Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 336) (1884 01 01)
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/ Daou mo ep WZ SY 4) ‘3 we ’ X WAC LY AAW Pieri) eae Ve! (Rs nc! van ; “4 —SS soe pay Ge ™:. pe . N ~~ memati i [SQ ial Gat I nT Ns oe APA POE ob _ Tanwary. Ay 188 U . 4 4 “ A. , Vol. XIII. — PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, No. 336, ee — —— No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. —_ The B razos Bombshell; or, T he Queen a the Lasso. BIG BENSON, AUTHOR OF “PLUCKY PHIL,” ‘“ ARKANSAW,” “ BILL BRAVO,” “CAPTAIN APOLLO,” “ CAPTAIN BULLET,” “OLD FROSTY,” EIC., ETO Fae “4, i 6a hs Mi: a: > BINS re - “WEN OF COYOTE, THE BRAZOS BOMBSHELL WAS DOOMED TO THIS,.NINE YEARS AGO, MY FATHER IS AVENGED!”
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aie _ Big-Benson,... — EE sa Tea. YS 4 eae » -4*ComeRomero, 1 do fot \blamé yor ta Mayne’s life, when i la dark horse Big : Benson, mother would fot it she dould speak,” Sa yaa Rite: a, two persons was tage front of a ~ ty ickly, “1 can tell ior all she said.’ I can de- pew t stylish house for at locali yer the message she Jeft for you.” ag the home of a well-to-do ran er lidee “Then out with it; ebildte>We will sit’ ‘there cet acres, dotted. with berds, tended far while you.deliver it.” 4 Bway on every side, TEE BRAZOS” BOMBSHELL ; cee CR Aen || " eee 8 C) and took the girl upon bis knees ~ - “The Queen of the Lasso. “ Tell wing” Rita.” he vent on. a. aad dad pees “ You" don't. ino ow saree 2 a was to. orion oF ‘‘ BILL BRAVO,” ‘‘ OLD WINCH, 0) thie first lace, Romero, she made: 4 é {PDYaMrT Joh! BUOKSKIN-DETECTL Las tI ro him Re ‘ | “ARK AS ee ‘AIN Pea mother’s lif ; “OL fe el os : > this. “And you amre:| | +. O\e i ea) , wth) ke 3 ™~ f , ae joe \ DAUG 5 OAT. tt. a oe a at hi l LD u byontaan. R ete is ‘ow shall ae do — and es sss a fronb Now. svar to: n- until: you. r ero’s arm,‘ ip , aren ed Oar wrongs. | ‘Heavant wi are my Hes Se ae forget, this, Rome a Nob tor Then she"gave me ‘to’ you, my friend. “It you” aig mission” T mee 7 nt a gO ¥ au will ‘iad ‘been here ski#‘wotlld have placed’ my hard’) find’ me & ‘Willing’ et ‘and whén' you Have in yours and said: ‘Take my child, Romero, and | taught me all, I wil - out and find’ the man 8 “him for your stroke. I feel it. years’ may inteiverd between today atid your hour of be ip but it will come. Swear to pay bim for bis.crime,., Swear in the sight of heaven a ‘a trainvher for the work she, has before: oe Wier eer who made ds mpihar 6 w A WidOWL nnn — b pags dying! mother to aver C) ,your fathi ‘ AY i ° |)“ Tn net spin’ e went It possessed the cana OA gatlop- e ‘on, steing what no 200Y ANSY ae red is first out- in -afid: ly. i DLO & », | burst, ** But I'm p: ee Pinform Coyote City ~ = w filled’ y aman... ’ Tet. ti JT, tever refuses mmodnte the man S y" bop girl, He.) he h | whatywants one. i'm P only Burly comes’. too: , but-l 3 Laas -Bensow in Uncle Samur?s W when I tell bith» or last, wor ‘take # notion ter pass jn: my: 8, ez | may vn do, some day, thar'll never er, lve Seiv ios long in toash tele ate A fought: dejone an’ grizzl sf om Californy. to lonely cable Grading rein ioiove tua shila, from Pes ‘Dover ; er Wichita; Pve. ~ ‘Mexicans all over he spruee Wy the gre fot th ol +. aserdom, an’ Pye shot, whipped an’ he was oe: well built, and had a} g at tho white face that sel ‘the: -Jassoed. from Oregon to the Rio Pecos! I'm a ee y face and iercing eyes of jet. His hat ae she drew from beneath the bed-cover-’| bombshell with lessthan a twosecond fuse, an’ was a whifish-sombrero with a silver band with |. a coil of ro ying with which she came back to | when you fool with mé:you fool ‘witb sart’in fringe at.the ends, and his leggings and jacket, the D raueber’ 8 si death! - Who'll walk > to. night? the Satter open in front, were rather fantasti- | ~ ‘‘ This is it!” she exclaimed, aay by lasso | Ther fuse is ready, "d jest ez cally braided after the manuerof wealthy haci- | up while her eyes flashed. “ Thi vod to soon hev somebody Pe father brought home that night: pa on ‘used ‘ The listeners excbenged: g ‘and a few say that you knew its owner, and mother kne w | smiled; but no one offered oO ves dag the des- ‘ enia owners Along the Mexican’ border, __ ... His stepwas airy and graceful for a man who~ no doubt spent much,of ~his time ‘m.the saddle, | him, too, -perado’s challen “T knew the miscreant!” shot Romero through | In truth, they croewiétie man and be carried_well/bis forty.years. -.» “Wait OP mie P Tor clinched teeth, as be rose and clutched the lasso, | . All along tbe wild) Tex ‘Texan Seder of a a child up it ‘his ‘ar giving her a kiss ‘God! I would have noosed him with it long | years ago everybody knew Burly Benson. | * she could 7 ee is t at po ee oif you ed pe stood between me and. inet doe _ He bad a name for and pa. that of yours?” <a tke my child. I burned for re ats but your. to shame the deeds of most noel bor- ty alvaes held me- back and pointed to | si lasso. | t eroes, | was it of bis to alight suddenly in » ) You will ta an-apt scholar; I know... The. town, ‘a wild whoop attack the popu- - border knows that I can cast’ the noose as well | lace. ih be: would challenge en masse for 8 little one gligled from they Instead of bursting intl lod of teats the: him gently into the cabin “A Spe rns, and led An instan oaks realized. : “T bave as I can shoot, I will make you my equal, fight, pin suddenl Rita” Nut the border towns: alone would be Tics Why didn’t Ta lt ‘nore. “T knew you would, Romero, for I lave rey bt the very. ‘strongholds of the red- When. did this a fa ai 2 sworn in. secret that this futal rope shall throttle | skina.\ “Just before the mornite . devil who used it nearly e'ght a ago.” aT were, Wall-nitthenticated ‘stories of bis the child.<-**Lbad watch wer The, ‘was returned to its and the |. dar evil_acts. in-the--vi]lages of the Apaches both hoped y j me.” man and child turned to rte <A the saddest | / Comanches, where he “bad appeared like a Piet, should have been here. Why did I keep | duty of all. flash and aaeeee in the twinkling of an eye We need not say that it was tenderly done. RE 2. most powerty ful chiefs fs the tribes could pro- way?” The man seomed'tohate himeslfie » Phe sun was setting on ‘that eventful ‘day’ in
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—_—_—— — _ == He was,tolerated along the border because. of his recklessness and great strength, Nobody dared to meet him band to hand, and with knife,.lasso and revolver, he.,.wag, every- body’s superior., -, For. two, years. prior to the. present visit ‘Coyote City had not seen the Brazos Bomb- shell He had been | compelling some surrender,up big, best. horse, and now coming out best in.a kuman.‘‘shooting-match” away up on the Colorado, . ; Big Benson was migratory,., and wherever he mone he-was pretty certain to spill blead,: er hten a lasso. be mated City had-neyer:taken..kin ily to, im, wot; that-itg:people were any. too .refined; to. tol- erate bis company;, but, they hated.to. haveto be cowed by: one, wha.-6 to.,find -pleasure in lording it over bis fellownmen. as; the prince of deadly, weapons,along. the Texas border, oo Nobody: .byer ter ; sadraaing We, 9 he" eontinued Big Bengeny. w resin shat anne him.,in,,Coye oe Keen, — 'd better, move on, to. Whi bin item * He picked up his, hat and, balancing it. on, one Of;his bronze flogers prt yo arqund with the other hand Ta OA) ead) “TL md.some wolyes thet. UL Fendi afore rd. of. in ‘other, places, now ew Mexican, stock-raiser to git to Lanedog, melahat be ae got myself.worked “up to. — 1 & Pil thet. I Just; hev, ja tussle... Why: don’$; some) . $y thet ther Brazos, Bombshell, 38 ‘filled wa wat powder? I’m nearly*sp/ilin’ fer Sit sera b; ter make thet kind oy, a remark, ast, ker to shaw ’imup,an’ then, Rit down on gat tillhis another wouldn't know.-Im, lL. would, by jingo! Big Benson threw. around.ipon, the.crowsd,a took of disgust,as he he poppe swirling the: hat apd erushed itt wie » Goodnight, oral ‘When I, come ‘a giaduat let me explode: ae genuine styley;,|wo-weeks ago the, Brazos . ell 7 ai inter er. bit Apache willage om shook old i he thought a.erigzly, bad "ims » go-ofLaay time. When.1 git to wh pens: nie eidaithe: Digingy Tikereate a.sensation in; Greaser- dom, evn't met a high-toned Grenger fen six months)” »- “ The crowd t+ 4 way, for . the, terror of the border and he passed through,.it whistling aide- fiant aiz,,: ‘More, than one ‘band crept instinctive y to leathesm, belts, and fire flashed from fifty eyes; but that was all, Nabe revolyerwas dramnyand mak a band lit eda “ops 3 the desperado.....,.. g Benson, tprilled,, mo,,as.1;-was never hres before,” said. a young re looking. into the face of.the, person who stoodat his 8) . paneon, almost the Bombshell’s, eae | 19: phy: a ‘Thrilled you!—how, Dasher?” ., vraill MES or oI cap, bardly..explain, but. do, you not. re- member what he ssid about lassoing. men from Onjgon to the Rio do, but what of it?” ecos?” , fat aD | through. me, like. a knite-—that “Why shouldit, Dasher? .I sus speot that Ben- gon told ,the, truth, for if he hasn't lassoed as wanna as he he has horses, then I .mise, my mre Tr And dhe is permitted to liver” 66, & pa ‘tke to. ask hima question,” nie ait 2 _.{ What about?’ About a eertain: man ‘who.was lassoed. in the Rio Pecos country once.” “Don't, Keep that question to ‘yourself, Dasher,- Don’t interfere with.what may. be one of,.the,.Bombshell’s, secrets. "When you, fuol with him you fool with powder... He’s ing to begin.a journey to-night, whieh I wouldn’t. un- dertake: alone, and I claim,to baye some grit,” **Oh, yes; he said he was going-to Loredo,”. , ‘¢ Aeross, the. Egne Estacado. lt. is.a death Soke but no body knows that beater than the ie Bombshell.” ’ a wae W hich.road will. he take?” rH J ‘-The.most, dangerous one Lary may: be sure; ee his Kerrie ; oT a ay ern rel then i Don't: you ‘ty sal But, ae hors : find oUt “anything about; the man eminent rom bim at.aa and ly pe m BO Coyote © form was inion be lucky: = ls a of-him he her citizens tee oe age Fhar’s Won't vise was I bave:done if she fa ees ee . OSs: BGR SS i sedee ne BOL Be Set Bemls splee SSeg n808 Se ee08 4 eteeeee g Bass e30 obi a) Se Seeeese BS EEE _ Big» Benson. 3 nineteen, His physique, was oki, and his face was quite handsome with, its raddy com- plexion.and, deep, blue eyes. Those. eyes bad. followed Big ree late ponfings of Coyote uit bis, form with regret. . hat’s that Captein Monte. has just. told me}, I must,pot- fool. with the Bombshell because it has, according to its own boast, a two,second fuse? Wits didn’t,.Ben op , keep certain. things to, bimsel fo-nlgb thent. Why did .he boass that .he .bad.lassoed men from Oregon to. the Rio Pecos? I'm going to ask him a question, I don’t care.if-my, questian.sets the fuse on fire.” asher . burried .away and: saddled.a horse which he took. from.the corral at. the edge of the wn, + Lascte City, wens, a as-we.pave said,,on the edge of the Llano Estacado, pao the y; aatatrage retch of dangerous soil stood urly Benson ity.and had Loredo, the New. Mexican nwillsge toward which the Bombshell nad. rosea ‘oO. meet,.Big., Beaton be nt the border. town Hh asher’s desire, .an “Pa steed, bore bim ae y away. The youth knew the. ree trail; he. had traversed, it. once, with.a number.ot compan lope and he knew, too, where grew the aor tte | of trees between Gorote City and the first may ~~ He, ned Ste yece in tje has twenty, town, bed arecrein under, the boug ) Aun examination 9 of, the, me ot ae that Burly, Bepson ind nat: paged. tb wate or in pe s head towar wiiceontes eo waitedck r 8 re 3"? Pry jay tT 2. copinales bad. not elapsed before. he, hoard t 0 M ra Bombshell comes” he said.“ if Monte were here he'd sea nie dight.theyfuse.” With eagerness,and.determination d-picted onc his cauntanancey: Dasher waited for, hig man. At last beosaw. the, approaching, borse, they.the burly figure, that rose abora, the Mexi, ean: » Bhe »Brazos Bombshell . ‘soon “reached the trees, oo Halt, Bragoal?” x: Instantly the desperado at rong fn #. -- sag and bis:nevolyer glieked.as.be leaned forward. ‘\ Hol-a-boy Phe exolaimeds... y's Do. yeu sont an escort ter-oredo?” ’ wt No,";said. Dasher, .. “ - Phe: don't light the fuse ON 5 ibis baie, it ontov.ther road,” wr we Ataeaet have tuaneached: ‘my business. with you, Brazos, not before,” wag the quick reply. ‘+ Lam here to'askyou a question,”’,.. ‘‘Mebbe. you'd better not. " Pm net, ‘gentle, eZ a.woman, to night, .. Coyote. City backed down an’ I’m riled yet. | But-go.on.”.-; ‘OT will You said. back there that you have lassoed men from,Qregon to the Rio Pecos. did you name that river?” =» "eeca I did orn best noose-throwin’ thar!” know . eS lassoed., Major tisrion agen. ¥e : : There was no. reply to the question for. @.mo- mgt fancied that. Big Benson's, eyes caught the glitter of the stars that,studded the heavens above, ‘Hol hol -whatet Ido know, boy?” he sud- denly cried. * Warn’t,it a good job! That's a funn estion from you,.., ay t’s baa npr asher,” .. ~ {Whar from?” ,. *e a thn e es-of the-Brazos Bombshell regarded par ntensely. “Then, go back to Coyote an’ don’t fool with jumpi ny’ lightnin’, whieh is me!” : you lassoed Major Mayne?” W.by do you pant to know?” ““T know, alrea' dy You can.go. to Loredg.” iS 8 . Dasher pulled hig steed to one,side. . MdLeok, byer 3 += r)’ and .Big,,Benson leaned toward the h with coeked pane lees ‘s You've; smooth vehi, tiger the. wro ou hey puta match to ther ‘fuse, - stops the: Brazos’ Bombshell: an’ lives... What war thet Texan major to you?” of Rime will tell?! was,the reply... ‘You Ins: soad.hime—t t's all, I.,.want, to, know these days the Brazos Bombshell. will, bors tor Ttchas has been sworn:that your neck shall Stonesbenae DooeeY tbat stpangied: him. | noose read h re Se from the» mabebell’s nee en om dustant.be. wast the hoof-beatso!- ‘Dasber's horse .on, bbe -way. ox oy flew Yeruial Deus cetet 6 | CHAPTER III. THE COMANCHES’, SWOOP? A BEAUTIFUL day-dawn on the Texas plains. Not a cloud mars.the serenity. of the peng sky, and the air is fresh and filled with th of Mvild yellow. flowers,. Across, the plain rides a .young borseman, who is continually urging his. steed toa greater speed as if desirous of reaching a certain goal within a given time. The -borse. and his rider give evidences of having traveled the greater part of the night just D, a little further. i? and we will rest,” says ithe person, in, the sad me “am the bearer of glorigas.. pews to -her!.. [have made,.a dis- covery t will makeber, eyes.flash, and send the. big hat as, polling oil abLcugh her veins. He. is, found at Jast!..Gods} I wish 1 could. meke uu os erstand this, aaah then,..you would Tike the wind, and. we should, be there in thir 4 minutes, — hus s 3 the rider to his “horse as-the, boots erush,, tho. golden blossoms.to \the,,earth, and gene anay. the Spat, pers: Spat. ve sought All at once the @ young man ' starte., and.. fixes ® eye Qn, several dark +. that.moye..along y, far away. ‘ iy. mondag what.attract ibe carrion-birds in this part. of the country?” he exclaims. . {hI neyer, sam t gather so fast. before, * There must a feast for them,.sojnewhere on Lain othe alb-raiil be;.dark..with pinions ere hod | Fone ue thenk Hi SAYER nZQU, Rita, are safe op Pl te a bis. fixed, on the hun- xa gh Konpe 8.eYe, dreds. or bard irds that, sail.and avon ape, distance ab ead .Elis-horse.is rapidly, careying ‘him. to. the, ‘spot for the death has, spreadiae. Aisgusting, banquet or the aa bean of the air. tbe that,,they,.hover over, the,vold rane mi! will not believe rae ‘and he strikes, bis romana spurs already, .blogdy, and ig, borne forza ard-as. ed.40 m0; ae vert. panies magened of a phe risa be. cat, teheg sightof a house, partly shaded by & pumber.o tately. trees, sa it. cisele. the, birds he bas watched, t along.times,. There are bundredg.of them, an hundreds of them,have,settled in a.rich pasture fond, the dmellin Be hy ly G: od! what brings the. vultures to Rer 8 Fan ursts,from,the young r rere ‘(In the name,.of Heaven, Bim hapr wai here?” +» ; a be the. shill: flies the foaming steed tobe ei the. po ph knot. extends the full ey ‘of the pon 4 Front, and the youth leaps =e paca acanrles hi nd the g u eB m,bey 10 that stands oper, te Malte inh the room.w dane © gains, par’ romero » Romerel. where are. you, senor? zane echo, of ‘his. own, words is his only an- ery thing in the room ‘isin a topay-turvy condition;. it, looks as, though a. tornado, h passed » Hon ough, it, The tables have been’ broken, chairs crushed and pietures ripped from, their frames and cu to pieces, here, is, not. one whole article of furniture in the room, The young rider rushes. into another apart- ment; he seems to know something about the interior of this ranch home. Thescene that greets bim in the next-chamber is si or milar to the one just left—every thing de- ble has.been.cut to pieces. . — shuts his teeth hard/and mutters an oath of ..yengeance,..as-he jerks.open a door and 7 hea up a stair,,covering three ,steps-at.a time, Rita, Rita! ‘If the devils have.harmed you, woe to them!”. he, exclaims, ,He opens.a door at the head ‘ot the flight, and with blanched cheeks looks into a room. A glance would tell any one that it is-a lady’s boudeir; but. what. a sight,.greets, the young man’s eyes! The pn dressing-staud lies on the floor; literally packed to. pieces, the mirror bas been hattered, and. the dainty couch. broken u The deca: curtains of sheoriedaws, bave — yornd nd, jerked,.inte threads, knives woe. gb the lowelgoqaanet ned only. MOT the, pUrveys all: thigiawith » eyes that aS 2S _ Baxawtet - Seite you a in 0a ia ty Avo car
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4. his home was a rich priz* for the greedy Co- manche. -I always feared that this day wouid come. And to think that it came before I could announce to Rita my important discovery! It is tao bad! Woe to you, infernal red-skins, for this devilish swoop! I will wrench Rita from your grasp; I will free R mero if,he still lives! You bave paved the way to a day"6f wrath and vengeauce, for I have sworn that Rita should find the man who lassoed her ft .ther on the banks of the Rio Pecos. Vengeance for this raid first!” Need we say that the speaker was Dasher? All night he had galloped from the spot where he had met the Brazos Bombshell on ‘his Way to Loredo across the Staked Plains. He had given his horse no rest, and yet he ‘reached the hacienda, or ranch, too late to be ‘of service to its inmates, our old acquaintances ‘Rita and Romero, The condition of the appointments of the house told him that he stood on the scene of a Comanche raid, Those red Arabs of the Southwest seldom spared anything belonging toa person whom they hated as it was known they hated Romero the rancher. It was a wonder that they had not given the buildings to the flames, ‘‘By Heaven! the red wolves shall pay for this!” grated Dasher, leaving the house. ‘ Of course, they carried off the borses, but it will do no harm to look.” He went to the stables wherein Romero al- ways locked his blooded stock at night to keep it safe from the red raiders, A wire calculated. to sound an alarm ran from the stables to the house, but it had been discovered and cut. Dasher threw ‘open the doors, to be greeted by a horrid stench that almost overpowered 1m. The horses had not been taken, but lay in their stalls with their throats cut. Dasher did ‘hot pause a moment there, but made to the pasture-grounds, frightening scores of vultures by his approach. He met the very sight he expected to see. Hundreds of choice cattle had been wantonly butchered by the revengeful demons; the poor beasts lay everywhere, a sickening sight, and one that appealed for vengeance, Dasher looked a mivute and then galloped back to the house, Ho reined in his steed before the porch again, and was about to dismount when a horseman rapidly a igh ade from the south met his eye. ‘M od!. it is Romero!” burst from his oo zs “Can it be that he knows nothing of all this? Keeping his eye on the approaching horse- man whom he awaited at the porch, Dasher tried to frame a suituble welcome, but he could not. The swift rider was Romero the rancher, not exactly the same man whom we saw take care of little’ Rita nine years before, but a person with a gray mustache and many whitening threads among his long locks. Then ‘bis hair was as dark as the raven’s plumage, now it was thickly sprinkled with Opa his 4 was as erect as usual, and his eye keen as the eagle’s. He fixed his gazo on Dasher as he came on and balted beside him at the porch. ‘*Heavens! They came at last, did they?’ he said. “JI have been to La Lornita. Rita, Rita, where are you?’ ‘ He sprung across the porch, and entered the ind ouse. . Dasher heard a mad oath escape his lips; then a person went up the stair. he youth waited ten minutes for Romero’s return, but be did not come. Not a sound came from the house, “ll go to him if he will not come to me!” cried Dasher, springing from the saddle. He bounded up the steps again, and entered the desolated boudoir, but shrunk back with a sharp cry. Amid the ruins of Rita’s little room sat Romero with his bead between his hands, over- whelmed. The full extent of the Comanche raid had not burst u him until he discovered that Rita was missing; Rita, the little one whom he had taken from a dead mother’s bosom, and loved and trained for vengeance. He seemed unconscious of Dasher’s presence; the youth’s exclamation had not startled him, Dasher retreated to the threshold, but stood there, waiting for the crushed rancher to recover. Big Benson. Five—ten—fifteen minutes passed away, but Romero did not stir. ‘*T can’t wait here for all time,” cried the im- tient youth. “I have work to do. If he is not dead, I will bring him to his senses.” He stepped forward and laid his hand on the rancher’s shoulder. At the touch Romero leaped up as if stung by a serpent. . His countenance was horrible to look upon. It was entirely colorless, and his eyes pos- sessed the wild stare seen sometimes in the eyes of the mad. ‘Rita is gone, Romero,” said Dasher; “ but shéis not lost, Remain here and wait for me. I know but two words now—rescue and re- venge |” ~ ora sprung forward and seized Dasher’s ands, “*T trust you, boy!” he cried. ‘‘ Rita, my Rita, has been carried off by the Comanches just when I was about to send heron that trail she has yearned totravel. It has been found at last—at last, Dasher. My God! I am weak asa child. Ah! this accursed blow! Go, Dasher. I exact no oath from you. You will find Rita! You will restore her to my arms; you will help her-‘avenge the _ “Twill! I wilt! I swear it, Romero!” The youth disengaged himself from the rancher’s grasp, and sprung down the stair. ‘A wild spring carried him across the porch, a leap settled bim in the saddle, and with a tbril- ling cheer that must have startled the grief- stricken man in the room above, he gave his horse the crimson spur. The next instant he was flying from the house swearing anew that he would wrest Rita from the clutches of the Comanches, CHAPTER’IV. KEEPING HIS PROMISE. fi ‘Pw back again, ther same old magazine thet left hyer fer Loredo about two weeks ago. Had atime since? Bet yer hats! Them Greasers touched the fuse off, an’ yer ought ter hev seen ther old shell explode}. They’!l: not hev sech a time ag’in in Loredo till I go back, Whoop! I’m ther Brazos Bombshell, achin’ to be trod on, Whar’s ther boy?” Big Benson surveyed from the back of a magnificent cream-colored steed the crowd of bronzed men by whom he was surrounded. He bad come back to Coyote as big as life, and in his own language, ‘‘sp’ilin’ for a fight.”’ ‘‘Don’t none of ye know whar thet boy is?” he continued, ‘‘I mean ther chap what stop me on therroad ter Loredo. I want ter inter- view him, want ter tell ’im thet I’m ther p’ison- ous individual in Texas, Ain’t be byer?” ‘*1f you mean Dasher,” said Captain Monte, ‘he isn’t in Coyote just now.” “Dasher? That's his orthodox handle, is it? He’s somewhat ov a dasher, too, strikes me. Whar is he?” “T don’t know.” “Mebbe Pll find ’im movin’ around. Ef he comes back hyer ‘afore I do jest tell im thet I’m filled with dry powder an’ thet I’ve cut the fuse to a half-second length. Blame me! ef I’m goin’ to be stepped on by a boy; no, sire! not while I’m the only genuine an’ original Brazos Bombshell. I’m no sham. Men, alligators and rizzlies, know thet,.I’m worse than jum in’? lightnin’ when I’m riled, Dasher, eh al, I’m a smasher, Iam. Move on, Comet.” The crowd gave way as it always did when the Texan desperado wanted to proceed, and he left Coyote singing a wild song ina voice totally devoid of any melody. Captain Monte, the best friend young Dasher had, watched the Bombshell for a few mo- ments. “ “The boy did just what I told him not to do —he nag #0 Big Benson,” be said to himself. “Now, if. they meet there'll be a tragedy. Why don’ somebody rid the border of that villain? He’s been having it all bis own way long enough. Why don’t you do it, Monte? Men used to call you brave} you used to fight duels in Colorado Camp years ago. Have you lost your grit?” Monte of Coyote started at his own ques- tion. Big Benson bad passed from sight, for the night bad fallen again, although the sky looked like a diamond-field. Monte did not claim to be in any sense of the word Dasher’s guardian. Ys ey ater existed between the two. Nobody knew how it had commenced, but all Coyote was certain that nothing less than death would end it. * After a minute’s silent Monte mounted a horse, armed himself with two pistols and a Coyoter’s inseparable adjunct when in the saddle, a lasso, and rode slowly from the town. If the people feared the Bombshell while in the place, there was ove, at least, who did not fear to follow him out upon the boundless plains. “To protect Dasher—that’s my mission,” was All Monie said as he rode away. Dasher! Where was the boy? Near the close of a fair day nearly a week after his swift departure from the desolated ranch of Romero, a youth might have been seen leading a horse up a narrow trail that wound round a hill in the country of the Comanches, The sloping sides of the rise were well wocd- ed, but the trail, an Indian foot-path, was quite easily followed, and the youth'at last reached a int from whence he could look down into the valley vhat lay below. Dasher—for the crawler was Coyote’s youn- gest citizen—knew that he was near the great camp of the Comanches, that he could, from the spot he bad just reached, }.ok down into the camp of the red eagles who had swooped down upon Romero’s ranch, destroying everything destructible excepting the house itself, If be was young be could trail, and the track of the destroying demons had ‘been ‘followed from the doors of the rancher’s dwelling. ‘* At last!” exclaimed Dasher in tones of tri- umph as he gazed down upon the tee of the red-skins, ‘ Romero is waiting for Rita in the old home, and I have sworn to fetch her back. I am here to do my = The Comanche camp lay at his feet.’ He had never seen it before, but be knew that it was lorded over by Red Crest, ore of the fiercest and bravest war ¢hiefs of the Centaur Nation. ~ But why did Dasher start immediately after his first glance downward? The whole villa seemed to be in commotion as be could see in the few minutes of daylight still left. Scores of mounted Indians met his eye, and each was armed only with the Jasso which the Comanche knows bow to use so well. But Dasher saw more than Comanche braves. He saw a sylpb-like figure that occupied a horse in a group of chiefs—Rita! She was not bound; her limbs were free and their movements unimpeded, What did it mean? ” They've made her a queen of their tribe, maybe!” ejaculated Dasher. ‘“ Rita, the White Queen of the Comanches! How would that sound®” While Dasher looked he saw the Comanches form a mounted J me line some forty feet wide, It extended the whole Jength of the vil- lage more than a mile long. All at once a yell from the westernmost erd of the gantlet startled Dasher, and be caught sigbt of a horse riderless and unbridled rushu g down the line. Suddenly a young Comanche followed him with a lasso in his right band. ‘““They’re having some amusement, that’s all,” said Dasber, watching the Indian. “B Jove! I'd like to show them what I can do wit the noose!” He saw the noose leave the Indian’s hand as he chased the unbroken horse down the line toward bim, and on exclamavion of admiration enber over his lips as it settled over the animal’s ead, Shouts of epplause rewarded the young buck for bis victory; the captured horse was taken back with triumph, and the operation repeated. “They are going to let Rita flimg the rope!” Dasher ‘suddenly exclaimed. ‘Gods! I-wish I could let her know that I am here.” His desire to acquaint the girl of bis nearness almost drove him to bis feet, bat he restrained himself, and prepared for an emergency. He saw Ret Crest lead Rita’s horse to the end of the line from whence the lassoers had ridden after their victims. She uncoiled the rope at her saddle-bow, and waited for the signal. Rita was far away, more than a mile, but Dasher’s keen eyes noted every move, Suddenly a shout from the Comanche’s throat announced the trial of skill, A second later there burst into view beyond the gantlet a splendid coal-black horse, whose limbs denoted symmetry and strength. Rita: was seen to watch him narrowly as he came on. All at once he passed her like a rocket. Red Crest shouted again, and the black horse bad a pursuer. For Sucker it was a sight that made bis blood tingle with excitémient. ~ ~~
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Big Benson. 5 See ee ee $$ His elevated position showed bim all. Down the line came Rita and the wild steed, the latter trying to escape the lasso which the fair girl e Suddenly, when in the center of the line, Rita rose in her stirrup, and the lasso circled about her head. “Make a good throw, girl!” cried Dasher. x Mf will have to lasso more than a horse by and by! The lasso left the girl’s hand, and shot after the careening steed. Dasher held his breath. Even from his position he saw the black noose hover over the wild victim’s head for a second, and then drop down upon his ample shoulders! As the lasso struck, Rita’s horse planted his fore-feet in the earth, and the insnared black was brought to his haunches in the twinkling of an eye! A yell that made the welkin ring applauded the girl’s victory, but the next instant a shout of a different kind was heard. Rita’s horse was holding his prey no longer, but was bearing his rider like a cannon-ball on down the Thdian lane. Dasher sprung up and threw himself upon the ‘back of his horse. ‘‘It is my chance! Rita has made a break for liberty, She shall succeed!” _ ; The Indians did not yd realize the girl’s ac- tions until she shot from the living lane with a Jook that proclaimed her purpose! She was beyond the gantlet in a second, rid- ing Tike a queen of the saddle, and so fast that her horse’s feet hardly seemed to touch the ground. ‘ Dasher saw that if Rita kept the course that jay directly before her she would skirt the base of the bill which concealed him. “Yl help her now. They have started in pursuit!” he muttered. Roused by Rita’s look and onward ride the ‘Comanches were swarming after her headed by mo less a chief than Red Crest, whose powerful horse had unhorsed a dozen chiefs ere he gained the head of the chase, The girl did not look back; she knew that they were bebind her. Dasher turned his steed’s head toward the bottom of the hill and gave him the spur. Down he went at a perilous gait, plunging here and there almost on bis head, but man- aged to keep his feet. ‘‘ Heaven, let me get between Rita and those devils!” he exclaimed. ‘I have found the man she bas sworn to run to earth, Let her live to poy him for his brutal cast in the Rio Pecos! ' : The distanca between Rita and the yelling ‘Comanches when she reached the foot of the hill was not great, not more than sixty yards, : All at once Dasher, standing upright in his stirrups, dashed into this shortening space. Tne Indians saw bim thé moment he ‘struck the trail, ‘*T am here for Rita!” rung from his lips in trumpet tones, and wheeling upon the red ‘Centaurs as he guided his steed after the girl, he began to empty two revolvers into their faces, ~ He played the border weapons with a quick- wess that would have startled an. rt, and with his face turned upon the enemy he shot to kill, and kill he did, More than one Comanche blanket lost its owner during the next two minutes, and when Dasher turned toward Rita he had lengthened those sixty yards into six bundred! His horse bore him rapidly toward Romero's ward, who had slackened the speed of her racer anda ery of joy burst from bimas he came e. a er! Thank Heaven!” cried the girl, “I recognized the voice of your pistels. Where have you been so long?” “Looking for your father’s foe. And I have forthe girlal tal her h e girl almost sto er horse, ‘I thank you, propped but I wi-h you had let me find bim,” she said, . “ My discovery was accidental. He gave bim- self away.” very : y “ithe ‘* What does he call himself now?” ' “ Big Burly Bepson, the Brazos Bombshell.” “Is he the man?” cried the girl, turn to Dasher an astonished countenance. ‘‘ What will Romero say when he knows that?” “‘Healready knows it.” ~—. “It must have astonished him. But we must outwit the Comanches, They will give us a jong chase. Red Crest does not relinquish a captive tamely. After escape, then for Big enson,” ‘* No, the old ranch first,” wc? “Well, have your own way,” smiled Rita, ‘*Tf Big Benson is the man he was doomed nine years ago.” Dasher did not reply for the Com- anches were close behind them, The chase was not yet at an end. CHAPTER V. COWED. ROMERO the rancher stood on bis porch with an anxious face turned toward the west. “The boy should be here by this time. He has had time to find Red Crest and bis captive. Ah! vg the Indians have played the best hand. I forget that Dasher is a mere boy, not so well up to Comanche cunning as bis elders. I may have to take the trail yet. If I do, woe to you, Red Crest, for the blow you dealt me and mine while I was absent.” There was fire in the depths of Romero’s eyes, and he began to pace the porch with mad strides. "Although nine years had passed since he bad carried Rita, a child, from the grave of her mother, his eyes had not become dimmed, nor his well-knit frame lost one iota of strength or agility. He could still lasso the wildest horse that crossed the Texan plains, and fill a saddle with the.pase that characterized his youth. ; Well might be grind his teeth and curse the war-chief of the Comanches, We have seen what Red Crest had done, in- vaded his ranch, demolished his furniture, killed his blooded stock, and, worse than all, carried off Rita. It was enough to make Romero's eyes flash, and send*bhim back and forth over his porch muttering of vengeance, All affonce he sent an eagle glance across the stretch of rich pasturage that lay before him to- ward the southwest. No herds there now, no coal-black stallions, his favorite color, rushing with hed neck and gleaming eyes through the luxuriant grass, ‘‘Curse them! curse them forever!” he Broke forth, clinching bis bands. “I will wait no longer! I will show Red Crest and his red raiders tbat Romero is a demon of revenge.” He was turning back into the house when he stopped abruptly, and fixed his eyes on an ob- ject which bad suddenly come in sight. ‘* At last! Dasher comes, but by heavens! he is alone!” : Romero's keen eyes had told him that the ap- proachiug object was a horseman, and that he was heading for the house which he had doubt- less seen. Advancing to the edge of the porch, the rancher continued to regard the horseman, still believing that it was Dasher returning without the Comanches’ captive. ¢ **Itis not Dasher!” he exclaimed, as the man urged bis horse over the pasture-field. ‘Great God! it is Big Benson,” The identity of his soon-to-be-guest was now established, and from that moment Romero re- nen the man with a scowl that darkened his ace, . 1 He did not desert bis post until the Brazos Bombshell neined in his steed not five feet away, and bade him the time in his sonorous tones. It was evident that the two men had met be- fore, although the acquaintanceship was not of that kind which produces friends. , ‘* Heard the red Greasers bad paid ye a visit an’ thought I'd call an’ squint at ther damage,” said the desperado, *tBy Jehosophat! but I'd like ter explode among ’em. I’m ther only Brezos Bombshell, in first class condition. I'm as p’isen as > used ter ‘be, Romero, What did ther skunks do Romero grated his teeth before he spoke. “They struck me pretty hard,” he said. “ An’ ye’r’ goin’ ter strike back with interest, eh? Drawon me. I’m. sp’ilin’ fer a fight—jest | - dyin’ ter be tram on by a Comanche. Crest’s work, eh? Wal, he knows ther Bomb- shell. Icaught ’im by the throat once an’ shook’ his moccasins off. I baven’t seen you fer years, ero, but I’m yer pard in this settlement if ye say ther word. You an’ me would makea team thet would make Texas feel proud. What d’ ver say?”. And the Bombshell leaped from bis horse and landed on the porch in front of, Romero upon ey shoulder his dark band fell as he fia- The rancher recoiled from the touch as if a viper had touched his hand, and the eyes of the ngig aa oe oye urly Benson was the rancher’s su; r strength, but no: in courage, ’ { *T never ask any man to help me,” said Ro- mero. ‘*What I canpot do alone shall be left undone.” . ‘Don’t want a pard, then? Won't take me, eh?’ was the retort which made the speaker’s eyes flash, ‘I’ve come to the wrong map, thought fré6m what l’ve heard thet jest now Romero wanted a pard.” ““T want none,” : “ All right, I beg pardon fer disturbin' ye. They didn’t tech yer ward, did they? I heard—” A stride carried Romero: to the edge of the porch from which Big Benson was about to re mount his horse, ’ **T will show yeu ‘*Come and see,” he said, what they did.” “Tl do thet, Romero.” And the Brazos Bombshell followed the rancher into the house, Romero showed him the rooms below still littered with broken furniture, not one | piece of which had been disturbed since the Comanches’ departure. a Benson burst into explosions of rage in each room, and cursed the red raiders in a voice that might have been -beard in the wide pasture- fields beyond tbe house, With a curious. light in bis eyes the rancher led his guest up-stairs and suddenly threw open the door of Rita’s boudoir, » “The bird’s nest, eh?” instantly exclaimed the Bombsbell, pausing on the thresbold. ‘8 ther word, Ron ero, an’ ther Brazos Bom will burst right in the Comanche camp. They didn’t spare your ward a chair, eavens! They struck you hard.” ° “s A quick stride carried Romero to one corner of the room and stooping over a lot of wrecked furniture he drew forth somethtog which he whirled upon the Texan, “They overlooked this!” he exclaimed, hold- ing out for Big Benson’s inspection a black lasso whose length seemed extraordinary from its copious coil. 2 From the first sight of the lasso the eyes of the Bombshell became fixed upon it. Romero’s orbs seemed to laugh while they re- garded him, = ‘They left thet lasso, did te, suddenly said the big ruffian. ‘It used ter ther best coil ov rope in Texas!” a ‘* What!” exclaimed the rancher. ‘‘ Do you recognize it?” — ‘Wal, I reckon I do! Many’s ther time I’ve swung ther noose ov thet cord over my head, Whar did 1 on git it?” “T found it,” “ “ Whar?” Romero's eyes glittered. there?” ‘** Wal, I reckon,” : ‘“* Was it carried off by a horse?” SIWen In one sense ov the, word it war. Queer thet you should find it, an’ thet Red Crest’s sharp peepers should overlook the best lasso in Texas. Don’t I long ter throw ther old noose agin, though? My fingers itch ter cast it once more. Let me feel it in my bands ag’in, F ero,” and Big Benson put forth one hand for the lasso, but the next second it was flung over the rancher’s shoulder and fell in the corner from whence it had just been taken, Lye oS Brazos Bombehell sbot Romero a mad look, “What does thet meen?” he said, “That the lasso remains-here.” ‘Tvs mine.” “It'is not; it belongs to one who has a better claim on it than be who lost it years ago.” ‘‘ Romero,” said Benson, they beat down his anger, ‘* you must Lot forget*who lam.” “Nor who you were, then /” was the « r se, as the eyes of the rancher ret the Bombshell’s look with interest, pine: Big Benson’s right foot glided toward Romero and be threw a look at the lasso which seemed to precede a spring for its recovery. _ “Tl take thet rope ef you please,” he said. ‘Ther Brazos Bombsbell is in ther babit ov takin’ his property wherever be finds it: therefore, Romero, I'll thank ye fur tha noose. The insulting manner in which the ; ep aor the rancher’s blood boiling through voins. ‘ e “The rope aaye where it is. Neither you © nor any man can have it.” : Quick as a flash Benson’s hand shot toward his belt, and as he stepped nearer Romero, hé whi out a revolver, en “* My lasso! Fm worse than a thousand zlies when I’m stirred up. Ther Brazos shell is ready to explode. You tonched ¢ ther fuse, Romero, y noose, er yer live!” - ‘‘In the Rio Pecos country. Did you lose it SS < ae
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Not: PPS iat the,man, in whose heart there-wasno fear,for. any buman betel The blazing eyes of the Bombshe did not make: the rancher quail. : x ‘ oot: You want your rope— ‘say you ean) ve it!” -re-echoed, Romero,. in, determined . tones. + You.may, terrorize Coyote, but,-there stands before you one who fears.-yougn nf wouldn't shed a drop of your blood for all, Texas,” Why-:not#”-roared the desperado, ‘« Because it, isnot for. me- to.shed it, The lasso that lies. bebind.me you can’t have. just now, The time,is,not far distant. when it. will be restored to you!” ‘* Lowantit mow /” The next instant Romero's ‘fonds: struck .the Bombshell’s :shou! deRP and he -was forced across the threshold of Rita’s.room before be eould resist in the least. »: The rancher wasa giant, in- stren th, and he backed. ;his,.burly .visiter to the ead. of the peck k hoice:; 1 h i Take. your. chotce:;, leave ouse peacea- bly; or go out head- zleave, my cried, at won't..fight .you,; L:don}t.want,-your hel find Rita. She'll find you one of these _ op G9 "bo> He seemed: to read the, lassoer’s thoughts, for he relaxed his grip. - iat: Salichiatt in’; Remero, « ‘but, not; for. good!” he exied. * You've ste on. ther,.Bombghell, ied. burned ther.fuse almost to:ther powder, Thet propa ‘Nt bev if.it.costs:me my. life,’ tt C au wait?’ -scornfully smiled the — “You'll get it’ beforeong.”. - » % uchere-Jene ne reply, and. glarin, at, the-man who stood-fi rmly between, him.and,the coveted prize; the alin Texan went, sullenly down: the ste ‘Stalking seross ‘the, poreb, he. tbrew himself into, the sad tley:: and, anos: his fist at she house. “No peace “between us, ‘Romerol”. vihe. "ex: ¢laimede.: My -CaptainnMonte; veledsed:itheavrist in. tictte. to prevent ~beitig: dragged from «the: saddte,. and turned to see the.terror;ofthe:Texan froutier hanging from his stirrups as the mettled horse nron! st Yexhor Ben: » The meeting and the. ‘fightin! the saddle had not occupied the length ot time it bas token us to ‘them. ** You'll not be bothered by the: Texas pully fst praca. news was too @ now, nc Dasher.” remar, ed, Monte ere Barly Ben- son disappeared. discovered to his sor- row that ote pour, twullied Coyote—held one man who feared him not. I’ve’sent him'to the yultures,of the pleins, and,, i appeal, to heaven for approval. of. my , Monte threw up his "rene ‘as he finished and his-w, ors goers come back, from the, stars with,an-ec ichan-e¢ w ee vob gat ane the reins and ead. oo Wesl the annals Weep. CY 08 DOW. & jc i0re reed . thie, space into tu his reel hea e could go bac. Ah! if he could have». which the Brazos,,Bombshell had beep: borne, he might not bave...galloped, toward Coyote,,with the. confidence-that,.inspired. him He bad ase fs > kill, but had’ his bowie ful- filled his.pur Time wi hl M83, wit debe Hh GH, ae! ( “CHAPTER” Vir." ,_ THE RECA RTUR WITHIN » five days after.Big.. ents 8 visit to SDE a change took, place. at; the..rancher’s bouse., Rome °s countendnce, did. Boke wear th ea anx- ious oe it bad lately worn, fof Rita be back,.aecompanied. by: Dasher, who. bad seist. ed her, td we have seen, in her.@scapeirom tbe Co aut eb ehar & of the. Indian’ pa 'to.the raneh. still:.remained is desolated pastures told a, woeful, BLOT Yad ie *} broken furniture showed where the.re torn d passed, ..... ‘* Dasber. has, told jng Toa _ pcs discovered the mo_guardign gone ” ghid. rain fo Wek band- —_ uardian one.evenin sihe t nh. oCCa- e porch before the fess \ And think “plo suid that you knew bj " s AOmEES: looked at, his. "ips tone ward. and smiec -. ‘Did. Dasher ‘say. that)” he. asked, “Abr might have known that he would, mention it. But,..why:haye..y ou. not broached .this, subject before, my Pett, ‘You, have been. home two days, and c= ay have. kept. pallet ‘fearing ak of. etn Then d was waitipg.for,you Of) Baw Ao The oldvrancher’seyes bea ‘*When would you go?” .he me Pbe.0. “home WOGTDS a) prison to Ao “ You. shall go--to-morrow, » was ‘the. reply,
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Big Benson. with ‘fHipitgHEy vou shill begin Vout hunt. for the’ tetror ot f the Rio Pécos,’ You ‘have always bat You should’ bunt ‘Him, alone, 1 will not interferes ‘but 'you will’ let me ‘et you p23! spe has ‘be be 4 thu bs, yes; mero, t beyond tha no inan shally ¥ ‘a pak Eubthit? “x Where is Dasher” tae Oe ae ry ote, laos OW hat'do you thihk of Dadhey' nit ‘The uestion so directly put made Rita start; Romero's'lookwas' riveted upon her, PHeret! doit ask ‘me “now,” she said. cour- ageously. ‘“ You have not forgotten my oath, No love is to turn me from my A pose, L.am not to'think'6f it’tintil I have fulfilled my vow, Diisher wil not be gore long, but, be will not find me heré’ when he comes back,” Ba fied it his’ attempt to obtain Rita’s feelings for the-young mai; who was her only youtbful gcquaintance,, Romero relapsed’ “into. silence ‘thé girl did not try to break! After a while she slipped from his ‘arms, and gargs His forehead a kiss ‘that, ‘Toused Mitt Goodtntht, | IE 8 said’ "oheerily, ‘“Pam going ‘to! "Bed." '"T af ese en eré the su rises’ wé' will Be off!” wer 5 loWed" by the old ranchéro’s smile Rita’ botindéd away, leaving him the sdle occupant! df Lesh Hitt For a moment he vat with face'turned toward bs pest beyond ‘whith Rita had disa) peared, then he' “started “u p like a man Xtartled ‘a'st sound, CE adores gut 8 Fo claim ** For some time pas 8 noticed a’ “résémbl OW edtila 1a R ni to Heavily it yd turn out thus. I must see Captain ‘Monte wil! go to Coyote when Rita has aeauiteer Nad “The! tarictior’s'ward ' thinkitig’ aly ‘df’’'the traifof vetigeance she'expected Ss sth Ke on, the morrow wert!'to ‘her nit Hotitott “Hoos back penises looked out tipon a on #6 of “in bh ie’ Fear re) 1 (re $hé retired she eran fiital lass ive tidingeplace’ ind aie ‘at mn | Ai “ee WW thet me fioitn, erie, “ad A St thé" eo. POU haye et ie. cled my father’s neck, infernal, cord Hi id. a sWitlsoon dd yout destined Be pets i ate néatly Bt berddr Burly Bens dete we gic! who swore gn the bank of a Hid fitit you'down isn’ your trait’ ttdst silo, hes taught ber the uses" of the lasso, ‘dnd she is capable of catching thd wilde: et anh) Texas Vengetitice takes’’a ‘mighty ‘step “to-morrow. Rita'will kée rk ‘oath'to the’ letter!” ‘The ‘beautiful Nérhesis did’ ‘hot see ‘the snake-| like eyes which from the thick foliage of the’ treé'that bent over fhe shed werd ‘fastenéd upon, her with'a# gltani of tritimpb/ The night was' warm ‘ahd ‘stile did_ not lage the window, but' putting away the inl, sought her couch to dream of the morrow, ‘In @’stiort time not a sotind “was heard about, thé House, 6 © A silver crescent bong if itself ig ag cloudless’ skies, dnd tiyriads'of stars’ made the trees cast a héavy shadow ‘over Roniéro’s is ene ‘Budienly there was 4! fndveruent t of fut foli-’ age of ie. tree rept it an bn i build Bs, and cre d ‘began e in the'star it abivetd d {nto an In- Pre lithe of limb et well muscled and with’ eyés that fairly blazed: ges was entitely zit he gained, the window, pau moment an i i ee sev oreet As if he posses e yes ¢ ie wl, he went ree Mi to ‘Rita 7 at hs sh gk as a flash, ands swoot wh'upo ® sleepi "Phere was a start and a 6s) yee BY Ww ve whic Birk, but the Comanche pres * Nowa wards emake rode hi sai eningly, “ Red Crest has come back for you, ee ee diced. de tates ed Crest Wa ich et | @ prospect béféré he AS eho to fright- eit Romero: Wa rtl ints insensibilit be * ‘Resistance it the arm8'tha qitite” uselebsaaid ‘etre Wiis | th aote® hér Captor w'ths’ Mien ‘she saw ‘that’ ta ov bie at ti Cottiaticties” ‘was not alone. Red Crest handing. his cap ive to another In- dintwho glided toward tie AY 0 “from. the, y of , Rita's ia oe hist Stoup afthe foot ¢f **Great heavens! the wretch i | time the Texas aking ery, dtiireat-, | next instant two revolvers. were, thrust for, wa mes hp ply a. “match to our eros flashed: across her mind, Tpet was’ just, what the Comanche was about to,do A minute later he reappeared at Rita’s, side, and took ber from,the.arms of his companion. ‘Where, he had stooped was a flame which was increasing in volume, and in a.short time the house would be doomed. Rita, thought of Romero sleeping calmly just beyond the fire; his danger roused, her to -aa, tio . All at, onca she dashed Red Crest’s hand from her mouth and a wild cry,,pealed from her throat, bat before it ended the red band .was back again, The Indians now left the burning house. i A few. yards. away thay, found two. Indian h¢ Tres whist whase,. backs they sprung...» - Doe. get. between Texas, Flower nd Wed nee a is, time!” ejaculated .the red. skin as the s teed , dashed away. ); ‘‘ Red Crest and bis brayes will watch for him, and,if be COREA his scalp: will, 4s jin, the Comanche’s ge. ‘The horses ed, to possess the speed, of the dina Porte in a few. qwinutes,.they were beyond he imits of Romero’s vast, possessions. »,,., at once Red. Crest reined in, hia steed and eeled tovard the_rancher’s home. ,, ve horses had gained the summit .of a rise oF which in pg daytime a, magnificent view, taine ‘ Big, fire back, yonder,” , said the ‘chief, stretching his naked arm toward the south, ee" My ted herder’s house burn. well.” ft ans udder ran, through, Rita’s frame.s.s) rin She could not avoid seeing the firethatlooked; like a blazing star,on, the, dark, horizon, yetishe knew that it was not a star, but Romero’s home. The red tongues. of, flanie. “Jeaped heaven- maa digi ing. out, as.if .were,,the stars over- , an ing a terrible ROR P AR, to the Ans diz ny Mengeance. on’ll get ypur: ‘dues,for. all this, i suddenly: ried ita, looking inte Red, Crest’s ACH, mgs? “Who'll pay, the Comanche: back?” said. the grinuin chief,‘ Will the white hexder’s ashes fol 4 Crest and sti, him?’ rhe may t,, there. are, others. | yee forget.me, He asher!”,...., 2 he green bl answer wasa ‘smile of, de, ance, and en) sending up a,thrilling, whoop he Rained pis. steed noon and sent, him, on once map tec ata furiqns,gallop. fire disse peered ‘beyond the ills left be- hind, but, Rita could pot thinking, of., pod new. disaster, the one, which fate bad, placed. tween her andthe beginning. of br hunt for the Brazos Bombsbell. Red Crest was, proud,of. bis, trim mph;, this ower, a8 he, cailed his,captiye, should not, ny om All through that eventful night the Comanche rode across the Texas. plains, and the sun,came, up, to, shine cn, the, white, face of the fair, girl who had. Aroppert asleep in bis.arms, Crest !”. suddenly exclaimed the’ ebiot® rompanion, pointing to the right, *‘ wren not the big yellow lassoer approach us?” Red. Crest looked, over, the outstretched arm. a moment and then started, Ax man,was riding toward them from a point. on their right—a man witha, my frome oF oe and embroidery . on.., his Mexican is is, the. Yellow-skinned toaster,” “grated,| Don Red Creat, fire Meching, from, his, eyes. ®,, must, m eet, him,, Long.Arrow,; but watch him, close. Ye are two; he ig.one, He shall, not have the:Texas Rlower,” Meanwhile the man thus ‘suddenly, discovered was rapidly nearing the red-skins who regarded» him with lowering looks from the backs.of their bones. asi . fee awake saw him, too, ‘and while, she lon a strange.gleam lighted up ber,eyes A!l at once the burly rider straightened in, bis, saddle, apd, the next moment.his horse halted di- ' rectly. in. front of fhe Comanche J. “Tm Ms wler. if, this i isn’t luck ‘a ‘burst: ‘trom, his, mouth,;, Here's, mero’s daisy ward in ther ands ‘ow ther crack Comanche, ict Vna,| 8 se Bia Brazos,.Bombshell, with... fer al in , but. loaded to ther, fuse, fer alk th ety t- 8 thet.pra‘rie flower, chief. .. Hand, er over,” Red Crest. instinctively drew back, put the. Were 2 toss her, over, or,ther. Bombsben: will} i ‘| explode!” was mile cool threat. the. pursoand ing .country, could | bai Obr, chromo ina gilt frame, more things-thaa ope.” vic ni eee said ; after, .a,awipute’s silence: you. all, over..Dexas; “the ir you in-the peas pom rae, Hh rite) “CHAPTER VHL: roe cot) EyAM MET AIS: cumD!” ry Wuart, give up his beautiful prive.to a desperado who-had bullied him mn his aby camp? is fe a wonder that Red Crest ground ‘his teeth, and, clinging. to, Rita, shot. Benson looks that. seemed. almost capable of killing 4"! ‘What’s yer decision, chief? 1 Seat: sit here waitin’ till I grow fast to ther saddle» Bhodt off yer mouth an’ let ther Bombshell know yer 5 intentions,” ma... revolvers stil) covered Red Crest and his copppenicms: ‘the. moments were slipping ga € in’.ter hold..on) to: .tbher prairy “—, eh? Then, Vl, begin!” The next second one of the weapons cracked and.Long Arrow, bounded from. his saddle, to strike the earth witha bullet in bisbrain, — ‘\How. does that, strike ye, demanded’ the giant.of Red. Crest," ‘‘ It’s motoworth while to tell: ye whose turn will-come next;':: Shall 1 hev ther Texas Pink?” Brave as he was, the young Comanche ¢ehief valued Jife above all, things, He knew. that another moment of refusal would bring bim«@ doom:.as:terrible as Long: Arrow’s, . The:cdol eyes that, looked over the Bombshell’s revolvers, told him that the Texan bully was not to: be trifled with, * Yellow tace ‘shall hens the ei, Ny he answers ed sullenly. {i Putsbervonithe ground then.” ‘With a countenance whieh told» that: he. intended to play another hand in the future, Red Crest lowered Rita to the ground and. then faced the Bombshell again. ’ {Phe,most.sensible Injin I evér: enw: ex- claimed the.desperado, ‘ Pil takeeare ov ther’ daisy, chief. We've met ‘afore; but. thet’ nothin’. We'll git along. in first-class style. Now move on er stuy byer, jest as«you-wish, Don’t follen this infant, if yourpleases:: When ther Brazos Bombshell ex: yen ty yhe somebody, burta\;. All« this, while,,Rita stood where Red» Crest’ had, put her-down, her -eyes: fixed: on, the man: who nae awrested her» im peer ber Sones ca * “ould, it be that fate had. 60 “atin brow; at her) face to face with the lassoer whomshe! bad | sworn to;hunt:dowm, and choke with higiown | naose ? rQvtiee ae “This is a change ov aneavers, "wadids ster Bombshell, guiding biswsttedutio mhére shev stood, and stooping ‘down jtowift ber toa place on the saddle ot Long Arrow’s' horsey “* I.gtess I don’t, ueed any introduction’. Everybody knows ).ther, Brazos, Bombshell): »d’my nob: at but bam old buatheng) in: Rita‘did not. reply; for her look had ibesome' a! stare; she.seemedto be »phobographing Big Benson’s. face and: figure on her mindy) Her thoughts went,.back4oithe home on the: Rig. Peeosyta the;,wild; oath: besidé the dying mother, to her, seboolingyunder ‘Romero's! eye,» to.the renewal,of that vow a; thousand ‘times in secret, and all against, the fiend whiocgged her,» whose captive she was! " She did not resist when, the Britis Boinb- shell. lifted, ber upon the horse, aud turned to the glaring Comanche. “Don't look so mad; it iearénienes”® he enid ios Red Crest.. ‘‘ We're not brothers}: but we | oughtn’t — Le ys one -anothersep. 1 expect you lly it even. with me.fer:my morn- yy wisi obs . ‘i } bea, rainy.day when: you ‘do, ti, toueh off the quarter-second fuse ov thie» bombshell... Ith do you no good, Stir me ap an’ I’m worse than a milion earthquakes.” «|: A’ moment, later tha two. borses-were flying over the plain, gazed after/by the maddest In- dian that ever filled a Comanchewsaddle;.: ‘/ “Did they steal ye from therranch?” asked Benson, turnin pm upon bis nos, ahd ‘* Yea, while ept.” i ‘Then Vipers! bar war Romero?” i aay! ** Asleep, too.’ cr ont Rita shuddered.as she answered. ning’ i Bia they wipe. him out?” ».: afraid so. Red Crest fired ine bee mi, aibapetce wade, no jreplyjubut+ the; girl cavebt his eye at that moment, and, ers beat cted a secret triumph there. ey. tell me thet, you kin-cast.the daseo hey “ wei h tow ' Whar did Romero own’ gir). started f tres) ey & eh ae mother gave me to bim, ra ‘beliewe, dod: he promised’to. bring: me up,” she said). fecover- vy {cer "F Thet’s ther way, eh? Wal, she gave Ro-
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8 a ; Big Benson. mero a daisy, didn’t she? Look me in ther face jest fer a moment, little one. 'Thar! you hev eyes jest like a woman I used ter know. ’ iS Hyes jest like hers/ They call you Rita, don’t they?” ‘Wea. ., d ** I don’t know what she called her little girl. Mebbe P’ll go back io ther Pecos kentry some day, an’ see what ever: became oy ther pair. ae oar me back.” * Yes, because your eyes ar’ jest like Meta’s war,” » : ; Rita could hardly control her feelings, the ng Sa was talking about her mother! ' doubts had vanished now; she had found the right man! “Dik niake him go on,” she said to herself. éT willsee if be dare confess the truth.” .“ So I look like Meta’s child, do I?’ she asked. ot Did I say her child? No; I never saw it,” was the reply. ‘I say your eyes look like Mecta’s.” | Meta who?” ina Doyle it was aforeit became Meta ayne. enson’s tone changed as he pronounced the last name; it sounded like the hiss of a prairie v1 . " Cou did not fancy Meta’s husband, I see,” said Rita catching his eyes. . “Not very much,” he smiled. ‘ More than one man thought a heap ov that woman, but Ghe one that got her didn’t keep her long.” “Wh not?” ** At home?” “+ Not exactly thar, br‘ on ther road ter ther shanty. I bear that uc wure a Texas collar when he reached Meta.” _ ** He was lassoed, then?” : **Perh ” 9 “* He had at least one murderous rival.” **Thar war one Texan who couldn’t stand b an’ see him live with the woman he loved. ‘Tney used ter do thet way up in ther Pecos kentry. Mebbe it’s ther style tharyet. I don’t know, J bevn’t been thar fer nine years. " ‘“ Who threw the lasso over Meta’s husband’s head?’ asked Rita determined if possible to push the assassin to the wall. ‘‘They never found out an’ I don’t think any- body tared much. You see, ther major war one oy those gentlemen chaps what don’t take very well on ther Texan plains, tharfore no- born who noosed him.” “You forget Meta.” 4 be oe age she took it ter heart ov course. Blamed ef she didn’t pear ter think a good deal ov ber Jim-dandy man.” ith an effort the captive smothered the cr that cose to her lips, and tried to calm herself. They were riding slowly across a wide plain whose grass, reaching above their horses’ fet- locks oe wet with dew. Suddenly Romero’s ward leaned toward Ben- bon and her band fell upon his arm. ‘You make me speak,” she said. ‘*T know something about Me ne,” ‘** You?” cried the auton Texan. “Yes, She is dead.” ; ‘'Thet’s not strange, seein’ that many years bev passed since thet noosin’ night. But what ever became ov her girt?” ; * By Jove! she must be a daisy!” tds id not seem to hear the compliment. ‘ That little child made fatherless by a devil’s noose bas taken an oath to hunt the murderer Fy ee strangle him as he strangled her father,” she almost hissed. ‘‘:Mebbe she will never find the right man.” ‘* She bas found him.” . “ What's his name?” ‘« Burly Benson.” “Then, you—” it .% r ** Tam Meta’s child! Ian Rita Mayne ¥ The Brazos Bombshell ievoiieu with a start- ng cry. Great God!:-I told you from ther first thet ou bed Meta's eyes,” he exclaimed, staring at eatiit> g Her eyes, and her dying words to nerve me for e! } ‘Not on this individual!” was the quick retort, as the rado started are Mota'schild? W re swore ye ter ven “So, cork He. knife combat in the saddle. , his blade had terminated the Bombshell’s ca- reer, and the storvof that fight he bad told to ou al, I’m glad it’s settled. She , did she— fer ther major’s chokin’? Thet’s how eey lage Romero's house. He said he found it in wher he found me!” was the The Bombshell's discovery had made him rein in his horse, and Rita, who had also stopped her steed, was looking straight into his eyes. - “Tll see about yer revenge, my Texas pink,” he laughed, suddenly. ‘*‘Time cures many wounds,” But not mine! I will keep my oath, As sure as God reigns, [ will run you to earth!” » * An lasso me, Rita?’ “ee Yes,” “Tm the Brazos Bombshell. No man has ever got ahead ov me; 10 woman shall. Be- ware, my pretty tigress!” Rita turned and jerked from the knob that held it the Comancie lasso that hung on her horse’s shoulder, ‘ It was well coiled and quite heavy as a weapon, ‘+ ‘Sake this in earnest of what’s to come!” she cried, whirling upon the surprised bully, and before he could interpose a hand the Indian lariat was laid across his bronze face with all the'strength Rita could summon to her aid, A hoarse oath was forced from Big Benson by the blow which drew blood, for the coil seemed to cut like a knife, He ‘reeled away, with difficulty keeping his seat, but the blow was not repeated. r ‘* Your doorh is sealed! I will keep my oath to the letter, and with the cord yoa wielded once, Iam Rita, the avenger!” Away went the girl’s steed as she finished, and glancing over h@ shoulder, she ‘saw the terror of the Texas border sitting, statue-like and thunder-struck, where she had left bim. Allat once a wild yell reached her ears, and she saw his borse plunge forward. She smiled as she watched him drive the spurs into his black steed’s rowels, but she did not fear him, She knew that she rode the better horse. CHAPTER IX. COYOTE’S WILDEST NIGHT. THE second night after the occurrences de- tailed in the foregoing chapter, there rode into Coyote City, on the borders of the Staked Plain, a horseman whose presence drew an ex- clamation from at least one man’s lips: ‘Great God! The Brazos Bombshell!” Big Benson’s face seemed to have grown a shade darker; his eyes had a mean, mad look. It was evident that he had lost the beautiful prize he had wrested from Red Crest, the Co- manche, Rita the avenger had out-galloped him across the Texan plain, and this fact accounted in a measure for his abrupt appearance alone in Coyote. here was one man in the border “ city” who believed that Benson had invaded it for the last time, and he it was who uttered the exclama- tion just penned. tten the bowie- Captain Monte ‘had not for te san Chotnt @ believed that but one person—Dasher, his protege. From the door of his cabin Monte ate the figure of bis.enemy moving up the stree Tnstinetively he drew back into the shadows beyond the ‘threshold, and watched him ride st. Peal at ones somebody sprung into the cabin, and a voice exclaimed: “You have been mistaken all this time! Big o-> is — there!” ~ waisee The spéaker was young Dasher. «What vitality tthe exan tiger has!” said Monte. ‘I would have sworn at the time that my bowie found his heart, Heaven knows I struck for it. Then, when I saw bis borse drag him away by his heels, I bad a right to say ‘Good-by.’ Yes, I know he’s out there.” And Monte sbut his teeth hard behind the last word. , ** Are you going to meet him?” =e dou't caomeeah is owing to what he does. He mustn’t provoke me—he must not challenge me. I think I know what brought him back to Coyote. We willsee how he acts.” onte who was but half armed when the Bombshell rode into Coyote, now ed to add a formidable bowie to bis armament. “Don’t meet him!” suddenly cried Dasher, _—E between Monte and the door. *‘ Let the Bo nbsbell explode, as he calls it, and move on. Think of what I have told you. longs to a young girl whom he has ee wronged, Let her take vengeance. She w joke weg k She bas sworn to find him, and find bim she will!” — } This appeal sdemed to affect Monte; he leaned sade dend | ied into Dasher’s fi ne He be-| * T know that Rita bas the best right to him,” he said, ** Pea forget that Lam a hunted man now, that Big Benson wants Monte’s blood because Monte failed to kill him.” * | forget nothing,” said the youth, quickly, ‘‘Stay back for my sake, I confess to you, Monte, that I love Rita. I have asked her to become my wife, but she reminds me of ber oath to love no man and not to think of mar- riage until she has lassoed the Brazos Bomb- shell. “ What if I should meet and slay him?” ‘“ Then I shall despair, for Rita will never wed.” ** Did she say this?” ‘Yes, twenty times,” “Then I ny here. I could not face that border grizzly to-night without having a com- bat. I will not go out for your sake.” “Thanks, Monte,thanks!” cried Dasher,grasp- ing Monte’s hand, ‘‘I will never forget—” ** Hark! what’s that?” The two men sprung to the door and listened side by side. “Tcame hyer ter meet Cap'n Monte! Trot ‘im out!” they heard. ‘ His knife warn’t long enough, an’ he didn’t hit ther riyht spot. Whar ishe? ‘’m loaded ter ther muzzle. I'll teach him that be mustn’t monkey with the band wagon unless he’s got a horn, har ar’ ye, Monte? Coward, sneak an’ border bum!” A mad oath shot from Monte’s throat. “Tvs more than man can stand!” he grated. “Swallow it. Rita will pay him for it all,” said Dasher, at bis side, and the youth’s hand was laid restrainingly on bis arm, Mvunte bit his lips. “I wonder if the Bombshell bas a crowd around him?” he said, ‘* Pll go and see.” Monte would have kept Dasher back, but the youth sprung away before be could be restrain- ed, and in a moment was out of sight, ‘Listen at the hound!” hissed the man left in the cabin, as he chafed at the door like a chain-. ed tiger. ‘‘T am expected to stay here within bearing distance and swallow it all, just because a girl bas sworn to run him down and bim.. There he off again, That’s what he calls an explosion, I suppose. Curse me if I will listen.” + a3 Monte shut his cabin door, and walking back through the darkness, threw himself upon his hard cot in one corner. He was afraid to trust himself longer at the door lest be could not control his passion.. Five minutes away, and then the rest- less Monte rose and went to the dcor again. He threw it open to hear a new outburst of wrath from the loud- mouthed desperado who still tarried in Coyote. “11 settle him. It’s more than I can stand,”, he exclaimed taking a lasso from tbe wall. i He left the cabin and burried toward that ped Ri the town from whence the yoice pro- ce - , He knew that Benson bad halted in the square which, although it was not large, was regular, and picturesque, On more than one previous cccasion the Brazos Bombshell bad halted there and relieved bimself of,some of the superabundance of mean- ness his soul contained. : He always drew a crowd, for the citizens of, Coyote, taken aS a whole, could stand more bullying than the inbabitants of all the other Texas towns. With the coilin his right hand, Monte ap-, proached the crowc by which. the big ruffian was ulmost entirely surrounded. ~ ott His siep was noiseless and his eye constantly. on the lookout for bis foe. At Jast he spied the Bombshell, sombrero end all, The burly brute stood erect in his atixeo he with cocked revolvers in his hands, heaping @ manner of abuse upon Coyete as a town, and especially cursing Monte, one of its mast re- spected citizens, ? , “Yer border brave dar’n’t show bis whisky- mug!” cried the Bombshell... ‘‘He knows thet I'm worse than jumpin’ n’.” * That’s a he!” ground out the man who had reached tbe rear of the crowd with the lasso ready for a cast, “‘ In just one second I'll show you where Monte is.” rah The next instant the citizens of Coyote saw a lasso shoot toward the man on horseback, an an exciting crv burst fr many lips as it set- ed, Fae the Bombshell’s head and was drawn tight! ~*~ pete > Heavens! i jet He said he would. stay away,” sa asher star forward as Big B-rs ‘9 was jerked from saddle, bis arms piuioned to his sides, and his revolvers: redue: ed useless, oat malt Bo
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Sad “Stand back!” cried Monte to the crowd whose weapons now began to leap forth, since ‘tthe man whose bullying they had swallowed a hundred times, lay helpless on the ground. “Don’tcome near me, Dasher! I’m not going to kill this prairie-wolf,” Awed by Monte’s look and words, Dasher stopped and looked on. A single bound carried Captain Monte to the side of his victim who recognized him with a growl. “Wal, yer knife failed t’other night!” he said. ‘Now ye’r’ goin’ ter try ther lasso. Thet’s what ye call fair, Monte?” The man of Coyote made no reply, but kicked Benson’s revolvers twenty feet away. **T don’t want your blood,” he said. ‘You've got to leave Coyote.” “Without a settlement with you, Monte? Ye'r’ a coward!” F ' ‘*Oh, you can’t provoke me,” smiled Monte. i) Get up.” Benson sprung upon his feet and threw a quick, covetous glance toward bis weapons. “You can’t have them,” said Monte’s eyes, then he said aloud: ow you leave Coyote if I give you lib- @ e fT suppose I'll hev to, You’ve got the ‘drop on me ter-night, Give me my shooters,” ‘“[’'m no fool. You go without them,” ** Loosen yer lasso, then.” Monte obeyéd and as the noose fell at the Bombsbell’s feet he threw his hand upon his horse’s neck. Another moment saw him seated firmly in his saddle, and the ny that he threw upon the breathless crowd was full of fire and de- lance. All at once he threw up his bro: zed’ right hand and straightened in bis stirrups. “*When I’m forced to leave I always come back on a tornado!” he shouted, ‘ en I come back ter Coyote thar’ll be an explosion hyer thet’ll shake all Texas, Blamed ef I[ don’t post yer town from the Cimmaron ter the Gulf -as ther place whar they breeds cowards and ‘border bums!” This was too much. Rendered courageous by Monte’s example ‘the crowd surged forward with revolvers and ‘bowies drawn for the speaker's life. . Halt!” exclaimed a new voice and a youth- ‘ful figure landed between the border ruffian and ‘the Texans. ‘Not while I am here shall Big Benson’s blood be shed.” “ Smash my i ef it ain’t ther boy Dasher!” cried the Bombshell. “I know wha ‘be meant when he told me thet a lasso war ‘waitin’ fer me. He's thet prairy daisy’s pard, ‘an’ he thinks he’ll save me ferher. Come byer, Dasher.” Tbe three last words were spoken in tones that reached the boy’s ears only, and having checked the maddened crowd he wheeled upon ‘the Brazos Bombshell, and then went forward, From under the broad brim of his sombrero Benson watched the youth’s approach, “I know what you meant thet night,” he said, leaning forward. “Ive seen ther gal. I know who she is, an’— Til take this, Dasher!” Quick as a flash the border rough darted at the revolver displayed in Dasher’s belt, and as he straightened on his saddle, Dasher started back ie oe It was the flerce swoop of a frontier eagle. A wild light danced in Benson’ c) wheeled toward Monte. eae eSB Up went the revolver as Monte drew his own. then there was'a sharp report, and. Dasher’s best friend reeled away witha groan, aoe !” grated Dasher leaping at the Bomb- ell, “Don’t, boy, don’t! I’m worse than death!” be bye 2 aa pow Meio revolver on the a crowd, the ruffian began to shoot over Dasher’s head into it. rapid shots, every one of which took ef- fect, seemed to paralyze the men of Coyote, and with the seventh one he struck bis horse savage- ly with the spur and was off, 7 Dasher stood like one bewildered on the spot. where Big Benson’s swoop had robbed him of —" er ite ' ready the desperado had disappeared. Suddenly, the sound of a horse’s hoot's came from behind the boy. J in He turned just as the animal Jandel in the square, and a moment later the horse halted pr irtaa aia this KAlItHa? ak thé rider ‘ito i 0 di 8 : aske howe fag Dasher stared, “Where is . ‘ Big Benson, 2 “ He went in yon direction,” “Then I will find the bully to-night!” and away went the horse, , Dasher stared speechless after her. He knew it was Rita, ‘ on CHAPTER X, MISSING HER MARK. “THEy thought they had me, ther fools! They knew they hadn’t when I exploded with ther dead drop op ther hull lof, hen I saw thet boy’s revolver I knew I hed a weepin thet would shoot, fer a chap with his eyes wouldn’t carry any other kind. I might hey pity as ther kid, but pshaw! he'll burt no one. Oh, I’m still ther Brazos Bombshell!” A lively wind blew against the ruffian’s hard- ened face, and stirred the raven hair that framed it, In his eyes stil] shone traces of that light which flashed up in their depths when he trained Dasher’s pistol on the Coyote crowd, His voice had tho ring of a desperado’s tri- um ph, tg he had drawn rein and listened intently, he would have como to the conclusion that he was followed. The avenger was on his trail. Rita plunged away after the border rough. Her horse was a well-limbed steed, swift as an Apache arrow, and as eager as his mistress to over’ ake the steed some distance ahead, The girl's only offensive weapon, if weapon it can bo called, was a black lasso that hung in its place against her saddle, It was the same one with which Benson bad choked her father, years before. The match which Red Crest, the Comanche, applied to Romero’s hacienda, as we have seen, had failed to destroy the instrument of ven- geance, The house had burned to the prgane, but the roar of the flares had ronsed Romero, who rushing up to Rita’s room to save her, found nothing worth taking but the fatal cord. Thus the lasso bad fallen once more into Rita’s hands, and she carried it at her saddle when she appeared so suddenly to Dasher in Ace Oyote was soon left behind in the wild chase for a life, and burning to overtake Benson, the fair girl urged her steed to his ntmost, Big Benson’s face was turned toward Loredo beyond the Staked Plains, but be bad no notion of continuing his journey to that place, At last be drew rein, and, strange to say, Rita, although a mile in his rear, stopped at the same moment, Benson had heard no noise, but the girl bad. From her right came the swift rush of several horses, “The Coyoters want him as badly as I do,” she said, when sho had listened a. moment, tte! they shall not have him! I will see to et,” Rita was about to resume the pursuit when several ghost-like figures flitted past, on her t. ‘Indians! — Comanches!” she exclaimed. “They want bim, too, Was ever a man so hunted before?” She dasbed ahead in the wake of the red- skins who had struck the big rider’s trail, and as she rode she loosened the black coil ready to her hand, All at once a sharp. ery came back from the starlight ahead, telling her that the red Centaurs had struck the game, Benson had discovered that he was followed, not by the men cf Coyote, but by the Coman- ches who owed him more grudges than one. ‘* We'll give ‘em a race,” be said to his borse, i By an’ by we'll treat their red necks to ther asso. é, Away he went with the piercing yell ringing in ais ean and the Comanches thundering at his heels. The Staked Plain bas witnessed a thousand races for life both in the glare of the sun and after dark, and the desperado chased by the ne Aus had participated in a number him- self, The keen eyes of the Indians had spied him resting his horse after. his ride from Coyote, and had announced. their presence by the Sere shout heard so plainly by Romero's ward, She v 1 allantl: tre a tus ieee whl to,se raiders had spared among Romero's blooded herds, and she rode now. A better steed never pressed the soil of the Staked Plain, and a more accomplished and fearless rider than Rita had never mounted im. nA. On such a steed she was likely to come with the Comanches whose borses, in all probability, were not very fregh, he Her plan “was to pass them and hurl the avenging lasso over the Bombshell’s head, then’ ride on dragging him at. ber horse's heels through the scanty grass and cutting sand be- neath her. — ‘Look down on your child, motber!” cried the girl, ‘‘I have found the author of all our troubles—found him at last! Nerve me for the task before me! Guide my noose to bis head for my heart burns for vengeance when 1 think of the past?” On, on, bearing swiftly down. upon the Co- manches between her and her prey pressed the girl, bolding in her hand theslender cord, ‘* Faster! faster! Thisis a snail’s pace!” she. cried to her horse even then straining bimself to bis utmost, Her unloosed tresses streamed behind her like pennons, and her lithe figure, c Ver oft picturesque costume balf masculine, set her to advantage, ; All at once, the Indians seemed to become overe that some one was pressing after em. got Rita saw their ranks open; but they did not abate their pursuit. wet An exclamation of triumph fell suddenly from the avenger’s lips—she was among the | ‘manches; another s.cond and she had them all! Yells rose behind ber, The red-skins saw that they were likely to be cheated out of their prey In vain they pounded their horses, and yelled in their ears; Rita’s steed bore her swiftly on, ' nde few yards only now separated her from nson. What if be sbould turn and send a bullet through her body? : : The ranchman’s ward did not think o . Rita’s eyes were full of victory when saw ber enemy straining every nerve, but al- most within reach of her lasso, ; , He had not recognized his new pursuer, but thought that the foremost one was the ‘best rider in the Comarche nation—Red Crest, the young chief. ' “T bave him now!” suddenly cried the girl. eg as a if you could but see my re venge . ¢ straightened in the strong stirrups with her eyes riveted on the bumen quarry. The lasso patig, to a moment from her right hand and then gen to move in swift concen-, tric circles around her head, , All at once it left ber hand and shot for ward, r = : Well might Rita bold her breath; the most important moment of ber life had come... a ever before was a lasso better aimed. Ro- yo Bae. scuneien her Wyre , rte e fatal noose wassettling over Benson’ head when Rita’s steed prt ot 9 B+ g ie tact second she was flyiug through the air. a) The throw had been lost! A burrow had baffled the girl on the very threshold of suc- Cess, - ! : In her last moments of i gt ty. saw the yelling Comanches rush past, | e fell back on the plain with.a sensation of pain which seemed the precursor of death. — g" She had distanced the Indians, got between pas ccnge oee ty CO TET o be tripp ya burrow esa to lose the man she had almost rundown! When the girl returned to consciousness her whole body was racked with pain. ' an She bad fallen heavily and the wonder was. thac she had not been trampled to death by the Comanches horses. ane The first object that met her gaze was her. own horse standing near by. Thé steed in falling fortunately broke no limb and was ready to serve heregain, | , The'lasso lay stretched out on the sand like a dark snake, and Rita seiged it rly. “Tt is not so bad, after all,” she suid, ‘ Big: Pannen Nes escaped by a miracle, but I will m him yet. \ t that t the pricked ' hediomtieiee ee “‘Are the Comanches coming back for mef” exclaimed Rita. : uP j A number of horses were appronching—she — tion, ‘Rita, moved: n the saddle;
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ro Big Benson: ° a o» but inthe yale a ‘aie ovéredttie, her, aha she sunk back, exhausted. A fae. Bn, and r) ae net gt moment ky see, he ead paint, of six Coumnches: is, Big ,Bengon?’” she, asked the nee “ Ww re, Hp eae Sport to pick her up, ...... was the reply. eyo that?” she eines " “ : Si xt. MONTE’S. SECRET. age stumbling of Rita’ s steed At the gy eg wi en her, Jasso was settling over the 8 “ad head ‘ndd tedly saved the désperado’s ifs Comanchés gave up fhe ‘chase, and rode back to the girl, while Bi Benson halted On the plain and threw. hg ‘sombrero into the air with a shout of tri hog ei) tide ‘pit rte puttet,' did ot hé ‘ex¢laim- pa Bi bie heap halt lieve, ‘thet ther ha lassoed me war red sk in,, pion y a sl He OX, 88, bis hoks strack ther burrow. Mebba ar bare ee prairy daly, ws what wa ante Be! Benson’s lif tead o: settle his doubts, the Brats Hoashell ey képt iat a gait that rested a ee Taft Tite td tha tender” ‘mere AD thé Co- mapghets led, as he well knew, by Crest. Coyote follers monkeys ‘with th er band: wa gon when ae no ports,” Stee ag “his ‘tho Re ait back ‘to the bloody affair in the il of Coyote City. “ lve there acgounts with. Mitte orever, an’ with oe boy’s shooter, too,” When the boys.’ fool abu" f, Dambebell Fea peas a the “git ti a rat ler when [ git mad. ah want’ the how. I’m the hulls Want enti this ment. in the li State oy Texas rig Conte Tau pe ed barshly On the ‘hight | yo va Bcd evn than‘ ten’ “‘inilés from Coyote; his Comanches had chased him cig al ota distance, but’ they ‘had given ap al cat onéé Big Banson wheeled and faced thé ey Pio [ilo back,™ he said. ‘What aye , Thuoderbott? The 8, talkin’ about, ‘us wii yorder. Bate We Once mar, the ruin, was going toward Cavate P gait Fr maith would soon land him tot Ani incts*of thie border town. ver re ’!” he exclaimed, drawing ein abd ah ad tb catch the import. of Sf pain: @ hight winds bore to his ears. ards from Coyote's ‘inos Bae been mi yond: the i told. aia th t some of the inhabitants were peat ieee y and by thé voices ceased without ‘givin 1B Big Benson any information, so_he dismounte atid erept forward, bis horse at a ‘sign remaining stationary. “He was guided ‘to tte first'diirk’ eabin by the sound of a voice couchéd’ in” the” tones ofa wotiided man néar his enti! ” “For ‘several minutes the’ T sort” stood beh wa certain spot wh “speaker “SsOT hts Monte, » Be nid ‘to ifmsell, “I didn’t finish bim, ‘an’ I’ve got back ter Coyote’ in té“hear his last words. “ Who's’ he tallcin’ tot-ther boy; ov'course.” ‘A lengthy ‘tride had carried ‘Benson to the cabin, and with’ eyed agleam with curiosity. hé Was Heténitig against the logs The interior of the cabin 6 was dint! % revealed bya candle, as’ Bonibshell could 8ée by a crack which he found: : “Ht cdritained tut two’ §; Monte, who lay on a cot made Ot the floor, arid Dasher who sat ab'liis'¥46, Kolding one of his‘ brouzed hands. ott Dasher,” ‘said “Monte; I’m getting’ to a secret I’ve kept for many ‘years. ' fa I wouldnt tel if now if thet Téxas devil hadn’t used ther y Wek he goton me to-night: ‘A’ yeare tee, p Datiier:; a lot ov Apaches raided a Liduct: tha onged™ to" a young raveher who “had erobetie bis Soa 2 ‘wife to the plate “about six” montis “before” They one Bo ‘Ww boy Biby, when “the ‘red-skins Wife: was ds DPAve A woman as eed ier saw, Her husband wes away that dayybut she ‘faced the Todians;"atid tol them that she would shoot thé first otie' who éntered the house, *-Stie “todd onthe porch if front of the hacienda with a revolver in ‘her hand’ “and® hef'biaek év es Oi! fire,* “Well, Dasher the most of enbes “Ped-ekibe® khew°that-'she would shoot, but their “Chief ui nidde'sport of her threat, and jumped” front his’ ay ee: | Twill be-heré w nthe porch. “He Bad ‘hardly struck the boats “dre en tek, rs me ue the head by the. Te pohens wit ar bloody res Gh, OF upon the ie ia halt d”o soaking ter, but not until she had.gotin three more boss shots. She was terribly mistreated, for when ou stir up an Apaché You" rouse a tiger. They Jerked the baby;rfrom;-his ;eradle, and at first ad a.notion to throw hip into the flames. of the hacienda; but they conclitded to take him to the tribe anid make a great white chief ‘of him, When they, went away ee by went along. “Thet’s what the RAP ACHES d years ago, One September day, ’m coming to it, They gave the Dey, A ei & squaw, who undertook to raise him. Onéeday.a,Texan war riding along a stream inthe Apache country, when he came across thrée little codgers playing in the water, One of them ‘was a white boy about three years old. , The. Texan was a pretty wild chap then, and took a fancy to the white boy, so he got down, picked him up and fode off. “That’s how the Apaches lost their future big chief, I guess ou begin to guéss who'that baby’ was, Dasher, ell, Captain Monte was the exan a9 too him from the hes. Acry féll from Dasher’s lips. “And I am the, rancher’s child!” he “ay: claimed... “I. have. often wondered how ‘you pea he Yaise me, Monte. You hayé told"me at las ‘A‘amild brighténed Monte’ * ‘edunt onance “« Mebbe T shouldn’t, have Rept it from. You 60 long,” he said. ‘And if Big Benson. badn’t “wane Aree sce . expat you ould pated have ea tel haye.told yé ‘9 ay wea” mi Me aboa ‘Bini, outs) inter. asoer, ourse, aoa want tog, to. Hith, How. e not, Monte’s child, bu he he bas ir dp oP bles he wouldve ti ted 8 £05. ound, you. ,paddlin the ites yer te Aittle, tnd ya Baa’ a chain arjubd your tieck, heh fr the reason, fhe red‘skins had né yer tak Be tra you, Attach d to, that, chain wash. lor Tye saved it for ot) Vester,” 5. Monte ‘ceased’ he’ ‘a frotn bis bosom, salt! packet ‘of soft buckskin, which he BRUNE tothe y. With Whey eras of arlosity, and eager fingers, Dasher ‘began’ ‘to. undo, the. i closely. watched | Mate, whose ¢ountenance beame with satisfact on; “All at Once Dasher uttered an ex; ‘ldmation of su rise, for be had brough t to light a delicate locket, attached’ toa. rilliant, chain 4s the. ne materi rs id M, bing him, “‘ Open it,” sa ‘ionte, watching The Stooped oyer. the candle and, \euyea for several moments'be gazed at-the Pine he had brought to view, and then exclaimed “How beatitifal she ‘was!’ You need not tell mé; Motite, that this is my mother’s portrait.’ FE kriow it!” ‘She was your soother, boy. You would have'fourd PM father long nig0, 4 if I"bad not béen 86 selfi f couldnt think of ‘giving you up. But you have met him often and he has never su “« What Thive ‘met my father? Tt cannot be, Monte!” ‘Ay, but’ you have,” ‘said’'the dying man. “ Das ér, my ruby, look into thy eyes and ‘tell’ me that you forgive ine for'keeping this’ sécret’ from yon so ‘at I can’t die with it'in' my — “ ook at onte, “Dasher, and’ ‘say somie- thing The dark- faced man at the crack saw Dasher berid over thé man reclining on the ¢ot,' “The faces of thée'twain almost touched. “T forgive you a thousand tires, Monter™ said’ Dasher in tones that did not escape Big, Beénson’s'eats. ‘“'I bave heén happy and” owe all my happiness to you.” ‘The arms Of Captain. Mofte' went around Dasher’s neck; they dréw: the boy'closé to him, ‘* Mebbe your f father will not for ive me, but since you have, I don’t care,” he ‘said.’ “Go to him, Dasher—go this: Mans night, afd place the lo¢keb in bishands, Tt will éstablish your idén-' tity,’ aid you'can tell him'wll’ that F Have said.” 1 will not leave you to-night,” s said Dasher. “T¢6 morrow— **No, tolght—not” !” was the interruption | “You have: yed thé in all“important' thi wes ou ‘comé back—-mebbe not right here in this s ror but [I'll be in Coyote.” Take my horse atid ‘yourfather, Godd-by, But ia WS Yt told’ me 4 Bae gaid'| tended it slowly, .”“) suddenl “4 Ffe | tore it from his grasp. the tS that Monte didnot “anid the” ‘man’ he has. jt, one name, nt. think tie tna | another, .Men call, “ig oe sprung, ree se r , ero my father Ses never qe of thin” » said, the mee ne * I expect, not,”, said. t, e ma . a otbbery. > Hemels is your, fi fab é é tb 5 lhe has brought up you. one ee sher, if not. more tha han that.” wd ator “seconds the eae a bewil- ered, .in, Monte’s .presence;, be..b the oper locket in his hand, A ye gaze ahtered from, Monte to it and back egain. “I will go!” he Ghiah, rousing himself,‘ lam anxious to meet my tat er, altho! bgh be will never be able to take, from. you,.Monte, one particle of my love. “You haye. been.,4, father, to meand when, you get well—” . Monte laughed in a manner that, broke Dash- er’s sentence, , ‘Tm not going to get’ well! Att the doctors ever ad, wir ae! in. T $ couldn’ ¥pa tech M et’s.80,” grate G Big Mopre ars at. the. crack, my they, war oP ‘d. pretty soon, undo their “st oO ther youngster knows bis fat erat wie 1 almays thought. be. warn’t, yerykid, Monte. ‘Thet’s right; send bim ter Romero pith ther locket,-but, mehie he!ll ngs git thar. e's. not likely ter while I’m, around.” - Five minutes, later, baying given ‘Monte a farewell grasp, and. hear. his, parting. words, Desher mete "fxom the cabin bent, ‘on the un- mission, . Sei aes aah tS yt tae asked Dimeelt a st audi tones..,.‘° An: t wi edly mben Pe aes Monte’s aki kept, secret; We passed on seeing not the crouching figure at, the foot, of the cabin, .por reaming, of the glittering eyes that followed him, cual ta tackle ye in a few, smatnaten, my, oy ITY." ¢; Mlaving watched Dasher out 9) ina 96 that, he mas goin after, Mon P ide Brazos. sen ganar t Sion of the jn and, watc im wit ium e knew that Monte, the eh +e tayen down in Coyote’s square, was, near his end; he could. see t ee death, spasms chase, One. another across. bis. fac md like at telly betyyeen. Dasher. an wouldn’t, be ‘policy, ui set ther. ter Pitta. tay ife; but he never shall. ; fer, my, lady—fer don’t, fear her lasso. by a string!” With a a farewell ‘glance, at: Monte,. who kad turned on the.cot,in his, depthns oni Benson, rose’and crept away. ly “ Ther you aa in’, back fer, another halting & fem ods from the ook,” he sa ak t t en oe ‘Thomen horse. came ont.of pe the, Heures abead. t wis Bers] leading onte’s favorite steed, Ai at.oncé the Bombshell leaped at. the boy and landed. ents. bim ere he was aware of, anybody’s presen avs me, ther. eel old Bombshell!” he said. “Tm byer on fkpriant, busip ess, Dasher. . I hev. aiteady fini Monte, ri ye. know it, I want thet locket under yer jacket,” . Dasber recoiled with. a sbarp ery, “and the desperado followed him up. , “Quick!” he said. “Give me thet locket er: take the contents ov this dropper.” Dasher was looking into. the, rane, o bie own revolver! “thet, I’m’ gain’. ter ste Ai fas but mebpe RI Zn eX the, exas, be k fer. Tye, seb : the Bal owe Henetahy, \prairy queen. . "ve never yet been looped es Of 2 a man: ‘and par es | « if CHAPTER “xIt “a a THE TRADE THAT FAILED. ~ ‘Bia Bexson had the youth ‘completely. at bis meércy, Dushér involuntarily dropped, P Tein he was holding in bis hand and stared’ - the., apa Giles tage, Sener +. “toa ei ie ' ape ‘It’s no time’ for in’, can nued @ Bombstiell.” “T want, th take yick!”,.., y Some was. a... qui fioger oward: the: pool meant business... it t res parti f | him oc 3 ames cee samt Jape, Tht. ek to li iT on The Tis rs : A iowa nee — <= too much $0 for, swooped down upon itdike,a , eee
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Big -Bénson. 11 if Now you ;can’txestablish ; owns lidentity,” jaw hed the villain. “Just g 0) Romero, and onte’s:;secret without ther-Jlocket terprove it pd he’t_ kick yer outiovs vther. haciendy. He'll take no Stock in.the:steryw? 07. eud* Whatds-your; motiva for. your. work # asked Dasher glaring madly at the lassoer. ‘“ Why have you wrenched thé prize from me?” “You'll Varn On@ ov these days. You ar’ a boy yet, a mere,coddlin’; not up to snuff an’ no match fer ther Brazos Bombsbell. What’ll I do with this.yer Jocket?,, Time wilh, tell.” ‘* You heard Monte’s story to-night!” of Wal, I:shouldreckon.” pita : You ‘played eavesdropper. a ‘* Mebbe so.” jasher drew: his well-built figure to ite true hight and cried: ©: ** We'll see who wins in the end. This is your triumph. . Mine will come!” : * Threats, eb?” blurted, Benson... ‘ ‘Mebbe Fa better press ther trigger.” “It may save you trouble:i in the future. Pas - But the desperate sport did not, fire; instead, the revolver dropped and he stepped aside; his big left hand having sbut onthe: jocket..: ‘* Don’t foller.a Texas,rattler, boy,” be saidy ‘It ar’ liable ter turn an’ strike,” and the fol- lowing moment; he was walking, off ‘with, the priza m bis possession, and her stood on. the spot like a;man-in a.trance. ('The Texas, eagle swooped and got. the- prize,” he suddenly. exclaimed, ‘1. would like to, know. what he wants.wita, the locket,. How can it benefit him? ,-how...assist.-him-~in any eme!? »J’l'see-Mente,...Hg may. know,” —— the.villain, to ant in, triuiw ph,,con-- Sant of winning in the en Dasher burried, to onte’s cabin, » The.narrow. door-stoed ajar just. as ‘hebad, left it.and a dim light pervaded.thetittle rogm. ikke ° or uth entered .on_.tip-toe,, for. silenee reign beyond the door. Phe.eot was, still .ocoupied bya, but its .unnatural Pasion spring forward. my on his.face. vdfonte lay: »Rearful- A promis rae the. soni turned, Monte ty bin ‘then ubtored an excla- ion, of horror. * ides he dread stare ‘in the lifeless eyes told.him, Captain:Monte was Pi take that bet; Big Benson.’ I have. re tis confidence: in.the. world.in that girls: Lraisedber. 1 taught -herto.shoot and to use the lasso; for what}—to keep the vow! she took beside her dy ing: mother.” Te ee of*Wal, Pi crisk sitrall. oMy bet tellssyp that, Ramere.) When:will we call ther:bet:decided?” “When :Rita’s: .rope » tightens \roulld -:your natin answered the rancber nm anaes teet t wo ‘No, whens ‘ches rides with: me byer an’cills mib.ber jentabdanantend nite wolbor he. ‘ersonts “T agree. «When she does thatthis ranch: is | youre: and Texas shall not’ hold Romevo another ay. ar * Sa Tes The rancher was ponte ved 4 byen coarse laugh which still disturbed the air while Big: so rode away. vee tenets se XS WCBS # wi “CHAPTER XE: a) . : t Jisseuntineys THE BOMBSHELL’S TRAM. hens Ac RARB fell: day was, closing: almost, a Week after the scenes recorded in the’ foregoing cha ,| ter when a horse bounded.into Coyote and. bait- ed in the tragio, square, » The, rider. was unmistekably “agin alibou h clad.in.-border .mesculine garnients, a rich buck+ skin ee salt jeggings of the-sene. mar: teria She wore a jaunty sombrero over which lay: a dark feather, andcher feet were junnaech in bead- ed Comanche moceasins, ats Need we name her now? ‘| Where is-Dasher?”’sbe asked the-single. man. mb0) came: forward; out, of euriosity. n’t:know,”, was tbe answer... ‘! He. went: away the night Monte: died, .an’ the. rest,oy; Ceyote went the next-day: ‘Tim espin’ house -| alone, doin’ the honors ov the c ity. “Whither have ber kon Shs “On, don’t you ner "The bald ‘the - bovoter somew bat. surpr ‘ Bom came byer an" exploded. Several of. tbe boys. war, killed. outright. an’ Cap'n ;Monte Jip a till nigh mornin’. Now you khow whar,th res all gone ter., The ar’ buntin'the Texas Dasber, [take it,: lookin. fer him pa bles = hook. Monte wara ‘father to thet bo ts the drop. on, ther “Bombshell 40k somethin’ at wTbe a i | ligtened-to all this, ith ir wv vary tions o her changing, countenance “Pm not afraid of Dasher ae ing is. ie abet the men of Coyote amit not fi he, phe mur- mured, “In‘which direction, did the, socupeny move?” she-asked:the man, r ‘ oward ‘the southeast,” “At: id- the trail lead in. that lreption ‘““Can’t say about thet. fate the , Procession: You! ve heard. pi. 7 tem ees tea et is AL {Thought oll, Texas. had. Bt. ay ih aig y forever.” . “ Will they “i Worae then . ators feag al Goyte they triedshiman ed o--penalty | ‘What was “phar ar. just ‘oigty inthe Co Coyote, wane, an’, ‘¢ tin ‘the’ | “eye a don’ saa i Bon nad he ‘< nit desarve peelin’, I. hin 00 hee
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12, ‘No; but those men mustn’t do that. It ewould kill him,” ‘' Wal, I should notice,” smiled the Coyoter, “* It’s a tryin’ process. How would you dispose bes oe l’s eye8 kled - The girl’s eye’ sparkled. ‘*Vd choke him with the lasso, as. he once choked the best man in Texas!” she said. ‘*Thet wouldn’t last. Big Benson don’t de- sarve to die thet easy, He bullied Coyote fer years, an’ then finished by shootin’ her best citi- wens, Lexpeoé you hate him, but I hope the Snag will get in their work before you find them, _ “They will not, though. Heaven is preserv- ing that man for my vengeance. I feel it!” A moment later the man was gazing after the ainex visitor, who was being carried from the town in a cloud of dust and amid the rattle of boofs, “Wal, she beats creation,” he exclaimed, “(She wants to choke the Bombshell, nothin’ more, She'd better steer cl’ar ov the boys, fer pon ,won't allow her to interfere with their unt,” Meanwhile, the girl—Rita, of course—had passed out of sight, and the solitary rdian of the border town retired to his cabin with his head full of the late visitor. “‘ He says they are going to flay Big Benson; they shall do nothing of the kind!” she exclaim- ed in determined tones. ‘I’m going to be in at the death, as I swore to be, nine years ago. I have made my second escape from Red Crest, who captured me when I was helpless on the Jain. Indian watchfulness could not keep me und. If my horse had not stumbled when my lasso was nivalis over Benson’s head, I. would not be here hunting him to-night.” The horse ridden by the girllassoer put a number of miles between ber and Coyote, while the stars came out and beautified the sky. All at once a stern commard to halt rung in her ears, and laying her hand instantly on a re- ‘volver, she drew rein and leaned forward. Rita Squads distinguished the figures of two mcunted men, who had emerged from beneath the boughs of a clump of trees in her front. “By Jove! it’s the girl what rode arter the Bombshell the. night he killed in Coyote!” ex- claimed one of the pair. “ Yes, lam Rita,” answered Romero’s ward, “(and who arc—” ** The Coyote Avengers.” ‘The girl uttered an exclamation of joy. ‘She had come up already with the men who were bunting Big Benson with a purpose in their bearts horrible enough to make one shudder. ant vengeance of bordermen is always terri- e **Are you all here?’ asked Rita, moving for- ward until her horse stood between the men’s steeds, ‘No, we’re divided. Thar ar’ two trails an’ tthey’re both fresh enough ter foller. Burly (Benson has been in these parts witbin the last twenty-four hours, an—” ‘*Where’s his trail” interrupted Rita, eager- ty. “* About a mile hack.” . “€ Will you show it to me?” ‘The yo exchanged swift glances before either spoke. “What bas set you ag’in’ the Bombshell so?” asked one. “ Bnough to forfeit bislife. Don’t.ask me for the story. | I would waste time telling it, Show me the Texan’s trail.” ‘““We won't do it. Be sek iy mali ligbted up th 1’ nstantly madness up the girl's eyes. * Where is your camp?” she aw: 5 “Whar we left it.” “© You will not guide me to it?” “No, nor show ye the trail!” “Very well,” and Rita bit her lips.. “ You men think to balk me by your refusal. You will fail. All Texas cannot keep me from find- ing Big Benson.” ‘Mebbe not, but ye’ll find him dead!” “Never! Look here; one of you men must show me the Bombshell’s trail, I select you,” and the girl leaned forward as her revolver went up. ‘‘ About face,’ as they say in the army!” she continued, ag addressing the startled Texan. “I am Rita the avenger. Nothing, I have sworn, shail balk me. You will excuse me for pressing you into my ser- ~vice. I want that trail. I want it now.” “It’s only one ov the two trai's, both fresh, the Bomtéhell bas made.” “T don't care. [ want it. Guide me to it.” You're not avenging “ What ef I sbould say bit z2 away?” _ “I would obey the command,” was the quick. Big Benson. response, ‘My oath knows no failure. I am penresee to shoot my way to the man I want, heel about and take me to the trail.” ‘‘Take her to it, Chris, She’s got the drop on ye an’, besides, thar’s shoot im her eye,” said the mepaced man’s companion, ‘The other gang is likely to find the Bombshell long afore thet gal kin git her work in. Take her to the trail. It’s the oldest ov the two, ye know, Play fair with her.” Thus advised, the ranger glanced at Rita and wheeled bis horse. ‘*Come on,” he said to her. ““Go ahead, I am at your heels.” With no further parley the man moved away, followed by Rita, who still retained ber hold on the revolver, and whose eyes watched her guide so narrowly that not a movement of his escaped her notice. More than two miles from the spot where she had encountered the two men, her guide halted and turned to her. His horse stood at the edge of the little stream, whose waters glistened in the soft star- light. It was so narrow that the twain could see to the other side. “We ar’ on the trail. He crossed hyer,” said the man. ‘ Do you know the hoof-print ov the Bombshell’s hoss?”’ “cc Yes.” “Then git down an’ look at the one in the round yonder, Don’t take my word ferit, I ie sometimes,” ’ Rita dismounted and approached the water, with a lighted match in her hands, More than once since the beginning of her hunt for Big Benson, she had examined the hoof-prints made by bis steed, so that she was familiar with the mark. . In the soft earth, sloping to the water, were numerous horse-tracks; but one in particular the imprint of a somewhat curious shoe, invited her gaze. For several moments she examined it in the light of the match. **You have not deceived me,” she said, look- ing up into the Texan’s face. ‘‘I bave found Benson’s trail at last. This time I will not leave it until my oath has been fulfilled.” The mounted ranger smiled incredulously. *Tt’s all owin’ to what the boys do,” he said, Rita sprung op. “The boys! They are to find Big Benson, are they?’ she demanded. ‘‘ He crossed this stream—I say for the last time. Tell your pard that when you go back to him.” She said no more, for she bad mounted her horse again, and the animal was clearing the waters of the Texas creek. Once on the other side, she sent a loud cheer back to the dark apparition on the bank just left, and the next moment she galloped away. Having found where Benson had crossed a certain stream, Rita seemed to know where to look for him. On, on, she went, until the approach of day found a weary horse moving slowly along the edge of a belt of timber, with a young girl al- most asleep in the saddle. See, she was aroused by the animal’s sudden halt, and when she unclosed her beavy lids she saw what bad startled her steed. Not more than fifty yards ahead sat six men on as many horses, They were rougbly dressed fellows. whose faces were like parchment in color, and, their heavy armament of rifle, revolver and bowie proclaimed their identity. Rita hesitated not; but rode forward, She was not molested although the eyes of each man scrutigug! her closely. “I know you; you are from Coyote,” she said, halting before the six. ‘“‘ Where is Big Benson’s trail?” “Nigher than you think, my love,” said one of the dark fellows. ~*‘ You ar’ at the end ov it. We've caught the Texas devil.” Ba loud exclamation of surprise broke from ta. ‘* Where is he, then?” “Just back ov the timber whar the boys ar’ sharpenin’ their knives, We voted fer bangin’. It isn’t honorable ter skin a man alive, though Big Benson desarves worse ner thet. We wouldn’t stay an’ see the process.” ‘* They shall not do it!” Several of the men burst into fits of laugh- r. “ They’ve got under way ere this,” said the spok+ sman. . ‘““Make way for me!” eae 9 - Rita urged her borse forward, but the animal was stopped by a bronze hand that clutched the beidhe-pube. | ‘“‘No, It’s no place for a girl,” said the ranger. * - : “Drop. that rein!” was the fldshing response, and the Texan recoiled from the revolver thrus into his face, and the next instant Romero’ og was shooting the wood like a thunder t. CHAPTER XIV. COYOTE WINS. Tue old localism that “‘whena Texan hunts amanthe man is found,” bad been proven in this case, While Rita was pushing down the trail dis- covered at the ford through the medium of thy forced guide, the very man for whose neck her lasso was always ready was riding slowly and centers over a nice stretch of wild pasture land, If he knew the citizens of Coyote .had’ de serted their cabins for the purpose of flaying him alive, he did not evince any fear as he moved along ata gentle gallop, bis horse’s hoofs sending forth no scund in the grass they pressed. “Til win my bet, yet,” he said aloud. “T wouldn’t be ther Brazos Bombshell ef I failed ter outwit a girl an’ beat Romero out ov bis ranch, T’ll take it, too, an’ makeit blosscm like arose inside ov six months. Red Crest ma take a notion ter swoop down upon it, but he'll not carry off a feather. Why on't | strikea trail ov some kind? . Hevn’t seen one fer forty= eight bours. I must be nigh Moredo’s cree Ha! thar is the water now.” The clear starlit waters of the little stream reached by the Brazos Bombshell were wel- comed by bis steed which drank eagerly and for many momenta, Not until he had thoroughly quenched bis thirst did he move on, and Big Benson started him into a smart gallop after emerging from the water. ‘‘Hello! somethbin’s ahead!” suddenly ex- claimed the Texas outlaw. ‘‘The boss sniffs somethin’, What is it, parc?” The interrogative had scarcely been put ere ped out his two revolvers attitude. re assailed his the human wolf whi and leaned forward in a listenin All at once a long line of vision. ‘Curse the man what struck thet match!” he grated, knowing well that the grass of the plain was burning afar in his front. ‘‘ The Co- manches are out on another raid an’ what they can’t carry off they burn,” Larger grew the flame as Big Benson watched it from the back of bis horse, and his eyes flash- ed with resentment as he looked. His practiced eye told bim that the fire was sweeping toward him, although at that time it was yet at least four miles off. A stiff breeze, enough to drive the flames for ward with great rapidity, blew against bis face, stirred his long black hair, and lifted the brim of his sombrero. “The fire never caught me yet,” he laughed, “This boss kin outrun any plain fire thet ever lit the cy! We'll let it get a little nigher, pard, an’ then give it a tussle.” Straightening in his saddle, Benson watched the approaching fire with much interest. It was near enough to enable him to see the tongues of flame that leaped heavenward, and to hear the roar that went before it like cannon thundering against the wind. The sight was terribly grand even to the Texas Outlaw who had seen it before. His own hands bad fired the grass a score of times, and more than once he bad put a wall of flame between himself and pursuing foes. The Bombshell’s borse did not long shere his master’s composure; he began to grow restless as the roaring flames advanced, eating up the grass and sending’ volumes of dark smoke toward the sky. “Don’t get fretful. I know, yer powers,” said Benson in a quieting strain as he patted the steed’s arched neck. ‘We'll be off in a minute. By heavens! thar’s a blaze behind us!’ , This discovery enough to pale the cheek of even a Texan seemed to stagger the bronze las- soer, Behind him was aline of fire similar to the one sweeping down in bis front, but it was not so near as the last mentioned and did not seem so dangerous. After a short study of the second fire Big Benson wheeled bis horse and rode toward it. It was a perfect wall of flame too formidable to be charged with safety, and after a short in- spection of it be turned and rode back again. There was now on the de+perado’s face an: v 7
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ssion of fierce determination, a resolve to outwit the fire or perish in the attempt. *, The fire first discovered bad been changed by he fickle wind into a sort of crescent, the %dérns of which were on his right and his left, “nd be seemed to be actually between them. In almost less time than we have described Big Benson's situation, he seemed to be a doomed man. ‘ The two fires would soon unite, for the one in his front sweeping down with the wind was roaring like a thousand ocean surges, and the heat of it had reached his face. “Once in ther Pecos keutry we rode through esfire like thet,” he exclaimed. ‘‘ You’re ther hoss what did thet trick, pard; you must do it ag’in.” SThé’magnificént full-blood. seemed to under- ombshell, and to gather strength for stand the the ordeal]. baebe, if escape were now possible, lay abead, The fleetest horse in Texas could not outrun the flames, and no man knew that better than _ Burly Benson himself. He had long since put up his revolvers; they could not fight fire successfally. relied on his horse; if he failed, then all was lost. Here and there for a moment appeared rifts in the flery plalanx and beyond lay the dark plain covered with burned grass and very hot to the touch, Benson watched these places, narrowly measured their breadth with his keen eyes, and calculated his chances. Then be took his long hair, gathered it to- gether, brought it around under his chin, and tied it there, lest in — through the fiery lane it should get caught by the red tempest and be destroyed. _ ‘Ready now, horse,” he said. ‘ Remember that you carry the Brazos Bombshell who hez bet a woman’s picter ag‘in the best ranch in Texas, Thar’s one ov them lanes ag’in. Shoot it straight! ' Go!” The command was followed: by a yell .that rose above the roar of wind and flame, and the horse shot forward like an Indian arrow, Benson fell forward on the steed’s neck along which he put one of his arms and préssed the ee mane close to keep it from catching in the re, { The horse knew or seemed to know exactly what was expected of him. ; -He bent himself to the accomplishment of the. terrible task with a zeal that commandéd suc- cess. A moment after bis start he reached the mouth of the fire-walled lane which the hunted ruffian had selected for the attempt at escape. The next instant horse and rider disappeared. With teeth hard shut and determined visage the Brazos Bombshell plunged into the fire and clung to the horse to whom he had intrusted his life. The heat was intolerable; he felt it on his cheeks; it seemed to shrivel his hand; the steed’s mane, despite bis precautions took fire! ' This minute of peril, terror and borror which followed the hunted desperado’s lunge cannot be described because the pen and brain cannot do it justice, If the reader bad stood beyond the fire on the blackened ground, he would have seen a horse emerge from the seething flames with a blazing: mane whicha man was trying to beat out. Thanks to Benson’s precaution, he bad saved his own long locks, but his sombrero had dis- appeared and his clothes were badly singed. ‘ne steed’s exertions bors him some distazice beyond the fire, then a halt was made anda quiver, felt by the Texas tiger, passed through the horse’s frame. ; His own brain seemed in a whirPand no won- der; the heat through which he had passed was enough to burst his skull. i © nit, by Heaven!” rose from his throat. . Hurrah fer ther Brazos Bombshell an’ ther best piece ov hoss meat in Texas! [ always come out on top; I never fail! Ive been in hot places, but never in one ez hot ez thet one back thar, Kerwhoop! kerwhoo! I could whip the world!” ; ' The last st was finished as his faithful horse staggered forward, and “the next moment pitched headlong as though his front legs had given way. : . Benson freed himself from the saddle ere the exhausted and dying creature struck the 1 the ‘blackened grass around him. : ¢ _Big Benson. All at once down he went, to.rise again cnly to fall back with a mad oath, Suddenly the gallop of approaching horses reached his ears, and then the voices of men— white men, ‘“My God! ther men oy Coyote!” cried Big Benson. ‘*Don’t I know now who sot ther grass afire? They want me for what I did at Coyote the other night. They would make me lose my bet with Romero,” He forced himself toward his horse, where his revolvers had fallen from his belt. The tigerish glare in his eyes told how he would receive the horsemen almost at hand, With a wild cry he snatched up the weapons and whirled upon his hunters. f The next second they bounded into view sixteen stalwart Texans on horses that matche them well. ‘‘T am hyer! Ther Brazos Bombshell expledes ag’in.to yer cost, men ov Coyote!” The speaker’s blistered hands thrust the revolvers forward, and the fo foremost Texans reeled almost simultaneously from their saddles, But the deadly weapons did not check the mad Coyoters, who recognized Benson with a yell of delight. They came on, and despite his mad resist- ance, rode him down to come back presently and pick him up a helpless captive. Coy ote -had won, CHAPTER XV. DASHER’S REVOLVERS. O :cE more we go back to the shanty among the trees that once almost hid the finest hacienda in Texas—Romero’s, While Benson was fighting fire, and Rita hurrying along bis trail, there stood in front of the uncouth structure the old rancher himself, with eyes gazing longingly toward the north as though from that point of the compass he expected his beautiful ward. ‘Benson will lose his bet—I know it!” he exclaimed. ‘‘He will never ride beside Rita to my ranch, and she will never willingly tell me that she loves bim. That would be too much. What! Rita the wife of the man she hassworn to hunt toearth? Never! Heaven has no such misery be store for.Romero,.” - ; Bebind the rancher lay the blackened ruins of his hacienda, and more than once he had promised himself to erect another that would outshine the old place, but not till Rita came back to lay the fatal lasso at his feet, and tell him that the terror of the Texas border was no more. All at once from out the darkness that rose like a wall of night before him, came a horse that stopped at the door of the shanty. Romero sprung forward with a cry of joy. , ‘Dasher! thank fortune!” he exclaimed, . ‘I have been waiting for some one, You have come. I am glad.’ The youth leaned down and gazed searching-° ly into Romero’s face, It was such a look as he had never given him before, ‘‘ Where is Monte?” asked the rancher. “ Dead, ” Tne answer seemed to stagger Romero. "Not dead? Then—” He checked himself and clutched the boy’s arm. ‘ Didhe tell you anything before he died?” if ** Yes,” ‘Get down and tell me all.” Dasher hardly waited for these words. He ;was on the ground -before they left the ranelier's lips. ; ‘He told me a secret he had kept for the boy went on. ‘ He gave me proof o he said but that proof,alas! I have lost.” ‘Was it a locket?” « Before Dasher could reply a number of ar- rows cut the air and the rancher threw up bis hands with a cry and fell across the threshold of his little shanty. ‘“‘Indians!” ejaculated Dasher, turning to- ward the point from whence the feathered shafts had come. ‘' You do not know who you eres _ have slain, réd devils; but I will show you. He saw nothing for a moment, but suddenly the air suvoutded: with the wildest yells, and a score of naked figures leaped from the grass in bis front and rushed forward. Dasher had already drawn a pair of revolv: a now poured their contents into the unexpected reception an red-| Stunned where shine ape looked for an er en the to recoil, r takin ig a of momentary terror the el open VP 13 ws intarthe shanty and drew Romero’s body further side. ‘ ‘Tell me that you live, Romero—father!” he said stooping over the rancher, There was no reply. ‘Woe to the Comanches if they have killed you!” he flashed rising and leaping to the door revolvers in band. ‘Since I bave found my father, I shall avenge him, or die by his side.” Dasher looked out upon the starlit plain in front of the building, and saw only the motion- less forms of the Indians who had fallen) before: his weapons; their living comrades had gone back to the shelter of the grass through which they had sneaked upon the twain, ut he knew they had not given up the con- test, and while he stood at the door, burning, for them to renew the combat, he expected to pear re. whiz of an arrow or the ping of & v1let. : ; He listened, too, for a groan from the mam bebind, for a gasp that would tell him that Ro- mero still lived; but he listened invain. At the end of five minutes there came a voice from the waving grass. “The Comanches are many. Red Crest lead» them. Will the white boy try to hold out against them?’ *, “Yes,” was the quick response. ‘‘ Red the Comanches Crest, there can be no peace between us.” and the Texas Rose, She is in the pansher's “White boy stands between but; she has escaped trom Red Crest the secon time. Give her up and the Comanche will go back to his lodge.” A smile flitted across Dasher’s face. ‘‘ Rita has escaped from. him again. Thank Heaven for that good news!” he exclaimed. ‘“‘Now I can fight these red devils with better muscle than ever, They think Rita is here; L, will not undeceive them, Since they have pee Romero, I want the blood of every, one He went back to the rancher and snatched his) revolvers from his belt; then he returned to the door, with twenty-four loaded chambers for the skulkers in the grass. nor} 0948 “What does the white boy say? Red Crest. is like the wild horse, He wants to be to his: gncgia Give him the Texas Rose, and he w 0,’ . . ** You go without ber, or here forever,” said Dasher, fearlessly, “ Crest and his Comanches are cowards. They stay hid in the grass, ,jike snakes, They dare not lift their ea : “ Boy find out soon. Him no give Texas Rose P ‘** Once forever, no!” A minute’s silence followed this i ultimatum, then the air was pierced by a blood- chilling whoop. val dosal ‘‘ Pve stirred them up,” said the boy, to him- ong wae ~y enon bh - = 20 @ next instan a dozen figures up from the grass, and half of them at least fell back again at three shots that seemed to have been fired at the same moment, rary “You have only to come on to find out that there is Romero blood in my veins!” the boyy exclaimed, defiantly, as he poured his ly: fire into the Comanche ranks, ‘‘ Monte ht me how to shoot. I practiced on Indians u his eye, and I guess | remember the old lessons. Comeon, miserable red skunks. I’ve gota bullet: for each one of you.” ) To charge successfully in the face of such a terrible fire as the youth was delivering was next to an impossibility. : Dasher’s revolvers spoke with a continual flash which threw a weird light upon his face- revealing his determined eyes and close-shut lips. F } One of the Indians fell almost at his very feet, but they got no nearer, Dasher prepped back into the cabin without. seeing a single Comanche in arms before bim, There came no parley from the grass, no yells. of defiance. ’ He knew he had not killed all for he had seen: so "e retreat unhurt. f The boy reloaded his revolvers and waited for the third onslaught, but it did not come. More than an hour passed away. a7 : At. last he saw one of the dead bodies recede as though it was being dragged away by some: person behind it. ’ Lay * Got apenge of it, have you?” murmured’ Dasher. ‘‘ Well, depart in peace if you will and keep your distance hereebece: I'm inclined See te spa of te fallen wre ne by one corpses of the fallen : through the S oe Jan Pree ee ad wok moleet the Comanches in thiss ‘ee
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14 Big’ Benson. work) but permitted them to reclaim’ their dead, and saw the victims of his revolvers takén away. A ter several ‘bears of ‘sleepless vigil at ‘the door, the boy from Coyote ‘¢rept back’ to the spot: where hé’had left Romero. a ie his surprise he did not find the rancher What had become of him?! * ' A'search of’ the shatity féatantly- took place and in one corner Dasher’s hand came in con- tact with @ human face. Alow'ery followed the touéh: rea “M Alive? cried ‘the youth Joyously, anid for- getful of the red-skinned ‘foes that’ might lurk fi the grass ie’ threw himself upon the persort he bad discovered. » “P-don’t want-the proof you have lost?” erled Romeré‘as bis cone éniéiroled’ Dashér;'“' You mo told me enou h of Monte’s secret, I usw who you die—imy' bi Whet an Fin om for’ Comnstichs” ven: genvce that’ nioment presentéd | xt Draw this‘aceursed Arrow out of my bosdm Chester,” said Romero; “tid wé Will see’ that Benson? ‘Hoses his’ ‘bet We will: help “Rita lbher oath. 7) 07 Shiiy ats L The beautiful queen ot the lasso: needed’ ho Seen t that very"itisntenty, while chire wild rafolo- ingi Romero's Shanty she” was “angpiling | the BLweae Jong: henge tor the tagye pots : SLOT Of 4 DAS AL OER. art |= en nee AT xv sas dee THE EAST THROW OF: BER LiABSOL 3. UussNOw thet: you've got ther -Brakds”’ Bomb- shellji what at yé gin’ toro with ‘im? 2" “ost ata ye © Brads? Don't think we or’ ’ ter‘let-ydislip through ‘our fingers, ob” vs, ye exactly” Buy" ow ‘eoured; you'll gure. chanee.”a0 in | * von, ther kind Monte got trom ye: at SMM ern win ewona ti ‘o'this dant resporise! there: was 16 wane Phe’ Brakes Bombstiell was the prisoner ofthe men from Coyote, the statwartA vengers Of the Texas border, ‘and”’men fronr whonr’ head | no reasin to expeetiany mercy”: Weihave seen: fall fico their hawiéts after oe peaiie Sx which oat very nian Up | had ~ started “forthe te) r ng up” he wis neér at fest.’ ’Their ‘efforts’ had’ been! crowned with: the test! sucedss "desirable; the Bombshell ‘had allen into their hands. ‘The eatnp of the \Coyoters was hear a belt of timber, and there they intended to inflict on their captive a pusicksent the tnere mention of which makes one He had infested “the border long enough ho had bullied Coyote once too often.‘ Phe ‘cowards Of the ‘Téxastown” had ninited against him; he had stirred )their blodd/at last vAfter the brief conversation récordéd' at the pos sey ee ‘Cheniscives, prepared & ws” the yotes called’ theniselves, prepar ‘torpatwa end to the Bombshell’s' career)" « WA) fewsof them had voted for sans but the majority decided in favor of that’terrible tor: ture'which we'eall flaying alive,» (Several of those who had’ declared ‘for hang ing denounved the sentence inhuman) and, rather than’ witness: the: puntehmenty mounted’ theig horses and rodé off. “Git ready, Brazos,” ordered the leader of the bronze executioners. i) mi alwa’ ays ready. ‘When did ther Bomb- shell shrink? Tbey:stood around him with knives * tevin and. with « wevolvers cocked in their’ leathera He had been taken from the run sat placed on ‘the: ground; and the looks’ that he ‘fixed on the A ie fe were full of defiance.’ : i: suddenly said one of the men, *‘ Somebody’s comin’.” “ Comin’-through the timber, too: Mebbe the boys ar’ comin’ back?” No, it: was not.‘ the boys” as was’ soon ' ‘dis. covered for all at once a horse and his’ rider emerged from: the wood, and’ the next moment the astonished Coyoters were. say : ae wT héfire had’ sitiged ' hin torr its, all: ‘but his long'blaok hairy-but his step was'e axtié awit he expected to achieve “another “ge ie over: “the men ‘frony Cdyoter’" | . watched: hiny with pe eagerness. that made her’ ayes glitter: JNotone movement of-his cconpidd ben, “All at once,’ when near ‘the horses, Big Bausol leaped forward’ with an exclansation of’ joy: ne Coyoters saw bimspring upon the”back i the besttiorse inthe group; and as‘a shout ‘of age burst‘fronithe owner of ‘the steed): a pores ing yell rose from the desperado’s lips. - | We'll meet ag’in’) thanks’ to the gal! m he'ex: claimed, be upon:the Coyoters ‘for a mo- ment)’ “Pin still the Brazos’ Bombshell!’ Vib live ter explode more than once in Copaters Mer of Texas; 'border'bums!” ne © “Thon he wheeled the horse; amoble black, and while the Coyoters. heard with clinched teeth; he wént off like & rockety his last: mad yell iof defianee' ringing in: theirears. sys. “SThet beats “thunder!” gratedthe »men left: pris i moans an lbauseoe | He shall not lawayyePhe has a ties “You ride behind me, then!” cried the girl; avd ati iastantlater she bad put up'the:revol- ver and was flying after Benson, her hand on the blacklasso’voiled against her: Saddle: ‘‘T gave bim a chance for his life,” she said aloud, as she urged her ‘horse after her enety flying across the burnt’ plain ‘at the best speed his steed was Capable of making.) . “If I miss him to-day, may the Spirit of my'sainted mo: ther turn from me forever!” From the first ‘it. was a wild sexeiting race for life, > \ Unarmed: as be was, Big. Burly: Benson, the man of many crimes, had to depend upon the horsée’Ke’had selected from: ‘those ‘belonging to the Covoters. The first mile'told him that he had made a good choice, for the steed possessed excellent bottom, atid see to realize ‘that be~ peerage ng a man from his bitterest foe. ) BatRita’s borse’bore her nobly on. & She watched the big ruffian with unwearied look, and her eager eyes constantly measured the space between them, » ” The ‘horses,’ whose feet svarcely. seemed ‘to SS the “ground they moved: onter, were: alx tially matched, razos Bombshell held an advantage by doen start he had obtained “Tl git away this’ time av’ tam on. thaPexas daisy’ by an” by,” he murmared;: :“* Pll win: my bet: with Romero ‘after all, thoughvaffairs did: pt a Lge look just afore the gal a timbers»;Come :on, my» “perair pint he sent»:back-over bis'shonider, A When ‘noose ther Bom bsbell o Brazosthar'll befun TeonasMicy sit cures TOM: Wes 7a Rita ‘made bo response, but her eyes seemed to receivé a new glitter as she kept‘on. ’ Atlength there was a perceptible lessening of the distance: betwéen the two. Romero's’ ward bad urged her steed to” his very utmost, and thy lasso bung no longer from its accustomed place; but the coil dangled from the irl’s white hand, bave him now, or never!” she suddenly exclaimed as she arose’! and began to swing she black ‘noose above her head, The two horses were doing'their level best. All at once the lasso left: Rita’sshand, anda wild“@ry rose’ from Big Benson’s throat'as the avenging lariat fell overchis head; and the:next moment ‘he .was. jerked: from: the horse ‘which went on without him! “OA last! eried Rita, |‘! Mother, rall the ene ‘aveniged.s: The’ black lasso seh us all!” She wheeled her horse with w practiced hand, and rode back toward the Coy ere campos “She: looked! wot sones’ behind: she'knéw who was being dragged'over Gebenne grass at her horse’s heels. There’ was ‘mad triutpls: stu her eyes, ' and whonshe drew rein \it-was to find Herself: sur- rounded by’ alot of rig onan A Whew: ‘looks were questions. i" “th caught him!” shot wat: teienty? facing them ‘all, -“Moenvof Coyote, ‘the Brazos"Bomb« shell was doomed to this nine CaN: My fatter isaveuged!” ifDPhe Coyoters: stared at oe as she rode-off, and not a hand was put forth to best her progress: } ead! qaoy ai don She's briek id ssaddenly Mipbataied one} “-Whertshé told us that-Big*Benson belonged to = Tsaw *y ‘her eyes thet: aye new = a %« _ reese iy on rere er me A “few . houre: afterword »% ‘tunaloet ‘gin stopped” a ‘horse’ in — ot a little tegionon: among some: trees): ‘*Back at last!” psc a ai “thé fine-looking man who came out’to greet her, 10 ** Yes, Romero;'I am back, * The ‘schoolin under your eye: did. notefail tae” wind rt. lasso fell at the rancher’s feet." »Butthat'was:not'all: “os ‘Rita placed in Roubetichedibenione: _ sakes which was quickly opened, and the — face therein covered with: Irises; ri ‘* Big Benson lost hisbety) I anew he would? exdlaimed torre nana wit be tere presently.’ ; thes And eter came. »He led Rita 'to one ‘side, and talked: low for a few nioments, —— ‘saw the girl blush; he ‘knew what as" said, « “7he ‘oath: bed been fulfilled, ‘and Rita was at liberty to'think of lovey Jor “Did she'do sot asks tuetreuter:" i i We answer by sa ing | ae whats the old rancl had stood’ anot &# finer bacienda rose;and the first event that A lace within its walls was a weddingito which ‘all Western Texas Gotute ‘tucluding: pean veutire ‘population’ -of leeds ‘Crest, the young: way chiet” of the Co- manches, molested the border no moré, for he was dm thoso'who fell" before’ Dasber’s re- volvers in bis spirited defense of bis wounded father. : Romero’s: ranch is no-longer cattleless, but bondreds of T.- xan ‘steers dot its broad ures, and the full-bloods'seour its plains with all the abandon:of wild life, And Rita; a little older “but fairer than ever, has:not forgotten how to cast a lariat. ' Bo'they say. THE ‘END. Cy : i J ‘Sunnyside. Library. PDLauia Rooiktr By Thomas Moore Beco mesa e ¢ Dox. Juan, By Lord Byron. «.... + Pyare - ane. BDC 8 Panavise Lost. By John ‘Milton. oe eeepc 10e 4 Tie Lapy. or THE LAKE. By Sir Walter Scott. avddg Si\Lvcux. By Owen Meredith .;) ; RGernks Se PRATT ag BE posi 00 “For, sale by, all newadealers, or sent, postage paid on receipbot twelvé vette for single ntitibers, ‘double VICTOR.AND mtr At prin fyAE Kas FY {113 ¢ numbers twenty tour.centa, SDAMEL V CO., 98 William sttéetj-Wew Work, 9 9) deren
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Bull... From Boy- hood to Manhood. ... Deeds o Da and Roman- tic tie Inciognte 3 § in the, early A of William F..Cody. 1 Adventures of. Bufmle 2 lly Oceam, Png a pela ure, Vy Ca tain ee An rire Large numb mbar: ne 3 Advéntures of Wild ic en ABE. Pistol Prince, ** Reiiarkablé’ Career of J. B. Hikok, (known to theworld ‘as “‘ Wild Bill,” ee giving tn the “oft his eaventahes — m, 4 fe Prairie Ranch’ Herders,»:By Joseph Ey Badger;-Jr. 5 Texas Jack, the Mustang Kin in Adventuresin-the Lifeof J. me hee one exas Jack.” »By.Col,-Prentissingraham 6 Oruise of the ‘Piyawas pani} wankev Boys Chase_of Bomenge. of Hy, The, yet or, “The Young’ Catto in Ceylon... By Gv Dunning A om 7 Rovin oe: suslanen _—" ron * Bor- | der at ts Brief Scenes frénvttie ’ ite" of Joseph E. BadgeryJdr. By Av HiPosti«ru 8 The Flyaway’ Affoat; ° or*¥ankeo" Boys | "Round ths World: nBy ©: Dovning: @lark. « x 9 Bruin Adams, Old Grizzly’“Adam® Moy. Bards-By Col. Brontiseingtaham, |" 10 The me ih ve i or, ae, ‘Boy Hunters of | FurLand.:By Ty arbau, weve 11 Old Grizzly Gna ite: Bear rath srs or,-‘Fhe:. Monarch ‘the Mountain?” By Dr. | Frank Powel » Lox mwnend: te 12 Woods: and:wWaters4 ory The Hk oits or the Littletom@um Club. » By Capt. F, Whittaker. 13 Ae gn ent pase Ieee in'the'Caréér on Sea. and. Land‘as Boy and Prentiss,ingraham. By.brof? Wm. Ri Kysters 14 Adrift). on--the Prairie; and Anilitet® | Hunters on the. Butfalo Bangs’ ‘By OW Coomes. ypeyoit prion 2 fei, alts 400 15 Kit Carson, King of the Gulden 5” or Mountains dRaths and: rairie pamnerns Spite ep las raat +i nx 16.Med River Rovers; or ‘Life.and- Advert: tures in the Northwest. ~By C,, Dunning, Olarky% 17 Plaza and. ‘Pinin it} ted Wild Adventures 6f * Buckskin hy De ajor Sam: 8. ope ‘By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham... ..:.. 18 Rifle and -Revolver},.or, The Littleton un Club on the, Buffalo, mange: By Captain erick Whittaker. ., “ 19 ar ide-Anyane George, The Boy “Pioneer; ural ti th aBactnpeda te By c . “ ie hing SA, Chen tro or, The aaah Peet ster ra Aloe ahh 21 Deadwood ° sa EA WE 22 pod fh the Watch-D ‘of 23 Paul De ord Ww Fone, Py wetteh or ‘siberia; ssi. x Gite C. Harbi ag a ab rt fri B. A Char “Spor nine A Ca. , re “ 24 Wing. sword Prince: The Romantic Life ° ° ope ampion-& arms.) By. ( Beain Proderick We Whittaker. rr 25 Round the Camp Fire’ or, Siow Bouiia at ‘\Freeze-out Camp.’ By Jos. hy Badger, J Snow4Shoe’ Tom or, New York’ = the Wilderness?*"A Rndeative Has Sport : Bar ; dt Maine. By T’C. H low Hair tet rm Chier of th mi? 1 tad ‘The Adventurous Career of Eddie “Burgess of Nebraska. By Colonol Prentiss In- graham... 28 The ‘Chisé of the Great waits and Camp and Canoe, By Clark. ‘The ortune-Htunters or, Roving Joo oY as Miner, ne ae: and Bunter By ‘Stag Dinning w140Gr | aaa Ferguson's Cruise, A Tite of the a Antarctic Seas. By GC: Dunning’ Clark. The Bo printer oF How age and. ee Fool saver a Kin By'Ca fred’ Whittak ker, 32 White Weaver ai ad Medicine Chief; ehd- Adventurous mantic Life ot be. Frank Powell. By Col, aera os Sataty Balti ts Fea By Clarks: ty Jefe Gy «rt nant Ge paosrt tne aol Man of @dlonél | ! | | | / eee See bnesver Bear Hunters.) ‘A.Story. of Mishaps. of.a Party of of, Northern, Michigan, By Moura Redwing, 35 The o Whalers {n.the Shadow _ of the prtinBo 4 By. T., C, Br 36 i: t. Sim, the Lad with a. Sait Head. ward Willett. 37 aid ‘Tar, Knuckle and His Boy Chums; oF, The Monstens of. the weiner Border, By Roger Starbuck, 34 ‘The Cougs the Papen the Wilds 38, wn e. Settlers Sonj.0 or, Adventures in the iderness.and Clearing... By, E rr in Ellis, ; 39 at Hawk Georg: 3 and, Advent t ds, oft: veoh oe West, y. Col Prentias fei ae da.phehes 6 Elep ant; a wot ° eons y Capt. Fred 1h ane . 41 The, ae Hunters, QP New ‘York Boys in, Buenos Ayres, . By 7.0, Harbaugh. 42 The Young, yeh Ae eae or. a nar Porter's Vivst,Cruise, By..C, Durninntilan | 43 Bronco Billy, the. Saddle Princes. By Oo Prentiss Ingraham, ,; nw / wiagerne A 44 The Snow, Hunters; .on, Winter’ in the Weods., By Barry De Fovest etd sent rien | 45 Jack, Marry:end Pomy.-Thes Thee Chemanion aes the Tattooed Pirate rof.Three raya 3 attooed Pirate... By Capt. Freder ck Whittake secre nar — 46. Th»r.,Condar, Killerg ony. Wald: Adwentueus at the Kquator,, By T..C, Harbaughs odeowr © 47 The..Boy .Corale Fishers §:;or:The! Sea- Cavern pcourge. .By Roger Starhueksy wor + 48 Dick, the Stoavaaway 3 .orA Yankee Boys St Tange Cruisex By ChamendMortion Fi 49 Lim ‘Dresse Hy the Floatery or; Bértines and Misfortunes,.on abe placemat ly Edwerd Willett... 50-Rhe - Adventurous Life or Nebraska Charlie, (Gharles.£ ivetes ena — ‘@olonel Prentiss,Ingraham, , 51 The €elorado Boysy or; “Lifer on an indigo Plantation,;..By Joseph.E. Badger dress! 52 homens Harry; or, The Country Bow Aarist in the Gity... By. Charles Morrisy:f1)) os 53 The Bey ae ab ah he BE The Young Calll- fornians in Shanghai Harbaugh. 54 California’ Joey The Mysteridtis Pinibimas. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ate 55 Marry Somers,” Tho 'Bailor-Boy Magicilin. By’S. W. Pearce. ; 56 td gg Boys; or, Life Among the" sett offman. ¥ 57 The Mohagerte Hurité nny bart, P yeh 8 Quest By Major renville 58 Uithie Timy thé Mule Bog of the’ ieee Among” the Black Dianiorids, ” 59 Lwa’ Listtipels the’ Yo ‘caw r h By Roger'S tarbuck 4 ay " tk 60°fhe Young Tratl Han York Boys in Grizzly Land. ’ By neta harass 61 The Young iuviatningairas By C.D. 62 The Tiger Higntoras or, The Golo: Nii in. Tiger-Land. | By, Joseph EF. Badger. Jt,.0 « 63 The Adventurous Life of .Captain Ta k, the Border Boy. .. (John s Crawtordy he Poet Scout.) By Col, Prentiss In APA 64 The Young Moone Trunpered oh Oy! and Camp-fire in the New Brunswi Wm. H. Manning. ¥ 65 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrec er: OF Two Brave Boys to to the Rescue, By Roge Starbuck. 66 Little Dan Rock aroha d The Mountain Kid's Mission. By Morris 67 9Longshore Lije3 or, How a Rough Boy Won His Way. By C, Dunni 68 Fiathoat Bree? or, Te Worse ty the ‘ Ex- periment.” Edward Will 69 The Deck-Huntere; or. “ite in the. Ottawa Country. By John J. Marsha 70 Kentneky Ben, the Tong Ri ofthe Ma Plains; or,.The Boy Trappers.of y. Bower ‘Starbuck. 71 The Boy Wilts or, or, The ‘Island Wreckers By Col. Prentiss, 72 Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W,, Aiken, igs: a aris 73 Pat Mullonarte pment 3..0n, Silver “PRRRUC: the Panstah Queen , By C,.L. Edwards, 74 Desert Rover}... Stowaway ‘Dick Among the Arabs,. By,, » Morris 76 The Border Pret ne a8 or, The Maiden." By Jataes La: CUR The Hanted nge Bowen.» revel a Dae 1 est rerowk coetent chien EL rave oni SB . 46 The Kit’ ‘Carson cla; or Young wi. eyes in the Northwest. By eae 17 panes Pete, the ‘Doubbeteptee By Jos. E. r, Jt. 78 The Boy “~: tor; or, Ray Scout ‘of the Gold Ravine, + Roger Starbutk 79 Minonee, Pi wood Witeh; or; ‘the Squatter's Secret. By Edwin myer, 80 The Ho rg an oe and Jap’s hoe as 5 1 om ap Big ward Willett st ‘thew rder Rovers of Los Lost on the Over- By J: Milton 82° ‘Alaska, the Wolk, Queens ox, = dear 83 THE VY Nini ee rine Recslnae Ee hocles A kunt 84 bay soe Hee on; me Youre Tur ‘tyntehs, 85 righting ware Hasta av, Grizzly Camp... .By ah rag Cu rs of 86 Dr. Carvers the ‘eo set of\th the W. BH rat 87, Rut At beat re and Hue Bears Ry: Gopit. “Bruin” Adams, + yuttitoat oF 88 ‘Pony, the ‘Cowboy. Hy Major W. 2, Bio ard, “oh ca fat 89 Gaspar, the Gaucho; ‘or, i . Pampas... By Gaptain Mayne Reith’. ber An Petra barye Number ety? vs at 90 Texas Charlie, the Boy: sacapeet By, Co Prentiss Ingrahani, ” oe 91 Moscow to Siberiwy or; A x oto the Rescue,..By Charles Mo rian Fee Boy 92. Boon’, the, Bitter; Ot, thd! Backwoods Brothers, : By Capt» Frederick Whittaker). -° 93 Oregon “Josh,..the the Wizard” : on, (The Young Trapper Charnplon. ‘By, Roger ‘ta buck. winitey 94 Christian. Jim, the’ “tite ‘Man's Friend By Edward 8. Ellis. “ 96 Plucky Joe, the Boy- ‘Avenger ar J M. Hoffiian. 96 Roving Rifle, Custer Little Scout ‘By ne Ce Harbaugh., f 97 Hurricane Kit ite. o1a Taghting on the Rampage. By ‘AF. Holt.’ * 98 Sam..Spence, the Broadhorn mop c By Ed. Willett," 99 Little Buck, the Boy' Guides or, The’ ‘Gold “Eye” of Montana... By Barry Ringgold. 100 Wevolver BIly, the Boy Raiier of Texas. By Colonel Prentiss: ham?’ 101.Phe River Rités; or, The. ‘Fito ot ‘the Flatboat, .By Capt? SF. CAdamai’"). 102 Captain Fly-by-Night; ‘oF, The Co Boy#'6n, thd War-Path.” By Jos. B. Badger; Jr. 103 Alone on the’ Platns ; or, ‘The Outlaw's Plot. By Edward Willett, 104 ‘Silver ‘Hoth aiid is Rifle, Fire- death, By Roger Starbuck. ~ 105 Exploits of Hezekiah Smith, the Backwoodsman, By Emerson Rodm n, 106 Jumping Jake, the Colorado Cire ‘Boy. By Bryant Bainbridge. 107 Mariano, the Ottawa Girl} or, The Mysterious Canoe. By Edward 8. E!lis: ; 108 Old Traps; or, The Bby Rivals. , By Barry Ringgold. 109 Pony Bob, the Reckless Riderofthe ™"‘weockies, By ( ol. Prentiss Tigratiam. . 110 Center Shot, the White Crow; or, Rov- ing Rifle's Kirst Campaign. By T..C. Harbaugh, 111: Ethelbert, the Shell-Huntery ren here Ocean Chase, By Ned Buntiine. 112 A ‘Wot Trai}; or, Clark Coverly Among the Tartars. A Sequel to “From Moscow ear ria.” By Charles Morrig.... « ..,,, : moon iW Av nd’ tooud every week, ° ert va Brapur's-Bor's: Lrmrary is for sale by'all nhews- dealers, five cénts pers copy oretnt by thail on re coipt’of' kix cetits. *’ mad swell at gifee) Coméburvaed 4) BEADLE AND..ADAMS, Pusizanans, ... Seoorbe" Willfaast weteet, MBs" a or, THE’ a aM hel shot ort Prentiss I real tp egdadd 2 Liwal cayett Ndeqa
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1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, By E. L. Wheeler. “@ Yellowstone Jack. By Joseph FE. Badger, Jr. 8 Kansas ning. By Buffylo Biull, (Hon. W, F, Cody.) 4 The Wild-HMorse Munters, By Captain Mayne Reld and Cwptain Frederick Whittaker. 5& Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. By Oll Coomes. Double numbery 10 cents, uy By Edward 8, Ellis, ye Biddon, Trapper. 7 The Flying Yankee, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 'y Ey 8. Ellis. 8 Seth Jones ; or, The Captives of the Frontier. Adventures of Baron Munchausen. at Redes or, The Kate of the Sioux Captives. By E, S. Ellis. he Two Detectives, By Albert W. Aiken. wlliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Liliput, nnd a Voyage to Krobdingnag, By Dean Swift. “he Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, Jaddin ; or, The Wonderful Lamp. ‘he Sea-Cat, By Captain Frederick Whittaker. obinson Orusoe. (2) Llustrations) By Defoe. alph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer, By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam, indbad the Sailor. From the Arabian Nights, he Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill, he Double Daggers, By Edward L Wheeler. he Frontier Angel. By Edwaril §. Ellis. ‘he Sea ~erpentys or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By J. Lewis, ick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. By T. C, Harbaugh. HMamond Dirk. By Colonel Preniise Ingraham, ‘he Boy Oaptain, By Jack Farragut 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen, By Edward L. Wheeler. 822 Nemo, the Detective. _ By Edward Willett, 828 Arkansaw Jack. By Harry Hazard, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. By toe Morris, 825 Kelley, Hickey & § By Reged a er & Oompany, the Sleuths of Philadelphia, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. By T. C, Harbaugh. 827 Creeping Cat, the Caddo. By Buckskin Sam. 828 The Sky Detectives, By Major Mickey Freo. 829 Red-Skin Tom, By Harry Hazard, 880 Little Quick-Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler, 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 882 Frio Fred. By Buckskin Sam. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Light tette. By Major b. 1 Ss. Vrain, = ne Horse Quar 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. By E. Ls Wheeler, 885 Old Double Fist. By Joseph E. Badger; Jr, 886 Big Benson, By T. C. Harbaugh. 887 Ben Bird, the Wild Man. By W. J. Hamilton. 888 A Tough Boy. By Philip S. Warne. A New Issue Every Week. : The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all neweadealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mal? on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMRB, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorks