Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 228) (1881 12 06)
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nn hen as = Little Wildfre, The Young Prairie Nomad; OR, The Idyl of Echo Canyon. BY OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF ‘DASHING DICK.” “TIGER TOM,” “BOY HERCULES,” ‘PROSPECT PETE,” “LYTLE HURUICAND,” ETC. CHAPTER I. LITTLE WILDFIRE AND. OLD LIMBER JIM, BooM-M-M-M-M! It was the roar of a cannon, and as it rolled ‘along the valley the slumbering echoes of the canyons took it up and sent it reverberating and rebounding over the plain. The deer in the chaparral started with alarm from their covert, and the wary antelope scam- pered away over the hills in wild affright, for never before had the peaceful quietude of their domain been broken by such a sound. And a little band of prairie rangers, loitering on the river’s bank in the cool shade of a dense grove, started with consternation, for had a al of thunder burst from a mid-winter sky could not have been more surprised. “By heavens! that was the roar of a can- non!” He who made this declaration was the leader of the rangers—a gallant, dashing youth of two- and-twenty years, answering to the name of Dan Daring, though he was better known on tho plains as Daring Dan, the Reckless Ranger. He was the ideal of perfect manhood. He was af medium hight. His well-developed, muscu- lar and sinewy form was dressed in a neat-fit- ting suit made after the style of the border ranger. His hair and mustache were of a light .brown, and his eyes, of the same color, were as soft and mild as a maiden’s. Daring Dan’s followers numbered some thirty men, most of whom were young fellows like himself, and all of whom had been born on the prairie and reared among its wild excitements and constant dangers. In fact, the bronzed faces of the band, their strong, rugged yet supple forms, their free and easy movements, their rugged but natty-looking dress from hat to boots, their lithe-limbed horses and fine capari- sons—all seemed to wear an air of almost.reck- less abandon—a rollicking, devil-may-care look. Daring Dan ranged over the plains from Da- kota to Texas. © confined himself to no locality. He was a veritable prairie rover— coming and going like the wind—the terror of red-skin and outlaw, the envy of many a mili- tary officer, the steadfast friend of the settler, the miner and the ranehman. The grove in which the party had halted was on the banks of the upper Arkansas, almost within the shadow of the mountains, When they drew rein it was with the belief that they were the only human beings in the vicinity; nor was this belief dispelled until that thunderous boom came rolling down/t1e valley: “Tt couldn’t| have been thunder,” averred Jack Thorne, if reply to Daring Dan’s: obser- vation, ‘‘ for there isn’t a patch.of cloud big as my hand.” ' ‘Thunder? No, it was a royal old cannon’s boom, There it goegsagaifil” ~ Trae enough, through the valley the. sound — rolled in crashing reverberations. , n & moment the rangers were upon their feet, and, hurrying to the edge of the grove, looked out up the yalley. — the river swept in A mile or two below them an op a curve around a slight elevation or int of land beyond which all was concealed rom view, But up over this point they saw a single cloud of white smoke. slowly rising hea- venward. They knew it was the smoke from the cannon, and even while their eyes vere yet | upon it they beheld a horseman come floating os out of the smoke and swept over the ridge, a fearful speed, finally drawing rein in the valley, over a mile away. “By the eternal stars!” exclaimed. Daring Dan, as he brought his field-~,iass to bear the horsemap, ** that is a wor lag “A woman?’ burst from the lips of his fol- lowers. Aad a woman it was—a young gir! of perha seventeen—a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked little beauty. She wore a snug-fitting dark riding- ‘a thin, airy cape reaching to ber waist on and a jaunty little blue cap from beneath which | could see that her pursvers were gaining ascaped a wealth of dark hair. Little Wildfire, thé Young Prairie Nomad. = eo me ee et nett aa ae A look of wild excitement was upon her face. | The savages were undeterred by the presence She glanced back up the valley and in a tone of despair cried out: ‘*Oh, heavens! what shall I do?” She seemed in a bewilderment of terror. Her horse, a handsome, spirited animal, heim up his ears and sniffed the air with un- ness. For the third time the cannon boomed out. Glancing back over her shoulder the maiden saw three horsemen riding rapidly toward her. A cry of terror burst from her lips ‘for she a they were Indians—knew they were deadly oes. What should she do? To the right was a clump of cottonwood trees and dense shrubbery. She turned and rode toward it, and as she ap- proached it saw a cluster of vines suddenly arted and a strange, impish face peer out upon er. Involuntarily she drew rein, while her own face became blanched with terror. “Her head grew dizzy and her heart grew sick. ‘It’s nothin’ but me, my little lady,” said a clear, ‘‘splintered ” voice from the bushes, and the next moment a lithe, agile form glided from cover and confronted her. It was the form of a boy whose age was un- certain. He was a little, wiry-looking elf with a sharp, thin face that was half hidden by the long, stringy locks of dark unkempt hair that hung down over his temples and forehead. His eyes were small and bluck as an Indian’s and looked snakish as they darted their flashin glances up into the eyes of the terrified girl. On his head he wore an old coonskin cap from the crown of which the fur had been closely worn off, leaving: but a sickly looking border of fur along the lower edge. His breeches and moccasins were made of buckskin. His shirt was of blue flannel. In addition to the small rifle he held in bis hand he carried a revolver and hunting-knife ia his belt. Seeing the girl was spellbound with terror, the little nondescript continued: ~ “You needn’t git skeered at me, gal, fur I wouldn’t hurt a hair of your head—I wouldn’t hurt a’skeeter even, ‘less it war pumpin’ the blood out of me.” “Who are you?’ the maiden found power to “Tm the Johnny-jump-up of these prairies, miss,” he replied bhu:noro ; ‘they calls me Little Wildfire, Ferret-Eyes, and Snaky, and every thing, in fact, calklated to ruin Jim’ Ras- sals’s character. Jist call me Jim, or Wildfire, I don’t care. a snap which; and if there’s any thing that Jim Rassals can do for you just name a be 6 on waitin’ on oy gals, rad Vm yin’ to show you a specimen of my style. ‘* Wildfire,” said the girl, “my name is Lil- lian Barnes. I belong to aerey of gold-seekers who have been surrounded by a band of Indians down tho river!” ‘Great ’skeeters! Then that’s what that big bangin’ means down there?” asked the young nomad. , ‘“Yes, my friends have a howitzer, and it is its roar you baye heard, Wildfire.” ‘* Yes, indeed, I did hear it, gk the ‘bang’ knocked me clear over fust time and shook the eurlsall outen my raven tresses; it did for a fact!” “But, Wildfire, I am in danger; even now three mounted Indians are rapi 7 coming this way. You see I was riding on in advance of the train when I was cut off from my friends. Oh, what shall I.do?” . trast in God and Jim: Rassals,” replied the boy. ‘Here, jist flicker into this grove and ll show you m sti le of workin’ up red-skins. I will for a holy % . "alee Searcely aware of what she was doing the girl followed the boy into the grove. : D Dan and his men saw her ones pal though, from where they were, they nob see Litile Wildfire nor the approaching Indians; vad while they stood disc: her movements three savages suddenly swept into view. ‘“‘ Indians! by the eternal stars!” cried Daring Dan, “and they are after that girl. Quick, men, to your saddles and tay . Their horses were already bridled and sad- dled, and in a minute’s timé they were all tonnted and speeding away over the level ain, But they had gone buf a short distance when they saw the girl eme from the motte and dash away toward the hills, hotly pursued by the red-skins. Her course carried her always directly away from the rangers, and the latter rapid- ly upon her from the first. ofthe repens They were mounted upon swift-limbed animals, and seemed, not only sure of their captive, but of their ability to os- cape their white pursuers. hus the gens had continued for nearly two miles when suddenly the girl was seen to draw rein and turn, facing the foe. * ‘Great Heavens!” cried Daring Dan, “ what does that woman mean by stopping there?” ‘* She’s frightened out of her senses, captain,” decided young Thorne, One of the savages is several rods ahead of his comrades and as he approaches the gir], all see a cloud of smoke puff from her extended hand. Then they see the savage throw up bis arms, reel and totter in his saddle, and finally fall to the earth. The girl had slain him! A shout from the lips of the res applauds this daring act, and they urge on their animals with a new burst of speed. With a fierce yell the other savages urge on their horses more determined; by the death of their friend, than ever. They are now riding side by side. lg soon come up to the girl and rein in their horses, one on her right and one on her left. Then again a cloud of smoke is seen to puff from the girl’s extended band, and anothe savage falls dead while bis horse dashes away with affright. But, at the same instant, the third red-skin throws his arm about the Aa a tive’s waist and drags her from her saddkel Then he utters a fierce, defiant war-wboop as he shakes loose his reins and bis horse darts away! * But, at the same moment a rifle in a wild- plum thicket a few rods before him rings out and both captor and captive are thrown heavily to the earth. Then forth from the plum thicket glides the figure of man in the habiliments of a hunter. In his hand be carries a rifle, from the muzzle of which white smoke is still oe nin And a queer looking specimen of humanity he is, He is a person of fifty years—a small yet wiry- ——— tag tire’ a oe ees covered — short, stubby whiskers, little gray eyes, big mouth and a thin, hooked nose. To Daring Dan and his followers this eccen- tric genius was quite well known, and the mo- ment he appeared in sight a ranger yelled out: ** Hurrah! it’s Old Limber Jim that put on the finishing touch !” The old man waved his band in response, as he hurried on to the assistance of the maiden. But the rangers were there with him, and —— in a circle about the fallen savage and the ° “‘C)’ar the track, Darin’ Dan’1!” yelled the old hunter as he came on; ‘‘ you’re too late to claim any o’ the honor o’ the reskoo. Old Limber Jim’s the gallant Croosader that saved the gal. I’m the hero, captain, so let me in to hear her sweet lips murmur their thanks as all sweet lips do. Say, little one,” he asked as he pushed h We! into the circle, “are you much hurt? Old Limber James ‘is the tulip that put in that last settler, and that’s me— here mand!” . The fugitive sprung to her feet and exclaim- “ Hurt? great. skeeters!* I'm nighly bu’sted— broke allup; but I say, gentlemen, didn’t I fo ted. Injuns glorifactiously ?” ve es 0’ the Aztecs!” burst in derision from Old Jim’s lips. The rangers uttered an exclamation of sur- Pre su] maiden was no other than the boy, Little Wildfire dressed in Lillian’s riding 8 cap and an The lad burst into a of rollicking laugh: ter, were saw the looks of surprise.on the “I'm disgusted—feel womick * gro led Old usted—feel womicky w Jim as he watched the boy doff the riding habit which had not only deceived him but the sav also; ‘‘folks, what d'ye call that crit- ter . “T say, old handsome,” spoke up the boy, bis little ‘bidck ling with mischiel; “I are a young tallahooper and interrupted Old Jim, manifesting bis disap- ntment and disgust in looks and words of itter sarcasm. ‘*Can’t say's to that, but I do know I war never catched in a plum-thicket when Ingins war around and gals war to be defended,” re- plied Wildfire facetiously. “Oh, little gymnasticuss you!” retorted Old Limber, ‘‘ I wish that bullet what killed the to com- =
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4 ”» of you. breast of Daring Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 3 ’ See here,” interrupted Daring Dan, “ A fellows don’t want to get mad over this affair do yout” “Shades o’ the Aztecs!” replied Old Jim ‘‘ Pye think I’d harm one tag-lock o’ his head? No, indeed. Ugly as he is I'll bet he’s a royal little blister. Put your fist there, Wildfire, for Old Limber James loves you! A boy that can do three Ingins sich a trick is worthy o’ my congratulations. Jist keep on and you'll be Old Jim’s equal yet—you’ve got the cut o’ the re the eye, the nostril and the nerve; but then f 1 ever catch you playin’ gal again, Pl be an epelectic fit to you, It’s blasted sneakin’ for a feller to have the romantics knocked out o’ him in this bloody manner.” ‘“Spects it is,” replied the boy, “but you’ve a chance yit to die in behalf of beauty. Thar’s areal, live gal back in yonder chaparral, and she’s purty as a speckled bird-egg. You seo how it was; I put ou her duds here, told her to conceal herself. and then I got on her hoss and then sailed out to draw the Ingins away.” “Well you drawed ’em—drawed ’em like a forty hoss-power mustard poultice, confound your little picter!” “Then you were in the grove when the girl entered it?” answered Daring Dan. ** Bet I was, captain! And I reckon it’s bout time I war goin’ back to her. Won't you folks ride back and see her?” “‘ Certainly,” replied Daring Dan, ‘‘ for if her le are in trouble we may ibe able to relieve em,” Little Wildfire mounted Lillian’s horse, while Old Jim with the assistance of the rangers, caught one of the dead Indians’ ponies, and then the whole party galloped back toward the ove, As they approached it Daring Dan deployed his men on either side to look out for dangers, while he and the boy entered the chaparral. Not seeing the n:aiden where he had left her, Little Wildfire shouted aloud her name. In answer to bis call the girl appeared from a clump of dense shrubbery, with a pale, ex- cited face. “Tt’s all right, Miss Lillian,” the boy. an- eased li swered, ‘‘our trick worked like ght- nin’ and them three Ingins are off the renprn iss forever, This is i ina Darin’ Dan, Barnes, and he’s a ranger and Ingin- cooler.” The young ranger dismounted, and Hiting his hat bowed to the maiden who, witha smile of pleasure returned his salutation. Wildfire tells me, Miss Barnes,” Dan said, “*that you and your friends are in danger from Indians?” “Yes, sir, that is only too true. Nor were we expecting it, for our guide has assured us all along that there was no trouble to be ap- bended from them. He said there were no ndians within two hundred miles of us, and so we have been somewhat unguarded by this as- surance. But this afternoon, while I was rid- ing nearly a mile in advance of our train, a band of the reds swept suddenly over the hills and scattering out formed a circle around the train an 1 I was cut off from my friends.” ‘Really, Miss Barnes, it is singular where those red-skins come from. Your guide was right as to there being none located within many days’ ride of bere, It must bo a maraud- ing band of Cheyennes or Arapahoes from the south, Your friends, I believe, are bound for the gold-bills,” “ Yes, sir,” Lillian tremulously replied, “ but I fear the worst from those savages. Our party is small; there are only ten men. There are also five ladies,” ‘ ‘You have a howitzer, I observe, and that is as good as twenty men, but it will afford me pleasure, Miss Barnes, to become your protector until you can be rey returned to your ents. I have thirty followers, brave and fear- less who have never known defeat. And here’s Little Wildfire whose coup in your be- half worked so admirably: he’s equal to a hurri- . rane If he is a boy.” ptain,” the maiden replied, her lips quiv- ering with the grateful emotions of her young heart, “I am only too glad to accept your prof- tered kindness, for I am sorely in f ~ood, true and brave protectors at this moment.” These words spoke in earnest by a guileless heart, quickened every impulse in the manly Dan, and in his heart of hearts he resolved to prove himself worthy ot the confidence reposed in him by the girl. _In answer to a sharp, shrill whistle from the lips of his leader, a ranger entered the grove, ee | “Hawkeye,” ordered Dan, “ I wish you would make a reconnoissance of the situation down the river, and report as soon as possible.” Dismotnting the scout at once departed on his mission. “That is Hawkeye Harry,” explained Dan as the ranger moved away, ‘‘ one of the best scouts I ever saw.” In the course of an hour the young scout re- turned and reported the train as being encamp- ed in a little chaparral, and surrounded by nearly two hundred mounted Cheyenne In- dians! He was satisfied that the savages were ignorant of the proximity of Daring Dan’s ran- gers for their attention was wholly turned upon the camp of the gold-seekers. Nor did they seem to manifest the least concern about the three warriors who had gone off in pursuit of the girl. cs there any chance of our being able to reach the gold-hunters’ camp, Hawkeye?” asked Daring Dan. “Not without a stiff old fight, for they can see us long before we reach their lines, and can thus bring their entire force against us.” ‘‘ By ’skeeters!” exclaimed Little Wildfiro, “ Tecan fix things, or try it anyhow, so’s you can work into the train. If ‘you'll jist watch and hold yourselves in readiness to move, I’ll ta viided in that Indian circle so’s you can fling yerselves right through ina twinkle. Vl contrive some way to draw them aside if it costs me these raven ringlets.” So saying, the boy at once took his departure. As he emerged from the chaparral into the open plain or valley, he crouched low in the rank grass and crawled along until he reached the river bank over which he dropped himself, and then like an otter crept noiselessly along under its cover down the stream. He had traveled nearly two miles in_ this manner when he came to. the mouth of alittle creek whose banks were fringed with a dense growth of willows. He knew that a number of Me Yi were, or had beén, at least, stationed along this creek. Yet, despite this fact, hoe turned and made his way into the willows through which he slowly and silently moved up the stream. In the course of a few minutes the snort of a horse on his left arrested his attention. He knew that a savage must be near: He listened with bated breath. He could hear nothing but the tinkle of bit-rings and the cropping of grass by a horse, Creeping to the edge of the willows the boy peered through a little opening in the foliage out upon the plain. A fine, clean-limbed horse, bridled and saddled, was ng within five rods of him, while bard by a white man, engaged in conversation with a young war- lef, The white man was a well-dressed and pre- poporm ts looking fellow, but that he was in eague with the savages Wildfire had not the least doubt; and, as the lad stood with his keen eyes riveted upon them the emotions that surged in his youn , impulsive breast were manifested by the twitching of the facial muscle and the quick, nervous manner in which he grasped his revolver and cocked it. There being no other Indians within fifty rods of the two, his course of action was soon decided. Raising his revolver with his right hand, with the left he pispes the willows aside, taking aim at the chief as he did so. But before he could hee the trigger—as if actuated by some invis- ble power, the Indian turned and walked slow- ly away toward a group of his friends. A smile of satisfaction passed over _the boy’s face as he lowered his revolver. He waited until the chief had reached his friends then turned his attention to the renegade, The fel- low stood with his eyes bent downward, in a meditative mood, Suddenly—with the quickness and silence of a serpent—the boy glided from the willows, and even before the horse had detected his presence, had hold of its reins. wake by dl ah ee Tcheenss ree upon boy, win, pistol as 80 but before he could tuse it his arm fell, shattered by a bullet from Wildfire’s Ses a Then, with a leap like that of panther, the daring youth planted himself in the outlaw’s saddle, and ering up the reins spoke to the now thoroughty frightened horse. But, at the same instant, before the horse could take a step, another lithe figure glided from the willows, and with a leap, as if from a spring-board} threw himself across the horse be- hind the boy, and there, face downward, clung ale tpg as though a part of the animal ! Wildfire, of course, was cognizant of the un- known’s nee behind him, but the horse had become almost unmanageable, and the boy was compelled to give all bis strength and attention to it, for bis pistol-shot had reached the ears of the red-skins, and a score of them were now in hot pursuit. However, be soon got the animal under control and down to its utmost speed, and as soon as he felt assured that he was be- yond immediate danger, he turned his attention to the figure that still lay warped over tho horse’s croup.” Reaching bebind him, Wildfire seized the un- known by the collar and endeavored to reg him, but failed. The fellow seemed glued to tho horse. “By tbe melodious ’skeeters!” exclaimed Wildfire, ‘Pll loosen yer grip fur ye. I'll boro a hole through—” ‘* Hold on thar, boy, with that shooter! Dim- nation, don’t you see it’s me?” gasped the un- known. ‘ “Old Limber Jim, by the holy ’skeeters!”’ burst in startled accents from the boy’s lips. CHAPTER IL RUNNING THE GANTLET. It was Limber Jim, trne enough, who had thrown himself across the horse’s croup. With the assistance of Wildfire he gained an upright position behind the daring young scout. ‘Well, if you don’t beat all the old roosters I ever see’d,” declared the young nomad. “Yes, and you, you gol-dashed little Jew, come nigh bein’ the death o’ me,” retorted the old man in the boy’s ear, as they sped on like the wind over the prairie; ‘‘do you know that I war in the willers, and jist in the act o’ shoot- in’ that renegade and mountin’ his hoss, when in dfs | b in lof h ] ild burst into a peal of hearty laughter. “Seems we both had the same notion, Limber Jimmy; strange, ar’n’t it?” ‘“Yes, but let me tell you that if you fool ‘round in my way any more, by the shaiiee o! the Aztecs! I'll be wuss nor a dose o’ hemlock to ou. Twice to-day youve knocked my caleu- ations all to Jericho, and I won’t stand it an- other time. Judas, boy! this hoss’s a regular nailer on a run, ar’n’t he? Poundsthe sod live- ly, don’t he? Glory to Mortezuma! see the recs stringin’ out over the fee tl arter us! A’rn’t Ha a splendid sight, boy*—ar’n’t it enchant- in : ‘T's this horse, Jim, being able to widen the distance atwixt us and the red-skins is what makes it enchantin’,” replied the boy; ‘if they war gainin’ on us it ’d look different.” The news of the renegade’s misfortune, and Little Wildfire’s daring feat, flew like lightning around the circle of red-skins, and soon two- thirds of the entire band were mounted and forging away in pursuit of the boy, screaming like a pack of fiends. Wil headed away toward the west, in- tending to elude the foe among the hills if they followed him that far. Meanwhile Daring Dan had been anxiously watching for the promised diversion of the Cheynnes, and the moment he saw the,break in the lines he gave the order to. advance, With the fair Lillian at bis side the young ranger, followed by his men, swept down to the river, and fording it, dashed away at a furious speed over the intervening ridge for the gold- hunters’ camp. Daring Dan was flattering himself that the way was entirely clear, and that they would reach the desired without incurring the least danger, so well had Little Wildfire’s fuse worked. But, in this he was sorely SE og age dr emselves face ace w wenty or tbhirt rods mounted warriors, hurrying up the them. They were not over thirty away; hence it would be impossible to avoid a collision, Instantly thirty flashing sabers leaped with a clang from their soabbarde; and as by a ong” impulse the formed in line acing Lillian in the rear of the center. All of which was done in an instant, and without a their speed. The Indians were taken entirely by surprise, but never wavering, ce Mee me a defiant war- whoop and drawing tomahawks prepared for the conflict. With a rending crash the two lines came to- ther. There were yells and Fetes ed bows, the thad of falling bodies. erless ponies dashed away over the prairie, the In- dians scattered Hke autumn leaves in the wind and fled in a direction, while the rangers galloped triumphantly on—every man in his saddle seeming to bear a charmed life!
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& 4 The Indians in pursuit of Little Wildfire heard the yells of the combatants and at once turned ‘back; but they were too late to aid their friends; the rangers had made good their entry to the camp of the gold-hunters. Amid shouts of joy and murmured prayers of thanks, Lillian was recieved unharm back among her friends. But the besieged had fow moments for rejoicing, for the savages, goaded to fury by the artful trick of the pale-face boy, and the death of their friend, at the hands of the rangers, made a general advance asif de- termined to wreak a bloody revenge. Again the howitzer, manned by an old artil- ler n, boomed out in thunderous voice, but the Indians had scattered out so that it was less effective, excepting the terror of its report, than a rifle would have been. Its roar was im- mediately followed by the crash of forty odd deadly rifles, and soon the plain around the grove was one wild and terrible scene. The in- furiated savages, urging on their horses, and screaming like lost souls, horses rushing madly this way and that, either riderless or their riders clinging to to them in their death-throes, war-whoops and death groans—rifle-shots and cannon’s roar—all conspired to make the con- flict one of almost demoniac fury. Never did indians face death so unflinchingly. With des- perate determination they pressed on toward the grove from whose entire circle rifle smoke was bursting in continual clouds, and bullets were coming thick and deadly. Up to the very edge of the motte the madmen charged, and then, after their greatest danger had passed, when their enemies were within arm’s length of them, almost, they turned, and without firing a shot or raising a tomahawk fled in wild confusion, leaving their dead and dying on the field. Unexpectedly it was a bloodless victory for the whites;iand Henry Barnes now embraced the opportunity to k with Daring Dan and bestow upon him and bis gallant men his heart- felt tha for the service they had rendered him and his in that trying hour, He also in- troduced Dan to all his friends, among whom was his, niece, Helen Barnes. The latter was.a young woman of perhaps five-and-twenty. She was pale, slender in person; one in whose sad blue eyes were traces of sorrow, and upon whose face were the indelible lines of mental suffering. Daring Dan did not claim all the honor of Lillian’s rescue and restoration. To Little Wildfire he himself awarded the meed of honor. And while he was thus speaking in terms of highest praise of Wildfire the youth was con- gratulating himself on the success of his daring adventure. As soon as the boy saw that the Indians had given up the pursuit of him, he drew rein, and turning, gazed back at the foe; and as a smile mounted his face and his ores glowed and sparkled with boyish triumph, he began sing- ing: ** And the 'skeeter kept a-buzzin’— I’m your cousin, cousin, cousin,” “‘ Heavens, boy!” exclaimed Old Limber Jim, as he s cm to to the ground from his seat be- hind the lad, ‘I’m beginnin’ to think you're a young wizard. I’m done with you, boy, I don’t want to stay in your society any longer. You're wuss nor a upas tree, and if ever you git in my way again I’ 5 your jugular,” “Oh, git out with your cheap blatherskitin’! You're a fraud,” returned Wildfire. ** Youngster!” cried the old man assuming a tragic air and smiting himself on the breast, ‘look at me! I war once a man of a large family—I married a widder woman with four- Leen sons and hters and that brood deviled the all out of me and made me a rantank- erous destroyer of youth. To keep from de- tin’ the kentry where IL matrimonied, I eft—a lock of my hair in the old lady’s hand— and come West, And I have registered a vow away u the stars of the first magnitood that no boy shall ever ag’in tramp on my corns. Do you understand? do you see in me your last sickness? Do you observe that I’m a can of physical dynamite? Do you. know that you’re in the presence of old deestruction, hisself?” Wildfire, burst into a peal of hearty laughter. The boy was really in doubt, however, as to how he should take the eccentric old hunter. There was a serious expression on his bearded face, a firmness in his voice, and yet the twink- ling of his little eyes, and the extravagance of his remarks, seemed to reflect a spirit of whim- sical humor. “Well,” the hay finally said, ‘‘ what I want worst now is to git over into them gold-seekers’ on I'll have to wait for night camp; but I to cover my movements. I hope we may meet there, Limber Jim, and that you'll not be so plagued grannyish; so good-by, old snap-dra- Gathering up the ‘reins he spoke to the horse and galloped away. Old Limber Jim watched him out of sight, his face aglow with some in- ward emotion, then he burst into a peal of laughter: ‘“Confound that younker,” he mused; “ he’s the bravest, darin’est little outfit of nerve and pluck lever met. Gods! if I bad his youth and vim I’d give this world with forty-seven stars of the first magnitood thrown in, ‘long with a long-tailed comet. He’s a royal little bus’ter,” CHAPTER III. FLOATING IN THE RIVER. Tue defense of the gold-hunters’ camp was now intrusted to Daring Dan, and, although he felt assured that the Indians would not, in the face of their recent punishment, renew their at- tack very soon, if at all, he made preparations for the worst that might be expected, Three or four lines of rifle-pits were dug along the edge of the grove, and a little fort for the women was constructed of dg The grove extended to the very edge of the river bank, which was some ten feet high and of itself was a good defense against an ap- proach by way of the river, with the single ex- ception that, about midway along the side of the grove, a buffalo trail cut the bank to a level, almost with the water. At this cut, however, a guard was stationed to watch the river and plain beyond. The day finally drew toaclose. Night found the women ensconced in their quarters and double guards posted all around. The moon soon came up flooding the plain and river with a mellow, dreamy radiance. Ob- jects could be seen nearly a mile away, Shortly after the guard on duty in the cut in the. banks took his position there, he detected an Indian scout reconnoitering the oP site bank, A random shot from his rifle Pightened the fellow away, but his presence had admonished the besieged to unrelaxing vigilance, About ten o’clock the guard in the pass was relieved by Daring Dan himself. The young rangers could not forego the conviction that the enemy contemplated an attack from the river side, Rifle in hand he took his position in the cut under the overshadowing bank. All was quiet as the grave. Even the moon- lit waters at his feet were undisturbed by a ripple. It was a quietude that to the expe- rienced plainsman boded no good, and so Dar- ing Dan taxed eye and ear to their utmost power, Finally, to his relief, a night-bird went skim- ming along the surface of the river with a wild, impish scream, the crickets in the grove began their dreary chirruping and the tree-frogs their doleful piping. The moon looked dreamily from the blue sky —the stars twinkled languid and dull. : The Wee hour was approaching. The corporal of the d was making. his round with the relief, when suddenly a light plash fell upon the ear of Daring Dan. Quickly the young ranger runs his eyes over the water. He sees faint ripples chasing each other outward from acommon center which is not over ten feet from where he stands. With coutracted brows he bends forward and down at the water. He starts. He sees what at first appeared to be the reflection of a human face, but a second glance assures him that it is no reflection, but an absolute reality—a human face floating in the river. The body, if there be one, is submerged. Hecan see nothing but the face—the bearded face of a white man. It has a familiar look, yet Dan cannot recall the time nor place he has seen it before. The young ranger bites his lips in reflection. The soft tread of feet falls upon his ears. The sound approaches from behind. It is made by a man coming to relieve Dan of his watch. “Sh!” cautions the ranger, as the man ap- peoncies through the shadows of the cut, then e points to the face in the water and says, look!” ‘‘ Ah, me!” whispers the relief, ‘it is the face of that old scout, Limber Jim whom—” “So be it,” replies Dan, grasping bis friend’s arm, ‘ Poor © d fellow! the Indians have e Whist, Dan!” interrupted the relief, “see! ? there is another floating face!” Da: Dan saw the face even before he spoke. It was ting down with the current on the moonlit water. Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. In breathless suspense the two men watch it, They see it drift alongside that of Old Lim- ber Jim. As the tiny waves cire out from each face meet and recoil with a rippling soun they see both faces move—turn quickly tow eac Sayed as if = ci D ane y heavens!” w an, exci “ both are living beings!” . " Scarcely had the last word been uttered when - the hand and arm of Limber Jim was raised quickly out of the water. In the fingers was grasped a knife whose long, bright blade flashed in the moonlight. Only for the fraction of a moment was the weapon held aloft, With a side stroke the up- raised arm descended striking the water with a sharp plash. The knife had been aimed at the face of the unknown, but when it descended that face was gone, and the force with which the blow was struck whirled the old scout com- pietely over in the water and flung the knife from his hand. Before he could ‘fully recover himself Old Jima felt cold clammy fingers clutching at his roat, Quick as a flash the old fellow was upon his feet in the water to his arm-pits and clutching by the throat, at arm’s length, the unknown foe who already had his digits fast upon his— the scout’s—windpipe. For a moment the two antagonists stood glar- ing into each other’s face, wheezing like air- umps, Se this position they seemed to recognize each other. “Little Wildfire!” pore Old Jim. “Here!” wheezed the other. At this juncture a rifle on the opposite shore rung out, a bullet struck the water between the two battle-arrayed scouts and glancing off was buried in the bank, ' ae or ip Jim and Little Wildfire were brought to their senses and releasing their hold on. each other hastily floundered ashore. Daring Dan and his friend could no longer repress an outburst of laughter. topping short, Old Jim exclaimed: ‘* Folks, did you see the maneuvers of this gol- dashed boy?” “Yes, we saw it all,” replied Dan, ‘‘and it was a narrow escape all around, ludicrous as it now seems.” “It’s not done with yit,” declared Old Jim, savagely, “‘for I have solemnly resolved to crucify that boy. He dogs my footsteps like a curse. Whenever I have undertaken to make a spend coup to-day, he’s found on hand jist in ime to claim a share of the honor. Four hours ago, when I found I could not git thro’ the enemy’s lines. any other way, I concluded to drap myself into the silent river, and under shade of the bank, drift apast the Ingin senti- nels and float, face up, down here intocamp. I set sail. I drifted along, undergoin’ a hundred thousand fears and dangers. Right while I war assin’ under the very feet of a sentinel on the Pauw a night-hawk dipped down into my face and made a grab at my offeye. Then a cussed bullfrog perched hisself on my forehead and gave vent to a hoarse, rasping croak that rattled my very teeth. Then it was chased off by a m water-snake, fourteen feet long, if it war a foot, that deliberately crawled across my face so owly, so cold and slimy that it came mortal nigh givin’ me the death-ague. All this, and lots gi agree thro’, and when I'd safely run the blockade, and arriv’ here—be- lievin’ I’d done somethin’ no one else could do, who should hove into port but my evil genius this boy, Wildfire, dispellin’ my ms 0 greatness. That’s why I’m goin’ to crucify him, gentlemen. If I'd only knowed it war him when I took him for an Ingin, ’4 made sure that be wouldn’t ’a’ bothered—” ‘Look here, Jimmy,” inte Little Wild- fire with some asperity, “if you think this world’s not big enough for both of us to air our great genius in—to cut curlamacues and thing- amagigs in—s’posin’ we leave it to the bark of a couple of pistels as to who shall git out of the way.” me Bloodthirsty young hyena! d’ye think old James Hupp would fight a sucklin’ “Then close your yours and let me alone.” “Boy, I war once the father of fourteen children—a widow woman’s children—and I swear by the mother of Adam that I—” “A moment, Jim,” interrupted Darin ‘Tam anxious to know something of gers that menace us.” “The Ingins are holdin’ firm, captain,” said Little Wildfire, ‘‘and "bout the time the moon goes down you may expect them, but not be- ore, Dan; © dan-
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-when they will.” And so the hours wore on, and as the moon sunk behind the hills every man was aroused and with rifle in hand, stationed at his post. But to the joy of ‘all, and tho contrary ex- pectation of the rangers, the night passed away and the red-skins came not. Daylight finally revealed them gathered about in little groups upon the aialaet On a hillock about a mile away was a party of three, one of whom all could see was a white man Henry Barnes brought out his field-glass and through it scanned the three, ‘ Yes,” he finally said, ‘‘ there are two chiefs and a white man. The renegade has his arm in a sling, and he is rather a fine-looking fellow.” ‘Let me take a squint at the ole rooster,” de- manded Little Wildfire, and having glanced at the trio through the glass he continued: ‘‘ yes, sir, by ’skeeters! that white man’s the capp y whose left wing I creased yesterday; and don’t you forget it, he is a sprucy-looking rooster!” Lillian finally came up and took a look at the grou , saying, with a shudder: gh! it brings ugly Indians so close that it Siok me. I can see the feathers in their black hair and the rings in their ears, I can even see their little snakish black eyes. Cousin Helen, do look at them!” Helen advanced, and adjusting the glass to her eyes glanced at the party. She started with a little cry, and the glass almost fell from her hands, but recovering from the shock, she wontinued to gaze at the party for several mo- ments. Her friends saw that she was greatly agitated, that she breathed hard; and finally her face turned to the pallor of death; the glass dropped from her hands, and with a wild, dis- tressed moan she sunk unconscious to the earth. CHAPTER IV. THE CAMP BY THE LAKE SHORE. Tux scene of our story changes. From the little grove on the Arkansas river we would ‘take the reader to the shores of Twin Lakes— lovely little sheets of water nestled among the mountain hills of Colorado, There we find in camp those whom we have known beretofore; Daring Dan and his rangers, Henry Barnes and his friends, the warlike Old Limber Jim, and last, but not least, the redoubtable Little Wild- fire. The Indians who had given them so much trouble had been driven away by the soldiers who had followed theix bloody trail through the Sappa valley of morth-western Kansas, where the defenseless 8 strayed were mas- sacred and their homes destro and thence over the plains of Colorado teak ‘kansas val- ley. ‘i ttor the gold-hunters had escaped from the savages, Daring Dan escorted them to the mountain lakes, where we now find them en- gr undetermined as to whether to move on mining camp of Leadville, some forty miles distant, or to seek their fortunes in some other mining district. The hills were full of tors, and everywhere new lodes were developed, so fast as to almost confuse the senses of the inexperienced gold-hunters, But Mr. Barnes’s part, party was not compelled to. depend altogether .on the fickle goddess, luck. They were content to wait until the mines had been somewhat developed when it would be an easy matter with the means at their command, to purchase paying claims. Moreover, tho country was t tened with danger from the Indians, on whose ee it was claimed the miners were g, and so our friends did not wish to place Siacre Gastar in jeopardy. The location of the camp was lovel nd pic- turesque, and the days passed there were fraught with romantic pleasures. Little Wild- fire and Old Limber —_ who, by request re- mained with the party, furnished game in abundance for the table. In fact, the onl thing that seemed wanting to complete the pleasure of the party—especially the young folks—was a boat in which to sail the placid, inviting bosom of the lake. Almost daily prospecting parties called at camp, but they were all strangers, and many ot them suspicious-looking characters upon whom Daring Dan and his men kept a close watch. On the fifth day of their sojourn there, Lil- lian, who spent much of her time by the lake- shore, descried a boat rounding a point of land half a mile west of camp. It was coming di- rectly toward her, and contained two occu- pants. She watched it for several minutes, then ran down to camp and informed her father and Daring Dan of her discovery. ‘have no objections.” her back to the e had come so close The two at once accom lake. The boat by this that they could see that it was an Indian canoe, thou ee by a white man and woman. ae Darin Dan stood watching it his eyes lit up with “¢ ow, and a slight flush suffused his handsome dace, ‘T recognize them now,” he at length said; ‘* it is Basil Gray and his sister, Kate.’ ‘* And who are they?” asked Mr. Barnes, ‘‘ Mountain recluses; there are really three of them, two brothers and a sister, and they have resided over here in a big canyon some three years, defying outlaw and Indian alike with im- en nity. The one called Noah is a deaf mute, he other—the one coming yonder, is one of the handsomest and noblest-looking youths I ever met, and the sister is truly a lovely girl—a wild little beauty. Iam well acquainted with them; in fact, [ call often at their cabin, and have spent many a night under their roof. But I will hail them.” As he spoke Daring Dan stepped down to the water’s edge, and shouted to them, his voice leaping in musical echoes through the wooded The maiden recognized him instantly and an- swered with a wave of her band. In a short time the boat reached the shore and the brother and sister landed Dan advanced and shook hands with them, and with woman’s keen perception Lillian noticed that the maiden sede her little hand to linger in that of the ranger while she lifted. her eyes to his eith: a look that spoke plainer than words of a feeling in her breast deeper and stronger than mere friendship—a feeling that seemed fully reciprocated by the young ran Henry Reis and his daughter found that all Dan had win in praise of the brother and oer was true. orm was a perfect type hysical te ore and upon his clear-cut Sid ticelaniee face was stamped the "index ofa moles courageous and manly character enforced by a remarkable intellectuality, And as Dan had said, and no doubt believed, Kate was a little fairy. She might have been eighteen years of age judgin by the develop- ment of her petite yet pee tly molded form althou < her face appeared to be that of a gir of per fourteen, . Her large brown eyes were sha ed with long silken lashes that droop- ed coyly, aod a faint smile, that was indicative of a ea vivacious spirit, played like a tre- mor of sunshine over her rosy face, and hung quivering on her lips as if ready to burst into ppling laughter. She was ssed in the a garb of an Indian huntress er was quite becoming to her. Her frock was short, y concealing the knees. Her limbs were iucased in handsomely wrought leggins, and her feet in beaded moccasins. On b end eee ane = cap made of the snow-white plumage of a which contrasted prettily with the short dark Little Wildfire, the e Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. Prairie Nomad. “ Well, we're fixed to receive them, come 5 four took their seats in Vso Wien Weill debited boat nad Woes oon boat and were soon adrift on the bosom of the lake. Basil was an expert with the oar, yet he let the craft creep slowly pg eee their journey might be prolonged, @ presence of the fair Lillian the young mountaineer beheld what to him seemed his heart’s affinity, but his feel- ings were in no manner obtruded upon her in the attentions he so gallantly es her. On the otber hand Lillian could not help admiring the handsome, manly youth, and bestowed u " him, unconsciously too, looks and smiles 2m the flame that her face had kindled in his reast. So it was no wonder he dallied with the pad- dle and heaved a sigh of regret when at last the prow of tbe boat touched on the beach where they must part. Before leaving their seats, however, Basil and his sister prom to visit the party again in a day or two, when, if her father was willing, Lillian was to go home with them. With this understanding they parted, Basil and Kate mounting a pair of ponies that they had left hitched to a tree hard by and riding away southward, while Daring Dan turned the canoe and paddled back toward cump. They were rounding the point of land hitherto men- tioned when their ears were suddenly greeted by a shout from the shore. Looking around they saw a man standing on the peo waving his hat to them. hat do you want?” Daring Dan demand- ed, as he permitted the canoe to come to a sto *Ar’n’t you Daring Dan, the ranger?” the man responded, ‘* Ay! and you are Old Jack Wines! What in the mystery are you doing there?” wn over and take me on board and [ll bec (i right, Jack,” and Dan headed toward the shore. ‘Are you sure, Dan, he is not an enemy?” asked Lillian, in an undertone, ** Indeed, if am, Miss Barnes,” Dan replied; “Old Jack Wines resides in Denver, an isa noted mountain detective, and is as true and honorable as he is brave and dari The canoe soon touched on the peach when the old man lea into it, and when he had en hands with Dan, was introduced to Lil- He was a man of doubtful age. He was one of those youthful-looking old men, short and thick-set, with a round roly poly face as inno- cent of asa boy’s of ten, light blue eyes and a nose slightly aquiline. He was dressed in a suit of gray clothes that hung rather loose- ly and slovenly upon him. He wore a wide- brimmed hat t ry back on his head like a big fat boy with his first hat. ting himself the old fellow asked, as the boat swung around and put out into the lake: ** Daniel, been pickin’ you up a—a wife?” Lillian blushed ped eae and Dan himself was ringlets that escaped beneath. not a little confused’as he replied: Darks Dan introduced the brother and sister o, Jack; did I not tell you this is Miss Lil- to Mr. Barnes and his daughter, then they were | lian Barnes?” conducted to camp and made acquainted with ** Oh, es—excuse—for t,” the old fellow re- the entire party there. plied, with a chuckle; ‘ ut say, ,w After awhile Basil Gray and Mr. Barnes seat- | you oin’ to take me?” ed themselves and entered into a conversation; o camp yonder.” while Lillian and Kate, girllike stole off b ‘* Just so, just so; but Dan, do you know Lead- themselves and sat down u a log, and wit tig confidence in each othe oy talked of every- a suggested to their minds, Thus they a couple of hours and when their con- aewnehed had ended, and they rose to go back to camp it was with a feeling of deep regret they realized that they must part. hen Basil announced his readiness to refurn Lillian escorted Kate to the boat, Daring Dan walking with Basil. ‘“Oh, how we have been wishing for a boat these many days,” Lillian exclaimed; “it almost makes me sick to look out over this love- ly lake and then think that we have no boat.” ‘“‘T will tell you, Miss Barnes,” said Basil Gray, “if you and your father or Daring Dan will accompany us around beyond yonder point of land you may bring the boat back with you and have the use of it while you are here. It will not accommodate more than four or I would invite all three of you to go along **Ob, thank you, Mr. Gray, for soar kind offer,” "replied illian, “though its acceptance depénas; altogether on ra father says ana ‘* Indeed,” said Hen Barnes, ‘I know no more about handling a boat than a bear; but if Daring Dan wishes to go with you, Ym sure I ‘‘T will go with pleasure,” declared the young ranger; and the matter * being thus settled the | beard scarcel Sea bh «| ¥ i) j bac y.” J d d rf a gu ~ Coming ears but yours and God? ittin’ to be a sinful place?—more con- outlaws, Hpac thugs and road- e agents mixe up there with the thousands ever infested a mining town on this con- tinent. There are so many of them strangers to each other that it’s hard workin’ up a case.” ville ’s found oft ‘** Are you on the trail, Jack?” asked Dan. " Always am,” was the laconic reply—‘ more by and b In a few minutes the trio reached the land- ing nearcamp. Having beached the boat Old ack Wines was escorted to camp and intro- duced to the party, and a pleasant acquisition the old fellow proved himself to be more ways than one y this time "the day was well advanced. The sun had already sunk behind the mountain peaks, Supper being served, the stock was cared for, and guards stationed for the night. Old Jack Wines entertained the are 2 hee with stories, both humorous and thrilling, of ventures among the mining camps until ra moon came up, when he and Daring Dan rose and seal © aw a9 together ge the lake. ere the canoe lay they seated Grecmasiiee “7 the craft and p sliod off from the shore. They did not use the paddle beter pat the craft to drift slowly out to sea before entle breeze ‘Now,” said Wines, ‘that there be no other s. to hear me, I'll tell
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6 | ‘Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, - you what my “lay-out” is, It’s a good one, I assure you, for there’s villains, women, mystery and "bout half a million o’ wealth mixed up in the thing.” Daring Dan assumed a position of ease in the peat and listened to the folowing strange story from Old Jack’s lips: “Years ago, before the war, in fact, there lived in Tennessee, a man named George Me- thias. He was a widower and had an only child—a daughter named Edith, He had once been a wealthy slave-holder but speculation ruined him, and at the time of which I am tell- ing you be was as poor as Job’s turkey, but proud-spirited as Lucifer, George Methias had a brother living in one of the New England States named Benoni. He was a bachelor, rich as alluvial deposits, but an odd, eccentric old cud as ever lived. Benoni had a son—an adopt- son, mark you, named Warren—Warren Chase Methias in full, who of course would inherit bis half a million. But during old Benoni’s last days on this mundane sphere, Warren Chase Methias, by his lofty conduct, displeased the old man somewhat and he threatened to disinherit him. Well, time rolled on and Benoni died. A will made two years previous to his death was admitted to probate, and a startler it was—just like old Benoni. He had bequeathed all his prop- erty and wealth, except a mere pittance that went to Warren, to the daughter of his brother George, providing she was unmarried and re- mained so, but in case she was found to be married, then the property was to go to the adopted son, Warren. You see the old coon didn’t believe in marryin’. But of all the dis- appointed fellows was that Warren. However, he was quick to act and resolved to have all or none. Nobody in all that country knew that old Benoni had a brother until that will came to light, excepting Warren. He knew all about George Methias and where he lived, but to all he declared he did not—iu other words lied. He destroyed all the letters that Benoni had re- ceived from George, so tha the only way to find him was to advertise. But) while this was being done, Warren Chase, the actopted, was at work. He called to his aid two of ht chums— unprincipled young. scoundrels. One oS, them named Randolph Garcelon was a hanasome dashing scamp with a good education and 9 ood connections. He wes an idol among the jes, and knowing he possessed a wonderful fascination over the fair sex, he was dispatched at once, with a well-filled purse, to Tennessee to woo and wed edith Methias and thereby forfeit her right to her uncle’s estate. Of course the ily- lain had to act with dispatch for fear the ex- ecutor ’d find Edith, or she would hear of her uncle y ceabh and the condition of his will. Well to be brief, the scheme ap to have worked like a charm for in less’n weeks Randolph Garcelop had wooed, won and wedded the fair Edith, say her father did most of the courting. e bad no regard for his child’s honor—it was money he was after and believed . was lined and bound with it. After the me oon was consummated the execu- dor had no difficulty, from some cause or other, in finding out the whereabouts of George Methias; and be found Edith a married wo- man, or rather a grass widow, for three days after the marriage ber husband deserted her, and so Warren Chase was heir to the estate. “Remorse killed George Methias, and left alone in poverty and dishonor, Edith fled from her Teunessee home and went West somewhere to live with an uncle—her mother’s brother. And so Warren took possession of his estate and was living like the Prince of Wales, when lc} another will came to light dated nearly two fears after the first ! . It had been placed in the keeping of one teverend Ishmael Miller, who, at the time of Benoni’s death was in Europe, and who did net return till a year after. He came as soon as he heard of his old friend’s demise—the friend who’d furnished the money to travel in Well, this will was admitted to pro- bate, and it put a different complexion on mat- ters, and Lord Warren is in a tair way to _be- come a beggar. The will gives to Edith Me- thias, without any provisos or restrictions, one half the estate; the other half goes to a foster- sister of old Benoni’s, named Martha Jennings, or to her heirs; and only in case that neither of ee ag are living or spent found, wi: get more than a thousan Fhe lars. But he gets it all if no one named in the will is found inside of two years, So there is some lively figgering going on. Warren is out in the field bent on mischief, and has no doubt a corps of efficient assistants. Detectives are on tie track of the heirs as well as that of Warren: Chase, and in yonder camp, Daniel, are some of the prominent personages in this case—I have tracked them down.” ‘“You don’t tell me, Jack!” exclaimed the young ranger. “Oh, but I do tell you,” continued the old detective; ‘‘ of course you may wonder how I learned so much about the movements and schemes of Warren; but we detectives have a way of getting at the bottom facts that we don’t want everybody to know. But let me finish my story: about two months ago I struck the trail of that foster-sister, Martha Jennings. It appears she married a widower named Gray- bill in western Missouri by whom she had one child—a daughter—at last accounts. When the child was some five years old Graybill moved to Kansas, since which time none of their old Missouri acquaintances had ever heard from them more than that all had been butchered by Indians on the Verdigris river. If so, and I am inclined to believe it true, for I have hunted Kansas over in vain, I reckon the gal Edith ’I] inherit the fortune after all; unless, the emis- saries of Warren get her out of the way; but if you fellows ‘ll do your duty they ’l. never succeed on this earth.’ “Do our duty? What do you mean, Jack?” asked the astonisheé young ranger. “Guard well your yt and its inmates, for one of the party is an heiress!” replied Old te ve ‘The mystery you say! even, vee? but mum’s the word, Dan. I’ve a trap set and when I catch my game, 1’ll tell all. But, say, ain’t we drifting quite a ways out to sea?” ‘Indeed we are, for I have been too deeply absorbed in your story to use the paddle,” re- plied Dan. Turning the boat they started back, and as they approached camp Old Jack discovered a long dark canoe hugging the shore and creeping stealthily away toward the west. ““By Judas!” exclaimed Jack, ‘‘ that’s a sneakin’ lookin’ craft, Dan, and we’d better find out whether it’s friend or foe.” ‘“‘ A)l right,” replied Dan, and he headed to- ward the t. Old Jack took a pistol from an inner pocket and heid it in bis hand ready for use in case of Swiftly the young ranger drove the canoe th,"ough the water, but they had not gone far when they discovered that the stranger was fairl un Ps away from them. “ “gt, Peter! they’re fleeing, Dan,” said Old gain the ® rising to his feet he yelled out: ‘* Halt there!” ‘A. pistol - shot trom the stranger answered him, ; ” ** Pull, Dan, and let’s re ee ee Dan plied the oar wis. pd Me, baadlben r * efforts, the stran- power, but despite his heroic final r continued ~ gain upon Rentz ly isappeared from view in the disu. CHAPTER V. THE CABIN IN THE CANYON. A GREAT canyon in the hills of Colorado. a, A little pocket or alcove in the side of t. eanyon, A long, low cabin in the alcove—the home of 0m and Noah Gray and their lovely sister It is night over all. The moon shines from a cloudless sky resplendent in her mellow radi- ance, but her beams fail to penetrate the gloom of the canyon, for’it is overshadowed by the towering, pine-clad hills and beetling crags. Adown the canyon glides a little stream of. water that has been named by the Grays, Lightning Creek, and the name is appropriate for the bright waters go leaping, darting and lancing over its stony bed through the dark, green valley like lightning through the stormy sky. A wild and romantic place is Echo Canyon with all its picturesque grandeur, and its spirit voices that seem to leap from every rock at the slightest provocation. ut let us cross the threshold of that cabin. We find but a single person therein—she whom we have met before, Kate Gray, the Idyl of Echo Canyon. The taste and neatness of her handiwork are displayed on all sides of that mountain —— fer some three vears fave the rays dw aid fate has Been per: fectly contented — refiising to separat from her brothers—undétg privatione sii ga j= gd be with them, for a er the ear kin she knew aught of thea § ait A The Gray brothers were called mountairieers. They gave most of their time to hunting and brappine, though of late, since the town ef Leadville had sprung up so hke magic, and that too, within a tew miles of Echo Canyon, the inquisitive of the camp began to wonder witb a wise look if the Grays were not engaged in other business than hunting and trapping. Of course, these refleetions on the honesty of the brothers begat curiosity on the part of the lovers of sensation, and at length an air of mystery began to pervade Echo Canyon. But the brotli- ers knew nothing of this. Almost daily miners called at the cabin in passing to and fro on prospecting tours through the hills. They were wont to look upon the pretty face of the Idyl, and perchance worship at the shrine of her beauty. All knew that she was a bright, intelligent, merry and vivacious girl with a voice like a nightingale, and often the yh miner stopped by the wayside to listen to the angel melody of her voice, mingled with the strains of a guitar, as it drifted out on. the night and was taken up by the wonderiul echoes of the canyon until the fairies in a bun- dred grottoes, it seemed, were holding weird concerts. Kate had never been alone so late at night as on that when we introduce her in ber own home. Her brothers had always made it a point to be home by dark, but it was now ten o’clock and they were still absent. She paced the floor in restless impatience, stopping, ever and anon, at the door to listen. At length hoof-strokes fell upon her ears. Her brothers had gone away afoot. Kate turned and taking a little, silver-mount- ed revolver from a box on a shelf dropped it into her pocket. She knew bow to use the oo and would should occasion require it. A horseman galloped up to the door and dis- mounting hitched bis horse and advanced to the open door. The light shining out fell full upon his face and form. It was Dr, Dick Hanlin of Leadville—a trequent visitor at_the cabin—a Ape of the brothers and an admirer of Miss te. He was a man of ein es thirty-five years, tall and slender, with dark gray eyes, light brown bair and mustache, and a handsome yet thoughtful face that bore some traces of cissi- pation. He was not only a practicing physi- cian in the new camp of ville, but he was also the proprietor of a livery and feed stable. He could not depénd alone for a living on bis profession in a new and healthy town, and. since there was a great demand for saddle anc ack-horses by mining hg ag Sor Ry brought: n a drove of heey and set up in the livery pony one Frank Dumbarton taking charge: of it. ‘‘Good-evening, Miss Kate,” he said, as he: pores on the threshold; “is it possible that I. fin Fh alone at this hour of the aight “Tt is) doctor,” Kate replied with a feeling of relief; ‘‘the boys went away this morning and. for the first time in three years have remained away after nightfall. I hope they are in no- danger; but will you not come in, doctor, and take a seat?” Hamlin advanced, took off his hat and seating himself said: “Well, Kate, it’s concerning your safety that: { have come over here so late.” “Indeed! are we in danger, doctor?” the ‘den exclaimed, mal. “Xeij; on know, Kate,” he went on, ‘that. A become a great mining town, and Leadvil. Wy the case, thieves, thugs and out- as is gener. “yi Three times inside of one: laws are ti express and stage been robbed: month has the 94 not a man of them caught. by road-agents,& . Vjgilants are powerless, for he fact of itis, the <qdred or two strangers, every day brings ab. «gy an army of strange and so you see that t% ~ &j¢ the guilty ones faces it’s impossible to ws of Echo anyon, Everybody in Leadvillekno, * heir handsome and the Gray brothers, ana wy are Hot ate sister; and I am afraid, Kate, YX game to pre- here—ay! I know youare not. « veadville at vailon your brothers to move tO 1 “\y fiodie. once. There are hundreds of pure i weciate: women there with whom you can as. “4 nf besides, you will be in the midst of RY friends.” ‘ ‘Brother Basil and Noah have talked aif these things over, doctor, and yet they do not geom to apprehend aanger at? The — * Bad EE y¥ da not know all—the ene : inet stage robbed was hy two WEY: tm inact éion points stipoRly , hy OU ai Eoreotiname, their names H&¥é oeen mentioned in con... a ittle c om te’s li bh a defiant look she replied: sale she ~
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“They wrong my brothers! they are inno- cent of crime!” “Ido not doubt it, Kate, but there are vil- lains who, to conceal their own guilt, will take | advantage of your isolation and swear your brothers into the halter of the Vigilants.” “But they could not convince the Vigilants of this,” she declared, with decided firmness. ‘“‘ And why not, pray?’ Hamlin quickly asked. “ Because the Vigilants themselves have em- ployed the boys to assist in hunting down the outlaws.” ‘* Indeed?” exclaimed the doctor, with a vio- Jent start, ‘‘1 bad not heard of that. . Basil never mentioned it to me yesterday.” ‘*Perhaps I did wrong in telling it,” said Kate, recovering from her momentary excite- ment, ‘‘ but I bave confidence in you, doctor.” “Thank you, Kate, thank you,” he replied. A moment’s silence followed. Kate walked to the door and peered out into the night. The doctor stared into vacancy as he drummed lightly on the table with his fingers. “Kate,” he finally said, his whole tone and manner changed, “there is another thing of which I desire to speak, and I hope you’ll not feel insulted by it for I must unburden my heart. Since first became acquainted with you I have learned to love you with all my heart, and I have lived in hopes of my affec- tion being reciprocated.” Kate started slightly, but in a firm, kind voice replied: ‘*T like all our friends, Mr. Hamlin, but I am too young to think of love.” Dr. Hamlin’s face betrayed a pointment, A cloud swept over brow. ‘‘Then there are no hopes for me,” he said, ‘no likelihood of my love ever being re- turned?” Y ‘* Indeed, doctor,” the girl replied in great earnestness, ‘‘I do not know what the future may bring forth.” ‘“ Well, I shall live in hopes,” the doctor re- sponded, ‘‘and will continue to insist on your leaving Echo Canyon at an early day for a place of greater security.” As he finished speaking the doctor rose, took up his hat and announced his intention of de- parting. Kate invited him to remain until her brothers came home, but he excused himself on the ground that he had a surgical operation to per- form that ss on a friend with a broken arm, and with no little apparent agitation he bowed himself out of the cabin, mounted his horse and galloped swiftly away. Kate listened at the door until the clatter of his horse’s hoofs died out in the distance, then she returned to her chair by the window. Five minutes later her brothers came home. She met them at the door with a kiss and words of happy greeting. With Basil Gray we have met before, dear reader, and his description would answer for his brother Noah, with one exception: Noah was deaf and dumb. In stature, in build, in the color of their hair and eyes there was an exact similarity. They dressed alike, and aside from Noah’s being a mute, you could not tell one from the other. ; What Noah lacked in the sense of hearing was compensated for in the keenness of vision and the quickness of his mind to read objects and signs. He communicated with his brother and sister through medium of the Mute’s Alpha- bet given with his fingers, and by this means he could carry on a conversation ost as rapid- ly as with the power of speech. Having explained the cause of their pro- longed absence, the brothers listened to the story of Dr. Hamlin’s visit and the object of his coming there that night. Basil’s face became clouded as Kate pro- ceeded. Noah shook his bead in a manner that told his feelings were in sympathy with his brother. : ‘‘T do not want to go to Leadville,” Basil said when Kate had finished her story; ‘and if T should, sister, your safety will be the only ob- ject in going. And yet I dread to take you away from our humble yet happy home into such a place of wickedness and crime. It would be far better that you go to some other place— Denver, for instance; then Noah and I could re- main here and defy the villains that would dare attempt to cross our threshold. But I do not exactly understand Dr, Hamlin’s actions in coming here to night, bis protestation of love for you, Kate, and his burrying away without waiting our return, even if he had a patient peeting his attention Ah! some one is com- Jug ainful disap- is contracted Footsteps sounded near the door, and the next moment four masked men unceremonious- ly entered the room. Basil rose to his feet, bis face flushed, though he remained perfectly calm and cool. Noah, the mute, glanced nervously from his brother to the intruders, ** Good-evening,” said one of the masked men whose clothes were those of miners, Basil returned the salutation, and was about to address them further; when one of them said: ‘You may be somewhat surprised and even annoyed at the abrupt manner in which we: enter your house, but then we don’t stand on ceremony when we’re in a hurry and on busi- ness of importance,” ‘Well, what business have you here with us?’ Basil demanded—Kate communicatin the conversation to her dumb brother wit rapid flashes of her little fingers. ‘We have come to notify you that you must leave here and the cowntry within twenty- four hours,” replied the masked leader in an in- solent tone. ‘By what autherity do you command this?” asked Basil. S By the authority vested in us as Vigilants.” ‘* What reasons have you to give for it?” ** Reasons that you fully understand.” ‘‘ Suppose we do not go?” “Then we will have to assist you.” A little ery burst from Kate’s lips. Basil’s face grew black with the emotions struggling in his breast. He was a brave and fearless youthand would never have controlled his emotions s0 well but for the presence of his sister whose welfare was uppermost in his mind. His blood leaped in fiery currents through his veins and his first impulse was to settle then and. there with the intruders whom he knew to be outlaws and not Vigilants, but he wished to spare Kate the sight of violence and blood- shed. However, he resolved to make no com- promise with the villains, and in language that was not to be misunderstood, he replied: “If you have any thing to settle with us now is the time to do it, for we will not leave here alive if all the outlaws in Christendom demand it!” “‘ Vigilants,” said the leader of the quartette, ‘‘yvou’ve heard the fellow’s defiant reply. We have, therefore, but one course to pursue, and that is to take them into custody at once. Men, advance!” The masked villains started toward the brothers, but quick as a flash the latter drew their revolvers, “Stand back! hands off!” cried Basil, and the mute raising his weapen shook his head yiolen dy while his eyes blazed with a wild, ae Ob 4 ey tl will ! I pray, gentlemen, you will spare my brothers!” cried rate in Shes of humble ap- The outlaws made no reply but drew their weapons, There was a moment of deep silence, Then other feet were h outside the door and two more men in masks entered the room. But still the two brothers stood unmoved, Like images of stone they stood erect and defiant, apse y to die in defense of their sister and their ome, The masked villains seemed to hesitate. They were for the moment daunted by the resolute and defiant atittude of the brothers, But more friends coming in encouraged them, and finally one of the villains, seeing Kate place her hand upon the lamp as though she contemplated ex- i gir) it, advahedt toward her saying: ‘* My little lady, I'll take charge of you.’ They were the last words he ever pore for quicker than the lightning’s flash the mute raised his revolver and sent a bullet through the villain’s brain. The ring of Noah’s weapon was followed by a shot from that of Basil, and the outlaws swayed backward as if thunderstruek by the murder- ous audacity of the brothers. They never dreamed that the two boys would attempt to face such gdds, and engage them in a deadly conflict; but their surprise was but a momentary shock, and as the leader recovered his senses, he shouted out to his followers: ‘* Men, shoot the dogs down!” : Quick as a flash Kate blew out the light. The room was in darkness. There was a movement of feet—the flash and stunning report of revol- vers mingled with groans of agony and the dull thud and crash of falling bodies. CHAPTER VI. THE WORK OF HUMAN FIENDS. Katz Gray blew out the light by the silent command of her brother Noah, and then with the quickness of a cat she sprung through the open door out into the night, and like a deer ‘sped away into the shadows of the canyon. Two or three outlaws on guard outside saw her as she darted from the cabin and at once gave chase, firing their revolvers in the air an shouting like demons. : The instant the room of the cabin was wrapt in gloom the Gray brothers changed their i- tion thereby eluding the bullets of the outlaws aimed at them in the dark, The flash of the re- volvers enabled the two youths to aim their weapons with some certainty, though every time they fired they quickly moved into another position. The outlaws soon perceived that they were at the brothers’ mercy, Already four of their number were down, and seeing their danger in face of the advantage the defenders possessed in the darkness of the room with which the were acquainted, a retreat was quickly soun ed by the brazen-lunged leader of the party, and the next moment they were hurrying from the cabin dragging the lifeless bodies of three of their comrades with them. : As they left the cabin the brothers ceased fir- ing. There was a momentary silence, then the leader of the outlaws, furious with rage and suffering excruciating pain from a wound on the arm, roared out with all the fury of a de- mon: * Men, fire that accursed hovel and let us rout them demon brothers or grill them alive!” ‘But the girl, captain, the girl!” cried one of . villains. ““She’s out and gone,” put in another, “ but Burke and Evans are in pursuit.” ‘* Apply the torch!” repeated the leader, ‘‘ for vengeance will be sweet. If they attempt to open that door,which they have closed against us, and to escape, shoot them down like dogs. Hurry, men, while our blood is hot!” Some wood that lay in front of the cabin and) some brush were piled against the side of the, house and a lighted match applied. The wood was pine and covered with a gummy exudation that was highly inflammable, and in a few min- utes tongues of red flame were licking the walls, which being of dry pine logs, readily ignited. “Keep a sharp look-out, men,” commanded the outlaw chief. With revolvers in band the party, now num- bering but six men, stood waiting and watch- ing. Fhe fire rapidly crept up the wall and spread out over the roof, In a few minutes the cabin was a seething, roaring pyramid of crackling flame, The light lit up the surrounding with the glare of the mid-day Sie iDang tha weird glow the frowning bluffs and dark, green pines, The top of a dead pine standing close to the cabin took fire and the red flames darted up into the inky blackness of heayen. Gradually the heat forced the outlaws back further and further from the building. Night birds and insects by the thousand swarmed in blind confusion overhead, and peheeting and fluttering fell into the devouring mes. Still all was silent in the cabin, and were the weird and ghoulish-looking standing under the trees outside. ‘I hope,” the outlaw leader finally remarked as the fire eat into the walls, ‘‘ that we’re not to be cheated out of our game—that they’ve not aah by a secret pamaae ““That’s hardly probable, Cap,” replied a comrade; ‘“‘them fellers are just bull-headed enough to roast to death in there rather than be taken alive or shot down like men—heavens! there she goes!” ; ’ The roof of the cabin fell in with a crash, and —_— ©? amid the smoke and flame a billion stars shot ’ upward and were then rained back to earth among the pines. But still there comes no one nor no sound from the cabin. ‘“They dic game,” said the outlaw chief. At length the walls began to give and crum- ble, and in a few minutes more the whole build- ing went down and the home of the Grays was a mass of red, hissing fire. r “Beaten after all,” said an outlaw regnet- fully. The villains looked at each other in silent amazement, . Suddenly a cry burst from the lips of one of the party as he points toward the fire. Every eye turns quickly that way, when up out of the bed of glaring coals—Phenix-like—rises a hu- man form wrapped in a steaming, smoking
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8 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 3 blanket. It darts out of the fire and the blanket is dropped as it emer. therefrom re- vealing the form of a man who throws up his hands as if in mute appeal for mercy. His face seemed bursting with internal fire—his eyes are protruding wild and bloodshot from their sockets, “My God!” cried the outlaw, ‘‘it is Dumb Noah, the mute!” The wretched youth’s pantomimic appeal for mercy was followed by a movement of the out- laws toward him; but, as if impelled by a new fear, he turned and bounded away into the shadows of the canyon amid the ringing of pis- tol-shots and the yells of the disappointed out- laws, who, knowing it was useless to follow in the darkness of the canyon, turned back. ‘* Well,” said the outlaw chief, with an oath, “this is a flat failure all around. The girl—the one wanted most of all—is gone, and may elude our men in this canyon and escape entirely be- yond hopes of recovery. One of the men is also out and gone, and the other one—” As if in answer to what he was about to say. a groan fell upon the villains’ ears. And it seemed to come from the depths of that bed of The outlaws listened and when the groan was repeated, and they were assured from whence it came, they fairly shuddered at the fiendish- ness of their work. One of the young moun- taineers was roasting alive in the cellar of the cabin! As groan after groan issued from the fire, the blood in the veins of the outlaws almost froze, and when the horrible sounds finally died awa they experienced a feeling of relief and ad- vanced closer to the fire. Little blue jets of flame were bursting out of the livid bed of coals here and there, and from a depression in one end of the red heap where the cellar had been, a ragged column of thick, black smoke was rising heavenward, filling the air with the odor of burning flesh. | At length the outlaws turned away from the ruins of the cabin, took up the bodies of their coinrades, and moved slowly off through the darkness down the cunyon. They soon came to where the horses were hitched. From their saddles they took three heavy blankets, and spreading them out on the ground laid their feless friends thereon and carefully wrapped them up from head to foot, Then leaving them there in the shadows of the trees they walked on a few rods and sat down in a little moonlit opening to cool their burning brows and await the return of Burke and Evans. They remained there for all of an hour, when rowing uneasy and impatient concluded to e their d ture. Going back to their dead, they lifted the bodies, still wrapped in the blankets, and threw them across the saddles on the horses upon which the same bodies had sat but a few hours before in the full vigor of life. With lariats the bodies were securely tied in the saddles and when this was done the outlaws mounted their horses, crossed the creek and turned back up the canyon leading the animals with the three lifeless men. They passed opposite the ruins of the Gray eabin and rode on northward through the darkness, finally turning into a nar- row, ck defile which t °y followed a few Miles, and then came to a halt among some stunted pines. Hard by, a little cascade came leaping and roaring down a hillside, and, glid- ing over a precipice, fell in a sheet of foam in a boiling pool below. Here the question of stop- ping for the night was discussed. The majorit were in favor of encamping, and so all dismoun _ 6d and tethered their horses out in a little open ass plot. The three dead men were laid side y side on the earth, near the little cascade where they were to be interred in the morning. A fire was lighted under the pines to dispel the gloom. Seating themselves around it the outlaws entered into a conversation. Their ill-luck at the cabin, the escape of Kate Gray, and the -prolonged absence of Burke and Evans were discussed The captain seemed more exercised over the escape of the girl than the loss of bis men. In the course of an hour all but one, who was left on guard, laid down on their blankets to rest. After all the erime they had commit- ted that night they soon made peace with their conscience and fell asleep, hey seemed to bave little fear of pursuit or Hoey ee of any kind. Their deep irations might have been heard intoned with the steady roar of the little cascade. Even ti finally permitted himself to he guard be wooed by the fickle goddess, and leaning ! tea against a rock he fell into a gentle slum- r. Thus the moments passed. The fire burned low. The three motionless forms that lay wrapped in the silence of death could be but faintly seen in the dim light. But as the mo- ments wore on, a casual observer might have seen one of the supposed lifeless forms move. The blanket which enveloped the form and face was carefully parted and apair of eyes burning with the fukter of life peered out over the bivouac and at the prostrate forms of the sleeping outlaws. hat did it mean? Had one of the fallen men returned to life? and if so, why did he maintain such silence? Was he in doubt as to whether he was among friends or foes? In the course of a minute or two the envel- oped figure slightly raised his head and peered over at the sleeping guard asif to assure himself the man was asleep. Then he slowly pushed out his hand and parting the blanket from over the face of the prostrate form at his side, peered down into that face. But at the same instant he quickly withdrew his hand for the second body had suddenly and mysteriously become imbued with life, and a revolver in its hand was thrust into the very face of the first— accompanied by the command—hissed forth like the warning of a serpent: ‘Keep stillor by the living gods ll blow your brains out!” CHAPTER VII. 6 SCARLET SAUL. STARTLED with terror by the words that issued from the lips of a supposed dead man, the first form to show signs of life sunk back into deathlike repose; but a fow moments later he pushed out his and jn which was clutched a revolver and presenting the muzzle at the face of the other hissed out in a low tone: “Two can play at this, cuss ye!” “Hold up there,” quickly demanded number two, ‘‘you’re a devil o’a pretty corpse flirtin’ a revolver ’round here in people’s faces.” ‘““What do you mean, you p’izen thief, by playin’ dead?’ asked number one. ; "Ts thaé any of your busine*s?—don’t talk too oe or ll explore your brains with a bullet, an —- “Say, ar’n’t you Old Limber Jim?” i es Yes, and by snakes! you’re Little Wild- re! The two revolvers dropped and then two hands ‘were. shoved out along the ground and met in a friendly clasp. “Tt were Old Jim and Little Wildfire sure enouge. “Wildfire,” the old plainsman said, “‘ you oung scoundrel, it’s an awful wonder I didn’t iil you. How came youhere? What are you here for, boy?” ‘‘'m here on the same business you are, I reckon,” replied ‘the boy; ‘‘ when I see’d the light in Echo Canyon I came over to see about itand arrived just in time to see the Grays’ cabin f° down in flames. From my conceal- ment [ watched the masked’ men in hopes of getting a glimpse at their faces to see if 1 knew ‘them, but they were careful and my watch was a failure. But after they took up their dead and walked down the canyon I follered them. I saw them lay their dead down and wrap them in blankets and then go a few steps furder and set down in the glade to talk over their work. An idea popped into my head and like a shader I crept to one of the dead men, unwrapted the blanket and dragged the body back into the shaders; then I went back and layin’ down rolled myself up head and heels in that blanket detarmined to come dead man on them until I could find out who they war or until they went, to chuck me under the sod. I tell you it war hard to hold still when they throwed me in the saddle and warped me around that horse with my nose and toes almost teching, and I war just about dead when they laid me out here.” ’ ‘ “Wal,” replied Old Jim, “that explanation Il do for me—only I didn’t know that you war about. The same light and same motives brought us together here as they have a dozen times elsewhere, Wildfire. Sands o’ Egypt! I want to git up and destroy them sleepin’ devils! Oh, ye gods, boys! a volcaner is b’ilin’ in me now, bigger nor—” ‘Sh! Jim, look there! what is that?’ sud- denly interrupted Little Wildfire. Old Jim turned his head slightly and saw a half-crouching fi come stealthily creeping into the light of the outlaws’ bivouac. It was a human that of a man. His head was bare. His face was beardless yet seemed cov- ered with blood for it was redas fire. His form was clad in an odd-fashioned suit of buckskin. His feet were incased in moccasins. A belt was around his waist and in it were a pair of revolvers and a murderous-looking knife. With a soft, cat-like tread the red-faced crea- ture crept among the sleeping outlaws. His gleamed like of . He stole from sleeper to sleeper scrutinizing each face closely. Finally he reached the motionless form of the captain or leader of the gang; but a leok of dis- appointment overspread his face when he saw that the outlaw’s features were concealed be- hind a mask. He could see nothing of bis face but the white forehead along which lay ring- lets of dark brown hair. Taking a small parkas from his pocket the prowler unrolled a small vial therefrom. Un- corking it he held it so that a drop of its bluish, liquid contents dropped on the outlaw’s fore- head, then like a deer he bounded noiselessly oe into the shadows. ith a cry of pain the outlaw chief sprung to his feet clutching at his brow. His cry aroused his men. ‘‘ Heavens, boys!” he exclaimed, ‘‘I have been stung witha centipede or rattlesnake!” The greatest excitement prevailed, The wound was examined at once. ‘*Tt’s not been made by either a centipede or rattler, captain,” said the man making the ex- amination; ‘‘it looks more as if a drop of melted lead had fallen onto yer forehead and tracked across it.” , ‘¢Oh-ho!” whispered Old Jim, ‘‘ that scarlet- face has branded the captain—put a mark onto him.” ‘¢ Bet your cadaver, my fellow stiff,” replied Wildfire, ‘‘ he’s bound to know that gentleman hereafter; but I say, Jimmy, badn’t we bet- ter be gettin’ out of this? We're not enough for all them critters, and besides we are not goin’ to find out any more ’bout them than that nf ee apres and are goin’ to stay here night. % All right, Wildfire,” whispered Old Limber, ‘‘P'd ruther know who that scarlet-faced chap is, and mebby he could tell us who the outlaws are if they really do form any portion of Lead- ville’s population. Are ye ready+—now—up and away |—easy—silent—graceful, boy!” Quick as two deers the men sprung to their feet and dashed away. The outlaws saw them but before they could recover from their sur- prise and consternation both were under cover of the darkness. The two daring scouts kept together and when, at ys ye ae felt they were be- ond danger of pursuit they stopped. Before bem lay a little moonlit opening, and after a gs minutes’ conversation they started across t. The figure of a man suddenly glided from the shadows on the opposite side and confronted them. Both atins * y recognized him as the mysterious scarlet-face that visited the out- laws’ bivouac. ** Good-evening, strangers,” he said in a low, quick and excited tone that was strangely un- natural. “Howdy!” was Old Jim’s response; “you seem to be slippin’ ‘round to-night, stranger, like warm grease. Who might you be?” ‘** Scarlet Face, the Sleuth-hound,” answered the fellow in that same, unnatural tone. “Out on a lark, ar’n’t ye? Struck a trail, hav’n’t ye?” ‘* Yes, the outlaws are at work. The Grays’ cabin is in ruins and God only knows the fate of the brothers and their lovely sister, the Idyl of Echo Canyon.” ‘““We know all ’bout that Scarlet Face, and have been playin’ it fine to git the drop on them outlaw demons. But you’ve beat us, Scarlet— we saw you maneuverin’ in camp—awful risk to take.” ‘““Where were you?” asked the man. ‘“‘Layin’ over on the right, playin’ dead rob- ber, havin’ ousted a pair o’ stiffs and taken their place in the folds o’ their winding sheets.” ‘Did you recognize any of the outlaws?” asked the man. “Not one of them, but we see’d you put your mark on the captain’s forehead.” “Ay!’ the man exclaimed, ‘‘don’t forget that, friends; but I must not remain idle here. Kate Gray is in danger and I have a duty to perform.” , ‘¢ Stranger,” said Old Jim, ‘‘ is the Grays any- thing more to you than friends?” “That is enough; I am willing to give my life to save that of the girl, Kate,” was the rather evasive reply. “—
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a od a —_——+ oe Little Wildfire, the Young etre reer res Prairie Nomad. eer “ Well, Scarlet Face, what can we do?—what shall we do?” asked Little Wildfire. 3 ayn Daring Dan on the lake yet?” ‘ Yes. “Then one of you go and tell him what has happened to-night in Echo Canyon, and tell him to send men here to aid us in destroying those outlaw demons; the other might assist me in my search for Kate Gray.” “1 go for the rangers,” said Little Wildfire. “Then I'll assist in hunting for the gal,” said Old Jim. Without further words the boy departed for Camp Lillian on the lake shore. Old Jim now found himself alone with the mysterious Scarlet Face, and as he looked closely into his flerce, contorted face, and his wild, glaring So he experienced the feeling of one alone with a madman. There was some- thing decidedly mysterious about him. His quick, nervous movements, his subdued and sul- len voice, and his half-crouching figure were Fe of the hunted tiger. d Jim was superstitious, and after looking upon the man a few moments he made up his mind that he was not a very desirable compan- ion, and he was revolving in his mind the ques- tion as to how he could elude him without offend- ing, when a footstep sounded near and a man emerged from the darkness of the shrubbery and paused within a few feet of them. With a low, half-smothered moan Scarlet Face leaped upon the stranger like a tiger. ‘There was a brief, silent scuffle, when the man was borne to the earth. Then followed two or three blows, a moan of anguish, and the wild man arose to his feet, wiped the blade of his knife on the prostrate body of his victim, and replacing the weapon in his girdle, bent his ear and listened. In this attitude he remained for fol a minute then, starting quickly, he turned to Old Limber and said, excitedly: “They are coming! go—do your duty, old man)” CHAPTER VIII. THE MEETING AT DR. HAMLIN’S OFFICE. Ir is on the morning ee the tragedy in Echo Canyon that we would take the reader to the great mining camp or city of Leadville. It is still early and but few are astir in the streets of the place. In his office frontin ; thoroughfares, Dr. Dick Hamlin was lying upon a lounge conversing with a man who had called upon him. The doctor was sick; or, in other words he was suffering, so be told his friends, from an ac- cident which befell him the night before while on his way home from Echo Canyon. There was a ban around his head and alse around his left arm just below the elbow. The doctor’s caller was a man of middle age, rather tall and decidedly good looking and was addressed by the doctor as Captain Loring. The few who saw the captain enter the doctor’s office so early in the morning supposed it was on professional business for he carried his arm in a sling. 2 “Why, my dear doctor,” the captain ex- claimed as he entered the office and saw the doctor in bandages, ‘‘ what have you been doing to your handsome self?” - “ My infernal old horse ran away with me iast night and threw me,” said the doctor. ‘The dickens, you say! are you badly hurt?” “Pye a bad cut on the forehead and a wounded arm; but these are not the worst, Can; Y’ve a wounded heart, My visit to the Grays was a flat failure all around.” ‘‘The fiends you say!” exclaimed Loring, ‘ooking disappointed. “‘ Yes, the Idyl of Echo Canyon loves no one out her brothers, neither—” The speaker was here interrupted by a timid knock upon the office door. ‘Come in,” called out the doctor, but no one entered. Instead the rap was repeated a little louder. The doctor again ‘bade the party enter. The knocking being repeated Hamlin finally rose and going to the door opened it. He started back as he did so and almost fell. He clasped his bandaged head while the color faded trom his face. ‘he man before him was one of the Gray bro- thers whom he took for Basil. “Heavens, Basil! what brings you here so early?” the doctor exclaimed as he recovered from his shock. { The young man shook his head and touched is li * Ahl 1 was mistaken,” said Hamlin, “it is the mute Noah and not Basil. They resemble on one of the main each other so that I could never tell one face from the other.” Dumb Noah was tly excited, He took a little round piece of slate from his pocket and aby A upon it ere ye iain ‘The Vigilants! the Vigilan As soon as he had reed it Hamlin seized the slate and pencil and wrote upon it the question: ‘What have they done, Noah?” ‘They have burned our home, killed brother Basil and the good Lord only knows where poor sister Katie is!” the mute wrote reply. “When did they do this, Noah?” questioned Hamlin. ‘Last night soon after you left our cabin.” ‘*This is awful, Noah,” the doctor wrote; ‘the curse of God should smite every one of that committee. Noah, I have many good friends here and they will stand by me through all dangers, and if you will join us we will never cease hunting till your sister is found and your brother avenged.” After reading this over Noah nodded assent, and as he did so he became excited, his eyes blazing and his whole frame quivering with in- tense emotion. , Hamlin finally motioned Noah to a seat, then he and Captain Loring walked into an adjoin- ing roem and sat down. ‘The mute,” said the doctor with a sinister smile, ‘‘can’t hear it is true, but he’s got won- derful eyes and they say he can tell what one is saying sometimes, by the movement of the lips and we must be carcful. He will be a great ac- quisition as long as he believes as he does for he knows every mountain pass within twenty miles of here as I know this room and we can elude a thousand foes. If we succeed in finding Kate and can then get hold of your bride, cap- tain, it will be well to run them over to Lake Retreat until the excitement is over, ‘then we can decide upon a further course of action,” ‘‘Then you have no doubt of the Grays being the Graybills,” replied Captain Loring. ‘‘ None whatever,” answered the doctor with strong emphasis. ‘* Well then the mute is in for his share, too,” ‘‘No,” replied Hamlin, ‘‘ before old Graybill married Martha Jennings he had two cbildren by a former wife—these boys, Basil and Noah. ate is Martha’s only child, You see after they left the Neosho in they dropped the ane nd from their name and it became simply ray. « Bxactly, doctor,” replied the captain with a smile. ‘‘Now,” continued Hamlin, ‘‘I regret that violence and bloodshed were necessary and that there must be mere, But when love-making fails as has mine with Kate, then there was bub one course to pursue. There is, however, ono thing about last night’s work very mysterious tome. The leader of the Vigilants, you under- stand, that visited Echo Canyon, met with a pecuhlar accideut.. After they had performed their work and started off up the canyon to- ward the lakes they concluded to halt for the night, and fearing no danger whatever, selected a favorable spot near the Fairy Cas- cade and went intocamp. A guard was posted and all the rest laid down and soon fell asleep, Along in the night, when the efficient guard had fallen — too, a drop of vitriol was dropped on the leader’s forehead that awoke that worthy with a yell of pain. Ina moment the whole party was on foot and it was several minutes before they could collect their senses and comprehend the situation. Who applied the vitriol God only knows, for not a soul could be seen about. And besides, two of their dead comrades, slain at the cabin and carried to the Cascade were found missing from beside their dead friend. Their blankets were there, but wherethe bodies are and who took them away remains a profound mystery. A few minutes after one of the Vigilants was killed by an un- known foe. Whoever that slayer was_he has alarmed all Leadville, for every man I have seen this morning knows of the destruction of the Grays’ cabin, But, captain, we will meet to- night at the Fairy Cascade and know the result of the work going on and direct all future move- ments, We must keep the confidence of Dumb Noah, for if*he should mistrust _us he would rove a bad one. Don’t forget—Fairy Cascade y_ten o’clock to-night.” j 0 Saying the two arose and went back into the room where Dumb Noah sat listlessly gaz- ing around the room, his fingers working ner- vously at the haft.of the sheathed knife &- ing to his belt. Taking bis slate the doctor wrote upon it the question: “Noabs, do you know where the Fairy Cas- cade is?” a n ydvoom reed it and answered in the affirma- ive, ‘¢ Meet us there at ten o’clock to-night and we will see what can be done.” Again Noah nodded assent as his flushed face twitched and quivered with emotion, Taking the slate the mute wrote upon it. ‘Oh! my poor sister!” then pera | it up for Harolin to read, he turned and glided out of the door into the street that was now all hurry and excitement with moving life. CHAPTER IX. ADRIFT ON THE LAKE. Lakes passed very pleasantly to the young folks, but to their elders, especially Mr. Barnes and the old detective, Jack Wines, there wasa feelingof vague uneasiness created by the dis- covery of that skalkmg Cone along the shore. Since first observed by Daring Dan and the detective it had been seen twice—once with two ing waves, when suddenly the paddle segues reach, ‘Great heavens!” exclaimed Mr. Barnes, as he realized their helpless condition; ‘‘ what will we do?” ‘‘ Well, I declare,” said Dan, in perplexity, “it looks as though we can do nothing but sit still and drift to the opposite side of lake, some miles distant, pera “ And like as not into the hands of enemies,” declared Mr. Barnes. Daring Dan tried, with the shaft of his - dle, to stem the tide, but in vain, and he could do was to keep the prow of the boat to the wind, and this by the hardest exertions, while they drifted idly out to sea, The shore quickly ppeared from view, and the party found themselves adrift on a bound- less expanse of water, under the blue, misty sky. While Dan was busy with the boat, Mr. Barnes kept a sharp watch around them. ® Helen and Lillian sat shivering with terror in each other’s arms. Thus for hours they tossed on: the rolling waves. Hope had almost vanished from the breasts of all save Daring Dan, when suddenly. a cry of joy burst from the lips of Mr. Barnes. A long, black belt of timber ap betore them and he knew they were nearing the shore. With no little difficulty they finally succeeded in landing. The men then dragged the boat oon the beach, beyond the reach of the waves. Then all sat down to rest and talk over the situation. Now that they were safe, their ad- venture to Lillian began to take on a romantic ep but to her father and Helen it seemed till a serious affair. Daring Dan was still the same cool, calm and courageous fellow—not a word, nor a look betraying the least sign of emotion. c But how were they to get back? Without a paddle they could never cross the water, and to reach camp afoot would be an ‘impossibility. aring Dan had hopes of the wind changing. It had been in every quarter witbin the past ten hours, and he thought that by daylight it would either g° down or shift into some quarter favorable to them. As there was no other alternative but to wait, they resolved to make the best of their situation and at once selected a shelter under a ledge and seated themselves. Here they had passed some two or three bours oenagens, to some pleasant stories from Daring Dan when they were sud- denly startled by a deep and sullen m as if of a cannon. “By heavens!” exclaimed Henry Barnes, ‘¢that was the report of our old howitzer!” *‘ Yes, our friends have grown impatient over Trve at Camp Lillian on the shores of Twin.
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10 our prolonged absence from camp, and think- ing, Big geen that we are lost, are firing a signal,” replied Daring Dan. * Oh, I hope it is no worse?’ cried Helen. “Tt cannot be for any other p )’? Dan continued, ‘‘ but friends, do you see that red light in the sky off yonder to the right?” All answered in the affirmative when Dan continued: ‘That seems to be about in the vicinity of the Grays’ cabin in Echo Canyon, and I am afraid something is wrong over there. I pray the Grays are in no danger—that that light is not from their burning home.” They watched the light closely. It grew red- der and redder. The odor of burning pine was wafted across the lake on the wings of the wind. Finally the light began to fade out and in the course of an hour or two it disappeared. Daring Dan paced the shore uneasily. At intervals of an hour the howitzer at camp boomed out. ‘*T wish we could answer it,” said Mr. Barnes. The midnight hour passed. The wind began to gO down and finally a dead calm prevailed. “Tt’s changing,” said Dan, and true enough in less than an hour a strong breeze was blowing from the north-west. Preparations for departure were at once made. With his knife Daring Dan cut a pole some four feet long and to one end of it securely tied some brush making a sort of a broom. “We have the wind on our quarter now and with this broom-paddle 1 hope we may be roe to sweep back to camp,” the young ranger said. Launching the boat the party at once em- barked therein. The wind bore them gradually away from shore and soon they were beyond sight of land. But owing to their inefficient die and the quartering wind they were borne the right and ere they’ were scarcely aware of aah they were close along the west shore of the e. ‘*Well, we'll have to hug the shore,” said Dan, ‘‘ but I hope time and patience will event- es A us into camp.” “ What if that pirate craft should be coasting around here and run into us?” said Barnes, “We'd give them a warm reception,” replied Thus they moved slowly along. ph were ee tees the southern‘extremity of the lake when they were all suddenly startled by a wild, piercing cry. Daring Dan permitted the boat to come toa stand when al! listened. Again that wild cry pierced through the night, and it was the cry of afemale. Of this there was not a doubt. “By the heavens above!” exclaimed Mr. es, ‘‘some one must be in trouble, Dan!” = iy indeed, but who can it be?” Asif in answer to the young ranger there came the wild appeal: ‘ Hel ! help! oh, save me!” : 8! my friends, I cannot hear that cry and remain idl once!” “ Hold, Dan! ai Ng sure it is not a decoy?” “It cannot be, . Barnes—it is genuine,” rhe so the young ranger, driving the canoe re within the deep shadows of some over- hanging foliage. As the youth sprung ashore Barnes rose from his seat saying: ; “The women will certainly be safe here in these shadows, and I will go with you, Dan.” With a few words of caution to the girls the two men departed in the direction whence those cries of ap had come. With the deep, dark shadows the women felt perfectly secure and conversed in whispers. Since that last wild distressed cry for help all had relapsed into perfect silence. Half an hour had thus passed when Lillian and Helen heard the light dip of a paddle, and felt a succession of tiny waves chafing the side of their boat. ’ Lillian,” whispered Helen, ‘‘I do believe a canoe is approaching.” “Oh! what would we doif they are enemies and we should be discovered?” replied Lillian. ‘Sh! Lillian, do not breathe,” cautioned her companion; ‘‘the boat is creeping along in the shadows and— Oh!” With a slight crash ‘the prow of the stranger struck their boat tipping it so that they were nearly pitched into the water and forcing a ery from their lips. “By Judas! what have we found here?” asked a gruff voice in a low tone. The women could now see the dimmest out- jines of a long black canoe that at once swung e! I must go to her assistance at Little Wildfire, the | a -oung £F alongside of them. In it were four or five shadowy forms. Lillian and Helen crouched down in their boat trembling with terror, but the moment Lillian felt a hand touch her then rudely grasp her she uttered a sad J scream for help, ‘‘ By the great king Peter! we have another gal here—ay! two of them!” declared one of the unknown. ‘Must be from the camp over on the point,” added another, ‘‘and they’re not here alone, either.” Quick as a flash two men leaped from the strange boat into that of our friends and pushed it off from shore. ‘“« Help, father! help!” shrieked Lillian in tones of wild despair. “Pass me a paddle over here, Luke,” said one of the outlaws, for such they were, ‘‘ there’s a but a brush-broom in here for a pad- e. The men in the bateau, for such the strange boat was, handed over a paddle from the shore, the bateau following alongside. In her sudden terror Lillian would have leaped into the water but for the restraining hand of Helen and one of the men. The latter seized heras she rose to her feet and bere her down in the boat placed his hand over her mouth saying: “‘ Now if you yell again I’ll strangle you.” Out into the lake beyond the reach of friends the two women were carried. When a hun- dred rods from shore the two boats running alongside came to a stand. The captives gazed around them, In the big boat were four persons—three men and a female. The latter sat with her head bowed down as if weeping. The moonlight falling full upon them re- vealed to Lillian and Helen the rough, bearded faces of the captors. One of the men looked closely into the faces of the captives then said to his companions: “ Who says fortune’s not on our side? Wenot only got the captain’s bride, but the lovely Miss Lillian Barnes.” ‘*Good! good!” exclaimed the others, The bowed figure in the bateau raised her head. The moon falling full fe gran her revealed the Sate yet sad and terrified face of the Idy]l of Echo Canyon, Kate were “Oh, Katie!” cried Lillian, ‘‘you are in trouble too!” ‘Yes, Lillian,” replied the less men have destroyed my slain my brother.” A cry that seemed wrung from her ver heart escaped Lillian’s lips, and she sunk half unconscious in Helen’s arms. In this position she lay for full five minutes, then she started up, the hitherto sad, terrified expression of her face changed to one of indignation and scorn. Turning to her captors her eyes fairly blaz- ing, she said: ‘ Villains, you shall suffer for this outrage!” The men laughed at her. The report of a rifle on the shore rung out through the night, and was immediately fol- lowed by tho thunderous roar of the howitzer at Camp Lillian. These sounds, following so close after the irl’s warning, startled the outlaws and the ts were at once putsin motion. They headed toward the north, the bateau taking the lead. The captives saw the shore pear od in the misty moonlight as they moved out further and further into the lake. That they were beyond the assistance of friends they had not a doubt, for they knew their friends had no boat with which to follow them. The bateau being provided with oars was easily propelled and kept several rods in ad- vance of the canoe. After pursuing a notthward course for half a league the boats bore abruptly to the left, and in the course of an hour the shore appeared in sight again. The moon sinking slowly behind the distant hills sent dark shadows creeping out over the bosom of the lake. Into this border of shadows the boats finally glided. The bateau was perhaps fifty rods in advance of the canoe when Lillian, whose eyes were bent downward upon the rippling waves that gave out a phosphorescent glow, saw a dark object rise ie out of the water alongside the boat. At sight of it she uttered a cry of terror for the dim outlines of the crea- ture seemed to be the head and neck of a mon- ster serpent. But quick as it had appeared it again sunk down ja the water as if frightened by the maiden’s ery, No one plse had geen it for it appeared at Lil- irl, ‘‘ these heart- ome and I fear irie I SMM fo re ee lian’s side, the others being seated ahead of ‘ner and facing the boat’s course. ‘What's wrong, my little chick?” asked the outlaw. ‘“-You are,” was the laconic reply given with disdain. But scarcely had the words fallen from her lips when she again saw that object rice quickly out of the water at the side of the boat—saw it throw out one arm—heard a dull blow that was followed by a scream of agony from the lips o1 one of the outlaws that chilled the very marrow in the bones of the whole crew. “Heavens, Carl! what ails you?” asked the man at the paddle. Carl made no reply, but clutching at his breast he rattled in the throat, then in a con- vulsive fit he threw himself to one side and fell overboard into the lake. Hisfriend leaned over to grasp him, when he too uttered a groan of agony and fell forward across the boat’s gun- wale. Then up out of the water rose that mysterious figure—the silent slayer. It looked over into the boat as if for other victims. The tongues of the captives were paralyzed. Their eyes became fixed upon the dark un- known as if held there by some horrible fas- cination. “Gals.” It was a human voice that sounded familiar that greeted their ears, yet they moved nor spoke not. ‘« Lillain, be you and Helen here?” As these words fell upon their ears the spell of terror was broken. They recognized the voice. It was that of the boy nomad, Little Wildfire ‘‘Oh, Wildfire!” cried Lillian, ‘‘what a des- perate, raga boy you are!” ** Ar’n’t I though?’ was the facetious reply of the boy, as he swung himself in the boat and coolly dumped the body of the outlaw into the lake. ‘‘ Didn’t I salt them critters down nicely? Had a big swim for it though, you kin jist bet big, but then I can swim like a fish. Gals, | told Mr. Barnes and Darin’ Dan’l that’d I’d destroy somethin’ afore mornin’ and—” ‘tes Then you saw father and Dan?’ cried Lil- nD. “Yes, right away after you got husseled off; but, gals, whar be that t’other t what’s got Miss Kate, the Idyl1—” “There, Wildfire! oh, there, it is. coming meth Soctt thay wl bey Heth ey” ool pects they wi they ke me y replied the boy, as he took up the pad sent the boat gliding through the shadows. But the bateau had got within two rods of them fore its return was discovered and the fugitives had not gone far before they saw they would be overtaken. “Wildfire!” said Helen, ‘‘can you not esca from the boat? See! they are gaining rapidly upon us,” “Let ’em come, and by ’skeeters, if they crowd Jim Rassals too close he’ll show ’em a ‘imen of his naval fightin,” declared the little nomad, ‘‘But, Wildfire, there are three of them!" said Lillian. The boy made no reply but plied the unwieldy paddle with all his strength. Despite his et- forts, however, the bateau gained rapidly upon them. It was not over a rod away, and seeing he could not elude the foe the boy dropped his paddle and rose to his feet. At the same instant a pistol in the hand ‘of an outlaw rung out, and with a wild scream the brave boy fell backward into the lake and sunk beneath the waves! CHAPTER X. THE MEETING AT THE FAIRY CASCADE, THROUGH the early evening twilight four horsemen were riding leisurely up Echo Can- yon conversing in low yet earnest tones. Two of them were Dr. Dick Hamlin and Cap- tain Loring, and all were on their way to the Fairy Cascade where Dumb Noah had promised, the previous morning, to meet them at ten o’clock that night. Dr. Dick wore a few patches of court-plaster on his face and Captain Loring still carried his arm in a sling. As the four approached the spot where once had stood the home of the Grays, the ring of their horses’ hoofs seemed to start a hundred hollow, ghostly echoes. With contracted brows the four men watched every bush and lurking shadow as though afraid they were the ambush of a foe, At length they came in sight of the ruins of the Gray cabin. Even yeta glimmer of heat was rising from the heap of ashes, and as the —~
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——— ———— four were riding on apast a groan suddenly fell upon their ears. Reining up they listened. The n was re- ated. It seemed to come from the ashes of he ruins, “Good Lord!” exclaimed Dr. Hamlin, “ can it be that some one is still alive under those ruins?” r ‘Impossible, impossible!” declared Captain As % to refute this declaration that groan again fell upon their ears, leaving little doubt as to the source whence it came. Dismounting the four men hitched their horses and advanced toward the ruins, prompted more by a feeling of curiosity than of humanity, With their feet almost in the ashes they stop- ped and gazed over the ruins and listened, but not a thing could they see, not, a sound could they bear. “Queer, ver queer ” said Hamlin, betray- ing some perplexity of mind; ‘* Sanders, walk around to the opposite side and explore that withered foliage 4 pe the base of the cliff.” The man addressed advanced with hesitating footsteps around the ash-heap, and peered in among the foliage; but he saw no one, and was passiug on around when suddenly a man stepped from the shadows and confronted him. Sanders started back for the face of the man an ; his terrible eyes struck terror to his very soul. ‘“Who are you?” Sanders gasped as he fum- bled at his revolver excitedly. e‘Scarlet Face,” answered the mysterious man, in a sepulchral voice, then with the yell of asavage he sprung forward and seizing Sanders by the throat buried him to the earth, as though he were an infant. Dr. Hamlin and his companions rushed to their friend’s rescue, but when they reached his side Sanders was dead and the mysterious de- stroyer gone! : The breasts of the three men were filled with fear and horror, and lifting the body of their friend they hurried back among the shadows of a clump of trees. . ; “Boys,” said Hamlin, in a serious tone “we're being tracked—perhaps to death, I tell ou we must hurry up our work and get away, Fudag’ I wish that sleuth, Dumb Noah, was here and we’d hunt that murderer down.” The three deposited the body of their friend in a shallow grave, then mounting their horses resumed their journey. In the course of two hours they arrived at Fairy Cascade and were met there by several friends. Dumb Noah was not there, yet it was an hour until ten o’clock and the party sat down to await his coming. The shadows lay deep around them. The moon was gy tning yee the only spot where her beams fell to earth was at the Fairy Cascade. As the moments wore away one of the men walked over to the cascade for a drink. He removed the cup from a whisky flask and stretched out his hand toward the waterfall to fill it. At the same instant a figure stepped from the shadows of a rock and confronted It was Scarlet Face, the avenger. The man started back with a cry and turned to flee, but in a moment that human tiger was upon him. He called for help. His comrades hastened to his assistance, but reached his life- less form just in time to see the figure of the destroyer disappear in the shadows. ‘Great heaven!” cried Hamlin, ‘‘ what is the meaning of this? who is this bloodthirsty murderer?” ‘* Perhaps, doctor,” said Captain Loring, “it is an avenging angel sent out Py pe te y whom, captain?’ interrupted Hamlin with impatience. Before Loring could reply a rifle rung out in the direction whence the mur- derer had gone. A dead silence followed the report of the gun. The dead. man was hastily buried, then the party went back to their horses, “tt is Dumb Noah,” said Hamlin, and ad- vancing he took the mute’s hand and gave it a hearty shake, Noah and Hamlin at once hastened to the Cascade where in tbe moonlight they conversed for several minutes through medium of the mute’s slate and pencil. Suddenly a man came running to where they stood, saying: ; a % tor, A messenger has arrived from the ake Hamlin and the mute at once returned to the main party when the former inquired of the messenger: : * What pews, Lige, do you bring?” Little Wildfire, the Young | ‘* Both good and bad,” replied the messe . ‘‘we have not only got the Idyl of Echo Can- on, but the Bride and another young lady. They are at Lake Retreat but the friends of the girls are on the alert and I had torun the block- ade to get out.” “The thunder you say!” exclaimed Hamlin; ‘boys, we must be moving at once—but see here, it will never do for this mute, Dumb Noah, know of the whereabouts of his sister or he’ give us trouble instead of help. In fact, w6 will have no further use of him as I can see.” ‘*Some one had better volunteer to dismiss him,” said Loring, ‘‘at the earliest opportu- nity. Ornate that to me,” added one of the men. The matter being thus arranged the party at once prepared to depart when the question was asked: ‘“Where is Dumb Noah?” No one answered for no one knew. With the silence of a phantom the mute had disappeared in the darkness. CHAPTER XI. IN AND OUT OF THE ROBBERS’ CAVE. As Lillian and Helen saw Little Wildfire sink beneath the waves their hearts grew sick with horror and they could scarcely resist the terri- ble temptation to seek a watery grave with the brave and daring boy who, they felt assured, had gone down in death. But their bodies were paralyzed with terror and they sat tremb- ling upon their seats while the bateau ran alongside of them with its infuriated crew. ‘Where are those men, girls?’ demanded one of the villains, seizing Lillian by the shoulder. “In the bottom of the lake—victims of the brave boy whom you just now murdered!” For a dollar I'd send you both after him,” thundered the villain. “T wish you would and end our suffering,” said Lillain, **No. I will not; you shall live to atone for the death of those men in more ways than one.” The women were dragged from the canoe into the bateau which at once moved away, the smaller boat being drawn behind by its painter, They moved toward the shore and ran in under an prerhanging rock and stopped. One of the men uttered a low whistle and a few moments later a light appeared in a cavern back in the great rock, As the water extended a rod or two into the cavern, the outlaws ran their bateau in until its prow grated upon the stony bottom. “Got them, I see!” exclaimed the man with the lantern, as the light fell upon the three cap- tives. ‘Yes, but at a fearful cost,” replied one of the men with an oath. The captives were removed from the boat and conducted back into the cavern where an oil lamp lit up the place with a soft, yellow light. he apartment was large and commodious. The walls were hung with coats, blankets and firearms, AJl over the room were piles of pipnder that bore evidence of the place being he home of road-agents. There were five men present—all rough, brutal-looking wretches that were mad and in- furiated over the death of their comrades on the lake, The three captives sat clasped in each other’s arms shuddering with terror, “We must send word to Leadville at once,” one of the outlaws was finally heard to say; ‘* the doctor must know how things are. Merle, pp you take that captured canoe aus ee ashore and away to the camp at once. 6 won’t dare to leave here, tell the doctor, until we can have a good force to cover our retreat, Stop at the rendezvous, at the Fairy Cascade, and maybe you'll find some of our folks there,” Merle at once made preparations for depar- ture and when ready to go,a man with a lan- tern escorted him to the water; but what must have been their surprise on arriving there to find the small boat gone. The alarm was given and all at once became excitement and uneasiness. Noman could now be induced to venture outside the cavern where ze believed sure death was laying in wait for im. It was already growing Hght in the east and through fear no messenger was sent out then— the journey being deferred until the following pagar stout it be otros f to go then, Day dawned clear and pleasant. All was quiet outside, yet no outlaw would dare expose himself beyond the shadows of the cavern, for ‘airie Nomad. — ——— Seay. | he felt assured that the disappearance of the canoe was evidence of the presence af foes. - The day wore slowly away and with the com- ing of darkness, Merle entered the bateau and moved noiselessly out of the cavern on his mis- sion to Leadville. caveru heard no demonstrations and themselves that he bad run the supposed blockade and reached the water in safety. Tho captives were allowed the freedom of the cavern for there was no other way of escape except by water, and in the absence of a boat this was impossible. The place was kept well lighted, and that too without fear of the light being ‘seen, for the cavern opened upward from the water’s edge and then turned to the left. As the hours wore on, the captives sauntered down to the water’s edge and seating them- selves entered into conversation, while the four remaining outlaws amused themselves with a deck of cards—their boisterous laughter at times ringing through the cavern and grating’ harshly upon the ears of the captives. ° The women could hear the rippling waves outside their dismal prison and the sound filled their breasts with despondency. They had al- most given up the coming of friends—all hopes of escape from the power of those evil men— when, in the midst of their silent reflections they beheld a shadow appear in the mouth of the cavern on the eS water. It was moving toward them and as it came nearer they saw it was a canoe. Clasping each other in a closer embrace they leaned forward and in breathless silence and suspense peered into the boat. To their surprise and wonder it was empty! The captives looked at each other in mute astonishment. What did it mean? Was ita hantom canoe propelled by an invisible spirit? f not, from whence did it receive its motive questions revolved through the: minds of the captives the boat came toa stand with its prow at their very feet. Nota sign of’ life was yet visible, but as they stood with their eyes fixed upon it they suddenly saw a dark spherical object rise above the bow of the craft. followed by the upper portion of a human face in which was set a pair of bright, flashing eyes, They could scarcely suppress a cry at sight of those burning orbs that seemed riveted Sop: them with a serpent-like fascination and they were about to retreat back into the cave when they saw a human hand rise alongside that. face and beckon to them in a significant man- ner. Instantly their fears turned to pom They quickly turned and glanced behind them, them at the unknown at the ponents end of the boat. Again they saw the latter beckon to them then point downward into the boat. They readily defined his pantomimic address and see- ing no outlaws were near, they quietly stepped: into the canoe and seated themselves, Scarce] y had they done so ere the boat began to move slowly and silently outward, and in a few moments they were clear of the cavern’s: loomy walls and floating on the open lake in. © mellow moonlight, But who was their rescuer? Had they sim- ply escaped one canger to encounter a stil greater? These were the thoughts that came to their minds now that they had escaped from one dan- ger, and while they were still revolving them in their minds, a bare bead suddenly popped up from under the bow of the boat and a familiar voice said: ‘*Good-evening, gals.” And before the women could reply anoth, head rose up at the opposite end of the bcit., and another familiar voice said: ‘‘ Bad evenin’, ladies—the boy fabricates,” Then a ery burst from the women’s lips—n cry” of joy—for they saw that the one was Little: Wila e and the other Old Limber Jim, the hun-. ter-scout. ; , “Oh, Little Wildftre!” cried Lillian, grasping” the boy’s hand and assisting him into the boat, “we have mourned you as dead—lying in the. bottom of this lake!” ‘Dead! dim Rassals dead?” replied the bey,, as he stood geht be wet in the boat; “ greaty *skeeters! the outlaw’s not born yet that’s to kill me if he’ll come ’round in front o’ me, But I say, gals, didn’t me and Old Limber there do this up excroosiatin’ fine, though?” “Indeed it was a daring feat, my bray friends, and would have cost you your lives ha ou been caught; but, Wil , have you seen father since last night?’ ; ea a His friends listening in the assured *
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12 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. “Bless you, yes, gal, and he’s nighly taken a conniption fit ’bout you. Old Mr. Jim and me’s been on the look-out all day and when we see’d that big boat pull out o’ the cave we pulled “It was a desperate risk to run, Wildfire,’ said Helen Barnes. ‘* Nothin’s too desprit for that boy, gals,” ob- served Old Jim, who bad scrambled into the boat; ‘‘ he’s the wust case I ever see’d and the more the danger the greater his success. The way he stole this boat outen that cave beats all creation.” ‘“‘He is undoubtedly a brave boy,” said the matter-of-fact Helen. Little Wildfire appeared not to hear these words of praise but taking up the paddle sent the canoe gliding slowly yet steadily over the placid lake. ; They were a long ways from Camp Lillian, but keeping along within the shadows close to the shore they hoped to avert further dangers. But in this they were doomed to disappoint- ment. In rounding a sharp, wooded point they were forced out into the moonlight, and while thus revealed, a long boat filled with men glided from the shadows beyond and running alongside of them grappled their boat. The click of revolvers convinced them they were enemies. A cry of hopeless despair burst from the women’s lips. One of the outlaws seized Helen by the hand and gazing closely into her face, exclaimed: ‘ Edith, my wife, do you know me—Randolph Garcelon?” Tbe man who spoke thus was pag wer Loring. A cry burst from Helen’s lips and with a gasp she sunk unconscious in the boat. _ “Gods, man, you have killed her.” The speaker was Dr. Dick Hamlin, at the sound of whose voice a shudder went to the very soul of Kate Gray. Scarcely had Hamlin uttered the above words ere Little Wildfire lea upon Loring like a bn Sg agg and together the two rolled backward into the lake and sunk beneath the wayes. The women screamed and the outlaws burst into a storm of oaths, In a moment Loring was buoyed to the sur- face and was seized and lifted into the boat by his men. ‘* Where’s that boy-devil?” asked Hamlin. “Dead, curse him! in the bottom of the lake,” hissed Loring pointing to a score of tell- tale bubbles that rose and burst on the surface of the water where the boy had sunk! CHAPTER XII. DEAD! THE outlaws had not a doubt but that Wild- fire was dead, and while Loring was rejoicing over his vigtory, Old Limber Jim seized the doubly-dyed villain, Dick Hamlin, by the hair of the head and jerked him from the bateau into the lake, falling from the canoe on top of him. Both sunk from view, but the doctor soon rea and was rescued from the waves while Old Jim was seen no more. ‘1 can’t say, friends,” gasped Hamlin, as he spurted the water from his mouth and go his face and eyes, ‘‘ that my man isdead. The old devil made that dash on me to afford him a better opportunity to escape by diving. Look sharp for him and put a streak of.fire through him if he appears in sight anywhere.” The outlaws, as commanded, did look sharp for him, but the old fellow was too much of a beaver to be caught rising to the surface within reach of* them, and when he appeared it was fully four rods away in the dark shadows around the point of land. As the old fellow crawled out upon the bank panting for breath, a subdued voice said close to his ear: ‘* Shake, Jim Limber!” ‘* Holy synagogue, boy!” was the old fellow’s response. Little Wildfire and the old man grasped each other’s hand, “ll swan, Jim,” said the daring boy, in a whisper, ‘‘if we ain’t both still alive and kick- in’! m’t it beat you how nice and nateral we work together?—W hatever | do, you do—where one goes down, t’other goes down; where one pe 8 up, tother pops up—dog my cats, it I don’t eve we're twins, Jim, born thirty years apart. But, poor gals! I’m afraid the devils have got ’em now, where we can’t save them without help. Oh, if we could jist git into that cave ahead of them with a few friends, we’d make ’em think they’d struck the wrong place and got into purgatory.” Meanwhile, the outlaws had been trying, with the aid of Lillian and Kate, to revive the uncon- scious Helen. Dr. Hamlin’s skill as a physician wane gar into use, but every effort seemed un- av: g- “T believe the woman is dying, captain,” he Fnelyiseid, in a low, excited tone to Loring. ‘‘Oh, Helen! my dear friend!” cried Lillian, falling upon her knees and es her arms about the prostrate woman’s neck; ** you must not die! wake up, Helen to me, cousin— Oh, heavens! see, her head falls back!—save her, doctor, save her!” “* Miss Barnes,” said Hamlin, feeling her sag **T cannot save her—she is beyond earth- y help—she is dead!” A moan of dreadful anguish burst from Lil- lian’s lips, Then a moment of awful silence prevailed as all gazed down into the sad, pale face of Helen Barnes whose life-chords had been broken by the nervous shock she had sustained, ‘‘ Well,” Hamlin finally said, ‘‘we must not tarry here.” A convulsive sob burst from Lillian’s lips and her whole frame shook in an agony of sor- row. The outlaws laid the lifeless form tenderly in the canee, folded the white hands over the pice hi breast, and then, core it with a lanket, sent the boat adrift in the solemn moonlight. With Lillian and Kate in the bateau the rob- bers pulled repay away toward their cavern retreat despite Lillian’s heart-rending appeals to them not to leave the body at the mercy of the waves. Old Jim and Little Wildfire watched them until they were out of sight; then they rose and moved along the shore, totally ignorant of the death of Helen Barnes, although they bad seen the canoe sent adrift. They had gone scarcely a mile when they were accosted by a sinange voice, and before they could answer it a half-crouching figure glided from the shadows and stopped them. It was the mysterious slayer, Scarlet Face. ‘*Where are the women, friends?” the man quickly asked. “Yonder, moving away oyer the lake, in the power of the accursed outlaws,” answered Wildfire. ‘Is Dr. Hamlin and Captain Loring with them?” “Yes; biggest ducks in the puddle.” “Hal hu! ha!” laughed the wild man, “‘ ven- nce will be mine—mine, sweet vengeance— arkee |!” Voices were heard in the darkness near, and the next moment six men, with light footsteps, emerged into the moonlight. A cry of joy burst from Little Wildfire’s lips, for he recognized the per as Daring Dan, aay Barnes, Old Jack Wines, the detective, and three of Dan’s rangers. In as few words as possible Little Wildfire narrated his adventures with the outlaws at the cavern and upon the lake, and as soon as he had concluded, Mr, Barnes said: ‘Come, then, men, let us press forward and see if they return to the cavern.” Guided by Wildfire the party at once started off along the lake-shore. Scarlet Face accom- panied them, and as they moved rapidly for- ward he finally plucked Daring Dan aside and in a low tone-revealed to hima secret that fairly astounded the young ranger. In due course of time the perty arrived in the vicinity of the cavern. corsultation was held and it was finally decided to send Little Wildfire and Limber Jim to reconnoiter the cavern and ascertain the strength of the foe. The two fearless scouts at once departed on their dangerous mission, entering the water and swimming along in the deep, dark shadows. They had been gone but a few minutes when the trample of many hoofed feet were heard re- treating into the hills, The party in waiting for the scouts could not make out the meaning of it until Wildfire and Jim returned with the intelligence that the cavern was deserted—evi- dently for ais Then all knew full well that the outlaws with their captives had taken to the hills, and hope in the breasts of the pursuers gave way to de- spondency. CHAPTER XIII. A THRILLING ADVENTURE. THREE nights and two days have passed since the outlaws deserted their cabin retreat by the lake and we again find them pursuing a west- ward course along the Grand Mesa, a hundred miles from Twin Lakes. They are pushing rapidly for the Indian country where with the hostile Utes they expect to find a place of refuge and safety with their fair captives, Lillian Barnes and Kate Gray. There are eight men in the party, all well mounted and equipped; but Dr. Dick Hamlin and Captain ring are not with them, These consummate rascals have no need of going into the Indian country for the men they have intrusted the captives to are true and tried, and they have returned to Leadville to complete their villainous conspiracy against the heirs of the dead Benoni Methias, The two captives are treated as kindly as it is possible for such men, under the existing cir- cumstances, to treat a woman, though they are very sad and despondent. om what they had overheard the girls found out the cause of their persecution, and the only wonder twas that they were not mur- dered outright and thus forever removed from the way of those arch plotters, Hamlin and Loring. Their captors did not keep them in ignorance of their destination; but what was to be their fate in the Indian camp they could aa surmise. he outlaws gave them to understand that they could not, under any circumstances, escape. It seemed a great desire to keep the maidens’ spirits in a hopeless, despondent condition; but as they journeyed onward brave little Kate noticed some uneasiness among the outlaws, and it gave her grounds for hope and encour- agement. Sbe was led to believe that friends were in pursuit and that their proximity bad been discovered by the outlaws. She commu- nicated her belief to Lillian, and from that time on both were more cheerful until they were finally met by a band of hostile Utes who were on ascout in search of the adventuresome gold hunters; then all hopes died out of their breasts for they saw that the savages were a bloodthirsty setin good fellowship with the out, laws for they at once turned about and accom- panied the outlaws westward. The presence of the Indians led the captives to infer that they were approaching the Ute village from whence there could be no escape, and so they became resigned to their fate, At noon they halted on a longstretch of table- land covered with stunted pines. Guards were posted in the rear and upon either side of the party. The captives were taken from their saddles and seated upon blankets spread on the ground, then all took of such food as their supplies would afford. Finally, when ready to resume their ag the leader of the outlaws, Mark Aultman, to d the ty to wait until he had ascended a cliff on their right and taken a survey of the sur- roundings as a precautionary measure against pursuers. He pry around the base of the cliff out of sight of his friends and began the ascent. In a few minutes he had ed tha top and in passing across it he was suddenly confronted by a man that sprung suddenly from behind a rock with the look of a demon on his face. “Scarlet Face!” burst involuntarily from Aultman’s lips, and he reached for his revolver, but before he could draw it from his belt the dread avenger leaped upon him and seizing him by the wrist with one hand wrenched his arm until the bones fairly cracked, while with the other he seized the outlaw by the throat pre- venting him from crying out. Aultman struggled in horrible os as his: eyes started from their sockets and his tongue protruded from between his lips. The cold penapination rose in great beads on the villain’s row. Looking him in the eyes with a fiendish glare Scarlet Face hissed out: ‘*Curses upon you, wretch! you are one of those who destroyed the homo of Basil and sake, rhe ie ‘*Mercy! mercy!” gasped the powerless vil- lain in a hoarse whisper. “Yes, I will show you mercy at the foot of this cliff!” As he spoke the enraged avenger swung the the outlaw around and hurled him over the . cliff. Those waiting at the foot of the ascent were startled by the cry that came trailing down to their ears followed by the sickening thud of the outlaw’s body on the rocks at their feet. Kneeling by the broken, bleeding form an outlaw saw that life was extinct; and as no shot had been heard nor no sound had preceded his fall, all believed it bad been accidental un- til the livid soy Yo marks of the destroyor were discovered on the throat. ‘‘Go, men, and hunt the devil down that is and the next moment Indians and robbers were dogging our footsteps!” commanded an outlaw, ae
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Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. oe oni eee 13 —— up the opposite side of the cliff like ungry coyotes But the outlaws and half a dozen sav were left with the captives who stood tremb between hope and fear. Suddenly Lillian, who stood looking toward the west involuntarily uttered a little cry and clasped her hands over her breast with a look of at surprise not unmingled with joy. Down from the thick foliage of a pine she saw a e drop onto the back of one of the horses ‘hitched there. It was the re of Little Wild- fire who had been concealed in the tree, and the moment he dropped astride of the spirited mus- tang ridden by one of the outlaws, he put spur and dashed away. Scarcely had he put his horse in motion, however, when a second form lided from behind a rock, leaped upon the ck of a horse and dashed away after Wild- fire. This was Old Limber Jim. A yell burst from the lips of the savages. The outlaws guarding the captives fired at the daring scouts and shouted to their friends on the cliff. ina few moments half a dozen of the foes were in their saddles in swift pursuit of the two flying scouts. The fugitives moved away in a south-westerly course. Neither Wildfire nor Old Jim was ac- uainted with the ground over which they were feckes at a breakneck speed, and as the country was cut and seamed with deep chasms and bold rocky points the dangers betore them were to Le looked for and averted as much as those be- ind, Old Jim soon came up with Wildfire, ex- claiming: ‘‘Here we are ag’in, boy, both up to the same thing!” “Oh, we’re twins, Jim, born thirty years apart; but how them red devils do screech! Seems kind o’ goodish—old business-like, to hear the musical murmur of a cooin’ red-skin’s voice again, don’t it? These are a pair 0’ good hosses, Jim Limber, and I don’t wonder that they’re hoofin’ it arter ’em.” ‘“Oh, yes, Wildfire, it’s the hosses they’re after, not us—in course it is, ahd, by the holy synagogue, they’re gainin’ on us, boy; we’ve got to peg into it—” ‘ ‘To the left! to the left!” suddenly broke in Little Wildfire as a yawning chasm ap ed before them, and without checking the speed of their animals they bore to the left. The pur- suers seemed to know of the presence of the chasm, for already they had turned and were riding hard to get in before the fugitives, “ By ’skeeters!” cried Wildfire, *‘ I’m afraid ag purgatorians are goin’ to head us off, im.’ ° “Tt looks that way, Wildfire,” replied the old borderman, ‘‘and if we git cooped up here, boy, we’re done—our goose ’ll be cooked.” The chasm continued to press them around to the left closer and closer to the Indians. To turn back would be fatal, so that their only hopes lay in the course they were pursuing. . Buc suddenly another chasm appeared a few rods before them coming at a right angle with the one on their right. ; ‘ ““My God, boy!” cried Old Jim, ‘look-out! there’s another rift before us—we’re caged! the devils have got us foul!” ; “Tl die in the bottom of the abyss afore I'll be killed by a cussed red-skin, Jim,” replied the fearless boy, a look of desperate determination settling upon his face; ‘‘spur on your horse, Jim, and let’s jump the rift or die in the at- tempt?” ‘Bravo, boy!” shouted the old borderman, and settling themselves in the saddles they spurred toward the abyss. The rift did not appear to be over fifteen feet wide when Wildfire masomed the desperate re- sort of leaping it to elude the foe, and not until their animals were upon its very brink—not until it was too late to change their desperate determination did they discover that it was twice that widtb. The horses shot forward and as they gathered themselves for the leap on the edge of the chasm, Old Jim cried out: ‘*God help us!” With a wild bound the horses shot wpverd and outward over the chasm whose depths were lost in darkness below. A wild cry burst from Old Jim’s.lips as he saw that his horse eould not reach the opposite brink and the next instant horse and rider sunk from view in the awful — below, Little Wildfire’s animal with its light burden made a clearer bound and barely reached the opposide edge of the chasm with its fore le, its haunches hanging over the precipice. oo perately did the noble beast struggle for life— clinging to the cliff with its fore legs while it dug ite hind hoofs into the wall of the chasm starting an avalanche of stone and dirt roaring down into the black gulf beneath, thus digging away its only support and, finally, with a wil moan that was almost human in expression, the oye of the abyss gave way and the animal fell backward and sunk into the depths below. But its gallant young rider did not go down with it, for he was left hanging in mid-air over the gorge clinging to the slender bough of a pine that stood on the edge of the chasm. Little Wildfire had involuntarily seized this overreaching limb while his horse hung strug- gling for a footing on the edge of the precipice, and when he felt his horse sink beneath him he knew at once that his life depended alone upon that slender, swaying bough. . The yells of the triumphant foe mingled with unearthly sounds from the bottom of the chasm were ringing in his ears and almost confusin his brain and paralyzing his limbs, but guid by that instinctive love of life that actuates all living creatures when in danger, he swung him- self along the limb, hand over hand. At each step, as it were, the bough cracked and threat- ened to break, but at length the active youth reached the body of the tree and throwing his legs around it slipped to the ground and d behind the tree to elude a volley of bullets from the Indians and outlaws’ rifles, It was several moments before the youth could fully realize that he was safe—that he had made one of the most narrow escapes from death of his eventful young life; but as soon as he did, all his old-time courage and daring re- turned, and whipping out his revolver he be- = firing at the toe on the opposite side of the chasm, About this time yells, mingled with the report of firearms, were heard in the direction of the outlaws’ noon camp. Little Wildfire knew at once what it meant—that Daring Dan and his men had made an attack upon the foe. The conflict seemed a desperate one, but soon ended when a number of savages and outlaws were seen fleeing in every direction. Even those be- fore the boy whirled their horses and galloping away were seen by him no more. A shout of triumph rung from Wildfire’s lips for he knew that his friends had been victori- ous, and felt assured that the girls, Lillian and Kate, were safe. Butah! where was Old Jim? —the brave, eccentric old soul that he had learned to love as a father? The thought sent a pang through his breast. Turning he walked along the edge of the chasm until he found a place where he could descend to the bottom. Picking his way down the ac- clivity he groped along until he came to the body of the horse he had ridden, A little fur- ther on lay the other animal and hard by lay Old Limber Jim silent in death, At sight of him Little Wildfire called his name, but when he answered not—when he saw he was dead, the lad fell upon his knees by the body of his friend and burst into tears. “Oh, my dear, brave old friend,” he sobbed, “‘we have taken our last ride together!—fol- lowed our last trail together. Oh, dear me! what an awful thing death is. Poor Old Jim! —gone, gone, forever! But then he’s better off, I know, for he wasn’t a bad man, and 1 know the Lord ‘will care for Jim’s soul!’ Thus the boy spent several minutes by the side of his dead friend—until he was aroused from his mourning by a voice calling to him from above. He answered for he recognized the voice as that of Daring Dan. Going above the lad found his friends with the flush of victory upon_their faces, and the first to greet him were Kate Gray and Lil- lian Barnes whose rescue had been effected by a bold dash of the rangers. The news of Old Jim’s death cast a gloom over every heart. The body of the brave old borderman was brought w m the gorge and carefully and tenderly buried; then the party at once set out for Leadville where another tr y was to bo enacted, and to where we will now go with the reader. CHAPTER XIV. JUSTICE. Wuen Dr. Hamlin and Captain Lorin seen the girls, Lillian and Kate, placed in the care of k Aultman and comrades, with instructions to carry them to the Ute strong- hold and there secure them so that there would be no escape, they felt greatly relieved and at once made their way back to Leadville. A great deal was yet to be done in order that Dr. Hamlin, who was none other than the vil- had lain, Warren Chase Methias, might prove his right and title to Benoni Methias’s estate. He had in Captain Loring, who was the villain Randolph Garoslon; a ready and skillful ac- complice—the same who had once won the heart of Edith Methias—whom we have known as Helen Barnes, she having changed her name’ after going to live with her uncle—and after’ wedding her deserted her in a few weeks; and from that time until the night that Edith fell a — at his feet they had never met, e death of Helen or of Edith Methias was a stroke of fortune that Dick Hamlin had not counted upon. When a point could be made without the crime of murder it was the desire of the villains to do so, but when necessar they had ‘no conscientious scruples about deal- ing the deadly blow. n Hamlin’s office in Leadville the doctor and Loring were closeted maturing plans for the future. Forsome reason or other neither of the villains felt any uneasiness of detection in their crimes. They kept well disguised durin their operations and mana their case wi consummate skill, as they believed. While absent from camp it was generally supposed they were out ‘prospecting, and the onl on they had any reason to fear was Dumb Noah Gray, What the plans of the villains were for the future the reader will care little, for those plans were never to be consummated, . On the fourth day after their return to Lead- ville from Twin Lakes the arch-plotters were enjoying their cigars in the doctor’s office when @ man unknown tothem entered. ‘‘Be Dr. Hamlin in?” the stranger asked. *T am Dr. Hamlin,” replied that worthy, ey- ing the stranger closely, ‘‘and this gentleman is Captain Loring.” “Captain Loring, eh?’ responded the man; ‘glad to meet you, captain—glad to meet you both. My name is Jackson Wines—I’m a de- tective, and am here to arrest you—both of you—throw up your bands, gentlemen!” As he spoke, old Jack whipped out a pair of deathly derringers and covered the two as- tounded villains. There was a deadly glare in the eyes of the detective, a firmness in his voice and steadiness in his hands that left no doubt of the man’s purpose. Hamlin and Loring were both taken at a disadvantage for neither had a pistol within reach, and they knew at a glance that the man before them would brook no dela fe y did ‘as commanded and threw up nands. ‘* What, sir, do you mean by this?’ demanded Hanlin. . ‘* Justice,” was the reply of the of the old de- tective, and at the same moment Daring Dan, the ranger, and Little Wildfire entered the room and assisted old Jack to handcuff the prisoners, Dr. Hamlin and Captain Loring were at once arraigned for the crime of murder and enterin into conspiracy to defraud the heirs of Benoni Methias out of their inheritance, They were charged with the murder of Dumb Noah Gray. and the destruction of the Grays’ home; an when they had heard this charge read, the vil- lains became easier for they knew that Dumb Noah was not dead, The first witness produced was Kate Gray, — ey oa — entered = Ae hat escor’ y Daring Dan, it seemed'that Hamli and Loring would sink through the floor. They knew by her presence that all was lost. Kate testified that on the night of her broth- er’s death, Dr. Hamlin had called at their cabin in Echo Canyon and that soon after he d ted “several masked men claiming to be Vigilants, came to the cabin and notified my brothers that. they must leave there at once as they were sus- picioned of being road-agents. They provoked a quarrel, which led to a conflict, during which T escaped into the canyon, leaving og brothers: in the cabin. The villains iriven from the house fired the building, and since then I have learned that my mute brother perished in the flames. While a captive in the hands of the outlaws, Dr. Hamlin and Captain Loring were among them directing their movements, and I am sure I recognized their voices among the masked outlaws that came to our cabin.” After Kate had concluded her testimony, the risoners seeméd to breathe easier, and Dr. Baglin took advantage of a momentary silence to say: - Your honor, I hope we are not to be. hun on circumstantial evidence, such as that gir has given; if you will give us time we will ag our innocence of the murder of Dumb oah by producing the mute himself. We will also prove that we have had nothing whatever todo with the capture—” ————————— } } I |
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14 ittle W: ldfire, the Young Pr Further words were cut short by a commotion in the room near the door. A man had entered and pushing his way through the crowd con- fronted the outlaw. At sight of him Hamlin’s face brightened and he fairly shouted: “There, gentlemen! there is Dumb Noah, now, for whose murder we are to be tried!” A faint attempt at appinnsy was promptly ar- rested by the judge, when: to the astonishment of all, and the horror of the prisoners, the sup- posed mute said, in a clear ringing voice: ‘Sir, 1am not Dumb Noah, but his brother, Basil Gray!” A wild confusion followed this declaration. The prisoners turned white with abject terror, while cries of ‘‘Hang them!” ‘‘ Hang them!” rose from every part of the court-room. But order being restored, Basil Gray continued his evidence, which we give in substance. ‘‘When the outlaws came to our cabin I knew, from what they told sister Kate, that ' they meant mischief, but I could not imagine why they wanted us out of the way, as we were troubling no one. Noah and I crove them from the cabin and barred the door after a sharp re- volver fight, and then the demons set fire to the cabin and endeavored to burn us out. We Anew that to rush out into the light of the burn- ing cabin would be to be shot down, and so we sought shelter from the flames in a secret _cav- ern dug under the floor of our home. When the cave was dug it was believed to be fire- proof, but the heat caused the roof to crumble and fall in, when to remain would have been death. We were in total darkness, and before Lecould make known to my mute brother my intentions of trying to escape, he was overcome with the dust and heat and fell fainting. See- mg L could not save him, I wrap a heavy blanket around me, leaped up through the reat bed of livid coals and made a dash for my ife. The thought of imitating my mute brother occurred to me before I left the cavern, and I uttered no word as I ran from the burning ruins, and escaped into the darkness of night. “Hard by our cabin was another secret tave wherein we kept our provisions, ammuni- tion and other supplies stored. Thither I made my way and at once assumed a disguise and set out to avenge my brother’s death and rescue my sister. dogged the footsteps of the out- Jaws from the ruins of our home to the Fairy Cascade where they went into camp, and then when all were asleep—even their guard—I stole into camp among the sleepers and examined every. face—not every one ‘either for there was one face covered with a mask; but + POs my mark upon his morepead—siropped a drop of liquid upon it that burned a hole through the skin, and that mark is still to be seen on the forehead of Dick Hamlin.” Hamlin involuntarily threw up his hand as if to conceal the tell-tale scar, but all had seen it before. After order had been restored, Basil Gray went on: ff Tho next morning I called at Hamlin’s office and personated my dead dumb brother with entire success. Loring was there and I overheard a conversation between them to the effect that they were engaged in a conspiracy against us and others in order to secure some money or legacy to which some of us were heirs. As Dumb Noah I pretended to co-operate with them iu bringing the murderers to justice, ‘but as Scarlet Face, the Avenger, I have already squared accounts with many of them and leave the arch-villain of all to the mercy of this Y ” urt. Little Wildfire was next put upon the stand, and the evidence he gave was strong against the prisoners. He recounted his adventures the night the cabin of the Grays was burned and these upon the lake where Hamlin an asrcing were both present and active in their villainy. He told of the death of Helen Barnes ne the fact that Loring claimed to be her hus- d. Old Jack Wines was also placed upon the ‘witness stand. He produced evidence to show that Dick Hamlin’s real name was Warren Chase Methias, and that of Loring, Randolph Garcelon, and that they were e ed in a con- spiracy to defraud the heirs of Benoni Methias rout of their rights. One of those heirs was Helen Barnes, the other the chifidren of one Martha Jennings. He showed to the court that Kate Gray was the child of Martha Jennings who wag dead. The real name of the Grays -was Graybill Jobn Graybill had been mar- ried twice. By the first wife he had two sons, ‘Basil and Noab; by the second, Martha Jen- nings, he had a daughter, Kate. The brothers ‘were greatly attached to their sister, and after tbe death of their parents they moved from ” airie Nomad. Saae a EEE the Neosho river in Kansas and located in Echo Canyon, dropping the “ bill” from their name at the time. But the old detective had traced them up, as had the prisoners also, and his ap- pearance on the stage of action was just in the nick of time to prevent the villains from suc- ceeding in their work of crime and fraud, When they saw there was no escape—that they must suffer the penalties of their crimes at the hands of Judge Lynch they confessed all that had been proven against them and much more besides; but of this the reader cares noth- ing now. amlin and Loring paid the penalty of their crimes with their lives, as did also several others of their confederates. By the death of her cousin, Helen Barnes, Lilhan succeeded as joint heir with Kate Gray- bill to the estate of Benoni Methias. The settle- ment of the whole matter was placed in the hands of Jack Wines who, true to his trust, managed the case so well that the girls were soon possessors of the inheritance that had come so near costing them their lives and happiness, and which had sent so many to untimely graves. As the reader, pei haps, has surmised, Daring Dan and the Idyl of Echo Canyon were be- trothed lovers, and are anxiously looking for- ward to she day when their vows will be con- summated on the altar of wedded bliss, And in all probability there will be a double wedding for there are no more devoted lovers in all the land than handsome Basil Graybill and. pretty Lillian Barnes. The fortunes of all have been cast in one of the loveliest cities of the West, where we leave them happy and contented. Little Wildfire is still on the plains, ever on the hunt for excitement and adventure—coming and. going with the tidge—beloved by all who know him—ever welcome at the home of the settler, miner or hunter—fairly worshiped at the home of Henry Barnes for whom he had done so much, Once or twice a hers be visits Mr. Barnes and is given a splendid dinner, and upon each occasion the eccentric youth insists upon achairat the table for Old Limber Jim, his beloved old friend, with whom he dines in spirit if not in fact, THE END. “The Model Family Paper —AND— Most Charming of the Weeklies.” A pure paper; good in every thing; bright, brilliant and attractive. Serials, Tales, Romances, Sketches, Adventures, Biographies, Pungent Essays, Poetry, Notes and Answers to Correspondents Wit and Fun— All are features in every number, from such celebrated writers as no paper in America can boast of. What is best in POPULAR READING, that the paper always has; hence for Home, Sxop, Li- BRARY and GENERAL READER it is without a rival; and hence its great and steadily increasing circulation. The Satruxpay JounnaL is sold everywhere by newsdealers; price six cents per number; or to subscribers, post-paid, at the following cheap rates, viz.: Four months, one dollar; one year, three dollars ; or, two copies, five dollars, Address BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. BHADLE & ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. BEADLE AND ApAMS have now on their liste the fol lowing highly desirable and attractive text-books, prepared expressly for schools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collection of Dia- logues, Dramas and Recitations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1881—as far as now issued —embrace twenty-three volumes, viz.: 1. American 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. Humorous Speaker. 18, Hail Columbia Speak- 7.. Standard Speaker. er. 8. Stump Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 9. Juvenile Speaker. 20. Select Speaker. 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker | 21. Funny Speaker. » 11. Dime Debater. 22. Jolly Speaker. 12, Exhibition Speaker. 23. Dialect Speaker. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, etc, They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some of the choicest oratory of the times, 75 to 100 Declama tions and Recitations in each book, Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace twenty-eight books, viz.: Dialogues No. One. \Dialogues No, Fifteen. Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No, Sixteen. Dialogues No. Three. |Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No, Four. Dialogues No. Eighteen Dialogues No. Five. |Dialogues No, Nineteen. Dialogues No. Six. |Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Seven. (Dialogues No. Twenty-one. Dialogues No, Bight. (Dialogues No. Twenty-two. Dialogues No, Nine, [Dialogues No, Twenty-three.. Dialogues No. Ten. |\Dialogues No. Twenty-four, Dialogues No, Eleven. ‘Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Twelve. ‘Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No. Thirteen. DialoguesNo. Twenty-seven.. Dialogues No, Fourteen Dialogues No, Twenty-eight... 15 to % Dialogues and Dramas in each book, These volumes have been prepared with especiai reference to their availability in all school-rooms, They are adapted to schools with or without the fur- niture of a stage, and introduce a range of charac- ters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yct offered to schools, at any price, contain so many available and useful dialogues and dramas, serious and comic. ‘ Dramas and Readings.. 164 12mo Pages. W Cents. For Schools, Parlo 8, Entertainments and the Am-. ateur ag ‘comprisi Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, D ess Pieces, Humorous Dialogue. and Burlesque, by oted writers; and Recitations: and Read , new :nd standard, of the test; celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s. Series. Brapue’s Duxze Hanp-Booxs ror Youne Propte cover a wide range of subjects, and are ospecially adapted to their end. They constitute at once the cheapest and most useful works yet put into the market for popular circulation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. ‘ Book of Games. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Fortune-Teller. Book of Etiquette, Lovers’ Casket.. Book of Verses. Ball-room Companion, Book of Dreams. . Book of Beauty, Hand-Books of Games. 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: ' ; } t . : et a Fireside Library. PRR RARARA AR ARAAR AL NRE eee SRR NEN NORRIE REN RR RON RN Each issue a complete novel and sold at the uniform price of TEN CENTS. No double price numbers. 1 Was See His Wire? Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell. 2 Furreine From Love. By Harriet Irving. 3 Dip He Love Her? By Bartley T. Campbell. 4 A STRANGE Woman. by Rett Winwood. 6 Two Grrus’ Lives. By Mrs. M. R. Crowell. 9 Tae Wak or Hearts. By Corinne Cushman, 11 THe Fatsre Wipow. By Mrs. J. D. Burton. 12-13 Lost ror Love. By Miss M. E. Braddon, 14-15 TorLers or THe Sea. By Victor Hugo. 16 THe Qcaproon. By Catharine A. Warfield. 17-18 UNcLe Simuas. By J. S. Le Fanu. 19-20 Deap-Sea Frurr. By Miss M. &. Braddon, 21-22 LirrLe Kare Kirpy. By F. W. Robinson. 23 SowIne THE Wiyp. By Mrs. Mary R. Crowell. 21-25 Brrps or Prey. By Miss M. KE. Braddon. 26 THat Boy or Norcot?’s. Charles Lever. 27-28 CrHaRLorrE’s INH=RITANCE. By Miss Braddon. 29 A Grru's Heart. By Rett Winwood. 80-31 Rep as A Rose 1sSux. 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By Albert W. Aiken. 56 Tar Prerry Purrran. By A Parson’s Daughter, 57 Dm Saxe Sux? By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell. Weaverle RR RRS RN RENN RRR RN 58 Dousty Drvorcep. By Jenny Davis Burton, 59 A Wickep Woman.. By Lillie D. U, Blake. 60 BLIND BARBARA’s Sxcret. Mary pales 61 AN AMERICAN QuEEN. By Grace Mortimer. 6? MARGOUN, THE StRanar. By Wm. M. Turner, 63 Wire on Wivow. By Rett Winwood. 64 THE CreoLe Cousins. By Philip S.Warne, 65 PuRsUED TO THE AuTaR. By C. Cushman, 66 Tur TERRIBLE TrurH. By Jennie D. Burton, 67 ELecant Eapert. By Philip 8. Warne. 68 Lapy HeLEN’s Vow. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet. 69 Bow1n, Tux Knie@nt or Curvatry. P. 8. Warne. 70 Drirrine To Ruin. By Mary Reed Crowell 71 Tae Parson’s DavauterR. By A Parson's Daughter. y 72 Tue Mysterious GuarpIAN. By C, Cushman, 73 Was SHE A Wire. By Rett Winwood, 74 ADRIA, THE ApopTED. By Jennie D, Burton. 75 PRETTY AND Proup. By Corinne Cushman. 76 Tae Birrer Feup, By Jennie D. Burton. 77 A Woman’s Work. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet. 78 Tae Buack Rippie. By Corinne Cushman. 79 Coral AND Runy. By Jennie Davis Burton. 80 Divorcep @uT Nor Drvipep. By A Parson’s Daughter, 81 Atmost Marrirp. By A Parson’s Daughter. 82 Two Farr Women. By Wm. M. Turner. 83 THe INHERITANCE OF Hate. By J. D. Burton. 84 PEARL oF Pearts. By A. P. Morris, Jr 8 For Honor’s Saky. By Mary Reed Ciowell. 86 Lance UrquHArt’s Loves. By Annie Thomas. 7 SAFELY Marriep. By author of ‘‘ Caste.” 88 Fiorerre. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 89 TorREE TruEs Drap. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 90 For A Woman’s Sake. By Watts Phillips. 91 ‘He Comeru Nort,’ Sux Sarp, By Thomas. 92 Taz New Maapaten. By Wilkie Collins. 93 AN OpEN VerpicT. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 94 SworD aNnD Gown. By Geo. A. Lawrence. 95 A BEGGAR ON Horseback, By James Payne, 96 Her Face Was Her Fortunr. By Robinson. 97 JANE Eyre. By Charlotte Bronte. 98 WRECKED IN Port. By Edmund Yates. 99 Tar CoLLEEN BAwNn. By Gerald Griffin. 100 AN Amarrious Giru. By A Celebrated Actress, 101 Foun. Pray. 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By Fredrika Bremer. 1% Tax Mipnicut Son Denoriber 18th. 126 Tur Prranms or THe Rare. LE. L. Bulwer. ried Ready December 22d. 127 F Dan. By James Payn. ee “ Ready December 20th. 128 Harry Heatrucotrs. By Anthony Trollope. Ready January 129 Tae Fuarrrves. By Mrs, Oliphant. 54 Ready January 12th. 130 Tax Best or Huspanps. By James Payn, Ready January 19th. A new tesuc every week. For sale py all! newsdealers, or sent, postage paid, on receipt of twelve cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William street, N. Y, Wo OP are ey « a en eee The Only Young Ladies’ Library of First-Class Copyright Novels Published. Price, Five Cents. Maskep Brive. By Mary Reed Crowell. as Ir Love? By Wm. Mason Turner. GirL Wirs. By Bartley T. Campbell. RAVE HEART, y Arabella Southworth. ESSIE RAYNOR, THE WorK Girt W. M. Turner. & SecrReET MarriAGe. By Sara Claxton. A Daua@uTer oF Eve. By Mary Reed Crowell 8 Heart TO Heart. By Arabella Southworth. 9 ALONE IN THE WORLD. me Author of ‘'Clifton."’ 10 A Parr or Gray Eyes, By Rose Kennedy. 11 EyTanctep. By Henrietta fa cg op e 12 His Lawrco. Wise. By Mrs. Ann §. dtephens. 13 Mapcar, Taz LITTLE QUAKERESS, By Paateokn, 14 Way I Marrmep Him. By Sara Claxton. 15 A Fair Face. By Bartley 'T. Campbell. 16 Trust Her Not. By Margaret Leicester. 17 ALovau Lover, By Arabella Southworth, 18 His Ipow. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell. 19 Tue Broken Brrrorua.. By Mary G. Halpine. 20, ORPHAN NELL, THE ORANGE Gini. Agile Penne. 21 Now AnD Forrver, By Henrietta Thackeray. 22 Tue Brive of AN Actor. By Author “‘Clifton.”’ 23 Leap Year. By.Sara Claxton. 24 Her Facr Was firn Fortune. Eleanor Blaine. 25 ONLY A SCHOOLMISTRESS. Arabella Southworth. 26 Wiruovur A Hearr. B 27 Was SHE 4 23 Sysr CHase. 29 For Her Dear Sake By Sara Claxton. 30 Tax Bovguet Grr. By Agile Penne. $1 A Map Marriuicz. By Mary A. Dennison. 82 Mirtanna, THE Prota Donna. By Southworth, 33 Tax Turex Sisters. 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By Annie Thomas, 42 BuaTRick, THE Braurivut. By A, Southworth. | §4 Taz Laure. Buse. By the author of “John 48 Tue Baronet’s Secret. By Sara Claxton. Halifax, Gentleman.” a I a OO ON fi a i iO ifn OO Ig OO OO OO LO LOLI, Ii insist 1 8 Lep Asrray. By Octave Feuillet. 86 JANET’s REPENTANCE. By George tt. 87 RoMANCE or A Poor Youn@ Man, By Feuillet. 88 A TrerRisLe Deep, By Emma Garrison Jones. 89 A GrupEp Sim. 9 Tur AvuTHOR’s DavoHter. By Mary Howitt, 91 THe Jirt, By Charles Reade. 92 Erteen ALANNA. By Dennis O'Sullivan. 93 Lovr's Vicrory. By B. L. Farjeon. 94 Toe Quiet Heart. By Mrs. Oliphant. 95 Lerricz ARNOLD, B rs. Mars 96 Hauntep Hearts. By Rachel Bernhardt, 97 Huan Metron. By Catharine King. 98 Avice LEARMONT. fe Miss Mulock. 99 MarvoriIgn Bruce's Lover. By Mary Patrick. 100 THROUGH Fire AnD Water. By Fred. Talbot. aa Sage By Miss Severs ; x EG WOFTINGTON. rles Reade, 108 A Desperate Deep. By Erskine Boyd. 104 SHADOWS ON THE SNow. By B. L. Farj 105 Tae Great Hogaarry Diamond. 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1 Deadwood Dick, raz Parcs or THE Roan. Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Vellowstone Jack. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 8 Kansas King} or, Tui Rep Ricur Hanp. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain Mayne Reid and Captain rederick Whittaker. {5 Vagabond Joe, THE Youna WANDERING JEW; or, @ FoR A Lecacy. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill. Biddon, Trapper. By E. 58. Ellis. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, THE Ockan Ovt- cast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 8 Seth Jones, 4 Edward 8. Ellis. Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Nat Todd. By E.§. Ellis. The Two Detectives. Guiliver’s Travels, Py Dean Swift. 8 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. Aladdin; or, Taz Wonperru. Lampe. The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) Ralph Roy, tHe Boy Buccanezr; or, Taz Fugitive Yacut. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill: 20 The Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler. 21 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis. 22 Whe Sea Serpent; or, Taz Boy Rosinson Crusoz. By Juan Lewis, 23 Nick o’ the Night; or, Tae Boy Spy or ’76. 4 T. C. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk. By Colonel P. Ingraham. jj 25 The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, Tur Bowral Demon; or, THE Borper Vouutrores. By EdWard L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, tue Boy Guipz. Oll Coomes 28 Buffalo Ben, THe Prixce or THe Priston; or, Dkapwoop Dick on Diseuise. E. L. Wheeler. 29 The Dumb Page... By Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, THe Recx- Less Ranour. By Harry St, George. 31 Keen-Knife, Prince or THE Oll Coomes, 32 Bob Woolf, rxe Borngen Rorrtay; or, Tar Gru Drap-Sxor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound, §. W. Pierce. 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wuurrizs' Boy Spy By Capt. J. F. C. A 8. 35 Wil Ivan, THE Boy CLaupn Douvit; or, THE BROTHERHOOD OF DraTH. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 86 The Boy Clown. By Frank S. Finn. : 37 The Hidden Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde, THE Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 89 Death-Face, THE Dersxcrive. By Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben, A Sroryor a Youne Amrre cAN WHO WANTED TO SEE THE WoRLD. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack, By Oll Coomes. 42 'The Phantom Miner; or, Dzapwoop Dick's Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, Tae Pony Express Roprr. By ee. Frederick Whittaker. 44 Kattling Rube. By Harry St. George. 45 Old Avalanche, THE GREAT ANNIFILATOR; or, WILD EpNA, THE GirL Brieannp. E. L. Wheeler, 46 Glass Kye, THE Great Sor or THE WEST. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 47 Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, THe Roap-Acent. By Badger. 49 Omaha Oll, THE Masked Terror: or, DEAD- woop Dick IN DANGER. By Edward L. Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, Tat Traprer. C. E. Lasalle. 51 The Boy Rifles. By Archie C. Irons. 52 The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THe Boy Prenr; or, TaRovucH To DeatH. By Edward L. Wheeler. 54 Ned Hazel, Tux Boy Trapper; or, THE PHAN- ToM Princess. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 55 Deadly = Eye, THe Unknown Scovr; or, Taz BRANDED BrRoTHERHOOD. By Buffalo Bill. 56 Nick Whifiles’ Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 67 Deadwood Dick’s ee FQ or, THE PaRDs or FLoop Bar. By Edward L. eeler. 68 The Border King. By Oll Coomes, 59 Old Hickory. By arey Cs. Cleo . 60 The White Indian, pt. J. ¥. ©. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill}; or, Taz Ren Roux Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship. By Col.P.] 63 The Red Brotherhood, W. J. Hamilton. 64 vate? A Jack, By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Murricane Bill. By Jos. EK. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand, B . J. Hamilton, 67 Patent-leather Joe, By Philip 5. Warne. 68 Border Robin Hood. By alo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, rae SHarpsHoorsR; or, Tax Boy Dwrecrivas or Tur Buack Rancn. By Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, Tat GREENHORN IN THE Woops. ¥F. C. Adams. 71 Delaware Dick, By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western, raz Texan Ranaen; or, THE QUEEN of THE Pramm. By Hamilton, 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, CALaMrry JANE, THE HEROINE OF WHOOP-Up, By Wheeler, 74 HMawkreye Harry,+ By Oll Coomes. 7& The Boy Duelist. By Col. P. Ingraham. 73 Abe Colt, True Crow-Kriirr,. By A. W. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Charlie, raz Boy Bravo; or, DeAapwoop Dicx’s Last Act. By E. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue Dick. By —— Mayne Reid. 79 Sol Ginger, Grant pPtr. By A.W. Aiken. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nuacet Nep, THe KNIGHT oF THE GuLc3. By Edward L, Wheeler. 81 Lightning Jo, By Captain J. F.C, Adams. 82 Kit Haretoot, ruz Woop-Haws; or, Powper-FAct AND His DEMONS. By Harbaugh. 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. $4 Idy!, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. 85 Buck Buckram; or, Bess, THE }'EMALE Trapper, By Captain J. F. C. Adams, By A.W. Aiken, emwmoOS Wrst femal jl df ft Ce SRA intES. By BEADLE'S | HALF-DIME 86 Dandy Rock. By G. Wako Browne. 87 The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 88 Tuomare he Phil, tae Boy Sievrs#; or, Rosrsvup Ros’s REAPPEARANCE. By E. L. Wheeler. 89 Island Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 90 The Dread Rider. By G. Waldo Browne. 91 The Captain of the Club; or, THz Youne Rrvau ATHLETES. . Bracebridge Hemyng. 92 Canada Chet} or, OLD ANACONDA IN SITTING Buiu’s Camp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 93 The Boy Miners. By Edward §&. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, THE AD-AGENT ; Tue Boy Trapper. By T. C. Harbaugh. 95 The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Eye, THE SHapow. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers, By J. J. Marshall. 98 Robin Hood, THE OvTLAWED Hart; or, THE Merry Men or Greenwoop. Prof, Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Wid Katz, Danny Rock’s ANGEL. By Geor Waldo Browne, 100 Deadwood Dick in Lew.iville; or, A STRANGE STROKE FoR Linerty. By Wheeler. 101 Jack HMarkaway in New York, By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, THe Boy Smvcater; or, THE CRUISE OF THE VIxEN. By Col. graham. 103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. Delle Sara. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, THe Sian or Tae Dovste Cross. By E. L. Wheeler. 105 Old Rube, THe Honrer. Capt. H. Holmes. 6 Old Frosty, THe Guivge. By T. C. Harbaugh. 7 One-Eyed Sim, By James L. Bowen. 8 Daring se gg, By Harry’St. George. 9 Deadwood ick as Detective. By Ndward L. Wheeler. 0 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. 1 The Sea-Devil, By Col. P. Ingraham, 2 ‘The Mad Hunter, By Burton Saxe. 3 Jack Hoyle, tum Youne Sprecviaror; or, THE Roap To Fortunr. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 4 The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck. 5 The Mad Miner; or, Danny Rock's D George Waldo Browne. 6 The Hussar Captain; or, raz Hrerurr or Heut-Gatr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 7 Gilt-Edged Dick, THe Sport Drerective; or, Tam Roap-Acrent's DAv@utrR. Wheeler. 8 Will Somers, THe Boy Derecrive. Morris, 9 Mustang Sam, THE Kine or THE PLAINS. By Jos. E, Badger, Jr. @he Branded Hand, By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chip, THe Giri Sport; or, THE GOLDEN IpoL or Mr. Rosa. Ed. L. Wheeler. Phil Hardy, Tux Boss Boy. By C. Morris. Kiowa Charley, THE WuITz MusTanazr. By T. C. Harbaugh. Tippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Picayune Pete; or, Nicopemus, THz Dog Derrective. By Charles Morris, Wild-Fire, Bossortne Roap. By Dumont The Young Privateer, By H. Cavencish. Deadwoo Dick’s Double; or, Tue Guost or Goraon’s GuicH. Ed. L. Wheeler. Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. The Golden Handj3 or, Danpy Rock To THE Rescug. By George W. Browne. The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. §. Ellis. Boss Bob, tre Kina or THe Boorsuscss: or, Tot PAWNBROKER’s PLor. Ed. L. Wheeler. Sure Shot Seth, Tar Boy Ririeman; or Tus Youne Patriors or THe Norts. By Oll Coomes, § Captain Paul, Taz Kentucky MoonsHiner; or, THE Boy Spy or THe Mountarns. By Clark. 86 Night-Hawk Kit. By Jos. E. Badgzer, Jr. 7 The Helpless Hand, Capt. Mayne Reid. 8 Blonde ill; or, DEApwoop Dick’s Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. 0. Harbaugh. 0 Blue Blazes; or, Taz Break o’ Day Boys or Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont. 1 Solid Sam, tHE Boy Roap-AGent; or, Tae BranveD Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. 42 Handsome Marry, tur Boorsiack Dr- TecTIveE. By Charles Morris, 43 Sear-Face Saul. By Oll Coomes. 44 Dainty Lance, rue Boy Srorr.’By Badger. 45 Captain Ferret, tam New Yorr Dersc- A 4 RO wt et et OOOO wre wer OW wwe Cw BS CF QU BSH KOS oe fF BS ww ~ » BO WOH TIvE; or, Boss Bos’s Boss Jos. By Wheeler. 6 Silver Star, THE Boy Knicur, y Coomes, 7 Will Wiidfire, THe Txoxovcsnren; or, Tae Wovnina Hanp. By Charles Morris, 48 Sharp Samy or, THe ApVENTURES OF A Frrenpiess Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 49 A Game of Gold; or, Drapwoop Dicx’s Bia Sree. By Edward L. Wheeler. 50 Lance and Lasso, By Capt. F. Whittaker. 561 Panther Paul, Tre Prarrm Prrare; or, Dainty Lance To THE Resove. J, E. er. 152 Black Bess, Wi. Wiuoprme’s Racer; or, WInninG AGArnstT Opps. By Charles Morris, 153 Eagle Kit, Tae Boy Demon. By Oll Coonies; 154 Fhe Swerd Hunters, BY . Whittaker, 155 Gold Trigger, THe Sport. T, C, Harbaugh, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood} or, Tue Pickep Party.. By Edward L. Wheeler. 157 Mike Merry, tux, Harsor Pouce Koy; or; THe Nicut-HAWKEs or PHILADELPHIA. . Morris. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, Taz Trapprer’s Trust. By Buffalo Bill, 159 The Lost Captain;. or, THe Orrn Potar Sa. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 160 The Black Giant; or, Damry Lance mn JEopaRDY. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 161 New York Nell, tae Boy-Gmt Derecrivz; or, OLD BLAKESLY’sS Money. By E..L. Wheele:. 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods, ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee eee eee Morris, or, - oom, | 222 Gri 163 Little Texas, tax Youne Mustancer, A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oll Coomes, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne. 165 Billy Bagg Ron To EartH. By Charles Morris, By Harry St. aga et. By W: 68 Deadly Dash. 9 Tornado Tom; or, Inson Jack From Rep Core. T. C. Harbaugh. 0 A Trump Card; or, Wm. Wmprikk Wins AND Losrs, By Charles Morris, 1 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. 2 Thunderbolt Tom; or, THe WoLt¥-HERDER - OF THE Rockies, By Harry St. George. 3 Dandy Rocks Rival. By G.W. Browne. 4 Bob Kockett, Trax Boy Doparr, By Morris. 5 Captain Arizona. By Philip 8.Warne. 6 The Boy Runaway; or, THe Buccaneer or THE Bay. Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S.N. 7 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, Tur Scamp OF THE SIERRAS. . Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Old Solitary. By Oll Coomes, 9 Bob Rockett, THz Bank Runner. Morris. 0 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow We tt Kzpr. By Lieut, H. D. Perry, U O.Ms.:.! ‘ild Frank, tHe Bvuokskin Bravo; or, Lapy Liy’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler, Little Murricame, tHe Boy Capram, Oll Coomes, e Hidden Hand} or, WiLL WiILDFiRE’s RrvenGcr. By Chas. Morris, The Bo railers; or, Danrry LANcE on THE WAR-PatH. By Jos. E. badger, Jr. Evil Eye, Kixe or Catrie THIEves; or, THE: VULTURES OF THE Rio Graxpe. By F. Dumont. 186 Cool Desmond; or, Tax Gameisr’'s Bic Game. By Col. Delle Sara. Fred alyard, rue Lire Boar Boy; or,, THE SMUGGLERS OF THE IntET. By C, Morris. Ned yom THE Borprer Boy. Harbaugh. Bob Rockett, Tam Cracxsman, By Morris. Dandy Darke}; or, Tue Ticurs or Hiés Prvz, By Wm. R. Eyster. Buffalo wae © THE Boy BULLWHACKER. By Capt. A. B. 5 ost U. 8. A. Captain Kit. Taig H. D. Perry,U.8.N. Captain Mask, THe Lavy Roap-AGEnT; or, PaTENT-LEATHER Jor’s Dergat. By Warne. Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. Deadwood Dick’s Dream, By Wheeler. Shadowed; or, Bos Rockert’s Ficur ror Lire, By Charles Morris. Little Grit, THz WitD Rimgr. By Ingraham. Arkansaw, THE WITH THE KNIFE, By T. C, Harbaugh, 9 Featherweight}; or, Taz Boy CHAMPion oF THE Muskinaum. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedouins. By Capt. Frederick or, DmAp- Whittaker. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; woop Dick’s Warp. By Edward A Wheeler. 202 Prospect Pete, or THE Boy BRIGADS; or, Tae Youne OvuTLAw Hunters. By Oll Coomes, 203 The Boy Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 204 Gold Plume, THe Boy Banprr. Ingraham. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. A Tale of Death Notch. By Edward L. Wheeler. 206 Dark Paul, Tar Ticer Kina. By C. Morris. 207 Navajo Nick, THe Boy Gop Hunter, A Tale of Arizona. By T. C. Harbaugh. 208 The Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes. 209 Fritz, Tae Bounp-Boy Detective. Wheeler. 210 Faro Frank of High Pine; or, Danny Darke’s Go-pown Parps. By W. R. Eyster. 211 Crooked Cale, rH CaLman or CELESTIAL 212 213 Fritz to the Front. 214 Wolfgang, THe Rosser or THs Rare. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. By Col. Prentiss In 217 Captain Crack-Shot, Trax Gmu Bricanr; irsy JACK FROM JIMTOWN. ad tt oc oso Soo SCS OF Noe Wr Crry. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Dashing Dave, THE Danny Derecriva. 215 Captain Bullet, Taz Rarer Kine. By T. C. Harbaugh. - Charles Morris. : By E. L. Wheeler. 216 Bison Bill, tae Princs oy THe Rems. or, By Edw: L. Wheeler. 218 Viger Tom, tee Texan Tennon. By Ol Coomes. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, Taz Moun: TAIN VAMPIRES, By Philip 8. Warne. 220 Tom Tanner Bcusawac AnD BoaPprera: By Charles Morris. 221 Sugar Coated Sam; or. Tas Biack Gow oF Guice. By E. L. Wheeler. : he Bravo Sport. By Col. Prentiss Ingr. ‘ 223 Ozark Alf, Kiva ory THe Movuxram. By Edward Willett. : 224 Dashing Dick; or, TRapren Tou's Casrix, By Oll Coomes. 225 Sam Charcoal, the Premium Dar-: ky. By Charles Morris. 226 ig rue Boy SHarp. By Edward L. eeler. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trarrrr; or, Toe Green RANGER OF THE YeLLowsTonE. By Edwin Emerson. Ready November 29th. 228 Little Wildfire. By Oll Coomes, Ready December 6th. 229 Crimson Kate, THE Girt TRAILER. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready Dec. 18th, A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.