—” “Do you mean this?” quickly asked the wo- Man. . :‘* Yes.” ) _. “He was hanged before your eyes?” rh “Yes,” “And is dead?” >» = “Alas! I left him hanging to a beam in our cabin, while I started for Rocky Glen Sta- tion,” in ‘For what purpose?” i) ._‘*To rouse the miners to avenge him,” was an the almost savage reply. / “And you were there alone with your fa- ther when the bandits came?’ “ee Yes. ” _ “Who led them?” “ A man they called Pet,” _* Ah, he is a pet of Satan.” * You know him then?” “Yes: but how did you escape from him?” 'fhe Wild Rider dashed up—” Oy “ Ah y? * “Just as the man, Pet, ordered his follow- % to hang me, as they had my father, for ‘they head the rope around my neck.” ' ‘And this Wild Rider rescued you?” * “He came into the cabin, and single-handed $ oy; ed them, released me, and putting me on a horse sent me to Rocky Glen Station for help.” ‘‘- Your station is not on his line of run?’ ‘“‘No, not now that he has taken the longer run which broke the other riders down.” ‘‘Were they not a little afraid of me, the Spirit of the Canyon?’ ‘‘T think so; but Little Grit did not fear you.” ; ‘‘He fears nothing; and he has gone on along the trail?” ‘ss Yes,” “Tf he escapes death he bears a charmed life, for I tell you frankly the stations for fifty miles are to be raided to-night.” ‘‘How know you this?” “T have a way of finding out,” was the significant reply. “And yet, being a woman, you did not warn them of danger?” indignantly asked Bes- sie. “Tt was not to my interest to do ‘so,” was the quiet response, “ How mean you?” “Tama member of the Mountain Bandits.” ‘c“VYoul" ; “ Yes, am I not vile enough to be anything?” was tne bitter question, “Thad not suspected you of this: I have heard of the Spirit of the Canyon for a long time, but believed the Pony Riders were governed by their superstitious fancies, until Wild Rider said he saw you.” “Yes, I tried to frighten him one night, but he gave chase at once, and I barely escaped him.” “But I cannot believe you belong to. the Mountain Bandits.” «“ How e’se could I live in this wild region?” “T know not; but I had not believed that of you.” “T told you I was wicked; but come, you are my prisoner.” ‘«‘ A prisoner to the Bandits?’ asked Bessie, in alarm. :, “Yes; but I pledge you no harm shall «be- fall you.” ; “You are but a woman, and what will they care for your word of command?” s¢ You shall see; come!” “Oh, do let me go, for oh! I am so very wretched.” “You entreat in vain; you are aprize that may be found most valaable to me, but again I pledge you my word that no harm shall be- fall you.” , Bessie buried her face in her hands and burst into tears, and looked up only when she felt a light touch upon her arm.’ ; Tt was the Spirit of the. Canyon, and by her side stood her snowy steed, and then the mai- den saw the secret of the noiseless hoof-falls among the rocks. ’ His hoofs were muffled, and his tread gave back no sound. CHAPTER XIII. THE STOCK-TENDER’S STORY. ie Rocky GLEN was a scene of considerable ex- citement, shortly after noon on the day follow- ing the eventful night that opens my story, for much had transpired, even in that lund of wild adventure and strange-scenes, to arouse the rude denizens of that border retreat. Knowing by long and frequent experience that it would be impossible to overtake the Boy Bandit and bis men, after Little Grit had come in and reported the pursuit of himself and Helen Hewlett, the miners had passed the night in gambling and discussing the advisability of raising a force of Vigilantes to hunt to death the curses of the Overland. Had poor Bessie Benton arrived with her sad story, the entire population of Rocky Glen would have been up in arms, and over a hun- dred horsemen would have taken the trail at once; but the reader will remember, that the maiden had been run down by the Spirit of the Canyon, and could not bear the tidings to the station. At dawn the gamblers sought rest, but a few ild Rider. hours after they were up again, when the vi Se news flew around that a train was coming into / the hamlet, and Colonel Hewlett and his party, found a curious crowd to greet them, as they rode‘up to the Riders’ Rest, “Ah, colonel, glad to see you back, sir,” said the hospitable host of the tavern. “Thank you, sir; I bave come so ask for quarters for myself and daughter for a few days, as a courier has just overtaken me with orders to establish a new post, or fort, in this vicinity, and 1 stall at once select a site, for I am anxious to put down, the lawlessness on this y border.” ‘You will find it no easy task, colonel, as crime ‘is deep-rooted here; but I can give you fair .accommodations,; and plenty to eat, as long as yourself and daughter are my guests. “You look a little pale after your adventure last night, Miss Héwlett,” and the judge ushered his guests into their rooms, the best two in the rambling, one-storied tavern. Half an hoursafter the wagons were corraled on a piece of meadow-land, the soldiers, a small battalion, were encamped on the banks of a pleasant stream) and with the few emi- grants that had come West with the train, to find new homes, the settlement of Rocky Glen presented a most stirring scene, and the gam- | bling element, at the head of whom was the Kid Glove Sport, flattered themselves that they [ . ) ‘would now have some pigeons to pluck of their golden feathers. After the noonday dinner at the Riders’ Rest, the idle denizens of Rocky Glen were wont to assemble upon the natural lawn in front of the tavern fora smoke and gossip, and as many had not gone to work that day, in the mines and at their various other duties, there con- sequently had gathered a large crowd to dis- cuss the late arrivals, the building of the new post, and other topics in which the settlers were interested. “T, tell yer, pardsgthet ‘Boy Bandit an’ his gang is going to find it interestin’ fer ’em now ther sogers bes comed an’ we hesa larger com- | munity o’ folks,” said Trumps; removing bis Indian pipe from his* mouth, and. Jooking around upon the crowd as though he bad just made some very wise remark. ‘‘T-dunno, Trumps, ef he are or not, for he’s ascreamer, an’ nobody’s get clutch on him yet, an’ it’s seldom any o’ his pards is tuke in out o’ ther wet,” responded Bony: Bob. “They does say nobody knows who’s ‘ther gang, for it can turn out. at times over half a hundred men, an’ I has allus noticed when they was raidin’ in force, thet fellows round heur were mighty scarce.” -“You don’t mean to assert, Trumps, that any of our citizens here are secret members of the Boy Bandit’s band?’ said the Kid Glove Sport, removing a cigar from between his lips, with his daintily gloved hand, and looking fixedly into the miner’s face. ‘“*T does say as how thet thar were a thinnin’ out o’ folks in Rocky Glen, both times the Boy Bandit made a grand raid on ther south- ern trails; why you wasn’t heur yerself, Kid Gloves, ary time.” * Am Ito understand that you mean to im- ply that J being absent from here at the times. you speak of, am a secret member of the Boy . Bandit’s band?” and the Kid Glove Sport arose and his eyes burned menacingly. ‘-I¢ ther shoe I gi’n yer fits, my festive pard, yer kin jist put it on an wear it,” was Trumps’s cool reply; but before an angry retort could be made by the Kid Glove Sport, &@ man sud- denly appeared in their midst, and from his lips came the trembling words: ‘‘Men, my child, have you seen her?” It was Daniel Benton, and his face was hag- gard, white and stamped with both mental and bodily pain, while around his neck were the cruel marks of the lariat with which he ha been strnug: up the nivht Devore. , ’ “Yer chila, zor gai, Dan; whar is she?” asked Trumps quickly turniig to the stock- tender, whd was well known at Rocky Glen. “Yes, Trumps, she started for this place last — 4A A whites Bees amet ane —— oe Be gee
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i: Peas Nm eta tind 6p Tes RWEAAL: at, Sr Jat Bie i = ie i nig i ges % : es Little Grit, the Wild Rider. . ; , 9 “night to tell you all of the outrages the bandits : ““Howly Moses!.is it a wake yez is afther | all as he came toward them, Prairie Gull reek- were committing along the line: where is she?” | going to?” he cried, gazing around him. ing with foam, the flanks red, and the pant- eagerly said the sorrowing father, ‘Yes, Barney, if you will find us the corpse | ing nostrils showing how bard had been the “Yes, they captured Miss Hewlett, the | andthe whisky,” answered the Kid Glove Sport. | race. daughterof the officer who has come to build ‘Faith and I will find yez the’ corpus, but ‘‘ How in thunder was he afther gittin’ thet the new fort, and Little Grit had a brush with | divil a bit o’ poteen do yez get out o’ me, for | hoss o’ his?’ cried Barney; but before reply them, and then started to ride Jockey Jack’s | me throat is falin’ now asthough I’d swallowed | could be made, Little Grit drew rein in their run, as they had killed that poor fellow,” said | a cat an’ drug him out by ther tail, an’ it’s a | midst and sprung to the ground at the tavern eo - ee Judge Hunter coming forward. wee drop I nade before I can say a worrud.” door, while another ringing cheer greeted ‘Alas! that is not all they have done, I tell ‘*And what have you to say, Barney?” | him. ‘ you; Little Grit’came to my cabin to find me | asked Judge Hunter, coming forward with a ‘* Welcome back, my boy; Barney has told q strung up to a beam, and my daughter about | bottle and tin cup-in his hand, us of the leap from the cliff, and you are in- i to be served the same way, because we would **Tll be afther sp’akin’ ina minute, joodge; | deed the Wild Rider of the Border,” cried not tell where we hid our gold; but that brave | ah! blissid drap o’ the critter, thet refrishes me | Judge Hunter, grasping the youth by the lad boldly attacked the half-dozen bandits, res- | in’ards, now I kin find the tongue o’ me.” hand. cued Bessie, and sent her bere to give warning, ‘Well, speak quick, for there are stirring Though haggard-looking, dust-covered and and frightening off the outlaws, he cut me} rumors abroad, and the men are anxious to | evidently greatly fatigued, Little Grit had not down ere I died, and I owe him my life, start on the trail of the bandits;’ said the | lost his nerve, and said, pleasantly: “T waited, my friends, a long time, and | judge. “T thank you, my friends, for the greeting then as none of you. came, I grew anxious “Stirring ramors! well, I’d be afther sayin’ | you give me, andlam glad to see that you about my\child, and have come on foot all the | that same mesilf, fer ther bandits, is preparin’ | are ready for the trail, for the tenders and way here to seek her, for alas! what bas be- | corpses fer a dozen wakes; yer see, gintlemin, | stock have been driven from three of the fallen her?’ and the stock-tender gazed anx- | I’m a stock-tinder three stations beyant here, | stations, and the bandits are abroad in force, fously around the crowd. an’ I was a-wonderin’ last night regardin’ ther | as I sent you word by Bessie Benton last ‘Your pretty daughter has not, come here, | delay: o’ Jockey Jack, whin up dashed thet | night.” . Benton, so harm must have befallen her, and | Wild Rider o’ Satin, Little Grit, an’ he shouts “But my child never care, Little Grit; she » [| will lead to her rescue, if the boys will | out thet I'd better skip to ther mountains, as | has been captured or killed,” said Dan Benton, |, follow. Ho! pards, to the rescue of pretty | ther, bandits was afther coming, an’ I till yez, | riding forward and addressing the youth, who : Bessie Benton,” and the Kid Glove Sport waved | gintlemin, I did thet same, with my stock, | exclaimed: ) his hat around his head, and a bundred voices | while thet yoong divil a-hossback, juiped on ‘‘She did not reach Rocky Glen, you say?” : shouted a glad response to follow him, thet Satin o’ ther crib, Litherligs, an’ charged ‘NT o?? r ther bandits, : ‘Then she has been taken, and it is the duty CHAPTER XIV. * “Will, I says, from ther narrer path av | of all men here to go to her rescue.” a AN IMPORTANT ARRIVAL. _| ther hill, thet he wint right over thim—an’ * We were about setting forth on that duty O THE excitement of the Rocky Glen settlers | some wint down, an’ thin he turned Litherligs | when your arrival detained us, boy,” said the e at the story of the stock-tender was in- | fer ther hill, an’ says Ito mesilf, says I, ‘thet | Kid Glove Sport, and Trumps spoke up y tense for a, few moments, for Bessie Benton | boy is afther bein’ gone now, Wild Rider thet | quickly: § was well known there, and her bright eyes had | he is.’ ““Don’t call Little Grit boy, Kid Gloves, for Ae pierced.many a brave heart with love arrows, | “‘ Will, gintlemin, I was a liar, fer he wint | he are a man clean through.” s- and one and all were most anxious to aid in | along ther cliff pathway, as I seen from ther “ He’s a boy who has too much to.say for 0 AEN ber capture, for, if she had not fallen into the | mountain above, an’ when..Lithebligs wanted | one of his years,” retorted the Gambler. — , rs hands of the bandits, what had befallen her? ter stop, knowin’? what was afore him, he jist “ And one day V’ll have something to say to Forgetting his angry words with Trumps, | lit upon ther baste with spur an’ yill, an’ over | you, Grey,” said Little Grit, with a flash in , is the Kid Glove Sport asked that big-hearted | thet cliff he wint!” his eyes, and turning to the young lieutenant ~ Ww _ miner to aid him in forming a search party, “Great God| Little Grit dead?’ cried Judge | he continued, unnoticing the hum that went m- | and within half an hour’s time fifty men had | Hunter, while +e ae ea of horror and re- | around at his words to the Gambler, nis assembléd before the Riders’ Rest, all of them | gret arose on alll sides, “I have ridden Jockey Jack’s circuit, sir, ng mounted and well armed, and at their head “Did! who said the boy was di’d?” asked | and shall at once start on my own and report Ast was Gambler Grey, Trumps, and Daniel Ben- | Barney. 4 r what harm, if any, has been done to the nofths n, who, in spite of his long run on foot, and “He rode over the Jacob’s Ladder cliff, you | now three Pony Stations are’ without stock, 10's ' his sufferings, insisted upon going, and had | said,” x erig the Kid Glove Sport, but I went to the hilJs, where Barney’s horses Lim. been furnished with one of the Pony Express * And so did he, but he’s not di'd, nor even | are dnd got Prairie Gul], or I could not have in horses by Judge Hunter. hurted,” made the run as [I did,” Just as they were about to start, a young ‘Hoorah! Hoorah! for Little Grit,” yelled “Do you mean, Little Grit, that you her and handsome Lieutenant of Cavalry rode up, | Trumps, andthe cheers were given with a | bave made Jockey Jack’s full run there and Ifa _ and said politely; ' will, back?’ asked the judge. hen “Gentlemen, Colonel Hewlett has learned of |» “No, gintlemin, the Litherligs struck tho ‘Yes, sir, and am on time, though I met und your proposed expedition, and has ordered me | wather same as ef he bu’st open, an’ they wint | with considerable detention,” answered the to take thirty men and accompany you, and | | under thergither, an’ says I to mesilf, says J, | youth with a quiet smile of triumph. that > would advise that half of my cavalrymen go | ‘They hes gono to ther divil, now.’ “‘T should think so,” and turning to the 3 of _ with your leader, and half of your party. with “‘But it was afther bein’ a lie T will have to | officer, the judge continued: love me.” * | ask fergiveness for, a8 they comed up beautiful, “Lieutenant, this young man left here thirty - lips, The Kid Glove Sport frowned a little. at this | ther Wild Rider gived a yill, an’ thin laughed | six hours ago on his run, ninety miles and king proposition; but seemingly thinking it best not | as ef he'd enj’yed the bath, an? away wint | back, and when he arrived last night, and to act against the military, he replied: Litherligs along ther trail, having cut off many.| Jockey Jack was killed, he made his trip, and nnin? “T command this party, sir, and will accede | a mile by the joomp. is back,on time, and you have heard what he - the to the colonel’s wishes, thoagh I do not think ** Will, gintlemin, I hid ther stock in ther | has gone through with,” outh- such a large force necessary, as the bandits | mountains till nixt day, an’ thin comed back “He deserves the greatest credit, and I ~ , Kid efmnot possibly number over thirty men,’ ter find my home burnt, an’ I corrals ther | should advise that he seeks rest now,” respond. You know best, sir, as I am a stranger | horses an’ coomes on -here, ter find Mustang | ed Lieutenant Harold Trask, , 3 o im- here; but I have heard that the outlaw organi- | Pate di’d at his burnt cabin, an’ ther home 0’ “T muet start out at once, sir, on my run,” times. gation is a large one, and is commanded by a | Dan Binton there degarted o’ human an’ crit- | replied Little Grit, modestly. » Boy . boy who is a remarkable leader; here come | ter, ’ceptin’ a few dead corpuses,” “ But you cannot stand it.” arose _ my men, and the sergeant and fifteen men can ** And you have seen no bandits on the way?” “ Ah, sir, we pony riders are bardy fellows \ acoompany you, and you can assign me those | asked Gambler Grey. and can stand a great deal, and I must stand ard, < think best,” said the lieutenant politely, * Not the divil o’ one, ’ceptin’ ther di’d ones,” | this one, for there is no one to take my placey ymps’s | ough it was evident that he did not like the “ And no nothin’ of the Wild Rider?” but, boys, let me hear on my return that Bes- could gambler, for his manner and look said as *Divil a bit o’ that ridin’ imp, savin’ what_I | sieBenton has been rescued and her captors a gud- much, | | was afther tellin yezr bedad! listen to taim | punished.” ai tke The parties were then divided, Trumps’ and | huffs!” . “We'll string ’em up, Rider,” shouted _ twenty-five miners being assigned to the com-| All listened, and again came the clatter of | Trumps, © mand of the young and dashing lieutenant, and | hoofs coming along the rocky path through the TUensgood-by; come, Firefly, we must be 1s heg- the two squadrons were about to start on their | timber, and the next instant a wild’ yell burst | off.” and the stable boy having led his splendid tal and Separate trails of search, when the clatter of | from every throat, hats were waved, and pis- | viiek around, and changed the saddle from re the { hoofs resounded in the timber that covered a | tols discharged, for into full view ‘came Little | frairie Gull to his back, the ycuth mounted, _ he had -—- stant hill and the next instant there swept | Grit,the Wild Rider! | ' ‘nd waving his band, sped away on his long — tnto view a horseman coming at full speed. - \ run, while, the cheer that went after him hav- s she?” “Old Barney the stock-tender!’ cried CHAPTER XV, ing died away, Judge Hunter said in enthusk , stock- 4Paniel Benton, and all eyes were upon him as| ° THY DEPARTURES, | | astic tones: ai : y Glen. pame flying along the trail, and the next HAVING given vent to their wild enthusiasm} “If Wild Rider comes back op time to jace last gprant drew reip betore the tavern gous : upor |:aorcow he will have ridden nearly te vie yr 6 i te wer "he 1 ial ’
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a é i , oe 4 ad dred miles in fifty hours, and ridden thirty- five horses in doing so.”* “Come, we have no time to discuss the powers of endurance of boys; let us be off,” said the Kid Glove Sport, evidently annoyed at the praise bestowed upon the daring youth, and he rode on, followed by his squadron, while Lieutenant Harold Trask and his party struck off on another trail, which Trumps, who acted as guide, thought best for them to take. “God grant they be successful.” The soft, sweet voice, caused Judge Hunter to turn quickly, and he beheld by his side Helen Hewlett, who, from her window in the tavern, had heard all that passed, and seeing the rescue party ride away, came out and joined her host. “So I say, Miss Hewlett, for Bessie Benton is as lovely in face and form as you are, and I know possesses a noble character,” replied the blunt judge, and his outspoken compliment, though not intended to flatter, brought the rich color to Helen’s lips, while she replied: “Then I pity her from my inmost heart, in the power of those wretches, who I heard her father say would have hanged her, had it not been for—for the young man you call Little Grit, and who so nobly served me.” “Yes, they are a bad set of men, and their boy leader shows no mercy to men or women, Ihave heard, and know, Miss Hewlett, and I fear yonder men go to her rescue in vain, and will have to leave her to another to bring back.” And that other is—” “The Wild Rider.” “Then why did he not go With them to- day?’ *‘ Because his duty called him to make the ride, Jockey Jack being dead and Tiny Tim sick abed; but at the other end of the line he will report the affairs, and the agent will send other riders here, as Little Grit told me he in- tended to lay off for a couple of weeks, and egad, he deserves to.” “T should think so; but when will he return, judge?’ “To-morrow at ten he is due, miss.” 4* And will he make the marvelous run?” “He will, or die in his saddle, for J know the boy.” . “Then tell me, please, who he is?’ “Tittle Grit, the Wild, Rider, is all I can tell you, Miss Hewlett,” and the judge turned away, leaving Helen with a look of disappoint- ment upon her fair face. CHAPTER XVI. THE PHANTOMS. Movunvrepd on his favorite, Firefly, the fleet- est of his stable of twenty horses, for Little Grit owned the animals he rode, the Wild Ri- der went along like the wind. : First down into the lowlands he went, then over a ridge of foot-hills, and out upon the prairie; past the tree at the head of the Red Ravine, where a human body and the horses he had killed still lay unburied, and serving for food for wolves and vultures, and then on to the spot where he had-rescued Helen Hewlett, and where another body and another steed lay dead as a feast for wild beasts. “The fellow had not the heart to bury his own friend,” muttered the youth, as he turned his face away from the sickening sight of hun- gry goyotes feeding upon a human being. But not once did he slacken his speed, until he ran into the station where he chahged horses. ; ) ’ But no animal stood at the stockade gate awaiting him, and the stock-tender was not visible. ‘Ho, Bart, where are you?” cried the youth. ** Hon. W. F. Cody, Buffalo Bill, when a boy, and riding Pony Express, once, under a pressure of circumstan rode the run of two riders without ee Le gege to tem ge ‘ ae pena Rocky Ridge; then immedia again ; Red Buttes—a distance of 324 ee ie over a willl try, in thirty hours, and using twenty-four —TuEe AUTHOR, ‘ Pe RS TOT ep ty Sf But no answer came to hiscry, and dis- mounting, he drew his revolver and entering the stockade, slowly approacthed the cabin, the door of which was ajar. As he was about to thrust the door open and enter, a sudden impulse caused him to stop, and removing his sombrero, he placed it on the muzzle of his revolver and held it around the post, as though he were peeping in. Instantly there came a ringing report and the hat fell to the ground, pierced by a bullet, while with a groan, Wild Rider sprung back to the corner of the hut. The feigned groan of agony, did the work, for out of the cabin darted a humen form, to fall dead with a bullet in his heart. “Tt is Hank Hawkins; now I'll see what devil’s work he has been at,” muttered Wild Rider, as he recognized the man whom the night before he had rescued Helen Hewlett from. Cautiously entering the cabin, the youth saw Bart the stock-tender, and an old, gray- haired man lying dead by the hearth, and knew that Hank Hawkins had killed him to rob him, and then driven the pony horses off to the hills. Springing upon Firefly he followed the trail of the animals for half a mile and found them hitched in a small growth of timber. “He thought he had it all his own way; but he should have been more particular to find out if my head was under that hat. ‘Come, Arrow, we must be off, and you will have to make up half an hour of lost time,” and throwing his saddle and express sachels upon a thoroughbred-looking bay, Wild Rider drove Firefly and the other horses back to the stockade. “Now to bury poor old Bart,” he said, and he set to work with pick and spade, and quickly made a grave back of the cavern and in it deposited the body of the old stock-tender. “ Guess you'll méke prime eating for coyotes,” he muttered, as he threw the body of the out- law outside. of the stockade, and fastening the gate, sprung upon Arrow, who shot away as though he had been sent froma bow. Urging the red, bay hard, Little Grit arrived at the next station only a quarter of an hour behind time, and to his delight learned’ from the stock-tender that the bandits had not paid him a visit. ‘Yon are lucky, Bond, for they bave hit the line hard below Rocky Glen, run Barney off, slain Mustang Pete, captured Bessie Ben- ton, and nearly killed her father, while the shot poor Jockey Jack on the run, anil I buried Bart at the back station,” he saidto the man, who held a fiery mare in readiness for him. ‘‘Guess your time ‘will, come next, Little Grit, for you is awful venturesome,” said Bond the stock-tender, “Somehow I don’t think so, Bond; I’ll not say die as long as I can show my claws. “ Good-by, and keep a bright look-out.” “T will, Little Grit; but hain’t yer a leetle stiff; an’ lookin’ bad?” : “T should think so, for I’ve done treble work; but Ill be back on time, if the Jamp of life holds out to burn. Come, Sathaness!” The last was said to the really vicious mare, who bounded away with an angry snort, and at a speed that threatened to make up the twenty minutes lost, Bond stood watching Little Grit until he disappeared from sight, and then muttered: “He are rightly named, for he area Wild Rider fer a fact; but ther end o’ his road will come yet, I’m thinking, though I hopes not, as he are a better man than ary boy I ever see afore; I wonder ef he’il be back on time? “I’m thinkin’ not, an’ I’m bettin’ myself thet leetle drop of rum I hasteft in ther bottle, thet he don’t make it; ef he does, I'll jist pour it out on ther ground, fer he don’t drink, an’ ef he don’t make it, ll drink ther Jast drop: thet’s ther way I has o’ bettin’ ag’in’ myself,” and Bond, the stock-tender, went in and Jo: ved to his arms, for he was a cautious man. But no bandits paid him a visit that night, | Little Grit, the Wild Rider. and the next morning, after his lonely b: ef fast, he led Arrow out to the stockade, and then went into the cabin and brought out /his old clock and a bottle. “‘Thar’s ther time as ther sun sets an’ Tir by, an’ heur are a drink o’ rum iu this bot , thet are wuth a pound o’ yaller gold-dust:” me. ‘‘ Let me see; ther boy hes jist five minut ter come in an’ be on time; but I wow’t: mean, so will give him another mivute. “Then comes my drink, an’ it are a gu one too, cl’ar four fingers in a tin cup; but.”, suck it out o’ ther bottle fer if are swater.” 4 A while he was silent and then said alo while his eyes glanced atthe bottle longing, and his fingers moved nervously, as thouga anxious to clutch it with loving embrace: “It are four minutes gone; only one and one-half minute now; yas, only one minute now—holy Sierras! but thar he comes!” The man sprung to his feet, and turning his eyes up the trail saw the roan mare coming on at full speed for the station, and upon her back was the Wild Rider, but he was not riding, as was his wont, upright and free, but crouching in his seat, and seemed holding to the mane of the fairly flying animal. “Hold hard, Leetle Grit! heur yer is, or I are a liar, an’ my rum hes ter be drunk up by ther ’arth; but what in ’tarnal thunder are ther matter with yer, boy?” ‘“¢T’m dead beat, Bond; I’ve had a hard run of it; there, let’ me down easy, and help me on Firefly,” said the youth, in almost a whis- per. “You is nigh played, Leetle Grit, fer yer face looks ten years older than usual, an’ yer is stiff as though yer had rheumatiz, while yer eyes S6ems rollin’ ag’in’ ther back part o’ yer head; let me run in with ther bags, boy, an’ you stay heur an’ rest.” “No; I must go myself, thank you, Bond ” “Then take this wee drop 0’ mount’in-dev pararer tanglefoot, miner’s benzine, or what ever yer call it, fer I has lost it, havin’ bes ag’in’ myself thet yer wouldn’t makesther sun, but yer has, an’ half a minute to spare. “Take it, boy, an’ itll ile yer j'ints, fetch yer eyes in place ag’in, warm ther cockles on yer heart, an’ Gill yer full o’ glory, fer it are prime mater’al, from Judge Hunter’s stock.” “JT will drink it, Bond, and thank you for I need it; there, I feel better, and there : some left for you; now help me on, an’ Firefly, go easy at first, or you'll shake me in pieces.” The next instint the Wild Rider was again mounted, and speeding along swiftly, Firefly hurling the miles behind him until a Che from the Wild Rider brought him to a sudden halt, And no wonder; for in the roud ahead of him, just under the tree at the head of the Red Ravine, were a horse and rider, who, ever in the'glare of day, looked like spectral forms from another world. f CHAPTER XVII. TRE COMPACT, THE first act of the Wild Rider, after bring- ing his horse to a halt, was to draw his révol- ver, and then take a close survey of the phan- tom-like horse and rider in his pathway. “Tt is the ohe they call the Spirit of the Canyon, and a woman; come, Firefly, let us have a closer look at the pair,” muttered Little Grit, who was greatly strengihencd by the liquor’ he had been given by Bond. ba The horse ‘slowly moved fcrward, and yet ' like statues, the white horse and its ier re- riage hs until Little Grit had approached with. in thirty feet, still holding his revolver in his hand. Then the white.steed faced him, and the rider said in a clear, musical tone: “Put up your weapon, for Imean you no harm.” **T do not fear you; only you are uncomfort- ably near the ravine, which might conceal a company)of cavalry,” replied Wild Rider. “Then I will come to you, and I trust ~y" -as I wish you to trust me; see, I show noa % — Wane cay 7 ‘ ee fe ee Fix ay vier ue AS sakes eg ay aN
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and with her hands held above her kead the woman known as the Spirit of the Canyon, ad- vauced slewly to where the youth had halted. ‘Who, are you?’ he asked, gazing fixedly tpon he: white-robed form and partially vailed ace. “T am called the Spirit of the Canyon.” ‘True, and as such frighten the superstitious “earfully.”’ “Yet vou do not fear me.” “Why should I when I have no belief in the supernatural? It is that pistol in your belt wat I stand in awe of,” * Ah!” and the woman drew her robe over é tell-tale weapon, while Little Grit, at the movement of her hand to her waist, quickly dropped his upon his revolver. “You doubt me, I see.” ‘*Why should I do otherwise, when you go masquerading by day and night along the trail I ride?’ the Fouy Line at the threats you have re- ceived.” “Why should I? as long as there is life there is hope, and I take my chances.” * And fearful chances they are.” **T care not; I came to ride this line for a certain time and I shall do it,” was the bold remark of Little Grit. “Tf Death does not catch you.” “Yes, but I have ridden in company with Death so often we have become good pards.” “Why do you ride Pony Express?” suddenly asked the woman. “My reasons hold no interest for you.” “You are mistaken; but we will not argue that now, as I wish you to do me a favor.” “Wish me to do you a favor?’ asked the youth, in surprise. : “ Yes, ” 4 * How can I?” T will tell you. You know Begsie Benton, the stock-tender’s daughter, I believe?” *Yes,-what know you of her?’ asked Wild Rider, with eagerness. “She is a prisoner.” “That I feared; then the Rocky Glen boys have not rescued her? q? “Ha! ha! ba! their errand is as futile as their attempts to capture the Boy Bandit.” “IT. do not know but. that Bessie can be rescued and the Boy Bandit captured, too,” said Little Grit, confidently. “No, neither can be done unless I wish it,” said the woman, solemnly. “You! What have you to do with it?’ “Much; I will prove it by saying that you can accomplish what the Vigilantes and sol- diers from Rocky Glen have failed to do.” ** And what is that?” ** Rescue Bessie Benton.” J intend to try, at least,” You can accomplish it with ease; through me.” “ How?” **You have just come from a long ride, and our face shows that you suffer, so go on to cky Glen and seek rest until to-morrow night, when the Vigilantes wil! be back. ,” “Then go tothecabin of Daniel Benton, # ~> and tell him that if he is wiiling to give ten thousand dollars for the restoration of his daughter, you will bring her to him.” “Why he has no5 a kundred dollars to his | name.” “You do as I say, and he will give you the money.” “Tsay he has no money.” “ And Isay be will give you the amount I name, and I wish you to bring it to the Pilot Tree in the middle of the Sweetbrier Prairie. “T know tbe spot; but why there? “That you may not be treacherously dealt with; as you leave the foot-hills on the north I will leave the timber on the south, and Bessie Benton shall accompany me.” “You promise this?” ~». Yeu? hs ‘, “At what time to-morrow night?” “ Meet me at midnight,” “You are a brave youth not to draw off | ‘The Pilot] Tree will conceal a dozen men.” “True, but if you doubt me get the money before night and go there by daylight, though I cannot come until midnight; then yuu can see that an ambush is not intended. “So be it; I will trust you; but if I do not | bring the money?’ * You cannot have the girl!” ‘¢ Pll risk that.” “Then our arrangement ends here, unless you pledge yourself not to attempt the rescue of Bessie Benton if you do not get the money.” “At that time, yes, I pledge myself; but look out for squalls afterward.” “Tl be on my guard; now we understand each other?’ “Yes; but how did you get possession of Bessie?” * T captured her.” ** And who are you?” “The Spirit of the Canyon I told you; but mind you, do not speak of my meeting you to any one, nor tell how you rescue Bessie; will you promise this?’ “Oh yes.” “Then good-by,” and wheeling her white horse the woman rode down into the Red Ra- vine, while Little Grit went skimming along once more on his way to Rocky Glen, deeply impressed by his meeting with the strange | creature and what he had heard, and deter- mined to keep his word and engagement with her, though every bone and muscle in his body ached, and he was almost blind from toss of sleep. CHAPTER XVIIL WILD RIDER ON TIME. **By Heaven! there comes the boy, and on time, or I am a sinner!” and Judge Hunter, who had been anxiously gazing down the trail, danced around in his glee, as he saw Firefly come bounding along toward the tavern. His words brought to the rude piazza both Colonel Hewlett and Helen, besides all who were loafing in the bar-room, and every eye was upon the Wild Rider as he came in on the home stretch. “ He’s not riding in his old easy style, and no wonder,” said the judge, as he called to the stable man to call up Timmy Tim to send on the next rut. ““No wonder, sir, if he has made the four hundred and sixty odd miles you say, in fifty hours,” said Colonel Hewlett. “My life that he’s made the clean run, and of all the gamblers here, there are not three bets against hi,” cried the judge, as he sprung down from the steps and grasped the hand of the Wild Rider, just as Firefly came to a halt, “Great God! what a change!’ cried the colonel aloud, while Judge Hunter said anxiously: “ You made it, my- boy?” **'Yes: but can Tiny Tim go on?” **Oh yes, though he’s not well; any news?” “Poor Bart is dead; killed by Hank Haw- kins, Colonel Hewlett, from whom I saved your daughter: but I avenged him. “Here, judge, lift me down lightly, please, for lam worse beat than a stove up govern- ment mule.” “You are game to the backbone, Little Grit. Steady, boys, for don’ t you see him wince with paih, and he’s no child to cry out at an ache; there, now take him into my room,” The two men who had lifted Little Grit from his saddle, obeyed, just as Tiny Tim, a all, wiry man with a clean-shaven, deter- mined face, came out to mount an iron-gray that the stable-boy was holding for him. ** Look out for squalls, Tim, and ride bard,” called out Little Grit, catching sight of him. " All right, lad, and the whole line shall hear of what. -you have done: good-by all!” and away went the iron-gray with Tiny Tim and the express bags on his back, while the Wild Rider was carried into the hotel and cared for by willing hands. ‘* Helen, that boy’s face haunts me by day Little Grit, the Wild Rider. 11 and night, and recalls memories from the past, that I had hoped were forever buried,” said Colonel Hewlett, as himself and daughter re- turned to their room. “T felt that something must have influenced you deeply, father, to have seemed so unkind to him as you were the other night,” replied the maiden. “Something did influence me, my child;} something I never expected to speak to you about, but which I will now tell you of, as I must speak to some one about it, must find out who that boy is. ‘““You are aware that in early life, a year before you were born, I was engaged in a duel?” ““Yes, father, there were plenty of busy tongues to tell me of it at school, though you never spoke to me of the painful circumstance, and if it is unpleasant to you to recall, do not tell me now.” “T say I must, Helen, for I am deeply troubled. ‘‘ Before I met your mother I loved a young and beautiful girl that I bad fairly idolized from her childhood, for our families were on most intimate terms, and in Virginia, where I lived, our estates ad joined. “When she was but sixteen we became en- gaged, and were to have been married upon my return from the West, where I was ordered for a year’s service among the Indians. ‘‘A young man I met in service in the West, a surgeon of my regiment, had a fortune left him, and shortly after my arrival at the com- mand, resigned and was to start home, when my horse fell with me one day, and my arm: being broken, he remained to set it, and kindly cared for me for several weeks. ‘*T was so attached to him that I gave him a letter to my family, and to Corinne, for his home was on the Maryland side of the Potomac, not far above where [I lived. ** Alas! my child, he used that letter of in- troduction so well, that he won my intended bride from me, with stories of my wild life and gambling, and more, be persuaded Corinne to run away with him and become his wife. ‘““My child, I am, as you know, of a hot- headed nature, and I did not allow this false \ friend’s treachery to go unpunished, but two: years after tracked him down, and he fell in a duel with me. ‘What became of Corinne I never knew, or eared, for some months after I saved from drowning, in the surf at Newpert, a young girl who afterward became my wife, and your mother, Helen, and the image of that treacherous woman I took out of my ‘heart for- ever, ‘“Now, my child, up from the grave, as though it were Lester Lamdell himself, comes’ this boy they call Wild Rider, and when T look at him, the image of false Corinne rises before me, and I would take my oath that he is their son,” and, as though to shut out the phantoms. - of the past from before his eyes, Colonel Hew- lett buried his face in Lis hands and leaned on the table before him, while Helen, with deep sympathy, said: ‘*Father, I hope that such may not be the case, that it is only a fancied resemblance; but — I will solve the mystery for you, as to ‘who this Wild Rider really is, aud if he be their son, then let us go from here; get ordered else- where, where constantly before you will not be one to call up only bitterest memories.” ‘No, Helen, as I have sown so will I reaps I was unkind to him, and I will not be again, for if I have much to forgive, he has too, and he has heaped coals of fire upon my head by sav- ing you from what I now know would have been worse than death. **T will go now and see if I cannot help the: boy, and you send to the Hospital steward. and sutler for all that he may need,” and hav- ing determined upon the course ne would pursue Colonel Hewlett went to the room where Wild Rider bad been taken; but at the door Judge Hunter met him with the report that he haé been well cared for and was fast asleep.
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12 CHAPTER XIX. ON THE TRAIL, Ir Little Grit had seemed completely used up, upon his arrival at Rocky Glen, after his marvelous ride, he certainly did not look'!so, when the next afternoon he came out on the piazza to welcome the parties back, who had *e gone in search of Bessie Benton, ‘ A little pale and haggard, a trifle stiff he seemed, but withal a dangerous person to grap- ; {ple with in a close encounter, for his wiry frame had recuperated rapidly from the fear- ful strain put upon it. pee *‘ Couldn’t find hair nor ,hide o’ her, or ther be bandits, Leetle Grit, tho’? we seen your work ens lying round, an’ a number o’ us rode to ther cliff ter see ther leap yer tuk; Jewilikins! but it were a flyer. ‘An’ they tells me yer made ther big run? Waal yer is ther boss rider an’ leetle one in C this heur sinful airth, an’ no mistake,” and ! F Trumps warmly grasped the boy’s band, and then continued: * We'll hev a leetle game o’ keerds ter-night, Grit, my boy, an’ I wants yer round, fer thar is a row pendim’ atween me and thet Kid Glove Gambler, an’ it are all about you.” “T am sorry I cannot be with you to-night, Trumps, but I have an important engagement on band.” f ada you isn’t goin’ fer ter ride ag’in right “No, but I have something to attend to that I cannot neglect, and the nature of which I hope you will know to-morrow; by the way, where did you leave Daniel Benton?” “Qh! poor feller, he left us as soon as he @’u’dn’t find his darter, an’ he gone back to her lonely cabing; I tell yer, Leetle Grit, I feels durned sorry fer thet man, an’ more sorrier fer is darter, an’ you and me will set out ter- morrer an’ look her up, ef yer kin spare . time,” “Oh yes, for there wiil be several riders sent down here to-night, to take Jockey. Jack’s place, and give Tiny Tim and myself a rest for afew days; now I must be off.” * Don’t want no comp’ny does yer?” “Not this time, thank you, my good friends; ' Yshall ride Firefly, and these will go with me,” and Little Grit smilingly patted his belt of arms. _. “They is durned good comp’ny fer yer too, ' or area liar; waal, yer knows my shanty,\so look me up when I kin sarve yer, and, Leetle Grit, heep yer eyes on thet Kid Glove gerloot, fer he hes it in him ter give yer trouble.” “T believe with you, Trumps, that he needs watching, and I'll keep an eyo svon him,” and Little Grit went into the tavern w get ready _for his ride. ' ‘Ten minutes after he came out on the pine- _ board piavea, looking exceedingly trim in ap- pearance, for he had donned a new suit, and _ Helen Hewlett, who sat at the window, m-n- tally observed that she never saw a hanc- somer youth. . _ “You are not going on another ride, Mr Little Grit,” she said pleasantly. “Yes, buf I am not riding on time chis afternoon, Miss Hewlett.” “T feared you would be very ill, when I saw you lifted from your horse yesterday, and my father was anxious to serve you in some way; ‘but you look well this afternoon.” Oh, yes, Miss Hewlett, I am all right now, - anda short ride will limber me up; but I have to thank you and your father for being very kind to me; here ‘comes Firefly now, and I must be off,” and bowing politely, Little Grit ‘walked out to where the stable bey held his - horse, and mounting set off at a canter, greatly ' to the surprise of his steed, who seemed anx- ' dous to ge at once into the flying gait he was ; to. _ Inereasing his speed after awhile Little Grit » oon had Firefly dashing a:ong, as though he “were carrying Express, .na it was, not very before he camp in sight of Dan Benton’s ing the clatter hoofs the stock cater hy Li ttle Grit, the Wild Ri der, came out to see who it was, for it was not Pony Rider time, and beholding the Wild Rider, he said sadly: “Well, my boy, you come to a sad home now, for my Bessie has gone, and I almost wish you had allowed those devils to hang us both.” ‘Cheer up, Mr. Benton, for I have come to have a talk with you,” said the youth cheerily. “T am glad to see you, Wild Rider, but talking will not bring my child back, but come in.” “Tam not sosure of that, Mr, Benton, for talking does a great deal sometimes,” ‘Little Grit, your words mean something,” eagerly said the sorrowing father, grasping the youth by the arm, “True, they do mean something, but I can | offer no explanation, only ask ycuif you have confidence in me?’ = “Yes, to the end, my boy.” “Well, I believe I can restore you your datighter ere sunrise.” ‘How? for Heaven’s sake tell me bow, boy?” “ By paying a ransom for her.” ‘A ransom! anything will I do to get back my child.” ‘¢ A large sum is asked, Mr. Benton.” ‘My child is worth it, be it what it may.” ‘But you are poor and—” ‘‘ Name the sum, Little Grit.” ‘Ten thousand dollars.” “TJ will pay tt.” CHAPTER XX, WILD RIDER KEEPS HIS~PLEDGE. Littiy Grrr fairly started at the words of the stock-tender. “T will pay itl” He glanced into the man’s face and read there determination and truth, and no sign that he had made an idle assertion. But then how could a poor stock-tender pay so large a sum? was in his thoughts. ‘““You pay ten thousand dollars, Mr. Ben- ton?’ he asked in surprise. “Yes, I will pay it, my boy, for the restora- tion of my daughter; I do not wonder you look surprised, for you know just what I have received as .stock-tender, and cannot under- stand how I eould lay up such a sum. ‘But tell me to’ whom is this money to be paid, and by whom, and when?” “You are to give me the gold-dust, and I pledge myself to return you your daughter, or the metal, unJess I am killed.” “When do you want it?” “Now, if I can get it.” “You will wait until dark?” “Yes, for thé sun is setting now.” ‘Then you shall have it.” ‘And you: really have that sum, Mr. Ben- ton?” “Yes, and far more; listen, my boy, and while we are waiting for darkness to come I will tell you a secret that my child even does not know. “ Having seett better days yourself, you can see that I have" been educated, and I will tell you that I came-.of good stock, and my parents were rich, “There were but two of us, a brother, ten years younger than myself, and whom my parents idolized, and { was devotedly attached to, although he grew up very wild. ‘At the death of my parents my brother and myself ware left equal shares in the property, and all was left in my control, for he was not of age. ‘‘ But alas! I was no restraint upon him, and he ran through with his inheritance, and knowing my love for him, did all manner of things that got him into trouble, well knowing that I would help him out. | The result Of all this was, that he veg- gared me, and to’ raise mouey committed for- gery and fled. . “ Well, I paid his debts, but the officers of +ha law were after him. and I knew that if | Uaken 4 couia not save nim. and almost broken- i ee hearted and completely ruined in fortune ¥ sought another home, “But misfortune dogged me, and my wife dying, I drifted westward year by year, earn ing just money enough to educate my daughte at a good school where I had left her. ‘¢ At length I became what I am new, having failed in the mines to find gold and despairing, of ever getting rich, I sent for my daughter to, eome and live with me here, and the ver day after her arrival luck changed, for I struc a rich lead of gold in my old mine back in th mountain. “Well, my boy, I determined to rema here as stock-tender until I had back all ¢ my old fortune to give my Bessie, and I haye secretly bought back the old homestead, and in a few months expected to go Kast with my child and my diggings in gold-dust. ‘Now I have dug out and hidden away some fifty thousand dollars, and you may knew that it all should go to get my child back. “The secret I havo told to no one, excepting you, and I feel that you will never betray mej but those devils that strung me up hinted that Lhad gold hidden somewhere.” ‘But how should they know, Mr. Benton” asked Little Grit. ““Thero is but one way; my brother is out here and he may know, having found out in some way that I had bought back the old homestead.” : “Your brother out here, you say, sir?” “Yes, and you know him, and I know him, too, though we have seemed not to recognize each other, yet I feel confident that he is feign- ing ignorance of who I am, though it has been fifteen years since we met.” ““T cannot imagine who he can be, sir.” ““Grey Benton is his name.” ‘‘Ha! Gambler Grey, the Kid Glove Sport.” “Yes, my boy, you know him now, and you know no good of him.” “True, sir, and I do not like him,” said Lit- tle Grit, frankly. “IT cannot blame you, for he is a very evil man; But come, it is dark now, and I will get you the gold, and should aught befall me, you will know where my treasure is hidden, so that you can give it to Bessie,” and rising, Daniel Benton led the way from the cabin, and diving into the bushes back of the stoekade halted on the bank of a small stream, ‘Do you see this rock, my boy?” “ Yes, ” : “ And yonder large tree in a line with it?” “ Yes.” "Well, watch me,” and so saying Daniel Benton waded into the stream, and with a sharp hook scraped the bottom until it caught in something heavy. ‘‘Here is my treasure-box, Little Grit,” and out of the sand he dragged a rudely-made box, - and opening it, counted out sufficient loose gold to make up the amount demanded, and then - returned the chest to its secure hiding-placey while Little Grit wrapped up that which he had left out. : ‘You know the secret now, boy, and y have the ransom gold, so go, and for the lov of God, bring me back my child, and breathe to — no one what I have told you,’ said Daniel Ben- ton, with deep feeling. . ‘“‘T will never betray you, Dan Benton, and will ever be the friend of you and your daugh- ter;” and shouldering-his weighty load of pre- cious metal, Little Grit returned to the cabin, and mounting Firefly, rode away in the direc- tion of his rendezvous with the Spirit of the Canyon, the moon lighting his pathway over and through valley, and then across tho prairie to the Pilot Tree, which he fearlessly approached to find no buman being near. Li CHAPTER XXI. rs THE MEETING. ‘I BELIEVE the woman meant what she said, and I will wait,” said Little Grit, as the moon ‘seared bigh into the heavens, and yet he saw ‘no sign of the coming woman and ber caprive. that Dan Be It is swange that she knew 1 * : % , ’ te
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ae va eet ” 4 > ? “sige sanaticp a s ar ti eet ss ; : “ej a he | | | he _ kitewn; well, my advice to him is to leave these parts, or his wicked brother, if he finds out he has gold, will commit a greater crime than forgery. “ Ah me! I should hate to give Bessie up, for if I am but nineteen I love her dearly; but | does she care for me, whom everybody calls a boy?’ * “That I will have to find out by asking her, | and I will, if she refuses me—ah! there comes some One now—yes, it is the Spirit of the Can- yon, and sbe is uot alone. “T do wish I could find out the mystery about that woman, and also about that Boy Bandit, who seems to hate me so, for he per- sistently threatens me and dogs my trail, ‘Tf it were not that I wanted to take him alive, I could have killed him on a score of oc- casions; perhaps she may know and I will ask her, “She approaches cautiously, so I will ride out into the moonlight so that she can recog- nize me,” and Little Grit rode from beneath the thick foliage of the tree, and instantly the two persons approaching came to a halt, But, after an instant’s scrutiny, as though satisfied, they came on once more, and soon drew rein not ten feet from where the youth sat on his horse, “Well, I have kept my word, Wild Rider,” said the woman calmly, and she laid her hand upon the shoulder of Bessie Benton, who had not spoken a word, ‘And I have kept mine,” answered Little Grit. ', You have the gold?” ‘oVes,” “The amount I demanded?’ “ As near as it could be guessed at?” ** Rnough! I return you the maiden who has been in my charge only; buf there is one de- mand I make.” “ Well?” ‘‘ Bid her father take her far from here, or if you love her, and she loves you, make her your wife, and stay no longer here, for your lives are in danger.” ‘* My life is always in danger,” was the reck- less reply. ‘Then protect her life and her honor, for, I tell you frankly that there is one who would harm her, and what I now do will cause him bitter anger against me, and that is why I asked the gold as ransom, to appease his wrath.” “‘ Ha! and that person is—” ‘Phe Boy Bandit.” ‘¢ What is that boy to yout” “Tt matters not what he is to me, or I to him, only do not disregard my warning, or death and sorrow will follow, I assure you.” ‘Say you will go, please, say you will go, Little Grit,” pleaded Bessie Benton, speaking for the first time since the meeting, “Tf you will go with me, yes,” boldly an- 4 the youth. . yay!” « As my wife?” o 8.?? “Tam not two years your senior, Bessie, but Dam a man in feeling, and I love you, and for your sake I will leave here, and give up the wild life I lead, where otherwise I would glory in remaining and braving the Boy Bandit and bis whole band.” ‘*Boy, you are. reckless, brave to foolhardi- ness, but I warn you to beware of Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, for he is merciless. “Crime has made him what he is, and he evels in danger and combat, and is merci- less toward those he hates.” » “ And he hates me?’ . “He has been told to hunt you down!” “By whom?” “By an enemy of yours; it matters not who he is, for you have foes as well as friends; but take the girl and go, and when you are happy remember that a poor outcast woman, one whom men fly from as they would from a ghost, risked her life to give you happiness.” | Little Grit, th tis : Pea ANH ies cae Wild Rider. ” *“But you must have some motive for this, | | other than a desire to serve this. maiden and myself,” “*T have; it isa motive thatis a curse to man and woman—jealousy !” She spoke the word with intense feeling, and having taken the gold simply waved her hand in farewell and rode away. Both Little Grit and Bessie watched her until she was out of sight, and: then the latter said sadly: “Poor thing, she seems to suffer from some | great sorrow in the past; but be she what she may, I cannot but regard her most kindly, for she carried me to a cavern retreat in the | mountains, cared for me most tenderly, and pledged herself that no harm should befall me; but I was kept under guard, and I feel confi- dent that she holds great influence with the bandits.” ** And I shall love her, for giving you to me, Bessie,” said Little Grit softly, and the two turned the heads of their horses homeward, and just at dawn Daniel Benton clasped his daughter in his arms, and three happy people sat down to the frugal breakfast that morning in the humble cabin of the stock-tender, CHAPTER XXII THE DUELIST’S SON, “You asked tosee me, Colonel Hewlett,” and Little Grit entered the temporary quarters of the. cavalry officer, the morning following the restoration of Bessie Benton to be father. The colonel was seated in an easy camp chair, and before him were some official-look- ing papers, while at the window sat Helen en- gaged in embroidering a sofa cushion. “Yes, young gentleman, I do wish to see you, I have learned this morning that you rescued Bessie Benton from the bandits.” “T did little in the matter, sir, other than bringing her back to her home.” ‘¢You are modest, sir; but I also learn that the stock-tender, Benton, leaves the country to-day with his daughter, and that you ae- company them?’ “1 do, sir; I will give up this wild life at once,” ‘“ May I ask why you have come to this sud- den determination, young man?” A flush passed over the face of the youth; but after an instant of hesitation, he answered: ‘* Colonel Hewlett, I will frankly tell you, sir. “Up to the day when I completed my long ride, I had but one main object in view, one I had been trained up to, and one which I cher- ished most fondly.” “And that was—?’ asked the colonel, as the youtlr paused, and Helen looked up quickly from her work. “‘T will tell you, sir; it was to one day meet you in personal encounter, and kill you |? ; ». The eyes of Little Grit never wavered as he spoke, but he looked squarely into the face of | the man to whom he had made such a startling ‘declaration, and who asked quickly: “To kill me?” “Yes, Colonel Hewlett, and I will tell you why. ‘‘From my earliest boyhood I have been taught by one person to believe that. my father was pursued through life and cruelly murdered by one who was supposed to be his friend, and I was/educated to one aim, and that was to one day avenge him by killing his slayer. “Three years ago the person who had so urged me on was murdered, with others of a train, by Indians, and in looking over the papers left for my perusal, 1 discovered that I was perhaps wrong to seek redress, as they im- plicated my father. “But I had taken a solemn oath to one day hold you responsible, and I set to work to ac- ‘complish it, ; * “When you were on the Southern border, I ‘sought you there, but arrived to find that you ‘had just been sent abroad by the Government, ‘so I determined to bide my time until your re- ! turn, and, to keep myself in practice with fire- arms, and inured to danger, I. came here an@ enlisted as a Pony Express Rider, for, an offi- cer whom I know well, told me that you would be erdered into this part of the country. ‘“‘T waited long, but at last you came, and I saved -your daughter from a cruel fate, and that broke down the barrier of hatred I felt | for you; but my oath stared me in the face, and I was determined to keep it, up to the day I accomplished my long ride. ‘“‘t was carried, not to my room, bat to Judge Hunter’s, that adjoins this one, and as the wall is frail, I heard your confession to your daughter, and then I knew that you toe had been wronged, not only by my father, but | by the woman you had loved, the one who had so persistently trained me for one purpose —to kill you. “That person was my mother, Colonel Hew- lett, and theugh I loved her dearly, 1 now know that she became a monomaniac on the subject of revenging the death of my father, the man who had stolen from you your bride. “Then it was, Colonel Hewlett, that I de- termined to bury in my heart the seeret, to break the oath ferced upon me in childhood, and give up the red trail that has warped my whole life.” Little Grit paused, his face very pate, and down the fair cheeks of Helen Hewlett roded pearly tear-drops, as she gazed upon him, while Colonel Hewlett arose, and said in a voice that quivered, in spite of his self-control: “ And you, then, are the son of Lester and Cerinne Lamdell?” “Jam, six, ond a ctrange freak of my mother, after my fatner’s death, was to christen me Hewlett Lamdell.” “Great God! Corinne did this, and yet made you take oath to one day take my life?” “ Yes, sir, it was to keep you ever in my mind, by my name; but do not misunderstand me, sir, I had no idea of playing the assassin, but intended to meet you, as my father met you, in the duello.” ““T believe you, my boy, for you are as noble as you are brave; but now let us bury the grim phantoms of the bygone, and, forgetting the shadows between us, I offer you my hand, and more, as the President bas given me per- mission to select from these gallant frontier youths, one upon whom to confer a lieutenancy in the army, I here offer you this commission of a second lieutenant of cavalry, and appoint you chief of scouts of my command.” The youth grasped the outstretched hand, but said calmly: ‘“‘T thank you, Colonel Hewlett, more than I can express in words; but ‘t is best that I remain not here, and duty to one who is to be my wife, calls me away from scenes where her life, and the life of her father are in danger.” “You refer to Bessie Benton?” quietly asked | Helen, without raising her eyes from her work, ‘Yes, she has promised to be my wife.” “And you have nobly won her, my boy; but Ido wish that you would reconsider my offer,” said the colonel. E “TI cannot, sir, 1 thank you, and will say farewell, for we leave within the hour,” and as the youth epoke there came a wailing cry from without, and bearing his name called, Little Grit bounded from the room, followed by the colonel and Helen in alarm, for it gvas. evident from the excited cries in front of the Riders’ Rest, that some dire calamity had hap- pened, CHAPTER XXIL THE MOUNTAIN CABIN, THe scene changes now, from the Riders’ Rest at Rocky Glen, to the mountains, leagues away, where, in a stout cabin, built against a cliff, sat 2 woman of rare beauty and strauge costume, for she was attired in a robe more like a shroud for the dead than a dress for the living.
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She was pacing the floor to and fro, with nervous step, and her darkly bronzed face was elouded with thoughts of no pleasant nature, while she clinched her little hands together spasmodically. The cabin contained two rooms, was stoutly built, and not uncomfortably furnished, , and upon the wall, each side of the door, hung ‘arms ready for instant use. Presently there came the ring of iron against rock without, and the woman started, while the next moment a man of commanding form, but with face closely masked, entered the cabin. He was dressed in buckskin, wore moccasins upon his feet, and a wildcat skin cap, and was armed with a belt of revolvers and a long knife. ** Well, Clotilde, my visit seems unexpected to you,” he said in a deep voice. ‘No, you are welcome, as you know, al- though a storm must follow your coming,” re- plied the woman. “And why? are you jealous already of the fair maiden you so cleverly captured?” “1 was jealous; I am not now.” “Once jealous with a woman, is always jealous; why have you changed, may I ask?” ‘There is no one to excite my jealousy,” was the calm reply, but it startled the man into the cry: “Great God! have you killed her?’ “T am not so fond of taking life even after my contact with you, as to kill one that can be otherwise removed from your path,” and there ~was & Sheer IN tle ~qman’s tone. ‘You have gotten rid vf thic sirl, neuf” “cc Yes. ” : “How?” and the man’s voice trembled with passion. “T simply released her for ransom.” “For ransom! what mean you, Clotilde?” ; ‘I captured the girl, and finding her very beautiful and knowing that she would win you from me, for, in spite of what you are, I love you, I asked for her ten thousand dollars in gold-dust, and it was paid.” ‘* By whom?” “* Her father.” ‘¢Ha! then you found his mine?” ‘*No, he sent me the gold and I gave the girl into the charge of the one who brought it.” ** And who was that?” ‘Little Grit.” ‘ “Curses! had you that boy in your power and allowed him to escape?’ “¢ Yes. ” ‘“* Beware, Clotilde, fur you may go too far; the girl’s going I pardon you for, as I get the gold for her, and I can easily get her into my power again; but don’t try me beyond endur- ance.” ‘*The girl you cannot get, for ere this she has left with the man sheis to marry.” The man sprung forward and seized the wo- man’s shoulder with a grasp that made her cry out With pain, while he hissed forth: * Clotilde, I give yeu forty-eight hours to return that girl to me, or place her father in my power, for with him, I can bring her back if she has gone to the end of the earth.” “Tf I refuse?” “Then your punishment for thwarting me shall be worse than death.” The woman turned deadly pale, but, after a .moment’s thought, said: “T will obey.” “ Enough, and beware of how you trifle with me inthe future, for if I get Daniel Benton in- to my power, I will be worth millions, or he shall die, if he gives not up the secret of his mine.” “T will obey,”’ repeated the woman, and, as the man turned from the cabin he continued: ‘Remember, I want both the father and daughter, and if she is married I will make ber a widew and then marry her.” The woman’s eyes flashed dangerously, but @he looked up and asked quietly: — “And 1” =" ittle Grit, the Wild “Shall go the way of her husband, so as to make the marriage binding; now go!” The man strede from the cabin, and ten minutes after the woman was riding down the mountain side, mounted upon her white horse, and at her back came half ascore of villainous- looking men, armed to the teeth. CHAPTER XXIV. THE FATAL LETTERS. WHEN Little Grit heard the wailing cry, and his name called in pleading tones, he rushed out of Colonel Hewlett’s room, to discover Bessie Benton lying unconscious upon a bench, and Judge Hunter supporting her, while near by stood a tall, handsome young man, dressed as a Pony Express Rider, and gazing upon the maiden with anxious look. Early that morning Little Grit and Bessie had come on to the Riders’ Rest together, and were to be joined there soon after by Daniel Benton, when they were to at once depart from that portion of the country, the stock- tender carrying his treasure with him on a pack horse. When summoned to the room of Colonel Hewlett, Little Grit had left Bessie out on the porch, and he was greatly startled to find her in a swoon, and feared some fearful calamity had befallen her. “In God’s name! what is it?’ he asked. ** Ah, my boy, there has been devilish work done, and poor Bessie heard this young gentle- man tell me of it,” and Judge Hunter nodded toward the Pony Rider, whom none seemed to know, and who, seeing Little Grit’s anxiety, said: “Permit me to explain: Iam the Pony Ri- der who has taken your place, sir, if you are the Wild Rider, as I believe, and when I ar- rived at Dan Benton’s station, I found the door closed, the stock gone, and two letters tacked upon the post. ““T came right on here, and gave the letters to this gentleman, Judge Hunter, and he read them aloud, and this young lady overheard them.” ““And where are the letters?’ asked Little Grit, calmly, while Helen had Bessie borne into her room. “Here they are, my boy,” and the judge handed Little Grit a sheet of paper on which was some writing in a bold hand, and another piece folded, and addressed to Bessie Benton. “T took the liberty of reading them, Wild Rider, not knowing what ill-tidings they might contain.” , “You did right, judge,” and aloud Little Grit read the unfolded sheet first. It was as follows: “A PLACARD. “TO LITTLE GRIT, THE WILD RIDER, “WHEREAS you did not at once follow the advice ven you by the Spirit of the Canyon, and depart rom this wild land with her you love, and her fa- ther; Fate has been hot on your footsteps, and taken from this world Daniel Benton, who loved his gold more than bis life, and whose grave shall be as unfindable as the treasure he refuses to give up. “Tf you would save your life, and the life of her you love, go, and at once, from this land, or, ever upon your trail will be LD PLUME, “Tur Boy Banpir.” “That are plain talk, leetle pard,” said Trumps, who was standing near; but Little Grit made no reply and opened the letter, which was addressed to Bessie Benton, and was as follows: 4 * My Poor Curio: “When your eyes read these lines, I will be dead, for my time come, and my foes show no mercy, and will slay me because I will not divulge the secret of where m oe is buried, “That secret, Wild Rider,the noble youth to whom you must now look for protection, knows, and he will give you the gold your father leaves you. i I cannot now write to you, and only the mercy of a woman permits me to write these few lines, and that woman is the Spirit of the Canyon. “Death stares me in the face, and with my last breath I bid you farewell, and ask God to bless you and the one you love, forever, “ Your dying father, “Danrw, Benton.” When Little @rit ceased reading, with stern lip and flaslsing eye, be glanced up and saw Rider. Colonel Hewlett gazing fixedly at him, and = — said: “¢Colonel Hewlett, if you will allow me te retract my decision, sir, I shall do so and as- eept your very kind offer, for I remain here now, as there is work for me to do.” “Willingly, sir, but you will be in deadly danger at all times.” “T will risk that, sir.” ‘‘Then the commission is yours, sir.” “ Thank you, sir; now you are to ride my run, [ believe?” and Little Grit turned to the *' new Pony Rider, who answered, pleasantly: ‘“T was ordered here for that purpose.” ‘“‘Tt is one of fearful danger.” 2 ‘*So be it, like you I will take the chances,” ‘ was the indifferent reply, while Trumps step- * ping forward, said, as he gazed fixedly imto the Pony Rider’s face: ‘Pears ter me, we hes met afore, pard, for if I mistakes not, you is ther youth as is known as Buffalo Bill, south o’ here?’ “ What! Buffalo Bill the Boy Guide, Scout and Hunter?” asked Judge Hunter, while all present crowded nearer, having often heard the name in connection with many a thrilling story of life on the plains. “ Yes, Iam Buffalo Bill, now Pony Express Rider,” was the modest reply, while Trumps shouted; “‘Give us yer hand, pard, fer I knows yer now, an’ yer is chained lightnin’ on a jamboree an’ no mistake, 4 “Wild Rider and Buffalo Bill, a pair o’ 5& Mi 0365 08 09 2903 ad 02 28 twins thet will make this country howl; look out for ’em, gerloots, an’ ef Gold Plume don’t KS be in his horns afore long, he’ll get’em sawed off. “Come one, come all, an’ let’s drink terther 3! lads, for they is white clean through, an’ grit 9 to ther jaw-bone,” and Trumps led the way to the bar, eagerly followed by the thirsty ones of the crowd, while Little Grit turned tothe 4 host of the Riders’ Rest; and said: 82 “Judge Hunter, I have often heard you | %} speak of your daughter, whom you lost years ago, and I ask you to love in her place Bessie Benton, and be as a father to her,” ae ‘*My boy, with my whole heart, I will be a father to her, and to you too, and here shall be , 5 your home,” and the judge spoke feelingly," 9° while Colonel Hewlett said: 68 ““My friends, this young gentleman is no Kr longer Little Grit the Wild Rider of'the Pony $5 Express, but Lieutenant Hewlett Lamdell of my staff, and Chief of Scouts, and his duty . 2 shall be to free this border of the outlaws who * 6 infest it.” 70 “And I will do that duty, or die in the at- 43% tempt; J mean it,” said Hewlett Lamdell i) firmly. [Thus ends the career of Little Grit, the $7, Wild Rider; but, should my kind reader desire S to follow him as an officer of the army, and +4 know of the daring exploits of Buéfalo Bill as $4 Pony Express Rider, and the career of othe ‘$3 personages who have figured in my romance oi the Far West, he will find it in , ta . : GoLp PLUME, - age THE Boy BAnoir; ‘ 35; F 6 86 OR, € THe Kip GLovE GamBLer,} y 408 THE END, | 15 THE . s S ‘ unnyside Library B00 4 1 Latta Roorn. By Thomas Moore... ........ 10a; a 2 Don Juan. By Lord Byron................6. . Be f ; 8 Parapise Lost, By John Milten............. 10e 4 Tue Lavy oF tHe Lake. By Sir Walter Scott. 10c 5 Luctiz. By Owen Meredith.................. 10¢ i ¥- 6 UNpINE; Or, THE WaTeER-Spreir. From the ge German of Friederich De La Motte Fouque.. 10c 60 For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid I on receipt of twelve cents for single num) double mumbers twenty-four cents. ADAMS, VICLOR & Cos } Publishers, 98 William street, N. Y, « ‘
Page 15
oF * \ ~ BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. ' Published Every Tuesday. Each-Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeavers, BY OLL COOMES, 146 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 168 Kit Bandy tn Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, 208 Kit 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. 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ben. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Intant Giant. 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind. *“99 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sam, ‘4 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. * Kid Bandy’s Brigade in Arizona, Kit Bandy’s Star Engagement. % Jack Drew, the Nemesis, or, Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. ¢ Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. v2 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 5B Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Juw, 18 The Dumb Spy. Al Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. BS The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Ri Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, 74 Wawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger: or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Seth the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Sani, the Silent Hunter, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Casthy 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Pareon Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguleed Gulde ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Pevil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, B00 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. B84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; »r, Dick, the Boy Ranger. Al? Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. A457 Wingedfeot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the fig Trapper Boy. AS2 Ktonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappa, $52 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 78 Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 828 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY T. J. FLANAGAN, 909 Mid«hipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 925 The Young Cowboy Captain. 0838 The Two |Midshipmen; or, The) Corsair-Chaser’s First Cruise, BY DAN DUNNING. let Jack, the Secret Service Spy. oh and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. Detective Dave’s Close Call. Farrel Fox and His Girl Ferret. Farrel Fox’s Sweep-Stakes. 746 Ter STS RS4 “038 BY GEORGE CO, JENKS, ASS Git Ther Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge, $18 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective, S81 Double-Ourve Dan, the»Pitcher Detective. 98 Flutes toe Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, 08 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil: or, Dan’s Double Play, 116 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise of the Black Bear, 681 The Piteher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, T79 Lron ITand, the Charmed, Detective 851 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. BY WM. G@ PATTEN. Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee ot Jacktown Vane’a Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out. 98 Violet and Datay, the Posy Pards. Ob Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. 2 | Vane’s engeance; or, The Wipe-Out. 80 1 > 6 ’29 Violet 6% Violet a | Vane’s Verdicts or, The Game at Coffin City. ; Vane, the Ventriloguist Vidoeq; or, Sport vs. Sport. Vane, the Vanquished, or, The Lite § trugg'e. Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate, The Miamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. y; or, Fivein One, A<< s i] a S 489 the Mxa of Fire: or, pet a the Vultures, $19 The Boy Tramp _ Detectives or. The Doubie Grip Witness 641 Diamal Dave's Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 1 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 11d Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, 604 Iron Fern 1 ld Misery the Man from Missouri. f ay car-Grit Oal, the Never-Say-Die Detective, Tso m Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective. ye Stoke's Double Deal. otter Bob ln New York. otter Bob’s Bowery Racket. BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 7 of the Sen; or, The Vailed Lady. an Goch Lcotetit 4 or, The Gambler's Big Ga RY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, -0 or, The Witch of Darien. The Pe Pe e% or, The Doge’s Denghter. Dick Darling. the Pony Express Rider. nee and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. e Sword Munters; or, The Land ofthe oy carci Riders 59 The Lost Captains or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 00 The Boy Bedoutnss or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance 4 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 9 Milo Romer the Animal King; er, Round the World, t Dad 10a i Mey ae a r Tamer} eee of the Jungle. 20¢ fick, the Demon F BeS Califernta Joe's War Trail. : re BY CAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMAB, Sol Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. ioe $46 Ginte-ve, the Great Shot of the West er. , 56 Nin Whites Seyi Ir The Valley of Death, 10c 0 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yeilowstone, P 0 Old hd Cabin Fy ee pe iho ely the Woods, ° ore o J | ble ig dae a oy Biot, the Female Trapper, nd Wia Petas oz, The Wild Huntress. Bue Us hae lice Sa v4 Boalp Hing { om The Human ‘Thanderbol” 1 He : 1 Ce eal BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. Nick o the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl»: Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captatus, 64 Dandy Jack; or, TheOutlaws of the Oregon Trafi. 82 Kit Marefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face, 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 89 pits Lyach Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vigiiante. 55 Gol Trig er, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. +4 Tornado Tomy or, en Jack From Red Core, 9 28 87 8 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 8 Arkan«aw ;¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 07 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 15 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 231 Plucky Phil; or. Rom, the Re Jezebel. 241 BIN Bravos; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolivys tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents, 279 Old Winch3 or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan? or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, $45 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Par’; or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, Ihe Brccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Robs or, The Twin Champions of Blue 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 Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Fellx Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior ‘Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. A9®9 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 5BS Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 5648 Dodger Dick’« Doubles or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Deaperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang.of Three. 678 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Gane. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop; or, The Man from Jersey, 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guand. 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 ‘626 The Champton Parda; or, The Luciler of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Dean, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower, 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. @8B2 Datay Dell, the Pavement Qetective; or, Trapping Big Games 742 Billy Winks, the Bell BoySPetec y 754 Billy Winka, the Poss Boy Shadow. 76S Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, Tne Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard S27 The Bantam Sport. 848 Clip, the Battery. Ferret; or, sack seners. Foul Play S97 Davy Deon’s Big Bounce. 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bo~ Shadow. The Boy from Denver. BY CHARLES MORRIS, Will Somers, the Boy Detective, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detectives Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. Handeome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, Black Reas, Wil! Wildfire’s Kacer, Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire tn the Wooda. Billy Bagrage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Wil! Wilddre Wins and Loses Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Rob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hands; or, Wil! Wildfire’s Revenge. ~ 3% Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 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 Tanner: or, The Black Sheepof the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow fam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah RMll and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in'Chicago, : 262 The Young Sharps: o:. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’ Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound;: or, The Young Thoroughbred. 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 Flyers Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; ot, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Fireily Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge: or, The Mvstery of Frank Hearty. 485 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fonght for Honor, 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Recret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid: or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas: or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. Th? Detective Frank’s Rweep-stakes. 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker, SS1 Furkey Billy, the Shine-em-up Detective. 917 Flash ightning, the Mountain Mascot, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ” 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 285 Joe Buck of Angel« one Hise Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick: or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. $10 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York: or, The Cowboy's Fight BY OAPT. ALFRED Bh. TAYLOR O. 8 A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Rullwhacker, 194 Buffalo BIl’s Bet: or, The Gambler Guide, co PANADAMTIMP SS SOP OUONONOSSOD z 8 BY J. W. OSBON,. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Man Without a Past pad pre's ponat the Veteran Detective. Attle tning’s League; or, The Mys o/ the Islan@ 688 Plineky Son, the Boy Prospector. Ti 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Gath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulates 928 Gold-Dust Dan’s Snap-Shot. BY JOSEPH E£. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jacky; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, Te Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-tinwk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Reseue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire witb Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Uhmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. $18 ane peek Hider 3 or, ac Ramen gel League. . ouble Fiat 3 or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Waane: or. Daniet Boone’s Last Trafl. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective: 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tratler. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Secon4_ Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crary, the Mas Without a Head, 708 Licht-Weart Lute’s Legucy. T18 Lichi-Meart Lute’s Last Trail. 728 Kilyc: oinde, the Shoshone. 729 siiverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bagy 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trafl. ¢48 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy ory, of the Mountains. 280 Tho Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY LIEUT. Il. D. PERRY, U. 8, N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Vow Wel) Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Mont-ss Potme BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin s:6y; or, The Witch of the Fort, 820 The Sea Serceress ; or; The Boy Shipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 28 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. }87 The Land Pirates: or, The League of Devil’s Island. 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwouds Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Taland Jims: or, The Pet of the Family. [91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, ‘ 101 Jack Narkaway in New York. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-lHorse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Reid an@ Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 IIlnstrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His,Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Cruse. By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Plrates of the Carribees. By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown: or, The Arena Queen. By F 8, Finn. 88 Ned Wylie, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Fiif'ess or. The Undergronod Camp. By A. C. Tront. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Missiasippt By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green* wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 T: no Mad Hanser’ or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texans or, The Young Champion, By George Glesson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Snm ; or, The Adventures of a Friendiess Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Davrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel~ lowstone. By Edward orson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y irk Boy. By G. L, Alken, 266 wiv ar. $e woeeee or, Davy Crockett’s . D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the OneRyot Trapper; or, The Malfd of the Cliff, tock. 817 Pocancn Pate, the Lively Lad trom Leadville, By Lien tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Bay Peter ves or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, aior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, she Figg Rover} or, The Brother’s Re- ne. 865 Baltimore 5 ag the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris. R74 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match. G H. Morse, 876 Saliferwia Joe's First Trail. By Colonel Thomas over Monétery. 254 Ritly hombshcll, the ene Chimber, By F. 8. Winthrop. e Black . By John arner. 4 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henry J, Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Breoke Forrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H, Enton. 682 The Dead Vetective’s Double. By Gerald Coe. 721 Maverick Mose, tne Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass, By Will Lisenbee. 809 Ree Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the . S. Secret Service Corps. 814 Ace High, the Frisco Detective. By C. E. Tripp. 880 The Grim Lodgers In Rag Alley; ot, Citkzen Rube ‘ o None agg cd Ben paige |e by. ba ¢ Chicaga Drummer’s Peal. By J. . Bethune. Bil Frince Charlie, the Cat’s- Paw Sport. Py Merm uke v, 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. By Chas. F. 879 Biue-lght THM, the Sapphire Sport; or, The tive’s Lone Hand. ‘By King Keene. Detoo- A New Insue Every Tuesdey- The Half-Dime Library {s tor sale by sll Newsdea“* ““¢ eonte per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six cents eacn. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pubifshers, 98 William Street, New Yor,
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858 Deadwood Dick, Published Every Tuesday. BEADLE’S«H ALF- DIME*T_ IBRARY. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick's Detiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffaly Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Oastle. 42 “hapa bi oe ee panier mel Or, TRS eo im Miner. AY Deadwoo ck in Danger; or, Omaha Ol. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Bick on, Decks or, Calamity 2 ye Heroine ‘27 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadweod Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick aa Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost, 188 Deadwood Dick’s Mome Hasse; or, Blonds Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike} or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’a Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. 01 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. ty Deadwood Bick’s Doom? or, on paca Adventure, © Deadwvod Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Pick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, +44 panaoes Diek’s igh pm or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. ead woot ck’s Death Trall. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. S21 Deadwooa pick’s Vozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats ef pooawecs pigk’s, Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings, 262 ieesuned Rick onete | or, The Terrible Vendetta, 405 Deadwood Dick In weaia City. oe ee ab eh ed Mates da, eadwood Dick in New eels or, A “ Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’« Dust: or, oot Chained Hand. ¥ 44% Deadwood Bick, Iris Defiance. "8 Siem 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Big Round-Up. 445 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Racket at Claim 10, ani eeewers rete one ch or, _— Bill. endwoo ck, Jr.’# Do etective, 451 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadw ood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jrs Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee, 622 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Three. BR? Deadwood Bick, Jr.’a, Danger Dacka, t Pendwoot Dick. Irn, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr, in Texas. “ 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoce 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Ha Wooule. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Philadefphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Afloat. &82 Deadwoou Dick. vr. in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deerecs 595 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Detrolt. 618 Deadwood Dick. Jr. In Cincinnati. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’a Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. In Buffalo. Sag ena roes ok ane cnent peeeentns Continent 4 pad wood ck, Jr., Amon he Smu ra. 660 Deadwood Diek, Jr’, Wwehtamee Gass . 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Rack in the Minea. 672 Deadwood Dick, dr., tn Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” ai penaweed a wise kg" br bg abe os eadwoo ek, Jr.'s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide. | 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. ZOLA Deadwood Dick, \Jr., at Jack-Pot. Z10 Deadwood Dick Jr., in San Francisco, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr Still Ikunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Ira Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Diagulac, 784 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Double Deal, 740 Deadwood Dick Jr.’a, Reathwatch. TAT Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, DPeathblow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Desperate Strait, 764 Deadwood Diek, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Defeat. T76 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Resurrection, TS2 Deadwooa Dick. dr.’s Dark Daya. ; ZT Deadwood Dick Jr., Defied. %. 8 Ss 92 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Vouble Device, 9T Deadwood Dick, Jr’.n, Desperate Venture, ) 02 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, 807 Deadwood Dick Jr’a, Royal Flush, 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Head-off. $16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Rival, 822 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom, S28 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Scoop. 884 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devils Gulch, Jr.’a, Peath-HMole Hustle Jr’s Bombshell Jr., In Mexico. Jr’a Decoy Duck, Jr. in Silver Pocket. Jr’s, Dead-Sure Game dra, Double Drive. 868 Deadwood Dick, S70 Deadwood Dick, S76 Deadwood Dick, $82 Deadwood Dick, S9L Deadwood Dick, SYS Deadwood Dick, 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr’, Trade-Mark, 910 Dendwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. 916 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s Double-Decker.~ 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. 984 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flata 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, ee Sy 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, dr.’a, Right Bowér. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Diek, Jr.’s, Gold-Dust. NTL Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Oath, 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Death-Doom, 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Beat Card, 992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at_ Gold Dust, 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded. 1O1L Dsad<ood Dick, Jr.'s, Dutch Pard, 1018 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s, Big Four. BY T. J. FLANAGAN, 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 925 The Young Cowboy Captain. 988 ahé Two Midshipmen; or, The Corsalr-Chaser’s First ‘utee. 942 The Three Lieutenants 959 The Mascot Middy ; or, The Four Commanders. 966 Fichting Jack Shubrick. 972 Fighting Jack’s Middies ¢ or, Dandy Dick’s Dash, 999 Jack Lang, the Privateer Royer, 1014 Middy Ned, tke Runaway. a eA Sey eae Wee 4 is VERE Durer ee Oe toe oe ui; Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, [dy], the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob’s Reappearwancée; or, Photograph Phil, 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenges or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Dols Victory; or, Skul) and Crossbones, 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. B68 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherery or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, : 885 Yreka Jim’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 Slerra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pards or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Slerra Sam’a Seven} or, The Stolen Bride. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective 3 or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 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 Wat Warry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, 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 Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team $2 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack MWovle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Ill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Kob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. 17? Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Bockskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, be 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 Quick-Shot or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. BOS First-Class Fred, the Gent tram Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The S®cret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, § Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Keith, t ¢ Revertiue Spotter. $22 Sol Sharpe, the New Vork Night-Hawk. 948 Old Hayxeed Among Bunco Men, 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. BY J. C. COWDRICK, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 inept tel ti eee err ye or, Clearing aStrange Case, roadway y's *MikKilty.” Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, Broadway Billy’» Dead Act: or, The League of Seven, Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. Rrsnswey A le be or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. roadway y In Clover. steep tale wa, <e Toners or, The River Ruatlers, roadway y's rand, Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, cpg tebe ite Fae Sees or, The Gamin Detective, roadway y’s Business, Broadway Billy’s Curious Case. Broadway Billy in Denver. ee pone png A pis % Bargain} Reef The Three Detective. a - G e etrieve etective, ees Broadway Bultxte Shadow hoses 788 Broadway Billy’sa Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Broadway Ily’« Teams or, The Combine’s Big Pull 4 prcsever arate anges or, The Dead Alive. roadway y’s Queer Bequest. 800 Broadway Billy Baffled. 805 Brondway Billy’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Billy’ Wipe Out. S15 Broadway. Billy’s Bank Racket. S821 Broadway Billy’s Bluff. 826 Brofidway Killy Among Jersey Thugs, S88 Broadway Billy’« Raid, 889 Broadway Billy’a Big Boom, 844 Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. 849 Billy’ #100,000 Snap. 856 Billy’s Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Billy tn London. - : eS eee ye Slums. roadway y’s French Game. Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. Silver-Maak, the Man of Mystery; or, Tue Golden Keys. Shaata, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s nperen tee 3 or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuia John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan. the Daisy Dude. O06 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 692 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tyrewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the*' Pizeneat ’’ Man of Ante Bar, SS7 Battery Bob. the Dock Detective. 894 Arizona Dick’s Wipe-Out. 900 Jumping Jack's Jubilee. 906 Satety Sam, the Cvele Sport, 912 Train Boy Tris«t’s Hot Hustle, 918 Tne Trump Dock-Boy. 924 Rig Roots Rob, the Fire-Laddte. 980 Kuatler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newshoy Detective’s Chum. 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlie's Double. 947 The Bewery W reatler; or, (The Butcher-Boy’s Backer. 958 Paddy’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport, 960 The Broadway Sports or, Flyer Fred’s Clear Case. 967 #1000 Reward; or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. 978 Bantam Billy. the Corker-Ferrets 978 Plucky Pat. the Street-Boy Detective, 989 Bieycle Bob’« Hot Scorch, 997 Scorcher Sam, the Detective on Wheels 1004 Scorcher fam’s Sweep-Stake s, 1009 Tee Giri Cy clia’s Winning Hand. BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE. 956 Brooklyn Kob’s Bulses or, Dodger Dot’s Diamond Snap. 968 The East-Side Spotter: or, Turning Down the Big Three 974 Old Sant’ Dark Deals or, Miner Mat’s Iron Grip, 1015 The Keporter-Detective’s Big Pull, Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway | SABE AAS vo EVEL 6 SA 10 ae ae a NODS 5)... a ateigy MNS, GN ik lee Ne. vrs i : ehuitoe 2! TINT 8 P05 BUFHKALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1018 Buffalo Bill’« Texas Team. 1007 Baffalo Bills Sure-Shots. 1006 Buffalo Bill’s Deeoy Boya. a 995 Buffalo Bills Dron; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kaneas Kid 98S Buffalo Bill's Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bill's Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill’« Kifle Shots, 968 Buffalo Bill's Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer- 964 Buffalo Bill’s Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot, 958 Buffalo Bill’a Mazeppa-Chase. a 948 Baffalo Bill's Snap-Shot ; or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally 942 Buffalo Bill’« Tough Tusale. 986 Buffalo Bili’s Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up, 929 Buffalo BUIs Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy, 216 Kison Bill, the Prince ot the Reins. 222 Bison Bill's 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 Colorado? or, The Trapper’s Truat. 1029 The Phantem Spy. e BY CAPT, ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BIll’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 1081 The Texan Huaatlers in Cuba, 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Cuba 1025 The Flying Yankee or, The Ocean Outcast. 1028 The Cowboy Clan In Cuba. 1016 The Boy Bagler in Cuba, 982 New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game 926 New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. New York Nat’s ‘Three of a Kind, New York Nat’s Dovble. New York Nat’s in Colorado. New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat’s Deadly Deal, New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. New York Nat’s Trump Card. New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. New York Nat’a Masked Mascot, New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. Dick Doom’a Kidnapper Knock-Out. Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. Dick Deom’s Flush Hand. Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, Dick Doom}: or, he Sharps and Sharks of New York, Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, Dick Doom tn Chicago. ___ Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep}; or, Five Links in a Clve- Dick Doom’a Death Clue. Dick Doom’« Diamond Deal, Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big Haul. Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard,. } Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 7 Buck Tayler, King of the Cowboys. 787 Buck Taylor, the Conan ie SiOSS ye- 748 Back Taylor’ Eoyss (1, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee BUT, the Prairie Shadower. 718 Pawnee Biil; or, Carly the Mad Cowboy, 719 Pawnee Bills Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom. 725 Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Redfern’s Curtous Case: o, The Rival Sharps. Kedtern at Pe vil’s Kanch; or, The Sharp from Texas, Redfern’s High Hand; or, Blue Jacket. Redfern’s Last Trail: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, And Fifty Others, BY LIEUT, A. K, SIMS. Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 1 Tom Cat’« Terrible Task; or, The Cowtoy Detective Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine. Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike, The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. The Silver Sport: or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow Happy Hana, ‘h® Dutch Vidocg; or, Hot Timesat Round-U Bilda Barnacle, the Detective Hercnles. Cowhoy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, Jolly Jereminh, the Plains Detective, Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. Billy, the Gypay Spy: or,7 he Mystery of Two Liv: Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. % The Meamertat perst or, The Mystified Rptective. Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 5 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective, - Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, The Rustler of Rolling Stone. Lone Hand Joe the Committee of One. ' Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuek, The Doctor Dete ctive tn Texas. 872 Two Showmen J'ctectives in Colorado. 987 The Texan Fir cbrand: or, Brazos Billy’s SnapShot 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. NEW ISSUES. 1088 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. By Puffal, Bill, 1089 Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.. ByMaj SS. Scotti 1040 Buffalo Bill's Pony Patrol. By Col. P. Ingraham, 1041 Gowboy Chris to the Fore By Wm. W. Wilder. 1042 Jittle Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col. P. Ingraham, 1048 You Bet Bob from Cross Crick. By Arizona Cy, JUST ISSUED. 1088 You Bet Bob’« Circus. By Arizona Cy, 1084 The Gold Witch's Skadower. By Col. P, Ingrmham 1085 Antelope Abe, the Bov Guide. By Ol! Coomes, 1086 Dandy Dick’s Double. By Robert R. Inman, 1087 The Artist Detective. By Col, P. Ingraham. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, ive tents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of alx cents ench. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New Yorky,.