Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1145) (1904 01)
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SS \ fea 4 « & ye iy) AS SNe et te by Raa) {2 CUR SS Wee Q Se . —- WAALS @ k =< ey. ‘ NC Ses SOT ee v = a4 % eee # Vol HUI alata y7 <= oe: tee, ee Ve. = 5 [||| | |p PRICE 5 CENTS. 50c. a year. N THE BREAST OF 4 SAVAGE, IT WENT HOME I oc ee ee eee ee eee eee ee ee allel {yet lat {Pmt | Publishers, (JAMES SULLIVAN, Proprieror), : = | ne a a **4 New AND TRUE TO ITS AIM, Tn MM, J. LIVERS & CO LZ CH: AME \ iS cocci ~S < i a e / oe GHEE as: —— / apis se ‘ ~ ¥. ( =. 38 Ae 4 = : ts . BY. & ADAMS. Month, Oopyricut, 1885, By BrApLe Published Every . AB ARROW SPED FROM THE GREAT BOW OF DUMB HERCULES,
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f he Dumb Destroyer; OR, DICK, THE BOY RANGER. A Romance of the Niobrara. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR oF ‘WHIP KING JOE,” “LITTLE FOXFIRE," ** VAGABOND JOE,’’ ETC., ETC. CHAPTER L THE MYSTERY OF THE CLOUDS. Ir was a summer night on the great plains of Da- ota, ihe Belle Fourche river, burs ing from the shad- s of the Black Hills, , gees like a glittering ser- nt across the broad expanse—ever and anon darting between great bluffs or sweeping along with- in the shadow of 7o/te and chaparral. The tig round moon was in the zenith casting a weird and dreamy light over all. A soft wind blew from the west, laden with the aromatic breath of the mountains, Within a large mot/e of scrabby timber, not over five leagues from where the Belle Fourche glided into the Cheyenne adecp and profound silence reign- ed, notwithstanding fif y or more savage warriors were halted therein for the night. Not the sound of a voice, the whir of a wing, nor the chirp of an insect broke the strange silence. Tiven inanimate nature was voiceless, The rippling river, the rustling grass, the murmuring, fluttering leaves had become sient as if in awe of tliedark and mysterious cloud that had suddenly appeared from out the west, drifting athwart the starry sky. Seores of savage eyes, peering from the deep shad- ows of the motte, are fixed upon the ‘mysterious cloud—the eyes of savage warricrs, who were going forth to battle—to murder, to sealp, burn and despoil —are riveted upon the object in the heavens as though held there by a horrible, irresistible fascina- tion. The forms of the red-skins areas motionless as the shadows around them. They seem transfixed with superstitious terror. Their hideously-painted faces b come contorted with inward fear, as they watch the drifting cloud, unlike any they had ever seen before. As the object comes nearer it, begins to assume a m retangible form. To the savages it looks like an inverted f p ¢ or lodge, to which hangs ano her ob- ject which in savage fancy becomes an aerial canoe, And in this strange bark they fivally detect the presence of humen forms, which discovery causes them to start slightly and draw back a pace into (he deeper shadows, Strange and mysterious indeed # that object to the Sioux warrior. To him the work of the Great Spirit’s hand is visible, and. they stand in terrible awe cf bis wrath. <A cloud it seemed rising over the war-path they had taken but a few days before, de- termined to wreak a bloody vengeance on the white invaders of their hunting-grounds. They are too terrified to flee. te A are transfixed, and like stat- ues of stone stand half-crouching, their eyes follow- ing the aerial mystery. The object is now almost above them, They cin alainly distinguish two forms in the canoe moving, owing, sturing. Ay! and they can even hear voices—strange and weird-like voices, such as we often imagine we hear comirg from out the realms of Nowhere. And suddenly a shout, clear and dis- tinct, peals out, and at the same instant one of the occupants of the mysterious eraft is seen to leap out into space, and with her black, bat-like wings Siena out around him, descend rapidly to the earth. A low murmur of excitement pagges quickly along the line of startled, horrified Sioux; but still held immovable by terror’s fascination, they watch the sry-traveler descen’ to earth, and sre the great, dark craft from which he had leaped rise higher into the heavens and drift away toward the east, Not farfrom the grove,on the open plain— within twenty paces of the motionless savages, the myste- r'ous being touches the earth, his wings collapse, and then only the form of a man stands revealed in the moonlight—the man with a lithe, slender form, long hair and whiskers that shone white as silver in the moonbeams, and gave him a strange, venerable and Druidical appearance. Unlike a celestial being, however, he is dressed ina suit of buckskin, while on his head is a glossy leather cap. Fora moment the stranger gazes away heaven- ward after the receding craft from which he had descended, then glances around him, bends his head and Jistens, but only for a moment. Lifting his head he looks toward the motte from whence comes a sound like that made by animals munching grass. Then gare folding together that which had served him as wings in his descent to the earth, he placed it under his arm, took up another bundle and advanced with noiseless step toward the grove. The spell that bound the savages was now broken. The low murmur of voices, the soft movement. of feet and rattling of leaves broke thé profound silence of the mo ¢e. A savage chief, with hands up- lifted in token of friendship, stepped out of the shadows and sto oes before the aerial visitor. The latter abate tof him started back in evident surprise, but he quickly recovered his presence of mind, and, in a tove calculated to convince the sav- ES Sow ES age that his presence there was known before be ap peared, he said: “Ay! my red brother is here, The Great Spirit told me he would be. You are a chief of the Sioux?’’ **T am Standing Bear, the war-chief of Sitting- Bull,” replied the Indian; **my warriors are in the darkness of the grove, there. They stand in awe of him who rides on the clouds.” “Let them fear me not,” responded the aerial visitor, in a low and solemn voice, **1 come with & message from the Great Spirit. I ride in the clouds—the cloudsars my wings. But I will not go back to the sky until the moon goes down and the sun comes out. But why is S anding Bear ia war- paint? Has he dug up the hatchet?” “The pale-face hunter and settler has provoked us to war. They are crowding us back into the hills and slaying our game, Our. sguawsand pappooses are crying for food. The Sioux must defend his hunting-ground or die of hunger.” While the two were thus conversing the warriors, recovering somewhat from their oe fears, came out of the shadows with soft footsteps, ad- vanced as though treadinz.on sacred ground, and gathered, around vbeir chief and the mysterious - visitor—gazing upon the latter in silent and solemn awe, The conversation was continued. The sky-trav- eler spoke in that peculiar epigrammatic Indian elo- quence so characteristic of t @ savage orator. He uickly ingratiated hims-lf into the confidence of the chief and his warriors, and was invited into the grove to share their bivouac with them. A fire was lighted and within its glow the chief and the celestial visitor sat down and smoked the pipe of peace, while the warriors looked on in sence, Thus working upon their savage ignorance and credulity through the mystery surrounding his coming from the sky, the stranger became an hon- ored guest in the red-skin camp. A tent was constructed for hig comfort, of poles and blankets, and after their camp-fire had burned out and the eyes of the stranger grew hea’y with drow- siness, Standing Bear conducted him to the tent and bade him good-night. Entering the lodge the stranger threw himself on the couch of blankets, and in the silent shadows of the place rolled and tossed in a fit of silent laughter. After he had thus relieved himself he became ab- sorbed in serious mental reflections, from which he was finally aroused by the shouting of voices and the trampling of hoofed feet. Applying his ear to an opening in the lodge he dis- covered that a numb-r of horsemen had entered the grove and joined the redeskins. By tueir voices he knew thay were white men, and by the.manrerin which.they vere réceived, he kyew they were allies of the snyages. ty-traveler, By the. stars {\’ mused theoktty 5 n'y it's the Fan ea black Diablo, and his band, or Satan’s a saint!" And in this he was right. Tt was that notorious outlaw, robber and road-agent, Black Diabio, and his followers. . The freebooters dismounted, and then ordering their horses staked out to grass with saddles and bridles left upon them, Black Diablo and Standing Bear entered into conversation. “Well, Standing Bear,” said the outlaw, “T did not get- here soon as I promised you I would, but I guess I'm here 1 time for work. " Have you sighted any desirable scalps yet?” ; “No; we have bare wating for our white brother.” “Your patience shall be rewarded, chief. My spy informs me that the train coming is rich in pretty squaws, fine horses and cattle, 400d guns and abun- dance of ammunition, tobacco and whisky, Oh! we ll have a royal time, chief. : But instead of feeling elated over these prospec- tive prizes the chief was demure and silent, Black Diablo noticed this. a “Chief, you seem dispirited; what is the matter? “A cloud passed over the sky to-night bearing a messenger from the Great Spirit,” replied the Sioux. a Black Diablo broke into a low, derisive laugh, “We saw that cloud, too, Standing Bear, as we rode over the plain. Jt was a balloon—nothing more —a contrivance of the pale-face by which he can go sailin’ ’round in the heavens, aS a boat sails on the water.” : The chief drew closer to the dark-visaged outlaw and listened intently to his words, ‘Thare were two men in that balloon’s basket,” he went on, ‘‘when it passed overus, Wesent a few shots at them, but got no game.” “Why did the white chief try to slay the sky- travelers?” asked the puzzled, confuse Standing: Bear. ‘* Because they are our enemies,” continued Black Disblo. “It is not the first time I have seen that balloon-ferambulatin’ tiie heavens. It’s simply a new and safe way a certain man—a white scout— has 0’ reconnciterin’ the hills wd prairies. I have seen it a dozen times when on the plains of Texas, and I never saw it once but what trouble followed in the shape of a notorious scout and border detective called Skylark Sam. He usually turns up where least expected. He has been seen to drop from the balloon into the heart of the mountains by means of a contrivance cailed a paraciule—a big, umbrella- like thing that spreads out over his head like great wings, ond fillin’ with air descends slowly.” * Does my white brother the truth ?”” deman- ded the chief, starting up in evident excitement. ‘* Did I ever deceive you, Standing Bear?” ‘*No; the white chief's tongue has always been straight.” wy Hercules, the Dumb. Destroyer. — AT VRIES. | oN nee ae | + “Then wh¥ did you ask me the,question? Did you doubt me?” “One of the men from the great air-boat is now in the camp of Standing Bear.” “The fiends you say!’’ exclaimed the Spaniard, Brasping his revolver and springing to his fect, * The Sioux,’ continued the chief, “saw the air- boat coming, and when one of the mén descended to the earth near us, we invited him to our camp Nb gla he was a messenger from the Great pirit. “A messenger from the devil!’ retorted Black Diablo; “‘ where is he now?” : “Yonder,” and the ebief pointed in the direction of the odge that was hidden in the darkness. ‘TH bet forty scalps it’s my evil genius, Old Sky- lark Sam. If it is, l~” , The crack of a pistol, accompanied with a piercing yell of agony, cut short his speech. Tn an instant every savage and outlaw was upon his feet. Then a rush was made in the direction whence the sounds came. Out into the moonlight they hurry—out upon the prairie where an outlaw lies beating the eart!: in the throes of death, A moment later a wild, demoniac yell pierces the sky, for all see a form vault into the saddle sii!) on the back of Bl-ck Diablo's horse and desh furiously away over fhe plain, Back to the lodge of the sky traveler rush Stand- ing Bear and Biack Diablo, but only to find the place deserted ! * Cavambal tis as I expected!” bowled the out- law, with a furious oath, his face growing black with impotent fury; “you have been deceived—glorious- ly duped, Standing Bear, by that infamous old fiend —Skylark Sam, the Border Detective!” CHAPTER It. DUMB HERCULES. A pense fog hung over the sa of Dakota. ob- scuring the range of vision and almost blotting out the sun; yet, despite this unnatural gloom, the im- migrant train of Colougl Gershom Owens, led by the careful and cautious guide, Niobrara Jack, moved slowly westward along the Cheyenne river, The train was composed of some twenty odd heavy and light vehicles drawn by horses and mules well equipped. ‘he heavy wagons were Joadd with farm implements and household goods. while in the lighter vehicles rode the women and children. One wagon alone drawn by four horses carried a load that might have aroused the wonder and curi- osity of a casual observer. It had uo tilted cover— it was not bulky. It was covered up with canvas and tent-poles, yet seemed the heaviert load o' all. All told, there were forty souls in the» party— thirty of whom were men in the very prime OF vigor- ons. manhood. rn A herd of fine cattle were @riven jn the rear of the train by mounted men and boys. The party was beaded for the Niobra-a country; having crossed the Missouri at Fert Sully. Colonel Owens had conceived the idea of organiz- ing a colony in the fertile valley of the Niobrara. He was a man who loved the wild prairies, and be- ing of an adventuresome turn of mind, and withbal, a kind-hearted and philanthropic man, had or- ganized a party from among his acquaintances, sid- ing, with his ample means, many of them in pro- curing an outfit. With no one but himself and daughter, Zulima—a fair and lovely girl of seventeen—possersed of a liberal fortune, he might have lived in ease and comfort; but he was ambitious and enterprising, as well as adventuresome, end so, while gratifying bis love of the prairie, he resolved to build up around ey a society whose founders were of his own se- ecting. The colonel was not ignorant of the fact thet dan- gers were likely to, be encountered—that hardships and privations were before them, He knew thot life and property would be in constant danger from the outlaw ‘and red-ckin so long as the red-tape policy of the military prevailed; but, baving had some experience in the Indian wars in Minnesota, the colonel felt that with bis force well-armed and equipped, he would be able to defend himself eaeiet the outlaws and predatory bands of savages, at least. Since crossing the river they had frequently heard that dangers were brewing among the Blac} Hills Indians; but Old Niobrara Jack, the guide, regarded the reports as the usual stories perpetrated on the immigrant by both hunter and ranchman with the selfish motive of keeping settlers off the hunting- grounds and pasture range. But on the day in question, when the fog bung low and dense over the plain, while Colonel Owers and Old Jack were riding along some distance in ad vance of the train, they came suddenly upon the lifeless body of ah Indian lying across the trail they were following. 5 Old Jack quickly dismounted and examined the body. It was still warm. A huge, red-shafted ar- row was buried half its length In the warrior’s naked breast. , “By the roarin’ ravens, colonel!” exclaimed the old guide, ‘*this must be the work of Dumb Her- es, ‘Dumb Hercules? Who's Dumb -Hercules?” de- manded the colonel. * There, now’ you've at me, colonel,” declared the guide, @ matter-of-fact old fellow who. unlike the average prairie scout, did not claim a knowledge of everything; I've hearn o’ him these two years and more, but I never clapped an optic onto him. Sol Bundy said he met him once, and that he war a dreadful giant~a madman that went cavortin’ up
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\ - \ ae and down the Cheyennes, from mountains to forks with no weepons brt a huge bow and arrows big as Ingin lances—slayi:’ aid siaughterin’ reds and out- _ Jaws indiscriminat onal'y.” ; ** But, oe is he called Dumb Hercules?” "Cause they say Le is dumb—can't speak a word, and I reckon that’s why he uses the bow and arrow —all silent—Silent Death—Silent Slayer—Dumb Av- enger. But, colonel, do ye see this Ingin’s in war- aint?—that means danger in the air! I tell you, oss, thar’s grt to be some scoutin’ done, or we may find ourselves in a trap.”’ “To keep down excitement, Jack,’ said the colo- } , nel, ‘‘suppese you conceal that body before the | stampede,” Old Jack dragged the body off to one side and con- cealed it ina eiimap of tall grass. Then, mounting h's horse the two rode slowly on. “Tt now wants but an hour of noon,” said Owens, 4 consulting his watch; ‘we'd better go isto camp eoon, sO that you can reconnoiter the surrounding : Pp ALD. : ** Yes, colonel, for I tell you thar’s sulphur in this fog,” affirmed the guide, with a look of unneasiness upon his bearded face. ~ “Strange, passing strange, indeed, that the mili- tary can’t keep the infernal Iugins in their place, Jack,” declared the colonel. **Too much red-tape, colonel,” replied the guide; “T tell you that a hundred old hunters and frontiers- all the elbow room they wanted, and they'd do more = = to’rds angelizing the varmints’n a.l the sojers in the | keptry, But say, colonel over here on. our right is i a nice little grove on the river-bank that'd be a boss pea place for wood and water. S’pose we urn— His words were here cut short bythe “ whiz” of something through the air above their heads. Quickly the two men drew rein. Taeir horses pricked up their ears and sniffed the air uneasily. “Jack, what was it, a bird?’ asked the colonel, with a look of uneasiness and perplexity. : penned like an arrow, colonel,’’ returned the de, “Good God! can it be that your mysterious Dumb Nercules is trying to slay us? Is he a demon?—no respecter of persons?” b O'd Jack made no answer to the colonel's queries, but polnting ahead of ther a few paces, said: ‘Look thar, colonel! Sce that arrow!” The colonel answered in the affirmative, ‘It jist dropped from the air,” Dismounting the guide advanced and drew the ar- row from the ground and examined it. ‘By my soul!” exclaimed Colonel Owens, ‘it és a big affair, sure, and must have taken the strength of aS imson to have sent it from the bow.. From what direction did it come, Jack?” “T don’t know,” answered the astonished guide peering around himinto tae dismal fog; * it stood Ks ran up in the ground ‘as if it dropped straight down. ‘Hullo!’ suddenly called ont Owens, as he con- tinued to examine the arrow;'“here is something Jae, intended to throw some light on the situa- on. ’ One side of the arrow had been flattened, and upon the smooth white surface were written in pen- cil these words: ‘Go no further at your peril—camp and fortify — Indian ambush ahead—am watehing a scout—can't leave position. Dump Hercu.es.”’ As he read these words aloud to Old Jack the ceerets hand began to tremble and his face grew pale. ‘*My God! Can this be true?” , * Reckon it 1s, colonel—leastwise we can’t dis- regard it, I'll run over to the grove there and look through it, and you ride back and hurry up the train, but don’t tell ’em thar’s danger ahead or there’ll-be a panic.” Owens whirled his horse and galloped back fo- ward the train, while Jack rode cautio sly into the toot. and selected a location for a camp and de- ense, : Tn afew minutes the colonel came riding up to the grove at a furious speed, bis face ‘flushed with excitement, * My God, Jack!’’ he exclaimed, “the coach with Zulima and Kitty Lane is uot with the train, and Frank Mayne says they have not been up with the train since we broke camp this morning. Can it be possible they have got lost in this fog?” _“‘ Lots o’ danger, colonel, if the driver should Jose sight 0” the train and then pay no attention to the ra , re Ww ea omww @¢ GY & Ss Ose ey i ee be oh el dl a enn * Se a Oe ne ow ey ee ee ‘ “Then lm afraid they’re in trou’ le, Jack: I have ‘told Black Bob, the aver, repeatedly, about fool- fag off from the.train to gratify some girlish whim of Zalima and Kitty.” “sell, if they don't come in soon, colonel, Mil run down the trail and look for them,” announced Old Jack, The train coming up the wagons were ately ut into ,osition, the horses unharnessed, and, with he cattle, corraled in a sharp bend in the river just below the grove. Then the entire force of men were sét to work digging rifle-pits, and making ail necessary arrange- ments for a stubborn defense of their position should they-be attacked. ; “ Now, colonel,” said Olu’ Jack, when he had seen the work well under way, ‘as the coach hasn't, come up with the gals, lll run back and look for them. Keep the boys at. work, and a sharp lookout around you, and if the red-skins attack you remem- ber it's victory or sure death.”’ ri le Pe “th , - ret | 7, ~~ + Pi © re ale ee » ) » train comes up. The sight of it will cause a general | men turned loose on the red-skins and outlaws, with | | ‘**May God speed you, Jack!’ exclaimed the colo- nel, as the kind-hearted old guide vaulted into his saddle and galloped away. fhe men worked like beavers, for Owens had communicated the secret of the impending dangers. All, however, were sorely distressed over the ab- sence of Zulima and Kitty. The mother of the lat- ter paced the grove, wringing her hands in agoniz- ing grief, and watching through her tears for the coming of her child. An hour went by and neither Old Jack nor the coach came in. The rifle-pits were completed and rifles and revol- vers were carefully loaded and placed ready for in- stant use. Another hour; still no tidings from the absent | ones, ““Oh, heavens!’ moaned the distracted colonel; ‘this cruel fog I fear will be the death of my child!” Asif to mock his misery, he was answered from out on the plain by the sharp barking of a coyote. | “Colonel,” said Tom Woolson, the wagon-master, | a -blunt-spoken young man of five-and-twenty, who | had spent many years as a freighter across the | Western plains, **that yawp never come from the | | | throat of a wolf. Ill-bet my suspenders it’s a red- skins sane. and if so'we can look out for fun!” “ Oh, if Old Jack were here!” spoke the colonel, as he and Tom walked down to the river-bank and halted by the side of a dense thicket. ‘Yes, we'd all feel safer,” replied Woolson; “ but ea colonel, 1 believe the fog’s raisin’—goin’ 0 Inave, ; only clear off, the advantage would be in our favor, and perhaps expose the red-skins to view if there are ony in the neighborhood; and I have no reason to doubt the warning of Dumb Hercules, as mystcri- ously as it came to us— Ah, look yonder, Tom! do you see that deer out there?” Looking in the direction indicated, Tom saw the danger in the air. “It is growing lighter, I believe, Tom. If it ‘d’| head and antlers of a deer above a clump of sage- | | die sh Fo a ye zeus away. It seemed to be | ooking directly toward the grove as if it scented | f ive of a rollicking, dashing spirit. His soft, brown Hercules, the Dumb Destroyer. | F | | | | | | “Yes, that’s a deer’s head, sure, colonel,” replied | the wagon-niaster, ‘‘and yet it may be the cunnin’ device—”’ ; The young man’s words were here cut short by the loud “‘thrum”’ of a bowstring, and the whiz of | an arrow through the air over their heads. The sounds came from the thicket at their backs, but before they could turn a yell of frightful agony came from out on the prairi>, ~ To the surprise and astonishment cf the immi- grants they saw the supposed deer leap into the air, then dart out from its covert and, staggering, fall to the earth, | “ey f “By heavens! it was an Ingin in disguise!” ex- claime? the colonel. - While this was true, it was also true that: the red- skin had been slain by the hand of Dumb Hercules, the Silent Shot! And, what was more, the mys- terious man stood in the thicket behind them — with- in Win ok pt ieee ia ith &@ Kind of a shudder—with all the stories Old Jack had told him of the bloody deeds of the Dumb Destroyer trooping ip in his mind, the colonel turn- ed to the thicket. As he did so, the bushes were peste sa Dumb Hercules stepped out and con- Tp voluntarily the colonel shrunk back, while bluff Tom Woolson, arching his eyebrows ina look of sur- prise, exclaimed: Great jumpin’ giants! what a rip-snorter !” The faintest perceptible smile passed over the giant’s face as he re ized the two men with a bow of the head,, In stature he was a giant indeed, standing fully six fet three in his moccasins, He was broad-shouldered, deep-chested and squarely built. A large and well-shaped head sat erect nee ; & strong, muscular neck, and was covered wi h a cap made of the feathered skin of a loon, His face, remarkabl» in its intelligence, was covered with a long brown bear’, His eyes were of a dark-blue color, and instead of wearing that wild, listless and expressionless stare so peculiar to the deaf and dumb, they were {he most remarkable of the man’s features—being clear and keen as a hawk’s, with a | light shining from their mysterious depths possess- ing that some strange fascination which one experi- «neces in looking from a dizzy hight into an unfath- omable abyss below. He was dressed in a suit of buckskin that showed Lis powerful and well-made form to goodadvantage, He was virtually a man in mid-life, not. being over forty. In his hand he carried a long and powerful bow that must have required prodigious strength to ben}, At his back was a huge quiver well fil'ed with arrows, whose feathered shafts projected above his shoulder. Th ; ee. Colon?! Owens put out bis hand and addressed the giant. The latt:r accepted the prof- fered’ hand, but at the same time he touched his lips and shook his head. " “Ah! I forgot,” said Owens, ‘that he is deaf ~and dumb. Poor fellow! What a pity that such a— “Good King David! look there, colonel!’’ sud- pres aint cand Tom Woolson, pointing across | he ain, } } } 3 —— savage ingenuity calculated to give them the ap- pearance of grotesque devils, and thereby strike tev: rorto the hearts of the whites; and as the savages uttered no sound, they appeared like phantom de- mons indeed, gliding noiselessly along the plain. It was quite evident that they had intended to steal a march upon the colonists under cover of the for, and would have succeeded but for the timely lift- ing of the dismal must. “To arms, men!’’ shouted Colonel Owens—* to arms, and remember Old Jack’s admonition: victory or death!”’ : An arrow sped from the great bow of Dumb Her- cules, and true to its aim, it went home in the preest of a savage, who gave utterance to a horrible owl. : This was followed by a wild, demoniae yell—— ‘* As if all the fiends from heaven that fell Had pealed the banner-cry of hell!” = Then the rifles of the emigrants began to crack along the line of defense, and soon these reports be, came blended in one steady roar, and amid the aw- ful din of the battle there was suddenly mingled a thunderous crash that seemed to rend the very heavens and shake the earth to its foundation, CHAPTER IT. A FEARFUL RACE, ‘* Boom-m-M-M !”” It was the deep and sullen roar of a cannon that — rolled in prolonged echoes through the valley of the Cheyenne, startliog from their noontide repose in the chaparral Dare Devil Dick and his little band of prairie-rangers. Springing to their feet with flashing eves, and with ears on the alert, the rangers mechanically gras their pistol-butts as they exchange silent an dent - cant looks. . ‘ ; There were just twenty of the noted band. The leader, Dare Devil Dick, was a young man—a mere boy of twenty years. a well-developed form; square shouldered and deep chested, and with casy and graceful movements— ‘he eyes of the hawk, and face and features indicat- hair, pathered back from a noble brow’ hung down upon his shoulders. He was dressed in a suit of buckskin, high-topped boots and broad-brimmed hat, He was armed with a saber, a pair of revolvers, and a Winchester rifle—the latter slung at his back. On each heel was a large silver spur; around his waist . was a scarlet sash, The ages of Dare Devil Dick’s men ranged from — twenty to thirty years. They were all daring and He was of medium hight with — dashing fellows armed and dressed as was their — leader, e Thé name of Dare Devil Dick had recently sprung into local prominence throughout western Dakota, for he was making himself a terror to Indian and outlaw alike. It had gone abroad that he and his band were in the employ of the stage, express and western railroad companies, who, tiring of the tardi- ness of the military in punishing the marauding red- skins and plundering outlaws, had resolved to take the matter in their hands; rangers were making for t outlaw, . ** By the eternal stars!" exclaimed Dare Devil Diek, as the boom of the cannon again came rolling up the saves a en was the rogy of a cannon, boys, surer than death!” Turning they albhurry to the edge of the chapar- ral and gaze down the valley. The crash of firearms and the yells of savages came faintly to their ears, and ever and anon the thunderous voice of the can- non booms out. ‘ ‘ “ Boys, it’s a battle with Standing Bear’s Ingins," declared the young ranger Ieader,‘‘and I’m afraid my predictions have come true—that nel Owens’s train has been attacked. I told him he bad hetter take a more southern route, but he seemed to think the Cheyenne trail would be safe enough.” ‘as “Then you ay. did see the colonel?’ queried Lieutenant Saul Kirby, Yes, I staid over night in his camp a week ago, and passed myself asa Cowboy under the name of Dick Morris. I told him repeatedly that he might ia danger cn this trail. I also told his caugh- er— i “Ay! I see now why our captain has been 80 yigi- lant along this valley of late.” broke in Kirby; “ fii * but be this as it may, the hemselves a name envied by the restless soldier, and feared by the savage and venture tbe assertion that if the colonel’s daughter is handsome, Dare Devil Dick is her victim.” The rangers all enjoyed a laugh at Dick's expense, but there seemed too much truth in Kirby's thonent less remarks for Dick himself to fully enjoy t and as the boom of the again, he turned and ssid: “Boys, we mast go tothe help of thore pee le. A desperate conflict is raging. We may be in time yy Progen a horrible massacre. To horse, boys, to orse!’ Ina fewi2° ents the little bard were in their saddles, and \ith Dick heir head, went speed ng away like the wind down the valley. But, they had gone scarcely half a mile when their ears were suddenly greeted by a wild. savage yell off on the left, Drawing rein, they glanced out over the prairie, when, to their surprise and aston- | ishment, they beheld a carriage, or coach, drawn by e a inighty curtain swept aside by some un- | by four horses, flying with the speed of the wind seen hand the fog lifted, and the sun falling toearth | over the plain, while in swift pursuit rode nearly a revealed a frizhtful “terrible spectacle. It was three- score mounted savages conning at a sweeping, break-neck gal'op down tow, the grove. But more like d»mons born of the gst oes | gloom they appeared than human beings. The heads of the | band were surmounted by buffalo skulls, deer- heads and antlers, and every conceivable device of score of Indians, yelling like infuriated demons, * Boys,” called out Dare Devil Dick, drawing bis revolver and settling himself firmly in his saddle, ‘there is work for us! peneren: tand destroy them howling devils, while I ride to the rescue of those in the coach, Away! Charge!” And, like the swoop of the hurricane, the rangers em, — cannon came to his cars Asari Pees ee ee
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prairie. . | — Mounted upon a sure-footed and swift-limbed horse of “registered” blood, Dare Devil Dick dashed _ straight toward the coach,. Knowing the valor «f his followers, he had no fears of their ability to per- - form the duty assigned to them, and shortly the youth found himeeif riding alone in pursuit of the flying coach, while back behind him soon rose the nof battle. Rapidly the boy gained upon the coach, and as he drew near to it a white face at the window t Id him that it was occupicd by at lcast one woman, and the _ face of that woman he quickl recognized, although it was white with terzor, as the fair and lovely face of Zulima Owens, whom he had met a we>k or so | before near Fort Sull absent from his young first loo ed apon it Keart since the day he had ia izet, in thea approaching _ horseman, ) im whom she had once met—the ranch- - ero giving his name as Dick Morris; and tnrning to her companion, Kitty Lane, she exclaimed: “Ob, thank God, Kitty! yonder comes a horse- mau—a white man! It is the ranchero, re oe | who came to our camp—Dick Morris! And look! yonder go a number more horsemen to intercept the pe ndians!. Thank God! thank God!” “Tell Robert, Zujima! tel Robert!” exclaimed the | terrified Kitty with qu vering lips. Putting her head «ut of the open window Zulima shouted to Black Bob, their driver: Zulima herself reco - Oh, my God!" As the last exclamation burst from her lips the maiden sunk back in her seat, speechless—her face _ white with terror. Sp ms “What now, Zulima? What is it?’ gasped Kitty, - grasying ter friend's arm in a nervous clutch. “Oh, K tty, Robert is dead! his poor body hangs half out of the box! The Indians killed him when they fired at us, and the horses have been running -awny! ’ “Oh, heavens! then we shall be dashed to pieces! Zulima, can’t we leap out?” “Tt would be sure death, Kitty! Our only hope lies in the help of that approaching horseman. ”’ © Zulima!” suddenly cried Kitty, as the violent lunging of the coach burst open the door on her side, “here comes another horseman on the iigh ; but see! he ix a hideous Indian!” True enough, a savage horseman jn the war-bon- net and gaudy plumage of a chief—hideous in paint, with a jaguar-skin girded about his waist, was rid- ing furiously toward them from the east. He ws, when first discovered, about the same distance ae oor. i a POOP Te of escape center in the boy. er arm: in mute appeal toward a fervent ‘ ‘Si at sag! ba ; tretching ou | se _ youth, Zulima’s white lips muttered eee Prey et. ran a ye CHAPTER IV. Abert A TRIPLE TRAGEDY, and creaking as though every jvint and bo r ret ready to yield to the terrible strain upon rivet wie them, i On came th fearless, desperate Boy Ranger on the 1 ft. and the Lideoux, demonies savage on the right—the former clutching his trusty revolver, the ~ latter his tomahawk, And, as if to concecl from view a blondy tragedy, the fog that for the past hour had bcen slowly lift- - {ng fell su denly lik» a shadow over the plain, _ Aware of the presence of each other, and the . object. that each had in view, Dare Devil,Dick and the savag2 rode s0:8 to keep the coach between them, But suddenly, when within twenty feet of "tte vehicle, the Boy kang r dropped back so as to bring ibe savage in view when be quickly raised his "revolver and fired. .. Under ordinary ci stances Dare Devil Dick was a wonderful sh: t, and as his weapon rung out he saw a grimace of pain pags over the face of the _ red-skin and his body relax its upright rigidness and | sink slightly in the saddle, Certain his bullet had done its work, the young ranger did not attempt a second shot, nor oven give -- the savage a second glance, but at once das ied alongside the flying coach, tossed his revolver into the vehicle, saying, as he did so: “Courage, ladies, courage!” ~ As hespoke his eyes and Zuwima’s eyes, met, and for a brief moment remained fixed, iLen Le threw up his hancs and caught hold of the fron railing around roy of the vehicle, a feeling of renewe’ courage and determination thri ling his young heart while Zulima’s eyes, swimming in tears, glowed with a look of admiration and hope. Suddenly, and with the agili y of asqvirrel, Dare Devil Dic, clinging to the railing, rcse to his knees in the saddle and with a de te spring landed on top of thecosch! His first though was of getting bold of the lines, that were still grasped in the dead negro’s hands, and getting the horses under control, But to his surprise and h . he had scarcely land- edont e css Base w berg ago y ne ne the savage whom he supposed he bad sl_in, leape n it like a panther from the other. ? a mutual surprise, and for a second they stood upon their knees, mo- upon each other like tionless, Fp ess—8, 14 fo but it was only for a brief second they thus regarded each other when, as if thrown together by the rocking of the they grappled ina deadly | Je and rolled over on their sides, anc. but for . fhe fron railing around the deck—the vehicle baing ~ r— face that had not been | And ths recognition must have been mutual, for | “* Told firm, Rovert! Help is coming! help is— ; whirled their horsss and sped away across the level a | | regular stage-coach and the property of Colonel Owens—they would have rolled to the earth. Neither of the combatants had taken time to draw a weapon, and the hope of victory lay in each pre- venting the other from so doing. They tought in silence—neither uttering a word. The | tervitied girls could not see the combatants, but they | had seen both leap onto the coach and couid now | hear them fighting like demons possessed. Thus a ; new terror was added to their situation, and all otber | dangers were forgotten in the dread that now seem- | ed to paralyze their very nearts. Full well they | knew that upon the result of the deadly conflict | overbead depended their fate; and. finally, as if un- able to bear the suspense longer, Zulima snatched | up the revolver the young ranger had tossed at her } f-et, cocked it, and pointed it upward at the roof of | the coach, She was no novice in che use of the wea- er olinne she exclaime 1: ** Do not fire, Zulima. through’the top, or you may kill our young friend |”’ Zulima dropped the weapon, and turning to Kitty, cried out: - ‘*Oh, my God! Kitty. what shall we do?” Before the other could reply fhe coath seemed to leave the earth, then leap forward with a thunder- ' ous lureb, throwing tae maidens forward with such fcarful violence as to partially stun them. But amid a confusion of fearful sounds, and a violent jerking of the coach, Zulima rose to her feet and looked out of the window. She started back with a cry of hor- rer, She saw the coach was standing still, surround- ed by water. “My God! Kitty, we are in the river!” Kitty rose to her feet and looked out, unable to speak orcry out. There was a momentary silence, The sound of the conflict on the coach could no longer be heard. The combatants were not there. Again Zulima turned to the window and looked out over the rushing waters. She saw a pair of out- stretched arms rise on the surface a few rods below. She caught sight of a wild, despairing face—the face of the Boy Ranger, but the next instant it was swept from her view. : Sick at heart, Zulima sunk back on the seat. As the face of that daring young ranger went down— ' sunk beneath the waves, ths last faint hope seemed | to die within her breast, For a moment she sat motionless; then, rallying, she again Icoked out, She saw they were fully twenty feet from the nearest shore, Every horse , was down and .o tangled in their harness that they away that the ranger was; and now, more than could not rise. Two of them—the leaders—were upon their backs, and the other two on top of them, and all four, the maiden saw, were rapidly sinking in the treacherous quicksand. The river at this point was shallow, but il was yon, This Kitty Lane knew, and quickly divining { there that the dangers from the quicksands were all | | Oateened the frantic team—the crac rocking, am i the ater. The maidens quickly realized their new eri], for they had often heard of the dangers of the estern rivers. They could gts | see that the coach itself was rapidly going, down, and that the struggling of the drowning horses was gradually be- coming fcebler, The maidens grew almost helpless with terror. One after anoth:r had repeated horrors crowded upon them in such rapid succession thet their ee and bodies began to sink under the terrible strain. Down, down sunk the coach. The horses bad agi to struggle. The water began creeping into e box. : Rallying her courage once more, Zwima threw n the door to leap out into the stream, but she started back at sight of the swirling flood that seemed to laugh in gurgling glee around the coach. Kituy fell back in the seat in a swoon, and at sight of her pallid face Zulima seemed driven to the verge of despair, Turning, she stretched out her arms through the open door, and lifting her face toward heaven cri«d: ‘Wather! father! Oh, my dear father! help! hel sua = “etp: help!” were the words echoed back to her ears in hcllow mockery. A shane prosonns as deathi followed. The aw drama was drawing to aclose. TLe water was rising in the sinking ccach, and the fo was descending like the shadow of death from ou the keavens. Zulima. overcome with horror at last, sunk back by Kitty’s side; then, like the visions and voices of a dream, tne distant shore faded from her view, and the devilish laugh and glee of the hungry water died on her ears. : -CHAPTER V. * DEAD had Tue conflict between the savages of Standing Bear and Colonel Owens’s party was short, sharp and deadly. The red-skins had expected to surprise the colcnists, but were themselves the surprised party in the end, ~ < hal ¥, 4 _ ee SS ee ee ae Oe re hl
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a el 5 ta a _ ‘the curious-lookin . * “Colonel, it may be there isa traitor in our party,” th i ” argin of th ; é ‘ k Pp t' b agai ig’ Dumb Hercul ad 7 Hercules, t te ee cap on the giant’s head. She reached out her chubby hand toward if, and, in doing so, touched the giant’s face. That touch, ‘soft and innocent, seemed to open a well-spring in the man’s heart, for at once the tears gushed into his eyes and rolled down his bearded cheeks. At sight of his tears the child began to cry when Her- cules placed her on the ground and turned and walked aw.ya few paces, his eyes fixed upon the ground in a thoughtful mood, sently he came back to the colonel. His eyes were dry, and his face was wearing that inflexible expression, olonel Owens conversed with him about the miss- ing girls and absent ' uide, but the giant could give ™m no consolation, and as the hours wore on the conviction that the girls were in trouble grew upon all; and yet, all had such faith in Old Jack they felt assured that when be returned he would bring the Maidens with him. Dumb Hercules stood silent, his eyes ever fixed upon the plain, listening to the travelers’ discussion of their situation and the probable outcome of it, Finally he took out his slate and writing something upon it handed it to the colonel, who read this start- ' ling inquiry: ater you ever mistrusted treachery in your n 7 ‘My God, no!” exclaimed the colonel, excitedly ; “such a thing is impossible, Hercules !”’ “T believe there is a traitor among your men,” wrote the scout, \ The colonel made no reply. He seemed like one stricken speechless, He turned and glanced at the faces of those around him as if to pick out the trai- tor, but there was not one among the many upon whom he could fix the terrible charge. . Yet he had no reason to dispute the man’s sagacity, and in or- der to keep down excitement, and trap the guilty party, he said nothing, but took the giant’s slate and pencil and asked the question: _ ‘What makes you think so, Hercules?” “T have my reasons for it,’’ was the rather evasive nen of the slate. aye: **Do you know the man?” Owens again asked on the slate. No,” was the prompt admission, “Then,” declared the colonel to himself, ‘‘ Niobra- ra Jack, the guide, is the traitor! Oh, if this be true, may Heaven help my poor child!” Searcely able to restrain his emotions the distract- ed man turned and walked away. ] called John Lane aside and made known to him Dumb Herecules’s suspicions. They talked the mat- ter over together, The colonel told Lane whom he suspected, if there was a traitor at all among them. med pt his iron An ae Old aim -1 y e aly m the part ‘ho had ever been in that part o the country. and. who eould. ly know and be in collusion with the savages.” . Pee on Presently he said John Lane, ‘‘ but 1 cannot think Old Jac more the traitor than Black Bob, the driver of the coach the girls were in, : “No, no; Black Bob has grown up from boyhood under on Aas He never saw a savage till he en‘er- ed Dako But, may be time will tell, Dumb Her- isavy cules seems averse mysterious man.” Quiet being restored in camp, the women prepared dinner, and while some of the men stood guard on the margin of the grove, the others sat down to the repast. Dumb Hercules dined with them. After dinner the colonel and Mr. Lane discussed the propriety of the party going out in search cf the girls, but before the idea had assumed any definite being questioned, He is a shape it was abandoned as. being impracticable, owing to the fact that the fog had again settled ovcr _ the plain, deeper and darker than ever, So all that could be done was to watch, wait and hope; an‘ thus the hours passed. All dreaded the coming night, for they knew the darkness would af- ford the red-skins a cover under which to make an- other attack; but to the surprise of all, the fog n disappeared as the shadows of night came on, and within an hour after dark the moon and stars were shining brightly. f : Du ercules in the mean time had promised to remain with the train, at least until Old Jack re- turned, and after night had set in he and Colonel Owens left éhe camp tomake a reconnoissance of the surrounding plain, leaving the camp in charge ‘of Tom Woolson, - ie would stop ever and anon, and’dropping to his Resp © ping to With head erect and eye and ear on the alert likea deer that scented danger, the voiceless giant moved along the plain with an almost noiseless footstep, _ req 1g no little exertion on the part of Gershom ‘Owens to keep up with him. When a é or so from camp the giant scout knees, : to the earth and listen, This had he repeated several times when he suddenly sprung to his feet and half-crouching. motioned to the colonel to follow him, He then led the way toward a clus- ter of tall sage brush, wherein the two concealed themselves. t The colonel could now hear the faint sound of a horse’s feet. He saw Dumb Hercules draw an arrow from his quiver and Jay it alongside his bow, ready for instant use. tue sound of hoof-strokes grew x piaeer and with bated breath the two men crouch brara Jack, the guide! The head of the old man was bare, while over his shoulders and around bis form yas an Indian blanket. _ Atsight of him the feeling of mistrust which Dumb Hercules’s words had aroused in the colonel’s breast deepened into a feeling of resentment. His bare head and that Indian blanket seemed, at a glance, to confirm his suspicious of the old guide’s treachery; but a second glance at the old man’s face, upon which the moonbeams fell brightly, caused him to start violentlv. _ “Hereules,” the colonel whispered, in no little agitation, “thatis Niobrara Jack, my guide! What ails the fellow? He acts so queer—he acts like a drunken man, Shall I speak to him?” The scout nodded his head. ‘* Hullo, Jack, old friend!” called the colonel, but at sound of his voice the horse instantly took flight and dashed away, the body of his rider reeling and swaying on his back like a drunken man. : Quickly the two men sprung to their feet, Hercu- les turned to the colonel and with a wild, excite l look en his face thrust out his index finger at the flying horseman and shoolkthis head excitedly. ‘*My God! Hereules, what can ail the man!” ex- claimed the colonel, white with excitement, The giant scout took his slate from his poeket and wrote upon it in large letters—easily read in the moonlight—the single word: * DEAD!” CHAPTER VI. A PAIR OF ODD CHARACTERS, “My God!” burst from the*lips of Gershom Owens, ‘‘can it be possible that Old Jack is dead?” The scout nodded his head repeatedly as he gazed aavay in the direction the lifeless horseman had gone, : Then,” continued the colonel, ‘‘ Jack is not the traitor; but my poor girl! Oh, curse the fate that is crushing my heart!” Dumb Hercules stepped out into the moonlight, and was followed by the distracted father. They began to retrace their footsteps toward camp, where they arrived in due course of time with the sad and startling news of Old Jack's being a lifeless wandérer under the solemn moonlight. on the aren prairie—the victim of savage véngeance, Colonel Owens and several of his friends were seated in the former’s tent, engaged in conversa- tion, when they were suddenly startled by the vcice of one of the guards shouting; “Who comes there?” “T, a weary pilgrim— name, Skylark Sam, at your service,” was the answer of the challenged stranger. “Then advance,” replied the guard, ‘and report yourself at once to Colonel Owens.” “That's jist what I'm all in a tear to do,” returned ‘the stranger. “Skylark Sam!” exclaimed Colonel Owens, spring- ing to his feet; ‘Sean it be possible that we're to have that famous seout and detective for a guest?” The guard conducted the stranger to the colonel’s tent andintroduced him. Not one of the party had ever er ig ray oye iy peed ive, and all were not a little surprised when they looked upon that individual, é e He war a tall, gaunt man of pervaps forty-five fog age, with f rough, POPrae £806, a short, at nose, anda small, gray eye, overhung with long. bristling brows. He wap dines ed in buckskin, anc carried a pair of revolvers and a knife in his girdle, He was, in general appearance, a veritable border- man, but with none of the striking peculiarities about him that those who had heard of Skylark Sam imagined he possessed, “Skylark Sam!" exclaimed the colonel, taking the stranger’s hand, ‘‘isit possible I have the pleas- ure and honor of welcoming him 10 my tent?’ .* Don't know as it is any honor or pleasure, Colo- nel Owens,” replied the scout with off-hand inde- pendence, ‘‘but I am Skylark Samuel, at your ser- vice,” ** Well, I’m glad to meet ycu—glad you happened this way, for I can assure you we’re i need. of ex- perienced plainsmen about this time,”’ declared Owens. ‘‘By the way, you’re the man who does some scouting in a balioon, are you not?” “I'm that same aerial angel, colonel, tho’ 1’m on’ a terrestrial tear at this time. I was up the river to-day, and hearin’ the poundin’ o’ an old cannon down this way, I come to the conc’usion that some- body and the Ingins war havin’ a leetle old Tippe- canoe tilt-and-tumble, and so I come down to inves- tigate the matter. That's what brought me here, and now that I am here, you can draw on me for any kind 0’ work, from scoutin’ to diggin’ rifle-pits —use me anywhere—for breastworks or gun-*swob ’ When it comes to fightin’, you'll find me a holy bull- terrier—a hull litter o’ wildcats—a buffaler-bull ‘ith a curl in the forehead.” “Well, Skylark, you were rivht in that we had quite a lively fight down hereaways to-day, and we won a prand victory and n ver lost a man,” said Colonel Owens. “Them’s the kind 0’ battles to win, colonel, for it’s too b d for any honest white man to shed a drap 0’ blood at the hand o’a savage,’ responded’ “T hate a red-skin as the devil hates asked Tom Woolson. “E did-sir,” 4 : ‘* Did you see any Indians?” hig *“T saw a pack ‘bout evenin’ movin’ up the river ” ; ? ~ > Sth oy (vs L >» ‘Sire ‘ yu 4 é - 3 Pat ~ treo ew * ne aint ¥ ns Pe ee eee RUT se he Dumb Destroyer. 5 4 erry er ar “Skylark,” asked Owens, ‘‘did you notice whether they had any captives?”’» ‘ 7 res not, colonel; why, some o’ your folke missin ; ‘*My daughter and another young lady are gone. We do not know whether they have fallen into sav- age hands*®vr not, but one thing we do know, an that is that our guide, whom we sent out in search of them, has been murdered.” “Hill-flugins! you don’t say so!” exclaimed the Border Detective, starting up excitedly. ‘Hullo, colonel,”’ suddenly. interrupted a voice at the door of the tent—the voice of one of the guards, “here’s another pilgrim-stranger that’s wande bed our folds; says his name is Reverend Prosper womby. With this the new-comer was ushered into the tent, and at sight of him, Skylark Sam burst into a roar of laughter. In fact, it was as much as the others could do to restrain their emotions, for the stranger _ was an odd-looking genius. He was rather tall, slender and ungainly in his proportions, with Jong, white hair and beard—both thin and unkempt—and the face of a clown. But his dress was the comical part of the man, His coat was Of the ‘' swallow-tail ” style, and its odd-colored patches an threadbare condition denoted its an-— . tiquity. His pants, also threadbare and patched at the knees with buckskin, fitted him almost as flighty } as the skin. Hob-nailed sho: s were upon his feet, while a crushed and battered “tile” tilted back — upon his head completed his garb, In his hand he earried a knotted cane—no weapons being visible about him, As he entered the tent he bowed_politely, doffing his hat and saying, with an unctuous smile: ‘*Good-evenin’, gentlemen.” . ‘* Good-evening, sir; did 1 understand the guard to say you were served Colonel Owens. : ‘That was right, sir--Reverend Prosper Twomby, _ of Boston—avd Ihave called to beg lodgin’ with you for the night.” E “*Oracked in the upper story, by smoke!” averred Skylark Sam. “ Well, sir,” responded the colonel, ‘‘ you can stay, although our accommodations a _e not the best, and we may have to fight to hold what we have before mornin ent surprise; ‘with whom?” “The Ingins.”’ ; “Salvation! Are ‘iéy on the war-path?”’ “That makes the reverend gentleman narvous,” — observed Old Skylark Sam, with a chuckle, “Which way ere you traveling, Mr. Twomby?” | asked the colonel. : ‘Tam on my way to the Indian country in the in- trust of humanity.” " Hoop-ee!’ exclaim d Skylark; ‘tan’ Ingin-slay- er, T'll bet!” : “Just the reverse of it, sir,” retorted Twomby, indignantly. ‘‘This Ingin question has now bern agitatin’ the people for years and years. The West- ern people, led on by the hunters and trappers ard ranchmen, say ‘kill’ — ‘slaughter’ — ‘ extarni- nate ’—”’ art ‘That's my sentiments,” interrupted Old pitt “But I say went cn the preacher, ‘to civilize ‘em. Now this has been somewhat the policy 0’ the Government, but for some reason 'r other it’s been a failure, Tknow thar are scmethin’ wrong, and in an interview with the President I lc id before him my Ingin policy, and I told him I war goin’ to make a journey to the Ingin country and look over the situwatio —study the Ingin character from a moral, social, physical and intellectual standpoint. The President thought that v ar the true way to git into the merits o’ the matter, and esked me to — make a detailed report on my return to Boston.” “What is your policy, Mr. Twomby?” asked the colonel, seeing that the old fellow was’ affording his tenes sap rng ¢ stot eae _“ My policy —the Twomby policy is to give the Tn- gina fair ahow with the rest toankind: Fo st, Td send every soldier to some summer resort, then tear | down the forts. I'd sind ¢very miner out o’ the hills, andT’d drive every ) unter, settler and ranch- man beyond the extreme limits o’ whar the buffalo | and antelope range. Then I'd divide up the land—~ ive every able-Lodied Ingin a quarter-secticn ¢” and, furnish him a teem, tocls and—” “i “A barrel o’ whisky,” ¢l imed ‘pn Old Skylark. “No, jist whisky «nough fer medicira), culinary and mechanical purp: ses,’ went on the preacher. “Oh, what a miserable cld seed turnip you be Twomby! Give us aYest or Pilhaveto go out and sette my, stomeche,”’ and Old Skylark made e— grimace as if he hed the colic. ert! “Seems as if you hav'n't a good opinion o’ me, old sinner.” remarked Tworbr, tvrning on the facetious Skylrrk, ‘P'r’eps if you knowed me bet- ter you wovldn’t walk upon your bits so strong.” “Whew!” ejaculated the detective, “that sounds theaterish-like. Now, mebbe you'd like to try the stuff Old Skylark Sam’s made of? If so, shed yer swaller-teril hat and plug coat and slap me once on the cheek.” y * Gentlemen, I want no—” “Excuse me, colonel,” interposed Skylark Sem, “for bein’ so ongentlemanly as to talk so in your tent to the stranger, I confess I’m a leetle careless ‘bout slingin’ language ‘round loose, but, ye see, that’s kind 0’ second nater to us old scouts and bor- der scavengers. But, colonel, I war goin’ to ax you while ago if vou are well fort snd well guarded against a surprise. Thar’s no tellin’ what might Py ave felt that we were pretty well | fixed,” replied Owens, “but sinee you have th SLE es a ils fae. re oa: re ee ex yore oaks Pa" ‘ Zen (i aioat 2 dalam Shi ees ee homo eee Rverernd Prosper Twomby?” ob- — “Right?” exclaimed the Rev. Twomby, in appar- 8) wt | “ei “| \ a 4 x a. 2 a or J i ty i, qq py ’ “ae ) <i se x
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6 forth, I’d like to show you how we ave fixed, and make any other improvement you might suggest.” The Border Detective readily consented to a tour of inspection, so Owens procured a lantern and the started off. They visited the rifle-pits,the corrille where the stock was kept, and om the howitzer. a **That’s the stuff to fight Ingins with, colonel,” de- ' lared Old Skylark; patting the gun; ** the snort o’ - @ cannon is a holy terror to a red nigger. They Re can’t stand the pressure.” The old scout finally pronounced the colonel’s de- fense almost impregnable. He could see no place that could be strengthened, and in view of the fact that he had promised to remain with him over night, ; the colonel felt easier in mind, and so they returned a to the tent. In the mean time, Dumb Hercules had kept en- | tirely to himself, in the shadows. He seemed to ee ag er being alone, and never once showed himself % the tent after the arrival of Skylark Sam and Rev. Prosper Twomby. _. ‘ | After vip ta J to his tent and finding no one there, the colonel and Skylark sat down and entered -. into conversation. **Colonel, what do you think of that Rev. Prosper / fwomby?”’ the scout finally asked, : _ “‘Oh, he’s an eccentric, shallow-pated old ex- if horter who imagines he has had a call to settle the ‘great question as to what shall be done with the In- | _—s dian; but I've an idea the Indians ‘ll settle him pe- wi tore he is aware of it.” \ : “Well, he may be a fool, colonel.” replied Sky- Jark Sam, “but I’m inclined to think he’s a bit 3 sharper than he’d have us believe. I observe he’s : doin’ a eo deal o’ nosin’ ’round outside, and think he might be watched alittle. I believe [ll slip out us and just see what he is up to; anyhow, and waltz j him in where we can watch him,”’ and the detective on arose and went ont. it Finding himself alone, Gershom Owens’s thoughts turned to his Jost child, and he bowed his head in silent zrief. Sxylark Sam moved away through the shadows toward the river, then by a circuitous route he passed along the edge of the grove on an evident tour of inspection. tie moved on until within a few + paces of the little moonlit opening in which stood the howitzer—the dark muzzle of which he could a ice projecting past the bushes—when he stopped - and listened. — Hearing nothing the detective passed into the ope and approached the gun. in one hand he | now! eld a short iron rod—evidently a part of an iron ramrod—and in the other an Indian hatchet. Reaching his hand out he ran his fingers over the breech of the cannon until he found the vent. Into ‘this he placed one end of the rod and was in the act | of raising the hatchet to drive home the spike when } a voices said quietly: as 25 ES ee . * = ae Ty J pela aa Hh: Hold, v Zs And then from the shadows on the opposite side H glided the form of Reverend Prosper Twomby, with /' ag revolver leveled full at the breast of the border i}, Boout! . oe What's up?—in Heaven's name what's up?” ex- claimed Colonel Owens, as he came dashin rough the undergrowth, Nag ‘Nothing up, colonel,” replied Twomby, coolly’ pointing to the prostrate pogyas ‘but that’s what’s down. Lhad to shoot that feller to keep him from spikin’ your gun.” ; **My God, sir!” shouted the colonel, ‘* haven't you made amistake? Skylark Sam would not be guilty of such a vm, i } t your gastric accouterments he wouldn't, colonel,” auswered Twomby; “but that by Stand ablo, the pod ‘+Twomby. how do you know rg ber that man was not Skylark Sam, the Border Detective?’’ “Because I, myself, colonel, happen to be Sky- k Sam!’ eA thunderbolt exploded over the heads of his auditors it would not have caused greater conster- ‘ion. J ; er : mee What?” demanded the colonel, “you Skylark BarYou jist bet your bottom ducat, colonel, that —— * SORE DRRERTOEEa Gece sw Gace geceeeise coca eee Dumb Hercules dealing death and destruction with | his terrible whip of iron—seeming to bear a charmed life against the weapons of the Indians. The savages on foot used knives and tomahawks. This was evidence of the fact that they had crossed the river by swimming, bringing no firearms—ex- pecting to find that side of the camp unguarded, and by a timely co-operation of tLe mounted friends had expected an easy victory. And in this they would have been cntirely successful had it not been for the vigilance of Dumb Hercules. In a brief time this second conflict had ended. and victory again crowned the arms of the immigrants, The red-skins on foot leaped over the’ bank and ‘swam the river, while those that were mouuted fled northward. The victory, however, had been purchased most dearly. Four of the immigrants and three of the rangers were slain, while few cscaped without more or less injury—several bing seriously wounded. Colonel Owens himself was krocked down by a fly- ing tomahawk, but as bis injury was ies slight, Re remained on the field until ths conflict had ended, and then gave his attention to the care of the wound- ed whom he had removed to his own tent, where ree) Bales, of the emigrants, speedily cared for em. In the confusion and excitement cf the hour the colonel, as well as all the others, had failed to nctice the absence of Dumb Hercules; but when be cid notice it he turned to Tom Woolson and as) ed: fn oe have you seen Dumb Fflerculés since the ight? ‘s “I have not, colonel, I’m sorry to say,” replied om. Advancing to where a heap of dead savages lay— at the point where the battle had raged t:e flercest— the colonel beheld the giant form cf the scc ut ly'ng rone upon the earth, with the body of a savage ly- ing across it. ¢ ‘ “Oh, heavens!” thevcolonel cried, “he is here !— dead! dead !” and, overcome with emotions of gricf, he turned, and walking away, sat down. “Oh, where is this to end?” he again broke forth in a voice of bitter anguish. ‘“‘T'll tell ye, colonel,” said Old Skylark Sam, who had overheard his words. ‘I think it’s already end- ed—that them red-skirs will not tackle this ou fit soon again, if at all. Jacob's Ladder! I never saw sich a mcss 0’ p’izen catamounts to fight as you folks and them rangers are.” * Ay, Sam, but Dumb Hercules, the noblest Roman of am all, is dead—so is poor Old Jack, our e. The rangers were prevailed upon to remain over night with the immigrants, and while in conversation with them the colonel received the first tidings from Zulima and Kitty. Put when he learned, that their own gallant leader, Dare Devil Dick, had mysterions- ly disappeared while endeavoring to: € thar his horse was caught 1 pas at tlhe - coach was fonnd empty and almost buried out of sight in the river, the last faint hope died ont cf his breast. and he bowed himself in quiet submission under his pent burden of sorrow and grief. An hour had passed. The wounded had all been cared for, and a@ party had just been detailed to go out and bury the dead. when all were startled by a thunderous splash in the river near where the fig” t had occurred. ; eS, Hurrying to the edgecf the grove, what was the surprise of the party to see Dumb Hercul.s, the gi- lent Scout, standing erect in the midst of his fallen enemies. and taking up one body after another and hurling it o t into So river as though it were amere « ~ trifle of afew pounds. ~ * “Hurrah! berrah!” shouted Old Skylark Sam, toss. ing his damaged “tile” into the air; “Dumb Her. cules still lives!” ' And the immigrants took up the refrain, and made the very plains resound with their shouts of joy, Colonel Owens, beside himself with joy at the news of the giant’s being alive rushed headlong to the gj. lent man’s side and grasped bi hand. eed up be was about to speak, when he started back at the tight that Zee his gaze. The scout's face was coy- ered with blood flowing from a wound cn the head; but out of this crimson mask shone bis eyes with the wild, unearthly light of a maddened demon, For a moment the colonel was struck dumb, but recovering his senses, he said: « “Come with me, Hercules. you are hurt.” ‘ Without offering the least resistance the half-e. lirious giant turned and was led like a child to the surgeon’s tent, The party detailed to bury the dead consisted of ten men—Tom Woolson havi-g the sad work in charge. The fallen immigrants and rangers were first Interred, a short and fervent prayer being offer. ed at the graves by Ishmael Morse, a good and de- yout Christian man, Be Then a long grave, or trench, was dur, in which to give their dead foes a Christian burial ne b one the red-skins were carried and placed side by side in the grave. While this was being done, a young immigrant, named Jerrold Curl, nicknamed * Little Curley,” on account of his dark, wavy hair. came out, and as each body was brought forward he scanned the face clesely. His actions attracted the attention of his friends, notwithstanding the fact that he had always been regarded asa strange and eccentric youth, in that he always manifested a — disposition to by himself. But, forall this, “ Little Curley ” was liked. He was an excellent hors-man and a fine shot. and had no superior in the party in handling the drove of cattle belonging to the train. In view of this, be had been selected as head-drover for the trip, and had performed his du’y well and faithfully so far. 3 5 SG gla A Not one of the party had ever met the bey until a es — 7 ita 0 re Pia SS erm ae ee i, Se oe ee Soman & é
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. Owens and begged permission to accompan few days before the train started for the Niobrara A perfect stranger, he went to ane m. The colonel was so pleased with the youth’s bright face and manly demeanor that he at once enrolled his name as one of his future colonists. But the had not been long together ere the colonel, as well as his friends, saw that the boy was an odd char- acter, and the longer they were together the more of an enigma he became. And his presence there among the burying party—examining the faces of the dead so closclyseemed to envelop him in the dim shadow of a rp hag fe The removal of the dead, however, to the grave was going silently and sadly on, when one of the party suddenly called out: : “ By George, boys! here’s an Injin got whiskers, reckon it’s a white man in disguise of a red- country. skin."’ Scarcely had the words fallen from the man’s lips ere Little Curley was at the dead man’s side. Stoop- ing over, the boy glanced at the face, uttered a hr piercing shriek, and fell forward across ths 08 ; “My God! Curley, what is the matter?” asked the man at his side, but only a low, sobbing gasp, like one smothering, answered bim, while the lad’s slen- der form began to tremble and shake as if racked by inward convulsions of sudden grief. “Curley, what does this mean?’ repeated the man, grasp: the boy by the arm; ‘tell me, boy, what is that dead man to you?” ‘Oh, let me be!’ cried the lad, lifting a white, prlet sexton face toward heaven; “let me be! eave me alone!}”’ Attracted by his cry Colonel Owens came hurry- ing to the spot, and in a moment the lad was sur- rounded by the excited colonists, who stood silent and dumfounded, gazing upon the startling scene. “Curley, my boy,” spoke Colonel Owens, bending ‘over and speaking kindly to the lad, “what does _purv me with my po wi aan 5 will anlar a bieettne Om e. O;. ranieoe fe have Geen a Maik Tahity !" this mean? Do you know that man, Curley?” * Oh, colonel!” the boy moaned, lifting his stream- ing c7es and looking into Owens’s face, ‘‘ikat man ds my) teen |" : An exclamation of profound surprise burst from the lips of the spectators. Colonel Owens seemed dazed’ by the lad’s startling declaration, but recover- ing his composure, he said: : “Ourley, surely you are mistaken in this man being your father.”’ - ** No, no, colonel, Tam not,” replied the boy, wring- ing his handsin gri-f; “itis you that bas been mis- taken—ay, deceived in me!” “TI do not poepie e bb Curley."’ “I say I have deceived you; this man is an outlaw —a renegade, andla will bea s child Life tome: now will only shoot me -and traitor toyou-I joined your train—sought admission into your confidence in order to betray you into the power of Black Diablo and the Indians. toh when the foz hung the darkest over the prairie, left Homer and Ted with the cattle, and under cover of the fog rode around and struck the trail near this grove where I was, by previous arrangements, to meet an Indian scout and give him information as to your strength, I came and met the Indian, told him of your numbers and of your having @ cannon in your possession, You were to have been attacked a mile furtber on, but Dumb Hercules defeated Black Diablo. While we stood conversing an arrow from the giant’s bow laid the Indian low in death, and to escape @ similar fate I mounted and rode hastily away and around to my position as a drover in the rear of the train. Dumb Hercules did not recognize me when we ae for 1 kept my face covered with a silk handkerchief.” ; “Then the giant was right,” said the amazed im- migrant; “he said there was a traitor in my party, but God knows you were the last one I'd suspected, Curley.” Fee ie know it, colonel,” confessed the prief-stricken boy; “‘you have been kind to me—all of you, and cannot ask formercy. Oh! I want to die ig buried with my poor father! Iam tired of the wild, wicked and exciting life I have loved so well in the ” ’ ‘ Gurley,”’ and the colonel’s voice was gentle, sym- ainetic. you are young—you can turn from, , this ife of wickedness and become a good man yet. ; “No, no, colonel, I cannot!” the youth fairly shrieked, “for I am not what I appear to you. Iam not a boy, tut a girl!--he daughter of thal man, God! what next?’ cried Owens, his face rofound astonishment, profound fell upon the party, “Great the very picture of _A silence dee and the scene ) e an oraeie tow paces of the silent, awe stri By God! it is Old Jack, our guide!’ cried Tom Woolson, starting toward the horseman. But the horse, seeming to take fright at the sound of his excited voice, whirled and dashed away over the plain, its silent rider swaying to and fro, helpless, voiceless--dead ju the saddle} — : . : CHAPTER VIII. AN ANGEL OF MERCY. Ir was so ordained that the life of Zulima Owens and of her friend, Kitty Lane, was not to perish in the treacherous river, for at the last moment, when tue world was fading from Zulima’s view—uncon- sciousness was coming to save her from the horrors of the rising waters, her ears were greeted by the plash of a paddle in the river, The sound acted like magic on her failing senses, and starting up she gazed around her, Her eyes fell upona canoe de- scending the stream but afew yards away. Its oc- cupant was 4 young girl fair of face and form—one to whom Zulima instinctively felt that she could ap- peal in her distress, and stretching out her hands she cried out: ‘Help! help! we are sinking in the sand!” “Oh, how dreadful!” cried the fair stranger, as with quick strokes of the paddle she swung her light bark canoe alongside the coach, on the up- stream side. ‘* What does this mean?” she then asked. “Our driver was slain by tho Indians, and our team ran away and plunged into the river. The poor beasts are drowned, and we are sinking,” Zuli- ina replied, her pretty face white with terror. “Then itis well for you that I happened here,” said the girl in the boa ; “ come, step into my boat, and I willtake you ashore.” Placing Dare Devil Dick’s revolver in her pocket, Zulima, followed by Kitty, who had recovered from her’swoon, stepped out of the coach into the boat and seated themselves. Then the stranger pushed away from the vehicle, swung out into current and headed for the shore. Now that she was, for the time being, out of danger, Zulima had an Upportanity to look upou her rescuer and study her fair, strange face, She saw that she was a young girl of perhaps sixteen, with eyes end hair as black as midnight, and fcatures and complexion of unmistakable Spanish type. She was dressed in a neat and tidy frock reaching a lit- tle below her knees. Her feet and limbs were in- cased in buckskin moccasins and leggings fancifully wrought in figures with various-colored beads. On her head was a jaunty little straw hat banded with a broad blue ribbon, It required but a few strokes of the paddle to carry the boat to the shore, and as it slowly swung ane against the bank the dark-eyed beauty asked: ‘Now, girls, where do you go?” “God only knows!"’ answered Zulima, sadly, ** Where co you belong?—what is your name?” “My name is Zulima Owens, and my friend's Kitty Lane. where along the Cheyenne, And now may I ask to whom we are indebted for our rescue?” ~ “Inez Bienville, T live in asecluded home up the river, and you will be welcome to go back with me, and remain there until you know where to find your friends. Ifthe Indians are abroad they would be sure almost to get you.” “My dear friend,” said. Zulima, **I presume our vem safe course will be to accept your kind invita- on. } “Then we had better not tarry here,’’ answered Inez, and dipping her paddle tho little craft began to creep through the water, : rey discussed the surrounding dangers as the moved along, and the indifferent manner in whic Inez seemed to treat the matter of Indian troubles awakened no little surprise in the breasts of her two F spiel \ After journeying perhaps half a mile the river bank began to rise in rough and precipitous bluffs, whose. fagades were covered with brush and creep: ing vines, being crowned with a growth of stunted pine and hemlock. Another half-mile ‘and they came to where the river, narrow and deep, swept between two towering bluffs that rose ; traight up from the water’s-edge. The sides oe the river were draped with a confused mesh of vines that trailed their green festoonery down into the stream, giving the place a wild and romantic appearance, ‘**My home,” explained Inez, pointing to the right bluff, ‘is in yonder great hill, I know it will sur- prise you when you enter it.” “Then it is.a cavern?” asked Zulima, : “Yes, but ents ly the work of man. We éa)l it the ‘dug-out,’’’ and a smile passed over the girl's face, ‘though the true name of t.e place is the Hidden Home.” . “Do your father and mother dwell there with you?” Zulima queried, as the many stories of caverns and outlaws that she had heard came troop- ing up imsher mind, To her surprise Inez made no response to her question, but turning her boat, ran in under the towering bluff, and the next moment they came to a halt in a cavern at the foot of a stairway leading up into the hill. Seizing the end of a small rope, Inez gave it a slight pull, and the far-off tinkle oc a bell came faint- ly to their ears, A few moments later a dim light in the hands of a fat negress glared down into their faces from the top of the steps, and a voice asked: . ‘Dat you, Miss Inez?”’ “Yes, Ruth, and I have brought some company with me, Come on down with the light.” “Great Loré! Company? What de ole massa—”’ began Ruth, as she came waddling down the steps: byt her words were cut short by Inez, who ex- ed: “ Hurry along, Aunt Ruth, with the light; these girls are tired and hungry, I know.” ve -“*Gals, did ye say? Wal, I declar’, honey!” the negress exclaimed, as she stopped on the lower step We belong to a colonist train some-- ness and dexterous skill as a | only by calling this skill into ee ee and looked into the faces of the two girls; “whar on earth you find dem, honey?” “Down the river in ping from the boat and assisting her guests to on the broad, stone steps; “but now you van l-ad the way with tne light, Ruth,” ‘Wal, I jist swan, honey!" decided the negress, ag she turned and started up the stairs, ** dey’s jist as purty as picters, ar’n’t dey?” After climbing two flights of steps, which Zulime. saw had been dug in the hard earth, they came to a door through which they passed intu a spacious room. “Now, Ruth,” commanded the young mistress of the Home, ‘you want to tf pad us something to eat, guick as you can, and bring it to my room.’ ‘**Y¥es—honey;” replied the negress, panting like a porpoise, from her exertions in ascending the stairs, ‘jis’ soon—as I can—git my bref goin’—ag’in,” nez conducted her guests into a room thet was evidently her own private apartment, It had a window looking out over the river, though concealed front without by the trailing vines, that admitted pire air and sufficient light. It was comfortably urnished for an isolated cavern home, and to the two maidens there was something savoring of ro- mantic mystery about the apartment, the Hidaen Home, and its inmates. Having seen her guests comfortably seated, Inez excused herself and left the room, Zulima and Kitty discussed their situation, the evils they had passed eb aud the probable ate in store forthem. And the longer they dwelt upon the mystery surrounding the Hidden Home the more restless they became, until they finally worked themselves into the belief that the place was th» retreat of outlaws. To set their minds at rest upon this matter. the resolved to ask Inez as soon as she returned, not- withstanding she had once eyaded a direct question regarding her home and friends, and had stopped old Ruth, who was about to make rome disclosure as to her master, Tt was nearly an hour, however, before Inez re- turned, and when she aid, she brought with her on a wooden tray some nicely cooked viands, which she spread on alittle, low shelf, and then turning to her guests, said: “Girls, I know you are hungry. Such es ourhome affords I have brought you, and I hope you will now sit up and partake freely and heartily.’ The maidens did not wait for any further cere- mony, for the presence of the tempting viands — sharpened their gnawing bunger, and they moved up to the shelf and ate what, to them, seemed the most savory and delicious repast they had ever en- joyed. After they had been refreshed, and old Ruth had cleared away the dishes, Inez sat down and enter-. ed into conversation with them, Zulima watched for an opportunity to carry vut her resolution to question Inez about her home and friends; but Inez led the conversation co adroitly, it seemed, that her ruert could not broach tve subject uppermcst in er mind without doing so abruptly and in a way that she feared might convey the idea of suspicion, and thereby offend her hostess, who had been so kind to her and Kitty. Zulima again narrated the story of her and Kit- ty’s adventure in the coach, the attempted rescue by the young ranger, the last of whom she had seen as he sunk bencath the waves in the river, r “Did you ascertain his pame, Zulima?” asked nez, “No: but IT believe it was the same visited us as a ‘cowboy’ when we were in camp on the Missouri.”’ a “It must have been Dare Devil Dick,’’ Inez averred, with some pgitation, which did not escape the r otice of the girl. ; “Ob, I hed almost forgotten,” Zulima suddenly exclaimed, “ that I have his revolver which he toss- ea “Ge the coach when he rode up alongside. Here Inez took the revolver and examined it, A cry burst from her lips. Sbe turned and looked wildly at Zulima, “jt is Dare Devil Dick's!” she said. ‘ His name is upon it.” eit 0 you know the young ranger, Inez?” asked “yp have seen him,’’ she replied; “he is a brave, handsome and gallant youth.” “Poor fe low!” said Zulima, sadly. ‘‘T am afraid he met his death in his effort to save us.” Her words seemed to affect Inez deeply.. She stood silent and thoughtful fur several moments; then turning to her guests, said: . : ‘Girls, 1 must esk you to excuse me again, I may be absent an hour, and perhaps more, ‘Should ‘ou want anytbing call Aunt Ruth, who will be in @ adjoining room.” So saying, she left the room, and in doing yo she ee Aiea peraree more deeply — ever n th e at a strange myste u over and around the Hidden Hone. hiaealit as Me ~ CHAPTER IX. A TERRIBLE SURPRISE, To return to Dare Devil Dick, The moment the yo ranger clinched with his antagonist on the top cf the coach he found he had no mean foe to combrt. In fact, he found the sup- posed savage was a white man in disguise—a man of ‘ great strength and activ ity. Dick himself was Hered. for his strength, supple- wrestler and it wag ) ay that he prevented the renegade from overpowering him with his great + weight and brute force at the beginning of the erson who w distress,”’ replied Inez, step: ue
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| ¢ i i: 4 u t ,. > 1 struggle, He found that he could only act ig 4 the ' defensive, and while he dare not relea,e a hand to draw a weapon, be made it his aim to prevent the renegade from drawing his. The sudden ferry of the coach into the river, however, ended the struggle, whose determination otherwise would have been exceedingly doubtful. Both were thrown violently forward, striking upon their heads against the dash-board; then, rol ing off the vehicle, their heads again struck with full force on the left fore-wheel of the coach, stunning them 80 as to break their holds. - Dick had just consciousness enough left to realize that he was in the river, but had scarcely strength _ sufficient to batile with his new enemy, the waves, and the result was that he was carried rapidly down the stream. But he finally succeeded in getting ashore, Just how he managed to do so he never knew. On his bands and knees he crept into a ‘clump of bushes, and there he sunk down exhaust- ed, unconscious. And there he lay, he knew not how long, but the first thing of which he hgcame conscious was of afireraging withinhim. His head, Rt cee too, it seemed, was being gradually crushed between if iron jaws. Hecould not remember where he was. All was blinding confusion and torture, He tried to rise, but was helpless, and every effort only added fuel to the fire that was consuming him. He saw now and then a great cloud pass over him. He heard the sharp rustle of wings and the snarl and ‘rowl of a beast. And suddenly he saw a dark and mpish thing hovering over him. He could feel the wind from its winnowing wings in his face. He closed his eyes to shut out the sight of the hovering vampire. As he did so, he felt something heavy alight upon his breast. He opened his eyes, A huge black bird, with a naked coral neck, was perched upon him. It was a vulture, A low cry escaped the youth’s lips. The great bird quickly spread its somber wings and arose aloft in the air. Then with a mighty effort Dick rose upon his el- bow. As he did so, he heard the flapping of many wings. He looked around and saw a dozen vultures rising into the air and a snarling wolf go loping off into the bushes. Then within ten feet of him he saw a human form lying bloating in the sun and bearing the despoiling marks of wolf and vulture. Yet there was enough of the features of the dead left for Dare Devil Dick to recognize in them his late antagonist, the renegade. With this discovery Dick’s senses began to come back to him, and soon a!l became tolerably clear to his mind. The flying ¢ ach, the face of the maid- ens, the conflict on the vehicle, and the puke into the river—all passed in quick succession through his brain, and it was with no little relief that he found. his antagonist—who, strangely as it seemed, had crawled ashore at his side—was forever powerless to oD per: oe - . ck fin rose to a sitting posture and passe hand over his face to find tc ecru’ with ploods His hair, too, he found stiff with blood that Fathead from a wound on the head received in his fall from the coach. His brain was on fire, and there was a fearful burning within his whole frame, He was so weak from the loss of blood that he could - not rise to his feet, but he managed to crawl down to the river where he slaked his thirst and bathed his brow—washed the blood from his face and head. This treatment greatly allayed his fever, and he: be- gan to feel stronger. . The vultures wheeled and circled high in the heavens and their companion of old, the skulking so gibbered on the plain, loth to give up their feast, bey Aang water's edge, Dick continued bath- neyo he was startled by a sound in the river above him, He turned his head and glanced up the stream, He saw a canoe standing on the waves. It contained a siagle occupant whom he recognized as Inez Bienville—one he had met in that vicinity be- fore—always on the river in her boat—a strange, ' hess os beg girl—a veritable water-nymph. bh Raising his hand he beckoned the. girl to ap- proach, and the moment he did so, she sipped her paddle and sent her craft flying through the water toward him. “Oh, sir!’’ she exclaimed as she drew near, ‘you are Dare Devil Dick!” “Yes, what's left of me, my fair friend,” replied the ranger, - “Tam glad to find xou alive,” Inezsaid: ‘*‘ WhenI saw those telltale vu -in the air, | was almost afraid to advance. But I see the cause of their presence in that lifeless form lying there.” “Then you knew I had been burt, Inez?” tz ‘Yes, sir, I heard of your danger through those girls whose lives you endeavored to save.” ** Are they alive? did they eseape?”’ *“ T rescued them from the sinking coach, and took care of them,” “You are an angel of mercy, Inez.”’ t “No, Iam but human, Dare Devil Dick, and have ‘done nothing more than any woman would have done under like circumstances, I thank you for the compliment. But, sir, you are weak from your wounds; let me help you isto my boat, and I will take you to 2 place of safety.” : “Tam only to glad to accept of youre kindness,” he replied, as he rose to }is feet, and then, with the guts assistance, stepped into the canoe and seated The next moment they were gliding up the river, and as they proceeded along Dick studied the face of the fair girl with a deep interest, wondering to himself who she really was, for, although he had met her several times in that vicinity—always in her boat on the river—he felt certain that there was some secret mystery connected with her life. _ 2 #4. SS ee eS Se eee eee strange emotion that welled up from her young = . only knew my band was well and ae Hercules, the Dumb Destroye Before they nad reached the entrance to the Hid- den Home the shadows of night were gathering, but despite the darkness Inez found her way with per- fect ease to the toot of the subterranean stairway. A pull of the bell-rope soon brought down Old Ruth with a light when Dare Devil Dick was assisted up the steps and conducted into a room remote from that occupied by Zulima and Kitty. The place was lighted with a tallow dip. The walls around were hung with the skins of various animals that gave the | place a novel and picturesque as well as comfortable | appearance. The apartment was rage a bed- room, for it contained nothing but a chair and a couch of furs and blankets. Dick's wounds were carefully dressed and ban- daged, Then a cup of tea, some broiled venison and warm bread was brought to him, and after he bad | | partaken thereof he was surprised at how much stronger he felt in both body and mind, ‘This is surely the home of the Good Samaritan,” he finally remarked, as something of his old-time spirit revived; “Iam very glad I found out where you live, Inez, for I have long been puzzled over the matter. Whose hidden home is this, anyhow?” “‘Ours,”’ the maiden replied, with a smile. “TI hope you are contented-and happy,”’ Dick re- plied, deigning not to notice her clever evasion. It was enough for him to know that he was under the care of so fair a being without prying into the guard- ed secrets of her life. When she had seen the young ranger resting com- | rh eg Inez and lwuth bid him good-night and re- | ired, Dick threw himself on the couch and gave way to reflection, He wondered where his followers were, and how the struggle between them and the Indians had ended—if their failure to come in search of him was evidence of their defeat. He also pondered over the es surrounding the Hidden Home. He knew that Black Diablo had a secret retreat some- where in the eres yet he always believed that it was in among the Hills up along the B: lle Fourche, But could he have been mistaken in that? Was the dark-eyed Inez the daughter of the Spanish outlaw chief, Black Diablo? Was he in the secret retreat of Black Diablo? He revolved these questions over and over in his mind, until he finelly fell asleep. Then in his dreams hé had many wi!d rides and fought over many of his old battles with Indian and outlaw, but amid these adventures and conflicts he was ever cheered on by | the presence of ‘a sweet, fair face—the face of | Zulima Owens. ; After leaving the ranger Inez visited her lady guests. She was received with expressions of joy and gladness. ‘ aa girls, how have you passed the time?’ she asked. : “ Very nicely, indeed, Inez,’’ Zulima r-plied. ‘‘ To | be sure we are uneasy and anxious about our friends and then we were a little frightened when just before sunset, we saw a hideous Indian standing on top of the opposite bluff looking this way." ** Indeed?” exclaimed Inez, betraying scme un- easiness. ‘* Yes; but I know he did not see us, for the vines cover the window so effectualiy.” * But he may have discovered the river entrance, Zulima; but then I will not borrow any trouble—it comes to one without going efter it,’’ Inez said, in a philosophical way. ‘The three girls conversed toge her until late in the night, but never ones did nz allude to Dare Devil Dick, or the fact that he had b: en rescued. Finally, when it came time for retiriog, the young hostess bid her friends good-night and left the room, Then Zulima and Kitty undressed themselves and laid down upon the couch and talked themselves to sleep. , When they awoke faint beams of light were shin- ing in at the window. A new day had dawned, and rising, they dressed, themselves, Old Ruth brought them water, a basin and towel. After they had ar- ranged their toilet their breakfast was brought in by the negress. They ate with a keen relish. ) An hour or 89 after breakfast_Inez made her ap- | rance in the room, followed by a man whose | head was bandaged and whose face was pale and . laggard, * Good-morning, girls,’ exclaimed Inez, greeting | eech with a kiss, then turning half around she said | “Dare Devil Dick, allow me to introduce you to Zu- lima Owens and Kitty Lane.” A little orm of joyous surprise burst. from the lips ae ae aene ti doapete: ae pale face and ' ead, recognize e young ranger who had biked his life for them in the youth before hem. : “IT believe we haye met before, ladies,” said Dick, bowing politely. . ie “Yes,” replied Zulima, her lips aquiver with a ‘and I am truly glad that we have been per- mitted to meet again, after passing through the or- | deal we did. Your face tells me that you were wounded,” ; “Yes, indeed, and had it not been for our fair | hostess I am afraid I should have perished—died on the river-bank,” . “Then she rescued you, too?” said Zulima; “* Inez, why didn’t you tell us this before?’’« *{ wanted to surprise you,” replied Inez, with a smile. : “* You have succeeded, [ assure you,” declared Zu- a, “Indeed she'has,” affirmed Dick; “and now if I alive I could rest a ‘ perfectly contented.” ; s 3 And it is 20 with us regarding our friends,” said 2 Zulima, ‘‘ for we think we are perfectly secure here in the home of our Good Samaritan.” Thus the conversation ran on for some time be- tween Zulima and Dick; and Inez, who was an in- terested as well as flattered listener, saw that a vigs- ible change had come over the spirits of the two young people since their meeting—a_ change that could only come from the recesses of the heart. The two hours passed rapidly, pleasantly, and ye! Old Ruth came in and said: . Tf yer please, Missus Inez, dinner am ready.” “My friends,” said Inez, rising, ‘I told Ruth to spread the table so that we could all dine together, so come, all of you.” She led the way followed by her guests into a Jong, spacious room lighted with tallow dips. The table was set in the center cf the apartment and was well filled with such food and wil! fruit as the country afforded, including fresh fish done to 4 royal brown. ; - Seating themselves the little party began their re- past, during which Di.k kept up a pleasant conver- s,tion. The meal was nearly finished when Old Ruth sud- denly threw up her hands and with eyes staring wildly at some object cf terror, cried out:- “Oh, Lor’. Missus Inez! look dar! look dar!’ a Ugh !’ It was the grunt of a savage. Instantly every eye turned in the direction whenee the last sound came, when, to their terror and sur- prise, they beheld a hidcovsly printed Indian warrior standing in the d orway at the head cf (he stairs lead- ina den to the river ! A ery burst from the lips of t! e terrified girls, but all the old-time courage of Dare Devil Dick quick! asserted itself, He drew from his pocket the revol- ver which Zulima Lad returned to him, and wae ready to defend his and his friends’ lives. But at this juncture the savage stepped aside into the room and another painted demon appeared in the door- way, and was followed by another and still another, until et least a score of the bloodthirsty wretches had entered and aligned themselves Cown tre end and side of the rcom facing the wounded ranger and the speechless, terror strickox Wwoiitn, “Don’t raise that pistol. youngster,”’ warned the leader, who was a white man in disguise, “or you'll be hacked into fish-bait, Don’t attempt to rise off that seat, sir, either, or you'll get yer head clipped open,”* ; are Devil Dick sat motionless, clutching his re- volver, with his burning eyes fixed upon the leering savages, whose consciousness of superior power and assured triumph had transformed them into smil- ing, eres devils. ‘Lord, warriors!” the renegade ¢xclaimed. witha cunning, impudent grin at the terror-stricken girls, _ | ‘this are a reg’lar den 0° rty name’s White Elk, But te ‘© ‘round, but mebb: "ll fiud some chucked fway somewhar h: re. Come cver ere, birdie, and give me a kiss.” © ‘ This last was addressed to Zulima; but quickly Dare Devil Dick, whom it seemed the foe vet recognized with lis pale face and bandaged ead, fixed his burning ey: s on the renegade chief, and said: “Don’t you dare to tcuch that girl, or you die!” : ** Whoo-ee!” exclaimed the renegade chief. with q sneer; “the young squaw-face talks I'ke a warrior, But that quakin’ wench there is more dangerous, There's no intimidation—no_skeer here, boy. and you'll find it so if ye, go to foolin’ with us. “Wo're not here for our peste , but on business, What's hind that curtain?” pre he apace: the renegade advanced a’ong the end of the room, and ote curtain f cloth that ex- tended lengthwise of the room, disclosed another apartment beyo 4d, ets as large as the one the were in; but he aw nothing therein. Not satisfied, however, he took one of the candles and looked jn again, but found onl bare walls. em Replacing the light, he took his place at t! e head of the warriors, end said: ‘Now, young man, I want to know whose ranch ie ?? OS Gon't know,” was the curt answer. Don't know, and one of its inmates . Youngster, here; I'll give you two min swer m question, and if you fail, ll bore you right through ugh.” and ou. ot my answer,” replied the undaunteq youth, with flashing eye; “shoot, if you dare!” Ugh? nted a savage, addressing the chief, White Elk; “ Ingin’s eyes uot good—me think that Dare ee Dick,’ and the red skin ti rust his finger out at the ranger. ¢ “By my bones I believe rat right. Fox-Eyes,” responded the chief, closely serutinizng the face of the boy. ‘Say, ar’n't ye Dare Devil. Dick, in here for repairs? J'll give you jest sixty seconds to answer.” Before the youth could reply, in case he intended to do so at all. the cord eupporiing the curtain par. tition behind him was cut at each end by a knife in an unseen hand, and as the fabric droped to the ground, the light fell upon the forms of a dozen or more armed men drawn up in line, with the giant scout, Dumb Hercules, standing at the bead! An exclamation invountarily burst from the lips of the startled red-skins. Dare Devil Dick glanced behind him at the men who had been so silently Pi he up, as it seemed, from the darkness, and to his profound astonish- ment and joy saw that a dozen of his own brave fol- lowers stood at his back. And the moment he made this discovery, he turned to the renegade, White Elk, and said; i and : * Yes, villain, I ain Dare Devil Dick!" % } TO a had not j ay : , sy i PG
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| h ne mg SR ee struck a lick in their CHAPTER X. THE HUNTERS HUNTED. Warre ELx and his savages were more surprised by the presence of Dumb Hercules and the rangers than had been Dick and the women by the sudden coming of the red-skins, In speechless silence the two lines of foes stood paring at each other like tigers at bay. In the d of each savage was clutched a tomahawk, The right hand of each of the whites was held at his back, grasping a cocked revolver, Dare Devil Dick soon took in the situation and measured the relative strength of each side. The odds were against him and his friends, but th: y held the advantage in that the low ceiling of the room would prevent a free use of the savages’ toma- hawks while the rangers could handle their revol- vers with all their deadly skill.’ Fifteen feet separated the two lines. Dick still sat at the table, half-way between. The giris, white with terror, had risen and were huddling together in one end of the room—their eyes fixed, their lips quivering, and their forms wrembling with convulsions of fear, ‘**A calm before the storm.” He looked straight at the renegade as he spoke. A sneer passed over the savage’s face, and a low, potinzal exclamation broke from the lips of his fol- owers, “It seems that this is a case_of hunters being hunted,” said one of the rangers; *‘ but Ill swear, Dick, we’re glad to see you alive again, for we'd been mourning you as a goner since we found your hat floating on the bosom of the Cheyenne—” “See here,” broke in White Elk, ina tone of forcrd courage, “‘you fellers*can talk that over hereafter with the devil. Now, all l’ve got to say is for you to surrender ” Asmile passed over the face of Dare Devil Dick while the lips of Dumb Hercules were seen to curl with scorn, “On what terms will you accept our surrender?” asked Dick, as he sat with his arms resting on the ' table, his revolver still in plain view ot the foe. 8 aig lay down your weapons,”’ said the rene- gade, “ And then?” **March out into that room.” “ Well?’ “Then you Serge our way.” ‘Very fair, indeed,” replied Dare Devil Dick; “! but Pes) on what terms do you want to surrender OWR ' “Dare Devil Dick,” snarled the renegade chief, “you can talk bold, but you cannot play the game “4a bluff. You are run to your hole, and you know t. : “On what terms, I’say,”” demanded the youth, emphasizing his words witha rap of-his revolver- button the table, ‘‘ do you feel disposed to surrender to us?” : ; : “We have no terms to make with an inferior foe,” answered the renegade, betraying a little nervous- ess. We will give you just two minutes to surrender or leave this place,” said the young ranger, in a tone with no uncertain meaning—that could not be mis- understood by the foe. Inez sta as Dick uttered the words. She saw that the storm was about to burst forth, and taking Zulima and Kitty by the arms drew them out into an oi! get room, saying; x my dear young friends! a terrible fight is unavoidable, and | am doubtful of the result! As Dick spoke a convulsive shudder seemed to move the forms of the savages. Their eyes began to glitter with a more snakish glow, and their forms settled slightly, like crouching tigers preparing for "6 wages | went by. Every man seemed to hear ne minu 7 : 2 cl his own heart wenting so deep and painful was the silence and suspense. Dare “Devil ick sat coolly toying with his revol- ver—a grim smile on his face, and his eyes fixed upon those of the chief. : Finally. when the two minutes were nearly up, wine Hic broke a a by. saying: : * You dare n re!” - Searcely had the words fallen from his lips' when Pare Devil Dick’s revolver went off, as if by acci- dent, and White Elk staggered forward, clutching rn the table, then poe down lifeless with a bullet-ho e his forehead. — : —, the dull, pent-up roar of the rangers weapon had Makchelt Get extremities of the Hidden Home, ten more revolvers rung out and half of the savage line melted down oer bry e ena - ng upon their lips—ere ti arpa Pep detoaer: tine - ore fel pom ad the advantaga been shifted from the sav Sha ath but with the desper. tion of maddened demons, the red-skins rushed upon their foe. Then followed a struggle unequaled in its fury. To get at the rangers the savages were compelled 10 cross the room. The table and chairs were be- sween them, and in their advance these were over- turned with a crash, The lights were putout, and in the darkness the battle. The erack of re- volvers. the yells of the savages, the dull crash of f bodies, the sodden blows of the heavy blud- geon in the hands of Dumb Hercules were all blended in one infernal din that fairly shook the great hill— echoing and rebounding back and forth from cham- ber to chamber—growing in intensity until it seemed the very cavern must be rent asunder by the pent- uproar, — oe ; ‘ t only for a moment did the st e last. Aisi} the Aaekeeee * mae ness and the stifling fumes of sul- -phureou smoke that pervaded the: 1, the conflict Suded as suddenly as it had begun, | Boys, Lam ready for the A silence, broken only by the groans of the wound- ed and dying, succeeded the fury of the conflict. A few moments later a light in the hand of Dumb Hercules appeared in the chamber of death, reveal- ing a horrible and ghastly sight. The rangers, or those who had not fallen, still stood in line with drawn revolvers, but not a single savage faced them, but lyirg upon the floor and across chairs, and piled upon each other lay three-fourths of the late exultant band of red-skins, dead, dying and wounded. : Two ofthe rangers lay dead with cloven heads, and two others were wounded quite seriously and a few slightly. : As soon as he realized that the victory was theirs, Dare Devil Dick, followed by Dumb Hercules, hur- ried into the room where the girls were seen to go. To their surprise, however, they found the maidens were not there. With a look of uneasiness upon his face Dumb Hercules led the way with a light from room to room of the Hidden Home in search of them. The silent man seemed familiar with the place, and Dick was led to believe that he had been there before, if he was not really its master. ; In the last room they visited they found Old Ruth huddled in a corner shaking with terror, ** Oh, bress God!” she cried at sight of the giant and the boy, *‘ you's not been killed, has you?” ‘ No, Ruth,” replied Dick, ** we whipped the In- grins, and drove away those we did not kill. But, Ruth, where are the girls? Do you know?” ‘Done gone to de Cave ob Refuge.” “The Cave of—’’ began the young ranger, but here Dumb Hercules plucked him aside and motion- ing him to follow, led the way from the room, They were absent perhaps twenty minutes when they re- turned pale and excited. : “*Men!’’ cried Dare Devil Dick, “‘our victory has got to be won again. More desperate work than everis before us. The three girls that were in this room just before the fight commenced fled in terror from this cavern, and endeavoring to gain another, were captured by a band of savages and outlaws waiting without, and are now being borne away into captivity that will be i Worse than death, e!”? And we are ready to follow!” shouted one of the rangers, Whose words were taken up and repeated by each and all, CHAPTER XI. THE SILENT HORSEMAN. So terrified was Inez Bienville and her two fair guests, Zulima and Kitty, by the awful dia on the conflict between the savages and the rangers, that death seemed inevitable to all should they remain in the cavern, and turning to her friends, Inez said: _ Girls, come, let us flee to the Cave of Refuge, another cave on the opposite side of the rivert ‘It will be death to stay here!” _ Without reply, Zulima and Kitty followed her, She led the way out of the room apd down the stairs to where she found, to ber surprise, three canoes lying in the water. One of these was her ye a ane reer Rit: pr cumbersome crafts —she knew at a glance belongid to the savages who had invaded the Hidden I Tome: ee : The three bo3ts lay side by side, the bark canoe the furthest away. Stepping across from one to the other, Inez reached her own boat, and had just sea ed herself, when a rush of feet was hard coming down the steps. The next moment the form of a fleeing savage leaped across the two boats and Janded in hers, rocking. it so violently as to almost throw her overboard. Before she could regain her seat, the paddle was tag from her hand, and tue boat sent gliding out into the river; A cry burst from the girl’s lips, for she saw she was & captive in the power of a hideous savage. She rose to her feet, and would have leaped over- board had the savage not seized her and pulled her down with brutal violence. The savage pulled rapidly down the stream, ar had gone but a short distance, when Inez be- held one of the other hoats glide from the cavern, containing threo savages, in whose power were Zulima and Kitty. 2 That the enemy had been victorious in the conflict Inez had not a doubt, She never dreamed that she was in the power of one of the few rerl-skins that had a from the deadly conflict in the cavern, else her heart would not have sunk hopeless and desponding in her breast. The savages with Zulima and Kitty turned up the stream, and soon disappeared from sight, . Tnez's captor put ashore a short distance below the Hidden Home and.on the bank they were met by a white man whose face was all aglow with tri- umph and admiration. “Bully for our side, red-skin:"" he exclaimed. as he glared upon Inez with a repulsive smile, ‘* the presence of that lovely captive tells me you were victorious.”’ “Waugh!"’ ejaculated the Indian excitedly; “ In- gins nearly all git killed—revolvers of pale-face too many—Silent Death there—so Dare Devil Dick, and his bravyes—White Elk killed—all kill-d but three— four—we flee—run on white girl in boat—bring her captive—no stay here long—rangers come!” While this news revived Inez’s hopes it struck fear to the heart of the outlaw, who, turning, said: “ Hawk-Nose, hurry elong the captive, and let us mount and rattle out for the bills,” _. } Inez was conducted over a ridge of wooded bluffs into a little valley, where an Indian warrior was in cha ge of six horses. She was at once given to un-. derstand that she must ride on- of the horses, and that if she refused, she weuld be tied in the saddle. Rather than suffer such treatment she quietly sub- mitted to her fate, and allowed the outlaw to assist a ; her into the saddle of White Ells, who was no longer in need of it. Then the renegade and the two savages mounted their horses, and with their captive and two rider- ~~ less horses, set off at a gallop toward the west, The Indian who had captured Inez, and the rene- gade, talked as they rode along about the seeret cavern, the surprise that they had met there, and their bloody defeat, Inez, however, had not a doubt but that some of her friends had fallen in the con- flict, and the faces that came up in her mind, as yrobably lying cold in death, where those or Dumb ercules and Dare Devil Dick, whom she knew to Le especial objects of savage } atred and vengeance. For several hours the four rode briskly onward at a steady gait. Their way lay over a rather broken a een stretch of prairie, dotted here and there wit a motte of scrubby timber. the brow of a little knoll. one of the savages uttered alow i Teer and pointed off to the left, where, at the distance of half a mile, a horseman was in view, his eyes fixed upon the horseman; “as true as my name's Wolf-Face Bill, ihat’s thet Silent Hossman the boys hev been chasin’ all day.” Inez took the horseman in question for an Indian. head was bare. His horse was walking round and round in a circle of small compass, as though its reins were fast to something. ‘Who Silent Horseman?” asked an Indian. . “It’s Old Niobrara Jack, the gentleman that’s: guidin’ the Owens train to its destination, He’s a stiff, now, as he ventured too far from camp, and I. put up a job on him.” . True enough, this outlaw and renegade call’ng him. self Wolf-Face Biil—and there was an appropriate- Jack, Colone] Owens's guide. But not satisfied with this, the body was taken, placed in the saddle on hia; bolt-upright position, Then, to conceal the ropes. end thongs that bound the corpse— as if to make the. spectacle all the more gbastly and horrible—a,. blanket was wrapped arownd the lifeless form, and. the’ horse turned Jose to wander back tocamp. It: was the ghoulish trick of a being in whose breast. every sense of humanity was dead. But a day or- sO adler the death of the guide, it became rumored possessed the most remarkable horse for speed and; endurance on the plains of Dakota. This made one- and all desirous cf possessing the animal, and it: had been chased for hours at different times by In-. dians and outlaws, with its silent rider upon its; back, but so far bad eluded capture, that hvuss's reins have catched and twisted round a there cautiously and easy, you may git the fastest. hoag that ever boxed sod in the Pelle Fourche val ey.” “Me go,” said the Indian, slipping from the back of his horse. ‘*Lead the hess up here with his rider if him,” said Wolf-Face; ‘‘ but I reckon the old cuss 1s 8 D*ilin? afore thig time, for he’s heen ‘cead now two ays, Pa ers heart grew sick at this revolting talk. It told her how merciless and brutal.was the wretch into whose power the Indian had surrendered her. Hawk-Nose started cff on foot toward the Silent Horseman, Wolf-Hace watched him with the deep- cure the horse, he exclaimed: with litthe anit $8 caught on a sagebrush, and the animal perp around had twisted it fast, The face of the silen rider was bent downward, the chin touching the pete, The mouth was partly open, the ey: sclosed. he long, disheveled hair was tumbled abcut the head and fac in wild disorder, : Leating the animal the ravage started toward his friends, As he approached them, Wolf-Fece 1e- marked: o “He sets up purty squar’ for a dead cuss—ar’n’t bloated a bit, either, ckon he’s dryin’ up into a mummy!” Inez could not see the face of the silent rider, it hung so low on his breast. His }ands and arms, as well as his entire body, were enveloped in the blan- ket around him. Tare, 2 ; Within ten feet of the three the Indian came to a halt with the ghastly rider and his trembling, terri- fied horse. Wolf-Face rode alongside the tilent man, end was in the act.ef pulling the drooping bead uyrip ht when the blanket that enveloped his form was suddenly thrown back, the head of the Silent Horseman was ‘lifted, his hands were extended—each clutchirg a revolver, and before any one had time for a thought the weapons were discharged, one into the face of the outlaw, arother into the face of the savege on foot, and with saree of mortal agony both ontlaw and red-skin fell dead, Then before the third sav- age could act there was another report, and he fell =“ his horse shot through the heart. before she could u ie there, pone oes ‘Tm Skylark Sa _“ There, you're safe, my gal! I’m | ; Sam, Border Detective and iene Moe hea; “Oh, sir!’ cried the eu , dead—thatyou were Old Niobrara Jack.” Lv : e. ye: ee - ta J a4 i Sipe 6% Se) erfect forests of sage brush. and now and then Finally, as they raised ~~ vile “Whoa!” exclaimed the renegade ashedrewrein, — His form was enveloped in a red blanket, and hia | ness in the name—was the man who had slain Old. own horse, and there securely propped and tied in a__ among the outlaws and Indians that Niobrara Jack sage-brush the way he acts, and if you'll go over. e catch est anxiety, and when he saw him approach and se~ — uick was all this done that Inez’s ecnfused. | mind could ie Nt Mae ape the situation, ard . ter a word the supposed lifeless: © “*they said you were *¢ . oly 4 +, ve Hawk-Nose,” said Wolf-Face Bill, “I believe ; x shy A Hawk-Nose! he’s got the hoss and the, | ‘Old stiff.’ : : . True enough, the savage had Stcured the horse | fer he found the rein bad ny ‘
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—~ Es “> g bt) { ce ee > ’ ‘ Fe} = ae 2 “ . pen EO had entered—leadin «. , Dick was re, : gapentery “J do not -_hopsned the fastnesses of the Black Hills, but _ “That's where they war mistaken, wer'n’t they? | Do youthink I’m adead man? Do I look as s.lent and corpse-like as I did? I'll admit this.is poor Old Niobrara’s horse. I caught the animal, took the dead man from its back, and gave him the best burial I could. When I see’d the three demons hur- rying off with you a captive, I mounted this critter and by a roundabout way gotin ahead of you, put the blanket ‘round me, fastened the hoss in a way they’d think war accidental, then tied myself ina way that'd fool ’em, and come dead on ’em in royal style. 1 knowed they war hankerin’ arter this hoss, and would go out o’ th» way to git him. Wal, the trap worked like things in a story-boo!, and here we are. As { said before, I’m Skylark Sam; who are you, little one?” ‘My name is Inez Bienville.”’ “Inez Bienville,” repeated the detective, reflect- ively; ‘by Josh! 1 dor’t know but what I want to havea little chat with you, Inez, but as 1 see a band o’ mounted Ingins comin’ down the valley we’d bet- ter put it off and canter along if you feel safe to trust me,” cy “Trust you? Sir, you have saved my life at the risk of your own,” said the maiden, ‘and Lam not afraid to trust myself in your care.” “Then let us be moving.” Side by side the two rode away toward the west. CHAPTER XII, IN THE TOILS OF BLACK DIABLO. To dress the wounds of the two rangers who were left in the care of Old Ruth in the Hidden Home, to bury the two that had fallen in the c: nflict, and re move the dead savages from the cavern, occupied all of two hours, when Dare Devil Dick and his rangers. accompanied by Dumb Hercules, left the cavern by a secret passage—the same by which they out on the side of the bluff, and set vut in pursuit of the savages, é F rst, however, they proceeded to a wooded hill about a mile distant, wherein Dumb Hercules and the rangers had left Colonel Owens, John Lane and ‘a number of the rangers in charge of the horses be- longing to the party. p : The presence of Dare Devil Dick was hailed with shouts of joy by those in the grove, for to them, like those that had-met him in the cavern, his coming was like one from the grave. ; To the two distracted fati.ers Dick broke the news of the gir!’s capture by the savages, notwithstanding their great victory over the band of \yhite Elk; and while they were rejoiced to know their children were alive, they thought perhaps that it might be better were they dead than in the power of the savages. The fall of four more of Dare Devil Dick's follow- ers left four more empty saddles, but the courage of the band never faltered, was restored to them, they registcre 1 a solemn vow io avenge their fallen comrades, oiced to learn that his horse had been recovered by his friends and was at hand, and in a few minutes he was once more in the saddle, leading the pursuit of the red s ins. ; No amount of persuasion eculd induce Dumb Her- cules to ri ‘e, but acting as emer he moved aloug on foot with rapid strides, his bead erect and his keen, rest'ees eyes ever On the alert. “That a is a strange man, col Devil , as side by side the two rode along. “Yes; back of his relentless war on the red-skin and outlaw,” replied the coloncl, “is a deep, dark and now that their leader onel,”’ said Dare i g Nemesis.” - ‘Then you have no doubt but that the secret re- treat in the river a is his home?” None whatever, Dick, else he could have known nothing of the secret ges leading to the place eee he en hite Elk and his band: oo ng.” : “Then who can be the gu that saved your dauzh- ter and ber friend, Inez jenville? Surely not his J ow—I have been unable fo find out much about him, more than that he is ahostina fight. a jhen there is another fellow — Skylark Sam— ‘*The Border Detective?” exclaimed Dick. kno w him?” “Weil, he’s another enigma—I believe all these bordermen are mysterious fellows,’’ and the colonet glanced at the Boy Ranger with a smile; “Sam came to our camp, and after rendering us come gal- lant service—in fact thwarted a cunning devil from spiking our cannon—he departed in a silent and un- known manner, and we haven’t heard from) him since, pe “ He'll turn up somewhere, colonel,’ replied Dick. ‘A border detective does a greac deal of mysterious work and little talking.’” Thus the two conversed as they zode sions. The trail of the savages was broad deep, and although they had some three hours the start, the “pursuers came in sight of them just b2fore night- { “Yes, the same. Do you ag) do ” all. Not until it was so dark that the trail could not be geen did the party come to # halt for the night. On ‘Jeavi g the immigrant camp on the Cheyenne they ‘bad taken supplies sufficient for several days’ needs, _and having lariated_ their animals out to grass, they ate their supper within the shadows of a clump of -trees—fearing to strike a light lesc it guide the’foe to ‘their bivouac. Jy the next morning they were in their saddles. A pe aey-* the trail, Phey had entertained high. overtaking the foe that da patores: er pointed, for the Indians had im- aoe ephey were disap My wus i Na the buzzards to villain, ~ ae : ‘No, indeed; we will march him to head-quarters | sceret that has made him wnat he is, a silent, aveng- Bg their advantages by traveling most of the t ihe savages were headed for the village of Sitting Bull, and unless overtaken before they reached that stropgbold the rescue of the captives would be be- yond the power of the little band of pursuers, But Dare Devil Dick and Dumb Hercules were not the men to falter in the tace of a single obstacle, and they urged a!l forward in hopes that extra speed would overcome the advantage of the toe’s night traveling. B: Wag = © . ‘inally :he foot-hills were reached, where extra recaution must be observed to avoid dangers iu am- ush and it was here that the skiil of Dumb Hercules as a scout and trailer Was shown io its best advan- tage. Moving onin advance of the horsemen, the tireless giant watched the trail closely, and after journeying perhaps twenty miles further, his worst fears were realized in that the trail divided—' he greater force going on westward and the smaller en- tering a path leading northwest. A halt wa3 made and a consultation held, From his knowledge of the topography of the hills, Dumb Hercules did not think the two parties would come together unless they did so within a few miles. ; ‘ It was suggésted that the pursuers divide their force and each party be fol.owed, but this the Silent Scout strenuously opposed. He thought the division of the enemy's force might be a trick to divide the force of the pursuers, and then by a sudden concen- tration of their numbers fall upon the divided ran- gers and crush them with overwhelming odds, The giant, however, concluded to follow the smell- er party a short distance alone, and if he saw that it passed beyond the point where it was possible for it to swing around and rejoin the main body, he would strike across the dividing ridge and meet his friends at a certain point seme miles up the pass. With this understanding they separated, the Dumb Scout moving rapidly away up the narrow defile, Hercules, the Dumb Destroyer. | | | | | | — ED and let him try his skill in the ‘ bear-pit,’”’ replied Black Diablo, — ‘* Bravo! bravo!’’ shouted his followers. “So, fall in, men, and we'll be off — forward, mareb!”’ And with this the band set off up the defile with their Silent Captive, wh» little dreamed of the fate to which he had been doomed, 2 CHAPTER XII. A LEAP OF A THOUSAND FEET! : A Lire, agile figure, clad in a suit of brekskin— half-savage and half-white—was gliding stealthily along-a mountain side, dodging from bush to reck and rock to bush like a fox, pausing ever and anon to watch the movements of a band of mounts d gav- ages coming up the pass below, having in their power two temale captives. The figure was that of a white man, with short, iron-gray hair, and a regular hézel thicket of stubby beard covering bis face to Lis very eyes. Under lis arm he carried a long object resembling a huge umbreila folded. He carricd no weapons that were visible, unless that cbject was one. With the rapidity of a hunted deer he kept on and on before the red-skins, yet keep ng out of sight of the lynx-eyed savagis. There were forty or fifty of the latter, who vere evidently making for their village in a little, park- like valley beck in the great bids. They were evi- dently a war-party returning from battle, Lut the number of riderléss hcises in their midst told of a fearful loss of friencs, For | ours they rode slowly on threugh the dark defile, while cn in advance all the while the figure 7. the mountain-side glided—never lcsing siglit of them. _ e- Finally the Indians halt, and some of them dis- mount, They appeared to hold a ccuncil of wer; then the two captive gitls are taken from tl eir sed- dles, when six warriors on foot begin to clin.b ihe while the rangers rodé on westward, deploying two | rugged lillside taking the captives with them. of their number in advance as scouts. Dumb Hercules had followed his trail perhaps two miles when he saw that the horse-tracks began to separate, This aroused his suspicions, and he drew an arrow from his quiver and carried it in his hand alongside his great bow. As he »dvanced the defile gradually widened and the bluffs on either side became taller and more een Clumps of trees and thickets of shrub- ery grew along the base of the bluffs, and suddenly from one of these on the right a voice called out: ** Halt, there!”’ The giant vod rea and as he fixed his arrow in the bow glanced in the direction whence that per- emptory command had come. But he saw no cne, * Surrencer, Sir Scout, or you’re a dead man!” This came from up the defile, and at the same moment three armed men with rifles at a trail ap- pears from behind a rock and advanced upon the scout. This advance Lo him was instantly followed by a horseman on the left who dashed from the sha- dows of some trees with a coiled lasso in his hand. Hercules saw that with all his precaution he had walked into a trap of the enemy, but determined to sell his life dearly he raised his great bow and sept an arrow tearing through tke breast of one of t'e three outlaws on foot. But at the same instant the noose of a lasso in the hand of the horseman fell about the scout’s form, pinioning his arms to his side and throwing him violently to the earth. Then from the bushes another man appeared, and running up to the fallen, struggling scout, threw the ee! mt of another rope around his neck and drew it taut, choking the giant until he grew black in the face and almost helpless. _ The next moment the shout of a dozen outlaws and Indians rung through the defile, as together the triumpLant villains rushed from their concealment and gathered ~~ the giant. By the time Dumb Hercules had recovered from his choking he was so peourely bound that he could scarcely move a finger. And to make assurance doubly sure the slip-noose had been left hanging about his neck to be used in case he should slip or break his bonds, or otherwise attempt to escape. The trap worked like a charm and although we didn’t catch as many as we'd expected, caramba! we got the biggest Roman of them all,” Thus spoke the man who had thrown the lasso with such skill. Dumb Hercules started at sound of his voice as though it had been the hissing *‘skirr” of aserpent, He glanced up at the man who sat in his sa holding the end of the rope encircling his neck. He was a dark-faced, sinister-looking wretch of perhaps forty years of age whose features told that he was a Spaniard, In fact, Dumb Hercules recognized him as the outlaw, Black Diablo, whose name had been synonymous wi'h outlawry and crime from Old Mexico to the head-waters of the Missouri. At sight of the villain’s brutal face Dumb Her- culés’s very soul seemed to become inflamed, and to conceal his emotion—to keep down the rising demon pt him, he turned his gaze from the outlaw chief, “He blushes at sight of you, captain,” said one of the jegrinen r * ; ‘ in ““ Ay, senor ”’ replied the Spaniard, ‘‘ you_will see him blush again before we aa enrodeh with him. Those tell-tale arrows of his found in the breasts of s0 many of cur men, fixes upon him a crime that deserves punishment by-as many deaths as he has slain friends of ours.” “Then you’re et wn to strin him up here for observed a@ tle, ferret-eyed | “Ha! ha!’ exclaims the strange scout en the hights above; ‘I see they're gittin’ cnéasy tor firr they'll lose their captives, ard are goirg to send them ‘cross-lctsto old Sittin’ Bull’s dog-town. Ob, by the great Zeladee! if there war thrce cr four more of me, 1’d light onto them six vaimints like a eyclone. Lut row. I'm et the cud of my lanat— ullo! the others are moyin’!” The mounted savages moved on up the yess. The scout remair ed in concealment until they |.ad passed by opposite bim. : For a moment he was in a brown stucy as to what he should do—follow the band or the six with the captives. In either case what cculd Le Co, loue- handed as he was? While this matter was being ccrsidered, be saw the savages come toa halt again. He saw mest cf em dismount. pinoge that cid ta fog On dekixg all the horses with them, while FPEers¢ into the shadows of the bushes and 1o0chs clag either side of the yass, ‘*Oho!” exclaimed the watcher, “that meers an ambush. by the bl ody Ssracens! Bvt wl ore tc be the victims? Can it be the friencs ef thim gals that are in pursuit? VW] take a pesish whaie | cen cperate myself, if necessary, and nip their liitle game in the bud.” So saying. he mceved on until he gained a peint where the mountain-side f ad suddenly bi con a per- yendiculer cliff, a thousand cr more feet in hight. from there he could command a view cf the piers for a mile below, and secreting Limeelf, he 1esclvcd to wait and watch, Between bim and the edge of the cliff a cin airen path ran, and he bad been in concealment but a few moments when he beard scmething ecmirg ercund the point of rccks below. Suppesing it vas 6 goat he gave it no further theught. At the same time he discovered a party _of horsemen ecraing into view down the valley, _ Feeling satisfied tiat they were the object of the Indian ambush above. be st« pped from his concealment with the intention of givin them the signal of danger. As he did so he fcun himself face to face with six Indians shesseching along the «imarzon path, who bad in custcdy the twe female captives, Zulima Owens and Kitty Lane! The man started s'ightly at sight .of them, but re- covering his composure with remarkable pri sence of ‘mind, he said: _ “Ho, my brothers! I greet you with jcy!” An exclamation of surprise burst frotmn the red- rae and their hands mechanically sought their girdles, n “ Who you, pale-face?” cne of them asked. “Jam the Hermit of the Hills,” replied the man; “the friend of the Sioux. I carry no gun—no knife —no tomahawk, My home is in the Lille—in the valleys— every where.” “What that?’ asked the dian, pointing to the long object under the hermit’s arm. c “That is my folding lodge—my /epee.” replied the man, edging around between the Indians and the edge of the precipice, close to the captives; * when night comes and the stars weep—wlLen the rain falls, this is my roof—my shelter—my t:pee, See, it opens that way,” and he opened the object es one cpens an umbrella, ‘and then TI stick this end into the und, or a crevice in the rock, and lo! I have a shelter. The Indians regarded the contrivance with fear andsuspicicn. It was on the principle of a huge umtrella, with a long, stout handle of light, tough wood. It was ered with canvas and song ced and guyed with ropes and cords reaching from the ends of the steel ribs to the lower end of the handle A sort of stirrup was attached to the bottom of the steff, and ‘a hand-hold up toward the top. Altogether it was, . @ =—" ree ~ nel
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te Scunueemnhdienanmeneretees “4” samme Ee a et _ Hercules. te the Indians, and the captives, too, in fact, an odd and singular contrivance for a portable hand-tent, as it were. One of the Indians arded it curiously for sev- eral moments after the hermit had explained its ad- vantages, then looking the operator square in the eyes, he said: ‘““Waugh! me believe you bad man—lie—Skylark Sam!"’ “The deuce you do!”’ quickly replied the unsaint- ly hermit; then, as he pointed down the valley, he asked: ‘* Who ure them fellers coming there?’ Bvery eye was instantly turned down the valley except those of the hermit, who, taking advantage of the diversion, touched Kitty Lane on the arm ia a significant manner. But bis movement did not escape the eye of oneof the neraces who gras his tomahawk and started toward the hermit. But, quick as a thought almost, the latter threw his left arm about the slender form of Kitty, and with his feet in the stirrup of his /epee (?) he poragcred back- ward and leaped over the edge of the cliff and shot downward with a rush into the black depths a thousand feet below! A wild scream of terror from Kitty's lips went trailing down, down into the black gorge, and was echoed and re-echoed in piercing shrieks among the rocks. With a cry Zulima rushed toward the edge of the recipice—drawn there by the irresistible fascina- on of terror—and but for the quick movement of a savage ia arresting her, would have thrown herself over the ledge. In fear and excitement the Indians now hurried their remaining captive away, believing that the hermit and the girl had been crushed into lifeless pulp below. But, in this never had red-skins been worse de- ceived, for the hermit, true enough, was the re- doubtable Skylark Sam in disguise, but whose voice heard a few evenings previous, when he descend from the balloon on the plain, came so near expos- ing him; and the ‘“‘umbrella”’ he used was his own ingenious invention, an’ improvement in buoyant power over the old-fashioned parachule of the aero- naut, . ne himself light, the old detective had selected the lightest of the two captives to take with him in his fearful leep. But he had made hundreds of such leaps and knew exactly the buoyant power of his wonderful parachute, and with the maiden in his arms he descended rapidly, yet safely, into the pass, landing among some low bushes that broke the force of the descent, “ Kitty was almost helrless, yevelyees with terror, when they reached the ground, but extricating him- self from the ** harness " of his colla machine, the daring old scout said, as he tore the wig of bris- tling beard from his face: — z * Gal, brace up—don’t faint—you're safe—I’m old Skylark Sam, the detective, an’ winged bird 0’ Par- adise. Cheer up, gal, here comes a bull. band o rangers—listen! hear their ho-ses’ hoofs? By the mother o’ Adam! it’s Dare Devil Dick and his rangers!” rd Oh, sir!” Kitty exclaimed, looking around herin a sort of a bewilderment, “are you sure they are not Indians?" “ ee tor yourself, my little. lady,”’ said the old scout. Kitty turned her eyes and saw the horsemen ap- proaching but a few rods away. Foremost among them she saw Dare Devil Dick and Colonel Owens; and then her father rcde into sight; and wi'h a cry of joy she sprung to her feet and ‘ran eagerly to meet him. ‘ “5° t eed was the disappointment of Colonel PR nigh he learned that his child was siill a captive. kylark Sam gave an account of his movements witli feroved Exively satisfactory to the party, and when the old feilow had narrated his adventure as the Silent Horseman in rescuing Inez, he was ap- shouts. ~ ” asked Dare Devil Dick. Ay nay tela the hills wbhar Ingin that b als; bu BeYou did nobly, “we — = Pron we believe that such a thing were pos = aay ei have ercules?” . » ’ eolonel,” replied the old scout; but I sow’ tire y or forty Tngins go into ambush up the pass r coming.’ es Yah bew on Pome . ing such dangers all along,” said Dick, * but will be able now to thwart the designs of the red devils.” : Kitty told the story of her and her friend's cap- ture in attempting to escape to the Cave of Refuge. But she did not learn the savages" object in sending them on foot through the hills in the way they did, as their conversation was altogether in t e Sioux ane red she said, ha known of their being pursued from the start, and while the outlaws were with them she overheard enougu among the white villains to antisty her that the rangers were to be surprised somewhere in the mountains. She said that Black Diablo had expressed himself in the bit- terest and most revengeful language against Dumb “Then, if Dumb Hercu'es was captured by Black Diablo, there will be little hope of his ever escaping alive,” said Colonel Owens. “Yes: he is even in more danger than if he were fm the Indians’ hands,” declared Old Skylark Sam; Hercules, the Dumb De | “but Isay, boys, if them Ingins don’t go back to th» main party in the ine that’s got the other girl two or three o'us well armed might foller up and reduce the Si-ox pop.lation ‘bout six and rescue the captive,”’ “Tam ready to go, for one,’ declared the impa- tient, disconsolate father, Colonel Owens. *Colonel,”’ said Dare Devil Dick, “let me send two of my men with Skylark Sam, in your stead They are younger, and born Indian-trailers and fighters.’ “Very well, Dick; you are doubtless right. May God speed them!" The t.ree at once departed on their dangerous mission, and then the others with Kitty fell hack down the pa‘s, dismounted and took up a position for the warm reception of the savages should they make an advance, °° Half an hour later an Indian scout was seen skulk- ing on the cliff high above them. Dare Devil Dick turned to one of his followers and said: “Sure Shot, can’t you try your skill on that fel-. low?”’ Taking up his Winchester, the ranger, who was noted for his accuracy in measuring distances with the eye, made a careful calculation of the interven- ing space, then adjusting his ce ee he rested bis gun on a rock, and taking a careful aim, fired. His fmends watched the shot in breathless sus- pense, and, to their wonder, they saw the savage straighten up, run down the hillside a few steps, ore up his hands and plunge headlong down the uff. ‘“ A fine shot, my boy,”’ complimented the colonel; “a wonderful shot, sir.” : From that time on not another red-skin was seen during that day, and it was evident that the am- bushed warriors, having no desire to meet the ran- gers in a fair field, had retired. It was nearly sunset when Skylark Sam and the two rangers returned with the bitter intelligence that the six savages with Zulima had reached the village of Sitting Bull. With this news all hope died in the breast of Colo- nel Owens, “Don’t give up, Colonel Owens," said Skylark Sam. “I’ve never yit met with a case that I could not work all right some way or other: and I already have my pla s fixed for the rescue o’ your darter, and ll bet any man achaw tobakker, or a deed on a patch o’ blue sky, that I win.” CHAPTER XIV. DUMB HERCULES IN THE BYAR PIT. But a short distance from the village of Sitting Bull, in a cavern in the mountain-side, was the re- treat of Black Diablo, the Spanish outlaw chief, who for the t few years had terrorized the mining dis- tricts of the Black Hills, and the stage companies and settlers of west°rn Dakota and northern Ne- braska. His band had been permitted to grow and flourish under the very shadow of the military posts, and so well had they been organized and so perfect was their system, and numerous their spies, that whenever any move was made against them by the troops, they dispersed among the mountains and thereby eluded capture. The worst enemies, or rather those that had inflicted the worst punishment on the outlaws, were the rangers. and Dumb Hercu- ae _ Mie ens when he found himself a prison- er in the outlaws’ power, expected nothin : hands but death. " P iS a At the sheels of the outlaws’ horses the prisoner was burried away, and about n ghtfall they reached Black Diablo’s stronghold, where he was placed un- der a strong guard, Then Black Diablo dispatched a messenger to the Indian village, a mile away, inviting the chief, Sit- ting Bull, and allhis friends to come over into the valley and see. Dumb Hercules, the Silent Slayer, put to the torture in the Bear Pit, as the place for execution of captives was called, The outlaw chief and those of his men who had lived to return from the d sastrous campaign against Colonel O *ens’s train, regaled themsclves on liquor and such food as the ranch afforded. After these came pipes and a general recapitulation of the events of the past few days. Black Diablo was in no amiable mood. “T would not feel so blue and disgusted,” the out- law leader finally said, ‘‘ had we succeeded in sav- ing our three captive girls. But with all our cost of life we return with just one female captive and Old Silent Tongue. And what is worse the girlis in the stroye r. been heard of since. So was Mark Tahlty, and what his poor girl will do now, I can’t say. But that man Skylark Sam, is a man to be fearéd more, or as much, at least, as any that we have bad to contend with, and if he gets the right kind of backing we may look out for trouble. Really, boys, that fellow was the sole cause of my quitting Western Texas, and while I have no fears in particular of him, now, I am thinking the climate in Montana will be more healthy for us. They say the stage business and old mining are having a run there with no one evying and collecting a cent of toll, But, boys, night is approaching and we will want a score or two pine torches prepared for the entertainment,” Darkness finally gathered in the valley. Standing Bear and fully a hundred of his friends came over from the village. Sitting Bull declined to attend. A huge bonfire up the narrow defile maiked the location of what had been termed the Bear Pit, Dumb Hercules was finally brought from the cay- ern and conducted by outlaws bearing torches up the: pass. Coming to where a high stone wall built with me-- chanical skill across the dc file disputed their pas- sage they turned to the right and clambered up an: acclivity on the broad and level summit of which burned the bonfire, Here they stopped. Dumb Hercules glanced around him, Twenty feet atove the first wall he saw another built across the pass: which, with the two sides of the canyon inclosed a space of about twenty by thirty feet. ‘The lowest wall was all of fifteen in hight, while the one o po- site cf where he stood rose to the hight of.over a hundred feet. At the bottom of the latter }e could see the mouth of a cavern that ran back into the- bluff, and from the darkness of this hole he behelda. pair of glowing eyes, set in a dark hairy face, glar- ing out at the gathering throng. The Silent Scout, also, discovered, lying in the bottom of the stcne- walled pen, that which caused a shudder to pass; through his frame, It was a human skeleton, ‘*In that pit, Sir Hercules,” said Black Diablo,, pointing down into the pen, ‘‘ you will have a grand: opportunity to display your fichting qualities ard: splendid strength. Those whose skeletons you see over yonder and down here failed to save their lives; and secure their libercy, but you have advantages: they bad not in your great physical powers " Dumb Hercules in his affliction could make no. reply to these brutal remarks in which were, as a blind, couched terms of mercy. But the piant knew there was no mercy in the heart of Black Diablo, He knew that the Spaniard’s love of the “ bull- fight’ was inherent, and that even in his outlawry he was indulging himerelf and friends in bis national sport there in that mountain defile, though in a far more brutal and savage way than was the wont cf the Spanish code. Py means cf ropes the giant sccut was lowered into the pit at a point where an angle of rocks con- cealéd the mouth of the cave from view. A nimble young outlaw then slipped down another rope, cut the cords of the prisoner, when Dumb Hercules again stood free of bonds, “Now, Sir Hercules,” again exclaimed the outlaw chief, *‘ stand on your guard. Your reputation as a fighter is in the balance. Pascal”’—addressing a friend—** throw a brand over. there into the mouth of the caye and stir up them loutish animals.” A firebrand was.tossed into the mouth of the cave. Instantly two huge brown bears—a male and a female—followed by two half-grown cubs, emerged from their retreat, stopped and looked around them and then up at the jostling throng on the walls as though dazzled by the glare of the torches. Dumb Hercules glanced at the animals with a look of"indifference, then he ran his yes around the pit as if mentally calculating his chances. But the ghastly skeletons and the strong, grim walls as seen in the garish, flickering light of the torches banished all hope from his breast; still he allowed no look or movement to betray his inward feelings, The outlaws and red-skins crowded ard jostled each other on the walls—eagerly, arxiously—their eyes elaring like wild beasts and their faces wearing the look of demoniac curiosity. Still Dumb Hercules stood motionless, The bears seemed loth to begin the attack, “Prod up them bears, Kirk,”’ Black Diablo finally said; ‘they seem <tupid and sluggish,” The outlaw addr ssed, fixefl an arrow to a bow brought there for the purpose, and sent the sharp weapon into the female bear’s haunches. With a Indian village. end Standing Bear will undoubtedly | fierce howl of pain the bear Speen fl doubled her- claim her while we will be left with Dumb Hercul<s to amuse us a few minutes and then all will be ovr. Still there will be some consolation to me if the I)- dians succeed in entrapping Dare Devil Dick. (’”- ramba! that Cheyenne trip was a cursed fail. «, everything considered!” ‘* How did it come about, captain?” asked an out- law who had remained at home to guard the place. ‘Well, you see we depended on our girl spy who was with Owens’s traiv.”’ replied the outlaw chief; “we sent our scout to meet her near Redwood Grove, and his body was found afterward pierced through with an arrow—the work of Dumb Hercules, curse him! But notwithstanding this failure, Stard- ing Bear attacked the train and got badly whipped. The immigrants had a cannon with which they mowed the red warriors, Then we put up a job to spike the cannon. Karl Frone was sent into the camp to personate Skylark Sam whom we suppes was up the Belle Fourche. -He was to spike the can- non ard fire a pisto! as a signal for the attack. We waited come ee hours. and then hearing a pistol fired made a night attack and. by heavens! that cannon went off again. Karl Frone’s work bad been a failure, and I guess Karl was killed, for he has not | with a furious gro | | ng barb, then self around and poo Ay at the rank] wl she lunged across the pit at the Silent Scout. CHAPTER XV, THE GIANT'S GREAT FEAT. A YELL now rose from Indian and outlaw lips. The hills and canyons took up the sound and sent it echoing and rebounding through the night. Dumb Hercules placed himself_on the defense as the bear advanced, and when near enough be cealt her a furious kick in the side that almost doubled her up; but in a moment the beast had recovered from the blow, and with a growl of anger rose upon her haunches. Scarcely had she done so, however, eré the, Silent Scout dealt hera blow on the head sates § his great fist that sent her relling over on the earth. A sbout of applause burst from the lips of the spectators, The big bear came to the assistance of his mate. Dumb Hercules sprung back to elude him. The now fully enraged female scrambled to her feet and charged upon her foe, only to receive an- yhen she arose other blow that knocked her over. t./ a
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¥ i she sppeenie glance. - nd s ti tt 2 - ns pe blood was streaming from her mouth and one of her eyeballs hung from the socket.‘ The two cubs had fled to the cave in alarm. : The male finally came up with the nimble-footed giant, when he, too, received a blow that brought om bear struck the = with his’ paw on the breast stripping the clothes from his y to the waist and bringing the great'man to his knees. The excitement of the spectators now Ame wild and frenzied. It seemed the comtest in the pit was approaching a crisis. The outlaws and savages crowded forward eager fora better view. A score or more of them were already hanging on the very edge of the pit. ising quiokly to his feet, Dumb Hercules dealt the bear another fu ious blow with his mighty fist that staggered them both. At this juncture the female, with bloody froth streaming from her mouth, rushed in between the combatants and at- tempted to seize the scout, but eluding her grasp the giant gave her another kick that for several mo- ments deprived her of breath. his round of the combatants was hailed with a ringing shout of applause from above, but at the same instant almost a wild shriek rung out on the _ edge of the pit, and a young Indian was seen to fall into the bear-pen. He had lost his balance—being crowded so hard by those behind—-and fell. But he was little hurt, and springing to his feet, somewhat confused, he darted across the pen. He ran be- tween Hercules and the bears, and with a fierce growl the beasts turned upon him. This gave Hercules a momentary breathing-spell. He stood back against the wall, bis eye following tne Indian and the bears. * Wild indeed now was the excitement above. The tone of the spectators had changed. The Indian was a youn warrior, active and grace- ful as a panther. He darted here and there—half- crouching as if for a spring—looking first at the bears in terror-—then at his friends above with an Cornered at last by the beasts 6 agile warrior.made a desperate leap and shot slear Over them, The outlaws on the wall cheered this feat, but ” their shout was followed by a low, half-indignant exclamation from the lips of the Indians. : “Shoot bears! shoot bears!’’ suddenly exclaimed a warrior. when he saw that the life of his friend was in deadly pert : : **No! no!” thundered Black Diablo; * sey down the end of a rope! drop down a rope! Deer can climb it!” ; Quickly a rope was lowered into the pif. The In- dian, hotly pursued by the bears, darted across the arena and seized it; but before be could begin the ascent the female bear seized him m a deadly huz, and her dripping fangs went tearing into the flesh and muscles of his bare shoulders. ; A wild, agoniaed ery escaped the unfortunate war- rior’s lips, his head fe} back, and his eyes seemed ready to burst from their sockets, _ Dumb Hercules had watched the contest between the bears and Leaping Der closely, and the moment he saw the Indian seized he seemed to forget that he was his enemy; that his own life was in the balance, ringing forward, he dealt the bear a blow on e of the head that sounded like the crack of a istol, ; 6 Instantly the bear released its hold on the savage, her jaws fell apart, and blood gushed from her mouth, Her jaws had been broken by the lick, and in agony the beast rolled on the; ground, clawing at ‘her bead and striking frantically at space. . Released from the mad brute’s clutches by the ‘timely aid of the scout, Leaping Deer was quickly drawn from the Bear Pit, his body bathed in blood. BROT of joy burst from his friends’ lips when he had been safely lavded on the wall, and as the crowd made way for him to pass out, the young warrior turned and glanced back into the pit at Dumb Hercules with a lock of anxiety and pity on his savage, pain-distorted face. Then he walked away, down the banx into the defile and dis- appeared into the darkness, nraged by the smell of blood, the male bear again turned upon Dumb Hercules. For some time the grea silent yet active man eluded him by dodging rom side to 2: / The mob of the walls hooted and jeered, and ever and anon Black Diablo flung some brutal jest at the mav who was fighting tor his life. But Hercules ap- peared to hear them not. He kept his eyes upon the ar—his thoughts upon bis dang.r . _. Suddenly an arrow was shot from above into the rump of the bear. With a fierce snort and snarl it whirled and with its teeth withdrew the painful barb then c’ arsed Ghee ai with npg kB Teg moment they had grap and a desperate struggle ensued. They fell to ee eerte and rolled over and over, but by some means or Other Hercules tore hims-if from the grasp cf the brute and regained his feet, His breast, now entirely stripped of clothing to the waist, was covered with blood. Blood was trickling from his beard. His breath was eoming uick. His great breast throbbed. An unearthly feht blazed in his eyes. The muscles of his power- ‘ful arms and chest stood out in great knots. pelted Diablo and his men clapped their hands and shou . > f - = ain the bear charged u the giant, and rear- ing gen its haunches truck the man with its paw. Hercules staggered under the blow, but covering elf he seemed tc summon all the pow- er of his great frame into a last single effort, and track the bear on the side of the neck, knocking it over aad half-stu Re ae pee like elated oe ° ab Hercules leaned against the lower cross. 3 > Lit via SE Oe fa. RR ee ee ae ee ee half down; but rising again with a growl the | | i eaping | were strung out along the Paes: casting weird and : | uickly re-’ ne shoot bears—let Leaping Deer die first—pale-face wall as if for support. He lifted his eyes and ran them along the line of excited wretches on the wall until they rested upon the face of Black Diablo. eee of the two met, and for a moment seemed xed, 5 ; Then the outlaw burst into a hoarse, defiant devil- ish laugh. With his eyes still upon the villain, Dumb Her- cules’s face began to twitch, he litted his hand and pointed his finger at the villain—his lips parted as if tospeak. All the desperate passion of the human heart seemed rising within his breast seeKing ex- presion in words. “Ha! ha!’ laughed Black Diablo, “if you could only speak, you’d say something strong, wouldn't you, Paul Raymond?” f Dumb Hercules started and clutched at his throat, rags“ nad known him as being speechless, start- ed with surprise when they heard a groan escape his lips, and then recoiled with terror when from his lips there burst in tones of thunder—scatbing and withering as the lightning’s blast, the words: * Curses upon you! curses upon you!” The burst of a thunderbolt would not have startled those outlaws and savages more violently. In the moments of his awful agony God had given the despe: ate, persecute man the power of speech to curse his tormentors, as He had given back to Samson of old his strength to destroy his enemies, And seareely had the words fallen from his lips, wher, bracing his shoulder against the wall, his face grew almost black: his frame heaved as if in the agonies of a terrible death; the wall of rock began to sway; there was heard a sound as if of grinding stones—then, With a thunderous crash, the wall fell outward, and Dumb Hercules, with a triumphant laugh, bounded out over the stones, and away into the darkness of the defile. ‘ CHAPTER XVI. INDIAN GRATITUDE. As the Silent Scout dashed away over the fallen wall his enemies fora moment stood dumb, silent, amazed, ; The infuriated bear scrambled over the stones in ursuit of its giant foe. he torches on th» wall began to move; pistols be- gan to ring out'as random shots were fired down the pam yells and shouts rose on the night as bear, out- aws and savages went trailing off down the defile in one mad chase, Twenty wavering, flickering, sputtering torches Titan shadows on the side of the bluffs, and lighting up the faces of the pursuers with a ghastly glare. Dumb Hercules made good use of his liberty, and like a deer sped down the dark defile, The bear being no respecter of persons, and being closely presse from behind by an Indian warrior, ee suddenly and aelzs the savage. A fierce struggle ensued, and the others coming up stop : not knowing but that the giant had been pi Ff Tt was several moments before they had discovered their mistake and cispatched the bear, and resumed the chase. . But this diversion had enabled the fugitive to put several rods of space between him and the foe, e soon ore by the outlaws’ den, and as he did so he imagined hé saw a lithe form glide out from the mouth of the cavern intothe pass ahead of him, The way was exceedingly dark, and as he advanced it Brew darker as the defile grew narrower, so that he ad to slacken his footsteps and move with more cautior—feel his way, a3 it were, and that, too, with the belief that an enemy wasin ahead of him, Suddenly he became aware that the pursuers were gaining vpon him, The light of the foremost torch faintly pierced the gloom around him. He could see the dim outlines of h's own shadow glidin - before him, and finally he discovered that he was right in that there was some o:¢ ahead. He could see the outlines of the form about a rod away, and as the light behind came closer, he saw it was the fcrm of an Indian. He was not a little puzzled by this move- ment of the savage, but satisfied that it meant him no good he ney short, stooped and picked up a stone, determined to dispatch the fellow, But be- fore he eouli raise the missils the savage turned and runping rapidly backward, threw up his hands and hurriedly exclaimed: ; “Ma Teaplug Deer—me friend of rale-face—Silent Scout hit bear—save Leaping Deer's life,”” — he light of the torch which was not over three rods betind, fe}l upon the red-skin’s face, and, true enough, Dumb Hercules saw that it was the face of the young Indian he had saved from the clutehes of the bear. , Was that act of mercy already bearing him fruit? Was the warrior—out of the gratitude of his savage heart—seeking to repay him for saving his life? As these thoughts flashed through the giant’s mind, intuition seemed to answer in the affirmative and dropping the stone he dashed on with renewed: ee and soon was running side by side with the an. ; : In silence they proceeded together for several minutes. Ever and anon the Indian glanced back over his shoulder, and finally he announced: “ We gain on now Page ag here—quick!” He took the giant’s arm and gently turned him in- to a narrow defile on the right where the darkness as intense; but the way seemed familar.to ai g Deer, and taking the giant by the hand he} him, as a child leads a blind man, back into the dark labyrinths of the hills. big" 2 saw the lights of the pursuers no more, and soon they were beyond sound of their dl voices. Then Leaping Deer stopped and oye said: ‘* Pale-face save Leaping Deer's life—Black Diablo > , Hercules, the Dumb Destroyer. ne ee kill heap many Sioux—he brave. warrior—Leaping Deer no eoward—he kill many pale-faces—but he friend of Silent Scout—Silent Scout save his li e— a re a ee tS Sa ey RE ee eee ee RQ comes, Black Diablo want kill scout— Leaping Deer no like Black Diablo—he no shi ot bear to save Leaying Deer’s life—Leaping Deer save Silent Scout—take him to hidin’-place—bring him ,ur—knife—meat— let him go to triends.” Having thus again expressed h‘mself the Indian moved on, followed by Dumb Hercules, who made no response.. They threaded the dark and winding defile for an hour, then clamtered over a rengh and a aa ridge and descended into another defile Le- yond. The Silent Scout pieces implicit confidence in his red guide. He asked no questions, bi.t- patiently followed on. It seemed to him they would never reach the objective place of safety, but feeling sat- isfied that the Indian meant to make xo mistake in his work of gratitude he allowed him to have his way without protest. Finally they turned to the right and entered a nar- row rift in the bl ffs where the darkness wag so in- tense that the Indian was again compelled to lead the seout. In this way they bad proceeded several rods when the gui e turned toward the bluff on the right where grew a fringe of shrubbery. Ontheir hands and knees they crawled through the thicket, and had nearly reached the base of the almost perpendicular bluff, whena voice suddenly exclaimed: * Halt there!” The two stopped and _ held their breath in silence, *“ Who comes there?’ was again demanded, Hercules recognized the voice, and in a low, measured tone—in that voice ele him as though born of agony in the Bear Pit, he replied: “Tam Dumb Hercules.” ; The Indian himself started violently at the sound of the man’s voice, for he had not heard him speak at the Bear Pit, ‘- Liar!’ was the response that came from the lips of the challenger, ‘‘ Dumb Hercules cannot speak. You are an out aw,” and the last word was accom- panied by the click of a revolver, 4 CHAPTER XVII. THE MEETING IN THE GLEN, “Hop on there, Skylark Sam,” said Dumb Her- cules, as the click of the revolvers greeted his ears, “Tam Dumb Hercules, though no longer speechiess and will prove it to you.” “Then advance, and be awful sure you're not tryin’ to deceive as old a rat as Skylark Sam,” wes the response of the Border Detective, for he the challenger was, s “ “T have a friend with me, Sem—an Incian frierd, whose safety I also be peak,” replied the scout. ’ * Well, ate °’ oo walt its way and remen:ber ‘vea pair of reyolvers rea ‘or you,” ~~ . Pant and the Indian. ro ‘The gian se to their feet iad stepped out into the open space where the detsctive stood, ‘ By the River Jordan!” exclaimed Old Skylark. ‘vou are big enough for Hercules, I'll swear; tut walk on around into the glen and be «xamined- fcr ward, march!” : The guard conducted the giant and his frida” around the pint of the bluff and into a little glen- like place where, within the glow of a camp fire wi re seated a score of men and two females, whom the scout recognized as Dare Devil Dick and his rangers, Sa Owens and friends, and Inez Bienville and itty C. Anig At sight of Hereules and the Indian—their | alf- unde forms covered with blood and bearing the marks of violence—a ery of surprise ana horror burst from the lips of the startled party. “My God! it’s Dumb Hercules,” eri¢d Colonel Owens, starting toward the Silent Scout. ‘Yes, what’s left of me,” calmly jeplied the jant. ; ; 5 ‘Heavens! he speaks!’ shrieked the eclonel. starting back in amazement—as though the giant had risen from the tomb. “Oh, my dear, dear uncle!”’ cried Inez, as she ran with extended arms toward thé scout, “at jast you have regained your v: ice!” “Yes. my dear irl,” replied the voice that left me in sorrow and £ me in the passions of agony.” : “ By goodness!”’ exclaimed the colonel, ‘I never heard of such a thing before; but, Hercules, you and that Indian look as though you’d been in the clutches of a grizzly.” pot “Worse than that, colonel; I have been in the power of Black Diablo, and he threw me into a den of bears. My red friend here fell into the pit acci- dentally and got hugged and chawed before I could rescue him, To tell you the truth, my friends, I have passed throngh a perfect hell of torture since we parted. But I vill tell you of that hereafter,” “Yes, yes.” said the colorel, ‘‘you n ust have those wounds dressed at once. ere, Skylark, you anne to that red-skin, and I'll fix up our big riend. ’ So saying, the colonel and detective proceeded to their work, and in a few minutes the two wound- ed men were cared for as well as the means at hand. would permit. : : After this was done Old Skylark Sam said: eat man, ‘‘the f came back to ready to return to the plains.” . ‘She is still in the observed Hercules. __ : ; * Yes, but we have decided upon a plan by which we shall attempt her rescue when the proper t'me It will be dangerous, but then we are gittin’ used to dangers, and kind o'likethem.” sits Now if we only had your gal, colonel, we'd be — power of the savages, then!” ° To w
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Hercules, the Duinb Destroyer. : es re Nar 2 - the work.” ms withc ut being sven, the rope _ heegotiate an exchange athacking foe. Presently the Indian turned to Dumb Hercules and said: ** Me go now—Rgood-by.”’ The scout took his hand and with no little feeling said: **Good-by, Leaping Deer; may tte Great Spirit be your friend. 1 shall neverforget you. If you see Black Diablo tell him Dumb Hercules lives, and will yet be even with him. But. Leaping Deer, I have another favor to ask of you,” “Leaping Deer good Ingin—Silent Scout save his iiter~do apything for Silent Scout,’ replied the In- an “Then promise me you will not tell your friends where we are concealed.” past : © Ugh! Leaping Deer no do that—Black Diablo find you then—me no like Black Diablo—he no kill bear—Leaping Veer’s sonra silent—but pale-face must not stay here long—Sioux warriors’ eyes sharp —find many easy—good-by, pale-face.”’ ‘*Good-by—God bless you!”’ replied the scout, as he watched the form of the only w,.2¢e Indian he had ever met disanpear in the shadoWs. ‘I tell you,”’ said Colonel Owens, ‘‘ we may regret allowing that Indian to leave, He can bring the whole of Sitting Bull’s band down upon us if he choose. Treachery, they say, is inherent in a say- age. “Tam not afraid of his betraying us,” said Her- cules, ‘True, an Indian is considered treacherous, but at the same time some of them have honor, The way that Indian and I became frieods was un- der peculiar circumstances, arid now that I have time and speech I'll teil you of my adventures after parting with you,’ and then the sc ut went on and narrated the story of his capture by Black Diablo, his struggle in the Bear Pit, the sudden recovery of his voice, bis escape and meeting with Leaping Deer, who had conducted him to that place. ‘*A narrow escape,’’ said Skylark Sam; ‘‘ and we may have a bit more fightin’ afore we git out o’ this region: * but boys, the time is oe for us t> move toward the Ingin village, if we attempt Miss Zulima’s rescue to-night.” “What are your plaus, Sam?’ asked Hercules. ‘* Well, in the fu'st place, I made a reconnoissance of the Ingin village, and carefully noted its sur- roundings. It is situated in an oblong park or val- l-y, and surrounded by towering bluffs. It can be approached from north or south on hoss-back through narrow valleys. In the west side, within thirty or forty feet of a perpendicular wail of rock, perhaps fifty feet high, and runnin’ half the length of the valley, is situated the lodge of Sitting Bull. Hard by, but a little nearer to the rocky palisades, are the lodges of his squaws and denghter, the, prin- cess, Lau Byes. And near these again is cen drec re whice we saw Zulima g caup- tive. Now we propose to make an attack on’ the upper end of the village where the red-skins’ ponies are kept at grass, and stampede them, if possible, ~ and while the attention of the savages is drawn off _ in that direction, I propose to leap from the top of that cliff in my parachute near the hief’s lodge, and then if I can liberate Zulima and get her to the foot of the cliff without too much risk, Pl do so, A rope with. a noose is to be lowered by two strong men, the noose placed around the gai’s waist and she drawn up into act gh If I can’t git her, I will git Sitting Bull himself, if can, or the princess, Laugh- in’ Byes, and clap the noose around him or her and have him or her drawn up into captivity aud held in hostage for the safe deliverance of Zulima. of course, we've got to have the rope long enough so that if I fail in getting Zulima, I can carry it out from the foot of. the wall and Jasso the chief or his zal, while those on the cliff still hold to t other end, We've already got six strong lariats, aggre — nighly two hundred feet, tied together and ready tor t Zulima,” said Dumb Hercules, “Tf you can’t ge rincess, for she will be more - by all means get the p - to the chief than all the rest,”’ “That's the way We figgered it, Here,” replied a , 77? he scout, * But how are you'to get ont?” asked the scout, ef and up the palisades If Lean get Zulima away, so: Swered for me ra! ; n the jump Pll have to run ; oo et eee a I get the chief or the gal, I'll deliberately buck,right up to the savages and give them to unde: stand that I’m ere business—to o’ pr e ‘It will be a Hesperate undertaking,” said Her- sas I know, Herc, but then we are desperate men,” replied Sam. CHAPTER XVII. DESPERATE WORK, ae t midnight. The moon had gone down ‘ean Gareness and silesce reigned throughout the erro indian village lay wrapped iu slumber, The evening camp-fires h long since died out. But suddenly, in the midst of the solemn hush of "the voiceless night; the report of a gun rung out, awakening the slumbering echoes, and startling the savages from their sleep. This report was immedi- ~ ately followed by a savage yell, then came crashing - yoleys of firearms, mingled with the shouts of an Inam the whole [ndian village was aroused. “qhe wildest confusion reigned, and seizing their weapons the excited warriors went hurrying away n the direction of the conflict, — "While the attention of the whole camp was drawn | oe WE coward the southern end of the village, a form -- Saeen leaped trom the summit of the palisades | ed pam etp: F |. “From the clo overlooking the lodges of Sitting Bull and his family, and descended noiselessly to the earth, It was Skylark Sam, who with bs ingenious para- chute had gained admiitance to the village where the approach of a foe was least expected by the wary Savage. Peering around him in the dark, the Border De- tective made sure no savage was near. He could hear female voices in the lodge before him, but could see no ene. . As he stood by the great rock something fell on the ground at his feet. He knew what it was—the end of a rope lowered from above. Picking it up he arranged the noose On the end and then advanced stealthily toward the lodges, the rope paying out from above as he moved along. Coming to the grodp of lodges, he stopped and I'stencd. The darkness was quite intense, yet so accustomed had he become through force of habit to working in the darkness—s9 acute was. his hear- ing—that he was enabled to see and hear quite dis- tinctly where others would have been blind and deaf. He heard the squaws in the lodges jabbering away in wild excitement to each other, while the din of battle raged furiously down the valley. Gliding to the rear of: the lodge into which he had seen Zulima taken that day, Skylark cut a slit in the side, and piacing his mouth to the aperture, called 8 out in a loud w per: tae There was no answer, but he heard a movement in the lodge. ‘*Zulima Owens!” he repeated, ‘*Who speaks my name?” came a low, sad voice from withia, “Me, Zulima—Skylark Sam—don’t scream—are you bound?” é **No; but this lodge is fastened allaround.”” > *‘Then you're alone?”’ : “ Yes.” > ‘Come this way,’’ said the Border Detective, cut- ting the slit in the prison-lodge larger. The next moment Zulima stepped out into the night, where the wild din of Lattle came to her ears ar distinctly. r e be rescued,” said the detective, placing the noose around her body; “friends are on the top of that cliff and they’ll draw you up with this rope. Don’t scream when you go swingin’ up into the air, or all will be lost. Do you understand, little one?” ‘Yes, sir,” she faintly replied. Old Skylark gave the rope a jerk. Instantly it was drawn taut by those on the cliff. Taking Zuli- ma by the arm, the two walked ‘rapidly to the foot of the palisades. : The next instant the girl felt herself lifted from her-feetS |. “Tell the boys ’'ll send up the princess, if I can eatch her,” whispered the detective, as Zulima swung clearof the ground. The next moment Skylark Sam stood alone, listen- ing in breathless suspense. Two minutes went by, and the rope fell at his feet again. So far success had crowned his efforts, and Zulima was rescued; and so quickly and easily had it all been done that, instead of ascending himself, as had been previously arranged, he picked up the rope and again advanced toward the lodges. is he approached them he saw a figure come out of one and go into another—that from which Zulima had just_been taken. , “Hal” exclaimed the daring man to himself; “that is my bird now, the princess Laughing-Eyes!”’ e glided quickly to the door of the lodge, and there movie and opened wide the nocs? on the rope and held it up, moment later the princess came hurrying from the lodge and ran plump against the detective, In an instant her slender form was encircled by the noose, when a scream that would have done credit to a panther escaped her lips. ‘Instantly the rope wa3 drawn taut, and lifting the girl in his arms Skylark ran with her to the foot of the palisade. and the next instant she was rising upward aiang Le oe a me cliff, while scream after scream issued from her lips. Coolly Skylark Sam turned and walked to the lodge of Sitting Bull and sat down by the entrance. The cries of the princess soon became hushed. His, friends had performed their part speedily and skilfully. : f ‘one sound of the battle was receding in the dis- nee, Soon he would have a nest of hornets down and about him, ) The cries of the princess were repeated by others of the royal fam ly in prolonged and lusty tones that brought the chief himself hurrying to the fam- ily lodges, to learn of the mysterious disappearance o Laighing Eyes and the captive girl, . Not one of his family had the remotest idea of how the maidens had been spirited away. “T can tell you where your darter is, Sitting = "said Old pam eines 2. magaae the shadow of a lodge and confronting the chiet. With a pi the reat chief started back amazed at the boldness of the intruder. ; . ‘What pale-face dares enter the village of Sitting apr Oa geome ag TB ciepine soy tone. *Y ar’ m,”” was ; oe. shall die like the sneaking wolf,” declared the chief. : “ Go slow now, Sittin’ Bull: understand that if you kill me, ae TA rial a be =a, Yh ph you!” . “ Where did the pale face come from ; Prom the odd gop, nt, te, clouds he our daughter ‘the white captive been taken. we And why does the eky-treveler re " quiet and nervy now, Zulima, and you will et mate et eee aS ee ere?’ “To talk with you--to tell Fou that ne hares shall come’to your child if you callin your warriors from the hills that are in search of the scalps of the pale: face, and protect me from the violence of jour | friends and the followers of Black Diablo,” By this time a dozen warriors bad arrived upon the scene and were crowding around the chief and the white intruder, Sitting Bull Waved them back. “Tne pale-face asks much,’’ the chief replied to the detective. “T only ask for your village.” ‘** Sitting Bull has but, two eyes. He cannot watoh all his warriors who are mad for scalps of the pale- faces who attacked our village, slew many of our - braves, and then fled.” ’ . “Chief, let me tell you again, if I die in your camp, your daughter will die in the camp of my frienos, Her life depends upon mine. Call in your warriors and have them remain here. I will stay in your camp until morning comes, and then you and a few of your warriors can go with me and | will take you to your child. The sky-traveler is no coward or he would not have come here,” The chief became moody and thoughtful, He loved his child with all the instinet of bis savage h art, He could not fully convince himself that she had been spirited away, and so set scores of war- riors to searching the valley, Fut an hour’s search- ing removed all doubts from his mind. eanwhile the news of the scout’s preeence in the village had spread like wildfire, and hundreds of warriors had gathered arcund the chief’s lodges, ex- cited, vindictive and revengeful. It wes all the chief could do to prevent them laying violent hancs on the intruder, and, as if afraid the detective would be tomahawked in the darkness, he conducted him into bis tent, There the two sat down and continued their council, while outside a circle of savages a score deep surrounded the lodge. Skylark Sam could plainly hear their shuffling feet, and the murmur of their voices like the distant surge of a tising storm, protection for myself while in’ CHAPTER XIX. THE EXCHANGE—A TRUNKLESS HEAD, THROUGH a mountain pass in the early morning dawn. a little cavaleade was moving at a brisk walk. At the head of this pariy rode Dare Devil Dick,.the Boy Ranger, ror it was his band, accompanied by Colonel Owens and John Lane, Inez, Zulima and Kitty, and Dumb Hercules, still refusing to ride with the princess Laughing Eyes a captive, that mae making its way castward through the great 8. The party had begun their retreat from the hills in the night, and when the sun rose they were many miles from the little glen where we last saw em, Old Skylark Sam had not returned, nor was he ex» - pected for a day or two, should he sucee: d in carry- ing out his plaus, which had already resulted in /Zu+ lima’s rescue and Laughing EKyes’s capture, but should he fail in the part yet to be accomplishul—to hold in check the Lordes of Sitting Bull until all were safely out of the hills—it would be at the cost of his own life and perhaps that of all his friends, © To effect a safe retreat the princess had been cap- tured, and it was by working upon the chief's gieat— love for his child by, threats of her death, unless his warriors were held back, that the shrewd old Border Detective had hoped to gain his point. PME All the de tective’s plans were known to bis friends, and, while there would be little to fear should they work cuecessfully Dare Devil Dick and Dumb Her: cules observed the same precautions, as though la: bl» to be attacked at any moment. The morning hours, however, wore away and they heard or saw rothirg of outlaw or savage, At noon they falted fer an hour to let their herd- pressed horses rest and graze, and appease. theit own hunger. : Then they moved on until night, when they en- camped on the Belle Fourche. Guards were sta- tioned at ol] points and every precaution taken to prevent.a surprise, But nothing disturbea the peace of the camp that night, and by daylight next morn: ing all were in the saddle and on the move, t Laughing Eyes was treated with all the kindness poss, Zulima was ber ccmpanion, as she had pn Zulima’s, The assurance that she would be re turned to her friends soon set at rest all her fears, and from her, apparent indifference one would have naturally ecncluded she wes a willing captive, | With a feeling of the greatest relief, the party finally debouched into the/open -plain, and when they halted at nocn the bils and their lurking shadows and dangers were miles behind. . About the middle of the afternoon of that dey, a party of horsemen was discovered coming in the dis- tance- behind them. “That's Skylark Sam ond the chief, I'll venture to as“ert.” said Colonel Owens, t “There appears to bea dozen cf them,” said John ane, ‘About that. I should say,” added Dare Devi? Dick; ‘but, friends, let us move on to yonder ct ap- parral and prepare for a fight should it prove to be a party desiring to meet us that way.” ; “To this all egreed, and soon the party had dis: mounted in the chaparral and was prepared for the worst, But by this time the pursuers had come so elose that all were enabled to reecgnize Skylark Sam among the foremost of the JS 2L Colenel Owens and Dare Devil Dick left the grove ane advener™ ‘about forty rods into the open plain and stopped. j : f The Tudians then drew rein and after a few mo- ments’ council Sitting Bull and a warrior dismoun ed, and, with Skylar ‘Sam still on the horse, aa “ : abe ed : oe bs ‘ be te Fare s.r, : aoe RARE a ; ‘ > j
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eat 7 ‘ Se Oe, fed Soy Ce ee A — “ Sara: Ses ee ne > Sr OS A a a 2 So = SSP SESE REDE ; i. ——— : mre. a Ree SS OS -— = are am god Nhe ee rer et pres _ take our families oo behind on their ponies, ready for instant action. _ “*Good-evenin’, boys,’’ said the redoubtable Sky- lark Sam, as the three came up; “ glad to see ye— Colonel Owens and Dare Devil Dick, this gentleman is the great Sioux chief, Sitting Bull,” ~ ‘thé colonel and the ranger received the chief kindly, when they at once entered into conversation about the exchange of prisoners, as Skylark Sam had | si in the chiet’s own lodge. ‘*Yes, friends,’ said the detective, with a bland, unctuous smile, ‘‘I made the proposition to ex- change Laughing Eyes for myself, I know it war an unheard-of proceedin’'—a prisoner negotiatin’ his own exchange, but I felt sure you’d be willin’,”’ * Oh, certainly, certainly,” rep'tied Colonel Owens, unable to repress a smile; * Dick, will you goupand escort the princess down here ?”’ * Yes, sir,” and Dick departed, . In a few minutes the little princess, with a happy smiling face, came bounding across the prairie and was received by her father in eminent joy. Skylark Sam now dismounted and the princess was assisted to the back of the pony, and after the exchange of a few more words the chief turned to- ward his friends, and the three whites hastened to the chaparral, where Old Sam was received with ringing shouts. “Well, Sam, your plans worked well,’’ said Dumb Hercules, after the excitement of the old detective's reception had subsided. **Like a charm Here; I couldn't ’a’ asked any- thing better. I found the old chief a little gruff and caustic-like at fu’st, but he soon mellowed down and became as tractable. and gullible as a common Ingin. He accepted every proposition I made him, even though he war in his own stronghold, To be sure I said and told him many things [ couldn't swear to, but the end, you see, justified the means. When we started out from the village it was with about fifty warriors, but I insisted on him sending most o’ them back, and back they went.”’ *But do you think they staid back, Sam?’ asked Dick; “do vou know that there are not fifty or a hun- dred red-skins back a ways waiting only for the ex- change to pounce upon us?” “Tdo not; and. asI war goin’ to say, we don't want to take things easy. for while I war workin’ the chief so nicely, he might have been throwin’ dust in Jmy eyes.’ ** But what of Black Diablo?” : “Don’t know, more’n the chief's a bit wrathy at the outlaw, He says he is responsible for all the late troubles down on the Cheyenne, and thinks heisa bad man. I think there’!l be a rupture there soon, Jess Diablo gits out into a healthier climate. But, friends, time’s precious, now, so let us improve every moment and be movin’.”’ In afew minutes the party were in their saddles and onthe move, and late that night they reached the Hidden Home of Dumb Hercules, where they had left Old Ruth in charge of the wounded rangers! The rangets encamped on the bluff, to guard against surprise, while Hereul-s. Colonel Owens, Johu Lane, Skylark Sam, Dar» Devil Dick and the three maidens repaired to the secret chambers in the hills to spend the night. Old Ruth and Inez prepared supper for all, and af- ter the meal had been dispatched, and when seated tog ther in conversation, Colonel Owens turned to ' Hercules and said: “*T presume, Hercules, you will now give up your sectined life and go with us, won't you?” *No, not yet, colonel,’ replied the giant, some- thing of the old-time look coming back into his face, “my work is not quite accomplished yet.” ‘Ay! [have thought all along that the shadow of some dark secret hung over your heart, Hercules,” said Owens, * and I am convinced of it, now.” * Yes, colonel, you're right,”’ said the giant, ‘and T will tell you what it is, and then I know you will not blame me for being tho deadly avenger that I am. Years ago, Louis Bienville, the father of Inez, and I set out into the great West t> make for us a name and a fortune. We were both young men, f. Il of life, hope and joy. We had grown to manhood together, Our tastes, aspirations and views were the same. Our lives seemed cast in the same mold. * We first settled in Southern Colorado, and found employment on the great stock-ranch of Juan El- gasco, Senor Elgasco was a Spaniard—a man of noble birth—a kind-hearted and generous man. He had two daught-rs, Inez and Zoe, with whom my friend and I fell in Jove, and, with the consent of their father, I married Inez, and Louis married Zoe, “At the time. however, Louis knew not that he had arival in one Tomas Carriza, a biack-hearted ran- chero belonging to another ranch. But soon after tre marriage he learned that Carriza’s advances to Zoe had been spurned by both her and her father. The villain sent Senor co a letter in which he swore vengeance upon his entire family, and before he could be he fled to the mountains, gath- ered about him a band of the worst characters that ever cursed God's earth, ant from that time until this he has been known as Black Diablo. He began his work of vengeance by stealing Elzasco’s stock and running them off into the Indian country, by burning our range and shooting our mén. This'state of affairs continued for five years, when Elgasco hiuwself was shot down one day in cold blood by the outlaw and his men, A few days later another of the beng was slain, and to Louis and I it looked as though all were doo ved to fall by the band of that villain who had boldly defied the powers to capture him. : ' Ngo after talking the matter over we concluded to d leave the country. We came 1o Northern Neb: a and located—starting a cattle- ranch, We lived happily with our families free from ; : ie . &! > home, and we prospered, too. For eight years we lived there in seclusion, in the meen time two cbil- dren had come to bless my home,a boy and = Three had been born in Louis’s family, but;two had died—Inez, the eldest, a girl then of thirteen, bein the only one left. She wasnamed after my wife. called my boy Louis—my little girl Mary, after my mother, And what a manly, fair and noble little fellow Louis was—and, Mary—three years old the day she was killed—”’ Me ‘vanced to meet the two whites, leaving his band | the curse that had made life so uncertain in our old | be ere the great man broke down, and bowing his head gave way to emotions of silent sorrow. Pres- ently he started up and in a firm voice continued: “ As I said we had lived there eight years when one day while I was away, Black Diablo and his band of cut-throats who had at last been driven from out the South, and had got wind of our wheré- abouts, swept down upon our homes and butchered all our families, except Inez, who, with Ruth, was absent from the house. Louis, being at home at the time, was kille in the midst of bis family. But his wife, when I arrived there, was notdead. She lived long rr to tell me that Black Diablo and his band, aided by a score of savages, had dove the bloody work, “Friends, when f stood by the side of my dead wife and babies my grief was so great that 1 could not speak—my vocal organs became paralyzed, and, trom tht day until the night 1 stood in the Bear P ton the mountains—fuce to face wiih she demon Carriza— 1 never utlered one syllable, and that is uhy and how I heame Dumb Hercules! But 1 registered a vow over my dead wife and children to'have revenge on Black Diablo, and aithongh three years and over have i Since the massacre, I have been unable to ill that demon, while many of his followers have fallen at the sound of my bow-string, “Old Ruth and Inez preferred to remain with me, and to make them secure, I conceived the idea of this Hidden Home, upon which I have spent weeks and months of labor—more than was at all neces- sary, but 1 had to be doing something. * Ard now you know why 1 cannot leave here yet —B ack Diablo lives !” “Yes, curse him!" exclaimed Dare Devil Dick, * but I hope—” : His words were here interrupted by one of the rangers coming hastily into the room and saying: ** Hercules, you are wanted on the bluff. ‘That In- dian, Leaping Deer, arrived there just now and wants to see you.” Wondering what the Indian could possibly want, the giant arose and hurried from the cavern tothe es of the bluff, followed by his male friends, True enough, there in the moonlight by the side of his pony stood the young Indian, Leaping Deer, his face wearing a grim, stoical look of triumph. At his feet a Bo bundle wrapped in a blanket, “ Why, Leaping Deer, 1 am surprised to see you here,” said Hercules. ‘* What does it méan?”’ “* Me show Silent Scout,” repled the Indian, and stooping he caught hold of the edge of the blanket at his feet and jerked it upward, when a dark, spherical object rolled out upon the ground. “My God!” exclaimed Colonel Owens, * it’s a hu- man head!” gars se eis as bel rin into ra! sone staring up into the sy with glassy eyes, ‘itis the head of Black Diablo!” a a * Yes—me catch him alone,” said the Indian with a grin, **me shoot him—cut off heap scalp b-low chin—whole head—bad man—no kill bear—rather kill Leaping Deer—but that not all why me kil! him —ugh!” and the navege spurned the head with his oot, as though a sudden thought had aroused with- im a new feeling of revenge. ** Well, why did you kill him, Leaping Deer’ ask- ed ae 0 ir, 8 **Me love pretty Ingin girl, Singing Bird—Black Diablo come take her away—make her his squaw— she died—waugh! he kill ber!” and again he kicked the trunkless head pores. ** But why did you bring the villain’s head here?” “Show Silent Scout, who save Leaping Deer’s life, so he rejoice too—Black Diablo kill Leaping Deer's Singing Bird—kill Silent Scout’s squaw and pap- ger “How did you know that, Leaping Deer?” asked the fone “Me hear Black Diablo te!l Ingins one day—make big talk—then laugh—but me fix him—ugh!’’ snd for the third time the head received a kick from the irate young avenger. “Well, really, Leaping Deer, you have saved me from perbaps much danger and work—the work of slaying that demon. You are a brave and noble In- dian, and I wish I could bes{ow upon you an _inheri- tance of eternal happiness, but 1 can only wish you well and thank you for your Jabor in my behalf.’ “Ingin,” put in Skvlark Sam, * there’s a reward for the head of Black Diablo, hot or cold, and if you want to leave the dinged mug with me, Ill present you with this Winchest:r rifle and this revolver.” A smile of delight overspread the face of the In- dian, who grasped the zun and pistol, saying: **Me take ’em heap quick!” . In spite of themselves, the rangers could not su press an outburst of laughter at the Indian’s laconic reply. / ; Boniuies asked the red-skin to go down to his re- treat and get some food, but the fellow declined, and mounting his pony he bid the giant good-by and rode away toward the west. Well, my friends,” said Hercules, “I think now T shall go on with you. My work is done. Black Diablo is dead, and I now feel like hearing my own aac Rabies rehennabclepere xi a mond,” re colonel Owens, takin the giant’s hand, “Paul Raymond, as your past lite - Hercules, the‘Dumb Destroyer, ‘ pe aT a Se ee ee aS STE te nes eee has been dark and sad,I hope and pray that the future may be bright and joyous; and remember. it tt ever be my pleasure to contribute to that end.’ “Thank you, colonel, thank you.” CHAPTER XX. CONCLUSION, A yar has passed since the events of the preced- ing chapter and from the valley of tie Cheyenne ¢ tak» the reader to that of the Niobrara, wherein is located the prosperous colony of Owersburg. Without encountering further Gangers trom the Indians and outlaws, the colonists had reached their destination and began life anew in the great and fer- tile valley. Colonel Owens is living in the full enjoyment of an active life, bending every energy—sparing no means or time to accomplish the cherished objeci of having done something 10r mankind and his eccuntry while living that would be remembered when he was g: ne. His daughter Zulima—his idol—his all, is the pride and pet of of the colony, and it is no secret that s e is the affianced wife of Dare Devil Dick, or Richard Clayton, as is his true name; and all are looking anxiously forward to the day when the gaJlant you g ranger shall claim the prize that upon more than one occasion he risked his own life to save. Paul Raymond took up his residence in the colony and is engaged in stock-raising, Inez Bienville being his partner in business. rough Old Skylark Sam, Inez had learned of the death of a rich relative in Spain who had left to ber grandfather quite a snug little sum of money; and as her grandfather was dead it so happened that she was the sole heir, and without delay or trouble pro- cured her inheritance, which she turned over to her uncle. Paul Raymond, forinves ment. Her mother’s friends were all dead so far as she knew, and her father's relatives were strangers. Yet with her lit- tle fortune she could have gone vo them and perhaps lived happily and in luxury and ease. But remem- bering how great was her father’s love for Paul Raymond—their inseparable friendship, and the kindness of the great-hearted man to her in the days and months and years of her bereavement, when he h'mselt was weighed down with sorrow and affliction, she could not—she would not think of leaving him; and so with her old servant Ruth staid and ae house for him and shared her fortune with him—-doing everything, in fact, in her power to lighten his burden of sorrow. ir Some might have thought that she had other reasons for remaining at the colony, fora friendship had sprung up between her and handsome Tom Woolson that the more observing and thoughtful could see was gradually ripening intolove, Lut be this as it may, time a one would tel. Skylark Sam visits Owen’s colony quite frequent- ly. eis still a Border Detective, ard strongly ad- heres to the idea that the balloon will yet be so per- fected that the uppe ‘ and safety. On this subject many regard him as visionary, and, indeed, ‘cranky,’ and perhaps it is bis greatest weakness; but when it comes to work- ing up a case against outlaws and criminalsin which perseverance, shrewdness, tact and courage are re- uired, there are few border detectives the peer of the eccentric Skylark Sam. * Little Curley.” the girl spy and daughter of the outlaw, Mark Tahlity, was sent by Colonel Owens to an aunt of hersin the East. and the last time he heard from her—and she writes him often—she was leading a quiet, honorable life. Dum ereules bequeathed his “dugout” or ‘* Hidden Home” to Dare Devil Dick and his follow- ers, but the rangers never stopped there, for its existence being known to the red-sking made it more of a death-trap than a place of saf THE END, i DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos, 1 to 32 inclusive, 15 to 2% popu lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vole ume 100 pages 12mo. : Speakers, Nos. 1 to 24 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 7% pieces. YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERIES, Dime Book of Winter Sports, Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports, Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. ' Dime Book of Etiquette. > Book of Verses, Dime Kook of Dreams. Dime Fortune Teller, Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. if Dime Lovers’ Casket. eae Dime Ball-Room Companion. Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Chess Instructor. ime Book of Beauty, (@™ The above bocks are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each. Bravia ayp Apaus, Publishers, 98 William st., N. ¥. +3 r air can be navigated with ease » f | { | | | .
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Dime American Young America, — xthday of Washington, for the Maine Law, ‘ot on the Battlefield, The Italian Struggle, «peta r Cowntry, uality of Man, ter of the Revo’n, ihe Fruits of the War, The Sewing-Machine, rh 2 Myateeeat Lif ie Mystery o e, . The Ups and Downs, The Truly Great, Karly Retiring and Ris’g, A. Ward's Oration, True Nationality, Our Natal Day, Solferino, Intelligence the Basis of ore ar. [Liberty arge of Le tre Brigade, After the Battle, ‘The Glass Railroad, Case of Mr. Macbeth, Prof. on Phrenology, Annabel Lee, Washington's Name, The Sail or Boy’s Syren, Dime National Union and its Results, Country’s Future, The Statesman’s Labors, True Immortality, Let the Childless Weep, Our Country’s Glory, Union a Household, Independence Bell, 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, penttora ae sion, e Matter-of-F’ Rich and Poor, _ Beeing the Eclipse, Beauties of the Law, Ge-lang! Git Up, The Rats of Life, || Creowning Glory of U.S, @shkington, bes Great Jnheritance, ‘ Bulogy on Henry Clay, | Dime Patriotic merica to he World, Joun * Hicht of. Self-Preserrn. Sur Cause, fe ‘ A Kentuckian's 2Ppe Kentueky Steadfast, "Simidity is Treaso’s The Alarum, ~ ti det i , The Precious Heritage, "rain’s Speech Christy's Bpecch, The Draft, Union squae Speeches, Union, . 7 4 iry’s Call, s The Story. of an Oak Tree, “2 On M Leg, Dime Comic * on the War, KlepeyerBos! Or sidered, Age Bluntly Karly Rising, The Wasp and the Bee “omic Grae yran, tm Not a A Ie ; Dy, Situ on Pickwick, Romeo and J ‘uliet, oo ar “Rexan Euloginm, to be a Fireman, Fiow to be States, é hg Acco’tof Himself, Fractical hrenology, Babbage,” ag #8 a Bachelor Like? Speaker, No. 1. J. Jeboom’s Oration, A. Dutch Cure, The Weather, ae ae Bet SF -*hilosophy Applied, An Old Ballad, Penny Wise, Pound Fool- True Cleanliness fish, Sat'd’y Night’s Enjoy"ts, “In a Just Cause,’ No Peace with Oppres- sion, +A Tale of a Mouse, A Thanksgiving Sermon, The Cost of Riches, Great Lives Imperishable The Prophecy forthe Y’r Unfinished Problems, Honor to the Dead, Immortality of Patriots, Webster's Polit’] System, A Vision in the Forum, The Press, Woman's Rights, ./ Right of the Geverned, My Ladder, Wests, Alone, The Rebellion of 1861, ! Disunion, Speaker, No. 2. Ohio, Oliver Hazard Perry, Our Domain, Systems of Belief, The Indian Chief, The Independent Farmer Mrs. Grammar’s How the Money Comes, ede € ore maa Loya © Liberty, | Our Country First, Last, and Always, British Influence, * Defense of Jefferson, National Hatreds, Murder Will Out, Strive for the Best, Ear ising, — Gates of Sleep, The le, a Ss ae urity of the Struggle, Old Age, Beautiful and True The Worm of the Still, pee and phe pecie anguage of the Eagle, Washington, The Deluge. Speaker, No. 3. History of Our Flag, T, F. Meagher’s Address, We Owe to the Union, Lincoln’s Me: Last Speech of Stephen A. Douglas, Great Bell Roland, ~ et ‘|The New Year and the ‘ [Union, Rattle Anthem, The Ends of Peace, Freedom the Watchword Gvisis of Our Nation, Duty of Christian Pa- triots, ; Turkey Dan’s Oration, A Fearless Plex, The Onus of Slavery, A Foreigner’s Tribute, The Little Zouave Catholic Cathe The ‘ Speculators,” Speaker, No. 4. 'A Song of Woe. ets ’s Trip to’ Richm’d, me The Mountebank, Compound Interest, . | A Sermon on the Feet, Old Dog Joc ; The Fishes’ Toilet, Brian O’Linn, Crockett to Office-seekers Who Is My Opponent? Poktical Stump Sp - Comic Grammar, No, 2, Farewell to the Bottle, The Cork % The Smack in School Slick’s Definition of Wife, Tale of a Hat, The Debating Club, - A Dutch Sermon, tg 3 on Locomoti ‘jaudle on Umbr‘lla [ : ~ THE DIME SPEA Wumbers 1 to 24, inclusive. Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 50 to 75 pleces. Dime Elocutionist, No. 5. SEC. I. Prrvorprers or, True Enuncrartion.—Faults in Enunciation; How to Avoid Them, Special Rules and Observations. SEC, li. Tar Art or Oratory. Sheridan’s List of the Passions: Tranquillity, Cheerfulness, Mirth, Raillery, Buffoonery, Joy, Delight, Gravity, In- uiry, Attention, Modesty, Perplexity, Pity, Grief, ' Melancholy, Despair, Fear, Shame, Remorse, “ Courage, Boasting, Pride, Obstinacy, Authority, Commanding, Forbidding, Affirming, Denying, Difference, Agreeing, E-xhorting, Judging, Approv- ing, Acquitting, Condemning, Teaching, Pardon- ing, Arguing, Dismissing, Refusing, Granting, De- pendence, Veneration, Hope, Desire, Love, Re spect, Giving, Wonder, Admiration, Gratitude, Cu riosity, Persuasio., Tempting, Promising, Affecta- tion, Sloth, Intoxication, Anger, ete. SEC. Il. Tar Component ELementrs of Ax. ORA rTion.—Rules of ag, array as applied to Words and Phrases, viz.: Purity, Propriety, Precision. As applied _to Sentences, viz.: Length of Sentence, Clearness, Unity, Strength, Figures of Speech; the Exordium, the Narration, the Pxoposition, the Confirmation, the Refutation, the Peroration. SEC. IV. Representative Exercises 1v Prose AND Verse.—Transition; A Plea for the Ox; Falstaff’s ,Soliloqny_on Honor; the Burial of Lincoln; the Call and Response; the Bayonet Charge; Histor of a Life; the ‘Bugle; the Bells; Byron; Macbeth and the Dagger; Hamlet’s Soliloquy; Old Things; Look Upward; Kin William Rufus; the Eye; an Essa Onto Musik; Discoveries of Galileo. SEC. V. OssERVATIONS OF Goop AuTHORITIES. Dime Humorous Speaker, No. 8. A Sad Sto Poetry Run Mad, A Strin of Onions, Ri hi Namo. A Tragic Story, Scientific Lectures, ~ Cats, 4 © Ager, Courtship, The Cockney, Debt The Codfish, Devils Fate of Sergeant Thin, Dow, Jr,’s Lectures, | Ego and Echo, Hamerican Voodchuck, Fashionable Women, Fern Thistles, a gz Good-Nature, The Last of the Sarpints, Gottlieb Klebcyergoss, — | The March to Moscow, shlackenli r’s snake, | The Mysterious ’ Bc Bigiow's inions. h'The Pde " pu = ae How the Money Goes, The Sea-Serpent, \ Hun-ki-do-ri’s Fourth of July Oration, If you Mean No, Say No, Jo Bows on Leap Year, Lay of the He fo eaigelt The Secret, The Shoemaker, The Useful Doctor, The Waterfall To the Bachelors’ Union a Skinner’s Elegy, v ue, atrimony, * nited States Presidents Nothing to Do, Vv 3 Old Caudle's Umbrella Se Popeine he rimes’s Son, What I Wo , Paddle Your Own Canoe, | Yankee poe Addin, arody on ‘ Araby’s| Ze Moskeetare Daughter,” { 1983, . Dime Standard Speaker, No. 7. The World We Live In, | John Burns, Géttysb Woman's Claims, No Séct in Naver: es Authors of our Liberty, | Miss Prude’s Tea-Party, The Real Conqueror, © ' + | The Power of an Idea, The Citizen's Heritage, The Beneficence of the Italy, uffrage, (Sea, The Mechanic, Dream of the Revelers, Nature and Nainre’s God | HowCyrus Laid the Cable The Modern Good, [Sun, | The Prettiest Hand, Ossian’s Address to the | Paradoxical, qudependence Bell—177, | Little Jerry, the Miller, The Neck, The Blarney Stone, Foggy Thoughts, The Student of Bonn The Ladies’ Man, The Broken Household, Life, The Bible, The Idler, | The Purse and the Sword The Unbeliever, My Conupty The Two Lives, ‘True Moral Courage, The True Scholar, What is War? Judges not Infallible, Butter. Fanaticism, My Deborah Lee, Instability of Suecessful | The e, Agriculture, (Crime,.| The Pin and Needle, Treland, The Modern Puritan The People Always Con- | immortality of the Soul, Music of Labor, — (quer, | Occupation, Prussia and Austria, Wishing, : ‘Dime Stump Speaker, No. 8. Hon, J. M. Stubbs’ Views | The Limits to Happinese, on the Situation, Good-nature a Blessing, Hans Schwackheimer on | Sermon from Hard-shell Heroism and Daring, A Shot at the Deeanter. Ww : ffrage Tail-enders, [Baptist, All oe inwead: The Value of Money, Old Ocean, {Sea, | Meteorie Disquisition, The Sea,the Sea, the open | Be Sure You are Right, Star Bangled er, | Beof Good C ‘Stay Where You Belong, | Crabbed Folks, [Shrew, Life’s What You Makelt,| Taming «4 Masculine ’s My Money, Farmers, [Our Country from The True Greatness 0: 'g Relation to Sectety | ‘She Cold-water Man, ¥ i ———————————————————————————— errr ?.?>.00O©}SSS KERS Permanency of States, Liberty of Speech New England and Union, The Unseen Battlefield, Plea for the Republie, America, {Fallacy, “Right of Secession” a Life’s Sunset, Human Nature, « wyers, Wrongs of the Indians, apes! in behalf of Am. es of War,[Liberty, A Lay Sermon, A Dream, Dime Juvenile A Boy’s Philosophy, Hoe Out Your Row, Six-Year-Old’s Protest, The Suicidal Cat, A Valediction, Popping Corn, The Editor, The Same, in rhyme, The Fairy Shoemaker, What Was Learned, Press On, The Horse, The Snake in the Grass, Tale of the Tropics, Bromley’s Speech, The Same, second extract The Fisher’s Child, Shakspearian Scholar, A Maiden’s Psalm of Life, A Mixture, Plea for Skates, Playing Ball, Ah, LY; e Live for Something, Lay of the Hen-Pecked, The Outside Dog, Wolf and Lamb, Lion in Love, Frogs Asking for a King, Sick Lion, : Country and Town 1__Le, Man and Woman, Home, . The Lotus-Planter, Little Things. — A Baby’s Soliloquy, Repentance, A Plea for Eggs, Humbug Patriotism, Night After Christmas, Short Legs, Shrimps on Amusements, Ben Buster's Oration, Hans Von Spiegel's 4th, Josh Billings’s Advice, A Hard-shel Sermon, The Boots, The Squeezer, Noah and the Devil, A Lover's Luek. Hifalutin Adolphus, Digestion and Paradise, Distinction’s Disadvant- Smith, [ages, Gushalina Bendibus, A Stock of Notions, Speaking for the Sheriff, Daking a Shweat, Then and Now Jesh Billings’s Lectusng, Doctor De Blister’s Ann't, Consignments, Hard Lives, Dan Bryant’s Speech, A Colored View, Original Maud Muller, Nobody Train of Circumstances, Good Advice, The Itching Palm, a ‘ 7 il 4 eat = a i == ‘ Astronomical, } The Meon, Duties of American The Man, Temptations of Cities, Broken Resolutions, There is no Death, Races, A Fruitful Discourse, 4 A Frenchman's Dinner, Unjust National Acqui’n | The Amateur Coachman, John Thompson’s Dau'r, House Cleanin ; lt Is Not Yours Asiness, | Speaker, No. 9. Who Rules, ; A Sheep A peat A Little Correspondent, One Good Turn Deserves My Dream, ther, n, T'll Never Use Tobacce, — A Mosaic, The Old Bachelor, Prayer to Light, Little Jim, Angelina’s Lament, _ Johnny Shrimps on Boots ercy, Choice of Hours, Poor Richard’s Sayin Who Killed Tom Roper, Nothing to Do Honesty Best Policy, Heaven, Ho for the Fields, © Fashion on the Brain, On Shanghais, A Smile, Casabianca, Homeopathic Soup, Nose and Eyes, | as The Madman and ha Little Sermons, [RB | Souffles on Electricity, | The Two Cradles, The Ocea 1 Storm, Do Thy Little—Do it Weft Little Puss, Drum-head Sermons, — Schnitzerl's Philosopedis “Woman's Rights,” Jerks Pro A Word with Snooks, Love Scandalous, aged Mixed, The Office-seeke”’ Old Bachelors, Woman, The Niam Niams, People Will Talk, Swackhamer’s Who Wouldn't be hire’ Don’t Depend on Daddan Music of Labor, The American Ensign. Debater and Chairman’s Guide No. 11, 3.—Drpatine Socrery, Its Office and Usefulness, Formation.of, Constitution of, By-Laws of, j Rules of Government, Local Rules of Order, Local Rules of Deba*e, Subjects of Discussion, “u.—How vo Desare, Why there are few good Debaters, * ee to Oratori- cal Success ‘ uu The Logic of Debate, * The Rhetoric of Debate, . Maxims to Observe, | The Preliminary Premise, Order of Argument, | Summary. rt,—CHAIRMAN’S GuIpE. Ordinary Meetings and Th Oriatients e Organizatio ; ‘Onier “of Busiises aad Proceedi The “ Question.” How it can be ated, The * aval How to 0 l Rights to the Floor, Rights of a ri ia aa gainst the Chair, ing Yeas and Nays, Interrupting a Vote. i ras to) if ve Bodiery, Opnyen _— tons, Annual or Gex, Preliminary Organisation rel yee 3 me, Hundred Years te Base-Ball, [Wever — Prescription for pring ' Dime Spread-Eagle Speaker, No. 10, a
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piMe Pee eget ™ ae FOR scHOOY ~ HOME EN? “c, 1 & BS Imciusive, 1K to 25 Pepular Bialoguses «nd Wramas in each book. Each rolame 10@ ifme pages sem! post-paid, om receipt of price; TEN CENTS, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St. N. Y. Khese volumes bave been prepared with especial reference to their availability for Exhibitions, being adapted to schools and parlors witt ‘@ without the furniture of a stage, and suited to SCHOLARS AND YOUNG PEOPLE of every age, both male and female. It is fair te, assum met no other books in the market, at any price, contain so many useful an: uvailable dialogues and dramas of wit, pathos, humor and sentiment. — Dime Dialogues, No. 1. Young America. For three males and two femaies, | The Golden Rule. For two males and two females, ; Josephine’s Destiny. For four females, one male. The Gift of the Fairy Queen. For several femaisa aeotiag of the Muses. For nine young ladies. The Folly of the Duel. For three male speakers. Taken in and Done for. For two characters, ssiting a Live Englishman. For three boys. Dogmatism, For three male speakers. Country Aunt’s Visit to the City. Several charactem Sasso's Coronation, For male and female, The Ignorant Confounded. For two boys. The Two Romans. ‘For two males. Pashion. For two ladies. The Fast Young Man. For two males, Trying the Characters, For three males. the rehearwal. For six boys. The Year's Reckoning, Twelve females, one male. | The Happy Family. For several “ animals.” Which will you Choose? For two boys. The Village with One Gentleman. Foreight females | The Rainbow. For several characters. 7 the Meg of May For two little girls. and one male, How to write ‘‘ Popular ” Stories. For twe males The vtec! a ba rae sig a % The New and ee ld, For two males, aree Scenes sdded Life. For male and fema! i A Sensation at t. For two males. iia, Sniffies’s Confession, For male and female. Dime Dialogues, No. 8. The Greenhorn, For two males. ‘ne Mission of the Spirits. For five young ladies, The Genius of Liberty, Two males and one female, | The Three Men of Science. For four malea, Lchmebbing. For live kers. Cinderella or, the Little Giass Slipper. The Old Lady’s Will. For four males. *e decret of Success. For three speakers Doing Good and Saying Bad. For several characters, { The Little Philosophers. For two little girls. How to Find an Heir. For five males. The Virtues. For six young ladies, A Connubial Eclogue. The Public Meeting. For five males and one femalt The English Traveler, For two males, Dime Dialogues, No. 3. The May Queen, For an entire school.’ Dress Reform Convention. For ten females. Keeping Bad Neg. =i A Farce. For five males. Courting Under Difficulties. Two males, one feméu: National Representatives. A Burlesque. Four maiei Escaping the Draft. For numerous males, The Genteel Cook, For two males. 4 ; ji pet AO Ld Masterpiece, For two males and two females ) The Two Romans. For two males. The Same. Second Scene... For two males. Showing the White Feather, Four males, one feadmk: ‘ The lo Gall, A Recitative. For one male, The Frost King. For ten or mom versons, Starting in Life. For three male: and two femasea Faith, Hope and Charity. For three litle irls \ Darby and Joan. For two males and one femaie. ™he May. A Florai Fancy. For six hittle girls. The Enchanted Princess. 2 males, several females Honor to Whom Honor is Due, 7 males and 1 femas The Gentle Client. Several males and one femate. Phrenolegy. A Discussion. For twenty males. The Stuboletown Volunteer, 2 males and 1 femast A Scepe from “ Paul Pry.” For four males. The Charms. Yer three males and one female. Bee, Clock. aud Sroom — For three little gicts. The Right way. A eeneay. For two boys, What the Ledger Says. For two males. The Crimes ol D.‘ess. A Colloquy. Wor two bogs The Reward of Bexevolence, For four males. The Letter. For tv'o cuales. Dime Dialogues, No. 5. The Three Guesses. For school or parior. Sentiment. A ‘‘ Three .Yersoas’” Farce. Fone Curtain. rind a and spe © Eta Pi Society. For five boys an ‘e Examination Das, For several f-emaie charaeuge™ Trading in Traps.” For aerere! The Schoolboys’ Tribunal. For tes bore es, were