Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 198) (1881 05 10)
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22 eel /, \ : Bal @ \ N \ A\ x { ~ “ \ RUN AUN, NRT _ — er samen Tipe LL TH $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted in 1881 by BEADLE AND ADAMS, May 10, 1881. Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. VITT. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 198. ARKANSAW, The Man with the Knife: or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, F — i APM RIN ae a WY Wee wy i gl Sg AUTHOR OF ‘NICK 0’ THE NIGHT,” ‘‘ HIDDEN LODGE,” ‘NIGHTINGALE NAT,” ‘OLD FROSTY,” ‘‘ DANDY JACK,” “KIT HAREFOOT,” ETO, Rs ~. ~ Rts gg FIT =. eee 7 bt Ninn, seisetat NY pat oe . 2° ; me sis ee pee \ oe = Sure FZ car s ~ Ze FOR A MOMENT IT SEEMED THAT THE POINT OF THE BLADE WOULD PENETRATE THE JUGGLER’S FACE,
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~ = Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE; OR, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. A WILD TALE OF THE SILVER LANDS. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF ‘‘NICK-O’-THE-NIGHT,” ‘‘ DANDY JACK,” ‘KIT HAREFOOT,” ‘* MIDNIGHT JACK,” ‘‘ OLD FROSTY,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER LI. A DELICATE ROSEBUD, ‘““Wruicn horse shall I take?” % “The fastest, of course. You must start in five minutes. [ll have the message ready.” The young Indian boy to whom these orders were addressed sprung from the speaker’s pres- ence and ran toward the stables not far away. ‘* Horseflesh must warn the men at the Bar,” said the man, nervously, as he watched the boy dispatched to the stables. ‘‘ He didn’t come to this country for any good. The eyes that-blaz- ed in his head I have seen before, but where? When he told me that he was on his way to La Tinaja, his own eyes called him a liar. The boys must watch him: they must kill him!” and the dark eyes of the handsome man flashed adly. Conrad Gordon was this person’s name. He was known as the richest man in the San Juan mining country, and was called ‘*Gold Conrad” by many. His house was the finest in Lodeton, a town lice many others in the silver lands, the abode of desperadoes of all kinds. He lived alone, wifeless and childless. Hand- some, cold and determined, he moved through the silver world, speaking to few and keeping his own secrets. Five years’ sojourn in the country where he had built his home had en- riched him. His past life none knew; but a few words which he had dropped when well-wined caused a few to believe that his had been a wild career, checkered like a playing-board, if not tinctured with crime. It was pretty well known, however, that he could speak the Apache dialect, and then, his body-servant, hostler and secretary, was a youth of that nation. When he had dispatched the boy to the sta- bles, Gold Conrad did not turn his eyes from the structure until his Indian reappeared lead- ing a horse. Then Conrad entered the house and picked up a message which lay on a writ- ing-table. Carrying it out, he went to the edge of the porch and awaited the boy who was coming up, well-mounted. ‘You made good time,” Conrad said. ‘ Are you ready to go?” : ‘*T am ready.” “This message you will deliver to Colonel Thunder, and in private. He will know how to act. Should there be a seventh man at the Bar, when you arrive (but that will not be, L think, unless people can fly) you will not show yourself to him—the seventh man, I mean. Did you see anybody here this morning?” ‘* T saw the man that called.” “Well, he is the man who must not see you at Vulture Bar; above all things, he must not know that you brought a message from me to Colonel Thunder.” The Indian youth had taken the Ly ned and concealed it beneath his ornamented buckskin jacket. ‘¢ Now, remember; my future and your life depend on the delivery of that letter,” Gordon wenton. ‘That wild-looking man whose face was covered with the yellow dirt of the Arma- rilla country is more than he pretends to be. You saw him pin that woodpecker to the gate- post with his knife?” “e I did ” “That very act betrayed him, for there is but one man living who can do that at sixty feet. cannot be mistaken; therefore, my message must reach Colonel Thunder. If that jnife-thrower isn’t stopped now, ‘he'll be hunting for bigger game. And if he ever does that, you and I, Catana, must arm ourselves. Now x0, and may success attend you! Take the eS Canyon road. It is the shortest and the st. «To-morrow Colonel Thunder shall read your ees said the Apache as he leaped upon the 10rse. ‘““One moment. If you should, by any acci- dent lose my letter— ‘‘Has Catana ever lost one?” interrupted the boy, a flash of insulted dignity in his eyes. % Wo” ‘‘ This one will not be lost!” “Good! You’re worth your weight in gold, Catana,” and Gordon had time to pat the mes- senger’s leg before he spoke to the horse which bounded away. A warm day was drawing to a close while the conversation just recorded was taking place be- fore Gold Conrad’s house. The road that stretched from the porch seemed to lose itself amoung the mountains of the San Juan range that lifted their heads skyward not very far away. It was narrow, like all mountain roads, and a cloud of yellowish dust soon enveloped the horse and his rider. Conrad Gordon watched it until it disappear- ed, and showed him the road again, but with no traveler thereon. Catana had! out of sight. ° “T can trust Thunder. By George! I .am afraid to trust any one else in these parts. He commands his companions, and if he says “kill!” they will kill. I never thought that a woodpecker would make me so uneasy. If it wasn’t so dark ’d go down and see where he pss it tothe post. I expect Catana opened iis eyes at the feat; butif he is the man I think he is, then I’ve seen him transfix bigger game than woodpeckers.” Gold Conrad communed thus to himself in an audible tone before he retired to the house. The sun had sunk behind the sage bushes of In- dian Knob, and the cool breeze, refreshing and pleasant, was stirring bis locks quite thickly sprinkled with gray. He turned abruptly and passed into the room from which he had taken the message for Colo- nel Thunder. He not only closed the heavy door behind him but locked it as it shut and lowered the win@ow, which had been up at his writing-table. The room looked like an arsenal. In each corner were several nly sage rifles and straight, heavy swords, to handle which, a wrist of iron was needed. A brace of revolvers lay on the table, one serving as a paper-weight. A low bed on one side of the apartment told that somebody slept in this well protected rocm, and over the pillow hung a leather holster, from which the silver butt of a ‘‘ Navy ” protruded. There was a restless, uneasy look in Gold Con- rad’s eyes as he threw himself into a chair that stood at the writing-table. Something per- plexed him; he looked like a man who in the midst of fancied security and prosperity sees the avenger of some crime appear before him. **Tf Colonele Thunder should fail me—pshaw! I’m starting at impossibilities!” and Gordon laughed. “ What! he fail me? When he does, Indian Knob will go to the coast.” The next moment a light tap on the window on the other side of the table made him start and as he leaned forward he caught up and cocked one of the revolvers that lay on it. ‘““Who are you?” he demanded, sternly. ‘I see you! Tell who you are, or Vii give you a pass to the limbo of fools!” ; The light of the lamp threw a mellow glow on the ground and obj a few feet from the outside sill, and Conrad Gordon uttered a truth when he declared that he saw the person who had tapped on the pane. “Out with it! Ha! you see Ihave you now! Run if you dare! Draw and die!” By ~‘-* movement Gold Conrad had thrown up tue iower sash and his revolver was covering the head of the man in the light. “Ov course you’ve got the Rosebud of the Pink Forks,” came in a rough voice, which was followed by the fearless laugh of the genuine desperado. ‘ Yer pistol hez @ familiar look bet makes me glad thet I’ve comehyar. I say, ap’n, jes’ hold it a leetle to the left so I kin in- spect its calibar.” Gordon looked at the man amazed. He was a perfect giant. Above the dark beard that covered two-thirds of his face, a ir of coal-black eyes glittered like carbuncles. e was clad in a dusty suit of mining clothes, and his pantaloons hid their ragged ends in a pair of dirty boots. Arms he reer to have none. Gordon could see the belt that went round his waist, but it.seemed to carry no weapons, not even a knife. te ‘The keen eyes of the mining king took in his visitor physically in a minute. **T never saw an before,” said Gold Conrad to himself, ‘‘1 wonder what brought him here? Maybe I can use him. I may need devils before the month’s out.” Then he said to the man: ‘The Rosebud of the Pink Forks, eh? Well, my good fellow, won’t youcome in? You want to see me?” ‘*T would like to shed a little ov my perfume in yer house, that’s sartain,” responded the giant, as Conrad lowered his weapon and Sl ap ngs up. ‘‘Oh, don’t open the door. I’ve been a winder flower afore,” and the next moment the stranger had thrown himself into the room through the window, and towered be- fore Gold Conrad bigger and more uncouth than ever. “Now I’m at your service,” Conrad said, re- covering from his astonishment at the man’s boldness, “No, Pm at yours. You want jes’ such a flower ez the Rosebud ov the Pink Forks, an’ ee ’?im bad, too!” “Yes, you, cap’n. Thar war a man hyar to- day—a man what pinned a woodpecker to yer gate-post with his knife.” Gold Conrad started in spite of himself. ‘‘T’m no fool,” laughed the Rosebud. “I’ma flower thet blooms hyar to-day an’ thar to- morrer. I’m at yer sarvice. Shell I go an’ check thet man’s baggage through? y the word, cap’n.” Gordon looked astounded. “T don’t know you,” he said, ‘To the best of my recollection we never met before. Who said that I want that man with the knife killed?” “Yer eyes say so, cap’n. Mebbe I have never seen you afore to-night; but ’m yer man. Jes’ send me arter him once; yes, jes’ say ‘Go!’ to the Rosebud ov the Pink Forks.’ ‘*But what if [ should refuse to send you?’ ventured Gordon. ‘“‘Then Ill leave a corpse behind me when I go to shed my fragrance elsewhar,” was the startling answer. ‘‘ Cap’n, l’m goin’ to kill one ov two men, an’ I’m considerate enough to leave the choice to you. You don’t pick up such rare rosebuds in every garden. I’m a hotbed flower from Pink Forks, but I’m a reg’lar crusher. Which shell it be—you er the man what killed the woodpecker?’ From somewhere about his person, and in the twinkling of an eye, the Rosebud bad produced a revolver, into whose barrel Gold Conrad could look without difficulty, for it was on a level with his eyes. Gordon involuntarily shrunk ,from the wea- pon, but a moment later he had recovered his courage. “The men with the knife, of course!” he cried, “1 would be a fool if I did not make this choice. Go and kill him if you must kill somebody, and then keep on to the coast.” ““T didn’t agree to do that, vap’n,” returned the Rosebud, s cvebiaoe discolored teeth by a rin? ‘‘J’ll go an’ kill thet man, an’ then come back an’ tell you.” : The giant seemed to take great pleasure in speaking the last half of the sentence, and the rough sarcasm in which it was clothed still rated on Gordon’s senses when the fellow eaped through the window and was gone. or a moment Gold Conrad stood bewildered and mute in his strong room. = ‘““No use to follow bim,” he suddenly cried. “The devil sent him here, for 1 will swear that I never saw him before. yei be knew why | sent Catana to Vulture Bar. By George! T’ll start another message to Colonel Thunder yet this night,” and hastily unlocking the door he was soon flying down the dark streets of the mining town. At the end of the narrow street he rapped on the door of a cabin. “* Come in!” called out ajrough voice. Gordon pushed the door open. , : A young man whose face wore an intelligent look rose from a stool before a brush fire and greeted him. ‘‘ Halleck,” said Gordon, “‘I want you to start for Vulture Bar to-night.” * “For you ?” cried the oun, man. ‘‘ You said yesterday that I was Catana’s brother, and his mother was a low Apacke squaw! No! you insult me by coming here. Get out out of my cabin or by the gods! Pll choke you, if you are as rich as‘a diamond field.” The young man’s eyes flashed madly as ke sprung forward, but Gordon suddenly retreated, and saw the door of the cabin shut in his face. CHAPTER II. A NEW BOWIE AT VULTURE BAR. VuururE BAR was merely a small mining town situated on the westernmost rim of the silver district, and not far from the the Rie Dolores.
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Not more than forty wooden houses, or shan- ties, composed the place, and these were in- habited by as rough-looking a lot of men as was ever seen beyond the Missouri. The town was built on a stretch of elevated land, which might have been thrown up by some caprice of nature old ages ago; but above it the vide peaks of the San Juan range rose majestically, while on either side were dense woods of sage bushes, and wild canyons into whose depths the sun seldom peeped. The mountains around it were full of silver deposits, and about one-half of Vulture Bar’s population seemed to take an absorbing interest ia such things. Mines were worked, and the dark bowels of the bills echoed to the ringing sound of the miner’s pick. But there were six men at the bar who seemed more like watch-dogs than anything else; they inhabited a large cabin at the western limits of the town, and their duty oo to be to keep an eye on the miners. enever a rich vein was struck one of these watch-dogs immediately set out for Lodeton, and Gold Conrad soon knew its exact location. The six went every- where; they penetrated the mountain mines, watched every ounce of silver from the time that it left the mines until it reached Gordon’s clutches, and ‘‘ran the town.” In short, Gold Conrad had struck it rich at Vulture Bar; its tenants, desperate, dark-faced fellows though they were, were his slaves. He seemed to own the mountains; he paid the men for their labors; but the products of the secret mines were his. Secret mines, we say, for no one in Lodeton knew that on the borders of the Ute country this man was running’ one of the richest silver mills on the globe. On the afternoon of the day after the sending of Catana from Lodeton to the Bar with a mes- sage for Colonel. Thunder, six men might have been seen seated on three-legged stools in front of one of the cabins in the latter place. é ) suey were the watch-dogs. In the entire lot there was not one prepossess- ing face; all were dark, bearded and repulsive, wolfish in countenance, and bearish in strength. They were dressed alike, in dark shirts and coarse pantaloons, the ends of which were hidden in their boots. On each hip rested the deadly revolver of the mines, and several carried a bowie in addition to this armament. On the afternoon referred to four out of the six were whiling time away with a game of whisky poker, and the greasy cards were con- tinually falling on the large flat stone which served for a gambling table. The other two were looking oy on, chipping in now and then to swear or to laugh. It was a scene not uncommon during the warm days, for the gambling spot was well shaded, and the watch dogs were not needed in the mines. Presently the door of the cabin* which was partly closed was opened by a person on the inside, and the game for a few moments had another spectator. Several of the gamblers looked up at the new witness, but soon returned to the dirty cards which fell faster and faster on the ‘‘ fortune stone,” as they had termed their table. The person in the doorway had a girlish con- tour, although clad in male garments. The eyes were a soft, beautiful blue, the cheeks ruddy as the color of a mountain rose, and the haw was a rich auburn, full of natural waves, and lovely. The hands and feet were petite and girlish in every particular, and even a casual spectator would at once declare that the person belonged to the softer sex, despite the garb. ‘‘smer didn’t sleep long,” exclaimed one of the two men, who had been watching the game. ** We've been swearin’ too much fur ’im. Don’t you see, boys, how his eyes rebuke us?” “Rebuke, fiddlesticks!” was a rough re- sponse. ‘Ef you don’t want the lamb to hear us, colonel, why do you keep ’im hyar?”’ The man addressed as colonel darted a frown- ‘ing look at the speaker, and then stepped toward the person in the door. “You didn’t sleep like a log, eh?” he said, in- terposing his body’ between tae blue eyes and the gamblers. ‘ Well, go inside. I want to talk to you, anyhow.” The young person did not reply, but obeyed, and the two entered the cabin together. Un- der a window was a cot which the new cherac- ter had lately Jeft, and the watch-dog pointed to it as he closed the door. “ Let’s sit down,” he said. “No; I’ve been lying enough to-day,” was the answer in a soft voice. ‘* You will not care if I stand?” _ “Well, suit yerself, Esmer. You don’t like this life; you would rather live apart from the Six Revolvers ov Vulture Bar? Now, honest Injun, wouldn’t you?” ‘““Where would I go if I had to leave this lace? You know where I belong; but you ave always refused to tell me.” Colonel Thunder smiled. “Of course I hev,” he answered. ‘I hev adopted you, an’ you ar’ Colonel Thunder’s ebild.” ‘Not in reality?’ ‘You ar’ ef I wantit to beso. Jes’ stick to me, an’ I’ll pull you through. Don’t ax me to give you woman’s clothes. I dasn’t do it, Es- mer; fur yer own good I dasn’t. Ef I did, somebody would hear afore to-morrer night, thet thar war a gal at the Bar, an’ then all my hopes would be ruined. You make a stavin’- lookin’ boy, an’ ef some fellars on the Bar sus- picion anything, they dasn’t come right out an’ say thet you ar’ a gal; nor they dasn’t go an’ tell him either!” ‘“ Who do you mean by him?” asked Esmer. “Why, the man what owns us, body an’ soul,” ‘“* Gold Conrad” “Yes. You're nothin’ to him, mebbe; but he mustn’t know that a gal claims a moment ov his slaves’ time; he wants every second ov it, the silver-eater! Now, you understand. Will you stay whar I am, er shall Colonel Thunder turn you off?” “T will stay!” cried the girl. ‘I would not know where to®go if you should desert me. One of these days I shall wear the garments that belong to my sex; shall I not?’ ‘*Ov course! you’re not to remain a boy fur- ever. Some day you'll pick up a rich husband, an’ the cherub ov Vulture Bar will be the queen ov some city.” The girl blushed, but her eyes sparkled. “Yes, obey me an’ all will go well, Cross me an’ you may be buried in the clothes you \ hoi Thar! they’re callin’ me outside. Stay ar. The face of the girl had grown pale at certain words that Colonel Thunder had uttered, and she hardly knew that he had taken his depar- ture. When the acknowledged leader of Gold Con- rad’s watch-dogs reached the outside of the cabin he found the game broken up and the aye he were standing around an Indianfied ooking boy who sat on a horse which had evi- dently carried bim a long distance. “Catana!” murmured Colonel Thunder re- cognizing the boy at a glance. **Something important’s in the wind, er the cap’n wouldn’t send the dog that sleeps at his bedroom door.” Then a hasty stride took him to Catana’s side, and the eyes of the pair met. Thunder’s had an eager and anxions glitter while the In- dian pore wore a look of disappointment. ““Go back to the game, boys,” commanded the watch-dog captain to his men, as he laid bis hand on Catana’s bridle. ~ “The cap’n wants to draw on the bank, that’s all,” and the next moment he was leading the horse towerd the mountain. He did not stop until héhad put a_ hill be- tween him and the shanties of Vulture Bar. ‘Now, what is it boy?’ he asked fixing his eyes on Catana’s face. **T don’t know exactly, sir, but here is what my master says,” was the answer, and the young Apache drew forth the message which Conrad had the day before given him for the man who now stood by him. . Colonel Thunder unfolded the paper as if such messages were an every-day occurrence, and Catana watched him. For a moment bis eyes betrayed no unusual excitement; but all at once they flashed, and grew fiercer while he read on. Catana might have scanned the message a thousand times during the journey he had just made; but his look told that the contents of the paper were entirely unknown to him. If he had looked over Colonel Thunder’s bronzed hands he would have read the follow- ing: ‘*To COLONEL THUNDER: : “This is to warn you that a certain man left my house this morning bound, according to his own statement, for La Tinaja. efore he left the premises he pinned a mountain wood- pecker to a gate-post with his knife, from a dis- tance of sixty feet! La Tinaja is not his desti- nation. It is Vulture Bar! Iam sure of it, and if he is not stopped at once, his knife will find bigger game. Ten years ago there was but one living man who could handle a knife that way. I say that he has come to life, and that he is now on the way to Vulture Bar. He is armed only with a knife; but in Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. 8 his hands it is worth ten revolvers. Meet him on his arrival, and for Heaven’s sake get the best him! He has the same eyes and the very voice that the other knife wizard had. This devil calls himself Arkansaw. He is your enemy, as he is mine, Spot him before he fairly gets his bearings. Fail not, colonel! ; Gorpon,”’ When Thunder had read through he looked up. ‘“Did you pass the man mentioned in this letter?” ‘** No,” replied Catana. “Good! he is to come, then,” and as Colonel Thunder thrust the 'etter beneath his jacket he turned and walked oe toward the town. The Indian boy wheeled his horse and fol- lowed him, ‘* Hello! what’s up?’ suddenly exclaimed Thunder. ‘The boys hev some attraction in front ov the shanty.’ ‘“*Caramba! be hascome!” ejaculated Catana. “T feared that the fresh hoof-prints in the Black Canyon were his.” “Then he was mounted?” “Not when he left Gold Conrad’s; but I found a dead Ute on my way; he had a knife wound in the back of his neck.” Colonel Thunder uttered a great oath. ‘‘A knife wound, eh?’ and he showed his teeth as he glanced at the young Apache. The Indian suddenly drew rein. ‘*He must not see me here. The master said so,” he said, looking at Thunder who was won- dering at the halt. “Then go back below the hill and wait for me. When war you to return?” ‘He did not say.” ‘*Tll hev a message fer you afore mornin’— one what'll make Gold Conrad sleep peacefully fur a hull week.” Catana turned and withdrew below the bill, whose brow they had gained while Colone! Thunder proceeded on. As he neared the group of men before the watchdogs’ hut, his gait became a leisure walk, and, apparently calm, he approached the crowd. ‘* Ninety mile to La Tinaja, eh?” said a voice in the center of the crowd. ‘‘Wal;I guess Pll browse around the Bar till mornin’. me up to the big hotel to-night an’ see me play with this toothpick,” and he displayed to the eyes of Gold Conrad’s minions a knife whose blade was at least fourteen inches in length. He balanced it on one of bis bronzed fingers for a moment, and then whirling it suddenly into the air he threw his y back and watched it. The bowie whirled over and over as it ascend- ed, and came down in a like manner. Fora moment it seemed that the point of the blade would penetrate the juggler’s face, but all at once his mouth opened and he caught the hilt of the knife between his teeth and held it. firmly! A murmur of applause broke from the Lreath- less spectators; but Colonel Thunder muttered a curse that sounded like a growl of rage. “Come down to the Howlin’ Wilderness to- night an’ see Arkansaw,” the new comer went on, as he sheathed the formidable blade. ‘I’m stoppin’ at thet earthly paradise fur the present. I kin throw this toothpick through avn Injun at sixty feet. Hunt one up an’ hev ‘im on deck to- night. Now, don’t shake the show, boys. It sha’n’t cost you a cent; an’ ef the performance don’t suit you, I'l] give ye yer money back an’ set ’em up besides. Thet’s fair, ain't it?’ and the knife-thrower laughed coarsely as he movec away. : During this scene Colonel Thunder had looked on from the outside of the crowd with amaze- ment in his eyes. Something—the stranger’s effrontery, perbaps—astonished him, and _ his eye followed him with a deadly challenge as he moved on. But as soon as he could the colonel separated his five companions from the rest of the crowd and addressed them in a whisper, while his eyes. of evil still blazed. “That man is more than he says he is. He came hyar to throw bis infernal blade into your hearts. He is the cap’n’s deadly enemy. ell go down to the Howlin’ Wilderness together. An’ don’t furgit thet he must give his last exhi- bition to-night. His last, the cap’n says. Isay so, too. Now, what say you?” The answer came immediately from five tongues: ‘We will make it his last show!” Colonel Thunder smiled and sent a glance of triumph toward the hill behind whose brow aad onrad’s red messenger rested from his ride.
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_ “him! 4, Ark CHAPTER. ITT. THE BOOTLESS ROBBERY. ‘By Jove! his quick retreat kept my hands from his throat. After insulting the memory of my mother, he has the audacity to come to my cabin and ask me to risk my life in order that he may rake in or save a few threatened thousands. Gold Conrad, I’d see you die first! My face is darker than a girl’s, that I know but iam not a squaw’s raw ‘at Your thousands hall not permit you to talk thus. Iam your oqual in every way, save wealth. I have been -rour slave with hundreds of others ever since I allowed your gold to hire me, but from this mo- ment Iam free! I cut loose from you, Conrad Gordon; you have not gold enough to hire me a moment longer. Keep what you owe me. Some of these days you shall acknowledge that ~ mother was your superior.” he speaker was the young man called Hal- leck whose cabin we saw Gold Conrad seek after the departure of the Rosebud from his house. . We have heard the burning words in which Halleck refused to carry the second message to Vulture Bar for the silver magnate, and it is to that same cabin that we bave returned. Gordon had not ventured to try the young man again. He knew that words would only serve to augment his passion, and a personal encounter, when he was looking for another messenger, was one of the last things desired. Halleck apparently waited for him to enter the cabin again, for he stood in the firelight ready to throw himself like an enraged tiger upon the man who had called him Catana’s brother, But he waited in vain. ° ‘* He sent one messenger to the Bar, I know, to- day, the young man continued, when his ire had been somewhat calmed by thought. ‘‘I saw Catana riding away on Gold-dust, and'I would swear that that was his destination. Now, what has happened that he must start another, and at night, too? Something’s gone wron, there. The man of money is in a fix—the houn that called me Indian!” A minute later the cabin was without a _ ten- ant although the brush-fire still illumined the apartment. Where was Halleck? About two hundred yards from the cabin stood a house almost as pretentious as the one that Gold Conrad inhabited. Halleck was rap- ping at the front door. ““ Who’s there?” asked a voice on the inside. ** Me—Halleck.” ‘What do you want?’ ** A horse.” “Go to Gold Conrad; he’s your master.” Halleck bit his oe ** We have dissolved friendship,” he said, to the invisible speaker. ‘‘I hate, despise, curse I want a horse for the purpose of getting hi with him. I thought you hated him, too. Halleck paused and started back, for the door was open and the most beautiful woman in Lodeton stood before him, her face and figure revealed by the lamp she carried in her hand. _ Clad in a dark wrapper confined at the waist by ‘a silver belt, and with a mass of black hair covering her shoulders, ‘‘The Queen of Fate,” as the woman was called, looked superbly fas- cinating. : The flashing of her eyes was intense as Hal- leck gazed, and he found them studying him as if their bewitching owner would read the very secrets of his soul. “So you hate him?’ the Queen of Fate ‘said slowly. ‘‘How much?” ‘*Enough to baffle him if I get a swift horse.” * Whither would you ride?” “To Vulture Bar.” “ Then you know—” “That he is growing immensely rich by the mines he is working there? Yes, I know that.” “* His six devils are there to kill at his bid- ding. Colonel Thunder will slay on sight.” ‘Of course;” Halleck was growing impatient; the minutes were slipping away. ‘Sha’ I have the horse, madame?’ ** Yes; Pll call Pinos.” “No. I beg of you to let my expedition be a secret,” interrupted the young man. The Queen of Fate smiled. **You’ll do,” she said. ‘‘I want an ally one of these days.” ; “To fight him ?” “ Yes.” *“‘Then call on me.” Her answer was a look of satisfaction, and as sw shut the door Halleck bounded down the Assisted by the hands of the woman he sad- dled a fiery young racer that appeared as fleet as the mountain wind and vaulted into the saddle while she, strong for a woman, held the bridle. “Ours is a common cause,” she said, as he adjusted his feet in the stirrups, and made a motion for her to remove her hand, “Tshall not forget that, but I shall avenge myself first,” he answered, and then before she could reply he touched the animal lightly with the spurs, and was soon beyond ear-shot. Halleck’s passion cooled when he found him- self beyond the limits of the mining town, Al- though it was summer time, the sultriness of the day just passed had been succeeded by the cool night winds of the mountains, which might almost be called chilling. The young man had not quitted his cabin without arming himself. He knew that a wild waste lay between him and bis destination, that he would have to ride over ground frequented by the plundering Utes, anda band of desperate road-agents wbose crimes could not be counted by the dead they left unburied. It was a new road to him; but he knew it almost as well as if he had been a frequent traveler, for his own hands had drawn for Gold Conrad a map of it after the magnate’s own survey. “What am I going to Vulture Bar for, any- how?” Halleck asked himself. “To die? I hope not. No! I am going there to act as circum- stances may require, always keeping before me the unending hatred that | have for him.” The horse loaned for the nocturnal expedition by the Queen of Fate was a racer of good blood and splendid bottom. Surefooted like the ibex, he bore young Halleck on, and the set- ting stars saw him straining every nerve to reach tho goal. Allat once crack! went the girth, and the rider uttered an exclamation of rage as he was almost unhorsed. ‘*Something had to happen!” he said, dis- mounting. ‘* Fate never grants a fellow a jour- ney free from accidents, and 1 am getting my share.” He was riding ag a wide canyon well lit up by the stars, when the accident occurred. It was near morning, and he was already beyond the worst half of the road. Drawing his knife, he was about to cut a strip from the broken girth, in order to unite the two parts, when the sound of hoofs struck his ears. ‘“‘Gordon’s messenger!” flashed through bis mind. ‘ My repulse did not deterhim. I won- der who he got to carry his message?” A shorse was certainly entering the canyon, the bed of which was as hard as flint. That he had a rider Halleck well knew. Ch maignt have had the message before this if I had taken a second thought, but that would have made me a traitor. I could play road- agemt and get it now. By George! I will!” At that moment tho injury to the girth was repaired, and Halleck perverted to act on the re- solve he had taken. He drew a handkerchief from his pocket and transformed it into a mask ina moment. Then he led his horse into the shadows, and threwing the bridle over a bush, turned to the road, He was not a moment too soon, for the second messenger to Vulture Bar was upon him, Halleck’s revolver went up, and its barrel gleamed in the starlight. “ Halt!” The man drew rein with a ery of astonish- ment, and his steed was brought toa full stop so suddenly that only an expert rider could have kept the saddle. ‘Give me the message you carry to Colonel Thunder! Quick!” said Halleck. ““‘If you do not surrender it, I will take it from you; but then you will be dead.” The voice of the young man was stern and threatful. The messenger could not mistake its intonation. “The writing, or death! Take your choice!” An oath, the movement of an arm in the star- light, and a paper, fluttering through the air, fell at Halleck’s feet. ‘Now I can go on?” ‘No, sir! Wheel and ride for your life. A verbal message would answer the purpose of a written one. “You can’t go on to the Bar.” Another curse, but this time less bitter than its predecessor. ° “*You are bound to make me kill you, I see,” said Halleck. ~~ ‘““No, I ain’t,” was the reply, as the man turned his horse’s head. A moment later the new messenger was gal- loping back toward Lodeton, and Halleck with ansaw, the Man with the Knife. his prize in his hand, was again pursuing his journey. He could hardly keep back the fierce chuckle of delight that tried to reach his lips spite of his efforts, and when he debouched from the canyon upon a high plain, he stopped his horse and drew a bunch of lucifers from nis pocket, ‘* Now, my amiable insulter, Pll know why you send two messengers to Vulture Bar sev- eral bours apart,” he murmured, striking the matches. He waited impatiently for the light to get large enough to enable him to decipher the writing on the paper he had already unfolded, and when the little torch blazed up sufficiently he strained bis eyes to read. But the next instant he uttered a loud cry of mingled rage and chagrin, and with an oath flung the paper ha This was what had rewarded his pains: ‘ROSEBUD OF THE PINK FORKS, Dr. WS MA We «ater eas oop Ae ce acct cod sie FC cans $3 00 y - DONO CH CIDE Ae va whoneserewertes he 2 00 ** 1 pair Santa Fe boots... .....6.. c eee e eee’ 9 00 “Settled in full this day, FINNSICKLE.”’ ‘*T stopped the wrong man!” muttered Hal- leck, as he drove the spurs into his steed’s rowels and cursed his first attempt to play the road- agent. ‘The fellow wasn’t Gold Conrad’s mes- senger, but the owner of that worthless account which he carried until it saved his life. I won- der who the Rosebud of the Pink Forks is, and — he is behind me to-night?” alleck now increased his animal’s speed, and more than once, before the shanties of Vulture Bar greeted his eyes, a quiet smile played about the corners of bis mouth as he recalled the Rose- bud and his motley purchases. “Td like to meet the Rosebud of the Pink Forks. I owe him an apology,” said Halleck, dismissing the subject. ‘He was destined to meet him soon enough, CHAPTER IV. A KNIFE IN THE SHOULDER. GoLp CoNRAD’S watch-dogs were more than twenty hours’ hard riding from their master, and another day was waning when Halleck came in sight of the shanties of Vulture Bar. The sight did not surprise him; indeed, the place had a familiar look for he had more than once studied the location of the cabins on Gor- don’s map. ; He knew tbat the first cabin he would reach on entering the eluster was Colonel Thunder’s, and as he had often heard of, but never seen that redoubtable man, Halleck felt himself be- coming curivus as he neared the building. Tf he had been listening attentively he might have heard a slight ejaculation of surprise on bis ig as he rode up the hill over which Thunder had conducted Catana to read Gordon’s message, and if he had used his eyes better than he did, he would have caught a glimpse of a familiar figure among the sage bushes. The croucher was the Apache boy, and with the pupils of his fiery Indian eyes distended, he gazed at the young man whom he had left the day before in the mines at Lodeton. ‘Caramba! who sends him here—the master?” bissed Catana. ‘‘ Must he send one message by Catana and another by the young Americano whom Catana hates?” ; Halleck rode leisurely on, and when he had passed the brow of the hill[the figure of the Apache had left the bushes, and was gliding panther-like over the path after him. : Catana was devoted to the man ke served, and the thought that Gold Conrad had intrusted a. message to the young American was fiery food for his jealous nature. That portion of Vulture Bar which the youth- ful horseman was about to enter seemed deserted. He did not know that the man with the knife was soon to exhibit his skill with the bowie at the Howling Wilderness Hotel. ‘Colonel Thunder’s house, eh? Well it isn’t a palace if its tenant does reign supreme here,” said Halleck to himself when he reached the cabin. ‘‘Everything is so quiet; surely the colonel is not at home.” He had given utterance to bis thoughts in an unguarded tone as he soon discovered, for the door of the cabin suddenly opened and a voice id: ‘*No, sir, the colonel is not exactly at home; but he isn’t far away, if you wish to seeehim.” The tone and the speaker startled Halleck. He took in the sylph-like figure of the colonel’s rotegee at a glance, and found himself staring in a ludicrous manner into the face before him. A nameless thrill ran through his frame; but
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Shia ~~ Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. 5 he partly recovered his composure by a great effort. “JT beg your pardon,” he said. ‘‘Did I ask for Colonel Thunder?” ‘*T thought | heard you,” was the answer; *¢ but one is liable to be mistaken. You do not wish to see him, then?” ** Not just now. Are you his—” Halleck paused and blushed to his ears for while be had no doubts concerning the sex of the young creature before him, he felt that he was on delicate ground. **] stay here,” Esmer said, coming to his re- ‘lief. ‘‘ You do not want to see Colonel Thun- der just now, vousay. Will you not dismount and come in? He will come back before long.” Almost mechanically Halleck dismounted, but held his horse by the bridle-rein. ‘*Let me have your borse,” said Esmer step- ping, forward, and taking the bridle from his and. The young man watched her as she led the animal around one corner of the cabin and tossed the leathern reins over an iron pin driven intoa tree. Then she returned and led the way into the cabin. “This isn’t baffling Gold Conrad,” thought Halleck. ‘‘I mustn’t allow this siren to keep me long, for the second messenger might slip in, and, then, I don’t know why the first, Catana, was sent; I shall make my stay short bere.” Thus determined, Halleck gently refused the stool which Esmer offered, but leaned against the oaken table near the door. The interior of the cabin was quits gloomy but a candle soon sent forth its feeble light, and Halleck had another opportunity to study his new acquaintance If he had looked over his shoulder, he might have seen the face of a spy at the window. Catana was there. “You have never been to the Bar before?” Esmer asked, breaking the silence. ‘‘This is my first visit, but I should have known the place, for Gold Gordon’s maps which I que from his surveys have made us acquain- te “Gold Ccnrad!” exclaimed Esmer probably recurring to her late conversation with Colonel Thunder. ‘“ Does he know me?” ‘*T hope not.” ** But when you go back—” **T need not go back,” was the interruption. ‘* You will tell him that Iam here. His com- mands have been broken; but Colonel Thunder will defy him if it comes to the worst.” **His commands? Oh, yes, I understand, Then it is true—” “That I am not what my garments would have you believe? Yes,” and the young girl’s fingers touched Halleck’s arm, and her eyes had a soft, pleading look, hard to resist. ‘‘1 am the only woman at Vulture Bar. His commands forbid the presence of one here; his slaves must think of nothing but toil, toil. A woman’s love even must not lighten their lives. Think of it! isn’t that cruel; isn’t it devilish?’ and the dark eyes of Thunder’s protegee flashed indignantly. “Tt is just like him,” he said. ‘‘ He calls me an Indian—the son of an Apache squaw.” A cry of astonishment broke from Esmer’s lips. **You an Indian?” she cried. dark enough, and yet—” “And yet my skin is darker than yours—a good deal darker, I fancy,” said Halleck, smiling. The girl did not reply immediately, but icked up the candle and held it close to his ace while her eyes seemed to devour him. “ Well, what do you think?” asked the young man, when the candle had been returned to the table. “Gold Conrad insulted you,” was the quick answer, spoken ina tone of resentment. ‘ But isn’t there Spanish blood in your veins?” ‘“*T don’t know,” admitted Halleck. ‘* Where are you from?” ‘«T came to Lodeton five years ago, at Conrad ‘Gordon’s suggestion. His message found me at Ojo de Leon, New Mexico. I remembered to have met him, cr a man who resembled him, be- fore; but I was a boy then. When I got to his mines he made me his private secretary, but an Indian boy named Catana soon supplanted me. I continued in his service, but had a cabin of my own until he circulated the lie of which I have spoken: that I am not only an Indian, but that in addition to that, I am this Catana’s brother. That is an infamous lie, I know. We don’t look alike.” Halleck’s passions rose as he proceeded, and Esmer drew back and folding her arms lile a man watched him with glowing eyes. **'You are not s * You hate him and you will not betray me?” she said. ‘‘ You are out of bis service now. If you want new labor, Colonel Thunder may em- ploy you. I have been keeping his books, but the tasleis irksome, and a hundred times he has promised to find a new hand. Let us go and find him. Some strange link unites him and Gold Conrad. I can tell you this much without violating any confidence, for I discovered this myself. Come, we will go.” ‘** Where is the colonel?” ** At the show.” A show at Vulture Bar? Esmer saw the youth’s questioning look, ‘* A wild looking fellow and his bowie-knife will be on exhibition at the Howling Wilder- ness. Hecame tothe Bar this afternoon, and since Colonel Thunder has acted like a madman. He got a message—” ‘Only one?” ‘*T know of but one.” “Tt was from Gold Conrad. What did he say? “Tf I knew I might not tell,” was the answer. *[ might betray Gold Conrad, but I cannot go back on Colonel Thunder, Will you go with me? “ Yes.” The next moment Esmer put out the candle and stepped toward the door; at the same time a pair of fiery eyes left the window. Halleck was the first of the twain to step out- side, and as he did so a figure crouched at the foot of the cabin leaped at him with a short cry more beast-like than buman. The young man threw out his arms to grapple with his antagonist; but they sunk down when the biow dealt by the assaulter was fiercely struck, and Halleck staggered against the logs with a groan. Colonel Thunder’s protegee was soon on the spot: but the assassin gave her but the sound of his Acs If he had lingered, he might have fallen before the revolver griped in the girl’s right hand. When she wheeled on the white face against the cabin, it was to cry out against the mean blow. ‘* Who did this? Who is your foe?—tell me!” **No! I reserve for my own vengeance the name of the devil that struck .me,” was Hal- leck’s reply, and he smiled a forced smile as he stepped from the cabin. ‘See! I am not dead!” he continued, ‘* A knife-wound in the shoulder never kills any one. I am ready to go and see The Man with the Knife.” Esmer gave him a look of admiration, and saw him draw and cock his revolver as they moved away. aie 2 CHAPTER V. THE FOURTEEN-INCH BOWIE. THE wildest and, we might say, the largest crowd ever seen in the uncouth reception-room and saloon of the Howling Wilderness Hotel stood in the sawdust that formed its carpet, while Halleck and his new ag@yuaintance were hastening to the scene. This room was thirty feet long by twenty-five wide, so that it was almost square. At one end was a rough bar, presided over by a savage- looking fellow, who dispensed the vile drinks to thirsty crowds. Nota bottle was to be seen; for safety they were kept under the counter and guarded by the bar-tender, who wore a cocked revolver on his thigh. The room was almost benchless, and the light came from one large lamp which boasted of a bullet-shattered re- flector. ‘“ Whisky Jose” bad made preparation for the unusual entertainment which lhe knew was sure to bring the entire population of the Bar to the Howling Wilderness. He had made a platform out of half-a-dozen rough planks, which extended from the top of the counter to the weather-boarding behind it. This stage he had tested with his own weight, which was somewhat remarkable, and smiled with satis- faction when he saw Arkansaw spring upon it and nod his approval. The Man with the Knife looked down upon a sea of faces that almost filled the room to over- flowing. They were not all the property of white men. ere and there were the bronzed features of an Indian, Utes whose broad shoul- ders rose five feet and ten inches above their elk- skin moccasins. A kind of secret treaty appeared to exist between these red-men and Gold Con- rad’s silver-hunters, for every night their presence lent variety to Whisky Jose’s crowd. Arkansaw’s costume had undergone but lit- tle change; he had merely discarded his dusty jacket, and faced bis audience in dark-brown shirt and pantaloons. Tall and muscular, his physique appeared to advantage in his simple clothing. is mass of dark hair which had probably never known the invasion of a comb, covered his head like the matted mane of a lion; and his piratical beard, aided by a pair of eagle eyes, that seemed able to pierce a block of marble, proclaimed him more than a simple tramp-juggler, if not a man with a mission, Those eyes took in his audience at a glance He was standing above the crowd, so that all could sce; and at the moment when he care- lessly drew the lengthy bowie not an eye in the house was fixed elsewhere than on him. ‘** Remember,” whispered Colonel Thunder over bis shoulder to one of his five. ‘* This must be that man’s last show. Pass the word to the boys; they may forget it.” He never took his eyes from the man with the knife as he issued these commands, and the watch-dog who heard them turned and whis- pered them into the ear of a neighbor who gave a significant nod, “The signal?’ asked this man. “The colonel will give it. But we're to see all bis tricks first.” Arkansaw had made his bow to the house—a bow whose very awkwardness was assumed, and the next moment the bowie was whirling through the air to be caught by the bilt be- tween his teeth on its descent, a trick which he had already performed to the knowledge of at least a few in the house, Then he went through a number of strange performances, such as throwing the knife aloft and catching it between his shirt and flesh on the back of his neck, burling it with unerring aceuracy through a _ bullet fastened to the boards at one end of the stage; and transfixing little cards in like manner by throwing the knife over bis shoulder. Arkansaw was en rap- port with his crowd, for the applause was fre- quent; but there were at least six men who did not join in, ‘*He’s a tearer, colonel,” one of the fellows ventured to say to Gold Conrad’s manager, ‘*No; he’s a devil! This entertainment is only a side show to the one he came hyar to give,” was the answer, ‘‘I know it,” ‘Then you’ve heard ov ’im?” ‘* ve seen ’im before to-day,” “T thought so,” Thunder gave the man a mad look, “You thought so! What do rH know?” ‘*T thought you two war old acquaintances by the way he looked to-day when one ov the boys told im thet we war yer men. His eyes didn’t exactly flash, colonel, but they said: ‘Oh, ves, Colonel Thunder; know ’im well!’ Thar! thet’s his last trick.” “Get ready. Tell the boys.” The man stepped back and said a few words to four rough-looking fellows who stood in a group. They drew revolvers already cocked. * Now, hereon the performance ov the evening will conclude by my best trick ef the audience will furnish the material. I require a live Injun, an’ I promise to band ’im back in five minutes in good condition—fur the fun- eral. The whole house laughed at this, and here and there several Indians were pushed toward the platform. ‘Never hed any trouble in gettin’ an Injun on the San Juan,” continucd Arkansaw. ‘‘ Used to git one every night ax.’ sometimes two. Hurry up yer red-skins, Ill be liberal to-night. Pll throw in a dollar toward buryin’ ‘im, an’a dollar oughter decently plant a bull tribe,” ‘‘ Come; let us go. There are men here who will egg on the sacrifice that madman de- raands,” said one youth to another on the edge of the crowd only a few steps from Colonel Thunder. “T will stay. I will see it out,” was the reply. ‘So will I.” Halleck and Esmer, the girl, bad witnessed the greater part of the performance given by the man with the kn:fe: but at times the youn man missed some of the tricks for gazing a Colonel Thunder who had been pointed nn by his companion. ‘Waal, when my audience refuses to furnish me material I ginerally select it myself,” sud- denly exclaimed the man on the platform whirling upon the crowd. ‘Sometimes I take an Injun and sometimes a white man. This time I prefar the latter. Look out! hyar comes aknife.” At that moment Colonel Thunder’s eyes met those of the man with the knife, and with a wild oath he threw up his pistol-arm. The words “‘hyar comes a knife” seemed terribly earnest ones, and as Arkansaw uttered.
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a ee am atari menenin ete Ree ae cee me = eee ae them, he suddenly caught his bowie at the int and started forward. At the same time e carried his knife-arm threateningly back. The Indians dodged amid the hooting laughter of their white brethren; but a loud ery rose from the throats of all as the bowie actually left its owner’s hand. It whirled but once, and then shot downward into the dense, awe-stricken crowd. Those who turned their heads to watch its flight were not quick enough, for with a roar of n strangely mixed with a volley of oaths, Galonel Thunder staggered back with six inches of the deadly blade sticking out behind his left shoulder! ; The steel had undoubtedly been aimed at his heart, but the lifting of his revolver had caused him to shift his position the least bit just as the kuife left Arkansaw’s hands; and hence it was his shoulder, and not the organ of life. The work of the knife was received with a cry of that shook the roof of the bar-room. Colonel Thunder had fallen to the ground, killed as every one believed, and the crowd, knife and pistol armed, made adash at the stage. For one moment The Man with the Knife sur- veyed the scene beneath him with an eye that blazed like an eagle’s in a tempest. He showed his teeth in a wolfish grin. He looked like a man who knows that in his strength always lies his safety, and asif to prove this, he turned suddenly and threw himself against the broad boards that formed the northern end of the saloon. The next instant crash! went the planks, and as the oe of the man with the knife shot through the opening a dozen revolvers cracked ; but their bullets did nothing more than bury _ themselves above Whisky Jose’s head. The smoke had not cleared away before men, Indians as well as whites, were clambering over the stage to the opening while many were rush- ing toward the main entrance. The atmosphere was full of profanity; but one thought filled the a of all—to catch Arkansaw and kill im. A few, among these Halleck and Esmer, had remained at Colonel Thunder’s side, and when the crowd had almost entirely left the room Jose shut the door. Colonel Thunder gritted his teeth as the knife then fastened his eyes on was withdrawn, an it. “Tt looks like the same he used, ten years ago,” he said, unconsciously speaking aloud; ‘‘only the one he had then had @ red hilt. This one is red, too, but epee painted it. Jose, have they caught’im? No? go out an’ call ’em off; call my family off, anyhow. He came hyar to give me his knife. hope he didn’t see the bo uw u Yer boy—the young ‘un, kernal? hyar just now,” said the bar-keeper. “Hyar? Esmer?” “Tam here.” Colonel Thunder turned toward the sound, and fastened his eyes with a look full of rebuke upon bis gee. brought you hyar?’ he demanded, “Wha y- “Tt was my fault. Blame me, sir,” said Hal- leck, advancing. “You?” and Thunder looked fixedly at Gold Conrad’s young enemy, measuring him with his flashing eyes from head to foot. ‘So it war — fault that Esmer came hyar, eh? Come yar. I want to say a word in private.” Halleck stepped forward, and as Colonel Thunder’s right hand fell on his shoulder his heavy mustache touched his ear.’ “Leave Vulture Bar without my authority, an’ the buzzards will pick your bones among the bushes!” be hissed. ‘‘I’ve seen you afore. I knew you when you war the idol of the Apache camp.” A flash of fire lit u face kindled with insult. drew his revolver. **Colonel Thunder, you lie!” he exclaimed. *““T have been insulted before in the same man- mer. Take back your infamous words or Ill finish Arkansaw’s work—finish it right here, Halleck stepped forward as he finished, and, as his left hand shot at his insulter’s throat, his right thrust the revolver into his very face. Colonel Thunder laughed the laugh of the fearless desperado, “Don’t be a fool!” he said, calmly. ‘ Killme and never know who yer mother war.” He war Halleck’s eyes, and his He sprung back and . The pistol dropped undischarged at Halleck’s CHAPTER VI. THE ROSEBUD AND HIS PARDS. Cou. THUNDER’S word was law at the Bar, and Whisky Jose hastened to obey the command ad- dres to him. He went outside and proclaimed ina voice that might have been beard a mile away that Arkansaw should not be pursued. It had the desired effect, for the hunters came back one by one, and the saloon began to fill. In the mean time, by the help of five stalwart men, his pards, the master of Vulture Bar had been helped to his cabin. The loss of blood had weakened him, and given his face a pallor which made him look like another person. Halleck did not follow the little company to the cabin, beneath whose roof he had already stood. He had pressed Esmer’s hand before she left the Howling Wilderness, and caugbt, with a satisfied smile, the friendly promises that beamed in her eyes. Henceforth, the young man believed, his fate was to be strangely linked with that girl’s. He did not venture back into the saloon, where a hundred excited men were discussing the startling events of the night. He was a stranger at the Bar, and as such would not only attract attention, but rouse suspicion. He had reached it simultaneously with The Man with the Knife, and there were not a few desperate fellows who would naturally regard such an event suspicious, Therefore Halleck left the structure and sought the open air. His wound did not pain him now; but his mind soon went back to the short struggle before Colonel Thunder’s cabin, and to his antagonist. ‘My assailant must be at the Bar,” he mut- tered. ‘‘I wish I could find him and return the compliments which he lately gave me on the. int of his bowie. He never liked me—the jealous red-skin, and T am sure that I have lost no time loving him. He must be here some- where. As Iam forbidden to leave the Bar I might as well spend a little time in looking him u Halleck moved away, but his attention was soon called to the statue of a man that was visi- ble by a bit of light that streamed through the opening which Arkansaw had made in the> weather-boarding of the saloon. The statue of aman, we say, for the figure seemed planted in the ground, and did not move a limb. “One of my watchers,” thought the young man. ‘Colonel Thunder is going to carry out his threat if I attempt to leave the Bar without his permission. He is king here. I must not forget that. By Jove! why couldn’t I try this fellow?” The thought was no sooner matured than Halleck moved off in full view of the statue. “Pshaw! my scheme doesn’t affect him,” he said, as he suddenly halted and glanced over his shoulder. ‘‘He doesn’t seem to care a nickel whether I go or stay. He hasn’t moved for ten minutes; he— There! he’s going to exercise his limbs.” The object of Halleck’s attention had sudden- ly left his post. “ By my life! itis Arkansaw!” exclaimed the young man. ‘ He’s a fool to walk back into the jaws of death. Maybe he has discovered that he missed the heart he threw at and has returned for the pu of finishing a bungled job. Well, my bowie-king, sail in and give the colonel his quietus. Halleck will not interfere.” The man so closely watched by Gold Conrad’s enemy, walked toward the rear walls of the Howling Wilderness and stopped as if to listen to the liquor-loosened tongues inside, Halleck mechanically crept forward and kept his eye on him. If the man was Arkansaw, he had re- turned to the Bar for a purpose, and that pur- pose the young man desired to know. All at once Halleck was forced to crouch to the ground, for the figure of the listener had wheeled toward him and was coming forward. ‘He got in a part ov bis work,” Halleck heard a voice say, that startled him, ‘‘ He’s on a reg’lar killin’ trip, an’ with his knife, too. They didn’t foller him fur, it seems; the ver man he cut called ’em off—all but the Injuns. wish I hed got hyar sooner. I would ef thet roady hadn’t stopped me in the canyon.” Halleck thought that a strange laugh followed the last word; but he was not certain. The man had revealed himself; he was not Arkansaw, but the man whom he had stopped with the belief that he was Gold Conrad’s second messenger to the Bar. It was the Rosebud of the Pink Forks. He passed within a few feet of Halleck and went toward the mines. Over thesame ground, as the younz man had lately learned, The Man wit the Knife had fled a few minutes before. Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. “Me a messenger from Gold Conrad?” still giving vent to his thoughts. ‘‘ What did the roady take me fur, anyhow? ‘Gordon told me to come to the Bar an’ kill an’ I’ve been hyar ten minutes an’ hevn’t killed anybody yet. I made the gold king take his choice between two hearts an’, like a sensible man, he chose to keep his own in a healthy con- dition. Oh, you thievin’ tiger! the Rosebud will go back afore long an’ settle a long-standin’ accouut with you.” Halleck’s heart gave a great leap into hix throat. He was not alone in his hatred of the magnate of Lodeton, The man before bim wasan yah - he was going back some day and pay off the debt of vengeance he owed. A strange idea flashed tbrough the youth’s mind. If this man hated Gold Conrad, he could not love Colonel Thunder, his tool; therefore, why could not he (Halleck) form an alliance which would insure him a friend, an ally ina land where he had but one friend, and that a young girl? The thought fascinated our hero, and a mo- ment later he had touched the Rosebud’s arm. The man turned with a light cry, and Hal- leck heard the click of a revolver’s lock as a hu- man arm shot up until it was on a level with his face. But undaunted he looked over the barrel into the bearded face of the Rosebud. ““T have just heard you say that aay hate Gold Conrad,” Halleck said. ‘‘So doI; there- fore let us be friends,” The representative of the Pink Forks, where- ever they were, did not seem to hear the words. His eyes, keen as an eagle’s, were measuring the figure before him from head to foot. Halleck had a good figure;if his face was extremely youthful, it was strong, well knit, and full of suppleness, ‘*T say that I hate the same man you do,” continued Halleck, determined to make the Rosebud hear him. ‘‘ But, if you prefer it, ] will get my work in first and leave you nothing to do when you go back to Lodeton to cance} the debt you have just been talking about.” This time the words roused the Rosebud, and his burning eyes met Halleck’s gaze. “Oh, you want to become my pard, eh?’ he said. ‘Did I say thet I hate Gold Conrad?’ ‘“‘T understood you so,” said Halleck, ‘‘ Wal, mebbe f did. In the first place, who ar’ you?” ‘My name is Halleck. ever had.” ‘‘Yer handle ain’t as musical as mine, the Rosebud ov the Pink Forks,” and the worthy laughed. ‘‘ When did you come hyar?” ‘**Oh, I’ve been hyar some time,” Halleck an- swered, using some of the enunciation peculiar to the rough class to show the Rosebud that he had been associated with the desperate men of the mines, ** About two hours I should judge,” said the Rosebud. ‘‘ What did you do with my reseet? It doesn’t amount to much, but I hed carried it so long thet I hated to part with it. I settled it ez I settle nearly all my accounte—with a revolver at old Finnsickle’s head. Hyar, give it up, young ’un.” One of the Rosebud’s bands had fallon upon Halleck’s shoulder, and the revolver was again staring him in the face. “The reseet first, the pard bigness after’ards,” came over the glittering barrel. “T haven't got it. It was of no value to me, and you would have treated it just as I did if, instead of an important message, you had cap- tured such a lene as it was. I owe you an apology; but the receipt I threw away.” The Rosebud’s lower jaw dropped. “Honest Injun?” “What would I want to lie about sucha thing for?’ flashed Halleck. ‘‘I’ve never seen you before to-night—” * But Pve seen you often, now thet I’ve "been lookin’ at you fer five minutes,” replied the Rosebud as he lowered the revolver. ‘* Wal, let the blamed old reseet go. Ef you still want _ to press the pard bizness, we'll go on a little further.” ‘** Then we'll go on.” The two men thus strangely met started away together, and soon found themselves among the mines nearest the Bar. When the Rosebud stopped it was in a gulch whose bed was full of giant bowlders, It was « wild place for a conference, and Halleck’s ear was quick to catch a sound that startled him. The next moment he caught sight of a heal surmounted by a tuft of feathers, and his hand instantly drew his revolver. It is all the name I
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—_ “What's up?” “*Tndians!” “ Ar’ thet all?’ Halleck didn’t know how to reply. While he knew that the men of Vulture Bar were on half friendly terms with the Utes, he was also aware of this fact: the mines were dangerous ground after night—a real district of death, made so by these very Indians. Therefore, he felt himself justified in drawing his weapon; but the Rosebua’s nonchalance had disconcerted him. ‘*Well,” said Halleck, biting his lip, ‘‘ if you can stand it, I can, But there are Indians about, i see them.” ‘“‘T want you to see ’em,” was the answer, anda familiar bird-call rose from the man’s lips. Tho next instant six stalwart savages left the shadows of the rocks and came forward. “These pards ov mine ought to hev a say when it comes to takin’ new members into the firm ov Rosebud and company,” continued the man, waving his hand at the new - comers. “Seen ’em afore to-night? Waal I should smile,” and the Rosebud displayed his yellow teeth inagrin. ‘ My pardsar’ reg’ular tigers; they ’re the red hollyhocks ov the Ute nation— none ov the thievin’ Apaches what used to hold you on their ponies when you war a baby.” ‘““That cowardly insult again!” flashed Hal- jleck, instinctively laying his hand on his re- volver. ‘It has been flungin my teeth three times within the last twenty-four hours.” “‘T see it kinder riles you,” was the reply. ‘‘But you’re not goin’ to say thet I never see’d the Apaches do thet, ar’ you? Why, yer mother war the purtiest—” “There!” cried Halleck springing forward, and seizing the Rosebud’s arm. ‘That will do! I know what you are going to say; butitisa lie!—an infamous lie! Keep the rest of your sentence back, for if you go on Ill kill you where you stand, even if your Indians riddle me with bullets the next minute.” “Thot’s just what they’d do. But yer e reg’lar young mountain lion. I like yer stile. By ” ~“™ hokey! you’d be anornament at the Pink Forks. We'll take you in ez a full pard.” “Never!” cried Halleck. ‘A moment ago I wanted your friendship—your aid; but now I wouldn’t accept it for the world. I will go to my vengeance alone. I will work my own way, in spite of Colonel Thunder and his pards, and you and yours!” With the last word which was accompanied by a look of lofty disdain, Halleck stepped hack. : ‘Hold on, my cooler! jes’ one minute—” “Not one second! Attempt to detain me here and [ll deprive the Pink Forks of their ornament.” “Hothead must stop!” said a new voice. “Him must listen to Rosebud!” and one of the Indians sprung between Halleck and the man | from the Pink Forks. ‘** Back! ened the youth, retreating. ‘I don’t want to Kill; so, don’t step on my toes.” The Indian’s eyes seemed to blaze as they glanced quickly at his companions. ‘“ When the Black Coyote speaks young fools must hear.” Halleck raised his weapon, but at the same moment something whistled through the air, and the Indian staggered back with a cry that made the gulch ring. Gold Conrad’s young enemy could not repress an exclamation of horror, for a large bowie- knife was quivering in the breast of the stal- wart Ute! : He turned and looked in the direction from &— which the strange and killing missile had come; —-— but though he saw nothing, he knew that The | Man with the Knife was not far away. The next minute Halleck was flying toward Vulture Bar. peer hy CHAPTER VII. COLONEL THUNDER GETS MORE ORDERS. “Wo is there?” Y The girl, Esmer, asked this question with her hand on the latch of the cabin-door, and her ear at the crevice. A rough mountain rap had startled her, and she had eleared the space between Colonel Tbun- der’s couch and the coor with a single bound. The summons had awakened him, but Esmer did not see him draw a revolver from beneath the pillow as he raised himself on his elbow. The colonel’s eyes had a mad, maniacal glare; he seemed to think that The Man with the Knife had come back. ! You are near enouch now!” threat- | Arkansaw, tho Man with the Knife. é | I have forgotten. the person outside seemed confounded by the musical voice. ‘*Who’s thar?’ suddenly cried the voice of Gold Conrad’s man. *‘ Answer, or git a bullet!” ‘* Pve jes’ arrived from the cap’n. Ive got a message for ye,” was the po ** Another?” murmured Thunder, ‘‘ Hand it in as Esmer opens the door.” * All right.” ' ‘* An’ wait whar you ar’ till I know what it says.” smer opened the door several inches, and a | | great, bronzed hand that clutched a bit of paper As the girl relieved it of | was thrust inside. the message, it was withdrawn and the door was shut again. _ Colonel Thunder awaited the delivery of the messuge with anxious eyes, although in calm tones he told Esmer to bar the door first of all things. Esmer held the candle while her guardian leaned over the couch and unfolded the paper. For a moment he glanced at its contents, and then crushed it quickly in his hand. “They are all gettin’ byar about the same time,” Ksmer heard bim say, half-aloud, while his eyes flashed with the old tiger light. ‘So the last one seems to be buntin’ the first, eh? Well, Pll do my duty, cap’n. Pll go an’ put my pards at work right off.” He sprung from the couch Esmer. “Tm going out?’ he said. ‘ Don’t stir till I come back,” and as he finished, a twinge of pain in his shoulder made him grate his teeth. Ksmer did not attempt to interfere; she knew Ld nature of the mountain lion too well for that. He seized his hat which lay on the foot of the couch and strode toward the door: the next minute he was gone. Just beyond the threshold of the cabin the messenger confronted him, a man whose gar- ments were muddy and wet. “You are tired?” said Thuuder addressing him, “Kinder,” admitted the man. “Do you kw where Silent Sam’s is?” ‘*No; but 1 must see Sam.” “Then come along.” The two went off together. This was all thet Esmer saw and heard. As she turned something white caught her eye; it was a piece of crumpled paper, and it lay midway between the door and the couch. Recognizing it with a singular ery the girl sprung forward and picked it up. <A second later with bated breath, and a wildiy beating heart she was trying to decipher it in the weir candle-light. . Her face, flushed with expectation when she began, was as white as ashes when she finished for she had read as follows: ** CoLONEL THUNDER: * Another devil has just started for Vulture Bar. and looked at | He calls himself the Rosebud of the Pink orks and wants to kill, first, The Man with the Knife, and then me, Now you have twoto interest you. Also—I have just learned it—Halleck (you know him!) has taken one of the Queen’s horses and left Lodeton. We have quarreled, If he gets to the Bar treat him as you would my worst enemy: but d+ it quietly. Let nothing balk you; forget who his mother was, Gorpon.”’ Esmer read the foregoing with feelings which no pen can describe. She cared nothing for the individual mention- ed in the first part of the message; his name told that he was but another desperado whose pastime was to hunt and kill. ‘*But Halleck was the youth who had lately bade her adieu on the scene of Arkansaw’s fatal exhibition. He hated Gold Gordon, he had told her himself that they had quarreled, and that he had come to the Bar for the express purpose of having revenge in some manner, Now his life was in danger; he had been handed over to the tender mercies of the six men who were known far and-wide as the Six tevolvers of Vulture Bar. Esmer’s eyes suddenly flashed indignantly whileshe thought. Halleck had fallen among wolves; he was helpless in the toils which yet that night would be thrown finally around him, And he knew it not. All at once the girl sprung to the door and threw it open. Since the thrilling events at the Howling Wilderness, a full round moon had planted her shield of silver in the heavens, and the girl flitted away with a revolver within | easy reach of her hand. She went up to the ‘‘ hotel” and peeped in, Whisky Jose was closing for the night, and the flickering light of his lamps fell only on his There was no reply to Esmer’s question; | burly figure. A few rods ava Esmer paused before Silent Sam’s cabin, and looked in at the window. The man who seldom spoke was looking at bis new guest, a person whose nether garments were muddy. it was Gold Conrad’s second messen- eer ” . p ‘Not there!” muttered Esmer in tones full of anxiety. ‘‘ Merciful heavens! I wonder if they have run him down already?” She went back again, but ail at once when half-way between Silent Sam’s and her own home, a wind from the mountain mines broug!t a coarse laugh to her ears, Esmer stopped; so did her heart. “Pll find them now,” she cried, and turning to the left she darted away. She seemed from the first to know the exact location of the man who had laughed, for with- out turning either to the right or to the left she pressed on until she reached a dark opening in the side of a bill. ‘““They’re doing their infamous work under ground!” she said as she went in. Her manner of procedure told that her entire life had not been passed in Colonel Thunder's cabin, for she hurried on, avoiding the rough bowlders in the walls of the dark corridor, as well as if it had been daylight. Far ahead several lights, like distant stars, greeted her eyes, but she knew that they were torches held aloft by the man-tigers among whom fate had made her spend her life. Esmer halted at last: but it was to hug a gloomy wall for a moment and gaze on the scene before her. The watch-dogs of the Bar had found one of the new arrivals. If he was not stalwart and desperate-looking like Arkansaw and the Rose- bud, he had at least a dangerous eye in his head, and carried a steady hand, Esmer counted five men in the large cave- like room before her—five demons, ‘They stood before Halleck, and the right hand of each held a revolver at the youth’s breast, They were not masked. Masks are not needed when a man is to be killed without fail. The fortitude of the young man gained a look of admiration from Esmer. He was looking into the faces of the Revolvers with a calmness that should have subdued the light that flashed in their eyes, Esmer looked everywhere for the colonel; she penetrated the shadows of the cavern in vain. “He sent his minions! he dared not come himself,” said the girl. ‘‘ Well, [am glad he is not here.” The thought bad hardly been expressed when a voice so near Esmer that she wheeled sudden- ly broke the silence: ‘“ What brought you to the Bar, Halleck?” “Need I tell you twice? Vengeance! I ranyed to strike bim where his greatest interest ies. “How would you have done it?” “IT do not know. I had not completed my plans.” ‘*To have stabbed him deepest you would had to hev wiped out the Six Revolvers.” “T would not have shrunk from the task,” was the fearless answer. ‘**Who came with with you?” “*T came alone.” ** Beware! don’t pass in yer checks a-lyin’. You hed company to the Bar.” ‘Thad not; the Rosebud was behind me.” Esmer heard Halleck’s questioner utter an oath which did not reach his ears. How did the youth know that the “company” referred to was the representative of the Pink Forks? “You were not to leave the Bar without Colonel Thunder’s authority. He’s goin’ to give it now, an’ you’re goin’ away.” Halleck’s reply was a contemptuous sneer for the coarse wit intended by the last sentence. “‘T know you, Colonel Thunder,” he said. ‘By killing me you help ycur master, Conrad Gordon. You dare not fet me live.” ** We will not!” and a brutal laugh followed. “Tt is a pity that Arkarsaw’s bowie missed its mark to-night. It will not miss the next time.” = “Hal” ‘*T know it. He told meso,” ‘* Since the throw?’ Halleck smiled and shut his lips defiantly. The interrogator stepped from the shadows into the light of the torches. It was really Colonel Thunder, tall, stalwart and angry! ‘** You have seen him since the throw? Good! Where is he?” Halleck’s eyes said: ‘‘ Find out if you can!” ‘Oh, silence is your game,” grated Thunder, \
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1 4) 8 Arkansaw, the Ma a with the Knife. ‘Well, as you like it, I will make you keep it forever. ady !” Five bronzed fingers glided to the five revol- vers in the watch-dogs’ hands. “* Whar is he?” No answer. “That ends it! Die like a fool and never know who she was.” This time the words spoken once before that same night, and by Colonel Thunder, too, only brought a look of yearniug to Halleck’s eyes, and made him shut his hands as if to nerve him- self for the ordeal of death. | Esmer had nof watched the imperiled young man for several moments; she had seen no one but her guardian, and with almost devouring impatience she waited for the command that would kill. All at once his hand was uplifted, bis lips parted and the signal was about to fall from them, when our heroine sprung over the inter- vening space and threw herself before Gold Conrad’s foe, “Drop your weapons!” she cried, as she faced the swarthy five. ‘* Down with them or die!” Her revolver moved restlessly right and left ees her pale face; her eyes emitted flashes of me. The watch-dogs involuntarily started back and glanced at their leader. Colonel 'Thunder started forward and stretch- ed forth his arm. ‘‘Nothing must stan’ between us an’ duty!” he thundered. ‘‘Shoot yer way to Halleck through the body that covers him. Fire!” CHAPTER VIII. “FOR THE QUEEN!” WAHILE these thrilling events were transpiring under ground, others almost as exciting were taking place in the starlight, and the lamp- light not far away. e have mentioned that Esmer while hunt- ing Colonel Thunder and his pards saw the second messenger sitting in the light that re- vealed the interior of Silent Sam’s cabin. Establishing his identity by a glance, she moved away, and her place at the window was almost immediately filled by a wild face cov- ered with dark hair. The pair of eyes that looked into the cabin now saw the same scene that the girl had just left. Silent Sam was one of the characters of Vul- ture Bar; he seldom spoke, and when he did his words were monosyllables, but spoken to the point. His cabin consisted of two apartments, the larger one of which, at the time of which we write, was occupied by Gold Conrad’s messen- ger and himself; a strong door, secured by several strong iron bars, led to the other room, which did not have a single window, This dumb man held a responsible position at the Bar. Let us see what it was, The man at the window kept an immovable position for many minutes. After awhile, the messenger. from Lodeton looked up and eg te Sam’s expression- less gaze, drew a fuse from his pocket. At the same time he made a sign that caused Sam’s eyes to twinkle. “The cap’n sent this,” he said, extending the fuse which Sam eagerly took. ‘‘ He said thet you hed better fit this one on right away. Suthin’ might require its use afore long.” Silent Sam nodded and moved toward the barred door. Without a word he removed two of the bars, and opening the door ‘disclosed a dark room into which he motioned the messen- ger to follow him. Just inside the room hung a lantern which Sam lighted. The messenger looked disap- pointed for the little room was comparatively empty. “T don’t see whar you’re goin’ to fix yer fuse?’ he remarked. ‘*Tll show you.” Sam stooped and lifted a trap-door in the So this action showed the messenger an ap- —— solid iron rod driven into the ground, ut Sam unscrewed a brass top, and proved it to be hollow. Then he drew forth a fuse which felt quite damp: the messenger shook his head when he had examined it. ‘* How Jong has this fuse been there?” he asked, glancing at the rod. ‘Three months.” “That’s too long for one fuse. other?” Sam shook his head. ‘“‘This one would have failed. Put the new one in; right away, the cap’n said.” The guardian of the mine stooped and ina minute had fixed the fuse to the top of the You had no hollow rod. Then adjusting the brass cap he was about to return the trap to its place when the messenger touched his shoulder. Sam looked up inquiringly. ‘*How does the blamed thing work? What all goes up when you fire it?” ‘“Everything!” said Sam, showing his teeth in a grin, ““Thet’s a good deal,” was the reply. “It | doesn’t hurt the Bar, does it?” ‘*No; but the mines. Now I will tell you,” Sam continued, growing talkative. ‘‘ What if we should have trouble? What if the Indians or some white men should try to take the mines from the cap’n? I would fire the fuse when, whiz! crash! the old mountains would fly apart, and the mines would be useless.” ‘* Not with powder?’ wt No. ” . “* Dynymite?” Sam’s eyes sparkled as he nodded. At the same time he shut the trap. ‘*T would be safe hyar,” he said; ‘‘ the Bar would shake, that’s all; but the mines! ah! they could never be worked ag’in.” ** Tt would ruin the cap’n.” ‘* Yes; but his foes would die poor.” “ By George! that’s a complete thing!” sud- denly exclaimed a voice at the door which Sam had loft open. ‘I’m anxious to see how the fuse works. [ll jest tap the cap with the hilt ov my bowie.” Silent Sam and the messenger stood before the speaker like persons suddenly struck dumb. Their ores seemed ready to fly from their heads, and all volition appeared to have left them as they stared at the burly man who was stepping toward the trap-door with a bowie-knife clutch- ed at the point. “Pll jest giv’ it one tap,” he continued. ‘I don’t believe you kin blow up tbe mines with sich a thing as you ’ve rigged up hyar. You’ve been givin’ this fellar a game ov wind—Sam, you ’ve been lyin’!” The man who was none other than Arkansaw was at the trap-door befure Silent Sam recov- ered. As for the messenger he had retreated to the door with a face as white as ashes. ‘*Stop!” commanded Sam, laying his hand on the intruder’s shoulder; ‘‘ stop!” There was a threat in bis eyes. ‘‘Stop? I will when I’ve tapped the cap!” said The Man with the Knife, turning away. Silent Sam said no more, but hastily collect- ing hisstrength he threw himself upon Arkan- saw. The two men went to the floor together, and for a moment, having been taken ata disadvan- tage, the bowie-king seemed in a perilous situ- ation. For the guardian of the mine of de- struction had produced a revolver with which he was hunting in the dim light for his antago- nist’s head. But all at once Arkansaw whirled and knock- ed the weapon up, just as Sam’s finger was about to press the trigger, and the next mo- ment the body of the guardian fell in a heap in the darkest corner of the room, ‘“‘Pye got the same kind ova dose fur you ef you want it!” cried Arkansaw turning to the door; but this sentence concluded abruptly for the messenger from Gold Conrad was gone. For a moment a contemptuous look beamed in Arkansaw’s eyes; but without expressing his thoughts, he bent over the trap-door and ex- amined the fuse. Below the cap, which he removed, he discovered a little wire which he drew out and cut off with his bowie three inches | below the top, thus destroying the connecting current of electricity which the explosion, or | firing of the fuse would send to the mines. Then he replaced the cap, shut the trap-door, and glanced at Silent Sam. That worthy was lying on his face, and consequently had not witnessed the tampering with the train. “ve got things pretty much in my own hands,” The Man with the Knife said with a malicious grin as he left the room, the door of which he left open. ‘I'll go an’ see how Colo- nel Thunder ar’ gettin’ along. I’m kinder glad I missed his heart since I diskivered the mine. By the widowed Jingo! I never thought he hed | 4 pionage glided along the cabins until he reached rigged up such a thing ez thet to keep sech fel- | lars ez Arkansaw from gittin’ the best ov ’im!” | There was a broad smile of triumph beneath the profuse beard and mustache that the bowie- king sported, and the next minute the cabin was left to its unconscious tenant. Out inthe starlight a figure standing at the window dropped suddenly to the ground and followed the knife-thrower. Presently another poner another appeared until six were on his trai Arkansaw, apparently unaware of this es- Ser the one occupied by Colonel Thunder, and his protegee. Fora moment he applied his ear to the crack between jamb and door and listened. “ Not at home—not even the gal thet he calls a boy,” muttered Arkansaw. ‘‘Suthin’s up. I see’d ’’em all at my show. Ef I thought the kernul ’d come home alone [4 gr in an’ wait. Pll go in anyhow, an’ take a squint at the in- terior of the nest.” He lifted the latch and stalkedin. At the same time the six figures sprung to the door. Five of them were Indians, the sixth was a white man; but one who might have been a king among desperadoes. He laid his left hand, armed with a bowie, on the latch, and listened while he looked over his shoulder at his fol- lowers. He was waiting for Arkansaw to strike a light as certain words told him that the bowie- king was hunting for a candle. All at once an exclamation told him that the object bad been found, and then came the cap-like report of a pair of lucifers. ‘* Ho! ho! blood on his bed!” exclaimed the man in the hut. ‘‘I winged the Vulture, Con- found it! when I go back to Arkansaw I'll never say a word about the heart 1 missed at twenty feet. Never!” The next second crash! went the door, and See saw the six human tigers that leaped at him. The candle fell from his hands, but alighted right side up on the table, and continued to burn, but a second later the naked arm of one of the Indians swept it o1 and put it out. But not before Arkansaw had recognized the bronzed leader of the scarlet wolves, ‘Waal, Rcsebud, you’ve gone cl’ar back on the Queen!” he cried. These words had a magic effect. The Rosebud of the Pink Forks whirled upon his own followers and with one sweep of his pistol-arm dashed aside the arms that were trying to get at Arkansaw’s heart. “Back! back!” he hoarsely shouted. ‘‘The person ov Arkansaw is sacred! He is still in the sarvice ov the Queen. Thet makes us bro- thers!” : The Utes stared into the face of the speaker, and shrunk back, but not without many a menace. What had come over their leader? They saw him turn to Arkansaw and put for- ward his right hand. , ‘‘Fur the Queen?’ he asked, hesitating just the least. ‘* Put ’er thar!” and the hands of the two men met. ‘*T came hyar to wipe you out,” the Rosebud seat on. “I thought you had gone back on er. “Tf you think I hev give me the hull length ov yer toothpick, Rosebud,” was the answer, and Arkansaw tore his shirt open with one mad wrench of his right hand, and bared his breast to Resebud’s bowie. But the man from the Pink Forks shook his head and sheathed his knife with the emphasis of an oath. SHAPTER IX. PARDS ONCE MORE. “Go down thar an’ wait fur me,” said the Rosebud, turning to his red comrades, while he still grasped Arkansaw’s hand; ‘‘ down whar I found you.” The Indians departed and the two men were alone in the cabin. ‘““The Queen sent me down hyar,” he contin- ued, lifting his eyes to Arkansaw’s face, now visible in the mellow light that the moon was throwing into the recm, “I'll tell you why I war huntin’ you, pard. She said jes’ afore I left: ‘Ef you finds any traitors at the Bar giv’ ?em the best hslf ov yer bowie.’ An’ I know thet she thinks you thet kind ov a chick.” ‘*Me? Stan’ by me until I prove thet a lie, Rosebud.” ‘*T will do thet—so will my red boys.” s They ar’ yours, then? I killed one an hour ago. “The knife went cl’ar through him. You’ve kept in practice, I see.” ‘Ef you hed seen my throw at the Howlin’ Wilderness you’d hev thought thet I hed lost my ‘*T came too late; but I heard ov thet throw. The kurnel doesn’t object to it bein his shoulder thet took the bowie, I reckon?’ ‘Ov course, not,” and Arkansaw smiled. ‘¢- You saw the Queen—” ‘* Yesterday at sundown.”
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— ———— —_—— “T war at Lodeton yesterday; but I didn’t eall. Why? Wal, Rosebud, I thought I would wait until I could go back an’ throw at the last heart I want to spht.” There was a fiendish gleam in the eyes of the bowie-king as he uttered the last words. ‘ But how does our Queen look?” ‘* Purtier than ever, ef I’m a jedge ov woman.” ‘°T hevn’t sot eyes on ’er since I put her on the mustang on the Rio Pecos, an’ told her to hunt an’ kill until she hed enough of ven- geance.” ““Thet war ten year ago.” ‘* Nearly so. 1e’s trailer she hez been!” ** An’ he, the ’tarnal fool, sleeps within a hun- | dred vards ov thet mine ov dynymite. I’ve been helpin’ 'er all this time.” ‘You, Rosebud?” The eyes of the man fron the Pink Forks | flashed with pride. ‘*What hev yousbeen doin’?’? Arkansaw went on before he could’Speak. ‘*The water flooded his mines last year; the dams broke, Jwar thar! His big boss, Strong Dick, war found dead in the mine, J war thar! One night the secret diary which he hed_kept for twenty-five years turned up missin’. Rose- bud war thar, Arkansaw. Jehu! pard, you oughter hev see’d the Queen’s eyes flash when them books fell inter her lap. Thet war the hardest ov all blows.” “ Wait till the Queen turns an’ says: ‘ Finish the play, Arkansaw.’ Then you will see the blow thet kills. But her child—the little one what we used to nuss turn-about?” ‘*Still missin’! Didn’t he play his cards well thar?” Arkansaw said nothing, but while his eyes shone strange.y, he led the Rosebud to a door that led into the other compartment of the eabin. The candle, overturned by one of the Indians, had been relighted, and was in his hand. On the threshold of the second room the burly figure of The Man with the Knife came to a halt, and his long arm pointed to a narrow cot ses touched the rough logs that formed the wall, His lips said nothing, his look and gesture were enough, and the Rosebud gave a gasp for joy as he glanced into his pard’s face. ‘The gal? Jehosaphat! I hev hunted fer nuthin’ fer ten year, but you hev not hunted, yet found!” “Tam not sartain. Colonel Thunder calls it a boy, but I’m too old fer thet, Rosebud. You'll see somebody’s eyes an’ hear the voice we used to foller away down South when you see the person what sleeps on thet bed.” ‘** Whar is she?” ““Not hyar; thet’s sartain,” and Arkansaw shut the door. The two men left the cabin, but did not see the figure squatted in one corner of the main room. The light fell but partially on the spy, whose face was dark, like an Indian’s, and whose eyes glared at them like a hyena’s, Beyond the door of Colonel Thunder’s cabin all was still. Although the night was lovely and the hour not far from dawn, nobody seemed abroad but the twain so strangely met. — “The boy I saved from yer Injun?” suddenly asked Arkansaw. ‘‘ Did you know ’im?”’ “Ov course.” ** Does the Queen?” “‘T think so, He came hyar on her horse.” Arkansaw drew his bowie and balanved it on his finger in an abstracted manner. The Rose- bud watched him out of the corners of his eyes, All at once the bowie-king started off. * I'm gettin’ the killin’ fever again,” the Rose- bud heard him mutter. “I want to break suthin’—to smash things!” The Rosebud sprung after him, and tried to stop him, but in vain; Arkansaw was hurrying toward Silent “1m’s cabin as fast as long strides could tal.» him thither. ‘Hold on!” hallooed the Rosebud. Arkansaw jerked loose from his hand and strode on. With a muttered oath the irritated man threw himself before him. “In the name of Queen Merta, I command you tostop!” he said sternly. Arkansaw came to a sudden halt, “You go on like a mad wolf an’ never look behind you,” the Rosebud continued. ‘Yer eyes ar’ like an owl’s. Look over yer shoulder an’ tell me ef you see anything crouched by the clump ov sage we’ve jes co 3 dintet ansaw obeyed and his eyes flashed as they found him? What a! Arkansaw, the Man wi h the Knife. if 9 ‘Pll tell you in a minute, Rosebud.” As he spoke he whipped out his bowie and catching it by its sharp point whirled for a throw. ‘* Jehosaphat ! it might be one ov my red boys,” exclaimed the Rosebud. But The Man with the Knife pushed the arm of intervention aside, and before it could return to intercede further, the bowie shot through the moonlight, A sharpcry answered the throw, and a figure sprung up only to fall back and lie perfectly still beside the clump of bushes twenty feet away. The two friends looked into each other’s eyes for an instant, and then Arkansaw bounded to- ward his target. The representative of the Pink Forks watched him in silence. When he came back he was holding the bowie in his hand; but its blade half of it, at least, glittered no longer. ‘*It was small game but the bite of young rattlesnakes is death,” said Arkansaw answer- ing the Rosebud’s look. ‘‘ We must get outen this. Thet cry roused the diggin’s,” and strid- ing away he led his friend a rapid heat coward the gulch where Halleck had been saved by the knife that killed. As they were obliged to cross the road that led from Lodeton to the Bar, Arkansaw sud- denly halted and pointed toward the distant mining town, ‘* Ah!” exclaimed he, ‘‘ef the Queen of Fate knew who my bowie killed back thar, she’d smile. in her sleep to-night, an’ the man in the armory ’d mount bis horse an’ come hyar.” The Rosebud was almost bursting with im- patience. ‘““Who did you kill?’ he cried, as his great bronze hand tightened on the knife-thrower’s arm. “His right bower !—his life-guard—the young Injun!” ** Catana?” ‘Wal, I should smile.” “'Thet blow will strike ez deep ez the theft ov the secret diary did,” the Rosebud said. ‘‘ When we go back—” ‘Another man from Lodeton!’ he inter- rupted. ‘* Mebbeit ar’ the cap’n himself.” he two worthies looked down the mountain road, one clutching the silvered butt of a large revolver, the other holding carelessly a naked bowie in his hand. They were so near together that not only their shoulders, but their mus- taches touched. The road to Lodeton was hard, almost flinty. A horse was coming on at a gallop—a horse whose feet were accustomed to mountain passes, for his gallop was uniform; not a hoof slip- ped. Allat once the men separated, and, like the sentinels of an army, they watched and listened for the enemy. ‘‘ He must stop hyar,” came Arkansaw’s voice across the narrow way. “The old signal, Rosebud, It does me good to give it to you ag’in. If it is the cap'n we'll go back an’ git her blessin’ to-morrer.” On came the night rider, apparently eager to reach his destination, and all at once he and his horse loomed up between the two men like an apparition. At the same instant two fi bridle-rein, and the horse wit reeled from the sight. “Draw or die!” cried the comrades in one breath. A laugh full of music was the answer, and from the slender figure that leaned forward to peer into their faces the men started with ejacu- lations of astonishment. ‘‘The Queen ov Fate! by the jumpin’ jingo!” fell from Arkansaw’s lips. ‘Queen Merta!” cried the Rosebud. : Just then the moon emerging from a curtain of cloud showered her soft light upon the scene, and the handsome face of the woman in the saddle was revealed. P One of her hands held a revolver, but she qui- etly let the hammer down as she returned it to its place. z ‘“So you have met again?” she said, from the Rosebud to Arkansaw, on w dark eyes rested. ‘I thought—” ‘“Thet Arkansaw hed gone back on ye, eh?” interrupted the bowie-king. ‘‘No! Queen; he kills where you hate. Look at thet toothpick,” and his eyes blazed as he held the bowie up in the moonlight. ‘I hevn’t forgot my old cun- nin’. Thet blade hedn’t thet color an hour ago, res darted at the a snort of terror glancing om her an’ I war jes’ sayin’ to the Rosebud thet you’ smile in yer sleep ter-night, ef you knowed whose blood thet war.” ‘Well, whose is it?’ asked the woman, ea- gerly, but with some emotion. “The young Injun’s—his right bower.” The Queen of Fate seemed to frown. ‘*T wish you had spared him a little longer,” she said. ‘ We'll all be togetber before long.” ‘* Will he come hyar?” ae Yes.” Arkansaw’s eyes fairly sparkled. “Vm gittin’ Fook to my normal condition!” he said. CHAPTER X. HALLECK AND HIS FOES. GOLD ConRAD’sS enemy, the Queen of Fate, had ridden from Lodeton to Vulture Bar for a PPO: She had encountered, unexpectedly, as we have seen, the two men who had served her be- fore. The meeting, if not foreseen, was not an unwelcome one, although the announcement of Catana’s death had brought a frown to the wo- man’s face. “Then,” she said, after a long pause, looking at the Rosebud and Arkansaw, “then, if such things bave happened at the Bar, perhaps I should not keep on just now.” ‘I think you should not, Queen,” the Rosebud said, in which opinion The Man with the Knife concuired with a look, ‘ Things ar’ terribly torn up thar jes’ now. I weuld wait awhbile—until he comes, mebbe. We ar’ gittin’ things in ap- ple-pie order. Arkansaw hez diskivered the fuse—” ‘* Ah!” interrupted Merta, opening her eyes, ‘An’ Ive ‘fixed’ it, too,” said Arkansaw. “They can’t work it; but, let me tap the ca once, yes, jes’ let me tap it, an’-—whew! I’ make these old mountains shake.” The woman smiled, but it was the smile of anticipated vengeance, It added a new and more intense sparkle to her wonderful eyes. “Tf I must not go on, now, whither must I go?” she asked, ‘“[Tll show yer,” said the Rosebud, grasping the bridle and leading the steed toward the gulch, whither, an hour before, he had sent bis red al- lies. Arkansaw had wiped his bowie on his left sleeve, and was following the couple with his pnsiries and thoughtful eyes fixed on the gure in the saddle. “Ef the Queen only knowed what I think I am sure ov, wouldn’t she be fur goin’ on to the Bar? Why, the Rosebud an’ Arkansaw, strong ez they ar’, couldn’t begin to hold ’er back, and the bowie-king grinned as he spoke, A few minutes later Merta’s horse, still ease by the man from the Pink Forks, entered the rocky gulch, ‘* You’ve never seen my ?? the Rosebud ates up into her face as he halted, “No A signal, a mere bird-call as it seemed, fell from his lips, and the waiting Utes sprung trom their biding-places. Merta only slightly started. “This is yer Queen ez she is ourn,” said the Rosebud by way of introduction as he waved his hand toward the woman on the horse. | “You ar’ in her sarvice like Arkansaw an’ me ar’, an’ ef necessary—an’ it may be—you must shed yer last drop ov blood fer her.” The Indians gathered around the woman and swore to devote their lives to her. “T am not going to lack for allies,” she said under her breath, ‘‘I have more than I want, _But I sent a certain person ahead, Have you seen bim?” The question was addressed aloud to the two partners; they exchanged rapid glances. ‘“Yes, we’ve both seen him,” Arkansaw an- swered, ‘* Where is he now?” asked the Queen. ‘Back yonder among the wolves. But never mind him; he’ll take care ov himself.” The answer was vague. It is true that Hal- leck was ‘‘ back yonder,” as Arkansaw termed it; but the exact situation of the young man was unknown to him. Had it been known, he might not have replied to Merta’s question in such reassuring words. “Shoot your way to Halleck through te body that covers him. Fire!” These were the last commands we heard from Colonel Thunder’s lips. The reader will recollect the event that called them forth. Esmer had thrown herself between Halleck and the leveled weapons of the colonel’s men and, startled for a moment, her guardian, mad with rage, had uttered the fatal word: “ Fire ? But not a pistol-shot filled the mine with its
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10 thousand reverberations, not a hand went up to level a revolver at her heart. “ Ay’ you traitors?’ thundered the irate colo- ne}. ‘‘ Must the life ov a boy stan’ between you an’ duty to the cap’n ? ; “A boy, cunnel ?” ventured one of the boldest. ‘The most ov us hev knowed fur a long time thet Esmer is a gal, an we can’t kill sech a cree- tur. Efit ar’ ag’in’ duty, why, we can’t help it!” The man’s words did not allay Colonel Tbun- der’s excitement; he was still a tiger, seeing nothing but the prey that was about to be torn from his clutches. “Tl do it myself!” he exclaimed, cocking his revolver as he sprung forward, ‘Stan’ aside, smer, an’ let me at the Queen’s spy.” The girl’s answer was a defiant flashing of her restless eyes; butshe did not stir. “Touch him if you dare!” she said sternly. “Tam here to defend him, and to kill the per- son who attempts his life.” Her pistol covered the man she addressed ; the light of the torches enabled him to look into the barrel. All this scene had passed in the short space of three minutes, during which time Halleck was recovering his bewildered senses. ‘* But one life is sought here; two must not be sicrificed !” he suddenly exclaimed as he pushed Esmer gently aside and stepped to the front. ‘“‘Now if you, coward-like, take the life of an unarmed man, lam at your mercy. But they say, and I have helped to confirm the report, that Colonel Thunder fights only those equally aerned with himself. Pardon me if I have ied! The eyes of Goid Conrad’s man sunk to the ground abashed; but only for a second. ‘““Throw him a weapon!” he said to his men. Five hands went forward simultaneously, and five revolvers fell at Halleck’s feet. bd The young man did not disdain the offer of assistance, but stooped and caught up two of the weapons. A look of superiority beamed in his orbs as he rose and faced Colonel Thunder. ‘*T am ready for you,” was his cuallenre. “ButIam not for you,” was the strange re- ply. “If you will restore the revolvers Vil promise to meet you at some future time.” ‘* Aoreed!” said Halleck throwing down the pistols. ‘‘I didn’t come to the Bar to fight you articularly, Colonel Thunder; but as you are is friend, you will always find me ready to meet you.” A mad flash of Thunder’s eyes was the only answer. Suddenly they fell upon his protegee. “What ar’ you goin’ to do?’ he exclaimed. “AY you goin’ to take up with the Queen ov Fate’s ~v, or ar’ you goin’ to stick by me?” “We \meet again,” said Esmer in a hasty undertoe to Halleck before she answered her enrageu questioner. ‘‘ But for your sakeI hope that meeting will not take place here. Iam gs aa bound to that man. I must go to im ““Go!” merely said Halleck. Esmer’s hand touched his as she started 6 ross the space that separated her from Cwi*ne! Thunder. The men had already recovered their revoly- ers, and Thunder had turned away. “If I would fight Gold Conrad, I must fight those fellows, as well,” Halleck murmured. ‘* Well, I will not shirk. The Queen’s spy? I can afford to be called that since she hates tlie same man I do.” The torches disappeared, but Halleck had fol- lowed them to the opening of the mine. He was once more beneath the canopy of the hea- vens, and not far from the spot where Thunder and his minions had recently seized him. He paused in the starlight for a few moments and listened to the noises made by the depart- ing band. ‘I am not safe here at present,” he mur- mured. ‘‘I will seek the hills. Among them I can plan in safety, and then I must be near the girl who risked her life to-night for me.” Halleck hurried away, but a short time af- terward he halted suddenly, and then sprung back from an object that lay in his path. This object had a human shape, and, asit lay so still, the young man ventured to examine it. “What!” he exclaimed, as he turned the body over. ‘‘Catana? Who has taken coveted ven- geance from me? Ah! Isee. The Man withthe Knife has been here. Then he hates all who serve Gold Conrad. The Queen of Fate hates them, too, as I do. What is this mystery?’ and Halleck gazed opened and with a perceptible shudder into the cold face of his young Indian enemy. Arkansaw, the Ma CHAPTER XI. HOODWINKED. It was the evening of the next day, and eighty miles from Vulture Bar a man with an anxious face stood in the shadow of a great hill and looked eagerly westward. He was apparently waiting for some one, for | he was growing restless, and. every now and then he cursed the ill-luck that brought nobody to his side, In short, this man was Gold Conrad, and he was waiting and watching for Catana, his In- dian, the bearer of his first message to the ar. Night fell about him, the stars came out, and over the rim of the far-away horizon peeped the resplendent moon. “Curse the laggard!” cried the magnate of Lodeton. ‘tHe was to have been here before this hour. What keeps the scarlet dog?” . His question was answered by the sound of hoofs that came from the west, and a gleam of satisfaction lit up bis eyes. “Coming at last, the rascal,” he exclaimed, starting forward, but a minute later he went back with a cry of astonishment and drew a pistol. The person was not Catana, but a stalwart fellow who sat astride of a heated horse, and Gordon had seen at a glance that this man’s face was concealed by a mask. The eyes that glittered beneath the dark fabric that formed the mask saw Gold Conrad at the very moment of his discovery. ‘* Hello!” said the two men simultaneously, and the rider drew rein and leaned forward. “Gold Conrad, by the stars!” he exclaimed. “You must hev knowed thet I war comin’,” and the speaker chuckled. ‘* No, sir; I was not waiting for you,’ Gordon answered, anc with a proud curling of his lips he added: ‘And, besides, I never make en- gagements with people who hide their faces.” * Oh, you don’t. Then I'll go on an’ you kin wait fur the next man from the Bar.” The tone was a careless one, and the hands of the unknown quietly gathered up the reins, From the Bar? A messenger from Colonel Thunder perbaps. Gold Conrad started. “Tf you are from the Bar you are for me,” he said quickly. ““ Jes’ ez you like it. 1 didn’t swear thet I aa ee you the message I hev on my kar- ciss. Curiosity was almost devouring Gordon. ° ‘A message? Quick! let me have it.” The eyes under the mask seemed to have a triumphant twinkle, and eagerly watched Gold Conrad, as he snatched the piece of paper from the hand that extended it. “You can’t read it hyar!” said the mask. ‘“ We'll see!” and Gordon glanced over his shoulder at the moon. ‘I haven’t lost my eye- sight, and besides ’'ve read by moonlight Ee. fore.” F ortunately the handwriting was large and plain, and Conrad mastered it as it seemed with a single clance. It was a short message but one that made him grow pale. “You are wanted here at once. The crisis is at hand. Catana is dead! THUNDER.” Gold Conrad looked up at the eyes that re- garded him. ‘“ What has happened at the Bar? Tell me.” “T am obeyin’ orders. I was not to tell you apything- The cunnel will do thet.” tordon looked disappointed. “But my faithful Indian is dead. Was he murdered?’ “They found him with a great big bowie stab over his heart. The knife must hev been thrown at him.” Gordon shuddered and grated his teeth. “The Man with the Knife!” he muttered. ‘By Jove! I will make short work of him! So the crisis is at hand? Good! I saw “arse! that it was coming. Now I will not shirk it. will go at once.” The last sentence was spoken aloud, and to the messenger from Vulture Bar. ‘*T thought you would,” was the reply. ‘When can you go back?’ Conrad asked. * Any time; but not on this horse.” “Of course not. Jl furnish the horses, Come.” Gold Conrad turned and walked rapidly toward Lodeton which was not far away. He entered his house, got an additional re- volver from the strong room, put some private apers in his bosom. and went to the stables. Vhile he was in the house the messenger, still masked, stood on the porch waiting for him, n with the Knife. All at once a toad hopped into the moonlight from beneath the house and began his usual quest for food. The eyes of the man sparkled at sight of the little animal, and when it stopped about twenty-five feet from him he drewa huge bowie from his belt and threw it carelessly at the little creature. Over and over went the blade, its polished surface scintillating in the moonlight, and a moment later it cruelly pinned the toad to the ground! The knife-thrower seemed to rejoice at his feat, and taking several a strides toward the spot he quietly resumed his wea- on. 6 A short time afterward Gordon appeared mounted and leading~another horse by the bridle. ‘“We will go now. sundown to-morrow ?” ‘““We kin try,” was the response, as the mes- senger vaulted upon the back of the horse brought from the stables forgbis use. ‘‘ Now we're off, cap’n.” Lodeton was asleep, or apparently so. Nota figure was seen by the two men as they began their journey. As they galloped by a certain pretentious house Conrad turned his head and looked at it. His face held a mingled expression of contempt and triumph, and turning quickly upon his pore he found his eyes fixed on the same ouse. ‘“} wonder how Queen Merta gets along?” Conrad said, smiling. ‘Oh, the Queen? Is thet her shanty?” “ hat is where she lives, but one doesn’t see Ler much of late. She doesn’t like me, I fancy!” and Gold Conrad tried to laugh, but it was ap- parent that his thoughts were far from the subject. Side by side, when the mountain road was wide enough, the two men galloped toward the Bar. Conrad no longer paid attention to his guide. The hours sped away, but they did not balt, and morning found them still among the silver mountains of the San Juan countrv Daylight showed Conrad the figure and dress of his guide—the former was burly and strength itself, the latter commonplace and un- suspicious, When the road was narrow the messenger went ahead. The day witnessed a few brief halts to rest themselves and their steeds, and night overtook them near their journey’s end. All at once the guide drew rein. ‘*T must leave you hyar,” he said, looking at Conrad. ‘‘ Yonder is the Bar,” and be stretched out an arm famous for its great length. ‘‘ You know whar the colonel lives. You’ve been hyar afore, * believe.” Gordon neve” “7 will p ot for your work,” he said. All you have vo Co is to mention this service Can we reach the Bar by to me, and— ‘‘Oh, I'm paid already,” was the interruption. “T obey orders; thet’s my duty.” A wave of the bronze hand that had held a rein for forty-eight hours bade Gold Conrad adieu, and the next moment he was alone. Eagerness carried him quickly forward and halting a few minutes later before Colonel Thun- der’s door he shouted for its master. The summons was almost immediately an- swered, for the door flew open and the stalwart figure of his man appeared on the threshold. There was a strange, mad flash in Thunder’s eyes, and for a moment he stared at the face before bim. Then recognizing it all at once he uttered an oath of surprise. “‘Stay back!” he threw over his shoulder in whispers to some oneein the interior of the cabin, and then, shutting the door, he sprung to Gordon’s side. ““In the name of Hades what brought you to the Bar at this time?” he exclaimed. “They’re all hyar, an’ the crisis hez come, an’—” “That's what you said in your message.” “My what, cap’n?” ‘Why the message you sent by the man who wore a mask,’ Another oath, a start, and a maniacal stare that paled Gold Conrad’s cheeks. “T sent no message. By the grave of my mother! I hevn’t written a line fur a year! You’ve been hoodwinked, cap’n.” Gordon seemed about to fall from his horse. ‘“‘T "lowed they war up to suthin,” Colonel Thunder went on. ‘‘l’ve met the devil with the fourteen inch bowie, an’ hyar’s his mark,” and the speaker smiled as he exhibited a band- aged shoulder to the staring eyes of his master. ‘* He missed my heart because I moved jes’ as
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- throwed; but poor Catana! he didn’t miss visn.” Gold Conrad groaned. ‘*They’re all hyar, I say.” “AT ” ~ “Yes, Arkansaw, the Rosebud, an’ his red pards, the boy Halleck, an’ the Queen uv Fate.” ** Merta here?” ‘“* Hyar, ez lm livin’! Butsince you ar’ hyar, cap’n, we will face ’em understandin’ly. man with his face hid fetched you a note from | me, eh?” “Yes; your name was signed to it.” ‘“Tt’s the Queen’s work. The man war either Arkansaw, er the Rosebud.” ‘“Would to fortune that I had suspected as | much,” sighed Gordon. ‘TI had a thousand op- portunities to use the revolver.” ‘Too late now. We must face the music.” ‘** And win!” and Gordon’s hand descended on Colonel Thunder’s shoulder, with an emphasis not tobe mistaken. ‘‘Stand by me, colonel, till we sweep this league of reptiles from our path. I knew, or I thought, this day would come, and I thank my star that it finds me ready for the fray. No mercy! not even to the “He’s a brick, cap’n. I’ve seen ’im tried. His mother’s blood fires his heart. Beware ov thet young tiger.” ‘* Pshaw !” and Gordon laughed. your men?’ ‘“Near by. We'll hold a caucus about mid- night. You’re tired.” ‘Yes. I’m not used to such long rides, You ‘* Where are have a cot in your cabin, colonel?’ and Gold | Conrad began to dismount. ‘*Thet cabin isn’t the place fur you evenef it ar’ mine!” said Colonel Thunder hastily as he cast an anxious glance over his shoulder at the door, still closed. ‘Silent Sam hezan extra bed, an’, besides, his shanty ar’ the best place fur the caucus,” and before Gordon could re- ply. Thunder was leading his horse away. he captain of the watch-dogs would have disputed his master’s entrance to his cabin with the bowie and the revolver, and that, too, when its only occupant was Esmer. CHAPTER XII. TH) xt night. One by one the des- peradoes of the ir arrived at Silent Sam’s, and were greetea vy the penetrating eyes of Conrad Gordon. Ee »xyed each one as if he would read his very thoughts, and if a face had been masked he would have exposed it if death had followed the next minute. Some of the watch-dogs bad never seen Gor- don before, and first impressions were not favorable ones. They did not like his looks although he was their master. They wanted only one leader—Colonel Thunder When the colonel came he. introduced his master separately to the swarthy five, and told them that he would open the meeting. Gold Conrad gave the crowd a quick but searching glance as he left the three legged stool upon which he had seated himself after the in- troduction, and began. ‘Our interests are at stake!’ he said. ‘If we do not strike first we will besiruck and destroy- ed. There are those in our midst to-night who - seek to wrest Vulture Bar from us; they have already killed, and the knife of ono of their number has pierced Colonel Thunder’s shoulder. It was meant for his heart; it is yet intended for yours. We came together to counsel in re- gard to our safety; we must step on the ser- pents’ heads; we must crush them, and_ to do this we must strike first and effectually. I came here not to lead you, but to be led by the man ou love to follew—my old companion of other ays—Colonel Thunder.” : ’ The colonel smiled grimly at this compli- ment. ‘We were together when the chief actors in eur proposed destruction formed a league—ten years ago, They did not succeed then because we baffled them. We had silver mines then just as we have now, we—” Conrad Gordon paused, for he had caught Colonel Thunder’s glance which, rapid as a flash of lightning, had spoken volumes. It seemed to sa . * Don’t tell too much about our past, cap’n. The boys went back on me the other night. Keep ’em in the dark.” This is what the colonel’s lips would have said if they had uttered the sentiments of bis es. “Well, in short we have been followed, | the league, also some Indians from the Tinaja | country. wo of this number, I learn, you have seen—the demon with the bowie and the boy. The other two are not faraway. AsI said before we must crush this league, and with us to crush forever, is to kill!” A kind of applause followed the last sentence and Thunder’s eyes said: *“You’ve said enough for the present, cap’n. | Now, let me sail in.” Gordon stepped back and resumed his seat as the stalwart figure of his head watch-dog strode to the center of the room. He shrugged his broad shoulders much after the manner of a bear, as he halted beside the barrel on which stood the several contributions from Whisky Jose’s bar which had been “ sampled ” previous to the opening of the caucus. ‘We must kill er be killed!” he exclaimed in his hoarse tone which so well suited his rough personnel, “They want the cap’n’s blood; they’ve hed some ov mine; they want to ruin the Bar. Shel they do it?” The speaker’s eye took in the group before him as he put the question, and as five men Spence up a thundering ‘ No!” seemed to shake the roof, “Swear to spare none!” continued the colonel. ‘* When Isay none I don’t exempt the boy. We war fools the other night; we hed the wolf in the trap and opened the door fur him, Draw an’ swear ef you ar’ goin’ to stan’ by the cap’n an’ by the Bar through thick an’ thin!” Colonel Thunder’s bowie flashed in the light, = the next minute five more blades were held aloft. ‘“ We swear to stan’ by the cap’n—to hunt down an’ kill!” exclaimed the tall central figure of this exciting scene. ‘‘We will show no mercy to the league, be its members male or female.” Gold Conrad’s eyes gleamed with intense satisfaction at this. The beauty of Queen Merta would not turn the Six Revolvers from the path of vengeance; and when he recollected ow powerful it had been in days gone by, he rejoiced that the time had come when it could not make traitors of his adherents. Silent Sam had taken no part in the meeting up to this moment; but nota word, not a gesture of the speakers had escaped him. He thought of the invasion of Arkansaw while he listened, and his limbs still felt the effects of his struggle with the giant in the fuse room. ‘Yes, sw’ar by the winuin’ four!” he suddenly cried springing forward and pointing to the four aces of a pack of cards which he had nailed side by side to the wall of the room. ‘I never fail when I sw’ar by ’em. I wouldn’t give a dollar fer an oath not taken on the lucky four. Sw’ar by ’em ef you want to win, colonel.” The five men, tainted with superstition, like all mountain men of their stamp grasped eagerly at Silent Sam’s idea. Gold Conrad’s quick eyes saw this: ‘* We'll all swear by Sam’s winning four!” he cried, drawing a bowie from beneath his clothes as he stepped forward. “By the four an’ win!” cried Sam leaping upon a stool, and pointing to the cards as he faced the group. ‘‘ Now sw’ar!” Colonel Thunder spoke the oath similar to the one already taken, and it fell from his ong clothed in the vindictiveness of eternal hatred. But all at once something that had a glitter passed like an arrow over the uplifted bowies, and with a dull thud buried itself in the ace of hearts! Those who looked a moment saw that it was an immense knife whose blade would have measured fourteen inches! A wild cry greeted this startling interruption of the proceedings, and with one accord every man wheeled toward the door. To the surprise of all it stood wide open, and in the light of the cabin lamp appeared two giants whose broad shoulders touched each other, so close their masters stood together. Arkansaw and the Rosebud! Gold Conrad knew them well. ‘‘Thet means thet the first heart hez been found!” said the bowie-king as his look sought the perforated card. ‘It ar’ the only one I’ve hit fer ten years thet hezn’t bled. You hev jest sworn to do some tall killin’, an’ ez Rosebud an’ me expect to hey a hand in the game, you might ez well begin now.” A defiant smile lurked in Arkansaw’s eyes, as well as under his dark mustache, and several bowies sought the Revolvers’ belts. At the same time Rosebud’s arms rose displaying two immense ‘‘navys” at their end. = viece of paper toward the barrel. onrad Gordon; but it ’tain’t no secret.” Gold Conrad went forward and mechanically picked up the paper. He seemed to know whence it came for his eyes flashed as he took it up. ihe next moment he had unfolded it and read: “My Enemy: ‘“We are all together once more. I am here to ruin and to kill. You have kept your secret well for ten years. Tell me where my child is before I strike. “Mervta, QUEEN OF Farr.” Gordon threw the message at Colonel Thunder with a contemptuous sneer which to the two pards at the door meant defiance. Thunder glanced over it and a strange light beamed in hiseyes when he mastered the last sentence. “Here, take it back to its author,” cried Gold Conrad, and an instant later the rejected message fell at Arkansaw’s feet. ‘‘My answer is the hatred I have given her through the ten years of which she prates. Let her find her child—if she can!” and the speaker laughed vic- toriously. ‘*Hev it yer own way,” answered The Man with the Knife, ‘‘ Ive got back to ay normal condition, and I’ve quit throwin’ the knife fur amusement. Ask Colonel Thunder ef I hevn’t.” Thunder bit his mustache and looked death at the speaker through his dark eyelashes. “Now good-night, my honeysuckles,” con- tinued Arkansaw. ‘‘Take my advice; go on with yer meetin’ an’ don’t foller us, fur you might accidently run ag’in’ the pint ov a bowie.” The two men backed slowly from the light. The Rosebud’s arms were outstretched, and those who were inquisitive saw the hilt of an- = bowie-knife below Arkansaw’s right and, Not one of the conclave ventured to follow, and for several minutes after the twain’s de- varture pale face looked into pale face speech- ess and awe-stricken. “His knife can’t kill all!” suddenly cried Gold Conrad flushing when he thought of the pards’ escape. ‘‘ We stand here like a band of fools frightened by a shadow. Follew them! trail them! they will lead us to the Queen’s hid- ing-place; then for the vengeance that satisfies because it kills.” He strode toward the door, but as he passed Colonel Thunder a hand touched his arm and a voice whispered: “Don’t make a fool ov yerself, cap’n. You an’ me wouldn’t git ten steps from Silent Sam’s before—whiz! whirr! an good-by Lodeton and Vulture Bar.” The colonel’s words had the desired effect. Gold Conrad stopped. “What would you do?” he asked. “Tn the first place, adjourn the caucus.” ** And in the second “Go to sleep and morrow.” Gordon stared into Thunder’s face a minute before he spoke. “T will,” he said, at length. you—” “To-morrow; then we will begin to slay.” Fifteen minutes later Silent Sam and Gold Conrad were the sole occupants of the cabin. The bowie still stuck in the card. “Pll take it out when I kin drive it through his heart!” Sam said, looking at it, Colonel Thunder and his men had departed, and Queen Merta’s enemy pretended to doze in the cabin. All at once he rose and glided to the door, ar the latch, he crept out into the moon- ight. “He says J mustn’t see him till to-morrow: but I can’t wait. I saw the strange light that came into his eyes when he read that sentence in which Merta spoke of herchild. I believe he knows something, and if he does I shall know it before morning,” Conrad Gordon moved toward Colonel Thun- der’s cabin and socn afterward tapped on the door, A sound inside responded, and the oaken portal was opened, not by the leader of his watch-dogs, but by Esmer. The girl started and uttered a cry of rise as her eyes fell upon the figurein the moonshine, and she was about to shut the door when Gor- don darted at her and grasped her shoulder. ‘““What! you alive?’ he cried, dragging her into the light. ‘' You’ve got her face, ber eyes; in short, her infernal beauty! By Jove! longht to finish the job I did years ago, and then [ ee aie think until I see you to- “T will see
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12 ought to kill the man who has deceived me. t you live that she may embrace you when she has completed her revenge? Never! that | shall not be!” 1 Esmer saw the revolver that flew from her as- sailant’s belt; she heard the ominous click of the lock, and then— A tigerish cry of rage at her left, the descent of a human body upon Conrad Gordon, and the 19 sharp report of a pistol. ) Tbe next moment Esmer, released, staggered | ‘toward the cabin, while Gold Conrad reeled |} from the smoking weapon clutched in Halleck’s } hand. CHAPTER XiIil. TWO REVELATIONS. ; . 3 “ MerciruL Heaven! is it you? Go! do not let him find you here when he comes back, and I’ve been looking for him foran hour. Go! it is WW Esmer, the waif, that talks. He and his tigers i must not find you. I say they must not.” Halleck looked into the eyes of the beautiful speaker in a dazed sort of manner. The girl’s . hand was on his arm, and her orbs were full of resistless pleading. . The young man took no notice of the person || who had staggered with a cry of pain from the || muzzle of his revolver. He saw Gold Conrad | no longer, saw nobody but the protegee of Col- | onel Thunder. i" ‘*T owe you my life!” sho went on. ‘I can- 1 not tell you all my gratitude now, for you are \" in danger while you stand here. I could not repeat the experience of the mine and live. They have taken a new oath—the colonel and his Revolvers. You belong to the league—to Queen Merta’s avenging band; and you have | the same enemies that she possesses. But I kee i you here—to die, perhaps! Go! go! let me mee } im alone when he returns.” H / Halleck found himself pushed from the ex- cited speaker, but still he lingered. | ‘*T think 1 could tell you something,” he said. I **T think I have discovered a secret that might 1! change your whole life.” Esmer bounded toward him and was about, | to question him when a sound came over the | little bill. i _ | “Keep it!” she exclaimed. ‘‘ Keep it, I say, and go now, that you may tell it to me to-mor- row or next day. They are coming back— Colonel Thunder and bis minions.” Determined to drive Halleck from the spot, i she turned toward the cabin and threw hima i glance of love and command from the door be- | ore she disappeared. At that moment a coarse laugh and an oath greeted the young man’s ears. i | Halleck hesitated no longer, but sprung away | and hurried toward the mines. The events of the last few moments had blot- ted Gold Conrad from bis memory as it were. ! He did not think of him until he was a goodly distance from the spot. Then he came to a halt. H | “What have I done?” he asked himself. ‘I have killed Gold Conrad, I have robbed Queen Merta of her revenge, balked all her. plans, and of course made a new enemy. She will | turn on me now, for she has sworn to kill the | man that should prevent her from paying Gor- don in the coin she has made for the purpose.” To Halleck the situation was by no means pleasant. He looked back toward the Bar, and then forward at the lofty hills whose depths were silver and gold mines. To go forward would be to encounter the wo- man whom he had just robbed of vengeance; to turn back, would be to throw himself before the Six Revolvers bound now by a new oath. He went on until he found himself in the presence of a handsome woman who stood in the light of a fire that illumined a disused mine. ““T’ve been waiting for you,” she said. Halleck tried to avoid her piercing orbs as he went forward lest they should read in his looks the events of the last few minutes. “Come here!” she said, ina tone of command, fas she smiled faintly at his strange action. *‘ Arkansaw and the Rosebud are not here. want to tell you something—something about a being of whom you have thought and dreamed a thousand times.” Halleck started with a cry which it would have been bard to have suppressed. ‘* My mother!” he exclaimed, as he came for- ward. ‘Tell me something about her; but ob! tell me the truth. He, the man whom we both hate, calls me the son of an Apache woman, and Colonel Thunder, learning the lie from his mas- ter, has intimated the samething. But you will ive the lie to all such slanders. You will vin- cate her character.” Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. Merta watched Halleck strangely while he | spoke, and at the same time she seemed to be ou'ting ber story into proper shape. The old ight—the flashes of revenge that lit up her dark eyes gradually gave place to a softer look that | rendered her none the less beautiful. ‘*Tt is a lie,” shesaid. ‘1 knew your mother, and I know too well the man whose son you are. You were born in an Indian lodge, your godfa- ther was Running Wolf, the war chief of the Apache nation, and your earliest playmates were the naked children of that mighty tribe.” Halleck’s head fell.in shame. ‘“Then,” he said, forgetting the Queen’s first words, ‘‘ then my mother was—” ** She was not!” was the interruption. ‘‘ And he should be the last man to call you an Indian. There is Spanish blood in your veins.” **So Esmer thought.” ‘*Hsmer?” asked the Queen, mechanically, as ifthe name had some strange attraction for her; but seeing that Halleck made no reply, she continued: ‘‘ You first saw the light of day in an Apache wigwam because your mother was driven from home by the fiend who had already blighted her life—the villain who, not content with such infamy, robhed me of all that I held dear in life—a hittle child. Your mother was beautiful; she clung to you until one nigat among the mountains that overlooked the Apache amp, she was found by a few warriors dead! She had taken you with her, and you had disappeared. You cannot remember?” ‘* No,’ said Halleck. ‘‘ My recollection does go back to an Indian camp; but it belonged to the Comanches, not the Apaches, I wandered up and down the Rio Grande until I fell in with our enemy and became his slave.” “Yes; you became his slave and I his hunter,” said Merta, as her eyes flashed again. ‘*T bided my time, for I knew that you would become his enemy. He hates you because ”— she caught Halleck’s arm and almost hissed— ** because you look like ycur mother!” ‘** And I hate him now because he killed her!” Queen Merta stepped proudly back and gazed at the young man whose blood she bad made as hot as boiling water. ** Ah!” she exclaimed,‘ if you knew another thing your hate might vanish and before morn- ing you might seek his side and tell him that you forgave.” “* Never!” “You might turn from me and leave me to carry out my revenge alone.” ‘Never, Queen! I know enough to make m hate eternal. You could not strengthen it, nor could any revelation break its force.” **Do not be so hasty,” Merta said, advancing again, with her eyes fixed on Halleck. ‘‘ Rash vows are bad ones. Would you hate your father with a hatred that seeks blood?” \** My father?” ** Conrad Gordon!” The Queen of Fate uttered the name in an impressive tone, and at the same time eagerly watched its effect. Halleck had expected the revelation; he did not start back and utter any cry; but stood still in his tracks and dropped his head. But Merta saw his eyes through his long, black lashes. “Your father!” she said, touching bim gent- ly. “ Did I stun you?” He looked up. “No!” was the answer. ‘‘I am not sorry that I met him an hour since.” “What! you met him?’ she exclaimed. ‘* Where?” ““Back there—at the Bar. the avenger.” There was a strange, wild look in Halleck’s Fate made me yes. “You met bim—my old foe? You encoun- tered him, you mean; you had words!|—you—” “* T killed him!” These three words fell on Queen Merta’s ears like the knell of death. She staggered from the speaker and stood a few feet away like a statue of horror. Her eyes seemed ready to burst from their sockets. alleck lost his color, too!” **You kill him? you? you?’ suddenly broke from her li He was mine! I swore that I would take his life. He wronged me more than he wronged.you. He slew your mother, but he widowed me and stole my child—my little Inez. | I have shadowed him for ten years, and in a thousand ways I have stabbed him to let him know that vengeance slept not. I had a motive in all this. I still hoped that he would reveal the secret he has guarded so well; but now you have sealed his lips—you! Do you know what my second great oath was? I swore that I would slay the person that took his life, and 4 you have baffled me, ‘ou have made tbe life- hunt of Queen Merta one that will last for- ever!” She sprung at Halleck as she uttered the last word, und the muzzle of a revolver was pointed at hisheart. He recoiled, but the flashing eyes before him told him that it would be death to attempt to draw. *“You—Halleck! bis son!” she cried. ‘You would not spare him for me. Why did you kill him? Did you discover that—’ *“No! I killed him to'save your child’s life— the life of your Inez—the Esmer who told me I had Spanish blood in my veins.” The effect of these words was magical. Asa cry welled from her lips, the uplifted revolver dropped to Queen Merta’s side, and her look once more became a wild stare. ‘What do you say?” she suddenly cried. “You killed him to save my child—my Inez? Where is she?” Before Halleck could reply, two burly men sprung into the cavern. and he heard the rough voice of Arkansaw. “We've got to hurry up matters, Queen,” he said. ‘‘The wolves hev been fallin’ out ’mon themselves. Gold Conrad hez been winged, fur Silent Sam ar’ dressin’ bis wound at his shanty.” Queen Merta and Halleck exchanged signifi- cant looks. ‘* Vengeance, I thank you!” she ejaculated. “You are still preserving him for the Queen of Fate. Halleck, your very revolver is in my service. Remember: he is mine!” and with the last word she turned to the two men. ‘“‘Hyar’s yer note, Queen,” said the bowie- king Ten his hand with a piece of paper init. ‘‘ The Rosebud an’ 1 carried it down to the korkiss, but he sent it back, an’ without his complimerts, either. However, I left mine thar—a toothpick stickin’ in one ov Sam’s lucky kerds!” and the man finished his sentence in a peg ueen Merta took the paper, and, tearing it up, threw it at her feet. es CHAPTER XIV. A BOWIE FINDS A HEART, THAT same night three Indians: well mounted rode over the mountain road tevard Lodeton. They wore no plumes; but their long black hair hung undressed down their nacks; they were clad, too, in garments demi-civilized; but out of their eyes looked the fiery »: ure of the savage. Each carried a rifle across : ae saddle-bow, and within reach of their red Lands was the deadly revolver which they couk. handle so well. Their general make up told that they had set out on an important expedition. The lest words of the beautiful woman who had just dismissed them still rung in their ears; and they still saw in imagination the flashing eyes and the heay- ing bosom of the Queen of Fate. ilence now reigned in the cayern which we have just left. The only figure in the flickering firelight belonged to Gold Conrad’s female foe. She sat on a rock and appeared to be watching the flickerings of the fire; but if her look wasa strange one, for one of her temperament, it was evident that thought was at work, ‘Inez! Inez! is it true that you are near me?” she Se ee exclaimed, starting up. ‘ Where is he? I will ask him more. He shall tell me all he kncws.” Stepping back among the shadows of the mine, she called the name of Halleck several times, but received no response. ‘** He walked by me while 1 was thinking; he could do that,” she said withdrawing disap- pointed. ‘‘Why did I not see him? If he has found my child, he has gone to her. I will find her, too.” A moment later the figure of Queen Merta went toward the Bar. The place was not: un- known to her, for once or twice she had visited it in disguise and knew it as well as Halleck did. This time she did not look like herself; her face bad been purposely blackened with the dirt of tbe mine, and her upper lip was ornamented by a jet-black mustache which did not appear out of Piet, Clad in the suit which she wore so well and in which she had made the journey to the Ber, she Ilcoked like a young miner. But beneath her jacket a heart which she could not control was beating wildly, and above the mus- tache a pair of handsome eyes were burning in- tensely. Silent Sam’s cabin was not wholly unknown to her, and going up to its little window Merta ventured to peer into the room. She saw the bowie that still perforated the ace of hearts, and then pet gene fell upon the figure of a man on a stool. is forehead was bound by a red
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— 13 ne - — hankerchief, and as he satin the light of the Jamp still on the barrel the Queen of Fate studied him with blazing orbs, Tt was Conrad Gordon. Lying on a cot in the darkest corner of the room was Silent Sam the guardian of the fuse, apparently asleep; but the avenger at the win- dow saw only the man on the stool. ‘To-morrow and to-morrow night!” she hissed as she wMhdrew. ‘‘ Dream on, plan on, my enemy; the vengeance that has not slept for ten years strikes the blow that ruins and kills to-morrow night.” Unconscious of the presence of the Queen, Gold Conrad continued in his abstracted mood, while she with a lighter step hurried away. Suddenly she came to a halt, and stooped in the shadow of a clump of bushes—a shadow cast | by the moon. She saw a figure emerge from the last cabin, and as it passed near her her watching éyes saw that it was Halleck’s. Queen Merta bounded toward the hut when the young man had disappeared; but when near the door, she stopped and surveyed her mas- culine dress. “I must see her!” she said going on again. ‘*She cannot know me in this garb, even if Halleck has told her all. Inez, Inez, I am nearer than you dream.” She went on and halted at the door of Colonel Thunder’s cabin. For a moment she listened there, and then rapped lightly. + Who's there?’ came from the interior of the cabin. ‘* Halleck,” answered the Queen imitating the young man’s tone to perfection. ‘I forgot something which is very important.” The Queen of Fate held her breath as the door began to open. She knew that Esmer’s face would be in the moonlight while hers in the shadows would not betray her emotions. The next moment the bewitching face of Colonel Thunder’s protegze appeared in the doorway. “Come in!” Esmer said. ‘ You must not stay long for— Oh! you are not Halleck. 1 am deceived.” The Queen of Fate thrust forth her hand to prevent the closing of the door, but vainly, for smer had sprung back with an exclamation of fright, and shut the doorin hervery face. And before she could recover she heard the fall of the iron bar which 'told her that the door was secured against her entrance. Merta did not breathe for several seconds; her dilated orbs stared at the door, and her white face told that she had seen a face strangely dear to her, . ‘You cannot come in!” said Esmer from the inside, ‘‘And if you do not wish to meet Colonel Thunder, you had best move on at once.’ The voice roused Queen Merta, and instead of retreating she went forward. “‘T am not Halleck, that is true; but I am his friend,” she said with a pair of pale lips at the crevice. ‘‘We hate the same person. In re- venge we are inseparable.” “Then, if you do not want to fail in your vengeance—if you do not wish to compromise me, you will go away,” Esmer answered. ‘‘T want to see you; I must.” ‘You shall not, now.” ** You do not know me.” ‘That is true.” Merta smiled: Then Halleck had not revealed the secret. ‘Tf you knew me you would open the door,” she continued turning to her work again. ‘¢No, I would not,” was the reply. For a moment the Queen of Fate seemed to be she said, as she put her hand on her bosom, as if oat heart. ‘‘Are you listen- side, a gasp, and then a-groan, and the next mo- pent a body seemed to sink at the foot of the oor. Then all was still. “Heavens! I may have killed her!” gasped the avenger, listening with all her might. ‘‘ And my little Inez, too! he dropped to the ground and listened at the crevice between step and door. Her heart seemed to beat no longer; her eyes had that nine expression of fear and anxiety. “ springing up, she threw herself against the door with the ferocity of a tigress; but the heavy yortal, protected by the iron bar inside, stub- ornly refused to yield. Again and again she assaulted the door, only to be received in the same manner, and, at last, she drew off. Then she cast her eyes up at the cabin, as if she would demolish it in order to reach the young girl within. But it was too strong for ier, and she could not foree her way to Esmer. All at once a footstep greeted her ear, and she | turned to start violently back, as her hand darted toward the revolver near on her person. ‘Draw an’ drop!” came from the lips of the man who stood, giant-like, behind the revolver leveled at her beart. ‘‘ You ar’ my pris’ner. Stan’ still!” - Queen Merta obeyed, and a single stride brought the man directly upon her, Then his hand encircled her arm, the pistol crept nearer, and she looked over it into the face of Colonel Thunder! “Who ar you?” he asked. ‘Hold on! I like to answer my own questions.” As he spoke, he turned Merta until the moon- light fell on her face. . ‘* A false mustache; I kin see thet,” he said, after a moment’s scrutiny. “ An’ I think— Wal! by the bones ov my ancestors! I know you now. Them eyes ’d betray you anywhar.” Merta did not reply, although she saw that her disguise had been penetrated. She stood before Gold Conrad’s tool in her true character. “T knowed you war in these parts; but I didn’t expect to find you hyar,” and he glanced anxiously at the cabin. ‘‘ Now I want to intro- duce you to asartain man.” He started off; but the hand of the Queen of Fate touched his arm. “One moment. We are enemies,” she said. “You did. not expect to find me here, you say. Where else should I be?’ Colonel Thunder’s eyes dilated. Then she knew that she bad a right to the girl he had guarded so well. “We'll talk about this*tinother time,” he said. ‘*T want you to see somebody. I’m in his sar- vice, as ov old.” ‘‘When he killed and stole!” flashed the Queen. Thunder did not reply; but hurried Merta away. A last glance and one full of longing she threw at the watch-dog’s cabin, and unre- sistingly went with him, Not a word fell from their lips until Colonel Thunder halted before Silent Sam’s shanty. Merta glanced into his face as if to say: ‘I know I am about to meet my great enemy.” A lamp was still burning in the room and the avenger’s quick look saw a man sitting on a stool in the same posture that Gold Conrad had last appeared to her, But Colonel Thunder did not give her time to prepare, for the meeting close at hand, for throwing wide the door that was never locked he dashed inside with her. At-the same time he uttered a cry of triumph that caused two men to spring erect—Silent Sam from his cot, and Gold Conrad from his seat. ‘“Ha! ha!” laughed the colonel, hoarsely. “Tye found the boss nugget! No dirt on this lump, cap’n, but all solid gold. Look ater! isn’t she a beauty?” Conrad Gordon fixed His eyes on his watch- dog’s prisoner. , ‘Whar ar’ yer eyes?’ exclaimed the colonel. ‘*T knowed ’er in the moonshine. Them eyes ’d betray her in the dark.” Atthat moment a cry of recognition fell from Gold Conrad’s tongue, and whipping out a revolver he sprung at the Queen of Fate. “ Settle it all, that’s right! she’s yourn!” said Thunder, releasing Merta and stepping back. “Pll tend to the others—the young ’un an’ the two pards. Thar she stan’s, cap’n, the Queen of Fate, almost too purty to kill; but too danger- ous to live!” The last word had just fallen from Colonel Thunder’s lips, when Merta stepped suddenly -back and tore the false mustache from her li and threw her hat at his feet. Then her mid- night hair fell over her shoulders and her eyes, flashing as of yore, rendered her beauty strik- ing to a degree. “Yes!” she said. ‘Strike as you have struck before, coward, an unarmed woman. I am yours, and if you were in my power, I assur? you that. the revolver of the Queen of Fate would not spare you one minute—not one second, I am almost at the end of my trail. L have found my child and I have killed her!” Colonel Thunder uttered an exclamation of have killed her!” she cried, and then, | horror, which drew Gold Conrad’s eyes to him. “What!” he cried, springing toward the Queen. ‘Did you kill Esmer before | found you at the cabin?” ‘““Go and see! She was mine, to kill.” “Then Dll end yer trail hyar, she devil!” roared Thunder. ‘Stan’ back, cap’n!” and his right arm pushed Gold Conrad away. ‘‘ Now Til end one act ov this play.” Merta heard the click of his revolver and saw bis arm dart upward; but the next second something arrow-like shot over her shoulder, and with a balf-gurgle, half-cry, Colonel Thunder reeled away. At the same time she saw a figure at the door and heard a rough voice say: ‘*Come hyar, Uiieen.” She turned, The burly figure of the Rosebud was in the doorway and he was thrusting two enormous revolvers into the room. 2 ‘Draw an’ drop!” he said, quietly, to Silent Sam and Conrad Gordon as Merta sprung to- ward him. ‘Me an’ Arkansaw left the Howl- in’ Wilderness in the nick ov time didn’t we, bee q”” told Conrad did not reply, for Merta had joined the two figures without, yes, two for one was The Man with the Knife. But he did not hold any bowie in his hand now; the one last held had just found the heart he had missed be- fore! Silent Sam’s first action was to spring to Colonel Thunder’s side. Strong as a lion he lifted the desperado, and Gordon saw the bowie in his breast. He was silent for a moment. “Sam, is the fuse fixed?” he asked. 4“ Yes.” “Good! Now for death and victory! He is dead; her child killed by her own hands; but J live—I, Conrad Gordon, demoness! I live to kill and to triumph at last.” i with the last word he walked from the cabin, I have a right CHAPTER XV. _ WOLF RENTS WOLF. ‘“‘Tr she killed the girl she killed her at the cabin,” said Gold Conrad to himself when he found himself in the night air and a few feet from Silent Sam’s. ‘‘ But might she not have lied to deceive me? Ah! I know the serpent with whom I have to deal,” and he started off toward Colonel Thunder’s head-quarters. His face wore the expression of the despsrado who, when apparently driven to the wall, sees or thinks he sees new blows for the future— new death-strokes for his enemies, He earried a cocked revolver in his right hand; but was not compelled to use it, for he reached the in. portant cabin unmolested. To his surprise the door stood wide open, and he went in. A flood of moonlight permeated the place which was deserted, ‘*Not here,” he ejaculated. ‘‘t must hunt her elsewhere,” and with but a moment’s in- spection of the room he turned away, He had not been gone ten minutes, certainly not fifteen, from Silent Sam’s; but that short space of time had proved sufficient to bring a new and wild scene into being there. Loud voices, fierce oaths, and vengeful utterances, were borne to his ears from that locality, The Queen’s enemy knew what it all meant, The watch-dogs had discovered their bowied leader. He listened for a few moments to the bedlam wafted to his ears by the mountain winds. It seemed as if all the Bar was there, such was the indescribable din. “T wish I could hurl her into the midst of that mad pack!” said Gordon while he heard, ‘* Ah! wouldn’t they make short work of her? What’s that? By Jove! they’re Coming this way; they’re on the hunt.” He was not mistaken; the mob of bowies and revolvers were rushing toward him. Headed by Colonel Thunder’s five pards, they were hunting to kill whoever should fall into their hands, Wild and uncouth though those Colo- rado wolves were, they almost worshiped their leader. Linked to him by a thousand des- pre deeds, woe to the man or woman who 1ad in any way helped him in his bloody exit from this world. ‘“‘They must not see me now. I will wait un- til they cool down. They will not find the Queen and her friends to-night.” Therefore, Gold Conrad prepared to leave the spot where he had halted; Put a loud voice sud- denly arrested him, ‘Hold on thar!” was the cry. we’ll drop you!” “Run an’
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14 Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. He stop with an oath. The mob was nearer than he thought; the moonlight had betrayed him, and so he faced the avengers and waited. After all what had he to fear! Was he not the employer of all those men? They owed him for the bread they ate, and a flash of satisfac- tion lit up his eyes as he thought that by one blow of the hammer he could destroy his mines, and send them away breadless, each one to shift for himself. ‘By George! it’s Goldy!” exclaimed a dozen men as the mob brought up before him, and several pistols were withdrawn from before his face. ““That’s just who I am,” he answered. ‘Do you want me?” The leaders exchanged questioning» glances. Suddenly one of the Five said: “* You war thar?” “ec I was.” - ** What did you do to save the cunnel?” “What could I do? Did I know that that devil and his bowie were so near? If SilentSam were here—” ‘“* Hyar he is!” and several hands pushed the man in question forward. Conrad turned to the keeper of his mine of ruin. “Tell them what I did, Sam; and tell the truth.” The mob fastened its tigerish eyes on Sam, and more than one pistol crept toward his breast. “The truth; that’s what we want. We're goin’ to wipe out all thet hed a hand in the cun- nel’s death, an’ we’re goin’ to be squar’ with you, cap’n, for we say thet never did the men ov the Bar go more’n an ounce ov dust on ye.” For a moment Silent Sam stood between Gold Conrad and the mob, afraid to speak. ‘“ Wal?” began the stalwart leader. ‘* Wal, Sam, give us the story.” Thus commanded, the silent man related for the second time that night the story of the colonel’s death. He had told it before to the mob congregated at the Howling Wilderness, where their doings had been witnessed by Ar- kansaw and his companion. He told it in a manner intended to shield Gold Conrad, but a ae words brought forth several startling ques- tions. ‘¢ Didn’t he hev a chance to wipe out the Queen afore the cunnel interfered?” Sam admitted by a look that he had. > gee the bowie would hev pricked him, eh?” Sam did not answer; he saw the aim of the interrogators, ** Whatdo you say now, cap’n? You hesitated ; at let the cunnel interfere, an’ he got the ife. An’ when he got it, did you hunt us up? No. You came down hyar towards the cunnel’s shanty. What fur?—the gal what he swore war a boy? Weilll hev to take you in charge, ca n. ” There was a general assent to this decision, and Gordon, with sudden flashes in his eyes,” stepped back as if about to resist the arrest. ut twenty bronze hands shot forward, and as many revolvers instantly covered bim. ‘* We kin run the Bur without ye!” came over the wicked barrels. ‘‘If you hed stayed at head-quarters the cunnel would be alive in his boots now. You bring death with ye every time you come hyar. Last summer you came to see us an’ the same day a shaft accident killed ten men. Hev ye furgotten thet,cap’n?” The meaning of these words could not be mis- m. ‘*‘T am to be killed, then!’ said Gold Conrad. ‘Tv — to get me oe of your ore so you can take yoeenn of my property, you say that I might have saved the colonel and make your lie an excuse for my death. Well, Iam aaa Melo Ihave given my last instructions to am.’ The mob stepped back. Gordon was not to be feared now; he had been disarmed. Silent Sam came forward and Conrad whis- pered: ** You will obey me, Sam?” The guardian of the fuse nodded slightly. “Go back to the capvin and hit the cap with your hammer.” The eyes of the listener sparkled which as- s-red Gordon that one man at least in the mob respected his commands. ‘That is all, Sam. Do your duty well.” ang Sam straightened again and stepped bae ** Ay’ you ready, cap’n?” asked the leader of the mob, —_—_—_—$—$—<$__—$<——$_ ———— © nm “T am ready.” The next moment he was seized and marched away. Sam did not follow but turned and glided to- ward his own cabin. At arapid pace Gold Conrad was conducted heat the hill not far from Colonel Thunder’s cabin. When the men of Vulture Bar saw the door standing wide open they exchanged significant glances and then looked at their victim, “You war hyar since the cunnel’s death, cap’n?” **Rind out if you can!” was the defiant an- wer. “The gal war suthin’ to you. We allus knowed thet, fur the cunnel ’d never let you see her. You came hyar an’ found her. Did you kill her?” ** Find out!” A dozen fierce oaths replied, and if the arm of the leader had not dashed as many lifted re- volvers aside the life of Gold Conrad would have ended then and there. But he passed the cabin safely, and was taken over the brow of the bill and halted un- der @ tree whose giant limb had evidently borne the hangman’s fruit before. _In a moment a lasso-like rope was dangling over his head, and a noose fell upon his should- rs. ‘This is fur the cunnel!” said the chief of the avengers, stepping back. ‘We own the Bar from this night, cap’n. The cunnel war a brick; he war our fav’rit’, an’ to Davy Jones’s with the man who stepped back an’ let him die! Pull, boys!” The noose tightened and the rope grew taut above his head. Gold Conrad felt bis body leav- ing the ground, and he was bracing himself for the terrible ordeal when a strange thud was heard and he fell almost upon his knees. The three men who were pulling on the rope staggered back, and fell upon each other in a ludicrous heap, for the cord had been cut in twain, and that by a_ huge bowie-knife which quivered in the tree! ™ “That man belongs to me! I'll spatter you all with the brains of the first man that lifts a hand against him. Iam the Queen of Fate, and Iam here with my death angels to enforce my commands!” These words, clear and distinct, fell upon the ears of the startled mob. Every eye was turned toward the speaker. She had spoken truly; she was not alone. She stood between the stalwart figures of Ar- kansaw and the Rosebud, and at the latter’s left stood two Indians. Eight revolvers covered the mob—eight in- stead of ten, for’ one of Arkansaw’s hands clutched that terrible weapon which seemed equal to an arsenal—his fourteen inch bowie. alleck was not to be seen. ‘ CHAPTER XVI. QUEEN MERTA’S REVENGE, THE tableau a 8: to the mob was enough to make it recoil. The wolves of Vulture Bar knew that the hands that gri the out- stretched revolvers would not hesitate to send death into their midst if another arm was lifted against Gold Conrad. The words “ He is mine!” also meant ‘‘let that man alone;” and the threat that followed was almost useless. . Conrad Gorden saw his deliverers, but not until he had glanced up at the knife in the tree —the bowie which had cut the lynchers’ rope. But while he stared at Queen Merta and her companions, he was listening for a sound that would make his heart leap for joy. Silent Sam had reached his cabin before this; then, why had he not carried out his (Gold Conrad’s) commands? Sam had reached his cabin, tenanted only by the dead, for the body of Colonel Thunder, cov- ered by a buffalo-robe, lay in the middle of the floor. The lamp was still "burning, and taking it up Sam unfastened the door that led to the fuse room. ; ; The next moment he had raised the trap door and was bending over the fuse, a hammer in pw ee and his dark eyes beaming with wild elight. Suddenly he lifted the hammer and dealt the cap a smart blow which produced a small re- port like the explosion of a cap of a toy pistol. As he struck Sam leaped up and listened at the open door. A second passed away, another and another, a minute waned, five went into eternity; but no result!” What was the matter? Why had the fuse failed? Sam’s face grew long and full of disappoint- ment as he Jistened. The explosion had not taken place; the mines were still in good work- ing condition and the demons of the Bar would find them so when they had lynched their owner. With a mad oath Silent Sam sprung to the wer again and examined the cap. is blow had exploded it; then, why had the great scheme failed? After awhile he raised the cap and saw—the severed wire! His eyes suddenly dilated, he stared and gasped, and then started back with an oath. Somebody had destroyed the current. Hoe thought a moment, and then bounded from the cabin, muttering the name of The Man with the Knife! Meanwhile, the mob under the deaih tree had been rendered prisonerless. **Conrad Gordon come here!” the Queen of Fate a commanded. ‘‘ Men of Vulture Bar, let him obey me!” A singular light flashed up in Gold Conrad’s eves at this command, and the next moment he walked forward and halted almost against the muzzles of the eight revolvers. He seemed more than ready to exchange the a cord for the pistols of the avenging eague. Then he halted his eyes encountered the burning orbs of Queen Merta. She was victor now: an hour ago she had stood before him awaiting the blow which he had nearly dealt, The hate of years was in the eyes of each; but the Queen of Fate mastered her passing thoughts, and glanced over Gordon’s shoulder. ‘*Go back and bury your leader,” she said to the mob. ‘I will attend to this man. You follow us a step at the peril of life. Go back!” ‘We will on one condition,” said the leader. “Well?” ‘*Give us thet man,” and the speaker’s hand described Arkansaw beneath whose mustache a smile was lurking. ‘“‘Ask for my right arm,” replied Queen Merta. ‘‘ However,” she added, with a smile, ‘if Arkansaw desires to become your captive I shall not object.” She glanced at The’ Man with the Knife as she finished, and he ae forward. At the same time his right hand went up and all saw the blade that glittered in the moonlight. ‘‘Ef you'll let me try my new bowie I'l) jine yer ranks,” he said, in a tone that made the stoutest ruffian shudder. “ Allright. Silence gives consent they say, so, I'll jest pick out my man.” Tbe next moment the mob was falling back in a good deal of confusion, and the glowering look in Arkansaw’s eyes became a twinkle of humor. ‘‘Hold on! I can’t pick ’im out while ye ’re movin’ thet way,” he cried. But the wolves of Vulture Bar did not obey, but stood not on the order of their going and continued to fall back. The Man with the Knife laughed as he turned to the Queen and her companions. ‘“No knife p’int in theirs ef you please,” he said. ‘‘ Ar’ you ready, Queen?” ‘“T am ready.” A moment later Conrad Gordon was being conducted from the spot where his life had nearly been choked out of existence. The re- volvers of the Rosebud were near his head, and one leap for liberty would have ended his career forever, Not far from the tree the party halted beside four horses upon orfe of which Gold Conrad was helped by the armsof the two pards. He looked at Merta, but the Queen of Fate averted her face asif determined to tell him nothing beforehand. The cavaleade galloped toward the mines. Scarlet hands held Gold Conrad’s bridle-reins, and tkeir owners never took their midnight eyes from his person. Vulture Bar was left behind, and no rein was drawn until the road to Ledeton was reached. Gold Conrad looked around. He saw the jag- ged rocks of the overhanging cliffs, and the stunted trees*that grew on the brink of the canyon. As he took in this wild scenery, he saw the Rosebud draw a coil of rope from be- neath his capacious jacket. The next minute he had thrown one end of it over the point of a rock forty feet above. “My time has arrived!’jggsaid the voice of the Queen. ‘‘Ten years ago you had your day. We were happy among the mines of Armosillo, and my husband, your partner, worked for your interests as hard as he did for his own. But you wanted all. He had to get out of your way, and the man in whose heart Arkansaw’s
Page 15
Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. 15 bowie sticks to-night was to take his place. Then a formed the league of two—you and Colonel hunder. I need not tell you how my husband met his fate in the mines. You were there, and it was yonr arm that killed. I cried for ven- geance; but you turned and struck me the meanest of all blows—you stole my child—my little Inez. Before this, however, your beauti- ful wife stood in your way to greed and gold; they found her dead one morning among the mountains, and her child—your son—Conrad Gordon, you afterward made your slave, and taunted him with the name of Indian. I have never lost sight of you; for ten years I have been near striking all the time—the flooded mines, the theft of your private diaries—it was my work. **My league was against yours. I made Armosillo too hot to hold you; I followed you like the blood-hound follows the assassin. You held a secret. I wanted to know what you did with my child. I know now. You thought her dead; all those years you thought that Colonel Thunder had killed her when, in truth, he was raising her to make her one of these days a gold queen or a silver princess. I found her without robbing you of any secret. Inez is mine once more,” ** You said an hour ago that you had killed her,” he retorted. ‘So I did. I thought I had; but Heaven pitied the mother, even if it does frown on the avenger. I did not intend to strike until to- morrow night; but circumstances make me strike now. I sent three Indians to Lodeton to- night. My last command was: ‘Spare nothing that is his!’ You know what that means, Gold Conrad.” The listener bit his lip, and the Queen of Fate turned her head. “Now!” she said to the Rosebud, ‘I am through. Do your duty.” The next instant something fell upon Gor- don’s shoulder and rested there, It was a rope. All at once Merta’s right hand waved a sig- nal and Conrad was suddenly lifted from the saddle. The red giants pulled steadily on the rope and his body shot into the air. A et te shudder passed over it, a faint ery came from between the tightening lips, and then the man of Armosillo hung motionless beneath the jutting rock! Queen Merta’s triumphant eyes gazed at the sight for a moment and then turned toward Arkansaw. “ft” “Bring them here!” she said. ‘‘Take these with you and use them before you reach this place,” and she placed two silkenshandkerchiefs in the bowie-king’s hand. The avenging party almost evenly divifed. Arkansaw and the Rosebud rode toward the Bar, while the Queen of Fate and the two In- dians went on toward Lodeton, Her revenge was almost complete; the skies that bent above Lodeton eighty miles away were to witness the finale. CHAPTER XVII. THE LAST THROW OF THE BOWIE. ** No one yet?” “T hear nothing.” The first speaker a beautiful young girl sighed as she looked at the handsome young man who had walked into the firelight that illumined the cave which she occupied, **Oh, Halleck, all these wild events seem a dream to me,” she exclaimed a moment later. “That beautiful avenger my mother? Tell me again that I am awake—that I am Colonel Thunder’s protegee no longer. When the voice at my door said: ‘I am your mother!’ I gasped for breath—I could not cry, and [ fell like one dead at the bottom of my door. And when I awoke here and heard that voice again, and felt the burning kisses that she gave I could not believe that I was in this world. No; it must be paradise. My mother! the woman who calls herself the Queen of Fate my—” Halleck held up his hand and commanded sileuce; then he left the girl and went to the entrance of the mine and listened. ; After a few minutes he returned, His face had a new expression; he had heard sounds. “ Everything is quiet now,” he said answer- ing her anxiouslook. ‘‘ They will soon be here.” At that very moment Silent Sam was bend- ing over the fuse, which, if it had not been tampered with would blow them to atoms with the rocks of the mine. But Arkansaw had been there, although Hal- leck and Esmer knew it not, and the hammer of Sam had exploded a cap—nothing more. An hour of anxious waiting passed over the heads of the anxious pair in fhe mine. Then both uttered a cry of joy for Arkansaw and the Rosebud stood before them. ‘*Hyar’s the young pee !” exclaimed the latter, and the couple followed the pards into the moonlight. There they found two horses beside the ones which the friends had ridden to the mine and were soon on their backs. ‘‘Ayar, take these,” whispered Arkansaw, slipping the handkerchiefs into the Rosebud’s hands. ‘The young ’uns ar’ not to see the man in the canyon. I’m goin’ back to see ’em plant the cunnel ef they do it to-night.” The pards separated, and the Rosebud of the Pink Forks conducted Halleck and Esmer away. At midnight a horseman rode quietly into the precincts of Vulture Bar. He did not appear to be armed. He certain- ly carried neither rifle nor revolver; his only weapon was a bowie whose blade carried four- teen inches of steel. The town appeared to be either asleep or de- serted; but the man seemed to know where to find somebody, for he rode toward a large frame building which was well lighted, and filled bai rough-looking men—the wolves of Vulture ar. Atone end of the large room a man with long hair and gaunt figure stood on a raised plat- form whose planks rested on the counter. He was discoursing to the motley crew beneath him. A smile passed over the face of the man on horsebaek who had haited unobserved at the open door. He took in the situation at a glance. The man on the platform was delivering Colo- nel Thunder’s funeral oration; and the body of the Bar’s great watch-dog lay at his feet on the board on which it had been borne to the place. The orator was finishing when the new arti, val came up. “Vengeance isn’t the Lord’s any longer, pards!” he cried. “It b’longs to the boys ov the Bar. We're about to plant the man what never shook a friend, but, first, we’re goin’ to sw’ar to git even with the devil what giv’ im the blade. Sw’ar! up with yer hands, pards.” The hand of the orator went up as he spoke; but almost at the same instant he uttered a scream of pain and staggered against the wall. Something like a bolt of steel, for it had a glitter, had passed over the heads of the as- sembly, and perforated the uplifted hand! It was a bowie-knffe! And while the crowd stared at the sight a voice entered at the door. . “The compliments ov Arkansaw. Yer preacher ll hey to eat with bis left han’ fur a few weeks; thet’s alJ.” Then the galloping of a horse was heard; the yelling crowd rushed out of the house, a hun- dred revolvers flashed in the night; but the marksmen knew that the flying horse still car- ried The Man with the Knife away. ‘Halt! they’re coming.” At these words seven horses came to a halt among lofty mountains, and their riders listened to the noise of hoofs that momentarily grew more distinct. All at once three Indians burst into view, and in a few moments drew rein before the waiting roup. “All done!” said one of the braves. ‘‘ The big. white chief must build new lodges.” The eyes of Queen Merta sparkled. She knew that her revenge was complete, that the torches of the Indians had reduced to ashes the property he had accumulated at Lodeton. She had not only killed, but she had burned! Here we drop the pen, gentle reader; but, if you wish, you may follow us to one of the proud cities of the young West and see the Queen of Fate give a blushing bride away. And if you stand in a certain place, you will hear the re- marks that two burly fellows are sure to pass about the young couple at the altar. Vengeance and justice have triumphed, and love has won. **Come, Rosebud, let’s go an’ drink to the two pinks the parson tied together,” remarked Arkansaw after the ceremony. ‘ An’ ef we kin git an audiance, I’ll show up in a bit o’ knife handlin’ thet ‘ll open the’r eyes. But gosh! Rosebud, [ll never be able to skeer up in this town the appreciative crowds 1 use to hev at the Bar! never!” and the bowie-king heaved a regretful sigh. he two pards went away together, the ob- served of all observers as they passed down the street. Here, for the present, we bid them good-by. THE END, . 7 os ~ BEADLE & ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers, BEADLE AND ADAMS have now on their lists the fol- lowing highly desirable and attractive text-hooks, prepared oarreney for schools, families, ete. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collection of Dia- logues, Dramas and Recitations, Soong comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1881—as far as now issued —-embrace twenty-threo volumes, viz, : 1, Ameriéan Speaker, 13, School Speaker. 2. National Speaker. 14, Tudicrous Speaker, 3. Patriotic Speaker. 15. Komikal Speaker. 4, Comic Speaker. 16. Youth’s § er. 5. Elocutionist, 17, Eloquent Speaker. 6. 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Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, Tue Boy Gurpz. Oll Coomes. 105 Old Rube, tHe Hunter. Capt. H. Holmes. 28 Buffalo Ben, THe Prince or tHe Piso; 106 Old Frosty, rue Guipe. By T. C. Harbaugh. or, DEADWwoop Dick oy Disauise. EF. L, Wheeler. | 197 One-Kyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. 29 The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Whittaker. | 798 Daring Davy, THe Younc Bear-KiLeR; or, 30 Roaring Ralph Roc’! <Wood , THE RECK- Tuer TRAIL OF THE BORDER Wor. H. St. George. Less Rancer. By Harry St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. by 31 mae PRINCE OF THE Prairies. Sa Edward L. Wheeler. Oomes. 10 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A 32 Bob Woolf, rae Borper Rurrran; or, Tae Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. Girt Drap-Suor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 83 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THe Rep PIRATES OF THE CarieBeEs. By 8. W. Pierce. 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wusirries’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 Wil Ivan, THE Boy CuaupE Duvat; or, THE Brorsernoop or Drarn. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown. By Frank S. Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge, By T. C, Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde, rH« Boy Scour. By ‘Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face, tHe Derectiye; ‘or, Lire AND Love In New York. By Edward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben, A Srory or a Youna AMErr- CAN WHo WANTED TO SeE THE WorLD. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. | 42 The Phantom Miner; or, Drapwoop | Dick’s Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, tH: Pony Express RIDER. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 44 Battling Rube. By Harry St. George. 45 Old Avalanche, tHe Great ANNISILATOR; or, WILD EpNA, THE Girt Bricanp. E. L. Wheeler, 46 Glass Eye, tae Great SHor or THE WEST. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 47 Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, tHe Rosp-AGeEntT; or, THE OuT- Laws’ Rerreat. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr: 49 Omaha Ol, THE Maskep Terror: or, DEAD- woop Dick In DANGER. By Edward L. Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, tHe Trapper. C. E. Lasalle. 51 The Boy fittes, By Archie C. Irons. 52 The White Buffalo. By ©. E. Lasaile. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., tae Boy Puenrx; or, THRovGH To DrarH. By Edward L. Wheeler, 54 Ned Hazel, tue Boy Travprr; or, Tue PHAN- | TOM PRINCESS. Capt. J. F. C. Adams, Deadly = Ey@) tae Unknown Scour; or, THe BranDEeD Broruurnoop, By Buffalo Bill. Nick Whifiles? Pet. Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, Taz Parps oF FLoop Bar. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Border King. By Ol] Coomes. 9 Old Hickory. 0 The White Indian. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, Tas Rep Rirte Team. or 5 6 7 8 Sorsr Sr By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham, 63 The Red Brotherhood. W. J. Hamilton. 64 poner J Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 66 Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-leather Joe. By Fhilip 8S. Warne. 68 Border Robin Hiecod. By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, rH SHirpsHoorer; or, Tae Boy DETECTIVE OF THE BLACK RANcu. By Wheeler. By Harry St. George. | = = = mt ed bt et et — — _ el Lolieeell ee! 70 Old Zip’s Cabins or, Tut Greennorn IN THE Woops. By J. F.C. Adams. 71 Delaware Dick. By Ol! Coomes, 72 Mad Tom Western, tHe Texan RANGER; or, THE QUEEN OF THE PRAIRIE. By Hamilton. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck 3 or, Catamrry JANE, THE HEROINE of WHOOP-UP. By Wheeler. 74 Hawk-eye Harry. By Oll Coomes. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, THe CRUISE of THE Sea-Wotr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, tHe Crow-Kruurr; or, THE GREAT FigHTING MAN OF THE West. By A. W. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Charlie, Tae Boy Bravo; or, Deapwoop Dick’s Last Act. By E. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue Dick. By Captain Mayne Reid. ° 79 Sol Ginger, Giant Trapper, ‘By A.W. Aiken. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nuacer Neb, tHe KNIGHT OF THE GuLcH. By Edward L. Wheeler. 81 Lightning Jo. By Captain J: F.C. Adams. 111 The Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham. 12 The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe. 3 Jack Hoyle, tye Youna SPECULATOR; or, THE Roap To Fortune, By Ed. L. Wheeler. The Black Schooner, Roger Starbuck. 6 The Mad Miner 3 or, Danpy Rocx’s Doom. By Geerge Waldo Browne. The Hussar Captain; or, tHe Hrruwr or Heti-Garr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Gilt-Edged Dick, THE Sport DETECTIVE: or, Twe Roav-Acrent‘’s DauGurer. Wheeler. Will Somers, tue Boy Derecrive. Morris. Mustang Sam, THE KING OF THE PLAINS. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.» The Branded Hand. By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chip, tHe Giri Sport; or, THE GOLDEN IpoL or Mr. Rosa. #'d. L. Wheeler. 22 Phil Hardy, tue Boss Boy; or, THe Mys- TERY OF THE StRoNGROW. By Charles Morris. 123 Kiowa Charley, Tae Wurre MustanGer. By T. C. Harbaugh. 124 Tippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Mixer. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicopemus, THe Doa Detective. By Charles Morris. Cte i ee =o OC B® 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 27 Wild-Wire, Boss orrme Roap. By Dumont. 28 The Young Privateer, By.H. Cavendish. 29 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, Tae Guost or Gorcon’s Gutcn. Ed. L. Wheeler. 80 Detective Dick, By Charles Morris. 31 The Golden Hand 3 or, Danpy Rock To THE Rescug. By George W. Browne. 32 The Munted Hunter, By Ed. §. Ellis. 33 Boss Bob, tHe Kine or THe Booreuacks: or, THE PAWNBROKER’s Plot. Ed. L. Wheeler. 34 Sure Shot Seth, Tar Boy Rirteman; or THe Youne Patriots or Toe Norru, By Oll Coomes. 35 Captain Paul, tHe Kentucky MoonsHIner; or, THE Boy Spy or tHe Mountarms. By Clark. 36 Night-Hawk IKit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 37 The Helpless Hand, Capt. Mayne Reid. 38 Blonde Bill; or, Deanwoop Dick’s Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. 39 Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. 40 Blue Blazes; or, THe Break 0’ Day Boys or Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont, 41 Solid Sam, Tm Boy RoAp-AGENT; or, THE BranpDED Brows. By Edward L Wheeler. 42 NMandsome Harry, THE Boorsiack Dsg- TECTIVE. By Charles Morris. 43 Sear-Face Saul, By O!l Coomes. 44 Dainty Lance, THe Boy Sport; or, THE BANK-BREAKERS’ Decoy Duck. J. E. Badger. 45 Captain Ferret, tHe New York Detec- Trve; or, Boss Bor’s Boss Jos. By Wheeler. 146 Silver Star, THE Poy Knyicur. A Prairie Romance. By Oll Cocmes, 147 Will Wildfire, tHe THokovcHerReD; or, Tae Winntna Hanp. By Charles Morris. 148 Sherp Samy cr, THE ADVENTURES OF A Frrenpuress Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 149 A Game of Goldy or, DrApwoop Dicr’s Bie Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler. 150 Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F. Whittaker. | 151 Panther Paul, THe PrRArRkiz Pate; or, Dartnty LANCE TO THE Rescugn. J. E. Badger. 152 Black Bess, Wo. Wiorike’s Racer; or, Wixnine Acarsst Opps. By Charles Morris, 153 Eagle Kit, THe Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes. 154 The Swerd Hunters. By F. Whittaker. 155 Gold Trigger, THE Sport. T. C. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, Tue Pickep Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. E’S | HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. }——_— | 167 157 Mike Merry, tue Harsor Porice Boy; or, THE Nicut-HAWKS OF PHILADELPHIA. Morris. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; TRAPPER’S Trust. By Buffalo Bill. 159 The Lost Captain; or, Tae Opmn Potar Sea, By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 160 ‘Whe Black Giant; or, Damry Lance mw JEOPARDY, By Joseph ft, Badger, Jr. 161 New York Nell, rae Boy-Girt Derectryr; 162 163 164 165 or, THE or, OLD BLAKESLY’S Money. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods; or, Camp LIFE IN THE ALLEGHANIES. By Charies Morris. Little ‘Fexas, THE Young Musranger. A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunrep to DreatH. By G. Waldo Browne. Billy Baggage, THe Ramroap Boy; or, Runvro EartH. By Charles Morris, Wiickory Harry. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, THe Stramnoar Boy; or,Trs Lanp PIRATES OF THE Mississippi. By Ed. Willett, Deadly Dash. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. Tornado Toms; or, INsun Jack From Rap Core. T. C. Harbaugh. A Trump Cards or, Wi. Witprmer Wins AND Losrs. By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, Tar Wo.Lr-Herper OF THE Rockies. By Harry St. George. Dandy Rock’s Rival, By G.W. Browne. Bob Rockett, tare Boy DopGer; or, Mys- TERIES OF NEw YoRK. By Charles Morris. Captain Arizona, THE Kine Pry or Roap AGENTS; or, Patent Leather Joe's Big Game. By Philip 8. Warne. The Boy Runaway; or, THe BuccANEER OF THE Bay. Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S.N. Nobby Nick of Nevadaj3 or, Tae Scamp OF THE SrerRAS. By Edward L. Wheeler. Old Solitary. THE HERMIT TRAPPER; Or, THE DRAGON OF S1LvER LAKE. By Oll Coomes. Bob Rockett, tHe Bank RuNNER; or, THE Roap To Ruin. By Charles Morris, The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Wet Kzpr. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. $.N. Wild Wrank, tye Buckskin Brayo; or, Lapy Liny’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler, Little Murricane, tHe Boy Capran; or. THE OATH OF THE YOUNG AVENGERS. By oui Coomes. Whe Hidden Hand; or, Witt Wiprire’s REVENGE. By Chas. Morris. The Boy Trailers; or, Damry LANcE on Tae War-Patu. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr/ Evil Eye, Kina or Carrie TaiEves; or, THE VULTURES OF THE Rio GRANDE. By F, Dumont. Cool Desmond; or, Tue GAMBLER’s BIG Gamg. By Col. Delle Sara, Fred HMalyard, tur Lire Boar Boy; or, THE SMUGGLERS OF THE INLET. By ©. Morris. Ned Temple, tHe Borper Boy; or, THE Map Hunter or Power River. By Harbaugh. Bob Rockett, THe CracksMan; or, DRIVEN TO THE WALL. By Charles Morris, Dandy Darke; or, Tue Ticers or HIgH Prive. By Wm. R. Eyster. Buffalo Billy, rue Boy BuLtwHackeEr; or, THE DoomMEp THIRTEEN. Capt. A. B. Taylor, U. S.A, Captain Kit, THe WILL-0’-THe-Wisp; or, THE Mystery or Montauk Port. By Lieut. Harry Dennies Perry, U. 8. N. The Lady Road-Agent: or, Parenr- LEATHER Jon’s Derzat. By Philip S. Warne. Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, THe GamBLeR Guipr. By Capt. Alfred B. Taylor, U.S. A. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, Tur Rivats or THE Roap. A Mining Tale of “Tomb- stone.” By Edward.L. Wheeler. Shadowed 3 or, Bos Rockxert’s Fient ror Lire. By Charles Morris. Little Grit, tz WILD Riper; or, THE STOcK- TENDER’S DAUGHTER. By Col. P. Ingraham. Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE; or, THE QUEEN OF Fatr’s REVENGE. By T. C. Harbaugh. 199 Featherweight; or, THe Boy CHaAmpion Or THE Muskrincum. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedouins. By Capt. Frederick | Whittaker. \ 166 168 169 170 173 174 175 176 ee 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 201 The Black Hills Jezebels or, Drap- woop Dick’s WaRD. By Edward L. Wheeler. 202 Prospect Pete, or Tue Boy Bricapg; or, THe Youne OvrLaw Hunters. By Oll Coomes. Ready June 7th. 203 Hardy Zeph’s Big Wind: or, Damry Lance’s LaDy Brrp. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready June 14th, 204 Gold Pinume, tur Boy Banprr; or, Tur Kip GLOVE Sport. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready June 2ist. A new issue every week. The Haif-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five gents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,