Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1132) (1902 12)
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& SeGee re oe oe trie | AS epee ive ze ( N\\\ NAS Nita wall ‘ ‘ san) Ss } q vi ~ i] " . H ‘ an } \ hN ’ 1) \ N \ M Nl z . ‘ thy CA wate WR Wi AMAA\\ . VW ‘ ‘ < .) ANIA ABE AWS } \ } } ‘\ Tangled Trails in Texas. A Romance in the Lives of George and Will Powell, known on the Plains as ‘‘Night Hawk” and **Broncho Bill.” BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BUFFALO BILL,” ‘“‘BUOK TAY- LOR,” ‘* ARIZONA JOE,” ‘‘NEVADA NED,” ETC., ETOC,, ETO. CHAPTER 1. WHAT A TEXAN OVERHEARD, A™MAN stood at the window of a fashionable aN ; fy" RNS V, fp a”, SRE Pee ON RRR Sik" New York hotel, gazing out upon the busy and “THERE IS OUR FUTURE HOME, SCRAPS,” SAID WILL POWELL, ADDRESSING THE teresting scene in the street below, | NEGRO AND POINTING TO THE DISTANT HILL. Ha was a mon to ottract attention anywhery
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A and especially in the confines of civilization, for he was tall, straight as an arrow, with a slender, elegant form, broad shoulders and the air of one who knew his own power. His face was as clearly cut in every feature as though it were marble, the expression reso- lute, daring and fearless, while his eyes were as pening as the bird’s from whom he had won is border sobriquet of ‘‘ Night Hawk.” Neatly dressed in city attire, he yet wore his raven black hair long, falling upon his shoul- ders, and his head was surmounted as he stood by the window, gazing out upon the thorough- fare, with a broad sombrero, encircled by a | cord representing a miniature lariat. The man looked just what he was, the thorough plainsinan, and one gazing upon him as he stood there in his calm, easy pose, would have felt that he was a ‘‘man with a history ’—one who f had faced deadliest danger, had seen comrades ; _ die by his side and had himself made graves in the world. George Powell was his name, and pure love of ‘ adventure had sent him to the Texas prairies, ti with his younger brother, William Powell, who ~~ will also figure in this story in ‘scenes that tried true men’s souls.” Business of a private nature had called him is East, ang’ he had stopped over for a day in the 2 great mbtropolis. vt For a long time he had stood in silent con- lg templation at the window, when suddenly he ; started, for, almost at his side, a voice broke forth in song. i It was the voice of a woman, who had just entered an adjoining room, and every note welled through the closed door within his reach. A lover of music he listened like one en- tranced, while the sweet strains ‘of ‘‘ Annie Laurie” fell from the lips of the singer. Suddenly the song wes hushed, and then came low, spoken words asif in self-communion, but which were almost inaudible to the man in the adjoining room. There came a knock on the hall door of her room, and she was heard to ex¢laim: ‘Ha! itis his knock! Heis here!” Then in a voice strangely cold for one that had seemed so sweetly beautiful a moment be- fore, she called out: ‘*Come in!” The Texan heard the door open, and not wishing to be an eavesdropper, he was about to turn away, when the words of the one who en- tered caused him to hesitate. “Ah, you are here, my sweet singing-bird? T heard your voice as I came along the bali, and it told me what I knew.” There was evident sarcasm in the voice, and it was a man who spoke. ** And what did you know, sir?” the woman asked, “That you dared not refuse to meet me here.” ; “Dared not?” and the tone was full of Reorn, ** So I said, madam,” **T received your note, sir, asking me to come to this room at the hotel, fo meet you, as you had an important communication to make. ; “As Thad that to say to you, sir, which isa question of life and death, | came; but I shall not remain long.” In vain did the Texan try to leave the spot ‘where he stood, and where every word reached him as distinctly as though he were in the sme room with the speaker. _ Apower that he seemed compelled to obey, chained him to the window, and he felt that he must hear more. ** A question of life and death?’ repeated the man, and his tone seemed to falter. “Yes; but tell me why you wished to see me, for I had hoped that we had parted forever,” **T wished to see you, Clio, to ask you to bury the past and to let me once more claim you as my wife.” ; ** Ts this all, sir?” “All? It is everything to me, Clio.” “lt is everything to me, sir, that we remain a ‘But, Clio, you are my wife, and—” ** Your wife, sir, yes; but it was a marriage under false pretenses, so to speak. You saved my father and myself from death one day, but, often have I regretted that you checked our _ _Tunaway horses in the Park and that we were d not both killed that fateful day. It had been __ far better so. ae. “But your act won my admiration and my poor father’s deepest gratitude and regard. He ici Believed you a gentleman; aman of wealth, and ____when he was dying he asked me to become your _. wife, I did not love you, sir; but I knew you ‘aot as you are, and I consented. idmaceee-2 a eat “ i ; rl abe aan Ly ** My father died, and his fortune was found to be only on paper. i ** Alas! he knew this, and believing you rich, wife. | the fortune I was supposed to be heiress to, and | then you deserted me, after cruel abuse. tune, you come back to me and ask me to once more acknowledge you as my husband.” She bad spoken with ringing scorn in her voice. His manner was subdued, for he an- swered in a low tone: ** And will you not, Clio?” ‘* Never, sir.” ‘* But you are my wife, and I can force you to obey me,” he hotly replied. An instant: of intense silence followed, and then came the reply, in quivering accents: “You can force me to obey you, sir? You coward! no power on earth can do that. I defy you, and I bid you now leave me, ere I call the officers of the law and hand you over to them ” ‘““As what?’ he almost gasped, as she hesi-~ tated. ‘““Asmy father’s murderer !” ‘*Oh God I” broke from the lips of the man. ‘* Ah! you see that I know you as youare. I téld you that it was a question of life and death I had to speak to you about, and now you know what that inyplies, **Go your way, sir, and I will go mine; but ever dare tv cross the threshold of any place where I dwell—ever force your hateful presence upon me again, and I vow by the memory of my dead father I will hand you over to the police as his murderer. **Go, go! or I ring this bell upon which my hand now rests!” *“*T will go, yes; but this is not our parting.” Then the door opened and closed, and a mo- ment after the Texun heard the woman leave the room. | He had heard, that which deeply interested him, and he went to the office and looked over the register to see who were the occupants of Room No. 15, next to his own. He read there; | ‘Mr, and Mrs, John Smith, Boston.” ‘* Who are these parties?” he asked the clerk. ‘*T do not know, sir; they only had the room for the day, doubtless passing through the city, for they have gone, the lady just driving off in one carriage and the gentleman in another.” ‘‘ Well, I have nothing to do with them, so let them go,” mused George Powell, as he turned away. : But, little did he know what the future had in store for him. CHAPTER II. A GHOST IN THE TRAIL. SEVERAL months after the incident in the New York hotel, when George Powell over- heard the secret of parties wholly unknown to him, he is seen riding across the prairies of Texas. But heis not alone, for others are with him, one, alike him in face, not so tall in form, yet wearing the same look of daring. It is William Powell, whose sobriquet of ‘‘ Broncho Bill” ‘is far better known upon the plain than his own name. Compactly built, and quick as @ flash in his movements, he also possesses wonderful strengt °; while his fearless nature is the same as his bro- ther’s. But for the resolution and manly expression resting upon every feature, bis face would be almost feminine in its beauty, while his hair, black and worn long is as fine.as a woman’s, Both brothers are dressed in buckskin, hunt- ing-shirts, top-boots and wear sombreros en- circled by miniature lariats of silver cord, They have slung at their backs repeating rifles of the largest pattern, and in the belt of each is a hunting-knife and pair of revolvers. Their saddles and trappings are of Mexican make and very handsome, while at each saddle- horn hangs a lariat. There are two more of the party, one a negro, black as the ace of spades, and an Indian who has the appearance of a Comanche, and is at- tired in the picturesque costume of that tribe of wild horsemen. - The ‘‘ dark’,” not to be outdone by the red- skin, is rigged out almost as gorgeously in buck- skiny feathers and beads, presenting somewhat of a ludicrous appearance. A All four are superbly mounted, and, trottinz . write Rint Rtn ng are half a dozen fine angs, bearing packs, — . | Tepete re he sought to save me from poverty as your | But you, an adventurer, married me for | ‘* Now, when I have the power to earn a for- | | doesn’t like yer idee o’ going to lib in a ole ruin | chu’ch, sah, whar folks libed and died a hundred | year ago, and tha’r bones is’ still a-restin’,” | : a a i | laughed Broncho Bill, who had won his name At aslow pace the horsemen are going over the prairie, while ahead of them looms up a bold bill, covered with heavy timber. ‘“There is our future home, Scraps,” said Will Powell, ada@ressing the negro and pointing tothe distant hill. i ‘Marsa Billy, yer knows, sah, that T hain’t, afeerd o? no man as hops on two legs; but I, Scraps returned, soberly, ‘“We won't disturb their bones, Scraps,” from his superb mastery of the wild bronchos of the plains, and the great number he had caught. ‘No, sah, but dey will disturb us,” quickly answered the serving-man. ‘* What, the bones, Scraps?’ asked Night Hawk George Powell. **No, sah, ther sperrits,” was the solemn re- sponse. “$ You Scraps?” { ** Yas I do, Mars’ Night Hawk—I does, fer a; fact, sah, for I has seen ghosts in my time—} raal ghosts, sah!” of The two brothers laughed, and Broncho Bill}? said: ‘¢ And you, Red Wolf, do you fear spirits?” don’t believe in spirits, do you, if ig The, Indian whoai he addressed, responded 5 quietly: : ‘ate, “Great Spirit good; like Him. Evil Spirit’ bad ; *fraid of him!” { ‘‘ Well, the spirits we find there should all be. good, for it is the ruin of an old Spanish Mission, ' | where the priests dwelt,” Night Hawk Powell +) remarked. . : ‘““Wasn’t dey all kilt. one time, sah, *bout a’ thousand years ago?” é ‘ ‘“‘ There was a massacre there something over }: a hundred years ago, Scraps. The people about |) the Mission were driven in by the Comanches, . some of Red Wolf’s great grandfathers, I guess, © and all were put to death, nearly a hundred in number.” ‘A hundred ghosts? Lordy!” cried Scraps, in evident terror, ‘There are more ghosts than that, Seraps, for | it had been a Mission for a long time and many La had been buried there, while they fought bravely , ge anda great number of red-skins were killed * and buried over in the timber near by.” 9p “‘ Does yer think thar is two hundred ghosts, Mars’ Night Hawk?’ asked Scraps; insaealcu- lating tone. ar Ay ‘*} guess about that many.” . bf ‘* And wimmen was massacred too, sah?” — ie ‘“Yes, women, and children also,” ; {i “Oh, Lordy! Priestises, wimmin’s, children’s . SS and Injuns’ ghosts!’ Mars’ Bill, spose you and | ‘ Mars’ Night Hawk lets me go back ter ther set- © LF tlement ontil you gits settled there.” ‘ Re The brothers laughed at the real fearof SNe! a eal who was as brave as a lion nage’ when'the, | & supernatural was concerned, and ight Hawk ; said; j ‘‘ Scraps, we can’t spare you, and Pil vouch for it that you will not seeanything there; to be afraid of, in the ghost line at least, for; ~~ Broncho and myself stayed there two nights once, while on a trail, and nothing disturl Sa”, 4 us, pee. fet ob ee ‘« Tt is the very place for us to camp, for it has co the name of being haunted, and, therefore, ~~ ‘VYexans, Mexicans, and even red-skins giveita . “» wide berth,” ; \ ee “Just see how it is situated, too, upon that ban hill, which the river winds around, making it in Ce the shape of a horseshoe, and the only place to am cross, on account of the high banks, isat the ford, Fh ges ‘Why, we could sit upin that old ruin hold that ford against fifty men, with our re ing rifles,” Broncho Bill declared, == “ Make more ghosts,” suggested Seraps. ‘Make heap graves,” the Indian chief laconic- — ally added. , 2 A ee ; As the party approached nea they could realize more fully its abiding-place. — Tt was a wooded hill, as I hav: of the prairie like a giant senti wooded. ; A deep prairie stream struck and its current changed ther around the base of the hill to again, and then suddenly b: went winding its way through th once more, making the spot alm Just where the stream there, in the olden
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— | a Mission had cut a road up to the ruins still ex- isting upon the crest. As they drew nearer the last rays of the set- ting sun were penetrating the timber and light- ing up theruinof the old Mission House and Chapel,and Scraps eyed them with a look of awe. When at last the ford was reached darkness had fallen upon the prairie and grim and gloomy the hill rose before them, But, knowing the way, Night Hawk and Broncho Bill rode boldly into the stream, Red Wolf following and Scraps slowly bringing up the rear, his eyes riveted upon the somber woods, Suddenly he called out in startled tones: “Hold up, Mars’ Night Hawk! Seedah, Mars’ Broncho! Ef dat hain’ta ghost yer kin kill me,” and the frightened negro pointed to a white- robed form that suddenly appeared in the trail before them and standing in the very edge of the timber, looking indeed most ghostly in the weird twilight.. ae CHAPTER ITI. LASSOING A PHANTOM. THE anxious eyes of Scraps had seen the weird form nearing their trail, even before the Powell brothers had done so, for they were not expecting to behold a ghost suddenly stand be- fore them. “Don’t shoot, Bill! but try your lasso,” cried Night Hawk, checking Will Powell, as he sud- denly dropped his hand upon his revolver, **Don’t shoot, but scoot!” cried Scraps, and in another instant he was plunging back through the ford. Broncho Bill was considered the deadest hand at lariat-throwing in Texas, as his brother well knew, and so had urged him to use the lariat now, The chief, Red Wolf, caught the pack-horses, | Which Scraps had let go, and remained motion- less; Night Hawk also kept at astand-still, while Broncho Bill, seizing his lariat, spurred for- ward, As he did so the white form suddenly waved its arms and a sepulchral voice cried: ‘* Back! enter not the domain of the dead!” But, Will Powell did not hesitate; on boundéd his mustang, his rider upright in his saddle and whirling the coil around his head. As he neared the form in white, it suddenly turned and fled like a deer through the timber. * Catch him, Bill, but don’t harm him,” cried | Night Hawk. nd after the apparition went Bill at full The timber was thick and he could not throw his lariat, so he dropped the coil over his saddle- horn and devoted himself to guiding his mustang in the dangerous chase, for he was threatened each moment with being dashed to death against a tree, Gliding along at a wonderful speed, dodging here and there, and seeming to know the ground well, the form in white, phantom, or whatever it was, tried hard to throw its pursuer off the track; but, as steadily as a hound upon the trail, Broncho Bill kept his mustang upon the track of the fugitive, and soon pursued and pursuer dash- ed into an open space surrounding the old ruined | chapel, There were graves all about, and over them Teaped the fugitive, and high above them bound- ed the mustang, Broncho Bill now seizing his lariat onee more. On fied the white-robed form over the graves and toward the ruined chapel, while Broncho Bill came in hot pursuit whirling his lariat, aud Wight Hawk \ “ollowing close at his heels. few more bounds and the phantom would reach the chapel. But suddenly the lariat left the hand of Broncho Bill, and a wild shriek rung out through the woods, and the coil settled over the flying form... Broncho Bill’s mustang stopped short, but the young plainsman did not let go the lariat end, and thus broke the shock, though the fugitive was checked quite sudden] Throwing himself from his horse as he dashed _ onward, while Broncho Bill held the fugitive _ with his lasso, Night Hawk rushed forward and the weird form in a grip that could not _ be shaken off. ' **Oh, spare me, senor!” _ Thesupplication came in a woman’s voice, and instantly Night Hawk released his grasp, he said earnestly: te _. “Pardon me, madam! I did not suspect I _ Tama woman, and one who has suffered . Are you Americanos?’ and the Brothers in Buckskin. ‘Yes, senora, and you are Spanish?” ‘*No, Mexican; but, if you are not Mexicans, I feel 1 can trust you. to the band of San Cruz,” and the woman shud- dered. **Oh, no, we are not Cowboy Pirates, as San Cruz and his band are called, but honest prairie- men. Who is here with you?” ** Not a soul” ‘** You mean what you say, senora?” ** Upon my honor, yes, senor.” ** And you have been here how long alone?” ‘*For over two years. But you will not be- tray my secret, senors?” ‘** We know no secret to betray, senora,” said Broncho Bill, who had approached and stood regarding the phantom-like being he had lassoed. : ‘*My secret of being here. Oh! you will not betray me, senors!” and she clasped her hands together in a pleading way. ‘*No; but we wish to have a talk with you, as we have come here to camp. ‘* Broncho, will you go and send Red Wolf after Scraps, for he will never stop running until he reaches San Antonio, and I will await your return here, and in the mean time build a fire so as to see about us.” Broncho Bill sprung into his saddle and rode away through the timber, and Night Hawk turned again to the woman, who he saw was greatly excited, for she was trembling and wringing her hands. “My dear senora, I beg you tocalm your- self, for we mean you no harm, ‘We have come here to camp for a few months, perhaps longer, and besides my brother and myself, there is an Indian, our friend, and a negro, our servant, who ran away at sight of you, believing that you were a spirit from the grave.” ‘War better, perhaps, it would be were [ in my grave, senor; but let me tell you that I have masqueraded as a ghost to keep all away from this old ruined Mission. ‘* Men fear the supernatural, where they have no fear of their fellow-man, and the strange, sad story which hangs about this ruin, the graves of its many dead, have been my safe- guard.” ‘* Noone ever comes here, you think?” ‘“In the time that I have been here but two have come, “One night they camped here, and I knew not of their presence until I returned from fish- ing over on the other side of the mill, and saw their camp-fire. ‘** They left at dawn and did not see me.” ‘*It was my brother and myself, for we were here about a year ago, while wild-horse-hunt- ing, and remained one night, ‘Three years ago we were here alao, but it was in the daytime, and curiosity alone brought us to see the old ruin, “It is a desolate place for a woman to dwell, and alone.” “Tt is a better place to me than where I would be were I known to be—but no! no! you will not ask me to betray my secret, will you, senor? ‘** You will let me remain here in hiding, agd I will bless you, will pray for you. \ *“T have a little room in the ruined chapel, and there I remain, and I have subsisted on what game I shot and fish I caught, for both are most plentiful.” ‘Do not disturb yourself, senora, for your secret is safe, and you are free to remain as long as you please, for, as you hold the fort, as it were, it is for my brother and myself to ask your permission to stay here,” said Night Hawk. ‘Ab, senor, I have no home, no friends, and gladly would I have you and your friends re- main, if you only will not betray me.” “You may quiet your fears upon that score.” ‘* And you will not ask me who I am, or why I am here?” ‘*Certainly not, for I have no right to pry into your secret.” “ And your brother?” ‘He is here, so you can ask for yourself, and receive his answer as you have mine.” Just then Broncho Bill rode up and said with a laugh: ‘** You frightened Scraps about half out of his wits, lady, and I doubtif Red Wolf can catch him; but FT have brought the pack-horses, George, so we can soon have supper.” “This lady, Will, has some reason for hiding away here, and she wishes your promise, as she has mine, not to betray her presence to — one, f or to seek to solve the mystery of her being in woman hiding in this desolate place?” “ Certainly she have it; but she must | feared you belonged | 3 have cruel foes to drive her to hiding here alone,” answered Broncho Bill. “And those with you will not betray me?” asked the woman. ‘Oh, no, and if we can ever find Scraps, our negro servant and pard, you will find him a good fellow, I assure you—ah! there they come | now, for there are two horses approaching,” and as Broncho Bill spoke, Red Wolf came out of the timber, followed by Scraps, who ap-* proached most cautiously, greatly surprised to discover that the ‘‘ ghost” had been caught, and was standing so quietly near Night Hawk and Broncho Bill, a ’ CHAPTER IV. THE LIFE CHASE. “ Some two years previous to the opening of this story, two men were flying for their lives across the Texas prairie. One was a white man, the other a negro, They were well mounted and armed, and yet their horses were fagged under the terrific paces they had been held at for several hours. t Behind them came a party of Comanches rid- ing in hot pursuit, and lashing their horses hard to overtake the fugitives. When they would gain a litthe and come too, close, so that their arrows féfl unpleasantly near, the fugitives would halt, raise their rifles and fire, and almost immediately, a merry or a warrior would go down, and the red-skins would drop back out of the range of the deadly rifles. But they would once more push on, feeling that they were driving the already tired horses of the fugitives at a pace they could nob a keep up, and, once brought to, bay, they coul end the matter to suit themselves, The white man was young, scarcely over twenty-five years, and his face was refined, handsome, and intelligent, though darkly bronzed by prairie winds and sunshine. The negro was the one whom the reader after- ward met as the companion of Night Hawk and Broncho Bill Powell. “Tt looks bad for us, Scraps,” said the young man, as his horse stumbled badly with fatigue, “Yes, Mars’ Henry, it do look bad, sah; but we hain’t dead yit,” ‘No, Scraps, but somehow I have a forebod- ing of evil, as ill fortune has dogged my steps sadly of late years,” “Tt hab, for a fact, Mars’ Henry; but don’t say die, sah, for I guess all will come round right,” “You area plucky fellow, Scraps, to extract hope out of the present situation; but candidly old fellow, I don’t care much if I do go, only L am sorry I brought you here to perish on these prairies.” ““T hain’t perished yit, sah, and nuther has you, Mars’ Henry. ‘Fact is,/sah, you has been mighty blue ever since dat New York lady done broke off her en- gagement ter marry yer, sah, and when yer went home from de army and found old massa and missus dead, yer did git sorrerful indeed,; and it were me, sah, advised yer ter sell out ther old home and come ter Texas and start a ranch, so don’t blame yerself fer coming, sah, but me, and you has a nice little ranch, and ef them Injuns will jist let us git back ag’in, why thar won’t be no trouble, sah.” * Well, Scraps, you are true as steel, and I hope we can pull through; but, somehow, I have a presentiment of evil. ‘But if I do get killed, and you escape, you will find among my papers in the cabin, my will, which leaves the little I have to you.” ‘Lordy, Mars’ Henry, don’t talk so, sah.” ‘¢] mean it, Seraps. I have no near kindred I care for, and you have been my friend, even when you were my father’s slave on the old Ala- bama’ plantation, and what [ have you shall have, for it is but little— Ah!” The man reeled in his s.ddle, and Scraps ut- tered a cry as he saw an arrow bury itself in the back of his master. fj Seeing that bis master still kept his saddle, the negro, with a revengeful light flashing in bis eyes, drew his horse to a standstill and level- ed his rifle, With the crack an Indian fell dead from his pony, and Scraps was preparing to fire again, when suddenly a wild cheer came to his ears, and over a rise in the praitie rode a squad of cavalry, a dozen in number. ‘ The Indians turned in flight, carrying off -
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4 Brothers in Buckskin. “T fear it is fatal, Scraps, but I can ride that far,” was the calm reply. On toward alarge plot of timber they rode, the wounded man seeming to suffer greatly, yet still keeping in the saddle, while Scraps rode near to support him. At length the timber was reached, and aiding his master to dismount, Scraps drew the arrow from the wound and quickly placed his blanket upon the ground, and made as comfortable a bed as he could. The horses were then staked out, and Scraps Said: “‘[ will go, sah, and find some water some- whar.” “hank you, Scraps, and God bless you.” * Dont talk that way, Mars’ Henry, for you makes me feel bad.” **T told you, Seraps, I had a presentiment of evil; but are the soldiers and Indians in sight?” “No, sah, they bas gone away over the rise in the prairie a long distance off.” “Well, go after the water, my good friend, and if I should die before you return, I may ask that you send the miniature and letters, in my little tin box at the rancn, back to the address on them, **Send them by Express line saying how died, and send the things back to her.” “Tl doit, sah; but Lordy! Mars’ Henry, you is a long way from dyin’, sah. * But PU go and git the water, sab,” and Scraps hastened away, his eyes blurred with tears, his broad breast beating convulsively with the grief that filled his soul, for in his heart he feared that his master, whom he dearly loved, had received his death-wound. CHAPTER V. IN HARD LUCK. Gorna through the timber, hunting for water it was a long time before Scraps could fin Scraps, and write a that 1 asked you to any. But at last he came upon a spring, and hastily filling his canteens, he rose to retrace his way to his young master, fearing to find him dead. As he did so, he suddenly beheld an Indian creeping upon him. Scraps carried his belt of arms but he had left his rifle behind, and hastily drawing a revolver he fired, just as an arrow whizzed by his head, He saw the right arm of the red-skin drop to his side, and he was about to give him another shot to finish him, when with wild yells a half- dozen of red-skins bounded toward him. He saw that they were between him and his wounded master, and that they had come from that direction. That they had killed the wounded man he could not but believe, and there was but one ae for him to do, and that was to run for his ife. He was fleet of foot, and, to his surprise and delight, the Indians were not mounted he saw. So away he bounded at a great pace.. The Indians, like a pack of bounds, started in ehase, sending arrows flying about him as he ran Seraps bad always prided himself upon his running and staying powers, He had never, as a boy on the old plantation in Alabama, found his equal among his com- Fads, H> now was glad to see that his speed was of use 19 him. It .oon began to tell and he drew ahead of his pursuors. Out of the timber he was forced to go, but an- other motte was not far away, and toward this he ran. Looking back over the prairie, he saw that there were just nine Indians in chase. But, fast as they ran, Scraps ran. faster, and he crossed the mile of prairie to the second group of timber in a very short while. And, better still, he arrived there far ahead of his pursuers. (he his delight he beheld there a small log cabin. It was rudely built, but stout and small, evi- ~ wha the home of some solitary hunter in that part. There was a rude door, made of sinall saplings tied together with buckskin thongs and hun with ropes; but a bar of wood closed it, an Scraps felt secure. He quickly selected peep-holes on each side, and was ready to die game. " It was growing dark, but in »the distance Ser: saw the red-skins enter the timber. and they took shelter behind the largest Then darkness came on, and the negro was alone with his painful meditations, Soon afar off he heard the mournful howl of a wolf, It was repeated three times, and it made the brave negro shudder. Taking off his boots, be crept from side to side, peering out through the crevices between the logs, . But not an Indian could he see. Not a sound did he hear. The silence was awful, the darkness was in- tense, and the suspense was a fearful strain upon his nerves, But through the long hours of the night Scraps remained on watch, his thoughts far away with the wounded man, whom he felt sure the Indians had killed, if they had not found him already dead. At last the gray of dawn was visible, and soon after it became light. Then the sun arose, but not a red-skin was to be seen. ‘* T guesses they is lying hid for me to come out, for they has as much patience as a cat watching a rat-hole,” muttered Scraps. But the time passed, and no Indian showed himself, It was noon, and Scraps began to narrowly watch every tree, taking different ones in, turn, hoping to catch a movement behind them. But at last he could stand it no longer. He was tired, hungry, enraged, and he longed to know his master’s fate. ‘Tl fight’em and die forit! I can’t stand this no longer.” So saying, he opened the door softly and crept out into the timber, Not a soul did he see. ‘‘ Lordy! Has they give me up and gone?” he muttered, It seemed so, for as he continued on his way, no red-skin was in sight. ‘‘ Now dem red Injuns was wrong, for when dey tree a coon dat’s de time to stay dar and git im. ‘* Dey had me tree’d, and yet dey has gone. ‘* T hopes I hain’t too previous in my solutions of de case; but it do strike me dey hab gone,” So saying, Scraps started on the trail he had come, back to the spot where he had left his master, He crossed the prairie cautiously, approached the timber with the greatest care and then en- tered it, Going with the same stealthy tread, he passed through the timber to where he had left his wounded master, Not an Indian was in sight; but as he ap- proached the spot, a pack of wolves and coyotes, with angry yelps and snarls, bounded away through the woods, Scraps paused and passed his hand oyer his See for he seemed to know what he would be- old. Then he moved forward once more. An instant more, and, with a groan, he drop- ped down upon his knees by the side of a body which the wolves had torn to pieces, beyond all recognition other than that 1b was a human form, “My poor, poor Mars’ Henry,” he cried in a choking voice. At last he arose and with his knife set to work to dig a grave. He dug it narrow and deep, and then gather- ing the remains together, he buried them with sacred earnestness, muttering over them prayers as he did so. The grave was filled in, and over it fallen timbers were piled to protect it from the wolves. Then Scraps sadly turned away. The horses were gone, and along with them his rifle and the haversacks of food. Worn out as he was, the poor fellow felt that the first thing he must do was to have rest, and so he ventured back to the little cabin in the other motte. Gathering some wood he lighted a fire in the cabin, for he had matches with him, and then filling his pipe, sat down to smoke in place of eating before seeking the rest he so truly needed, At last he lay down upon the floor, his feet to the fire, and sunk to sleep, almost indifferent to any danger that might befall him. CHAPTER VI. AN ALLY, WueEn Scraps awoke, he was very stiff and sore, after his hard run. He was ravenous for food, so decided to at once start out on the trail home to the ranch, which he knew was some sixty miles away, and at the same time he hoped to kill some game of some kind. “Pll kill a wolf, ef I can’t git nothing else, though it’s tough eating, and I guess a shade worse than tame dog meat,” he muttered as he went along. Tt was nearer for him to strike from the tim- ber right across the prairie, as he took his bear- ings: but instead he went back to the motte wherein was the grave of the man who had been his comrade, his friend and his master. As he drew near the spot he took his broad sombrero off, and dropping upon his knees said. in a voice that quivered: ‘* Good-by, Mars’ Henry, good-by. ‘*You was a noble man, and my friend, and may de goo’ Lord bress you accordin’.” Breaking a twig from a tree that over- shadowed the grave, he went slowly away, back through the timber. He was about to walk boldly out upon the prairie, when he started back, us he saw horse- men approaching. Fortunately there was a fallen tree near him, one blown down by a wind-storm, and falling in a thicket it afforded a splendid hiding-place. After seeing that he had a place to which he could retreat, Scraps gazed out upon the prairie’ at the approaching horsemen, He saw that two were white men, the other an Indian. ; The latter he recognized at a glance, as Comanche chief who had, for some reason, left his people, and was dwelling in the white set- tlements, having several times visited his mas- ter’s ranch, and who had taken quite a fancy to the red-skin. “It?s Red Wolf, the Comanche, and sartin as I lives, he is bound hand and foot. ‘« But who is dem white folks, I wonder?” A closer survey of those who had the Indian a prices seemed to satisfy Scraps, for he quick- y beat a retreat to the fallen tree, while he said hastily: ‘¢T knows ’em, and dey is Mexikins too. ‘‘ Dey is some of dem Cowboy Pirits dot Mars? Henry and me trail one time and hab a brush wid, but what got away. ‘‘ Tm gwine ter keep dark jist now; but if I kin git dot red Injun out ob dere hands, it’s my duty to do so, ‘Wonder if I can’t scare ’em to let him go?” The three horsemen were now pretty near to the motte, and Scraps did as he said he would— ** kept dark.” The Indian was a noble looking specimen of his race, and sat his horse as only a Comanche can, and wore the feather head-dress, bear-claw necklace, and beaded hunting shirt of a chief, He was well mounted, yet was bound to his horse, while his hands were tied behind him, The two men who were with him, one riding | upon either side and each holding a rein of the Indian’s horse, were a Villainous-looking pair, From his spe black hair and dark face, one was without doubt a Mexican, and the other appeared to be a half-breed Indian, Both were well armed, and their horses, though thin, were good animals, As they approached the timber they id so with the caution natural to one whose life is in constant danger. ~ They peered into the woods, and at last one rode forward alone, Reaching the motte, he seemed satisfied and soon after beckoned to his comrade, The other then advanced with the Indian. From his hihag Dae, Scraps was getting — cs ready to act, when the half-breed, who was in advance, called out in English: ‘“T say burn the durn don’t want to be bothered with him any longer.” “You say, no take him toto camp?’ asked the Mexican. “No, what’s the use, for the boys would kill him, and we can do that and have no more ~ bother. ‘¢ Let’s burn him!” ¥ “All right, senor; burn him like Indian burn Mexicano, men,” was the heartless reply. _ The two men then made the Indian rch a and bound him fast to a tree, while the half- breed said, in a voice that Scraps heard: Pirates any more, I’m thinking, Injun, and tell © the Texans where to find us. aun “You have burned, white people, S90 ' serve you the same trick, f ** Come, around him!” Amat. As they turned to start for wood, a shot rur out and the half-breed dropped in’ : ae rH red-skin here, for we Marcos, let us get some brush a nots eo ag, vy i me Mp | tees thee oe j me igh “You won't follow the trail of the Cowboy —
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Brothers in Buckskin. “ The Mexican seemed accustomed to surprises, | by two cowboys in the employ of the ran- / mischief, and he knew that there was nearly a 7for'in an instant, without stopping to see from | chero. thou:and dollars of gold and some important whence had come the shot, or how many his With a comfortable room to dwell in, Scraps a } papers in the box. foes, he bounded to the side of his horse, threw | good cook, and plenty of provisions, a number But Nick and Sim kept an eye upon him, and himself in his saddle and drove his Mexican | of books, his guitar, horses, firearms, dogs, and | one of them was constantly with him. spurs deep into the flanks of the animal. As the | cattle, the young ranchero had taken life easily, They asked him to go with them to drive up mustang, with an angry snort, dashed away, a | though upon his career a shadow had fallen, and the cattle when night came on, and in the next shot whistled by the Mexican’s head with a | he seemed to care never again to go back to the | twenty-four hours neither the Indian or the nearness that was very uncomfortable. seenes of civilization, which he had been so well | negro could get out of their sight. As fast as his horse could carry him the Mexi- | suited to adorn, for he had graduated high in his |. Then the second night came, and after having Can sped over the prairie, while out from his re- | class as a West Point cadet, and as a lieutenant | gone to bed both Scraps and Red Wolf were treat came Scraps, revolver in band, | of cavalry had already won fame upon the} surprised by being awakened by a revolver * Hallo, Red Wolf, | is glad to see you,” said | frontier, when suddenly he had resigned his | shoved in their faces, * the negro as he advanced. | commission, giving no reason for so doing, and Their weapons had been gemoved, and, wholly But he stopped suddenly and glanced down at | returning to Alabama, had sold his old home, | at the mercy of the two cowboys, from whom the half-breed, ; and sought a retreat in the wilds of Texas, the | they had not expected real treachery, they were ** Let me see if dis gemman is dead, sah, afore | faithful Scraps following his fortunes into his | compelled to submit, and while Nick Rawlings T shakes hands wid you. self-imposed exile. covered them with a revolver in each hand, Sim *“Yas, he were bit right whar I aim,in de} It was while on an extended hunt with | Lucas securely bound them, head. : Scraps that they had been surprised by Coman- ‘* Now, nigger, I wants yer ter give us thet * Now, Red Wolf, I oncommon glad to see | ches, and the race for life had begun, which had | box, and durned quick,” said Rawlings, ou,” and Scraps hastily freed the Indian of his | ended so sadly in the motte, ‘* Boss, I hain’t a-gwine ter do it,” nds and grasped his hand, The two cowboys who had been left in charge ‘* You is dead meat ef yer don’t,” **Red Wolf much glad too. of the ranch, the young ranchero knew nothing “No, sah, Pll die afore I goes back on my ** Black Face save Red Wolf’s life—he heap | about. dead marster, and you'll find I hain’t got no good friend. He bad employed them to look after his cattle, | chicken heart, ef niggers does love chicken “Where white chief?” said the Comanche | and they had attended to their duties well, | meat,” was the plucky response. Rh with quiet dignity, which had not been dis- | though they were by no means companionable ** Make the Injun tell, Nick,” said Lucas, , turbed even in his greatest danger. to him, and appeared. to be of the desperado ‘He don’t know; but I does, and I doesn’t im- ** Ah, Injun, Mars’ Henry am gone.” class from their looks and style of conversation, | tend ter tell, ef I dies for it.” | ** Where gone?” | Upon his return to the ranch with Red Wolf, ‘* Waal, Sim, all we kin do is ter kill ther nig- Seraps simply pointed his hand up toward the | Scraps saw these two men seated in front of the | ger and ther Injun and live here ourselves. i skies. little cabin, while their horses, ready saddled, “This are a good ranch, the critters is fu’st- “Gone happy hunting-grounds?” and the | were grazing near, ready for use if needed. class, and it jist suits our blood,” Indian spoke with real feeling. Out upon the prairie the cattle and mustangs “Come here, Nick,” and Sim Lucas led the “Yes, Injun, Mars’ Henry is dead; but hab | of the young ranchero were feeding, and under way out of the cabin. ho anything to eat about your clothes, for 1 | the eyes of the two cowboys, , * Waal?” ‘ n talk better when I hain’t soempty: it makes| ‘‘ Waal, Scraps, whar in thunder is the boss?” ‘* We kin jist sail around the kentry, git a few my voice sound like a base drum?” asked Nick Rawlings, one of the cowboys, and | cowboys together, tell ’em ther nigger and ther Pi “ Hat then,” and the Comanche pointed to the | a tall, gaunt fellow, with the strength of an ox. Injun has kilt pard Henry, and tken they'll ‘ ' horse of the balf-breed hitched near. | ** Mister Nick, and you Mister Sim Lucas, my | string 6m up. bi >. “Ah! and Pve gota horse too, a real good | poor marster 1s dead,” said Scraps, sadly. ‘* Arter they hes done so, we kin easy find that " mustang, and ail for only killin’ that yaller The two cowboys sprung to their feet in sur- | box, which | hev seen Pard Henry looking inter Varmint; and Scraps quickly went to the half- | prise, and Nick Rawlings cried: often, and we'll jist own this ranch, you bet,” breed’s horse and was soon devouring a piece of ‘“‘Dead! Is Pard Henry dead?” “Its a go, Sim, so you git the cowboys ter ' jerked buffalo-meat anda pone of corn-bread, ‘Yas, Mister Rawlings, he am dead and | come, while I watches ther murderers,” was the _ eating with an eagerness that showed how hun- } buried, for I dug his grave,” and then Seraps | ready response. ass: ' Bry he was. went on to tell the sad story as the reader knows |, Lh _. Inthe mean time the Comanche took from the | it. CHAPTER VIII. body of the outlaw all that was usetul, and The two cowboys seemed greatly impressed, » > handed over the weapons and things to Scraps, | and walked apart and talked together for quite ; gf FEE AO SORES, ak Anh eas: __ | awhile. At the time that Scraps and bis young master "~~ Now these do come in well; but whar did} Then they returned to where the negro and | wera“ jumped” by the Comanches, and had to “One 18 a*°white nian, Will, the other a negro, | and they are well mounted, though their @®rses they cotch yer, Red Wolf?” / Indian were standing, and Nick Rawlings | fly for their lives, two borsemen were making @ "| * Over on prairie in motte. | said: flank movement, to avoid the band of Indians, " “* Was on trail, and threw lariat on me,” | “Seraps, ’m awful sorry about yer master, | which they had sighted from a distance, ereep- » **I see, and dey jist had you sa’ti’n dere, but as f knews all about what he wanted done | ing wpon, as they suppose, a herd of buffalo or “Waal, what yer gwine ter do now.” ef he got kilt, Pll just take holt, and bein’ as he | deer. * Anything.” owes me considerable money, PU hold on to} When the Comanches started in full ery after *S'pose we be friends and you go to ranch | ther ranch and tier critters ontil ther estate are | the fugitives, the two horsemen referred,to stop- - wid me, now Mars’ Henry am gone?” settled up for the nighest of his kin.” | ped short and looked at each other, “Heap glad to go!” ‘** Mister Ruwlings, Mars’ Henry leftme words | They were Night Hawk/ancd Broncho Bill _ “Then we is fixed. as ter what ter do with what he leaves behind | Powell. » “Now let’s go and Ill show you whar Mars’ | him, and thar is a box as has his papers in it to They were at the time on a seout, to make a ‘Henry am buried, and then we'll stay ober in | show for it, and other things I is ter look arter, report to the commandant of a fort, who was ’ de cabin into the motte to-night, and strike | besides considerble gold.” -| meditating a move against the red-skins with all > out to-morrow for Ranchero’s Rest, as my “Give me the box then, Scraps.” the force at bis command. poor marster called our home in de pararies.” ‘‘Nosah. I keeps de box, for hasa duty to| Raising a field-glass which he carried to his So saying Scraps mounted the half-breed’s | perform for my dead master, and I knows that | eyes, Night Hawk took a long survey of the horse, and the Comanche springing upon his | he only owed you and Mister Sim ‘Lucas one | fugitives, and then of the Indians, “Own mustang, the two set off together, leaving | month’s pay, when it am due on ther fu’st 0’ | the dead body as the negro expressed: ther month, which are several days off yit, sab. cae “oe To p'izen coyotes with.” * But Vil pay you that, gemman.” seem a trifle faggea.” = sg xe 31 RV ** He owes me a very largesum, nigger, which | ‘* They must be that young ranchero and his! ‘a HAPTER VII. T loaned him,” negro servant we bave heard about, living down : te USURPERS. “Why did he borrer money from you, sah, | near the river,” replied Broncho Bill, ia I was several days before Scraps and the | when he had a neat little sum in de box?” ** Doubtless; but there are seventeen Indians ven an chief arrived at the Rancnero’s Rest, Nick Rawlings’s face wore an ugly look, but | in the party.” ‘i “home of the unfortunate young man who | Sim Lucas made a sign to bim t» restrain his “ Tf we could only have been nearer the fugi- + e ad sought an abiding-place upon the Texas | temper, and so he asked: tives than the Indians, we four could have stood } ‘ ‘er, ‘And what do you intend to do, Scraps?” them off.” a _ They had gone by Red Wolt’s cabin, some ** Mars’ told me, sah, to stay here on de ranch, “Yes, and as it is, Will, Il think wecan help | ; score of miles distant from Ranchero’s Rest, for | and "tend ter certain matters for him.” them.” ae ¢ the Indian to get his traps and carry them ** Well, did he speak of Sim and me?” ** Follow the reds?” th A with him to his new home, for a warm friend- * No snub, and on pay yer what ere due yer, “Yes.” 5 e. ship had aera. up between the chief and | and then I guess me and ther Injun kin look “They haven’t seen us?’ ps scraps and they had decided to be allies for life, | arter ther cattle and bronchos, gemmen,.” “No,” in Y The young ranchero had brought with him Again Nick Rawlings was about to break out ‘* Tm ready.” , ri fo, +exas & Snug sum of money, and had in- | into a passion, but was restrained by Sim Lucas, ‘* Well, we will see what we can do to help dit in cattle and mustangs. who said; them.” , _He had a complete outfit for himself and ‘*That’s all squar’, pard, and Scraps hes ter So saying, the two scouts started off ina eraps and had carried all out to the spot he | do as he are told. sweeping gallop in chase of the Indians. selected as bis home in an ambulance which ‘** You will hev ter lose yer money thet Pard | The situation was as follows: had purchased, Henry owed yer, but we kin git our wages, and The surprised party bad been camping upon a veral cowboys whom he had hired, had | then we'll go; but we'll help yer out, Scraps, on- | small stream for’ dinner and rest, and a mile cattle out for him and then had | til the end of the month, and then you kin pay | distant the band of Indians had been watching d to build his cabin, which was a structure | us.” them from a rise in the prairie, one of their ee rooms and strong as a log fort. Scraps did not like this plan in the least, scouts having discovered them and beckoned ‘was well located under the shelter of a hill He wished to get rid of the cowboys; but yet | his comrades up to where they could get a pon the banks of a small stream. he could not order them off, and so decided to | view, J ‘Tear was a@ stockade where the cattle, | pnt up with matters as they were until the end The two scouts had been riding directly to- | hundred in number, were corraled at | of the month, which would be three days longer. | ward the Indians, when, ascending a roll of “d of danger, but which at other times | He dared not go to the hiding-place of the tin | prairie, they had Deore looked over, and at. | to run free on the prairies, guarded | box, for he was half afraid the two men meant | once had discovered their foes. ek ag ae i oy esas oF sik ’ , . \ i . * } a * eps Ls Sif) bun us + i i ¥\ f 33 f ted ; “4
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Brothers in — -—-+ Buckskin. To avoid them, as there were too many to fight, and get to their rear, they had moved to ths the right, while if they had gone to the left they ht would have come upon the ranchero and the ; negro, whom they did not see. When they had reached the rear of the red- skins they suddenly heard yells, and riding up to the top of the rise, beheld the cause. Where they bad supposed the Comanches were watching buffalo or deer, it was human garhe they were after. When the Comanches saw the ranchero and | pel Scraps mount and ridg from them, instead, as - they had hoped they would do, of coming to- | ward them, they at once ran back to their horses, naounted ‘and gave chase, yelling loud- | ly as soon as they saw that they were discov- / ered. / The fugitives were hardly a mile in advance | | | | of the Comanches, while Night Hawk and Broncho Bill were double that distance behind them. — But the two scouts pressed on swiftly, though their horses, out on the trail for several days, were pretty well used up and they gained but slowly. The ponies of the Indians, however, seemed to be quite fresh, and they gained upon the fugi- | tives, who now and then gave them an admoni- | tion not to, crowd them too closely, by a shot | which told either on a warrior or mustang. | The scouts saw that the Comanches were clos- | ing up the gap, and they spurred more rapidly | | on, when suddenly over a rise to their right | dashed a party of cavalry. ‘Instantly the scene changed. The fugitives pressed on, seemingly unseen. by the cavalry, while the Comanches turned in flight. This caused the two scouts to also wheel and | Mi The thing is reversed, George, for we are leading,” said Broncho Jill, with one of his merry laughs. ; ‘Yes, and we have got to keep going until | the cavalry overhauls them, or there is some | change in our favor,” returned Night Hawk, = | § They felt no anxiety, as their horses were fleeter than the Indian ponies, tired as they ‘were, and if they should be overhauled too Tapidly, they were well armed and could stand ‘ fio bay and keep the red-skins from riding them own, | '- And so the flight continued until night came | , and then, quick as a flash the scouts verged | the left, unseen by the Indians, and, when |! they had thundered by, they fell in bebind | them, while loud and clear were their cries to , e soldiers, who, in the darkness had lost sight | of the savages. Guided by the calls of the scouts, the cavalry- | m came on, and the keen eyes of Night | awk and Broncho Bill kept the Comanches in | 1” y i ht. eirhe troopers steadily gained, the scouts hold- ing their own, so as not to let the Comanches _ dodge them in the darkness. And thus the flight continued until at last the _ Indians took refuge in a small timber island and | stood at bay. The@avalrymen were from the fort, and all | .knew the scouts, so the young lieutenant in com- | nd was glad to have the aid and advice of two |! fin thorough plainsmen as were the brothers. | The lieutenant had been acting with his men | s an escort for a train going to the fort, and “seeing Indian trails about, he had taken a part of his force to reconnoiter. ou * We have got the scamps entrapped, Night -) «Hawk; but what can we do now?” he asked. ba? *Surroun! the timber, lieutenant, and wait ! - until morning, when we can close 1n upon them,” ', Was the reply, 5 This advice was carried out, and when the dawn broke the command was given to close in _ .upon the motte. But sorhe of the soldiers moved too slowly, | one’s horse got Jouse, and seizing the opportu- | nity, the Comanches made a dash in a compact mass and broke through the line, i A couple went down under the fire upon them, and a pony fell; but away went the others. at As soon as the trooper’s horse was caught and all got together, the chase began again and con- ing grounds, and a severe blow had been dealt upon the murderous tribe by the loss of their braves. ei CHAPTER Ix, ON THE TRAIL. ‘‘Nigut Hawk, but for you and Broncho Bill, I never would have gained this grand vic- tory. ‘* Why, we have wiped them off the earth,” said Lieutenant Dana, with earnestness, as he gazed upon the red field. ‘Tt is a neat little victory, Lieutenant. Dana, and has taken off the war-path a number of Comanches,” replied Night’ Hawk, © while Broncho Bill responded: ‘‘They’re booked for Injun heaven, that’s certain. **Do you want their scalps, lieutenant?” ‘* No, indeed, Byoncho Bill, for it’s a barbar- ous practice I could never adopt.” ** Nor I, sir; but then you know a red-skin is only half-dead until he is scalped, and when you say dead Indian to the boys at the fort, you know their answer.” **' Yes, Broncho, it is: ‘¢* Show your sealps’; but [ll take the ponies and the weapons of these Indians, and tired as our horses are we must be on the way back, for Vd.never get forgiveness if anything happened to the trai from my coming oif so far.” “We'll guide you back, sir, by the nearest way, if you wish,” said Night Hawk. **T should be more than glad, for I brought no guide from the train, and I am little more than a tenderfoot myself, in frontier craft and Indian-fizhting.” ‘*You have done better than many an older man, sir, and your superior officers will swear at prayers to think they are not in your boots,” Broncho Bill said. The trophies were soon collected from the dead Indians, the bodies were decently buried, and the :lain soldier was placed in a grave apart, his comrades standing with uncovered heads while the young officer repeated the burial service over bim. The wounded were then put on travers, which Broncho Bill arranged for them, and to which Indian ponies were fastened. Then the party, with their captured ponies, started on the trail back to the wagon-train, Under the guidance of Night Hawk and Bron- cho Bill, they pressed on until long after dark and then camped until dawn, when they again pressed forward and before noon the wagon- train was sighted. Cheers greeted them as they rode up, for their comrades had feared harm had befallen them, as fresh Indian trails were numerous, and louder were the cheers when their victory was known, The train went into camp for the noon rest, and when it pulled out once more, on its way to the fort, still a day and a-halt’s journey, Night Hawk and Broncho Bill turned the head of their horses in another direction. ‘* What! are you not going on with us?” asked Lieutenant Frank Dana, with surprise. “No, sir, for we have talked it over and would like to find out about that young rauchero and the negro, whom the Comanches were after,” said Night Hawk. “TI told George that I thought I saw the ranchero throw up his hands, as though he was wounded, though I might have been mistaken. ‘** But we will take the trail anc see if we can discover anything,” Broncho Bill remarked, ‘* Well, you two scouts certainly like danger, that is certain, and I regret to have you go, as your horses arg not fresh and the red-skins are about as thick as buffalo; but I shall report your valuable services, 1 assure you,” And so tbe two scouts left the wagon-train and started together upon the trail. They first directed their way to cross the track of the fugitives, and reached the spot al- most where the young ranchero had been wounded, so thorough was their knowledge of locahty:‘and their talent in plainseraft. Taking the trail there they held on to the timber, arriving there just at sunset, and before them the pile of brush loomed up over the _grave of the ranchero, “*T fear you are right, Will, for there isa grave,” said Night Hawk. “Yes; but we will camp here until morning, and then find out whose grave it is,” was the re- sponse of Broncho Bill. _ CHAPTER X.’' TRUE AS STEE Tin } : Boru Scraps and Red Wolf felt that they ; | were in a bad fix. 3 | They were securely bound, and Nick Raw- aes ih * a ——— Ys lings was their guard, for Sim Lucas had gone off to collect a few cowboys from distant ranches, to make numbers an excuse for mur- der. ] The Comanche chief took his misfortune with we the utmost indifference, to judge by his manner, for not an expression of his face showed drea of what he felt sure would happen, Scraps was not so cool. Any danger he would face fearlessly, with weapons in his hands; but bound hands and feet, he was pretty well unnerved by the situa- tion. His grief for his master was great, and he was most anxious to carry out his last instruc-, tions. The ranchero had had a safe hiding-place for the box, in a hollow tree near the cabin, and his manner of getting it from there, and returning it, was by throwing a lariat over a limb and i climbing up the double line thus formed. Then he could place the box in the cavity, or - take it out at will. But Scraps would not tell where it was, for he had made up his mind to that. The fact that his master had left his will in that box, leaving him the ranch and cattle, and the gold he had on hand, was a pleasure to him, of course; but then he would have been far more glad to have the ranchero alive thar to be a millionaire. When morning came the lazy cowboy un- fastened Scrap’s hands, but kept his feet hop- pled and then told him to get breakfast, Scraps was hungry, and so he obeyed. He got plenty for all three, and when they had finished their meal, the cowboy at once secured the negro again. ’ For a moment Scraps looked as though he was going to resist, and try conclusions with the armed man; but he saw that it would be mad- ness, and so he submitted to being again bound. ‘Now, Scraps,” said Nick Rawlings, throwing a noose over his neck and hauling it taut, as he threw it over the limb of a tree under which the three were— \ ‘“ Now, Scraps, I hain’t got time ter wait until » the boys come, so T'll jist string you up now, i you don’t do as I axes yer.” ‘‘ What does yer want?” . “Tell me whar that box are, and Til let you — and ther Injun go,” ree iaig > “*No sah.” : i . ‘You'll git hanged.” ‘*T hain’t able ter die more than onc’t, even to please you, Nick Rawlings,” “You'd rather die than own up?” ‘*Vas, I would.” ** Life’s sweet.” **T has honor.” ‘‘ What's honor to life?” ‘* Heaps,” “Well, up you go.” **T can’t help it.” ‘¢You won't tell?” ‘¢T done told yer.” ; io The man threw his weight upon the rope and — it drew the negro off of his feet. - f He struggled violently and suffered greatly. Then the brute let him down, and, after gasp- ing for breath a moment Scraps revived. r hke hangin’, yer black — ¥ ‘Waal, how does yer imp?” he sneered at him. . “*T doesn’t like it.” ys “T thought not; but I was jist playin’ with ver thet time.” oe bale ‘*Somebody’ll be jist playin’ with you, Nick — ae The words struck him, for the man turned pale, for all bullies are afraid of a rope, and im ~ committing crimes they trust to luck to escape the gallows. yaa MY Waal, up yer goes ag’in, if yer won’t tell.” bey won't.” as “K- 2: vit 9 “You'll die fu’st?” ; “¢1']] die fu’st.” \ The maticious wretch looked at the negro a moment and there saw a determination in face to die rather than yield, DAs So he said: Pe = “ll give yer another chance, Scraps.” — ‘¢T don’t ask none.” ya aye ‘Well, Pll be merciful to yer.” “Yer hain’t got no more mercy manche, Nick Rawlings.” oh. ‘Waal! what does yer say to sharin’ with ef I lets you go, and lightin’ out afore Sim back?” ~ ees eT ‘*T says nothin’. eee “You won't?” Rye oh “ *T won't.” “Tis afeard yer
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- mouths of Brothers in Buckskin. “So has you, and maybe it won’t be long afore it, nuther, Mister Nick Rawlings.” Again the shot struck home, for the man aled, and with a muttered oath, threw the ariat end he held from over the limb of the | tree, and then took the coil from about the neck of the negro. ‘*T was only tryin’ ter skeer yer, Scraps.” ** Waal, yer scared me considerable.” “Yer has grit.” **T has grit ter do what I knows am right, if I gits kilt for it.” * What'll yer do fer me ef I saves yer neck?” i’ How saves me?” é ** Ther boys will be here afore long.” “'That’s sure.” “ And they’ll hang you, onless I says no,” “They'll hang me anyhow.” “ There’s not enough of ’em fer a jury, but that don’t mind—yon’ll hang, both of yer!” said Nick Rawlings. with a malicious smile, while | Scraps, tirning to the Indian, shook his head /Sadly and remarked: | * Red Wolf, I guesses we hab got to die.” ‘pl of the Comanche, , “I wish I had never left old Alabama,” mur- | -mured Scraps, and into his large dark eyes "Came tears as memory welled up from his heart of the olden time on the plantation. CHAPTER XI. A CLOSE CALL. As they were in too dangerous a locality to a “Not ef I says no.” “Yas dey will, for dey hain’t gwine ter come *way here for nothin’, **Sim Lucas hab told.’em dere was to bea hangin’ picnic, and dey wants ter see what dey | comes for.” “Tl have ’em hang ther Injun.” “ What hab he done?” ** Nothin’.” “ That’s what you is goin’ to hangghim for?” “ Yes.” “Tis guilty ob de same; but you jist spare | dat Injun, as dey hain’t no reason for hangin’ him and me too,” The cowboy was about to reply, when far off across the plain, he caught sight of several horse- | ee men, ay j ** The boys is comin’! he cried. Oh, Lordy!” groaned Scraps, and he swept the prairie with his glance. e444 Then he beheld a party of four horsemen com- ti; jing over a rise, and in another direction were -»;three more. sides, lying flat down, and placing themselves | at their heads, the scouts held their hands lightly upon their nostrils, Then came a sound from off on the prairie. It was a human voice, Soon after was heard the swish, swish of 7 rolled out an exact imitation of a bugle sound- ing the rally. The effect was electrical upon the savages, for, though they had hastily mounted their ponies | to prepare against an attack, they now fel horses going through long prairie grass, and | the trained eyes of the scouts saw through the darkness the outlines of horses and riders. They were coming almost toward them, and yet both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill knew that a wash in the prairie would cause. them to round it, thus carrying them some two hundred feet away. In silence they waited, half lying across the heads of their horses, to prevent their rising in fright, or neighing, and witk their riflesready to fire should some keen-eyed Indian detect them lying there, That they were Indians the scouts knew at a glance. They were riding in single file, and in silence, thougb one had spoken a moment before, doubt- less p yinting out the motte to his comrades, “They are going to the motte to camp,” whispered Broncho Bill. ** Yes, let us count them.” They had now come to the water wash, or divide, and after a short halt began to bear away to the left to round it. There seemed a long string of them, and as they passed within two. hundred feet of the scouts, each man was counted, A\t last the column disappeared, winding on toward the timber, nearly half a mile away. *- 1 counted thirty-seven,” said Broncho Bill, ‘* And I the same; but did not our horses be- have well, Will?” ‘*Like little gentlemen,” returned Broncho Bill. that a large force of cavalry was upun them, as following the bugle-call of Broncho Bill came the trumpet tones of Night Hawk ordering troopers into line to charge. Away through the timber tore the Co- manches, out upon the prairie at full speed, ex- pecting each moment to see a body of soldiers in full chase, ‘*Stampeded!” quietly said Night Hawk, ‘Yes, we skedaddled the entire outfit,” and the two scouts laughed heartily over the funny affair, while, galioping off to another camping- place a mile away, they slept quietly for the balance of the night. CHAPTER XIL A MOCK TRIAL, Wir a hurrah and a yell the cowboys, which had been seen coming across the prairie by Nick Rawlings and his two prisoners, dashed up to the door of the ranch, and were answered with a wild war-cry by the gaunt individual, who had so nearly choked the life out of poor Scraps. Among the cowboys of the plains—come they from Montana, Colorado, or Texas—there are @ great many noble specimens of manhood; but ~ | then there are a number who do duty as such, Then, leaving their horses lying upon the | prairie, the scouts hastened on up the rise and gazed after the retiring savages. Whey were filing into the timber, and soon disappeared within its shadow. “ Going into camp,” laconically said Night | Hawk. * Die one time, no more,” was the laconic re- | ‘** Let us give them a hint that they had better move on,” ‘** Fire upon them?” 66 Yes.” “ Well, if we throw a dozen shots each, ia | rapid succession into the timber, they will think | | we are a party of soldiers; but we must fire be- dare to light a fire, Night Hawk and Broncho | Bill hunted up the spring, watered their horses, and filling their canteens, rode out upon the prairie, where there was a hollow in the land, | and camped, The horses were staked out to short lariats, ready saddled, the girths being only loosened a little, and the bits taken out of their mouths, Then the two scouts spread their blankets and sat down to eat a cold supper, consisting of some provisions which they had procured at the wagon-train from Lieutenant Dana, for their Supplies had run down to jerked buffalo meat and cold water. After their supper, whic): they enjoyed as such men will, who can rough it when need be, they went off on two separate scouts, each walking out for a distance of several hundred yards, and then walking in a circle around their camping- place until they met. “TI don’t think there are any Indians around, George,” said Broncho Bill when they met on the circle, hind our blankets, so that they won’t see the flashes,” Broncho Bill hastened back and got the horses | ) u ' by six comrades, they were ready for any deed up, ready to mount, and staked them closs to- gether. Then the oldest blanket they had, one that | had seen the hardest service, was carried back to the top of the rise and their horns, which the scouts always carried, were made to do duty by being stuck in the ground and the blanket made ' fast to them. In the timbers now a light glimmered, and | soon several fires flashed up. “Nor 1; and the nature of the ground here is | - such that they cannot ride very near to our camp, so here’s for a sleep,” replied Night Hawk, and five minutes after they were wrap- ped in their blankets, fast asleep. © It was, perhaps, midnight, when Night Hawk suddenly rose to a sitting posture. “Did you hear it, too, George?” asked Bron- cho Bill, in a whisper, “Something waked me, but I do not know /- what.” » * {6 was the cough of a horse, or of a buffalo, only.” _ ** Then let us get to our horses and be ready.” Re ‘Their blankets were quickly rolled up, and | gliding to the side of their horses, which were | ‘still eating, the bits were slipped into the the animals, and both were made to _ lie down, by a motion ot the hand rather than a rOTG. | well-trained horses dropped upon their “ Those fellows are bold, tor I hardly believed they would lizht a fire,” Night Hawk said. “They'll wish they hadn’t,” was Broncho Bill’s response, and he took his stand behind the blanket.. The distance from where the scouts were to the timber was within range of their rifles, and they had that confidence in themselves that they could give the Indians a severe fight, mount their horses, ride down the slope and get away, | if pursued. “Ready, Will?’ and Night Hawk crouched on the ground behind the blanket, the rifle muzzle close to it, ** Yes,” and Broncho Bill took the s.me posi- tion. ia Fire!” } As the word left the lips of Night Hawk, the rifles began to rattle forth, and the bullets went | pattering into the timber, for the scouts bad so gauged théir range and taken aim that they. | dropped lead right where they intended. There was a wild chorus of yells, the neighing and snorting of frightened mustangs, and witbin half a minute of time over twenty bullets had fallen into the timber, some of them fingling a f ; ) | target either in a warrior’s body or amustang’s, T don’t know which, for I was only half-awake | though tbe distance was too great to do great | damage, |P After the yells had subsided there was heard the tramp of hoofs, and the scouts hastily re- loading, poured forth another rapid fire, after which they seized their bows and the blankets and ran back to their horses. Springing into their saddles they rode to a osition to command a view of the prairie, and placing his hands to his mouth, Broncho Bill who are little better than horse-thieves and horseback tramps. They stick to no work when they can steal, are ever ready for a fight, if they can make any- thing out of it and their evil deeds reflect upon the honorable men who are known as Ccow- boys. These whites are the ‘‘chaft” amidst the wheat, and law is doing much to ‘root thent out now by putting its heavy hand upon them where a few years ago they could terrorize a commu nity. Those cowboys whom Sim Lucas had brought to the ‘** hanging bee,” as he had called it, were certainly a bad lot. They herded upon the ‘‘disputed ground,” where they could dash into Mexico if need be, or run a drove of cattle across the river, which- ever would pay best, They were under employ, and yet e wild, des- perace set, Sim Lucas had picked his men, seeming to know them well. So when he rode up to the ranch, accompanied that might turn up. To add to their recklessness, Nick Rawlings greeted them with an invitation to drink, ee ing out for the occasion a bottle of fine old brandy that had belonged to the ranchero, The liquor was dashed off, the ponies were staked out, and one huge fellow said: ‘Now tell us what’s up, Pard Nick, fer Sim only axed us to a hanging bee.” ‘“Waal, pards, thar has been a foul murder committed,” said Nick Rawlings, in a tone that was meant to seem distressed. ‘A murder!” cried a number of voices. Van,” ‘* Whar’s ther corpse?” ‘Ther corpse are buried.” “Who were kilt?” asked the big bully, who appeared to take upon himself the duty of ques- tioner, and which none of bis comrades, for rea- sons best known to themselves, questioned his right to. **Our boss were kilt, the handsome young fel- ler as owns this ranch, and tuk me and Sim in | as partners only last week.” * Who kilt him?” ‘¢ Waal, pards, I wants ter tell yer nigh as TI kin git onter it. «Yer see t’other day thet Injun come along here, and he and ther nigger held a powwow over yonder in ther woods. “ T’sees em and I wondered what _it were all about. : ; ‘“Then ther Injun he lit out, and soon arter | the boss, Pard Henry we calt him, said he were goin’ ter buy some more cattle. “So off he rid, with ther nigger, leavin’ his partners, Sim and me, ter keep house and look arter the critters. “Waal, last night who comes back- but ther nigger and ther Injun, and the black imp tells us the boss are dead, kilt by Injuns, and he will pay us our wages and we kin git. “] was thet surprised, pards, I were choked; and he said his master hed a tin box in w were his instructions, aaa but axed ther nigger ter show me his papery
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Brothers in Buckskin. *t Now, pards, ther boss tuk gold away from here with him, to spend it for cattle, and thet nigger know’d he war goin’and so told ther Comanche and they kilt him and got his money and then comed back here to bluff Sim and me,” ** Thet’s a fact, fer I hed a dream thet they kilt Pard Henry, and dreams is true signs, so my grandmother said, and she—” ‘*PDurn yer old grandmammy! where’s the lerold?” cried the huge cowboy, breaking in some- | & 4 g what rudely upon Sim’s story of his grandmo- ther. “They hain’t got a cent with ’em, in course, for they has hid it. “But leave it to you, pards, ef they hain’t guilty o’ murder in ther first degree?” “It are a clean case ag’in’ ’em,” said the bully. “it are a dead sure thing,” another remarked. Hangin’ is jist too good for ’em,” ‘Hangin’ is ther game we plays. with ’em.” * And we plays to win,” ‘Vas, our hands kin beat ther ace o’ spades and the jack o’ hearts ef they is trumps,” and | the cowboy who said this designated Scraps as the ace of spades, while Red Wolf came in as the jack of hearts. “What does you make it?” asked Nick, of the | huge bully, who was fond of the name he bore, which was that of Giant Saul. “1 makes it bangin’, and I wishes a word with ther nigger, as | is ther jedge ter pass sentence,” | and Giant Saul turned to the brave negro, who had calmly watched every face and listened to every word as coolly as did his red-skin com- anion, for Scraps had made up his mind to die ravely, for that mercy would be shown him he did not for a moment believe, He saw that the gold that his master had left | ‘was what Nick Rawlings and Sim Jaicas were after, and he smiled grimly as he felt that he woulkl haye his revenge upon them by dying with the secret to go with him into the grave. CHAPTER XITI. UNINVITED GUESTS, TuRNING to Scraps in his bluff, rough man- ner, the self-appointed cowboy judge stepped up aud looked fixedly into his face. The negro did not flinch from the glaring eyes of the desperado, “What's yer name?’ he thundered. * Scraps,” Soraps o’ what?” ‘My name am Zekiel Tanner; but Pse been called Scraps since I were a boy,” and Seraps | spoke with considerable respect in his tone. ‘Whar on ’arth did yer git thet name?” “My old master gib it to me, ’cause I ust ter run ’round-de place pickin’ up all de scraps and sich,” The bully laughed roughly and said: ‘Scraps! What a name fer a tombstone!” ** Guess 1 won’t hab no tombstone.” “Vere right, for yer'll be in luck if yer gits a grave, for ('d leave yer ter ther cayotes ter pick!” ‘You intends ter hang me?” “That's jist what'll happen, nigger!” And ther Injun?’ *¢ 71] hang him too,” * What for?” ** Murder.” ‘‘ He hain’t no more guilty than I am,” “T knows guilt when 1 sees it, and ef you two | hain’t got ther sin o’ murder on your souls, then I'm a liar.” ‘¢ Yer sees yer own soul reflected in our honest eyes,” was the quick: response of Scraps. The bully seemed about to strike the bound man, as his comrades. laughed at the remark; | | which was becoming restless, became still as but, checking himself, he said: **T won’t kick a man as is on ther gajlers,” ‘Waal, I’m ready to die, and I guess Red | Wolf are, too.. Hain’t you?” and Scraps turned to the silent Indian, who complacently an- swered: ‘Me live, me die, all same.” “Now just hear dat, and he b’long to no ehu’ch nuther,” said Scraps in great admiration of his red brother. “Soon go to happy hunting-grounds,” added Red Wolf. “T Hope I'll strike ther same trail; but maybe they won’t want no coon in Injun heben, and now [I tinks of it, I'd ruther not go thar, as dere is a Injun or two Idon’t want ter meet, seein’ as I sent em thar,” and Scraps seemed a trifle worried as to just which celestial destina- tion his soul would embark for. ‘Come, pards, stop foolin’, and let’s hang ther murderers,” cried Nick Rawlings, “ Hang ’em!” ** Yonder’s a-good limb.” ‘*Tt’s ther boss fer a gallows!” And so the cries arose on all sides, while Giant Saul and Nick Rawlings dragged the two prisoners toward the tree indicated as ‘a good gallows.” a As they went along Nick Rawlings, who had hold of Scraps, said in a low tone: “Tell me whar that box are and durned if I don’t save yer from hangin’.” “Ver hain’t got ther narve ter do it, if yer had ther heart. No sah, I dies silent!” “Durn yer,” growled Nick, and he struck the negro a blow in the face. In spite of it the fellow brave laughed | lightly. He was devoid of all fear of his tormentors and intended murderers. The party had now reached the tree, which was just under the shelter of the hill behind the cabin, and was the very tree in which the tin box was hidden. Scraps’s heart almost stood still, for if a man climbed the tree to put the rope over the limb, he would be likely to find the tin box in its hiding-place. But Giant Saul skillfully threw the two ends of the rope over the limbs, and then placed the coils about the necks of Scraps and Red Wolf. - : **Now, pards, git onto the ends of ther lariats, four on each, and when I says pull, up they goes} ** Now, nigger, if yer knows any scraps 0’ prayers, shout away; and as fer you, Injun, prayers don’t do heathen no good. ’ ‘* All ready!” A shout answered his words, and the com- mand to pull was just about to issue from his lips) when suddenly Night Hawk and Broncho Bill dashed upon the scene, as if by magic springing into their midst, and each hand held a revolver. Then rung out in deadly earnest the threatening words: ‘** Hands up, all of you!” They were uninvited guests at the * hanging bee,” but they were too well known on that border for the stern command of *‘ hands up” not to be obeyed. From the ropes they held, up went the hands of the eight men, fir grouped together as they were, and with full self-cocking revolvers, such } as the Powell, brothers w cnown to carry, twenty-four bullets could be. rained into that crowd before a weapon could be drawn. ‘Waal, hands is up, now what?” queried Giant Saul, glancing first at Night Hawk and then at Broncho Bill,who sat their horses serene- ly, still covering the two groups with their re- volvers. ere CHAPTER XIV. COWED. * Prin tell you what is up, Giant Saul. “ You are about to commit a foul murder, for | those two men are not guilty,” came the calm, stern answer of Night Hawk to the huge des- perado, ‘T's a Jie! they is guilty!” yelled Nick Raw- lings. A shot, a single one, followed his words, and as a howlof pain came from his lips, Broncho Bill coolly remarked: ‘ve marked your ear, Nick Rawlings, to re- Sig: you that you called the wrong man a jar.” ‘*Pards, has we got ter stand this?” whined | tawlines, * Hands up all of you! ‘*Move and we open fire, and you know our aim,” and at Night Hawk’s words the gang, death. Riding forward a few paces, Broncho Bill lowered one revolver, took his knife from his belt and quickly severed the bonds of Scraps, Dropping the knife he said: ** Pick it up and free the Comanche.” Scraps did not take an instant in obeying. ‘* Now disarm those men, both of you.” * Yer’s cowards to take advantage ’cause yer | > . kin,” growled Giant Saul. Broncho Bill laughed in his light way, and Night Hawk said: ** We came here two to eight, but we are four now against you, and if you wish to fight it out we are willing, *“Get your guns, pards, and let those men have theirs again.” ‘*Yer knows ef we kills yer we'll hev ther whole fort down on us,” said Giant Saul. “That's the way you sneak out of it; but if ; | him, | Will has Nick Rawlings’s, to keep civil tongues in your heads,” There was no mistaking that Night Hawk and Broncho Bill were in earnest, and the band of hullies were cowed completely. As the Indian and Scraps had now disarmed them. Night Hawk said, addressing the negro: ‘¢ Now, my man, what is the trouble between you two and this gang of despera: oes?” “ You calls names now,” cried Giant Saul. “Tf you don’t like what I say to you, take your revolver, step off ten paces and resent it,’ and Night Hawk leaped from his horse, : grasped a weapon, which Scraps said belonged | to the giant and held it out to him, while Broncho Bil! kept his weapons still covering the; group and the Indian and the negro also stood | ready for deadly work, if called upon, } “T hain’t a-goin’ ter fight again’ dead sure; odds.” * What odds?” ** Ther whole fort.” ‘*- You hedge on the fort as an excuse for your cowardice. ‘¢ But we wish to hear the report of these two men as to why you want to hang them. “ Now, my man, tell us what it was all about?” and Night Hawk turned to Seraps, As for Scraps his whole form was trembling with delight. He had looked death squarely in the face without a quiver of fear visible; but being snatched from the very grave, as it were, almost unnerved him, ‘“T done tell yer all about it, boss, and you, sah,” and he bowed to Broncho Bill, while he spoke to Night Hawk. ‘“Well, my man, take it coolly and let us know.” ‘Yes, sah, gemmans, me and my poor boss Mars’ Henry, we rid out for a hunt fer severa days. ** This are his ramch, yer see, and two men was his cowboys, sah. ‘Waal, sah, we got chased by Injuns, and we had a hard run of it and I guess we’d hey | been cotched! if seme sojers hadn’t come in sight an’ run de Comanches back. ‘* But poor Mars’ Henry he were wounded with an Injun arrer in bis back, and I tuk him on to some timber and tried ter help him, but he says tome he know’d as bow he were gwine ter die: * But, 1 went off wid de centeens, to git some water, leavin’ Mars’ Henry lyin’ on de ground, ane hosses him, when some Injuns jumped me in de timber and chase me far off, ‘*T is mighty spry on my feet, if 1 does wear number “levens, and I made de dirt fiy too fast for dem Injuns, and I get inter a little cabm house dat I see’d in de woods; ‘“T stayed dere all night, and next day de Tn- juns had gone and l went back to whar J left Mars’ Henry. de near LiCal de horses and S pose, *yound, ‘* Wal, I buried what dere was ob de body, didn’t see no elo’es cause J | and den I started on foot fer home, and mighty tuckered out and hungry 1 kin tele yer. ‘* Den l seen three horsemen coming, and one was dis Injun gemman, who [ know’d, and others was some o’ de Cowboy Pirit band, ‘‘Dey bad jist captured Red Wolf, and dey was gwine ter burn him up, for I were hidin’ an’ I doné heerd dem say so, “So I jist opened fire on’em, and I kiltde half-breed man, and Voether, 9 Mexikin, jum on his pony powerful quick and got away, fort wasn’t anxious ter foller him, seein’ as I a got de Comanche all righf. ““T untied Red Wolf, and den I tuk de horse’ o’ de half-breed and we come bome, ““T bab my erders from poor Mars’ Henry | afore he die, and 1 axed de Comanche to lib wid me here, and so he got his outfit and comed | home wid me, “Den I tole Mister Rawlings my story, and at night he and Sim Lucas’ dere, his pard, come at Red. Wolf and me and hab us dead sure. “So dey make us pris’iers, and den Sim he > go arter de cowboys to come and help hang us, for dey pretend to say we kill poor Mars’? Henry and dat -he owe dem money, and tey take de ranch and cattle. “But he only owe’em for dis month, as I knows, and Nick aud Sim, dem bad men, want to git Mars’ Henry’s tin box, which are hid away and hab money and papers in it, and cause I won't tell’em whar it am, dat is why dey say [ kill him, i. “Dat is my story, gemmans, and I F i edi, 4 Fe my . \ | a al : 74) o’ these > L heart it am Gospil truth,” ANS hee “*Yas, up with ’em” you call us cowards again Pli mark your ear as ia
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De ee rene Brothers _ “We know that it is the truth - ‘we cau read signs pretty well, and _ lowed every step of your trail. _.“ We saw your master’s grave, and tho traces showed us that he had been torn to ‘pieces, ** We followed your track to the spring in the ~ timber, then your running trail to the old cabin, a mile away, and could see the Indian trails, too “The track of the two Cowboy Pirates across the prairie with your Indian friend, the body of the halt-breed, haif-devoured by wolves, and then the trail of yourself and the’Comanche to his cabin, 4nd then here we followed without a miss. “We were watching, from the hill yonder, the high-handed bebavior of this gang of mur- derers, for, from those I see here that I know of, they are little better than horse-thieves and cut- throats, and we chipped in to save you, and I am only sorry they did not have the nerve to draw their guns, that we might rid the country of some of them.” “Tt is not too late now, if they feel an anxiety to fight,” coolly said Broncho Bill, “Dey looks more anxious to git away den dey does ter fight,” Scraps remarked, with a Gea a) Well, they can go, and the two cowboys who "Were employed by your master can go with them, _ “ Have you the money to pay them?’ _* Yas, sah, I has it right wid me, for Mars’ Henry allus told me ter carry a hundred dollars _ along, for fear o’ accidents, and he owed ’em my man, for we have fol- Scraps took from an inner pocket a roll of bills, as. he spoke, and counted out the amount we and handed it to Rawlings and Luéas. “Now get their traps, my man, and their horses.” This was quickly done by the negro, and then, ~ ost tied the gang with their rifles, Night Hawk — said: > “Will, empty their guns, please, and then let | them have them.” "> ¥ Instantly the weapons of the cowboys began oe tO Bee eaneely in the aera ae ree ge _#* scout, and when the last shot had been fired, he SO sealed out: a and guick as lightning Night Hawk’s weapon flashed, and, as Broncho Bill had done, he clipped the ear 0: the desperado. > Tt was enough, tor the band sprung upon their ~ ponies and dashed away, glad to get out of pear while Scraps, in his admiration, cried out: By “Ob, gemmans! if my poor Mars’ Henry had x only know’d yer, he’d never hab wanted ter : die. ’ ‘ 2 aa CHAPTER XV. PARDS, . Tur eight cowboys rode off like the wind, un- ‘til they got out of range of the deadly rifles of the two scouts. - Then they halted, and grouped together, were , evidently discussing the situation. _ Both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill had fully r the desperate risk they had run in - bearding the reckless cowboys. But they had carefully followed the trails, as “hy lignan had said, and upon coming in sight of cabin had taken im the situation at a glance. ng to save the Indianand the negro from being murdered, for, recognizing a number of ihe men, they felt assured that there was some tive for their actions, deeper than the mere zing of Red Wolf and Scraps. ‘they consulted together and, taking their lives in their hands, had boldly dashed m the scene and at once became masters of Situation. The crack: shot of Broncho Billy, in clipping ar of Nick Rawlings, had been to cow as he saw they were restless and ready to t at a single word of encouragement, Night Hawk had shot witb something of motive and left his mark for life upon nige bully the cowboys fed but) ubca the Ei) uy bye cussed the situation, evidently in no pleasant tones. But, with the cabin as a citadel and Red Wolf and Scraps as allies, neither Night Hawk or Broncho Bill had any dread of the result of an attack from them, though they were two to one, For afew moments it seemed as though the cowboys were really meditating an attack upon | the ranch, for they were seen to be handling |; their weapons as though getting ready. Then they turned their attention to the cattle, and Scraps called out: ‘Lordy! dey is igwine ter run off with ther cattle.” “Come, we must show a bold face to those fellows, “Mount, and follow me,” and Night Hawk at once sprung upon his horse, and Broncho Bill and the others followed his example. ‘*‘ Spread out in a line and keep steady. eS Will, you take the left, and I will hold the right, while Scraps and Red Wolf have the center.” So saying, Night Hawk moved forward, the four starting out in a line of a hundred yards in length. The cowboys had in the mean time been sur- rounding the cattle, evidently having decided to drive them off. But the bold front shown by the two scouts, in daring to come out and attack them, seemed to check their plans, while one or two urged that they were driving off property that did not belong to them, and soldiers would be sent against them. But this was a subterfuge to escape a battle with the four men, though they were two to one against them. Seraps’s skill as a rifle and pistol-shot was well-known to both Rawlings and Lueas, and Red Wolf was supposed to be a bad hand in a fight, and especially against them would both men be more than anxious to do their best for revenge, Then the two Buckskin Brothers, as the Powells were often called, were men to dread, Their record was too well known for them not to be feared, They had drifted to the pies as rancheros onasmall scale, and though keeping a small ranch, they were also doing duty as Govern- ment scouts, when their services were sought, Several times they had been forced to show their deadly marksmanship, and peaceable at all times, when aroused they were men who ' went to the bitter end, These were the considerations which the cow- boys felt urged them against a battle with the Buckskin Brothers and their negro and Indian allies. After a short consultation, as that line of four men came slowly but surely on, they gave a few defiant yells and started off at a gallop. The cattle were then driven into the stockade, along with the herd of mustangs, and Scraps set avout getting one of his splendid suppers which bis young master had always been so fond of, There was a fireplace outside of the cabin, under a shed, and here a table was set and Scraps was anxious to do himself gore than justice in his culinary efforts, and he’ certainly did, for the brothers were glad to confess that they never had enjoyed a better meal, That night Seraps got the box trom its hiding- place, and Night Hawk at his request wrote a ,note to the one to whom the package of letters was addressed, and made, up all in a package, fou the miniature and a few other little trin- frets. The miniature was set in gold and was of a beautiful young girl, with a face that was most fascinating, and long the two scouts gazed upon its loveliness, ‘Yer see, sah,” explained Scraps. ‘¢ Mars’ Henry were from Alabama, whar be lived on the plantation wid his parents. ‘‘T were also born dere, gemmens, and it were a lovely home, **But Mars’ Henry he went inter ther army, and while he were at West Point he see’d dis young leddy and fell in lub wid ber. ** While he were on ther frontier somewhar, I guesses around the North country, his parents die 0’ yellow feber in Mobile, and soon arter, de leddy as Mars’ Henry lub she git married to somebody else, ‘*Gemmens, from dat day he were de saddest man I ever seen, * He comed out to Alabamy, sold de ole home, and den he struck out fer Texas, whar I sudjest- ed he sh’u’d come, “ss eat but ae haa ne ee eee ee Tn ee a eee eee -~ he axed me to send dem tings right to de leddy mt and I axes yer to do so, as yer says yer kin send ’em from de fort.” “T wih see that they go straight, Scraps, and will give you the receipt for their delivery. ‘*But this paper leaves Zekiel Tanner the! ranch, effects and money in hand, and it is drawn in Galveston and witnessed there.” ! “'That’s me, sah—l are Zekiel Tanner, called Zeke fer short, and Whom ole massa christened! Seraps.” : “ Yes, I see it says ‘Zekiel Tanner, nicknamed) —__ Scraps.’ ” ‘Yes, sah, dat’s me,” “Well, you had better hide the box away again, with your money and these other papers, and I would not suggest putting it again in the tree, as it might be struck by lightning, blown down or burned,” ** Dat’s so, sah, and I knows another place Pil put it, and you gemmans can know, so if any- thing happens ter me, you will know whar der 4 papers is.” This matter having been settled, the! par re- tired, neither Night Hawk or Broncho Bill con- sidering it worth while to keep a watch, as they feared no trouble from the cowboys. After a couple of days’ rest at the ranch, enjoying the good cooking of Scraps, the Buelk- skin Brothers took their departure for the pos leaving Seraps in possession of his house, an Red Wolf for his companion, for the negro and the Indian had become inseparable pards, the former doing all the talking for the two, as the latter was always taciturn, seldom even speaking; but that the Oomanche became greats) ly attached to the one who had saved his life,) ‘ there was no manner of doubt. CHAPTER XVI, WELL MET, Wuen the Buckskin Brothers returned to th fort, they had a warm welcome, and they we glad to see that Lieutenant Dana was consider- ed quite a hero after his victory over the Co- manches, They also came in for their share of praise, for Frank Dana was not one to wear another's ut laurels without giving full credit where it was deserved, : All were anxious to know what the two scouts had discovered on their long trail, and they Té-— ported to the major in command the death of | the young ranchero,and the scene that had taken u ‘Rest at the ranch between them and the cow- 7 OVS. “IT half believe that some of these cowboys nearest the river are mixed up with this band of outlaws known as the Cowboy Pirates of the Rio Grande, colonel,” said Night Hawk. “Well, if you can find out that such is the case, Powell, | will make short work of them, on any proof which you or your brother may ; bring,” was the answer of Major Loring. te Then he added: “The outlawry on this border is somethin fearful, and 1t is mostly owing to the fact tha Mexico affords 'a hiding-place for all seamps who fly from justice on this side, and Mexican — outlaws run over on Texan soil toeseape punish= 4) ment from their Government, my “Then there are the'Comanches to contend ~ against, and altogether, it ‘s a knot the unravele — ing of which will require time and’ much 7 stretching of hemp. {aay ‘But you go ahead. in your good work, for you are of most assistance to me, and’ before long the good points of your service will begin to show,” ; This gave the Buckskin Brothers a kind of roving privilege, aud they were mare than will- Ae ing to be on the watch while attending to the | duties devolving upon them at their little ranch, | which, as their mother was there with them, they had settled as far from the danger line as possible, 1 , Mrs. Powell, the mother of Night Hawk and | Broncho Bill,-vasa woman perfectly fearless.and | she could handle a rifle and revolver with deadly z aindgy€® need be, ; e: Meir home was as comfortable a one as was on the border, and their drove of mustangs and ve herd of cattle were increasing in numbers rap- idly and consequently in value, With a couple of old and faithful servan Ral Mrs. Powell remained at the rauch, proudof her | gallant sons, and ever anxious to make their _ stay at home pleasant, and with the greatest de- —~ light she was wont to look forward to their com- | ing from their perilous trips. x Ny two cowboys that were thorouahly ee trusted, had charge of the ranch to Ue 50 aa brothers found time to go at will on "Ay G 4) ald hie te ee v4 " Aw pe. i iy ) ay
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lo tion that might suggest itself, or that they ag Pt be needed upon, . Having sent the package, intrusted to their keeping by Scraps, to the address given, Night Hawk and Broncho Bill set out upon a visit to their hozne. ¥; After a stay there of a couple of weeks, they ey again took the trail, and, a couple of months ') -after leaving the fort they were back again with much valuable information which they had ; , aera up, and which was of much service to x ajor Lionel. ' - The receipt for the package, safely delivered, was returned, and so Night Hawk suggested a Visit to Ranchero’s Resi, to deliver it to Scraps a about whom they felt some little anxiety. i 3 Dy NO) yj aekegh wk. 3928 ‘ : 5 Broncho Bill was more than willing, and telling POF the major they would do more scouting work, a ‘they set out for the ranch, After nine days’. ride, having often’ turned from their trail to look at *‘ Indian signs,” they camped one night some ten*miles from Ranch- . ero’s Rest, intending to make an early start the next morning and arrive in time for one of Seraps’s good breakfasts, “They awoke before dawn and instantly Bron- cho Bill called out: - | “What's that red glare, George?” > +) *T dors know; it must be a prairie fire,” was » |) the answer. Tt is right in the direction of the Ranchero’s Rest,” ‘Vou are right, so let us get at once on the ” > “and movating, the; set off a‘ a canter. ; _ Asthey ascended a rise of the prairie, they ~* saw that the horizon to the south was one vast glare of red. Magy. VV il?” “Yes George.” *“T believe they bave done it at last.” “Those cowboys?” “Ves; Rawlings and’bis gang.” *Teness you are right; but I hopeno harm has befallen poor Scraps and the Comanche.” “Ttrust not; but it those villains set the cabin '- on fire, you may be sure that it was with the - negro and tho Indian in it.” _ After riding swiftly along for some distance, Broncho Bill said, sharply: _ “ George?” 4 “tf “ Yes.” p “We must rid the country of that gang, for, with the major, I believe that the Cowboy Pi- - yatesare not altogether men belonging to the - band of that Mexican, San Cruz.” “Such is my idea, and I am ready for the work at any time, Will,” was the quiet re- - sponse, and Nighthawk Powell meant just what he said. _ Tt was now daybreak, and as the Buckskin ' Brothers dashed across the prairie, suddenly ap- _ peared before them two men. ‘hey were on foot, and running at full speed. At aglance they were recognized, for Broncho - Bill called out: *Seraps and Red Wolf, for all Iam worth!” _ “Correct! and they are pursued,” was the re- sponse of Nighthawk, and tae horses were put to arunto meet the two men, so well met, for a _ moment atter a party of hor-emen dashed from a » the timber behind the fugitives, and in full pur- suit. ee : CHAPTER XVII. de; A MIDNIGHT RAID. - Wuen seen by Nighthawk and Broncho Bill, both Scraps and Red Wolf were doing their level > best at making time. " Yhesight«f the two horsemen had at first “eaused them bo halt, for their eyes were blurred from their running so fast, and they did not re- — cognize them, +. But when Red Wolf said: ’ signal for one of Svraps’s old-fashioned planta- v of defiance. The two scouts echoed the shouts with their _ own ringing war-cries, and spurred to the rescue, heir rifles ready. There were four men in pursuit, and they me swiftly on, until some one happened to The blankets were rolled up, horses saddled, . > “Nicht Hawk and Broncho Bill,” it was the | n yells, and he gave it with “a vengeance, . hile Red. Wolf shouted back at bis pursucrs.a | ‘* Much heap good brother. “ Bie white chiefs.” ‘What is the trouble, Scraps?’ asked Night Hawk, ‘¢ Burned out, boss,” ‘‘ They have burned your cabin?” ‘‘-Yas, sah, all gone,” panted the negro. ** Who did 1t?” ‘¢ Don’t know ’zactly, sah, for dey wored cloth over their faces for masks; but dere was two as eu’dn’t mask their shape.” ‘Nick Rawlings and Giant Saul?” “Yas, sah, dem’s de ones, or dere is two like ’em in shape,” ‘*T ouess you are not far wrong, Scraps. ‘¢ But how many are there in the gang?” ‘¢T counted nine, sab.” “ Weil, tell us about it, now you have got your breath, and we will then go back with you, and if these men bar our way they must fight, | though we wish no trouble with them unless they provoke it,” ‘““They going to fight, sah, for dey is dere in de woods, and dere is taree more of ’em back yonder.” “ J thought you said there were nine?” ‘‘ Dere was nine, sab,” Ah!” ‘Two are missing?’ asked Broncho Bill with smile. ‘“-Yas, sah, two is gwine ter keep missin’, too.” * Tell us about it.” ‘‘ Waal, gemmens, matters has been regulatin’ along all right up to past few days, when me and Red Woif seen trails around we didn’t ; like. ‘“Dere was tracks about de cabin, made wid boot-heels, and around de corral, and so we con- cluded we was gwine ter git into trouble, “So I took somo belongings I didnt want hurt out mter ther woods, whar I has a hidin’- place, and den me and Wolf begin to watch o’ nights. “ Tt were lucky for us that we very night, which were last night, for about | midnight, while I were sleepin’, and the chief | were watchin’, he waked me up and say: | “Look dar!” “T looked, and I seen things wasn’t right, fer thar was half a dozen men about the stockade. | ‘“ They was too many for us, 80 we didn’t do | nothin’ but lie still, as thar was none of ’em we thought about ther cabin, ‘Pretty soon ther stockade gates was open, and ther stock all was druv out onto ther perarer. ‘*T were mad, but I didn’t say nothin’, and of course Red Wolf he kept quiet, for he always | clo. ‘¢ Soon arter ther stock were druv off, I heerd a loud knock at the cabin door, and a voice call out; ‘*¢ Hain’t you red and black niggers gwine ter | git up?’ ‘¢ OF course there was no reply, and the knock- ing and calling: were kept up, ontil they begun to pound at ther door very heavy. “ They seen our saddles, for we should have tuck them and our horses with us, and they thought sure we was in ther cabin, * Burn ’em out,” then we heard one say, and all of *em yelled. **Soon they had a fire, and they piled things |' up ag’in’ ther door, and I know’d ther cabin | were a goner. * Ther fire burned slow at first; but it soon got quick, and then says | ter the chief: ‘Weis ruined, Wolf.’” ‘* He say batk to me: ‘““*Mueh héap revenge; have good time kill bad pale-face.’ ” Both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill burst out laughing at this, and the former said: . a beginned that | Scraps, and one you é ¢ ot i “You made another mistake in not having your horses with yas, or near you, in hiding,’ Broncho Bill added, : ; e “Yas sab: but Lis Parning rapid, and if,they By don’t kill me Pll git eddicated in time; but > Lordy, how glad Lis to be yer’, gemmans. ‘¢ But does yer intend ter fight dem varmints in de woods?” | eee ‘There are no men there, Scraps,” said Bron- * cho Bill. on ‘“Yas sah, for didn’t yer seen *em?” Dba “Yes, we saw them make a show of stopping P there tofight.” : <a » Dey is dere, seh.” “ Se ‘No, for they sent their horses back with one sees ty of their men, while they took positions behind ‘CED trees, pretending they meant to remain. ae a! “Then they crept away and area long way off by now.” “Lordy! you gemmans reads folks’ doings same as a book,” said Scraps with admiration In voice and look, while Red Wolf remarked in his terse way: ‘Yes, big chiefs.” “Well, we will go on and see if we cannot find you a mount, and you follow on as rapidly as possible,” and the two scouts rode straight on toward the timber whero they had seen the horsemen prepare for resistance against them, CHAPTHR XVIII. AT THE RUINED RANCH. Ir proved to be just as Broncho Bill had sur- mised, that the horsemen had only made a show at a stand in the timber, and had then crept off, ¥ mounted their horses and fied at full speed. — Wa" ‘Whoever they happened to be they were anx- ious to hastem back, remove the bodies of their two men, slain by the Comanche and Seraps, so that dead men should ‘tell no tales, and then — urge their companions to nesten on with the stock, as there were upon their traek two scouts: ‘ who might have at their back a large force of ~~ soldiers, puly So the four men fled in hot haste, and reach- ing the bodies of their comrades took them across their horses and pressed on after those ~ who were driving: off the stolen stock. i Not willing to leave the chief and Seraps too , ~ far behind, th; scouts went at a slow pace for them, when ona trail, and yet they read the signs that they ; aw with unerring truth, They saw where the two men had fallen from their horses, under the fire of the Indian and — negro, and where the one man who bad escaped of the three in pursuit had turned back to get others to go in chase, ah. Tne tracks of the four returning, when they — had dismounted and picked up the bodies, or wounded men, whichever they might see, were gone over patiently aud unerringly. ‘wpe ** George?” ce Yes, ” i A 3 ‘‘ When those two men fell from their horses __ the animals went off this way, see!” and Broncho _ Bill pointed to two tvails. ha , ‘You are right.” ‘ "g ‘There are no other trails following, so tho horses were doubtless not caught.” eh oF «By Jove! the very thing, for we can mount Boras and Red Wolf at once,” cried Night — Hawk, A ys ‘* You wait here for them to come up, and Vl | follow the trails of the two horses, for they can- — not have gone far.” So Broncho Bill rode off at a canter, readily — following the trails, which kept well together, — After about bal? a mile’s ride he came in sight — of the horses, feeding in a bottom. A They were saddled and bricled, and thesrem- of one had caught bis feet and hoppled bim, The other animal started to run, haviug nob recovered from his fright of having his. master — shot. from his back, which always alarms a horse greatly, and Broncho Bill at once went in ~ chase. Men Loosing his lariat he soon hed it in hand, and” as his splendid horse carried bim within lasso” ranze of the flying animal, he launched the” noose through the air. tosh Aiea for the ani know t At once his skill was shown, was securely caught. and seeming to to go on would give him a bard fall, h stopped short, ee Ths other horse was were 1 v3 ™ *
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(Si by = Pe Baas ae 6 untry a little too hotfor Nick Rawlings, Giant Seraps and Red Wolf had caught up when he | returned, and were following close behind N Hawk when he overtook them. “That was good work of yours, Will, for now we are fixed, and with a pair of extra rifles and ammunition in the bargain,” said Night Hawk. The Indian and negro at once mounted the horses, and seemed greatly pleased with their * mounts and the outfit they had secured. As they came near tie ranch, Broncho Bill Scouted in ahead, but his call soon told the others to come on, as there were no foes there, rot af =) The wicked work of the raiders was welledlone, | however, for the cabin was in ashes and the stockade was slowly burning away, This was quickly stopped, however, by remov- ing a tew of the timbers, and then Scrays sought the place where he had certain things cached in a Secure hiding-place, an‘ the resulé was a very fine breakfmst was soon ready. Not a mustang or a steer had been left behind by the raiders, and they had ruined all that they could destroy before leaving, and Scraps’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at the ruined home. **Gemmans, does yer know what I has done?” he asked the scouts. * What is it, Scraps?” > “Waal yer know I 1s somethin’ of a carpenter in my line, and [ jist made a ‘fu’st rate coffin, and then tuk a shovel,and spade, two mustangs here wid him, and which dem devils has burnt up, and while Red Wolf tuk keer of de ranch I scooted off up to whar de grave were.” **The ranchero’s?” “Yas, sah,” * And you dug up the body?” * Yas, sah, what dere was left ob it, and I , fetched it here, and ef yer'll come wid me Vil show yer,” Tuey followed the noble négro in silence, and at a pretty spot, on tae banks ,of the stream, they beheld a crave, | Ih was neatly rounded, and upon it wild flow- ers had been planted, and so faithfully had they been cared for that they were blooming brightly -| At the bead of the grave was a wooden cross, and into it had been cut with real artistic skill in lettering: * POOR, MARS’ HENRY.” Tt was a simple tribute from the faithful negro, and he said: Mars’ Henry ust ter like ter come here, gemmans, and he lie righ whar dat grave ain, and read by de hour. “So [ fotched him here, where his grave Wouldn’t be so lonesome near to me.” The scouts did not speak, and Broncho Bill grasped Scraps’s hand in silence, and walked ae ey away, while tears dimmed the eagle eyes of Night Hawk, as he dropped his hand upon the negro’s shoulder and said: “Scraps, in the language of the Bible I can say to you: * Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Then Night Hawk said that they must be upon the trail of the raiders, and walked away. But glancing back, as he was some distance off, he saw Scraps on his knees by the grave, his head uncovered and his face upraised as though prayer. A moore touching sight-he had never witnessed. CHAPTER XIX. _ HE TELL-TALE GRAVES. AFTER ayest of several hours at the ruined _¥anch, the scouts, the Indian and Scraps, mount- ed their horses and set off upon the broad trail left by the cattle-thieves, They knew that the herd had fully ten hours’ start of them, and would while it being the first day’s drive the cattle would be fresh and be able to make a long march, ~ ‘That they could retake the herd the scouts did eae oY my less near as a reserve, Or support, for the cow- not believe, for they felt: assured that if nine “men had come to the ranch, others were doubt- ere the,gang which had tried to anche and Scraps, certainly had “They gave Scraps no hope of recapturing his . eee Oey Might. awk ai: ' en Be é will, [ think, Scraps, be able to trace out ‘0 the thieves are,” ‘Yas, sah.” “And if we do,I think we can make this _ Baul and those of his class,” ~ “Ts bound ter be hot for bu and Mister Broncho Bill em, sah, arter takes hold of ’em,” be driven hard,* | Brothers in Buckskin. responded Seraps, and Red Wolf gave a grunt of ready assent. The two captured horses proved to be excel- lent ones, and as the scouts rode animals that had not their superior on the berder, for speed and staying qualities, and in fact few equals, the four pressed on at a good pace. After going some miles and watching the trail closely, Bronecho Bill called a halt and looked at his brother, ‘“‘T see what you mean, Will,” said Night Hawk with a smile, ** You see this small trail going off here?” 73 Yes,” ‘Two horses and about balf-a-dozen cattle?” *'Yos, it looks as though the cattle had made a break here, and then had gotten off into the woods.” * So it looks; but was it so?” “That was what I was thinking, Will, for there may have been a reason for these cattle to breals off here.” “There was a reason; but we can go on and watch to see where the trail rejoins the main one,” This they did, and it was about half a mile beyond, Without a word Night Hawk and Broncho Bill turned back on the small trail, and the two others followed, Scraps wondering what cdlis- ; covery the scouts had ma;le that seemed to in- and de ambulance, which Mars’ Henry brought terest them so, For his part he only saw the tracks of a few eattle and two horses, which had broken from the trail, and after a short run had been brought back again, But the scouts saw more in it, or thought they did. A ride of a quarter of a mile brought them into some timber, and straight toward a thicket the scouts led the way. r * There it is, Will,” quietly said Night Hawk, pointing to a spot loosely covered with leaves. * Yes, and we will see who they are. _ Come, let us dig down into this grave, for it ovate and Broncho Bill sprung from his 10rse, The others followed his example, the leaves were thrown aside, and with knife and sticks the soft dirt was removed. The grave was perfectly flat, the loose dirt having evidently been car:ied off in bags, or cloths, to drop in some stream. But for the superior knowledge of the Buck- skin brothers, the bodies of the two men lying within would not have been found. They were soon exposed, and had been thrown into the shailow hole without a blanket around them. “You and Wolf aimed well, Scraps,” said Night Hawk, pointing to the bullet wounds in the heads of the men,’ The dirt was brushed from the faces, and then Broncho Bill said quietly: “They are two of your friends, Scraps.” ‘*'Yas, sah, I knows them.” “Same bad pale-face,” said Red Wolf recog- nizing two of the party of eight who had so nearly put an end to the life of Scraps and himself, ‘ Let us fill in the grave and then push on. ‘We cannot catch the herd, but we may meet some*of the men coming back, ‘*Tf not, we know who six of the party are, and the ninth we must find out, for two are ac- counted for,” Night Hawk said. The grave was then made as it was before, and the four horsemen pushed on once more after the stolen herd and the band of robbers, CHAPTER XX. GIVEN WARNING. WHEN the party reached the Rio Grande, the herd of stolen cattle and mustangs had already been run across the river into Mexican territory, They halted long enough to discover if any of the robbers had then turned back, but they were not able to find any, and so they passed on down the river, Night Hawk remarking that the cowboys wquid be anxious to return to the ranches where they belonged and would natur- ally cross the river with the herd and records at another ford, so as to throw all pursuit off the track, Before leaving the ranch the two scouts and the Indian had closely studied the tracks of the animals ridden by the cowboys, as they had been riding about the cabin, and all along on the trail they had picked out the same hoof-marks, After riding down the Rio Grande to another crossing, thev there found tracks which a close study revealed were the same that had been at the ranch and on the cattile-trail. Red Wolf was here in his element, and he 11 pronounced the tracks of five of the horses made by the same animals which they had trailed, They had, in following the track of the cattle, seen other marks that indicated the nine men who had been at the ranch were not all of the party, for the mustangs that were stolen were unshod, and there had been half a dozen ani- mals wearing shoes, Taking the trails of the four horses that had recrossed the river, and which were as familiar to their practiced eyes as the hoof-marks of their own animals, they set off upon the back trail. Ata certain point one separated and Seraps said: ‘* Tt goes to ther ranch of Mister Binney.” ** How many cowboys has he, Scraps?” ** Five, sah,” ‘We will just call upon Mr, Binney,” said Night Hawk, anda ride of six miles brought them to the Binney Ranch. The trail led directly to it, and as they rode up Binney and his five cowboys were just sitting down to dinner in the kitchen cabin, the scouts knew Ranchman Binney, and so Night Hawk called out: ‘Ho, Mr. Binney, have you lost any stock lately?” ‘*No, Mr. Powell; but won’t you come in and have some dinner?” ‘*One moment, please,” and Night Hawk asked in a low tone: * Any of your cowboys been off the past few days?” ; ‘* Yes, Rufus Davis has been over to see his brother,” ‘‘ Ah, yes, I see Rufus in there now,” and as though going to take dinner, Night Hawkdis- mounted, The cowboy who answered to the name of tufus Davis was a short, stout, fellow, with a face that would not bear close inspection, if one was looking in it for any noble traits. He was pale as the scouts entered, for he had seen them ride up, but he did not suppose that they had tracked him so surely. ‘“Good-morning, gentlemen,” said Night Hawk, pleasantly, and he took his hat off as he entered the cabin, but it covered the act of his drawing a revolver, and he had the man covered in an instant, while he said, sternly: ** Davis, you are my prisoner!” Broncho Bill, the negro, and the Indian stood yeady to ‘‘hold the fort,” should others inter- fere, But having covered his man, Night Hawk stepped up to him and m a moment had disarm- ed him, ‘Mr. Binney, I am sorry, sir, to tell you that you have a black sheep among your flock, for this man deserves hanging. ‘* We will take him with us, for there are some of his comrades that we wish him to meet.” ‘“What has he been doing, Night Hawk? asked one of the other four cowboys present. “* Cattle-stealing.” | \ “Tf we'd ’a’ know'd that we'd ’a’ hanged him}; but I hopes you can prove it.” “Oh, yes, I do not act hastily. yo [ wrong no man without proof. ‘See here!” and Night Hawk drew a red handkerchief from the pocket of the prisoner and said: ‘* Do you see these holes cut in here? ‘* Well, he wore this as a maskin some devilish work he has been doing. f “Mr. Binney, pardon our unpleasant inter- ruption, but this man goes with us.” ‘I have nothing to say, Powell, for T know you act under Government orders, and if Dayis Is guilty let him suffer,” was the reply of the ranchero, ‘ Binding their prisoner quickly, the party made him mount his own horse, which one of the cowboys brought around saddled and ready, and then aJl rode away. ae Back to the trail they went, and taking it u are more, they pressed on until another trac branched off to another ranch, Here another of the four was surprised and captured, and the honest cowboy comrades he had deceived were very Willing to see him pun- ished. ‘It was night when the party with their pris- oners anproached the ranch where the trail of e two last led, ia? was where Sim Lucas and Nick Rawlings had obtained employment as herders, after leay- ing Ranchero’s Rest, ; They were also surprised by having revolvers covering them before they could resist, and their employer was told of their treacherous work. “¢ Now, Nick Rawlings, where is Giant Saul?” asked Broncho Bill,
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- 1 a Ah enol —_——$s and the cowboys de- parted, after thanking the Buckskin Brothers for having trailed the traitors to earth. ‘Well, Scraps, what db you and Red Wolf V four x to do now?’ asked Broncho Bill, as the | four were left alone together. ** Lordy, gemmens, | don’t know.” * Well, what do you say to going with us?’ asked Night Hawk. Even Red Wolf’s almost bronze face shoved oe at this, and sc it was decided that Red olf and Scraps should join the. Buckskin Brothers. And thus it was, long after that, they were, as the reader will remember, with Night Hawk and Broncho ‘Bill on some mysterious service which caused them to find a camp in the ruin of the Old Mission, which had been avoided by hunters, cowboys and Indians as the abode of spooks, That the Phantom which haunted the place ‘was caught with a lariat by Broncho Bill, the Brothers in Buckskin. reader will also recall, and now the thread of my story will be taken up once more at the old ruined Mission, ey CHAPTER XXI. THE CAMP IN THE RUIN, WHEN Scraps approached the spot where George and W21l Powell stood, conversing with the strange inhabitant of the old ruin, he was certainly in great trepidation. He had taken to flight in actual belief that he would find a ghost riding behind him before he went very far. Plunging across the ford, he had set off over the prairie. at a pace which threatened to dis- tance even a spirit pursuer. But Scraps was an odd character. He was superstitious, as are all of his race, and in fact about half the white race are, also, | only they won’t admit it. But Scraps was daring to a degree of reck- lessness, as has been seen, if he did not have to face what he supposed was from the spirit | land, He had found it very hard to muster up courage to go after the remains of his master and bring them back to be buried near the ruin. Had it been any one else, Scraps never would have gone. But when he saw the phantom barring their way to the ruined mission, it was too much for him, and be was off like a shot, He dared not at first glance behind him, But after going a short distance, and finding that neither the Comanche nor the scouts were | following him, he felt ashamed and drew rein. Then he mustered up courage and looked be- hind him, No ghost was upon his saddle-crupper. He glanced back toward the ruin, Not a sound greeted his ears, not a he see. What had become of the scouts and of Wolf? Had the ghosts gobbled them up? Scraps hoped not but feared so. Then he made up bis mind that what others could face he should not decided to miove back upon the ruin. Just then he heard a heavy splashing of toward the river, “Dat haim’t no ghost, I reckons,” he mut- tered. But he came to a halt, for he had been mov- ing slowly back toward the river Soon he heard hoof-beats, and a moment after a horseman appeared in sight. Fle, was not robed in white, did not ride a snowy horse and sO Scray 3 stood his sround, ‘It’s Red Wolf,” he said, after a while. hes Cae black chief,” called out Red Wolf, who always honored Scraps with that title, greatly to his deligbt, ‘Yes, red chief, I’m right here.” The Comanche drew rein by the side of the negro and said: ** White chief say come.’ ‘* And the ghosteses?” * Woman!” ** What! a woman’s ghosteses?” ** Pale-lace woman, no spirit!” ‘Ab!’ and Scraps brightened up, .but then soul did Red water ’ | asked dubiously: **TIs you sart’in *bout dat, Red Wolf?” ** Comanche talk straight,” “Pil go with you,” and considerably ashamed of himself for having decamped with such haste, Scraps made up for it by riding back in a run to the ford. Soon after be halted by the river, but he had approached it very slowly, ‘* Well, Scraps, the spirit that haunts this old river 1s this lady who seems to have met with some misfortune, and I wish you to treat her most kindly, and neither you nor Red Wolf, in any way, even refer to her being here,” said Night Huwk. ‘** No, Massa George; but I hain’t skeert ef yer sure the lady hain’t no sperret,” Scraps said, cautiously and in a whisper. The brothers laughed at Scraps’ wish to be sure, and Broncho Bill said: ‘Tf you will speak and reassure, Scraps, | lady, Tam sure he will do all in his power for you.” ** T do not wonder that he thinks me a ghost, and thatis what I have masqueraded in white for, that both white men and red-skins would so believe me and shun this ruin. “Your courage is such, senors, as not to dread anything,” and the woman turned to the to scouts, while Scraps dismounted, and said, in a voice that was eb Nendee filled with dread: Say be MR thy ii aoe ri , ‘i oe be afraid of, and so he | ‘“T hain’t skeered no more now, missus, and ef Scraps kin sarve yer, jist call on him.” The woman now told the scouts where to find a good camping-place, and a fire was built in the chapel, so as not tobe seen at a distance, should red-skin or hunter be passing near, and Scraps set to work to get swpper, The surroundings certainly were gloomy; with graves about them of the massacreed pecple who had dwelt there long before, and with the old ruins sheltering them; but the scouts allowed nothing to dampen their spirits, and talked pleasantly with the woman, who, at their request, came and joined them before the fire. As the firelight fell upon her they saw that her form was slender and graceful, and her long black hair fell in waves far below her waist. But about her head, and drawn over her face she wore a Spanish vail which completely hid every feature excepting her large, glorious eyes, As‘ she said nothing of who she was, the scouts wouid not question her; but hoped to see her face when supper was announced. But she declined any food, saying that she } had eaten her frugal meal betore their ar-} rival, Soon after she arose, said she would see them! in the morning, and with a bow she glided! away. Scraps did not sleep well that night, but dreamed of spooks and goblins, He wanted to see that ruin in the daylight, before he would feel content, As for Red Wolf, with his usual indifference to circumstances and surroundings, he rolled himself in his blanket and was soon fast asleep, while the scouts rested with no dread of being disturbed in that gloomy place, The morning found Scraps up at break of day, and all were, when they looked about them, more pleased with their surroundings. There was a vast quantity of grass, which had \ not been fed over by cattle, and it was the very ’ place for a secret; camp. ( There were springs about in the woods, trick- ling away in tiny streams down to the river, and the old ruin looraed up better aud more in- viting by daylight. A spot was chosen for a camp, and a cabin of small logs was quickly built, the scouts, prefer- ring it to the ruin to sleep in, The strange occupant of the old chapel ap-) loose peared by daylight, Wht still wore her Vat, which shielded her face, Her little reom in the chapel was not an un- pleasant one, and. she told the sconts that she had come there on horseback and accompanied by one person who had brought her certain articles to make her as comfortable as she could be in the wild, solitary life she led. Who that one person, was she did not say, nor was she asked. | Her attire was coarse, yet neat, and both; Night Hawk and Broncho Bill wondered at the’ strange mystery which had caused her toseek & refuge in that drear spot, with no companion ship about her. That which had brought the scouts to seek the ruin, Was a desire to oceupy a position conveni- ent to the Rio Grande, and from whence they could spy out certain movements of outlaws, who were committing at times certain depreda- tions upon Texan fancheros and settlers, Since they had driven the four cowboys away from Ranchero’s Rest, with a warning never to return, they had not been again seen’ upon Texan soil. * For some time after this all had gone well, and Giant Saul had disappeared mysteriously from the haunts which had known him, There were those who asserted that Giant Saul, Nick Rawlings, Sim Lucas and the others whom the scouts had so promptly exiled, had joined the band of Cowboy Pira‘es under San Cruz, 2 bold and merciless Mexican, who waged , war against Texas for both revenge and gold it was said, As to whether the five cowboys had joined San Cruz or not, no proof could be given, But, after a reason of comparative rest from raids along the Rio Grande frontier, suddenly once more the Comanches had started upon the war-path, and the Cowboy Pirates again began their raids into Texan territory. The scouts had been dwelling at their own ranch, and thither both Ked Wolf and Seraps had accompanied them, and most useful did they make themselves about the place. (¢ But with the stirrmg up of new troubles both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill had reported ” at the fort for duty, i!
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> : a { They were at once dispatched by Major Lo- | ring upon a scouting expedition to discover all | that could be found out about the movements | , of the Comanches, and the raids of the Cowboy e: Pirates, : } They were gone for several weeks and then i? returned to the fort and made their reports . They felt assured, so they told the major, that the Comanches had been urged upon the war- pal once more by San Cruz the Cowboy Pirate Chief, who intended to take advantage of the Indian war to once more strike at the rich ranches in Texas. ‘Weare further convinced, major, that the old game is being played once more, of having spies among the cowboys on the ranches, and We will have to hunt them out, * As this is a most important matter, for the Cowboy Pirates can do a vast deal of damage, if their raids are not put an end to, Will and myself, with our red and-black pards, will take ‘a the matter in hand and we hope to render a good report.” “T have every confidence that you will, Powell, andif you need troops only send for them, for Dana is most anxious to get off on another expedition with you, so that he can add new laurels to his fame,” replied the major, and the scouts set off on their return to their ranch to get their two allies, Red Wolf and Scraps, and make ready for their perilous work of trail- ing the Cowboy Pirates to the bitterend. ~* CHAPTER XXIL. UNFORGOTTEN. — As both Night Hawk and Broncho Bill well understood the full danger of their undertaking against the outlaws of the frontier, they wished to go in every way prepared for all emergencies which might’occur, Their rifles and revolvers needed overhauling, and their saddles and bridles could be bettered by some additions and mending. Then they wished a bountiful supply of am- munition of all kinds, and’a completely new out- fit for camp life, with boots and clothing for themselves, and their red and black com- panions. To get all these they had to go to the nearest city, and so they set off at once for San Antonio, _- They had made their purchases and were waiting for them to be gotten all ready for them, which would take until the morrow, and 80 Broncho Bill suggested that they should at- tend the theater that night, as there was an operatic company in town. ory Night Hawk was only too willing, and secur- ing good seats the Buckskin Brothers settled ‘themselves to enjoying the performance. The curtain rose, aud the performance began, But when the ‘‘star” made her appearance all eyes were upon her, for shé won hearts by her beauty of face and form ere she had opened her mouth to sing a note. : Her beauty was simply entrancing, for every feature was perfection, and with large, deer- like eyes she possessed a wealth of red-gold ‘Where havo I seen her before?” asked Broncho Bill, in a whisper of Night Hawk, who responded: * “T was just asking myself that question—but 4 hark Qy She had begun to sing, and with the first notes that fellfrom her lips there was a silence like death in that house. There were rough men there, many of them _ wild frontiersmen, and people of all conditions and classes. | But she captured every heart, as she had won their admiration, when her superb voice rung in sweetest) accents through the crowded house. _» .“T have seen her before,” said Night Hawk, ~ almost aloud, and Broncho Bill responded: a a have I,” ‘j en the singing ended, and the sound of a plause that followed fairly shook the building.” _, Again and again she bowed, smiling sweetly ~~ at her admirers, and evidently proud of her triumph, but the audience would not be stilled— ép airly commanded an encore, mene! Bee nse the orchestra again struck up, _ and stepping forward the beautiful woman be- gan that touching ballad which finds its way PPL iae every true soul—t Annie Laurie.” “si Saat Pd Hardly had she sung the first line when in - suppressed tones came from the lips of Night ur j ; Hawk: , © Good Ged ae IN _ * Why, George, what is the matter?” ious- siced Will Powell. ; wine Night ca bowed his head and neither 4 * Brothers in At last the song ended, and amid ‘the thunders that followed, the shouts of the wild element present, and’ the bravos, Night Hawk eagerly grasped the arm of his brother, while he said excitedly: ‘¢‘That is the woman, Will!” ‘¢ What woman, George?’ ‘¢ The one [ told you of,” ‘* George, have you been drinking?” ‘© Will, do you not remember that I told you how I overheard a woman sing, in the next room to mine, when I was at the hotel in New York?” ‘* Yes, [remember now.” ** That is she.” ‘** But you did not see her.” ‘* No, but I heard her, and I could never mis- take that voice.” ‘* You are right, you could not,” ** But you may recall that I told you she sung a verse of Annie Laurie?” ‘*T do; it all comes back to me now, though it was quite a long time ago. “*‘T remember the conversation, too, as you repeated it to me.” ** Well, Will, that is the woman.” ‘* You think there can be no doubt?” ac“ None.” ** Her name, if I remember, was Clio!” ** Yes, and see her on this programme.” ‘* It is Mademoiselle Cleopatra. ‘I do believe you are right, George.” **T know I am.” hides in the language of the borderman I ask: ‘* What are you going to do about it?” * What can I do, Will?” ‘*T don’t see.” ‘* Nor I.” ‘*T wish we could meet her, for she has fairly captivated me,” ‘¢ She is very charming, but it would not do to send in my name, and then tell her I would like to make her acquaintanee because I was an eavesdropper once to her conversation with her husband.” ‘No, for again in border parlance, George, you might wily ;, but why is it that both of us seem to think that we have seen her before?” ** Will?” “ Yes,” **T have an idea.” ‘Don’t let it escape, George.” ‘*It may be a foolish one; but somehow I con- nect her with the miniature which sig gave us to send back to that lady who jilted his master.” ‘* You've struck the trail dead sure. ‘That's the woman.” ** Don’t be too sure.” ‘‘ Your story was that she had married a man who was a wretch, and she said she would go her own way. ' ‘That lady married another and_ nearly broke the young ranchero’s heart, and—” “will, Pn tell you how we can find out.” ‘+ Yes,” “Do you remember the writing on the backs of those letters?” “‘ Well, that is going pretty far back, but I think it was a large, beautiful hand,” ‘Yes, we remarked it at the time.” Well?” ‘““Do you remember that beautiful Mexican bird we saw for sale to-day at the hotel?” ‘* Yes,” *1}1 buy that bird, and send it to herasa token of our admiration for her singing.” ‘She may send it back.” t “‘ dardly; but if she accepts it she will doubt- less write a note, and we'll get a look at her handwriting.” ‘Brother George, you should have been a lawyer. Weill do it.” “ But if she is the same, what then?” This seemed a poser; but, at any rate, the two brothers decided to send the bird. They remained through the performance, more than ever enchanted, and when it was over, looked up the owner of the bird, bought it with its exquisite cage, and then sent it, with a card bearing their compliments and names, up to the room of the beautiful singer. In a short while the servant returned with a note, It read: “ SATURDAY. ‘“Mademoiselle Cleopatra accepts, with ak thanks, the Mag pag 2 and exquisite atte sent her by the Messrs, Powell, and regrets that an early departure in the morning ‘will prevent her having the pleasure of meeting them nally.” This was what the note said. 4 Avram ) ae - 13 ° was his wont: ‘* Tt is the same nandwriting!” “Tt is the woman you overheard sing in the New York hotel. The one who jilted the young ranchero and Mademoiselle Cleopatra is one and the same, that.is certain,” responded Bron- cho Bill. CHAPTER XXIII. STRANGELY MET, THE next morning, strange to say, the two scouts slept late. Perhaps it was because there was nothing to be done, as if was the Sabbath, and it might be on account of the very comfortable beds they had. When they awoke they went down to break- fast, and knowing the landlord, they asked him about the departure of his fair guest, Mademoi- selle Cleopatra, and at what hour she had de- parted, for they feit a deep interest in the beau- tiful woman from the secrets that they knew she carried through life. ‘*The company departed last night after the performance, but Mademoiselle Cleopatra re- mained over until this morning, when she de- parted upon what J think a very perilous under- taking.” So replied the landlord, and his words at once deeply interested the two scouts. ‘* Indeed! What peril can possibly threaten her?” asked Night Hawk, ‘The truth is, she went off on the border somewhere,” ‘¢On the border?” $6'Yies, 2 ‘* And not with her company?” ‘““No, the company went on to Galveston, Ui where they are to lay off a week, until the re- ~~ turn of the star.” ‘* And the star has gone to the border?” asked Broncbo Bull, also deeply interested, At Wreg,?? ‘¢ What border?” ‘‘Over toward the Rio Grande somewhere,” ‘* My heavens! at such a time?” ‘* She would risk it,” ‘The country is full of Indians!” ‘Tt urged against it, gentlemen.” ‘And the Cowboy |’.cates are also threaten- ing raids.” ‘** 1 so told the lady.” Y ‘** But who did she go with?” “Tf I bad only known that you were coming, Powell, you and your brother, I would have gotten her to consult you. ‘* But I did not, and so I asked Joe Farris to find me a good guide and an escort of two men besides tor her.” ** And he did?” o* Yes? “Who was it?” ‘* Harry Otis is the guide.” “ And the others?” ‘Two Rio Grande men, whose names I do not know, but whom I have often seen,” ‘** Only the three wens with her, you say?” _ The three men, and then there was her maid, a French girl, and two large, ferocious dogs, which the lady had a fancy to carry with her, . ‘* My! but they are ugly bruces,” ‘* How did they go?” ‘The Iady and ber maid in an ambulance, | which one of the men drove, and the guide and \ other fellow on horseback. “Then there were two saddle-horses for the lady and her maid, should they wish to ride.” 4 ‘*T cannot understand it,” said Night Hawk, i ** Ah! but she went iv good st¥le and paid for i all she got, Ne “The ambulance is to be the tent for herself and maid at night, and with those two dogs” ~ under it there will be no danger to her. ‘ “Otis is a splendid cook, and she carried along all of the provisions needed.” * Bat what took her to the frontier?” asked © Broncho Bill. ‘* Well, she told me she was going to seek the |] grave of one who was very dear to her,” The two scouts looked at each other, but said . ~ nothing, and the landlord continued: ty iS ‘She told me that the one whose grave she~ was going to had been killed by the Indians, and she wished to find out about it,” a ‘But how was she to find out?” enn ‘She had a letter from some one who lived at a ranch—the place was called Ranchero’s Rest, I believe—and she was going there to find —, out what she wished to know.” Ae “She left early this morning you say?” og iy “wy a t 7 " ‘ pay tip “Scouts suggested to the landlord that he | Lhe scouts should not have permitted her to go, atleags e aR ea Ie wh Mi
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Se an, Sa eet ee ee < ‘ 4 eo a —_ A 2 1h eae i nn ’ ¢ oa 7 aN +h he’ sean, 7 with so small an escort, and then thanking him for his information they walked away to have a chat together. - ‘Will, there is not an atom of doubt now?’ ** Not the slightest, for she was to go to Ranch- ero’s Rest to get her information.” * Yes, I wrote her, you know, on some of that poor fellow’s paper, so headed, and told her that it was his ranch, and would remain under the charge of the faithful servant and friend of the voung ranchero, Scraps, or rather Zekiel Tan- ner, as I put it.” ** And she then is not the nameless woman we supposed, from her having jilted the ranchero?” ‘So it seems, Will, as she takes so much trouble and goes to so much expense to visit the dead man’s grave.” “There is no one to give her information _ after she gets there.” ** True, so what shall we do about it?” * Our things will not be ready urtil to-morrow morning.” * That is true.” ** Well, suppose we leave Scraps and Red Wolf to come on with the ainbulance when it is loaded, and we mount and strike off on the trail of the party?” * You fear danger to her, as I do?” “ce Yes. ” “We will go then.” ** Tt is now noon, and she left at sunrise—over ‘twenty miles start of us.” _ **¥es; but we can overtake her.” . ** We must.” So saying the scouts retraced their steps to the hotel. They had come down to the town on horse- back, while Scraps had driven the large four- mule ambulance, and Red Wolf had also accom- panied them, riding his own mustang, On the way back to their ranch, there would be little danger to meet, unless from a foraging band of Cowboy Pirates, or a raiding party of Indians extending their way further than was their wout into the country. So the ambulance would be able to return in safety with Scraps awd Red Wolf, and they need have no fear on that score, valuable as was its freight. Arriving at the hotel, they were met by Scraps, who said in a confidential tone: “ Mars’ George, did you an’ Mars’ Will see a vag ioe were stopping at the hotel?” Pare ho was she, Scraps?” asked Will Powell. “She were a great uproar singer, I heard tell; Fs, but she went away dis mornin’ at sun-up, fer 1 was endl jist goin’ out ter feed ther am’lance mules, fore de Lord gemmans, if she wasn’t de ‘very image o’ that pictur’ poor Mars’ Henry Bt and you sent off for me, then I doesn’t know nuffin’.” * Seraps.” ; **Yas, Mars’ George.” “That lady is the very one.” * Lordy!” and Scraps’s eyes opened to twice their natural size, Mhe has gone off on a very dangerous trip, _ Scraps, and it is to'the Ranchero’s Rest, expect- ing to find you there, and Willand I are going __ after her.” _ * We wish you to, wait and come on with the ambulance to-morrow, you and Red Wolf, and you are to camp at the Red Willow Spring, and get there as soon as you can. ~~ “Wait there for us, and we will bring the with us, for she doubtless wishes to see you and have a talk with you. _ * Now we are going to get our traps together to start right after dinner.” Fortunately’ the weapons of the scouts had at once been put in order on their arrival, and also ‘their saddles, and so they started upon the trail of the beautiful woman well fitted for any dan- ger that might cross their path. ——— CHAPTER XXIV. THE MEETING. _ The that they kept up was such that they hoped to overtake those they trailed before they should break camp in the morning, es could judge by the trail. , otter ke that there yah one Asset fot) ‘the gt pursue, if he knew the way to oot est, which was more than likely, | : Fistone| of a couple of hours, and aa t night caught them yet a long way behind, - ; + $$$ keep on until they reached the camp, for they could not believe that the lady would wish to travel all night. They, of course, could not see the trail in the darkness, but went on in a direction they were assured Otis had taken. All along they kept an eye for the glimmer of a camp-fire, and seeing none, they several times went out of their way to visit some motte, think- ing that perhaps Otis’s caution had prevented a fire from being made, But midnight passed, and still there was no sign of those they sought. At last they balted to rest their horses, and after an hour thus spent, once more pushed on. The dawn at last grew gray, then rosy in hue, and the sun arose. But nowhere in view was the party. ‘““We have passed them in the darkness, Will!” ‘Or Otis has taken a roundabout way to geti there,” ‘* Let us cut across to the left and see if they have passed on, though they could not unless they traveled as we did, most all night.” saerue. Then they rove along in an oblique direction, and soon their eyes fell upon a trail. It was the track they had followed. ‘* How they have pressed on!” ** Indeed they have; but yender is a stream, and we'll have breakfast while our horses rest.’ ** And then we must catch them.” ‘Yes, for this' is a very dangerous locality.” The scouts halted, a fire was built, and they had breakfast, a broiled steak from a deer, which Broncho Bill had shot the evening before, a tin cup of coffee and some crackers, There was good grass and water for the horses, and the hovr’s rest refreshed all greatly. Mounting once more the scouts pushed for- ward at a steady gait, and a rapid one. At last a large body of timber land loomed up before them, and the trail led through it. There a halt had been made, and a fire still burning, showed that the party had had break- fast there. : As they were about to ride out-of the timber, still following the trail, they suddenly drew rein. , Their eyes, at the same instant, had fallen upon a sight out upon the prairie which had caused both to drag their horses back mto the timber, and clutch their rifles firmly. ‘¢ Tet us give our horses all the rest we can, George,” said Broncho Bill, without a word to his brother asto what both saw. They dismounted and hitched the animals, while they stood gazing out upon the prairie, but so as not to be seen by any one there, What they saw was the ambulance coming to- ward the timber. The two horses were at full speed and the whip was being applied upon them relentlessly. The reins were held by a woman, and from the rear of the ambulance a. rifle flashed forth. In chase of the flying vehicle were two men, mounted upon mules, while half a mile behind them, and coming more rapidly on, were half a dozen horsemen, and they were gaining upon the fugitives. : Both of @he scouts bad their field-glasses to their eyes, and Night Hawk said: * The lady is driving, Will.” ‘¢ Yes, and some one is firing out from the rear of the ambulance.” ‘* Tt must be the maid, as the two men so near are not burt.” ‘* Doubtless; but are they not the two who went as escorts?” ‘* Yes, for the landlord said they rode mules.” “« And where is Otis, the guide?” “I give it up.” ‘‘ Those fellows are Cowboy Pirates, in chase.” ‘*Oh, yes.” ‘* Five of them.” ‘* Five and two are seven.” ‘* And we are two; but we will save the lady, for surely something has gone wrong.” They had spoken with the utmost coolness, At the first glance they had taken in the situ- ation, and had mentally decided upon their course of action. They had seen that the ambulance was coming back over its trail, and that 1t would reach the timber before it was overtaken, and that would give them a chance to act. Their horses had had a short rest, and now the scouts went back to them, mounted and calmly rode to the edge of the timber. a nae oat epee. While. thei. well-known ” Willow: war-cry rung over the prairie and reached the ears of pursuers and pursued, The ambulance horses were half checked in their speed, then drawn to the right, and then held on once more, as those within seemed to feel that the new-comers were friends not foes. , : ‘© Drive on to the timber and wait there. (a “We will take care of those fellows,” cried . FY, Night Hawk, as they drew near the ambu-? ne lance. : “Thank you! oh thank you, sirs! but those two men are the traitors,and they killed my guide,” came in the rich, full voice of Made- ' moiselle Cleopatra, ‘* The Powell brothers!” ‘““The Buckskin Brothers!” yelled the two men on mules, and they balted and raised their revolvers, But there were two rifles cracked before the revolvers and the mules lost their riders, But the five horsemen further back on the trail still came on, Then up to his mouth went Broncho Bills , hand, and once more that startling imitation © of a bugle-call rung out. ‘*T thought so,” said Broncho Bill as he saw the Cowboy Pirates turn back, evidently think- ing that there were troops in the timber, ; The scouts had not halted in their pace and, — as the Cowboy Pirates turned in confused — fli¢ht, they opened fire with their rifles, The outlaws also fired as they ran; but the matchless rifles of the scouts brought down a horse, and dropped a rider from his saddle, Thererwas a short stop, and the man, evident- ly wounded, was taken up, and once more they — pressed on in flight, disappearing over a rise of the prairie. oe Instantly the scouts turned back, and while | Broncho Bill went after the stray mules, Night — Hawk halted and examined the two bodies, for — they had both seen that the ambulance had come to a halt in the edge of the timber, ‘ ‘They are the two men that the landlord spoke of, and somehow I always had an idea = they were crooked,” and Night Hawk calmly rode on his way to the timber. BAe’ The panting ambulance horses had been only too willing to stop, and the beautiful woman and her maid, both cool, but pale, greeted Night ~~ Hawk as he rode up. al “Oh, sir, you do not know what you say me from?’ cried the beautiful woman, and she grasped both of Night Hawk’s hands as she ~~ spoke. rat ‘‘Lady, my brother and myself heard you sing night before last at the theater, and learn- d ing that yow had come on this dangerous trail, | we followed you—” , Powell 3 a ' 4 ‘* Ah! ‘those men called you the brothers, “You, then, it was who sent me that lovely bird, and thus I ‘meet you, lea ‘* How strange it is.” ene Night Hawk could have told her about the New York hotel affair, but he did not, and Broncho Bill coming up with the captured mules, he introduced him, Sen “You are two most wonderful men,for I ~ have heard of your exploits and I am so glad to call you my friends, es ** But let me tell, you that I came hither to visit the grave of one dear to me, one in fact I once expected to marry. ‘‘ He was killed on the frontier, and, as I had broken with him, I longed to atone for it by visiting his grave. ‘**T secured a guide and those two men, whom you killed. ’ “They killed my guide this morning, and he lies over yonder in the woods, and they carried us on as prisoners, one of them telling me that he was paid to deliver me to the Cowboy Pirates’ chief, who would demand a large ransom for | : my release, and which, alas, 1 could not have paid, for I am not rich, ‘““ Watching an opportunity, when the two men were not near, as we had halted upon see- ing some horsemen, I drove off, and Lizette, my dear maid and friend, fired at our wicked pursuers, though she hardly knew the use of a weapon.” When her story was told, Night Hawk ex- plained that he it was who had written her the letter for the faithful servant of herlover,and told her all that he knew of the youngranchero, __ adding, that after they had gone to the Red oe Willow Spring and met Scraps, he and his bro- ther would gladly escort her to the grave. _ Then the body of Otis the guide was looked up _ and buried, ‘after which ino Bilt wk dro Aa Broncho . ulance, while I * 7: \
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CHAPTER XXV. CONCLUSION. Upon the arrival of’ the scouts at the Red Willow Spring, Scraps and Red Wolf were:| tound to have just arrived there, and the negro | told the beautiul woman the story of his mas- ter’s death and his deep love for her, She was deeply affected, but as both Night) Hawk and Broncho Biil, from the news brought ’ by Scraps and Red Wolf, of the movements of the Comanches, urged against her making the | trip to the grave of her lover, she decided to re- turn, telling the scouts that she would again | come to the town wen her season ended, and | have them accompany her to the Ranchero’s . Rest, They promised to do so, if she would notify them. beforehand, and they gave her an address which would reach ‘them, after whigh they | started back to town, while Red Wolf and Scraps were to continue on home and tell their Mother they would soon return, The beautiful singer bade her braye preserv- ers farewell, with tears inber eyes, and never once knew that they held another socret of her life, which was her unhappy marriage, ‘Then it was, after returning home to their ranch, the scouts got their complete outfit and, With Scraps and Ked Wolf started for the old Tuined chapel aud Mission. The duty that they went there to perform they faithfully executed, to the satisfaction of Major Loring, and their adventures in doing so will furnish material for another romance to follow. The mystery of the strange Woman who was in hiding in the ruined chapel, they also solved, and found ita case of cruelty, and seeking to rob her of her gold had driven her into that gloomy solitude, — The part which the scouts played in the Comanche war, and in freeing the border of the Cowboy Pirates is well known, and but added fame to the name of the Buckskin Brothers, THE END, —— | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. we’ ¢ BY MAJOR HENRY B, STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned} or, The Dug-Out Pards, 846 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swordsmon of Zacatecas 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Para j or, Toe Gold King. A06 Ghe, Aad Man-Hunter; or, Tho Mystery of Gorden ulch. bi BY HARRY 8T, GEORGE, 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattling Rube; or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 59 Old Hickory ¢ or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 208 Daring Davy; or, The rail of the Border Wolf, 166 Hickory Harry 3 or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, ‘22 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder, oe BY JAMEs L. BOWEN 10% One-Kyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas, BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, 4185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of tha Mountains, 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate o1 the Black Shereef, BY GEORGE 0. JENKS, \ ‘ 485 Git Thar Owney, the Unknown, (y 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. $, | BY FRANK DUMONT. e* 120 The Branded Nand ¢ or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wileé-Fire, the Boss Sf the Road. 440 Blue Blazes; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of Rozky Bat is 3 Ebony Dan § or, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eye? or, Tho Vultures of the Rio Grande, - " BY CAPT. ALYRED BR, TAYLOR, U. S. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, ‘the! Boy Bullwhaekers; or, The Doomed Thirteen. ; 194 Buffalo BIll's Bet or, The Gambler Guide. BY CAPT. J, ¥. oO. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sols or, Nick Whimes’s Boy Spy.- 46 Glasg-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Mazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whilfler’a Pets or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian}; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone. 20 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, «Sli Ligh ig Jo, the Terror of the Prairie, Secreta snr * eee | or, Beas, the Female Trapper, Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, + Osceola, the Ptrebrand. or The Underground Camp, BY EDWARD WILLETT, 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy, 199 Featherweight, the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 228 Ozark AL'S or, Featherweight Among the Outlawa, 282 The Typo Detective ; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sporty; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon'’s Vendetta, 840 Clip, the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes, \ BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Wall.) 234 Old Rocky’s ‘Boyees 3” or, Benito, the Young Horse- Breaker. 246 R275 297 B07 818 Glant Georges or, The Ang’l of the Range. Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Pard. The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George's Revenge. The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. Ker-whoop, Ker-whooy; or, The Taratula of Taos, 827 Creeping Cat, the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fredy; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 644 The Fighting Trio}; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Woll’; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Raiders ¢. or, The Slege of Fort Purgatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 87H Chiota, the Creek 3 or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Billy; or, Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Littlé Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalsy from Denver, 427 The Three Traflers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY JO PIERCE. 897 Bob o”’ the Bowery} or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. Ab2 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow ; or, Luko’s Legacy, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King, , 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas, 90 The Drend Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuo; or, Dandy Rock’y Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge 5 or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Maid of Taos, BY J, C. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, Por Seven Yoars Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Johny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 4389 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest, BY JOMN J. MARSHALL. 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American, 9? The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes, BY MAJOR FE. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport, 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette. 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of * Sand,” 859 Durango Dave, tie Youny ’ n Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Saguar Joe, of the Mount in Mail-Line, “Totmand BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 2 ? 256 Young Kentuck 3; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben; or The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. RY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountyin Monster, 288 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills, BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood} or, The Twelve Avengom, 66 Single Hands or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King: or, Big Pete’s Scoop, CY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine, 210 Faro Frank} or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, % BY ROGER STARBUCK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, Tho Pirate's Daughter, 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon; or. Lost Among the Floos, 848 Fire-Heels; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow, 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Peed, PES A: 61 The Phantom Light-nouse, es o——{w“wnw00_0 0000S BY CAPTAIN FRED, WHITTAKER. — ra 15 The Sea-Oat; or, The Witch of Darien, 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Danghter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chace, iy 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine, i 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World 4 Wanderer. 9 265 The Tiger Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Riler, : 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYN@, 89 Island Jin; or, Tho Pet of the Family, ’ hat ." 91 The Captain of the Club; or, The Rival Athletes, Pw > 101 Jack Markaway in New York, | ; yl BY COLONEL DELLE S§RA, 108 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady, kee 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler's Big Game, F BY LIEUT. Hi. D. PERRY, U. 8, N, = \ a 76 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, ae 180 The Sen Traller ; or, A Vow Well Kept. , 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, " BY HARRY IAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jacky; or, The Scourge of the Mines, ‘ 829 Red-Skin Tomy or, The Demon's Trail, $42 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL, A. F. MOLT, 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. { 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 8 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. ft 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, v 187 The Helpless Mandy or, Backwoods Retribution, : ei 289 The Gold-seeker Guide 3 or, The Lost Mountaia, BY JACK FARRAGUT, _ Ae 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. im 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper, oy MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORS, ie pat 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Mayne ned Sat Oy Frederick Whittaker. - 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, - 12 Gulliver’s Travels. 14 16 18 RR 88 , By Dean Swift. fe 4 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. j ; Robinson Crusoe, (27 Tlustrations.) aay Sindbad the Sailor, His Seven Voyages. ‘ The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crame, By Juan ews. r The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates oi the Carriboes, By 8S, W, Pierce. The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena, By Frank. »™ Finn, Ned Wylde, tle Boy Scout. By Texan Jack. The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp, By Archie ©, Trens The Rival Roverss or, The Freebooters ot the, Missiasippl, a BE 88 51 OS By Lieut.-Gol, Hazeltine. Robin Wood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men oy Green: i wood, V 98 By Prof, Gildersleeve, Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, 105 Huimiltop (lolnes. ‘ 112 The Mad Munters; or, The Cave of Death, By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texany or, The Young Champion, By George % rs Gleeson. % 128 he The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By — + Harry Cavendish. ; Sharp Sams or, The Adventures of a Friendiows Boy, By J — Alexander Patten, ‘ 462 DPuaky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yele— iA j 148 R2T lowstone. By Edward Emerson. ’ 261 Fergus Fearnaught, the New York Boy, By George L, ken. ¥ ion Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, — ay ts! By Ensign C, D. Warren, of r. Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clif, + Fs By Captain Comstock, / |. Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Liens tenant Alfred Thorne. ‘ ) The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, _ By Major Mickey Free. Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge, By Ned Buntiine, ; Baltimore Ben, the Bootblack Detective. By A, P, iW Gold-Dust Tom; or, Ben’s Double Match, By George Hy lorse. ’ ae California Joe's First Trail, By Colonel Thomeg ae a 266 208 817 > * 828 ‘ 8350 865 874 876 Hoyer Monstery. 418 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthr 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid, By Arthur GQ. Grissom, 475 The Black Ship. By John 8. Warner, 1a oe 484 Comanche Dick and Mis Three Invincthles, — % Tenry J. Thomas. Double Face of Bed 9 The Diamond Sport; or, The +E By Wm. Ge eaieests at | The Half-Dime Library 1s for sate vy an newsd | eomta per copy. or sent by mall on receipt of alx cents each, — Os Bek tae Pe.
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TH ee eee Te : > Young America, fear rthday of Washington, ‘Plea forthe Maine Law, neue ot on the Battlefield, +> Phe Italian Struggle, 4 Bye Independence, , Our Country, The Equality of Man, Character of the Revo’n, The Fruits of the War, The Sewing-Machine, ‘True Manhood, ‘The Mystery of Life, The Ups and Downs, A, The Truly Great, Early Retiring and Ris’g, Dime American Speaker, No. 1. J. Jeboom’s Oration, A Dutch Cure, The Weather, The Heated Term, Philosophy Applied, An Old Ballad, Penny Wise, Pound Fool- True Cleanliness, lish, Sat’d’y Night’s Enjoy’ts, “Tn a Just Cause,”’ No Peace with Oppres- sion, A Tale of a Mouse, A Thanksgiving Sermon, The Cost of Riches, Great Lives a id cmp ig — ard’s Oration, The Prophecy forthe Y’r ‘ True Nationality, Unfinished Problems, ur Natal Day, Honor to the Dead, Iferino, Immortality of Patriots, t telligence, the Basis of | Webster's Polit’! System, ng e War, [Liberty, | A Vision in the Forum, a rge of Light Brigade, | The Press, . ‘ ter the Battle, Woman's Rights, i The Glass Railroad, Right of the Governed, _.,y. {GUase of Mr. Macbeth, My Ladder, _ | /}Prof, on Phrenology, Woman, \ y ' J|Annabel Lee, Alone, & _ ») {Washington's Name, The Rebellion of 1861, rs als Sailor Boy’s Syren, | Disunion. a Dime Nationa! Speaker, No. 2. j Union and its Results, Ohio, ky Our Country’s Future, Oliver Hazard Perry, i The Statesman’s Labors, | Our Domain, : “True Immortality, Systems of Belief, Lf Let the Childless Weep, \Our Country’s Glory, Vnion a Household, { Independence Bell, “3 The Scholar's Dignity, The Cycles of Progress, A Christmas Chant, Stability of Christianity, The True Higher Law, _ ‘The One Great Need, The Ship and the Bird, Tecumseh’s Speech, Werritorial Expansion, ha Hopkins, The Bashful Man's Story ied The Matter-of-Fact,Man, we Rich and Poor, Secing the Eclipse, Beauties of the Law, Ge-lang! Git Up, i 5 ee eS eee Sey a MS AL The Rats of Life, ra. Creowning Glory of U.8., a Three Fools, x J Washington, i Our Great Inheritance, oe \Ewogy on Henry Clay, 7 Pres Ly Bae ro" eabeny to the World, . a pve of Country, tas Right of Self-Preserva- ae Our Cause, [tion, ferii: A Kentuckian's appeal, fe Kentucky Steadfast, i Timidity is Treason, Healt: The Alarwn, Co. Sea April 15, 1841, re ia The Spirit of 61, _ cE in The Precious Heritage, y § *) The Irish Element, t inh, Train's Speech, :. ie Christy’s Speech, a ly Let Me Alone, 4 Brigand-ier-General, The Draft, Union Square Speeches, The Union, Our Country's Call, The Story of an Oak Tree, L-e-g On My Leg, ly Rising, asp and the Bee mic Grammar, No. 1, Not a Single ‘Man, é Ward's Advice, ‘zt, on Pickwick, Bameo and Juliet, ppiness, ae Pop, A Pecan Spy _ How to be a Fireman, The United States, Puff's Acc’t of Himself, i \, han a Phrenology, | pew f S The Indian Chief, The Independent Farmer Mrs. Grammar’s Ball, How the Money Comes, Future of the Fashions, Loyalty to Liberty, Our Country First, Last, and Always, British Influence, Defense of Jefferson, National Hatreds, Murder Will Out, Strive for the Best, Rising, Deeds of Kindness, Gates of Sleep, | The Bugle, A Hoodish Gem, Purity of the Struggle, Old Age, Beautiful and True The Worm of the still, Man and the Infinite, Language of the Eagle, Washington, The Deluge. Dime Patriotic Speaker, No. 3. History of Our Flag. T. F. Meagher’s Address, We Owe to the Union, Lincoln’s Message, Last Speech of Stephen A. Douglas, Great Bell Roland, The New Year and the King Cotton, [Union, Rattle Anthem, The Ends of Peace, Freedom the Watchword Crisis of Our Nation, Duty of Christian Pa- trots, Turkey Dan’s ration, A Fearless Plex, The Onus of Slavery, A Foreigner’s Tribute, The Little Zouave, Catholic Cathedra The “ Speculators,” Dime Comic Speaker, No. 4. Klebcyergoss on the War, | A Song of Woe, e Bhuntly Considered, | Ward’s Trip to Richm’d, Parody, The Mountebank, Compound Interest, A Sermon on the Feet, Old Dog Jock, The Fishes’ Toilet, Brian O’Linn Crockett to Office-seekers Who Is My Opponent? Political Stump\Speech, Comic Grammar, No, 2, Farewell to the Bottle, The Cork Leg, The Smack in School Slick’s Definition of Wife, Tale of a Hat, The Debating Club, A Dutch Sermon, war, Dime Elocutionist, No. 5. SEC. I. in Enunciation; How to Avoid Them. Special Rales and Observations. SEC. Il. Tar Arr or Oratory. Sheridan’s List of the Passions: Tranquillity, Cheerfulness, , Mirth, Raillery, Buffoonery, Joy, Delight, Gravity, In- quiry, Attention, Modesty, Perplexity, Pity, Grief, Melancholy, Despair, Fear, Shame, Remorse, Courage, Boasting, Pride, Obstinacy, Authority, Commanding, Forbidding, Affirming, Denying, Difference, Agreeing, Hxhorting, Judging, Approy- ing, Acquitting, Condemning, Teaching, »Pardon- ing, Arguing, Dismissing, Refusing, Granting, De- pendence, Veneration, Hope, Desire, Love, Re spect, Giving, Wonder, Admiration, Gratitude, Cu riosity, Persuasioy, Tempting, Promising, Affecta- tion, Sloth, Intoxieation, Anger, etc. SEC. Il, Tae Component ELeMeNts of AN_ORA TION.—Rules of Composition as applied to Words and Phrases, viz: Purity, Propriety, Precision. As applied to Sentences, viz.: Length of Sentenee, Slearness, Unity, Strength. Figures of Speech; the Exordium, the Narration, the Proposition, the Confirmation, the Refutation, the Peroration. SEC. IV. REepRESENTATIVE EXERCISES IN PROSE AND Verse.—Transition; A Plea for the Ox; Falstaff’s Soliloquy on Honor; the Burial of Lincoln; the Call and Response; the Bayonet Charge; History of a Life; the Bugle; the Bells; Byron; Macbeth and the Dagger; Hamlet’s Soliloquy; Old Things; Look Upward; King William Rufus; the Eye; an PRINCIPLES OF TRUE ENUNCIATION.—Fanits,| Essa Onto Musik; Discoveries of Galileo. SEC. V. OnsserRvaTions ofr Goop AUTHORITIES, Dime Humorous Speaker, No. 6, A Sad agp A String of Onions, A Tragic Story, Cats, Courtship, Debt Devils Dow, Jr.'s Lectures, Ego and Echo. Fashionable Women, Fern Thistles, Good-Nature, Gottlieb Klebeyergoss, Schlackenlichter’s snake, Hosea Biglow’s Opinions, | How the Money Goes, Hun-ki-do-ri’s Fourth of July Oration If you Mean No, Say No, Jo Bows on Leap Year, Lay of the Henpecked, Lot Skinner’s Elegy, Matrimony, Nothing to Do, Old Caudle’s Umbrella, Old Grimes’s Son, Paddle Your Own Canoe, | Parody on ‘“ Araby’s Daughter,” Dime Standard Speaker, No. 7. The World We Live In, Woman's Claims, Authors of our Liberty, The Real Conqueror, The Citizen’s Heritage, Italy, The Mechanic, Nature and Naire’s God The Modern Good, [Sun, Ossian’s Address to the Independence Bell—1777, The Neck, Foggy Thoughts, The Ladies’ Man, Life, . The Idler, The Unbeliever, The Two Lives, The True Scholar, Judges not Infallible, Fanaticism, Instability of Successful Agriculture, [Crime, Ireland, The People Always Con- Music of Labor, —_ [quer, ati and Austria, ’ Dime Stump Speaker, No. 8. Hon. J. M. Stubbs’ Views on the Situation, Hans Schwackheimer on } Sermon from Hard-shell Woman's Suffrage, All for a Nomination Old Ocean, Sea, The Sea,the Sea, the open Star Bangled Spanner, Stay Where You Belong, Life’s What You Make It, Where’s My Money, if r. : i he | stat / on ahve from ‘ ’s Relation to Society | Poetry Run Mad, Right Names, Scientific Lectures, The Ager, The Cockney, The Codfish, Fate of Sergeant Thin, The Features’ Quarrel, Hamerican Voodchuck, The Harp of a Thousand Strings, The Last of the Sarpints, The March to Moscow, The Mysterious Guest, The Pump, The Sea-Serpent, The Secret, The Shoemaker, The Useful Doctor, The Waterfall To the Bachelors’ Union aie, Vy United States Presidents, Vagaries of Popping the Question, What I Wouldn’t Be, Yankee Doodle Aladdin, Ze Moskeetare, 1933. John Burns, Gettysburg, No Seet in Heaven, Miss Prude’s Tea-Party, The Power of an Idea, The Beneficence of the Suffrage, [Sea, Dream of the Revelers, HowCyrus Laid the Cable The Prettiest Hand, Paradoxical, Little Jerry, the Miller, The Blarney Stone, The Student of Bonn, The Broken Household, The Bible, The Purse and the Swo: My Couey, } True Moral Courage, What is War? Butter, My Deborah Lee, The Race, The Pin and Needle, The Modern Puritan Immortality of the Soul, Occupation, Heroism and Daring, A Shot at the Decanter. The Limits to ig re Good-nature a Blessing, Tail-enders, (Baptist, The Value of Money, Meteoric Disquisition, Be Sure You are Right, Be of Good Cheer Crabbed Folks, _[Shrew, a ‘aming The ‘nie Gresinoss i “4 2 PA ee aay THE DIME SPEAK Wumbers 1 to 24, inclusive. Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 50 t . o 15 bie Permanency of States! Liberty of Speech, The Mc New England and Unidn, | Duties The Unseen Battlefield, © Mi Plea for the Republic, Téempwi America, [Fallacy, | Broker ‘Right of Secession ’’ a | There} Life’s Sunset, Race: Human Nature, A Fru Lawyers, A Fren Wrongs of the Indians, Unjust Appeal in behalf of Am, | The At Miseries of War, [Liberty, | John 4 A. Lay Sermon, House A Dream, It Is Ne Dime Juvenile Speak A Boy’s Philosophy, How ti Hoe Out Your Met: Black Six-Year-Old's Protest, | A Moth The Suicidal Cat, The Sai A Valediction, | Who K Popping Corn, lA Shee} The Editor, t] The Same, in rhyme, The Fairy Shoemaker, re What Was Learned, Rain, Press On, Pll Nev The Horse, A Mosn The Snake in the Grass, | The Oly Tale) of the Tropics, Prayer Bromley’s Speech, Little J The Same, second extract | Angelin The Fisher’s Child, Jobnny Shakspearian Scholar, Mere A Maiden’s Psalm of Life, | Choice A Mixture, Poor Ri Flea for Skates, h Secs Ki aying Ball, othing Ah, Why, Honest; Live for Something," Heaven Lay of the Hen-Pecked, | Ho for} The Outside Dog, Fashion Wolf and Lamb, On Shai Lion in Love, A Smile Frogs Asking for a King, | Casabia Sick Lion, 7 Homo Country and Town Ice, | Nose an Man and Woman, Malt, Home, A Hm The Lotus-Planter, The Mi Little Things. Little Si A Baby’s Soliloquy, Snuffles Repentance, | The 'w A Plea for Eggs. The Oc¢ Humbug Patr' otismh, Do Th Night After Christmas, Little Short Legs, Base-Be Shrimps on Amusements, | Prescrij Dime Spread-Eagle Spe: Ben Buster’s Oration, ) Drum-h Hans Von Spiegel’s 4th, Schnitzi Josh Billings’s Advice, “Womi A Hard-shell Sermon, Luke L The Boots, The Ho The Squeezer, Jack Sy Noah and the Devil, New EE) A. Lover's Luck The An Hifalutin Adolphus, Jacob \ Digestion and Paredines Jerks P Distinction’s Disadvant- | A Werd wi Smith, {ages, | Sut Lov Gushalina Bendibus, A Mule Rik A Stock of Notions, Josh Billin Speaking for the Sheriff, ; Il Trovato) Daking a Shweat, Kissing in Then and Now. Scandalou) Josh Billings's Lectur‘ng, | Slightly M Doctor De Blister’s Ann’t, The Office Consignments, iy Old Bache Hard Ia fe ie a an Bryant’s Speech, . Phe Niam A Colored View. 7 ‘eople Wi Original Maud Muller, ackhan Nobody. Who Wou Train of Circumstances, Don't Dep. Good Advice, mpsic of Pabn, he Amer The Itching - —