Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 316) (1883 08 14)
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BECOND EDITION. - ge Dat a ee ae x SS PML © Aad i Ut NS VERVE BWV \ RBA BMRBM™| SS } x 9 $2.50 a year. x3 Copyright, 1883, by BEADLE 4xD ADAMS, August 14, 188% Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. XIII. yumber. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 316. ea ce CEE a a ee) ee AUTHOR OF “PLUCKY PHIL,” “ ARKANSAW,” ‘BILL BRAVO,” “‘CAPTAIN APOLLO,” ‘' CAPTAIN BULLET,” “OLD FROSTY,” ETO,, ETO, hy iter e \ S SS ‘ i fo f F y a! My Wy ! , Sw ie) ene — te WE oe ee o 4 . . ( a - v Le 7 = ., ; > ~ ~~ ; e: . “2 mt gfe a A a e — o) = . ~ x: - 7 . Y . @#%, ma SHE GIRL SPRUNG OUT ON THE TRAIL AND BEGAN TO POUR THE CONTENTS OF HER RIFLE INTO THE RANKS OF THE RED SCOURGES,
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alone ten minutes ef the Old Eclipse, T rump Card of Arizona, Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona; oR, Little Snap Shot’s Horse Hunt. BY T. C. HARBAUGH; AUTHOR OF ‘“‘BILL BRAVO” “‘OLD WINCH,” “CAPTAIN APOLLO,” ‘‘ BUCKSKIN DETEC- TIVE,” “DYNAMITE DAN,” ‘* MOUNTAIN 7 DETECTIVE,” ‘‘TORNADO TOM,” ‘,PLUCKY PHIL,” ‘' CAPTAIN BULLET,” ETC, CHAPTER I. A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY. “THEY'RE byer to-day an’ gue to-morrow, dod-rot the’r skins! I wish fhe hull Apache nation war one man, an’ thet I hed the dead drop on bim!” ‘* But thet time will never come, Eclipse.” *‘T know it, an’ thet’s what riles me, Oh, | fee] like turnin’ wild-cat an’ eatin’ Injua babes. I do, fera fact. An [ujun isthe meanest thing thet crawls, an’ them dirty Apaches—I must stop or I shall explode!” The angry and emphatic speaker was one of a band of twelve men, who, well mounted on Pampas horses, were threading a trail that meandered among the Mongollon moun- tains A balmy September day had just departed, and the shadows of night lay on peak and pine. The men were bronzed fellows,roughly dressed, but well armed with long-range repvating rifles and formidable revolvers. ‘Their horses appeared somewhat jaded, for, to be explicit as we go along, they had chased a band of oy eee red thieves of the Southern border—the greater part of the day just gone by, and were returning unsuccessful and in no good humor to camp. In another hour they would reach camp, where, around several fires, they could curse the Indians to their hearts’ content. The man called Eclipse, and who had just given vent to his feelings in npiage already recorded, was the recognized leader of the party, a large man, whose gray hair and sixty _— had not deprived his eyes of the luster hey knew in eee days. He was a veritable borderer, and Old Eclipse, as he was called, was known everywhere as miner, Indian-fighter and desperado. The men who rode bebiod him were fit com- panions for a leader of his kind, Td like to see the camp them red-skins ’d let got a chance to dis- turb it,” Old Eclipse suddenly exclaimed after a few minutes’ silence. ‘They war created jes’ to carry on their deviltry among people who want to do half right. To perdition with em! I feel mad enough to eat the hull tribe, blankets an’ all, though I know ths dish ’d turn a cata- mount’s stomach.” Nobody replied to this new outburst of wrath. _ Old Eclipse was famous for relieving his pent- up feelings frequently in this manner, and his companions knew that a'reply would but send him galloping on through the entire vocabulary of invective and rage. The mountain trail was by no means a pleas- antroad. It was so rough that the horses were compelled to walk, much to their 109, no doubt, ” and the men let the reins drop id hands. “Don’t I wish I was_an ‘arthquake?” broke forth Eclipse again. ‘I don’t mean a one-hoss affair, bat a reg’lar double~jointed, hifalutin’ *arthquake.” ‘““That’s a queer idee, Eclipse,” said one of the men. ‘You'd makea good size1’arthquake, big, enough to bu’st up an Arizona county.” ‘Td do more than thet, Thunder Sam,” cried Eclipse. ‘‘EfI war an’arthquake [d go into Apache-land an’ commence business on a grand scale. Thar wouldn’t be& red-skin in the ken- try when 1 got ready to retire. I'd "ed open under the thievin’ tribe an’ take it all in ata gulp. Why can’t‘a man be what he wants to 6 when he’s real mad? I'd give all I’ve got in this vale of tears to be a first class healthy ‘arth- quake in Injundom fer three minutes, hang me ef I wouldn’t!”’ And the old miner’s fist de- ascended heavily against the neck of his jaded y from their ast. wer Several of the men looked at one another and. exchanged grins; but noone except Thunder mm deigned to reply. began to assure the irate old miner that the day of vengeance was not far distant; but Old Eclipse would not be appeased. ‘*Now! now!” he flashed. ‘‘I don’t want to wait another day. I want to be en ’arthquake, er a killin’ thunderbolt right away. Don’t talk to me! I don’t see What a man’s good fer ef he can’t be an ‘arthquake when it suits him.” Tue last word had hardly left Old Eclipse’s lips ere a startling ery rung out on the warm night air. “Thar ar’ twelve men in this gang! Who's the extra pard?” In instant every rein was drawn, and more than one dark hand snatched a revolver from a buckskin belt, The mountain roughs whirled upon a certain individual who sat almost bolt upright in one of the saddles. In their eagerness to obtain a good view of his face they leaned forward holding their breath and keeping their fingers at the triggers of their weapons. All at once a wild exclamation was beard. ‘* Great Jebosaphat! the pard ar’ dead{” The men recoiled. : ‘*Tsee! Look! Thar’s a ten-inch bowie in his heart!” cried Old Eclipse, pointing out the stranger whose terrible condition the whole band had discovered by thistime. ‘‘I wonder when he jined us?” Of course no one could answer this question. Somewhere along the trail the dead man had joined the mountain men, but when and where no one knew. That he was a borderer like those, whom he had joined was shown by a brief inspection, but Old Eclipse and his companions had never seen him before. The dead hands clutched the reins and seemed to steady him in the saddle; his body was rigid —it had long been so—and bis swarthy skin was perfectly cold, Of course the stare of the dead was in the glassy gray eyes that surmounted the bronze cheeks. The corpse was fully armed; two sil ver-mounted revolvers «ind a buge bowie were in his belt. Old Eclipse’s outstretched hand called the at- tention of all to the bilt of a dirk that touched the dead man’s left breast. Its position told every man that the blade was deeply imbedded in a human heart! The presence of that mounted corpse in their midst-made the mountaineers shudder. Is‘ ita wonder that they drew back and left him comparatively alone? ‘I’m goin’ to find the man thet did thet!” ex- claimed Old Eclipse. ‘‘ It’s the meanest trick I ever heard of—it beats the Apaches! I’ve roughedit in the Mongollon kentry fer twenty years, an’ I never sot eyes on thet man afore. Woe to the band thet drove thet bowie home ef Old qupee Hace bee — i, t mig nish Jack’s work,” suggest- ed Thunder Age x3 “ Woe to Spanish Jack, then!” The next moment Old Ecli toward the dead man, and his companions saw him lean forward and put his band on the cold shoulder, | : “IT wisk you could open them lips, stranger,” the old miner said looking into the lusterless eyes. ‘‘I’d give my last ounce of dust ef you could say who handled thet big heart-pick, last, but I'll find ’im jes’ the same! I’m worse than a family ov catamounts when I’m riled. I’m equal to a single bar’led ’arthquake. Woe to the man who killed you, pard! Thunder Sam, byer, says it might have been Spanish Jack. I don’t keer who it war! I’m bis enemy from this min- ute. I’m Old Eclipse what never lost his man if I do say it coysele. The old miner’s band left the dead man’s shoplder; he straightened in the saddle. . : “Bury thet man!” he cried, turning to bis comrades. ‘Plant him decently as you would a pard,- [I’m goin’ back!” At the same moment Old Eclipse gathered up the reins and turned his animal’s head toward that part of the trail over which they bad just ridden. : ; “‘ Ain't you goin’ to Redeye first?’ queried Thunder Sam. “‘ No—not till I’ve found the owner of thet bowie-knife!” was the significant answer. “If you'll wait till after the plantin’, Eclipse, you shall not go alone.” “T never waited fer conan in all my life! Plant that, man decently, 1 say, an’ go on to Redeye. Ef O'd Eclipse never comes back, you'll know thet the devil what druv that bowie ome came out on top. Take keer ov Blossom an’ the mountain shanty, fer thar may be times when I can’t. You know what I’ve always said —‘ Woe to the man, red er white, what enters % urged his horse thet cabin without Old Eclipse’s consent.’ My word shall be made good! Spanish Jack, eh? Then I can’t meet the Arizona Tiger too soon. I’m off fer his lair, ef he’s the varmint.” Old Eclipse threw a parting lance.,at the dead man, and before a band could detain him he struck his horse savagely with the spurs ané, was off like a rocket. : ‘‘Bury the strange pard, boys. Old Eclipse sha’n’t go alone!” cried Thunder Sam. ‘“* He stall, fer thet’s the way he wants’to go!” was the quick response of several mountaineers, and Thunder Sam found bimself held captive by his comrades, ‘‘ We all go back to eye, Thunder. Let Eclipse go alone an’ see how his hunt pans out. e ean’t fool with a dead man’s affairs when the Injuns threaten the old camp. “Til stay, boys.” ’ Thunder Sam was thus restrained from fol- lowing his leader, though his eyes wandered anxiously down the trail Old Eclipse had taken. Meanwhile the eagle-eyed miner was making his steed’s sboes draw fire from the stones that cropped out bere and there along the trail. is eyes fairly flashed, and more than once a certain name dropped from his pongur. “Spanish Jack!— Spanish Jack, eh? I'd rather be Old Eclipse now than the ’arthquake I wanted to be awhile ago. I’m worse than a catamount, if Tam sixty. I’ve got muscle an’ vim, if Iam O31 Eclipse!” ' On, on he went. The golden lights above went glimmering down the trails of the sky. Suddenly the old avenger drew-rein, He had left the cliff-walled trail, and stood on a beau- tiful little plateau with the whole expanse of the heavens above his head. ‘* Watch over Blossom, you golden stars!’ be suddenly exclaimed, raising bis hand toward the sky. ‘*Sbe’s dearer to Old Eclipse than the blood in his veins. Tell me by some sign when danger threatens her, au’ I’ll ride to her if I hev to dash through fire! I’m a dead man’s avenger —a corpse's pard, Thar’s suthin’ funny in thet, Eclipse.” , And with a coarse laugh that sounded weird- ly in that place, Old Eclipse used the spurs again and galloped on once more, ‘Spanish Jack they call you, Tiger, but I’m goin’ to examine Pie bowie’s sheath jes’ the same!” he mutter He seemed ‘to know where to find the man called Spanish Jack--or the Tiger of Arizona, as he was termed—for h+ went on and on like a eg kepi his destination constantly in bis mind. Such riding would certainly take him to his enemy. 5 i CHAPTER IL \_ * SNAP SHOT, THE HORSE-HUNTER. At the foot of one of the lofty mountain walls that fringed the trail at the spot where the mysterious dead man was discovered to be one of the Redeye band, a strange funeral service was held while Old Eclipse was urging his horse on, Tbe dead was buried by the rough hands of the miners who, after the brief ceremony, re- mounted their horses and resumed their jour- ney. you fellers go on to Redeye,” suddenly or- dered Thunder Sam, as he stopped his steed at the side of the trail and motioned his compan- ions to keep straight ahead. ‘Vl rejoin ae in eamp afore mornin’. Somebody’s got to look arter Blossom while Eclipse’s away, an’ we hevn’t seen the mountain daisy fer four-an’- twenty hours,” From the spot where Thunder Sam bad halted ran a Narrow trail, which soon lost itself at bis right; and as none of his companions objected - to his intention of visiting the person called Blossom, the miner turned aside and left them to move on to camp. A strange, unnatural eagerness filled Thunder Sam’s eyes as be moved down the new trail, bis figure and that of his horse hardly discernible among the thick sbadows of night. ; “« Blossom’s a beauty an’ no mistake,” be said to himself. ‘Old Eclipse b’lieves that no feller will ever pick ber up whar she is, but ’'m ov a different opinion: You can’t hide gals like Blossom in the moubtains ferever. Eclipse thinks that she’ll always live single fer bim. I b’lieve he’d kill the man er boy “hat offered to make love to bis Morgollon daisy. I’ve heard ‘im say almost ez much. {wouder whether he’d tackle me ef I tried it?” And a low laugh rippled over Thunder Sam's bearded lips. The bronzed rough held his way for several
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miles by the winding trail. when he drew rein in front of @ smal! hut, which only keen eyes like his could see at that hour. *?m hyer, an’ everything's ez still ez death,” he said, leaning forward and inspecting the structure. ‘* Blossow coesn’t look fer a visitor to-night, much less does she dream thet Thun- in Jam would give his very eyes to call her wife. How the orbs of the speaker glistened while ‘be spoke, and ‘how eager he was to throw him- self from his horse and rush into the hut! ‘*Tt’s almost a shame to disturb Old Eclipse’s pets but I’m hyer to see her, an’ by Thunder! ’m not goin’ to Redeye withou: gittin’ a limpsé ov the posey. Bizness is bizness, Thun- er; so git to work an’ play yer band.” Thuncer Sem urged his horse up to the door, and eh toward the hut for the purpose of rapping. “Hyer goes!” he said, but before his knuckles could touch the unplaned portal a number of yells, wild enough to startle the bravest Arizo- nian, struck bis ears. : Thunder Sam straightened instantly in his saddle. “Shades ov Santa Anna? what does that mean?” he ejaculated. ‘‘Injuns, by heavens! The dirty Apaches hev come back!” | Hard upon the yells rung out, distinct and clear, four shots in rapid succession, fired un- doubtedly from one weapon. \ The miner drew his revolvers and listened. “T got hyer jes’ in time,” he muttered. ‘It war fortunate thet I left the boys when I did. The Injins hev tackled somebody up the moun- cain, ‘Thar they goag’in! That last yell war a death one!” ' Certain sounds now told Thunder Sam that somebody was nearing the cabin on a swift horse, and that a number of Indians were in pursuit, He drew back from the hut to the opposite side of the trail, where, with a revolver in each hand, he waited for the red-skins. re Hyer they come, hunters and hunted! I'll let the quarry go by, an’ then, by Jehosaphat! Pll carry mournin’ to more than one cursed Apache wigwam !” Thunder Sam spoke with teeth hard-set and steel-glittering eyes. All at once several arrows cut the darkness as they whizzed past his face, and then a horse and bis rider appeared on the scene. At that moment, to the rough’s amazement the door of the hut flew Sy and, despite the scanty starlight, Thunder Sam saw the beauti- ful girl who a# red on the threshold with an elegant repeating-rifle in her hands, “Blossom herself!” fell from the miner’s lips. ‘Great Cesar! down goes the white man! Them Injun arrows did the work,” A horse and its boy rider had fallen in front of the cabin door, and in another moment the red-skins would be upon the scene. : “Not while I’m hyer, you red niggers!” grated Thunder Sam, but before he could place himself and horse between the stricken lad and the Apaches the girl sprung out on the trail and began to pour the contents of her rifle into tho razks of the red scourges. : Met thus unexpectedly when they were about to finish the chase, the Indians recoiled with exclamations of surprise and savage horror. | Every bullet fired by the mountain girl seemed to pad effective, for the haif-naked butchers fell from their horses, and when Thun- der Sam reached her side, the band was in full retreat. ' “This is forbidden ground!” exclaimed the girl. “Woe to an Apache who sets foot on it, o back to your hunting-grounds and {plunder ranches, but keep aloof from this place, on pain of death!” “ Thet's bizness, Blossom,” said Thunder Sam at the sound of whose voice the young girl quickly turned, unaware until that moment of his Reser ace. - ‘What! you here?’ she demanded, in sur. rise. ae I kinder reckon so,” was the response, ac- companied by a grin which did not enhance Sam’s good _Jooks. “You kin shoot like old Jack Hays, Blossom.” “Twas not sbooting for myself, but fer the person those savages were chasing,” said the girl, ‘* He fell with bis hors» at the door of the Let us go back and see if he’s dead.” “T hope he is, by heavens, I do!” muttered Thunder Sam, under his breath, as he turned back with the eager and anxious girl. ‘The only squint I got ov him told me he war a oungster, an’ thet kind ov a chicken is the last thing I want to see hyer to-night.” si Z Old elipse, Trump Card ‘| no massacres to avenge, Without noticing whether Sam was follow- ing ber, the young girl moved rapidly toward the but, while hé, leading bis horse, for he bad dismounted, was at her heels, ** Alive! by Jupiter! The red-skins didn’t finish him, after all!” said Thunder Sam, seeing the person who had just risen from under a horse still struggling against death, on the ‘ound, ‘* He’s a boy—a good: lookin’ fellar, an’ jes! the kind ov chap Old Eclipse doesn’t want yer. I'd do the old man a sarvice by—” The Arizona rough cut his own sentence short, for, seeing Blossom, the youth had sprung for- ward and the young people stood face to face for the first time. Under his breath Sam cursed the young man, and if his looks had been arrows the stranger would have been pierced through and through. **T owe you a life, for your rifle has preserved mine,” said the youth, addressing the girl. ‘““Thet’s more than mime would hev done!” hissed Thunder Sam. “It looks as ef I’ve got to play alone hand in a new game, curse yer handsome picter, boy!” “| did only na duty,” replied the gil in an- swer to the youth’s words. “Iam glad that I have been of service to you. Your borse—” ‘¢ He got the arrows aud not bis master,” was the interruption, ‘‘HMe was a faithful animal, the companion of the one whose loss has brought me to this pert of the country. My words make me tell my story,” be went on, smiling, before Blossom could respond. “lam quite willing to listen, but in the first lace let me introduce to you my friend, Mr. 2e8e@, “Thunder Sam! No mistering fer me, Blos- som!” growled the bronzed bravo, as he came sullenly forward, his eyes, full of ill-humor, fixed on the youth. ‘*Thunder Sam, it is?’ smiled the pirl, glanc- ing at the youth, ‘And you are—? “Since nick names are in vogue in this country, you can call me Snap Shot,” “Snap Shot, eh? Little Svap Shot, I should say,” remarked Sam, somewhat contemptuous- ly. ‘**Now that we’ve got acquainted, but not ez well ez we may be in the future, you kin go on with yer story.” Snap Shot eyed the muscular rough from head to foot before he proceeded, then catching a soft and eager glance from Blossom, he re- sumed; ‘*[?m from the San Carlos country, and I’m on the hunt of a band of Apaches who stam- peded and ran off a herd of the best horses that ever cropped Arizona grass, There were — fifty horses in the herd, but l’'m willing to ose forty-nine if I can recover the fiftieth, a blooded Maverick, as white as snow and as swift as a bullet.” ** A hoss what is a hoss!” ejaculated Thunder Sam. ‘!And you bope to recover bim?” “T do and J will. For White Rocket, that one horse, lamin this partof the territory, and I shall not go back to the ranch without my property and an Indian scalp for each horse the marauding thieves have captured or killed in this last plunder raid.” “Jewilliky! what a contrast!” cried the bronzed Hercules. ‘Look hyer, youngster. The combined forces ov Redeye wouldn’t under- take thet job. You don’t know the Injins—” “T’ve known them from childhood,” inter- rupted Snap Shot. “I have taken an oath to recover my horse, and to pay Red Heart and his band for their dirty work. Yes, Thunder Sam, I know the red-skins pretty well. I have I want my horse and a few scalps, that is all.” “All?” echoed Sam. “It’s a blamed sight more than you'll get, Snap Shot. What do you say, Blossom?” ‘*T must say that your mission is a most dan- gerous one,” answered the girl, addressing the young horse-bunter. ‘You have bad a taste of the danger to-night, I should’ say.” ** Yes. The Indians came upon me unexpect- edly, and I had to gallop for it; but it will be their turn now to run.” ““T hope it will; but were I you, I would go back to the ranch. and—” ‘And let Red Heart ride White Rocket on his future forays? Soener than go back with- out my horse, i’d turn my bedy over to the vul- tures!” Res You're bound to give the birds a breakfast, en. Snap Shot wheeled upon Thunder Sam, who had spoken, His dark eyes fairly flashed. “Tam my @wn master!” be exclaimed. ‘I ask the assistance of no one. I ‘started out atone to find White Rocket, and find him I will, by my own efforts. I’m no novice in borse- of Arizona. 3 te ae huoting. I bave used the lasso ten thousand times, and when it comes to shooting, I’m proud to say I can bold my own with anybody. That horse has got to be recovered, and the stam- peders punished, and Little Snap Shot—Little Snap Shot as you call bim—is «qual to the task!” ‘*T hope he is, by Jupiter, I do!” returned the man from Redeye, choking down -the madness that made him clinch his hands, ‘ Go an’ hunt that hoss, but mind I tell you that you've un- dertaken the biggest contractan Arigonian ever had on bis hands, I bappen to know suthin’ about Red Heart and the kind ov devils he leads; but ar’ ron sure thet when you find yer boss you'll find thet Injun on his back?” The borse-hunter started, and for a moment gave Thunder Sam a searching look, “Tm sure of one thing and that is that who- ever I find astride of White Rocket sball give him up. I care not who he is!” ‘Ov course, ov course! Thar’s a feller in Arizona called Spanish Jack. I think I saw a sample of his work to-night.” ‘*Pve heard of the yellow tiger. I can almost say that I know him,” answered Snap Shot, * You would intimate that I might find White Rocket in his poseeany Lam willing it should be so, though I'd rather find Red Heart on his back. Wherever my horse-trail leads, there I hunt. Understand that, Thunder Sam.” Snap Shot turned to the girl as he concluded; ** My borse is dead,” he said, having glanced at the animal who no longer struggled in front of the mountain cabin. ‘1 willstrip him of sad- dle and bridle, which may be of mse to me in the future, aad give him a grave near your home if yon do not object.” “*[ shall be proud to Jive near the, grave of the noble animal that bore you in safety to my humble home,” was the prompt reply, and as Snap Shot moved toward the dead horse, Blos- som walked toward the open doer, ‘Curse bis picter! The hull jig is up now,” omg Thunder Sam, as his eyes followed Snap et with many an eager flash. “Old Eclipse ne ey stand it ef wer hyer, an’ why should J ?” By this time the young horse-hunter had reached his arrow-slain steed, and was loosen- ing the saddle. Sam threw a basty glance at thecabin door, and seeing that Blossom bad disappeared with- in, strode swiftly forward, In his right band was a huge bowie, whose ten-inch blade gleamed in the light of the stars, *Tll end his hoss-bunt byer!” literally hissed. the jealous desperado. ‘The eld ranch, whar- ever it is, shall never see. Svap Shot ag’in, as sure as my name is Bam Reese! The horse-hanter did no perceive bis danger, but there was one who did, A figure glided noiselessly from the cabin, ot a touch on Thunder Sam’s arm made bim urb. ~ “Put up your knife, or there'll be one man less in Redeye to-morrow!” spoke a low but resolute voice, in his very ear. ¢ “y No wonder Thunder Sem recoiled, He was looking down the barrel of arevolvert CHAPTER Ill. _ ; THE TIGER SHOWS HS TEETH. - Brave and reckless as he was, Thunder Sam. did not attempt to move again upon Snap Shot. or to speak, and the young horse-huuter did net know what was taking place. ““@o back to Redeye alive, or remain here dead,” continued tbe girl. ‘‘ You have your choice, Thunder Sam. You are Eclipse’s friend, and I do not want to see one bair of your head blood stained, but you shall nomtake the life of yon bey. Put up your knife and re- trace your steps!’ Thunder Sam allowed his eyes to wander to. the youth busy removing the saddle from the dead horse, ** Pil go, Blossom, but not fer thet young hoss- hunter’s sake,” he said in equally low tones, “What would Old Belipse say ef be could see thet cbap hyer? He came to this place without the old man’s consent,” ‘I kuow that; but the Indiens foreed Lim this way,” was Blossom’s quick reply, “1 will a.swer to Eclipse for all that has occurred,” A moment later ‘Thunder Sam, bafiled, but with his evil eyes glaring like a tiger’s, turned toward his horse. Standing in the trail, watching bim while her right hand etill clatehed the revolver, was Old Kclipse’s beauwful protagee. . , “A bad maa for ® thousand,” rippled over ber lips as her eyes fellewed ine retreating figure. ‘“ This enoounter is the beginning of & -
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| "voice co ere ~ tragedy of some kind. Keep your distance from Mountain Lodge, Thunder Sam. From this hour -you are no friend of mine; there was murder in your heart to-night, and the devil, danced in your eyes.” Blossom went toward Snap Shot, whom she watched for a short time without making ber presence known, ‘Where's your friend, Thunder Sam?” asked the Young horse-hunter, seeing the girl alone. ‘* Ais has gone,” was the answer. “ Not after the Indians?’ **T think not.” “Ts your friend an Indian-fighter?” ‘“‘ He bas met them on different occasions.” “ He is not the best Indian-fighter in this part of the country, then?” “*No, sir; be is not!” “Who is?” “ Old Eclipse.” Blossom’s eyes glowed with pride as she ut- tered the name, and Snap Shot seemed to notice the feeling betrayed. ° ** He is your friend?’ he asked. *“* The best friend I have,” was the response, “Tf you bunt your horse through these parts yyou may meet Eclipse. He has been as kind as a father to me ever since the day he found me, a babe, lying under a wagon on the Colorado emigrant trail. That was long ago. All my people were killed in the massacre that took place the day Old Eclipse came along and ean me. By some miracle I escaped the hatchets of the red-skins, and when I was found “I was asleep among some flowers, That's why 1 was called Blossom. Eclipse never discovered mv true name, and I guess it’s lost forever.” Snap Shot listened entranced to the sweet which was told the story of the Indian butchery and the finding of the little waif— now the beautiful creature who stood before him. “When I run across Eclipse I will thank him for findin . you,” he said. ‘* What manner of man is he ‘CA tall, dark-faced person, with hair long and fast growing gray. Hecarriesa scaracross ' “his left cheek, the work of an Apache arrow.” “TI will know him,” exclaimed Snap Shot, and then, as if suddenly thinking of another matter, he asked: “‘Isn’t there a place near here called Redeye?” ‘ _ “There is. It is a mining-camp off to the north, though the men don’t do much mining now. Old Eclipse is there when be is not hera with me, and the place is Thunder Sam’s home, ‘I'm not going there, because my horse-hunt doesn’t lead in that direction,” announced the outh. ‘‘I am pretty certain that White Rocket somewhere in this neighborhood, and in Red Heart’s bands, too. How I long to ride the - horse once more, and bow my hand itches to press the trigger in front of the red stampeders!” “T doubt it not,” answered the girl. “As I have already said, I wish you success; but let me give you a bit of advice.” She paused a moment, and looking into her >) face rbd sail: “Go on.” “ Steer clear of the man who has just gone off.” “Thunder Sam?” “Yes, for though one of my foster-father's , he is bad medicine.” “T must have crossed bis path in some way to-night, though I am sure I never met him _be- fore. I will watch bim if he needs watching. Does my borse-bunt concern him?” “1 think rot.” “* Anyway, let him keep his fingers out of my affairs, The trail Iam on belongs exclusively ‘tome. I€t anybody interferes, he will discover shat I can hunt men as well as horses. Hark!” The sound that had startled Snap Shot had also reached Blossom’s ears—a horse was ap- proaching the cabin. “It may be Eclipse, and he must not see you here!” cried the girl, grasping the youth’s arm. “Why not?” “T cannot tell you now. Quick! leave me alone!” “ But my dead horse?” ‘*] will fix that with him; only go! One of these days we may meetagain, then— Heavens! it is too late. He is here!” At that moment a horse halted before the youthful pair, and they were greeted by an ex- tion of astonishment. “It is not Eclipse!” exclaimed Blossow, start- ing back. ** It is Spanish Jack!” cried the boy. a y) ish Jack it is, my young turtle- doves,” was the quick response. ‘By Jove! you're a daisy pair! This must be Old Eclipse’s The girl and her companion could but stare at the speaker. As they. could see, by the light of the stars, he ier a veritable forest Apollo, both in face and ure, A broad-brimmed sombrero, with a wide band, the ends of which were fringed, sat qeuctls on bis head. He wore a gold-laced exicanish jacket, which was open in front, ripe | a rich shirt, broidered with silver braid. is leggings were loose-fitting, slashed at the bottom, and fringed on the outside from the knees down, They almost hid the feet thrust into the heavy Mexican stirrups. Spanish Jack displayed conspicuously his weapons, which consisted of two revolvers and the inseparable bowie of the border. His garments fitted him well; they seemed to set off the handsome face, with its coal-black eyes and raven mustache, This was the man who was wel) known up and down the southern border—the yellow- faced dare-devil who rode where he pleased, carrying his life in his hands, and spreading terror over the Jength and breadth of the well- stocked ranches. Did he stampede herds? Was it not said, and firmly believed, that alone and unajded, this Apollo of Arizona could run off the best-guar ed horses in the territory—that in less than five hours he could have at his back a gangof men like himself eapable of successfully resisting a hundre Vigilantes? For six months prior to the date of our romance, the Arizona Tiger’s name bad hardly been mentioned witbin the territory. It had been rumored that he had been killed by New Mexican ranchmen: but nobody believed this, for Spanish Jack was too cunning to fall by the hands of a balf-Greaser—this was the verdict of the Arizonians. : His sudden appearance, therefore, in front of the hut in the mountains might well startle the pair whom he confronted. Blossom involuntarily recoiled from the piercing eyes of the swarthy desperado, “Tam Eclipse’s ward,” she said in response to his last sentence. “His ward, eh? Caramba! where did he find you? Ah! I know. I recollect that Don Domez some time ago told me over bis wine that a certain old mountain miner once found a white baby under a wagon after an Indian massacre, You must be the beauty. Santissi- ma! you're all that Don Domez said you were. Don’t know the Don, I guess, my little bird? No? well, be wouldn’t recognize you if you were Mh because he’s dead; ha, ba! But, who’s this? Spanish Jack cut his merriment short to turn upon Saap Shot. t The young horse-hunter straightened up with flashing eyes, “‘T am Snap Shot,” he answered. ‘*Ho! ho! The boy that wants to find a cer- tain horse?” Did the young horse hunter start? “ Since you seem to have heard of my oath, I say that I am the person.” **Have you struck White Rocket’s trail?’ **T will strike it.” ‘If you can, my pigeon, Miles from here is an Indian camp. It lies in that direction,” and Spanish Jack’s hand pointed toward the north- east. ‘‘ In that camp are fifty of the best war- riors of the Apache nation. Caramba! you will believe me when I say that Red Heart heads them, on the back of a horse as white as snow.” ‘* White Rocket!” ejaculated the boy. “‘Dare you hunt your horse in that red-skin camp?” continued the Tiger. ‘* Dare you tra- verse the country that lies between you and that spot?’ ‘“* Show me the trail and let my future actions answer you.” '* Follow me if you mean to kee With his eyes fixed on Snap Jack wheeled his steed. The horse-hunter glanced at Blossom and hesitated. “Can you show me the trail?’ he demanded. * Did you ever hear Spanish Jack lie?” oO. ’ your oath.” hot, Spanish The yo th hesitated ] but stepped to he youth hes no longer, but step the ‘Abelo's side. =" Blossom saw the twain move off, and in less ‘than a minute they had disappeared. Snap Shot was conducted by the mounted man over the spot where the Apaches bad been stopped by the girl’s repeating rifle. rump Card of Arizona. Not a dead savage was to be seen, for the lv- ing had borne them away. lat once Spauish Jack reined in his steed and before even the watcbful horse-hunter cou divine what was coming a clinched hand sent him reeling, while the horseman bounded io the ground to seize his victim by the throat with an exclamation of triumph. * Want your horse, eh?” he grated, glaring at the strangling, struggling, unconscious youth, ‘*T'll send you after him with a vengeance! 1’)! show you what kind of stuff Spanish Jack 1s made of, If you stay in this country long you’)! be hunting something prettier than the white steed you call White Rocket. It’s Spanish Jack’s opinion that you’lllnever mount the snowy horse again, Snap Shot, Caramba!/ Jew't the girl a beauty! Old Domez’s wildest dreams did not exaggerate her loveliness.” Spanish Jack threw the now unconscious outh to the ground and sprung toward bis horse. He found two horses where he had left but one: one of the Indian steeds had come back, probably in search of his master. ‘“* What luck is better than this?’ exclaimed the stampeder, when he found the new borse in his possession, ‘‘ I willnot bave to go back to the girl on foot. The Apache horse will carry the youngster straight into Red Heart’s camp,” A few words will suffice to describe what fol- lowed, ‘ With a strong rope which Spanish Jack took from beneath one of the broad skirts of his sad- dle, Snap Shot was lashed to the back of the In- dian borse. “Now for White Rocket’s grazing-ground! I'll send you.on your horse-hunt, boy, in a man- ner you never dreamed of.” Spanish Jack’s hand moved to his bowie as he Fes a9 and a moment later the glittering blade was lifted over the youth’s heart. “Take this knife to Red Heart with Spanish Jack’s compliments, The old chief will recog- nize the bowie!” But the last word was drowned by the ringing crack of a rifle, and, as the bloodless blade was knocked from the Tiger’s hand, the Apache horse went off like an arrow! F ‘Heavens! who did that?’ cried Spanish Jack, as he cocked the revolvers be had whipped from bisbelt, ‘I want the mean skunk to know that be has interfered in my business.” “And Im hyer to tell you thet I’ve been huntin’ fer the man who sent one dead man down the mountain to-night with a bowie in his heart! I’m Old Eclipse, an’ I mean bizness!” A buman figure leaped into the trail, ‘Old Eclipse! The very man J want to see.” Three arms went up at the same moment, but there seemed to be but one Kegot With a wild cry Spanish Jack and fell tottering against his borse CHAPTER IV. TURNING THE TABLES, . Oup Eciipse started toward his antagonist revolver in hand, but before the twain could come to: etber the Arizona horse bounded for- ward and passed the old man like an arrow from a Pawnee bow. “ Triggers an’ bowies!” ejaculated Eclipse, staring at the animal rapidl skint ‘‘The boss has taken his rider with him, whether dead er a alive I don’t know,” A buman figure was seen clingimg to the Tiger’s steed, and while the old miner spoke both horse and man disappeared. ‘Wal, I found Spanish Jack an’ lost him ag’in. I never saw a dead man bang toa hoss thet way. The Tiger must hev life in his heart, fer a person, no matter how good he kin shoot, can’t hit every time after dark. By Jehosa- | hat! Jl not jet im git away in thet manner. idn’t I tell the men ov Redeye thet I’d kill the man what druv the bowie to the stranger’s heart?” A low and peculiar call brought a horse to the old man’s side, and he was about to throw bim- self into the saddle when a girlish woice made bim turn. : “You byer, Blossom? I war goin’ off fer a spell but not to stay long, I hope. What hez happened! Do you know who hez been hyer?” es. “Did be insult yout—did he touch yout~ Spanish Jack, I mean.” The mountain beauty seemed to breathe freer, ‘*T saw but little of him,” she said. ‘‘ To tell the truth—” “ll listen to thet when I git back,” inter rupted Eclipse. ‘‘I only scratched the mean MA ler snake. T’ve gotto kill ’im afore dawn. o back to the shanty an’ wait fer me, Blossom, poe away
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¥ oc =a wu Se Ds CF “aw = ow = Old I'll ceme ez sartain ez water runs down hill. | Thar! thet’s a dandy gal,” and Old Eclipse kimed the unresisting creature as he concluded. In another moment a horse was bearing the old man away in the direction taken by Spanish | Jack and the boy horse-hunter, and Blossom | was left to her own reflections. She had not dared to ask Eclipse about Snap | Shot, but she felt that something had happened to the youth for he was not there. Would they ever meet again? She could not dismiss the horse-hunter’s fine | figure, nor bis handsome face, and she won- dered like a simple mountain flower that she was whether all the youths in the San Carlos country possessed his bravery and his deep black eyes. Blossom, soon went back to the mountain cabin. Once more she was its only occupant, and on the couch which she sought fn its gloom, she pic- tured to herself a terrific race for life over the wildest of trails. She saw a horse bearing Spanish Jack away in his gaudy garments, and not far behind him rode his pursuer Old Eclipse, urging bis steed to extra exertions while his eyes flashed fire. Blossom’s imagination was not too vivid. Two magnificent steeds were flying down a mountain-trail and, although half a mile separ- ated them, their riders were unsparing with the r and the breaths of each came fast. “I'd be myself once more if I bada weapon!” said the man on the foremost horse. ‘That infernal bullet that sent me reeling against my | horse made mo drop my revolvers; th fi st shot carried off my bowie just as I was abu io | resent it to that young horse-hunter, Caram- | a! but I'd like to meet you on an equality, | Eclipse! I’d ride over you back to that moun.- | tain daisy. She’s struck my fancy more than any woman I ever saw. Ab! Spanish Jack, are you going to keep ahead of the man who | wants your blood? By the eternal, no!” The horse stopped as the last word was spoken | and stood panting under his rider’s weight on | the lonely trail. / “The mad old fool comes on!” continued | Spanish Jack. ‘‘He hesn’t counted on me stopping here. Co-:e, Monterey! we’re going a C: He tarned his horse’s head toward the animal that was rushing madly on. For a moment Spanish Jack glared fiercely down the trail, though he could see nothing; | then, with a curse on his lips, he struck his steed | savagely with the spurs. ; “You and I for it, Bclips#!” he exclaimed. ““You have found anid }.si Spanish Jack once to-night, but you are goiag to find him again!” Did Old Eclipse know that the Arizona Tiger had turned and was bearing down upon him again with his whole nature aroused? If be did he did not slacken bis horse’s speed, but kept on as rapidly as before. The two mad men were swiftly nearing each other; a collision—and suck a one!—was un- avoidable. Spanish Jack was skirting the left-hand side of the starlit trail, his left hand grasped the rein, and his body leaned toward the center of the road, his right hand free but balf clinched, and his eyes—they seemed living coals of fire! On, on be came, bis horse nearing Old Eclipse by many a bound, and rapidly lessening the distance between him and his master’s foe. “My God! the yaller hound’s comin’ back!” suddenly exclaimed the man from Redeye. Old ae looked ahead but could not see his enemy, still the rapid galloping told him that he was coming On with the resistless sweep of a thunderbolt. “Here is Spanish Jack!” suddenly said a startling voice. At that same nioment the two steeds met, Old Eclipse tried to strike down the hand that shot swiftly at bis throat, butas well migbt be have tried to ward off a rifle-ball, A wild cry of exultation cut the night air as that same mad hand closed on the ol man’s trechea, . D+spite his hasty preparation and strength, Old Eclipse felt himself lifted from the saddle and his horse shot on. Spanish Jack’s fingers seemed to sink into his throat as the Tiger’s horse kept up bis break- neck gait despite his additional load. All at once Old Eelipse felt himself falling; the cla‘vs of the Arizona Tiger had left his | throat. Hé struck the ground at the same time that | Spanish Juck leaped from his animal. A thick mist swam before the old man’s @yes, for the fingers of his foe had almost deprived him of bis senses. clipse, Lrump Uald OL es ‘* Spanish Jack sometimes turns on bis foes!” were the Tiger’s first words, as he glared at Old Eclipse who had struggled to his feet and was still gasping for fresh air. * So i see,” war the response. what a grip you hev, Spanish!” ‘‘Have I?’ and the Arizonian Tiger supple- mented his question with alight laugh. ‘' My ‘* Heavens! | hand is assure as my revolver when it darts at | an enemy’s throat. I’ve learnt more tricks than one by practice, Eclipse. So you fellows found the man to whom | gave a bowie awhile ago.” “ We found him. He j'ined us somewbar an’ rode with us almost to Redeye.” Spe nish Jack smiled. ‘*That man was a fool,” he said. ‘He thought he alone was a match forme. He ac- cused me of stampeding his herd, and he left the ranch, where he had better stayed, to find Spanish Jack. Well, he found bim.’ ‘*T should say he did from what I saw,” said Old Eclipse, bis mind going back to the dead man who had joined the men of Redeye with a bowie in his heart. ‘* You war about to sarve the boy the same way.” “‘That little borse-hunter—yes!” was the re- ply. ‘* You would not have treated him much better if you could have seen what I saw to- night.” ** What’s thet, Spanish?” ‘* He made love to the girl you call Blossom.” The old miner recoiled with a mad exclama- tion. “A boy—make—love to—Blossom?’ he flashed. “I don’t allow that. I have sworn that she should live for nobody but Old Eclipse.” , ‘* When did you take that oath?” ** When I found the girl.” ‘* Under the wagon after the massacre!” “Yes.” Old Eclipse seemed astonished by Spanish Jack’s knowledge of the past. **T know something about Blossom’s past his- tory you see, Eclipse,” said the Tiger. ‘Do you think nobody will ever get her?” “They shall not! By Jove! I will hunt that boy down. So he made love to ber—to Blossom? I don’t allow that! The man thet loves thet girl is Old Ecl‘pse’s eternal enemy!” “She'll be her own mistress by and by.” ‘When will that time be?’ ‘‘When thar will be no Old Eclipse to look after her.” Tbe tone in which Spanish Jack’s words were couched must have disclosed the real meaning of his last sentence. ‘““Fer some people thet time shall never come!” cried the old man, ** You hev seen the gal to-night. War it fer the first time, Spanish Jack?” ‘Tt was, but I had heard of her before. Her fame has not been confined to the mountains that hem her in, It has crossed the borders of territory on the east and the south, She's love- lier than I ever dreamed her to be, I'd give my horses for her, Eclipse, but I’m going to get her cheaper than that.’ You ar’?” “ I am.”’ A momept’s silence followed, - The two men 8 erect scarcely five feet apart; Spanish Jack’s sombrero Jay on the ground, and his wealth of midnight hair no longer concealed by it fell oyer his broad shoul- ers, “T strike for Blossom, this time, Eclipse!” he suddenly exclaimed. »‘*Stand on the defensive old pard. Spanish Jack has been well name the Tiger of Arizona.” With flashing eyes Old Eclipse braced him- self asthe Yellow Tiger threw himself forward. Weaponless—for the. old miner’s adventures bad* cost bim knife and revolvers—the two mountain characters came together for the third time that night. Once more the Tiger’s bronzed band shot. at Old Eclipse’s throat; the men grappled like wrestlers, and pitted strength against strength. They were fighting for the most beautiful prize the Arizonian, mountains ever, con- tained. They went to the ground together, but con- tinued the struggle. ‘* Blossom shail love none but Old Eclipse, I bave made that my oath an’ I shall keep it,” ** Not to-night, old fellow. Blossom shall live to love the Yellow Tiger of Arizona!” Thirty minutes later a horse bore & man to- ward the cabin on the mountain trail. This map wore an embroidered jacket and a sombrero with a wide fringed band, * I didn’t lie! Spanish Jack you can go back and make love to Blossom, the Mongollon 9 le ‘* Here I am at last!” he said. At that moment the door flew open and a startled voice rung in his ears, “Aim at bis bead, and when I count three fire! One—” The Tiger of Arizona recoiled with a cry of horror, CHAPTER V. THE TIGER GETS NEW OLAWS. A LIGHT that illumined the interfor of the cabin enabled Spanish Jack to take in the whole situation ata glance. Not a moment was 60 be lost, fer he was eov- ered by a rifle, at whose trigger was a finger that fairly itched to send the bullet on its mis- sion of death, ** One—twe—” ‘ Barve for it!” passed throngh the Tiger's rain. He spoke flercely to hw borse, as he threw himself forward on the heated neck. In an instant—the twinkling of an eye—Mon- terey shot forward, clearing an incredible num- ber of feet the ®rst bound, Acry of disappointment rose behind him, but Spanish Jack kept on. Suddenly the report of a rifle echoed in his rear, and a bullet clipped the fringe fiom one of the ribbons attached to his sombrero. ‘That's as good as a mile, my friend!” ejacu- lated Jack, ‘If I had remained in front of the cabin a moment longer, the Southern ranches would get a little rest. Never mind; I'll win the girl yet. I’m Spanish Jeck still, and Span- ish Jack is more than a tiger!” The Arigonian bad checked the speed of his horse, and the animal was permitted to move forward at his own gait. ‘* Dve got to have paige Sy fight with,” the desperado weston. ‘Fate bas been against me to-night, and for the first time fo my career I find myself without a weapes—nos so much asa knife. [ll ride on to eye and get a fresh supply To Redeye ould @panish Jack ride into that mountain earap to re-arm bimself, emon the men who bated bim as much as they d Red Flase and bis Apaches? Having spoken his determination in resolute tones, the dare-devi) kept om and turned his horse into the broader trail which led to Red eye. The night was fer spent, and the first winds of morning were dallying among tae mountain bushes thet fringed the trail, Redeye was not fer away, and Jack's varied experience told him that be was likely to find somebody awake there. It is seldom that the camps of the far South- west become quiet, W bere the only inhabitants are men as wild as their, rough surroundings, somebody, owl like, is awake all shrouge the pight, not much to watch as to win from his metghbor, if possible, his hard-gotren dust, Redeye was no to the rule, en that the times of which we wr.te were nob times, and its citizans were eompelled to play for something else besides gold and silver, — There were well-worked mfaes nese the ber 4 but the Apaches—those wild red ehiléren ef Southwest whom no peace can Corquer—had pestered the Mongolles district for a levg time, running of borses, plunderiag mising-campa, and keeping the whites constantly om their uard, % Spanish Jack knew all thls; he knew, too, that he could not eater Redeye without being noticed, yet he was going thither fur the pum pose of be Takes bimgeelf. Me straight on until he saw the forms of the rough cabips fn the morning “Dm 00 welconw vialtor here!” he exclaimed, tohimset?. ‘Let me see: thune’s a chop Here call- ed Tounder Sam; at least he wag here last sum- mer when I stumpeded Redevwy horses. followed me two hindred milee--the olosest chase l eve ‘ad. Yes, I know you, Tkander Sam, i au. vt likely to forget a hunter like you. a Although Spanish Jack was entering Redeye for the first time, he guided bts horse traight toward the place where, above all others, he was most lilk”)y to find some one, Suddenly « cuarse laugh and an cath struck his ears, ; “They’re at it!? Spanish Jack said with a
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6 threshold be saw the night-owls of Redeye. A large rough table occupied the middle of | the room. Four men occupied seats around it, and sev- eral others stood by, interested spectators of the game which bad been kept up through the greater part of the night. Spanish Jack’s eyes glistened while from bis saddle be surveyed this scene. He saw the arms his coveted, the dead!y re- volver and the gleaming bowie. With them he could ge back to the cabin in the mountain and meet on an rath the enemy whose rifle had almost sent a bullet — ng through his brain a short time be- ore, Noiselessly, and with his eyes transfixing the gacnbiers of Redeye, the Arizona Tiger slipped rom bis saddle and glided toward the cabin. The figure of one of the spectators prevented the ligbt from falling upon the Tiger. and in the shadow cast by the burly desperado Spanish Jack advanced. From the moment that he crossed the thresh- old he had selected bis victim—his eyes were riveted upon the butts of two revolvers that rested on the man’s broad hips. All at once the Tiger’s hands darted at the weapons and closed on them with triumph. The next instant a wild cry filled the cabin, and as the robbed miner recoiled and threw the light upon the despoiler, the gamblers leaped up with their hands at the butts of their revol- vers, ‘\Not so fast, men of Redeye!” calmly said Spanish Jack stepping back and presenting the cocked pistols at the startled BrOup. ‘The first man what lifts a hand will get his eternal doom. Ha! you know me, Thunder Sam. I did not kyow I was paying you back for that long chage when I armed myself. By George! Pm glad so see you—glad that you survived that man-huns. Of course you men know me now.” Yes, they all knew him. Despite his wild deeds of the past, they were astonished at his audacity. Thunder Sawm’s eyes glared at him like the orbs of a cornered lion, “* Dems I know yeu’ he exclaimed. ‘“ Dido’t I foller you two hundred miles once—the longest and kettess ehase I s’pose you ever had?” “eet it wes; bes I am back égain. This timeon a matéer of , to whie» I have at- ‘tonded,” emailed tee Tiger af Se) Your Thunder Sem, wi come back to > ene of these days. I'm only berrewing oma Teese werds were crough te madden the seven men hald at bay tm the but. yaar er an iaek. i ad Spanisk Jacek, “ another fuck an’ I'll try 3 Revelvers, Waen it comes to business tine this I'd foes as soon bill white men a6 redekina Stand wher yeu are! I'm met hereafoot. Tho best heres ie Arimena, ex- a eaé, stands in aremt of this ehanty.” | @ wepped back, but the revolvers were net lewered « hair’s breades, aud mere than one of the memaced seven saw thac kis yellow fingers teseked the triggers. As neiseless as he had entered the eabin, the per appre«ched the door again, his t feet creamed the threshold, then his left one foliewved, and he stood beneath the stars armed to the teeth Once more. Wet watil be was three feet from the cabin eue of his arnes drop. “You sha§ bave yoer men-killers again, Thuuder—lI swear it,” be said, “ Aud so de 1,” grated Thunder Sam. ‘I will feller you to the Rio @raudebut what I get %ern back! Tais time TJ] not ure up the hunt as I did before. By hedvens, sist Jack, this me de Redeye seals your doon®” e yellow vicier laughed deflantly. While itt rung out, tae seven reached the door of Na @ubin. "pis will make yeu remember my visit to Redeye!” said the Tiger, aud a shet succeeded, One ef tae men tarew up bis bands and fell t his esurades. * Yeur revolvers are daisies, Taunder San!” Pallewed the shet, and befere the startled men of Redeye eould respond, « horse went dewn the only thoroughfare the eamp sould beast of, bearing away the greatest villain im Arizona. Six men rushed frantically from the cabin, and the same number of revelvers lighted up the night with flashes ef fire, amd leaden mie siles sought the heart of Spanish Jack. But back from the darkness came a laugh that It was a wild, triumphant, deflant laugh. } “No more shootin’!” cried Thunder Sam, | dashing the revolvers down. ‘‘ Let’s go back | an’ sw’ar over Buckhorn Bill the biggest oath ov vengeance ever heard in Redeye.’ The six men went back to the cabin where the dead gambler lay, and as the rest of the desperate citizens of the er amg appeared on the scene, Spanish Jack rose in his stirrups a mile away, and waving bis sombrero above his head sent up three triumphant cheers, The Tiger had got new claws. CHAPTER VI. THUNDER SAM’S INJUN POT PIK. Tue eventful night—eventful to Redeye at least—was passing away at last. While day was breaking in the east, the den- izens of the camp stood over Buckhorn Bill who lay where he had fal'en by Spanish Jack’s re- volver, The terrible oath of vengeance bad been taken, and such an oath, too! | The rey mee had vexed Arizona song | enough; be bad even invaded Redeye, jerk two revolvers from the belt of Thunder Sam, | and with them taken the life of Buckhorn Bill! His last deed cried aloud for revenge. Over the dead desperado, Thunder Sam se- lected three men who were to accompany bim on his bunt. ' He knew them all; he had seen them tried in more than one despérate encounter, and they were eager to come up with the Tiger who had invaded the — Away went the four in the first gleams of daylight, well mounted, well armed, and burn- ing for revenge. ** Let’s take the shanty in on our way, an’ see what’s become ov Blossom,” said Thunder Sam, when a mile from Redeye. “ Agreed! Who knows but that tye may hev gone down thar an’ insulted Old Hclipse’s mountain daisy? By heavens! ef he hez, we'll give him extra punishment!” So the four hunters turned into the trail that ran past the mountain lodge and urged their horses on, As they neared the hut, their ears were sa- luted with the songs of birds, and nature smiled on every band. It was just such a morning that delights thou- | sands of people, but it possessed no charms for | the quartette, whose revolvers were carried at full cock in their belts, and whose bowies hung loosely in the buckskin sbeaths. Thunder Sam glanced at his companions when he saw the mountain cabin a sbort distance ahead, and, motioning them to fall behind, he rode on. To the rough’s surprise, he found the little door wide open and an aspect of loneliness about the place. “T guess the Tiger ov Arizona bas been hyer!” arted Thusuder Sam’s lips as he approached the ut. ‘‘ Ef he has touched Blossom, wee to bis o’nery bide! I'll make this territery, big as it is, toe bet te held him.” A few yards further en Thunder Sam drew 2. Once mere ke wae in frout of the girl’s moun- tain home, thisking mot of hew be had ridden away frem the revolver that “covered” him frem the baad of Blossom. Leaning toward the logs from bis saddle, the man from Redeye pnt ome hand upen them and poked his unpandsome face into the kut. ‘* Hello, Blossom!” he called. There was no response, “ Jes’ eg I expected; she ain't hyer!” he ex- claimed, whirling upon kis companions es they bastened forward. “Ill bet my claims thet > are Jack knows wear the meuntain daisy 3.” Thunder Sam threw bimself from the saddle and rusked into the cabin, but the mext second he receiled with a furious oatle. ‘“‘Injuns! Injuns!” also rang fren bis threat. “The infernal Apaches—” His sentence was broken by the sharp reports of his companions’ revolvers as they opened on the red skins who were swarming from the but. Thonder Sam reached bis borse, but net tee saddle, “‘ Death to the red skunks!” he roared, toting the Apaches with a revolver in each band. “* No quarter an’ mo surrender, men ov e!” Awed by the ot fire of the quartette’s weapenrs, the Indians fell back inte the cabin and slammed the door in the desperadoes’ faces. All, however, did not get safely behind the | | Thunder Sam, | what it war, an’ back I went. | rers! — | ; portals, for in front of it lay six who would never stampede horses again, ‘“‘ Heavens! that war a close call!” ejaculated ‘*7 hed jis’ got beyond the door when sutbin’ closed on my arm. knowed Now!” and bis eyes flashed exultuntly. ‘* We’ve got the red devils everlastingly cooped up, an’ [’'m willin’ to take an onth thet they’ve fired their last ar- Wa ch thet door with yer men-killers, boys, while | git things ready fer the final scene.” Thunder Sam saw the door covered with six revolvers before he moved off, and commenced to collect an armful of dry twigs which every- where littered the ground, When he rejoined his companions be deposited his collections against the hut and produced several matches from a pocket in his dirty buck- skin jacket, “Now look out, pards! They'll rush fer it when the fire cracks,” he said. ‘ }our it into ’em when the door opens, an’ don’t let one ov the red varmints out, Thar’s notbin’ like an Apache pot-pie, an’I kin git one up to perfec- tion when I’ve got a chance like this.” The snap of a match followed bis last word, and then came the cracking of the dry twigs. Fearless, like all men of bis class, and with the utmost confidence in the revolvers of bis pards, Tbunder Sam fanned the flames with his rouzed hands until they had made good head- way. ‘Then he rose, and walking back to his horse drew his revolvers again, and madly watched the hut. As the fire caught the cabin door in its em- brace, it roared out.the speedy doom of Blos- som's home. Yet not an Indian showed himself. “They ain’t fools enough to be roasted alive!” Thunder Sam said. ‘‘ They’ll make the grand break in a little while. Thet old shanty’s almost too hot to hold’em now. Look out fer ’em, boys. Keep yer fingers on yer triggers.” The flames crept up the logs, devouring them as they advanced; a large hole had burned through the door. “Tt, beats me, I swan it does!” the head des- perado was forced to exclaim. “‘Didu’t we jes’ drive more than a dozen Apaches back into thet shanty?” “Ther war fourteen on ’em, Thunder; I counted ’em.” “Fourteen, then. Ar’ they goin’ to stay in thar an’ burn up without makin’ a break fer liberty? Thet’s not Apache grit—not the kird I’ve seen tried fifty times in my career. Look! thar goes the door!” At that moment the door, burned from its wooden hinges, fell inward amid a shower of sparks, and the flames kept outside no longer, rushed into the cabin witb vengeful roar! The avengers of Redeye drew back from the terrible beat, and looked at the burning but with perplexed countenances. “By thunder! this place is bewitched!” sud- denly exclaimed Thunder Sam. ‘'Thar ain’t an Injun in thet cabin, an’ we drav fourteen back into it awhile ago. Look! the fire sweeps the bul] inside ov the blamed place. It would melt a cast-iron man in five minutes,” , Although the leader of the quartette used streng language, the occasion seemed to justify t. The meuntain cabis was a mass of seethin fire, and the four men from a distance watcb it with feelings teat cannot be described. All at onee a chorus of wild Indian yells rose above the reer of the flames. “The Apache varmints!” grated Thunder Bam. ‘By hokey! they’re the same devils we cooped up in the cabin!’ e men from Redeye turned to the north as the yen of a body of Indians appeared on the trail. “Stand yer greund, pards!” cried Thunder Sam. ‘We kin hey an Infin pot-pie yet! Death to the red skunks ov Arigona?” This time the red-skins were vot awed by the revolvers toward which aber: e. The mountain rung with exultant yells as pell-mell down the trail on excellent steeds the na, Te came to engage foes, be band was headed by a mugnificent In- dian, who rode a spleedid snow-white horse, faultless in lim and with glowing eyes. ‘““White Rocket, the yeun *s heas!” broke from Thunder Sam’s lips. ‘“‘ Who cealdn’t bunt sneb an animal ez thee? By Jove! Vil swap hosees with thet red-skin!” A mipute sufficed te bring the combatants to- gether. With their deadly revolvers thrust forward,
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4— Thunder Sam and his companions met the dasb- ing onset. ‘**Pour it into em!” the former slionted, and the battle opened witb unwonted fury. But revolvers, however well aimed, could not cbeck that mad red mob, Although more than one Apache reeled from their saddles, which, for the most part, were ' well worn blankets, the others came on, their wild yells increasing and their hevls, some- times supplied with spurs, incessantly pounding their borses’ flanks, Into the ranks of their relentless foes the four men emptied their revolvers, and then, for the Indians had not been checked for a moment, they drew their bowies. ‘© Make sure work with the beart-picks!” cried Thunder Sam, and he added under bis breath: “It looks to me ezef the Apaches ar’ goin’ to moke the pot-pie.” The next moment Thunder Sam spurred bis horse toward the red-skins, He did not look bebind to see whether he was followed. “That white hoss er death!” he grated, ‘Ef I git ’im, i Shot shall go baek to ther ranch without ‘im! MHe’s as pretty as Blossom, blame my skin ef he ain’t!” Tnat instant Thunder Sam reached the In- dian squadron, Thirty red hands darted at him, but his gleaming bowie leaped througa them all, ‘‘Tbunder Sam forever!” he shouted. ‘ You rile a bull tribe ov catamounts when you stir this animile up. Hyer’s the varmint I want.” The Indians who filled the mountain pass could not prevent tbe mountaineer’s deed; bis hand was quicker than their sight. The red rider of the white borse darted at Thunder Sam, but the onslaught that met him half way was irresistible. - “This hoss is worth a gold mine, chief,” he said. ‘I'll settle with you fer stealin’ im an’ save ther boy the trouble.” Vainly did the Apache warrior dart at the uplifted hand. Down came the miner’s bowie, and as the red chief reeled, he was swept from the horse by Thunder 8 .m’s left arm, and a wild yell an- nouneed that Little Snap Shbot’s horse had changed owner ! “ Now, git out ov my way!” shouted Sam to the Indians, as he wheeled the white steed and drew tue oloody bowie.back, ‘ 1’ma thousand grizzlies rolled into one, This hoss is mine for- ever! Clar the track!” The strength of the white horse and the menacing kuife made the red ranks separate. ‘**C me on, pards!” cried Thunder Sam to his comrades as he dashed down the living gantlet, but he did not look behind him, ‘* Thet’s what I call bizness!”’ he said when he found himself beyond the foe, ** Who wouldn’t risk what I hev fer such a boss? He'd bring a thousand in Prescott, an’ five in Frisco; but a world wouldn’t buy ’i:-o from me,” Proud of the steog he had won at the bowie's point, Thunder am urged the borse on until he was satisfied that the red-skins were not thun- dering at his heels. “This isn’ huntin’ Spanish Jack,” he said suddenly. ‘‘ But what’s the use ov buntin’ him on such a hoss? Let me find Blossom, an’ bang Bill ef y else can’t avenge Buckborn “That's what I say, Thunder Sam; but who’s taken my pet off?” At these words the man from Redeye turned and found bimself face to face with the last person hee sted to confront there, ** Wal, ef it isn’t Old Eclipse bimself, shoot me fer a rattler!” he ejontinted. “Toat's who I am!” was the answer, as the speaker came forward, nor halted until he laid his hand on Thunder Sam’s leg and looked up into his face. “I’ve been to ther outskirts ov etarnity more’n once since ve seen you, Thun- der; but every time my detarmination fetched me away. Whar's the girl—my mountain Blos- som? You will go with me back to the lodge, won't you?” Thunder Sam smiled. “Thar’s no lodge any more, Eclipse,” he sai ‘¢ What’s become ov it?” : “Pm goin’ to play honest. I sot it on fire.” The old miner started back with blazing eyes. “You? You set fire to Blossom’s home? By heavens! Thunder Sam—” “Thar! thet’ll do!” was the interruption. ‘“‘Hear me through, old man. We cooked up fourteen Injuns in the hut, an’ I tried to make an Apache pot-pie, but hang me ef one war scorched, an’ we burned the cabin down.” - Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. ET / Sea arenes “They found the underground trail,” said Old Eclipse, . “Tbet’s it!” exclaimed Sam. “I thought Old Nick helped the red varmints to git away.” CHAPTER VII. FORCED TO DISGORGE. THE mystery o: the Indian’s escape from the burning cabin was now explained, but Thunder Sam forgot them a moment after Old Eclipse’s explanation. e was Jooking down into the face of the man to whom Blossom was the most precious object. on earth, the mau who had raised her from a child, among the mountains, and who would shed his last drop of blood in ber defense. Woe to the man who loved or touched her without his consent! He had always said this, and those who knew the old miner knew that he would make his words good, “You say you’ve been nigh eternity?’ said Thunder Sam after a minute’s silence. ‘ Did you fiud Spanish Jack” “Didn’. 1, though?’ exclaimed Old Eclipse. “Did I ever hunt a man and nos find bim, Thunder? Wal, 1 found the boss stampeder an we bed a tussle,” ‘* Not since he left Redeye?” ** Has he been thar?” ‘*] should say he has, but go on,” ‘The varmint got the best ov me,” continued Old Eclipse, ‘‘Thet half-Mexican devil bes the strength ov a grizzly. I war completely in his power when I found myself lyin’ on the edge ov a cliff. How his eyes glittered then—worse nor a catamount’s, Thunder. Fer a half minute he stood over me pantin’ like a feller pretty nigh played out, an’ then he pounced upon me like an eagle, ‘*¢Ef I hed a knife, Eclipse,’ said he, ‘I’d fix you like I fixed the man what you fellers p'cked up awhile ago; but I bevn’t a knife—not even a rope.’ ny Then I knowed what war comin’, Thunder. «Ez sure ez heaven, Eclipse, ye’r goin’ to hunt for the bottqm ov the cliff,’ thought I. ‘“*All to once Twas fallin’—fallin’ down— away down! It war awful, Tbunder, You don’t know what queer things pass througha feller’s brain when he’s passin’ through the gir, an’ you wouldn’t b’lieve me ef I told you. When I struck I threw my arms out an’ caught some limbs, Thar I war hangin’in a tree-to a wile above the foot ov thet cliff fer all know, fer I couldn’t seo it. Ef a man ever teeny: to pay an enemy back I reckon I did hen, ‘Oh, others ditl the same thing to-night,” smiled Thunjer Sam, “ee Whar?’ ‘*In Redeye, over Buckhorn Bili’s carkiss.” ** Who wiped him out?” “The same yellow hound thet dropped you over the cliff.” ' Oid Eclipse gnashed his teeth for a moment. * Ar’ you on his trail now?’ he suddenly asked. ‘Not exactly,” **Do vou think he carrind Blossom off?” “That’s to be determined, Eclipse.” “Woe to him if he did! [’m worth all the dead men in Arizony! Thet girl belongs to me, an’ I will kill the person what loves er touches her besides Eclipse.” “ What wculd you doef a fellar like Thunder Sam sheuld takea fapey to the mountain daisy?’ asked Redeye’s desperado. ‘You're jokin’ now, Thunder!” exclaimed Old Eclipse as he started and transfixed Thun- der Sam with bis piercing gaze. ‘t We’ve been pards too long fer you to take a fancy to Blos- som, ‘Stranger things than thet hev happened in Arizona.” Taunder Sam’s seriousness seemed to force a new and terrible revelation upon Old Eclipse’s mind, The bronze band left the leg upon which it bad lain. ““ You — do— love — Blossom, then?” gasped pay A ; ‘‘Now you’ve guessed it,” was the quick re- sponse, and Thunder Sam seemed to increase au inch in stature. ‘You have threatened with vengeance the man what should dare to love yer wild flower without yer consent. Im thet man! Since I’ve got the best horse in Arizony, I'm not goin’ ter stop till ve got the best gal! You kin stan’ thar an’ chaw at me with yer mad eyes, Eclipse, but I’m a catamount when I’ve made my mind upas a lot ov Apaches bev jes’ found out,” Not for a minute after Thunder Sam paused did Old Eclipse find his tongue. ee ee a enn The desperado’s first words had driven bira ck several feet, but pow he strode forward like a lion aroused, “ “* Words ar’ words, but bizness is bizness!” he said, ‘I will keep my word, Thunder!” His band again fell upon Thunder Sam’s leg, but the next instant it darted at his revolver, ‘‘Not yet!” he exclaimed, dashing Old Eclipse’s band aside, for his uick i bg had an- ticipated the movement. *‘ Now, sir, we will settle a part ov our difficulty byer.” i He pushed O!d Eclipse back as he finished, and thouch the old miner attempted to recover he did not until he was ten feet away. “Tm at your mercy,” he said, looking into the revolver that covered him. “I never thought thet the men ov Redeye would fall out among themselves, an’ thet fer Blossom.” A beartless laugh was Thunder Sam’s first ro- ply. ** At my merey? no! Fp I never hed any ov thet article!” be grated. ‘‘ You've come to the wrong man to talk ov thet. What word hev you fer Blossom?” * Not by you!” “ Why not?” ‘ Because you wouldn’t take it to ber.” v “Try me! If sw’ar by my soul, to carry te Blossom any word you want to send, er bad, Eclipse, I'll take it to her. Be quick with the message ef you hev one,” f ‘*T b’lieve Pll trust you,” said the old miner, as bis eyes beamed with hope. ‘‘ Be quick, I say, forby the sun thet pe the sky, Eclipse, I’m goin’ to make sure ov Blossom this time. I bold the winnin’ hand.” ‘Then, tell her never to reveal the big bonan- za while she is in Thunder Sam’s power; tell her that this word came from me. Ah! you will never tell ber this.” ! How Thunder Sam’s eyes glistered before he replied. here was the “ big bonanza” of which Old Kclipse spoke? If it was in Arizona, why had he not beard of it? and he bad been the old man’s comrade for ten years, ‘Ha! I knew you lied, Thunder Sam!” ex- claimed Old Eclipse. ‘ You will never carry | my message to Blossom,” ‘“*T will, So thar isa hidden gold mine!” _ The miner laughed, and seemed to incline his head toward the ruined mountain cabin away. e “To perdition with your bonanz's!” hissed — Nicaea Sam. “If one exists I will find it. Don’t I hear the Apache bosses down yonder? You hear ’em too, Eclipse. Hyer ends your last trail; byer I begin the tussle thet will give me Blossom,” The revolver seemed to fall a hair’s breadth, Old Eclipse’s eyes lost none of their fire at that moment, All at oncea ringing shot awoke the echoes of the mountains, and without a ery, the gray- haired. miver reeled away and fell among the bushes at his back! It was the heartless shot of a mountain demou —a shot for which there must be a retribution swift and terrible. “Now, Thunder Sam, find the girl, wrench her from Spanish Jack, er ther boy, an’ thar’)] be no Eclipse an’ his threats to trouble ye. Mounted on ther best animal in Arizony, you ought to be able to come out on top in any game you want to play. Come on, you mean red vermints!” And he shcok his clinched hands toward that point of the compass which sounds of hoofs came to hisears, “Tl lead you a chase thet willend whar you'd rath- er it would not, Ive jes’ made one man break his word, but with ie hull tribe at my heels I'll not rupture mine! Oh! come on, an’ try the mettle ov yer chief’s white hoss!” : Away went the desperado from Redeye, and the spot where bis victim lay silent among the brushwood was speedily left behind, The white horse seemed to possess the speed — of the wind in his little limbs. It mattered not who he carried, he carried his rider well. This was the matchless White Rocket, th horse to recover whom Little Snap Shot had queer aranch in the far South, and faced the angers and death-trails of the Mongollon Mountains. 4 Thunder Sam took delight in testing the ani- mal’s speed. He urged him over the trail until he went fy- ing past rock and tree with almost inconceiv- able swiftness. “T don’t hear ’em any more. Qh, what a hoss!” The desperado spoke thus miles and mikes.
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Se SS = Se Nd e tour an emergency. yet. but hang me ef [ thought he wara trick ou who whistled, jes’ git up an’ proclaim to all the world thot this hoss b’longs to Thunder Sam, an’ thet thar ar’ no man livin’ strong enough ter take ’im nuimile! Say, show yerself. from me!” Scarcely had the last word left the speaker's lips when a youthful figure slipped into view a suort distance down the trail. ’* The boss-bunter himself!” ejaculated Tbun- * Wal, of this ain’t a pretty go, shoot der Sam, me fer a rattler.” **Tne man who.says that that horse belongs to Thunder Sam lies likea Mexican!” coma over g2 ip. Come tere, the rifle pressed against the boys shoulder, am here to assert my owners White Rocket,” The white horse sprung up instantly, “No you don’t, my daisy!” cri taken an oath— **So have I! low dog, or T’ll en worthless corpse!” Sam saw that these words came over the pol- ished barrel of the leveled rifle, “JT don’t really want your life; but White Rocket is worth a thousand Tpounder Sams, Ti count four for yo. One—two—” The rein drop anda light laugh came over the rifle. “You’re a man of sense, lowed the laugh. ‘Zip, zip, White Rocket!” The horse pricked up his ears and rushed to- ward the boy with a joyous whinny, The face of the rougi’ was as dark as a thun- der-cloud when he saw the two meet. “* Good-by, Thunder Sam. I'm much obliged We may to you for bringing Rocket bere. meet again. You'd better go back to Redeye. Spanish Jack isin the cou eg 3 With the agility of a splendid horseman, Snap Shot had vaulted into the saddle, and while Thunder Sam gnashed his teeth and forgot his r.volvers in his rage, the recaptured prize was bearing him from the scene. ‘*Go back to ner the hoss?”’ flashed the baffled devil. “ Vl die with my boots on first! When I go back thar, PU ride thet white animal an’ know whar Blos:om is! The voung chap thinks his hoss trail has ended. Blame my skin! ef it’s half { He don’t kuow me; but he ‘11 get ac- quainted afore many hours! I’m amillion cat- amounts when I’m riled an’ I’m riled to the depths now, hang me ef I ain’t! Pll re- kiver thet piece ov white lightnin’; I'll find the mountain daisy; an’ I'll make things lively. Yes, I’m goin’ to ride White Rocket into Red- eye. CHAPTER VITI. SHOT FROM THE SADDLE. ‘Tre reader will recollect that when we last saw Snap Shot prior to the adventure just re. corded he was lashed to the back of an Apache cabin. Thunder Sam, springing toward the animal, ‘I hev Drop that bridle-rein, you yel- my horse-hunt over your from the desperado’s hand, Thunder Sam,” fol- edeye without neither the gal This was Spanish Jack’s work, and if Old | Eclipse bad not interfered in the nick of time and shot the bowie from the Tiger’s hand, Little Snap Shot’s career would hav, ended there aud then. We will go back to that scene only tosay that Spanish Jack in his baste failed to fasten the Woy securely to the borse, for a few miles from tee scene of bis capture he managed to get one of his bauds loase, The rest was easy, and all at once the Indian steed found his rider astride his back and checking bis headlong speed. Intent on finding the Arizona Tiger, the young horse-hunter turned back and reached the cabin fo time to astonish Jack with a leveled rifle | when that wertby came back after his encoun. ter with Old Notipse. » ~ But as we have seen, the Tiger escaped ‘bis \ horse which was bearing him from the mountain | plea:ure transfers you elsewhere?” | P: ce » white horse, Mounted on White Rocket once more Little Snap Shot galloped off and drew rein a sbort distance from the place wLere we left Thunder Sam cursing bis ill-luck. ‘*What has happened?” exclaimed a sweet voice, and a young girl appeared at the white | steed’s side, “T have found my horse,” was the answer, as the boy’s eyes shone with triumph. ‘‘Some- how or other be had fallen into Thunder Sam’s hands, and it was my chance to encounter the villain down the trail. This is the animal 1 have talked so much about, Blossom; this is the best horse in Arizona!” And the boy’s hand ran in and out through White Rocket’s flowing mane. Blossom put up her hand and smoothed the horse’s glossy coat, while the youth watched her with eyes full of admiration, ~ , ‘You will go back to the old ranch now?” she said. Snap Shot started. ‘‘T have found my horse, that is true; but I like this couutry.’ A pretty blush stole over Blossom’s face. ‘*You have not seen all its people,” she re- plied. ‘‘ You bave made many enemies here, and they are not of the kind who will forget you. Your horse will be bunted again, Thun- der Sam may have captured him from the Indians: if he has, they will not let the trail get cold, You and White Rocket will be safer on tke old ranch than here,” Little Snap Shot's gaze wandered toward the far south. He knew that the girl’s words were full of tr uth, Safety for him and his white steed lay only where the green grass of the “old ranch waved in the sun, but something seemed to hold him back. Blossom tried to-read his thoughts, while he gazed southward, but gave up ed, and wait- ed for bim to speak, as if she knew that bis Pg would prove the turning point of his lif>. He turned upon her so suddenly that she in- voluntarily started, “Why do you live bere?” he asked. “‘ It seems to me that the country I inhabit is fairer than this. We bave no Thunder Sam there.” ““Then you are blessed, indeed. But do not try to turn me from these mountains, You forget that Eclipse likes this land.” “Eclipse?” echoed the boy; “how I would like to meet bim! I am sure I owebim my life, | for he shot the bowie from Spanish Jack’s | hand. But you do not Eclipse.” Blossom’s cheeks seemed to grow pale. ‘*T dare not tell you what he bas said,” were her words, while the pallor still remained, * He is a strange man in many respects, and is de- voted tome. Ican never forget who saved me after the Indian massacre, years ago.” “I do not ask you to forget your preserver. bier not Eclipse leave this country” ‘ i “You are then doomed to remain until his Yes, é “Then,” said the youth, ‘*I shall have to say good-by for the present. I will go back to the old ranch,, My horse-bunt has terminated abruptly. I am seated on White Rocket’s back again and this isthe proudest day of my life. You shall go back to the mountain home on the | best animal west of the Mississippi.” In less than a minute Old Eclipse’s protegee | was seated with Snap-Shot on the white horse, | which started off toward, though the pair knew | it not, a scene of desolation, ‘* Heavens! what bas bap ened?” fell sudden- | lv from the youth’s lips, ‘* Look! smoke is ris- | ing from the spot where I fear your home stood when we left it.” . Blossom looked for a moment and then uttered an exclamation of horror. “I bave no home, but forward,” she said. se, Trump Card of Arizona, ee ” e———— es | ‘Tbe demons bave been here sure enough!” , flashed Snap Shot, drawing rein ia front of the | Mountain Lodg.-, now a heap of burning ruins. | ‘As they could not secure the bird the | destroyed the nest. These are the kind of nee that will keep me in this country. Villains like | this call for revenge. I have not forgot that I swore to pay the red chief who took White Rocket from the old ranch. Blossom did not speak, but gezed sadly upon the scenes of desolation that surrounded her, Not one log had been left upon another; the flames bad done their fiendish work. ‘“ Now,” said the boy, breaking in upon Blos- som’s sad reverie, “now you are ready to leave this country, are you not? Let me offer you a home where I know you will be happy; let | ne—” ‘“You ara very kind, but I cannot accept. Eelipse will build me another cabin.” Little Snap Shot seemed to grate his teeth. | Old Eclipse!” he said, under bis breath. ‘“Why does that strange man cross my path every time? He may not find you for some time,” he said to the girl, ‘and you must be sheltered somewhere.” **T can seek the camp.” ** Redeye?” “ Yes.” “That camp, you have told me, is Thunder Sam’s Jair.” “Ab! but I don t fear that fellow,” and the girl smiled. ‘Yes, I shall go to Redeye until Eclipse comes.” “To Redeye then!” exclaimed the young horse-hunter; but Blossom’s band fell warning- ly upon his arm. ‘For the last time, perhaps, let me say, ‘Go back to the old ranch.’ You bave found your horse, and to recover him you entered this country. I can go to Redeye alone, and I as- sure you I will get along with its citizens, who are my protector’s friends.” **No!” answered Snap Shot, firmly. ‘Since you have determined to take up your abode in Redeye, I shall set you down there, Please do not remonstrate with me again. My mind has been made up. Iam > ype eager to see maar He the capital of this wild land, and I will not ride for the old ranch until I have seen it. White Rocket, we are going to Redeye.” With this the white steed started off, and was soon coursing swiftly down the road that led to the mountain camp. ‘‘- Yonder is the camp!” exclaimed Blossom, pointing down the mountain at a collection of rough cabins that stood in the sunl'ght. ** Now, it you will halt here, and let me— ** Wot yet!” laughed Snap Shot. to take vou to your new home,” and the spurssen White Rocketswifter than ever over the traél. - Not until the borse had borne the oe couple to the center of the wild capital of tue district did be check his gait. Then a word, and not the rein, stopped him. “So this is Redeye, ebf’ ejaculate’ Snap Come, “Tam goin want me to encounter | Shot, as he turned to help Blossom from her | seat. ‘‘ What has become of its people? I don’t see a living soul,” “I dot Look yonder! you are gone!” : Little Suap Shot turned just asa tall man, who ehead was bandaged with a bloody rag, stepped from a cabin a few yards away. ‘Curse your heart, you've touched the girl without my consent!” grated this individual, against whose shoulder a rifle leaped madly. ‘“T swore to kill the man who did thet, an will!” Blossom threw herself from the white horse and sprung toward the man witha startling cry. “No puttin’ in fer him, Blossom!” rung out over the leveled rifle. ‘‘i’m old Eciipse, an’ dou’t you forget it!” A tbrilling report checked Blossom’s speed, and as she turned to the horse she saw his young rider throw up his arms and pitch from the saddle with a cocked revolver in his Land. The weapon fell at her feet. “ve met Old Eclipse at last!” gasped the boy, looking up into ber face as she stooped over him. Before she could reply a startling voice grated on ber hearing. “Don’t touch the young viper, girl! going to finish him, hang meef I ain't!” __ *Not while I can defend him!” exclaimed Blossom, whirling upon the speaker with Snap Merciful heavens! I’m
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you are Old Biclipse, you shall not complete tie work you have begun. Halt, and lower your riflel If you advance anothKer step with it in that position I will send a bullet crashing through your brain, CHAPTER IX. A JEALOUS MOUNTAINEER, ‘‘ Tr you dare!” said the girl’s flashing eyes, though her lips remained closed behind the word that ends the preceding chapter. Snap Shot had fainted and lay at ber feet, to all outward appearances dead; but she stood resolutely in front of him, menacing Old Eclipse with the revolver, Hang me ef I ever thought she’d do thet!” murmured the old miner. ‘She'll be wantin’ to marry the young tenderfoot ef my bullet hezn’t fixed him fer good. I can’t march for- ’ard another step. never thought Blossom would hold a drop on me,” With this, Old Eclipse very sensibly lowered his rifle, amid the smiles of the rough men who bad been drawn from the cabins by the start- ling shot. Blossom watched him narrowly as he came forward, a dark cloud on his brow and angry flashes in his eyes. f ‘¢Who is he, girl?” he asked, looking from the unconscious horse-hunter to his | protegee. ‘Snap Shot he calls himself. ‘““By hokey! he’s no tenderfoot after all. Anybody kin see thet with half aneye. Jehosa- phat! what a boss!” And Old Eclipse began to admire the white steed which had not moved since the fall of his rider. ‘' 1 sav, Blossom, you an’ this youngster hev dissolved pardner- ship, now, bevn’t ye?” “We never had any interests in common. He was bringing me to Redeye, nothing more.” ‘* A kind ov escort, hey?” “Call it what you will.” “Wal, we'll hev to ’tend him till he mends, then—then, by Jove! Blossom, he’ll hev ter pack an’ travel.” By this time the girl and Soap Shot were surrounded by the entire population of Redeye. “Corral thet animile! he’s a dandy!” sud- denly exclaimed one of the men, and half a dozen hands moved toward White Rocket’s bridle-rein. But the horse was not going tq be “‘ corraled,” for all at once he threw up his head and darted off with a wild snort. Blossom heard the clicking of deadly locks and instantly threw herself before the would-be horse-catchers. ‘‘Don’t slaughter the horse like that!” she eried. ‘That boy has risked his life for his roperty; give him another chance for it, wn with your weapons!” The last sentence was more a command than en appeal, and the horse was allowed to disap- pear without being stopped by a bullet. ‘ “Now carry the boy into one of the cabins and drees his wound,” the girl continued turn- ing upon Old Eclipse. *T guess I'll hev to touch ‘im arter all, Blos- som; but hang my old frame! ef I wouldn’t sooner bury him. Grin an’ bear it, Eclipse. It won’t be for long, thank fortin’!” : A moment later Little Snap Shot was lifted from the ground, and the old miner was bear- ing bim toward one of the cabins. he dirty-shirted roughs followed him with their eyes; but Blossom walked at the miner's side, carrying the horse-hunter’s hat, and anxiously regarding his pale face, ° Not a word passed between her and Old Eclipse until the cabin’s threshold had been erossed, and Snap Shot lay on a rough couch under the one window beside the door, ' “In the first place, Blossom, look hyer,” sud- denly exclaimed the old man, pulling down the bloody bandage about his head, and displaying to her gaze a deep red furrow in which she could have placed two of her fingers side by side. ‘Who did that?” . ‘“ Who but the on'riest man in Arizony,” was the answer, ‘Spanish Jack” “No. Spanish Jack’s a gentleman compared to tbe devil what marked Old Eclipse fer life. The Tiger would push a feller over a cliff; but hang me, ef I believe he’d deliberately shoot a helplessman, Thunder Sam is the boss demon’s name.” The girl started. ‘ He will come back to Redeye no more!” she e: claimed, bee “I hope he will, an’ while I'm hyer. I would Shot's revolver glistening im her hand. ‘‘ Though . willingly pass in my checks on death’s counter if be’d come back to Redeye only fer five minutes! Me shot to kill, but suthin’ turned bis ball. War it fate, Blossom? You used to say thet fate fetched me to you arter that Injun massacre, when I found you under the Cones- toga. When I recovered arter Thunder Sam had left me fer dead, instead ov goin’ te ther Mountain Lodge, I came hyer. The fact is, girl, I didn’t know whar I war gein’ fer sartain, fell down like one dead in the street, but the boys dressed my wound, an’ put me on my pins ag’in. You know what I’ve always said. 0- body shall ever love you but Old Eclipse. Thet boy war in a fair way fer doin’ it when he came hyer, but he mustn't do it, Blossom. He may never see his white boss ag’in ef he does!” ‘*He has never mentioned love,” said the girl, ‘‘ But we must not neglect bim.” ‘*T’ll not do thet ef he’s the bitterest. enemy I ever had.” Little Snap Sbot’s wound was now searched for and found, To Blossom’s relief, so indicated by her looks, it was pronounced not very dangerous. Old Eclipse said that the worst thing he saw about it was that it would keep the youth con- fined to the cabin for some days, when he ougbt to be riding back to the ranch somewhere in the South. It was evident that the miner wished that bis shot had proved more deadly. **What! White Rocket gone again?” ex claimed the horse-bunter, when Blossom broke to him an account of the white steed’s exit from Redeye, . ‘‘I will bave to begin my bunt over. There is no telling into whose hands my horse will fall next; but I will find him! He shall carry me back to the old ranch, if I have to fight a thousand enemies single-handed,” Determination lighted up the speaker's eyes and the girl who was his only auditor transfixe bim with an admiring gaze. Not once during that long day did she leave the little cabin in which Snap Shot had been forced to take up bis quarters, The door stood wide open to admit the brac- ing air, and the two young people thus strangely brought together conversed until the night ap- proached again. “T don’t care which comes first!” exclaimed Old Eclipse, as he brought his bronzed hand down upon the rough counter in the log saloon and gambling hell of Redeye. Ten men heard him. ** [ say I don’t care a cuss which comes first— death to tbe boy er Thunder Sam back to Red eye!” he continued, ‘I hevu’t any choice, Don’t know thet if Snap Shoé gits well the je is up twixt me an’ the daisy what I've raised from a shoot? An’ to think thet Blossom herself should eee him to Redeye! Spanish Jack? Oh, I’ve ergotten him! edid throw me over a cliff, an’ left me to take care ov myself, which I did, Arter thet he cnme to Redeye an’ armed bLim- self, did be? Why didn’t he finish Thunder Sam instead of Burkborn Bill? When I go back to the shanty what will I see? Thet girl sittin’ close to the hoss-bunter an’ listenin’ to his infer- nal palaver. . No! no more liquor fer me, I’m goin’ back to em’ sober.” - The old Arizonian strode toward the door of the den, “Hyer, boys, take my weepins,” he said sud. denly, stopping there and disarming himself. ‘*T’m afraid ov myself to-night, break my old neck ef I ain’t! t I went, go yonder an’ see Blossom close to the youngster I might do suthin’ desprit. Noman shall ever make love to the mountain daisy an’ live, oath.” Old Eclipse laid his bowie and revolvers side by side on the counter, and turned to the door oncé more, He had scarcely reached the open air when he stopped and listened. ‘*Thar’s a boss comin’ this way like a cy- clone,” he said, speaking aloud as if addressing some one, and his eyes blazed as he listened. ‘* Hyer Iam without a weepin’, but hang me ef I'm goin’ to touch the shooters any more to- night.” e listened under the stars a moment longer, ~_ then darted toward the cabin he had juct eft, ‘** Hosses!” he exclaimed, appearing. at the door. The occupants of the place sprung across the threshold and balted on the outside with revol- vers in their hands, Every man seemed to hold his breath. All at onoe a horse with head erect and mane and tail streaming in the breeze, went past the group like a flash ot light. a Thet’s my old. 9 “Great Ceasar! thet hoss war a white one!” . exclaimed Oid Eclipse. ‘‘The boy's milky steed hez come back to Redeye, an’— ‘Hush! byer comes a hull herd!” The whole camp now rung witb the noise of hoofs, and twenty horses followed in the white steed’s wake. Well might the men of Redeye shrink against the cabins and withhold theif fre. ' Every horse bad a rider, amd as they swept on after the magnificent quarry Old id ah and his companions scarcely breathed, “ Great God! whether teem red devils catch | White Rocket er not, they’ll come buck an’ pay their respects to Redeye!” he ejaculated. “ Thar they go—the meanest lot ov Injuns thet ever stole a mustang er pluadered a ranch, They hevn’t time to step now, but they’ll come back, Isay. Git rigid ter meet ’em, men ov Red- eye,” and with the last word on his lips the old miner darted away. He did not stop until he reached the open door of a certain cabin, Darkness reigned inside. *“ Blossom are ye thar?” asked Eclipse in anxious tones, No answer was returned. “Great serpents! what hez happened?” He cleared the threshold at a bound and scraped a lucifer match across one of the! The next moment a light flashed up in his face, and something that seemed to possess life struck his feet. Instantly the burning match fell from his hand and he pounced upon the figure whose out- lines he had just made out. ‘*Tt’s the girl—Blossom!” he exclaimed. ‘In the name of Heaven, what hez happened?” Sep was the reply. Old Eclipse seemed beside himself with ex- citement. ‘“ Whar’s the boy?” *‘Gone!” murmured the girl. “Thet suits me,” said Eclipse. “May he. never come back to Redeye! The young skunk hez p’isened my life fer twenty years . But he didn’t go off ov his own account; he. warn’t able,” ; ‘*No; his horse came back. The white ani-. mal entered the hut, picked Snap Shot up with his teeth, an’ knocked me over as he ashed_ away. “ Gewilliky crickets! what a hoss,” cried Old Eclipse, ‘Carried the boy clar off, hey?” ‘Yes; but what does that noise mean?” ‘*They’re comin’ back.” Blossom slid from ber protector’s hands as he moved toward the door. She stole to his side and heard—whatt? 3 Ay Hioaeend Indian yells and the thunder of oots The Apaches were co ing back to Redeye. CHAPTER X, “WHO'S LIED—JACK OR PINKEYE?” . WHETHER or not the red raiders had cap- tured White Rocket, Old Belipse could not de- ermine, Certain be was that the Apaches were ing down upon the mountain tewn with fury of a thousand demons, ‘ “They'll not git through Redeye erlive—all ov ’em won't,” said the old miner. ‘The I left in front ov Jerusalem’s will empty a few saddles. Myer they come! Now, out, | Blossom,” He stepped back from the door a pace, still holding to the girl’s hand. The next minate the red. Bedouins of the Southwest border charged past, uttering yells that almost sbook the cabins, ejaculated Old * Jehosapbat! what a herd!” Eclipse. ‘Thar they go an’ without the white hoss an’ his boy pard. Whar ar’ the men ov Ratenet Hev they fled ke gophers te their oles?” No, Eclipse, the Arizonians were net cowards : when charged by such a whirlwind of savage 4 fury. All at once a thanderous volley replied to the wild yells; the doors of a furnace seemed to open before the Apaches! Indians fell beadlong and backward, uttering denth cries, er dying witheut a groan. : They tumbled in every direction, “Wipe out the stampeders, beys! No quar. ter to (he red skunks ev the Southwest! Fer the bonor ov old Redeye, stend yer ground an’ kill the rascals!” These and other sentences rose above the mad oe the Arizonians poured into the half-naked ranks. Tt was evident that the Apaches bad not in- tended to attack the camp, that they only \
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19 thought to ride through it at the top of their | speed, telling the men of Redeye with their yells that they were in the immediate neighbor- ood, and feared them not. More than one horse-stealing Apache paid dearly for his foolish daring. The front of the main body seemed to melt away before the fire of the mountain men. Horses dashed on riderless, or with dead riders clinging to their manes. the ground. The battle, if battle the attack can be called, for the Apaches did nof reply to the deadly volleys, did not last over three minutes, The Indians rushed on, fired at as long asa chamber remained unemptied, nor drew rein sbort of two miles from camp. There they stopped and investigated the casualties, The inspection was enough to sicken the heart of the bravest warrior. More than one raider dropped from the horses when they stopped, and not over half of the band remained unburt. Tnstinetively the warriors turned their horses’ heads toward Redeye again, ‘* Back to the den of the mountain serpents!” cried a stalwart Indian whose scalp-lock had been shot away. “Let the den be swept clean by the armsof the Apaches! Back to the new trail! When the sun comes up let bim shine upon the place where the white lodges stood,” An eager shout answered these words. **Don’t be fools!” said a voice at this momen- tous eae and the Apaches started back as they found themselves confronted by a horse- man who bad just reined in his steed between them and Redeye. ‘‘Take your dead off and bury them, and thank your stars that the men of deye bad to shoot by the light of the stars. Curamba!/ this lesson ought to teach you something.” Tne speaker wore a large sombrero, and the ier lace that brvidered bis jacket scintillated re and there in the starlight. ‘The animal he bestrode was a magnificent imen of horse-flesh, and champed bis bit while his rider addressed the astonished red- hom Jack!” ejaculated several Indiansin nglish, ‘* Let Gold Lace look behind the warriors of the Apache natior.” TIT see! The men of Redeye must have tum- bled one half of your band,” Spanish Jack said with a smile. ‘‘ Now go back there on vengeance bent and they’ll finish the work. Where’s Red Flash?” “The paie-tace that took the white horse cut Red Plash deep with his knife.” * And killed him?’ “Nol Red Flash is getting well in the moun- tate e He will live to pay the bowie-king Few Indians reached ‘*He’ll bave to get up early if he wants to setile with Thunder Sam. If you are bound to go back to Redeye I won’t stand in your wey but I tell you that it ’ll be the end of you all. Spanish Jack drew his steed aside as he fin- ished, and he pointed toward Redeye as he gonad into the Indians’ faces, **There’s the road to Redeye!” he continued. “Santissima! I wouldn’t given moccasin for your chances if you ride back. Don’t you think they’re waiting for you?” e effect of the Tiger’s sudden appearance and his words was apparent. Tue boldest Indian seemed to shrink from the mining-camp; those who were most clamorous for vengeance were seen to draw back, “Wait till Red Flash gets well,” the white peder continued, ‘He wants the white horée again und he will lead you down the trail of vengeance. But go to Redeye nowif you want to. By Jove! I'll ride behind just to see the fun.” , That was enough. Spanish Jack’s eyes twinkled with humor wien be saw the red-skius shrink from the fray, they're Boing to exbicit good sense. for oneé,” he said to himself. ‘*The men of Redeye wouldn’t let a man escape. That’s sensible; they’re going to back out, I may have use for those very red devils cne of these days,” and with a look that expressed his satisfaction, Spanish Jack saw the Ap«ches go back sullenly to their dead. é the back of his horse he saw them lift fhe Corpses from the ground, and wa'ched the whole band meve off. “If they wouldn’t fo down to Redeye Pm not gein back out,” be sid in audible tones, “ Ttoid Thunder Sam that I’d revarn his revol- a a Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. vers and I might as well fulfill my promise now as at another time. The Mountain Lodge is in ashes and the girl must be at Redeye. If the boy really escaped from the ropes I tied bim with last night, why is he not there, too? Come, Mon- terey; we're going to Redeye.” It was dangerous for Spanish Jack to re-enter the place in which a few hours previous he had sent a ball through the head of Buckhorn Bill; oF pro thought probably never entered his ea “Pm not going through Redeye like the Injuns did,” be said. “I Jeft the town faster than l wanted to whenI was bere last; this time I’m oing to: leave when I get ready if I have to ace every revolver in the camp.” It was not to be expected that Redeye would be quiet so soon after the Apaches’ charge down its main thoroughfare. Its denizens would beon the watch with their fingers at the trigger and the first enemy to bullet in his head, As if anxious to reconnoiter without subject- ing himself to too great a danger, Spanish Jack slid from the saddle fifty yards from the last cabin in the western suburbs of Redeye and crept forward on foot. e carried in his hand the ready revolver of the border, From hut to hut he glided, now walkiug erect and now sneaking forward like a prowling spy. His well known sombrero hung from the pom- mel of the saddle he had left behind, and his long black bair almost covered his broad shoul- ers. He reached the middle of the camp unper- ceived and leaned against the logs of a certain cabin with an expression of victory on bis band- some yellow face. “What wouldn’t them fellows down yonder give to know that Spanish Jack is in Redeye!” he murmured as sounds of human voices reached his ears from a spot on the other side of the street diagonally opposite his halting-place. “If I warn’t here on a tit of business, santildo! but I’d have some rough sport. There govs that loud-mouth ranter off again! What Coes he say? The Tiger of Arizona leaned forward and lis- tene’l with much interest, Red Fiash!” came to Spanish Jack’s ears in coarse, mad tones. ‘* You kin rake Arizona with a fine-tooth comb ef thar’ war sich a thing in the territory, an’ you wouldn’t turn up a blacker devil than Spanish Jack. He’s led them very Injuns time an’ ag’in, an’ nobody knows it better than the pards ov Kedeye, Thunder Sam an’ the boys what went cff to avenge Buckhorn Bill will never catch the gold- laced Greaser. He said he’d return Tbunder’s revolvers, but he lied. He’s a coward when he’s pusbed to the wall, He’s nothin’ but a common hoss-thief, who sw’ars in Spavish an’ does noth- in’ fairin American, D’ve hed my say. I hate Spanish Jack worse than I hate the Injuns, fer Bill an’ I used to be pards, It’s a p ty the yaller dog baci byer to hear Pinkeye’s opinion ov im, The Tiger of Arizona could not see the speaker tura from the group he bad just ad- dressed, but his quick ears told him tat he was approaching. Phe ag Juck put up his revolver and drew a wie. With the gliding movements of a tiger, he moved “oward the front of the log shanty and hugged the wall. * ll show Redeye that you’re a liar, Pink- eye!” he hissed. “‘ The man whoswears in Span- ish is nearer than you think!” On came the man who bad just denounced the stampeder in such unmeasured terms. To Spanish Jack’s joy, be came straight to- ward the hut, All at once the man with the bowie shot for- ard. ‘*Halt!” he hissed. ‘ Who’s the liar, Pink- eye?” Pinkeye recoiled. “Great God! it is Spanish Jack himself!” ‘“*No—the Tiger of Arizona, and the Tiger w nts your blood!” The hand that darted at the miner caught the arm that moved toward a revolver already cocked, and the starlight gle med on the bright blade that shot upward, A second did not intervene between this ac- tion and the terrible ‘“ownward stroke, “T swear in Spanish, Pinkeye, but my bowie nee but one word — death!” grated the Tiger. ; w show himself would in all likelibood receive a |, **Thar’s a meaner sku:.k in tbis kentry than.) | With a half-stifled groun Pinkeye reeled |away, but Spanish Juck’s left hand held | him up. ‘*Yowre going back to your comrades,” he said to the man already dead. ‘ By Heaven! I'll show the men of Redeye that the man you’ve | just called ‘ coward’ is not such a coward after all,” A terrible frenzy seemed to bave taken and session of the Arizonian Tiger, and starting for- ward with the strength of a lion, he dragged his victim after him. His teeth were heard to grate harshly, ds he crossed the space that. intervened between the cabin and the group of rough mev, who were revealed by the light that streamed through the open door of Redeye’s main saloon. is eyes glittered like a serpent’s; he was bent on mischief, Suddenly he brought up before the group, which he took in with a sir gle glance. “ve brought Pinkeye back, men oi Redeyel” he suddenly exclaimed, as he jerked the dead miner’s lithe figure from tbe ground and poised him above his head. ‘Thar he is! He called me a coward a minute ago. Let the bowie in his beart make him out a liar if it will!” With the second sentence the. corpse of Pinkeye was sent into the midst of the breath- less group with all the power that Spanish Jack could summon to his eid. The miners were burled back with weapons half-drawn, and the buman thunderbolt struck the ground with a dull thud, 4 ‘*Thar’s Pinkeye!” thundered the stampeder, “Who's the liar—bim or Jack?” At the edge of the light from the saloon stood the splendid figure of the Arizonian Tiger, and in each band thrust forward glittered the bar- rel of a huge seven-shooter, * Answer my question!” be continued sternly. ““I came to Receye on busivess, but I neves shrunk from a sport like this, Look at Pinkeye and then photograph Spanish Jack with your eyes. Who's lied—Jack or Pinkeye?” The question answered itself. The man who towered like a giant in front of that almost pallid collection of rougbs witb death, in his outstretcbed bands was the living refutation of Pinkeye’s charge. * You hevn’t lied—that’s sartin!” said cne of the group at last. ‘But do you expect to git out ov Redeye alive, Spanish? “1 do, and I will!” was the quick response, and the next second the roughs of Redeye were staggering from tbe deadly weapons of the Tiger of Arizona, He moved back as he shot; but he killed all the same! Such a terrible visitor had never penetrated the camp before, He was worse than the Apaches, CHAPTER XI. MISSING HIS CHANCE. “Wat does all thet shootin’ mean? One man’s doin’ it all as any fool kin tell. In the name ov thunder, who’s come to Redeye?” The speaker stood on a mountain-trail whose rocks were elevated several hundred feet above the ground on which Redeye was built. He held a horse by the bridle-rein as if he had dismounted because of the roughness of the road and he was listening intently to the shots that rung out in startling succession on the night air. Once or twice be thought he saw the flashes of the deadly revolvers, but the lights were far | away and might be fire-flies. KL ** I said I wouldn’é go back to the camp until I could ride White Rocket through it, didn’t 17” he went on after a moment’s pause. ‘I’ve a notion to break thet promise an’ go down thar an’ see what’s goin’on. Snap Shot—curse bis o’nery picter !—euchered me out ov the white hoss an’ I mustn’t think ov recoverin’ the ani- mile to-night, This Injun critter is good enongh till I kin git a better one. Thet other hoss shail - White Rocket as sure as my name is Thunder am, The man on the mountain did not listen a mo- ment longer. ; : Redeye Jay at bis feet as it were, at the foot of a trail hardly fit fora horse to travel, but Thunder Sam did not hesitate. Down be went, still gripping the leathern bridle, and with his weather-beaten face con stantly turned toward camp. ‘‘I hope they'll keep it up till [kin takes band in the game,” fell from bis lips. ‘‘ Hang me! éf Lain’t sp’ilin’ fer a fight, an’ hev been ever since the boy got bis hoss back.” All at once a wild, triumphant cheer echoed far and wide. =
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The mad shots grew still. ‘‘Jehosaphat! I’m too late,” said the desper- ado, halting fora moment. ‘ Arter sech shoot- in’ as thet I'd think thar’d be a dozen funerals in Redeye. Thar goesthetcheerag’in! The feller what gave it came out on top.” While he uttered the Jast sente>ces, Thunder Sam resumed his journey; he pushed on faster than before. A strange stillness brooded over the camp when he entered it at the end nearest the moun- tains; but voices suddenly struck the desper- ado’s ears. “‘Somebody’s alive, anyhow,” he ejaculated witha grin. ‘*]’ll know in a minute er wo who did all thet terrible pepperin’,” Continuing on, he passei betweert two cabins, and came suddenly upon a scene revealed by a torch one end of which was sticking in the ground, He saw the moving figures of men dressed like himself, and recognized those whom he bad left in possession of Redeye. “Who did all thet? queried Thunder Sam halting, and fixing bis gsze on a number of hu- man figures that occupied various positions sug- gestive of death on the ground. His question was followed by instant recog- nition and without being answered, Thunder Sam found himself surrounded by the mountain roughs, ‘‘- You've seen me afore, boys,” he exclaimed. “Tl asked a question awhile ago. Who wiped the boys out to-night?” “The only man in Arizona who could do it an’ git away,” was thereply. ‘He came like a ghost, but armed to the teeth, an’ went off like a whirlwind. You know him now, Thun- der.’ The desperado ground his teeth. “Did he do it wi b the men-killers he took from me last night?” he asked. **He did.” “Then, by George! he shall pay for it!” “Youle said thet afore, Thunder Sam.” “Thet I did, an’ I'l] make it stronger by say- in’ it ag’in! He got away?” - “All Arizony couldn’t bev corraled such a devil. Why, he worked yer shooters as ef all he had to do warto pull trigger. Jerusalem! what shots he made! Thar isn’t aman among the ten what bezo’t a ball between his peepers, Yes, sir, he got away; may I be banged, Thunder, ef he ever missed a shot. Old Eclipse says—’ ** Old Eclipse?” echoed Thunder Sam, “ Where is Oid Eclipse?” “Ayer Tam!” Thunder Sam laid his hand on his revolver as he wheeled upon the man who had spoken in language not to be misunderstood. “You did come back, didn’t you?” queried Eclipse, coming forward entirely unarmed, but with a quivering finger covering the man he ad- dressed. “Thar you stand, Thunder Sam, arter tryin’ to rob eye ov Old Eclipse. Oh, you white-livered ecxtamount, you ougbt to V’arn to shoot better arter dark. Stand off, boys, an’ look at the meanest man in Redeye—the man what shoots the pard te hez bunked with, the pard what dragged him ten miles through the Celorado snow-drifts to save his life, Such a man is Thunder 8am! Lay hands on him, fer I won’t touch ’im. hile ago I wanted ’im to come back to Redey® to spill his blood an’ scat- ter his brains; now I turn’im over to the men he bez disgraced by tryin’ to killa pard. We'd hang a dog fer doin’ less than he’s done, What will you do with Thunder Sam, men ov Red- eye?” “Ola Eclipse’s words cut to the bone, and not @ movement was made until the last one had been spoken, and the outstretched arm fell again to its owner's side “Fle’s a mean liar!” roared Thunder Sam, starting toward his accuscr, bis face dark us a- thunder-cloud. ‘I answer bis charges with my revolver. Stand baok an’ give me a fair show. This time I will not fail!” But the maddened desperado was not allowed vo carry out his threat. . Several men threw themselves upon him, and Old Eclipse-men, who feared not the formidable revolver clutched in his bronzed hand nor the explosions of bis rage. A bitter laugh rung from Eclipse’s Jips as Tounder Sam was burled back, and, despite his resistance, deprived of his weapon and entirely disarmed. ‘ “T thought this war Redeye,” the villain ated. lis ne other place,” answered Eclipse, uietlv. “Pm goin’ to give you a chance fer yer life, Thunder, though thet’s more than you ! yer duty!” eS eee Een a a SS ee gave me last night. Arizony is a big place, but it’s too small fer us. Bring Blossom hyer.’ Thunder Sam’s eyes dilated, ‘‘T am here already,” said a girlish voice, at his right hand, and he saw near by the beauti- ful creature wbom he had sworn to win. She never looked more beautiful than when she stood in the glare of the torch with her eyes riveted upon Old Eclipse waiting for his com- mands since he bad called her. “You’ve forgiven her, hevn’t you?” said Sam, cipnoing a the old miner, ‘*Forgiven her for what?” “For lovin’ the young skunk who came up from the south to hunt up his horse.” Blossom’s face crimsoued. ‘A lie made up on the spur of the moment is as good as ove studied out!” she cried, ad- vancing upon Thunder Sam whom she regarded with a pair of flashing eyes. ‘‘ You can’t turn Old Eclipse against me, Thunder Sam. You don’t know what has passed between us since sundown.” A cold sneer curled the desperado’s lips, “Oho! lie it out ef itll do you any good,” he said, half under his breath, then turned to his enemy again, ‘‘ Whar’s thet chance you war jes’ talkin’ about?” Without replying Old Eclipse brought the girl to his side with a look and bent over her, “The ropes in the shanty, Blossom—I want my he said, in a whisper, and the girl started off. Three minutes later she reappeared on the scene witb several strong ropes of good length which Old Eclipse took from her hand witha smile of sa. isfaction. ‘‘ Hyer, Big Hand!” he said, tossing the cords to a stalwart fellow who stood near by, ‘‘ Fi Thunder an’ me like you fixed me an’ the half breed chief thet time on the Rio Grande.” ‘Thet’s no fair way ov fightin’!” vociferated Thunder Sam, recoiling despite the cordon of swartby men by whom he was completely sur- rounded, ‘‘l’ve heard ov per tussle with Yel- low Jim. I won't fight thet way.” “Its givin’ you a chance, Thun@er.” ‘‘ A blamed slim one!” and the speaker’§ eye wandered over the crowd that listened. ‘Tie us, Big Hand,” said Old Eclipse. “‘ Thet mountain coyote hed his way last night, ’m goin’ to hev mine now,” Ata sign from the man called Big Hand the circle contracted and Old Eclipse stepped for- ward, and placed his right leg alongside of Thunder Sam’s left. ‘Tie us to one another from the knee down. Now, go to work, Big Hand.” The man with the ropes stooped to perform his task. ‘ ‘You want me to think, Eclipse, thet you're givin’ me the advantage by offering me yer right leg,” said Sam, catching the old miner’s glance, ‘*Don’t I know thet yer left hand is jes’ ez good ez yer right when it comes to handlin’ the bowie? But 1'll fight you! This is Redeye, au’ I’m not Yellow Jim!” The work of uniting the two men progressed rapidly, and was completed in a few minutes, When Big Hand rose and sped back, it was to announce that the duel could begin. ‘The bowies now,” svid Eclipse, Several were drawn and thrust forward, ‘*Take yer choice, Thunder,” said the miner, Thunder Sam selected one, and straightened up. ‘‘ Hold the torch in front ov us—thar. Now ar’ you wot Thunder?” “Tam ready. Give the signal!” The next instant Old Eclipse burst into aloud laugh that sounded strangely at that time and place, ? Thunder Sam's eyes stared at the laughter, but bis lips did not move. “*'m no fool, Thunder Sam,” said Old Eclipse becoming seriousinamoment, ‘I only wante to see how eager you war to wipe me out arter failin’ last night—thet’sall. Hyer go the ropes! Look out fer yer leg.” Old Eclipse stooped before the astonished des- perado could recover from his astonishment, and in another instant he stepped back, freed by a bowie. my “You've zot to die like a dog!” he cried, ad- dressing Thunder Sam. ‘‘I’ve given you all the chance you shall have. Why didn’t you give me the bowie while I warcuttin’ the cords? Thet war yer chance, Thunder. Now a limb an’ a rope shall deprive Redeye ov another citizen. ou war a fool fer comin’ back byer.” “A fool? Yes, an’ etarnal fool!” grated Thunder Sam. ‘‘I missed my opportunity, an’ I ought ter die fer doin’ it. Men ov Redeye, do Card of Arizona. il ome See CHAPTER XII. FOR LIFE AND A HORSB. WHILE the events just recorded were trans- piring at Redeye, the white borse that had en- tered Old Evlipse’s cabin and jerked Siap Bhot from the rough cot on the floor, was plungin madly along an uncouth road with the boy n longer hanging from his mouth, but clinging for dear life to his flowing mane. Blossom’s brief account of the singular abduc- tion was the true one; bu’ Snap Shot eould not realize fully what had happened until be found himself a long distance from the camp and the’ prisoner of bis own s : Weakened by the wound received at Old Eclipse’s bands, the young horse-bunter with difficulty changed his situation when the animal stopped for a breathin oper and when White t the boy was on his Nth tag resumed his flig ack, The speed of the white horse hed left the Apsches far behind, They had turned back to charge through Redeye, and to encounter the deadiy revolvers of the roughs of Arizona. Need we say that a thrill of joy shot through Soap Shot’s heart when he realized that he ac- tually bestrode his gallant horse again? More than once, oat, gente of his wound, he vowed that they should not be separated any more, His thoughts went back to the girl he had been forced to leave behind, and to her jealous zuardian, who had sworn that for a man to ove Blossom was to seal his own doom, The thought of Eclipse heated the horse- hunter’s blood; it sent needle-like arrows through his wound, ‘‘Until this moment I have thought but little of trying to win Blossom,” he exclaimed; ‘but now—now, old madman, I am going to inaugu- rate a new canipaien I have recovered White Rocket and now [ am going to fight for the I give vou fair warning of my intention, Eclipse. TI would preelaim it boldly were you here at this moment. My campaign in this country has but just begun.” Little Snap Shot did not notice whither the horse was carrying him, so busy was he with his thoughts, The yells of the Apaches bad long since died away, and White Rocket was slowly traversin a trail dimly revealed by the stars that glitte overhead. Suddenly the horse stopped and elevated the tips of his creamy ears. The halt at once roused the boy, and he thought of his, helpless condition, helpless be- cause he was unarmed, and in a part of the country which he believed be had never pene- trated before. Stock-still in the lonely trail stood the horse, with neck craned forward and hend slightly turned to one side, while his nostrils oceasion- ally snuffed the air. “T see nothitg, Rocket,” said Bnep Shot in low tones, after several minntes had passed. ‘““What excites you, old fellow? Your eyes and ears are better than mine; but what is the matter now?” White Rocket moved backward as though a serpent, the horse’s dread, was creeping for- ward, and the youth strained bis eyes to catch a glimpse of the cause of the steed’s subdued excitement. At last the danger seemed to have been passed, for White Rocket bad started on once more, “My wound—oh! there it goes again!” was suddenly forced from Snap Btot’s lips. “It hae reminded me of Old Eclipse’s attempt at mur- der.” And he ground bis teeth. “Find mea soft place near the trail, Rocket, where I can lie down and hold the bridle while F eleep. I must bave rest. Your fright has excited me. I thought I would keep cool, but—” The horse had stopped again, this time at what seemed to be the mouth of a cave at one side of the trail. “A shelter for me so soon!” exclaimed Bna Shot joyously, “TI will accept it, and thank fortune besides,” He lowered himself to the ground as fently as possible, and almost shouted for joy when he found bimself on a carpet of soft grass that seemed to invite his pain-racked limbs. Without oe tog into the depth of the open- ing in the billside, he drew the bridle-rein over White Rocket’s head, and at once composed his limbs in the opening for a short rest on the carpet of ereen, The faithful horse stood sentry over his young naaster, having placed himself between him an:i the trail, and the stars looked down upon one of the oddest tableaux they had ever seen. mountain rose,
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_-s ee ~ = —————— Consciousness left Little Snap Shot almost as soon as his head touched the grass; but he retained his hold on the rein, and enjoyed the ea 7 slumber that closed bis eyes. If be had possessed the wakeful nature of the nighthawk and the keen eyes of that bird, instead of sleeping at the mouth of the little hole in the hill, he might have left his couch with an exclamation of horror. Creeping upon him through the stygian Foon, of that mountain retreat was a being aat had the eyes of the panther, though the fi of a man, be crawl was accompanied by no noise, and although the object dragged itself over tbe ground with a painful movement, if advanced with the certainty of fate toward Snap Shot, White Rocket suddenly pricked up his ears, and drawing back a few inches, removed the rein from the sleeper's half-open hand, What did the horse see? Stooping over Snap Shot was a half-naked and gauat Apache Indian, the ogre of the moun- tain cave, and, without doubt, the young horse- hunter's evil genius! The two eyes of the savage blazed like globes of fire, and seemed to devour the youth with mad intensity, For Be pa gr he hung over the horse-hunter, then started and fixed his flashing orbs on the horse, regarding him with equine astonish- men, ** White boy an’ his horse come to Red Flash!” muttered the red lips. ‘‘ The Great Spirit bring the snow horse back after the pale wild-cat cut Red Flash, an’ rode off on bis back.” Red Flash Here, then, was the Apache chief to whom Soap Shot owed all bis misfortunes, the great red-skin who had taken White Rocket from the ama pastures of the old ranch, and trans- erred him to other scenes; the Indian from whom Thunder Sam wrenched the coveted prize the night of the destruction of Blossom’s cabin home, and the leader of the red-men who bad charged through Redeye! Left in the cavern to recover from the wound received from Tbunder Sam’s bowie, while his followers hunted revenge and the white steed, fate had brought White Rocket and his true owner to his very door. Is it a wonder that the Apache's eyes blaz di Here was victory unexpected, triamph of | which he had never dreamed, Red Flash cared more for the white steed which stood before him once more; when he recognized the animal his red right hand moved eagerly toward the bridle, ut the horse uttered a snort and shrunk uway. M4 “The snow horse shall not escape Red Flash if the Apache does carry the pale-face’s knife- mark on his body!” exclaimed the Indian. *‘ The ebief of the red warriors wiil ride him toward the sunrise land, an’ there let bis wound beal.” _ Red Flash sprung up and leaped across the sleeping boy, A wild ery broke from his throat as he darted at the bridle rein, He clutched it with a hand that burned with eagerness, and clung to it despite White Rocket's “The white horse is for Red Flash! He will ride him at the head of his tribe. On the war- trail an’ the raid, he will lead the swift horses of the Apache braves.” : The struggle for the mastery between the In- dian and the horse roused the youth. In an instant he was on his feet and seemed to take in the situation at a glance. _** Back, pale boy!” shouted Red Flash, as Sna ®hot started forward, forgetful of bis unarme condition. ‘ He will die under the white horse’s feet if he touches Red Flash. Back, white rider!” ‘*Never! the horse is mine, mean dog. You may be Red Flash himself, If so, lam glad that we bave met, Look out for your throat, red devil!” Snap Shot's eager spring made the Indian turs in self-defense; but bis left hand would rot re- Jinquish the captured bridle. The horse was too precious a prize to be sur- rendered without a desperate fight. The horse-hunter’s bound cleared the space pa intervened between bim and the red borse- thief. He clutched vengefully at Red Flash’s throat, bat was thrown off, and reeled toward the wouth of the cavern. * You don’t get rid of me thus!” he cried, re- covering in en instant, and before the Apache chief could turn bis attention to the horse again, ~ wild attempts to break away, _ My life-blood is not dearer to me than White ao a een 3 nee eg tens SS ES —$—$—$$ Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. Rocket. It'll be an endless day when you can call yourself his master.” ; Snap Shot threw himself forward again, this time determined to end the contest in some man- ner. “Zip! zip!” he cried to the horse, and the next moment the animal sprung toward him despite the opposing chief who was dashed aside and almost trampled under foot. A mad yell rose from the Apache’s throat for | he had been forced to relinquish bis hold on the | bridle-rein in order to escape death or injury. ** Pale boy die now!” he cried. ‘We shall see!” answered Snap Shot, bracing . himself for the Indian’s charge. Separated from the horse, Red Flash came | down upon his brave young antagonist with up- lifted hunting-knife, “White horse shall carry the Apache chief!” he vociferated. ‘In the mountain trail he will leave the pale boy, for the winged wolves of the skies!” Ere the two foes could meet a living thunder- bolt dashed between. It was the horse himself! Struck by the plunging steed, Red Flash was forced aside, and sent reeling away, with the bloodless knife falling from bis hand, Snap Shot fared but little better, for he, too, was burled back, and tripping on a loose stone, went to the ground. All this in the twinkling of an eye. For some moments after the white steed’s in- tervention, all was still. The horse turned after performing the deed, and seemed to enjoy his work, Red Flash picked himself up with a growl, and ran his eyes over the battle-ground. ‘““He wants his knife,” passed through Snap Shot’s mind, and at that moment catching sight of an object that glittered in the starlight, he pounced eagerly upon it, At that same instant the Indian saw it also, There wasa leap on the part of each, and the Hai foes—red and white—met over the coveted ade, “Ig is not Gor you, red thief!” cried Little Snap Shot, ein his foot on the knife, and darting madly at the Apache, who was forced to recoil. ‘* Now, come on and let us decide the battle for the best horse in Arizona!” Well might the horse-hunter throw this chal- lenge into the teeth of the foe; bis right band clutched the prize of the battle—the knife of the Apache, | CH..PTER XIII. SPANISH JACK’S VICTORY. Rep FLASH was not disposed to disregard the challenge. ~ He sprung with a yell straight at the horse- bunter. This time White Rocket did not interfere. There wasa blow, a half-stifled ejaculation of rage, aud the well-matched enemies collided. Red Flash’s arms were thrown round the youth; he grated his teeth like a dying man as be lifted him from the ground, and started to- ward the mouth of the cavern. Had Little Snap Shot's stroke failed? The infuriated Apache, sti'l bugging his ene- my to bis breast, disappeared beyond the for- bidding threshold, The white horse sprung forward as if bent on his master’s rescue; but the Indian had been too quick for him; no horse could enter the cave! Like one who knew the dark trails of the cav- ern, Red Flash pressed on with teeth firm set and eyes that fairly flashed, but no longer with the leok they had once borne. He turned suddenly to the right, and came upon the glare of a fire which, burning on the floor of the cavern, illuminated an apartment of good dimensions, “Down to where the serpents hiss in the darkness!” fell from his lips. ‘ Red Flash will yet ride the snow horse at the head of his war- rior band! The knife of the pale boy is in bis breast, but the Great Spirit will make Red Flash strong again!” Snap Shot felt himself being borne forward | ways but with a certain unsteadiness of gait. He could not wrench himself from the grasp of the red demon that clutched bim. His only bope was that death would seizo Red Flash before be could carry out his dread pur- pose, whatever it was. But the Indian’s vitality fought like a lion against death. ®uddenly Snap Shot felt the hands of his foe 4 tear him away, and then in the light of the fire he caught a glimpse of am openiag in the ground. A horrible shudder ran over his frame as the Indian’s terrible intentions flashed across his brain. ‘“‘White hoy find the poison snakes in their dens. Red Flash will then go back to the snow horse he took from the grama grass where the sun shines hot!” Little Snap Shot made a desperate effort to | break from the cbief’s grasp, but there wus uo { escape. With his breath leaving him in gasps, Red ' Flash held his victim over the gaping pit, which, i to the boy horse-bunter, looked like the chasm of doom. Twenty seconds followed Red Filash’s last words, and then Soap Shot felt bimself falling through darkness and — His brain was active fer ope awfal moment; he heard the triumphant ejaculation of bis arch enemy like the laugh ef a devil inearmate, and then down—down toward tie bottom of thas snake-infested pit. Red Flash leaned ever the edge of the ee | and listened fer a moment; then he weal to the fire amd drew out a terek. F A moment later be threw it down the epen- ing, and watched it deeeend Mke a fery arrow until it struck, apparently a thousand fees be- low, and sent upward a sbower of sparks! Satisfied with his victory, Bed Flash turned away and moved toward the mouth of the cavern. Eagerness carried him forward with mad pounds, and an exclamation left his lips when his gaze fell upon the horse that waited for his young master in the starlight. “The snow horse is Red Flash’s forever!” White Rocket tried to avoid the red-skin, but the Apache was too quick for bim, and with a cry of triumph that went echoing over the bills, he threw himself into the saddle and turned the horse’s head toward the east! It was Red Flash’s victory! Urged from tbe spot by the rider, whom he vainly tried to shake off, White Rocket shot arrow-like down the trail. He seemed to strain every nerve, and soon threw out proof that he was **the best horse in Arizona.” The cave and its prisoner were left bebind in a flesh; the stars caught glim of the white horse that followed that winding trail with the ease that a horse follows a straight one at poon- ° av. On, on! Was there to be no rest for the swift- footed prize? Red Flash no longer sat upright in the saddle, but lay forward on the animal’s heated neck with one red hand clutching the bridle-rein, and the other in the mane. There was a dark stain on While Rocket's left fore-shoulder; some of the silver hairs of the mane were glued to the shoulder by a crim- son glue! ‘* Halt!” rung suddenly out in distinet tones, but Red Flash paid no attention to the com- mand, On, on went the white steed as though flying from a thousand enemies, ““Caramba! its White Rocket!” and the speaker lowered his revolygr, and wheeling bis steed darted after the bora which had passed him like a Pawnee arrow. f All at once Red Flash stirred but could not raise himself in the saddle, He turned his bead, however, amd heard the hoofs that thundered behind him — heard them, and added a new light te his glazing eyes. aie tried to rein White Rooket in, but hisarm seémed too feeble for the: task; the borse carried him on now despite bis wishes. ‘On, snow steed, then!” he eried. ‘‘ Carry Red Flash to the trails which the bawk’s eye cannot see, He will ride you at the head of Apache nation in!” at desire always uppermost in the red sapere exp now seemed the only one that urged m on. He threw himself forward on the horse’s neck, and the dark stains en the white skin grew moist again. Red Biash saw them glisten im the brilliant starlight, and gritted bis teeth, ! Well did he know teat it was the best blood of the bravest chief of the Apache na‘ion, Suddenly the red hand was ked from awong the silver mane, the ehief’s body tottered to one side, bis ot! er hand left the bridle, and a moment later White Rocket was riderless, With nostrils distended, and glaring ey ebalis, ~-
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' a the horse rushed em, carrying deeper into the | mountains the blood-seains em his glessy coat. | Aeross the parpew trail Jay the bedy ef the | Indiam who had riddem thousands ef miles, and | risked his lifo for him. The g.aaed cyes reflected in their depths the stars that glittered overhead. He heard not the steed that galloped from the | west, nor saw the eareering horse that rene over him and bore his rider on after White | Rocket, | This last horse wae ridden by a man whose | sombrero was throwm back by the wind, and whose dark bair “floated behind him like the pennant of a pirate craft. He plied his spurs madly and without cessa- tion; bis whole heart was wrapped up in the chase, “Now or never!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Qn the back of that white steed I.can laugh at the men of Redeye. Santissima! but didn’t they stag- ger from my men-killers to-night? It cost them eleven men to learn that Pinkeye lived! Aha! Spanish Jack is yet master of the situation.” The man was the Tiger of Arizona. His spurs were bloody and his face was hot, The horse he rode seemed to know what was wanted of him, for he stretched away against the night wind with ineredible speed. At last the race—the wildest one those old hills had yet seen—terminated. Spanish Jack sent up a shout of triumph. A horse panting heavily, but with eye un- dimmed, was waiting for him on the trail. The gold-laced desperado leaned forward ex- ultingly, and his tawny hand clutched the foamy ein. ‘* Atlast!” hecried. ‘ By heavens! I’d sooner possess this animal than rule the world! A cheer for the victory of Spanish Jack!” and up went the big sombrero, CHAPTER XIV. A MOMENTARY TRIUMPH. ** Can it be that my horse-hunt is to end mis- erably in this horrid places 1 will not believe it! Fortune did not bring me into this country to desert me here with Red Flasb the victor, I will escape to settle with that red-skin the next time we meet, Ah! the torch that shot past me awhile ago bas gone out, but the fire in the cav- ern up yonder still burns,” : ; Little Snap Shot, the speaker, was in a peril- ous position, His surroundings were dark and gloomy § he could not see his hand when placed in front of his face, but some distance overbead he saw the feeble glow of a fire. ; Red Flash bad intended that he should be hurled headlong to the. bottom of the old shaft in the cave; but fate as if determined to baffle the mad Apache had interfered strangely in the youth’s beb f, At one day, many years pernern anterior to the date of our story, a platform was built for some purpose in the shaft. It was about fift feet from the top. The planks bad almost ro ted away, anda portion of Snap Shot’s body had fallen through. If the young horse-bunter had not thrown out his hands and buried them in the soft wood, be would have descended through the gap to a death too horrible to contemplate. Through this gap Red Flash’s torch went with a hiss, thus deceiving the Indian as to nap Shot’s fate, and leaying the boy to hold his breath and move not until his enemy’s de- parture. F : Perish in that old shaft after being miracu- lously saved by the decaying platform, he would not! There was a trail before him which he would | follow to the end, despite the wound inflicted by | Old Eclipse at Redeye, @ hurt which, strange to say, did not pain him pow, He tested the strength of the old planks be- fore he attempted to ascend to the cave above, “My horse has been lost again,” he said to | himself. ‘I have sworn to ride bim back to the old ranch andI shall. Iean forgive Eclipse / bis shot; but Red Flash his work, never!” ova Eager to escape, now that _he knew that his | red foe had departed, Little Snap Shot felt the | dark sides of the shaft, : } Suddenly an exclamation of discovery es- caped him; bis fingers had found a niche in the wall. “Sonee unfortunate has been imprisoned bere dofore me,” he said, ‘He possessed a knife which I do not, and he cut a path to the top of the shaft. A thousand thanks, my unknown friead!” And the horse-hunter at once began to put his discovery to good use, ne dying fire. | The ascent was toilsome and extremely dan- gerous; to fall back might be to dart through the gap underneath, amd die at last at the bot- tom of the shaft. But Little Snap Shot’s courage was equal to the emergency. At length his hands rested on the edge of that leathsome pit, and then he ape rew his body out, to sink exhausted in the light of the ‘“Baved!” be ejaculated. ‘Now look out, Red Flash, if you still live! My horse shall be found! 1 am going to keep my oath to the letter!” The young Arizonian went forward to the opening of the cavern, to the spot where he and the Apache chief had battled for the mastery. Not a sound now disturbed the stillness of the bewitching night. White Rocket, the horse, was nowhere to be seen, and Red Flash in departing had left no vis- ible trail, For a long time Snap Shot stood leaning against the wall of the cave at its mouth, the ouly living person on the spot. *“One must have arms to cope successfully with bis enemies in Arizona!” he suddenly ex- claimed, ‘‘I came to this place weaponless, and Iam in the same condition now. If Red Flash was left here by b's warriors, he must have had more arms than a knife. 1 will see if the cave cannot arm me.” He went back into the cavern and took a burning stick from the fire. He was going to search the place for Red Flash’s weapons. The bunt terminated abruptly over a dirty couch composed of several blankets. The butt of a revolver protruded from be- neath them. Little Suap Shot pounced upon the find with an exclamation of joy. ‘See what fortune does for a fellow when he deserves help!” and he went toward the fire again. ‘‘I want no better ally than this wea- pon, Withitin my hands I feel able to cope with the whole Apache nation.” Red Flash, in bis eagerness to catch the white horse, had forgotten the formidable weapon under the couch, He might bave thought of it since, but it was when. White Rocket was bearing him swiftly from the spot, and when Spanish Jack was thundering in bis rear, Thus armed by fate, Snap Shot went to the opening ogain and mounted guard. The night air was not cold, but there was a certain loneliness around bim that was not cal- culated to give a buoyancy to his spirits. Once or twice he fell into a light doze, from which he roused himself, and at last saw the dawn of another day. He had a right to wonder what bad happened at Redeye since his departure. Blossom would wonder whither White Rocket had borne him, and whether the pursuin Apaches had not overtaken the white steed an his master. Snap Shot knew nothing about the slaughter of the red-skins by the men of Redeye: nothin of Spanish Jack’s terrible visit to the camp, anc nothing, either, of Thunder Sam’s return and his apprehension by his former comrades at Old Eclipse’s command, These were events of which the young horse- hunter knew nothing; they had taken place during tbe brief interval of time that had elapsed since his strange abduction from the camp. In the flush of morning he leaned toward the trail and scanned it closely. Something seemed to tell him that it could not remain deserted long, The Apaches might a expected at the cave at any time, and if Spanish Jack was still in the country, why might he not come? ** Heavens!” suddenly exclaimed the borse- hunter; ‘I have not looked nor wished in vain ;” and he drew back quickly at sight of the object which had come in view, ‘I expect no friend here, therefore I must be prepared,” he continued, looking to the con-: erg of the revolver firmly clutched in bis right and, A minute showed him the outlines of a horse advancing from toward Redeye, and he shrunk to the mouth of the cavern with burning eyes, Another minute wore away; be b the sound of hoofs on the flinty trail; the herse and his rider were very n¢ar. Little wer Shot waited until he saw the steed’s nostrils; then he sprung forward. ** Halt or die!” rung sternly from his lips. A startling cry was the quick response, and the revolver leveled at the rider instantly fell. 13 ‘‘ Bleswom! thank Heaven!” and Snap Shot went forward with joy beaming in his eyes. ‘Yee still live—I am g of that!” re- sponded the fair young creawure, who leaned from the saddle witb her eyes fixed on the as- tonished youth. ‘I did not know what had vecome of you, and I feared the worst. Your horse came and left like a thunderbolt last night, but when the Indians came back without you, I knew that you had eluded them. Ah! ra bine events have taken place in Redeye since then.” ° ‘Tell me,” said Snap Shot angers He stood at the horse’s side looking up into Blossom’s face, Without hesitating, Old Eclipse’s protegee proceeded to narrate the events we have al- ready witnessed; Snap Shot listened like a per- sou amazed, \ “ The climax was reached when Thunder Sam came back,” said the girl. ‘‘In Jess than twenty minutes there was a noose about his neck, and they marched him to the big tree at the edge of the camp. They were going to hang him for shooting Old Balipse down with- out mercy.” ‘*That was right!” Blossom smiled, ‘The meanest wolf in the pack has friends,” she went on. “It was so with Thunder Sam, His hands were tied on his back, but that did not prevent his escape.” “The devil got away, then?” ‘*He got clear off, | am sorry to say. Just as Big. and was about to give the signa! 0 pull Thunder Sam up, a friend cut his bonds and thrust a revolver into his hand. He jerked the noose from his neck himself, leaped back,. covered his astonished foes for a second, then went off like a deer. All this was done ina second of time it seemed to me. Need I say that Eclipse end his friends raved? I never witnessed such a scene av Redeye; the men acted like demons, Of course they followed Thunder Sam, but nobody knows this country better than he does. He got away, but sent back words of defiance and a shout of victory. Eclipse will hunt him down; he swore to do it ander the a“ os which Thunder Sam was to have been anged. Little Snap Shot did not speak for a moment, | “‘T believe | owe that mountain rough a debt which I am not loth to pay,” be said, “T am rather glad that Thunder Sam got away, for it he enable me to cancel my obligations to im, / ‘Hyer’s another pard what’s jes’ as glad Snap Shot,” said a re voice, * dks Blossom instantly raised ber head, and the young horse-huoter wheeled with a light ery of surprise, **Oh, don’t lift thet shooter, my young holly- hock,” continued the same voice. * f Thevn't got the dead drop on ye I never hed it on a liv- ilossom’s. cheeks paldd; italien ossom’s cheeks r the ker was Thunder Sam hionselt : as CHAPTER XV. THUNDER SAM’S DOOM. _ ; In the most startling manner had Blossom’s account of Thunder Sam’s. escape from the roughs of Redeye been confirmed. There seemed no escape from the revolver ee covered the young couple on the mountain trail. * -~ The bloodshot eyes that glared like a tiger’s behind the weapon possessed no spark of mercy. “T guess I’m worth a dozen banged men, eh?’ cried Thunder Sam = ‘‘ Didn't think I war in these parts jes’ at this time I guess. Wal, I wouldn’t be ef Old sey an’ his ds had had it all their own way last night. you’ve said, Blossom: the meanest wolf ov the pack is not without friends,” and the last words were supplemented with a wild laugh. “TI don’t see any thing ov the white hoss you forced from me the last time we met,” contin- ued the mountain desperado, addressing Snap Shot. ‘Did some chap turn the tables an’ re- lieve you ov the critter? Thin bappen thet way in Arizony! Do you know, my young rosebud, thet when I go back to Red- eye [ll ride that animile?” % “You'll never ride him if you grant me fair lay in this affair cf ours,” said Snap Shot milv. ““A ehance fer yer life, hey?” “If you eall fair Piey a chance, yes,” “ Thet’a what Old Eolipse said he war goin’ to give me last might, but when Big Hand hed tied our legs , the old liar backed out an’ turned me ever te the rope. Now you want me to give you fair play, which means the dead t’s jes’ as ar’ liable to —
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34 pee on Thunder Sam. What do you say, r ye ee eyes flashed and her cheeks col- ore “He asks for what you never gave any one!” she cried. ‘‘He appeals to one who never ranted fair play toan enemy. You shot Old lipse down in cold blood, and the failure to kill is no fault of yours. Touch the trigger you hold at your command and a new avenger will step upon your trail.” “Thet means you, I suppose,” sneered the mountain rough. “Shoot and see!” * Thet’s jes’ what V’ll do, my daisy.” Thander Sam took a step forward, and Little Snap Shot read his doom in the desperado’s eyes. All at once Blossom struck her horse savagely with one of her spurs, and a lunge carried the animal in front of the boy horse-trailer, where the girl instantly drew rein. Thunder Sam grected this sudden movement with an oath of rage. The horse was between the boy and his revolver! ‘By heaven! ef thet’s yer tactics, you'll hev to put up with the consequences. I’m worse than a thousand catamounts when I’m riled, an’ riled I am jes’ now! Uncover thet boy!” Blossom’s look was the defiant response, she need not to have said: “For you? Never!” “The youngster’s a coward, then.” “*'That’s a lie!” Out from behind the horse sprung Snap Shot, as the last word was uttered. ‘“‘T am here, Thunder Sam! May the best pistol win!” The next instant the sharp report of a revol- ver awoke the morning ecboes of the hills, for ker than a flash the boy had covered and d at his antagonist. Thunder Sam reeled away; but did not drop bis weapon, “[’'m hard hit; but what on thet? [m a thousand catamounts when I’m riled!” Though struck and hurled back by the snap- er the paris desperado recovered in @ re- markably brief space of time, Bi neat forward with his battle-cry rising on 6 air: ‘‘1’m a thousand catamounts when I’m riled!” Little Snap Shot saw bis danger; but flinched - not, _ Up went Thunder Sam’s revolver, with a bronzed finger at the trigger. The young horse-hunter fired again. This time the man who struck the ground di not rise. **You shot in time,” said the girl, looking into Little Snap Shot’s eyes. “I held my breath as he came toward you, forI could see hog oe his fogs was, Here end the life trails of Thunder Sam, a man without one redeem- ing trait.” What’s thet, girl?” The young couple looked toward the spot where the desperado had fallen. They saw that he had spoken, for his lips still moved, and his eyes were fixed upon them. - Little Snap Shot instinctively laid his hand on the revolver he had ay ut up, ‘Do it! said. Thunder Sam, following the movement with his eyes. ‘I’m a dangerous man while there’s a spark ov life left. You should never leave a crippled rattlesnake until you've finished ’im, boy. Thet’s my advice, an’ don’t charge a cent for it, either.” Little Snap Shot did not draw the revolver. “No,” he said to the girl. ‘I can’t kill a wounded man, though he is my bitterest foe,” ‘* He deserves death,” AS r know tbat; but it is not for me to take his Thunder Sam heard these words, but he sent no looks of thankfulness toward the boy; on the contrary, he said: “Do as you please, hoss-hunter. It’s none ov , bal biznes what I'd do ef I stood in yer Ss. Snap Shot did not reply. ‘I will leave him where he is,” he said in low tones to Blossom. ‘‘I am ready to quit this epot, are you?” ‘‘T am eager to go, but whither?” ‘* Name our destination,” The old miner’s protegee sent a swift glance -- down the trail tow rd Redeye. ““ Why not back to camp?” queried the boy. **No, no! not just now,” was, the response. “T dare not ask you to enter Redeye at this juncture. You want to recover your horse above all things?” “Yes,” eagerly. Old Eclipse, Trump Card ‘“‘T thought so,” smiled the girl. “‘ We will follow this trail a piece. Mount and let me walk, I see that you have not recovered from the proof of Old Eclipse’s jealousy.” « Blossom slipped to the ground while she spoke, and the horse stood riderless beside the boy. , 5 He would have declined the proffered saddle if the girl’s glance had not told him that a declination would not have been listened to. The excitement of the last few hours had kept him up, now he felt himself growing weak. iv accept the saddle upon one condition,” he said. ‘Name it.” “Tt is that you will receive it back when I offer it.” Blossom smiled. “Mount! I accept the proposition.” In another moment the young borse-hunter was firmly seated ov horseback once more, If be had glanced over his shoulder he would have seen a movement on the part of the man who had just fallen before the flash of his revolver. “Thar feet!” almost laughed Thunder Sam as his wild eyes followed the young couple moving away. ‘He'll never ferget the day he had this pard at his mercy an’ spared his life. deck on the hoss-trailer nae Qh, I’m a thousand wild cats when I’m riled!” Little Snap Shot and bis fair companion had scarcely been hidden around a_bend in the mountain trail when Thunder Sam, pistol in hand, once more crawled toward the cave lately occupied by the wounded Red Flash. ‘‘Hyer I kin recuperate!” he ejaculated, when he found himself beyond the threshold. “Won't I keep my word yet? Won’t I ride the white boss inter Redeye, an’ pay ’em all back fer the picnic they treated me to last night? Won't I come out on top arter all, jis’ as I’ve always done afore? I’ve been shot worse ner this. I’m a thousand—” He did not get to finish his favorite boast. A wild cry like an Indian whoop startled him; he turned back to the opening and lis- tened. “The infernal red skunks ar’ hyer!” he grated sbrinking away, ‘‘I’m not quite so sure about ridin’ thet white hoss into Redeyé now as I war a minute er two ago; but I’ve strength enough to treat the red varmints to a deadly surprise.” In the shadow of the cavern walls he crouched and waited. ? Suddenly a number of horses were reined in in front of the opening, and a dozen painted warriors slid eagerly to the ground. ‘‘The Apache braves have come back to Red Flash!” said the leader of the red-skins. “Thet’s a double-jointed lie! You red snakes hev come hyer to die!” The opening at that moment seemed to swarm with Indians. . A human figure blocked their way, and the following instant Thunder Sam was emptying his revolver into their faces! ‘Take what I’m givin’ ye in payment of old grudges! Great Cawsar! Id like ter people sperit-land with yer bull tribe.” The savages, taken by surprise, drew back for a moment, then, with terrible yells, they rushed forward and carried the cave by storm! CHAPTER XVI. CARRIED OFF. REDEYE once more enjoyed quiet—that is, the Apaches remained away, and Spanish Jack did not return to repeat the performance which had added new foes to bis list. ) Blossom again occupied the cabin belonging to Old Eclipse, and several days had followed the scenes detailed in the foregoing chapter. “ She knows whar thet young hoss-hunter is, but [ll not bother her to find out,” said Old Eclipse more than once to himself. ‘‘ [ guess thar’s no use in kickin’ ag’in’ fate, but. I feel like keepin’ my oath in spite ov the girl. Snap Shot hezn’t gone hack to the old ranch, because he heazn’t rekivered the white hoss. He’s buntin’ the animile somewhar, en’ I might as well hunt suthin’ too.” : Thereupon Old Eclipse threw a saddle on a horse on which he could depend, and galloped from. Redeye as the sun. was. throwing his last beams upon the roofs of the shanties that con- stituted the camp. Blossom saw him depart, and smiled as she watched him disappear. - “‘T don’t care if they do meet now,” she said to herself. ‘‘There was a time when Wclipse would have treated Suup Shot to a bullet on go two fools—two infernal tender- I’ll set up a cold of Arizona. $$ ne sight—he did it once—but now a meetin: wonld not result thus, Let Aim but find his white horse and all my fears will end, for he will bid adieu to this wild country and go back to the old ranch.” ', A goodly distance from Redeye, Old Eclipse was giving his steed the spur, and with his rifle resting on the pommel! of his saddle, was once more among the mountains, down whose trails he was riding swiftly. He drew rein so suddenly that his steed was almost thrown back upon bis haunches, and the old man shaded his eyes with his band, for he was looking straight toward tke red disk of the declining sun. ‘‘T guess I’ve lost him, whoever he war,” he said aloud, in no pleasant tones. ‘‘ But never mind. Ef it war Thunder Sam, he'll turn up some day when I’m around, an’ then Tl settle with bim.” Thunder Sam? No! that worthy would no more cross Ojd Eclipse’s path nor hunt the white horse again. In the mountain cave which the Apaches took with a yell and arush, Thunder Sam lay stiff at the end of his last trail. The object which Old Eclipse had suddenly seen and so suddenly lost sight of was a man whom he hated with the same intensity that characterized his hatred of Thunder Sam. If the old miner could have pierced certain hills and looked beyond, he would have seen this person, whose horse’s head was turned to- ward Redeye. The reader will recognize him when we sey that he wore a huge sombrero and gold-lacea jacket, and that his dark bair fell over a pair of shapely shoulders. With his handsome yellowish face turned to~ ward the setting sun, Spanish Jack allowed his horse to carry him toward the camp just aban- doned by the old miner. “This dash is for the mountain daisy,” he said to bimself. ‘‘ I know where she is, and I’m going to possess her, After that the Mongollon mountains will not see Spanish Jack in a lorg time—perbaps nevermore. Not that I’m tired of a stampeder's life—no, no! but with a horse like this and a wife like Blossom, who wouldn't be willing to retire from the 2 be Carajo! Tl break a thousand hearts with envy when [ o back to Santa Fe!” and the Tiger of Arizona aughed at the prospect he deemed ahead, A brisk gallop soon brought him to the out- skirts of the camp. The sun had disappeared and night once more held sway over the place where so many start- ling events had taken place within the last few ays. After his last desperate adventure in Redeye, Spanish Jack was deliberately re entering the place, this time for a purpose on which he had set his heart. Not content with the white horse, he wanted the one other beautiful prize the country con- Pees ci late fair occupant of the Mountain e. \ ith Blossom and White Rocket both, he could fill the New Mexicans wito envy; be could afford to give up the life that had made him an Arigona Tiger. Who knew but that Spanish Jack might not develop into a peeceful, if not an bonored citi- ren of the far Bouthwest? He was inclined to believe that the denizens of Redeye, who had been ee fortunate as to escape his deadly revolvers on the occasion of his lest visit there, were off on a hunt of some kind, for his keen eyes could not eatch sight of a single ure as he passed the first cabins. Still, he had prepared for a desperate emer- gency, for one of bis bands gripped a cocked re- volver while the other guided the white horse on. Saddenly he stopped in front of a cabin, the door of which was shut, ‘Tm at the queen’s palace,” he muttered, with a smile, and Jeaning toward the door he said in tones well-cisguised, and not unlike Old Eclipse’s: ‘‘ Hello in thar, Blossom. I'd like ter see ye fer a minute.” Almost instantly the door flew open, and the figure of the beauty of Redeye appeared on the threshold. “Herel am. Youare back— My God!” Spanish Jack’s hond shot toward the girl as she shrunk back with the startling exclamation on ber lips. “Fooled you, did I? Carajo / you're prettier than the stars. Not so fast, my daisy!” The Tiger’s arm was longer than Blossom thought it was, and ere she could uttera cry, or draw a weapon if she had one handy, the
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Old bronzed hand clutched ber arm, and she was litted up by main strength, “Nota word!” bissed Spanish Jack. ‘I only wanta queen for the biggest and richest ranch on the Rio Grande, and who more fit to reign taoere than you? Speak not, if you love life, my beauty. Men don’t lio when they call me Tiger Jack.” lossom knew that resistance would avail her nothing, and she was lifted to the back of the horse which she instantly recognized. “Now for Spanish Jack’s kingdom! If it wasn’t for certain reasons, Blossom, I’d rouse the natives as we leave Redeye.” . He did not turn his horse’s head; but kept straight on. ** Who do you think I saw at sundown in the mountains?’ he said suddenly, addressing bis captive. The girl held hef breath as she regarded him. ‘“‘It was Eclipse,” continued the Arizonian Tiger. ‘‘The old feller must be off on a hunt of some kind. Ab! you were thinking I saw the young catamount who'd like to ride this horse again! I hear that he has recovered from the wound Eclipse gave him for fetching you back to Redeye.’ Blossom started, and her look said plainly, ““Who told you?” ‘*He’d better go home. He will remain here till he gets into trouble. Caramba/! if I meet him, he’ll not have a ranch to go back to.” How the girl’s eyes flashed as the Tiger spoke these threatful words! ‘Beware! if he encounters you, never stampede another herd!” she said, Spanish Jack laughed derisively, and touched his borse with the spur, which sent the animal forward like an Indian shaft. ‘*Tt’s farewell to Redeye, Queen Blossom,” he laughed—‘“ farewell to Old Eclipse and the horse-hunter also.” ' The girl did not reply. Already the ones ad disappeared, and they were ascending to the trails many feet above the level where it stood. Was she to be queen on the ranch where Spanish Jack’s word was law? ‘‘ Never!” she said when she had asked her- self this question. ‘‘I may go to New Mexico, but the Tiger’s victory shall never be complete.’ Scarcely had Blossom finished when a stern command to halt rung, down the mountain ass. é The Arizonian Tiger replied with a deflant ongh ‘ hite Rocket seemed to leave the ground as the spurs were driven home. “Die, then!” cried the man who had uttered the command, There was an eager finger at the trigger of the repeating rifle aimed at the flying despe- rado, But the weapon was suddenly dashed aside and Tiger Juck’s foe wheeled upon the person who had interfered, : **- You here? ag mean young coyote? You’ve saved thet devil’s life—” ‘“« And Blossom’s too, thank Heaven!” . No,” ‘My horse carried a double burden. You saw no one but Spanish Jack.” The speaker turned away and threw himself upon the back of a horse a few feet from the ou may spot. Prhe next moment he was flying like the wind in the wake of Spanish Jack. . ‘+ Ef he saves Blossom Ill fergive ’im, hang me ef I don’t!” ejaculated the astonished man left behind. pl 5 It was Old Eclipse. CHAPTER XVIL THE HORSE-HUNTER WINS, “THat was Old Eclipse,” said Spanish Jack to bis beautifu) prisoner as the white horse car- _ ried them down the trail. “I did not expect to meet the old fellow here, but carajo ! he’s liable ' to turn up anywhere now. f shoot? Ah! he might have seen you, Qneen Blcssom, and was afraid to trust hisaim, For ward! White Rocket; you carry a rider braver and prettier than the boy who claims you!” The steed kept on at a gait that seemed dan- gerous on that starlit trail, and mile after mile was left behind. “* Where’s our hunter now?” exclaimed Span- ish Jack as he let the horse crop the succulent grass of a plain that lay at the foot of tne wood- ed slopes from among which ho had just emerged, Blossom did not reply. Daylight had broken once more, and White | in the ground. Why didn’t he’ Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. Rocket had carried bis two riders.far from the spot where Old Eclipse had attempted to check his speed, There was triumph in the Tiger’s dark eyes —triumph that gained in intensity whenever he regarded the beautiful girl whose waist was en: circled by one of his strong arms. Behind the pair was the mountain range, ahead a stretch of lovely country that lost itself against some dim mountains far away. At once White Rocket raised his fox-like ears as though a sound had reached them, ** What do you hear, horse?” said Spanish Jack sweeping the landscape with his eya, and noting every object that crossed his vision. Blossom, too, looked in every direction. “Do you see yon moving speck?” sudden- ly asked the Tiger pointing toward the moun- tains they had left behind. ‘*‘ That is Old Eclipse. He has not given up the trail. Santissima! I knew he’d stick to it as long as possible. Go back, oldman. I don’t want your life.” And the yellow stampeder waved his hand at the ap- proaching object. To Blossom’s surprise Spanish Jack turned the white steed’s head toward the advancing horse- man, * Tam going to warn him that he must not trail Spanish Jack,” said the Tiger, in response to his captive’s inquisitive look. ‘* He saved your life, I am-told, therefore I don’t want bis; ut he can follow me too far!” Blossom watched the borseman with breath- less interest. He came forward at a rapid gait which each moment brought him into plainer view. If the night had baffled him, he had struck the trail after all. Spanish Jack never ‘took his eyes from his pursuer. His fingers tightly clutched a revol- ver as be seemed to watch every movement of the horse that came eagerly on, All at once Blossom uttered a cry which no will of hers could suppress, The pursuer was not Old Eclipse, but Little Snap Shot! At the same time Spanish Jack made a like discovery. **Carajo it is the boy!” **T shall not warn him, but he shall tum from his horse when I get the drop on his head.” : , Not more than half a mile now separated the oes, Little Snap Shot saw that he had been recog- nized, but that did not abate his speed. ‘* Now or never!” he said. ‘I recover Blos- som and White Rocket to-day or never see the old ranch again! We part to-day forever, Spanish Jack! Arizona loses one or both of us where her grass grows longest,” And Little Beep Riv raga ap hriiting battle-cry which d how eager he was to en : With tect gage his enemy rage, Spanish Jack awaited the onset. he arched neck of the borse-hunter’s steed shielded his body from the stampeder’s aim, and Swomsoerted him until a very few rods separated em. “T have him now, Blossom!” suddenly ex- claimed the Tiger. ‘Here ends the double trail cf the herder boy!” The eyes of the girl were as quick as Spanish Jack’s aim, The next moment there was a loud report, but the bullet intended for Snap Shot’s head went whizzing toward the skies, Blossom’s swift hand having turned the shot aside, “Curse you, girl!” grated the stampeder. ‘Now more than ever you shall be queen of the ranch on the Rio Grande! J ride White Rocket; you forget that!” And wheeling the white steed, he drove the crimson spurs deep into the bleeding flanks, and went over the grass like the wind. 2 The girl’s eyes fairly blazed with triumph, as they regarded the man flying from the enemy pushing steadily in pursuit. “ Oh, feast youreyes on me if you want to, my Mongollon bird!” cried Spanish Jack, with he grated madly. ble | a tiger’s fierceness, ‘* We are on the broad trail that ends by the waters of the Rio Grande. Who bas the better horse? We are leaving the boy far behind,” Blossom glanced over her shoulder and saw, to her disappointment, that White Rocket was lengthening the distance between them and bis young master, The short rest had refreshed him, | ; Rae there came down the wind a shrill | whistle. White Rocket stopped instantly, straightened | his creamy ears, ap pater bis forefeet firmly \ firm set and eyes burning with’ 15 a armenia notenn ee oR ee A curse in Spanish fell from the Tiger’s lips. He buried the spurs in the white steed’s reek- ing sides, The animal winced, but did not move, ‘*He thinks to beat me thus, does he?” grated Spanish Jack, seeing that White ket was determined to obey Snap Shot’s call, “ Now sball he feel the vengeance of the Tiger of Ari- zona! Quick as a flash the bronzed stampeder wheeled upon bis foe, who was approaching with a rush that seemed resistless, Up went his revolver, but two hands caugh’ his arm. ‘* You save bim, girl? Never!” be roared, He attempted to shake the fair shackles off, but in vain. Blossom clung like death to the arm that threatened the charging boy. Spanish Jack ground his teeth and summoned all is rage and strength to aid him, His left hand darted at the girl’s throat; bis fingers seemed to bury themselves beneath the fair skin, and with another mad oath he tore her loose, “Now, my boy demon!” he wled, “Tl show you the vengeance of Spanish Jack.” That instant the eager boy came charging alongside. Triumph and revenge lit up his eyes. “ He swood erect in his stirrup with his revolver thrust forward, “At last for Blossom and White Rocket!” pealed from his throat. Spanish Jack’s revolver met Snap Shot’s half- way, but there was but one report, sa human figure reeled from the flash the victor reined in his plunging steed, but the foamy horse did not come to a halt for a mo- ment, , Little Snap Shot glanced backward, ** It was a long, wild trail, but lam atthe end at last,” he said, aloud as be turned bis horse’s head toward the distant mountains, Well might the horse-bunter rejoice, Two figures lay on the grass where White Rocket stood, but only one was dead, Spanish Jack’s sombrero lay beside his bullet- bored face, and the sunlight gleamed among the embroidering of his handsome jacket. Now would the ranches of the Southwest have rest, and the men of Redeye would look for the Tiger no more, Little Snap Shot sent up a shout of victory as his band closed on the bridle of the best horse in Arizona, The long hunt bad ended at last, and White Rocket was his once more, , Blossom soon recovered from the terrible choking administered by _— Jack, and smiled admiringly as the boy the white steed’s back. - ; / ‘“Now for the old man back among the moun- tains!” ejaculated Snap Shot. ». tegee did not This time the old miner’s ae the Eclipse hands, remonstrate; she did not fear the youth would meet with at Old ‘‘T war a jealous old fool!” said a certain in- helped her upon dividual a few hours later, while be held Snap — Shot’s band between his tawny palms, * might hev knowed thet Blossom war bound to find a gee ib wet than Old Eclipse. When I shot you in eye an’ saw thet you war goin’ to git over it, I said the jig war up, an’ so it war. The girl is yours, boy, ef you think she’s worth tyin’ to. Drat my picter, ef I wouldn’t bunt a hoss like you bev, old as like Blossom whar £ found the critter,” A blush stole over Blossom’s face, and with a glance at Little Snap Shot, she smilingly avert- ed her eyes. id The trio went back to Redeye, and from thence, after a few days, pushed southward. Tnd long journ: y cnded—need we say it?—on a beautiful and well-stocked ranch in Southern Arizona, where White Rocket gave vent to bis joy in many a whinny when he found bimself in the old pastures again, Red Flash would steal bim no more, for the bones of the great Apache chie on the mountain trail where death struck from the white korse’s back, : Vows are not always kept. - Thunder Sam did not get to ride White Rocket into Redeye, nor did Spanish Jack win, as he swore he would, the beauty of the Moun- tain Lodge, Little Snap Shot kept his oath in the main, for he recovered the snowy steed which to him was now worth his weight in gold, for at the end of.bis trail he found the fairest and bravest bride in the Southwest, or, as Old Eclipse is still mont fn say, ‘‘ The Jim dandiest little gal in Ari- zon ©» Wael arena e THE END, . I am, to find a prize — ¢
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196 Shadowed. By Charles Morris. BHA DLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. A NEW LIBRARY SERIES. 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ; 198 Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife. By T. C. Harbaugh. 199 Featherweight. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedoutns. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker, 201 The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Whooler. 202 Prospect Pete, of ine Boy Brigade. By Ol) Coomes, 208 The Boy Pards, By Joseph K. Badger, Jr. 204 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom, By Edward L. Wheeler, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. By Charles Morris, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. By T. ©. Harbaugh. 208 The Boy Hereules, By Ol) Coomes. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, By Edward L. Wheeler, #10 Faro Frank of High Pine. By William R. Kyster. #11 Orooked Cale. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. ®12 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, By Charles Morris, #18 Frits to the Front. By Edward L. Wheeler. $14 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. By Capt. 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By Captain Fred. Whittaker, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide, By Exsign Warren, 267 The Buckskin Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. By E. L. Wheeles, 269 The Gold Ship, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 270 Blizzard Ben, By Captain Mark Wilton, 271 The Huge Hunter, By Edward 8. Ellis, 272 Minkskiu Mike, By 01) Coomes, 278 Jumbo Joe. By Edward L, Wheeler. 274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morrin | 275 Arizona Jack. By Buckskin Sam, 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. RTT Denver Doll, By Edward L, Wheeler. 278 The Three Trappers, By Major Lewis W. Carsok. 279 Old Winch, the Rifle King. By T. C. Harbangh. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate, By Col, Prontiss Ingraham, 281 Denver Doll's Victory, By Edward L. Wheeler. 282 The Typo Detective, By Edward Willett 288 Indian Joe. By Major Lewis W. Carson. 284 The Sea Marauder. By Colonel) Prentiss Ingraham, 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy, By Edward L. Wheeler. 286 Josh, the Boy Tevderfoot By Capt, Mark Wilton. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 258 The Scalp King. By Captain J, F.C. Adama 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morrla 290 Little Foxfire, By Ol] Coomes. 291 Turk, the Ferret. By Edward L. Wheelen 292 Sancho Pedro. By Major KE. L. St, Vrain. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper. By Captain Comtech. 294 Dynamite Dan, By T. C. Harbaugh. 295 Fearless Phil. By Edward Willett. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift. By Edward L. Wheeler. 297 The Tarantula of Taos. By Bnokskin Sam. 29s The Water-Hound, By Charles Morris 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, By Edward L. Wheeles, 800 The Bky Demon, By OF! Coomes. 801 Leadville Nick, By Major EL. % Vrain. BEADLE'’S LIBRARY. a By “Texas Jack” (J. B. Omo or, The Border Vultures. By Edward LL ince .of the Pistol; or, Deadwood Dick BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, No. 98 William Street, New York. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Olli Coomes in Disguise. By Edward L. Wheeler. Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdeslers, five cents per The Buffalo Demon; copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. hundro.) No. 9. Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. No. 10. Buffalo Ben, the No. 7. No. 8. 808 The Mountain Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh, . 808 *Liza Jane, the Giri Miner: By E. L. Wheeler. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 805 Dashaway, of Dakota. By “arles Morris 806 Neck-Tie Ned. By Major H. B. Stodaara, 807 The Strange Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 808 Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler's Pard, By Cel. P. Ingraham, 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal, ‘By E. L. Wheeles. 810 The Barranca Wolf, By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 811 The Roving Sport. By Edward Willett. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prines, By Maj. E. L. 84 Vrain, 818 Cimarron Jack, By Frederick Dewey. 814 The Mysterious Marauder. By Col. P. Ingrabam. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy, By Jack Farragut 816 Old Eclipse, Tromp Card of Arisoba, By T. C. Harbengh. B17 Peacock Pete. By Lieutenant Alfred Thorne. , 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo! By Buckskin Sam, ' 819 The Black Rider. By Josoph E. Badger, Jr. 820 The Sea Sorcerens. By Jack Farragut 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen. By Edward lL. Wheeler. 822 Nemo, the Detective, By Edward Willett, 828 Arkansaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective, By ine Merrla 825 Kelley, Hicke + Company, the Sleuths of Philadelphia. By Edward L, Wheeler. 826 The Ten Pardes or, The Terror of Take-Notlee. By T. G, Harbaugh. 827 Creeping Cat, the Oaddo. By Bockskin Sam. 828 The Sky Deteetives. By Major Mickey Free. 829 Red-Skin Tom, By Harry Hazard, 880 Little Quick-Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler, 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. By Oapt. Fred. Whittakes, 882 Frio Fred, By Buckskin Sam. 888 Brimstone B 1 htni tette. By Maork. + aye et is + aa vcs) Guar. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterions Miner. By E. L. Wheeles, 885 Old Bouble Fist. By Joseph E. Badger, Jy, 886 Big Benson, By T. C. Harbaugh, 887 Ben Bird, the-Cave King. By W. J, Hamilton, 888 A Tough Boy. By Philip 8. Warne, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket, By Edward L. Wheeler. 840 Clip, the Contortionist, By Edward Willett 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, By Charles Morris, 842 The Mountain Devil. By Harry Hazard, 848 Manhattan Mike. By Edward L. Wheeler. 844 Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway, By Buckshis Sam 845 Pitiless Matt, By T. 0. Harbaugh. A New Ineuc Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ‘s for sale by all newodealers, five eonte per copy, or sent by mai) on receipt of alx couts each, BEADLE AND ADAMBS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yerm,