Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1113) (1901 05)
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Copyricut, 1879, By Brapte & ADAMS. No, “Rollo, the Boy Ranger The Heiress of the Golden Horn. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ VAGABOND JOE,” ‘THE DUMB SPY,” “‘ ANTELOPE ABE,” ‘‘ KEEN-KNIFE,” ETO., ETC., ETO. CHAPTER IL ROLLO, THE RANGER. OveER the great plain at a breakneck speed, and down toward the little settlement of Clon- tarf’s Post, rode a youthful horseman whose fair young face was aglow with health, and whose dark, bright eyes roamed restlessly over the green expanse before him. { | 13 @, +) Published Every ) a Month. TT Tt lon Tl Tl al ENTERED AS SECoND CLAss MATTER aT THE New York, N. Y., Post Orrice. WH. oJ. EVES & CO. Publishers, (JAMES SULLIVAN, Prorrivtor), 379 Pearl Street, New York. From beneath a small plumed cap of scarlet velvet, masses of dark-brown hair floated on the wind. He was a mere youth in appearance—of seventeen perhaps, and though he was light of form and lithe of limb, his physical and mus- cular development was that of perfect man- hood, He wore a tunic of dark-blue cloth, ornament- ed with bright yellow trimmings, and confined at the slender waist with a handsome belt with silver fastenings. Buck-skin leggings and buck- skin moccasins were upon his tapering limbs and shapely feet. . The boyish face wore a lovely, yet fearless expression. His hands were as small, smooth and shapely as a maiden’s, yet, like his face, they had become colored toa dusky brown by exposure to the hot sun and wind of the prai- rie. In addition to the handsome rifle which he = z ad alalalalalalalallyZ x WPSITINN May, 1901. Nol HU. PRICE 5 CENTS. 50c. a Year. carried slung: over his shoulder by means of @ | strap, and the handsome silver-mounted revolv- ers he wore in his belt, he carried a light saber in a polished scabbard at his side, He was mounted upon a dark, mettlesome ce bag cross of the Mexican and mustang reed. A fine Mexican saddle and a bridle made of braided horse-hair, caparisoned the animal, On one side of the pommel of the sad- die hung a coiled silver horn; on tho other side a double-lensed spy-glass. With the latter the young ranger ever and anon swept the great plain before him as though he were not satis- fied with the sight of his own bright, flashing eyes. Rollo; the Boy Ranger, for as such he was known, pushed rapidly on, and soon he hag gained a bold eminence upon the plain, Here, amid the tall, hwxurious grass that crowned its crest, he drew rein and gazed away toward the
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% beadies Aaifvime aibrary. west, where a grand sight was spread out before m, . / The little Sioux river divided the landscape, and with its almost illimitable forest upon the west, and its undulating ocean verdure upon the east, it seemed but a silver thread winding through a field of green cloth. And down in the valley, upon the east side of the river, nestled a dozen or more log-cabins, a block-house, all surrounded by astrong stockade that had with- stood more than one sicge of the savage denizens of the forest and plain, Outside of this settlement, which was krown as Clontart’s Post, were a number of small ficlds of growing wheat and corn; while beyond the fields a herd of cattle in the care of two boys was grazing upon the prairje. Everything, in fact, surrounding the post wore an air of the thrift, industry and enterprise of its settlers. Upon Clontar{’s Post, Rollo the ranger fixed his gaze, as though something of uncommon in- terest depended upon the sight. With the exception of afew children at play in front of the cabin-doors, the young ranger could see no life in the settlement. To obtain a better view of the place, he took his spy-glass and brought it to bear upon the settlement, A smile of satisfaction overspread his fair young face as he did so. Within one of the largest cabins whose door stood open, he saw a number of persons collected. “They are all there,” he said, aloud, ‘‘ The trial is still in session, and I fear it will go hard with poor Dick Sherwood. The settlers are very strict, and if they pee the facts under which Dick was captured, he is bound to hang. Ah! I am not a minute too soon!” The last remarks were occasioned by seeing a number of men issue from the cabin into the ard, A great excitement seemed to prevail in heir midst. Bringing his glass to his eyes, the young ranger soon learned the cause of the settlers’ commotion. In their midst stood a man with hands-bound behind his ‘Lack, and a rope around his neck; and upon him all faces were turned, scowling dark with vengeance and hate. After a few moments’ delay in front of the cabin, the ranger saw the men move away to- ward the gate of the stockade, leading the bound man like a haltered beast in their midst. The brow of the young ranger darkened. “Yes,” he fairly groaned. ‘“‘ Dick is doom- ed to die. They are leading him into the for- est. They intend to hang him—hang him! A rope is already around his neck. There is no mercy in their hearts. Border justice knows no mercy.” As he spoke, he kept the: spy-glass leveled. up- on the party of settlers, who, filing out of the stockade, moved down to the river-bank. Here they embarked in a number of canoes for the opposite shore, and not until they had landed and plunged into the leafy depths of the forest did the ranger lower his glass. The pupils of his dark eyes were expanded with long gazing. His brow knitted, and ashade of sadness and regret passed over his face. He spoke to his animal and it bounded away. Just then there was a quick rustling in the tall grass before him, and a powerful Indian war- rior—a giant jin stature—leaped forward, and seizing the reins, jerked the pony back almost upon its haunches, . Quick of movement, and ps emule conscious of the danger that threatened his young rider, the pony regained its footing, and rearing up- ward upon its hind feet until Rollo nearly fell from the saddle, the sagacious beast struck the savage upon the head with both of his iron- shod bdte with such force that the giant was brought to the earth, his tufted skull completely crushed. This sudden uprising, and equally sudden downfall, of the red assailant, occurred so quick that it was all over before the young ranger could really define the true condition of affairs. But he soon found that the dead warrior was not alone. Two others, one on each side of him, both equally as demon-like in appearance as the dead giant, arose from the tall grass and hounded toward him, i .. The hand of the sige, dropped to his saber. There was a lightning-like of the polished blade as it leaped from the scabbard into the sunlight. Then there’ was a flash upon the right, and a flash upon the left, and the bold ranger dashed away. But, there was blood ue on saber, for both strokes had ne ah the fearful work, and three savage warriors lay dead upon the plain! ‘ The young ranger dashed on over the plain @s calmly as though nothing had happened. See es ee eee eee a Finally, however, he drew rein again, and swept the prairie with his glass. But not a liv- ing object was visible anywhere upon the face of the great, green expanse. Even the settlement was hidden from his view by an intervening wave of the prairie sea, and he seerfed alone upon the trackless waste. How- ever, he took the coiled horn from the pommel of the saddle and blew a blast upon it so shrill pod harsh that it caused his animal to shake his lead, The young man bent his head in the attitude of listening when he removed the horn from his lips, and faintly to his ears came the sound re- sem bling the far-off echo of his own horn, } A smile passed over his face. ** Ah! they have heard it, and have replied. Now my good Dart ”—patting his pony’s neck —‘‘we have a hard ride betore us—ah, there they go!” He raised his head as he spoke, and from be- hind the crest of a hill nearly a mile away, he saw a dozen or more mounted Sioux Indians emerge, riding at a wild, reckless speed down toward Clontarf’s Post. They were hideous with war-paint, and decked and plumed in all the paraphernalia of savage warfare. It was plain to be seen that their mission was one of death and destruction. And it was still plainer that they had marked Clontarf’s Post as their point of beginning. . Evidently they had seen the men leaving the post, and had determined to take advantage of their absence and destroy their stronghold and slay their women and children. ollo, the ranger, put spur and dashed away, keeping to the right of the Indians and watch- ing them all the while with a curious expression upon his face. By a circuitous route he reached the river about a mile above the post. The banks of the stream were low and unob- structed, and scarcely checking his speed, the ranger spurred his foam-flecked animal into the river and swarh it across to the opposite side, and then dashed away in the deep shadows of the great, green woods, CHAPTER. If. THE ‘‘HALTER” OF JUSTICE. CLONTARP’s Post had first been settled by Li- onel Clontarf, a gentleman of Irish descent. It was among the first settlements of the then ter- ritory of Iowa, and, although in the midst of privations, and harassed by the red-man, it grew and prospered as but few under similar circumstances would have done. Family after family, with brave hearts and willing hands, were added to the settlement, until it numbered some fifty souls. Stock-raising and agriculture were the chief objects of the settlers, though in course of time a store and Indian trading-post were opened. At this point, all the surrounding settlements— which in fact were few—obtained their supplies, and many dollars’ worth of furs and peltries were brought here and exchanged by oe In- dians for flour, powder, and ammunition of all kinds, and such trinkets as pleased their sava fancy or wants. The settlers did all within their power to keep up a friendly intercourse between themselves and the Indians. This they would have had no trouble in doing, but for the, influenoe of unprincipled white men, who, driv- en from the society of their own race, sought shelter within the red-man’s lodges, or the mountain fastnesses, where they organized them- selves into bands to rob and murder the unof- fending settler or emigrant, Through the instrumentality of these white outlaws, the Indians were kept in an almost constant state of*hostilities, and it behooved the whites ever to be upon their guard, and use ev- ery exertion toward ridding the country of all those prime roots of Lorder troubles—the white robber, and the white renegade. Among the latter class of outlaws, who had become notorious for his deep cunning and wickedness, was one Dick Sherwood, whose crimes were multitudinous.. And for some cause or other, Clontarf’s Post was the central point around which this moth of Satan seemed to flutter most of all. It seemed that he che- rished a natural antipathy toward the a or some of its people, and tried in vain, by every means that his cunning brain could concoct, to destroy it. t Finally he had the audacious boldness to dis- guise himself in the paint and garb of an In- an, and come to the post on a pretended mis- sion of He was kindly received by the ace, men at the post, who had sup him a genu- ine Indian sent by his people to make ene terms of peace, as a deadly hostility had existed between them for the past six months, ——— A council was called, and a treaty of peace at once entered into, by and between the settlers and the great chief, Rolling Thunder, as he called himself, After the treaty was concluded, the chief re- mained at the post a day or two; and, but for his attempting to carry away Miss Clara Bry- ant, one of the fairest jewels of the post, on taking his leave of the settlement, his disguise would never have been penetrated. However, he was caught at his little game of abduction and taken prisoner. By a vigorous application of water by means of numerous duckings in the river, his feathers were caused to droop and his mask of paint to wash away; and the great messenger of geome mighty Rolling Thun- der, was found to be the nc+orious renegade, Dick Sherwood. The vengeance of the settle:s was at once aroused. The villain was locked up in the block-house, the remainder of the night upon which he was captured, and the next day he was led forth for trial. According to their notion of border justice the settlers of Clontarf’s Post found Sherwoo ‘guilty of crime punishable by death, and so he was condemned to be hanged in the forest on the morrow, The morrow came. which our story opens. The prisoner was led forth from his prison, in the midst of a group of men. Iti was this group that young Rollo, the ranger, saw from the crest of the prairie wave, Dick Sherwood was a young man of not more than five and twenty. Of figure he was of medium hight, and was a perfect model of the physical man. His head was of the intellectual mold, and but for the evil light in his black eyes he would have been a handsome man. As his captors led him from the stockede like a haltered ox, his face wore ‘no downcast look, and his step was firm and elastic. Even in his helpless condition, and in face of the dcath to which he was being hurried, he was recklessly cheerful, and made many remarks touching his situation, that produced laughter among the set- tlers, and even made a curious impression upon some of their hearts, The execution was to take place in the woods across the river, and two of the settlers had beem sent on some time in advance to select a trea for the purpose, and dig a grave. When the party crossed the river with the prisoner, they were met by the two men and conducted to the place of execution, which was beneath the branching boughs of a great oak. A large limb growing out at right-angles with the body of the tree bad been trinimed of its shrubkery, and near the foot of the tree @ grave was dug. A& the y risoner gazed upon these preparations for his exccution, he smiled grimly, defiantly. ‘“Why go to this trouble, gentlemen?” he asked, pointing toward the grave.. ‘‘ Why not let my body hang for the hungry wolf, the car- rion-crow and the vulture to feed upon? Know you.not that the spirit will not complain of your treatment of the body? The wolf and the vulture will not devour my bones, and so lon as the grim skeleton exists, so long wil'*t espiri remain about it.” ‘** You are disposed to jest, Dick Sherwood,” said Lionel Clontarf, a stern, stony-hearted man; ‘you should think of the great Hereafter. and then perbaps your heart will move the spi f differently.” “Yes,” added Geoffry Bryant, “‘ think of the lives you have destroyed, and the homes you have made sad and desolate, and then, if you have a conscience, you will feel a pang of re- morse, Your heart will shrink from the terri- ble punishment awaiting you,” __ ‘“‘T am really conscious of all this, gentlemen,” replied Sherwood, tauntingly, ‘‘ but my great- est regrets are that I did not succeed in escaping with Miss Bryant, for then it would have been heaven instead of—” * Hang the villain! hang the wretch!” burst from the lips of some of the crowd. “Dick Snonwood.* said old Captain Storms, the leader of the party, ‘if you have any thing of reason to say, say it at once; if not—’ ‘‘ Certainly,” interrupted Sherwood; “‘I was going to suggest that some improvements be made upon that grave for my ease and comfort; but I will not A it long, Mp7 your length, entlemen. Should I ever ress you again t will he under different—quite different aus- ices. ® The settlers grew indignant at these taunt- ing, defiant remarks, and at once proceeded to the execution. Four men drew the cleared limb as low az It.was the day upon ——~ ) et
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— Rollo, the Boy Ranger. ible and held it down. To this Captain torms tied the rope which already‘encircled the renegade’s neck, Lionel Clontarf bound a handkerchief over the prisoner’s eyes, and then, at a signal from Captain Storms, the four men relinquished their hold upon the limb which arose to its natural sition, and then Dick Sherwood hung between reaven and earth | The wretched man struggled desperately, but his efforts momentarily grew feebler. ‘The set- tlers stood in speechless silence and gazed upon | the hanging form until it had ceased to move. act life was extinct. Finally his fingers upon the renegade’s pulse, and said in a low tone: ** He’s dead, boys, dead, dead; and may God have mercy upon his soul.” As he uttered the last word a startled excla- mation burst from the lips of the crowd. A horseman had burst suddenly from the for- est into their midst. It was Rollo, the ranger! His horse was white with foam, and his own face streaked with per- | spiration and flushed with excitement. “Away, men, away!” the youth shouted, wildly, ‘awa for your homes, your wives and your children! The Indians are upon the post!” “My God!” burst from the lips of Lionel Clontarf; ‘‘come, men, follow me! I can al- ready hear the yells of the demons and the clash of arms!” “But the body of Sherwood,” cried one, ** what will be—” “Let it hang! Away!” responded old Captain Storms. Fear seemed to lend the settlers invisible wings as they ran through the woods toward the post, the be ranger following close at their heels upon his almost exhausted animal. Had the settlers, however, on turning their backs upon the hanging renegade, given the young ranger a second glance, they would have seen something that would have aroused some curiosity if not suspicions, in their minds, Wild with excitement and fear, however, they ran on, the safety of their families being upper- most in their minds. When the river was reached, the settlers hastily embarked for the opposite shore in their canoes; the ranger swimming his animal be- hind. When they came in sight of the post the men saw that the place was being bravely de- fended by the few men that had remained be- hind The enemy were mounted, and in number did not exceed a dozen, They had divided their force, and the large party were directing their Captain Storms advanced and placed | | The following morning, however, a number of Indians were seen in the edge of the timber | along the river on the opposite shore. This | prevented the settlers from crossing over to in- ter the body of Dick Sherwood, the renegade, as they had intended to do. On the second day, vultures were seen hover- ing over the forest, and it was then that every Christian energy of the settlers was aroused, and they at once crossed the river and proceeded to the scene of execution. But to their horror and disgust, they found | only a human skeleton bleaching in the sun, where they had last seen the body of the rene- gade hanging. The gaunt wolf and the carrion-crow had been there. And as the white, ghastly skeleton sway- ed to and fro in the breeze—seeming still posses- sed of life—the settlers shuddered, for it brought up quite forcibly in their minds the words of the renegade, ‘‘ As long as my bones exist the spirit will remain about them.’ Was it possible that these words were pro- phetic? The remains were taken down and buried and then the party returned home, feeling that they were at last free from the persecutions of the renegade, Dick Sherwood, CHAPTER III. A PROPOSED MEETING, THREE months after the execution of the rene- le passed by, and the settlers of Clontarf’s | Post in that time had experienced a, season of | peace and quietude seldom enjoyed by a border | settlement. The Indians had made no hostile | demonstration, though many feared that their | quietude foretold a coming storm, and many thought the death of Dick Sherwood’ ac- counted for their peacefulness. Be that as it may, the settlers never allowed one point ad- missible of attack from the enemy to remain unguarded for a single hour; for, knowing their cunning and treacherous nature, and since no regular treaty had been entered into, they thought it more than likely that the Indians were watching for a chance to strike at the post when its people were off their guard. In the midst of their peace and prosperity, | the settlers were not forgetful from whence } came all those blessings they were being per- | mitted to enjoy, and once or twice a week they would meet at one of the neighbors’ houses and offer up thanks to their Heavenly Father for his acing and bountiful gifts. Hach and ever Sabbath, divine services were held at the resi- dence of the Reverend Paul Earnshaw, a min- | attack upon the eastern gate of the stockade. “ ister of much ability, and dearly beloved by all Seeing the inferiority in number of the enemy, the settlers gave a yell as they approached, and the next moment the savages were flying over the plain at a breakneck speed, leaving one of their number behind, dead. The bloodless termination—on the part of the settlers—of what promised a bloody affray, re- sulted in Rollo, the Boy Ranger, being lionized as the real hero of the victory. He was fairly dragged from his pon and forced to accept the warm, heartfelt thanks and blessings bestowed upon him, for his timely warning them of dan- . ( The young ranger seemed ill at ease within the e, and contrary to the wishes of the set- tlers, he soon took his departure. \ ‘1 can not bear the confinement of the settle- ment,” he said, on leaving the post. ‘I feel freer when roaming on the great prairie ocean, rs ti i the shadowy aisles of the for- He rode away toward the north when he pie the post, on the trail of the defeated xed- 8. To the surprise of the settlers, on going to in- ter the body of the slain enemy, they found thay it was the body of a white man in Indian dis- guise, This discovery caused nodittle food for reflection, and. eid Captain Storms, well versed in the nature of the Indian, gave it as his belief that the wkole party of mounted enemies were a party of white men, and robbers at that, in Indian disguise. The old captain’s reason for this belief was that the enemy had been too bold and reckless in their attack, which set at vari- ance all he had ever seen of Indian caution, cun- ning and cowardice. ‘During the remainder of that day and the fol- lowing night, guards were stationed at all the points surrounding the post, and the stock secur- ed against a night stampede. But, fortunately, no {further hostile demonstration was made by ®eo enemy. | his friends. During the latter part of the month of Au- ist, Mr, Earnshaw began a spiritual revival at he post, attended with great, success. En- couraged in his good work by his friends, he soon extended his labors to other settlements— such as were not too remote from the post. While laboring at one of these settlements, a new minister made his appearance in the field. He came from the East, he told Father Earn- shaw, to labor among the Indians. He had not been sent out by a missionary society, but had come on his own responsibility to preach to the heathen. He gave his name as Israel Ainesley. He was an aged man, but possessed of wonder- ful strength and activity, and a voice deep, strong and musical, ; The good people of Valley Settlement, anx- ious to procure the services of so able a minister as Father Ainesley’s first sermon proved him to be, prevailed on him to take up his residence there. With some reluctance the reverend father ac- cepted the kind invitation of the settlers; how- ever, he made a reservation of half of his time to be devoted to labor among the dndians, Father Earnshaw now returned to Clontarf’s Post; not, however, before roa 8 exacted. a promise from his fellow-laborer in the vineyard of God, to visit him at an early day. Father Ainesley went to work with a zeal both at the settlement and among the Indians, At least he was away from Valley Settlement a good half of the time, and the settlers had‘no reason to question his being at work trying to convert the wild red-men, Tn the course of a week, Father Aimesley sent a letter to Father Earnshaw, in which he pro- sy ap that they hold a union meeting of the © settlements; and in case that he should ac- cept the proposition, to name the point of meet- as well as the day. ) ather w sent the following reply: 3 7 ‘* CLOoNTARY’s Post, Sept. 2, . ‘‘ DEAR BROTHER AINESLEY: “Your proposition of a union meeting of the two settlements receives my hearty approval It would be likely to establish a firmer and more pleasant relationship between the two set- tlements, and lay the foundation of a Christian country and people. Since you have left it with me to set the day of meeting, 1 will name the 10th of September. And since, in my opin- ion, there is nothing to fear from the Indians, 4 shall propose that we hold our meeting in tha woods, God’s first temples, on the shore of Lake Wildwood, It isa lovely spot, adorned with al the beauty of nature—the great, green woods upon one side, and Wildwood Lake upon the other: the heavens above and a velvety carpet of green beneath. ‘Hoping that this brief reply will fully meet your approval, “T remain yours in Christ ‘*PAUL EARNSHAW.” The reply did meet the Reverend Ainesley’s approval, and every arrangement was at once made for the meeting of the two settlements up- on the tenth of September, ' But little did the great, kind-hearted settlers dream of the deep and damnable plot that was : being laid for their destruction by one of these se F Res race the sacerdotal robes of a minister rs) ’ CHAPTER IV, THE ATTACK. Axsout four miles north-west of Clontarf’s Post, in a secluded spot, stood a solitary log- cabin, surrounded on all sides by the dark, tow- ering forest. It was a rude structure without, but its interior bore evidence of ease and com- fort, But, the location was one sufficient to in- spire the heart with awe, for, from morning till night, the dark shadows hung over the hut. Evenif a patch of sunlight did fall upon it, it came and went like a white-robed specter, Here, within this lonely and desolate hut, dwelt, with his daughter Madge, Talbott Taft, the Indian trader. Why he had selected this obscure spot fora dwelling was a mystery to settlers thereabouts. And why he, a man of no little intellectfal culture, had left the refine- ment of civilization and brought his beautiful and accomplished daughter into the wilderness of a savage land, was still a greater mystery. Talbott Taft was in the prime of manhood, with but lfttle gray in his hair and whiskers; and the “‘crow’s feet” about his eyes seem rather premature, than the marks of Time. His features, though extremely delicate, bore no evidence of dissipation, yet his dark eyes were wonderfully strange in their expression, His articles of traffic consisted of whisky, to- bacco and beads. These he obtained at a large trading-post.on the Missouri river, and trejed to the savages for furs and peltries, The settlers of Clontarf’s Post often called ¢» the cabin of the trader, and were kindly receive: and cared for. But no one had ever been ther : but what, on leaving, had declared that the» was some mystery about Talbott Taft, Madge Taft was a woman of more than ordi- nary beauty. She was not more than eighteen, judging from her looks, but from the beautifu! and perfect development of her form, one would suppose her to be one and twenty. Her eyes were dark, lustrous and brilliant, of an expression that was indicative Hr wild, joy- ful and fearless spirit—such as only a true hero- ine could possess. Her hair was black and fine as silk, clustering about her head in neg 0a _ lets, Her complexion was healthful and whi as alabaster, and the hues of the rose and lily were blended in her cheeks. Her hands were small, white and shapely, yet no circlets of gold flashed upon her tapering fingers. Few young men, and in fact old men, upon whose hearts there was no previous claims, ever called at the cabin of T tt Taft and went away without realizing the fact that they were in love with the trader’s lovely daughter. But of the many whose hearts been thug captivated, but a single one had ever reccived a Fiendly notice from the forest beauty. Thig son of fortune was a well-to-do’young man of Clontarf’s ee ester Townsen comer His attentions to Madge svere encouraged so permitted to call frequently at tha far as to be cabin. Early on the morning of the tenth of Septem. ber, the day set for the camp-meeting at Wild- wood lake, Town. Farnesworth ed at the cabin of Talbott Taft\to accompany Madge to ! | the meeting. He found her awaiting him, and
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looking more lovely and bewitching than he had ever seen her before. They did not tarry at the cabin, but at once set off for the lake, which was some two miles distant, ‘ Their walk through the cool shaded aisles of the forest was pleasant and exhilarating; and they seemed unusually happy in each other’s society, and chatted and laughed as only youth- ful lovers could have done. Yet neither knew that the other really did love, for no avowal had ever gorge their lips. Arrived. at the appointed place of meeting, the young people found that they were tie first there, and to pass the time as pleasantly as pos- sible, they walked down to the lake shore and seated themselves upon a moss-covered trunk of a fallen tree, | Wildwood lake lay before them, calm and lacid, resembling a great mirror set in a rustic rame. No object was visible upon its glassy, unruffied surface to break the sameness of the Sere ee sheet. The lake was pe“iaps a mile and a half in cir- éumference, and it was bounded nearly all around with tall, frowning rocks, whose/white faces were plowed and fluted py the wear of time. Here and there the black mouth of a subterranean vault was visible, partially hidden by creeping vines and tall aquatic plants. Town. and Madge gazed out upon the lake, and it would have been an easy matter for a close observer to have marked the difference in the expression of each gaze. While Town.’s look showe1l that his mind was 7 something else besides the beauty of the lake, Madge’s raze showed that she was gazing, with no little Rao and anxiety, and a look of half-expecta- tion, carefully over the bosom of the glimmer- ing sheet. own: was too deeply absorbed. in the tumult- uous duttering of his heart, to note the expres- sion of his fair companion’s face.| After a mo- ment’s silence, he said: : “ Wildwood seems unusually calm this morn- 7 ”? * And lonely,” replied Madge. “TI wonder where those flocks, of beautiful wild ducks and pees are that are most always seen upon the ake?’ “It is very probable that @hey are lying along in the cool Shadow of the shores, or among the reeds and rushes over yonder.” “The lake leoks quite lonely without them,” said Madge. ‘‘ Many pleasant moments have I nt here alone watching the feathered tribes aiding over the water, and—” ; “Then you love to be alone—you love soli- tude, Madge?” questioned Town., with a percept- ible change in his voice. i Madge raised her gyes and gazed into the young man’s face, as if touched by his question. ‘Are there not times, Town.,” she asked, “when you would rather be alone than in com- pany with your best friend?” : C Ves; but not my dearest friend. When I wish for solitude it is only to think and dream of you, dear Madge. Since we first met, my | heart has gone out to you in the most passion- ate love, and I have longed for this moment, Madge, to ask you to be mine—mine forever!” Madge was quite indifferent to this declara- tion of love. She had long been expecting it, and was prepared. As she lifted her eyes to those of Town., a smile, in which there was a shadow of sarcasm, passed over her face. _ “You are jesting, Town.,” she said, a little reproachfully. ‘ You do not know the desire ef your own heart: When you have thought more of the matter, and consul your own feelings and mind, you may have reason to feel j a pang of regret that you ever asked the wild, wayward daughter of a poor Indian trader to be your wife,’ ; ‘’Madge, do not doubt my affection and judg- mont in this matter. heart is immovable, aud I love youall the more for your humble life. It would not be a marriage of a prince and peasant, but two whose love J trust would be equal, as well as their birth.” ! ‘«“Town.,” said Madge, and there was a slight tremor in her voice, are you sure that Clara Bryant has no claim upon your heart? I know Clara loves you, Town., and would make you a better wife than I.” ; “Until I saw’ you, Madge, I thought I did love Clara, but since our first meeting I find it was bat pure friendship compared with the love I hold for you.” . ‘Then your love for me is of but a momenta- ry growth. Dismiss me from your mind, and ou will find that the heart go back to its love. “You do not love me, Madge, else you would Beadle’s HalfDime Library. nof trifle with my feelings thus,” he said, a Iit- tle vexed. “No, ne, Town.; I will frankly admit that I love you, but can not promise you now to be your wife.” Town. Farnesworth felt a thrill of joy pass through his heart, and his arm stole softly about the slender waist of the maiden. gently withdrew from his embrace and con- tinued: -** Do not let my.avowal of love for you, Town., build up new hopes within your breast. I must admit the sin ot being ambitious, and I could never give my consent to wed a man whose name was coupled with that of—” ** Cowardice!” exclaimed Town, “Exactly, Town.” “Madge!” and the young man’s voice grew stronger, and his eyes flashed indignantly, “then you, too, have given credence to that false re- port of a cowardly enemy!” **T could not help it, Town., when so many spoke of it. I may be doing you injustice: to put any belief in if, but ambition, as I said be- fore, is my besetting sin. Did you possess the fame of Rollo, the Boy Ranger, then I would mot hesitate to become your wife.” ‘“*T can not blame you, Madge, for refusing to wed one who bears the name of a coward, but that Iam nota coward, I shall proveto you, if I have to wade through fire ana blend: and not until [ have won a fame equal to that of Red Rollo’s will I press my suit for your hand. All I ask now is that I may live in hope.” “You may, Town.—but look yonder,” she said, arene £8 “ what objects. are those on the water just put out from the northern shore?” ' Town. viewed the objects in question, close- ly. “Ah!” he exclaimed, after a while, his eyes having been upon one thing and his mind an- other, “it is a flock of ducks—quite three score of them; and how gracefully they move over the surface, their “Paes heads erect, on watch for the least sign of danger.” ** How I love to watch them sporting over the smooth surface of the water!” said Madge. “ They are so graceful in their movements—so shy and quick.’ ‘I see, Madge, that you are a lover of nature, as well as ambitious—but had we not better re- turn to the place of meeting? I see a large num- ber of the settlers are there.” Madge consented, and together they joined | the settlers. They found that the people from each settle- ment were already arrived, and it wanted but few minutes of the hour for the beginning of ser- vice. i Town. and Madge seated themselves upon one of the many fallen logs that had been arranged for seats, and entered into conversation with those near them. For a moment the young couple held the of the assembly. Town. was the envy of all the marriageable youths there, while each maiden felt like hiding her own brown plain face as she azed upon the fair, lovely features of Talbott Pratt's daughter. i, Madge greeted all thelr looks with a smile, and for a moment there was a ‘‘buzz” in that particular corner of the congregation. Even the eyes of the aged, sober, sanctimonicus Israel Ainesley, who was seated alongside of Father Earnshaw on a raised & petcatagie sera the con- gregation, became fixed upon the lovely face of the maiden with a kind of a fascinated gaze, be Madge acknowledged with a pleasant smile After a while the congregation engaged in singing, the sound of their voices rolling away in sweet, melodious anthems through the green forest aisles. And, too, the lake seemed ve caught the inspiration of the music within its own pulseless bosom and carried the sound back among its “ye and caverns. - The spot selected for the meeting was well calculated to inspire the heart with the infinite power of God. It was a smooth lawn slop’ng down to the water’s edge, over which was thrown the cool shadows of the stately towering oaks. Upon one side, within full view of the congregatio lay the placid lake, and upon the other the grea silent forest. |, With the natural precaution ‘born of back- woods life, the settlers had brought their side- arms with them, and had, even out in the woods, some distance from the place of service, to guard against surprise. 8 no fears whatever had been entertained of danger from the iubials. as they had long been perfectly peaceful and quiet. After singing, followed prayer by the Reverend She | eee — Mr. Earnshaw. Then Mr. Ainesley arose, and in a clear but tremulous voice aununkceda his text; and at once began his discourse in a man- ner of foree and ability’ that, from the first, enchained the attention of his hearers. He sessed a power of eloquence and delivery pro- found andcomprehensive. His comparisons were striking, and his similes beautiful. The eyes of all the congregation, Madge’s ex- cepted, became riveted upon the speaker, and though the trader’s daughter heard every word that was spoken, she sat in a kind of mental abstraction and gazed out upon the lake at the flock of wild ducks, which, since the beginning of the sermon, had continued to approach near- er and mearer that end of the lake, as though drawn thither by the magnetie influence that enabled the eloquent Mr. Ainesley to hold such a power over his audience. Once during the discourse, the preacher, in calling the attention of his listeners to the pres- ence of God:in all the surroundings, turned to- ward the lake and said: “In those beautiful cae yonder, sailing so gracefully over the glasSy surface of the ele- ment, behold the power, the wisdom—yea, the presence of Ged.” Of course all eyes followed in the direction of the speaker’s, and every one within the as sembly saw the floci of beautiful wild fowls, sayi , but slowly and steadily, nearing the each, Just then their ears were greeted by the loud report of a rifle on the opposite side of the lake, that came. booming over the water like a sun- set gun, and reverberating away back amon the hills, and rolling in a prolonged clang erash through the forest aisles. A small jet of water flashing upward in the ‘eenter of the flock of ducks showed the settlers where the bullet, sent from the hunter’s rifle, had struck. As the report of the rifle, which had so sud- denly startled them, died away, a slight commo- tion was noticed among the settlers. By the report of the piece they knew full well who had fired it, for there was but one rifle of so heavy a caliber upon the border. That rifle was owned by, the celebrated hun- terand scout knownas Roll Raynor—nicknamed Old Tumult. And the presence of Roll Raynor in the neigh- borhood betokened the eoming of danger! How- ever, the Rev. Mr. Ainesley soon quieted the fears of his audience and continued his dis course. Madge Taft still sat, apparently in deep thought, watching the approaching fowls. Suddenly, the ears of the audience were agaj greeted by the thunderous boom qf Old Tumuit’s rifle, And before they had fully caught the full report of the gun, a wild and almost un- earthly scream was heard to issue from the wa- ters of the lake. Every eye was turned in that direction, and to the awful horror of the settlers, they beheld the half-naked body of an Indian warrior leap upward from the water, but a few rods from the shore, HIS HEAD AND FACE CONCEALED IN A CAP MADE OF THE FEATHERED SKIN OF A WILE DUCK! The savage had been shot through the head by a bullet from the rifle of Old Tumult, but no sooner did the death-wail, peal from his ty than the whole flock, of what the settlers h supposed to be living wild-ducks, was seen to rise up from the water upon the heads of as many half-naked® savages, whose bloody war wh , as they dashed aside their feathered caps, and sprung ashore with drawn tomahawks, sent a thrill of terror to the stoutest heart, CHAPTER V. . OLD TUMULT TO THE RESCUE. My pen is inadequate to the task now before me—the task of describing that savage surprise, and the horrors that followed. A desperate conflict at once began. Where peace and the enjoyment of religious exercise revailed but a few moments previous, now veath and carnage ran riot. The yells of the demoniac savages, the shouts of the brave settlers,as with knife and pistol a flew to the conflict, the shrieks of women and children, all mingled in one awful sound, and rolled through the forest like a voice from. Pandemonium. At the beginning of theconflict, Town. Far. nesworth seized iepe and attem to carry her beyond danger; but she tore herself from his arms and bravely dashed into the midst of the combatants. Town. attempted to follow her, but fell unconscious from a blow upen the |
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Rollo, the Boy Ranger. ————— The armed guards came running in from the woods, and joined their friends in the conflict; and presently another voice was added ta those of the combatants, but his was a voice resem- bling the roar of a maddened bull more than a human voice, and a tall, bony and muscular- looking man, with long, sha gy eyebrows, from beneath which two orbs of fire, a shock of griz- aly gray hair, and a mouth so ‘’ extensive,” that the upper part of his head seemed set on hinges at the back—made his appearance in behalf of the settlers, This man of giant frame and cavernous mouth was Old Tumult, the hunter and scout. He came like a whirlwind uae 3 the savages, his rifle grasped in one hand—a heavy club in the other. The savages recoiled before him. They had felt the power of the giant hunter’s iron arm before. The dull thud of the hunter’s club, accompa- nied with a yell, told how fearful and deadly was his work. “‘ Away, demons o’ fury, away!” he shouted; “down to the brimstone pit—the sulphurious region!” he savages wavered, rallied again and strove hard to beat down Old Tumult, but in vain. He seemed to bear a charmed life. Finally the savages gave way and took to the cover of the forest, leaving a number of dead and dying comrades behind. The settlers did not eee the fleeing enemy. They were glad enough to get rid of them, and at once turned their attention to their own dead and dying comrades. A frightful spectacle was now }presented to the gaze of the settlers. A score of savages lay killed and wounded upon the grassy lawn, and among them, with their heads cloven, lay seve- ral of the settlers dead, and several wounded. The women and children, with afew exceptions, had fled into the forest at the commencement of the attack. Thus a new fear for their'safety now preyed upon the minds of the settlers. When the battle was over, Old Tumult, to whom the. settlers gave the credit of defeating the, red-skins, leaned his tall, gaunt form upon his heavy rifle, and gazed silently over the scene before him, with a sad look upon his hard, stony features. 3 - , ** Ah, me! ah, me!” he sighed heavily, “if I'd ’a’ known all, this ’ere would never, ’a’ been, friends.” | ** Yes, if any of us had dreamed of such an at- tack being planned, we might have prevented it,” said the Reverend Paul Earnshaw. ‘*T knowed thar war sumthin up this mornin’ _ but for the life o’ me I couldn’t find out what it f war till it war a’most too late. You see, I war } : scoutin’ around the Ingin camp this mornin’, rae when I see'd bout fifty o’ the fiends o’ torture leave camp and fbi thar noses this away. follered ’em to the lake, and thar’ I see’d ’em strip o’ every thing but their loin-cloths, tie a tomahawk to their waist, and then cover their heads with the skin o’a duck, with feathers, head and all on. This done, the cunnin’ pukes 3 waded into the water and submerged them- i selves to the ears, and I couldn’t have told fur | . ; the life o’ me, if I hadn’t knowed it, that thar x 2 war an Ingin head in every one 0’ what seem- ae’ -edagenuine livin’ duck. I tell you it war dev- ilish cunnin’ o’ the red hounds o’ Satan, Anx- ious to know what they war up to, I kept under kiver and watched ’em, and not until ry war " a’most eyto you did Isee their intention. I war then too fur away to git here afore them, so I Vk told ole Vibrator here ”—patting his heavy rifle ae —‘‘to speak out the word o’ warnin’.“ Vibrator / —s spoke. ‘Then I foddered her ag’in,, with the | avowed | 0’ jerkin’ a red-skin outen the lake. I took a dead set—Vibrator let fly her _ venom, and sure enuff, out popped a red-skin _ with a hole through his duck’s nest. ten ““T knowed the ball war opened now, and a _ and if ever a pile o’ ole bones flew round Wild- Bs ei ee tao “> yo ynor,” said Lionel, it is y owing that aera not all slain; _ Father Ainesley?” 3 “True enough. Reverend had become rest. comstruc were conveyed to the post. _ _. It was sunset ere the women and children had tw of them could not be found. a oe pratt “The two were Madge Taft and Clara Bryant. ___ . &s no one had seen them after the beginnin, we yi that, like an internal volcano, wassurging with- ; | 8 detarmined to bave a d in it; so Iset out, but where ‘is | Israel Ainsley was | missing from the crowd, and no one knew what | of him, unless he had taken to the The wounded were now cared for, and litters a uj pon which the dead and wounded eyes apes the sweet, fair face of Mi been pentee in from the forest, and even then, frre ag ng! ye KPA Ronee Act, A ee pew Lt esd © I NG Sr Ne ee CNN iy of the attack, nor could give any information of them, all concluded that they must have been captured and carried off, or were lost in the dark mazes of the forest. Night was coming on apace. A gray mist was rising along the river and over the forest, threatening a dark night. Besides, the air was hot and sultry, and there were many indications of an early autumnal storm. Town. Farnes- | worth shuddered at the thought of Madge and Clara being gone, and no doubt exposed to many dangers, if they were not already suffer- ing the tortures of captivity. Every energy of the young man was aroused, and he became sorely impatient to be off in search of the miss- ing maidens, ut he could do little alone, and the attention of the rest of the settlers was required at the post, to attend to the dead and wounded, and secure the place against a night attack. Old Tumult, the hunter and trapper, volun- teered his services to Town. Town. gladly ac- cepted, for, of all the others, there were nonejhe bial have selected in preference to this daring scout, Ere night had fully set in, they had crossed the river, and were threading the trackless aisles of the great woods. They had no hopes of strik- ing the trail of the enemy that night, owing to the darkness. Knowing, however, that if the girls really were taken prisoners, their captors would hurry them away toward the village the two hoped by a forced. march to cu them off from their stronghold; for, once there, there would be little chance for the captives. Being well acquainted with almost every foot of the country, Old Tumult had no difficulty in en his course, and so they were thereby enabled to move quite briskly. At the cabin of Talbott Taft they stopped to inquire about Madge, but finding no one at home they pushed on. Leaving Wildwood lake to the left, they pur- sued a course which would eventually bring them back to the Sioux river, though many miles above the post. As they would have to follow the course of the river after it was reach- ed, they resolved to make part of the journey by water, as Old Tumult knew where a canoe was concealed along the river bank. ; Fortune, however, lay in waiting for the two pursuers, ; In a little valley not far from the river, gleam- ed the cheerful light of a camp-fire, and within its radius sat five human forms. Two of these were Madge Taft and Clara Bryant. They sat a little in the background, with hands bound, and heads bowedin grief. The third form was the reverential figure and face of the Reverend Isra- el Ainesley. “He was not bound, but sat before the fire smoking a huge pipe, and exercising a will of perfect freedom, The other two persons were painted and plumed Arapaho Indians! But a single glance was sufficient to convince the keen-eyed scout and his young cone ix Teraol Ainesley was in league with the In- Ans. Town. Farnesworth shuddered with disgust when he realized what a mockery of God’ Aines- ley had proven himself to be; while Old Tumult could scarcely keep down the revengeful wrath in his breast. ; Patience, discretion and self-control, however, were characteristic traits of the old scout, born of necessity. In this lay his great success as an Indian-fighter, The ryerre seemed to have no fear of bein ursued, and were quite boisterous and Signet ess of danger. “T don’t understand it,” said Old Tumult, when he and Town. had crawled within easy earshot of the camp. ley, draw some kind of spi “Well, what's ow?” asked Town., growing im pee his musty it the gals to wunst. It’d be a atter, too, to sour their captors’ red ca’- y dashin’ in onto ’em full tit but, may- | be thar’s several guards skulkin’ bout, and sich Tonk Tad eel laehs an \ t ’ yo yep that he would not escape!” pl tched the t eld toe to the. light and saw that they were | Salse whiskers ! Br thered ery burst from cinta Clara involun- tarily shrunk toward To ‘sweet young face, while the 5 ** Well?” said Town., growing more impatient. “Tl string them ’ere two Injins on a thread 0’ fire-light, and punch the hole with a chunk 0’ lead spit from the black jaws o’ ole Vibrator, then we'll dash in and settle dad Ainesley’s hash for ’im.” As he concluded, the old scout drew the ram- rod from his rifle, and fixing a screw upon one end of it, inserted it into the barrel. “You see, lad,” he said, twisting the rod around, “I’m goin’ to feed a little heavier, fur I calculate one bullet to fix both o’’em ’are reds, for ye see they’re settin’ in range.” In a moment he drew out the bullet from the rifle, and doubled the usual charge of powder, He then rammed the bullet home again, re- placed the ramrod, and said: ; ‘Thar, sir, ole Vibrator is so full her sides toot out, and now hear her speak.” Our friends were about a hundred paces from ‘ul the enemy, who were plainly visible in the light of their camp-fire. The two savages sat side by side, and it was this fact that suggested to the se the idea of killing both with the same ullet. Pe pas he raised his long, heavy rifle und ed. Town. started to his feet. The report of the piece sounded like the roar of a cannon, and the young man was sure it had exploded, Close on the crash of the rifle came the death- wail of the two savages. Then Old Tumult leaped from his eovert with a roar that would mt have done credit to an African gorilla, and shouting to his companion to follow, he dashed a into the camp. | Israel Ainesley sat half spine | upon the : ground when his two companions fell dead, and for an instant he seemed totally pecsyee by’ A the terrible surprise. But the shout of Old Tumult aroused him, and springing to his feet he attempted to escape into the black shadows of the forest, © But old Tumult had marked the reverend hypocrite’s movements, and in an instant he was “4 at Ainesley’s heels, ~ ‘9 A well-directed blow in the back from the scout’s sledge-hammer fist} sent the white-haired an to grass with such velocity, that his heels escribed a half-circle through the air. ‘ 2 Town. Farnesworth sprung to the captives. 0 But for the presence of Clara Bryant, his first | ofl love, he would have embraced Madge with a. shower of kisses, ; Not knowing whether he was friend or foeat = first, Madge sbrunk from his grasp, a vindictive ‘ gleam in her dark eyes. She would have fled ae into the forest, had not the hand of her lover a staid her. _ ’ | a “Fear not—it is me, darling,” said the young man. The gleam of fear and vengeance in her eyes died out, and she yielded to the support of emt lover; |’ In the meantime, Israel Ainesley was strug- | can ling to escape from the powerful clutches of | ld ‘rumult, and the confusion they created now | drew the attention of Town. and the maid» ~ ens, ‘ Ainesly attempted to gain his feet, but each f effort was attended with a blow from the fist of _ al Old Tumult, that sent him back to mother earth Be: : ey: a Oh, Mr. Raynor!” cried Madge, “‘why do ~ yy you treat Father Ainesley thus? He was apris- ; oner like us.” = "Not a. bit 0? it, gal, ye blind leetle critter, He’s a cussed traitor. Didn’t ye see that he wern’t bound?” @ > “ But, he gave his word upon the honor wf & | ‘But he drank from the flask with the In , and that are a sure si .o’ thar bein’ ip / cahoots,” persisted Old Tumul hate wf ‘‘But the Indians compelled him to,”. | At th ceture Ain attempted, by a | Pty Nag sone get Foye’ fie old, scout, bub || ite Old Tumult was on the alert, and thrustingout | _ his long arm and bony hand be clutched the _ hypocrite by the snowy beard in a vise- backward like a stubborn — gril / ata h his balance, fell heavily to the x tera “But Old Tumult, stood erect, his oi elongated with surprise, for in his oe ye L eRe clu h -, With fear upon her ‘a ae young man himselz
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j ) 6 Beadle’s seemed terribly agitated, as he gazed upon the fallenjman. ‘Smoke o’ holy torture!” roared Old Tumult and leaping forward he seized Ainesley and dragged him before the fire, then, in addition to the talse whiskers already stripped from the villain’s face, he tore from his head the wig of snowy hair. The angel face of Israel Ainesley was no longer before them, but there was the face of one whom the settlers of Clontarf Post had hung in the forest long weeks before, and whom they supposed dead. t was the handsome, yet wicked face of the renegade, Dick Sherwood! CHAPTER VIL. OUTWITTED. THERE was a momentary silence following the discovery of the existence of Dick Sher- wood, in which time the bony fingers of Old Tumult became almost buried in the flesh of the renegade. “ Hasy, Tumult, easy!” cried the supposed de- funct villain, with a nonchalant air. ‘ll give up the ghost since you’ve stripped me of my re- verend face and snowy locks,” ‘“¢ Rscence of sin!” exclaimed the scout; ** mock- er o’ God—tool of the devil, ’ve a notion to pulverize ye to dust!” ‘There is no doubt that you and your friends all feel like it, Tumult, since that little hanging affair didn’t shut off my wind,” said the rene- de, with a smile of defiance. ‘I told the set- ‘tlers the day they hung me, that when I addressed them again, it would be under differ- ent circumstances. So it was. The affair at lake Wildwood is but the beginning of my ven- fon upon those who essayed to destroy my e. “The beginnin’ o’ yer vengeance!” exclaimed Old Tumult; ‘‘ha! ha! ha! that’s a good ’un. I think it’s the eend, too, fur when ye ’scape the clutches 0’ Old Tumult, jist whistle, will ef The bold, wicked, defiant renegade laughed loud and bitterly, then replied: ‘‘]t’s useless to throw words at one another, Tumult, for my day has not yet come, unless you shoot me upon the spot.” ‘‘No, no, Satan,” returned Old Tumult; “TI will hand you over to the settlers, and let them bid xe ‘ git ye hence.’” “Then bind me hand and foot, or any way, go you release your bony claws from my flesh,’ returned Sherwood, with a shrug of pain. “Ho! ho! ho!” roared Old Tumult, and he shook the renegade as though he had been a kit- ten; ‘‘ why, man, ye’ve only felt the weight of my hands.’ ‘With the assistance of Town., the renegade was securely bound hand and foot, with thongs made of the buck-skin leggings of one of the dead savages. Tho ie glanced toward the two dead Indians with a look of regret, yet when his eyes met those of the two maidens, his features wore no downcast nor defeated look. Dick Sherwood had no fears of death in any form, He was a moral coward as his deeds betokened, but) phy- . Sically speaking, he was utterly reckless in his cunning and daring. Old’ Tumult and Town. now consulted as to the next steps to be taken, They knew full well that they were in the midst of danger, and that it would be unsafe to remain there during the night. They must either begin their return to the post, or seek some safe retreat: But it became a question, which of these two courses they should pursue. Suddenly they were ‘startled by a faint ram- bling of thunder along the western wy This at once decided their course, as the scovered that one of those furious aut storms was gathering. ‘“Tnsomuch as what we can’t reach ‘the to-night, ’specially afore the storm, we’d better take refuge on the Two Islands, in the Sioux river. Thar’s a kind o’ shanty on one’o’ ’em, that 'Il do to pertect yerself and the gals from the storm. As to me, I’m storm-proof, Town.” Tt shall all be as you say, Tumult,” replied Town.; ‘‘ you know what is best for us.” So preparations were at once made for de- parture to the Two Islands. Sherwood’s feet were unbound, and to prevent his escape in the dark, a strong rope was made of hickory-bark, and one end afitached to the renegade’s neck— old Tumult keeping the other end im his hand. Town. Farnesworth, following the old scout and his nari argh conducted Madge and Clara through the almost impenetrable gloom of the woods. An hour’s walk brought them to the Little Sioux river, at a point opposite the Two Islands. Old Tumult drew from under some reeds and aquatic plants, a large canoe, that he had con- cealed there the day previous, and the party at once embarked for the Islands. The Little Sioux river was nota large stream, but at this point the Two Islands forced the wa- ter outward, making the stream fully one hun- dred yards wide on each side of them. Two Islands were not over a sixth of an acre each in area, They were divided by a deep, but swift and narrow channel of water, and covered by a dense growth of vegetation and driftwood. A beautiful archery of shrubbery was formed by the foliage of each island growing outward, and interlacing over the channel that separated the islands. Having landed upon the western Island, Old Tumult drew the canoe partly upon the beach, then led the way carefully toward the interior of the island. By this time a bank of ominous black clouds had reared its head high up against the western sky, while along its purple, jagged edges, the red lightning ran its old fiery race, making the gloom that followed each flash pitchy black. The dull rumble of thunder had become continu- ous and sullen, and the whole surrounding had an air of awful solemnity about it. Clara Bryant covered her eyes to shut out the blinding glare of the lightning, and shuddered when the hot winds touched her pale cheeks. Not so with Madge. A smile, that was almost grim in expression, rested upon her fair face; aud her eyes shone with unusual brilliancy. The coming storm filled her breast, seemingly, with some wild joy and secret hope. Dick Sherwood was silent, but the lightning’s glare showed his handsome face aglow with sin- ful radiance, Pushing aside some bushes, Old Tumult point- ed to a small, cone-shaped structure that stood within a little opening in the center of the island, and said: ‘“‘Thar’s a little shanty o’ mine that ll do to rtect you and the gals from the storm, Town. e and this essence o' Satan here can tif¢k our- selves under a bush and grin it through till mernin,’” “The girls can occupy it,” returned Town., ‘and I will assist you to guard the island, since there is no telling what dangers surround us. Town. conducted the maidens into the little hut, then went out and assisted Old Tumult in binding Dick Sherwood to a sapling that stood within a few feet of the ee The ‘renegade was so tightly and securely bound, that he fairly groaned with pain. This done, Old Tumult said: “ Now I'll reconnoiter the island and see that no lurkin’ red-skins are bout.” He took up his rifle and glided away among the shrubbery like a phantom, Town. stood alone by the renegade. Neither ke. Town. was too absorbed in his own. re- ections to think of aught but the sweet, fair face of Madge Taft. ick Sherwood began humming a low, wild song, fixing his eyes upon the hut as he did so. In a moment all was still again but the wind and thunder. Town. noticed that Sherwood still kept his eyes upon the little cone-shaped hut, and so Town. himself cence that rey He started. A gleam of lightning showed him a human hand pro ing from a small opening in the side of the hut. In that mysteri- ous hand was clutched a small, glittering dag- er. ‘‘Heavens! what can that mean?” thought Town., ‘it was not the hand of either of the girls; it was too large. What if an enemy— , what now?” It was a hasty movement upon the upper side of the island that interrupted him—a movement ‘that produced a sound resembling the threshing of a heavy body through the unde wth. This sound was followed by a dull thud, then upon the wings of the patherine storm came a wild yell from the ips of Old Tumult, again followed by a trium- phant laugh. Then all became still again, and while Town. stood trying to gain some so- lution to the mysterious proceedings, the old scout approached him unseen and touched him upon the shoulder, Town. started, “This way, lad,” said the scout. Town. followed him to the upper margin of the island, when he drew from the forks of a bush and held up before him, a human scalp. * Where Gil ons get that?’ asked Town., with a shudder of disgust. Half-Dime Library. . “Thar,” replied Old Tumult, pointing to the ground. Town looked and saw the lifeless body of an Indian lying at his feet. ‘‘T found the red hound skulking on this very island,” said Old Tumult. ‘‘ And did you slay him?” “VYa-as. It war a neat job, too; the demon didn’t git a chance to screech afore I closed his weazen, and slid his hair off. It looks bloody and. wicked to you, lad, but sich is the game. It don’t take long to git used to it, either.” At this juncture drops of rain began to fall. “Go to the shanty, lad, or ye’ll git wet,” said Old Tumult. “Tam no better than you, Tumult; if it will not hurt you, it will not hurt me.” ‘Yer plucky, lad; but let us not tarry here too long. We must keep an eye on Sherwood. I brought you here to show you that danger lurked about.” This remark of the old scout reminded Town of the hand he had seen thrust from a crack in the hut, and he at once narrated it to him. “Smoke o’ torture!” exclaimed the scout, turning toward the hut; ‘‘ come, lad, come.” They hastily retraced their steps toward the cabin; as they neared it, a long, vivid flash of lightning showed that Dick Sherwood was gone ! Old mult fairly roared with rage and anger. own. rushed into the hut, excitedly calling on Madgeand Clara. But there wasno response. He groped about the room and found that it was empty! Wild with excitement he rushed out into the pelting storm. “The girls—they, too, are gone, Tumult!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Smoke o’ torture! that essence o’ Satan has outwitted us after all our precaution— Hark!” They bent their heads and listened, and from far out upon the water came the imploring cry: ‘““ Save me, Town., save me! help! help!” It was the voice of Madge Taft. CHAPTER VII. IN THE HORN OF A DILEMMA. THE rain was now coming down in a perfect torrent. The heavens were one broad sheet of redflame. The thunder rolled incessantly alon the storm-girded sky. The winds rumble wildly and ghostlike through the day*« avenues of the forest, and lashed the waters of the river to a foam. Town. Farnesworth stood aghast. Old Tumult, gazing out upon the river, saw by the lightning’s flash, a canoe containing three or four persons making rapidly for the shore. ; ‘“‘Come, Town.,” he yelled, darting across the island, “‘and by the gods we will catch thas essence o’ Satan again.” Town. followed him to the shore, where both met wifh another surprise. The canoe was gone! ‘The gals are lost, Town. ; Satan and his imps have-beaten us. We’re bound to stay here now till the storm abates, or Providence sends us a canoe.” ‘Merciful Heaven!” cried Town., ‘can we not swim ashore, or construct a raft of drift- wood?” ‘* Not while the river is tossin’ so, Town. We could not man a raft now. Even if we coul we might run right into a nest of red-skins tha are no doubt watchin’ for us this minnit, Be ponent Town.; I know it goes hard with yer eart affairs, but patience is the key to success in Injun scoutin’. The two returned to the hut and went in out of the storm. Town. grew almost sick at heart as he sat and listened to the driving rain and howling winds, and realized that the two maid- ens were exposed to its fury, and he unable to assist them. ae Old Tumult became quite calm in consequence of his defeat by Sherwood and his Indians, for he was sure he saw, at least, two Indians with him and his captives in the fleeing canoe. No rest nor sleep came to to the weary bodies macnigatte eyes of Old Tumult and Town. that night. e storm seemed to increase in fury each moment, and in order to dispel scme ¢f the damp, dismal gloom that seemed per ° vith an atmosphere and forebeding of ci... tire was lighted within the hut. : The light showed an expression of bitter anx~ iety and suspense upon the face of youn Farnesworth, while the hard, stony features o; Old Tumult-wore a grim smile denoting doubt and perplexity. Every few minutes the old scout wouki. go out reconnoiter theisland to make sure that
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‘ | weight of floating debris lodged against it. Rollo, the Boy Rangrer. no lurking red-skins were around. It was far ast midnight, when on returning from one of Frese scouts, that Town. noticed his voice and actions were somewhat agitated, and asked: *¢ What is the matter, Tumult?’ “ Why ”? ** Your voice seems agitated.” “Wal, I’ve diskivered somethin’,” ‘What?’ and Town. started up. ‘The river is risin’ rapidly.” ‘* What of that?” ** In an hour more this ’ere island will be over- flown!” “My God, Tumutt! is it possible?’ ‘Ya-as. Thar’s never been sich a rain in these parts sense the rainy season seven years ago. <A half a day’s rainin’ raised the river then till the Two aiatiie were completely kiv- ered, sumthin’ that has never been done sense,” “What are we to do, if the island is over- flown?” asked Town, ‘‘'That’s easier axed than answered, lad. The wind is tossin’ the seethin’ waters up into little mountains—ah! hear’em dash upon the island! We could never stick to a raft—the waves ’d wash us away like lumps o’ dirt.” “God in heaven, are we to perish thus?” vried Town., gazing out upon the roaring river. ‘‘Never say die, lad,” returned the scout, *‘there’s hope as long as thar’s life. We may escape yit.” ‘* How?” ‘‘ By climbin’ into one o’ the large saplin’s outside.” “True, true; I had never thought of that. But will not the floating debris lodge against the bushes-and bear them down?” “Thar’ll be danger, but it’s our only resort, Town.” “Then let us hasten to climb the saplings, for already I can hear the water creeping among the undergrowth, like a serpent—there—-hea- vens!” \ tt was a huge wave that dashed upon the island and rolled half a knee deep over—crept into the cabin and drowned out the fire, Yor the next half-minute the two men stood wrapped in total darkness, with the wild seeth- ing waters rolling around them. Then a pro- longed flare of the red lightning revealed the swollen river and the dark wood-land beyond. Wave after wave. dashing against the island warned the old scout and Town. of their dan- er, f Procuring their werxpons they climbed into the largest sapling upon the island, and seat- ed themselves securely among the topmost branches. They now found themselves some ten feet above the surface of the island. The tree was of sufficient size and strength to with- stand the pressure of the flood in case no heavy The wind blew so fierce that it required every effort of our two friends to keep their seats in the tree. It was but a few minutes until they were drenched to the skin, though the green foliage around them protected them, in a great measure, from the driving force of the rain. Half an hour after they had sought their new retreat, a huge wave rolled over the island and swept the hut away. In a few minutes more the Two Islands were entirely submerged, and the wild waves booming over them. Not until the approach of day did the storm break away. : As the sun rose tu. rain ceased to fall, the wind went down, the clouds became broken, and in a few minutes the blue vault was sparkling clear and bright. ; : } Our friends breathe an air of relief, but their heads grew dizzy when they gazed on the roar- ing flood beneath them. t upon either side the water had overflown the river-banks and 3p out a hundred yards into the bottom. Its turbulent current was black with floating logs and debris. The tree in which our’ friends sat quivered under the agitated motion of the water, and ever and anon a floating log would strike it with a force that threatened to bear it down. , Wild’ birds wheeled and circled over. their heads with a startled shriek, as though trying to add new terror to their already trying situa- tion. ' Qld Tumult ran his eyes\along the eastern shore in hopes of seeing some one that he could eall to their assistance. But only wave atter wave of the great prairie could be seen, roiling away in the zreat haze of that auttumnal morn- ing. He turned his head and gazed toward the wooded shore. He saw a bird soar upward with a startled shriek from that point in the woods where the water had overflown the benk. | A novice in woodcraft would have paid no articular attention to so trivial a fact, but Old umult saw at once, that the bird had been frightened by something unusual. In this the old scout was ‘ight. The next mo- ment a large canoe, containing half-a dozen Arapaho Indians the timber on the inundated shore, and bore down directly toward our friends. Among the savages, our friends recognized the presence of Dick Sherwood, who, as the canoe glided from among the timber into the main channel of the river, rose to his feet and shouted: ‘*Surrender, Old Tumult and Town, Farnes- worth, er by the heavens above you, and the hd beneath, you will be riddled with bul- ets CHAPTER VIII. THE BETROTHAL, ALTHOUGH the whites were the common enemy of the Sioux and Arapaho Indians at the timé of which I write, a deadly feud existed between the two tribes, growing out of a dispute as to the rightful ownership of a section of territory —abounding with game—since named the Neu- tral Grounds. The Sioux hunted the Arapaho and the Arapaho hunted the Sioux with the same deadly intent that each hunted the white man. Being equal in point of number, neither tribe would yield its claim, and it is thus that the opening of our story finds them arrayed against each other. It is on the morning following the night of storm that we would ].ad the reader into a Ls) tienes encampment of the Arapaho In- ians, The encampment was well located upon a hill- side, and surrounded on all sides by the forest. The lodges were arranged in rows or streets fac- ing a small square. In the center of the square stood the council lodge, and that of the peepee On each side of the prophet’s lodge stood a small one which bore evidence/of having been lately placed there, The storm had cleared away and there were few traces of it remaining on the Indian en- campment. The sun was shining brightly, and a cool, pleasant breeze was drifting through the forest. The Indians were astir quite early. Some- thing of unusual occurrence prevailed in the en- campment. The two small tents by the pro- phet’s lodge seemed to be the point of attrac- tion. Presently the door of the prophet’s lodge was thrust aside, and the great prophet made his ap- pearance. He was a white man, and no other than Dick Sherwood, the handsome, villainous renegade. From his lodge the prophet turned to the one at his right, which be entered without cere- mony, j The interior of the little lodge was furnished with all the comfort and taste of savage wealth and ingenuity. The floor was covered with soft skins, the walls were hung with tapestry of ornamental buck-skin, while strands of wam- pet strands of beads and shells, and curious gures carved from bone and wood adorned the walls and ceiling. At one side, on a couch of furs, sat a beautiful white woman; from all appearances a captive, though her face wore no look of sadness nor rief. This woman was Madge, the daughter of ‘albott Taft, the Indian trader. ‘* My pretty captive looks none the worse of her night’s exposure in the storm,” said Sher- wood, as he entered her tent, with an air of mock politeness, Madge looked up at the renegade and smiled scornfully. ‘‘T am feeling quite well, and none the worse of my exposure,” she replied, in a defiant tone. “Tam glad to hear it, Miss Taft,” the villain replied; ‘‘ perhaps we can come to some definite terms, as to the future. I think I will have no ‘rouble in bringing that modest little violet, Clara Bryant, to a pleasant reconciliation.” “ Just so,” mockingly returned Madge, The villain continued: “However, Miss Taft, it is likely that you haye great influence with Miss Bryant, and if you will go to her, and induce her—make her believe that her only salvation lies in her be- coming my lawful wife, you evil be set at li- berty. If she will consent to marry me to-mor- row, I will send for the missionary, Father Jules, and have him perform the ceremony. Then, with a certificate of our marriage in my pornet my. mission will be ended, and I will bid a glided swiftly out from among | 7 the Kast the heir to a vast formune, ou? Madge smiled scornfully, yet strangely, as she replied: **T will do anything to get rid of your odious presence. I will lay your proposition before Clara, and then she can do as she sees fit. But were it me, I'd see you burning before I would submit to wed you.’ bb renegade laughed long and loudly, then said: ‘Remember, Miss Taft ”—laying a marked emphasis upon the ‘ Miss’—“‘ as I told you last night, as soon as Clara is my wife, and | have Father Jules’s certificate of our marriage in my pocket, she shall be set at liberty. As her hus- band, I will press no further claims upon her. All 1 want is something to show my-right to— well, you know what—the Golden Horn estate.” Madge arose to leave the lodge. ‘*T will go at once and see Clara,” she said. ‘Then I will wait your return,” said Sher- wood, Madge went out into the little tent where Clara Bryant was a prisoner, She found the \maiden weeping, with face pale and sorrow- ul. “Oh, Clara!” cried Madge, “‘I have come to you with what TI hope will be good news.” Clara looked quickly up, a light of hope in her tearful eyes. ‘*Has he decided to set us free—to allow us to return home?” she asked. ‘On certain conditions, dear Clara.” ‘* What are they?” “That you, sweet Clara, become his wife.” ‘‘ Sherwood’s wife!” gasped Clara. cs Yes. ” “Never, never, Madge!” and there was a mo- mentary flash of defiance in her eyes, but it soon died away. ‘Listen, Clara,” said Madge, ‘‘the moment that you are wed to Sherwood, we will both be set at liberty. He has promised to force no claims upon you as your husband,” “Then why does he wish to marry me?” ‘*Out of pure revenge. You know he is a des- perate character, Clara.” ‘*Revenge upon me?” ** No; but mpen Town. Farnesworth, whom he hates above all else upon earth, and whom he believes loves you.” Madge looked closely into the face of her com- panion as she spoke, and saw a crimson flush mount to her cheeks. ** But, you know, Madge, that Town. does not love me. **Why should I know, Clara?” ** Because Town. loves you.” ‘*You surprise me, Clara; however, Sher- wood believes that Town. loves you, and he has set his wicked heart on marrying you for revenge.” ‘‘Oh, Madge! I wish I was as brave and fear- less as you are, then I would know how to de- cide, You must advise me, Madge. Your judgment will dictate the proper course for me to pursue.” Madge’s eyes shone brightly. ‘‘Olara,” she said, soltly, “although Dick Sherw is a desperate character, I believe there is some honor about him; and I further believe that if you marry him, he will set us free. Of course, when we are tree, we will de- clare your marriage a forced one, and that will make it null and void, though the wretch does not know it; so he will have no claim upon you after all, and it will be such a clever joke on him.” Clara smiled sadly, and her lips quivered as, half in doubt, she asked: ‘“'Then you advise me to marry him?” ‘¢Tt is our only hope, Clara.” f “Then I must consent,” “Then I will see him and tell him. If you agreed to his propositions, he said ho would have the wedding take place to-morrow.” Madge left the tent and returned to her own, where Sherwood was awaiting her. ‘ Well,” said the renegade, as she entered. What say — “Tt is all right,” returned Madge, and the shadow of a wicked smile hovered around her , mouth. h Sherwood laughed one of his cold, devilish laughs. Then he clapped his hands and cried: ‘* Ven shee! ye eance! my sweet Cecil, and a long life at the Golden Horn!” And strange though it was, Madge clapped her hands and laughed too, In a moment Sherwood continued: ‘Yes, sweet Annette, my mission—my secret mission in the West will soon be ended, and have rewell to this nvathen country and return to | then for the Golden Horn) But, I must
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agus per yes Bop S ees — : é al ' burst of tears. old Vibrator here can flip lead—that we’ve got there was nothing to fear from the whites—that t,” said the old scout, as the enemy pe in the | timber; ‘‘and we've got | flooded 5) ‘keep a close look-out, fur they’ll try every | nat’ their cunnin’ brain ki zit i f e e a ia new > stimulate ; ee the spir ee Ee ee ee ee ‘ view their situation in arather novel light; but bow long this would last was a question of’ _ doubt. True, the water was falling tast, iil 8 f \ one man’s ue pefore I go, the life of Old Tu- woult, the hunter. I could never rest easy—not even in the grave—without revenge upon that iant. I know he is shut up on one of the Two lands, if he and his young friend. Farnesworth, have not been washed away. by the flood, Ha! ha! ha! that escape from the island last night with the two maidens was nicely made, fair An- nette!” The villain went on with his talk, like one speaking to himself, or an imaginary person. He seemed totally unconscious of Madge’s pre- sence. ‘You are surely out ef your wits, great rophet of the Arapahoes,” said the trader’s Son hter, sneeringly. “Ro, no; only indulging in a bit of self-com- munion, Miss Taft,” he replied; ‘* but by the gods, I wiil have the life of Old Tumult! To-morrow Clara shall be my wife, and then for the Golden Horn and long life, my sweet Cecil?” As the handsome villain concluded his wild soliloquy, he turned aud went out of the lodge. When she found herself alone, Madge threw herself upon the couch of skins, and burst into a fit of hysterical laughter which ended in an out- Dick Sherwood, burning with a desire for re- venge upon Old Tumult, and conscious of his inability to cope with him in physical strength, selected five of the best warriors in the tribe and set off for Two Islands, determined to cap- ture the old scout at all hazards, dead or alive. Besides, the warriors that accompanied him were stimulated by a handsome reward, offered by their chief, for the scalp of their most terri- e enemy, Old Tumult, the hunter and scout. CHAPTER XI. ; A STARTLING SURPRISE. As the voice of Sherwood rolled across the water in his demand for the surrender of Old Tumult and Town., the old scout burst into a roar of laughter that fairlyshook the tree in which he was perched; then, in a tone peculiar to his powerful lungs, he requested the renegade to go to—that very warm region prepared for the wicked. The enemy were above them, where they could avail themselves of the force of the cur- rent, and no sooner did they hear the old scout’s reply, than they an bearing down toward them at a rapid speed, Our friends could see that the enemy were armed with rifles, but, as they did not fire upon them, they knew the distance was too great for the range of a common firearm, they—the ene- my—being over two hundred yards above them. ‘Death is a dead certainty with us now, Tu- mult,” said Town. ; “ Things look kinder scaly, lad, but I’m think- in’ that ’ere essence 0’ has miscalculated our situation; or else they don’t know as how es, too,” “But the rain has made my rifle perfectly useless, Tumult, and my ammunition is soaking wet,” said Town, regretfully: é } “Vibrator is all right. I didn’t furgit to keep her muzzle down and her nipple dry. My pow- der is in a waterproof horn, and now J’ll see if I can't check the speed o’ them’ere critters afore they git in range for their bird-pickers.” As he concluded, the old scout thrust his rifle through the foliage, took a deliberate aim and fired. Had a to oded under the ad- vancing canoe, it could not have caused greater consternation than did the shot fired by Old Tumult, It was wholly une by the ene- / my. Sherwood had convinced the savages that their firearms were rendered useless by the rain. ut when one of their number fell dead—shot through the head with a half-ounce ball—all their savage anticipations of a pair of scalps fled, and turning their canoe shoreward, they Be RY oe ete z is : Old Tumult, with all the lion force of his tun ave vent toa triumphant, defiant yell, | ants ernie, mocking lanes, that ede the | very blood of Dick Sherwood’s veins leap hot with rage and burn with resentment. “That'll be apt to set the hounds o’ eng red- sap- | kin invent to git north. would be several hours before they could set foot upon the island; and without great pre- caution, in that time the enemy might bring to bear upon them some means that would dislodge them. ‘he only difficulty that they experienced in their elevated retreat was the numbness of their limbs, occasioned by inactivity and. the cramped pusition they were compelled to retain, Yown. drew the wet charge from his rifle, and reloaded with powder from Old Tumult’s horn, and thus in a few minutes he had his piece ready for use. Something like an hour had passed after the defeat of Sherwood, when the attention of our flood-bound friends was attracted by a huge raft of driftwood coming down the river. It was some four hundred yards away when first dis- covered, andalthough a number of such rafts of flood-collected debris had passed down the river since daylight, this was the first one that at- tracted unusual attention from the keen eyes of Old Tumult. ‘“‘Thar’s deviltry up, boy,” said the old scout; “ that ere raft 0’ wood and sich, looks a leetle suspicious.” : ‘““ What do you judge from?” asked Town. _“ Wal, thar’s too many logs piled, on top 0’ one anuther; and then you see thar’s some brush and sich piled onto the ors in akind o’ a careless way, it’s true; but I would not be afraid to bet there war Ingins among that ere driftwood.” “Tf there is, we will give them a chunk or two of cold lead,” said Town., fixing his eyes upon the raft. “* Ah—they’re too sharp fur that, lad. They- ’re layin’ ahind the logs—mebbe half buried in the water—and jist as soon as they git close enough, we'll hear, if we don’t feel, cold lead rattlin’ ’round us. Things begin to look scaly, wa! fur us, or I’m no judge.” ‘he two men felt no little uneasiness for the next ten minutes as to the real character of the raft. If there were Indians about it, as Old Tumult had no doubt but there were, they were so hidden among the ldgs and bushes as to defy all efforts of discovery, while at the same time the whites would be exposed to the rifles of the hidden renee E They could do nothing but watch and wait while the raft continued to drift slowly towar them. It was about a hundred yards away when Old Tumult was sure he saw the head of a savage peering over a log, and, to convince himself as to whether such really was the case, he raised his rifle and fired at the object. But, the scout never knew whether or not it was an Indian’s head, nor what had been the effect of his. shot, for, simultaneous with the report of the rifle, the raft dropped into a strong, surging eddy—swung swiftly around a number of times, and then, as if a magazine had ex- ploded in its midst, it flew ny aepaaptaly log be- came separated from each other by the circlin. force of the water; and there, in the midst o the whirling, rolling logs and debris, were a half a dozen Indians, struggling desperately with the waves, Old Tumult burst into a roar of laughter when he discovered this providential misfortune to the savages. — : As the scout had mistrusted, the red-skins had secreted themselves pone the logs and debris ; and, but for the parting of the raft in the eddy, and the sudden precipitation of the coming foe into the seething waters, it is very probable that our friends would have been shot down in an- other moment. ey : ; As fast as Old Tumult could/ load and fire up- on the struggling, panic-stricken enemy, he did so with tellin ect. And those of the savages that escaped his deadly aim, were overpowered by the waves and swept away. | Again our friends. nothing, for the mo- ment, to fear from the Arapahoes. A silence ensued. Town. was thinking of Madge and Clara, while Old Tumult was silently wondering what course the enemy would next resort to, to dislodge them from their retreat, ‘Suddenly they were startled by the sharp twang of a horn. ] The sound came from the easternshore. They emesis .in that direction and discovered a jorseman moving along the shore toward the They recog him at the first glance. It was Rollo, the Boy Ranger, _ Old eee mocert Kaeo upe sa seme of n and waved it above his outin hetop of tis i : scouting thereabouts, and but toward the shore as if to conceal the g ranger drew rein and answered the | passed over his dark, \ rather a cramped condition we're in, and all fur want 0’ help.” The young ranger was not over two hundred yards away, and had no difficulty in catching the scout’s words. ‘* Then you shall want no longer, old friend,” replied the ranger; ‘$1 will assist you at once.” ** But how kin ye, my lad?” asked the scout. ““T will hasten up the river to King’s Ford and get the old ferryman’s boat,” returned the outh. yout “That'll do, my gallant boy’ jistrun the boat under this ’ere tree and we'll be ready to drop down into it.” With a wave of his scarlet cap, the ranger dash away on his mission. It was about three miles to what was known as King’s Ford, where an old half-breed by the name of King had built a ferry-boat, for the purpose of transferring the loaded teams of settlers from one side jto the other during high waters. Our friends did not expect the return of the ranger with the boat under two hours, but scarcely an hour had elapsed when, to their sur- prise, they saw the youth with the beat put around the bend in the stream above, not over three hundred yards distant. It is necessary that we should here give a brief description of the ferry-boat, for 1casons which will be made known hereafter. _ {ft was about twenty feet in length, by half that length in width, and constructed on the principle of a large canoe; then, in order to make it more convenient for loaded teams, a slab floor, or deck, was laid across the top {rom side to side, thus forming a hold about two feet deep beneath the slab deck. A pair of sweeps and a tiller. constituted the propelling and guiding apparatuses of the craft. At the prow of the t was an opening or hatchway, about two feet square, leading into the hold. ‘This opening was covered with a stout slab in which was fixed a ring and staple for raising. : Old Tumult hailed the approach of the ranger’ with a wild shout, and then they began to pre- pare to leave their elevated retreat. Rollo had no need of the sweeps. The force of the current carried the boat along quite rapidly, and he had only to stand at the tiller and keep the boat in the proper course to pass over the inundated island, fem When the boat was within fifty yards of our friends, Old Tumult shouted: \ ns wre made a purty quick trip up the ford, - ““Tt would have been, had I went to the ferry but the fact of it is, 1 found the boat stranded. about a mile above here.” _“ Possible!” exclaimed the scout, while Town. peered through the foliage at the ranger with a puzzled expression upon his face. “Yes,” returned the youth, bending slightly upon the tiller; ‘‘the flood had washed it from its mooring and drifted it down-stream about he) miles, where it lodged, and where I found it. ‘‘ Wal, it’s all luck—bear to the left, lad, bear to the left—let the prow strike the tree mid- ways—bear hard—there—smoke of tortures!” he exclamation was caused by the ferry- boat striking the tree, or sapling, with such ‘sudden force that our two friends were nearly shaken from its branches. However, the boat. came to, a stand, and the next moment our friends stood upon its deck, ' Old Tumult fairly danced with joy, while Town. was compelled to’ rub his limbs vigorous ly in order to restore the circulation. - Old Tumult pushed the boat clear of tlie tree and the next moment it was slowly veering off toward the western shore, | ’ The scout and the young ranger entered inte a conversation, and ina moment the latter was in ssion of all the facts that ree our two. heroes in the predicament in which he found them. as Rollo then gave thescout and Town. some joy- ful news of the whereabouts of the two captives, , Madge Taft and Clara Bryant. He had seen them taken to the village of the acy while outix or the ‘superi- ority in number of the savages he would have attempted their rescue. to the scout and Town., not because the pein’) were captives-in the Indian village, but to know they had survived the peril of the night’s storm. ‘Did the captives seem much depressed m spirit?” asked Town. LNs war Taft ” returned the es oR agai 9 at - “ Miss mile tha ‘ ee ee This was joyful news) ark, handsonse face, ‘‘seemed | very sad and downcast, when she was conducted \ es
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awa ee ms y Rollo, the B ‘A sigh, that deepened almost into a groan es- ca own.’s lips. **T tell ye what, Town.,” said Old Tumult, ‘‘I know it goes plaguy tuff with a feller when ‘he’s mixed up in a heart-affair with a purty gal, and that gal ’sa prisoner in the hands 0’ a pack o’ red-skins, know it goes tuff, fur lve been thar, Town.” Rollo, the Boy Ranger, smiled again, as he carefully noted his course and moved the tiller necordingly. A silence, broken only by the swash of the water, ensued. Oid Tumult was thinking of the past; Town. of Madge, while the ranger, apparently plunged into mental oblivion, began whiséling softly. Suddenly, as if moved by a single and intui- tive impulse the old scout and Town, glanced at ollo, ° The eyes of the ranger were,fixed upon the forward part of the boat with a strange ex- pression shining from their dark depths. Again, as if moved by some unknown impulse, the eyes of Old Tumult and Town. sought the object of the ranger’s attention, and to their horror and surprise they beheld the slab over leap from. the hold of the boat onto the deck followed by another, until four of the ‘painted demons stood before them, their faces aglow with diabolical triumph! CHAPTER X. A DESPERATE CONFLICT. O_p TuMULT and Town. recoiled before the visionary blow that the sudden and undreamed- of appearance of the four savages produced upon them. But, it was only for a moment that their presence of mind seemed to desert them. Each of the savages clutched a tomahawk in his hand, and our friends at once saw the ad- pereeer of the foe in weapons as well as num- er, Rollo did not relinquish his post at the tiller, but, for some reason, headed the boat, at once, directly down the stream. Town., as he mechanically glanced from one to the other of his friends, noticed the. saber dangling at the ranger’s side, and foreseeingy its su forward and snatched it from the scabbard. Then he made a quick spring toward a savage, and, with a desperate lunge, drove the slender ‘blade to the heart of the foe. Up to this instant the savages stood facing the whites, without making a single demonstration. It was quite evident that the cunning demons had expected their sudden and unexpected pre- sence to ey terrify the whites to a blood- less submission. In this, however, they were sorely surprised, for, at the same instant that Town, ran oneof them through with Rollo’s: saber, Old Tumult dropped his rifle and dealt the se¢ond one a blew with his huge fist, that sent him whirling overboard into, the river. Then, with a roar equal to that of a maddened lion, he leaped ati the third savage, while Town. engaged the fourth. The savage with whom Old Tumult grappled hand-to-hand, was the scout’s equal in ever respect, If there was any difference in weight, it was in favor of the deep, wide-chested Ara- o. .In so close a grapple, the savage was compelled to drop his tomahawk, and then, in endeavoring to draw his knife, it slipped from his fingers and fell to the deck. Thus deprived of a}l the weapons save those that nature gave them, the two giant enemies “clinched,” — ° The contest at once became desperate. It was a battle of life and death, . Town, Farnesworth, brave as a lion and quick as a flash, soon gained the advantage over his foe and) ran him through with the saber. As he rolled dead at his feet, the young man turned to assist the old scout, but at 6 instant the two giant combatants, locked in each other’s em- brace, staggered backward and rolled through the hatchway into the boat’s hold. _ nige “My God!” exclaimed Town., rushing to the opening and looking down. Buthe saw rai : ort the combatants. Back in the hold, two fee _ from the hatchway, it was dark as midnight, _ Besides, to render the situation more ee there were several inches of water in the hold. Town. started up—his brain burning with wild excitement. The death of his friend seemed inevitable. ed! _ He turned inquiringly toward Rollo, who, as yet, had never left the tlle . What must have Goo aigapetiss ad consternation to see the ranger stoop and assist on board thesavage that Old Tumult had knocked overboard at the begins ning of the conflict. _ iG $i o! Rollo!” cried Town., ‘what means . ‘ the hatchway pasted aside, and a giant savage’ riority ina hand-to-hand conflict, reached / P | this?” and, springing forward, he severed the head of the savage almost from the body, with a single sweep of the ranger’s saber. “Heavens, Farnesworth! I must be crazy— helping the red demon on the boat to slay me,” he cried; ‘‘*tis well you came; I was so excited that I did not know what I was doing.” There was a strange light in the ranger’s eyes, and a strange intonation in his voice. Town. regarded him fora moment with sus- picion, and he had it in his mind to accuse him of being a traitor, when his thoughts were drawn away vy the desperate struggling going on in the bold below, Town, would have rushed down to assist bis old friend, had he not been afraid of assisting the wrong one, in the darkness that prevailed therein. He could do nothing but wait and listen, and hope for the best. He could hear them rolling and struggling in the water; he could hear their heavy, labored breathing, and the dull thud and crash of their fists—even feel the vibratory shock of each blow, and the dull thumping of their bodies against the under side of the deck, Now and then all would become quiet and still, as though no life was there below. Téwn, felt a chill of terror re over him, as he thought that the savage may have slain his friend, and was then creeping with the silence of a shadow toward the hatchway, to leap out and murder him. He was relieved of these fears, however, when the struggling, pounding and groaning would begin again with renewed vigor. \ The dipping of the canoe showed that the com- batants were first upon one side and then the other, A hollow moan now and then came from the dark pit followed by a gurgling shriek, | or strangling cry. f To Town, it sounded like the struggling of two demons away down in the bowels of the earth. For fully half an hour the struggling con- tinued, then all became hushed in a deathlike silence—the conflict had ended. : Town, and Rollo held their breath in anxious Suspense, and listened, But all was silent as the grave below. *‘ My God, Town.! I fear our friend is dead!” cried Rollo, If one is dead, both are,” replied Town. To _ Lown. went tothe opening and gazed down into the hold. But he saw nothing, At the further end of the boat, where the combatants were last heard, it was black as night. He list- ened agam, but beard nothing, He then called the name of his friend—repeated the call, but still there was no response. He started np with an expression of deep sad- ness upon his face. ‘ ‘‘ They haye slain each other, Rollo,” he cried. Rollo uttered an exclamation of sorrow, as he bent upon the tiller, . **‘What will we do with the scout’s body?” he finally asked. “We must remove it from the hold and give it a Christian burial. The savage’s carcass we will bury in the river.” “* Hist !—ha-rk!” silence, in a tone scarcely, above a whisper. ‘What is it?” queried Town, ” “‘Didn’t you hear a'‘movement below* “Tn the hold?” . ce Yes. ”» ‘* Ah—then I did—one of them is not dead !” The young settler took up one of the fallen savage’s tomahawks, and advanced softly toward the hatchway, saying to Rollo in a wshecirm ‘It is the savage that lives, else Old Tumult would have answered me, The red demon is waiting for a chance to spring out and murder me. I will watch for bim here.” — “Tt may not be,” said Rollo, ‘‘'Time will soon tell.” ; , The two became silent, and listened and watched. An awful anxiety came wu them. One of the combatants was alive. ey could ear him dragging himself through the water toward the opening, —__ a Ee ee } _ My readers can tatiae imagine the awful sus- neat the two young men than I can describe it.’ moment seemed an hour. They were sure they could hear their own hearts heating and feel the hot blood leaping through their veins. Their eyes, almost starting from thei sockets, became fixed upon the cpening. Suddenly a shadow appeared within ’ a \ Wa fre > 7 ‘Perhaps it would be well for us to look, | wn.” It was Rollo who uttered the injunction of | ‘if you will appoint a_ ‘when I et may horse air elr | iprege ie ppeal nit. Some- | sco | thing arose in the young men’s throats that ‘seemed to choke them. ees They separ Slowly, quite slowly, the shadow was follow- | their te > ed by a tuft of dark hair, the shaven skull, the low, dark brow, the glaring eyes, the painted, lacerated face of the savage giant ! CHAPTER XI, THE RESULT OF THE FIGHT. A CHILL of horror crept over the frame of Town. Farnesworth as he saw the bicody face and lacerated shoulders of thé savage appear slowly from the hatchway. He shrunk back from the hideous form es from an apparition, The face of the savage wore a ghastly expres- sion—the eyeballs pro ruded frcm their scckets till they rested upon the cheeks—the jaws stood.» apart and the tongue protruded frem the mouth, which was filled with blood and fcam. Clutching the tcmabawk in a firmer grasp, Town, advanced toward the savage; but, at the same instant, the form of the giant warrior shot out of the hold'and fell limp and motionless im death upon the deck. Then, up through the hatchway, pepped the head and shoulders of Old Tumult, the picture of dolefulness and woe, his face convulsed and his sides shaking in a roar of tri:mphant laugh- r. After all 3 had proved the victor, end had pushed the body of his fallen enemy through the hatchway in crder to work a surprise won his two friends, wao, he learned {rem their conversation, had come out victors with the savages above, But, the old scout kore meny a mark of the conflict. His face end neck were fearfully lacerated, and the few locks of yellow hair that were permitted to remain cr his head, clung about his face and neck wet and sadly. His clothes were nearly all torn from bis kody, . and his back bore many a red furrow where the sharp nails of the giant had plowed, pa stood speechless with happy disappoint- ment. ; Something like a scowl pussed over Rollo’s ace, Old Tumult was the first to ed “* Ay, lads!” he cried, ‘had thar been a lee- tle smell o’ brimstone down thar in that dark hold, I could have convincefl myself that 1 was. Me i with the deyil away, down in the black pit.” » _ Town, and Rollo Jaughed at the’ sects cool) ness of speech, rendered slightly ludicrous by his dolefu dtr “Tf you could come cut victorin a life-sting- gle with Satan, as with this savage, ycu’d be equal to Christian, the Pilgrim,” said Vc wn, ‘Zactly,” returned the old scout, ard having’ picked up. his rifle from the deck, he 1cJated his adventures below. When he had succecded in slaying his foe, he listened and lesincd fiem their talk that Town, and Rollo’s fears hed Leen aroused as to the result of the ccnflict. A yrac- tical joke was thereby suggested to bis mind, and he proceeded to carry it into execution by thrusting the body of the savage thiough the hatchway. Washing the blood from his hands and face, and bathing his many, but not very serious, wounds and bruises, the scout.@«clared his readi- ness for further business. weréupon, Rollo headed the boat shoreward again, and in a few minutes the bank was reached,, _ Old Tumult and Town. went ashore, tut Rollo remained on board, “Why, ain’t you a-goin’ with usi” acked Old Tumult. “T can not. I must return for ny horse on the other side of the river,” replied the rey ger. rs “‘Oh—vzactly,” responded the secut: “Td for- gotten thet you hed a hogs.” rh Wh * And Iam very sorry that we are to lore so valuable a friend,” said Town.; ‘Thorpe we will | be able to repay you some time for today’s in- valuable service. “T want nothing,” replied the ranger, ‘‘and lace of i bab 2 I will join youin your efforts to rescue t se and cross the river.” “That's a offer,” raid Town., “gnd we'll — be glad to have your services, whieh are worth — halt a dozen men on an Indien trail” ‘“Ya-as, that’s what the red-skin thought — tother day when I spread his nose yi Gite: i a. face with my fist,” peturwed the secut. w humorous chuckle; “but Low’ll the 1c ad o’ the Devil’s Staircase do fur # meetin’-p’int (” mn exactly,” returned the yorng ‘The place, OPQ | . - ; ie or : ranger; “but as it is past noon now, it may ke far into the night before Ceptiieret oa “Till then, good-by,” said the young ranger, one Fed, ‘The scout ath Rial Pe faces wstward and set off through the pe Pe oe ee 2 the maidens Bs! fs | 1, we'll wait thar till ye come,” said the
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10 forest. Had they, however, crept back and kept a watch upon the movements of the young ranger, they would have seen sufficient of his proceedings to have justified them in sending a bullet through his heart. But, “ where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” CHAPTER XII. THE PIPE OF PEACE. . Oxup Tumvutt felt none the better of his ferry- doat adventure. In fact, he felt quite sore, but the consciousness of having defeated the enemy, proved a radical mental relief, and repaid him in one sense of the worc. for the bruises he had received, Hunger was the next enemy with which they had to contend, for the want of fire. Game was around them in abundance, but they had no way of cooking it. Continuing on, however, they were so fortunate as to come across the remnants of a deserted camp-fire. This was at once replenished with fuel, and soon a savory slice of venison was roasting before it. After a hearty meal, they continued on to- ward the Indian village. They proceeded quite leisurely, for their late adventure had nearly exhausted them; besides there was no need of hdste, as they had plenty of time to reach the Devil’s Staircase before night. As they moved along, Town. became silent and thoughtful, and Old Tumult wary and cautious, The latter finally noted a curious ex- pression upon his companion’s face, and asked: ““What is it, Town. ?”’ “What is what ?” queried Town., apparently perplexed, “That makes yer face twitch so.” Town. laughed, as the color came to his face. The fact of it was, he was thinking of the pretty Madge Taft, but toevade + direct answer, he said: “ Well, I was just thini:.:.g-- thinking whether |, T had better reveal the suspicion that has arisen in my mind ye ‘ Certainly, tell it, by all means,” exclaimed ‘Tumult, Town. Beret nearer the scout and said: “‘T solemnly believe that Rollo is a traitor— that he knew of the savages being concealed in the ferry-boat.” The old scout at once grew restless; he looked at Town.—shifted his rifie to the other shoulder, and said: ‘* What makes ye think so, Town. ?” “ His actions during the fight on the boat—he never lifted a hand to help us, but directly I caught him assisting on board the boat, the say- age that you knocked overboard.” “‘ Didn't he ’pologize when ye ketched him?’ “ He plead excitement.” “Ugh—humph!” ejaculated Old Tumult. “‘Wal, Town., as to that lad kein’ a traitor, we think alike; and thar’s sumthin’ else that I’ve diskivered "bout him, and what s’prises me is that you haven’t see’d it yerself.” ‘‘ What is it?’ asked Town. ; “ all questions are fair.” ** You'd shoot me, Town., if Pd tell you.” Town. was surprised by this blunt remark. ‘‘T will give my word as security for your fife,” he said. “Then Dll tell it. Rollo, the Ranger—” he began, but broke abruptly off in consequence of the angry crack of a rifle, and the ‘‘ whizz” of a bullet in'close proximity to his head. “-Tarnal furies!” he exclaimed, as his keen eyes swept the surrounding forest for the enemy that had fired the shot; ‘‘ what a bad shot that war, Come, lad, tramp quick—tramp lively!” The old scout quickened his steps and length- ened his strides, until Town. was scarcely able to keep pace with him. The young settler wondered why he beat so hasty a retreat’in the face of a single foe as the shot proved. \To him it looked as though the indomitable courage of the old scout was desert- ing him. However, Old Tumult seemed to have ‘read his thoughts, and said: *T don’t fight Ingins like every ole hunter generally does, Town,—” ‘No, 1 see you run from them sometimes.” ““Thar’s logic in it, too, lad; now you see if we'd ’a’ stopped and went to huntin’ fur the red that fired the shot, he’d ‘a’ shot us down. By runnin’ he'll think we’re scart, and out he’ll dive from his nest and take arter us. Then’s the time to turn and let him have it; I think the ijec’s not to be sneezed at.” And so thought Town.,, as the scout Whirled suddenly around, ‘threw his rifle to his face and fired, Simultaneous with the erack of the gun, asavage death-cry rung out through the forest aisles—thus proving how effec was the old Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ci plan of drawing an enemy from am- ush, The two now continued their course without further molestation. Cautiously skirting the Indian village, they reached the Devil’s Staircase, two miles beyond where they had agreed to meet the ranger. The Devil’s Staircase was an almost perpen- dicular declivity, leading down a narrow defile into a low plain or valley. The forest around it was of dense growth, and in broad daylight its shadows lay thick as the gloom of summer twilight. When this point was reached it lacked two hours of night, and as the scout and Town. could do nothing until then, they concluded to conceal themselves, and await its cover before making any further move. A retreat, flanked upon three sides by jutting rocks, was selected by the two men, who at once threw themselves in an attitude of repose. Asan enemy could approach them only in front, it required no extra vigilance to guard their position, and they made themselves quite at ease, After discussing the incidental topics of their situation and future prospects, Town, said: “Then you believe the Boy Ranger is in league with the Indians, eh, Tumult?’ “'Ya-as, with the Arapahoes. They’re mean enuff to league with Satan. I tell ye, Jad, arter all there’s more honor in the Sioux tribe than enny other on this terrestial ball. ‘“None of them are to be trusted far,” said Town. “That depends upon circumstances. The Sioux won’t consort with every white cut-throat that seeks their protection from the laws of the “J will frankly admit that there is more hon- or and manhood in a Sioux Indian than a white renegade like Dick Sherwood. But I cannot imagine why one so young, handsome and in- tellectual as Rollo is, should be a traitor to his own people—and such a secret traitor, too.” hy y, lad,” cried the scout, ‘‘thar’s many a deep, dark m stery that the world ’ll never know enny thing bout.’ “Then, hereafter we can keep an eye upon Rollo’s movements, and see if our suspicions of him are correct,” ‘‘ That’s true, boy; but unless he comes afore night it’ll be too late, or I’m no judge.” ‘What do you mean, Tumult?” “This: if the ranger comes here arter dark, it will be with a troop of Arapahoes at his heels to capture us.” *‘T can not understand your reason for think- ing so.” *’ll tell you, lad; thar’s some devilish plot coming to a crisis, and Dick Sherwood and Rol- lo are at the bottom of it all.” ‘Well, where’s your proof?’ ‘That, fust attempt to kidnap Miss Bryant; the meetin’ affair at Wildwood lake; the kapter of the two gals; the affair at Two Islands, and the ferry-boat surprise, are all the proof that I want,” said Old Tumult; “and, furthermore, our carcasses are mixed up in it some way r other; and now mind, unless we look sharp, that ’ere boy’ll play the deuce with us to-night.” “¢-You really surprise me, Tumult.” “ And I could surprise ye more if I’d tell 0’ the diskivery that I’ve made.” ‘¢Why not tell it?” The scout was silent. question. ‘*‘ You'd feel more like shootin’ me than. thank- ae fur the infurmation,” returned Old Tu- mult. Town. laughed, though his mind was per- plexed. . , ‘* Howsumever,” continued the old scout, ‘I might as well tell it, fur you’re bound to know it sooner or later. The fact is, this mornin’ I diskivered that Rollo, the ranger, and—” Here he broke abruptly off, for a shadow fell across his vision. He seized his rifle and sprung to his feet, and found himself confronted by a tall, powerful Sioux Indian, whom ‘he at jaro recognized as Mahaska, chief of the Sioux tribe! Tumult at once placed himself in an attitude of defense, but a sign from the chief put at rest all fears of an encounter, He showed that his NO jaaiee there was hg with peace ‘and iendship, although Old Tumult had always known him as an enemy. Our friends recognized the chief’s token of friendship by dropping their rifles and folding their arms across their breasts. “‘Good!” ejaculated the chief; ‘‘ the great Tu- mult and his friend know that Mahaska comes with friendship in his breast.” Town. repeated the erry ee “You bet, chief,” returned the scout, extend- ing his large, bony hand; ‘‘it’s hard to mistake that jolly twinkle in yer eye—it means, no skulps wanted,” “The great Tumult is wise. His tongue is straight. His arnvisstrong.. His eyesare keen. His aim is deadly, but Mahaska knows he will not strike a friend.” “You're right there, great chief,” returned the scout, determined to pay an equal amount of compliments; ‘I know yer a brave chief, a splendid feller, a brillunt scholar, a good jedge of whisky, and a brick o’ a boy in general.” The chief reared himself proudly. Although he did not fully understand the English of the scout’s complimentary remarks, he took it all as something very fine. “The great Tumult and Mahaska,” the chief began, “are! friends now. Mahaska was con- cealed in the brush there, when the white men come here to talk. He heard them speak well of the Sioux, and bad of the Arapaho and his white ally. The words of the great scout were words of wisdom and truth, and they have sunk deep into the breast of Mahaska. e will never forget them, and here offers to smoke the pipe of peace with the great Tumult and his friend.” ‘That’s business, chief,” replied Tumult, with a sly wink at Town.; “bring on your pipe oO’ peace, and a ‘ bottle o’ friendship,’ if you've got it. I promise that my people will never harm the Sioux, if the Sioux will keep on his side o’ the creek, and furever bury the hatchet o’ dis- cord and enmity.” SP. awris on pledges the friendship of his peo- ple. ‘‘Then my people will not harm the Sioux. They seek the good will o’ all. But they are brave and will give blow fur blow. When the Sioux attacks, the white will defend.” As the scout concluded, Mahaska gave utter- ance to a low, peculiar chirrup, when there was heard a dull fluttering like many wings, and the next instant fully three score Indian warriors burst from the forest shadows and gathered around our friends and their chief. A chill of distrust passed over our friends at sight of the painted and plumed warriors, but they allowed no look to betray their inward emo- tion to the red-skins. Mahaska made a brief speech to his warriors and informed them that they were about to smoke the pipe of peace with the whites. This bit of news was received with a savage yell that jarred very discordantly upon the tympanum of our friends. Old Tumult nudged Town. and grinned “broadly.” A cirele was now formed. Mahaska drew from a greasy tobacco-pouch a large, dirty calu- met which he loaded and lit. He then took a few whiffs, and handed it to Old Tumult, who, in turn, ‘‘ drew” very lightly on the obnoxious “seal of peace.” In a few minutes the pipe had ‘“‘ swungaround the circle,” and was lodged in its greasy recepta- cle, and peace between the whites and Sioux was declared. However, Old Tumult knew the Indian’s na- ture too well to put implicit confidence in him, and hé would not have heen surprised had the. broken their promise of peace ere the obnoxi- ous taste of the ‘‘ pipe of peace,” was out of his mouth, The warriors now gathered around Old Tu- mult and gazed upon him with no little curios- ity, for in days past, he had been a constant terror to them, and had ornamented his girdle with the scalps of many of their friends. After having discussed various topics inci- dental to the treaty, Mahaska asked: “‘Mahaska ”—he always spoke of himself in the third person—“ heard the great Tumult say that the young white ranger was in league with the Arapaho. He speaks the truth. e ranger is the friend of the Arapaho—the enemy of the Sioux and the’ pale-face.” ‘“How does Mahaska know?’ questioned the scout. ‘* His scouts have been in the heart of the Are ge village. They saw the ranger there, and neard him talking with the white prophet. When the Boy Ranger comes here to meet the great Tumult and his friend, when the sun goes down, let them beware, for he will bring many warriors with him whose hearts burn for their blood.” His own ideas of Rollo’s treachery at once convinced Tumult that there was more truth than fiction in the chief’s warning. ‘We'll be on the watch for the young rascal,” said the scout,,‘‘ when he comes to-night.” _ “Oan the great scout be on the watch for the
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many warriors that will follow him like shad- ows?” ‘*Not if more’n six comes at a time,” replied Tumult. ‘Then Mahaska and his warriors will hide in the forest, and if the Arapahoes come with the ranger, the ®ioux will slay them, for many of my young warriors have promised to go back to the village with Arapaho scalps.” The old scout saw at once what the chief was driving at, and he could do no better than to ac- eept his proffered aid, or protection against the treachery of Rollo. The Sioux seemed highly elated by his accept- ance of their proffered friendship, and as night drew on, they began to secrete themselves in the woods surrounding the point of rendezvous. Old Tumult and Town., for the first time, had the opportunity of seeing a party of savages ambushing themselves for an unsuspecting enemy. Halt crouching, they glided here and there like so many shadows, their eyes flashing with an evil, cunning light. They burrowed them- selves beneath the old leaves and grass like moles; they pressed themselves into holes and crevices where it seemed a serpent could not hide. In five minutes time, Old Tumult and Town, stood alone in the solitude of the great forest. It seemed almost impossible that they stood within a circle of three score bloodthirsty savages. Night came onapace. There was a moon, but it would not be up till two hours after dark. Our friends seated themselves in the path lead- ing to the head of the Devil’s Staircase. They started when the sound of horse’s hoofs told them that some one was approaching from the east. it was the ranger beyond a doubt. Suddenly the tramp of hoofs ceased, and a voice called out: “Hallo, Tumult!” Ay, Rollo; so you’ve come,” responded the old scout. They arose from their seat and approached the ranger, of whom they could catch a faint outline in the darkness, The clear, frank voice of the ranger at once produced in the minds of the friends conflicting ideas. it seemed utterly impossible for one so young, and apparently kind-hearted, to be a traitor to his own race. He had done many | kind acts for the settlers in warning them of | coming danger of late. Yet, despite all this, Tumult and Town. had seen sufficient of his ac- tions in the ferry-boat affair to raise grave doubts, at least; however, they tried to believe that it all came of the impulse and indiscretion of youth. , “ Any news from the captives, Rollo?’ asked Town., as he neared the ranger. ‘* Nothing,” the ranger responded; ‘‘ of course they are in the Indian village, and the question is, how are we to get at them?” ; ‘““The only course I see is to fight our way in and release them, then fight our way out again, if we kin git ’em no other way,” said Old Tu- mult, “Ten to or6 we would all be killed,” said Town. Well, wi%an *y it,” said Rollo; “ faint heart ne’er won fai lady, Town.” Town. was a little touched by this remark, which was slightly tainted with sarcasm; how- ever, he forced back ng retort that came to his lips, and made no reply. ys , Mehere was a momentary silence, aurin which time the ranger toyed with the coiled horn at the pommel of his saddle. Suddenly they were aroused by the sharp bark of a wolf, that echoed through the valley below them. . J ‘‘How human-like is that cry,” said Rollo, “and how it echoes through the valley.” “Yes, I’m thinking there’s more human than wolf about the cry,” said Town. : At this juncture, the jingle of the ranger’s horn drew our friends’ attention toward him. There was just light enough to see him place the instrument to his lips. “Dont you,” cried Old Tumult, but the sound of his voice was drowned in the blast of the horn, ** Ho, you young, traitorous villain!” roared the old scout, and he Jeaped toward the ranger, but the latter whirled his horse’s head and dash- ed away. Then there was'a hurrying of many feet, the flitting of many dark forms—followed by the blood-cbilling war-whoop of two scoreand ten arene warriors, as they closed in upon our mds. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 11 CHAPTER XIII. THE TRAGEDY AT THE LAKE, THE dark line of Arapaho warriors stopped ere they had got within reach of our two friends, for scarcely had their own war-cry pealed from their own lips, when there arose a sound that | seemed to issue from the earth, the sky and the air, soloud and fierce that the earth seemed to tremble beneath them, Mahaska had been true to his word, and, with his warriors, had come fo the rescue; and, after all, the Arapahoes were rection. Half of their number, however, fell under the blows of the Sioux. Tumult and Town, escaped without a scratch. The following morning search was made among the dead was not there. In consequence of the defeat of the Arapa- hoes, Old Tumult and Mahaska became fast friends, and took another ‘* pipe of peace” over the victory. The chief now sent scouts in all directions to | keep a watch upon the movements of the enemy, while Old Tumult and Town., accompanied by Mahaska, set off toward the Arapaho village to reconnoiter the situation. Arriving in the vicinity of the village, they gained an eminence from which they could com- mand a view of the encampment. They saw that great commotion prevailed within the vil- lage, and that the leading warriors were con- econ going to and from the lodge of the pro- phet. Mahaska smiled grimly as he watched these movements, for well he read their import. A squad of some fifteen warriors leaving the village and moving in the direction of our friends, induced the latter to seek more secluded quarters. In case that the rescue of the maidens could not be effected during the day, Mahaska had decided to make a night attack upon the vil- lage, and for that purpose had dispatched a messengir to his village for a reinforcement of warriors. About two miles south of the Arapaho village was a small lake, which the chief had selected as the point of rendezvous for his warriors soon after nightfall; and as they saw there was not the shadow of a chanee to rescue the maidens during the day, the chief, Old Tumult and Town. set off for the lake. Arrived at the lake, the trio proceeded to pro- cure some food, of which they were feeling greatly in need. Some venison was soon ob- tained and roasted, and a hearty meal made thereon, Then the party retired to a secluded spot near the edge of the lake to await the com- ing of night. : he day dd slowly away. To Town. it seemed as though night would never come, and the more he thought of the trader’s lovely daughter the more impatient he became. At last the shades of evening began to gather over the silent forest. The tree-frogs began their doleful piping and the crickets their mournful chirps; and as the shadows continued to thicken, the deep and solemn breathing of nature, peculiar to the wilderness after nightfall, was heard in all around, One by one the stars looked out through the blue vault of heaven as the darkness increased. _The trio still remained within their covert, silent as the ve itself, Suddenly their ears caught the sound of voices, and the tramp of feet coming up the ston th that wound along the shore of the little lake et. Old Tumult and his companions bent their heads and listened closely, They heard the voices ‘again. They were the voices of white persons, judging from the sound, a man and woman’s. With eyes and ears strained to the wimost, the trio watched and listened. ° The footsteps came nearer and nearer, bui.the voices ceased, bare rock, over which ran tho trail that the | man and woman were following, and which jutted out over the waters of the lake, lay be- a our friends and, the two unknown pedes- rians, . Presently the latter ‘emerged from. the shad- ows of the woods into the opening on the rock. Here they halted. Our friends saw that it wasa shee Nay woman, sure enough. But who were ey Neither spoke, and it was too dark to distin- | guish their features. , For several moments they stood upon the Where was Mahaska and his warriors now? | rock, . Ah! where indeed? At last the woman asked: he surprised party, and | like sheep they scattered and fled in every di- | <A ENR RO OT ARRAN RELA WR TIA EEE aR OUR TNS TS FC Seam Ro A De mes em ree oy wove 2) ‘Why do you stop here?’ Town. started. e recognized the voice, and its soft musical tone seemed to echo through the chambers of his wildly-throbbing heart, The man made no reply to her question, but turning he seized her, dragged her to the edge of the rock, and hurled her over the precipice into the lake, twenty feet below. There was a wild, despairing shriek—a loud plash in the water, then all was over. ‘“Save her, for God’s sake, Mahaska!” whis- pered Town, to the chief, who, like a shadow, glided from the young man’s side as he spoke, Old Tumult cocked his rifle, and leveled it at the breast of the unknown murderer, but he dic not fire. The figure of another woman was seen ; | to glide from the shadow of the woods, and for the body of Rollo; but it throw herself into the open arms of the man. ‘* Thank God it is over with!” said the man. * And we are rich—the Golden Horn is ours!” replied the woman. Searcely had the last word fallen’ from her lips, when two rifles on the opposite side of the opening rung out—a cry of mortal agony pealed from the lips of the man and woman—they stag- gered, reeled, and sunk heavily to the earth. Two Sioux Indians rushed from cover of the woods, and stooping, were in the act of scalping the fallen man and woman, when Old Tumult and Town. rushed from their covert and pre- vented the bloody act. ‘CHAPTER XIV. A VILLAIN DEFEATED, DEFEATED in his repeated attempts to capture or kill Old Tumult and Town, upon Two Islands, Dick Sherwood returned to the Indian village his feelings wrought up to the highest pitch of yoo And fuel was added te the consuming fire of his wrath, when the news of the slaughter of his warriors at the Devil’s Staircase reached his rs, The fates seemed against him, Every one of his daring and deep-laid plots of vengeance nes failed, excepting the surprise at Wildwood lake, The handsome devil cared nothing for the lives of the savages, only as far as his selfish wickedness was concerned, And to have accom- plished the purpose of his will, he would have sacrificed every Warrior in the tribe.. However, when one plot failed, his wicked, fertile brain soon conceived another, On the moyniny of the day that Clara Bryant had promised to ey him for her liberty, he came rushing into her lodgé inquiring for Madge Taft. But, Madge was not there, and in a tone of ungovernable rage he declared she had es- caped; and should he recapture her, he would inflict all sorts of punishment upon her. Although Clara wus Glad that Madge had es- caped, it made her feel more lonely and deso- late, when she thought that she was entirely alone, so far as friends were concerned, in the midst of enemies. She thought it very strange, too, that Madge would, or did leave, without hinting her inteh- tions to her. As the day wore away, Clara felt in hopes that Sherwood had given up his desire to marry her out of revenge, and that she would be set at liberty. However, in this she was bitterly disappointed. It wanted about an hour of sun set, when the renegade entered her lodge accom yanied by a white man, whom he introduced ag Father ules, the missionary. ‘“T have come, Miss Bryant,” the villain sai “to claim a fulfillment of your promise to w me.” A low sob escaped poor Clara’s lips, and she wurned ghastly pale. “Are you not sick, my dear child?” asked Father Jules. } ‘No, sir,” erin articulated the maiden, whose senses seemed deserting her, and whose heart erew sick and faint; \° ‘ “And youare willing to become the wife of Richard Sherwood, are you?” questioned the missionary. Clara seria in the affirmative, though she was almost totally unconscious of what was pass- ing about her, and but for, the support of the renegade she would have fallen, In this state of semi-consciousness the maiden stood by the side of Sherwood, and the marriage ceremony was performed. When the missionary pronounced them man and wife, Clara had wholly fainted. Restora- tives, however, were immediately applied, and she was brought back to consciousness. As soon as the ceremony was performed, Fa- ther Jules seated himself, and rom ey a strip of, paper, wrote thereon the fol- owing:
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a Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. **Seprember 20th, 18—. | “T, Victor Jules, a regularly ordained minister of | the church of the Holy Evangelist, hereby certify | that on this day, I joined in the holy bonds of wed- lovk, Richard Sherwood and Clara Holmes, “Victor JULES.” This certificate the missionary gave to Sher- wood, who read it, smiled, folded it up and put it carefully away in an inner pccket. Victor Jules soon took his departure from the lodge, and when they were alone, Sherwood turned to Clara, and said: j * My dear little wife, you have been honest in fulfilling your agreement, now {shall fulfill mine and set you at liberty.” Clara’s eyes brightened, and her heart beat more hopeful to think that slie was going to be released. She felt certain tliat when she was ; beyond Sherwood’s power, lie would have no claim upon her as a husband}; for, in her inmost heart she knew the ceremony was all a farce, | and she had very grave doubts as to Victor Jules being a missionary. But, why it was that Sherwood had taken this course for re- venge upon Town. Farnesworth, was a mystery toher. Hesurely had sense enough to know that the marriage was not binding upon them. But, alas! Clara did not—could not read the secret intentions of the villain’s heart. “And am I toreturn to the post alone?” she asked. “No; I will escort yru as faras Talbott Taft’s cabin,” he returned; “ chat is as close to the post as will be safe for m* neck,” ** And when are we to start?’ Clara asked. ‘* At once,” ; The news was joy’»|tothemaiden. Shecould scarcely refrain from clapping her hands and shouting with joy and thanks. By this time it ‘vas nearly sunset, and ere the renegade and muviden had taken their departure from the villags, the shadows of evening had begun to gather over the woodland, and lurk as- sassin-like in the valleys. + _ They set off on foot, folowing a plain-beaten path through the forest, southward, The journey before her was a long one, but Clara was so overpowered with joy, that she had never taken one thought of her inability to ever reaca the post on foot, » : : The two moved on in silence for about a mile » or more, when Sherwood spoke. "she could gain composure to reply: s f h Town., - baie, oF ese _ leet any thing of your early home in **Clara,” he said, ‘‘have you any recollections | of your early childhood#—that is, do jer recol- hio?” Themaiden was not a 1 ttle surprised by this strange question, and it was quite a while before “Why should’ I not, when it has been but a few years since I left there?” ‘Then you know that you are not the child of Geoffry Bryant,” the renegade said. Clara started at the question. Never had it been breathed to her before that she was not the child of those whom she had loved as father and mother since her childhood recollections. And why should the renegade know more of her than she did herself? , ** [know no such a thing,” she replied, a little pears pote “Well, I know that you are not the child of Geoffry Bryant,” Sherwood replied. ** How do you know it?” she asked, The villain made no reply, for at this junc- ture they emerged into a small opening at the edge of a little lake, where the renegade stopped. “Why do you stop here?” Clara asked. ~ Still the villain made no reply, but, turning, he seized the maiden, cragzed her to the edge _ of the o ning, and hurled her over the cliff into the Tike below. / nies What followed this murderous deed the read- | or already knows. - ty CHAPTER XV.. A STARTLING DISCOVERY, ‘Waar in the name of the holy tortures does this all mean?” yelled Old Tumult, as he knelt by the prostrate form of the man, while Town. Yarnesworth knelt by the woman, The scout bent low and gazed into the face of | hands. the man. — rife : The __& shout, that rolled through the forest aisles like a peal of thunder, burst from his lips. He recogni the m : se! face of IAD 2S 3 It was that of Dick Sherwood! __ } _The old scout communicated his discovery to and then hist 4 Who've you. ti thar, Town,” _ A groan burst: ‘om the young man’s lips, and. | me Whats up, what's up?” questioned the scout my eyes deceive me, lumult!” he Sie the face br Madge Taft.” “Holy smoke o’ torture!” burst from Tu- mult’s lips, as he knelt by the motionless form of the woman, and gazed into her face. ‘‘ Yes, yes; it is the trader’s gal, but’ she is not dead.” A moan of pain from the woman’s lips veri- fied his assertion. j “Water, Tumult, water!” cried Town.; “let us save her, if we can.” ‘Tt is no use, Town.; nothing can save me.” It was the woman who spoke, in a feeble, smothered tone, as she nervously clutched at her throbbing brow. \ “My God, Madge! is this reality, or some hor- rid vision?” cried Town., dropping on his knees | beside her, and raising her head from the hard | stone and pillowing it on his breast, “Yes, Town.—but save her—save Clara! It was she that he threw over the cliff!—save her, for she loves you!” “The chief will save her; rest easy—” Rida chief !” she interrupted, with almost a shriek, & ‘** Yes; Mahaska, the Sioux chief,” replied own. “Ah!” she sighed, painfully, ‘‘ that accounts for our defeat.” ra “Your defeat? what do you mean, dear Madge?” ‘** Oh, Town., I have been such a wicked wo- man—I have plotted deeply and darkly against you and Clara. I won your affections from her and yet 1 wasa married woman—the lawful wife of—” The name was lost ina moan of pain, and Town. felt a repulsive flush mount to his face. He would have shrunk away from her as from an adder, had he not remembered that she was dying—dying so young, so beautiful, so wicked, so inlie-hoarta There wasa momentary silence which was broken by the dying woman’s voice: “Town.,” she said, “although I have been your worst enemy, [ want to ask one request of you.” ' ‘** Name it,” said Town., ‘‘and it shall be granted.” . “Then after I am dead, I want you to convey my body and the body of Dick Sherwood to the cabin of Talbott Taft.” ‘‘ lt shall be done, I promise you,” said Town. ; “but, what is Dick Sherwood ‘to you, Madge?” **Town., Iam dying fast. I have but a few minutes to live, I would tell you all about my life and the deep, dark game of sin and treach- ery in which I have been engaged, could I live long enough. But when you convey my lifeless body and that of Dick Sherwood to the cabin of the Indian trader, he will tell you—tell you all. Oh, if I only knew that Clara escaped.” At thi Sg 2a ebSape ek moccasinéd feet was heard approaching, and the next moment Mahaska drew near with the drip- ping form of Clara Bryant in his arms. “Ts she dead, chief?” asked Oid Tumult, «N 9; ” responded the chief, ‘‘ but she is uncon- scious,” by pai! “ Thank God!” cried Town. ; then bending low to the dying woman, he said: “* She lives, Madge.” 4 . The woman made no reply, but there w rattling in her throat—a convulsive stiffening of the limbs and body. Then there was arelax- ing of the muscles, that told of the separation a os the soul and body—that Madge Taft was ead. Town. laid the lifeless body gently down, and then went and assisted Old Tumult and Mahas- ka in restoring Clara to life. The fall and the effects of the water together had proven a terrible shock to the maiden, and for awhile her life was despaired of. But, at last, she began to recover, _ By this time all of Mahaska’s warriors had gathered at the lake sr He r work, but in con- whites, and it was a oe, / when morning dawned ight and pleasant, ‘Breakfasting on roasted venison, the party was soon Faas for departure. | all, he disco cise aerate ask, heavy tread of captives, the attack | in his fancied love for the fascinating and wick- ed Madge Taft. When all were ready for starting, Town. drew the maiden’s arm within his own and set off in advance. Hedid not tell her of the fate of Sherwood and Madge, as she had been kept beyond sight of the bodies while at the lake; but, while moving along through the woods, she happened to glance back and saw the savages in the rear of the procession bearing something up- on litters. This aroused her curiosity and she inguired of Town. what it meant. .. own. gently broke to her the news of the death of Sherwood and Madge. “Thank God, I am free then!” ' The words burst involuntarily from Clara’s lips, and they were no sooner spoken than she seemed to have regretted their utterance, ‘“ Why, yes, Clara,” laughed Town., ‘‘ you are free. Did you think I was Sherwood?’ Clara smiled as she raised her eyes and gazed into Town.’s face. “*No, Town.,” she replied, ‘‘ I had reference to something else. I will tell you what it is an- other time.” Town. was a little mystified, still he ~1s too \ thoughtful of her wishes to insist on an explan- — pig and so he said nothing more on the sub- ject. . It was past noon when the cabin of Talbott Taft was reached. They found the old trader at home in a state of great excitement, occasion- ed, he said, by the absence of his daughter. Town. told him that he had bad news fpr him, and aga ng to break it to him as gently as possible. A wail burst from the old man’s lips, and staggering he sunk heavily into a chair. In a few moments the savages bearing the litters filed into the cabin and placed the bodies before the old man, who fell upon his knees and. sel bitterly over the body of Madge. ur friends and the savages went out into the yard and left the mourner alone with his dead and when his lamentations had ceased, Old — Tumult went back to the door and asked: | “Js thar enny thing, Mr. Taft, that we kin do fur you?” A wail of sorrow burst anew: from the trad- er’s lips and it was several moments before ha gained calmness to reply. : “Nothing, Tumult, nothing, unless you help me to bury af dead.” ; “That we'll do,” returned the scout; ‘you have only to command us.” ‘‘A grave will have to be dug, and—” — Here his voice broke down, and he sobbed bitterly. Old Tumult went out, and with the assistance of Town. and Mahaska, hollowed out two graves. in the shadow of an oak that stood in front of the cabin, The bodies were then wrapped in blankets and carried out and laid in the graves, and covered from the view of the world forever. 4 The old trader moaned as though his heart would break, and when our friends had announ ed their intention of departing for the post, he, called Old Tumult and Town. aside and said: “Tumult I want you and ‘fown, to come here to-morrow morning. Will you promise me that you will?” “We will,” r nded the two in a breath. ‘Do not fail. 1 have something to reveal to 2 pat op way be of interest to you oth. I wish to show pe the reward of the wicked and the wages of sin.” “We will come without fail,” said Old Tu- mult. ‘And so the whites and the Sioux took their i Syptrte from the cabin, and Talbott Taft was left alone to weep and mourn, ; . 5:7" polbiae CHAPTER XVI. . A SURPRISE. . “THE Indians are coming! the Indians are coming! to arms! to arms!” fosrahe es This was the startling cry that ran from lip to lip throughout Clontarf’s Post, as the hardy yeomanry of the settlement flew to their cabins _ for their arms, and hurried their wives and little ones away to the block-house. Those liv- ing just outside of the stockade were soon with- in the inclosure, whose gates were then securely barred and bolted against the party of Indians that had been discovered crossing the river a and OM. Captaln. Ghormk the wellttary Mheadinie 2 ae ; Uid Ua torm, m head an ae center of the post, wae thé Bot ging? thesis ae i 2 .
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Hee e ee ae nee ceeen ena Set Rena Ae SASL AT a SN EE eS they were a war-party bent upon death and de- struction. In a few minutes the settlers were prepared for defense, although they were, not, by any means, prepared for a lengthy siege. Father Earnshaw and Captain Storms now ascended to the top of the block-house to watch the movements of the enemy, while the settlers stood, rifle in hand, ready for the conflict. The two sentinels on the block-house were not a little surprised to see the enemy marching bodily down the river toward the stockade. “ Aly! here they come, boys, three hundred strong!” the old captain shouted to the men be- low; ‘‘stand by your arms, for a bloody time is coming!” } Father Earnshaw looked at the enemy until his eyes grew misty—he then took off his spec- tacles, wiped them, put them on again, glanced at the enemy, then tw™ed to the old man-of-war at his side, and said: f Batis se “ Surely, captain, your eyesight is failing you, for according to my estimate of the enemy’s force, you have exaggerated their number in the ratio of about ten to one.” ‘ “Your eyes deceive you, Mr. Earnshaw,” re- turned the stern old warrior; ‘‘long experience in just such matters has enabled me to tell the number of the enemy, or a body of men, at sight.” : ak % Excitement sometimes, captain, multiplies the amount of danger in the mind’s eye, as I think it has in your case; for, come down to the fact of the matter, I don’t. believe it is a war- party at all.” Pm Man! man!” exclaimed Storms, “do not let the thoughts of a battle—of danger, destroy thy throne of reason. Better go down into the block- house.” ; Father Earnshaw could not help laughing at the old captain’s wild excitement. . ‘“‘ Look there, captain!” he finally exclaimed; ‘as [ live, Old Tumult and Town. Farnesworth and Clara Bryant are at the head of your war- party of three hundred,” The captain looked ce! and closely at the ap- roaching party, rubbed his eyes, chafed his d crown, glanced at Earnshaw, then at the arty again, moved uneasily, and at last burst into a roar of laughter, which of itself was suf- ficient to show his perplexity and embarrass- ment, ‘‘T thought, Mr. Earnshaw—” : But Mr, Earnshaw was gone. He had slipped away from the captain, who was alittle hard of hearing as well as defective in seeing, and de- scending from the block-house, he approached the men and told them of the captain’s ne pe and the real nature of the approaching party o savages, The gate of the stockade was at once thrown ppen, and Old Tumult, Town, and Clara, and the {ndian escort of about a score in number, ad- mitted amid ringing shouts of joy and welcome. Town. conducted @lara to the cabin of her father, while Old Tumult explained to the set- tlers why Mahaska and his warriors were there. The joy of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant was exceed- ingly great, when their only child was onee more restored to their hearts. And the settlers all partook of their joy. After the excitement of the happy meeting wasover, and Clara and her mother found them- selves alone, the former drew near the latter and said: ‘¢ Mother, am [ your child?’ Mrs. Bryant started. ‘“‘ Why, Clara, you surprise me!” she ex- claimed. “‘T see I do, mother,” replied Clara, ‘* but Dick Sherwood told me that I was not your child.” Mrs. Bryant turned haat & pale, and Clara saw at once that she was grea y agitated. ‘Ts it true, mother?’ she asked, her arms stealing softly around the matron’s neck, “Tt is, it is, Clara! alas, it is too true; but how could that villain, Dick Sherwood, ever have ained the truth? What did hesay about it, lara?’ e Clara told her all that Sherwood had said, and even of her marriage with him, and the reason why she had married him, and the sub- sequent death of Sherwood and Madge Taft, . Bryant was completely overwhelmed by this revelation of matters, and after trying to unburden her perplexed mind, she said: “No, Clara, you are not my child, I took you to raise when you were but two years old,” ‘Are either of my parents living?’ Clara “Your father may be, but your mother is dead, and it is by her dying request that I have never told you before of your be 5 an orphan.” * and have I no relations living?” cred. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. ‘‘- Your mother said she had a brother living, but she had not heard of him for ten years, up to the hour of her death.” ‘And you said my father might be living, did you not?” ‘‘-Yes: since the worst is known, I may as well tell all. Domestic trouble separated your parents. Your father enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war, and as he never came back, it was supposed that he fell at the battle of Cha- | Your mother died shortly after the | pultepec. separation. Your father I never saw.” ‘‘ And so none of the settlers here know but what I am your child?” “No. We came from the State of Maine here, while most of the settlers are trom Ohio— that is, we went from Maine to Ohio, and from there came here.” : ee bowed her head and wept sadly—bit- erly. CHAPTER XVII. A REVELATION. TRUE to their promise, Old Tumult and Town. returned to the cabin of Talbott Taft the follow- sy BER s they approached the lonely hut, they saw no sign of life about it, but pushing on they reached the door, upon which Town. gently rapped. But no one bade them enter, and it was then that a strange suspicion rushed across our two friends’ minds, and pushing the door open they entered. ‘ True enough, their suspicions were verified by seeing Talbott Taft sitting bolt-upright in a chair near a rude table, stone dead ! ‘ Self-destruction,” muttered Town., as he pointed to a glass upon the table, in which there was some liquid of a greenish color; and then as his eyes fell upon a folded paper near the glass, he continued: “and here is no doubt a written confession, and a lengthy one, too, for there are a number of pages.” He unfolded the papers and glanced at the head of the writing, which was well executed, though it showed some nervousnegs of the writer. “ROMANTIC IMAGINATION—TRAGICAL REAL- ITY, These were the words heading the MS., and Town. at once perceived that the writer thereof had been fostering some romantic hopes that had ended in a tragical death. The first thing our friends did was to bury the body of the trader by the side of his daugh- ter, This last sad duty performed, the scout and Town, returned to the cabin and seated themselves. Town now took up the manuscript and began reading it aloud, ltran thus: , _‘*Tn one of the loveliest rural districts of Vir- ginia is a ear estate, with a great stone man- sion and lovely surroundings—all that heart could wish, art devise, and wealth procure— known as The Golden ‘Horn. Four years ago the owner of The Golden Horn lay dying. He was a bachelor, and no wife nor child was there to mourn his coming death. Only Mrs. Martha Hohn, his housekeeper, sat by his dying bed. ‘‘Mrs, Hohn was herself a widow, with an only child, Cecil, who at this time was away at Richmond attending a pose eras at the expense of the owner of The Golden Hogn. Mrs. Hohn, for years, had secretly aspired to’ be mis- tress of The Golden Horn, but all her charms and suavity of manners failed to make, an im- pression on the hard heart of the stern old bach- elor. And now he lay dying, and Mrs. Hohn’s aspirations and hopes were dying ; ‘¢Martha Hohn,’ he said, as she seated her- self by his bed, ‘I’m dying, that’s certain, The death-dews are upon my brow now. And now Martha, promise me upon my death-bed that ou will do me a favor after I’m dead and gone. Wew'vé been kind to me, Martha, and straight- forward, and of all others, I would trust none sooner than you with so important a care, Pro- mise me, Martha Hohn.’ } Martha Hohn promised by all that was sa- «¢Then,’ continued the dying man, ‘away up in. Maine, on the Penobscot river, years ago dwelt an only sister, but she is dead now. She married there, and had a child—a daughter, whom she called Clara. Domestic troubles final- ly parted sister and her husband. He went to the war, and sister died. But her baby lived, and was adopted by a Mr. and q ffry Bryant. Where the Bryants are, I do not know, but I want you to find them, Martha, and give to their adopted child, Clara, this will (here he drew from under his pillow a folded papér) which gives to her The Golden Horn. She is the last of my relations now living. For all I know she may be dead. If she is dead, she may 13 AE EEX} £ SAU have married, and may have a husband or child living; if so, give the will to them.’ ‘Mrs, Hohn renewed her promise to the dy- ing man, though the devil took possession of her heart the moment she got tlie will in her fingers. “The owner of The Golden Horn died, and Mrs. Hohn became more determined than ever | to possess the estate. “She hastened to Richmond and found that her daughter Cecil had just been married to a handsome, but penniless man whose morals weré any thing but good. Mrs. Hohn made known her resolye to her son-in-law and daughter. Both were as wicked as she, and so they volun- teered their assistance to aid her in fer dark scheme. “The trio went up to Maine and found that Geoffry Bryant ped moved several years age to Ohio., So they followed on to Ohio, and were there disappointed by learning that Mr. Bryant and family had gone with a colony to the the» territory of Lowa. “The trio rigged themselves out with a con veyance and set out for the Far West. It was more than two years before they found out the exact whereabouts of Bryant, and during this time they took up their residence with the Ara- paho Indians. Cecil’s husband, by dint of much deceit and dre peal 4 worked himself into the confidence of the Indians so thoroughly, that they conferred upon him the honor of prophet. But much to their disadvantage in playing for The Golden Horn, the prophet’s name and fame went abroad among the Arapaho’s enemies, the white settlers, and so it became dangerous for him to venture within a white settlement. ‘*When Mrs. Hohn found that Bryant resided at Clontarf’s Post, she began laying her plans. She found that Clara, the heir to The Golden Horn, bad grown to a beautiful womanhood, and was on the eve of marriage with Town. Farnesworth. All this they learned through Rollo, the Boy Ranger.” ‘Smoke o’ torture!” exclaimed Old Tumult; ‘‘T told ye that ’ere boy war a young devil.” Town. made no reply, but read on: ‘The first thing to be done was to prevent the marriage of Town. and Clara. And Mrs, Hohn at once proposed that her daughter Cecii win Town.’s affections from Clara, until Clara could be disposed of as they desired. * About thls time Mrs, Hohn very suddenly and mysteriously disappeared from the s action. But her son and daughter continued the work of crime. ‘* Cecil now assume the namo of Madge Taft, and went to reside with Talbott Taft, the Indian trader, as his daughter. “ Here she met Town. Farnesworth, and true enough, succeeded in winning him from Clara. “The next work to be done was to secure Clara’s right to The Golden Born, ° This way the most difficult portion of the whole plot, However, Cecil’s husband, who was none othet than Dick Sherwood, resolved to kidnap Clara —carry her to the Indian village, and there force her into a mock marriage with him—ob- tain a certificate of the marriage—put Clara out of the way, and then return to Virginia. and by Lrdippiore | the will and certificate both in probate, establish his right to The Golden Horn. Then as it was not known that he was already Cecil’s husband in the vicinity of The Golden Horn, he could enter into anothen mar- riage with her, and thereby cover up all suspi cions of their previous relationship, should any such suspicions arise. “The first attempt, however, to carry Clara away resulted in the capture of Sherwood, and but for the timely arrival of Rollo, the ranger, it would have ended in his death by hanging in the forest. The young ranger cut the rope with his saber, the instant that the settlers turned their faces toward the pest, and a frend to the unfortunate man came from his cor-ceal- J ment in the woods near the scene of the execu- tion, and restored him to consciousness. In order to mislead the settlers, the body of a Sioux Indian, slain by_ Rollo, was hung the limb where Sherwood had been left. The wolves and vultures stri thesones of its fi thereby the deteetion of tne cheat was ne found out until after the attack at Wildwood lake, This latter affair was all owing to the wicked cunni of Sherwood, alias Fathea Ainesley. He had hoped, that by drawing the settlers out to the meeting beyond reach of theit stronghold, he would not only capture C but wreak ven ce upon them for the ‘h ing affair’ in the f . In this he ] succeeded through the codperation of the duck- disguised Arapahoes. Clara Ainesley during Ake Sentiick and: clone’ Bik
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Madge, who assumed the role of prisoner also, for purposes that are plainly significant, carried away; but she and Ml } was also Sherwood, by,Old Tumult and Town. A storm coming up, they sought shelter upon Two Islands. While theré, Madge succeeded in releasing Sherwood. And together they es- caped, carrying Clara away with them, though Clara knew not the part that Madge was play- ing. “Madge shouting for help, when away from the islands, was all a cover to conceal suspicion. “Twill here mention, that Rollo did know of the foursavages being in the hold of the ferry- boat.. It was an arrangement for the capture of the scout and Town.” ‘¢ Ho! ho! ho!” roared Old Tumult; “it war a galorious failure, too, ’m dreamin’, eh boy?” “Indeed it was,” returned Town, then he read on: ‘¢ Rollo and Sherwood laid another trap at the Deavil’s Staircase, for the capture of Tumult and his friend, but this failed also; so Rollo inform- ed me the morning following the defeat. “The ranger also informed me that through | the instrumentality of Madge Taft, Clara had been induced to marry Sherwood, The rene- gade promised her that he would liberate her / and Madge just as soon as the wedding was over, and a certificate of the missionary—who was gotten upon purpose for the occasion, he being a white renegade called Tom Jules— securely in his pocket. Sherwood’s* intention was to drown Clara in the lake when pretending | to escort her home. Madge was to meet him there at the lake, when they would at once take their departure for the East—he prove claim to The Golden Horn as the husband of the de- | ceased heiress. What more would really be | necessary to establish his claim, according to the adge were recaptured, as | will? Nothing. But, alas! in the very hour, | yea, the very minute of their triumph, death seized them both! é ‘¢Thus you have a full confession of the sins of Martua Hohn and her son-in-law and daugh- ter, And»erhaps you would ask, where was Martha Hohn during the latter Far of this wicked drama? I would answer: Martha Hohn writes this confession, for Martha Hohn and Tal- bott Taft are one and the same! I donned my disguise to aid Dick and Cecil in their work of wickedness that was hatched in my own brain. *¢ And what has become of Rollo, the Ranger, will be asked as time goes by, for Rollo will never again appear on the stage of action. Tt has often been a source of great wonder to me, | that: Town., Farnesworth, in his attentions to Madge, and his conferences with Rollo, did not detect that Madge and Rollo were one and the same person | ‘*Poor Cecil! she was brave, daring and strong, and played her part wich all the skill of an accomplished actress. She deserved a better fate, and but for the influence around her, might have won it, “On the table by my side, in the little tin box, is the will that I promised by all that was sacred to deliver to Clara Holmes, Will the reader of this deliver it to her? It is my last re- quest, MartHa Houn,” And tlius ended the manuscript, leaving Town. wrapt in wonder and surprise, while Old Tumult seemed terribly agitated. ‘Of all the complicated cases of sin and sin- ners in disguise, this beats me!” exclaimed Town. Old Tumult made no reply. His agitation seemed to be increasing. ‘“ What’s the matter, Tumult?” asked Town, ‘* Holmes! Holmes!” muttered the scout, as though he was unconscious of so doing. ‘“ As God’s in heaven, it must be so!” and then spring- ing to his feet hecried, excitedly : “ Come, lad, let’s rack out for the post! I be- lieve I’ve struck a bee-line! Fetch the will, jad.” Town. made no reply, for the scout darted out | of the cabin and away toward the post, at such | a rapid speed, that he could scarcely keep in | sight of him, | “T declare, the old chap is terribly excited,” | muttered Town., through the forest, a oe When he reached the post, the old scout bent | 3 Tae New Youre Saanr. By Albert W, Aiken.. his foot teps toward Geoffry Bryant’s cabin, At the door he was met by Clara. ** Why, Tumult—Mr. Raynor!” the maiden ex- | claimed, ‘‘ you are excited—what is wrong?” Tumult laid his hand upon the maiden’s head, | 8? Hit, THe Hoxcueack. By J. H. Robinson... 1 and gazed into her eyes as though he were going to read her heart through. * And are you Clara Holmes?” he cried. « Yes; so mother—Mrs. Bryant—just told me, as he proceeded onward | ~4 Tieaer Dick, Tae Faro Kina. ‘* Have you no remembrance of your parents?” interrupted the scout. “*T have none,” returned Clara, sadly. At this juncture, Mrs. Bryant made her ap- pearance, and having overheard their conversa- tion, said: ‘Clara was but two years old when her | mother died, Mr. Raynor, consequently she _ Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. could not be expected to remember much of her.” | ** But the father?” exclaimed the scout. ‘‘ He parted from her mother a year before she died.” ‘**Did you know him, Mrs. Bryant?” “T did not. I never saw him. He went to the Mexican war and never came back.” ** What was his full name?” “Clement Holmes, so his wife told me.” ‘Clement Holmes!” burst from the scout’s lips; ‘“‘ then, thank God! ehild! Jam Glement Holmes!” Yes s, Old Tumult, or Roll Raynor proved himself to be the father of Clara—Clement Holmes! I will not attempt to describe the scenes of joy and happiness that followed this revelation, for they defy the power of this pen, fae reader can imagine what they must have been. Following the reunion of father and daughter, | came the news of Clara being the heiress to a vast fortune in Virginia, by what means is already known. I will not undertake to narrate the scenes and adventures through which Old Tumult passed after his separation from his- wife, up to. his meeting with his child; suffice it to say that they were many—wild and dangerous. Clara, as the wife of Townsend Farnesworth, returned with her husband to Virginia, and proved her claim to the The Golden Horn, She forgave him his love affair with Madge Taft, though he can not forgive himself for be- ing made the dupe of the wicked enchantress. After much persuasion, Old Tumult was in- | duced to leave the West with its wild adventure and take up his home with his children in Vir- ginia, among the quietudes of civilization. Still there was scarcely a day during the remainder of his eventful life but what the voice of his heavy rifle, Vibrator, might have been heard rolling in prolonged reverberations through the mountains that formed the southern boundary of The Golden Horn. And after the day’s hunt was over, and the strong old hunter returned to the mansion with his game-bag well filled, he was always met at the gate by a group of urchins, who welcomed him with their childish shouts of joy, and who called him ‘‘ Grandpa.” And here, dear reader, I let drop the curtain over my imperfect—yet I hope interesting— drama, and lay down my pen, - Clara, you are my | | 56 Tae INDIAN MAZEPPA. ' 44 Oup Dan Rackpack. By Ol] Coomes......... ... 10¢ 45 O_p Botuw’s Bye. By Jos. EB. Baager, Jr...... 10¢ 46 Bowrn-Knirr Ben. 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; BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME«[_ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detlance; or, Double Daggers. 25 Deadwood Dick in Disgulse; or, Buflal. Ben. 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle.’ 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll, be Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Pick on Deck}; or, ¢ alamity 4 ine, the Heroine “sh re teh Pee pet or, Corduroy Charlie. : 4 ee aa meeanocs para ye re ae The Double Cross Sign. eadwoo ck as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Dead wood Dick's Iilome Base; or, Blonds Bill. 43s Becdesed Bite wean << AGemei B KO cadwoodt? or e Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick's Dreams or, The Rivals of the Road, R01 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Bee ponaveer rate soem 4. oFe pain seer Adventure, . woo¢ ck’a Dend ° 221 Deadwood Dick's Death-Piant. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and T 8 268 Deadw ; § vee Bes wsadmoed Biche mecatectyrrs srs eaten? Tae 809 Deadwood Dick’« Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oreeen. +t eae wocd Plek’a Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats BBt [bg be sod pia 7 Duecata; or, Days in the Diggings, Bes peadroca Bick‘c Ciciers! or ns Ten venietn 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick’« Dinmonda. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case.” ans peacweod eee ; hala or, The Chained Hand. cad wood e rs or, The Crimao: 448 Deadwood Dick, aa, attache’ foe ee 458 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’ Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Big Round-Up, 45 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Racket at Claim 10, 171 Deadwood Diek, Jr’a Corral; or. Bozeman Bil, 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Dog Detective. 451 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood. AYL Deadwood Dick, Jr.%, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr,’a, Inheritance 500 Deadwood Dick, groa Dt nga. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 615 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee, 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Three. 529 Yendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocg 5649 Deadwooa Dick, Jr., on Mia Mettle, 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 5661 Deadweod Dick, Jr., in Boston, 5667 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. bT2 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, B78 Dendwood Dick. Jr.. Afloat. 5Sa Deadwooe Dick. wr.. in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree, os peaewees oo $7 ay! detrei “he le gecared endwoo e r., at Coney Island. . 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Oincinnatl. 624 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Nevada, 6380 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 612 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. In Buffalo. Soe ee thee Hee vein Seas Acrosa the Continent ” an Dia theakavekarion, damecanedponcs Gasee | 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back In the Mincs. $72 Deadwood Dick, Jr., (In Durango; or, ‘ Gathered In.” ptr} Sang: haat wie 5 Discorerys or, Found a Fortune, 00 ck, a, Dazzle, 699 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Dendwood Dick Jr., at Danger Divide. 70uv Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Drop. TO4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick Irs in San Francisco, 716 Peadwood IDiek, Jr.’a Still NWunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Diagulae 784 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’4 Double Deal, 740 Dendwood Dick Jr.’ Deathwatch, TAT Deadwood Bick dr.’s, Doublet, 752 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Deathblow. THR Deadwood Dick, dr.’4 Vesperate Strat, Deadwood Dick, Jr’a, Lone Mand, 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Detent, 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Resurrection. 782 Deadwooa Dick. Jr.'s Dark Daya. TST Deadwood Dick Jr., Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Deytee, 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr’.a, Desperate Venture, 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, 807 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Royal Flush. 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Wead-off. 816 Deadwood Pick, .r.’s, Rival. 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Boom, 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Scoop. 884 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Pick, Jr’s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Irn, High Horace. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr, at Devil’s Gulch. 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’#, Renth- Mole Hustle. 868 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Bombshell. 870 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. In Mexico. 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr. In Silver Pocket. sel measwecd Dick. Jr.'s, Dead-Sure Game, 98 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a, Pouble_ Drive. 04 Dendwood Bick, Jr’e, Trade-Mark,. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» at_Tip-Top. 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Vouble-Decker, 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. 984 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flats 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Shake-wp, 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Right Bower, 67 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Ten-Strike. J 65 Deadwood Diek, Jr.’s, Gold-Dust, 971 Deadwood Diek Jr.'s, Oath, 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Doom, 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Beat Card, 992 Peadwoot Dick, Jr., at_Gold Duat. 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded, 011 Dendwo -d D ck, J-.’a. Dutch Pard, 018 Deadwood Dic .?3+.’s, Big Four. BY ROBERT R. INMAN, ( 1086 Pandy Dick’s Pouble. ’ 1624 Dandy Dick, Detective. BY MAROUS H. WARING, 926 The Three (ape *. 048 Street tters’ Velrd Hunt. 1058 The Three Spotters’ Dead Mystery. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight, 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idy], the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Kob’s Reappenrance; or, Photograph Phil, 1x1 Rosebud Kob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 2481 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 2855 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift ; of. The Road Queen. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherery or, The Lie Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, t B85 Yreka Jim's Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 5894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Fronts or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister's Devotion, 248 Slerra Samra Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints 258 Sierra Sanm’s Pardy or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 834 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kitv’a Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 96 Wateh-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, LIT Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the Sen York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective 3 or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Uo., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Mat Marry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabalides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Oloven Heof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’. Camp. 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacka, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nubby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adiator; or, The Locked Valley, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro); or, The Rival Heirs. 880 Little Gaieeashots or, Nhe Doad Face of Daggersville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Svoret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; ot, A Son’s Vengeance, 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ton, oe E36 Kelth, t age Spotter. ol Sharpe, the New York Night-Hawk, 948 Ola Hayseed Among Buneo Men. 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootbilack,’ BY J. C, COWDRICK, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 Broadway Billy’« Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 86 Rroadway Billy’s ‘Ditikilty.” . 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Rroadway Billy’« Surprise Party. 605 Brondway Billys; or, The #-~ Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’a Dea cts or, The League of Seven, 669 Broadway Billy Abrondj or, The Bootblack in Frisco, 75 Broadway Billy’« Beat; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 687 Broadway. Billy In Clover. ; 696 Broadway Billy ta Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway BIlly’s Full Wand: or, The Gamin Detective, 785 Broadway Billy’s Business, 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, 758 Rroandway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’« Bargain; or, The Three Detective, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 75 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. Broadway Billy’« Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, 786 Broadway Billy’« Teams; or, The Combine’s Big Pall, 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive, 796 Broadway Billy’s Queer Bequeat. 800 Breadway Billy Uatled, 805 Brondway Billy’s Signal Scoop, $10 Broadway Billy’x Wipe Out, Broadway Billy’sa Bank Racket. S21 Rroadway Hilly’s Bluff. $26 Broadway Billy Among Jersey Thugs. 888 Broadway RBilly’s Raid, 89 Broadway Billy’« Big Boom, 844 Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. $40 Broadway Billy's #100,000 Snap. 856 Brondway Billy’s« Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. 862 Broadway Billy In London. 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Sluma, S74 Broalway Billy’s French Game. 880 Brondway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, B69 Shasta, the Gold King or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Delective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Samm, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 506 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 648 Mart, the Night Express Detective. B71 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 Vhe Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. ~ 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Rareback Heth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Tynewrlter Tilly the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Woonllght Morann the *! Pizenest”’ Man of Ante Bar, 887 Battery Bob. the Dock Detective. 894 Arizona Dick’s VW ipe-Out. 900 Jumping dack’« dublilee. 906 Satety Sam, the Cvele Sport. 912 Train Boy Trist’« Wot Hustle, 918 The Trumn Pock-Boy. 924 Big Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddle, O80 Rustler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 9835 The Ex-Newshboy Detective’s Cham, 941 The Bowling Green Ietective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlie’« Double. 947 The Bowery W restler; or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer, 958 Paddy’s Trump Card; or Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport, 960 The Broadway Sport: or, Fiver Fred’s Clear Onse. NBT 81000 Reward: or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop, 978 Bantam Buly, the Corker-Ferret. 978 Plucky Pat. the Rtreet-Rey Detective, 989 Bicycle Bob’s Hot Scorch, 997 Scorcher Sam, the Detective on Wheels. 1004 Seorcher Sam’« Sweep-Stake «. 1009 ‘Vac Girl Cy clis.’s Winning Hand, BY ARIZONA CY. 048 Vou Ret Bob from Cross Crick, 1088 You Bet Bob’s_Cireus, Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. : —————= BUFFALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRALAM. 1052 Ruffalo Bill in Hiagulse. 1046 Goid Plume, the Boy Bandit,; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, ‘OAR wittle Grit, the Tony Exproes Rider, ,040 Buffalo GPs Pony Patrol. 1018 Bulfalo BUP< Tc xas Team, 1007 Buffalo Bill's Sure-Shots, 1000 Butfulo Kil’s Decoy Boya. 995 Buffalo BUDs Drop; or, Dend-S 988 Bulfalo Bill's Lasso Throwers. 981 Bulfalo Bill's Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill's Kifle Shota. 968 Buffalo Bil’s Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyern 964 Buffalo RiUVs Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot 95S Bulfalo Bills Mazeppa-Chase. ; 948 Buffalo Bill's Snap-Shot ¢ or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally 942 Buffalo Bill's Tough Tussle. 986 Buffalo BiL’« Boy Mascots or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Buffalo Billa Crack-shot Pard, 650 Buffalo BUMs Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reina, 222 Bison Bill's Clacy or. Grit, the Biavo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye., the Unknown Scout, or, The Banded Brotherhoudl 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado, or, The Trapper’s Tras? 1029 The Phantem Spy. 1088 Kansas bing; or, The Red Right Hand. BY CAPT, ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U. 8. 4. 19L Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, 194 Buffalo BIW’s Bet: or, ‘The Gambler Guide. BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1087 The Artist Detective. 1084 The Gold Witch's shadower. 1081 The Texan Muatlers in Cuba, 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Cubs 1025 The Flying ) anukee or, The Ocean Outcast, 1028 The Cowboy Clan In Cu a, 1016 The Vey Bugle. in Cuba, = 982 New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Gane 926 New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret, 920 New York Nat Trapped. 914 New York Nat's ‘Three of a Kind, 908 New York Nat’s Double. 902 New York Nat’s In Colorado. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp, 8SY New York Nat’s Deadly Veal, Ss New York Nat's Crook-Chase, 877 New York Nat’s Trump Card. S7L New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, 865 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. 858 Dick Doom’ Kidnapper Knock-Out. 847 Dick Doow’s Ten Sirike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. 772 Dick Doom’sa Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, @77_ Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Biackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Doomy or. he Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, 798 Dick Doom tn Chiengo. 298 Dick Doom in the Wild Weat, ; 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doonm’s Big Hoeul. i 749 Dashing Charlies or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot's First Traii, 756 Dashing Charlic’s Deatiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive" 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 97 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 87 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor’ Boys ct, The Red Riders ot the Rio Granay, Anda Fifty Others, BY LIEUT, A. K, SIMS. 589 Tom-Oat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, ‘Ihe Affolr at Tombstone, 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Taaks or, The Cowboy Detective 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph} or, Black Dan's Gieat Combine. 5646 Captain Cactus, the haparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike. 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, B76 The Silver Sports or, Josh Peppermints Jubilee, B88 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow : 601 Happy Mansa, the Dutch Videcg; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 6LL Bilan Baruacle, the Detective Hercules, 646 Cowbo Gidy the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective, 676 Slenal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypay Spy or, The Mystery of Two Lives,’ 699 Airaple Sim, the Rroncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes, 712 The Meamertst, Sports or, The Myatified Detectt, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kanana Jim the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone, 785 Lone Mand Joe the Committee of One, 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbvad, 882 The Doctor Dete etive In Texna, 872 Two Showmen Petectives In Colorado, 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Brasov Billy’s Snap.Sne_ § 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. . NEW ISSUES, 1064 Dandy Dick Deeoyed. By Robert R. Inman. 1065 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. By Oll Coomes. 1066 €o boy Chris, the Des rt Centaur, By W. W. Wilden 1067 Vow Bet Rob's Jangle._ By Arizona Cy, 1068 The Crufse of the Sen Wo f. By Col. Ingraham, 1069 On Land and Fea. By Braced idge Hemyng ‘i 1070 Nat Todd; or, The Fato of tue Sionx Captive, By Elite. By Oll Coomes, 1071 Dandy Dick's Pecoy, Ry Robt. R, Inman, 107% Keen Knife, Prince of the Prairies. JUST ISSUED. % Redakin Ruse. By Col P. tneraham 1One spa iamiye beh in Cinnabar, By Wm, W. Wilder, 1057 Gold Rifle, the Sharpehootr. By Ed. L, Wheeler. ¢ : r. By<T.J Flannagan 1068 Voderick, be Herr? By Texne deal 1060 Marlo, the Renegade. By Col. Prentiss ingrabam, the Boy Knight,’ By Ol) Coomes 1062 The Lettatiand Athlete. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 108s Wild Bill’s Weird Foe,. By Wm, G Patten. (ed, the Kansas Kid The . Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five eenta mage bye by Dah te receipt o1 gix each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 2 William Street, New York,
Page 16
4 BY OLL CoomEs. Randy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger. Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercvles. Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Samn,the Boy Giant Bauidy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur. Bundy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, HBandy’sa Deliverance; or, Banner Bsn. Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. Bandy Rattleds or, The Intant Giant, Maudy in ed Rutng or, She Young Whirlwind, TY9 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sain. S02 Kit Bundy’s Mrigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide, 27 Mid Pandy’s Brigade in Arizona, 939 hit Bandy’s Star Engagement, 4A6 Kit 165 Kit Zon kit $28 KAb 444 Kit it wit GOL tit time [nit THL Kit THD icte 258 Jack Drew. the Nemesis. or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon, AS? Jack Drew's Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, R02 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide ‘ BL Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 5 Vawrabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger , 68 The Border King; or, The Secret Tz, \ 74 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. , t4 tawk-eye Mars the Young Trapper Ranger 88 Rollo, the De anger; or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, tle Silent Hunter, 17S Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castiy, 228 Little Wildlire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 2é68 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minksakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. ’ 290 Little Yoxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, $00 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger, BsS4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 NDercules; »r, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AI? Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarae ‘Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy, ANZ Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappat, G52 Don wy the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 37S Highland Marry, the Wizard Rifleman, 823 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY T. J, FLANAGAN, HO9 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher, 925 The ¥ ung Cowboy Captain. DBS ane Two Midshipmen; or, The) Corsair-Chaser’s First raise. a BY DAN DUNNING, stot Jack, the Secret Service Spy. "46 Pp) 2Vv7 Mac and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. “76 Detective Dave's Clove Call, 844 Farrel Fox and Ule Girl ferret, %J8 Verrel Fox’s Sweep-Stakes, BY GEORGE 0, JENKS, MS Git Ther Owney the Unknown, 402 Git Thar Owney’« Pledge. M183.The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective. HSL Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective, GWS Flutes toe Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, “08 The Pitcher Detective’s Fol: or, Dan's Double Play, 016 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear. 641 The Pitcher Detective’«s Tonghest Tussle, 786 Larry the Thorough>red; or, Beaten on Every Side, TTY tron Wand, the Charmed Detective B51 Uncle Sam’s Detective In Chicago. oY WM. G. PATTEN,. the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee ot Jacktown 4 Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out, and Dalsy, the Posy Parda. Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. , Vane’a Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Ont, Vane’s Verdlet; or, The Game at Coffin City. Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg; or, Sport vs. Sport. THO Violet. Vane, the Vanquished, or, The Lise Strugg'e, T68 Violet Vane’a Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 459 Lhe thinaead Sport; or, The Douhle Kuce of bed Rock, -B19 Captacn Mystery; or, Fivein One. #81 Daiwy ware the Sport from Denver, O87 O1d Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 04 lron Fern, the Meo ot Fire: or, Among the Vultures, 619 The Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Donbie GripWitness G41 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pardy; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Round Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective G82 Wild Vuleanuy the Lone-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Man frow Missouri. | 774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective. ‘TS Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Spec B06 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Naty, the Tenderfoot Detective, S86 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. S57 Spotter Bob in New York. #866 Spotter Bob’ Bowery Racket, BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 298 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Valled Lady. “4 Oool Deamond ¢ or, The Gambler's Big Game, [ BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, j . eo The Sea-Ont; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Denghter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. F ov “ance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. o4 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders 8 The Lost Captain, or, Skipper Jaber Coffin’s 4 Bue The Boy Redoutnay; or. The Brot!-ers of the Plumed Lance 214 Wolfeang, the Robber of the Rhine. 40 Mille Romer the Animal King: er, Round the World, B45 The Ticer Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. B#1 BWleek Nick, the Demon Rider. BUS Catitornia Joe’« War Trail, ' BY CAPT. J, F. C. ADAMS, 84 Wrezran Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Gluss-Rye, the Great Shot of the West. 4 tod Wazel, the Boy Trapper. 456 Nick Whiffles’s Pet, or, Ir The Valley of Death, 50 The White Indian: or, The Scout of the Yeilowatena, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin: or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. / GP Violet Vane; 863 Wtalet Vane ad .,.. Oe eee a bE: Licht: Jo, the Terror of the Pratrie. AR a ” a Peta or, rt f h Sonne $ or, is, the Firebrand. t Munters; or, The Underground t or, The Human Th (rk pk jek fp tf hh rp pod PEPNVIANAD RY T. CO. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o- the Night; or, The Bey Spy of 76 87 The Midden Lodge; or The Litt! Hunter. AT Nightingale Nat; «7, ‘Ine Forest Captuing, 64,.Vandy Jack or, The Outlaws ot the Oregon Trait. 82 Kit Marefovt, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-faca 94 Midnight tack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old VFroaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.y or, The Bey Vielante. 155 Gold Trigger, tie Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Jujun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 19R Arkan-aw » or, The Queen of Fute’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 251 Plueky Phil; or, Rom, the Re: Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravos or, Tie Rougha of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli -s tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The uckalin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents. RTP Old Winchs or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Pani or. The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eelipae, Trump Curd of Arizona, 826 The Ten Vauards: or. The Terror ot Take-Notice 886 Bie Benson; or, Tie Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Tiunderbolt’s Secret, BSH OQool sam und Pars or The Terrible Six. 266 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 336 Onptain Cutlass; or, | he B ccuneer’r Girl Foe. 896 Rough Robs or. The ) win Chaiwpiens of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasso: ov, The Rosec Rane Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21, 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Execeisaior “port: or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Lved Sport, 502 Branded Ren, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Pick, the Winrt-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Pick’s Rest Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 648 Dodger Dick’s Doubles or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’a Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidorq; or, The Gang of Three, 678 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Gane, 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop; or, The Man from Jerseyv 6594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champton Parda; or, The Luciter of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle, 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Wappy fughy, the Boy Musician Detective, Tol Photcaraph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 732 Datay Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Games 242 Rilly Winks, the Rell Boy Detective, 754 pet Winks, the Poss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard: or, Tne Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway ‘Tom, the Red Wizard S27 The Bantam Sport. 848 Clip, the Battery Ferret; o1, ence seutra Foul Play ST Davy Doon’sa Big Bounce. 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bow Shadow. 921 The Boy from Denver. BY CHARLES MORRIS, WIL! Somers, the Boy Detective. Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Pleayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective Retective Dick 3 or, The Hero in Rags. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred. Black Bena, Will Wildfire’s Kacer. ike Merry the Harbor Policu Boy, fll Wildtire in the Wooda. Billy Bageaze, the Railroad Boy, A Trump Cardy or. Will Wildfire Wins and Loses Bob Roekeit; or, Mysteries of New York. Rob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Mand; or, Wil! Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuggiers, 9 Bob Roekett; or. Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ¢ or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Denes Detective. 220 Tom Tanner: or. The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Rill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in cuicane. 262 The Young Sharps; o:. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’« Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-lHound ¢ or, The Young Thoronghored. 805 Dashawny, of Daketa: or, A Western Lad fn Quaker City, 824 Ralph Keady, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awnke Joe, or, A Roy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler: or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, A038 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger: or. The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred. Flyer. the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Rilly Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. A479 Netective Dodge: or. The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 48% Wild Dick Rackets or. How He Fought for Honor, 5061 Roots, the Boy Fireman: or. Teo Sharp for the Sharper, h66 The Secret * erviee Boy Petective. E96 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamh Amone Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkonanat or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Panl, the Boy Speculator, 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective: or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, TH? Detective Fran k’s Sweep-atakes. 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker, 881 Turkey Billy, the S!ine-’em-up Detective. 917 Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 7 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe linek of Angels and Wis Boy Pard. 447 New Vork Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick: or. The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Cirens Prince. 498 Vaox« Ted, tne Arizona Sport. BLO Goal Colorado, the-Hall-Rreed Detective 618 Cool Colorado tn New York: or, The Cowboy's Fighs BY CAPT. ALYRED BR. TAYLOR 0.8, & 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Rullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BUPs Bet; or. The Gambler Guide. M w BEADLE’S«H ALF- DIME [_ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at t he Unizorm Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeasers. , BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The {ival Glants of Nowhar’.s 498 Cactus Kurr, the Man trom Hard Lack. 5ST Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow, 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Man Withonta Pash 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \ éeternn Detective. 620 Little Lightning's League; or, The Mystery 0. the Islant 688 Plueky Vaul, the Boy Prospector. 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trai! Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Cnthy;_or, Keckless Roy, the Regula 925 Gold-Duat Dan’s Snap-Shot, BY JOSEPH EL, BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Juck; or, The Trappers 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retress, 65 Murricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 219 Muatang Sam 5 or, The King of the Plains, 186 Night-Llnwk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lanee the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Roy Tratlers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Pat®, 208 The Boy Pardsy; or, Dainty Lance Upmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Rarranea Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Riders or, The Horse-Thievea’ Leagua 5 Old Double Fist 3 cr, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Dame Boone’s Laat Teale 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chinecapin Dan’« Wome Stretch, Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, Lighi-Henurt Lute’a Legacy. § Light-Mecart Lute’s Last Trall, Silverblade, the Shoshone. Sliverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bing 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or; The Border Beagie’s Trall. 248 Sliiverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pay’ BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul: or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, 280 Tho Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereat, BY LIFUT. i. Db. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Baw, 180 The Sea Traller: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montank Point, BY JACK FARRAGOUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch ot the Fort. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 78 Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance, 87 The Land Pirates or, The League of Devil's Island, 87 The Helpless Bonds or, Backwouda Retribution. 289 ‘The Goid-secker Guidet or, The Lost Mountals, BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG. 89 Taland Jim: or. The Pet of the Family. £91 The Captain of the Cinb; or. The Riva) ‘Athietes, 101 Jack iarkeway in New York. MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reta Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Guiliver’s Travela. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor, His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Rebinsoz Cruse, By Juez wis. 8 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Plrates of the Carribees, By S, W. Pierce. RG The Roy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn, BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. &1 The Boy Rites: or. The Underground Camp. By A. C.Trona, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin IHood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green* wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Munters or, heCave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texan} or, Tbe Young Champlon, By George epaon. 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. Bw Harry Cavendish. 148 aban Ram 3, or, The Adventures of a Friendlies Boy. By J Alexander Patten. 227 Yuaky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yeh. lowstone. yee Laan “ente Yk Ren. Bh. Simao 261 Fergus Fearvaug e New Y ° le , 266 Tinb'ar. the Guide; °%r, Davy Crockett’s ed Trail Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Rea Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Clift By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. tae Lively Lad from Leadville. By Len: tenant Alfred Thorne. ‘ 828 The &ky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re By Ned Buntline, _ venge, ¢ ; Ren the Bootblack Detective. A. b. Morriax oe bP ope Tom: or. Ben’s Double Match, G PF). Mors, 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Yhomat Hover Monstery. 418 Pes eomehenel) ec St Cee By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship, By John arner, 484 Comanche Dick and Hix Three Invincivies. By Henry J. Thomas. BS2 The Cowboy Puke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. aor Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By f1. Enton. 682 The Dead Wetective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton. %21 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Deteitive; cr, Tae Ward @ Tirkos Pass, By Will Lisenbee. 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, oft U.S. Secret Service Corps. 814 Ace High, the Frisco Netective. By C. E, Try 880 The Grim Vodgers In Rag Alley; or, Citlen Rub of Number Seven. By Ben D. Halliday, 881 The Chicago Droummer’s Denl. By J. G. Betrise 841 Prince Charlle, the Cat’g Paw Sport. Ty Maem nke ve 861 Billy Brine, the Swathp Fox. By Chas, F. Welles 879 Hiue-licht BI}, the Sapphire Sport; or, The Denver Det ves Lone Hand, ‘By King Keene. A New Iesue Every Tuesdey. The Half-Pime Wibrary ts for sale vy all Newsteal~” “Hy eents per copy, or sent by mail on receintafaie wakes, = oe = Pen