Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 181) (1881 01 11)
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= wy = | | I | ——- — ae > wa — as Ret. Com, {| Mat Vt i Ca a "real 2 ru TemccAMo La t rie in | m2 | Sr dev wo Yeul. ibntered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted in 1831 by BEADLE AND ADAsss, Vol. VII Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY READLE AND ADAMS, Price, ’ . Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. en —————— ren Wild Frank, THE BUCKSKIN. BRAVO; OR, LADY LILY’S LOVE, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF *‘ DEADWOOD DICK ” NOVELS, “ RO8E BUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘“‘ BOSS BOB,” ETC., ET, | CHAPTER I | THE WOUNDED STRANGER’S GIFT. Ir was a moonlit night ow the vast expanseef rolling coun near the Powder river. For mile upon mile it stretched away toward east in undulating billows divided hy tiny - leys, and with not a tree visible to the naked eye. The night was keenly cold even for the month of December, the air being filled with biting frost, yet clear and pure. The moon which rode at its full, across the blue vauls. overhead, bathed the landscape below in @ met- low radiance, which made the night nearly as light as the day that had preceded it. A horseman drew rein upon the crest of a land billow, somewhat higher than its su- rounding neighbors, and swept the prairies with + ’ ’ : his eagle glance, an expression of kindling ad> Ps { eee miration coming over his browned fea ee AAS hil : “It isa beautifol night, ain’t it, be my ' said, patting bis coal black mustang on the RSs y neck. “It reminds me of the night old | Spotted Tail and his party gave us a whirl, over on the Loup. I wonder if there's any reds around, to-night,” He unslung a field glass from ite holster, and gazed long and earnestly through it, sweeping the landscape on every side. “Nary a varmint, I guess,” was his conch: sion, as he put up the glass. .*‘ I reckon they*n cff on a raid, somewhere, or else they’d be a in’ for me. Hal ha! maybe they’re sick of layin’ for Wild Frank!” He chirruped to bis horse, and away the fedth- ful mustang pouipee down the billside si! across the valley to the next biliow, end away and on like an arrow, so swilt he went. A mile was quickly spent, and Wiid Frank crossing avother ravine or D OA eee i i Ven. ty ay in stature, was strong and y or. cast of his countenance, and eagle glanes of & + eye, told better than words that he was @ so» of the frontier, brave and daring to a fault He was clad from chin to e in buekskin. with a bearskin cloak as cape about his shoul- S ders, and broad brim slouch hat upon a bead, ‘SS ewhose curling brown bair swept his shouldérs: S His weapons consisted of a pair of revolvers €3.1 a knife in his belt, and a rifle slung # fis back, and this he now ursluug, and brougiri into hand, as he drew rein. “Sh! Bess—be quiet,” he said, softly, “1% wasn't no animal that give thet yelp. Mele OFRANK, THE BUCKSKIN BRAVO. there are veds in the vicintty. Listen!” <—) MPiiicer Ni iiini Ys YY; 7 Sess
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breeze—came from a clump of alder t grew in the ravine, but a few yards iv. “There! I know’d it wasn’t an animal ki-yi!” Wii Frank said. ‘Nor it ain’t an Indian as that peep. I opine I’d best investigate.” guided Black Bess close to the thicket, and ated. Parting the shrubbery, he peered i a sort of clearing that bad been mace in «fhe oenter, by the use of a knife. @ scene was revealed to bis gaze, that “gent a thrill of sympathy through his heart, and “Th of horror a” ae ng upon the Re aie supported on “iis ‘elbow, was a Fes, with u full ard and “avkempt hair—with haggard eyes and fea- ‘tares, the laiter bloody from flesh wounds. Beside this stranger was a little gir] some two ‘years o!d—a pretty little thing she was, with swamny hair, and fast asleep with her little head Pillowed ayainst the man’s breast. “Thank God!” the wounded stranger uttered, -@ihe saw \vild Frank. ‘I wasafraid it was an Zadian coming ro finish me.” “But, it ain’t, you see,” ths young scout re- *¢ What’s the matter? Don» fo: ?” The stranger nodded bis head in ths afirma- * Yos, I am eounded beyond repair,” he rs- — wiping his way eyes, aud putting on a pair of green goge les. Capital,” bis lordship replied. ‘ Revere leaves London to-night, and then, cff goes Isa- be] to Dr. Perrot’s private asylum, while Cecil steps in as Lady Isubel, marries me, and I get the mag ificent fortune. Ha! hal! it’s a great scbeme.” “ Why not marry Isabel instcad of the maid?’ the withered man ¢sked. ‘Because she’d die first, before she would wed me, She hates me, and my cenly wonder is that she has not iong ere this denounced me to Sir Ralph. It is possible, however, after she finds herself caged, that she will take me. I try it, before I make sure of Cecil.” “How is she to be trapr<ed?” “Easy enough, Dr, Perrot visits her to person to inform ber that her busband bis been seriously buat in front of his own 5 chat hos-. pital, where be lies in a critical condition. Very naturally, sbe will fly to him, ard intoa padded. dungeon, several cf which the Coctor bas at bis command. How like you tLe idea, Casper Slick?” “You are a shréwd schemer, my lord— sbrewder then I gave you edit for Veing. Is it sure that Revere will leave Ey g’ard?” “ Positive. 1’ve rrranged it so that it will be necessary. Ha! hal” Sir Ralph went to Bon Ton Gerden that even irg, and found Pierre with the child, as Lady Isabel’s letter had promised, Fiernre wes the only man servant they had ever kep!—an ton- est fellow, vho never made it his business to mind anv one’s business but his own. Sir Ralph cid not stop to ask any qrertions, but took his little two-year-old girl, and lett the gereen, She looked worderingly up into bis fece, end bugged closer to him, as if satisfied. to be with. im.
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RC IN Go) Frank, _ the E Bucks skin Bravo, 8 ee : ae ne eT —— a -- a ee He took a -s and was driven to the seid milk a Mss taveds | erent ah train, arriving at the station just in time from a conspiracy to rvin him,he could but fly. “Well, I am not surprised. My only thank Mt. Morey and Demond, little creaming Beare wt his ticket, and get aboard. that it was all a put-up job, concocted by the thing had warned him to prepare him- < ohm to expedite his departure from English | well enough from experience to be assured I as and, there being no one in the car, he had shores! | would tear off my own scalp before I'd accept such terms from bim. A bitter foe to outlaws, iains and ruffiaps at large, tram infancy up. ee not likely to change my feelings toward poem, at this late stago in my life. You can fail W Yyoming Bill this, r-d skin, and tell bir, tbat Wild Frank d: fies ‘him, and ives registered an oath to hunt him down, and bring him to justice, together with the whole of + ‘ renegade gang. Go, now—get up and dust be- ore I bore a hole tl. rough you. If Wyoming Bill desires to hear further trom me, please im- ress it on his memory that Wild Frank makes t his home at Papunaugh’s Ranch.” Sear-Face nodded, and setting the spurs " ‘his mustang, dash ed aw ay ecross the prairic, an eastern cuurse. Wild Frank watched him, until be had + pereetes more than once griping his i ! ghtly, es though tempted to shoot him, inally be rode on into. the motte, watered © 4 horse ut the spring, and then set on ¥ eptwerd, across the prairies, pondering as he rode over this meeting witb Scar-Face, So decp were his r¢flections that he did not arouse until Le heard the crack of a rifle aud the whiz of a bullet close to his head. It took but a glance to discover the auiher of the attack. A horseman. was just disappearing over the crest of a prairie billow, not a thousand yards in advance of him, With a shiill yell Wild Frank gave his mus- tang the rein, and dashed away in hot ,ursuit, bent on learning who was his new foe, . His first thought was that it was some mem- ber of Wyoming Bill’s infomous gang. But on gaining the crest of the billow over which his assailant bad vanished, he saw his error. Below, in a snug little nocket valley was pitched a camp where sevesai camp-fires were burning in front of warquee tents, with a couple = a io schooners and teams of mules near at ne A man wes just dismounting from a hor near one of the camp-fires, and a knot of sever ‘men and women clustered around him. With his rifle ready for use, Wild Frank. gal- loped down into the camp expecting every mo- ment he would be fired upon, but in this was happily mistaken. e people appeared to be more alarmed than belligerent, and when be drew rein they stood huddled together and regarded Lim with doubt- ful glances. “What do you want bere?” the dismounied horsemen, a burly, well dressed man, with heayy side-whiskers, asxed. “I came bere to inquire what business you have to practice target shcoting upon inoffensive travelers?” the Buckskin Bravo replied. ‘‘Id.a't generally swallow lead pills without knowing why they were prescribed.” ifficulty in clipping off his mustache, with a pair of scissors, and donning a full false beard of sandy tint. ree a moment later two rough-looking men came along the platform with lanterns. Quickly laying baby Lily on the seat, he threw his over- coat over her, and, leaning over, rested his elbow cn the window-sill. The men with the lanterns came along, and paused. ** Humph!” one said. “I told you it was more likel the Folkstone train, Dick.” CHAPTER IV. WILD FRANK DECLINES, THE scene once more reverts to the broad prairie, but at a period tifteen years later in the onward, never-ceasing stride of this life we ive Fifteen years from the keen November night when Wid Frank of Montans had left in bis charge a little baby over whom to watch and care, He had been a youth then, but now the hand aybe it was,”the other growled, doubt- | of time had matured him to robust manhood, as tly af The chap ain’t here, anyhow.” he swept ecross the Wyoming plains to-night, en, they gave nad Ralph another searching | | on the back of a thoroughbred iuustang, an glance, "and passed on exact mate of his Biack Less of fifteen years “ They were after me, ” the wronged husband | ago. mut:ered. ‘ In Heaven's name, what foul con- a man of barely medium hight, men caged spiracy can now be working against me?” built, yet clean-limbed, wiry aud muscu It was a question he was not able to solve, | sat his saddle with the reckless. ease chanecee. ust then. His opportune disguise evidently | istic of the true son of the frontier, Eis elab- ad saved him from trouble. orately-fringed buckskins and slouch hat rer Three stations out of London a long-whiskered, claiming that he still followed the calling ofa portly man got into the compartment and took | prairie scout. @ seat. In face he was changed, When the train was onc more under motion, His features wero more tanned from exposure, this person touched Sir Ralph upon the shoulder, and a long, sweeping mustache and goatee, to- and said gether with his wealth of curling hair, which } “ Revere, I know you.” swept his shoulders, gave Lim a dashing appear- The baronet wheeled arouxd with a smothered | ance, curse, His weapons, consisting of a rife and re- { ““ Who are you?” he demanded, his eyes glow- | volvers, were cf Government pattern, and rich- ing desperate y. ly trimmed, “fam Joe Demond, the detective,” was the | ~ His course pointed westward to right, and he a and I am sent to find adefaulter named urged his horse with an occasional application Iph Revere. Do you think I will be like- | of the spur, his cagle glance sweeping ibe land- y to find him, here?” ate before him, inquiringly. Sir Ralph did not reply. .e night was clear hn as had been the He was dumfounded—horror-strock, isemtentie ono fifteen years before, only void ‘““What do you mean?” he gasped, after a | of the stinging boldness, the air now being soft long silence. * In God’s name, what's ‘the mat- | and warm. r “On, Startle,” the secut said—‘ on, my boyF “Oht nothing unusual,” Demond replied, It’s but a matter of five miles from yonder motte “Lord Mt. Morey suggested to me to-night to the Papanaugh’s, where food and rest await that the bank of which he is a director, and | us both,” ou have until to-night been acting as cashier, The mustang kept on perseveringly, theugh lacking in funds, to the amount of ten | it was evident that ho was wearied from a long thousand 4 dollars, in bonds abd paper, and sus- | journey. picioned you. ju mped abead one train to in- Presently they approached a prairie motte or terce t you, and here I am,’ a small y of timber, and Wild Frank reined his horse down to a walk, for he knew of a spring therein where water could ke obtained for himself and steed. He bad not gained the corner of the timber, however, when a horseman suddenly dashed out in view, and drew rein betore the scout’s path, A glance sufficed to wam Frank a Oss it | was ared-skin, and his rifle came to bear upon the Indian with wonderful quickness, The Indian gave a grunt i. the negative “Wild Frank fool,” he said, raising Li» ride with tha muzzle pointed upward, to a ranirod in which was attached a white rag. ‘‘ Scar- Maca come not on war path—come to talk.” “Tt’s lucky you chanced to have the rag ready, my fine buck,” the scout said, with a grin, ‘or you’d be smokin? ihe eternal pipe o’ peace long afore tis, What d’ye want with Wild Frank, Injun?” *“Scar-Face sent to meet. Ruckskin Drayoon prairie,” was the stoical reply, “Oh! so Wyoming Bill tent you, did hef? Frank demanded, his Lrow darkening, “ Ho trotted you off ‘down here to shear of? my precious top-knot, ch?” and the scout’s riffe. crept once more toward his shoulder. ‘* No!” Sear-Face cried, hestly. ‘‘ Wyoming Billno longer want Wild. Frank’s sealp. .He sent message which explains.” And riding near, he took a folded paper from his belt, and handed it to Wild th Opening it, the Buckskin Bravo glaneed over it, and then read it aloud'in a voice filled with sarcastic contempt: “OurLaw’s Ranxcn, November 20, 12—. “Wip FRANK: After many attempts made to | is is an outrageous Hie. I left the bank Weise drawing even my own dues, much le-s stealing,” Sir Ralph cried, indignantly. ‘If ba Mh don’t believe me, search mo and my cf- “That is needless exertion,” Demond re sponded, quietly, ‘If you will take pains to Witha of fneredalit Sir Ralph obeyed and drew fort - me bathe 3 Thad bh a package, as the detective bad Heaven help me! this is an infamous con- iracy to ruin me,” he cried. “I never put t dopey us in my pocket,” “That is not tor me to say, Sir Ralph. My duty is to recover this money, and help you to slide out of England.” “ What! help me to escape?” Rt og m he pen! has detectives oe for ou, a verpoo: am emplo your Friend, Mt. — He inset mo to fekaves this money, put lt in my own pot and help you dodge the force at Liv ** I cannot see through it als ” Sir Ralph eaid, slowly. “Itisall inexplicable, to me.” “ Be that as it may, the next thing toconsider ts your escape. There i er an old En lish woman of my acquaintance in the next car, who will take your child, muffle it up, and take it aboard the steamer as ‘her Own, have an old man’s Hisenie ng me La your use, be will fix you ip 80 m won ow yo r the guar jtakes ret poy! ticket,” _ , so it was arrange When Sir Ralph left the train and went capture you, none of which have been su I aboard an ocean steamer, at Liverpool, it was have dropped that game. You have been a bad pill as an infirm old man, while baby Lily wes bun- | us to swaller, : oe vere fond than ind ee | hev a man o’ yer as a friend than a foe e pol and taken aboard by an of emigrant you'll quit warrin’ ag'in’ us, an’ join the gang, I'll / make ye my first Neutenan'. Monev an’ whiskey is The detective, Demond, was on hand, and by pient a you'll find our lawless life a heap more Tying threw several detectives off scent, who | moral an eilifyin’ than yer own, Send an answer had assembled to nab Sir Ralph—at least so the | back by Scar-Face. Yours, trnly, baronet was told by Demond. “ Wyomrve Br.” And it was not until the vessel was well out | A wild Jaugh escaped the Buckskin Bravo, as of the Mersev that the baronet removed his dis- | he tore the paper into bits, guise and felt easy and recovered his child. | ‘** So, the bold lion of the hills has got his fill when he reviewed his narrow escape | with the prairie panther, eh?’ he said, mocking- CHAPTER V, WYOMING BILL, THR OUTLAW. PaPANAvuGn's RANOH was not a city. Some half a dozen log cabins and their recompanying outbuildings were scattered about on prairie, of “which John Papansugh owned the rgest of the lot and it bore the same name which clung to the settlement. The population did not exceed sixty or sevent; not counting the transients, end were for ths most part herders and their families. Sl non. was a boii nasign cf. t-office, grocery store-and. trading post, pre- vided over by John Papanaugh or. his pretty eiy- ter Ella, who was known far and near us ths Humming Bird. The Papanaughs were half. breeds, but di this fact, no prettier. maiden existed..cn the borders of Wyoming than Humming Bird. ' Bhe was of medium hight, well rounded and graceful es a fawn. Her complexion, thor¢h ust a trifle dusky, harmonize well with Lor vous features, and the brilliancy cf her ek netic black eves, and her hair when allowed {9 fall back over her shoulders reached half-« ay to her feet, in a silken rippling wave. Except when angered, she was ever joy fut and nearly always singing. Possessed of a rich, pure voice, and o ali eag ledge how to use it. none could rival her in ere # and she won her Indian nome of Huraniing . is from her musical proclivities. John Papanangh was 2 swarthy, hercalean amazement is that Bill should not ee me. eepite)
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- os het. Y : |, MOS. ea Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. Ce ee teow, very reticent, and inclined to mind no | Bird, an’ tell ber ef she don't marry yeu, her taxe’s business but b.s own. He never spoke un- tess spoken to, and when uroused to anger, he was known as a desperace fighter. Pupanaugh’s Rauch was a general stopping wii, for truppe:s, bunters and overland parties Guid for tue mines, aod it was uot unusual for the p-pulation of the town to be considerutmy in- sweaseu by these transients. Yet, strange to say, ou that same night, on which Wi'd Frank 10/e down into the tcurists’ amp, the Ranch bad a scarcity of custom. Three men only, besides John Papenaugh, sat #$ a table playing a game of cards, and | unish- me considerable whisky to wash down tko cust af the curds, Two of the three, judging by the close resem- Wa.iee, were brothers. Both wero burly, broad- sheuldered men, with heavy black hair, mus- tsche and guatees, and were roughly dressed. Bx posure to the sun and wind bad tanned them #» almost an Indian color, and, too, the ¢xpres- wen of their faces was anything Lut saintly. They were armed to the tecth. and might mfely have teen classed as ugly cust« mers. The third man wes a slim individual, with ap qerently but little Mesh upon bis bones, anda pene, pinched face fully as viliainous in its ex- pression as those of the two brothers. Hismouth was broad, his noso hooked, and his insignificant wyes were shaded by a pair of spectac.es. Ho «ora a Frenchified mustache wex.d to a point st the ends, and was dressed io a suit of socdy weadcloth, and a misused, out-of-stylo silk Lat, An observer would havo set the two first de- sribed down as thoroughbred 1uffiars, and tho Site man of the gozgles a cringing villain. Yet, at Papanaugh’s, tho trio wero rcgardcd ith uo particular dislike by tke rcsidcnts in al; despite the worderment cvcr rifo as to w they made their liv-ng. The littlo man, Dr. Deering, had first scot him- slf up asa Justico of tho Pence, but Wild Prank had proven him a humbuz i: that capacity, cs % bad no papers or autho.ity whatever for such we office, He had then mixed in with the Harris broth- #, and the trio loafed about without any par- cular cccupation, except once in a while to percbhase a few furs from the Indians, Yet they always seemcd to have plenty of money, and when hanging about the settle- t kept well soaked wits whisky. At times ey would be absent from the sottlement fora weak to a month or longer, and then would re- warn and hang around for as long a time, and é@rink, gamble and carouse. Perhaps it was from some secret fear of them ‘*hat the peop’e of Papanaugh’s nevcr molostod them, for there was suspicion in the mind of nore than one that they did not come by their mowry honestly. Tonight thoy appeared to bo more interested te @ subdued conversation that ran betwoen them, than in tho game of cards they wore paying, and frequent glances at stolid Joun naugb, who sat dezing near the fireplace, wit) a pipe in Lis mouth, proved that they were zot desirous that ho should catch the drit of *ecir conversation. “Tf he refuses to join us,” Dr. Deering s7i1, with a low oath, ** then he must dii—that is all. — cither got to move oul, or Wild Trank * Curse him!” Jim, the eldest of the Darr's Brothors, hissed, spiterully. ‘I wouid like to fee him planted, even better than wou!d the : For five years he’s been pickin’ off the a until there’s { @arvit only knows how man: of the rcds he’s @heeked off. Yet he goes on killing them, and es- watpes the trons set for Lim, as though possessed vef as many lives as the proverbial cat. Some- thing, truly, must be dono.” rT « “[ reckon VPve got tbe moss cause to com- “plein,” Bob Harris growled. ‘As yo well } , t's tho cussed svout that’s turn.d Hum wilng Birds thoughts fro: ine.” “aint beart never won fair lady, you know. ¥ youve got a grudge eg’in’ Wild Frank.yon’re | “ Bab} you’re weak!” tho coctor sneered. #0 “cry ene best Kira.” * Womoh! T ain't a fool,” Bob Ceclared, sour- “tf you'll find a pilgrim c¢bout the raneh, with grit onough to tackle Wid Trank, single- ended, Pil uy around of whisky, Fer one I ‘want him quieted, so Ican sail in and win Hum- asing Bird.” __“ Bo yer bluffed down bv the little scout, eh?” efim: Harvis grunted. ‘‘ Waal, now I opine ef i@ war my love case, I’d tell durned quick who ~wns the best man—meor Wild Frank All you want to do is to talk turkey to the Humming culated to slip a Luite into only four whites left, and the- . whom fate is decidec. E> she se.s ye mcan business, you bes shell come to terms.” “'Sil° D.ering warica, as the coor to the ranch ope:ed..**Here comes some one. Au! the captain, in disguise.” A man of great stature had just entered. He wes lully asix-footcr, and Lroadly proportioned. He was clad in brown overalls, Gvershiré and siogy boots, with a rlouen hat upon his oead, and a cloak thiown crcund his shoulders, The lat was sloucuecd duwn to the eyes, and was met by a shagey Llock beard that nearly bid tre rst of the taco, «xcept the ucse aud piecing black eyes. Do outered with a quick glance about tke room, and then advanced to where tue trio were seated. ** Playin’ keerds, eh?” tie sail. ** Waal, 1 don’t keer if I do take a hand fer a crink.” When he bad seated himself at the table be- tween Bobb and Jim Harris, he continued in a busied tone. ‘Sh! mum's ths word. Big stake ahead. Tourists camped in Pretty Pocket. Olid English lord with more mouey thau Croesus and a lovely daughter in the bargain.” CHAPTER VI. THE TOURISIS’ CAMP. Tut words of the Buckskin Bravo caused the cf{fondin* tourists to flasi with anger. ** Aw!” bo said, in an affected tune, **z> Amer- ican speak anyry, without ze ) roper caus , and without zo rcspect due zé French nolleman, Zo Trenchinsan see American on zo prairie and mistake him for za Injear, an’ sbcot at Lim.” *] doubs very much if you wecreso much wis- taken as that,” Wild Frank retorted. ** Unless your eyes cro poor you could have dis inguished mo from an Indian in this moonligit.” “ Ny eyes zev aro very poor,” tho Frenchman replied, adjusting a pair of gold-rimmed gl ses to the rim of hisnoso. ‘Zs American no business abroad on z) prairies when ze uight falls, for zoe travelers to frighten.” “T cpino it is none of your business who roai_s this free soil afs r nightfall,” Frank raid, sternly. ‘It is oriaent gop are a coward, ani I can read ia vour face that your shot at me was intoutional. Bui for the}recence of these la- dies, I should be tempted to give ycu a gocd sound thrasbiug ou the spot. Th.t’s tho kind of aman Iam!’ “Aw! zo American really must paneang 0 frereh nobleman for refusinz to fight. I tave gv) distingue honor of being Count Alphonse Co Riblee, zo chomiss mershanto prince cf co citv of Paris. Zs French gontleman nevar fizbt zo inferioroin rank.” “Zs French coward revar figh* zo bold knight of zo prairies,” Wild Frank retcrie!, scrcasti- cally, ** because he is «fr.id. Ha! ha!” And he whecled Lis Lorse arcuad to depart, *Stop.” ancther man of the group said, com- mendin;ly—an older person, with white lair and sido-whiskers, and cvery eppearanco cf al- vanoed age. ‘Don’t be so fust, my man. will epologizy to you for the count, who was merely winning 1 wager. To salli.d foith on & wager that ho’ gt ashot at oro of the Aborigines, a:d CoubUcss mi took you fcr one, this being his fivst v sit. to tie plains. If this explanation is satisfactory, wo should te please:t to have you camp with ts ior tho night, as wo are sadly in need cf a ccous and ,uide, which I perceive you are,” “True, I am a scout, bet ct rresent not at liberty,” the Bravo replied. ‘‘May I izquire am addressing?” “Certainly, sir. I am Lord TDenry. Mi. Morey, of Londcn, and a memter of the En:- lish parliament clect, The lady on my riglt is m y Mt. Morey, andthe young lady on my lefw.is Lody)Lillien, my werd. Tho rest cf my party is‘ com yosed ef Count Alnhense de Rablee je Slick, a noted English burrister, an enrv Irvine, mv footman.” | * Ah! Wild Frank snid, with a slight start of surprise, and a quick searching glance at Lady Lillian, who was one of tte | rettiest oung maiijens he had ever seen—a sunny- laced, sunnv-haired little thing of sev. nteen cr cighteen, attired in a tasty vaking habit and aunty fur cap. Then he turned to Lord Mt, rev. “But. what brings von here, on the prairies so late in the seasor, sir?” “ Address me as ‘my lord,’ p'ers*.” the Eng- lishman sa‘d, austercly. ‘“Itsounds Letter, you know—more respect ul.” “T prefer vot” Frank answered, ‘‘ There is butone Lord whom I look up to, and he is not of flech. I therefore will address no man on earth as my Jord. If you wish to address me cna receive a civil United S.a-es answer, Lam on forccntab. Otherwise, | am vot!” **Good tor you, scout! 1 bencr ycur senti- mente,” Lady Lil) ciied, with cutlusiasm, but Mt. Morey only flust.ed with rege. | ‘Curse me, Lut your imo.ence is unpardon- | able!’ he cried, siviking the ground fiercely with | las cane, ** aud were 16 not tor cur uucnviable situation, from which we wust be extricated, | I'd tave you horsewhipy.cd within un inca of your lite! ‘J dare say,” the Buckskin Bravo said, witha peculiar smile, ‘* Ycur condition «culd prob- abiv need still further repairs, after such a change. If your health is at all satis‘actory, you'd better remain calm, «s sudcen cl.ai ges of temperature have Leen known 10 resuit fuially, here in the West.” ‘You are right. Vl not quarrel with you,” Mt. Morey wisely concluded. ‘* You s+s, our case is like this: We ere a paity of English tourists who Lave becn Ccing the Territories for hezlth ind pleasure, We started seviral weeks ago, oveiland for the nearest 1ail- ay peint, bound for the Stsetes, w»ben cur guide—a half- breed—! ook ¢fferse and deserted us, yeeterday; and here we are, at a standstill, without any knowl dge «f our suri oundings, or how to iach the railway.” “A bad fix, ture enough,” Wild Trenk de- clad. “You could rever_ reach the railway now, even with a guidi.—at Icast, it would bea riskv urdcertaking.” * Why, pray ?” his lordship demandec, with a scared lovk. ** Becvtuse you'd fall into the bards of one of sevcrul Lends of vagat ond recs, who are lying low for just : uch picnics as this, Leiween here and the iailroad. In add.tion, there will be a Llirding snc -stcrm of the Liizzard pattcrn, day after to-mcrrow, wlich v ould Le apt to use up w! at the reds Jcave ot \ ou,” The feces of the tourists became douLly anx- ious—all cxc cpt that cf Lady Lily. “* How «o you know this to be true?” she ques- tioned, mocestly. ““T know thar’s reds. because I’m just in from a week’s sccut among them,” Frank repliee. “I now (kcre will be a storm 110m siz1s taught me hy liteh ng «xperience on tLe frontier.” “Then wLat are we to co!” “You have a cWoice of two things: turn back to Papanatgh’s Ranch, or cump bere, and pre- | pare ior 9 week of win er, cr n ore.” ** We will icmain here,” Mt. Morev decided. * And ze sccut Letter go, now,” the count sug- i cested, vith a frown, Lotirg Wild Frank's glances at Lady Lily. CHAPTER VII. THE BUNMMING EIRD. “You cculd Laialy pies me to remain, I farcy,” Wild Frank retuincd, 1) have hcard saiia jealcus Frnecl man wes ckin to a rattle- spale Lie, and sol will vemccse, until an op- pcrtuniry comes fer ne to draw tle 1attle- tnake’s fengs. Ha! ba! Gocd-nigbt to ycu eli!” * Gcca-night!” Lady Lily said, carnstly, while the cthers locked displease d, Ccurt Al- phonse in particulr. “Icom sue we ere ail greatly cbhliged to ycu, and shall be glad to have ycu call again.’ Seeing that the Frenchmen was preatly ag- gravated, Wild Frik waved Lis slcuch sm trero back, gallently, «nd Lady Lily tok cff ma own pretty tur cap a..d 1eturncd the parting salute, “ She is a pretty moid,” the Buckskin Bravo mutiered, as he cashed up cut of the valicy, and acrcss the k vel y1ai1je, tothe westuerd. * Fair and graceful, tl crcughbly intelligent cnd mccest, | che is justthe Jind of a weman 1 wotld hke to . call Mrs, Wild Fintk. Hat! ba! the icea of a literal old tech like me talking of a wi'e! I reckon she wculcn’t ure cne of us prailie purps for a decr-mat, « ver.” He spoke a trifle bitterly, cs trorgh scme tim in his eventful hfe le lad tcen e1usce by ecme maiden fair, tut cvcr yrcud. A strange fit «f£ moccincss scered {o fall over him as he rode al«a g, and Lis lead dro} ped for- ward upon his breast, with e lorg, dcey sigh. The mconlight shewered down uycn his thoulders. as if in sympathy with lim, and scintillated upon several tearcroyps that Lad fall- en upon his mustany’s reck. He did not arcue until his steed erme toa pars and then Le came out of his reverie witha stv rt. Before him was a circle of low-prowing shrubs, of the sage-bush order, and within that circle was a green grassy mound, at the head of
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Wiid Franx, tne Buckskin Bravv. a were ee which gieamed a little marble slab, partly over- grown with creeping vines. “Ah! Startle, why did you bring me here, to-night?” he said, passing his hand across his forenead. ‘Did some subtle instinet tell you that I was thinking witl sadness of the one who lies buried youder?? He slipped from the saddle and went over ana knelt beside the mound, Lis chin resting upon his hud, and his eyes tixed ujon the headstone over which vines crept clingingly, aud proud myrties nodded in sympathy. **Puere is to be a clearing up of the mystery. by and by,” he murmured—“ something pleinly tells me that. And if I mistake not, it will rend more hearts than one.” He again relapsed into silence, and remained 80 until a touch upon his shouluer caused him to stari to his feet. “Humming Bird!” he exclaimed, gazing in surprise at the beautcous lalf-breed girl wio stood near. “ Why are you here, so far fiom the ran:h?’ * Becuuse I thought I could find you here, scout, Many times the Humming Bird has found the Buckskin Bravo kneeling by this lone- ly grave. Why is it so?” “The same answer that I have given to you as wany times as we bave chanced to mect here, Birdie,” the scout said, sally. ‘*The rave contains all that is earthly of one whom once kuew as a pure. true-heartel friend. I never pass this spot unless to stop in reverence to the remembered dead. But, tell me, Hum- ming Bird, what brings you here to search for me, when you knew not but what I was far away upon tlie trail?” " “Something told the Humming Bird she would find Wild Frank here, and she came. She was lonely at the ranch, and ste yearned to see a once more to tell him that sbe loves A pained expression shot athwart the Bravo's features, and he cums closer to the pretty half- breed girl, laying one hand upon ber fair, round shoulder, “ Birdie,” he said, slowly, ‘*I have on more than one oceasin told you that I could not re- gard you in a lover-like way. From infan-y we have known cach other, and I have regarded ou with sisterly affection, but not as a hus- and should think cf a wife. Heart-free, and hand-free, as 1 am,I prefer to remain so the few years yet allotted ine to live.” “Tf heart free, then Humm-ng Bird may still hope that. the Buckskin Bravo will yet learn to love her.” the half-breed girl said. “ Humming Bird will never marry uniess she can have the Bravo. She has said it.” “Say not so,” Wild Frank replied, “ for you have many other admirers worth two @me,in a husbandly sense. There is Jack de Herne—as wealthy and worthy a young herder as we have upon the border. He woul cut off his right band to possess you.” “He has never spoken words of love to the Humming Bird,” was the doubting answer. “Because you never gave him the chance, from alwavs hoverin » about me,” the scout de- clared. ‘* You kad detrer go now—it is getting well on into the night, and John Papanaugh will be anxious about his sister.” ** John Paponangh is no fool,” the maiden re- plied. “The Humming Bird knows these prai- ries too well to b2 lost in a dark night, even. Wiese is high goiue?” ver to the camp of m rds, on Lil omnes wit has been a round As since I = ported. “The Humming Bird will go tack to the ranch,” the girl announced. ‘ But before she goes, Buckskin Bravo must promise ker one thing—promise it sacredly—swear it!” ‘What is that, Birdie? It is seldom Wild Frank registers an oath—it is never he breaks one, ‘“‘T.want you to swear,” the half breed girl said, raising her dusky orbs toward the coe moon, which soared overhead—‘ | want you to promise that if you cannot love and wed me you will never love or wed any one else—espe- cially the pale-faced, stuck up girl at the tour- ists’ ag Wild Frank started, so sudden was the thrust. Humming Bird had been near then, at the time of his visit to the camp! " Bw he disguised his surprise by a light little augh. Oh, as to that, there is no need of exacting a promise, for the haughty English beauty would disdain to te courted by the rough son cf the plains, even were he disposed, which he is not, Therefore there is no necessity of such a Breaiiss. Uirdis,” “‘T say there is!” the girl flashed back, stamp- ing her foot. . ‘Well, well, we won’t quarrel about it,” the scout said, patting her on the head. “You have always been a friend to me when others have turned asic<. 5» I will make the promise, uw ) Bowhe. way: If perchance I fall in love witc unotner, and wish to marry, I will come and ask your permission, and abide by your decision.” ‘Good! Humming Bird thanks the Buekskin Bravo!” the girl said, tears of gratitude entering her eyes, *‘Sue will go now, She turned abruptly and darted away. over the prairie, ina south-westerly direction, never once looking back until she was out of sight of the scout. Then she paused, and shook her litthe brown fist toward the tourists’ camp, the expression of her face growing dull and moody. “It is the pale-fece pirl whom Wild Frank is attracted to. No—muybe not, for Le has long ere this told Humming Bird he hed no love for ber. Wumumiog Bird is not blind, however. Itis in the prairie grave, back yonder, that Frank’s love lics buried, ana it will never be resurrected unless by the proud-faced beauty at the tourists’ camp. For Humming Bird no hope is left—no hope is left, except in the graves” Aud she burst unto sobs of lonely grief, CHAPTER VIL OUTLAWS PLOTTING, To return to the ranch, The words of the new-comer caused the three Villoins to start up interested'y. ““What’s this you say?’ Jim Harris demand- ed. “If thai’s anything spiey, give us the full particulars.” The stranger glanced cautiously round the room, again, and then continued, in an under- tone: * 'There’s a fat stake, if properly worked. A party of English tourists is camped over here, a ways—four men and two vomen, all told. One of the women is a g’hal, and a reg’lar tloomin’ primrose, too, you bet! Set it down in your memorandum, she’s my meat. Then there’s a grizzled old English cock-sparrow—a rey’lar old aristocrat from Tondcn, with Lord hitched onto the fore-part of his name—he’s the king pin of the party, and carries the sa ag.” “ How much?” the doctor asked, eagerly. “That remaius to be told,” NE are | ill re- plied, significantly, ‘‘ You kin bet high his treasury is fat, for these o’d British skunks dow’t zo a-ballooning about the country with- out plenty of bal.ast.” “Of course not,” Bob Harris agreed. ‘ The fruit. tastes good, and there is no reason why we shall not pluck it.” “Tt may prove to be like Eve’s fruit,” Dr. Deering suygested, pbilosophically. ‘* How- ever, the captain is boss,” “Tt can be worked like a charm, There is no need of our even venturing a hand, Scai-Face and the reds can swoop down and gobble em up, and fetch ’em to the head-quarters. There we can relieve them of their valuables, retain the girl, and turn the old uns loose on the prairie to graz*.” “A good plan,” Jim Harris decided. — ‘* Bub while we’re talking over matters, what?’s to be cone with his nibs, Wild Frank? He’s been al- together too flush, 0’ late, to suit our notion, an’ 1 reckon he’s s’picioned us, too. First we know he’ll have us pounced upon by the marshal for bein’ connected with you and the gang.” ‘‘Tle must be planted,” Wyoming Bill cried, springing excitedly to his feet. He quickly dronped back in bis chair, however, with a muffled curse. ‘**I forgot myself, so intensely do I hate that scout,” he added, in a low, hoarse voiee, “T can prescribe no better fate for him, than hand- ing him over to the reds, for the stake. oe there’s enough grease about him to make him turn first-rate,” ‘*Yas,” the doctor said, drawlingly. this is talk. How many traps have we lain for this devil’s own, all to no avail? Three times we've had him in our power, only to bave him resened by his pards—Laughin’ Len and Eagle Tye.” “True; but we must manage to cage him this time, so he won’t break loose. I have a plan which I think will be successful. I will see Scar-Face to-night. and arrange to have him pounce down upon the touri-ts, to-morrow right, and capture them. We'll come here, to- morrow night, also, and if Wild Frank turns up, as Pye an idea he will, we'll take himand ; tna -bim off to head-ene: ters, Bloule he rot “a But 0 chance to be here, we'll nab the Humming Bird, whom Bob's struck on, and take her along. When Wild Frank learns that both the gaisare gone, he’ll rightly conclude who's em and make a strike fur the hills again, in search of our retreat. We'll have spotters out, and be- fore he is scarcely aware of it, he'll find bim- self in our power, and at our mercy. How hke “Tt is 4 bully er me x Harris elated at his prospect of gaining the Humming Bird without openly attacking syou the plan? the Bravo, Wild Frank. “Yes, it suits us,” the doctor and Jim Har- is asse.ted. “Then it is settled. Tomorrow night we will meet here, ready for business. I will) come in a different disguise, but one that you will recognize.” When she had recovered from the pa of grief, the Humming Bird turned her stepe oe teward the settlement, mechanically, ber- face still glcomy and tear-stained. When she arrived in sight of the settlement, she halted, and drawing a little whistle from her pecke§, blew a shrill blast upon it. Shortly after a trim Indian pony galopet out from among the cabins, and over to ‘her side, with a whinny of recognition. Springing upon his back, and heading him toward the west, Humming Bird gave the word, and he galioped away gracetully. For fully au hour the half-breed girl rode on befcre she drow rein; then it was in a decp, rocky canyon thas split in twain a renge of 1ugged hills, lt wasa aark, lonesome place, where the moonlight did not penetrate yet enough light crept down from the starry deme above to enable one to see-a few yards before. : Dismounting, Hvmmirg Pird left pple | to greze, while she hurried on into the de ot the canyon, All eround her rocky walls rose high and steep, and upon them were cngraven strange rude pictures of Indians, animals an& weapons, chiseled out pi obably by savage scuip- tors of centuries past and gone. Taking no notice of these pictures, the Hum- ming Bird burried on until she came to wheres series of stone steps had been chiseled into the face of the left rocky wall, at the top of whick there was a rcund hole in the face of the mown- tain, no larger than would admit a person's hand, yet extending to untold cepth. Ascending these steps, and kneeling before the aperture, the Humming Bird spoke, in the Sioox tongue: “Ugh! Great medicine-wcoman!” A few mivutes elapsed, then came back aa answer in a voice that scunded strange. aril sepulcbral: “Who calls upon Ummarog, the Spirit Med%- cine- Woman of the Manitou? “Tt is Humming bird,” the girl replied. ** What wants the half-br girl in the mtd of night, when earthly beings are supposed te slumber?” was the next query. ‘*The heart of the Humming Bird is sad. Wer lover, the Buckskin Bravo, no longer cares for her, and will not take her to his vwigwam. Humming Bird comes to the Great Medicine ror jrords that will bring back the Bravo er. ‘Tt is not in the power of the Great Medicine to change the likes or dislikes of mankind* came from the aperture. ‘' Let Humming Ba return to her 1arch on the prairies.” “Humming Bird will obey, But first, she ‘wishes to ask one favor.” “ What is that?” “She prays the good medicine-woman to put obstacles in the way, so that Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, may not hereafter meet and love the English lady called Lady Lillian.” “Who and where is she?” | “She is with a party of tourists, encamped upon the preirie, ten miles east.” “Lady Lillian who?’ “T do rot know.” “Who are her companions?’ “An English lord and lady, a French coum, a doctor, and a valet.” ‘“* What is the name of the English lord?” “Lord Mt. Morey.” * And the ecunt?” ** Count de Rablee.” “ And the docter?” “Casper Slick.” “Very well; medicine-woman will remember the request of the Humming Bird, who better look fcr another lover. Let ber choose one of her own race.” “The pale-face is as much Hummine Birdie acd-as_ i red-min,” the maiden retarnellz rm rec- ' i '
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sta \ then she lit prairie, toward Papanaugt’s. CHAPTER TX. ANGEL GABRIEL Wrap FRANK, aiter parting with the Hum- muing Kird, rode directiy to the camp of his Laughing Len and Eagle Eye, which was about four miles north-east of Papa- paugh's settlement. ‘Tue cainp was pitched in a tiny prairie valley, or pocket, upon the shore of a little pond or lakelet, which was fed by a spring that gurgled out from the side of the bill. it was a famous night-stop f:r overland par- ties, familiar with tiie country, as there was 7. Plenty of timber of the chaparral order near at hand, pure water, fresh grass, and lots of beaffalo-fish in the lake. A brigiit fire was burning be‘ore a solitary temé, as Wild Frank descended the slope toward the fake, and around it were gathered three —— Two or them he readily recognized— 2 wiry, bump-backed little trapper, Len, and the ‘tal aiwart, brawny ex Sioux chief, Eagle Bye. tse third person he could not place in memory, and yet failed to recognize him even when he rode into camp and dismounted. Hie wasa very aged person, of over medium bight, yet very thin in flesh, with long hair and m sweeping beard which covered the most of his face, and all of which was of snowy whiteness. He reminded Wild Frank of a picture he bad once seon of legendary Rip Van Winkl», as he mat upon a log near the fire, partly leaning for- ena on a staff, for he was even as ragged as Rip after awakening from his long reposa. “Helio! back, aire ye?’ Laughing Len { granted, knocking the ashes out of his pipe. | Bow’s Injun.” “Rather noisy. Indications are that it’ll be % winter with ’em,” the Buckskin Bravo answered, “‘ Who’s this old delegate, you have bere?” “Yam the Angel Gabriel!” the old man said, facing, about, and eying Frank keenly. ‘Iam hereto warn all sinners to prepare, for it lacks hat a few days of the time when I shall toot my “Qh! is that sof’ Frank exclaimed, but with “smile, for he quickly saw the light of insanity Yerrning deep in the eyes of the stranger. ‘‘ So wa emu all prepare to shuffle of our coil, eh?’ “Verily so sait I,” was the grim respons, ® Jd the prophet again fixed his gaze upon ths fise:, and relapsed into silence * Yas, that ’tarnal cuss tumbled down inter emp, ter-night,” Len said, ‘tan’ preachel hei kum, as long as yer arm—<o I reckone 1 i{ mayst be so, or he wouldn’t say et. An'I ws jesb. censiderin’ about sendin’ Eagle Eye Star the ranch to git a supply of tobacco Ser the trip, when I sed you cowin’!” Then the scout went off into a hearty lang’, #28 tanghed till he had to hold his sides in vin. “Ogb.. Grabel crazy,” Eagle Eye said, gray. “He big fool like drunk squaw.” “No, Lam not erazy, or drunk,” the stranger spoke up. “I’m Gabriel—the great and only G sbrici—and the toot of my trumpet shall ba Feard throughout the land.” “Where is your trumpet, brother Gabriel?’ Wild Prank asked. * Ts shalt bo handed down to me by a regimant oy wiaged messengers, from above, in duo }/ %.we,” was the solemn response. ‘Yben the old fellow rolled bimself up in o Wiaaket that Eagle Bye had given him, and Lay moar the fire, closing his wild eyes as if for rapa. “ What's to be done with hin?’ Len demand- callings Wild Frank one side, after a while. * els craxy, eh?” . “Yxey—tomched somewhere. Let him alone, ee tee] Grarm_ no one.” “Get ot! He might liftour hair while we're ecplng P “Pshaw! Pl run the risk of mine, and it’s kowger thaa yours. Angel Gabriel’sall right if om tet him alone.” ‘ iv appeared to bo sleeping pescefully when tie sv-oats rolled themeelves up In their blankets, ged they te/ino particular fear from his pres- Qtr. : Yet His and old on wise saving that appear- ners ase deceitful, and it proved so in this case. Neo wooner did the disti-ct heavy breathing of the seguts become audible, than the maniac séirred, then cvutiously raised upon one elbow, Liis eyes were now gleaming with intense sunning. Wild turned, descended the steps, sought ber |. Not apparently satisfied that they were sleep and rode away once more over the moon- | ing, he seized a pebble and tossed it over on;the ground tear their heads, and lay quickly back “upon bis blanket. No stir was made by the pards, which ap- eentey to be proof that they were asleep. The ring of the prairie scout is as keen as the scent of a hound, and, unless very sound asleep, it does not require much to disturb him—a fact ‘that the maniac seemed to comprehend. Rising, he took a good look at the surround- 28 betore n.aking a further move. hen, crouching, he stole cautiously toward where the pards were rolled in their blankets, —e not so much noise as a cat might have made, oe a vial of whitish liquor from his pocket, he held it to Wild Frank’s nose, Then he repeated the operation on Laughing Len, and next on Eagle Eye. This seemed to satisfy him, for he gave vent to a strange laugh, and spurned each of the sleepers with his icot, and, as they awakened not, he knew that they were unconscious. “Now I will know what I want to know,” he said, kneeling by Wild Frank’s side and eae ing in his pockets. ‘* They thought I was a fool, but made a grand miscalculation.” This thought seemed to pleaso him, for he laughed long and loud. e took everything out of Wild Frank’s — but failed to find what he sought for there. » * Ves, this is he—I was not wrong.” he mut- tered; “but ho has not the proof—the blessed proof. Ha! ha! with that I could meet the vul- tures, and faco them out in their imposition.” He was not satisfied still, and next searched Laughing Len and Eagle Eye, and the saddle trappings of the party. But with the same re- sult, He then rose to his fcet, and glared about him fiercely, passing his hands before his eyes sev- eral times. “T have failed. My only hope is to lie in wait for my man,” he muttered, “ and get him cornered, Then, if I don’t find out what I want, I’ll cut his heart out and eat it.” His threat seemed to remind him of some- thing, for he went back, removed Eagle Bye’s belt, and strapped it upon his own waist, and then thrust the weapons of the three scouts in- toi in ib. Laughing wildly ho turned and pranced out of the camp, in the way a frisky cclt might have done, seeming to be overjoyed at bis freedom. His course he shaped so that it would brin him tothe tourists’ camp, but he was destin not to reach it wi-hout i. terruption, He had accomplished scarcely half the dis- tance when there was a whizzing sound, and a lasso settled around his waist, and threw him to the ground, Seized with a sudden fury, he tore the noose asunder ‘vith as niuch ease as though it had been made of straw, and sprung once more to his feet with a pair of cocked revolvers in his hands, to meet—Dr. Deering! “The d—1!” the doctor gasped, evidently not expecting the weapons. “Put up your hands!” ** He! he!” sneered the maniac. ‘*I won't do it. Free agein, devil—free this tire for g 0d. We ain’t in Deering’s private esylun now, are we? Hol! ho! I guess not. I’d shoot you now only I’ve got other matters to attend to. But you shall hear the toot of Gabriel’s trumpet, soon—take my word for that!” CHAPTER X. DEERING TRIES A DEAL, DErRING grew livid with rage when he raw that Angel Gabriel was prepared and disposed to defend himself, ‘€ Fool!” he cried, stamping his feet, ‘do you not know that your p’an is fruitless? Drop your weapons at once, and return to the cave and remain there till 1 return.” :“T won’t!” Gabriel answered, doggedly. : Refuse, curso you, and I’jl let the blood- hounds loose, that nightly howl before the door of your dungeon. They’ll make quick work of ‘Hal ha! let em loose,” the maniac replied. with acunning grin. ‘*They won’t burt any- one. * Why not?” **Because I cut their heads off when I got free. He! he! Mr. Deering, you’ve lost your patient! Goseek another. I’m free—free. For vears I’ve been crazy, but, now that I am free I feel better. Twice before I eluded you, and the Mother of Satan came to me and anointed the spot on wy head that you used to pound. [li find Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. | her. He the! then you'll hear the trumpet. Ha: ha! ha!” ~* And turning he sped away once more. | The moon went under a cloud at tiis instant, and when it emerged Deering bad lost sight of the maniac. “Curses on my stupidity!” he roared, grating his teeth together. ““If£1 donot recover him, my pie is dcugh. But, psiiaw! it will be no difficult matter to capture him, if 1 set the right agents after him. And in thé meantime, the plan I have been so long conceiving has arrived at sometling like maturity, and it behooves me to strike while the iron is bot ” With a villainous expression of countenance, he placed a mask upon tis face, and then truck off toward the t-urists’ camp, at a rapid gait. On arriving on the crest of the bili, overlook- ing the camp, he lay flat upon his stomach, and took a survey of thesituatiou. A camp-fire was burning in front of the tents, but no people were visible near it, “They’ve turned in, likely, which is just as well f¢r my purpose,” ke muttered. He then tried a similar plan to that of Angel Gabriels earlier in the evcning—hurled a stone down in- to oer. The fall of the stone arousing no one, he boldly descended into the camp, and began to reconioiter, cautiously. The larger of the tents seemed to strike bis funcy the most, and crawing a keen edged hunting-knite from bis belt, be cut a slit in one side of the tent large enough to admit of the passage of a man’s body withcut any trouble. He then stood stil! and listened, to learn if the noise thereby occasioned had aroused any of the occupants of the tent. Nostir being audible, he waited a matter of ten minutes longer—then parted the canvas, and peered within. Lord Mt. Morey lay with bis head close to the aperture, a fact which seemed to increase Deering’s satisfaction, for lis eyes gleamed, wickedly. Seizing the baronet around the throat with a vise-like gripe, he hauled him from the tent, and then quickly thrust the muzzle of a revol- ver into his mouth. ; ‘There! eilence, now!” he commanded, stern- y. brains out.” Mt. Morey wes a coward at heart and grew white with fear. Indeed, most any mortal would scarcely lave «nvied him his position. ‘*That’s the ticket,” the coctor said, as he witnessed this cbedience. ‘ Now, then, put up your paws, above your head, and follow me to the tep of yonder hill, where we will sit down and have a confidential chat, on business,” And he proceeded to waik cff up the bill, backward, still keeping one hand on his lord- ship’s shouléer and the revolver muzzle between his lips. Mt. Mcrey followed with Jamb-like submission, ¢ yd »Jtogether it was a moving tab- leau such as : 4.. rever been seen on that prairie, before, When they reached the crest of the bill, the doctor motioned his Jordship to a seat upon the grass, and assumed a like position himself, not forgetting, hcwever, to keep his man covered. ‘There! we’re by ourselves, now,” be an- nounced, with a chuckle of delight. ‘1 went down and tuk you, purty clever, like, didn’t I?" **T cannot understand the meaning of this strange and unwarrantable indignity,” bis lord- ship growled, half in anger, half in fear, “Oli! probably not,” Deering answered with provoking composure, ‘ Thar’s man slips inter ther next world w’at don’ till it comes, kinder suddint, like.” ‘“What! you don’t mean to murder me?” the nobleman demanded, in horror. “Well, that depends how you act,” the doo- tor averred. “If you answer all my questions, business-like, and make everything as clear as Taos lubricatin’ oil, I opine 1 may let you retain possession of your ethereal sulstance awbile onger. Butif you go to actin’ up muleish, I'll guarantee your bagyage will pass over Canaan’s suspension bridge without any rechecking or transferring, whatever—ycu bet!” “Goon. I willanswer any question in my power,” Mt. Morey humbly answered, his eyes never once leaving the revolver. “Oh! ye will, eh? Well, then, we'll resort to business. You’re Lord Mt. Morey, a bigh-cock- olorum from the Island, eh?” “Tam Lord Mt. Morey.” ‘* Hev been travelin’ all over the U. 8., eh?” ‘“‘ | have traveled extensively in America.” ‘* Been searchin’ fer some one?” “T have.” ‘‘ Been advertising fer some one?” “ Exactly, sir.” aman as expect it eee ss... I, * Utter but a single peep, and I blow your °
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| Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. $ = * Found him?’ “T have not.” “ Rovere was the name, eh?” “Ves—do you kuow. him?” “Siutup. Wuat do you want of him?” “ "That, sir, is my private business,” “Lcok out! ‘leil me just the solid facts of the.cuse, or I'll perforate you.” * Wuat can it matter to you?” “A great deal. Answer my question—what do you want of Ralph Revere?” ", Morey was suena moment. “Ts cannot burt to tell ycu, as I see,” he said. “Twaut Revere to prove au heiiship, Years ogo he fled trom England to this country, to evada justice. Shortly afterward a heavy leg- acy was bequeatned as we first supposed to Lis wife, but afterward found to his daughter. Ie- vere’s flight had crazed his wife, and she was the inmate of a private asylum, No one seemed to know what had become of the child, which ha’ been left alone upon the wor!d, so 1 took the matter into my own hands, and bunted it up. When I produced it, the executors of the de- ceased man who had left the fortune, were sus- picious and over-caretul, and would not surren- der the fortune until they had proof from both of the parents. I took them and the child to the mad-house, but the mothef would not recog- nize her own offspring. Ithen threw the mat- ter into the courts, but accomplished nothing, after years of lawing. For five successive sea- sons 1 have since toured America, in search of Ralph Revere, but all to no purpose ™ “The girl you have, of course, is not Revere’s own child!” Deering said, in a matter-of-fact way. “Why not, pray?” “Oh! you'd hard'y lavish somuch time and expous2 on another’s child,—unless you saw a wile channel for reimbursement.” Mt, Morey smothered an oath, ; “That matters not, sir. You know whero Revere is, do you?” **Ob! perhaps—again perhaps not.” “What will tempt you to tell his where- abuts?’ “Tam not prepared to sct terms to-night. Who bas charge of the fortune?” “An Enxiisb representative of the party is on his way to join me upon the way Last, now in a few days.’ ** Ou! then I'll wait,” Deering said. ‘Tl see ouagaiv, And he arose abrupuy and took is leave. CUAPTER XT, THE FRENCHMAN WAXES BAD. Tun following day was a glorious one for November. The sun arose in a clear deep-blue sky, and flooded mother earth with a bright, warm light. which glistened upon the prairie pcols and streams, and kissed the mouutain tops with warm caresses. A dim, hazy mist or vapor seemed to hang around the horizon, and this alone ciused a troubled expression to come to more than ons brow, tor it bespoke what was to come, A storm was but a few hours cfl—a ‘bliz- gard,” as if was termed upon tho prairies, which is composed of a blinding whirl of snow and wind, which lasts all the way from ten minutes to five diys withous cessation, as the case may be, and.in which no son of the prairie ever cares to be caught. Tor it is certain bewilder- mentand death to attempt to wander in one of these storms when they last, as usual, three or four days, and it is cqually dangerous to remain still, in one place, And although tho morning was warm and In- dien summer-like, it did nut deceive the settlers of P nanaugh’s, and they could be seen gallop- ing over different parts of the prairie ocean in qu st of their respective herds, to bring them in to corral, “ Big Storm!” John Papanaugh said, senten- tiously, as he stood in thedoorway of the ranch, and with his pretty sister, gazed out over the rolling expanse, W hich lay seemingly unbroken, for miles to the eastward—as far as the naked aye could reach, . Bigger storm than come in vears, Humming Bird mind ranch—John go liunt up cows.” “Ot no! Let me go for them,” the maiden ~aid, eagerly. ‘‘Humming Bird find’em cas- i y? “As you like, then. Hurry ’em into the cor- yal, or the blizzard’ll_catch you.” With alacrity the Prairie Pet, as she had been aptly christened, obtained her horse, and was son dashing away merrily across the dun prai- via, riding with seeming recklessness, {ho had seen the ten cows which composed her | brother’s herd, a couple pf days before, in the | vicinity of the prairie motte where Wild Frank had met the reuegade chief, Scar-Face, and ac- | corcingly headed her mustang in that direction, now, In the course of an bour she drew rein at the edge of the motte, and dismounted, Entering the timber she began a hasty search for the cat- | tle, singing the while with touching saduess in | me!—is it not because there is en understandings - between Mt. Morey and yourself, that 1 um = her tone, She was perbaps thinking more about Wild | Frank than of her errand, for, without being on her natural look-out for danger, she, rau most unexpectedly upon a foe. A mman she met, almost face to face, and that man held a shot-guu leveled directly at ber. It was the Count de Rablee, aud an exultant smile mantled his disagreeable countenance, “Ze grande catel:!” he chuckled. ** Ze French count catch ze wild Injine. He! he! Ze Lord Mt. Morey Vink ze count no great warrior, but he will find ze grande mistake.” “What do you mean, sir?’ Humming Bird de- manded, sternly. *‘Be kind cnough to lower your weapon, and let me pass.” “Ob, no,” Rablee said, with another villainous smile. ‘ Ze Lord Mt. Morey say ze Irench are cowards—say ze French ’fraid of ze American Injine. I make ze grande catch of ze Injine, and show ze Lord Mt, Morey zat ze lrenchman re semblee not ze coward.’ “You are a fool!” Humming Bird said, in- dignantly. ‘‘ Iam notan lodian, and you are a cowardly squaw to molest a defenseless girl, even were I an Indian.” ‘* Yes, Alphonse Rablee, and if you don’t lower your aim, and let her pass, 77?/ put a bullet in | your head on my own accord!” Rablee started as though Le had been shot in reality, and wheeled about to find himself ¢on- fronted by Lady Lily, who had stolen into the timber, unawares, ‘Diablo! ze Lady Lily, here?” he gasped, a tea and not knowing how to excuse him: self, “Yes, ze Lady Lily, here!” the young woman retorted, contemptuously, ‘‘ You are a pretty puppy, now, aren’t you, Gus de Rablee?” * Za puppy! Mon Dieu! ze insult, mam’selle— | just t’ink of ze insult, Ze lucky Ving you not ze | wan. or I challenge you to fight ze duel.” “Bab! you are a coward and sneak, so there!” Lady Lily retorted. ‘‘ Young lady, you can go on. 1 wish to talk to his honor, ze grande count!” With a thankful glance, Humming. Bird bowed, and then sped on into the depths of the motte, ‘And now, sir, what have you to say for yourself?” her ladysbip demanded, turning im- periously upon her companion tourist. “Nothing!” Rablee_ replied. ‘‘Ze Injine roams in zo forest, an’ I bunt ze savage and make ze grande catch, and win zo wager of ze ‘* Yes, I understand. You'd probably have harmed the inoffensive thing bad I net oppor- tunely arrived. You Frenchmen are cowards and ruffians, count ? ** Not so;zo Lady Lily is mistaken,” “Don’t contradict me—l knew better,” she answered, with temper. ‘‘I came over lere to tell you they are packjng up at the camp, pre- pret! to moving over to a place. called -apanaugh’s Ranch. In the meantime, while we are here alone, Alphonse de Rablee, I want to come to an understanding with you.” Rablee’s eyes sparkled, “Anything to accommodate zo lovely Lady Lily!” he said, rubbing his haués together. “y pray for ze grande occasion when I ray spill ze noble blood Lily.” “ Bab! ycur would-be gallantry is disgusting. Do you know I'd rather have a grizzly bear bug me than ycu, sirf” Rablee’s countenance fell, and his gray eyes grew bard in their expression, “Ze Lady Lily insult 22 count twice!” he growled, “Tf you call is insult, you”) get insulted all your lice. One thing I want to ask you—am I or «em I not the real child of Revere and the rightful claimant to this fortune? You can tell me, and thus relieve mo of the doubts that of late years have assailed me, like a phantom.” ‘*Of course, you are ze original,” Rablee an- swered, promptly. ‘‘ What ze world ever meke you Vink ze difference from zat?” “T don’t know. I could never make it seem | so. I have ever been in fear that I would turn | out to be some picked-up waif, to fill the proud pcsition L occupy.” / “Ze Lady Lily need not fear ze least, in zese veins in behalf of ze Lady Her rights promise to be established as ze rightié- heir of ze baronet, Sir Ralph Revere, in a short time.” ““God grant that!” the beautiful girl . gazing at the ground. “If 1 sho cee not to te, I would kill myself. Alpbonse: de. Rablee, w hy is it youalways form cone of coum party; and pay your attentions to me¢ Answer be your wife, when I come into p this fortune?” * Ze Lady Lily hes expressed ze exact terme of zo understanding,” Rablee confessed, with gma exultant smile. ‘+ Ze French count an’ ze Bag lish lady. make ze grande match, and sete. - Parisian circles on zo qué vite !” “dt bas oceurred to me such might be tite» . scheme!” the young woman seid, Liting ber pa. and her face pahng. *‘ But tear me, 1 ow, sir, swear that fortune or no tortunc, 1 will ve wed you—no, a thousand times no!” ** We will see!” Rablee said, drawing adigk. “You shall swear ycu vill marry me, nowyor you nevar go back to ze camp, alive. Zak de sworn to.” CHAFTER XII. RABLEE TAKES A MUD BATH. “ MONSTER!” Lady ‘Liiy cvicd, st yring Ck her fece growing Ceathiy pele. ‘ Lou su would not attempt such a ghestly aime ee murder?” **Ze love of mankind will ofttimes drive mat» man to desperate dceds,” Rablee rctwne fierccly. for me.” “No! no! I do net love nor do I even rcspeet you!” Lady Lily answered, couragecusly. ‘Who else is it you love?” the litnchmam. demanded, savagely. ‘‘ Show him to me—meus Dieu, 1 eut bis leat out!” ‘*Bah! the man I love weuld not deign tex. fight so contemptible and cowardly a cur ryt son ll Ne Heisaman as brave aud fearless as a prairies know.” ‘Ze devill scout?” “Ay! just that very insolent scout. He is my ideai of brave and noble manhood. To berure, I do not suppose that’ I love him, for eur acquaintance has been no acquaintance aftall But I took a real liking to him—indecd I did.” “Then ze infatuation shall «nd now,” he cried, fiercely, raising the knife. “Swear nevara, to Vink of ze scout again, and zat you will marry"\< ine, or I \ ill plunge ze dogger into ycur hear’, , now and here. That will settle ze litile -* of love, without ze trouble of a duel Withee * scout. “No! I would die a hundred times before I would swear anything of the kind!” Lady Lily. responded, ‘Strike me if ycu dare, you comw-+ ee wretch!” “Ho! ho! you rhull see!” Rablee yelled, - rushing upon her with uplifted knife, jike an i furiated animal. But the blow ‘he undoubtedly would have gree remained unstruck, for the knife was rnd- enly torn from his grasp, and he was dealt ac blow beside the head that sent him tumbling te the ground, beadforemest. When he scrambled to his fect he had the — chagrin of secing the dashing Buckskin Brawe, Wiid Frank, by Lady Lily’s side, with bis folded across his breast. ; ‘* Diablo !” be hissed, his countenance flaming: with rage. ‘Ze scout!” ‘Yes, the scout,” Frank answered, st ; “so now, if you're itching for a tussle, Pm om hand to accommodate.” “Curses on you!” the Frenckman grittes rubbing his bruised ankle. **] have you arre ed for ze ’sault and ze battery.” *‘Oh! you contemptible “cur,” Lady Liky cried. “Ob, you big coward. Wry don’t you. fight it out with a man, if you dare?” **Mon Dieu! Ze French nebleman vill nevare: soil his hands on ve rude American, I will ree turn to ze camp, and bave ze scout arrested tar~ assault and ze battery.” “Ob! no, Con’t be in a burry,” and Wik Frank leveled a revclver at the Chemist's head. “If you try to sneak off without apologizing te this estimable lady for your ungentl manly conduet , I will have to make a hole in yourr head to remember yen by.” “To ze Lady Lily I apologize humbly—to ==... scout I make none!” “Oh! you won't, eh? Well, well, We ‘shall have to see to that. Throw down your army: and I will box your ears.” ‘a 7APru ; ay Z2 verry zing, ser! I- have ze grande: Pe;sure of mayling ze seouls he gd aeke.” “Yousay zcre is no love in your b Fo You do not mecn ze insolenti
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8 ~— ‘The macrity with which the count threw down this-knive and gun seemed to iniicate that he “tad iad experwnce in the manly urt of self- efeme. * Qirt you will get hurt,” Lady Lily protested, hyyimg a band upon Frank’s arm, anxiety will be en- iv what we term a blizzard.” — ope I dread storms, Will I seo you again, 8-01 ~““*In al! probability, yes, Ax revoir !” “And the Buckskin Bravo raised Lis broad- -tinmed hat, gallantly, 9s she touched up her thorvseand galiope! gracefully away, the mean- while kissing her fluger-vips to him, with a vogu- . sh smile. Wil! Frank then stepped into a clump of hashes, and waited until the French nobleman ew, rged from the motte, and struck off toward amp, swearing dvadly vengeanco against the author of his troubles. ‘Hie was a sorry-looking being, dripping and «covered entirely with mud and sliine from the Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. CHAPTER XII THE GRAVE AND ITS CONTENTS. THAT niszht the moon aruse early, tor it was near its full. The sky was overcast with a faint filmy fl-ece of moving clou is, which caused the raiiauce of the great luminary to shed a ghastly light upon the prairies, The wind was rising and blowiug keenly, and the indications all seemed to be that the pre- dicted stor was not far off. Tae moon had cleared the horizon about an hour, when Wild Frank dashed down across from the north, and arew rein at the litte rairie cemetery, with its single grave, wi ere 1¢ had stopped the previous siehe. The little headstone gamed startlingly in the sp-ctrul moonshine, and the very surrou.d- ings seemed grim aud uncauuy. “ft isn’t exactly suca a night as grave-rob- Lers ure supposed to work,” Wild Frank mut- tered, huskily, as be dismounted and took a searching look around, * bub it will have to an- swer my purpose. By Jovei it isu’t a job 1 fancy, at all, cither; but something tel.s me that it will be to my advantage to know the con tents of the box [ buried here four vears ago.” He took a spade ant pick from his saddle bays, and commence l to open the lithh: mound, Ile worked rapidly, util the sweat started upon bis brow, Once he stopped and listened, but resunzed his work, a minute later, with a scowl. He tad thrown out but a few mone shovelluls of dirt, however, when he paused again, and this tive detected the searcely audible sound of approach- ing footsteps. “T thoug it my ears were reliable as ever,” he muttered, stepping to the side of his nit .tang, awd seizing lus trusty rifle. “Some one is ap pronvebineg P He swept the prairie in all directions with his keen g ance, bub could se. nothing witnin the range of his vision, except the duu-bucd prairie- grass. * Vil send a tester, anyhow,” he said, listening again. “It may scare ’em off If wouldwt be exactly to my liking to have au iutruder step in, just now!” Ilis aeute sense of hearing told him pretty nearly where the prowler was, coming alon,z in the course with the stif® breeze, and, raising his rif}s, be chanced a shot ia that direction, Lis rifls speaking savagely. The report was followed Ly a wil, strange yeli—then all was still. * Thet warn’t no Injan squeak, nor a death yell, either, Tallow,” he said, stauding quictly, awaiting developments, “Sounded like as if it might have been the Angel Gabriel, who blowed his trumpet when my little hornet stung him. Hope it didn’t do him much damage, whoever it was.” Nothing further was heard, and he naturally concluded tha he had scared off the game. Seizing his shovel, he avain set to work and soon had the grave opened aud came toa rough box. It was pretty well rotted, and he had no difficulty in tearing off the lid. Within, fully revealed in the ghostly moon- light lay a human skeleton, the wealth of hair et clinging to the grinning skull pronouncing it the remains of a woman. The face of the scout grew pained in expres- sion as the ghastly sight met his gaze, and tears filled his eves. ‘Poor Myrtle!” broke from his lips in a husky whisper. ‘God grant you a place be- side His throne, for no purer angel ever existed upon this earth,” He then wok a little ebony box from beside the skeleton, slipped it into his hunting-sack, and replaced the rude coffin lid, shutting out the view of the dead. Springing trom the grave, he gazed around, | sharply. No one was in sight; so seizing the snovel, ne proceeded! to fill the grave, and restore things pool, his feco as black and streaked with mud | to their former concition, as it well could be. “\ Revenge! revenge! zo grande diabolical re- Wenge 0a ze scout,” Wild Frank heard him roar, as he struck ou4 across the prairie. n he had gone from sight down beyond a wave in the dun expanse, tne scout shoulderel his rifle and strode away to the north-wes', ata vapid gait. «and. unknown to him, a pair of eyes watched him until he was out of sight—the i eyes of the Humming Bird, who bad @vea their parting, with a flushed face, and wapidly beating heart, They love each other!” was all she said, but “guid it bitterly, When he had finished, he knelt in silence be- side the moun, with bowed head, and thus re- pare several minutes, until something sturt- ed him. It was but a flake of snow. fallen upon bis han’, But to him its message was of the utmost ‘siznificance and he leaped quickly to his feet aud into the sade Away up in the moonlit north-west na dense gray line was visible which was approaching with tremendons ve'ocity. It wus the blizzard. | questions, the best you know how, It’s a reg’lar snorter like we bad ten years ago, and with us. it's ae ee or--death.” ud as if seeming to fully understand the words, the mustaug leaped away over the prairie at the top of his speed, and his rider nagrae low upou bis nvek to facilitate Lis speed. 16 "bwas uo use, In less than five minutes the whole surround- ing country was euveloped in the vortex of the blizzard. The biizzar1 struck P. pomangl’s Rarch sew after the Buckskin Bravo uad discovered it, and shook the stanch cabin until it tranvled throughout. More of a crowd than usual was congregated’ within the ranch to-night, forthe warning of the approaching storm bad driven in such trap- pers, bunters aud herders as had no regular ubo le, b siaes:ome transicnts from mountain and prairie, among Whom was the male portion cf the Mt Morey party, the ladies having Leen qtaitere lina vacant cabin close by. ‘The two Harris brotiers, Dr. Deering, and the mountain outlaw terror, Wyoming Riu, were sented at a tablein a further corner of the foom, drinkiag and playing cards, The ouilaw chief was disguised in a sandy wig and full beard, and though there were a scorecr mor inthe room wio were his deudly enemies. they did not suspect his presence, The Tum ving Bird was assist ne her brother behind tis bar, ant looked prettier than cver, it seetuca, in the lanip-light—at least so thought LB > Harris, «lose baleful eyes were ever fixed Upon ber, “Yas, et’s a reg’ ar old-fashioned Uizzird, b’yees, au’ shes goin’ ter me ke thines hum a couple duys at bast!” remarked od Tted River Sun, one of the v teran Indian figutears and tr pp rs of Wyom ng and New Mc xico—: gray- haired, rough-loodug old cofger who could show more:cers than any man in the room, * Aw evs aright « mfortable thing not to be outonu the prairics ter-night, ef a filler waists ter survive, tho’ Lere’s what did sta’ et cutina cons rned tiizzard, ten yearago, for three mor- tildays, and tuen come out Luck, Spee ther pords is all heer ter-night.” The remark set t.e imnates of the ranch te tooking around them to se if any of their ue quaintances were niissii g. One man is missiny. an’ ten to one etll be his tast. blizzard!” J.m Harvis said, in a low tone: t. Lis companions. Ps Who?’ Wyoming Lill asked—“‘not our: man? “Yes, Wi'd Frank. ‘Si! the re:t have dis- covered his absence ” “Hettol Wild Frark Waddle isw’t heret® Taughing Len cried. * He left e mp this mota- ng and said Le’d Le here to night.” “He's not Lore,” Joon Vapanaugh added;. vb always keptan eye on those who caine und went. * He hesn’t been here to-day.” “Then :e’s a gone goos.!’ Red River Sam. averred, “Hear it how) outside! No liman Lia Jive ter bunt his way out o’ this storm,” “Wild Fiavk gon!” Hun ming Bird cried, excitedly. * Tben Lehall go bunt | imil? Noye won't, nucher!” Bob Harris demurred, scowling. “Yo uin’! , oi’ ter kese yer Lie ter thet» kank— not while 1m hyar.” * Nor is thar any need ¢fit!? a voice cried, as the door swung opcn, “for Wild Fiduk’s on hand, in tin.e tor the p cuic!” CUAPTER XIV. A RUSE THAT DIDN’T WORK. Ir was in truth the Buckskin Bruvo who strode into’ the ranch, covered with snow until he looked like a snow-n an, A cheering sh ut arose from the livs of his sev eral par'icnlar friends and aeqnaintances, and’ Huraning Bird ran torward and put both her hands in bis, joyfu ly, much to the chagrin und race of Bob Herris “T anv s»> glad you breve come back, Wild Frank,” she said, earnes'lv. Then she quickly added, in an undertone: “Sh! watch out! | fear there is mischief brewing.” “ Thants, Birdie.” be said, pressing her hand. and then releasing it. ‘ ] will bear fi in mind,” He had to shake hands with others whom he knew, for all were glad to see him. “Vos I came pretty near having to make a river trip,” be confe-sed, in answer to many “Tn fact, [couldn't have found my way, tut for the sagecity of my mustan +,” “Waal, Vil jive hands wi ye on yer good , “ Now, then, my boy,” Wild Frank said, giv- | Incl.” Red River Sam said, shaking tends, ing tho rein to bis impatient mustaug, ‘scoot ' ** Heer’s wol’s been thar, an’ [ know how all-tired
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Wild Fran curious a feller feels when he runs afoul o’a blizzard, an’ deu’t kno’ whether he’s wanderin’ futer Puestine or Purgatory. So you're goii’ ter o.lebrate the event o’ yer escape by coluxiz- in’ a ee old picnic, eh? |, not exuctly, pard. I heard there was going to bea sort of rumpus down hele to-nigit, and thought 1’d be on deck to sev if 1 somehow eouldn’t work a fist iu.” “Bully fer you, Franklin; old alligater, an’ ef fe want backin’, call on Red River Sam, sir— e old war-hoss of Wyoming.” ‘“*]T guess he wouldn’t lack wees a Lauching Len replied, ‘‘bein’s the majority knows whar Wild Frank lives when‘he’s tuhum. Soif thar’s enny one got any benes to pick, now's tho time te start the music.” Not a word was said by the four outlawsin tho eorner, but they went on playing, as if they Lad not heard the bread hint slung at them. They had beard the couversation, however, and knew it meant business. **I reckon we shall hev to postpono the plan we've been makin’ calculation on,” Wyon:ing Bill said, in an undertone. ‘ ibar appears 10 be a tearful big mice smelt somewhzr, hero- abouts, an’I reckon you’re ther ores what’s sus- pected. Wim so well disguised, that lm ai! right.” “* Well! what’s to bo done? Aro wo going to let the chance slip?” “No, not exactiy. I'll tell you my plan. We can’t git Wild Frank, now—that’s certain, for e’s too many pards here, to-night. But, if we work it right, 1 reckon we kin snatch the gal, and make off with her.” * Who in thuuder kin reach tho cavo to-nizht, in this howlin’ blizzard?’ Bob Harris growled, not fanvying the prospeet as he listenet to the mourn'ul shrieks of the wind around te cabin. ‘* But one man in fifty could lead the way to the mountains, and we have that man!” **Wuo is he?” *Seur-Face, the renegade.” ** But where is he?” ** Out-ide with a score of tho braves, crouch- ing beside the cabins.” *Trien it’s a devilish good time for an at- tack,” Deering declared. “By no means,” Wyoming Bill protested. “Thar’3 too many fightin’-men present. My plan is this: You three separate, watch your chanee, and slip from the ranch, leaving me alone. Vil look out fer myself. Assoon as ye can, find Sear-Face, and tell him to get ready forastart. Then you make for the cabin whar the tourists hev put up, and capture the gal for me. Then ride for the mountains as fast as ye can. Let yer horses all be lassoed together, with the red skin in the lead, an’ he'll take yo thru all hunkis, When ye get to head-quarters shos the gal up in the cell till l come.” * But what’s to become o’ you?’ Deering de- manded. **Ob! Pll hang around heer a bit longer, an’ eatch the Humming Bird, aad maybe raise the hair of Wild Frank, Til also try and bleed tho cussed Britisher of somo of his superfluous cash before I slope for camp.” The plan seemed to strike the three outlaws agreeably, and they signified their acquiescence with neds of approval. Jim Harris presently crose and sauntered about the room, took a drink at tho bar, and watchitg a proper chance when no one was looking, slipped from the ranch into tho wild night without, Bob H urris and Deering played another gamo for stakes with the disgu ehief, 2t tho con- clusion of which the first-named threw down the cards with a vindictive oath, roso from the table and adjourned to the bar. “Got flreced, eh?” Red River Sam questioned, with a chuekie. boots, yes—lost every y cent,” the ruffian A emg rin y out a brimmint “Thet o This shot was intended by the outlaw to throw suspicion from Wyoming Bill, and was in a measure suceessful. After “gril his pipe, Bob also departed, but not until he had hissed in the ear of Humwing Bird, who stood near the door: “Onl my proud squaw, you shall bo mine yet afore ye die. Rem:«mber, I’ve sworn to it, and ye may as well accept the inevitabie!” ‘‘Bah! Humming Bird would die before she would marry you!” was the proud reply. “*Thet’ll all do to talk,” he hissed. ‘You'll find the difference when I get you in my power,” Then he left the ranch. No particular netice was taken of his or Jim’s departure, as the three pards usually bunked in an cll cabin, a few rods from the ranch. Deering soon followed, and then the disguised outlaw arose from the table with a swagger, and eted a large roll of bills. “I'm ther boss poker-player right up frum Crlifornia,” he shouted, going up to tue bar. ‘I cleaned out them three cayotes in t' er twinkling uv a lamb’s tail, an’ ther duct o’ ther yame’s made ino thirsty. Will some 0’ you fel- ers 8 np an’ labrieate yer machinery wi’ prime old red-eye?” It was an apparently honcst invite, but nota man moved to accept. ‘ff cpine, at a rule, we nevver drink wi’ strangers, pard, til we know ther vame an’ pedigree o’ ther cuss we mvisten with,” Red River Sam remarked, in behalf of those present. **Onl ye want my measure, do yef’ the out- law demanded, his eyes emitting a deadly sparkle. ‘* Waal, ef you'll write down ter Cop- ver Flats. California, fer a description uv a fel- ernomed Jak Turkey, ye’ll yet a fortygraff 0’ jost sech a feller as Iam, an’ ye’ll larn 1-1; pedi- gree is famous fer playin’ poker, drinkin’ red- eye, an’ trappin’ cinsamon b’er.” ‘Yas, ’'vo hearn o’ this Jick Turkey afore,” Sam retorted, coully, “bus Vil bot hoss-loads o’ nuggets you ain't him.” ** What! do you mean to dispute my word?” ‘Wo! but £ mean ter | revo yo a liar,” the veteran scou’s rejoined. ‘Dé you’re Jack Tur- key, ye kin put up a cent agi’n’ yonder cabin- wall, an’ shoot it with a revolver, first pop. Theé’s ther kind of a kangaroo Jack Turkey is!” The outlaw knew ho wes eauzht inn Lie, anl was silent for a moment, inwardly boiling with rage, **Tcan’s do et, nor any livin’ cuss on carth,” he growled. “I’m Jack Turkey, an’ i’m dry. Bartender, set out yer prime old toc-ting!er.” “O41! jest hold on,” River $ am interposed snecringly. ‘‘Senee ye aire a stranger, we'd really kinder like to know who ye aire, any- how |” “T can answer tat question, I think, boys,” Wild Irrank sai, stopains forward. “ This man is bi Dil, ia cisguise, and is my pris- oner CUAPTER XV. A DOUTLY BASS DIZ, THe words of the Buckskin Bravo rung out clear and distinct, and as Le epoke he sprung forward and shoved a cocked revolver fairly against the outlaw’s face, “There! stand!” he continued, sternly. “Throw up your hands, or I'll biow a hole your head.” Wvoming Bill obeyed, with a baffled oath. “You lie! Iam not tie man you say,” he ox- ulated. ‘Let me alone, or you shall smart or this indignity!” “Oh! I shall, eu?” Wild Franz replied, calm- ly. ‘Well, I dow’t just happen to agree with you, William. You’ve been promising me various kincs of death and destruction for the lest three years, but it nevercame. So I cor- cluded to turn the tables, just to see how it would secm.” “T insist that thisis all a terrible mistake!” tho chief again protested. ‘Gentlemen, I again appeal to you.” “But appeal in vain,” vabrhe Sews. Len supple- mented, producing a picco of lariat with woich to bind his hands. ‘- You wero never lmown to listen tothe appea's cf men, women, and little ehildren, whom you and your rod gang of cut- threats have slaughtered, and you needn’t cx- peet mercy, now.” Ile was securely bound by Len and Eagle Lye, while Wiid Frank held him pioned with the revolver. When ho was fixed up beyond a bility of his getting away, and disarmed, Vild Prank put up his revolver. “We'll seo, now, Bill, whether you are not our man. Ab! yes, you Irok quite familiar. Tia! ha!” and Frank tore cf tho sandy wig and false beard. A swarthy, villainous-faced fellow stood re- vealed, with b'ack hair, mustache and goatee— aman theugly expression of whose ecounten- ance was a sufficient mirror of his evil nature. “Curses on you!’ ke breathed, as he stood thus unmasked. ‘‘ You’ve won, this time, but your victory will be short-lived, you'll find!” **Not so short-lived as you'll be, when I send vou over to the fort, with my compliments,” itd Frank assured, ype gee “ Your little propesal for m2 to join you, I had to de- cline, Bill, as I wanted you rather more than you wanted me. I3 there any more of your gang, here, to-night?” k, the Buckskin Bravo. Sf SS SS cn pS a 2 “Were there a hundred, you’d not be apt to» find it out by me,” the outlaw assured, with a- sneer. ‘Ohl I presume not. Wel take goed care: of you, nail the scout said, with sarcasm. vho Papanaugh had bud a strong reem built. within the ranch, } urposely for the aecouieda- tion of prisoners, \ hen, us wasa frcquent oo- currence, the U. 8. Marshal stop over night at the raneh, en route for tbe fort with pris- ouers, The eell was built of dcuble thickness. of logs, and provided with an iron-grated deor, to which wasatteched an intricate leek, to w hieb no one possessed a key except John Papanaugp . Miho ite plete Wyeesteg lit turned uto place oming Bill was tnrn and the door locked fs Lira, uvtii the diizmard should subside, when it wes Laughing Len and Eagle Eye’s jb to escort lim to the nearest- itary , and turn Lm over into tbe hands of the marshal. Lou ! was the rejoicing at the rareh the re- mainder of that stormy night, over the capture of the notorious outlaw and ruffiin, whose ter- rible deeds for three yearsand over had thrown the surrounding country into a state cf dread and fear. Wild Frank, cf course, was the lion of the cecasion es being the captor, and was lauied with praise end thanked gen r.ily tor Lis dar- img deed—tor it was a dced of daring to face a human tiger of Wyoming Bill’s stamp, whose hand was stained with the blood of scores of men, No thought cf further danger seemed to dwell with the rjoicing party uutil out in the wild storm of the night a piercing ecream rong out, and Lord Mt. Morey staggered from the bar where he wes standing, with a face as white as death. “Lilian! my God, some harm is come to my ward!’ he cried. Every man leaped toward the door, end cut. into the night, weapons in bard, Wild Frank leading off, with a strange, vengeful cry. The catin where the two lauies of the tourist porty had been quartered was nota dozen vards from the ranch, aré toward it Wild rank darted through the furious storm accoin- panied by a dez n of the men. In almost less time than it takes to relate it, the cabin was reached and entered, and there, lying upon the floor wt fourd Lady Mt. Morey scalpless anu w ith a kuife driven thrcugb Ler heart—dead! Lady Lillian was gone! “Great Got! this is fearful?” Wild Frank cried. ‘‘Boys, lock to the woman, I’m off after the girl!” “Stop! it is madness to think of entering the blizzard!” Laughing Len cried, “Mad or no mad, I’m going to reseue the young lady!” was the fierce reply. ‘‘Scar- “ave and his infernal gang has done this work, and my mustang will mighty quick p'ck their trail. If 1 ccme back vith the girl, oll right. If I don’t, ye kin leck for me in Wyoming Bill’s stronghicld!” nd as he finished sper king, the intreriée scout leaped forth once more inte tLe how ling blizzard, rifle in hand. Nothing could he sce, in the blinding vertcx of frozen jeathery sleet. Lut he knew the loca-~ tion of the corral from the cabin, aid Lad little difficulty in reaching it. A shrill whistle Lrought his faithful mustang to his side, and he was upon his taek, in aj fly, and dashing cffto the nerth-west, without saddle or bridle, and with his bat under his hunting- _ his long hair foating wildly back in the reeze. A very hurricane was blowing and the es ing particles of frozen rain cut his fece until it caused him intense pain, but he never faltered or ceasedjto urge his faithful animal madly on. He knew that the outlaw stronghold was somewhere in the mountains, and he knew they would lay their course in that directicn. He had aecordingly aimed in a like ccurre, on starting from the ranch. Well he knew his trusty mustang would net vary an iota from the iy! he was headed. until ga ed different, and he therefore never turned: is head, but allowed him to keep straight on, feeling’ confident that he must in a skort time overtake the fugitives, Stygian darkness reigned supreme, in addition 4 = storm, making it utterly impossible to see ahead. Fully an hour the scout kept desperately on, hopes of overtaking the savages strong in bis breast, but the further he went the more furicus raged the storm, and still nosiens of sucerss, Asalast resort he finally stopped, and dis-
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mounting, felt upon tho snow with his hand, moving lor some distance light and left. Cpr either find their trail,” he muttered, “or lose myself in the blizzard, and perish.” fe minutes of search elapsed—then he uttered acr ie had found where many horses’ feet had ‘trodden ia the snow, but recently. ‘Smell, Sartle!’ he cried, shoving bis sagacious mus- tang’s nose into snow. ‘‘ Now, o!d boy, follow —or die!” He remounted, and with his nose closs to the ground the mustang leaped away lise a bloed- hound 0a the trail. CHAPTER XVI. A DARING FEAT. THE surprise upon the two ladies, and the rm ture of Lady i? had been sudden and quic and the poor girl found herself bound han and foot and in the bands of Jim Harris, almost be- fore she had timo to know what was oceurring. While Scar-Faco was securing the scalp of Lady Mt. Morey, Harris bore Lady Lily from the eabin and handed her to his brother Bob, who was upon horseback near the door, as ‘were also Deering and a score of Lorribly-pain t- 9d savages. The whole tragedy did not consumo five mo- ments, ere the party were dashing away. Lily managed to scream, just as the were passing the ranch, but after that Bo Harris held his roagh hand closely over her mouth, until they had left the settlement far Le- ** Now, then, my beauty, you can yell if ye want to,” he said, taking away bis band, witha trutal laugh. ‘‘Ireckon tho’ the storm ki1 scream nigh onto a notch bigher than you can.” In utter horror, poor Lady Lily could not ut- ter a sound, but trembled in fear and affright. The cavaleade moved over the prairie abreast, ‘the mustangs being lariated together through the bits—all except Sear Face’s, who led the way. Ito chanced that Bob Harris was the outer horseman on tho left hand, Deering being: nett and then the red-skins, Jim Harris having the righ end. bus they dasked on, at a rapid gallop, the renegade chiet keeping only a few yards in ad- yance, and **fecling” the way. Life-long ac- ‘quaintance with the prairie between Papa- naugh’s and the mountains put it in his power, f necessary, to accomplish the whole distance with his eyes shut. “What are you going to do with mo?’ Lady Lily finally whatest to ask of her ruffianly cap- tor. “Why amI thus taken away from my friends?” * Waal, as this ain’t a nig)t fer answerin’ rid- dies, { don’t know.” Bob Harris replied. ‘I ‘spect, however, Bill caikerlates ter make a wife outen you when he gits hum.” ‘Bill? Who is he, pray ” “Why, Wyoming Bill, to be sure! Ain’t ye ever heerd of him? Ef yo ain’t, it’s a wonder, er he's ther wors’ outlaw we’vo got on the bor- der.” “Heaven help mo, then! Surely you are not going to placo mo in tho power of such a wretch f? “Waal, yes, I reckon them’s the orders—(h2t is, ef the captain turns up at head quarters.” ** Are you outlaws?” “ We havo. that honor,” Bob returned, dryly —then he and Deering laughed, loudly. - On—on dashed the strangocavaleado of storm riders, accomplishing mile after mile of the dis- tance betweon the settlement and the hills, Lady Lily grew very cold, as the merciless storm beat against her, but stood it bravely rather than to ask for a sharo of her rough cap- tor’s blanket. ; “T reckon ther captain cut his own windpipe, to-night,” Deering said, as they rodo along, “Why so?” Bob Harris demanded, “ Because, be’ll dike as not git interarow at the ranch, 1 sbouldn’t wonder, when I cometo think cf it, ef Wild Frank ’spicione! him, the way he spoke about a picnic, and ef they wero to ever find him out, Bill’d Lev a slim chance, I tell vou.” “ Pshaw! ten to one you'll see him along-with us, cre we get to the hills.” . Mebbe—mebbe not,” the doctor rejoined. “ Anyhow, if he don’t come back, ye can set mo dawn as capt’in,”’ “Ivil likely take more’n one to decide that question, Ef Bill turns up his tces, heer’s what rns Mormon, an’ marries this gal, an’ the mnmjing Bird, too.” “'No'women on my plate, ef yo please,” Deer- ee ing answered, sarcastically. ‘‘I’d ruther hev a wule-load o’ sage-bushes tied to my back.” j . nee whar we can’t agree!” was Bob’s re- oinder. **[ pray to God that the noble scout, Wild Frank, may come to my reseue,” Lady Lily breathed, shuddering as she contemplated her fate if not taken from the power ef these moan- tain outlaws. “Waal, ye necdn’t hope in thet direction,” Harris chuckled, *‘fer Wild Frank don’t come — around the hills arter us, tearia’ he'll git shot. “*T don’t believe he is capable of fear—he is so brave and dauntless,” ‘Waal, ye jest chaw on et, my gal—his brav- a won’t never to you be no good.” hen there was another long pause in conver- sation, during which the wind shrieked more borribly and the biting storta tore ever the prai- rie with redoubled peal { ‘* Hark!” Deering suddenly cried. ‘‘ I thought Ihearda yell. Til bet a copper the capt’iu is after us!” ‘“Yas, probably,” Harris grunted. ‘I al- ee — tolnd is too warm at the ranch for comfort. A horse’s hoof-strokes distinguishable from those of the cavalcade, were pe y heard, and soon after a horseman dashed along a few yards to the left of Bob Harris, Who he was the ruf- fian could not have told, however, kad he been only a few feet from his face, owing to the den- sity of the whirling flakes. **Hello! is it you, Bill?’ Deerisg howled through his hands, above tho slrick of the storm. ‘“* Blazes, yes!” was tho hoarse, gruff reply, as the horseman drew nearer. “ Hev ye got ihe gal all safe?” ‘Yes; heer she is!) Whar’s Humming Bird?” Bob Harris bellowed. “At Papanaugh’s, cussed place with m on me, an’ I knifed him and skipped. hev thegal. I’ve got a blanket for her.” ‘Vm cussed glad ye want her,” Bob Harris cried, ‘‘fer she’s heavy.” Then, in the midst of tho blinding flurry, the new-comer galloped alongside and took Lady Lily in his arms, and at the same time Bob Har- ris received a blow alongside the head that caused him to grow dizzy. ‘Thunder and lightning! what d’ye mean by hitting me?” he roared. There was no answer. Lady Lily’s new captor had wheeled his horse arb ace and disappeared like a flash over the “What's the rip?” Deering demanded, as Har- ris swore frightfully. ‘* Matter?’ the ruffian roared. ‘ Why, blast it, the capt’in snatched the gal, punched me be- side the head and’s gone!” ‘Furies! It wasn’t the captain! He’d never do that. We've been overtaken by Wild Frank and robbed of our prize!” Deering yelled. It was even so! The Buekskin Bravo had hunted down the outlaws, rode up to them, and cunningly obtained possession of the girl, and, even as the outlaws came to a halt to talk, he was skimming away through the storm, over the back trail, his faithful mustang leaping aong as if he knew and felt the triumph of the victory. , Lady Lily could not see the fneo of her new captor, so furious was the storm, but she felt that she could not have fallen into worse hands than sho had been rescued from. “Who are you, sir?’ she asked, as they dashed along. ‘Surely you are not the terrible outlaw chief?” **Oh, no!” the brave rcout answered, as ho frecd her bands and feet, so that she could ride easier. ‘I amcno who would go through fire and water to win your humblest smile. I am Wild Frank.” © - ‘* Then, God bo praised, I am safe!” she eried, and, impetuously throwing her arms about his neck, ehe kissed him pew kis bare, broad fore- head, again and again. ‘Yes, you are safe, and I am happy,” the Bravo replied, pillowing her head against his breast. ‘“ We are not entirely out of danger vet, however, for the settlement is far away. We may not be ablo to find it, and would perish in thestorm.” “Tf you perish, I will not survive you,” sho said, hugging closer to him. CHAPTER XVII. THE CONTEN1S CF THE BOX. CoNTRARY to the scont’s expectation, they had no cifficulty in reaching the settlement, owing I barely got cut o’ the life. Wild Frank opened Let me Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. to the mustang’s sagacity and determination, and were safely in the ranch beiore it was morning. No one was up but the Humming Bird, ell the rest having retived for the rigbt, Lut she welcomed them back with a quiet grace which Frank knew was forced, cud yiepercd them some venisun and warm sling to Litce them up, after their long and derperate ride. rd Mt. Morey hed aiicady ietired fcr tke in one of the many rccms cf tLe raneh, together with Slick and Rablee, leaving their foouman to waich over the 1emains of ber laey- ship, in the cabin pear Ly, fier thanking Wild Frank ever and over again, warmly, Lady Lily signified Ler eesire te retire for the remaincer of the night, and was shown toa sleeping epartmcnt cn the seccnd Loor by Humming Bird, who tl cniciurncdto the ber- room, where 11e Evckekin Eravo sat with kowed head, gazing thc ughtiully into tLe flie upon the hearth, bis hat thicwn cff, end Jorg bair 1ip- pling down over bis siculderin alrown wave “The scout’s thoughts aic—wLere?” the balf- breed girl acked, sppreaching him and layirg her band upon his }ead. ‘He thinks rot of present scenes and things.” * Right,” Frank arswered, locking up witha smile. ‘‘ My miid’s eye was then icching into ihe past, and then into the far future, in won- derment and n ystification, Eirdie.” ‘*Inceed,” the Bun ming Lird replied, a trifle bitterly, as che drew a sicol bcside him ard ke came sented. ‘Inthe pest ycu sraw the true, faithful love «fa hun ble) eli-t reed girl—in the future ycu saw a picasant Lome ard firceide with little cLildren playing at your fcet, Lut ib nigh was netthe balfliccd girl wlo sat by your side. Nol it was the y1cud, pretty women you periled your life for to-night.” ‘Lhere were tcz1s in Ler eyes as the firisked rpeaking, and, tcuct ed at Lergrief, Wild Frank put his arm ercund ber waist ard crew ber to him, impiinting a kiss upen Ler cushy lore- ead. “There, little sister, do not take it so to heart,” be ceid, sottly. ‘“ Your imagination is excited tc-night, se tke leest little Lit jcaleus. And why? Did 1 do mere in icecvirg Lady Lily, than I bave been ccing all my lie on the berder?” ' “No, perhaps not, but you wen ber Icve, any- how, ard you love ler ycurseli—ycu cannot deny either of these clerges, sir.” ‘*Perbaps—perhaps vot. I will not cenya growing effection for her, Birdie. No stronger is it, howcver, tlan my tiotlely regard tor you. But, as torccipiceation on ihe part of a great and titled lady like her, I cannot say— cannot dare to Lcepe for it.” “You would warry her, then, if che were toe consent?” “T donot know. The theught of ratrimony has been the least ef all my life trcubles. Per- heps if che vereto corsent, I sbculd accept of an alliance—v ith 1cur pei mission.” Hunming Bird was silent, Ler fece buried in her pretty Tnnda, her Lcsom heaving with ¢mo- tion. “If you can te berpy vith ber I will not hinder you,” she egid, finally. ‘1am gcing to retire, now.. Vhen ycu get ready, }cu know where ycu usually sleep.” She then arcse end le{t the reem. Wild Frark did not retire, at once. He pcked up the fire, ard tat down egain in its tright jight, and took fiom lis | untir g seck the little eLony box he bad breught frem the lene ysaizie grave. It was a pretty little trirk«t akeut four inches squere, and the ccineis were | cund with gold brackets. For several mirutes the secut recmed unde- cided whether tocyen it or nct, but finally he touched a tiny spring, and tke lid flew open, The inside was lined with eatin, fancifully quilted in colors, and certaired a doctn ent tied with a silken strirg, ard three likenesses, These Wild Frank picceedcd to cxamine, critically. One was of a young man, of sore five-and- twenty years—a dark, bandecme icllow. witha kindly expressioned face, Cerk hair and mus- tache, and plain but tasty attire. ; The second was a ycman perhaps a couple of years younger—a fair, fresh-faced Jecy with brilliant eyes, sanny hair, and gcod-natured ex- pression—a woman plainly a fitting ccmyanion for the man, with purity and faith engraven in the countenance. The third likeness was of a sweet little two- year-old girl, and Wild Frank recognized it with a low cry. it was the picture of the same child he had adopted, on the prairies, years before, of the
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wounded strangér—of tho same loved ono whose grave be had visited and opened, eariior in the evening. Laying aside tho y aterer he took the paper from the casket, anu opened it. It was written in a graceful business hand, aud read as [olJows; ar ' “)irp-ratate, November —, 183--. * To whomso2ré? 2 tt yp conerrn t “This is to certify that the giver of this box, Sir Ralph Revere of London, Bngland, has reached this wild, desolate prairic, wita his little child, Lillian, an outeast and wanderer in a strange land, through tio villainy of an unknown enemy, and the aillegod faithlessness of a wife, whose picture fiad here with my own and my child's, I cannot believe my darling unfaithful, now, but it is too late. Something seems to tell me that it was all a villainous schemo of Mt, Morey’s, to drive me from the country. Something also seems to tell me that I am not long for this world, I am footsore, weary and hunrry. God have merey on my little child if I fall by tho way! I will write this and put t in tho ebony box, where some one may find tt after Iam dead, If ye survives mo, I pray that whoever finds her will take her and rear her carefully, teaching her to love her God, and grow up to be a good and useful woman. I also prey that the finder will do mo an- other last favor. Write to London, put detectives on the track, and find if the wife of Sir Ralph R>- vere was faituful to him. Ifso, restore my little Lil- lian to her mother’s care, and tell her that it was Mt. Morey who drove me away by villainous lies, and it is at Mt. Morey’s door my death can be laid. I will go now, and see if I can catch some fish to appease my hunger, and my poor babo’s, May Gol grant me success, RaLpy Revers.” Wild Frank, the Puckskin Brovo. 11 | “Is is certain she will be established? What ' saw him, and now I have a cause, But, aha! | if Revere s’all no identify?” “Leave that to me to arrange,” the elder vil- lain said, with 2 chuckle, tory people before tuis.” An | thus the matter rested. Mt. Morey did not deigu to notice the Bravo, } yourself wita a sure and Rablee togk @ood care to keep at a proper | dishande Troi bin, = | Wild Frank had encouraged Jack De Hearné, | & well-to-do young herder, to ee y lover-iike at- | tentions to the Hamming Bird. and the fellow had done so with a will, a result of which was that the pretty half-breod girl grew to Le once more her gay, happy self. sun broke forth with springtime’s warmth, and the weather moderated until tho snow began to rapidly disappear from the prairie. By the next morning it bad so far melted away that the crests of the prairie billows once more showe:l their color of brown, and it was safo to venture forth on horseback. Wyoming Bill was then. brought from his ell, and mounted upon a horse, preparatory for his trip to the military post, in charge of Wild Frana’s pard, Laughing Lan. Hagle Eye, Red River Sam, an’ Jack De Heerne also went along as cscort, for it was two days’ ride to the post, and there might be an attempt on the paft of tho outiaws to rescue their chief, and save tho hands of the authorities, Soon after their departure, the other tran- | ) | | him from ths fate that surely awaited him in That was all, but it was a wonderful revela- | sient storm-bound visitors took leave, and the tion—and one that coufirmed something of a | ranch was let weak-handed. theory Wild Frank bad formed since the touris$ party had camped on the prairies. ‘Ths conversation I overheard botween the Frenehman and Lady Lily is now explained. She is occupying a false position!” be muttored, passing his hand ecross his forehead. ‘She is not the rightful Lady Lillien Revere, as sho hopes—for the real child of Sir Ralph was Iaid in her Jast resting-pl.ce by me, five years ego, in the grave yonder where tiie storm holds riot. Poor Lily! S»e told Rablee she would Kill her- self if she should prove to be some nameless waif, that is tho case.” { i CHOAPTDR XVII TIT FoR TAT. Tus blizzard which had struck that section of Wyowi Territory, continued to howl and rage until the middle of the fourth dey, when it abated as sudcenly as it bad begun, and the sun fond it in case of an attack, except the herders | But she must never kuow the truth, if | prairie, Oaly John Papanauzh, his sister, Wild Frank, of the settlement, whosa cabin were scattered about at various distances, Still, there was no particular danger of an attack, unless it should coms from the reds associated with Wyomin ‘i've broken refrac- and tho tourists were left at the ranch, to de- | : } ’ ' ’ } } } \ | Bill's gang, and it looked probable they wouid | au lay low, as it was known tiat the United States ; cause him to swear, in the presence of others, cavalry at the post was ready to take their trail | that, according to his best belief the girl is his at a moment’s notice. erg J the day Wild Frank scouted about ths / ut siw no signs of invaders, and re- | red. sles his supposed triumph over me is short- ived!’ He hastily sought Count de Rablee, and drew bim one sie, ‘Sa! ue uttered in a husky whisper. ‘‘ Arm wder, to night, and man- age to drop it into Wild Frank’s coffee.” ‘Why?’ the chemist demanded, in surprise. ** Because, we must be rid of Lim, He knows the whole secret}” ‘ No!” i “Yes, Will you do this for me?” “{ will guarantee my rival never sees te- morrovw’s sun rise,” the Parisian assured, show- No sooner had the blizzard abated, than the | ing bis tecth in a borribie grin. Mt. Morey turned away then, with a feeling of relief. Jus5 at dusk he lit a cigar, and took a stroll outside, in the carly gloaming. He had not gone five steps ere he came face to face with a masked man! CHAPTER XTX, A DASTARD'S ATTEMPT. Ir took tut a glance for the joid to reeognize him as bis visitor of several evenings before— for it was in reality Dr. Deering, in cisguise, “Hello! I wes watching for you,” Le said. * Come along out of sight, if you want to talk business.” Mt. Morey obeyed, for he was cven more eaver to arrange matters than the renegade,who led the way to a secluded little vailey, near the raned, Here they paused, and became seated upon the grass, Deering filling and lighting a pipe. “Now, to begin with, what will you give me to produce this man Revere?” he asked. ‘‘ Mone is money with me, and btusiness is business, you come Gown, in good stape, ’m your man. it yeu don’t, 1’m off again.” “Til give you five thousand dollars, if you will bring him before me, and my ward own daughter.” ‘“That would be impossible,” Deering aver- ‘Revere hates me worse than an Indian turned to the ranch, and spent the remainder of | does a rattlesnake, and I could not persuade him the day in Lady Lily’s scciety. , to do anything like that. All I can do is pre- About supper time he met by chance with duce him, which I will do for ten thcusand, Lord Mb, atoms outside tha ranch, and th3 *Tdo not want bim unless he canbe rer- latter paused to speak, secing which intention, | suaded to identify the girl. I will give youa the scout halted also. ‘I wish to say to you, young man,” his Jord- | ship began, impressively, ‘that your attentions | to my ward, are extremely obnox’ous to her, | and a discontinuance of the seme will be thank- ghone once more brightly. A great depth of ; fully received by both her and myself.” snow bad fallen however, and it was worth a | man’s life to attempt wallowing across the prairies, to any given point, the fleecy body of rer averaging fully seven feet in depth on the evel. Lady Mt. Morey had been temporarily in- terred near the sceno of her murder, on the second day, and sinco then things had passed without noteworthy incident at tho ranoh, for snowed up as they were, the inmates could do little or nothing but cat, drink and sleep, unless it was to play cards. - Wild Frank was much in the society of Lady Lily, awd it was apparent to more than one ob- server that tho intimacy between the two was fast ag A an earnest mutual affection. Lord Mt. Morey Jooked on with savage dis- leasure, but siid nothing, for, v:hilo he feared e dauntless Buckskin Bravo, he was also un- der obligations to him for saving Lady Lily, and was shrewd enough not to aggravate an existing eumity with 2 man whose power seom- ed as undisputed as Wild Frank’s. “Let them go abead wita their billing and cooing,” he said to the count, who looked on with burning jealousy. ‘It will get nipped ia the bud, directly. I om daily expecting to heer ficm a person who will produce Ralph Rivors, and when ho identifies the girl, and Waising- ham pays me over tho sum of one bundred thousand pounds sterling, wo will take the pirl and light out for Australia. That will dissolve the love-match.” “But zo danger, my lerd—you do not con- sider ze danger. Zo consummation may occur " at ze shortest notice.” * Bah! no danger, yet. Tho girl knows her business. If she gets the heritage and is proven the heiress, then you can rest assured she'll feel too far above the Indian-fizhter to even wipe her feet upon him, If she should not be estab- lished, she might be fool enough to wed the ng-haired vagabond, if I didn’t, as her guar- ian, veto the match.” | sarcasm, “*Ob! is thot so?’ Wild Frank replied, with ‘Well, sir, 1 dare to presume that when my attentions become unbearable, the young lady will kindly inform me of the fact.” one’s feelings, or she would have long ago dis- missed you!” his loraship protested, angrily. my privence is objectionable, I will quit,” the scout replied coolly. great interest in her, sir, and | shall take caro that your villainous game never brings her to harm.” “My villainous game, sir? What do you mean?’ and up came the baronet’s formidablo cane, threateningly. “Obl you can put down your stick,” Frank | returned, with provoking calmness, ‘+ Youaro robably awarsa I am not easily scared, sir—a ong life in tho backwoods has made me owl- proof—to modify an old saying. You areplay- ing a game, Mt. Morey, and a desperate gamo too, which you are net going to win.” ** What know you about my business, sir?” the schemer demanded, fiercely. { ‘*More than you think,” was the quiet reply. : *In fact, L know nearly all. See! do you | recognize that?’ and ho held up the likeness of , hundred dollars to take him a prisoner and de- liver him to me at seme given point not far from here, where I can induce him, by ccaxing | or by force, to accede to my wishes.” “ But she is very sensitive about wounding “Wil, when I get to see by any hint thas : “Ob!no, You are just nine thousand and nine hundred dollars below my terms,” the doc- tor declared, decidedly. “T'll give you five minutes to decline or accept.” “T do not need that time,” bis lordship re- mded emphatically. ‘‘I decline, forthwith. am not a bank cn which you can draw, at will.” n ‘** But you sre a Cainty little geme bird such as I cecesionally make it a point to pluck. Ha! ; ha!” and with a wicked ae the renegade “IT have taken a | drew end cocked a formidable revolver, and leveled it at Mt. Morey’s head. . ‘‘If yeu will be so kind and eccommodating, my rcyal Bri- tish Luck, ’'d like to have ycu hand over your plethoric purse, and your chronometer, diamond ring, pin, and such other wallybles as you may chance to bave.” ‘** What! you are ret such a villain that you weuld rob nie!” his lordship gasped, in genuine alarm. “Tam sorry that necessity so compels me to violate the biblical commandments,” was the cynical reply. ‘* But such, unfortunately for you, isthe case. Hither you must give me the cosey little sum of ten thcusand dollars for de- livering up to you. one certain pilgrim named | Ralph Revere, or I shall have to relieve you of } | baby Lilian Revere within a yard of his lord- | | suip’s face, | ‘*A. thousand furies! Where did you get | that? he cri grabbing for it, but without success. ‘Tell, me, man, how came you in | possession of that likeness of her?” | None of your business, sir. Dll bid you | | | : such lucre as you sate ahout your estimable person, and run the risk of getting as much.” “Dll see you in Iceland before I'll yield te your demand, sir!” “ And I'll see youin a place of extremely op posite temperature if I ever show you the man you want,” Deering ehuckled. “Throw u your hands and let me go through you, or )’ put a bullet into your cranium, and then strip food-by, and leave you to imagine the rest. | you.” | Hal hat! Success to you!” —_ with a laugh the Bravo passed into the ranch, } Mt. Morey obeyed with a bitter curse. He did not fora moment doubt that the renegade would be prompt to execute his threat, if pro- For the moment the baronet stood gazing voked, and his valuation of life, as compared | after him, speechless and livid with rage. with what valuables he had about his person, | .“*Curses on his soul!” he gritted, clenching | was great. ‘ ‘ ; Deering proceeded with his search in a sys- tematic wey which showed he had served an his hands until the nails cut the flesh. “‘T hated the feilow from the moment I first ~
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12 ticeship at it, And after he had secured all that was of any particular value to him, he turned to leave: “By by, Joun Bull!” hesaid. “Go back to the i and tell your countrymen how rpm came over to see the elephant, and found tew home!” He then backed out of the Yalley., keeping Mt. Morey covered, until the hiil hid him from view. His lordship went back to the ranch and sought tis room, where he could curse himself unmolested. He had lost about three thousand dollars in money, besides a handsome woetrh and other jeweiry. “Boiled aguin!” be hissed, pacing the ocr | like a caged tion. “But, by H z fight it out on this line wh I win or los» ail, If Ralph Revere is in this country, alive, I will find him and makv him answer my purpose. To that I solemnly swear.” Shortly after his meeting with Mt. Morey, Wild Frank entered the supper-room of t raneh to get his evening’s :ations, which were being prevared,. As he cid so he saw Rahblee in the act of drop- ping something into his (Frank’s) cup of coffe, whieb had already been placed upon the table. Suspecting his oorrible intention, the Buckx- akin Breve whipped his revolver from bis b: lt with a lightning movement, and fired, the bul- let shattering the treacherous Frenchman’s wrist, and causing him to leap about and yell lustily. The supper room was the scene of confusion in an instant. John Papaneuga accompanied by several herders rusieo im, armed with r flex, and were followed ni:most instuntly by Tlauming Bird and Lady Lily. “Wuatis the matter?’ Jai Puapanaugh do- manded of Frank. ‘“ Who fired that sot?’ “T am the mana,” the Bravo repied, com- daly. “Ientere! this room just in tine to detect yonder howling covote in the aet of putting something in my coffe. Suspecting his devilish design, I shot bim through the wr s5.” ** How is this?’ Papanaugh demanded, roma rawing a revolver, and advancing toward Da bles. ‘Explain, sir, or Vl finish the job Wild Frank has just begun.” “Is all ze grande mistake,” the Par’sian chat- tered,. between ns of pain, his face deathly pale. * Ze mi-lord bilious, and be told me to prepare ze proper remedy, and put it in bis coffe, at ze end of ze table. I do zit, when ze ruffi in shoot me in ze wrist with ze pis‘ol.” “Ts this true?’ Papanaugh demanded, turning to Mt. Morey, who had entered just in time to overhear what bad been said. “Of course it is true, only the devilish fool has mide a mistake in the end of the table wh r: I sit,” lis lordship lied, unblushiugly. “This may all seem plausiuie to the rest of you, Lut Ido rot feel inclined to swallow it, no More than would I yonder ceffee,” Wild Frank replied. “If it is true that what his Frenchness dropped into the coffee was rye a remedy fcr biliousnes—then perhaps he will not object to drinking the cup of coffee to satisfy my sus- picion of foul play.” *Pshaw! this is nonsense!’ Mt. Morey pro- tested, blusteringly. “Zis is utter madness,” Raklee added. ‘ Ze remedy cure biliousnes-, tut be sure death to any person z2t is not afflicted with ze ailment. Iam in ze most perfect health—mon dieu, it would be ze deach of me!” aud he looked all the horror he knew how. “Your story is weak,” Wild Frank said. “But, Pl give you one more chance. Let the a drink the coffee for whom it was prepared. f it does not kill him, [ll drop the matter, here.” “Curses, no!” Mt, M rey cried. “TI have mite recovered from my attack, and it would Bin me, of cour e.” *« Presumedly!” the Buckskin Bravo retorted. * Your disease evidently was short lived.” Then g to Rablee he added: ‘‘ And to you, sir, il vive one hour to forever leave this vicinity. If Lever catch sight of you, after that Pl cut your treaclerous heart out!’ CHAPTER XX. THE BIRD AND THE VULTURE. “Wiip Frank tig fool!’ John Papanaugh said, growlingly. ‘Ought to kill and scalp the snake ot the spot.” ** No!” the scout said, ealmly, ‘‘for it has al- ways bron my rule to give an eremy a chance for his life. As TI would cisdain to cress wen- ns with yonder wretch, I’)} do the next best hing—give bim a chance for his life, safe y eavens, 2 Vil. | OD. Sas ww, us ough nothi : Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. promising him that if he ever crosses my path again, it shall be his —. Go, sir— make baste, lest I be tempted to kill you on the spot!” A window was open at Rablee’s elbow, and ame —. —o a rol tied” he ea through it ppeared, d, no doubt, to escape with his life. “And now, as for you,” Wild Frank said, facing Mt. Morey, ‘* whom I believe to be impli- cated in this cowardly attempt on my life, [ shall extend to you the waruing to not get nearer to me than five feet, lest I slap your rovtl fur vou 27d thus necessitate an affair of wwic., in Whicii-y a would come up missing.” He then tur.ec ond strede w the bar-room, had happened. Mt Morey took advantage of the chance af- forded him, and returned to his room, where ouce more he paced tbe floor in astate of baffled a that knew no Lounds. ild Frank retired early that night, for it was his intention to take a ride to the inoun- tains early the tollowing morning, fer a parpose which he alone knew, In fact, every one within the ranch retired earlier than u-ual except Humming-Bird, who sai up after the rest had retired to talk with her new suitor, stalwart band:ome Jack de Herne. Fi was nearly midnight ere the herder took leave, and the pretty half-breed girl accompa- nied him to the door to say go d-night as he strode across the prairie to his own cabin. She stood thus in the doorway, the cool even- ing breezo tossmg her luxuriant hair, until his footsteps had grown inaudible, and was about turning to re-enter the ranch, when she heard a faint cry. With a start, she stopped breathing for an in- stant, and tent forward in an attitude of lis tening. The ery had not sounded more than a dozen yards away. “* Biraiel a help!” she now heard, distinet- ly, a little further off. “Something has happened to Jack,” che garped. and ran swiftly out on the prairie in the irection of the cry, not stopping to consicer. And, seareely a rod had she gone, when a man sprung up from behind a little prairie knoll and seizod her. She instantly recognized him as being Bob Hurris, and uttered a shrill scream of alarm. With an oath, he sprung away, with ber in his aris, holding a hand over her mouth. Her seream had teen the signal for two score of red-skins to oe from the grass, and sur rounl the ranch with hideous war-cries, and a fierce attack was made upon tke cabin door, whieh had been slammed shut, and barred, just in time to prevent their rey It was Wild Frank who bad done this, just in the niek of time, He had Humming Bird’s scream, leaped from his couch of skins and down the stairsall in almost an instant; he saw the swarm of dusky forms out on the prai- rie, - shut and barred the door in another in- stan He wes already dressed, as luck would have it, not having undressed on retiring, and, seiz- ing his trusty rifle, he took a place at one of the oo on the defensive. @ was speedity joined by John Fapanaugh, who came tumbling down thestairs more asleep than awake. ‘* What's the matter?” he cried, intuitively seizirg his rifle, and rubbing bis eyer. “ The matter is that Birdie’s gone, and we’re surrounded by reds,” Frenk replied. And, even as he spoke the Indians without vommenced a fierce attack upon the coor of the cabin with their tomahawks. **You hear?’ the scout continued, grimly. “They mean business, and there’s only six of us in the ranch, four of whom cannot be de- pended on. It remains for us two to—work /” Papanaugh nodded understandingly. He was fully awake now, and griped bis rifle with savage determination. Several shots were fired, but were only an- swered by derisive yells, They did not reach the savage attackers, “We must manage to reach them from some other source, before thev get the door down, or our game is up,” Frank declared. anxiously. ‘**Me got it fixed,” the half-breed lied, as he pointed to two plugs, one of which was driven slant-wise into e’t>er door-po:t theslant being toward each other, and pointirg to a center without, opposite the center of the door. ‘** Pull plugs out, and find loop-holes.” This was accordingly done, and a literal vol- ley fired upon the hor’e of savages eround the door, followed by another and another as fast as the two defenders could manipulate their re- peating rifles, It was not cries of derision that now answer- ed their fire, but yells of mortal pain, and of rage, and there was a general stampede from the vicinity of the door, tollowed by a brooding i il : down-stairs, earrying y Lily came do now, a light sporting rifle, of handsome finish. *Am I too latef” she cried, gayly. ‘I’m sure I could hit one of the savage brutes.” “We've scatterrd ‘em, for the present,” Wild Frank replied, smiling. ‘- You may Ex sibly bave an opportunity yet, letore the night is over. Where TS his lord] > **In the ballway, above, ¢1 ouching in one corner like a scared pcodle,” Lady Lily replied. “TI wouldn’t be such a timid goose as xe is, for the world.” For nearly an hour the quiet continued, and not a sign of the enemy couid be seen or beard “T reckon they’ve gone, for good,” Papa- raugh said. **Don’t fool yourself. They'll not give up without another attack,” the Buckskin Bravo replied. ‘ Ab! dido’t I tell you!” A loud chorus of yells now pealed forth, on all sides of the cabin. They had surrounded it. ‘* Now, then, each one take a loop-hole, and watch for a painted head,” Frank said, and ac- cordingly three sides of the eabin were taken es a F ter the series of yells, all again became quiet without. What the reds were doing was unknown to the three defenders, for nothing could be seen of them, for upward of an hour. Then Wild Frank discovered them, mounted upon their ponies, and riding swiftly toward the north through the moonlight. The cause of their flight soon became ap- parent, asa band of mountain Lerde:s dushed past the cabin in bot pursuit, The danger was over. A consultation was now held, and Wild Frank declared his intention of going in quest ot Hum- mi Gerore " Lady Lily said, leadi * Belore you go y Lily said, lea him to one Jae “T want you to tell me = ou know about me.” “*About youf’ Frank asked, feigning sur prise. “Yes, about me. I accidentally overheard the words between ycu end Mt. Morey, to- night, as you stood outside the cabin, and am —, tbat you know whether I em the real illian Revere or not. If you do know, for Heaven's sake tell me, aud relieve me of an awful nse.” **T will tell you all, on eondition that you will consent to rary op my return from flading Humming Bird,” the scout said, earnest- ly. “I have grown to leve you sincerely, ce meeting you, and trust you will give my honest affection encouragement.” “Ido not deny a strong love for you, Wild Frank,” was the slow reply, as she gazed up into his eyes, “and if I am really Lillian Revere, I will gladly give you my hand. But if I am come nameless cutcast, picked up b Mt. Morey, I will never wed any man—l w kill myself and end my—misery !’ CHAPTER XXI, THE MEDICINE WOMAN REVEALED. ‘*THatT would be very wrong,” the secut ab swered, taking her sicnder bands in his strong ones. “To throw away a life because you could rot command a title, wculd be utter non- sense, especially when you weuld have a true and faithful protector in me.” “Then am I not the real Lillian Revere?’ she demandec, wildly. “It must be so, or you would not talk that way.” “Pshaw! Do not get excited. I cannot an- swer oe: anenien ee = retuin, bey I may poss. n Ralp vere with m Pm § also bis wife. “Oh! donot! They will denounce me as a fraud and im Ce “Maybe not. If they should, you know to whom you may fly for love and protection, through life.” “No! no! Gladly will I accept your offer, Wild Frank, it I can come to you in bridal w ith a title and plenty of money, but never will I wed you, knowing that I am scme nameless waif of the streets of London, picked up by Mt. Morey 1o further his mercenary schemes, I would rather go away to some lonely spot and lay down and die, in the consciousness that I was guiltless of casting my humble lot with a man of noble nature like you,” wee ee
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—=—— “Well, when I return, I co not think you will have cuuse tur a moment to cors der such a ; rash move. By-ly, now! A lover’s ki-s, and then Lam merrily otf over the prairies w the reseue of the Humming Bird.” The kisses were cxcuun ed Letween_ this strapecly contrasted pau; then Wild Frank left the ranch, prov ured bis horse, and was soun gal oping away toward tho Lort.u-west, through the waning mooulight. He dia wot toliew the trail of tho red-skins, who, with their ;ursu rs, Lud d.say peared trou view down ad:c.ine ia tho p:airic, but struck off in a course which exverience Lad taught bim was « vearer route to tbe hills, Au hour’s swi't riie Lrougit him to the foot- bills of a rocky range, and be entered the same gulch th t Humming Bird had entered a few nig! ts previous, en:l was soon standing at tne ee cf the singular apertury whero she had stood. “elo!” he clalleized, through the hole. “Spirit Med cine wo.san, ahoy!” “What's wanted and who cslls?’ was tho almost immediato answer iu an unearthly and sepulchral tone. ‘It isI, Wild Frank, the scout,” the Buck- skin Bravo answere|. ‘‘1 have come to beg a erzon 1 and immediate interview with tho Spirit Medic ne Woman.” ‘“‘Impossiule!’ was the reply. ‘‘ Carthy be- ings cn never gain acces to tho realms of departe | syirits unt:l after death.” “Pshow! enough of nonsenso,” Wild Frank retuined. impatiently. ‘‘If you ere the ore who fifteen years ago was the wifo of S:r Ralph Revere. in L ndon, for Ileaven’s sake los me in, as Lhave something cf vital importance to con- min icate.” “Woietcauso hove you for imagining me to be Luly Revere?” tho socres mediciue woman demanied, * Bo ceuse I havo pictures of yourself, your husb:n land child, and have scen your face on one “l more occ: sions curing my 1axbles over in the mountains,” wes tuo scout’s prompt an- swer. Toilowing which there was a s:lenco of several minutes’ duration, So long did ii continud that Wild Frank ¢row impa ient, and ones more applied Lis mouth to tie onorture. one are you going to admit moor not?” ho aske’. **Yer, follow me,” a voico said a4 his clbow, and ‘urning be beacld a matroniy iooking woma of some fifty years standing near Lim. Sse wes attired in a dress of Luckskiu, and wore ber hair down over her shoulders. Her eyes were trown, and ber face, thourh jur- rowed by time and its neighbor, sorrow, still bore traces of an carly beauty. She led the way down tho s‘eps, up the guleh a few yards, and into a black fissure in tue rocks, which barely admitted tho passage of their bodies. Following tho fissure a short dis- tance, they suddenly emerged into a cavern of consider ble sizo, which wes lighted by a ruddy fire turning in the center. A few rude stools, souches of skins, a rough table, and some pots and kettles comprised tue furniture, with the exception of a rifle. Upon ore of the couches of furs, near the fire, reclined a man, who arose upon his elbow as ths medicine-wwoman entered, accompanied by tie Buckskin Bravo. It requctre.l but 2 glanco from the scont’s eagle phy Me revognizo him £s tho lunatic, Angel Ga- rie}. “Bo sca‘ecd,” the woman said, “and state your crrand.” “LT wilds Are you tho wife of Sir Ralph Reverc?’ **Tam,” was tho reply. “ Anal this men ic—” “Ky husband, sir.” “IT thougat_as mtch, when I saw him a few nights ago. We is laboring und>r insanity, is he not: “ No, for, thanks fo this fooi Samaritan, I have fu.ly recovered, s> thatallisclear to me and Lr cognize you!” Sr Ratp 4 sail, rising and extending his hand. ‘* You, sir, are the one to whom { consigned my two-year-old child, on Lae Novembcr night, fifteea years ago, aro you no! ?* “Tam Wild Fran’, res, and reeeived euch a child. But, you wer: cea ere I left you.” “No, nos dead—only ina swoon, fuperinduced by the faintress caused by my erm, and want of food. I afterward recovered, kut Lereft of reason to some extent.” “Ane you?” the scout ssid, turning to Lady Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. this strange life romance in which I have had a 10 ¢” “Ican,” was the reply, ‘ for lhave compare1 stories with my husband, and we thoroughly understand how basely we have been wronged by the villainy of another. But tell me—is Lord hit. Morey bere in the West, as 1 ve ve heard?” ‘There is such a man now at Papanaugh’s Ranch,” Wild Frank replied, respect: ully. ** And is he accompanied by a young woman whom he claims is our child—minue aud S.r Ralph's?” Tce, my lay.” “Thon, what we most want.to know—is that our Lillian? You, sir, ssould know, into whose care my husband placed tho livtlo taing fifteen years ago.” Wild Frank did not answer immediately. Ie was suddenly assailed with a temptation to de- clare the une he loved so dearly to be tho right and only Lillian Revere, What harm could it be?, No one but he and Mt. Morey would know different, perhaps, and it might save a Jifo, Then Listhoughts reverted to the little prairie grave, and a feeling of ox- quisite sadness stolo o’er him. CHAPTER XXII. A BITTER REVELATION. “You do not answer,” Sir Ralph said. “What aro we to iufer by your silence? that our child is living or dead?” “She is dead,” Wild Frank replied, gravely “and lies buried upon the prairie bus a few miles from here. {ter you gavo hcr to me, I tosk ber to my solitary mountain home, and there carefully reared her until she becamea pretty, healthiul little maiden, of sweet dispe- tition and winning ways. I taught heras much as I knew how, and bought her books to read, when at the settlements, so that she was soon able to turn about and teach me. Sze ncver left the cabin further than to seek a neighbor- ing peak which commanded a view of the Lroad prairies, and when she died, of a sudden fever, she requested me to place her grave down in the prairie. I fulfilled ber wish, and placed a marble slab at her head, to mark her last rest- ing-place. She was as dear to mo as if sho were in reality my own child, and her ceath cast. a deep giocm over my life, “Tow long ago did she dc?” * Noarly fivo years. I never cxamined tho contents of the box you gavo me, uniil a few Lights since.” ero was a short silonco, and then Lady Revere said; ‘Twill now relate my story, and we will compare notes. According to my Lusband, revious to his flight from England, L:rd Mt. orey prejudiced him against me by a lying 1e- port that 1 was in love with him—M1.. Morey —und no longer wished to be tied tomy own husband. This was the eause of Sir Iphb’s flight. Llearned it ofterward from Mt. Morey, who taunted me with the fact. About tho same time my husband left London, I was sent wor. that he was dangerously hurt, and lying in a private hospital in another part cf London. Leaving my child in charge of my French nurse, I hastened to tho place, suspceting no evil until too late, when I found myscif incer- cerated in a privates mad-house, hopelcesly in- sane, they said. Maybo I was, ab timcs—it seemed tom > I should gocrazy. In duo time Mt. Morey called upon mo, and cffcred to secure my release if Lf would marry him before I saw the outside of my dungeon. I rcfused him, of course. Again and again he came with his offer, and as many times I scornfully repulsed him, until one-day, in a taunting mood, he told me how he had been tho projeetor of ene of the most devilish plots over concocted, tho result of which, you already can see—my husband driven from England, and I placed in an ssyium. The cbject. he said was to get possession of some money which he first believed had failen to me, but later learnet was willed to my child, After that. his visits ceased for a time, until one day he visited me in company with another man, and asked me if a little girl, whom he had also brought along, was my child, winking at me ns much as to say that if I would identify the child as mine, he would liberate me. “Of course I denied the child, emphatically, and they left. After that I was not visited bv any one except my keepers. Nearly a year I remained in the mad-house; then 1 escaped. You may rest assured it was the happiest dav of my life. In a secluded part of London I went to work, until had accumulated encugh at to defray my expenses to America. ere Knowing be had always talked much of Western Awerica, I eame to the West in searci: of_bim, For tweive years I roamed tirough the States and Territories as an Incian meuicine woman, ever on the search. I had a kuowk dge ot medi- cine, and by experience acquired more, ‘Pwelve years without success. Two years ago, Lran across Sir Raiph, as 1 le iever, and icud hima lunatic. I brought him bere, and worked over Lim w restore his mind, but when I was just Legivuiug to have bopes, le dis- appeared, and I did not see him ogain for montis. Tous four times did Ll run across him and be escape me. A few nights ago, I f und bits wounded, upon the praiie, and brought Lim hither, ani by tke gr: ce of God I hive suc- ceeded in bringing back his {full reason.” “You are a nobis woman,” the scout said, heartily, ‘‘and He who ever watcles over us will ever after guide you iutoa hapyy | athwey. I feel sorry for one persou—the poor misled girl who has been taught to sup that ste was Lillian Revere. She is a noble, sweet-hearted girl, and my only wish is that she mi; ht always be led, in the future as in the past, to su; pose that she is really your daughter.” “If she is euch a pure, voble girl as you de- seribe, I see no reason why we should mar ber oung life by not ciaiming her, as cur own, so es as our own child is dead,” Sir Ralph sid, turning to Lacy Revere. “] will not ot j ct, deer busbard, for I have cyes keen encuch to sce that our true and tried friend Lore, Wild Frenk, wlo cared for our poor Lillian, is in Jove with this fils» beiress, end lieel that we ought to reward wim, But should we cleim ber, Mt. Morey, ont of spite, would bo likely to give the whole deception away. “That can he erranged,” Wild Frank seid. “In yeur neme I will Lave Lim s ized and taken to tle post, charged with bis ecw ral cr'minal cc's. Sou, Sir Ralph can then visit him and cficr Lim his liLerty if he will forever quit the co ntry and give up his game.” “By nomceans! I shai] seck him as secon es Iam alloand eclallenge Lim to meet me with swords,” the baronct said, sternly, “ard ir I cm half as good a man as J ence was, I can for- ever settle cur account. I should never rest easy otherwise.” ‘Do cs you like about that, sir. J must now bid you adicu, for I have a mission in the moun- tains that demencs my attention. I suppose I will sco you next at the settlement.” * Yes. We ehal! piobably go there to face our old foe to-morros .” £ir Ralph responded. He then showed Wild Frank fr: m the cavern, and the scout set cff on Loimback into the mcuntains, he cid not know the exect Jocation of the out- law’s rendezvous, but wes retolved to search for it m til he found it, if it took a month, He 1 ode along the gulch until be «ime to a transvesse guich, he dismounted and pichcted bis horse. He had scareely done so ere a score of painted red-skins sprung up fiom tbe shelter of various trees and 1.ocks ana eurrourded Lim with yells of victory. Drawiig his revelver the eat scout beran a deadly fire irto their midst, and iull balf their rumter lay cutstretched upon the ground ere Le was forced to sul mit to overpowering odds, “Aha! so weve caught yru at jest, elf” a trium, Lant voice criee, as the red devis were Lining him. erd Jim Harris st: pred into view, *T allow we'll have a roast up at comp now, D’ve lear, dcvil scout, we're going to reist ye alive!” ‘Roast and be hanged,” was the dcflant en- swer of the Buckskin Brave. CHAPTER XXTTI. IN THE HUMAN TIGERS DEN. Wrrrocr surther nhs a thick hauinge was placed lefcro Wild Frank’s eves, and be was marched cif Litwecn a group of bis red tors. Not a word was sroken, erly the reund of many footfells awzkeuing the echoes ct the rccky revine. It wes fully an bour, as rear as the srout eould judge, before a halt was mace, and the bandage }emoved from hcfore hiseyes, enabling him to note his rurroundings. The halt had been made in the interior of a large rocky cavern, in front of the narrow en- trancs to which was a level rocky plateau. Looking out of the entranee the prisorer could, sce nething but blank space, and rightly con- cluded that the cave was near the top of a moun- came, in search of my husband and ; tain, but jus) which one be had-no way of Revere—“can you favor me wita the facts of | child, praying God to assist mo to find them. ' learning.
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14 —— — The interior of the cavern which was fui~- Uo», aowever, and was resolved to sell his life niahed with iurs, weapons and usual camp evpur- tenances, was the retreat of Wyvwing Bill and his desperate gang of renegude rex and white outiaws; but, alas! jor tbe aforesaid band, they had lost their notorious chief. Among those who surrounded him Wild Prank was uot surprised to see the Harris brothers an] Doc Deering. He had long sus- pected that they belonged to the outlaws; but, until now, bad not been able to obtain any proof against them. ** Yas, this is our head-quarters,” Jim Harris remarked, ivterpreting the meanivg of the seout’s glance around. ‘‘How d’ye like the leoks of it? Reckona it don’t look purty wel- eome, eb?” ‘*Oul he’s no doubt glad to fall into such con- genial company,” the doctor chuckleJ. * Better githim a Bible,” Bob Harrissneered, “so that he kiu begin ter learn how to say bis Lop * You need not trouble yourself,” Wild Frank retorted. **Ten to ove you threo ruffians will need to say your prayers tefore I will.” At this the outlaw laughed, loudly, and turned away. The Indians then bound the scout’s feet, and he was tossed upon a pile of skins in a dark co ner of the cave, where he was left, no ove coming near him, for hours, Day dawn soon peeped in at the mouth of the eave, and ho could see the red-skins congregate | upon the plateau without. and also the whie outlaws, and concluded that they were bolding & pow-wow—probably concerning what dis- position was to be made of their prisoner. What would be the reoult? To Wild Frank it was apparent that some horrible plan of torture would be devised, which would end in death, unless he was rescued, He had been a foe to the outlaw band for the past three years, such as it bad knowu in no other person; wis rifle baving made wide gaps in their numbers. | ® therefore well knew they would show him no merey, but tax theiringenuity to devise some terrible punishment to inflict upon him, That no one would come to his rescue he felt eertain, for bis two pards were on their way to the military post, and there was no one else in the vicinity who would come in search of him. The prospect’ was tuerefore anything but nt. He was in the midst of contemplation of his atuation when he fe't a rT fa touch upou his haek, and whirled around to find no one less than the Humiming Bird near bim. ‘ “Sb! for your life, don’t speak above a whis- per!’ she said, in a smothered tone. “i have managed to get here without attracting notice, Do foe know what they propose to do with you, Wild Frank?” “No more than that they threatened to roast me,” the scout replied. “Yes; that is just what they intend to do,” the ha‘f-breed girl assured. “That is what they are even now holding the confab about, eutside. You must escaps now, if ever.” **Tuat is impossitle, I fear,” with a dubious shake of bis head. “lam bound and helpless, and unarmed.” “Twill free you of your bonds.” Hummin Bird replied, produeing a sharp kcife, an severing the cords tuat bound his hands and feet. ** Now take this knife, and watch your ehance to make y.ur escape. * But you— I came to rescue you, and can- not — without you?” es not risk your own safety on my ac- eount,” the girl.answered. “1 have a ketter = will work with less danger. Bob threatens to give me my liberty, and take me hack to the rancb, if I will consent to marry him as soon as we get there. I shall con- sent to this, and thus,get back to my brother, ‘and then denounce these ruffians.” je “But, is this not risky? They may force you to keep pom pledge.” “That they cannet do, Bc lore they can make me, you cau probably come and arrest ** If successful, in escaping, yes, It would be a triampb I would crave.” “Then, I will look for you. ‘Sb! some one is so I must go. I may not see you again, re. She glided away through a fissuro in the rock, into some inner cave, and that was the last the . scout saw of ber, in the rencezvous. The three outlaws now entered, and aprproach- ed whore Wild Frank still ley, as if bound and . He had the knife concealed in the sleeve of his buckskin jacket, ready for instant i dearly. ** Well, we’ve held a meeting,” Jim Harris sail, fo.iding bis arms, ‘‘ and tre reds reckon as how they orter bev ye ier a roast. You've killed a heap of their brothers, and raise tle Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. | thing, and fur the instant the two mortal ene- mies stood glaring at each other, neither mak- jing a single motion—otfensive or deleusive, | ‘Till, wieh a faint hiss, the Buckskin Bravo | teaped forward, with a lightnuing-like move- | meut, and plunged tne knite into the :iffien’s devil, generally, and they alow they’d feel | breast, at the sume time clutching bis thicat to sater ef you war evaporated in a cloud o’ smoke. / | prevent his raising an alarm. An’ so, as we’re unuer deep obligations to tie | knife ke then supported Earris bac TO} ping the to the aforesaid reds, we must reud our tearts in sor- | ground, and held uim there till his life eLbed row aud lose you, our loved one.” **] would 1 nad a handkerehiet to wipe away a silent tear,” quoth Deerns, with u mocx sniffle, **Or some cologne to alleviate the odor of roast jackass, preseutly,” B»b Harris added. * How long vefore the mmteresting ceremony is to. commeuce, may I ask?’ Wilu Frank in- quired, with the utmost composure, “ You’il be informed, as svon as we decide,” Jim Harris answered, turning away, fuliowed by his comrades, “They returned in about an hour, however, and Bob Harris said: become Mrs we've won cverything. 1 start ac onee for mid- prairie, where toe ceremony will be periormed to-morrow eve, at six o’cl ck, by the Reverend Doctor Deerivg, bere. keep us company. The remainder of ’em, sid brother Jim will stay bere, and to-morrow eve, | at six o'clock, the fires will be ligtited wrat is to | burn yeup. We'd bave a littl, vietory dance dowa on vbe prairie in celebration of the event. Ha! ha! you'll be getting just c:mfortably warm, about the time we’re getting hitched. [ shall snuff the air, ex venison, up this way. Ta! tal! old lene-hair. L wish you a warm and pleasant trip. Drop me a postal card, when you cross tae jine, aud tell me how you like it.” “Perhaps you will hear from me again,” Wild Prauk suggested significantly. CHAPTER XXIV: A TIMELY VIOTORY, Wrip Frank was now lett to himself again and such unpleasant reflections as the nature of his situation would admit. To be sure, he had liberty of limb, thanks to the Humming Bird, but that fact entailed no certainty of his ultimate escape from the strongaold. Still, be was more hopeful than before, and resolved to make a determined effort for his freedom, as soon as the proper time arrived, Bob Harris and the ne we Bird, eecom- paaied by Doc Deering and a dczen renegade red-skins, soon left the cave, en rvute for the prairie, where the ceremony was to take place. After they had gone, and when the shades of night were creeping into the cave, Jim Harris brought a heavy blanket, and lay down between Wild Frank and the mouth of the cave. “Til keep ye company, as I »eckon ye must be lonesum»,” he said, with a boarse leugh, ‘*How fur hey ye got yer pathway smoothed toward the t’other wor!d, scout?” Harris,” was the calm reply. ‘‘ You probably kuow that Wild Frank is not a coward, like you and your vagabo.d crew!” “Waal, now, Lain’t so sure about that just yet. Dll bev ter watch the flames tickle yer shins before I kin decide. I’ve hed ther pleas- ure of attendin’ sech picnics *fore now when bigger fellers than you howled camp-meetin’ tunes fer ther reds to dance by. By the way, what are yo goin’ ter givens as ye go off t bandle—Money Musk, or Virginia Reel?” Part of the revs will | ting to smejl roast | “> far that I am vot afraid to die, Jim | pe ae bim step forward an ever \ out. It was a terrible act, but after all, it wes in the defeuse of jife, and not a tithe as terrible as | the ares Harris had fcrmed tor the sccut’s dis- | poral, | Satisfled that Harris was dead, Wild Frank ; appropriated the cutlaw’s revolvers, and once more rose to his feet. The silent cncounter had not sroused any of the sleeping reds, and Le stole cauticusly teward the mouth of the cave, and soon succeeded in | gaining the plateau, outside, and the Jree air of | Liberty. | “Now, then, to the rescue, again,” he mutter- “The fair Huwming Bird has consented to | Boo Harr.s, old Loy, so you see | ed. “The first thing is to get cut of the mcun- tains, and the next thing is to pick the trail of Bob Hurris and his pariy. After that, kave it to me te step in aud win tle game.” A few more reeues will stflice to close our | little life di aima. In the leart cf a decp prairie motte, where nature Lad kft a little clharing, stocd a group vt nd le, at six o'clock the following day. ust noticeable, was Bub Harris, who held the Huu ming Bird leside Lim, evidently against her will, fcr she wos crying titterly. In front of them Deering etocd with an cpen | pray er-Lock, while the red-skins were squatting | arcund the trio in a circle. | “Sbct up yer sniveling!” Rob Harris was eay- irg, **feret won’t do ye no good. Ye’ve got ler marry we now, an’ Lert, an’ ther sooner ther tetter. Ye ucedn’t think ye kin git out of it, fer ye can’t.” **IT want to go to the ranch—I won't marry any one till lsee my brother,” Humming Bird tearfully protested. * Yer goin’ to do as ZI want—not as you want!” Harris wled, drawing and cocking a revolver, and placing it against the side of ber: head, “ It’s jest six o’clock now, and we'll pro | ceed with the ceremeny, know io’ that the flames | even now begin to tickle the k gs of Wild Frank! | Hal ha! revenge is sweet, can even now sinell bis flesh scorching !” “* Monster!” Humming Bird gasped. *“Bhet up!” her proposed spouse grvfily re- | plied. “Jest ye mind what ther minister sez, | an’ enswer as yer orter, or PII pull ther trigger and «ff yer head, Go ahead, docter; le } | the funeral purceed.” Accordingly Deering proceeded to read from the Look a marriege xivice, and soon came to | the query passage, which he modified to suit the | occasion: | _ “If thar’s enny one present who has got any reason ter say why this u arriage shall not take say so, or for- ereafter shet up!” “Ard I step forward, here and now, to for- bid the banas!” Wild Frank cried, lecping {or- ward into the glade, from the > of the timber, followed by Zaugning Len, Eagle Rye, end full two score of cavalrymen. ‘ Stand an | deliver in the name of the law!” The surprise was complete and overwhelm | and the Indians and two outlaws were secur in the sane t'me it takes to tell it. ‘Ha! ha} you smell my meat roasting, eb? “If I were tobe so lucky as to get free, Pd | Wild Fravk said, grimly ccnfrontir ve you a tune you'd never recover from,” the | Harris. uckskin Bravo replied. “But ye won't git free. I’m goin’ ter lay right here, my gay cavalier, and watch thet ye don’t escape to-night, To-morrow I'll hand-you over to Scur-Face and bis reds to prepare for tbe stake. Ha! bat” “ That’s right—laugh while you feel like it,” the scout said, with a terrible glitter in his eves, “for you may never get another so good a chance.” The outlaw did not reply, but rolled himself in his blanket, preparatory for a nap, and it Mae e “ Why con’t you and Decring & silent tear? You'll bave plenty of time cn your way to the post to join Wyoming Bill’s tight rope performance.” Taking Humming Bird, Wild Prank soon after set out for Papanaugh’s, while the soliliers went into camp, until the morrow, when a raid was to be made on the outlaws’ stronghold. Ou his way to tte rai ch, the scout related to Humming Bird how be tad escaped, and, as Inck would have it, had fallen in with the cav- alry, who were on the way to the hills to rout out the outlaws. Len and Eagle Eyr hed also was but a short wnile ere his heavy breathing | met them, and sending the outlaw chief on to pronounced him to be ) Theu Wild Frank nerved himself for the task | before him. All the reds were rolled in their blavkets in another part of the cavern—Harris’s body was the only obstacle between the scout and liberty! Grasping his knife firmly in his right band, he arose quickly and softly to his feet. To his surprise Jim Harris did the very same | the frort in charge of a poese of rcldiers, Lad cowe back to help take the rendezvous. CHAPTER XXV. MT MOREY’S PARTING THRUST—CONCLUSION. ARRIVING at the ranch with Humming ite 9 Wild Frank found Sir Ralph end Lady Reve already there, and Lord Mt. Morey and tis as- sociates gone. i e+
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Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, ———. Tho villainous nobleman had sloped shortly pefore Kevere’s arrival, having evidently got wind of his coming, and concluded vot tu tempt death by remaiuing to meet one whom he bad zo deeply wronged. §.ick aud his valet had also gone. The English law7zer had also departed, having adjusted the business and settied the fortune upon Lady Lillian, whom Sir Ralph had recog- nized as his own child. Q Findiog everything all wcrking well, Wild Prank took leave early in the morning, to join the raid vpon the mountain stronghold, prowis- ing to be back within a week when it was ar- ranged that heand Lady Lily saould be wedded and also at the same time, Jack de Herne au Har: «ning Bird. 6 attack upon the rendezvous was success- fully made, one night later, and all the Indians either killed or captured. Thus ended ths existence of one of the worst bands of outlaws that ever infested the wilds of omins—a band not the ersation of fictioa but ruffians of life and reality. At the conclusion of the raid, Wild Frank and bis pards returned to Papanauh’s, where the Buckskin Bravo received ono of the hardest blows of his life. Lidy Lily had disappeared, and not a traco | could be found of her. All that the Reveres knew about tho matter, | was explained in a letter which she had leit bo hin i, addressed to the scout. It read as follows: “Wito Frixk: When you ret this I shall bo for from here, dead. Ihave found out the doceis thet has been practiced on mo, Mt. Morey has sent mo 4 taunting letter telling mothatI am not the child of the Rever’s, but the daughter of a rum-drinking old match-woman in Londoa. God forbil, now, that I shoul: ever have lived to Jove and be love, when my low birth plac 6 an eternal barrier between us, -by, lovel May we meet to know one another in the next world. “ Your betrctied—in death, ** Lany,’ With the keenest anguish the Buckskin Bravo read th’s, and for days, weeks —ay, even months he scoured the prairies in searea of hi; loss pineal, but never found her. 1; Mt. Morey and his crew were never after heard from; at this writing Laughing Ln an L Eagle are up in North Montana trapping; Wil Frank lies sick in Kansas City, Mo.—and hera we lay our i in its bracket, light ouwr sanctum THE END. THE STANDARD DIM: DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS LOR SCHOOL BXH'B'ITIONS AND HOM@ BNTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to97 tucliisive, 15 to 23 - and dramas ia each book. Ea vai: 708, Speakers, Nos. 1 to &3iaclusive. Each speaker 190 pages 12mo, containiny from 5) te 73 jalsces, YOUNG PHROPLE’S SERINY, ®tng Book of Skating and Winter S,erts. Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. 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— ro eee cre ee — ——| BEADLE'’S 1 Deadwood Dick, taz Price or THE Roan, 2 Yellowstone Jack, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 8 Mansas Kime; or, Tae Rep Ricat Wanp. he Wild-Horse Hunters By Captain Mayne Reid aud Captam bt rederick Whittaker. or, PLorimxe Fox A Lecacy., By Cli Coomes, § Bill eee as Trapper. By E.5. Ellis, east. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. & Seth Jones. By Edward &. Ellis, 1@ Nat Todd. by E. S. Elis. 11 The Two Detectives; or, Tae Fortunes 32 Gulliver’s Vravel.. By Dean Swift, : rire Dumb Spy. By Oil Coomes. A “ee Sea-Cat. By Captain lVred. Whittaker. TS WoBInseU Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) Fue.wrtwve YAacut. oF Col. Prentiss Ingrahain. ‘8 Sindbad the Sailor, His Seven Voyages, '20 Khe Doubdle Daggers; or, Deapwuop Prex's cE. By E¢ward L. Wheeler. ‘22 ‘Whe Sea ser;ent; or, Tat Boy Rosinson Urnusor. By Juan Lewis. By T. C. Harbaugh. 23 Seusnona Di-k, By Onienel P. Ingraham, $6 Clovew Hoof, tue BorraLco Demon; or, TREE Borper Voutores. Ly E.lward L. Wheeler. 28 Buffalo Wen, Tar PRince or THE PISTOL; or, DEADwoop Lick In Liseuise. FE. L. Wheeler. 80 Roaring Ralph Reockwvod , THE RECK- pass Kancer., By Harry St. George. {21 Coomes. 82 Bob Weolf, tne Borven Rorrran; or, Ta 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, Tom Rzp TES OF THE CaRtspers. By &. W. Picrce. By. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 Wild Ivan, tae Boy Cuavpr Bovis or, ‘THE 86 The Boy Clown. By Frank S. Finn. i ‘$87 Who Hidden Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh. 39 Death-Face, tac Derectivs; or, Lire «np Love In Naw Yors. By Elward L. Whceler. can Wuo WANTED To Sez THE WorLe. Mar 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. Dioxr’s Bonanza. By Edward L. 43 Dick Darling, raz Povy Exrrazss Ror 44 Rattling Rube. By Harry St. Goorgo. 45 Old pmienehe, THE GRUAT ANNITITATOR; AG Glass Kye, tae Great Soot oF THE WEST. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 48 Black John, re Roav-AGENT; or, Tur Ovt- LAws’ Retreat. By Jos, Kk. Badger, Jr. woop Dick In Dancer. By Edward L, Wheeler. 60 Burt Bunker, raz Trapper. C. E. Lasalle. 62 The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. $8 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., tx Boy Puunr; or, §4 Ned Hazel, tHe Boy Trappmn; or, Tne PHAN- tom Princess. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. BranDsD Broinennoop. By buffalo Bi 66 Nick Whifiles? Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. or {Loop B: By Edward L. Wheeler. 88 The Border King. By 01] Coomes, 40 The White Indian. Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 6L Buckhorn Bill; or, Tar Rep Rite Tram. By Baw. 2 The Shadow Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. 63 The Red Brotherhood, W. 7. Hamilton. ‘65 Hurricane Bill. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. ‘66 Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. 68 Border Robin Hood, By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, THe SHAePsHooTER; or, Tar Boy 70 Old Zip’s Cabin3y or, Tat GREENnORN Ly tus Woops. By J. F.C. Adams. 42 Mad Tom Western, THe Texan Rancrn; ton, by Edward L. Wheeler. by Buffalo Bill \ Hon. Wm. F. Cody). Fa | 5 Vazabond Joe, rue Youne WANDERING JEW; 9 Whe Flying Yankee; or, Tue Ocean Oot- 9 Adve»tures of Baron Munchauson. or A Bowery Girt. By Albert W. Aiken. Jaclim; or, THe WonperFrL Lamp. sva'tph Rov, tae Boy Buccancer; or, Tar J The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 21 Tho Mrontiter Angel. By Edward 8. Flis, 23 Nick o° the Night; or, Tux Boy Sry or ‘76. Tee Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 27 Antelope Abe, ta Boy Gouine. Oll Coomes. 29 The Dumb Page. By Capt, F. Whittaker. 81 Keen-Knife, Price of tue Prainms. By Girt Deap-Suor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 34 Orexven Sol Fi] or, Nick Wuuirrits’ Buy Spy. BrorHerHoop oF DeatH. by EJ. L. Wheeler. 88 Ned Wylde, 1TH: Boy Scoor. By Texas Jack. 40 Roving Ben. A Storyoz 4 Youns Axrnrr- 42 The Phantom Miner; or, Drapwoop Wheeler. By Capt. Frederick Whit aker. or, WILD Epna, THE Girt Bricanp. E, L.Wheclor. 47 Nightingale Nat. By T.C. Harbaugh. 49 Omaha a THE MASKED TerRoR; or, Drap- $1 The Boy RBlilties. By Archie C. Irons. Turoven to Deata. By Edward L. Whecler. $5 Deadly - Eye, reg Juxknown Poort os Tas 67 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, Tar Parps 69 Old Hickery. By St. George. ard L. Wheeler. 64 Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. €7 Patent-leather Joe, By Vhilip S. Warne. DETECTIVE oF THE Buack Rance. By Wheeler. Yi Velaware Dick, By Oll Coomes. or, Tac QUEEN OF THE Pram. By Hamill | 119 Miustange 73 Dexdwood Dick on D-ck 3 or, CALAMITY Janz, rue Hirose or \y woor-Ur. Ly Wueeiler. 74 Wawk-eye Marry. Dy Oil Coomcs. 75 The Boy Duelis 3 or, Tren Crercr or THE Sea-Wortr. By Col. Prentiss Ingralarm, 76 Abe (ult, ran Crow-Kiuucr; or, Tae Grrat FicHTING Man of 15 Wrst. By A. W. Aiker. 77 Corduroy Cheriie, rac Boy LPrayo; or, Deapwoop Dick's Last Act. By LE. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue D.ck. Ly Capiain layne Reid. 79 Sol Ginger, GiastT Trarprcn. Dy A.V. Aiken. 80 Ros: bud Rob} oz, Nucent Nerv, rnr Kyienut ov Tur GuLCH. by Edward L. Wiseeler. $1 Lightning Jv. Ly Captain J. lr. C. Adams. 82 Kit Maret: ot, mm Woon-Uaver; or, Orp Powrek-Face anp His Demons. By Uarbaugh. | 83 Rollo, the Boy Rauger. Ly 0.1 Coomces. | 84 dy}, the Girl Miners; or, Roscncp Non on Hann, By Edward L. Wueclcr. 85 Buck Buckrem;_ or, rss, ta Prowse Traprrrn, By Captain J. F. C. Adams. 86 Daudy Rock. By G. Waldo Browne, 87 The Land Pirates. Ey Capt. Mayno Reid. 88 Photograph Phil, tac Boy Siorrr; or, Rosrevp Ron's Rrarpcarancc. Ly LE. L.Wheeler. 89 Wsland Jim. Ly Dracebridge Hemyng. 90 Tho Dread Rider. By U. Waldo Crowne. 91 The Captain ot the Club; or, T=r Yocne Riva ATHLETLS, By Bracebridge Hemyng. 92 Canada Chets or, Otp AnaconpDA in SiTTING Bruy’s Caup. By Edward L. Whecler, 93 The Boy Miners, Cy UdwardS. Ellis. 04 Midwight Jack, 3rmc_ Roap-Acrnt; Tuc Boy Trarprr. By T. C. Harbaugh. 05 The Rival Bovers, Licut, Col, Hazeltine. D6 Watch-Eye. ree frapow; or, ARATS AND ANGELS oF A GreaT Ci y, By LC. L. Wheeler. 97. The Outlaw Brothers, By J. J. Marshall. 98 Rob n Mood, rrr OvtLawery Eant;: or, Tron Merry Men or Gretnwoop. Prof. Gildersleevc. 99 The Ticer of Teos3; or, Wap Kar, Danny Rocs’s Ancei. By George Waldo Lrowuc. 100 Deadwood Dick fu Leadville; or, A STRANGE STROKE For Liercrty. By Wliceler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Ditk Deed-Eye, raz Boy Suvacirn; or, Tue CRUISE oF THD Vixen. | By Col. lngrabam. 103 The Lion of the Sea, By Col. Dello Sara. 104 Dexdwood Dictk’s Devic; or, Tn Sian or THs Doustr Cross. By FE. [. Wheeler. 105 Old Rube, tax Honzrr, Capt. HW. Holmes. 106 Old Frosty, rar Grier. By T. C. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sima. By James L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy, tr Youns Brar-Krirr; or, Tue Trat or tur Lorper Worr. Fi. St. George. 109 Deadwocd Dick as Betective. Py Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prafries. A Thrilling Story of Texan Adicuture. By Bowen. 111 Tho Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham. 112 Tho Mad Hunter. Ly Curton £axc. 113 Jack Hoyle, tre Yorne Srecct.aron; or, Tus Roap to Fortunr. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 114 The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck. 115 Tho Mad Miner; cr, Danpy Rocr’s Doon. By Geerge Waldo Browne. 116 Tho Fiussar Captafnys or, Tor Creo or Hrrz-Gatr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, tTrm Sront Decretivr: or, Tur Wane Accor Daten nr. Wheeler. 118 Will Somers, rue Boy Drrectivr. Morric. Sam. tar KrxG or tur Puams, By Jos. ©. Badger, Jr. 120 The Brandcd Mand, Py Frank Dumont. 121 Cinnamon Chip, ms Gm. frert; on, or, Tre GoupEn Ipor oF Mr. Tosa, Kk, L.Wheelcr. ! 122 Phil Hardy, rr Boss Ror; ov. Tn Mrs TERY oF THE Stronceow. Py Charles Morric. 123 Kiowa Charley, top Wor Mustanarn. By T. C. Harbaugh. 124 Tippy, Trxar, By Georre Cleacon. 125 Bonanza Bill, Mixer. By fc. L. Wkecler. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicormuce, ruc Doa ctive. By Charles Morris, 127 Wild-Fire, Bossortn Roap, Py Dumort,. 128 The Young Privateer. By 0. Cavendish. 129 Deadwoed BDick'’s BDerble: or, Tar Grosz or Gorcon’s Gricn. Ed. J.. Whecler. 130 Detective Dick, By Charlies Morr's. 131 The Golden Wand; or, Danny Foc to ne Rescve. By George W. Browne, 182 The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. 8. Plus. 133 Bo«« Bob, THe Kine or tat Boorruscrs: or, Tar PAwNeroKker's Prot. Ed. L. Wheeler. 134 Sure Shot Seth, rat Boy Rirurman; cr Ta: Youne Patriots of THE NortH. By Ol] Coomes. 135 Captain P» ul, mr Krntocry Mooxsnrmrr; or, Ine Boy Spry of Tap Mountarys. By Ciaran. 152 183 HAIF-DIME | LIBRARY. 136 Night-Mawk Kit, 137 i3s By Jos. £. Badzer, Jn, The Helpiess Mand, Capt. Mayne Reid. Blonde Sill; or, Deapwoop Dick's Hous Basc. Ly Edward L. Wheeler, Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. 0. Harbaugh. Blue Blazes; or, Taz Break o° Day Cora or Rocky Bar. By Frauk Dun nt. S-lid Sam, tH2 Boy Roap-Acrnt; or, Tm Branpep Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. Mandsomeo Harry, THE Boornrack Dn tectivr. By Charles Mor:is. Sear-Faco saul, By 0'l Coomes. Painty Lance, THz Boy éport; sr, Taz Dank-Breakers’ Drcoy Luck. J. EK. Badger. C»ptri. Ferret, rar New Yorr Deteo Tive; or, Bors Bor’s Loss Jos. By Wheeler. Silwer Star, tHe Poy Knicnur. A Prairie Remence. By Oll Cocmes. Will Wildfire, roe Tronorenrren; or, Tur Winninc Hanp. Ey Charlies Mcrris, Shverp samj5 cr, Tar ADVENTURES OF A Frrenpiess Boy. By J. Alexander Pattcn. A Gamo of Goldy or, Drapwoop Dicr’s Bie Strike. Py Edward L. Wheeler. Lance and Lasso, By Capt. F. Whittaker. Panther Paul, Tor Prams Prrate; or, Darsty Lance ro rae Rescte. J. E. Budger. lack RWe-s, Wow Wroorime’s Rseer; or, Winnine AcaAmnst Opps, By Charles Morvis. Eagle Kit, tae Poy Demon. By Oll Coomes, The Swerd Hunters, By F. \ hittaker. Gold Trigger, rae srort. T. C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Dick +f Deadwe: d3 or, Tut Picxep Party. By Edward L. Wi celer, MI ke Merry, tmr Harror Poricr Boy; or, Tee Niont-Hawgs or PHILADELYsls, Morris, Fancy Frank ef ¢ olorades or, Tar TRAPPER's Trrst. By Buffalo Bill, The Lost Captain; or, THe Oren Ponsr Sra. By Captain Fredcrick Whittaker. the Black Giants or, DAINTY WANCE IK Jroparpy. By Joseph FE. Badger, Jr. New York Ne!}, rme Poy-Girt [ereorrve: or, OLD BLAKErSLyY’s Money. By E. L. Wheeler. 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 1453 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 “162 Will Wildfire in the Woods; or, Same Live IN THE ALLEGHANIES. By Charles Morris. 163 Little Wexas, tre Yorxa Mvstancsr. A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Ol Cocmes, 164 Tandy Rock’s P'edge3 or, Hunrep To Dreatn. By G. Waldo Browne, 165 Billy Baggage, rar Rsrroap Ley; or, Ren To EartH. By Charles Morris. 166 Hickory Harry. Py Harry St. George. 167 Asa Scott, Tar Srramnoat Boy; or,THe Lann Pimatrs oF Tar Mississ11 Pr. By Ed. Willett 168 Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 19 Tornado Tom; or, Ixscn Jack Fiomu Rev Corr. 1. C. Harbaugh. 170 A Trump Cardy3 or, Wr Witpring Wos anp Losrs. By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dan. Py Frank Dumcnt. 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, Tar Werr-erpre oF IHE Rockrzs. By Harry St. George. 173 Dandy Rock’s Rival. Py G.W. Browne 174 Bob Rockett, ter Eoy Dorerr; er, Mye Trries or New Yors. By Charles Morris. 175 Captain Arizona, tke Kire Pin cr Roap Accents; cr, Potent Leather Joe’s Big Game. Ly Philip 8. Warne. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, Tar Prcecaxrrn or THE Bay. Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S.N. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, Tor fcarm OFf THE Sierras. By Edward L. Wheeler, 178 O14 Slitary, ram Lermir Trsrrrz; or, Tren Dracon or fiver Larr. By Oll Cocmes, 179 Bob Reekett, srr Birr Trxxrr; or, THE Toap to Rurn. By Charles Morris. 180 The Sea _ Trailer; or, A Vow Wri Kerx, Dy Lievt. O. D. Perry, U. SN. Wid Frank, te~ Erensnm Dr/vo; Lapy Luy's Love. By [Cdward T.. Wiel Little Murricance, tar Bey Csrram; er, Tun Osco or Tap Youre Avencrrs, By oil Coomes. The Efidkdien Gand; or, Winn Wiprire's Ervencr. Dy Chas, Morrie.” Ready Jon 26th. The Boy Trailers; or, Damvy Lance om rae Wan-Fare, By Jos. C, Dadger, Jr. Ready Feb, 1st. Evil Eyrc, Xrxc or Cartre Tmrves; or, Tw Voeitrres or tre Iio Gnanpr. Ey Frank Du- mont. Ready Feb. 8. Cool Desmond; cr, Tan Gurtirr'’s Sia Gsurc. By Co). Dille Sara. Reacy Feb. Ith. 187 Fred Halyard, tne Lirr Boat Poy: or, THE SMUGGLERS OF THE INLET. By C. Morris. Ready Feb, 22. A new tissue every weck. The Half-Dime Library is fer sele ty all Newsdealers, five cents per copv, or ent py meilon receipt of six eents each. BRADLE & ADA’ Publishers, 35 William Street, New York, ps3 isl or, : er, 1692 184 185 186