Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 353) (1884 04 29)
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Lal m Lal im | |] ie | ie ae ESN < “ee Ari perce 1884, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, April 29, 1884. PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. THE REPORTER-DETECTIVE: ; or, FRED FLYER'S BLIZZARD. BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF “ BOB ROCKETT, THE BANK RUNNER,” “‘ BOB ROCKETT, THE BOY DODGER,” ‘‘ WILL WILDFIRE,” ‘‘ DARK PAUL,” ETC., ETC. “'M ABE BLIZZARD!”
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7 tay 0 The Reporter-Detective: OR, FRED FLYER’S BLIZZARD. BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘ FRED HALYARD,” ‘‘BOB ROCKET,” **DETECTIVE DICK,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. FRED MAKES THE DUST FLY. ‘“THERE’S no use talking. It’s the slowest old world that was ever launched, that’s my notion. Wbyacbap might as well be in the ark with daddy Noah, just floating round, and looking at itrain. Here’s a week gone by, and not anitem. I don’t see what’s ever to-come of the Star if somebody don’t murder somebody, or if somebody else don’t bu’st into somebody else’s bank, and flirt away a million or two of specie. There’s no use being a reporter in times like these. A chap might as well be a ditch- digger. Not even a political dig-out, or a prize- fight. I’m getting ashamed of such a slow old world. Won’t somebody cork me up in a bot- tle of lavender, and lay me away on a shelf?” A loud burst of laughter broke out in the office of the Morning Star, as Fred Flyer, the youthful reporter, went through this diatribe, with a face a foot long, and an expression as if he had just been to the funeral of two of his uncles, “Come, come, Fred,” exclaimed Mr. Brace, the chief editor of the Star, ‘don’t go intoa decline over the lack of news. We'll try and keep the poor Star on its feet by giving the biography of the King of the Sandwich Islands, The paper is alive and kicking yet, I fancy.” **Not more than half alive,” declared Fred, ‘*Tt’s lost all its spice, and a newspaper without spice is like mince-pie without raisins. Why the poor thing is so dull and drooping that I re every time I read it.” ‘Then go into the business yourself, my boy. Knock down a policeman. Snatch some young lady’s purse, Set fire toa barn. Steal a case of diamonds, Try any of those nice little amuse- ments. We’ll promise you a column a day. The Star shall blaze with your history. Ill double lead the arrest and trial. We’llsend a reporter every day to the prison, and tell the ,story of every bean in your daily pot of soup. Come, ‘Fred, make a martyr of yourself for the good of the Star.” Fred shook bis head gravely. “Tt’s a pretty game; but it’s a bit too one- sided,” he remarked very solemnly. “I calcu- late I'd do better as a Jaw-maker than a law- breaker. Better send me to Congress. I bet you I keep you posted then in some neat ways of stealing without going to jail. Just put me on the track of the Congressmen, and see if I don’t show the light-fingered folks some new tricks,” The laugh broke out again. One merry-faced editor wheeled around on his tall stoo] at the high desk, and called out: ‘TI tell you what it is, Fred, there is a neat opening just now for a young man of your size. Streak up country to Potter county where all this jail-breaking fun is going on. There’s eleven men got out of jail the other night. They are robbing stores and hen-roosts all over the county, and the citizens are getting up a vigilance committee to chase them in the moun- tains.” “Isn’t it up that way that another chap is starving himself?” asked a second. ‘‘In prison for horse-stealing and hasn’t eaten a mouthful for thirty days? ‘Just so. There’s a chance there for Fred to distinguish himself.” “Pll do it!” exclaimed Fred, who had taken afl this in with eager ears. ‘‘l’m your lad, for a cow and a plate of muffins! Why, that’s just my style, to a bair, and I’m going for that Abe Blizzard heavy now, I promise you.” He sprung up in such baste as to send bis stool rolling over on the floor and danced an impromptu jig at the prospect of such a con- genial job of work. was a boy of apparently some eighteen years of age, a tall, well-built lad, as graceful as a deer, and seemingly as agile. His cheeks were blooming as those of a ripe peach, and Ins eyes as black and kling as'midnight stars, while his handsome face had in it a prompt de- cision which showed that he was not the sort of boy to be played with. There was a gleam af fun in it, too, as of one who kept an eye open The Reporter-Detective. for the bright side of life, and didn’t know the meapving of the blues. ‘*?’m your donkey!” continued Fred, dancing more lively than ever. ‘‘{ bet you I make the Star sparkle. There’s some prime items afloat up there, and a chap like me ought to be salted down if he can’t make more, You’ve got a level head, Mr. Prince. Queer I didn’t think of it my- self. Wager you high I’m off for old Potter before the sun goes down this blessed night. Strike while the item’s hot: that’s the reporter’s motto. Pack me up a ream of paper, a gross of pens and a gallon of ink. Keep one side of the Star open for news from old Potter. Charter a tele- graph line and a train of cars, for I’m going to make thingsspin. You might throw in a photo- graph gallery, sol can send you genuine pic- tures of the outlaws; then you needn’t use that old picture that you’ve had in already for Gen- eral Grant, Henry Ward Beecher and Guiteau. Good-by; I'm off! Put in my obituary with a piece of poetry, if I kick the bucket. A chap might as well play seven-up with a rattlesnake as try to come it over that Blizzard. He’s an old coon, they say, but ’m a young coon. Good- by. Keep the Star spinning.” A louder burst of laugbter than ever followed Fred, as he shot like a rocket out of the door of the editorial room, and went down the stairs taking three atastride. His high spirits and liveliness were so infectious that he left a breeze of good humor behind him that sparkled the next day in the columns of the Star. A touch of Fred’s life and jollity had some- how got into the pens and ink-bottles of the editors. It was not long afterward when Fred broke into his own home with a crash of the front door, as if the house was about to fall from its foundations. “Mercy on me! What’s the matter?” ex- claimed Mrs. Flyer, showing her motherly face anxiously at the door, while she brandished a toasting-fork in her right hand, ‘‘ Has some- body backed a coal-cart into the front of the house?” ‘No; it’s only me, mother!” cried Fred. ‘I came in in a hurry, pe see,” ‘* Laws bless us, 1 should think so! You’ve got such a way of coming in in a burry that it’s a mercy there’s any house left. And what’s the matter now?” ‘Dinner fifst,” answered Fred with a gay laugh, as he pushed his mother back into the room with a loving kiss. ‘‘I want to fill up the provision-chest, for I may go some days without my dinner before the month is much older.” ““What’s up, Fred?’ demanded his father, who was seated on a settee at one side of the room smoking a very long pipe. ‘‘Got march- ing orders, hey, boy?” ‘The worst kind,” answered Fred. ‘Got to streak up into the mountains, and smell out that band of Blizzards that’s making things lively up-country. items for the Star. That’s the cake I’m going to bake.” ‘*Bless you, my boy, isn’t it dangerous?’ asked his mother, anxiously. ‘** A trifle maybe, mother. But what’s that to me? I’m used to that sort of thing, and I always come out right side up with care. You know that. You remember the time I crossed the river on the floating ice, and the time I was in arailroad bu’st up, and the time I jumped out of the fifth story of a burning house, and the time I fell down a mine, and the time—” “Dry up there!” cried his father, vigorously, “You're too confounded risky. If you hadn’t been made of india-rubber you’d been smashed to a pancake long ago.” “But I am made of, india-rubber, so I ain’t going to be smashed to a pancake. Don’t fret. red’s going to pull throvgh all right. Stir up dinner, mother. Time’s short. I’ve got to do some packing up, for 1 guess Pll want a clean shirt and stockings before I get back. Got ta shoot down to the office again and get hold of some funds, and the train goes out at three, so tbhere’s no time left for snoozing.” Fred waited for no reply; but was off up- stairs like a squirrel. Hurrying into his own room, he seized his traveling sachbel, and com- menced to rifle his drawers as if he intended to take all his possessions with him. Shirts, stock- ings, coasts, hats, sboes, all his extra clothes were piled in a heap in the middle of the floor and the impulsive boy within five minutes had filled the sachel three times over, not knowin ust what to take and what to leave. He ha jus émptied it out for the fourth filling when is mother called out from the foot of the stairs: “Come down, Fred. Dinner’s on the table.” A TS ITE SSR ET Sah 2 ERS TT ES SS a ‘‘ All right,” answered Fred, stuffing some- thing hastily into the sachel, and closing it. ‘* Pil be down in a jiffy.” Down he came, almost at a bound, Dinver smoked on the table. His father, who had a reputation for laziness, and managed to have more off days than on days, had laid aside bis pipe, and drawn bis chair to the table, Frea’s two younger brothers, just come in from scbool, were surveying the viands with hungry eyes. ‘‘Hallo, suippety jibbety!” exclatmed Fred. “Got through with your A, B, C’s, bave you, and come in for pork and cabbage? Bet you can’t tell me how many blue beans make five- and-forty.” ‘‘Hush that nonsense,” cried Mr. Flyer, se- verely, ‘‘and come to your dinner.” — Fred drew up to the table, with his brothers; but he had quite spoiled the appetite of the younger of these youthful scholars, _who spent half of his dinner-time trving to cipher out with bits of breed the difficult problem which Fred had given him. Unfortunately be had no blue beans, or be might have got to the answer with less trouble. ‘“What bave you put in your sachel, Fred?” asked his mother. ‘“Oh, I don’t know. Plenty, you bet,” and Fred spread another slice of bread with butter. ‘CA little of everything. I ain’t going short, nary time.” *“Let me see,” said his mother, who did not altogether trust her headlong boy. She opened the sachel and began to investi- gate its contents. Butin a moment she dropped it, while her bands went up in a gesture of hor- ror and despair. “Mercy on us! was there ever such a boy? One stocking, six collars, a torn handkerchief, and a dusting rag, and he’s going traveling! And what’s this? Bless me, if it isn’t that nighbt- cap, of mine, that I lost six weeks ago! Just look there, Jacob, That’s our Fred’s notion of going a-traveling.” : “Oh, let the boy alone. Last time he got in nothing but a pair of old shoes and a match- box,” growled Mr. Flyer. é ‘*But you called me down to dinner,” ex- plained Fred, a little abashed. ‘‘I hadn’t time to get througb.” ‘“T suppose not,” answered bis mother dryly. “You go on with your dinner, Fred. I'll pack your saehel for you while you finish. I hardly think you are to be trusted.” The careful mother made her way to Fred's room. But she stopped in utter dismay when she got ber eyes on the floor of that apartment. It looked as if there hadbeen an earthquake in the room, and as if the éontents of bureau and closet had been shaken into a heap in the middle of the floor. ‘* And he was up bere only five minutes!” she exclaimed. ‘‘If he’d bad an hour I wonder what sort of a mess he would have made? Couldu’t have been much worse than this though.” But it is surprising how soon a careful house- keeper Can bring order out of confusion. She was no longer than Fred had been, but in that time she had filled bis sachel with the neces- saries for a journey, and replaced the remain- ing things in their appropriate quarters. ‘“* Here it is, Fred,” she remarked, bancing it to him with a severe look. ‘* And I must say—” ‘“Now, mother, don’t mind. I'll fix the room up when I come home,” broké im Fred. “TI never could do things neat in a burry. Kiss me good-by, moth@r. 1}’ll write to you to-mor- row. And you can find all about what lam doing in the Star. Good-by,dad. Take care of ourself, Tommy. Good-by, snippity jibbity. ind vour eye sharp, little fellow!’ “Say, Fred,# exclaimed the young gentle- man tbus addressed. ““Well, snippy, what is it?” “‘How many blue beans does make five-and- forty. I’ve jist been cipherin’ all dinner, and I can’t tell.” “ Ask your teacher. He'll tell you, I haven’t time.” laughed Fred. ‘Good-by, all. Take care of yourselves. Keep au eye on the Star, and you'll know what I’m about. I’m going to stir up some fun now, just you see.” He snatched his sachel, and darted away. In an bour from that time Fred was stepping into a car of a west bound train, off for old Potter, and items for the Star. CHAPTER II. A DARK MEETING. INTO the neat little town of Oxford, Potter county, landed Fred Flyer after dark of a chill evening. lt was a pretty little place, that lay like an egg ina nest of the mountains. Some ” | .
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a ~ ef its streets ran at a steep slant on the flanks of the hills, while a mountain of considerable hight sloped to within a mile of the town. t was pitch dark. There were here no gas- lamps nor rows of electric lights, while not a star was Visible in the sky. Tne young travel- er had asked his way at the station, but it was not long before be found himself all astray. ‘Bless me, if I don’t think I am climbing up- hill!” he at length declared. ‘‘ Wonder if I’m lost? Where are all the folks that live about here, hee he The town is as empty as a mi-er’s meal-bag.” It was just then the supper hour of the good people of the town, and the streets were desert- ed in consequence, while all the lights of tire houses were in the kitchen quarter of the habi- tations. Fred wandered on, growing more con- fused at every minute. He stopped at length, and flung his sachel on his shoulder. ‘* Well!” he ejaculated, ‘‘ it’s my private no- tion that this thing isabout played out. Don’t like to disturb folks at their grub, but you can bet I ain’t going to stumble round here much longer, like a rabbit in a potato-patch. Guess V’ll rap somebody up from the supper table, and ask for a pilot.” He looked around him. To his surprise all the houses were behind him, He had made his way on to the hillside, out of the town, “A chap might think I was on a tramp,” he growled, in a discontented tone. ‘Best port my helm, and sail back on the larboard tack. Don’t want to snooze to-night on the nose of the mountain.” ‘*Hold your level, my hearty,” came a hoarse voice from the darkness, ‘‘Jist nail yerself thar, if you don’t want to see brimstone and blazes.” “ Hillo!” cried Fred. ‘‘ What’s this?” ‘Guess you'll find out, if you kick up any didoes.” A dark form made its appearance, vaguely outlined in the gloom. The features of a whis- kered face were just visible. But what Fred particularly noted was a hand grasping a revolver, which was uncomfortably close to his head. ‘‘ Now keep yer level, youngster,” continued the speaker. “I only want to have a sociable confab with you. Reckon as how, from some- thin’ you let drap, ye’re a stranger in these diggin’s?” : “Then just suppose you wait for an introduc- tion before you get so mighty well acqusinted,” grumbled Fred. The stranger laughed, but he kept his weapon almost in contact with Fred’sear. lt was evident he meant business. ‘What fotches you hereaways?”’ he sternly asked. “Come up after newspaper items,” answered Fred, coolly. ‘‘’m a reporter, old fellow. Going to look a little into this jail-breaking business, and try and pick up Abe Bligzard’s biography.” **Ho!t ho!” laughed the ruffian. ‘“ Arter old Abe, hey? Want items,do you? Wal, I reckon you've got one tostart on. See here, my chap, ain’t going to hurt you, and I won't go through you if you jump squar’, But if you kick up any didoes I'll send you to Davy Jones quicker’n a cat’s wink, D’ye take that?” “Take it for blow,” answered Fred boldly. “TI don’t scare easy; SO you may as well stop bluster and come to business.” ‘* Look here, you young game-cock.” He struck a match, which for an instant illu- minated his face, and then was quickly extin- uished. It was a harsh. stern, determined ace, sun-bronzed, and full of dark lines of resolution. The eyes glared out from deep, overhanging brows. ; “Think you'd know me ag’in?” **Reckon so.” “ Well, I’m Abe Blizzard!” Fred started. Was it possible that he had already, not ten minutes in the town, fallen afoul of the noted convict? And what was bringing the hunted robber to the very threshold of bis enemies? “Don’t jump outer your skin, young feller. The devil ain’t never so black as he’s painted. Now, see here, I want a few words with you.” *‘ Pile in!” answered Fred. ‘But just take down that bit of hardware. I’ve seen it, You needn’t keep showing it.” The outlaw laugbed again, as if Fred’s cool- ness amused him, But he lowered bis pistol. ‘*'You’re a reporter arter items,” he began. “Well, here’r an item for you. Abe Blizzard ot outer jail. Reckon he’d been a jackass if ehadn’t. But you mought think I was a cow im a clover-field, the way they’re chasin’ me The Reporter-Detective. round. Now that’s played out, an’ I’m goin’ to make Rome how] if it ain’t stopped.” ‘But they say that you don’t let up. You keep robbing stores and houses all over the country.” ** It’s a lie!” roared the outlaw, ‘‘ Ther ain’t an old hen snatched from a roost in the coun- ty but they lay it on me. Ther’s a loto’ scala- wags at work, and Abe Blizzard is got to father itall. Now I want you to tell ’em this from me:—If they don’t let up, and stop chasin’ me in the mountings, Pll guv ’em a bit o’ my quality. Do you hear me?” “Calculate so,” answered Fred, as quietly as if this was an ordinary conversation. *“There’s a judge in this here town. Judge Allen they call bim. That’s the coon that’s, rakin’ up the coals on me, Now see here. You’ve got some money?” ‘*T ain’t quite dead broke,” “ Jist do what I want and you kin keep it. Ther’s a bit of warnin’ here which I want handed to Judge Allen. If he takes it, all’s hunky. If be don’t I’m goin’ to touch him ina sore spot. You take?” “You bet!” ‘‘ Hang me, if I don’t like you, boy! Yow’ve got a tech o’ sperit, sure. Won’t you shake hands?” ‘*No, Not with a man of your record,” and Fred drew himself up proudly. An oath came from the outlaw’s lips, while his brows frowned ominously. ‘“‘Tf a man’d said that to me I’d ha’ knocked him kickin’. Ye’re a playin’ with gunpowder, little man, now I tell you! Here. Take tbis, Put it into Judge Allen’s bands. And tell him all I’ve said,” He thrust a folded paper into Fred’s hand. ‘And the next time Abe Blizzard asks to shake hands with you, you'll do it, or there'll be ructions. Mind your eye, my hearty.” He vanished almost as he spoke. He disap- peared so suddenly that he seemed to have melted into the night. Fred stood holding the note that had been given him, and looking into the empty gloom, For the moment he hardl knew if this had been dream or reality. It seemed as if some phantom had come from the night, and vanished into it again. All around was silence and darkness. But he felt the note between his fingers in assurance of its reality. pe shook himself as if just awakening from a sleep. Ne this isn’t a prime start, I'll sell out,” he declared. ‘‘ Why, the job’s just flumping into my hands. Got an item already, ona t can see plenty of fun in the wind, That coon ain’t going to be snatched like a hen off a roost. e’ll make things lively before they take him. Well, it’s my job now to streak for that hotel, get my supper, and then hunt up Judge Allen.” He turned back toward the town, whose lights lay immediately behind him. A few steps brought him once more within the range of the houses, “ Don’t think I'll go flopping around loose any longer,” Fred soliloquized. ‘‘Guess I'll stir up some of these good folks, and find out just where the hotel is, Won’t pay to sail around all night in the dark like a cow in a prairie.” Before him, as he spoke, rose a bandsome house, surrounded by a broad stretch of well- adorned grounds. To the door of this he walked up, and rung the bell, It was all one to Fred whetber it was the residence of the mayor of the town, or of one of its humblest citizens. He was not the lad to hold back for want of chee After a minute the door opened, A light hung in the vestibule, so that the person who had upened the door was clearly revealed. It was a young lady, the first glance at whom gave Fred an odd sensation, He was sure he had never seen anybody quite so pretty and en- gaging in his life before. She was of sma}! figure, dressed in light-blue silk, and with a face that danced with anima- tion, while it bloomed like an apple-blossom in the warm lamplight that fell upon it, Fred hesitated and stammered a little as this app#rition stood waiting to hear from him. “ Excuse me for disturbing you,” he at length said. ‘‘Ilamastranger in this town, and have lost my way to the hotel. If you can only tell me how to find it—” “The hotel? Why, certainly. I did rot think anybody could miss it in this bandbox of a town.” Her voice was full of music and amuse- ment. ‘‘ You have only to follow this street a short distance, and it will bring you into the main street. Then turn to your left, and ten steps will bring you to the hotel.” “Thanks,” answered Fred, ‘I tried that be- fore. But it was so dreadful dark that I got all twisted up.” “Shall I send some one with you?” “Oh no! I beg not. I am ever so much obliged.” Fred was running round in his mind for some excuse to keep up the conversation The young lady stood holding the door as if quite ready to dismiss him. ‘*By the way,” be continued, as a thought struck him. ‘I hope you will excuse me for troubling you, but as you have been so kindcan you inform me where I will find the residence of Judge Allen? I havesome business with bim.” ‘“‘ Judge Allen?” she exclaimed, while her eyes lighted up with surprise. ‘‘ Why, be lives here. Judge Allen is my father.” It was Fred’s turn to be surprised. “Well, that is strange,” he declared. ‘‘To think of my bitting upon his house at the very first asking! Is he in?” “Come in, sir, and I will see,” invited, the young lady, whose eyes had been admiring Fred’s face quite as much as he admired hers, He lost no time in obeying the invitation, and seated himself in the hall, while she went back into the house, She’ returned after a minute, in her pretty, impulsive way. **T am so sorry,” she declared, ‘‘ but father is notin. I think you will find him at the hotel. They meet there every night to talk over this dreadful affair of the robbers in the mountains, You’ve beard of them?” **Oh yes!” answered Fred. they seem to be.” ‘*T doso hope they will be caught. They keep me awake at night thinking of them.” ‘*T suppose I will not be able to sleep either,” rejoined Fred, though the cunning fellow well knew that a ten-pounder tied to his ear would not keep him awake, ‘*Isn’t it too dreadful for anything? -They are robbing all around.” **Tt is just terrible.” ‘*But sometimes I can’t help wishing that Blizzard will get away. He is so brave and bold. And there’s something so romantic about bis doings.” ‘*T hope he will, if you do,” replied Fred. She looked into Fred’s serious face for a mo- ment, while an amused look gathered around her lips. It ended by her breaking into a merry laugh. “ So play!” she exclaimed. go on to the hotel, sir.” ‘“‘T will dance to that tune, also,” answered Fred, returning her laugh. Those few minutes had made them better acquainted than hours of formal intercourse. “I am ever se much obliged. Good-night,” * Good-night!”’ The door stood open as he went down the street, the light sérving to guide his way. A few minutes brought him to the main street, and into easy view of the lights of the botel. Fred’s first duty now was to get a good wash after his journey, and to do justice to the rare tizing supper which was quickly prepared for him. ese necessary duties completed he strolled into the tap-room of the hotel, where he found a group of the more solid people of the town, engaged in anearnest conversation. They looked at him qnestioningly as be entered. “TI beg your pardon,” he said, ‘‘ but is Judge Allen present?” “ Yes,” answered a stout, handsome gentle man. ‘“‘lambe. Do you wish to see me?” ‘““T have been given a note which I was to deliver into your hands,” replied Fred. ‘‘ I think you will find it important.” Judge Allen received the note with a look of surprise, tore it open, and quickly ran his eye over itscontents. He shad hardly done so ere he sprung to his feet, with a very red face and a look of deep indignation. “By Heaven!” be cried, ‘‘ we shall see! Do your worst, outlaw! But I will hunt you to the ‘death !”’ » “Terrible fellows ou are ready to dance to any tune I “T think you had better CHAPTER III. OUT ON A MOUNTAIN HUNT, “Trer’s no use talkin’, Jedge Alien, but ther’s t to be a squar’ back-down somewhar. I’ve got it i bay woolag’in’ you. You sent me to jail without no evidence whatsomever. You’ve been a-huntin’ me ever since I got out jest as if I was a catamount. You’re a-blamin’ me fur things sich as I never thought 0’ doin’. Now you hear me this thing’s got tostop. You let me alone, and I'll let you alone. But jest Bg keep on huntin’ me, and I'll tech you sore. I'Il make you howl. Tain’t no baby, Jed Allen. I’m a quiet wa te don’t want to treub nobody. . I won’t tech heir nor hide in this coun if you drop yer bunt. But if you keep it up loo out fur squalls. I'll make you squirm likea nipped rat. That’s my signatoor.” ABEL BLiIzzaRD,"* rae Pe OE Ne =
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Judge Allen stood erect, reading this pre- eious document to his comrades in the bar-room of the botel, while his stern blue eyes blazed with indignation and energy. “There it is, gentlemen. What do you think o1 it?” ‘Pd back down if it was me,” answered a portly, SG fellow. ‘‘There’s no telling what that chap might do if he’s cornered too cles. When a rat shows his teeth it’s best to give him some play.” ‘““He might burn your house, or steal your horses,” suggested another. ‘Or attack you in the dark.” ‘He might doa good many things,” answered the judge with a curling lip. ‘‘ What do you sav, Branson?” The person addressed was a slender, wiry in- dividual, with a dry, wrinkled face, and dressed in a half-hunting garb. ‘* No use whatever fur you to goin the pickle, jedge, Let the rest on us keep up the chase. e’ll fetch the rascal.” ‘* That’s very wise, cautious advice,” answered the judge, angrily throwing himself into his chair. ‘*There’s only one weak spotinit. It is given to the wrong party. I am going to lead the hunt against this outlaw till I capture him, no matter for all his threats. He shall find that he is not playing with a child.” The judge fumed and fretted with indigna- tion. It was evident that the outlaw’s letter had sorely touched his pride. He turned suddénly to Fred, who bad seated bimself, and was listening with. interest to the conversation, “How did you get this letter, sir?” he asked sharply, eyiog Fred with doubt and suspicion. “Got it from Abe Blizzard,” answered Fred easily, as he settled himself into a more com- fortable position. ‘* From Abe Blizzard!’ The exclamation was general. Several persons sprung to their feet in surprise. ‘‘Just so. By mountain post. Came straight as a rifle-bullet.” ‘““What do you mean?” cried the judge stern- ly. ‘‘ Who are you?” “Excuse me, judge,” rejoined Fred coolly. “Tm only a boy, you see; but I always take the world as it comes. I only landed in your town an hour or so back. Got sort of mixed up in my geography in coming to the hotel, and strayed on to ths high grounds back. It was dark as seven thunders, but there was light enough to see a hand and a revolver, and to hear a voice,” ‘“*Abe Blizzard?’ broke out one of the com- pany, in an excited tone. ‘*That’s what the chap called bimself. He’sa very badly treated individual, so he said. The people around here don’t seem to appreciate his virtues. He wants to be let alone, If he’s hunted any Jonger he’s going to make Rome howl, I tell you, gentlemen, I had a very in- teresting conversation with that hand and re- votver. And I took the advice of that voice, not to stir till he got through.” ‘“*Gracious me!” exclaimed the excited per- son. ‘Is it possible the bold ruffian has been so near us? Why, he might murder us all in our beds, and nobody be the wiser!” “Oh, he’s as amiable as a pig ina turnip-bed,” continued Fred. ‘‘ Wouldn’t even take my purse, if P’d be kind enough to carry that note to Judge Allen. You never saw such a soft- hearted cut-throat.” The townsman looked with some surprise at the easy-toned youth, as he described his adven- ture with acareless dcawl. Thev were curious to know who he was, and what was his busi- ness in Oxford, but no one ventured to directly ask him the question. ess Judge Allen sat with bis chin on his hand, and his eyes fixed on Fred with a scrutinizing ‘glance. His face worked asif he was quiétly ecommuning with himself. ‘‘So it seems you have had the pleasure of a ve interview with the famous runaway,” e remarked somewhat sarcastically to Fred. “Since you have been so fortunate, will you be kind enough to give me your opinion? What would you do if you were in my place?” “Do you want it square and fair?’ asked Fred. ‘Square and fair,” “Then I’d never be choked off by a threat, If I thought it my duty torun him down, I’d run him down, and let him do kis worst. But I am only speaking for mvself. judge. I don’t want to sail your boat, The fellow means mis- chief, and if you push the hunt on him there may be trouble ahead. I am only a boy, and don’t pretend to have a man’s judgment, so you bad best take the advice of wiser persons,” | TL—.<eporter-Detective. BS tex ox ** Never!” cried the judge, springing up and warmly seizing Fred’s hand, ‘* Your opinion is my own, my lad. I am going to lead a party into the mountains to-morrow, in pursuit of the fugitives. You may join us if you will.” ‘* You couldn’t hit my notion better if you’d offer me a brick house and a pigeon-roost,” an- swered Fred, as be returned the judge’s pres- sure. ‘‘I[ want to see your famous outlaw by daylight. And I’m like you, judge. I’m only a boy, but I’ve got a touch of grit in my bones,” ‘*To-morrow be it, then. You hear, gentle- men? The meet will be at the foot of Camel’s Back. That’s where the villains are in hiding. But they won’t have much chance to escape to the neighboring peaks, for the whole county will be up and after them. I have just received a messenger from above. Harry Trueman’s store was robbed last sight, and the farmers are in arms for araid, If we do our work well, we will have them all safein jail again before the sun sinks to-morrow night.” A long conference succeeded, in which the de- tails of the next day’s work were fully debated and each one’s duty laid down. Fred left them still talking, and retired to bisroom. He had work before him ere he could retire to rest. He ad to write out an account of his evening’s ad- venture, to be ready for the next day’s early mail, as an item for the Star. When the young reporter raised his curtain the next morning and looked out on the scene before his window, he saw a pretty, well-shaded country town, lying in the lap of a beautiful valley and under the beams of a crisp, frosty, October sun. All was clear and clean, and the far-off peaks were brought so near in the transparent mount- ain air that they seemed but a short walk dis- tant. It was ten o’clock when he met the scouting- arty, who were gathered just outside the town in readiness for the day’s hunt. They were all armed, mainly with rifles. Judge Allen was with them, stern and determined, ** How is this thing to be managed, Branson?” he asked the wrinkled-faced hunter. ‘‘ You’re an old hand in the mountains.” “FPust thing,” drawled Branson, leaning on his rifle while be scratched bis thin hair—* fust thing’s to’p'int a gineral, and next thing’s to *p’int a boss.” ‘* A general and a boss? That’s a queer con- glomeration.” ** Look here, jedge. I ain’t used to handlin’ this sort o’ a gang. S’pose you set up fur gin- eral, and gi’n’em Hail Columby if they don’t toe the scratch.” ‘** And who is to be boss?” **Calklate Pll take on that little job. You don’t know no more *bout the mountings nor a cat *bout apple-parin’s. I want you to boss this caboodle, and I'll boss you, and we'll sail up-hill lovely.” ‘s Very good,” laughed the judge. ‘I fancy you are right, Branson.” ** Most allers am,” drawled the hunter. ‘‘ Now look here. Ther’s a white spot way up yander on the nose o’ the old camel. That’s where we're to streak fur. And we’ve got to split into three squads, so’s we kin scour tbe hill up to that pass. Til take the center. Here’s Joe and Bill Hal’,"old mounting coons, as kin lead the flanks.—Hillo, young sprout! On hand, eh? Got any weepons?” - ee revolver,” answered Fred. “Then don’t go practicin’ on jay birds. Streak up, gentlemen. Guv’em the’r orders, jedge.” Their journey soon proved no easy one. A mile or two brought them from green fields into rocky slopes, where huge bowlders and fallen trees made the path anything but easy. ‘“Go keerful, gentlemen,” warned Branson, “‘Tt’s a trifle rough hereaways, but it gits smoother a bit on. Howsomever, we ain’t fetched up to the real diffikilties yet, and I’d *vise ye to save yer wind fur the mounting climbin’ ahead.” “Save our wind!” cried the portly, easy- loving individual of whom we have already spoken. ‘t Lord! is this what you call fun?’ His observation was suddenly cut short by a tumble over a concealed log, that brought his nose into sudden contact with the rocky ground, A leugh followed from his nearest neighbor, but the Jaugbter auickly came to grief. He stumbled into a hidden hollow, and to save him- self dropped his rifle, which exploded with a sbarp report, the bullet whistling uncomfort- ably close to Branson’s ear, ‘©Who in the blue blazes is that?” yelled the guide in a fury. “ What infernal, thick-head- ed, slim-witted son of a gun is flinging his rn bullets around loose here? IfIdon’tsmash that shoat’s snout, then—” ‘““Tt was all a mistake,” explained the uu- lucky man hastily, ‘‘The-piece dropped and went off of itself.” “‘Then I'd advise you to go off of yourself,” broke out the irate hunter. ‘‘I think you’d find better quarters in the bosom of your family, than out huntin’ outlaws on the mountings. We was doin’ this on the sly, and blast me if you haven’t guv the alarm five miles abead! ush on, gentlemen. I’m mad. I'd kick my- self if I wasn’t.” This energetic reproof prevented any more wild rifle shooting. The ground beyond grew more :practicable. After half a mile of this difficult belt they reached a plateau, thickly covered with woodland, and stretching for a mile almost at a level. ‘‘Make the most of this smooth sailing,” said Branson dryiy. ‘‘T’other side of it you're go- in’ to have a breezar. You'’ain’t done no mount- ing climbing yet, but you’ve got it afore you hot and heavy. Any chap that’s got soft bones had best turn and toddle back.” It soon proved as he bad said. The level ground came suddenly toanend. Before them rose a steep bill that looked almost perpendicn- lar. The portly gentleman gazed at it in despair. “Have we got to go up that?” he groaned. “You kin take t’other bull by the horns, if you like,” answered the guidedryly. “If you’ve got a'feather-bed at home, mebbe you’d best make fur it, cause you won’t find these rocks no feathers. Any chap as wants to climb Camel’s Back has got to mount that slope. Guess ’tain’t as bad as it looks, though. Push on lively, folks.” It was, indeed, a hard climb. There was no trace of a path. A series of huge rocks, which it was necessary to scale, closed the way, and the less agile of the party had to be dragged up many of them by main force, Fred’s youthful agility stood him in good stead here, and he made his way upward with an ease that brought a grim growl of approval from the guide. “ You’ve the makin’ of a mountaineer, young ‘un,’ be remarked, ‘‘ But don’t be too spry, or you mought step inter a hornet’s nest afore we're by to whip ’em off, Give me yer hand, jedge. That’s a rough bit o’ rock.” “Rather,” gasped the judge, as he was helped up a smooth rock eight feet high. “You must have a fly’s feet, Branson, and hang on by suction.” ‘* Guess so,” was the short answer. A half-hour of this difficult ascent brought them to the white spot which the guide had pointed out. It proved to be a great mass of quartz rock, standing, clear of trees, on the mountain’s flank, One of the two other divi- sions of the party bad got there before them. The remaining division ail appeared. So far the coast was clear. No trace of the fugi- tive prisoners had been seen, ‘Didn't expect to stir ’em up yit,” remarked Branson. “But they mought be in that bit o’ ground ahead of us.” : f He pointed upward, The mountain continued to slope rapidly, and some hundred feet above tueir heads loomed a perpendicular rock, whose bluff summit formed a long look-out over the valley below. Suddenly, before their up-turned eyes, on the very brink of this precipitous cliff, appeared the figure of a man, tall and imposing. He was dressed in the costume of a hunter, and his face at that distance looked dark, stern and threat- ening. A deep oath came from the lips of the uide. ; “* Abe Blizzard, by all that’s lovely!” he ejac- ulated. “ Jist so, Elick Branson,” came back in stern accents. ‘‘Here I am, Come and take me, But if ye’re a wise man ye'll lead that crowd of water-habies home ag’in, while the’r skin's whole,” “Surrender!” cried Judge Allen in a loud voice, ‘Surrender, you villain! We will have you, dead or alive.” ‘*So it’s you, jedge? That’s what I’m here to see. I’ve guv you warnin’, and it’s this way you take it. It’s war to the knife then, is it?” “Yes, or to the bullet, if you will. I have sworn to cepture you, and I will never rest till I have done so.” “That’s plain talk, jedge. I told you I'd inch you i* you kept it up. Somind yer eye. ou won't find Abe Blizzard no sloucb. Here Iam. Come and take me.” ’ He stood defiantly erect on the brow of the cliff. There came the report of a rifle from one & N : |
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— heey re . our fish in a seine net, ’ manage it judgmatical.” p wings. They’d be nabbed there, sure. eri the party below. A bullet sung wildly through the air. With a threatening move- ment of his hand the daring outlaw stepped back from his exposed position, and in a mo- ment was lost to view. CHAPTER IV, THE CHASE UP THE MOUNTAIN FLANK. “On, lads! On, my boys! We have him now! Weare ten to his one, and he cannot es- cape us!” cried Judge Allen enthusiastically, as be pressed forward toward the upward ridge. ‘*Hold yer level, jedge,” replied Elick Bran- son, ina tone of sarcasm, “Strikes this coon as it’s bout the thing jist now to bold a coun- cilo’ war. Tell you one thing, if you bay Abe Biizzard for a fool you mought as well heave yer money inter a pig-sty * ‘* What do you oma | asked the judge short- “T mean in the fust place he’d never ’a’ showed hisself thar only he’s got a clear track behind him. In the second place we're nary ten to his one. There were eleven on ’em got outer jail, and I reckon the hull crowd’s afore us. I don’t want to pile cold water on yer game, jedge, but ther’s sich a thing as lookin’ afore you leap.” The judge waren himself with an effort, There was ared spot of anger in his face, but he did not speak until after a brief space of con- sideration. “What have you in view, Elick?’ he at length calmly asked. “ We have not marched to the top of the hill to turn and march down again.” “This is my idear,” answered Elick calmly. He seated himself on a bowlder, and rested his chin on the lock of his rifle. “Jest at this min- ute thar’s five hundred men climbin’ the moun- tains, for ten mile fore and aft. The’r’ wastin’ the’r time, too, ’cause the runaways are afore us. Now if we push on blind we’ll only drive ’em into some other hidin’ place, It’s my idear to fotch up the parties from Pilot and Old Tom, yere to the right and left, Let them stretch out and close in t?other side o’ Camel’s Back. When they git in posish we'll push for’ard, and all close in together. That’s what I call gittin’ They can’t escape if we ‘A very neat thought!” exclaimed the judge ardently. ‘‘ But how ‘is it to be done? The parties you speak of are five miles away.” **T never strike a spark till I’ve got my tinder ready,” answered Elick sturdily. ‘‘ Here’s the Hall boys, old mountaineers, as knows the hills like a book, They’ll cover the distance in an hour and a half. A couple hours more will pring the fellers into posish. Then all we wants isa signal that the hunt’s on, and everybody kin push for’ard.” ‘*A good scheme! A very good scheme!” answered the judge, approvingly. “I faney the gentlemen won’t object to a few hours’ rest after their hard work. But cannoé the out- laws turn our flanks and get into the mountain behind us?” “They mought if they was éagles or swallers. Can’t do it without wings. We've got hold of the only pass. See here, lads. Bill Hall, you streak out to Pilot Peak. Tom, you sboot off to yer namesake, Old Tom, You've caught my idear, I s’pose?” “Yes,” answered the two scouts, a pair of slender, wiry, keen-eyed fellows, ‘*Get your men in posish as rapid as you kin. Let the signal be a brusb-blaze on the hill-flank. The minute we see it flash everybody’s to push for’ard and close in, Then hey fur the run- away game. They'll want wings to git through the line of bunters. Off with you now; and spry. Pike two scouts stopped only to tighten their belts, set their fox-skin caps firmly on their heads, and bring tbeir rifles to a trail. Then they dashed off like hounds on an open scent, making nothing of the siren gprs of the pass which had been ascended with such difficulty. Elick looked after them approvingly, and then turned and keenly surveyed the mountain- before him. “ Guess you mought all flunk down and take a rest, gents.” he declared, “Them lads is as spry as deer. Ther’ won't be no grass grow under their feet. But itll take three hours at tbe shortest to bring the boys up.” “And meanwhile what may become of the outlaws?’ asked the judge doubtfully. © Our halt will look suspicious. They may take the hint and escape.” “Where?” asked Elick grimly. ‘They don't dare take to the open, t’Uther side the moun- If the ight or Jeft they’ll meet the parties con The Reporcer-pemouve. or ‘s Branson's signal! Upand away is the... !” All eyes were turned upward, On tie lolly cliff to which the scout had pointed, and at the foot of the blasted pine which overhung its edge, a sharp blaze had suddenly broke into the clear noontide air, the promised signal for action. But as they continued to look, the blazing material leaped into the air, as from a hasty kick, and came dropping down in flashing frag- ments along the precipitous rock. In a minute or two its relics dropped into the tree-tops far below and vanished from sight. ** Look! look!” cried one of the men, point- ing excitedly upward, ‘There's trouble above us! For an instant the formsof two men, clasped as in deadly struggle. were visible on the beet- ling edge of the cliff. They seemed to hang over the precipice, and asif nothing could save them from a deadly fall, Then they vanished, * if they bad staggered back from the rock ge. i lick’s in trouble, and of the worst kind!” cried one of the party. “Hurry, boys. There's no time to waste now,” There was no need to repeat this summons. A hasty spring forward took place, and the up- ward climb was quickly seemed: ““ What bas become of that boy?” asked Judge Allen, looking around, “Don’t know. He slipped away two hours ago. Likely he has had enough of the fun, and has gone back to Oxford,” “Let him go, He’s a green hand at moun- tain work. Push.on, gentlemen!” With all haste they continued their upward course, by a pass far easier than that which Fred had ascenced. Yet it was difficult enough, and the struggle on the cliff was likely to be ended long ere they could reach the hight. We must go up in advance of them, and see what bad taken place during their inactivity. Elick bad not been idle during this period. He had made a search through the loftier levels of the mountain: butin vain. No trace of the fugitives was to be found. He had finally made his way to the lookout cliff, gathered some dry twigs for a blaze, and waited patiently for the signal-fires from the outer mountains, After an hour’s wait a flasb, and then a blaze, to the right, showed that all was in trim in that direction. He waited ten minutes more, with his eyes fixed. on the western hill. Then the flash showed itself there, through an opening in. the trees. ‘‘All’s lovely,” be cried. beacon light.” A burning match, a flash in the dry leaves, then the flame caught the twigs aude shot sharply up. Hardly bad it done so when an agile form leaped vigorously forward, seized the scout’s rifle, that he on the open rock, and with a sweep of its barrel sent tbe blazin g pile flying into the air over the brow of the c.iff. The rifle followed it, with a strong sweep, ‘* Elick Branson,” "cried the voice of the inter- loper, ‘I don’t know what hinders me from flinging you over the rock after your signal fire. “You can’t do it, Abe Blizzard!” yelled the scout, as be sprung madly forward and grappled with th e outlaw. ‘* You are my prisoner, and will go with me to Oxford.” &; ra go with you to the blazes of the lower region first! Look out for yourself! You've got no baby in your hands!” A fierce struggle ensued, that brought the “Now for my
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well-matched contestants nearer and nearer to the dangerous brink, until they toppled on the very edge of the lofty precipice. A single false step now, and both would be dashed to atoms on the rocks below. CHAPTER V. THE FISH IN THE NET. ‘““YwRE my deer’s mea:, Elick Branson, What’s to hinder me now from tossin’ you over the cliff?’ “If you take a boy’s advice you won’t do it, Abe Blizzard. It wouldn’t be healthy.” This question and answer passed at the top of the moustain cliff. Elck lav prostrate on the hard rock, balf stunned by a fierce throw in the struggle with his powerful antagenist. ‘The latter stood over him, one foot upon his breast, with flashing eyes and frowning face, But the unexpected answer to his question from a strange voice made him turn hastily around, There, on a bowlder close by, sat a youtbfal figure, resting a revolver on his crossed knees, and taking quiet aim at the astounded outlaw. “Don’t do it, Abe,” be repeated. “ Im afraid this pistol might go off € it does it will give you tbe worst case of toothache you ever went through,” ‘*Who in the devil are you?’ roared the dis- confited outlaw. **Only a young chap that’s come up here to enjoy the scenery. I’m afteritems, Abe, Guess ve got one. Don’t you kick up any didoes now, or Ill get another.” “Why, blast my eyes if it ain’t the little sprout that I bailed last night in the dark!” ‘*You’ve hit it, Abe. You had the revolver hand then. Seems to me I’ve got it now.” ‘“What do you want?” roared Abe. “Only an item, Abe.” The cornered villain looked irresolutely around | him. He wasin a decidedly tight place. The | stunned scout was stirring beneath his foot. The shouts of the party ascending the cliff | were coming nearer. There sat the impertur- bable boy with a sure aim, and as cool asif he was aiming at a sparrow. ‘* You, want me, eh?’ came in a savage growl. “Yes,” “Then take me! oner!” He made a fierce leap toward the boy, who closed the only avenue of escape from the cliff. In an instant there came the click of the de- scending lock, but no report. The pistol had hung fire. Fred sprung hastily to his feet, and again raised his weapon, with a look of deadly deter- mination in his eyes. “Stop!” he cried, house!” Tbe outlaw paused, glared wildly at the reso- lute youth, and then with a fierce oath turned and dashed back to the brow of the cliff, as if with intent to fling himself over the precipice. A quick spring, and down he went, over the sheer face of the rock. A cry of horror broke from Fred’slips It was echoed by Elick Bran- son, who had now regained his senses. “Toe desv’rat? devil! He'll be dashed to mince-meat!” roared the scout. ‘* Down the precipice, sure as shooting!” cried Fred, rushing forward. He was joined at the brow of the cliff by Elick, who came limping forward. He had been burt by his fall. They both looked down the steep face of the precipice with horror-struck eyes. It was so perpendicular that a man might have fallen three hundred feet without touching the rock wall. Far below taem a leafy screen of tree- tops closed the view, and shut oui the probable fate of the outlaw from their sight. * Poor fellow! It is all over with him!” groaned Fred, mournfully. ‘ Den’t you bet higb on that notion.” Fred turned and looked with surprise at his companion, on whose face appeared a look of shrewd suspicion, He was gazing keenly along the face of the cliff, ‘““What do you mean?’ “T mean that Abe’s one o’ the best moun- taineers in these parts. He’s not goin’ to kill hisself while ther’s a goat track open. Look down yere, lad. D’ye see that narrer shelf ‘bout six foot down, ‘long the face of the rock? It slants down’ard and gits wirer further on, My head fur a pickled herrin’ but that’s where Abe jumped to.” Fred looked down. There ran the ledge, ap- parently not six inches wide, It seemed im- cameo that any human being could have ted himself to such a path. His eye follow- Better dead than a pris- “or down goes your | growled the discontented | from here on. | but he’s a cunnin’ coon!” ee >i see wo Eot Ae FRI EA O The Reporter-Detective. ed it for some ten feet. It widened and sloped downward, as Elick had said; until it turned an angle in the rock. Fred hastened forward to this point, followed limpingly by Elick. There was the track still, now more thana foot wide. At some twenty feet distant it entered a cleft in the rock. Fur- ther on the precipice sloped off at an angle. ‘The risky bound! Mie’s follered it, fur a fraction!” cried the scout, hurrying forward. | “Here it jines the rock, and it’s easy climbin’ See here! By the Seven Pipers He pointed down to a spot where the crum- bling rock had left a small heap of sandy frag- ments. In thisspot was visible the imprint of a | human footstep, as clearly defined as if it had been molded there. “Do you think he made that? asked Fred, | staring at it steadily. ‘* That’s the size of his hoof, as if I see’d him now.” “Then I’m after bim,” cried the ardent boy. | ‘*He fooled me neatly, But I’m not going to be thrown from the track so easily as that.” “Best keep back, boy. You don’t know the mountings. Andif you catch Abe you'll catch a Tartar.” ** All right,” cried’ Fred, resolutely. you going ahead?” ‘*No. The hound flung me so savage that he’s took all the go outer me, Tl wait till the folks climb up here. They’re nigh at band now, Best wait.” ‘* Not much,” answered the energetic lad, as he sprung forward along the path which the fugitive must have followed, The voices of the ascending party were now close at hand. They were making as much noise as if they were out on a picnic. Soon the head of the line appeared, winding around the rocks, ‘*Shoot me if they ain’t all turned magpies!” scout. ‘ There’s enough blow in ’em to make a batch o’ wind I’m as sure of it | * Aren’t | pies!” ‘** Blick!” cried the foremost. ‘‘ You are safe? You escaped the villain? Have you cap- | tured him?’ ‘Not much. Be captured me,” came the | grumbling reply. ‘*Come abead, and shut off that windmill.” A few minutes more brought the whole party | to his side, on the broad shelf at the summit of | the cliff. Judge Allen hastened forward and questioned the guide, while tke. others were panting from their sharp labor. A few words briefly delivered put the judge in possession of the main facts. **The boy was up here, and is after the out- law?” he queried in amazement. ‘* Jest so, jedge; and I’ve a notion if we’re spry we've got the game in our own hands. he lads from Pilot and Old Tom must have stretched their Jine at the foot by this time, and are comin’ up the slope. We’ve got the run- aways afore us, arid kin drive ‘em into the net. I’m a bit lamed, and I'll hold this pass with one or two other chaps, so as the game can’t work no'traverse on us. Push ahead and spread out. | Don’t leave a spot bebind you as ain’t s’arched. It’s my ‘pinion we've got ’em tight.” The advice he gave was quickly followed. Several of the worn-out members ot the party stayed with him, particularly the portly gentle- man who had flattened his nose further down the pass.’ The otbers pushed onward, rifle in hand, and spreading their line as they advanced so as to cover every available foot of the ground, They went forward now more silently, under Elick’s stern admonition. He had told them that they were worse “‘ than a flock of blackbirds in a corn-patch.” Meanwhile Fred had gone onward on bis soli- tary bunt. Several indications that he was on the right path came to him as he advanced, Jn fact,it would not have been easy to take any other vourse, for the way here led up the stony bottom of a ravine, down which ran a consider- able stream. He had tospring from stone to stone as he proceeded, while the lofty sides of the mountain glen almost touched above his bead. A screen of bushes bung over the edges and slosed out the light until it was very gloomv and dark within. He continued to follow this damp and gloomy path, which narrowed and grew steeper as he advanced. Finally he reached a point in which the sides of the ravine came almost together, leaving an opening hardly wide enough for a human being to pass through. Here the step- ping-stones disappeared, and the swift-flowing water quite filled up its bed, It was almost } had been taught. rock down which the water flowed, and wh seemed to end the ravine. ‘‘He couldn’t have come any further this way, that’s sure,” muttered Fred, looking around him for some way out of bis difficulty. ‘‘ Ah! there’s the track now. Not a promising path, but there’s po other.” A narrow ledge led up the stee here and there, yet passable. rock, broken ‘ne cleft was | here twenty feet deep, but in a minute the ac- tive lad had gained its summit, after a slip or two on the damp, mossy stones. He paused and looked inquiringly around him. He was still in a rugged and difficult de- file, a heap of broken and tossed rocks, cleft in twain by the narrow ravine. Several hundred feet upward was Visible a knoll which seemed to be the summit of the mountain, He resumed his ascent. A few minutes of hard climbing brought him to an easier region. It was still rugged ground, however, and on turning the corner of a buge rock he found bim- | self suddenly face to face with an individual, who seemed quite as surprised as himself at this unlooked-for meeting. It was not the outlaw leader, but the shrewd lad saw in an instant that it must be one of his followers. It was a tall, cadaverous, evil faced fellow, who looked as if he had not made ac- quaintance with a razor fora month, — ‘Stop there, my friend, 1 want you. “You want me?” growled the outlaw. ‘Just so. That’s what I am here for.” “Then take me!” With a spring Jike a cat the fellow leaped for- ward, and seiz-d Fred ere he could make use of his pisto). The agile boy loosed his hold of the weapon and grappled witb his antagonist. In an ins'ant they were firmly locked in each other’s grasp. It was not such an uneven match. Fred was strong and muscular beyonce his years, w hile his antagonist was of aspare figure, and looked half- fed. They wrestled and struggled for several mihutes on the rock surface withont either gaining en advantage. Fred kept.silent, with set lips, vabile bis foe growled and spit like an angry animal. The lad knew sometbing of the art of wrest- ling, and quietly maneuvered for a trip which he He had just got the desired advantage and twisted his right Jeg around bis antagonist’s feet, bearing bim strongly back, when there came a sharp report from bebind, and a sensation passed through Fred as if bis brain had been suddenly seared with a red-hot iron. Down they went, he and the outlaw in a beap. But the Jatter in an instant tore himself loose from the unnerved arms of the Jad and dasbe@ rapidly away, leaving Fred stretched in a sense- less and lifeless heap on the bare ground. His relaxed limbs lay limp on the barren stone, his face turned in deathlike pallor to the sky, the blood oozed from his bead and crimson- ed the brown rock surface. Whose band had fired the fatal shot that bad laid the youth Jife- less at the very mument of triumph over his an- tagonist? CHAPTER VL THE END OF THE CHASE. “Ts that you, Bill Hall?” ’ “}’ve got a notion it’s "bout my caliber.” ‘* And where are your men?” ; ‘‘ Here they come, arter me. Joe's Iradin’ bis party up yonder side. Where’s yourn!” “‘ Just behind. Seen anything of the runa- ways?” “Nota hair, Have you?” “ Not an eyelasb.” ‘““ Where are they, then” “Old Nick knows. They were up here, we know that. They must have slipped your line,” “Nary time. A swallow couldn’t have got through unseen.” ‘They didn’t pass ours. that’s sure,” “Then where are they?” The question was easily asked, but not easily answered. The net was drawn, but where were the fish? The whole mountain had been surrounded by a line of men, who had ascended with an eye on every spot where a fugitive could pass. Yet they bad now met togetber from all sides, a hundred armed men, who looked at each other with doubt and question. A bundred voices broke the silence, each giv- ing an opinion of the mysterious affair. Judge Allen’s party declared that the fugitives must have slipped through the other line. This was scouted by the others, who declared that a rat dark ahead, but he could make out a shelving y Ag GAT ED
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== fila not have passed them, and who doubted hat the outlaws had been on the mountain. “There you are mistaken,” exclaimed the judge. ‘Blizzard showed himself to us at two different points.” ‘Klick Branson can swear to that, for he got a nasty fall from Abe,” vyouched another. “*He’s limping yet.” “So can I,” averred a man who had just | comeup. ‘‘I got a shot in on one of them back there, not ten minutes ago. I dropped my bird, but he jumped up and made for me with a big knife. 1 got out of bis way.” A laugh followed this admission. ‘You are drawing the long bow, Jake.” ‘TI can show you the spot, if you don’t believe me.” A number followed him back to a spot a quarter ofa mile away. He led them among some ugly rocks and finally halted and pointed | recognized, ave Peer 7 , il a dace rs hi Fgh obs i Pe = —_ oy + “Z 7 The Reporter-Detective ES Se ET TT “It’s the truth, every word of it. Til swear to it,” cried Jake, excitedly rising. ‘‘ You're all mad because I was the only man that got in any work. I wish the chap | winged was here now to make my word good.” ““You’ve got your wish,” came a voice from the door. ‘' The chap you winged is bere.” The startled assembly hastily turned at these words, and gazed in surprise and alarm toward the door. There stood a figure which no one The clothes were soiled aud torn, the hair red and matted, the face streaked with brownish-red lines, till he looked almost like an Indian in his war-paint. ‘You the chap?” gaspe? Jake, ‘Well, I reckon so, what’s left of me, you awkward blowhard of a jick-fool! Excuse me, folks, but this bragging ninny ought to be | cooped up in a hen-coop, with a lot of other down in triumph. A patch of blood, not yet | dried, reddened the rock. It was the where Fred had fallen, buS he was no longer there. ‘¢ Who's a blower now?” exclaimed the triumphantly. ‘‘ There’s my sign When I shoot something comes down.” ‘*And gets up again,” answered a sarcastic member of the party. without waiting to ask questions,” By this time a large group of men had come up. ‘*Has anybody seen the young lad, the stran- ger, who had pushed on ahead of us? He cer- tainly should have been outside our line.” They looked doubtfully at one another. body had seen him. The affair was growing more and more mys- terious, i had been on the mountain. They had been in- closed within a living line. The line had been drawn together, yet it was empty. Even the boy, who could have had no motive for con- cealment, had vanished. It was an extraordi- nary end to the hunt. “They must have some hiding-place cn the mountain, which we have overlooked,” declared Judge Allen. “Don’t believe it,” answered Bill Hall, shak- ing his head posi'ively. ‘‘l’yvye hunted over this mountain for ten years. There ain’t a spot onitlI don’t Enow. Ycur idear won’t work,” The judge looked bewildered. Here was a riddle too hard for all his powers of guessing. There was but one thing yet to be done; to make a second search of the mountain on their return. After another wordy conference the party broke up, its members moving off in every direction like the bea's from a broken string. A rifle shot was to be the signal of any discovery. No shot came. They reached the lower slope without a clew to the outlaws. The Oxford party marched back into the town utterly worn-out and disheartened. A failure wit such fair chances of success seemed to remove all hope. The outlaws could snap their fingers at the authorities. That evening, after the weary searchers had refreshed themselves with rest and supper, the gathered again in the public room of the hotel, eager to debate concerning the strange mystery of the day’s adventure, “T cannot imagine what became of that young stranger,” declar-d'the judge, ‘ Thatis as strange a thing as | see in tne whole affair.” ‘“Who is the hoy, and what is his business here?” asked another. Nobody knew. Fred had said nothing about his mission. Doubt gathered in several faces, ‘‘Ts he mixed in with this gang?” asked one. “Perbaps he is a spy, whom they sent to find out our plans.” “That's all rascally nonsense,” exclaimed Elick Branson indignantly. “‘The lad drew a bee line on Abe Blizzard. He pulled trigger, too, but his pistol hung fir. Dont tell me. I might ha’ been flung over the cliff only fur him.” ** Pistols hang fire on purpose sometimes,” re- torted the doubter. “Dry up, won’t you? Didn’t Abe run like a manuai. _ kill-deer from the boy?” “You and me got in all the work to-day, Elick,” came in a boasting voice from the oppo- site side of the room, ‘I know I dropped my men neat.” “ Your men, Jake? There was only one.” . If I said one I lied,” declared Jake boldly. There were two. I saw their heads over the rock, £ Gropees one of them where yon saw the blood. The other one made for me with a knife,” “That won't do, Jake, We don’ second editions here,” on’t take any | slunk back into the room, XNo- | ' Claimed Elick, A party of no less than eleven outlaws | spot | | the inatter, lad? man | geese. bunt.” “Why, it is the boy himself!” exclaimed Elick, burrying eagerly forward. ‘* What is What has happened ?” ‘*Got shot by a fool,” answered Fred, for it was he. ‘I bad one of the outlaws safe nabbed, when I got my head creased by a rifle-bullet, He’s a sweet specimen to take out ona | and I’ve just heard this puppy bragging about ‘‘And then you get out | | for a door-mat, that’s my notion, | room, a very different-looking personage. firing it. He ought to be laid down somewhere And Id like to be the first to wipe my feet on him.” Fred was boiling over with anger. The brag- ging buntsman recoiled before his eyes, and He had not a word to say. ‘* By Heavens, the boy tells the truth examining Fred’s skull, of a narrer escape. !” ex- **He has made a deuce Where have you been slice, young ’an?” “Tat me wash iue Llood from my face first, and I will tell you,” answered Fred. A half-hour afterward he re-entered the Ua- der Elick’s skillful hands he had got his face cleaned and his wound dressed, while his soiied clothing had beea made more presentable, ‘°Tisn’t as bad as [| wes afeared,” announced the scout. ‘It’s only askul!-crease. Bled free, but won’t hurt the lad. He’il be sound ag’in afore a week,” “As for my story, gentlemen, I bave hut little to tell,” declared Fred, ‘As I told you, I met one of the outlaws and grappled with bim. He was a slim fellow, not qiite’my mateb. I had got in a neat tripon bim, and was just fetching him down, when there came a red-uot blow on my head. Down J went Jike a log.” ‘That was Jake’s neat shot,” explained Elick, looking around, But Jake had disappeared. ‘** suppose I was out of my senses for awhile,” continued Fred. ‘‘WhenI came to I found my head covered with blood, I didn’t know what had happened, and never did know till I got to the door here and beard that jackdaw bragging. I thought the outlaw had knifed me,” ‘*How did you get here?” asked Judge Allen. **T hardly Encl JT got to my feet and made my way over the rocks, I was weak, but I managed to slide down the hills. I have been staggering on ever siace dark, and just got in.” Fred was now decidedly the lion of the hour. All tha glory of the day bad been his. He had saved Elick Branson from a deadly peril, and nearly captured the leader of the outlaws. He had grappled another of the gang. This was just before the scouting-party had come up. he mystery was redoubled by this information. Here was evidence that at least one of the out- laws had been within the net when its folds had been a@rost closed. How had he escaped? Where had he concealed himself? This question was asked Fred, who shook bis head in reply, as he sipped a stimulating bev- erage which the landlord had mixed for him. ‘Tt is a strange affiir right through,” be de- clared. ‘‘I don’t undertake to explain it. Is ere any cave or hiding-place on the moun- tain?’ ‘* No,” answered Elick. ‘Nothing bigger than a fox hole. Leastways I’ve tramped it fur years, and ought to know it pretty sound.” The conversation continued for several hours, but Fred early withdrew, He stood greatly in need of rest. His business in the town was yet a mystery to the good people assembled, but they unanimously voted him a bold and daring youth, who deserved the thanks of the com- gis & Fred bad a heavy item on hand for the Star, but it bad to wait till the next day. It was three days indeed ere he was fairly able to be out. By that time bis healthy young blood had begun to assert itself, bis wound bad closed, and showed signs of rapidly healing. “Tm as good as ten dead men yet,” declared Fred joyfully, glad to get once more into the fresh outdoor air. ‘ By the next day he was quite strong again, and walked quite freely about the town, in which his adventure had made him quite a lion, “ Ah, Mr. Flyer!” exclaimed Judge Allen warmly, on meeting him. ‘I am glad to see you abroad again. Will you not come bome with me? My wife and daughter have beard of your exploits, and are very anxious to meet you and hear the story from yourself.” ‘Certainly, judge,” answered Fred, who had not forgotten the very pretty girl he bad seen by lamplight a few days before. ‘I shall be glad to do so.” . ‘“That’s clever. Come right now, if you don’t object.” a By the way,” asked Fred, as they walked along. ‘“ How about that threat which hangs over your head? Has Abe Blizzard shown his hand \yet?” : ‘‘No danger of that,” auswered the judge. ‘Tt is only a wild threat. Ibavea fancy that these fellows will make themselves scarce, and not trouble us again.” ; He opened the door of his. bouse, and led his young companion into a handsomely-furnisbed room, where sat a fresh-faced middle aged lady, and the blooming girl whom Fred had met before. ‘My wife and daughter,” he introduced. “My dear, this is Mr. Flyer, the youthful hero of Camel’s Back.” “Tam happy to congratulate him,” answered the lady, bowing gracefully. The younger lady courtesied deeply, to con- ceal a conscious blush that came to her face. She had recognized her handsome boy visitor of a few nights before. CHAPTER VII. HOW FRED NABBED THE GANG. A WEEK hus passed since Fred Fly er set off in such eager haste from bis home. Within that modest mansion all looks to-night as home- like as it did on tbat occasion. Mr. Flyer is seated on his favorite settee, smoking his pipe, and reading the paper. : Mrs. Flyer is busy over the stove, looking after the sapper. The two younger folks are sprawling upon the floor, one busily engaged in studying his scbool lesson, tbe other slyly ty- ing an epron-striny to the cat’s tail. “I tell you our Fred’s a coon!” ejaculated the fatber, as he threw down the puper. “ He’s a spry lad, or there never weren’t none.” ‘What is be up to last, Jacob?” Mrs. Flyer turned with great interest from the stove. “Dunno. <Ain’t read the evening paper yet. This is the Star, where he tells all about bow the outlaws have been robbing stores and houses, and how they’ve been setting traps for the foxes, but the foxes won’t drop in.” ‘Oh, that’s stale. I read that ten hours ago. See if there’s anything in the evening paper.’ “Don’t s’pose there is. Ain't often any- thing.” He took up the paper in question, and turned over its pages. Several minutes passed in silence. Then a sharp ejoculation broke from Mr, Flyer’s lips. “By Jack and Gill,” he cried, ‘‘ but bere’s high old spert! Deuce take tbat rascally boy, I always said he’d come to the gallows!” ‘““Who are you talking shout, Jacob? What do you mean anyhow?” Mrs. Flyer’s face was red, and her voice hot with anger. ‘“T mean Fred. Here he’s gone and got his- self into a deuce of a scrape, like he’s always doing.” ‘* What is it? Read it out, quick!” Her excited tones startled the cat, which sprung up, and darted wildly about the room, scared by the white thing tied |o its tail. ‘*Drat the cat! What ails the creature? What you been doing to it, you young var- mint?” ‘“‘Ti’s only got mammy’s apron twisted round it,” answered young hopeful. ‘Come here, puss. Nice pussy.” But pussy choose to go out the window through a broken pane, so close te Mr. Flyer’s head that the apron switched round his ears, and held fast, only the broken string clinging to puss’s tail. “You confounded little jackanapes.” The mover of this mischief did not wait to hear more. He knew what was likely to follow as soon as his dad got his head clear from the apron, and made @ bee line for the door, in which be was aided by a slap from the flat of his mother’s hand, which sent him through the door like an avalanche.
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Fe eee be he ) Reporter-Detective. Oh, come, dad, let him off this time. Fred’s back, you know.” * Always letting him up, That’s why he’s sich a rascally sprout. You're too tender of his hide, lad.” “Only this time, dad.” ** Well, being’s you’r’ back, Fred—” He had no time to finish. The young culprit had been crouching in terror just outside the door. He ran hastily in at these words, his eyes dancing. “Oh, Fred! That's ever so good!” “Come here, you rat!” cried the father, snatching angrily at him. ‘“‘ You’re a bit too soon. I hadn’t got through, yet.” “Ob my! you ain’t a-goin’ to wallop me after telling Fred— ”Tain’t fair, nohow. "I'wasn’t me, anyhow. "Twas the cat.” ‘* Here, snippy.” Fr:d gathered him up into bis lap. ‘' You keep mum, and you can eat out of acorner of ‘ny plate. Dad’s only fanning.” “Am I?” came the grim answer. ‘ He’s learning ’rithmetic at the school, See if I don’t “The young rascal. He wants a trouncing. And he'll get it, too, drat his dirty hide!” ‘*Oh, never mind that, Jacob. Dll switch him soundly to-morrow. Got a whole week to settle for. But what isit about our Fred? You know I’m dying to hear.” ‘*He’s goue and got himself in a nasty old scrape. The cutlaws burst into a big grocery store late last night, and tore round lively. But they got ambushed by the people, and had to run for their lives. he foiks only nabbed one of the party in toe siore. And who do you think that was?” ‘* How the gracious shou'd l ever know? Abe Blizzard?” ‘*Fred Flyer; sure as you live.” “Our Fred?” The mother’s voice rose to a scream. “Dead sure. Mixed up with the gang. That's a sweet outlook for our Fred. The folks there swear he’s one of the party, and they’ll put him through a course of sprouts.” ‘Our Fred? Oh, you're fooling, Jacob, I can’t believe it!” “Read it for yourself, then. There’s the paper.” Mr. Flyer plumped himself down angrily on a settee. **And you don’t mean to say that they’ve locked him up? Our Fred? For a thief?” “Not much, mother. Got to catch your goose before you can cook it.” Mr. Flyer sprung up asif he had been stung by a bee. These words came through the broken window-pane, out which the cat had just leaped. He turned sharply round, ‘Who in the blue blazes is that?” “Tt’s Fred! My Fred! Our Fred! Don’t you know the voice? Ob, you Fred!” Further speech was drowned in a shower of kisses, from the youth who bad just sprung through the open door, and clasped the lady in a warm embrace. “Fred! By gosh!” “’Tain’t nobody shorter, dad. Ain’t in any Oxford lock-up, no matter what that paper pA Just been listening to you reading, *“You young rascal!’ Mr, Flyer caught his hand and wrung it warmly. “Hang me if [ was ever s0 glad to see anybody yet. Howd’ye do, Fred, anyhow? And how the blazes did you get off?” “Tell you after supper. I’m hungry as a wolf, Got any grub, mother? Come down in the lightning-express, and no time for lunch on the road.” “Supper! Of course there is. If it ain’t all burnt up. To think of your coming in that way! hy, you’ve given me a regular set- back,” ‘It’s me, anyhow. These are my fingers, and this is my nose. No wax-work figure this time. Had a tight squeeze, you bet. Couldn’t nab this coon, though. But let’s have supper. Then we can talk.” “Certainly! Of course!” Mrs. Flyer turned to her he opin cooking, which was frying away lustily over the fire. “You didn’t jump into no mine this time, Fred?” asked his younger brother, looking up to the young hero with eyes full of admiration. * Not quite that bad, Bobby. But been down holes and up mountains, and fooling folks the worst way. They don’t guess who I am out there, Playing sly on them. Think I’m General Jackson, or the King of the Canary Islands, What you got for supper, mamma?” ‘*Mutton hash, Fred. And fried ’taters. And hominy.” *That’s prime. Been eating stewed rattle- snake and bear’s ’ile out yonder.” ‘You lie, you rascal!” growled Mr, Flyer. ““That’s ’cause ’m hungry. Can’t be trusted when I’m hungry. If you ever want me to tell the truth again, you’d best pile om the grub.” ‘Freddy, my boy, I’m afeard it hasn’t been any good to your morals to go West,” cried his mother, as she hurried up the supper, lest Fred should get off another whopper, ‘1 wish you could only stay home, among pious folks.” ‘Yes, down at the Star office. Sweet and ious, they are. Why, them chaps tell so many ies that the-sky looks green out of the office windows. It gots into the paper once ina while, too. ’Tain’t all truth that you see in the Star.— My! that’s prime! Ain’t no bash out West like youro, mamma.” **Oh, you Fred!” exclaimed the mother, with a gratified air. * It’s solid fact, anyhow, Where’s snippy?” *Slid from:a scorchin’; the blamed young varmint!” growled Mr. Flyer. “Hillo! Been at his tricks again, has he? ing onto the next, and show him how much one and one makes.” The culprit laughed slyly to himself. He cal- culated to make the sum one in subtraction, as be bad often done before. He began his yea ag by the subtraction of victuals from the ‘table. Mr. Flyer cooled down slowly. He was one of the sort that heat quick and cool slow. But supper bad a mollifying effect upon his temper, end b the time he got through he was as mild as a cherub, ‘*Now, Fred, let’s hear how it all came out.” They were gathered around the table, on which burned the evening lamp. “Been through the mill,” answered Fred, shrugging his shoulders. ‘‘They came near miking me into a dredge-box with bullet-holes, Want me to begin at the beginning?” “No. Tell us about this store scrape first; we'll take t’other afterward, to top off.” ‘** Well, somebody’s been robbing up in Potter county. I ain’t dead sure it’s Abe Blizzard’s gang, but the folks swear itis. They’ve been laying for them ever since we had the mountain hunt, but they couldn’t nail anybody. Then I took it in hand. Items were getting scarce. I was afraid the Star might quit ‘shining, so I thought Id stir up some; and it was a neat stir up, now you bet!’ ** Always is, Fred, when you get your finger in the pie,” said Mrs. Flyer. Fred laughed slyly to himself. He knew that if he kad a genius for getting into scrapes; he bad an equal genius for getting out of them, so he rather enjoyed his mother’s opinion, ‘ Knowed they must be getting short of grub, and calculated they’d make their next break on a provision store, so I hurg’round a country grocery just out of Oxford, kept by a chap called Bill Barley. I smelt the thieves coming that way, and so they did. They made for it last night, and I caught them.” You caught them?” ** Just so,” answered Fred gravely. ‘ Caught the whole gang. Made them go along with me toward the store—me in the middle, and them around.” ‘““Why, you young villain!” broke out his father. ‘‘ Are you playing on us?” “ Nary time, dad. They persuaded me to go along—persuaded me with a revolver. You never saw such a nice taking way they have. Thought I’d just go alovg and see what they were after; then I could bring them back and land them in the lock-up, you know.” “Now, Fred,” cried his mother, lifting her hands in deprecation, ‘‘why can’t you tell a story straight? They took you, that’s it. You got among them, and they wouldn’t let you go,” ‘*Shouldn’t wonder if some of them looked at it that way,” answered the grave boy. “I thonght all along some of them had the whim they had nabbed me. They calculated they were taking me along so that I couldn’t raise the alarm, They didn’t know what I was up to, vou see.” “Now drop that, Fred, or I’ll burst your boiler,” cried his father, angrily. ‘* You ougbt to be ashamed of yourself, playing off your jokes on your daddy and mammy,” “Anyhow,” continued Fred, as if there had been no interruption, ‘they kept persuading me with that revolver till we came to the store. They some of them persuaded the door to come open, and took me in, while the rest stood on watch outside. I wasn’t interested, you know. I just squatted myself on a cheese-box, and looked on while they were passing out bams, teach him how toadd up, I'll add this scorch- | ams n ——_ and crackers and the like. Had my note-book out: takivg down items. Just tven there came a sors — of a roar outside, and a kind of a run inside, and a ripping, and cracking, and yelling, as if a big riot had broke loose. Such a noise you never beard. -It struck me it wasn’t healthy, so I put away my note-book, and slid for the door.” ‘There was an attack?” ‘Yes, And I was the only robber caught. The rest all got away, but 1 plumped right into the hands of a big chap thatnabbed me just like a rat would a bit of cheese. You bet I felt blue when I saw all my nice game bu’sted. And it wasn't pretty to hear them saying, ‘Didn’t I tell youso? ‘Knew he was mixed with them,’ ‘He’saspy.’ ‘Lock him up, we’ll railroad bim, anyhow.’ They couldn’t listen to a spark of reason; but just handed me over to a constable, who was one of the party. He snatched me off, while the rest went after the runaway gang.” “T said so, Fred, Another of your scrapes. You're always getting into them,’ “Always getting out of them, too, ain’t I? Got out of this one, anyhow,” ‘You must, or you wouldn’t be here. How did you do it, Fred?” ‘* Just pulled the waol over that constable’s eyes. Maude him think | was made up of honey and sugar-cane. Then I gave bim a sly push off a bit of rock, and brung him down on his nose, While he was cursing, | was sliding He pelted after me though, you bet. Fired off five or six revolvers. Might have thought there was a heavy wind the way the lead whistled.” ** And didn’t hit you?” “T wasn’t a barn door, and that’s what he was firing at. Anyhow I slung him. Trotted across country. Walked near forty mile, I reckon, Then took a train. Here 1 am now, and done with Abe Blizzard. Don’t catch me up there again soon, nohow,” An hour afterward Fred was safe in bed, tak- ing the rest he needed after bis wearisome ad- venture, CHAPTER VIII. ABE BLIZZARD GETS EVEN WITE THE JUDGE. Frrep's advent into the Morning Star office the next day made no less a sensation than he had made at home, Editors, reporters, and the whole fraternity generally, sprung from chair and stool, and made for bim with a host of questions. ‘*Glaa to see you, Fred. Knew that was all a lie about your robbing a grocery store. It’s one of the telegraph facts. But we've got it here. It was wired to us just the same, What’s in it, anyhow? And what brings you here? You haven’t worked out the Blizzard mine yet,” “Too hot up there to hold me,” answered Fred, with a sbrug, ‘‘There’s only one weak spot in that story, there’s too much truth in it. It’s boiling over with facts. That’s what brings me down, They’re too pressing hospitable up there. Wouldn’t let me come at all if 1 badn’t slid when I did.” ‘Oh, come, Fred! That’s taffy. Out with the solid fact now.” “The solid fact is I was laying for the gang, and tumbled into them. They took me along with a pistol at my ear, and promisei me salt in my coffoc if I whimpered, Well, they robbed the store, the town folks pelted for them, they slid, and I got nabbed, that’s all.” ‘*Not much, There’s more bebind all this, Finish it up, Fred.” “Nothing more, except I told fhe constable be wasn’t good -looking enough to keep company with me. He requested me to stay, but I po- litely declined. e sent some messenzer-hows after me to coax me back, but I wasn’t coax- able.” ‘‘ Messenger-boys? What sort of messenger- boys?” Bullets. That’s the sort. Sowed them around lively. But the rain was too scatter- ing. I walked between the drops.” “You young villain!” The chief editor caught Fred by the shoulders and gave him a lively shaking. ‘*Can’t you tella plain story, just for once? Just to oblige Benson?’ ‘* Hand me a chair,” cried Fred. ‘Tl tell you all about it.” He had an interested audience, as be told the story of his stirring adventures in Oxford and its vicinity. Fred was a good talker, and made his account very graphic. No work was done on the Star for the next half bour. “ That’s all,” he at length declared. ‘‘ You’ve had the cream of it in my letters. This is only the skim-milk to fill up. But I’ve done with Oxford. Dropped it like a hot potato, Only one thing there [ took a fancy to.”
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One thing, eh! What was that, Fred?” _ * Just the prettiest little angel in calico that Too high- ever took thestarch out of Parailise. toned fur me, though. Big family. Got a udge for daddy. And I’m only poor Fred lyer, whose daddy piles pig iron, when he ain’t losfing and pipe-smoking. Might as well try to whistle down a star. Guide to Minnie Allen. She’s two buckleberries above me. Whiff, and off it goes.” He puffed his lips as if he had blown a whiff of smoke into the air. “That ends that. Now what’s up? I’m on hand for duty.” “* You can take a day’s holiday, Fred. Go out to the romantic hanks of the Scvuylkiill, and mourn over your lost love. Come, gentlem-n, time’s flying. Pens, paste and scissurs. Down to work again.” He was quickly back at bis desk and his pen flying like lightning over the paper, as if be had an idea which he wanted to shoot on the wing. The rest of the party got hack slowly to their | work, while Fred wandered through the office, chatting here and there. While this was going ona messenger boy entered, and handed a telegram to the chief. The latter opened it and ran his eye hastily over its contents. A shrill whistle came from his lips that startled everybody in the office. *“More Potter county,” he cried. ‘ Here’s something rich and entertaining. Why, Fred, you came away from the circus before the per- formance got started, You'll have to go back again.” “Not if the court knows herself,” answered Fred decidedly. ‘ Left the pot boiling there. Ain’t going to pelt back into the scalding water.” ; ** Potter county, eh?” asked another. thing stirring?” “Yes. The outlaws have abducted the daughter of one of the chief magnates of the town. The whole country is up.” Fred started as if a hornet had stung him. ““ Who is it?” he demanded, in almost a threat- ening tone, as This is villainous writing. l’'ts Judge Ap— “ Any- At ‘*Judge Allen?” “Yes, that’s it. Judge Allen.” “Then it’s Fred’s sweetheart, Minnie Allen, that the hounds have stolen.” ‘*The deuce! That’s a bad go.” Fred stood silent, and as if overwhelmed. All the blood seemed to have left his face, and be _was as paleas a ghost. A moment thus, and then it came back with a gush. *“‘T’ve reconsidered my resolution,” he said in a very quiet tone, ‘1 will go back to Oxford.” “What for, Fred? What can youdo? You will only get into trouble,” ‘** Won’t be the first time. Reckon I can take care of number one. I'll tell you what. Abe Blizzard threatened the judge with revinge, if he didn’t give up the chase, And this is it. He’s stolen little Minnie. Poor little thing, I’ll bave her or leave my head. Those hounds have a hiding-place somewhere on Camel’s Back moun- tain, and I’m bound to find it. Gotan idea about where it lies.” * Good for you, Fred,” cried an enthusiastic youth. ‘“Tbat’s the way to break down the fence between the snlges bench and the pig- iron pile. Get the girl from their clutches and who knows what may come of it?” ‘I don’t care a vickel what comes of it,” an- swered Fred angrily. ‘‘Do you suppose that’s what I’m after? 1 haven’t gone into the retail business yet. If l1 was a man and could marry the girl to-morrow, | wouldn’t do it on that plea. But I’m going to bu’st back for Oxford, sure as shooting.” But leaving the Morning Star office for the resent we must take a quick flight back to Ox- ord, where all was in uproar and confusion from the event briefly telegraphed to the ci y. _ The abduction had taken place on the preced- ing day, at an hour shortly after that in which Fred so suddenly appeared at his paternal home, Minnie Allen had been on a visit to a friend at a short distance outside the town. She had left there on her return in the dusk of the evening, utterly unaware that a pnir of dark eyes watched her movements, and a pair of wolf-like feet slunk along on a pith parallel to the road which she followed, without a suspicion of danger. hat succeeded was not yet known. It was only known that she had failed to to return Home as promised, But no uneasiness was felt until it began to grow late, without a sign of ber return. Finally Judge Allen had gone over to the friend’s house where Minnie was visiting, thinking it too late for her to come home alone. The Reporter-Detective. To his astonishment and alarm, he learned that she had set out for home three hours before. The alarm rapidly spread, The town was searched. No trace of the missing girl could be found. Quickly the people of the town turned out with lanterns, and set in train a thorough search of the road which she must have fol- lowed, and the adjoining localities. This search had an alarming ending. Stuck in a crevice of a rail of the roadside fence was found a scrap of white paper, which one of the more curious of the party captured and exam- ined. Its contents explained the mystery. It was a penciled note, written on a soiled sheet, to the following effect: ** Jepce AtLEN:—Them as kicks out must ’spect to git kicks back. You wouldn’t take warnin’, so you kin take t’other. have. The gal’s my game. You'll never sot eyes on berag’in till we all git a free pass out this dig- gin’s, and cash to set us up in a honest life. My post-office is the bald spot on old Camel Back’s nose. ‘** ABEL BLIZZARD.” The eff:ct of this precious episile was im- mense, Word of what b:d bappened sped with wonderful .rapidity from end to end of the county. By morning there was not a village that did not know of the abduction by the out- laws, and by voon of the next day the news had spread through the farm-bouses, until the whole coun'y was up in excited indignation. Judge Allen was universaily respected, avd many a harsh oath was taken that day to bunt down the fugitives to the death and revenge bitterly the outrage which they bad committed. It was impossible for any one to settle down to his regular occupation. Hundreds were out all day on the bills, with the forlorn hope of discovering the much-searched outlaws. Others debated for hours in hope of getting the idea of some plan of countermining the villains. Many thought 1t advisable that the judge should come to terms with the outlaw leader. Abe certain] had the whip hand now, and there was no tell- ing to what outrage he might be driven if the search was continued. Tbe great majority, however, were in favor of pushing the villains to the wall. And to this idea the bereaved father assented, though his heart was almost broken in the effort. Near evening a conference was held in the main parlor of the Oxfgrd Hotel, attended by the principal people of the place, among them several who had spent the day in a fruitless search of Camel’s Back. About the same time a passenger train had rolled into the station of the town, unloaded its few passengers, and steamed away again. One of these, a spry, youthful figure, walked briskly toward the hotel, with less difficulty than the same figure had experienced on a previous land- ing in the town, It was, in fact, Fred Flyer. In the hotel conference the conversation bad got round to his name. ri ‘““That boy is mixed in this,” declared the constable positively. ‘‘ That’s what brought him to town. He was sent to spy out the chances,” **That’s all gammon,” declared Elick Bran- sou. ‘‘ You’re mad ’cause he tripped you, that’s all, You bad no business peltin’ bullets at the boy, and if you’d hurt bim I’d bu’sted yer head.” ‘‘ What brought him into thatstore? Tell me that, will you?’ “His feet. Don’t I know he was scoutin’ fer the sobbers? I was out one night with him. He tumbled among ’em, that’s all. If the tad ain’t honest, then— MHillo!’ The old hunter sprung te=.is feet with this exclamation, bis eyes staring at the door, in which stood a well- remembered figure. Told you I'd sting you sore, and I | | “Square for you, Elick,” exclaimed Fred, for | it was he, man.” By this time everybody in the room was on bis fest, and a dozen loud exclamations broke out. “Hang it, hoy, you’d best have stayed away!” cried Elick, squeezing bis hand vigor- ously. ‘‘But I’m your backer through thick and thin, square up.” ‘“Didn’t intend to come back,” answered Fred, ‘’till I heard of this last bit of work. I’m bere to help rescue the young lady, and help I will, while there’s a hair on my head or a nail on my fingers.” This spirited declaration elicited a burst of ap- ee from several of the persons present, thers kept silent, however, and the constable sprung angrily forward. “lve a notion you won’t have much chance,” he declared. ‘You are my prisoner. Into Ox- ford lock-up you go, till you are tried for store- breaking.” ‘Give me your hand on that, old a. ‘Hold yer level,” cried Elick, getting be- tween the officer and the boy. ‘Don’t be too hasty. We've got to have a bit of a confab on that p’int of law.” ‘*By heavens, V’ll have him!” The irate offi- cer caught hold of Elick to burl him aside, “Will you? Slide, boy, while your skin’s whole, The p’int o’ law jist now is ag’in’ you.” “ Will you obstruct the Jaw?” ‘Oh no,” said Elick, standing as immovably asanoak tree, ‘ Jist push me out 0’ the way. I'm a bit rheumatic in the jints, and don’t move easy.” The constable sought to push him aside, but he might as well have tried to move a house. Finally, with an oath, he loosed his hold, and sprung around him. Too late. Where the boy had stood was a vacancy. Fred had vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. CHAPTER IX, AT A MOUNTAIN LUNCH-COUNTER. THE strange appearance and disappearance of the mysterious youth made new matter for the attention of the town meeting. A wide difference of opinion prevailed. Some sided with the constable, and believe that Fred was a spy sent out by the outlaws, Others had faith in his integrity, and looked on him as a useful associate, “Don’t tell me. Guess I’ve been thief-catcher long enough to twig a reprobate when I see him,” averred the constable. ‘The boy’s got the making of a bad one. You can see it in his eye. And I'll have him, or the feathers will fly somewbere.” “7 agree with you, Jerry,” answered Judge Allen. ‘“‘I doubt if the boy is honest. What reason can he have for concealing bis busi- ness?” “Why, bless you, jedge, that’s jist what I like him fur,” declared the old hunter. ‘I don’t cotton to that sort as goes round with a label on their caps: ‘My name’s Tom Fiddler and I git my livin’ by rag-pickin’,’ .*, like a chap as in, keep hisself to hisself, 4 [tell you that boy is as sound at center a ‘bickory-nut that has jist drapped.” af “Hickory-nuts often drop because they’re rotten at heart,” rejoined the constable. “The boy’s my meat, I tell you. He’s got to prove hisself innocent, and he won’t find that no baby’s job.” He stalked angrily from the room, bitterly determined to arrest the boy when and where he could find him, But Fred Flyer was not the lad to be picked up at a venture. Jerry scoured the town in vain. No trace of the fugitive could be f und, It looked as if he bad made for the hi''s, to spend the night out of doors in thit chill Octo- ber weather. For an hour the irate constable kept up the hunt, and then gave it over in despair. **J’Il nail him to-morrow, if he’s about town,” he declared. ‘“‘If he’s with bis jail-breakin friends, we'll take them in a heap. I bet you prove my words before I am through with this ob.” A balf-bour afterward Elick Branson returned to bis cottage on the mountain flank, a short distance outside the town. He stalked in and flung down his cap angrily. ‘That Jerry Brown is the most rantankerous idiot—” he began. He stopped suddenly, and stood looking in surprise before him, For there sat Fred Flyer, as coolly as if be had just rented the house. ** Hillo, boy!” be cried. Why, I thought you’d made a bee-lice fur the mount- ing. There's Jerry Brown swearin’ he’ll barbe- cue you without pepper.” ‘Got to catch bis cow before he can milk it,” Fred coolly answered. ‘‘I ain’t quite a_ fool, Elick. Wasn’t brought up to sleep with Potter county for a bed and Camel’s Back for a pil- low, and with the sky for a bed cover. That’s too much like putting on airs. I thought I'd call round and see if you couldn’t find mea shake down, and a morsel of grub.” ‘‘ Well, I'd smile!” answered Elick heartily. ‘Guy us yer hand, boy. Glad to have you. My best feather-bed’s yourn; and a clear sheer of all the grub in the shanty. And if Jerry Brown don’t like that be kin soak bis bead in buttermilk. Supper ’most ready, mother? We’ve got young gentleman company.” ‘‘ He’s as welcome as the flowers of May,” an- swered Mrs. Branson heprtily, from the kitchen. “ Ready in ten minntes.” ‘*That’s clever. I want to hold a confab with you, young man, arter supper. You’ve got some You here? an,
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ae a idears. And that’s more than I’d like to say fur all the folks in this here diggin’s.” Fred took his share ef the supper with an ap- petite. He was as much at homeasif he had lived there for six months. To-morrow might take care of itself. He wassafe for the night, and wasn’t the boy to borrow trouble, After supper Elick lit his pipe, and seated himself in the chimney corner for a long chat with bis visitor, We need not say that the search for the outlaws, and the abduction of Minnie Allen, were the main subjects of their conversation. ‘*Guess it’s about bedtime,” declared Elick, at length, after a couple of hours bad passed. “ We’re ’arly snoozers, out hereaway; and’arly risers. So we’re o’ one mind. Them chaps is hid somewheres 'bout where you got the bullet- seratch on yer top-knot.” ““That’s my notion, And I tell you this, Flick. I wouldn’t he here to night only I’ve took a boy’s fancy for pretty Minnie Allen, It isn’t no love, you know, nor any of that nonsense. Bat Abe Blizzard has got to give ber up, or Dll comb his hair.” “In course I know,” answered Elick, with a sly wink to his wife. ‘‘Boy and gal fancy. Time *nough fur love when you’ve l’arnt how to shingle a meetin’-house. Come, bunk’s the word. And be sure and keep the gal outer your dreams.” The night slipped by without a creak in its axles. Fred was pastdreaming. He wassleep- ing now for business, and be woke up the next morning with a week’s work in his veins. It was yet dusk. Only the first red flush of the dawn touched the edge of the sky. Elick was no hand to let the daylight catch him in bed. ‘* Now, my lad, go’s the word,” he declared, ‘?Tain’t healthy fur you’round here, Streak up the mounting. Jerry Brown won’t trouble you there. I’ve got some chores to do, but I’m goin’ to climb them hills afore noon. I mought bring down a deer, and mought bring down a Blizzard, You understand where we’re to meet, and trade cheeks?” “T won’t forget,” answered Fred, as he ex- amined the loads of his revolver. ‘‘I suppose I'd better dig out right now, before the sun gets his nose up.” “* What, without any grub in your meal-chest? What sort of a skunk do you take me fur? Breakfast’s sthokin’ on the table now. Come in and fill up. Why, young’un, the old woman wouldn’t leave a hair in my head if I let you go off that way. And I'm goin’ to treat you to as sweet a slice o’ venison steak as was ever shot in the Aiieghanies.” As may be imagined, Fred was not loth to do ustice to his new friend’s good cheer. And reakfast over, the hospitable lady of the house pressed on him a lunch that looked big enough to keep a bungry bear in a week’s provisions. “Much obliged, Mrs. Branson,” Fred laugh- ingly declared, ‘‘but my shoulders are not broad enough. Just put me up a couple of sandwiches, and I'll make out.” “But who knows when you may set down to table ag’in?’ remarked the anxious matron. ‘*Elick’s duberous but you mought go hungry.” “Not likely, while I’m in your hands, I bite the way back if I get near starvation. Now that’s enough, oceans. Good-by. Fling your slipper after me for luck, Mrs. Branson. I’m going for Minnie Allen, and old Abe’s got to get up early in the morning if he wants to fling this locomotive off the track.” Away went the light-hearted fellow, with a step as free as a deer’s, and a heart as light asa a We He was in the first flush of youth and health. He had trust in bis luck and his pluck. There was a new world of a mountain range be- fore him. Tbe briskness of the October air was in his veins. Up the eastern sky came the sun, blinking at him with rosy eyes. It was a glo- rious morning. Nature was alive and cheery, and Fred had got some of her electricity in bis boots. The mountain was to him like an ant- hill, as he trudged lighlty upward. Noon found him igh up on the mountain, not quite so spry on his feet, but as warm of heart as ever. He had had a hard hunt for several hours, for the hiding-place of the out- laws, but all in vain. Every nook and crevice which Fred could find ‘in the locality he had diligently explored, but without finding a hole that could hide a beetle. ‘“ That’s all very pretty, Mrs. Partington,” he said to himself. ‘ But they’re not a half-mile off from this spot, I’ll bet lively on that. They were inside the line we drew round them that day, and I don’t believe they crept through it. saw them flying over it, through hat’s left, then? They must have And nobod the air. oh Be é ORE i oe": i saa The Reporter-Detective. Pa {= sunk into the rock. That’s where they are, somewhere inside the rock, And Tl find them if I have to take a menth, and turn over every stone between here and Old Tom off yonder.” Fred looked around him. He was in a sort of natural nook, with high rocks on three sides of him, On tbe fourth was a narrow opening, by which he had entered. The sun, now high in the heavens, shone warmly down into this rock fastness. ‘* Tt’s a sort of natural lunch counter,” averred Fred. ‘‘ And it seems to me that there’s a hol- low inside here as big as a hogshead. I don’t see any better fun just now than to sit down and go for Mrs. Branson’s lunch. Wish Id brought more, now. Didn’t properly gauge the size of a mountain appetite.” He seated himself cosily in his strong arm- chair, flung his hat lightly aside, and drew with some difficulty the bulky sandwiches from his pocket. He fell to with a decided relish. Hun- ger and venison steak combined to make his meal a most appetizing one, His appetite satisfied he leaned back in the warm sun-rays for a comfortable rest. A half- hour passed, without a bee or a butterfly to break the perfect calm. Fred thought he was keeping up a big think, and did not notice the sly fingers of sleep, that were drawing cobwebs over his drowsy eyes. He was not exactly in a snooze, but he was not many miles away from the land of dreams, when there came a heavy step, and a cry of surprise, that brought him back to his senses as suddenly as if somebody had shot an arrow into his ear. “ Hillo! By the blue blazes that played be- fore Moses, if this ain’t gay! Why, I’m shot if I didn’t think that coon was in limbo fur plunderin’ Bill Barley’s grocery store!” Fred’s wide-open eyes took in the situation at aglance. There before him, filling up the en- tranes to bis rock den, stood the burly figure of Abe Blizzard, quite as much surprised as was the boy he had so rudely wakened, Fred scrambled hastily to his feet. Here was a situation in which quick wits were decidedly necessary. ‘Glad to see you, Abe,” he heartily said. ‘*Didn’t build on no such good compa: y, This is counter number one on my lunch route. Won’t you take a bite?, Got some grub left.” “Don’t keer if I do,”answered Abe with a grim Jaugh. ‘‘ You’re a cool ’un, boy. Pass over the provender.” Fred did so, The sturdy outlaw seated bim- self coolly on the rock before him and munched away hungrily. It was a decided situation. A half-hour be- fore it was the hight of Fred’s wishes to get his eyes on Abe Blizzard. But he did not quite re- lish the way tbat Abe Blizzard had got his eyes on him, It looked like a turn of the tables. ‘‘That’s deuced good,” declared the outlaw. “Got any more?” ‘*Cleaned out,” answered Fred. **-You’re sound on the goose, anyhow. AndI like you. See here. They snatched you arter that store openin’. How did you git off? Any sort of a hab’us corpus?” “Dusted away,” answered Fred. ‘‘ Made tracks for the city. Thought I had about enough of that game.” ‘* And if you’d had the wit of a suckin’ pig you'd stayed im the city. What the Jericho fetches you back here again?” “Til tell you what, Abe.” Fred straightened himself with dignity. ‘As long as bn had a row with men only I was satisfied to keep clear of the fight. But when you changed the cam- paign and began to war on women I whistled back again. ouw’ve done a dirty trick, in car- rying off that young girl. Let her go, and I drop the game. Hang on to her, andl’m going to hunt you till my toes drop off.” , Abe sat looking grimly at the bold-speaking boy. Fora minute or two he continued his ob- servation, without a word. But if he thought to look down his youthful antagonist he wus mistaken. Fred’s eyes had in them the blue glitter of s*eel. ‘So that’s what you’re arter, eh?’ growled Abe, with an evil glare in his eyes. ‘‘ Now, I tell you what, boy, you’re meddlin’, in men’s work. That gal’s my prize.” ‘‘Ts it men’s work to steal girls?’ answered Fred sternly. ‘‘ Where girls are concerned boys bave some say. You took Minnie Allen to sting her father, did you? You stung more than ber father. You stung me, too.” ‘*So-so, Is that the way of the wind? You're soft on the gal, hey?” ‘‘No matter what Iam. Let the girl go and {'m your friend. Keep her and I’m your foe. You hear that. And you won’t find me s baby.” “Dry up, now!” “Pretty fool I’d be to let a puppy-dog bark me out o’ my wits. Now see here, boy. This time [ guv you warnin’; next time I'll gnv you wuss, Jist you take keer how you stir up the hornet’s nest, ’eause there’s stings about. Take old Abe’s advice, and slide while yer skin’s whole.” ‘Then you won’t give up the girl?” ‘*Nary time.” ‘That settles it. I’m going for you, Abe.” ‘All correck. Come on, midget.” “Tt’s war to the knife, then?” ‘Or to the pistol.” Abe was on his feet, pistol in hand. ‘“*P’'m goin’, boy. Don’t you try to foller me, if you know when you're well off. If I pullthis trigger, you kin order yer coffin,” The fierce outlaw backed off, his eyes fixed with threatening sternness on Frred’s face. In a’ moment he disappeared. Fred made no move to follow. He was satisfied it would not be healthy just then. CHAPTER X. ON THE TRACK OF AN ADVENTURE, Ir was a peculiar situation in which Fred had been left, aud one rather aggravating to his brisk young blood. Outside went the man whom, of all others, he desired to follow, yet be was not fool enough to attempt it. He had caught the glare in Abe’s eyes, and he knew that they meant shoot; and he had heard enough of Abe’s skill with the pis- tol not te want to play target for bim. Yet he ‘vas not going to stay there, like a fly in a spider’ web. Something must be done, and that quickly. Fred took a hasty survey of the situation, The rock-bound nock in which he stood had perpendicular walls, which rose to from ten to twenty feet in bight. They were far top smooth toclimb. It was a natura] alcove, only broken by the narrow entrance in its front. “In the rear the sides of the alcove came closer together, and were succeeded by a crack that ran far back into the rock. At this pvint the wall was over twenty feet in bight. Fred looked around him in disgust. His eyes surveyed this crevice. ‘*F might do it,” he muttered, “‘but— S’pose Ahe must be too far Itry the front, anyhow. Out of sight, likely off for good pistol practice. enough.” He hurried to the opening and looked impul- sively out, but drew back quick as lightning, for his keen eyes had caught a sharp flush, and he wes just in time to escape a bullet that came with a sharp ping! against the rock, ‘*Keep yer nose in’ cover,” came in Abe’s harsh voice, ‘Vm on guard outside, and don’t intend to slide till the patrol comes round.” ‘“T believe you lie, Abe,” said Fred to him- self. ‘* You’re trying to scare me, so you can vamose, That’s my notion, anyhow; but you're so rascally quick on the trigger that it ain’t safe to test my idea, Got to play some other game, or else throw up my hand,” He looked back again to the spot where the walls came within two feet of each other, ‘* Somehow it seems to me I can shin that,” he muttered. ‘I’ve gone up worse climbs at school,” No sooner said than done. He stationed bim- self between the two vertical rock faces, which were close enough together to give bim a pur- chase of hands and feet. Pressing against the two sides with arms and legs he began to climb, band over hand, The task was no very difficultione while the rock faces were close together. The young acro- bat mounted rapidly. But higher up they flared apart, urtil he gained a point where they were nearly three feet separated, Climbing now was no easy matter. The full stretch of bis arms bare- ly rexched from rock to rock, and he'could get little purchase. His feet had better hold, how- ever. and hestill went up. inch by inch, Fivally be reached an altitude from which no further progress could be made. His out- stretched arms just reached the opposite rocks. He was within a foot or two of the summit on one side, but it seemed impossible to go an inch further. ‘‘ Have I got to flop together and drop back?’ asked Fred, desperately. ‘‘Won’t do it with- out one jump for life, anyhow.” His feet still had some purchase, enough to aid him in a spring upward. It was a desperate venture, for a failure meant a tumble of twenty feet on a rock bottom. But Fred bated like fury to be beaten, and he took the chances, Abe’s tone was angry. ,
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—_————-.. iW _to the side where the wall was lowest. oping so as to bend his knees, he sprung up- ard with all his strength, throwing his body His spring took him a foot upward. His grasping fingers caught at the top of the wall; but failed, Wus it allover? Would he drop back, mayhap to his death? No. His hands caught in a narrow creviee in the stone. He clung on with a death grip. He had missed the ~ by six inches, Fred hung fora couple of minutes, clinging with his fingers, and laying against the slightly sloping rock. Then with a desperate lift be drew himself slightly upward. One hand sufficed to hold, while he clutched upward with the other. Fortune favored him. He had caught the sharp edge of the rock. In a moment more both bands hada firm hold. He drew himself up until his head was on a level with the sum- mit of the rock wall. The daring young scout took a long look ahead over the summit. The rock shelved away so that he was able to see tue mountain level at some distance ahead, And there, to his delight, appeared the form of Abe Blizzard, ata distance of several hundred yards. The redoubtable outlaw was slowly re- treating, with his eyes turned back, as if eager to give the young prisoner another warning. In Fred’s present position he was invisible to the outlaw. But he dared not climb higher, as he would thus be brought again into full sight, The situation was yet no sinecure. He had to support his whole weight on his fingers, and they were just growing weary with the effort. Abe moved very slowly, while the boy gritted his teeth in desperation. ; “Tf be’d only go faster! this, and down I go.” He sought to get a foothold for his feet on the smooth rock, but in vain. His body sunk down until his eyes were below the rock level. His finger-hold began to slip. “A chap might as well die hy lead as stone,” he cried savagely. ‘“ Here goes, and deuce take Abe’s revolver.” He jerked himself up with a desperate effort. Several inches were gained, and he gota safer hold. Another jerk. His scraping foot fortu- nately found a slight crevice. This was enough for the agile boy. In an instant more he was on the summit of the rock, where he flung him self prostrate. Abe, fortunately, was just then looking ahead, Fred found himself on the top of aslender rock buttress, that sloped downward onfall'sides around him, except to the rear, where it joined on to the higher range of the mountain, To the right was a Jevel range of rock. running off for some distance, To the left all was jagged and broken, with, trees and bushes at every avail- able point. Abe was retreating to the right, his wary eyes noting every point of the scene as he did so, Allatonce Fred noticed him to slightly start, and then hastily dart forward to the shelter of a protruding bowlder. He had been looking down the mountain at the moment. The young spy turned his eyes in the same direction, and in an instant saw the cause of the outlaw’s hasty movement. There was a rustle in some bushes below, and then a head appeared. It was tbe shaggy poll of Elick Branson. Fred lay cogitating. What should he do? Here came the mountaineer, But be had not seen the game, and was climbing but slowly. Ten or fifteen minutes would elapse before his appearance, and minutes now courted. * Abe Blizzard’s a sharp one, but he isn’t the only razor edge iv the mountains,” declared Fred. ‘‘He’s playing a blind on me. That slide off to the right means that he’s going to hole to the left, If Ican only get an eye on him again.” But how to post Eick? His aid might yet be needed. A moments reflection, then Fred took a note-book from his pocket, tore out a leaf, and hastily scribbled some words on it. Then he placed his cap on a slender, upright stone, with the white paper stuck in its band. “He'll see that. Mountain post. Rockside Star. Now to ambush old Abe The agile youth made bis way back from the narrow shelf on which he lay to the wider brow of the buttress beyond. Back be went until he had ~~ the mountain face again. It was here broken and rugged, and travel was no easy matter. Fred made his way slowly to the west- ward, the direction which he was sure the out- law would soon take. [t was no easy passage. A minute more of Item for !” Bowlders obstructed Neceetiiedi. ct ee a eee wr e Rater yt ar re De) ee ‘ VS GO” $y The Reporter-Detective. the way. Here and there deep crevices cut far into it. No path had been made by careful pioneers. It was all in the wild ruggedness of nature. Here A leap was necessary. There a hard climb.- Yonder a descent into a ravine and a mount up its opposite side. forcible passage through a clump of bushes, where a patch of soil permitted their growth. He had thus made his way for a quarter of a mile over the rocks. Nothing was yet visible of his game. But in that rough region it was impossible to get a clear outlook a hundred yards ahead. One thing Fred took care to do, to disarrange and break the busbes he passed through. It might be well to leave a trail for Elick. There was no knowing what dangers yet lay before him. Fred checked himself and hastily stooped. That was surely a fox-skin eap on a shaggy head! But it was not Abe Blizzard’s brain-pan. Others of the outlaws were abroad. The scent was grow Ine warm, He keenly observed the head, of which only the upper portion had become visible, among tha broken rocks beyond. It was but a glimpse. In a moment it disappeared. ‘“Tnere’s my guide, by all that’s lucky, if I | ean only keep him in sight,” declare Fred, as be dashed hastily forward, without regard to is shins, This onrush soov brought him to an impass- able locality. He found himself on the edge of a deep ravine that cut downward toa depth of twenty or thirty feet in the rock, its sides near- ly perpendicular. It could be seen running up and down the mountain for a considerable dis- tance in each direction. What bad become of the man he had seen? | He had certainly been this side of the ravine. He could not have crossed it autnis point. Yet he was not visible above or below, Fred stood on its edge, putting this and that together. It could not be far from here where he had wrestled with one of the outlaws the day he got shot. Could there be any hiding- place—- The current of his thoughts was bro- ken by something familiar in the locality, He had certainly seen that mountain-chanuel be- fore. Recollection came back to him. It was the same ravine up whose bed he had made his way in pursuit of Abe Blizzard on the day of the great bunt. ‘* By thunder!” exclaimed Fred, ‘‘I wonder if I flew the track too soon that day?’ There’sa fox-hole somewheres about here, and it might be about this rock-split. Let me see. I was stopped by a stream of water tbat came sliding down and filling up the whole opening. And there it is now.” He could see the glint of the shooting water, in the dark bed of the ravine, some short dis- tance ahead. Was that the head of the channel, or did it go further back? Was there a descent into its depths beyond the point where he had been checked before? It was worth an investigation. He followed upward along the edge of the crevice. It rapidly narrowed as be advanced, until it was not ten feetacross, Looking down into its bed he could see just below bim the sliding stream which bad stopped bis progress ov that former occasion. He continued upward. The ravine grew still narrower. Its bottom seemed but a line, and appeared to rise. Soon the opening became a mere crack in the rocks, of some ten feet in depth and an equal width, while at the bottom jit narrowed to a crevice. ‘« There’s one mighty queer point about this,” said Fred Snimsele, as he stood looking down the ravine. ‘‘ What’s become of the water? That’s a lively little stream below. But it’s as dry as achip up here. Where does that stream come from? Rock’s one thing, and water’s another, and nobody ever knew of one turning into the other. But that rattling little brook comes from somewhere. If it don’t come over the rock, it stands to reason it must come out of the rock.” __Fred scratched his head. He had a decided idea, Was he on the track of a discovery? At any rate here was a natural curiosity that was worth investigating. He proceeded some distance further, to where the ravine almost came together at top. Here he sprung across it, and proceeded down the other side. He had not forgotten the path on this side, by whith he had got out of the ravipe on that former occasion. His notion now was to follow the same path back into its depths. He was not long in finding the narrow and slippery sbelving path, not six inches wide, Down it he went, slipping and sliding. A Again a | minute or two brought him to the bottom of the ravine. Here all was dark and damp. The stream ran purling downward. Just in front it slid through its narrow channel, down the sloping rock, filling the whole space to a foot in depth. There was a wade here, and a heavy one, against the force of that rapid. But that was what Fred was here for. He was bound to carry out his plan, wet or not. He might find a mere rock spring; or he might find—who could tell what? Setting his teeth he trod into the stream and pushed his way upward, It was no easy jour- ney. The water came down with considerable pressure. It grew darker and narrower at every step. The rock sides approached until there was barely room for his body to pass through. A chill set through his, bones as the cold water bathed his limbs. Yet on he pushed, step by step, bound to pro- ceed as far as possible. He bad thus gained about twenty feet of pro- gress. It seemed almost useless to venture fur- ther, yet he persisted. The slope down which the waters rushed now became more of a level. It soon became quite level, and he found bim- self standing in a shallow pool, at the head of the rapid. It was almost dark here. The passage had widened. He groped forward. A few steps and it became quite dark, except for the dim rays of light down the channel. The passage was wider. He could not touch its sides with his outstretebed hands. The stream narrowed again. Hestood on dry rock at its side. Above bim was a dark wall of reck, Had he entered a cavern? Suddenly there came to his ears a hollow and startling sound, that made him draw back and | crouch down in involuntary fear. CHAPTER XI. FRED SCARED BY A SPECTER, “Swear I see’d a sumimat movin’ up bere- away. But whether it were a varmint or a. human ain't inside my category.” These words were spoken by Elick Branson, who had now gained the level where the events just described had taken place. He stood and looked around him, with the experienced eye of an old hunter. He knew the spot well, and had been more than once in the peculiar nook where Fred had taken hislunch. He was about to step forward and explore it, when something odd at the surface of the rock caught his eye. In a flash the rifle was at his shoulder, with a quick aim at the suspicious object. ‘* Hold yer level, boss, or ’ll bore ye. Want to haveaninterview— Great Jerusha, it’s only a blind! Somebody’s head-cover stuck on a stone. Who's been browsin’ round here?” There was one way to tell. The rock was steep, but be was not long in climbing to its summit, ** As I’m a livin’ sinner, it’s the boy’s head- riggin’! Stuck on a stone, and with a bit o” white paper fur a signal! Blast my old eyes, if there ain’t somethin’ back o’ all this!” Before examining the vap he took a cautious look over the surroundings. From that ele- vated point a considerable range of sight was available. But nothing living appeared. All was still and noiseless, save the faint rustle of leaves before the light wind. ““Nota rat stirrin’. But there was summat up bere ten minutes beck. Wonderif anything ugly is come to the lad?” He grasped Fred’s cap, and took the white paper from its band. Before opening this be examined the cap closely to see if it conveyed any other intelligence. ‘He ain’t swapped his head fur a stone out o’ fun,” was the muttered comment. ‘ Let's see what’s ahind it all. Bet the boy’s smelt possum,” Re opened the paper and read its contents, while a grim smile curled his grizzled lips. “Tam on Abe’s trail,’ ran the document. ‘See you coming, but haven't time to wait. He has just turned the corner of the big rock to the right. I’m off over the rough track to the left. Can't tell you what to do, fori don’t know. Use your wits, Bet we're not far from the rat-trap. Frep FLYER.” “Looks as if there was summat in the wind, anyhow,” declared Elick, “‘So Abe’s about, hey? That’s fun.” He leaned on his rifle, and reflected what movement was best to take, whether to follow the boy or the outlaw. “Tain’t afeard but he'll do his sheer o’ the job judgmatical,” he considered. ‘' That boy’s no slouch o’a mountaineer. But two heads ie
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better nor one, and a double trail better nor a single. Guess Tu try and track Abe.” The big rock to which Fred referred was un- mistakable. There it lay, a quarter of a mile off to the right, He scrambled down the steep slope, and made his way toward it,” | ‘urning its flank a practicable pass up the mountain was visible. It was all bard rock hereabout, and no chance of discovering a trail. But there was only the one pass, He trudged up if, It opened out above on a broad shelf, that ran off right and left, well covered with trees, which found here a good patch of soil. There were grass and dead leaves on the ground. The sharp eyes of the hunter observed these heedfully. Yes, there it was! The unmistakable track of a human foot. And another! It was Abe Blizzard’s trail! It ran off to the west, the di- rection in which Fred had gone. ‘*Good as wheat!” E.ick ejaculated. ‘“ Wh the lad’s a reg’lar little steel trap, He's melt out the whole game, and put out to head Abe off. Ill foller the trail.” It was no difficult matter. The leaves had been moistened by a recent rain, and readily took the impressions of footsteps. The old bun- ter made his way rapidly forward, as confident- ly as if he saw bis prey before him, It was a charming scene, The dark leaves of pines and oaks intertwined above, only letting the sunlight down in patches. Through the tree-trunks was visible the long down-slope of the mountain, and far off the valley, with its glinuing stream, and the town of Oxford plain- ly in view. The air had the fresh feel of mid- ctober. But little heeded Elick all this. He had but one thought in his mind, to follow those leaf- tracks to their destination, Unluckily the wood quickly ended. He had reached that rugged lucality into which Fred had penetrated. There was nothing here but rough and broken rocks, crevices, raviues, steep slopes, and sheer descents. The trail was Jost. Only hammer and chisel could. have made a track there. “Pll sw’ar ['m not far from the mark,” growled the hunter, after ten minutes’ blind search of the locality. *‘The hidin’-place is somewhar in this rough lot. But whar the blazin’ blue-lights it is I guv up. Been over this ground fifty times afore, and ain’t seen a rat-hole.” The time of the search stretched out to a half-hour, but without result. The lost trail was not recovered. No trace of living being was visible. All around spread the broken around, as if it had been torn by an earth- uake, ba It’s live huntin’ the needle in the haystack,” he growled. ‘‘ Wonder if the boy’s had ktetter luck?) Mebbe I'd best go pack and take up bis trail. Mought be an easier one to foller than Abe’s,”” This idea was quickly put into effect. He made bis way southward toward the rock but- tress, Ere reaching it, however, he found him- self near a clump of bushes, in which his experi- enced eye saw traces of a recent disturbance, He moved up for a closer examination, ‘*Looks as if a deer, with full antlers, had one through ’em, They’re powerful thrashed. ut—ha! I thought so. ‘lbat’s been done a purpose, The lad’s been through here, sure as shootin’, and he’s ripped the bushes to blaze his track.” It was no difficult .matter to follow Fred’s trail. He had taken good care to make it plain enough. It was not many minutes ere Elick stood on the brink of the deep ravine, at nearly the same spot at which the boy had reached it. He stopped here thoughtfully. It was impos- gible to descend into the cavity at this point. The boy must bave gone up or down its banks. ‘Tbe hunter stood irresolute, looking for some- thing to guide bis next movements. As he did so his quick eyes caught sight of some moving object beyond the ravine, hat it was he could not make out, whether living being or something moved by the wind, He crouched hastily down and sought cover, from which to observe unseen this suspicious object. But we must leave him and return to his fel- low scout, whom we deserted in a ticklish situa- tion, He bad just crouched back against the rock, startled by a strange sound, that rose in hollow accents over the rushing noise of the on. t seemed to come from down the stream. But in a second it was repeated, this time seem- {ngly from within the heart of the rock. It was The Reporter-Detective, a sort of deep sigh or groan, that rolled in hol- low rumblings througn the cavernous depths. What was it? He could not imagine. He continued to croucad in a crevice of the rock wall, with a feeling of awe. To his excited fancy it seemed as if this was something super- natural, lt was repeated, now almost at bis ear, and the faint light that came up the stream was darkened, as if by some obstruction. continued to crouch, in dread and wonder, there came a splash in the water close by, and some thing seemed to stand on the rock at bis side, Fred crouched lower, while bis hair rose in superstitious awe. halted there. He could have touched it with an outstretched band. audible. Au instant only, then it moved onward. There was the sound of footsteps. began to return to him. Ghosts don’t wear boots, and don’t breathe quite as loud asa bear. It was no specter that | | While he | The thing, whatever it was, | cave. Fred’s skies eyes gazed in that diree tion, and caught sight of a door set in the rug ged rock, ‘* Yes, you'll smooth her; with the fur rubbed the wrong way,” growled the other. ‘‘ You'll jist waste yer powder, Abe. Let her alone, Sbe’ll come round herself,” ‘*Guess that’s sound logic,” answered Abe, turning back. ‘‘I’m kinder wolfish, Joe. Cal- culate I’ll take some grub, No more of the boys J Silas jist took a peep out, but he’s back ag’in,” They walked further into the cave while speaking. Fred watched them until they dis- | appeared arounda rock projection. Thestream Its deep breathing was | Fred’s wits | had passed him, but a human being, and the | startling sounds he had beard might be some sort of a signal. It was the echoing depth of the cave that had given it such a hollow, nerve- shaking tone. : Here was something, at any rate, worth test- turned at this point, and ran at a different angle, Yet though the lamp was removed the cave was not quite dark, A faint light came from the left, where he had seen the door. There seemed to be a light behind this portal. Fred hesitated and reflected long before mak- ing his vext move. It was not easy to decide what action to take. He ended by boldly ad- | vancipg toward the point where the outlaws ing. The boy’s spirits rose as much as they had | been depressed. He sprung lightly out from | the crevice into which he had squeezed himself, and began to follow the advancing figure inte the depths of the darkness before bim. The gloom soon became utter blackness, He could hear the stream flowing beside him. On the other side was the rock wall, which he touched at every instant. Toe two served as guides, was still to be heard. Fred trod lightly in pur- suit. Now a flash of light in front broke on the thick gloom. He could see that be was in a low and narrow passage, that appeared to widen in advance. Tones of voices came to his ears. He reached a spot at which the opening sud- denly broadened. From an avenue it had be- come @ cave. Fred bung back. His quick glance had re- vealed two men to his eyes, one of them holding a lamp, from which came the illumination of the cave. The man who stood before the lamp- holder, he who had just entered, Fred needed no second look to recognize. It was Abe Blizzard, the leader of the outlaws, The secret was out. This was the hiding- place of the runaway convicts. From here they issued on their plundering raids, Within this well-concealed covert they laughed at the au- thorities and defied pursuit. ete they had brought their helpless captive. A thousand quick thoughts rushed tbrough the boy’s mind. What should he do—withdruw and lead a party to the cave, or take the risk er penetrate in search of the prisoner him- self His adventurous spirit incited to the latter course. And the glory and credit of mak- ing the rescue without aid was not to be de- spised. While revolving these thoughts he was listen- ing to the conversation of the two men. It might aid in forming his resolution, ** What’s the outlook, Abe? The coast clear?” “No,” answered Abe, with a harsh oath. ‘That confounded boy’s nosing around. And Elick Branson’s out. Guess I’ve settled fur the boy. Skeered him out o’ & week’s growth with a bullet. But old Elick’s dangerous. We'll have to keep in-quarters.” “Why didn’t you bu’st the boy’s b’iler?” “Didn’t want to hurt the baby. 1 kinder like the — anyway. And skeeriu’ a rabbit's as good as skinnin’ it.” he contempt of this tone settled Fred. His mind was made up now. thought of backing out. He would show Abe Blizzard if he wes-a baby or a scary rabbit. ** How ’bout the gal?” continued Abe, ‘ Play- in’ ugly yit? Won't eat ber grub, won’t she? Wonder if she’s feared of bein’ p’isened?” ‘* Dunno,” answered the other. ‘* She’s sort 0’ dazed. Just moaned and cried away one whole day, as if she was going to turn to water, and all run out at ber eyes. But she’s got a stiffer lip to-day. Don’t say nothin’, but glares like a tiger-cat.” ‘She'll come round,” said Abe indifferently. “They allers go through them queers. Don’t want to burt or fright the gal. It’s her dad I’m tryin’ to skeer. aybe I’d best go smooth her down a bit.” He made a step toward the left side of the There wes no more | Before bim tbe sound of footsteps | had disappeared. It was wisest to study the situation before plunging into peril. As be bad imagined the stream curved here, and the swelling cavern grew pnarrow again, It became but a passage, dimly lit from beyond. After a few steps, however, it widened again, into an apartment of some twenty feet diame- ter and ten feet bigh, and of unknown éeptb, though it seemed to narrow again in the dis- tance, This part of the cave was rudely furnished. In its center was a table, around which a group of men were seated. The new-comers had just joined them. Loud voices and hoarse laughs came from the rough crew, Fred drew cautiously back. He had seen enough. By good fortune the prison of the cap- tive wasin the outer cave. Or at least he im- agined so, and it remained to test this belief. He quickly made his way to the rough oaken door, from above and below which came the rays of light. e listened. All was deatbly silent within. He tried the door, It was firmly locked, At the sound he heard a stir within. He flung bim- self on the rock floor, so as to get bis lips to the opening beneatb tbe door. “ Hist!” be cautiously cried. ‘‘ Are you there\ Minnie—Miss Allen!” There came a kind of rushing sound, and then a voice full of suppressed excitement. ‘*Who cails? Ob! is that a friendly voice? ‘Be cautious. Itis I, Fred Flyer. 1am here to rescue you. But—” **Oh! quick, quick! I shall go mad in here!” **Hush! I bear steps!” He hastily turned. Steps indeed were coming from the innercave, The light of a lamp glared abead, Discovery seemed certain, There was no time to seek his former cover. CHAPTER XIL. A DASH FOR LIBERTY. WE left Elick Branson on the brink of the ravine, crouched behind a covering rock, his rifle advanced, a finger on the trigger, cau- tiously waiting the next move of the object he hed seen beyond. Soon it emerged into view from behind the screen of bushes, and took the form of a man, Like a flash the old unter was on his feet, and with a deadly aim on the unconscious stranger, ‘** Halt there!” be commanded sternly. ‘‘l’ve ot you under the nose of a bullet, my chap. ‘at up any cantikoes and I'll guv you a taste of the leaden toothache. Jist trot up here to the edge o’ the cut. 1 want to twig yer phisiog | closer.” The stranger, utterly teken by surprise, hesi- tated fora minute. But Elick’s renewed threat brought him forward. The old bunter glanced at the face now clearly revealed to him, and then dropped his rifle with an oath of vexation. ‘* Hang it all, it’s only Jake Primrose! AndI thought I had one of tbe jail-birds nailed. What the blazes fetches you here?’ ‘Hello, Elick!” returned the other. “ Jupiter, old boy, you scared me out of a week’s appetite. There’s a party of us up here, scouting round. Thought we'd try again to bag the rabbits,” “Chere is, hey? Where are they!” **Oh, scattering Some here, some there, Taking a general bunt.” ‘*And mighty likely to find somethin’ where old scouts have failed,” was the contemptuous answer. ‘“‘S’pose they’re out fur exercise. Arter an appetite fur supper. But Pll tell you ———<ieseee..- + ee
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mtg how . rine. The job’s warm. We're not fur off the rascals. Who's headin’ the crowd?” * Judge Allen.” *» Then I want a confab with the jedge. Meb- be you kin pint out bis whereabouts.” ‘*He’s off somewhere behind you, with the main body. They’re taking a rest, while some of us are on the hunt.” **Clever logic. Here’s fur the jedge.” He shouldered his rifle and turned back, mak- ing bis way toward the open ground that lay off to the east, Here was what might prove a fortunate cir- cumstance for the young scout within the cave. Frieods were at hand if he could but get the captive out. But how was that to be done? e bad been surprised during his conversation with her by the gleam of a light and the sound of approaching — What was to be done? He looked eagerly round. It was im- possible to gain the cave entrance without dis- covery. There was no other visible hiding place. Was he, after all his efforts, to fall into the hands of the outlaws, and become a second prisoner? There was nothing for it but to take the chances. The lamp in the hands of the coming person gave no brilliant light. His clothes were dark, There was yet a forlorn hope. All this had passed likea flash through Fred’s active brain. Notasecond wasto spare. With a low warning to the captive he darted away to the rear of the cave, and flung himself prostrate on the ground, in the angle made by the floor and the wall, If the new-comer should turn his eyes that way all was lost. The chances were but one in fifty. But it was not the first time that Fred Flyer bad speculated high on a slim chance. ardly had the fugitive taken his position, when the cave was illuminated by the lamp of the approaching outlaw. This was a raw-boned, harsh-taced fellow, with an evil look in his twinkling eye. Fred clung to the wall as if he formed part of it, Fortunately for him there was no suspicion in the mind of the outlaw. He walked steadily toward the cave without turning his eye to tight or left. “Don’t be skeered inside there,” he said, with an effort to soften his voice. “I’ve jist come to put some Vile in yer lamp. Don’t want to leave you in the dark, ‘mong the ghosts,” He laughed hoarsely as be placed bis lamp on the floor, and extracted a key from his pocket. Fred had his eye on the fellow, as he listened intently to this conversation. In a minute more the door of the cell was opened and the outlaw entered, leaving his lamp outside. The scout crawled nearer, He heard some words of conversation from the cell, the soft, sweet tones of the captive mingled with the hoarse ones of the jailer, ‘*Don’t be skeered, little ’un,” said the latter, in a voice that made some effort to be gentle. “Nobody here ain’t goin’ to hurt you. We'll send you safe home again as soon as yer dad, the jedge, comes to tarms. There, drat it, I didn’t come none too soon, The lamp’s burnt out. ’Tain’t no odds, though. Got another ’un settin’ outside, Guv you that, I guess.” His feet could be heard moving toward the door, But ere he could reach it, there came a rushing sound, and in an instant all was blank darkness, The lamp bad been extinguished. ‘‘The hounds take the luck!” growled the outlaw. ‘‘That’s one of them rascally bats. I’d like to smash the caboodle of ’em. Never mind, gal, I'll fotch you another lampin a jiffy. Jist lock you in, though, while I’m arter it, cause that’s Abe’s orders.” He could be heard groping out of the cell. Then came the closing of the door, and the click of the turning key. But mingled with this was another faint, swishing sound, as if bats were indeed flying about the cave. The outlaw recovered his overturned lamp, and stalked off to the point where a very faint illumination revealed the passage leading to the inner cave. His steps were no sooner within it than Fred was at the door, He tried the lock hastily, with 8 er of dismay on discovering that ib was really fastened. ‘*Oh Minnie!” he eried in suppressed tones. “It is tight locked. Oh, if you were only out- side now!” He started as if he had been shot when the teply came ina soft voice at his very ear. “So I am outside,” it said. “I knew you were here, and I slipped out ahead of him. Ob, i, can we not escape? Thank that fortunate “Guess I was the bat that kicked over that The Reporter-Detective. lamp,” laughed Fred. ‘‘There’s only your sharp wit to thank, for slipping out so cutely. Where are you? There is not a second to lose.” He stretched out his hands in the darkness, They encountered soft fingers that sent a thrill of new sensation through his veins. He drew her to him, holding one hand in his, while he placed his other arm round the slender waist. ‘* Excuse me,” he murmured. ‘I must guide and support you. Quick, Minnie. Keep up your spirits and we are safe,” He ran across the floor of the cave, half-carry- ing herin his haste. The gloom was intense, yet Fred knew precisely what be was about. e remembered the general direction from the cell to the cave entrance, while the faint gleam in the rear served as a surer guide. The prattle of the flowing waters also helped to direct his footsteps. In less than a minute he found himself within the narrow entrance passage, with the wall to his right, and tbe stream to hisleft. Far, seem- ingly very far, in advance, was visible a dim gleam of light. ‘It is the blessed daylight, Minnie,” he whis- pered. ‘*‘ Keep up your courage, and we will s9on be out.” “| fear nothing with you, Fred,” she mur- mured in return, in a tone that thrilled his heart with delight. She yielded to his embracing arm, indeed, as if she liked it quite‘as much as he did, and Fred would have been content to stand there in that warm gloom for untold minutes more, but that the footsteps of the returning robber warned him that haste was now highly expedient. “*Come, Minnie! Quick!” He hastened onward as rapidly as possible, feeling his way at every step, They turned a sligbt curve, and the light ahead grew stronger A few steps more, and the sound of the flowing brook rose into a loud murmur. lt was the voice of the rapid, just in advance. ‘* We lave to take to the water,” he whisper- ed. ‘* You will get very wet. Perhaps I had better carry you.” “T have no doubt you would like to,” she an- swered, with a sly laugh; ‘‘but I fear that would not be very safe, just now. I have had my feet wet before, and don’t mind that.” ““You don’t know how deepitis. You will be wet to the knees,” “No matter. Come,” At this instant there sounded a loud cry in the cave behind them, coming to their ears in hollow revefberations like those that bad star- tled Fred before. Evidently the flight was dis- covered. This was the jailer’s cry of alarm. In a minute more all the outlaws would be on the move, and the pursuit begun. The startled fugitives sprung quickly into the stream and hastened forward. A very few steps brought them to’ the head of the rapid. The fierce gurgle of its rushing waters filled the air. The light ahead grew stronger at every step. Doom the rapid they hastened as rapidly as was safe to prevent stumbling and falling in the swift rush. Fred clasped ber more firmly with his strong arm and half-carried her, as he set his feet strongly, one after another, on the rocky bot- tom. On, step by step. A glow of sunlight lighted the sides of the ravine ahead. They were at the bottom of the rapid, drenched and shivering, yet safely in the outer world. And from the cave behind came an odd roar. The outlaws were evidently yelling with rage. They would be “ashing on in pursuit in an in- stant more. Down the bottom of the ravine fled the fugi- tives. They were quickly at the foot of the path which led upits sides. This was evidently impassable to Minnie’s untrained feet, but—a thought came to Fred. “T bave it!” he cried. “You hurry on down the ravine, and hide somewhere below. I will climb this path and draw them off. You can escape while ie are chasing me.” ‘But you? They are furious. They may—” “Don’t mind me. Run! Quick! I can take care of myself.” He gave her an impulsive push forward, and himself turned and burried up the narrow path. Minnie looked after him in a moment’s doubt, a glance of warm concern in ber eyes. She then hurried forward, as Fred had ordered. The winding ravine, and tbe rocks that strewed its bottom, soon concealed her from view. Fred dasbed up the path with impetu- ous haste. He had gained’ the summit of the rock, and was looking down into the gloomy depth of theravine, when the foremost pursuer Fh fi aOR . - 13 broke into view. It was the well-remembered form of Abe Blizzard. : The outlaw gazed up, and an oath of dire in- tent came from his grizzled lips as he caught sight of Fred’s face. **Tt’s you, young catamount, is it?” be yelled. ‘By the eternal, I'll have the gal ag’in, and cure you of meddlin!” He rushed for the path, followed with fierce oaths by the others. , Fred dashed away, firing a load from his revolver as he did so, He had cunningly drawn them off from pursuit of Minnie. But he had himself to look after now. They migbt murder him in their fury. Elick Branson must be near at band. A pistol-shot might bring him to the rescue, : Fred hastened up the side of the ravine, and sprung across it at its narrow portion above. He now flied back among the broken rocks to the right. He looked behind him on gaining shelter. There was the whole outlaw gang in full chase. They caught a glimpse of his head and yelled in triumphant fury, as they dashed forward, It was a desperate effort. Fred was young and agile. But the path was a difficult one. He had only once traversed it, while it must be familier to the pursuers, He fired bis pistol again as he pushed onward. A sight of old Elick’s homely but honest face just now would be worth so much gold dust. Over rock, through bush, across crevice, up and down hill. Five minutes and he dashed from the rock labyrinth into the open space beyond. With a yell of triumph the outlaws broke out behind him, not ten paces in his rear. There was a hasty stop and recoil. For there before them, drawn up in line, were at least twenty armed men, whoreturned the ery of the out- laws witb a shout of equal triumph. Fred stood between the two opposing forces, to all appear- ance the leader of the outlaw gang. It wasa decidedly unexpected situation! CHAPTER XIIl. BETWEEN TWO FIRES. CRACK! crack! crack! came the rattle of pis- tols and rifle-shots, Both parties fired wildly, the outlaws io retreating, the townsmen in ad- vancing. And Fred stood between, a target for the bullets of both parties. He had wit enough, however, to fling himself to the ground, out of bullet range, and to crawl hastily back to the shelter of the rocks behind him. The next minute the armed party came dash- ing wildly on, yelling with excitement. ** After them, lads! Don’t let a soul escape! We have them now! Snatch that boy, some- body. He’s the leader of the gang. Where are you, Jerry! He’s your game.” Fred found himself in the strong hands of the irate constable, who grasped his collar with a vigorous clutch. “You're my meat, little foxy. I bet a cat’s paw you don’t get off so easy this time, Come aheac , you wood rat. I want to see this fun out.’ Fred made no resistance. In fact he had got his work in, and had no reason to fear evil consequences, The rush after the escaping out- laws went on, with shouts and shots, and many an ugly tumble on the rough ground they traversed. The outlaws made no resistance. Their sole object seemed to be to escape. But soon a diversion took place. Shots were heard from the other side. Excited cries came from the direction of the ravine. Evidently the men who had been out scouting in that direction had taken the cue, and were hurrying up to the - nei The outlaw band was between two res, “On them, my merry boys!” came the cheery voice of Judge Allen. ‘‘ Don’t let one escape, They are in a tight trap.” “Pile .up, lovlies!” came Elick Branson’s voice from the other side. ‘‘Squeeze ’em! Stretch out, lads, right and left. We've got. ’em where the hair’s short.” There came a change in the game. The fugi- tives halted in their wild flight, and dropped behind the sheltering rocks, from which came the spiteful patter of pistol-shots. They had taken in the peril of the situation and made up their minds to fight for liberty. It was no agreeable business. The bowlders that were strewn thickly around afforded plenti- ful shelter, and it might not prove easy to dis- lodge the ambushed outlaws, The first dis- charge had wounded several of the pursuing party. The others abs a back under shelter and returned the fire. But it was now a sheer eRe 2
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= we The Reporter-Detective. waste cf powder, walls, “Spread cut yer lines!” came the shrill voice of tue -ld nunter, ‘Surround the bloody run- aways! Jlos in on ’em, And stop shootin’, dang ye! We want ’em alive, not dead.” Tuis advice was good. Judge Allen repeated the order on his side. The party pushed for- ward on its flanks, to meet the others, and form a living riag around the inclosed outlaws. The latter saw their danger, and made a wild rush to escape from the inclosing ring. In this two or three succeeded, but the remainder found themselves confronted by stern faces and leveled rifles. “Surrender, you dirty dogs! Guv up, or it?ll be wuss .or you. ’Tain’t no baby play this time, blast ver eyes!” As Blick shouted this he grasped one of the fugitives by the collar, and sent him back with a fierce jerk. ** Snatch that parsnip, some o’ you!” he yelled, as he burried forward among the dismayed out- laws, whoin their panic had given up all thought of resistance. “‘Where’s Abe Blizzard? Where’s the ring- leader of the gang?” ‘Here he is! D'ye want him? Take him, then!” The burly reprobate dashed suddenly forward from his shelter, knocked down the two men before him with a double thrust of bis brawny fists, ana burst through the inclosing ring. ‘*Here’y Abe Blizzard! Take him!” The boid fellow had sprung to the surface of a tall rock, and waved bis hat in triumph as he prepared to dash onward. But he was within aninch of death at that moment, Jerry, the constable, had sprung up in excited fury, rifle at shoulder, and now covered the fugitive with a deadiy aim. “Surrender! Or you’re a dead man!” ** Neve» |” “Ther take it!” He pressed his finger on the trigger. All eyes looked to see the outlaw fall, for Jerry was a noted marksman. But at the same instant a slender, youthful figure sprung up beside him, and struck.up the muzzle of tne rifle. It was justin time. The bullet whizzed not two inches above Abe’s head. ‘*Good for you, boy!” eried the daring out- law. ‘I won’t forget it.” He sprung from his perch, and in a moment ‘was lost to view. While several of the party dashed forward on his track, Jerry turned in a rage to his prisoner, whc had thus saved the outlaw’s life. ‘“*Hang your ugly young picture! What did you do that for?’ He caught Fred’s collar with an angry clutch. : ‘“*To keep you from committing murder,” an- swered Fred, with an unflincbing look. ‘“ Did ou think that was a wild duck, ora rabbit? ‘ain't the thing, nowadays, to make targets ol men, you sour-faced galoot! Let go my collar.” **T’ll shake the fun out of you, if I hear more slack from your impudent tongue.” “You will, eh?’ In an instant Fred, by some wiry twist, was free from his grasp. ‘*Now keep your distance, or I'll give you a boy’s lesson. Fred’s pistol was in his hand, and a look in his eye that made bis captor hastily draw back. “ Where’s Judge Allen? I must speak to him this instant.” ‘Tam here, boy. What do you want? Be quick, for I have no time to wasteon you, You are a prisoner, you must understand that. You led that gang to the attack on us, I know you now in your true colors, as a spy and a robber, though I am sorry to see one so young in such a bad trae.” ‘*T led them?’ answered Fred with surprise. A short laugh of amusement broke from his lips. ‘‘A queer sort of leading. Why, judge, they were alter me like cows after parsnips.’ ‘“You bet on that,” growled one of the prisovers. ‘‘We wouldn’t been fools enough to guv ourselves up, only fur chasin’ that squib of a sky-rocket boy.” The judge looked from one to the other, and then shook his head in doubt. “That story won’t do. The thing was too evident. Give yourself up, boy. You are arrested for being concerned in that store rob- Lah and for aiding and abetting these out- aws. ‘“There is one thing you forget, Judge Allen.” ‘* What is that?” “You forget what brought you here. The rescue of your daughter from these men.” “Ob, can you leet me to her?” cried the judge, with a sudden change of tone. There They were firing at stone was an accent of anguish in his voice. ‘‘I can forgive you everything if you but give me back my stolen daughter!” ** She is safe,” anstvered Fred with sympathy. ‘*T have jest rescued her. That is why I was pursued. She took another course, and they followed me. Come, I will lead you to her.” The judge sprung eagerly forward. “Oh! if this is the truth I shall reward you nobly! Quick! Lead me to her!” He turned to the listening men. “ You know what todo. Secure your prisoners, and remove them. The others cannot escape. Elick is leading his men in hot pursuit. Come on, boy. And you, Jerry. This young fellow remains your prisoner till he has proved his words,” A smile was on Fred’s lips as he led briskly onward, followed closely by the judge and the constable. He calculated on very quickly get- ting out of the difficulty into which circum- stances had thrown him. A few minutes sufficed to bring them to the brink of the ravine. ‘‘It was down this way I escaped with Min- nie Allen, your daugbter,” explained Fred. “I climbed to the top, while she went on aown the hollow. This way. We will find her some- where below here.” He led the way down the brink. The bottom lay plainly revealed to their eyes. Yet though they walked for a considerable distance no trace of the escaped girl was visible, Finally they reached the mouth of the ravine, which opened out ona precipice. The stream escaped through a side creek. No living thing was with in view. The judge turned with stern suspicion to the perplexed guide. ‘“Have you been deceiving me?” he angrily demanded. ‘By my life, if it proves so it will go bard with you. I could forgive anything rather than that.” **AsI am a living boy I left her in this bol- low!” protested Fred. ‘I cannot imagine what has become of her. It may be that some of the outlaws recaptured her, and took her back to the cave.” ‘The cave? What cave?” “The hiding-place of the outlaws, I bave discovered it. It lies at the head of this ravine. It was from there I rescued your daughter. She may be back there again. Follow, and I will prove my words.” At this point descent into the ravine was easy. The two men followed Fred, curiously but suspiciously. It was evident they feared some scbeme to escape, and Jerry kept very close to his prisoner guide. Up the bottom of the ravine they climbed. Nothing to indicate the late presence of the fugitive was discovered. In a few minutes they stood at the foot of the shooting rapid, that so cleverly masked the entrance to the cave. ‘“Now, gentlemen, you must prepare for a wade,” said Fred decidedly. ‘* Through that water?” ‘Just so, That is the path to the robbers’ den.” The judge bung back in surprise and alarm. ‘‘That cannot be! The stream comes from a spring!” ‘*Do you suppose these men could have hid- den from Elick Bransou’s sharp eyes if they’d had any common hiding-place? I tell you this is the path to the cave. Follow me, if you are not afraid.” ** Afraid, boy? Lead on!” Fred plunged into the shooting water. He was followed by his two companions. To their utter astonishment they found his words to be true. A few minutes brought them witbin the cavern, Thé lamp which had been recently brought from the inner cave yet burned on the floor, and illuminated the rock-bound apart- ment. Fred’s followers turned their eyes in wonder from point to point. Here was indeed a discovéry. But it was an old song to Fred, who hastened to the door of the late prison, It was unlocked, and he flung it hastily open. There was noth- ing within. Minnie had not been brought back. ‘It was from there I rescued her, judge. . See. Do you recognize that ribbon?’ e held up a flowered blue ribbon. eagerly seized by the excited father. ‘*It was hers!” he cried. ‘It was my Min- nie’s!’ Oh! where is she? What have you done with her?” ‘We bave not ended our search,” answered Fred. ‘There is more of the cave to be ex- plored, Come with me.” He took up the Jamp and led the way to the inner cavern. To their surprise they were met It was by glaring eyes and sturdy forms. Two men stood before them like deer at bay. They were a brace of the fugitive outlaws, who had made their way back to the cave. ‘Some more game!” cried Jerry. ‘‘I know them, Give yourselves up, my men, or it will go hard with you.” He advanced with presented rifle. But the men made no resistance. They were utterly demoralized by this invasion of their strong- hold, and by the face of the constable, whose prowess they well knew. While Jerry was securing them Fred made the round of the cave, followed closely by the judge. But no trace of any further hiding- place appeared. There were only bare, rugged walls. The stream gushed from the rear of the cave, through an impassable cleft in the rock. Evidently the cave ended here. “T was mistaken, judge. turned. She is somewhere mountain.” The look of suspicion deepened in the judge’s eyes. He turned to the two prisoners: **Do you know this boy? Is he not one of your gang?” ‘** You bet he is,” answered one of the outlaws, with an evil lookin his eyes, ‘‘ He’s the one as broke inter that pervision store t’other night. We bhadn’t nothin’ whatever to do with it, jedge.” ** And where is the young lady prisoner you bad here?’ ‘‘Ob! Abe tuk her away yisterday. This ain’t our only hidin’-place.” “T thought so. You have lied to me, boy. You will make nothing by it. Come, Jerry, bring your prisoners. We will make some of them lead us to the prison of my daughter.” He turned with a frowning and bitter expres- sion toward the cave entrance. She has not re- outside on the CHAPTER XIV. THE MOUNTAIN TRIBUNAL. WITHIN a natural amphitbeater of the mount- ains sat a group of men. Judge Allen, Jerry with his prisoners, Elick, Branson, and several others of the party of search. They were seated on the stones with which the ground was thick- ly strewn, the captives in their midst. Fred bad cast himself angrily down, with a defiant look on his face. The judge bad been examin- ing the youthful prisoner in a manner that roused the boy’s anger, ‘That is all,” be declared. ‘‘I have told my story. If you wil] not believe it,do your worst. You will be sorry yet.” ‘Your story is a little too romantic,” an- swered the judge, with a curling lip. ‘‘ All this about your being a newspaper reporter is very pretty, but it doesn’t agree with your close ac- quaintance with the robbers and your intimate knowledge of their haunts. I prefer to believe these men.” ‘* He’s one of us, jedge; you kin take that fur sart’in,” declared Fred’s accuser. ‘*So Ido; and | will not quickly forgive his base story about my daughter’s rescue.” ‘«That’s all confounded taffy!” broke in Elick angrily. ‘‘If the boy says he tuk the gal out, he did. That ther’s no two ways about!” ‘Hold your tongue, Elick!” cried the judge; “T intend to settle this affair, and don’t want your advice. See here, men, 1 will make it well worth your while if you will lead the way to that other hiding-place. and aid me to rescue my daughter. I h: ve influenee to set you free, and will reward you richly!” “Can't do it,” was the seeming answer, ‘“ You baven’t got cash enough to buy us to turn traitors to Abe Blizzard.” “Then you, boy. Put me on the track, and I will forgive you all.” “You are at liberty to do what you please, Judge Allen, I baveno more tosay, My time will come,” ‘‘By Heavens, then, you shall fill Abe Bliz- zard’s cell till be is ready to occupy it himself!” cried the enraged judge. ‘You defy me, do you? He is your prisoner, Jerry, I will give you the warrant to-night. He shall be hostage for Abe Blizzard and for my daughter.” Jerry was advancing to the youthful pris- oner, a look of mocking triumph in his eyes, his hands holding a pair of steel handcuffs, when he was suddenly checked by a loud voice from the rocks to the left. ‘Hold yer hosses there. Nobody shall be hostage fur old Abe. The lad saved my life, 29 I ain’t the hog to let him go to prison in my place. Every one started to his feet at this loud voice, and turned to face the harsh-featured,
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: a The Reporter-Detective. Strong-limbed man who advanced from the Sheltering rock. “It’s me,”hesaid. ‘Abe Blizzard. I reckon some 0’ ye’ve seen me afore, | fling up the sponge, jedge. I’mfready to sarve the balance 0’ my sentence. Been listenin’ to yer little con- fab, and I'd bu’st my cocoanut afore that boy sheuld go to p.ison tur me.” Fred was on his feet with the others. “Thank you, Abe,” he said gratefully. “I refused to take your hand once. I will do so now, convict or not,” He firmly grasped the outlaw’s extended hand. ‘But you need not have feared for me. My imprisonment was likely to be but a short one.” ‘‘Blick, there is your game,” returned the judge sternly. ‘‘ You take charge of Abe Bliz- zard. As for you, boy, don’t be too sure, I said you should be hostage also for my daugh- ter. By Heaven, if she is not forthcoming it Shall go hard with you!” ' ‘The gal’s safe enough, now you bet on that, judge,” cried Abe, earnestly. ‘‘ What these two chaps has been tellin’ is all stuff, jist to worry you, She's out, and the poy got her out. It wouldn’t been healthy fur him if I'd cotched him at the time. But being’s be’s saved my life I forgive him all the rest.” ‘“Oh! is it so? Can it be so?’ The judge’s heart was in his words, as he broke out in feel- ing accents. ‘‘My daughter! My dear daugh- ter! Has she fallen over some precipice? Why did you leave her to wander alone over the mountain? Where is she? Oh where is my dear, Jost daughter?” ‘* Here, father!’ The voice came from the same clump of rocks from which Abe had just beforeemerged. Out of this wild place came flying a girl’s light form, her hair free, her eyes beaming with joy. “Here, father. It is 1, your Minnie!” She sprung into his arms, and clasped him in a warm embrace, ‘Minnie! My Minnie!” He folded her to his breast, and bowed his face above her, while tears of joy stood in his eyes. ‘‘My daughter! My own daughter! How came you here? Where have you been wanderiug?” ‘I was rescued from the robbers’ den by— Oh, where is he? They pursued him! Have they killed him?” She flung the blinding hair trom her eyes, and looked eagerly around. Her eyes rested on Fred, who stood gazing with intense emo- tion on her speaking face. In a moment she had sprung forward, and flung her arms im- pulsively around him. “Itishe! Itishe! Alive! Safe! Oh! I would never have forgiven myself if any harm had come to bim!” This impulse lasted but for a moment. She released the happy-faced youth, and returned with a blushing countenance to her father, hid- ing her face on his breast. “*IT could not help it,” she murmured. ‘‘He took me out of that dreadful den. He left me in the ravine, and lured off the robbers. I have been wandering about the mountains ever since. I heard your voices, and crept up to see if it might be friends. And you may know how glad I was when I heard my own father’s voice.” **Do you want me any longer, judge?’ asked Fred, calmly. ‘‘I am hostage for your daugh- ter, you know.” The judge looked at him him an with odd expression, “*Tt seems to me, young man, that you have been making your way rapidly. But lowe you an apology. have misjudged you, I perceive. But the circumstances were such—” “*They didn’t fool me, jedge,” broke in Elick. “T knowed the boy was true grit, from the start,” ““Nor me,” said Minnie, frankly extending her hand to Fred. ‘‘1 believed in him and liked bim at first signt.” “T think you owe me something more than an apology, Judge Allen,” answered Fred, a little bitterly, though his tone softened as he felt the warm pressure of Minnie’s hand. You have treated me very harshly. I don’t think that [ look so much like a chief or an out- law, that you should insi being one,” osist so strongly on my ar ‘vome, Come, young man,” answered the udge, in some confusion. “When you have eat on the judge’s bench as long as te you will learn to not put much trust in people’s faces, J am ruled b circumstances, and you must acknowledge the circumstances looked black for you. I have sent men to prison on less evidence, more than once. But I see that Lhave wronged you, and am ready to make amends, What shall I do to repay my injus- tice.” _* Not now, judge. Ill tell yeu some other time. I want time to think over what reward I will ask,” The judge looked into the shining eyes of the youth, and at the reddened cheek of his daugh- ter, and an odd thought came into his mind. | He turned brusquely to the men, not wishing them to notice the tell-tale evidences he had perceived, _ “Come, gentlemen,” he said in a command- ing tone, ‘‘Our work seems to be done. We have all the outlaws. We have their prisoner. There is nothing more to keep us here. Let us descend.” Down the mountain they went, and to the distant town, Fred acting as Minnie’s escort, and taking great pleasure in assisting her over rough places in the rocks and down steep de- clivities. The rogue managed to press her hands, and to get bis arm around Ber waist, rather more than was necessary, and not qaite to the satisfaction of the judge, who said noth- ing. however, That night the recaptured outlaws slept in their old cells in Oxford jail. Fred, at the judge’s invitation, moved his quarters frem the town to his residence, where a warm welcome was given him. “You must excuse me, judge, and you too, ladies,” said Fred, an hour after supper. ‘* All this is very pleasant, but I have some writing to do, and duty before pleasure, you know.” ‘““Oh, never mind the writing. That will keep.” ‘*Excuse me,” answered Fred, positively. ‘You are all very kiad and agreeable. But as I’ve told you, judge, I have the honor ofa newspaper on my shoulders. I am reporter for the Morning Star. Do you suppose I’m going to let the otber papers get ahead of the Star, with a prime bit of news like this? Not much, It’s got to be telegraphed down before an hour all about tbe capture of the outlaws. Id sell my coat if any paper got ahead of the Star on this item.” ‘*Mercy, you are not going to tel! all about my adventure?’ cxclaimed Minnie, in a flutter of excitement. ‘‘ All about the escape, and the walk tbrough the water, ani—” She stopped and blushed, as she fancied that he might telegraph noon Braap 3 he had twined his arm around her waist. “Oh, nof All that must keep for my letter to-morrow. I can only send the bare story of the capture down by telegraph. But you may be sure I will not miss getting in the balance of our pleasant little adventure.” “No, no. You must not. I will never for- give youif you put my name in the paper.” Fred smiled and turned away to bis task. _ “may get it in the paper yet, in some fash- ion,” be roguishly said, over his shoulder. ‘‘ But not until it is altogether agreeable toyou I will ask your permission first. If you say yes, in it goes.” A blush came over her pretty face. It struck her that there was more meaning in Fred’s re- mark than appeared on the surface. She was cute enough to fancy that the handsome youth was deep in love with ber. It was two days before Fred took his depart- ure on bis return to the city. He had taken the opportunity in the meantime to get on the right ‘side of the judge, and his wife, each of whom took a strong f—cy to the frank and handsome young reporter. As for Minnie there was the ee of a tear in her eye as she bade him good- ye. ‘And you'll be sure and come again?” Some time.” His look said that it might he soon, ‘“*Good-by, lad,” cried old Elick, clasping his hand warmly on meeting him at the station. ‘‘Hang me if I don’t hate to see you goin’. Come tp next season and I'l] guv you some fun. There’s prime gunnin’ and fishin’ on the mount- ings and there’s no better guide in these diggin’s than Elick Branson.” “‘Thank you, Elick, I won’t forget.” And he didn’t forget. Several years have passed since then, Fred is a well-grown and very handsome young man, with a lucrative po- sition on the Star. Minnie is a well grown and beautiful belle, with a frown for the beaux of Oxford,and a smile for the junior editor of the Star. And the judge loves Fred as if he was already his son, and will hardly say nay when Fred asks for the hand of bis daughter. And all the sigas look as if it would not be loug before Fred gets her name in the paper,in a marriage notiee in which his own name is also likely to appear. 15 As for the rest of our characters, Elick Bram son has tad his wish in many a hunt with Fred Flyer. The outlaws have partly served out their terms, and are partly stillin prison, Abe | Blizzard i; free for one, and has settled down to an honest life, in his old business of hunter and mountain guide. And so we leave them all to the life before them, with the wish that it may be a long and happy one, THE END. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 {«\and Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 91 he Captain of the Club; or, The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack Narkaway in New Yor LY EDWARD WILLETT. Aan Scott, the Steamboat Boy. { bentherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 28 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 28 9 — LEW ee Pon . Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, Clip, the Contortioniat; or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY ROGER STARBUCK, 25 The Roy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 249 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Heels; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Lircht-house, 870 Breaker ben, the Reef-Runner. BY JO PIERCE, 897 Rob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Iictective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom. 452 Hotapur Bob, the > iy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s« Slias 3 or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jaek Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Gjant« of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man trom Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, ‘The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizonn Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS. 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid aad Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’« Travels. By Dean >wift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. [is Seven Voyages. 22 £ Se Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juss ewis, 88 The Ocean Bleodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank S. Finn 88S Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie C, Irons. 95 The Rival Rovera?: or, The Freebooters of the Mississippt By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Vutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube. the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Gleeson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Yirk Boy. By George L. Aiken. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; », Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D, Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clift. By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alired Thorne. B28 The Sky te‘ective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor. By Maior Mickey Free. 3 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ben the Boothlack Detective. By A. P. Morris. 874 Gold-Dust Tom; or, Ben’s Double Match, By George H. Morse. 876 California Joe’s First Trall. Hoyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. S. Winthrop. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. By Arthur C. Grissom, 475 The Black Ship. By Jobn S. Werner. Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles, By Henrv J. Thomas. 528 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy 7 By Arthur F. Holt. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. A New Ieaue Every Tuesday- The Half-Dime Library ‘+ for sale by ail newsdealers five cents per copy, or sent by mail! on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMRA&, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York By Celonel Thomas
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4 . Se ee ee ar al ~BEADLE’S* H ALF-IME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwoed Dick Novela, 1 Beadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Batfalo Bens or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise, bS Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha OIL; or, Veadwood Dick in Danger. 5& Dendwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. T8 Dendwood Dick on Deck; or, Culamity Jane, the Heroine. TZ Cordurey Charlie 3 or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick's Device: or, The Double Cross Sign, 109 Dendwood Dick as Deteotive. 129 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blende Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of trold; or, Deatiwood Dick's Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’sa Dreams or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 The Black Hilla Jezebel; or, Desdwood D ck’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calawity June’s Last Ad- venture, 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, 221 Sugar-Coated Samy or, ‘The Black Gown, 252 Gold-Dusast Dick. A Romance of Rough: and Toughs, 293 Deadwood Dick's Divide ; or, The Spir.t of Swamp Lake. ZES Dendwood Dick’s Death TralL 509 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick's Ducuts; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- ginys. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 462 i ood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Jats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 peneweod Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Jonn orter, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Cave.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 4148 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, o! Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claim 10. A771 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Marry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr, in Deadwood, 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings 3 or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 5622 Dendwood Dick's Three, 529 Deadwood Dick's Danger Ducka, 544 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidoeg. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. £2 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Ayatanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 6S Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Kitle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter: or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Robs or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Vhet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 18 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 25 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 88 Bowes Bob the King of Bootblacks, 41 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 4S Gants n Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job. 61 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, TT Nobby Nick of Nevadun; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, R09 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snovzer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo BIN, the Trai! Torkado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret, 245 Sierra Sam’s Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joey, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 251 Denver Doll's Victory. 25 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 209 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia. BSO Little Qui: k-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Mixer, 889 Kangaroo Kit’a Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, BOSS First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher, 865 7 reka dim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of sife 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City, BS2 Cool Kit. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Vreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, $89 Bicyele Ben; or. The Lion ef Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Bam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 Wigh Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsaides, the Begzar-Boy Detective. 464 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 458 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seualskin Sam, the Sparkter. a pr pk BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm, F. Cody), 8 Kansas King}; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy} or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye, thé Unknown Scent. 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ® The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Baccan-er; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship's or. The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 2 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinugyier. 1 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy, 6 The Hussar Captain ¢ or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 97 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 4 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 6 Bison BAll, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson K ate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midahipman Mutineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 tL Floating Feather; or, siand. 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 mere Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirave’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge, 287 Billy Blue-Eyesa, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. $04 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. $08 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. $14 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Vrail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover? or, The Flagiess Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 88ST Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator: or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgents; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild YVachtsman; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Maphazard Harry 3 or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WIIl¢ or, The Boy Ferre: of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Florays or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Wills Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger, 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 5611 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 5380 The Buckski « Bowers. 585 The Bue skin Rovers, 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Maravder of the Ric. 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, Merle Monte’s Treasure BY CHARLES MORRIS, WIL! Somers, the Boy Detective, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Picayune Petes or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. Detective Diek ; ov, The Hero in Rages. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildtire, the Thoroughbred, Black Ress, Will Wildtire’s Racer Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woeda. Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card 3 or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Mand or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Bov; or, The Smaggiers. Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. : + Shadowed 3 or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Pavd, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 °Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 208 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. B05 tama ta of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker sity, $24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger}; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, ths Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, A479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman ; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. POUMKHAIONKHSSWOD - — 1 2 2 8 4 4 & 5 6 6 z z z bl BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jacky; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Muetang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Resoue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trafilers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmaske. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide, 855 The King of the Wooda: or Maniel Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. ee ee ween. Ae po j No Double Numbers. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. Antelope A be, the Boy Guide. Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. Lasso Juck, the Young Mustanger. The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. Rollo, the Boy Ranger. Sure Shot Seth, the Boy hifleman, Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. Eagle kit, the Boy Demon. Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. Little Hurricane, th» Boy Captain, Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tranipe, Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, lrapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 72 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 80¢ The Sky Demon ; or, Ruinbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webtoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckekin, tne Yotng Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fredy or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 475 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. BY, T. C. MARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. AT? Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains. 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trats, 82 Kit Waretoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ¢ or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide: or, The White Queen. 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr: or, The Bey Vizilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 164 Tornado Tomy or, Jnfun dack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkananw ;: or, The Quen ol Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusades 2481 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re Jezebel, 241 BMll Bravos: or, Tre Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoll , the King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch s or, The Buckskin Desporadoes, 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blaae of Cochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detectives or, The Trigger Bar Buily. 816 Old Eclipse, Tramp Card of Arizona, $26 The Ten Pardsy or. The Terror o! Take-Notice. 886 Ble Benson: or, The Queen of the La- 80, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderhol'’s Secret, BSG Ooolb sam ve Car's o The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, ‘he B ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The | win Champions of Blue Plazes. 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418% Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamptres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Roy Shadow: or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Excelsior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Lyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. — 512 Podeer Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. B28 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, B88 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double ; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. factua, the Chaparral Cock. By Lieut. A. K- Sims, Bie Says or, A Good Man Down, By P. S. Warne 548 Mart, the Nicht Express Detective, By J. C, Cowdrick. 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle. By E. L. Whee ler. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. k Bh1 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. By Jo Pierce. B52 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Druid, B58 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case. By T. C- Harbangh. B54 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, By E. L. Wheeler, bb The Creole Corsair. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 556 Lartat Lil; or. The Cast fora Life. By Philip s, Warne, bS? Rrondway Billy’s Death Racket. By J. C. Cowdriek. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards, By Arthur C. Grissom. | 559 Harlem dack, the Office Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce. 560 Pawnee Rll, the Prairie Shadower. By Col. P. Ingrabam, 561 Deadwood Dick tn Boaton. By Edward Le Wheeler, 5E2 Riundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. By oll Coomes. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. By T.C. Har auch. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. By John W. Osbon. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 566 The Secret Service Boy Petective, By ¢ harlex Morris, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Fhiladetphia, By Edward L. y heeler. de 5&8 The Dandy of Dodge. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His Own-Hook Detective, Pierce. z Y the Card Queen. Bet come Luke, a Young Engineer, By J. C. Cowdrick, 572 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, By E. L. Wheeler, B78 The Two Shadows. By T. C. Harbaugh. Reaty July 17, 574 Old Wensel-top, the Man with the Dogs. By P. S. Warne. Ready July 24. 575 The. Surgeon-Scout Detective, By Colonel Prenties Ingraham. Ready July 41. a 576 The Silver Sport. By Lient. A. K. Sims. Ready August 7. 3 B77 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, Ready August 15. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready August 22. A New Isaue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdeslers, ive cents per copy or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 WilHam Street, New Yerk, By Jo By Col. Prentiss Ingrakain. By Jo Pierce. iif a thas MS HER z - (A fia py tae od Nails roger a oe