Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 273) (1882 10 17)
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G@erkw eprrrey. AWA RS LAR MN 9, io ow Ne S aN ~ Ss y > eel A i's ed tae aap — wy LS ee” awa, Nera f ~ er gaa a DV aT Vl fl lI a iS as 3a iS SS 4, Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs. ; $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted In 1882 by BRADLE AND ADAMS, October 17, 1882 V Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE: AN d 3 i ol. wo ¥ N A , . LL . BY DEA wn a2 D ADAMS, Price, No. 273 umber, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. “4 BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ROSKBUD ROB” NOVELS, “ GILT-EDGED DICK,” ‘‘ BONANZA BILL,” ETC., ETO. 7h , reste Sn a Sh a it WS ne SNE , ke. By 4 wy, Ae as * oo JOE GAVE A SHBILL CRY AND CRIED: ‘“ TAKE HIM, CHUB!” AND TAKE ELM VU VICIOUS BUP SAGAGIOUS BRUTE BID,
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PATROL; R, THE BOY THE RIVAL HEIRS. BY E. L. WHEELER, 2UTHQR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, “ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. JUMBO JOE. AN evening in the month of May—a beautiful evening, such as render May the fairest of all the months. In the starry dome the full moon shone with a mellow iance. The air was balmy and perfume-laden, and a soft breeze es both grass and foliage into a gentle rustle. Riding across a stretch of Arizonian plain was & young man, or more peony 's boy, for not more t eighteen summers had passed over his head. He was of admirable figure, clad in a neat- fitting suit of buckskin. That his home was literally in the saddle seemed clear, for he rode his fiery black horse like.a master equestrian. His features were clear-cut, with a rather large mouth, whose waggish expression indi- cated his almost constant ssinodk jenisoe. His eyes were as keen as those of a hawk; his nut- brown hair fell in a luxuriant wave upon his shoulders In his somprero was a jaunty plume; a rifle was slung to bis back, and revolvers and a knife were in his belt, while to his saddle it a affixed the several necessaries of camp *, Such was the boy making a trip across the moonlit prairies, “Tl bet a buffalo I’m fogged,” he muttered, as he drewrein on a billow and studied the landscape ahead. ‘‘ Can’t screw my eyes on to no babitation hyarabouts, sech as old Jobnson told me of, Houses aire as skeerce— Hello!” A faint glimmer of light was discerned—evi- dently in a prairie valley to the right, “Thar! Hezekiah Blum lives down thar. Vl stack my chips on that. Wouldn’t never ’a’ guessed it, ef it hadn’t been fer the glim. So that’s where the old sinner bides w’ot has so much money, hey? Well, I'll go dowg and in- terview bim,” and ere long the young horseman had dismounted before a rambling old log edi- fice in the tree-choked valley. * You stay hyar, Chub,” he said, patting his horse affectionately on the nose, ‘‘ and be ready to light out at a minute’s notice, for 1 don’t know jest what for kind of a ranch this mought be. S’pose et can’t be wery bad, ef:the old man is the saint w’ot they say he is!” He then rapped smartly upon the heavy door, and awaited an answer, bee yi a little window over ge door was ned, | a man’s head appeared. oe What dye want -a-comin’ here at this hour surly demand. ng $40 know!” the youth re- sent for me, by old man prise came from the man, the portal was opened, the youth was he wrist and hauled Biss =~ oa 4 sh again oc. ‘within but a light was soon abe: the traveler and Hezekiah Blum each other, Blum looke thing but a minister, though he claimed to have been one, once upon a time. He was as thin as a rail, both in face and figure, and bis unusual hight gave him still more of an odd appearance. and veled; his nose had been broken, and was hooked; his eyes were keen and restless as with suspicion. A fringe of hair encircled the bald his head, and standing out in all directions, it mded well with the two weeks’ stubble growth of beard upon his face. His garb was ragged and dirty, and his whole ap’ ce that of a man struggling in poverty. e furniture of the room was meager and rude, but there was a degree of cleanliness ap- pee that indicated the agency of a woman’s Blum surveyed his visitor with a frown. ““What’s your name?” he demanded. **Joe Star—otherwise, Jumbo Joe!” was the boy's reply. I war named over arter Barnum’s spot upon features were pinched. J umbo J oe, the Boy Patrol big elephant, ’ca’se I’m a big gun, myself, when I kin get a chance to fight.’ “You are evidently a wicked boy, and as long as you tread the thorny path, you cannot hope to succeed!” Blum said, in a solemn way that illy became him. . “You bet your boots I kin hoe my own row, and not produce corns, neither,” declared’ the boy. ‘‘Old man Johnson told me thar was a venerable cove over this way, of about your photograph, w’ot wanted a chap as war sharper than a razor, and so I thort I’d put in an open proposal fer ther job, whatever it may be.” “Your tongue waggeth wild, young man. I do not believe you would suit me,” ‘Jest give me a fair shake, and see ef I can’t fill ther bill. Ef it’s mum you want, why I can seal my vocal trap so cluss that et can’t be pried open with a crowbar. Ef ye want any honest job done, why I’m jest the galoot fer the work,” The old man motioned him to a seat by the table, and dropped into a chair himself. “Waal, I'll tell ye,” he remarked. ‘ Trapper Johnson said ye war an honest fellow, an’ could be relied on to do jest what you promised. So I told him to send you around. Ye see, I’ve ot a little bit of money saved up, and have ought a mine overin Wolfville, as an invest- ment. The money has got to reach the man who sold it by to-morrow before midnight, or the bargain isoff. I suppose you are acquainted with the hard reputation the people of Wolf- ville have?” ** Well, I should smile!” was Jumbo’s response. *‘T’'ve hearn tell o’ sum tall old skewrups thar, I have, and hev hed kind of an itchin’ to land down in the burg and—” “‘ And get killed,” Blum snarled. At which the boy put his finger up to his nose. ‘““Nary a time!” he declared. ‘‘Twixt you and me, I never git skeert. I’ve hed my share of skirmishes, I tell you, and I never got left yet. If you want me to tote yer spondulicks over to Wolfville, jest produce the chink, and I’m yer buck.” “I am afraid you are not the competent person I seek. I would take it myself, but there are certain designing persons, backed by a set of ruffians, who ig ge me to bring the money, and will be on the watch, with the pur- pose of has, Ba robbing me. Ye see, I calculate I kin be too smart fer ’em.” At this juncture the door of an inner room opened, and a girl entered, She was nearly oe’s Own age, and certainly was the most beautiful creature the young scout had ever set eyes upon, Possessed of acpetits figure of only medium hight ery seperated much younger than she really was. Her features were delicately chiseled, and tinged with the tint of happy healt: “Her mouth wore a win- ning e n, and Jumbo was sure he had pair of eyes than aceful, well rounded pares Rovian Sat for e 80 I ly u le Her hair was ‘astofully arranged, and ore Wa Loe serene > roached hin, r 0 e rs u , BI 0 . Dim, eid so down into his face with @ gaze of nterest, ’ . se p, to see that y her| “Your wife?’ exclaimed the boy, his ‘So you'll risk your head on your abilit to transfor the gold, eh?” Blum said. ‘Don’ on know that if you failed, I could and sheila ave your head? “Tf you could get it!” Joe replied, coolly. “But ye’r’ welcome to et, ef I can% fetch yer goldinter Wolfville in good shape. Ef ye want we'll draw up contracts,” “It will be safest to do so,” Blum agreed producing ink and paper. ‘‘ Just wait and ri fix it up. Joe did wait, and bent bis admiring gaze 0o- casionally upon the maiden, who frankly re- turned his glances, showing that their interest in each other was mutual. The girl, however, kept a watchful eye on Hezekiah, as though suspicious or afraid of him. The old miser soon proved himself to be an expert penman, and it was not long ere ho had the agreement drawn up, ready for signa- ture. “* Listen, and I’ll read you your death-war- rant. It says: “This is to certify, that I, Joe Star, have agreed to carry a certain sum of money safely from the resi- dence of Hezekiah Blum, to the office of Josepb Tyler, Wolfville, within five days from date, in! and for the consideration of two dollars, received in hand. And I further guarantee the faithful execu- tion of my mission thus: If I fail to deliver the Hips ins A te the consignee safely, as above stipulated. it 8 be known to all yee hat 1 do then forfeit my head to Hezekiah Blum, and he shall have the right and power to take it, wherever he shall find it, and dispose of it as best may suit him. Witness my signature, “‘There! how does that strike you?” the ex- minister said, with a significant chuckle. ‘Don’t hit me até all, as fur as the spondulicks comes in,” answered. Jumbo, calmly. ‘“‘ Yo see I ain't takin’ any two-fer-five jobs, by a long shot, this season. Coin’ in whole hog or none. Two dollars! Wouldn't you like to get some greeny green enough to put is head into jeopardy for that magnificent sum? Guess I'll goto dammin’ up creeks, furst, an’ sendin’ in bmg to Congress for an appropriation. ake more lucre that way.” ‘* What sum do you expect?” Blum demanded, greedily. ‘‘ Maybe you'd like to have the whole ten thousand, and just carry the wrapper over?” ““No! I ain’t no swine, nary a time. Jest write hundred after the two,and that will fix it all right. I’ll shoulder your pewter, and drap it inter Joseph Tyler’s office within forty- eight hours. © two hundred—no ‘workee, allee samee! Speak up, fer I’m in a big hurry, you bet!” ‘*T suppose I shall have to give it to you; so sign this paper,” the miser growled. Joe obeyed. } ‘* Now, the money!’ he said. ‘One thing you had best understand at once,” Blum added, as he went to a chest in one © . ‘*My wife will accompany you on this u do not run off.” — ZO involuntarily turning to the girl, over whose ae came a flush—of distress, Joe construed wife!” with a sinister smile om bis ' y “ ‘ m) “You are the young man who is going to | ugly Be i. that’s her there—my Sadie. Anice render assis to , are you not?” she — tance to papa y “Well, that depends on circumstances, as the fish said to the angleworm,” was the reply. “Kinder reckon I will give the old gent a boost, providin’ we can come to terms.” “‘T am afraid you cannot do the errand safely!” Hezekiah Blum replied, uneasily, ‘Ten thousand dollars is a big pile of money to intrust to the care of a boy!” . “See here, unkle, Pm no boy!” Foplied the = ales apiritedly. ‘‘I’m a big ’un, I am—a umbo, You're afeard to tote the ducats, an’ I ain’t. Tell you what I'll do—pet ye my head I can do the job up in squar’ style. If I fail my head’s yourn.” —-<- CHAPTER II. BLOKER AND HIS GANG. THE words of Jumbo Joe caused a strange glitter to enter the eyes of Hezekiah Blum, Did be know the boy without being known? Joe Star had no recollections of his early childhood. Since he could remember, he had been a rover on the prairies, and in the moun- tains, sometimes chaperoned by a gruff old —— named Johnson, but most generally shifting for himself. He had often wondered who he was, and had a faint idea that he was something more than a scouting outcast. ’ young girl she is, and bound to be mine, as soon as I get my money all put out where it will be producing a dsome revenue.” x Jumbo Joe was thuaderstruck. This fair child the bride of a man old enough to be her grandfather! The thought was repellent—evidently more fully to the girl than to the boy rover. “Yes, she’s mine, and will go with you; I am not afraid to trust her out of my sight. She knows what will follow if she does not return.” Joe took a quick sidelong glance at Sadie, and saw that she was deadly pale. : “There is some deep secret, here,” he mused, his brows contracting. =. Aloud he said: “Well, hurry up with the chink, then. - If I’m to tote extra baggage along, I want a good start. Jest re 9 us the two hundred first, and we'll look out for the superfluous arterwards,” Blum took from the chest a large tin safe, which he un!ocked. : The safe Joe could see, was quite full” of something, which he rightly concluded was money. : eae Blum selected four rolls of bills, and rolled them up in a piece of oilskin. He then pro- duced ten-twenty-dollar gold pieces, which he handed to Jumbo Joe “‘There’s ere’s my guarantee,” and he patte . your pay—b his breast with a grimace, fur he
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~~ 4 bad placed the remarkable document in an in- rer pockes.. ‘‘ If you failto perform your duty, I'l) make this country so warm for you that you will be glad to escape from it. Here are the tn thousand dollars, When you pay it to Tyler, you are to take a receipt for it.” “ Kerect!” Joe assented, receiving the money, and stowing it away in his baversack, ‘How £00n will you be ready, ma’am?” “In a few minutes!” Sadie replied, as she tripped away to her room; at the same moment there camo a sbarp rap at the door, and before either Joe or Blum could spring to their feet, the door was burst in with a crash, and a dozen armed men rushed into the room, with a! yell, For the instant the boy rover did not know just what to do, more than to whip his revolvers from his belt, and stand on guard, an action which Hezekiah Blum also i nitated. Tbe intruders were all bordermen of the pronounced type, in whose grizzled faces but aittla mercy was expressed. “Blum, you’re the man we want to See!” the foremost man announced, in a _ resolute tone. ‘‘ This matter has been goin’ on too long already, an’ we're goin’ to make a stop of it.” ‘What d’ye mean?” the miser demanded, angrily. ‘‘ What haveI done to merit this in- trusion?” Tben turning his head slightly, he said to Joe, in a tone that was inaudible to the rest: * Quick! Escape with the money! Go to Sk-‘leton Camp!” Jack did not hear all, but he caught the words ‘‘escape,” anil ‘ Skeleton Camp.” Quicker than a flash he turned a backward somersault, and went crashing through a win- ‘dow that opened from the cabin immediately in his rear, Half a dozen shots followed his sudden exit, but failed to reach him. Bleeding from several glass wounds, he whip- ped around the cabin, leaped into the saddle, gave bis faithful horse the word, and away they dashed up out of the choked valley. “Bravo, my beauty! cried the boy, as they reached the erest overlooking the valley. ‘‘ So much for to-night’s queer adventure. I wonder what that gang were after Skinny fer? Looked kinder like as they war goi .’ to invite him toa alynching bee, if he didn’t whack over his assets. I've got the ten thousand, anyhow, and I’m goin’ to carry out my contract to the letter, ef I lose my hull body, instead o’ my _ head. Kinder queer why the old cove told me first to go to Wolfville, an’ then toSkeleton Camp. Meb- be the latter wasa blind, to put them off guard. Anyhow, [ll take Wolfville in first, and if Joseph Tyler ain't to be found, I'll go over to Skeleton,” and he rode away at a gallop, head- ing pomARe that town of unenviable repute, olfville. Wolfville was a place of several hundred in- habitants, situated among the frowning soli- tudes of dark, wooded mountain landscape, where no one would bave expected te encouter a human being, The town had got rooted from the fact that the trails tothree mining districts met at the point where the first tavern had been built, and hence continued eastward, Wolfville boasted of small mining interests, too—very small, but just enough to attract a motley gang of roughs to its vicinity, Hard names were fired at the place, and well deseryed they were. Rey. Hardly a settlement of its size in Arizona’s wild regions could boast of a worse crowd of ruffians. Fights were of hourly occurrence, and old Cross-eyed Kit, one of the first citi- zens, often pointed with pride to a knoll beyond | Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. the bar and called for whisky, which she put down with seeming, satisfaction. Pete Prindle, otherwise Paragon . Pete, claimed to be a woman-killer from the shoulder, and likewise a connoisseur of womanly beauty, even if he did sling grog over the Punch Bowl bar; but he was not prepared ‘‘ to allow” that he had ever seen quite so dashing a personage as the * gal who took her whisky straight.” Certainly few women had paid Wolfville a visit who could vie with this stranger in per- sonal beauty, She was of medium hight, with a figure perfect in every proportion, which was set off to advantage in a suit of faultless fitting white duck, In face she was fair, with magnificent black eyes, a mouth of tempting ripeness, and hair -that was long, golden and flossy. A jaunty sombrero roofed. her head, patent- leather slippers ineazed her feet, while a superb diamoid pin, » cole gold watch-chain and a pai «i nobby revolvers in her belt were her adors cents, heart flutter beneath his white shirt bosom; then she glanced around at the bronzed habitucs of the place who were watching her. ‘‘ Purty crowd!” she remarked to Peter. ‘* Yas, werry purty,” he replied, “ Ever hear of L:adville Lil?” she demanded, ‘No, ma’am; never heard ov the critter.” ‘*You dow’t say! Well, that’s me. I never drink like jest now ’cept when I'm mad. I’m mad this evening—b’ilin’ mad. I’m lookin’ fora man—a la-de-da young man—a very esthetic young man—named Joseph Tyler. Do you now of such a human?” CHAPTER III. BURIED ALIVE. The first twenty-four lours of Junabo’s ride toward Wolfville, passed without incident, and night once more overhuvg the wild broken eounty through which his course now lay. There was a moon, but it was only seen, now and then, when clouds flitted from over its sur- face. Several times during his journey, he had fancied some ono was dogging him, but bis in- cessant watch for the enemy failed to result in adiscovery, and he finally halted to bring the matter to a test. ** Ef some human mortal ain’t either follerin’ or layin’ in wait for me, then I reckou the O'd Nick is nibbliu’ at me to see if he can’t convert me and the money ir‘9 his cause, Tve kinder a notion he’ll have abum old time a-wrestlin’ wi’ Jumbo Joe, ’Tair’t his majesty w’ot’s shad- derin’ me, I don’t calralate, howsomever. Ef thar’s some one behind me, dash my brains out ef I don’t try to cultivate his acquaintance.” To think, with him, was to act, and he alipnes from the saddle, and led his horse into a chap- arral near the main trail. There he left him, then arent back to the vicinity, of the trail, and crouched behind a bowlder to wait, : An hour passed, but brought no signs of pur- suit that he had half expected would come, he bad Jain flat on the prairies, to await the ar- rival of Indian scouts, and had caught them at their own game. Another hour passed. Unconsciously his eyes grew heavy, and the sighing of the wind through the shrubs lulled him to sleep, coupled, rhaps, witb the fact that his long ride had left im much fatigued. How long he bad slept he knew not, when he tho town, where were many mounds, remark- | was rudely awakened by a kick from a heavy ing: , . Bas! purty hard town, though we allers He sprung quickly to a sitting posture, and plants ’em decent up thar, when they levant | glared about, only to perceive that he was sur- over Jordan, ’Twon’t be long, neither, afore | rounded by the same crowd whom hoe had seen we'll have to enlarge, ter ’commydate ther boys | the previous night at old Blum’s cabin. as wants to explore the infernal regions.” The burly leader, whom his comrades ad- Every town has a few of the better element | dressed as the colonel, was the first to speak, as ot the buman race to relieve the monotony, | he glared down at the young frontiersman, and such was the case with Wolfville. There ‘So ye didn’t git fer, did ye, afore we over- were a few persons in the place who were not | took ye?” he growled, maliciously. ‘* Cunnin’ of the ruffizn order, and among these few was | kid, you are, but not quite smart enough to get a recent arrival of the girl-sport order—one or | ahead of Colonel Bill Bloker, cussed ef ye aire. more of which class of female Bohemians gen- | S’pose you weren’t expectin’ us?” erally is to be found in any Western mining ‘Oh! yes T was, but I dropped off asleep be- camp. fore I knowegge!” Joe replied, unconcernedly, This one in question had appeared in Wolf- | ‘‘ What do ys ant?” F ville, on horseback, one evening about sunset, ‘*That which you were about to transfer into and walked into the Punch Bowl, the town’s most flourishing saloon. After taking a good look at the crowd scat- tered about the large room, she walked up to , the hands of my enemies!” Bloker promptl “Old Blum gave you ten thopaada oh Tyler of Wolfville, answered. dollars to give to Jose @idn’t he?” , But this did not deceive him. Many a night | S tell you no *‘ Ask me no questigns and [ll lies!” was Joe’s saucy response. ‘“Pooh! We know be did, so thar’s no use o! playin’ it off. Well, d’ye know that ten thom- sand was ouly a blind to cover up somethin’ else?” , **Couldn’t say if so, or no!” ‘‘ Waal, [kin say thet I know it. Let me tell ye:—Old Bluna holds the knowledge of an im- mense secret gold mine, and holds that knowl- edge alone. By some sort of dicker, he pro- poscs to turn this secret over to Tyler, of Wolf- ville, and so hires vou to take a budget of money over to said Tyler, in which is cleverly conceal d the key or secret of the location of the mine. See?’ “T savy!” “Well, as you have the possession of both monmey and secret, we shall be much obliged to you if you will fork over the aforesaid, without hesi‘ancy, after which you can go on your way rejuicing. Refuse, and we will take it from you, by force, and plant you to your neck in the ground, and leave you there, same as we did old Blum,” Jce knew well enough that it was no use for him to resist—that he had no choice but to obey and take chances on recovering the money, and the secret. ’ **S'pose [’'ll have to cave, tho’ it’s ag’in’ my arain!” he said, opening bis haversack, and fumbling about for the package. He then uttered a cry of astonishment. His haversack was empty! He had beea robbed while he slept! - ‘It’s gone!” he cried, turning the receptacle inside out. ‘‘I'vs been robbed while I was snoozin’, sure as snakes!” Bloker leaped torward with a fierce oath! **What! what d’ye say?” be gasped—‘ been robbed?” “That's the diagram of the matter,” Jambo replied. ‘‘T had the swag in this bag, when I went to sleep, and now you see for yourself it’s one!’ or See here, cuss yer infernal pictured, shis won't work!” Bloker snarled. ‘It's a purty little joke o’ yourn, but it won’t work on us, You've hid that package, an’ if you don’t fork it over, you'll have cause to regret it, mark my word!” ' “IT know nothing about what has become of the money. I had it when I went to sleep— now it’s gone. Somo one bas stolen it, and that’s all there is of it!” the boy retorted, with decision. “Wral, ye'll find et ain’t all thar is of it, me larkie!” Bl ker yelled, nearly beside himself in rage. “Ef you calculate up, you’ra cff yer base. I'll foree {t out o’ you where yo left that money, or 1’ll skin ye alive. Beys, git ther shovel an’ dig a hole.” yy Several of the men walked away, but quickly returned with a shovel, and n to take turns at diggimg a bele in the gravelly earth near by. ‘““Reckon you'll come to time whem you planted there,” Col. Bloker hissed, glaring dowp at the boy, who was contemplati ‘the with eutward ealmness, but reall rt i] ly discemeerted. pry ke lote of wolves eat your head off, ef ye remain stubborn. sot A n similar tweate over atold Blum’s.” “Do your werst, and you will fare no bei than yeu have now!” Joe replied. “TI know nothing what has beeome of the money, as tru as my handle is Jumbo Joe, and if you me in that hole, I'll guarantee you'll ne oe ae ee x a deaaped e eolone ghed, vic 7, aD ‘ two of his companions to sort t scot which was dome, and Joe’s own two dollars were gracefully appropriated by the colonel. ‘ **Much oblee to ye, Jackal!” he grinned, as he turned sg ish face toward his v' tim. ‘Sorry you couldn’t have Pan better, but [ reckon you'll be sensible w get you in the hole!” To which Joe made noanswer. His brain was too busy in thinking over the unenviable situa: tion. f The hole was soon dug to a proper depth, and he was placed in it in a standing pasitian. w several revolvers covering him, to prevent any possibility of his escaping in the operation, _ The dirt was then pecked in so closly around him that he could not budge an inch, and when the job was complete, nothing but his head re mained above ground—he was burie? alive! “There! How doyou like it?’ Bloker de- manded, reaching over and giving the young atrol’s long hsir a vigorous puk. ‘‘Purtys ey grave ain’t it, youdevil’simp” _ “Very comfortable, you biack-hearted ruf-' i e can shet my eye | he Laue i hen wo
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; 4 Ree Onyypee gemma cn re en ee et ne ie remen te ee. eee — = ——- fian!” was Joe's reply, with flashing eye. “Wait til) 1 get out of here, though, and if I don’t have your scalp, it will be because there ain’t no knives in the country. I'll show you what it means to be funny.” “ Big talk for a caged canary; but, you see, you never ’!l escape till you whack up the secret about the money. We're going on to Wolf- ville, now, all bat Murray, who will stay here and watch you till you give up the hiding-place of tke money. The longer you resist the hun- grier * techy get, and I recken the want of vittles will fetch ye after awhile. So tra-la la, now, and be good to yeurself!” And with a villaineus laugh, the border ruffian turmed away, motioning his comrades- in-crime te follow, aud all were soon out of sight and hearing, save the man Murray, who was left behind on guard. He was a dirty, sul- len-looking rough, with plenty of bull-dog ferocity manifested in his scarred countenance. It was evident to Jumbo that he need look for no assistance frem this man, were he in a dying condition, but he resolved to provoke him into conversation, if possible, and draw hina out. ‘Tt will be a cold day when the boss gets the swag an’ the secret,” Joe remarked. “Guess you'll come to time!” the man grunted, lighting his pipe. ‘‘ Hunger will fetch ou **Bet yer boots on that? Lose’ em ef ye do. I’m like old Barmum’s pet elerfant, Jumbo, arter whom I was named—I kin go ten days without fodder. By that time some o’ my friends will ante alomg and give me a resur- reck |” A t of disgust was the only answer. ** Dem’t believe it, ch? Well, I'll tell ye what YR de, Pil give you just five hundred gold dol- lars to dig me up out of kere at once.” Murray sbeok kis head and puffed away at ag? x at seemingly disinclined to further talk. C) sure of the earth around his form was eer to affect him, by ee, pp 2 the circu- lation of kis blood and sapping his strength, as a Itice weuld do, and it was evident te him that he ceuld uot live twenty-four hours in this vin ave, contrary to the reports he had heard of men living for days in a like position. Seeing that nothing was to be acconaplished by working on the guard, he relapsed inte silence, and racked his brains to devise some pessib'e lan of escape, when suddenly he remembered is horse, and a feeling of cenfidemce thrilled him, ¢ He had raised the animal, and the twe had become friends inseparable, Though by nature Chub was fiery, and of a vicious temperament, he was deeply attached to his young master; a word from Joe was sufficient to render hin as Je as a lamb, or as furious as a wild stallion. On more than a dozen occasions had he and his master taken active parts in Indian and outlaw conflicts at close quarters, and the ani- mal seemed really to enjoy the wild excitement ef life and death struggle. He had laid out heta a re by the terrible power of his ‘ect. “Til bot Obub can get me out of this scrape!” mused the boy, eying Murray, who had a de- cidedly drowsy appearance, ‘‘I’ll make that rascal hunt for bis ancestors!” ef had his pocket-flask with him, amd a “nip” therefrom, every few minutes, and as a natural result, be was not long in be- oom 80 Na that he began to nod. Jumbo Joe gave utterance to a peculiar similar to the caw of a crow. ~ Murray started from his sleep. ‘What was that?” he guspeds in alarm. 068 “The voice of a demon replied. ‘* Listen! It comes A tbrashing sound among the brush and Pushes was heard; then the clatter of a horse’s hoofs, and the next instant Chub burst in upon the scene. Joe gave*d shrill cry and cried: “Take bi ub!” And take bim the vicious but sagacious brute did, for wits mouth wide open and ears laid back he es ag Murray, who had arisen to his or © ded whether to run, or not, but ‘when Giaub bad torn half of his scalp from his head, he concluded it was time to vamose, and dlid so at the tap of his speed, and with yells that were fairly Trantic. Although Joe called a halt, Chub was evi- dently not disposed to give up the chase, and pursuer and parsued were soon out of sight. Half an hour later the horse came trotting beck with a trumphant fire in bis wicked eve. “Bravo, old boy!” Joe shouted. ‘You're the dum ,» you are! You cleaned out the - epemy in d style. And now if you caa Jumbo Joe, em the Boy Patrol. nn give us a lift perhaps I can get out of this scrape all hunky.” The intelligent animal seemed to comprehend what was wanted, for after smelling around a few minutes he took Joe’s pir jacket collar in his mouth and lifted and pulled until the dirt was loosened from around Joe’s shoulders oing at the work in a careful way as if afraid est he should harm his master. ‘*Good boy!” Jumbo encouraged. ‘‘ Just get my arms free, and I'll soon fit the rest of tbe je . Then, if 1 don’t make Bill Bloker hump or this, my name ain’t Jumbo Joe!” The herse worked patiently, and finally Joe was able to get bis arms up out of the dirt. Just at this juncture a mam came striding up. And that man was Hezekiah Blum—tkhe man who held the mortgage upon Joe’s head! CHAPTER IV. LIL. THE question propounded by Leadville Lil, in the Punch Bow] saloon at Wolfville, as recorded in a previous chapter, seemed to create a marked sensation, for all eyes were turned upon her curiously. “Tyler, did you say?’ Paragon Pete mur- mured, rubbing the end of his tinted nose re- flectively. ‘‘Why, yes, we have such a party here in Wolfville, tho’ I believe he rotates some- what between here and Skeleton Canap, where he has mining interests.” “The very g.loot!” Leadville Lil declared, smiting the bar with her fist by way of empha- sis. ‘Tho very rascal I want to encounter. Hev ye got a graveyard started round this hyar town yet, pardner?”’ “You bet!” Peter announced, with just pride —‘‘ we jest have that, an’ it’s one o’ ther popular resorts of ther city—fer stiffs,” ‘An’ I s’pose ye have a fair pistol range handy,” Lil pursued, in a matter-of-fact way that at once establisked ker in popular favor with the crowd, “*Reckon the avenue in front o’ this hyer es- tablishment fills the ag a well, Anything else ye’d like to know, Miss Inquisitive?” The girl flashed a Merce glauce at him that made him quail. ‘Ef ye don’t want te answer, mya to dry up!” she said, coldly. ‘‘There is one other question I’d like to ask. Is thar any biped among this gang what knows anything about playin’ cards:” “Cavortin’ skippers w’ot kim from'ther curd, yes!” am coarse, blatant voice announced, ** Wvar’s your Fourth o’ Julia roast, ef ye want ter kerflippigate ther pasteboards. *Scuse me sissy, but I’m Cheese-knife Charley, the bad —, from Skeleton Cam k-a-doodle- oo! Don’t I look peckiedly chick now?” Leadville Lil surveyed the pilgrim, who had stepped forward, with a sarcastic smile, : @ was the most used-up man in appearance it had been her fcrtune to encounter for some time. He was short, fat, bow-legged and dirty, his suit of overalls being torn or patched in numerous places and pm Toh liberally with mu In visage he looked most strangely like a baboon, both in feature and the way in which his beard was cultivated, He wore a battered plug hat upon his head, and in his belt a pair of revolvers and a huge cheese-knife—from which he probably had ac- quired his title. "Yes, you’re quite a banty,” she said, in an- swer to his declaration. ‘“‘I suppose by your handle you must be a carver.” ‘*Holy skippers, yes! I’m a dissecter, I am, every inch o’ me. But, d’ye want ter agitate ther pasteboards wi’ ne, my blooming bub?’ Can’ t play, ’cause I'm broke—dead bu’sted !” Lil replied. “I’m a hard case, too, and you’d better not play with me, lest I skin you. Tell ye what I'll do, tho’, fer sake of raising a stake, and makin’ business lively. I ain’t got a red, but Ill put up eee fora ag’in’ a hundred dollars. you win, you have the Biss, If I win, I pocket your hundred, What say?’ The crowd which had collected snickered at the celerity with which Cheese-knife Charley made a dive into his pocket in search of lucre; but be only beg forth one lone solitary Canada cent toward the sum of the stakes. “I’ve been robbed—I’ve been robbed!” he gasped, feigning to stagger back, astounded, t the laugh of the crowd gave him away so badly that he was forced to grin a sickly sort of. himeelf, for it was a well known fact Wo sthat the bullwhacker’s exchequer was never everflowing. “Well, Pm soery Sea's broke,” Leadville ————————— SE Lil said, as she leaned up against the bar, and edied dee atacigarette. ‘‘Was in hopes I could make a raise out of you, or bave a smack at your luscious lips—one or the other. Any eat lo fond enough of kissing to risk a hun- red ¢ ‘Pll take you a trial on that, young lady!” a rather feminine voice exclaimed, and a foppisb- ly dressed individual, with sallow complexion , and a mustache and pair of side whiskers t+ match, pushed forward. Leadville Lil surveyed him a moment, men- tally noting the fact that he was more soft and sickish in appearance than he was bandsome, despite his stylish attire; then she burst into a sarcastic laugh. “Well, by guns!” sheexclaimed. “So you'd like to kiss me, eh, you superannuated advertise- ment of a clothing house? My, oh! my! I do believe I’d rather chance the bona fide monkey here,” with a nod at Cheese-knife Charley, “tham the civilized ape. However, as I'm dead breke, and have nothin’ but my good looks to depend on, I’ll jest flip the cards with you for the hundred or the kiss, and if you win, I’li bite that nose of yours off if you attempt to kiss me more than once. Plan your chips in the hands of the barkeeper, Mgt : The fep had withstoed the harangue with pretty good grace, altheugh he evidently did not relish Lil’s tongue so much as he did the sight of her tempting lips; but he put up the cash promptly, selecting the necessary gold ieces from a handful of glittering coin which e drew from his pocket. They then sat down at a table, and a pack of cards was produced, cut, shuffled and dealt, “ Let me see!” Lil said, as she threw down a six-spot ef diamonds; “ you’re name is Tyler, isn’t it?” The other gave a violent start of surprise. “ How de you know?’ he demanded. “* Where did rs get your information, pray?’ ‘‘T merely surmised!” Leadville Lil replied, without looking up from her cards. If Tyler was naturally pale, he was still more so, now, and it was evident that the words of the strange girl had unnerved him, judging by the reckless way in which he played. He watched ber covertly, when she was not looking at him, as if trying to make her out. The game ended in Leadville Lil’s favor, by the planking of a queen of hearts, and Paragon Pete stepped forward and handed her the ten gold ee banks!” Lil said, with a triumphant nod, as she pocketed the cash, and arose from the table. ‘‘That stands me in good for two weeks’ board, anyhow, and I’ve got my kiss reserved for some good looking man. Ha! ha! ha!” ‘Not so fast, my. gay maiden!” Tyler cried, leaping to his feet, and Pig her by the arm. ‘I’ve paid for the , and I’m cursed if I don’t have it.” “Then cursed you are, for it will be a cold when you touch me!” the girl cried fiercely, and raising her left band she gave him a smack in 0 _e Ngee roy him, and caused him to logsen grasp upon her arm. A murmur of apprdval escaped a few, but there was a more general grunt of dissent, showing quite conclusively that Tyler’ was not without his friends in the town. Tyler recovered his equilibrium, an instant later, foaming with rage. ‘ ‘“‘Curse you!” he fumed, hesitating to renew his assault, ‘I'll kill you for that!’ laisse’ “peticbaiacitly’ agiisah SEW Uo, Seige eaned noncha against. the with a revolver in fet elt, w Instead, I that probably salivate you, if you don’t look out, I came down to this byer town just on sad nd to see you, Joe Tyler, on very important business,” ‘What do you mean?” the mine owner asked with afrown. ‘‘I do not know you, nor do want to.” ‘‘Perhaps you would not care to have me ublicly explain just ‘what business brings me ere to see you,” Leadville Lil replied, signifi. cantly. oid you will come outside, in private I will endeavor to satisfy your curiosity. She looked bim straight in the eye as she spoke, with a stare that was stern and unflinch- ing, at which he turned a shade whiter and faced toward the door. “Come along!” he growled. ‘‘It must be sw funny secret that a chi ter of your stam would hesitate to make public. As for me, know nothing of you.” The scené changes once more, in order to in- troduce new characters of our romance. Skeleton Camp, the nearest settlement to , Was a somewhat larger and more |
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a ey a : bes a prosperous town than the latter place, owing to thetact that gold and silver were there found in larger quantities. Its inhabitants as a rule were also of a more quiet. disposition, though the town was by no means witbout ite delegation of rough and law- less characters. There were two men in the camp who con- trolled nearly everything, from the fact that they owned nearly everything, including min- ing interests and tenants’ shanties, and each was estimated to be worth about equal amounts; while, on the other band, there were vague rumors that there were existing papers against both properties that, should they be found, would ruin either the one or the other of the two men of wealth. These parties were Abram Levi, a Jew, and an ex-governor of the territory, whose real name we will withhold, and glye him the name of Governor Gray. As a usual thing, they were bitter enemies at heart, although they remained on nodding terms, when they chanced to meet, They were brothers-in-law, by marriage, Goy- ernor Gray’s sister having some twenty years before become estranged from her family, and wedded the Jow—more for his money than for any love she had for him, although at that time ‘he was rather prepossessing in appearance, and not the miser he was now, After bearing him three children, she had tired of bis niggardly treatment, and taking two of the children and considerable ef her hus: band’s money, she fled from where they then resided for parts unknown, since when nothing definite had ever been heard of her by Governor Gray, who had prosecuted a long and diligent search to find his sister. Levi had never attempted to find his wife, seeming to be rather pleased that she had gone and left his son behind her, whe was a bright lad of six at the time, and had now grown tobe a still brighter young man at nineteen. Governor Gray was a widower, and had ac- cumylated ali his wealth in a few years’ shrewd spec@ation. He lived alone, with a couple of colored ser- vants, im bis comfortable stone mansion, envi- ous of no one, but in a measure envied by all who knew bim and of his wealth. Most especially by Levi, who had been lo- cated at Skeleton Flats several years before the Governor came, and who watched that gentle- man’s rise in the world with feelings of intense jealousy, Whenever an opportunity came to défeat Gray in a business speculation, the scheming Israelite was ever wide awake to do it, so that it was little wonder the Governor was forced to feei bitter toward Levi. Isaac, the Jew’s son, was a great favorite with Governor Gray, for he was intelligent, and apparently possessed of none of the reprehensi- bie qualities of his para. On this account the Governor took a liking to him and made him welcome to his home and hespitality, little dreaming that he was enter- taining a viper of the most treacherous order, who was busy in the work of spying for his father and playing the hypocrite in various ways. So great_was his confidence in his nephew, Governor Gray would quicker have believed any man in the world capable of guilt rather than him. All of which was exactly what the scheming father and son most desired, in order to further certain designs they had, A coupie of days before we take our reader’s attention to Skeleton Camp, Governor Gray had been stricken down with a strange sickness vhich the local doctor could not define; hence, it was not within his power to do much in the way of remedies for his patient, although he made sundry medical experiments and exami- nations without avail. : The Governor was confined to his bed and ap- peared to be in terrible pain. As he expressed it, he was afire inside and burning up; and yet he sppeared to have no fever, which quite baffled the physician. __ Atter the third day bis suffering seemed to lessen, but a consciousness that he was nearing his end appeared to dawn over bim, and he called Isaac. “Isaac,” Governor Gray said, huskily, ‘I fear that Iam nearing my end. Will you has- ten to the nearest lawyer’s office and summon him, as I have some matters which must neces- sarily be arra at once. _With a bow, Isaac Levi burried out; but to a ere: unpretentious dwelling he went 1 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. CHAPTER V. BLUM’S DEFEAT. Ler us return to Jumbo Joe, who when in a fair way of escaping from one peril, was men- aced by another, in the sudden appearance of Hezekiah Blum. That individual was evidently as much sur- prised to see Joe as Jumbo was to see him, and paused with an exclamation. | of business-leoking pe ly ing. aes Ne TTT oar me wish I was in Kankakee, if sey, were to get possession of thet aire little paper!” A thorough search, however, failed to brin to light the desired document, much to Joe disappointment, although he secured a number which he decided to preserve for after consideration. “The mortgage is gene, and I might as well take a skip, too!” ke said, his brows contract- i “Tf any galoot’s get that contract, what t ‘* Hello! what does this mean? In the name | wants to foreelose it, they'll find out that Jumbo of heavens, boy, where is the money I intrust- ed in your care? Speak!” “T allow it’s gone up Salt River on an ex- ploring expedition,” Joe replied, candidly. ‘“* Leastwise, it’s slipped out o’ my grip.” A howl of fury escaped Blum, which satisfied the boy that Colonel Bloker’s story of the se- cret contained in the package of money was true. ‘Gone! Then I’m ruined! Speak up, curse you! Explain yourself before I foreclose my mortgage on your head!” Blum cried. ‘* Dunno as thar’s anything much to explain!” Joe retorted. ‘‘I laid down, fell asleep, and when I awoke found myself in the hands of Bill Bloker and his gang. They demanded the pack- age, which they declared contained a secret, and said if I didn’t fork over they’d make me. So they searched me, and didn’t find only my two hundred. Bloker appropriated that and ordered me buried here, as you see, till I told Look out, sir! my him where the swag was. horse is ugly!” Joe’s wil -eyed steed had turned with a snort to gaze upon the intruder, and an instant after the young royer spoke Chub made a dash for Blum, with a mien that boded the miser no good; but Blum, skinny and agile, bounced around a bowlder and springing nimbly upon it escaped the open jaws of the excited horse, at the same time bringing his repeating rifle to bear on the beast, ‘‘Ha! ha! you thought I’d turn and cut stick an’ ran, didn’t you?” Hezekiah cried, triumph- antly. ‘ Butitis no go; I ‘have got the A hand, my lad. Call off that horse, or Pll fill him so full of bullets, that he’ll never be fit for another trip.” “All right; don’t shoot,” Joe said. ‘He is too valuable a critter to be wantonly killed. Here, Chub!” The horse instantly obeyed its young master’s voice, and returned to where Joe was still half buried, ‘*That’s no better than before,” Blum called out. ‘Send the horse off into the woods, so that I can come down off of this percb and re- lease you.” ‘“* 1] don’t care to be released of my head, old hypocrite!” Jumbo retorted. ‘The hoss will be all right, providin’ you don’t touch me.” **One! two!”"— Blum cried, cocking bis rifle. ‘Away with the hoss, if you don’t want the buzzards to fatten upon its carcass. I'll have no trifling!” And the young patrol no doubt would have yielded, only that at that instant there was a sudden movement of the huge stone, and Blum came tumbling, end over end, and struck upon his head, upon the ground with a heavy thud. As be did not then stir, Joe concluded that be was knocked out of his senses, or else was realiy ead, Whicb he was not particularly sorry for, be- cause he had no doubt the old curmudgeon would demand the return of the epnets or the foreclosure of his mortgage upon Joe’s head, ‘*Now, if I can get out of here, I am all right,” the lad muttered. ‘“T’ll recover that money and the secrets it contained, or T)) bu’st!” It was easier said than done, to work himself up out of the grave, and he was fearful every moment that Blum would awaken, and give him more trouble. But at last, to his eminent satisfaction, he succeeded in pulling himself out of the dirt, though it was some minutes ore he could stand, as his limbs were so numb. When he could, however, he felt so jubilant that he was inclined to give vent to a good-sized war-whoop. Going over to the side of the outstretched miser, he proceeded to examine him. If not really dead, Blum was very near to the borders of eternity, for there was no perceptible beat to his heart as far as Joe could find. ‘Guess it’s all up, whatsoever has been his calculations,” the young rover muttered. ‘*Dash my cats ef I don’t play robber, for once, and see if 1 cannot revover the leetle dockyment [ gave him. Thar’s ne tellin’ but what his heirs and assigns ferever, might make | . Joe kin fight as long as the ciek a MA lingers in ler the his body. I recken Mr. Joseph bao whoever he may chance to be!” e then mounted and rode away! CHAPTER VI. * FATHER AND SON, Isaac, OR Ikey Levi, made his way to the shanty of his father, whom he found seated in the dingily furnished front room. He was a man of between fifty and sixt years of age, with stubbly black hair and beard. Tis eyes were small and black, and the general expression of his countenance sinister. was one who would hesitate at no deed toattain his ends, was plainly written in his repelling face. Hiis dress was shabby for one possessed of the wealth be was reputed to possess. A glitter of keen anticipation entered his eyes as his handsome son appeared, ‘ Vell?” he interrogated, rubbing his hands te- gether, greedily. ‘Tt is well,” Ikey replied. ‘A consclousmess of his apecacting fate draws over him, and he dispatches a trusted nephew fora lawyer. It begins to look quite interesting, don’t it?” ‘Yes, very interesting. But bas he received any letters today? You haff not told me dot?” ' ‘Fle has received several, through the ne servant, Jock, but I have not been admitte " his confidence concerning them. Somehow half suspect that he is less confiding in me at first,’ ‘* Maybe so—maybe so, Read this!” He threw a letter upon the table, and Isaac read as follows: “A. Ley, Esq:— “T have watched the movements of Mr. Tyler, as you suggested, and believe there is some- thing in your , suspicion. Tyler and an- other party have had dealings is true. The second party, it appears, sold to Tyler a half interest ina secret mine, the whereabouts of which is known only to the two. The consideration, as near as your informant can find out, was a lovely girl w. , Tyler in some unknown way had under his power and whom he transferred to this second party, anold cuss called Blum, It has taken spying to get at this much. That Tyler has not received the secret yet, 1am pretty sure, nor has there been ver recent reports from Blum. So much fer this m 7 It is evident there is some secret o sirl’s life, and she might be ome of your lost daugh- ers. A couple of nights oan y dressed in male attire, and ng pineal” Bi Lil, appeared in Wolfville; and after seme p called Joe Tyler outside, amd, I suppose, had a skewrup of some sort with him, for when he re- turned to the saloen, his nose was scratched, and one eye draped in mourning. What became of the irl is conjecture, as Tyler refweed any explana’ his girl, too, may be one of yeur own. 80 look out for her, as she may possibly tara up in Skeleton Camp. Yours ’ \ * Detecriyx.” Ikey did not change expressions while reading the comrmunioation, f Well?” he interrogated, ‘‘ Well!” the Jew echoed. ‘ You see that my suspicions ish purdy near righd, dom’d yon? tt you aind’t smart, der vil pe some new relatives eS up to shareder Governor's fortune vid you, saac, ‘*T will prevent that by securinga lawyer at once!” Ikey said, with a sardoni grin. = CHAPTER VIL. p3 JACK AND THE GOVERNOR. AytTER he bad sent his nepbew for the lawyer to draw kis will, Governor Gray began to fail so rapidly, and Isaac was so tardy, that the sick man was forced to summon bis negro servant, Jocko, who was by all odds the blackest s men of the negro race that had ever " down in Skeleton Camp. ; “* Jock,” the Governor said, buskily, “I fear’. tees { cannot live papeh. jepker. o out and. call some respectable and tonest-locking man. in from off the street.” per The darky skurried away, bis eyes bulging out to the exposure of their whites, ludicrously. ‘ ‘ _.
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“De Lor’ done gone save us!” he murmured, as he proceeded on hiserrand. ‘‘ De Governor’s wine to peg out an’ leave all dis property to | t Tkey sure. Wish I’se de lucky man on dat Satoh do!” ~ In five minutes he returned to the sick-room, accompanied by a stranger, but who needs no re-introduction to our readers. It was Jumbo Joe, whom Jocko had singled out from the crowd. “Hyar’s de gen’man I fotched, Marse Gray, an’ I reckons he is above de average in honest looks,” Jocko said. The dying ex-Governor raised himself on his elbow, with an effort, and took a good look at Joe, who bore the scrutiny unflinchingly. “Your selection is well made, Jock,” he said, finally. ‘‘ You may retire and leave me alone with the young man.” i darky obeyed; then the Governor turned 06. . Young man, I am impressed very favorably with our appearance. ill you tell me yeur name?’ “With pleasure. My name is Joe Star, I be- pow though on the trail I am known as Jumbo oe. ‘You are a scout, then?” “Well, yes, after a fashion, I roam about here and there, picking up odd jobs and doing whatever seems to me honest and best. No human ever made a mark ag’in’ Joe Star’s _ name.” “TI believe you, my boy—I believe you; but I cannot talk much with you, for I am near to death; and what I have to say must be said ina few words, So listen, and I will tell you what Lam going to do.” Joe bewed. ‘(lam George Grey, and have censiderable wealth. So I wish to make a disposition of my property where it will do most good. How would you like to take charge of it?” “Vd rather not,” Joe replied candidly. “I prefer to earn all t have, by working for it.” “And so you shall,’whatever you get from me,” the Governor said, with a faint smile. At this juncture the door opened and Ikey entered, aecompanied by another personage, with smooth face, little peering eyes, and long, sleek hair, who looked as if he were a cross be- tween a minister and a lawyer. Ikey glared hard at Jumbo as he entered; then turned to Governor Gray. ‘Here is Mr. Green, the lawyer, dear uncle,” he said. ‘‘I had to search a good while to find him. What else can I do for you, uncle?” “Yes; Isaac. You and the young gentleman will ploase retire to the lower room till I adjust _ some 4 business with Mr. Green,” Tke wed and left the room, leaving Joe to find his way down tothe parlor as best he Id. “he succeeded in Binding, it, and also found Ikey there, which young gentleman was pacing the floor with anything but an agreeable expression of countenance. “ Well! what do you want here?” he demand- ed, savagely, as Joe became seated. *I want to sit down, if zou have no particu- lar ob ons,” Jumbo replied. “J did not.ask you that!” Ikey growled. “TI wanted to know what brings you here in my house?” “In your house!” and Joe gave a whistle. ‘* Yes—it will be my house, directly,” Ik said. ‘‘ The best thing you can do is to waltz.” ‘* When I feel in the mood, I may,” the young borderman replied. ‘‘ Besides, I faney it’s hardly certain who is Mr. Gray’s heir, yet. Think J stand as good a show as yeu.” “You don’t dare to suppose uncle is going to make you his heir, do you?” Ikey demanded, fiercely. “*Shouldn’t be a bit surprised if I fit the shoes, after they are vacated,” wasJoe’staunt. ‘The old gent has taken quite a fancy to me, and ten to one he will leave me to fill his agin fl “ll be.cursed if he does!” Ikey cried, whip- ping a sheath-knife from hiship pocket. ‘ No man can hive who stands in my way.” He rushed at Jumbo but be bounded aside and with a quick trip sent the young Jew sprawling on the floor. “Whoa!” Joe commanded. ‘If er don't want to get seriously injured, the likeliest thing you can dois to quiet right down. If you don’t, mark ray word you'll never forget thetime you tackled the wrong man.” “ Will If” Ikey gritted, as he rose to his feet. “* We will see!” He made another'rush, but only to come in eontact with Jumbo’s steel-bhard fist, and again @id Ikey drop to the floor, but Joe was not yet Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. i | through with his belligerent enemy. Grabbing him up as he would have seized a child, he pitched him through the window headforemost, into a puddle of water outside, and then leveling arevolver at the unfortunate heir-prospective, called out: ‘““Lay there now! If you rise out of that water before Mr. Gray’s will is made, may I be eternally set on fire if I don’t shoot you dead. Mind now—l’ll do just as I have promised, if you attempt to arise.” Ikey was now thoroughly terrified, and lay perfectly still, “Know better than to pull a toothpick on sich a feller as me next time, won’t ye?” Joe warned. ‘I’m dangerous,*I am!” Fully ten minutes passed, when Joe heard a footstep in the room, and turning saw no less a personage than Leadville Lil standing in close proximity to him. ata upon the boy on guard fr ae i ‘‘ What are you doing?” she asked; ‘‘ watch- ing for rats?” “Tm watching a two-legged rat, who at- tempted to knife me, and am trying to learn him that forbearance is in this case more of a necessity than a virtue, What do you think of him—ain’t he a beauty?” Lil burst into a laugh when she saw Ikey’s ridiculous plight. - ‘Well, I should say so! How long are you going to remain in pickle, bubby?” ‘Not much longer, I hope,” Ikey gritted. “‘ Make that young ruffian let me up, will you, please?” “No, IL rather enjoy your discomfiture,” Lil replied. *T can at least do nothing to help you.’ At this juncture Joe heard a voice in the upper hall, calling him, so he turned to Lil. “Tam wanted. Will you cover yonder ras- cal with your revolver till I return? ‘‘ With pleasure!” the girl assented, drawing a ees rom her belt and leveling it at Ikey. ‘*Shall I shoot him if he stirs?” ‘Of course!” the boy responded, as he turned and left the room. When he arrived in the Governor’s bed-cham- ber, the sick man was bolstered up with pillows, while Green, the lawyer, sat at a table near by, engaged in finishing the writing of a légal-look- ing document. ‘Did you call me, sir?" Joe asked. “Yes,” said Green, without looking up. ‘¢ Where did you leave the other young man?’ ‘* He was rusticating in a mud-puddle, when I left him,” Jumbo responded, with a smile. ‘* He attempted to stab me, saying that I was an intruder upon his premises, and as I wasn’t inclined to be dissected on so short notice, I heaved him out of the window!” Mr. Gray opened his eyes wide at this. ‘‘So I am not so nearly wrong, after all!” he murmured. ‘I have grown to distrust the bo of late, and if 1 you tell me is true, it plain that I have been fostering an ingrate. Mr. Green, show Mr. Star the document, when complete.” In accordance with the request, the lawyer presently handed the oper to Joe, who began to exe it a hasty perusal, t was in substance as follows: for a consid- eration of one thousand dollars, Joe was to make a search for two children named respec- tively Jessie and Jennie Levi, who were sup- osed to be be living somewhere in the United tates, If he failed to find the two, within one year, then Joe Star was to receive one third in- terest in Mr. Gray’s wealth, and the remaining two-thirds should go to Isaac Levi; but in case Joe should find one or both of the girls, within the time specified, he was as Mr, Gray’s repre- sentative to see that all the property was equally divided between them. n addition to these specifications, went on the document, Joe must discover, seize and destroy a certain illegal mortgage against the Gray es- tate, which was drawn in favor of Abram Levi and Samuel Aaron, but which had been stolen, by a party or parties unknown, and was unrecorded. Following this was a description of the girls, as children; also an oath for Joe to take, that ae —— prosecute the search to the best of his ability, “This is all satisfactory as far as I am con- cerned, though I accept the terms more because of the duty imposed upon me than for the pecuniary consideration,” Joe announced. “Then please arise, and be sworn,” Green said, Joe obeyed. y f Half an hour later, Governor Gray was still and white in death, ir i} CHAPTER VIII. Arter Mr. @ sean ydoed, Chisen the lewyan, . Gray was dea said to Sambo: - ; . oung frien ou have accepted a re sponsibility I would Lave not cared to under take, myself, but I wish you all manner of good luck, and will help you allI can. To that end, I will take good care of this will or aed ment, and I want also to give you a bit of ad- vice.’ “Spit it out!” Joe replied. ‘‘I ain’t ope o’ these fellers what can’t be told nothin’.” ‘Which is all the more in your favor,” Green went on. ‘‘ What I would say, is this—look.out for yourself! Within the next few weeks yeu will have some tough experiences to go through. I will wager, however, that if you don’t a weak in the back, you will come out all right. Here are the thousand dollars which Mr. Gray had in his possession and directed me to give you at once, so that you might go on your mis- sion. I will attend to all the preparations for the Governor’s funeral, and see to all his affairs in your absence.” oe pocketed the money, and went down to the parlor, where he found that Leadville Lil was still holding Ikey a prisoner in the pool of water, by the magic power of her polished re- were and she seemed relieved when Joe ap- peared. ‘*Oh! he’s just been going on at a terrible rate!” she said. ‘‘ He’s a bad pill, that fellow is. What are you going to do with him?” ‘“‘Let him up, and slope. I’ve got through here. Are you not a stranger here, also?” ‘*Yes. I heard Governor Gray lived here, and walked right in, without knocking. I want to see the Governor on business. Can you direct me to where I can find him?’ . ‘Hardly, as his body is now being prepared for the coffin. I, however, in conjunction with Green, the lawyer, shall hereafter represent bim in 1 as s there anything I can do for you?” ‘‘ Hardly, if Mr. Gray is dead. Come, let’s go! Dead? Well, that’s bad. The world can't Pong spare the good men—there’s too few of em. They left the house, and of one accord turned toward the principal hotel, saloon, and gaming- house, combined, which bad adopted the signifi: cant title of “THE GATES AJAR!” Whether it was meant to convey a meaning celestial or otherwise, by this inviting sign, could best be judged by the character of the place and its habitues, who were of the old stereotyped miners’-saloon order. Not many people were lounging about, so that Joe and his new acquaintance were not long in finding a quiet seat, where they chatted together some time, Joe endeavoring to draw from her some of the secrets of her past life, but she confined herself to evasive answers, or, at moments, to extreme reticence. When asked what brought her to Skeleton Camp, she replied: “To find a man. When T find him, I’m going to give him the choice of a pair of pistols at thirty paces, That’s what brings me here, for one thing. It won’t be long before I get him either.” They lingered there in conversation until the day was gone, and evening well advanced, all without Joe’s becoming very much better ted than be was at first, although he had me considerably interested in Leadville’s fair young representative, and she seemed to take a strong liking to him. Finally she arose. **T must be going now, but will no doubt sce you egain,” she said, bowing, and leaving the saloon. After finishing a cigar, Joe also arose. “It’s time I was hunting y a roosting place myself,” he muttered. ‘Hello! what’s the matter, I wonder?’ He involuntarily laid bis hand on one of his revolvers, as he heard the wild clatter of eg hoofs outside, together with a series of yells. ~ A moment later the doors of the Gates Ajar were burst open, and a motley crowd of: moun- tain roughs poured into the saloon. ; At their head was gpen the burly form of Col. Bill Bloker, while at his side was the super- annuated personage, Hezekiah Blum. Jumbo saw the precious pair the moment they appeared in the doorway, and made haste to step behind a table screen for temporarv concealment. “ 'Trey’re after me!” he thought, ‘O’d Bimm i
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fi — oe te one has 1 ost key to the secret mine. I reckon they pro- to make it warm for me, and about the Post thing I can do js to vamose.” There were full thirty of the gang, and none of them looked too good to commit a murder, if they could make a dollar by it. oe looked around him, but could see no means of escape, except by the front door into the street. The saloon was only one story in hight and consequently, there were no stairs; nor were there any doors or windows in the rear, where the sereen was located. “ There’s no way to escape. lf they make an attempt to take me, I must fight, that’s sure.” He crouched behind the sareem, with a re- volver in either hand, ready for emergency. Bloker and his gang, as soomas in the saloon, filed up to the , and the eolonel ordered whisky, for each, which was imbibed with manifest gusto. ‘Ye kin charge that ter Cunnel Bill Bloker, the King o’ Vigilantes, bar-k’er!” the leader said, as he set down his glass. ‘‘T guess not!” replied Montana Mike, the barkeeper, shoving a bull-dog ‘‘six” suddenly under the credit treater’s nose. ‘‘ Just you fork over seven dollars, pilgrim, or I'll blow your skull right off! Bizness!” “Haven’t got a cent, pard, but heer’s my friend, Blum—he’!l settle fer it. Jest crack out seven, Heey, arter which we’ll look fer the boy !” ium saw the eet mevacing his comrade, and knew it would be fatal to disobey, so he pela for the rather costly treat, and gave it to ontana Mime, with a grow! at the outrageous riea “' Now, then!” cried Colonel Bill, ‘“‘I s’pose ye’re kewrious ter know who this august_ body -i8, bar-k'er, hey? Waal, we’re a pack of Regu- lators who makes et our purpose to pertect ther weak from injury—’specially weak whisk y;—ter enforce ther laws, an’ avenge ther wronged. Hyay’s Blum, who hes lost a big heap o’ swag thr’u’ a young cusscalled Jumbo Joe, an’ Blum’s got a mortgage on the aforesaid Joe’s head, w’ot he wants ter foreclose, an’ we're goin’ ter help him. Hev ye seen him?” *Couldn’t say. Not acquainted with the party!” Montana replied, as stiffly as a Fifth Avenue hotel clerk might have done. A , read this—-then; mebbe ye’ll re- member ef ye’ve seen him!” the colonel cried; whereupon he tacked up a hand printed poster upon the wall. Whether it was the colonel’s composition, or not, is hard to tell, but the lettering and spelling would have done credit to a Billings. The poster read as follows: “NOTISS. “Tew Hoom Ir May Konorern:—“ A reward of one thousan’ dollars aire offer’d for ther capter, alive, ef ther young murderer an’ robber, Jumbo Joe. He is young, good formed, hez long hair an’ an eagell eye, an’ kin fite like thunder, oa oar: Ef cant alive, an’ delivered to Colonel Bill Bloker, or Hezekiah Blum, the above summ will be paid. “ Notis—2. Wanted a lot o’ fuss class pilgrims ter help capter ther young outlaw, Jumbo Joe. Gud pay, lot’s o’ whisky, an’ a grip at ther rope when he's hung!” This notice Bloker posted up on the wall of the saloon, and read aloud, to the fast collect- ing audience, ‘Yas! that’s bizness, that is!” he announced. “A thousand dollars squaw cash fer he w’ot ropes in Jumbo Joe, an’ gud miner’s wages, while ye’re lukin’ fer him. D’ye all jine ther movement feller-citizens?” b Fas A tremendous shout went up from the crowd, shewing that they were ready for any thing. _ “T reckon ye needn’t hire any recruits, pil- idgod Montana Mike said, mounting the bar order to give his stubby figure some promi- nence. “ Thet fellow war heer not long ago, an’ when I see a thousand dollars in my paw, I allow I can place yer man.” Joe, behind the screen, crouched lower, bis eyes gleaming with a fierce light. “The dratted p’izenslinger knows where I am, eh?” he muttered. ‘ Well, now, if they take me I'll give ’em a tussle first. Don’t like to spill gore, but in_sech a case as this, shute me for a buzzard ef I don’t show a circus with an elephant. Ha! what—” A section of floor, or more properly a trap. door, just beside him, was carefully lifted to one side by some one below, and an opening disclosed, - ‘The next instant the head and shoulders of a vailed woman were through, and a voice pens in snooks with Bloker, to recover the Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. 7 ery ‘Come quickly if you hope to escape with your life.” Joe, under the circumstances, was nothing loth to obey, and after she had withdrawn, he discovered a steep stairway. Onto this he dropped and carefully drew the door over the hole after him. They were now in a shallow sort of hole un- derneath the saloon, where a cellar had evi- dently been projected but abandoned, as there were no walls, nor anything kept.in it, ‘““We must be expeditious if we would es- cape,” his rescuer said,in a pleasant voice. “If those ruffians were to pounce upon you, I fancy they’d soon use you up.” ‘Bet they’d have earned their grub before they got me fer supper,” Joe replied. ‘‘ Where are you going to take me?” “To a place of safety, if you take advantage of the opportunity to at once leave town. You are advertised for, and it won’t be healthy for you areund here any longer.” ‘* Nevertheless, Vll be nigh when they least think, and J’ll make my patrol one of terror to those who have evil designs against me. In a few minutes they were on the street, when they were suddenly confronted by a man who leveled a revolver at them. It was Joseph Tyler, of Wolfville! CHAPTER IX. IKHY GETS LEFT. LEADVILLE Lit, after leaving the Gates Ajar saloon, made her way rapidly out of Skeleton Camp into the mountains to the northward, taking a disused wagon-trail that was lined on — side with a thick undergrowth of chap- arral, She had no apparent fear, however, for she walked along steadily until she came to a huge para g pine tree, some two miles from Skeleton amp. Here she paused and drew her revolvers, as if expecting some one, It was not long the girl sport had to wait, for soon there were sounds of footsteps, the bushes parted, and a man stepped out into the little clearing. He was tall, slim, and dressed in a fanciful Mexican costume of velvet, bugles and laces, while a mask covered his face and a sombrero was pulled down over his forehead. He, too, was armed with a pair of handsome revolvers, and a bowie-knife with ivory handle. He slightly raised his hat, as he came to a halt in front of Leadville Lil; then gave a low laugh, as he noted her attitude of defense. “Do not be afraid of me,” he said, ‘for I am erate harmless, as far as your safety is is concerned.” “Tt is always well to be on guard,” Lil re- plied. ‘I was informed that some one desired to interview me at this spot, just as I left the saloon, in Skeleton Camp, though I did not see my informant. Are you the person?” “T am, indeed, young lady. Let me intro- duce myself to you. I am Michael Gonzales, the detective.” Lil would have given a visible start, but for great power of self-control. “T never heard of you,” she said. ‘ What do I am ferretin you want with me?” ‘““That remains to be told, out a case, and seeing ha in the town, it struc me you might be a gold mine. What are your antecedents, lady?” ‘*T haven’t any,” Lil replied, with a sort of bitter laugh. ‘If I had I ain’t apt to make ’em into biographical form, for the benefit of others.” ‘* But, were I able to lift you to a position of affluence and wealth, my dear—?” Lil did not answer that question—instead, she asked another. ““Who set you on—Joe Tyler?’ she demanded, sharply. ‘ It was Gonzales’s turn to start now. “‘f do not know such a man,” he said, and sue allowed by his tone that he was right. ‘On the contrary, I’m working up a case of my own. I am looking for a person, and so well satisfied am I that you are the person, that I must take ou into into custody until something definite is settled on!” He stepped forward, as if cértain that she would surreuder, but when she shoved one of a Pa xe suddenly under his nose, he re- cojled. , Shah stop! don’t shoot!” he exclaimed, in arm a 2 ‘* Pve a good notion to bombard you!” Lil de- clared, emphatically. ‘The idea of your sup- sin’ that ye could scare me! Why, pilgrim, ve planted scores of better men than you.” ‘“* Nevertheless, vou’ll find no ordinary man now. Surrender, and T’ll see that no harm comes to you—instead, I’ll raise you into a for- tune, that will make you independent for all your after life.” ‘“Werry much obleeged to ye,” Lil declared, “but you see when I strike it rich, it’s got to be on my own hook. I ain’s to take in no vice- president or treasurer in the concern, but am goin’ to clean the board myself, If you reckon you know anything about Leadville Lil, don’t et it Bive you the nightmare, for I’ll guarantee it will never do you any good.” “Oh! we'll see about that. You've got the whip row, to-night, but we shall meet again. Au revoir !” “Let up! . Not so fast! Before you Bo. allow me to say a word!” Lil cried, shoving her pistol forward again, threateningly. ‘‘ Before you go, I want one square peep at the face behind that mask!” Gonzales uttered a curse. ns ado he hissed, grading his teeth to- ner, ‘But I will, though!” Lil persisted, with des- perate firmness. ‘‘Doff the disguise. Refuse, and I’ll shoot. One! two!—” “Enough!” the masked man cried, and ratsing } ae i tore pct dis ing il uttered a cry of sur 6 sulky face of Tkey Levi as tured ward her, ‘Well! well! who’d ’a’ thought?” Lil ex- claimed. ‘I didn’t know you had recovered from your mud-bath yet.” ‘ But [ have, and you and that young rufflan will learn that you’re bound to get pat off for — —) ‘ll make this country too warm or you ‘Bah! Get up and get, you young sneak! Tl see ye safe back to sheleton Chop, for fear the wolves might feast upon your preci cious body! Right about face, Israel! Forward, march!” Ikey faced about and strode away, Lil close at his heels, her revolver ready for immediate use. ; Joe and bis strange guide had seen the Wolf- villain at the same instant, and the \ **.an ~ shivered, as if she had a great dread of the en- counter. me what do yor want?” demanded Jumbo. ‘“That depends,” Tyler replied, Herons his. mustache. ‘For one thing, I want the girl ou have there—then I can dispose of you after ward. I think you area eon of some value tome. Sadie, come here Joe gave vent to a whistle. Here was a sur- prise. “, H: had not suspected his vailed rescuer of be- ing “he betrothed of old Hezekiah Blum, —__ * Don’t you mind him, Sadie!” Joe cried. “ You stick by Jumbo, and I'll see mb! through. Fer 2 have this lady, pard, unless she wants 0 to you!’ ; a Font no! no! no!” Sadie exclaimed, w- ing beck her vail, and showing a ed face. ‘‘That man is my bitterest enemy, sir, and sold me to Blum. Oh! do take m wey iY “Gol” Joe said, suddenly getting the drop on me Wel lessness 1” ell, curs* my carelessness | r rowled, when he po the advantage he ost, ‘* Jes’ so!” Joe returned. “I allow I've the upper grip just now. Sadie, you had Wolter light out, while you have a chance, If you see Van Camp, tell him I want him.” . The girl stared a moment—then i seemed to “take ” the meaning that she should write Joe, aa tor p oe Yan Meg er pricked up his ears, but evidently did not understand the meaning of the wor “plait Nodding in answer to Joe, whose eyes never left the woman-hunter, Sadie flitted away down the street, and was soon out of sight, Joe laughed quietly to note how dandy Mr. Tyler was, as he beard the girl's footsteps dying away in the distance. he “You are not only a villain, but a fool!” he said. ‘If you are pec Ae get gt that innocent girl, you’d better never have tried it. I’m warned now ar to Ae true char- acter, and shall make it a point that you do not peut y hough?” Tyler sneered. We'll ill you, thoug vier sn . e sed about that. There’s a notice answering to your description, inside the Gates Ajar, wants a man bad, andI may as we Z thousand dollars out of you as any ne € “Ts that sof’ Joe ret ed, tn “Well, now, if ou think ifs peep out a note for that ¢
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8 a At this instant the door of the saloon opened, and Bloker and his crowd poured out into the #troet, bellowing and cursing like madmen. CHAPTER X. THE SACRED CAMP. Jox was indeed in peril, but he did not quail. Without hesitating be fired full at Tyler, then bounded away, while Tyler staggered back, and fell to the earth with a yell. The crowd, headed by Bloker, rushed forward with howls of anticipated victory, but strong of limb and agile asa panther, it was not long ere the young patrol had left his pursuers far bebind him, their baffled cries sounding in the distance. “Yell on, my noble Romans!” he gritted, as he burried on into the mountains, ‘‘ But you'll find that pune aroused a tiger this time.” For an hour after bis flight from the camp he _ climbed into the depths of the mountains, re- solved to put at least a safe distance between him and his enemies before stopping. The mountains were wild and rugged in the extreme, but the thought of danger, except from bis enemies in the rear, did not occur to him, It was long after midnight ere he came toa halt upon the top of the range, and saw before him a sheer descent of many hundred feet, into an ominous looking gulf walled in on every side by mountains, At the bottom he could see several gleaming lights, doubtless of camp-fires. ‘* Wonder what sort of a place it is, down there?” he muttered. ‘‘{f I wasn’t most used up, I'd go down and see, But I guess I shall have to postpone that till morning.” Selecting a cosey spot, under the shade of a cedar tree, he stretched his weary form out, and gave up to Morpheus, a willing victim, and with no thought ofdanger, slept soundly. hen he awoke suddenly the scene was changed, and he was greatly astonished at his surroundings. On all sides of a level comprisin maybe ten acres, rose very smooth walla o rock, upon the faces of sdbme of which were earved rude images of Indians, animals: and wigwams. s for himself he was tied securely to a firm- ly planted stake, and a plenty of combustible material was piled around him! In acirele about his place of confinement, a score of ring-nosed half-breeds and Indians were squatted upon their baunches, pounding upon bowl-shaped drums and tin kettles, at the same time uttering a dismal sort of chant. A short distance from Jumbo was another stake within the circle, and secured to this, was another white man, of about J own age, About the base of this strange natural pocket, were large fissures in the rock, within which the boy calculated, even the habitations of the motley crowd that surrounded him. Inyoluntarily he turned and addressed the young stranger, who seemed to bea fresh ar- rival, the same as was Joe, “Hello! pard, do you know what is all the meaning of this?” he asked. “T rather reckon they mean to fry us up for breakfast!” the stranger replied, dryly. ‘I'd rather be excused. hat do you make out?’ ‘“‘ Dashed if I know, unless we’ve fell in to the haunt of one of those ancient tribes of reds that used to belong in this territory, and who do their Sunday-go-to-mevtin’ bizness by sacrificin’ a victim every once in a while to please the Great Spirit. If sech is ther case, our shanks is bound to ketch it, What’s your cog’?” 8 name is Harry Holly. [am from the Fast, but have been spending the summer in the mountains, huvting for bear.” ‘*Reckon you’ve found more than you'll be able to bear this trip,” Joe laughed. ‘I’m Jumbo ‘Joe, a cross-eyed sousin to Barnum’s elerfant, Wonder when ther circus com- mences?” : As he finished speaking, their attention was attracted to one of the holes in the rocky wall, from which issued four ecg ora A arrayed half-breeds, carrying between them a large arm ehair, in which was seated an old crone of a woman attenuated in form, and wrinkled and vicious of visage, as a person well could be, bg her hair had the peculiarity of being jet- ck. -_, That there was Indian blood in her, was evi- dent, and although trembling from the decrepi- nee of advanced age, her eye yet emitted a efal “ The four attendants bore her forward to the eircle, and there set her down, and knelt on each ieee a her, while those who formed the circle beat their instruments furiously. The crone fixed her snakish gaze upon Joe, her hands working nervously. ‘““Why did the pale-face come to the holy ground of Parquita?” she began. ‘‘ Why did he come whence none ever go forth?” ‘“What in thunder did you fetch me here for?” Joe sopepes bluntly. ‘I didn’t come of my own will.” ‘You were found asleep within the borders of our Great Spirit land, and you must be sucri- ficed to him. The same with the other pale- The will of Parquita ordains it.” Jumbo Joe looked at young Holly with a wry expression, ‘ How d’ye like the idea of goin’ up in a cloud of smoke, pard?” he called out. ‘* By George! what are we goin’ to do?” Holly demanded, dubiously. “Simply nothing—nothin face, more, I reckon!” Joe replied. He then turned to the crone, ‘See here, old woman, what do you want to burn us for? We didn’t come here to discover none of your secrets, and all we want is our liberty!” Parquita shook her head, Overhead, the thunder of a rapidly approach- ing storm growled ominously, as the detuteg alg. zagged across the storm-driven sky. 06 felt a little relief, for he saw that a heavy manage to prevent them from lighting the fires fora time, immediate danger might be averted; but rain was about to fall. If he could onl Parquita evidently understood this, at a glance at the sky. ‘The pale faces must be sacrificed to the Great Spirit, for he is angry at the delay,” she said, ‘*Pencho, Marquez, procure the lights and fire the brush.” Two of the chair-bearers hurried toward the caves and returned ne with flaming torches; but before they could apply them to the fagots an emergency arose, rom another of the caves, a woman’s wil- lowy figure glided forward, clad in snowy white, the face being covered by a white vail. Almost with magic quickness she reached the “Stop! circle, “Stop!” she cried, in ringing tones, In the name of the Great Spirit, his ministerin angel forbids this great sacrifice! Proceed a your peyil,” There Was hesitation among the minions of Parquita, and all eyes were turned upon her, She uttered a savage hiss and stamped her t. ‘*Fool!” she shrieked, turning upon the strange white figure; ‘‘ you think to check me again, Bah! Pencho! Marquez! light the wood!” The two half-breeds darted forward to ae but there came a blinding flash—an awful crash, and Parquita sunk back upon her rude throne a Sarna, wae all in the gulch were momentarily stunned. CHAPTER XI. JOE'S MANIFESTO. WHEN Joe recovered his senses he found the woman in white addressing the half-breeds angrily, at the same time pointing to Parquita. ** Fools! dog soldiers! do you not see what you brought down, by not obeying me? The Great’ Spirit was angry at Parquita, because she would have sacrificed the pale-faces. your queen, now, and you shall obey me!” There was a grunt of approval at this, show- ing that the motley crowd were in favor of the wae e, and a noisy beating of the gongs fol- owed, “ Bravo Ignace!” was the exclamation heard on every band, Ignace bowed quietly, and motioned for the crowd to disperse, and take old Parquita with them, which they did, when the young Queen turned to Jumbo, Stranger!” she said, ina haughty tone, “I have saved your life, as you perceive, or rather the Ruling One did. The secrets of this gulch are mine to guard, however, as well as they were Parquita’s, whom I| bad civilized to such a degree that she never attempted any of ber savage acts except during my occasional spells of absence from the gulch. , The secrets of this Ich must be et and before you can ave your freedom, you must io the band, and swear eternal secrecy and a rule.” ‘Well, I don’t know about that,” Joe said. “IT might join ye for a time, ef you’ll loan me our men, or give me the privilege of organiz- ing a band of my own, here. The regulators are raisin’ a war against me, and J’ll be teeto- tally shot if I don’t retaliate.” “What is your purpose?” * Not to make open fight against them, unless Tam legiance to my ‘ cornered, but to take them prisoners, and keep them chained up, until they unanimousiy agree to leave me alone,”’ ‘*)'m afraid you’ll have a tough job to master them!” Ignace replied; ‘‘ still if itis your desire to attempt it, all you have to do is make oath of allegiance, and you shall have the freedom of this retreat to bring your prisoners to, and also shall have the use of such of my men as may be available.” ‘It’s a bargain!” cried Joe. ‘1’ll now teach Bloker, Blum and coreny that Jumbo Joe is a bigger elepbant than they can capture. I will also at the same time deal with some other rascals!” A few days later Col. Bleker and his men re- turned to the ary minus the Boy Patrol, as Joe had christened himself. Hezekiah Blum had worked himself into a fever of anticipation, fully ps ota that he would soon have possession of bis prize, but when he heard of the colonel’s poor luck, he was fairly beside himself with rage, and raised the reward another thousand dollars. Then began a thorough organization of the Regulator band, each member being sworn in, and numbered, full a dozen of the lot being chosen as secret spies, who were to take no in- terest in the work of the main band, but keep up a vigilant watch, in the role of citizens—for there were a large number of ths men about camp, who would have nothing to do in the matter. The Regulators now numbered over three score, and orders were to take Jumbo Joe, dead or alive; so that matters looked dark for {the young frontiersman, who was thus virtually de- clared to be an outlaw. But that be was destined to retaliate was made evident ,to the people of the Camp, one morning, by a huge p d which was posted up in the door of the Gates Ajar! One by one a crowd of grim-faced men — from their abodes, and gathered in front of the notice to stare at it with growls of anger. Joe had framod it thus: * NOTICE! “You who seek to capture or harm Jumbo Joe are hereby given fair warning that he will never be taken, for he is surrounded Dy men who wil stand by him, and he will fight to the last. If his attempt- ed capture is stopped right here, it will save blood- shed. If not, when you see your men disap x one by one, you will know that Jumbo Joe defies you, and is wiping your ruffian organization out of existence, as fast as vg Se mcpemn e's present. Two of your number are gone from your midst already!" Tbat was all, but it illustrated what sort of an enemy Skeleton Camp had in the Boy Patrol, 4 The placard occasioned great excitement, and was left upa good share of the day, to be in- spected by the curious crowd. In the mean time Joseph Tyler had sent for Hezekiah Blum, for the first time since that wortby’s arrival in camp, and the summons was promptly answered. Tyler was lying upon his bed in his shant habitation, groaning with pain from the woun in his side inflicted by Jumbo Joe’s pistol. He looked up with a scowl as Blum made his entrance and took a seat near the bed. ‘* Well?” he interrogated. ‘‘ You’ve made a nice kettle of fish, baven’t you?” ‘*Tt wasn’t my fault,” the old rascal growled. ‘T was afeard to bring the paper myself, ’cause Bloker was layiwg for me. I sent it by the fel- low Joe, and he lost it—so be says.’” ‘Bah! it’s all a trumped up job. I gave you the gal, and I want the key to the mine or else the girl back again!” “Go get her, then. She’s shut up in my ranch,” . **You lie. I saw her here the night I was lugged. She helped Jumbo Joe to escape from he saloon,” “Here? Then she is a sly minx. If I get hold of her again I’!! put’her under a course of training that will break her.” ‘* You won’t get herif I ean prevent it, unless I see that key to the secret mine. The girl has a big property now, since a certain man has died, and I can utilize ber.” ‘*Then she is the daughter of Levi, the Jew, and Margaret Gray, is she?’ Blum demanded scratehing his head, thoughtfully; ‘‘ and would be an heir to the defunct Governor’s wealth, or at least a part of it.” Tyler started, angered to know that Blum understood the circumstances of the case. “Tt does not matter to you what relation she has to that subject,” he said. “You fork over to me the key to the secret mine, and I'll give you the girland all you can make out of her, e
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— “‘The mine will never do either of us any good until that paper can be found,” Blum re- turned. ‘I never examined it but once, after I received it from the dying Indian, and so eould not locate the place, although I remember that it is in the mountains, due west, and only ten miles from here.” ‘‘Who do you imagine has it, if that fellow Jumbo Joe basn’t?” “The devil only knows who to s be Well, I cannot yield the girl without I get an interest in the mine.” ** But you haven’t got the girl,” T can get her.” “I doubt it. I doubt alsoif you have any lo r got any influence over her, Mr. Joseph e Tyler. ler laughed disdainfully, at the idea, “I know better!” he said. ‘‘The girl hasa secret, and being the possessor of it is where I getinmy grip. You see,a year ago she was secretly married to a young man, the nephew of a wealthy ranchero. She had nothing but the title of a prairie waif—he was the heir pros- pective of great riches; so it was thought best to conceal the marriage. I was a justice of tho —_ at the time, and performed the ceremony, hen a babe was born, the girl brought it to me, and begged me to take care of it. Ere many weeks she returned to claim it, sayin the fact of her having put it away had cause. her husband to leave her. LI refused to give up the child, and told her I never should, if she did uot obey my willand wishes, implicitly. So tar she has submitted, quite gracefully.” Blum listened, intently. **'You’ve not spoken of her connection {with the Gray case,” he said, rather impatiently. “Nor do I intend to, to your advantage!” Tyler retorted. ‘This much, however, I will tell you, just to tantalize you, well knowing you can learn no more without I will it so.” ‘*Go ahead—we will see!” ‘* Well, you know Margaret Lev! left her hus- band, many years ago, taking her two little children with her. She and one of the children were killed in an Indian massacre, The other child Hved. I was told the history of her life, and off and on have kept upa watch on ker whereabouts. ‘There are two waifsin the field, one of whom is the old Jew’s daughter, and consequently an heir to Governor Gray’s a cash. Which is which, it is not practicable for me to say, until I see where the most money ‘comes from.” Blum, evidently, was not highly satisfied with the revelation, ‘* Whore can this will be seen, and how does it read?’ ‘Green, the lawyer has it, Don’t know con- cerning its contents, more than that they say everything pretty much is left to that infernal young rascal, Jumbo Joe,” “Til Lave his head, if it costs everything I own, but what he shall produce the paper con- tai the secret of the mine.” At this instant a defiant peal of laughter was beard in the hall, outside. Blum uttered a fearful malediction, and leap- ed to the door, ‘* [ts that devil Jumbo Jos, by all that’s evil !” he ag _“*He’s been listening to our conversa- tion He rushed out into the hall, but it was to no purpose, Joe was not there nor were there any evidences of his having been there. Down the stairs went the ex-preacher, two steps at a time, and gave the alarm, whereupon a hasty search of the neighborhood was made, but with no result whatever. If Jumbo had been in the camp, he bad not been there without knowing how to escape. When the scattered Regulators returned, the roll was called, and two more of their number were missing, and as they did not return, it ee to conjecture that they had been ambushed or captured by the Boy Patrol or his men, A couple of days passed, without any inci- dent worthy of narration. ’ A On the morning of the third day, Abram Levi, the Jew, received a note through the post- office, which he hastened home with. Its con- tents evidently surprised him much, judging by his expression ‘‘ Py shimminy!” ® communication ran as follows: “Mr. Levi: As there are other parties besides Fourselt scheming for a bite into the Gray property, may profit you to meet a certain person, who can t a in your ear, half a-mile west of town on Rie digused tril Come on receipt of this.” ‘There + signature, and the chi: am / Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. Over and over the Jew read the missive, his eyes gleaming curiously. “Ish dot a drick, I vonder?’ he mused. ‘I aye not. Who vould blay dricks mit me? I vil go. Leaving his shanty in his son’s charge, he emerged upon the street, and made his way to the appointed place of meeting. When he had one what he calculated was about half a mile, e paused and looked about him. Even as he did so there was a whirring sound, and a lasso settled around him, and he was jerked to the ground. The next instant six masked men and Jumbo Joe leaped out of a thicket and seized the frightened Jew. 6 was then made to stand upon his feet, only to be pe fap of his own clothing, and orna- mented with a suit of the raggedest and dirtiest yer oe Pm less the boots and hat. ‘*Sdop! sdop! vot ish der matter—vot you mean py all dish foolishness?’ he cried, fruit- lessly endeavoring to escape. “Well, we thought you were living beyond your means, and thought best to deprive you of your exalted position for a few days, to. give you achance to rest, I in the mean time filling your place, so that no one need suspect your absence!” Jumbo Joe laughed. Levi raved and raged, but uselessly. He was a badly sold Jew, that was evident. After he was arrayed in the ragged suit, his hair and beard were shorn off close, and bis face dyed red in different parts with the juice of a wild berry, whose stain could not be washed out of the skin in weeks, When the job was completed the Israelite presented a truly striking appearance—a com- bination of the ludricrous and horrible well blended. He was then taken in charge by several of the Patrol, and marched on into the mountains, while Joe and the balance of his men remained behind. By aid of Levi’s clothing and an assortment of disguises, Joe proceeded to “‘make up” as the Jew, and so deftly did he execute his pre- parations, that when he had finished, all hands declared that he was a perfect fac-simile of Levi, and would pass as such, even with his own son, **AsT ish an honest mans!” Joe said, with a laugh, **I dink I vil nee I goes now to Skeleton Viats, You follows pehint, und see 1 ish not barmed.” Half an hour later Joo boldly entered Levi's shanty, and with a careless glance at Ikey, who lay ina hammock, seated himself at a desk, and began looking over some account books. ‘*Mighty glad you’re back,” the younger Jew said. “I’ve got a bet upon a game of cards down street, and I'll slip around and see what success I’ve bad.” ** Don’d pet your monish foolishly, Ikey,” the studious listener replied, without raising his eyes. ‘ Monish ish ferry hard to get.” ““Not for an inveterate old rascal like you! In getting money you are utterly too!” the son replied, seizing his hat, and making a dive into the street. “Yes, and Pll be three, if not a full hand, in this dodge!” Joe muttered, laughingly. CHAPTER XII. LEVIS ROLE. It had been Joe’s idea to gain vantage- ground, by removing the Jew, for a temporary period. He had calculated that a careful ex- erin ome of the Jew’s worldly effects might ring to light something worth knowing in re- gard the two beirs of the Gray estate, exclusive of what knowledge he had gained by eaves- dropping at the door of Tyler’s room. . ee after Ikey’s departure, he be- gan his investigation of the premises, by giving the desk a thorough ransacking. Every gost | or rather object of interest was examined, and | among the former, in a little secret compart- | ment, was the mortgage spoken of in Governor | Gray’s will. . It was faded and worn from much handling, and had been made some years before. Joe gave it a close examination to see if it was the one he wanted, and, satisfied that it | was, he tore it into shreds, and put the pieces in his pocket, ‘So much accomplished, anyhow,” be nur- mured. ‘I hardly expected to be in such luck as that. Now Mr. Levi has no claim upon the Gray estate, anyhow.” A ema search of the remainder of the building failed to discover anything else except money. 4 This, Joe did not touch; and seeing no prac- en a a —_—-—— ———————_—————— — n— eee eee ee ee eee ee™——:—_—'] 9 ticable use of remaining longer at the shanty, he removed his ay washed his faee, and let down his long hair, whereupon, he like himself again. He thea left the shanty by the rear, and made his exit from the town, without dis- covery. In a little wooded dell, he paused as he heard voices near. He glided into a thicket at the opposite side of the dell from that whence came the sound, as two persons appeared in sight. He could scarcely suppress a ery: Ono was the pretty girl sport, ville Lil—the other was the equally pretty maiden, Sadie! On entering the glade they faced each ether, and the expressions upon their faces were any- thing but friendly; they were evidently ene- mies, ‘* What little differences exist between us as well bo settled before we leave each othe presence. What do you propose to dof" If was Sadie who spoke. : “Just what have been doing for some time,” Lil replied. ‘ ‘There can be no doubt but what I am the one,” Sadie declared. . **T don’t know about that. Don’t be so sure, While it may appear to you that you are some lost heir whom Tyler has in his keeping for the sake of making money, it appears te me that I ana the real heir, and 1 intemd to eling te the case until | win er lose fairly.” “You probably do not know anything about the case. “I probably do. General Gray has died, leaving a fortune. As Tyler is deeply in- terested in the case, it stands that Ior you are also interested. If so we are, one of us, a daughter of the Jew, Abraham Levi, whose wife Governor Gray’s sister became, and then deserted the Jew, taking her two little girls with her. The mother and one child were Killed—the other still lives, an heir to the Gray estate,” ‘* Aud, accordingly, I am the heir!” Sadie de- clared, decidedly, a glitter of resolution in her eyes. ‘There is no earthly use of your trying to palm yourself off when Tyler knows you are not the genuine heir,” ‘ ‘Tyler keeps his own counsel, and you do not know any more what be knows than I know, If I’m not a bona fide reg’lar-born heir- ess, I don’t want a cent!” Lil averred, with a pompousness that caused Joe, in his conceal- ment, to give vent to a quiet little laugh of ad- me Your obatinaéy in el ging to an imposai- ‘““Your obstinacy in clinging an bility is what makes us enemies,” Sadie said. “*] would fight you fora lifetime before I would yield my rights. Forego your claims in m favor, and | will give you a position as m maid, at a good salary.” Leadville Lil gave a Easp of surprise at thi impudence of her rival, and involuntar raised her rifle, and cocked it, but she low it in a moment, with a grim laugb. ORS **No, I’/1 not shoot you, for 1 understand it’s counted a crime to sboot a fool!” Lil remarked. “When I forego any claim of mine in your favor, it will be a cold, frosty mornivg!” “Then you shall decide who is the rightful heir in the way men settle differences—with the pistol,” the fiery beauty declared, growing more and more erraged. “Phew! you don’t say so,” Lil eja ¥ “Do you really know which end of a pistol t shoot with?” ‘* You shall see,” Sadie gritted. “ Yo gri u stand between me and two objects, and I'll either re move you er you shall me.” ‘‘ What other grievance are you scraping v to gnaw your lip on?” Lil demanded, coolly ‘““Reckon [I know, however. [’m a cactus it the way o’ your makin’ a mash on that Jumbo Joe! Ain’t that so?” rs “You'll never get him!” Sadie returned, as good as acknowledging what her rival had ac- has “Tl kill you both before you shall have im.’ 7 “lve already got him to such an extent that you can’t draw him from me with rope and tackles!” flashed back Lil, defiantly, which wes literally ‘the straw that broke the ca back,’ for Sadie leaped upon her enemy, and in an instant the infuriated girls were strug- gling desperately for the mastery, Joe watched for a moment, undecided what to do. It was rather a delicate affair for him to interfere in, He saw, however, after a few struggles, that the girl Sadie was no match for Leadville Lil, and i was a conflict des- ined to end disastrously for the flery-tempers \ a” a?
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10 oo Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. Lil, though of less stature than her antag- onist, was more werful, muscularly, and could handle the lithe figure of Sadie about pretty much as she liked. Not desiring that either of them should come to harm, Joe finally menpet from the thicket and them, forcib y ‘ene! let up on this!” he cried, ‘‘ We will have mo more quarreling at present, if I know myzelf. adie, you go your way, and Lillian, ou go yours, and if I catch you fighting again, shall sh@et one and marry the other.” _ , Leadville Lil laughed; it now was all ver ey to her, while Sadie looked decidedly sul- en. “Go!” Joe commanded, ‘‘ and let this wran- pling cease. Understand, please, that I am the | eir to Governor Gray’s weaith, providing I cannot find the lost children. If you are Mar- aye Levi’s childrem, as seems quite possible, the man to see you instated in your prop- erty and rights, so go now and let there be no more ill will between you either about the pecpert or about me. If I choose either, it hg no be for money, you can bet on that. go! Beeing that hs meant what he said, Leadville Ll turned her footatape toward Skeleton Camp, while Sadie plunged deeper into the mountains. Several days passed, but the excitement at the mining camp had by no means abated. @ne disappearance after another had occurred, im rapid succession, until the number made a and total of two-score. Evidently the Boy ‘atrol was keeping his promise as faithfully as were the Regulators energetic in their effcrts to capture him, for their efforts were by no means ceasing, Joseph Tyler having offered an additional large reward, as an extra incentive to the searchers. ies were kept posted on all the approaches to the town from the mountain, and when Abraham Levi came straggling into the town, one morning, a pitiable sight to behold, the ple fairly howled their indignation—not that they cared particularly for the Jew, or any p that might befall him, but because it areged them to know that Joe Star had sent him back as an illustration of his power and de- fiance. Levi could not tell where he had been, as he had been kept blindfolded from the time of his Fo el until he had been brought back and ‘released in the vicinity of the cme During tivity he stated that he had been bound toa stake, and fed on nothing but acorns, conse- quently was pretty well exhausted when he back to camp. As soon as Levi reached his own shanty, he made the discovery that the mortgage had been destroyed, and was furious with rage. “The mortgage is gone—destroyed, as I un- derstand Gray ordered it should be, in bis will,” the Jew fairly yaties to the astonished Ikey. “That bars us from any claim upon the estate, except through your right, and even that ish no without de vill ish destroyed!” “You are right. The will must be destroyed; and then that pir, Leadville Lil, brought over to our side. She, I believe, is my lost sister.” “Vel, maybe. Anyhow, you go vor der vill, und I ish to dry mit der girl. If I tell her ash I ish her father, she come mit me, Isaac.” “T woukin’t like to bet my life on your suc- ess!” Ikey replied; ‘‘but go abead and do the : best you can, and Tu rantee I'll secure the . if the lawyer, reen, has itin his pos- session. Better scrub your face again, and get ™% those stains off before you tackle Leadville Lil, for she’s as fastidious as a hornet!” The elder Levi improved his son’s advices dur- ing the remainder of the day, and at nightfall ~ had nearly scrubbed away both skin and stain; then, dressing himself with more care than was his wont, he set forth to encounter, if possible, r Be girl, Leadville Lil. Gates Ajar was the first place he visited, and, sure enough, Lil was there, seated at a table, engaged in playing poker with a bull- whacker, for ten ounces of dust—the fruits of many days’ hard Jabor for him, no doubt. Quite a crowd was collected about the table, watching the dextrous way in which Lil manip- ulated the pasteboards, for her precision and ood luck were something of a revelation to the + habitues of the Gates Ajar. Levi crowded forward, and when Lil had concluded the game by winning it, he threw his arms about her neck and kissed her. ‘‘ Mine shildt! mine little Shennie vot ish lost to me all dese years! I ish proud to reclaim 7) ae was so startled at this demonstration that a a ee ~ she leaped abruptly to her feet, and, as a conse- quence, Levi ro as suddenly to the floor, where Lil, on seeing who it was, put her foot upon him and beld him down. ‘Now, lookee here, old Jewsharp!” she cried, her eyes flashing. ‘‘ I want ye ter explain yer conduct jest now, afore I step right through ! «“ My shildt! my Shennie, let me oop!” the old rascal whined, growing really alarmed as he beheld the girl’s fierce eyes glaring down at im, “Yes, Pll let you ‘oop,’ in a horn!” Lil cried. ‘* What do ycu mean by calling me your child, you old reprobate? [ve a mind to take your scalp and convert it into a pocket-book !” ‘You are my shildt—you are my Shennie!” Levi protested. ‘I ish your fadder, und I ish haff a Poy, Isaac vot ish your brudder.” “Yes, ve met that healthy rooster!” Lil ob- served, with a faint smile. ‘‘Guess he don’t like relations of my stamp. Now, you old coy- ote, I just want you to understand this: If you come around with any more of your fatherly protestations, blamed if I don’t take my knife and scalp you so clean that you'll be bald-head- ed for life. D’ye bear? I ain’t takin’ on no re- lations just at present, and won’t be fathered by no garlic-scented old scarecrow like you. So jest you get right up and dust!” Half-frightened out of his wits, Levi made haste to obey, amid hoots of derision from the bystanders, CHAPTER XIII. IKEY’S EXPERIMENT, Axpoot the same hour that the elder Levi had dropped into the saloon and dropped out again, Ikey, like a thief of the night, was lurking in the vicinity of the shanty of lawyer Green. The building stood at the western edge of the little mining camp, and there were no other dwellings in its immediate vicinity—nothing, but a few clumps of bushes and some, nuge rocks. Without difficulty Ikey gained a position within half a dozen yarns of the house, and crouched down behind a bowlder to reconnoi- ter. The shanty was two stories in hight, and see- ing one of the up-stairs windows open, Tkey con- cluded that Green used the chamber for a sleep- ing apartment, The lower part of the house was closed, and that proved that the lawyer had either retired for the night, or was not about the shanty. Which conclusion to adopt, was a matter of several minutes’ deliberation to the young Jew, after which he became pentty: well satisfied that the shanty was deserted. Believing this, he crawled forward and tried the door and lower window, all of which were fastened, except one. This opened into a back lean-to, or wood-sbed. Into this shed he clambered and groped about for the door opening into the main cabin. He soon found it, but it was locked on the in- side. The fastenings were very frail, however, as he ascertained by leaning against the door heavily, and after a sudden lurch against it, the Rare gave way with acrash, and swung in- ward. So much noise did the opening make, that the prowler crouched away in a corner, lest he should have aroused Green should he perchance be in the shanty. Five minutes slipped away, without a sound; then, emboldened, Ikey made his way into the main apartment, and groped about until he found the table and the candle on it, which he lighted. Green’s rude desk stood open, at one side of the room, and making for it Ikey began haul- ing forth the papers and examining them rapid- Presently he found the will, and gave an ea- ultant chuckle! “*T have it at last!” he muttered, ‘‘ I'll take it home avd burn it, and then much is mine.” ‘© Will you, though? Take that, ycu thief!” And lawyer Green sprung into the room, and fired upon the young burglar, Without a groan Ikey fell to the floor, and expired, almost instantly. é t bad been a final deed for him. Seizing his body the lawyer carried it from the bouse to a considerable distance, where he laid it upon a rock; then wrete and pinned upon it a paper bearing the following words: “*Norice.—This is the chap what tried to rob an- other chap, and found the other chap at home!” ic death, Joe rode into the same The night of Ikey’s a deep narrow strange gulch where he made treaty with Ignace and her band of warriors. _ Here it was he made his head-quarters, having rallied around him a score of roving mountain- eers, whom he knew to be stanch and faithful friends. The force of Ignace he always left in the val- ley as a guard against the escape of his ‘ prison- ers of war’ as he called them, whom he kept chained up in the caves, but otherwise treated well, , ca although he had not been able to get a glimpse of her face, he had found to be a very pleasant person, both in manners, d Bs and conversation. That some mystery surrounded her life, he was well satisfied, but could not tell what it was. She had been most friendly to him, and seemed to be a firm admirer of him, until a day or so before, when he took notice of the fact that she was more reserved in her demeaner. That morning, before he rode forth from the gulch, she had sent for him, and he met her just at the entrance to her cave, ‘*Mr. Star,” she said, ‘‘it seems to me that our interests might be made more identical by a union of hands and hearts. There are riches in this gulch, which you have not access to now, where, if you were mutually interested with me, you could have full charge.” To say that Joe was surprised, would be put. ting it mildly.. He had never even thought such a thing. ‘You must excuse me, but you take me by surprise, I have ne thought of marrying any one yet a while.” “{ understand somewhat differently!” she replied, ‘‘and think you should think twice be- fore wedding an heiress.” Joe started again, What did she know about the matter? Then flasbed across his mind—perhaps she is one of the rival heiresses! ‘Well, perhaps I might change my mind, you know,” he said, ‘‘ but we will defer consid- ering the matter until some otber time, as I must away on my patrol now.” “‘T will not forget!” Ignace said, significantly, as he turned away. This was in the morning. Joe left the gulch without taking his men with him, for he preferred to spy out the situa- tion in Skeleton Camp alone. Judge his surprise when he rode into the gulch, on his return at night, to seo none of his own followers about the camp-fires, but in their ae the half breeds and Indians belonging to ace, i: be rode forward, Ignace advanced from her cave to the camp-fires, and met him. ‘* You are late, to-night, my noble chief! she said, in a tone in which he deteeted sarcasm. “Think so?” be replied, ‘‘ Where are my men?” ‘* Allin the caves, bound, band and foot, b my orders,” Ignace replied, with a quiet laug: of triumph. * You are also m — » sir. Joe was somewhat pre or this, as he had suspected that some had gone wrong, from the moment he entered the gulch and saw that his men were not on hand. ‘‘ What do you mean?” he demanded, laying hold of a revolver. ‘‘ You surely do not im- agine that I will surrender because of a woman’s jealousy !” For reply she waved her hand toward her men, whe, armed with rifles, had leveled the weapons. Jumbo saw them, and realized that he had been neatly taken in. ‘* Why have you done this?!” be demanded, turning his gaze upon her rather mayne ‘‘ Because I love you, and you shall never leave this gulch alive until you yield to my pro- posal. vac me, and your libe is again assured. Refuse, and you shall find that Ignace will heap upon you such excruciating —— that you will feel positive you are d Now is your time to choose which fate you will prefer!’ CHAPTER XIV. JOE IN JEOPARDY. THE news of how Leadville Lil had worsted Levi, the Jew, soon spread over the little ‘‘ city ” of Skeleton Flats; so that it was gen- erally believed that Lil was Levi’s lost da‘ ter, and also the heir of the Gray esta of. whict, however, she most emphatically de nied, The discovery of Ikey’s remains created an- other sensation, and in the were on the tip-toe of expectation for an ‘that might happen.
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Levi felt terribly over the tragic fate of his son, and although he had little or no doubt that Tkey had met bis death at the hands of Green, the lawyer, he was crafty enough to lay the oharge at the door of Jumbo Joe, In the mean time, after witnessing the dis- turbance in the saloon, Hegekiah Blum had dropped in upon Joe Tyler again, and made an explanation of what he had Jearned. You see,” he said, ‘‘that it becomes us to join forces, and make our spec out of this while we can, or we may get all tripped up in our calculations and lose everything.” Tyler did not reply, but looked thoughtful as he sat up in bed, his arm still in a sling, “‘-You possess the important secret, and I the men to back our efforts. Through money, I have the most of the men in the camp at my command. Let us join issues and capture the real heiress, after quieting the bogus one, and putting the Jew out of the way.. Wecan then arrange between us for one of us to marry her, get control of the property, and then make a division of the swag, which will consist of the two properties—Gray’s and Levi’s. How like you the prospectus?” “T don’t ae but what you are right,” Tyler said, after some deliberation. ‘‘ We had best remove all other obstacles than the real heiress, and then, after we have secured her, we will decide by cards who is to have all and who is to withdraw altogether.” “Agreed! Let us moe at once, or we may be thwarted by that infernal imp, Jumbo Joe, who is constantly patrolling the camp in dis guise and picking off my men,” ‘We cannot act until I can get out of doors, which promises to be a couple of days yet,’ Tyler decided. ‘‘ You can remove the Jew, however, as. soon as you please. A good plan would be to accuse him of murdering his own son, and lynch him without ado. Then see to it that lawyer Green’s shanty is burned to the ground, as the Gray will must be concealed therein. The road to success will then be paved, and as soon as I get out we will close up the matter in a summary fasbion,” “‘ Well, I suppose I shall have to wait your motion,” Baim growled. “ And while doing su I will go ahead with the work you have sug- gested. . First of all, we will give Levi a boost, so that he won’t bark.” Jumbo Joe’s answer to Ignace was charact<r- istic of the man. ‘““Were death to stare me in the face in a hundred horrible shapes, I would welcome it, rather than ally mysvlf to a woman who takes the burden of matchmaking upon her own shoulders. Do your worst, Ma’m’selle Sadie—I fear you not!” ; An exclamation of anger escaped through the mask of Ignace. “Why do you call me by strange names?’ she Soeenaek “I do not!” Joe replied, coolly. ‘‘ You are Sadie and it is no sort of use todeny it. You eould not know of my preference for Leadville Lil, if you were not.’ “Then you do dare to assert. that you care fe that ¢ereature!” the woman gritted, trem- ingly. ‘‘ Waal, neow, I should stutter!” Joe said, with provoking coolness. “ Be it so, then!” Ignace bimed. “ Away you — go te the torture, from which I once saved you She motioned to her followers, and they closed in around Joe with a rush; but before they could overpower kim, his revolvers caused four of their number to bite the dust. He was, however, at last bound, hand and foot, and then beund to the same stake where he had once before been tied, and the half- breeds began to heap the brush and fagots once mere around him, while Igmace stood by, look- ing on with apparent satisfaction. ‘You'll come to your oats, the same as any burro does!” she observed, not gratified at the defiant expression upon his face. ‘‘ To-morrow, at sunrise, if yeu do not come to time, you'll singe |” “Tm agreeable. I always imagined that ’'d make excellent smoked herring!” smiled Joe. ‘‘Perhaps after being tormented with fire awhile, you wouldn’t mind being turned over to the Regulators!” Ignace suggested, mockingly, as she turned away. Her balf-breeds soon followed her, first ex- tinguishing the fires and leaving the gulch-bot- tom in darkness. f The heavens became overcast with clouds of inky bhokness; thunder muttered its warping ef an impending storm in deep, detonating tones, and occasionally a zigzag of lightning flashed across the dun sky. By the light of one prolonged flash, Joe dis- covered that a large number of those whom he had held as prisoners, were loose in the gulch, and were creeping toward the place where he was confined. - This gave him a feeling of great uneasiness, but the next flash brought him a discovery that eauved him still greater surprise. A ee was crouching directly before him, and that person was Leadville Lil! CHAPTER XV. RESCUED. THEIR eyes met and the next minute Joe felt the bonds that confined his feet severed. Lil then cut the remaining festenings, and | pines!” pulled him hurriedly away from the vicinity of the stake. ‘*Come!” she said, excitedly. ‘It is now or never, with us, If we succeed in reaching the exit to this den before they do, we’re al right, If not, we'll have to do some tall skirmishing, mark my word!” A yell from behind them in the darkness, an- nounced the fact that their escape had been dis- covered, ‘““We can’t reach the exit, now, ahead of them!” Joe averred, the base of the valley, and dodge ’em as best we can, until we can see some show for escape.” Hand in hand they skulked stealthily away, and as they did so, Joe explaived to his fair rescuer concerning bis arrest and the cause of it. ‘Then you really believe this woman, Ignace, is Sadie, my rival, do you!” Lil asked, eagerly. ‘*T am satisfied that she is no one else,” Joe responded. ‘‘She wouldn’t have known of you bad she not been Sadie.” “Strange. Although I have long known her to be a wild waif, I never suspected that her home was in this mountain den.” ‘Well, it seems to be. She must have con- cluded that I was utterly lost to her, and re- solved to do me all the injury possible by turn- ing the imprisoned Regulators loose upon me, It will be a cold day when they get in their work upon me!” They had now crept around the base of the gulch to the vicinity of the caves, where every- thing was quiet. A hubbub in the lower end of the valley told that the Regulators, and possibly Ignace and her gang, were there. + f wonder if I cannot contrive to set my men free!” Although the neighborhood of the caves was quiet, Joe was well satisfied that they had not been left unguarded, and he was right. Reconnoissance proved that every cave had a stalwart Indian in front of it. “Tl soon fix them,” Jumbo declared. ‘You stay here, Lil, while I clear the way. If you hear a dog yelp, ceme fo my rescue.” He was gone about ten minutes, and then re- turned, excite lly. ‘*I fixed the reds, but my fellows are not in the caves!” he whispered. **I see into it!” Lil said. ‘“‘Ignace has sent the Regulators, in pursuit of you, and will im- prove the opportunity to follow out of the gulch, and escape.” ‘ “I believe you’re right,” Joe said. “ Let’s work down toward the secret Bap. They did so, and found that Lil’s suspicions bad been confirmed; all hands had indeed quit- ted the valley. “Tt remains for us to follow!” Jumbo an- nounced. ‘“‘Iam going back to the camp. I will go in disguise, and you in your present at- tire. We will, however, keep close together.” They left the gulch, and cautiously wended their way down a dark and narrow chasm. Shortly after daybreak they entered Skeleton Camp from different directions, but with an un- derstanding what each other’s movements were to be for the next few hours. Jumbo was dis- guised as a herder from the plains, and looked one, to perfection, but soon changed his mind, and rode out of camp, returning made up as a darky, startlingly genuine. He left his horse grazing in a handy place, and rambled about town for some time, passing Lil twice without her knowing him, " His presence attracted very little attention. He was by no means the nig who had graced the class‘c precincts of Skeleton Camp. The released Regulators had all returned to camp, and were managing to spin some extrav- he yarns about Jumbo Joe’s stronghold. hey admitted, however, that they had not been treated badly while captives in the Boy Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol. ~ | ‘We must creep around | but— aU Patrol’s hands. Joe in his ge mingled freely among them, and guffawed heartily, when he saw anything to laugh about, When one ruf- fian, who had ‘“ crooked his elbow ” often, a glass. of ale down over his shirt bosom, Joe roared so loudly that the ruffian turned upon him fiercely. ‘See heer, ye blarsted nigger,” he roared, “wat ye bellerin’ at? Speak SP afore I knock ye inter the middle of next week!” ‘‘Fo’ de Lor’, chile, Ise couldn’t help it— %"deed I couldn’t, fo’ suab!” snorted Jumbo, ‘**'You’se jes’ done gone sp’iled dat piccanninny shirt, youh has, ’deedy!” “ ll hev yer black scalp, ef ye open ver tater- trap ag’in!” warned the miner. “I’m Bige Badhen, an’ I can lick my weight in porky- ‘An’ I’m Josephus Claude Augustus Cala- bash!” Joe returned, importantly. “I want you to ’stinctly understan’ as I’se a colored gew’man ob noble birth, sah, an’ if you lays one thumb on me, I’se gwine to rise up on my dignity an’ show youh, sah, dat Sam set dese colcr’d chil’ren ire to be equal to de white trash, I’se bad, I is Bige Badhen evidently did not relish this, for with a roar something like that of an enr elephant, he rushed upon his dusky enemy, Badhen lay upon the floor with a knife in bis bosom, and Joe was seen disappearing through a window doubled up like a cannon ball, CHAPTER XVI. TROUBLE AGAIN. Ir was destined to be a night of nights in the history of Skeleton Camp, The treatment Badhen had received from his colored tormentor soon created a suspicion that he was really what he was—Jumbo Joe, in disguise—and an order to scour the canmyp was n given; but the Boy Patrol had exchan 8 disguise for that of an ordinary bewhiskered miner, and was sauntering about the town, quietly smiling at the extraordinary efforts be- ing made to capture him, nm , n the course of his ramblings he thought of the man, Tyler, and resolved to pay him a | visit, and was soon at the schemer’s bedside. , Tyler was ae at the time, but the prick of — a pin brought him to bis senses, and he was electrified to find himself staring into the tubes of Joe’s handsome revolvers, ‘* Ha! bello! what—” <a “Perzactly!” the young Patrol declared, “T came in a-calling, and not having any visiting keerds, I thought ther bar would — do just as well. How you feelin’ to-night, Gil rt Gayler? Been wounded, lately, € per- ; ceive! egrees é Tyler, as we shall still continue to call nim, = turned ghastly white, while his hands picked ec, nervously at the quilts, wad { “Who are you? who are you” he gasped “What do you want? Whoare you? “Tam not one who hee harm you, for the past, unless you act mulish—then, undoubt: edly, I shall have to apply the screws!” was the significant response, "1 Jost drgpped In ae Gilbert, on a matter of im a little information I should like to ' while [ am here, | might as well take it along witeles er éd Walftous! | ' yler grinned maliciously. ; Ty : “There’s not enough money in your pockets _ ‘ to BUS EP what knowledge you wo ke to ess 4 ) \ . ‘* But there’s cartridges enough in my revol- . vers to force that in oribiution out. % Soar ee Jumbo retorted, sternly. % i “You are mistaken!” Tyler gritted. ““You can perforate me like a pices of cardboard, but ‘ I'm hanged if ye can get a peep out of me con- cerning the secret!” “Bah!” was Joe’s answer, “Idonotcareto — parley. Before I leave this room, you're going — to tel] me which is the trae daughter of = gpret Levi, or I'll leaye your corpse here for eo 4 ‘ The sentence remained unfinished. A terri- : ble blow upon the side of his head dropped the Boy Patrol to the floor insensible, where his hands were hastily bound by his spetians,. ie Hezekiah Blum, who had softly stolen into the room in time to save Tyler from a certain me doom. “ - “ At last I bave him!” the ex-minister cried, © * pe Mea now I'll f ose my mort A Ac am a ce | 7 w a large knife f 3 ‘on his e dre ce a large its sheath on hi hip, and flourished it threa’ Just then, however, the d
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b , - this, feller-citizens. 12 «pen and Colonel Bill Bloker, with a number of the Bet ote entered, * Hello! what hey we heer? Jumbo Joe a en by all that’s wonderful!” the colonel cried, ‘“ Wes! ves! he’s mine! mine!” Blum vocifer- ated. ‘Don’t you touch him, for he is mine. I have a mortgage on him, and I’m going to fore- close it.” “ Jest let up yer chin!” the colonel ordered. ““Wo've sumthin’ o’ more importance on the ‘dockets jest now. This hyar hull camp is gone to ther cats, as sure as ther’ is ile in b’ar-meat!” “What d’ye mean?’ Tyler demanded, in rm. ‘““T mean,” answered the colonel, with great . Importance, ‘‘ that we are on the eve o’ a great battle, in which we're goin’ to git tetotally @hawed up an’ swallered ef suthin’ ain’t done. —-— --—-—__,------ - This byar town is surrounded by a livin’ | ewarm 0’ Injuns an’ whites, an’ they mean biz- mess!” He then went on to explain how every ap- proach to the town had been found to be ‘swarming with armed red-skins, half-breeds and white men. That they contemplated attacking the town no one could doubt. A meeting Bloker had caHed to warn Blum and Tyler; but now that he found Jumbo Joe in custody, it altered matters somewhat. The Boy Patrol might, or might not, prove a valua- ble acquisition for the defense of the camp. A consultation was held, and Colonel Bioker decided that Joe should be taken before the as- sembled people, to which Blum objected most emphatically, but his objections were overruled, and Joe was borne away. Out in the rough main street of Skeleton Camp a large crowd wus collected, which em- braced nearly all the male element of the i, 8 en Bloker and his gang were seen ap- ap aan leading Jumbo Joe between them, here was a great shout from the citizens—also another distinct yell that seemed to emanate from the mountains, Danger overhung the town of Skeleton Camp, and if it could be averted, there was need that the ne steps be taken at once. Joe, now half restored to his senses, wondered _ what it all meant. CHAPTER XVII. Vv A VOTE, Tux Boy Patrol was marched into the midst of the crowd, who greeted bis arrival with “howls of rage. Colonel Bill Bloker, however, with more sense than the majority, thought is not im i- ble that Jumbo wight serve Skeleton Flats a ood turn, were his life and liberty restored 3 m. So when he heard the furious greeting of e crowd, he waved his hand to enjoin silence, and cried; ‘ **Tookee hyar, pilgrims, this won’t do at all. You're en dressed, so ter speak, afore ye get yer shirt on. Ye look upon this coon as a robber and desperado, but thar’s none o’ ye what's bin robbed nor hurt. We created a ‘yumpus wi’ ther chap when he cum hyar, an’ wed he’é make it warm fer us!” paused, There was a grunt of approval from several, ‘Ter perceed,” went on the colonel, ‘l’ve kim ter ther conclusion thet thar ar’ wuss fel- Jers nor gumbo Joe, an’ ther case stands like We're ye yeni | in a dovilish bad fix. Ther town is surrounded by mountain footpads and their confed’s, the reds, and ef we don’t mind, we're goin’ to get tetotally glicked. Consequently, something has got ter be did, and I fer one pu to give Jumbo Joe a chance to redeem himself by savin’ the camp! “Ye’re a fool!” Hezekiah Blum_ yelled. *Thet feller is the captain ov the crowd what surrounds the town; an’ besides, he’s mine, I tell ye, fer ’ve gota mortgage on his bead.” “Oh! you go soak yo r own head, and you will be well off!” the colonel retorted in supreme contempt. ‘‘ You’re o’ no ‘account in this hyar camp. I allow I’m ther boss, boys, when et cums ter fightin’!” A shout of approval wentup. Bloker was a good man in his way when it came to gerim- He had able to understand all that had passed. ou will understand it, I am not to be driven to , do anything against my will. The charge of Ju that superannuated kangaroo, who rejoices in the name of Blum, that lam the leader of the gang that surrounds your town, is a lie. Iam not powerfal enough to rally many mon mm this vicinity, except when I call upon one who can furnish me sufficient forces to destroy a thou- sand camps like this, The person who attacks our camp is known to those who serve under er as Ignace. To two other persons in this cawp—or say four—she has another name. Her retreat and mine, were, by arrangement, identi- cal, until last night, when she took me captive, because I refused a matrimonial alliance with her. I escaped, and it now only remains for me to say that I am your prisoner and at your mercy.” Silence followed, during which a recently arrived stranger in Skeleton Camp pushed for- ward and stood face to face with the Boy Patrol. Their eyes met in what, to the spectators, might have seemed a vacant stare, but that they had met some time before would seem certain, as the stranger, without a word, turned and left the crowd, and adjourned to a neigh- boring beer hall. Several persons followed, at a nod from Ty- ler, but Colonel Bloker did not seem to attach enough importante to the incident to pay any further attention to it. Another person, however, had stolen toward the saloon, in a roundabout way, and this was none other than Leadville Lil. ; Let us, however, keep with the crowd for a moment, The last words of Jumbo Joe had created a decided impression upon the rough audience, which even the intrusion of the stranger had rot dispelled. “T am proud.of your explanation, Jumbo Joe,” Colonel Bloker declared, swelling with importance. ‘‘It is entirelv satisfactory to a majority of our people, an’ ther oo wai allers rules. I know you're an independent sort o’ cuss, an’ 1 know ye kin fight. “Ye kno’ thet we’re in danger; ye are ther right hairpin ter help us out, I'll tell ye what I propose: You take contro] of ther gang and whip ther enemy, an’ ye'r’ oureapt’in fer life.” A murmur of dissent arose from some of the rough audience. “Let a vote be taker—Bloker or Jumbo Joe, fer commandin’ capt’in o’ ther camp!” one miner cried. “Dye agree to that?” Bloker demanded, turning to Joe. “If you are elected, will you serve this camp as its commander?” **T will, on conditions,” Jumbo replied, “What are they?” “That I have full control, and have the lib- erty of my own men assured, when I rescue them.” Bloker turned to the crowd. “Well?” he said, interrogatively. A murmur of approval followed which seemed unanimous, though it struck Joe that many voices were silent. ‘Good !” the colonel assented, seizing bis own and Joe’s hats, and laying them on an empty whisky barrel in front of them. ‘* This bes got ter be a fair shake, Prepare yer squibs of pa- r, with the name o’ yer man marked upon it. o repeatin’—death ter the man who tries sbenan. Vote, gentlemen, vote!” They did vote. Slips of paper were prepared, and every man in the camp was requested to vote. When the last vote bad been cast, as a]l sup- posed, old Levicame strutting up with a slip of paper in his hand; but just as be was about to drop it into Bloker’s hat, that worthy shoved his revolver suddenly under the Jew’s nose, ‘““No ye don’t!” he gritted; ‘‘ you’ve voted twice—three times is out!” Then there was a flash—a groan—a fall! CHAPTER XVII. OFF TO RECONNOITER. LEVI went sprawling to the ground, a corpse, It was destined that he shouid never poll two votes at one election again, and Bloker stood regarding his work, ‘Dot ish der vay der monish goes—pop goes i “Gents, der veasel!” he grunted, satirically. ef ye will lend me yer ear, Pl! count ther votes! | That'll tell who is ter take charge of this camp —that’ll tell ye whether we’re goin’ to die wi’ our boots on or not. Ef Jumbo Joe don’t get elected, ye can depend upon it that some of us will ebaw plumbago before morning comes nD The votes were then counted and it was pei that Jumbo Joo was eleeted by two ma- y- It had been a narrow call, and showed that he was not destined to command the spirits in the camp. “Bully! ther majority ts fer Jumbo Joe, and our skin is safe, boyees!” Colonel Bill yeHed. * Cut the prisoner free!” The Boy Patrol was promptly given his viesty and a pair of pistols and a repeating rifle. He was secretly not sorry for this, for he had - doubt that be might need them, close to home, “Gents!” he said, stepping forward, “‘T have been elected, it appears, for creme the’ re- peng cil of defending thiscamp. It may be well to add that I shall fill the office to the best of my ability, trusting that those who have bitherto been my enemies, will respond when I call for belp. Before I can tell anything what to do, I must make a personal reconnoissance, to see for myself what the strength of the enemy ‘**Remember! desertion means death!” Bloker warned. ‘‘I'm square tomy word. If I fail to come back, remember that Iam captured. Keep the crowd in its present position. I will return after having made a scout. There will prob ably be no attack before night; then, I'll be prepared to give them a warm reception.” e stealthily dodged away then among the shanties. In the mean time the man who had stared so bard at Joe had reached the _ saloon, where he proceeded to take a drink, after which be seated himself at a table, with the evident intention of writing in a book which he drew from his pocket; but as the rough who had dogged his footsteps hovered about close in the vicinity, he desisted from what was evi- dently his first purpose, He was a man of rather imposing appearance, good-looking, and reminding one of a mili officer, although he wore citizen’s attire. He evidently had suspicions that be bad been dogged by the roughs, and a strange fire entered his dark eyes. After a few minutes’ deliberation, he drew, oe and jaid a pair of revolvers upon the table. ‘Is there anytbing I can do for you, gentle- men?’ he demande gazing at them. ‘‘If so, please to state your errand. The roughs scowled among themselves; then one of them advanced a few paces. *“‘T reckon, boss, we knows what we’s sent for!” he declared, with a leer. ‘‘ Ye can’t skeer us by pilin’ up weapons on that table.” ** Probably you will see if you give me any of your insolence. What do you want?” ‘*-You’re a s’picious keracter, an’ et’s our busi- ness ter keep an eye on ye!” was the cheering response. he stranger picked up his weapons and leap- ed to his feet. “Did you ever hear of Lieutenant Black of the —th Infantry!” he cried, sternly, * Well, then, know that I am he, and I’ve got the re- putation of being a bad man. Bo, you go, o» [ll have every motber’s son of y yu shot!” The miners had beard of tie lieutenant, whose successful raids on the mountain despera- do baunts had given him a wide notoriety, They knew he never joked. . The ‘‘ Tarant’ler,” leader of the roughs who bad dogged the officer, gave a signal to his vil- lainous comrades, and all left the saloon. Black resumed his seat and after jotti down some uotes in his book, arose and o meth a valise, which he had previously left in charge of a barkeeper. From this be took a carrier pigeon, white as svow and thrust it into his poeket, He then left the saloon, and walked to en un- frequented part of the camp where he once more halted. Tearing leaves from his book, he rolled them up tightly, and tied the little roll securely under the bird’s wing, after which be threw her into the air and she soared away out of sight. ‘There! that will do the business, nearly as well as I could myself!’ he said, aloud, “It was lucky I brought the bird along!” “Was it?’ a voice exclaimed, in-his ear, and at the same time a persou stepped in front of him, and he beheld a cocked revolver leveled in the person’s hand. It was Leadville Lil, whe confronted him, and there was a desperate gleam in her eyes. : “So I’ve caught you, have I?’ she demanded ‘* What message did toat pigeon bear away?” “Mone of your business!” the officer retorted “Who are you, pray!” \ . bina > Pen
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_“ Teadville Lil, every inch of me, and square to my , Jumbo Joe. The one that tries to harm him, has no use for this world, and don’t ap forget it, my Ue ee There’s death in revolvers, andif I know mysdlf, you'll get the first edition, quicker’n by telegraph, ef J don’t unbosom yourself, in a jiffy, now I ou! ‘You will do nothing of the kind,” Black said, calmly. ‘‘ No doubt you’re as good as you represent—I saw you shoot the ear off from a tough in a Gulch once—bnut you’re reckon- ing wrong when you propose to tackle Lieuten- ant Black, one of Jumbo Joe’s stanchest friends and one who secured for him. the position of special detective of the hills!” Lil stared her surprise. “ You ade say!” she articulated. ‘‘ But the as sent for a company of cavalry which Jam new temporarily commanding. If mili- tary aid does not arrive, you'll see bloody times int wee mre another twenty-four hours passes! CHAPTER XIX. ANOTHER PLOT. THe both listened, intently. There was a loud scream up the mountain side, across the valley. Some would have taken it for the scream of en eagle, but it strack the listeners, pretty forci- bty, that it was the voice of a human being. “That was a signal of some import to the marauders under Ignace!” Leadville Lil de- cided. ‘‘ What do you make of it?’ “T bardiy know!" Black returned, ‘‘ unless it was a signal of attack, which is hardly proba- ble, or, mayhap, I was seen toset the pigeon free, Levs rejoin the crowd !” Joe had gone upon his reconnoissance. The crowd grouped about the main street, awaited his return. Seeing a favorable opportunity, Blum and Tyler went to one side, where their conversa- tion was not likely to be overheard. “Our time to move is now or never!” the ex- minister said, ina significant tone. ‘If we do not strike while the iron is bot our cake is dough.” “You are ay I anticipate your ideas on the matter. e majority is but two or three in faver of the Boy Patrol. If we work it right, we can draw over half of those who voted for him, and then, by accepting Ignace as the real heir, can secure her aid, and take the town—in sort of triple partnership, as it were.” **Tenace is Sadie?” “You heard what Jumbo Joe hinted.” ‘* But is Sadie the real heir?” * Well, no. might as well know first as last. Leadville Lil is the only surviving heir of the Gray and Levi estates. We can bounce Badie, after we get full control, and substitute aA, providing we can negotiate favorably with ex. “T understand. The next thing to consider, is the impending attack. It must be averted.” “Yes, One of us must wait upon Ignace, and make our pro The other will draw over the men, and have all in readiness. One rocket from the mountain-side, shall be a signal that Ignace accepts our terms. A second rocket vignifiee that she isall ready foranattaek. The third recket, for all bands to begin an attack!” “ All right,, You had best go and negotiate with Sadie, as J have not thus far made an particular impression upon her, coutrary to all pecans Blum said, with a ghastly sm. : It wags acoordingly so arranged. ; 5 rot a to aa crowd to try bis Pe ouniary if not his magnetic powers, in winnin over to his cause some of A a who had ‘ond to rtand by Jumbo Joe. Tyler betook himself stealthbily toward the resorts of the enemy, ring in front of him a fick with a white tandkerchief tied to it. He thought be stif held one little point that pace the proud flery Sadie weakef to A’ . CHAPTER XX. CONG ON, Tue daring schemer whe would run a large risk in trying to gain an andfenhce with —_ but be resolved to attenspt it, at all haz ar It was not long ere he reached the southern outskirts of the camp, and bot a few mare steps did he take ere he heard the expected chalhen 4 4 “Ba” ““Who comes there? What want!” the voice of a half-breed demanded. ‘“‘Tell the fair Ignace that the friend, Tyler, comes with a flag of tenis and important news,” the wily schemer replied. Then there was a silence of nearly half an hour. Tyler waited with rather poor patience. Then the yoice in the undergrowth spoke again: ‘“* Advance, pale-face. Ignace will see you.” With a little uneasiness, lest he should be running his neck into a noose, Tyler stole stealthily forward; but as cautious as he was, he was soon seized by several half-breeds, and hurried away up a mountain defile, passing numbers of the enemy as. he went. In the course of a few minutes they came to a sort of dell, where a camp-fire was burning, and a woman was standing before it. lt was Ignace, attired as when Jumbo Joe had first seen her. Tyler was marched forward, and halted be- fore the young commandress, who surveyed him keenly. “Well, what you want?’ she demanded, shortly. ‘I have no time to parley with you.” ‘*On the contrary, you bave, if you will give me privacy, as I have something of much im- portance to tell you, Sadie,” he answered. She started at that. “You know me then?” “Of course.” She waved her band, and the half-breeds re- tired from view; then with a motion to Tyler to ba seated upon a log, she said: “Go ahead, and say what you have to say, If it is of any importance, I will listen; if not, I will not.” ‘*It is of much importance. plate an attack, do you not?” “a Yes. ” ** Do you hope to win?” ‘Should not be surprised if I do. make a determined attewpt, anyhow.” * You would probably win but for one thing.” “What is that?’ “You will not have the men of Skeleton Flats alone to battle with. I suspect that there is a large military force in the vicinity.” Ignace paled, ‘ But this matter can be settled,” Tyler pur- sued, seeing that he had made an impression, “Let me explain how. It isin the power of myself and Blum to win over a large rap of the miners, who have chosen Jumbo Joe as their leader, If you agree, we will assist yon to take town, with the proviso that we share equally’ With you in everything, When you at- tack the camp, our men wil! also attack it, and once we get rooted there, all the military com- panies can be defied.” “Your plan is Pat But there must be other conditions, I claim to be the lost child of Margaret Levi, and therefore heir to all my father’s and uncle’s property.” You contem- I shall ‘No one will object to your spctyving that. tion, shaging equally with Blum an bat may as wel cool your ardor, however, by in- forming you that you are not the genuine beir.” The girl uttered a smothered curse. “Who is, then?” she hissed. “Teadville Lil. But, fear not, She shall never occupy the position, if you come to terms.” ‘ ‘There is another condition.” a“ What?’ “ My child!” : ‘‘Of that, I have but one thing to truthfull tet! you. Itis dead—died, soon after you left it in my care.” ' Ignace, as we shall continue to call her, grew as white as death at this, as Tyler could see, on her removing her vail. She turned a pair of eyes upon him, in which a pager of hatred gleamed. ‘You have trified with me long enough, Joseph Tyler, and ail to deep and lasting injury, too. You shall pay the penalty of your ra A ery and wiekoodnees-noww { And she drew a from ber bosom, and rushed upon bim. pprOpared for the frenzied onslaught, ste hail |. htm at ber di 1, and drove the glitterin blade deep in bis bosom, and he tottered an tefl to the ground. ‘‘ Die! die! curse you!” sbe screamed. ‘You will never scheme Aa! ha! I will win, and have it to say that I was revenged on you, too! “But, you have me yet to deal with!” a voice cried, and eadyill Lil aped from a 29 be . ting chap: 2. : w, I) _[ command you to surrender, murderess |” “In the name of the is you?” Ignace erfed, with a diabdlical ‘Never. Pll serve you as | served lotting wretch!” and she rushed at Lil, the fury a maddened tigress expressed in her blazing face and eyes, “Stop!” Lil cried, drawing and cocking her revolver, but at that moment thers was a sharp whizz and the vengeful woman—staggered— fell, with an arrow piercing her heart, and then, Jumbo Joe darted in a the scene, “You have killed her!” Lil gasped. “7 had to, or she’d have murdered you!” Joe replied. ‘It’s our turn to move, now, for the salvation of Skeleton Camp. I must lift these bodies, and bear them away.” “3 He did so, carrying them to a cleft in the mountain wall, Te Fe ‘* Put on Sadie’s robe and vail,” Joe ordered. “You must impersonate Ignace.” laugh. She obeyed. When sbe was arrayed, he handed her a paekage, and spoke in a low. and rapid tone, giving her special directions what to do. She then proceeded to bind him, after which she gave the cry of an eagle, Shortly afterward, a burly half-breed, whose name was Jagiey, and who had served Ignace as lieutenant, came striding forward, Lil pointed to Joe, with a nod, “See! we shall yet have the sacrifice!” she said, ‘Order every man to the guich—ther come back and escort me there!” The half-breed looked surprised, ‘*Give up atitack?’ he queried, ‘‘ Until after the sacrifice,” she replied. He mre a malfolons glance at Joe, then, and retired. a In balf an hour he sobaned, and the trio set out for the mountaib gui : ands On their arrival there, Leadville Lil and Joe were surprised to find the other portion o band already there, more than a hundred of them all told, i Lil omlered Joe at once tied to the stake, and the matter-of-fact way in which she went at it, caused Joe to wender if after all he had not moade a mistake, Brush was piled around him, and every aration for the sacrifice made, the roug 4 seeming to be delighted ead —ee T OF When all was ready, Lil went in of the caves, and returned with a large demijohy 6f whisky, and a number of cu Marshaling the men tito ioe, she to ply the gang with cupfuls of the fey « 1, th ot they Set aed a gusto, seemin . As the reader has bl y surmised powerfuly drugged, and ohn wes empty, there was m than ova heavy eye among the crowd. At last the vessel was , : Lil then motioned the stufid beings to kneel, and roe to and fro in front of them, w her hands over their heads weird sort of dirge. Se not they knew the n n to topple over, one by one, and i , ’ ill sensible but one. } He was a bur! brutal Joolking g halt-bree ee ee tate 1a not seemed aioe tet wi, but next are gala yah eb. aL, m. ¥E .- ; oc i then released Joe, w it her in h att aan a Saehoed her, fa OR aah “Tis worked itke piel” he ¢; a “ Won't we surprise 'em, rT ; n we go back to camp! Come! lets ‘em afore they — oes th subauede to do. ydite The oom 9 Dooring twenty ive o-loads of iieten Gata. be be the te ic oes e Friend and we banded, ove Mp Rack, whose men already arrived, and » d Btom and his cronies. | rer Little need be added. Joe’s last aplish- ment was the means of insgring him a welcome tn Skeleton Camp, and he was ~~ Sport were duis, martian; . n robe of Sadie was found detached frem oe concluded that it was a part af the clew to the nee pow Hit i ae ob has never been unearthed, a ra) ialea $: and cha’ ea ; ¢ alt ve _ c i /
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ie! See & 1 Adventures of Buffalo Bill. From Boyhood to Man hood. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. ; The Ocean Hunters; or, The Chase of the Leviathan. By Captain Mayne Reid. (G§™ An extra large number. 3 Adventures of Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. Remarkable career of J. B, Hikok. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. The Prairie Ranch; or, The Young Cattle Herders. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. the Life of J, B, Omohundro, ‘‘ Texas Jack.” By Col. P. Ingraham. Cruise of the Flyaway; or, Yankee Boys in Ceylon. By C. Dunning Clark. Roving Joe: The History of a Young “ Border Ruffian.” Brief cs ee % Bath & BD By Ed. Willett. Scenes from the Life of Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By A. H. Post. The Flyaway Afloat; or, Yankee Boys Round the World. By C. Dunning Clark. Bruin Adams, Old Grizzly Adams’ Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam, 10 The Snow Trail; or, The Boy Hunters of Fur-Land, A Narra- tive of Sport and Life around Lake Winnipeg. By T, C, Harbaugh, 11 Old Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer; or, The Monarch of the Mountain. By Dr. Frank Powell. 12 Woods and Waters; or, The Exploits of the Littleton Gun Club. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 13 A Rolling Stone: Boy and Man, of Col. Prentiss Ingraham. By Prof.Wm. R. Eyster, 14 Adrift on the Prairie, and Amateur Hunters on the Buffalo Range. By Oll Coomes. 15 Kit Carson, King of Guides; or, Mountain Paths and Prairie Trails. By Albert W. Aiken. 16 Red River Rovers; or, Life and Adventures in the Northwest. By C. Dunning Clark. 17 Plaza and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of “ Buckskin Sam,” (Major Sam’S. Hall.) By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 18 Rifle and Revolver; or, The Littleton Gun Club on the Buffalo Range. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 19 Wide-Awake George, the Boy Pioneer. 20 The Daghing Dragoon; or, The Story of General George A. Custer, from West Point to the Big Horn, By Capt. F. Whittaker. 21 Deadwood Dick as:a Boy ; or, Why Wild Ned Harris, the New England Farm-lad, became the Western Prince of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. 22 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harbaugh. 23 Paul De Lacy, the French Beast Charmer; or, New York Boys in the Jungles. By C. Dunning Clark. 24 The Sword Prince: The Romantic Life of Colonel Monstery, (American Champion-at-arms,) By Captain Fred. Whittaker. 25 Round the Camp Fire ; or, Snow-Bound at “Freeze-out Camp.” A Tale of Roving Joe and his Hunter Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 26 Snow-Shoe Tom; or, New York Boys in the Wilderness, A Narrative of Sport and Peril in Maina By T. C. Harbaugh, 27 Yellow Hair, the Boy Chief of the Pawnees. The Ad- . venturous Career of Eddie Burgess of Nebraska. By Col. Ingraham. 28 The Chase of the Great. White Stag and Camp and Canoe. By C. Dunning Clark. 29 The Fortune-Hunter; or, Roving Joe as Miner, Cow-Boy, Trapper and Hunter. By A. H. Post. 30 Walt Ferguson’s Cruise, A Tale of the Antarctic Sea, By C. Dunning Clark. 31 The Boy Crusader; or, How a Page and a Fool Saved a King. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 32 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine Chief: or, The Ro- mantic and Adventurous Life of Dr. D, Frank Powell, known on the Border as “ Fancy Frank,” ‘Iron Face,” etc. By Col. P. Ingraham, Captain Ralph, the Young Explorer; or, The Centipede Among the Floes, By C. Dunning Clark, 33 STRANGHR | 36 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. Thrilling Adventures in | Incidents in the Career on Sea and Land as | THAN FICTION! setts tee etee NOW READY AND IN PRESS. 34 The Young Bear Hunters. A Story of the Haps and Mishaps of a Party of Boys in the Wilds of Michigan, By Morris Redwing. 835 The Lost Boy Whalers; or, In the Shadow of the North Pole. By T. C. Harbaugh. Smart Sim, the Lad with a Level Head. By Ed. Willett. Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums; or, The Monsters of the Esquimaux Border. By Roger Starbuck. The Settler’s Son; or, Adventures in Wilderness and Clear: ing. By Edward 8, Ellis. Night-Hawk George, and His Daring Deeds ard Adventures in the Wilds of the South and West. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Ice Elephant; or, The Castaways of the Lone Coast. By Captain Frederick Whittaker, The Pampas Hunters; or, New York Boys in Buenos Ayres, By T. C. Harbaugh. The Young Land-Lubber. Bronco Biily, the Saddle Prince. The Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the Woods, De Forrest. Jack, Harry and Tom, the Three Champion Brothers; or, Adventures of Three Brave Boys with the Tattooed Pirate. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. The Condor Killers; or, Wild Adventures at the Equator. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Boy Coral Fishers; or, The Sea-Cavern Scourge. By Roger Starbuck. Dick, the Stowaway; or, A Yankee Boy’s Strange Cruise. By Charles Morris. Tip Tressell, the Floater; or, Fortunes and -Misfortunes on the Mississippi By Edward Willett. The Adventurous Life of Nebraska Charlie, (Chas. E. Burgess.) By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo Plantation. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Honest Harry; or, The Country Boy Adrift in the City. By Charles Morris. The Boy Detectives; or, The Young Californians in Shanghai. By T. C. Harbaugh. 54 California Joe, the Mysterious Plainsman. By Col. Ingraham. 55 Harry Somers, the Sailor-Boy Magician, By S. W. Pearce. 56 Nobody’s Boys; or, Life Among the Gipsies. By J. M. Hoff man. 57 Th> Menagerie Hunter; or, Fanny Hobart, the Animal Queen. By Major H. Grenville, ‘‘Sea Gull.” 58 Lame Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris. 59 Lud Lionheels, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger Starbuck. 60 The Yo Trail Hunters; or, New York Boys in Grizzly Land. By TC. Harbaugh. 61 The Young Mustangers. By C. Dunning Clark. 62 The Tiger Hunters; or, The Colorado Boys in Tiger-Land. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 63 The Adventurous Life of Captain Jack, the Border Boy. (John W. Crawford, the Poet Scout.) By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 64 The Young Moose-Hunters; or, Trail and Camp-fire im the New Brunswick Woods. By Wm. H. Manning. 65 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker; or, Two Brave Boys to the Rescue. By Roger Starbuck. A New Issue Every Week. 37 38 By C. Dunning Clark. By Col P. Ingrabam, By Barry 48 Breapux’s Boy’s Liprary is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PusLisHERs, 98 William Street, New York.
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averley © v bent american Copyright Novels and the Gream of Foreign Novelists, Unabridged, FOR FIVE CENTS: The rere basen’, Ever Published! Him?’ By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell 2 Was It Love? or, Collégians — Sweet- | hearts. By Wm. Mason Turner, M. D 3 The Girl Wife ; or, The True and the False. By Bartley T. Campbell. 4A Brave Heart; or, By Arabella Southworth. 5 Bessie Raynor, the The Quicksands of Life. Turner, M. 6 The Secret ‘Marriage; or, A Duchess in Spite of Herself. oe Sara’ Claxton, on aughter of Eve; or, Blinded by ‘Love. By Mrs. M Reed Crowell 8S Heart to eart; or, Fair Phyllis’ Love. By Arabella Southworth. 9 Alone In the World; or, The Young Man's Ward. By the author of “ Clifton,” “ Pride and Passion,” ete, 1 The Masked Bide; or, Will She Marry i? | Startlingly Strange. Work. Girl or, By W illiam Mason By or, Myra, the Child of Adoption. By Mra. Ann S. Stephens. 13 Madeap, the Little mskorese or, The Naval adet’ 8 Wooing, y Corinne Cushman. 14 Why I Married im} or, The Woman in is ae # By pee Pee r ace; or, Out i Darton T Once eg n the World. By 16 Trust Her ot; or, A True Knight. B Margaret Leicester. m 17 A Loyal Lover or, The ae of the Grims- | ths. = 4 Arabella Southwort. ta aol or, The Iil- Starsed 1 Marriage. By ed Crowell. 19 rhe Brow Betrothal; or, Love versus | : Hate. By Mary Grace Halpine 20 Orphan Nell. the Orange ‘Girl; or, The : Lost Heir. By Agile Penne. 21 Now and Forever}; or, Why Did She Mar- | e 4 Him? By Henrietta Thackeray. 22 The Bride of an Actor 3 or, Driven from Otten hoe the author of “ Alone in the World,” | 23 Leap Year; or, Why She Proposed. By Sara 24 Her Wace Was 2a ate deh Her Fortune. By Elea 25 Omly a Schoolmistress; or, Her Untold ret. By Arabella Southworth. 26 ithout a Heart; or, W Iking h # rink. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrahasn. ce IF. 2% be om An a n Coquette? os A — & ion) ee S g 25 ae If. 30 — Bouguet Girl; 3 or, A Million of Money. e, Penne. 31 A ee Marriage ; or, The Iron Will. By sO riana, the Prima Donna ilies. By Arabella Southworth.” gs 33 The Three Sisters; or, The Mystery of Lord Chalfont. By Alice Fiemin r 34 A eq te om of Convenience}; ot, Was He a Count? By Sara Claxton, 35 an clogs Her; or, The Winthrop Pride. 36 sir Mp ee Bride; o = eerr 37 The Country Cox Seuthivorth ‘ola untry Cous + Glitters. "p quuzin } or, All is not Gold 38 His Own A wd od xa Her Not. By 39 Plirtation rena x G r on “4 o irl’s Good Name. By Jacob Abarbanell, (2 RO apa 40 Pledged to = or, In Bo 41 3B sara De th aa Lo elt n votion; or, ve th World, By Alice Flom! Sees ane 42 Beatrice, the Beautiful or, His Second Love. By Arabella Southwo 43 The ey Secret; or, The Rival Half- 44 Etzel wr Daughter 3 or, Brother against By alice ming. 45 Her ot) or, Love At All Odds. y Arabe 46 «he Little go or, Under a Cloud. By Mrs. Marr A. Denison. 3 47 Becaus e Loved i Him ; or, How Will It End? By Alice Fleming. 48 In Spite of Herself; or, Jeannette’s Repa- ration. By S. R. Sherwood. 49 His Heart's eeecsens or, Love at First ht. By Arabella Southworth, 50 e Cuban Heiress; or, ape Prisoner of La Vintresse. By Mrs. ‘A. Denison, 51 Two Young Girls; or, The Bride of an Earl. By Alice Fleming. 52 ag Winged ee ees Rood oF Be Risking All well. 53 janie Hope: hg ny pes Ro- | n ; By et. D. | 84 The Laurel Bush, 118 $ ane Way ayride erates 54 One Woman’s Heart; or, Saved from the Street. By George S, Kaime. She Did Not Love Him; or, Stooping to Conquer. By Arabella Southw orth. nos or, Betrothed, Married, Divorced and ——. = Wm. Mason Turner, 57 A Brave sirl; or, Sunshine at Last. By Alice Fleming. 58 The Ebon MWiask; or, The Mysterious Guardian. By Mts. Mary Reed Crowell, A Widow’s Wiles; or, A Bitter Vengeance. By Rachel Bernhardt. 60 Cecil’s Deceit; or, The Diamond Legacy. By Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton. A ee d Heart; or, The False and the True, Ly Sara Claxton. The Maniac Bride; or, Tie Dead Secret of Hollow Ash Hall. By Margaret Blount. The Creole Sisters; - The aris of the Perrys. By Mrs, Anna EK. Porte 64 What Jealous Did; or, “The Heir of Worsley Grange. By Alice Fleming. 65 The ife’s Secret; or, "Twixt Cup and —_ BY Col. J uan Lewis. 66 rother’s Sin; or, Flora’s Forgiveness. By Rachel Bernh 67 Forbidden Bans; or, Alma’s Disguised Prince, By Arabella Southworth. Weavers and Weft; or, ‘Love That Hath Us In His Net.” By Miss M. E, Braddon. Camille; or, The Fate of a Coquette. By Alexandre Dumas. - The Two Orphans. By D’Enery. 71 me th + Ay ife,. By My Toure Wife's usban 72 The Two Widows. By Annie Thomas. | 73 Hose Michel; or, The Trials of a Factory Girl. By Maud’ Hilton. 74 Cecil Castlemaine’s Gage; or, The Story of a Broidered Shield. B a. ’ | 75 “pe Black Lady of Duna. By J.58. Le ‘anu. 76 Charlotte Tem — y Mrs. Rowso: Cir | Christian Oakle istake, By the author of ** John Ha + fe Gentleman,”’ etc. 78 My Young Husband; or, A Confusion in the Family. By Myself. 79 A Queen Amongst Women. By the thor of ‘‘ Dora Thorne,”’ etc., etc, 80 Her — and Master.’ By Florence Marryat, 81 Lucy Temple, Sister of Charlotte. 82 A Long Time Ago. By Meta . 83 Playing for High Stakes. By Annie Thomas. By the author of “ John Halifax, Gentleman.” 85 Led Astray. By Octave Feuillet. 56 Janet’s Repentance. By George Eliot. 87 ae Romance ofa Poor Young Man. y Octave Feuillet. 88 on rerrible Deed} or, All for Gold. By Emma Garrison Jones, 89 A oe | Sin. By the author of “Dora Thorn,” author’ Daughter. By Mary 91 Th aa By Charles Reade. e . ar le 92 — Eee or, the Dawning of the Day. van 93 Love’s Victory. By I B. a Farjeon. 94 The Quiet Heart. phant. 95 Lettice Arnold. By "Maxal, 96 Haunted Hearts. B Rachel Bernhardt. 97 Hugh Melton, By Ka King. 98 Alice Learmont. By Miss Mulock. 99 Marjorie Bruce’s Lovers. By Mary ck. 100 Throwgh Fire and Water. By Fred- 101 Hannah. By Mss Mullock. 102 Peg Woffington. By Charles Reade, — 103 A Desperate Deed, Erskine Bo. - 104 Shadows on the Snow. By B. L. Far- 105 phe Great Hoggarty Diamond, By W. M. Thack era 106 tag! “Dreams to Waking. By E. ! By F. W. Robinson. 193 Soe AS ofthe Rev. Amos Barton. By George Eliot. 109 epee gegen and Kisses. By 110 The "Wandering Heir. By Charles 111 The. “Brother’s Bet; or. Laemape Six Weeks. By mes Fl pe a 112 A Hero, ByM 118 Paul and Tita: Oot the French of Bernardin De St. Pierre 114 Pi In \ Frafalgar’s Bay. By Wal- r Besant and Jam ; 115 The Maid. Sor i illeena. By William Black. ane Raid of By Oliver a "4 119 Maud Mohan. By Annie Thomas, 120 Thaddeus of Warsaw. By Mias Jane Porter. 121 The King of No-Land, By B. L. Far- 122 Widower. By W. M. Thack- jeon. Lovel, the 123 Pearl. By B. L. Farjeon. 124 Cousin Phillis. 125 Leila; or, The Siege of Grenada. By Ed-. ward Bulwer (Lord Lytton). When the Ship Comes Home, Br Walter Besant and James Rice. One of the Family. By James Payn. The Birthright. By Mrs, Gore. Motherless 3 or, The Farmer's sweetheart, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Homeless i ot Two Orphan Girls in New York. By Al W. Aiken. Sister against Reet or, The Rivalry of Hearts. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell. Sold for Gold. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. Lord Roth’s Sin, By Georgiana Dickens. hg He Love Mer? By Bartley T. Camp- 135 Sinned Against. By Lillian Lovejoy. 136 Was She His Wife? By Mrs. Mary Reed 126 Crowell. : 137 The Village on the Cliff, By Miss Thackeray. 138 Poor Valeria! or, The Broken Troth, By Margaret Blount. 139 Margaret Graham, By G. P. BR. James. 140 Without Mercy. By Bartley T.Campbell. 141 Honor Bound, By Lillian Lovejoy. 142 paceene from Love. By Mrs. Harriet Irving. 143 Abdnoteds 5 om A Wicked Woman's Work. By Rett W 1 = Strany e Marriage; or, John Foster's 4 Ke, 7 Lillian pan , 145 pact: Girls Lives. By Mrs, Mary Reel . Crowell. a ‘SA Desperate Venture}; or ove's 146 Aen By Arabella Hoothwortb. 147 The War of Hearts, «By Co Than, F- 148 Which Was the Woman? Misjudged 5 heal e ae ES és ous Gir or, She : saat inaaeee — Frances Helen ndedio | 150 Love Lord of All;. or, In Her Own at Last, By Alice May Fleming. 151 A Wild Girl, By Corinne Cushman, 152 A Man’s Sacrifice. By Harriet Irving. 153 Did She Sin. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell. — 154.He Loves Me Not, By Lillian Lovejoy. 155 Winning Ways. By Margaret Blount, — i ’ 156 bby nb bye en m 3 Or, Croce oon Gita 157 A Girls Heart, By Rett W: wood, 158 A a -F ‘Mistake or, A eettter, Ones Mary Absiions. ay ay Vow he oe ‘The Mother's Secret. By the Late Mrs. 159 bad 160 Buying a Heart, handles y. 2 161 Pearl of Pearls, By A, P. Morris, ie ry 162 = Fateful et or, Wedded ers ae 163 The aN “Cousins on Wales as Fatt. hilip 8, Warne 164 A Scathin Ordeal or, "ss Mad Marriage. B rdenl}, or, May Tangley’s 165 A Strange oh. By Albert W, Aiken. 166 A Man’s Sin. By Rett agp! an gee A iF 167 The Hand of Fate} or, sen ‘reck t Two Lives By Arabella So Southwor 168 Two Fair Women. By Wm. "aL Teirnor, 169 Tempted Through Love, or, One Woman's Error. By n Lovejoy. 170 Blind Barbara’s Secret. By Mary Grace Halpine. 171 A Wan’s Weitere Ob on Pe ke Much Tribulations. 172 ey Eyes ad thine. By Corinne Cushman, A neno issue every week. Wavenuer Lisrary is for sale by five cents per copy, or sent by its each. six cen BEADIR, AND, ADAMS Tus | News deal on re ceipt Poe ron York. »
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By Edward L. Wheeler. Vellowstone Jack, Mayne Reid and Captain /‘rederick Whittaker. Vagabond Joe, THE YounG WANDERING JEW. By Olli Coomes. Poulde Number, 10cts. Bill Biddon, Trapper. By E. 5, Ellis. The Flying Yankee. By Col. P. Ingraham. Seth Jones. By Edward 5, Ellis. Adventures of Baron “unchausen. Nat Todd. By E. 8. Ellis. The Two Detectives. By A.W. Aiken. Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. The Dumb Spy - By Oil Coomes, Aladdiny or, Tae Wonpexrc. Lamp. The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) Ralph Roy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. The Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler. The Frontier Angel. The Sea Serpent. Py Juan Lewis, Nick e° the Night. By T. C. Harbauch. 24 Diamond Dirk. By Colonel F. Ingraham. > Khe Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. Cloven Hoof. By Edward L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, THE Boy Guipg. Oll Coomes. Buffalo Ben, By Edward L. Wheeler, The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Wzittaker. Roaring Ralph Roc Less Ranger. By Harry St. George. Keen-Knite, By Oll Coomes, Bob Woolf, By Edward L. Wheeter. The Ocean Bloodhound. §&. W. Pierce. Oregon Sol, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Witd Ivan. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Boy Clown. By Frank §. Finn. The Hidden Lodge. Ned Wylde, THe Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. Death-Face, Tar Detective. By Wheeler. Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. Lasso Jack. Ly Oll Coomes, The Phantom Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. $ Dick Darling. By Capt. red. Whittaker, Rattling Rube. By Harry St. George. Old Avalanche, By Edward L. Wheeler. 3} Glass Eye. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. COOK SVDsIOteOWKMOSCSEHIA & HOw BS RS RODD et be rs te eet et ee et ed Omaha Ol, By Edward L. Wheeler, Burt Bunker, rue Trapper, ©. E, Lasalle. The Boy RBitles. By Archie C. Irons. The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr. «if Edward L, Wheeler. Ned Hazel, By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, Se Oe Se hey Oe ihe he she Be ih sa he ie CG CG Co Os Ct EO Sie BRO tS SOE re ON EO OME Gore do = = The 59 O} pag S y 60 hite Indian. Cay 61 ru Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 dow Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. ed Brotherhood. W. J. Hamilton. Dan Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. Hurricane Bill. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr Single \Hand.. By W. J. Hamilton, Patent-leather Joe. By Philip 8. Warne. Border Robin Hood, B ‘alo Bill. Geld Rifle. By Edward L. eeler. Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J.-F. C. Adams. Delaware Dick. By Oli Coomes. Mad Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton. adwood Dick on Deck. By Wheeler. awk-eye Harry. By Oll Coomes. The Boy Duelist. By Col. P. Ingraham. Abe Colt, THz Crow-Kiuurr, By A. W. Aiken, Corduroy Churlie. By E. lL. Wheeler. Blue Diek. By Re ed Mayne Reid. Sol Ginger, Giant PPER. By A.W. Aiken. Rosebud Rob, Edward L. Wheeler. Lightning Jo. Ca nJ. F.C, Adams. Kit Haretoot, By T. C. Harbaugh. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. BS Ooomes. ¥dyl, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. Bue B om J. F) OC. Adame. a 73 Buckram, DWH HHH Hakaso¥adakok VAR HOSOI ASH Dandy ‘Rock. By 4G. ldo Browne, The Land Pirates. By C Mayne Reid. 88 Photo By E. L. Wheeler. ogteph. Phil. 89 Island Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 90 The Dread Rider. of G. Wi rowne. 91 The Captain of the ©lub; or, Tax Yoona RrvaL ATsueres.. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 92 Ganada Chet. By Edward L. Wheeler. 93 The Boy Miners. By Edward §. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack. By T. C Harbaugh. 95 The RivalRovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Eye, THE SHApow. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 'The Outlaw Brothers, By J. J. Marshall. 98 Robin Hood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of Tzros. By G. Waldo Browne. 100 adwood Dick in Leadville; or, A TRANGE STROKE FOR Liserty. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York, By Bracebridge Hemyng. Dick Dead-Eye. The Lion of the Sea. Deadwood Dick's Device. Old Rube, THe Hunter. Capt. By Col. Ingraham. By Col. Delle Sara. Wheeler. 1 Deadwood Dick, rae PRrincH OF THE Roap | By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. | Kansas King. By Buffalo Bill. The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain | By Edward 8, Ellis. | wood, THE RECK- By T. C. Harbaugh. Black John, tre Roap-Acent. By Badger. | Ome cet emt meh pt mt pm mt bem prt mt ttt basses ems snes mee me eee tert lI eI ce ee ee eee ae SOSOS GS SS OHMHM MDE DM DW Wahab ad FFF HIHDHADAOAGDAGAGG a Hsrorn . Holmes. | : .C. Harbaugh. | 106 Old Frosty, Tae Guime. By 107 One-Eyed Sim, By James L, Bowen. 108 Daring roa, 24 By St. George. 109 Deadwood ck as etective. By | Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. 1 The Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham. 2 The "fad Hunter, By Burton Saxe, _—— — ie’ Jack Hoyle. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck. The Mad Miner. By G. Waldo Browne. The Hussar Sueeate. Col. P. In am, Gilt-Edged Dick. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Somers, True Boy Detective. Morris, Miustang Sam. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. The Branded Hand. By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chip. By fdward L. Wheeler. Phil Hardy, Tue Boss Boy. By C. Morris. Kiowa Charley. By T. C. Harbaugh. Tippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Picayune Pete. By Charies Morris. Wild-Fire, Boss orrne Roap. By Dumont. The Young Privateer, By H. Cavendish. Deadwood Dick's Double, By Wheeler, Detective Dick, By Charles Morris. The Golden Hand. By Geo. W. Browne. The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. 8. Ellis. Koss Bob. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Sure Shot Seth. By Oll Coomes, Captain Paul. By C. Dunning Clark. Night-Hawk Kit. The Helpless Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid. Blonde Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. Blue Blazes. By Frank Dumont. Solid Sam. By Edward L Wheeler. Handsome x dey = By Charles Morris. Scar-Face Saul. By Ol! Coomes. Dainty Lance, rae Boy Sport. By Badger. Captain Ferret. By Edward L. Wheeler. Silver Star, THE Boy Kyicur. By Coomes. Will Wildfire. By Charles Morris. Sharp Sam, By J. Alexander Patten. A Game of Gold. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Lance and Lasso, By Capt. F. Whittaker. Panther Paul. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Black Bess, Wm. Wimprme's Racer; or, WINNING AGAINST Opps. By Charles Morris. Eagle Kit, tHe Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes. The Swerd Hunters, By F. Whittaker. Gold Trigger, Tue Sport. T. C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Dick of Deadwoody; or, Tur Pickmp Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. Mike Merry. By Charles Morris. Fancy Frank of Colorado. Buffalo Bill. The Lost Captain. By Whittaker. Whe Black Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr. New York Nell. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods, Morris. Little ‘Texas, By Oll Coomes, Dandy Rock's Pledge. By G.W. Browne. Billy Baggage. By Charles Morris, Hickory Ha Fry. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, Tre Sreamnoat Boy. By Willett, Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. A Frump Card. By Charles Morris. Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. ThunderboltTom. ByH St. George, Dandy Rock’s Rival. By G.W. Browne. Bob Rockett, rue Boy Dopger. By Morris. Captain Arizona. By Philip 8,Warne. The Boy Runaway. By Lieut. Perry. Nobby Nick of Nevada, E. L. Wheeler. Old Solitary. By OH Uoomes, Bob Rockett, THe Bank Runner. Morris, The Seca Tratler. By Lieut. H. D. Perry. Wild Frank. By Edward L. Wheeler. Little Hurricane, By Oll Coomes. The Hidden Hand.. By Chas. Morris. The Boy Trailers. By Badger, Jr. Kvil Eye. By Frank Dumont, Cool Desmond. By Col. Delle Sara, Fred Halyard,. By Charles Morris. ° Ned es ye THE Borver Boy. Harbaugh. Bob Roekctt, rae Cracksman. By Morris, Dandy Darke. By Ww. R. Eyster. Buffalo Billy. By Caovt. Ee, U. 8. A. Captain Kit. By Lieut, H. D. Perry,U.S.N. Captain Mask. By Philip 8. Warne. Buffalo Bills Bet. By Captain Taylor. Deadwood Diek's Dream. By Wheeler. Shadowed. By Charles Morris. Little Grit, re Witp River. By Ingraham. Arkansaw, By T. C. Harbaugh. Featherweight. By Edward Wilktt. The Boy Bedouins. By Whittaker. The Black Hills Jezebel. By Wheeler. Prospect Pete. By Oll Coomes. The Boy Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Gold Plume, Tue Boy Bannir. Ingraham. Deadwood Dick*’s Doom, By Wheeler Dark Paul, rue Ticer Kina. By C. Morris Navajo Nick. ByT. C. Harbaugh. The Boy Hereules, By Oll Coomes. Fritz, Tax Bounp-Boy Detective. Wheeler. Faro Frank of High Pine. By Eyster. Crooked Cale, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Dashing Dave. By Charlies Morris. Fritz to the Front. WoHgang, THE RoBBER OF THE By Captain Frederick Whittaker. Captain Bullet. By T. C. Harbaugh. Bison Bill. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Captain Crack-Shot,. By E. L. Wheeler. Vi ke NS OD DEA OW = OD DDoS ~ ww SY GV i ae in i ne i in Ne iin in AD GAP GD SAD AD SAS AP GIO SAG GAO SDN ND OS DOD ht tt RH SO SIA HOM SOSH Dad A BO = OO DA eI OS DA HWW HSS DAA WW HOCH Arm w RHINE. Tom Tanner. By Charles Morris. 221 Sugar Coated Sam, By E. L. Wheeler. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport. By Ingraham. | 236 i 237 | 238 By Jos..E. Badger, Jr. | , 294 By E. L, Wheeler. | | 296 | 297 ‘Figer ‘Tom, tHe Texan Terror. Coomes. | Despard, the Duelist. By P. 8. Warne. | 234 | 223 Ozark Alf, Kine or ree Movuntar. By Edward Willett. Dashing Dick. By Oll Coomes. Sam Charcoal. By Charles Morris. Snoozer, THE Boy SHarp. By E. L.Wheeler. Dusky Darrell, Trapper. By E. Emerson. Little Wildfire, By Oil Coomes. Crimson Kate. By Ool. P. Ingraham. The Yankee Rajah, By C. D. Clark. Plucky Phil. By T. C. Harbaugh. Gold-Dust Dick. By E. L. Wheeler, Joe Buck, of Angels. By. A W. Aiken. Old Rocky’s *‘ Boyees,’ Buckskin Sam, Shadow Sam. _ By Charles Morris. Apollo Bill. By Edward L, Wheeler. Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain ° THe Mysreriovus Rancuero. By P. Ingraham, The Parson Detective. By Oll Coomes, 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 235 239 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, Tae Losr Movrntarn. By Captain Mayne Reid. 240 241 Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler. Bill Bravo and His Bear Pards, By T. C, Harbaugh. 242 The Two ‘ Bloods®. By Charles Morris. 2483 The Disguised Guide. By Oil Coomes, 244 Sierra Sam. Ly Edward L. Wheeler. 245 Merle, the Middy. By Col. P. Ingraham. 246 Giant George. By Buckskin Sam. 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets. By Captain “ Bruin” Adams. Sierra Sam’s Secret. By E. L. Wheeler. Milo Romer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. Midshipman Mutineer. By Ingraham. Light-house Lige. By J. F. 0. Adams. Dick Dashaway. By Chas. Morris, Sierra Sam’s Pard. By E. L. Wheeler. The Half Blood, By Edward §. Ellis. Captain Apollo. By T. C. Harbaugh. Young Kentuck. By Capt. Mark Wilton. The Lost Hunters. By Capt. Adams. Sierra Sams Seven, By E. L. Wheeler, The Golden Harpoon, ByR. Starbuck, Dare-Devil Dan. By Oll Coomes. Fergus Fearnaught, By Geo. L. Aiken. The Young Sleuths. By Charles Morris. Deadwood Dick’s Divide. By Wheeler. The Floating Feather. By Ingraham, By Capt. Whittaker. By Ensign Warren, By T. Cc. By 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 The Tiger Tamer, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide, 267 The Buckskin Detective, Harbaugh. 268 Deadwood Dick's Death Trail, Edward L. Wheeler, 269 270 The Gold Ship. By Col. ’P. Ingraham. Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton, 271 The Huge Hunter. By Edward 8. Ellis, 272 Minkskin Mike, By Oll Coomes, 273 Jumbo Joe. By Edward L. Wheeler, 274 Jolly Jim. By Charies Morris, 275 Arizona Jack. By Buckskin Sam. 276 Merie Monte’s Cruise. By Ingraham. 277 Denver Doll. By Edward L. Wheeler. 278 Whe Three Trappers. By Major Carson. 279 Old. Winch, rox Rivie Kina. By T. C. Harbaugh. 280 Merle Montes Fate. By Col. Ingraham. 281 Denver Doll's Vietory. By Wheeler. 282 The Typo Detective. By Edward Willett. 2883 ¥ndian Joe. By Major L. W. Carson. 284 The Sea Marauder. By. Col Ingraham. 285 Denver Doll's Decoy. By EK. L. Wheeler. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot; or, Taz WiLp or Buzzarp Bar. By Mark Wilton. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes,. By Col. P. Ingraham. 288 The Scalp King. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charies Morris. 290 Little Foxfire. By Oll Coomes. 291 Turk, the Ferret. By E. L. Wheeler. 292 Sancho Pedro, THe Boy Banprt. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. 293 Red Claw, THE Onx-Evep Trapper. By Captain Comsteck. Dynamite Dan. By T. C. Harbaugh: Fearless Phil; or, Tae Kina or Quarrz- VILLE. By Eaward Willett. Denver Doll’s Drift. By E. L. Wheeler. Fe Tarantula of Taos. By Buckskin m. The Beach Pirates. By Charles Morris. A nev 48eue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by alk Newsdealers, five cents per copy or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BRADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. 295 298