Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 232) (1882 01 03)
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la (mm) |) | | | | la hy ees < ag o os V4 1. x | a Wa i il antl a NS $2.00 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mail January 3, 1882, Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Vol. IX. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. , B Gente. No. 232. GOLD-DUST DICK. A ROMANCE OF ROUGHS AND TOUGHS.. BY EDWARD LIL. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘DEADWOOD DICK” NOVEL&, “ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ GILT-EDGED DICK,” ‘‘ BONANZA BILL,” ETC., ETO, Po Ug UROL io iy) ON, at Gs a fear. Lf = - - < cin ify, My i | i) ae LCA th ia | RN _, (aati ae “‘ yoU'’RE THER FELLER AS MANY A MINER UP NORTH HAS HRARD OF—YOU ARE THE FAMOUS ROAD-AGENT, DEADWOOD DICE.” ?
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2 EE ———————— Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘* DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ ROGE- BUD ROB” NOVELS, ETU., ETC. CHAPTER LI. ' RICHARD GOLD-DUST. PISTOLVILLE | j Though not a bonanza town, or subject to an rtieular ‘‘ boom,” was, withal, in its own Opinion quite“ fly,” and considered itself a bun- dred-fold greater — of apostance than Devil's Nugget, up the-gulch, or Bkeleton Flats, an equal distance down the guich. Pistolville was situated on the narrow, sand bottom of a rugged mountain gulch, whic latter was a sort of golden belt running from Devil’s Nugget to Skeleton Flats, rewarding de- votees of the pick and shovel, wheresoever in- clination might lead them to dig. It was not much of a city—in fact, but quite a little village it pegentes to a stranger who chanced to overlook the town, before entering it; but then, twenty-four hours among the * saloots” gathered within its environs was apt to change one’s cpinion concerning the peace and quietude of the place. There was a general supply-store, a couple of saloons, a b nking or trust office, a smithy, saw-mill and smelting and crushing mill com- bined, and a rude log structure on the door of which was lettered, ‘* School No, 1.” Perhaps Pistolville had never bad such a thing as a scliool, but then, not to be beaten by Skeleton Flats, they had erected the edifice, and all that was wanting was a teacher. To meet this requirement big Hank Haddon had posted a placard on the building, in a conspicu- ous plage, so that passers-by might have the benefit of it. : It read as follows: NOTISS! Ma bei ed Sree 5 ge tutor ter a hold ~ run t shebang, in stile, cheep fer 3. No feller w'ot ain’t pete. ae wi’ ther higher b : studies an’ cluss shutin’, needn’t apply. * HANK Hippo, Mayor.” The ‘‘ Mayor” was of course a superfluity on the part of Henry, for Pistolville bad no estab- lished ruler or governm further than indi- vidual ‘ blow ” went,and being a typical ‘* bad” man, such as are sure to be found in every place, Haddomonéidered himself ‘ boss.” Where the grip on her neigh- bor towns, on Sout her picturesque scenery, we a theme of admiration among nature-loving new-comers to the town— the gre g rugged rooky walls being Ne nd thed with ame — while st north of the towna glassy sheetof water tumbled @ towering ledge into a time worn channel below, whose course ran south- ward through the ib Tourists often staged down to Pistolville on account of this, an the Pistolvillians ’ were delighted. eptember is always a delightful month, in the iorves , and it was on one pleasant Septem- ber ing, that a man finished a sketch of the falls, at which be had been working several hours, and putting bis book under his arm, sauntered down toward Pistolville, which was bathed in the last rays of the dying sunset. By the sity he manifested in glancing about him, as he went, it was evident that he was a stranger to the surroundings. A man of or five and t ; erect built, and oe Senge with clear-cut features, dark-brown ey and some what darker hair and mustache, be was anlike the citizens of Ae He wore not only a shiny ‘ b’iled shirt,” but also a coat, vest and pante of immaculate white duck; sported a diamond pin and ring, a gold- headed cane of rather odd design, and bis dress was not com without a modern style white plug, and low walking shoes his feet. Or the citizens of Pistolville, three-fourths . ) best sense of the word, roughs—pil- : “down from the “ wilder,” where ed § and things toggy.” are not ed thought of, much less seen. Therefore, when our stranger made his quiet entree to the town, on foot, be at once became the center of man stopped to styla. ** A gallus soft,”” Cowhide Sam said—and Sam curious glances—men even ‘size him up,” and inventory his Gold-Dust Dick. ree ee | was omy come to Haunted Hank Haddon as a roug “ Superfine—advertisin’ fer a clothin’ store,” another ‘while Haunted Hank himself surveyed the artist with a criticising stare, as he passed down the path on the other side of the street or wagon track—for Pistolville boasted neither of pavement or sidewalks, other than such as nature provided. And when the artist came to the untenanted school building be paused and read the notice attentively, then read it over again, as if it had some especial interest to him. _. Be which, Haunted Hank and a few of his pards made bold to cross over. "3 daisy!” the mayor — taking a quid of tobaceo from his Douth and ling it pe Sh the placard, so that it to some extent ee es the’ word “Notiss.” ‘I say, Joo, stranger. “* Hello, sir!” the artist merpandns raising his hat and looking the surprise he may or may not have felt. ‘‘ Anything I cando for you, sir?” “ Waal, now, | reck, ef so be some) disposed. Yanders the ‘ Morgue’ whar they do dispense prime bug-juice, an’ I opine be never struck a thirstier set o’ mortals,” ti haunted man youched. “Oh! yes, but, you see, I’m averse'to liquor, in any form, and so cannot accommodate you on that score. By the way, 1 see the town wants a schoolmaster?” : ae I ’spect =. pre a bernie: spe of t, uty. Interlect ar’ sought fer cher byes an’ gals o’ Pistolville.” | “Ab! indeed? Thatis good. You could di- rect me to the mayor, perbaps?” “Presumediy, stranger, fer I’m ther honor- able party, you bet.” Oh! you are?” And a peculiar expression crept into the ar- tist’s face. ‘““Yas, I aire!” Henry asseverated, boldly. ‘‘['m the bigh cockolorum who controls ther des- tiny o’ this hyar town, an’ I runs it, you bet, an’ any galoot w’ot sez nay gits his ear chawed off.” “Ah! Isee! Andso you want a competent a to instruct the young idea how to shoot, e hdd ‘* Not much! ter do that. What we want is simply a chap ter Yarn ther boys bow ter write, read, spell an’ cipher; an’, mind ye, I don’t hold myself re- sponserble fer funeral expenses.” . ‘‘Ob! I don’t anticipate the need of an under- | taker, as I have had some success in getting on the right side of children. How old do the scholars average?” BL Haunted Hank Jaughed outright, and his Bg grinned hu My gely. Re seir age, beauty? Waal, now, I don’t. know so much about that, but ye can see the size of ’em—these hyar be a fair sample.” And the bystanders were indicated as the ex- ample. The artist looked surprised, and gave vent to a whistle. ‘‘Oh! then it is to be a school of adults? Are there no children?” 4 #: rae a kid.” , “ And no girls?” ‘Waal, I dunno. Roxie—that’s Bill Ralph's gal—ar’ a harum-scarum, an’ I reckon ye would- and you! cbjected, she'd pop ye, onat Sien-ate and you e'd pop over ys would a prairie chicken. Then there's old Dutch Joe's caste Dora pe ns eae jece, who ymps an’ novels an - Fooliom she’d not bother nt Ponca gal, who occasionally comes to town, she don't need tew git any smarter than she is now. Thet com our ’ 2 Bg oe rtist } and some- ow his auditors took it as a broad bint that needed civilizing. ced gl 7 And, Yon ding hey exch ances. “See byar, m » feller!” Haunted Hank said, ] 2 von’t do fer tew tackle us thet way. We kin be as mild aé a streak o’ sunshine, or we kin roar like a-blizzard. We're SAG, we a ee OES on oot © a young lamb w eat, when ye us. “OF course. No doubt you, all ist Logetliaa could getaway with me in short order,” assented the artist, with a ious smile, ‘“‘ Neverthe- will ‘ point at pre: i bid you adieu, with the notice that if you should want me to undertake the govern of your school, you will find me somewhere about the city. ‘Ta! ta! tra! la! lee!” And, waving his hand, the sketcher sauntered on down the street. ‘caused Mr. Gold-dust a violent start, w I allow ther boys knows how’ ; an’ Starlight, the female pop On? 3 less, *notw: , howsomever, p wel] ere B_ et en Pistolville boasted of a hotel and saloon com- bined, where, for four ‘‘ bits,” a rather narrow peel quuidihe baa ee Ss way. After engaging accommodations for a few days, a book 7 in 6, blear-eyed clerk, and in a ‘ul hand he re- gistered himself as “Rickard Gold-dust, New or. . The, lighting a cigar, he was shown ‘to his was seen no more until later in the evening. ee y at mattered not. every person in Pistolville knew that a ne fresh cigar, and as a result became the target for many glances, To his surprise, as he stood at the. bar, a girl, attired in pants, top-boots, long hunting blouse and jxunty slouch hat, and mounted on a super- annuates-looking donkey, rode from a rear por- tion of the room straight up to a position along- side the bar next to the artist, And the donkey gave vent to a bray that reali the rider burst into a bearty laugh—a musical, ringing laugh that was pleasant to hear. ne rider was not a woman yet—probably at the most shé was not over seventeen, with a petite, well-rounded figure, and a fresh, rosy face, laughing and lovable in expression, and eyes that sparkled with youthful spirit—eyes that could gleam with stern or friendly light— and hair brown and wavy, tossing in uurestrain- ed wealth upon ber shoulders. In addition to her costume before mentioned, she wore a belt around her waist containing a handsome pair of pistols. ‘Hal hal ha! Don’t be skeered, stranger,” she said. ‘‘ My war-hoss was only sayin’ ‘ set ‘em up.’ Goin’ to give us a treat, pard?” ‘Yes, I'll treat,” Gold-dust said, surveying her in surprise ‘‘ What will you take?” ‘* A lemonade, with a cudgel or a splinter in it, please. Jest got in from a deer chase, and I'm as dry as a codfish out o’ water.” And when the “‘ lemonade with a stick in it” She ee ay ‘she did it brown,’ in the ver- r of the West—that is tosay, she drank it wivhout demur. |» Gold-dust watched her gg ego was about to turn away, but she laid hand on his shoulder. “ Stop! hold up a bit, cap’n! I’ve got some- thin’ more to say to you. [heer you're to be the new schulemaster. Now, d’ye calculate ye kin tame your scbolars?” “If I take yonder school and undertake to in- struct those who may apply for instruction, I shall naturally have a code of Saige and every scholar to follow it. If they re- fuse I sball give them the choice of behaving or “ And if they refuse to do either?’ “Oh, well, if it comes to that, it will remain to be seen who will be master of the situation.” ‘Oh! yes; be’ll make a fine school-teacher,” a voice at this instant cried from another part of the room. ‘‘Just imagine, for instance, what a + amount of brains may be contained in t pate, or what powerful strokes of lightning the hardness of that cheek could resist!’ Goki-dust spotted the speaker, even.as he was ‘giving utterance to the words, and walked straight over to where be was standing. He was rather a dashing-looking fellow, both in face, re and attire, and was somewhere near the artist’s own age, but there was an expres- sion about his eyes, and murtache+haded mouth which was sinister and evil. ‘“*] presume you were referring to me,” Gold- dust said, with calmness. ‘* Evidently my pres- ence here in Pistolville is offensive, and again sas you bave some other remark to fler?” a es. Yot’re a swell-head and a snide, ard * there is’ no room here for you!” the insulver retorted, = “T71 show you,” and out went his arm, and down went the offender! CHAPTER I. DAUGHTER AND FATHER. ; TE excitement succeeded the knock- down, and pistols were drawn on every side, making the aspect of affairs decidedly unheiltiry looking for the artist. ‘‘Hurra! Look ye, pilgrims o’ Pistolville— thet’s ther style o’a hairpin as wants ter set
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tn ne Gold-Dust Dick. a himself up as our school-teacher! How d’ like him, b’yees? What caliber d’yo put him Poa ust glance?” - Not a man vefttured a reply. Evidently they did not propose to make too personal remarks about Gold-dust Dick, as he had already been nicknamed, until they knew the man better. And as for Richard, himself, he stood calmly waiting for a return attack from the man he had knocked down. But when that individual scrambled to his feet with a bleeding nose, and ‘pair of bruised eyes, he simply shook his list at the artist, with a muttered execration. ‘‘Look out for me! I’llhave revenge for this, or my name is not Tra-la-lee Charley!” he growled, and then went out to wash the blood from his face. ‘“Tra-la-lee Who-ever-you-may-be, you'll find that I run my own school,” the artist retorted, and turned to make his way upstairs, when he was intercepted by Haunted Hank and Cow- hide Sam. ‘“Hold up, beauty!” the mayor said, extend- ing his band. ‘‘ Afore ye go, give us yer flip- per, an’ allow us ter congratulate ye! Thar’s nothin’ slow about you, except yer feet, an’ they’ll outgrow criticism, in due time. In ther meantime, we, ther repesentative pillers o’ this city, have put our cranium; together, and come to the conclusion that no fitter man than you can be selected to manage ourschool. Tharfore, do we beg an’ beseech you to accept ther persish, at twenty dollars a week, and break the head of the first rascal who refuses to mind you.” ‘1s this the verdict of the crowd?’ Gold-dust demanded in a loud enough tone, so that all could hear, “Yas, you bet! What saith I, Heneri, the sixty-fifth apostle, hes ter be so. Eh! teller juice-grippers, ain’t them reg’lar old Genesis facts? All in favor o’ seein’ Gold-dust Dick our skulemaster, please make manerfest by sayin’ “Tr” “T!” came a vigorous response from the majority of the crowd, while to Haddon’s ‘*Contrary, no!” there came only a few an- swers. ‘Thank you, gentlemen!” Gold-dust said, with a bow. ‘To-morrow I will draw up a code of rules and regulations, and on the fol- lowing day will begin school, sincerely trustiag I shall have an obedient and exemplary roll of pupils. Good-evening!” ; hen, with another bow, he took his leave, while there was a grim silence among the rude audience, . There were no audible expressions uttered against him, bub it was pretty evident that . Gold dust Dick had not yet secured any - ticular firm hold upon the affections of these Pistolvillians, and that was not good. Gold-dust Dick was not seen until the next day, when he left the hotel; and sauntered down to his future place of business, the ** school-’us.”’ He was resolved to make a try, at least, and if he failed, it would be ina goodcause. He had had some experience in teaching, and that, too, in some of the reputed hardest schools in the mining districts, but had always succeeded in proving himself equal to the emergency. . And he believed he could do the same in pis- tolville. “ or gag the cabin, he entered it, and found to his surprise that it had an occupant, and that, too, in the person of a pretty young lady, who might have been in the last year of her teens, and who was plainly but neatly dressed, and very comely of face and figure, “Oh! excuse me,” she said, rising with a flushed countenance—‘‘ I—I—” “Oh! do not disturb yourself, pray!” he said, doffing his hat, “as I am going right away. I just dropped in to post up a notice, concerning the school—that’s all.” And drawing forth a sheet of paper he pro- ceeded to tack if up on one corner of the black- board. 7 “Oh! you are the new schoolmaster, then?” the young lady said, resuming her seat, with a book before her.” Tam so glad we are to have a school! Education is one of the things most needed here, in Pistolville.” yy “T agree with you, and I dare say I shall have my hands full in trying to civilize the fel- lows who are to be my schilars. Will I have you for a pupil, Miss Dare?” ‘“‘ Ah! you know my name, then?” ““T heard of you as being one of the three ladies in the district, and inferred that you were Miss Dare.” * Ah, yes! Well, I‘don’t think you need to enroll me as a pupil, as I would scarcely wish to be your only ee? pupil, among so rough a crow If you could give me private instruc- tions at my bome, when papa is there—” “Why, certainly. ls Mr. Dare home even- ings.” a Alas! no—I would that he were,” she said, sadly, and turned her head away. She bad a trouble then? Gold-dust realized that much, but he finished tacking up the paper before he — again. “Mr. Dare is a business man, I presume?” he said, finally. “Yes, sir. He is a a partner in the Voleano, the best mine in Pistolville, with the man Tra-la-lee Charley, whom I have heard you knocked down last evening.” ‘‘ Hal yes. He made some personal remarks that ‘riled me,’ as they say here in the mines, and Iso far forgot myself as to knock him down. So your father is in partnership with him ?” ‘Yes, sir. My father formerly owned the whole of the Volcano, but this man Tra-la-lee Charley got bim to drinking, and next to gam- bling, and all that I can tell you is that the vil- lain now owns a half interest in the Volcano— owns it through cheating my poor misguided father, who is but a wreck of his former self. Oh! sir, what would I not give to see my father the brave, upright, noble man he once was!” ‘*Cannot his own daughter’s love» lure him back?’ ‘‘Oh! I fear not. I have entreated him, and plead with him, and used every effort, but he = pe to have lost all sense of shame or affec- ion. ‘“‘T am very sorry for you, miss,” Gold-dust said, ‘‘andif I ever encounter the old gentle- man, I will exert my influence on him, tor his good, mayhap.” 5 “Then, raising his hat, the new schoolmaster took his departure. ‘‘Whata strange fellow! It would seem that be has no desire to cultivate my acquaintance,” Miss Dare said to herself after be had gone... While Dick scratched his head and looked wise: “An affable, somewhat cultivated, and pretty oung woman,” he muttered. ‘ But, hang t, basn’t time, back to Adam’s age, — them a dangerous piece of mechanism? If you know when you're well off, Richard Gold-dust, you'll fight sby of em in the future as has been your wont to do in the past.” It was late that night when, in the window of a little room over the hotel saloon where Gold- dust Dick had put up, there shone a flickering light that made a yellow shadow across the street in the blank darkness of the night. The light was no signal, and was probably the only one burning in the town, as the odd little cabins and shanties, and even the saloons them- selves, had closed up, and the occupants thereof retired for the night. In the little room sat two men on either side of a round deal table with a pack of cards be- tween them, supplemented by a bottle of liquor and some glasses. The more attractive appearing of the two was the young than—Tra-la-lee Charley. e was attired in a red smoking-cap and gay dre:sing-gown, and bis mustache was waxed out to a needle’s point, giving him a decidedly dandified appearance. His companion was a typical “bum.” He was red-faced, witb an extra tinge on the end of his nose; his hair was long and matted; his attire was g and slouchy; his eyes were dull and vacant in expression. / This was Joe Dare—Dutch Joe—the father of the girl Gold-dust Dick had met at the school- house, and it needed no shrewd observer to draw the conclusion that it would not take many more bottles of poison to use the poor wretch up. _ As we bok in upon the scene, he was dozing in his ebair, while Tra-la-lee Charley was fold- ing up some papers and placing them in his pocket, ‘‘Come! come! Wake up, Joe! What the devil’s the matter with you?’ The gambler cried, when he had placed the book in his pocket, and he reached over and shook the sleeper by the arm. “Kul vot ish dot?” Dare grunted, leoking up, sleepily ; ‘‘ vot you vant, se ‘*T want you to wake up, and have some style about you. What the blazes ails you—are you drunk again?’ ‘*Nix! I don’t vas drunk—TI vas yoost snooz- in’. You know vot I vas dinkin’ mit my dream, Sharley ?” ‘*No, indeed! I presume you imagined you — << ——— ower LEW LLL . _ CF i were sucking a beer-cask dry!” the gambler re- pied, sarcastically. ‘* What was your thoughts, oe}—were you ever guilty of any?” “Vel, I dells you. I tink 1 vas Rip Van Winkle, in my dream, vot sleeb twenty years, und ven I wake up, I find you sdeal all mine wealth, marry mine Dora, und raise der duyfel, in sheneral. I dell you vot, Sharley, l tink I shwear off.” ‘‘Like Rip did, eh? Ha! ha! ha! good joke, fora man of your intellect, Joe. By the way, it’s a long time between drinks, and so let’s smnile, to your good-luck,”’ “My goot-luck! How vas dot? Haf I not lost efery game?” : ‘By no means. You must be boozy indeed. You have won the last six straight games.” “Ish dot so? Vel, Ie didn’t remember dot. Vos we blaying for somedings?” “To be sure not. Why, bless you, for the last week you have refused to play for stakes, and have won most every game. . If you'd ’a’ ‘chipped’ you’d have long ago won back all Lever won of you.” ‘Vel, dot vas foolishness mit me, den. How much ofer half der mine do I owe you, Shar- ‘“‘Oh! a trifling sum. I have your note for four thousand dollars, and that covers every- thing.” ‘* A note, you dells me, Sharley?” “To be sure—a note to secure me, you see.” ‘Vel I don’d know. Did leter sign a note to you?” “Well, no—not exactly; that is, you see, I drew itup for the amount you owe me, and sometime when you get ready, why you can sign it. I know you're honest, and consequent- ly, am in no hurry.” ‘Yas, I vas honest—dot vas der drubbles—I vas too honest. Vot you say der mine is vorth now?” ‘‘Oh! probably a trifle over a half a million, though it wouldn’t sell for that, as the yield is not so large as a month ago,” “Und | vas gamble avay all dot money?” Vel, I vas a pig fool!” ‘ What—you’re not getting pious?” “Nix. I vas notso sleeby, dough, ash usual. I play pon eards no more Dra-la-loo Sharley a ** Well, I am right sorry tor that, Joe. We've spent some jolly nights together, and although ou’ve lost a thimbleful, you’ve gained, in the ong run, by learning bow to play a fine game. I think if ve play your halt of the Volcano against my balf, you would win.” “Humph! you dink I vas a fool aga) You yould like:to get hold off der whole pimess, now, vouldn’t you?” ' vid indeed, no. You wrong me. To prove to you that [ do not-seek to enrich myself at your expense I will play you a game fora thousand dollars, and if you do not win Vl give you back my balf interest in the Volcano.” ‘Vel, Sharley, dot vas goot, I allus t’ink you vas square, and so vil I be. Ve drink, den play. If L win, Lcome around tomorrow night und play my half for your half of der Volcano.” ‘* Good!” the gambler said, producing a fresh pack of cards. ‘That is liberal of you.” ‘* And may I beg leave to watch this interest- ing game?” ey looked around. Just within the room stood Gold-dust Dick, CHAPTER IIL. A LIVELY SCHOOL AND MAD STAGING, ScHOOL commenced the nextday at the usual hour, and the fact caused something akin to a celebration i Pistolville, for business was liter- ally suspended on the part of a number of miners,who were anxious to see how the * thing worked,” It was acuriosity which Pistolville or its neigh- borhood had never enjoyed, and to see one dap- per, high-toned human try his hand on a score of the roughest.men in the mines as an educator, was as good asa circus to the average * pilgrim.’ So that,while some twenty odd roughs walked into the rude school-house when the bell rung, as’ many burly bewhiskered and bewhiskied non-attendants were groupe peering in at the dvor and windows, They were anxious to see what school was and how it progressed, and then ibey rather ex- pected to see the new educator “ cleaned out.” But Gold-dust Dick had not taken the school for any such a purpose; he had come there with a determination to run it, and, judging by bis appearance this morning, be intended to do it. He was attired in a well-fitting suit of woolly gray, and instead of bis ** plug” wore a wide- rimmed slouch hat, pinned up on one side with a miniature diamond-set dagger of gold. ped on the outside,
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gon’s 82 caliber revolvers, handsomely orna- mented with silver mountings, while on his table before him lay two more of larger size, cocked and ready for use. As soon as the rude delegation of would-be scholars were seated, pretty much wherever they pleased about the house, Dick —— mf on the table with his ferule and said: ** Order!’ And there was order, instanter. have heard a pin drop. “Children,” announced the new pedagogue, sternly, ‘Iam here for the of teach- ing you several branches of studies, which it has not been your privilege heretofore to learn, and I hope and trust you will. be obediert to the rules of the school. On each desk you will find a primer, which two of you can study for the first ba!f-bour. How many of you know how to read?” You could Every man pe held up his hand. “Very well. Writing and spelling will be the first, course of studies. erry, can you spell hilosophy ?”’ ot by a durned sight, boss. D’ye take me for a reg'lar organized dictionary? Give me sumthin’ easier.’ ‘* Not so many remarks, please. For the first lesson, you can all learn to spell the words upon the first and second pages. member, no talk- ing aloud, whispering, smoking or laughing will be tolerated.” “ Now. ef a feller wants to snicker he can, can’t he?’ Cowhide Sam grunted. “No, sir! Strict silence and order during study: bours must be rved, or I shall have to punish the offender. Go peaceably about your studies now, and all will be well.” And as they all obeyed, the watchers on the outside turned away in disgust, mot seeing the ** racket ” they had expected. But, as Gold-dust had anticipated, the day was destined not to pass by without a disturb- ance with the scholars. Toward noon he caught Bengal Bill and Joe Krocker playing seven-up, in their seat, and neglecting their studies. Without hesitation he walked down the aisle, snatched the cards from them, and returned to the table, when he once more faced them—his hands handy to his weapons. ‘No more card-playlng during school hours, ents!” be commanded,in a manner that evident- meant business, and following it was a dark, issatisfied look on the part of the rough stu- aoste, and an exchange of defiant and mutinous glances. But, owing dou dust’ to the formidable ap- pearan:e of Gold-dust Dick’s revolvers, they ye from any remarks apt to call for cold ’ . This was not the end, however. Shortly before it was time to dismiss school for noon, Cowhide Sam rose from his seat, put on his bat, and then his coat, as if to leave. “Take your seat, sir! School has not yet been dismissed,” Dick ordered, dropping his ferule an t-picking up a revolver. : ‘*Can’t he!p thet!” Samuel retorted, dogged- ly. ‘I’m dry, an’ I’m goin’ ter git three fin- rs o’ bug-juice.” ** Not while I run this school, and you are a pupil,” Gold-dust replied, grimly, raising his ight-hand revolver to a level with the bull- whacker’s breast. ' @ another move to leave the room, before I dismiss you, and I'll drop you!” ““Deop and be hanged! Hyar goes for bug- juice!” the ruffian cried, ard instantly he made a leap through a window. But a bullet from-Geld-dust’s revolver over- took him, quick as he was, and he tumbled out of the window with a painful wound in bis thigh, “Come on if any more of you want the same!” the schoolmaster cried, turuing upon the crowd with flashing eyes. ‘‘I’ve just got my hand in now, aud if you don’t believe ’m going to run this shebang, all you’ve got to do, to fin out, is to pitch in, and Till guarantee to make = the sickest school that ever spelled cold dead! The challenge had the effect of eliciting a mutinous murmur, but no attempt was made to take up the quarrel, in act.on. , *T opie we ain’t so green as ter buck ag’in’ a snag!” Haunted at bis companions. ‘* But, arter school’s out, stranger, I go ye one that about the healthiest thing ye kin do is to lock up the school-’us’, and git /’ ‘Thank you for the suggestion, which I pre- sume will not be adopted,” the artist replied ealmly. growled, wita a glance ‘ st Dick. ry for noon, and you may uietly out.” They obeyed, Gold-dust a eee up the rear, and striding fearlessly toward the hotel, with no apparent thought of danger, but he was not unmindful of the fact that he was ex- posing himself openly to a treacherous attack in the rear, and that his life hung, as it were, by a thread. Yet he knew that to falter would be, in the eyes of these rough devils, a sure sign of weak- ness and cowardice, and that, he was resolved, should not be said of him. No attack was made, however. The mutinous gang stood near the school- house, and watched him stride away, without making an effort to stop him. But there was no more school that day. Although the teacher was on deck, no scholars came. Instead of imbibing education they had all resorted to the saloons to imbibe that beverage which was Hteral death to all educational and refined ideas, Seeing this condition of affairs, Gold-dust Dick finally closed the building and took a stroll about the place. : What would be the result of the forenoon’s ae he Perens know, but fend a ey g ea 6 majority of the ulation would be down on him, = it oie to be mainly made up of the Haunted Hank type. But that they should not make a precipitate assault on him was.a thing he could not under- stand. Surely, as a body, they could not be ofraid of him, unless they were more cowardly. than the generality o towns. That night was a wild one—and only those who have ‘been thar” can have m of an idea what a wild night in the en country means, as compared with the ‘wild night storms in the East. Preceding these there is a deathly calm, which seems as if a funereal spell had come over nature; then, with a sudden moan, at first hardly audible, the wind begins to in- crease among the rocks, leaves and branches; and as the wind increases, the moaning hum and sighing increases to a loud wail, until it finally becomes a weird, dismal shriek, when the storm, in its fury, fills the air with a deluge of leaves, dirt and sticks, It was such a night, succeeding the day of Gold-dust Dick’s first attempt at keeping school in Pistolville, and the storm was at its hight, when the stage from Skeleton Flats rolled down on its way through a mountain dugway, to- ward Pistolville, whence trains of that imme- diate miaing district went eastward, every other day at sunsot. It was usual for the stage to connect with this overland train of white-roofed prairie schooners, but to-day there had been a land- slide along the route, which had delayed them into the night. Consequently the evening was well advanced toward midnight, when the pon- derous coach came tearing down over the rough mountain trail, drawn by four fractious ypens of horses, which were dextrously handled ya buriy, good-natured looking Jehu, in whose eyes gleamed a spirit of deviltry, and around whose mouth was ever an expression of humor. That he thoroughly understood his business, from long experience, was quite evident by the reckless devil-may-care way iu which he drove, and the hilarity he manifested, whenever the old ‘“‘ hearse” would careen from side to side, much to the alarm of the timid gers. Jim Jordan was a veteran of the reins, and fear of accident, or care therefor, was some- thing he never stopped to sonsider. And, to-night, the louder and fiereer roared the storm, the faster Jordan let the animals out, down the dizzy steep road, until the heavi- ly freighted vehicle seemed to rock from side to side, like a cradle, and threatened at any mo- ment to beat over the precipice that yawned dark and awful on the right-hand side of the trail. Freighted with an even score of humans was the stage—men of rough bearded visage and dirty dress, with only one woman within the coach and one outside. The woman inside was wrapped in a linen duster, wore a oopeipoee & walking-hat. and her face closely vailed, and be it said to ¢. the sterner sex witain the coach seemed to respect her for her loneliness and quiet demeanor and made no advances to- ward trying to ascertain who she was or what was her business, habitues of mining ‘* When I conciude to leave, I'll do so, The female on the outside was harum-scarum Roxie Ralph, who, with all the wildness and abandon of some wild untamed savage, sat her seat beside Jordan, and seemed to enjoy the fearful nocturnal ride, as she held her little chip hat in her hand, and let the roaring storm blow her hair in confusion about her shoulders. ‘Ob! this is jest scrumptious, Jim!” she yelled in the fearless Jehu’s ear, as they dashed down through the black rugged dugway. ‘‘ Let ’em out fer all they’re worth,” ‘(Dm afeard I’m jarriu’ ’em up a leetle, now,” Jordan gruuted, between an intermission of the tumult cf sound, of a single second’s duration, and he gave a vaguely waggish glance at a jous-looking elderly gentleman, who, just be- Bind them, was strenuously endeavoring to cling on to the top of the coach. ’ In all probability, judging by his expression, the old gent had never before in all his life in- dulged in so fearful a ride. ' ‘“Oh! he’s o’ no account!” Roxie answered, with a shrewd glance. ‘ He’s one o’ the Ply- mouth Rockers, w’ot carries lot’s 0’ expression, tracts, an’ good advice, but ain’t got no more downright religion than your kickin’, bitin’ off wheeler. I hate a hippercritt, I do!” “'Spect sol” Jordan shouted, ‘‘ Reckon you're strawberries and cream on ther new sport w’ot’s come ter Pistolville, tho’.” “Waal, no, not exactly)’ xie answered, shaking her stérm-tossed curls. ‘1 hain’t quite sized him up yet, but my impression is thet he’ll out -rock an’ gold, ef ye assay bim, no- bin’ ter say about a hull keg of giant powder, when ye te’ch him off. Oh! he’s no tenderfoot, that Gold-dust Dick!” “T reckon—whoa /” screeched Jordan loud above the storm, and be settled the horses back upon their haunches with a sudden movement of seeming superhuman strength. The cause was obvious. Roxie saw it and comprehended. Clinging to one side of the coach as it thur.- dered along into an abrupt balt, was a masked man, who held the muzzle of a large cocked re- volver close to the side of Jordan’s head, and the consciousuess of this same fact was what had caused the Jehu to halt. He knew what it meant! And so did Roxie, when she took a second peering glance about, and saw a couple more of ame men at either carriage door, and an- other, clinging to the bits of the fore leaders, For the time in the history of the Pistol- ville stage, it had been halted by those ‘ opera- tors’ known as road-agents. CHAPTER IV. ROXITE’S ACT. - Roap-aAGEnNTs had from time to time haunted nearly every district of the golden drifted Sier- ras, except the region where Pistolville and ber sister towns had sprung into existence. Said Haunted Hank, the “ pickings ” around Pistol- ville were not valuable enough to gratify the greed of a first-class gent of the road. , But of late considerable gold was flying around loose, in the town, to make no mention of the fact that every stage from Skeleton Flats brought in more or less of the “shining stuff,” for shipment to other points, by the over- land stage. ‘ The man who clung to the side of the stage d covered Jim Jordan, was a wiry athletic ellow, who looked as if he might be a hard one to handle in a tussle. His attire was dark, and the which covered his face to his chin was met at the forehead by a wide-rimmed sombrero, looped up on one side, and ornament+ ed with a feather. ’ The ideal road-agent was he, even as seen in the darkness, and his companions were similar in appearance. The one on the side of the coach was evidently the leader, for he ordered the others to ‘‘ clean out ” the passengers, while And, reaching into his eae he drew forth lowe It was a fatal action, on part. Roxie Ralph had been watching matters, narrowly, and when he leaped to the ground, she pulled a revolver from her own belt, and fired upon him. And at the same instant it seemed, she snatched the reins from Jordan's oo
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—_—-—_. hands and gave vent to a shrill yell that sent the trained animals flying down the trail. The captain of the road-agents fell backward to the ground—two others and the man at the horses’ heads, were knocked down and run over, owing to the suddenness of the action. The other two who escaped uninjured were bold enough to send a couple of flying shots after the departing stage, none of which did any damage, except that one passed through the upper portion of the “‘ plug” hat worn by the pious-appearing individual who clung to the top of the sta ve. And the stage rolled on down into Pistolville without further incident to check its progress, and, as may be supposed, after arriving Tors, the stage-coach robbery, or rather the attempt thereat, which had been frustrated by Roxie Ralph had a thorough discussion, And after every man had had his say about it, and expressed opinions as various as could be, Haunted Hank scratched his head, closed one eye, spat at a fly on the rugged wall of the saloon, and remarked: ‘“Yas, boyees, et’s a new wriukle on ther hor- rorscope, an’, twixt you, myself an’ ther nut- meg grater, I reckon ther head-gearin’ o’ that gang gets hs grub pretty nighter hum, With- out further palaver, I'll leave ye to draw your. own inferences. Ta! ta—tra-la lee!” Several days passed without further event of importance, until about a week had elapsed, when several little incidents occurred to divert the people’s minds from ordinary topics, Gold-dust Dick, since his ill success at start- ing an “ education rong oad ” in Pistolville, as the denizens termed it, had leased a small, un- paying claim of a disgusted “ tenderfoot,” put ap a little shanty on it, and made it his head- quarters and the scene of his labors. What yield rewarded his efforts no one knew, but it was surmised by would-be wise ones that he was not getting rich. One night, just as the Bourbon was about to put out lights and dismiss its rather ‘ boozy” patrons, a miner entered the place, strode up to the bar, and smote it heavily with his fist. The action aroused the attention of those as- sembled. ‘* Feller-citizena!” the miner started, with a look of profound mystery, ‘‘I would recall to yer minds a remark made some time since b our venerable brother Henery, the Ha’nted. Ts thar a galoot present who can recall to mem’ry ther expression referred to?” ‘* Waal, now, you bet!” Haddon cried, start- ing up from his seat at a card table, where he had been Lge ‘At that pecooliar period aforesaid I did beg to asseverate thet et were my se thet par meee red gang 0’ road- nts war qu red purty nigh to hum, or words tew that affeeht® ttn fo , ‘An’ ye kin bet yer boots ye weren’t fur from right! I hey reason ter know et. D’ye ther shanty o’ Gold-dust Dick is lo- A sort of grunt was the answer. ‘* Yas, I reckon ye all know,” the miner con- tinued, whose name was Briggs. ‘“‘ Waal, ye see, suspectin’ things weren’t exactly diagonal, T’ve been lurkin’ around ther skulemaster’s place oncet and awhile o’ late, and, when I war in ther vicinity last night, who d’ye suppose I see’d lurkin’ around the shanty?” ‘‘A road-agent!” suggested Rattlesnake John, brilliantly. Jobn was noted for briiliancy, by the way. | “Oh! not by a long shot! It was Silver Fox, the Lone Ponca, all in war-paint, too, Lreckon by his actions he was a erin’ slyly around fer a confab wi’ bis nibs, Gold dust Dick.” A scowl of displeasure went over the faces of those within the saloon. Silver Fox the Ponca was a person more feared by the Pistolvillians than all the road- agents, for he was a stern old war-chief of the once strong Ponca race, who had his quarters ap in aninvulnerable part of the mountains, and with a band of renegade reds from many different tribes bade defiance to those pale-faces who tried to capture him. And in many a town along the golden slopes of the Sierras a thousand dollars stood ready for the man who could get bis scalp, for a robber more expert than Silver Fox, or a foe more re- vengeful, was not known to the miners. Be it said somewhat to his credit, however, it was seldom, if ever, that the old chief began warfare or depredations against a person or place until he was first given some cause, by mi of insult or injury, hen Pistolville had fist started he had come | From that time he had sworn vengeance against the place and its citizens. Occasionally a scalpless miner or a robbed treasury came to light—all of which were pre: sumed tokens of his vengeance. Therefore the sullen looks with which the miners received the news, ‘“* An’ mind ye, thet ain’t all—no sir!” Briggs went on. ‘ To-night I antied around to see how things Jay, an’ awhile ago I see’d five masked men come down out 0’ the mountains an’ go to Gold-dust Dick’s shanty an’ enter the place, They were thar about five minnits, then the cum out, an’ thar waz six of ’em, lookin’ as nig alike as two peas. Now, how do that strike ye?” A growl of anger escaped the listeners, to whom there could only be one meaning, and that was that Gold-dust Dick was not only con- nected with the road-agents, but also was al- lied to their mortal enemy, Silver Fox the Ponca, ‘‘ An’ now what’s to be did? Ye don’t need 9 further proof that Gold-dust Dick is a ras- cal!” Haunted Hank remarked. ‘I propose we lay for him when he comes back and show him a trick learnt us by Father Lynch.” ‘* Yes! string him up—shoot him—snatch him bald-headed!” responded a dozen. ‘“No, poys, dot don’d vas fair pizness,” Dutch Joe said, from his perch on the top of a table, where he sat smoking, several de s less intoxicated than was usual with him, ‘I say, giff every man a show, if id vas no more und a circus or pigeon-shoot, I don’d t/ink dot Gold- dust Dick vas such a man ash dot.” ‘Oh! now, ye never think as otbers do,” Haunted Hank snarled... ‘‘ When ye ses that gal o’ yourn hitched up wi’ thet cut-throat, mebbe ye'll change yer polyticks.” ‘*Mine Dora marry, nix; she neffer marry nobod ys,” Dare said, proudly. ‘‘She alvays stay single, mit me.” “Oho! Then my.eyes are durned bias ef I didn’t see her huggin’ an’ kissin’ ther skule- master t’other night.” ‘‘Vot you tell me, Haddon/ You seen mine Dora kiss der schoolmaster?’ Joe demanded, fiercely. ‘* Waal, I should shudder ef I didn’t.” **T don’t p’lieve it—you vas a liar, Hank Had- don!” For a second a pinfall could have been heard within theold Bourbon. Haunted Hank turned and glared at Dare a moment as if dumfound- ed. What did it mean? Did his senses deceive him? Had Dutch Joe dared to insult him— Joe Dare, of all men, who had ever manifested a desire to run from a fight rather than to take part in one! It did not seem probable nor possible to the bully of Pistolville of whom most men stood in abject fear. et there was no denying that Joe had ut- tered the words, and now stood tipsily on his feet, looking the haunted man square in the face. “Waal, durn my boots!” the rough finally ejaculated, when he could command his speech, ‘‘ef I didn’t b’leeve “te sed thet as a joke, Jim- jam Joe, l+~I—why I’d mount ye an’ chew off yer ear!” “Tsh dot so?” Dare retorted, with a stagger and aleer. ‘I mean yoost vot I say—you vas a loafer und a liar, and off you come near me I plack both geen eyes mit blueness.” “Ye wull, wull ye?” Haunted Hank bellowed, swinging his arms and fairly dancing with rage. ‘Oh! feller-citizens, d’ye hear thet? D’ye want to see me pulverize thet Dutchman inter powdered sassingers?” \ A fro was the answer, and taking it as a signal of approval Haunted Hank leaped for- ward upon the mine-owner. But Joe got a clip at him under the left ear, and with a powerful blow knocked him half- way across the room. Springing immediately to his feet with a roar like some infuriated wild beast, the bullwbacker hurled himself once more upon the tipsy Duteh- man, and they clinched, after which they per- formed rather an impromptu waltz around the room, and finally tumbled to the floor. Here they rolled over and over, in a bear-like hug, biting and battering heads, until both groaned with pain. . Finally Haunted Hank got one of his hands loose, acd was intently engaged in choking the life out of Joe, when a door was dashed open, | Gold-dust Dick lea in across thé room, and seized the bullwhacker about his windpipe, * Let up!” the rough roared, ‘or I’ll murder e |”? me No you won't,” Gold-dust said, calmly. ‘“Tt’s your place to let up, and I'll give you just about the jerk of a lamb’s tail to do it, or Vu shut your throttle!” “First, my friend, allow me to arrest you, in the name of the law!” a voice cried—that of Tra-la-lee Charley, the gambler, and as he clapped his hand upon the schoolmaster’s shoulder, a dozen others did similarly with lev- eled revolvers. CHAPTER V. ROXIE TAKES A HAND IN, “Wat do you mean?” Richard asked, his face expressing no alarm. ‘One would think I were a horse-thief the way you come for me—or worse |” ** And so you are—worse!” Tra-la-lee Charley declared, triumphantly. ‘‘ You’re a rascal, a robber, and a biackleg, and you’re going ter git ind neck stretched, ter oncet. Out wi’ him, 7 }?? ‘But, hold on hyar, boyees!” a voice cried, and Roxie Ralph burst in m the scene, “What's the matter, heeyar?® Who sez ther skulemaster must hang? I say he sha’n’t /” And the mountain waif bounded upon the top of a table, with a pair of revolvers in her 8. The crowd stared, and several who had been disposed to see Gold-dust Dick hanged, went back and took their seats. : Roxie, though a mere child in point of size, held a powerful influence over the average Pis- tolvillian, for they all respected her, down to the most brutal of the’ roughs, and knew that she was their “‘ child of the mines.” When danger threatened the town--when messages were to be sent—when any act requir- ing skill, safety, and honesty was to be per- formed, Roxie was ever chosen, and she had done somany daringand praiseworthy things in fayor of Pistolville aud her citizens, that she badcome to be looked upon as a sort of guardian angel, and every one was willing to humor her whims, as a general thing, But one man had ever shown a disposition to gainsay her right of being a general pet, and he was the sport gambler, Tra-la-lee Charley, He had ever had a dark look for her, and when she sprung upon the table in the saloon, with the light of brave resolution in her glancing oF an ugly expression crept into his villainous countenance, ‘Td like to know what lip you’ve got in this matter?” he cried, savagely. ‘We've found out that this schoolmaster, so-called, is a traitor to the interests of every honest, peaceably dis- a citizen, and we’re goin’ to hang him, afore e has a chance to do any more mischief,” ‘Bah! I know better! Ye ain’t a-goin’ ter do nothin’ o’ the kind,” Roxie declared, in- dependently. ‘I reckon I know what's the matter wi’ your pie. But ye needn’t sweat. Miss Dora Dare is too sensible a girl to take a second thought of a galoot of your class, and, ‘asides, she despises you, an’ youknow it, Now then, w’at’s Dick Gold-dust done, so horrible” “Enough!” the gambler replied. ‘It was found thet he’s been holdin’ clandestine meetin’s wi’ our enemy, Silver Fox the Ponca; be has also been caught lettin’ masked road-agents into his shanty, an’ holdin’ secret confabs with ’em, which is clear enough that he’s one on ’em!” A grunt of approval went up from the audience. It was evident that their views coincided with those of the gambler, in this respect, and they were not backward in ex- pressing the fact, despite their respect for oxie. And Roxie, when she heard the murmur, looked them all over, with a steady unflinching gaze, her face flushed with a little surprise, Then she turned and looked at the school- master. He, standing in the firm grasp of six sturdy miners, was, to all outward appearance, un- mindful that any immediate danger threat- ened him. He was literally as cool as a cucum- ber,” \ Roxie saw it, and in the warmth of ber ardor, vould have gone over and hugged him, because he was so brave. ‘‘Mr. Gold-dust, these charges are all false are they not?” she asked, looking him straight in the ace. ‘ These accusations are not trueof ou? a Not to my knowledge,” Gold-dust replied, quietly. ‘I have not the honor of the acquain- tance of such a party as Silver Fox, and, as for the other matter, it is even more a delibe-
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who told it)” ‘Ha! you durst give me the lie!” the miner, ‘Briggs yelled, springing forward. ‘Yes, an’ yer a son-of-a-gun of a liar!” Roxie cried, leveling one of her pistols at him. ‘‘ See hyar, Briggs, you’ve got a squaw and a pap- poose, over in Cheely, au’ I'd advise ye to put on yer brakes, ef ye ever wanter see’em. I say thet et’s all a put-up job, to git up a fuss wi’ Gold-dust Dick, who’s just as square a galoot as any o’ you. What say, boys—did Rox Ralph ever lead ye afoul asnag, since she’s been yer pilot?) Waal, I reckon not; an’ now, what aire ye goin’ to do—take my word thet Gold-dust is | all straight an’ keerect, or aire ye goin’ ter pedestrianize off on yer ear?” ““T opine we'll waltz off on our oracular mem- | ber!” Tra-la-lee Charley remarked, with a re- pulsive laugh. ; ““Novody addressed you, so shut up,” Roxie retorted. ‘‘I was speaking to those whom I’ve occasionally stood by an’ did a good turn for.” ’ There was no answer, further than that given by several of the miner’s going and taking their seats, as much as to say that they would have nothing to do im the matter. ; The large mijority stood firm, however, and looked sullen. “TIT guess ther boyees knows their biz, fer all ther influence o’ petticvats,” miner Briggs cried. * Et cropps permiscuss right out, thet we won't accept o’ nothin’ less’n a lynch picnic, wi’ sponge cake an’ bug-juice fer deserts. Still, ef et ’1 let er feelin’s be any bettor, I opine we choose unted Hank ter decide ther case. Ef he sez hang—up goes ther skulemaster, ter a place whar eddication never gits a grip, an’ spellin’- | books go ter kindle fires with. Hf he sez let him free, so beit. Ea, larkies?” A gruntof approval came from the majority. ‘Hold! I object to this! Haunted Hank is Gold-dust’s enemy!” Roxie cried, “ and will, of course, decide against him.” *“*T don’t know about that!” Gold-dust said, te 3 up. “I’ve a sort o’ a notion that the Haunted is not so bad on me asthat. [a perfectly willing he shall make the decision,’ providing he thinks of—3—of—3—of 10, and shudders !” The last words were uttered with peculiar emphasis, and the speaker’s voice was altered to a deep bass. The bystanders exchanged glances—Roxie was surprised—Haunted Hank’s face became ghastly, in its pallor. He looked hard at Gold-dust Dick, through his bleared eyes; then shook his head strangely, and staggered toward the door. * Et’s all right, boys!” he uttered, hoarsely. *“You’d better set him free!” The . he left the saloon, and the crowd turned to gaze in wonderment, at the dandy school- master, miner and sport, whe had had such an unmistakable influence over the proverbial “pad-man ” of Pistolville. “You heard, gents,” Gold-dust said, bowing. *“‘Even my worst foe knew me, and recommend- ed me. dare say you will honor your own proposition.” ‘* Yes—boys, let him go,” Tra-la-lee Charley said, gruffly, ‘You get off well, now, you devil—but you’.1 get your deserts, yet!” “T have no reason to doubt your word in that respect—we shall all get our deserts, soon enough,” Dick replied. “ And as for you, young lady, accept of my thanks for your interest in my behalr.” And, with a gullant bow, the young man walked out of the saloon. In the wee sma’ hours of that same night, when the darkness was even more intense than during thestorm, a camp-fire gleamed upon the bottom of a tributary gulch opening into the main gulch, westwardly, and not more than five miles from Pistolville: The guich was extremely narrow—more of a fissure in the face of nature, than anything else —at the point where the fire had been kindled, and the great rocky rugged walls towered high and perpendicularly toward the sky, shutting out orgy all of the light of day, when day ned. ound this camp-tire three eaeome figures were lounging—figures of the shape of men, but clad to the eyes in one undivided costume, each of the furry part of buffalo-skins, giving thema shaggy and frightful appearance. What of the features above the eyes was not covered by this singular gown, was hidden by the frontis- ece of fur ca For some time these stran ings lounged upon the ground, and smoked, in supreme silence, the weird whistle of the | for we were able to learn little or nothing, ATWULUSVUSL VICK. wind through the ravine being the only sound to break the monotony. Finally footsteps brought a fourth individual to the light of the camp-fire, and this in turn brought the Jounging nondescripts to their feet, and they gathered around him. The new-comer in dress differed from the others, in that the shaggy hair was of much greater thickness and length, and of a jetty black color. He was also slightly shorter, and heavier set, and evidently a person of great strength. ‘““ Well!” he said, in a hoarse voice; ‘‘I see thou art back to the picket camp-fire of Black Hand the White Aztec. What dids’t Iearn in the camp of the pale-face miner, concerning thy errand thither?” “Thy excellency will not be pleased, I fear, one of the nondescripts broke in. ‘‘ The pale- face bravo is an Eastern man, and not the one thou hath expected. His sobriquet is Gold- dust Dick.” ‘*A bravo he is then?’ “Ay, evenso. Hecan at will hold a dozen ruftians at bay, if so he chooseth, and the power of his arm hath fury.” ‘* Perhaps he would serve me as well. Thou didst not tell me his vocation, Emanuel?” ‘‘No—he is an enigma, thy excellency. He came unto Pistolville, a schoolmaster, but lat- terly has taken to mining. That he had some underlying motive in coming to Pistolwvilile, is evident, but what it was or is, 1 am not pre- pared to declare to thee.” “Then, we will not away to our silent city, at once, for thy words impress me with a lief that the handsome sport may be of use to us. When day again dawned over Pistolville, Gold-dust Dick was up ahead of the sun, and after dispatching a breakfast of venison and corn-bread and molasses, and changing his at- tireyto his rough working garments, he set f to his placer diggin’s, a few rods distant. A system of sluice-boxes ran through his claim, of which he had the first advantages for ‘‘ wash,” being near the falls, and es water in suitable quantities. And then, , he did not have a strong yield, requiring much power. The dirt of his claim was a soft sandy sur- face, and not bard to dig, and on an average ielded about fifteen cents to the pan, and erefore, though not getting rich, he managed to pan out three to five re Bi per day, wich- out much trouble. It was a splendid sunny a 4 after the storm of the preceding night, and the birds were singing merrily from perches upon the neighboring bushes and projecting crags, as if overjoyed at the victory of the miner-bravo, of the previous night. And he had put in a couple of hours of steady work, ne ing” a pan of dirt, when he heard light foot- steps, and turned to find Roxie standing near by, leaning upon a rifle she carried. ‘*’Mornin’!” she saluted with a ish grin. ““How strives the busy little bee, to improve each shinin’ ‘pan’? How goes it—rich dirt?” ‘* Nothing to brag of, you may rest assured,” Dick replied, pausing in his work. ‘‘ Just about enough to live and kill time, you see.” “ Huamph! what’s yer object? J don’t work an’ I’ve got lots o’ rocks, too. Now an’ then i ‘buck the tiger,’ an’ make a raise, an’ then I’m heeled, for a time.” ‘*Indeed! Well, I seldom gamble, myself, unless dared, or I see a worthy object. Pleas- ant morning.” ‘‘Bet yer life, an’ I’m off after a few_birds. By the way, aire ye goin’ to marry Dora Dare?” ‘‘Marry Dora Dare? What put that into your head?” 1 ; “Oh, I reckoned you'd get struck on her purty face and refined manners, that’s all, an’ thought ef the circus war booked immegetly, I'd invite myself ter be present.” f ‘*Ha!l ha! Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, for I’ve made no calculations upon such a thing, and there is just as much prospect of my mar rying you as thereis of my wedding Miss Dare.” ‘* Pshaw! you wouldn’t bave such a harum- scarum little wild-cat as lam, would you?” and the waif’s eyes fairly glistened in their earnest- n ess. ‘‘Well, if I were matrimonially inclined, I don’t know. why you wouldn’t fill bill. But what do you think is the influence working against me here?” ‘Before answerin’ that question let me ask i was just engaged in *‘ wash-- you another: were you wanted to come here to Pistolville—that is, were you sent for?” Gold-dust Dick looked surprised. _ “ Why?” he asked, toying with his mustache and eying her sharply. ‘‘No matter; il’ve axed you a square ques- tion—answer it or not, just as you choose,” “ Weill, yes. I wassent*for, 1 was down at Chicopee, near Shasta, when I received an un- signed letter, telling me that if 1 would come to Pistolville I would learn something peculiarly and pecuniarily to my interest. Being of a dis- position to corral in all the shekels available, I at once set out for this place, not knowing for what particular sonecee. 1 was wanted, nor am I any. better apprised now. Doyouknow?’ _ « Well, I ain’t able to tell you nothin’, fer I ain’t figgered et thr’u’ my head, but by little mites ye picked up an’ consolidated now an’ then, I bev arriv’ at ther conclusion thet ther werful bad element, thet holds a full hand ereabouts, wanted a man, and wanted him purty bad, at that, and you seem to be ther man,” ‘* Think so?” ‘““T do! Moreover, I’ve just found out who you are. You're ther feller as many a miner up North has heard of—you are the famous road-agent, Deadwood Dick,” CHAPTER VL A MUCH SOUGHT-FOR MAN. Ir a thunderbolt had tallen at the feet of the miner-schoolmaster, he could hardly have shown ‘| a greater expression of surprise than he did at the declaration of Roxie. ‘‘I Deadwood Dick?’ he articulated, taking off his sombrero and scratching his head. ‘* Well, well—you seem to be off your reckon- ing for once. hat makes you think that?” ‘Oh! I surmised it from things I’ve seen and heard. Besides, you bear a striking resem- blance to the famous outlaw.” : “ Pshaw! Resembiances often get one into & deuce of a scrape. Sorry, too, I can’t agree with you about my being Deadwood Dick. He was a man, who, in the flush of bis wild career, I had quite a liking for, because of many of his manly qualities. Latterly be bas out of notice, 1 think, or at least I have seldom heara his name made a topic of public conversation. So you think Deadwood Dick was the called wan, eh?” “Tallow. I don’t know just the reason, neither. But good-day. Vl bring you back a partridge for your snpper, maybe. And then she turned away and walked up the gulch beyond the falls, finally disappearing from view. Gold-dust Dick finished his day’s work with- out again seeing her, and panned out quite a little handful of the shining flakes. Putting this ‘‘ dust” into a little pouch, he shouldered his pick and shovel and trudged away toward his shanty, glad the hard day’s labor was over. When he arrived at his unpretentious resi- dence he found Miss Dare sitting on the door- step. ; ‘“‘ Excuse me,” she said, rising with a smile— a very winning smile, too, it struck Richard— ‘‘ but have you seen anything of my father? He has not been home since late in the afternoon A pal and I am very much worried about im “T saw him last night,” Dick replied; ‘im truth, saved him from a choking at the hands of Haunted Hank. Perhaps he bas got full and is taking a snooze in some out-of-the-way place?” ‘Oh! no, ro! I fear some harm has come to him. Are you sure you have not seen him since last night? ‘* Quite sure, lady. 1 wouldn’t be alarmed if I were you, because in all probability be will turn up all safe when you are least expecting him. If you desire 1 will make some inquiries for bim.’ ‘‘ If you will beso kind I shall feel very grate- ful, sir. Iam already under man obligatians to you, for interrupting a game tween him 0. and Tra-la-lee Charley a few nights ‘‘ You know I promised to do what I could for you, and I happened in upon the zo just in time toadjourn it by inducing Mr. Dare to come with me, much to the rage and chagrin of the patent rascal whom you call Tra-la-lee Charley, who already has a pretty large share of four father’s wealth gambled away from him. But how did you find it out?” . ‘ Father told me, and, as usual, promised that he would straighten up and do better-—but alast when he gets where there is liquor his promises are all forgotten.” “I am sorry such is the case. True, he is strongly wedded to.drink, and it will probably a ~~
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~~ take a strong shock of some kind to brace him up. I will search for him, hovwever, this even- ing and talk seriously to him if I find him.” “Thank you. You are a good man and take a load of sorrow from my mind,” Miss Dare said, and then, bowing, turned away—to hide ‘ tearfuleyes, Richard Goid-dust half suspected, as he watched her till other shanties hid her from view. According to his promise, that night, after partaking of his supper, Gold-dust betook bim- self into the town ry for old Joe Dare. What had become of the old vagabond he of course had no idea, but for the young lady’s sake he resolved to make some inquiries. “It was just dark when he left his shanty, and fighting a pipe he sauntered along, not thinking of danger, and without fear of it should it be ambushed all around him. He reached the main business part of the camp without incident, and seeing a crowd around the ffice, dropped in, out of curiosity, for he ad no Pepe ion of getting any mail. *Most all of the miners and roughs who had been at the saloon the previous nigt were also lounging about now, and the glances they sent at the handsome schoolmaster were not of the most friendly character. Paying no attention to this, Richard passed en and took his place in file behind a number of mer ahead of him, inquiring for mail. As before stated, he had no reason to suppose he would receive any maii, but resolved to in- aan aoe by way of killing time than any- g else. And two his great surprise, when he asked for mail tor Richard Gold-dust, the little sbriveled- up old postmaster gozed at him sharply through his blue goggles, and handed out three ordinary- looking letters. A glance at the directions showed that two Turning to the postmaster instantly, he said, in a voice loud enough to be heard through the m There is evidently a mistake, here, sir, as one of the letters you gave me is directed to Deadwood Dick, and belongs to that party, whoever he may be!” . And then he walked haughtily away from the window, to a quiet part of the room, to read his letters. . On the way, be passed Tra-la-lee Charley, on whose face was a malicious smile, althongh he refrained from speaking out his evil thoughts, whatever they might have been. “That fellow is a rascal and a scoundrel!” was the thought that immediately popped into Gold-dust’s mind, only to pop out again, as he _ opened his letters. The first one he opened he found to his aston- ishment, was in a feminine style of chirography and a glance at the appended signature still more astonished him. Tne missive was signed ‘‘ Dora Dare.” Of the letter itself there were but a few words, as follows: “ Dear Mr. Goup-pust:— “T am almost sorry I ever met you, for I—I— but, no, I will not be so foolish! Yours, Dora Danrs.”’ If this man Richard Gold-dust—this combina- tion of bravo, sport, miner and gentleman— ve vent to a prolonged whistle of surprise, as fe finished the note, and returned it to its en- velope, he was pardonable. . The color in his cheeks had become hightened, and the expression upon his whole face and in his eyes was such as no person well could de- fine or unravel. ‘Poor fool—poor silly, passion-ruled child!” he mu‘ tered, tbe kindly light in his eyes harden- ing alittle, “Sie might have as well written all thet prompted ber to write those few words. The d-u e! Um ina confounded fine predica- ment now! I'il ve shot if [ ain't; and wnat to do I don’t know, unless I repu.se her, and that would be worse, no doubt, than were Ito strike her a blow iv the fuce. Sut, first of all, let’s see from whom this other letter comes!” He tore it open imjatiently, wondering the while if it would bring as much undesirable news a8 the first had done. No! not exactly bad news, did it bring, but it was a strange Pe something like a romance it seemed to m: “Sruent Crry,—— —, 18-. “Ricnagp Goip-pusT:— “Thou must have read of the tribe of Aztec, who, though now extinct, were once power- -ful, and whose great ments left eterna] em- blems of La ormer existence in the wild regions of the great pon the picture rocks in the deep the buried | ee seh gard elties which the pale-face explorers are year by year un- earthing? s And yet the last of the Aztecs is not! In Silent City there yet dwell a few of the once power- ful race of savages, alone in their solitude and boundless wealth, with Black Hand, the White Aztec; at theu head, Their days however are not many, nor are those of their chief. And in their last days, when their ability for warfare is gone— when peace and quiet are all they seek, a blood- thirsty red brother threatens an invasion, in order to get possession of their mines and their gold—the accumulations of untoid generations, “In fear and trembling they appeal to Black Hand for the protection he is not able to give them, and he warns them of the worst to expect, and advises them to take a new and younger chief, who shall bring with bim not to exceed a denen sturdy, moral and honest pale-faces, and protect the Aztecs and their otherwise doomed city from the attack of the red scourge of the Sierras, Silver Fox the Ponca— they to eventually inherit the last life-camps of the Aztecs, and all they leave behind. “To this the Aztec braves unanimously agreed, and left it for Black Hand to choose their new chief. Black Hand set to work to recall the trusty border- men he had met and heard of when a brother pale- face, and after thinking of them all, considering their faults, and weighing the balance, he chose of all men to fill the chieftaincy, yourself—Deaduood Dick, aliaa Richard Gold-dust, and sent for you. Thou hast come—thou knowest thy offered fortune —thou hast no choice in life but to accept. Emissaries of mine even now lurk within thy vision, didst thou but know it, and if thou wilt honor the offer of a people, go forth into the night, barehead- ed, and thou wilt be met, and guided to my camp. “Biack Hanp, the White Lstec! 4 That was all, but was enough. As much as Gold dust Dick had been sur- prised at the receipt of Dora Dare’s stranze let- ter, 1b was nothing compared with the astonish- ment which assailed him, at hehe gid the strange communication of the Aztec chief, “Tm blowed if I ain’t,tangled up, and fog- ged, for once!” he muttered, as he turned to eave the store, in which the post-office was situated. ‘ As be was passing where Tra-la-lee Charley was idly leaning against a box, the same mock- ing smile was upon the villain’s face, and gleam- ing, evil light in his eyes. Ha! ba! Did you get a letter from some forsaken wife?’ he demanded, sneeringly. ‘I thought your expression.seemed to indicate that you were brooding over family troubles!” ‘“* Presumedly you were wrong, and it will be u. well for you to mind your own business!” Gold-. poorer passed on th ly that th would have on then, only that the gawbler again opened fire: — : “*Oh! you needn’t be so pert and saucy, be- cause no one is afraid of you, my suspected Adonis!” he said flercely. ‘I dare ay you was to show up them letters, we’d all be a peg wiser as to your past an’ present.” “Then maybe | Gate ike to undertake the job of possessing them?” Gold-dust cried, turn- ing upon him so suddenly, that, rough and used to rough life as he was, the gamester flinched. “Pve a notion to give you a thrashing, you low-lived cur!” Not a word said Tra-la-lee Charley back. He knew that the schoolmaster was immeasurably his superior both ip strength and quickness, and he was wise enough to play quiet. ““Your wisdom saves you, as far as it goes!” Dick said, turning away in contempt; and leay- ing the place he went at once to his shanty, where to have quiet to ponder over the sub- stance of the communications be had received}, but to his surprise, on arriving there he found a candle lit, upon the table, and two persons sit- ting on either side of it, ardly knowing what to make of the visita- tion, he paused in the doorway, and surveyed the scene, One of the parties was an Indian chief of ad- vanced years, whose body above the belt was barren of clothing and grotesquely besmeared with war-paint, as was his face, giving him an ap ance far more hideous than handsome. belt about his waist contained a revolver, tomahawk and scalping-knife, while his scalp- lock was stuck full af nodding plumes. It needed but a glance to tell that he was a stern old sinner, while in the face of his com- panion there was nothing of the stern or brutal expression. he was a maiden of some seventeen sum- mers, with a finely molded figure, indicative of agility and strength, while her features were round and of Anglo-Saxon cast, instead of the flat sha liar to the Poncas, and her eyes large, dusky and lustrous. Her hair was of great ce, and fell below her waist in a sheeny, rippling wave. She was attired in a modern-style suit made of buckskin, the skirt reaching to within a few inches of her ankles, and the whole costume being the most elaborately braided and beaded affair Gold-dust had ever seen, many of the but- tons and ornaments being gold. Indeed, all in all, she was the prettiest Indian maiden he had ever seen, As they saw Gold-dust standing upon the threshold, both the chief and the maiden arose. * Fear not to enter your own wigwam, pale- face brave!” the red-skin said. ‘Silver Fox, the Ponca, and his princess, Starlight, seek you not except in friendship. We found pale-face absent, and so made bold to enter and await his return.” ‘So I perceive, and presumedly the Silver Fox and his daughter are welcome, as long as their motives are good,” Richard replied, enter- ing and closing the door, after which he seated himself near the fire-place and lit his pipe. ** And now, red-skin, what might you want? “Silver Fox comes at the instance of his pet and only child, Starlight!” the old chief said, gravely. “Starlight berry smart girl—welled- ucated, and know heap about pale-faces and their bite Starlight want pale-face busband, and tell Silver Fox that no red-man ebber do her. So she see Gold-dust Dick and choose bim for her great brave to succeed Silver Fox as chief of the Poncas, when hedie. What has the pale-face to say?” ‘Well, nothing to speak of, more than that I don’t calculate to hitch to any female p1 hd just at present; and, besides that, Indian gir ain’t in my line, allowin’ yours is pretty and good enough for any man!” was the reply Rich- ard Gold-dust vouchsafed. CHAPTER VIL CARDS V8. THE VOLCANO, Nor every man of Pistolville would have given the Ponca chief the answer that Gold- dust Dick did—it is doubtful if they would have dared, for Silver Fox never forgot a slight or an injury, but cherished and nurtured it until his mind’s eye maynified it large enough to be WY ie bis vengeance. ‘*Pale-tace brave great fool!” he said, in a tone that was by no means pleasant. ‘ Star- light is the pride of her nation, and at war- riors bow at her feet. Chiefs of all the red tribes of the West have sought ber, but she has refused them all, and never met her choice un- tikher eyes a few days since rested upon Gold* dust Dick. Then she told Silver Fox of the great vein where the hopes of her life were lo- cated, and wiiled it that Silver Fox should come to the pale-face Bravo and intercede in her be- half, and Silver Fox came, The heart of Star- light, Princess of the Poncas, belongs to the ale-face, and to him alone. Let the pale-face taacotore, reflect before refusing her. The marriage will make him second chief. The Poncas are about to attack another weak-hand- ed nation, the remnant of the Aztecs, who have heaps of gold stored up in their silent lodges in the depths of the wilderness. Many scalps and much riches will reward the Poncas, If Gold- dust Dick becomes the busband of starlight, he shall lead the’attack!” “Thanks for yet magnanimous offers, my noble chief, but I am in duty bound to refuse them,” the miner said, calmly, “I appreciate your compliment, but have reasons for not wishing to accede to your proposition.” ‘* What reasons?” ‘‘ Reasons of my own, which I prefer to keep to myself.” : “Ugh! Then the pale-face refuses to do honor to the Poncas?” ‘Yes, I reckon that’s about the size of it,” Dick answered. ‘**Then pale-face Dick shall live to regret it, same as other dogs in Pistolville!” the chief cried, fiercely, as he arose to depart. ‘‘ Silver Fox has sworn vengeance upon the pale-face miners, and his curse rests on you also.” ““Much obliged—come again!” Dick replied, as the two departed. , After a minute, he broke into a hearty augh: oy A good chance, that, fora man who wants a lift, but the prospects are that I shall never be adopted in a red skin family, at least while there is a chance for me to do anything else.” Later, that night, Tra-la-lee Charley left the Bourbon saloon, and went forth into the dark- ness, still smarting under the effect of the re- buff of Gold-dust Dick. / ‘Curses on the fellow!” he muttered. ‘‘ His devilish coolness and impudence fire me ’most to madness. If I don’tin some way manage to ring in a cold deal on him, before long, it’s ‘ pretty certain hell d> me harm, for it’s plain
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8 he has no love for me, and, what’s more, I’ve a half of a notion that he—” He did not conclude his muttered soliloquy, for at this same instant, there was a collision’ between him and some other person, going in the opposite direction, and both sat unceremoni- ously back upon the ground. , ‘‘Hold on! hello! what the—” the gambler began. ‘Yes, vot der duyfel vas der matter mit you?” roared the voice of Dutch Joe, through the darkness. ‘‘Who you vas? Vot you take me vor, all der vile?” “Til show you, you whisky-soaked sour- krout!” Tra-la-lee Charley growled, rising dolefully from a puddle of water, into which he had fallen. ‘‘Why don’t you git out of a fellow’s path, instead of lumbering up like a great grizzly bear? You've ruined the seat of my antaloons, you soaker.” ‘Oh! dot don’d vas of some account. Der Volcano vas good for more as one pair pritches,” Joe returned, good-naturedly. ‘‘ Vere you go- in’, Dra-la-loo Sharley.” ‘Where you’d better be goin’—home,” the gambler growled. **Oh! ish dot so? Vel, den I vil go home mit you, too, I haff got pizness mit you, Sharley.” “What business?” 2 Vel, I tole you. You vin haff der Volcano avay mit me, und got me drinking like a cod- fish, Somedings vas got to be done mit me. I play you von game. Uff I loose der rest off der mine, I make oud der papers for you, und go commit suicide. Uff I vin pack vot you vin off me, avile ago, I brace up, not drink or gamble some more, und pe mineself again.” ‘“Pshaw! don’t be a fool, Dare. I don’t want the rest of your mine, and you’d better keep what interest you’ve got, rather than to venture losing the rest.” . “Und I don’d vant you to haff no pizness around the mine, Dra-la-loo Sharley, und so I own der whole, or nothing.” “Well, have it your own way. [I'll step back and get Lawyer Javil, so that if you lose, he can draw up a deed at once, for you to si » A Dot is righd. Uff I got beat, I sign. Uff you beat, I giff you swi’ ’ours to git oud off der town. Go git der lawyer, und I vait for you here.” 2 With a repressed chuckle the gambler hur- ried back toward the Bourbon saloon, but scon returned, accompanied by a villainous- looking miner, who looked better prepared to cut throats, than to do legal work. The three men then set out for the gambler’s little shanty, which had been hastily put to- gether, inside of a week, and was tenanted by its owner when he was not elsewhere, manipulating the pasteboards. They soon arrived, and entered, and Tra-la- lee Charley fastened the door after him, so that no one need intrude. There was but one lower apartment to the shanty, and the furniture consisted of a couple of ordinary deal tables, four chairs, a cot bed, and a cumbersome old chest, in one corner. Light was furnished by a lantern suspended from the ceiling. As soon as the trio were seated, the gambler said: ‘“Mr. Javil, you may draw up a legal deed, wherein Joseph Dare, for the consideration of half a million dollars already received, deeds to me, Charles Guthrie, all right, title, and in- terest in the Volcano mine. Mr. Dare and I will then play a game of eucher, and if he wins, the deed is to be torn up, unsigned, and I am no longer to claim an in- terest in the mine. On the contrary, if he loses, I am, by his signing the deed, to become sole owner of the mine. Fou understand ?” “Perfectly!” the lawyer answered, and ‘pro- ducing paper, pen and ink, proceeded to write. In the course of twenty minutes; he had com- pleted the form of the deed, ready for signing, and read it aloud. ‘‘ Yaw, dot ish right!” Dutch Joe asserted, when he had finished. ‘“ Und, now, misder lawyer, I vant you to stand py, und see dot all is fair pez mit der game. 8 uffle up der cards, Tra-la-lee Sharley !” : ‘oa cards were pag ae Se — et oe the game bégan, each player fully alive e play instead of Joe's being sleepy, as was usual- y the case, : But alas! the fates were against him, and a groan fairly burst from his lips, as Tra-la-lee Chailey finally brought his fist down upon the table with terrific force, with a significant chuckle, as a signal that he had won. { “The Volcano is mine, Dutchy!” he said, Gold-Dust Dick. leering across the table, into Dare’s face. ‘‘ You were a fool that you did not take my advice and keep it, when you could. Sign that deed!” Dare stared at the document that was shoved in front of him, a strange gleam in his eyes. “*T don’d vas know botter I do dot, or no,” he returned. ‘‘ Uff you say I must, dot’s der very time you makes a misdake. I vas like a hog— I don’d vas drive vorth a cent; und den der is no compulsory law regarding paying gambling debts.” ‘‘There is a law of death here in the mines for those who flunk!” the gambler hissed, draw- ing a revolver; ‘‘and you’re too shrewd a man to trifls with me, Joe Dare. And then, you are too honorable to go back on your word.’ ‘‘Vas, dot vas true. I nefer go pack mit vot I say—dot’s all vot makes me sign dot deed.” He seized the pen and drew the document to- ward him, but the gambler checked him with an oath. ‘Hold on! your signature must be witnessed. What the devil has become of Javil?” For some reason unexplainable, et then the lawyer had suddenly made himself scarce, that is to say, be had unlocked the door, and left the shanty without being noticed by either gam- bler or Dare. : ‘*Cursed queer where he went to, so sudden- ly,” the former growled, going to the door, and ering out into the night. ‘‘I say, hello, avil!’ But Javil evidently did not see fit to halloa back, for there was no response to the gam- bler’s shout. ‘Dot’s all righd. Id is yoost der same uff I sign it, as dough he see-me,” be said. ‘ You frightened him off mit der’ | pe Now, yoost you giff me a receipt in full for all I owe you— say ten dollars! und den I sign dis deed!” ‘If you don’t sign it Pll murder you!” was the savage answer, as Tra-la-lee Charley once more sat down at the table, and seizing a pen, ink and paper, hastily wrote out the requi receipt and flung it to Dare. ‘But I don’d giff you der chance, See! I sign my name—Joseph Dare. Ther! It vas all gone now, my broperty, und to-morrow I go to work at miner’s wages, a wiser foo] den I haff been heretofore.” ; And, finishing his signature as he spoke, the misguided man rose from the table and _ stag- gered out of the nt aes Tra-la lee Charley closed and barred the door after him; then sat down once more at the table, his face triumphant in its expression. ‘* Tt’s mine now, fair and square, and I'll take the first opportunity to have this deed recorded, ate oer things safe, beyond peradven- ture. Ha! ha! I have not profited so badly by coming to Pistolville, after all. The Volcano mine isn’t picked up in value every day !” “No, nor it won’t profit you to any, great ex- tent for many a day to come!” a voice suddenly cried ’ The gambler uttered an oath and looked in the direction whence came the sound. The lid of the old chest was thrown open, and standing upright and erect, within the odd re- ceptacle, was Gold-dust Dick, a cool, dangerous glitter in his handsome eyes, and a pair of cocked “ five ”-shooters in his grasp. “You?” Tra-la-lee Charley gasped, flushing and palin eugene “Exactly! Individually and collectively, I!” the miner said, with emphasis. ‘I overheard the proposed game, and took it into my head to be present. The Volcano mine is not yours, Charles Guthrie.” ‘© You lie! it is mine!” the gambler retorted, seizing the deed, and thrusting it into his pocket, **T insist that it is not, and I will proceed to explain why. I came: here, well knowing that you never would let Dare win back that which you had gambled away from him. Again, I |. cams here to play you a game for that Voleano mine myself! ‘By no means. I'll not play with you,” Tra- la-lee Charley growled. f Os Phau you will,” the other reassured, tri- umphantly. ‘‘You dare not refuse, for you know I’d just as lieve shoot you as look at you —and shoot you I should, if you did not play with me.” : ‘¢ But what have you to stake against the Vol- cano?” was the demand, — ‘‘Something I know you covet— my life!” Gold-dust replied. ‘‘ Between us, it is no secret that we cordially dislike each other. Ere long one or the other of us will probably drop! So ri BS you & chance to win the drop on me, or I win the mine.” - “ Pshaw, man, you are mad!” “ Oh! no—not a bit of it. I know my busi- ness. It’s either your life or mine; you must play for mine, or Vl take yours. Go to work, now, and write a transfer assignment of the deed to me. Then we will play. No mui- ishness, now, or it will prove fatal to you, let me assure you!” Tra-la-lee Charley hesitated several minutes, his gaze riveted sullenly upon the floor. But he finally seized the pen and proceeded to obey Gold-dust’s stern command, It took him but a few moments to complete the work, being a rapid writer. Gold-dust Dick looked on, as he wrote, and when he had finished, took a seat on the oppo- site side of the table. . “Now, then, fetch out a fresh pack, and we’ll play!” he said, sternly. ‘If I lose, you shall have one of my pistols, and shoot me. If I win, you shall sign that deed, and also give me the one Dare signed, or you’re a dead man. Remembering that lam watching you, narrow- ly, it will pay you not to make any sly moves, as I’ll drop you, if you do!” The chiles did not answer, but his face was dark with passion. The cards were produced, shuffled, cut, and dealt, and the game began. In just seven minutes by the clock, which hung over the fire-place, the game was played and won. And Gold. dust Dick was the winner! “Curse on you,” Guthrie hissed. pay for this!” ‘Not this evening!” the imperturbable miner sport replied. assignment, and hand it over. No monkeying, now!”—for the enraged rascal evidently wanted to draw x pistol from his belt. “You'll He desisted, bowever, and signed the assign- : ment of the deed, and handed it to Gold-dust, - “Thank you!” Dick said. ‘‘When I get to working the Volcano, come around and maybe you can hire out to buck your head against quartz, as a crusher.” , Then, with his revolvers in hand, and a vic- torious smile on his face, he backed out of.the shanty, and was gone! After his departure, Tra-la-lee Charle t an hour in drinking and swearing, as retied for his injured feelings, and was just preparing to turn in, for the night, when Haunted thrust his head in at the door. ‘* Come!” he said sententiously. “ Why?” the gambler demanded. “Because, tbe fruit can be plucked, now, in . good condition !” . Tra-la-lee’s face brightened, and arming him- self, thoroughly, he followed the buldwhather toward the post-office! CHAPTER VIII. TRAPPING RICHARD. THROUGH the darkness of the night, the two men of similar brutish natures, hurried toward the village store, which also constituted the post-office, It was & large, long, log structure, with a rear and frout entrance, and a couple of win- dows in one side, which were now closed in by heavy shutters. Haunted Hank led the way to the rear en- trance, with cautious footsteps, which Tra-la- lee Charley imitated, as best he knew how, for despite his cumbersome size, the elder ruffian was the better trailer. : Kneeling upon the doorsill, Haddon peered in through the keyhole a few seconds—then motioned for Tra-la-lee Charley to do the same. The apartment within the aon was used as the inner part of the post-office, where mails were assorted and distributed into the number of pigeon-holes facing into the front part of the store. The only other furniture was a table, stool, stove and lamp, the latter now being lighted. At the table, upon which were many letters spread out, stood a man of erect figure, clad in black garments, with a similar colored cloak flung around his sboulders, and a black som- brero pinned up on one side, upon bis head. His face from forehead to chin, was hidden behind a black mask. ; He was actively’ engaged in examining the directions upon the envelopes, as if searching for some particular address. ‘‘ See!” Haunted Hank grunted. ‘ He’s s'arch- in’ fer a letter w’at belongs to him, an’ he’s Deadwood Dick, w’at the letter cum for, ter- night,” % Yes, and I fancy I el Sea the figure!” Tra-la-lee -Charley ied an. undertone, ‘‘ Be it Deadwood Dick, or whoever, it is also Gold-dust Dick.” ‘Have the goodness to sign that ” re
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+” ** On course, an’ they’re one an’ the same—I know’d that, quite a bit ago.” “Curse the fellow, how I hate bim; and now for my revenge. Go geta half a dozen of the boys while 1 stay on guard—quickly and cau- tiously now.” ‘All right!” Haddon replied; “‘and ye kin bet yer boots Pll stay away till arter Deadwood Dick is caged.” This latter conclusion, however, was uttered after he was well out of the hearing of Tra la- lee Charley. After he was gone the gambler crouched upon the perater. and watched his intended victim narrowly through the keyhole. _ ‘ He’s mine now, and he’ll never get a deal in on me again!” he hissed, between his clinched teeth. ‘‘When he comes out we'll nab him, and he’ll get lynch law, if I’ve got anything to say about the matter.” wood Dick (whom tbe reader has prob- ably already detected in his alias of Gold-dust Dick) soon after found the letter he was looking for, and tore it open eagerly, unaware that he was watched; for he had calculated that the Pistolvillians were all in bed, when he effected his entrance to the post-oflice for the purpose of getting possession of the letter which be had fe | earlier in the evening. The letter ran as follows: **Drapwoop Dick:— “Tt is known that you are in Pistolville, and the sheriff has received orders from the authorities, to arrest youand bring you tothe nearest military post, for trial for your many depredations, years since, Take the advice of a friend, and lose your- self in some out-of-the-way-place, wheré the name of Deadwood Dick is not known, Joun Dunn.” ‘*Humph! circumstances are coming along faster than I anticipated,” Dick muttered to himself, as he tore the. letter into fragments. ‘‘Let me see? John Dunn was rE a member of one of my Deadwood bands. * Well, Ill think over his proffered advice at leisure.” Then, turning out the lamp, he unlocked the rear door and semped outside. All was utter blackness, at this, the darkest hour before the dawn. ; . The rear door of the post-office opened into an aliey, between two buildings, which had to be traversed seve rods, before reaching the street. aA he did not have any idea that danger menaced him, Gold-dust (as we shall still call him) was cautious enough to take a sharp glance at his surroundings before leaving the door- ste Besing nothing he started on his way out of the ay arapid gait, when to his conster- nation, he suddenly tripped over a rope which was drawn across the a the ground. Ere he could make a movo to rise, half a dozen burly men had pounced upon him, and t.ough he struggled with superhuman power to rise and overthrow them, they at last succeeded in binding him band and foot, He was then carried out of the alley into the main street, and Jaid upon the ground again, while his captors crowded around him and gazed down upon him in triumph. “Ha! hal” Tra-la-lee Charley cried, sarcasti- cally. ‘‘Who has won the game, finally, my gay schoolmaster! I told you I’d pay vou off, and here you see yourself, your mask of deceit torn off, and you a helpless prisoner.” “Ob! I’m very comfortable,” Dick replied, with ironic composure. ‘‘ When I get other- wise I'll inform you.” * Will you, though? Well, I opine about the most immediate relief you'll get, will be when ou’re swingin’ toarope. Say, boys, shall we Boost him?” ‘‘] reckon thet ain’t fer us to say,” a miner declared. ‘‘Ha’nted Hank is our ‘mayor, jedge, an’ court,’ an’ we ginerally go as he ’ ‘‘You bet we do,” added. a chorus of by- standers, of whom there were by this time a score, and more coming. “But, see here!” Tra-la-lee Charley protested —‘this is all nonsense! This fellow is a mail- robber, a road-agent, and a cut-throat; and moreover, he holds a clinch onto Haunted Hank so that your noble commander dare not say his soul’s his own! You all saw how he weakened the other night? Now, ef you're go- in’ to depend on him for justice, you ain’t ago- in’ to do a thing wi’ this outlaw, but let him go an’ do as he pleases.” ‘* Mebbe ye’d like ter step in an’ fill Haunted Hank's boots,” one digger growled, with a sneer. “Of course he would!” added another. “ He’s y, and fell flat upon _ Gold-Dust Dick.” got an idea he owns the town, beca’se he’s in- terested in the Volcano,” “And he is no longer even interested in that,” Gold-dust said, ‘‘as I hold a deed from Dery to him, and an assignment from him to me ‘Then, w’at ye so big-feelin’, fer!” another miner chipped in. ‘‘We allow ef ye keep yer snoot out, we kin run ther town, ourselves, wi’ Ha’nted Hank’s help. Ef Hank sez et ain’t fair ter send ther prisoner up ter Ingersolville, I opine the majority o’ ther byees ’ll stick by him. And the murmur of assent that followed, seemed to indicate that the speaker was not ‘off ” in his reckoning. ‘ve got an ijeer,” said still another miner, ‘* Let’s call a meetin’ tew order, an’ take a vote whether we try Gold-dust Dick immegetly on cur own hooks, an’ give him the benefit o’ ther jury's verdict, or put him in a lock up, an’ send er ther sheriff or marshal to cum an’ band him over ter ther reg’lar courts. What d’ye say?” A shout of approve went up. So Haunted Hank was sent for, and prepara- tions were made to hold the election there and then, by building camp-fires, and providing torches. Haunted Hank was forthcoming, soon after, and was elected poll-tender, by unanimous con- sent. The ‘‘ polls” was a cigar-box with the lid nailed down, and a slit cut in.the top, so that ope of paper could be put in through it, he men were then told to each prepare a seis paper, and to write either *‘ At Once” or Reprieve,” upon each slip, according as tw whether they wanted Gbld~iust Dick tried at once, or handed over to the U, 8, deputy mar- shal, when he should arrive. ‘* Recollect, gehtlemen,” cried Charley, “ your. best way is to have the trial, conviction and A ca pic-nic, at once, fer ef ye lock up sech a slippery cuss as this hyar. Deadwood Dick, in a tight cast-iron cage, ten to one he'll crawl out through a flaw-hole in the iron, an’ escape. Ther best way is to make sure of him while you’ve got him.” But it was plainly not the intention of the crowd to profit lecaely by the directions of the mbler, for he had ‘‘bitten” too many of ean at cards to be popular among them, aside from his highly officious everyday demeanor. And therefore they prepared their slips of paper pretty much as pleased themselves. ome hesitated and, deliberated on the matter, while others took no time for decision. In order to have a square vote, men were dis- patched for such of the miners as had not been aroused from the slumbers, not knowing any- thing of the nocturnal demonstration out in the street. Andinside of an hour every man bad voted except two, and they were Tra-la-lee Charley and old Joe Dare. The former insisted on polling the last vote. Dare soon came reeling along, al. an unstead gait, his-hands thrust in his pockets, and his mouth wreathed in a tipsy grin. “ Vel, poys, vot is der matter?’ he asked with ahicecough, ‘* You got somedings important?” “Yes, we have, Joe,” Tra-la-lee Charley pro- posed, ‘‘We’ve just arrested Gold-dust Dick, alias Deadwood Dick, the ruffian who has been insulting your daughter. We caught him rob- bing the mails, and we're takin’ a vote to see whether we shall give him a hasty trial and string him up at once, or hold him a prisoner, until a deputy marshal can come and take charge of his nibs; and we want your vote.” ‘Ish dot so? Und you vant me to vote so dot Gold dust Dick got hung right avay off” “Yes. If you are in favor of a speedy trial, write upona blank slip of paper ‘At Once’, If you wish the marshal to have the prisoner, write upon the paper, ‘Reprieve *, and putit, in elther case, in yonder box.” “ Vel, I vote for ‘Reprieve’, den,” Dutch Joe said, ‘‘Gold-dust Dick don'’d yas do me some injury, und I vote for him.” Accordingly he penciled ‘Reprieve’ upon a slip of paper that was given him, aud deposited it in the box. “Now, then, you vote, and that is all,” saunter Hank said, addressing T'ra-la-lee Char- ey. “Yes, DP’ll vote, and I fancy my vote will bring on an immediate trial!” the villain replied, with 4 entire laugh, as he stepped toward SS wu his hands, which he intends to drop into the box!” Instantly the bler was pounced upon, and his clinched hands forced open. It was as Dora bad said. In bis right hand he clutched a package of papers so placed to- gether as to look like one, and in number there were ten, A cry of indignation escaped the crowd at this attempted act of treachery, and the miners who held the gambler, of one accord Lurled him to the ground. For a moment he lay like one dead, but he soon recovered from the shock, and with difficulty regained bis feet. ~ ** Now, you git!” Haunted Hank yelled, whip- ping out a revolver—‘‘ git, 1 say, mght out o’ this hyar town, as fast as yeou know how. I opine | don’t allow no sich varmints ter play cheat around byar, "longs I’m boss, an’ ef I ever ketch ye in this valley again, darn me fer a dragon ef I ain’t goin’ ter fill yer carcass so full o’ lead ye’ll answer fer a flock o’ sodder, Git!” ‘You mean it?” Tra-la-lee Charley cried, bis face flaming with rage. * Jest linger byarabouts an’ see fer yerself!” was Haunted Hank’s reply, with emphasis of significance. ‘Then I will go—but my curses rest on q rirl, and you'll feel the effects of them!” he cried, shaking bis fist at Dora. Then he walked away with curses upon his lips, and a look of incar- nate hatred upon his face. ‘Here! hold on vonce in avile! Don’d you vas make threats apoud mine gal, Dora, or so helb me, I smash your skull inside oud!” Dutch Joe yelled after him, doubling bis fists up in great bravado, But, if. Tra-la-lee Charley heard, he heeded not, and was quickly hidden from view in the darkness, After he was gone, Haunted Hank restored ° his revolver to its usual place, and looked the crowd over, “Waal, gents, aire all ther votes in?” he de- manded, ‘fer, if so, we'll proceed to count them!” **No!” Dora cried, advancing. “J claim a right to cast a vote in this matter, and here it is. Are you all willing I should, gentlemen?” For a second all was still as death. Then there was a murmur in the affirmative, and a few growls in the negative. “The majority altus rules, an’ the gal can vote!” Haunted Hank decided. ‘Come for- ward, siss, an’ cast yer vote, an’ then we'll Dor em ed, willing] ora obeyed, willingly. She had overheard the men who came for her father explain what was wanted of him, and made up her mind to attempt to vote, in hope of getting a temporary reprieve for Gold-dust ick, As soon as she dropped the vote into the box the lid was pried open, and the miners crowded around to see that Haunted Hank counted the votes right. One by one they were selected and deposited upon the top of a barrel in two piles—one pile ‘*for” and the otber “against.” “Tl bet all vot I don’d know dot Gold-dust Dick don’d come in for der quick trial!” old Joe shouted, But it looked, as the votes were singled out, as if the prisoner was as liable to get the benefit of a quick trial as any other way, for the votes “for” and ‘‘against” seemed to pan out in ual numbers, t was an exciting moment. Everybody had their heads craned forward to hear the result. Finally the last vote but one was counted-—the. tickets ran even in count! With a ery, Heddon held the last one up, On it was inscribed—‘ Reprieve !” Dora’s turn if was to utter a thankful cry then. It had been ber vote that had won for Gold-dust Dick a respite, ' CHAPTER IX, CONSOLIDATING FORCES. As far as capacity for villainy was concerne Tra-lnlee Charley had few equals. He ha sprung from an aristocratic and wealthy New nglund tamily, not many miles from Plymouth Rock, but, despite this fact, his early boyhood seemed to augur that he was cut out Yor no par- ticular good pur in life, although every moral and educational influence had been exert- the i ym Btop!” cried a clear, ringing voice, and who | ed over him. should ee forward but ant are, say! ntlemen, if you will take esis: you will find out that Charley has a number of ‘ At Once’ tickets in ** Stop, I ins to | fast habits, until he had finally t But he had drifted away into dissipation and brought up in ra-la-lee | Western mining haunts as a gambler and sha out of town was something Being order
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and chagrin to think that it was necessary i pessanel safety to leave. He hurried away into the mountains, and sought a place beneath a shelving ledge to pass the remainder of the night. As soon as it came daylight he arose and sat down on a rock to de- liberate. ‘* Tt’s useless to think of going back to Pistol- ville, single-handed, for l’ve got my ticket-of- leave, in dead earnest,” he muttered, with a had never counted on, and it filled him with ra to scowl. “But, Pll yet run that town, and Ill swear toit! The ones who sent me forth, shall learn that Tra-la-lee Charley is not the lad to tamely submit to insult. And, as for that vagabond’s proud daughter—oh! but I’ll yet humble her, and break her into meek submission to my will!” Soon after, the gambler arose, and plunged deeper into the mountain wilderness, by way of a narrow ravine, which, for over a mile, grew still narrower and darker, until it sud- enly debouched intoa transverse canyon of considerable width, and great natural beauty. But for the narrow ravine, this canyon could not have been reached, except by a long tour over the range of mountains, which this ravine split in twain. As_ soon as he entered the canyon, Tra-la-lee Charley directed his footsteps to the north- ward. In the course of an hour he crossed the canyon, and entered a sort of break, or niche in the foothills, and here, presently, emerged into a sort of basin, wherein were built the lodges of @ little Indian village. Mi aed order fear he walked boldly down into this age, despite the fact that a motley crowd of the painted denizens huddled about him, jabbering and gesticulating, wildly. Putting thein to one side, he approached the incipal, or ety lodge, and would probably ve entered, only that the chief made his ap- pearance in the doorway. The chief, in question, was none other than Bilver Fox the Ponca, and it was his village that the gambler had so unceremoniously en- A frown came over the face of Silver Fox, as he saw the pale-face intruder, for it was very sekiom that a white man ever entered the In- dian village. “Ugh! what brings the pale-face dog to the village of the Poncas?” he cried, sternly, with a wave of his hand for his braves to gather near, and cut off the chances of the stranger’s escape. ‘Does he not know that it means death tor those of his race to come here to the lair of the Silver Fox?” ‘Yes, 1 knew that, before coming, and yet hesitated not, because I have something for the Silver Fox to hear, that concerns him greatly.” “Then, let the pale-face enter the lodge of Silver Fox, be seated, and explain himself. If ne comes as & friend, the Poncas will spare his ‘a. “Tra-la-lee Charley comes as a friend, as the t chief will learn,” the gambler replied, as e followed the chief into the lodge. Once inside, Silver Fox motioned him to a seat on a pile of skins, while he stood near at hand, with a stoic sternness of demeanor, habit- ual with hi. “‘ Let the pale-face speak,” he ordered. “ The ears of Silver Fox are open,” ‘‘Well, I am glad, and I will first speak of myself,” Tra-la-lee Charley said. ‘Until the past night I have been a citizen of Pistolville— a gambler by profession. A few hours ago, I was driven from the town, because I took sides against one rascal and outlaw, Gold-dust Dick— the same who refused the hand of the beautiful queen of the Poncas.” The chief uttered a grunt, and looked sur- prised, but did not speak. “Tn my trouble, 1 have come to Silver Fox, to seek the position that was offered the man Gold-dust. the chief heard of the masked road-agents?” Silver Fox nodded. “I thought so!” Guthrie said. “There isa well-organized and disciplined band of them, not many miles from here, who look upon me as their leader. My willis their law. There- fore, smarting under insult and thirsting for revenge, 1 have come to Silver Fox, to propose for the hand of his daughter and the consolida- ee of rar ere forces ng one vaigesa eer , aD @ inauguration of warfare agains the pale-faces of Pistolville!” Silver Fox’s eyesgleamed with enthusiasm as he listened. ‘The pale-face Card-man plots well,” he said. ‘‘How many men has he at his com- mand?” wie | ULTULU-VUSL*VICK, “Twenty able-bodied fellows who know how to fight.” ‘““Ggh! That would make the Poncas but seventy-five strong. The white dogs number many more.”’ ‘“‘That matters not! One sudden attack would surprise them, and wipe out a goodly number, after which we could retreat and wate for another opportunity. In this way we could soon own the village and mines, and after that sailin and capture the Aztecs, as you proposed to Gold-dust Dick. Tell me, now—what think you of the matter?” ‘‘The plan of the pale-face is in accordance with the will of Silver Fox, but it is not all for him to say. Starlight must choose her hus- band for herself, But, how does the Card-man know so much about Silver Fox’s interview with Gold-dust Dick?” ‘From playing eavesdropper. But, call forth our lovely daughter, Silver Fox, and consult er in regard to this matter.” The chief stepped into an inner division of the lodge, and presently returned, accompanied by Starlight, who looked Tra la-lee Charley over with a keen, unflinching gaze. “The daughte. of Silver Fox has overheard the pale-face chief’s proposal,” the old warrior said, ‘‘ and is willing to do as her father bids, on one condition. Starlight loved Gold~dust Dick, and his refusal of her made a deep wound in her heart, Her love has now all turned to hatred, and nothing but revenge can ever ef- fect her acceptation of his hand. The con- solidation can take place at once, but Star- light will only become Tra-la-lee Charley’s Mad when he brings her the scalp of Gold dust ick, “Then it shall be my aim henceforth to ss myself of that trophy, to win my beau- ful bride with,” the gambler declared. CHAPTER X. DEADWOOD DICK STANDS REVEALED. Ir had been pretty even voting that was to decide the present fate of Gold-dust, and but for Dora Dare’s vote, and her timely intercep- tion of Tra-la-lee Charley’s rascally Let the famous ex-road agent would undoubtedly have got an immediate trial and sentence. As it was, the one vote that decided the mat- ter made it a fact to be followed, that Gold- dust was to have a respite, until a deputy U. 8S. marshal should have time to arrive and take charge of him. The result when it became known was re- ceived with a loud cheer bythose who had voted for @ respite; while the opposite party looked decidedly dissatistied over the re ite: But, there was silence in the crowd, when Haunted Hank rose among them and waved his hand as a signal for them to stop. ‘““Et’s all fair, gents,” he declared, with em- hasis. “Ye kin bet yer boots. I'd just as ieve ’a’ see’d Gold-dust Dick stretched up im- mejetly, as not; but ther majority rules, an’ all we kin do wi’ Richard, are to put him in‘a tight cage, an’ see’t he stays thar until the deputy U.S. comes to pull him under his wing.” And as Haunted Hank was still law for the Pistolvillians, it was settled that Gold-dust Dick should become a guest of the public, until esd higher authorities should, come to claim ™m. He was accordingly placed, bound hand and foot, ina strong cabin, without windows, which had been p ly built to accommodate such Pistolvillians as did not keep within the bounds of order. Around the jail thus tenanted, a guard of six sturdy miners was placed, to prevent the pris- oner from escaping—men chosen, too, from that portion of the community who had voted to keep Gold-dust Dick until the sheriff came. And so it was not highly probable that Rich- ard could gain his freedom very soon again, The news soon spread beyond the limits of Pistolville, that the notorious Deadwood Dick was at last captured, and in jail for good, and curious ones came from the adjacent camps in hopes of getting a glimpse of the famous outlaw whose name was familiar from North to South along the golden slopes of the rocky West. But Haunted Hank, who had constituted himself chief of the jail guard, took good care that no m except those of his posse should get a glimpse at the prisoner, and he even enied bimself that privilege, for reasons best known to himself. On the day following his arrest, at night, Dick sent for the ruftian, and after considerable delay he made his appearance, and was locked in the cabin with bis prisoner. His face wore a sullen, dogged expression, as be set eyes upon Gold dust, and he stood with folded arms waiting tor him to speak. ‘*Hank Haddon!” the prisoner said, survey- ing him sternly, ‘tI have called you here, ask you a question—once and for the last time, Woere is Calamity Jane?” ‘*T have been asked that by you, before, by letter, and sent the reply back that I knew nothing of such a party,” was the grim reply. ‘And upon rec:ipt of the communication, I sent you notice that, unless you delivered ber up to me, [ would kill you, upon a certain day?” ** You did.” ‘*And I presume you believe [ll do it, do you not?” ‘“*T’ll weaken thet I did ruther fear ye'd give me a dig in the back, when I wasn’t lookin’, but, now, I ain’t so much afeard,” the ruflian admitted. ; ** Because I am caged, I suppose?” “Yas. I reckon ye won’t hurt hull families, arter this.” ‘‘No; maybe not; but you can rest assured that Vu keep my word witb you, unless you come to time.” ‘*T ain’t much skeert,” the Haunted wep with bravado, “Ef you was no. a erse loosely around, I opine 1 should feel kind 0 eho Neng as she am, I feel jest as safe as ye please. “It’s a good thing you’ve got so much assur- ance. But, there is the one thing you must tell me—where is Calamity Jane?’ ‘* Again I repeat, I do notknow. I aint so bad a man as some go fer ter make me out, an’ ef yell agree ter break up i promise o’ ven- eance, I don’t know but I'll tell ye w’at I ow about the gal.” “If you explain to my satisfaction, you will have no cause to fear me. On the other band, I will accept of no trumped-up story. Sv go ahead, if you can do so without falsify ing.” ‘Waal, I reckon J kin do thet, an’ hyar’s all know about et. Shortly before ye lost track 0’ Calamity Jane, we war up in that region wi ar you were located, engaged in the legitermuto pursuit of stealin’ horses, an’ sech. By we, mean a parcel of us rough cusses, headed by Tra-la-lee Charley, who was the boss. “Waal, one day, et appears, Tra-la-lee sot eyes upon Calamity Jane, and was smutten wi? her from the word go. Anyhow, when he rid inter camp that night, he told us boys he'd seen ther prittiest woman in the hills, an’ was goin’ ter hev her “‘¥ don’t allow we paid much notice to th ontil one day he fotched her inter camp ; then reckernized her as Calamity Jane, who I used to see up Deadwood country. “Waal, she was bound hand an’ fut, and looked mighty indignant and yitiful by turns, but Tra-la-lee Charley only chuckled at her an called her his wild canary bird, and as how he would have tew take her away to his cage. Once, durin’ the three days she war kept in camp, I gota sly chance tew speak to her, an’ when she begge me to rescue ber, by the grim Moses, I told her I’d try. ef et cost Tra-la-lee’s life an’ mine, too ‘“So, when Tra-la-lee started tew take the gal tew an isolated old ranch up in the mountains, I war layin’ fer him, calky latin’ tew trail him an’ recapture Calamity; but ’twar no use, I had only got fairly into his rear when the rest 0’ the boys pounced down onter me, an’ that’s the last I saw o’ Calamity Jane. ‘*Tra-la-lee come back ter camp a couple o’ weeks later *thout her; but none o’ the boys durst question him. I reckon, tho’, et explained matters when he hung up a beautiful strip o’ woman’s soft brown hair to the lodge-pole; et satisfied me that he had done fer ber in this life, by jingo ” Deadwood, or Gold-dust Dick, listened with clouded face and flashing eyes; but, when the haunted man paused, he bowed his head and groaned. ; ‘“‘ And then it is Tra-la-lee Charley I have to kill instead of you, eh?’ he said, ‘‘ Fool yon were for not telling me this long ago! Fool I was for not killing that devil when I had a chance! Oh! that I were free—how I would hunt him down to earth! You may go, sir! My vow of vengeance against you is now revoked!” One day later, just at sunset, Roxie Ralph re- turned to Pistolville to find somewhat of a change since she had left. And the most won- derful of all was that Gold-dust Dick was the famous ex-road-agent, Deadwood Dick, and now imprisoned, awaiting the arrival of the U. 8. marshal or his deputy, “Is a downright shame, that’s what it is,” me J <*
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<< ae nt the mountain waif expostulated. ‘‘I say Gold- dust Dick war the best sort of a galoot that ever lit down in Pistolville, an’ I’l) bet my rifle that he’. never die by hangin’. If1 don’t mis- take, there’ll be n o’ considerin’ his might afore long.” And, when Roxie went to the jail and made application to see the prisoner, Haunted Hank shook bis head. ** Not much, my lassie! You’ve nothin’ to do wi’ wi’ sech a chap as Deadwood Dick, take my word fer it.” ; * Oh! ain’t I? Well, that remains to be seen. I’m of the opinion that I can see Gold-dust Dick if I choose,” Then she turned away in the stiffest kind of indignation, leaving Haunted Hank to wonder what scheme she had for gaining an interview with the imprisoned Richard of the road, True to his declaration, Old Joe Dare had sworn off, on losing his interest in the Volcano mine, and accepted work on another claim, at regular wages. ben he went home that night, after the last disastrous game, and told Dora that all was gone, the poor cbild received the news in a sort of frozen calmness. Her face was ashen white, ber lips rigidly compressed, and in ber eyes not one spark of compassion. ** | expected it, and it is but another link to- ward making me wilder than I am. There is the door, sr—go! You are henceforth no fa- ther of mine! *Vot? Gott in Himmel—vas you crazy mit ourself, my shild?’ Dare ejaculated, not nowing what to make of it. “Yes, lam crazy—mad /” Dora cried flercely, ctinching her hands together until the nails cut into the flesh—"‘ mad, and growing more wild all the time. Tell mel tell me! did you put Gold Dick in prison?” And she arose to her fullest hight, and glared down» upon him, witb the fierceness of all that the word ‘‘ mad” implied, causing Joo to shrink back in alarm. “Nol no! I haff nothing to do mit dot, my Sr I don’d vas know somedings all apoud "Well, perhaps not. Nevertheless, you are a dase ingrate—an unnatural father, and I will never more have aught to do with you. Go, air—go! or I will kill yee And above all, keep wide out of my path, hereafter.” And as she spoke, she e a dagger, clinched in her hand, and flourished it, fiercely. ‘*Go!” sbe fairly screamed, ‘and never re- turn,” ‘Yas, I vill do yoost vot you say,” Joe re- lied, and with his head bowed ae his breast, left the house, going out into the night. What afterwar pepnenine= $e capture of Deadwood Dick, and t strange nocturnal election, is already kuown to the reader. The next day, Dare procured a job, and jabored, industriously, but the scene in his own shanty haunted him, constantly. ‘I don’d vas understood all apout dot,” he muttered, dubiously. ‘“‘She act root a good deal somewhat like me, ven I vas full, but [am sure she never drank a drop, Off I don’d vas misdaken der vas some screws loose somewhere, an’ I vil keep vel oud of der reach of dot butcher-knife; I dinks I vil keep a eye oud, to gee vot vas going on. Id vas somehow a mixed- up case, anyhow.” And since he had formed this second resolve, Joe thought there could be no harm in, break- ing the first, and accordingly, that night, cele- brated the event by getting extra drunk— which effectually settled any Sotective inclina- tions he may have had. And while he slept in blissful unconscious- ness of what was going on, the serpent was en- tering his own home, and snatching away its last prize. : About half-past two in the morning, half-a- dozen horsemen silently entered the town from the south, or rather, paused upon the outskirts, in a line abreast. They were all attired in black, hats, masks and ail, and even the horses wore somber trap- pings, while their feet were carefully muffled. At the right end of the line sat Tra-la-lee Charley, and it was at his word that they had come to a halt. “There!” he said, pointing through the dim darkness of the night to the Dare shanty. “ That is the place I wish to vivit, and therein lies my — Four of us will dismount here, and steal softly forward, while the others re- main here, on guard. “if a pistol-shot greats your hearing, ride forward swiftly to our rescue, firing and mak- ing as much noise ag possible.’ Phen four left their saddles and crept stealth- ily forward toward the shanty. They soon ae a position close beside the walls of the welling. All was quiet about it. ‘IT reckon she’s gone to sleep,” Tra-la-lee Charfey said, ‘and in that event it will be an easy matter to take her. Women are generally sound sleepers.” ‘* Don’t you fool yourself about that,” ono of the outlaws chuckled. ‘&f I know. anything about the plaguey critters, nee allus awake, or sleepin’ wi’ one eye open. used to hev a better half, thet laia fer me behind the door, ail times o’ night, when I cum home, an’ thar wasn't no more use a-tryin’ ter shet her eye up than thar is tryin’ tew make a dorg sing psalms, you bet yer boots!” A grunt from several others seemed to ap- prove of this view. ‘Well, be that as it may, I don’t believe we shall have much trouble in taking this bird,” the captain replied. : And he was right. _ No difficulty was experi- enced in forcing the door, and entering the shanty; then, to snatch Dora Dare from. where she sat asleep in a chair, and bind and gag her, was but the work of a moment. . ‘‘Away with her, now, to my mountain cage!” at once ordered the vile leader. They left the cabin and bore her to the horses, Soon after, all hands had left Pistolville far behind, and were speeding through the moun- tains like the grim night-hawks they were. CHAPTER XL ™ A NEW WAY OF GOING TO JAIL. Ir was not discovered until the next morning that Dora Dare bad been abducted; then, when some chance caller did make the discovery, the following notice was found pinned to the wall, written in large pen print: “*Deem yourselves not safe or secure, even in your own homes, for Tra-la-lee Charley knows no mercy for his enemies,” The discoverer quickly communicated the in- telligence to others, andin half an hour not a rson in Pistolville but had heard of Miss are’s mysterious disappearance, and was naturally anxious over the strange warning of Tra-la-lee Charley. When old Joe was hunted up, he was found in an out-of-the-way place in a state of semi- intoxication. ‘*Mine gal Dora gone!” he ejaculated, doubt- ingly, when told ot the abduction. ‘Vel I youst t’ought she’d got mad, and run avay mit herself. Vot baff pecome of her? Did she take der house and furniture mit her?” ‘“Nol nol you don’t understand, Joe,” one of the miners. volunteered to explain. ‘‘ Your daughter has been carried off by a ruffian, into captivity—by your partner that was, in fact.” “ Vot) Tra-la-lee Sharley?” ‘* Ay! Tra-ia-lee Charley.” ‘*Und he run avay off, und take mine shild mit him?” ‘*T reckon that’s about the size of it, old man.” “Then, so helb me gracious, I vas a pig fool! Vy didn’t 1 muzzle mine bung-ho!e und stop der visky, "fore I lost all mine broperty, und finally mine girlf Ob! shimminy blazes! I feel yoost like go drownin’ myself.” ‘You've tried that on, long enough, without making a success out of it; you absorb it too fast. hy don’t you try some other tack?” Dare looked sheepish, and turned away to- ward his shanty, which to him had new lost its fairest ornament; for, despite his failings, he dearly loved his only child. And while the notice left by Tra-la-lee Char- ley created no alarm, it still excited a feeling of uneasiness, for the supposition was that he was now allied with some lawless band, — And if such were the case, and knowing his villainous disposition, as they did, they were pardonable if their belief was that be would at- tempt to wreak vengeance on those who had driven him forth from the mining town, As if to corroborate this theory, the stage came thundering into town, that night, pretty well riddled with bullets, asd with one wounded horse in the lead, and several dead and wound- ed passengers on the inside. ; “Road-agents, half-breeds, Injuns!” was the significant reply of the driver, in answer to the questions..pné to him. ‘Ye can bet yer uncle never draws reins over that air treil agin, puther! She am emphatically too hot fer me!’ Then, after he got sufficient breath, he went on to relate that a large band of mixed Indians and whites had attacked the stage, not four miles from Pistolville, and that it was only after a terrible struggle, he had been able to break away, at the peril of his own life, by shooting down the four wen who held the horses, Jack Mahone had driven the stage to and from many different mining camps, and was not the man to ‘skeer’ at moderate disturbances. But he avowed this was the worst call toward the grim land, that he had ever had, and he would never pick up a rein over that route again, so long as it was infested with road- agents. ““T tell ye!” he averred—‘‘ an’ ye’ll allow et requires a powerfull dose toskeer me—l tell ye I wouldn’t kerry a load over thet trail ag’in, at present, fer the best mine in Pistolville, fer my carcass would likely be scattered so fur, thet it would cost a mine ter get a search warrant lon enough to find all the pieces. ’Tain’t because lack the grit, but because Id like to live a little while longer. That ain't all, nuther. Ef I ain't off my kerbase, this here town will geta blast from the cusses.” ‘Pooh! They'd not stand a ghost of a show, a-fightin’ wi’ us—you bet!” Hank Haddon de- clared: ‘Thar ain’t no tribe o’ humans equal ter handlin’ us royal pards o’ Pistolville.” ‘‘ Mebbe not,” Mahone retorted, ‘‘ onlees the grab at you when your belt’s not tight, wh they'll do, most likely. Ef I war going to bet at all, 'd bet that there won’t be much left o’ Pistolville, inside of six weeks.” But the majority of the townspeople did not feel disposed to see matters in this light—so Mahone said no more. He was a rough but handsome and y sort of fellow, as fearless as a lion, at most times, and with a hear’ as true as steel to those he liked. And out of all, his heart was the truest to etty Roxie Ralph, oa whom his fancy had. t flxed, when she was a smaller girl, only to increase, as she grew toward the budding of womanhood. But wild, hoydenish, roving Roxie had never cared a fig for Jack, evidently, and what fow advances he had summoned up courage to make had been the same as wasted on desert air. That night Roxie rode into town, astride her donkey, looking as demure and independent as a rosy peach—perhaps from the fact that a number of mountain fowls were fastened to her saddle-bow. As usual, a lot of the miners, with whom she was a favorite, crowded about as she drew rein, with expressions of anxiety upon their faces, At which the elf of the mountains laughed. ‘‘Welll well! what is the matter?’ she de- manded. ‘You all look as if you’d seen a ghost, or su’thin’ of the kind. hat ails yet” “Oh! not much; only we’ve bin feelin’ the least bit dubious,” was a miner’s reply. ‘‘ Hey ye seen any avs J troubulous sens, galt’. ‘Well, yes. I see’d two grizzlies fig t, to day, an’ enjoyed the sport amazin’, n’ the joke of it all, was, that the littlest griz licked cept out of the biggest one.” “‘ But, gal, thet ain’t the p’int. Hev ye seen any Injuns? “ Tnjuns?” ° *“'Yes—Tra-la-lee Charley an’ his gang o’ red an’ white cut-throats?”’ ‘“Nary an Tnjun, tho’ I’ll allow I hev seen sum tracks, w’at savored suspiciously o’ the red eo ay Thar's tracks, too, not fur from own, A murmur of consternation passed through the audience at this news. ‘*Kind of looks dangerous, eh?” Roxie went on. ‘ Well, et struck me so, an’I guess we'll hear from some queries afore many days. Reckon, too, that the Injuns an’ road-agents have consolidated—that ‘is, in pein English ‘one in snucks,’ an’ if that’s so, et wouldn’t be stad idea fer us all ter got our hair shaved off, down close to our scalps.” “Pshaw! We can down ’em—we can down %em!” Haddon cried. ; ‘¢T should hate to risk much on et. Tra-la-lee Charley, if he’s at the helm, is a keen-edged chap, and he don’t make many moves what ain’t safe, of I remember his topographical constitu- : ? tion. The Pistolvillians needed not to be told of this fact, for on more than one occasion had the wily gambler and sport roped them in, mm vari- ous ways. 4 “1 for one think it is no more than right that; we should prepare ourselves for an anticipated attack, and thus prevent the possibility of de- feat,” a sensible miner suggested, “And, still better than that, if you fo’kes
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‘wat’s got property, want tew work it, hence- forth, can’t do a likelier thin than to give Gold-dust Dick his liberty, an’ let him have command, Mark yer darter’s word, beys—ef any man can bring about order out of chaos, he’s the man!” A murmur of dissent went up at this from the large majority. “TI ruther allow not!” a lesser rough than Horrible Hank, himself, exclaimed. ‘‘ We've got Deadwood Dick caged where he’ll kee without saltin’, an’ that’s the end of him, the deputy marshal arrives to claim him.” ‘“Well, do as ye please, my independent huckleberries; but I’ve a faint idea that you'll be glad of his services before you get out of the threatened danger. You needn’t take my word for it, neither, if you don’t want to!” And she rode on. Roxie Ralph was credited with being keen and smart, despite the fact that her father was a slugglish, listless sort of an every-day labor- ie man; but Roxie was sharper, in truth, than she was given credit for being. At any rate she was too much for the watcb- pi ruard, who patrolled the immediate vicinity eadwood Dick’s prison, and while they pate ignorant of the fact, she had, a few hours succeeding the events last narrated, geined & position on the roof of the shanty it- a eetisaktély for ote the plete was darker than usual, and, once she had gained her ele- vated positi on, there was little anger that she would he discovered. Careful always, she had formed her plans be- forehand, and there was consequently no delay when she reached the roof. Armed with a long stout lariat, she crept along the ridge-board to the wide old-fasbioned chimney, which yawned down into an open fire-place, within the Faw rope jail. Fastening one end of the rope securely around the chimney itself, she dr opiied the other down into the dark aperture, was a moment more, regardless of soot, she as gliding down the rope, and in less time than it takes to tell it, stood within the cell of Deadwood Dick. That peruaee was partly reclining on a pile of skins, w GP iy! 92 in hand, which he was reading, by aid ot the light afforded by a flick- ering candle, and, as may be imagined, he looked up, considerably ‘surprised, when he saw a very dark s Yeh of the human race standing be- — him—for Roxie was about as black as any wench could reasonably expect to be. ell,” he exclaimed, rising to a sitting pos- seit “what does this mean? Who are you, my dusiry friend?” " wie & Roxie, you bet!” was the com- , a8 the daring girl proceeded to mo! Oe he hee t aa with the lower end of ber jacke % tee eg stl think it was the Old Nick, Mr. Dead- we fn truth, I did,” the prisoner answered. *« How came you here, young lady?” ‘‘Oh! down through the chimney! I was playin’ up Santa Claus on the half-shell. Them aloots ourside said I couldn’t come in, an’ so T fist made up m mind I would ef it took all win- ter. An’ here [ am.’ “But why? It was very rash of you. You meres be discovered and subjected to much in- a ty.” ‘Oh! they dassent hurt me, not much, Be- sides, I wanted to see you an’ talk out my mind. You 860, I made up my mind that you’re a nice fellow.” Dick did not smile. The remembrance of other days when. more than one unsophisticated girl had thought the same flashed across his mind. “You are foolish to think of such a thing,” he said. ‘TI am a bold, bad, wicked man, and you sin to waste a thought onsuch as I.” “On! git out! [ aint no fdol, you bet, an’ I know when a foller’s good an’ when he ‘ain't, just by instinct.. I know you've been bad, an that every one’s hand, nigh about, bas n raised against you. But, that ain’t to say that You t be good if you ‘try. Have you got a a “T did haye a wife—may have one now, though I am inolitied to believe that she is dead. She suddenly disappeared, and I have since learned that she was stolen, by the wretch Tra- later eT eS whom you know probably better n “Yas, I reckon I’ve hearn tell on bim. An’ 80 you reckon you wouldn’t darst, even if in- clined, take a rough but honest little nugget like me, fer better or wuss, till ye found for FOr DUG Ion, sure that Mrs. Deadwood Dick, number one, was actually departed this life?” ‘‘No, I would not.” “Too bad. I'd hitch up with you in a minute, if I had the chance. But, if it ain’t possible, [ll live and die an old maid. I s’pose you’re ready to leave this place?” se When released by the proper authorities, “ But, A Pie got a better way. Climb up that ro Bie utte ateersd a startled cry as she turned and glanced in the direction of the chimney. The rope had been drawn up out of sight. Dick discovered the fact almost as soon as she, and an expression of anxiety mantled his features. ‘“You are dis¢overed,” he said. ‘It is too bad. Iam afraid it will go hard with you.” “Don’t fear forme. Iam not afeared. My only regret is that Iam not able to rescue you now. Never mind, however. IfI have failed this time, that does not signify that I .will the next.” ‘* But, will they not harm you?” “No. I am regarded as of too much value to the interests of the camp, for them to do that. Ah! here come the guards!” True enough, the door was unlocked and opened, and our men, with Haunted Hank, en- tered the prison, if such it could be termed. “Ab! my dear Miss Ralph! excuse me if I in- trude!” the king-pin of the Pistolviile roughs exclaimed, ‘‘but do you not find it rather an embarrassing position to be closeted with a oung man in sech er manner? Thort I’d ‘come ryer resky, ye see, an’ let yer out.” ou are ever 80 kind, ” Roxie replied, com- sedly. “I am reddy ‘to go. Good-by Mr. ick. I couldn’t rest till cume and tendered you spiritual consolation, seeing as you are so near the end.” Then the strange girl suffered herself to be led from the prison. “A brave girl,” Deadwood Dick muttered— “undoubtedly a noble one. Something in her prompt and confident manner puts me in wind of my poor lost Calamity Jane!” The next evening at sunset, a ragged, blear- eyed, sandy-whiskered being of the tramp per- suasion, rode into Pistolville on the stage, and, soon after, mounted an empty barrel in front of the Old Bourbon saloon, whereat he com- menced to yell and gesticulate wildly. As might be expected, there was an immedi- ate collecting of a crowd. And when the crowd had assembled to some considerable numbers, the tramp ceased his Comanche-like yells, smiled blandly, rubbed his - hands together, and exclaimed: ‘‘Gents, I am the Honorable Eurastus Eph- riam Leatherhead!” And this announcement was greeted with a loud cheer. CHAPTER XIL TRAPPED, It was not so much the words of the ah that had agitated the risibilities of the roug audience, as the adaptation of the individual to his name, From all points of consideration, no more ap- propriate handle could have been given him, than the one he laid claim to—that of Lee ther- head, and this was what struck the crowd and caused the laugh. ‘Yes, gentlemen, Eurastus Ephriam Leather- head am I!” the eccentric stranger repeated, with a benign grin, ‘‘ with Reverend itched to the fore T ain a divine, oh! my hearers, sent down here by the Apostles, to snort and exhort to you—not about comin’ sin, but about ther ree eiite of raising the price 0’ labor, so that | the workingman can live. And now, feller | hearers, Devin’ told ye what I’m heer fer, (ll step into the saloon hyar, an’take a ‘ seal-skin * to enliven my solar system, after which I'll be with you again, in the jerk of a lamb’s tail.” Bo saying the pine leaped from the barrel, and disappeared within the Bourbon. Doubting not his word, and anxious to “ get on to” what he was up to, the crowd outside waited for his return with lamb-like docility. Waited fully ten minutes and still the di came not—and there was not a man in the crowd who could not have taken at least @ dozen ‘‘ seal-skins ” in that length of time. What was the matter? Had the lecturer for- saken his calling in favor of the ‘ bug-juice ” bottle, or had he perpetrated a big sell on them? They were berinkitg to grow restless, when there came a pandemonium of yells, accompa- nied by a volley of shots. / Sager - nea had been tricked and tra trapped ped! They by the out- They rnd the victims of a surprise at And with what result? Only one volley had been fired, but that had been destructive to more than a dozen lives! while hardly a man. of the lot escaped being wounded in some manner. No sooner did the outlaws score this victory we they made a precipitate retreat out of the from behind the different shanties which had eld them in ambush. Being well mounted they had no difficulty in so doing, without loss to their number, for few shots were sent after them. The surprise had been so sudden and so ef- fective, that the victors were well away, ere the victims could recover from their consterna~- tion. When, however, the finally did, the dead and dyin were carried to their different homes and boarding-houses, and those whose curiosity had not prompted them to listen to the divine Leatherhead, acted in the capacity of surgeons and nurses. The next day the excitement was greater than during the night, for all work was sus- pended, and the uninjured part of the popula- tion clustered about in knots to discuss the matter. Among those who had been killed was the local ring leader, Haunted Hank, and several others of his kind, so the town was left in reality without a leader or boss. And this, too, when the people most needed a commander, who could circumvent any further attack from the marauders. Deadwood Dick heard of the trouble, when his breakfast of corn bread and water was brought in. “T am sorry,” he said, ‘‘and if I were per- mitted to have my liberty, I should lend a help- ing hand, so far as lies in my power.” his news was communicated to the outsiders, and while a few of them were in favor of put- ting Deadwood Dick in command, the majority loudly disapproved, and the minority, of course, had to wea aly ‘*f perpose thet we don’t hev no leader, on- less she be Roxie Ralph!” one miner advocated, **On course, she’s stuck on the outlaw, an’ she won’t want harm to come to the place, as long as he’s here.” But, Roxie wasn’t to be found. After being taken from the jail, sbe had been handed over to the care of her fatber, with or- ders that she should be kept shut up. But, that was all the good it did. When looked for, she was missing, and Mr. Ralph could not tell where, when or how she had as- ca another day passed without Pistolville “partir a head man, as ’most every rough min- — wu generally’ does, rly the third day, a posse of horsemen rede into the town and drew up at the Bourbon. The leader's attire pronounced him to be a U. 8. marshal, while his company were soldiers, evidently of the regular army. The marshal himself was not a large person, and was clad in loose-fitting garments, while his features were for the most part hidden be- neath a bushy beard. His belt bristled with weapons, however, which were at contrast with the small, shapely gloved hand, supposed to use then. ‘Well, gentlemen, ” he said, pleasantly, to the men who were lounging. about the door, I hear you've been successful in taking and hold- ing ae ag criminal for me to bag? as, I reckon we've got Deadwood Dick down fine,” one of the miners said. ‘‘ Be you the marshal?” “7 have that honor, yes, sir. Iwas informed that you held the ex-outlaw for me to take chal e of.” as, we have. He’s there in yonder jail, and the quicker you make away with him, the better et’ll suif us. But thar’s more work heer fer e to do, I reckon, aside from swingin’ off the Gold-dust galoot. Our town war night afore last set upon by a gang o’ In- juns, road-agents an’ the like, an’ thar’s severial stiffs a-layin’ around ready fer plant- in’ to show fer it. Tharfore, ye see, we want protection.” ‘* And you shall have it, es soon as I go back to head-quarters. If I hed not other important business to attend to, I would remain now and lend you what assistance I could in hunti down the party. As it is, however, I c stay with you any longer than is required bo take charge of the prisoner, and prepare him for the journey.” ey a
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es Accordingly, a dismount was made, the mar- shal was conducted to the jail, and introduced to Gold-dust Dick, alias Deadwood Dick—rath- er a mock introduction, too, it might have seemed, for it was bardly probable that either the officer or the captive could bear much love for each other, under the circumstances. “Mr. Edward Harris, I am extremely well leased to meet you,” the marshal greeted, wing, ‘‘ for tho reason that I consider it an honor to hold such a notorious character as you, in durance vile.” “ Pregumedly,” Dick responded, with com- posure, ‘‘and 1 fancy I shall be equally pleased to see you do it, my friend!” ‘‘ Ah! then you still retain your old self-reli- ance in outwitting the shrewdest of the ser- vants of the law, do you?’ “IT dare say I retain what ability I have shown heretofore in that line, sir. The law has never been so kindly toward mo. that I should any longer seek to court its favor.” “Nor have you been so law-abiding that the law will think of favoring you,” was tbe retort. ‘You will get your deserts this time without fail, and deservingly so. We shall now take you to head-quarters for trial and execution.” “Very well. While you have the power it is your duty to exercise it,” Dick replied, and permitted them to bind him, for there were too many armed men present for it to be ible for him to escape bad he been so inclin As soon as he was bound to the satisfaction of the marshal, he was led from the jail and mounted upon a horse, his feet so fastened he could not slip from the saddle. . Thr e of the soldiers then also mounted, and two vode beside Dick to the edge of the town, \. ..a the third brought up the rear with a cocxed rifle, and ready for use. At the edge of the town a halt and wait was made for the remainder of the party to join them, which was done about an hour later, when all hands set out toward the south-east at an easy gallop. Dick was kept in the same position as that in which he started, the majority of the company following behind. Not a word was spoken nor a halt made until the noonday sun burst from behind banks of clouds just as they reached a ford on a small, = stream. ere the others dismounted, and the horses were put out to graze, but Deadwood Dick was kept in bis saddle and fed a few mouthfuls of jerked venison by the marshal. After an hour the stream was crossed and the journey resumed in the same order as before. Dick made sundry little observations as they jogged along which convinced him that, in- stead of going away from Pistolville, they were in reality circling back toward it. What reason there could be for doing this he could not for the life of him imagine: They were pow once more among the foot- hills of the same range wherein Pistolville was located, and night coming on—what ible object could there have been in making the wide detour that was bringing them back within no great distance of the original starting-point? Night soon began to deepen, and, owing to their route through the depths of a mountain, it was dark there sooner than in the outer world, When it was almost too dark to longer travel the party drew rein and dismounted, and Dick was also taken from the saddle and allowed the use of his feet, while a lariat was noosed about his neck and tied to an overhanging limb, se curing him much the same as a horse would have been. The soldiers then proceeded to build cam fires, and prepare an evening repast, while tho marshal unstrapped a bundle from his saddle- bow, and set off up the gulch on foot, This began to give Dick a suspicion that all was not exactly as it appeared, and he waited with eagerness for the official’s return. But, instead of the officer, he soon after saw Roxie Ralph saunter leisurely into camp, with a bundle under her arm. He then understood it all. It had been Roxie whe had released him from —s in Pistolville, she assuming the dis- guise of a marshal. And, right well she’had succeeded, for in ber make-up,” she betrayed no femininity what- ever. But, who were her companions? As if she interpreted his thoughts, and wished to answer them, she came toward him, a liar smile upon her face. ‘Well, I suppose you’ve tumbled to the game, by this time, haven’t you?” she said, unloosen- Gold-Dust Dick. ing the noose from his neck, and cutting the thongs that bound him. ‘I am the marshal.” ‘*T had just arrived at that conctusion before you spoke. Why did you do such a thing?” ** Because I chose. If I hadn’t, the real mar- shal would have soon popped along, pop you before a judge and jury, and off would went sg spirit to some other clime. If ye don’t ike bein’ set free, I opine that you can hoof et back to Pistolville, and surrender yerself.” ‘‘Thank you, I don’t believo I'll hardly do that since you’ve taken so much pains to liberate me. But, who are these men who have been working with you?’ ‘* A party of secret miners in soldier’s disguise, who are making for the heart of Indian terri- tory, on the sly, to explorefor gold. I met ’em, laid my case before them and finally succoeded in hiring them to give you a lift.” ‘*For which service I am very grateful to- ward them, as well as yourself,” Dick said, bow- ing. wal, I dunno as et was hardly a legal purceeding,” a big strapping fellow averred who appeared to stand in as a sort of leader o the gang, as well as a spokesman for them. * But ye see et war kinder a hard thing to re- fuse a little gal like this; an’ then, when she told me who ye was, I remembered that a brother o’ Anine used to be with yer y up in Dead- wood country, and as how I’d heered him say w’at you was a square sorto’ galoot. So I sez to the boys, we’ll give him his og. ** Again I thank you. Although Hberty can- not be the same to me as it is to other men, I none the less appreciate it, all the more so cause I have a mission to fulfill.” ‘“ What is that?” Roxie asked. *“ Hunt down the rascal who boasts of the name of Tra-la-lee Charley. I have a settle- ment to effect with him.” “Then we will remain here till morning, when I'll go with you if you will allow.” ‘‘Thanking you, I would prefer to go alone,” Deadwood Dick responded, gloomily. CHAPTER XIII STARLIGHT'’S JEALOUSY—AND OLD JOE'S ADVENTURE. Ir had been a bad move for Tra-la-lee Charley, when he captured and carried off Dora Dare, for soon found out that she was demented and that fact made her no longer an object of admiration to him, but rather, one of fear and disgust. He dare not let her go free, for he knew she was so reece 4 crazy that it would not augur to his od health for her to be roaming around; there- ore he kept her locked po oh a lone cabin, in the mountains, where she couki do nobody any harm but herself, and sent one of his men, every other ~~ to supply her with food. ut, careful though he was to keep everything away from Starlight, the Ponca princess, she in some way found out enough to arouse all the jeal- ousy in her nature; and as a consequence, Tra-la-lee Charley was one evening summoned to the lodge of Silver Fox. Not dreaming that anything had gone wrong, he answered the summons, immediately, and found the old chief and his daughter seated within the for mer’s wigwam, Silver Fox smoking his long pipe. ‘The great chief of the Poncas sent for me, did he not?’’ the villain asked, as he entered, and threw himself carelessly upon a pile of skins. ** Ay, Silver Fox sent for white dog,”’ was the grim nse. ‘Silver Fox feel great anger in his heart, and want white dog to take his braves and go.” ‘“What the devil is the matter? What haveI done to merit this sudden dismiseal, pray?” Tra-la-lee Charley demanded, not knowing what to make of it, for since allying himself and band with the Poncas, everything had worked harmoniously. “Has the pale-face traitor any cause to ask that? Can he think of no deed he has committed, which would give Starlight great anger?” the Indian girl broke forth, harem ; “Not that I oalt to mind, just now,” the outlaw replied, although he had already guessed what she was getting at. “Wagh! pale-face lies!” Silver Fox cried. ‘ Pale- face keep not his word. Pale-face ask Silver Fox for his danghter—now, he got white wife.” ‘** Ab! how know you this?” “ By the way in which the red-man finds out where hides the enemy,” was the reply. ‘ The pale-face was watched, his secret squaw was discovered! Ugh!"’ cs Well, I am sorry about that,” beak a poe “ a you with unruffled com 50) such a tramp, for d vering so little. Instead of being m e, the poor creature you found me visit: ie no less a personage than my own sister— my sister!" Y Paleface lie / Bilver Fox growled. exclaimed. ‘‘Why does he rev | le-face squaw 8 to do them injury.” 13 liar. The girl is not your sister, nor your wife, even. She belongs at the settlement, and her name is Dora Dare!"’ Tra-la-lee wilted at this. He had been deliberate- ly caught in his own lie, after supposing he was safe in telling it, and as a consequence, did not know hardl what to say for a few minutes thereafter. ‘Well, since you seem to know 80 much about it T don’t know as there is any use in denial, and per- haps you can inform me for what purpose [hold her a captive?” “For no good purpose. The warrior who makes war on women is a dog soldier—worse than a snake,” Silver Fox said. ‘The pale-face squaw may go} Starlight can never be his,” me right! Iain’t very particular on that score, ia you,” was the reply, as the renegade left the ge. Once outside his seemi composure vanished, and a dark scowl came over his face. “It's. a cussed bad piece of luck, Between the two fires, I'm in danger of getting scorched. If I had pe hk when I was well off, I'd have let the Dare girl one,’’ Joe Dare could not rest. The knowledge that his daughter was in the pow- er of his former villainous associate gave him great uneasiness, knowing that Tra-la-lee Charley was a very devil, when angered, who took pleasure in his acts of wickedness. Therefore unable to longer remain in Pistolville without making an effort to find her, he set forth into the mountains the morning after Deadwood Dick's resoue, “T vill dry und vind her, und uff I don'd vas do id, aeons can’t blame me,’’ was his uttered reflection. 1 tee long he wandered through the rugged mountainous country, and when night began to fall he was some twenty miles from any habitation, the nearest be at tolville. This fact an to occur to him as the darkness came creeping on, for be it said, Dutch Joe was not the bravest man in the world, especially when it was a dark night and he was alone. “T don'’d vas like dis so mooch as I might. I vish I don’d come so far away vrom home, allde vile, Id vas mighty lonelysome ven id got dark." This fact was not alleviated any by anotber one particularly noticeable, which was that a heavy rain-storm was impending. Dark clouds were a Pegs 2 to rollup on the hor- — threateningly, and the thunder began to mutter omino , Dare well knew that a thunder-storm in the moun- tains at that particular time of year was a thing not. easant to encounter, as it usually raged with erceness, to sa. nothing about the danger from lightning, which had left fhe mark of its blast upon more than one tree and rock, “Id vas goin’ to dunder und lightning too, und I'll bet a do dot I got struck, yoost vor not know- in’ enough to stay to home, hl! mpestous. vot a vooll yas! Idon’d know vot to do, ff I stay oud in de rainI get wet—if I Ret under some shelter, I get struck mit lightning all der vile, und melted all oop into a chunk of gravy. Oh! shimminy! uff I had dot girl here, I'd preak her eye yoost for gettin’ me into such a scrape.” And the poor féllow nearly cried, so desperate did the situation seem to him. To remain where he was in darkness and storm seemed horrible. He began to cast about him for a place of shelter. He was at the bottom of a narrow ravine, and hurried on up its course. In a few minutes he came to a black aprape in the walls of the passage, like to the mouth of a cave. “Ah! dot vas goot,”’ was the decision. ‘‘I crawl in there, and get avay from der dunder, lightning and the storm, I vonder if der vas some snakes or other animals in dere?” Inclined to be sure, before venturing 2, however, he gathered a number of rocks, and began to hurl them into the black place, which had anything but an inviting appearance. No wild animals made their appearance, and, sat- isfied that the hole was uninhabited by them, he crept doubtfully in. 1e opening was just about large enough to admit of his entrance, and ran back into the rock for a considerable distance, After he got in a couple lenses of his body, he found the passage growing wider which induced him to go on further, his fear somewhat abated. In this way_he crept along through the strange subterranean flue, until he at length debouched upon a level sort of plateau, hemmed in on every side by towering walls of rock. ‘ The flue had probably at some remote age been a water-course or cadlen and the strange basin a mountain lake. Across the plateau was a similar opening in an- other wall of rock. “Vell, I hope to die uff dose ain'd der funniest thing I effer see,’ Joe exclaimed in wonderment. “A veller could lif here a whole life, mitoud being visited py his mudder-in-law und relations. I von- der where der odder hole goesto. I dink I von't ex- plore id to-night!" It was raining down into the basin, and so he turned and crept into the flue, which afforded good shelter. Here he stretched himself for a good snooze, but on second thought he crept on still further into the paseeen, so that he could not hear the thunder. ‘He had not lain there agane he heard a sound as though some one or something was creeping toward him. Quickly raising bis head—and it is unnecessary to state that bis hair raised even sooner than his head—
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i4 he Hstened attentively, but heard no repetition of the sound. ‘*I guess dot vas a freak mit my imagination,” Joe muttered. “If id vas somepody, I vould heer ‘em now.” Nevertheless he felt very nervous, and kept a watch in the direction whence came the sound. Ten minutes passed and still he heard nothing, but mies his gaze became riveted upon a cou- ple of small fiery objects in the distance, like two tiny balls of fire. “ Hello, vot ish dot?” he muttered, a chil) of terror creeping down his spine, ‘I'll beta half a dollar dot vas two vellers smokin’ cigars. Ob! dunder! uff { vas only back in Pistotville!’ A steady glance at the two sparks, soon satisfied hiin that they were approaching nearer and nearer. What was he to do’ There was nothing but retreat into the basin. Starlight the Ponca was even more jealous than Tra-la-lee Charley had supposed, and her jealousy was of a revengeful nature, Not long after her interview with her faithless suitor, she stole out of the village to the corral just beyoud, and selecting out a fine pony, moun it, and eke Early nightfall saw her draw rein before a rude old log cabin°among the mountains, miles from her own village. She dismounted. Leaving her horse to graze, she Bacay the door, and tried it. t opened without difficulty and she entered. There was but ope room and this was now un- sen ghe | + ped!" the girl hissed, i if as escaped!" the , in @ passion. “This is the place where she was confined, and she is not here. It is luckyforhber! If Su light had | are exhaustless.”’ found her, she would have taken her p, and ches itat her belt as a trophy to show Tra-la- CS) ey.’ ‘Were you making those remarks about me f"’ Btarlight started and looked toward the door at sound of the voice. Dora Dare stood there, a terrible picture to look at. CHAPTER XIV. “ THE SILENT CITY—A TERRIBLE ACT--DICK ON THE TRAIL AGAIN. To return to Joe Dare, the frightened Dutchman ti - not aie ee than fift wi on his retreat, vheu a yell of horror escaped his lips. Some person had seized firmly hold of his lower | extremities, at the ankles, and held them as though {n 4 gripe of iron. “Hello! let up dere! Vot you vas mean by all of aed aT at eae he yelled, attempting to release meet. , ; Then some one else grabbed him around the throat, and Joe was able to discern an Indian, hang- ing we fiery eyeballs it was he had DE seed app: ; His heart now sunk within him, and he gave vent to a lusty yell. “Stop! murder! murder!” he yelled. “Oh! ere me, Mr. Injun, und I neffer come here again. h! please don’d vas take my scalb, for I vant to use him yet awhiie!” . For answer the terrified Dutchman was d ed, along through the subterranean } until the basin was , when he was p upon his feet, stillin the grasp of his two captors, both of whom were as savage-looking red-men as he had ever seen. “Now, see heer—stop avile,” he said, as the two captors began to peer into his face, and make queer maces. “I don’d vas vant you vellers to t’ink Tam afraid of you, vor lain’d. I’m von off der baddest faces, ven I got riled, vot you neffer see, und I pet you yoost swei dollar ther healthiest thing you can do, vas let me go.” This expostulation, however, did not appear to | pe poe the brawny savages, for they o} led ani Proceetes to march him across the tom of the in, to the other aperture. This was larger, and they could walk in it, in a half-bent way, instead of crawling, as they had through the other one. After follo it a few seconds, they debouched into a large subterranean cavern or room, w high rocky ceiling was studded with pendants of rock, as though hung and hardened there, by ages of formation. ; Within the cavern were perhaps a dozen skin | lod es, in front of the most of which fires were bea , the smoke of which ascended in crevices in e ceiling. About ta the center of the cavern was a fixture re- | sembling a well-curb, around a shaft which de- | scended into the earth, or rock. To the right of | this a bo y of Indians were‘drawn up, four abreast, faciuz the cavern’s entrance, all armed with toma- hawks and long spears. Like Dares two captors, they were very faunt and unnatural cimeus of the human althougl evidently possessed of a great amount of brute strenpth, if not aki, in wa ; while, with exception of breech-cloth, they were quite naked. As Joe and his ees entered the cavern, there | ’ was a roll like the beating of a drum; the warriors } held their spears forward, in a warlike attitude, | and a man came forward from one of the lodges, rage Ptr p25 Aoeenyew prewr pagpanmeapnag how j He was none other than Black Hand, the White | Aztec, and as the reader has probably surmised, this was the Silent City of the Aztecs, which Gold- | dust had been invited to preside over. H Joe's two guards marched him firmly forward, | | Savage nianiac, and the Ponca | further | j rosa here's my revolvers and rifle; take them, so t with } Gold-Dust Dick. until he stood a few feet from the White Aztec, who arded him sternly. li You area white man?’ he said, rather interrog- a vely. “Vel, if I know any dings apoud it, I dink ash wl am,” Joe replied, not knowing whether to be raid, or no, ‘ Anyhow, Idon'd neffer vas called a tt? ‘But what brings you here to the Silent City of the Aztecs?" 2 ‘Two big Injines vot you see here. I crawl mit a hole inside, und yoost ven I vant to sleeb, von ketch me py der heels, and der odder one py der head, and make me coome along mit dem.” ** Where did you come from, sir?” : ** Pistolville, py gracious, und I only vish I vas pack there gabe! “ What is your name?" * Joe Dare.” ““Ab! I have heard of you. Now, Mr. Dare, Tam rather sorry you ventu here, for it will be neces- sary for you to take up your permanent residence, with us, as, those who discover our secret city, we never permit to go forth to betray ite existence to others.” “ But, yoost let me go pack to Pistolville, und so helb me gracious, I nefer say a vord about der blace, or you, or der Injines.”’ “That is impossible. You must remain bere with tery pS age one of Sa ingim be Wel I jest ot? me me von C) » now, reckon pater “You do not necessarily. become an Indian, but you remain with us, and work with us, If you do that, eventually you become owner of all this vast domain—this &° den subterranean city, which con- tains the yield of years of mining, and whose veins “Vel, if dot ish so, I'll t’ink about it,’’ Joe replied, rather liking the picture.”’ Once pretty and good to look upon, Dora Dare no longer possessed those features, as seen by the Ponca, girl. Her face was scratched, bleeding and haggard, her eyes wild and unnatural in their glare, her hair disheveled. Her dress was torn into shreds, and no shoes were upon her feet. She looked like some crazy witch of forty, miore than like her former young blithe self. The glance that she sent at Starlight was that of a girl inwardly wished that she had undertaken an easier job. “You were speaking of met’ the demented girl repeated—this time tively. ‘*I overheard you. You came here to kill me.”" “Yes, and that's my intention yet!"’ was the fierce response, “You lover of Tra-la-lec Charley, and J take your scalp.” “Ha! halha! You talk of taking my scalp! Why, you can’t touch a hair of my head. I'l) kill you, in- stead, because you tried to get my lover, Gold-dust Dick, away from me.» Yes, Pll kill you before you leave this place!" And drawing a long knife, she flourished it, warn- ingly. We shall see about that!’ Starlight exclaimed, and she, too, drew a knife from her belt, ready for use. Then the two girls stood for.an instant, glaring at each other with all the hatred of two tigresses. But for an instant, only; then, with a simultane- ous cry, they sprung toward each other, with uplift- ed blades; there was a clash of steel nst steel— then a shriek of mortal agony. and a fall. It was not Starlight who fell; it was poor Dora Dare, with a knife thrust through her side. She scarcely stirred after reaching the floor, so instant had been her death. We will pass over the sickening scene which fol- lowed. Suitica to say that when the Ponca princess left the lone cabin, wore at her belt the reeking scalp of the girl she had slain! On the morning following his release, Deadwood Dick bade adieu to his rescuers, including Roxie, whom he advised to return to Pistolville, and set out on foot, as he said, to hunt down Tra-la-lee Chariey. He had to go on foot because he had no herse, nor any wherewithal to purchase a horse with. “You'd better kt me along with ye,”’ Roxie said, as he was about to leave. ‘Why, I won't be the least trou to you, whatever, and you may need a helping hand.’ “ll take chances on that, anyhow. I could not for a moment think of allowing you to venture.into r than you have already risked for my sake. You have friends and relatives—I have none. If I shoukd go under no one would be to blame for it—no one to mourn for me.” : ‘Well, I guess thar'd be about one mourner, at least. But, if you will go, and won't let me go with ———— ee ve something to protect yourself * Thank you. Iwill accept one of your revolvers y first eed acon or ed -alin I hap you will —no more. The | pen to down, I will deprive of his rifle.” Accordingly heac Lone of Roxie’s revolvers, and once more bidding all adieu, he set forth. It took him until about noon to get out from among the foothills; then, ing his course ac- cording to Roxie’s directions, he set_out for the In- dian vill of the Poncas, where he expected to find Tra-la-lee Charley, traveling ily until nightfall, when he paused by:a little stream of clear running water, lighted a fire, ate the jerked veni- son end buffalo-meat which the soldiers had kindly given him,and stretching himself out by his fire suc. | ae re ceeded in putting in a good night's sleep, not awak- ening until broad daylight the next morning. As near as he could judge he still had nearly a day's journey to reach the Ponca village, but set out with good spirit and at sunset had gained an elevation which overlooked the Indian vy 6, a3 it nestled in its little natural basin. A few braves were moving among the lodges, and a number of dogs barking. ‘*Treckon I'd better wait till ft gets dark, before I make any move, as it is going to rain, and thunder, and that will be favorable. 1 must manage to cap- ture the rufflan, and force him to tell me what he knows concerning the fate of Calamity. If he has harmed a hair of her head he'll find that the old maxim stilt holds true—that. Deadwood Dick never forgets an enemy or a friend. More than one mis- erable wretch has found this out, I fancy.” So he waited at a safe distance from the village, until the fury of the storm was about at its hight; then with revolver in hand, he crépt toward the lit- tle valley and the Ponca lodges. The wind was blowing fiercely, and dri tor- rents of rain before it; the lightning flashed viciousty spa the thunder crashed until the very earth tren Deadwood Dick safely reached the vicinity of the lodges and paused, to make such reconnoissance as he was able in the Stygian darkness, “T shall have tohunt for my man, in each lodge, till I find him,”’ Dick. concluded, He crept toward the nearest tent, and had nearty reached it, when suddenly there was a whizzing sound, and before he could leap to one side a laéso settled around his waist, pinioning his arms to his side and jerked him to the ground. Ere he could rise or extricate himself a foot was planted firmly upon his breast and a pair of revol vers shoved close to his face. ne And the person who held them was Starlight, the onea. CHAPTER X¥. CONCLUBION. “Ha! ha!” she cried, her voice audible to him, but not to others. ‘‘ You thought to steal a surprise on the Poncas, didn’t you? But it is my privilege to prevent that, You are my prisoner, and your sealp shall hang at the belt of Starlight.” ; ‘* Presume so,’’ was Dick’s terse reply. ‘“What brought the pale-face here?” the princess asked. ‘' Did he regret his decision and come to take Starlight as his bride?" : ‘* Well, no—not that I am aware of,” was Dick’s unequivocal answer. “Then you will not have Starlight, eh?” “Not under any consideration. lf you are partic ularly eager to secure a better-half while you are youme and pretty, you'd better select one of tho ucks from your own tribe.” Withouta word of answer she turned ard uttered a re lar ie above the shriek of the storm, and al- most instantly a gang of red-ekins poured from the lodges, beaded by Tra-lalee Charley, and ap- proached the spot where Starlight held her prisoner. ‘* Hello! what have we here?’’ the outlaw cried, “Ag TI live, it.is Deadwood Dick!” , “No! itis Gold-dust Dick!" Starlight cried, ‘‘ and he is the prisoner of Starlight. He refueed the love ot the princess of the Poneas; and to-morrow be shall be bound to the stake and burned, and his scalp torn off. Starlight has said it!” “Hurra! That’s the ticket!’ Tra-la-lee Charley yelled. ‘There'll be no marshal to wait for in this case. Bring along the captured cur.” Although outlandish in talk, and decidedly clumsy in yee ie Joe Dare was capable of a te good ideas, when, he had any reason to use em. He saw that he could not, in all probability, escape ust at preety and so decided to preterd to wed imself to the life of the Poncas, in order to disarm their vigilance, when there would be a better show for him to escape. ; Therefore he expressed himself as willing to join, and was forced to swear never to leave the cavern, except in company with the Aztecs, after which he was assigned a lodge, Black Hand at the sarne time warning him that en attempt to escape would be punishable with death, So he spent the balance of the night in his tent, in sleep. The next morning he sauntered forth, once more into the great cavern, which still had the appear- ance of night, as torches and fires had to_be burned at day, as well as night, to supply the subterranean city. with light, none coming from the outer world, and not very much air. : The strange-looking savages were mostly busied in cooking their morning meals of ccffee and bear- steak, and as Joe would pass along, inspecting their methods, they would bob their beads, respectfully, and some of them tender bim a piece of meat. * Dot vas a purty goot vay—I dinks I pay ’em alla visit—den I no haff to get rome preakfast, minesett. Dose vellers are purdy goot Injines, after al.” Bo he “i from one camp-fire to another, and by the time he had made a to them all, his ap- petite was quite pesteted. \To his as Cmte Tune he came to the. last camp-fire, over which Black Hand wes cooking, he found a white girl sitting near at hand, on some skins, with her hands bound behind her back. “ Hello! vot ish dot? Got some odder white per- son. here, “besides myself, eh?” Joe said, pausing, and noting that she was very pretty, although her attire was plain, and somewhat tattered and torn. “Yes,” Black Hand replied, grufly. ‘“‘We are Spee. a
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— Spe. - the girl up on oily meats, for sacrifice to the Great Spirit, you see. “Every fourth full moon, it is the custom of the Aztecs to make a sacrifice to the Great Spirit, and the fair captive you see, is the next one to come.” “Und you vas goin’ to scalb her?"’ Joe demanded, tn horror. “Oh! no. When fat enough so she will burn well, we roast her at the stake, so that her spirit can pass up in smoke to the Great Spirit.” “Und fursd you know, you vil pe roastin’ me der same vay, eh?’ “Tf you should commit a misdemeanor, yes.” Joe tairly groaned as he turned to another part of ne By suntan, Yee van ghieiae 3 dings vot - mminy, dot vas grueller den any vo’ I neffer hearn tell of,” he muttered. ‘‘ But, I'll Just bet dot dey don'd vas roast dis Dutchman. [ll vatch my chanoe, all der while, an’ der fursd oppordunity he I vill dake dergral und skip der Dra-la-loo.” ut it looked as if he was not destined to get an opportunity to even speak to the intended victim ot sacrifice, for she was soon after taken lato the », and a guard stationed on the outside, “Dot settles dot,’’ Joe mu But that night, when in his lodge, there came stealthy footsteps, and the captive girl entered, and burst into rs almost immediately after- ward He al o 9 are & sien? to me, are ree pete § on'd got some gru against you, dot I know enxt tan spa dee meted. “Oh! then, come; let us try to escape from this If I stay here I will be killed, and you too, it likely.” “Who you vas, anyhow? Vot’s your name, an’ vare ey pelong?”’ p “T belong far from here. Iam the wife of Dead- wood Dick—perhaps you may have heard of him. One time I was known as Calamity Jane.” ‘Ish dot so? Vy, Deadwood Dick vas in Pistol- ville the other day, in jail, but some vellers come along an’ let him out.” “Thank heaven for that! Do you suppose we could find him if we get away from here?” “Vel, maybe.”’ Joe not tell her that, as he supposed, the mar- ghal had taken Dick of to'the nearest_military post or rn Poor Calamity! She looked worn and haggard —enough— but a shadow of her old self. “sty Joe released her of her bonds, so that she could steal forth and make reconnoissance, for the cavern ‘was densely dark, now, the fires with one or two ex- ceptions having all died out, and the Indians had generally retired to their lodges. ** Calamity soon returned, with a pair of carbines, and some ammauition. “Tt's all right, if we go as sly as cats. The redsin the lodges are all asleep, and the one at the entrance pee and we can get by him, if we’re mighty sly it.’ ‘Vel, den you bet I'll be just'as light as a musgee- ter, we declared, eagerly. “ Shall I lead off, or ul ’ “*T will lead—you follow. I fancy I know a little better than Rte do, about dodgin’.’ She accordingly stole from the lodge, with him close behind her, and toward the flue-entrance to Oo reat ‘wreaithe tepenccdliel tn pat y & sted. vy x ‘the stumbering guard, and half an hour later, a out in the gulch, free—if so be they were not pursued and recaptured. The last scene of our story changes to the Ponca In the center of the Plaza, which was encircled b the lodges, was a stout post planted in the sTOuiA, and to this Deadwood Dick was securely bound with lowing the night of his capture, It Iigleod leaked asif he was soon to pay the pen- him. Just as the sun touched the horizon, the Indians and white ruffians began to howl and screech, and perform the scalp or death dance around the When they had yelled themselves hoarse, Star- light came from her lodge, with knife in hand, and approached the stake, her eyes gleaming with wicked umph. **Gold-dust Dick, you refused to marry Starlight and Starlight will wear your scalp!” she said. Pall who wrong me I hate-—all who steal what is.mine I kill and I wedded Tra-la-lee Charley under his promise to help me be reve on you, but he layed me false, for he ight the mad girl Do : hae as his sister! Ha! I killed her and her lone. hair scalp isin my lodge. Now your scalp-loc. shall be to hers for— She said no mo: ‘or with a wonderful bound Joe Dare was at her si , , livid with rage at the revela- tion she had made. “You accursed hel-cat! Killed my child cid you?" he yelled, at thesame moment shooting her through the beartas she turned to confront him, while, as if answering his shot there came a volley from the ae and ten awe-stricken savages dro dead in their tracks. Amid the stidden shrieks and yells, into the plaza bounded two women on horseback, ring right and left. They were followed by a of soldiery, who with théir revotvers soon con- summated the work of slaughter, for, seemingly pot a red devil of all that savage horde escaped. The soldiers were the band of miners who had once before rescued Deadwood Dick, and the two GEOR. DPR women, of course, were Roxie Ralph and Calamity Jane. Roxie had followed Dick and learned of his cap- ture, and going in pursuit of the miners had over- taken them, and induced them to return to Dick's rescue. : On their way to the village they had met Calarnity and Joe Dare, and cautious A rynatiinee the In- dian village had witnessed all that transpired and stood with ready rifles to make the dash when the Ponca princess came forth, Joe Dare, recognizing Tra-la-lee Charley, had approached near enough to overhear the words of the red vixen, and infuriatea to madness had opened the attack as described. His first shot killed Starlight; his second, as Charley leaped at him with a horrible oath, was delivered right in that villain’s face, and the very oath on his lips seemed to be forced down his throat, as the ball struck his open mouth. “Das much vor mine poor gall” he screamed as he pl immediately into the bloody fray. He seemed like a demon let loose, and made an awful record on that bloody day. A word in closing. The meeting between Dick and Calamity was ‘of course joyful, after her having passed through — trying ordeals, firatas the prisoner of Tra-la- lee Charlay, by whom she had been whipped nearly to death for her bravado and deflance to him and left to dia, only to be picked up by the Aztecs. She and Dick at once set out for a more remote and inaccessible of the West, wherein to hide their identity, Dick first delivering to Joe Dare the deed he had received from Tra-la-kee Charley. Dare then returned to Pistolville, to lead a lonely but better life, while Roxie Ralph went also, and econ after became the wife of the stage-driver, Jack ne. THE END. “The Model Family Paper —AND— Most Charming of the Weeklies.” es A pure paper; good in every thing; bright, brilliant and attractive. 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1 Deadwood Dick, tax Prox or THE Roan. By Edward L. Wheeler. ellowstone Jack. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Kansas opi or, THe Rep RiguT Hann. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F, Cody) 4 Whe’ Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain Mayne Reid and Captain brederick Whittaker, ¢& Vagabond Joe, THE Youne WANDERING Jew; ‘Or, PuorTrne FoR 4 Legacy. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon ‘rapper. By EK. &. Ellis. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, THE OckAN Ovt- cast. By Col. Preatiss Ingraham. 8 Seth Jones. By Edward 8. Ellis, 9 Adveutures of Baron Munchausen, O Nat Todd. By £5. Ellis. a The Two Detectives. By A.W. Aiken, Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. The Dumb Spy. By Oil Coomes. Aladdiny or, THe Wonperrut Lamp, The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe. (27 Llustrations.) Ralph Boy, Tar Boy Buccaneer; or, Tax Fueittve Yacur. By Col. Prentiss In m. 8 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. % The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler. 2i Whe Frontier Angel. By Edward §, Ellis. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, Taz Boy Roainson Crusoe. By Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o° the Night. By T. C. Harbaugh. 21 Diamond Dirk. By Ooclonel P. lograham. 25 Tue —— Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 20 Cloveau Hoot, Taz Burraco Demon; or, THE BorpEerR Vourores, By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, tar Boy Gurs. Oll Coomes 26 iudlalo Ben, THe PrRivce or THE PrsTou; or, DEADWOOD Dick oy Discuisx. FE. B Wheeler. 29 vac Dumb Page, By Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Koaring Ralph Rockwood, Tae Recx- Less #ANGER, By Harry St. George. 31 Meeu-Kunife, Pemce or THe Prams. By Ou Coomes, 32 isob Woolf, THe Borper Rorvrran; or, THE Gui Drap-SHor. By Edward L. Wheeler. oe ee ee em me OF SS! me CORE 33 whe Ocean Bloodhound, S&S. W. Pierce. 84 Vrezou Sol; or, Nick Wutrriuzs' Boy Sry By Capt, J. F. C. Adams. 35 Wi d Lwau, THe Boy Cracng Deva; or, Tar BuoraERHoop or Darn. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 36 'The Boy Clown. By nk 8. Finn, 37 The Hidden Lodge. By T. C Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde, Tae Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 31) Death-Face, THe Derecrive. By Wheeler. 410 Boving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes, 42 Whe Phantom Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, Tue Pory pRESS RIDER. By Capt. frederick Whittaker. 41 Wattling Rube. By Harry 8t. George. 45 Vid Avalanche, THE GREAT ANNTEILATOR; or, Wiup Epa, THe Get Brioann. FE. L. Wheeler. 4G Giass Eye, THe Great Seor or tar West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. By T. C. Harbaugh. 47 Nightingale Nat, 48 Wiack John, Tae Roap-AGent. By Badger. 49 Omaha Oll, By Edward L. Wheeler. §0 Burt Bunker, THe Trapper. C. E. Lasalle. 61 The Boy Bittes. By Archie C. Irons. 62 The White Buffalo. By C. E Lasalle. 63 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., TH Boy PHenrx; or, Turover to Dears. By Edward LL Wheeler. 54 Ned Hazel,” By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 55 Deadly - Kye, rHe Unknown Scour; or, Tar BranveD BroTHERHoop. By Buffalo Bill. 66 Nick Whilfites’ Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 567 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Wheeler. 68 The Border King. By Oll Coomes. 5Y Old ents By Harry St. George. 60 The White Indian. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill, By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow ®hip. By Col. P. Ingraham, 63 The Red Brotherhood, W. J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand. By W.J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-leather Joe. By Philip 8. Warne. 68 Border Robin Hood, By Buffalo Bill 69 Gold Rifle. Edward L. Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams. 71 Delaware Dick. By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck}; or, Catamrry JANE, THE HEROINE or WHOor-UP. By Wheeler. 74 Hawk-eye Harry. By Oll Coomes. - 75 The Boy .Duelist, By Ool. P. Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, ram Crow-Knizr. By A. W. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Churlie, Tae Boy Bravo; or, Dmapwoop Dick's Last Act. By E. L. Wheeler. 78 Biu Dick. By Captain Mayne Reid. 9 Sel Ginger, Guyr m. By A.W. Aiken. Rosebud BR’ Kyi@ut 0b 3 or, Nuacet Nep, THE OF THE GULCH. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lightning J». By Captain J. F.C. Adams. Kit Harefoot. By T. C. Harbaugh. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Voomes. Idyl, the Girl Miner. By ie. 5 Buck Buckram, Capt. J. F, C, Adame. Davdy Rock, By G. Waldo Browne. The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid. Photo raph Phil, tHe Boy Sievrs; or, EBUD 8 REAPPEARANCE, By E. L. Wheeler. Island Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng. The Dread Rider. By G. Waldo Browne. The Captain of the Club; or, Tar Youna Rrvan ATHLETES. y Bracebridge Hemyng. 2 (unada Chet. By Edward L. Wheeler. 93'The Boy Niners. By Edward S. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, tHE Roap-AGENT; Tue Boy Trapper. By T. C. Harbaugh. 85 The Rival Hovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine é S SSM SOSSCSOOOE ei KSCD See ow= © or, 96 Watch-Kye, Tae SHipow. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 The Ouliaw Brothers. By J. J. Marshall Merry Min or GREENWOOD. Prof, Gildersleeve. 99 Whe Tiger of Taos, By G. Waldo Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadyille; or, A STRANGE STROKE FOR LizertTy. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York, By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dvad-Eye,. By Col Ingraham. 103 Whe Lion of the Sea. By Col. Delle Sara. 104 Deadwood Dick's Devive, By Wheeler. 105 Old Rube, THe Hunter. Capt. H. Holmes. 106 Old Frosty, tHe Guive. By T. C. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy. By Harry St. George. 109 Deadwood ck as Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairics. A ; ry Story of es nee By Bowen. 2© Sea-Devil. By Col P. Ingraham. The Mad Hunter, By Darton ellie. Jack Hoyle, tux Youne Sprcoisror; or, THe Roap To Forrune. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 4 The Black Schooner, Roger Starbuck. The Mad Miner. By G. Waldo Browne. The Hussar Captain. Col. P. Ingraham, Gilt-Edged Dic ? THE Sport DETECTIVE; or, TuE Agent's DavexTeR. Wheeler. Will Somers, THe Boy Derecrrve. Morris. Wusetang Sam. By Jos. E r, Jr. The Branded Hand. By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chi THe GIRL SPORT; or, THe Goupen [pon or Mr. Rosa. rd. L. Wheeler. Phil Hardy, Tre Boss Boy. By C. Morris. Kiowa Charley, rae Wurre Mustaneer. BY T. GC Harbaugh. ippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. Bonanza_ Bill, Miver. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Picayune Pete. By Charlies Morris. Wild-Fire, Boss or rae Roap. By Dumont. The Young Privateer. By H. Cavendish. Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Wheeler. Detective Dick. By Charlies Morris, The Golden Hand, By Geo. W. Browne. The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. 8. Ellis. Boss Bob, true Kine or THE BooTBuacks: or, THE PAWNBROKER’s Plor. Ed. L. Wheeler. Sure Shot Seth, Tae Boy Ririxrman; or Tae Youne Parriors oF tur. Nortu. By Oll Coomes. Captain Paul, tee Kentvcky MoonsHiner; or, Boy Sry of THe Mountarms. By Clark. Night-Hawk Kit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. The Helpiess Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid. Blonde Bills; or, Deapwoop Dick's Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. Hine Blazes; or, Tax Break o' Day Boys or Rocky Bar. By ¥rank Dumont. Solid Sam, THe Boy Roap-Acent; or, THE Branpep Brows. By Edward L Wheeler. 142 Handsome Harry, tae Boorstack Dr- TECTIVE. By Charles Morris. Scar-Face Saul. By Ol Coomes. Dainty Lance, THE Boy Spurr. By Badger. Captain Ferret, rat New York Drrsc- TIVE; or, Boss Bon’s Boss Jos. By, Wheeler. Silver Star, THe Boy Knicut. By Coomes. Will Wildfire, THe THOKOUGHBRED; or, Tae Wovnine Hanp. By Charles Morris. Sharp Sam. By J. Alexander Patten. A Game of Golds or, Drapwoop Dica’s Bie Srrixe. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Panther Paul, Tor Pram Prrare; or, Darmty Lance To THe Rescun. J. E. Badger. Black Bess, Wau. Wirwwrme’s Racer; or, Wrxnine AGarnst Opps, By Charles Morris. 153 Eagle Kit, rae Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes, 154 The Swerd Hunters. By F. Whittaker, 155 Gold Trigger, Tux Sport. T. 0. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood}. or, Tue Prcxep Party. By Edward L, Wheeler. Mike Merry, THe Harzor Porice boy; or, Tue Nicut-Hawks oF Pamapeupaia. Morris, Fancy Frank of Colorado. Buffalo Bill, The Lost Captain. By Whittaker. The Black Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr. New Work Nel), THe Boy-Grru Detective; or, OLp Buagesty’s Monty. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods. Morris. Little Texas, THE Youna Musrancer. A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne. Billy Baggage, rue Ramroap Boy; or, Run To Earts. By Charles Morris. Miickory Marry. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, THe SteamBodAT Boy. By Willett. Deadly Dash. By Jos. EK, Badger, Jr. 169 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. A Trump Cardy3 or, Writ Wiworms Wiss 170 anp Loses. By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dan, By Frank Dumont. 172 Thunderbolt Tom. By Harry St. George. | 173 Dandy Rock’s Rival, By G.W. Browne. | 174 Bob Rockett, Tax Boy Doneger. By Morris. i 275 Captain Arizona. By Phaip 8.Warne. CB BASS evew Bw BO e wt wit SeKooestanke Se KSC Ook SW ee ee a ee ee eet fet eed et et — o 141 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 98 Bobin Hood, Tax OvTiawep Harz; or, THE | yyy j HALF-DIME | LIZRARY. |——— 176 The Boy Runaway; or, THE BoccaNEER oF THE Bay. Lieut. H. D, ferry, U.8.N. Nobby Nick of Nevada. E. L, Wheeler. Old Solitary. By Oli Coomes. Bob Rockett, tae Bank Runner. Morris. The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow WELL Kept, By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.B. N. Wild Frank, THe Buckskin Bravo; or, Lapy Liry’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. Little Hurricane, THE Boy CaprTarn. By Oll Coomes, The Hidden Hand. By Chas. Morris. The Boy Trailers. By Badger, Jr. Kvil Eye, Krxe or Carrie THIEVES; or, Tar VULTURES OF THE Rio Granpe. By F. Dumont, ©ool Desmond. By Col. Delle Sara,’ Fred Halyard, Tur lure Bost Boy; or, Tue SMUGGLERS OF THE INLET. By C. Morris. Ned Temple, THE Borper Boy, Harbaugh. Bob Rockett, Tam CracksMan. By Morris, Dandy Darke. By Wm. RB. Eyster. Buffalo Billy, tHe Boy BULLWHACKER. By Capt. A. B. Taylor, U. 8. A. Captain Kit. By Lieut. H. D. Perry,U.8.N, Captain Mask, Tae Lavy Roap-AGENT; or, Parent LeaTHeR Jon's Dermat. By Warne Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By Wheeler. Shadowed}; or, Bos Rocketr’s FIGHT For Lire. By Charies Morris. Little Grit, raz Wimp Rimer, By Ingraham. Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE. By T. C, Harbaugh. Featherweight. By Edward Willett. The Boy Bedouins. By Whittaker. The Black Hills qenewels or, Dmap- woop Dick’s Warp. By Edward L. Wheeler. Prospect Pete, or Tar Boy BRIGADE; or, Tue Youne Ovurtaw Hunters. By Oll Coomes. Whe Boy Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Gold Plume, tHe Boy Banprr. Ingraham. Deadwood Dick’s Doom, By Wheeler. Dark Paul, THe Ticer Kine. By C. Morris. Navajo Nick, tHE Boy Gop Hunrmn. A Tale of Arizona, By T. C. Harbaugh. The Boy Hercules, By Oll Coomes. Fritz, raz Bounn-Boy Derrctive. Wheeler. Faro Frank of High Pine. By Eyster. Crooked Cale, THe CALIBAN OF CELESTIAL Crry. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Dashing Dave, THE Danpy DETKCTIVE. By Charles Morris. Fritz to the Front. By E. L. Wheeler. Wolfgang, THe Rosser or THE Rare. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. ree Bullet, tHe Ramer Kine. By T. C. Harbaugh. 216 Bison Bill, Trae Prince or Tee Rens By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 217 Captain Crack-Shot. By E. L. Wheeler. 218 Viger Tom, THe Texan Terror. By Oll Coomes. 219 Despard, the Duelist, By P. S. Warne. 220 Tom Tanner, ScALAWAG AND SCAPEGRACE. By Charles Morris. Sugar Coated Sam, By E. L. Wheeler. Grit, the Bravo Sport. By Ingraham. Ozark Alf, Kine oF THE MountTaw. By Edward Willett. Dashing Dick; or, TRAPPER Tom’s Caste. By Oll Coomes. 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 1856 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 198 194 195 196 197 198 1998 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 221 222 223 224 225 Sam Charcoal, the Premium Dar- ky. By Charles Morris, 226 Snoozer, THe Boy SxHarp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 227 Dusky Darreil, Trarrre. By E. Emerson. 228 Little Wildfire. ‘ By Oll Coomes. 229 Crimson Kate, THE Gm. TramerR. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 230 The Yankee Rajah. By C. D. Clark. 231 Plueky Phil, or THe Mountam Trav. By T. C. Harbaugh. Ready Dec. 27th. By E. L. Wheeler. Ready Jan. 3d. 233 Joe Buck, of Anges, aNd His Boy Pazp Pav PowpERHORN; OF. THREE WILD Men or Eaaie Bar. By Albert W. Aiken. Jan. 10. 234 Benito, THe Youna Horse-BrRe«KER; or, SuNSHINE, THE Rose oF THE Frio, By Buck- skin Sam. Ready Jan. 17. 235 Shadow Sem, THE MresenarR Boy; cr, TURNING THE TABLES. By Chas. Morris. Jan. 24. 236 Apollo Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. Jan 31. 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 Atreet, New York. 232 Gold-Dust Dick.