Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 35) (1878 03 26)
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MaaNaNaMallatalfalla h, I > (aa WLLL : ) um! ti Yt i Vt DP Fa Copyrighted in 1878, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, _ Single Number. Vol. II. Wild Ivan, THE BOY CLAUDE DUVAL; The Brotherhood of Death. [Number 4 Deadwood Dick Romances.] BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, aur k or ‘“‘ DEADWOOD DICK,” “DOUBLE DAGGERS,” ‘“ BUFFALO BEN,’ ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. GOD'S HAND——THE BOY ROAD-AGENT. Over the Black Hills country, rough, rugged and mountainous, and over the adjacent grazing savan- nas to the north and nor’west, swept with merciless fury a wild autumnal storm. Not such a storm as we ex- yerience frequently out East, Put a genuine western ‘‘hur- ricane,” to be found in ‘no other portion of the Ameri- can continent. A storm of fierce, shrieking, resistless wind and_ pouring, beating rain; a storm of fly- ing sticks and stones; thunder roaring and pounding fright- fully within the gates of hea- ven, and jarring mother earth with the shocks not unlike those of an infant earthquake; and most of all those fearful lares and hissing flashes of ightning, so peculiar to the Black Hills country. . It was a wild, terrible night, and one whose inky blackness lent anaes horror to the crashing hour. In a arrow defile between towe , craggy mountains shelte from the deluge of rain, a score of men were crouching about a sputtering, sickly camp-fire, that had evi- ren & been kindled out of rain-soaked fuel—a score of men so rough, silent and grim as to seem carved from the dull, dripping rocks around them. p They were clad in the moun- taineer’s picturesque costume, and were well supplied with belt weapons, while rifles of the latest and most improved pattern stood stacked under a sheltering ledg® close by. In face this odd collection of humans were ys g£ and repulsive—in form they were brawny and muscular. Not a man was there but looked a formidable foe to at- tack; not a man was there who would hesitate at blood- shed to further his own par- ticular aims. They were a band of desperate, reckless ruffians, the enormity of whose crimes had exiled ted from the settlements and mining towns of the far Western bor- der, clubbed and sworn to- gether as brothers, with aims to destroy, rob, plunder and devastate—a veritable, terri- ble, and sworn Brotherhood of Death, Around the camp-fire were BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, gathered these Brothers, silent and grim, drawing closer to the struggling blaze, as a gust of wind sent its spray of rain in under the overhanging ledges— a strange group set in extraordinary surround- ings. Through the gorge at their feet dashed a noisy mountain stream, swelling and increasing in size and importance the longer fell the deluge of au- tumnal rain. Half a mile down the lonely defile, had darkness not obscured the vision, it might have been observed that the walls of the gorge narrowed still more, un- til they formed the banks of the rushing torrent. It was by wading up this stream, then, that access was Obtained to the camp of the Brothers—for at the opposite end of the gorge the passage was blocked by a considerable waterfall, that leaped down from the crags above. It was toward the rushing stream that the outlaws occasionally directed anxious glances, for as the rain continued to fall without cessation, the waters rose rapidly and soon the banks were full to over- flowing. WS WILD IVAN. 5 Cents. One of the Brothers uttered a curse of vexation as the moments wore by and the storm raged on. ‘““Why'n —— don’t the colonel come?’ was his rowling interrogative, addressed to no one in par- icular. ‘‘Ther stream’s full now, an’ef he ain't past ther rapids, et’s gude-by, Bill Blood!” “Yas, et’s time he war ieee: Wagner,” assented a second. ‘Cuss the storm; s*pose et couldn't ’a’ waited till we got through with this business.” ‘*Don’t be growlin’ afore et’s time!’’ retorted Wagner, savagely. ‘‘Mebbe the game‘ll slip thru our fingers yit; so thar’s no use o’ squealin’ |” ** An’ ef Bill Blood don’t cum—?" ‘*We won’t feel like payin’ our debts to Red Kit an’ his band, Dash it, I hope no harm has befell tLe colonel.” ‘“*S‘posin’ thar had? who'd be captain?’’ demand- ed a low-browed ruffian, whose name among Lis evil associates was Blue Bob—and one of the Broth- erhood’s most cruel and heartless tools was tlis same Blue Bo® a man upon whose head the hand of time had left the silvered hairs of five-and-fifiy winters, “Who'd be capt‘in?”’ repeat- ed Wagner, grimly, as le lanced at the rushing, ro; r- ng Little Madrass. “Wael, ter all events, J’d probably Le capt’in, seein’s I'm lieutenaut now.” Down in ceaseless torrents poured the chill autumnal rain; hoarsely roared and erashed the shuddering peals of thunder, and vividly flared and flashed the vivid light- ning; while the roar of the fu- rious torrent through Death's Defile only added to the con- fusion and terror of the wild night. “I'm afraid et’s all up wi’ ther colonel, boys!” grunted Wagner, rising from the fire and stepping from under the ledge that he might gaze up at the black, pouring § sky, across the face of which zig- zag chains of lightning imces- santly played. uta furious shower of rain drove him quickly back under shelter. “Ther stream’s altergether ter much ter stem, now, an’ like ‘nuff our capt’in’s bin washed away.” “Don’t b'hieve he’d attempt ter cum thru, wi’ sich a storm ter face,” replied Blue Bob, lighting a fresh pipe. ‘“‘ Ther cunnel’s nobody's fool, an” knows what's what. Bet he’s safe in Bear Trail, this blessed minnit.”’ “Tl bet he ain’t!” yelled Sandusky, cy ery to his feet, excitedly. “ Listen! d’ye hear They did hear them—two faint yells from far down the channel of the Little Madrass which the fierce roaring of the elements nearly drowned out—the cries of a Cenian be- ing, who in this furious night was stemming the stream, rushing and bank full as it was, “It's ther colonel, by thun- der!” ejaculated Wagner, and a dozen or more seized brands from the fire, and, fannin them into a blaze, rushe down the bank to its narrow- est limits, where knee-deep in the water they awaited their master’s coming—for a fierce and disciplin master was
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z Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. qe this Colonel Bill Blood over the wild, lawless spirits who comprised the Brotherhood of Death. Eagerly waited the outlaws, their eyes peering for- ward into the gloom, their hands ready to help the flood-rider ashore. And soon within the glare reflected by their torches’ blaze, appeared upon the seething surface of the stream, first the head of a horse, with steam- ing nostrils and distorted eyeballs—then the head and shoulders of a haggard, wild-eyed man, who held a bundle of something across one shoulder with his right hand, while his left clung to the mane of his steed beneath the muddy water. A wild cheer of welcome rung out from the brazen lungs of the Brothers, and three of the boldest sprung into the flood, swam out and pulled the ex- hausted horse and its double burden ashore. Once out of water and in under shelter of the ledges, the horse and rider were seen to better ad- vantage. The former was a powerful Mexican beast, with iron-cast limbs and rugged constitution, together with a certain amount of indomitable courage, a point so essential in a thoroughly good horse. The latter was a man wellin comparison with the horse —a large, powerfully built individual, with strong limbs, great breadth of chest, and swelling muscles—a man who under most circumstances would prove a tough customer to handle. His face was effectually disguised, the lower part being cov- ered with a bushy beard—the upper part with a black mask. The eyes were black and piercing, the lips grimly set and resolute, with an existing tinge of sonsuality; the hair and beard brown and of ex- treme length. As such was Colonel Bill Blood beheld. His dress was ordinary buck-skin, with leggings and moccasins, and a broad-brim slouch hat that nearly hid the gleam of his evil eyes from view. In his arms he carried a heavy bundle, well wrap- ped in blankets, and this he gave over into the hands of Wagner and blue Bob, while he threw himself out of the saddle. “Ugh! this is a cursed fine deluge!’’ he growled, shaking himself like a great mastiff, and drawing near the sputtering fire. ‘‘Come! stir up this blaze, and fetch me seme whisky!” *Hain’t hed enough wet, yet, eh?’ grinned San- dusky, as he piled on fresh fuel, and dispatched one of the Brothers into a cavern in the rocks for the de- sired beverage. ‘‘How in all nations did ye stem he The devil ly k th ff ‘ The devil only knows,” was the gruff response. “But for the horse I should be in rey ere now, I suppose!”’ “Bet ye would, Didn't judge you'd cum thru, on account o’ the storm,” “Neither I should, only there’s work ahead, day after ter-morrow, which needs our whole atten- tion,’ ** So? what’s ther shape of it?” “Tt’s an overland wagon train coming into the hills. There is five families, and all are well fixed in the world’s goods, Three families are Jews, and have upwards of five thousan’s worth of treasure aboard. We must intercept them at the ford of Bell creek, thirty miles this side of the Belle Fourche.” ** And you’ve got Red Kit’s gurl?” “T have. She’stharin yonder bundle. We shall ae, have the secret of Red Kit’s treasure—or her life!” One of the Brothers now came from the cave with a flask of liquor, and tipping it up to his lips, the colonel allowed a goodly portion of the contents to run down his throat, after which he carelessly tossed the bottle into the seething, boiling stream, and it was borne away. The stimulant seemed to affect him instantly, for he straightened up, and glanved over the assembled crowd with an unwavering eye. ** Are all of Division First present?” peqpememes, glancing at the face of a handsome gold time-piece. ‘** All,” replied Sandusky. “Then we will proceed to business. Wagner— Blue Bob!” “Yes, colonel.”’ ‘Bring the girl here, in the light.”’ The two ruffians obeyed, dragging the bundle close to the crackling fire. “Out away the blankets!’’ ordered Blood, and his command was quickly executed, and then was re- vealed to the gegen cruel gaze of the Brotherhood a pretty, girlish form and a fair, sweet face, such as had never been their lot to behold. A maiden of not over seventeen years, lay before them, bound hand and foot, her clear blue eyes staring at, them re- proachfully, her sweet face shadowed with an ex- pression of pain, her fair-complexioned face, with 1.8 crowning wealth of soft, golden hair, and those lustrous eyes*as blue as a smiling summer's sky. The impression made upon the nh crowd of spectators at this unexpected picture of loveliness, could not be less than favorable; but they were bound together by a terrible oath as brothers of dvath—no leniency or pity found root in their hearts for the weak and innocent; all obstacles they swept away with a ruthless, merciless hand, that crime had hardened and calloused—that blood had dyed deep with an ineradicable stain. And this fair, innocent girl was a prisoner in their power, and they were here, her forsworn enemies, even though no offense of hers had made them so. * Aha! my pretty chit!" cried the colonel, his eyes leaming brightly; “so the waters of the Little Gedvane didn’t drown you, neither, eh? Didn’t know but the condemned torrent would us away, at one time; but old Buckskin is pretty sure of foot, no here you put him.” matter w. The girl did not reply, except by a look of scorn which flashed from her eyes—eyes that one would not think capable of expressing anger. Blood saw her compress her cherry lips, and that po Mer resolutely determined to be courageous to e last. “Oh! you needn't pat on any airs, Miss La Rue!” he sneered, his white teeth showing in a disagreeable attempt at a smile. “Ihave got you in my power, and oj a eg depends upon how you conduct yourself. Look around you, and you will behold the terrible Brotherhood of Death, who have held a reign of ter- ror in this country for the last six months, These resent constitute the First Division. Four other ivisions are.scattered about this nor’-western coun- try—two of them within the limits of the Black Hills | —and all are under my immediate control and pay.” Alice La Rue shuddered, but remained silent. “These men,’ continued Blood, with cool deliber- | ation, ‘‘are a banded army of brothers, who are bound by an oath of blood to obey me. They will | eagerly do my slightest bidding, because they well know that my labor is alone for the interests of the Brotherhood. Is this not so, boys?” * Ay! ay!’’ assented the crowd, in one t shout, that awoke no echoes, but was nearly whed by the roaring of the elements. “You see!’’ the colonel went on, py “They all love me as a brother. Now, Miss Rue. it is my unpleasant duty to ask you to make known tous the hiding-place of the treasure that Red Kit, i father, stole from our stronghold near Silver e. You know that it is rightfully ours—you fur- thermore know just where it is, and must fell us /”’ “But I won't!” replied Aléce, decidedly. ‘“ You made my father a prisoner in your den, and when he got a chance to escape, he captured some of your ill- gotten treasure and brought it with him, You killed my poor sister Eloise because she refused to tell the secret—”’ “ And I'll murder you by inches!’ hissed the colo- nel, rene —. over the helpless girl, and lari her with the ferocity of some enraged ast. “T'llhave you cut to pieces and strung on a rope for public exhibition, before you shall cheat me out of that treasure!”’ * You may do all of that and more!” replied Red Kit’s girl, firmly, “but I shall never—never—never tell you, nor any of your band, where to find the treasure!” ‘* We'll see!’’ said Blood, grimly, straightening up —‘ we'll see. Blue Bob, you generally are a ah J fair carver, and ca sharp tools. Cut off the lit Singer of that girl's hand!" 8 this order came from the chief's lips, all eyes were centered upon Blue Bob. He was known to be a cruel, heartless instrument of torture in the hands of the Brotherhood, and was never known to shirk a duty. But the old man hesitated now, and his hand sought his belt, slowly and peaceanehy “ Go on, you old devil!’’ yelled Colonel Bill, grasp- ing a revolver from Sandusky’s belt, and regen : it—‘“‘ go on, or I'll bore a hole through your thic skull, and throw you into yonder stream!” Apparently frightened at his superior’s harsh lan- gua e, Blue Bill crawled forward, and dropped upon is knees by the side of the fair prisoner. “Off with the little finger of her left hand!” re- | ated the colonel, sha’ . “No flinching, you old uzzard, but off with it, I say!" Blue. Bob bent forward, and then there was a piercing shriek of Porton Ganet crunching sound, after which the old en to his feet holding aloft a severed white finger from Alice La Rue’s ‘Good! Wow, will you tell us the hiding-place of the treasure?” demanded Colonel Bill, with a grin of exultance. ‘“No! no!”’ almost screamed the girl, her blue eyes flashing, darkly. “You can cut off every finger I have, and then my head, but I'll not tell!” ‘“ We'll see, you young she-cat—we'll see about | that. I’ve handled worse cases thanthat. You Blue Bob, cut off and unjoint her foot at the ankle—the left foot!” A murmur of horror esca; the outlaws’ lips. This was even beyond their it to horror. But the bloody work was not done! Blue Bob had knelt me knife in hand, and was preparing for the terrible deed, when suddenly the whole heavens were illuminated with a blaze of hea- ven’s fire, there was a frightful clap of thunder, and a fresh deluge of rain, Involuntarily the ruffians started forward with a cry of alarm, for they saw Colonel Blood totter away and fall in a heap upon the bank of the stream, bl streaming from a hole in his forehead. And ere they could reach him the flood with re- sistless fury had swept his corpse away. “ God's Hand!” a wild voice cried, and t , the startled ruffians beheld a youthful figure in the light of their camp-fire. “Such is the Migs og ee he hie meted out to your captain, with his fiery |. A boy in years was the speaker, judging from the sound of his voice and the development of his form, and yet the ruffians almost feared to approach him, a ite their numbers. e “Tam an outcast, murderer, swindler, thief, rogue ‘and blackleg, just Whichever suits you best. I have all the uliarities of a fiend—as the Boy Fiend I am widely known in some parts of the West. I heard of this Brotherhood of Death, and came to join it; but seeing as Death has been too much for the chief of your brotherhood, I wouldn’t mind filling the posi- tion just vacated by Colonel Bill Blood!” The ruffians held a short consultation together. A captain they must have, but since Colonel Bill’s tragic death, none were so eager for the position. After several moments’ rapid conversation amon Seprhaclveny Wagner turned to the Boy Fiend, and d, “By swearin’ an oath o’ allegiance, an’ quaffin’ a cup 0’ human blood, you can ome our captain. i ree is open ter ye. Blue Bob, bring the rink,” : The Boy Fiend came willingly forward, while Blue Bob went on his errand. He soon returned with a silver cupful of something whose odor proclaimed to be indeed blood. This he handed to the mysterious youth, who took it with- out a tremor. Then in concert with Toby Wagner he repeated the oath of initiation. We will not give it here; it was but a mockery and blasphemous insult to the or ar of God. Such things should not appear in nt, 4 After finishing the oath; and while stan there in the awful roar and din of that pouring*night, the Boy Fiend—for fiend he must be to go unwavering through this ordeal—raised the cup of blood to his lips, and drained it at a single draught. thus was the Brotherhood in possession of a new chief! CHAPTER II. OLD AVALANCHE ON THE RAMPAGE, Sours of the shimmering waters of the Belle Fourche, or North Fork of the Big Cheyenne river, trailing along across a vast savanna or level pues. through the mellow sunlight of a beautiful Indian summer afternoon, was an emigrant-train, composed of six wagons, drawn by stout and ugly-looking mules, and driven by big, raw-boned bordermen, with three exceptions, these being a trio of Germans, fresh from the ‘aderland, who were in the employ of the Jew families, three in number, who comprised half of the train. 5 Of the Americans there were two families by the name of Stone and Resville, the third wagon being occupied by one Thomas Jefferson Jaggers, a very strange and mysterious person, who had cbtained permission to accompany the train. Rare indeed was it when he was seen outside of his ‘‘ schooner.” Seclusion and strict reserve seemed to be a of his existence; no one ventured to By into his se- crets, for they were aware that such an act would be met with repulsion. Of the Stone family there were three—old Grafton Stone, his wife ag 6 and their pretty daughter, Edith, a young lady of about eighteen. Of the Resvilles th were four—father and mother and two stalwart sons by the name of Hal and Lew. Of the Jews there were ten in number, but as our story has com tively little to do with them, we will not tarry for a description. The whole caravan was in the charge of that vete- ran guide and Indian-hater of the North-west, Alva Lanch Hogg, or as he is more popularly known, Old Avalanche; and a better man could not have been chosen to conduct the train, for Avalanche was fa- miliar with every foot of the ground over which the route lay. In company with Colonel Stone, he was riding a little way in advance of the toiling train, as we look down gan them. And an eccentric appearing in- dividual was this same Avalanche—a man whom one will not often run across, in a year’s travel. He was of medium stature, with muscularly-develo form and clean, wiry, muscular limbs, and looked to be a person of uncommon strength, Though well along in years, he was still supple and active asa man of two score and five; his skin was tanned to a dusky brown from long exposure to the sun and wind, and in face and geveral appearance he was as gay as grizzly could be, His countenance, cleanly shaven, bore the livid scars of many a conflict; his raven hair reached to his belt-encircled waist; his ger black eyes still retained the brilliancy of youth. His ears were gone, however, which made a defect that would cause him to be recognizable in any crowd, no matter under what circumstances. H dress was buck-skin throughout, and he was armed with a handsomely-mounted Evans rifle, and belt weapons of superior pattern. His horse, though a scrawny, pray animal of uncertain age, still bore ev- idences 0 ssing immense bottom. tone was a man of five-and-fort; years, ut his lard ile, an’ squarmed away. An’ now ther old sardine hes waded ther everlastin’ riv- yer, an’ ’'m cheated out 0’ my vengeance,” “Been to Deadwood, I dare say?" said the colonel, carelessly. “Yas; reck’ I hev. Didn't stay long, though. Hed immeget bizness in ernuther part uv the equa- tor, so I climb onter ther fust breeze thet waafted ~ —— A es Sn
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along, an’ flew away. Annihilated tweaty hundred Injuns thet same day, too.” : - 5 Phew! Avalanche, that’s purty steep, ain't it, now? “ Zackarier Zebulom, no! Why, thet ain't a sar- cumstance—hain’t more’n a flea-bite on ther rump uv an ellerfanty. Why, sir, one day w’en I an’ my ji’nt war up in Montany, we war sot onter in ther middle uv a big perarie by fifteen milyun red-skins, all armed wi’ clubs an’ spears, an’ sir, fer a solid, actooal fact, wi’out stretchin’ matters ther billioneth part o’ an inch, we just cleaned out them ‘ar’ heeth- yan in five minnits, by ther watch—we jest descend- ed onter ‘em like a rip-roarin’ simoon o’ demolition, an’ extarminated ‘em beautchiful—fact? An’ et tuk me six yeers ter bury all o’ ’em; buried ‘em, ter —- ther wolves frum chawin’ ’em up inter sassinger fod- I. ‘“ Wonderful!’ remarked the colonel, dryly. “«There won't be many reds left after awhile, in the event of such slaughters. But whom do you mean by your j'int—a pardner, I suppose?” ‘“Yas—Florence Night-in-a-gale; never see’d her, did ye? Florence ar’ a sp’risin’ smart anamile for a goat. Hain’t see’d her fer an age, tho’. Guv hera whalin’ fer knockin’ ther false teeth out 0’ an old ma’‘den in Lar’mie, the uther day; hain’t seen her since. Got a fearful grudge ‘in’ old maids hes thet critter. S’pect ter heer uv her arrest fer old maid murder, sum 0’ these days.” 1 “T sup there is no danger from the Indians between here and Deadwood, is there?” ‘“No; since old Sittin’ Bull vamoosed, thar’s no reds as dare goon ther war-path, Mought git a dig frum outlaws, tho’. Plenty o’ 'em in the Hills.” “Ha! is thatso? I had not thought of them. Do you apprebend any danger?” and the colonel glanc- ed uneasily back at the first ‘‘ schooner,” in which were his wife.and daughter. “ Ken’t most allus sumtimes tell how fur a mule kin reach wi’ a hind fut, till ye let her try!’ was the grim reply. ‘“ Nuther kin a most us tell when ye're goin’ ter stick yer fut in a hornet’s ca- boose. on git a serenade frum ther Brother- hood o’ Death most an. minnit, now.” “The Brotherhood of Death?” “Yas; nevyer héered o’ et, did ye?” * No—never, to my recollection !"’ “Wal, they’re jest about ther wust g this side o’ purgato: o’ cusses fer a fight, an’ they never take no prisoners. hey jest annihilate ‘em ter oncet, an’ hev it dun with. S’pect Colonel Bill Blood av’ ther cruelest demon o’ humanity in these hayr boreal longytoads an’ lattytudes.”’ ‘* Bill Blood!” ; The colonel started strangely as this name fell up- on his ear; but he controlled instantly whatever emo- tion it might have caused within his breast. “D’ye know him?’ queried Old Avalanche, eying the colonel, sharply. ‘Have heard the name, somewhere!’ was the brief reply. “ Heerd o’ Deadwood Dick, no doubt, too?” “Yes—heard and read about him. A most remark- able youth, I should say, for this age.” ‘** Yas, Dick’sa cuss, bet onthat. Now ef I war ter add ter ther great firm o’ Old Avalanche & Co., Great Injun Annihilaters, wi' a v’ew ter increesin’ our de- structive an’ extirpatin’ propensities, I shed scoo in Deadwood Dick. Why, sir, I heern tellas he coul scrape ther complexion off 'm a ro wi' a rifle ball at a distance o° twelve rods, But thet hain’t no more’n a drup 0’ benzeen in er pot o’ porridge, ter sum 0’ ther shutin’ ther Annihilation hes done,” “Probably not. For instance, where you slaugh- tered those fifteen million of Indians, you must have done some extraordinary shooting!” **Purty fair, yes—purty fair!’ On across the plain toiled the caravan, lazily through the joysome sunlight, the aay treo of the mu the shouts and r of the drivers and the rumble of the heavy wagons, all charmingly he Ay ee of nature. ad to the str As far as eye co reac any direction, stretch- ed the boundless prairies, meeting with the blue sky afar off on the smoky horizon. A fresh flower- scented breeze fanned gently up from the south, and as it greeted the nostrils of Old Avalanche he gave a delighted sniff, and said: “ Thet breeze cums frum the hills, I'll bet a skulp. D‘ye smell them flowers? Them say Black Hl sartin sure. I shouldn't be surprised ef we sigh ‘em, afore sundown. Bell creek ford ken’t be fur off, nuther.” “We will camp there, then, eh?” queried Colonel Grafton Stone. : “Not ef this limb o’ boreal extarmination knows hisself!’ replied the Annihilator, decidedly. ‘Et ar’ a purty ole place fer a surprise by outlaws, so we won't stop thar.”’ ‘“See here!’’ The colonel grew instantly excited. “You are keeping something from me, guide, You fear sy attack from this so-called Brotherhood of Death?” “ Who in thunder sed so?” demanded the old man, in evident surprise, —‘‘not this chip o° extarmina- tion, I'll sw’ar. G'lang, ee durned brute.” And the application of the Annihilator’s spurs caused the scrawny, feeble-appearing animal to very suddenly rear up behind, in a manner that caused a yell of laughter to emanate from the drivers. ““Whoal Prudence, whoa! Condemn the ornery old ‘oss! But a fine anamile ar’ this self same Pru- dence, in battle, colonel—as purty a behaved critter as evyer chawed grass, Jest yell Injun in her ear, w’en any 0’ the heethyan abound in her vicinity, an ye'll see music—you bet’ Why, sir, thar was the time w'en we got bos} gs & =! Sooks over on Sweetwater plain, We see'd ther skunks a-comin’ afore they See’d us goin’, an’ thar war a race, bet yer bussum- | Great ham bone! S Wild Ivan. studs on that. But one o’ ther pizen imps tuk an notion inter his skull ter send an’ arrer arfter us, an’ et struck fa’r an’ squar’ in Prudence Cordeliar’s tail. Then, oh! Moses in the Bullrushes, ye jest orter seen her, se i jest orter seen that horse! e give er screech wuss nor ary | full-blooded Com-anche red-skin, an’ stretch this | off hind fut o’ hers out right suddint, like:—an’, cunnel, et’s an actooal sworn-to fact, sir—thet kick tore loose a shoe an’ sent et like a streak o° greased lightnin’ a-whizzin’ back thru the air, an’ it struck thet Injun an’ bu’sted his skull, an’ then bounded off | an basted anuther, an’ as I’m a live thunder-starm o’ demolition, et kept on till et Jloored thirteen Injuns /” Colonel Stone could not do better than laugh at the eccentric guide’s broad yarn and the grim way in which it was given. ** But, laying aside joking, Avalanche, do you ap- prehend any trouble?’ “Wal, yas,” replied the veteran, after a moment’s cool deliberation, ‘‘ I shedn’t wonder ef we encount- ered a small breeze o’ difficulty *twixt hayr an’ the Hills, tho’ et ar’ mighty unsartin whar. “Twon't be a bad ijee ter be prepared fer a little skewrup, | anyhow.”’ cting upon this rather meager advice, the colo- nel rode back and issued orders to all the teamsters and those within the wagons to be ready for instant emergency, as there was a liability of attack from the mountain outlaws at almost any moment. As the colonel was busied thus, the eyes of Old Avalanche were never off from him, and the expres- sion of his lips was certainly rather grim. “Yes! yes!” he muttered, to himself, as he saw the colonel turn his horse over to one of the team- sters, while he disappeared within the sheltered wagon—‘‘ thar’s sum devilment afoot, or this ere leg o’ extermination ar’ out 0’ lation. Thar’s a purty gal as ever breathed air in thet waggin, an’ they’re darned keerful not ter let her git a word wi’ anyone. Ef thet ain't s’picious, I’m no jedge o’ puddin’! And the old man turned his attention to things in front of him, with a —_- light in those brilliant eyes—so remarkable to find in so old a The train moved along; fresher and stronger grew the breeze; the prairie biz gradually more y and broken, “Thar’s anuther dubious leg o’ mutton—thet Tom Jaggers!” soliloquized the Annihilator, as if a mental inventory of those bebind him.” chap appears kinder friendly toward me, an’ yet I ken't anylize him. He's more uv a puzzle than an Injine squaw hitch ter a white man, wich ar’ harder ter beat than Goldsmith’s old Maid!" The afternoon wore rapidly away; the sun began to sink close to the smoky horizon; far ahead was a dark line which was suggestive of timber, when viewed by the naked eye. vrom der blace vere “ How mooch far vas ve we sdop?” bawled one of the German teamsters, growing impatient. “Shust apoud dree miles unt a half!” returned Avalanche, in excellent imitation of the accent of the Faderland. “Then yonder dark line is Bell creek ford, eh?” asked Lew twenty, as he came trotting alongside of Prudence Cordelia, “Yas, that’s the egal the guide repli his brows knitting slightly. “I'd give a sk ef we war ten miles beyant thare, tho’. Great Debaiom Zackariaher! Bulls in ther Moserushes! look! look! may I be teetotally atomized inter insect fodder, ef thar don’t cum Florence Night-in-a-ghle—my j'int— a part o’ ther great destructive Avalanche o’ annihi- lation. Whoop! hurrah! stop the train! thar’s hay- doogins 0’ danger ahead, thar!” The train was instantly brought to a standstill; in- tense excitement prevailed; every man se is weapons, and the women screamed out in their ter- ror. ; And all because of the ide’s cries, and the ap- pearance of an 1 fing animal of the goat species, who was s tion of the river, its unmerciful leats becoming more audible each moment. ~ y approaching from the direc- | | the excitement of the moment, and Resville, a handsome young fellow of | “Thar! thar!’ yelled Old Avalanche, as a band of | rhaps fifty horsemen dashed out from the dark ne of timber, “didn’t I tell ye, Florence knows w’at’s she’s about, every time? Yonder cums either Deadwood Dick and his band, or else the Brother- hood of Death, wich aire wuss. Order, hayr! Be lively; swing ther waggins inter a circle; look ter yer pop-guns; git i fer thar’s goin’ ter be a thunders: o’ demolition, now—a veritageable hurri-tornader o’ terrificossity an’ tion, ag =A —_ woman an’ brat ter ther frunt!” Brief and quickly given were these orders, and as upon speedy action. And none too soon were arrangements made, for | inside of five moments the enemy had arrived near enough to pour in a deadly volley upon the few de- fenders who had thrown themselves, in readiness to meet the attack, behind the wagons! CHAPTER III. DEATH AND RESURRECTION. “ Hourra! hooray!’’ shouted Old Avalanche, who had dismounted from Prudence Cordelia's back, and was petting his remarkable goat, fondly; ‘sock et to ’em, — cherubs—put in yer work, now, if ever!" The volley from the outlaws had been without ef- fect, as none of the there were full fifty of mixture tele Bretherod e of whites, half-breeds and full-blooded In- all were armed to the teeth, Avalanche dians—an saw this at a glance, and how utterly useless it would kly were they executed, for now life depended | | owner of those ey | barel | the outlaws were all armed wi | out o’ this sera) | kilty, this time. Zebulom Zac be for them to resist; yet they could not submit and be murdered in cold lood; they must fight to the last, and make every blow count—every bullet a a death-warrant. Fearlessly, in front of the grim savage band, rode a youth, clad in buck-skin, and masked, but of him the veteran guide knew nothing—only that he was evidently the leader of the Brotherhood in this par- ticular raid. But there was one rage of eyes that, when they fell upon the boy leader, in a sharp, scrutinizing glance, lit up with a sudden fire of recognition, and the Colonel Grafton Stone, could repress an exc tion. , “ He here!’’ was the muttered ejaculation—‘‘he here! and I thought and hoped that he was dead!” After the first volley, the outlaws reined in their horses to a walk, as waiting for the emi ts to fire. But a word from Avalanche prevented this ac- tion; his keen observation had gree them that th long-range pea rifles, and that they were yet safe from harm- ed by the emigrants’ fire. But those within the corral stood in readiness for instant action; every man and woman was aware of the peril which threatened them—all han ds, young and old, stood with weapons, determined to resist to the very “Well, de, what's to pay?’ demanded Giles Resville, who stood nearest to Old Av. his rifle leveled across a wagon wheel. “Aire we goin’ to git or ain't we?” ‘* You've stuck me, now, Giles—ye’ve encountered the great thunderstarm o’ demolition in ‘er deefi- kariaher! et looks as ef thar ht be swads o’ fun, prisently. Luke! thar cums ther dratted galoots, now! To arms! fel- ler-cityzens; ever’ one select yer pardner, an’ when ye hear me say fe, let em scoot True enough the approaches outlaws had struck their animals a gallop, but an instant af- ter the emigrants divined their intention. They were surrounding the corral. “Great whales that swallered Jonah!” cried Ava- lanche, as he perceived the move: ‘‘it’s all up wi’ us, now, sure’s thar’s sport in ther toothache. Say yer prayers, fur—here they cum!” Ps tt ee ctteied completely around the train, at a av | given signal the pneeiy. now dashed forward, their Ther | yells of triumph cal ted to inspire the little band within the corral with terror, and to intimidate them. for action. ; But bravely they stood their ground, and out of the volley of their fifteen rifles they emptied ten saddles, and.severely wounded two others of the Brotherhood. “Good! good! Thet’s ther talk thet decides elec- tion! Them’s ther kind o’ argyment as ‘ake, I tell ou. Poke et to’em, b’yees! let em scoot!” yelled e irrepressible Avalanche, and as lou as Le re nny bd a “ — yor rom oki ence Cordelia, who was rearing and plunging,n searching for some place where she could escape from the corral. “Steddy! steddy! old mare! Behave yerself, ye durned brute; none o’ yer funny business ‘round here!” shouted the guide, as he a telling shot into the ranks of the outlaws. : But, although full a score of them had gone cewn, and more were falling, the ruffians pressed on. Soon they closed fiercely in upon the little carral, and with their revolvers mowed down the emigrants one by one. Old Avalanche was the last to and as he went down beneath the fire of the Boy Fiend, a howl of pain escaped his lips—a bleat and a scrrow- ful whining came from the tw6 faithful, loving ani- mals he had left behind. When He fell, the terrible battle of death was over. Around within the little circle between the corraled wagons were stretched the lifeless forms of the em- ts—the Jew families and the teamsters; the les and the Stones—with the exception of Edith, who was yet crouching inside her father’s valanche and Tom Jaggers, who ) bs oy, and Old fallen side by side. Poor Edith! a bound and helpless prisoner within the colonel’s wagon, she had, perforce, witnessed the ruthless slaughter, and her pure young heart | bled for the defenders, even though she could not | } sw | her, but raise a hand to defend them or herself, “They're all done for!” cried the Boy look- ing over into the corral, “so get to work drag these wagons apart, and secure the plunder!” And sliding from his saddle, he approached and peered between the curtains of the wagon within which Edith Stone was crouching, in and alarm. “Hello! here's a girl, as I live!_This way, Wagner. here's a prize worth more than all the rest.” : The lieutenant quickly came in answer to the young: chief's call, and gazed in upon the terrified maiden. “A gal, true enough!” he exclaimed, his lighting up with admiration. ‘Cum out here, | an’ let’s get a fair squint at you. By all that’s holy, you're pretty ys <i “ She's hound ond Bee a ne Boy Fiend, i e Wi ‘Some of these emigrants or nk her a prisoner, at’s your nae eer” Edith did not replys she could not, for the of her situation held her speechless, Her was ; She was conscious of all going on about e could not move her tongue to —— “Come! come! none of your sulks!" grow. bam Ivan—for this was the name the young ruffian ha given to the Brotherhood. “Speak out and tell me Pr name, or it'll be the worse for you!”
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ob Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. plied the youth, a grim smile wreathing his lips. * Fetch my horse, lieutenant, and I'll be off with her, You can finish the job, and return to headquarters at your leisure. The girl won’t keep long in this at- mosphere!”’ “You'd better not go alone, chief!’ ‘3 Bah! what have I to fear? Bring me my horse, I The lieutenant replied by bringing the animal close to the wagon, and seizing Edith in his strong young arms, Wild Ivan vaulted lightly into the saddle. “Fetch everything of value, including the animals, Wagner!” were his orders; then he plunged the spurs into his animal’s flanks, and dashed away. A wild and reckless rider was this strange youth who had voluntarily placed himself at the head o the Brotherhood o Heath, and the outlaws paused at their work of plunder, to watch him speed away over the prairie. But they had not long to watch, for soon he had vanished from view within the dark line of timber that marked the location of Bell creek ford, just as the setting sun threw her last lingering rays athwart the level landscape. Then the Brothers turned to their work of pillage. Each wagon was ransacked and plundered in turn, and drawn aside, and then the bodies of the butcher- ed emigrants were robbed of weapons and ammuni- tion, and such articles as were considered of value. The mules and horses were lined together, and then the torch was applied to the wagons. vy with this latter act completed their work, the outlaws secured their booty to the backs of the captured mules, and mounting their own animals, they set out toward their stronghold in the distant mountains. Behind them they left death and devastation; on] two live objects appeared around the ill-fated spo after the outlaws’ departure, and these were the old companions of Avalanche in many a stirring battle— the scrawny horse and the ugly goat. Even the did not spprosch beyond a certain limit. Deat seemed to have a terror for even them, for they kept ata safe distance from the outstretched stiffening bodies, the mournful bleats of the goat and whinnies of the horse sounding weird and lonely on the prai- rie, over which the night was rapidly falling, still and black. And it must have been full two hours after the outlaws had quitted the spot, that a figure might have been seen to slowly rise to a sitting pos- ture among the dead, and gaze around through the thickening gloom, - “Wal, by ther great whale thet engulfed Joner, ef this ain’t wuss nor ary graveyard at midnight,” drawled forth a cracked, wheezy voice. ‘May I be teetotally annihilated ef I ain’t ther only ressereckted human ther crowd. Hello! what ther dickens aire them?” The ‘ons had burned down to the ground, and the few ng timbers rem sent a faint glow ar®:ind into the darkness, and partly visible within this light were two moving objects. ““Great Zebulom Zackariaher!” burst forth from among the dead, “‘ef they ain’t my Prudence Cor- deéliar an’ lor’nce Night-in-a-gale, may I be rid ona rail from here to Shian. Here, ye dasted brutes— this way, ye ornery j’ints o’ ther Annihilation. Yer pard ar’ better ’n six dead men, yit. Walk up an’ And Old Avalanche leaped lightly to his feet, while his pets trotted joyfully forward, manifesting their by loud bieats and whinnies. “No! owe peptone read A eet, ain’t oat figgered ~ cs) yit!” gravely announce e old man, as hepatted Ast one and then the other of his companions, ‘tho’ thar’s enuff layin’ around joose, hayr, as hes gone ter say ther cattychasms. 8’pose I mought hev bin an ordained white-winged flutterer, afore this, only I tuk er notion ter dra justa minute afore thet young Brotherhood assay ter et ter me. Ah! hum; et ar’ arful ter see w’at damage a hail-starm o’ destruction kin do fer a few innercent mortals. Every consarned one gone ter meet Gabbriel, ‘cept ther gal, an’ thet young roaffian hes got her.” a burning brand from the fire, the old man went carefully around among the dead, a grim distorting his wrinkled features, and aen he had reached the last body, he turned to the | goat who had followed close at his heels. “It’s no use, Florence, my deer; they’re all gone ther river-road tew Jordan, where we've ter foller, sum day, an’ we can’t do ’em no not ef we war ter shed a bushel 0’ brine teers over ’em. Asides, thar’s ther gal, an’ ef thar’s vartue in patience an’ porkypines, ther Annihilation firm uv Old Avalanche an’ Co,, are goin’ ter res her, or turn up ets varysome toes in ther ny ; Cum, Prudence, gal, let’s be off. Can’t stop fer burial, now; sum day mebe we'll cum back an’ creamate w’at bones the wolves leave;” and while thus — the old man mounted the sorry-look- ing horse, and followed by his eccentric companion, ‘the goat, rode from the spot away through the that now enveloped the prairie like a funeral - ia hee the aoe of that ead | Pomme ore behind, and jogged ra: away towa e Blac Hills, that lay miles array v0 the south. We will not accompany him, but will return to the camp of Death which he has just quitted. Not ten moments after the guide’s de there = another wed ae the dead noes —_ dotted prairie, and again a re rose to a sitting pos- ture and razed around. nine time it was Colonel Grafton Stone, who had risen as it were from the dead. ede the battle a bullet had plowed a fur- TOW across temple and stunned him, but he had recovered consciousness about the same time Old Avalanche had arisen to t his animal compan- fons. I’or reasons of his own the colonel had chosen | him the free rein, an to be counted among the dead, until after the old veteran’s departure. Now, however, he arose, and was lively enough, despite the wound in his forehead, which pained him excessively. “Tvan has captured the girl,’ he said, gazing into the gloom in the direction which Old Avalanche had gone, ‘“‘and that accursed | has gone in quest of her! Furies take the old wretch! can only get a word with Ivan, all will be well. I wonder how the boy got at the head of that gang of cutthroats? Can it be that Bill Blood is dead?” _The colonel next rose to his feet, and gazed at the | dimly discernible bodies lying around him, stark and | stiff. “ Betsy has gone under!” he muttered, gazing at | his murdered wife, a few feet away. ‘* Betsy was a pretty good pardner, and helped me take care of the girl; but, then, I Os teh she might as well die one time as another. can’t stop to mourn over her, anyhow; I must be off and hunt up Ivan and the girl.” And suiting action to the word, he turned away, and strode off through the gloom. Hardly had his footsteps died out, when for a third time that night there was a commotion among the dead, and the mysterious Tom Jaggers sprung to his feet, and skulked away, evidently in pursuit of the colonel. After that the scene of the massacre was destined to remain undisturbed, until those sneaking vultures 3 a 2 PE pe the pt bios le own ng wolf, e around, preparatory for a gran feast on the lifeless flesh. Bis if n In the meantime where were the young outlaw, Wild Ivan and his fair captive? After leaving the Brothers to their work of plun- der, the youth dashed swiftly away over the plain, urging his steed, which was one of great endurance, to the top of his speed. He rode without using the rein, for his arms were clasped closely about poor Edith, who was half dead with terror, for she real- ized that she was being borne away into captivity, and perhaps worse—disgrace and death. “On, Target!” the Boy Fiend cried, applying the spurs with renewed vigor. ‘‘We must get into the ills before it grows too dark.” Then, into the whitened face of the helpless maiden he darted a glance of malignant triumph. “Ah! my beauty, little I expected to take so rich a prize when I attacked that train, to-day. I su posed you in another part of this hemisphere. Ah! you start; you do not recognize me, it seems! Your memory is badly at fault. But I know yov—oh! yes; I never forget a face that I have cause to remember like I have yours!” “Can it be you—Ivan?”’ gasped the pallid girl, her eyes dilating with horror. *Oh! yes it is Ivan, my bird, and you tremble at finding yourself in my power. You well know what mercy you may expect!” No reply did Edith make—it was not in her power, just then, The flying outlaw now left the prairie, and dashed into the timber that fringed Bell’s creek, and in a short time his horse was swimming the deep but nar- row stream. It was when in the middle of it that he heard a shout, and looked back to behold another horseman, ere mae Ps like himself, riding swiftly down the bank in pursuit. ‘*Furies! that man is Deadwood Dick/ What can bring him so far up north? And what does he want of me—the girl?’ No, by the heavens, he shall not have her!” the young ruffian muttered, “Hallo! halt there, pilgrim!’ came a shout over the water, in the unmistakable voice of the road- agent of the Black Hills—the dauntless, daring Deadwood Dick. ‘Slow up, if ye don’t want me to salivate you!” . But Wild Ivan sent back a yell of mocking defiance, as with a mighty leap his steed cleared the opposite bank of the stream, and bounded away among the cottonwoods. “Oh! so that’s your game, is it?’ muttered Dead- wood Dick, with a low laugh. ‘“ Well, all right. If i think you can show me your heels, so be it. eckon that gal will be my eee, before I am many hours older,” and urging his own thoroughbred upon the bank, the yo. Prince of the Road gave he Ginn the animal, tread- ing the forest aisles with t enced trailer. : Once the timber was left behind, and the level — stretched away toward the mountain-capped orizon, then the race had fairly begun! “On! on! Flash! Do your best, now, beauty!” whispered Dick, patting his own animal on the neck, as he flew over the yielding turf; ‘“‘extra feed for you, old boy, if you fetch me within lasso’s length of yon flying ruffian!” And now it was a race in dead earnest! CHAPTER IV. THE ROAD-AGENT GALLANT, On—on over the prairie a Wild Ivan, with his beautiful prize clasped close to his breast, his steed down to a dead run under the cruel torture of the Mexican spurs. Nor did he have aught to kee him in the saddle save the stirrups in which his boot- ed feet rested; he seemed a bare of the flying ani- mal, so faultlessly did he keep his seat. And swiftly in pursuit came the young knight of the road, Deadwood Dick, his own spirited black urged to his bottom speed. It was a wild, strange race through the shadows of night that began steal silently over the earth—an exciting race to both pursuer and pursued. ‘ “On! Flash!” spoke Dick, asguringly; ‘you are e ease of an old experi- I believe he | has suspected more than he let on, all along. If 1 | | “fair cousin!’ he leered, mockingly. doing handsome, old boy, and I flatter myself that we can soon overhaul this accursed prairie pirate whoever he may be. But, next to you, Flash i must own that 1 would like to own that horse he rides, for it is as well-bottomed a beast as one will not often find. On, Flash! on!” And the noble black seemed to understand what was devolvent upon it, for away he bounded afresh, with ears laid back and head outstretched, and eyes gleaming wickedly. And Wild Ivan, as he glanced back, now and then, received that the road-agert was gaining percept- ibly though yet he was over’a gun-shot behind. * Ourses on the fellow!” the youth muttered, using the spurs more savagely; ‘‘ he seems bound to over- take me. Yes, and he is Deadwood Dick, and I owe him one for relieving me of my purse on the Chey- enne stage road. I wonder what can bring him so far out of his scene of operations? Maybe it’s got too hot four him around Deadwood, and he has come up here to sojourn while it cools off?” Then, the young outlaw cast a malignant glance down into the face of the helpless captive in his arms—a glance so impregnant with evil passions and cruelty, that poor Edith shuddered. “Oh! but it will do you no good to oe ge my “Nor n your heart flutter with the hope of escape, for I will cut your throat from ear to ear before I will yield you up to this hounding road-agent, or any one, whoever. You are mine! mine, and you shall see how carefully I will guard you. Only a year ago ~s refused my offer of marriage—scorned the hand hat though blood-stained would have fought fire and all the furies in your defense. And your refusal made me what I am—a boy fiend—drove me reck- lessly into the depths of crime and disgrace, but I swore to be revenged upon you, and how little L thought the hour of sweet vengeance would dawn so soon! ‘* How little I thought of you as being out here in this wild North-west; but I reckon matters got too hot in Cleveland for the gay and festive colonel. And is that western gallant, Tornado Tom, still searching after you? Success to the idiot, if he ever finds you —which he never will, unless sometime, mayhap, he may chance to stumble upon your bleaching bones on some northern prairie! E “Oh! Ivan!” gasped the frightened girl, ‘‘you will not harm me—you will spare me, won’tyou? Inever injured youin ys way!” ‘Didn’t you? Well, I and you look at it in two different ways, then. And as to harming you. I'll ree not to do anything of the kind. My revenge will be complete when we are husband and wife.” “Oh! no! no. I cannot marry you. I do not love you—I would not marry you for the world.” “You wouldn’t, eh? ell we'll see about it. You'll be mighty gad of the chance before I get through with you, I’ arantee you that. Young as lam, I have a facul y of breaking stubborn spirits, that would be a credit to a man of maturer age!” And the young villain laughed, mockingly, while he urged on his foaming steed, with voice and spur. Poor Edith! Hers was an unenviable position, and her heart sunk within her as the black, evil nature of the Boy Fiend lay exposed and naked in its hideous deformity, On flew the pursued, and on came the pursuer, now gaining res sow | for when the horse of Wild Ivan had exhausted its endurance and was momen- tarily losing, the black charger of Deadwood Dick was apparently as fresh as at the beginning of the chase. And it was not the intention of the road- agent to spend the entire strength of his animal. Across the pommel of his saddle oe handsome Evans rifle in the grasp of his gauntleted hands, and more than once during the race had its muzzle coy- ered the flying outlaw, but each time it had been lowered, while an expression of vexation would come into the piercing black orbs of the pursuer, Try as he might, he could not obtain a sight without risking the life of Wild Ivan’s captive. < “T am going to venture one shot, anyhow, if it kills or no!’? muttered Deadwood Dick, at last. ‘I guess old Posey, here, can reach out that far;”’ and again the rifle came swiftly to shoulder, and the un- wavering gaze of the road-agent re slong the sights. ‘ie next instant there was a and a re- ort which aroused the prairie echoes, and the bul- et sped on its vengeful mission. It struck the arm of the fiying outlaw at the elbow,. shattering the bone and throwing it out of joint; and so sudden was the shock that with a howl of pain Wild Ivan released his hold upon Edith, and she went head foremost off onto the ground. Wild Ivan uttered a string of frightful curses as he found his prize slipped from his grasp. but a glance backward discovered that Deadwood Dick was bear- ing down too close upon him to risk dismounting to retake the girl; therefore, with his pistol hand use- less, nothing remained but flight, and cursing furi- ously the youth—a human fiend, indeed—drove the asa deeper into his animal’s bleeding flanks, and ot away into the thicke goom. Deadwood Dick did not follow further than to the sues where Edith had taken her unceremonioustum- ble. Here he reined in Flash, and dismounting, found Edith sitting upon the , Tubbing her head with her hands, which she had managed to ex- tricate from their bonds. “Ha! did you hurt by the fall?” asked Dick, anxiously, bounding forward. “No, thanks to you—only my head received a slight bruise,” replied Edith, f tly. Then, for the first. she perceived the mask upon her rescuer’s face, an an exclamation of surprise and alarm escai her figs. wre can it be possible that you are an out- Ww ¥ Well, yes, miss~—a sort of one, as men look at it,
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Wild Ivan. 5 My warfare, however, is against men instead of wo- men!”’ was Dick’s pleasant reply. ‘I am the so- styled notorious road-agent Prince of the Black Hills —Deadwood Dick, at your service.” ** And you don’t make war against women?” ** Proudly I say no, miss—nor ever did!” “Then you will let me go free, if I wish?” * Assuredly, and it will afford me great pleasure to conduct you to whatever post you may name, from which you can find transportation to your home, wherever that may be.” ‘Oh! sir, I thank you!” cried Edith, eae. *‘But [know not where to go. I have no home that I know of. For several years I have been a prisoner in the power of a cruel uncle and aunt, who sold my home and —- me away while my father was ab- sent on a tour through Europe.” ‘Indeed!’ Dick gave vent to a pes whistle. “So there has been a plot afoot against you, eh? Who was the young cuss who was carrying you off?” Edith hesitated. It might not be well for her to make this road-robber her confidant. She was wholly ignorant of the type of a man he was. He might be worse than Wild Ivan for all she knew. “That was the chief of the outlaws who attacked our train, and massacred the emigrants,” she re- plied, evasively. “So? [thought Bill Blood was chief of the Brother- hood. But perhaps he has knocked under as all of us shall have to do, some of these days. I fancied you knew this young chief, personally, though I am unable to tell why.’ Edith did not reply, rye! by a shudder. “T was a witness of the massacre,’ continued Dick, “‘ but being alone and unaccompanied by my men, I wa: unable to render any assistance to the train, for it would have been certain death for me to have shown my- lone hand where the odds were so overwhelming. But I and my boys are on the trail of this Brotherhood of Death, and it was to visit destruction upon it, that we came so far north. I generally hold forth around the Black Hills metro- polis—Dead wood.” “Yes, I have read of your exploits in that neigh- borhood,” Edith replied. ‘‘ You have a very charm- ing wife, I understand?” Yes, miss;”’ and Deadwood Dick’s dark eyes lit up handsomely” — one of the dearest little women that ever set foot in this wilderness, is my Leone. If I could prevail npon you to go to our ‘Castle,’ as we call it, nothing could afford me greater pleasure than to present you to her. Iam _ positive you would love my darling, when once you knew her.” ‘Perhaps. Iam one to make friends very easy,” said Edith, with a smile. Indeed, no one could very well help being friendly toward Kadith, she was so pretty and innocent. The seventeen years that had passed over her head had developed her into the bud ofa beauti- ful approaching womanhood. They had pe her lithe little form into an admirabl contour—had imparted to her sweet rog' tines of perfect ily health. Her eyes were soft and bewitching in their hazel hue; lips ripe and red as a cherry, and hair of chestnut brown and Jong and wavy; it is little wonder that Deadwood Dic gazed at her with something akin to admiration— she was so bright and beautiful. “ Without oa you, I should say that no one but a heartless ruffian could be other a friend to you,” hesaid. “But, come! night is falling around us, and we must necessarily moving. You say you have no home. Let me then offer you the hospitality of my home, until you can determine upon your future movements. Every care and kind attention shall be paid you, and I am confident the visit will be mutually pleasant.” Thus spoke Deadwood Dick, as he stood leaning upon his rifle, inthe gathering darkness; and simple- hearted Edith age Boa at him, Ahm dig 2A He was so wholly erent from anything she had ever imagined a robber to be, that she felt she could freely trust him. Her idea of robbers and road- ents, as obtained from the current records, was that they were a ruffianly, dissipated, sensual set of outlawed characters, low and degraded beyond com- parison. But in Deadwood Dick she beheld a gentleman, in appearance and manners, and a man whom women are apt to admire, because fearless, courageous, courteous and tender. What was this str fluttering in her heart, when she gazed into those eyes that gleamed so answer. “You are very kind, sir,” she replied, Joking thoughtfully at the d—‘‘so kind that I fear shall never be able repay you. Of course had I . another pe to go, it wonld be preferable to me, rather than to go into an outlaw’s stronghold. But alas! I see no other way than to accept your kind in- vitation, Jn the course of a few days I may come toa ‘decision what is best for me to do.” “Very well, Miss—’ “My Some: is Stone, sir—Edith Stone.” “Very pn Stone; any time you may choose to leave us, I will f you an escort either to eae she. Stine Boupmen, from yy ou be find trains de ost every day. Now, then, guess we had better set out ‘for the Castle. These lains are not any too safe, once night has spread kts mantle over them.” “T am ready, Sir, a8 soon as you cut these bonds that bind my feet. ; * Ah! wh didn’t I think of them before?” and at asweep of his knife Deadwood Dick severed the cords, and then assisted Edith to her feet. ‘‘ Now, miss, if vou will occupy my saddle, I will walk ahead, and we shall reach the Castle before daylight.” Edith would have offered some objections to his going afoot, only that he arranged the saddle and laced her in it, and then stalked swiftly away into he night. Flash followed at his heels, and thus it was that Edith found herself being borne off under the protection of a road-robber—the last of all men whom she would at any other time have accepted as an escort. For several hours Deadwood Dick led on without pausing, over broken prairie that finally ended among the mountain foothills, where low, scraggy patches of timber predominated. Here he halted, and waited for Edith to come up. She saw that the steady march had fatigued him, by a - -ehtanes of his chest and the shortness of his reath, “You should have ridden in na 4 lace; or the horse could have carried us both, and thereby saved you so much labor,” she said, anxiously. But he shook his head with a smile. “Rather than have Flash do double duty, I would undertake the burden myself!" was his reply, “and as for oy riding and allowing you to go afoot, that is entire ty out of the question. e have not a great phe her to go, and then we will be at the e.”’ After a short rest he led the way into a deep and narrow canyon, whose rock-sides rose perpendicu- larly to a great hight. The bottom was covered with heavy timber, through which Flash picked his bee easily, seeming to take extra pains not to go = er limbs low enough to harm his beautiful charge. When hours had passed, as Edith supposed, Dead- wood Dick stopped beside a ledge of rocks that tow- ered heavenward, and seizing a i that Lrg down from far above, he gave it a violent jerk, then turned to Edith. You will dismount here,” he said, assisting her to alight. ‘Rub Flash down well, Ceripo—” toa dark, dwarfish fellow, who had suddenly emerged from the gloom, “‘and look well that he has proper care.” The man nodded respectfully, and led the horse on up the pass. As he disappeared, Edith was greatly surprised to see a large open tub.or car descend at her feet, into which Deadwood Dick handed her to a seat. “This is my chariot!” he laughed, seeing her amazement. “It is a car lowered by means of a huge crane, from the plateau, two hundred feet above. This issome of Cambre’s ingenuity. Cam- bre’s my lieutenant, you know.” Edith didn’t know, but accepted the explanation with good faith. The car now began to rise slowly, and continued to ascend for several moments, finally rig in mid-air, Overhead a huge arm reached out, and to this the car was suspended. The arm now, howev- er, began to swing around, the bucket descended and was gately set down in the center of a huge leve gets on which a huge refiector from a lamp set naniche in the mountain side, threw a flood of brilliant light. Edith saw a score or more of men grouped in dots here and there—dark, masked men, and she trem- bled when she thought of the strange position she was placed in. “Here we are!’’ Deadwood Dick exclaimed, pleas- antly, as he hel her from the ear, ‘‘ at Castle ——, four hundred feet above the plains, high and dry. Come this way, Miss Stone; I see Leone, now, com- ing to meet me!” d Edith followed, little dreaming that her ad- vent was to be the cause of much bitterness—of sor- row, jealousy, and pain. CHAPTER V. THE CHEROKEE GIRL AVENGER, * Jim Crow shot a man, An’ shot him all ter pieces, An’ all thar was left o’ him, War a cupple little asers, So hop along, skip along, Do just so—’ Anp here the singer sea ceased, and peered around him, as if expecting the approach of an enemy. But he evidently found the surroun s to his satisfaction, for he resumed his occupation, Ww me : It was rather xn odd scene to which we introduce the reader. Through the heart of a tree-environed dell at the bottom of a deep mountain gorge, noisily rushed an infant stream of water on its way to the great prai- ries to the north. A man sat upon the bank, gazing idly into the waters, a quizzical expression upon face. He was a lank, long individual, well along in life— undeniably a mixture of Yankee and native Mis- sourian, and about as comical a looking genius as one will often meet. Sallow and angular in feature, with hair, eyes and beard all of a decided blonde cast; legs and arms long and unwieldy; and attired in a dress of homespun, fancifully relieved, here and there by gay ribbons; such was a pen picture taken at a glance. He was well arm revolvers, knife and rifle. His only occupation as he sat perched there upon the eget: ap nek Ag watching cd water bled rush e over ro roc bed, creating weird mane thet echoed aaa echoed up h the dull gray walls that towered up on either an = rs age: Columbus diskivered America!” mut- tered the uncouth individual, reflectively, “ an’ got ps inter ther jeeographies ferdoin’ it. "Twara great ift fer Kit, an’ he wore his laurels like an ugly mule wears a sour expression onter his countenance. An’ now thet I, Josiah W. Hogg, ex-cluded member frum Legislature, poet o’ Powder River Range, an’ own cousin ter Wawkeen Miller an’ sech shinin’ flickerin’ lights o° ther poetical profession as Bill Tweed, Moar, Shakespear, an’ Oakey Hall, hev dis- kivered an infantile streamlit, I ken't see’ but w’at I shed enjoy ekal honor wi’ ole Kit Columbus an’ his crew. ‘“No, thar can’t be no doubt but you're ther fust diskiverer uy this riverlet, Josia’, an’ when ye’ve fol- lered it tew its source, as Moar sez: ‘**- Yer fame shall rize ter mount’ins hi’, Whar buzzeth the bee, an’ flyeth the fly.” “A great feller was thet Moar— Hello/’’ Josiah suddenly ceased his poetical effusions, as the sound of footsteps greeted his keen sense of hear- 1 . "Glatt quickly behind him he saw a female fig- ure glide from the undergrowth, and approach him. But what was most alarming, he — ved that she carried a cocked revolver in her d, ready for in- stant use. “Holey Jerusalem!’’ burst from the poet’s = ‘““who in thunderation ar’ this petticoater? An In- jun gal, true’s Mary hed a little lamb, whose fleece war white as snow, an’ everywhere—” Fearlessly the girl came forward, and paused by the poet's side, her fierce black eyes glaring down at. him in evident anger. She was not a full blooded Indian girl, but a half-breed, as was apparent from her features, and complexion, which was light and clear. In face and form she might have been called handsome, by an admirer of the ‘‘ brunette ’ bean- ties of our Far West; but in her jetty eyes there was a stern coming-and-going glare that was a repulsive feature in itself, She was clad in the costume of an Indian and wore jewels upon her fingers that must have cost large sums. Her whole attire was characteristic of elegance, and the rifle at her back and_the silyer- moun revolvers and scalping-knife in her belt were all of improved pattern and finish. To Josiah she appeared rather a savage-looking queen, however. “Ugh!” she articulated, in better English than is generally encountered among the half-breeds, and she scowled darkly upon the hunter—for, despite his ss rss Sas was an excellent h and r gh!” a bv Sado Pas ma’am; ¥en replied Josiah, rising and doffing his hat. “‘ What will your ughship have?” A startling burst of laughter poaied from the girls lips, and for a moment her face was lit up by a smile; but the next instant its expression was as dark and stern as before. “What d’ye larf at?” demanded Josiah, indignant- ly. ‘‘ What d’ye cum here for—what d’ye want—who on ‘arth be you?” ““T am Sue!” was the reply. “Sue, eh? Any relation ter Eugene Sue? S"pose not. ad a gal once named Sue—she also sued me fer ther britches o’ promise, an’I cum purty nigh hevin’ ter sew boots in a penitentiary, ter boot. Composed a few lines onter her, too, thusly: ** Oh! fickle gal I loved so well, Thouw’rt homelier than a liberty bell; Yer heart ar’ altogether sa Ter sum poor man you'll be the death. But ’twon’t be me—it won't be me; I ain’t sich a fool as I uster be!’ ““Them lines used her entirely up, an’ she died 0” Cerro Gordo sperm-oil meningittis—did, fer a fac’.” ** Like all the a your tongue wags on a pivot!” was the -bi girl’s grim comment. “Oh! ye don’t like that style o’ ephusion, hey? wel, here’s anuther. Tune, ‘I Want Yer be an An- gle’: < *** Oh! I hev got a bruther, Whose name ar’ Avalanche, Kin fight like a cross-eyed Injun, An’ screech like a Comanche, He's scrumpshious on his muscle; Kin draw the Hae d tears, As he sits an’ tells ther story Of how he lost his ears.’’ “Ugh! worse and worse!” cried the girl, ‘‘ White hunter a big fool! Better go herd cattle, or catch buffalo.” **Ken’t see it, my “* Darling chit o’ walnut shade, Whose beauty God in glory made.’ ‘Ken’t see it. A man wi’ my poetical perpensities kin do better than herdin’ swine an’ horned critters; asides, I’ve diskivered a riverlet, here, an’ ther fame o’ ther thing will emulate me ter a seat in ther Sen- ate, or mebbe Rutherford B. ‘ll give me a h inter ther treasury. But, by ther way, Miss Susan— hain’t related ter Susan B, A.,I s’ ? What az’ ay bizness with me? My name ar’ Josiah William , at yer service—Hogg in all cases being spelt wi’ two or more ‘g's’! “Ugh!” the hunter’s words seemed to arouse the girl into her old state of r. ‘*Sue is a Cherokee 1. Her father was a w fled, leaving : drowned the puny brat because it was his, Then she fled from the reservation, to visit vengeance on the head of her pale-face betrayer. You, white hun- S Onl Lacks practoasT paged: Josiah, tn peaiuting n amazement, %, don’t know, gal—don’t know no
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- a feller; that’s true as the gospel. 6 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. more about yer Spouse nor did the boy ’t stood on ther burnin’ deck!” ““Wagh! the white hunter lies! He is trying to fool Sue, because shé is a Cherokee girl. But he = tell her, or she will shoot him, and take his sealp ” And up came the revolver on a level with the poet's head, much to Josiah’s consternation. “ Now, lookee heer, gal, thar’s no use o’ yer gittin’ up on yer eare, fer TI swow ter gracious I don’t know nothin’ about yer feller. I'll sw’ar tew that on a siaek o’ Bibles as high as ther meetin’-house steeple down in Goose Pond Holler. Tell me his name, an’ il think ef I've ever stumbled across him: that’s fair, now, ain’t it?” - Yes, fair,’ replied the girl, slowly. ‘‘ You area man with a long tongue, yet Sue will trust you. Ivan Stone was the fiend who ruined her—a boy in years, but a cruel man in heart, form and villainy. It isto hunt him down to death that the Cherokee girl left oy and came here where the moun- tains grow wild, and the pale-faces are and Set “Tvan Stone, hey? Wal, gal, I never heerd 0’ sech . But as Moar sed— “*No man frum the ’arth tew sky above Kin ’scape ther tickle o’ vengeful love;’ an’ now, ef you'll jump inter harness wi’ me, we'll hnat up this Stony chap, tergether. I’m sum on ther trail, 7 tell ye, an’ ef ye’ll just show me whar ter find this ‘coon, I'll show him ‘to you, darned if I won't. What say you? Shall we enter inter partner- ship?’ Hark!” suddenly whispered Sue, clutching the post by the shoulder; “listen! some one is coming up the gorge. | Quickly, come with me into the bushes!’ And without waiting for Josiah to rise, she drag- ged him across.the dell into a clump of underbrush. “Jeewhitka—” gas the asto ed hunter, but her han: was cla forcibly across his mouth. “"Sh! not a bit of noise, or Sue will scalp you!” was her warning. Then they crouched silently in their covert, and waited, the eyes of Cherokee Sue gleaming savage- ly. The echo of horse’s feet rung through the gorge, growing plainer each moment, and soon a horseman came into view, riding at a swift gallop. Me was none other than the young chief of the Bre herhood of Death, the Bo end, Wild Ivan! A startling hiss escaped the half-breed girl's lips, as = pisome gaze fell upon him, and she trembled, violently. * Tis he!” she whispered, savagely—“ he, the young devil who wrecked my life!” “Thunderation! is ‘hat the weasel? Hold on—just ms me put an’ electric liver pill inter his constitu- ica—’ Meee “No! no!” Sue checked the impetuous i pos movement. “ The time has not come. Let him go. W > will follow; we will track the wolf to his lair, and there corner him, Zhen, you shall see the Cherokee gi-l’s vengeance.” “You've a gosh-dratted fool!” declared Josiah, bluntly. ‘Not much would I let him slide off thet way. As Danyel Webster sed— ***Send yer bullets fair an’ true, Sock *em in, cl’ar all way thru;’ which ar’ jest w’at Ished do. Let thet cuss escape, an’ like’s not ye'll never git yer party eyes glued on- ter him _— Let me squinchellate him.” “Nol Sue has said it. She will follow like a shadow. The white hunter can go with her, if he wll hold his tongue.” Wild Ivan galloped swiftly up the gorge, unaware that one of his bitterest foes was crouching so close upon his trail, He had not returned to his strong- hold after losing Edith Stone upon the prairie, but had camped in among the foothills until day once mre dawned, choosing to thread the mountains b @aylight rather than by darkness. And, too, he ha fea) to return and announce to the Brotherhood the loss of his captive. ) Without interruption he was allowed to pursue his way, and when he had vanished from view around a bend in the gorge, Sue turned to Josiah, quietly. _ **Come!” she said, her eyes shining in a peculiar way, “itis time for us to go. Will you follow where the Cherokee girl leads?” “Ter ther death, gal, as ther feller sed when he tied hisself ter ther rear uv a lightning express train, because he hadn't no money ter pay fair. As Burns sed: “* “Man proposeth and woman disposeth;’ so ef y’u’re disposed ter foller that young gentleman 1 pe Yome ter do likewise. Off brakes, ring ther bell, an’ off we go; I’m reddy.” And Josiah sprung to his feet prepared for duty. “TI will go ahead,” Cherokee Sue said; ‘you fol- low at my heels, without a word.” “Kareet. As Jim Shakspeare remarked: **Ont! onter greet ther battle, Check wi’ fire ther foe’s advance, Let ther bullets zip and rattle, An’ ye'll see the cusses. dance.’ “When I read them ar’ lines I war so effected wi’ their pathoss, thet I actually shed teers onter ther e ithout reply the half-breed girl stole from the underbrush, and stealthily up the gorge, her soft footsteps arousing no echo—her moyements like those of a cat, Evident it was at a glance that she had been reared ‘in Indian cunning, and care had been taken in her educa’ ion to make her at home upon the trail as well as oft. Her tread was firm and swift, and her car- “too.” riage proudly erect. One would not have thought an Indian girl endowed with a sense of honor that would crave for vengeance because of a betrayal; yet such was the case. In some of the tribes, and especially among the | Comanches and Cherokees, a dishonored maiden is an object of dena abuse and punishment. Only the scalp of their betrayer can ever restore them to a place of esteem in the village of the tribe. And despite his oddity Josiah Hogg was no ‘slouch’ upon the trail, either. He handled his huge feet as lightly as did his dusky companion, and bis eyes penetrated every re- cess in the walls of the gorge—his ears were on the | alert for hostile sounds. / Thus the two followed swiftly but silently up the | gorge through which Wild Ivan had ridden on his | way to the stronghold. “Many horses been up this way last night,’ said Cherokee Sue, as they passed over a stretch of sand, | in which was a confusion of imprints of horses’ feet. | “Up yonder they take to the creek;” and she pointed ahead to where the walls of the canyon nar- | rowed in to the water’s edge. ‘Rapids up there, | “How d’ye know?” demanded Josiah, now dubi- | ous as he saw that his calculation of being the first discoverer of the stream were all knocked end wise. “*Pears ter me you know a tarnal sight fer bein’ an Injun critter!” ‘Know rapids up there,’’ was the sententious re- sponse. ‘ foam on water—ihat tells. We'll have to wade.”’ ““Thunderation! that’s too bad. I allers did hate ter git wet feet. Got’em wet about a year ago, an’ actually peeled off a pair o’ stockin’s thet I’d lost four yeers before—suppose my ole woman ‘dsold ‘em fer paper rags.” They soon came to the place where it was custom- , ary for the outlaws to take to the stream, and the half-breed girl led the way into the water without hesitation, Josiah finally following suit with many ejaculations and poetical quotations. The water was only about knee-deep, but very swift and muddy, so that it was with considerable difficulty that a footing was maintained. Several times Josiah went down, sousing himself all over, but Sue kept up boldly. But the further they went the swifter and deeper w the stream, the roaring water now reaching to | eir waists. Finally the girl stopped, her attitude one of listen- ing—her eyes wild and gleaming. ‘What's up?’ demanded Josiah, shivering in his cold bath. ‘Lookin’ ter see f ye can’t find deeper water?”’ “Ugh! no! we must turn back,” was the low, cau- tious response. . “ There areh rsemen coming down the stream !”’ CHAPTER V1. THE ROAD-AGENT HUNTERS. Ovt upon the boundless prairie, not many miles from where had oecurred the massacre of the train, in a little grove of cottonwoods that hid the course | of a deep, yawning chasm from view, was a camp- | fire burning brightly, around which were grouped two score of men, attired in the picturesque costume of the frontiersman, and armed with repeating rifles and handsomely-mounted belt weapons. A few were old borderers with long beards, and wrinkled faces, but for the most part the camp- ers were young men, whose ages ranged all the way from seventeen to five-and-twenty years. He in command was a tall, handsome fellow, with fair complexion, hair and mustache, steely-gray eyes and well-cut features, while his form was strik- ingly developed in muscle and sinew. Japtain Norris Setan had been educated by an offi- | cer of the regular army, and was a perfect scout and ranger, often venturing into danger.where older h would have hesitated to go, but ever —. out crowned with suceess. It was his quiet boas never to have lost a battle, and he had participated in any number, both among the Indians and their worse brethren, the white savages who infested the region. Captain Setan’s command he counted two of the first scouts on the border—Jolly Jack and Scott Sherwood, both of whom were yet in the thirties, and pensar experienced t rs, who had won their name in the Lava Beds war. | Jolly Jack was a great strapping fellow, iron- framed and muscular, with a round, beardless face, of jovial expression, brown eyes and hair, and a gen- eral disposition of geniality. — Sherwood was a grim, taciturn fellow, who never made many words over an affair; an excellent scout and ee and a thorough good fellow, once el new him. He was dark of complexion, with an immense sweeping mustache of jetty hue, black eyes and hair, and a moody, grim expression of counte- nance, that was becoming in him. He now sat upon a long log in front of the fire, smoking his pipe and gazing into the dancing blaze, evidently in a deep reverie. Close at hand was his inseparable compan- ion, Jolly Jack, while the remainder of the men were lounging around in various attitudes. Ca n Norrie had just come in from the depths of oe ape and stood leaning against a tree, close to e fire. “Tt wouldn't be a bad idea to station a guard, boys,”’ he was saying, in his pleasant, cheery way. “To my notion, these prairies abound with roving = -skins, even though Sitting Bull has gone north.” “That mought be, ca tin,” coincided Jolly Jack, with a nod of approy: “T saw plenty o' Injun signs along the route to-day, though I said noth- ing erbout it. Didn’t want ter raise a breeze, ye see.”’ “And I saw the same,’’ added Sherwood, quietly. “Tl vouch that there’s plenty 0’ Sioux in this vicin- ity. Probably we could not remain here many days without hearin’ of ’em!”’ “Them we must have sentinels posted!” cried Setan, quickly, ‘‘ We surely wish to lose no men by | the savages, when we shall need them all to com- pete with Sir Deadwood Dick. Kellogg, you may choose three men besides yourself, and guard the ne .,, 1 will see that you are relieved at mid- night,”’ Accordingly, four of the band were stationed off | in the forest, where the light of the camp-fire could not reach them. Captain Norrie paced to and fro in front of the | fire, nervously impatient at something, though he spoke not for a long time. : Finally, the veteran, Mountain Mike, broke the si- ence: anh ts time we heered from Rivers, ain’t it, cap- n ’ “Yes, past time. We should have heard from him | two hours ago. It isn’t six hours ride to the hil and he has been gone two days. I cannot accoun for his delay.” . ‘**Mebbe he got nabbed on the trail?” “Bosh! Lem Rivers is too smart to be caught oe: He will probably turn up before another a ” “I hope so,”’ growled Sherwood. “I’m tired of this camping down, here and there, waitin’ fer some one else to spy out the game.” “Them words fits my dickshunary to a capital dot!” added Jolly Jack. ‘We ain't seen a red nig- gur, even, ter shie our respects at. It’s almighty monotonous to one 0’ my caliber.” And this expression was manifest in nearly every face upon which the firelight fell. “T know it, boys,” was Setan’s quiet reply, “and I don’t like it any better than the rest of you. But L have followed Deadwood Dick up into this country for the purpose of capturing him, and obtaining the reward of two thousand Coleen. the price offe for his delivery to the proper authorities, at Dead- wood; and /’m going to do it, if I have to accomplish. the task alone and unaided !”’ “Bravo! With that spirit you'll weather yer ios and we'll help ye!” cried old Mike, enthusiasti- cally. , At this ag a: there was the tramp of a horse’s feet, and the astonishment of the camp, an old grizzled individual, mounted upon a scrawny gra mare, and followed by a vicious-looking billy eg rode leisurely into their midst, using as little cere- mony as though he belonged to the party. “Hello! who in blazes are you, pilgrim, and how do you come here?”’ cried Captain Setan, an expres- sion of merriment in his eyes. ‘‘ Where d’ye cum from, old chap?” “How much “Il ye take for the hoss?”’ “What breed o’ dorg’s that, Governor?’’ “What kind o’ oats d’ye feed yer stallion, old. traveler?” And a dozen or more such questions were plied with laughter by the jolly rangers, to all of which the old man appeared coolly indifferent. ““Whoa-a-a! Prudence, gal;.jes’ stop, wull ye!” he cried, pulling back on the reins with all his ap- parent stre “Good-mornin’, gentlemen—tho’ ro do appear kinder duskish. gets hoon 3 eon ese uv a young, orne men 0’ Eve's: rib, who war kerryin’ off a as war purty as a sunflower in December?” eal = . ‘No! nothing of that sort has erots this way,. during the last two days,” assured Captain Norrie. “Hain’t eh? Wal, thet’s too bad. Ye see they hed a massyker down hyar, a few miles, thes arter- noon, an’ me an’ the gal got slighted—thet is, warn’t killed. A young robber chap carried off ther gal,. an’ I got kerried off on ther back uv old Prudence Cordeliar, heer. So I’m huntin’ fer ther lad—Wild Ivan ’s his name, an’ he ar’ ther new cheef uv ther Brotherhood o’ Death,” es this is allnews tome. Who are you, old man ” “Me! What! didn’t ye nevyer heer tell 0’ Old Avalanche, ther Great Injun Annihilator—ther orful, devastatin’, destructive hailstarm. o” subversion, w’at sweeps like a dose o’ lightni payee thru these boreal lattitudes an’ longitoats-t er giant snow-slide 0’ Norweegy—ther great cantankerous, roarin’, snortin’, cavortin’ hurricane o’ extermina- tion? Didn't ye nevyer heer tell o’ this great acheeve- ment? Wall, sir, [hey ther honer ter be thet same Avalanche—thet same extirpator—thet same un- healthy disease; an’ this ’ere’s my hoss, Prudence Cordeliar, an’ thet ’ar’s my goat, Florence Night-in- a-gale—both 0’ ’em j’ints o’ ther great famuss mete- orical wheel o’ Annihilation, that swoops around ee ae secont hand on a three-dollar lottery wi “Hurra! here’s a curiosity!” cried guy Jack, and a general laugh ran through the ranks of the road- agent hunters, ee eh? =, eR A SOM aa of you ore, pilgrim,” rep! n, “but I cannot say just reo W ho and what is this Brotherhood of Death, of which you kr’ “Great Zebulom Zachariaher! hain't ye heerd about them, nuther? Must be ye’re strangers in this lattytude.”’ " “So we are, comparatively. Where we have camped, here, ends our knowledge of this northern country. We come from Deadwood City.” “Phew! ye don’t say so? Wal, I'll be figgered! What on ’arth fetched ye up hayr?” “ We are road-agent hunters, old man, in search of one notorious rascal and outlaw who calls himself
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Wild Ivan. 7 —— Deadwood Dick. We've chased him up here, and are now waiting for one of our spies to report his whereabouts.” ‘Moses in the bullrushes! An’ ye’ve got an ijee ye’re goin’ ter capture this Deadwood Dick, hev e?” a ‘“Yes. Once we find his stronghold, well spend a lifetime but what we'll take him.” 3 “ Wal, stranger, ef ye cotch that pestiferous galoot, why, may I be eternally blistered wi’ ther heat frum barge tary aaaee all!’ “ Vh 9° ‘**°Ca‘se hew’s you'll never lay yer paws onter him —mever !” and the Annihilator emphasized his decla- ration by giving Prudence Cordelia a dig in the side, which caused the worthy beast to suddenly rear up behind, much to the disgust of the goat, who stood in close proximity to the iron-shod heels. At this juncture the sharp report of a rifle and a savage yell came echoing through the forest aisles. “By heaven! the red-skins have attacked the guards!” cried Setan, “Great ham-bone that dislocated the jaw of old Venus!” cried Avalanche, simultaneously, and the next moment he galloped away into the timber in one direction, while his eccentric goat shot off in an- other. ‘Skeered out, by Christmas!’’ declared Jack. “War from it,” grimly replied Sherwood. ‘ You might be oroud if you stood in that old targer’s shoes, He's a ‘ hailstarm,’ as he says!” “To arms! boys, to arms!’ cried Captain Norrie, and his order was instantly obeyed. ‘*‘We must be prepares Kick out the fire, and dodge into the oom.,”” No sooner said than done; then the road-agent hunters waited breathlessly for the issue. The wood was wrapped in profound silence. Not a step was heard, not the rustle of a leaf. A dead blank seemed to have fallen, that was sugges- tive of imminent pa. Each of the rangers stood with rifle in hand, waiting for the enemy’s onset. But no further attack was made, and this deepened the mystery. The night was densely black within the grove; a hundred lurking savages might be con- cealed within the shadows, . Nor was the least sound heard betra the whereabouts of Old Avalanche. Evidently he had cleared out, as Jolly Jack had intimated. “* Mebbe it was only one of the guards firing off his gun at some suspicious object,’ suggested Norrie, growing uneasy. ** Mebbe not /” was Scott Sherwood’s grim response. “Hold steady, and you'll soon see plenty of Injuns!”” And it proved that his words were Lo perce for a few moments later a flash and a report came from his rifle, and a shrill screech of pain resounded on their und of an arrow protruded from the young commander’s preen t, and ns gue ! 1“ 4 erwood saw at a glance, and a groan escap- ed his compressed lips. ‘The poor boy is dead!” he said to Jolly Jack, as he arose with tears eo his cheeks. ‘‘ Pass the word to the rest, and them to hold firm for his sake. Our lives depend upon Jolly Jaek obeyed, and a general wail went up from the rangers. All loved their brave captain with brotherly affection; most of them had followed his lead for two years and upward, during which time he had been a faithful friend and a fearless cap- ce!’ tain. “The boys take it hard,’ whispered Jolly Jack, as he stole back to his comrade’s side. “ at to him off—a bullet or an arrow?” Sherwood did not reply; he was too full for ut- terance, But his fingers tightened navel his rifle, while his dusky orbs peered into eee 4 And thus matters stood at the end of an hour. Neither the road-agent hunters, nor their savage unseen foes changed their position; the darkness was growing even denser; the silence that wrapped the grove was grim and meaning. | Every ranger stood ready for instant action; Sher- wood stood by the side of fallen captain, like an avenging shadow. : ‘i Great ham-bone thet dislocated Venus’s lower jaw!” cautiously exclaimed a voice, and turning, the ogg the form of Old Avalanche standing ard by, ‘| Wat on ‘arth’s tuk ther capting down?” He is dead,” replied Sherwood, hoarsely—“ killed by an arrow!” Zebulom Zackariaher! is that so? Poor feller! didn’t captur’ Deadwood Dick, after all. Any o’ the rest gone under?” e gloom, “ Luck ! thar’s about twenty million 0’ Purple Bye’s re mg te layin* around ‘loose in these yere woods. I killed six by way o’ amoosement, back r. ” ney Why don’t they pitch in an’ find what kind o’ material we're e of?” queried Jolly Jack. “Dunno! ‘Pears ter me they’re waitin’ fer a sig- nal, w’at ain’t.a-comin’.”” “A signal?” “Yas. I shedn’t wonder ef I devastated the sun of a gun as war ter give the signal, an’ they’re wait- in’ fer him ter be ressereckted.” “ Are we surrounded, then?’’ ‘Bullrushes in Moses, yes—on every side. Even this great Norweegan snow-slide o’ demolition wouldn’t make a punctuation p’int in ther infarnal a eee . «Where's your horse and goat?”’ “S'pect they're outside on ther perarie, waitin’ fer ther music ter begin, when Ae see “em cum dancin’ in, like hot peas on a cold griddle.” A rifle cracked, at this instant, and was followed by the startling death-yell of an Indian. And then there rose upon the air of the still autumnal night, a chorus of fiendish yells, and exultant war-whoops, and a cloud of arrows and volley of bullets came in upon the besieged whites, while from all sides poured a dense swarm of the vengeful red-skins, their howls making a perfect Pandemonium, “Stand firm, boys!’ rung out the clear voice of Scott Sherwood; “make every bullet count—then club your rifles and use your knives. Courage! cour- age! and we'll sweep the cussed imps from the face o’ the earth!” 4 CHAPTER VII. JEALOUSY VERSUS LOVE. Epriru Srone, as we have said before, followed Deadwood Dick across the plateau toward a cavern- ous opening in the mountain side, little thinking of what misery, jealousy and pain her coming was des- tined to cause, or else she would never shown herself within the road-agent’s stronghold. As they advanced a slight girlish figure came forward from the grotto, and paused in front of them—a wild- looking but beautiful creature, with fair complexion, shining eyes and waving reddish hair, and a hand- somely rounded form—just the one a road-agent could truly worship, and Deadwood Dick sprung for- ward and caught her in a rapturous embrace, cover- ing the ripe rosy lips with passionate kisses, ““My beauty!”’ he exclaimed, “I am glad to get back. Your darling little self draws me as by mag- netic influence from straying far.”’ “And I am glad to have you back, Eddie; but what female have you brought here?’ and the young wife shot an inquiring glance toward Edith, who stood by, acurious spectator. “This is Miss Stone, a young lady whom I rescued from a young cuss who Calls himself Wild Ivan—the new chief of the Brotherhood of Death, of whom I told you, last night. Miss Stone, this is my darling little wife—my one |"? And, as he spoke, Harris gazed at her he loved so well, with proud admiration With the two girls standing in his presence, he could see how much prettier—at least, in his eyes— — oe than Edith, how much more womanly and t. ‘Tam happy to meet you, Miss Stone,’ Leone said, advancing and extending her hand; but there was a queer little ring in her voice that impressed Edith unfavorably. “I trust we shall be famous friends, for I have none of my sex for companionship—but, then, whom could I ask for more than my Road- Agent Richard, here?” ‘None other, I should say,’’ returned Edith, can- arse “You seem to think a great deal of each other.” ““Which we do,” assented Dick. ‘Leone and I could not get along without each other. But, come —let us go to the Castle, where no doubt we will find poe 4 awaiting us, for i am as hungry as a starved wolf.” And offering an arm to each of the irls, the Prince of the Road escorted them through the cavernous en- trance into an immense grotto that pierced the mountain with great chambers and cells like a ver- itable honeycomb. The floors and walls were smooth and level, and the ceilings, far above, were densely hung with grotesque stalactitic es and pendent vines, whose flowers exhaled a faint, delicious per- ume. In the first. chamber a long row of rudely-manu- factured tables were stretched across the floor, from which two negro waiters were clearing the remnants of the evening meal. “This is the general dining-room for the boys,” Dick explained, as they went along. ‘‘ Besides, each one of them has a separate apartment for sleeping as in this grotto there are a hundred or more natur: cells, several of which we have arranged into dun- geons for the accommodation of prisoners. Look out that you commit no offense so that we shall be sane to lock you up, Miss Stone—’’ with a gay u “ Please take that advice to yourself, my charming cavalier,’ spoke Leone, just a trifle bitterly; but Dick noticed it instantly, and shot her an amused glance, though he made no reply. After passing. through several airy chambers, which were eg eS they struck into a narrow passage, turning o of which they entered Dead- wood Dick’s own suit—four rooms in all and con- nected by natural archways. The first room was made to answer the purpose of dining-room and parlor, and was tastefully arranged with cheap but rat ta and a eee a bright mae tia re burned to one side, the smoke escaping thro a a overhead. i ping ile Le: was in the adjoining apartment pre- ie Bening repast, datwoot Dick seated and chatted pleasantly with Edith. He ex- ints, of their wild be reached only by Pimnse plained to her the interesting aerial retreat; also that it coul two routes—one by coming up in the car, and the other by a preci itous rugged mountain path that led ten miles ore debouching among the lower gorges. Edith in turn narrated a few events of her west- ward journey; and the longer she conversed with the gentlemanly young road-agent, the more favor- ably she was impressed with his appearance. She little marveled at pretty Leone’s liking*for the man —or boy, as he yet really was. She admired him herself —he was so pleasant, brave and companion- able. Their tete-a-tete was at length interrupted by the announcement that supper was ready, by one of the colored waiters. : Graciously Deadwood Dick conducted Edith to the white-spread table, taking a seat directly opposite. A repast of corn-bread, roast venison, and light wine was upon the board, iu addition to fruit and sweetcake, much to Edith’s surprise, for she little expected to find these luxuries in a road-agent’s camp. es Where is Leone, Sani?” asked Dick, quickly no- ticing the absence of his wife. ; “Dunno, Mars’r Dick,’ replied the negro, with a grin, “s*pec’ she’s done gone off to her room a-cry- In’, sar!” Or ing !’’ Deadwood Dick was ont of his chair in a twinkling. ‘ What inthe deuce was she crying about?” ‘*Couldn’t say, Mars’r,’’ was the reply, but the man gave a glance toward "dith that our hero com- prehended instantly. “Oh!” he said, ‘I guess « know. You will please excuse me, Miss Stone, while I go and fetch back the truant.” “Certainly,” replied Edith, and then he hurried away. th saw with her keen perception how matters lay. Leone was jealous of the attention her husband had innocently paid to her, a stranger, as a due courtesy to a guest. Of this there could be no doubt. And yet Edith could not see what cause her hostess had to be jealous. She had no more than expressed her hon titude to Deadwood Dick for saving her from a horrible fate, to which she would have undoubtedly been consigned had Wild Ivan succeed ed in carrying her to his stronghold. And if it was all that had fired the passions of the little wife, was she to blame? Deadwood Dick hastened toward Leone’s room, a pained and yet amused expression about his mouth. “The little jealous chit,” he muttered; “if this is the way matters are going J shall be sorry—”’ He pushed into one’s chamber, which was tastily furnished and hung. A bed stood in one cor- ner, but Leone was not upon it, as he had expected. Neither was she in the room. “This is strange,” Dick muttered, quitting the place, and running along a passage that led to the eneral rendezvous-chamber of the road-agents, “I on’t see where she can have gone.” J In the main room a number of the band were ee about the tables, engaged at a game of ca ‘Has my wife passed this way toward the pla- teau, Cambre?’’ was the question Dick put to the lieutenant, in some alarm. “No, captain. Has not been in this direction since you went in with her and the other gal,’’ replied Cambre, fully. : The young chief turned back, a frown visible upon his brow, for he had removed his mask on reaching the plateau. “Tve half a notion to let her get over her sulks, and return when she pleases, dashed if I ain’t!’’ he meet ate ee ae. eager ab tanetone? ea no across nd, an tha pain of anxiety tuggi at his h he kept on. vhs ral One another of the grotto honeycombs he ag eta by the aid of a blazing torch, and at last, in the remotest one of the whole lot, he found the ty of his search—Leone! he was lying prostrate upon the cold, damp, rocky floor, enveloped in a cloak of furs, and sob- bing bitterly, her little figure violently agitated with her emotion. Harris knelt by her side and placed his hand oaty upon the throbbing head —the little head with its wealth of brick-hued hair he loved so well. “Leone!” he said, tenderly, ‘‘ what is the matter? Why have you come here in this damp, lonesome place, eh Come! let me help you up, and then you must tell me the cause of your grief.” There was no answer—only the a se girl sob- bed the harder. And sitting there by her side, Dead- wood Dick cursed himself for not having allowed Ivan Stone to carry off his prize. But he reproach- ed himself the next moment, when he thought of the sweet, gentle, confiding maiden he had just left. Still she was nothing to him—not a millionth part as much as his jealous little darling here, who lay sob- bing before him. “Come, darling,” be continued, raising her head and shoulders into his arms, and kissing away the tears that trickled down the whitened cheeks “look up, won’t you? Don't cry so, What have i done? Are you_ jealous because I chatted with that stranger? Oh! Leone! you shouldn't be, for you know. that I love you better than my life— that I worship the very ground you—” “Stop!"’ she cried, so suddenly that he was star- tled. She had struggled from his arms to her feet, now; her tears had ceased to fall; she stood there with white, passionful face and shining eyes, and he wonde that he had never known how royal- ly beautifulshe was before. “S ris!” she repea' sternly; here, You return to your supper.” , Edward Har- matter drop,
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. Dick did not attempt to follow her, this time, but took another route back to the chamber where he had left Edith, He saw that it would be useless to reason with her; red-haired people are said to be endowed with strong passions, though this was the first cloud that had arisen to mar the sunshine of their wedded happy existence. He felt that she would return to a sensible view of her foolish freak, and be sorry; res! with these thoughts he returned to the supper e. Edith was waiting, having eaten nothing while he was absent; so they ate in company. Very little was said, however. Edith was somewhat constrained in her speech, remembering what had occurred; Dick was grim and out of humor, and resolved that Leone should have no further cause for ey if he could _ help it. At times he wished Edith at the Anti- podes: but then he would be reproaching himself an instant later. There was no gainsaying the fact that she was beautiful, and sweetly, innocently fascinating; but, then, Leone was all the world to him—he could never love another than the girl who had taken him as he was, a road-agent and hunted outcast on the face of the earth, and made his latter existence one of un- alloyed ps py ee only true, gata thank- ful period of his strange, eventful life. After he had partaken of the repast, he left Edith and went off into the men’s quarters. At least, Le- one should not have cause to say again that he lin- gered at the side of their fair guest. Edith amused herself for awhile in looking over a shelfful of books, of which Deadwood Dick had quite a collection, he having a superior taste for literature, which he gratified by the purchase of a sensible book whenever the chance offered. e came in presently, and helped Sam to re- move the tea service. Her face was very pale, and her eyes red andswollen. Edith saw it in a moment, and gliding quietly to Leone’s side she threw her arms impetuously around her neck. *“You are angry—jealous of me, ain't you, dear Leone?” she said, kissing the white lips of the young wife. ‘‘ Jealous, and without cause, too. Oh! don’t be, please. You have nothing to fear from me, and Iam sure your husband loves you dearly.” Leone put her off, almost fiercely. “Don't!” she said, deprecatingly, and there was a menace in her tone. “I want nothing to do with you. Leave me—go/” And she stamped her foot, pe gales 6 Fright- ened at the deadly gleam in her eye, Edith turned away, and began looking over the DcOks again. A fear now assailed her that the jealous wife, in her frenzy, might do her harm—might murder her while she slept. And the more she thought upon the subject, the stronger grew her fears, until she was all trembling and agitation. What should she do? Something, surely, before it should be too late. And but one plan offered itself. She would go to Deadwood Dick and make known her fears, and he would protect her—he, whom she thought so grand, and handsome, above all men. With this view in keeping, she left the chamber in which they had dined, and sped through the dark assages and apartments of the grotto. But not aking the main route, it was nearly an hour ere she saw a light to one side, and found herself in the ren- dezvous chamber, where the whole of the band, un- hove th BS with exception of outposted guards, were athered. . Edith stopped in the center of the room, terrified at the many masked faces turned toward her, But Carlos Cambre, Deadwood Dick’s gentlemanly lieutenant, came quickly forward to her relief, “ Excuse me, miss; but you are looking for some one, eh?” ‘Yes, sir. I was looki ** Harris—Dead wood Dick?” * Yes, sir. Where can I find him? I thought he was here.” “He went out, just a moment ago. Pass arene h that opening yonder, and you will find him on the a eau, we fhank you!” and Edith hurried away, glad to escape the gaze of so many curious eyes that gleam- ed through the black poner Bi . She soon emerged onto the wide level plateau. To her great surprise, she perceived that day had al- ready dawned, and the morning sun was lazily rising o-it of the hazy prairie horizon, far to the east. From the plateau a person was afforded a fine view of the landscape—the mountains that rolled away until they merged into the prairie, which rose and fell in little hills and hollows like the restless waves on the ocean—the great deep tr canyon far, far below, and cascades and mountain torrents. that oured their waters into it. All this, as revealed un- Ae the mellow morning sunlight, seemed inexpres- sibly lovely to Edith, who was a great admirer of beautiful scenery. Deadwood Diek stood at the edge the plateau, gaz- ing moodily down into the canyon, below, and did not hear th’s approach until she laid her little white hand upon his arm. “Mr. Deadwood Dick!” He started at sound of her voice, and gazed down at her, almost angrily. “ What! you here, Miss Stone? I thought you were enjoying a comfortable sleep.” “T was afraid to go to bed, sir, your wife repulsed me so rudely. She hates me, and I fear will do me Non! Leone would not harm a mouse, She's a little jealous, that’s all, It is the first I had learned that she was of a jealous nature. There, now, ge back and you will find sleeping accommodations the room next to the dining-room, Have no fear that Leone will trouble you, for she will soon get over her spuuk.” But these words did not ee with the Prince’s real opinion. Something told him that Leone had taken matters more deeply to heart than he had calculated—that she was not so easily conquered of her gens And had he, as Edith turned back back toward the grotto, seen a alight figure dart into the trance out of sight, with pallid cheeks and desperate ap | eyes, he might have been more assured in Ss ef, CHAPTER VIII. FIGHTING LIKE DEVILS. Yes, some one was coming down the stream, as the two trailers could plainly hear the splash of horse’s feet in the water, and, too, but a short dis- tance off. ““We must turn back!” repeated Cherokee Sue, grimly, and throwing herself at full length, she al- owed the rapid stream to bear her bey @ Having no other mode of eagape at hand, Josiah followed her example, although he was loth to get more drenched than he was. And they were not a moment too soon, for Wagner and twelve of the Brotherhood appeared in sight. “T’m mighty sure I heard voices!”’ the lieutenant was saying, while he peered around, inquiringly. “Can’t be that some meddlesome hunter followed ivan, can it?” be, easy enough,”’ replied Blue Bob, with an oath. “Don't see any one, tho”. Guess you wer’ mistaken." ““What d’ye think ‘bout ther boy’s story 0’ losin’ the gurl?’ demanded one of the outlaws, as the band followed down the bend of the creek. **Reckon he’s honest enuff, thar,’ was Wagner's response. ‘‘He knows ‘twon’t do well fer him ter play shenannigan on us, fer he’s watched.” Presently the Brothers left the stream, and gallop- ed swiftly away down its banks, through the morn- ing. Sune’ s soon as they were at a safe distance, two dri ping figures also crawled ashore, and proceeded wring the muddy water from their garments, “Gol darn the skunks,’ muttered Josiah, grimly, “T allow thar’s more action than poetical grace in this ‘ere thing, as ther feller sed when he rid the steer ter town, I say, you Cherry Key, w’at’s yer natteral views onter ther matter?” “Ugh!” replied Sue, pens ge water nothin’—do ranger good. Drove back once, Try again:—mebbe succeed this time.” dieever™ ye ain’t goin’ ter stem thet crick ergin, re ye?”’ " igh! yes. Sue will go alone, if white hunter am afraid.” “Git out. Who sed I was afraid? As Danyel Webster sed ter ther kickin’ mule— ‘** Plant yer feet firmly, Plant ‘em wi’ care— Ever so tenderly Jist try—ef ye dare.’ * Beauchiful lines, them; so go ahead wi’ yer men- erie, an’ I'll take up ther rare eend o’ the purces- sion.” “Good! come! We keep on tryin’ till we get —— vee And the half-breed girl again ‘an to wade care- fully up the swift course of the Little Madrass, Josiah dogging close at her heels, as if his life depended up- on keeping her in view. “Great ham-bone thet dislocated ther whale’s jaw w’at masticated old Jonar! hayr cum they yelpin’ red whelps—hayr cum ther ornery famished Arabs o’ ther perarie!’’ yelled Old Avalanche, as the red- skins poured in swarms, from out the black night. “Lay fer ‘em, boyees!"" But the little band of road-agent hunters needed no urging. They fought like very devils. The crack of revolvers and their accompanying entetul flash —the groans and shrieks of the dead an of TE aa yells of the infuriated savages, and the rallyi Cree of the rangers—all combined to make night eous, Foremost in the fight were Old Avalanche, Scott Sherwood, Jolly Jack and Mountain Mike, and their blows were dealt with deadly precision. Gradually but surely the Indians dropped off, and but for their superiority of numbers they must have been signally defeated. But for every painted de- mon that fell there was an instant substitute, Nor were the red-skins the only sufferers. One by one the rangers went down, their life-blood dye- ing the woodland leaves, their groans inaudible in the rare geet ox of horrible screeches. Sull the adn go ay eo on. Scott Sherw saw how matters were going, and that there was no limit to the savage horde—that there was no beg for life or victory, unless the could make a and escape. And how was t to be done? The answer soon came, and in an une ted manner, High above the yells of the savages came a startling series of shrieks and screams, followed by howls of surprise and consternation, and one rs de im eters treme Lag pestek and then, y the of continuo as weapons, was seen the strange, scrawny ‘beast of Old Avalanche taking a live’ in the affray with his heels and teeth, and ving her frightened enemies before her; and doing equal service was the vicious, ugly goat , of whom the veteran Annihilator took so mu pride. Avalanche saw the two additions, Sherwood saw them, and the blood-blinded rangers saw them, and loomy en- | “called D: a t yell of joy welled out upon the night—a yeu that me encouragement and fy And the little band now seemed inspired with re- newed strength, for they made a mad, fierce rush upon the bloodthirsty foe, and fought with clubbed es and ringing blades of steel. “Hurra! hurra/” bellowed Old Avalanche, from the bottom of his lungs, as at the same time he split open an Indian’s head with a murderous tomahawk —‘‘ that's it, beauties! Let ’em hev, Prudence; baste it to ’em, beauchiful Florence! Whoopy! lay fer *em, b’yees—they’re sellin’ out cheap, now. Only a hundred or so leit , an’ we'll close out ther lot at cost. Great Zebulom Zack! yes!” And catching an Indian by the throat and head, the eccentric but unequaled Annihilator wrenched his neck out of joint as easily as he would have served a chicken, and hurled him aside to the blood-soaked ground. Suddenly there was the crack of several rifles from beyond the red-skins’ ranks, and part of them were obliged to turn and defend themselves from an attack in the rear. This gave the desperate road- agent hunters an advantage, and they followed it up fiercely—some, even, fought who were tottering on the verge of the grave, from streaming wounds. It was a terrible scene, a terrible hour! ‘*Courage! boys; help is at hand!’ rung out words of cheer in the clear, stern voice of Scott Sherwood; ‘strike true and fast, and victory is soon to be ours.’ ‘Great ham-bone that lodged in ther whale’s di- gestive organs, yes!’ shouted Avalanche. ‘‘ Wipe et tother das ornery scullions. Make ’em think they’re grate-gran’mother hes cum back ter a ‘em a t. Hey, Prudence, ye durn’d old beast at d’ye say? Less squealin’, if ye please, an’ more beef- steak, Thet’s it! distribute yer heels superflewous!”’ The firing continued on the other side, which gave our friends renewed hope, while it also tended to a the savages, full a hundred of whose number were stretched out under foot. Following up the advan; tage, the rangers were now the attackers, and with desperate resolve they pressed forward, fightin: like very devils. All were more or less wounded, with the exception of Old Avalanche, who had not as yet received a hurt. Soon the red-skins began to find quarters unpleas- antly close, and just as the victorious rangers were contem lating a final stroke, there was a yell from a score of savage throats, and a general scatter. Viotory, was awarded the little band, but at what cos Of their once formidable band of forty, only twelve remained to tell the tale of the bloody bat- tle. The rest were lying dead among the savages, hardly distinguishable for the blood and smoke that smeared their faces. Twelve were left, counting in Sherwood and Old Avalanche—fourteen, coun ng the Annihilator’s two animals, who had done sue praiseworthy service. And after the savages had fled, they stood staring at each other through the gloom, grim and silent. Sherwood was first to speak: “We've won, mates!’’ he said, wiping the perspira- tion and powder grime from his face. ‘“‘ Only a few are left, however, and we had best bury our dead, and then skin out. There’ll be more of the red de mons down on us, before another night!” * You're just talkin’, stranger!’ exclaimed a hearty voice, and*turning the rangers beheld four figures comin i? a it La Rue, by thunder!” Sherwood ex- claimed, springing forward and grasping the hand of a man of pas proportions. ‘* Yes, Kit, sure enough, boyee. But, what in the name o’ John Rogers ever brought you up here, Sherwood?” “We came with Captain Norrie, Kit, in search of Deadwood Dick!” “You did? Wal, may I ever be mother-in-lawed. That's the identical object that fetched me up hayr —this road-agent cuss.” ‘You're fishin’ after the reward, then?” ‘‘Nary. I’m fishin’ after my gal, Alice. When Deadwood Dick vamoosed, m gal also disap d. So, natterally, I concluded thet ther dasted galoot kidnap her, an’ ef I find thet he did, gol darn his picter, I'll manufacture him inter coyote food.” ‘“Who have you got with ye, thar?” “Well, they’re ruther a split up lot. One’s a fel- ler called Tornado Tom; anuther is a gentleman an’ t’other’s a queer sorter chap who calls hisself Tom Jefferson J. rs; dunno what his rofession is. Picked him up, back ere a ways—got e other two at Bear Trail.’ “Great ham-bone that floored Jonah!’’ cried Ava- lanche, springing forward. ‘‘ Reckon aforesed Jag- gers aire one 0’ my party, as eet tees Give us yer paw, you lon ‘legged ! How d’ye git resserec ? War deader’n a door-sill, last I see’d 0’ ye.” J ers laughed quietly. “Tt seems you and I both played dead, old man,” replied the long, gaunt individual, with light hair and cadaverous face, whom the Annihilator had singled out. ‘ Also another of the lot—Colonel Graf- is Stone.” aiehie . ee ere an ex on 0 esca) the foreign-looking gentleman Red Kit had ed Dar- Pree but whose real name he afterward affirmed to be ne For traveling use, he assumed the name of Darrel as a disguise. “Stone—Colonel Grafton Stone, did you say?” he fs et eat Psaid That is w ,” repeated Jaggers, indiffer- ently, though all the while he was scrutiniz- ing he other, with his little ferret jong And was this Stone accompani by his wife and one whom he called his daughter, sir?’
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“He was. His wife was killed, and the youn lady carried off by a young robber chief, whom ee his companions call Wild Ivan, the Boy end,”’ The man Darrel started violently. ** Tvan, you say—Wild Ivan?” “Yes, sir.”’ “* By heaven, this makes two valuable discoveries, . Elkton,*’ Darrel said, turning to the pops frontiers- | man, whom Red Kit had designated as Tornado Tom. ‘We are in possession of important clews, at least, and have ground to work on—more than we have had, previously.” “Right, Mr. Darrel. The difficult part of the un- dertaking is gradually dissolving, and if the girl is not dead, I’m bound to find her. Poor Edith!” “Tam led to suppose that this Grafton Stone is a a grave offender, from your conversation!’ remark- ed Jaggers, in an inquisitive way. **So he is. He is the abductor of my child, and the forger of my name.” ** Indeed! then he is more of a criminal] than I ex- d, though I had not formed a very favorable dea of him. Should think you would have adver- tised him.”’ “So I did. I advertised him in the East, but have neglected to do so out here. I will pay that man who will cause his arrest, however, five hundred dollars, and as much more for the recovery of my lost child.” “You will? Very well, b will remember your case, In the meantime Red Kit and the rangers were en- gaged sorting out those of the valiant little band who had fallen in the battle, from among the dead savages. A huge grave was hollowed out, wide and deep mgt, for a general interment, and therein the poor fellows were laid, handsome Captain Norrie being the last to be consigned to the humble tomb. Jolly Jack then made a pathetic and effective rayer, after which the grave was filled in, coverin orever from sight of man those whose lives h been full of deeds of valor—whose death would bring sadness to many a home and fireside. Sherwood then turned to those gathered around “*Mates!’’ he said, hoarsely, “we have done our last work for our loved frien There is no more we could do if we were to stay. Therefore, I pro- pose that we get out of this!” “ And whither will ye go?”’ asked Red Kit. ? “Into the Hills. Our work lies there. We should have been there this morning, only that we were awaiting the return of Rivers, our OE “Well, where you go, goes Red Kit,” replied the giant, ‘ for ef Mr. Deadwood Dick's got my gal, he’s the very nabob I am purtickler anxious to see,’ “So it, then. All who intend going into the Hills, be kind enough to say so. poly Jack, you go and see if the horses have been disturbed.” Jack hastened to obey. Old Avalanche had fay a and mounted Prudence Cordelia, on whom and the goat he was lavishing many voluble praises for their valuable assistance. “Great Moses in ther bullrushes, Prudence! I’m jest proud o’ yer conduct—an’ 0’ yourn, too, Flor- ence, dear! Why, et war sublimely beauchiful ter see ye mow away ther red scullions, an’ make yer marks as fit representatives o’ ther great Annihila- tion!’ Jolly Jack soon came running back, somewhat ex- citedly. s hey're gone—every durned beast!” he. cried, with an oath. **Bout as I expected,” said Sherwood. ‘ We shall have to walk to the Hills.” Thére was no help for it, and without delay, the whole party set forth. But as soon as they were well out of the grove, it was discovered that the An- nihilator had deviated from the main course, and was speeding away to the south-west, on the back of his war-horse, Prudence, Strange to say, Florence Night-in-a-gale had still remained with the command, which was sufficient argument to convince one and all that they had not seen the last of the eccentric old fellow. What were his plans or intentions, no one could uess. . After a day’s steady Paip, the little band reached the lower foot-slopes of the Black Hills range, where Tom Jefferson Jagyprs took leave of them, followed by Mr. Darrel and ‘tornado Tom, c Ina gorge, where loneliness and gloom were notice- able Characteristics, Sherwood ordered the camp pitched, and it was while the men were busy in pre- parations, that something occurred of a s ng nature. —_——_. CHAPTER IX. MATTERS AT THE GROTTO—JAGGERS! Arter Edith had gone back into the cavern, Dead- wood Dick paced to and fro across the plateau, a dark frown upon his brow, & nervousness in. his tread that o_o t mental agitation. “Curse the hour that ever induced me to b the l here!” he muttered, a trifle fiercely. ‘It looks e the total wrecking of my happiness. I cannot have her here, where she wi commaltity be a thorn in Leone’s path. What am I to do, then?” It was a knotty problem, but one thing was posi- tive, and that was, that the fair girl must be some- how removed from the Castle. For full an hour Diek rolled the plateau, then he returned to the » grim and ey He met Leone in one of the passages, talking with Car- los Cambre, but passed on without deigning to notice her. She was looking pale and haggan . In his own luxuriously- ed chamber he was undis- turbed; yet several times, while in a drowsy state, he was conscious of some one bending over him— } \ Wild Ivan. conscious that a pair of warm lips were pressed to his, in a passionate caress; but when a few minutes later he would rouse up and look around, the owner of those lips would be gone. But it gave him unbounded satisfaction that she still loved—his red-haired, heroic little Leone—that she had not allowed her mad jealousy to uproot the love in her heart; and when he finally left his couch, it was with a strong hope that the barrier between | | them had been broken—that the cloud of doubt no Oren pint the porte oS Se Tes ¥ n the adjoining room he foun ith eng: in reading from hig books, md She looked up with a winning smile as he en- tered, while a crimson blush went rioting over her pretty face. ' “IT am looking at the picture-books to pass away ‘time,”’ she said, making room on the rude settee beside her, ‘It is terribly lonesome here without any one to talk to. Won't you sit down?” “No, I think not, Miss Stone. My wife is jealous, you know, which ought to be explanation enough.” “Oh! yes, [had forgotten. But surely there can be no harm in your speaking to me?” “Not as we look at it, Miss Stone; but she might see volumes of meaning in one single word. Jeal- ous eyes are not noted for correct interpretation, you know.” ““Tdon'’t know,” replied Edith, with a little laugh, eee I was never jealous, that I remember, un- ess—’’ She looked quickly down at her book and began to finger the leaves nervously, while Deadwood Dick passed on, seeing her painful confusion. He saw how it was, with his quick intuition. She har have said, had she completed the broken sen- ence: ‘Unless it is of your wife—Leone.”’ And this was the truth of the matter, Edith was secretly in love with the dashing, gal- lant Prince of the Road. Dick could not believe it had gone quite so far as this; yet, what was he to understand by her blushes. her ‘hesitation, and last of all, this uncompleted “unless?” It looked decidedly suspicious that he had unwit- tingly got himself entangled in a web of intricate weaving, from which there was no visible mode of egress. Three days , and it was the morn of Edith’s fourth pethe Castle, ne In the last two days she had only ee an occa- sional glimpse of Deadwood Dick, as he flitted in and out of the grotto. Several times she had gone in search of him, but he had always been absent, no one knowing where he had gone. Leone came at meal-time and ordered the arrange- ment of the repast, and then de R vy en deigning her fair guest a glance. But on this fou morning she came in, a set look in her eyes; her lips expressed a firm resolve. “Your name is Edith Stone, is it not?” “Yes, ma’am,” Edith replied, wondering what was to come next. “Well, then, Edith Stone, know that your coming here has been the means of forever parting me from my husband. He is a base deceiver, and you are the one who has won him away; so for your re- ward, take this!" And mo page A upon poor Edith, the infu- riated wife drove a glittering knife at the unsuspect- ing girl’s bosom. But before it touched the flesh, a | hand wrenched it to one side—and turning, Leone beheld a tall, lank stranger by her side—a man in whose gray eyes gleamed a light that made her tremble. And that man we have met before, in the name of Thomas Jefferson Jaggers ! At this same moment, while Deadwood Dick was peciee the eneer outside the grotto, he beheld bre, his lieutenant, approaching with a dozen of the band at his heels. Surprised, as he had issued no orders for their de- parture from the grotto, the young chief ag he in the center of the plateau, and waited for them to come up, his brow darkening. “How is this, lieutenant; where bound?” he de- manded, seeing that the outlaws were armed. ‘‘ Who gave you orders to leave the Castle?”’ “No one, ca ,”’ replied Cambre, flushing un- cons beneath the stern gaze of the Prince of the Road. “It is not our intention to leave the strong- hold, but it becomes our painful duty to put you un- der arrest !”’ Deadwood Dick leaped back with an oath. a What! put me under arrest? Are you crazy, man? “No, captain. I never was more sane than now. 5 b ‘i Madam Leone's orders, and they are imper- ative “Who commands here, I'd like to know—Leone or Depdrond agit é + - ne, at present, captain. ou are our pris- oner, and I hope you will not put us to any Pci cessary | trouble. .Probably a few days will fix things. . ‘“No! It will never fix things!’ Deadwood Dick cHet, his eyes blazing. “I am commander here, yet, I'll have you know. Back to your places, every mother’s son’ of you! The first one that moves to lay a hand on me, is a dead man!” And out came the yo chief's revolvers, in a twinkling, and to a level, at cock. “Gol” he commanded, sternly, his voice hoarse with gle a “or your blood be on your own “No, captain, we will never go!" replied Cambre, 9 ~ sues you go with us. At him, boys; take him, alive!” The road-agents sprung se err forward, and threw themselves upon their chief—he fired three shots, each of which meant a death; then they over- powered him, by force of numbers, and bore him to the rocky floor, where he was securely bound, hand and poet ; ; nae *“Curse you, you have dug your grave, ay, lieutenant!” came from Dick’s lips, as he realized that he was indeed a prisoner among his own men. “One traitor lieutenant paid the penalty of death in Deadwood; the second shallas surely follow. Re- member!”’ “T will not forget it, captain. I am sorry, and would not have you call me a traitor, for no truer man to the band than I, will you find. But you have wronged her, whom you should love better than joa i we as men could not refuse to obey her or- ers 7” Dick made no reply, and without further ado he’ was lifted and borne intothe grotto. Along through damp rocky nee he was carried, seemingly into the very heart of the mountain. Presently a cell was reached, which man’s in- nuity and workmanship had converted into a ungeon. Inside this rock and iron bound prison the young chief was carried, and laid upon a bundle of furs, af- ter which he was disarmed, and his bonds removed, a collar to which was linked a stout chain that com- municated with a ring in the wall, being placed about his left ankle, as a substitute. Then the road-agents along with Cambre, retired from the cell, locking the door after them. Thus was Deadwood Dick made a helpless _pri- soner, at the mercy of his young wife, whom he had not seen for the last two days. Had any one asked him if she were capable of do- ing such an act as this, before, he would havé em- ees said no—would have resented it as an in- t He even now could scarcely believe his senses— could scarcely believe that she who had hitherto been such a devoted, loving wife, had instigated his arrest and confinement. A torch had been left b in a crevice of the yan. anet he could see that his cell had been prepared or him. There were furs for him to lie on, and furs upon the rocky floor. Also, a few chairs and a rude stand relieved the place of some of its cheerlessness. The ce}l was one of the remotest in the grotto, and out of the way of all discovery, in a dark by-way; therefore there was no hope of hetngereee by any one who might be opposed to his imprisonment —Edith, for instance. And it was with a heavy heart, and a bitter feelin toward Leone, that wood Dick threw himse upon his couch, and anxiously waited for something to occur that would relieve the monotony of his un- pleasant situation. It was indeed the ferret-eyed Thomas Jefferson J. rs, who had saved Edith’s life by w off the descending blow of Leone, as in her jealous she would have committed a murder. She started back with a cry of alarm as she per- onan that it was & Avge who had tee aah a “Who are you?”’ she gasped, grow an . “What do you cot “*T want a good deal, young woman!” J; rs re- lied, coolly. ‘‘As to whol am, I’m call omas —— aggers, the Sleuth-hound of Cincin- nati!” “You are a detective, then?” Leone almost screamed. “Exactly, ma’am, but you needn't yell loud enough to inform them road-agents] out on the teau. Iam an officer of the U. S. Secret Service, if you wish to know so bad, sent out here to obtain * ae offered for the capture of Deadwood Cc ” A smile eres over Leone's features, for she doubted not that eyen then the prince of the road was incarcerated in his lonely cell. ““You are bold to come here,” she said, trying to escape the grasp which he had placed pattem, bv arm. ‘“ me, sir, or I will scream for assist- “Not yet, dear, and if you scream it will be your last v. demonstration. Remember! for I mean all that I say. Why were you attempting to knife this youn , just now?” “Because I irate er!’’ replied Leone, in a fierce tone. “She is an adven who has come here enon stole away the love of my husband. I'll - er ” ance!” known of Dick's te whereabouts, she would have hesitated at g om _ amg i ai $3 r that ou ve ea W h me of the rascal,” Jaggers rowled with a Ember ately bagzed Hin Tica tp Sete Ber ve . upon er- wi and band to help me take the remainder of the gang. Until then, you are both my prison- “Oh, no!" Leone replied, mockingly. ‘Your fine game won't work, for yon can’t get us away without going Out onto the “Hang the plateau. Maybe you have not explored
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. the grotto sufficiently well to know that there is an- other mode of Come along, now, and if you give even one squeak, it will be your death- warrant. Young lady, you are the ith Stone whom Wild Ivan attempted to carry off from the massacred train, are you not?”’ “Oh, yes, sir. AndI am so glad you have come,” replied Edith. ‘‘ Will you take me back to Cleve- land, sir?’ “Still better, Miss Stone, I will take you to your father, who witha scout named Tom Elkton, or Tor- nado Tom, is in these mountains, somewhere, in search of you. But, come, let’s get out of this be- fore these road-agent devils discover us. Come, young woman.” And still retaining a grasp upon Leone’s arm, the secret service man pushed along out of the room into a dark passage which Edith, who followed close behind, had never penetrated before. Several times Leone made motion as if to scream but Jaggers anticipated her, and clapped his broad hand across her mouth. ‘*No, you don’t, you little vixen,”’ he said, quietly. “T see you do not appreciate your own welfare, but I do, and mine also; so, under the circumstances, ou must withhold your screams until we get out of he grotto, when you can squawk away as much as you please.”’ herefore Leone was forced to et ee the officer. Not only the fear she entertained for her own safety made her fie unwillingly, but that Dick vee the band might fall i.to the hands of this new oe. Jaggers led on through a series of tortuous, nar- row passages, high of ceiling, but exceeding rough under foot. Finally he stopped before a niche in the wall, pushing Edith in first, and then following with his risoner. After several hundred yards’ winding ravel, they suddenly emerged onto the wooded mountain side, down which led a path evidently worn by bears in their descent for water. Down this the detective hurried his prizes, as if anxious to quit the neighborhood in a hurry. After he had disappeared, a man rolled out of a clump of bushes close to the grotto entrance, and stood gazing around him. And that man was none other than the redoubtable Old Avalanche! CHAPTER X. THE BOY FIEND AND ALICE—AVALANCHE EXPLORES. We will return to that date when we saw Wild Ivan Leeees up the water-course of the Little Madrass, on his way to the stronghold of the Broth- erhood, and we will follow him thither. After plunging his horse into the rapid stream at the junction where the shores were formed of mountain walls, he stemmed the waters for per- haps a mile, along a lonely gorge, the stream gra- dually growing deeper and swifter, until a rapids was reached in a part where the channel was wide, steep and filled with huge rocks, against which the mad waves made a din of weird music, and dashed themselves into foaming caps. It was a dangerous passage, as there were yawn- ing, treacherous holes under foot, every little ways, but the boy chief ~ determinedly on, guiding his half-submerged animal with a hand that evi- denced familiarity with the route. The rapids were about a half-mile in length, and after passing safely through them, the young out- law soon arrived upon the shore on which was situated the camp of the Brotherhood. Several of the d were lounging lazily around a camp-fire as Wild Ivan rode up, while a dozen or more of the Brothers were in the saddle, ready for departure. Where away, lieutenant?’ the Boy Fiend asked, as he perceived that Wagner and Blue Bob were among the rest. ‘ What’s afoot, now?” “A band of road-agent hunters ar’ reported among ther foothills, captain, an’ I thought it best to look after them,”’ replied Wagner. “ But where's ther gal ye took from the train? Wild Ivan flushed angvily at thus being ques- tioned, but told his story in a light that created belief in the minds of his listeners. Without an comment, agner set out from the camp on his mission, followed by his chosen Brothers. Later, they forced Josiah Hogg and Cherokee Sue from the channel, as we have previously shown. Wild Ivan dismounted from his horse as soon as they had gone, and entered a cave among the crags, where some a dozen of the band were playing cards, while others, still, were stretched upon the floor on their blankets, fast asleep. ‘Hey, Bostwick, where are you?’ he cried, au- thoritatively, and in answer to his call, a man with long gray beard and sharp, peering eyes, appeared. “Here, you old rascal, redress this wound upon my right elbow, for it has been cared for only once since ester eve. Be careful, and cause meno pain, or I'll teeak your thick skull,” ‘Yes, chief,’’ the man replied, with et tg om hum- bleness, and cuttin, eine portion of the youn outlaw’s sleeve, he dressed the shattered arm, wit a skill few could equal. Once the troublesome limb was bandaged and sup- ported in a sling, the Boy Fiend was himself again, and rising he glared around him, observing each man, sharply. F But none of the Brothers paid him the least atten- on. “They have luckily not set much in store concern- ing Edith! he muttered. _‘‘So much the better, for I anticipated a devilish row. But all seems quiet. And, now, let me take a look at this girl whom Bill Blood brought here from Deadwood— Kit’s girl, they callher. Where is she, Bostwick—the girl? to an inner cave that opened off from the first one. Without waiting for ceremony, the outlawed youth strode into the chamber, and glanced around him. Upon a4 couch of skins in one corner Alice La Rue was half reclining, but she sprung to her feet the moment she beheld her enemy, for she knew that Wild Ivan was her enemy even when he had been in- itiated to chieftancy the night of Bill Blood’s death. A gloriously fair, beautiful girl was she, with a soft, creamy complexion and long, wavin hair like golden sunshine, and eyes partaking wondrously of the blue depths of heaven, while in her face sweet- ness of temper and the sunny nature of innocent girlhood were expressed, and yet those calm, blue eyes had power to transform to a deadly glitter, when her anger was aroused. x She sprung to her feet now, her fair face flushed, her lips compressed, her eyes gleaming darkly. ‘Ha! is this the fair creature who holds the secret of Red Kit’s treasure?” said Wild tvan, mockingly, as he advanced, ‘ By my soul, you are pretty!” “And you are ugly and repulsive!”’ flashed Alice, scornfully. ‘‘ Why do you come here to torture me, you young villain?” “Torture you? Is my presence then such a source of excruciating agony? Once you didn’t think so!”’ At this the girl turned white. “You need not throw out your hints, you wretch!” she replied, trembling as she spoke. ‘‘I know you full well, even though you wear that mask. One of your type is not easily made unrecognizable by dis- 1ise.’ “Oh! you know me, do your” the Boy Fiend re- torted, a little surprised. ‘Well, so much the bet- ter. You can better judge what mercy to expect.” ‘IT expect no mercy from you, cruel brute that you are. I am only a helpless girl and powerless to defend myself, but there is one in Heaven—an All- wise Ruler, who will avenge the wrongs inflicted upon the weak and innocent!” “Possible? Well, maybe you're level, there, m beauty; but as long as I’m doomed for the fryin’- an of Satan, anyhow, what use is there of my etting up, now? A few more tough crimes added to my tablets, won't make the sulphur smoke any denser, nor the flames tickle any the harder!’’ Alice shuddered. “You are a demon, I believe!’’ she cried, mar- ae at the baseness of one so young in years. “Yes—a fiend, ihey call me,”’ was the laughing response. ‘‘Maybe I deserve the title of the Boy Fiend, for I’ve m stee in crime since I ran away from the Cadet school. That was before I came to the Black Hills, and met and fell hopeless- ly in love with you.” “Ugh! the thoughts of being loved by such as = are disgusting!’ cried Alice, putting up her — deprecatingly. ‘‘ Your love is a poisonous ‘Yes, perhaps. But I love thee still, my lily of the forest, and now that the oppor—”’ He did not finish the sentence, but aa for- ward, a pace, his evil eyes gleaming triumphantly. “ Back! monster—touch me not!’’ cried Red Kit’s girl, commandingly, and her hand dropped among the folds of her dress. “Keep off, or it will be the worse for you.” “Oh! you cannot frighten me by pretense of drawing a pistol, my heroic maid!’ sneered Wild Ivan, sarcastically. ‘‘Such ruses won't work.” And the next instant he had leaped — for- ward, and caught her around the w with his uninjured left arm, while with his whole force he paar ges ig to bear her back against the couch of urs. But nerved to desperation, the girl struggled bravely; they weaved back and forward, each work- ing for the mastery. Thus the struggle continued for perhaps five minutes; then suddenly there was a sharp oe report of a pistol, and the Boy Fiend released his hold, and fell prostrate upon the floor. The next instant Alice bounded across the floor, and out into the quarters occupied by the Brothers, and thence into the open air. With yells of astonishment, the outlaws gave chase, yelling for her to stop. She reached the outside, and glanced Ne around her, undecided how to act. Four or five fel- lows, who had been loun, around the camp-fire, saw her, and leaping to their feet, were hurri ap- proaching. Every avenue of escape seemed cut off, except one. The Little Madrass, with its rushing waters, lay at her feet, and upon the shore was beached a canoe. With a cry of defiance, the heroic girl bounded forward, pushing the boat out into the stream, and springing in, taking care to throw herself on her face in the bottom. The strong gurrent caught the frail bark as in a = ty grasp, and bore it away with alarming ve- ocity. A swarm of ruffians, howling like demons incar- nate, poured out onto the banks, the Boy Fiend among the foremost, for he had only been moment- arily stunned by a bullet-wound, close upon his tem- ple. “Catch her! stop the boat!” he’ yelled, swearing furiously. ‘“‘A hundred dollars for that young wench’s head!”’ Spurred to exertion by this offer, three of the Bro- therhood sprung upon horses, and plunged them in- to the stream, in pursuit, while pa per sent bullets after the flying craft. But all in vain. Very naturally, the water moved faster than was within the power of the horses, and the canoe kept pace with the water, so that pursuit was utterly useless, seeing which, the ruffians returned to camp, “In thar, captain,’ the surgeon replied, pointing Wild Ivan was in a terrible passion. He cursed the men, his God, and all the saints, and acted like a madman. Finally, he mounted his own beast, and turning into the stream, set off down the gorge. Twice within the last twenty-four hours he had lost a prize, and this last was the worst blow of all, for it would depreciate him in the eyes of the Bro- therhood, with whom he desired to Led on amiable terms, as their chief, for a while at least. In the meantime, where was Alice? As soon as she could no longer hear sounds of pur- suit, she sat up in the canoe, and seizing a paddle, managed to keep it near the center of the turbulent stream, which bore it on with great ra nidity. On—on, the bark sped, with its fair burden; then, on rounding a bend, she beheld to her horror the foaming, roaring rapids. She had not thought of them, before, but now the peril of her situation dawned upon her in an in- stant. Alice was no coward, and-with a firm hand on the paddle, and eng | erect in the little craft. she steered her way, with the skill of an experienced raftsman, dextrously avoiding covered rocks that were more to be feared than those protruding out of water. She was mid-way in the roaring rapids, and peer- ing ahead for rocks, when she suddenly discovered two human heads and faces upon the uneven surface of the water—heads from which the eyes were protrud- ing strangely. . nd a shudder of terror crept over her when she } ht that they were coming toward her—up the stream ! “Great ham-bone thet kerflummixed old Joner!” exclaimed the Annihilator,as he gazed down the hill in the direction in which detective Jaggers had PN with his two charges. “Hayr ar’ sumthin’ r smell arter—sumthin’ ter chew yer cud on! Mis- ter Thomas Jefferson Jaggers a-totin’ of two females out frum a hoel in the mountain. An’ war’s that hoel lead to,in the name of Zip Coon? Ar’ this mountain a cattycomb or sich, or what?” The old man approached the fissure-like passage, oi peered ahead. All was dark and silent within as the ve. “Quare kind of a place. Lucks as ef thar might speerits abide in thar—speerits clothed in flesh. At tennyrate, long-legged Jaggers cum outo’ thar, an’ that looks as if he war reskyin’ them gals, Old Ava- lanche, ye devastatin’ old disease o’ ther peraries— ye destructive Injun eppydemick, shall ye run a smellin’ horn inter thet crypt? Shall ye whistle like a bullstifferous boreal breeze o’ extarmination inter thet burrer o’ hog-gobblins an’ decayed speerits?”’ Evidently such was his final conclusion, for he ow Na stealthily forward intothe dense gloom that lled the narrow passage way. **Zebulom Zachariaher an’ all the fe-rines 0’ mod- ern Grease! this ar’ wuss than livin’ in ther sun- shine o’ an ro countenance!” growled the scout, as he felt his way along, occasionally falling rostrate over some unseen rock—*‘blacker ‘n a eorgia niggero in a total eclipse o’ the sun. Not quite so bet asTI encountered up in Idaho, one’t— no! not guite. Et war actooally so consarned thick wi’ blackness that my old mare Prudence got stuck, an’ thar we sot as immover'ble as a balky mule, un- til ther sun riz an’ penetrated ter us, an’ thawed erway ther night. An’ ther black reflections o’ thet night didn’t wash off our countenances fer a week —fact, by gracious!” And the old man chuckled softly to himself as if he hugely wes ofa the thoughts of such a situation. For some time he worked his way along, cautious- ly, but at last he came to a standstill. Footsteps were approaching, from within the mountain, and coming nearer’each moment. The goes was very narrow at this point—two persons could not pass without touching each other. The Annibilator perceived this, and with a grim chuckle drew his knife, and awaited the enemy’s coming. One or the other must die. Nearer came the man; he was growling some un- intelligible words to himself, of whose import Ava- lanche was ignorant. At last they were but a pace apart; then the veteran guide leaped forward and bore the astonished esta aed to the ground. There was a short struggle, hen a hollow Pepe and Bpringing nimbly to feet, the Annihilator continued his journey. He, now, however, exercised more caution, and his footfalls were soft and stealthy as a cat’s. ving the narrow passage soon after his en- counter with the road-agent, he sped along through a large chamber, where the echo of his tread was alarmingly loud. But he kept on, passing from one chamber into another; seemingly there was no limit to this inter-mountain honeycomb. The darkness was intense, but his eyes became so used to it that he could faintly distinguish objects a few feet before his face. Suddenly he made a discovery as he entered a narrow corridor, Far ahead shone like a star a jet of light. It was at the end of the passage, evidently, and redoubling his stealth, the old man hurried on until at last he was within a few rods of it. Then he was able to determine whence it came! CHAPTER XI. OUT OF BONDAGE—MERMAIDS, “Great ham-bone thet wrecked ther constitution ov old Joner!”? came involuntarily from the Annihi- lator’s lips. Just in front of him was a natural dungeon in the rocks, whose entrance was grated by a door of stout iron bars. .. The light emanated from a torch within this cell,
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Wild Ivan. 11 bear hae into a crevice ate wall, Moe nie its tlight down upon a re stre upon a he of skins—none other than the imprisoned Prince of the Road—Deadwood Dick. And Old Avalanche recognized him at once, though several months had elapsed since he had last seen sen while making a descent upon a Deadwood sa- oon. “Great Zebulom Zackariaher! et’s ther dasted young road-agent chief, sure’s bald heads ar’ pe- coolier ter old men!”’ the old adventurer muttered, leaning upon his rifle, and gazing meditatively to- ward the cell. ‘* Deadwood Dick, sure’s thar’s feel- in’ in er mule’s hind feet. Wonder what in ther world the young cuss is a-doin’ in thar, all penned up like a gee squirrel? He’s got a bracelet onter one o’ his lower wristlets, tew. as ef he war a prisoner. Wonder ef et would do this devastatin’ disease any good ter interview his lordli- ness. S’pect twouldn’t be any harm, onless he raised a boreal breeze !"’ It was several moments before he could decide whether it was best to apprise the young chief of his presence or not. Certain it was that Deadwood Dick was imprison- ed, and if not by his own band, whose then?—if this was not his stronghold, whose was it? The den of the Brotherhood of Death? No! the old man was sure that their haunts were located a few miles fur- ther east by north, as the crow flies; this then must be Deadwood Dick’s own stronghold, or else he was a captive in the power of some other mountain gang of outlaws—for the northern wilderness was thickly infested with roving bands. The old guide thought over matters in his grim, uiet fashion; then stepping forward, he paused be- phe the iron Bate, taking care to let his hands rest near his pistol belt. “Hello! young chap. Great ham-bone that clog- ged up old Joner’s windpipe! what aire ye doin’ thar? One’d a’most think ye was a prisoner!”’ Deadwood Dick leaped —— to his feet, arous- ing from a drowse, into which he had fallen. His first impression was that Leone had come to taunt him, and he steeled his heart to meet her calmly; but a second glance at the rough, grizzled face out- side the grating, convinced him of his error. “Who are you?” he demanded, coming to the limits of his chain. ‘‘How did you come here? What do you want?” One quest un at er time, Mr. Dickey o’ Dead- Luks powerfully | wood, an’ ye shall be ans’ered, ef et takes till Grant its our next presidency. In ther fust place I am er general masheenry o’ that great acheevement notable as Old Avalanche, ther Great Injun Annihi- | lator—ther awe-inspirin’ hailstarm o’ extarmination —ther dread infectious devastation — 0’ ther paces. Probably read o’ me in ther primmer an’ hymn-books, ain’t ye? I've two other cog- wheels o’ ther Annihilation, who aire not presently in gear wi’ ther main construction, namely—my old mare, Prudence Cordeliar, and my rambunctious genus capery dorg, Florence Night-in-a-gale. “Secondly, I kim inter this consarned cattycomb thru a dasted nasty hoel in ther rocks, thet Tommis Jeff Jaggers went out o’. Thirdly, am in heer on a devastatin’ experdishun, wi’ a v’ew ter extarminat- ing whatsumever I lay claws on—most uv all, s’arch- in’ fer a | n al named Alice La Rue, an’ anuther ‘n’ named th Stone!”’ : “Are you indeed Old Avalanche, the great scout?” | cried Deadwood Dick, in surprise. ‘“‘I have often heard of you.” | J “Ye have, eh? Wal,I presume so, and y’w're re- | utation hain’t slouchy, my gay young cockolorum. ut, what aie ye doin’ thar—rustycakin’ for yer health, or studyin’ astronomy?” “Tama pmcet, old man—in my own stronghold. The men whom I deemed true as steel, have turned against me, and you see me locked up here like a common thief !’’ replied Dick, bitterly, handsome face darkening. “Phew!” ‘Old Avalanche whistled, in surprise. ‘A prisoner, hey? I allus sed thar warn’t_ much ‘oner amung thieves, an’ as thar aire allus aff illus- tration ter a case, luk at ther time w’en I an’ Jim Sykes war pannin’ gold over at Spearfish, last sum- mer. Jim war a fust-class pilgrim all ‘cept his fin- gers. He would let °em becum magnetic—thet aire, w’en they layed on’ter a thing they stuck thar, ef ye warn’t cluss by ter help him disentangle em. An’ one day he got ’em froze fast ter my rifle, a white shirt, an’ fifteen ounces o’_pure ariferous, an’ hevin’ ter sudde depart fer Dead bei compelled ter take em along. since.” Deadwood Dick laughed heartily at the old veter- an’s story. He enjoyed arene such yarns, and the companionship of just such d characters as this notorious Annihilator! “That was bad, old gent. But, are you not risk- ing a good deal in coming here? If any of my band should discover you, you'd get bounced away in double-quick time.” hat , “Yas, no doubt; but this ‘ere devastatin’ eppy- demic ain’t on ther sick list, yet. S’pose likely you'd not be averse to leavin’ thet cell, eh? ‘Pears ter me ye’d sagaciate better out inter open air, whar a bo- real breeze c’u’d git at ye an’ purify yer gizzard.” “It would be agreeable, it’s a fact,” replied Dick brightening a little. “But, it is useless to think o getting out, when there are two locks between me and liberty.” Old Avalanche did not reply. He was busily en- *t seen him aged in scrutinizing the lock, which, with a stout-liuked chain, fastened the After a mo- mentary survey, he produced a of wire from a buck-skin po at his back, and bent it in the shape of a key of the skeleton pattern. It failed to work on his first trial,and he was rebending it, when the wood, he naterally | | commodate you!” sneered | out of the ceil. sounds of footsteps came echoing through the cay- ern, - “Quick! get out of sight!’ whispered Dick, shrilly, and obeying the injunction Avalanche glided back into the blackness of the corridor through which he had come. And not a bit too soon, for in another moment Carlos Cambre appeared, bearing a meeps se of roast buffalo-hump upon a server, and a bow! of fragrant coffee, which tickled the nostrils of the hid- | ing Annihilator, tantalizingly. Unlocking the door, the lieutenant entered the cell, and deposited the tray upon the table, and then turned to Deadwood Dick, who had resumed his re- clining position upon the couch. “There, captain, is your meal, We do not mean to starve you, even though we hold you in durance,” Cambre said, pleasantly. ‘““You might as well withhold the grub, and done with it!” was the cold reply. “Tam a prisoner, and bread and water will do.’ “T will speak to my lady, and mayhap she can ac- the other, as he backed ye eat.” Then, he would have locked the door, had not he received a stunning whack beside the left ear that stretched him prostrate and insensible upon the hard, rocky floor. ‘Moses thet got bull-dozed!"* exclaimed Avalanche, rubbing his fist, dolefully. ‘‘Thet feller’s head war harder’n ary niggero’s c’u'd ever be, by gracious. Nigh erbout dislocated a knuckle fer me, fact! Blarst his imperdence; I c’u’dn’t stan’ it no longer, so I guv him a small-sized cannonade. An’ now, Dicky, boy, ef ye wanter escape an’ ackumpny ther great extarmination breeze, why this aire yer chance.” “Yes. Cambre has the key to my manacles in his hand, there, with a dozen others. Give it to and I will free myself,” replied Deadwood Dick, now once more himself, that liberty was at hand. “Then, we will quit this accursed place forever.” “Ye won't rejoin yer band, then?’ queried Ava- lanche, as he took possession of the keys and freed Dick’s limb of the chain and band. *““No! nevermore shall these men call me Dead- wood Dick their chief. Once, old man, I had a band of as daring, faithful “We are not at all particular what | | lieve irits as ever rode a horse, but | they were Foe ots killed off, until the last one was | gone, I ad western saying, credited to Jack Barronnett, ‘that there’s no settin’ hen’s nest wi’out a bad egg in it,’ and it has come true in mycase, But, I forgot! There is one whom we must not leave behind us— one who claims my protection.” ‘* Yer red-headed wife, hey?” “No! she has a claim upon me no longer, Ava- lanche. It was by her orders that I was imprisoned in this dungeon, and it was the last act of her love for me. ereafter our lives must be changed—our paths must diverge. In going with you from this tto, I leave all ind for her use. ould to God could bury the past within these walls, too. But that cannot be. Come! we will go for Miss Stone, and then leave the cavern by the way you came.” “ Great ham-bone that corrupted Joner! Ther gal ain’t hayr, boy, ef et’s her ye mean;”’ and then, in as few words as possible the Annihilator related what is already known to the reader—how he had seen zers, with Edith and another female, with red- hair, descend the mountain side. It was startlin: wee ee for the road-agent chief, for, although he had firmly resolved to forever separate himself from Leone, he did not wish any harm to befall her. “And this Jaggers—who is he?” he demanded, —o- “ Zebulom Z.! I *hain’t ther infernalest idear, a onless he’s a detective, which he looks like. I - der smelt a rat when he war wi’ our train.” After a little more conversation, Deadwood Dick decided to go in search of a rifle, only lacking this, by having appropriated Cambre’s belt weapons. He was not pe long, soon returning with his own complete outfit, which he had fortunately discovered in his own chamber. Then, with Old Avalanche, he set out on his de- parture. from ee. On the way, tle Annihilator, in his quaint style related all of importance concerning the massacre of the emigrant-train, and the battle of the road-agent hunters with the Indians, dwelling particularly upon the astonishing prowess of old Prudence Cordelia and Florence Night-in-a-gale. Finally, they emerged from the — onto the mountain-side, much to Deadwood Dick’s surprise, for _ had never known of the existence of such an outlet. After a short consultation, in which it was decided to hunt up Jeggers and his two companions, Old Avalanche struck into the bear-path trail, that ran obliquely down the mountain-side, and trotted brisk- ly along, Deadwood Dick following at a safe distance behind, for he did not wish to encounter Leone. It was a discovery of a startling nature that Alice La Rue made, and for the moment she could not credit the perfectness of her'vision; but it did not | take her long to assure herself that they were really human heads and faces, there upon the misty surface of the rapids, and live heads and faces, too. For as her canoe glided closer, a voice—unmistak- ably that of a man—sung out, lustily: “Hello! whar = goin’, gal? Seen anythin’ 0° a couple o’ miser’ble jackasses as war fule enuff ter stem this yere stream? Hold up! don’t git skeert. We're human, w’at’s above water. This critter aside me aire Susan B, Anthony, a Cheroky gal, an’ ’'m ed on to my force, at each loss, such men | as I thought would serve me true; but it’s an old | d | between two level tree-fri Josiah William Ross Wallace Hogg—ther great poet o’ ther Powder river e; a secont cuzzin ter old Horse Greely, Jim Fisk, Oakey Hall an’ Boss Tweed —all on ’em shinin’ meteors o’ ther poetical perfes- sion—Hogg in all cases bein’ spelt wi’ two g’s!” Alice screamed, and endeavored to guide her canoe to one side, in order to avoid coming in contact with the two frightful bodiless objects, but they antici- ated her, and also changed their course to intercept er. “Ye needent be erfraid,’’ reiterated Josiah, blow- ing and eae like a porpoise, while Sue’s eyes gleamed like coals of fire. ‘‘ We ain’t no elerfants, nor merm’ids, nor nuthin’ o’ ther kind. We're jest two ordinary mortals, as ar’ tryin’ ter penetrate Wild Ivan’s camp. Sue, hayr, hes got a hornit ter buzz in ther young feller’s ear. As Moar sed: * *She’s got er avers ag’in’ him, Ter ther wall she'll firmly pin him, An’ wi skulpin’ knife she'll skin him, Ther dirty beast he is!’ ’’ And the hunter gave a huge laugh, in which Sue joined, much to Alice’s horror, for they appeared so ical and grotesque that she could not well be- hem human. With almost superhuman strength she forced the canoe tg one side, hoping against hope that she could get past them. “Keep off! keep off!’ she screamed, and raising her paddle she swung it aloft, and brought it down fiercely upon the four hands that would have grasp- ed hold the edge of the canoe. There was a how! of pain, and the next moment she was safely out of reach of the two water-figures, and cee, swiftly along through the misty, spray- rapids. e rocks now became fewer, and the water less swift, and finally the canoe glided mere so serenely that she took her seat, and managed its course at ease. “Thank God I am ont of that peril—out of Wild Ivan’s cruel clutches!”’ she gasped, as she was borne along, and she couldn't see no signs of pursuers. “If I can only get out onto the prairie where I can geta glimpse of the sun, I shall know which way to start to find Deadwood.” For perhaps an hour she floated around, having only occasionally to use the paddle to keep the canoe steady. Presently the gorge began to grow a trifle wider, and in a few moments more her boat glided alon, shores, upon one 0 which she was horrified to discover several which were du and undisti hable on account of the falling ht, flitting about and arranging camp, while others were building a rousing fire. And one man was at the water’s edge, making his ablutions. She could not hope to pass without discovery. CHAPTER XII. IN THE GLADE—CHOOSING FOR LIFE AND DEATH. Op Avalanche and Deadwood Dick descended the mountain side rapidly. The old scout found that Jaggers had not kept to the old bear-path, but had dive and gone more directly down the declivi- pee _ lea a trail, however, that was easily ollowed. Dick followed at a short distance in the rear, as =— on the alert, perhaps, as the Annihilator him- self. “Thet Jaggers is a cuss!’’ Avalanche remarked, as they went along. “He ar’ a pestifferous beast, noted fer as many pecooliarities as a frolicsome oat—like my Florence Night-in-a-gale, fer illustra- on; thet is, ef he’s a detective, an’ sumhow et er What gre ae h f h susp “What groun ave you for suc jicion?” asked Dick, lente ng S e’ *Ken't eggsactly explain, boyee, only I’ve got a consarned ijee thet he halotien ter thet set o’ durned scullions as make er livin’ by pryin’ inter other peo- eo bizness. I once knowed one o' them fellers up n Wyoming, an’ he’ war a teetotal cuss, ef evyer thar was one. “His name was Tom Plummer, an’ yer put him on ther trail o’ ee tern an’ he was bound ter rut et out, But he got arter thet young road-agent, Jack eee Jr., an’ one mornin’ we found his a settin’ on top o’a fence-post, but couldn't find nary a shadder o’ his carcass!’ “ Jack Sheppard Junior, eh?” quoth Dick, as they came to a halt, at a motion from the guide. ‘I once read in a yellow-covered book of Jack Sheppard the pebwaymay Is this Junior a chip from the old oc o° “Great Zebulom Zack, yes. He beats all cusses fer trne cussedness thet evyer I lit onter. But, drop- in’ thet subject, hayr we be at a lattytude an’ ongytoad constigeous ter our beasts an’ birds o’ prey. They’re ahead, cooped down inter this thicket, ef ther old hhoss kicks geograffically, an’ I ruther think she do, ““Why do you think they’re in this thicket?” de manded Dick, peering into the dense wilderness of. young maples, which were grown so closely together as tO xen er @ passage between them exceedingly di ‘““Why dol? Waal, as ther hen sed 0’ ther skunk, I smell ‘em. Just open your nostrils, an’ inhale a good sniff 0’ thes ‘ere boreal atmosphere.” Deadwood Dick obeyed, but could scent nothing but what was peculiar to the woodland—nothing calculated to betray the presence of humans other Sgn themribelvea. utes?” Gneath “Ye don’t smell nuthin’?"’ questioned Avalanch watching narrowly. ‘“‘ Wall, thet’s because yer pow. .
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ee es 2 ee Set Sa Sa ee Se - Sa ——s SS eS SS 12 Beadle’s Half-Dime_ Library. ers 0’ ag eed aire faint. Now, w’en ye’ve lost yer ears, like this devastatin’ old disease 0’ ther pe- raries, yer smellin’ faculties wull become more acute. Now, Jsmell terbaccer smoke, which tells me thet Tommis Jeff. Jaggers aire in thes ‘ere thicket —so come erlong, an’ we'llinvestigate matters.” “But hold, scout, if this man is a detective, I may be the very chap he is searching after; ides, have no desire to come in contact with ‘Leone, my e.’ ‘Bosh! fiddle-dee-dee, boy; you'll cum around all right wi’ ther gal, an’ as fer thet Jaggers he'll not give away any o’ his free lunch while yer uncle's soarin’ in ther boreal atmosphere. Come along; none o’ yer funny bizness;” and the next moment the Annihilator had plunged into the thicket. Deadwood Dick followed with s me reluctance, for he dreaded a meeting with Leone; with Jaggers it was different. He was a man, and could be dealt with accordingly. He dreaded to meet Leone for fear he should be harsh and crue}, where heretofore he had been kind and loving—for her one act had imbittered his heart toward her, and he no longer looked upon her as a true, faithful and loving little wifes Avalanche pashan ahead through the brush and thicket of saplings with grim determination, and at last came into a very s: opening, in which, as he had prophesied, Jaggers and the gitls were_ seated— the detective puffing away reflectively at his pipe, while Edith and Leone were occupying positions in front of him. - But he sprung to his feet with a curse as the vete- ran Annihilator and Dick made their debut, and there also came a cry of astonishment from th, and Deadwood Dick’s wife—the first a cry of sur- prise and joy—the other a cry of surprise, wonder and indignation. ‘* Hello! halt, there!” commanded J rs, draw- ing and cocking a pair of formidable looking revolv- ers. ‘“ What do “— want? Ha! by my soul, it is Old Avalanche, the ele “Yes, Tommis Jeffersonian, et’s thet same old contagious eppydemic—ther whoopin’, roarin’ boreal disease 0’ devastation w’at patrols these ‘ere hemis- ferrical lattytudes an’ longytoads.”’ And the old man stalked fearlessly forward, fol- lowed by Foune, Harris, despite the fact that the muzzles of the two grim six-shooters were leveled upon them threateningly. “Well, what brings you here?’ again demanded Jaggers, his tone not the most pleasant imaginable. ‘*And who is that young fellow with you?” “IT can best answer t last questio: pilgrim vd replied Dick, fearlessly exposing himself. “I am that notorious young reprobate people call Dead- bg Dick, the Prince of the , at your ser- ce.”’ Had a bomb exploded at his feet, just then, or an angel descended from cloudland, the detective could not have been more astonished. ‘“* You Deadwood Dick!” he gasped, turning white and red by turns. i! | happen to represent that amiable young gen- tleman,”” was the laughing reply, something of Dick’s old reckless self returning at the moment. ERATeney the intelligence affects you disagree- ably!” *““No, young man; on the contr it affects my eadwood Dick Neg quite y avery for if you are hen I, as a detective of the U. S. Secret Service. and by that power vested in me, do arrest you for high- way robbery and high-handed murder!” ying which the Secret Service man advanced a pace, then paused—hesitated, as he caught a ou of the strange fire that burned in the eye of Dead- wood Dick—a fire that seemed poisonous. “Great ham-bone thet dislocated ther larnyx of old Joner!’’ came from the Annihilator. ‘‘ Jest pune- tuate whar ye be, Tommis Jefferson, ef ye valley thet aire cranium ther Lord bequeathed ye. Jest step onter a period or a exclamation ede an’ let thet suffice, ef ye don’t expressly desire ter rub yer constitution ag’in a snag; fer I’m tellin’ ye thet Dick’s a cuss—a regylar dubbel-axion compressed brick infused wi’ ther essence o’ distilled devil an’ white lightnin’! Why, sir, thar’s the time over in Deadwood when old Nig Warley s t in his face, *case Dicky hayr re ter absorb moisture, an jes’ ’s true ’s ther Samee stands thar, sir, all he did war ter wink thet left eye o’ his’n, an’ Warley war knocked stiff wi’ a stroke o’ ees ter, and kedn’t move til Dick winked his right eye, when he war all right ag’in—fact /” nly one person laughed, and that was Dick. He stood facing Jaggers with that provera dauntless- ness characteristic of him, one hand laid upon a re- volver butt, the other hanging by his side. He was calm and cool, even when facing death. Jaggers stood undecided—Edith and Leone had sprung to their feet, the former pale and anxious, e latter watching even as the eagle watches its prey before making a downward swoop. Avalanche occupied a side position in the scene, and his hand also griped a revolver, for he was resolved that no harm should come to young Harris, to whom he had taken a sudden liking. “Well, what are you to do about it?” de- anded Dick, after a f ute’s silence. ‘‘The tuation is beco monotonous, If you have an idea you would like to take me, why sail in and do it —if you are confident that you can/” “You are my prisoner. ve thousand dollars is the price set upon your head, and I have been sent out here to arrest you for your various crimes!” re- plied Jaggers, impressively. “You will find it to your advantage to yield without attempted resist- ance. ” Yes, marm !”” was the laconic reply. ‘* Wouldn't you like me to bind and gag myself, and go and de- liver myself to the Deadwood authorities, stating that you were entitled to the reward? Wouldn't that be nice, now?’ And Deadwood Dick’s wild laugh literally made the welkin ring. “Task nothing of the kind. All I want is that you offer no resistance. Asa gentleman, you will grant my request.” ‘Come on, then, and test the qualities of a_thor- ough Black Hills gentleman, if you think to find fools plenty, sir detective,” replied Dick, coolly. ‘‘ That man who will Sad yield to another, be he villain or saint, isa cowardly dog, in my opinion.” ‘Great ham-bone thet perpared Joner’s obituary! an’ mine, too!”? declared Avalanche; “a feller’s ken’t hold his own side o’ ther whiffle-tree, ain’t cast fer these peraries. Tommis, I’d advise ye ter adopt old Horse Greeley’s advice—only be sure an’ turn yer heels terward ther settin’ sun,’ “T am not taking advice at present, old man!” Jaggers replied stiffly. ‘‘Come! sir road-agent, will you bs up without useless resistance?” ““When the crows come home, yes!’ responded Dick, with a chuckle. ‘‘ Now, see here, detective this case is ba plain. You,asa representative of justice, are desirous of adding my name to your list of conquests, and I, as a free and easy going road- agent—though, henceforth I lay no claim to the pro- fession—am equally desirous that you shall not; which leaves only one way to settle the case.” “Exactly. And that way is—” “Death! It must be either your life or mine. If the lot fall to me, I’m willing to pass in my checks. Life no longer holds any fascination for me, since the treachery and baseness of yonder woman, my wife. If you are elected to death, you must chaw her down like a man. Do you accept?” “Yes. Name the plan.” “Tt is this, Here are a full deck of cards. Ava- lanche will shuffle them; then we will each draw until one of us gets the ace of spades. The other man must then place a revolver muzzle in his mouth, whereupon the lucky winner will pull the r. ’ aggers bowed. He was d rate—something seemed to tell him he was going to win; it was life or death, anyhow. Old Avalanche shuffled the cards, and placed them upon an old stump. “Thar ye aire, gentlemen. Pull away, an’ ther Lord go with ther unlucky one as don’t git ther spades. Joggers reached forth and took the top card, with alaugh. It was the Queen of Diamonds. Deadwood Dick took the next, and thus the draw- ing continued. The pack began to diminish in size very rapidly; still that fatal ace of spades remain- ed undrawn. ‘*Great ham-bone thet wrecked ther constitoochin’ o’ Joner!”’ gasped the Annihilator, watching with most intense interest. ‘Pull thet yey Dicky, ef ye vally ther stars an’ stripes. Don’t let thet Jeffer- sonioan git it, or ye’re a goner, sure’s thar’s insects in thes ‘ere air.’ “Tt matters little to me who get’s it, old man,” re- lied Dick, carelessly. “As I said before, life no onger holds that fascination for me that it once did. We've all got to contribute to the great eter- nal debt, sometime—a few hours, days or years make but little difference to one whose life another has rendered ge “Thet’s ther moral an’ the religious truth, boy,” replied the Annihilator. “I’ve known incidents already, whar hen ed husbands would go an’ swaller bed-bug pizen or arsenic, or sum sich, jest ter relieve ‘em o' their domesticated deefikilties. Sad aire the fate o’ ther man who hitches himself inter harness wi’ a female woman—sadder’n a two- year old bumble-bee w’at’s bin takin’ a Turkish bath in sour buttermilk, or a South Car'liny tater-bug thet’s underwent a course 0’ bulldozin’ by grasshoppers—yes, siree/” Edith and Leone were intensely interested and most anxious spectators. Leone pereainns now, for the first, that her jeal- ousy and unwomanly act had rendered Deadwood Dick perfectly reckless—that he was angry, and re- garded her as little better than a traitor; and then came the sweeping know: 6 of her wild passionate love for him, and the fear that she had gone too far —too far for her to hope for redemption. But what could she do? Jaggers had bound her hands and feet, and she was unable to move. In desperation she turned to Edith, who stood close by, pale and trembling, hoping ager st hope that Dead: wood Dick would draw the fatal ace of spades, Girl!” Leone Whispered, an awful horror welli — her eyes, ‘you love that man—my husband; I know it, so make no denial. For the love of God, then, snatch away the cards, and prevent a murder. Quick, or you wil be too late!” Edith heard and heeded, even though she was grow- faint and dizzy. e serene, Sor eand to do the act of mercy—the last act for she loved so well, but, grim and im- morals the Annihilator stood in her path, and put er back. “No ye gous, galt” he said, in his rough but kind way. “No fo ugin’. n’t be oneasy, tho’, = os dee ther thet’s sure ter flop ther ace, you Three cards lay upon the stump, and it was Dick’s draw. Coolly, self-possessed, fearlessly he picked up one. It was the three-spot clubs. Ji rs drew the the next, and there was a devil- ish jubilance in his face as he held up—the ace of spades { All saw it; Deadwood Dick bowed his acknowledg- ment of defeat, not changing a particle in color; Avalanche groaned—he had so missed his calcula: tions; Edith and Leone both screamed, the latter bursting into violent sobs. “You have won!’ Deadwood Dick said, calmly, drawing and cocking one of his revolvers, *‘and my life shall pay the forfeit. Leone, my wife, may you lead a happier life with some one else, and find a truer mate. Miss Stone—Avalanche, fare thee well and remember the poor fool clothed in the guise of Deadwood Dick!” : Then, there, when the setting sun was shooting its last lingering rays of lightinto the thicket glade, the young Prince of the Road thrust the revolver muz- zle into his mouth, and motioned for Jaggers of the U. 8S. Secret Service to pull the fatal trigger! CHAPTER XIII. SAVAGE ALLIES—FATHER AND SON—REUNION. Axout the same hour that has witnessed the events last described, Wild Ivan, the Boy Fiend, was gallop- ing through the level tract of country at the base of the mountain foothills, mounted upon bis thorough- bred black, his dusky face dark and grim, a set in firm compression, his eyes gleaming evilly. What was he doing here so far from the strong- ae of the Brotherhood? Surely some mischief is oot. And ere long its nature became manifest, for when the night-shades were gathering around him thickly and the young moon for the first thrust its crescent up over the western horizon, he drew rein in an In- dian encampment, in the heart of a little motte of cottonwood timber on the prairie. A bright fire burned in the center of the a which was surrounded by some six or eight skin lodges, and gathered around the fire were at least a hundred savages, among whom two appeared to ex- ert the power of chieftaincy. All were clad in half- civ garb, and well armed, and it was evident they were a party of loafing vagabonds detached from some other tribe of red-men. But the two chiefs seemed to recognize Wild lvan, and one, who ke wonderful English for a red- skin, welcomed the Boy Fiend heartily. _ 2 “Panther berry glad to see you,” he said, making room upon a log by the fire. “‘ Been keeping braves in waiting for three days—eber since got whipped by 3 oy ger hunters.” “Yes, I expected to find you here,” replied the oung outlaw, running his eye over the assembled raves, ‘‘And I have come to talk with ye about these same road-agent hunters. We must clear them out!” “Ugh! Boy Chief speak trufe berry much. White d aT Pn. ob Panther’s braves. He take um segs, Hs oat SE ne voung Pend repled * or you, Rivers!’ the young Fiend rep! enthusiastically, ‘‘ and I have still another plan. You are of course aware of the existence of the so-called Brotherhood of Death?” ef Yes. Panther heard much about de pale-face devils. “Well, I have been elected chief of said Brother- hood, in the place of Bill Blood, deceased. But I don’t like their style, and as they have an immense treasure somewhere, I propose to lay them all out, and then hunt the treasure. Listen!’ And then, in a low tone, the Boy Fiend unfolded his plot to the chief, who listened, eagerly, occasion- all giving vent to his poe by a grunt or a nod, Tia f an hour later, Ivan mounted his horse and rode back over the route he had come. Occasional- ly, as he galloped along, he would chuckle to him- self, and his eyes would gleam brighter. But by and ba his oe — rudely interru ue eS oe passin rough a oO! i horse was Sadaomiy pia Bs 5m the reins, and jerked back upon its haunches, nearly unseating the rider. Quickly he drew a revolver, but it was knocked from his hand an instant later, while a man stood by his side, one of the same deadly instruments in his hand, leveled, and at full cock. “ Hold on, young man!” cried the stranger, resolve expressed in his tone. “ None of your pretty capers. Just be quiet and reasonable, and all will go well!” The Boy Fiend started violently at sound of the man’s ¥oice, and bent forward, endeavoring to peer into the face which the darkness hid from view. ‘“Oh! you needn’t look so sharp; it’s me—your fa- ther!” declared the unmistakable voice of Colonel Grafton Stone. ‘I’ve been on the hunt for you ever aes res massacred our train, and killed your own mother!”’ “Ha! did the old lady turn up her toes, then? Well, I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped, ou know!” was the young wretch’s indifferent observation. “The Brotherhood of Death never do things by halves. Pity they hadn’t wiped you out at the same time, you old villain!” “You are kind in Pog wishes,” sneered the elder Stone. “They would have undoubtedly killed me, had I not played ‘possum, as Avalanche did. But, boy, have you seen the girl?” The girl?” ““Yes—ha! I remember, now; zen took her from the train, before I fainted. What became of her?” “Oh! you refer to my amiable cousin, eh? Well, I know nothing of her. I got chased, and had to po tere . young our named Deadwood Dick ap- ro’ a er. expec ” pr e devil! I would not have lost her for a for- tune. Indeed, a fortune is dependent upon her re- covery.”’ “How d’ye mean? I fail to comprehend,” the young outlaw said, erly. “Listen, then, and I will tell you. When my brother went to a, he was only well-to-do in the world, and left behind him his daughter, at the time placed in a private boarding-school, where she was receiving the finishing touches of her education, In Europe Milt was most fortunate in speculation,
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one two years had secured a fortune of a million ollars. ‘Then I became envious, and laid a plan to rob him of a part of this wealth. Of our family there were three brothers, Milt, William and myself, and - Milt proved to be the least scoundrel of the three. Bill came West, years ago, and as Bill Blood, a ruf- fian, achieved a reputation secor to noue. My ped- igree—well, it-is not wholly spotless.” “For once you speak the truth,” replied the Boy Fiend, with a heartless laugh. ‘ You are a devil on earth, and I’m no better!” : “Well, however that may be,”’ continued the col- onel, ‘‘as I said before, I planned to obtain some of Milt’s wealth which, as I looked at it, was rightfully mine. “He had left mein charge of his estates, on his departure for Europe, and by forging his name I converted them all into cash, stole his daughter, and brought her to our home in Cincinnati, and thence to Cleveland where you first met her. Milt returned and got wind of my villainy, and set officers on my track; so I had to clear out and come West. You remember the young scout, Tornado Tom, who met the girl in Cincinnati and fell in love with her? He is along, also.” “Yes, curse him. Had he not turned her young head, I might have stood a better chance!” growl the youth, savagely. “Well, never mind, my son. With your co-opera- tion, we can yet get the girl, and I will bleed the purse of Milton Stone to its utmost limit, while you can take sweet revenge upon her for jilting you.’ “Good! old man; it shall be as you say. But you must first accompany me to my stronghold, where I have other yrork to do.” After some further consultation, the vile father was mounted upon the back of of the horse behind his viler son, and the twain rode away toward the mountain stronghold of the Brotherhood of Death. We left Alice La Rue drifting down the Little Ma- drass, in sight of the camp upon the shore, and in a state of alarm at her situation. Her recent esca from peril had left her quite unmanned, and now she was again thrown into a state of excitement. Were those upon the shore enemies? This was a eg of great moment.to her, Friends she would gladly greet, but enemies she had no desire to encounter, For a moment she checked the progress of her canoe with the paddle, at loss how to act, If she at- t ‘mpted to pass the camp she would be discovered, he could not retrace her way up the stream on ac- count of its swiftness; the pene bank was high and beetling, so that she could not scale it. At last, in desperation, she drove the frail craft forward over the waters with a strong stroke, re- solved to make the venture of passing. But the man at the water’s edge saw her, and gave a shout that brought his companions to his side, “ Hello! thar!’ shouted a man’s voice; “slow up, gal. Whar ye goin’?” The thought suddenly flashed across the tive's brain that they were a part of the terrible Broth- erhood, and with firm, comp lips, she used her paddle the faster. On over the water the canoe shot, yielding grace- Bias the fair rower’s strokes. ‘““By Jerusalem!” cried Jolly Jack, who with Sher- wood, Red Kit, and the other road-agent unters, stood upon the bank, and gazed in wonder at the flying oarswoman, “et’s a durned likely lookia’ white gal, sartin sure. What on ‘arth kin she be doin’ up in this outlandish region?” No one answered; all were too intent in gazing at the beautiful maiden in the boat. But suddenly, as Alice half-turned her white, scared face toward them, Red Kit gave vent to a yell that made the at's Alice!” h ried, dancing around, excited “It’s * he c und, e | ly—“ it’s my Alice, surer ’n preachin’. Stop her, some one!” And the next instant the hunter leaped out into the stream, and swam desperately in pursuit of the canoe, yelling at the top of his lungs. Cheering him on, a number of the rangers set out on a run along the shore, adding their shouts to the howls of the swimmer, and thereby increasing the terror of poor Alice, who, ignorant that she was pursued Qs friends instead of enemies, exert- ed herself to the utmost to keep her frail craft un- der swifter motion than her pursuers, ‘Keep het gw Kitsie!"’ roared Jolly Jack, from the shore. “‘ Yer bound ter win ther race! Great Columbia! whar’s the gal?” Alice was suddenly and mysteriously gone from her seat in the canoe. ‘‘She’s laid flat, Injun fashion!" cried back Red Kit. ‘But 1’ll soon let her know she can’t foolish wi’ her daddy.” Rapidly he swam on, and unailed by paddle, the canoe m:rely rode along with the waves. Soon he was near enough to grasp a hold of the shell, and the next moment he gazed over into it th an expectant grin. But a yeil of astonishment simultaneously pealed from his lips, as he made the startling discovery that the canoe was empty and— Alice was gone / And where was she This question none o} poet could rete, be- rom cause none of them had seen her leap swiftly the b o ie Lo stream, over which the shroud of t had fallen; none saw ons°quen' pa was enabled to reach maand¢ : pols she found accessible, nce pausing the , which at — terra firma she breathed freer, and e wrung the water from her garments. Wild Ivan. Across the stream which had here attained con- side. able width, she could distinctly hear the yells of those she imagined to be her enemies. “Than - heavea I have escaped again,’* she mur- mured, shivering from the effects of her cold bath, “Tonly hope I can reach the prairies befcre day- pete | there danger is not so thic asin these moun- ns.’ After assuring herself that no one had witnessed her escape, she stole silently away down the shore, which gradually grew wider and was covered with thickets and scrazgy timber. The darkness; wa; intense and it wes only by a sense of feel ng that she could drag herself along, | | terrible a fate, even at the cost of another life!” but she kept on, resolutely, reso ved to move until her strength gave out, And it was not long until this climax was reached; and, utterly fatigued and exhausted, she was forced to pause and rest. Dropping upon the leaves at the foot of a great cottonwood, she soon felt the drowsi- ness of coming slumber stealing over her, and unable to shake off the spell, it was not many moments ere she was sound asleep. How long she had slept she knew not, but she the Road were = n her. Why was it, that when- ever she was in his presence her whole being was thrilled with such a — ecstatic feeling—a grand overpowering sensation of joy—a sensation of happi- ness almost sublime? Poor girl! Hopelessly she had allowed herself to drift on, not for a moment ing the cost;—her | mad love for this youthful outlaw burning brighter each moment, and gaining strength, when it should have been crushed out of existence. Ay, she blushed at the words of the old scout, but it was the blush of love—and her eyes lit up won- arously, as she replied: “T am very glad, indeed, that he has escaped so And the glance that she darted at Deadwood | Dick thrilled him, strong as was his command over | his emotions. If men are ‘the sterner sex,” it is sometimes deucedly hard to frown down the fascina- tion of a pretty woman; and so Dick found it. Be- fore him were two women—girls, rather, of opposite | temperament; Leone he loved with a tender, never- awakened with a start, to find herself in strange sur- | roundings. She had been reclining upon a bundle of blankets, near a ruddy fire, that sent out great warmth, and over the fire a haunch of savory veni- son was roasting, emitting a peculiar flavor that greeted her sensitive nostrils most agreeably. The cooking process was under the charge of a sturdy, bewhiskered man, seeing which she glanced around to discover a group of a dozen others, in an- other portion of the camp engaged in earnest con- | versation, One of these men came hastily forward when it was seen that she had aroused from her slumber, and she had the satisfaction of seeing that they were none of the Brotherhood. And the nearer the man came the more familiar grew his looks, until at last she sprung to her feet with a glad, joyous cry. “Father! father!” “* Guess so, gal!” and Red Kit clasped the fair girl in aloving embrace. :. — never expect ter see ye ag’in, my rose- u Thad “But, how came I here?’ Alice demanded, in won- derment. “The last I remember was of dropping down upon a pile of leaves under a great tree, where I must have fallen asleep.” “So you did, gal, an’ I snook up an’ fetched ye inter camp,”’ replied Red Kit, dancing and capering about like an animated school-boy. Then fo'twwed explanations in general between parent and child, both of whom were overjoyed at their reunion, Grim Scott Sherwood and Jolly Jack soon came up and were introduced, and from the first it might have been noticed that Alice’s wondrous beauty and winning ways had made an impression upon the for- mer, for his eyes lighted up when she chatted to him, and something of his habitual grimness wore away. CHAPTER XIV. NOT DICK—--THE PARTING. ‘*Houp on, for the love of God do not kill my hus- band, sir!’’ cried Leone Harris, as Tom Jaggers step- ped forward to perform his part of the death due ‘Have mercy—spare him for my sake!” “No, madam!” replied the detective, a grim smile of triumph overspreading his features, “I cannot | desist, even for your sake. There is a reward of four thousand dollars offered for the head of Dead- wood Dick, and who has a better right to earn it, than 1?” He sprung forward, and made a at the pisto whone mitadie was within the teeth of the etind road-agent, but simultaneously there was the report of a pistol, and the Secret Service man went to the ground in a heap. He gave only one gasp—then his features grew set in expression, his eyes glassy, and limbs rigid, and he was dead. But who was the assassin? This question was evidently answered as Old Ava lanche restored a still smoking revolver to his belt. “ You /” cried Harris, y. “Great ham-bone thet Joner chawed ther meat from, vi nto a comical grin. “Et went ag*in’ my na- tur’ ler see ye drap' out o’ time, so ak” oa “Ts he really dead?” asked Edith, coming timidly forward, and gazing sorrowfully at the stiffening form of the Secret Service man. “Yes, Miss Eda—de’der’n a baked clam aire thet representative o’ ther U. 8.8.8. I put a punctua- tion p’int right in over his left temple, an’ he flopped his wap keerd, immegetly. Oh! I’m a rooster, gal —a great devastatin’ disease thet sweeps like a small- earthquake over these boreal lattytoods an’ longytoads. Sorry ter pinlace ther regylations o° Tommises callendar, but I hed ter give Dicky ha: a Ete insurance polic 4 Md ere ete e the pretty eyes 0’ y on't lie, I speculate you ¢ at all sorry ther boyee’s still among ther “aints on earth. Bey little gal?—an’ ther same ter you, Mrs. Deadwood Dick.” Edith blushed, and her heart beat faster, for she was conscious that the eyes of the young Prince o | f tiring devotion; Edith, he saw, loved him with girl- ish impetuosity, and while he was secretly pleased he was resolved that no word, look or action should be Riven her as encouragement. “IT am thankful to escape death, my friends,’ he | said, candidly. I would not be human, if otherwise. | } ; | | | ed her to make no sanely jealous, and owe this parting to yo! ; cach ny ¢ so fet us p It seems that my life,'of late, has been one continu- ous series of esca and surely I ought to be thank- ful to my God fer extended mercies, and I am. Henceforth may no spot be put upon the name of Edward Harris, for from this day he is no longer a road-agent—no longer an outlaw, if his fellow-men will let him alone, Avalanche, please bear me wit- ness to this declaration. “If they will let me alone, I pledge my word—and God knows I never yet willingly broke it—that I will leave them alone—them, the people. But if they strike me, on account of the past, I will strike them back—to the death !”” “Bully Ike fer you, boyee! Great ham-bone thet demoralized Joner! course I'll bear ye witness, an* any one’t sez ye ain’t the durnedest young galoot as ever rid a jack-mule,’s a ornery liar, an’ hayr’s ther great Norweegan snow-flake as kin back it—ther orful, cavortin’, ram us Avalanche o’ annihilation thet cum down ter inoculate ther dis- ease o’ extarmination hayr’bouts, on ther back uv QO. Rory Borey Alice.” Deadwood Dick bowed, and restored his revolver 4 its voy bh om mw a — ro es poe tepping forward, he quickly cu! ne’s bonds, ani sseucked hee to rise. “Thank you,” she said, simply. Something warn- eae display of emotion. ‘ You are Then, when tears were swelling into her eyes, and she would have turned away, Deadwood Dick spoke | to her—in the cold, measured tones she had feared— expected, yet hoped would not come—from him whom she now realized she loved—worshiped, ‘‘Leone,”’ he said, detaining her by that one word, “T would k with you before you go. Right here ms nt vo in life must diverge; you to go one way an another. You need not ask me why, Leone, for you know full well. Your lousy 1 a into the commission of an act that no true, loving wife would have done. I did not mind the imprisonment —it was only the sting occasioned by the thought that you hat ut me there. Had it been for your good, I would have willingly remained there a life- time.”’ Here the voice w hoarse, and a moisture gath- ered in his eyes, while Leone burst into tea s. “Oh! Ned, Iam sorry—so sorry. Forgive me and take me back—oh! for the love of God, do not desert me!’ - “Tn our separation I am not deserting you, Le- one!”’. Deadwood Dick went on, calmly, houms it was eg Saag how much he was agitated. “It was you who deserted me. I, too, am sorry, for my own sake and for yours. We were very happy together, until—until—until—” “This girl came and stole your love away from me!” burst forth Leone, hotly. ‘‘ Oh! that the thing was dead /” It was Edith’s turn now to cry, for she well knew that she was the cause of this unhappinéss. ‘*Miss Stone did not steal my love away, Leone,’* Dick went on. ‘That woman never was born who could win my love from you. You were blin a oulder part of the blame, an art. At the grotto you can find a home, and you know where my gold is concealed. Take it and my bless- ing, for it is all I have to give you.” “Oh! my God! do not leave me, husband,” sobbed upon her knees and bow- ing’ her head upon her hands, “I am sorry, and acknowledge my fault. But Llove you as much ag 1 ever did, and it will kill me if you leave me.” “T fear no serious its, or I should not leave i You are yet young, and life opens up a bright ture for you, for in leaving you, I give you your maiden liberty. Marry whenever it pleases you, and have no fear that I shall ever enforce my claim.” Then, after oo kiss upon the forehead of the weeping girl wife, he turned to Avalanche. “Old man, I am grateful to you, and would like to continue our acquaintance. But as it is your ety of Miss Stone, I will leave Leone, piteously, f thar’s heeps o° fun an’ mar me ten days frum now at Bell ereek ford, at sunse cuss and discuss matters at length.” ‘Well, then, so be it. Now, good-by.”” Saying which the young man gave his hand to the
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14 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. Annihilator, who wrung it heartily, and then to Edith, who was weeping softly to herself. ‘*Good-by, Miss Stone,”’ Dick said, scarcely return- ing the warm pressure of her hand. “I am sorry your visit to the West has resulted so inauspiciously. and hope that you will soon forget these painful matters.” Edith did not reply. She was too full for utter- ance, and as Dick ed on to Leone, her sobs broke out afresh, aa she wept as though her heart would break. Dick took Leone’s hand in his, and again kissed her upon the forehead tenderly. “Do not ery, little woman,” he said, even though there were tears in his own voice. ‘ Bear up, and God will bless you, as I always. shall. Your wants shall ever be provided for, write to you. There, now, cheer up, and for the sake of our little future Deadwood Dick, be brave!” Then came a last passionate kiss and yearning em- brace; then, as the shadows thickened in the valley and crept up the mountain-side, Deadwood Dick was gone—gone, and left behind him two sobbing women who loved him with a wild love that was in itself a worship. It was some moments after his departure that Av- alanche broke the spell, in his rude, uncouth way: “Come! come! gals! Great ham-bone thet bull- dozed old Joner! thar’s no use o’ bellerin’ over one gone ‘coon. Thar’s plenty o' more trout in ther stream o’ matrimoney, an’ two sich likely-lookin’ females as ye aire, orter know how ter snatch ’em bald-headed. Moses in ther bullrushes! I’ve seen ‘hearts all bu’sted inter infinity, an’ then patched rgether, jes’’s good as new. har war old Sally Usher, fer instance. She war trotted inter ther Cu- pid’s harness twenty-three times, an’ each husband got divorced afore they’d had their hunnymoon out, on account o’'ther excessive length o’ her homage. But the gal kept a stiff upper lip, an’ last I heerd uv her, she was ‘ras’lin’ wi’ Judge Binkerton, up in Yankton, fer her twenty-fourth!” Neither Edith nor Leone made answer to this little speech. Both were too wrap up in their own sorrow to pay heed to his words, The sobs of the agonized women were so pitiful that Old Avalanche was forced to turn away, a moisture in the eyes, that perhaps had not been dimmed with tears before in many a long year. “Don’t ery, little woman,’’ he said, approaching and laying one great horny palm upon Leone’s head—‘don’t take it so much to heart. Ther boyee loves you, I’m dasted sartin, an’ I an’ him aire goin’ ter be tergether a gude deal in ther fu- ture, an’ ef thet devastatin’ eppydemic ken’t per- suade him that ye’re a rep-ntant, luvvin’ angel, why my old Florence Night-in-a-gale ken’t bui:— that’s all.” ‘Oh! sir, eoi// you then send him back to me?”’ the poor thing emanded, lookin, 4 imploringly, while tears coursed down her fair cheeks. ‘“ You will try?” “Yes, gal—great ham-bone thet kerflummixed Joner, yes. Ef I don’t use my influence on ther boy, may I be eternally bulldozed, Thus sweareth an’ declareth Old Avalanche Hoge, on this ther twentieth day o’ October, 1877, Addy Dominix.”’ and I will some time | “Oh! than c you, thank you!’’ Leone cried, glad- | ps “Tf you id you ever leave me?”’ And her sobs burst out afresh. “Thar! thar! no more cryin’ gal; cheer up an’ git back ter yer grotto, Ill give your spouse a good spankin’ and send him back ter ye!” Then, taking Edith by. the arm, he silently mo- tioned her to follow him, and they quitted the thicket glade and hurried on down the mountain side, leaving Leone to her own grief, alone—alone! Without a word, for his mind was too busily oc- cupied for speech, the Annihilator led on through the blackness of the night—on until the ragged, rocky foothills were reached, when they paused for rest. As they did so, the old scout listened intently, and a — lange came over his face, while ho sprung to his feet. “ What is it?’ asked Edith, alarm driving away her grief, “Dunno, gal. Keep still—here/” was the reply, and the next instant he had glided away into the wilderness of bushes, like a dark shadow. . In a few moments he came back, grim and mysteri- ous, his tread as soft as a cat's. “ What is it?” Edith repeated. “Injuns /” was the startling announcement. juns all around us!” In- CHAPTER XV. THE BROTHERHOOD NO MORE—‘‘ INJUNS.”’ Winp Ivan and his father rode rapidly away to- ward the stronghold of the Brotherhood. “You spoke of this Tornado Tom, in a casual way,’ remarked the Boy Fiend. “ Why did you mention him?” ‘* He, in company with my brother, Milton Stone— has come to this country in search of the girl, Edith. I heard of them as being in Deadwood, and that was a week ago.” “They were not upon your trail then?” “No, but were seenting after me with the perse- verance of a pair of bloodhound:, I expect nothing else than that I will stumbl» over them when I least e ¢ it.”’ “Well, after we again get the gal, we can laugh at them,” replied the youth as he urged on his double- burdened steed. Ps After a long ride through the gorge, and then twene’ the rapids, the camp of the outlaws was reached. The Brothers outside the cave greeted the return of li I will bless you. Oh! Eddie, why | | ed to be a drunken sleep, until, with Wagn ble from his seat, the last had yielded to the resist- —— their chief with a scowling nod, but those gathered around the tables, inside, scarcely noticed him, so apparently engaged were they in their games. Old Blue Bob, however, saluted with a grim smile. He, of the whole lot, admired Ivan. Wild Ivan led the way into the inner cavern, and here he and the colonel were supplied with food, af- ter which the young chief left his parent to the en- joyment of his pipe, while he rejoined the Brothers at the card-tables in the outer cave. ‘* Well, mates, what’s the word?’’ he asked pleas- | antly, accepting a hand which Wagner had dealt him, witha bow. ‘“‘Howhas things went, and what is the prospe_ts?”’ ““Durned poor, captain,” the lieutenant replied, half savagely. ‘‘ We never hedsech dull times when Bill Blood war boss. He allus hed sumthin’ a-stew- in’ 7) et. “Well you mustn’t get discouraged, old fellow. I | know things lie rather s int, just now, but I have laid a trail for you to follow, and there’s heaps of money at the end of it!” “Eh? Say youso?” and the outlaw’s swarthy face lit up with enthusiasm. ‘Out wi’ it, captain, fer we're all ears fer good news.” “T thought you would be,” said Ivan, a cynical smile curling his lips. ‘“‘ But, before I tell the gs news, summon the rest of the boys, as what I have to say concerns them also.” Blue Bob was dispatched after the remaining out- laws, and soon they were in the cave and given seats at the table. “Now, then, capt’in, give us yer infermation,” re- minded Wagner. “Exactly,” replied the Boy Fiend; “but hold! we cannot go thirsty over such luck. Blue Bob, in the chest in yonder cave, you will find three quart-bot- tles of old Bourbon whisky, which I dare say belong- ed to your former chief. Haul them out here, along with flomes for the crowd, and we will wet our whistles.” Accordingly Blue Bob byes gee forth the liquor, and the glasses were filled all around, with the ex- ception of Wild Ivan’s. ‘A little pure cold water for me, Bob,” he said pushing the bottle aside. ‘My brain gets confu when I swallow that liquid poison.” His glass was accordingly filled with water; then rising he proposed a toast in a neat little speech, which was heartily drank, all around, when a re- sounding cheer was rendered for the young chief. To which he bowed his thanks. “Now, boys,” he said, “I'll out with what I have to say, in a few words. As you all know, the two girl captives we should have had, have escaped, but one of these—she whom we got from the train—we may have hopes of retaking. You have all heard of Deadwood Dick, have rou not?” A general murmur of assent came in answer to the question, ‘Well, the girl is in the power of this same Dead- wood Dick, who, with his band of road-agents, are hiding in this same mountain range. And, mates, it mnt BS our object to capture and put to death these road-agents, with the exception of Deadwood Dick, | whom I can deliver up to justice, and receive a large reward for.” “ How large, captain?”’ “The whole amount of rewards offered for him by the government and private citizens figures up to the tune of ¢en thousand dollars /”’ A yell of astonishment came from the assembled | “This is not all we shall gain my boys!” the young villain went on, watchin e faces around him tha were fiushed from the effects of the strong liquor. “They have in their possession money to the amount of over a million dollars, results of their general out- lawry and mining, which shall be ours, and go into our treasury !”’ Again a cheer went up from the Brotherhood, and at a motion of Ivan’s hand, the glasses were all refill- ed, and drank off with great gusto. “This will swell our big chest yonder in ther cor- ner, ‘til it bu’sts, captain!” cried Wagner, pointing to an iron-bound box which the Boy Fiend had never noticed before. “Then that is the seamen eh, lieutenant?” “You b-bet!” was the thick reply, for the man was rapidly succumbing to the influence of the aged whisky, “ an’ yere’s w’at k-kerries the key; but, it’s a-all right, ye kno’, ’c-’case the b’hoys ain’t ‘feard ter trust me.” . *“Of course,”’ assented the young villain, conde- seendingly; ‘‘ you’re honest as the day is long. But, come! fil up again; only one bottle is empty; let’s have a hilarious time on our success that is to come; fill up! fill up! I say, and drive the eare away!” And then, while the outlaws were freely guzzling One by one they dropped off into what appear- er’s tum- ody. less power of the liquor. lageens the Boy Fiend broke out into a wild fit of r. “What! you have not murdered them?’ cried Col- onel Stone, advancing from the inner cavern, “ They are not dead ?”’ “No, not quite, old man, but they don’t lack much of it, T’ll guarantee they'll never see sunrise. But, come! let’s secure this treasure, and then depart, for this atmosphere is poisonous!” } Feeling in a pocket of the senseless Wagner's gar- ments, the yound Fiend produced a key, which fitted the great iron-bound chest, and in a moment he had an’ thar war booty ter be had for ther work for | | Edith by the arm the hasp off, and the lid raised, so that he could gaze in, But, a howl of rage escaped him when he discov- Gree nme ER box was empty. Had he been clever- y duped? With curses on his lips he at length prepared to leave the place. “We will get out of this,” he said, ‘and he ne thing just as it is—dead fools and all. ome!’ ; He led the way out into the open air, and selected two superb animals out of a dozen that were grazi along the shore. These were duly mounted, and ome and son set out down the stream, prairie- ward. “Now for the girl!’ said the Boy Fiend, as they = ae on. “I would like to find .her, just now. Wouldn’t I tame her though?” “You would kill her, in your savage ferocity!" was the colonel’s reply. “Tnjuns! all around us!’’ repeated Old Avalanche, in his grim way. ‘‘Great ham bone thet discombob- erated old Joner! I didn’t s’pose thet we’d encounter many o’ them, fer we licked ’em like blue blazes, t’other night.” “Oh! what shall we do?” cried Edith, greatly al- armed. She had never seen an Indian, with the ex- ception of a few vagabond reds whom she had met on the way. ‘‘ What shall we do?” “Do? Moses in the bullrushes! Why, we'll jest git onter our muscle, an’ go fer ’em like a great de- vastatin’ eppydemic o’ cholericmorbus. ell an- nihilate an’ exterminate ’em like all creation. EfI puta ee o’ my electric whispers in their crani- um, they’ e a spasmodic ‘arthquake has struck ’em.”’ “Then you have no fear?” asked Edith. ‘“‘Fear? Noaher and ther shark, no! ye nevyer see’d old Avalanche afeard o’ any thing short 0’ a reflexion uv of his own mug, which ar’ htful, Pll allow. Onee on a time, a woman o' the female sex see’d me comin’ to’rd her, up in Yankton, an’ she war struck wi’ a fit 0’ hie 4 appopplexy—thet aire, she war purty drunk, an’ tuk me fer King Bacchous, orsum other sich name, an’ durn my ears, ef she didn’t faint clean away. “So fur, in fact, thet she didn’t cum to, an’ they | hed ter pos’pone ther job o’ revi’vin’ her till the da’ of ressureckshun, That ain’t a sarcumstance, tho’. A feller in Denver, once, got so skeered at my ugly phiz, thet he war cured ontirely uv ther St. Vitus nce at w’ich he had bin waltzin’ for twenty years.”’ At this juncture the loquacious old veteran sud- | denly stopped and pares behind him, at the same © time draw Edith trembled in fear, for she felt that the mo- ment was at hand fora deadly conflict. But what was her surprise, the next instant, to see the Anni- hilator suddenly bound high into the air, and turning a complete back-somersault, land direct down ina mass of bushes, which grew a few paces in front of gz his knife. er, What did this eccentric move mean? She could not solve the problem, except that the scout had seen an Indian concealed there, and had taken this method to surprise him. A violent struggle was going on, and the hard breathing of the contestants was sufficient evidence that they were closely matched in strength. But at length there was a —. groan, and the An- nihilator emerged from the bushes, a grotesque grin elongating his comical face. . = oao¥ ose thet eeinn aaa! od ee, e gasped, s ng a_reeking the air, s Whoop! hurray fer Noaher an’ his shark. One less pensioner on ther U. 8. Government; one more stroke o’ vengeance fer these lost ears 0’ mine!”’ “Oh! mercy! what is that?’ demanded Edith, as her er fell upon the bloody trophy of the battle. “Thet’s a red-skin’s skulp, gal—a kinder wig wi’ which natur’ adorned him. I ventured ter lift it. But, see here, gal, we must be gittin’ out o’ this, or thar’ll be squinchalations o° bizness pretty soon. Can ye shute a pistle?”’ “T can try, sir. Oh! let’s hurry!” ‘Don’t git ina perspiration,” warned Avalanche, a me twinkle in his $i “or et might result disas- trously. Hayr’s a pistle; take it, an’ w’enever ye see a red hellion, let him haver right thru his Abece- darian, kerslap. Don’t hev enny skumpassion on ther Lad varlets, fer they're not fit fera skunk ter wi is feeton. Cum on, now!” e handed Edith a cocked revolver, and then led the way on through the wilderness of bushes—on through the blackness of the night that had wrapped the earth in a dense shroud. “ Keerful, gal, keerful; don’t step as ef ye was an elerfant tryin’ ter create a favorable impression. Fust ye know ye— Great ham-bone thet foundered old Joner! 7 het’s yer game iset, ye durned y niggero!”’ and then followed a terrible struggle and thrashing around through the bushes. ‘Grab me by ther shins, will ye, ye red pot scul- lion! I'll show ye, 7will. Luck out fer yer shins, al, fer thar’s Yojane under fut. Thar, durn yer asted ornery picter, I'll bet yer be ond sayin’ kitty- chisms. Hayr, gal,”’ and again the scout grasped ' and they pushed on Suddenly Edith’s revolver cracked and with a wild death-yell a ted savage fell at her feet, his life- blood spre: over the leaves. “Bully fer ye, gal! Disembodied his speerit, fust pop! Sorry he squawked, tho’, fer et’ll fetch swath- ers o’ ther cantankerous Babylonians down on us.”” True enough, the red-skin’s death-e ed by yells from a score of throats, an rushing feet were heard approaching. “Here, gal!” cried Avalanche, leaping to Edith's side and forcibly slinging her behind his back. “ Thar, was answer- the sound of —————
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4 4 ‘ now, slap yer embracers around my gullet, an’ freeze ter me like forty hornets after a Georg y nig- er. I’m goin’ ter break out o’ this deeficulty, an u’st thar harness, now, you bet!” And the next moment, with a revolver in each hand, and Edith on his back, he was bounding swift- ly down the mountain-side! CHAPTER XVI. THE END On leaped the veteran scout, grim and resolute, bound to go through if it lay within his power—on with mighty springs and leaps; and right and left the revolvers cracked with deadly effect. Suddenly the flying Annihilator burst into a little glade where two men were cooking their evenin meal over a bright camp-fire, apparently unaware o the close agers. $ of the red-skins. “Hello! Great ham-bone that debilitated Joner!” cried Avalanche, astonished at the unex tacle—‘‘ white folks, by the skylark o’ St. Peter. “Sayee! yedurned ejotts, settin’ thar like a hatch- in’ hen, git up an’ dust, ef ye vally yere golden tresses. Thar’s a hull squirt uv Injuns behind, com- in’ on like a streak o’ greased electricity erlong ther back o’ a sheared mule. Bounce, I say;’’ and then on bounded the scout, like a rubber ball, across the glade toward the opposite side. “Wather! father!” suddenly screamed Edith, catching a glimpse of the two men by the camp-fire. ““My child—Edith!”” came back in joyful tones of recognition. ‘‘Come, Elkton; Heaven be praised; the old scout has rescued my child!” And the two men area oe age ns and came swiftly in pursuit, while, close in their rear, swarmed a bonds of yelling Indians, thirsty for the blood of vengeance. : Fortunately the darkness was too intense for the enemy to gain anything like an accurate aim, and their bullets rattled harmlessly over the fugitives’ heads. “Great ham-bone thet floored old Joner!” gasped the Annihilator, as Elkton and Milton Stone came alongside, ‘‘ things begin ter look ripe fer dissection, don’t they? Thank heaven, thar’s the Little Ma- drass, anyhow.” “Thon'we can hope for aid!’ cried Elkton, “ for the road-agent hunters are emcamped on the other side, See! yonder is their camp-fire!”’ and he point- ed to the opposite side of the creek on whose sown they had suddenly emerged. “Whoop! rs durned ornery pimps o’ Satan! Cum erlong now ef yer want ter breathe an unhealthy at- mosphere. Hello! ahoy, there, rangers! ef ye're in a mood for wras’lin’ wi’ red niggers, show yer hand over this way!” Not a moment the three men paused, but plung- ing into the stream, they struck out for the other shore, which they reached in safety, just as the Savages burst into view on the bank they had left. Sherwood, Jolly Jack and ° followers had heard the Annihilator’s shouts, and came forward to meet the fugitives and conduct them to camp, where while hurried explanations were being given, and age made for defense, Milton Stone took ime to embrace his long-lost child, who had passed through so much trouble since last he had seen her. “Them Injuns hey got ern almitey grudge ag’in’ us whites,” remarked Old Avalanche, as the yells of ‘the red demons on the opposite side of the creek made the night hideous. ‘‘ They're goin’ ter put theyr fust fut for’ard ter oblitcherate us, an’ we've got ter luk sharp or they'll do et.” “* Let the de come!"’ growled Scott Sherwood, in hisgruff way. ‘ We've got plenty o’ powder an cartridges, an’ hain’t stingy of ’em, neither. There is fifteen of us, and if we ain’t good for a dozen reds apiece, we'd better go into bankruptcy!” Guards were, by Sherwood’s order, posted all around the camp, and the fire was put out. The yelling of the red-skins had ceased, and a strange silence bene, 3 over the night, suggestive of death. All the soun iar to the mountain and forest had become inaudible; a faint prairie breeze wafted silently up through the walls of the lonely sores, : | ‘The cusses are creepin’ upon us,’’ said Old Av- alanche, impressively. my A, B, C’s. They’re a dasted pestillence on ther fage o’ this toadstool,” ‘Stand ready, boys!” spoke Sherwood, grimly. n- ‘Strike true and hard when the time comes. other victory like that of the other night, and the | hounds will not be so fast to fight!” And soon the moment arrived! With yells that were deafening the attack began from the land side, and a fieree battle waged, in which the road-agent hunters fought like demons possessed, . But they had fearful odds to fight against. The savages numbered full three-score, or more, and were constantly ed on by the shouts of three men in their midst—white men, too, jud, from their voices, and Old Avalanche made it business to single them out, as he fought on. Down went the howli red-skins before the ran- gers’ terrible repeating rifles like chaff before the — now it was easy to see how the battle would n “ At’ em, boys!’ yelled Sherwood, striking déath at every bw. “ Copture those two white men and the disguised chief by their side. Aha! Tom Rivers, I recognize you, you traitor!” But, the battle waged on fiercely, and when death had met the last savage, but one captive had been taken alive. And he was the Boy Fiend—Wild Ivan! He was securely bound to a tree in the center of the camp, and then the victorious rangers rebuilt ar camp-fire, and set to work at clearing away the Wild Ivan. 15 While engaged at the work, Milton Stone suddenly uttered a cry of pain, and knelt by the side of Colo- nel Grafton Stone, who had fallen in the battle. He was not quite dead, and he appeared to recognize the brother he had so deeply wronged. - ‘*Forgive me, Milt,’’ he gasped, faintly, “ and pray for me and my pays yonder,”’ with a motion toward Wild Ivan. ‘“ We have both sinned—and—”’ The death-rattle in his throat checked further ut- terance, and in a moment he was dead. Milton Stone uttered asilent prayer over his body, then turned away, weeping. The dead were all cleared away, and decently bu- ried, for Sherwood was not the man to leave evena dog without a grave. And, then, our little band gathered about the camp-fire, and ‘*‘ counted noses.”’ Only one of the rangers had been killed and four wounded, which, altogether, was a lucky termination | of a battle against such odds. ted spec- | *“T know ’em better’n I do | Edith and Alice were safe, and the whole rty soon were in excelient spirits.. But, unexpectedly, eee occurred, which caused another commo- ion. There was a wild yell, a rush of feet, and two fig- ures came flying into the camp—a man and an In- dian girl. “Loo! roo!”’ shrieked the Chero“ee girl, and in an instant she was at Wild Ivan’s side, a gleaming knife in her hand, a wild fire burning in her terribl> eyes. The young Fiend recognized her, and a groan es- caped his lips, but it was his last, for the next mo- ment the knife sunk into his black heart, and Sue swung his reeking scalp on high, uttering a triumph- ant war-cry. “Great ham-bone thet foundered old Joner!”’ cried Avalanche, springing forward. ‘‘Josiah Hogg, my brother, true's hens lay hen fruit!” ‘* Hgqs-actly, old hoss,”’ returned the poet, with a m smile. ‘*But you’re ther last coon I expected r stumble onter. See hayr,”’ and he pointed to Florence Night-in-a-gale, who stood meekly at his side; “d’ye own this tarnal critter? I found ‘im back heer aways, an’ he seemed ter recognize me, on account 0’ them old days up at Death me when Wild Edna war the trump card. As Moar “*Thar! thar! none 0’ al poetry, Josiaher!’’ re- monstrated the Annihilator, imploringly, “I'd rather be rotten-egged, any time, than ter hear it.”’ = ch shows yer poor appreciation o’ ther fine arts,” grumbled the eccentric brother. Explanations were now demanded of Sue's strange eonduct, and in his droll way Josiah gave them, + len up with his avowed intention of marrying the girl. “Ye'd better hitch yerself ter an Injun squaw!” commented Avalanche, in disgust. ‘ Ye’re about er fit associate fer’em, wi’ yer poetical perpensities, you aire!’ The body of Wild Ivan was removed, and Josiah and Cherokee Sue were invited to the hospitalities of the camp, After it was found that there were no further signs of attack, a sentinel was stationed, and the rest turned in for sleep. The next day Josiah and his dusky companion set out for the North. A week was spent very enjoyably in the camp of the road-agent hunters, who not yet given u their vain hope of capt Deadw: Dick; bu then, came a terrible blow which none had expected —which caused a feeling of grief in the camp. On awakening one morning it was discovered that Edith was not in the lodge where she and Alice usu- ally slept, and Tom Elkton caused a search to be ne And Old Avalanche was the first to discover a clew. Upon the bank of the rushing, roaring Little Mad- rass, he found a ribbon Edith had worn upon her hair, and also a handkerchief, inside of which was a bit of pe In haste the old scout hurried back to the agonized father, and the paper was read aloud to the anxious friends cluste around, “Do not look for me, for the water will not give up its dead. You will say Iam foolish, but I could not give him up, I loved him so. I would rather die, for could no: live without him, and be happy. Ava- lanché knows—it’s about Deadwood Dick, May God forgive me, as I know you will. Poor papa. ‘ Epira.” This was all, but it was enough to send a shock of sadness through the camp. One day later, a sad and eorrowing man, Milton Stone started for Deadwood, eastwar bound, while poor Tom Elkton, in whose heart had found firm root a pure devotion for Edith, plunged deeper into the wilderness, seeking for fresh adventure to drown out his sorrow, Old Avalanche and his goat also took their depar- ture, amid the good wishes of all the rangers, who had learned to regard him as a sterling friend. And about a week after, the camp broke up, and th os Bae pigs D8 road-agent hunters set out for - wood. Shortly after their arrival, Sherwood married Red Kit’s daughter, Alice, Their love-making was rather short, but both found a choice in each other, and it is for us to hope that they may ever be supremely happy. At sunset, ten days after Old Avalanche bade adieu to Deadwood Dick, he might have been seen pow g leisurely through the timber skirting Bell creek ford, on the back of eccentric goat, Florence. At the edgeof a little opening in the timber, he suddenly drew rein, and upon a striking tableau before him, gazed dl erect with folded arms, f thet weld youre in black faithful mare, and followed by his - —Deadwood Dick, while at his feet kneels a humble, penitent girl, with eyes up-raised piniin ly. And their words are audible to the old Annihilator —words which cause moisture to dampen the cor- ners of his eyes, despite himself. ““No, Leone, I cannot take you back, so do not ask me. I may seem cruel and heartless, but—” : - You will take me back, some day—I am sure of it,” she said, rising, the light of faith and love gleam to = eyes. ‘And I will wait for you. Kissme, e Quickly he catches her in his arms, and covers her face with burning kisses—then, puts her almost sternly away from him, and blinded with tears she comes toward where the Annihilator has halted. He places his hand upon her arm, and intuition teaches her who it is, even though she raises not her eyes. “Cheer up, gal, and be hopeful. Things aire workin’ fine. Great ham-bone that choked Ouidecer, yes! It won't be ie “Oh! God grant that it may not be long!” she sobbed, as she moved on. Poor Leone! _ Deadwood Dick was seated upon his black stal- lion, and red traces about his eyes betrayed that he had been crying, when the Annihilator joined him. “Hello! ye’re here, eh? Great ham-bone, that’s one good thing, fer 1 hev somethin’ to say.” Then followed a long conversation between the two men, and night had long fallen when, after s nds, as if to seal some = they headed their horses south-westward galloped away, quitting the scenes of this narrative, which had brought to three hearts such bitterness and pain, ~ THE END. THE NEW YORK Fireside Library. 1 Was Sue His Wire? Mrs. Mary R. Crowell... 10c. 2 Fieernc From Love. By Harriet Irving..... 10c. 3 Dip He.Love Her? Bartley T. 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SS rr BEADLE'S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Every one of them ‘“ Live” Stories by ** Live®? Authors, Each number a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME. 1 Deadwood Dick, THe Prince or THE : RoapD; or, THe Buack Riper or THE BLACK Hituts.. By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, THz TRAPPER or THE ENcHANTED Grounp. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr., author of ‘ Pacific Pete,” etc. Kansas King; or, THe Rep Ricut Hanp, By Buffalo Bill (Hon, Wm, F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; Taz Youne WanDER- ING Jew. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Tea er; or, Lire IN THE NortHwest. By Edward §. Ellis, ee The Flying Yankee; or, Tur OcrAn Ovrcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE Frontier. By Edward §. Ellis. gy The Adventures of Baron Mun“ chausen,. 10 Nat Todd; or, THe Fate or THE Sroux Captive. A Sequel to “ Bill Biddon, Trapper.’’ By Edward §. Ellis. 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Nightshade, Tue Ropper PRINCE or HounsLtow Heats. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 18. The Sea Bandit: or, THE QuEENn or THE IsLE. By Ned Buntline, author of ‘‘ Thayen- danegea,’’ ‘* The Red Warrior,”’ etc. 19. Red Cedar, THE Prairiz OvuTLAw. By Gustave Aimard, author of “The Tiger-Slayer,”’ ‘The Bandit at Bay,” ‘‘ Trapper’s Daughter,” “ Prai- rie Flower,” etc. 20. The Bandit at Bay: or, Tue Pi- RATES OF THE PRAIRIES. By Gustave Aimard, au- thor of ‘The Tiger-Slayer," ‘Red Cedar,” “‘Trap- per’s Daughter,” ‘‘ Prairie Flower,” ete, 21. The Trapper’s Daughter's OR, Tue Ovriaw’s Fate. By Gustave Aimard, author of ‘‘ Tiger-Slayer,” ‘‘Red Cedar,” ‘“‘The Bandit at Bay,” “ The Prairie Flower,” etc. 22. Whitelaw: or, Natrim or THE LAKE Snore. By Dr. J. H. Robinson, author of “ Patha- way,” “ ‘iehtshade, ete. 23. The Red Warrior: or, STELLA DetorME’s ComaANcHE Lover. By Ned Buntline, au- thor of * Eopeedermnees, ‘White Wizard,” ‘Sea Bandit,” Warrior,” etc. 24. Prairie Flower. By Gustave Ai- mard, author of ‘‘ Tiger-Slayer,” ‘‘ Bandit at Bay,” “* Trapper’s Daughter,” ete. 25. The Gold-Guide: on, StrxL Arm, THE REGULATOR. By Francis Johnson, author of “The Death-Track,”’ ete, 29 The Dumb Page; or, THE Doar’s Daverter. By Capt. Frederick Whit- taker, author of ‘‘The Wild-Horse Hunters,” etc. 30 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, Tur Reckiess Rancer. By Harry St. George. 31 Keen-Knife, THE PRINCE OF THE Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 3 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian: or, THe Girt Drap-SHor, By Edward L, Wheeler, author of “ Deadwood Dick,” etc., ete. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE RED PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEES, By Samuel W. Pierce, author of ‘The Boy Detective,” etc., etc. 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wuirrtxs’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Ready March 19th: 3 Wild Ivan, Tur Boy CLAUDE Dt VAL; or, THe BrorHeRHOop oF DraTH. Dead- wood Dick Romance No. 4. By Edward L. Wheeler, 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF Mositha THE ARENA. By Frank S. Finn, Ready pril 2d. 37 The Hidden Lodge; or, Tux LitrLe HuNTER OF THE ADIRONDACKS. By T. C. Harbaugh, author of ‘“ Nick o’ the Night,”’ etc, Ready April 9th. 38 Ned Wylde, Tur Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. Ready April 16th, A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, | IBRARY. Each Number Complete. Price 10 cts, 26. The Death-Track: or, THE OvT- LAWS OF THE MounrTAIN. By Francis Johnson, au- thor of ‘‘ Gold-Guigie,” ete. 27. The ees or, THE Grrits or New York. By Albert W. Aiken, author i. “Phantom Hand,” “ Heart of Fire,” “ Overland t,’’ ete. 28. Three-Fingered Jack, THE Roab- AGENT OF THE Rockies; on, THe Boy Miner or HARD Luck. By Joseph E. Be dger, Jr., author of ‘“‘ Gospel George,” “Old Bull’s Eye,” ‘‘ Jack Rabbit,”’ etc. 29. Tiger Dick, THe Faro Kine; or, Tre CasHier’s Crime. By Philip S, Warne, author of “A Hard Crowd,” etc. 30. Gospel George; or, Frmry FRED, Tore OvtLaw. By Joseph BE, Bad er, Jr., author of “ Three-Fingered Jack,” ‘‘Old Bull’s Eye,” etc, 31. The New York ‘Sharp;’ or, THE Fuasx oF Licutxinc. By Albert W. Aiken, author of ‘Spotter Detective,’’ etc., ete. 32. B’hoys of Yale; or, THE Scrares or A Harp Ser or Cotuecrans. By John D. Vose. 33. Overland Kit. By Albert W. Aiken, Ready April 2d. 34. Rocky Mountain Rob. bert W. Aiken, Ready April 9th. 35. Kentuck, the Sport. W. Aiken. Ready April 16th 36. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready April 28d. By Al- By Albert A new issue every week. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each, BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.