Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 356) (1884 05 20)
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sud EDIrioN, hi MS AN ul \ N Sy SS BZ Zi or, tiittdtidiiittyZy = ZB wy A EA: LLL: ZZ LEI: titi WN ONO Hy WANs e Kn WOM \ RAW Ba QRWN Ma . XK v uf ~. OBB=Go oD i328 ln ad a at in $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright, 1884, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, May 20, 1884, Single PUBLISHED WEERLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, . Vol. XIV. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 356, COOL SAM AND PARD; Or, THE TERRIBLE SIX FROM TEXAS, | BSP OM BAR BATHS Et. AUTHOR OF ‘PLUCKY PHIL,” “‘ ARKANSAW,” “ BILL BRAVO,” “‘CAPTAIN APOLLO,” ‘CAPTAIN BULLET,” “OLD FROSTY,” ETC., ETO, bP, aiden ; x 1 WN aha Dat ‘ \ va : ul PRE econ ks an & f Hag! is — eo ' i ¢ haut stialaky nal ( 4 GENTLEMEN FROM TEXAS, COOL SAM OF COLD SPRING IS ALWAYS ON HAND WHEN IT'S BIS INTEREST TER BE THAR!” SATD A STERN VOIom, ; ” '
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J , a 7 7 ak j * hy and Pard: jay. The Terrible Six from Texas, A Tale of the Southwest Border. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ THE TEN PARDS,” ‘‘ OLD ECLIPSE,” ‘* BILL BRAVO,” ** ARKANSAS.” ‘ DYNA- MITE DAN,” ‘‘ BUCKSKIN DETEC- TIVE,” ETC., ETC., ETO. CHAPTER I. MEETING THEIR MATCH, A sun which had scorched the scanty vege- tation of the famous Staked Piains was sinking slowly in the west when six men, well mounted and armed to the teeth entered a rather wild- looking pass among the bills a few miles west of ie Lianos. Desperate fellows they were, judging from their aspect—wild Texans who knew how to handle the deadly weapons of the border, in- cluding the lariat which each carried coiled like a serpent at his saddle-bow, The six might have been taken for members of one family; they were alike in build— stalwart, broad chested—athletes all, Their skins were swarthy like those of miners and desperadoes of the Southwest border; their eyes were black and Aik hah aod all bad long hair and raven wustaches a /a banditti, They wore suits of close-fitting buckskin which were to some extent, ornamented with fringe, and their feet and calves were incased in the usual high-topped boots, Armed to the teeth we have said. Each of the six carried beside an elegant repeating-rifle of the newest pattern, two large revolvers and a twelve inch bowie, whose buck- horn hilt;, well polished and ornamented with the initials of the owner and a number, showed plainly above the wearer’s belt. It was not years ago when these six terrible- looking men rode into the pass, but only a few / months since, and while we write their names and deeds are still the theme for conversation along the Apache border, Known were they everywhere as the Six Terrible Texans, men who had carried their lives in their hands on many a mad foray into Apachedom, and who had shot their way through crowds of people whose skins were whiter than their own. They rode powerful horses, capable of un- common endurance—steeds that bad carried them more tban once out of the jaws of death. Two and two they dashed into the pass, on the evening which opens our story, and, having ridden through it, they drew rein just beyond its confines. ‘*Mebbe we’d better post ’em byar,” said one, inting to a huge bowlder a few feet away. ‘Thet stone offers a conspicious place. It’s cracked in several places, an’ pegs will hold the paper in its place.” * Suit yerself, Dick; ye’r’ cap’n,” was the in- different response. The man who had first spoken slid to the ground, and approached the bowlder with a paper in his band, which he had just drawn from beneath his jacket. Three strides, such as an eager man would take, carried bim to the stone, and the next mo- ment he was stcoping in front of it. ‘¢ Hello! what does this ‘mean?’ he suddenly cried, recoiling as he spoke, but with his eyes riveted on the stone. ' The exclamations were enough to send the rest of the gang from their saddles, and a min- ute later they were peering over the captain’s shoulder with eyes burning with eager curi- osity * ** Read that—them words on the stone!” cried the bronzed Texan, whose finger almost touched the dark surface of the bowlder. ‘‘Somebody’s uhead ov us. Woe to ther band what cut them le: ters in this stone!” In Jess time than it has taken us to describe this scene, every Texan had mastered the in- scription on the rock, the work of steady nerves and a piece of good steel: **Ocroper 10. “Bound ter find the Infant. Look out, reds! Keep off, you six louts from Texas! { **Coot Sam AN’ Par.” ‘A challenge an’ an insult!” exclaimed one of the six. ‘* October the tenth, When was that?” ; ~ Cool €am and Pard. “It’s now—to-day !” The Terrible Six sprung erect, as if the last words had been spoken by the man who had traced the letters in the stone, ‘To-day it is, hy George! We may not be two bours behind Cool Sam an’ bis pard. Who ar’ they?” ‘What matters it who they ar’? Thet last sentence isenough: * Keep off, you six louts from Texas!’ Them words sets my blood on fire. The pards dare us. Two ag’in’ six! It ain’t a break- fast spell. Cool Sam’s a fool, fer no sensible man would write thet last line whar we'd be likely ter see it!” Tbe mad Texan turned and strode toward his orse. ‘i'd like ter know who be means by ther In- fant, but we’ll find out,” he continued. in semi- audible tones. ‘* We didn’t cross ther Llanos ter fight white men exactly, but we allus is ready fer anything thet cffers. Cool Sam, eb? Itli be Cold Sam when we git through with him. What’s ther cap’n doin’?” The captain of the Six bad drawn his bowie and was tracing a word in the soft surface of s stone directly under the signature already there. He was not a good sculptor, but when he rose from his task, the two words he left there were quite distinct. The signature now read: “CooL Sam an’ Parp—Two FOoo.s.’ Several coarse laughs rewarded Captain Dick for his pains; and sheathing his bowie, he led his companions to their horses, which all mounted at the same moment. “It’s a mystery, but we'll git to the heart ov it if we bev ter cut cur way thar,” avowed the leader of the Six. ‘1 never heard oy Coo] Sam an’ pard afore; but tbhey’ve insulted the Terri- ble Six, an’ that’s enough. Boys, this may not be avn Apache-hunt, erter all. First, we'll find Cool Sum, his pard, an’ ther Infant.” With a parting look at the stone, the Texans touched their horses lightly with the spurs, and dashed from the spot. Night had now followed the disappearance of the sun, and a brilliant moon inits third quar- ter was riding the sky a short distance above the horizon, The cool night wind blew back the brims of the Texans’ sombreros and toyed with the ends of their raven mustaches, They looked like the bandits of old romance as they rode swiftly over the well-discerned trail, which led almost straight abead ina westerly direction toward Fort Stanton, a hb i post op the confines of Apache- and. Suddenly the Six came in sight of a number of lights which looked like fire-flies of the night, and Captain Dick, with a glance over his broad shoulder at the dare-devils who rode behind him, said but one word: ~ ‘* Bed-Rock!” Yes, the Terrible Six were about to entera new Mexican town at the foot of a range of pretentious mountains, San Topeto the Mexicans called the place, which boasted of seven kundred people and a wall which had been built years ago as a pro- tection against the raids of the fierce Apache; but the desperate Americans who bad drifted to the place to get gold by means fair or foul, had christened it ad Boek. a name by which it was almost universally known. Captain Dick and his Texans had been there before. There were people in the little adobe houses in Bed-Rock who trembled at the sounds of their horses’ hoofs, and men who longed to hear - the death of the men from the Lone Star tate. All at onee into Bed-Rock dashed the Terri- ble Six, the clatter of their steeds’ hoofs awak- ening tbe echoes of the mongrel town, and ex- clamations of terrible fright, principally from women’s lips, announced their arrival every- where. Bed-Rock swarmed with life in a moment, and the Texans drew rein in the main square in the center of a conglomerate crowd whose looks were that many questions, ‘““Come hyer, Carlo,” said Captain Dick, catching sight of a brawny Mexican who had the eyes of a serpent in his little head, and as Carlo reached the horse the Texan leaned to- ward him. ‘“‘Hev ye any new people in Bed-Rock?” he asked. Instantly the Mexican’s countenance changed ; his eyes fairly glittered, so that if he had said no, Captain Dick would have clapped a revolver to his forehead and called him a Jiar. See ‘*We have’/two, Senor Dick,” was the reply. L ‘© Whar ar’ they? ** At the botel.” ‘““ What do they look like?” **One’s a man, senor, not older than you be, an’ the other’s a girl.” Captain Dick’s eyes dilated, and he almost straightened in his saddle, ‘* 4 girl? Then they can’t be—” ‘The man calls himself Cocl Sam,” interrupt: ed Carlo, ‘Gods! They’re the pair, for all!” The crowd made a path for the six when, a moment afterward, Captain Dick was seen to lift tbe rein and send a swift mad giance across the square to where the story-and-a-half hotel stood, the building designated as the quarters of Cool Sam and his pard. Of course the Texans followed their leader, aud the crowd swarmed after the last horse- man, “Cap'n,” said Carlo, who kept alongside the leader’s horse, ‘‘mebbe you’d better not dis-- turb ther pair tonight, The girl’s asleep, an’ Cool Sam—” ‘“T run this- boat!” grated Captain Dick giving Carlo a look that immediately silenced him. ‘‘Hyer we ar’ at ther door ov ther We'll inspect ther twin photograp’s any- way. He slid from ‘his horse with the last sentence, and strode toward the porch which extended the whole length of the front of the New Mexi- can hostelry. ‘‘Whar does Cool Sam sleep, Carlo?” he asked over bis shoulder. ‘Thar he is now, senor!” At this announcement there appeared on the porch leaning coolly against one of the columns tbat supported it, a man at sight of whom Cap- tain Dick instantly halted, and bis Texans cock- ed their revolvers. Nearly six feet in hight, rather slenderly built, with black eyes and bair, a clean-shaven face, and a well-proportioned body, arrayed in dark clothes. This was Cool Sam, He had glided from the house without the least noise, and some of the Texans were almost willing to swear that he had risen through the planks of the porch. The moon above Bed Rock shone benignly on the scene; the soft ligut showed Cool Sam, plainly to the Texans and the crowd. “ We're ther six louts from Texas!” suddenly flashed Captain Dick with a tiger in each eye. A faint smile appeared at the corners of Cool Sam’s mouth. ‘*So [ see,” he said quietly, and in a manner that took the Terrible Six aback. “That war an insult. We ar’ Texas gentle- men. No man shall call us louts an’ live!” “Thet’s plain. Gentlemen from Texas, I’ve heard ov you afore.” ( “So hev others! Ye’r’ hyer on bizness, you an’ yer pard, the stone said,” Captain Dick — went on, biting his lips, maddened by the im- perturbable coolness of the man before bim, ‘Yer pard’s a girl, [ hear. We ar’ defenders ov female innocence—” “You ar’?’? and Cool Sam’s eyes twinkled, Tl] sleep over thet last remark. Good-night, gentlemen trom Texas!” and the speaker began to withdraw. { “ Halt!’ suddenly bawled Captain Dick. ‘‘-You stand before the Terrible Six. Trot out yer pard an’ exbibit her to us. By Heaven! you've got ter swallow yer words written on the stone. We ar’ six tigers from Tartarus!” ‘* The babe’s ae, rot ’er out!” “No Mc st kt Instead of moving off Cool Sam came for, ward until he reached the edge of the porch, ‘““My pard’s asleep, I say, an’ sha’n’t be waked, Gentlemen from Texas, if you want anything out ov me, I’m yer man!” ‘ With the last word the long arms of Cool Sam | moved iorward, and the Terrible Six saw at the end of each a cocked revolver behind which were the wicked eyes of their owner, ‘TI never go back on a pistol picnic,” assured Cool Sam, pard,’ hearts beat. CHAPTER II. TRYING TO GET EVEN. tS Coon Sam had thrust’ bis revolvers straij ‘“Men ov Texas, take yer choice, — Die whar ye ar’, ef ye try to waken my little — In the silence that followed men heard their rio ra Ysa fi into the faces of the Terrible Six from Texas, Ee ' ‘a a” pa
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His long arms did not quaver; he held the «deadly weapons with steady nerves, Startled by Cool Sam’s sudden display, the Six looked from the revolvers to the eyes of their owner. Ths spectetors drew back in the moonlight and held their breath. It was, taken all in all, one of the most thril- ling tableaux Bed-Rock had witnessed for many days. **Speak!” continued Cool Sam, breaking the silence. ‘Do you still insist on rousin’ my lit- tle pard? I’m an accommodatin’ b’ar-pin. I don’t expect ter sail ter my journey’s end on flow’ry feds ov ease, Thet’s why 1 fetched my drop- “nt along. Make up yer mind, Cap’n Dick. Shall it be war er peace?” * Peace for ther present,” growled the bronzed captain of the Six, and he seemed to hate him- aalf for the utterance. “* Jes’ ez ‘you say, not that I care,” retorted the cool man, and the crowd noticed that the revolvers were not lowered an inch. ‘It’s a draw game, eh, gentlemen?” Sullenly, but with eyes that flashed under his ‘black brows, Captain Dick went back to his horse, and with a quick, significant glance at ‘Carlo, sprung to saddle without touching the heavy stirrup. “Follow me,” he said to the Mexican, and wheeling his horse, be turned his back to the Stranger, who had not moved an inch since lift- ing the revolvers. More than one man in the crowd looked dis- appointed. t was evident that the Terrible Six had few friends among the number, and Captain Dick’s refusal to press the demand had given the half- dozen a new lease of life, “Run ag’in’ a snag, senor?” suggested Carlo, jJooking up into the face of the leader of the Texans, when the whole party had drawn rein in the shadow of the old Apache wall west of Bed-Rock. ‘‘Thet’s a cool rooster you’ve left behind.” “Cool as a cucumber, Carlo,” assented Cap- tain Dick. ‘‘Whar on earth did he spring from?” * Don’t know, senor.” “Is his pard a young girl?” ‘* About sixteen.” “ Jehosaphat! almost a woman, lo?” “Pretty as a picture,” and the Mexican showed his teeth in a grin. “When did they strike Bed-Rock?” ** Just before sundown,” ‘©On hossback?” “* Si, senor.” ** War the girl armed?” **She carried a rifle. I saw no more.” ** What did they say when they came?’ ** Nothin’, Went straight to the hotel.” ** Ax’ hev’n’t left it since?” ** Been thar all the time.” ** What room have they?” “Did Senor Dick notice the little window just above the porch?” COPY og,77 ‘“They are in that room, senor.” **Do you hear that, pards?’ asked Captain Dick, turning to bis men who had drank in all Carlo’s answers. ‘‘We don’t leave Bed-Rock ti!l we’ve got even with Cool Sam an’ his pard. The fellow bad the drop on us awhile ago, an’ hang me, ef a word, ther Jiftin’ ov a hand on our part, wouldn’t hev opened both of them magazines he held in his hands. Cool? Cool ez @ cowcumber; but we kin make’im a shade cooler, Texans, shall the man from every- whar bluff us thet way?’ The unanimity of the reply startled Carlo, “No!” spoken by each Texan was the prompt response, “Go back an’ see how the land lays, Carlo,” ordered Captain Dick. ‘ We'll llop off be- hind the clump of mesquité. Make the people ov Bed-Rock b’lieve thet fer once a pair ov pis- tols hev crove the Terrible Six away. Hang around the hotel. Let thet cool shooter go to sleep whar his pard is. Bed-Rock is a virtuous town an’ keeps early hours, all but the monte- players. We'll not disturb them when we come back.” Carlo looked somewhat amazed over Captain Dick’s last sentence. “Yes!” emphatically, ‘“‘we’re goin’ back—we ther louts ov Texas,” continued Dick. ‘ Cool Sam hez riled us to ther bone. He’s come to ther wrong kentry ter find the Infant be speaks of, an’ ter buck ag’in’ the Six from Texas. We'll be back to-night—when the moon is yonder,” and Captain Dick pointed to a certain part of the heavens. ‘You'll know us when Pretty, Car- Cool Sam and Fara. we come, Carlo. Cool to-night; cold to-mor- rer! The wave of a bronzed hand dismissed Carlo, but a few feet from the wall he stopped and watched the six horsemen ride away, “The white senorita is beautiful,” he said to himself. ‘*She made Carlo’s beart beat when he saw her. Carlo cannot take her from Senor Sam, but the Six fighters can. Carlo will go back an’ watch for them,” The Mexican went back into the town where he found the excitement considerably abated, The monte and mescal dens were already fill- ing up and the women and children, confident that the pistols of Cool Sam had driven the Six from Bed-Rock, had gone home satisfied and without fear, The wily Mexican took care to encounter several acquaintances, to each of whom he de- clared that the Terrible Six had left on a horse- stealing expedition among the distant villages of the Apaches, and he always added, to clinch his plausible lie, that on their return, several weeks later, they would call Cool Sam to ac- count, if he accommodated them by remaining in town, Then, in order to fully carry out Captain Dick’s wishes, he lighted a poor cberoot and sauntered across the porch of Bed-Rock’s one hotel, into the building itself, Having crossed the threshold, he entered a room redolent with the fumes of tobacco and occupied by five or six men who were having a game of Mexican monte, More than once the sallow spy glanced wist- fully at the narrow stair-door that led the way to the little room occupied by Cool Sam and his companion, He longed to climb the steps and feast his eyes on the beauty of the cool man’s pard which had already roused his passions. He leaned beside the well-smoked wall beside the door, and watched it more than he did the gamblers. Once or twice, unperceived by the monte devotees, he tried the door with his fingers, but as they could get no purchase it.did not move, ‘: All at once he abandoned his post and left the ouse, Crossing the porch again, be kept in the shad- ow of the resort until he reached one of the many trees that occupied the plaza or square. There he crouched against the trunk and fixed his eyes on the little window above the roof of the porch. ‘Now, let’ midnight come,” he muttered. “Carlo is on the watch.” The moon neared the part of the sky indi- cated by Captain Dick. To all outward appearances, Bed-Rock was buried in slumber, but behind certain doors scores of dark-faced men, Mexicans and Ameri- cans, won and lost over greasy cloths with greasy cards, and cheated and lied with revol- vers cocked in their beits. Carlo would have given his fortune, which was not great, to have been permitted to look beyond the sill of the little window he cease- lessly watched. If he had not looked into the deep, black eyes of Cool Sam a few hours before, he might have attempted to reach the window by a crawl across the roof; but those eyes bad spoken volumes of determination and death. ‘Moon about right now,” said the Greaser spy at last, ‘‘ Will Senor Dick an’ his tigers come?” At that moment the shadow of a man fell against the old Apache wall, then another and another until six had darkened it, Captain Dick and his men! ‘“We'll find thet Greaser ov a Carlo first,” whispered the captain of the gang. ‘‘Cool Sam, you’ve waked up ther wrong men. We'll kiss thet gal-pard ov yer’s over yer cold carkiss!” Forward toward the square where crouched under the tree, and waiting for them, was Carlo, the Mexican. Suddenly in the shade of another tree the six crawlers halted, and a moment later Captain Dick moved on. Carlo heard him coming, and waited for him with a pleased smile, “‘Now fer ther cool wedge thet’s come ter Bed-Rock!” grated. Captain Dick, through clinched teeth. ‘‘ He’s still thar, Carlo?” “Still thar, cap’n. What's yer plan?” ‘“We’re goin’ ter creep ther roof an git ther drop on ’im.” “In a dark room?” **Never mind. We've got ther bull thing down toan item. Git away? He can’t, Carlo. When did the Terrible Six fail on their man?’ Carlo did not know. ot eg Metts 1) ae _ Te Ey eS oe At one end of the porch grew a tree whose branches rose above the roof now in shadow. Fifteen minutes after Captain Dick’s question four human figures crept across the roof, while on the ground below, with cocked Winchesters leveled at the one little window, stood two stal- wart men in border buckskin, Fa crawl of the four was noiseless and cat- ike, Need we name the leader, he whose hand held a huge revolver, and whose eyes had the glitter of a cobra’s? ‘‘They’ve got Cool Sam this time,” murmured Carlo, .‘‘ The terrible Americans will pay bim back for pokin’ his revolvers into their faces to- night,” Carlo continued to watch the objects that neared Cool Sam’s window. ‘“They have him, the cool senor)” he sudden- ly exclaimed. At that moment the foremost Texan reached the window; Lis hand touched the sill, The next moment Carlo the Greaser spy sprung up from the foot of the tree, ** Sacrista !” he cried. ‘The fox is awake!” The window had tumbled out with a crash as if struck with a bammer by some madman on the inside! The men on the roof leaped up amid a shower of flying glass. ‘Gentlemen from Texas, Cool Sam of Cold Spring is always on band when it’s his interest ter be thar!” said a stern voice, and the two re- volvers that were thrust into the faces of the the Texans emphasized in a terrible manner the words of the speaker. The two rangers nearest the foot of the roof rolled off and struck the ground under the very rifles of their comrades; but Captain Dick was forced to keep his position five feet from the window, covered by one of Cool Sam’s revol- vers. “T’'m Cool Sam from Cold Spring!” ejaculat- ed the man on the inside, ‘“ You'll hev ter tr a deeper game than this, Cap’n Dick. What did I call you fellars on the stone?—~louts from Texas, eh? I guess I’ll stand by ther epitnet.” What reply the discomfited Texan was about to make when the scene suddenly changed, will never be known, All at once the air was filled with the wild shrieks of women and children, ‘*The Apache! the Apache!” At apy time the announcement of the coming of these terrible red marauders of the south- west border is enough to strike terror to the hearts of the bravest; but for a town like Bed- Rock to be charged in the night by them doubles the horror and confusion, The cry of “ the Apache!” was answered by a chorus of such yells that left no doubt of the correctness of the announcement, Carlo sprung from the shadow of the tree; he saw the doors of a dczen monte dens fly open, and scores of men rushed into the square. ‘* ‘We all hate the the Apache, Cap'n Dick,” said Cool Sam looking down into the face of the Texan. ‘Therefor’ we'll fight bim first. Arter thet, I’m at yer service,” An instant later down the street from thé north came the red fiends yelling like devils in- carnate, CHAPTER ILI. THE PARD’S FLIGHT. THE wild yells increased in ferocity as the charging Apsches neared the plaza, “ Arter ther battle, not now.” continued Cool Sam, addressing the Texans still on the roof of the porch, ‘Ther common enemy has struck Bed-Rock., It mightn’t be bealthy for you ter remain whar vou ar.” And the menacing re- volvers were lowered, and Ccol Sam vanished from sight. At ithe same moment the head of the charg- ing column struck the plaza on the north side, Captain Dick and his remaining companions leaped from the roof and took up their station on the porch with cocked revolvers and reedy Winchesters, The cries of the women and children were hushed now as if the appalling danger had choked them into silence. Suddenly a herd of wild horses with flowing manes and tails dashed across the plaza. Not an Indian was to be seen, but all knew” that the red-skins had placed the bodies of their steeds between their own and the deadly wea- pons of the men of Bed-Rock, “Shoot the hosses!” suddenly roared the voice of Captain Dick, and the rifles and revol- vers of the gamblers instantly replied. : The Indian steeds reared and plunged under
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t A the shots sent into them with more than border ‘vengeance; but the red whirlwind passed on. For three minates the yells of the Apaches were drowned by the incessant firing of the men of Bed Rock. When the wild cavalry had passed a dozen horses lay dead, or were struggling in agony on the square, but not an Indian was to be seen. The human cyclone bad passed on, and the red riders had forced their steeas to leap the ruins of the old Apache wall at the southern confines of the town, and were drawing rein some distance from the scene of their exciting exploit. The Six Texans looked into each other’s faces after the Apaches had passed and showed signs of astonishment. ‘* A genuine red cyclone an’ nobody hurt,” said Captain Dick, ‘Out thar lie a dozen tip- top bosses, but the reds all got away. It beats me. Hive years ago they did ther same thing in Bed-Rock, but they didn’t git off so easily then. We got wind ov their comin’ an’ stretch- ed a rope across ther squar’. 1t tumbled ther hosses allin a heap, an’ we sailed into them with destruction, It war a picnic fer Bed-Rock, en- tirely different from ther one had to-night. Twelve bosses an’ nota red! Idon’t understand it, Three times I caught sight on a head, an’ fired straight at the target,” Pistol in hand the men of Bead- Rock stood around the fallen horses and discussed the wild dash of tho Apaches and its outcome. ‘When the excitement has settled a little we'll go back ter Cool Sam an’ pard,” said the eoptain of the Six to several of his followers. «Pao Injuns took a hand in ther game, an’ Whar forced us to throw up fer ther present. is tbe cool ’un?” “Whar we left ’im, likely. I saw six flashes in his window as the reds charged down the streets,” * Then he’s thar yet. ** Not alone, cap’n.” * Alon-!” and Captain Dick shook off the hand that closed on his arm, and strode toward the hotel. **Youan’ Cap'n Dick for it, Cool Sam,” he erred fiercely under his breath. ‘Ef Bed- Rock war ’Frisco, it would be too small for both of us.” But he was not allowed to get more than twenty paces from his companion ere a loud, tlear voice from the southern suburbs of the town startled everybody. ‘* Listen!” said forty men as Captain Dick halted. ‘‘ Thar goes some Injun lingo.” “ Let the white and yellow taces of San To- peto listen to the words of Gold Beit, the war- chief of the Apaches,” said the voice. “Drive ahead!” howled a giant desperado, who, armed to the teeth and swarthy as a Moor, looked the cut-throat that he was. ‘* The Apaches sought to kill no one to-night,” continued the unseen speaker, ‘They rode torough San Topeto because it stood in their way, The time is coming when Gold Belt, at toe head of all bis warriors, will visit the town, with knife and arrow. He remembers how many moons ago the San Topetans roped bis I'll go an’ see.” ‘braves and slaughtered them like wolves in a ven,” me Bet yer life we did!” ejaculated the border Hercules, ** Silence!” commanded Captain Dick. ‘ Let tue Injun finish bis talk,” ““Injun?” was the echo, ‘We know, ef you don’t, Cap’n Dick from Texas, thet thet feller’s face ar’ whiter than yours,” There was a start on Captain Dick’s part, but he did not reply, for the clear voice was speak- ing again: “Phe San Topetans have not spared the Apaches, and the Apaches will not spare them! When the moon dies they will come like the storm tbat uproots trees in the forest and shakes the waters in the bed of the Rio Grande! They will leave nothing of the town of the white and yellow men. Gold Belt has taken his oath, and all bis braves bave sworn over his lasso, Let the San Topetans prepare for the storm that shall strike them in the dark!” ““Thet’s Injun bluster!” cried the stalwart aan. ‘‘ Whar is the San Topetan what shakes in his boots because ov thet boy’s threats? He talks fer Gold Belt, the meanest Injun west ov Texas, but what ov it? Let ’em come when the nights get dark ag’in. Cyclone Taos will Jead the San Tope‘ans when they want a leader. No boy, though he talks fer Gold Belt, shall bluff this land alligator!” ‘“A boy, did you say?” The leader of the Terrible Six turned at the _ voice in which the question was put, and to bis Cool Sam and Pard. astonishment found himself but four feet from Cool Sam, whose eyes, full of eagerness, were fixed intently on Cyclone Taos. ‘Yes, sir; a boy, an’ not much bigger than yer daisy pard,” answered the bronzed giant. “Thar isn’t a drop ov Injun blood in bis veins, yet he’s an Apache, to all intent and purposes. Seen him? Yes, I’ve seen the youngster; but ten feet off, you'd take ’im fer a red when he’s got his Injun riggin’ on.” | **Not older than my pard?” said Cool Sam musingly, yet speaking aloud. ‘‘Thar’s not much difference between the two. They made him a chief two years ago, an’ he hates us with all ther hatred ov ther full-blooded Apache.” efore Cool Sam replied, Captain Dick touch- ed the sleeve of bis nearest Texan. ‘‘Keep’im hyer fer ten minutes,” he said, sending a swift glance toward Cool Sam. ‘* Keep iminterested in thet young white chief,” and away he glided toward the hotel. ‘Tl interview Cool Sam’s pard,” he said to himself. ‘‘ Things ain’t turnin’ out so bad after all. Mebbe when Cool Sam comes back, he'll find the nest empty.” A few strides carried him to the hotel. The place seemed entirely deserted, for the entire population of San Topeta filled the plaza. He crossed the porch and entered the recep- tion and gambling-room, where the tallow-dips threw a weird light over the cards that had dropped from the hands of the players at the first Apache yell. He saw all this at a glance, and the stair-door also. ‘*Now fer the inspection, daisy pard,” fell from his lips, as he opened the door and cat-like crept up the darkened stair. There was a cocked revolver in the Texan’s right hand, and intense eagerness in his black eyes, Tt did not take him a minute to reach the last step, and his keen eye showed him the little room and its scanty furniture—two couches and the same number of three-legged stools, As Captain Dick started across the chamber, a figure rose before him, and “Halt!” was spoken in stern tones. The Texan, with an ejaculation of amazement, drew back, half-lifting his revolver. The voice that had spoken was a man’s, not a girl’s, and the figure before him was clad in buckskin; if was the figure of a man as large as himself! Had Carlo and the rest lied? Was Cool Sam’s pard a man, and not the beautiful young creature several times described by those who professed to have seen her? ‘*Who ar’ you?” followed up the ‘‘halt” which had startled Captain Dick. ‘If Cool Sam, you won’t find yer pard byer.” Then it was that Captain Dick recognized the speaker by his voice. ‘Tt is I—Cap’n Dick,” he said, Instantly the revolver by which he had been covered dropped at its possessor’s side, and a stride brought the two men together. “Carlo!” cried Captain Dick. ‘‘ What brought you hyar?”’ “What but the girl?’ grinned the Mexican. ‘¢ Senor cap’n, we are too late!” ‘Is she really gone, Carlo?” ‘Gone! See hyar; she left paper on table for Cool Sam to read. Moon no shine bright enough for Carlo to read paper. Girl gone, though.” The Texan snatched a piece of paper from Carlo’s band and drew a lucifer across the rough wall, ‘*Hyar, hold the match while I read,” he said, and Carlo took the improvised candle while Captain Dick’s dark hands began to unfold the dirty paper. ‘“ What does girl say?” asked the breathless Mexican, showing bis swartby face over one of the Texan’s broad shoulders. ‘‘Nothin’, more thangshe’s gone—given Cool Sam the slip; abandoned him in the worst town he ever struck,” “Senor Dick read what girl say. Carlo anxious to know whar she go to.” ‘No doubt ov thet,” snapped Captain Dick, crunching the message in his band. ‘‘See hyar, Carlo. You came hyar fer no good purpose. What bizness hez a Greaser like yerself with a girl as pretty as they say Cool Sam’s pard is? After this when you find a woman’s letter keep it to yerself. Above all, never let it fall inter the clutches ov ther cap’n ov ther Terrible Six.” A response like the growl of a baffled cougar issued from between the Mexican’s lips. With a Spanish oath he flung the match to ! the floor and clapped his broad foot upon it just as it struck the plank. ‘*Cap’n Dick no keep letter then!” he grated. ‘* Thar’s whar you fool yerself!” was the quick retort, and the hand that leaped at Carlo’s throat knocked aside the revolver which had shot up- ward from his side. ‘* Thar’s six ov us, Carlo, my yaller daisy; but Cap’n Dick is ther worse tiger ov ther bunch. Sha’n’t keep ther letter, eh? Vl show you, fool! I hevn’t closed on a. yaller throat fer six months; but I hevn’t lost: my grip! Want Covl Sam’s pard, eh? Wal, git her—ef ye kin!” Tbe evil eyes of the Mexican were starting from. his head under the pressure of Captain Dick’s grip; he would have fallen senseless at. his torturer’s feet if he had been released. “‘1’ll sarcumvent Cool Sam myself, an’ make hispard my pard!” he hissed. ‘*‘ V’ll find out who. the Infant is they’re arter, an’ ef he stands im my road I'll finish him, too. I’m more devil than man; that’s what made me cap’n ov the Terrible Six from Texas.” He threw Carlo from him with the last sen- tence, and the choked man fell across one of the: stools without a groan, ‘*So much for you!” exclaimed Captain Dick, following the reeling Mexican with a glance. ‘*So the girl hes gone to the boy chief ov the: Apaches? What’s got in ter her head, enny- how? Cool Sam, you’d better hev kept yer quarters.” He turned to the stairway as he finished and went down. As he entered the deserted room on the floor below, a man stepped in from the porch. **Cool Sam?’ said Captain Dick. For a single second the two men stood face to. face, and then the captain of the Six leaped at. the cool man’s throat. ‘*'You an’ me fer it, Cool Ssm!” he cried. But there was no collision, for somehow or’ other the enraged Texan missed his man, and a moment later was picking bimself up beyond the porch} CHAPTER IV. THE GIRL PARD'S MISSION, Coot Sam had come back from the scene of excitement in the square, too late to detain his beautiful pard, and too late, also, to interfere in the terrible choking received by Carlo at the merciless hand of Captain Dick. If he had not left the little room above the porch, he might have prevented the girl’s de- parture, but, as it was, she was gone, He had but to leave Captain Dick to pick himself up at his leisure to go up-stairs and find a senseless man stretched at full length across one of the cots, and the sole occupant of the apartment. If he had arrived a few minutes sooner, he and not Carlo would have found the note left. behind; but now the message was in Captain Dick’s clutches, and he was left in the dark con- cerning the girl’s whereabouts, His fair pard had not only deserted Cool Sam, but she had followed the Apaches from the town. If Col Sam could have penetrated distance with his keen eyes at that moment, he would have seen a horse galloping over the low plain that stretched southward with scaree a tree to break the monotony, and he would have no- ticed, too, that the rider of that steed was a young girl whom he would have called Reta, probably at the top of his voice. With the daring and grace of a queen of the arena, the young creature occupied the saddle that fitted the back of the mettled horse which bore ber swiftly along, and ever and anon ber voice was heard urging the steed to still greater exertions. What was taking Cool Sam’s girl pard over the irail recently made by the bloodthirsty Apaches who had just charged San Topeto with the impetuosity of a legion of devils? “*¥t was his will! Iknow it! On! on!” the girl said toher horse. ‘‘ Heaven forgive me for deserting Cool Sam, my faithful friend, but I could not keep away. e will read my letter and know all, Ah! if those terrible Texans had not come!” The steed seemed to know the need that made his young mistress urge bim on. The Apaches had had a good start, but the girl did not despair of overtaking them, Probably she counted muck on the freshness of her steed, while those of the Apaches must be pretty well blown. ‘*We heard in Texas that the Apaches had a boy chief, and I told my friend that it might be he, but Cool Sam said that he could not hate the whites deep enough to wear Indian feathers.
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+L Sa pees eet and he even laughed to think that the Apaches would spare a white babe’s life and make him chief. know now that they have done so. The voice I heard to-night was the voice of the or} chief of the Apaches.” f the horse that carried the girl showed signs of fatigue, she did not. : The spurs on ber dainty feet urged him on, and her golden hair blew out from under her cap and waved in the wind like pennons of gold, as she kept the steed on the Apache trail. She thought of Cool Sam more than once, of his astonishment when he should find the mes- soge left bebind, of bis next meeting with Cap- tain Dick and his Texan Terrors. but she did not turn back. five miles from San Topeto she drew rein on the summit of a little knoll, from which in the daytime one can see a sweep of grand country. The horse was glad to stcp. “T have come up with them at last!” she sud- denly exclaimed. ‘‘The Apache horde has halted, I will soon stand face to face with the boy chief.” After a brief rest she urged her steed into the little valley that stretched southward from the foot of the hill. The moon had gone down now, but the bril- liant stars in multitudes studded the sky. Her quick ears had caught certain sounds that floated hither and thither on the wind. ; “The hunt of a lifetime shall end to-night,” she said. ‘The boy chief of the Apaches and Roy Robsart are one and the same, Cool Sam has sworn to help me find him, for the oath of our parents taken when we were babes in our eradies shall be kept, He has forgotten it, Roy has, but I will convince him, The mark on my arm has a mate on one of his. I will rob the Apache nation of a chief, but I will give back to civilization a hero.” At the foot of the bill the young girl stopped for a moment, and then slipped deinclennto to the ground. Taking the bridle in her left hand, she glided forward leading the horse, and on the lookout for the Indian encampment. All at once she halted again, and then laid her hand on a revolver that showed itself above ‘her belt. “Stand!” she said in stern tones to the figure that rose from the ground not ten feet away. ““Who speaks to the Apache? It is the tongue or a pale-face,” was the response. ** And the band of a pale-face holds a revolver against your breast,” said Reta. ‘‘ Where is your young chief?” ‘* Panther Robe?” “The young white chief I want.” “Under Panther Robe’s war-paint is a white skin,” said the Apache. “Then it is Panther Robe for whom I seek. Where is he?” Despite the menace of the revolver, the Apache came forward, ** War Belt show Panther Robe to pale-face,” he said, but he stopped suddenly before Reta and then recoiled with an exclamation of sur- prise. ‘¢ White face is a woman!” he said. ‘‘ Panther Robe will not look at her.” ‘“ He shall !” cried Reta. ‘¢ Panther Robe will keep his oath.” « What is that!” ‘“‘ He has sworn that he will look into the face of no white woman. He loves the war-tribe of the Apaches and no fair white face shall turn him fro:n the lodges of the red-man.” / ‘‘But he shall see me!” flished the white girl. ,‘‘I, too, have taken an oath, and if it élashes with his I will not be turned back. Will you show me your young cbief?” “ Panther Robe not with Apaches now.” “Liar!” exclaimed Reta, ‘‘A moment ago before you had discovered my sex, you offere to conduct me to him, Now you say he is not with the party. Your word is no better than a peon’s, I will find Panther Robe myself.” Reta supplemented her last word with a bold step forward, but a moment later a red hand closed like a vise on her right arm. “Not so fast, white face,” said the Apache whose eyes seemed to burn her cheek. ‘‘ Toe tribe lost twelye good horses in the town of the white and yellow people to-night. The warriors have just sworn in the name of the Great Spirit to take no more captives till two more moons have died, For the white-faced girl to go to Panther Robe now would be for her to throw herself before a pack of famished wolves. The only white skin in the camp is Panther Robe’s, but the war-paint of the Apaches bide ” “Words shall not frighten mel” and Reta A ee ee——————eeeEyEeeEEeEey—EeEE—EEeEELEEE—E———EL SSE » / ae es rs Cool Sam and Pard. sah tie He a Sy ae ca tia sa a ete eae Sek a broke from the grasp that had relaxed during the Apache’s speech. ‘‘ You need not show me fer camp, I will find it and despite a thousand ndians. oaths, I will stand face to face with Roy Robsart, your boy chief.” Reta knew that the halting-place of the raid- ing Apaches was but a few yards abead, Sbe seemed to forget ber steed in her eager- ness to reach the spot, for, dropping the rein which until that moment she had held, she start- ed forward, leaving the astonished red-skin in bewilderment in his tracks. ® “Roy! Roy! I bave found you at last!” fell from ber lips. ‘ You bave not sworn not to look into my face! The Indian I have just left tries to keep me back with a lie.” Re‘a rushed on, urged forward by an eager- ness which she could not control. All at once she came upon a large number of horses, and then burst suddenly among their merciless owners. Twenty painted braves leaped at her with ejac- ulations ot amazement, but every one instantly recoiled from the revolver which she thrust into their faces! ** Keep off, if your skins be red!” said the girl resolutely. ‘Iam here tosee Panther Robe— not you!” Instantly froma dozen pair of lips rose the ery of “Panther Robe,” and as it echoed through thecamp, an agile youth, clad in Indian dress, scalp-lock and all, bounded forward, and halted in the circle that completely encom- passed the girl. ‘‘ Who calls Panther Robe?” he asked “The warriors did, but for me!” cried Reta, springing toward the boy chief. The voice seemed to pierce the young Apache like an arrow. ‘Who is itspeaks?? And wheeling upon Reta whose symmetrica! figure was revealed by the starlight, Pantber Robe grasped ber arm. ‘Reta Grant!’ was the reply. ‘‘ Roy! Roy! my long hunt has ended at last! Years have separated us; but now we are reunited. The vow over the two cradles—” A wild cry pealed from the boy chief’s lips, and pushing the white girl from him, he turned away. ‘No! no! It is the face of a white woman and Panther Robe is bound by an oath!” he ex- claimed. ‘*He dare not break his word with the Great Father!” Reta sprung after the boy chief before he could finish his last sentence. **Hear me” she cried. ‘‘ Let the vow taken before yours was ever thought of be kept first. You are not Pauther Robe the Apache, but Roy Robsart, Captain Robsart’s son!” The appeal was in vain. Three Apaches threw themselves between Reta and the boy chief who had stopped at sound of her voice, and the strong arms of a fourth forced the youth further on. “J qwill convince him!” flashed the girl. “Though I shoot my way to your boy chief, I will keep the purpose of my life!” Up went the revolver again, and, as it cover- ed the foremost red-skin, a pair of naked arms encircled Reta from behind, and, as she was lifted from the ground, the weapon was wrench- ed from her grasp. Reta struggled, but in vain. “T will see him!” she exclaimed. ‘Roy Robsart shall vet be glad to gaze into my face, Cool Sam shall bring him to terms!” Then it was that, as if obeying a certain signal, the Apaches crowded around the daring irl. Suddenly a loud voice rent the air. ‘Let tbe Apache braves think of their dead horses. They bave sworn to take no cuptives for two moons. Will they break their word to- night? The face of the squaw is white!” The voice spoke Reta’s doom. —_- CHAPTER V. A CHIEF NO LONGER. THE loud voice that remiuded the Apaches of thé oath of vengeance was enough to blanch Reta Grant’s cheeks. She stood unarmed in the midst of the red- skins and completely at their mercy. , Panther Robe. the boy chief, stopped short at the terrible words, and mechanically turned toward the fair creature against whom they were directed. : “Panther Robe go away,” said an Apache, springing to his side and clutching bis arm, while there was a flash of devilish malice in his eyes, ‘The face of the squaw is white, and Panther Robe bas sworn to look into the face of no white maiden, Let him remember that the daughter of Gold Belt is to welcome him from ie the war-trail and the hunt. Let him remem- er—” The boy broke from the sub-chief’s grasp with a mad exclamation. ‘‘Unhand me, Fox Ear!” ky cried. “I am a chief among the Apaches; you are nothing but a common warrior. They shall not kill the white girl.” But the Apache brave, with a resolution that lacked discretion, threw bimself before the bo nn nag and menacingly laid bis hand on his nife. ‘Dare you draw on me?” And a revolver leaped from the youth’s belt at the touch of bis nand. ‘ By beavens! I will not be overrun by & common brave. I have not forgotten my oath. Stand aside! I say that the knife of an Apache shall not shed the white squaw’s blood!” Up went the revolver, but the tndian did not wait to be covered by it, but darted aside, leav- ing Panther Robe free to go to Reta’s rescue, He had moved a number of yards from Reta when the stern voice bade the Apaches remem- ber their oath, and now he bounded toward the crowd that held ber in tbrall. ‘Panther Robe!” exclaimed the savages, as they caught sight of him, ‘He is going to break his word!” “Tam, if you are going to barm the white girl,” was the fearless reply. ‘The Apaches’ horses have been killed in the great town of the white and yellow faces.” ‘‘T know that. We were fools for charging througb San Topeto, and we got about what we deserved.” ‘¢ But the Apaches cannot forget.” “Neither can I,” and the boy chief turned full upon the last speaker, a magnificent Indian giant, from whose broad shoulders fell a robe cf spotted fawnskin. ‘‘Gold Belt, let the braves who have lost their horses go to my herd and pick out others.” ‘+ And let the white girl go?” iad Yes, ” Proudly and with flashing eyes the Apache giant drew up before the undaunted boy. “Does Panther Robe speak?” he asked haugh- tily. ‘ Does Gold Belt stand before the boy he carried in his arms over the White Mountains in order to make him a chief of the Apaches?” ‘“‘T am Panther Robe, and I am proud of m adopted tribe. You have saved my life. To you I owe my feathers and my berds. Tam an ie Under my war-paint there is a white skin, “ And a white heart!” said Gold Belt, with a sneer, ‘* Panther Robe has broken bis vow and thrown it to the winds. He wants to look again into the face of the white squaw.” “That is true; I cannot help it. Her life will not avenge the death of the horses. Go back to the town of the white and yellow faces, I will lead you. We will ride our borses over the wal] and among the lodges of the Mexicans we will shoot the men whose pistols dropped our steeds in the great square. Let the Apaches follow Panther Robe to revenge. Let them follow be- hind him, and be will show them twenty scalps for each good steed.” Brave as the speech was, it fell on hearts of stone, Gold Belt, the Apache Hercules, wheeled in- stantly upon the foremost of the crowd whose bodies screeu:ed the girl from his view. ‘‘Stand firm there!” he cried, as he swept bis brawny arm before the crowd, “The heart of Pantber Robe is turning from bis adopted peo- le. Hold the white squaw fast, and let your nives flash before ber eyes.” For one moment the boy chief kept his tracks and then, with a revolver in each hand, he strode toward the Indian pbalanx, behind which, knife-surrounded, stood tbe girl. ‘Let me to the white squaw!” rung in stern tones from his lips, as his weapons covered the warriors who opposed him, ‘If one vow hag been broken, the otber shall not be kept! Pan- ther Robe says that the blood of the white Ser shall not flow for the horses shot by the exicans. Open ranks, there! By the Todace ef the Great Spirit! the Apache who blecks my way to her shall fall dead in bis moccasins!” ‘*Stand firm!” shouted Gold Belt, to the men- aced braves. ‘‘ Panther Robe dare not shed the blood of an Apache warrior!” ‘Dare not? Try me, chief!” replied Panther Robe, sending a swift glance toward the red chieftain, ‘I go forward to the white squaw, even if I have to reach her over the dead bodies of the braves.” Onward moved the hoy chief with revolvers. thrust forward and nerves that quavered no*, There was determination beneath bis deep black lashes. - ‘7 i | \ 4 eg 5s ee
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te 6 Cool Sam and Pard. \ ‘Divide or die! When the pistols of Panther Robe speak, a life goes out!” he said. Nearer and nearer to the Indian phalanx he moved with stately step; the star-beams zlinted along the polished barrels of his deadly weapons , and reflected the mad glare in his eyes. He advanced until scarcely five feet inter- vened between him and the braves; the revol- vers almost touched their breasts. Gold Belt looked on in silence, but anxious to see who would conquer, he or the boy. “Divide!” came over the leveled pistols in the same stern tones. ‘‘ Warriors of the Apache nation, Panther Robe will not speak again,” Another step and then—the two Indians di- rectly in front of Roy Robsart parted, and showed him a Jane walled with arm and knife! , An ejaculation of rage parted Gold Belt’s lips. “They yield!” he hissed. “The braves I have seen grow up from pappooses yield to the weapons of a white boy!” Panther Robe was already springing down the living lane toward the girl still held by a pair of crimson bands, At sight of him, having seen what he had al- ready accomplished, the Indians immediately surrounding Reta drew back. “That is right! Unhand the white squaw!” cried Roy, and then with a wild ery of delight the imperiled girl sprung toward him. ‘** At last!” sne exclaimed halting before him. **Feaven will not remember your foolish oath against you. But you have incurred the en- mity of the tribe for me. Oh, Heaven! why were we to meet thus?” The boy chief made no reply, but wheeled suddenly with the mien of a lion brought to bay. He bad heard the piercing tones of Gold Belt’s voice, and each word seemed to close against him an avenue of escape. A living wall still surrounded the young pair; they had met, but the parting threatened to be swift and terrible, “Stand by me,” whispered the boy chief to the girl. ‘Despite the chief in the spo ted robe, I am not friendless among these red- skins,” Lam here,” answered Reta. | ‘‘ Now that I Bee found Roy Robsart, no Indian shall fright- “en me from my final purpose.” Still clutching his revolvers, the boy Apache turned to the Indian giant advancing toward him down the lane which he had traversed at the risk of his life. Gold Belt’s naked arm was outstretched, and his finger covered the young couple upon whom, through his tigerish eyes, he flashed all the rage and’resentment of his Indian nature. ** Panther Robe has lied!” he thundered, ‘“ A man who breaks his vow is not fit to lead the Apaches on the war-trail. He is degraded in the presence of the braves. He and the white Squaw may go forth unharmed and travel till on star has set behind the hill. After that the and of every Apache will be raised against them! Let Panther Robe tear off the sign of his leadership. He is an Apache no longer!” The voice died away, but the arm of Gold Belt did not drop. ‘By heavens! I will do so,” exclaimed Roy. ** A chief no longer, eh? So be is! I turn my back to-night on the lodges of the Apacbes! I travel from them till the bright star sets. Then let them bunt me and the white girl; but let them remember that the weapons that have alropped the buffaio will shoot for the flower of she pale-faces!” The next moment the boy chief threw at his feet three feathers which had been interwoven in his scalp-lock, then be jerked from his shoul- ders several patches of panther-skin, and cast them upon the ground. The Indians looked on without a word. *“TIt_ is done!” he said to Reta with a smile. “From this moment lam an Apache no lon- ger!” ‘ “*Thank Heaven!” ejaculated the girl. “Come, then,” and the boy chief’s fingers closed gently on Reta Grant’s white wrist. “We have far to go befor yon star sets, Af- ter that we will be hunted like wolves by the whole Apache nation.” On the fair girls part there was no reply, and with a glance full of defiance at the human statues by whom they were regarded, Panther Robe, the degraded, turned away with his com- panion, ‘They dare not deprive me of my horse,” said the boy. 2 “ And I know where to find mine,” was Reta’s rejoinder. “The white Apache shall not take bis horse,” at that moment said the voice of Gold Belt. Reta uttered a cry of indignation. ‘*Let the monster have bis way,” said Roy through clinched teeth. ‘‘ Horse or no horse, he shall never win in the end: Ihave been an Apache too long not to know the secret places of the mountains around us. Reta—” ‘‘ Hark!” said the girl and her band clutched the boy’s arm. ‘‘ What are those creeping fig- ures yonder?” Roy looked for a moment over her outstretch» ed hand! “*T count six—six men.” ‘*My God! The Terrible Six from Texas!” cried the girl, CHAPTER VI. THE GIRL PARD SHOOTS. Tue boy chief’s start at Reta’s exclamation told that the name and desperate deeds of the league were not unknown to him, Could it be that Captain Dick and his fellows had followed the Apaches from Bed-Rock? was the question that the girl addressed to herself. She had more than half-expected to encounter Cool Sam, for the letter left bebind was in- tended for him; but she did not know that it had fallen into the hands of the captain of the Six. The young couple stood like statues side by side, with their gaze riveted on the six dark figures counted almost audibly by the boy. ‘*Let them and the Apaches have it out,” whispered Roy. ‘‘ They cannot know that you are here, Reta.” ‘*No; they cannot know; but—” The girl’s sentence was broken by the sudden rising of the six creeping figures not more than twenty yards away, ** Discovered!” ejaculated the boy, suddenly raising bis revolver. ‘‘ Let the border devils advance a step, and I will send the foremost to grass with a bullet in his head.” The action of the Six was so sudden that the girl recoiled a step; they were creeping objects no longer, moving like leopards over the ground, but six stalwart men, whose outlines in the fan- tastic starlight rendered them gigantic. “Hands up!” rung out a stern voice, and even before Roy could get the drop on one of the men, he saw himself covered by twelve revol- vers. ‘* We've seen ye all along. Injun or white—hands up!” There was a threat in the voice, a deadly menace in the stern command. ‘Shoot, an’ we’ll riddle you both,” continued the same voice, anda lower ‘‘ forward!” carried the Terrible Six toward the young couple. The boy Apache understood the customs of the border, and, grating his teeth, he lowered his weapon and glanced at Reta. “We must submit,” she said in reply to his look. ‘‘One good thing will come of this cap- ture. T'bose men will take us far from the Apache before the star sets.” Roy made no reply: be was watching the bor- der outlaws who came forward with revolvers still thrust out, “Cool Sam’s pard!” exclaimed Captain Dick as he halted in front of the pair. ‘¢ An’ an Injun boy!” responded several of bis men. “We'll make short work ov the young red. The daisy pard is all we want.” The objects that visage in the starlight, as two of the desperadoes stepped toward Roy were ten-inch bowies; but the next moment Reta threw herself between the boy and the blades. ‘“‘Strike me first!” she cried. ‘‘ This boy is no Indian.” “The Infant, by hokey!” ejaculated Captain Dick, as he pushed the two villains aside, and clutched the boy chief’s arm. ‘Look hyar, youngster! Be thar a white skin under yer Injun paint?” “IT am white. Apache chief, but now I am onl as this girl says, an’ not Pan Apache.” ‘* An’ ther Infant, too?” “*T dou’t know what you mean.” ** Cool Sam does,” ‘You roust ask him, then.” Captain Dick’s brow darkened, as he held the boy at arm’s length and looked into his face. ‘“‘ Been playin’ Apache, hevn’t ye?” hé laughed. *“The tribe run ye out because ov a difficulty ov some kind, I s’pose? Wal, they’ll never git ter catch ye!” ; Ten minutes later the Six reached their horses with their prisoners. j “Tf you had not found me where you did, Until an hour ago I was an Roy Robsart, er Robe, the what would you have done?” ventured Reta to Captain Dick, ‘‘Charged ther }"311 Apache squad, mebbe,” was the quick response. ‘‘My daisy jumper, you've heard ov Cap’n Dick an’ his Texans, hev- n’t you?” ‘* Many times.” ‘ ‘Bus you’ve never had the pleasure ov their acquaintance afore, eh?” ‘* We have never met before.” : A moment’s silence followed Reta’s repiy- : ‘“ Whar did Cool Sam pick ye up, anyhow?! suddenly asked the desperado. zoe ‘‘T hardly know. We nave been friends @ long time.” , ‘* Left’im in Bed-Rock to-night—gave ’im ther slip, didn’t ye?” The girl nodded. “You were gone when I got to ther room.” Reta started. ‘* You?” she exciaimed, ‘Yes; if ye hed stayed, we would hev met thar instead ov whar we did come together. Ez I said,1 called at yer room, in Pepe’s hotel, but ef you war gone you left word be- hind,” Reta’s lips were parted by a gasp. ‘“*Then—” She did not finish the sentence, for her look had become a wild stare. “‘Then Cool Sam didn’t git ther letter, eh?” grinned Captain Dick. ‘‘ He arrived a little toa late, my Texas pink.” ‘* And it fell into your hands?” ‘‘ Kinder so, thank ye.” ‘* And my friend?” “Cool Sam?” ay Yes,” “Oh he’s back thar yet, s’archin’ Bed-Rock fer ye,” was the reply. ‘‘See hyar, girl. Cool ez thet individual is, an’ be is a cool ’un, ther further he keeps from ther Six Texans thei: bet- ter twill be fer his future happiness. Writ om ther stone thet we war six louts from ther Lone Star State. When he did that, he stirred up. six tigers; thet’s what he did. But what got. ye so hot arter thet white Injun ’twixt Scott an’ Con?” : The question caused Reta to throw a swift glance toward Roy. The boy was riding between two ruffians, who never ceased to watch him as if they feared the young eagle whose wings had been clipped. “There is a secret not for you,” Reta said resentingly, turning to Captain Dick again. ‘“A secret, eh? Is thet young Apache yer brother?” “ No.” “Yer pard?” “ “ No. ” “Then, we'll not be particular what we dor with him. Halt!” Instantly the cavalcade came to a halt. A smart gallop over a narrow trail among the hills had brougbt the Texans and their cap- tives to a wild spot almost entirely shaded from the starlight by rocks and trees, J “Scott,” said Captain Dick, ‘‘take ther girl on ahead.” Tne tones in which the command was spoken seemed to tell Reta what was about to happen. ‘‘You are going to keep your name up for brutality,” she exclaimed. ‘Roy is to be killed.” ‘‘ Who said so?” “You. Your orders for me to be taken on ahead means that his life is to be taken here.” “Yer apt at conclusions,” laughed Captain Dick, ‘‘ What’s the white Injun to you ef he’s: neither pard nor brother? Do you know, girl, thet once thar wer seven oy us instead ov six?’ ‘What bas that gotto do with this contem- plated killing?” “More than you think. Wal, ther seventh Texan came ridin’ inter our camp on ther Rio. Pecos one night dead. Think ov a dead man ridin’ a hoss, girl. Round his neck thar war a lazo, an’ in his heart three Injun arrers an’ two ov ’em hed bands ov panther-skin close to ther barb. Ask thet boy back thar who owned them two arrers. Didn’t we sw’ar thet night over Cold Flint’s body ter git even with ther red devils what sent him inter camp Gead in his sad- dle? An’ now since we’ve caught ther owner ov two ov them arrers, dare you ask fer his life?’ ; “I dare: I do!” said Reta. { ; ‘‘ Better save yer breath. Wait a minute, Scott. Girl, all yer prayers wouldn’t give thet young white Injun another minute ov life, ebbe you've forgotten who we ar’.” “T have not. Texas has harbored many ‘fiends since her birth as a State, but none great~ er than Captain Dick and his gang.” ’ } : ; i]
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Cool Sam and Pard. outlaw. ahead.” The bronzed hand of the man called Scott was stretched forth to tighten on Reta’s arm, but she recoiled from his touch and turned to- ward Roy. One word with him!” she cried, “Very well,” said Captain Dick. The girl looked down the trail but did not eak for there was nobody for her to address; oy Robsart and the rest of the band had dis- appeared as though the trail had opened and ingulfed them! Captain Dick received the girl’s look of con- sternation with a devylish leer of triumph. ‘‘For what happens to him I shall hold you persoually accountable!” she suddenly exclaim- re as she whirled upon the leader of the Terrible ix; **-You, little pard?’ he laughed. “Yes—I! Girl though I am and in your clutches, Captain Dick, | will avenge the death of the boy chief of the Apaches. Brother he is not, but notwithstanding, he is dearer to me for allthat. Harm him to- night and I will take vengeance. Laughat me, Call mea girl, but recollect that under Cool Sam’s eye, 1 have learned to kill!” Reta ceased and straightened in her saddle; her hand fell from Captain Dick’s buckskin sleeve, but her eyes lost none of their fierce fire _ while they continued to regard him. ‘“‘ We'll risk yer vengeance, little pink!” ex- claimed the ranger captain. ‘‘ We ginerall kill the snake thet hez bittea us. Ez I hev said, Gold Belt shall never ketch the boy chief he banished from ther tribe /to-night. Move on, Scott.” The Texan wheeled his horse as he uttered the last word, and Scott’s fingers encircled Reta’s arm. **Come, girl. boys.” For a second Cool Sam’s girl pard seemed to recl in the saddle, but she firmly kept her seat and her lips murmured: “Strengthen me for the ordeal, Merciful Father! I have found Roy only to lose him. Tam a prisoner now, but I will live to pay the murderers back. Girl though I am, if they take Roy’s life, I willexterminate the six merci- less Texan wolves!” Scott who was conducting her down the trail did not hear this determined vow; he rode for- ward in a listening attitude as if he expected to hear certain sounds that would convey a story of crime to his ears. Several hundred yards from the spot where Captain Dick dismissed the ranger and his prisoner the two horses were balted. “Scott,” suddenly said Reta, ‘‘ what bap- pened in San Topeto after Captain Dick found the letter left for Cool Sam?’ * Nothin’! We just mounted an’ left ther town.” * es Sam and your captain did not meet?” ‘ Oo Reta’s face was seen to brighten, She still bad a friend and helper. “Don’t think thet Sam’s a match’ for our hull gang,” said Scott, who seemed to.read the girl’s very thoughts. ‘‘ He bluffed us twice to- night, thet’s a fact; but when we git ther drop on him, ez we surely will, thar’ll be triggers touched)!” Reta would have replied if three revolver. shots in rapid succession had not broken the stillness of the starry night. Both Scott and the girl started. “Ther cap’n’s changed his mind, 4c murmured | the ranger; ‘‘they war goin’ ter noose a young *Pache.” As for Cool Sam’s beautiful pard, she did not speak, but seemed to listen for more shots. All at once, instead of more sounds of the same startling: nature, the rapid gallop of horses smote the ears of ranger and gir “They’ve finished bim!” said Scott, uncon- sciously speaking his conclusions aloud. “Then my work begins!” At that moment the mounted figures of Cap- tain Dick and his four companions came in sight. ** Hyar we ar’. Scott,” said the Texan, draw- ing rein before Reta and her guard. ‘‘ Whar’s the little pink?” “Here!” said the girl, speaking for berself, as she darted straight at her guard. “You fave shot the banished chief of the Apaches; but the hand of Reta avenges the crime!” The hand of the girl fell suddenly upon the butt of the revolver that overtopped the upper rim of Scott’s belt, and ere the hand of the Tex- “Now, Scott, you kin take the girl We'll ride on an’ wait fer the “Thanks fer ther compliment,” smiled the | an could prevent the theft of it, Reta held it cocked in her band, ‘*My God! Look out, cap’n!” More than one hand darted at the girl pard as the bodies of the Texans shot forward, but all were blinded by the sudden flash of the revolver! These events had not occupied a minute’s time. Back from the flash reeled the magnificent figure of the handsome outlaw captain, and two | men caught him as he fell. ‘*Shoot the girl to pieces!” rose the maddened cry af “No!” gasped Captain Dick. ‘' Don’t touch the Texas pink, but swear ter riddle Cool Sam, the man what taught her how ter shoot!” ‘* We swear it, cap’n!” CHAPTER VII. THE COOLEST MAN ON EARTH, JusT one month later to the very night, a swooth-faced man, with an eagle eye and elastic step, crossed the principal plaza i in San Topeto or Bed-Rock, and entered epe’s hotel. His appearance created a little stir among | the dark-faced fellows who surrounded the three peco-tables in the room which he entered, and several inquisitive glances were quickly ex- changed, It Might have been noticed that one of two partners leaned over to his neighbor and whis- pered three words: ‘* He has come!” The smooth-faced man seemed to take no more than a passing notice of the occupants of the room, but crossed it to the furthest wall, against which he leaned after lighting a long Spanish cigar. Then nonchalantly sending smoke rings above his head, be surveyed the players from. be- neath the brim of his gray sombrero, whose only ornament was a band of silver lace of Mexican workmansbip. The majority of the peco gamblers soon ceased to notice the visitors, and prosecuted the various games with zest, but the twain whom we have particularized seemed to have lost interest in the cards before them. ‘Wonder if he’s found the girl an’ the In- fant?” asked one of the twain, after a brief stud of the man among the smoke wreaths. ‘We'll find out mebbe afore he gits out 0’ hyar. Hadn’t we better let the cap’n know?” “Not yet. Let Cap’a Dick swamp the bank whar he is. Bed-Rock is a harvest fer us just now. It’s richer byar than runnin’ off ’Pache horses,” ** As long as we’re not found out.” ‘‘Diskivered er not, we'll play till we've broken Bed-Rock. When war ther ’Paches ter come back, Scott?’ “When the nights got dark ag’in. the time, but nary a red-skin yet.” The listener chuckled. The visitor did not seem to have heard any of these words, and he did not move until the figure of a Mexicanish fellow, with broad shoulders and a brigandish vast of countenance, increased the crowd in the room by one, Then if was that the smoker’s eyes became animated, and his right hand moved toward his hip. ‘Birds ov a feather like each other’s com- pany,” be murmured. ‘‘If you’re lookin’ fer Captain Dick, Carlo, be’s not here.” The second visitor stopped at one of tha tables and looked over the shoulders of Scott | and his companion, ‘*No spottin’ ov cards hyar, Mexy,” growled Scott, looking up into Carlo’s face, “All rigbt, senor. Don’t growl like a griz- Now’s zly.’ “Pll growl when I want to and bite when I please. Mebbe you want the cap’n ov ther | Texans ter choke you again!” At this the countenance of Carlo grew darker than ever. “Don’t you feel his fingers at yer throat yet?’ continued the gam'ler. ‘A throat like yourn, Greaser, just fits Cap’n Dick’s poian from ther shape ov it.” **Sacrista! the senor had better go on with his play. Even a Mexican hound sometimes uses bis teeth.” * But you never do.” The next instant Carlo stepped back and his yellow hand made a rapid pass toward a heavy revolver that rested on his hip. ‘‘Hands up, Greaser!” grated Scott the gam- bler as he sprung erect with eyes on fire. ‘““What! do you refuse? Aha! look into thet!” In the space of a second the bronzed hand of ' goin’ ter turn my attention to them.” the | the eoceker big thine had thrust a revolver into the Mexi- can’s face, and Carlo with his own revolver hardly drawn, was forced to look down the muzzle, That instant the quiet smoker left his station and a quick stride carried him to the dangerous tableau, ‘* Don’t shoot thet man,” be said to Scott. ** Who says so?” “e I do, ” “* An’ I say shoot!” The last speaker was Scott’s companion, ana as he sprung up he supplemented his sentence with a fierce oath, ‘*Who are you?” demanded the quiet man, who was the least excited mn in the house. ‘* Jim Burke, from Taos.” ** Tell the truth, or ar’ you afraid to tell the crowd that you ar’ Rio Rob, one ov the Terrible Six? I know you all, an’ "I’ve marked ever mother’s son Ov ye. Dr op your shooters, er git ther contents ov mine in yer heads, Yer know me!” ** Yes, Cool Sam, we know ye!” flashed Scott, whose fevolver fell from before Carlo’s face as he finished. ‘‘Then, let me {invite you both to leave the house right away. Go to yer pards and vamose the ranch within fifteen minutes, Ye’ re all hyar. Ye’ ve shaved yer mustaches an’ cut yer ha'r, an’ not a man in Bed-Rock hez recognized ve. Come b: ack fer a gold harvest, | guess. Go! Tell yer cap’n thet Cool Sam’s come back. V1l wait ten minutes fer ’im hyar, but my advice is ter leave San Topeto right off.” The two unmasked Texans looked into the cool eyes of the mysterious man, and then glanced at the crowd. Every game had stopped, and the tableau presented in the poor light of Pepe’s poorer candles was thrilling in the extreme. ‘‘'Yonder’s the door!” continued Cool Sam, pointing toward the entrance, ‘*T give you my Ww ord of honor thatif you agree to leaye ther place in fifteen minutes, no man shall stir from this room till arter thet time. If you conclude to stay, they’ll hunt you.” cay They? Q? ‘*'The men ov San Topeto.” ** An’ you, too?” “P’raps. You know what I owe you; you know what took place one mouth ago to- “night, Don’t ask me any questions about tbat time.’ Carlo, relieved of the menace of Scotv's re- volver, had slipped along the greasy wall until he stood behind Cool Sam, who was backed by the regular players of tbe place. Rio Rob looked at his companion, “ What ef we two conclude to stay in this room?” said Scott doggedly to Coo! Sam. ‘‘T wouldn’t try ter ef [ war you,” was the re ns he meaning of these words was apparent to all. “We go} but by the avengin’ gods! not from Bed-Rock!” blared Rio Rob. ‘‘ You hey come back, Cool Sam, but only to die! It war you who taught thet Texas pink ter shoot, an’ we hev sworn ter kill you fer it. We 80, tut ouly from this Greaser shanty. Scott an’ Rio Rob ar’ but two ov ther boss gang ov ther South+ west. Thar ar’ four m re, includin’ Cap'n Dick, an’ we're all byar. Stay hyar five min- utes, an’ we’ll accommodate yer. One ag’in six is a fool’s fight.” “Then I’m a fool,” said Sam, coolly. “Til be hyar when ye come back.” Rio Rob backed toward the door with a cocked revolver in his hand and his black eyes flashing a world of hatred upon the coolest man on earth. Scott was behind him, and the two men reached the threshold almost at the same time. The spectators of the scene just described heard the pair leap from the porch, and then made a break for the door, ‘Halt! Not aman leaves this house!” called out Cool Sam. “You don’t know the men who have just left,” answered one of the men. ** Capi ain Dick an’ his Texans have been breakin’ our monte banks for a week, an’ we never suspected them, We kin corral ’em in ther plaza, A meaner set oy men never touched a trigger, or cast a lasso in New Mexico.” “T settle with ‘em first, then the pards ov San Topeto,” said Cool Sam. ‘No man leaves this house without my permission,” The men drew back from the door. ‘“* They’ve touched you in a sore spot some- time,” said one. “1 should say they bad. For a month I’ve bunted other people than the Six: but now ’m 7
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= _**Whar’s yer girl pard? She war with you when you war byar before.” A slight start on Cool Sam’s part betrayed the slightest agitation. “No questions now,” he s#id, ‘*The Texans first, I tell you. Heaven knows whar Reta is to-night. Vllsay no more. But Cool Sam »ill find his pard. I never failed ter git even in all oa Fmaagl ore might have been said if one of the men near the door had not started back with an exclamation: ‘Great Jehosaphat! the Six ar’ in the plaza.” The plaza was well lighted by the reflector Yamps that were fastened over the doors of Topeto’s gambling dens and saloons, and thoso who looked over the shoulders of tha American who had just spoken saw the six Texan giants advancing on the hotel. ‘“‘Remember! 1 settle with them first,” sabd Cool Sam, striding toward the open door, which vk look from him had prevented from being shut. He passed through the pistoled crowd with a Colt in eaeh hand, and as his foot struck the threshold his arms suddenly went up. *“ Hands up!” came at that moment frdm the square, “Up they ar’!” said the coolest man on earth, * Men ov Texas, Cap’n Dick an’ all, ther indi- vidual what holds ther drop on ye sports ther name ov Cool Sam.” The six sports on the plaza had already halted. Three feet in advance stood Captain Dick, with a Winchester within several inches of his shoulder. ‘*Tt’s six ter one, Cool Sam!” he exclaimed. ‘No! one ag’in’ four!” The sharp reply was instantly verified by the pressure of two steel triggers at the same moment, and the reports of the two revolvers seemed blended into one. A Texan on Captain Dick’s right and another on his left dropped their revolvers and reeled away! Two sbots, a crash, and two sharp death- cries! ‘‘Remember yer oath, Texans!” grated Cap- tain Dick. ‘You sha’n’t keep it now,” came through the _oke of Cool Sam’s pistols. ‘‘ I want no more ‘jood to-night. Take five minutes an’ leave Bed-Rock. Arter thet you an’ ther San Topetans fer it.” CHAPTER VIII. FIVE MINUTES’ NOTICE, BEHIND the coolest man on earth stood a core of American and Mexican desperadoes, eager to rush out and complete the work just a, a but the figure of the slayer forced them mack, ‘*Come, cap’n,” said one of the Texans, “ouching Captain Dick’s shoulder, ‘* We'll hev ier give it up fer a bad job to-night.” Captain Dick shot the speaker a look that seemed capable of killing. “ Not till ’'ve had vengeance, Rio!” he grated. ‘‘The man in the door dies afore I leave Bed- Rock!” ‘‘Tt’s a game two kin play at,” said Cool Sam, \7hose ears had caught the last words, ‘‘ Cap’n Dick, I seldom hold a man at my mercy, an’ then let ’im go. But go yer way. I will not drop you to-night.” ‘Then you never will!” Captain Dick’s Winchester dropped below his shoulder, and he said in a whisper to the men at bis side; ‘We go fer policy’s sake, boys. Pick up our pards an’ retreat to ther hosses. When we come back, this kentry will never forget ther visit.” The men under his authority step and began to lift the two who ha the reports of Cool Sam’s revolvers. The retreat across the square or plaza was conducted without incident. All who watched the movement saw the cock- ad revolvers that hung from the swarthy hands d forward dropped at . of tho sullen Texans. Scarcely had the band retired ere the plaza swarmed with life, aths, bitter denunciations and exclamations Kh revenge soared teward the stars. ed-Rock was a Bedlam of rage and pro- ¥anity. *Thet man let ’em off!” said more than one mac! fellow whose gold had, within the last few days, found its way to the pockets of the dis- guised Texans. ‘‘He held us back with eyes to" said shoot, an’ he let the Texas bruisers 0:5,” and Pard. Tbe crowd surged about the cool man who leaned against one of the pillars supporting the porch of Pepe’s hotel. ‘“‘He killed two when he could hev dropped ther hull six! Thet’s his way ov doin’ bizness. He let Cap’n Dick go—ther worst pill in ther box. But we’ve got ter stand it, I reckon. Bed-Rock has got ter be ruled by one man.” Words like these spoken not over cautiously, were the kind to rouse the revenge and indigna- tion of the San Topetans, “We're blamed fools ef we let ’im orf!” said they. ‘‘ Thar he stands, lookin’ down on us an’ thinkin’ what foois we ar’. Give ‘im five min- utes ter leave ther ranch!” This last suggestion was not lost on the breezs that stirred the trees on the plaza. It took root from the moment it was spoken, and at last Cool Sam found himself face to face with a deputation of self-appointed men, every one of whom smarted under the loss of money at the hands of Captain Dick and pards. “You had’em all at yer mercy an’ yer took but two,” said the spokesman of the committee who was Cyclone Taos, already introduced to the reader. ‘You could hev dropped ther hull six.” ‘““Wal, what ov it?’ coolly inquired the man on the porea. ‘Tt doesn’t suit us, You wouldn’t let us at’em even after yon hed quit shootin’, They got five minutes ter leave town in an’ they left, This isn’t fair play.” The motley crowd which had surged up to the porch as if to back up Cyclone Taos in his effort to face the coolest man on earth, stood motionless waiting for Cool Sam’s reply. ‘‘Tt suits me,” be said, meeting Cyclone’s gage with a coolness that only irritated the crowd. ‘‘Cap’n Dick hez left Bed-Rock. He’s out thar within two miles ov ther plaza,” and the speaker’s long arm pointed tuward the west. ‘‘Tt’s a plain trail an’ he’ll not be hard to find.” ‘But thet’s not it. Ther boys say thet you let im git off.” ‘‘T plead guilty to the indictment,” and there was a merry twinkle in the depths of Cool Sam’s eyes They say you’ve got to leave town, too.” “ Leave San Topeto?” “Yes, an’ to-night—within five minutes!” ‘A man can’t go far in that time; but it’s owin’ a good deal to ther hoss.” The answer seemed to nonplus the crowd, the more so because even after Cool Sam had spoken, he showed no signs of going. ‘* Five minutes, eh?” be continued, ‘“Thet’s ther orders,” said Cyclone Taos. “Pat ’em in writin’.” ‘¢ You don’t mean thet?” ! “J do. For ther first time in my life I’ve been given five minutes ter git out of a town. I want the command in writin’ for when I set- tle down] want ter hang ther thing up in my shanty.” “Wal, yer’ goin’?” ‘‘Sartainly, but I want ther orders in black an’ white.” ~ Cyclone Taos glanced appealingly at the crowd. Here was a demand which he could noé fill; the school in which he had graduated had never taught penmanship, and his grammar was of that nature which never reduces itself to writing. ‘“‘Hyar, Davy,” he said, seeing in the crowd a young man who had taken a deep interest in the proceedings, ‘vou picked up some writin’ in tber States. Give this man what he wants—ther five-minute order, in black an’ white.” The young man nodded, and moved through the crowd, followed curiously by Cool Sam’s eyes until he was lost to view. “Tn less than five minutes Davy will be back,” said Cyclone, ‘“‘Is my time goin’ on now?” asked Sam, ‘¢ We'll be liberal an’ say no.” Cyclone Taos was a good calculator, for three minutes bad scarcely elapsed since the young man’s departure ere be reappeared and handed a piece of paper to the leader of the crowd, — **Tt’s all solid,” said Cyclone Taos, advancing upon Cool Sam with the order held between two bronzed fingers, ‘ Davy’s worded it about right, I guess; but my opinion is, Sam, thet yell never git the chance ter frame it in this entry.” “We'll see,” was the reply, as Cool Sam re- ceived the paper and thrust it beneath his coat. ‘‘ Don’t ye intend readin’ it?” exclaimed Cy- | clone, rn a Phe bi. » “What's ther use, since we all know it’s a notice ter leave?” he laughed. ‘I only wanted it in black an’ white fer framin’ purposes, ez I told you. Now, men oy San Topeto, ri say sa aed He left the pillar against which he had leaned all this time, and the wild crowd instinctively shrunk away. **Good-night!” said a dozen, in mock pornteey and one more forward than the rest asked: ‘* When ar’ ye comin’ back?” The cool man turned slowly upon the speaker, whom he singled out from all in the uwinkling of an eye. ‘“When bizness brings me hyar,” he said. ‘Yes, when I want ter come ter Bed-Rock Ill come, No five-minute paper can keep me from duty. I’ve got a mission ter perform; the shootin’ ov them two pards war a part ov it. One month ago, when I war hyar, suthin’ took place which should never hey happened. I hed a pard then; I hev none now. I would just ez soon quit yer town ez not, to-night. ithout yer warnin’ I wouldn’t hev stuyed. I killed two men when I could hev killed six. Thet’s a crime in yer eyes, Isee. The next time I come hyar, I may kill six instead ov two.” He lifted his sombrero as the last word fell from his tongue, and having executed a parting bow to the speeckless crowd in his front, he turned and walked away. Instantly a path opened for him, but not an eye lost sight of his angular form until be struck the shade of the trees in the plaza. ‘“We let ’im go off with a threat,” said a voice at Cyclone’s side which served to rouse the giant from a lethargy of some sort. ‘‘ He’s comin’ back hyar ter kill six instead ov two! We ar’ blamed fools ter let a man like thet read our death-warrant and then go scot- free,” Cyclone Taos hardly waited for the last word, ‘“ We kin countermand thet order!” he said, How?’ ‘“With our revolvers! His hoss is in my stable. Some ov you fellers run thar, quick! If you miss ’im he kin be caught whar ther trail strikes ther mesquite grove, He did leave with a threat. That one man is worse than a hun- dred Cap’n Dicks. To my stable! Don’t let him get my hoss.” A dozen men started across the plaza while Syclone touched a comrade on the shoulder and said in low tones: ‘*We to ther grove, Nat, Ther order only took’im out ov town. We promised nothin’ arter thet,” The two men‘ hurried away in a direction nearly opposite the one taken by the twelve San Topetans ordered to the stables; they leaped over the‘Indian walls and ran on until they reached, by a short cut, the gloomy mes- quite clump a mile from the town. The trail ran through the edge of the timber and was plain enough to be discernible in the starlight. ‘““Now, let ’im come,” whispered Cyclone, cocking his revolvers as he turned his face to- ward San Topeto. ‘‘ When you git the drop on a man like Cool Sam you've got ter touch ther trigger in self-defense. There was no reply by the speaker’s pard whose shoulders almost touched his as both men waited for Cool Sam. Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed away. Nobody came, ‘* Mebbe he’s passed,” said Nat at last. ‘‘Tt cant be. But ter be sart’in we'll inspect ther trail.” Cyclone Taos dropped to earth as he finished and began to examine the horse-path that skirt ed the, timber. Suddenly he looked up into his companion’s face with an expression of mingled rage and disgust. ‘*Passed he has,” he said. ‘‘ We've been watchin’ on a cold trai). He’s aslick ove an’a cool one; but it’s a long ways ter safety.” ‘¢ We'll let him go, Cyclone.” ‘The man what bluffed all Bed-Rock? Never! He killed two when he could hev killed six, Let thet seal his doom. A better hoss than mine never follered a human trail an’ a surer hand than Cyclone’s never cast a /azo or pressed a trigger!” “ Poller him, then. “So do I—for my hoss,” Cyclone Taos was rushing from tbe spot when voices, and the gallop of horses struck his ears, ‘* Our pards!” he said, halting, The next moment a dozen mounted men drew rein in the starlight. I go back to Bed-Rock.” .
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“ His hoss wasn’t in the stable,” said the fore- most, looking down into Cyclone’s face. “We know thet already. I’m goin’ ter give *im a race,” **Mebbe ye’d better read this first,” and the speaker handed a bit of paper down to Cyclone, “Whar war this found? “ Stickin’ to yer saddle,” Cyclone’s rough hands unfolded the paper. ‘*Thar’s writin’ on it,” he said after a glance; ‘but thet’s all ther good it does me, Til go back ter Davy.” He did not stop until he was again in Bed- Rock. “‘Cipher thet out,” he said thrusting the message into the young man’s hands. ‘It’s from Cool Sam. The bound left it on my sad- dle when he got his hoss,” Davy the youth looked at the paper a moment and then glanced up with a smile. seen me that pilgrim for a cool one,” he said, ‘What does he say?’ blurted Cyclone anxi- ‘ously: ‘‘Only this,” and Davy read: “Within ten days I promise to pay all ther debts I Owe, an’ ter set em up ter all San Topeto. ** Coot SAM.”’ *He’s a liar!” cried Cyclone Taos, ‘ He’sa Har in a loud voice, an’ Vil prove it.” CHAPTER IX, TRAPPED, ‘*WiTHIN ten days from date. promise, an’ Pll keep.it!” Cool Sam, the speaker, was several miles from the confines of San Topeto as the words just recorded dropped from his tongue. He had left the mesquite grove behind, and was among the mountains that reared their heads far above the plain where it thinned. He was still thinking of the paper he had left on Cyclone’s saddle ere he left the wild town, and now, miles away, he was renewing its sin- gular promise. ‘“*A feller sorhetimes strikes a vein ov ore whar he doesn’t look for one,” he went on, as fiis horse toiled up the trail which led him to- ward the summit of the wooded peak thatstood outlined like a monster against the stars. “Who would hev thought thet Dictionary Davy, ez they call him back yonder, knew just what l’ve been huntin’ for? When he went off fer git up thar five minute bizness thinks [ thet’! be written ter order, ‘‘ but when I read ther document at ther stable I got a different Opinion ov ther chap. Thet’s why I left thet pence on Cyclone’s saddle. Thanks ter you, av You’ve put me on the right trail at last: an’ | didn’t lose anything by goin’ ter Bed-Rock to-night.” It is time, reader, as you have no doubt sur- mised from Cool Sam’s audible meditations, that the document penned by Davy contained more than a notice to quit San Topeta within a given time. It read thus: * Coon Sam:—If en want to accomplish some- thing, take the trail past the mesquites and keep it to the Twin Peaks. Then follow the trail to the right and look carefully around when you reach the ging Rock, If the Terrible Texans—only four now, thanks to your revolvers—have not. antici- ted these directions, you will find your girl pard efore morning. The Hanging Rock conceals the mouth of the largest cave in the range. I need not tell you who occupies it. Use your five minutes. They may eventually bring you victory. I have watched the Texans a week in San Topeto and I give you the benefit ofthe information I obtained. “Dictionary Davy.” Had not Cool Sam a right to be pleased with the contents of this message? Where he least expected any information, some of the most important kind had been ob- tained; he had found a friend, a helper, where he expected no assistance, ‘We never met afore to-night,” he went on bis mind still on Davy and his message, ‘ but I owe you one, Dictionary. When I go back ter Bed-Rock ter set ’em up to its bard crowd I'll not sprees you. The man what helps Cool Sam wins a friend that sticks ter him through thick an’ thin.” The trail winding hither and thither among the mountains like the track of a serpent con- tinued to ascend, carrying the coolest man on earth toward the stars. “Up to ther Twin Peaks, then ther trail to the right till I strike Hangin’ Rock. I know whar they all ar’. I’ve been thar afore, but thet cave ar’ new to me.” Yes, Cool Sam, despite your knowledge of the Ban Topeto country there are many places, Thet’s my > pumerous trails and bidden dens, which your $$ Cool Sam aard Pard. feet have never struck, nor your eyes ex- plored. The trail under the Twin Peaks was reached and, as directed in the friendly message, he turned to the right and kept on. His left hand clutched the bridle lightly, and in the right, that rested on his leg, was held one of the large revolvers which had spoken the doom of one man that night. The border pard’s horse seemed to know the trail into which his master had turned him, for he moved over it without the guidance of a hand, and paid no attention to the numerous well-defined pathways that continually led from it. Not for an hour was a halt of any kind made. Then, with the slightest movement of his bridle-hand, Cool Sam stopped his horse, and leaned forward in bis saddle, He had stopped in the middle of a trail which seemed to end suddenly against a rock of gigan- tic dimensions. Two-thirds of the way down the front of this rock, and near the ground, was another rock, flat and large; it seemed to be a part of the main bowider, but a part which had been broken on and now hung, as if by magic, along its side, This was the Hanging Rock, but it did not terminate the trail, for Cool Sam’s keen eyes saw it winding to the left around the giant rock. ‘“‘Hyar we ar’,” he said to his horse, and sliding to the ground, he glided forward with eves and ears on the alert, At the base of the banging stone he dropped on all-fours, and thrust his head under it. There was a dark opening there! Atter a moment’s inspection of the cavernous place, he drew back and sought his steed. “Hit or miss, ’m goin’ in, Swifthoof,” he said. ‘Davy says thet Reta’s in thar, an’ I want her, ye know,” He led the horse aside among some bushes, and then came back to the rock, A minute later the man was not to be seen by the stars, for he had drawn his body into the cavern aud stood in a corridor so dark that he could not see a hand held near his face, ‘““Tt?s all for you, girl, to-night, but for re- venge to-morrow,” he said. ‘If you ar’ be- oe this rock [ll find you; trust Cool Sam for thet, With a revolver in each hand he moved for- ward, ready for any emergency. All at once he halted. A light ahead! % Dare: war right! The gal is hyar,” he ejacu- ated. Once more he went forward, this time for fifty yards without stopping, The light grew stronger as he advanced; he was approaching a cavern which was well light- ed, and which must, therefore, be inhabited. The floor of the corridor was now a gradual ascent, but the coolest man on earth reached the level of the chamber floor, and crouched there for a brief survey. He found himself in front of a chamber of good dimensions, which were revealed by a fire that burned on the earthen floor. He saw the walls of dark gray stone, and the ceiling a little lighter, and high. ‘* Now, if I could only see my little pard!” he exclaimed. ‘If she knew I war hyar—” He saw at that moment the very person for whom he had expressed a wish, and Reta his gu pard stood before him in the light of- the re, : “* Jehosaphat! she’s ther same daisy as ever!” he exclaimed, for a moment starting back. **Davy ov San Topeto did not lie when be told me Id find ber under ther Hangin’ Rock. U’m hyar, Reta, an’ you must tell Old Sam what took ye from ther town so sudden.” The girl had advanced into the brilliant fire- light and stood boldly,revealed to Cool Sam. If the border pard had noticed her carefully he would have seen the pensive look she wore, Ree and despairing, like a bird in cap- ivity. He did not see this, for, eager to join the girl, ne sprung forward, and landed almost at her eet. For a moment she saw him not, then, looking up, she shrunk back with a cry: F “My God! You here?’ And then her voice dropped to a whisper: : ‘“You have entered the jaws of death! This cave is in the possession of—” ; ‘**Cap’n Dick an’ pards!” finished a loud voice, for in that cave a whisper even had an echo, Cool 'Sam turned half-way round, his gaunt but well-knit figure clearly revealed by the fire, and with a revolver in each bronzed hand, One look told bim all. Twenty feet away with Winchesters at their shoulders stood Captain Dick and his stalwart ards. pe We've got ther drop on you this time, Cook Sam!” came over the captain’s rifle. ‘* Look yer last toward heaven an’ repent in a minute, — fer by the eternal stars! thet’s yer limit ov life!” The coolest man on earth never flinched. ‘They’ve trumped my hand,” he coolly said. CHAPTER X. TOO MUCH FOR THE FOUR. Ir was a thrilling tableau, that which the fire revealed, ’ Reta the girl pard shrunk back with ashen lips; power to speak seemed to have departed from her tongue. The only cool man in the cavern was the per- son whose life hung by the slenderest thread. There was eagerness in the eyes of the terri- ble Texans; the bronze fingers at the triggers were ready to take his life. ‘Yer minute ’s up, Sam,” suddenly said Cap- tain Dick. ‘Ov course you’ve done yer pray- in’, Now, whar do you want’em, through head er breast?” What a dreadful choice! “Ym not overly handsome, thet’s a fact, but I don’t want my face spoiled,” was the cool ré- ply in which not a tremor was observable, ** But look byar fer a moment.” “Bf he gits a parley in he’s safe, cap’n,” said one of the Texans. Captain Dick seemed to realize this, “No words, Cool Sam!” he said sternly. “Time is up, ’ve said, You're goin’ ter die now,” ‘Not just now,” rung out a voice from an unexpected quarter, and the figure of a sylph sprung through the firelight to fall on Cool Sam’s breast. ‘‘Shoot now, if you will, men of Texas!” and she faced the dark-faced four— ‘‘ shoot your victim to death, but your bullets , pierce me first!” Captain Dick’s rifle left his shoulder mechan- ically, but those of his compauions lowered not an inch, ' They cared naught for a young girl’s life. Cool Sam stood before them; that was enough and they were ready to reach his heart through Reta’s body. é A sign from Captain Dick, or an approving glance, and the three Winchesters would have spoken the twain’s doom. Captain Dick, red to the temples, took a mad step forward. ‘‘ Leave that man!” he thundered at Reta. Her look was ber defiant answer. * Pll give you thirty seconds, girl. We can’t trifle with Cool Sam. He must die where he stands!” ““Tnen two die instead of one!” ‘ The captain of the Texans stood still for a moment, Cool Sam did not attempt to shake off the girl who had leaped between him and the ran- gers’ rifles, but rather seemed to look over her shoulders at Captain Dick with eyes that blazed with triumph. ‘*You’ve got ter shoot ’em apart,” suggested one of the trio who stood bebind the captain, — “T b’lieve it, Rio,” and out flew Captain Dick’s revolver and up went his arm, ‘* Separate!” he exclaimed, “ All hunky, cap’n!” ‘As Cool Sam spoke he cast Reta away, and she spun toward Captain Dick and bis men like a person hurled from the hands of a giant, ‘*My God!” cried the ranger captain, “ Now, my Texas daisies, drop yer weepins followed the exclamation in terrifying tones, and the outlaws of the border saw the startling change which had taken place. Cool Sam was master of the situation, for he stood erect with his long arms outstretched. and at the end of each was a revolver of the largest pattern, a veritable magazine of death! : “ Pve concluded to iniiabit this planet a while longer,” be said coolly. ‘‘A minute ago I thought I'd balance accounts, but you see, pinks ov Texas, that I’ve changed my mind. Do me ther kindness ter drop them rifles, er I might proceed to open the ball with some bullets.’ A silence akin to that of death followed the cool man’s last word. f It was drop the rifles and live, or refuse and die. ! Captain Dick stood midway between bis men and the man with the revolvers, and Reta who had recovered had stepped aside, as if to give the coolest man on earth a fair shot at bis Lu- man targets. > ee
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10 Cool Sam and Pard. “Take yer choice! I’m not pertick’lar what you do,” continued Cool Sam. ‘I’ve taken things easy all my life, an’ 1’d just ez soon shoot ez spare. However, I always like ter give a fellar a choice. Down go either men or guns, It’s fer you ter say which it shall be.” That was enough. The rapid glance which Captain Dick sent toward his followers from benoath his black brows said: ‘‘ Fools! down with the rifles,” and instantly the three weapons fell, Cool Sam’s triumph produced no change of countenance. He merely glanced at the girl and said: **Git out ov this.” Reta with a quick glance at the Texans moved toward the entrance, ‘‘Hold! That girlis our prisoner,” cried Cap- tain Dick. “She's my pard!” said CoolSam. ‘Go on, Reta. I hold in my hands documents ov re- lease which no sensible man will dispute. Go on, I say.” Reta reached the corridor and sprung into its darkness with the agility of a fawn. Then Cool Sam backed toward the spot with his arms still outstretched and bis eyes, as well as his deadly weapons, covering the mad men held at his mercy. They dared not move, though they itched to leap forward and shoot their enemy to pieces, The revolvers of the cool man held them spell- bound, and at bay. Four against one, but the one was winning! Cool Sam reached the beginning of the corri- dor. ‘““Thar’s many a slip ’twixt man an’ trigger,” he said. ‘*Gentlemen ov Texas, permit an humble pilgrim ter bid yer good-night. Foller me ef it strikes yer fancy. I’ve been follered afore, but them what trailed me never finished ther job somehow or other. Reta an’ me ar’ united ag’in an’ thet satisfies me. Pinks ov ther Rio Grande, an affectionate good night!” The cutting sarcasm and mock courtesy of the last sentence was too much for human nature. The thres Texans sprung toward Captain Dick with oaths which up to that time had been suppressed by the cool pard’s revolvers. “We'll get him yet!” they hoarsely cried. “ By heavens! that cool devil shall not escape us!” Captain Dick did not attempt to detain them, but saw them reach the dark passage with up- lifted rifles, It was not probable that Cool Sam and pard had reached the end of the way. ‘*Riddle them, boys!” ejaculated Rio Rob, and the next second the three rifles were sweep- ing the corridor with their deadly contents, Not until six shots apiece had been fired did the three } uman tigers stop and turn their faces toward their captain, “Tnar’s a dead man twixt hyar an’ ther openin’,” said Rio Rob, **An’a girl, too, no doubt,” was the reply. “1 didn’t want the daisy touched.” ‘* Not arter she saved her pard to-night?” Captain Dick bit his lip; but did not reply. ‘It’s all one, cap’n. We bed ter extirpate %em both. Thar war no other alternative. Kill ouly Cool Sam, an’ ther gal would hev turned hunter; wipe out Reta, as ye call her, an’ we’d hev made a tiger out ov thet shootin’ machine from Bed-Rock. So it war best ter kill ’em both,” Captain Dick walked to the mouth of the cor- ridor and listened. Not a sound came to his ears from its dark- ess, “A light,” he said, putting back his hand. Rio Rob sprung to the fire, and snatched a torch from its center. “‘1'li look at our work, cap’n,” he said, and a moment later he bad passed Captain Dick, and was pushing down the corridor, Five minutes passed away; but Rio Rob did not return. The men who ever and anon glanced down the corridor saw the torch burning apparently atone place; but it did not reveal the figure of their pard, “ Suthin’s wrong down thar!” And Captain Dick went down the corridor without warning. Several bounds brought him to the torch. Instead of being held by a human hand it was thrust into a gaping crack in the wall. Beside it stood a figure which Captain Dick recognized with a quick start that drove him clear across the corridor to the opposite wall. “Rio Rob! Great heavens!” Well might the captain of the once formid- able Six stand against the stone wall, and stare across the corridor at the mar who kept the torch company. n ee LK It was Rio Rob; but motionless against the wall, with a bowie in his breast that seemed to pin him to the unfeeling stone. The ranger’s exclamations brought his com- panions to the spot. ‘* Yer shootin’ never touched a ha’r,” he cried, pointing at the ghastly man in the glare of the flames, ‘* Rio came byar an’ found ther coolest, deadliest demon thet ever crossed ther Texan border. Thet provesit. No sw’arin’ now thet Cool Sam shall pay for this, We'll settle with ?im without an oath. Yesterday thar war six ov us—six pards thet made up ther most power- ful brotherhood ever known in ther Southwest; to-day we count but three; but we'll be worse than ther hull six.” Execrations and oaths of the wildest kind echoed throughout that stone-walled corridor, Despite Captain Dick’s words, the two men took vows terrible enough to pale the cheeks of a hardened villain. Suddenly Captain Dick bounded across the corridor uttering at the same moment a cry of horror and surprise, At the same instant the body of Rio Rob fell forward, and was caught in the captain’s arms, ‘“‘ Our pard still lives!” shouted Captain Dick, looking into the faces of bis companions, ‘*Thar’s death left in his yaller hands!” We need not say that the body, lowered to the floor, was quickly surrounded by a breath- less trio, They were rewarded fcr their pains: Rio Rob opened his eyes, stared at the dark faces above him, and gasped. ‘‘Live fer vengeance, Rio!” cried Captain Dick. ‘‘ We'll pay Cool Sam fer this bowie~ stab!” “Not—Cool Sam—wasn’t him!” said the wounded Texan. “The girl, then! Beauty an’ youth sha’n’t intercede fer ther Texas daisy.” ‘Tt wasn’t—Reta. They—were—gone when— I—got hyar.” ‘* Who did it, then?” Rio Rob attempted to reply, but his head fell back upon Captain Dick’s dark sleeve. The mouth of a flask was instantly at his lips. ' ‘‘Neither Reta ner her pard? Who then?” ejaculated the captain of the Six. The only reply was an ominous gurgle in the outlaw’s throat. Tt sounded like a sentence, and Captain Dick’s ear dropped to the bloody lips. But tne answer never cane, for when the rat- tle ceased, the man’s eyes had the stare of the dead in their depths, Captain Dick sprung up, repeating his puz zling question: ‘Neither Reta ner her pard? Who then?” He was met by two nonplused men, whose gaping mouths only increased the mystery. *‘Rio Rob must hev been mistaken,” he said, at last. ‘He ought ter know, cap’n. He hed the torch, an’ whoever loaned ’im thet bowie struck in the light.” ‘‘Ther blade—yes! I never thought ov it.” Captain Dick drew the ten-inch bowie from Rio Rob’s bosom, and examined it in the light of the torch, All at once he looked up into the faces of his pards, and his eyes seemed to say: ‘**T know who did it!” CHAPTER XI. HUNTED BY RED DEMONS, “WE got out ov thet hornet’s nest without bein’ stung, eh, Reta?’ chuckled Cool Sam to the girl who halted with him on the mountain- traila mile from the cave under the hanging stone, Reta’s first reply was a smile of satisfaction, and then she said as she looked up into the pard’s face: ‘‘We are now prepared to prosecute the search for Roy.” ‘Fer ther Infant ez I call’im! Reta, don’t you think thet Cap’n Dick an’ his pards finished ther Infant thet nigbt they gobbled you in arter yer time with ther ’Paches?” ‘“‘NoI do not, and I have good reasons for believing that Roy Robsart, the boy chief of the Apaches, is still alive somewhere.” ‘“‘ Thet’s clever news, my little pard.” ‘‘ 7 know that after the three shots which fol- lowed our sudden separation, Captain Dick and his men came up saying that the deed was done and that the boy chief was no more. Then it was that, maddened by the taunt, I snatched the pistol from Scott’s belt and shot Captain Dick. Since that night I have been in the power of the Texan desperadoes. When they were all out of the cavern at one time, I was so secured that escape was an imposibility. I have picked up from time to time from their own lips information that leads me to believe that Roy is somewhere in this country, that when they were about to hang him, he broke from their clutebes and ran for life, and that the three shots were fired at him in full fligbt. This I bave learned during my captivity in the cave we have just left. Iam convinced that Iam not mistaken. Roy isnot dead, He can be found.” ‘‘Then we will find him!” said Cool Sam. “Thet shave back thar war rather close, but thar’s an excitement in close shaves that suits me. You never heard ’emsay whar the Infant might be?” “Only once.” “i Wal?” ‘ a Do you know where the Broken Mountain is! : Cool Sam’s eyes seemed to dilate just the east, **Kinder, Reta,” he observed. ‘‘If I war put to ther test I’d be a walkin’ g’ography ov this kenury. Ther Broken Mountain, eb? What ef I war ter say thet we ain’t two mile from ther spot now?” ‘* No!” exclaimed the girl in ber delight. “True ez old-time pre’chin’. Foller thet path thar fer less than two mile an’ you'll stagger onto ther old stone pile. One of these days when the whites settle up this kentry ther mountain ’Il be a curiosity, It’s stone piled on stone till they seem ter touch ther sky—thet’s what ther Broken Mountain is. War Roy seen thar since ther shootin’?” ‘‘From what I gathered from the Six he was.” “ How long ’go?” ** About two weeks,” ‘‘Thet’s a long time in this Greaser land. You haven’t forgot thet Gold Belt ther Pache chief swore te:’ hunt ther Infant arter a sart’in star set, hev ye?” ‘*T have not, Sam, but—” ‘Don’t think he’ll not try ter keep his word. I know thet Injun. Other reds may forget err their words and leave a trail, but thet devil , never! Let him huntef he wants ter. Mebbe he’ll find ther Infant, an’ mebbe he won’t.” Before Reta could reply, the borse which had carried them both from the mouth of the Tex- ans’ cave started off again, and they were once more moving over the winding trail not wide enough at any point for two steeds to move abreast. In a few minutes the object known as the Broken Mountain was reached, and drawing rein before a pile of rough bowlders .which seemed to have been misshapened by some ter- rible conyulsion of nature, he slid nimbly to the ground, The light of another day had by this time broken over the mountaivous region. Reta by Coo] Sam’s direction looked up to be astonished at the sight that greeted her eyes. As far up almost as sight could stretch, she saw rocks piled upon rocks in wild confusion, and she realized the aptitude of the appellation “ Broken Mountain.” ‘ Some of the bowlders were larger than a miner’s cabin, and all were arranged without any regard to order. The peak of the mountain seemed to touch the blue sky overhead, and Reta forgot, in ber admiration of the wild scene, the presence of the bronzed pard, “Thet’s tber Broken Mountain, girl,” he said when Reta turned to kim once more. ‘‘ Ef ther Infant hez chosen it fer a den he knew what he war doin’.” ‘© We will find him wherever he is!” exclaimed Reta with enthusiasm. ‘‘The Texans were sure that they saw him here; 1 am certain of it! “Then we're in fer abunt. I promised ter go back ter Bed-Rock within ten days an’ stand - treat fur ther hull crowd besides. Thar’s a heap ter be accomplished in thet time, but,” with a faint smile, ‘‘I guess Cool Sam is equal to ther emergency.” He paused rather abruptly and took a quick stride forward. Reta saw him stoop suddenly fifty yards down the rocky trail and lean over a stone, re- volver in hand. After a moment’s inspection that seemed ta satisfy him, be came back with animated coun- tenance. . ** What did I tell you about thet red snake keepin’ his word?” he said halting before Reta,
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—— | le | “‘Thar’s a fissure in this rock-pile; it’s one ov the strange things connected with it, an’ I’ve just looked down inter the chasm.” ‘* And you saw—” ‘* More ’Paches than I’ve seen in six months.” Reta gave a slight start; she could nob help it. Old Gold Belt is tryin’ ter keep bis word,” Cocl Sam went ov. ‘‘He said he’d hunt ther Infant arter a sart’in star hed set. Wal, thet star went down a month ago, an’ I'll stake my head thet he’s been on ther hunt ever since, Mebbe Roy’s been tracked ter Broken Mountain by thet ’Pache devil. Wal, we’re hyar, too, ain’t we, Rita?” The girl’s reply was quick and resolute. “We are here—here to prevent Gold Belt from keeping his oath, even if he finds Roy!” she cried. ‘*‘Show me the Whe figures you saw in the fissure, Cool Sam. et me see the creeping serpents of Apachedom.” ‘*Come, then,” said Cool Sam, and catching Rita’s wrist, he started rapidly down the trail toward tbe point from which he had caught sight of the Indians. Of course they reached the spot together, and dropping the white wrist his swarthy fingers clutched, Cool Sam leaned over the rock. One look was enough, and then he started back with a swift glance at, the gir), ‘*Hyar’s a sight, Reta,” he said. ‘Just tipa part ov yer pretty seif over thet rock an’ take a squint at ther red squirrels,” With eyes filled with eagerness and curiosity, Reta the girl pard did as requested, and saw a sight that from the first riveted her attention. The rock over which she looked was at the edge of the top of the fissure; the great gap was before her, rough and rugged as the moun- tain itself, and about one hundred feet in depth and forty yards wide. The side of the furthest wall swarmed with living figures, which at first resembled large bats moving from jagged rock to rock, but whic’) Reta at once knew were Indians, repre- sentativés of the bloodiest tribe that ever cursed -the land. * They’ve an idea thet ther Infant’s somewhar nigh,” whispered Cool Sam at Reta’s ear while she watched the climbing Apaches who wormed themselves up the canyon wall with wonderful agility. ‘*They’re goin’ ter s’arch every inch ov ground afore they give up. Thet big feller to ther tight is— Ab! you know ’im!” “Tt is Gold Belt himself! D’ve seen him but once, but that ones was enough.” For several minutes the two singular pards, Cool Sam and Reta, watched the Apaches, as they climbed toward the top of the wall which they searched as they advanced. All at once Gold Belt was seen to halt, and then one-half of his body disappeared in an opening which, until that moment had escaped the gaze of the pards, ‘* Heavens! a cave!” exclaimed the girl. ** But not the one they want to find.” Tbe Apache chief had already disappeared, and the rest of the red climbers were moving toward the same point with ejaculations of success, “It’s a race ter see who'll git thar first,” smiled Col Sam. He had scarcely ceased when a dull report, like that produced by a rifle when fired under- ground, was heard, and the next second, as the air was reut by a yell of agony, the figure of the Apache chief staggered tu the opening! Reta, with a glad ery of ‘“‘Roy!” sprung erect, and raised her rifle; but Cool Sam grasp- ed her arm. “Not yet,” he said. ‘*Thet red snake war hard hit.” Yes, Gold Belt had been, indeed, hard bit. For a moment, certainly not more, the stal- wart chief of the Apaches kept himself from falling by clinging to the rocks at the mouth of the cavern, but all at once, with a yell of horror, he reeled to the edge, and pitched head- long, over the heads of his warriors, toward the depths a bundred feet below! “They'll all charge the cave for revenge!” said Reta. “Ov course, pard. Thar they go now!” The Apaches bad been rendered furious by the sudden doom of their chief, and filling the air with murderous yells, all rushed as rapidly as possible over the rocky wall toward the cave. A dozen red hands reached the level of its floor at the same instant, and Cool Sam and his rd saw the|knives gripped by the clinched th of the braves. ‘My God! they’ll’ reach Roy and finish him in a moment?” was Reta’s startling cry. “Not while I’m around, my daisy pard.” Cool Sam and Pard. | Two hands shot toward the struggling mass of red-skins as the last word was uttered, and the next instant the terrible revolvers were at work, CHAPTER XIt. PROTECTING HIS SCALP. BEWILDERED by the unexpected assault, the redskius found themselves in a _ precarious situation. Tbrowing ber rifle to her shoulder, Reta opened fire on the astonished set, and sent more than one to the bottom of the fissure as she worked the weapon. It was a scene of intense excitement, and the Apaches were soon taught that unless they got out of range of the deadly weapons that played on them, not one would be left to carry the news back to the nation. Maddened by the attack, some attempted to gain the cavern where Gold Belt had met his doom, and others went down the jagged wall faster than they had made the ascent. Thoir efforts were ludicrous in the extreme, and brought a smile to Cool Sam’s face as he worked his steel batteries, In less than five minutes after the opening attack not an Apache was to be seen except those who lay mangled and dead in the bed of the rocky canyon. ‘“Thet’s what I calla gin’ral wipin’ out,” said Cool Sam, with a glance at Reta. ‘‘ Now, ef we war across thar we could bold a confab with the Infant. Helio! thar he is now.” At that moment the well-built figure of a youth appeared at the mouth of the cave, and Reta started forward with an exclamation of oy. ‘Roy! Roy! We have found you again, thank Heaven!” The boy responded in a manner that assured the twain of his identity, and then hurried back into the opening. He reappeared a minute later, however, with a coil of rope in his band, and stepped to the very edge of the wall. With a glance at the twain, who watched him closely, he cast the lariat upward and dextrous- ly landed the noose over the point of a rock near the top of the wall. Coo] Sam watched him now with admiration, for, havingysecured his noose to the rock, the boy Apach’ was moving upward by aid of the wall, and landed at last at the top. ‘*Give me the Infant yet!” fell from the bor- der pard’s lips. ‘*He’s a Jim-dandy an’ no mistakes Reta. He hez a way ov gettin’ across this gulch thet we don’t know anything about—” “The Apaches egain!” interrupted the girl, as she pointed up the trail over which they bad traveled to their present position, ‘“*Ar’ the red snakes creepin’ up bebind us?” grated Cool Sam, as he turned deliberately at Reta’s exclamation. “They are on the trail. I saw three crawlers when I spoke. Ah! Roy has disappeared. He will rush into a new danger in attempting to reach us!” ““Thet’s the youngster’s lookout,” was the reply. ‘* Can’t we warn bim?” *' Not now.” If the Apaches had reached the upper trail from the bottom of the ravine, Cool Sam and his pard were in an unpleasant situation, They were liab’e to be attacked from the rear by a lot of Indians bent on vengeance, and in the event of such an attack their defense could only be brief, Coolly the border pard turned toward the threatened point with bis revolvers, “ They’ve got ter be met,” he said, in audible tones. ‘“‘A foe in the rear is meaner than a dozen in front,” Reta, who heard bim, sprung to his side with ready rifle; but Cool Sam’s bronzed hand pushed her back, “Pll attend to ther call alone, pard,” and Reta saw bim move away at a nalf crawl to- ward the point where she had caught sight of the Indian heads. Protected by the huge rocks, the fair girl held her breath and awaited the result. All at once the crack of a revolver broke the stillness and as a red-skinned figure leaped into view to disappear immediately another shot rung out, and the gaunt figure of Cool Sam came reeling down the trail. ‘““My God!” cried Reta, horror-stricken at the sight. ‘The red fiends have robbed me of my friend!” , eae Sam kept his feet till he reached Reta’s side, . “Winged! an’ by a ’Pache!” he grated. “You an’ ther reds fer it now, Reta!” He reeled against a rock ten teet beyond the spot where the girl had planted herself, and dropped on the trail, his hand relinquishing the revolvers which until that moment they had clutched with desperation. Three yells so wild that they pierced Reta’s ears like knives followed the cool man’s fall and the Apaches leaped into view a few yards up the trail, ‘* You can’t scalp him while [ am here!” parted her lips. ‘I have sixteen shots in this rifle for demons like you.” The Apaches saw her erect on the trail with the deadly weapon in ber grasp, but the sight: did not deter them. ‘Only white girl!’ they cried contempt+ ously, ‘* We want the scalp of the big killer.” ‘Not while 1 stand here, | say,” was Reta’s: response. ‘‘Stand back! Iam here to kit!” They heeded her not; the reply was a shout of derision, and down the narrow path they came, Suddenly, but with great cooiness, the cheek of the girl dropped till it met the burnished. stock of her Winchester, * | keep my wora!’ sbe murmured, as her finger pressed the trigger, and th- first Apache reeled back against bis companions, The death-shot brought all toa halt, and im the confusion that followed Reta cast aside the: empty shell, ‘* Back to cover, or die where you are!” she cried, ‘*The sealp of Cool Sam shall never hang at an Indian’s belt.” Then the rifle spoke again and again—two shots in bewildering succession—and the terri- fied Apaches beat an unceremonious retreat to cover, ‘White squaw kill like tall slayer!” they ex- claimed, ‘‘ Apaches get her by ’m by, mebbe, She no keep her scalp long.” The Indians had disappeared as if by magic,. but Reta felt that the respite would be very brief, She knew the implacable nature of the fiends by whom she was confronted, and she could not hope to withstand the atteck of the whole force by which the vicinity had been invaded, The jull that followed the retreat of the Apaches was liable to be rudely broken at any: moment, Reta went back to Cool Sam whose face was: covered with blood, although his eyes did not indicate death. ‘* Beat ’em off did ye, pard?” he asked, meet- ing Reta with a proud smile, ‘I hope you got ther skunk what sent his bullet along my head. I’m worth a dozen dead men yet. See hyar! I kin stand an’ handle ther droppers ez usual!” He got upon his feet as he finished and once more clutched his deadly weapons. “Never mind. I’m goin’ back ter Bed Rock ez 1 said I would. I told Cyclone Taos in the note I pinned to bis saddle thet ’'d come back with all my bizness accomplished an’ treat ther hull crowd, An’ I'll do it, Reta, er j'ine ther angel band!” Among the huge rocks, sufficient to protect & company of soldiers, the girl pard bound a handkerchief about Cool Sam’s head and re- ceived his hearty thanks. ‘* When the Infant j’ines us, we'll be a match fer all ther ’Pacheg,” remarked Cool Sam. ‘*Roy! yes. Heavens! what has become of bim?” cried Reta. “Oh, bell turn up O. K. Just. give the youngster time. The last we saw ov him he war makin’ tracks from ther top ov the gulch, Bet yer life, Reta, he knows Broken Mountaim like a book. He’ll git hyar in time. 1 bet my last kerd on Roy,” : These words reassured the girl, and she said smilingly. ‘You baven’t met Roy in a long time, Sam?” ‘Wal, I should remark, Reta,” was the an- swer. ‘** Not since your father an’ his stood . sm over yer cradles an’ put the hands ov two: babies together an’ vowed thet they should grow up an’ live fer one another. I war ther only witness ov thet compact, an’, since your father is dead, ]’ve tried ter raise ye fer its ful- fillment. Jim Grant an’ Bob Robsart war pards, true ez s'eel, an’ they wanted their children ter grow up the same. When I heard thet Injuns had swooped down on Bob’s ranch, - killed him an’ carried ther baby boy off, E thought it war all day fer ther scheme, but ar- ter you fell inter my hands, Reta, with yer dy- in’ father’s injunction ter find ther Infant an* keep ther oath by ther cradle, I got a new lease ov life, as it war, an’ { begun ter raise you fer ther work. But you gave me ther slip ia
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i) 42), ‘Bed-Rock, girl; you found ther Infant without my assistance, but lost him again.” * Yes,” said Reta, “when I heard the voice ‘that threatened Bed-Rock with destruction that memorable night, I knew that I had found Roy Robsart. I could not restraia myself, and away I went, leaving a letter behind for you.” ““Thet letter fell, ez we know, inter the clutches ov Captain Dick. But fer thet, girl, we might not be hyar, with Lnjuns ready ter pounce upon us,” ‘* And with Roy lost again,” added Reta, “Don’t fret about thet daisy youth,” said Cool Sam quickly. ‘' The way he settled thet Injun what invaded the cave shows thet he kin ‘take care ov himself.” ’ The girl might have replied, but for a some- what startling event that interposed itself at that moment. The outlines of a human figure rose suddenly above the bowlder against which Cool Sam jeaned. Reta saw it and uttered acry that startled her companion, who turned to hear the girl follow herself with an ejaculation of joy. The next moment a figure dropped cat-like before the strange pards. “The Infant! by Jehosaphat!” cried Cool Sam. ‘Put her thar, first, boy. Yer band war a baby’s hand when I touched it last. Put *er thar, I say!” And covering with his bronze palm the hand Roy Robsart thrust forward spy a smile, he jerked the boy almoss off his eet CHAPTER XIII. THREE THUNDERBOLTS DROP. ‘* SOMEBODY gave it away, an’ thet person is in Bed-Rock, Didn't Cool Sam come straight to the cave an’ find us byar? I want the drop on the dandy what posted him. Let bim an’ his girl pard go fer the present. Thunderbults are needed in Bed-Rock just now, an’ three ov the original six are left.” eed we name the speaker? He stood in the cave under Hanging Rock, in the light of the fire that leaped up from the hard floor, and gazed at the only two left of his desperate followers. ‘An’ the hound what knifed Rio Rob in the corridor?” he went on, ‘‘ Didn’t his bowie give him away? He might ez well hev written bis ‘name on Rio’s shirt, We'll find bim thar an’ the listener who gave us away ter Cool Sam. ‘Thunderbolts ov Texas, back ter Bed-Rock !” The response that immediately left the lips of the Texan’s auditors more than pleased him; they made his dark eyes flash, Back to Bed-Rock to get even with Cool Sam’s informant and the man who had left his bowie sticking in the breast of Rio Bob. Men, desperadoes, who carry their hearts on their sleeves, sbrink from no danger, and the ‘peril that would immediately surround the three Texans in San Topeto was not going to appall them, Cool Sam, as we have seen, had taken Reta from the underground retreat to encounter the Apaches on the Broken Mountain, and to join Roy I bsart there after some thrilling adven- ‘tures. Captain Dick and the remnant of bis band did not think of the two pards now. He thought only of certain enemies in San ‘Topeto, beyond whose confines only a faw hours before he had allowed himself to ba driven at the muzzle of a revolver, The three human thunderbolts had resolved to go back there—to kill! It was night again when these figures, human from their outlines, glided across the public plaza of the New Mexican town, and peeped into or listened at the various monte and peco dens, where the citizens of Sun Topeto were en- joving themselves at the rough, greasy tables, These three men were evidently Mexican ranchmen from their appearance; they wore the laced sombreros of the well-to-do horse-own- ver, the wide pantaloons of the Mexican gentle- man, and looked for all the world like men who had a large amount of gold to stake on the turn of a card, The plaza seemed deserted, as if all the deni- ‘wens of Bed-Rock, excepting those who gam- bled, kept early hours, and had retired. The three glided like specters—well armed specters, though—from den to den. In front of one at last they stopped, as if a ‘voice on the inside possessed a familiar sound. It was San Topeto’s best patronized resort. Thither night after night came the town’s most prominent citizens, and until the break of another day they sat there and played like weckless men. Cool Sam and Pard. ‘¢ We've tracked ’im down, bovs!” whispered one of the three, and in they went. Their entrance produced more than a mo- mentary sensation. The dark-faced gamblers iooked up and saw three well-dressed Mexican ranchers who had evidently come to the place for the purpose of having a jolly time, and of getting rid of a lot of surplus wealth. They walked straight to the counter in one eorner of the room, which was presided over by a veritable genius of the bottle, and gulped down three drinks of the ‘best p’isen” the haunt could furnish. At theentrance of the three, room was me- chanically made for them at half a dozen tables. All knew how boldly tha rich stockowners bet, and the gamblers of Sau Topeto were eager to get. a pull ac their purses. **} see my table; keep close to ib,” whispered one of the tnree to his companions, and leading them across the room he seuted himself on a bench that.ran the length of one of the tables, ‘““T am Senor Jose, senors,” he said by way of introduction to the party at the table. “Thet?s all hunky,” lsughed the giant, broad- shouldered gambler who eyed the Mexican from under the lead colored brim of a sombrero, “Senor Jose, we welcome you to our table, an’ | by Jove! I hope you bring luck ov some kind with you. Just got in, eh?’ And the bronzed band of the speaker shuffled the dirty cards. ‘We have just arrived from Taos,” said Senor Jose, * i go back to the,rancha almost cattleless.” How the eyes of the gamblers shone at this rather unguarded announcement! In eight words the new-comer had told that he was well heeled, and he seemed to show, moreover, that the last drink at the bar just left had proved one too many; it had loosened his tongue When that unruly member should have been well guarded. The companiens of Senor Jose stood near the table, having refused several offers to take part inmonte games near by, and with folded arms prepared to watch their comrade’s fortune. ‘‘T play fer all, senors,” said Jose with a glance around the nearest tables, ‘Senors Pablo and Pata will let me lose or win for all.” ‘““Then, play like Jehu, senor,” said the som- breroed giant. ‘'I am Cyclone Taos at yer ser- vice, an’ as you’ve just got in from the town whar I won my rep, I may be able ter fasten on some of ther yaller shiners I used ter handle thar!” The game began and was soon in full blast. Senor Jose although backed by an unlimited amount of recently acquired wealth, played cautiously at first, but after a while and under the influence of the bartender’s villainous com- pounds, he became reckless, and lost without concern, much to the gratification of his antag- onists, His arrival had brought fortune to the table, but fortune for Cyclone Taos and his compan- ions. ‘‘Senor Jose, ther goddess hez desarted ye fer a spell!” laughed Cyclone with eyes and lips at the same time, ‘I’ve been thar mvself, pard, but I always fetched her back by stickin’ to ther paste-boards. How war tradeat Taos?” “Pretty brisk, senor,” said Jose meekly. “* Nobody inquired arter me?” “ No. ” ““They used ter want me thar; mebbe they do yet.” ‘* Hezn’t thet committee been discharged yet, Cyclone?” laughed one of the bronze gambler’s pards. ‘* Kinder guess not.” “ An’ it war organized fer ten minutes’ work, too. Thet war ther night Frisco Frank settled with time,” “ Bet yer life it war. Hyar’s a queen fer you, Senor Jose.. What?’s yer stake?” The handful of gold which Senor Jese threw on the table at that moment had a ring which attracted the attention of gamblers som> dis- tance from the spot, “We've got you now, Senor Jose,” said Cyclone Taos under his breath, ‘* You’ll hev ter go ter raisin’ hoofs an’ borns 9g’in arter to- night. Pepe’s last decoction war too much fer 8. 3 The cards were dealt and played amid much excitement, and Senor Jose’s gold passed across the table into Cyclone’s purse. “Once more, senor,” he said. ‘‘The last ? stake brings the fickle goddess back.” But Senor Jose made no reply. | ‘‘Not cleaned out already, an’ just from Taos?” cried Cyclone. ‘Look hyar, old fellar, * this is a scrub game we’ve been playin’. Now let’s go ter work in earnest. Shuffle thar, Sleek Ben. He’s not goin’ ter quit now. Hyar, Pepe trot this way with a tray ovyer coldest pisen!” The demands of play seemed resistless, and Senor Jose, with a glance at his companions ran a yellow hand beneath his embroidere jacket. ‘* Make the stake big, Senor Cyclone,” he said in the voice of a person determined to win or lose everything on one throw. ‘Down with your ante. Make it a good pile, senor,” ‘““Won’t I though, pard Jose? Hyar goes fer ther biggest ante ever thrown in Bed-Rock, Don’t ferget, my cattle seraph, thet ’m Cyclone Taos ov sacred memory in more’n one town west ov ther Rio Grande!” The gold that fell from Cyclone’s hand was no inconsiderable amount, ; It brought exclamations of astonishment from more thao one pair of lips. and riveted many eyes on the man just from Taos. : Senor Jose’s eyes seemed to twinkle at sight of the hillock of eagles which Cyclone Taos had deposited on the board. ‘** What’s yer bet, senor?” cried Cyclone, lean- ing across the table with the insulting air of a | victorious gambler, and shooting his words squarely into the Mexicap’steeth. ‘‘ Bet lively. Make thet ante ov mjne ashamed oy itself if ye dare.” ‘“T ean do that, senor!” and the band of Senor Jose once more sought the inside of his jacket. It reappeared like a flash, and the next mo- ment there fell upon the gold a ten-inch bowie whose blade was dimmed by dark blood stains! Cyclone Taos looked at it fora moment, and then glanced at Senor Jose. “ What’s that?’ he yelled. ‘My bet, senor,” was the cool reply. “Thet’s my knife!” ‘““T know it. I found it where you left it—in the heart of ther best man thet ever crossed the river—Rio Rob!” “Then you ar’—” “Cap’n Dick!” A dczen men sprung up at the same moment; as many revolvers clicked, ‘Then, Cap’n Dick, you lose both life an’ gold!” thundered Cyclone Taos, ‘‘Not yet, Cyclone!” These words were spoken as with one tongue . by the two men who, as Senor Jose’s compan- ions, had watched the game in silence. Ths next second .their yellow hands seized Cyclone’s arms and kept his revolvers down. ‘‘We’re hyer for vengeance,” grated the un- masked Texan es he leaned across the table to- ward tbe pinioned sport. ‘‘ We’re hyer ter avenge Rio Rob. I knowed yer knife ther minute 1 saw it. Look inter this revolver a sec- ond an’ then—die!” Cyclone Taos struggled, but the Texans were giants also. The revolver of ‘‘Senor Jose” was at his head. ‘*To ther rescue, pards!” ‘Yes, ter Cyclone’s funeral, men ov Bed- Rock!” responded Captain Dick, and from the terrible report that supplemented the last sen- tence a giant, with a horrible bole in his face, reeled ten feet away! The shot had not died away ere Captain Dick wheeled upon the horrified crowd with two re- volvers, ‘‘Rake in ther stakes, Scott,” he said to one of .his fullowers and a stained hand transferred the gold to the capacious pocket of the despera- do. Then the three pards backed toward the door with six revolvers glaring into the faces of the men of San Topeto. ’ “ We came like Jambs, willin’ ter be sheared, but we go off like lions,” Jaughed Captain Dick. “‘The Terrible Six may henceforth be known ez the Three Thunderbolts from Hangin’ Rock! Waltz up to the bar lizards an’ nominate yer Pisen, Waltz! Ther first man what holds back follers Cyclone Taos ter kingdom come.” The alacrity with which some men accept a treat often creates a smile, Never before that hour had a citizen of Bed- Rock been known to refuse a free drink, and: even when menaced by the most merciless re- volvers in the territory, they were not likely to refuse a glass of whisky. There was a general bar. We might say that it was rather precipitous on the part of some. But more than one eye glanced at the stiffen-— ing corpse on the floor as their owners avoided it. movement toward the |
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” This was the man who was to prove that Cool Sam lied when he said that he would come back to Bed-Rock and stand treat for the whole town. He would never doit now. Well, the whole crowd reached the bar still covered by the revolvers of the self-styled Thunderbolts of Hanging Rock. Peps, the most thoroughly frightened man in the house, set out the liquor. Fifty hands encircled the heavy glasses and then the voice of Captain Dick rung out again: “Drink to the health ov ther Three Thunder- bolts! Down with yer strychnine, scrubs ov Bed-Rock!” That toast was downed amid whispered oaths and three men stepped across the threshold of the Gamblers’ Paradise. Silence succeeded for a moment, and then there was a howling time in the saloon. CHAPTER. XIV. COOL SAM ON DECK. THE desperate galoots of San Topeto filled the air with shouts of the direst vengeance, Some sprung to the door, while others gather- ed around the bloody shape stretched on the floor. Nobody went back to the interrupted games. [n a few minutes swarthy men like those already on the inside poured into the monte den; they had beard the deadly shot, and the revengeful cries, and came to see what had hap- pened, When questioned, they said they had seen nobody on the plaza; the disguised "Texans had invaded Bed-Rock: like thieves in the night, and not one of its citizens could say in what direc- tion they had gone. Men stood up and swore till the very air felt sulphurous. While Cyclone Taos had not been a great fa- vorite in Bed-Rock, he was a prominent and, to some extent, a representative citizen, At any rate, bis death called forth an im- promptu indignation- -meeting, and everybody resolved that the Thunderbolts ought to be hunted down without ceremony. Meanwhile, Captain Dick and his pards had crossed the plaza and quickly mounted their horses just beyond the old Apache wall. The flashes of triumph that lit up the cap- in’s eyes did not abate in the least as he gal- loped away, leaving Bed-Rock and its indig- nant citizens behind him, He and his pards still wore the garments which had completely hoodwinked the San Topetans; and they did not stop to wash the stain from their faces, “T hate a Mexican like Satan hates holy water, but i’ll be hanged ef thet Senor Jose bizness warn’t a good gag,” laughed Captain Dick. ‘‘We couldn’t play it ag’in back thar. What say ye, pards?” The two comrades laughed heartily over Captain Dick’s remarks, “We'll go back some time, but not ez ran- ehers just from Taos,” they said. ‘* Which way now, cap ne” **To Cool Sam’s trais.” ** Which takes us to ther mountains?” ‘Sart’inly.” They could picture in their minds the scenes that were transpiring in Bed-Rock at that hour, but, brave as they were, they dared not turn their horses’ heads toward the mongrel town, They knew that every revolver in it was ready for them, and that witbin the walls of the place, their lives were not worth a feather. Side by side across the plain that stretched westward from the scene of their last exploit rode the Tbree Thunderbolts from Hanging Rock. The starlight fell upon men and steeds, and made the cheap silver braid on their real som- brero’s glitter. All at once Captain Dick drew rein and clutched the arm of his nearest comrade, ‘We forgot suthin’,” ” he said. **T guess not, cap’n.’ “Yes, but we did. ‘We went to Bed-Rock to find two men; we found but one.” * Who did we miss?” “The skunk what told Cool Sam that his girl pard war ter be found under ther hangin’ _ gtone.” “ Wal; what ov it?’ It amounts ter, this: I hate that man as _ well as I hated Cyclone Taos,” ell see ’im Jater.” Cantain Dick did not reply, but turned his | _ face toward Bed-Rock whose lights had long ' since disappeared. “Fer God’s sake, don’t let ther cap’n drag us | Ne dd Sam and Pard. back ter thet lizard’s den, Scott,” whispered cne of the comrades at the ear of the other, ‘ He's makin’ up his mind ter go back. Woe ter every mother’s son ov us ef we foller him thither.” That was enough; Scott was already talking. ‘We'll see thet kid later, I say,cap’n,” he said. ‘‘Cool Sam an’ his pard demand our at- tention now. Attend ter them first; arter thet we’ll— i Woe go an’ find Cool Sam,” was the inter- ruption. ‘‘I haven’t asked you to go back ter San Topeto. It wouldn’t do ‘or all three ov us ter go back thar together. 1’m goin’ back!” **Cap’n—” “T settle with ther kid what posted Cool Sam! I know him from what I remember ov our last few days in the town. I kin lay my hands on him without ther least trouble. The feller we caught asleep one night back thar war no fool. Dictionary Davy, yer Varnin’ shall seal yer doom!” ‘Hf you go back, we go along. m “No you don’t! Cool Sam an’ pard ar’ some- whar among the mvuuntains. Hunt them down an’ hold ’em tillv meet ag’in. Nobody will look fer me alone in Bed-R ek : they'll hunt fer three, not one. You go yonder; I go back!” It was the voice of a man who bad formed a terrible resolution from which neither persua- sion nor threats could tur ‘on bim. ‘*Good-by then, cap’n,’” said the two Texans as they extended their brouzed hands, “No monkeyin’, pards. I’m not goin’ back thar ter turn my boot-toes up ter ther stars. Meet me at the cavern when they go out. ll be thar!” The captain’s pards turned away, their good- byes refused, and the next moment Captain Dick himself sat alone on the plain with his re- solute face turned toward the place where he had just shattered a human face, ‘‘Kiver since Reta winged the cap’n—don’t you know, Alf?” suddenly ‘said Scott giving his comrade a significant look, “I know it, pard,” was the reply. ‘Ef he doesn’t change his clothes they’ll not let him reach the plaza.” ‘He'll do that. Ef he isa bit loose in the garret, he’s got sense enough ter know thet, ez Senor Jose, his life would not.be worth a drink back thar, Let him go.. Look at him! Hang me, Scott, ef he ain’t sittin’ thar yet Jike a brass statue, His hoss ’ll grow fast thar ef he stays,” The two Texans had reined in their steeds and were gazing at the dark object that rose above the short parched grass of the plain above the spot where they had left their leader, “Crazy er not, he’s the old cap’n,” said Scott. **Thet shootin’ ov Cyclone war the coolest thing thet ever took place in Bed-Reck. An’ then the forced drink arter ther shootin’! How them thirsty galoots did waltz up to Pepe’s bar an’ take their ratsbane! Thar he goes! We'll hear from Bed-Rock ere long. Come, Alf. It’s good by for to-night, Cap'n Dick.” The dark object which had claimed the at- tention of the desperadoes had already vanish- ed, and as they resumed their gallop toward the distant mountains, they could imagine Captain Dick riding with "fire in bis eyes “back to the scene of his last wild exploit. Suddenly scarcely ten minutes after Scott's last utterance there came clear and distinct from the dense shade of a clump of mesquite, a command not unusual along the trails of the Southwest border: “cc Halt!” The two Texans drew rein and revolvers at the same moment, *‘None o’ thet!” said the same voice which had spoken the brief command. ‘Ef ever I hed ther drop on two Texas pinks I’ve got it on ye two, Throw up yer hands! Mebbe you'recog- nize me by my voice, Ye’ve heard it afore.” Almost involuntarily the same name fell from two tongues: ** Cool Sam!” “I should delight ter remark,” was the re- sponse. ‘‘Cool Sam an’ all alone, my fragrant galoots, I'm the galoot thet got five- minute orders in Bed-Rock a short time back, an’ the identical individual yer cav’n, an’ you, too, mebbe, wants ter seo on bizness, Whar might yer pard be?” The two Texans exchanged swift glances which did not escape Cool Sam’s keen eyes. “I prefar the truth ef it doesn’t dislocate a jaw,” hesaid, “ I’ve heard ov men bein’ killed fer lyin’. Yer cap’n I war askin’ about.” “ We've separated,” said Scott. sententiously. ** Not fer good?” ‘¢ Perhaps.” “Now come; no taffy fer this pilgrim,” said Cool Sam, ‘Men ov your stripe are only sep: | Pasa Ws page YF Va her st. A Ad aE WL ie 13 arated by death. They call you Scott,” he went: on, singling out one of the ee “Dl take a modicum ov truth from ou. the bones ov my departed mother-in-law! Il’ iy give the stars a peep at ther interior ov yer brain boxes if ye prevaricate!” ** Wal, then; you'll find Cap’n Dick whar you don’t show yer self!” blurted Scott. ‘“‘ Whar’s thet?” “In Bed-Rock!” ““What’ll you bet?” cried CoolSam, ‘mon my way tharnow. So Cap’n Dick’s gone back?” ‘“Thet’s what [ said.” ‘* An’ you, my yaller daisies?” * We're goin’ home,” “To the old cave, I s’pose, Allright! You'll not find my little yard thar this time. Bet yer life I’m goin’ ter Bed-Rock, Itold’em I’d come back an’ stand treat fer ther hull set includin™ Cyclone Taos, though he doesn’t fancy this pilgrim. Wal, I'm off. F arewell, pinks ow parfection. Keep yer peepers peeled among: se bills. Thar’s ’Pache fleas in nature’s blan- cet,” At that moment a horse moved out from the- mesquite shadows and carried the giant figure of Cool Sam past the two Texans, Scott bade him good-night in no happy tones, and they saw him ride off, “ Cooleza shadder, "hissed Alf, x He's carryin’ death toward Bed-Rock, death to Cs w’n Dick!” ‘ But he drops whuar be is!” Heed upon the last word came a flash and a report, then a horse wheeled suddenly and came like a black thunderbolt through the night toward the astonished twain, “My «God! Scott, you missed!” exclaimed Alf, ‘* Snap shots don’t always kill!” said the man who stood erect in his stirrups. ‘‘T1l do a little shootin’ on my Own account!” In vain did the last of the Terrible Six at- tempt to get the drop on the speaker; two re- volvers spoke before theirs, and almost at the same moment two stalwart figures struck the ground with a dull thud! Cool Sam halted between the pair and eyed: them coolly for a moment. “Two Texas primroses transplanted in New Mexico,” he murmured, Then he rode slowly away. CHAPTER XV. COOL SAM IN BED-ROCK, Noropy seemed to see the man who entered San Topeto on the west in the light of the stars, and with the noiseless tread of the mountain eat. He did not court concealment, for he hurried to- ward the plaza with form erect, as if he was a priv- ileged citizen of the border town. tt was not Captain Dickin a second disguise, but Cool Sam, the man left on the plain at the conclu- sion of the for egoing chapter. *So Seg 4 n Dick is hyar,’’ he said to himself, ‘“‘ Wal, I'd like ter meet thet Texas hoilyhock.” Passing down one side of the plaza he halted aw last before a small, adobe structure, to the door of which he applied his bronze knuckles in a series of ray 8. In response to the knock, the portal was opened by some person on the inside, and a low exclama- tion of surprise greeted the border pard, “You back?” continued the voice, as Cool Sam stepped unbidden across the threshold. “You came too late to witness the tragedy.” “What tragedy, Davy?’ “The shooting of Cy clone Taos, was murder.’ * But who did it:?’* **Cap’n Dick.” “'Thet's ther man I want ter see,’’ said Cool Sam. “Tf Tam too late fer the shootin’ matinee, I’m not too late to find him,”’ ‘* But he is not here,. He left with his pards im- mediately after the shooting,” our know that. I found the two pards out on ther plain, an’ [left ‘em thar, Cap’n Dick is somewhar in Bed-Rock.”’ Dictionary Davy, a good- looking young man of twenty, started visibly at Cool Sam's assertion. “Tt can’t be, Sam!” he said, incredulously. “ After what he did to- night—after the oaths against. him, he wouldn’t come back here.” “Wal, he rode back anyhow, an’ I’m hyar ter in- terview him,’ ae young man did not speak; he seemed aston- is 1ed “Fact it is, Davy, fer I b’lieve ther pards didn’t lie,” persisted Cool Sam, ‘Before I go further, I want ter thank you fer tellin’ me whar I'd find Reta. I found her thar, an’ best ov all, we picked up the Infant in the end, an’ got away from Gold Belt’s. *Paches. ‘Yer hand fer yer he ‘Ip, boy,”’ and Cook Sam held out his hand for Davy’s, which he got. “Davy,” he went on. ‘*mebbe you ‘d like to know why | want ter interview Cap'n Dick. It ain’t be- cause he’s the last ovthe Terrible Six. Thet's not my bizness, Since I’ve met Roy, er the Infant, ez IT call *im, because he war a baby when I saw ‘im | last, I hev learned suthin’ which | more’n half-sus- pected, Roy’s father an’ I war pards. It war & Tt wasn’t fair—it I js Rte) : Ned sera Cpe SS r Ds > Pn oo
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Pa Sai a ae hk a eal Cool Sam and Pard. time ago, but he hed a home while I war a One night he war found shot, an’ his baby boy Roy stolen. We saddled both crimes onto the ’Paches, fer an Injun trail led from the house. Didn’t I foller thet trail though? Fer days an’ days Sam Simpson hunted fer Roy Rob- sart with arifle always cocked fer ther bosoms ov ther red snakes what hed him. Wal, I never found the Infant. Thet war left fer ae little girl pard, who hed been betrothed to Roy in his cradle by two fathers who war friends, ‘Not until a few hours ago did I meet Roy an’ then e mystery ov many years ago war cleared up. He told me then what the ’Paches told him many times. They did steal him just ez we always thought, but the night they went'to the ranch to do ‘the job they found his father lying dead before the house. Somebody hed been thar before the Injuns, an’ he wusn’t red, either. A white man, Davy! Them Injuns always had an idea who ’( beat ’em to ther house, an’ by puttin’ this an’ thet together, I’ve got it solid on ther right man. A man can fasten a crime on the guilty hound ef he ain’t a de- tective. I’m cool when it comes ter thinkin’, ef I do Splurge ‘round a bar sometimes. Davy, the man what got ahead ov the ’Paches thet night rode to- ward Bed-Rock awhile ago. Men call him Cap’n Dick. koy knows him now, an’ I had hard work ter keep him back. “Cool ez Cap’n Dick is the boy’d be no match fer him, I left the young pair together in the moun- tains— Roy and Reta—an’ I’m hyar on bizness: Ef Cap’n Dick is byar, an’ | b’lieve he is, I don’t leave Bed-Rock till I’ve settled with him an’ closed ther ledger. So he shot Cyclone, eh? I must hev riled thet individual when I left a message on his saddle.”’ * You transformed him into a crazy demon,” said Davy. ‘He followed you at once. He penetrated Hanging Rock Cave too late to find you, but in time to meet Rio Rob in whose breast he left. his bowie. That’s why Captain Dick shot him to-night.” “T see!” exclaimed CoolSam. ‘Now tell me all about the shootin’ affair but make it brief.” The youth proceeded at once, and gave Cool Sam an account of the tragedy already witnessed in the monte den. It was told in a lucid manner and with few words; 4n short, it was a narrative that enchained the single au litor’s attention from first to last. “Played the Senor Jose role, did he?” he said, when the boy had concluded, “‘ Thet warn’t his first appearance in thet part. Cap’n Dick’s been thar afore, Davy. I recollect thet his two pards hed on their disguises when I met ’em on the plain. Senor Jose, eh? Wal, senor, I want you.” Cool Sam started toward the door of the house as he spoke the last word. **T proceed ter interview Cap’n Dick,” he said, with a smile. So will I.” “You, Davy?” “Why not? Are we not friends?” Yes, but he didn’t kill your pard. “That is true, but I hate him all the same.”’ Cool Sam stopped short, and looked into the young man’s face. There was determination there. **Davy,”’ he said, “let me go first. If I’m not back hyar in an hour, you kin go.” Dictionary Davy hesitated. “T agree,” he said at length. ‘‘ I will wait an hour for you. Cap’n Dick does not wear his Mexican suit af he is in Bed-Rock at the moment: you mustn’t look for Senor Jose. Remember that.’’ “T’ll not forget, Davy.”’ And the next moment the young man was the sole occupant of the cabin. Cool Sam stepped from the house and straightened himself in the calm starlight. \ “Now fer it, Cap’n Dick,’ he said. ‘* We ar’ in Bed-Rock together, an’ the place is too small fer both ov us. I know thet you beat the ’Paches toa certain house years ago, an’ to-night IT don’t want ter know anything else. Let him win to-night whose cause is just. Ef I don’t-go back to the children in the mountains, they'll know thet Cap’n Dick won the last stake.”’ He glided away and was soon lost to the youth, mpe watched his moving figure from the door of the ouse. Hither and thither, among the buildings of Bed- Rock, flitted the figure of the border pard. It was still the night made memorable by the swoop of the Texan Thunderbolts. In one corner of a cabin, covered with a buffalo robe, lay the disfigured corpse of Cyclone Taos. Several monte dens had resumed operations, and by not a few San Topet ns the thrilling visit of Cap- tain Dick was already forgotten. Cool Sam hunted well; he let no opportunity for observation escape him. Every monte den was thoroughly inspected from the outside; the face and figure of each occupant was closely scrutinized, “Tt’s kinder queer,”’ said Cool Sam at last. ‘‘Hev I got ter give it up fer a bad job? Mebbe ther Texan devil went somewhar else.”’ He paused, and then began to retrace his steps to- ward Dictionary Davy’s shanty. His hour was nearly up. Without knocking, he pushed open the door and stumbled against something in the gloom. A moment later, the border pard struck a match, and was holding it over the body of his friend! ** Is—that you—Sam ?” gasped Davy. a ee yer life!” said the border pard. ‘* Who’s been yar “Thar war only one man ter come besides you.” a A Dick?’ es, don prairie roamer. ‘*When war he hyar?” “He—just—left.” Cool Sam rose, with his eyes fixed on the wounded man. * Bet yer boots I'll find him, Davy!’ he hissed. CHAPTER XVI. COOLNESS MEETS ITS MATCH. Iv was, indeed, tuee that Captain Dick had “just left ’’ the little cabin across whose uncouth floor lay Dictionary Davy, the young/man who had revealed Reta’s prison to Cool Sam. “Goand hunt him, then!’’ said Davy his voice a little stronger as he thought of the Texan who had come to the cabin and knifed him almost before he | eould lift a hand. “If lm to pull through I'll be living when you come back, Sam; if not I’ll be here anyhow. Never mind me. find that Texan tiger.” **Won’t I, Davy?” cried CoolSam. ‘An’ won't I walk into him like a rule inter a bucket ov oats? Git a grip on life an’ hold thar, boy. I won't be gone long.” “Only find him, Sam, that’s all.” ** Bet yer bottom dollar, Davy.” Once more Dictionary Davy was the only occu- aunt of the cabin, and clinehing his hands and grit- ing his teeth, he fell back to await results, It was likely that Captain Dick, having accom- plished his purpose, had left Bed-Rock,. He had returned for the express purpose, as the reader already knows of putting an end to the per- son who had given Cool Sama bit of valuable infor- mation. He had found that individual; had driven a bowie into his breast and left him for dead on the floor of his home, and could now rejoin the companions left on the plain. Alas! he would find them dead, side by side, with their bronze faces upturned to thestars, and him- self the sole survivor of the Terrible Six from Texas. If he had tarried five minutes in the cabin of his second victim he would have encountered Cool Sam | for we can safely say that that brief division of time had scarcely elapsed before the border pard put in an appearance. If he had listened outside the cabin his keen ears might have caught the footsteps of his bitter foe. He had discarded the rather flashy suit which had | distinguished him as Senor Jose and now wore the garb of a horse trader, as people of this character were continually arriving at and departing from San Topeto, The horse-traders of the Southwest come and go at their pleasure, spend their money freely, free! gamblé, and are, upon the whole, a reckless devil- | may-care set. Captain Dick had assumed the disguise best cal- culated to give him immunity from suspicion on his second visit to the town. There might be a dozen traders in Bed-Rock that | night; there might be none. Calmly sheathing the bowie which had let out Davy’s blood, he quietly crossed the plaza and enter- ed a peco den that had resumed operations since his | departure, It was not the scene of his fatal encounter with Cyclone Taos, which den had been closed for the night. This gambling-den was largely frequented by na- tives who were so immersed in their pastime that they did not notice the soi disant trader. ‘*Wouldn’t you open yer peepers if ye knew me?” asked Captain Dick of himself as he glanced over the crowd, in three minutes.” He walked forward and partook of the fiery liquid refreshments which were placed on the counter at his demand. ‘*Just got in,” he observed to the bartender. “*How’s times?” ‘*Been kinder lively since sundown,” ‘‘ What's happened; nc shootin’ matinec, I hope?” “Only thet an’ nothin’ more. This time it war a boss citizen what got the summons.”’ “ No ” “Cyclone Taos war ther pard what drew his pair ov wings. Shot by a man what played a reg’lar drop game. You’ve heard ov him—Cap'n Dick, ov Texas,” “Kinder acquainted with the pistol posy myself,” observed the Texan, ‘* Whar: did they plant Cy- clone?” ‘“Heyn’t planted him yet. Goin’ ter hev a big time doin’ thet to-morrer, if ther Injuns don’t inter- fere. They say they’re prowlin’ ‘round ag’in. They carried Cyclone to his shanty an’ kivered him with his robe. I warn’t thar, but the boys say he took his last medicine coolly. Cyclone war a brick, an’ thar ain’t a man in Bed-Rock who wouldn’t give his last ounce fer the drop on Cap’n Dick.” A faint smile appeared at,the corners of the out- law’s stained lips, but thé dispenser of Bed-Rock whisky regarded it with no significance. **Cap’n Dick wouldn’t hev much show in Bed- Rock, [ reckon?" he observed. ‘*Show? What’d give him any?’ exclaimed the bartender. ‘Tie a man hand and foot an’ throw him into a den of rattlers; what show ’d he hev?”’ ‘* A blamed slim chance.” “T should remark, fellar trav’ler through this vale ov tears. Wal, Cap’n Dick would hev ther same show in Bed-Rock. Bet yer life, he’s left fer good. Thet Senor Jose dodge ov his will never be tried ag’in. He wore it out on ther first trial. life, stranger, we’d know him on sight. Thar ain’t a disguise under the sun thet could shield Aim. We've got thet Texas rattler foul ef he ever comes | back. What’ll you hev?” Captain Dick did not refuse the treat proffered For my sake go and | “Thar wouldn’t be a Greaser left hyar | Bet yer ; ~ su by the positive bartender; but filled the unwashed glass to the brim and drained it at a gulp. **[ guess I'll emigrate,” he said. ‘* Mebbe I'll run across ther cap’n somewhar.”’ “Hope you will; but be keerful; he’s a daisy with ther dropper.” How Captain Dick’s eyes glistened! He knew he could shoot. His last words were compliments on himself, and with a salute with his bronze hand he left the den. ‘“Waitin’ fer Cap’n Dick, eh, galoots ov Bed- Rock?” he chuckled as he halted a few feet from the building, which he surveved with a look of con- tempt. ‘‘ One o’ these days he’ll come back just fer amusement, hang me ef he doesn’t! I’ve got a notion ter stay over fer ther public plant to-morrer, It willbe a daisy time. Goin’ 1er bury Cyclone with big ceremonies, ho! ho! I dropped him without any. WhetherI stay er not, I'll take a look at the pid ayeem He walked rapidly toward a certain part of the New Mexican town rather remote from the peco den and plopped in front of a small stuccoed build- ing not unlike its numerous neighbors. A swift glance on either side showed him nothing suspicious, and then in he went. He shut the door behind him, but did not notice that almost directly after. it swung open, and re- mained wide enough to admit a man. “ Hyar ye ar’ I suspect, Cyclone,” he said, feeling over the ground with one hand, ‘I’m hyar ter see how much I sp’iled yer beauty a while back. Aha! hyar’s yer buffler shroud. Now a match an’ a part- in’ look.” The next moment the light of a lucifer shone like a fire-fly in the dense gloom, and Captain Dick pulled back a buffalo-robe and stooped over the form of his victim. It was a weird tableau and one of short dura- tion, “How d’ye like his looks, cap’n?” The last of the Texans sprung up as if a bomb had dropped at his feet. Instead of dropping the match now fairly ablaze he held it above his head and wheeled with a ery. A man leaned coolly against the door frame. It was Cool Sam! Spoiled his beauty ferever, they tell me.’ con- tinued the border pard, with tantalizing calmness. “TI got ter Bed-Rock too late ter see the fun. But let me impart a bit ov information cap’n. Davy ain't wiped out yet.” Captain Dick started. “Thought yer had finished *im, eh?’’ * By heavens! I did!’’ ‘“Oh, pshaw! you ean’t drive a bowie worth a copper, cap’n. Just hold on to thet match a mo- ment till I get fairly inside. Now!’ and the door shut. ‘‘Throw down yer light, cap’n; we’ll take it | in the dark!” Down went the match, revealing Cyclone’s dis- figured face as it fell, and in the gloom searcely ten feet apart stood the two men with hands at the hilts of their border bowies. For a moment not a sound rose on the pent-up air, but suddenly Cool Sam said: | “This is fer the Robsart killin’ years ago, cap’n. Remember!” CHAPTER XVTI, THE END OF IT ALL, Ir the border pard could have penetrated the gloom the moment he uttered his announcement, he might have seen Captain Dick recoil an inch or more, { A new light seemed to flash across the Texan’s rain, Cool Sam, then, was an avenger. **Do you know, cap’n, thet kt the last ov the Six?’’ continued the border pard. ‘‘ Them two pinks you Jeft on the plain awhile ago, ar’ lookin’ at the stars with eyes thet can’t count. The answer was an oath in the darkness. ‘Who did it?” “Yer humble servant, Samuel Simpson,” said Cool Sam. “I left *’em side by side, two Texas flowers bloomin’ in New Mexico.’ To this there was no response. The captain of the Texans stood erect beside the carpe of Cyclone, holding in his hands revolver and »ow le, “T infer from yer silence thet ye’r’ ready fer the tussle, cap’n,’’ observed Cool Sam. “Tm ready. Sailin!’’ Cool Sam threw one foot forward; at precisely the same moment Captain Dick executed a like movemé nt. The interior of the cabin was darkness itself; not aray of light penetrated to the place, and in the dead silence a less courageous man than either of the two antagonists might have heard the throb- bings of his heart. Suddenly Cool Sam’s toe struck an obstruction. It was Captain Dick’s foot! Instinctively the border pard drew off an inch and then saw a flash of fire. “You can’t shoot worth a poppe”, cap’n,” he chuckled derisively when the bullet intended for him had buried itself in the heavy planking of the door. “I beg leave ter remark at this partic’lar juncture, thet I’m entirely bullet-proof.” “The devil you ar’!”’ grated Captain Dick, ‘‘ What effect would a knife hev on ye?” “Try it an’ see!” “Thet’s what I’m goin’ ter do. Look out, Cool Sam! In the last ov the Texans you’ve roused a tiger! “Good! Thet’s the kind o’ beast I delight ter tackle.” Did Cool Sam hear the enemy who glided toward ~ ei ep ee ek : f Oe, Bd ea. CP eet able e eae © ye i
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“a ies — him?! Did he see the devilish face, the flashing eyes and the fiercely clutched bowie of Captain Dick? All at once the Texan left the fioor and darted at his enemy. He seemed to have caught sight of Cool Sam’s ure. ee isther he saw him or not, he did not miss the mark, for a moment later there was a collision. Cool Sam was thrown back almost to the door be- fore he recovered. “I’m the last Thunderbolt an’ the most terrible ov the three!” hissed the Texan. “T like thunderbolts,’”’ said Cool Sam, and just then his hand closed on a wrist which he knew was Captain Dick's. * Now fer it,’ said the Texan. walks from this shanty alive.’’ Then commenced a terrible battle for the mastery between the two men. Cool Sam held the Texan’s wrist despite his efforts to break the iron grip. They writhed across the floor of the cabin, now with their feet touching the death robes of the silent witness, and now striking the wall furthest away. At last they went to the floor, and there kept up the desperate struggle for victory. There was to be no “ let up” until one or both had succumbed. Blows were struck with all the strength the foes could summon to their aid, knife met knife, struck fire in the darkness, and then drew blood that stained the battle-ground. Ten minutes after Captain Dick’s tigerish spring the door of the cabin was flung wide and a man came forth. He walked through the starlight with an unsteady ait. ; “T’m a movin’ epee I am,” he said in aud- ible tones to himself, as he struck a bee-line for the plaza at that hour entirely deserted. ‘'Thar’s two ov ’em in thet shanty back thar, an’ the galoots ov Bed-Rock kin plant one an’ hang t’other to-morrer. What did I say I’d do when TI left hyar last—treat ther crowd, eh? I’m goin’ ter doit now!” He reached the door of the largest monte den then in full swing despite the hour, and lifting the pon- derous latch walked inside. Forty men sprung up from the tables at sight of him, and it was a sight, too. Hatless, gashed across his bronze cheeks, and bloody from head to foot, he presented an appear- ance terrible enough to appall the bravest. “T’m no ghost, but flesh an’ blood, princerpally the latter!” he exclaimed. ‘‘I’ve finished the biz- ness what fetched meter this kentry. Galoots ov Bed-Rock, walk up an’ choose yer p’isen.”~ He leaned against the rough bar and gave the hor- rified bartender a wink as he concluded. The crowd held back aghast. The man at the bar was not recognizable. Who could he be? ** Don’t know me, eh, my gentle pigeons?” he sud- denly laughed. ‘i'm Cool Sam, an’I’ve just left Cap’n Dick!” At mention of the Texan’s name there was a movement toward the speaker, “Set ‘em up, cherub ov the bottle,” he said to the bartender. “I wish all Bed-Rock war hyar. I'd treat ther hull town. Take yer death-sirup. galoots, an’ don’t terget thet whar ye left one dead man awbile ago, I’ve just left another!” A wild hurrah rose trom the lips of the wild crowd that had reached the bar. **Good-night, galoots,’’ said Cool Sam as he left the counter. “I leave this fer pay,” and he laid upon the whisky-soaked board a huge bowie, at sight of which more than one man started back. * A present from Cap’n Dick ter Bed-Rock!’’ re- marked Cool Sam, with agrin.. ‘I hev ther honor vo bringin’ it hyar—its owner couldn't come !” Then he waved his hand toward the crowd, and moved from the den. Nobody detained him, but a minute after his de- parture the crowd rushed out. It surged across the plaza and entered Cyclone’s shanty. A look was enough, and the yells raised by the ang awakened every man, woman and child in San opeto. tthe same time a man mounted a horse with difficulty just beyond the old Apache wall. Wherever his hands fell there was blood; but what of that? In his eyes were flashes of vengeance satisfied, and victory achieved. Far from the scene of his last exploit Cool Sam’s steed stopped. and his bridle was caught eagerly by two voung people who had rushed from a mountain cavern. **Bowies war trumps when I played with Jap’n Dick, an’ I won!” he said, looking down into Roy Robsart’s eyes. ‘‘Thar’s another chap I would like ter hev settled with—Carlo; but let him go. Chil- dren, it’s the delight ov my life ter see ye united, an’ I'm satisfied. Slashed ez I am, thar’s years in the old man yet, an’ another jeestrict may yet hear ov Cool Sam!”’ The wild drama of the Southwest which we have eee through its thrilling acts, had ended at ast. Dictionary Pavy recovered from his wound and lived to emigrate from Bed-Rock to a place where his talents made him a man of wealth and influence. Carlo, the Greaser, who at one time thought of making a_bold play for Reta’s hand, is still to be found in San Topeto, willing to do anything dis- honest, and watched by all by whom he is dis- trusted, A character still. and well deserving of the appel- jation of the “coolest man on earth,” Cool Sam fre- “Only one ov us Cool Sam and Pard. quents the southwest border, to which he returned after having seen the boy chief of the Apaches restored to the old ranch. Near by is another home in the midst of a thriving Texas farm, and it is said that its queen, a beautiful girl named Reta, is soon to become the wife of her neighbor. So let it be! The career of the Terrible Six is ended; Captain Dick is no longer the terror of the border; and Gold Belt will never find the boy chief of his tribe. THE END. Beatles The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertain- ing and Useful Literature Pub- lished in America! 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Dialogues No, Thirty-one. 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book, Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages, 20 Cents, For Schools, Parlo:s, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy. Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by roted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new :nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Ndited by Prof, A. M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. BEADLE’s Dime HAND-BooKs ror Youna PEOPLE cover a wide range of subjects, and are ospecially adaptea to then end; na Letrer-Writer. ents’ Letter-Writer. Book of Etiquette, Book of Verses. | Book of Dreams. Book of Games. Fortune-Teller, Lovers’ Casket. Ball-room Companion, Book of Beauty, Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports. Book of Croquet. Yachting and Rowing. Chess Instructor. Riding and Driving. Cricket and Football. Book of Pedestrianism, Guide to Swimming. Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, ete Manuals for Housewives. 1, Cook Book, 2. Recipe Book, 3. Housekeeper’s Guide. 4, Family Physician. 5. Dressmaking and Mil- linery. Lives of Great Americans ViI.—Daniel Boone, VI11.—Israel Putnam. X.--Tecumseh, XI.—Abraham Lincoln, XIT.—Pontiae. XIM.—Ulysses S. Grant, I.—George Washington. II.-—John Paul Jones. Til.—Mad Anthony Wayne IV.—Ethan Allen. V.—Marquis de Lafay- ette. Song Books. BrADLE’s Dime SonG Books, Nos. 1 to 34, containing the only popular collection of copyright songs, Melodist, l re i School Melodisy, f Music and Words, Joke Books. Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke B Paddy Whack Joke Book. sare The above publications for sale by all newsdealers or will be sent, Moy aid, on receipt of price, ten cents each, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 Winuua Srreet, N, Y.
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BEADLE'S+* H ALF-DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. +4 aioe Pada ee _ Di emusecs, oF, Bufful, Ben. > ad woo ek in s Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; o., The «antom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 567 Decdwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, ae pemewoos ita Shag’ oss : mth lami. é wns. she Fiercine, + endw oot ¢k’s Last Acti or, Corduroy Coarlie, asf enawocd oe ee emerenn oti ore bend wooc ck’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick aw Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. fo hepa tale: Dickie Hs pra | or, aenoy ot Gold. 156 Deadwoor ek of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. aoe wesawoed ee orn Or pveny nt the Road. Jenadwood ek’s Wards; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, er ecpegt aber pieks zoe A emty Jane’s Adventure. endw oot ek’s Dead Beal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, acs epawooe pews pivit pots The Spirit of Swamp Lake. enadwooc ck’s Death Trail, 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, yt aneawons epee - septal or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. Deadwoo ck’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 43 eadwond ene ores or, The Terrible Vendetta, 6% cadwooc ck’s Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmonda. 421 Deadwood Dick In New Yorks; or, A “Cute Case,” ore peaawood apeene genet or, The Chained Hand. enadwooc ck, Jr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Bie Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. ate Fenawerd eeks rene? oe or, Bozeman Bill. 76 Deadwooc ck, dr’, Dog Detective. 451 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diggtnogs. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee, 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducka, 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dicks ao in Texan. 544 Deadwood Dick, JIr., the Wild West Vidoog raed pee wood nie? ores oe Ber Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 4h penewced packs i, Obteags. S Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. &S4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Jr., in Beelzebub’« Basin. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, ons peadwoad 1d Jr., an one Queer. G42 Deadwood ek, Jr., in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent bby at plone eek, ers} ere the FE RTCrs: 60 Dead wood ek, Jr.’a, Insurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., (n Durango; or, * Gathered In.” ote esd wood De pe Po UAReev ares or, Found a Fortune. eadwoo ek, Jr.’s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woollt’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche}; or, Wijd Edna, the Girl Brigand, 568 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob; 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 Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye3 or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. 18 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detoctive 21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 25 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 88 Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacka, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Snead port ej a lh 17? Nobby Nick of Nevadny or, The Sierras Scamps, ISI Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloguist Hunter. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Bll, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret, 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. B25 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, B80 Little Quick-Shot3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miuer, B89 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 Firet-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery. BIZ Yreka Jim’s Prize. B78 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreks Jim’s Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bigrcle Bens or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Siahbsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 436 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk 3 or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil 3 or, The Midshipinan’s Legacy. 116 The ILussar Captain 3 or, The Hermit ot Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Beanie: the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BID, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 287 Lone 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, ‘The Freelance Helr. 250 The Midehtpman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating F eather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 260 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “ The Gold Ship” Chase. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate ; or, Pearl, the Pirnte’s Bride. 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. $04 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Bemto, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit}; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trall, 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Fl,giens Schooner. 888 The Indlan Pilot 3 or, The Search for Pirate Island, 7 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 lIavdor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Yachtsaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Dunean 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 Vangeance. 446 HMaphazard Harry ; or, Tne Scapegrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard WIIDs Street Scouts, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Satior Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy C 474 Floras or, Wuward Will's Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Aflonts or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger, 495 Arizona doe the Boy,Pard of Texas Jaok. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 5608 The Royal Middy 3 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, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The BRuc:skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio. 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 5670 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The. Surgeon-Seout Detective, 5680 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover, 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines, 607 The Rover_ Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Kio Raiders. G44 The Hercules Highwayman, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Buttertly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccancer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadowery or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, 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, the Unknown Scout, 68 Berder Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’i Trust. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WII! Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick ; or, The Hero tn Rags, 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 WIill Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, Rlack Besa, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 2 Will Wildfire in the Wooda, 56 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 0 A ‘Tramp Gard 3 or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Rob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hand ¢ or, Wil] Wildfire’s Revenge. 87 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. art ho ad Spm: the Meseazer Boy, c The Two oods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chieago. ay 262 The Young Sharpe: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot TraiL 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, 289 Jolly Jim’s Job 3 or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound3; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. : 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detecti vet or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. 867 W Ide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy ot the Times. 879 Larry, the Levelers or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred F Iyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond, 4:9 Derectine he jerry, Detective: or, Entombed Alive, b stectiyv odge~ or, The Mystery of F: earty. ass Wild Dick Raat he Mystery of Frank Hearty oots, the Boy Fireman : or, Too Sharp for the Sh 566 The Secret Service Roy Detective. , es 596 Jimmy, the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolfin the Fold. 655 Plucky Pant, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. ro «© " BNANASY - deel anderdecksalendaandand as BY J, 0. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Masak, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, c 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Withou: a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diftikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer, 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Braandway3 or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 615 Fighting Ha the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 628 Broadway BitkWs, Dead Act. 640 Barebsek Beth@pthe Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewriter TH the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgan, tlie Pigenest ” Man of Ante Bar. 669 Broadway Billy Ehvded. 675 Broadway Billy's Beaty or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T. 0. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of '76. 87 The Hidden Lodges or. The Littl: Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack 3 or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali. $2 Kit Haretoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 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 Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Gh Avenger, 169 (Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw 3 or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade, Plucky Phils or, Rosa, the Re! Jezebel, Bil Bravos or, The Roughe of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoliv, the King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detective, 279 Old Winehy or, The Buckskin Deaperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, B26 The Ten Pards: or, The Terror ot Take-Notice. 886 Rig Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. B56 Oool Sam und Pardy o The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Beceuneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob: or, The } win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. ty 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox, 445 The City Vamptres; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Against Fifty; or, 'Uhe Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. AV? The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-fyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Verret, 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge. 5628 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 5658 Dodger Dick’s Deaperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. B94 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champfon Parda, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musiclan Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without n Head; or, Lightheart Luke's Clean Sweep. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 699 Strnple Skm, the Broncho Buster or, Playing the Fool for Big Stakes. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 700 Dendwood Dick., Jr.'s, Drops or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler. %01 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh. 202 Riue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers Red Hot Racket. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 208 Broadway Billy’s Brand; or, The New York Delogates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick 204 Dendwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot; or, Making Crooked Things Straight. By Edward L, Wheeler 705 Violet Vane’s Vows; or, The Crafty Deteetive’s Craft, By Wm. G. Patten. 706 Tom Thistle, the Rond-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Racer. By Jo Pierce. 70? The Read Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. V0O8 Ticht-Weart Tute’s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’e Winning Hand By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. Ready February 17. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Charles Morris. "Ready February 24, 10 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San_ Francisco; or, Kodat ‘ Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler. : Ready Mareh 38. . A New Iasue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library. {s for axle by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, “opel