Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1066) (1897 12 28)
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Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copyrighted 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. December 28, 1897. Published Every Vol. XLI. Tuesday. ‘ No.1066, "cm" or": BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, $2.50 a Year. 92 Witu1AM STREET, New YorE. ) ra ay ! dif: a AOU E: ate NY i ny ST : ‘ al OP Tay’ OU, TT Ne a fA th: Yi fh \\ VA F i, y) TAP Me VY pif, 4A / ww A a SS . E = : z, ic ficut N en \ ) a alld TO ays, by I iis” ZZ { 4 viegt es Ds ike a _ y {ff OOS SH 6. er ear he 0 Ps ee ‘‘ WHAT A RIP-SNORTIN’ OLE PICNIC!” BELLOWED ROUND-UP RUBE.
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2 Cowboy Chris, THE DESERT CENTAUR; Hawking for the Human Hawk. A Story of the Arid Plains, BY WM. WEST WILDER, (** WYOMING WILL,”) AUTHOR OF “ COWBOY CHRIS, THE MAN OF CALIBER,” ‘‘ COWBOY CHRIS TO THE FORE,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. FRIENDS IN NEED, ‘* HoLy smoke!” ‘* What do you make of it, Pard Rube?” “ A race fer life, ur I’m er truth-twistin’ ole sarnip!” ‘*] can’t make out much of anything except two small clouds of dust, the one in advance be- ing smaller than the other—in fact, it is so small 1 can scarcely see it at all.” “ Thar’s one ur two critters on hossback thar, jest humpiu@fer dear life. Tw ter one, ther ones as is follerin’ em is’Paches, I sh’u’d say thar wuz erbout er dozen o’ ther p’ison imps, Ef we c’u’d jest git inter them dirty varmints, we'd make ther fur fly, Christopher!” ‘*We must take a hand some way, old man! It is our duty to aid the weaker party, if it is as you surmise.” ‘¢ An’ I reckon it’s our duty ter send as menny *Paches as we kin ter ther bappy huntin’-groun’s, We'll be doin’ ther kentry er mighty big favor. *Paches an’ rattlesnakes is jist one ah’ the same,” ** Then come on!” ‘“Easy, Pard! Hold hard an’ stiddy fer er leetle, ‘They’re comin’ closter all ther time, an’ wen they sees this knob o’ timber, they’ll be purty sure ter head fer it, Ef we lay low, we kin guv ther red skunks er mighty s’prise party. Never go off at bafe-cock, Chrig, lad.” The individual who volunteered this advice was a small, sharp faced old man, who looked as if he bad seen a great deal of the rough side of life. His face was beardless, his eyes keen and piercing. He was dressed like a cowboy, wearing stout high boats, deerskin leggings and bunting shirt, plain ‘‘ Stinson” sombrero, the latter being encircled by a band tbrust full of cartridges. The belt around his waist supported a pair of holstered revolvers, and the haft uf a large knife arose from the sheath which hid the bright blade, Grasped by his sinewy hands, a handsome Winchester repeating rifle lay across the saddle-bow in front of bim, The man was the beau ideal of a rough and ready cowboy, such a person as would make an excellent friend and a very unpleasant enemy. His horse was a fine dark-bav animal. The man’s true name was Reuben Randall, but be was more often known as Round-up Rube, But it was the old cow-puncher’s companion who would be sure to. attract the most attention in a crowd, Altbough-scarcely of age, he was ‘tall, -quere-shouldered, finely-built and had the appearauce of a perfect man, being one of those persons most women naturally regard with ad- wiration, His face was fravk and open, bis lips being sh:ded by a brown mustache that added ‘to bis goo looks, although it was not fully de- veloped. A mass of curling brown hair fell up- on bis shoulders. The young man was more fancifully attired than his keen-eyed comrade, His light-colored sombrero was encircled by a gold cord, and _ his black velvet jacket was cut after the Mexican fashion. A black scarf was knotted sailor fashion under the rolling collar of bis white silk shirt. Instead of a belt to support bis weapons, te wore a sash of silk webbing around his waist. His grayish pantaloons were thrust into the tops «! bigh boots, which were silver-spu ‘ is weapons were similar to those carried by Teund-up Rabe, This was Christopher Comstock, or Cowbo Coris, a name given him by bis comrades while }.- was Old Rube’s pupil in obtaining a know- ledge of the life cattlemen oe Scarcely less noticeable tha steed he bestrode. the man was the Jt was a most magnificent animal, coal-black in color, clean-limbed as a deer, and baving a proudly arching neck. Like « black waterfall its tail swept rearward, In its large eyes was a gleam which seemed to de- note almost humen intelligence and a conscious- ness of uncommon physical power and beauty. Although in repose, the black steed was con- stantly on the alert to rag’ the will of its mas- ter, seeming proud of the human burden on its back, “See, Rube!” exclaimed the young cowboy, as his borse impatiently struck tbe ground with one forward foot; ** Black Cloud is eager to be away.” ‘* Hold him stiddy, Chris! Look thar! Tbar bain’t but one critter as is runnin’ from ther reds; you kin seehimnow, Thar! He’s turnin’ fer this yere knot o’ timber! All we’ve got ter do’s git under kiver an’ holp bim wipe out ther varmints wen they come whoopin’ up fer his m3) cuss ’em!” ‘Tf bis horse holds out to reach this spot. He is bard pressed.” : ‘Right ye are, lad. But, w’y don’t he use his guns?” Away out on the barren plain the dust-clouds were sweeping toward the little timber island, and now the two cowboys could faintly hear the yells of the pursuing savages—triumpbant yells, which indicated their faith in ultimately secur- ing the scalp of the one they were pursuing. Chris and Rube could now see the figures of the pursued and bis pursuers, ‘Jest as I ‘lowed,” nodded the old man. “‘ They’re "Paches. Can’t ye ketch ther glitter o’ their lances, lad?” ‘‘T can see something glistening in the sun- light,” ‘“‘Thet’s them. Ther critters hev tuck ter ther white man’s gun, but some o’’em still hang ter ther lances they hed afore they ever saw er gun. Ha! Thet’s biz!” Neither of the attach had seen the puff of smoke, which had probably been hidden by the dust-cloud, but the report of a rifle now came faintly to their ears. ‘*Git back inter ther timber, lad,” command- ed Rube, setting the example. ‘‘I know we're purty well kivered, but them red-skins hev pow- erful keen eyes, so git back still furder.” They moved back till a mass of foliage quite concealed the horses, With the barrels of their rifles they made an opening in the leaves and nig sufficient to allow them to watch the race for life, Having discovered the intention of the white man to seek refuge in the timber, the Indians were urging their tough ponies to the utmost, yelling like fiends unloosed, The borse ridden by the pursued was nearly used up, and the savages were gaining fast. “They will overtake him before be can reach cover!” cried Chris, “Not ef ther boss holds out,” assured Rube. ‘We'll open on ther red rips ez soon ez they git within long shot,” As the fugitive came nearer they saw he was a man well advanced in years, evidently a plainsman or prospector, Suddenly the pursued half-turned in_the sad- dle, flinging bis rifle to his shoulder. With the motion, every gp, Nplnee gee behind the neck and mane of pony. The rifle of the fleeing man spoke, and one of the sturdy little any 2 went down, its rider landing nimbly on is feet. ‘* Good shootin’, by Moses!” exclaimed Round- up Rube, admiringly. Several of the Indians returned the fire, but the fugitive did not.appear touched, “Luck is with bim!” burst. from Chris Com- stock’s lips. ‘‘ But his horse—Rube, look at bis hk yrse |”? The overdriven animal was staggering like a drunken thing, and it was plain the, creature could vot keep on its feet another minute, The yells of the savages now became demoniac in their fierce triumph, They were near nr tty Ba for the two friends to see they were Apaches in war-paint and regalia—the very personification of bnman devils, “He'll never git ter ther timber, lad,” came grimly from the old cow-puncher’s lips. ‘‘ Hole hard thar!” he quickly added, as Chris seemed on the point of giving the noble black free rein. ‘““ We've got ter take them varmints by s’prise, else our skelps’li dry in ther smoke o’ a ’Pache wigwam! We want ter bu’st on’em like er cyclone. Ef ther galoot’s hoss goes down, ther fu’st thing ther red pimps’ll do’ill be ter git atween himan’ this yeretimber. Then’ll be our time! Wait tell— Down they go!” The rider of the exhausted horse bad been ex- pecting the worst, and so be was ready for the fall, When t!e animal went down, its master’s feet were free of the stirrups, and he landed safely. Blood had burst from the doomed horse’s ‘ iy pa? fata i ge 1h Wes eae i ras Spelt Pein = situs oy MARE HR BS Oke Bayh ep: " owboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. nostrils, and, without a struggle, it stretched it- self on its side to die. The fugitive did not give the poor creature a second look. He bad no time for that, as there was life and death work onhandforhim. Fully believing be was doomed, he determined to fight to the last gasp, brave heart that he was. Dropping bebind the horse, the man began working his rifle in a manner which indicated he had “ been there before.” The rattling re- ports of the weapon announced the hail-storm of lead he sent burtling about the reds. The Indians had craftily taken refuge behind their povies, and began to circle the moment the man fell, but, for all of that, he dropped three of the horses and sent the masters of two of them to earth to rise no more, Then the war- riors swept around and placed themselves be- tween the desperate man and his only hope of salvation, the timber! “Reddy fer biz, pard!” hissed the batchet- faced cowboy. ‘Pick yer meat an’ sboot ter kill! Foller me w’en I guv ther yell. Ready! Let ’er went !” At the command they opened fire on the Apaches, dropping two of the red wretches with their first shots. ‘“* Now at ’em!” With a ringing yell, the cowboy pards charged from the timber, still working their apt as they appeared in view. Side by side they burst from cover, sending a perfect stream of bullets among the astounded savages, ‘* Guy ’em helly-lulyer!” howled Old Rube. With the bridle-rein lying loosely on its neck, the black horse carried its master onward, and Cowboy Chris sat tbe saddle like one born there, Fire flashed in the eyes of man and beast, and death rained from the speaking muz- zle of the young cattleman’s rifle, Uf ever bu- man being deserved the name of Centaur it was Chris Comstock at that moment! CHAPTER IL. A QUEER OLD NOMAD, THE Apaches were surprised, but with the readiness of instinct, they shielded themselves behind their ponies and fled from the new dan- ger. Being so suddenly attacked from a new point, they bad no time to look after their dead and wounded, but were obliged to leave them where they fell. Besides knocking a red-skin out of the saddle, Old Rube had dropped a pony that shielded an- other, From bebind the fallen animal its dusky master tried to put a bullet througb one of the two cowboys; but Chris saw the danger, a sav- age eye gleaming along a rifle-barrel, and with a quick shot, stretcbed a dead Apache beside a dying horse. The old fellow who bad been run down by the Indians gave utterance to a wild yell of delight, rose to one knee, then worked bis rifle faster than before, making it plain he bad found time ‘to re-fill the magazine, The bullets he sent whistling after the savages must have accelerat- ed their speed, although they seemed to do no harm to the human tigers. Although Round-up Rube was finely mounted, Chris Comstock’s noble black horse carried the young man to the fore. With its head bigh in the air, its omy, black coat gleaming in the sunlight, its eyes blazing and nostrils dilated, “it was the perfect picture of a war-horse. So firm, easy and natural did the master of the black steed sit in the saddle, every move of the animal seeming at command of bis will, man and horse seemed almost as one, * Holy heavens ter Betsey?” bellowed Round- up Rube, with wild delight, ‘‘ W’at a rip-snort- in’ ole picnic! Look sharp, Pard Chris! ther red skunks are beginnin’ ter sling lead. Lay down—low down!” The Indians were indeed returning the fire of their white foes, but, although the bullets whistled about bis ears, Chris did not follow the old cowboy’s example and bend low in the sad- dle, Krect he sat, using his rifle till the maga- zine was empty, and, altbougb bullets whistled about his head, he remained untouched, as if his life was charmed. i Seeing the savages in full flight, Rube Randall swung his rifle at bis back, its place in bis hands being taken by a rawhide lasso. 4% less than a minute be had roped one of the dead Indians’ ponies,” having given a yell which told the younger cowboy the chase was off. ‘As Chris turned back, he saw the cattleman securing the pony. The ‘stranger who had been run down by the savages arose to his feet and began reloading his weapons, laughing all the while as if he had never enjoyed himself better in all his life. 1 a
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a re ee ae a Cowboy Chris, the Desert Cen taur. 3 The two cowboys approached the oid fellow, Rube leading the pony. ‘* He! he! he!” snickered the old customer, who was a tall, angular individual with two ‘very long legs and a very short body, a peculiar- ity which made Rube mutter that he was “ split purt’ nigh ter ther neck.” ‘* Great wobble-jinted Maria, ther gentle maid o’ ther furmatress waterfall!” cried the stranger. ‘‘ Thet’s w’at I calls a large, large time! I did begin ter wish I wuz bald-headed arter they got atwixt me an’ tall timber, but I made up my mine I’d innoculate two ur three 0’ ther sun-stained sinners with a double-distilled decoction o’ lead afore they lifted ther frizzes thet adorn my classic cokernut. It’s excrew- ‘shiatingly forternace you fellers chipped in jest as yedid. Ef ye hedn’t—good-by, Daniel!” *T reckon "twuz kind otiacky we wuz ’roun’,” agreed Rube. ‘ You’d bin swallerin’ some 0’ er own innockulation afore long, ef we hedn’t *peared.” ** Right, pard, right! I wuz tryin’ ter think 0’ some pray-words ter use, I tell you, I’m jest mighty glad ter see you fillers—l jest be! ‘Shake}” As the strange old ee gripped their hands, his homely face puckered up in a comical grin, Rube inquired: ‘* Who be ye, ole poxey?” ‘*Thar|” cried the queer old man; “ then you hit it plumb center fu’st crack! [’m er posy blessom o’ ther plains, er fragrant flower o’ ther forest, er magenter rose o’ ther mountains—oh, I’m er tulip! Don’t I look sweet{ don’t I smell salubrious! Cast yer eyes on me, then—faint! I'm ther fairest blush rose in all this yere ea o Arizony! Get onter my us With a queer twinkle in his sharp eyes, Rube asserted: ** Ter me ye look more like ther las’ rose 0’ ‘summer,” “Thet wuz ther unkindest cut o’ all!” sighed the old fellow, but with his eyes full of laughter. “*How could you so harshly express yerself— ‘wobble-j'inted Maria! how c’u'd ye!” ** Beg pardon ef I tetched er soft spot.” “Oh, it’s all right! You hain’’ no beaut erself, if I may speak so plain. Dan Pike hain’t ‘kickin’.” **So Dan Pike is yer name?” “Tt is, but I’m oftenest called Ole Blossom,” “Then Ole Blossom it shell be. This yere’s my pard, Chris Comstock, as white er boy as ever drored breath. I’m Rube Randall, ur ‘Round-up Rube, We're cowboys,” ‘* Waal, ‘low me ter say oncet more thet I’m Jest scrumpshus glad ter see ye. My hoss is ne-— ‘*An’ fer thet reason I roped this Injun cayuse, He’s yourn, ef ‘ye kin ride ther pesky critter.” “Many, many thanks, Reuben! This is a kindness I shell endeavor to remember—yes, I shell! My pore ole Flyfoot has done his las’ flyin’. He wuz er good ole hoss, but bis time hed ter come. He hed ter knuckle under, as we all shell w’en our time comes.” With a sudden change of feeling Old Blossom wi a tear from his eye. ‘°Tain’t no use weepin’,” he added. ‘“‘ It can’t be hol now. 1 tell ye, pards, ’m powerful thankful ter git off with my top-knot, an’ I thank ye fer takin’ er han’, It wuz er galorious sight ter see ye come whoopin’ outer ther tim- ber, a-sockin’ hot lead ter ther imps! Ef I c’u’d jest wash some 0’ ther crust o’ dirt offen me, I’d ook er leetle more like ther flower I reppry- sent.” “ Thar’s er spring in ther grove.” “Then 1’low Pll go hey er swaller an’ git ¢<lean. Kem on, hoss!” Leading the pony, he made his way toward the grove, while Rube and Chris looked after the fallen red-skins, making sure they were be- yond doing further harm, and confiscating or destroying their weapons. ‘* We don’t want ter leave ther tools fer their rds ter use,” admonished Rube, ‘Ef *tadn’t in fer ther derned fool agents, ther red whelps’d never bin hafe so bad ter handle, fer they’d never got so menny shooters.” When this task was attended to they moved toward the little grove, to be met on the out- skirts by Old Blossom, whose appearance bad been much improved by a liberal application of water to his face and bands, **T tell ye I feel better!” he nodded. ‘“‘ But, look out thar, pards! Ther red rapscallions hev pulled up, an’ are keepin’ an eye on us,” It was true the Apaches had halted far out on the plaia. ; « They are waiting for us to depart,’ said Chris, ‘‘Then they will come and look after their dead comrades.” ‘* Did ye skelp ther varmints?” asked Pike, ‘No; we are not scalp-hunters,” ‘* Waal, I dunno’s I keer fer their ha’r, though it’d only be sarvin’ em as they w’u’d us ef they hed ther chance. But I’m outer ther fur busi- ness, After a short discussion, if was decided to | move on, leaving the dead reds for their com- rades to look after. Old Blossom having se- cured his saddle, adjusted it to the back of the captured pony, then they were ready to start. As they rode out from the grove, Rube asked Old Blossom how he came to be in such ascrape, and the old plains tramp explained that, with two comrades, he had been on a prospecting trip in that section. They had been troubled to find water, but had finally struck asmall spring and halted in a bit. of timber, where they in- tended to rest through the heat of theday. By the aid of a field-giass, they had espied some antelopes away out on the plain, and Blossom had started out to get a shot at them, keeping bimself shielded from view by some low bills, But he was not destined to taste antelope meat that day. Before he reached a position from which he intended to stalk the game, he was sighted by a band of Indians and found himself cut off from his friends. A desperate race for life followed, during which Pike was driven out upon the bar- ren plain. Our friends had seen the termination of the race, ‘*f dunno whether ther red imps wuz fol- Jerin’ us an’ knowed thar wuz more’n one ur not,” be concluded. ‘* Anyhow, I reckon ther bull party tuck arter me, Pardan an’ Con ’ll bev ter look out fer their own selves tell we come tergether erg’in,” As Rube and Chris were not very which direction they pursued, they allowed Old Blossom to lead the way. ‘* We'll try ter fine ther other lads,” said the old fellow. ‘‘They’re away yon ter ther west- ’ard somewhar, tuck a turn on them red- skins, an’ thet’s w’at brought us in frum ther norrud. By ther great wobble-j’inted Maria! you kin gamble thet I don’t keer ’bout takin’ *nother sech er race under this yere scorcbin’ sun re jest don’t!” ere you an’ yer rds prospectin’ fer gold?” ventured Rube. ssf aie A queer look passed over Old Blossom’s face, but he nodded promptly: "Yep, ‘* Waal, you wuz in er rayther strange part o’ ther Territory, fer I’ve never heerd o’ any great gold diskiverys bein’ made up in this section. Most all ther yaller seems ter be-down on ther Salt an’ Gila, ur tharabouts.” Dan Pike did not seem very communicative as to their reasons for baving wandered so far from the regular stamping-grounds of the gold- hunters, and so Randall did not press him, For balf a dozen miles they rode onward, con- versing on general topics. Finally Old Blossom turned in the saddle and looked back, Then he uttered an exclamation: ‘Great splutterin’ ham-fat thet stewed ther sassage fer ole Noah!” he snorted. ‘Jest look back thar, pards!” ‘Ther pesky "Paches are follerin’ us!” assert- ed Round-up Rube, after wheeling in the saddle and taking a long survey. CHAPTER ITI. A DESERT MIRAGE, Far back on the plain between them and the little knob of timber, they could discern several moving figures. aa Are you sure they are Apaches?’ asked bris. **Great wobble-j’inted Maria, yes!” exclaimed Blossom. ‘*Thom are ther o’nery, pestiferons, diabolical, consarned sweet-scented copper- skins 0’ Arizony—yes, they be! Them are most likely ther same infarnal skunks thet ’scaped slavzhter back thar, an’? now they are arter us fer blood-—deep-red blood! They mean ter hev satisfaction fer ther way we used their chums an’ so they are goin’ ter foller us tell er good chance comes. Oh, they’re ther meanest, most vengeful, dad-derned coyotes in— Whoa, thar! Now w’at’s ther matter with you? Whoa, bless ye—whoa!” The pony which the old man rode suddenly began to act contrary, bucking, squealing and biting viciously at Dan’s legs, **T knowed it!” Jaughed Round-up Rube. critter kem ter let ye putt on ther saddle so easy. It must be he hes hed a saddle on his back afore this, ur else he w’udn't.* Them cayuses don’t seem ter like er white man any more then their masters do, an’ it’s er derned wonder he ’lowed ye ter straddle him arter ye got ther saddle on,” **Wal, Pll ride bim now—whoa, dern ye!— ur bu’st my b’iler tryin’! He’ll fine lots o’ sport tryin’ ter dislodge this yere ole por’us plaster frum his back—be jest will! Il stick tighter then tar—whoa, I say!—ter er nigger’s heel! No, ye can’t do it, dast ye!” Plainly Old Dan was an expert horseman, despite his long legs and awkward appearance, for the ugly little beast found it impossible to dislodge him, and finally gave up the attempt in apparent disgust. ; ** Hed heaps an’ hops an’ humps o’ fun, didn’t ye!” sneered the long-legged Nomad, when the pony had grown quieter. ‘Tried ter play cir- cus an’ .use me fer ther clown, didn’t yel Thought I wuzer rubber ball thet’s easy bounced, didn’t ye! Waal, ye foun’ I sticks wuss tken er burrin er muel’stail, didn’t ye! Ob-ar-r-r-rrr!” With the exclamation, he sawed so savagely at the rotten rope-bridle the pony’s former mas- ter had used that the rope broke as if it were tow, Chris Comstock had been looking for some- thing of the kind to occur, and he bad made preparations by getting his jasso in hand, The moment the pony discovered what had happened it struck out for itself. In an instant Chris was after the runaway, his lariat circling around his head, Uttering a cry of warning to Old Blossom, be made the cast. The throw was made witha precision that showed Round-up Rube had good reasons for rticular | being proud of bis pupil; but Old Blossom bad not understood or did not heed the warving, for when the shock came, the prospector went flving over the pony’s head, his long arms and: legs outstretched in such a manner that he looked like a huge frog. He uttered a wild yell as he flew througb the air and a terrific grunt when he struck the ground. As the young cowboy made haste to secure the pony, the old fellow who had so hurriedly and unintentionally dismounted sat up and look- ed around, ‘*By the jaw-bone with which ole Samson slewed the Philistines!” be murmured; ‘‘ But thet wuz a reg’lar s’prise-party—it jest wuz!” * Are ye hurt, pard?” asked Rube, *“*T reckon not much,” was the slow reply, while a queer grin overspread the rugged face. ‘* But, great wobble-j’inted Maria! thet wuz suthin’ not laid down onter the programmy! I hain’t uster taking boerial trips; I hain’t made no plans ter go huntin’ fer comets; I hain’t got no relatives in ther moon that I knows about. Ef you fellers hed jest ez lief, I'l remain on ther ole yearth er while longer—yes, I will!” ‘*T gave you fair warning,” laughed Chris, “*T beard ye, young feller—I heard ye yoop, but I didn’t understan’.” ‘“*T am very sorry—” the young cowboy be- gan; but Old Blossom interrupted him with a wave of bis band. **Tt's all right, lad! I don’t mine er leetle thing like thet. Thet ain’t nothin’ a tall com-, pared with w’at I hey bin through, I hey bin run over by railroad trains, blowed up in pow- der mills, blowed up ee cyclones an’ blowed up by crab-apple tempered ole maids! I hev been wrecked by a yearthquake, passed through a railroad wreck, an’ bin shipwrecked! Thet’s w’y I’m so reckless, Still I exist! Do you think a little thing like this is of any conse- quence?” With a comical 5 aya of extreme disgust at so trivial an affair, the genes. old chap arose to his feet, picking up his rifle. “ But now,” he added, “ ther next thing is ter make ernother harness fer this pesky critter, an’ one thet will hold.” From his own lariat he cut sufficient rope for the purpose, and a duplicate of the simple head- stall was soon adjusted to the pony’s head, thenugh the ugly little brute showed its vicious- nes- by snapping with its white teeth at the old man, In a short time they were ready to move on- ward agaip, ‘Ther red skunks are considerable nigher,” observed Rube, after once more regarding their. pursuers, This was evident to the trio, “Ther red imps will never give over ther *The Apaches, “the Red Bedouins of the plains,” “Ther only thing thet struck me wuz how ther ° often ride without either saddle or bridle. : FT Ge ae rb! oe Oe Rae EN ers al ma Se ne = aks eat
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«plow OGL ee & i yore part other Territory. ? aa Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. trail now tell they are tricked er killed,” assert- ed O11 Blossom, * An’ it’s mighty hard ter kill er ‘ Pache’ "less ye kin pump ther lead inter a vital spot fu’st jump.” ‘* An’ it’s harder ter trick ’em.” ‘* We will have to dodge them under cover of darkness,” Chris observed. ‘‘Thar won’t be none,” declared Rube. ‘ Et’ll be er clear moonlight night.” Upon second thought, Chris knew this was true, “Then we will have to turn back and wipe them out!” ‘* Hasier said then done, They hev hed ernough fightin’ ter last ’em er bit. They’d run fer it, but ther minute we turned, they’d turn too, an’ then more doggin’ w’u’d foller. We've got ter keep our eyes peeled ef we don’t want ter lose our skelps,” As they rode onward, they continued to dis- cuss the situation. Suddenly a =e of amazement burst from Chris Comstock’s lips: ‘* Look there!” ‘ His companions followed the direction of his pointing hand, and an astonishing sight met their gaze, Away ahead of them seemed to stretch a vast expanse of water, a lake of magnificent area, an inland sea of which the further shore was in- visible! The water seemed blue as the clearest skies, and, although the sun was pouring its ‘scorching rays on their heads, it appeared as if they must feel a cool breeze from the bosom of the great lake. But what was most astonishing was the fact that upon the shore of the lake nearest at hand the wreck of a ship seemed to rest where it had been driven on the sand by wind and wave! Ata glance, the three men saw that the ship looked strange. Although battered and dis- mantled, its masts carried away, it still pre- served its general original outline, But it was quite unlike the ships of the present day, being built after the model of the old Spanish cruisers in use when America was discovered. ‘* It’s ther Phantom Ship !” Old Blossom uttered the cry, and he seemed more excited than his companions. ‘*The Phantom Ship?” repeated Chris, ques- tieningly. “ Thet’s w’at itis, by ther great wobble-j’inted Maria!” “But ther water!” exclaimed Rube, ‘ Thet can’t be thar? Thet’s only one o’ them yere op- tican delusions!” ‘Ther ship hain’t thar nuther,” sighed Old Dan, regretfully. ‘‘ Ef it wuz, our everlastin’ fortunes w’u'd be made!” ‘* How so?” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘* Jest w’at I said.” ‘* But we don’t understan’.” “It’s plain you fellers hain’t never heerd o’ ther Phantom Ship?” Both the cowboys confessed they had not. _ **Tt#?s one o’ ther mysteries o’ Arizona. it’s fadin’!” The outlines of the wrecked ship were really becoming more indistinct, Round-up Rube happened to glance back over his shoulder, and another cry came from his Tips. ** Holy smoke!” He had made the discovery that the pursuing Apaches had turned back and were fleeing as if hotly chased by a legion of demons, ‘* Hal! ha! ha! he! he! he!” laughed Old Pike, ** They hev seen ther Phantom Ship, too! Ther red varmints are skeered ter death o’ it,” **Can that be the reason for their flight?” asked Chris, ‘*Thet’s jest w’at it is,” nodded the Nomad, { “‘ They can t understan’ ther pearance an’ disap- | pearance 0’ ther ship, an’ they think ther Evil _ One is at ther bottom o’ it, Derned ef I know but he is!” he added, after a moment’s pause. ‘* Well, this isan easy way to get rid of them.” ‘*'You are right, fer they won’t foller us no furder.” “ Then paid ter them,” laughed Round-up Rube, ‘ Menny thanks ter ther Phantom Ship, as Pi calls it,” f Then they turned back to look at the ship, it had vanished! The lake was also gone, and the plain stretched barren and desolate before them! __ “ Thet’s ther way!” sighed Old Blossom—thet’s ther way it comes, an’ thet’s ther way it goes, No man has ever been able ter reach it yit. ” & Tt was only a mirage,” explained Chris, “But ther ’riginal is somewhar,” asserted * An’ thet somewhar is up in this “What makes you think so?” ‘“Uproun’ this yere way is all the place whar ther Phantom is seen,” ‘* And the original of the ship, if there is an original in existence, may be thousands of miles away on the coast. The mirage showed us both the ship and the water. I have beard of whole cities appearing in the desert where nothing but cacti and sage-brush could exist.” Rube ventured to ask: ‘“* Wat did ye mean by sayin’ our everlast- in’ fortunes w’u’d be made ef ther ship wuz thar?’ Blossom hesitated a moment, then replied: ** Tt’s plain Pll hev ter tell ye w’at some peo- ple b’lieve bout ther Phantom, It is said this yere part o’ Arizony wuz once er great inlan’ sea, Thet wuz in ther time w’en ther Spaniards under ole Cortez made ther conquest o’ Mexico an’ wuz ther ruin o’ Montezuma, Ther Span- iards loaded their ships with gold an’ silver, an’ menny 0’ ’em wuz wrecked with all their treas- ure. Some folks think this yere Phantom is one o’ them ships, an’ ef ther ’riginal wuz foun’, it w’u’'d be diskivered loaded with treasure, Thet’s ther bull o’ it at er bite,” ‘* An’ thet only shows w’at fools some folks kin be,” came contemptuous] from Rube. ‘* How c’u’d thet ship git way inland hyer?” ‘Some think thar may hev bin er way fer it to bev sailed up frum ther Gulf, mebbe ‘long ther Colorado somehow, Some think it may hev bin built ter navvygate ther great inlan’ sea, ‘Waal, I reckon they’re all crack-brains!” ‘¢ Mebbe so,” confessed Dan, soberly. ‘‘ Any- how, it’s a curi’s thing thet w’en er man gits ter chasin’ arter ther Phantom it’s wuss then ther gold-fever. He never knows w’en ter stop, an’ it’s said lots o? good men hev died in ther desert fer want 0’ water, hevin’ bin lured on an’ on by ther Phantom. Thar wuz one man, Texas Burk, asswore with dyin’ breath thet he hed foun’ ther ship itself an’ seen ther treasure it contained.” ‘* Who heard him say so?” “ b did.” ** An’ he wuz dyin’?” “oc Ve 7? “Waal, he must hev bin crazy.” ‘He didn’t "pear so,” ‘* Did you take any stock in the yarn?” “‘T dunno as I sh’u’d,” deliberately, “ but, ’mongst stuff he brought out o’ ther desert wuz er dish 0’ solid gold, an’ thet he swore he tuck from ther sbip, He seemed hones’ then an’ in his right mind, though be wuz wild afore he died, an’ raved o’ ther ship an’ its treasure long as he c’u’d speak,” Rube shook his head. ‘“* Hither he wuz crazy all ther time ur he wuz fooled somehow.” \ Chris joined in this belief, and Old Dan made no attempt to argue the matter, so the subject was dropped, and once more age & p ed ich could heading toward some low hills w be seen lying well down along the horizon. r CHAPTER IV. BROTHERS. Sunset found the three friends within the bills, which were rather barren, being but scan- tily timbered. Water was difficult to find, so po pushed forward, even after night had allen, . Suddenly Old Dan Pike's keen eyes detected a glimmer of light. ‘‘ Great ham-fat thet sizzled ther sassage 0’ ole Noah!” he softly exclaimed, ‘ Thet is er camp- fire down thar in ther valley! Mebbe it’s Par- dan an’ Con!” . ‘‘Mebbe it’s critters we don’t keer ‘anythin’ "bout seoin’,” Round-up Rube su ping ‘ ‘‘ Kirect, me noble sir,” the old Nomad agreed, ‘* Fer thet reason, one o’ us better sneak down an’ inspec’. Who's ther one fer ther ee , it a moment’s discussion, Rube was se- ec - Had it not been for the deep shadows, Old Blossom would have seen that the veteran cow- boy was wonderfully bow-legged, a fact which became apparent whenever left the saddle, —- his horse in charge of Chris, Randall skulked away toward the point where the fire had gleamed out, his rifle ready for instant use, He was not gone long. **T reckon it’s all right,” he declared, when he returned. ‘'Thar’s only three, an’ they’re all w’ite, one bein’ er purty leetle gal, nother an ole man, an’ ther third er fat: boy thet talks like he wuzer Dutchman. They’re travelin’ with er army waggon an’ muels, They’ve struck er spring down thar.” It was at once decided to boldly advance, . : 4 * y tat} PE A Nig Td DT start hal ete 7) 7 r Before they came in full view of the camp the sudden sound of soft music and girlish laughter came to their ears. Then a voice was lifted ina rollicking song to the accompaniment of a gui- tar; ‘Von dimes I vent to see mein girls, All dressed so very fine; She vas a leedle darling, und Her shoes vas number nine, She blushed mitoudt some bainting, She filled mein heart mit woe, She met me at der door und say: ‘I haf anodder beau!’ “Oh, yaw, dot is shoost v’at she say, Und den she invite me to skip; Iasked might I call der next day, Sne gave me von biece uf her lip. “*T haf no more some use vor you" Dose vords I heart her sbeak} To helb me oudt she calt der tog, Und den I took a sneak. Der tog he dore my bants so pad Id made von awful show; Dot girls she only laugh und say: *T haf anocder beau!’ * Oh, yaw, dotis shoost v'at she say, Und den she invite me to skip; I asked might I call der next day, She gave me von biece uf her lip. “Und you can shoost pets you your poots I haf nod peen to see dot grewel girls some more, I pelieve! I runs meinseluf avay und comes out Vest to exderminate der ret-skins, but 1 haf nod peen aple to find any uf dose savages. I subbose dey must haf beart uf me und run avay und hides somevares,” The speaker was a round, jolly-faced Dutch lad, who looked as if he would “ roll one way as quick as the otber.” The two cowboys and Old Blossom had ad- vanced into plain view of the camp and halted to listen to the song. The firelight revealed a pleasant scene, The old army wagon and the feeding mules were in the background, Stretched at full length, a black pipe in his mouth and his head pillowed on a gunnysack ‘“ grub-bag,” was a map past mid- dle age. Not far from his side a pretty girl of seventeen was seated on a box, the guitar in her hands. ground. f So preoccupied were the three that they did pot notice the strangers who had ventured from the shadows and halted within the circle of light. ee You must be a very brave fellow, Roly, laughed the girl. pear at this minute, what would you do?” ‘*Mein cootness cracious! I shoost vish dw ur dree uf dose Injunses vould come along so could show you der stoof dot I yas made uf, Vor your bright eyes, Leedle Pess, I coot lick more as sigsdeen billions uf dem! I vould nod efen stob to git mein gun, but I vould vade into dem sinkle-hanted und knock uf dem der pack- in’s oudt!” At this, Round-up Rube gave a hoarse “haw, haw” of amusement, causing the fat lad to scramble to his feet in a wonderfully awkward manner, “* Dunder und blitzens!” he squawked, “ In- junses! Injunses! Run vor your lifes!” He started for the wagon, stubbed his toe and rolled over and over in the short grass, squealing in a most ridiculous manner. “T vill took id all pack, goot Mister Injunses! I nefer meant nottings ad all, so helup me shim- iny cracious! I vas shoost voolin’ all der dimes! Ach, himmel! I vas kilt entirely!” iat Seizing a rifle the old man sprang $0 bie feet, leveling the weapon at the three intruders, cry- ing sternly: © Halt ‘bar, critters! Who be ye, an’ wat d’yer want ' The girl had also leaped to her feet, but even the probability of danger could not check her bree id at the ridiculous figure cut by the fat te Jad. ““ We are friends,” declared Cowboy Chris, “ Great wobble-jinted Maria, yes!” added Old Blossom, who was also convulsed by the comical fright of the Dutch boy. ‘ -fat thet sizzled ther sassage 0’ ole Noah! I bain’t seen northin’ fi s yere sence ther s’prise party on ther "Paches! ‘0! ho! ho! be! he! he!” i “Who. are you?” again demanded the old mt. White men and friends,” replied Chris Com- stock, suppressing his mirth for the time, _ “ Viot's dott reer te Oe > denly sitting up and staring at the in ers,“ Sbiminy dunder!” meg ee The fat Dutch boy was seated on the. “If some Indians should ap- d ade. discovered the mistake he had made, __ x | ne'aaded a —_—s
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‘ The - eowboys,” answered Round-up Rube, Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. 5 ** Vell, you can pets you your lifes dot vas lucky vor you! in apoudt dwo minutes deat to skin alretty. sizes uf dot cases,” With this declaration, he scrambled to his feet and stood staring bard at the three strangers, maxing a ludicrous attempt to look very ugly. ‘* MebbeI pelieve you t’inks dot vasfun! Vell, dere vas held some diff’rent kints of opinionses apoud dot peesness, Shoost you vellers took von look mein eye in und see if you don’d tink dot vas some very pad mistakes v’at you make v’en you come arount in dot vashion. Berhabs you don’d know whol vas? Vell, Iam some second cousins to der veller v’at dey calls Sbon Sulli- mans, und I baf got von muscles pigger as a der uash v’at dakes der brize at der fair. Dot’s der kint uf er hair-pins I vas!” ** Roly!” cried the old man. “Yaw.” **-You talk er derned sight too much.” es Dot vas pecause mein mout’ vas puilt dot ‘ou vould haf peen doo aw, dot vas apoud der ay. ** Wal, you jest putt on ther brakes an’ let me —_ er bit. I want ter find out who these people I vas tongue-tied like some Then the old fellow turned to the three visitors in his camp, demanding: ‘¢ How am I ter know you people are frien’s?” ““Weobble-j'inted Maria!” snickered Old Blos- som, ‘Jest look inter our beaucherful pbizogs an’ read ther truth an’ honesty written thar in letters of light! C’u’d sech er gallant ole posey as I be anythin’ but squar’ as er brick? Echo answers: ‘ Not by er dad burned sight!’ Pard, before you ye see er fragrant flower o’ ther forest, er panzy blossom o’ ther prairie, er blush rose o’ ther border. Observe my blush!” With that the queer old fellow slapped both cheeks in the endeavor to conjure up some color that would resemble a blush, / The man of the camp stared hard at the Desert Nomad, a puzzled look settling on his face, “Tf we were not friends,” spoke Chris, ‘‘ why should we venture out here and place ourselves under your gun? Had we been enemies, we might bave jumped you before you knew of our presence,” The girl was convinced, and she said: “T am sure they speak the truth, father. all look honest.” ‘* Boys,” hoarsely whispered Old Blossom, “* it’s jucky I’m with ye. She’s bin lookin’ straight at me all ther time.” ‘* Wat are yer names an’ yer business, stran- gers?” asked the one whom the girl had called father, “*Me an’ my pard, ther young feller ae: are “We hev strayed offen our regular stampin’-groun’ ter jook fer anythin’ excitin’, His nam’s Chris Comstock, an’ mine’s Rube Randall. This other ole chromo is known as Ole Blossom,” “¢ An’ he uster be called Dan Pike,” added the Nomad. ; “Wat !” shouted the camper, in evident amaze- ment. ‘* Dan Pike?” * Thet’s it.” : ‘Not Dan Pike o’ Grafton, Mizzury?” ‘*Thet’s whar I ’riginated.” ‘Wal, I’m Jim Pike.” ‘“* Wat's thet?” yelled Old Blossom, his face ‘the picture of astonishment. ‘ Not Jim Pike o’ Grafton, Mizzury?” ‘* Thet’s me!” . The next moment the strange old borderman was off the pony’s back, ** You derned ole sarnip!” he cried, making a rush for the camper. * You -fer-nuthin’ runaway!” was the re- tort, as the other met him half-way, Then the two became locked in each other's arms, “| kin throw ye now, Jim!” triumphantly declared Old Blossom, 3. You hain’t built right, Dan!” was the firm retort, , ; The others looked on in amazement, unable to understand whether the two were fighting or not, The struggle was brief and fierce, but in the end Old Blossom went to the und with his = above him. Then Jim Pike arose extended his hand and helped the vanquished one to his feet, “Tt hain’t no use, Jim!” laughed Old B] ossom in a somewhat crestfallen manner, . “I don’t _veckon I'll ever be able ter down Bg I hain’t in twenty year, but I’m derned ef «$y. ere aaa | uster wuz! ' Dan’s li Come to me arms again, you time-scarred ole tulip!” Laughing like overjoyed children, the two old men again embraced. They were brothers who had been separated for a score of years, CHAPTER V. WHAT HAPPENED TO LITTLE BESS? **T THOUGHT thar wuz suthin’ familiar *bout ye, Dan,” asserted Old Jim, when the entire arty bad gathered around the fire, Chris and ube having cared for the horses while the re- united brothers were coming to an understand- ing. ‘‘Thar seemed suthin’ natteral like bout yer hombly ole mug.—Dan’l, this is my darter Bessie; Bess, this is yer Uncle Dan I hey tole ye so much about,” The girl greeted the old man in a becoming manner, ‘* Waal, she’s er beauchy, Jim!” exclaimed Old Blossom, as he held the maiden’s hand and azed admiringly into ber blushing face. ‘* She’s Test erbout ez purty ez they make ’em! But, whar’s her mammy?” A sudden shadow fell on Old Jim’s face. saw it, and hastened to say: ‘*T understan’; she is up thar,” pointing up- ward. Jim said nothing. ‘*She is dead?” “Yes,” came solemnly from Jim’s lips, *‘ she is dead.” No one heard him add, in an aside: ** Dead to Bess an’ me!” ** An’ I never saw her,” came slowly from “You were not married w’en I went away, Jim.” They sat down around thé fire, and the con- versation turned to pleasanter subjects. Ina little while Old Blossom began to chaff the Dutch boy about his fright, ‘I vos nod frightened,” the fat lad asserted, with dignity. ‘I do dot der fun uf der t)in vor, Id vas all make-pelief, und I shoost fe ofer mit laughing so much my sleeve in. I vas von gread feller vor dot kindt uf ashokes, Id somedimes mages me so dickled dot I near pu’sts meinseluf vide open mit laughing mein insides on, Yaw, dot vas der straight goots, all-vool- und-a-yart-vide.” **Hans was never known to tell a fib,” laugh- ed the girl, ‘** Nefer!” cried the Dutch boy, “nefer in all mein life dit I tole dot fibs ven I told der trith. Yaw, dot vas so. I vas very careful nod to tole der bote at der same times, Dot vas von shokes! vz don’d you laugb, I pelieve?” ‘We don’t see the point.” “Vell, you ought to haf some microfying sbecdacles vor your prains, I t’ink, Ven I mages a coot shokes uf dot kindt, I likes to haf him ab- breciated.” ‘ “Wat might yer name be, Waddle?” asked Old Biossom. * Vell, erage si I mighd say id mighd pe Krmblevacher, but id vas nod. Den I mighd try to balm dot chestnuts off vor some odder shokes, but dot is nod der kindt uf a poy I pe. My name vas Hans Krummacher, und dose beobles v’at vas nod admired der elecant outline my —— uf dey calls me Roly Pely Hans,” ‘Wal, Hans,” said Old Jim, ‘‘ you will shet prs how an’ guv some o’ ther rest er chance ter cbin. P Then, turning to the cowboys and Old Blos- som, he asked how they came to be there. In a short time everything was explained, and then they questioned Old Jim in turn, But the old man succeeded in avoiding making a direct answer, skillfully turning the gouversation into other channels, Chris decided he had a secret, The young cowboy was very quiet, but once or twice the girl detected him regarding ber in- tently! Instantly ber eyes would fall before his aze, and a blush suffuse her cheeks, To himself bris acknowledgec she was very charming, but his thoughts turned to one he had left away back in the San Juan Valley of Northern New Mexico, “She is nothing to_me now,” be thought, somewhat bitterly. ‘I might have won her had I taken an advantage, but all I asked was an even show, She cared more for Fred than for me, and now they are married, | “ But there was Nina—she was as pretty and as accomplished as Nell, and Fr said she cared for me, I did not love herin return, I wonder if we shall ever meet again? I do not believe I shall ever care to return to the old stamping-ground, py RT “Aleta time his thoughts came back to his Dan t. = h- a eee SBC ‘| ture, an’ so I j’ined ’em, as they needed er. ’ But [ll be sizzled, Jim, ef I hain’t | present surroundings, and he fell to watching If you bat some Injunses peen, | right glad ter git my ole peepers on ye! ittle Bess again. ‘“‘Her father is rough and uncouth,” he thought; ‘‘ but she seems re‘ined and ladylike, and she speaks as if she was the possessor of some education. The old man must haye given her the advantage of a school, What can have brought this strange trio away out bere into the wilds of Arizona?” That was a question he was unable to answer, The time passed swiftly and pleasantly, and finally Old Jim called on Bess for some music and a song, a request promptly seconded by the others, ing urged, she played several pieces, some of them being lively and gay, some soft and sad. Each one was received with applause. oe guv us er song, leetle’un,” cried Old ] ossom. ‘* What shall I sing?” sbe asked. ‘Sing ‘Ther Rovin’ Heart’,” suggested her father. But she objected. ‘**T do not like to sing that.” But Old Jim was determined she should sing the song he had named, and she, finally con- sented. Chris noticed she half turned from him ere she began, The song was a simple little thing, but she threw such life and expression into its faulty lines that its defects were not noticeable. She really bad a charming voice, although not a strong one; but strength was not needed in a soft love song. The words of the song were as follows: * As free as the birds, I rove, As free as the birds I love, I roam the wide world o’er. My heart untouched by care, Shall find its mate somewhere: Then will it roam no more! “Then will it roam no more? Or will it broken be? And all its dreams be o'er? Will the heart it loves be free? * Oh, my heart will know its mate! Oh, my heart willknowitsfatul , And love shal: ope’ the door. My eyes shall tell the tale, My cheeks sha'! flush and pale, My heart wil roam no more! “Then will it roam no more? Or will it brok+n be? And all its dreams be o’er? Will the heart it loves be free?” The song ceased, and, as if drawn by an irre-| sistible attraction, the fair singer’s eyes turned | till they were met by those of the young cow-. boy, who was gazing steadily at her. Then her dark eyelashes drooped,her cheeks took a warmer flush, and with charming confusion, she pretend- “ed to busy herself in tuning a string that was already in perfect accord. And Chris? The young cowboy felt bis heart , give a great start and then beat faster than be-. fore. A strange sensation passed over him like a flash, and every part of his body seemed touched by an electric thrill. “What can it mean?’ he mentally cried. “Can it be I am falling in love with this girl She is fair, her face is the picture of purity, bu it cannot be I would turr to another so soon: after meeting with the disappointment of m life! No, no! Itis but a fancy of the moment} All the same, he dreanied of her repeatedly that night, and all through his dreams. tbat sweet little song was sounding in bis ears and her dark eyes were luring him on, Old Blossom volunteered to stand guard the first part of the night, and was finally permitted to do so, Jim Pike bad chosen his camping-ground well, for the hills and timber promised to keep the spot in shadow the greater part of the nigbt, no’ matter how bright the moonlight—and q atthe 1a moonlight is almost like daslight! ‘“T don’t reckon we're ap’ ter be bothered ter- night,” muttered the old Nomad, as he carefully madethe rounds of the camp, his eyes wide open and bis senses on the alert. “ Them red skunks as wuz arter us didn’t foller arter seein’ ther Phantom Ship, an’ it bain’t prob'le any o? their "lation is prgwlin’ roun’. “Thet thar ship is er mystery, an’ thet’s a fac’; Idupno but it’s all foolishness ter hunt fer it, but Pardan an’ Con wuz in fer ther bn e - * But it’s derned sing’ler I sh’u’d meet ole Jim hyer arter all these y’ars—it jest is} I wonder w’at kin hev tuck him ter these yere parts? — ther leetle ag ber brung her right a. , Little Bess entered the wagon, where s sept every night, but ber father was wrapped his blanket a short distance from the Av?
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Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. ] ‘“‘Mebby we'll strike suthin’ down thar tbet’ll | from the vicinity of the camp, all being mount- require our ’tention.” | ed, and Hawk holding bis senseless captive im “Thet’s right, boys,” agreed the leader. | his arms, ‘They must be whites, fer they can’t be any of They could hear the cries of the excited mem Two Hosses’ gang. We wuz ter hit Two Hosses | who had discovered the girl was missing, but at ther Twin Wells, au’ they’re ten miles furder | the sounds did not seem to be coming nearer. ; . } Blossom softly approached his brother and stood staring silently down on the sleeping man, Sud- denly Jim Pike began to mutter in his dreams, “Yes, [ll find ther treasure—all fer—Little Bess. It will make—her rich—powerful rich. All the rest—of her life wiil—be pervided fer. Ob, I'll find ther treasure—ther yaller treasure! They say ther ship is—a Phantom, Ab-ba! Tl foller it—tell I find it—or die! Vl never guv on.” ““ We'll keep clost in ther shadders,” said the ‘‘Them’s whites, you kin ’pend on thet,” whis- | leader of the desperate three, ‘tan’ I reckon pered Ike, ‘ Most likely they’re miners. Mebbe | they’ll hev er hard time follerin’ us afore morn-- they hev made er strike an’ are leanin’ fer ther } in’,” up! Ther gold is thar! Ther Phantom won't y —alwus vanish. Tl find it! TP find it! VPll | camps furder down,” ‘* An’ by thet time we'll be with Two Hosses: ; find—” ‘* Ta which case its our sollum dooty ter relieve | an’ his braves.” Then the sleeper’s mutterings sunk to a series | ’em o’ their needless wealth,” chuckled Bob, ** You bet!” of incoherent moans, After a moment of consideration, the leader From the slight eminence upon which they had! { Old Blossom had heard enough to know what | said: first sighted the glimmer of the camp-fire, they P had brought his brother into the desert, and he ‘* Bob, you will stay right hyer an’ look arter | descended into a narrow valley, and from that. rif softly stole away. ther hosses wile Ike an’ I go down thar ter in- | time till they were some miles away they took Reaching the tethered horses, he halted. vestigate. We can’t all three go ’long.” great care to keep in the shadows. . F ‘s Waal,” he muttered, ‘‘thar’s ernother pore There was no objection to this arrangement, At length Brad said: \ 4: fool as is huntin’ fer the Phantom Ship! He’s | and soon the two men were creeping down **T don’t like this yere stillness of this gal. She: aa got ther fever, an’ he’s got it bad/ It is said | toward the sleeping camp, oughter come roun’,” — They were yet some distance away when they As if bis words had aroused her, Bessie started) reached a position where the sinking firelight | and uttered a low moan, | revealed to them the outlines of the covered **T reckon she’s comin’ roun’ all right, boss,” wagon and the sleepers around the fire. There | said Bad-eye Bob. P they paused to exchange a few whispered words ‘Give me your whisky, Bob,” requested the: ; and wonder where the guard could be, chief, “*T don’t see any one on watcb, d’ you, Ike?” A flask quickly changed hands, y ‘*Nary soul, Ten ter one, ther blamed fools| Hawk drew toa halt long enough to allow & are all snoozin’, They hain’t made no ’count 0’ | few drops of the fiery atuff to pass the girl’s lips. ther ship hes lured many er man ter death, an’ I reckon thet’s Gospel, Jim is a man as ought ter be able ter take keer 0’ bisself, but it don’t seem 420 jest ther right thing ter bring thet purty leetle gal inter ther dangers o’ this section.” ¢ For a long time be stood reviewing the situa- Re tion, baving quite lost himself in thought. The grinding of the horses’ teeth, an occasional stamp, and the distant cry of some prowling i: animal were all the sounds that came to his ears ae? one diskiverin’ em.” This set her to strangling and ccughing, but tae uotil— : $ t that moment Old Blossom was with the | seemed immediately to restore her senses, % A sharp feminine shriek, that seemed broken | borses concealed by the darkness, the old man ‘* Where am I?? she asked, when she could “Bs and smothered at the close, aroused him! being buried in a deep reverie caused by the | eatch her breath. ‘' What does this mean?” Hi “Great ham-fat thet stewed ther sassage 0’ | words he had heard his brother mutter while ‘Yer’ all right, me leetle leddy,” assured’ Hi at ole Noah!” sleeping. Black Brad. ‘ Don’t you worry, fer you sha’n’t ; iti us j The cry had seemed to come from quite a dis- ‘“‘ Hal Look thar, Cap!” be harmed,” . + tance away, but he immediately sprung toward The flap at the end of the wagon was lifted His voice sounded strange to her, but still she the camp-fire, his first thought being of Little | and the form of a girl appeared. It was Little | could not understand what had happened. + Bess, ; Bess, and she silently left the wagon. Her | Where wasshe? Who were thesemen? In vain ort? Us found his four companions all on their | movements were slow, deliberate and mechani- | she asked the questions, : ; ‘ feet. : ‘* Jest you keep still an’ you'll know it’s alk cal, The firelight was sufficient to show the two | right,” asserted the leader. “ We hain’t got no desperadoes the girl was young and comely, | time ter ’splain things now, but I’ll’splain soon’s, causing the eyesof both men to gleam with an | we git outer danger.” evil light. ‘* Danger—what danger?” There was something odd about the girl’s But he insisted he could not stop to explain,, Agi manner, and she moved asif governed by an im- | and once more they moved onward, Pah pulse other than her own will, After reaching The girl set about trying to understand what ; the ground, she began moving from the camp. had occurred, for she felt she had in some wa ‘© Wat's ther meanin’ o’ thet cry?’ demanded Round-up Rube. . “Tt wasthe young lady!” excitedly exclaimed Chris, “I was dreaming she was in danger! Quick! See what bas happened to her!” Old Jim seized a brand from the fire and swung it in the air till it burst into a flame. Then he leaped forward and threw back the : ' wagon-flap, allowing the Jight to illumine the ‘‘Holy Moses!” excitedly whispered Ike, | fallen into evil hands. The task was too muc Pate aa, interior, “« She’s comin’ right this way!” for her, and after a long time she began once Br he A great cry burst from his lips, ‘*Keep still!” cautioned Black Brad. ‘She | more to entreat an explanation, : ‘ Little Bess was gone! : may be a prize worth capturing, If she gives ‘Where are you ta ing me?” she asked, us the chance, we will scoop ber in. Lay low!” “To a place of safety,” was the reply. It was little wonder Old Blossom knew noth- ** How can that be true when I was safe witly ing of the girl’s: movements, for she scarcely | my father before? Oh, I believe you are wicked made a sound as she left the wagon and passed | men! What bave you done to my poor father?” from the circle of firelight into the shadow be- Black Brad sought to silence her with a stern. yond, command Directly toward the point where the two ruf- mand: ** Be still!” fians crouched she moved, aJl unconscious of the “‘T will not be still!” she retorted, with fire. terrible danger into which she was wa)king. % i 4 I know you are bad men! Help! help!” There was something about the maiden’s manner “You are only wastin’ ver breath, my dear, CHAPTER VI. ; BLACK BRAD’S CAPTURE, “‘SH! Dye see it, Ugly ?” . Shore, boss!” *« An’ you, Bad-eye?” baa! ' caught a glimp’ of it, Cap.” ‘Must be er camp-fire down thar in ther hol- Jer.” that filled those who were watching her with | fer thar hain’t nobody ter hear ye squawk, so ye: * Yep,” wonder, might jest as well keep yer trap shet.” “« S)pose it’s ’Paches?” Slowly and deliberately sbe came on, With| “ always hears the cry of the weak! Help! kelp!” ‘* Halt there !” The cry came from the shadows at one side of the valley, and the startled desperadoes dis- cerned the figures of men and horses, The cry was repeated: “Halt, or we will riddle you with lead!” — oa “Ter blazes with ye!” yelled Black Brad. — eS ae Then the desperado leader drove the spurs in~ Mate 1 to his mettlesome horse and went dashing swift- ly into the deeper shadows of the valley, bis companions at bis heels, i! ee There were two red spouts ae flame in the | darkness and two bullets whistled high over the heads of the fleeing party. = Nes “Help!” shrieked “Livtis Bess. “‘Save met save me!” meng i Her cry was answered by manly shouts, and the ruffians heard the sounde of iron-shod hoofs, telling they were Roly Bs OGae With exclamations of rage, Uely Ike and Bad-eye Bob wheeled in their saddles, revolvers = “ They don’t oftun light up ter tell folks whar they be, _ © Then it must be whites.” ' “T reckon you’ve bit it now.” _ The cautious speakers were three men who had balted in such a position that they could ‘ook down into the sheltered hollow where Jim Pike had stopped for the night, and where, witb the exception of Old Blossom, the entire party 4 was sleeping. ‘ a The three men were mounted, and but for the stamping of the horses near which he had halted, the camp-guard might have heard their —hoof-beats as they approached the hollow. _ , One of the three bad caught the gleam of the - dying camp-fire, and, at a signal, the trio had halted, Then followed the conversation re- . The night-riders had balted amid the shadows Had they been in the moonlight, an observer as little noise as possible, Brad Hawk drew aside to allow her to pass. She seemed entirely un- conscious of her surroundiogs. Of a sudden, the outlaw leader understood her actions. She was walking in a somnambulistic trance. Straight past them she moved, and then the | desperado chief arose to his feet, Ugly Ike im- itating his example. Silently they crept alon after the unlucky girl whom they had ndlaktad for a victim, But Bess did not go far before she paused. “Ef she turns back, we'll grab her,” whis- pered Black Brad, .— Ugly Ike was fillea with wonder, for he knew nothing of sleep-walking, and he could not un- derstand why the girl had not already discov- ered their presence, After a moment, the maiden did turn back, but she did not seem to see the men, although ‘ ready. Again the shadows were punctured by __ two spots of flame, agaiu two shots woke the echoes of the night, again two bits of lead were _ sent searching foi human lives, Pe ae > “man, te) jibe CHAPTER V1 | two men w ist- | for life or
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Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. i —— ahaneindpameieite pens aay eres pearing man, dressed in stout, serviceable clothes, and fully armed. Vincent was younger, being about twenty- two or three, He was a rather handsome fel- low, blue-eyed honest appearing and manly. He was clothed and armed much like his com- panion, Together they had witnessed the sudden ap- earance of the Apaches and the immediate light of Old Blossom. ‘Where in the world did those red-skins come from?” asked Conrad, in perplexity. ‘‘ They seemed to rise out of the ground.” ‘*T should say they were also attempting to stalk those antelopes when they espied our friend,” was Monima’s reply ‘* But what can we do? We must help him in “some way!” **IT scarcely understand how we are going to do sucha thing. The race is taking him further trom us with each moment,” ** But it does not seem right for us to remain here in safety while he is in so much danger.” “Danger? I do not know about that. Dan Pike is"an old plainsman, and he will escape from those red demons if any living man can do so. He hasa good horse, and it is plain he is more than holding his own.” Vincent could not understand his friend’s cool- ness under the circumstances, and he cast a wondering Jook at him, Away out on the plain the race continued, the yells of the Apaches and the defiant cries of the white man growing fainter each moment, And so the two men in the grove stood and watched the exciting scene till the figures of men and horses were shrouded in the dust clouds of the desert, upou the very border of which the knot of timber stood. Even then they were not satisfied, and they strained their eyes till the dust clouds could no longer be seen and notbing lay before. them but the long level stretch of barren waste, above which the tbe heat-waves danced, Sund, sage-brush and cacti as far as the eye could reach, ‘* Well, I wonder if we shall ever see Old Blossom again,” muttered Conrad, as they turn- ed back into the grove. ** As surely as we live long enough we shall,” replied Pardan Monima, with conficence, ‘‘The se is not born who will lift that old duck’s scalp, **T hope you speak the truth, for I have taken a pe hiking to him, He is such a queer, jol y old fellow that a person cannot help liking im, “You speak the truth, but I hope he will escape for still another reason, Without him, our search for the Phantom Ship will be at an end,” Conrad turned squarely on the speaker, **Oh, say!” he exclaimed, a twinkle of laugh- terinhiseyes, ‘‘ Do you really takeany stock in that ship business?” With gravity, the older man answered: “To be surel do, IfIdid not, Ishould not A Men you must put some faith in it,” h a 8 you did not believe there was a chance to find the old Spanish craft and discover the treasure it is said to contain, why did you join us in the search?” ‘‘T bad nothing else to do, and I was looking for adventure, Phat is an bonest answer. For no other reason did,I join in the search, for I tell you frankly, Mr, Monima, I believe the ship only Piney * And have you studied up on mirages?” **Can’t sav have” 4 wae Pardan Monima waved his hand, as if to say that settled it, ‘*T have taken the pains to do so,” he assert- ed. ‘‘The mirage of a lake of water may be nothing but the sun’s rays beating on a ee waste of sand; but where there is a well defined 7 a like this ship and it is seen repeatedly by different persons, there is always an original somewhere, It is the original for which we have started out to search, and it is the original I hope we may find, with Old Blossom’s aid,” Conrad laughed, : “Well, if there is av original, I certainly shall not object to finding it.” és With this, the subject was dropped for a me, Within a little opening in the grove were three horses, one being a pack-animal, A tiny spring of water lying in the shade of a mass of vines told how the fortune-seeking trio came to select the spot as a camping-place, The saddles and pack had been removed from the horses’ backs, and the animals were eagerly nibbling at some fresh grass which grew within the little opening. YBa sf “It is lucky for us we had not built the fire, as we intended doing,” remarked Padan. ** How so?” ‘The smoke might have brought the Apaches down onus, Now that we bave seen them and know there may be more in the vicinity, we can be cautious,” They made a meal off such provisions as were on hand, washing the dried meat down with draughts from the little spring. After that, frequent excursions were made to the border of the oasis, and the surrounding plain was swept by the field glass in their pos- session, both of them hoping to see some sign of Old Blossom’s returning figure, They were disappointed, The day crept slowly away, but the old guide and prospector did not return. ‘*} fear the Apaches captured him after all,” said Conrad. Monima did not think so, ‘Something assures me that he escaped them,” he declared, ‘* My only fear now is that the red-skins will take the back trail and dis- cover us here, This is a bad place to stop, for it is evidently the principal watering place of this section. These beaten paths leading to the spring tell that. If any band of warriors should happen to be passing, they would surely call here, In that case, we would be in a bad box.” ‘Then why not leave here at once?’ © You forget Old Blossom,” “True, I did forget him fora moment, But can’t we leave word some way so he will know Apache. When we leave the grove we must not leave a trail bebind us.” ‘* How can it be avvided?” That was a hard question to answer. ‘“* We might makesome mufflers for our horses’ feet,” suggested the older man, This was fully discussed, but the plan was finally abandoned as not practicable, After a long time, they decided to leave the grove in the brief space of time between sunset and moonrise and seek to make their trail difficult to follow when they struck a section of land where it could be easily covered, But how were they to let Old Blossom know where to find them? That was the question which troubled them the most, but they finally decided to leave a note by the spring, telling which direction they had taken, ‘* Apaches cannot read the pale-faces’ ‘ paper talk,’” said Monima. ‘If they found the note, they would be none the better informed as to the course we had taken,” Then came the question as to which course they should pursue, It was finally decided to go on to the low hills toward whicad they had been heading when they gd te at the grove, This baving been decided, they patiently awaited the coming of night, CHAPTER VIII. A CHASE AND WHAT FOLLOWED. Just after the sun disappeared behind the horizon a soft, white haze settled over the plain. Pardan Monima and Conrad Vincent seized the opportunity to Jeave the little grove of mesquite and oak. Turning their faces toward the west, they struck out for the distant hills, he haze soon disappeared, and then they went Socctng EIey beneath a sky studded with silver stars, The clear white moon shone as if it were burnished. The heat of the day was followed by the cool breezes of early evening, and the young night seemed a perfect thing. ‘* This is glorious,” laughed Conrad. ‘Such a night as this fills one with new life, and suck a night as this is only to be found in Arizona!” onima said nothing. Plainly he was not of a very poetic turn. For hours they rode on to the westward, but at last the hills were reached, ‘* Now to find a suitable camping-place,” said Pardan, ‘*‘ We may not be able to strike water to-night, but we ought to have little tronble in finding it to-morrow.” They proceeded into the hills for some distance, finally balting in a little valley. While they were discussing the advisability of stopping there, Con suddenly interrupted with an exclamation: ** Hush!” ; Both listened. Through the stilly night came the sounds of hoof-beats. ‘* Horsemen, by Jove!” ‘“* And they are coming this way!” Having no desire to be discovered, they drew , back into the deep shadows at one side of the 7 it 4 pen if eeu. zi to ravine, the outlaws making valley, that being the only cover they were able to find just then, Nearer came the night riders, then Pardan and Conrad heard the sound of voices, **T beheve they are white men!” exclaimed the younger man. ‘““They may be enemies just the same,” re- turned Pardan, ina whisper. ‘‘ Keep still! We cannot afford to take our chances by exposing ourselves. There are many lawless white nen in Arizona.” There was great danger the horses would be- tray them when they scented others of their species, and the two treasure-seekers felt they were in constantly increasing danger. , For some reason, the thought of flight occurred to neither. With their hands on their weapons, they waited, As the sounds of voices came nearer, they were able to distinguish the tones of a female, and that filled them with amazement and uncer- tainty. But they were not long left in doubt. The stern voice of Black Brad, the Border Hawk, commanding his captive to be silent, told them plainly enough the girl was av unWilling captive. hen, in the dusk of the little valley they dis- cerned the figures of the horremen, ‘* Help! help!” It was the maiden’s voice raised in an appeal. What man could withstand such an entreaty f Cocking a revolver, Conrad Vincent shouted: “* Halt there!” Plainly the horsemen were taken by surprise, but they made no move to obey. Insteaa, they urged their horses to a faster pace. ‘* Halt, or we will riddle you with lead!” cried Conrad, By this time Pardan had also drawn a revol- ver, their rifles being slung at their backs, ‘*Ter blazes with ye!” ceme back the defiance of Black Brad, and the three horses, one bearing a double burden, went dashing away through the night. : ‘Shoot bigh, or we may hit the girl!” fell a Monima’s lips, and then their revolvers spoke, Once more the captive maiden shrieked f: r help, and, answering her cry, the two men spur- red in pursuit. But they little dreamed what #, baffling drag their pack-horse would be. Tie avuimal was a very inferior beast, and, although one of the ruffians’ horses bore a double burden, the pack-horse held Monima back. Vincent, having no thought of the animal, quickly surg- ed ahead, Finding they were pursued, the kidnappers turned and sent back some bullets that whistled about the ears of our friends, It was a wild chase beneatb the Arizona star. The echoes of the little valley were aroused by the ring of iron-shod hoofs aud the cries of angry men. The girl no longer uttered her ap- peals for help, a broad hand being pressed over her mouth. Although quite unaware of the fact, Conrad Vincent rapidly drew away from his friend, Monima finding it impossible to drag the pack- animal along fast enough to keep u The rvuffianly trio were all well mounted, for they led’ Con a_ hot chase, and his horse was not a mean animal, Their shouts kept bim from hearing the cries of his companion, who shouted! for him to balt. It is doubtful if he would have obeyed bad he heard, for the fever of the chase was throbbing in his veins, Monima was compelled to halt, but Conrad still went on, unconsciously passing from valley a dozen o-oo turns, The young man little considered the force against which he would have to contend, single- banded, should he overtake them, But he was not destined to overtake them, Finding themselves hard. pressed, the outlaws set a trap, and, of a sudden, as Vincent swung from one ravine into another, there were two spouts of flame in bis very , and then be sunk forward on the neck of his horse in a semi- unconscious state, The animal wheeled and went dashing back, the limp burden still clinging to its back. ‘Shell we foller an’ finish ther job, boss?’ asked the voice of Ugly Ike, as two borsemen rode out from behind some bowlders, “No; let bim go.” ** But ther hoss, Cap?” ‘© We cannot afford the time it w’n’d take ter ae ther critter. Come on, an’ we'll overtake ob, Then they rode from the scene of their das- tardly work. Conrad Vincent was not seriously wounded, Pail Pian Xt yee
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- ferable homes of t the bullet having grazed his skull and stunned him for the time;- but when he became conscious, he was still confused and could not understand what had happened. For more than an hour he allowed the horse to carry him in whatever direction it chose. His will-power seemed dazed, paralyzed. At length he seemed to awaken as from a lethargy. ** Where am I now?’ he muttered, gazing ‘around, ‘It is night, and the moon is shining up there, but its rays do not get to the bottom of this ravine. My head throbs as if it would burst. What bas happened, and bow came I here?” He lifted his hand to his head, and discovered his hair was damp and sticky. The light of the stars was enough to show him a dark stain on his fingers. **T believe it is blood, but how came it there? Have I been injured? That is it! I,havo been wounded, and that is why my bead is throbbing so. I can almost remember,” Little by little hig memory served him till, at last, he could recollect all that had occurrec, “They ambushed me! What fortune that I - was not killed! I scarcely understand how I escaped them after they shot me down, I must have clung to my horse, and he carried me to safety. But where is Monima?” t was a question be could not answer, but he at once started out to find his companion, This proved anything but an easy task, for he was completely bewildered aud knew not which way to turn. ere much to the sagacity of his horse he allowed the animal to wander on and on, How es or how far they went Conrad could not tell. It seemed he bad been in the saddle many hours and passed over uncounted miles. He thought the night must be well-spent and morning close at hand, Finally, the horror of the situation came upon him with full force. He was alone iu the wilds of Arizona; he had only his horse, bis weapons and some matches, Provisions he had none, His situation wes desperata indeed, and, if he were not fortunate enough to find his compan- ions, he might perish in the desert, He was thinking of these things, his bead bowed, as his horse carried him to the top of a slope,. The moon was well over into the western -sky, and the stars had grown pale. At the top of the slope the horse halted, Con- rad looked up and saw there was a sharp descent before him, But that was not all he saw, In the depths cf the pocket at his feet he caught the gleam of a camp-fire. An ex¢lamation of delight came from his lips, “A camp-fire! Ten to one it was built by white men! I may find frieuds ddwn there!” He also kuew he might find enemies, so he cautiously dismounted and hitched his horse, Tien the rifle left his back for his hands, and he began creeping down into the hollow, oon the sounds of voices came to his ears, but they were mingled in an inarticulate murmur, For all of that, there was something about the agg that caused him to redouble his cau- ion. Like a snake he crept down into the hollow, carefully avoiding the patches of moonlight, taking advantage of rocks and bushes, As he advanced, the voices became more distinct, and he finally decided they were those of red-men, Then he balted in indecision. Should he turn back and seek safety in flight? He asked himself the question, but a feeling of intense curiosity drew him on. With still greater caution, he crept forward again, After a time he gained a position where he could look down into the pocket, A strange scene met his gaze, The light of several fires showed him a scene of activity. Two score of Indians were moving about, many of them being squaws, They seem- ed to have lately arrived at a decision of some ‘sort, for a sudden medley of sounds arose, shouts, Pe med of ponies and barking of dogs. The firelight revealed a small collection of smoked- stained tepees, but even as he gazed, those trans- he red-skius began to fall. The Indians were on the point of moving. Among the red-men Conrad saw two or thrée pale-faces, It was a novel sight, and the young spy al- most forgot the peril of his position as he lay wa y the tepees falling before his gaze. The squaws were doing the greater part of the work, the bucks getting their own particular ready for the march. It was plain the pon start was to be made before daylight in order that they might travel while it was cool, and te J au : ‘4d , Sa : . DEE ee eee : eee eee Ea Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. they would probably rest during the heat of the day. he white men seemed as much at home in the camp as did the savages themselves, and the thought came to Conrad that they might be the bie men he had pursued, e was right! At lengtli the spy turned to creep back toward his horse. At that very moment a dusky figure bounded through the air, alighting fairly on Conrad’s shoulders, crushing the young man tothe ground with a terrible shock. Then the triumphant whoop of a Ute warrior rung out! CHAPTER IX, DEADLY FOES IN DUEL, Oxtp Jim PrKe reeled back, dropping the torch, and was caught in his brother’s strong arms. ‘My God!” he groaned, ‘ My leetle gal! she is gone!” Wobble-j’inted Maria!” spluttered Old Blos- ‘Brace up, James! She may be clost erbout.” “ But thet ery! Suthin’’s happened ter her! Thet cry woke me outer a soun’ sleep!” ‘Und dot’s der madder mit Hans!” cried the Dutch lad. ‘‘ He vas sleebin’ so tight as nefer vas ven he heart der squawk. Ach, Himmel! Der leedle miss vas kilt entirely, [ pelieve I dunno!” ‘* Sta may be near at hand,” said Chris, speak- ing with as much calinness as he could com- mand, ‘ Call to your daughter, old man} She may answer you.” Then ike shouted Bessie’s name, but cll to no avail, She could not answer if sbe heard, fora broad hand covered her mouth and she was be- ing borne swilily away. “ Torches, pards!” sharply commanded Round- up Rube. “ Git torches an’ we'll bunt fer her!” The commane was swiftly obeyed, and soon the four were scouring the pocket in the vicinity of the asters the agonized parent calling wildly to his child. ; The derisive hoot of an owl was bis only re- ly. , The search proved fruitless, for the kidnap- pers had gotten safely away with their innocent victim. There were four sorrowful-looking men and a very blank-faced boy who gathered around the fire. Old Jim was nearly prostrated. “Oh, God!” he cried, ‘I hedn’t oughter tooken her inter these parts, but she wanted ter come erlong. Now I am punished fer lettin’ her! I never’ll see my leetle gal again!” — In vain they tried to comfort him, Seizin another brand, he once more started out to searc for the lost one, “Pore Jim!” muttered Old Blossom, shaking his bead. ‘ Pore ole Jim!” ~ ‘* What do you think has become of the girl, Rube?” asked Chris, who was restraining his feelings as much as possible, ~The bow-legged cowboy shook his head, *T can’t jest tell, lad). Mebbe she’s bin gob- bled by reds, though why ther varmints sh’u’dn’t ‘a’ drapped down on us all is a mystery.” Then they questioned Old Blossom, and learn- ed all he knew about the singular disappearance, ‘We'll fine some trace o’ her in ther mornin’, I reckon,” said the old Nomad. ‘‘Mebbe so; mebbe not,” retorted Round-up Rube, ‘ They may git her away ’thout leavin’ a trace bebind.” “Waal, they’ve got ter be mighty peert ter do thet. I reckon we'll be able ter strike ther trail ’thout trouble.” ‘** You seem to feel confident she has been cap- tured by savages,” said Chris, ‘‘ You do not seem to take into consideration the fact she may have been pounced upon by some prowling animal,” “Ef she hed,” asserted Rube, ‘* we'd heerd more’n one squawk. Eb, Bloss?”’ Old Blossom nodded, “T ‘low it wuz buman critters as done ther job, though it puzzles*me ter understan’ how t woz worked. Hark!” They listened and heard Jim Pike plaintively calling to bis child. It was a sad sound that smote the hearts of all. “Pore ole Jim!” and Blossom wiped a tear from his oye. “ Hear me!” cried Chris Comstock, placing bis left band over his heart and lifting bis right to- ward heaven. ‘I solemnly swear never to know any rest till I have solved the mystery of Little Bessie’s fate and punished those who bave harm- ed her, if she has been barmed!” s ns “Tm with ye, boy!” cried Rube, holding out his hand, ““Me too, by ther bam-fat tuey sizzled ther sassage 0’ ole Noah!” ; The trio clasped hands, ‘*T dinks berhabs dot Jeaves me oudt uf der contracts!” exclaimed Roly Poly. ‘ All der same dose Injunses vill findt me von very pad poy mit der two eyes uf him beeled like some onions. Yaw, you pets you!” There was no more sleep in that camp that night. In vain they tried to induce Jim Pike to come in and remain quiet till morning. He would remain by the fire a sbort time, then he would spring up, seize a brand and start on an- other search, He really had no hope of finding anything, but it seemed impossible for him to keep still, Morning was not far away when the men were startled by the tread of horses’ feet. Old Jim had been sitting by the fire for several minutes when these sounds were heard, All started to their feet, and out from the shadows came two horses and a single rider, one being a pack-animal, The horseman was Pardan Monima, In a moment he found himself covered by cocked weapons. ‘Hold hard, thar!” cried Old Blossom, “Don’t shoot! I’m blowed ter Glory et ’tain’t Pardan!” Hello, Old Blossom!” cried the horseman, “Ts that you, alive and unscalped?” ‘* Waal, you jest bet, ole hoss! I’m hyer, ez big ez life an’ twice as natteral. But whar’s Con?” By this time the old Nomad had reached Monima’s side and clasped bis hand, ‘“ With a few direct words, Parden explained what had happened, saying he had endeavored to follow Conrad, but had become puzzled and dazed. As a result he was quito turned about and had been traveling on the back track fora long time, *“Thet ‘splains *bout ther loss o’ ther gal!” cried Old Blossom, excitedly, ‘‘Thet wuz her them critters hed! Holy cats! I wish you hed inoculated ther both o’ ’em with lead pills!” All this time Jim Pike had been staring at Monima in a singular fashion, Suddenly a hoarse cry came from his lips, and he strode for- ward, the firelight falling on a revolver that gleamed in his‘hand. * You cannot believe thet critter’s story!” ke declared, bis eyes blazing. ‘‘It’s more’n likely he kerried off Leetle Bess him own self! Thet is ther wu’st snake thet crawls ther face o’ God’s earth!” Ail stared at the speaker in the greatest amazement, Monima seeming no less astonished than the others, “You can’t deceive me with yer looks!” sav- agely shouted Old Jim. ‘I know ye, dastard!” ‘But I do not know you,” retorted Monima, Liar!” The old treasure-seeker seemed like a madman at that moment, His face was white and he trembled in every limb, while bis eyes seemed like living coals, ‘Get down from thet hoss, Hybal Harper!” ‘« Hybal Harper 2” "Yes, fer thet is your name, You need not deny it! We hev met, though I asked God to keep us apart thet my hands might not be stained with vuman blood,” ‘Man, you are mad!” ‘ This only seemed to increase Jim’s rage. * You can’t git out o’ it in thet way, you snake} Git off thet boss, I say!” **And be shot down ‘like a dog by a crazy man! No, I’m not such a fool!” Monima’s band stole toward a weapon, but Pike called sharply: *“ Hey-up thar! T’ll bore ye ef you try it!” Then the horseman appealed to the others, “Men, will you see this crazy creature shoot me without giving me a show for my life?” ‘They hain’t got nortbin’ ter do witb it,” as- serted Old Jim, ‘* Sides thet, I am not goin’ ter shoot ye thout guvin’ — a_squar’ sbow, But we'ro goin’ ter settle the ole score right hyer ow |! “ What old score?” ! ‘‘ Don’t make er ’tarnal fool o” yerself, Har- r,” advised the old treasure-seeker, “ You Pas wat I mean, so thar hain’t no need o’ beatin’ roun’ ther bush.” * But I do not know what you mean!” ed wimmin better than ye kin men, 1 know ye un Monima’s eyes flashed with anger. ~ _ sea §. Tig) as ais nerinah an’ through, ye wretch!” “ Jest ez big er derned liar ez ever ye wuzt. You've got er slick tongue in yer head, Hybal, — but you kin delude soft-headed an’ shaller-heart- _ x i” | Yr. 5 Pa eee ee ae en Berek etret
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mf ee : y sa Ee i San eS aS ee Se aS lipase lg ASL oy = a oS ania Recess Bess . pee Sm . 3 es at “You are carryin’ this thing altogether too far, old man! Ido not know you; I never set eyes on you before.” ‘Oh, w’at a liar! You—youw are ther critter I saved frum death at ther hands o’ three Mexi- eans! They hed cut ye up purty bad, an’ wuz on ther p’int o’ finishin’ ther job when I dipped in. But fer me, they’d riddled ye with their knives, I pulled ye out o’ ther saloon an’ tuck ye ter my home, whar my wife nussed ye back ter life an’ health, Thet wuz fifteen year ergo, ‘but I knew ye ther minute I sot eyes on yer face, ‘‘ You—you have made a mistake. It was—” ‘“‘-Yes, I madea mistake. I oughter let ther Greasers finish ye! It w’u’d hev bin ther best thing of my life ef I hed! Oh, I made er fearful mistake!” **T tell you you are wrong, old man! I was never in such an encounter as you describe. Fifteen years is a long time, and you are mis- taken in thinking I am the man you saved.” ** You are Hybal Harper!” The accused was silent. “See!” cried Old Jim, triumphantly. ‘* Look at his face! That tells the story! He does not deny he is Harper—he cannot! Wretch, where is my wife?” “Your wife?” ‘“-Yes, the woman you lured from her home with’ your smooth, serpent’s tongue! The soft- headed, hard-hearted creature who deserted ber husband and her child to fly with you! Where isshe? Speak! speak!” “*T tell you—” With a cry of fury, Pike sprung upward, - grasped Monima and dragged him from the sad- dle, A sharp, savage struggle ensued, It was impossible to tell what the result would be, and the others tore the two men apart. Panting, grinding his teeth, Jim Pike glared at his foe, seemingly baving forgotten the revol- ver he still clutched. “ All I ask is a fair show,” said Monima, when he could catch bis breath, “1f I must fight this crazy old fool, I would meet him on equal Renee. Surely you will allow me that much?” Old Blossom nodded. The Nomad’s face had grown strangely stern within the last few Ce and now he stepped to his brother’s side, * Jim,” he said, in a low tone, ‘tI thought you tole me she wuz dead?” Bessie’s father started and looked at him. “She is dead,” he replied—‘‘ dead ter me an’ Leetle Bess, I bev brung ther gal up ter think her mother dead.” “But are ye shore this is ther critter—ther one who lured her frum ye?” “Shore—yes! He does not deny he is Hybal Harper—he dares not deny it! You go ask him that an’ see ef be will.” Old Blossom turned toward his former com- rade, Ashe approached, Monima exclaimed: “ Haveyou turped against me, Old Blossom?” ** Are you Hybal Harper?” No reply. 2 - You do not answer, Monima, Tell ther truth, man! Woz you ever known as Hybal Harper?” “Once that was my name,” came the low reply. K Thet settles it, Thet man ia my brother. You must meet him in er squar’ duel.” Pardan bowed, “Very well,” he said coldly. ‘‘Iam forced into this, and T will not be responsible. Make your arrangements.” The arrangements were simple. The two men soon faced each other in the light of the camp- fire, and waited for the signal, CHAPTER X, RESULT OF THE DURL, Tae right hand of each man clutched a revol- ver and they stood ten paces apart, The flaring light of the fire would make their aim somewhat ‘ ancertain. | On Monima’s face was a look like that of an animal diiven at bay; old Jim’s eyes still gleamed witb the deadly fire of intense hatred, Back in the edge of the shadows crouched Roly Poly Hans, his eyes seeming ready to po out of his head, bis entire body skeking wit fear, as he muttered: Z “Ach, himmel! Nefer pefore dit I see der likes uf dot! Dose two beobles vas goin’ vor ter sot dermselfses up vor some dargets, I pelieve! ‘Dunder und blitzens! Pefore I would do dot, I _ would go drownded meinseluf in some dry vell _ mit der pottoms vas fallen oudt uf! I hat petter % mein throat mit der packside edge uf von than do dot! Yaw, dot vas apout der vay | had not been touched, Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. 9 Chris Comstock and Round-up Rube, their faces grave and stern, stood at one side, Old Blossom was to give the signal. ‘*Hybal Harper,” called Old Jim, his voice shaking with the intensity of his feelings, “I am going to putt a bullet clean through your black beart!” ‘* Holy smoke!” muttered Round-up Rube. ‘¢ He'll never do it "less he is stiddier then he is now, He’s shakin’ like he had ther ager.” ‘“‘Hadn’t we better stop ther duel?* asked Chris, apprehensively. ‘‘ Bessie is sure to lose her father if it goes on.” ‘*Tt bain’t our place ter interfere, lad, ef Ole Blossom don’t see fit ter. Jest you keep yer shirt on an’ let ber went,” ‘* Old man,” came slowly from Monima’s lips, ‘*T do not want your life, but you have forced me into this, and I must defend myself, _ You are all in error—” “Ernough o’ thet!” snarled Old Jim. ‘ You hev not denied bein’ Hybal Harper! I know ye fer ther dastard as run erway with my wife! God will direct my bullet! Prepare ter die!” ‘¢Gentlemen,” cried Monima to those who were looking on, **‘ you can see I am forced into this. The old man will not hear a word of reason; he is blinded by rage. If I kill him— what?” Dead silence followed the rage “T trust you are honorable men,” Monima continued, ‘* You should see the situation I am in. What guarantee bave I that, if I am the Nine you will not immediately riddle me with ea ‘*You hey my word,” cried Old Jim. ‘‘That is not enough. They might see fit to ignore it if I dropped you,” The old treasure-seeker turned to the others. ** Boys,” he said, ‘‘1’m goin’ ter kill that man, so ye needn’t be skeered ’bout promisin’ him anythin’.” * What duz he want?’ asked Old Blossom, ‘* A fair show,” came promptly from Pardan’s lips. ‘“‘Ifany of this party is to turn avenger in case I am the fortunate one in this duel, I want to know it now. I also want a fair start. I do not want to fight the whole party.” ° “ Thet’s fair, by gum!” exclaimed Round-up ude. ‘“‘How much start will you desire, critter?” asked Old Jim. ** An hour.” | “They shell guv ye two hours,” This was agreed to, and once more the men fell into position for the deadly duel, Old Blossom stepped forward, saying: ‘‘ Ther word ‘ went’ is goin’ ter be ther signal, so ye want ter iook out fer it. Are ye reddy?” oth bowed, ** Squint!” The right hands of the duelists came up and the fireligbt flasbed on their revolvers, © Let—her—went !” : At the word, both weapons spoke as one, With a deep groan, Jim Pike dropped his re- volver and sunk to the ground, For a moment Pardan Monima stood rigid as an image of marble. The spectators fancied he But suddenly be enexored forward a step and sunk limply to the earth. “Great wobble-j’inted Maria!” spluttered Old Blossom, springing to bis brother’s side and bending over him, “Ther all two both o’ ’em hes cotched it!” Sympathy was with Pike, and they gathered around him, ‘ ‘* Where is he hit?” asked Chris, anxiously. ine he socked fer keeps?’ inquired Round-up u . In a moment the bow-legged cowboy and Old Blossom were looking for the wound, They oy found it, and on exposing it with a few slashes of a keen knife, it was seen it might be of a serious nature. Indeed, Old Blossom’s first thought was that the bullet bad passed straight through the unlucky duelist’s heart. ‘Pore Jim!” came chokingly from the No- mad. ‘‘He has crossed ther dark river! Pore boy! He wuz— Wat!” To the astonishment of the three, Jim Pike opened his eyes and looked at them, Then bis lips moved, and he whispered: _ © Did—I—kill—him?” ' “T reckon ye did,” answered Round-up Rube, “ We hain’t looked at ther critter, but ye popped over, At this moment a cry from Roly Poly Hans startled them, ““Shiminy dunder! Look oudt vor dot cor- uses!” Tbey wheeled just in time to see Parda eS ie n Monima swing himself upon the back of bis > horse, give the animal the spur and go dashing into the shadows, Cowboy Chris snatched out a revolver and would have sent several bullets after the escap- ing man, but the voice of Old Jim Pike ope im. ‘* Hold, pard!” cried the wounded man, in a strong voice, ‘‘ Don’t fire! That imp of Satan is mine, and my hand shall take bis life!” It seemed like the foolish oath of a dying man but it checked the young cowboy’s move till Monima was safe under cover of the shadows, “JT will yet hunt ther varmint down!” cried Jim Pike, A closer examination of his wound revealed the fact that the bullet had sence on a rib and the man was far from fatally injured. With a skill that was creditable, Old Blossom extracted the bullet, Jim submitting to the ordeal without a murmur, “Tl a ye - fer er bit,” said the old Nomad; ‘‘ but you’ll be ’round iner few days.” Those words grated harshly on Jim Pike’s ears, ‘“Oh, Bess!” he cried, in agony, ‘‘ my leetle Bess! W’at’ll become of her?” “Pard,” said the how-legged cowboy, soberly, ‘wen it comes light me an’ Chris hyer’ll take ther trail o’ ther varmints as stole her, an’ we Mary come back tell we bring her with us. Eh, a ‘“* You have spokes,” said Cowboy Chris, " ** An? you mus’ go, too, Dan!” cried Jim. ‘* An’ leave you hyer fer thet critter ter come back an’ murder! aal, I guess not!” In vain Jim Pike insisted his brother must g°- Old Blossom declared he would not desert his brother till the wounded man was able to look out for himself. ; So it was decided Rube and Chris should tals the trail in the morning, while Old Blossom ant Roly Poly Hans staid behind to look aftet the wounded man. ; CHAPTER XI. CROSSING THE DEAD DESERT. ALTHOUGH stunned by the shock of the body that had alighted on his shoulders and crushed him to the ground, Conrad Vincent instap#~ comprehended the nature of the assault, an‘ knew that loud whoop would bring a dozen ~=- skins to the spot in a few seconds, With these thoughts in his mind, he made a desperate attempt to shake that clinging form from his back, but the red brave stuck there like aleech. Con reached for his knife, but he felt an iron clutch on his wrists just as his fingers closed on the haft of the weapon. ‘“‘Ugh! White man keep still or him git kill!” But Con thought it better to die fighting than to perish by torture, and he continued to struggle with all his strength. Useless efforts! id In a short time other dusky figures came hur- rying up, Con was seized, bound, and marched in triumph toward the fires, ‘Im afraid the jig is up with me,” thought the unlucky young fellow. : He was amazed to see how fast the tepeeshad been razed, for when he reached the fires there was but one standing, and even as he looked, that came down witb a rush. Conrad was marched up before a squat, scowl- ing, ugly-looking savage, who glaréd at the cap- tive as if he would like to devour him, Back of the red-skin chief stood two white men, and they were Black Brad and Ugly Ike, . “Pale-face spy!” grun the squat chief, Two Horses. ‘‘ What him want bere?” ‘Nothing at all, I assure you,” replied Con, putting on a bold face. ‘Iu fact, I wish I were any where else in the world but here.” * Pale-face lone?” , **Not much,” answered the captive, believing a falsehood justifiable under the circumstances. ** Him odder pale-faces nigh?” “* Well, they are not far away, old horse,” ** Where um be?” “ Now, tirt’s telling.” ! This aus** -eemed to puzzle the chief, Black Brac stepped forward, saying: “ What did | tell ye, Two Hosses! There are many pale-faces nigh, an’ ther sooner we git \_" movin’, ther better it’ll be fer us.” Two Horses turned to some of bis braves and spoke a few burried words. In another moment half a dozen young bucks went scudding away in as many different directions, and disappeared in the gloom. ; Conrad knew they had gone to ascertain if there were other whites near, Ae “* What do with young pale-face?” asked Two Horses of Black Brad, “Kill bim)” returned the cold-bloodec rene~ —
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10 Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. gade. ‘ Thet’s ther best way ter dispose of thet critter.” Two Horses shook his head, ** Kill pale-face here leave bad sign bebind,” he asserted. ‘‘Odder pale-faces see um sign, him take Injun’s trail git big revenge. Two Hosses him take pale-face to village.” “Thet’s whar ye are foolisb, red-skin,” as- serted the outlaw, who did not seem to stand in any awe of the Ute chief. ‘ He'll jest be er *tarnal bother on our han’s, We don’t want no captives to fuss with.” ** How ’bout white gal?’ asked the chief, a strange look on his face, “Ob, thet’s diffrunt!” asserted the Border Hawk. ‘To be course, we'll take ber long.” "Take one, take two,” declared Two Horses, ** That settles um,” The last three words showed that the red chief had caught the latest pale-face slang. Black Brad fell back in disgust, Conrad bad heard enough to set bis miud at rest oa two points, He would not be slain im- mediately, and, without doubt, the very girl he had sought to rescue was a captive with these red wretches, As he gazed at Black Brad, and Ugly Ike, be decided they were the very men he had pursued at an earlier hour of the night, In a short time one of the red-skins who had departed at the command of the chief came in, leading Conrad’s horse, The pale-face captive wag then put in charge of the buck who had first detected his presence, while preparations for the move went on. Black Brad and Ugly ike came and stood glaring at Conrad. ‘* Well,” said the young man, quite coolly, ‘I reckon you galoots will know me next time.” ‘*P’r’aps we might ef ye hed thet blood washed offen yer face,” said Ike, “ How did thet come thar?” asked Brad. “Oh, I fell down and stepped on my head,” was the grave reply, “but for that little mis- fortune, I would not be here now, It dazed me somewhat, and I ran right into this trap.” The two outlaws exchanged glances, Same critter,” said Ike, **T reckon,” returned Brad, ‘* He must bey got arter us ag’in an’ follered us hyer.” “* Shore.” ‘* Waal, he hes cooked his own goose,” ** You bet,” ** Two Hosses "ll fix him w’en he gits him ter his village over in ther mountains,” ** Now ye’re shoutin’!” Having uttered these words,they walked away, leaving Con to his thougbts. The young man tried to get a sight of the fair captive, but he was not successful till the entire party was ready to move, Then he saw Bessie mounted on a snow-white horse and closely guarded by Bad-eye Bob, ‘By Jove!” thought Conrad; ‘‘she is a beauty !” _This was evident, despite the fact that ex- citemen*, exhaustion and despair had robbed her of her-gplor and left ber cheeks almost as white as dffven snow, The young man was compelled to mount his own horse, then his feet were tied beneath the animal’s body, thus making him secure in the saddle. He dreaded the journey before him, well knowing how painful it would be to ride many miles with his hands confined at bis back. Soon the savages were ready to move, but by that time morning was not far away and the birds were chirping in the mesquite thickets, The stars were paling, and the flower-perfumed breath of a young day was faintly fel~. Out through the morning dusk stretched the long moving line, the different ones of the party taking up the march in regular order, every man and beast seeming to know their proper lace. At the start the dogs were inclined to rk, but some sharp words from their mas- ters or the squaws silenced them, Then away to the northwest they went, When the sun came sailing up:, “ y, throw- ing his golden glances across tue world, the bright shafts fell upon a long line of dusky figures trailing away across a flower-bespangled plain and heading straight toward the desert that lay beyond. Straight ahead of them stretched a broad expanse that would have seemed limit- less but for the fact that unnumbered miles - away a noble range of mountains seemed to thrust their peaks out of the level waste. A pur- ple haze hung around the irregular peaks, the tallest of which seemed to pierce the very sky. Among those mountains, which were so plain- ly discernible on a clear day after the low hills ~ Jhad been passed A and flower-prairie beyond was reached, lay the village of the Utes, toward which the savages were heading. But beyond the flower-prairie and between them anid the mountains lay a desert of sand, sage-brush and cacti. ‘The Dead Deset” it was sometimes called. It is needless to describe the journey in de- tail, During the first day the flower-prairie was passed, and at night the Indians halted in a grove not far from the border of the Dead Des- ert, There they filled their, ‘‘ water-skins” and made other preparations for the unpleasant march ahead. The mountains seemed much nearer at sunset, but they knew the rare air of Arizona well enough to understand how many weary miles intervened between them and the purple peaks even though they had never tra- versed the Dead Desert before—and some of them had crossed it scores of times, That night Conrad sought to find a chance to speak with the girl captive, but both were too closely watched for anything like words to pass between them. However, they did exchange a few brief siguals, but not without being de- tected. Hatchet in hand, a surly warrior threatened Con, speaking some words in the Indian lan- guage. The young treasure-hunter could not understand the words, but, combined with the attitude of the brave, they were plainly an or- der for him to cease bis signals or take the con- sequences, o the signals were suspended, but the two captives had arrived at something like an un- derstanding. The second day found taem out upon the Dead Desert, and Con soon decided it was well named, for before they bad advanced many miles upon the arid plain be began to see the bleaching bones of cattle and wild animals that had perished there. Once he saw a human skeleton stretched beside the skeleton of a horse, and he knew the bones of both had been stripped by vultures and wild animals. The sun seemed to grow hotter and hotter. It beat down mercilessly upon their heads, and the wiud which swept across the plain seemed like a breath from a furnace. In its teeth it carries fine particles of sand that sting like the oe of insects whenever they strike the bare esh, At times they pass through thickets of cacti with crooked, scraggy branches, hirsute leaves, strange and grotesque sbapes, but adorned by beautiful flowers. Then they strike tracts cov- ered with clumps of hideous, unsightly grease- wood, and the twisted brancbes make their ad- vances much slower, Finally a Jong level desert of sand is reached, and there the signs of death are much more frequent, for bleaching bones are no rare sight. Out upon the sand plain the sun’s rays be- come almost unbearable, for the refraction from the white surface seems to sear the eye- balls, And there the cloud of gritty, stinging particles swept on by the strong wind becomes more intolerable, Conrad was thinking of the fair girl captive. How would sbe endure the terrible journey? He pitied her and longed to do something to make her suffering less intense, but it was notin his power. So the long, dreary day wore away. Twice Conrad was given a small amount of warm water to drink, but his suffering from thirst was great. However, it was useless to ask for water. Such a request was met by a blow. Slowly, ob, so slowly! the mountains care nearer. He could see their rugged sides and knew there were cool shadows there, He thought it would be delightful to lie down in those shadows close beside some gushing re guna drink his fill, then close his eyes and ie : The burning sun dropped beneath the horizon, and night came down with a swoop of its starry wings. Then a cool breeza swept the plain, al- ternate with hot currents. He knew it was a breath from the mountain gorges to the dark depths of which the burning sunlight never reached, Still the savages pressed onward, Water must be reacbed before a halt was made. It was not far from midnight when the dust- laden cavalcade reached the fertile section at the foot of the moubtains and fresh water was found at last, , The Dead Desert was crossed! CHAPTER XII.’ SILENCE OR DEATH! MovunrTatns, snow-capped and hoary, on every hand. Beetling crags that overhang mighty chasms yawning far, far beneath, Desolate can- NEBr eT wine Phytol & «wd Tee ee re yons that seem to hold some dreadful secret im their dark and silent bosoms. Mountains every- where! Itisa grand, an awe-inspiring spectacle. It gives one a thrill of fear, a feeling of nameless horror. Toa human being it imparts a knowl- edge of his own utter insignificance and the boundless power of the Almighty God upon whose handiwork he gazes. Some of the mountains are covered with traces. of vegetation, the pine and cedar clinging darkly to many a jagged cliff. Some are bleak and barren, cut by mighty chasms and strewn with! huge bowlders, many of which it seems the weight of a hand would send crashing aud thun— dering into the dark depths below. In the midst of this wild section lay the Ute village close beside a brawling stream of water that was fed by the melting snow of the cloud crowned peaks, The place was well chosen, be- ing {high up amid the mountains, There were: lofty pines, through the branches of which the mountain breeze was continually sighing in its song of mournful mystery., Beneath these were the smoke-stained tepees and lodges of the war- riors, Underfoot the ground was covered by lush-grass and soft green moss, bespangled in untrodden spots by fair flowers that gave forth a sweet perfume, On the outskirts of the village Indian ponies. were cropping the rich grass. Noisy Indian lads were shooting at marks or trying feats of strength and skill, Braves lay stretched iv posi- tions of indolence and comfort, while their squaws brought wood and water and attended to such other labor as fell to their lot. From the fires the blue smoke rose lazily upward, In the opening of one of the lodges Little Bess lay on a bearskin robe watching the singu-- lar scene before ber. She was still very pale, and the dark circles around ber eyes told of much weeping, but again and again she had beem assured that no harm should come to her, and she- bad begun to take an interest in the unusual things to be seen in an Indian village. But that was not her only reason for being at the opening of the lodge. In another of the lodges she knew her fellow captive, the band- some young man she had seen for the first time when they were crossing the flower-prairie, was confined. She had not been able to speak witu him since reaching the village, Before the lodge Bad-eye on the ground, He was stationed there as a guard, but be considered the captive quite safe without troubling himself much about her, Since reaching the village Bessie bad severab times spoken witb a dark-eyed Mexican girl, who said she bad been ae captive by the savages several years before, She said ber name was Pepe, and, although her English wos very bad, she was able to make Little Bess under- stand sae would be glad to escape from the In- dians. As Bessie lay gazing out at the opening of the lodge, Pepe appeared, , ‘* Buenos dias, senorita,” she saluted, smil— ing. Fessle beckoned her in, and soon the two were seated on the bearskin, Bad-eye Bob not having been awakened, ; Pepe was dressed in a loose blouse waist and skirt of doeskin, the latter reaching to her ankles and being handsomely embroidered with beads and stained porcupine-quills, Her small avi shapely feet were covered with beaded mocca- sins, She wore no head-dress, and her long dai Ix hair fell unconfined down her back. By means of signals and a few words the tuo girls carried on quite a conversation, succeed - ing in understanding each other very well. Pepe asked Bessie if she loved the young Ameri- can captive, and seemed surprised when the girt laughed and ghook her bead, “Si, senorita—si, si!” lousy the dark-eye b maid, yet with an air of relief. ‘“ Love he— you do, alma mia! You eye—show! Halt! hal” After a time Little Bess succeeded in makin > Pepe understand the young American “a: 1 utter stranger to her, and the only tie betwe |» them was that of mutual misfortune. Then ti » Mexican maiden explained she was going t > Conrad, and asked if Bessie would send aly word to him, The girl hesitated for some time, but finally asked the dark-skinned maiden to tell him she - hoped he would escape from the savages. Pte raus’!” exclaimed ei softly, but with excitement, ‘If no, some k i Senor—senori- ta”—making motions meant to include t’ young Out mgm pape (Wie kn ne bote o time. ten sabe nows Of course this gave the girl some hope, : VEL May lone 2 Bi io AT e ob Jay slumbering | On =a ch * ee oe
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Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. though she could not see that Pepe would be able to assist in bripging such a desirable thing about, Finally the dusky maiden arose to leave the lodge, bidding Bessie ‘t Adios.” She also ex- plained she might come again, From the opening Little Bess watched the willowy figure till it disappeared, A short time later, Pepe appeared once more, this time with _some food, which she carried toward the lodge in which Conrad was confined, The red-skin guard before the lodge stopped her, but he was a young brave, and Pepe bad already found favor in bis eyes. He could see no reason why be should deny her the privilege of carrying a small amount of food to the pale- face, for he informed her Two Horses had said the captive should die with another sun. This was startling information, indeed, for Pepe, who had seen the young man and fallen iu love with him at first sight, She knew the cap- tive bad not been condemned to death in coun- cil, for he had not been removed to the Death Lodge, but if Two Horses had fixed on the time of his death, the matter was as good as settled, The form of a council would be gone through with, but the final result would be the same. So the Mexican maiden took the food to Con- rad. He received it with thanks, and she eager- ly asked if be could speak Spanish, Her delight at learning he could speak the language some- what and could understand it better, can scarce- ly be described, He was tied fast to some stakes driven in the preont, and she was obliged to feed the food to im, Seeing the red guard watching them sus- piciously, she whispered for him to eat slowly. For several moments the young, buck contin- ‘ ued to watch them, then, as if ha thought it __ till nigbt came. scarcely worth while, feeling sure the girl could not assist the captive to escape from the heart of the village in broad daylight, he dropped the skin which served as a flap for the opening. Instantly the girl ceased to feed the captive, and began to examine his bonds, all the while watching closely that the guard did not detect her. As she worked on the bonds, she whispered in Spanish: **On the morrow you are to die, for Two Horses has said it. To-night you must cscape, if you hope to live, Your bonds I will fix so you can get free, but will leave them so no one ean detect the change. ou must make no move till it is night, and ped hear me talkin with the guard in front of the lodge, There, bave your bonds arranged, You can slip them if you try. See! I bury a knife here; I cover it with earth. By moving your body a bit, you can lay upon the spot, then it will not be dis- covered, When you hear me talking with the guard, you must get free, take the knife, cut a slit in the back of the lodge, and creep out, You must be silent as a serpent, yet move swiftly as the flight of a bawk. Down the gorge by the split rock you will find a horse. Once on its back, you sbould never be taken alive. Do you understand?” ** Perfectly. But what can be your reason for thus befriending me?” «| have a reason, senor, but I cannot explain. You must doasisay. Iam trusted by the red- men almost as if I were one of them. They think I have forgotten amy home and my rela- tives. There isSpanish blood in my veins! I have not forgotten, Some day I will get free. Then I will away like a bird! But 1 must not senor, for suspicion it stay too long with you, might arouse, I will go. “Stop a minute! How about the pale-face maiden who isa captive? Can you not aid her to escape with me?” ; Pepe fell back, a look of pain falling athwart i her face, . You love her, senor?” j “She is one of my own race and very fair. I have never spoken with ber.”. “T cannot give you aid in rescuing her. You have friends, With them you can return to her ‘ WAT! ue,” . * And find these red dogs have flown!” “ben you must pursue. But 1 can stay no longer. Adios.” oment she was gone, 11 how the anxious hours dragged The captive was burning with and atremble with excitement. ould he succeed in ing? Could he not bes WGN Foy rescue tho lUte’s fair captive? He resolved to dusk Black Bra 1 entered the lodge and gloating ier triumph over the appa- Ipless ‘captive, '¥ Wal,” be grit ied, “ your goose is cooked, fer $8 1S you ‘must die, Ther _ In another No need to "4 reds are goin’ ter hev some kind of er pow-wow ter-night, w’en they’!] pertend ter settle yer fate, but it’s already settled. Afore midnight you wil be moved inter ther Death Lodge, Thet must make ye feel well. Wl le’ve yo ter yer thoughts, an’ I reckon you'll do some tall thunkin’, Ha! ha! Solong!”’ Then he left the lodge, Conrad held his temper, making no reply to the dastard, for he had no care to bandy words with a wretch so depraved. By midnight he would be moved to the Death Lodge. If he escaped, it must be before tbat time, for he would be doubly guarded after he crossed the threshold of the fatal Lodge. There could be no escape then. Would Pepe never come? His blood was alternate currents of Java and ice-water. Darkness felland the minutes dragged into hours. He heard a shouting in the Indian vil- lage, then came the voices of the red-men lifted to a high pitch as, one after another, they seem- ed to be delivering orations. The council of death was taking place. At length Conrad could wait no longer, and he slipped his bands out of the bonds. That was an easy task, Then he sat up and eagerly tore up the ground till his fingers clasped the knife Pepe had buried, Just as he freed his feet be heard the murmur of voices in front of the lodge, and he knew the dusky maiden was there, She had kept her word, Conrad knew he must act swiftly, and he lost not a second, With the keen knife he opened away from the lodge, then he crept cautiously forth, Near the center of the village blazed a fire by the light of which the warriors were gathered in council, They would not find their captive when they came to look for him. _In_ the shadows Conrad skulkeé swiftly along till he reached the lodge where be knew the white maiden was confined. He bad resolved to do his best to save ber, Coming up behind the lodge, he was amazed to see a long slit in the covering, an opening that had been made by a sharp knife, What did it mean? In an instant be bad answered his own ques- tion, Pepe bad thought he would try to rescue the white girl,and she had opened a way for him, Casting doubt and hesitation to the winds, he boldly but silently crept into the lodge. Suddenly he felt his throat seized by a pair of snory bands, and a hissing whisper sounded in is ear: ‘*Make a noise or an outcry and you die in- stantly !” F ss afar CHAPTER XIII, A MOMENT OF PERIL. ‘* THAR, Chris, lad, thar lays ther Dead Des- ert with ther settin’ sun fallin’ on it. Away yon are ther mountains whar ther gal hes bin tooken, I reckon, Atween us an’ them moun- tains is miles 0’ sand, alkili beds, sage-brush an’ cacti. Ther desert is strewed with ther bones .o’ animals as hev died thar, an’ ’mong others ther skeleton o’ er human critter is sometimes foun’. But ef we ever see ther lectle gal erg’in, ef we keep our pledge ter kerry her back ter her old dad, we tus’ cross this yere desert. How d’yer | like it?” ‘*T am ready to follow the red devils and white roffians to the further extremity of the earth! The girl must be saved! The Dead Desert has no terrors for me.” Ae Thet’s ther right kind o’ talk, lad, an’ it’s ’at I knowed ye’d say, fer ve seen yer mettle tested, Ef I hain’t mistooken, ther wite imp as hed er ban’ in ther kidnappin’ wuz ther critter as they calls Black Brad in these parts, Thet cuss is purty well known all over Arizony.” ‘* We 'bave no time to waste, Rube.” ‘* Now, kind o’ keep yer shirt on, pard! I tole e this wuz ther Dead Desert, as th . on’t be in too big er hurry ter try it. Even thet hoss o’ yourn hain’t made o’ iron, though I will say it’s the most royal critter I ever sot my ole eyes on. It’ll be er long time afore we strike water arter we leave this yere timber, an’ we hain’t hed er fair breathin’ spell. Both 0’ us sleep.’ Brit **T do not feel as if I could close my eyes.” ** Now, you don’t want ter git thet way, lad; you’ve got too much boss sense. don’t look like you wuz stuck on ther leetle “Ttisnot that, Rube, I admit I was charmed with her, and her song of the Ro filled me with sweet and tender thoughts, but I scarcely think I fellinlove withher.®” ‘ ’ + 7 Mornin’ hain’t fur off,” call it, | we'll be wishin’ some galoot’d bang a blanket up, Derned ef it | ving Heart | 11 ‘Oh, I dunno! Young fellers like you ketch ther disease ’tarval easy like!” ‘** But the old wound in my heart is far fron. healed. Rube, I have not forgotten—Nellie!” ‘*Oh, bosh, boy! She’s married now, an’ ye might jest ez well fergit. Don’t keep nussin? thet ole ‘fair! Thar wuz Nina Robinson, I reckon she ’most broke her pore leetle heart over ye, an’ she’s ’most problikely watchin’ fer you ter come back ter her.” ‘‘T never loved ber, Rube. Nina was and beautiful, but I did not love her. If she cared for me otherwise than as a friend, I am \ sorry.” The bow-legged cowboy shut bis lips tightly and shook his head in a grim manner, ‘Thar bain’t no’countin’ fer ther taste o’ er young feller like you,” he finally declared. ‘**They don’t seem ter go by hoss sense, but jest by sheer instinct, Waal, I hain’t yer boss, pard. Le’s go back inter ther grove an’ ketch er snooze. Thar will be er good moon, an’ we'll putt in ther las’ part 0? ‘ther night follerin’ ther trail by moonlight.” | Sa Together the cowboy pards turned back into» the grove, tha very one at which the Indians had halted ere starting on the journey across the Dead Desert. Thus far they had trailed the- captors of Little Bess. Woula they be success- ful in following the red rovers to their lair? Their horses were within the grove, and Black Cloud gave a low whipny of pleasure as his- eyes rested on his handsome master, Chris: paused to caress the noble animal’s muzzle and pat it lightly on its glossy neck. In ashort time both the cowboys were sound asleep, Rube resting with the lariat of bis horse- attached to bis wrist, knowing the animal would Ta arouse him at the approach of danger. nae It was past midnight when the old fellow awoke and aroused his comrade. ‘ rs ““Come, Chris, lad,” he cried; “stir up, pard i It’s time'we wuz movin’. Tier moon makes it: purty nigh like day, an’ ther Dead Desert by night is better then it is by day. ell git. plenty o’ sun scorchiw’ on it'anyhow.” © — In a few minutes they rode from the grove- and turned their faces toward the mountains: which lay beyond the desolate desert. They had. taken loig draughts of water, filled their can-. teens and given their horses all they wanted to- LS drink, Before they started to trail down the i kidnappers Jim Pike had insisted they should. d provide themselves with dried meat sufficient. for several days, and that he had been able to: furnish from his stores, 5 a At first the trail left by the red-skins was so { plain they went forward at a gallop, but Old Rube observed the course taken by the saveges,. well knowing they might not be able to follow if the trail clean across the desert. - The cacti and greasewood were reached before they encountered any great trouble in following fs the trail, When they passed out upon the bar- ren waste of sand, morning was not far aray =| and the trail had grown very indistinct, so they” were unable to follow it swiftly, = The sand of the desert seemed never at rest. f for the icy gusts of night lifted itin cloudsand dashed it stingingly into the faces of the hee’ i And this moving cloud had sifted into the trail — till at Jength there was not a trace of it left, _ Sa ‘* What is to be done now?” asked Chris, with sinking heart. ; * One ‘Nuthin’ but jest push right on,” was the | reply, ‘‘ Ther reds knowed ther sand w’t'd hide their trail, but I hev tooken care ter notiss ther direction they wuz takin’, an’ ef forchune don’t turn ag’in’ us, we may strike their track over yon. We won’t waste no more time Ne bes stick ter ther trail, but we'll push straight erhead.. “ ~ Whee : Before the lizht of coming day the stars faded, when the east grew rosy and golden as if t- ed by a master hand, There were no clouds, and the day-god came riding grandiy up } Ito view. eT) “Thar’s glory fer ye, pard!” cried the old — cowboy. ‘It looks fine now, but afore long in front o’ thet sun, you bet!” ie F The heat increased as the sun rose higher, and bai
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12 Cowboy Chris, the Desert Cent aur, tinually sounding a monotonous ‘‘ crunch- erunch” in the sand. It was more than midway in the forenoon when a cry broke suddenly from the young cow- boy’s lips: “There is the Phantom Ship!” Sure enough; seemingly away out on the desert sands lay the wreck of the old Spanish cruiser—or to be more correct, it seemed to lay there. The sun was shimmering brightly all around it on the glistening sand, but the ap- pearance of water was absent. ‘* Thet’s ther critter!” nodded Rube. ‘‘ Dinged ef it don’t look natteral! Almost seems like it wuz really thar! W’at ef it is?” ‘** Would it not have been found before this by those who cross the desert?” “Ther don’t menny human critters but red- skins cross it, I reckon,” ‘* Well, you do not put any confidence in this illusion anyway.” ‘* Waal, I don’t mean ter, but o’ course thar may be suthin’ init. Thar bain’t no livin’ man as knows uvery derned thing in this yere worl’.” ** Suppose we ride toward it.” ** All right, but only fer a short distance, Ef it takes ter runnin’ away an’ keepin’ jest so fur off, we'll shake it too mighty quick,” But instead of receding when they advanced, the wreck began to fade away before their eyes, and soon it bad vanished entirely. Then they oe more turned their faces toward the moun- tains, It was long past mid-day when the fertile sec- tion at the foot of the mountains was reached. Their first search was for water, and by rare fortune they came upon the very spring where the Indians had halted after crossing the desert. There Old Rube discovered signs which filled him with delight, ‘* We're on ther right track, pard! We'll run ther critters ter their hoel, ef we hev ter turn Iujun ter doit! Sech er thing is possible thet we'll hey ter rip ther shoes offen our critters, an’ plug ther nail-hoels with clay, ter keep ther red varmints frum knowin’ we’re hot arter ’em. They'll hev their spies out, an’ ther skunks are sbarp-eyed as thunder!” Chris was eager to push on, but Rube’s good judgment prevented a rash rush, and they re- mained by the spring during the rest of the day, and the following night. That gave them time to seta their horses, clean themselves and rest, Then they took the trail into the mountains, It is not necessary to portray the difficulties surmounted, the dangers passed and the pre- cautions taken, ey. rare good fortune they located the Ute village on the second day, and ‘were themselves undiscovered. From the side of a thickly-wooded mountain they could look down into the gorge where lay the Indian en- campment. Ina natural grotto where bubbled a living fountain they concealed their horses, “Now, pard,” said Old Rube, as he watched the rising smoke from the village, ‘‘ ther next thing’s ter find out ef ther leetle gal is thar.” ** And then to rescue her.” **Thet will be ther bardest o’ all.” Chris knew that only too well, By studying the rocky walls, they discovered a place where they fancied they could descend into the gorge by means of a lasso, the greater part of the wali at that point being scalable, ** Tt7ll be ticklish work at night,” said Round- up Rube; ‘‘ but we’ve got ter try it.” Iu vain they strained their eyes to catcha glimpse of Little Bess, They saw two or three white men moving about among the red-skins, but not a sign of the maiden they had pledged themselves to rescue, ‘*T reckon she’s thar jest ther same,” nodded Rube. ‘Them w’ite varmints are ther critters as cotched her in ther fu’st place, I'takeit. I'd like ther sackersfaction 9’ pullin’ on ther ropes thet’ll hang ther whelps!” Night came, The shadows favored them, and they crept down the mountain-side, leavinz their rifles with their horses. They were compelled to use the greatest caution in making the descent, for many times they were where a slip or a misstep would have sent them down to death at the bottom of the gorge. For more than an hour they proceeded in this fashion before they reach- ed the = ie where it was necessary to use the lasso, hen, by attaching a stone to the end of ‘the xopP and lowering it cautiously, they dis- covered one lasso was not enough. wo firmly knotted together proved much more than enough, Making the poe firm to a point of rock, Old Rube stripped off his buckskin blouse and placed it insuch a manner that the edge of stone, where the lasso fell over; would not wear the cord in two. Then he swung down and descended with the agility of a sailor, leaving Chris to follow. The young cowboy waited till his friend was at the bottom, then he began the descent, He wasa born athlete; and rope-climbing had been one of his favorite exercises, so he slid down the line without the lest trouble, ‘““ Now,” whispered Rube, when they had reached the bottom, “* you hed best ’pend on me an’ keep in ther back-ground. I bain’t no Injun- fighter ter speak of, but I bev bin thar afore this. It’s plain ther red skunks are hevin’ some kind o’ er pow-wow, fer we kin beur ’ern whoop- in’ her up. See, they hev lighted up er mighty big fire.’ “Perhaps they are intending to put their fair captive to torture!” excitedly whispered Chris. “No danger o’ thet,” assured Rube. ‘‘ They never brung her all this ways fer thet puppose. It’s suthin’ else, you bet. We're probably inside ther guard, but we can’t be too cautious, Ef any 0’ them Injun’s dogs scent us, we’ll be in er tight fix, Come ou.” e led the way, and Chris followed closely. They crept forward with the greatest caution, and succeeded in entering the village without being detected. The braves were all gathered at the council, and by dropping down the can- yon wall, they had evaded the guards, if there were any, : Finally they paused behind a lodge, and Rube placed his lips close to the young cowboy’s ear, while he whispered: “Stay here till [ return,” In another moment he lad glided away. Chris did not like the arrangement, but he made the best of it, remaining close to the lodge. He was wondering how they were to find Little Bess when a strange sound caught his ear, It was a low sob! Eagerly he listened, and be heard it again. It came from within the lodge! Chris Comstock’s heart gave a great leap. Some one was weeping within the lodge. Who should it be unless a captive? On his hands and knees he began creeping around the lodge, his knife between his teeth. He soon reached a position where he could see a man lying on the ground in front of the opening. The weeping now became more apparent, and the man stirred uneasily, muttering a word which revealed the fact that he was a pale-face. Then he thrust his head in at the opening, growling: ‘*W’at in blazes you snufflin’ "bout, gal? I want ye ter stop it, fer I’m mighty tender- hearted, an’ I don’t like ther sound nohow you kin fix it. Shut up!” Having given this pleasant order, the ‘‘ ten- der-hearted ” man rolled over and stretched himself on the ground again, Chris was atremble with anger and longed to leap upon the ruffian and choke the breath from his body. But caution forbade such a move. He must find a way to enter the lodge without the knowledge of the renegade guard. Carefully be backed away till he was once more behind the maiden’s place of confinement, bane listened, but could no longer hear the sob- ing. “I must take the chances,” thought Cowboy Chris, as his fingers removed the knife from be- tween his tecth, ‘If she makes an outcry, it will cook my goose,” _ He seemed to forget Round-up Rube for the time. Pressing the point of the keen knife against the covering which served as the back wall of the lodge, he cut a long straight slit, do- ing it with all the caution and silence he could command, He more than half expected to hear an ex- clamation or an outcry from the girl, but in this he was bappily disappointed, Not a sound came from within tbe prison lodge, After waiting a moment, he crept slowly in, not daring call to the girl in a whisper. It was dark within the lodge. When he had fairly passed through the open- ing, he began feeling about with his hands, Suddevly he toucbed something soft and warm, and, with a thrill, he felt bis own firgers clasp- ed by soft and tremblin~ ones, He had found Little Bess! Then he drew her gently toward the opening, If they could escape:from the lodge without <r a suspicion, they might get away But just as he was about to creep forth, a startling thing occurred. A human head and shoulders were thrust in at the opening, and some one came creeping noiselessly into the lodge. Who was it? ; The moment was fraught with deadly peril! CHAPTER XIV. ESCAPE. Was it Round-up Rube? : Cowboy Chris asked himself the question, but was urable to answer it. He felt the girl shiver with terror, and knew she understood the peril they were in. Making a careful calculation, Chris suddenly reached out and grasped the throat of the un- known, at the same time whispering a command for silence, He did not think the person an Indian, and the moment his fingers gripped the person’s throat, he was sure it was not a red-skin. There was no outcry. f Relaxing his grasp a bit, Chris asked: ‘* Who are you?” * Conrad Vincent, a white man,” came the faintly-whispered reply. ‘‘ Who are you?” Chris did not reply, but he rembered the name, baving heard it from Old Blossom’s lips. This person was one of the old treasure-hunter’s com- rades, With his lips close to Conrad’s ear, Chris whispered: ‘*Get out as youcamein, Wewillfollow. A noise will cost us our lives!” In a flash the young cowboy had seemed to understand the situation. This Vincent, like himself, was making an attempt to rescue the captive of the Utes. He seemed to settle this in his mind in an instant, and trusted everything on his being right. There was but one other course, and that meant for him to stain his bands with blood in the face of almost certain discovery and capture by the reds, He knew there was no time for hesitation. Conrad was also aware that every moment was precious, and therefore did not pause to rea- son out the meaning of the singular situation. Instantly, he began to back from the lodge. Chris caused Little Bess to follow, and ere he left the lodge he could hear the ruffianly guard snoring on the ground in front of the proper opening, It was Ugly ‘Ike, and he little dreamed how the coveted captive of his chief was slipping through his fingers. - Soon the two young men and the maiden were together at the back of the lodge. Then Chris led them away, moving toward the bluff adown the face of which dangled the united lassoes, Fortune seemed to smile on them, for nut even an Indian cur ran across their track, They passed in safety from the village and reached tbe life line. **Can you climb?” asked Chris of Conrad, * Like a cat,” was the prompt reply. “Then up you go, twill remain here with the young lady, hen you reach the top, shake the line, I will then bitch it securely about the young lady’s waist and follow you. Both of us can easily draw her upto the shelf.” Conrad started to demur, but Chris silenced him with a word, telling bim that they had no time to lose. Then Vincent began the climb, It proved a severe tax to his strength and skill, for it requires as much skill as strength to climb a rope, but be reached the top at last and gave the signal, sinking down almost exhausted, In a short time Chris came struggling up- ward, Barely bad the young cowboy reached the cliff when there arose an uproar in the Indian village, There were loud yells, as if the war- riors had made some amazing discovery, and from the cliff the two could see many figures darting bither and thither in the fireligbt. “They have discovered my escape!” cried Conrad. ‘Quick! We will draw up the young owboy Chris felt his heart leap into his throat as he suddenly thought of his pard, Round-up Rube. It seemed the old cattleman would surely be discovered in the village, and then his life would pay the forfeit. Together the two young men began drawing up tbe lasso with its precious haman burden at- tached. Ina few moments the girl was safe on the cliff at their side, but she was in a state of semi-unconsciousness caused by the excitement through which she had passed. As Conrad bent over Bessie, endeavoring to restore her, Chris crouched by the edge of the cliff eagerly watching the gorge below, He was looking for Old Rube, The excitement in the camp continued, and suddenly it was redoubled. It seemed as if every savage bad turned to a madman and was trying to split bis throat with his cries. The young cowboy tkought he understood what it meant, ‘ The Utes had made another discovery and knew their fair captive was gone, If not that,
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_ Rube could then it must be the bow-legged cowboy had fa:- len into their hands, How the young cowboy longed to see the dark | figure of the veteran cattleman come hurrying down the gorge! Suddenly another sound came from the vil- lage. At first Chris could not make out what it was, Rapidly it came nearer, and soon he saw a dark mass sweeping down the gorge, while a | thunder of hoofs arose upon the night air, Horses! The Indian ponies had been stam- ed! : The cowboy on the cliff knew it was the work of Round-up Rube. Eagerly he bent forward and scanned the dark mass as it swept along below. Behind the ponies, clinging to the back of one of them and yelling like a madman was the bow- legged cowboy! own the mighty gorge swept the black cloud of horses with the cries of the dare-devil cow- boy urging them to greater fear. Behind them came the Indians afoot, yelling in impotent rage, now and then firiug an ineffectual shot, which only served, if anything, to frighten the stam- ed animals still more. ‘Tt is useless to wait for Rube!” half laughed Cowboy Chris, drawing back to escape detection by the savages, The three remained on the cliff till the sound of the stampede had quite died out in the dis- tance, but the sounds of an rages fury still came from the Ute village. t length, when the coast seemed clear, they started to make the as- cent to the spot where the horses were concealed, It is not necessary to describe their —_— in climbing the rugged wall. They were finally successful, reaching the grotto before the moon had risen high enough to expose them to the keen eyes that might be watching below. Bessie was nearly exhausted, but she declared she was ready for anything that would take them beyond the reach of the Indians and Black Brad’s outlaws, A consultation was held, and they finally de- cided to turn toward the desert, trusting to for- tune Hd gtd out of the mountains without being captured, “We may as well do so,” said Chris, for every minute we remain here now increases our danger. The red devils will scour the coun- try round about, and they would be pretty sure to investigate this grotto. Round-up Rube will not come back here, for be wili expect me to move atonce. That is the proper course to pur- sue. Chris had taken careful note of the course ursued in pees J the mountains, and he be- ieved he could y find the way out. It was necessary for one of the horses to bear a double burden, and so Conrad and Bessie rode together, the young man’s strong arms doing much to keep the girl secure upon the steed. Chris led the way, and in that manner they pushed on till morning was at hand. By the rarest fortune they discovered a small cave in which they were able to take refuge during the day, The horses were given a chance to feed before it was fairly light, but were com- pelled to fast du the entire day, a thing which was made easier by the discovery of a spring of pure water in the cave. There was asmall amount of dried meat left, and of this the three ate sparingly. - At nightfall they moved on again, and before patel athe border of the Dead Desert was reac! CHAPTER Xy. DOGGED ACROSS THE DESERT. oo" they rested, giving the horses feed and ater, Little Bess was standing it better than Chris had dared to hope. greatest fear was that she would give out, for he well understood what wae it must beg re be young cowboy wondered where Round- 4 He believed there was a doubt escaped, but what had become of him? That was the question that hed c stampeded the ies cular enemies, The reds will not on 13 | ‘*That shows you are not acquainted with | Round-up Rube.” “Their best men will follow till those ponies are recovered.” ‘** Rube will give them a long chase, I reckon that is the very reason why we have not seen anything of him, although I had not thought of it before. He is keeping the red trailers at a hot pace, thus giving us plenty of time to escape. Old Rube knows his biz!” So, trusting all to Chris Comstock’s judgment, they rode out upon the plain in the broad glare of day. They had ridden about four miles when Chris, who had been gazing back toward the moun- tains, uttered an exclamation of surprise and dismay. ‘* By Jove! we are dogged!” he cried. ‘*T was afraid of it,” said Con. ‘‘How many are there?” ‘“*T am unable to make out but three. It is probable there were not horses for more.” When they had ridden further, Chris ob- served: * Hanged if I believe those are red-skins any- way! ‘© Whites?” **T reckon,” ‘* They are following us?” “¢ Sure.” “Then they must be Black Brad and bis men!” exclaimed Little Bess, inalarm, ‘I fear them more than the Indians!” . “That is just who they are, I believe!” cried Conrad, after surveying the three figures in pur- suit. ‘“‘That explains why we are pursued,” de- clared Chris, ‘‘ Those men do not ride Indian ponies, and itis probable their horses were not with the herd Old Rube stampeded,” ‘Well, we will make it warm for them if they press us!” gritted Con, . ‘‘We are both armed, for I have this rifle that belongs to your partner.” ** And Rube’s rifle is a good one, He will not carry anything but a superior weapon.” ft was plain the three outlaws had decided 5% 7 them,” for they were overtaking our friends rapidly. Seeing this, Bessie was eager to hurry on, but Chris told her not to be alarmed. **T will give them a little set-back when they get too near,” he said. ‘‘ They will learn tokeep their distance, and we cannot afford to use up a doubly burdened horse by rushing him beneath this scorching sun.” When the outlaws had approached as near as he wished them to, Chris fell back, allowing the others to ride on in advance. Then he stopped his horse and signaled for the outlaws to turn about, Their answer was a shout of derision. ‘¢ Well,” muttered Chris, ‘‘it is plain I will have to teach you a lesson, and it may be a pretty severe one, for I cannot do fancy shoot- ing at this distance.” : ‘ Parowing his rifle to his shoulder, cocking it as it rose, be touched the trigger. There was a little puff of smoke and the clear whip-like crack of a Winchester. As the smoke blew away, the marksman saw one of the outlaws start and reel in the saddle, The man did not fall, but it was plain he was tng « a ttering a clear, rin ell, the yonng cat- tleman wheeled his sepia der horse and gal- loped after Conrad and Ticasle. ‘I marked one of them,” he laughed, as he reached the others, ‘I scarcely believe they He ,be so anxious about overtaking us after is, Looking back, it was seen the three men, still mounted, were gathered close together. “Two of them looking after the wound of the third,” said Chris. “J had no desire to kill the fellow outright, but the distance was too reat for me to attempt to wing him. I was a to fire straight at him and let it go at t. “ Little Bess was transferred from Old Rube’s horse to the back of Black Cloud, although Conrad seemed reluctant to allow the precious charge to leave his steadying arms, Having Pepidic, the natle block stent oot gemning a Ta , the noble black st not seeming to mnieid ite addition to bis burden, For some time the outlaws remained where they bad halted after Chris Comstock’s shot, but finally they took up the pursuit once more, However, they did not press our friends very closely, plainly maving found it did not pay. He was right. In that manner the passage of the Dead Desert was made. Only once, just after nightfall, did the three Hawks get uncomfortably close to our friends. Chris sent two bullets whistling close to the ruffians’ ears, his aim being rendered un- certain by the moonlight, and they drew off again. “They seem to be Conrad. ’ “That is true, but they may stay to their sorrow. if Black Brad ever lays a hand on Miss Bessie aguin, I will run him to his dcom!” ‘* Oh, he shall not touch her!” assured Con. ‘‘Heaven knows I hope not!” came soberly from the girl’s lips. It was near morning when the Desert was passed and the little grove reached, for by rare fortune they bad come directly to the grove that contained the spring. There they halted. ‘‘Here is feed for the horses, if not for our- selves,” said Chris, ‘* But we can stand it as long as we have plenty of water and a show for knocking over game of some kind in the morn- ing. Tbe thing is to keep an eyc on Black Brad and his boys. I will look after them, Vincent, while you see to the animals, Try to find some scraps of that dried meat for Miss Bessie. She must keep her strength, for the journey is not yet over, although the worst ispast, Don’t dare close your eyes, pard. Watch out.” stayers,” remarked With this warning admonition, the young cowboy slipped away toward the edge of the grove. Reaching it, he was amazed to find the three outlaws bad disappeared. Where had they gone? He felt sure they had not been given time to reach the greve, yet the moonlight showed him — the plain apparently barren and deserted. 2 anged if I can understand that!” be mut- tered. ‘‘ What kind of a trick have they played? I can’t—” He was interrupted by a scream from the center of the ve, It was Bessie’s voice! CHAPTER XVI. IN THE HAWK’S TALONS. Wren Cowboy Chris turned back toward the edge of the little grove, Conrad Vincent gath- ered some bits of wood and lighted a small fire. Barely had he accomplished this, when ho was startled by bearing Little Bess utter a scream of terror. He wheeled as she sprung to his side, crying: x Don't let him touch me! It is Black Brad!” She was pointing toward a horseman, who, silently as a ghost, had ridden out of the shad- ows into the little circle of firelight, Con grasped Rouud-up Rube’s rifle, but he did not use it, for a well-known voice cried: ‘* Hello, Vincent! Can it be that is you?” ** Monima, as I live!” shouted the dagggs: Soe In another moment the two were s hands, while Little Bess looked on in amazem) and fear, unable to uzderstand what it meant. In a moment Chris Comstock came to the spot, and he also seemed amazed when eyes rested on Monima’s face, ‘* You here?” he exclaimed. Monima bowed. “ This is a friend of mine,” explained Conrad, apparently a little puzzled by the strange looks on the faces around him, “Mr, Monima, Mr, Comstock.” . The introduction was acknowledged by both ties, but they did not offer to touch pena bad dismounted, and was standing be- side his horse, Little Bess regarded the stran tten. ee ith a deep flush of shame at his ruder Conrad hastened to introduce her, She bow slightly, but drew a bit further from Monima and nearer Chris, He looks so much like Black Brad!” she whis- in to the young — as Conrad and Par- n were speaking Chris opened his lips to speak, then them again. It would not do to let her know what had ha) i—at least, it would not do just then. Sbe must have no worry or excite- ment that could be kept from her. Undecided just what to do, he stood ird- ing Pardan Monima for a few moments, remembering Black Brad and his men, he le Bess with a quickly-spoken excuse and hurried | back to the edge of the grove, doubtfully, and for the moment it seemed as if she werefor- er. ‘*I thougbt him \ the outlaw at first, and that is why [ cried out,” | be closed : tempt to pursue us afoot across the Dead x ; 5 : have recovered their ponies b deneth ata he They a me be to toh ‘Strange! bo mattered, shaking his bal ay have rec es by | desert, Yhris. ‘‘ They are wa : ~ ing his head, i uh 5 tora chabindo peikiuareore “They must have ridden like the wind after we u ve 4 = ~ a ron Ss Wit Ren ES Le
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eentered the grove, or they have sunk into the ground. I cannot understund it, and it gives me an uneasy feeling.” For several moments he was silent, then once more he spoke his thoughts aloud. “What ought I to do about this man who calls himself Monima? That is another puzzle for me, I believe the fellow isa villain, yet be is a friend of Vincent’s. Bessie must not dream ‘be shot her father down in a duel, 1 can sa nothing about it in her presence, and I thin there is no danger of the man speaking of it. If I say anything about it, I will have to take him aside. **]T believe Vincent is in love with Little Bess, for 1 have seen it in his eyes. Well, I do not wonder. She is sweet and innocent, Even I have dreamed of her. Possibly I might have learned to love her, but I have beld love out of my heart since I have seen those two together, ‘for something tells me they were made for each otber, and I want no second disappointment to make me bitter and cynical, If I see she cares Mothing for Vincent, then— ‘Well, what then? Love is not a thing that will come at one’s bidding. I might not love cher after all. She is a dear little creature for whose sake I would make any sacrifice, but that is no reason why | should desire to make her my wife. Mywife! Hat ha! ha! I will not marry for years—if ever. Lam beginning to taste the -sweets of a roving life, and I shall not settle -down for years to come,” Once more carefully surveying the open plain and detecting no sign of the outlaws, he turned back intothe grove. He found the trio gathered around the little fire. ** You bad better keep your eyes open for the Border Hawk,” cautioned Chris, ‘The three outlaws have disappeared, and I can see nothing of them,” Tnstantly Monima spoke up: ‘*T saw them, for I saw you when you entered the grove. The moment you were within the grove, the three pursuers turned to the right and rode as if Satan himself were after them, I did mot watch to see what became of them,” ‘*They must have hidden in a fissure in the q plain,” said Chris; ‘‘ although I cannot under- " stand why they did so.” ‘** By getting out of your sight they can make movements of which you know nothing, Prob- ably they mean to deceive you in some way.” ‘That must be it, but they will not succeed if we all keep our eyes open. Iam going back to the edge of the grove, and you must not relax Sand ig lance fora moment, If by any chance lack Brad should get the best of us now, I should be ready to die of shame and rage,” brag more the young cowboy returned to his ~watch, Pardan and Conrad were discussing how they tame to be separated. Bessie reclined on a blanket spread beside the fire, but there was a fascination that caused her to almost constantly ‘watch Pardan Monima’s face, Surely the man was almost an exact counterpart of Black Brad. Monima noticed how closely he was observed, wand he stirred uneasily. » Having come to an understanding with his friend, Conrad looked after the horses, Monima assisting him in this. The young man was de- lighted to find a small amount of dried meat, whieh was forced on Little Bess, although she iprotested, **You must eat it, Bessie,” said Coprad, soft- ly. ‘* Remember, you must keep your strength as much for our sakes as for your own,” ** But what will you eat?” *“We shall probably be able to kill some game ‘with the coming of day, for we are now in a fer- ‘tile section, The desert is passed, and heregame abounds,” After a time he succeeded in inducing her to eat, It now came Pardan Monima’s turn to secretly watch the girl. She seemed to fascinate him, At length he approached her, not ap ng to notice how she shrunk from him, ith some difficulty be succeeded in drawing ber into con- versation, although he was obliged to do the espe part of the talking. Gradually he led er to speak of her father, and then he mention- = her mother. At this, a shadow crossed her ace. ‘* My mother is dead,” she replied. “Do you remember her?” ‘*No; [ was only a little more than two years yo ane when she died, Ican remember notaing ** Does your father often speak of her?” **Oh, no!” “That is Peal “Strange?” with a peculiar look. ‘‘I do not understand how it is strange. She is dead, it makes him sad to spexk of her—it makes a dark cloud come over his face. At times I used to ask him to tell me of her, but he would always put me off. I did not know why. Once he asked me to speak of her no more, and seeing how it distressed him, I was ever after careful to give him no more pain in that way. Poor papa!” She stopped suddenly, amazed at herself for having spoken so much; but he still led ber on. ‘* Have you often visited your mother’s grave?” ‘** No,” she replied, slowly, ‘‘ never.” “Never? How is that?” ‘*] know not where it is. Sometimes papa talked strangely of it; sometimes he said her grave was in his heart. I could not under- stand him, He never told me where she was buried,” After talking with the girl a few seconds longer, Monima arose and beckoned Conrad aside. When they were beyond easy ear-shot of the girl, the bearded man said: ** Vincent, I have something to tell you— something that concerns that girl back there. The very night we were separated I met her father.” ‘© Well?” ‘His name is Pike, and Old Blossom is his brother, Blossom was with him, and also were this young cowboy and his sharp-eyed com- panion, Pike took me for some one else—a man who had lured his wife from him. That child yonder thinks her mother is dead. Well, she may be, but, if so, the girl’s father knows” noth- ing about it. The heartless woman not only deserted her husband but abandoned her child to fly with the object of her unlawful love, That man must have looked like me, for Pike thought I was the man. I thought him insans then, but since talking with the girl, I bave changed my mind, Anyway, he forced me into a duel,” * A duel?’ ‘Yes, We stood face to face, armed with our revolvers, I knew he meant to have my life, and I was not ready to die, for I, too, have a mission I have sworn to perform. I felt it was his life or mine, and being forced into the af- fair, believed it right to defend myself. There- fore I—” ** Killed him?” “Perhaps so, At least, I dropped him in his tracks. He was so excited he failed to touch me with his shot; but when I saw him fall, I knew I must resort to strategy if I escaped. Therefore, [ fell also, and when they were ex- amining his injury, I arose, sprung on my horse and dashed wag dl Conrad drew back from Monima, uttering an exclamation of horror, “Tf you have killed her father,” he cried—“ if you have—” But words failed him. Duriog these moments they had not once glanced toward Little Bess, Suddenly they were startled by hearing her utter a shrill cry, Both men whirled to see her in the arms of a strong man who was bounding toward Pardan Monima’s horse. Before the could make a move, he reached the animal, tore the picket pin from the ground, flung the girl across its ck, then vaulted upon the creature, With a wild yell of exultation, Black Brad struck his spurs into the horse’s sides and plunged toward the southern border of the grove, carry- ing semi-unconscious captive with him, he dove had fallen into the talons of the Hawk once more! CHAPTER XVII. RUN DOWN. In some manner the outlaw had crept into the grove without being seen, and when Monima called Conrad aside it gave Black Brad the very opportunity he had been looking for. With the daring of a desperate mau, he sprung upon the girl and carried her to the horse, As the Border Hawk leaped upon the horse’s back, Pardan Monima threw up his right hand holding a revolver. Conrad saw the move and knew the treasure-hunter meant to fire, ” ia he screamed. ‘* You may hit the ry He thrust Pardan’s hand “ge just as the weapon <a and the bullet went whistling nie over Black Brad’s head, ith another yell of defiance, the outlaw dis- ap with his captive. 2 he two men sprung toward the horses, but before they could reach them, Chris Comstock was there. The young cowboy asked no‘ ques- tions. A glance around told what had hap- Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. i cr er pened. He only paused to fling his handsome saddle on Black Cloud’s back, strap it there with one swift motion, insert the bit, secure an- other buckle, and then— Like a cyclone the black horse and its rider swept after the kidnapper. The rosy light of dawn was in the East; a sweet breath came from the flower-prairie; an- other perfect day was about to be born. Headed toward the south, Brad Hawk dashed out upon the plain, his strong hands holding fast to his fair captive. His bearded lips parted to give vent to an evil laugh of triumph, _ ‘*Hal ha!” he cried. ‘'I fooled them well! They knew not the arroyo was there for us to hide in; they knew not thatin it I could cree almost to the grove without being detected, If they pursue me, Ike and Bob will make it hot for them, _ Oh, they need not butt against Brad Hawk! He is too much for them!” Looking over his sboulder, he saw Cowboy Chris come burstlng from the grove, mounted on the gallant black. Man and horse seemed as one, and a fine picture they made as they dash- ed out upon the plain. ‘* Now ther boys must git in their work, Thet is ther critter thet pinked Bob in ther shoulder, He’s ther wu’st one of ther lot, an’ thet boss— Great Scott! I tuck ther wrong critter. I thought I had thet hoss!” Monima’s horse was nearly the same color as that belonging to the young cowboy, and the outlaw had been deceived in the shadow of the trees, For amoment the man had dropped the ver- nacular of the border, speaking as if he were a person of some education, but the rovgh lan- guage had become so fixed upon him that he again resorted to its use when excited. Bitterly Black Brad blamed the luck for his rror. ‘** On thet horse I c’u’d hev ’scaped!” he gritted. **T c’u’d hev done it even though ther critter had bore er double burden, Now, I must ’pend on ther boys. “Whar kin they be?” Asif in answer to his question, two men and three horses seemed to rise up out of the plain ahead of him. In truth, they rode up from a gully that led down into a narrow ditch-like ssure—an arroyo, The two were Bad-eye Bob and Ugly Ike. They uttered yells of delight as they saw their chief had been successful, spurring to join him when he swerved to the left to avoid the fissure in the plain, “ Hooray, boss!” yelled Ike, as the two reach- ed their chief, ‘*Gimme ther gal an’ let me fas- ten her ter this yar hoss.” Black Brad shook his head, ‘No time fer thet,” he asserted. ‘* Let me hev my critter, an’ ril shift ter guv this hoss er rest w’en I'm too bard pressed, ou two’ll hev ter knock thet cuss out of ther saddle ef ye kin. I made er mistook in hosses, though I dunno whar this annymill kem frum, Reckon it’s er good one, but it hain’t no match fer thet one he rides.” With his own horse as a led-animal, the out- law chief forged ahead, bis two satellites falling back a little. ; y this time the sun was creeping up into Vv captor of Little , determination written on his face. Still further back came another horse bearing a double burden. The animal belonged to Con- rad Vincent, who, with Pardan Monima, was also in pursuit, When they had fallen back somewhat, Ugly Ike wheeled in the saddle and sent a bullet sing- ing back at the young cowboy on the blac steed, but Chris did not seem to notice it in the east, ‘Wish you e’u’d pop ther young rip over, pard!” growled Bad-eye, bis face showing how the rapid pace was filling him with pain from his wounded shoulder, ‘*T reckon Pll hev ter knock him out of ther saddle.” ‘* Ef you don’t, he'll be apt ter knock us out. He kin shcot, you bet!” Again and again Ugly Ike fired at the deter- mined Cowboy Centaur, till at last Chris was seen making motions as if he meant to return the shots. ‘“ Double dern him!” snarled Ike, ‘I don’t seem able ter tetch ther critter a tall!” ‘* But you bet he'll tetch us/” cried Bob. “Spur up! spur up! 1 don’t want ter get an- other dost!” By this time Black Brad had forged quite a distance abead, The two rascals tried to over- take him, but the chief had found a way to ew. j Silently Cowboy Chris was pressing after the
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nite a over- ay to Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur. transfer himself and bis burden from Monima’s horse to his own, and they were unable to gain a foot. All the while Cowboy Chris was steadily and surely overtaking them, the noble black steed holding a steady pace that would bring its mas- ‘ter to success in time. “Try him erg’in, Ike!” growled Bob,his face growing white, ‘* You’ve got ter kill ther crit- ter!’ Ugly Ike wheeled to the left and lifted his vifle; but before he could fire, Chris Comstock’s ‘weapon spoke, the cowboy not even pausing to lift it to his shoulder, Toa certain extent it was a chance shot, as the marksman was mounted on a galloping horse, but the bullet was billeted. With a shrill scream of pain, Ike’s horse sud- denly shot forward with almost redoubled speed. ‘The ruffian knew what that meant, and his face paled, while be reined the animal stiil more to ‘the left, muttering: “Ther ole hoss hes got it fer keeps! I’ve got ter git out of ther track, ur be run down by ther persession, It seems like ther devil protects thet cow-puncher |” Seeing Ike reining to the left, Bad-eye Bob followed the example, and in a short time the ‘two were quite out of the race, Ike’s horse did not go far before its pace slack- ened, and it began to stagger. Knowing what ‘was coming, the ruffian drew rein and sprung to ‘the ground, None too soon, In another moment the horse fell heavily on ‘its side, in a dying condition, By this time Cowboy Chris had swept past, and was pressing bard after the chief of the kid- nappers, earing a cry away to the right, Chris looked in that direction, and saw a lone horseman strik- ing as if to cut Black Brad off from asmall knot -of timber, toward which he seemed to be head- ing. “Tt is Rube!” exclaimed the young Centaur, in delight. He was right. The bow-legged cowboy was still in harness, and his presence showed he had -succeeded in eluding the red-skin trailers, Black Brad also heard the cry, and saw the borseman riding as if to cut him off, “Curse ther luck!” he gritted, ‘I must reach ther timber ahead of ’em both! Thar I ba eas ’em with er couple of shots—an’ I'll ao Savagely he spurred onward, and with a thrill ~of joy he saw he would be successful in cutting across ahead of Round-up Rube, But a back- ward glance showed him Cowboy Chris was ;gaining with every stride of the gallant black, ‘* He’s ther wu’st devil of ther two!” muttered the outlaw. ‘I'd guv suthin’ ter putt er bullet ‘through his heart, an’ git possession of thet hoss!” Nearer and nearer he drew to the timber, ‘but with every moment the untiring pursuer was shortening the distance between them, As he looked over his shoulder, the Border Hawk -almost fancied he could see the deadly gleam in Cbris Comstock’s eyes. Once he was tempted “to draw rein and make battle on the open plain, using the horses and the girl as protection from his enemies’ bullets while he shot them down; but, seeing be could reach the timber, he still pressed on, Before the grove was reached he could hear the thud-thud of the cowboy’s horse, and ‘knew Chris was pressing him hard, He looked to his revolvers, and prepared to use them the instant he left the peer The timber was reached! At that very instant a figure leaped out before ‘the outlaw, and his horse was caught by the hit, -asinewy hand setting the animal fairly back on its haunches, while a voice cried: “ Wobble-j’inted Maria! Ham-fat thet sizzled ther sassage o’ ole Noah! Yung-hup, critter, _ an’ surrender thet gal!” Old Blossom was on hand, Another form appeared, a rifle was pointed at Black Brad’s head, and the voice of Roly Poly’ Haus was heard. “* Dot vas peesness, I pets you! Uf you don’d ‘skurrender, I plow uf you der roof uf your head off! Dis guns vas loated mit dynermite, und you vill die ner mighty shord sbace uf time uf he goes off und hits you. Yaw, dose vas some facts!” With a savage roar, the Border Hawk threw ‘up his hand and fired the revolver he held. me Old Blossom had seen the move and dodged ‘In another instant Cowboy Chris thundered ‘to the spot, Black Brad was torn from bis saddle and his captive snatched from his arms. a a 7 By + shal m4 fe oe OOS eae he ( - sy S ie Believing it meant life or death, the outlaw made a fierce struggle. But le was no match for the infuriated young cattie.uan, and Chris hurled the desperate wretch to ibe ground with such violence that Hawk was stunned. “‘Give me the cords and I will make him fast,” said Chris, CHAPTER XVIII, AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY, OLD Jim Pike’s wound had not proved as dan- gerous as it was at first supposed it would, and so on the second day after the departure of the two cowboys he had insisted on moving north- ward on the trail, So the mules were harnessed into the army wagon, and the Dutch lad took the reins, Old Jim reclining on a bed of blankets within the wagon, The tall Nomad Jed the way, mounted on the Indian Pony Round-up Rube had captured fcr bim, In that manner they had traveled as far north as the flower-prairie, and they had halted in the very grove toward which Black Bard had turn- ed in that desperate dash across the plain, This explains the opportune appearance of Old Blossom and Roly Poly Hans, Round-up Rube came dashing up a few mo- ments after the Border Hawk had been made secure. “‘ Hooraw, Chris, lad!” shouted the old fellow, as he leaped from the saddleless back of the little Indian pony and clasped his pard in his arms, ‘“‘It’s you shore enough! I wuzn’t jest sart’in you’d got away from the red skunks tell I saw ye chasin’ this critter ’crost ther prairie. I hed ter stampede their critters in order ter git out, an’ I "low it’s er mighty good thing I did, An’ ye got off with ther gal, ur how wuz it?” With a few hasty words, the young cowboy explained, ‘Waal, w’en we’re done with this varmint,” and Rube contemptuously touched the outlaw’s body with his foot, ‘‘I don’t reckon he'll steal any more gals,” y this time Little Bess was on her feet and eager to go to her father, The fat Dutch boy was dancing with delight, ‘*Oh, dis vas some sighds vor sore eyes!” he laughed. ‘‘Here vas Miss Pessie all righd side up mit some care! I feels shoost like I vants to plow off steam likesome steam injines! If some von don’d caught holt uf me, I runs meinself avay mit und do some damages vor which I don’d pe responsibl2,” “Take me to papa!” cried Bessie, Hans led the way, and the girl followed, lean- ing on Chris Comstock’s arm, Old Jim had beard the sounds and was com- ing to meet them, for all of bis wound, **Old man,” said Chris, ‘‘we have brought back your child, as we promised.” Then father and daughter were clasped in rs sine arms, the parent quite forgetting s injury. It was an retain Seem pin Old Blossom and Round-up Rube came bear- ing the helpless outlaw into camp. As they placed the wretch upon the ground, Jim Pike caught sight of his face and uttered an exclam- ation of amazement, ‘ “Hybal Harper!” he cried, ‘‘ Kin it be?” In another moment he was at the outlaw’s side, gazing sg es) into his face. **You devil!” grated the old man. ** You— you are Hybal Harper! I know ye!” ‘* Thet’s whar ye makes er mighty big mistake,” paar asserted thedesperado, ‘‘lam not Hybal r! **You lie! I know yer face! Thar wuz an- other as 1 thought wuz you, but now I see my mistake, I tried ter kill him, but he spotted me hyer. Ef I hed shot him, I’d bin ther murderer of an innercent man, Now I hey ther right ne!” ‘But I tell ye I am not Hybal Harper.” ** You can’t fool me,” and the old man glanced around to see Chris earnestly talking with Bessie, ‘‘ You may as well tell ther truth, You are ther critter as lured my wife from me—as induced her ter desart her child. Thet gal thar is ther child. You are ther skunk.” Brad Hawk smiled sneeringly. ‘You don’t deny it!” and Old Jim lowered his voice, ‘‘I know Jen wuz too young fer me, an’ she wuz purty, but she wuz foolish. She needn’t hev merried me in ther fu’st place, but arter she bed, she oughter stayed by me an’ her child. But you, snake thet ye wuz! you Jured her frum me, an’ thet arter [ hed saved yer life! Ob, you dastard! Whar is she now?” “* Dead.” " You killed her?” “No; she died of a fever,” ‘* Now you confess you are Royal Harper!” ** You are mistaken, I still deny thet!” ‘But you acknowledge you lured my wife away?” ‘“ Yep.” ** Then you are Harper!” ** No, lam not, I acknowledge I wuz known ter you as Hybal Harper, but thet is ther name of ernother man, my most deadly foe. It wuz er fancy of mine ter take ther name, fer we looked er heap erlike.” “ Whar is this man now?” ‘*T dunno, I hev not seen him fer y’ars.” ‘Waal, I bev! I saw him seven nights ergo, an’ I thought he wuz you. Now I am satisfied thet wuz ther man. I forced him inter a nuel, an’ he kem nigh endin’ my life.” This seemed to fill the outlaw with amaze- ment. ‘* Then he must be again on my trail!” Hawk exclaimed, ‘‘ Great heavens! I don’t want ter face Hybal Harper!” ‘* That is exactly what you will have to do!” declared astern voice, and Pardan Monima ap. peared, followed by Conrad Vincent, who was leading a sweat-covered horse, ‘‘I have found you at last, you inhuman villain!” sembled each other in face and form. Old Jim started up, crying: ** This man is mine—mine |” ‘*Old man,” came colaly from Monima, “I had a claim on bim before youever saw him, I have trailed bim for years. He is mine! All the powers of earth cannot keep me from claim- ing his life now. When I have put a bullet through his black heart, as I will do, then I will come to you and tell you his crime against me— a crime no law can adjust—a crime my own hand must avenge.” ** Wobble-j'inted Maria!” spluttered Old Blos- som. ‘‘ W’u’d ye murder ther cuss in cold blood?” ‘No; he shall have an equal chance with me. We will fight with revolvers, I want no wit- nesses present, for I have some words to speak to him before he dies that other ears must not hear. Unbiud his feet,” Old Jim protested, but he felt Bessie’s soft arms around bis neck, and ber voice coaxed him to come away. Old Blossom also urged him to let the two men settle the affair, and he finally consented, But ef be don’t kill . he hissed, bendin over the outlaw, “‘ I'll foller ye tell I see ye dea at my feet!” With that he allowed them to lead him away. Arrangements were soon made for the meet- ing between the outlaw and Monima. They were to walk eticn’ to the edge of the grove, where Monima declared he would give the other a revolver and they would fight on equal foot- ing. Hawk protested, but his words were not listened to at all. Everything was arranged, and the friends watched the two deadly foes as they walked away together, Hawk’s hands still being bound bebind him. When the two had disa the little party sat down to listen and wait. They did not have to wait long, The sharp crack of two revolvers sounded through the grove. Then came a dead silence, After waiting a sufficient length of time for the survivors to return, and hearing no sound, Chris, Rube and Old Blossom burried to the spot where the duel had taken place, They found both men lying dead on the ground, revolvers clasped in their right hands! ‘* Whatever Black Brad’s crime against Hybal Harper was,” said Chris, ‘it will forever re- main an unsulved mystery to us,” After looking searchingly into the face of — Se then the other, Old Blossom soberly de- clared: ** T believe they wuz brothers The entire party turned their faces southward, and they were not molested on their journey from the ‘* Land of the Phantom Ship.” As for the strange mirage of the Arizona desert, they decided it was nothing but an illu- sion, however unexplainable its repeated ap- pearances might be, and it wa: folly to search for the original wreck. The mirage was only seen in a section thousands of feet above sea- level, and the theory that such a section was a ey inland sea in the days of the Conquest’ of exico by the Spaniards, was extremely pre- posterous— absolutely impossible. Neither Bad-eyé Bob nor Ugly Ike were seen after the death of their chief, although a sharp © outlook for the two. rascals was maintained. The night camps were made merry by music, song and story-te . Every one seemed hap- ~ Then it was seen how much the two men re--
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Le eee rien Kite Sans xa Pa Ro » dr’a, Trade-Mark. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. 918 Deadwood Dick. Jr» Double-Decker. 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. 984 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flats 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Shake-up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Drops dr.’s, Right Bower. k, Jr.’a, Ten-Strike. Jr.'s, Gold-Dust. 9, ‘a, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Brand 1011 Dsadwo+d D ck, Jr.'s. Dutch Pard, 1018 Deadwood Dic», 3+ .’*, Big Four. BY ROBERT R. INMAN, 1086 Pandy Dick’a Double. 1024 Dandy Dick, Detective. BY MARCUS H. WARING. 1026 The Three Spotters. 1048 The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. 1058 The Three Spotters’ Dead Mystery. BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE. 956 Brooklyn Bob’« Bulges or, Dodger Dot’s Diamond Snap+ The East-Side Spotter: or, Torning Down the Big Three Old Sant’s Dark Deal; or, Miner Mat’sIron Grip. , 1015 The Reporter-Detective’s Big Pull, BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1052 Ruffalo Biilin Disguise 1046 Goid Plume, the Bey Bandit,; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 1042 s.ittle Grit, the Pony Exprees Rider. 1040 Buffalo Kill’« Pony Putrol. 1018 Buffalo BIL’« Texas Tcam, 1007 Baffalo Bill's Sure-Shots, 1000 Buffalo Lill’s Decoy Boya. 995 Buffalo Bill’s Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid. 988 Buffalo Bill's Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bill's Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill’s_Kifle Shots. 968 Buffalo Bill’s Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer. 964 Buffalo Rill’s Decoy 3 or, The Arizona Crack Shot. 958 Buffalo Bill’s Mazeppa-Chase. . 948 Buffalo Bill’s Snap-Shot ¢ or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally 942 Buffalo Bill’s Tough Tussle. 986 Buffalo Bill’s Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up, 929 Buffalo Bill’s Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo BUl’s Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of 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 Prairle Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. 1029 The Phantom Spy. 1088 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. BY CAPT, ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U, 8, A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BIL's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1087 The Artist Detective. 1084 The Gold Witch's Shadower. 1081 The Texun Hustlers in Cuba. 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Ouba 1025 The Flying \ ankee or, The Ocean Outcast, 1028 The Cowboy Clan in Cu! a. 1016 The poy Bugler 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. 4 New York Nat's Three of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’s Double. 902 New York Nat’s in Colorado. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. 889 New York Nat’s Deadly Deal. 888 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. 877 New York Nat’s Trump Card. 871 New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. 865 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, 858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. 847 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. 272 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. 277 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Doom; or, 7 he Sharps and Sharks of New York. 788 Dick Doom tn Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom in Chicago. 298 Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links ina Clue. 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Hoeul. . 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali. 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard. 766 posting Charlie, the Rescuer. 7 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 87 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor’s Bere or, The Fred Riders of the Rio Grande, Ana Fifty Others. BY LIEU’. A. K, SIMS, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, Ihe Affair at Tonibstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan's Great Combine. 646 Captain ogee y e Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike, 568 The Dandy of Dod ge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sport: or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Videcg; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 611 Bilaad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, EE gO al Sam, the ou uu 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spyt_or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Simple Sim, the ncho Buster: or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meamertist Eports or, The Mystified Detective, ® 1 88 lteec th d Prospector. 45 ee oe che Cross-Cat Detective, 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. ling &t fe 55 Bt Restier val . Committee of One. NEW ISSUES. 1064 Dandy Dick Decoyed. By Robert R. Inman. 1065 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. By Oll Coomes. 1066 Coxboy Chris, the Desert Centaur, Ry W. W- Wilder, 1067 You Ret Bob’s Jangle. By Arizona Cy. 1068 The Cruise of the Sea Wolf. By Col. Ingrabam. 1069 On Land and Sea. By Bracebiidge Hemyng-} 1070 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of tne Sionx Captive. By Ellis, 1071 Dandy Dick’s Decoy, By Robt. R, Inman, 1078 Keen Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes, JUST ISSUED. 1055 Red Raven’s Redskin Ruse. By Col. P. Ingraham 1056 Cowboy Chris in Cinnabar. By Wm. W. Wilder, 1057 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. By Ed. L, Wheeler, 1058 Roderick, the Rover. By;T. J Flanagan 1059 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack, 1060 Marlo, the Renegade. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 1061 Silver Star, the Boy Knight, By O11 Coomes 1062 Ths Left-Mand Athlete. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 1068 Wild Bill's Weird Foe. By Wm. G Patten. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ‘s for sale all newadealers, ive cee eee ete era teoniyh ot a0k vomda eoeh, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New York,