Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1089) (1899 03)
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poi — VR NEY I wae. op JH. Re) talolaletalelatel tt . oC ma \ Pole 1 | \) On “a t UE : z Z\ ae oe a WOOT /N Sh J _ es ae UA Maal Veco 1 Vl PT i hal Ln iC st i ial | ey“) | IANS CopvriGcutT, 1891, py BrapLE & ADAMS. ENTERED 4S SkconD CLass Matrer AT THE New York, N. Y., Post Orrice. \) May, 1899. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers eo No { 089 Published Every (JAMES SULLIVAN, Provasitoh, ; PRICE 5 CENTS. Vol XLII 8 . Month. ® F 379 Pearl Street, New York.’ 50c. a Year. Nee ee ee ee ee ice ee —— —— eres ee NUSTANG MUERLE'S FIGHT FOR LIFE MATOR SAM S. SCOTT. Toe “Yj, % fit: (ATS \ — THE BED RIDER SCENTED THE DANGER IN THAT MAN’S PRESENCE, WAS IT CAPTAIN SILVERBELT THE OUTLAW? 5
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he feud hee 2 Mastang Merle's Fight for Lite: Captain Silver Belt’s Oath. BY MAJOR SAM 8, SCOTT, (‘THE OLD MAJOR,”) AUTHOR OF ‘‘ MUSTANG MERLE, THE BOY RAN- CHER,” ‘‘ MUSTANG MERLE’S MINE,” ‘* MUS- TANG MERLE’S MERCILESS FOE,” ETC, CHAPTER I. CAPTAIN SILVER BELT’S THREAT, Nieur settling over a wide igen in the neigh- Horhood of the Rio Tagus fell upon a’ solitary man who looked across the open and ever and anon stroked the arched neck of bis steed. The animal’s flanks showed that he had been ridden hard and that despite the night, a long journey wasstill before him, After awhile the horseman urged the horse on and in.a short time was riding across the plain. ‘They don’t look for me at this hour,” he mused, ‘* They won’t be expecting me and that’s why [am coming back. haven’t crossed the steps of the famous ranch for months and I hardly think I will be a welcome visitor, but that don’t make any difference to me, The boy is shrewd and cunning and has some true friends who stand by him through thick and thin, In the first place, there is the young Indian who has distinguished himself, and, then, we will have to meet the tall Yankee who is ‘ fight” to the backbone, They call him Joe Bundy, or ** Fighting Joe,” and one has to be careful when he is about.” It was not long before horse and man had vanished on the dark plain and the sound of hoofs was to be heard nv longer, By and by anight-hawk flew over the scene and then a stray wolf flitted across the gloomy landszape. Presently there came from the direction by which the single rider had reached the plain an- other horseman who bent over the dle and closely examined the ground, Was be tracking the first person? The second rider differed greatly in looks from the other, | was an Indian, as one could have told at once by the keen eye he carried in his head, He wore uo distinguishing traits, not a feather nor a head-dress of any kind, but for all this he looked the Indian he was and sat the sad- dle like one born to it, : He seemed to discover on the ground the trail for which he sdught and all at once sprung from the saddle and put bis dark face close to the few spears of grass that tried to thrive on that barren spot. ‘* He has passed,” muttered the Indian trailer, looking Bp as though some one was near to hear him, ‘‘ He has not been gone long and Red Hawk finds the trail fresh.” Once more he was in the saddle and the lithe steed that carried him was again moving swiftly across the plain. Far ahead the white man, who looked like a brigand of the plains, was riding at a fast gal- lop, taking in every thing that met his eye, and nid and then speaking kindly to the beast ‘he be- strode. The Indian looked no longer at the trail at his feet as if he knew exactly where it led, but rode on and on until he reached aclump of thorn trees—the only things that would throw a sbadow on the plain when the sun came up. * Here he seemed to wait for some one, with his face turned toward the East, but after awhile he grew impatient and rode on once more, Daylight came and found the red-skin far from the edge of the wide waste. The plain was behind him and he had reached a wooded country as one could tell by the little stream that ran through it like a line of molten silver, He shaded his eyes against the strong light of day and looked far and long across the scene be- fore him. To his left rose a line of hills that had a hazy look; he could make out another line in bis right, but they were not even hazy, and nearer ery ran the stream through which he bad just en. All at once something came in sight that caught the keen eye of the red-skin spy-trailer. It moved like a horse and his rider, and the longer the Indian looked the greater grew his ty. The object regarded with so much interest Mustang Merle’s Fight came closer, and when the Indian saw that it was a man riding slowly over the open line of landscape, he dropped from the saddle and crouched on the ground,. His steed at a touch from his hand followed his example and the clump of thoras sheltered both, The red rider scented the danger in that man’s presence. Was it Captain Silver Belt, the Outlaw? Larger and larger grew the object on the lain, And suddenly the Indian, watching like a ynox, sprung to his feet; his horse at once did likewise; into the saddle the red-skin vaulted, and ina moment more was bounding over the plain in sharp pursuit. It was like the bounding of a lynx from its lair—Red Hawk swooping down a his prey. At first he was not noticed, but when the rider of the other steed caught sight of him, he drew rein and regarded him for a moment. The young Apache did not check his on- ward sweep, but kept on toward the single watcher who, curiously enough, had not drawn a weapon, but sat like one spellbound in the saddle. Red Hawk rode on until a hand was thrown up and a voice clear and ringing came to the red rider, In an instant Indian and steed became statues on the ground. ‘* You are near enough,” cried the white man. ‘*T will talk to you at that distance. What do you want?” The Indian leaned forward and scanned the face before him, ‘* What do you want, I say?” ‘* Red Hawk wants to talk.” ‘*¢ To me?” “To Captain Silver Belt.” ** Ha, you know me, do you?” ‘* Red Hawk knows all who ride the plains,” **By Jove, I guess you do!” and the speaker jangnods _ There was no reply and the seconds seemed to grow into hours between the pair so strangely met, ‘* When is Captain Silver Belt coming?” ‘asked the Indian, breaking the silence. ‘© What do you mean?” ‘* Captain Silver Belt knows,” was the answer. “* He is coming to the boy miner’s ranch; he has told his men that he would lead them some day to the home of Merle, the Rancher, and show them how much wealth it held, When is he coming?” Captain Silver Belt, the most noted brigand of that wild region, scowled darkly and scanned the oun red-skin sharply. ** What is it to you when I carry out my de- sign?’ be exclaimed, ‘‘ You would better go back and prepare for the swoop,” ‘* You are coming, then?” “a Yes py The next moment the Indian was riding straight at the bandit of the border. “¢ Stand off!” cried Captain Silver Belt, throw- ing one hand toward the pistols in the holster. You ought to know the old saying; “ He who fights and runs away Will live to fight another day: But be who on the field is slain Will never live to fight again.” The young Indian did not seem to heed the ad- vice contained in the lightly quoted lines, but came on even as be saw the bandit draw the si]ver-mounted pistol, But, suddenly, Red Hawk threw himself un- der his horse’s neck and uttered a derisive laugh. *T can kill ye ad horse,” cried Captain Silver Belt. ‘You have cheated death a good many times—you and your pard, the lank Yankee; but this campaign will be your last. We are going to mark every berd in this country with the dagger brand of Captain Silver Belt, and if their owners interfere, by heavens! we'll make them carry the same brand; you hear, you a aad yr @ young Indian suddenly wheeled his steed and straightened in the saddle, “To mark one steer belonging to Mesquite Ranch is to die the death of the wounded wolf,” he answered proudly. ‘‘ Captain Silver Belt, you may threat but you will never do what you say. The boy’s ranch is yonder, beyond the hills: you know the trail to it, The cattle wear Mustang Merle’s brand and woe to the hand that touches eee me another mark! It is Red Hawk who pent ; ‘ All right!” laughed the brigand, and waving his hand at the young Apache who was riding away he sent up a shout of defiance that seemed to fill Red Hawk's eyes with sparks of “He thinks I don’t intend to carry out my for Life. >. x 3 (re Se iri cuales Oe ease, threat,” he said to himself, ‘‘ He thinks I won’t: attempt to mark the Boy Rancher’s steers, I swear that within twenty-four hours they shall bear the dagger brand of Captain Silver Belt, I am here for that purpose and no one has ever yet balked me,” With this he watched the lone Indian for a spell and turning his horse’s head, rode on once more, When he looked back again the Indian had vanished and the waste had no living person. upon it but himself. As for Red Hawk, he galloped on until he had assed the hills, when he came in sight of a Jove- y ranch lying in a fertile valley. Everything denoted care and wealth, and here and there on the rich hillsides hundreds of cattle were graz- ing, the whole forming a grand sight for the eye. "Red Hawk watched this scene for a little while; then, urging his horse forward, he rode: ‘down the hiJl and neared the ranch. Presently a dog ran out to meet him and he drew rein in front of a porch where he was greeted by the young owner of the place, Mus- tang Merle, w name was known all over that region. “‘ Whar Joe!” asked the Indian. ‘* Always on deck,” and the lank figure of a man came forward and touched his hat to the red-skin, “‘T bave seen him, Joe. He says heis going to mark the young master’s steers and—” “That’s good news! I wish he would; I’m just sp’ilin’ for a ruction. It won’t do for the Bundye to rust out,” and the old fellow showed his teeth in a smile as he turned to the Boy Rancher on the porch. CHAPTER II. THE EMPTY STAGE. AS a matter of course the mad threat of Cap- tain Silver Belt occasioned some excitement at. the ranch, The Dagger Brand had become famous: throughout the region and he had placed it upon hundreds of cattle not his own, Mustang Merle had on several] previous occa- sions been told that bis cattle had been marked by the bandit, but this was the first time Cap- tain Silver Belt had sent word direct. For some time the three sat on the porch and talked over the tidings brought by the youn Indian. Mesquite had passed through severa hot times, but it was quite ready for another, for, in truth, as Old Joe remarked, a ** ruction was a-brewing.” Mustang Merle sat quietly and listened to all that was said. ‘*T wish now that the young Vel were not coming at this juncture,” be said. ‘“They ought to be here now, eh?” asked Old oe, “Yes, I have been thinking of sending out an escort for them.” “ Toward Tagus City?” Mustang Merle nodded. “Shall we go—Red Hawk and I?” “T was going myself; I think that would be better, and, then, you seeI am very anxious to welcome Olive who has never been to this country.” ‘ “Tet Red Hawk go!” suddenly cried the In- dian. ‘ His horse is fresh, and, then, he wants to go back over the plain to look after the Man of the Silver Belt.” Ten minutes later the Indian was riding back over the route he had traversed during the night, and Joe Bundy and Mustang Merle were alone on the porch, ‘* We are on the edge of the cloud,” the latter said, ‘* We are going to have more trouble with this man than with all the rest of our foes, He is merciless and will attempt to carry out his threat to the very last letter. Why? Here is the secret, Joe.” ; Long Joe leaned toward the Boy Rancher and was all attention. : ‘‘He used to be a friend of Captain Red Jacket, our old-time enemy. I know this to be a fact, and the death of that rascal has set hard on Captain Silver Belt. He has as desperate a set of men at his back as ever filled a saddle; they are ready to follow him through fire a blood; but if he leaves his accursed mark upon one of my cattle, I will hunt hin down and take vengeance, I-care not what stands between me and my desire.” ; ‘*Of course the last of the Bundys is with you, as of old,” was the reply. ‘“‘T knew that beforehand, Joe,” said Merle. The Yankee scout arose and paced the porch. ‘* What if he should take a notion to intercept the young folks?” he suddenly asked,
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, The sudden flushing of Merle’s face told that he had been thinking of the same thing. “They are liablb to get to Tagus ’most any time, They will be alone, and if no one is there to receive them, and Captain Silver Belt hap- pens to discover where they are bound, he might take a notion to give them trouble,” “You are right, Joe. Red Hawk has ridden in the direction of Tagus, but that isn’t enough,” ‘+ It’s not enough for me, either,” cried the old scout. ‘I have never seen the young folks, mind you, captain, but lam their friend all the same, and I don’t want to have them intercept- ed by such a curse as Captain Silver Belt,” For some time the two friends remained on the porch, and when they left it Joe Bundy quitted the house and moved toward the stables. There he found a roan, which he saddled at once and rode fortb, “) jl ride down to Tagus and wait for the guests of the ranch,” said he, In a little while he was riding across the country, and when the sun turned to go down the western field of the sky, he rode into the eer town known far and wide as Tagus ity. Joe Bundy was no stranger there. Everybody knew that he was jattached to Mustang Merle’s ranch, that he had og ak in the war with Cap- tain Red Jacket and Dolores Dick; and there were some in the town who had seen his courage tried on more than one occasion, Old Joe rode straight to the hotel and jnquired there if the coach had arrived from the west. He was told that it had not come, when he walked out and lighting a cigar, began to smoke on the porch. Presently some one came rushing up to the building and cried out that the coach team was tearing along toward the town, with the coach upset and the horses rushing like mad steeds, Joe nearly bit the cigar in two and the next moment found himself rushing toward the edge of the town whither others no less excited were moving as rapidly, It did not take the runaway team long to come up inacloud of dust, and ina jiffy the horses were stopped by stalwart hands and the coach rightpe. 4 t was found to be empty, but there rolled in- to the road a package whicn Old Joe caught up and eyed with manifest curiosity. b heavens! they were passengers!” he cried. ‘‘ This belonged to the girl and—I’m off like a pot-leg!” The sudden departure of the Yankee was a surprise to those who saw him ride away, and when he had vanished they wondered what had taken him off at such speed, The old scout followed the back trail of the coach without much difficulty. He could see where the maddened horses had dragged the overturned vehicle which was on its tri-weekly trip from tbe west, and not oneof the many signs in the trail escaped his eye. On, on went Joe Bundy. All at once he turned down a narrow road which seemed to lead into tne heart of the hills that bounded Tagus City on the west and disap- red. eF had discovered that the horses bad come out of: the hills and when he had reached them he again fell back and looked ahead. A man hadprisen in the trail before him! There he sat on the back of a black horse and in his hands looking over the saddle, was a Win- chester which stared the old scout in the face. * That's reds. You know when to halt,” said a voice which came over the leveled weapon. **T guess you bave gone far enough, and if you know what’s good for the last of the Bundys, you'll go back without further argument,” Despite the threat poorly concealed in these words, the old fellow grinned, “JT never mince words, Go back or remain where you are!” : Old Joe’s hand seemed to tighten on the reins they held. : ‘* What have you done with them?? he asked. The answer he received was a laugh. “That’s your business, eh?” cried the tall scout. “You are right; it is mine and mine alone,” * But you are not Captain Silver Belt?” **T should say I wasn’t.” **T can see that, for I have had the pleasure of gazing into the face of that villain—” ‘“*Haveacare! He may bem ets **T don’t doubt that,” said Old Joe. ‘But you pe pteg to want to tell me hide has be- come of the two young passengers in the stage, é. wer you Bnd ’em wheat the stage struck C) “You know we did not,” Mustan scout was too much for Gilded @ (i ee ee eee ee oe ‘*Tt was somewhat of a surprise, wasn’t it?” Old Joe ground his teeth, “IT want to say this: You sha’n’t play the game you have inaugurated. We understand your tactics and they won’t wash, If you barm one hair of the heads of the young folks—” ‘* Mustang Merle’s would-be guests, eh?” ‘* Yes, Isay that if you harm them in the least, you will wish you had never heard of the Boy Rancher of the Southwest.” ‘** What does he pay you to boast?” was the re- ply. ‘ You may have killed Captain Red Jacket and Dolores Dick, but you can’t td the winning band against Captain Silver Belt. That boy has lorded it over this region long enough; he has played winner long enough, Weare tired of hearing of thousnnds of cattle on almost as many hills, and we don’t intend to let him play border czar any longer. Yes, [ belong to Captain Silver Belt’s band, I am Gilded Gid. Go back and tell your master that the youn guests have fallen into good hands—that the gir is as pretty as a peach and the boy a good looker and full of nerve. We may make him one of us before we quit, and the girl will become our queen, and ride at the head of the Black Feathers of the Border.” It is needless to say that such words made the blood of the old Yankee fairly boil in his veins, ‘ ‘‘That’s equal to a declaration of war!” cried oe, ‘¢ Just as you like,” was the cool rejoinder. ‘Here, take my card with you,” and the man drew from his bosom a stout bit of pasteboard, upon which he scrawled the name he had given Joe, along with two crossed daggers—the brand of Captain Silver Belt—and then flipped it to- ward the old scout. It fluttered through the air and fell at the feet of Bundy’s horse, The next moment the speaker turned and rode off, but in a flash he was called to a halt by the Boy Rancher’s ally, ** Look out! I’m comin’!” cried Old Joe, and then he was seen coming down upon the brigand like a thunderbolt, ; Up went the Winchester once more, but Old Joe dropped alongside of his steed and kept on, “Curse him, he’s more than half-Injun in tac- tics!” growled the outlaw, and then he fired at Joe, but missed, CHAPTER IIL THE STAMPEDER’S SWOOP, NorHine could stop the wild Yankee, who was at home in the saddle, and Gilded Gid was not long discovering this. The smoke of his rifle had barely lifted when he found Old Joe alongside, and the next mo- ment the hand of the Boy Rancher’s friend had him by the throat, aod was bearing bim back at the risk of choking him to death. The struggle did not last long; for the old , and the lat- ter, held by a grip of iron, was soon going back toward the town, : This did not trouble him very much, as he was well known there, and Captain Silver Belt had many friends among the toughs of Tagus, Joe released his captive enough to let him talk if he wished to; but Gilded Gid relapsed into silence, and in this manner the two rode.on, When they came in sight of Tagus City, the eves of the bandit brightened, and he looked at Old Joe, “Think you're getting near friends, eh?” queried the scout of the border. ‘I reckon they do think a good deal of your kind in Tagus; but they may not have the best of opinion of the ee of the stage.” Old Joe kept on until he was seen by the toughs of Tagus, and when he appeared on the little Plaza with his captive, he was thé cyno- sure of all eyes, Gilded Gid looked over the crowd by which he was immediately surrounded, and several met his gaze with a knowing wink. He was among friends, and he knew it. “T guess we'll go on,” said Old Joe, The whole crowd seemed to start, ‘You don’t seem disposed to do anything’ with the man who stopped the stage, and proba- bly helped to kill old Pete, the driver, so I'll just take him on ter Mesquite—” Gilded Gid fell back with a muttered curse, That was what he did not want to take place, The crowd came closer, aud Joe Bundy saw the Reteoring of a storm. “We'll him,” said a voice, “You will? When?” **Maybe to-day, and maybe not till,to-mor- row. We will want evidence, Eyer “a . ‘* Well, you shall have the p r when he’s { g Merle’s Fight for Life. 8 Rl nk SS Lot NDE aC AEE ATCT Se ASI ERAS A FRRINY ASE NESE a ST tr a hc Sa anne 4 es ¢ 9h Pe le hs : wtdegi fi ee) 1 he eS hr Jidheasss ; «coh aap ality tage 4 aap nha dhe je Sols Sh a Bae wanted for trial. Mesquite is a good place to keep him, and then he will want ter see the cat- tle they talk about branding with the Dagger Brand,” At this there was a laugh at Gilded Gid’s ex- pense, but that worthy only grated his teeth and ooked daggers at Old Joe. ‘*Come along. Stand back, gentlemen,” said the lank scout, The crowd moved just a little, but here and there several moved nearer to the Yankee’s horse, ‘This man goes with the last of the Bundys, dead or alive!” suddenly said Joe, and the next: instant a revolver was placed so close to Gilded Gid’s temple that he fell back with a shudder of horror, . ‘*- You wouldn’t shoot him, Joe?” **T wouldn’t, eh?. Try ine an’ see, He goes with me dead or alive an’ he kin take bis choice,” It was evident that the captured bandit felt that the Yankee would carry out his threat, for he could look into his eye, and turning to the baffled toughs about the horse, he said: ' “They dare not hold me at the ranch. I am willing to go thither with thisman, Mustang Merle is not goiug to play the fool like his ser- vant playsit. Yes, Pll go with the Yankee,” This settled what looked like a bloody fight for the retention of a prisoner, and the result was that ina few moments Old Joe was riding off in triumph with bis captive at his side, The crowd watched them vanish with muffled oaths, for they wanted to rescue Gilded Gid, from the long fingers of his captor, but they had to take things as they found them and did so with the worst of grace. ” For some time not a.word passed between Joe and his sah Sage Gilded Gid watched for an opportunity to escape, but gave it up at last, for the menace of eye and pistol was too much for him and be tried to make the best of a bad bar- gain. The ranch was reached in time and when Old Joe delivered op his man, Mustang Merie had a sudden shock of surprise, . Gilded Gid had relapsed into sullenness, and when he was placed in a strong room he leaned against the wall and folding his arms glared madly at the young rancher, ‘*We must know what has become of Olive and ber escort,” said the boy, seizing Old Joe’s arm. ‘Red Hawk may not discover anything and we know that the stage that carried them was held up and that they have fallen into the hands of Captain Silver Belt’s band.” “That's what,” cried Joe, ‘* They are some- where in the grip of this rascal and we shall soon hear of ransom, see if we don’t.” It was so near night when Joe returned to the ranch with his captive, that it was resolved do nothing before morning, and there was a chance that Gilded Gidyin order to purchase his freedom, would tell all ie know and thus throw some light upon the mystery. X It was near midnight and Old Joe standing among the trees in front of the house was look- ing at the light which told him where the bandit was, when a strange sound came from toward the cattle-sheds, In another moment the whole herd there set up a terrible roaring and the next moment came 24 aed down upon him like a living ava- anche. ‘* A stampede!” cried the scout springing to: one side to escape death beneath the mad hoofs, He was in the very nick of time for the out- side steers grazed him, knocking him down and leaving him disabled for a moment on the ground, Terrible was the confusion that now reigned on the ranch. It seemed as if every,steer was on the run and the ground shook beneath the tread of the mad stampeders. , Away went the herds tearing through the ranch like wildfire with the herders shouting at the top of their voices as they made futile at- to check then, Joe Bundy got upon his feet as soon aa possible and in a little while was running after the cattle as if he expected to overtake them and turn them back, an eit earsinva for a dozen men, A certain terror had ful) possession of the steers. It seemed as if tuey had seen some apparition, such as had never before crossed their path, and while Old Joe looked with. wonder in his heart they vanished from sight, though the noise they made told that they were aoe still on the run, “4 hen he recovered from the fall he rushed.’ toward the house and dashed across the porch, | As he reached the door it was. dashed open in’ his face and a man who rushed out fell apon. him 7 } to” r Hino? as oY aes ee Sees _.- f § t
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. Syl” villars, Almost at the same time he was dealt a remendous blow fullin the face, stunning him ind cutting bis cheek, and in the momentary lelirium that ensued he fell from the porch to he ground below. How long helay there he could not tell, though che time was brief, and when he picked himself ke he darted for the porch again and entered the ouse, Somehow or other he thought first of Gilded Gid, and opening the door which led to the des- ado’s room, he was surprised to find it empty. ** Not here!” cried Old Joe, ‘That was a part of the stampeder’s plan, The cattle were to be stampeded and the prisoner set at liberty. But whar’s Captain Merle?” : He rushed from the house and began aesearch for the Boy Rancher. In doing so he nearly ran against one of the hands of the ranch, but Cactus Syl had not seen anything of the young master and they joined forces to look for him, ** Hello, what is this?” suddenly cried Bundy, looking at something that lay on the rich grass ‘n front of them and a short distance beyond the louse, Toe Both stooping, discovered it to be a steer vbich had n trampled to death by its com- janions, and when Old Joe struck a match and tld it close to the animal an exclamation of lorror burst from his throat, There upon the animal’s side wasa new brand which to the two men hada gel significance while they breathlessly gazed upon it. It was the celebrated Dagger Brand and be- neath “i the initials of Captain Silver Belt, its owner “This ishis work,” said Joe, ‘‘ He stampeded the cattle, but not until he had branded some,” The old man’s comrade made no reply, but ssemed to draw back with a shudder of coward- 8. "2 : ‘Back to the house!. I hear a noise there,” exclaimed Joe and the two rushed back, As they approached the building with the fon& porcb they saw some one gallop away from it and then all was still. ** What does that mean?” asked Joe’s friend. “Heaven knows! It was not Mustang Merle; but bere is something fastened to the pillar. 1t wasn’t here when I fell beadlong from the porch. What does it say?” . Once more a match was called into requisition and the little flame that shot upward showed old Bundy a bit of paper fluttering in the night breeze and his long fingers caught hold of it and he read as follows: “To THE Rats OF MrEsQuirTe.”’ “This is but the beginning of a war to the knife. ‘We have mee our first hand; the second one will wind up the drama and will be ten times more terri- ble than the first. You y call this the War of the Branded Steer, thought wiil be a war of exter- mination. How do you like the opening skirmish? . ; * CAPTAIN SILVER BELT.” “That is pretty cool,” said Bundy, with a grin. ‘'He has the courage to sign his name poomey that was hardly necessary. The War o the Branded Steer, eh? How do you like it, y. But “Syl” was gone, and he stood alone by the Sale with the paper in his hand. “Tm going to cram that paper down Captain Silyer Belt’s throat!” suddenly exclaimed the man from Yankeedom, and crushing it in his hand he crowded it into his pocket and bounded hway. A terrible thought tortured him. : What had become of Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher? CHAPTER IV. ROY RESENTING AN OUTRAGE, AT a certaia point, some distance from the scene of the last events, and. in the heart of a valley sheltered from the sun by towering bills, - stood a young man whose back was to a tree that reached far above the grass which hid his He was uot quite alone, for near by sat several men enjoying a game of cards. _ Everything went to denote that it was a camp of some kind, asindeed it was, for the men every now and ther ea&t looks of anxiety toward the | Youth, ag thogn ‘he amight. escape, Just t athe trees and in the same valley pee ee la , was . {' Mg parsou,was Olive ( ‘ } stamp. | past pee and her beauty of vA Pitas Re aes yt sii | EON 3 and he was thrown against one of the heavy | girl expected by Mustang Merle to become the guest of Mesquite Ranch, She and the youth we have just seen were the sole occupan'!s of the stage which dashed into Tagus City, overturned, with the horses running like mada scene witnessed by Joe Bundy, the friend of the ranch. si ‘They had fallen into the hands of Captain Silyer Belt, the border bravo, and were being watched by some of his men while he bimself had not returned from bis night swoop upon the ranch itself, After awhile the youth, whose hands were bound though he was permitted to roam through the camp, came toward the girl, whose eyes filled with a sad pleasure the*moment they fell upon bim, ‘This isa sad ending to our journey,” she said withasmile. ‘‘ We have found the camp of one of these border bandits we have read so much about, and there is no telling what may befall us still.” “That is true, Olive, but these men, however rough they may be, dare not take our lives.” **T hope not, but as they seem to hate Merle 80, es may carry their hatred to the killing point, At this juncture there came toward the pair a tall, fine-looking man whose waist was encircled by a yellow sash with a green fringe. He was the youngest bandit on the ground and when his eyes fell upon the girl whose orbs suddenly dropped, he touched his hat politely, ** You will pardon me, miss,” he said, ‘ but what relationship exists between this young rancher and yourself?” ‘‘ Mustang Merle and I are cousins,” was the reply. ** And this young man?” He designated the other prisoner with a look. ‘*T was Miss Oram’s escort,” was the prompt answer. “‘I had promised to see her safe at the ranch when I would have turned back,” “*Ts that all?” and the bandit laughed. For a moment he stood before the pair looking ere at the girl, when he suddenly exclaimed: “What do you think the young rancher would give for you, miss?” Olive Oram started. “*I cannot say, but I do not want to be ran- otg by my cousin, for that would not be r i. % But you know that we want money as well as Other people, and he has more than his share of riches,-if all accounts betrue. Would he give» a thousand?” Olive gave vent toaslightcry. . ‘* You have no right to hold any one for ran- som,” said the youth, who was Fred Fuller, the son of.an officer in the regular army. ‘“ Wait till you’ve been addressed,” growled the E sasamg bandit, turning upon the youth and sending bim a look of dark hatred. ‘‘ We are running this camp, and you may be sure that we wouldn’t include you in the ransom.” Fred flushed to the temples, and momentarily forgetting his bonds, started toward the bandit, but halting suddenly, fell back and looked, “Thought your hands were free, did you?” sneered the border hawk. There was no answer. ; ‘** Let us come back to the subject of ransom,” and the speaker turned once more to the Prune girl, ‘Do you think Mustang Merle would give us a cool thousand for your freedom?” “IT would not sanction the bargain if he en- tered into it,” “* What, don’t you want your liberty?” ‘* Not unfairly—not by robbery.” The man of the yellow sash twirled his mus- tache and laughed again. “‘ We'll try him, maybe,” he said. ‘ Yes, we are going to make something off of you, and will see how much Mustang Merle thinks of his pretty cousin.” } The next moment he had turned away, but not before sending a dark glance toward Fred Fuller, who returned it with interest, ‘** What do you think now?” asked the young ae turning to Olive. itisa clear casefof money brigandage,” was the résponse, ‘‘These men are real outlaws, and are after the cash. You know how they shot old Pete, the driver of the stage, and left his body in the road, and all to get possession of me to hold me for ransom?” ‘They are brutes of the first water!” and young Fuller looked toward a group of men who oes playing on the grass and in the shadows of e trees We are closely watched,” said Olive. “ ‘* Of course, eM Pie. Ae ah = > Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. out bis plans, but just now we are guarded by his men, who will answer to him with their lives, If we had only been permitted to pass the bend in the trail, we might have effected our escape, but they were watching for us there, as if they knew we were on board.” ‘They did know it; they were warned before- hand by some pone!” ‘* But by whom, Olive?” The face of the young girl seemed to grow white. **T cannot help thinking of one person whose name has been in my mind ever since we left the States.” “ This is Texas and a State, you know,” “Yes, but it seems so much like the wild homes of brigands that I cannot call it a State. We are in the region of bandits—of men who live by plundering, and that is why I cannot think of the Lone Star Commonwealth as a State. But as I was saying, Fred, I’cannot help thinking of one whose name is ever before me. I mean Jack Jordan,” Fred Fuller smiled a contemptuous smile, ‘* The last I saw of him was.at the post-office ere we left the old home with such brightgexpec- tations ahead. He stood near me and when he came forward to say farewell he drew me toward him and whispered in my ear words that drove every vestige of color from my face,” |" 4 ‘¢ The villain!” “*T hear those words at this very moment, He had the look of a demon in his eye and his hand seemed like a grip of ice on my wrist.” ‘* What did he say, Olive—that is, if you care \ to repeat his words,” ‘Oh, I don’t see why I should conceal them — from you, Fred. He said: ‘I wish you a hap- y trip to your death among the bandits of the Southwest!” ‘Did he say that, Miss Olive?” exclaimed the outh, his face coloring, ‘‘I wish I bad heard | him! I would have left a remembrance be- hind,. 1 never did like him and, then— But didn’t he spend some months on the border, Olive?” “‘ He did, or at least that was the talk when he came back, He would not tell exactly where he had been, but everything went to show that be had been among rough men and bad imbibed some of their habits, I thought he intended to do violence the night we started and when I freed myself from his grip I felt like of- fering up thanks,” pte For a short time Fred Fuller was silent*and al! at once looked at Olive, saying: ‘I trust we are shut of ak Jordan, but there is no telling what otber rascals we are to encounter before we are out of the woods. [ fear we:have fallen into the hands of a mau who will play us for his own good and we will be very lucky if we get out of his clutches for some days,” * Ten minutes later the young folks separated and Fred went back to his tree. , The men were still gambling on the grass and did not seem to take much notice of him, He leaned against the cottonwood and thought of the trip and the exciting scenes of the cap- ture, Suddenly a footfall struck his ears and he knew some one was behind him, Without turning his head he listened a little while hearing the step moving closer and closer, but all at Once it stopped altogether and he heard it no more, ' Presently the man with the yellow sash was seen moving toward bim, but be was not alone. Fred looked not sé much at the brigand as at the person who accompanitd him. ‘* Heavens! can it be that I see him here?” he cried under his breath, ‘If that is Jack Jor- dan, his last words to Olive meant more than she thought.” pei He now fell to watching the bandit’s comrade, a youth well built and clothed in the fantastic garments of the Southwestern rough. He did not appear to have seen him, yet be iooked in his direction, and now and then Fred thougbt ae ae a sinister smile playiug at the corners of is li All at once the youth so well watched turned on his heel and walked toward the spot occupied by Olive, ; Fred Fuller followed him with his eye and waited, Suddenly there arose on the air a cry that tingled the blood in the youth’s veins and sent bim over the ground with great bounds. His eyes fairly blazed. ‘Here, you villain!” he cried, seeing Jack “ Where can Silver Belt be?” | Jordan leaning forward and laughing in Olive’s _.“‘Hewvill turn up when he is needed to carry | face, “ You are the cause of our misfortunes,” 55
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Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. and giving his bonds a wrench they could not withstand, he found his hands free and the next moment he had the astonished Jack by the throat, ‘‘ Help! help!” shrieked the cowboy ; but Fged’s grip did not relax and they went to the ground together. \ CHAPTER V. \ THE DEVIL’S MOUTH. It was with some difficulty that the two com- batants were separated, and when this wasdone it was found that the cowboy had received con- siderable punishment, The blood in Fred Fuller’s veins was hot and when he thouzht of the wish made before they set out for the Bov Rancher’s home, he was dis- posed to punisa the maker to the best of his ability. } »“ Some other time,” grated Jack Jordan, look- ing daggers at the young prisoner. ‘“ We will meet again when there will be no interference,” ‘* Whenever you like,” was the protpt an- swer, ‘ You need not wait at all for another tussle,” But Jack did not seek another one just then and in a little while the camp of the BJack Fea- thers was comparatively quiet. The bandits now began to look for the return of their chief, who, it was understood, had gone off onaraid, and from what Fred and Olive could learn their destination was Mesquite Ranch. We have seen how the cattle were stampeded by the brigands and how the note left behind was discovered at the porch, and leaving the camp for a spell we will go back to the young rancher’s place and witness what is transpiring there. Jos Bundy’s anxiety was for Mustang Merle, whose disappearance troubled hin not a little. While be knew that the boy was brave enough to follow the stampeders with no one at bis back he could not think that he had done so, an when morning came without bringing Merle back, he became more and more anxious, _ | At last, saddling one of the best steeds at- tached to the ranch, he rcds away and did not draw rein until be found himself far out on the plain that lay beyond the ranch. The trail of the raiders was not hard to find and the path made by the mad cattle was equally plain, Old Joe was pursuing the latter when all at once he halted and shaded his eyes with one of his bronzed hands, : A dark speck was brodan. § toward him and while he watched it he thought he made out the figure of a mounted Indian. Was it Red Hawk, the Apache? At last the approaching figure made a sign which the Yankee answered and then both came together, s ed Hawk looked into the latter briefly told the story of the stampede, ‘and when it was finished be seemed to smile, though in reality his red face did not relax. _ ‘“‘Master Merle taken prisoner by Captain Silver Belt,” sententiously said the red-skin. ‘Do you think so, chief?” “Red Hawk think so, Boy taken in the trap, and the cattle marked with the dagger brand, ‘*Somebody will have to pay for this.” ' The Indian nodded and his eyes flashed, “The last of the Bundys is on the war-patb. He won’t leave it till he has reached the end, You are wuth him, Red Hawk?’ ; , The young Apache put forth bis hand and the two clasped. ; ‘‘T thought I could rely on you. Now, what shall we do?” ‘ ‘‘Rind Master Merle.” ‘ he course, Shall we go back and take the trail? Another nod. and the two rode back toward the ranch. , They had gone some distance when the young red sprung from his horse and bent or°r the trail. ‘* What is it?’ asked Old Joe, , - In reply the Indian looked up, but at the same time pointed at the ground at his feet. - In a moment the old scout was beside him and the two were gazing at a dark stain on the scant grass which w under the hot sun, ** Blood!” cried Bundy. “* Blood!” said the red-skin, in reply. ‘*TLook! it runs this way,” was the response, and the Yankee began to move over the ground, looking all the time at the stains which were visible, : ; _ They followed this new find some distance | b reached a spot where it suddenly when they fi” ” / Old Joe's face while | | Ieap it, and t ended, and they stood for a moment lost in speculation. “It is quite lost,” said the scout. not rediscover the trail of blood.” Red Hawk, looking toward the hills that rose before, said nothing. Suddenly he ran forward and climbing one of the hills looked down at the surrounding country. Beckoning Joe to his side, he pointea forward and for a little while the two looked, but said nothing andible, ‘*Tt moves! Isee it now,” suddenly exclaimed the old scout. ‘“*Long white brother has good eyes. It moves,” ‘“There are a number of men.’ What we are looking at is a line of mounted men—the stam- peders of the ranch cattle.” The Indian’s eye seemed to light up with sud- ‘We can -} den delight and for a moment longer he stood on the bill with his gaze fixed upon what he had discovered in the vallew beneath, By and by the bill was abandoned and the friends vanished as if the earth had swallowed them, They did not come into view again for some time when all at.once they came out upon a little plain across which led a well-defined trail which they.at once followed. The continued absence of Mustang Merle told them that he had fallen {nto the clutches of Captain Silver Belt, the boss bandit of the Rio Tagus—a man who had sworn to avenge the deaths of Captain Red Jacket and Dolores Dick, Old Joe wondered what had become of Gilded Gid whom he had succeeded jn capturing in Tagus City shortly after the seizing of Fred and Olive and the killing of the driver of the stage- coach, though he was inclined to believe that he had been released by Captain Silver Belt and was even then with his master. All at once the sounds of hoofs were heard and almost before Joe and Red Hawk could gees steeds from the trail two horses dashed y. . For a second the two friends looked at one another, and then the Indian dashed away in swift pursuit. ‘The boy has made a break for liberty!” fell from Old Joe’s lips as he rode over the ground close to the heels of the young Apache. This was true, as they had seen, for the rider of one of the borses was Mustang Merle lashed to the saddle though urging the steed forward at the top of his speed and followed by a brigand who rode with a revolver in bis han : t was a race for life, by the young rancher, er the hopes of the ardent pursuers were with im. ; 4 Red Hawk, riding in the advance, was likely to be the first to overtake the pair, and Joe con- tented himself with guarding the rear to prevent any other members of the gang from coming to the aid of their comrade, : On, on went pursuer and pursued, Mustang Merle was helpless. in the saddle, though he had tugged at his bonds with the strength of a young giant while bis pursuer had nothing to hamper the freedom of his limbs, Now the followers would lose sight of the Boy Rancher and his chaser, and again they would see them for a moment. : “ He is making for the gulch—for the opening inthe ground!” suddenly cried Old Joe, ‘‘ He can’t get round it and he can hardly expect his horse.to leap it, Is Mérle mad?” The scout made a trumpet of bis hands and shouted to the young Indian, ‘The horse can’t leap the chasm. For Heav- en’s sake, head them off this side of the Devil’s Mouth,” . , x But Red Hawk did not reply, if he heard at all, but. kept on straining every nerve and urg- ing his steed on at the utmost speed. : ‘ The chase now opened into a splendid plain extended for some distance when it suddenly lost itself again in a small woodland where there were many shadows to hide both pursuers and ursued, % Deep in the beart of that bit of wood lay what was called the Devil’s Mouth, an opening in the ground which no horse had ever been known to leap, though tradition said that, years and years before, an old alcalde bad jumped it on the back of-a roan said to be the swiftest animal ever known on the Southwest border, 4 - Mustang Merle seemed to be making straight for this place, as if he thought his steed could he bandit, still in hot pursuit, was bearing down upon bim as if eager to catch him before the rash attempt could be made, _ Suddenly the figure of the Indian was seen to straighten in the sacdle and Old Joe held his reath, SF My Within the last few minutes the Indian had materially lessened the distance between hin: and the bandit, and was now holding a revolver in bis hand, Red Hawk seemed to see nothing but the man riding after Mustang Merle. He had fastened his eyes on the man of the border, and appeared to be calculating the dis- tance between them, Old Joe was suddenly startled by the report of a pistol, and looking ahead, he saw a man throw up his hands and topple in a saddle, At the same time he heard the young Indian send up a loud shout to warn the Boy Rancher of the danger toward which he was riding at breakneck speed, for the animal he bestrode seemed to have lost all control of itself and was dashing on to certain death in the guich ahead. Merle looked back with the whitest of faces, but it was evident that he could not check the speed of his horse, Ho was doomed! j Grating his teeth, Red Hawk threw off the lasso that hung coiled at the horn of the saddle and pressed on. ‘ He had one chance in a thousand, ‘* He won’t do it,” gasped Old Joe, shutting his eyes, ‘‘The noose is in the air, but it won’t reach Merle. My God! it is all over with the Rancher of Mesquite!” . / CHAPTER VI. THE REJECTED HELP, THE momentous throw of the lasso was enough to send a chill through the old scout’s veins. He knew tbat the life of Mustang Merle hung on the cast and when he saw the horse and h rider on the very verge of the chasm with noth- ing but a rope between them and death, his very heart grew still and he mechanically reined in his own steed, - , j The eye of the young Indian had not failed, -him for the lasso wispy gion through the air came down over the head of the young rider and was drawn taut around his arms, Instantly Red Hawk’s horse planted his fore feet on the ground and put forth all his strength, The rope became tight and the Indian’s horse, as immovable as a rock, told that something would have to give way, Mustang Merle was, as we have said, lashed to the animal which he bestrode and when the lasso ey tage over his head he was on the very fringe of the cliff. Y ogee ve It was a terrible moment"fraught with the greatest interest, for ualess something broke and that something the fastenings which held the ee! Rancher to his steed, he was lost. _ ld Joe shut his eyes to hide the terrible sight before them, He felt that when he should unclose them again, the boy would have disappeared and Red wk might have the cast for his trouble, But such was not the case, At the supreme moment the something that gave way was the rope by which the Boy Rancher was held to the saddle. i It broke with a snap and the next instant t horse plunged down over the edge of the cliff and was lost to view! _ The lasso of the young Indian had been thrown in the nick of time aud the young master saved, For a moment Old Joe could not crevit th: lucky salvation, but when he looked the + cond time and saw Merle standing on his feet, his joy knew no bounds, and his hat went sailing into the ~ ray a hearty cheer burst from his Jips. Saved! ’ In a little while Red Hawk had run up and re- leased the Boy Rancher and Merle bad thanked his young preserver. y and by he approached the edge of the gulch and looked over into it. 3 He beheid far down the mangled remains of the horse and then turned and again embraced ed Hawk, “That's what I call by tbe skin of one’s teeth,” said Old Joe, “It is a closer cal) than the last of the Bundy’s cares about enjoying, so he won’t hanker after anything of the kind.” - Itwas not long before the trio moved back over the ground and Merle related his adven- | tures to bis friends, telling them bow he had been.captured by the stampeders at the head of whom was thé renowned Captain Silver Bult himself. — ; ‘Ttis a fight for life, I learned that dugirz my brief captivity. are in this fight for vengeance. y sworn to avenge the deaths of Captain Ret — Jacket and Dolores Dick, and will let nothing, stop them. They were not going to hold me for — ransom, but intended to convey me to their camp, and, after a mock trial, put me to death,” + They brve, P ~ {s a, ee ee ee “ 1 The bandits of the bord...
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ee ee TT Re re ee 6 -——_—- geet ee enero ey 1 7 Pe Re ee ere ay SITE °F i ‘ i , Captain Silver Belt made no concealment of his | existed on all the other ranches on the Rio intentions, and I had the pleasure of listening to | Tagus, my death warrant more than once,” Joe Bundy. 4g ** We must be on the alert if they don’t,” was 4 tne reply. the power and the cunning of this Captain Silver Belt. Yes, this is a fight for life and the old ranch. We will go back, but at the same time we will not forget Olive and her escort, 7 Black Feathers.” ; * But they won't get to read it again!” said | ed y and by the young master of Mesquite turn- into the house and threw himself upon a cot for a few hours’ sleep. A long fight was before him, He doubted “*T don’t intend to underestimate | not that Captain Silver Belt would come back to the charge and strike a desperate blow for vengeance; that he (Merle) would be compelled to undergo great perils to save the ranch as well as preserve his own existence, At the same whe must have fallen into the hands of the | time he thought of his cousin, the beautiful Olive Oram, who had been captured by the Black The return to the ranch was practically devoid | Feathers and wondered if she were being subject- ot incident, and when it was reached ‘y found that a good many of the stampeded steers had returned, and that some wore the brand of } to the door. Captain Silver Belt. sagen Merle ordered these to be killed at | out upon the porch and a glass in the sash was ng that the accursed brand of the | missing and bad been for some time. a once, sa ‘4 crossed daggers should not be seen on his ranch, it was | ed toany indignities, All at once be sprung from his bed and went Near this door was a window which looked The moon shining upon the ranch-house filter- ‘and his mandate was carried out and the cattle | ed its beams through the vines that clambered buried from wolf and vulture, Fag the ranch when a horseman descended the hills i on, the west and rode forward. Rs is garments were covered with the dust of the trail, and when he -came up to the the ranch-house, it was discovered that he was a half-breed who had a sinister eye, Mustang Merle, Red Hawk and Old Joe met him on the veranda, Tae “Tam Jarillo,” said the new-comer,drawing | as small as a woman’s, from his bosom a packet which he extended. hae _ * “ Who sent this?’ asked the Boy Rancher. **1t tells inside,” was the answer, and Mus- tang Merle opened the letter and read its con- tents to himself, ; “ Where is your master?” - Jarillo winced and looked away. , “We mear business, and this is no time for ya rleying,” said the young rancher, sharply. ‘We don’t intend to make any bargains with | saw a figure in the room before hirn. any one, so long as we think we are able to hold our own.” wi “Don Ignaee is over yonder,” and Jarillo aN errr pointed over the hills. * He is not alone?” ‘*'No; the twenty horsemen are with him,” ““What do you think?’ and Mustang Merle turned to his friends, ‘I have here a letter from Don Ignace border—a man wh Silver Belt with all his heart. He offers to Help the purpose of getting evea with the man he wants to meet,” ba hills, and he looked at them for some me, Red Hawk hated Mexicans with his whole nature and when he heard the name of Don — he was seen to bis scarlet hands, ~ Jow tones, with a look at Jarillo, ‘‘I never the heart and we might need help before this Theshadows of night were descending upon | shadows,into the room. us in our present trouble without pay, just for | in the shadow of the Black Death—” Thé eye of the young Indian wandered to- | queen.” grate his teeth and shut | unknown to the Boy Rancher of Mesquite. “I don’t like Greasers,” said Joe Bundy in | time they had ever stood face to face, could get to liking ’em enough to make common | that cause with them, but this offer may come from | e bearer of the young rancher, id Joe, under his breath. | al over the porch and threw some fantastic Mustang Merle saw something besides the shadows thrown by the moon, - A hand was thrust into the room through rch of | the broken window and he found himself star- ing at it with strange and ungovernable curi- osity. He leaned forward and looked closely at the hand which was dark and well shaped and almost lt seemed to_be feeling for the inside latch of the door, and without interfering with its areca Mustang Merle drew back and let it have ts way. The feel of the hand in the semi-darkness con- tinued some time when all at once it found the latch and began to'work it, ' Presently the door was opened, for the fingers found the key onthe inside, and Mustang Merle Already the Boy Rancher hac drawn _ his revolver and, holding it in his hand was awaiting on’t see him yet,” said a voice, ‘ This is the room he air re but I don’t catch sight of the zeus ranch ga ‘You don’t, eh? Here I am!” At the same time Merle thrust his weapon into the Mexican rider of the | the speaker’s face and there was a quick recoil 0 pretends to hate Captain | and a sharp cry. have come to warn you, You are even now ‘* Who are you?” 2 ; “Tam Chivita—Chipita, the branded outcast CHAPTER VII. IN THE SHADOW OF DOOM, ; THe name ‘“Chipita” was one not entirel He had heard of her, but this was the first Chipita was tall, and dark of skin, showing ® bad Mexican blood in her, veins and her while she talked. on for the fare; but I read now somethin * When Il you, but you wil expect to eel er = . . ee mh Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. enough to know that we don’t stand any foolish- circumvent the greatest villain that ever saw the light of day.” Chipita, thinking her mission ended, drew back, but the hand of the young ranch king detained her, ““f want to go back,” she said. “I have warned you, and my errand has been accom- | plished. Fight him to the end, for a surrender means death to you and yours,” “T will. I know that surrender means death. I have been in his power, but have escaped. ; You must not think that I am anxious to feel his hand again.” She walked to the door, and when she ‘stepped out upon the porch a figure rose before her, and she recoiled with a sharp cry. the rattlesnake bracelets!” cried a voice, and Joe Bundy leaned forward and looked at the ha wrists be saw displayed in the soft moon- 7 ig : Chipita smiled and held out a hand, showi the bracelet of rattlesnake-skin that encircl her arm, ; ‘* ‘You knew me by that, did you?” she asked. “Yes, I saw you face the toughs of Tagus last summer, and it was the coolest bit of busi- nee rs ever did see, What brings you to Mes- ulte *‘ Ask Captain Merle, your young master.” **She has come to warn us of Captain Silver | ‘* Bless my stars, if it isn’t the woman with | Belt.” ‘Ah! And you are going back to-night?” “T am.” As Chine left the porch, she looked at Old Joe and that worthy stepped to her side, The next moment the two were walking away, watched by the young rancher, who smiled to himself as he ee them, Down by the little creek that ran through the ranch the twain separated, and the last of the Bundys saw Chipita walk off alone. ey may have followed her,” he suddenly said. ‘I will see her safe across the ranch, and after that she can take care of herself.” Creeping through the shadows, Old Joe glided after the Outcast Queen and was at her heels. Chipita had advanced some distance, when a figure rose in the trail before and a voice cried out: “ Halt!” In a monient the form of the woman stood still in the moonlight, he was confronted by the two men who held revolvers at a level and she could look into the menacing barrels without stooping. hey were on a level with her keen eyes! oT thought they were watching,” said Joe to himself, ‘They have been on her trail and don’t seem inclined to give her much rest, Now, what will she do?” Chipita stood for a second like a person sur- piled and frightened, and then stepping back threw her hand up and the old scout saw that it ar Fo iy Sees yi old 4 ‘You have mn playing your same o * game,” said one of tbe rai “You have been. or. warning the boy of the ranch.” . = oad “What if I have? You have no right to - swoop down upon him like a pack of eagles.” Vane “We haven't, eh? We would like to know if be we haven't aright to avenge the death of our a) a friends. Come forward!” (tages: But Chipita did not move. ‘¢ Forward, I say!” was the next word, “ You — don’t think you can beat us atour game, We have the dropon you and you know us well @8S, . 7 Old Joe, hugging the shadows, saw a defiant yah smile cross the dark face of the branded queen “ of theborder. —. Ay . “Town no man’sjauthority,” she said, coolly. ‘ Tobey no person but myself. You are right. I have warned the Boy Rancher of Mesquite and he knows that the blow is to fall.” ‘Curse her, let her have it, Jim! Dead wo- men tell no tales.” ; Both desperadoes laughed and their fingers seemed to press the triggers of their weapons. time ter sail in,” said Joe forward he threw up his the pair. ““T guess it’s my Bundy, and steppin revolver and cover “The lank Yankee of the ranch!” cried one. o “The last-of the Bundys at yer service,” was the retort. ie. ‘Git!’ continued Joe, ‘We won’tstand up on ceremony here and if [ find one of you at t Ye q eend of my peace-maker at the eend of a second, mt a ' Biblio Kin officiate at a first-class funeral n this very s The bansite ooked at one another and grated out something saconh hele teeth OME RRS “Movet I don’t like slow coaches and you ea
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oa ny me ee - without a struggle, and he was com ‘have good legs under you, Tell Captain Silver Belt that we are ready for him whenever he feels ‘like calling, an’ if we can’t take care of ourselves, why, we’ll just bang up our hats and step out of the ring forever.” Something in the old Yankee’s voice and mien told them that he was not to be fooled with and =a revolvers suddenly dropped and they fell Two minutes later they were not to be seen, and when they bad fully disappeared Chipita turned to the old scout and said with a smile: ‘*Chipita will never forget this,” **Oh, that’s all right. I would have done the same for any person, It’s in the Bundy blood. Good-night, Keep an eye open for the bandits of the border.” They parted once more, and the scout went back to the ranch where, with that modesty ‘that characterized him, he said nothing about his adventure, but fell to discussing the situation with Mustang Merleand Red Hawk, the Apache, Meantime there was crawling upon the ranch, ‘through the shadows of night, a foe worth watching. The line made by the enemy was long and sinuous, like the crawl of a snake, and as it wound itself among the bills, and drew near to the ranch, it seemed to carry death and destruc- tion in its wake, Chipita bad not warned Mustang Merle a mo- ment too soon, bnt the Boy Rancher, in antici- pation of a night attack, had thrown out pickets, who were watching everything with the eyes of eagles, Suddenly there burst in upon the night council in the ranch a young man, whose face told that he had something important to communicate, “JT have seen men crawling up the ravine, ‘rear the mouth of the mine!” he said, In an instant Old Joe started forward. Then they have cone!” he cried. Ten minutes later everybody on the ranch was ready for the last desperate struggle, but the attack did not come, Hours wore away and daylight at last put in an appearunce, Far and wide swept the anxious eyes of Mes- ‘quite Ranch, Not an enemy was to be seen. At last Red Hawk and Mustang Merle went toward the old mine and entered 1, The interior was as familiar to them as the inner one of the ranch-housoe itself, r The hand of the Boy Rancher had seized Red Hawk’s wrists, and he was listening with all . ears in the darkness of the chamber. “Red Hawk heard it, master,” was the whis- pore reply. ‘‘Itis to the left, where the mills eres)> ‘In the mill-room? I rte so,” The friends crept to the left, and in a little while stopped in room, where they listened -again, or a moment they heard nothing, then a voice that seemed to chill them with terror, said: ‘Everything is ready, Pedro. The mine stands finished. All you have to do is to press the button, I will give the signal in a few Once more the hand of Mustang Merle caught the Indian’s arm. ‘God in heaven! they have discovered the seconds,” | -old mine we made months ago for the last ex- tremity,” he whispered. ‘If the button is pressed we will be blown to atoms,” Red Hawk jerked away from the Boy Rancher and vanished, | CHAPTER VIII. THE BOY RANCHER’S NERVE, For a brief moment the Boy Rancher of Mes- quite stood in the dense darkness of the mino chamber, and seemed to count the beatings of his heart. He knew that when the button was pressed . the mine would be blown to atoms, and that he would share the same dread fate, therefore the situation was quite enough to appall him, He did not know where Red Hawk bad gone, _ though he felt that the gallant young war- eagle of the Apaches would not tars Pegi ed to wait in the darkness of what seemed certain death in hopes that the Indian would turn up again, bared ** Press the button whenever you wish,” said the voice he had beard before, and this time the _ speaker seemed so near that be cone touch bim, | w , and Mustang The voice bad a familiar sou Merle was about to level. bis revolver in the —— eee eee U OOOO aes Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. , the ** button,” when he was touched by a band, The following moment he was drawn away, and in a little while was out of the room. ** They have full possession of the mine,” said a voice at hisear. ‘* Captain Silver Belt is here in force, and his men have taken the old bo- napza.” Mustang Merle did not reply. ‘Come, Master Merle; there is one way out,” and he was dragged from the spot and felt that he was moving through the ranks of the des- Pere with whom he was making the fight for ife Nothing important occurred during the next few seconds, when all at once a light flashed in their faces, and they saw a sight that stopped them at once, A dozen men, armed to the teeth, stood in a vaulted chamber of the old bonanza. They could see their rough shirts and yellow sashes, and even the black feathers in.their hats, which latter decoration had given the name of the Black Feathers to Captain Silver Belt’s band, But Merle and his faithful adherent saw more than this, p Near the men stood a young girl, whose face was white and seamed with anxiety. ‘Heavens! itis Olive,” gasped Merle, ‘They have brought ber with them, not daring to trust her anywhere under guard, Look, Red Hawk; that is my beautiful cousin, Olive!” The young red-skin said nothing, but fixed his eyes on the captive of the border band and watched her, as if ready to dash forward and rescue her from the hands of the Black Feathers, Mustang Merle did not want to quit the spot without trying to render Olive some assistance, but the whispered counsels of Red Hawk pre- vailed and they continued their journey. Once beyond the mine, they began to creep toward the ranch, which they reached to find Old Joe in a state of anxiety concerning their ooh ae absence, and a brief consultation was eld in the Boy Rancher’s secret room, Captain Silver Belt had come back and was on the ground ready to fight the last desperate. battle of revenge! This is the last of the bandits of the Tagus,” said Merle. ‘*We had to meet and defeat Captain Red Jacket and Dolores Dick, and this man is their sworn avenger, There can be no ce while he sits a saddle; uo safety while he ives. You may never know the terrible oath he and his men bave recorded against us; they have come to carry it out to the letter and are here ready to make Mesquite the abode of the owl and the bat,” The listeners looked at one another and seemed. to get new courage. They gathered closer around the young rancher and told him they were ready to swear an oath as terrible as the one taken by Captain Silver Belt and bis men; but the boy ranch king did not exact anything of the kind. Then Mustang Merle’s thoughts recurred _ to Olive who bad been brought to the ranch by her captors, ‘ a The fair girl was in the grip of the tigers of the border, and would not be released without a desperate struggle. What had become of the youth who had prom- ised to escort her to Mesquite? Had they fin- ished him, and was he lying somewhere with the dark wings of the vulture brushing bis face? _ After the conclusion of the council of war in the house, a figure stole toward the old mine, It was that of the young ranch king himself, fearless at all time, but never cooler than now be a a desire to assist Olive tugging at his heart- strings, , Mustang Merle had formed a design. He knew where he had seen her last, and thought that, knowing the old mine as he did, he might be able to help ber. Down over the rough ground he crept, mak- ing-no trail in the short grass, but taking his life in bishands, To be discovered meant death; to be captured by the men of the border meant a doom terrible enough to make one shudder, He reached the mouth of the mine and dodged into its darkness, : For a little while he heard nothing, and when he crept forward, moving over the ground inch by inch, he listened for the slightest sound, Merle knew all the tortuous windings of the bonanza. He wormed his way along shelves of stones and now and then stopped to listen, As yet not a sound to tell him that the mine was iohabited by an enemy. t Suddenly he drew back and hugged the dark all, Pr. ‘*T wonder how far it is down?” was what he heard, _ direction of it and press the trigger instead of | “Just drop and find out,” ““T wouldn’t do that for the world. It might be too far a drop, you know.” That voice! The Boy Rancher bad heard it before and bis heart stood still as he listened. It was evident that more than one person was moving near him and he expected to see a light struck and thus stand revealed by its are. But, the parties seemed to pass on, the voices ceased and he was alone once more. At last he came to the edge of what seemed a hg pit, for he could feel nothing beyond the wall, ‘*T don’t see why the captain don’t attack,” he heard spoken, The young rancber fell back, **T don’t want to be cooped up in this place all the time. Here we have been ever since we struck the ranch and we baven’t touched an ounce of gold, Curse it all, I say, why don’t the captain give the signal?” ° These words came up from a point some dis- tance below him and Mustang Merle'smiled, He knew where the speaker was and could have dropped a stone into the little room he oc- cupied, \ Once more he was on the point of moving for- ward when the voice of a woman was heard, “* What will Captain Silver Belt do with nty cousin, Merle?” it asked, “You may be sure he won't give him his liberty,” was the quick answer. ‘© Will he kill him?” “* He'll try him first,” These words were followed by a laugh and the, girl—Olive, of course—did not speak. “You see, miss, we are bound to have a set- tlement with the boy who bas lorded it over this region,” the bandit went on in the dark, ““He has finished some#of the captain’s best friends—” ** Bandits like himself, weren’t they?” ‘Perhaps they were, but that don’t prevent him from thinking a good deal of them. I ~ we are going to have a final settlement wit Mustang Merle, and this is a fight to the finish. We'll put him on trial, but it wouldn’t be hard to guess the result.” “You are right; it would not,” said Olive, ** He is condemned now and his capture will set- tle his doom.” ‘ “It ought to settle it,” growled the unseen bandit, and Mustang Merle felt his fingers tighten at the butt of his revolver as he attempted to penetrate the gloom and make out the figure of the man who guarded the girl, ‘ In a Jittle time be ran back along: the shelf and returned with a coil of rope. Fastening the coil to a projecting rock, he began to lower himself toward Olive and the guard with his knife between his teeth, ~ : It was a hazardous undertaking and as he went down over the rope without the slightest noise, he must have realized that he had staked his life on the desperate play, Hand over hand like the fearless sailor, de- scended the boy of a hero’s nerve, and when he reached ground he leaned against the wall and caugbt his breath, For some time all was still and then he heard a slight noise which seemed to locate the actors in the drama gees, Walon ; APE oy Olive could not be far from him now and while be listened, trying to discover her ex- act whereabouts, be felt all bis nerve return, ‘‘ What is that?” suddenly said the girl, “The captain coming back, perhaps,” was the reply. : Captain Silver Belt! : see Nod name passed through Merle’s mind with a t f He moved toward the spot where he now knew Olive was, ; : With one hand before bim as a pte he kept on till it touched something that yielded and then recoiled, ‘ Was it hia cousin? “Not a word! I: I next moment was moving on again, holding ina grip of iron the arm he bad found, ey But he was not yet out of the deatb-trap, CHAPTER IX. | (HE BANDIT’S MATCH. ee Mustang MERLE knew that he was environ- ed by enemies of the coolest kind, He bad found Olive, the lon looked-for ste -cousin, but she was still in peril and he himself = was not out of danger by any mean Bo Dalia is For some time he led the girl by the band it ding ber in whispers not to and at oe times pir for the voice of thecaptainefthe ‘ea rs. f te , ) } a : ™ ; bs - A ¥ Black F “ I am Merle!” he said, and the
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“When I ride back if, Sart Ty NE Then ee eee ee ae: Oa LPS end Wy PEN eae berg eee ARN, ‘Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. 9 The Indian looked at the woman and nodded. ‘*Red Hawk knows the captain,” he replied. ** He has been on his trail and he cannot hide it from the keen eyes of the young warrior of the Apaches,” ; ‘You are worth your weight in gold, Red Hawk.” The fire went out all along the line and the men who went out to look after the bandits re- ted that none’were in sight, To all appearances they had gone for good and the rest of the night passed without excitement. Olive was brought up from the underground apartment she had occupied and found herself in the house she was to visit, ; Daylight enabled the ranchmen to assess the damage, They found that the herds had been stampeded and that many of the cattle were branded with the brand of crossed daggers, showing that Captain Silver Belt had got in his work as he had sworn he would. The day was half spent when a man rode over the hills to the ranch-house and dismounted at the porch, He was regarded with a good deal of curiosity. for he looked the typical southerner and carrie himself with an air tbat excited both disgust and suspicion, He asked in a lofty tone for Mustang Merle, and when the Boy Rancher presented himself he leaned toward him and said; “Tam Don Ignace, You rejected my offers of assistance some time ago, but I am here, as you see, to renew them for the last time,” ow, this Don Ignace had but little better reputation than Captain Silver Belt and he was known asa dare-devil, besides being a sort of free lance whenever he could line his pockets with gold by doing so, He was handsome and carried himself like a prince in the saddle; but for all this he was as cruel a rascal asever drew rein in front of a marked estate, ‘““We seem to be faring well enough,” said Mustang Merle tothe man. ‘I don’t see that we need any help as yet.” ‘* You don’t, eh? hat does that mean?” and Don Ignace pointed toward the burned stacks and blackened earth. ** Captain Silver Belt was here last night—” ‘* And took @ notion to give you a foretaste of what wiil come next time? Just so, and yet you say you need no help? By Saint Louis! it seems to me that you are really helpless,” The voung rancher smiled, a And so you have come to offer help?” he said, : ‘‘T have good men at my back.” ‘“How many?” “ Five-and-twenty.” ‘¢ Where are they?” ** Within call.” ‘*When we need them, if need them we ever Ao, we will give you a call,” The brow of Don Ignace grew dark, “T did_ not come to trifle,” he said quickly. ou refuse+my help, I will never come again with the same offer,” Mustang Merle was silent for a moment. “You don’t help people for nothing, Don Ignace,” he replied. ‘‘I know that you and your men are the free lances of the border and that they fight for something. Now, what rows you expect from me in return for your elpe ' The eyes of the border rover suddenly glitter- ed and he bent forward, at the same time drop- piug his voice to a whisper, _“*f won't ask very much,” said he, tired of living as I have been, and am rich enough to retire and live like a gentleman the remainder of my days, You have with you, Captain Merle, a pretty girl wro would make an excellent wife for a gentleman of my caste, “T am The sudden lifting of the Boy Rancher’s hand checked the Mexican. ‘* We need talk no further, You refer to my Cousin Olive, and enough has been said. You can ride back to your men, Captain Ignace, and play the border robber as of old,’ , x The face of the rascal was a study. He stepped to the steed, and, mounting, looked down into the face of the young owner of the ranch, ; His eyes had a deadly gleam, and his woman- ish hands were clinched. ** You refuse, do you?” he hissed. ““T seriously refuse to have anything to do _ with you.” “Beware! You may have an enemy as dead- ly as Captain Silver Belt. You don’t know, the man who’ leads the free lances of the border.” _ “IT know enough of him,” Don Ignace waved his hand toward the house and gathered up the lines, He would have turned away if the next mo- ment the door had not opened and the lank fig- ure of the old scout sipped into full view, ‘“*One moment Mr Ignace,” said the Yankee who carried in one of his big bands a cocked revolver which he handled in a manner that did not strike the robher’s fancy. “Don Ignace has no talk with the border mummy,” was the contemptuous rejoinder. “You haven’t, eb? Well, ’m the liveliest mummy you ever tackled, so don’t be too fresh, You have just said that we are likely to have an enemy as bad as Captain Silver Belt. All right! Ride back to your men and put the game in motion, This is a fight for life, as we well realize, but we are ready for the battle, And hereafter if ever you get in front of Old Joe Bundy’s shooting irons, a trigger is apt ter be pressed to the ruin of the house of Ignace. That! I’ve had my say, and you kin meditate on it as you ride back,” The old scout stood like a statue in front of the yellow bandit who glowered at him with all the hatred he could put into a glance, and suddenly striking his steed with the silver spurs he wore he wheeled and dashed ini f ‘* Don’t forget!” shouted Joe. ‘Dr. Bundy is always at home and the Sure Shot never fails.” Something like a curse came back and the fol- lowing minute the bandit rode over the hills leaving Merle and Joe laughing at his sudden departure, ** A new foe,” said Merle. “And cne [ intend to wing at the first oppor- tunity.” CHAPTER XI. FRED FULLER’S PERIL, CAPTAIN SILVER BELT was not in an enviable frame of mind when he rode back over the bills near the ranch and left it undestroyed, He rode ahead of bis men and did not speak for some time, f ‘We'll have sharp work with the boy now,” said the men to one another, ‘The young man who escorted Olive, the girl, and whom we left at camp, will be placed on trial and the captain will see that be gets a noose and dances on air,” This was conceded on every hand, for Fred Fuller bad been left behind while Olive had been taken on the raid for the purpose of let- ting her see how thorough the vengeance of the bandit captain could be, It was not a very long ride back to the camp and when the bandits reached it they discovered their captive safe under guard and awaiting his oom, He was not to'd that Olive had escaped from the clutches of the Black Feathers, else his face would have worn a smile of satisfaction; but when he looked and failed to see the girl among the men he thought something favorable to her interests bad taken place, , Captain Silver Belt was in no merry mood when he showed up at the old rendezvous near the bank of a river and ina pretty grove of cot- ton woods, He glared at Fred as if to tell him to pre- upon him after dark, he stopped and asked bim inan insulting voice how he liked his “new home,” Pigs Half an hour later, a bandit approached the young captive and led bim forward, Jack Jordan had not shown up since the tus- member of the band that the youth belonged to it, and was often in the saddle on some raid or border foray, ‘He is a very whirlwind, that young chap,” said the bandit, ‘‘ He is the bravest of all, and nothing keeps him back from a dangerous swoop. Besides, he acts as spy for y , and many are the rich ranches’he’s singled ont.” ‘* His time will come,” answered Fred, ‘ This young war-eagle of the plains will make bis last swoop one of these days, and he will regret that he ever took service under the banners of Cap- tain Silver Belt.” “You can’t kill him. He has more lives than a cat, and is to succeed our captain one of these days.” { ees, Captain Silver Belt waited under a tree! for the young escort, who had been brought forward by one of the band, The bandit was eager to open the game against his enemy. _ Fred Fuller expected to receive a sudden order to step into the border noose, but found nothing of the kind awaiting bim, — ‘ | vading pare for the worst, and when he came down | sle on the ground, but Fred bad been told by a On the contrary, Captain Silver Belt leaned. toward him and smiled, ‘¢ What is your father worth?” he asked. Fred did not reply for a second. ** He is well-to-do,” he said at last, “The nabob of the city he lives in, eh?” ** Not that.” ‘Come! We know ali about him, and that he is worth a million or two.” The youth laughed, ‘*My father is a captain in the United States Army and captains there are not millionaires.” **But the fortune he has inherited? He pre- fers the army to living the life of a private citi- zen,’ “That latter may be true.” *©-You will find pen and ink on yon table,” and the captain of the Black Feathers pointed to- ward a rough table under atree, ‘ You will -write to him, saying that you are held for ran- som, that for twenty thousand dollars in hand, we will release you and send you back un- harmed.” . y The form of the youth straightened till it seemed an inch taller than ever. -* Not a dollar shall you take from my father by any such propositiou!” he exclaimed. The bandits looked at their captain with as- tonishment. ‘* A little stubborn, eh?” smiled Captain Silver Belt, ‘‘We have a way of bringing such re- tractory people as you to terms,” ' No answer. ** We shall try you at once,” the brigand sud- denly cried. ‘‘Wo will see what you say to that,” ‘You have me in our power, und the game is in your hands,” said Fred. s§ Right you are, The trial will open at once, The rough table was carried out from under the tree where it had been placed, and the ban- dits gathered round it, Near Captain Silver Belt stood a young ban- dit, who was watching these proceedings with a malicious grin ou bis face, Fred caught sight of him and saw bim drop his eye, nes Jack Jordan had just come up, and was an in- terested spectator, for he had wormed bimself to the front, and was taking in the whole proceed- ings. “Who is the prosecuting witness?” said some one, and the next instant Jack Jordan came into full view, “Tam,” he said, ‘I accuse that person of in- the region occupied by Captain Silver Belt, without the proper authority,” This flimsy charge almost drew a Jaugh from the lips of the young friend of Olive Oram. , Accused of “invading” a portion of the United States! It was’ enough -to provoke a smile, ’ ‘“What says the prisoner?’ and Captain Sil- ver Belt turned upon the prisoner and looked bim in the eye. ‘*T came into thie part of the country like any other citizen of the United States. I have a right to ‘invade’ it, as you say, for it is tree land for avy one, and the Stars and Stripes wave over itas well as over the rest of the coun- try we love.” ‘ But we run things down here. We are the lords of the border—the Black Feathers of the Southwest, and we own no authority, not even that of Uncle Sam.” . Silence fell after Captain Silver Belt’s answer, and no one seemed inclined to break it, 1 ‘‘The prisoner pleads guilty,” said Jack Jor- dan, at last. “T do in the light in which you regard my coming.” , Captain Silver Belt turned upon his men and held up his band: “What is the verdict, men of the border?” he cried. A dozen bronzed hands went up at once, ** Guilty!” was the cry. : The lips of the youth met, but his eye did not uail. w" And what shall the sentence be?” ‘ ‘* The noose!” . Captain Silver Belt looked at the young cap- tive and smiled. He had expected just such a verdict. -. ; / ‘We never give one much time. The sen- tence of the court is soon carried out, and in this instance we will not be partial.” mi Fred Fuller looked at the revolvers that pro- truded from the belts of the bandits, and seemed to wish that be could reach the pearest one. Jack Jordan, his eyes lit up with the light of vengeance, stood erect, and a age to watch aa with delight the proceedings of t ae border court, p ee _ SAT RE I mR RE TE the. a — coal —
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ms “ef o Fer RR ee oS ee et = = See ae es ae ee eS ae ' Mustang 10 Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. The light that lit up the scene came from a | glance at Jack, who had brought down upon his The next moment Don Ignace leaned toward number of torches made fast to the trees in the grove and all threw a weird glare over the spot. Pred stood apart from the men of the band and looked at their leader with undaunted mien, He expected no wees , The brief trial and the flimsy accusation had told him that none would be granted and he was bidden by these things to prepare for the noose, “The beginning of this trouble stands yon- der!” suddenly exclaimed Fred, and bis band covered Jack Jordan who quailed the moment the words were spoken. ‘“* He hates me use I happen to be the es- cort of he eg aay who was coming to visit erle, her cousin,” be went on. ‘He insulted Olive ere we left the North and wished that she might fall into the clutches of bandits, That young coward and outlawed vulture of so- ciety dares not step forth and meet me hand to band before Captain Silver Belt carries out the infamous sentence of his court.” All eyes were turned upon Jack Jordan who stood near by and met the accusation with pal- lid face, He seemed to shrink from the outstretched fin- ger of the young man, and when Fred suddenly “ppd toward him he actually recoiled. “ Draw a line on the ground and I will mark it. I will meet him now and with any weapons he may choose. I brand him coward in the midst of his friends and cowards never fight!” Captain Silver Belt looked at Jack who bit his lips and psig at Fred while blood mounted to his temples and colored them, : “Fight him if you have a drop of cool blood in your veips, Don’t let him cow you like that,” and similar expressions were heard on every side, while every brigand looked at Jack Jordan, All at once the’ycung rascal moved. His figure seemed to leap up in the torehlight and he shouted hoarsely. . .. “Draw the line on the ground and [ will fight!” he cried. isn’t a drop of coward blood in Jack Jordan’s body. He hay challenged me and I accept. I choose revolvers, distance ten paces and the spot where we stand!” “That suits me! I have longed to face you ever since I heard of your infamous wish breath- ed in Olive’s ear. Draw the line!” The bandits fell back and went to work at onee. A line was drawn in the ground near the tree and the torches arranged so as to throw all their light upon the spot, Fred was given choice of revolvers from among the many at hand and selécting one from the belt of a bandit, he took his and an- nounced himself ready for the duel. : Jack did the same and in a little while they mood back to back waiting for the deadly sig- es} —_— CHAPTER XII, A CHANGE OF MASTERS. THOSE who watched the youth from the ‘North, expected to see bim shrink from the ordeal to which he was being subjected, but they - were disappointed, He h ' eld the six-shooter with a firm grip, and waited calmly for the signal. On the contrary, Jack Jordan seemed to re- coil from the duel, as if he did not look for Fred to face him to the end, and when the bandit who was to deliver the si that purpose, a shiver of dread passed over his frame. _ ‘* don’t want to cheat the court,” he suddenly cried. “I won’t do it, but will let the sentence of the tribunal be carried out,” A murmur of dissatisfaction was heard. “That is little short of cowardice,” said a voice, and the speaker, who was Ca ““T wou't fight him, He belongs to you!” “T waive ay rights if you will stand up and carry out the duel, ; But Jack shook his head and dropped his nd, ; 7 ** You won’t, eh?” cried Captain Silver Belt, “Twill not 5 Sock pideeetbents Be eas 4 ae es | 8 “T will show him that there. gnal stepped forward for tain Silver |. Belt aati looked at Jack and smiled, head the derision of the whole band. ‘You know where the road is,” said Captain Silver Belt to Jack. ** What do you mean?” ‘* We don’t want cowards in this camp.” Jack was astonished. He did not look for any treatment of this kind, and for a moment stood bewildered before the captain of the Black Feathers. **Do you mean that we are to separate here?” he stammered at last. ““T mean nothing else. We don’t want cow- ards with us,” _ Jack turned upon Fred with a glare of mad- ness in the depths of his eyes, Captain Silver Belt stood pointing toward the western confines of the camp, and when he had looked at him a moment, he (Jack) walked off with the surliness of a beaten desperado. **T will make him remember this,” he growled under Lis breath, ‘I willsee that he recalls this incident before his career.isended. I know that the boy intended to kill me the first fire, I saw that in his eye, and I wasn’t going to take any chances,” j The amused bandits watched him as he walked off, his figure gradually disappearing, and when it had vanished altogether, they nuged outright. ‘* My case will be settled now,” thought Fred. “They will turn upon me and carry out the sen- tence of the court,” But he was mistaken. A revulsion of feeling in his favor seemed to have taken place, for in- stead of being conducted to the noose, he was remanded back to the tree where he was left under guard, In all probability his coolness and bravery had saved his life, though he could not believe that it was for long. He was still in the hands of Captain Silver Belt, and it was more than a that the bandit would soon play a deadly ni . He was yet to learn that the expedition to Mesquite bad resulted in no success, that Olive had escaped from the men of the border, and that Captain Silver Belt was incensed at the state of affairs, and would renew his oath to wire out the boy ranch king of the plains, he sun came up and began to move down the western slope of the sky. _Fred had been treated with some considera- tion since his coolness in fighting Jack Jordan, and now and then a bandit would steal up to him and enter into conversation. y this means he was told about) Olive’s flight, but not that she had been rescued by Mus- tang Merle. © was overjoyed to hear of the girl’s escape, and doubted not that she was really safe among friends. The afternoon was half spent when a man was seen by Fred looking down upon the camp from a slight elevation. This person was mounted, and for some time he was supposed to be one of Captain Silver Belt’s own men, but when he rode forward Fred saw that he was quite another person. The bandits spied him and watched him with some curiosity, for he rode straight toward the a and~at last drew rein at the very edge of i “‘ Tt is Don Ignace!” said some one. The Mexican touched bis hat at mention of his wild name, and when Captain Silver Belt came Erwan, the two shook bands and drew close ether, . n a little while the Mexican jonalueded Fred, whom he eyed sbarply, and all at once. turned upon the leader of the Black Feathers, and exclaimed: “So this is the chap, eh? He looks like a young hawk. Has he given you any trouble ye ng: ares Silver Belt shook his head, : ** But he will if you don’t shut him off soon,” he went on, ‘‘Heis a young fox. I know his father. Long ago we had a brush near one of the forts, and I owe the old captain something for the little scar I carry as a memento of that fight.” The bandit laughed, , ** Maybe you would like to take out some ven- geance on the son?” he said, “ Nothing would please me more,” ** Ae is yours,” 19 : Ts, | “* Cantain Silver Belt waved his hand toward | bis ee ' _“ What, mine?” cried Don Ignace, bis face suddenly glowing with true maliciousness, **Do vou tell me, captain, that this boy is mine?” “He is yours” | and covered him witb his dark orbs, “*T will take him. I will show him that I haven’t forgotten his father. Come, boy; you shall see something of life beyond Captain Sil- ver Belt’s camp.” There was no help for it, and within five min- utes the change of masters had been effected and the youth was being conducted from the spot with Don Ignace—grinning, handsome Don Ig- nace for bis escort. For some time the Mexican did not speak, but continued to conduct his prisoner over the country, now galloping at a rapid gait, but nearly all the time proceeding at a moderate pace, Fred fell to studying the face of the man into whose hands he had fallen. It seemed like dropping from the frying- pan into the fire. He heard of the cool- ness and cruelties of Don Ignace for whose bead there was a standing reward, but had never dreamed that he would some day become his captive. Don Ignace kept to the broader trail for some time, when he suddenly turned into one not so aa this they followed some distance. began to wonder where Don Ignace’s \ camp would be found, and at last rounding a hill, they came in sight of several men seated on horses. The roughb-looking fellows saluted Don Ignace and in a moment Fred was among them, His arrival called forth expressions of aston- ishment and when he had been subjected to sev- | eral rough jokes he was seized by the arm and led away by Don Ignace. ** What is your father worth now?” asked the brigand of the'plains, ‘ No'more than when he met you some years ago. ** Ah, no lies, boy.” ** You are getting none.” **T am Don Ignace, I know this country and lcan bide you so that the whole army would never bring you to light.” ‘The army would not hunt for’me,” smiled red. ‘Tt would not, eh?’ and the bandit seemed surprised, “Tt would not,” The robber of the Southwest looked disap- pointed. | ; ‘You came out with a girl who is at Mes- quite Ranch?” suddenly exclaimed Don Ignace, **T was escorting Olive to Mesquite when we were ambushed by Captain Silver Belt’s men.” : ge you carry a letter to the girl for me ** A letter from you to Olive?” “Why not?” - The proposition thrilled the young North- erner, ) “* Let me have it,” and he put forth his band. ‘*Mind you, boy, it must be placed in her hand,” said Don Ignace, ‘* Tt shall be taken straight to her.” Don Ignace took a piece of paper from hig pocket and bending forward in the saddle, bee gan to write, “Ts he fooling me?” shongye Fred. ‘* Does he intend to lift my hopes so high and then dash them to earth? I can’t trust this yellow bandit very far. He is as full of tricks asa fox,” But Don Ignace continued to write on as if he had thrown his whole soul into the letter before him and when he had concluded he looked up and folded the letter, “Take this to the girl. It is a letter from Don Ignace,” and he extended his letter whic the boy eagerly took, . ** You must show me the trail.” “JT will,” and Don Ignace kept his word by ‘taking Fred beyond the camp and pointing in a certain direction. a: “Stick to that trail and you will find Mes- quite,” said he. eet Pe Bred Fuller smiled his thanks and rode for- ward, The events of the past few hours seemed a dream to him, He could not realize that he was actually out of the clutches of the bandits; but when he-did so he urged his steed over the trail, _ “3 a and rode as if the demons were thundering be- hind him, CHAPTER XIII OLD JOE KEEPS A PROMISE. MustanG MERLE and his friends to receive another attack from Ca tain Silver ee Belt whose failure to take the ranch must have = nettled bim, and they were sure another a tempt would be made, oe rege 3 bag
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bey We will not get to steal Captain Silver Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. : Vy oes Tapert ye, eg any oR ele Pet Na aah ys ares Aer: bea Cia Pain Va YS - fon 3 a hile “ht : ‘% ‘ 11 It was night when a man entered Tagus City ‘and proceeded to the Plaza where were situated the drinking-dens of the place. There was nothing out of the way in the ap- pearing of this person except that he was rather tall and angular. ; He bad a silent, cat-like tread and when he entered the Square he looked about him and made bis way to one of the dens, Peering in at the open door he noted the in- mates and then withdrew, : It wasevident that he had come to the border town for a purpose and that a certain person who had been watching his movements thought as much. The tall man went back to the edge of the piace and met there a young Indian who had n waiting for him. The two came close together and talked in low tones. “*T did not see him but some of his men are ‘there,” said the white man. ‘* Maybe you did not look in all the dens,” “*T did not.” us mt you look into the one at the end of the ree “a No. ” **Red Hawk will do that.” ** But, if you are discovered, chief—” ** Red Hawk is too sbarp for the foxes of the border, He will keep a watchful eye in his head, and when they see him it will not be for long.” The next minute the young Apache glided off and in a moment had vanished. The white man, who was our old friend, Joa Bundy, remained where he had just joined the red-skin and looked for a little while toward the town. : All at once the stillness was broken by a pis- . tol-shot, and the lust of the Bundys sprung up and listened, : _‘* They havefound thered! I told him go,” he said while he waited for another sound, ‘He did not play fox well enough for once, ° It will cost him his life if he is caught prowling here where Captain Silver Belt has many friends, In another moment a figure came flying to- ward him, and the ald scout, drawing a pistol, waited for it to come up. . When it came along, the hand of Old Joe was thrust forth and closed on the runner, ‘Here Tam,” he said. ‘ In the name of com- mon sense, who are Ab tryin’ to distance?” Red Hawk, the Indian, stopped and looked - into the face of his old companion. ‘*T round him!” he said with a faint grin, . 2 a Silver Belt?” ** And he let fly at you?” ** No; some one else did,” “ Tell me,” Whereupou Red Hawk told in brief the story of his adventure, He had extended his crawl almost to the end of the town for the purpose of discovering if Captain Silver Belt was there at that particular time when he saw a man stand- ing near the last den on the street. © appeared to be watching for some one, and while the Apache regarded him the door of the den opened and the tall figure of Captain Silver Belt himself came out, For a moment the young Indian was surprised, but in a little time he saw the other man move, and a six-shooter glittered in his hand. ; ving that the life of Captain Silver Belt ‘was in danger, and they were to abduct him at all hazards, he sprung forward to prevent a crime hen the man with a pistol, hearing his step, hirled suddenly and fired at him point-blank, the bullet grazing bis face, and for a second sy 2 m 7 his grant. n & Hash, as it were, Captain Silver Belt van- ished back in the den, an Red Hawk had beaten a hasty retreat, Joe Bundy listened to this narrative with a good deal of interest. He wondered greatly who the bandit’s enemy could be, but of course the young Indian could not enlighten him, ve Listen!” he said, clutching Red Hawk’s arm. ‘‘ They are wide awake back yonder, st night.” — % Phe Apache listened with a curious face and the two heard the confused”sounds of human voices, All at once some one was seen coming toward em, _ Red Hawk thrust Joe back and crouched on the Faetag Sipahd a panther. | act ‘It is the bandit of the border—the very man _ we want!” suddenly whispered the Yankee, — friends, and the t ben be reached It to- a spot | opposite Red Hawk, they sprung at him and he was caught unawares, “It is only turning the tables a little,” said Joe, as the man struggled, ‘‘ You will save your breath by keeping quiet,” The captured one glared at the two and let an oath escape him. **To the horses, Red Hawk! We have the eagle and all we want is to get away with the bird.” Captain Silver Belt held back a moment, but a cocked revolver soon brought him into sub- mission and he quietly said: ** You know how to play fox as well as other people. But you must remember that the game 1s not yet played out,” Two horses were discovered near by and the sullen prisoner was ordered to mount one, which oe did, and in a moment all three were riding re) The capture of the renowned bandit of the border had been so neatly accomplished that both Joe and Red Hawk had need to congretulate themselves as they rode along. For a long time Captain Silver Belt said noth- ing, but maintained a sullen silence, ¥ 1 gee said Old Joe, ‘do you ever eat “ pape The bandit was startled by the absurdity of the question. ‘* What do you mean?” The tall scout took a bit of crumpled paper from his pocket and held it up before his eyes in the faint moonlight, “This is the paper you left on the porch the night you stampeded the cattle and I swore that I would cram it down your throat some day, 1 think my time bas come now and I'll Lieiats to carry out my promise, so hold stil), please— : But Captain Silver Belt fell back and began to struggle, ** 1t’s got to be eaten!” continued Joe, “Ima man of my word and when I set out to doa thing I ginerally do it.” The power that lay in the Yankee’s limbs was too much for even the agile man of the border and in the end he forced the paper into the bandit’s mouth and shut his jaws behind it, “Thar, I feel better,” ejaculated Old Joe, “You kin swaller it or spit it out just as you like, That’s what I call eatin’ one’s own words,” The mad look that filled Captain Silver Belt’s eyes was the only answer Joe received and if his hands had been free there would have been a struggle to the death, . The three rode on and the house of Mesquite came ip sight at last, lying in the moonlight, he porch wes reached and the guard who challenged the little party uttered a cry when he saw that one of the horses carried double. “We've got him,” said Joe. The alarm was instantly sounded and Mustang Merle stood tace to face with hisoldenemy. Captain Silver Belt was taken across the threshold into a room where he stood erect with the mien of an eagle and glared at the boy ranch king with all the fury of his wild na- ture, “There can be peace between us,” said Mustang Merle, pointing at length to a paper which be had placed on the table, ‘‘ There are ‘the terms I have drawn up and it remains for you to sign them,” - . The captain of the Black Feathers ste bs als and read the treaty, for it was not ele Ing Se, His lips curled proudly and he threw a look of defiance at the B I ‘* Peace on those terms? Never!” he cried, His figure straightened and he fell back with a curse on his tongue, “Tt is the only chance, If you refuse to sign you wil! be tried in this house by a court made up for that purpose.” Try me!” The coolness of the man was something amazing. Crane tiees he Jeaned forward and looked at the terms submitted in the treaty on the table, ‘The pen!” be said, seeming to bite his nether p. _ Joe Bundy stepped forward and placed a pen in his band, . : _“T can’t sign, tied as I am,” said the outlaw, Mustang Merle made a sign and the bonds were severed, Eve of the Southwest, : He stood at the table with the pen iv his hand ™, " R Those by whom he was watched gripped six- oy Rancher and bis friends, — eye was fastened upon the famed rider __ | asif about to sign the paper lying ready for A ee eee re eee remanded By hi Rete eet fy dow Naltuke shooters in their hands and were ready to cover him at the slightest show of treachery. Captain Silver Belt. lowered the pen until it almost touched the sheet, but all at once he dropped it and leaped toward where Olive was a silent spectator of the scene, He seized the fair girl and lifted her from the floor. He whirled and in a jiffy was holding her between himself and the pistols of her astonished friends, It was the work of the tenth part of a second and Captain Silver Belt had calculated the play to a nicety and the lookers on were thunderstruck, CHAPTER XIV. THE BLACK FEATHER’S FLIGHT. “* Drop the girl!” cried the last of the Bundys but Captain Silver Belt showed no intentions o doing this. Three revolvers were leveled at hirh, but he | held the Boy Rancher’s cousin in such a position that to fire at him would be to endanger her life, and he knew that he had secured an advan- tage if not a decided victory. Still clutching Olive, he moved backward toward the door. Beyond the posse stood the horses which Jve and Red Hawk hae ridden co Tagus, and once on the back of one with his captive he might bid defiance to the men of the ranch, But an unseen danger lay in his path and it soon manifested itself, The door behind the bandit opened suddenly and a youth of splendid proportions threw bim- self forward, It was Fred Fuller, whom we saw last making his way to Mesquite with a note to Olive from Don Ignace, a The youth came into the room in the nick of ime, i Realizing the situation at a glance, he threw himself upon Captain Silver Belt and that wor- thy was forced back against his will, when Red Hawk leaped to Fred’s assistance and Olive was released, ; But despite this sudden advantage, the vic- tory over the bandit was not yet won, ‘To the strength of a giant he united the agility of a cat, and the struggle he made was desperate, red was torn loose and flung across the room; Red Rawk received a blow from the clinched fist of the outlaw and ere Merle and Joe could reseize him he had reached tle door and in a flash was gone, Yes, with a defiant laugh Captain Silver Belt had disappeared and the astonished tenants of the ranch heard his footsteps on the porch! Old Joe bounded to the door and gained it in time to seoa man gallop away, but he sent. bullet after the cool bandit ere he turned bac to the excited group. Captain Silver Belt’s escape was so astonisbin that those whom it affected could not fully real- ize what had bappened for some time, ‘* Tt will be swift war now,” said Merleat last. ** We shall now have the final struggle for exist- ence and it will be a bloody ove.” “Let it come! Dve hed the satisfaction of cramming some of his own words down his throat, and I want another chance at him. Joe Bundy smiled panienaeey when he thought of bis exp)oit, but it was not much, viewed in the light of Captain Silver Belt’s suc- cessful play. : The night passed without any furtber inci- dent worth recording and the new day came, Mustang Merle went out and looked over his” acres and then walked down to the old mine, In the depths he took an oath that he would clear the earth of his old-tims foe, and then went back to the house, " ' Olive, pale from her exciting adventure with the bandit, met him in the room and drew him to the window, x pee) ‘“You don’t think of compromising with this man, do you, Cousin Merle?” the fate girl asked, care Captain Silve Belt? You donot know me / ‘*T ami glad of this, You will meet him when he comes and figbt him to the finish,” “I shall do nothing else, Olive, while this man is our living foe there can be no security at Mes- quite. He intends to carry out his vow or per- ish in the attempt. But the letter Fred brought you? You promised toshow ittome.” The girl blushed and drew from ber bosom a letter which she handed to Mustang Merle, The boy read it with rising color, and then looked into the young girl’s face. : “This is almost enough to rovoke's ugh,” oy he said, “It is simply a Geclaration of ove ” SS bis tik, “ Se ~- SE ree ee ae - gh =O SS lg
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i] ong : i ee ee SB cee neaee Sane 12 oe — ee Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. EE ————_—_—_——_—_—__ IIE from Don Ignace, the bandit. You haven’t sent | much for us to win—gold for you and a wife for him your answer, Olive.” Olive Oram blushed again. “Ought I to do so?” she asked. “ Indeed, it would be courtesy, wouldn’t it?” and she ran laughing from the room. Merle waited for her to return, and when she came back holding a letter in her band, he took it with a smile, “That will do, but I fear it will not please the yellow bandit. We will have one of the men take it to the spot designated in his letter and he will call for it in time.” Mustang Merle took the letter which he carried to one of the herders with instructions to take it to a certain spot and the man rode off, Meantime Captain Silver Belt had proceeded over the rising ground at breakneck speed and was nearing one of nis camps securely hidden from the keen eyes of the foe, His handsome face had the glow of a demon’s and when be dashed among his own and told in a few brief sentences the adventures through vo he had lately passed, there was a univer- sal‘cry for revenge. The whole band demanded to be led against Mesquite, swearing in their rage that they would not leave one timber attached to another nor a spear of grass unburned. ’ To these threats Captain Silver Belt sat and looked at their makers. “*T want to find the person who fired at the Indian at Tagus,” he said. ‘‘ He was on the watch for me and would have taken my life if the red had not interfered, 1 kaow the skulker. He said he would get even with me for the banishment,” “Tt was Jack Jordan!” cried a dozen voices. “It was the young rascal of the plains—the villain whom I banished on account of his cow- ardice. Jack Jordan is outlawed from this mo- ment. I offer two hundred dollars for him, dead or alive,” At this juncture a form moved in the tall grass at the edge of the camp, The person lying there with his eyes fastened on the leader of the Black Feathers was Jack Jordan himself, and he had heard the decree of |. outlawry that had just been pen. *“*You will catch the rabbit before you eat him,” said the youth with a smile. ‘I under- stand your tactics, Captain Silver Belt. I was on the watch when the young Apache came be- tween, and with his companion, Old Joe Bundy, succeeded in capturing you. I don’t intend to forget how you outlawed me, nor why you did so. I will get even yet, and the war you are waging against Mesquite may take a sudden turn against your cause.” Jack did not quit his place of concealment watil he could do so without being discovered. ' He glided through the grass like a snake, and when some distance off arose and ran forward. In a little while he had vanished rim and the bandits were none the wiser for his tr ok, An hour later he stood in a ravine in the tim- ber, looking at something moving up it at a snail’s pace. aa ‘What on earth can the yellow dog bo doing here?” be asked himself, : He was looking down upon Don Ignace, who was creeping up the ravipe with his little Mexi- cap eyes on the alert. All at once he dodged into a recess and found a letter there, Jack could see how the ‘find flushed Don Ig- nace’s face, but the following minute it clouded, The contents of tho letter displeased him. “I will show her that Iam not to be despised,” growled the Mexican. ‘I wrote her a neat missive, and the boy whose life I saved took it to her. And this is her answer. It is too bad, and almost sets me wild.” Don Ignace danced about like a man distract- ed, but suddenly ceasing bis demonstrations, he grew coo] and shook his fist toward Mesquite. When be moved on again he approached the youth’s place of concealment, and Jack, witha grin on his face, shoved his revolver forward. “Halt, Don Ignace!” he cried. In an instant the Mexican bandit stood still with his band on the butt of his own weapon, and trying to make out the half-hidden face of the person who had spoken. “Ho, it is Jack—Jack, the Cowboy!” he ex- - claimed, and then he came forward fearlessly. When Jack rose up Don Ignace produced the letter, and after the cowboy had read it, said: “You see bow a mere girl treatsme, 1am disgusted, but I want to show her that my affec- tions are not to be trifled with. Won’t you go in with me, Jack? We will playa gate gag liarly our own, and will divide the pr om": “Ignace and you are Jack. ‘There's me,” The young outlaw laughed. “You forget that I have known Miss Olive for years,” he said‘in all seriousness, ‘* You must remember, Don ‘Ignace, that I may think a good deal of Mustang Merle’s pretty cousin—” “You?” stammered the Mexican, falling back and almost losing his equilibrium, ‘‘In the name of Saint Louis, what will I hear next?” There was no reply on Jack’s part, but be could not keep from smiling at Don Ignace’s as- tonishment, ‘¢T sha’n’t ask you to form a’partmership with me,” cried the Mexican, “I will work outmy love-making to my own satisfaction and if any one steps between Don Ignace and the American girl, be will pay for the intrusiov.” “There is a barrier between you and Olive now.” ‘““ What do you mean?” ‘The ‘combined strength of Mesquite is the bulwak that protects the girl.” In an instant Don Ignace’s face grew dark, and swearing that even\ Mesquite should not prevail against him, he turned and left Jack alone by the ravine, ‘You'll never bite the golden apple, old fel- low,” cried Jack after him, ‘I am liable to win the girl myself.” CHAPTER XV. THE SPY’S DOOM, Tue capture of Captain Silver Belt and his subsequent escape were two incidents certain to exasperate him against the boy owner of Mes- quite Ranch. ; In anticipation of an attack Mustang Merle made ie ‘apo ig: to resist him when he should come and noue but the trustiest men were placed on guard, Tagus City soon learned of the true state of affairs, but as.it was one of the ar. strong- bolds and was expected to stand by him, for there he sometimes spent the ill-gotten gains of raid and foray, the young rancher did not look for any help or sympathy in that direction. After his escape Captain Silver Belt went quietly to work to recruit his ranks and a dozen new men were taken into the band of the Black Feathers and all swore to stand by its leader to the last extremity. Late one night, the third one after the last events, a number of well-mounted men were seen Se through the moonlight toward the ranch, They rode as silently as ghosts and no one not seeing them would have known that they were abroad. At their head rode the leader of the band, his dark hair blowing back over his shoulders on the ye oe wind and himself the very picture of Adonis in the saddle. _Everybody knew where Mesquite stood. It had acquired a name second to no other ranch in the region and the battles which its gallant Ibe) owner had fought for its preserva- tion had rendered it famouseverywhere. — The Black Feathers far outnumbered those who were at the ranch and it was with faces flushed with expectation that the horsemen galloped over the ground and rapidly placed miles between them and their goal, Captain Silver Belt turned to a rider on his right and said with a smile: ** The last tussle, Gideon, We will come back over this‘same ground with rich spoil banging from our saddles and the ranch that has defied us so long will be such only in name.” _“T hope so, The men. are almost tired of riding’ back and forth without getting any nearer the prize.” “This time they will reach it. The spy we have placed on the ranch is playing bis part to perfection and we shall see his signal at the proper point.” The bandits rode on until the hills that over- looked uite were reached, when they halted and taking Gilded Gid with him, Captain Silver Belt rode on to reconnoiter. Stddenly the leader stopped and pointed toa light'which had just leaped into being. ‘Sam is at work,” said he, ‘‘ There goes his match and we are on time.” The light burned a little while and then went out, but it had lasted long enough to convey cer- tain intelligence to the captain of tha bandits, — But something not on the bills was occurring at the ranch itself, and leaving the bandits on the hill let us cross the space that separates them trom the houses and see what is taking place, It is true that within the last forty-eight hours Mustang Merle had sworn into his service a | young man who professed to be willing to fight against Captain Silver Belt without suspecting that the new ally was that very scoundrel’s spy. Silver Sam was a cool, calculating rascal who knew how to carry out the commands of his superior and no sooner had he become a member of Merle’s band than he began to discover the weak points of the ranch. This took a good deal of caution, for from the first he had to work against a number of watch- ful eyes, among them those of Red Hawk and Joe Bundy and he realized that all the time he was working in the shadow of death. Silver Sam knew almost to the minute when Captain Silver Belt and his outlaws would ap- pear on the hill and was ready with his signal. He quietly took out a match and stationing himself at a certain place proceeded to light his pipe as though there was nothing out of the way. Bat the manner in which he threw the match to the ground told the story of the signal and no sooner was it extinguished than he looked toward the bill and smiled. “It’s all right,” said Sam to himself, “TI have played my game to a demonstration and the plan is a success, The old captain isn’t look- ed for to-night and when he comes he will find the ranch ap easy prize.” But crouching near Sam at that very moment was a figure which he did not see, He might have seen it if his eyes had been a little keener, but as it was, he saw nothing but the hill looming up between him and the stars and there he knew the bandits were. “The white boss is lame,” said a voice behind Sam when he bad moved a short distance from the spot where he had shown the signal. The bandit spy started as if a serpent had hissed at his heels, and he found bimself con- fronted by Old Joe, . There was nothing suspicious about the old Yankee’s looks and in a moment he had placed the “py at his ease, ’ * T wish youd come ‘down and look at the white boss,” continued the scout. ‘* He’s in the stable and I heard you bragging that” you knew more about hosses than anybody else.” ‘* Of course 1’ll go,” and the next moment Sanz was following Joe toward the stables. When near them the old Yankee turned and caught the spy by the wrist. ‘“1’m the hoss what’s lame,” said he, witha malicious grin, ‘‘ Yes, ’m the animile that needs attention.” Silver Sam lost color and seeing that he could do nothing else but stammer, did so for a second, ‘‘We won't go to the stable just now, but to the house,” resumed Bundy. Fearful that all was up with him, the spy turned white and made a slight effort to disen- Rage himself from Joe, but the grip of the long yellow hand was too jmuch for him and he did not repeat the trial. Old Joe took his man to the house and when he had opened the door, pushing Sam abead, he laughed aloud, ; “The slickest bit of~work I ever did, Caught him as nice as you please.” Mustang Merle, writing at his desk, looked up and lowered the pen. Silver Sam cast a look toward the door and ground his teeth. ix.‘ He struck a match,at one end ofthe houseland threw it to the ground in the funniest manner ou ever see’d. I never'saw anything just like it, It meant something.” Not a word from Sam. The fellow found himself covered by the keen eyes of the Boy Rancher and atood as erect as a jt pine, He had regained his old composure and not a muscle quivered. “Are you going to confess?” suddenly asked the young ranch king. ** Confess what?” ’ ‘That lighting of the match was a signal.” ‘‘T confess nothing. One ought to have the privilege of lighting his pipe whenever he pleases, and I don’t see how an act of that sort could be a signal,” : ‘Tl jast search him if you say 90,” said Joe, moving forward. ‘I have Had my peepers on him ever since he came to the ranch, It struck me at first that I bad seen himself before, and all at once the whole truth came to me, and I knew just where it was, You hain’t forgotten the little Mexican who was killed at Monteverde two years ago by a man who went by the name of Sorocco Syl, have you?” Sam started just a little. “TI know Og now; I know that you are Sorocco Syl, man for whom the autho!
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+4 a f . nt a LS ee Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. 13 offered a little sum in dust, but you have changed a good deal, and if you are Syl, you will bave a scar under the hair on your neck,” Old Jve took a step toward the prisoner in the middle of the room and was abvut to look for the scar, when Sam’s hand flew out and the tall Yankee was pushed back, But, quick as a flash Joe returned to the at- tack, and despite Sam’s strength, tbe locks were seized and pulled aside, exposing a red scar, at sight of which Mustang Merle smiled. * 111 now go through bim like a dose of salts,” said Joe, and the next minute he had Sam pin- ioned against the wall while with the hand not thus employed he was searching bis pockets. Merle stood near with a cocked revolver in his hand, and while Joe searched the prsoner, he watched him like an eagle, Next to Silver Sam’s heart was found a flat package which the fingers of Old Joe drew forth and threw upon the table, Mustang Merle looked at it and discovered it to contain a complete map of the several mines belonging to the ranch, all drawn by the hand of Silver Sam, The spy looked at the evidences of his guilt, but did not open his mouth. Nothing more was found on his person and when Joe Bundy announced that he was done, he turned toSamand said: , “Whom did you signal?” There was n9 perl. P , “Tn cases_of this kind I have been both judge and jury. I have all the evidence I need and I will now proceed to carry out the sentence of Judge Bundy’s court.” There was no mistaking the meaning of these ‘words, The last one had barely left the old scout’s lips when the figure of a young Indian bounded. into the room and halted near the group. It was Red Hawk, ‘* Always on hand,” grinned Old Bundy, greet- ing his faithful pard, ‘* We are going to pay a a his services, Come, Red Hawk,”. ustang Merle said nothing to check the _ march of the executioners, He had no sympathy for the man who had taken service under his banners for the purpose of betraying him to the foe, 4 Silver Sam was led away between Red Hawk ant Joe Bundy, and the door shut behind em, L The three crossed the grassy plat in front of the ranch-house, toward the mine and were lost to view. They halted at the mouth of the bonanza. All was dark within. Old Joe drew a match across the wall and held it above his head. As the blaze shot upward it revealed the long corridor and showed all three the dull gray stones of the wall. , \ All at once Old Joe struck a portion of the wall and a door swung open. ; sercud the portal the darkness of Egypt reigned, wt Dorward !” said the Yankee, pushing Sam on, “They won’t know where to look for you when they come,” Y ilver Sam looked back into the merciless faces of his enemies and shrugged his broad shoulders, : At that moment a series of yells was beard, “The bandits have come!” cried Joe Bundy, and hurling Sam into the cell, he struck the iron button again and the door shut. ‘ “The spy is safe till Gabriel blows,” cried he, seizing Red Hawk’s wrist. ‘* Now let’s go back and fight for life and the young master.” CHAPTER XVI. _ THE DRAMA UNDERGROUND, Tue yell which reached the ears of Silver Sam’s ape told them the spy had done his work well. When they rushed from the mine they heard shouts that informed them that the final fight |. for life bad begun, and standing “for a mo- ment at the mouth of the mine, they listened to the yells which grew louder and louder as the Black Feathers came over the. hill to the attack. _. Mustang Merle at the door of the ranch-house, heard the first shout, and turning to Olive who was near, Gaught her hand and led ber ‘toward the secret opening in the wall, It was not the ‘first time the beauty bad ht the shelter of the underground :) and she knew where safety lay, for, biddin eee Pipe oe good-by, she ‘disappear door and it swung back to +. 4 - K *, “Trees passed the stables, and went. to its | sudden .interruption. “I kaow w Merle and Fred sprung toward the porch and as the horses*came down over the ground in front of the house, they saw two figures come into view and Joe Bundy and Red Hawk, the two faithfuls, were ** on deck.” Meantime the little band of ranchmen was not idle for it had formed at a good point and did not hesitate to send a lot of cold lead into the ranks of the bandits, But the volley, however well-intended, did not do much damage, for Captain Silver Belt’s ranks opened asif by magic and the members of the band came on, They contented themselves with riding round the house, firing at whatever they could single | out for a target, but drew off again and re- formed, Olive meantime had reached the room under- ground, and was waiting for the noise of the fight which she was sure she could bear, She was not disappointed, for all at once she heard the loud reports of firearms, and stood listening, her heart in her throat and out of breath, For some time the noise of the fight for life saluted her ears, when it suddenly grew still, and she did not know what to think, She felt that the raiders of the border out- numbered Merle and his friends, but she had great faith in those who surrounded the young rancher, It ee Silver Belt won, then she was lost, If he carried the day, she would be at the mercy of the brigand of the Southwest, and she knew what his mercy meant. When the noises of conflict had ceased, Olive went to the furthest end of the corridor, and placing the lamp in a niche in the wall, sat down, All at once her gaze became riveted upon something that seemed: to shine in the stone, and the more she looked at it the greater be- came her curiosity, At last she arose and approached it. \ When quite near she discovered it to be a button-like object, which seemed to move back into the wall when she touched it, vi there a secret apartment beyond the wa Impelled by a feeling she could not overcome, she pressed the button and fell back with a light cry as a door moved inward, and she was look- ing into a small room which seemed entirely de- void of anything. ere picked up the lamp and.ntered the place,. Almost immediately after quitting the corri- dor, the door behind her swung shut, and she found herself inclosed by walls of stone, But the next moment she uttered an exclama- tion of astonishment, and Jeaning forward keld the lamp against the wall, while she read an in- scription written there by some unknown hand, Olive read: “Let the finder of this writing keep to the right along the wall. It is death to move in any other direction,” Sbe shrunk back and held her breath, She could not go back, and the only thing left was to move on as directed by the writing on the stone, P Taking courage, the girl went forward and saw leading along the floor of the wall on the right band, a pathway which seemed to her the way to safety. On, on she went, deeper and deeper into that mysterious old mine totally unknown to her, he no longer heard the nvises of the last battle for existence, ; y They had grown still, or else sbe had passed | beyond them, and she hoped for the best, live did not pause until she found herself at the end of the corridor. Her lamp had flickered and she was in total darkness. The terror of her situation seemed to freeze the blood in her veins, Crt As A long time Olive stood there, not daring t advance in the gloom, but feeling that it would be death to go on she was in the act of turning back when she heard a voice. Rk, She was not the sole person underground! Hugging the wall, Olive waited for a repe- tition of the sound and when the voice was again heard she almost fell to the ground, ; ‘This is the old place, for the writings on the walls tell me as much,” said the voice, **But one has to be careful here for he don’t know vhither he is going, nor in what direction gone out and these corridors lead, “* But, captain—” “ Hush, don't “captain” me an PN the : about and you have nothitg‘to do but to obey me in every particular.” ' ‘* Why don’t you strike a match?” ‘“‘ And hetray ourselves? No! The fight is going on for the ranch and we are the ones who will reap the golden harvest, 1 have known of this place for years, but this is the first opportu- nity I have’ had of testing the knowledge,’ ‘** But come what may, I won’t go oh another step with out a light.” ** Coward!” “That’s all right, Captain Don, I may bea coward, but I will not risk my head in the dark another minute,” Olive wondered what would kappen next, when all at once a light burst forth and she saw two men, One in particular was a perfect Apollo in yel- low, tal] and very handsome with a yellow sash about his waist. “That is not Captain Silver Belt,” thought Olive as she looked at this man. ‘He is a brigand all the same, and, of course, my enemy.” estood near her and she could see his dark eyes and arch smile as he gave commands to the man at his side, “Heavens! look yonder. A ghost!” suddenly roared the smaller man and with a wild cry he turoed and fled as if he had adozen demons yelp- ing ‘at his heels, ““ A ghost, you;coward!” cried the other, and he leaned toward Olive with \the blazing match in his hand, Suddenly he, too, fell back with but little color in his face and stood against the wall star- ing at the motionless figure of Olive Oram, who could hardly repress a smile for the abject ter- i seemed to have taken possession of his soul, ; “Tn heaven’s name whois it, anyhow?” gasped the yellow-sashed bandit, By this time Olive had seen more of bim, and all at once seeming to guess bis identity, went for- ward and held out her hands imploringly. “IT am Olive Oram, 1 have come too far down this corridor. You are Don Ignace.” The man laughed as the name fe’l upon ’his ears, ead *‘Tam Captain Don,” be said, ‘I have been hoping that fortune would throw you in my way to enable me to be of service to you, You are the young girl who replied to my letter.” Olive did not know what to say, “You rejected my suit. You would not listen to the love-making of Captain Don, but now you have fallen into his hands and—” Merle’s cousin recoiled witha cry and was —~ to throw a hand toward the folds of her ress, pe" § ‘*No harm is intended,” Don Ignace hastened to say. ‘‘ He will assist the Bou lady by every means in his power. e is her friend and now that the battle has gone against the ranch and the life of Mustang Merle is not worth a breath, he will shield her from the rancher’s enemies.” 4 It was a well-chosen speech, but it did not draw the srl to the Mexican. His words had driven a chill to her heart, The batite over and Captain Silver Belt triumphant? (is: . ‘Tell me the truth, Don Ignace,” she cried, “You have said that the bandits have gained the day, It cannot be!” ‘“Go up and see,” was the reply. No, you need not risk your life among the Black Feathers, It is all over and the banners of the bandits are crowned with victory.” Olive stood like a statue of fear in the light of the later matches, / Don Ignace came forward with the tread of a t, His face broke into smiles of pleasure as he put one foot hefore the other, all the time watching the girl like the serpent watches the bird it harms, Suddenly a determined expression crossed the young girl’s face. ; . (This man must not touch me,” she said. ‘“‘ He is as merciless and dangerous as Captain Silver Belt.” é ; On, on came the man with the golden sash, ‘* Stand where you are!” cried Olive and that moment there flashed before the grinning face of Don Ignace a dagger from which he recoiled without ceremony, ¢ What would you do, child?” he asked. ‘‘ You may be striking your best friend, This is the time when yor need peers if you drive the needle-pointed blade to Don Ignace’s heart, you “No; you are all alike. They call you the bandit of the Golden Sash and you never be- - am ’ friend woman,” \
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ie = = . . ms ate ~ rs : , : , v = ating? 54 von * G 4 af ‘ Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. Don Ignace crossed himself solemnly. ‘They sometimes lie even on the devil,” he said, ‘I am not as black as I’ve been painted.” ‘** But [dare not trust you.” Don Ignace turned and called to the man who had deserted him. The echo of his words was the only sound that reached his ears: but footfalls were soon heard, and the deserter came sneaking back, His face bad not yet regained its natural color, and he shook like a leaf. ?, ‘Take charge of the lady,” said Don Ignace, pointing at Olive. ‘“‘She won’t let me touch her The girl straightened and threw up the dag- ger. ‘*You adyance at your peril,” she said, un- dauntedly, The minion stopped and looked back at his master, - ** Forward!” cried Don Ignace, angrily. Once more the man took a step toward Olive, but the mevace of the bJade was too much for 1m, ** Fool and coward!” suddenly roared the Mex- ican, and leaping forward he caught the girl’s arm as it descended and held it in mid-air. Olive writhed and attempted to break from his grasp, but he held ber firm. ; ** You need a friend, and you must trust Don Ignace,” he said. ‘“ He hates every bone in Captain Silver Belt’s body.” nd Olive went down over the stones with his hand at her wrist, CHAPTER XVII. RED HAWK ROBS A ROBBER. CAPTAIN SILVER. BELT soon discovered that taking the ranch by assault was apt to prove a difficult job. He found that the faithful defenders of the lace were men who had promised to stand by ustang Merle through thick and thin, and that if he wanted to carry out his designs, he would bhaye a bard battle before him, Not content. with baviug charged down upon the buildings, be resolved to fire the long grass that grew in one of the pastures near the ranch- ' ; house, but in this he was spd gy nt fora well-directed volley drove off firers with some loss, and he fell back for consultation with his officers. This afforded Mustang Merle and his men a breathing ar during which the young rancher opened the door leading to the underground cor- ridors where he had left Olive, and ran down the main one, hy When he reached the spot where he expected to find his cousin, he found it untenanted, and for a moment he stood bewildered in the pas- sage. Suddenly he heard cy 3 behind him, and another person came toward him, Merle drew his revolver and waited. When the other one came up he was discov- ered to be Fred Fuller, who had followed the Boy Rancher to the place, in bopes of | gegen Olive from Captain Silver Belt and his min- ions, ‘*She is not here,” said Merle, waving bis hand at the nakedness of the subterranean cham- bys ‘¢ In Heaven’s name, what has become of her?” ‘We must search the place,” and the two started off with \a light, moving on and on until they reached the room where the young girl bad touched the putton in tke wall, disclosing the chamber whe%e she encountered Don Ignace and his companion, The mystery had grown too deep for even the young ranch king. ! At this juncture sounds of heavy fighting were heard in the cavern, and Merle went back. ' Teave me here,” said Fred, “I will not give up vet. Go back and, if you can, beat off the bandit of the border.’ I will find Olive if she is to be found at al).” Once more the youth went to work examining every part of the room, and subjecting the very walls to a close inspection. He was on the act of quitting the s the iron button which had attracted _ his eye, In a moment he was at the wall, and a sharp blow caused the concealed door mr onee. Ate Fred found himself in the new chamber, but all was dark. With a match in bis hand ae went on, looking in every direction, and at last stood on the erge of a pit, around which the narrow trail mm ‘1 ed to lead . walls seemed to convey to his of the aa oe raging elsewhere, t, when live met JA a tae Dy i. Fred stood against the wall and listened, won- dering at the singular effects of the sounds, He heard the reports of the Winchesters of the combatants, heard, too, the cheers of the ranchers as the bandits were momentarily driven off, and at last all grew still, - Had the battle ended? The young man moved from the wall and re- sumed his journey. Presently he thought he heard voices and stopped, **Some one is near me,” he said to himself. “fam not alone underground.” All at once there came into view a man who carried a torch in his band, Fred Fuller raised bis revolver and waited. But tbe man, whose face was dark, stopped, aud the youth did not fire, ‘It’s the queerest thing in the world if it is true,” he beard the man say in audible tones. ‘*The powder may not be good any longer, it seems to have been in place so long, but some one laid-a train in this old mine years and years ago, and long before Mustang Merle took session of the ranch. IL wonder if it would go off if one were to touch a match to it? Captain Dou and his young charge have escaped, and I have been commanded to apply the match.” These words thrilled Fred Fuller. As yet he had not been discovered by the speaker though he was standing close to him, but every moment was dangerous. He saw the man take a piece of paper from his pocket... Rolling it up, he threw it on the ground and wx with the torch. ‘*He is going to fire the old train he has dis- covered,” cried the youth, “If it ignites, all is lost and the mine may be blown up. The next moment Fred sprung forward and the man with the light was informed of his pres- ence by the command he issued, ‘* Hands up!” cried Fred, In an instant the man straightened with a sharp cry and the two stood face to face, The face of the stranger was white and red by turns. He stood like a statue before Olive’s friend, } Fred continued to advance and in a second ete in front of him with the pistol in his very ace, ‘* Who are you?” demanded the youth. **The man left behind,” was the answer, ac- sg by a smile, ‘* Why are you here?” ** Couldn’t you see?” ‘You were in the act of firing the train?” * Perha ‘* You were serving some one.” ‘+ My master.” ‘* Captain Silver Belt?” ** Don Ignace!” ; Fred started at the name,” This man was not Captain Silver Belt’s follower, but the slave of the man with the golden sash. ‘Show me the way out. by the way you came in,” said the young man, ‘That would be betraying Don Ignace,” ‘“No matter who is betrayed; you must show the way or you will remain here for all time.” Fred had the fellow at the mercy of his revol- ver and he was not disposed to be lenient, For balf a second the bandit stood undecided ; he was looking into Fred’s face as if to gauge his temper when, seeing as it were that he was not to be trifled with, he started forward with a growl, The two walked some distance, the bandit in the advance, when all at once a breath of air touched the youth’s cheeks, ‘“‘Here we are,” said Don’ Ignace’s man, ** Yonder is the ranch and you can see the trees between you and the sky.” This was true, as a glance told Fred, but he | did not look at them long, : <8 fell into the hands of Don Ignace?” he asked, | _A smile was the sole reply. ‘* You know whither she has been taken?” No.answer, — ‘* Though to a certain degree I owe my life to your master, 1 am under no obligations to his slave,” Fred went on, ‘‘I will take your life where you stand if you do not at once reveal the whereabouts of Olive Oram and her captor.” The bandit was inclined to smile at this, for he leaned forward and looked Fred in the face. But he saw no mercy there; only the cool eyes of the youth who, baving known Olive for years, — had become her lover. _ “The truth!” cried Fred, determinedly. “*T don’t know as I ought tokeepit bac. Don ieoece has never been the best of friends to me, } ia rae 2 I have followed him like a fool, I have been his slave, as you say, for there is something” attractive about him, and I could not help. serving him, though I never gave him any love. Thev are over yonder, but how far away I can-- not tell you.” The band of the bandit pointed toward some hills just visible under the stars, ** Is Don-Ignace mounted?” ** He is,” : The beart of Fred Fuller for a moment sunk within him. ‘*T can go back to the stables if they have not. fallen into the hands of Captain Silver Belt and get a horse.” “That would consume time; and, besides, Cap- tain Silver Belt may have captured the ranch.” “But one cannot think of overtaking Don Ig- nace without a horse.” The revolver dropped at Fred Fuller’s side and he turned away, “Your master is tv be followed to the end,” he said, with a parting look at the man, ‘ He is to be dogged until he gives up bis captive.” “You may find your hands full, young man.” Fred assured the bandit that he had counted all the dangers and was not daunted by them. In a moment they had separated, and he was cone toward the ranch, All was now strange- y still. If the battle was over, it was difficult to tell who had gained the day. : Fred reached a certain spot near the buildings: when a long figure sprung into view, and in a second he was covered by a rifle from which he recoiled with a cry. ** Come on, or drop where you are, with one of Doctor Bundy’s pills in your anatomy!” Fred bounded on with an exclamation of oy. #7, What, you?” shouted the old Yankee, drop- ping the rifle and catching the youth’s band. ** We are having a a, oe reathing-spell, but thar’s no tellin’ how long it will last. What’s apes Pired hurriedly told the story of Olive’s disap- pearance, when Old Joe broke in: “ The gal’s safe enough!” ‘“* Safe?” echoed the youth, ‘Olive safe?” ““She’s yonder at the house, Red Hawk Poanoed upon Don Ignace like a wolf, and he acl to give her up. It was the red’s way, you know, and when he came back from a little spy- ing trip and showed up with the yaller-sashed rascal, we all nearly looked our eyes out.”. **Good for Red Hawk!” cried Fred. ‘ But. how has the fight gone?” ‘ “It’s with us, so far, The foe have pulled off for repairs, and are over yonder somewhar get- ting‘ready for the next move,” “There will be more fighting?” ** More deviltry, I guess, 6 gave them sev- eral good volleys, and tumbled some from their saddles, but this is the last battle, and if Captain Silver Belt fails to-night, he fails forever.” Joe Bundy and Fred went toward the house, ~ and in a minute stood in the presence of Olive. . Near by, tied with cords, Don Ignace leaned against the wall, looking crestfallen and humili- ated, now and then glancing at Olive, but for the most part bestowing his glances upon the young Indian who bad baffled him, ‘‘ What are you going to do with him?” asked Fred, turning to Merle. | ; ‘The battle will determine his fate,” was the reply, and at that moment everybody sprung forward, for something had fallen against the door, and Mustang Merle, looking out, beheld the dead body of a bandit lying on the porch, Lights were carried out, and all looked down into the face of the dead man, while not a single — person spoke, CHAPTER XVIII. . _ THE BANDIT’S LAST SHOT. | . Tue fall of the bandit against the door of th ranch was a mystery that seemed to hold all spellbound in its presence, Mustang Merle discovered at last that in one of the clinched hands of the dead was a bit of — PePue ; he fingers were pried apart and the paper secured, “This man had turned against his chief,” ex- _ plained the young rancher, looking up. “He was followed to the house and killed bef could deliver what he held in bis hand.” Captain Silver Belt’s men were all true.” That is Dick Sa served anyone faithfully. I once dismissed him ae for cowardice, and would have ‘ Killed him i be ngh : iri Rey wi i, tn ore he — “A traitor?” echoed Joe Bundy. “I thought lvo, a man who never — had not disappeared.” : 1
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The speaker was Don Ignace who was look- ing down into the face of the dead, and all eyes were turned upon him. Meantime Mustang Merle, looking again at the paper, which the dead bandit had brought, whispered something to Red Hawk, and in a flush the young Apache vanished. Let us follow the Indian, He ran across the open space behind the house and sprung into a gully near the mine. He was qvite alone, and when he gained the middle of the gully, he peorped and listened. ‘** Did the paper lie?” Red Hawk asked himself “Ts it true that reinforcements are on the way , to _us?—that they will soon come through the gulch?” For some time Red Hawk stood where he was and then his trained ears caught the sound of horses, Bounding forward again he went deeper into the opening in the earth and did not stop until he reached the high ground above the gulch. There he stood, listening, with a e of satis- faction. Troops were coming over the high ground. He could hear the clank of sabers and the other noises that denote the approach of cavalry. Red Hawk waited till something dark loomed up in his front; then he ran oz and suddenly threw up his hand, } ot 4x94 cried a voice in tones of sharp com- mand. In an instant a hundred horses came to a halt and the clicking of carbine locks was heard. Red Hawk had found the soldiers! e brief consultation took place between the officer in command and the red-skin and then all went on toward the ranch, Red Hawk conducted the major through the lines and Merle met him on the porch, ** We know from the warning of the man who was followed to the aouse and killed, perhaps by * Captain Silver Belt himself, just where the Po, euemy is,” answered, Merle, ‘‘ You have brought ony enough ,to annihilate the bandits of the rder, but I ask permission to lead the charge,” ne The officer drew back ‘and looked at Merle, astonished, jee “‘T cannot grant that permission,” 2m “ Then, we reject your offers of assistance!” “cc But—” “ We reject them!” and the eyes of the young rancher seemed to emit sparks of fire, The officer looked at the boy and said some- jatte: thing no one heard. ii. ‘You may follow if you like, but you shall not have the honer of wiping out Captain Silver Belt on the ranch without my help,” firmly de- clared Merle, os Half a minute Jater the ranchers were moving aes out toward the spot where Captain Silver Belt -was supposed to be—grim determination en- throned on every face, But, the bandits were ready; and when the men of the ranch came down upon them with the fury of a whirlwind, they stood their ground and gave blow for blow. Presently the troops dashed in, when the out- laws turned and fled despite the efforts of Silver Belt to rally them. They were closely followed.. Some were sabered by the troopers, while others were rid- _ den down by Merle and his men, but some few escaped to tell the tale of dire disaster to the . shattered band, When the battle was over and the victors ils, it was discovered that ad escaped. ix aa, 2 all,” averred Merle, ‘ We will hear more. of him, and will have to fight him once more.” ‘* Unless we cage him without a battle,” re- marked Joe, \ ** Which is no easy matter. Silver Belt is as shrewd as a fox and knows just what he is do- ing.” % what has become of Don Igikace?” ae left him in the house, gu&rded by Olive and Fred. ‘But, at that moment Fred Fuller made his ap- pearance on the battle-field, and said that he had taken part in the fight, Olive had been left alone with the bandit, and this was enough to send Merle and Fred back to ; the house without delay. _ ‘ _ -, Olive met them on the porch with some startling information. : **T cut Don Ignace’s bonds and let him go,” confessed the young girl with a smile, “Cut his bonds, did you?” cried Joe Bundy, ae ete up at that moment ‘It should have _ been his throat!” resist “Bat, he begged so piteously that I could not. resist him,” auswered Olive, "Besides, he ask ed my forgiveness and promised never to cross my path again,” “Woman will have her way and you can’t stop her,” concluded the Yankee scout. ‘I guess the last of the Bundys will never take unto himself a wife, for he wouldn’t be able to manage her if he did; thar!” Olive laugbed and shook her finger at the heroic old fellow, Three weeks after the fight in front of the ranch a horseman rode slowly through a valley not far off. He was handsome, and sat his steed like a true rider. No second look was required to decide that he was the renowned Captain Silver Belt and the manner in which he looked at everything told that he was on the alert, But, unseen, among the shadows of the trees lurked a dark-skinned youth and his inseparable companion, Silver Belt rode nearly across the valley be- fore he saw anything startling; then he was sur- prised by a man who sprung into his pathway and covered him with a Winchester. “The infernal Yankee!” growled he, looking at the man, whoin truth was none other than old Joe Bundy. “* Old Joe an’ pard,” announced that worthy as a figure arose at his side and Red Hawk stood in the trail, ‘‘ We will just take a closer look at you, captain—” ** You will, eh?’ and the hunted bandit sud- denly fell forward on his steed’s neck and the animal wheeled and started off, But the rifle of the old scout leaped to his shoulder; a loud report broke the stillness; the bandit’s horse came to a stand, and the figure of >. Silver Belt swayed in the saddle, e did not fall to the ground, but, spurring the horse viciously it leaped onward again. Red Hawk had sprung upon his own steed, concealed in the copse and was now tearing after the bandit. Silver Belt saw him coming, and with the des- perateness of a wounded man brought to bay he gripped his six-shooter, : It was to be the settlement of an old score, for the red ally of Mesquite had given the brigand a deal of trouble, ; As the Apache boy chief came on, Silver Belt covered the gs red-skin and fired. Red’ Hawk toppled, but uot from his horse, for in a moment he was righted again and came down on the charge, ; Again the bandit’s pistol spoke, but with a curse he threw the weapon from him, Twice he had missed the daring Apache youth. Joe Bundy saw Red Hawk swoop upon the bandit like an eagle; he saw the hand of the oung Indian seize the wounded captain and old him fast. There wasa brief struggle, and when old Joe came up the raider of the plains was a captive, Back over the road to Mesquite went Captain Silver Belt and his captors. Merle resolved to hand his old enemy over to the United States authorities for trial as he had broken the laws; so Silver Belt was escorted to the nearest fort, where, in a short time, he was tried and publicly executed for the blackest crime on the calendar, Mustang Merle’s fight for life had ended in victory and with Captain Silver Belt out of the way, and Don Ignace frightened out of the country, he could look forward to pleasant times on the old ranch. In course of time his pretty cousin Olive be- came Fred Fuller’s bride, and Old Joe and Red Hawk received more than the thanks of the Boy Rancher for their great services, Chipita, the Outcast Border Queen, was hunt- ed no longer by the Black Feathers, for that organization ceased to exist after the battle at the ranch, and she came to live on the estate, where she is to-day. Now and then the brand of the Crossed Daggers is to be seen on the frontier, but the band of Captain Silver Belt is no longer a terror to the prosperous ranches and the wary cow- boys, AY wed Jack Jordan never turned up after the fight attheranch, —__ iisnee Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life. BEE g g = Publishers, $8 William street, New York. a f Beatle's Dime Library. BY wm. G. PATTEN. 663 The Giant Sport; or, Sold to Satan. 56 Old Piug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. 648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit, A 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad, we 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp, : 602 Captain Nameless the Mountain Mystery, 571 Old Dismal, the Lar Detective. 545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport, BY JACKSON KNOX—‘' Old Hawk.” 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. tal 616 Magnus, the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. a 595 Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram, the Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. 561 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective. 536 Old Falcon’s Foe; or, The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Maje, the Diamond Field Detective. 509 Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective, 501 ial eae Steve, the Retired Detective, 494 The Detective’s Spy 485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective. 477 Dead-arm Brandt, 467 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Circus Detective. a 451 Griplock, the Rocket Detective. \ 444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand, ; ‘a Hawk Heron’s per 886 Hawk Heron, the Falcon Detective. \ BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES. 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hunter. 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective. 642 Red Pard and Yellow. 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. i 592 Captain sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 Old Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery. ha 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp. ; rat 550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret. ; 543 The Magnate Detective. 532 Jack Javert, the Independent Detective. 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective. — 512 os Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. ' 96 Richard Redfire, the Two Worlds’ Detective, 487 Sunsbine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block. \ 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret, 4 418 Coldgrip in Deadwood. 4 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective. ) 453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail. 447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy, 441 The California Sharp. 434 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective. 421 Vather Ferret, the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York, f AM or 407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or, Injun Nick. wy 400 Captain Coldgrip; or, The New York Spotter. » ).-< e 892 The Lost Bonanza; or, The Boot of Silent Hound. esis 382 The Bonanza Band; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan, 374 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities. vet 865 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. 852 The Desperate Dozen. . 847 Denver Duke, the Man with ‘“ Sand.” Rey 340 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. a 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar. je 821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. ‘ 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver 40 Ni hateres 278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand, = BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers. = 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 3 634 Old Handcart’s Big Dump. << Ol 622 The Sports Man With the Cougar, eget Edge Gang. Sports; or, The Combination. — of. the Left Hand. a rt a2 A new issue every Wednesday. 3 Bendle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mai! om receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, —
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BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detlance; or, Vouble Daggers. ae Dead wood ed _ Pyeaulees, or, Buffasy Ben > Dendwoo ck in « Oaatle. 42 Deadwood Dick’sa Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 4Y Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oli. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 7B Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 2 we, the Heroine a0 Bead weed OEt . poe or, Corduroy Charlie. aiwoo cK im endy ce Les meas ay ee mf Pr or, The Double Cross Sign. eadwvo ck aos Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’a Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. $8 Deadwood Dick’sa Home Base; or, Blonds Bill. Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. & Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. 5 peatweed eee poow Rp ea Se Adventure. end weor ck’s Dead Deal. Dendwood Dick’s Death-Piant. Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tosghs, srong weed a pee pevees oe Spirit of Swamp Lake. . adwo ek’s Death Trail. Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Briek of Oregon. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen} or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Deadwood Dick's Duecnta; or, Days in the Diggings. Dead weed pice Dentanead 5 or, The Terrible Vendetta, ead woo ck’a Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick In Dead City Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. — Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case.” Deadwood Dick’s Dusty; or, The Chained Hand. ponawecd pike art rte Crimson Creacent Sign, end wood © r.’# Definnece. Dendwood Dick, Jr2a Full: Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Diek Jr.a Racket at Claim 10, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Dog Detective. Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Compact. S00 Desaweea Disk, Ove Diggises Deadwood Dick, dra De om Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Three. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Death Mumte , ck, ° en un 589 Deadwood Dick, sre, tm Texas. Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq liek, Jr., on Mia Mettle. Dick, Jr., In Gotham, Dick, Jr., In Boston, Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Dick. Jr.. Afloat. Dick. wr.+ In Denver, Dick, Jr.a, Decree. Dick Jr. tn Beelzebub’s Basin, Dick Jr., at Coney Island. Dick, Jr.’ Leadville Lay. Dick, Jr., In Detroit. Dick. Jr. in Cincinantti. Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dick, Jr., in No Man’a Land, Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Dick. dr.. In Buffalo. Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent Dick, Jr.. Among the Smugglers. Dick, Jr.’ lnaurance Case. 544 Dendwood 549 Deadwooa S54 Deadwood Deadwooa Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwooe Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dead wood S Deadwood 54 Deadwood Dend wood Deud wood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood % Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 2 Deadwood 8 Deadwood 4 Deadwood 0 Deadwood Dend wood Deadwood 8% Deadwood 4 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Resurrection. Deadwood DI Jrs Dark Daya. Deadwood Dick Jr., Defied. Pendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Device. Deadwood Dick, Jr’.a, Desperate Venture. | Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Dinmond Dice. Deadwood Dick Jr.’«, Reyal Flush. Deadwood Dick, Jr. HWend-off, Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Rival. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Boom, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Scoop. Deadwood Dick, Jy¥.’s, Proxy. Pendwood Dick, Jr’a, Clutch. DPendwood Dick, Jr.’«, High Morse. Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devil’a Gulch. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Death-Hole Hustle, Deadwood Dick, Jr,.’s Bombshell. Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Mexico. Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. Deadwood Dick, Jr. tn Silver Pocket. Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Deand-Sure Game. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Double Drive. Dendwood Dick, Jr’a, Trade-Mark, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Double-Decker. Penatwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flata, Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Shake-wp. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Double Drops Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Right Bower. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Ten-Sirtke. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Gold-Dust. Deadwood Dick Jr.'s, Oath, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*#, Death-Doom. Deud wood Dick, Jr.’a, Beat Card, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Dust. 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded. 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Dutch Pard. 1018 Deadwood Dica, Jr.’s, Big Four. BY ROBERT R. INMAN, 1086 Dandy Dick’« Double. 1024 Bandy Bick, Detective, BY MARCUS H. WARING. Three 8 era, Dick, Jr. Back in the Mines, Dick, Jdr., tn Durango or, “ Gathered In.” Bhexs i piscqvers’s or, Found a Fortune, ek, dr.’a. Daszgie. Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. prek an 0} Danger Divide, | ck, Jr.’s, Drop. Diek, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dick Jr., in Ban Francisco, Diek, Jr’« till Munt. Dick, Jr.’ Dominoes. Dick, Jr.’a Disguise. Dick. Jr.’4, Double Deal, Dick Jr.’s, Deathwatch. Dick Jr.’s, loublet. Diek Jr.'s, Deathblow. Diek, Jr.’s Desperate Strait, Lone Hand. Detecat. 4906 Rt t Rpott ’ Weird it. ree ere josh The Spotters’ Dead Myete Three ystery. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nu 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idy!, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob's Rea e3 or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee's Surround 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonansa. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 868 Yreku Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lite Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. ; B85 Yreka Jim's Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. 248 Sierra Sam Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam's Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 684 Kangarvo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. $89 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. B89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels. 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 45 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 61 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 6 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 1 Tark the Boy Ferret. & Kelley, Hickey & Wo., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 48 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Benk and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 68 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s-Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Bockskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo Rill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs. B80 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 858 Firat-Clasa Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. BRE Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance, 4x6 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten. 918 Kit Kelth, t « Revenue Spotter. 922 Sol Sharpe, the New_York Night-Hawk. 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunce Men. 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. BY J. C. COWDRICK. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 5614 Broadway Billy’a Beodle; or, Clearing aStrange Case, 586 Broadway Billy’a ‘Dimkilty.” Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. roadway Billy’a Surprise Party. Broadway Billy; or, The ®-~ Detective’s Big Innine. Broadway Billy’s Dea_ __ets or, The League of Seven, Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. Broadway Billy’« Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. Broadway Billy tin Clover. Rroadway Billy in Texans; or, The River Rustlers, Broadway Billy’s Brand. Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, Broadway RBilly’« Full Hands or, The Gamin Detective, Broadway Billy’s Business. Broadway RBilly’s Curlous Case. Broadway Billy in Denver. Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detective. Brondway Billy, the Retriever Detective. Broadway Billy’« Shadow Chase. Broadway RBilly’« Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. Broadway Billy’« Team; or, The Combine’a Big Pull. Broadway BIlly’« Brigade; or, The Dead Alive, Broadway Hilly’« Queer Bequest. Broadway Billy Bafled. Broadway Billy’s Signal Scoop. Broadway Rilly’s Wipe Out. Broadway Billy’«s Bank Racket. Broadway Billy’s Bluff. Brondway Kiily Among Jeracy Thugs. Broadway Billy’« Rald. Broadway Billy’« Big Boom, Broadway Billy’« Big Bulge. Broadway Billy’« 100,000 Snap, Broadway Billy’s« Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Broadway Billy in London. Broadway Billy Shadows London Sluma. Broadway Billy’s French Game. broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead. The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Withouts Name, OCibuta Jonny}; or, Ra Hot Times at Ante Bar. Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. Disco Dan. the Daisy Dude Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve Mart, the Night Express Detective. Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Donble Case The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. Rareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle. 7 Tynewriter Tilly the Merchant’s Ward. Moonlight Morgan the “ Pizenest ’ Man of Ante Bar. Ned, the Knight. —— < exene S87 Battery Boh. the Dock Detective. 894 Arizona Dick’sa Wipe-Out. 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee. 906 Satety Sam, the Cyele Sport. 912 Train Boy Trist’s Hot IMustle, 918 The Trump Dock-Boy,. 924 Big Boot« Bob, the Fire-Laddle. 980 Rustler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newsboy Detective’s Chum. 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlie’s Double. 947 The Bowery Wrestler; or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer, 958 Paddy’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport. 960 The Broadway Sport: or, Fiver Fred’s Clear Unse. 987 #1000 Reward; or, The Rival Reposters’ Sleek Scoop. Rantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. Plucky Pat, the Street-Rey Detective. Bicycle Bob’s Hot Scorch, 997 Scorcher Sam, the Detective on Wheels 1004 Scorcher Ram’a Sweep-Stake a. 1009 ‘Kune Girl Cyeclia’s Winning Hand. BY ARIZONA CY. 1042 Vou Ret Roh fram Cross Crick, 1088 You Bet Beob’s Clreus, all Newsdealers.. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1052 Ruffalo Billin Misguise. 1046 Goid Plume, the Boy Bandit,; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, 1042 Little Grit, the Pony Exprers Rider. 1040 Kuffalo bill’s Pony Patrol. 1018 Buffalo BUD« Texas Team, 1007 Laffalo Bill’« Sure-Shota. 1000 Buffalo ills Deeoy Boys. 995 Buffalo BILl’s Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid. 988 Buffalo BUl’s Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bills Fighting Five. 975 Bulfalo Bill's Hifle Shots. 968 Buffalo Bil’s Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer. 964 Baffalo Bill's Decoy; or, The Arizona Crack Shot, 958 Buffalo Bill’a Mazeppa-Chase. 948 Buffalo Bill's Snap-Sbot ; 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 Bills Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo Bill’s Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216. Bisen BIL, the Prince of the Retna, 222 Bison BUll’s Clue: or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 6% Border Robin Hoody; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy 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. 58. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet: or, The Gambler Guide. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1087 The Artist Detective. 1084 The Gold Witch’s Shadower. 1081 The Texan Huatlers in Cuba, 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Cuba 1025 The Flying \ ankee or, The Ocean Outcast. 1028 The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. 1016 The Boy Bugler tn Cuba. ; 982 New York Nat's te or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game 926 New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. New York Nat Trapped. New York Nat's ‘ihree of a Kind. New York Nat’s Double. New York Nat’s in Colorado. New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat’« Deadly Deal. New York Nat's Crook-Chase, New York Nat’« Trump Card. New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, Nat’« Masked Mascot, k Nat. the Gamin Detective. Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. Dick Doow’« Ten Strike. Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. , Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destinys , Dick Doon’ Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 784 Dick Doom; or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York. 788 Dick Doom tn Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom tn Chicsgo. 298 Dick Doom In the Wild Weat. P 808 Dick Doom’a ¢ lean Sweep; or, Five Linksin a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’« Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big Maul. “ Dashing Charlsez or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trati, Dashing Churlic’s« Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’« Pawnee Pard. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. 497 Ruck Taylor, King oi the Cowboys. 787 Ruck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive, 748 Buck Taylor’* Boys; «1, The Ted Riders of the Rio Grande, Ana Pirty Others. BY LIEUT. A. K, SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph} or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 5646 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Joah’s Ten Strike. 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sport: or, Josh Peppermint » Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With o Shadow ; 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidocg} or, Hot Timesat Round-Upi 611 Bi Le Barnacle, the Detective Herevles. 646 Cowboy Gidy the Cattle-Range Detective, 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Selly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. . 689 Rilly, the Gypay Spy:_or, 1 he Mystery of Two Lives. 699 Bimple Sim, the Fronahe Bueter: or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 745 Kansans Jim the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 77% The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 725 Lone Hand Joe the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, 882 The Doctor Dete ctive In Texan. 872 Two Showmen Petectives In Colorado. ORT The Texan Firebrand: or, Brazos Billy’s Snap.Shot, 9 961 The Tramp’s Tramp-Trick. } NEW ISSUES. 1064 Pandy Dick Recoyed. By Robert R. Inman. 1065, Sure Shot & the Boy leman. By Oll Coomes. 1066 Co boy © , the Des ri Centaur, By W. W. Wilder. 1067 You Bet Job's Jangiec. By Arizona ¢ ve 1068 The Cruf€e of the Sen Wo'tf. By Col, Ingraham. 1069 On Land and Rea. By Bracebiidge Hemyng 4 . 1070 Nat Today or, The Fate of tue Sionx Captive. By Ellis. 1071 Dandy Dick’s Decoy, By Robt. R, Inman. 1072 Keen Knitée, Prince of tho Prairies. By Oll Coomes. JUST ISSUED. ObS Red Raven’s Redskin Ruse. By Col, P. Ingraham 1ORe Cowboy Chris in Cinnabar, By Wm, W. Wilder, 1052 Gold Rific, the Sharpshooter. By Ed, L, Wheeler. 10588 Roderick, the Rover. By(T. J. Flanagan 1059 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texns Jack. 1060 Marlo, the Renegade. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 1061 Milver Star, the Boy Knight. By 01] Coomes 1062 Ths Left-Hand Athlete. Py Bracebridge Hemyng. 1068 Wild Bill’s Weird Foe. By Wm.G Patten. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The A is for sale by all newsdealers, five eonia nity tenon ea ik ol o1 six cents each. 2 “BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New York.