Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 169) (1880 10 19)
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————— = K NO es a I af \ | = ‘f 4s F: = “ i 3 ~ CUMS TA x Yi a — a ili . SSS TY CMF i Li ae ner itt lS SS a $2.50 a year, Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted in 1880 by BEADLE AND ADAMS, Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE: AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. VII. Number. 5 Cents. Tornad mee ee COS EE AS a he eet oe AUTHOR oF “NICK 0’ THE NIGHT,” ‘‘ HIDDEN LODGE,” ‘‘ NIGHTINGALE NAT,” ‘‘OLD FROSTY,” ‘“‘ DANDY JACK,” “‘ KIT UARE*OOT,” ETO, wee + Axo ahme ¢ FET H te ir vA) j Le a x mn SS * . » ~4, pRB hy ty - . oO : ‘ x d -——-- : - ee Se WY - “RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, GALLANT BOY. IT IS NO DISGRACE NOW. YLUL DO ALL I CAN FCR YOU. RUN!”
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Tornado Tom; oR, TN JUN JACK FROM RED CORE. Mt Bory of the Unexplored Wilds of Idaho. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, qeemmer.oF ‘ NICK 0’ THE NIGHT,” ‘‘ NIGHTINGALE cana,“ HIDDEN LODGE,” ‘OLD FROSTY,” ‘‘ KIT MEREFOOT,” ‘DANDY JACK,” ‘“‘ MIDNIGHT #acCK,” “KIOWA CHARLEY,” ‘‘GOLD TRIGGER,” ‘‘ JUDGE LYNCH, JR.,” ETC,, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. THE MAP IN THE SAND. ““"Pernano, ar’ ye dreamin’? No! Ar’ ye vol? blind? Nary a blind! Is this confounded P bewitched? That’s a conundrum what mast give up, Tornado. But, let me git ; to solid bizness an’ bottom facts—yes, Per Gown to hard-pan, an’ the bed rock ov truth, That thing warn’t thar yesterday, fur I steed xight whar l’m standin’ now contemplat- an” the seenery an’ tryin’ to git the right bear- im’s. It didn’t come hyar ov its own account, “ur maps don’t grow in the sand. Somebody \@uade this one—somebody whose bizness in these ‘ seems to be your bizness. Your bizness! % think ov that, Tornado!” ' “fhe eyes of the lonely speaker flashed, and as ‘ike started with clenched hands from the spot ~wevhere he had halted, be cried: _. “Woe to the man what makes my bizness +» @eyar his!” it was getting dark, the sun had disappeared tebind one of the gigantic mountdins that dwexomed the man in. The scene exhibited nature in her wildness, wand he, tall, gaunt and tanned, matched the prospect well. Strange to say, he was standing on what might thave been in an age long gone by, a sand-bar. But where the river had flowed, trees and grass were growing, with here and there a patch of , gray send, whose particles would have glistened om sun. ‘This scene was in the midst of that wild part »ef Fdaho which some geo hers have called the terra incognita of the Far West, and others “the land of death.” The man who called himself by the singular saame ef Tornado was puzzled; his expression wwhowed this. Now, what had perplexed, mysti- Red. him? . : a, a lot of lines in the sand at his feet ~Adnes ae each other like the streets of a y: A mwamber of serpents might have made them; ut the man was willing to swear that a snake “ead not marred the surface of the sand. He had come suddenly upon the strange map Tornado Tom. line on thet infernal map pointed straight toward | «6 Then, I know why you're hyar!” cried Tor- thar war an arrer on the end ov thet line, too! pet means a good deal; it means, Tornado, that it war the most import- ant line on the hull map, an’ the one what he would most likely take if he’s lookin’ fur the prize. I’m off fur the canyon. I want to meet the fellar thet made thet map, an’ chaw ’im up! With a parting glance at the ground which had yielded him such unwholesome fruit, the man sprung away. rm pele coupled with rage seemed to lend speed to his ungainly limbs; he almost ran. We have said that the man was ‘tall, gaunt ani tanned.” These four words briefly, but well, describe him. If tall and gaunt, he did not lack strength; his bands, when clenched, re- sembled sledge-bammers in more ways than one. His face was beardless and well defined, but not unbandsome. A pair of hawk-like eyes peered over his high, sun-scorched cheeks, the narrercanyon. An which were whipped incessant] y,bY crackers of | ers. | long hair that touched his shou is garments were the well-known _habili- ments of mountain men; they had served him well, and the seams told that he had lately seen ‘the plains,” for they were well laden with CHAPTER II. QUEEN OF RED CORE, Ir was a wild place for such a combat. Tornado Tom let his rifle mf to the ground, and braced himself for the due ‘One ov us ar’ bound to go under, mebbe both,” he said to himself. The duelists came eee at length, each one about ten feet from his rifle. Then Tom got a good look at his foe, and knew that he was a man whom he had never seen before. He was quite an Indian in appearance, so that the name he bore fitted him well. He hada handsome and supple figure, which was clad in a new buckskin suit, and Tornado saw that he was still a young man though one who had roughed it much. A clean-cut face ornamented by adark mustache that might have killed a city beau with envy, and eyes that scintillated like the stars overhead. He was about thirty- six, and it there were no Indian blood in his alkali dust. The rifle was not his only weapon, | veins, why the dark skin, and the dark hair. for a huge bowie-knife occupied a leathern sheath on his right bip. He had seen the plains; he had crossed the Bitter Root Mountains; and invaded the death- | infested acres of Idaho. He had traveled one thousand miles and faced death a thousand times to find—what? Let our story tell. And now somebody was before him. Tornado Tom—for let us complete the ti- | tle by which we sball kuow this character— | did not halt for a moment until he found him- | self in a narrow mountain pass which he had incorrectly dubbed a canyon. It was several miles from the startling map, and on either hand rose the dark and wooded sides of the Unknown Mountains. The man had evidently visited the spot before for he had called it the narrow canyon. ‘* Wal, I’m hyar!” he said. ‘‘ Tornado, what do you think ov the ma’ , now?” he man bad halted in the narrowest portion of the pass, and was wiping his brow with a sweep of his lengthy arm. If he intended to reply to the self-put ques- tion he did not, for a sound and a sight held his tongue. ‘**T guess I’ve found the map-maker a’ready,” he thought. Perhaps he had. At a certain point about twenty feet in his front stood a figure which he would have ran against if he had continued on a few more strides. It looked like a statue cut out of stone and planted there; but Tornado Tom knew that it was a living man, and, of course, his mortal -—s@ sauidenly, indeed, that a few moments be- | enemy! Yere the ludicrous ‘heard him ask himself, he had started back with own extlamation of astonishment. ue would have thought that he had seena Y hes tracing the map in the sand. a his fierce warning words? hat did they mean? a to the man what makes my business ‘For many moments the discoverer had stared we tae uncouth tracery withouta close examina- hoon, Now he stooped and appeared to study it with ; as interest. He id in his left hand a long-barreled, i king rifle whose stock, adorned with “the of a deer in tin, rested on the g:ound Meattie an enormous foot, while the fingers of his xivbt hand followed, as if from some irresistible tempolae, the little comes in the sand. Ba j e to carry this ’ar map in my pocket _ be said, speaking to himself. ‘* But as I can’t ‘49 Mhet, Pve got to tote it in my noggin. The AAA t made it didn’t carry it on paper; but irewed it pd from recollection to refresh his - It wetge: begins to look as if thar’s two men “aetin’ the same thing in these parts. Great 4oomin’ thunders! Whatif thar ar’? What if wmebody—mebbe more than one—intends to at it with ye, Tornado?” be man sprung up and dashed a foot across tee sand—which action had the effect of obliter- sarang the perplexing ‘‘ tracing.” ~ J war hyar first!” he cried. “I came hyar to dead it, an’ to keep it! An’ I say, woe to the man “what made the map in the sand if he bunts my prize! Let me see! The widest and the deepest _— ee ra uestions which we have | While the man-hunter was hastening to the pass, night had thrown her pall over the coun- try. The mountain pass was lit up by the stars alone—lamps that hung too far away to afford much light. But the light was sufficient to show Tornado that his antagonist was his equal in hight, but a little stoyter in build, and that he was similarly | armed, ‘‘ By the jaws ov Jonah’s whale! we kin hev it out hyar without interference!” gritted Tom. ‘*He’s the man thet made the map, an’ conse- quently he’s my victim.” Then he raised his voice, but at the same time his hand glided to his thigh. ‘* Hello! stranger?” ‘ Hello!” was the gruff response. ** Who might you be?” Tom was leaning forward eager to hear the reply when it came clear and distinct, a chal- lenge in every word. ‘* Injun Jack from Red Core!” The words went up the mountains, and a moment’s silence followed. Tornado had drawn his knife; so had the man from Red Core. ‘* Ain’t ye goin’ to trade names?” be asked. “*Sartinly! I’m called Tornado whar they know me best.” Tom thought he heard Injun Jack utter a note of surprise. ° ** Why ar’ ye hyar?” asked Tom. “That’s my business,” “It’s mine, too! You made the map in the dirt?” a Jack did start; Tom saw this, “Yes!” he said. that lay loosely on his broad shoulders? Such was Tornado Tom’s foe. The toe of Tom’s heavy boot touched Indian Jack’s dainty moccasin when they halted. “Tnjun Jack, eh?’ thought our first acquaint- ance. ‘‘By Jehu! he’s a daisy! Ef he war a friend instead ov a foe, gosh! how close he’d stick!” The men faced each other for several minutes in silence as if they hated to ‘‘ proceed to busi- ness.” Why should they be enemies? In that wild land why should they not be the stanchest of friends? At last Injun Jack spoke:— ‘““T’'m ready, Tornado.” “T’ve been waitin’ fur yé these five minutes,” was the response. The gladiators threw back their ample chests and raised their bowies. The next instant there was a furious pass followed by a recoil; but they stood together once more foot to foot. All at Gana That Jack lowered his blade. ‘We'd better let them go by first,” he said, addressing Tornado. *Confound it!” growled Tom, ‘This ar’ the second time in my life that the p’izen varminte. hev interrupted a duel fur me. Ar’ they fol- lerin’ you, Injun?’ **Guess not; I’ve been hynr two weeks; but I haven’t seen a scalp-lock ret.” “Two weeks!” ejaculated Tom, cpe: in eyes with amazement. doin’ all the time thet—” The sounds that came from the western end of the pass put an end to his sentence, and, by common consent he and Injun Jack stepped aside and hid among the young trees at the foot of the bill. While they stood there, breathlessly waiting for the Indians, their shoulders touched—ile shoulders of these two deadly foes. ““They’re on horseback,” muttered Tom. ‘* Pa goin’ to count ’em jest fur fun.” Presently the leader of the cavaicade came in sight, then another and another in single file, Tom counting them in low whispers as thy rode by. Injun Jack did not appear to nctice the night riders. From the corners of his eyes he was inspecting the man at his side. In the meanwhile Tornedo had :ounted fifty Indians, and then stopped with an oath. “It’s a bull tribe!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Injun, if we wait till the last chap goes by we'll never git to squar’ accounts byar.” ““Mebbe not. Let us go up the mountain.” “* Agreed,” An instant later the duelists would have lided from the spot if an unforeseen aceident not occurred. A cry like the call of a night bird came down the mountain; it passed as it were directly uver the heads of the foes. Instantly the Indians drew rein, and Tom und. Jack exchanged glances, . “Them fellars up thar ar’ comin’ down,” an- nounced Tornado. ‘It looks to meas if we're between the fryin’-pan an’ the fire!” an expres- sion containing a good deal of truth. The red-skins in the pass were waiting for some above to join them. Retreat was now impossible, and to crouch where they were seemed to be courting death. Tom was revolving several problems con- his “What bev I been
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i ee et en tr nected with the dilemma in his head, when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning quickly he looked into Injun Jack’s face. “T have a plan,” murmured Jack, although his lips did not seem to move. ‘‘ Yonder is the end of this Indian band; the last two horses are ridden by Injun boys—two chaps what ain’t a toothful fur you an’ me. The tribes are bound to find out that we’re in this yeimg if they don’t know it already. So, what’s the differ- ence?” ‘“ Wal, state yer plan.” “Tt is to creep down thar, knock the little niggers off their hosses an’ ride fur life with a hull tribe at our heels.” It was a desperate venture tersely proposed, but uttered in a fearless tone. ‘‘The plan strikes me hard,” answered Tom. **T’'m ready on one condition.” “Well?” “Thet we ar’ to resume the fight at the first opportunity provided we run the gauntly sa oly. “Of course,” returned the man from Red Core. ‘These Injuns hev only interrupted our business, not put an end to it.” ** Now for the young pinks ov the mountains.” A minute later the two men were gliding toward the objects of their attention, who oc- cupied the backs of their horses, dreamless of the foe so near. Sovegeg they leaped up like tigers from the grass of the jungle, und the two Indian boys were sent reeling from their perches—their first warning of the nearness of the enemy a stun- ning blow. EE — Tornado Tom. But the next moment two human hands shot above the waters, then a head, and the hard face of Tornado was revealed to his foe. “T can’t leave ‘iui! Better to save *im an fight it out fairly than let the water have ‘im!” The last word was followed by a plunge from a horse whose head and buck were just visible above the current; Injun Jack had leaped to the rescue of his mortal enemy. Quick as a flash his right hand shot toward the drowning man, his left still clutched the mane of the Indian horse; and, as Tornado sunk again, the viselike gripe of Lis foe was at his shoulder. Then the horse pushed brevely toward the shore, as if he knew that the lives of two brave men depended on his efforts. He dragged them through the water, but at the edge of the shore he gave up the struggle, and fell back into the river exhausted and dying. But he had not failed in bis undertaking, for one man dragged another up the grassy slope, and then sunk beside him. Meany. minutes passed amar. when at length Tornado Tom moved, opened his eyes and part- y rose, Jehu! whata tight rub!” he gasped. “ That’s what I call knockin’ at death’s shauty. Hello! Injun?”’ he inanimate form of the man from Red Core lay at Tom’s feet, and be had just espied it ’ ‘But there was no response to the exclama- tion. ‘* Mebbe the river got the best ov bim,” con- tinued Tornado, and then he said as a ray of 4 nearly have | broken it a thousand times! Wat, come or not, eld fellow, 'm not going to vit wnt longer, for here’s one fellow who is goim.. sleep.’ These words fell from the lips of a boy wes stood at the mouth ot a mountain cave what an old hunter would have taken for the lain «va. grizzly. It was a balmy night in midsummer; bate air was bracing, and the stars that glittered & a clear sky showed him his surroundivge:— mountains! He was a handsome lad of seventeen, i built and supple, and the clear blue eyes fist Ge possessed held imprisoned a ray of good-tarsi: But how came he there? We shall see chew & Having proclaimed his intention of se@¥r: sleep, he went into the cave, dropping ov ** aperture a network of mountain vines whitiyis hand had raised. If he slept, however, the nap was oue 0f 29% duration, for an hour later he reappeared it %y starlight, this time armed with a rifle antl. revolvers, the latter at convenient places it ir belt. There was an expression of anxiety and haysa- tience visible on his face. “Something unusual has happened be fire nado. I am sure of it!” exclaimed the tep.. ‘* He left me at dusk; it must be midnight mre deg go as far as the winding pass and lok. te im.” Shouldering the rifle, the youth started offwt an agile gait, eager to reach the spot mentions, He had visited it before, for he seemed te know the way be took, and did not have te sas to take his bearings like travelers in doubt ‘Here I am, but no Tornado!” fell from lips as he halted before one of those mousia Almost before the-victims touched the ground, triumph lit up his eyes: ‘* What ef it did?” the two men were on ile Indian blankets, and | Then he proceeded to shake his enemy with the next instant two horses flew toward the | such a result that once more they erect ss nt western end of the pass! ‘We're in fur it!” eri-d Tornado as a wild cry that seemed to shake the night rose behind them. Yes, they were in for it. The pass was barely wide enough for them to keep side by side, but they managed to do so and face to face. They could resume the fight now, and the soft grass of the river bank was a better place tor one to die than the rough mountain pass. Once more they drew their knives; but all at once Tornado Tom threw his dirk at his feet with a hard border oath, ravines gloomy enough at noonday, but we. fold more repulsive at night. ‘‘It’s darker ime - a bear’s den. Tornado, old fellow, where we you, anybow?” At that moment the gold-hunter and Sie enemy, Injun Jack were leagues away stem, face to face w th bowie-knives in their hand: qd though their legs touched, “Thunder! we’re fools, Injun!” he exclaimed. The only answer vouchsafed the boy's q@<#- The entire party of Indians seemed thunder- | ‘‘ Arter such a tussle with death we oughtn’t to | tion was the echo of his own words at whist +s. I ing behind them; they made the night hideous | be enemies. Hf it hadn’t been for you, Tornado | any other time he might have laughed, « with their maddening cries, and now and then a far reaching bullet whistled past the white men’s heads. Once out of the pass, a dim country lay be- fore them. ‘Keep together! Remember the bizness we’ve got on hand,” reminded Tom us they rode from the unlucky place, then down a little valley they dashed to pause at length on the banks of a swift mountain stream like those that flow through the canyons of the Far West. Their horses were jaded and almost exhausted, but the chase seemed to be over. At least its sounds no longer reached the ears of the twain. “T guess we outran them, but it would be best to put the river between us,” remarked In- jun Jack. ‘“‘ Ef the hosses kin make it,” was the reply. “We can try them.” Into the stream plunged the two men, to be Tom would be in a quicksand coffin at this writin’. Hyar, what’s the use ov bein’ lunaties when thar’s enough fur both ov us¢ Put it thar, pard, Shake'” The brawny hand of Tornado Tom was out- stretched to his foe and there was eternal friendship in his eye. **No, wo can’t be friends’” was the unex- pected response. ‘‘What Injun Jack wants ou hunt, and he will never divide with an iving man—never! Besides, be’s not buntin’ i for himself but. for—Olive’” ‘* Olive!” echoed Tora who had been staring speechless at the speaker, ‘‘ who in the name ov thunder is Olive?” A flash of minglea pride and defiance lit up Iujun Jack’s eyes “Olive? She’s the Queen of Red Core; bunt her, touch her if you dare!” And with the last word which was accom carried away as if they were mere cockle-shells. | eng by a farewell wave of his nee, Injun But the horses soon got the hang of the current, and struck out boldly for the opposite shore, dimly seen in the starlight. “ Injun, we've struck the devil’s own stream,” broke suddenly from Tornado’s lips, as his horse, lunging backward, sunk almost out of sight. ‘“‘Ef these infarnal quicksands get in their work, we'll never fight it out—never!” There was no reply, but Tom thought be de- tected a gleam of pes in Injun Jack’s eyes. “‘Oh, yes, you want the sands to wipe Tor- nado out!” he thought. ‘‘ Then you would have it all your own way, an’ you could go en makin’ maps in the sand, until vou find the prize, an’ : thar’d be nobody to dispute it with you.” The speaker’s horse was now struggling val- iantly for life between two enemies that seemed ‘eager for his destruction, the water and the ack turned his back on Tornado and dceliber ately walked away. ‘Wal, I’m squelchei ef he isn’t a reg’lar daisy!” muttered the bewildered man gazing after the retreating figure. ‘‘So he’s buntin’ fur Olive, eh? Doesn’t want an ounce ov it fur himself. By grammany! I offered him my fist; but he wouldn’t take it, preferrin’ to be enemy still. Wal, I’m satisfied. Take care, Injun Jack! The next time Tornado Tom offers you bis hand thar may be suthin’ in it. Queen ov Red Core, eh? Thet’s a deuced pretty title fur these parts. Id like to see ber, ’pon my life I would! Mebbe she’d suit Tornade Jr. Pshaw! what am I[ talkin’ about. Queen ov Red Core! By Jehu! I’m goin’ to see the animile.” ood now— “Then stay away till you're ready tos iv back!” he said, petulantly. “Icdion’tknow ¥— I foliowed you to this country. You did! «<a a good turn in Omaha. Tornado—you te 22» away from those men who were going te». ‘S a professional gymnast out of me, and Its. & pay you back by nursing vou when yor mom aid up by Lucky Ben’s bowie. Somels« «« other, we just drifted together, and whei yi wauted to come ovt here after somethis. & know not what, ard asked me if I’d come «#. bless me if I could say ‘no,’ and cut loost:s « 4 you. So I’m here, but where are you, i \r- nado*” Did that stone which bad rolled down * mountain side to fall at the boy’s feet ane © him: At any rate he started and looked up wit x. balf-suppressed cry. Something had started that stone—sc maBaamyr that lived. The youth saw it as his eyes told, and battin, from the spot he cocked his rifle. “Steady!” he whispered, self-encon)agantgs. “Tt is your first red-skin, Tornade Jr., ast maybe you can show the old fellow a wt) when he comes back.” The boy’s keen eyes bad not deceived kr. Thanks to the stone his life had been saved, Yc that Indian bad just been crawling tiger» upon bim. Another instant and a dead boy would hewn been waiting for Tornado Tom at the wiraie,. ss The Indian rose as he saw Tornado Jr. wy 7- ing away, but, quick as a flash, the boy's ria leaped to his shoulder. Halt! Another step and there'll be a vacnate | “agin yuck watched the battle with no tittle CHAPTER HL ptt te oy oe thle Reh wae) | ‘interest. His own animal was getting on com- FORBANO IB, If the savage understood he did not obey, fc ‘ tively well. TAIL at , Shae a cry which the bravest cannot always suppress was mingled with the noise of the waters. Tornado’s horse was giving up the battle, and the man from re saw him plunge backward and disappear beneath the ee e—_——-_ ----~- 00 “Way doesn’t he come back? He said he wouldn’t be gone more than half an hour; he promised faithfully to return within that time or I should have insisted on going with him. What drives him hither and fhither anyhow? That’s what I’d like to know. Why, only —— EEE Ene the next moment the boy saw fit to send a bai let crashing chee his head! A wild cry and a heavy thud follows ‘te: death-shot, and the young marksman, as 7? stau~ tled by the fatality of his aim, turned and tee. never thinking of the scalp that lay at diy waves! yesterday I caught him making lines on the | mercy. \ { At the same instant Tornado Tom sunk out ound with his ramrod. He’s hunting some- “Ym a fool for running. Tornado woalt? q of sight. ing. A gold mine? That’s what I think | laugh at me!” he muttered. halting, ‘but ws sy ie!” souneed Injun Jack. ‘‘1’m left | sometimes; but he made me swear that I would | until he had put several hundred yards’ alone to hunt the prize. By jingo! he was a/| never seek to know his business in this wild | him and his first Indian. “I wonder # ef* wan of grit.” land. What a foolish oath that was! and how ‘ body else ever run from a.dead man? Pshaat
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eaten ) ee etined to laugh at his folly, Tornado Jr. ‘ww about to return for the scalp-lock of his ‘éeewhen he was startled | y the whinney of a txew. Almost immediately afterward the gut- txmi words of some Indian language fell upon WemATS. 3m had halted at the end of a canyon, and all .weo from the darkness that enshrouded it sone a horse and his rider. mevado Jr. seemed suddenly rooted to the ~s, and for several seconds he did nothing but é<my ab the scene before him. ‘Sis was nothing more or less than an Indian var: horsebac k—one of the red centaurs of the ari = West. Jite boy’s rifle was not loaded; his hasty flight ise his first battle-field had kept the trusty / sxvpon empty. But he had twelve loads in the wows in his belt. _ he use them? che same strange impulse that had already «wevted its power got control of him again, and ‘Sschero who had run from a dead Indian now ed his heels to a live one, Srer the ground as fast as his limbs could oxy him went the little coward; but thunder- ug behind him came the mounted Indian, fol- fri by at least forty more, like fox-hunters satel ery. %imh a chase could not last long. Tornado aoL-was pursued to the center of a treeless 2% of ground, where, like a wolf at bay, he w#éxé his teeth hard and whirled on his pursuers, ken pressed to the wall anybody will show %*4, and Tornado Jr. was no exception. i “4a Indian horses had experienced some diffi- isu ingetting over the ground which the run- ‘ee; Sad traversed with much ease; therefore, he 4#eos. moment for breathing before they came am ae \ “Submit to them?” he cried. ‘The red it gra is, would make quick work of me anyhow. ie by Judas! Pve showed the white feather com to-night. I don’t eee to budge a pe ‘% eethis spot—not a een ou hear that, saserst Vhat woul feel “i e, going u Xornado and acknowledgin that I sale f susrvard, and didn’t improve the opportunity aiheed'me for wiping out the disgrace? Here Gesed, live or die. a tese brave, defiant and—shall we say it?— ~ te Sardy words found the boy firmly planted ewxthe ground, a revolver in each hand. He wer hound to hy out the disgrace of flight. Ye- came the Indians, close together. When a as © vaught sight of their antagonist a yell of tena ph. sought the stars, and all at once rein ‘sexx cawn before him “White boy run well, ” said the burly half- 4) Jeader’ of the fiends. ‘“ om «. Now him surrender.” a Teyou? I guess not!” was the answer, and “rarsatisecond the revolver in the right hand meee. and the chief pitched heavily over his ly , eae Tow the fe ft hand of the defiant boy went ewe amd from the death-charged chambers of Six -yistols a volley was poured into the the a “oarcotithe Indians. 7 wurtiad, ag pe by such courage the sav- veer iia back in confusion, and Tornado Jr. oid 2,c@olness which his recent flight did not ps! wmenwaé improved the breathing time by slipping teat 1 arp nian 2 the revoivers. q ~“ ping out disgrace and Indians at the 4 serne time is doing pretty well, I think,” he said | Maw@aself. “What! are the rascals going to se Oh, my red pigeons, I have plenty more etter compliments left!” ‘be infuriated. red-skins were not going to ‘tig’xeas a boy of seventeen. Tornado Jr. did waectmow them if he thought so. “he advanced again, this time to end the eostttes, but again the rain of death beat against Vhedvae Hl adies, “Ser urdo. dr. had not budged “ a peg.” Wit? compressed lips and unerring aim the ‘ mr2ant lad was wiping out his late disgrace. | aghis could not last always. Sie-of'the revolvers snapped. He tried it | wamttand again, but with the same result. #2 a@madcry the boy threw it away, and aumatnt later the other one was useless also, Deaiee it. was empty. ‘“eaede ag fight an how!” he gritted. “Sow, peddies, come and take me.’ Te She did not need such an invitatiow, the wenmakready upon him, and their eager han “maxervaching after Lim whens. & Hurrah for the American got good Ae = Tornado Tom. Bang! bang! sounded a repeating rifle on the side of the nearest bill and a voice called out: **Run for your life, gallant boy. It is no disgrace now. I'll do all I can for you. Run!” ornado Jr. seemed to have confidence in the unseen speaker, and springing from the hands of the Indians as 16 seemed he ran all his might. And as he ran he seemed to hear the new voice still. He would have wagered his very life that his helper was a young girl. But who could it be? Since crossing the Bitter Root Mountains, he had seen but one white face—Tornado Tom’s. ** But, never mind,” thought the boy. ‘ Vil discover who bas helped mo to-night.” CHAPTER IV. TRACKED HOME. Wuen he found himself among the trees again, Tornado Jr. stopped and tur rned his face toward the spot from whence the bullets of his preserver had come. To all outward appearance the Indians bad ceased to pursue, and he resolved to ascertain the identity of his unknown helper. “Tt was a girl’s voice, Iam sure of that. But who can she be? pps says that we are the only white folks here. I have believed that; bul now i hardly know what to think.” Thus thought the boy as he hastered up the hill on whose side his hel per had stood. e was full of eager curi rit which lent speed to his movements, and at last he stood where he thought his preserver had been, wit But no gir lish figure caught his eye; no pretty face, such as he had pictured to his mind. He did not dare tocall ber forthe Indians might still be in hearing; he was obliged to con- tent himself witha still hunt. This he did in no good humor and without results. “*T can’t waste the whole night here,” be said at last. ‘‘I will find her some time. As sho has rendered me the most important of services this country is not too great to lose her from I will go back to the cave and when Tornado comes Ill astonish him. Ah! how the old fellow will open his eyes and listen. A It seems a dream to me, white girl in these parts? me; but it is no Gream.’ Tornado Jr, turned away, and just as the first streaks of dawn were illumining the earth, he entered the mountain cave again. To his utter surprise he found it untenanted ; there were no signs that told of Tom’s return, “Not back yet? Something disastrous has If f only knew where to look for Ah! that accursed secret that I wish it had never had happened. my old pard! brought him hither. an existence.” Not knowing where to look for his friend, the boy could do nothing but wait, so throwing himself wearily down on a cot of buffalo-hides he resolved to wait and rest. But he could not keep slumber from his eye- lids, and he was soon fast asleep. Where was Tornado Tom? We left him on the grassy bank of the un- known river where he had offered his tawny hand in friendship to Injun Jack—an offer which that worthy had refused witb scorn. were to be enemies still, and Tom cursed for what he termed his folly when he saw the strange man walking away. “Touch the Queen of Red Core if you dare! Thet’s what be said, er words to that effect,” growled Tom. “Wal, mebbe I don’t want to touch her; but I’m guin’ to see ber, any how, No harm in tekin’ a peep at the critter, I s’pose.” Did Injun Jack know that he was followed? The gaunt figure that kept persistently in his wake like a bloodhound was Tornado Tom’s, At times the trailer lost sight of bis man; but he stuck to the trail as if by scent, and found himself on it still when the day broke. * He’s goin’ straight to Red Core now,” mut- tered Tornado, as the trail led him abruptly to the left. ‘“ Did he think thet I would go back without tryin’ to find something out arter he had more than hinted of a gal in these parts an’ in his keer? Injun, you don’t know me yet. ‘You've only glanced at the preface to-night. | Wait till] you git inter the middle ov that book called “Tornado Tom.’ ” The old fellow did not pause until he saw the handsome figure of Injun Jack standing in bold es cy against the sky on the bare summit of a “The tiger ar’ nigh the den,” he murmured in great glee. “‘ He is lookin’ to see ef the coast ar’ cPar, Now he duties fur Red Core!” he'figure on the hill had sudderly dropped of sight; bat Tornado saw it push down- T himecl? ou a — ce SES a ier ward and enter a little vatle ey well timbered and covered with rich green grass. ‘““Thar’s Red Core!” fell suddenly from the trailer’s lips. *‘ Now whar’s the Queen cv it?” Was that little log-built shanty that grae-d the center of the valley the place which Injun Jack had proudly called Red Core? ‘Tom was certain of it, and yet be could not tell why. But all at once his opinion was confir med, for he saw a young girl spring from the cabin, "axl aig toward the strange man—his foe. The features of Injun Jack brightened when he noticed her, and the next moment he hei.! her wrists in his hands, and was looking down into her eyes. “She’s a beauty, this Red Core gal!” ejacu- lated Tom in his place of concealment. “Jehu! what a mate she’d make for Tornado Jr. But they mustn’t come together, for Injun an’ me ar’ enemies. Tornado Jr. kin find a wife in tho States jest as purty as that gal, when he gocs back with the rocks,” Tom had not overjudged the giri who stood before Ivjun Jack. She was a lov ely creature—a girl whoso fac) and figure did not possess a ringle fault. Ho: head, Tich in luxuriant golden hair, would nos have touched Injun Jack’s shoulder: By therefor he could look down into her eyes. She igh i have been seventeen; surely sue had bit passe that year. For several moments the man fromm Red Jor contemplated the girl before him, and was abou” to lead hey back to the cabin, when, at a toucl of his sleeve on her hand, she started Lack witb a light cry Where re have you been?” she asked, her large eyes swimming in astonishment, **Oh,” he laughed, ‘‘ I swam a river,” “ Not for pleasure?” *“Why not, Oiive? The rivers in this country are not wide—” ‘But you tell me that they are the abodes deadly quicksands, Jack, do not try to deceivs me. ‘You have been chased. There are Indians in this country. I know it because I havo seen them.” ‘* You? What! havo you seen Injuns, Oliv—. Where have you been?” The face of. the girl grew crimson. ** Ah! did you not pro)nise me that you woul not leave Red Core during my absence?” he sei: reprovingly. ‘‘ You have broken that prom'ys to the detriment, mebbe, ofallmy plans, Now, what did you see?” The girl hesitated, and the gripe of Injun Jack on her wrists tightened unti nace left ber face. His eyes were flashing like tiie eyes of an offended master. ** Tell me, Olive! What could you see in these a that you must conceal from Injun Jack? ou saw something besides Injuns? Ha! is that not so?” The Queen of Red Core hung ber héad. ‘“‘Look up here!” he cried. ‘No babying. oes me the truth. It will be the best for bo of us.’ After awhile the girl raised her head and, a ter trying in vain to avoid his searching she told the story of Tcrnado Jr.’s rescue ome the Indians. The croucher not far away heard every word, and noticed every action. “So they met each other! Confound it, They'll git to makin’ love to one another an’ : sil allmy plans. NotifI kin help it! That's etalk, By the jumpin’ Jingo! ll stan’ be- tw een the two young fools, an’ keep ’em apart with my old arms. I didn t think thet the Red Core gal was sucha beauty. I wish she war somewhar around the north pole, instead cv hyar, interferin’ with my plans.” Meanwhile Olive was finishing her narration to Injun Jack, and when she concluded she ste})- ped back for Jack had dropped her hands and she was free. ‘“‘ So thar ar’ two of them!” said the man from Red Core. “Thar may be a whole camp-full somewhere. How old was the boy?” “*] do not know. I saw him but indistinctly. He was large enough tobe seventeen, or there- about.” “Just old enough 4 you, Olive, eh?” said Jack, with a ‘ontel iis The girl did not opty her blue eyes drop- d. ‘Listen to me, Queen Olive. When we here found the big bonanza you will have plent time to hunt up a lover. Butnow youm a think of one. That boy is not here alone. I know this. I saw the man who Hagdva de = hither. He is my pit gs fe Why possess the same secret. That res is my b Hear enemy, end yours, too, He trying w deprive ;
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ee my. ee vou of that immense fortune that will be yours if yew obey Injun Jack. I wish you had not left the erin for one moment last night.” “Jack! If I had not—” “Yes, I know! The Injuns would have got away with the boy. They would have put one thorn out of our path. The big haul shall be ours, Olive, every ounce of it! If you'll stick by me you shal) find that Injun Jack will do to tieto. I saw that boy’s master last night, an’ told him to touch the Queen of Red Core if he dares. I would say the same to that boy if he was hyar. You must not meet him. swear you must not—I, Injun Jack! Nothing must eep us from going straight to the mine of gold, No love-making, no deception of any kind. In- jun Jack never missed a mark yet. Olive, if ou do not listen to me—if I catch you with hat boy I will not hesitate—” He seized her wrists again, and drawing her to him hissed into her ears the rest of the sen- tence. ‘‘ { will not hesitate to kill!” In vain the girl’s face grew pallid, and she tried to break from his grasp. “Jack—Jack, let me go back tothe cabin!” she cried. “Yes, go back to Red Core, and remember!” he said, releasing her, ‘I am Injun Jack, and if you act sensibly you shall be the richest girl on tliis continent; but if you at that boy or anybody else into your head, I'll go cl’ar back on you. Do you hear me? Cl’ar back!” “That's bizness! Keep ’em apart! I’m with you thar, Injun,” murmured Tornado Tom. ‘ But touch the boy if you dare!” CHAPTER V. OLD TORNADO MAKES A COMPACT. “PLL not let on that I know anything about little Tornado’s adventure last night, jist fur che sake ov seein’ ef he’ll tell me,” d-cided Tom as he turned his back on the cabin in the valley. “We must keep ’em onerts Injun Jack. Thar’s su’thin’ better in the States fur the boy—yes, su’thin’ better than the Queen ov Red Core.” Tornado Tom was eager to reach the moun- tain cave, for he hurried over the ground at a ee —_ e had Jost his rifle ir the river which had almost turned:out'to be lis grave, but his revol- vers were still safe, and his cartridges in prime condition. , “Things work queer) y sometimes. Ef Injun Jack hedn’t lefs thet map in the sand, I wouldn’t hev found out thet he war in voir en yr hunt- in’ fur the same thing I’m inter in. Iwop- der ef Old Icicle told him? No! he didn’t, far one hour after the old man whispered the secret in my ear, didn’t I plant’ ’im? An’ didn’t he swear that I war the only man what he had told it to? Old Icicle war a queer one: he didn't say much, but when’ he did open his mouth he told the truth; you could:bet on that!” The rough man was communing thus with himself when Le happened to raise his eyes, to cut his sentences short, and to start back with a “hello!” of sarprise. Right bef re him stood seven horses, and on the back of each was an Indian. The faces of the red-skins expressed no little merriment, for they had been watching the un- Fy ae gold-hunter with much amusement. He had been walking directly toward them for several minutes, and they knew that he was oper in their power. ““Wal, I swear!” ejaculated Old Tornado as he halted. ‘‘ Hyar’s a nice pickle—a sudden in- troduction to the lords ov this kentry. I won- er— ‘*Hillo! white man!” interrupted one of the Indians in fair English. ‘ Pale-face run ag’in’ Injun, if he no stop. Where him keep fim eyes! eC They*re in my head ..ow!” was the an- swer, and with the last word the savages found the tables completely turned on them, for the gold hunter was covering them with the two revolvers, one in each hand. a “T allus war handy with the sixes!” warned Tornado, with a sardonic grin. : “Now jest un- dertake to touch a weepin, an’ see how quick Pll give yea rt to kingdom come! Be- fore ’'m in this kentry long you'll Varn to git the drop on me before I kin touch my shootin’- irons. ar’s seven ov ye; but thar’s thirteen ov me, six deaths ineach weepin an’ the concen- trated essence ov destruction behind ’em. Git off them hosses!” The Indians stared into each others’ faces, and ther glanced at the man with death in his hands. ‘‘Git off them hosses!” a € : Tornado Tom. Sullenly the seven stalwart braves obeyed. “Come out from’em. I wanta cl’ar view ov among yer anatomy. Thar! thet’s right.” The horses relieved of their riders began to move off much to the discomfort of the red- skins, * Look ut me, not at the hosses!” command- ed Tornado. “Bye me as you would a photo- graphin’ aparatus.” The deadly pistols forced attention, and Tor- nado saw the Indians standing before him with flashing eyes and heaving breasts. ‘Throw down yer rifies.!” Seven rifles were cast vpon the ground. “Now listen to me. [ didn’t come to this kentry to disturb a single Injun in his rights. Isimply come to hunt up a piece ov land with a hole in it, an’ when I f without the blood ov one ov yer race on my skeerts. Alllask is fair play. If you try to balk me, you'll think thet all the bolts ov death hev been turned on ye. We ought to understand each other. I want to find thet with you; but, I’m goin’ to find it ef I hev to goon areg’lar war-path. already, but it isn’t oe dealin’, an’ only one Jack in the deck. me hear from you.” His’ words were addressed to the Indian who had first spoken, and that scarlet worthy after a covert giance full of meaning at bis compan- ions, addressed the gold hunter. ‘“White man hunt gold mine long lost, eh?” “That’s it. Who told you thet it has been lost a long time?’ “Never mind. Injun knows. If him find it him leave country, and never come back?” ** Never!” Tornado could not conceal the eagerness that seemed to be devouring him. Did the Indian know the location of the gold mine? and was he about to make a compact, that would open its long hidden secrets to him, and enable him to baffle Injun Jack from Red Core? “Tl never come back!” he reiterated. ‘Ef ron hev ’squires in these parts I’ll go before the ull batch ov ’em an’ subscribe to ten million oaths. Do you.know whar it is?” ‘*TInjun knows.” ** Don’t cod me. lyin’ by bis eyes. Don’t forget thet my fingers touch the triggers.” “Tnjun see. What him lie fur?” “ Thet’s.so. . Now, whar is the mine?” All Lask is squar’ Now let **Go with you?” and the words were. followed, by a long whistle. ‘* Do an see anything green in Old Tornado’s-eyes?, Not fur Joe, thank ye, gentlemen. Not fur Joseph,” ; The answer seemed to disconcert the Indian. ‘When I conclude to put my anatomy into yer hands I’ll jest drop a line in the post-office;” continued Tornado. liars, an’ not one oy ye ever heard ov thet par- ticular mine.” : ws ‘*What would make white man b’lieve?” ask- ed the red-skin. “ May oy a show?” ‘* Ef you kin—yes.” and stepped from the line. 2 The ground before him was quite bare and hard beside. Stooping for a moment. he cuta number of gashes into the earth with the blade and rose with a ray of victory in his eyes. As for Tornado he was simply astonished, and stared at the marks in the earth as if they were diamonds just dropped from the skies. “Tt’s a map Tike Injun Jack made in the sand!” he ejaculated, ‘‘ The red-skin is not lyin’, He knows whar the big bonanza is!” Slowly and with no signs of excitement in his eyes Tornado looked at the triumphant Indian. “Tm not satisfied. Them marks may mean nothin’,” he said. ‘‘ They look like a fish-net to me. ‘** All would be clear to white man if he would let Injun guide him,” was the response, _ did not whistle this time, but merely said: ee The same old proposition. i “Not far. White man ride Injun horse.” _ ‘* By Jehu! Vil risk it... ‘ Nothin’ risked noth- in’ gained,’ as they say in the States. I’ve lived long th to know that some Injuns kin be trusted. caught a lot ov Bannacks in this very way once, made a compact with ’em, an’ they stuck toit. I’lltry these fellers anyhow. They know wharthe mine is. That’s certain!” Then he addresced tic ! offeror the Ti-ciows, How far away is ind it I will go back | piece ov ground without a single scrimmage | I’ve got opposition | I kin tell. when ® fellow/ia “Tf white man go with Injun he will know.”, “ Ye’r a set ov cowardly” He Nothin’! You don’t know anything about The next moment the savage drew his knife 2S ~ | “Swar to play fair,” he said. “ Sw’ar show me the gold mine er the trail thet leads # it, an’ Tornado Tom will fathfully carry out Bi part ov the agreement.” | With more than victory in his eyes the Indiaz. | whirled upon the six braves. “Swear to be faithful to the white maz. Spotted Robe will kill the first Indian who at- tempts to betray him.” Then an Indian oath, so well known to tha gaunt gold-hunter, fell upon his ears, and bs went forward. An instant later he found himself in the midst of the Indians, his pistols again in his belt, ant triumph in his eyes. “ At the first sign ov treachery I'll introdue= daylight to more’n one Injun brain!” though Tornado. ‘‘ Fair play, life; treachery, death | Thet’s the motto.” | A few minutes after the making of this sir | gular compact between red and white the sever | horses moved away, and on one sat a whit } ; man. This individual was Tornado Tom, aud thy Indian who walked at his horse’s head wa» Spotted Robe. The journey led the arty through severif deep-cut canyons, which | | om had not discover. | ed in any of his explorations, and he gazé around him in a great deal of wonderment. Suddenly an exclamation fell from his lips. ‘“‘By Jove! thar’s the little mountain wits Old Icicle said looked as if the summit hed bese split with an ax!” he said. ‘‘The red-skin wax n’t lyin’ arter all, but I’ve never been in tiie part o’ the kentry. By the jumpin’ jingo! Ta» nado, ye’r in luck.” Spotted Robe, who noticed the gratified #r- pression on Tom’s face, allowed a similar one te clothe his own, and the next moment he turmée upon the hunter, as, at a sign from him, te band drew rein. ‘““White man must have his eyes hid Gentes Robe wants them to see,” said the ike an. Tornado winced at the-words. “It’s a quee: idee,” he said; “ but I'll submit, but I want remark jest hyer thet my weepins hev eyes;#" I can’t-see. remember yer oath.” , Aminute later a piece of an Indian blank& was passed over the gold-hunter’s eyes, and ‘tix : horses resumed the journey. ‘We're under ground now. I kin tell by thn air,’ thought Tom. ‘‘ What ef I’m in the {4 boss mine? Ah! Injun Jack, the Queen of Bee Core will never git an ounce ov the rocks» #2 the -boy—ah! Tornado Jr., we'll be the maorpe kings ov the States this fall.” Such were the sentences that leaped in rai succession from Tom's heart. _ ‘The goal was reached, the prize won; incales lable riches were at his feet; he fondly beliew& that;the walls around him were solid gold! All at once his meditations were cut short (er ithe sharp blow of an Indian-whip accompaniéé by ‘the cry used to frighten-horses, and his ows. animal darted forward with a snort of paiz. ‘“Preachery!” flashed through- ‘Tornadit mind. ‘‘Cuss the o’nery skunks! Halt! yar mad hoss. I'll pay ’em fur this joke. I’) tim this old hole in the ground into a graveyzint Jestilet:me get this rag off—” He finished the sentence with a yell of horray for his borse, blindfolded like himself, thou he knew it not, bad left the solid earth, and max falling through space to death. This terrible journey seemed endless to tise bewildered man, although it did not last thre seconds, when crasa! thud! and Tornado #& from the horse, suddenly bereft of his senses. He had been betrayed, and if he should ever recover he would realize the shallowness of & dian oaths. The echoes awakened by that terrible descai® had died away long before there was any move —— on the part of either the horse or tm rider. “Tornado, you’re a fool! an uneddicatit idiot!” suddenly resounded throughout the daa: ness. ‘‘Trust an Injun, an’ unearth a list: Wal,” after a long pause, “ you’re ahead 0’ Fx jun Jack, anyhow. Him an’ the Queen ov Re Core ar’ countin the gold afore they’ve founds, but you’ve struck the bonanza, Tom, you’re-az the premises. Whar’s the hoss?” Groping through the gloom, he found the dm dian steed—dead! ; His own-escape was miraculous; but ‘he a not think of that. He turned to the right and walked f rwasd. Sudaenly he brought up against a nard wail. — wheeling to the left, he tried that dimse jon. The same result—a val! again! ers |
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eee et a your pard hasn’t got back yet?’ iernado Jr. whirled upon the speaker as if werrek in the side with an arrow. _~ Jeft’im in good health, but bad humor. ®y she the Injuns wiped ’im out.” he boy had not addressed the man into wiinse face he was peting “That’s right, boy. Takea good look at In- jae dbck.” “that your name?” “Tfiat’s my handle.” “4nd that cabin—” “Tyat’s Red. Core,” was the interruption. “vt en saw ic afore, I see.” ~~ Never.” -And the Queen—the girl I mean—” “Last night—” “ever mind last night! You are well | ome acquainted with her. Right. about eet” Wanda Jr. did not move. Down in the Wouttifal little valley and in the last:rays of the ss stood the girl to whom be owed his life. But ~~ i: Jere him and between kis and the solitary ow ata, statue-like, stood Injun Jack, a revolver whis tawny right hand. : ~Ghe saved my life last night. You will ae(ainly let me go down and thank her.” © “at vr" “~weruel syllable nonplused the boy. Vhe was this strange man who guarded the ageets Was he her, father? No! he was too young for that. Her lover, may be. “ar boy felt a blush suffuse bis cheeks at the Rett toa. /injun Jack was the girl’s lover, then they ways. become rivals, and enemies to the “Phat right have you to refuse to let me Tornado Tom. ———. flashed with indignation. ** Because I kin!” was the answer, and the boy thought that he detected a steely glitter in Injun Jack’s eyes as he uttered the sentence. **See here. I’m master wherever I go, an’ here I’m cock o’ the walk. You’rea way from home, boy, an’ if you interfere in Injun Jack’s affairs there. will soon be ten toes turned sky- ward in one o’ these valleys. So be keerful. Take my advice an’ git out o’ this kentry. Your pard has met with an accident.” “You have killed him!” flashed the boy step- ping boldly toward the revolver on whose trig- | ger Injun Jack’s finger rested. “Well, what if [ have?’ ‘*T will avenge him! He was my friend, and you shall pa cea for shedding hi blood.” Injun nok smiled derisively. ‘‘ Look here. I don’t mind a cur-dog so long as he keeps his distance, but when he snaps at my heels | turn at once and kill ’im! So remember. You're not a handful forme. Right about face!” Tornado Jr. shut his lips, and shot the man a look of defiance that would have irritated the most patient. The next moment without a word of warnin Injun Jack te J upon him, and the yout found himself fairly lifted from the ground. “‘Vll make you remember that I am Injun Jack!” was hissed in his ear. ‘‘I did not come to this kentry to be interfered with by a boy. I see what a meetin’ with the Queen of Red Core would result in, an’ by Jove! I will not allow it.” During this speech he was dragging Tornado Jr. from the spot where they had met, and when he stopped the cabin in the valley was no longer to be seen, and the pair stood at the foot of a great hill. ‘* Boy, you must choose between two things the revolver or an oath,” said Injun Jack, an: the youth shrunk with a shudder from the muz- zle of a weapon that almost touched his face. ‘* What is your oath?’ he asked, Swear never to hunt for the girl again—never to speak to her—and never to attempt to save her should you find her in danger.” Every word went to the heart of Tornado Jr. like the successive blows of a dagger. ** What if I should refuse to take the oath?” ** Then this !—bere—now !” Did the pistol creep nearer to his forehead? He thought so. ‘You have no mercy and no heart, Injun Jack. If [should find the girl among the quick- sands of some mad river, or among wild Indians where death threatened her—” ‘* You must not save her! Rather than have you save her, I’d go down there an’ prevent that. Now, no more palaverin’. Take your choice!” What did the boy do? The next minute he was hurled away by the iron arm of Injun Jack, and these words roared in his ears: “Keep your oath an’ live! Break it an’ die!” As he hastened from the spot where all his lans had failed, his brain seemed to reel, and ooking back he saw Injun Jack standing like an ill-omened statue in the twilight. He did not recover until he found himself standing on the bank of a little stream which had an unfamiliar look, although he knew that it could not be far from the cave home. Now he did feel utterly alone in the wild country to which Tornado Tom had brought him, and as he sunk upon the ground a wail of despair welled from his throat. ‘* What is the use of giving up?” he suddenly cried, ‘‘ My chances to find it are as good as Tom’s were. What mean those strange lines that Tornado traced on the wall of the cave last week? What can they be but a guide to the lost gold mine that I am sure he is hunting? Why should I not hunt it, too, and go back to Omaha a young bonanza prince! I will hunt it, and what is more I will find it! Cheer up, Tornado Jr. The oath does not prevent you from looking for that hidden wealth which drew old Tom to this country. Back to the cave now for a study of the map.” Renewed vigor seemed to have taken es- sion of the boy, and the next moment he was leaving the strange stream behind in his eager- ness to gain the cave. Twilight gave way to night as he advanced, and when he struck a valley which looked fa- miliar he quickened his gait until he ran, ‘‘ Here Lam once more!” fell from his lips as he entered the cave. ‘ Now the first thing is the map.” A few seconds later with the aid of some luci- - -_ ee eee | For half an hour Tornado Tom inspected his thank her for what she did last night?” Tor- | fers he partly illuminated the underground ra- | nado Jr. suddenly cried, as his bright eyes treat, but all at once a cry of surprise fell from his eS ‘“Who has been here?” he ejaculated, for the strange map which he had seen on the wall since Tom’s departure had been obliterated and that by the repeated blows of a hatchet! For several moments Tornado Jr. stared at the scene unable to speak. The matches that he held orer bis head enabied him to see the mu. tilation. Tornado Tom had not come back and blotted out his own work. No, he would not do that, Then he was not the only person who possessed the secret of the gold mine. The boy believed that Injun Jack was not entirely unaware of ite. existence, but he had not been there. All at once the matches went out, and at the same moment a wild cry fell upon the boy’s ears. Startled by the noise he dropped the dead matches on the floor of the cave and darted to the o; ening. Pushing the vines aside he halted there, and obtained a good view of the moonlit scene that lay below. What did he see? Not fifty yardsaway astalwart Indian appear- ed in a half-stooping position holding back two huge, impatient, panther-like brutes. What could it mean? Tornado Jr. held kis breath, and the next min- ute the beasts released darted away like blood- hounds, and the Indian sprung erect and clap- ped his hands with savage delight. Instinctively the bewildered boy turned his head to watch the dogs; but they had already disappeared. But a moment later from a part of the land- scape that he could not penetrate came two > tol shots and the sounds of a fierce struggle be- tween man and beast. At the same time the Indian who had slipped the animals turned and came toward the cavet CHAPTER VIL. A FORCED INITIATION. Tue Indian came straight toward the cave watched by the astonished boy, who had crouch- ed at the foot of the wall with one of his revol- vers drawn. After letting his dogs loose on some foe, why was he leaving the spot? Why did he not rush forward and assist the — ee that were still struggling not very far away Tornado Jr. never took his eyes from the red- skin. He thought he had seen the Indian before; the events of the last night were still vivid ones in his brain, and although he could not distin- ish his assailants very well he was confident that this one had been one of them. But all at once the savage turned abruptly aside, and leaving’ the cave and the P pison watcher to the left quickened his gait and wen over a knoll. ““T can’t afford to lose sight of that mystery yet,” murmured the boy leaving his ‘“Everything that has occurred to-night has a bearing on the lost gold mine, therefore it be- hooves me to follow this adventure to the end,” And he followed the Indian. With his finger at the trigger of a trusty pis- tol Tornado Jr. kept in the wake of the Indian, and saw his dark body after he had passed over the knoll. As if conscious that he was not fol- lowed the Indian led the boy to the little river on whose bank he had lately sunk despairing, and without ceremony plunged into the flood. Tornado Jr. remained on the bank rooted te the he as if by astonishment. He had not looked forward to such a tame ending of the adventure that had promised so much excite- ment at the start, and he caught himself staring at the dark body of the Indian now and then seen on the crest of the silvery waves. He thought that he saw the swimmer land on the opposite bank; but this was mere re ek tion, and he suddenly turned, chagrined, to- ward the cave again. He had been absent an hour from the spot. and after visiting the retreat for the purpose of securing his rifle he had resolved to seek out the spot where the Indian’s dogs and their human foes had fought. But when he reached the mouth of the cave his hand fell suddenly from the vines which it had touched, and he drew back with a low ory of surprise. d , OT es was a light in the interior ef the re- t! “‘May be old Tornado has come back at Jat,” exclaimed the boy, collecting his seattened senses ‘But I will go in cautiously anyhow.”
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* SS eee : Then he reapproached the aperture, lifted the | ~webwork of vines and crept in. Along one of the wails there was a continu- ous shadow, and Tornado Jr. selected it as a shield. ** No, it is not Tornado Tom,” suddenly went through his mind as he halted. ‘‘A band of men have taken ssession of the cave. More ‘unters of the mine of gold, ’ll bet my head.” Voices rough and sonorous had told the young s: . way stood, not the well-knit and ra oe ure of Injun Jack, but a real vision of i ness—a youn girl fresh from her couch, ausieu- beautiful as t hy morn. Sayin d hat she had ted t was evident that she had e to Gpem. . the door to a person who would A he ve been wall comed across the threshold, for there was #;, smile of greeting on her lips: but the next fam-.. stant she started back with a white face and of girlish terror! ihe sight was enough to unnerve her hearts ‘Hello! we hardly expected to see an — exclaimed the captainof the League. *“ t run off an’ get yourself into trouble. where you are. the least—not if you obey us.” There was something if the last half of fine... Olivetie: man’s sentence that sent a chill to heart. They were going to make her obey thenm ity something. She had started to retreat into the cabin, Dati. at the sound of the captain’s voice she stopped... and faced the guns aimed at her breast. ‘“Where’s your pard? Where’s Injun Jacke asked the chief. ‘‘He is asleep,” said Olive without a chamgma::: of color. ‘* Asleep after all our noise here? Come, gin@). no shenanigan.” ‘““Tf my word has no value come im ends - see. He been sick; he was sick all day Yem~ terday.” The leader eyed the beautiful speaker aw ff iam. would pierce her soul and read her umes... thoughts. Was she deceiving him? “Call him out!” he said at last. Olive turned half-way around, and called Ein. jun Jack twice in her sweet voice, but themsr- was no mse. ‘“You know, sir, how a sick man sleeps witow::. bet weary,” she said turning again to Shave: - was the answer, aceom-- a ‘Go and wake him,” panied by an oath which had hardly c3oanetins. to sound Paine the girl disa red, e don’t intend to hurt Ba. ppea. The men on horseback Tistened intently, wil. ere hat": rifles at their shoulders, More than one w inclined. to believe that the girl was d them; but when rit heard her voice trying to rouse somebody from sleep, they fiew,: gan to feel at ease. **Confound the girl!” growled the impatient captain of the League at length. ‘‘Injun Jaek& must be as dead as a herring. Ill fete tim With the last sentence the speaker threw ena leg over the caddle-horn preparatory te diem mounting, and wasabout to leap to the grommdé: —— was checked by the sudden returm et: e giy TK og te.
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i es aes er SG Ee . a r ee en —— = ER A > Se a I Sr — = nt ane Se a a = — be > ae 7 te aman ote ‘ err. ao a ot i Fe 3 4 - oy persist in speaking. \iSatvo ‘leader. Tornado Tom. “By Jove! we’re euchere1!” was the exclama- “waon heard on all sides. ‘She lied to git the ‘aemd drop on us.” “Well might the Brethren of the Gold League weas exclaim, for, standing in the doorway, evath a rifle at her shoulder and fire flashing “trem her eyes, was the Queen of Red Core. ““& lie!” Yes! a lie will not be recorded ’ -@gaimst any ono when it was coined to bafile feach beings as you are!” came over the shinin hSwarrel of the deadly repeater. ‘‘ Injun Jac » would havo replied to your early knock with the ‘wzonbents of his revolvers if he had been at home ‘to receive you. When he is absent J do the honors of the house. My hand is on the trig- yer. At the first sign of shoot on your part, ll «nd a bullet crashing through your leader’s jerain. He isin my power.” If the mask had at that moment been lifted “rom one face in that grotesque line, Olive would have seen a spectacle of fear. “What do you want? Tell me. I will deliver your message to Injun Jack.” “We want to see him.” “Not for good?” “That depends.” “Who are you?” “The Brethren of the Gold League.” ‘Olive started slightly. “T will tell Injun Jack. Iam sure that he »would have remained at homeif he had expected -you. Will you call again?” A moment’s silence followed the question which was put in the most sarcastic of tones. ““We will if we don’t find Injun Jack else- where,” suddenly cried the captain of the League. ‘‘ Tell him that he has to kill thirteen -eraen before he can put his hand on one ounce of ‘the gold he seeks, We know what brought “him, to these parts just as wellas you do. © are here for the same pu We have band- »e@d ourselves together and taken an oath to find “the big bonanza, and to kill all who stand be- “tween us and its ores! As for Injun Jack, he “snnight a his life by weg we, Cooney. at “ence, and you, my tiger-girl, you would improve .syour health by followin’ him)” The first answer was a silvery laugh full of ‘lefiance that came over the weapon that cov- vered the captain’s heart. “Injun Jack came to these parts not to find #he gold mine for himself, but to enrich one “avhom he loyes best!” said Red Core’s queen. “When you suggest that he might save himself by Bight. it only proves. to me that you don’t iknow him. Weare going to stand tugether— Jack and I, And whenever you-desire to open ‘the battle I am sure that you will find us ready. mm not so sure, but that I ought to begin hos- -tilities now.” The Gold League captain instinctively re- coiled in his saddle as he saw the girl’s eyes re- turn to the rifle, and Olive’s lips curled with a tuous smile at his exhibition of fear, “Go? she said. “‘When you come again sak againgl 10 ution "of the Galt League ; inst the Bre n of the ‘We accept the challenge. Now depart!” “ ‘ otrlen!? aoe look here, my tiger-girl- “+ Give me a word—just one!” “Not a word! Tll empty your saddle if About face or die. *Choose!” _ “The captain of the masks ground his teeth. “Then, with a mad oath, he turned—his men ~owere already wheeling—and the next moment Whe Queen of the Red Core saw the backs of ber -meorning callers. “Give her the last word, Salvo. Tell her that we'll slit her pretty ears for this!” said the veaptain to the mask at his side. I'd be a corpse, cap’n, afore I could get two words out, so please excuse me,” answered , , turning two eyes full of fear upon his “Tve faced the bowies of Shasta, but » they’re nothin’ compared to the finger at the Ps r back thar.” . command was not,repeated, and a mo- tment later the horses were spurred into a gal- lop, and the Queen of Red Core was left in soli- . = gage of her second battle field. es, let the white hoods come back!” she ~exclaimed, “They will find us ready for the Half an hour Jater the girl was again called * tothe door of the cabin; but this time she utter- dary of joy and sprung into the arms of In- ij.m Jack. “Did you see them?” “Them? Who?—No!” “The Brethren. of the Gold League, They Pe al es | Te | x s i] + 58 : 1 Pe : |ov hoods hyar like fey had amon have to kill them all before you touch one ounce of the lost gold.” ‘“‘They did?’ was the reply. ‘All right, Queen Olive. The gold is going to be ours in spite of the masked thirteen!” She gave him a look of pride. CHAPTER IX. SET FREE BY MISTAKE, “Kon I git out? Tornado, you must!” A hundred times Tornado Tom had asked him- self the question just recorded, only to answer in the words that followed. : ** Tornado, you must!” And the echoes of his underground prison bad as often said ‘‘ must /” But was not every avenue of escape shut against him? Had he not felt every inch of the wall as far up as his hands could reach? Had he not subjected the floor to the same scrutiny? Aud this a thousand times. His scarlet foes knew well the dungeon to which they had consigned him—that while there he would never find the boss bonanza, and that he would perish miserably where he had fallen. He possessed his knife and a brace of revol- vers, but of what avail were they? **T must think of nothin’ but how to git out!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Never give up! That’s the idee, Tornado. Never say die while yer breath- in’ aparatus ar’ in order.” But the hours passed away, the day whose morning had witnessed his imprisonment gave place to night, but Tornado knew it not. Where he was it was always night. More than once he had savagely attacked the walls of the dungeon with his knife but had sud- denly desisted with the words: ‘“‘] must keep my knife fur su’thin’ besides stone—fur throats an’ hearts!” He had discovered that he was in an old mine; the floor was covered with pieces of stone that bad been clipped from the walls by a miner’s pick, but where had been the miner's egress? He knew now be ar pretended friends had blindfolded him. eir sseming alliance had from the first but one end, and that, they no doubt believed they had accomplished. All at once—it was at the end of his thou- sandth journey around his prison—a sound struck the ear trained to catch theslightest noises. Old Tornado paused and looked up although he knew he could see viper 2 But suddenly a light not like that produced by a. torch, but simi- lar to the light of an electric spark, flashed star- like in the darkness overhead. “They think that they’ve come back ‘to hold an inquest over ye, Tornado,” murmured the gold-hunter, and the next instant he lay on the groape like a man killed by falling from a great ight, but from under the arms that partly hid his face he kept bis eyes fixed. on the now bril- liant light. As he looked he saw more clearly, and all at once an object appeared far above, a human head, as he verily believed, but such a queer- looking one! * What in the name. of saltpeter does that mean?” he thought. ‘‘ Hev they got an order the Shasta mines? By Jupiter it begins to look thet way.” Then another hooded head appeared beside the first, and another and another, until the as- tonished man counted seven, and. the eyes of each were intently fixed upon him! For several minutes this inspection of the mine and its occupant went on, when one of the masks said: “The fall would have killed a cat. No harm in going down there.” ornado’s heart gave a great leap. ‘ Those hooded men were coming down to im! ‘* Mebbe, cap’n—” ‘““Mebbe thunder!” was the interruption. ‘“‘ He hasn’t moved a foot since he struck. I'll bet my life on that. Here, the rope.” The hoods talked as if they were familiar with the circumstances of his last mishap, and Tor- nado could not but grind his teeth as he lis- tened. ““T see through the hull blamed thing now,” he suddenly cried. ‘‘ Whar war my eyes? In- juns! The devils what put me hyar ar’ up yon- der, fur ain’t thar seven heads ranged along the top ov the wall?” Tt was all clear to the gold-hunter. Presently he saw the end of a rope drop over the edge of the wall; it contained a loop—a stir- rup for a foot. Then the body of a man glided into view, the stirrap was filled, and Tornado saw one of the rh) A Bln Bae We mr cuTG, foe 4 GY the mask to the brethren who were lowering him into the pit. ‘ Move the light back a little —it dazzles my eyes—thar! Now a little faster. Ti feteb up proof of the old fellar’s wipin’ out.” How intensely the seeming dead man at the bottom of the old mine watched the brother of the Gold League cannot be told. Thoughts did not chase one another through his brain. He allowed but one to occupy it, and that was the thought of escape. Tornado actually thought that the time bad come. Nearer and nearer to him came the gray hood, and at last be saw the man land a few feet away. The pext moment he left the rope and came toward the captive. ‘* Well, old chicken, dead as a nail!” Dead? All at once one of the arms that should have been rigid leaped at the muslin guarded throat, and a second later the Gray Hood of The Gold League lay at Tornado’s feet. aon had followed the grasp, and all was still! ‘‘Now fur the top!” fell from the gold-hun- ter’s lips as he sprung to the rope that dangled over the wall far above, and thrusting his foot mae the stirrup he gave two quick impatien+ jerks. Ha! the rope grew taut again. He was rising! Swiftly butnot before he could collect his thoughts, Tornado Tom approached the top, Strong arms were oe him from his’ dungeon, and he was keeping his eyes fastened overhead, Hand over hand the unseen Hoods pulled away, and at last Tornado put up his right band to seize the edge of the wall. “Hyar ye ar’, capt’n!” exclaimed several rough voices, and the next moment the gaunt prisoner clutched the cliff. But his ears were immediately filled with cries of genuine horror, and the several masiks that had looked over the edge suddenly disap- ared, At the same time the rope was liberated, end fell from his foot, and he found himself sus poet over the abyss by the frail hold of bis an The sight upon which the three members of the Brotherhood had looked was enough to startle them, for instead of the Gray Hood of their order they saw the haggard but vengeance lined features of Tornado Tom. With the shouts of amazement, the light shot peak him, and went out on the dungeon floor; ut he still clung-to the top of the wall, for to fall was to die, ‘Now or never, Tornado,” he said: to himself. Remember, old fellar, that ye must git out.” He did exert himself to the utmost, and by the mightiest effort of his life in the self-liftin line, drew bimself from the very jaws of death! Once out of the pit he did not pause for self- congratulations, but drew his revolvers and started toward a star that seemed ona line with his eyes, but so far away. . Tornado ar’ himself ag’in. Now ther’ll be- somebody hurt. Ef you won’t come on, stan’ whar ye ar’, you miserable night-faces, an’ PU meet ye on yer own ground.” But there wes no response, and the rescued man found himself in the starlight without a foe in sight. ‘Thar ’re more’n me an’ Injun Jack arter the boss bonanza,” he said. ‘‘Seyen white men im masks. Thar war seven but thar’s only six now!” and his eyes glittered with triumph as they glanced tackward at the old mine, ‘It war a tight rub, the tightest one ov yer life, Tornado; but mebbe you’ve got to experience a number ov ’em afore you find the hidden gold.” Always the lost gold mine! The fresh mountain air seemed new life to the man, and be might have drank it in indefin- itely if a voice at his side had not startled him. ‘* Still huntin’ fur it, pard?”’ Tornado turned abruptly with a revolver im his hand, ‘* Put up the toy. See! I’ve got the persim mons over you,” continued the same voice ‘“ What do you say to poolin’ our issues and--” ‘““Thunders! is it you?” Tornado Tom had halted before the wen toward whom he had spreng with mad intent and was staring into his face. It was Injun Jack from Red Core} CHAPTER X., THE BRAND OF THE BOWYE. THE enemies stond face to face again. if bedl -
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PE RSA AE TS SS against his adversary, fell at his side, blood- less. Injun Jack had covered him with a six shoot- er, and it was over the glistening barrel of this | wespon of death that the proposition to ‘‘ pool issues ” had come. Tornado had a right to be startled at Jack’s words. Not many hours had passed since he had offered Olive’s protector his hand in friendship to have it rejected with a mad oath of contin- ued enmity. And now Injun Jack stood before him of- fering him a compromise. What did it mean? The gaunt gold-seeker resolved to be careful. He bad lately gone blindly into the very jaws of death from which a miracle had extricated him, and he did not want to repeat the ex- perience. So he said: ** Pool our issues, Injun Jack? Thar must be more’n one trail to the Loss bonanza.” **Old Shady never heard of more than one.” “Old Saacy?’ echoed Tom, amazed. ‘Did you know ’im? Sometimes we called ’im Old cicle.” “Of course. But what do you say? Shall we pool our issues?’ A great stride on Tom’s part brought the two men together, and the eyes of the gold hunter looked searchingly into the face of Injun Jack. ‘““Why?” he asked. ‘Tell me fairly an’ equar’ly, why.” ‘‘In union thar is strength,” was the answer. “You saw the Gray Hoods that rode away from here not Jong since. You know what they are after. So do I. They were at Red Core last night, an’ they told Queen Olive what we had to do or die, hey will tell you an’ your boy the same thing when they meet you. Now, I come squar’ly to the point, Tornado, L-t us post our issues as against the Gold League, an’ ght them together. Injun Jack an’ Tornado Tom! Think what a team them two names would make. Thar’s gold enough for both of us in the boss bonanza—enough to make the youngsters rich as Jews.” But Lornado shook his head. Ye’r mistaken, Injun; thar can’t be too much fur Tornado Jr.” “‘ Well,” and a smile flitted over Injun Jack’s face, “ Well, after we have whipped the Gray Hoods, we will fight for the mine.” Tornado’s eyes glittered, ‘That propersition strikes me solid!” he ex- claimed. ‘‘ Ar’ you honest in it, Injun Jack?” The right hand of the man from Red Corn shot toward Tornado, and the next moment the two men clasped hands, ‘ First, the Gold League larkies, an’ then our- selves,” said Tom. ‘That’s the bargain!” was the response, and the compact was made. Then Injun Jack was made to listen to Tor- nado’s acceunt of his adventures, at the end of which the oath against the Gold League was re- newed, and the two men lately enemies started off shoulder to shoulder. Tornado Tom had not tasted foed for forty- eight hours, and he was anxious to reach the hill-side cave, where he expected to find his protege, and something that would relieve his ravenous apgetite. Injun Jack could hardly keep up with him, but at length the cave was reached and the half- famisbed man dashed in heedless of any danger that might be incurred by such action. They tound the cavern which had witnessed the boy’s thrilling initiation into the ranks of the Brethren dark and cold. “Tornado Jr., where ar’ you? Hyar I am, pres ag’in, but hungry asa wolf. Hello! young- ster The sonorous echoes of the cave made the only The boy is gone!” said Injun Jack. “ Ma e boy is gone!” said Injun Jack. " be the Hoods have been here. a 7 ‘“« Let ’em touch the boy!” flashed Old Tornado. *‘ Jest let any hand than mine touch ’im, an’ somebody will need a coffin in these parts.” A moment later the flashing of a lucifer began to dissipate the gloom. Tom was holding it against a bunch of the inner lining of bark, and very socn a comfortable torch lit up the | scene. **Look yonder!” suddenly exclaimed Injun Jack. “Js that your work?” “Thunders! no! nor the boy’s either!” was the answer that fell from Tornado’s lips as he | stared at the word *‘ remember ” chalked on the cave wall, “Then they have cot feon from P been here,” continued the . and he added to himsell: Pres Tornado Tom. “‘ The gold will all fall to Queen Olive now. The boy is out of my road.” Tornado approached the spot with the flaming | torch, and examined the tracery on the wall. | ‘* REMEMBER!” “Yes, we'll remember!” he flashed, wheeling upon Injun Jack, up to whom he madly strode. ‘‘Injun, pard, we'll remember them hooded devils, and every one ov ’em shall remember us! They left that word thar fur—me? No! they thought me dead.” “Then for whom?” Tornado Tom was puzzled and his gaze flitted from the speaker to the word on the wall and back again. ‘By Jehu! (’'m stuck, pard,” he said. “ But | no difference We’ll remember ’em, all the same.” | After that the place was ransacked but no | trace of Tornado Jr. was found. But the old hunter discovered that which appeased his hunger, and Injun Jack watched him as he ray- enously devonred the jerked venison. All at once Tornado Tom paused and looked at his comrade. ‘*Didn’t you hear it?’ he asked. “No! What?” Out thar! Come.” The meat fell from Tornado's hands, and springing up be darted toward the opening. Injun Jack was at his heels, however, and Tom carefully lifted the vines. ‘“*War it nuthin’—?’ he began. “No! leok yonder. Injuns!” The interruption was es for at the same moment Tornado saw the ghostlike fig- ures tha’ stood not far away. And the two men contemplated the specters | unseen themselves, but with their hands on their revolvers. ‘*Ficld yer breath hard, fur they’re comin’ this way,” sudcenly whispered Tom into Injun Jack’s car. ‘*Mebbe they want to stop at the Hote! de Tornado. If they do, Injun, by jingo! we ll accommodate ’em.” The figures were moving, and that almost directly toward the cavern, watched by the two men, whose eyes were flashing like living coals. fSuddenly Injun Jack started and an oath so Joud fell from his lips that his comrade turn- ed toward him with a look of madness. ‘*They’ve been to Red Core—the red devils have!” cried Jack. “Why so?” ‘Where are your eyes? Whois that on the fifth horse?” Tom instinctively looked at the disappearing forms and noted the fifth horse. The tigure on the back of this particular ani- mal was not Indianfied, and despite the dim light, Tom saw enough to exclaim: , “The gal, by Jehu! They bev been to Red Core, sart’in !” = Yes, to Red Core, an’ when Injun Jack was not on hand!” was the quick reply, and: the speaker would have darted from the cave if the vise-like gripe of Tornado had not detained him. “ You're furgittin’ the Gray Hoods, Don’t go out thar an’ waste yer life fur the gal.” “Not even fur Queen Olive?” “ Not even fur her!” The answer was a mad wrench, but Tornado’s gripe never loosened. ‘“Remember! that’s the word, Injun Jack. We're to fight fur the bonanza when we hev wiped out the Gold League. You must keep yer part ov the barg’in. I’m goin’ to keep mine.” ‘But I must save Queen Olive. I will!” The next instant the two men were struggling in the gloom of the narrow corridor—Tornado Tom trying to keep Injun Jack back, and the latter attempting to release himself that he might rush to the rescue of the rider of the fifth horse. The two men were so equally matched in strength that the fierce struggle was for a long time doubtful, and at last they both fell heavily in the light of the still blazing torch. Injun Jack was uppermost. “Tornado Tom, ** Now I will go!” he hissed. Icould kill you here, but I will not. Injun | Jack never broke an agreement in his life, an’ | the compact what we made awhile ago shall be sacredly keot on his part.” | ‘Then go.” The tawny hands of the gaunt gold-hunter re- laxed their gripe, and before he could rise the _ handsome figure of Injun Jack bounded away. Tornado Tom sprung to his feet and darted | after him, but the vines dropped quivering be- fore the cave door, and he saw the figure of the man from Red Core flit like a Nemesis through ' the starlight. LS. ’ ome “Wal, let im ¢o!” he murmured turni: ¢ beck toward the cave. “Ili keep my part ov the agreement, too. We'll hunt the gray-hoods to. gether, an’ then fight to the death fur the boss bonanza. Rememuver! that’s the word fur ye, Tornado, Awake er asleep, don’t furgit it.” ‘““Hold! that word belongs to me!” Tornado Tom turned as if an adder had hiss- ed behind him. ‘““Wal, by my life! the boy!” he exclaimed. ‘* Say, little one, hev ye risen from the deadi Whar in the name ov goodness hev ye been, anyhow?” With one bound Tornado had reached the ap- parition, and his hands were clutching the youth’s arms while he was gazing—nay, staring into the upturned face. ‘* Let me go!” cried Tornado Jr. as he sud: denly wrenched himself from the hands, and before they could regrasp him he stood beside: the word on the wall, a bowie-knife in his cluteb and vengeance in his eyes. ‘““This word is my property!” he cried, ‘I have cause to remember; you havenone. Claim it, if you dare! You have been absent almost three days; you deserted me! I know what brought you to this ecuntry—a gold mine whose wealth is without end. Ihave as good right to be a money xing as you, Tornado. 1 have found the gold mine!” A wild cry broke from Tornado Tcm’s throat.. ‘You, boy?’ be cried, darting forward. “ Whar is it?” ‘Yes, where is it?’ was the taunt. ‘That is for me to know and for you to find out! I will be the gold king of Idaho, while you, who deser- ted me, can stay here or go back to Omaha as poor as you left it. Ha! ha! Tornado! how does the prospect suit you?” A mad oath was the response. ‘* Stand where you are!” shouted the hoy. ‘“You touch me at the risk of your life. Iam not alone now. Look! use wel jem eyes and remember. I belong to the Brethren of the Gold League. Behold the sign!” At the same time the boy tore open his jacket, and revealed the bowie-knife burned inte his reast. A wild cry resounded throughout the cave, oor ew which Tom had picked up feli at. is feet Then a figure darted past him. CHAPTER XI. ; BUCK TAIL’S SECRET.. THE eyes of Injun Jack had not deceived bim. The Indians bad been to Red Core, and the rider of ‘‘ the fifth horse” was none other the Queen of that little kingdom. t lf the Gray Hoods had failed, they at least had triumphed. Stratagem had given them a captive, and the girl who had awed the ate Gold League fell easily into the hands of the red-skins. ; She'was not tied to the animal that carried her along, hut the bridle-rein of buffalo-cord — held by the young Indian that rode at her. side, tt More than once Olive caught the painted face of the brave turned toward her; and saw the eyes glow with real Indian desire and triumph. Suddenly he leaned forward and touched her arm: ‘* Buck Tail had two dogs last night,” he said. Olive did not reply, but gave him a look which said: ‘‘ Well, what of it?’ ; ES Dogs gone now; never run by Buck Tail’s side ag’in. Him never hold ’em down till the prey comes close an’ then let ’*em go. Him Jet em go for the last time last night. Man in white—him face all covered, too much for dogs.” Olive started at the young Indian’s reference to the Brethren. ‘*Buck Tail never git such dogs ag’in,” con- tinued the Idaho. ‘‘ Him must have something = their place, so him take gal. What gal say, eh? The look that overspread the young buck’s face could not be mistaken. ‘“When gal say nothin’ that mean yes!” he cried. “Gal not so good as dogs, mebbe, but Buck Tail must be satisfied. Other Injuns not like it p’raps, but Buck Tail ready for ’em; see!” and he put his hand on the knife and revolver that peeped above his girdle. What! were the Indians going to fight for her? The Queen of the Red Core shuddered. “You shall not fight for me. I will not per- mit that,” she Said, at last. The eyes of Buck Tail fairly glittered with delight. Good) white gal give herself to Buck Tail!” be cried.
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eS ee eee et oe ee oe ” apes a rt ! SS eee —. —— i ee. - ——— Se a Se = ‘I did not say so,” flashed Olive resentingly. “Lama captive and must submit to the com- acai of your chief who calls himself Red Robe. “Red Robe!” echoed Buck Tail, derisively. “* Him no got much power; any Injun strong as him any time. Gal must not furgit that she take place of the two dogs that the gold-hunter kill last night.” Olive’s lips came firmly together, and her eyos shot lightnings at the impudent Indian, but she did not answer him. ‘‘ When he undertakes to take possession of his claim be shall hear from me!” she said, reso- lutely, to herself. When the i me, band halted daylight re- ‘vealed them more fully to the solitary prisoner, Olive now plainly saw the fantastic head- dresses, the painted ies and the fierce looks. _ The scenery that surrounded her was, she felt, far from Red Core; it was rough, moun- tainous, strange. She was suddenly lifted from the horse by the chief, Red Robe, and soon found herself in the middle of a circle of hideous faces, chief among them the redoubtable Buck Tail’s. Some ordeal was coming; all that staring would ead in something destined to try her nerve. Olive felt it. Suddenly Red Robe addressed her. “* White girl no live alone in little lodge?” he mes ‘* Gold-hunter with her?’ “That is true.” ** Him no find mine yet?” Olive’s sweeping glance showed her twenty (ndians impatient for her reply. **T do not know.” Twenty countenances fell. ‘Girl tell truth!” a latent threat was in the «dmonition. “T am telling it!” she retorted. ‘ Jack has been absent some time. He may have found the amine.” ‘Where white hunter?” This interregative came from an Indian at Olive’s right. **T do not know.” “Him not leave girl alone without tellin’ her where him goin’, an’ when bim come back.” Silence was Queen Olive’s reply, and when she turned her eyes again to Robe it was not before sbe had seen the band of her last questioner glide menacingly to his belt. “T must be cautious; my life is in peril here,” ran through her mind. “What white girl know about the hidden faces?” suddenly asked the chief. never saw beneath a single Idahos!” ‘*True! They did come to our cabin; but for no good,” Olive said. “I drove them away with a rifle.” The Indians looked from the girl into each other’s faces, and when she caught their eyes again she saw many a look of contempt and _ incredulity. The ordeal was coming. “ White girl’s words all lies!” said Red Robe. he know where gold mine is. She must tell! “What I do not know I cannot reveal,” was ; the res’ A knife leaped from the Idaho’s belt, and he ris a great stride toward the Queen of Red sore. Olive did not flinch, but her eyes encountered the Indian’s look without dropping. The girl who could face the d te Gold League was not likely to be awed by a few In- dians. ‘ther. ‘The girl must show th trail that leads to the gold mine, or her heart will rot where she stands!” “Then, brute, you must do your worst. But give me the revolver that sticks in your belt, and we will see if more than one heart does not rot here!” The Indian sprung like a tiger upon Red Core’s Queen, and as he seized her arm the knife flashed over his crest, “ Girl no tell?” sO WY. Olive. dil not know that they were only try: ing her; she ton; bt that she was about to die when, in realily, ber life was safe even in the hands that held the knife aloft. The other savages were ready to applaud the * Tell!” thundered Red Robe, pausing before | e Indians the | them was suddenly thrust into her hand by the ooo Tornado Tom. irl’s firmness and laugh at Red Robe’s discom- ture, when the loud reports of a dozen rifles rung in their ears, and the forms of the scarlet — staggered hither and thither around the girl. The survivors sprung back and turned toward the mountain on the left with wild cries of fright and defiance, to see a dozen masked men seated on as many horses, and at the shoulder of each rider was a rifle from which the bolts of death had just leaped. Olive, too, started back with a cry at sight of the gray masks; but before she could recover she was violently jerked from the ground, and the next moment she felt herself being borne rapidly away on the back of a horse! At first she noticed that several Indians rode on either side, but these soon drop out of sight, and but one horse shot through a canyon still unlit by the dawn. Buck Tail had distanced friends and foes alike, and when he emerged from the chasm, he looked down into Olive’s face and uttered a cry of triumph. ‘* No fightin’ fur white gal now,” he exclaim- ed. ‘Her all b’long to Buck Tail. Red Robe an’ the rest fall whan the hidden faces shoot! One ball nearly find Buck Tail’s heart. It go through his arm. See!” And the Indian held bis bleeding arm before Olive’s eyes, and grated his teeth while he gazed at his wound. ‘* Buck Tail able to make his wife rich,” con- tinued the young Indian. ‘‘ Him been keepin’ something in his heart ever since him been a boy. Would girl like to see?’ “He is talking about the wonderful gold mine! What if he has discovered it?” thought Olive. Then she said: ** You cannot make your wife rich. Your se- cret amounts to nothing.” The Indian’s eyes fairly danced. ‘Girl see pretty soon!” he cried. ‘ Buck Tail will let her know what him been keepin’ to him- self so long.” All at once the Idaho guided his horse into a — between two rugged bills, and Olive held er breath. ‘‘Oh, if Jack was following me at this mo- ment!” said her heart. ‘ Wilder grew the scenery as the horse advanc- ed, and almost suddenly the Queen of Red Core found herself in cimmerian darkness. Buck Tail sprung from the horse and helped his captive from the saddle. “ Stand still!” he said. Olive obeyed. A step might precipitate her into some horrid abyss. All at once she felt her hand grasped, and then she was led away. For many minutes she seemed to descend into the bowels of the earth: the unseen path which she trod was littered with stones that often rolled under her feet, and almost threw her; and the young Idaho at last took her in his arms and carried her along. Olive felt and heard the beats of her heart. At last the Indian stopped and put his burden down, and a moment later the flashing of flints dazzled the girl's eyes, then the little flame of the igniting torch. “Girl want to know Buck Tail’s secret, eh?’ said the Idaho, coming up to ber with a face illu- minated with savage joy. ‘“‘ Her want to know how him kin make his wife rich? Let her open all the doors of her eyes an’ see!” Again her hand was taken by the Indian, and she was led away. The torch did not throw much light on their surroundings, but Olive knew that they were far beneath the surface of the ground, and in a place which had been made by human hands. “Girl see now!” said Buck Tail, as he halted at last, and swept the torch before him and near the ground. Olive saw a great many ill-shaped rocks scat- tered in confusion about her feet, and one of Idaho. She started back with a cry, for the rock seemed unnaturally heavy. It must contain gold! ‘Let white girl look!” said Buck Tail, hold- ing the torch before her eyes. ‘‘ Has she ever seen gold stones before?” “* Often.” The Queen of Red Core wasamazed. The rock in her hands appeared to be a lump of gold. ‘‘Mine full of ’em!” exclaimed the Idaho, waving the torch around his head. ‘“ Now _- os for him said: ‘Buck Tail will keep it for his squaw.’ Ha! will not the white girl be richer as Buck Tail’s wife than as the slave of the pale- faces?” Olive made no reply. The gold mine—the dream of Injun Jack’s ambition—had been rediscovered. And she—she actually stood in it, and held one of the nuggets in her hands! CHAPTER XII. CLOSE QUARTERS. Tornapvo Tom stood bewildered in the cava for many moments after the boy’s de . The torch flaring at his feet told him that the youth had actually fled. But he still saw the brand of the bowie, as it had been dramatically revealed, and heard these words: . ‘*T have found the mine!” When the old fellow at last roused himself it was to start forward with an oath whose echoes made the cavern ring. ‘*Hez thet cub gone back on me—outwitted me an’ found the big bonanza himself?’ he ex- claimed. ‘An’ what did he show me? the brand ov a dirk on his breast—the mark ov the Brethren, an’ he told me to tech ’im if I dared! Jest ez ef I war afeared ov thet hooded party, an’ jest ez ef I—Tornado Tom—hed anything ag’in’ bim! By Jehu! I’m gittin’ inter another mystery. Why did he jine the Gold League? He said I deserted him. Ef he knew wharI hev been, he’d never hev made that charge ag’in’ Tornado—never! But the bonanza? He says he hes found it. .No! I won’t b’lieve thet. He war ta’ntin’me. He’s a Gold Leaguer, that’s sartin; but the story about findin’ the mine— that’s all bosh!” Tornado Tom saw nothing human when he went to the mouth of the cave. ‘“‘Ym a fool to let the boy git away so easy. When he hears my story hel take bente. tip charge ov desartion, an’ we'll git along together ag’in. Injun Jack will hev a time with the Injuns what hed the Queen ov Red Core. I hope he won’t git ’er back; Ido by jingo. Me an’ the boy will come to an understandin’, an’ things will move on once more.” Tom saw nothing as he passed through the starlit valley that lay below the cave. He traversed it with a heavy revolver in his me hand, ready for use at a second’s notice. For whom was he hunting? the boy? Injun Jack was evidently following Olive’s trail, and Tornado did not think any more about him, for he was confident that the man from Red Core was able to take care of himself, and that they would both live to fight hand-to-hand for the gold mine. “This night-huntin’ never did pan out well fur me. Vl go back,” he exclaimed disgusted, and stopping suddenly midway in a canyon several miles from the cave, he whirled on his heel and began to retrace his steps. He had resolved to let Tornado Jr. go for the present, at least until ao. “ This is home but without the youngster,” he ejaculated finding himself once more in the cavern of the hill. ‘‘Tll jest finish thet inter- rupted a afore I retire.” e picked up the torch which the brand of the bowie had frightened from his hand, and after a little labor relit it. But ax the flame flashed up he sprung back with a hoarse cry of astonishment, At the same time his revolver leaped clicking from his belt. Tornado had walked into the deadliest of raps. Hocnsbanily stood in the middle of a circle of masked men, each one of whom held a cocked revolver almost against his person. The Brethren of the Gold League! Those hooded fiends of the mountains who came and went like ghosts silent and unquestioned! Tom, although well frightened, did not drop the torch this time. He clung firmly to it, for it enabled him to see his enemies, to gaze ints the eyes that burned beneath the gray masks. A glance told him that he was completely surrounded; the gap by which he had entered the trap had been closed. “The boy isn’t hyar,” thought Tornado as he failed to find his protege in a sweeping glance round the circle, and then facing the stalwart brother who stood before him he said: “Wal, what do you want with old Tornado? Let’s proceed to bizness.” “ Are you anxious that we should go ont white girl know what Buck Tail keep in bis | came from beneath the mask. heart so lovg. Many moons ago when him was a boy him discovered the old gold mine that has been lost so long. \ >» ' Him never told any one, ' before. Tom started. He was certain that he had heard the voice :
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“¢ Wal,” be said, “‘I never like to keep cl Ce) body waitin’. So you ar’ the Brethrun ov t Gold League?” “ We are.” him. ‘Executioner, look at the prisoner.” “Pye met seven ov you afore, an’ you pulled, ‘And kill tim—old Tornado? Tl die the wool most beautifully over my eyes. But) first!” then the light war unsartin. By the jumpin’ jingo! you make up well as Injuns.” : T pressed merriment. * You did not suspect us?” Tornado Tom. **Disobey and die! the brand of the bowie over your Remember the oath and . heart!” / | warned the chief to the white-faced boy before | didn’t seem to hev many friends, so ‘I took an { The words rung with sharp vehemence through | the cave, and with them the boy threw the re- | om saw more than one eye glisten with sup- | volver at the chiet’s feet, and stepped proudly | and defiantly back! ‘* Now carry out your threat!” he cried, ‘* The | in. “Not until I war down under the mountain | oath has been broken!” whar I left one ov yer band.” The eyes of the masks flashed now. ** Are you ready, Tornado?” ‘Ready fur what?” “For the sentence of the Brethren of the Gold League.” ‘* You are goin’ to wipe me out without givin’ me a show fur my white alley?’ | | _ ** Mercy for mercy!” was the stern rejoinder. | * You feigned death in the underground dun- | geon; you waited for our brother, and when he came down you killed him. Mercy for mercy! That is one of the cardinal principles of our brotherhood.” ‘** Then go on.” The revolver nung from Tornado’s hand at his | side. To lift it would be to fall riddled by bul- lets; so the tawny man Cesisted. ‘* Brethren of the Gold League, what shall be the oom of the captive?” said the chief of the circle. The answer was not long delayed. ** Death!” Every tongue had spoken. ‘Death without any alternative?” “Without any.” A moment's silence followed. ‘Brethren of the League, what shall be death’s agent?” ‘The revolver,” ‘Tn whose hands?” “Our Jast member's.” “ Bring in the executioner!” An imperious w:.ve of the hand accompanied the command, and two men silently withdrew from the circle. ‘*Tom Taggart, your endis at hand,” said the chief addressing our old hero. ‘‘ We grant you the easiest death in our code. You gave our brother one that never pained him, at have z sg o say before the executioner stands before ) ** Nothin’, only—it’s something thet I’d rather the rest wouldn’t hear.” ‘‘ Individuai members of the League are not permitted to become confessors, ‘Your last words must greet all ears alike,” -é in? ’ ie what I war goin’ tosay I’ll keep to my- The chief of the band looked disappointed out of his eyes; but Tornado had seal is lips and drawn his gaunt figure to its full stature. All at once a voice came from toward the en- trance. ‘« The executioner is here.” ‘Let him advance.” Instantly the revolvers of the League were turned upon the daring boy, but the next / ment a loud voice startled every one. ‘“‘ Lower the weepins, every one ov ye, fur old Tornado holds death in his hands fur more’n two | or three! Down with the revolvers, er die!” — A glance at the speaker showed his posi- tion. He had seized his opportunity, and, having | sprung back clear of the hooded ranks, he st erect, the torch in the hand over his head, and | the revolver in the one stretched toward the chief! The Brethren looked at their leader. of old Tornado, CHAPTER XII. WHAT TWO REVOLVERS DID. ‘* LOWER the weepins! Uncover the boy!” demanded Tornado Tom, savagely. The lifted revolvers fell slow y to their own- ers’ sides, but the fingers of the Brethren twitch- ed nervously at the triggers. The tables had been turned; the prey had | turned hunter. The flash of victory lit up Tornado’s deep-set eyes. “You will oblige me by removin’ yer mask,” he said quietly to the chief of the League. ey want ter see whether I am right er Mie a There was no reply except a start by the per- son addressed. Tornado Jr. had glided to his protector’s side and the revolver that he had taken from the old man's belt was cocked in his right hand, “ Ar’n’t you goin’ to take off the cloth?” cried Tom a minute later. proceed to put a hole through it.” An oath came from beueath the mask as a | hand oar doga2edly up to it; but at the throat it paused}. and the eyes of tle League chief for a moment flashed defiance at Tornado. ** Jest as you like. The mask kin rot off!” As his thin lips a deafening noise and the chief staggered back, a dark spot in the gray ¢loth that covered his forehead. ‘Me an’ Injun Jack hev rang through the smoke of the deadly weapon. “* An’ ez we've got to fight to the death fur the boss bonanza, we might ez’ well begin hyar ez anywhar else, Now, Gray Hoods, ef you want to try the boy an’ me, jest sail in!” But, statue-like, the Brethren of the Gold A moment later two masks stepping apart League stood before the twain under the flam- made a gap in the circle at Tornado’s right, and a figure was pushed into the light. om uttered a cry of horror, | } ing torch. ‘Don’t want to try us, eh?” Wal, we'll sepa- rate fur the present. But afore long we’ll meet Tornado Jr. stood before him, a revolver in | ag’in, an’ then fur some sport with the re- his right hand, and a bandage over bis eyes. ‘* Whose voice was that?” cried the boy start- ater.” All at once the torch fell at Tornado’s feet, ing toward the ring. Tear your accursed blind- | and a moment later the cave was wrapped in fold from my eyes, and let me see whom you | gloom. want to make me kill! You made me one of you when I was powerless; you branded me and made me take your pitiless oath to obey your commands. Now you would make me take a human life, and bind me to your League with | heads, and a dash was made for the entrance | the cords of murder. No! no! I will never do that. Off with this blindfold. Let me see.” As the boy uttered the last words a fi ped from the circle, and a rapid movement tore the bandage away. Tornado Jr. uttered a shriek as he saw. ‘“‘T thought I knew your victim’s voice,” he cried, starting from old Tornado, and whirling upon the leader of the League. ‘ And you have homo me to kill thay man in cold biood. Never!” ““ Remember!” was the response. ‘1 cannot forget.” ** He deserted you.” The boy started. io ? ‘But [ had another way of punishing him.” ‘No, I did not desart you, boy,” cried Torna- do, ‘1 fell into the clutches ov these devils—” ‘* Silence or death!” thundered the League. Strange to say the prisoner did not finish the | kentry west o sentence, but shot looks of eternal hatred at themselves. I the B: ethren. } | | | Almost at the same moment the boy felt a hand force him to the und just as the revol- vers of the League e. But the bullets fortunately whistled over their which was gained. Old Tornado held the hand of the boy as the gure step- | ran through the starlight, nor was a halt made | | until they found themselves far from the scene of the — y. When the gold-hunter stopped he turned ab- ruptly upon his protege. . ‘Boy, do you know who! wiped out back yan- der?’ he asked, his eyes still full of excitement. ‘‘ Why, the leader of the Gold League.” ““More’n that. Ef you war to go back thar an’ lift his mask you’d gaze into old Shady’s face.” “Old Shady?” asked the boy. ‘‘ Who is he?” He had | | started back, but his life was still in the hands | “Tf you won't then [ll | closed behind the last word, | the report of his revolver filled the cavern with | | roared like a thousand fiends howlin’ fur Old never git back thar!’ “* Back whar, Shady? said I, fur I thought his mind war wanderin’ somewhar. ‘** Back to the old mine—back to the boss bo- nanza ov the West.’ ‘*Then he reached under the pillow and pull- ed out one ov his boots and handed it to me. ‘** Pry up the sole,’ he said. **T looked at ’im, but his eye war cl’ar; thar warn’t the least sign of insanity in it. So I took my knife an’ loosened the sole of his boot. Jehu! how he watched me, an’ all at once he made a dart fur it an’ held a piece ov dirty paper in his hand. Then I held the light close to ’im, an’ hoe tried to explain the meanin’ ov the rough lines | on the paper. Thar war a lost gold mine some- | whar in these parts; but Old Shady, accordin’ | to his tell, had found it, an’ that ar’ paper war a map ov the diggin’s. I didn’t lose a word ov | his talk; but I heard every sylJable, an’ got all them lines fixed right in my noggin. He gave the mine to me, fur it belonged to him by right of rediscovery. Then he went right off into | some crazy lingo, an’ when mornin’ come, thar | he lay ready fur the coolin’ board. I didn’tsay | any thing to the boys about his death, but buried | him myself—” ‘““What! Tornado, re do not mean to say | that you once buried the man that you shot | back there in the cave?” exclaimed the young listener, as he grasped Tornado’s arm, | “Thet’s jest what I did!” was the answer, ' and the gray eyes glittered. “I knowed thet voice ez soon ez | heard it, an’ I can’t tell you | what kind ov feelin’s went over me. Mebbe he warn’t dead when I planted ’im; he might bev been in some kind ov trance, but he’s dead now. No foolin’ this time said the old fellow, after a lengthy pause. Sy ne did Injun Jack hear about the bonan- za “He might have met Old Shady after his | boy. |” “But thar’s another thing thet puzzles me,” } | resurrection.” P | “He must hey done it. Now we ar’ on our led our issues!” | pins ag’in. You know whar the bonanza is. How did you discover it?” Tornado Jr. started back with a light cry and stared into his protector’s face ‘“Who told you that I had found it?” he ask- “You yourself. Hev you forgottin so soon? Why it basn’t been three hours since you sur- prised me in the cave, an’ said that you war ao to be the money king, an’ thet Tornado ‘om could go back to Omaha poor ez he left it. No, you hav’n’t forgottin’. Whar is the mine?” The band of Tornado had suddenly closed about the boy’s arm. “Whar is it?’ he repeated fiercely, and them his look softened. ‘“ We needn’t be foes. We come out hyar, pards; an’ we ought to ge back © boss the same. don’t want a dollar outen | bonanza, It shall allbe yours. Isaid so to my- self when I started over the Bitter Root range, with you follerin’,an’ wonderin’ at my side. Don’t act the blamed fool now, Tornado. You hey found the gold; it is all yours. Now whar | is it?’ ‘“‘T will play fair with you,” was the answer. ‘By jingo! I never did tell you about ’im,” | exclaimed Tom. ‘* Never.” ‘*Wal, Old Shady war a ramblin’, curious old chicken what knew more about the the Missouri than the Injuns new ‘im long afore me an’ you pooled our fortins. Three years ago he nudged sas aoe. “You have just saved my life. I will show you that wonderful gold mine which, knowing noth’ ing about the existence of that map, I discover- ed accidentally.” How old Tornado’s eyes glittered! ‘“ At last! he cried. ‘We will outwit all them devils what Old Shady hes led into this kentry; yes, an Injun Jack, too.” ‘Especially Injun Jack!” repeated the boy ly. “Ts it far from hyar—the mine? Kin we | reach it to-night,” asked Tom eagerly. ‘“Before morning we can be in it!” was the answer. ‘“‘ But, since you have mentioned In- jun i, do you know who came out here with im Tornado Tom started at the question and a cloud overspread his face.
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<a = 2 — A OT TC I i = ~~ = Oe 2, enon . a SS eee we St ene —*. 6. ae sien _ - 4 a ceived the boy. * No! there isa young girl with him, a crea- ture as pretty as the morning—a girl with large eyes as bine as the sky, and such hair! Oh, Yornado, if you could bat see her.” ‘Then you’ve seen her?” “A glimpse, that was all. I owe her a life, and I went to thank her when—” The boy paused. Why should he tell Tom about the oath which Injun Jack had forced from him? ‘Wal, go on,” said Tornado, becoming inter- ested, ; “T did not get to thank her. Circumstances prevented.” ‘An’ them sarcumstances war Injun Jack, poy.” - what do you know about it?’ cried the youth. ** Nothin’, J only guessed.” “Yes, he did interfere!” cried Tornado Jr. fiercely. ‘‘He made me swear never to speak to the gir] who saved my life, not even to save her from peril when I could.” “That war all right!” blurted Tom. “Right?’ echoed the boy. ‘ Are you in earn- est, Tom?” “Why not? Injun Jack would give all the gold to her ef he found it first. She wants it, too, fur she wants to go back tothe States a gold queen, while you an’ me, boy, kin git back, or die hyar, poor ez Lazarus, jest ez it suits us. She didn’t know who she war savin’ when she helped you, er never a trigger would she hey pulled. Let’er go!” **T can’t.” “You must!” The boy stepped proudly back. ‘I am oath- bound, I know; but I care not for that!” he eried. “lam going to have my way in some matters. In that wonderful mine is gold enough to make millionaires of all of us. I am willing to divide equally with the girl, nay I will give her more than half for she saved my life. Iam ready to meet Injun Jack and to tell him that I will not keep that infamous oath—tbat I am my see the girl he pretends to protect. fe I not keep us apart. When I have set- tled accounts with him, I will turn my atten- tion to the Gold League. But the gir] first!” An instant later the flash of a revolver al- most blinded the boy, and with the loud report he threw up his hands and reeledaway. Tornado turned, and the next instant sent a bullet after the figure which his eyes saw for a moment. There was no reply to the second shot, and Tom directed his attention to the youthful figure on the rocky ground. If he had walked a few rods in the direction he had fired he would have seen the figure of a man lying among the stones. After awhile that figure moved, arose and walked slowly away. A few hundred yards on the man stopped, and leaned against a large rock. Daylight which appeared soon afterward found him still there, and the beams of morning ah ae the white, but handsome face of Injun ack, ‘*T’ve settled the boy!” he said fiercely and in atone of triumpb. ‘“‘His oath was broken a3 much as if he had met Queen Olive. I will find rend, aby for your accursed bullet, Tornado, went too far to the left. Iam living still for all my enemies, the Gold League, Injuns-~all! By Jove! Injun Jack, you'll yet see the gold-bugs of the States bow before the Gold Queen of Idaho!” He left the rock, but, though be tottered at first, his gait soon became steady, and when he entered the canyon not far off, Injun Jack from Red Core seemed himself again. CHAPTER XIV. THE END OF A ROPE. “Is he dead?” This question fell at the same time from a dozen tongues. ‘Dead? Look at ’im!” The torch which old Tornado had dashed to io the floor of the cave and extinguished by a stamp had been relighted by the startled Breth- ren who now gazed into the face from which a mask had been lifted. It was the face of a man hardened by crime; the tight-shut lips were those of a Jesperado; in short, the chief of the League, Old Shady, the man once buried, lay before his followers, dead! . Tornado Tom had not shot at random. From a hole in the center of the leader’s forehead a little blood was oozing, and instead of springing ap and hunting the slayer the members of the } Tornado Tom. brotherhood stared in silence at the ghastly spectacle. This tragic tableau was revealed only by the torch left behind by the killer. “The boss wanted it the other way,” said one of the men addressing his companions, “Of course!” was the response. ‘Tornado Tom, arter he got the map, chucked Old Shad under the ground ez quickly ez possible. It should hev been the other way; but Tornado got the drop on the boss an’ kept it.” ‘* Woe to us ef he gits it on our brain-pans.” ‘* Who said that?” Every eye was turned in the direction from which the lamentation had come, ““ Who’s afeared ov Tornado?” ‘““Nobody,” said the same voice. ‘‘ But we mustn’t let him git the drop on us like the boss did. That’s what I meant.” “Oh!” was the exclamation of relief, ‘‘ He’s dropped his last brother of the bowie. Let us plant the boss an’ then hunt him down.” The proposition was acted upon at once, and when the Rivin x members of the League left the cave, it eiehe fee been noticed that one man carried two rifles and double his complement of revolvers. Old Shady had been left behind. Somewhere in the cave he had found sepul- ture. Not long afterward and in the light of the early dawn these same men came suddenl upon a scene that caused them to draw rein. It was a scene wholly unexpected—a fair young girl standing in the midst of a group of Indians, and right before one who held over her the long-bladed knife of the Idaho brave, A moment aud the Brotherhood was ready. ‘* Fire!” stirred the folds of one of the masks, and the natives fell headlong in every direc- tion. A few escaped, among them a supple young warrior who was seen to carry off with him the girl over whom the knife had been raised. “By Jove! Injun Jack’s sweetheart!” ex- claimed one of the band, who had witnessed the Indian’s act. “The gal they war goin’ to fight fur? Not much, she warn’t. Salvo, you hev lost yer eyes. ‘* Never!” exclaimed Salvo, nettled at the re- ply he had received. ‘“ Thet war Injun Jack’s gal. My share in the boss bonanza ag’in’ a ife that it war.” * Pshaw! it war an nm gal!” “Bet if yoa dare! Cowards!” hissed Salvo, whose flashing eyes showed that he was mad. ‘‘Hyar’s the knife ef you will bet, an’ Pll add my share to it. Now we'll go down an’ see. And with a laugh at Salvo’s expense the en- tire party rode from the spot. An hour later they came in sight of Red Core, silent and apparently untenanted. But deep in the mountain forest they drew rein and examined the premises. “The bird would be out this tty mornin’ ef she war at home,” suddenly broke forth the mask Salvo. “I guess I'll take knife and share!” pe Not yet,” was the reply. “‘ Wat till we de- cide, After a lengthy inspection which was not wholly satisfactory to the new leader of the Brethren the whole troop rode slowly toward the cabin and halted before the door. Salvo leaned from his horse and knocked with the butt of his Winchester, then drew back into line again and waited. ‘The nest is empty!” he said, a minute later. “The Injuns robbed it last night, an’ ef we had chased that young buck we would hev bad the young fairy afore this.” A moment later the captain of the C) leaped to the ground and antag ee k- ed the door with his heavily- booted foot. It instantly flew open. **T told you so,” reiterated Salvo. ‘“‘ Let’s ransack the ranch,” sounded on every side. ** After a lot ov Idahoes had gutted it? You’d ta world ov booty I’m thinkin’! We’ve no usiness hyar. We war fools fur not followin’ the Injun who sot the dogs on us. He’s the same greaser whose trail we hev mysteriously lost twenty times. I stick to what I allus said: That young buck knows whar the boss bo- nanza is.” “Then fur the Injun!” ‘*Thet’s the doctrine. Right about!” Once more the backs of the gray masks were turned upon Red Core and away they went. But almost abruptly the entire party stop- ped not tar away and every face was covered. pal an Ee re What had caused the halt? A man who appeared to be alone was seated at a spring—engaged in dressing, as well as he was able, a wound in or near the shoulder. “Injun Jack! Somebody’s winged ’im"’ passed from lip to lip. It was the man from Red Core. **Cover him!” commanded the head of the Brethren. ‘‘Now, you'll see a tiger neatly caught.” The following minute a Joud halloo came from | beneath a mask half lifted. Injun Jack was on his feet in an instant, a re- volver in his right hand, and the next second he | looked at his foes. | His eyes emitted gleams of rage as he gazed, and breast heaved with illy subdued excite- ment. “I’m caught this time—caught when I’m not more than half a man!” he must have | thought. “We've got the drop on you this time, Jack,” came over the leveled rifles. ‘‘ Come up and get acquainted.” Without a moment’s hesitation the man from Red Core walked boldly toward the League, his eagle eye clear and calm as ever, “* Halt!” He stopped not twenty feet from tbe horses’ ieecey and under the very muzzles of the car- ines, ‘Winged, eh? Who did thet, Injun?” laugh- ed the chief, looking at the wound hardly half- dressed. “An enemy of mine,” and then Jack waved his hand along the line. ‘‘Whatdo you want with me? I heard you were at Red Core to see me, but I was not at home.” “We war,” was the answer. ‘“ Injun Jack, we don’t want to hurt you, for some ov us was at the Yellowstone Forks when you sailed in an’ saved the women an’ children in the wagon train. But we are goin’ to have this ground to ourselves, even if we have to resort to violent measures, Which would you rather do: Leave Idaho or hang? It’s a plain way ov puttin’ the matter, but as you wouldn’t beat round the bush ef you war us, so we’ll deal squar’ with you—no — up our sleeves in this game.” Injun Jack listened without the quiver of a muscle. “You wouldn’t give me a show!” he ask- ‘With thet revolver? No! We've seen you handle it afore, at least some ov us hey.” “Then you sh’an’t drive me from Idaho!” fell resolutely from. his li ‘Though robbed and shot, I’m still Injun Jack!” If the Gold League were quick their aim did not prevent the lifting of Injun Jack’s pistol, but as one of the masks pitched headlong from the saddle, the man from Red Core fell forward through the smoke of his own weapon! All this was the bloody work of a second. The mask lay on the und motionless, but Injun Jack almost immediately arose to. have a dozen human Sess throw themselves upon him, with oaths of mingled madness and delight. “You'll be hanged yet,” was h in his ears. ‘This doesn’t look much like the boss bonanza whose secret you wormed from Old Shady. We know whar the rocks are; we’ve found the mine, an’—” Injun Jack who had been looking searchingly into the speaker’s eyes interrupted him with one word: o Liar !” Then a hand armed with a revolver was lifted against him, but it was quickly jerked down. ‘Don’t spoil the hangin’!” accompanied the interference. A few moments later the man from Red Core stood under the stout limb of a handy tree. A rope had already been thrown over it, and the hands of one of the masks were making the deadly noose. “* Are you ready, Injun?’” “I am always ready!” was the prompt re- sponse. The noose fell over the victim’s head, and the man who had fashioned it stepped forward to complete the adjustment. Already four men held the other end of the cord. Injun Jack felt the draw of the infernal rope, but at the same time he heard a whisper at he ear. ‘Inflate yer bes an’ brace every nerve in yer body, an’ you'll be worth twenty dead men to-morrow. I’m yer friend. I saw you at Yel- lowstone Forks an’ I owe you suthin’!” The next instant “‘ Pull!” rung from the leader’s lips and the body of Injun Jack was dangling twixt heaven and earth.
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a - ‘ t Tornado Tom. | 13 CHAPTER XV. THE HOODWINKED INDIAN. QUEEN OLIVE started and a thrill shot through her heart when Buck Tail laid the gold stone in her hands. “ All like that!” exclaimed the Idaho. ‘‘ All b’long to white girl, too.” The girl did not seem to hear him; she was weighing the heavy rock on her palm, and a thousand thoughts wero chasing one another through her brain. : Where was Injun Jack? Why had he not followed Buck Tail to his well-kept secret? ‘¢ Gold rock make girl dumb!” ejaculated the impatient Indian, ‘ Her no talk to Buck Tail; rock steal her tongue.” The Indian’s hand grasped Olive’s arm. Sbe started back, and the gold rock almost slid from her hands. ‘White girl know Buck Tail’s secret now. What she think of it?” “Your discovery is wonderful; but others ‘may have found it as well as yourself.” ‘* Others bunt tor it. The men who hide their faces track Buck Tail a long time, just as if they think him know where the gold rocks shine: but him always outwit them. They never trai! him here, for bim knows all the ways of the fox!” The Indian’s eyes glittered triumphantly while he spoke. Olive felt her heart in her throat when he mentioned the Gold League. They then suspected the young Idaho; but he had eluded them. This was good news. A few bours more, she resolved to herself, and Indian Jack would know where the boss bonanza was. _““¥cs, Buck Tail fool the Whiie Hoods,” con- tinued the Indian. ‘‘ Nobody never knows his secret, but his pretty pale-faced squaw. Is she not rich? She will be the gold queen of the Idahos. But she does not smile.” “T cannot take this gold with me,” said Olive. ‘But girl como an’ look at it whenever she want.” ‘Then I am not to livo here?” “Nol no!” and tho Indian opened his eyes with astonishment. ‘Girl go live with Buck Tail whero the lodges of his people make one big village. Big marriage feast, one—two hundred dogs killed, an’ all braves called in from the war-path. Heap big time. Buck Tail will for- get his dogs when him look into the eyes of his gold girl. Girl ready for the feast?” A sudden inspiration seemed to take posses- sion of Olive. “When is all this to take place? When do you propose to make mo your queen?” ‘“*Whenover white girl ready. Now, if she say so.” ‘In tho village of your people—not else- where?” ? 4 yi “In the great village,” said Buck Tail, sol- — “ When can we get there?” é the time the sun goes down.” “6 You cannot carry me well on your horse.” ‘Oh, Back Tail find more’n one horse.” Queen Olive’s eyes had an intense sparkle, “Then let us go. The gold is to be mine, every rock of it, you say?” ‘* All! all!” F The Indian was now terribly excited. The gift of the rine had put a climax to his short wooing, and he would soon appear in the great village of the Idabos with something which not one of his nation possessed—a wife whose skin was white, and whose eyes were blue. “Girl como with Buck Tail,” he cried, seizing Olive’s hand. ‘‘Him take her to the village now. Controlling her emotion Olive allowed herself to be conducted from the gold chamber, and they were soon gradually ascending a path the loose stones of which our heroine fondly believed nuggets of gold. fice heart beat faster than ever when her eyes caught a gleam of light far ahead, and the next moment after admonishing her to remain still her red conductor glided off. Not long afterward her ears were by ‘the neighs cf a horse, and Buck Tail reappeared. a Nobody watchin’. Trail safe to the big vil- lage. White faces not know how the young Idaho t back home!” : At the mouth of the mine Olive saw two horses evidently fresh, and almost before she had finishod contemplating them she was belped to the back of one, and buffalo hide reins thrust into her hands, “Horses fast!” said the youn Indian who had leaped tothe saddle with the agility of a finished rider. ©‘ White girl come back to gold mine by ’m by—come back as Buck Tuil’s wife.” The next moment Olive passed from darkness into the light which for a second dazzled her eyes. They fronted a narrow pass, the oue by which they had reached the mine. Olive had photographed it on her mind! she fondly thought that the time would come when, point- ing to it, she could say proudly to Injun Jack: “Seo! that pass leads us to the end of our bunt.” The pair were well mounted, but Olive felt entirely satisfied with her steed after comparing it with the one the Idaho bestrode. “T have the best horse. I could outstrip Buck Tail,” she thought. They halted side by side fora moment just beyond the mouth of the gold cave. Buck Tai seemed to be debating some meata! proposition, for his eyes alternated strangeiy between his captive and the narrow path . ‘Buck Tail better go abead,” he said at length. eye on Buck Tail, stop when him stops, an’—” The young Indian did not get to finish the in- structions for Olive’s hand had darted at his belt, and the next instant with a countenance blanched by terror, he recoiled from the muz- zie of his own revolver! The girl’s eyes were emitting sparks of fire as it seemed, and Buck Tail was still shrinking from the leveled firearm. ‘* When I marry you, Buck Tail, we will have the dog-feast!” hissed Queen Olive in sarcastic tones over the pistol. ‘But that time will never come! Down! leave your saddle—this in- stant or [ll bore your skull! enough to think that Injun Jack’s girl would ride quietly to your red capital after you had | shown her the boss bonanza? Come! off! off! | or Pll drop you!” The girl’s arm seemed to lengthen, the revol- ver was thrust a few inches nearer his face, and the Idaho buck rolled suddenly from his horse, and in such a ludicrous manner, that Olive could not repress a smile. With the exception of his knife, Buck Tail was completely unarmed and that weapon would do him no ee “Now, Buck Tail, my best regards till we meet again, if ever!” cried Queen Olive taunt- ingly. ‘‘Good by! You follow me at your peril, for I have the best arms in this contest,” and she held the revolver before his mad and covetous gaze. The Indian had not spoken since the capture of his pistol; the turning of the tables seemed to have rendered him speechless, But when Olive’s horse gave a great bound and went down the path like a rocket, a groan | and then a mad cry fell from his lips, and he | lea to saddle again. “ Buck Tail get fooled in white girl; but him | catch ’er yet, an’ dog-feast go on all same.” But the gray steed that bore the Queen of Red Core had already disappeared, and when Buck Tail reached the termination of the path he look- ed on every side but saw notbing of the fugi- ve. Then the young Indian gave vent to his in- dignation, and cursed the folly which had ke bim to give the girl such an oppor- unity for escape. He did not reflect that the truth of the matter was that the arts of Queen Olive had completely hoodwinked him, and that, owing to bis own credulity, she was now riding away with the secret of the wonderful gold mine in her 10n. Olive allowed the well mettled steed free rein, until she was confident that she was not pur- sued. Then she held him in and at last help him under her control. “An easier victory than I expected,” she said. ‘The revolver was loose just as if to help me, and it frightened the Indian almost out of his wits, too. Where am I now?’ She looked around only to utter a cry of min- gled surprise and joy. “What! so near Red Core? It cannot be, and yet there is the familiar land-mark of the bald mountain. Fortune is determined to favo me. Indeed, thus it seemed, for urging her horse forward again, and deviating a little to the right, her eyes soon beheld the famillar cabin in the valley. At home once more! The sight inspired Queen Olive with such ea- rness that she did notthink of incurring a new anger by rushing incautiously to the hut, and sbe hurried forward. “ Jack! Jack, I have found the big bonanza!” she was saying aloud, and still ting the words in her glee, she halted before the door | wolfishly at_his and threw herself from the horse. The little door already stood ajar, and the ‘** White girl foller close behind. Keep | pee moment Olive threw herself into the ouse. But all at once she recoiled across the thresh- old with achilling cry of terror, and with a face blanched to the hue of a shroud. For, stretched at full length on the rough flooring, lay the body of a man! The face was partly turned toward the door, and after a moment of speechless quivering, Queen Olive darted forward again and threw herself upon it. ‘* Jack! Jack! who did this? Speak! and tell me, that | may hunt them down. Itis the work of the Gold League. I know it, and I will have revenge!” CHAPTER XVI. THE BOSS BONANZA AT LAST, LET us go back to Tornado Tom aud his pro- t tege. ‘We have seen how fast upon the boy’s renun- ciation of his oath followed the pistol-shot that | sent him staggering from Tornado with a start- ling cry, and how tiger wheeled and slayer. Tornado’s weapon had scarcely cracked before he was bending over the young member of the Gold League. ‘‘Jebu! it war a narrer escape!” he exclaimed as he withdrew his band from the youth's head and found it covered with blood. ‘*The man what fired war mad; he did not hold his weepin uickly the gaunt o:d human ed at the dim figure of the | steady. If he had, Tornado, the bullet wouldn’t Were you fool | be out thar on the ground, but somewhar in yer brain-box.” There was truth in Tom’s observations. For- tunately the bullet intended for the boy’s brain had merely plowed a bloody furrow under the scalp to come out at last, and carry off a lock of hair. This was all. ‘* We'll find the boss bonanza yet!” said the old fellow to himself, and then he went to work to restore his protege to consciousness. When he succeeded, when Tornado Jr. opened | his eyes and spoke, the tawny tiger uttered a cry of satisfactiou. ‘*He missed the bull’s-eye miss is ez good ez a mile! anew.” All the while Tornado was fixing » banda by a hair, but a ow let us start | about the bleeding head, and the boy was stand- ing erect, but still somewhat bewildered. ‘Start anew? whither?” ‘To the boss bonanza—the mine! Don’t you know?” “Oh, yes!” cried the hoy, starting as light seemed to break suddenly upon him. “Bho mine—yes! yes. Come, Tornado, I will you its wealth, and then for our old foes.” ** Hold on,” said Tom, holding back as he smiled at the youth’s eagerness. ‘ Git yer bear-~- in’s first. Thet bullet kinder upset ye. Don’t budge till everything comes back i anal to ye. — go half cocked, an’ lose everything in the en These words had the desired effect, and Tor- nado saw the youth study the lofty hills that rose on every side. “He’s comin’ to it. When he starts ag’in it will be in the right direction.” All at once Tornado Jr. sprung forward; he had found his bearings once more. The tall adventurer eagerly followed him, and notwithstanding his lengthy strides he was scarcely able to keep alongside. ‘*How came you to find it?’ he asked. ‘*1 followed the Indian.” “What Injun?” The young Idaho who lately had two dogs. I encountered him by accident while he was eluding the League, and while he slipped away from them he kept in my sight.” ‘** An’ he hid in the gold mine?” “ He did.” ‘* He may be thar now.” ** That is quite likely.” “Wal, 1 wouldn’t mind thet. He woukin’t be a mouthful fur us.” On, on went the two partners, and Tornado was beginning to lament the distance, when the boy came to a sudden halt. Then he turned quickly ry Tom and ex- hibited a countenance so wild and unnatural that the old fellow actually shrunk back with a ery of lost hope. ‘Great Jehu! the fell in startling accen ballet — bh ‘or several moments Tornado Jr. tor; then a: wl thy led from bis throat and his hands were ' aring the bandage from his head. show pecmente’s 6 mad!” r from his lips, “ Thet t in its work on his brain, ef it didn’t e boxin’.” }
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eS Ss SS 2 a 14 pe LEE ST Tornado spruog forward to prevent; but the bloody cloth was being trampled under the boy’s feet before be could touch him, and it was with difficulty that he held him. ‘‘Hyar’s a go!” thought Tom to himself. **Just when the sky ar’ gettin’ cl’ar a thunder- storm comes up an’ plays hob with everything. Now the boss bonanza hes gone a shimmerin.’ Cuss thet bullet! Injun Jack, we’ll fight the next time we meet, compact er not!” After the paroxysm of madness had partly passed away Tornado Tom held the limp and unconscious body of his little partner, in his. arms. Daylight found him going up the mountain with his burden, never halting for a moment | with the load, nor drawing a single breath of | fatigue. The sun came up, but Tom went on, now through a darkened gap, and now along the timbered side of a mountain pass. Was he going back to the cave? All at once Tornado halted and laid the boy gently down. Then stepping astride of the body, be drew his | revolvers and fastened a pair of flashing eyes on the mouth of the narrow gulch which he would have left in another moment. “Tve got the advantage this time,” he mur- mured. ‘‘Two can’t ride abreast hyar. I didn’t expect to meet ’im, but things ar’ comin’ to a head, an’ we’ve got to fight it out some- whar, so why not right hyar?”’ A moment later, and the head of a horse came in sight, then the burly figure of his rider, a wild fellow whose head dress was a flaring red handkerchief. “They haven’t got tho hoods op this time. | | and when the hunter turned from smiting the | walls of the cavern and swearing that no power should wrest the gold mine from them, it was to Pve caught ’em unmasked. Now I kin see ex- actly whar to shoot.” Then the word “halt!” rung out, and as the horseman suddenly drew rein, a revolver spoke and he fell quivering back in his saddle, and in the agonies of death. ‘*One!” muttered Tornado and a second shot stretched the horse across the narrow pass, completely blocking it. At that moment another head showed itself, but it suddenly fell forward, and two men lay dead together! “T’m the concentrated essence ov destruc- tion. You hev kicked the ga’ntlet into my face an’I take pleasure in shootin’ it back at you, you cowardly gray-hooded skunks. Come out, | **'The old ma ‘him. He found it! he owns it! an’ in shall fall the arm thet tries to take it from % an’ let’s settle accounts hyar—settle ’em for- | over!” But there was no reply save the quick gallop. | ing of several horses which swiftly grew less distinct. Tornado Tom. oy SS — ar’ gettin’ further an’ further away all the | Tom caught eagerly at the suggestion and a | torch was improvised. time,” he ill-humoredly muttered. When the youth stopped it was to whirl But just as the trapper was about to apply « upon Tornado Tom with a face illumined with lucifer to his invention the boy c.ught his wrist | triumph. ‘“We are here! Go in!” he cried. “ In whar?” With a laugh Tornado Jr. bounded forward again and with one jerk brought a mass of mountain vines from their rocky soil. { | | and cried: ‘‘Your wish is coming true. As I hope for heaven, I believe they are coming. Did you not hear?” “Hear? No!” f “Stand perfectly still and listen. Turn your The mouth of what appeared to be a cavern | head and strain your ears. You had better put in the mountain was thus laid bare. ‘‘The boss bonanza!” said the boy. ‘‘Go in.” Tornado Tom needed no further urging. A great bound took him beyond the threshold, and as he paused in the darkness a ery from his protege saluted his ¢ ars. ‘*Pish! he’s only fainted,” he said, as he pick- ed up Tornado Jr.’s body lying inanimate at the mouth of the cavern. ‘ Onecan afford to faint when he knows that he’ll see millions when he opens his eyes ag’in. We've got to the end of our string at last. The big bonanza is yours, boy! Thar ain’t power enough in the arms ov mankind to wrest it from you!” The eyes of Tornado Tom fairly blazed with delight, and in the defiance of the moment, he smote the stone walls about him with his fists. CHAPTER XVIL. FIGHTING FOR THE PRIZE. OLp TorNnapDo had spoken truth when he said that the boy Gold-Leaguer had only fainted. But it was the long swoon born of exhaustion, find Tornado. Jr. motionless still. “Tt; ar’ his’n—all his’n!” he cried, looking proudly at the boy, whose face was revealed by aray of sunshine that had entered the place, didn’t do me any good arter all. nobody. An’ to think thet the the bonanza by trackin’ a Now it more’n belongs to eath It hez helpe young ’un should fin skulkin’ red-skin! He picked the boy up and started down the passage, with the unreal delight of a madman, Every now and then an oath or a cry of vic- tory fell from his lips; he could not keep the great triumph to himself. What if the experience of the dungeon-cave | should be repeated? What if he should step in- “ Cowards!” exclaimed Tornado as he leaped | forward, ‘* That’s right! run off and plot some new devilment. rinnin’ arter all. Two shots an’ two Hoods. Wal, it wasn’t such a bad be- | less me! ef they arn’t the Yellowstone | boys!” The bronzed victor was staring at the faces of his enemies, “Old Shady went back thar first an’ collected ’em,” he went on. ‘1 hed bis map, an’ that’s why he’s lost his bearin’s. The map would hev found the bonanza fur ’em long ago. Witbout it they’ve been disapp’inted. Now I begin to see through the bull thing. They’ll hunt me, thinkin’ thet I've got the map, but they’re mis- takin. Wal, hunt old Tornado all you please, my daisies; but jest kesp out o’ range. Two ov ye got a leetle tco close this mornin’.” A groan behind him made the old fellow turn, and he saw his protege standing up. “Allright ag’in! I see it in his eye!” cried the gold-hunter, as he sprung to the boy’s side. ‘* We had a scrimmage, boy,” exclaimed Tor- nado pointing to the little battle-field. “‘ They same on ie kind o’ sudden, so I jest laid you down an’ gav ‘em the best I hed “in the shop. The rest—they’re somewhar twixt byar an’ Bitter Root ef their hosses hevn’t guv out. But, what’s the matter now? What is it?#—more enemies fur us to wrestle with?” “No, not that, but something better than foes. Tornado, look yonder, up there, where the big rocks seem ready to tumble down upon us, and tell me what you see!” and was pointing excitedly up the mountain. “T see nuthin’ but rocks!” answered Tom, doubting the little speaker’s sanity. ‘‘ Nuthin’ bot rocks!” he repeated. to space and go down—down to death through the gloom, and that with the precious burdep in his arms? The man did not think of such probabilities. He continued on until he was compelled to halt by the barrier of a wall. “Thunders!” he cried, shrinking away. ‘‘ Old Tornado, ye’r at the end of the lane, Now fur a light.” A search among his pockets brought to light one of the luxuries of the States—a lucifer match. The next instant a flicker: of flame dissipated a small portion of the gloom. The matcb did not burn ‘long, but it revealed an object at which Tornado sprung like a tiger—a coarse-looking rock at his feet. | “Jehu! we’ve struck it!” rung through the | cave. Shady didn’t lie. when he knew that this kentry held such a bo- nanza as this one? Whoop la! my pols-bag: Look at this nugget an’ behold yer millicns al- ready mined an’, I might almost say coined!” “Ten thousand to the ton an’ more! Old : } Who would stay dead long | lost gold mine ov Idaho!” | out the match, too.” The tawny right hand of the gold-hunter | smothered the incipient flame, and the twain listened, ‘*My accursed comrades! I knew it,” said the boy, hardly above his breath. Then these words fell upon their ears: ““Keep the knife at the greaser’s wind-pipe! We've struck the boss bonanza. Hold him tight thar, Sandy. By George! I allus said thet iv ketch the Injun war to find the gold!” Tornado Jr. felt a hand tighten at his wrist while the words were wafted to them. ‘* Yes,” he said replying to the gripe. “The have caught the Indian whom | watched, end they are forcing him to reveal the secrets of th.« old mine with a knife at his throat. <A). besides, Tornado, we have entrapped ouir- selves.” Yonder is their torch.” ‘“*Mebbe we hev. ‘* Where?” ‘‘Away up thar. It looks like a star, but «x true ez I live, it is their light.” The boy’s eyes caught the far-off glitter. “Shall we fight them here?” he queried. ‘*No. Let me keep yer wrist. me on, We will meet ’em half-way.” The gold-hunters started toward the glimmcr- ing torch, Tornado in the lead with the strc! gripe of his right hand at the boy’s wrist. At times the torch would vanish, but it would soon reappear, more brilliant than ever, be- cause it was coming toward them. ““Hyar we fight ’em!” old Tornado said ha)t- ing suddenly. ‘I’ve been feelin’ fur this s; ot allalong. I felt itez wecamein. Thar seenis to be a room in each side ov the wall. Now, git ready. We've got to write our title cl’ar ta the mine right hyar.” Side by side in the niche-like place to which they had withdrawn man and boy waited fcr their foes. They felt that it would be their last tussi!e with the hooded Brethren. “They have stopped,” said the impatient boy. Nine Injun must be stubborn, but the bow ie is still at his throat, I'l warrant ye. They bed halted, but they’re comin’ on ag’in. I should say thet they hed the red-skin foul!” ‘Can you see?” : “The torch bee me. Thar! they bev stop- ye ag’in. The Injun ar’ goin’ to show grit. isten!” “ We can’t be mag every minute!” grow !- ed a rough voice. “ Hyar!” I'll settle the ni: 1- ter. What ar’ you goin’ to do, Injun? Co «:. or die?” ‘Buck Tail will stand where he is. The 1 with the hidden faces cannot make him put «1- other moccasin forward.” ‘“Wal., fool, we'll dissolve pardnership!” A half-stified ery followed, ‘*We kin find it ourselves, boys. The yall r rock ar’n’t fur off; we need no Injun to show us the way, any more. By the fiends of chaos! the Brethren ov the Gold League hev found the Shouts of applause responded to this cry of victory and the boy heard old Tornado say: “They’ve wiped yer Injun cut. Bis wind- pipe isn’t worth a nickel. Hyar, step out an’ Tornado Jr. revived slowly and his eyes spark- | stoop. When I say ‘fire!’ open yer battery or: led when they fell upon the pile of rocks that | the Hoods.” his protector had scraped together. ‘Yes, we’re all right when we hey nobody to dispute possession with us,” he said a into Tornado’s ecstasy-illumed face. ‘‘ Do not forget that the young Indian knows the secret of the mine, that the Brotherhood are hunting him, and that Injun Jack crossed the Bitter Root | hills for the sole pur pose of laying bis hands on | Tornado Jr. had seized the old hunter's arm, | ' claim it. | “Then follow me and I'll show you. I’m not / mad now. While I was unconscious fate must | have directed ge footsteps.” Favored with unnatural strength, the boy darted away, followed by Tornado. | this ore.” ‘“‘T wish they’d all come byar at once an’ I wish they war hyar now.” ‘‘ All! That includes the girl.” Tornado threw a look of reproof at the boy, but his eae not frame one. * Gold- never marry beggars. I'll fix vets He was thinking. m4 ‘* Let us explore the bonanza,” said the boy. “Tam strong again. 1 want to know the extent “Mad eg a March hare: The boss bovauza of our find. “T am ready. Now I shall pay them bac: for the brand of the bowie.” The twain had — from the niche, ¢: | were crouching with fingers at their triggers. Of course they were holding their breath, » in another second the battle would open, But ell at once something brushed old ‘i: nado’s arm, and he saw a dark figure spriny . . between him and the advancing torch. ‘*T have the best right to the first shot!” |, : . ed a new voice. ‘“‘Vll kill the man who ;: - onet to deprive me of it. Those devils \«; - der had the pleasure of pulling me up to a ii)!» not long ago. I want to show them that 1: don’t always die jest because they are bang: «| ” Then his voice rung out loud and clear: . “Halt! Gentlemen of the white masks, re- oo the compliments of Injun Jack from Red ore! | | | |
Page 15
Ashe fisithed, his right hand went up, end | ‘ fought to the bitter end. he began pouring death against the ranks of the Gray Hoods of Idaho. “Thuxders! Injun Jack, we’re with you!” eried old Tornado, springing to the slayer’s side. ! Lhis score, , The Gold League at least was determined, on Had they not taken an oath that, once in the gold mine, no power should drive | them out? “Yes, you kin sail in now!” was the response, | » As | passed bullet in the heavy smoke that filled the and two more revolvers began to take part in the batile. CHAPTER XVIUIL TEE GOLD LEAGUE'S EXIT. Tae appearance of Injun Jack in the cave was totally unexpected by old Tom and his young partner. Where bad be come from? Let us p2use here a moment and see, Therefore, they fought like tigers, and bullet WSsagze, , ‘Stand firm, brethren! We outnumber the enemy ten to one.” These words had encouraged the band, but why did the shots from that very enemy con- tinus to increase instead of diminish? A reinforvement had been added to the ranks | of the trio. Little Tornado berrd a voice at his elbow, and | then a new pistol juined its rapid shots to the We saw the Brotherhood pull him up to a | bough, and then gsllop off leaving bim behind to perish at the cud of a rope. uf Injun Jack was not to dio thus. The words whispered into bis ears just before he was jerked upward saved his life. He did not bother himself xbout the identity | of his self-aunounced friend among the masks, | but inflated his lungs and braced bis nerves as the voice had directed, He speedily found that the helping hand had adjusted the rope witi ean eye single to his pre- servation. Nor was tbat all. been tied b tion sufficed to free them. He waited until the masked executioners had passed out of sight, until they had placed a mountain between them and the gallows-tree, Then his right haud seize:l tie repa above his His hands had | that same hand, and a little exer- | head, and while he lifted himself up Lis left : hand freed his throat and an empty uoose dan- gied from the limb. A wild cry of joy and future vengeance pro- claimed his liberation. Taking the noose in his hands, he pinned it againsi the tree with his bowie which the League had left at his feet, | then once more he turned his face toward Red Core. His wound wrenched open by the jerk from the ground almost drove hii mad; but he kept manded, until ne crossed the cabin threshold, Thero envurance found ils end, for the brave men fell Gown like a dead hero, and was still lying on the floor when Queen Olive, having es- caped frorn Buck Tail, arrived with heart and | head full of the gulden prize found at last. The scene that followed ber arrival has been already chronicled. Under the magic influence of her tears and kisses life came back to tbe man from Red Core, and not long afterward he was listening to the girl’s wonderful scory of her adventures. ‘“‘ And are you sure you have found the boss bonanza, Queen?” “My eyes did not d ceive me, and yet it seenis more than half a dream.” “Then Jet us go at once. Olive, you must not miss the way.” noises of the battle. Turving his head, he caugbt a glimpse of a girl at his side. They had met at last! Already he had broken his oath. ““What! you here?” fell from the boy’s lips. ‘“Why not? Never mind; | will divide with rou.” : ‘vorneado Jr. could hardly repress a smile. A short time before he had talked of dividing with her! But he did not get to reply, for the figure of Injun Jack fell between them and they were rudely forced apart. ‘“Remember your oath!” was hissed fiercely into the youth’s ears, as Injun Jack again turn- ed his attention to the common foe. Aimost suddenly the firing ceased on the part of the Gold League. ‘The cowards give it up,” announced Torna- do. _‘* Now, Injun, you an’ me fur it, J guess.” “Wait until we sce,” was the response, The little party now advanced firing, but no | reply was obtained. he sight that greeted their eyes on the spot | where the Brotherhood had fought was horrible ih eats , t sk, * back the groans of pain which the occasion de- | May ah Bi haga verselves. in the extreme. Everywhere lay the Gray Hoods of Idaho; they had fallen on every side. “We're all hyar, Injun_ Jack!” said a voice ‘*You an’ yer pard hev We didn’t expect to see you turn the jack on us arter we had treated you to a rope an’ a limb. Our oath hez been kept, anyway. We die in the mine. Injun, ef you an’ yer pards hedn’t got the drop on us, the Brand ov the Bowie would hev come out on top.” Thirteen human figures lay within the little compass of that underground battle-field. The Brotherhood which had tracked and | killed for the prize of the mountains was ex- “¢ Miss the way to that mine of riches? I know ! every rock, tree and turf of grass between itand Red Core!” ‘“Then [am ready!” Injun Jac once mors stood crect. Other hands than his had washed his wound and éressed it, and es he stood before the girl she saw that the gold fever was devouring his very heart strings. “ Didn’t I say that you should be the_richest | woman in the States?’ he cried. *‘* Why, the handsome lords of creation wiil be bowing to you before you are two daysin th {he pepers will talk of nothing but the Gold Queen of Idaho, end now and "then they'll put in a word about Juck, her friend. It is all yours. Lsaid it shoula Le and I guess Ihave kept my word! Now, Jet us go. Lead the way, my Queen of Gold.” We need not follow Injun Jack to the prize for which he had hunted. that he got there, and we have seen how, step- ping before old Tornado aud his protege, he | ppened the battle with the mountain masks, The rapid firing corpled to the voice of the man whom they ha’ lately hanged, threw the band into great cou! vsion. * Put ons the torches! the enemy !” was Ube cry. But there were two torches which could not big cities. | { tinct, and the mark of the organization remain- ed on only one living breast—the boy’s. “ Ar’ ye ane Injun?’ demanded old Tor- nado, suddenly laying his hand on the arm of the man from Red Core. “For our tussle? Yes!” “*T want to show you the bonanza first.” And Tornado picked up a torch and led the way down the corridor. “Tornado and I are going to ’tend to a bit o’ rivate business,” whispered Injun Jack to live. ‘‘ You must not interfere; neither must that boy. Don’t let the result bother you for a minute, for since we have found the prize, In- jun Jack is not goin’ to pass in his checks at this stage of the game. Count on that, my gold princess!” CHAPTER XIX. HOW EVERYTHING PANNED OUT. Face to face in the cooling shade of the mountain side, the two men stood once more. Tawny and strong like savage gladiators they eyed each other, while their breasts heaved like the tumultuous ocean. We already know | In the right hand of each was a formidable bowie, ready to decide the duel. Now that the gold mine had been found, and the Gray Hoods exterminated, they were going to fight ror the prize. If Tornado won, then not an ounce of the glittering prize sbould fall to the Queen of They only show us to | Red Core; if he lost, the boy hero would be thrust aside without his share, The men stood ten feet apart glaring at each be extinguisted. They Led fallen from their | other like the tigers of the arena. bearers’ hands, and were flaring on the floor of the corrijor, midway between the combatants. Whoen the marks began to return the fre, the al of firearms was incessant, ; ' / “Ready! Advance!” fell suddenly to Indian vous? tongue, and the duelists stepped for- ward, When toe struck toe, they halted, and with Al: parties bad reached their goal, and it was | knives rendy waited for the final signal. SEU EEEEEEEE EEE Old Tornado was eager for the combat; hi eyes fairly blazed when he saw the command forming on Iiujun Jack’s lips. Another second and they would make a dash at each other’s heart. All at once a stone that glittered strangely as it passed through the sunlight fell at their leet. The next mcment the figure of Tornado Jr, | bounded into view. ‘Hold back your knives, for heaven’s sake! The boss bonanza is a fraud! Don't kill each other for a lot of worthiess rocks!” The men lowered ther dirks with exclam- ations of disgust; their toes parted company. “T can’t b’lieve that!” exclaimed Tom, ena the next second he was holding in lis hand the stone which had fallen at their feet. ‘**Look fur yerself, Injun!’ he said, banding the rock io his eutegonist. ‘ Ef thet is the kind ov dirt we’ve fought, hated, an’ lied fur then I’m Cisgusted with all mankind.” By this time Tornado Jr. bad come up. He was holding forth several rocks that bore a re- semblance to the one Injun Jeck was examin- ing. “* Here is our gold, Tornado,” be said with a light laugh. ‘‘A ton of it wouldn’t buy a de- cent breakfast in Omaha, Would it Jack?’ The man from Red Core bad cast the false nugget on the ground with a savage oath. “Old Skady fcoled us out here. Where is the old liar?’ he cried. ‘* Whar I left ’im the other night,” answered Tornado. Injun Jack saw the full meaning of Tornado’s answer, and the next moment he had flung Lis Lowie to the earth. “What! ain’t you goin’ to fight?’ exclaimed Tornado. “For a lot of sham gold? No!” * You’ve got to take suthin from oid Tornado, an’ byar itis!” Injun Jack had partly turned, but he lcoked around. Another bowie quivered beside his blade in the ground, and Tornado Tom stood before him. with outstretched hand. The next moment two bands met and Tornado Tom exclaimed: ‘By the jumping jingo! Injun, we'll the profits ov this expedition to the States in our rifle tubes. But mebbe we kin scrape suthin Folid out ov the koss bonanza for the young air. a Not out of such rocks as that,” said Inj Jack, spurping the ceceptive nugget wi foot. “But we'll try a place I saw mountains.” **T know whar it is.” “You?” ““Wal, yes, an’ ef my eyes didn’t deceive me we'll find enough thar to give the young ’uns a good rquar’ send-off at housekeepin’.” Injun Jack's eyes flashed. “Oh, thar’s no use in kickin’ ag’in’ what's beund to be,” continued Tornado, ‘I wanted to act the hog with the bonanza, an’ so did you; but now thet the youngsters ar’ on an ekal footin’, I say thet I’m ready to help ’em ekally along. _They’ve seen each other an’ neither you or me, Injun, kin spile the match. An’ of they take to one anotker, I won’t shed a tear over the bonanza thet didn’t pan out.” Injun Jack did not reply; but the next day a little company of four persons passed out of Red Core, and turned their faces toward the Bitter Root Mountains. The old mine with its metal so deceptive, yet so nearly like gold, had been left behind, and the hope of a better ‘‘ find” among the mountains urged the adventurers on. The reader would have supposed that the last hunt bad proved successful, if be cculd have attended the wedding that ate took place at number one thousand ard cne, Sunlightavenue, in one of our largest cities. The couple, or the ‘high contracting parties ” as the papers of the day said, were young, stylish and handsome, and one wedding guest said to another after he had kissed the bride: “That lost bonanza didn’t pan out so bad after all. It yielded two precious nuggets, Tornado. I'd go through the bull thing ag’im md get to stand bere and kiss the Queen of Core, as the bride of the boy.” “You kin bet yer boots on thet, Injun. By ingo! I believe the bride’s lookin’ fur me to iss ’er, an’ I hevn’t kissed a weman fur twenty year!” But Tornado Tom passed the ordeal bravely. THE END
Page 16
ALE 3A ‘Bhe Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes ° or A Bowery Giri. By Albert W. Aiken. 42 Gulliver’s Travel-. A Vousee to Lilliput, and a Voyage to Brobdingnag. By Dean Swift. 13 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. 14 Aladdin; or, THe Wonperrvt Lamp. 15 Whe Sea-Cat; or, Tae Wrrcn or DARIEN. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. ; 16 Bob nson Crusoe. His Life and Surpris- ing Adventures, (27 Illustrations.) By Defoe. 17 Ralph Roy, THE Boy BuccaNEER, Or, THE Fuerrive Yacutr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. From the Arabian Nights. 12 The Phantom Spy; or, THe PILOT oF THE Pram. By Buffalo Bill. j 20 The Double Daggers; or, Deapwoop DIck’s Dyeyiance. By Edward L. Wheeler. 21 The Frontier Angel. A Romance or KEn- gocky RANGER’s Lire. By Edward S$. Eulis. 22 Whe Sea Serpent; or, THe Boy RosiNson Crvsor. By Juan Lewis. , 22 Nick o? the Night; or, Ta Boy Sry or "76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 24 ra) 2 YeuLowstone. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 25 The Boy Captain; or, THE DavcutTserR. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Moof, Tue Rurrato Demon; of, THE BorpER Vvutures. By kdward L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, Tue Boy Gurpe. Oll Coomes. 28 Buffalo Ben, THE PRINCE or _ THE PISTOL; or, DEApwoop Dycx 1 Disguise. E. L. Wheeler. -29 The Dumb Page; or, THe Doce’s Daven- vex. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. $0 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, Tus REck- Less RancerR. By Harry St. George. 61 Keen-Knife, PRivce or THE PRarnres. By Oll Coomes. $2 Bob Woolf, tHe Borper Rovian; or, THE Girt Leap-Suor. By Edward L. Wheeler. ‘BS The Ocean Bloodbound; or, THe Rep PrratTes OF THE CARIBBEES. By &. W. Pierce. 84 Orevon Sol; or, Nick Wsrrves’ Boy Spy, ht, t. J. F. rol Adams. 35 Wiid Ivan, THe Boy Craupe Dovat; or, THE BrorHeRHoop or DeatH. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF THE Arena. By Frank S. Finn. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or, THe Litriz Houn- Ter oF THE AprroNDACKS. By T. C. Harbaugh. . 88 Ned balk Le THe Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face, THe Detective; or, Lire ANo Love In New York. By Edward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A Story or s Younc AMERr- can Wao WANTED To SEE THE WorLD. Marshall, 41 Lasso Jack, tHe Youne MustTancer. By ON Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner; or, Dzapwoop Dicx’s Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, THe Pony Express RIDER. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. .44 Rattling Rube; or, Tar Nicur Hawks or Kentocky. By Harry St. George. -45 Old Avalanche, THe GREAT ANNTIFILATOR; or, WiLp Epna, THE Girt Brieanp. FE. L.Wheeler. 46 Glass Eye, THE Great SHor oF THE WEST. 7, Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 47 ge Nat; or, THe Forest Caprarns. By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, THe Roap-AGeEnrT; or, THE Ovut- Laws’ RetTReEAT. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 42 Omaha Oll, THE Masxep Terror: or, DmAp- woop Dick In Dancer. By Edward L. Wheeler. -§0 Burt Bunker, Taz Trapper. A Tale of the Northwest. By C. E. Lasalle. 561 The Boy ities; or, THE UNDERGROUND Camp. By Archie C. Irons. 62 The ite Buffalo. A Tale of orem Adventure in the Northwest. yy C. E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THE YY PHENTX; or, TurovueH To Dears. By Edward L. Wheeler. 54 Ned Mazel, tHe Boy Trapper; or, THE PHAN- Tom Princess. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 55 Deadly - Eye, THe Unknown Scour; or, THE BranDepD Broruernoop. By Buffalo Bill. ‘56 Nick Whilfiles’ Pet; or, Iv Taz VALLEY or Deatu. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. ‘57 Deadwood Dick’s ey a: Tur Parps or Fioop Bar. By Edward L. eeler. 68 The Border King; or, Toe Secret For. ed Oll Coomes. 59 Old Hickory; or, Panpy Eutis’s Scaup. By Harry St. renege -$60 The White Indian; or, Tur Scouts or THE YewiowsTong. By Capt. J. F, C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, Taz Rep Rite Team. gi L. Wheeler. 62 e Shadow Ship; or, Tae Rrvat Liev- Tenants. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. @€3 The Red Brotherhood; or, Tar Twetve AVENGERS. W. J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack; or, THe OUTLAW or THE OREGON Tram. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustane Sam anv His * Parp.” vy Jos. E. Badger, Jr. ‘66 eeste andj} or, A’ ror A Lirr. By W. J. Hamilton ‘67 Patent-leather Joo; Ob RATTLESNAKE, wae Cuarmer. By Philip 8. Warne. ‘68 The Border Robin Hood; or, Tax Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Bia - SHA Tar Boy Oy. au RPSHOOTER; ©°, DErEctive ov THE BLACK RANCH. by Wheeler. ‘70 Old Zip’s oxy A or, THe GREENHORN IN tHE Woops. J. F, C, Adams. 71 Delaware BRoTuER Kk, THe Younc Ranaer Spy; or AGAINST BrotrHer. By Oll Coomes. 92 Mad Tom Western, THE Texan RANGER; . w, Taw Quexx or Tus Param. By Hamilton. or, iamond Dirk; or, THz Mystery oF THE | PIRATE’s | 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, CALAMITY JANE, THE HEROINE oF WHoop-Up. By Wheeler. 74 Hawk-eye Harry, THE YounNG TRAPPER Rancer. By Oll Coomes. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, Toe Cruise oF THE Sra-Wotr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, THE Crow-KILteR; or, THE GREAT FicHTinc Man or ine West. By A. W. Aiken, 77 Corduroy Cherlie, THz Boy Bravo; or, DEADWOOD Dick's Last Act. By E. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue Dicks or, THe YeLLow CHIEr’s VEN- GEANcE. By Captain Mayne Reid 79 Sol Ginger, THE GANT Tf ePER; or, THE FLOWER OF THE BLACKFEET. by A. W. Aiken. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nucerr Nep, Tr Knieut oF THE GuicH. By Edward L. Wheeler. 81 Lightning J«, THe TERROR OF THE PRAIRIE, By Captain J. I’. C. Adams. 82 Kit Haretvot, tm Woop-Hawk; or, OL Powper-Face AnD His Demons. d 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, THe HEemReEss OF THE GoLpDEN Horn. By Ol! Coomes, 84 Kdyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosesup Ros on Hanp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 85 Buck Buckram; Trapper, By Captain J. F. C. Adams, 86 Dandy Rock, THE Man From Texas. By G. Waldo Browne. | 87 The Land Pirates; or, Tre LEAGUE oF Devit’s Isuanp. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 88 Photograph Phil, THe y SLEUTH; or, Rosxuup Ros's REAPPEARANCE. By E. L. Wheeler. 89 Island Jim; or, THe Per or THE FAMILy. By the author of “ Jack Harkaway.” 90 The Dread Rider; or, Tue Texan DUELIST. By George Waldo Browne. 91 The Captain of the Club or, Tae Youre Riva Aruuieres. By Bracebridge Hemyng, 92 Cunada Chet, TEE COUNTERFEITER CHIEF; or, OLD ANACONDA IN Sittine Buy's Camp, By Edward L. Wheeler, 93 'The Boy Miners; or, IsLaAnD. By Edward 8. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, THE Roap-AGent; or, GopHeR Grp, T™E Boy TRAPPER OF THE CHEYENNE. By T. C, Harbaugh, Tat ENCHANTED | or, Bess, THE FEMALE | By Harbaugh. | 95 ‘The Rival Rovers; or, THe Freesoorers | oF THE MississiprI. By Lieut. Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Eye, THE SHADOW; or, ARAPS AND ANGELS oF A GreaT Criy. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, THe Captive or THE Harpges. By J. J. Marshall. 98 Robin Hood, tHe OvTLAwer Eart; or, THE Merry MEN or GreENwoop. Prof. Gildersleeve. 99 The Tizer of Taos; or, Wp Karte, Danny Rock’s ANGEL. By George Waldo Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A STRANGE STROKE FoR Liserty. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York; or, Tue ADVENTURES OF THE TRAVELERS’ CLUB. oe Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dvad-Eye, tHe Boy Smvac ier; or, Tue CRUISE OF THE VIXEN. By Col. Ingraham. 103 The Lion ef the Seaj or, THE VAILED Lapy or San Tropez. By Col. Delle Sara. 104 Deadwood Dick*’s Device; or, Tue SIGN oF THE Dovusie Cross. By E. L. Wheeler 105 Old Rube, THe Hun7eEr; or, Tee Crow Cap- tTrvE. By Capt. H. Holmes. 106 Old Frosty, THE Guipr; or, NIOKANA, THE WHITE QUEEN OF THE BLACKFEET. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, THe ABANDONED For- Est Home. By J. L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy, THe Youna Bear-Ki1er; or, THe TRAIL OF THE BORDER Wo LF. H. St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, By Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. 111 The Sea-Devil;_ or, MIpDsHIPMAN’S Lraacy. By Col. P. Ingraham. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, Tae Cave or Deatu. By Burton Saxe. 113 Jack Hoyle, THe: Youre SPecu.ator; or, Tue Roap To Fortune By Ed. L. Wheeler. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jip Jong, Tir Oud Tar. By Roger Starbuck. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Danpy Rocx’s Doom. By Geerge Waldo Browne. 116 The Hussar Captain; or, Toe Hermr or Hetz-Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, THE Srort DerectrIve; or, Tue Roap-AGent’s DavGnTer. Wheeler. 118 Will Somers, re Boy Derective. Morris. 119 Mustang Sam; or, THe Kine or THE Puains, By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 120 The Branded Hand; or, Toe Man or Mystery. By Frank Dumont. 121 Cinnamon Chip, THE Grr. Sport; or, THe GoLpEN Ipot or Mr. Rosa. id. L. Wheeler. 122 Phil Hardy, tux Boss Boy; or, Tue Mys- TERY OF THE StronaEow. By Charles Morris. 123 Kiowa Charley, THe WuiTe MusTancer. By T. C. Harbaugh. 124 IpPys THE TExAN; or, THE YOUNG CHAMPION. orge Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Mapame Mys- TERY, THE 'EMALE MORGER. By id. L. Wheeler. 126 Picayune Pete; or, NIcopEMUS, THE Detective. By Charles Morris. 127 Wild-Fire, run Boss or THE Roap; or, THE Wotves or SATAN’s Gap. By Frank Dumont. 128 The Young wa neeets or, THE PrraTEs’ Strronenouip. By H. Cavendish. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double}; or, Tae Guost or Gorcon’s Guicn. Ed. eeler. 130 Detective Dick; or, Tae Hzno m Rags, Charl Morris. / 131 Th Gold Hand Daxpy Rock © Golde THE Rescur. By George W, Browne, = 132 The Hunted Hunter; or, Toe StRancH HORSEMAN OF THE Prarrig. By Ed. 8. Ellis 133 Boss Bob, THE Kine or THE BooTBLACES! or, THE PAWNBROKER’s Prot. Ed. L. Wheeler. 134 Sure Shot Seth, THe Boy Rirtemn; or THs YounG Patriots OF THE NortH. By Oll Coomes, 135 Captain Paul, rae Kentucky MoonsHIneR; or, THE Boy Spy OF THE Mountams. By Clark. 136 Night-Hawk pene or, THE DAUGHTER OF THE RancH. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 137 The Heipless Hand3; or, Backwoons Rerrisution. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 138 Blonde Bili; or, Deapwoop Dicx’s Hows Base. By Edward L, Wheeler, 139 Judge Lynch, Jr.3 or, THe Boy Vier LANTE. By . C. Harbaugh. 140 Biue Biazes; or, THe Break o’ Day Boys or Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont, 141 Svliu Sam, THE Boy RoAbD-AGENT; or, Tra BranpEpD Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. 142 Mandsome Harry, THE BooTstack Dr TECTIVE. By Charles Morris. 143 Sear-Face sau), THE SILENT HUNTER; or, Tue Mystery or Fort Rane. By Ol) Coomes. 144 Wainty Lance, THE Boy Sport; cr, He BanNK-BREAKERS’ Decoy Duck. J. BE. Badger, 145 Cuptain Ferret, tHe New York DEtEc- TIVE; or, Boss Bor’s Boss Jos, By Wheeler. 146 Silver Star, THE Boy Knicut. A Prairis Remence. By Ol] Coomes, 147 Will Wildfire, THe THoxovcrrreD; or, THE Winnina Hand. By Charles Morris. 148 Sharp Sam} cr, THE ADVENTURES oF 4 FRIENDLEsS Boy, By J. Alexander Patten, 149 A Game of Goldj3 or, DeEApwoop Dicx's Big Strixp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 150 Lance and Lasso}; or, THE CHTIDREN oF THE CuHaco. By Capt. frederick Whittaker. 151 Panther Paul, THe Prairie Pmate; or, Dainty Lance To THE Rescue, J. E, Badger, 152 Black Bess, Witt Witvrme's Racer! 6r, Winnino Acarnst Opps. By Charles Morris, 153 Eagle Kit, tHe Boy Demon; or, THE LAWS OF 1HE GoLp Hiixs. By Oll Coomes. 154 The Swerd Hunters; or, Tae Lanp o THE ELEPHANT Rivers. By Fred. Whittaker. 155 Gold Trigger, The Sport; or, THe Grr AveNncER. By T. C. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, THe Pickep Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. 157 Mike Merry, tae Hansor Porice Boy; or, THE NIGHT-HAWKS OF ELPHIA. Morris. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, Tue TRAPPER’s Trust. By Buffalo bill. 159 The Lost Captain; or, Sxrpprr Janez Corrin’s CRUISE To THE OPEN PoLan SEA. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. Whe Black Giant; or, DamtTy Lance mw Jroparpy. By Joseph EF. Badger, Jr. New York Nel), tHe Boy-Grrt Derecr IVE; or, Op BLAKesty’s Money.. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods; or, Came LIFE IN THE ALLEGHANIES. By Charles Morris. Little Texas, ter Youna Mustancmr. A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock’s Pledge; ot, Huntep To Deatu. By G. Waldo Browne. Billy Baggage, tox Ramxoap Boy; or, Ron To EartH. By Charles Morris. 166 Hickory Harry; or, Tae Trac or Fire By Harry St. George. 167 Asa Scott, THe Streamnoat Boy; or,'1' ne Lanp RATES OF THE MIssissipri. By ka. Willett. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fientine Fire wre Fire, By Jos, E. Badger. 160 161 162 163 164 165 169 Tornado Tom; or, Insun Jack From Res Corr. T. C. Harbaugh. 179 A Trump Cardj3 or, Wm. Witprime Wos anp Loses. By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dany or. Tse Rrvat Leacves or Srrver Crrcte. By F. Dumcnt. 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, Tae Wotr-Herpen oF THE Rockies. By Harry St. George. 173 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, Tar Hunres Mar or Taos. By George Waldo Browne. 174 Bob Rockett, taz Boy Dopcrr; or, Mys- TERIES OF New York. By Charles Morris. 175 Captain Arizona, tHe Kine Pin or Roap AGENTS; cr, Patent ther Joe’s Big Game. By Philip 8. Warne. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, THe Buccanere oF THE Bay, Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S.N. 177 Nobby Nick of Newada, By Edward L. Wheeler. 178 Old Solitary, THs Hermit _Traprer; or THE DRaGon oF bitver Laks. Dy Oll Coomes, 179 Bob Rockett, THe Bank Runner; or, TH Roap To Rury. By Charles Morris. Dec. 2th 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow WELL Kerr By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. §.N. January 4th, 181 Wild Frank of Montana; or, TH, Kine or Buckskrns. By Edward L. Wheelew Ready January 11th. 182 Little Murricane, THe Boy (arram; THe OATH OF THE YOUNG AVENGERS, By OF Coomes. Ready January 18th. A new issue every week, The Half-Dime Library is fo: Newsdealers, five cents per co) 7 oF sent roy i AD SAR, t of six cents each, Poblldhers, 96 William Street, New York