Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 340) (1884 01 29)
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SECOND EDITION, 1 Aa toate NS January ®, 1884 Copyright, 1884, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, Singl PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, Vol. XIV. Num =a No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. ; 5 Conta. No. 340, CLIP, THE CONTORTIONIST: or, The Vigilantes of Montana, BY EHDWARD WILLETT, AUTHOR OF “THE TYPO DETECTIVE.” ‘‘ FEARLESS PHIL,” ‘‘ THE ROVING SPORT,” ETC., ETO. Uys Fe. Gj im 4 “UB Yi, Zo. 4» ¢ i | ee i di! ee ; fie x ay re Z Mi! Pai: , OV bea Wj ee WA Ko 7) SHORTLY HE HALTED, LOWERED HIMSELF UNTIL HIS FACE NEARLY TOUCHED THE GROUND, AND THEN BOTH HIS FEET SHOT OUT NEARLY AT A RIGHT ANGLE, STRIKING THE BULL-SLINGER IN THE STOMACH WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE.
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Clip, the Contortionist. Clip, the Contortionist; The Vigilantes of Montana. { BY EDWARD WILLETT, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ NEMO, THE DETECTIVE,” “ THE ROVING SPORT,” ‘‘ FEARLESS PHIL,” ETC. CHAPTER I. A FREE SHOW. THE new and thriving settlement of Orodia, not a bundred miles from Virginia City, could bardly have been called young, as it seemed to have sprung into existence without being born, and to have been old from the start. But there was not much of it as yet. Almost the entire extent of the lovely little basin previously known as Grass Valley had been seized upon by speculators and laid off in building lots; but there hasl been few houses erected, most of the inhabitants dwelling in tents and in shanties that had been hastily thrown together. This would, of Course, be greatly changed. in a few weeks, as prairie schooners were daily ar- riving, and loads of lumber had been contracted for, and a brick-yard was about to be started. It will be understood that Orodia was, as yet, a@ small settlement, when it is statea that there were oniy two saloons in the place. Both were mere shanties; but each was doing a rushing business and paying a heavy percent- age on the capital invested, One of them hung out a flaming sign as ‘‘ The Bon Ton,” and the other advertised itself as The Stunner.” The latter, though the latest arrival, had be- come the more popular of the two, partly be- cause its name better suited the ranchmen and miners and railroad bands, and partly because its proprietor was a woman, who was known as Miss Nettle. , One hot afternoon in July, when the sun seemed to have a special spite against Grass Valley, a dozen.or more red and blue-shirted men, bearded and bronzed, among whom coats were scarce and high boots abounded, were gathered in front of the Stunner, listening to a casual discourse from Sam Bunker, a tall and brawny bull-slinger from the Divide, as_ the high ridge was styled that separated Grass Val- Bo Se Roaring Fork Gulch. . The subject of Sam Bunker’s oration was Vig- ilantes, an organization of that character hay- ing made itself severely felt in the region about Virginia City. It was a subject in which he must have been intensely interested, as he harangued his audi- ence with such energy and emphasis that the perspiration fairly rolled down his cheeks and soaked into his beard. “Tell ye what it is, feller-citizens,” said he, “them Vigilantys ain’t no sort of an American institootion. They’re imported from Mexico and cle Californy. Thar’s wbhar ve find ’em iu full leaf an’ blossom, an’ they hain’ got no call to set up in this yer enlightened land. It’s part o’ the Constitootion o’ these yer United States that every man has a right to a fa’r trial; but the. Vigilantys don’t eke nobody no sort of a show. They do thar dirty work in secret, an’ go about with masks on, like the wust kind 0’ road-agents. When they’ve got any spite or ill-will aginst a feller, they pounce on him of a sudden, an’ send him to Kingdom Come without jedge cr jury.” ‘‘Have they worried you any yet, Sam?’ asked one of the audience. ‘*No, indeed. If you or anybody else thinks that they’ve got a call to worry me, jest step forrud an’ give us’ the p’ints. This ain’t no pus- sonal matter with me feller-citizens. But tbey’d better not fool with Sam Bunker. If they try it on, some of ’efn ’Il be apt to pass in thar chips mighty quick. They’ve worried a heap, though. Last night they strung up Bill Seddons, over at Roarin’ Fork, jest because of a leetle mistake he made in the way of cattle. No, they hain’t wor- ried me, but thar’s no tellin’ when it may come my turn, or any o’ the rest of us. I say ag’in, feller citizens, that the Vigilanty business ain’t American, an’ it ain’t fa’r an’ honest, an’ I’m ag’in’ it, bide an’ horns, tooth an’ toenail, Let’s go an’ liquor.” _ This style of winding up the oration was ap- lauded; but just then something else attracted am Bunker's attention. : Walking down the middle of the road came a young man who had scarcely more than reached the age of manhood, judging by the down on his eheek and the faint mustache on his upper lip. ‘ cal His s!enderness might have caused bim to ap- pe taller than he actually was, had it not n for a bend in his back that always made him look as if he was leaning forward. But his broad shoulders spoke of strength, and his length was mainly to be found in bis arms and Iggs, which swung aad wabbled about when he walk- ed as if they were taking exercise on their own account, : In his attire he was a little peculiar, wearing a cardigan jacket that fitted him closely, a blue flannel shirt, trowsers over the bottoms of which brown woolen stockings were drawn, and well- fitting shoes instead of the heavy boots that were the fashion in that region, A brown skull- cap with a small red tassel, did not in the least protect his face from the sun, and bis deeply- bronzed cheeks and black hair might easily have caused him to be mistaken.for an Indian, ‘‘Swing me up if thar ain’t Clip Saunders!” exclaimed the man from the Divide. ‘‘ Whar has he been keeping hisself lately? ’d somehow lost sight of him.” ‘‘He’s been stayin’ out at Mat Warner’s,” re- marked a bystander. Sam Bunker scowled, as if there was some- thing unpleasing to him connected with that name, and beckoned to the young man. ‘“* Here, Clip! Come here to me! I want to take a look at ye.” Clip Saunders halted, but hesitated, as if not inclined to accept the invitation, ‘‘Come here, I say!” ordered Bunker. ‘‘Durn yer or’nary bide, Imean what I shout! Do ye want to git hurt?” An almost idiotic smile passed over the face of the young man, and with a hop, skip and a jump, he landed in the midst of the crowd in front of the Stunner. “Come in with us, eo anc help us liquor up,” said Sam Bunker, ‘‘Then I will want ye to show these fellows what ye kin do.” The man from the Divide was liberal in his order for “ setting ’em up,” and Ciip was invited to join thea thirsty crowd; but neither persua- sions nor threats could induce bim to do so. When they had duly poisoned themselves, they adjourned to the street, where Bunker formed them in a ring to witness the expected performance. ‘* Pitch in now, Clip, an’ give us a good show,” ordered the man from the Divide.‘ Put in yer best licks, or it’ll be a sore set o’ bones you'll have to carry home.” The lad suddenly threw himself into the a turning a somersault, and alighting on bis eet. ‘*Purty good fur a beginnin’, young feller. Twist yerself around lively, now, /and I'll take up a collection fur ye when the show ’s over.” Clip Saunders dropped on his back on the ground, and twisted himself into a variety of shapes, closing the act by putting Lis Jegs around his neck and clasping his bands over Lis forehead. * Ain’t that bully?” exclaimed Bunker. ‘‘ He’s a hull circus in bisself. Durn my skin if I hain’t got a big votion o’ takin’ him ot an’ startin’ a show. Give us the roll-over now, Clip, an make ’em open thar eyes.” The lad put himself into his last position, and rolled over several times like a ball. But this performance was not entirely satis- factory to the man from the Divide. ‘‘Give us some more of it,” he ordered, “Lively, now—lively!” He had drawn a knife from his belt, and en- forced his command by pricking the Contor- tionist until the blood came. A young man stepped forward, whose attire was rather more neat and complete than that of the others. He was Harry Venn, who had been employed on the survey of the railroad route before Orodia was started, and who was then engaged on its construction. “Put up that knife,” said he. *‘ You must not hurt the boy.” “Git out!” shouted Bunker. orders from railroad sharps.” ‘Don’t make any fuss, Harry,” said the lad. “T ain’t hurt a bit, I like to do it—indeed I do. Now, folks, you shall see me walk on my hands.” He threw himself upon his hands, elevated his feet in the air, and marched toward the man from the Divide, the crowd applaudiog him. Shortly he halted, lowered himself until bis face nearly touched the ground, and then both his feet shot out nearly at a right angle, strik- ing the bull-slinger in the stomach with tremen- dous force. The man from the Divide doubled up and **T don’t takeno tumbled over, while Clip ran away swiftly, fol- — Jowed by roars of laughter. Sam Bunker was completely knockea out of time, and it was some minutes before he could recover his breath, Then he sat up and scowled at the by stand- ers, who had not ceased to grin at his mishap. ‘‘Ts anybody larfin?” he hoarsely demanded. Instantly all the faces were straight and sol- emn. Then he rose to his feet and glared about sav- agely. ; ‘*Whar’s that cussed railroad sharp that tried to interfere with me? skull,” Harry Venn faced him, with his hand on the butt of a revolver. The bystanders moved eside as if they ex- pected an immediate and deadly combat. But another person pushed forward, and it was no less important a person than. the pro- prietress of tbe Stunner. Miss Nettle was astout, plump, and red-faced, but not bard-featured, woman of uncertain age, whose calico dress was gay with bits of red rib- bon, and whose head was gorgeous with a bang. . She planted herself between» the. belligerents: but faced the man from the Divide. “You may jest go right along, Sam Bunker,” she said. ‘‘Tbar ain’t gwine to be no fightin’ in the Stunner,-or about it, so long as m name’s Susan Nettle. Put up yer shooters, bot of you, and simmer down, ‘less you want to have trouble with me,” ; She was at once obeyed, as if it was a matter of course. “Tl be the death o’ that young guttyperchy yet,” muttered Sam Bunker as he walked away. CHAPTER II. A BIT OF A BEAR-FRGHT. MatTrHEw WARNER had a well built and roomy house on his rauch, which occupiei—the ranch, not the house—the whole of a valley in the hills, remote from any settlement or habita- | tion. There was plenty of rich bottom-land in the valley for raising crops, and plenty of good up- land for grazing, and Mat Warner was mon- arch of all he surveyed. As a matter of fact, the hills shut out the view of any property but his own. His outbuildings, as well as his house, were extensive and in good order, and his cattle and crops, which were surpassed by none, brought ‘hima good income. Matthew Warner was a man of middle age and medium s ze, quiet by nature, cool and cau- tious and wary, a good husband and father, and reputed to be thoroughly honest in word and deed. The rest of his family were his wife, one of the most pleasant and kindly of women, and his daughter Helen,a fresh-faced, bright-eyed and handsome girl of nearly twenty, lithe and graceful, active, and apparently tireless, as well she might be, considering that she and her pe had all the woman’s work of the ranch to do, ‘ The other cecupants of the premises were three good and reliable men who assisted Mat Warner with the cattle and the crops, end last, but not least in the esiimation of the Warner family, Clip Saunders, who had lately become an inmate of the house, The proprietor was seated in the common room, which Mrs. Warner chose to style the parlor, smoking his pipe placidly, while Helep sat at the open window and looked out at the growing darkness, and her mother was busy with her everlasting mending and darning. It was late when be came in—nearly night— it was a long distance to Orodia, and he never rode, but trusted to ed feet, which got him over the ground very rapidly. They briphtened up when he entered the house. and he was greeted with smiles. “You are late, Clip,” said Mat Warner. We bave all had supper, down to the dogs, and I am afraid you will bave to eat yours in the kitchen.” : “Nota bit of it,” replied bis wife, who had already laid aside ber work. ‘He shall huve his supper ere, and the best there is in the house.” “That’s right, Fanny. Nothing is too good for the lad who saved our Nelly’s life when she fell froma the ledge into the big pool at Roaring Fork.” : Mrs. Warner and Helen bustled about to- gether, and soon had supper on the table for Lemme git at. bim an’ put a streak o’ daylight through his ~
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———— eee eben a Clip, and a very good supper it was, smoking hot, and with steaming and fragrant coffee. As the lad sat at the table he related his ad- venture in Orodia, and it is to be remarked that he used good language and showed no such idiotic grin as he had displayed when Sam Bunker called bim. Nelly and her mother were greatly amused by the recital; but Mat Warner seemed to re- gard it as a serious matter. “You have made an enemy of that man, Clip,” said he, ‘‘and Sam Bunker is one of the worst subjects in these parts,” ‘Tm not afraid of bim, sir. I would never have done athing he told me to doif I hadn’t meant to wind it up just as I did.” ‘* He is a dangerous man, I tell you, and how are you to defend yourself against him? You never carry a weapon.” **Don’tI, though?) What do you call this?” He drew from a sheath at his back a long and sharp knife, Tbe handle, too, was longer than that of the ordinary knife, and was heavily weighted with lead. “Tf you should see me throw this at a mark,” he said, ‘‘ you would think I had a weapon. A rifle could get away with me, but at any reason- able distance this would be good against a pistol.” — * Put it away, Clip,” begged Mrs. Warner. “*Tt looks murderous,’ ’ **It may prove to be murderous sometime, if anybody tackles me who means murder, But I T have not told you quite all of that little affair at the settlement. There was somebody there who stepped forward to take my part. I didn’t need any help; but there was somebody who was ready to help me, and who do you think it was?” There were no guessers, ¥ Somebody that Miss Nelly knows,” remark- ed Clip. “Harry Venn,” suggested Mrs. Warner, and Helen blushed and turned her face toward the window, “That’s just who it was, and a fine young chap he is, to my notion. I would hate to have him get intoany difficulty on my account.” _ Matthew Warner had been smoking reflect- ively. and looking closely at Clip. He knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and Spoke up quickly: **Clip Saunders, where did you come from?” ‘Down Kansas way,” answered the lad, after a slight hesitation, ‘“ Have you no folks—no relations?” **T believe not. I had a sister once.” His dark face grew darker as he spoke, “ What has become of her, Clip?” ** She—well, sir, she’s dead.” “ And now you are all alone in the world. What brought you into this country?” The lad fidgeted on his seat, and hesitated again before he answered. : **T was sort of looking for something, sir.” ‘For something, or for somebody ?” “TI don’t like to talk about it, Mr. Warner. It is enough to have it to think about.” ‘**Tam done. I don't want to get at your se- erets, Clip, if you have any. I asked you those questions only because we all take such an in- terest in you.” ¢ Clip had stepped to the door, and was looking out at the night. ? It was not very dark, as the light of a young moon came faint] through the clouds. ‘‘Hark! What’s that? said the lad, as he ‘leaned forward and listened. He bad heard an unusual noise, and directly. his ears were saluted by the unmistakable squealing of swine. \ ‘‘ There’s a bear at the pig pen, or a wildcat,” said he, Mat Warner seized his repeating-rifle, and ran out closely followed by Clip. The borse-lot was a large inclosure at a little distance from the house, surrounded by a high stake-and-ridered fence. In one corner was a log pen, which contained at the time several young pigs. As Mr. Warner and Clip entered the lot the equealing continued, and they saw adark form ‘coming over the top log of the pen, As they came nearer they plainly perceived ‘that it was a large bea with a pig in bis clutch, Mr. Warner raised his rifle when he was with- in easy shooting distance, and fired; but the ute was turning at the moment, and was only slightly wounded by the shot. dropped the pig, and rushed toward its as- sailant. Mr. Warner stood his ground to try another shot; but the shell of the spent cartridge had Clip, the Contortionist. caught, and the breech of the rifle would not work. Before he could get it in order the bear had reached him, and had raised itself on its hind- legs for a death-hug. His position was perilous, and he started to run, just a little too late to save himself. But he was not alone, A surer weapon was at hand. Clip’s heavy-bandled knife flew through the air, and the long and skarp blade sunk in the breast of the bear to the haft. The brute clutched at the handle, but only succeeded in driving the blade deeper. It fell on its back, and rolled over and over, struggling to tear out the fatal knife, but made its condition worse, as the blood gusbed forth in a stream, Clip stood near, calmly watching the agonies of the animal, and Mr. Warner, who bad got his rifle in working order, sent a bullet into the brute’s brain, and put an end to the excitement. The ranch hands, who had been hurried out by Mrs. Warner and Helen, came running up in time to get: the job of dragging away the bear, and caring for.the carcass, Clip drew out bis knife and wiped it; but there was still blood on it when he returned to the house. “Clip has saved my life as well as Nelly’s,” said Matthew Warner, when he had related to the women the adventure witb the bear. “Not as bad as that,” replied the lad. ~ “T was in a very tight place though, and it migbt have been much worse but for your help. I am willing to admit now that you have a weapon, and that it is a right good one.” ‘““My knife has tasted bleod,” said Clip. ‘I hope it may never be red with any blood but that of a brute.” “There are other brutes than those that go on four legs,” remarked Mat Warner. CHAPTER II. A SUITOR FOR HELEN. THE morning after the encounter with the bear Clip Saunders was standing in front of the house, when a horseman appeared at the lower end of the valley, baving evidently come through the gap that afforded communication with the outside world. He stepped inside, and reported the unusual occurrence to Mrs. Warner and Helen. ‘“Who do you suppose it is, Clip?’ asked the former. . **T don’t suppose. I know.” ‘* Who is it, then?” Spence Symmes,” Helen turned pale, and her mother looked at her curiously. “Do you know him, Nelly?” she inquired. ‘*T Jon’t know him; but I have seen him, I have met him, or he bas met me, and he has tried to speak to me. He bas such a rude and forward way that I hate him, and I don’t want to see him again.” “ He will want to see your father, I suppose. Do you know where Mr. Warner is, Clip?” ““T think he is not far away.” “IT wish you would go and find him.” Clip bastened to do this errand; but before he returned the stranger reached the house, and Mrs. Warner had a good look at him as he rode p. Spencer Symmes, commonly known as Spence ymmes, was not a person at whom, judging by his outward appearance, young women would be likely to shudder. He was a man who might be anywhere be- tween thirty and forty years of age, and was fine-looking, if not actually handsome, with regular features, clean-shaven face, except a very conspicuous mustache, long and dark hair, that he usually kept well oiled and combed, and a swarthy complexion. He was, moreover, tall and well-built, and sought to increase his attractions by dressing in the extreme of the border-dandy style. But there was at times, and pretty frequently, “a lurking devil in his eye,” that warned women and men alike to beware of him. He dismounted from bis fine and gayly-capar- isoned black horse, and entered the house with a smiling and confident air, Mrs. Warner received him politely, Helen having retreated in time to the kitchen, He started a not very lively conversation on the weather and other commonplace topics, and had not progressed far when Mat Warner came in, followed by Clip. The ranchman “looked bim over,” as was his custom with people who were strangers or com- paratively so, and Spence Symmes was evi- dently uneasy under that keen and inquisitive gaze. ‘*I hope you have sized me up to suit you,” he remarked, ‘‘ I hope, too, that I am notan intruder bere.” “Not a bit of it,” replied Mr. Warner. ‘Everybody is welcome here who comes on @ peaceful errand, and I presume that your er- rand is of course a peaceful one.” “Tt ismore than peaceful; it is friendly. J will spit it right out, if you please, aslam a square man, and everything is open and above board with me, I have come to speak to you about your daughter.” Mat Warner was astonished if not alittle shocked, “My daughter?” he exclaimed, ‘‘ What is the matter with my daughter?” ‘Nothing in the world is the. matter with her. Sheis everything that is sweet and love- ly and attractive, and that’s what’s the matter with me. Ibhaven’t seen much of her yet, and have bad scarcely a chance to speak to her; pe I am dead gone and that’s a solid fact, ap.’ “ Dead gone?” repeated Mr. Warner, as if he did notunderstand the meaning of the phrase. “You know what I mean—dead in love with her—and I thought it would be the -proper and genteel thing to ride over and ask you if I may come here and visit her.” so 5 inte that is the proper and genteel thing, Mr. Symmes. But you would of course want to come and visit ber with a purpose, and Idon’t know enough about you to say yes to that. What business or occupation do you follow?” ‘Oh, [ama prospector and aspeculator. I speculate mostly in mini roperty. “ ** Are you settled any re? **Can’t say that I am. My business is not of the settled kind. If I don’t strike a lead that suits me I buy a mine that promises well, and stock it up or sell it right out, That keeps me on the go, you see.” “Itis too unsteady and uncertain a business to suitme, Mr. Symmes. But the girlis the one to be consulted, and I will tell her what you say. Where is she, Fanny?’ “*Don’t bother ber, Mat,” replied Mrs. War- ner. ‘* That is not the way to do.” “T think it is, It is best to have a plain un- derstanding. Where is Nelly?” “You will find her ’in the kitchen, I be- lieve.” Mr. Warner stepped out, and soon returned with Helen. . She was not blushing, as a girl might be ex- pected to at the appearance of an avowed suit- or; but her face was pale, and her lips were compressed, as if she felt that she had an un- pleasant task to perform. “This stranger,” said her father, “at least he is a stranger to me—has come here on a court- ing errand, and of course you are the object of it. He wants to know whether it will be worth while for him to continue’ coming on that er- rand,” Helen’s face showed that she was troubled; but her mother’s distress was the more visible. Spence Symmes had put.on his most, attrac- tive look and his brightest smile. “Can you not answer for me, father?’ she pleaded. ‘It is your business, my child, and I prefer that you should answer for yourself.” ‘It goes hard with. me to say anything that might displease anybody,” she said; * but I can only say that it would. be quite useless for the gentleman to come here on that errand, and that I hope be will not.” Spencer Symmes scowled, rather — than frowned, and ‘‘the lurkivg. devil” rose in his eye. He was not accustomed to being treated so coolly by any woman, and had not expected such a rebuff. *‘Perbaps,” said he, “somebody has cop- pered the card that J had put my chips on.” ‘* What is that?’ demanded Mr. Warner. ‘1 really don’t understand you at all.” ‘“‘T mean. to say that perhaps somebody else has stepped in before me and taken her fancy. Is that so, Miss Warner?” ‘You have no right to ask me such ‘a ques- tion,” she coldly answered. “TI can answer it for myself, though, I would like to know why itis that you are down on me, ‘*T am not down on you, sir, if I know what you mean by that expression.” — **Tt seems to me that you folks don’t under- stand plain talk.” : ‘Tt seems to me that we talk plainly enough,
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4 though,” interposed Mat Warner. ‘My daughter has said that she prefers not to accept you as a suitor, and that question is settled. I gave her no advice on the point; but I am free to say that my opinion agrees with hers,” The visitor rose from his chair, and stepped toward the door, The devil in his eye was no longer lurking, but came forward in plain sight, and showed its full stature, “You have said that Iama stranger to you Mat Warner,” said he; ‘but you will be likely to know a good deal more about me before you are through with me,” “That sounds like a threat,” replied the ranchman, ‘‘ You have no right tc threaten us, as we have treated you politely and have done you no barm.” ‘* Take it as you please, Iam a straight and re man; but 1 havea head of my own, offered to do. the fair thing, but was refused a chance, I mean to come here, all the same, but will suit myself in coming, and when I do come you may have cause to wish that I had stayed away.’ He left the house without another word, mounted his horse, and rode down the valley. Mrs. Warner was greatly distressed by this ouaoms and her husband looked as if he would glad have got along without it. ‘That is a dangerous man, Iam afraid,” he remarked. . “You are ht about that, sir,” said Clip Saunders, “I doubt if there is a more danger- ous man anywhere about here. What did he say he was—a prospector and a gegen He speculates in faro and poker, and he. prospects in other people’s pockets, Spence Symmes is a mighty safe man to keep away from.” “It isa pity that we should have made an onerty of him,” said Mrs. Warner, “That couldn’t be helped,” replied her hus- band, ‘We did right, and he himself has pores that we did. It is better that he should an open enemy than an unsafe friend.” CHAPTER IV. ' _ CHEYENNE CHARLEY, ’ JupG# WALLER was one of the magnates of Orodia. There wére not many magnates thers et, and it was easy for him to be the top of the eap; but he was the kind of man who might be expected to stay at the top. He had been. a judge in Virginia City, and the title had stuck to him after he had left the bench and turned his attention to the founding of a new city. Lots in Orodia were going off like hot cakes, and Jiidge Waller was busy and prosperous, But business was over for the day, when he sat in his office one evening, cleaning up his desk preparatory to closing his neat little white- washed office. | Consequently he was a little surprised when a stranger stepped in. | This a was a tall and brawny man, rather roughly dressed, unshaven, considerably travel- worn, and looking as if he had just come in from an extensive tramp, Judge Waller’s keen gray eyes ‘sized him up” at once, and as he resumed his seat at his desk he partly opened a drawer in which lay a cocked revolver, : He invited the stranger to be seated, and in- quired his business, ; “1s this Judge Waller?” he asked. “ Yes. » “Lived a long time in these parts, I under- stand,” “* Rather long, considering that this is a new : ” country. Se Lived in Virginia City, and been a jadge.” * Yes,” ‘*Reckon you know who’s who and what's goin’ on about as well as most anybody.” ee am largely acquainted and pretty well posted. “Well, judge, what I want to get at is this. I _ tol that you have Vigilantes in these Ss. **So I have heard,” replied Judge Waller. **Of course you ain’t one of them, and you don’t know who they are, or anythin ae ut Pve and square opinion about what he ought to do ely to give it to bim, “Tecan girs my opinion, of course,” “* Well, judge, how would those Vigilantes be apt to treat a rough citizen who should come here and want to settle and go straight?” ‘*T don’t believe they Would trouble any man Clip, the Contortionist. who is disposed_to behave himself. Are you that sort of a cifn?” ““T may say thatlam. Where I came from I was known as Cheyenne Charley.” ** And your real name is Charles Rentz.” “Hullo, judge! So you know me?” ‘* You have been something of a public char acter,” answered Judge Waller, witb a smile. ‘**Durned if I ever struck you before, though.” ‘* Perhaps it is as well for you that you did not. Let me see, You left Cheyenne in a hurry, because of a difficulty you had there, in which a man died.” “Yes, The propia there got sorter prejudiced against me, and I took a change of venue, as you lawyers say.” “But without leave of the court. Your last exploit was_in the southeastern part of this Territory, where you went honestly to work at herding cattle on @ ranch, One morning the ranchman missed you and a pretty big pile of gold coin.” _ “ He got his money back, though.” + That was because be chased you wp so sharp. “Well, judge, you seem to know as much about that sort of thing as if you was one of the Vigilantes yourself, and your opinion must be worth something. Do you think, now, that they will leave me alone if I’ settle down and go meri geet a “T am quite sure that nobody will trouble ou ae, long as you are peaceable and well be- “ Much obliged to you, judge. Ever so much obliged. Good-evening.” > aad Judge Waller looked after his visitor as he slowly sauntered up the one street of Orodia, “T don’t believe that that. man could go straight if he tried,” said he, ‘and I am sure that he don’t mean to try. He wanted to get on the blind side of me—that’s all.” The judge beckoned to a young man who stepped out from the shade of a tree-trunk. ‘* Follow that man, Clip, and notice where he goes and what he does,” “ All right, sir.” Cheyenne Charley strolled into Miss Nettle’s om the Stunner, and Clip Saunders followed m. That hostelry was pretty well filled with men, although it was yet early in the even- ing, and its frequenters were gradually filling themselves with the contents of the bottles in the bar. The gentleman from Cheyenne watched this operation with longing eyes, and looked about in vain for an opportunity to satisfy his thirst. But he was a stranger, and nobody asked him to specify his poison, and he knew well enough he Be could not get trusted there for a thim- efu His hands went down in his pockets again and again; but they did not bring forth from those vacant depeps as muchas the smallest coin. Mr. Charles Rentz was flat broke, and his condition was almost unendurable, After awhile be slightly raised bis right hand, closing his fist with the exception of the forefinger, which he bent and held in that posi- tion, ; He did this several times, as if casually, and finally attracted the attention of a man who approached him, and that man was Spence Symmes, Symmes went through the same motions with his right hand, and then the two stepped a little aside from the otbers, and spoke in a low tone, “C RO,” whispered the man from Cheyenne. “OK,” answered Spence Symmes in a simi- lar whisper. Then they shook hands, 4 Their mysterious whispers had been inaudible to everybody but themselves, with the excep- tion of Clip Saunders, who had taken pains to get in a position that would allow him to listen, and w acute, “Do you want anything?” asked Symmes. “You can bet I do,” replied the other. ‘1 am dead broke—dead and buried, with a tomb- stone on top.” gold piece passed from the pocket of Symmes to the hand of Cheyenne Charley. ‘“We are going to make a big. e'soon, hose sense of hearing was unusually and you will have a chance in,” said Symmes. “Take care of yourself now, and we a level head, an in you in the morning.” “ All. right,” responded his companion, and Sheuice mmes qu otly left the saloon. nt. pend Char), surance of level-headedness that he had given. d don’t get into trouble, and I will see ey soon forgot the as- a th en, |out of all sorts of scrapes It was long since he had known the luxury of a real, rearing, tearing, rampageous spree, Worse than that, days had passed since he had tasted liquor. He was fairly freezing for it, and he had money in his pocket, and the supply of aqua- fortis was abundant. Therefore be set at work in earnest to make up for lost time, and in a little while was on familiar terms with most of the men in the saloon, treating and being treated. He fired up so trequently and so heavily that he became belligerent, as it was his nature to, aud then he proceeded to pick a quarrel, which was easy enough at that time and place. The quarrel was rapidly passing from the wordy stage to the fighting stage, when the proprietress whispered to Clip Saunders. “Do try to quiet ’em,” she said; ‘that’s a dear boy.’ , ‘Clear the way!” shouted Clip at the top of his voice. ‘‘The performance is about to be- gin!” This was a welcome announcement, as most of those present knew what it meant, and a clear space was quickly made in the middle of the room, the belligerents being unceremonious- ly hustled aside an separated. . Clip immediately began rolling and tumbling, throwing somersaults, posing himself in the most ceipordinany aiibage, and twisting him- bg toee the most impossible peaons, ) kept this up for ten minutes, and was re- warded with the most uproarious applause. Miss Nettle beckoned to the man from Chey- enne, and laid her héayy band on his shoulder, uf don’t allow no fightin’,” she said. “Tf ‘ou try it ag’in, IT] have to take a hand and unce you.” ““T belieye you could do it,” answered Chey- enne Charley, who had cooled down. “She kin do_ it, stranger, and that’s a solid fact,” remarked a big bystander. ‘Ef she cain’t, thar’s plenty to help her.” The stranger took the hint, and subsided into a chair, where he soaked his clay in silence until he fell asleep. Clip Saunders sought Judge Waller, to whom he reported what he had seen and heard, “We ought to understand tbat,” said the judge. ‘Putting this and that together, it seems to be plain enough, C RO and O K— that. spells CROOK, which is a good enough watchword for men of their style.” ‘Crooks they both are,” remarked Clip, ‘*-Yes, and I am afraid that there is going to be trouble, and somebody will get hurt, and hemp will be in demand. By the way, have you any news yet concerning that affair of yours?” , "NO, Gib” tf am afraid you are on a blind trail, my vy. ; 5 ‘*Blind enough, but I believe that the man is somewhere about here.” CHAPTER V.,., THE VIGILANTES’ NOTICE, . CHEYENNE CHARLEY was duly put to bed in the Stunner at a late hour, and in the morning nce Symmes came and arotised him from his heavy slumber, The man who was going to turn over a new leaf objected to, this interruption; but his new friend consoled, him with several drinks, gave him a breakfast, and then put him on a horse and took him away from Orodia. “You have been making a condemned fool of yourself, old man,” said Symmes, as they rode along. ‘You got drunk, after I cautioned you not to, and started in to raise a row. uckily, you were not allowed to go far, or you might have been buried in your boots before now.” ‘‘T. was powerful dry,” protested the other. ‘* Hadn’t got outside of a square drink for days, and the stuff went to my head.” “You had better leave it alone if you can’t manage it better than that. I knew who you were, Charley, as svon as I saw you, but didn’t know that you were one of us until you gave the sign. And right here I must give you some solid advice, and I mean to talk to you like a father. We will stand by you; but none of us. are bound to stand by a man who won’t stand by bimself. So, if you expect to stay with the Cautions Crooks, and take their chances, you have got to keep a level head and be canetul nob to slop over. ou may have been a big man down in Cheyenne; but bere you will have to take your place in the ranks, and submit to apr iy es and regulations, wij rAvtictlior about Walking wtaniphe Gen Weetings ut walking s vir bat don’t pay, a { a ee kA Oe aE <n - — — ie on. x: = i sul Stl ’ en 4 weds 4 eee anes
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eS, OT because the Vigilantes are getting to be too a _ won't leave these bills, sure as my name is Sam , strong and too sharp for us to fight. ‘“*T have been looking into that business,” re- marked the man from below. ‘Just before I met you I saw one of those Vigilantes, and had ‘a talk with bim.” “Who was that?” “Judge Waller. He is one of their head men, if not the boss of the gang.” ‘* How do you know that?” “T knew it by the way he talked, and he knew all about me.” “Yes, they seem to know everything, curse them! and that’s why we have to be so quiet and careful, I hope you didn’t give anything away. But you were sober, and I suppose it is all right.” ibe I think I managed to pull the wool over his eyes. After riding a couple of hours or so, Symmes halted ina ravine, where. he dismounted and hitched his horse, bidding his companion do the same. ‘““What’s this for?’ demanded Cheyenne Charley. ‘‘ We don’t seem to have got any- where.” “*T must stop here and wait for a map.” “Who is he?” “One of our men, Sam Bunker by name. He will soon be along.” After awhile Sam Bunker came riding into the ravine, and joined the two men who had pre- ceded him. He was duly made acquainted with the new recruit, who was warmly eulogized by Spence Symmes, ‘* ve heard tell of Cheyenne Charley,” he re- plied, “‘and am proud to meet him. Thar’s d openin’s hyer fur a mano’ his style, an’ | reckon, Cap, he'll slide into ’em. easy enough.” ‘‘What’s the news at the Fork?’ inquired Symmes. “Jest novhin’ at all. They’s mighty quiet thar, sence Bill Seddons was lifted to glory, an’ they do talk o’ gittin’a gospel sharp to settle among ‘em. The boys air allas quiet an’ peace- able as turtle doves.’ ‘Glad to hearit. We are on the quiet lay now. When we do strike we will make a noise, and the time willsoon come. Is your ranch near hore, Sam?” ‘* Well, Cap, if you call a few rods of rock and . shanty a ranch, my ranch ain’t fur from er. fn Let us go up there. Perhaps you will give our friend bere a shelter until we get ready to go to work,” ‘* All right, Cap; but we'll have to leave the hosses down hyer. T’ll show you whar.” Sam Bunker led the way to the head of the ravine, and through a narrow gap into a deep basin which was well carpeted with rich grass, a little brook running through it from an un- failing spring. He put up a pole at the gap, and the horses were turned loose to graze, ‘This is w’ot I call the Well Hole,” said he, “It’s jest a natural corral, and the grass is sweet an’ tender, bet yer life. Foller me, gen’- iemen.” He led the way up a precipitous ascent to a rocky summit, where a small cabin was stuck against the side of a bigh rock, The cabin was rudely built of logs and poles, and was roofed with sbingles of split oak. Heavy stones were piled against the logs, prob- ably to prevent the tenement from being blown away by a high wind. ‘“‘This is the ranch, gen’lemen,” said Sam Bunker; but immediately his countenance fell, his face grew red, and he began to pour forth a stream of oaths that might well have made the air turn blue. ; There was a good cause for his profanity, which was indalged in mainly to covera feeling of intense terror. ’ Tacked to the rude door of the cabin was a piece of white cardboard, on which was figured in black the likeness of a skull and a pair of rosshones, underneath which were the figures G7. 7 77, This was the usual symbol of the Vigilantes, by which notice was given to the occupant of the cabin that he must clear out and be seen 20 more in that region. Between rage and fear the man was almost out of his wits, and bis comrades waited pa- tiently until lack of breath, rather than lack of language, caused him to subside, “I reckon this won’t be a safe place for you any longer, Sam,” remarked Symmes, ‘ Do you expect to clear out?” “] will leave this ranch, as you call it; but I ST 2A ER OES OY eS oo See cer ee = Bunker. I ain’t afeard o’ the Vigilantys, but I | there was no rifle in his possession, and faced Clip, the Contortionist. do despise tha’r sneakin’ ways. The cussed skunks must ha’ stuck that thing up last night when I wasaway. Why couldn’ they come in the daytime, an’ when the man 0’ the house was to hum?” ‘* They will be likely to do that soon enough, Sam—that is, if you should stay around here. You had better come over to my den.” [Pll do it, Cap; but I must fust see w’ot’s sine 9 o’ Ginger, and look arter my traps yer. ‘‘Take care of pouelt then. Charley and I will go on, and I will expect to see you con- siderably inside of twenty-four hours.” CHAPTER VIL. SAM BUNKER SLIDES OUT. Spence Symmus and Cheyenne Charley walk- ed away toward the Well Hole to get their horses, and Sam Bunker stood in front of his cabin, gazing mournfully at the ominous notifi- cation that bad been left by the Vigilantes. He did not seem to think of pulling it down as it stared him blankly in the face. Probably the terror with which it had in- spired him restrained him from POUeRine 2h “T wonder if Ginger was here when they put that thing Up,” he said. ‘‘1f she was, I reckon she was too drunk to know anythin’ about it. I must look the old gal up.” He was a picture of dejection as he pushed the shaky docr open and entered the cabin. The ivterior was nearly bare of furniture, and there was nothing in it that was suggestive of comfort, Yet Sam Bunker cast his mournful glance about that dingy apartment as if he felt that it was his home, such as if was, and a home that he was loth to leave. On the floor, if it could be called a floor, some- thing in the shape of a woman lay on a blanket, motiouless, but not dead, as was evident from her hard breathing. This was an Indian woman, whom Sam Bun- ker had “‘taken up with” several years previ- ously, and whose name of many syllables he had changed to the easier appellation of Gin- ger. Ginger was neither young nor in the least de- gree good looking; but she had been a faithful slave to Sam, and well she might be, as be had supplied her with the one solace of her life— whisky. She had doubtless been largely supplied with that solace of late, as she Jay there in a stupor, ong the fumes of liquor arose from where she slept. m Bunker spoke to ber and stirred ber with his foot, but got no response other than inartic- ulate grunts. “R ckon it’s best so,” he muttered. ‘‘ She couldn’t ha’ knowed nothin’ about the house git- tin’ vigilantified, an’ mebbe ef she should wake up she might take on because I’m goin’, Poor old gal!” So there was something besides the cabin that touched a chord in the breast of the rough and lawless man, and he was even sorry to leave that ugly and drunken squaw. He made a bundle of clothes and blankets and a smaller bundle of ammunition. The larger bundle he took in his hand, “Tl leave the rifle an’ things fur another load,” said he. ‘* That hill is powerful bard to git down.” He closed the door of the cabin when he went out, and picked his way down the steep descent to the bottom of the Well Hole, where he stop- ped to take breath. Symmes and his comrade bad taken their horses and gone, but the Well Hole was not vacant. Sam Bunker’s horse was grazing as usual, and there was also a young man there whom Sam recognized at once. The cardigan jacket and the close cap with a tassel, if nothing else, would have told him that the young man was Clip Saunders. And so it was, Clip bad tracked the other two from Orodia, and was confused by the hoof-prints and other **sign” that he found in the basin. He had not perceived the arrival of Sam Bunker, who hastened to place himself in the gap, the only avenue by which the lad could expr to escape. lip looked up and caught sight of him just as he had taken this position of vantage. ‘* Now I’ve got you, you rotted yourg hound!” shouted Bunker. ‘‘ Swing me up ef I don’t cut your or’nary bide into shoe-strings!” Clip looked at his antagonist, perceived that | | him boldly. - That was quite the peoiter thing for him to do, as he bad no chance to escape. ‘‘Have you quit your castle up yonder, Sam?” he tauntingly asked. ‘‘I hear that you have made up your mind that it is a safe p to get away from.” “IT ain’t none o’ your look-out-what-I-get- away-from. It’s sart’in that you cain’t git away from mé, an’ that’s all I care about jest now,” : “ Big blow and small show,” retorted Clip. ‘You'll see what sort of ashow it is. I’m goin’ to belt the very breath outer you right now.” ‘* Well, you won’t have to hunt me up. I will come to you, and you had better get out of my way, or the show may be different from what you are counting on.” As the lad stepped forward he drew from its sheath his long and heavy knife. ““W’ot do you calkilate to do with that pork- slicer?’ demanded Bunker. ‘“ Why, you cussed fool, I kin fill you full o’ lead afore you git nigh ro] “Try it!” bravely ordered Clip. Sam Bunker drew his revolver, and cocked it. ‘*You bet I will,” he replied. “*T swore that I'd be the death o’ you, an’ now I'll be as good as my word.” “Drop that pistol!” ordered Clip. ‘It will be as much as your life is worth to raise it.” Bunker did raise it; but at the instant Clip’s knife went flying through the air like a flash of lightning, and its sharp blade sunk deep into his reast. This style of attack was not only entirely un- anata. but was fatally effective. he stricken man’s shot was fired harmlessly into the air. He waved his arms wildly, staggered, and fell backward to the ground, The blade had pierced his heart. **T couldn’t help it,” muttered Clip as he ap- pooeenes the body of his victim. “It was my ife or his.” He drew out his knife, washed it in the little stream, shuddered as he returned it to its Sheek and left the Well Hole without looking ack: Sam Bunker lay there, cold and stark and alone, until late in the afternoon, when the In- dian woman in his cabin shook off her stupor and arose from her hard couch. She looked about in a blear-eyed manner, and noticed signs of the recent presence of her pro- tector and purveyor, perceiving that certain familiar articles were missing. : Had he intended to leave her, as he had often threatened to do? ; If so, he had not fully accomplished bis pur- pose, as his rifle and his package of ammunition were still there. Her red eyes filled with maudlin tears as this possibility pressed upon her. ‘Him gone!” she feebly muttered, If he had gone, he must of necessity have taken bis horse, and she could find out whether tbe horse was missing. So she left the cabin, and clambered down the steep descent into the Well Hole. It was a difficult and dangerous task for Gin- ger in ber condition, and more than once she came near falling down to her death, but finally reached the bottom of the basin in safety. There she saw the body of Sam Bunker lyin prone on the grass in a pool of his blood, an the wound in the breast showed ber how he had lost his life. She tottered to the corpse, and threw herself upon it, moaning and sobbing. Even for Sam Bunker there was one to mourn. At last she dried ber eyes with her dirty blanket gown, and sat up on the grass. “How git w’isky now?” she muttered, and that seemed to be the extent of the sentiment. Clip Saunders went from the Well Hole direct to Orodia and to Judge Waller’s office. “The Vigilantes won’l have to go after Sam Bunker, judge,” he said. ’ “Why not? Has be cleared out already?” “ He has left this country.” - “You seem to get hold of everything, Clip. Do you know which way he went? The lad pointed upward, and then pointed downward. **T don’t know which of those ways he went,” he answered, ; os A Srgld' fe tan , “Yes, sir. I killed him. I nad todo it, or he would have killed me.” . nF < ° JNA Geta A. “a +. Sa _ yn ea ¥ =f
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Cli en told the story of the trail he bad fol- lowea en ing, and of his encounter with Sam banker i ell Hole. ‘“*T am sorry tor you, Clip,” said the judge. “T know it went hard with you to take the man’s life. But somebody would have had to kill bim, and he is well out of the way. So Cheyenne Charley has taken up with Spence Symmes, and they are as thick as thieves, which is quite natural and just what I expected. AsI told you, Clip, there is going to be trouble.” Clip Saunders did not return to Mat Warner’s ranch until the next day. He found the ranchman down in the bottom- land plowing bis corn, and told him of the death of Sam Bunker, “That knife of yours ¢s a weapon,” said Mat. “There is not the least grain of doubt of that.” “Tt has been stained with blood again,” said Clip, ‘‘ and this time it was human blood. But I would not for the world have them know it.” He pointed toward the house, “ All right, my boy. They shall not hear a word of it from me.” CHAPTER VII. SPENCE SYMMES'S BIG STRIKE, GANGs of men were working on the railroad in the vicinity of Orodia, busy at excavating and biasting and filling in and grading: but the road lacked a good deal of being finished to that point, and the nearest station was fully fifty miles away. It is true that construction trains had been run beyond the station; but there was a big gap between the end of the track and Orodia, and a wasb-out bad made it bigger. ; Therefore when the end of the month arrived, and the men in the vicinity of Orodia were to be paid off, it was necessary to bring the money in a wagon over the rough road that formed the ord communication with the station. his task was confided to Harry Venn, to- gether with the duty of paying off the hands. He had proved himself to be a cautious and reliable nian, as well as skillful and courageous, and the paymaster preferred to trust bim in that region, rather than to trust himself. So Harry Venn went to the station, where he | exhibited his pay-roll, and the money to meet, bos liabilities was delivered to him and receipted or, It was packed in a box that was placed in a stout wagon drawn by two horses. Harry was to occupy the front seat with the driver, with two men on a rear seat, and two other guards who were to accompany the vehicle on horse- ck, The paymaster bid them adieu with good wishes, but with a rather dubious look on his face. ‘I wish you the best of luck, Harry,” he said; ‘‘but you must be very careful and keep a sharp lookout. I hear that the robbers are ris- in up along that road, in spite of the Vigilantes. I don’t pretend to give you any advice, as I am sure that you know what to do better than I can tell you,” “T know the bad places on the road pretty well,” replied the young man, ‘‘and I will be careful. If you have given me good men there will bea sharp fight before anybody gets this cash away from us.” The wagon and its escort started at as early an hour as possible in the morning; but the road was shockingly bad, and dusk found them still at a considerable distance from Orodia. The driver proposed to camp for the night and finish the journey in the morning: but this roposition was far from meeting Harry enn’s views, and he put a decided negative upon if. “There is but one more bad place,” he said, “and we can easily pass it before night. Then we will have aclear and open road the rest of the way, where the darkness need not bother us, and we will be quite as safe when we are traveling asif we were in camp,” As Harry was the leader of the party, his opinion amounted to an order, and they pro- ceeded on their weary way. The bad place of which he spoke was a little distance from the foot of the valley in which Mat Warner’s ranch was located. At that point the road ran through a narrow and a ravine, from which there was wp open- ing at the sides, except the little gap that led into Warner’s valley. The sides of this ravine were steep and rocky, loaded with tall trees whose heavy shade made the ite gloomy even in the daytime. hen the wagon got down there the darkness Nie to be considerably denser than Harr enn had expected to find it, and he was na Clip, the Contortionist. urally anxious to get through the pass as speedi- ly as possible, * He directed the driver to whip up the horses, and an effort was made to urge them forward; but it was unavailing, the road being so uneven and the bowlders so plentiful that there was no chance for any but the slowest progress, Just after they bad passed the gap that led to the Warner valley the horses stopped sudden- ly, and could not be induced to take a step fur- ther. “There is a pile of rock across the road,” said one of the horsemen, who bad gone for- ward to investigate, ‘That looks like a trap,” remarked Harry. A trap it was, and it wassprung directly after the young man spoke. ‘‘Throw up your hands, every one of you, or you are dead men!” It was aclear and powerful voice, and start- lingly near, that gave this order in command- ing, oper, arry Venn raised his rifle to his shoulder, and fired in the direction of the voice. “We must fight for it, boys!” he said as he jumped out of the wagon. At that instant a volley of rifle-shots was fired ante, the party from the right hand side of the road, The two menon the back seat scrambled out as Harry Venn had done, and the driver tried to follow them; but a bullet through the b:ain ended his efforts forever. One of the horses hitched to the wagon had been knocked down by that volley and the other was frantically struggling to get free, Harry and the guards, availing themselves of such shelter as the ‘wagon afforded, bravely stood up to their work, and did their best to make a good fight. Their enemies were invisible; but they fired rapidly at the spots where the flashes of the rifles had been seen, But they soon discovered, to their great dis- may, that’ they had foes on both sides of the ravine, and an unexpected volley that was poured into their rear effectually ended the t. arry Venn felt a sharp twinge in his right arm and nearly dropped bis rifle. Hardly had he turned to face his new adver- saries, when a bullet struck his head and stretched him on the ground. The two remaining men who had been 1n the a ig fell near him. be horsemen, who had not yet been hit, were stricken with a panic when they saw the fate of their comrades, and spurred their horses to es- cape from the slaughter. pen. hots were fired after them; but one got off unharmed, while the other rode away severely wounded. The robbers came out from their concealment and gathered about the wagon and the bodies of their victims. It could then be seen that they outnumbered the defeated escort fully two to one. All were masked, and allg@were armed with weapons of the best quality. ‘“‘This has been a bloody business, Spence,” said one of them. ‘A regular slaughter. Charley. But what could we do? If the fools had thrown up their bands and surrendered, they might be living yet. It is better that they should all die, than that one of us should go under. We made a aire, ii of it, anyhow. Is anybody hurt, 0e ‘‘Red-headed Mike has a got hole in bis leg,” answered another; “‘ but that is all, except a few scratches.” “Bring up the horses, two of you, and put Mike ongne of them. The rest of us will pile onto thé plunder.” The horses, which bad been concealed in the gap, were brought forward, and Spence Symmes and those who were with bim broke open the box in the wagon, and hastened to load them- selves with its contents of gold and silver and notes, They had not finished this pleasing task when it was interrupted by a startling cry. ‘*Come on boys! Here they are!” was shout- ed by a shrill voice a little way down the road. ‘Hurry up the rear there!” yelled a heavy bass voice: “By column of twos, charge!” was ordered in louder and yet more commanding tones. A sudden panic seized the robbers. They did not stop to inquire whether the whole United States army was upon them, or to consider that a powerful foe would have been likely to pounce upon them with as little noise as possible; bu: ran to their horses, ' mounted, and galloped away up the road as if their lives depended on their spaed. Hardly had the echoes of their horses’ hoofs died away in the distance when a single indi- vidual came walking slowly and cautiously up the ravine, looking about to see if any of the raiders bad failed to follow their comrades. It was Clip Saunders, His had been the three vuices, of such widely different tones and qualities, that had struck terror to the souls of Spence Symmes and his scoundrels, driving them away in a senseless panic. : He walked to the wagon and looked in; saw the box and felt within it. There was considerable money left, ‘‘ Seared them off, for a fact!” be exclaimed. “ And they didn’t finish the job, That is better than nothing. Wonder, now, if all these folks are dead.” The driver in the wagon was, as he soon dis- covered, and a brief inspection satisfied him that two other men were also dead. He heard a faint moan when he came where Harry Venn was lying. ‘‘ Hello! here is one who is not quite dead,” said Clip. “It is Harry Venn, by Jove! it there is any life in him I must hold it there if I can.” Harry moaned again, and moved feebly. Clip hada small flask of liquor, and he forced alittle of it into the mouth of the prostrate man. This revived him, and he was able to sit up with Clip’s assistance. ‘1 am glad to see that youare not dead,” said the lad. ‘‘ Where are you hurt?” “T hardly know,” faintly answered Harry. ‘Who is this? Clip Saunders? I don’t believe I am dead, my boy: but my right arm is broken, and my head feels as if it had been all knocked © to pieces.” lip quickly but carefully cut away the sleeve of bis coat, and bound up the wound witha handkerchief. ‘“‘T must try to bide you until I can get help,” said he. “It is = possible that those mur- derers may come back,” He assisted Harry, partly carrying bim, in- side of the gap, and concealed him under some bushes, Then he returned to the wagon, brought away the box, and hid it behind a rock. Again he went back to the wagon, cut loose the uninjured horse, mounted him, and rode through the gap. ‘Tam going to get ae for you, Harry,” he ac hg galloped away toward Mat Warner’s ranch, CHAPTER VIII. INTO THE FIRE. WHEN Clip gave the alarm at Warner’s the ranchman turned out with his hands, hitched up a team, and hurried off to the gap, leaving Mrs. Warner and Helen to prepare for the re- ception of the wounded man. ‘You must take the best care of him you can,” said Clip, ** for Nelly’s sake, if not for his own.” “Why, for Nelly’s sake?” queried Mat War- ner, in a tone of surprise. Clip made no answer; but, when they got Harry Venn up to the house, and the ranchman observed how Helen ‘“‘ went on ” over his wounds and his weakness, he understood well enough what the lad had meant, ‘¢We now know why she was so set against that man who was here a while ago,” he said to his wife. ‘‘ But Venn isa fine young fellow, and J have no objection.” Clip Saunders set off for Orodia at an early hour in the morning, and when he got there he found the settlement in a state of great excite- ment. The horsemen who escaped from Spence Symmes’s slaughter-pen had reported the rob- bery and murder, and not only Orodia but the entire region bad been aroused. a Messengers had been sent as far as Virginia City, and there was such @ gathering of the clans for immediate vengeance as bad not been seen in a long time. ‘ y The members of the Vigilance Committee were undoubtedly on hand, though nobody pretended to point them out. here were no masks among them, nor was there any attempt at disguise or uniform; but everybody knew that they were there, mingling with the other citizens, and that the business of pursuing the outlaws would be under their direction. Mounted and armed men were coming im singly and in squads when Clip arrived, and ea
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; surrounded the Clip, the Contortionist. pews er ES they had rendezvoused in front of Judge Wal- ler’s office, and that gen‘leman was making a speech to them. He said that the time had come when the question had to be decided whether the law and order party or the outlaws should rule the roost in that region. The villains had shown their hand, and evidently intended to piss their game for all it was worth. They had just com- mitted a most infernal outrage, combining mur- der with robbery, for which they ought to be hunted down and strung up, every one of them, He was sure that be at least knew who were the leaders of the gang that had attacked Harry Venn’s party, and he believed that he knew where to find them. The gang must be exter- minated, or no man’s property or life would be safe in Montana. e hoped that his young friend Clip Saunders, whom he was glad to see there, had brought some information that would be acceptable to the citizens present, Clip bad some important and interesting in- formation, and he was compelled to mount the drygoods box on which Judge Waller had stood, so that all might hear it. He told how he had come upon the robbers when they were possessing themselves of the plunder, and had frightened them away. He rejoiced his hearers by informing them that Harry Venn was alive and expected to recover, and that part of the money was safe, “Tf you want to know who the robbers were,” he said in conclusion, ‘‘look at this pis- tol. I picked it up near the wagon, directly after they had gone away in aburry, and lam sure that I have seen it in the possession of Spence Symmes. Perhaps more than one of you will recognize it.” The pistol, which was of a peculiar style, was assed around, and was identified by several as he Pronerty of Spence Symmes, who had been fond of showing it. The party of pursuit was at once organized so that it ~hould be capable of its work, and not too cumbrous, Twenty-five brave and skillful men were se- lected and officered, and Clip Saunders was per- suaded to mount a horse in order that he might accompany them. They set out on the road by which Harry Venn and his escort were to have arrived, and anumber of other men followed them with a team as far as the Warner gap, to bring in the bodies of the slain guards, From that slaughter-pen the expedition fol- lowed the road a few miles further, and ther turned off intc a trail that led toward the east. The most experienced trailers in the party declared that this was the route which the rob- bers bad taken tke night before, and it was fol- lowed unti it was impossible to pursue it any further on horseback. It was then a mystery what the fugitives had done with their horses, as they were not found there, and a careful search failed to reveal their whereabouts, But the pursuers were not after horses, but after men. Leaving their own in charge of a guard, the pushed forward, and began the difficult clim of a steep and rocky ascent, choosing the easiest route, rather than attempting to follow a trail that could not be found. Thus they went upward and onward until they came to a log-house on the summit of the hill—or perhaps it might better be de- gi as occupying a ledge on the mountain- side. Orders were eeeey. given, and the party building as well as they could, keeping at a distance, but covering all points that were believed to be accessible. Then, at a noiseless signal, they began to close in, approaching the object of attack slowly and cautiously from all sides. But quietly as their operations were conduct- ed, the occupants of the jog house were watch- ful and quick to take the alarm. Hardly had the leaders of the assailing party shown themselves when two men bolted out of the building. One of them was_ recognized as Spence Symmes, and Judge Waller was sure that the other was Cheyenne Charley. Several shots were Hers fired at them; but they ran at the top of their speed to the edge of a cliff, where they disappeared. Part of the — followed them, while others hurried into the house, only to find it vacant. The cliff where the fugitives disappeared had been supposed to be entirely inaccessible, and on that account had not been guarded. A speedy investigation showed that there was @ rope reaching from the top to the foot of the cliff, down which the robbers bad slid. Once at the bottom they were among rocks and trees that protected them from bullets. ‘* After them, boys!” shouted Judge Waller. ‘* We can run them down soon.” A few of the pursuers slid down the rope, and the others followed back the route 3 which they had ascended, and the chase began, But it was not so easy to run them down as Judge Waller might have supposed, In the first place, the trail had to be found, and it was easy to lose when it had once been picked up. In the second place, the fugitives chose the roughest and most difficult ground—if the rocks and ravines of those tangled hills could be called ground—and, as they knew all the ins and outs of the region, they ,had quite an ad- vantage over the men who were toiling after them. As Judge Waller stopped on the crest of a ridge to take breath, the air was murky and full of a pungent odor, and dark volumes of smoke could be seen rolling up in the direction at which they were aiming. ‘The woods are on fire!” said Captain Tams, who had halted there wich him. ‘* Yes, they have been burning over yonder for two or three days, and the fire is coming this way right fast. Comeon Tams, This is a hard chase.” It was indeed a hard chase, more toilsome than exciting, and the strangest part of it was that it led the pursuers directly toward the region that was devastated by the forest fire. hen it came to running, Clip Saunders easily surpassed the best, getting over the ground very rapidly, and never seeming to tire, Consequently he alone kept the fugitives in sight, and he was relied on by the others to act as their pilot. This close pursuit by one person was naturally annoying in the extreme to Symmes and his companion; and the former turned more than once to get a shot at the lad who was so persis- tently dogging them; but Clip was not follow- ing them for the pu e of being shot, and he prudently kept out of range. As he reached the summit of a steep slope he saw the robbers scudding over a long stretch of level and heavily-timbered ground, ana at the same time be found himself face to face with the forest fire. A stiff breeze from the west swept the flames forward, and they came on rapidly, roaring and hissing and crackling, licking up the rank praesent’ and wrapping their fiery tongues around the tall trees, one of which every now and then fell with a crash, sending up clouds of smoke and sparks. Yet the two fugitives pressed steadily on to- ward the heart of the fire, as if they were una- ware of its presence. ‘Come on!” shouted Clip to the men, who were a little way behind him. ‘* We will catch them between us and the fire.” He went on, keeping the two men in view, and those who came toiling up the ae put new vigor into the pursuit When they also caught sight of the fugitives. ymmes and his comrade could be seen keep- ing their course until they must have heen rae enough to the fire for the flames to scorch em. Then they were lost to sight in the heavy un- dergrowth, In a few minutes the deluge of fire bad swept over the spot where they were last seen. Their pursuers, startled and amazed, were compelled to fly before the advancing flames. ‘It looks like suicide,” said Judge Waller. “But who would bave thought of such a sui- cide as that? Of course, they have been burned to a crisp before this.” “Tam not so sure of that,” responded Clip Saunders, CHAPTER IX. HOW ORODIA WAS RAIDED. THE hunters of men returned to their homes, They had been vanquished by the forest fire and compelled to postpone the search, but had no idea of abandoning it. Clip Saunders, who had his own opinion of the fate of Spence Symmes and his comrade, returned to the spot where they had disappear- ed as soon as the fire had passed over it. He got there before the ground was fairly cool, and turned up hot embers among the ashes as he walked over the burned district. It was difficult to locate the exact point where he had last seen the two fugitives, as the ap- ‘ - ; e ae . / Wein te awe doll fat! ? : ee 4 tle bee a sien nll i pe Pas Fit a bd pe > sew ai Zs 1} =}==}=°= ==... 0. en TTT IIIIiOIIESEIE pearance of the region had been so greatly changed by the forest fire; but he found no cifarred boaies and no bones, and was certain that the men had not died there. They could not have gone on, as it would have been impossible for them to go through the burning fire, or even to pass the edge of the re, What, then, had become of them? This was the mystery that the lad was dete» mined to solve. A bare and high rock rose among the blactip ened stumps and trees, and it occurred to him that the robbers might have found shelter on its leeward side, or possibly under it. Clip hastened to the rock, and the mystery was no longer a mystery. At its base was a hole, abundantly large te allow aman to pass in by stooping, and evi- dently leading downward, He made a torch and lighted it, and entered the hole without hesitation. The passage grew Jarger as he went inward, and at the bottom was a small subterranean stream. Of course the stream must have an outlet somewhere, and the lad went forward boldly, believing that altbougb the robbers had takem refuge in that hole, they bad not remained there. This belief proved to be correct. He found nobody in the passage, but found the end of it without difficulty. It debouched at the side of a ravine, and from its mouth he easily scrambled down to the valley below. . The fugitives had doubtless done so, and had laughed in their sleeves at their discomfited pur- suers. Clip went to Orodia and told his story, which bad the effect of starting a new and more ex- tensive search for the outlaws. It was not only certain that Symmes and bis comrade had escaped alive, but that the secret and general rendezvous of the band bad not been discovered. Those two, as Judge VMaller said, had prob- ably been found bfaccidént at the lone house on the hight, having stopped there for some un- known purpose while they were on their way to or from their usual gon Lager Therefore, as bas been said, a new and more extensive bunt was organized. It was not one party alone that was sent out this time, but several parties, ail strong and well led. Z Their orders were to search the bills thor- oughly, to capture and bring in every nan who was known to bea member of Spence Symmes’s gang, and to arrest all suspicious persons whom they might happen to meet, In the temper that the people then manifested it wes easy to find elements of suspicion, and suspicious persons were liable to be treated to already rope and a short sbwift. The several parties set out from Orodia, each having its district and plan of operations laid out, and performed their task to the best of their ability; but the general result was unsatisfac- tory; except that a number of undesirable cbaracters who had iufested that region took the alarm and made themselves scarce, The robbers who were hunted were entirely invisible, and no trace of their hiding-place was discovered. But the first party that returned to Orodia found undeniable traces of them in that settle- ment, Their surprise and consternation were ex- treme, and nobody doubted that the outlaws must bave bad full and accurate information of their plans and movements, or they would not have been able to elude them so successfully and strike such a savage and effective blow in their rear. The fact that the settlement was nearly emptied of its able-bodied citizens had been taken advantage of for a raid upon Orodia. It was noon—a hot and slumberous noon— and the man-hunting parties bad been several beurs away, when Spence Symmes and his merry men, to the number of a dozen or more, dashed into Orodia. The settlement seemed to be almost deserted, and even the business of drinking was sus- pended. The few chronic loafers who were out ot doors smoked their pipes and whittled their sticks on the shady sides of the two saloons. When the clattering of hoofs was heard it was at first supposed that one of the parties that left in the morning had. returned with a prisoner or with important news. This idea was soon dissipated by repeated
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8 4a ~ -_= = F Clip, the Contortionist. rifle and pistol-shots, accompanied by hideous ells and whoops, the meaning of which most rodians knew too well. The town was taken, and its lives and pro erty were at the mercy of a pack of mis- creants, Those who had run out to see what was the matter ran back yet more quickly, and hastily mc rg hiding-places. If a head was in sight anywhere out of doors, it was saluted with a shot that caused it to disappear with the greatest possible speed. Most of the raiders, inclusing the leaders, hurried on to Judge Waller’s office, where they dismounted and forced open the door, The others guarded the street, firing a shot now and then by way of caution. Judge Waller was the banker of the settle- ment, although he did not keep a regular bank- ing-house, and the funds that were supposed to be in his possession made his office the objective int of the attack. But his money and valuable papers were securely locked in a large fire and burglar-proof safe, which he had brought to Orodia at a heavy expense, and which defied tue utmost ef- forts of the outlaws. They had no burglars’ tools, luxuries of civili- zation which had not yet penetrated that mountainous region, and were soon convinced”* of their inability to get inside of that obstinate mass of iron and steel. Maddened by their failure, they fired the building, and set out to wreak their rage on the remainder of the town, Orodia contained, in addition to the two saloons, two general stores, whose proprietors had hastily closed their doors and taken to the woods. The doors were no obstacle to the marauders, who burst them open, and helped themselves to the contents of the cash drawers and whatever else they wanted, besides spreading destruction among fragile articles at their own sweet will. The post-office and the saloons shared the same fate, and there were many to lament the loss of their property when the triumphant raiders finally galloped away. There was but one life taken during the foray —that of Susan Nettle, the proprietress, of the Stunner, who was the only person in Orodia who was “man enough ” to resist the raiders, ‘ She closed her establishment, but did not run 2 eee away. When they burst open the door she faced them with a leveled revolver. It happened that the first man to get in was Cheyenne Charley, and her shot missed him, Before she could fire again the scoundrel fired and shot her through the heart. All the raiders were masked; but people who were bold enough to watch them from hiding- places recognized more than one of them by his voice or some peculiarity of his person, A more amazed and disgusted set of people than the expeditionaries when they returned to the settlement it would be bard to find in this broad land. Their disgust was so extensive that it scarcely left room for anger. It was unanimously agreed that the outlaws had been too smart for them, and that the greatest discretion and vigor would be required to effect the extermination of their enemies. Judge Waller congratulated himself on the possession of his stout safe, and inquired for Olip Saunders. CHAPTER X. CRUEL AND DEADLY BLOWS. Harry VENN’S injuries were severe, but he was likely to recover, His arm had been badly shattered, and it was so long before a physician could be brought from a distance toattend to it, that it suffered for lack of surgical care. The bullet that struck his head had neither entered the skull nor fractured it, but it had done its share of harm. Between the two wounds it is no wonder that fever set in and brought him low. He was of course well nursed by Mrs, Warner, and Helen, who made no concealment of her feeling for him, was unremitting in ber atten- tions. While he lay there helpless the forest fires en- croached upon the valley, and Mat Warner was obliged to bestir himself to save his crops from destruction. The country was parched by the lack of rain, there was diffi:ulty in procurin water for the cattle, and the air was loaded with smoke, through which the sun shone m imly. The house was situated under the hill, on the slope at the southern side of the valley, and at the edge of a grove of tall trees. The fire crept around on that side, and came booming down the bill at such a rapid rate that Mat Warner was compelled to quit everything else and devote his entire attention to saving his house and bis other buildings, With his farm hands and Clip Saunders he worked early and late, cutting down the trees and carrying away the timber, striving to clear such a belt as should relieve him from the fear of danger, except sueh as might come from an unusually high wind. It was not yet noon, and the men were all at work in the timber, and Mrs, Warner was in the kitchen, Helen wasin Harry Venn’s room on the same floor—in fact, there was but one floor—at a lit- tle distance from the kitchen. Harry’s condition bad considerably improved that morning, and Helen was quite cheerful. Steps were heard, seemingly of one or two men, who had entered the house at the front oor. Mrs, Warner naturally supposed that one or more of the men had come in on some errand, though she wondered why they had chosen the front way. Her daugbter had the same impression. But Helen was quickly undeceived when two men entered the room, and she at once recog- nized the leading man as Spence Symmes. The man behind him, though unknown to either Harry Venn or the girl, was Cheyenne Charley, whom Symmes had adopted as his closest friend and comrade, Helen trembled when she met the outlaw’s triumphant gaze, but faced him boldly. ‘‘ Here I am, you see,” said Symmes. ‘I told you that I would. come when I chose and ina way that you wouldn’t like.” ‘* Why have you come here?” she demanded. “To get you, and I mean to take you, too,” He suited the action to the word, and sprung forward and seized her, Poor Harry Venn was helpless, being neither able to move nor even to speak in a loud tone, and could only look on in anguish. Helen could scream, and she did scream, at the top of her voice. Her mother heard her and hastened to her as- sistance. She was not unarmed, but picked up a pistol that lay on a shelf, cocking it as she ran. “‘Somebody’s coming—look out, Charley!” said Spence Symmes, who heard the footsteps as he was endeavoring to stifle the girl’s cries. Cheyenne Charley was always ready with his revolver, and this time he was hasty. As Mrs. Warner came in sight he leveled his pistol and fired at her. The bullet struck her in the forehead, and she ' fell lifeless on the floor of the hall. Already the cowardly brute had the lives of two women to account for. ‘““What did you do that for, you infernal fool?’ demanded Symmes, who was provoked to anger by what appeared to be an unnecessary tragedy. My Do. ou suppose Iam going to stand here apd be shot down?” replied his comrade, Helen bad fainted at the fearful sight, and the outlaw had his opportunity. He raised her in his strong arms, and bore her out of the house. There be mounted, and the man from Chey- enne lifted her to the saddle-bow before him. Then they both rode rapidly away down the valley. Clip Saunders, who was working with the others in the timber, heard the shot that killed Mrs. Warner, and spoke of it. “Tt sounded like a pistol-shot at the house,” he said. It had been so faint that he could not be sure of what it really was, and it had not been even noticed by the others. ‘That can’t be,” said Mat Warner, ‘It must have been a burning tree falling on the bill that you heard, But Clip was doubtful and worried, and said that be would go to the house and see if any- thing was the matter there. So he hastened away, and in the hall near the front door he encountered the lifeless body of Mrs, Warner, The fatal bullet-hole in her forehead, from which the blood was oozing, told bim how she had been slain, and he was wild to find her as- sassin. Harry Venn’s faint voice called to bim through the open door of his room, ‘nn burried in there, aud saw nothing of elen, ak “What does this mean, Harry?’ he asked, ‘“ What has happened? Who bas been here?” ‘Spence Symmes and another man. They have carried off Nelly.” *‘ And murdered her mother. God in Heaven! “There can be no hell hot enough for such vil- lains. Which way did they go?’ “ Down the valley, I believe. It sounded like that when they rode off.” “Of course they went down the valley, I will be back in a moment, Harry.” Clip ran to the back door, where hung a long tin horn which was used to call the hands to dinner. On this he blew a loud blast, and burried back to the wounded man. “T am going to follow them, Harry,” he said. “‘Mr, Warner will be here directly, and you must tell him, It will be a terrible shock to him, and I wish I could break it to him; but I can’t wait.” “What do you think you can do?” feebly asked roa “‘T don’t know; but you may be sure that [ will do allI can. I hope that I can at least find out where they go to.” Clip ran out of the house, and went down the valley at a loping gait. The blowing of the horn startled Mat Warner and the others who were at work in the timber. It was not yet dinner-time, as big Ayeetal and the horn was not sounded as Mrs. Warner was accustomed to sound it. “There is something the matter,” said the ranchman, as he turned pale. ‘‘{ must go to the house.” He burried off, and the others followed him. The sight that met his eyes when he reached the house drove him frantic. He had loved his wife as she deserved to be loved, and she and his daughter were all the world to him, To find the faithful partner of his joys and sorrows during so many years dead in her own house, murdered by some unknown villain, was a greater strain than his strength could bear, and he fell at her side in a swoon, While he was prostrate there one of the men went into Harry Venn’s rcom, and learned from him the particulars of the terrible event, and this sad story was repeated to Matthew Warner as soon as he was able to bear it. “ But where is Clip?” he asked. He was told that Clip, after blowing the horn had burried off to follow the men who had raided the house, ‘“What can the boy do, on foot, against such men? We must set out and chase them at once, That is—there is something to do here first.” He sent the men to get what they could pick up in the way of dinver, and with bis own hands raised the body of his wife, and carefully laid it away, closing the doors and shutters of the room in which it was placed. Soon horses were brought up, and Matthew Warner and two of his men armed themselves. and rode away. leaving the third in charge of the house and of Harry Venn. They could not help feeling that they had a hopeless task before them, as the marauders had got such a long start, and it was difficult even to guess at the direction they had taken. And so it proved. They were able to follow the trail through the gap, and to judge that at that point it turned toward the north; but they soon lost all trace of it among the many tracks of the beaten road. Thus they wandered about, searching for what they could not find, until night_compelled them to return to the ranch, CHAPTER XI. CLIP’S STRATEGY. Wirn Clip Saunders the chase of Spence Symmes and his comrade was a different affair. He was by no means as incapable of tbat pur- suit as Matthew Warner bad for the moment imagined him to be, He did not suppose that he would be able to folldw the raiders on foot: but he had a pretty ood idea of the point at which he would be fikely to overtake them, if at all, and he knew how to take a short cut across the hills to reach that point. , It was a hard and tedious tramp, part of it being very difficult climbing; but Clip was by nature and training a runner and a climber, and was urged forward by a motive that made him more swift and tireless than ever. He got over the hills and ravines at an as- tonishing rate, and reached the road at the trail that was struck by the first party of Vigilantes from Orodia. This trail. he followed tntil he came to the
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. foot of the steep ascent up which he had toiled with the others. He saw nothing there of the people for whom he was looking, but found the fresh tracks of two horses leading to the left along the base of ‘the bill. These tracks be followed without delay, pro- weeding cautiously as he approached the cliff down which Spence Symmes and his partner had disappeared when they were so nearly caught by the Vigilantes. ' It was well that he did so, as he was not yet in sight of the foot of the cliff when he heard - woices, Crawling forward carefully until he reached an advantageous position, he concealed himself under some bushes. From bis hiding: place he plainly saw Spence Symmes, Cheyenne Charley, their horses, and elen Warner. The girl was seated on the ground, the picture of despair, and was evidently bound both hand and foot. The men, who appeared to have but lately ar- rived, had dismounted, and were debating as to the course they should pursue. “Of course we are as safe as the stars in the sky,” Symmes was saying. ‘‘ There was nobody at that ranch who could begin to follow us, and soon we will be safe in the den, when the devil himself couldn’t get at us.” * We had better go on then,” suggested the other. ‘‘We will, shortly. Stay here and watch the girl, Charley, while I go and hide the horses. I won’t be away more than fifteen minutes.” Symmes took the bridles of the two horses, and led them northward through the timber along the base of the bill. Clip had decided upon a plan of action, and was quick to carry it out. It was possible that he might kill Cheyenne Charley where he stood, as be had killed Sam Bunker; but he hated to shed blood, and the at- tempt might fail, to say nothing of its probable effect upon Helen Warner. He believed that he knew a trick worth two of that, and quietly circled around toward the direction that had been taken by Spence Sym- mes. It was then late in the afternoon, and the shades of night were beginning to darken the valley. As soon as Clip sup that the outlaw was out of bearing he called to Cheyenne Charley, imitating Symmes’s tones, and throwing his voice beyond the point from which he called. * Hello, Charley?” “ Hello, yourself!’ answered the man from Chevenne. “Come here, quick!” “ What the —— do you want?’ “T want you. Come here right away.” ‘* Shall I leave the girl?” ‘ Yes—she is all right. Come along the trail at the foot of the bill.” : Naturally supposing that his comrade had somehow got into trouble, Cheyenne Charley hurried off, and was soon lost to viewin the timber. : He bad scarcely ceased to be visible when Clip ran to Helen Warner. ‘ : “Oh, Clip!” she joyfully exclaimed, ‘‘is it really you?” ! i By way of answer he cut her bonds with his sharp knife, and raised her to her feet. ‘*Can you run?” he asked. “Yes, and I will be so glad to run!” Clip took her by the hand, and Jed her away as fast as her feet would carry her, along the base of the mountain, toward the trail that led , to the road. Tbe hour of dusk bad arrived, and the songs of the birds had ceased, and night would soon be at hand. Before they reached the trail the quick eyes of the lad caught sight of something that seem- ed to be exactly what he wanted to find—a place of refuge and concealment. Where the face of the mountain was so steep as to be almost overhanging, a lone and pecu- liar rock stood out from the rest of the dark mass, at the hight of some twenty feet from the ground. It had the appearance of an old-fashioned ime eel with a space of several feet between it and the main body of the mountain. “Here is our chance, Nelly,” said Clip, and he assisted her to climb toward the pulpit rock. Neither of them could reach it by climbing, and Clip, seizing an edge, raised himself up. Then he grasped both of the girl’s hands, and lifted her to the ledge. There they found ample room and a «afe hid- Clip, the Contortionist. ing-place, as it was certain that they could not be seen from below, and quite unlikely that po fei y would come up there to search for them. ‘“All we have todo now,” said the lad, “ is to crouch down and keep quiet.” They had hardly got themselves well settled down behind the pulpit rock, when they heard voices at the point from which Helen had made her escape. Loud and angry as the tones were, Clip and his companion could not distinguish what was said, though they could easily guess that the two outlaws had discovered the absence of the girl, and were venting their wrath and amazement, After a little while they both came running along the trail at the foot of the mountain, and halted directly under the pulpit rock. “Come on, Spence!” exclaimed Cheyenne Charley, who was clearly not the one who had caused the halt. ‘‘ We can catch ber if we run.” ‘* Don’t be too sure of that,” replied his com- rade. ‘“‘We had better think a little before rushing so fast. What the deuce made you lose sight of her?” “You called me—or I thought you did, I would have been willing to swear that it was your voice.” “Tt wasn’t, though; I never said a word. I was out of hearing of it all. I would give a heap to get hold of the devil who did call. Of course she had help, as she could never have cut herself loose.” ‘**Of course she had help,” responded the man from Cheyenne. ‘‘And whoever was smart enough to do that trick would be smart enough to get her out of the way. And now it is getting to be as dark as a stack of black cats, and our chance of run- ing across her is about one in a million.” ‘Well, then,” said Cheyenne Charley, “as you think there is no use in running, suppose we make a light and look for the trail.” In a few minutes they had a fire of leaves and twigs, at which they Kindled torcbes, and be- gan to look for signs of the fugitives. Clip Saunders drew his long knife from its sheath, to be prepared for the worst in case of discovery. Helen did not even whisper, and could not be heard to draw her breath. But the light was too uncertain, and the trail was too stony to enable the outlaws to distin- guish the tracks they sought. Spence Symmes dashed his torch upon the ground, and burst out in a torrent of wrathful profanity. **It is your own fault,” said Cheyenne Char- ley, when bis comrade had thus relieved his mind. ‘If you bad run on, as I wanted you to, we might bave caught them.” ** You talk like a fool,” replied mmes, and one angry word led to another, until they were on the edge of a fight. But they saw the folly of that sort of thing, and cooled down. “T don’t know but you are more than half right,” said Symmes, ‘And now I believe that cur best plan will be to get the horses and ride down to the gap. Of course the girl will make for home, and we may overhaul her on the way.” Forewarned is forearmed, and Clip was glad to know the route in which danger lay, as he would thus be prepared to avoid it. He waited until the mounted outlaws had passed the pulpit rock, when he got Helen down from that elevation, and followed them as far as the road, but no farther. _ ‘ Now, Nelly,” said he, ‘we have got a tough journey before us. We must take a short cut across the hills—the same that I took when I caught up with you. It will be the hardest kind of work, but better than being in the bands of those infernal scoundrels,” ** A million times better,” she answered, ‘and I am ready to do and bear everything you want me to, I am crazy to get home to my poor father, though I am also to go to my dead mother.” It was indeed a bard task to get over that rough route in the darkness, and the journey was tedious as well as difficult, Frequently they were obliged to halt to allow the wearied gir] to rest, and day was breaking when they reaghed the valley and came in sight of Mat Werner’s house. After Clip bad scouted around to make sure that their enemies were not in reach, they crossed the valley, and Helen Warner, ex- hausted by fatigue and anxiety, was restored to md home and the arms of or heart-broken ‘ather. CHAPTER XU. THE FATE OF A SPY. THE murder of Matthew Warner’s wife and the abduction of his daughter would have stir- red up the Vigilantes if they had needed any stirring. They had not been idle: but it was recognized as a fact that it would be useless to send out any more expeditions until the rendegvous of the outlaws could be located so that they might be successfully attacked. Several of the best scouts in that region were set at work upon the task of discovering their hiding-place, and as careful a watch as was pos- sible was kept upon all suspicious characters. In the meantime, a question of considerable importance engaged the attention of the leaders of the Jaw and order party. They were unanimously of the opinion that immediate information of all the moyements from Orodia must have been conveyed to the desperadoes, and of course there must be a traitor in the settlement. It would have been impossible for Symmes and bis gang to have so successfully evaded the expeditions that were sent against them, or to have so exactly timed their raid upon Orodia, unless their information bad been early and ac- curate. At a secret conference that was held in Judge Waller’s new office this question was discussed, and the conclusions above stated were unan- imously agreed to. A further comparison of views elicited the opinion that there was one person in the settle- ment A whom suspicion might fairly be fastened. : This person was Zach Stammel, a chronic loafer, who was never known to do a stroke of work, and who had not even such “ yisible means of support” as might be afforded by gambling. Yet be was by no means destitute of money, and his time was mainly passed in loafing about the Bon Ton saloon, familiarly known as ** The Graveyard.” The first expedition from Orodia, and the subsequent simultaneous expeditions, had neces- sarily been matters of general notoriety, as so many persons bad been interested and engaged in them, and the fact was noted that previous to their starting Zach Stammel had been missed from his usual haunts, and had not been seen in the settlement for at least several hours. As he was usually quite regular in bis loafin habits, this point came up when suspicion ha been awakened. There were those who remembered that he had been asked what had become of bim on the occasions referred to, and that he had replied that he had been off prospecting. As be had no a rg a outfit, and gave no indications of having been engaged in that pursuit, this answer was regarde evasive. It was decided at the conference that Zach Stammel should thereafter be closely watched, and two discreet and careful men, known as Abe Shedder and Missouri Mose, were set to shadow him. But this was not enough. If Stammel was a traitor and a spy, it was necessary that he should have some news to carry to the rege in order that be might be entrapped and his offense brought home to him. Captain Tams suggested the expediency of ‘* putting up a job” on the spy and the outlaws together, and he elaborated quite an extensive plan for that purpose. He proposed that it should be given out that a load of gold from the Orodia smelting works would pass over the road on a certain day, and that armed men should be concealed iv the wagon, while others should form an ambush for the robbers at a point where an attack might be expected. Thus, he said, they might kill two birds with one stone, trapping the spy when be carried the news, and wo arty Mog road-agents when they sought to capture the treasure, But this plan was regarded as too risky and uncertain, especially in view of the fact that the point of attack could not be fixed with rea- sonable confidence, and an idea of Judge Wal- ler’s was finally adopted. It would be best, the judge said, to attend to one thing at a time, and the trapping of the spy. if there was a spy, should not be mixed up with anything that was calculated to interfere with that piece of business. So it was publicly given out that the biding- place of Spence Symmes and his gang had as merely
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10 been discovered, and that an expedition would be sent out the next day to capture them. Preparations for that purpose were openly made, and the settlement was astir over the movement, which was believed in by all except the few who were in the secret. Of course the news was heard by Zach Stam- mel as be Joafed about the “‘ Graveyard,” and those who were watching him already noticed that a peculiarly eager look came into his usually dull and listless face, Shortly afterward he disappeared) but not so stealthily and completely as to prevent him from being seen and followed. Abe Shedder and Missouri Mose, who had been selected to shadow him, were experienced scouts and trailers—in fact, good mountain de- tectives, though that was not their profession— and well fitted for the task they had under- taken. When the supposed spy started off into the hills they no longer had any doubt that he was a Spy, and they followed bim at a safe distance, and with the greatest possible caution, but as closely and relentlessly as Indians on the trail of an emigrant train. It was a long and tedious tramp that he led them, pursuing no beaten track, but keeping a straight and certain course as steadily as if he knew where he was going, and had not the least fear of losing his way. At times they nearly lost him among the in- tricacies of the hills, but perseveringly stuck to his trail, and at last ‘‘ treed ” him on a plateau far up a mountain side. It was then near the middle of the afternoon, and the trailers had reason to hope that the man they were following might lead them to the hid- ing-place of the desperadoes. _ This hope, however, was not justified by the events as they transpired. Zach Stammel had evidently treed himself, as he showed no disposition to go any further. He took a whistle from his pore and blew a long, shrill, and reaching blast. en be sat down at the foot of a tree to rest and wait for a response. Abe Shedder and Missouri Mose concealed themselves near by, and closely watched for de-, velopments. The response came quickly. A similar whistle sounded from a distance; but the spy did not stir from his position. It was evident that he expected to be met there by the men he sought, instead of going to meet them. After a wait of nearly half an hour a man ap- peared on the plateau sosuddenly and unexpect- edly that the watchers could not guess where he had come from. He was heavily armed, but not masked, and was at once recognized by the trailers as one of - the men who were believed to belong to Spence Sy mmes’s band, The fact was certified by what followed. Zach Stammel rose to meet the man, and a ‘conversation ensued between the two, in which the news of Orodia was fuily told. All that was said did not reach the ears of the watchers; but they heard enough to amply con- vince them of the fact which they set out to es- tablish. “So they think they’ve got the bulge on us now,” said the man from nowhere, with a loud laugh. ‘* You may bet vour good-for-nothin’ life, Zachariah, that they're as bad fooled as if they’d been swapped out o’ their boots. But your story is worth money, if it’s true, and I reckon it is, as you’ve done the squar’ thing by us so far. Here’s your ducats, old soak-an’- swill, and mind that you don’t let us miss a bit o’ news we ort to git.” Zach Stammel eagerly held out his hand for the pieces of gold that were dropped into it, and speenny trausferred them to his pocket, As he turned to go away a rifle cracked from the cover of a rock, and its bullet struck the outlaw in the breast. He staggered, and dropped upon his knees, bia Yer baste raised his rifle when another shot wus fired, and he fell over, a corpse, The spy was so astonished and frightened by this aes Che attack that he was incapable of flight, and he made no attempt at resistance when the two trailers ran out from their places of concealment and seized him. He was at once strongly bound, and was hurried away as soon as bis captors bad searched tbe pockets of the dead desperado and taken possession of his weapons. Zach Stammel was so terrified by this un- looked for termination of his adventure that he _eould sgh move, and it required the most vigorous talk and action on the part of his iO A - —— Ne ded il Clip, the Contortionist. s a captors to set him in motion down the moun- tain. Dull as he was by nature, and soggy with liquor, he did not need to be told that the discovery of his treachery had not been acci- dental. It was clear to the muddiest intellect that he had been suspected and followed from the set- tlement, that his capture was pre-arranged, and that there could be no question of his fate, He knew that he was a doomed man, He was compelled to retrace his steps as rapidly as possible, and he and his captors made pretty good time on their way back, reaching Orodia considerably after dark, but before any of the citizens bad thought of going to bed. The news of his capture and arrival speedily became common property, and a crowd that included nearly every person in the settlement congregated in front of Judge Waller’s new office, whither he was taken. There was of course no thought of resorting to any process of law to punish him, except the law of the majority—the law of Judge Lynch, In deference to the wishes of the crowd, the risoner was brought out on the street, and the ynch court was organized ‘tin the open.” Twelve jurors were selected, and Judge Waller was chosen to preside, and the proceedings were brief and summary. After Abe Shedder and Missouri Mose had given their clear and convincing testimony, Judge Waller made a short address, in which be properly described the crime of the spy, by which, as he said, a knife had been put to the throat of every man and woman in that region, and which had made possible the murders of Susan Nettle and Mrs. Warner. Without any hesitation the jury pronounced a verdict of guilty and a sentence of death. The prisoner had nothing to say for himself, seeming to be stupefied by the entire affair, and not until he was dragged to execution with the rope around his neck did he recover his senses sufficiently to beg for his life and for a drink of whisky. His entreaties were unheeded, and soon the boiy of Zach Stammel was swinging from a tree at the edge of town, a warning to all who might be tempted to follow his example. CHAPTER XIII THE MYSTERY SOLVED. THE scouts who had been carefully searching the hills, skillful and active men as they were, were slow to bring any information of value, and it was reserved for Clip Saunders to make the next important discovery. One day when he was in Orodia he was sur- prised at seeing there no less interesting a per- son than the Indian woman known as Ginger, who had been made a sort of left banded widow by the sudden taking off of Sam Bunker. He had happened to know something of the position she occupied in Bunker’s cabin, and had naturally wondered what had become of her since the death of her patron. When he saw her in Orodia she was well dressed—for her—and was actually sober—so sober that she went about with a stolid and in- expressive face, and appeared to be quite un- able to understand the meaning of any questions that were addressed to her. She had intelligence enough, however, to know what she wanted, to make her purchases with good judgment, to pay for ‘them properly, and to make sure that she was not cheated in making change. As she was supplied with money, it occurred to Clip that she must have found another pro- tector. From the fact that she was sober he con- cluded that her new master must be a man of sufficient force of character to scare her into leaving .Jiquor alone when he did not wish her to drink. He must, also, be a man who was unwilling to come to the settlement, or he would not have given her money and allowed her to make pur- chases in Orodia. It was to be supposed, therefore, that he was aman somewhat of Sam Bunker’s stripe, and probably one of Spence Symmes’s gang. These conclusions were confirmed by the na- ture of her purchases. She bonght whisky at the ‘‘ Graveyard ”— quite a quantity of it—but did not even smell at a flask, though she would doubtless gladly have drained at least one of them. She made several other purchases of various little matters that could not possibly have been intended for her own use. Having settled it in his mind where she be. longed, and on what sort of an errand she ba@ come there, Clip was strongly inclined to. be- lieve that whoever followed the Indian woman from Orodia would be led to the hiding: place ef the outlaws. Therefore be followed ber. He did not excite her suspicions by queetion- ing her or dogging her heels, but noted the route she took when she left the settlement, and set out in that direction. Soon he had the satisfaction of seeing hér mount a horse that she had left tethered in the timber and ride away. As she was not likely to have a horse of her own, this was anotber item of interest, Though Clip Saunders did not claim to be a trailer like Abe Shedder or Missouri Mose, he considered himself fully able to keep track of & squaw and a horse, and had no doubt of his ability to go wherever the horse could go, Somewhat to his surprise, the route that Ginger pursued after sbe had mounted was & public and easy one, From the timber sbe struck into the road that led by Warner’s Gap, where there could be no difficulty in following her. She did not attempt to press her horse to speed, and all the lad had to do was to jog along and keep out of her sight. In the course of time she turned from the road to the right, into a trail with which Clip had good cause to be acquainted, as it was the same trail which the first expedition from Oro- dia had taken, and the same which he had struck when he went to the rescue of Helen Warner. She followed this trail to the foot of the mountain, where she turned northward. “his is getting interesting,” said the lad as he pursued her along the trail which he bad previously trod under exciting circumstances. She passed the cliff where Spence Symmes and Cheyenne Charley had descended by @ rope, and where they had balted with Helem and lost her, and she went straight on toward the north, Clip followed her as closely as he could with- out being seen, fearing that he might lose sight of her, or that she might suddenly disappear in sume unaccountable manner. But he soon learned that there was really notbing mysterious about the matter. At a little distance from the foot of the cliff she came to 8 mountain brook, a swift little stream with a stony bottom, that ran toward the east. Into this she rode, the water coming up to her horse’s knees, and of course effectually extin- guishing the trail. Thus she went on down the stream, Cli keeping her well in view, until the broo passed through a narrow gap in a high bloff. Ginger passed through the gap with the stream, and was lost to sight. The lad hastened bis steps, and waded through the gap after ber, Before him lay a scene that at once aston- ished and pleased bim. It was a little green valley, almost exactl similar to Sam Bunker’s Well Hole, with hig hills on every side but the suuth side, which was a precipitous mass of rock. A number of borses were quietly grazing in this new Well Hole, and there, too, was the Indian woman, turning loose the horse she had ridden thither, and removing the bridle and d. Pit was certain that he had found the hiding- place of the robbers’ horses; but where was the den of the robbers themselves? There was nothing visible in the little valley that would guide him tw it, and he could only hope that the unsuspicious Ginger would con- tinue to lead bim. She took the few trappings of ber borse in her een and walked toward the cliff at the south side, No opening could be seen thers, nor anythi that could be called peculiar, except the trun of a dead tree, some twenty feet in hight, that stood close against the rock. Ginger went direct to the dead tree, while Clip peered out from behind his cover, wonder- ing what she was going to do, ; She stood there a few minutes, and then » section of the tree moved outward, as if upon hinges, apres an opening in the rock, Ginger passed in at the opening, and the sec- tion of the tree turned and closed bebind ber, The mystery was solved. There was the hiding-place of the outlaws, and very skillfully it was arranged. — The upper part of the dead tree was doubtless wp. , ._- . eK SERRE: o-
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o had been sawed out and arranged so that it would revolve, and when it was in its place no visitor to the valley would suppose that it con- cealed an opening in the rock. Clip Saunders verified these conjectures by a personal inspection, and satisfied himself that there was n9 mistake about the matter, Then he hurried back to Orodia to report his grand discovery. It was dark when he got out of the Well Hole valley, and of course the night was far gone when he reached the settlement. CHAPTER XIV. AN EXPLOSIVE ATTACK. THE highly important intelligence that was brought by tbe lucky young scout did not create any general excitement in Orodia, simply for the reason that it was kept very quiet. Clip Saunders did not breathe a word of it to anybody before he reported to Judge Waller, and that gentleman merely advised him to keep it to himself, knowing that his advice would be as fully heeded as the most solemn injunction, Although Zach Stammel had been caught at his crime and made to pay the penalty, it was possible that there might be another and a smarter spy in the settlement. Atallevents it was thought best that the matter should be taken in hand{by the Vigilance Committee alone, and that so important an en- terprise as that which they were about to un- dertake should be confided to none but the leaders. There was plenty of excitement among them, however, although it was subdued and kept from the general view. When they were aroused from their slumbers and summoned to Judge Waller’s office, they mpners that important developments awaited them. In this they were not disappointed, and un- stinted praise was given to Clip for his success. Success where older and more experienced scouts had failed. Arrangements were speedily made for sending outa speneandly strong party at daybreak, or earlier if possible. F Then the question arose of the nature of the rat-hole, and the best mode of getting at the rats. “As Clip Saunders describes it,” said Judge Waller, ‘‘those scoundrels are very secure in their den. There seems to be but a small open- ing, and I suppose that they could shoot usdown as fast as we went in. That makes the job a hard one.” “ We will get in, though,” Captain Tams de- celared. ‘‘The great thing was to know where to find them. We know that now, and we will be sure to get at them somehow.” “Of course, and the question is what how the somehow shall be. There are two ways of get- ting at them, and we can use both if we want to. Wecan blast them out, or we can smoke them out. If nothing else should avail, we can starve them out.” Though the arrangements for the expedition were so quietly made, and though it set out at such an early hour in the morning, it caused no little stir in the settlement, and the citizens soon had a general idea of its object, if not an entire- ly accurate one. But its leaders were sure that a spy, if there should be one bold enough to make tae attempt, would not be able to reach the rendezvous of the robbers sooner than they would, and they felt no apprehensions on that score, The expedition was abundantly supplied with ammunition and provisions, as if it was the in- tention of the leaders—and doubtless it was—to camp on the spot until they could effect the capture of the stronghold and the extermination of the outlaws. When they came to the mountain brook, and issed through the narrow gap into the Well ole valley, they could not help admiring the skill which the outlaws had shown in selecting their hiding-place and concealing their tracks. At the same time it was generally admitted that jt was something more than a lucky chance that He enabled Clip Saunders to bunt them to their The horses in the valley were first secured and removed, so that in any event the rob- bers would be “set afoot,” and a camp was prepared out of range of the cliff on the south Bid e. Active operations were then begun without any further delay. he section of the tree-trunk which Clip pointed out was carefully tried; but it could not Clip, the Contortionist. femly bolted to the rock, and the section below be induced to revolve, being probably fastened on the inside. An ax was brought into use, and the vigorous blows that fell on the dry and tough wood doubt- less gave the occupants of the interior a good understanding of what was going on, as there was no room for supposing that friends would knock at the door in that fasbion. The hard and kourly oak did not easily ield to the ax, and considerable time elapsed before it could be cut loose from its fasten- ings, he hole in the rock that it closed was covered by the rifles of some of the best marksmen in the party, the others eagerly watching the ef- forts of the ax-man. ‘Stand clear all!” shouted Ceptain Tams, when the section of the tree-trunk seemed to be about to fall. A vigorous blow of the ax drove it from its place, and it came tumbling down with a crash, showing the chain that had held it from the inside. The man who wielded the ax jumped away just in time to avoid several shots that were quickly fired from within, The riflemen in the valley promptly answered this attack by sending a number of bullets into the opening; but their volley was probably as harmless as that to which they responded. “We've got ’em now!” exclaimed Captain Tams, when all except the covering marks- men had retired out of range for consulta- tion. ‘Yes, we know that they are in there,” said Judge Waller, ‘‘and of course we have got them, or are bound to get them,” ‘ It was certain that the opening which had been disclosed by the fall of the tree-trunk was sO small and so easy to defend that any attempt to enter it was out of the question. At the same time it was equally evident that the rats in the hole could uot come out without being shot down. In fact, neither party could get at the other without a great sacrifice of life. Though the den could hardly be surpassed as a hiding-place, it was not what military men would call a tenable position, as the assailants were left free to use such means of coercion as fire and blasting-powder. This was what they proposed to do, begin- ning with the blasting material. A large cartridge of giant powder, which had been brought from Orodia for the purpose, was prepared for use, with a quick fuse attached, This was put in the charge of Missouri Mose, an experienced and careful bandler of explo- sives, who took his ition on one side of the hole in the rock, while Captain Tams cautiously advanced to the other side, At the same time the chosen marksmen and nearly all the rest of the party covered the opening with their rifles, keeping at a respect- ful distance from it. Captain Tams, who boasted a voice which, as his admirers declared, could be heard as far as he could be seen, summoned the outlaws to sur- render, “Come out, you rascals!” he shouted at the top of that wonderful voice, ‘‘Come out and surrender, before we blow you into the hottest corner of hell!” [t seemed that his voice must penetrate to the innermost recesses of the mountain; but there was no reply. Perhaps the outlaws were of the opinion that they migat as well be blown up as strung up. “Fair warning!” shouted Captain Tams again, ‘‘Come out and surrender, or hell will break loose among you!” This was strong enough language; but it neither moved the mountain nor the men who were supposed to be concealed within it. ** Let em have it!” ordered the captain. Missouri Mose lighted the fuse of his cartridge, drew back his arm, and.slung the heavy missile in at the opening. Then he and Captain Tams ran away at full speed, and with the others awaited the expected explosion, t came without fail, and quite as soon as it had been bargained for. . There was a heavy rumble, and then a terrific roar, and a vast volume éf dust and smoke rushed out of the opening in the rock as if ex- pelled by a great internal convulsion. After waiting for the effects of the explosion to subside, and neither seeing nor hearing any- thing of the outlaws, the Vigilantes determined to explore the interior of the cliff. Two young and daring fellows, accompanied by Clip Saunders, entered the opening, and groped their way forward in the darkness. psp lt 11 They soon found the passage blocked by masses of broken rock which the terrific force of the big cartridge of giant powder had torn from the roof and sides of the cavern, within. A lantern that had been brought from Orodia. was lighted, and others went in, and they moved the obstacles out of the way, and climbed over them, until they fully explored the interior. They saw plenty of signs of its recent occupa- tion by the robbers; but no living person did they find there. There was one dead person, though, Ginger, the Indian woman, lay on the rocky floor, fearfully mangled by the explosion, and a closer examination showed that she had pre-- viously been shot. lt was supposed that the outlaws, suspecting her of having betrayed them, had put her to death. But what had become of them? This was the mystery which the Vigilantes. proceeded to solve with the aid of the lantern and other lights. They soon found another interior passage,. which led upward, and which had evidently been enlarged and improved by the labor of men. This they ascended, the lantern at the head,. and all revolvers ready for immediate action. Up they went, and up, and up, until they thought that they must surely have reached the summit of the cliff, and then their further pro- gress was arrested by what was unmistakably a wooden floor. The man in the lead braced himself against the floor, and it proved to be a trap door which easily yielded to pressure. Directly they emerged into the interior of the log house which they had visited when the first expedition struck that locality. It was empty. vt CHAPTER XV. THE RAID ON WARNER’S RANCH. THE men who had come up into the log-house- were amazed and intensely disgusted. They rushed out through the open door, but: saw no sign of those they sought. After all their labor and pains and great anticipations their prey had easily slipped through their fingers, and had disappeared. utterly. It was clear that at the beginning of the at- tack upon the log door of their den the robbers: had taken the alarm, had escaped to the sum- mit of the cliff, and by that time must be far away. “There was some consolation in knowing that they were afoot; but how long before they would be mounted? Clip Saunders ran back beyond the log-house, and from the edge of the road called to those im the valley, bidding them look out for the horses. When they saw him standing there they at. once guessed what had happened, and prepared for a possible attack. But the horses were safe—those that had been captured, as well as those that belonged to the Vigilantes. bey were ail in the deep valley, and the outlaws would bardly attempt to pass the gap to make an attack. There was but one route by which they coula have got away from the bill on which the log- house stood. They must have climbed down where the first expedition from Orodia had as-~ cended, and that course would take them into the trail that led to the main road. The situation of affairs was explained to the Vigilantes below, who hastened to get their horses and traps togetber and leave the val- ley. Boon the two parties came together at the foot of the mountain, and a brief consultation was held there. The day was drawing toward its close, and there was no time to spare. ‘“What shall we do now?” asked Captain Tams. “What will those scoundrels do?’ replied Judge Waller. ‘‘If we can settle that question, our course will be plain. We have at ton set them afoot, and their first move will be to try to capture some horses. ere is the nearest lace they would be likely to go to to get orses?” ‘*Mat Warner’s ranch,” instantly answered Clip Saunders, and a terrible fear came over im. “To Mat Warner’s, then, my friends, and ride as if the devil kicked you!” Over the trail through the timber, and from
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ee there down the main road, the party galloped at the best speed of their horses; but it was mearly dark when the foremost men reached the gap that led into Mat Warner’s valley. They did not wait for those in the rear to <ome up, but dashed through, The sight that met their eyes was well calcu- Jated to rouse their wrath and hurry them for- ward, Matthew Warner’sbarn was in a bright blaze, _— flames were bursting out at the side of his ouse. It was at once supposed that the outlaws had oe there to steal horses, had been resisted, and revenge had fired the buildings. This supposition was confirmed by several dropping shots up the valley. Clip Saunders waited for no orders and no comrades, but at once galloped away toward the conflagration, Captain’ Tams, who had served in the civil ~war, and who was the military leader of the Vigilantes, halted’ a moment to form his men. hen he sent that wondérful voice of his deg up the road in his usual forcible style: ‘Hurry up, boys! Hell’s to pay here!” Then he sheated the stirring order to charge, and away his men went, those who had fallen behind rapidly closing up to them. It was no imaginary or invisible foe that they ‘were directed to charge. The desperadoes had accomplished their pur- pose, but not so easily as they had hoped to. There were a number of horses in Matthew Warner’s horse-lot, and that was their objec- tive point, especially as the stable was also there, where they might expect to find bridles and ape for riding-gear. ut it was daylight when they reached the rancb, and their approach was signaled by the -dogs, and they were quickly discovered b Warner and his men, who hastened to get their ‘weapons and defend the horse-lot. The struggle was, of course, a very unequal one, as they were largely outnumbéred; but more than one of their assailants bit the dust before they were driven from the fence to the stable. ‘a In their retreat one of the hands was killed, and another was badly wounded, but managed to get away. at Warner and the remaining men con- tinued the fight from the stable; but the oa laws, in their anger at the stubborn resistance, set fire to it; and soon smoked them out. They effected a safe retreat from their im- periled position, but did not go far, As soon as the growing Carkness gave them a chance they returned, and theirs were the shots that reached the ears of their friends at the ap. $ Bat the outlaws were left free to secnre the horses atid to provide themselves with riding- gear from the burning stable. Spence Symmes and Cheyenne Charley had in the mean time been paying special attention to their own safety and their own objects. They had been the first to get horses and mount them. Then they rode to the house, dismounted, and went in. Helen Warner wasin the room with Harry Venn, who had gained strength, but was yet too weak to leave his bed. The barking of dogs, the rapid firing, and the shouting of strange men, told her what was going on, and from the window she saw the attack on the horse-lot. She closed the shutter, so that Harry should mot see it. Between her anxiety for her father and for her invalid lover she scarcely thought of her own peril. “What is it?’ asked Harry. ‘‘ What is the matter?” ‘¢ Tt seems to be some sort of a fight,” she an- _ swered. ‘‘ Don’t let it worry you, dear. You ean do nothing, and I hope we are safe here.” ““Tt is Spence Symmes and his gang. Iam sure itis, He has come to carry you off again, and I can’t move a hand to help you. Oh, this is terrible!” “Be quiet, Harry. Have no fear forme. I have a pistol now, and know how to use it. I “@an protect myself.” When the footsteps were heard at the outer door she rose to her feet. “TJ will be back directly, Harry,” she said. She stepped out into the passage, closing the door behind her and locking it, and drew her ‘pistol from her pocket. 2 Before she could raise it she was firmly seized wy Spence Symmes, whose triumphant and in- Clip, the Contortionist. solent gaze once mors drove the color from her cheeks, ‘* Here I am again!” he exclaimed. ‘I have come, as I told you I would, and the devil himself won’t get you away from me this time!” Helen did not uttera cry. She knew that it would be useless to call for help, and feared to further alarm the invalid. Her fear was not what it would have been if she bad not’ been once rescued from a similar peril. The outlaw dragged her out to his horse, which he mounted, and with the assistance of Cheyenne Charley she was placed before him, In his triumph he probably forgot the possi- bility of pursuit by the men who had driven his band from their dens. By this time bis followers were gathering about him, and were impatient to be off. ‘Set fire to the shanty!” he shouted. ‘We need a good light to show us the way out.” His savage order was speedily obeyed, and he rode tuward the gap at the head of his remain- ing followers. at Warner and the farm hand who was un- hurt hurried forward, firing revengeful shots at them as they went. These were the foes that Captain Tams or- dered the Vigilantes to charge, and they did charge with a will. As they charged they fired at the mass of horsemen that suddenly appeared before them in the darkness. The departing outlaws, astonished and over- whelmed by the unexpected arrival of their enemies, were seized by a panic, and did not even attempt to make a fight. As the only exit for horses was closed against them, they scattered to the sides of the valley, where they dismounted and took to the hills. Several of them were shot down before they reached shelter, and the band was so thinned and demoralized and divided, that it might be considered broken up. Among those who succeeded in escaping were Spence Symmes and Cheyenne Charley. The latter got to the hills easily enough; but the former, being burdened with Helen Warner, was the target of a number of bullets that missed him. When he reached the woods his pursuers were so Close that if would clearly be impossible for him to take her further as an unwilling partner of bis flight. So he dismounted and ran, telling her to shift for herself. This she was well able to do, as she had re- tained her senses, and had a pretty good idea of what was going on. As soon as she was rid of the terror of his resence, she took the horse by the bridle, and ed him toward her burning home. Clip Saunders, as he galloped up the valley, saw the departing raiders, and steered to the left; but they scattered before he reached them, and he rode recklessly among and through the yA: horsemen, who were too much occupied in caring for their own safety to no- tice him. He rode at full speed direct to the house, where the flames were rapidly gaining head- way. Leaping from his horse, he let the animal run loose, and dashed into the house and to the door of Harry Venn’s room. The door was locked, but yielded when he threw himself against it, and the next moment he was at the bedside of the invalid. ‘*Never mind me, Clip,” exclaimed Harry. ‘Nelly is gone! Spence Symmes: has carried her off.” “You must be attended to now,” replied Clip, as he lifted the young man from the bed, and half carried bim to the ery At the door he met Matthew Warner, who gladly helped him with his burden, and when they got outside, there was Helen, thankful for the safety of her father and ber lover, Part of the Vigilantes assisted Mr. War- ner in removing such of bis household effects as could be saved; but it was impossible to ex- tinguish the fire, and the house burned to the ground, “Never mind,” said the ranchman. ‘‘My child is safe, and that is enough for me!” CHAPTER XVI. LIGHT ON A DARK DEED. Tr was a fact, as the young scout who follow- ed her supposed, that the Indian woman had transferred ber allegiance from the dead Sam Bunker to another of the same stripe. It was a further fact that Cheyenne Charley was the man who bad contracted to supply —-—— ao] obedience, # The liquor that she brought from Orodia was for the joint benefit of Ginger and Cheyenne Charley; but, as it happened, Ginger got only a small portion of her share, her supply being cut off by ber untimely death at the bands of the men who suspected ber of having betrayed the secret of their hiding-place. Thus the joint stock of whisky became the sole property of the man who bad promised turn over a new leaf, but had only succeedet in making some vegy black marks on the ol age. Betore be left the den with his comrades, he loaded himself with the flasks, and in the sub- sequent flight and desultory eombats, he was careful to keep his hg tem person and his pre- cious liquor out of the reach of stray bullets, At the first sight of the ths = wha as they rode from the gap toward Mat Warn he turned and fled. ! He had as yet touched the liquor but lightly, and his head was reasonably clear, Therefore he knew that his only chance for escape was to get {nto the hills and the cover of the timber. He pushed his horse toward the range on the south side of the valley, carefully selecting a point where the climbing seemed to be compar- atively easy. As soon as he reached the ascent he dismount- ed and took to his heels, and the timber and the darkness soon hid him from the view of the pursuing horsemen. The fire that had lately swept over the range had partly cleared it of undergrowth, but without making much havoc among the tall trees. Tbus the darkness was a better cover for the fugitive than the foliage; but at the same time the ascent was easier than it otherwise ‘would have been. It was difficult enough, though, and when he reached the summit he was quite exhausted, especially as he bad exerted himself to make good time for the sake of saving his precious carcass. He was well pleased at ap himeelf on the flre-swept plateau and near,the hole in which he and Spence Symmes had disappeared when they were between the fury of the flames and the wrath of the Vigilantes. After listening a while, to make sure that be was not followed, he groped about in the darkness and found the holé, into which he crawled, 7 w He stumbled through the passage, cursing his bard luck and the bruises he got on the way, until he came out in the valley or ravine below, where be considered himself safe. The forest here had been scarcely touched by tbe fire, and the night was warm, and the wearied desperado, after thoroughly soaking his skin with whisky, stretched bimselff on the ground, and slept soundly until the sun was climbing up the eastern sky, When he awoke he was in such a muddled condition that it was difficult for him to decide where he was or how he bad got there. But astrong pull at a whisky flask brightened him up, and enabled him to view the situation with reascnable clearness. Two points pressed upon bim severely. In the first place, he was alone, fseparated from his late comrades, whom he might never see again, and was a hunted man, against whom every hand would be raised. In the second place, he was hungry, and had not the faintest idea of how he would get any- thing to eat, unless something in the way of game should happen to come within range of his rifle. But, if there was a lack of solid food, there was no lack of liquid nourishment, and he sought solace in his whisky flask so earnestly that he was liable soon to sink into a stupor, The instructions of the Vigilantes were to scour the hills in search of the outlaws who bad escaped, and to shoot down without mercy all they found who refused to surrender, Clip Saunders, who had organized himself into a man-bunting expedition, crossed the pla- teau which Cheyenne ge 5 reach the night before, an search of prey. It seemed advisable to him to search the hole which he had previously explored: but, before doing so, he looked over the edge of the steep southern side of the ridge. Down there in the ravine he saw a man seated on the ground, his back ayainst a tree, and in his hand a flask which he frequently applied to his lips.- had been glad to looked about in her with whisky in return for her services and } ersrapncbh, | “4
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Clip, the Contortionist. 13 The lad thought that he recognized Cheyenne - Charley, and sougbt a place where he could climb down and make sure. In the ravine he cautiously approached the drinking man, made certain of his identity, and hid where he could watch him at his leisure. : Soon he had the satisfaction of seeing him tumble over and fall asleep. This was the opportunity that Clip wanted. He might easily have killed the outlaw as he sat there; but he had another use for him, and he was opposed to shedding blood if it could be avoided, He quietly stepped up to the prostrate man, removed his rifle and hid it, and cautiously ab- stracted his revolver from his belt. Then he stirred him pretty vigorously with his foot. As the stirring was not a sucnemta te shook him and punched him soundly, until he opened his eyes and sat up. When the outlaw got awake, and was able to take a confused pag of the situation, he saw himself eootrduted y a resolute young man with a leveled revolver, . Perceiving his danger, he reached for his own ene but it was gone, and his rifls was also visible. He easily r ized the fact that he was at an extreme disadvavtage,and that there was nothing for him to do but to submit to such terms as his foe chose to dictate. “What do you want?” he sulkily demanded. ‘“‘T want you,” answered Clip, “‘andI have ot you now where I want you.” * What do you want of me?” “T want you to tell me something.” ‘‘Fire ahead, then. What is it?’ “* Who xed my sister?” ‘‘ Who killed my sister?” repeated the outlaw ina maudlin way. ‘‘ Who killed Gock Robin? I, said the sparrer, with my bow an’ arrer.” ‘You had better be careful how you speak to me. are at my mercy, and I mean to get pe truth out of you. ho killed my sis- ter ““Whoare you, anyhow, young chap?” **-You know me as well as I Know you. Iam Clipton Saunders, and you are Charles Rentz. My sister was Meta Saunders. You were about our place in Kansas when she dips pupared, and you left just before her body was found. You know who killed her.” ) wy Mi ef “Maybe I do, and maybe I don’t.” “7 am sure that you do know, and you must tell me. Was it your” “No. As sure’s you live it wasn’tme. Ihad nothing to do with ber anyway. The man who killed her was powerful fond of her.” ‘¢ Who was he?” “ What’ll you doif I won't tell?” **T will tie you and hand you over to the Vigilantes, who are on your track, and they will ban you.” Rou will do that if I do tell?” “Tell me the name of that man, Charles Rentz, and you may go free.” “ All right, if you will give me that chance. It was Spence Symmes.” “The man I suspected. Why did he kill her?” ‘‘He was powerful fond of her, as I said, and when he met her there on the road, and she told him that she hated him, he was so mad that he shot her. Then he left the country. As I was witb him when he did the trick, I thought I had better skip, too.” “That is enough, Charles Rentz. and make the most of your chance.” The outlaw, who had been considerably sober- ed by this interview; walked away, slowly but steadily. Go, now, CHAPTER XVII, AN UNEQUAL DUEL, Cure SaunpERS looked after the recedin form of Cheyenne Charley until he was out o sight. Then he placed the captured sexplver in his belt, and examined the captured rifle, Hes there, with a_far-away look in his eyes, @ dark frown on his brow, and his lips com) 2 What he had just heard had evidently mov: ; i Re of his nature. ; ’ b la e said, ‘‘I know who was the murderer of my sister. I am sure that the undrel I turned loose spoke the truth, or I ould not have him. It was not for “f othing that I came here in search of the man : I must find him now, and if I do igilantes will not need to bang y "T have sworn that he sball die by my The breaking of a twig near by arrested his attention. He looked in the direction of the sound, and saw the man he sought. Spence Symmes had not been having an easy time since the disastrous conclusion of the raid upon Mat Warner’s ranch, Indeed it may be doubted if any of the band who were alive and unwounded had experienced a harder time than the leader. He was so badly ‘‘ flustrated” by the arrival of the Vigilantes, and by the failure of his second attempt to secure possession of Helen Warner, that he was not at the time of his flight as cool and clear-sighted as he was wont to be. Consequently he did not use such care and forethought as Cheyenne Charley did in select- ing his place of exit from the valley, t is likely, tov, that the shots which were aimed at him more than at any other unsettled his nerves. He started up the hill at a point where it was remarkably steep and rough, and had a ver difficult climb before he could consider himse out of the way of bullets, He was yet at a considerable distance from the top when darkness closed in upon him so thickly that he could scarcely see as much as a trée before him. Then he became entangled with rocks and fallen trees and, rayines, so that he completely lost his way, and was strongly tempted to stop and wait for daylight. But he pressed on and up, until he stumbled in the darkness, and fell into a gully. Instinctively he threw out his hands as he went down, and caught a prodecsin rock, to which he clung until he could collect his senses and steady himself for further efforts. He had no way of {raging the depth of the ravine; but it seemed to be easier and less dan- gerous to descend than to ascend, and ‘he groped his way downward with great difficulty, reach- ing the bottom in a badly bruised and exhausted condition, There he was content to stay and rest, and he er well, in spite of the roughness of his rocky In the morning he looked for his rifle, which had of course drop from his grasp when he tumbled into the gully. He found it; but it was ruined, the lock and the stock having both been broken by the fall. This was a real disaster, as he felt himself to be, without his rifle, no better than a sneak and a tramp, He needed food, which he could not expect to get by killing game with his revolver, and although there were people here and there on whom he had been accustomed to depend for poppies, they would be as likely in his hour of defeat to betray him as to assist him. He fully realized the fact that his only chance was to creep out of the country, and that it was not a brilliant chance at the best. The course of the gully led toward the south and he followed it downward until he came ou at the bottom of a deep ravine, His clothes, in which he had always taken much pride, were torn and soiled, and his face and bands were bruised and bloody. He knew that he cut a sorry figure;. but he did not ex- re to meet anybody, and surely did not desire 0. His surprise and disgust were great, therefore, when, as he was walking westward along the ravine, he suddenly found himself confronted by Clip Saunders and a leveled rifle. He knew Clip well, and had cause to dread him, not only because of his past, but because he believed the lad to have been connected with his recent disasters, ‘‘Halt, there!” ordered Clip, and Spence Symmes halted. “What do you want?” he asked, in just such atone as Cheyenne Charley bad used when he asked the same question, “T want you,” answered Clip, ‘‘I have just seen your partner, Charles Rentz, and I have forced the truth from him. I now kn who it was that killed my sister, Meta Saunders, who was foully murdered in Kansas.” “ Are you sure of that?” replied §, *T am sure that you are the man. The outlaw turned asby pale, and bis fierce eyes drooped. There could be no doubt that the thought of that deed was a dark spot in his memory. Then he looked up, coolly and defiantly, _ “ What are you going to do about it?” he de- manded, in a hoarse voice, : “‘T am going to kill you,” replied Clip. “Don’t you think it would be better to turn mes. cae? Thee wees the job over to your friends, the Vigilentes, who would be glad of the chance to hang me?” ‘*T bave sworn that I will kill you with my own hand.” ‘Well, asI look at you just now, you seem to be able to do it, as you have arifle, and L haye none. Go on with your kiiing, young man.” ‘*T don’t need to use the rifle,” replied Clip, who was angered by the cool and nunchalant manner of his antagonist, He pitched the rifle far from the reach of eitber of them. “Your pistol will do the work then, as I have nothing to match it,” sneered Symmes, ‘ Bus that would scarcely look like killing me with your own hand.” Clip threw away the pistol, and drew his long knife. ‘I will kill you with this,” he said. As quick as thought the outlaw drew a revol- ver from under his coat, and smiled as he cocked it. I think you had better postpone that killin business,” said he, “If you stir a step 1 wi shoot you down in your tracks,” But, Clip Saunders had already formed his resolution, and he carried it out with the quick- ness of lightning. ‘ He leaped forward as if he had been shot out of a cannon, and the gleam of the knife told his deadly purpose. ; . Spence Symmes, flurried by this sudden onset, fired two hasty shots, one of which missed the mark entirely, and the other struck the lad’s left arm. . Before he could fire again the keen blade had passed through his, neck, and he fell on the ground, his life-blood gushing forth in a torrent. Matthew Warner and two of, the Vigilantes, who had been scouring the forest in that direc- tion, came running to the spot, attracted by the pistol-shots, ” A few words put them in possession of the acts. “ His life was owed to me, and I have collect- ed the debt,” said Clip. , ‘‘Tam afraid you Tave spoiled him for hang- ing,” said Mat Warner. ‘T meant to make a sure thing, If you want something to do, you may tie up my arm, as he has put a hole through it,” In a few minutes, and without being ablo to speak, Spence Symmes breathed his last, and was left there to the birds and beasts of prey. Clip Saunders’s arm was attended to, and he accompanied. Mat Warner to the place where os had found a refuge for Helen and Harry enn. CHAPTER XVII. TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF. i Tut Vigilantes were resolute and thorough in their purpose of exterminating the band of robbers that had been the terror of the region about Orodia. When they had found their hiding-place and driven them from it, they lost no time and omitted no effort in the work of clearing them out, Day after day, and night after night, they peageaen the hills and forests forstray members of the gang that had claimed Spence Symmes as a leader. They strictly obeyed their instructions, and shot down without mercy all they found who refused to surrender. Those who surrendered—and they were very few in number—were hanged, as a farmer nails dead hawks on his barn as a warning to other hawks. Even the isolated settlers—not always un- suspected of sharing the booty of the plunderers —from whom they had been accustomed to seek shelter and supplies, turned against them, re- fused them the slightest favor, and aided in hunting them down. They could only die or leave the country, and the few who got away considered themselves ae fortunate. us the region was finally cleared of its worst characters, and it was no longer neces- sary to "go on houses or cabins or tepees the ‘skull and crossbones and mystic numbers of the Vigilantes. _ Among the few outlaws that were not dis- coyered by the men who scoured the country “was Cheyenne Ray sts How he escaped their thorough and persistent search nobody knew but himself, and he could jot have explained it if he had been put to the torture.
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ise cs i SE ee ee ene a REM MD LS Met TS 4 i —- —— & Clip , the Contortionist, o—_- - - _-— — — ** A fool for luck” was the proverb that pos- ay might ace>unt for it. e had wandered aimlessly about, stupefied ‘with liquor, and nearly famished for food, and had simply happened to stray out of the way of ‘those who were seeking him. When his whisky was exhausted, and he had no means of procuring anything to satisfy his } hunger, the terrors of starvation came upon 7 hi fo m, and he ventured to stop at a ranch and beg r food and shelter, He was promptly arrested as a suspicious character, and taken to Orodia, There he was marched to Judge Waller’s office, and the judge declared that a more woe- begone, bedraggled, miserable and broken-down specimen of a tramp had never appeared before hi m, A council of the leaders of the Vigilantes was held to determine his fate, and the decision quickly was that he should be hung by the neck until he was very dead indeed. “ This is the man,” said Judge Waller, ‘* who | 21 Tue TRAPPER’s DAUGHTER, came to me and assured me that he was going | to it turn over a new leaf. What sort of a leaf is that you think you have been turning over, you wretched bound?” Cheyenne Charley, who was in the depths of worrow and the valley of humiliation, had not a word tosay for himself. _But there was one who had a word to’say for ‘hi mM. This was no other than Clip Saunders, who, as Judge Waller’s right-hand man, was consid- ered a privileged character, and who was pres- en t at the council, with his left arm in a sling. Clip spoke of the broken-down outlaw as a egal trial by the pro or devil, and suggested that heshould have a r authorities. ‘But he has killed two women,” said Judge Waller. ‘‘That’s a fact, sir, and a little while ago I would have been glad to help string him up; but he is so completely used up that I would hate to see him hung just now.” Strange to say, the others ave in to the lad’s opinion, and Cheyenne Charley was held for a regular trial. A young lawyer who was anxious to distin- guish himself took up his case, and, although the outlaw was convicted of murder, the law’s de lays interfered to prevent the execution of his sentence, until finally he turned over a new jeaf by escaping from prison. Matthew Warner, assisted by the settlers whom he called his neighbors, erected new buildings in the place of those that had been de stroyed by the outlaws, and msde a home for Helen, who was married to Harry Venn when he had fully recovered from bis wounds. Orodia grew and flourished place of importance in the ft and became a arge county in which it was located. About a year after the events herein recorded th e political pot began to boil in that section, and among other offices that were to be filled at the approaching election was that of sheriff. At a conference of the leading men in and about Orodia, most of whom had been members of the Vigilanee Committee, Judge Waller took occasion to express his opinion in these words: **Orodia is entitled to name the sheriff this yon" and that right will be conceded to us, e bave only to put forward a good man, and 1 believe that Lam entively justified in naming fo r the office my young friend, Clipton Saun- ders, who was aey instrumental in cleaning sout the Spence ymmes gang of scoundrels, and who is known to us all as being capable and in u teeecd his years. every way worthy.” It was suggested that Clip was very young. | 42 Tae, CALIFORNIA Detective, A. W. Aike | 4 9 Hanpy Anpy. By Samuel Lover Pim to 10 Vipoca, THE FRENCH PoLIcE Spy. By himself. 11 MrpsuipmAN Easy. By Capt. Maryatt areve 12 THe Deatu-SHor. By Capt. Mayne Reid .. . 13 Parnaway, By Dr. J. H. Robinson.. oO 14 THAYENDANEGEA, THE ScourGE. Ned Buntline. 15 Tue Ticger SLAYER. By Gustave Aimard.... . 16 Tue Waite Wizarp. By Ned Buntline..,.... : 17 Nrautsuape. By Dr. J. H. Robinson ...... ‘ 18 Tae Sea Banptr, By Ned Buntline....... . ¢ 19 Rep Cepar. By Gustave Aimard........ é 20 Tue Banpir ar Bay. By Gustave Aimard.,.. Gustave Aimard . Wuitrenaw. By Dr. J. H. Robinson Tue Rep Warrior. By Ned Buntline 24 Tne Prairie I’Lower. By Gustave Aimard.. 25 Tue Gotp Guipe. By Francis Johnson........ 26 Toe Deatra Track. By Francis Johnson 27 Tur Sporrer Detective. By Albert W.Aiken.. 28 THREE-FINGERED Jack, Joseph E. Badger, Jr, 29 Tiger Dick, THe Faro King. P.S. Warne 30 Gospet Grorcr. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr 31 Tur New York SHarp. By Albert W. Aiken.. 32 B’soys or Yate. By John D. Vose ... ... .. 33 Overtanp Kir. By Albert W. Aiken. ..., 84 Rocky MounTAIn Ros. By Albert W. Aiken.. 55 Kentuck, THE Sport. By Albert. W. Aiken., 86 Insun Dick. By Albert W, Aiken | 87 Hiri, toe Huncwsack. By J. H. Robinson... By Albert W. Aiken. - 89 THe Russtan Spy. By Frederick Whittaker. 40 Tue Lone Harrep ‘ Parps.’ J. £. Badger, Jr.. 41 GoLp’ DAN. By Albert W. Aiken. . 38 Vetvs7 HAND. 43 Daxora Dan. By Ol] Coomes . F Peta} *- 44 Otp Dan RackBack. By Ol Coomes ..,.. 45 Otp Buiw’s Eve. By Jos. BE, Badger, Jr.... . 46 Bowre-Knire Ben. By Oll Coomes yigeh se 47 Pactric Pere. By Jos E. Badger, Jr.......... 48 IpaAno Tom. By Oll Coomes. qb 49 Tum WoLF Demon. By Albert W. Aiken.... . 60 Jack Ragppit. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr ....... 51 Rep Ros, tHe Boy Roap-AGenT. Oll Coomes.. 52 Death TRAILER. By Wm. F’. Cody............ 53 Su.ver Sam. By Col. Delle Sara,............. 54 Anways on Hanp. Bv Philip.S. Warne....., 55 Tue ScaLp Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reid .. 56 Tue INDIAN Mazeppa. By Albert W. Aiken. .., 57 Tue Sitent Hunter. By Percy B.St. John... 58 Srtver Knure. By Dr. J. H. Robinson,....... 59 THe MAN ¥rom Texas. By Albert W. Aiken, 60 Wipk Awake. Ry Frank Dumont........... : 61 Caprarn Seaware.’ By Ned Buntline.......... 62 LoyaL Heart. By Gustave Aimard,........ b> THe Winerep WHAtE, By Albert W. Aiken.... 65 66 70 Hyprasav. By Dr. J. H 71 Capratn Coot BLapE, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.. | 72 Toe Paanrom Hanp. By Albert W. Aiken 73 Tue KNIGHT OF THE RED Cross. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.... egies xy EP) CAPTAIN OF THE RIFLES. Capt. Mayne Reid.. 7 GenTLEMAN GrorGe. By Albert W. Aiken... 76 Tae QuEEN’s Musketrers. By Geo. Albany.. 77 Tue Fresu or Frisco. By Albert W. Aikeni, 738 Tur Mysterious Spy. By A. M. Grainger.... 79 Joz Puentx. By Albert W. Aiken. ......... 80 A Man or Nerve. By Philip 8. Warne...... 81 Toe Human TIGER, Albert W. Aiken, ... 82 Iron Wrist. By Col. Thomas H. Monstery.. | 83 Gotp Butter Sport. By Buffalo Bill | 85 Tae OrETAN ROVER, |} 90 Wrtp Witt, By Buckskin Sam... 64 Hunrep Down. By Albert W. Aiken ....... By Col. P. Ingraham... 86 Tae Bia Hunter, Author of “Silent Hunter.” 87 THe ScarRLeET CAPTAIN. By Col, Delle Sara.... 88 Bra Grorae.. By opph E. Badger, Jr....... 89 Tae Prratre Prince. By Col. P. Ingraham... | 91 Tae Wiynine Oar. By Albert W. Aiken. | 92 BurraLo BIL. ‘He is getting older every day,” replied the | ‘*He has shown courage and capacity dge. We want a young and ac- tive man for the position, and if my word se for anything he will be our next sher- iff.” His word did count for something, and at the | t election Clip Saunders had a good majority, ' and became the youngest sheriff then in the Duited States. THE END. -Beadle’s Dime Library. 1 2 8 4 5 6 ~ ‘ A Harp Crown. By Philip 8S. Warne........... 10¢ THe DarEe-Deviu. By Col, P. Ingraham..... . 10¢ Krr Carson, Jk, By Buckskin Sam ......... . 10¢c THE KIDNAPPER. ag, Aes | 8..Warne...:°.. . 10¢ Tru Fire Frenps, By A. P. Morris ......,.., 10c Witpcar Bos. By Edward L, Wheeler. ...... 10¢ Deatu-Noten, THe DestRoYER. Oll Coomes,. 10c By Major Dangerfield Burr .. 93 Caprain Dick TaLBor. By Albert W. Aiken.. 94 FREELANCE, THE BuCCANEER. By Ingraham 95 AZHORT, THE AXMAN. By Anthony P. Morris. 96 DovsLeE DreatH. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 97 Bronze Jack. By Albert W. Aiken Hf 98 Tue Rock Rrppr. By Capt. F. Whittaker... . 99 THe Giant Rirteman,. By Oll Coomes .. .. 100 Tur Frencu Spy. By A, P. Morris......... 101 THe Man From New Yorr. By A. W. Aiken, 102 Tok Masked Bann, By George L. Aiken .. 103 Merie, THE Mutinerr. Col. P. Ingraham.. 104 Montezuma, THE Mercriess. By Ingraham. 105 Dan Brown or Denver. By Jos. E Badger.. 106 SHamus O’BriEN. By Col. Delle Sara iia 107 Ricuarp Tauro or Crynapar.. By Aiken, 108 Tae Duke or DiaMonns. By Fred. Whittaker. 109 Capratn Kyp. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham . 110 Tar Srrent RirtemMan. By H. W. Herbert . 111 Tae Suvaater Caprary. ‘By Ned Buntline. 112 Jom Prenrx, Private Detective. By Aiken, 113 Tae Spa Supper. . By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 114 THe GENTLEMAN FROM Pike. By P. §, Warne 115 Tor SevereD Heap. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 116 Buack PiuME, THE Devi. of THE SEA. By Col. P. Ingraham a mat 117 Dasnina Dandy. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 118 THe Burcuar Captain, By J. H. Ingraham. 119 ALabaMa Jok. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.... 120 THe Texan Spy. By Newton M. Curtis. 121 THe Sea Caper, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 122 Sav. SapperpAy. By Ned Buntline 123 ALAPAHA, THE Squaw. By Francis Johnson. 124 Assowaum, THE AVENGER. Francis Johnson. 125 THe BuacksmiTH OvurLaw. By H. Ainsworth. 3 Tux HeapLess Horseman, By Mayne Reid.,.. 10¢ | 126 Taz Demon Duetist. By Col. T. H. Monstery. NT Re | “ | 144 127 So. Scorr, roe Maskep Miner, By Badger. 128 Tor CHEevaLter Corsair. By the author of “Merle, the Mutineer,”’ f Gare 129 Mississrpr1 Moss. By Edward Willett..... 130 Caprarn Votcano. By Albert W. Aiken.... 131 Buckskin Sam. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.. 132 Nemo, Kine or THE Tramps. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker.... aM er ae 133 Ropy, tHe Rover By William Carleton.... 134 Darkre Dan. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 135 Tue Bus Rancer. By Francis Johnson.... 136 Tae OurLAw-Hunter. By Francis Johnson. 1387 Lone BEARD, THE G1aANT Spy. By Oll Coomes. 138 THe BorpDrER Banvirs. By Francis Johnson. 139 Fire-Eyr, THE SrA Hyrna. By Ingraham 140 Tor Tourer Spantanps. By George Walker.. 141 Equinox Tom. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr... 142 CaprarIn Ortmson. By Major Dangerfield Burr 143 Tue Czar’s Spy. By Thos. H. Monstery.... HUNCHBACK oF Notre-Dame. Victor Hugo.. Piston Parps. By Wm. R. Eyster . a. a Tue Docror Detrrctivr. By George Lemuel 147 Gotp Spur. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ... 148 Onr-Arnmep ALF. By Oll Coomes 149 Tur Borprr Riries. By Gustave Aimard.. 150 Et Rusio Bravo, 1HE Kine oF THE Sworp- MEN: By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery..., . 151 Toe FReEEBOOTERS. By ustave Aimard.... 145 144 152 CAPTAIN IRONNERVE. Marmaduke Dey 153 THe Wairr Scatper. By iustave Aimard. 154 Joaquin, THE Sappie Kina. By J. E. Badger, 155 Tar Corsarrk QuEEN. By Col. P. Ingraham, 156 VetveT Face. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 157 Movurap, THE MameLuKE. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 0). .«d- foween co une owe 158 Tur Doomep Dozen. 159 Rep Rupierr. By Capt. Fred’k Whittaker., 160 Sorr Hann, SHARP. By Williem R. Eyster.. 161 Tae Wo ves or New Yors. By A.W. Aiken. 162 Taz Map Marrmer. By Col. P. Ingraham 163. Ben Brion, tHE TRAPPDER Capt sin; or, Rep- PATH, THE AVENGER. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 164 Tur Kixe’s Foou. By C. D. Ciark 165 Joaqumn, THE TERRIBLE, By Jos. E. Badger. 166 Owr_eT, THE ROBBER PrINcE. By Septimus R. Urban bee i Fe Saye tbr tie gee 167 The Man or Steru. By A. P. Morris,..... 168 Wup Bri, THE Piston Drap Sno. By Col. 169 Prentiss Ingraham. . F os a¥ suid. 6 CorPporAL Cannon. By Col. Monstery...... 1/0 Sweer Wiiuiam.. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. ... 171 Tiger Dick, tHE MAN cF THE IRON HEART. By Philip 8S. Warne. 172 THe Brace Pirate. By Col. Ingraham.... 173 CaLIrornia Joun, By Albert W. Aiken...... 174 Puantom Kniguts, By Capt. F. Whittaker. . 175 Wip Buuw’s Tremp Carp. By Major Burr. 176 Lapy Jacuar. By Capt.Mark Wilton... 177 Don Drapio. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham... 178 Dark DasHwoop. By MajorsS.8. Hall. .. . 179 Co~rap, THE Convict. Prof. 8. Gildersleeve. 180 Oxp °49. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. wl 181 Tur ScarLeT ScHooneR. By Col. Ingraham. 182 Hanns Up. By Wm. R. Fyster Je2 183. GiupER?, THE. GuinE. By C. Dunning Clark. 184 Tue Ockan Vamwrire. By Col. P. Ingraham. 185 Man Sprper. . oe ee By A. P. Morris .... ive 186 THe Buack Bravo. By Buckskin Sam.... 187 THe Dratn’s-Hrap Crirassiers. Whittaker. 188 PHantom Mazeppa, Major Dangerfield Burr, 189 Wiip Biiy’s Gotp Tram. _ By 190 Tae Toree GuaRpsMEN.. By Alex. Dumas.. 191 THe TerristE TonKaway. By Buckskin Sam. 192 THE Licuininc Sront. By Wm. R. Eyster. 193 THe Manin Rep Ry Capt. F. Whittaker. 194 Don Somprero By Captain Mark Wilton 195 Tue LoneStar Gameter. By Buckskin Sam. 196 La Marmoset. By Albert W. Aiken... .... 187 Rrvotver Ros. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr... 198 Tur SKELETON ScuooneR.. By P. Ingraham. 199 DrAvoxp Dick. By Buckskin Sam, ob Ae 200 THE Ririe Rancers. , By Capt. Mayne Reid, 201 Trk PrratTe or THE PLacers. By Badger. 202 Cactus JAcK. By Captain Mark Wilton... 203 Tee Dovete Detective. By A. W. Aiken. Bie Foor Waunace. By Buckskin Sam Tur GawELeR Prrate. By Col..P. Ingraham One Eye. THE CANNONEER. By W bittakcr.. O.p Harp Heap. By Philip 8. Warne... ... Tau Wrire Cuter. By Capt. Mayne Reid. Bren Farry. Vy Fdward Willett.:.. ... Buccaneer Brss. By Prentiss Inmiaham .: THE Unknown Sport _l'y Capt. Whittaker. 2.ThE Brazos Tigers By Buekskin Sam... THe * ar Tram. By Captain Mayne Reid.. Tne Two Coon Srorrs. By Wm. R, Eyster. 5 Parson Jim. By Captain Fred. Whittaker, 3 THe Corsarr PLaAnvFr. By Col. Ingraham. | 217 Tur Srrper of Et Paso | By Buckskin Sam. Tur Wimp Hunrrrss. By Capt. Mayne Reid. Tur Scorpion RrorHERs. By Capt. Wilton, 590 Tun Specren Yeu. By Col, P. Ingraham, 2°91 Drsprrate DuKe.. By Buckskin Sam..... 222 Brinn, THE Buizzarp. By Edward Willett... Canyon Dave. By Captain Mark Wilton Brack Brarp. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham,. Rocky Mountain Au. By Buckskin Sam... Map Hussars. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. 227 BucksHot Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton. THe Maroon. By Capt. Mayne Reid....... 229 CarpTAIN CUTSLEEVE. Sy William R. Eyster. 230 The Frymse Dutcuman or 1880. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker A new issue every Wednesday, ee ee ee er’ Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all P. Ingrabam,, 1 10¢ 10e 10¢e ec 10¢e 10¢e 10¢ 10¢ Newscealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on ~ receipt. of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, | Publishers, 98 William street, New York.
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/ 401 Jack Markawayin New York; or.The Adventures or the Traveler’s Club. By Brace- bridge Hemyng (Jack Harkaway). Agz Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler; or, The Cruise of the Vixen. By Ool. Ingraham. 103 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady of San Tropez. By Colonel Delle Sara. 104 Deadw -od ick®s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. By E. L. Wheeler. £05 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Cap- tive. By Captain Hamilton Hohnes. £06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, Niokana, the White anon of the Blackfeet. By T. C. Harbaugh, 207 @ne-Kyed Sim; or, The Avandoned Forest Home. ‘By James L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy, the Young Bear Killer; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf, By Harry St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick As Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. £10 The Black Steed of the Prairies. By James L. Bowen. 211 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 212 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, £13 Jack oyle the Young Speculater; or, The Road to Fortune. By E. L. Wheeler, $14 The Black Schoone;s; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. By Roger Starbuck, 415 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. G. Waldo Browne. 416 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell-Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport-Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler, 218 Will’ Somers, the Boy Detective By Charles Morris. t 4119 Mustang Sam; or, the King of the Plains. ey Jos. E, Badger, Jr. 220 The Branded Hand or, The Man of Mystery. By Frank Dumont. #21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport; or. The Golden Idol of Mt. Rosa. By E. L. Wheeler. 222 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy; or, The Mys- tery of the Strongbow. By Charles Morris 423 Kiowa Charley, the White Mustanger. By T. C. Harbaugh. 424 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Cham- ion. By George Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mys- tery, the Female Forger. By E, L. Wheeler. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. By Charles Morris. 427 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road;-or, The Wolves of Satan’s Gap. By Frank Dumont, 128 The Young Privateer ; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. By E. L. Wheeler. 430 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. By Charles Morris. 231 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue. By George Waldo Browne. 132 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman of the Prairie. By Edward §. Etlis. 433 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks; or, The Pawnbroker’s Plot. By Edward L. Wheeler, 134 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman; or, The Young Patriots of the North. . By Oll Coomes, 135 Captain Paul, the Kentucky Moonshiner; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. By C. Dunring Clark, 2136 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 137 The Helpless Hauds or, Backwoods Retribution. By Captain Mayne Reid. 138 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. 139 Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy Vigilante. By T. C. Harbaugh. 340 Blue Blazes; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont. 241 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detec- tive. By Charles Morris, 143 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter; or, The Mystery of Fort Rane. By Oll Coomes. 144 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York. Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job. By E. L, Wheeler. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. By Oll Coomes. 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred; or, The Winning Hand. By Charles Morris, 148 Sharp Samj3_or, The Adventures of a Pasp dices Boy. By 5. Alexander Patten. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler. 50 Lance and Lasso 3 or, The Children of the Chaco. By em her 3 ergs. whe ji 151 Panther Paul, the Prairie Pirate; or, : Dainty Lance to the Rescue. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. ue 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer; or, Win- ning Against Odds. By Charles Morris. 153 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon; or, The Out- laws of the Gold Hills. By Oll Coomes. 154 The Sword Hunters; or. The Land of the Elephant Riders. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 255 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. By T OC. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 257 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. By Charles Morris. W568 Fancy Frank, of Colorado; or, The Trap- per’s Trust. By Buffalo Bill, 159 The Lost Captain: of, Skipper Jabez Coffin's Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 160 The Black Giants; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Jos, E. Badger. Jr. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective; or, Old Blakesly’s Money. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods}; or, Camp Life in the Alleghanies. By Chas. Morris. 163 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes. 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledges or, Hunted to Death. By George Waldo browne. 165 Billy Bagege, the Railroad Boy; or, Run to Earth. By Charles Morris. 166 Hickory arry; or, The Trapper-Bri- gade’s Spy. By Harry St. George. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy; or, The Land Pirates of the aegenay oe Ky Ed. Willett. 168 Deadly Dash ; or, Fighting Fire With Fire, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. By T. C. Harbaugh. 170 ** A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dany or, The Rival Leagues of Silver Circle. By Frank Dumont. 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, The Wolf-Herder of the Rockies. By Harry St. George. 173 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Hunted Maid of Taos. By George Waldo Browne. 174 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dodger; or, Mys- teries of New York. By Charles Morris. 175 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road- Agents; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Big Game. By Philip S. Warne. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. 8S. N. 177 Nobby Nick of Newada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras. By Edwarii L. Wheeler. 178 Old Soli:ary, the Hermit Trapper; or, The Dragon of Silver Lake. By O!l Coomes, 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner; or, The Road to Ruin. By Charles Morris. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. 8. N. 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. 182 Little urricane, the Boy Captain. By Oll Coomes. 183 Khe Hidden Hand3; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. By Charles Morris. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 185 Evil Eye, King of Cattle Thieves; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. By F. Dumont. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game. _ By Col. Delle Sara. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers of the Inlet. By Charles Morris. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter of Powder River. By T 0. Harbaugh, 189 Bob Rockett, the Cracksman; or, Driven to the Wall. By Charles Morris. 190 sea Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By Wm. R. fryster, 191 Buffalo Biily, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed Thirteen, By Capt. A. B. Taylor. 192 Captain Kit, the Will-o’-the-Wisp; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. S. N. 193 Captain Mask, the Lady Road-Agent; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. By P. S. Warne. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, By Capt. Alfred B, Taylor, U. 8. A. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Ri- vals of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. 196 Shadowed; or. Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. By Charles Morris. 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. By Col. Ingraham, 198 Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. By Harbaugh. 199 Featherweight, the Boy Champion of the Muskingum; or, On his Muscle, Wits and Honor. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedouins; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 201 The Black Hills Jezebels; or, Dead wood Pick’s Ward. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 202 Prospect Pete, of the Boy Brigade; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. By Oli Coomes, 203 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Un- masks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 204 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit; or, The Kid- Glove Sport. By Col. Prentiss Ingrauam. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane's Last Adventure. By Ed. GL, Wheeler. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King; or, Cavght in His Own Trap. By Charles Morris. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. By T. C. Harbaugh. 208 The Boy Efercules; or, The Prairie Tramps. By OD Coomes, 209 Fritz, the Pound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game Mit Rebecca. By E. L. Wheeler. 210 Faro frunk of High Pine; or. Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards. By Wm. R. Eyster. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, By Joseph E. Badger. Jr, 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, By Mhariles Morris, 213 fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Scamp-Hunter By Edward L. Wheeler. 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 2\1b Captain Rullet, the Raider King; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. By T. C. Harbaugh. 216 Bison Bill. the Prince of the Reins, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 1 J By Of 217 Captain Crack-Shot, tke Girl By Edward L. Wheeler. 218 Wiger Tom, the Texan Terror. Coomes. 219 Despa d, the Duelist; or, The Mountaig Vampires. By Philip S. Warne. 220 Tom Tanner, Scalawag and Scapegraces or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. By Philty S. Warne. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam} or. Tre Black Gowr# of Grim Gulch. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 223 Ozark Alf, King of the Mountain; oF Featherweight Among the Outlavs, By Es ward Willett. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’‘s Castle By Oll Coomes, 225 Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky; o How the Boy Got Even. By Chas. Morris. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The arat F tective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Gra Ranger of the Yellowstoné. By Edwin Ema son, 228 Little Wildfire, the Yourg Prairie Pomad; or, The Idyl of Echo Canyon. By Oil Coomea. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Traiisr; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. By Col. P. Ingraham. 230 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. By C. Dunnipvy Clark. 231 Plucky Phil, of the M*untain Traii; or Rosa, the Red Jezebel. By T. C. Harbaugh. 232 Gold-Dust Dick. Fy Ed, L. Wheeler. 233 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Parcéd Paul Powderhorn. By Albert W. Aiken. 234 Old Rocky’s “ Boyees; or, Benite the Young Horse Sreaker. By Maj. Sam & Hall, * Buckskin Sam, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy; «, Turning the Tables. By Charles Morris. 236 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate from Right Bower.. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 237 Lone Star, the Cowbcy Captain; or, The ‘ Mysterious Ranchero. By Col. P. Ingraham, 238 The Parson Detective; or, Little Shocky the Ranger of Raven Ruost. By OTl Coomes. 239 Whe Goli-seeker Guide; or, The Lost Mountain, By Captain Mayne Reid. 240 Cyclon it, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked V ‘ey. By Kdward L. Wheeler. 241 Sill B wvo, and His Bear Pards; or, The Roughs of the Rockies. By T. C. Harbaugh. 242 The Two * Bloods; or, Shenandoah Bil and His Gang. By Charles Morris. 243 The Disguised Guide; 01, Wild Raven, the Ranger of the North. By Ol! Coomes. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion By Edward L. Wheeler. 245 Merle, the Middy; or. The Heir of az Ocean F:eelance, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’l of the Range, By oye Sam §, Hall— Buckskin Sam. 247 O!d Grizzly and His Pets. By Capt. ** Bruir, ’* Adams. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Blood? Footprints. By Edward L. Wheeler. 249 Mile Romer, the Animal King; or. The Row.d the World Wanderer. By Capv. Fred, Whittaker, #50 Th: Midshipman Mutineer; or, Bre adt, the Buccaneer. By Col, P. Ingraham, 251 Lisht-House Lige ; or. Osceola, the Fire brnnd of the Everglades. By Captain J. F. C. Ac ams. 252 Dick Dashaway; or, A Dakota Boy iz Cnicago. By Charles Morris. 253 Sterra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Rig Vista. By Edward L. Wheeler. 254 Whe Halt-Ricod 3 or, The Panther of the Plains. By Edward §. Elis. 255 Captain Apollo, the King-Pin of Bowie. By T. C. Harbough. 256 Young Kentuck: or, The Red Lasso, By Captain Mark Witton, 2&7 The Lost Hunters: or, The Underground Camp. By Captain J. F, C. Adams, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. By Edward L. Wheeler. 25? The Golden Harpoon: or, Lost Among the Floes. By Roger Starbuck. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young.Prairie Ram ger. By Oll “oomes. 261 Fergus Fearnaught, the New York Boy, By George L. Aiken. 262 The Young Sicuths; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. By Charles Morris. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Fy Ed. L. Wheeler, 261 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. By C fonel Prentiss Ingraham, 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren, 267 The Buckskin Detective; or, Claude Crecy, King of American Road-Agents. By T. C. Harbaugh. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death ‘Trail; or, From Ocean to Ocean. By Ed, L. Wheeler. 1 262 The Gold Ship; or. Merle, the Gongs demned. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. : A New Issue Bvery Tuesday. The Malf-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail om receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pus.isHERs, 98 William Street, New York,
Page 16
270 Blizzard Ben, the Arizona Cyclone; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. Ly Capt. M. Wilton. 271 ‘The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By Edward 8. Ellis. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. By Oll Coomes. 273 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs. By Edward L. Wheeler. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apenantice: or, Harry Keen's Big “ Lay.’’ By Charles Morris. 275 Arizona Jack; or, Giant George’s Tender- foot Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 276 Merle Wonte’s Cruise 5 or, The Chase of ‘*The Gold Ship.” By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. By Edward L. Wheeler, 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountain Monster. By Major L. W. Carson. 279 Old Winch, the Rifle King; or, The Buck- skin Desperadoes. By T, C. Harbaugh. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, The Pi- rate’s Pride. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 281 Denver Doll’s Victory; or, Skull and Cross-bones. By Edward L. Wheeler. 282 The Typo_Detectives or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. By Edward Willett. 283 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. By Major Lewis W. Carson, 284 The Sea Marauder ;, or,.Merle Monte’s Pledge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy; or, Little Bill's Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 286 Josh The, Boy Tendertwot; or, The Wild Men of Buzzard Bar. By Capt, M. Wilton. 287 Billy Blue-Kyes, the Roy over of the Rio Grande. ngraham. 24 Col. Prentiss 288 Whe Scalp King; or, The Human Thun- derbolt. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. 289 Jolly Jim’s Jo»; or, The Young Detec- tive’s Triumph. By Charles Morris. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. By Oll 291 292 Coomes. ‘Turk, the Boy Ferret. By E, L. Wheeler. Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. By Maj. E. L, St, Vrain. 293 Red Glaw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Chiff, By Captain Comstock. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa. By T. C. Harbaugh. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartz- ville. By Edward Willett. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road ueen’s Big Campaign. By E, L. Wheeler. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. By Buckskin Sam. * 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. By Charles Morris. A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker; or, The Schoolmarm o’ Sassafras. By E. L. Wheeler. The Sky Domon; or, Rainbolt, the Ran- er. By Oll Coomes, ,eadville Nick, the Boy Sport By Major. E, L. St. Vrain. Whe Mountain Detective; or, The Bul- ly of Trigger Bar. By T. C. Harbaugh. Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, The Iron- Nerved Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler, The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. By Col. Prentiss ‘Ingraham. Dashaway of Dakota; or, A_ Western Lad in the Quaker City, By Chas. Morris. 306 Neck-Tie Ned, the Lariat-Thrower; or, The Dug-Out Pards. By Maj, Henry B. Stoddard. 307 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. By Buckskin Sam, 808 Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler’s Pard; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. By Col. P. Ingraham, 309 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, By Ed, L. Wheeler. 310 The Barranca Wolf; or. The Beautiful Decoy. . By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 311 Whe Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. _By Edward Willett. 312 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. By Major E L. St. Vrain. ‘ 313 Cimarron Jack, the King Pin of Rifle- Shots. By Frederick Dewey. 314 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Trail. By Col, P. Ingraham, 315 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Haunted Fort. By Jack Farragut, 316 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, By T. C Harbaugh, 317 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Lead- ville. By Lieut. Alfred-Thorne, 318 Ker-Whoop, Ker-Whoo! By Buckskin Sam. 319 The Black Rider 3; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 320 The Sea Sorceress; or, Lieutenant Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jack Farragut. 321 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, By Ed. L. Wheeler. 322 Nemo, the Detective. By Ed, Willett, 323 Arkansaw Jack, of the Man Hunters; or, The Scourge of the Mines.. By Harry Hazard, 324 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective; or, Tracking the Foxes to Kurth. By Chas. Morris. 325 Beitey, Hickey & ©o0., the Sleuths of Philadelphia. By Edward L, Wheeler. The Ten Pards. By T. C. Harbaugh. Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. By Buckskin Sam. The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor. By Major Mickey Free. Red-Skin Tom. By Harry Hazard. Little Quick-Shot. By E. L. Wheeler, Black. Nick, the Demon Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker, 2 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. By Buckskin Sam, BEADLE'S | HALF-DIME Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler. Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Big Benson, the Brazos Bombshell; or, The Queen of the Lasso. By T. C. Harbaugh. Ren Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete's Scoop. By W. J. Hamilton. A Tough Boy. By Philip 8. Warne. Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, Tne Pride of Played-Out. By Edward L. Wheeler. Clip, the Contortionist; or, The Vigilantes of Montana. By Edward Willett. Tony Thorn, the Vagabond Detective; or, Running Down a Rogue. By Charles Morris. Whe Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw Captain. By Harry Hazard. Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. By EdwariL. Wheeler. The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. By Buckskie Sam. Pitiless Mat, the White Slayer; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. By T. C. Harbaugh. Rapier Rapbael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. Deadwood Dick’s« Ducats; or. Rainy Days in the Diggings. By Edward L. Wheeler. Fireheels or, Old Skinflint, the Death- Shadow. » By Roger Starbuck. Wild Wolf, the Waco; or, Big-Foot Wal- lace.to the Front. By Buckskin Sam. Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Revenge. By Ned Buntline. Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, By Edward L. Wheeler. Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand”. By Major EB. L. St. Vrain. The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Fly- er’s Blizzard. By Charles Morris. ; Big Morn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards. By Roger Starbuck. The Kiug of the Woods} or, Daniel Boone's Last Trail. _By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Cool Sam and Pardy or, The Terrible Six From Texas. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Ranch Raiders«; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. By Buckskin Sam, First-Class. Fred, the Gent from Gopher. By Edward L. Wheeler. Durango Dave, the Young Champion Wrestler. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. Silver-"ask, the Man of Mystery; or. The Cross of the Golden = By J. C. Cowdrick. The Phantom tght- House. By Roger Starbuck. Deadwood Dick's Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. By Edward L. Wheeler. Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. = Philip S. Warne. Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger; or The Snake and the Dove. By Buckskin Sam. Baltimore Ben, the Bootblack Detective. By Anthony P. Morris. Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective; or, The Taos Tiger. By T. C. Harbaugh. Wide-Awake Joe. .By Charles Morris. Wreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or The Lottery of Life’ By Edward L. Wheeler. Shasta, the Gold King. By J. C. Cowdriek. Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner; or, The Telitale Hand. By Roger Starbuck. Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detectiv. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. Yreka Jim/’s Prize. By E. L. Wheeler. Little Jingo; or, The Queer Pard. By Philip S. Warne. Gold Dust Tomy; or, Ambergris Ben’s Double Match. By George Henry Morse. Chiota, the Creek ; or, The Three Thun- derbolts. By Buckskin Sam. California Joe’s First Trail. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Mlagless Schooner. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. By Edward L. Wheeler. Larry, the Leveler; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard. By Charles Morris. Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, By Major E. L. St. Vrain. Bandera Bill; or, Frio Frank to the Front. By Buckskin Sam. Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Indian Pilot. By Col. P. Ingraham. Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero; or, The Border Schoolmaster. By Oll Coomes. Wreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. By E. L. Wheeler. Captain poe! Acne the Ocean. Spider; or, The Buccaneer’s Gir) Foe. By T. C. Harbaugh. 387 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom; or, The Traitor Guide, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 388 Little Oh-my}3 or, Caught in His Own Trap. By Philip 8. Warne. 389 Bicycle Ben. By Edward L. Wheeler. 390 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 391 Kid-Gleve Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 392 Romeoand the Reds, By BuckskinSam. 393 Seawaif, the Boy Lieutenant. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 394 Wreka Jim ot Yuba Dam, By Edward L Wheeler. 395 California Joe’s War Trail. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 396 Rough Rob, of Dynamite; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. By T, C, Harbaugh. | 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 871 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 Bob o° the Bowery. By Jo Pierce, Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King of Weird Canyon. By Maj. ft. B. Steddard. 399 Black Buckskin. By Col. A. F. Holt. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 401 Little Shoo-Fly, By Philip S. Warne. 102 Esodor, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fatal League. By Col. P. Ingraham. 403 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. By Charles Morris. 404 Little Lariat. By Buckskin Sam. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Mad Man-Hunter. By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. The Boy Insurgent. By Col. Ingraham. Little Leather-Breeches. By P.S. Warne. Hercules, tie Dumb De-troyer; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. By Ol] Cocmes. Deadwood Dick’s Diamonas. By Ed- ward L, Wheeler. Whe Silken Lasso, By T. C. Harbaugh. The Wild YVachtsman 3; or, The Cruise of the War-Cloud. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By Frank’S: Winthrop. F Amin Daisy from Denver. By Buckskin m. TheVagabonda Detective. By Jo Pierce. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detec- tive. By E. L. Wheeler. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. By Oll Coomes. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. By T. C. Har- baugh. Kenneth, the Knife King. By A, F. Holt. The Detective’s orES tice; or, A Boy Without'a Name. By J, C. Cowdrick. Deadwood Dick in New York, By E. L. Wheeler. Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellow- stone. By Ol] Coomes. The Lost Finger. By Charles Morris. Cibuta John. By J. C. Cowdrick. Texas ‘Trump. By T. C. Harbaugh. Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detectiv’. By E. L, Wheeler. — opine, —— By pga 49 re yer, the Reporter Detective. By Charles Morris.’ Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. By Edward L. Wheeler. Little Ah Sin. By Philip 8. Warne. Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. By Charles Morris. A Cabin Boy’s Luck. By Col. Ingraham. Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, By E. L. Wheeler. 435 Eisste Ragntteots the Pilot of the Woods. . F, Holt, 436 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Sea Raider. By Col, P. Ingraham. Santa Fe Sal, By BE. L. Wheeler. Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. By J. OC. Cowdrick. A 440 Litt.e Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. By Arthur C. Grissom. 441 The Ocean Firefly. By Col. P. Ingraham. 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx ofthe Leona, By Buckskin Sam. 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr. By E. L. Wheeler. 444 Little Buckskin, By Ol] Coomes. 445 The City Sleuths. By T, C. Harbaugh. 446 Haphazard Harry. By Col. Ingraham. 447 New York Nat.. By Albert W. Aiken. 448 Nickel-Plate Neds or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. By Edward L. Wheeler. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective; or, The Brand-Burner’s Daughter. By J.E Badger, Jr. 450 Wizard Will, the Wonder-Worker; or, The Boy Ferret of New York. By Col. P. Ingraham, 451 Colorado Kate, By P.S. Warne. 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce. 453 Sunflower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand. By Edward L. Wheeler. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 455 Little Lone Star. By Buckskin Sam. 56 aoe Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. By Chas. orris. Wingedfoot Fred. By Oll Coomes. New England Nick, By A. W, Aiken. Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Big Round-up. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Lawyers Shadow. By Jo Pierce, One Against Fifty. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Born Guide. By Col. P. Ingraham. Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. By Oll Coomes. abl Nimble Nick. By Albert W. Aiken. Philo Fly, of Phenix}; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claim No. 10, By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready June 22. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, En- tombed aie. By C. Morris. Ready June 29. 467 Disco Wan, the Daisy Dude. By J. C. Cow- drick. Ready July 6. 468 Neptune Ned, the Young Sea King, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready July 13. A New Issue Hoery Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale. by. all newsdealers. five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PusiisHErs, 98 William Street, New York Cror é >> Pa de AA ABAD ax oF WKH OM