Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 366) (1884 07 29)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
= 7 Ll sy \ \ ‘ NUMAN WWI SS" La, NOR NER WN ee 70 ops a W. OWR= Go Yi = SS aun "1 : 7 Ud it oat aS 4©- Gai it Ie NS _ se a.year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyright, 1884, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, AS July 29, 1884. . Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. XV. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 366. VELVET FOOT, THE INDIAN DETECTIVE; or, THE TAOS TIGER ee Ce Te ete rel hi ake: att tall sd eee AUTHOR OF ‘‘ PLUCKY PHIL,” “‘ ARKANSAW,” “ BILL BRAVO,” ‘CAPTAIN APOLLO,” ‘CAPTAIN BULLET,” “OLD FROSTY,” ETC., ETO, wee ee SS. are" tit te ae i “HAR!” HE SAID, STRAIGHTENING AGAIN AND FACING THE ASTONISHED CROWD. ‘' THAR’S MY NAME, GENTLEMEN?”
Page 2
v 7] ; a” ---Welvet Foot, “HE INDIAN DETECTIVE; OR, THE TAOS TIGER. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF “ BILL BRAVO,” ‘‘ CAPTAIN BULLET,” ‘+ BIG -—BENSON,”.‘‘ JUDGE LYNCH, JR.,” ** ARKANSAW,” ‘* BUCKSKIN DE- TECTIVE,’ ** COOL SAM AND PARD,” ETO. CHAPTER L DEAD LINE CITY INSULTED. *¢ Nopopy in Dead Line will ever claim that insultin’ letter. It’s an open slur on ther town, an’ the person what writ it hed better never show himself byer!” The man who spoke thus, was one of a crowd of rougb-looking fellows who had congregated in front of the post-office of Dead Line City, a famous place on the southern borders of Color- ado, and deep in the mountains that extend into New Mexico. The cause of bis remarks, which were spoken in bad humor and to the flashings of a pair of deep, black eyes, was a letter which had just arrived in the monthly mail from the South, ‘The postmaster had placed it in the window, in order to render it more conspicuous, and in hopes, no doubt, of finding a claimant. Prom the very first that letter had excited curiosity and drawn a crowd. Nobody wanted it, and why? Simply because, instead of being addressed to some par ticular person, thesuperscription read as follows: “ To the Ugliest Galoot in Dead Line.” These words were what made the innocent- looking letter ‘insulting; vot that the Dead Liners prided themselves on any particular amount of beauty, but the whole, crowd had voted it a slur, because it had evidently been so addressed out of spite. ‘* Hang me ef [ wouldn’t like ter know what’s inside,” exclaimed a member of the crowd. ‘* Claim ’er then.” ‘“‘Not much, It’s not addressed ter me. I guess Clover Phil will hev ter open it himself.” Clover Phil was the person who had the honor of being postmaster of Dead Line. ‘‘Who said that that letter fits me?” and Clover Phil appeared at the door to the aston- ishment of the crowd. ‘ Thars twenty men in Dead Line that beat me for bad looks. I could throw thet letter among ye an’ hit a dozen now.” “Try it, Clover!” bantered a big broad- shouldered ruffian who wore a crimson scar across one of his bronza cheeks. ‘‘ Toss ’er this way an’ we'll solve ther mystery.” * Do you claim it?” ; “‘Me! not much! Do eon claim, Clover Phil, shet thet insultin’ letter b’longs ter me?” Red Scar Dave ground his teeth behind the last word and took a menacing step toward the postmaster, “Don’t squirm till ye’r’ tramped on,” an- swered Clover Phil, coolly eying the mad tough. “I insinuated nothin’, but thar’s ther letter. The man what says it b’longs ter him shall hev it.” The crowd set up a laugh at Dave’s expense, and he glanced tigerishly at the letter in the window as if he longed to tear it to pieces. ‘‘In the first place, it war mean ter send such a letter hyer,” be growled. “We all admit thet, Dave—” : ‘An’ secondly it warn’t fair ter post it up thar whar strangers kin see it.” “ Why not?” ; “‘It gives’em a bad opinion ov Dead Line City. Isay, byer, thet I kin whip the whelp what sent thet letter; I kin thrash ther ground with his anatomy, an’ ef he comes ter Dead Line, Vil fight him with his own weapons. Ther city’s been grossly insulted. ‘Ther ugliest galoot in Dead Line? Thar’s no such man hyer. I’m for hangin’ the person what applies for thet dockerment!” | ; Red Scar Dave’s last sentence was received with a cheer by his companions. : : “We'll shed every drop ov blood in this crowd ter avenge any insult ter Dead Line!” the scarred ruffian proceeded, ‘‘ Let a human being claim thet letter if he dares! Life’s pre- gious even in this kentry; but the hand what takes it from ther window shall drop lifeless at *ts owner’s side i? ¥ ¥ b : =A 7% #4 b: pe yt a an + UE meee wie “Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. All this time the letter in the window seemed to smile at the ill humored crowd that contem- plated it. The very letters appeared to possess a deri- sive grin as if they had accomplished the mis- sion on which they bad been sent to Dead Line, ‘You'll report ter us ef thet insult is called for?’ suddenly said Dave wheeling upon the postmaster. “T will, but I don’t expect to see it claimed by a Dead Liner,” ‘*Ov course not,” “Do you really mean to say that you will hang the man that claims it?” ‘We mean nothin’ else!” “Tt might be claimed by somebody just in sport.” : ‘No difference! It’s hangin’ all the same!” The crowd drew off, cursing the letter and its unknown sender, and its members separated ir different parts of the border town. t Clover Phil went back into the little post- office and took down the objectionable letter. “Pd like ter know what it means myself,” he murmured, as he turned it over and over in his bands and held it up to the light, in hopes that his eyes could penetrate to its secrets. ‘It may be intended for a huge joke. If it is, it doesn’t strike the boys. We don’t take ter jokes in Dead Line. 1 half b’lieve with Dave 1hét ‘this letter war written for a mean insult. Ther writer knew nobody hyer’d claim it. He’d better keep his distance. Dead Line’s no baby town; it’s more ov a devil’s den.” Clover Phil finally restored the letter to its place. in the window, no wiser than when he took it down, and turned away with a wistful glance which threatened to get the better of bis curiosity if it was not soon claimed, Five minutes later a man drew rein in front of the post-office, and with a smile leaned for- ward and read, in audible tones, the superscrip- tion on the rejected letter. , He bestrode an elegant horse, black as the midnight shroud, and he matched the animal well, Large, welllimbed and handsome, with a swarthy, almost Mexican face, piercing black eyes, and long hair that fell over his shoulders, he would have attracted attention anywhere. He had just entered Dead Line, for there was dust on bis high top-boots, and his horse looked like an animal that had galloped far since sun- rise, , The day was waning fast, but there was enough light left to show the néw-comer the legend on the irritating letter in the window. “To the ugliest galoot in Dead Line, eh?” he su‘denly Jaughed in a ringing voice that held spellbound the man on the inside, ‘‘ Hello, Clover Phil! Can’t you deliver this letter?” In response to these words Clover Phil appear- ed in the doorway. ‘*Nobody wants it, it seems,” he said. ‘*Tll take it,” was the response. if You ? “Why not? Or perhaps nobody not a citizen ov this saints’ rest will be allowed to claim it?” “Thar’s no restrictions, I b’lieve, but—” ‘Toss it over, then!” The postmaster of Dead Line City hesitated, ‘Don’t you want me to have it?” asked the mounted man, fixing his black eyes on Clover bil, “Tf you insist—” ‘*By heavens! I insist!’ was the interruption, “‘T claim thet letter. I freely acknowledge thet I'm ther ugliest galoot in Dead Line, at this writin’. Give me my mail!” A significant glance passed between the two men as Clover Phil stepped back and took the objectionable letter from the window. ; ‘* Ayer it is,” be said reappearing with the letter between his fingers. ‘‘ 1 don’t pretend ter know what’s on the inside. It’s stirred up the ‘Dead Line figers, thet I know. I never saw ’em My opinion is thet it would be n this letter out ov Cag i) so riled before. safer fer you ter 0 ‘* Your opinion?” echoed the stranger, you charge anything for it?” “Nota red!” | “Good! I’ve struck one liberal soul in Dead Line. Now, why had I best read this letter out 0’ town?” ‘*Because the boys hev determined ter hang the man what claimed it.” A defiant twinkle made the eyes of the stran- ger dance. : “Whar ar’ ‘the boys?” he asked. “ I want ter see yer crowd.” Clover Phil threw a quick glance over the horse, for not far away stood a crowd of twenty men anxiously regarding the stranger. ‘*Thet’s ther party, eh?’ cried the claimant looking «t the group, and the next moment he © rose in his broad stirrups and held the letter above his head, ““T Claim this document!” he exclaimed, shak- ing the still sealed letter. ‘* Thar warn’t a ga- loot in yer whole town brave enough ter ask ter it. JI understand that ye’r’ goin’ ter noose ther man what sbould lay claim ter it. I’m yer vic- tim, men ov Dead Line. Why don’t you come forward an’ proceed with yer hangin’? Foremost in the crowd stood Red Scar Dave who a few minutes before was so eager to avenge the “insult” that bad been offered the city, but he did not advance a single step. “Twenty against one an’ the twenty lacks sand!” continued the stranger with a laugh, ‘*WhenI come ag’in I'll find ye ina bangin? humor, mebbe. This letter may belong ter ns after all, Wl leave my name on ther window for yer information.” : Dropping back in the saddle, he leaned to- ward the window and selecting a certain pane at a glance, he wrote hastily across it for a mo- ment with a diamond ring that glittered on one of his fingers, ‘ “Thar!” he said, straightening again and facing the astonished crowd. ‘‘ Thar’s my name, gentlemen. I b’long ter the Tacs mevagerie an’ I’m the biggest tiger ov ther hoss Cage! Fare thee well, but not forever! I talk ov makin’ Déad Line my head quarters fora spell, Good- night, my mountain lynchers!” : A moment later the man was riding like wild- fire Cown the main thoroughfare of Dead Line City, and the crowd of roughs were gazing after him in speecbless nmazement. Allat once Red Scar Dave bounded toward the post-office, and when he halted in front of the window he had the whole gung at his back. *Thar’s his name, sure enough!” exclaimed Dave. ‘ He’s writ it in thet glass ter stay!” Yos, cut into the pane by the keen diamond of the stranger was a name whose very brevity seemed to possess a terrible meaning, ‘* Captain Clutch 1” The Dead Liners stared at it without a word, until Clover Phil broke the silence. ae we ever hang that galoot, boys?’ he asked, “ Yes! if it takes ever inch ov rope in Dead Line!” grated Red Scar Dave, ‘‘Cap’n Clutch! I don’t know ’im, but thet makes no difference. He’s got ter swing!” : Scarcely had tbe last words left the speaker's lips ere the rapid gallop of a horse was heard, and a minute later a man drew rein in the very: center of the crowd. What a contrast there was between Captain Clutch and this person. His face was a dark copper color. bis hair an ornamented scalp-lock; he was eitirely naked to the waist. . : ‘(Great heavens!” ejaculated Red Sear Dave under hié breath, detective now ?” F CHAPTER IL. . THE COMANCHE’S REVELATION, —— Tut Indian who had appeared so suddenly among the mountain ruffians was no stranger in Dead Line City. : Time and again he had mde his appearance in town, and always apparently on a mission, It was known that the Comanche nation never possessed a more persistent tracker, that it never had within its borders a keener Indian than Velvet Foot, the very one who looked down from his horse into the dark faces of the Dead Liners before the shanty post-office, _ Rumor had it that Velvet Foot was in the em- ploy of the Government as a detective to ferret out, and run down a band of men who had in- fested the Colorado-New Mexican stage-routes until they had terrorized a great scope of country with their stern ‘stand-and-delivers.” There were men ready to laugh at the opinion that the Comanche was a Government detective, — and those were the fellows who said that Velvet Foot was a thief bimself, a copper-colored rascal who ought to be pistoled on sight, Yet it was observed that they never attempted to act upon their own suggestion, and that the Comanche had no band lifted against him, al though he gave the detractors ample opportu- dity to pick him off. ‘ There was one peculiarity about the Coman- che whioh had not failed to attract attention: he never appeared twice at one place on the same horse. To day he would be mounted on a splendid _ stallion with fire in his eyes and the speed of the wind in his limbs, and to-morrow he might — appear astride a lazy burro that could uardly be coaxed out of a snail’s pace, Sosy “ 4 RPE DeL har ae yee: ‘*On whose trail is that red
Page 3
When questioned about his change of horses, -as he often was, Velvet Foot would invariably answer with a sly twinkle, that ‘* white man ” was a ‘‘ good trader,” and nothing more on the same subject was ever got from him, Such a character, nota little mysterious and somewbat of a red enigma, was the half-naked Comanche who, on tbe occasion that introduces him to the reader, was mounted on a good look- ing five-year-old, almost black, witt a close cropped mane and, fromall appearances, a good runner. ** By Jove! you've come too late, Comanche,” said Clover Phil, ‘* We’ve just parted company with a reg’lar character. Toar’s his trade- mark on the window yonder. Can ye make it out?” Velvet Foot’s eye followed the direction indi- cated by the postmaster’s finger, and suddenly caught signt of the name scrawled on the glass. ‘* Who cut it?” was the sententious question that parted his lips as he glanced at the expec- tant crowd. * Doesn’t it tell you?” «Velvet Foot can’t read white man’s silent lingo.” ‘Oh, you can’t? Wal. That’s the name ov Cap'n Clutch. Heard ov ’im, eh?” If Velvet Foot had ever heard the name of the man from Taos he did not betray himself; his countenance was perfect)y immobile, and his eyes told nothing. ** You kin fool some people, Ingin, but trump my best band! ef I’m in that catalogue,” muttered Red Scar Dave. ‘ I’ve watched thet face ov yourn too long to be fooled now, When it looks thet way it tells me suthin’. You know Cap'n Clutch an’ you’ve got to tell me who he fs ; Just then Dave happened to catch the Indian’s eye, and giving him a look that was full of meaning, he moved away, certain that he had aroused the Comanche’s curiosity enough to cause him to follow, Nor was Red Scar Dave mistaken, for five minutes later, while be waited in the shadow of ashanty, the red-skin came up. **Couldn’t keep back, ha?’ grinned the Dead Liner. ‘‘Give me an Injun for wantin’ ter know suthin’ every time,” With the noiseless movements of the panther Velvet Foot slid from his horse and alighted at Dave’s feet. “What white man’s wink mean?’ asked the ‘Comanche. ‘ Velvet Foot is here.” “So I see,” and Red Sear looked the red-skin over from head to foot, ‘‘ I’m hyer ter talk about Cap’n Clutch, You know every thing, Comanche, at least they say you do. You couldn’t fool me with yer face while you looked at ther name thet Taos galoot cut inter Clover Phil’s glass. I’m a close student ov human nature, reddy, an’ ther momen: I saw‘yer eyes strike thet name, thet moment I knowed you hed heard of it afore. I don’t just know thet boss tiger ov ther Taos menagerie, but by thunder! if he shows up byer ag’in, we'll bo- become acquainted. Whois be, anyhow?” ‘* Was it to sav this that Red Scar’s eye sum- moned Velvet Foot hither?’ was the Indian’s answer as he stepped back, a look of disgust on his features. ‘* Mebbe it war an’ mebbe it warn’t,” return- ed the Dead Liner. * Ef my question trespassed on one ov them secrets ye pretend ter carry around, you needn’t answer, But I know this: thet Cap’n Clutch is not unknown to you. Mebbe, by George! you ar’ pards!” Instantly a flash of resentment lit up the depths of the Comanche’s piercing eyes. ‘Velvet Foot keeps some things to himself,” was his significant retort. ‘All right!” but you ought to know, an’ I'll tell you hyer, thet Dead Line hesa right ter know who and what thet fellaris, Not an hour ago we swore—tber hull set ov us, Injun—tbet we'd hang ther man what insulted this burg by call- in’ for a certain letter in Clover Phil’s window. Thet letter war an insult, an’ it war sent hyer ter insult us all, Wal, Cap’n Clutch called for it an’ gotit. He took it away with him afore we could keep our word.” Despite his immobility the Comanche gave a slight start. **He stood up in his stirrups an’ wavin’ thet letter over his head, laughed at us all, an’ then cut his name on the window with his diamond ring. Now, hevn’t wea right ter know suthin’? about thet smart Aleck from Taos? Ef thar’s a bumap in Dead Line ter-night thet kin enlight- en us, Velvet Foot, thet human is yerself. ill ‘you fell me?” Before he replied the Comanche threw him- Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 3 self upon the back of his horse, and then turn- | forth a revolver as he turned, ‘‘ By the eternal! ing quickly upon Red Scar Dave said in a whis- per: eS Captain Clutch hates every man in Dead ine! * He does, eh?” cried Red Scar. ‘‘ Hang me! ef I didn’t think I saw hatred in his eyes ther first time I caught ’im. Wal, thar’s no love lost, Comanche. I kin speak for ther hull crowd an’ assure ye ov thet. Hates us all, does he? In what way did Dead Line ever cross his path?” ‘* Let Red Sear think.” ‘1 could do thet an’ die a thousand mi from the mark. Seems ter me I've seen (¢ Clutch afore, but I can’t git a grip on the s,.- cumstance sufficient ter retain it. War thet ‘i's name always?” os No.” ‘* What has it been?” Velvet Foot could not help smiling at the ruffian’s eagerness. Red Scar Dave had cleared the ground be- tween him and the horse, and now stood at the Comanche’s thigh with a pair of anxious cyes fixed upon his face, “Tell me who that Taos tiger is,” he said. You'll be doin’ Dead Line a favor, au’ come what may we'll all stand by you.” ‘Velvet Foot never calls for help when on a trail,” responded the Indian proudly. ‘He always gets to the end of it without assistance,” ‘*Ov course, but thar will come a time when you'll want telp. It comes some time in the life of every man, white or red,” Red Scar ceased and waited for the expected revelation, but the lips of the Indian did not move, ‘‘Not goin’ ter tell me, eh?’ exclaimed the ruffian in suppressed passion, ‘‘ This is another ov yer infernal secrets. See hyer, Velvet Foot. Hevn’t you got sense enough ter see thet ef Dead Line turns ag’in’ ye, they’l! make this kentry too hot fer ther Comanche spy? An In- jun in this part ov Uncle Sam’s claim never gains anything by bein’ stubborn. Very well! Ef you don’t want ter give Cap'n Clutch away, keep ther secret, an’ take ther consequences. Good-night,” Red Sear’s conclusion was so abrupt that it astonished the Comanche, and ere he recovered, the mad Dead Liner had turned his back to him and was deliberately walking away. ‘Ho! ho! come back, Red Scar!” called Vel- vet Foot, and the suddenness with which the ruffian turned was ludicrous, He came forward again with a face lit up with expectancy, and halted once more beside the Indian, ‘*Now,” his eyes said, know about Cap'n Clutch,” Velvet Foot continued to regard the Dead Liner for a moment longer and then spoke: ‘Captain Clutch is one of the twin brothers,” “My God! no!” cried Red Seur, ‘‘ Then his old name is—” ‘* Captain Theobald,” finished the Comanche. Red Scar Dave almost bounded from the ground, “The boys must know this right away,” he announced, ‘He said he war comin’ back, Cap’n Theobald, eh? Mebbe he’ll want ter sarve Dead Line the way we s’arved Pistol Pocket City afew yearsago. It would only be fair play, Comanche, but he sha’n’t sueceed byer! "ll post.the boys an’ we'll get ready for him. Like enoxgh he’s got a hull menagerie ov tigers at his back, but what of that? Hesha’n’t treat us eZ we once treated him, By heavens! he shall not, Velvet Foot!” Impressed with the belief that instant action had to be taken, Red Sear Dave was about to bound away when the red hand of the Indian fell upon his shoulder, ‘* Listen to Velvet Foot,” be commanded, in stern tones. ‘‘Il om ona trail that leads—” ‘Go to glory!” interrupted the mountain rough, ‘Wotlor yertrail, but don’t try ter dic- tate ter Dend Line, The boys shall know who Cap’an Cu ch is an’ what he’s after, I didn’t recogmz» bim, aun’ yet I might bev caught ther right flash ov his eyes, I’d like ter know who saved him when he war tied to a tree in ther midst ov a burnin’ camp? But that’s not ter be thought of now, We know thet he’s found us all an’ thet’s enough. I'll post the boys.” Red Scar Dave broke from the Indian’s grasp and started off, The eyes of the red skin glowed like two coals of fire as he wheeled his horse and started after the Dead Liner. ** Velvet Foot says ‘ stand !’” he called out. *Stand I will, but it’ll be death to you!” was “Tell me what you | the retort, and the hand of Red Scar whipped no Comanche spy shall interfere with Dead Line’s business!” Up went the weapon, but ere it covered the red-skin, he was upon Red Scar like a jaguar, and the next second the hand that knocked the pistol down dealt a staggering blow full in the face that almost lifted the huge Dead Liner off his feet, Red Scar Dave measured his length on the ground, and the Comanche, remounting his horse, spurred him over the body and shot through the town like a bounding rocket. As he passed the group still in front of the post-office, he saluted them with a strange cry and disappeared the next iustant in the direction taken by Captain Clutch, ‘“Thet Injun’s up to some'bing,” remarked Clover Phil, ‘*Tbar’s a link between bim an’ the hound thet euchered us out ov thet letter. My prediction is thet we ar’ goin’ ter hey a time.” “ An’ a bloody time, too!” grated the man who startled the entire group, “I tell you thet Cap’n Clutch is ther old Cap'n Theobald ov Pis- tol Pocket. ar’—” ‘‘ Fire—fire!” was the terrible interruption, and into the midst of the toughs of Dead Line sprung a beautiful young girl, whose face was pallor itself and whose eyes were all excite- ment, “Don’t vou see that Dead Line is doomed?” she continued, pointing toward the southern ortion of the town where several cabins were eetihae: ‘A man witha torch did it all, I saw him plainly—a giant, with a laced jacket and long, black hair.” ; “Captain Clutch!” vociferated a dozen mem: bers of the crowd, ‘‘ No!” yelled Red Scar; ‘* Cap’n Theobald |” CHAPTER ITI. A SPECIMEN ROUGH, Ir took no second look to tell the roughs of Dead Line that their mountain resort was doomed, For a moment they stood maddened and dazed by the flames that leaped skyward above the cluster of wooden shanties they had attack- ed; then, with revolvers drawn, they dasbed toward the menaced quarter. The girl had told (he truth: Dead Line City would soon be numbered among the places of the past. Fanned by the brisk wind that had sprung up since sunset, as if.to facilitate the incendiary’s work, the volume of flame rushed cnward, seiz- ing upon sbantv after shanty in i's fury, and making sure of Dead Line’s destruction, Red Scar Dave and his pards halted in the light of the flames and dared Captain Clutch to show himself. With many an oath and threat they called upon him to come forth and face them “like a man’—when they were twenty to one, and each swarthy band clutched a six-chambered revolver! ‘‘The coward has vamosed! He has accom- plished his work,” said Clover Phil. ‘Thar ar’ a few things in Dead Line thet kin he saved, We gain nothin’ by standin’ byar, This is Cap- tain Theobald’s revenge for ther burnin’ ov Pist 1 Pocket, but we'll more than loop ’im for it!” With one accord the ruffians sent a yell of rage and vengeance toward the stars, and turned back to save certain things from the shanties yet untouched but in the path of the flames. It was an exciting scene, for the wind had suddenly increased in force, and the Dead Liners were compelled to work fast. They labored Jike bees maddened by the burn- ing of their bive, and at last succeeded in get- ting the most valuable things worth saving be- yond the crimson fingers of the fire. Huddled together in a mountain pass a short distance from Dead Line stood the exasperated roughs, Their goods were heaped near by, and they had turned from them to watch the doom of the last houses left to feed the flames, They could not but acknowledge that Captain Clutch had only taken vengeance for wrongs in the past, but they did not think of this while they cursed him in no guarded tones, and swore to pay him a thousandfold for the sudden destruction of the berder den, Meanwhile, standing among some bushes that grew half-way up a lofty eminence was a hand- some man surveying with flashing eyes and folded arms the burning of Dead Line. ‘‘They thought they had me once! the fools!” fell from his lips, ‘' ve carried the war into Africa, but not until I had waited till their ag-
Page 4
4 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. fairs war in prosperous condition. I held off until Dead Line war larger than Pistol Pocket war when the flames ate it up. They thought they had seen the last ov Captain Theobald when they left him tied to a tree in the midst ov ther burnin’camp! Ha! they didn’t know with whom they war dealin’. I’m the boss tiger of the New Mexican menagerie. I changed my name for a purpose, an’ for years I have held off for this time. They didn’t dis- cover when I rode away with the letter awhile ago that I am Captain Theobald. They may hev heard of Captein Clutch, but I doubt it,” The burning town was a grand spectacle, and ~) pane the eyes of the speaker glisten with de- ight. rom where he stood hesaw the Dead Liners moving hither and thither as they worked to rescue some things from the fire, and not until the last one had taken refuge among the moun- tains did he stir an inch. *“*My vengeance, galoots of Dead Line!” he suddenly exclaimed. ‘‘Whar’s yer ruffians’ den to-night? I’ve burned ye out like a lot ov rats; but the end is not yet. No, the worst is yet ter come!” He disappeared as if by magic, and while the last shanties fed the wind-swept flames, the place where he stood resumed its old appear- ance, “The old home’s gone, curse that demon!” grated the youngest member of the party con- gregated in the mountain-pass. * But we'll build a better one,” said the young girl with resolution in eyes and voice as she turned upon him. “TI hate this Captain Cluteh, as they call him, Once, as he was firing the second shanty, 1 had a chance to shoot him, but before I could get the weapon, he bad van- ished. Another moment, Ivan, and he would have fallen in his tracks,” “Pm glad you didn’t drop him, Princess,” said the young man, **Tt might have saved a part of the town.” “But it would have cheated us of some ers vengeance,” Oo you expect to get even with Captain Ctuteh?™ ‘ ‘Ay, that I do!” “ hen?” “The first time I meet him, and I hope noth- ing will delay the hour!” ‘I would hasten {it if I could,” answered the 1, ‘*But what. about the letter he carried rom the post-office, to-night?” “Tt didn’t amount to much, only the boys looked upon it as an insult to Dead Line. It was addressed to the ugliest person in the city.” **And no one would claim it?” interrupted the girl with a smile. ; “‘ Nobody, but Captain Clutch.” ‘Ho! bo! why didn’t I know it was at the office? It should not have wanted a claimant long.” Ivan the youth stared into his companion’s ce, “What! would you bave claimed it, girl?” he cried. “Why not?” ‘¢ But it didn’t fit you!” “Ob, that would have made no difference.” ‘‘The boys, though, bad sworn that no citizen of Dead Line should claim the letter. That’s how it came to fall into Captain Clutch’s hands.” “TI would like to know what the captain read when he broke the seal. Wouldn’t you, Ivan?” ‘Oh, I don’t care,” was the careless rejoin- der, ‘I expect it was something like an April fool letter, not worth the tearing open. Captain Clutch is welcome to it for all I care, but I hate him for what he did to-night; that’s it, Princess Pet. I didn’t help burn Pistol Pocket City which was this demon’s delight; I had no hand in the hanging of his twin brother, though, on general principles, I guess both de- served the noose.” “But turo about is fair play, Ivan, I am told.” ‘“« Perhaps it is, but I hate Captain Clutch all the same. Two hours ago you had a home, girl, now, by the accursed act of the Taos Tiger, you have none! I more than half believe that that Comanche brave is in league with the cap- tain. They both reached Dead Line not an hour apart, and both rode off in the same di- rection. Then, when Red Scar Dave was about to tell the boys that Captain Clutch and Cap- tain Theobald were one and the same person, this Indian knocked him senseless. They’re in league, I say, and woe to that so-called Indian detective if a Dead Liner gets the drop on him. Let bim look out if I get it!” Princess Pet would have replied if a stern voice had not rung out in startling tones, and the young couple turned to find themselves con- fronted by more than one-half of the banded roughs, with the stalwart figure of Red Scar Dave at their bead. ‘*Thet’s ther man I accuse!” cried the marked ruffian and his outstretched fingers describcd Ivan who involuntarily recoiled a pace. ‘‘ We can’t have p’isen among us at this time, I say. I say thet ef thet galoot hedn't been among us to-night, Cap’n Clutch would never hev come!” A thrilling silence followed Red Scar’s close. ‘What's that?” exclaimed the girl, fixing ber eyes on the mountain rough. ‘‘Ivan bas done nothing wrong. He never knew that Captain Clutch existed until he saw him get the mys- terious letter.” ‘*That’s all very well, girl. I don’t like ter see you put ix for a snake in the grass,” respond- ed Red Scar. ‘‘ Let us deal with him ez he de- serves. I accuse him. I guess he knows me— Red Scar Dave, no slouchan’ no coward! Thar he stands, boys,” and the rough threw a swift look at the gang at his back. ‘‘ He’s heard ov Cap’n Clutch afore. I’m sorry ter hev ter dis- pave the girl’s words, but I stand up for Dead ine and vengeance! We can’t afford ter keep lotters in our midst, lutch’s pard!” This horrible accusation fell upon the camp like the descent of a thunderbolt. : It drove all color from the young man’s face, and he stood for a moment before the dark- faced crowd like a person suddenly deprived of his senses by some overwhelming calamity. “Tm through, boys!” went on Red Scar Dave, ‘Thar he stands, Cap’n Clutch’s spy! Ef you want thet kind o’ truck in camp, keep him ter keep thet Taos Tiger posted. I'll git out ov yer way,” “You will hear me first!” suddenly exclaimed Ivan, and a mad stride carried him toward the Dead Liner who, confident that he had succeed- ed in his purpose, fad turned away. ‘ Prove that Lever gave that New Mexican monster aid and comfort, and I will put the rope around my own neck. I proclaim the words of Red Scar Dave an infamous lie! He has coined them for a purpose which he can not bide. Me a traitor to Dead Line? If he knew that I was Captain Clutch’s spy, why didn’t he accuse me before? No! in the light of the old camp be faces me with an accusation which he knows is a lie, Stand back, men of Dead Line City! Let me face this lying monster. He has just said that I have betrayed you all. Let me give him the lie at the muzzle of the revolver.” Red Scar Dave saw the weapon that leaped into the starlight as Ivan’s fingers touched the butt, but instead of drawing one to defend him- poh he merely straightened and laugbed in de- riston. “T don’t soil my hands with traitors!” he ex- claimed. “1 leave him for you to deal with, ards ov wiped-out Dead Line. I swear to you Getore heaven that that youngster is Cap’n Clutch’s spy an’ pard. We ar’ both before you. Whose word will you take—mine er his? Tbar he stands. I don’t want his life. It’s in the hands of the camp he only entered ter be- Ivan, thar, is Cap’n tray!” : Then, as he shut his teeth ina manner which told that he would say no more, Red Scar Dave pie oe back with a meaning look at the swarthy crowd. “Liar! By heavens! you sha’n’t escape me!” cried Ivan, the accused. Up went the pistol his right band clutched ; but before it could cover the ruffian’s head, Princess Pet threw herself upon his outstretched arm and broke it down. L ‘No! Let the viper craw) away,” she cried, looking into Ivan’s face. ‘‘ The lie is too traps- arent to set one man against you. Red Scar Dave: I will vouch for this man’s loyalty.” ‘You?’ and the mountain rough wheeled with another of his bitter laughs, ‘‘ You vouch for his pe ows ?’ and he strode toward Princess Pet, whom he seemed to penetrate with his glowering look. ‘Look hyer, my mountain pansy! You're liable ter get inter trouble by championin’ thet young badger’s cause. You’ve seen me a thousand times, but, by heaven! you don’t know me yet! Goin’ ter stand by thet per Ss “* Yes!” flashed the young ae eyes. ‘Stand by him, then! ed an idea it bad gone about this far. Thar he stands, boys— Cap’n Clutch’s spy an’ pard! Don’t mind the irl. Til look after her; ‘you deal with Ivan, he traitor,” and Red Star Dave turned and walked away. CHAPTER lV. THE GIRL TAKES A HAND. ‘¢-Yxs!” broke from the youth’s lips, as he sent a mad look after the retreating tough, “If [ am u traitor pull me up to the handiest limb. I will speak no more for myself.” The -Dead Liners looked nonplused; but: Clover Phil, the postmaster, broke the silence. ‘Give the boy a chance,” he said, with a. quick look at the beautiful girl. ‘* We don’t know that he is in league with our enemy. Red. Scar bas accused, but he furnishes no proof.” **Do you want proof after my word?” thun- dered back the bul!y of Dead Line, and all who. Jooked saw him standing a few yards away in the shadow of a rock where be had halted, ‘Is thet coddling’s word to outweigh mine? Proof! ter perdition with proof! I swear thet he is Cap’n Clutch’s pard. Isn’t thet enough, or hew ye gone cl’ar back on Red Sear Dave?” In the silence that followed the ruffian bound- ed from the shadows, and halted not until he stood before the Dead Line tougbs. ‘“‘Sw’ar me!” he shouted, lifting his right hand. ‘Ef thar’s a man among ye capable ov” administerin’ an cath, sw’ar Red Scar.” The crowd looked perplexed. “Give him a chance to speak,” said Ivan,. coming to their relief. “Iam willing that m accusers should be heard, Administer the oath. and let us hear bis cbarges.” Thus encouraged by the youth whostood with fearless mien in the presence of the crowd, mat ters were simplified, and a minute later a rough oath was administered to the bully who seemed — to tell a story of some kind. t was surely a dramatic scene, the dark-faced’ judges in the mountain pass, the bold accuser, tbe victim, and the onJy true friend he seemed to have, a young girl, not more than eighteen. The light of burning Dead Line had subsided, and tbe only kind that revealed the thrilling’ scene came from the stars that studded the un- clouded canopy of the skies. ‘“Now, Red Scar, you kin talk.” said Clover - Phil, as the bully’s hand dropped again at his side, ‘“'Thet’s clever,” sneered Red Scar Dave. ‘“What dol know? Now watch thet youngster” thar an’ see ’im wince. Three nights ago he sneaked out ov Dead Line an’ put a letter under ' a stone at a sart’in place which it is onnecessary fer me ter locate. I saw ther hull operation. By an’ by, just when 1 war about ter nail thet - dockement ter see what be war up ter, Isaw a horse comin’ up. On thet crittur war a man who hed long hair an’ a laced jacket. Wal, he got down an’ felt under ther mountain post-of-- fice till be tackled ther letter. Is thet a lie, Ivan?” and Red Scar whirled upon the young man. “I went to the stone,” was the quick reply. “T put a letter under it, but not for Captain» Clutch,” “Half confessed to, but ther hull story ac- knowledged,” said Red Scar Dave. “ al, I follered ther man in-ther laced jacket, but he» gave me ther slip, But,” and the speaker’s: hand disappeared beneath his dark shirt, ‘‘ he dropped his letter on tber trail, on’ fate guided me toit. I’ve got it hyer, Ivan, my daisy spy!” Oh, you can’t deny yer own writin’. Hyer it is —ther identical letter Captain Theobald, er Cap- tain Clutch ez he calls himself, took from under* thet stone. Strike a light. {I offer it in evi- dence.” The hand of Red Scar Dave extended the let- ter as be finished, and Clover Phil, who seemed to be judge advocate of the border court, ad- vanced to take it. f At the same time the crack of a lucifer was heard, and the flame produced revealed the anx- ious faces of all. ; Ivan had fastened a curious look on the piece of paper which bad just passed from R:d Sear’s bands into Clover Phil’s possession. “Can it be that my enemy has the letter I left under the stone?’ he murmured. “I am not ashamed of it; but not for the world would T have it fall into their hands, It was never in- tended for them.” Clover Phil unfolded the letter, and after iving some direction about the position of the Tittle torch, he proceeded to read it. ‘‘ Hello! what’s this?” Bde pen ee the tmaster of Dead Line, and he threw a pod ong through his long lashes at Red Scar: Dave, who stood erect, with folded arms and’ black eyes that blazed with victory. «‘ Read it an’ see,” he snapped. ‘‘ I offer thet letter in evidence. By Jove! it would stretch a seraph’s neck!” ’ Me ‘ve all together,” said Clover Phil, reading~ acu Now’s ther time to strike the den. You.
Page 5
Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. RR TY a ST must not forget Pistol Pocket, captain. Let your vengeance be as terrible as the oath you have taken!” The roughs of Dead Line looked blankly and horrified at one another as Clover Phil reached the end of the letter. “Thar!” blurted Red Scar. ‘‘ How does thet strike ye, pards ov Dead Line? Thet’s ther letter I found in the trail just after Cap’n Clutch left ther mountain post-office.” All eyes were turned upon Ivan, who seemed to draw a breath of relief, ; The postmaster was white, since reading that letter he had lost all color, and the document actually shook in his hands. ‘¢ What do you say, ivan?” he asked address- ing the young man. pote Pet glided closer to him ere he spoke. ‘If that is your letter, you are doomed,” sshe said in low tones. ‘* For Heaven’s sake, Ivan—” He waited to hear no more, but stepping fearlessly forward, he halted before them all cand threw bis right hand solemnly toward the ‘stars. ‘* You’ve listened to Red Scar’s oath; now hear mine!” he shouted, ‘1 swear in the pre- sence of Heaven itself that I never penned a line of that infamous letter. It is the work of a traitor, but not mine. It may have been found under the stone; but I never put it there, and the man who says I wrote it lies from his heart!” ‘Thank Heaven!” ejaculated the girl, but her “words weredrowned by the coarse, brutal laugh of Red Scar Dave. ‘* Lyin’ it to ther end, boys!” he laughed. “« He went to thet stone thet night; he says he did. He put a letter under it; he doesn’t deny ‘thet, an’ ther paper Clover Phil just read is ther only one Cap’n Clutch found thar. [’m ther galoot thet says be wrote thet paper thet invited the boss tiger ov Taos ter Dead Line, He may say thet I lie from the heart. I don’t care. I turn him over to you. You ar’ court an’ jury; I’m only witness, Give mo the paper back, Clover.” ‘*Vd like to keep it,” and the postmaster of Dead Line refused to extend the document which had doomed the youth. ** Wal, keep it then,” said Red Scar. ‘“ It’s nothin ter me arter it has accomplished its pur- pose. It fetcbed Cap’n Clutch ter Dead Line. o back an’ look at ther old town while Ivan ‘ther traitor pleads for mercy. Pards ov Dead Line, believe thet letter an’ hang the traitor what wrote it,” Ivau proudly erect, did not blanch. * Arrest him!” said Clover Pail, and then he added to the youth; ‘‘ Boy, I guess thet letter is -all the evidence we want. It’s bad evidence, but black an’ white never lies.” A dozen men stepped toward the accused, who instinctively recoiled. He was in the dark shadow of the lynchers’ noose, ‘¢- You shall not!” suddenly rung out the clear voice of the girl, and before the foremost man ‘could lay hands on Ivan, she sprung forward and landed between him and them. ‘There is mo signature to that letter—” **T should reckon not, Traitors never sign ‘their names,” sneered Red Scar. * Arrest him!” again commanded Clover Phil. All at once Princess Pet wheeled upon Ivan, who since his challenge to fight the king of ‘the Dead Line toughs, bad not put up bis re- volver. The next moment she tore the weapon from his grasp, and had whirled upon the Dead Line _ yards before one could’ comprehend ber inten- tion. Stand!” she exclaimed, and up went the hand that now clutched the astonished Ivan’s | revolver. ‘ There isa traitorin camp, but men -do not call him Ivan!” ‘‘Ho! bo!” shouted Red Scar Dave, ‘“ Ar’ “you galoots goin’ ter let a gal eucber the hull crowd? Clover Phil, is that ther kind ov a stand ye make fer Dead Line?” The postmaster colored deeply and came to- ward the girl. ‘‘Halt!” she said, in the sternest of tones. ** Another step, Clover Phil, and I wil] send a bullet through your head! You know that - dvan is no traitor, and, what is more, you know _ who the traitor is!” Clover Phil was seen to halt, and then to re- ‘ eoilastep, as if the girl’s last words were an “2 alr. > eee of the crowd. _ arrow that bad gone home. - “T speak for the boy!” exclaimed a loud voice that came down from a point above the “Tyan is no traitor. He aever wrote the letter that has just been read, The Taos Tiger’s spy an’ pard stands among you now!” Not a man stirred while these words were being spoken, and as the last one died away the voice of Princess Pet sounded in tones of triamph, ‘« Vindicated!” she exclaimed. ‘Ivan is not the traitor, but the Taos Tiger’s pard stands in our midst.” ‘“Ves,” cried Red Scar Dave. ‘ Vindicated, as you say, my daisy shootist, but by whom? Go up thar an’ look into ther face ov Ivan’s vindicator!” ‘* Yes, come up an’ face the red trailer of the Comanches,” caine down from above, ‘Come and let me pick out the traitor.” ** Velvet Foot!” cried Princess Pet. CHAPTER V. THE CAPTAIN SHOOTS, THERE was a flash of triumph and pride in the young girl’s eyes. Red Scar Dave, who had recoiled a foot and whipped out his revolvers, was throwing fierce looks up the mountain-side. He knew that voice, he knew that Velvet Foot, the Comanché, was the speaker, the Indian who, a few minutes, scarcely an hour, before, sent him reeling to the ground with a tremendous blow. “Don't I know that red ruffian?”’ he grated. ‘‘Tt’s the infernal brute thet sent me tumblin’ for’ard in Dead Line. ‘‘ Yes,” to Princess Pet, ‘stand beside thet youngster an’ call ’im vindi- cated. Ef the pards ov Dead Line want ter take testimony like ther Injun’s, all right! I sha’n’t object, but by heavens! Pll settle with Velvet Foot afore he’s an hour older!” ‘*You’d better not,” said the girl. Red Scar Dave received this admonition with a derisive laugh, and stepped back. ‘‘We ar’ goin’ to give you a chance,” said Clover Phil, addressing Ivan, ‘“‘Thar isn’t a man ov Dead Line who wants to believe you a traitor, not one. But ther evidence oy the letter found under the bowlder—” “It wasn’t found there! Red Scar Dave admits that he found it in the trail, some ais- tance from the stone. I never wrote a line of it, I am not the traitor.” “We'll try youa while longer, Ivan. If we find out thet you bey played Dead Line false at anv time, your neck won’t be worth a copper.” The youth smiled. “Tam willing,” be said. Meanwhile the figure of a man was creeping up the shadowed trail of the mountain. He was not alone, for he led the advance of a little party of five men like himself, dark-faced, evil-eyed, and goaded forward by a fierce deter- mination, “T failed ter get ther boy hung, but the next time Ill manage it better, I bed ter strike him hard, but I'm afraid I overdid the bizness. They can’t b’lieve Ivan a traitor. I asked ’em ter b’lieve too much. By an’ by—” He was stopped by the touch of a hand, and turning his head he looked into the face of one of the men who had been creeping at his ack, | “Wal, Placer, what’s up?” be asked. ** We can’t corral thet red-skin,” was the an- swer. Can't, eh? Foller me a little further an’ see. **Do you expect to find him whar he wara few minutes ago?” ‘‘Mebbe not, but we'll strike his trail. I ee thet Velvet Foot an’ Cap’n Clutch ar’ ards, ‘“What did you think ov what the Injun said—thet Ivan war no traitor an’ thet the real traitor stood among us then?” Red Scar Dave clinched his swarthy hands. ‘What do I think ov thet?” be echoed. ‘Wal, sir, it’s a lie—an Injun lie told ter shield an’ ter save the Comanche’s friend.” “Tyan?” “Who else would it save?” **T don’t know.” “Ov course ye don’t. I tell you, pards, thet ef thet boy, Ivan, hed died in his mother’s arms, Cap'n Clutch would never hev come ter Dead Line to-night,” the ruffian continued. ‘TI know it. An’ you chaps stood by an’ never lifted a band fer vengeance.” ** We looked to Clover Poil.” “To thet chicken hearted galoot?’ sneered Red Scar. ‘‘He won’t doanything when thar’s a woman’s eyes on him till he’s pushed to the wall, The day we took Ivan inter camp war a black one for Dead Line. We didn’t think it would turn out thus, but I warn’t long seein’ Se ee a the drift ov things. When thet black hoss came inter ther town with a senseless, frozen boy tied to ther saddle none ov us expected thet he would turn traitor some day, an’ thus pay us all for warmin’ him back inter life, No, sir; nobody dreamed ov treachery then. An’ when, a year later, we accidently run across an old wagon on ther old Durango trail an’ found it ter contain a half-starved girl we didn’t think thet afterward thet same girl would step between the young traitor an’ jus- tice. ‘You all know thet thet’s how we got on to thet precious pair back yonder. It’s no secret, but it hez turned out a sorry day for Dead Line City. Thet Cap’n Clutch is a devil, Who knows but that be tied thet young- ster on the hoss with his consent an’ sent him inter Dead Line ter play spy for bim? If I had thought this then, I’d hey finished his career afore he thawed out. Ivan allus swore his cold ride war Injun work, an’ some ov us hey b’lieved him for years, but now we know it’s a lie,” Red Scar Dave held the attention of his com- panions until he finished. They had halted on the mountain trail fifty feet above the camp of the burned out Dead Liners and some distance from it, ‘‘ Pll bet my weapons thet Clover Phil has dismissed the vase ag’in’ lvan afore this,” the Comanche ruffian went on. “ He wants traitors in camp, but I don’t.” ‘“ Neither do we!” was the quick response. “Then let us resolve ter hey none, Thar ar’ six ov us hyer—enough ter run things, ter hev our own way! We came up byer ter corral thet Injun, but he’s lit out afore this, though we kin strike his trail. No traitors in camp an’ no love- makin’, either, We'll shake on this!” Red Scar Dave held out his band to the men who had grouped themselves about bim. “One question first,” said one of the five. ‘* Sail in, Placer.” ‘* What do you mean by love makin’?” ‘Just what I said. Thar’s a girl in camp. She’s pretty as a picter, an’ somebody’s liable ter lose his heart,” ** Do you mean Ivan?” ‘*T mean everybody, but the boy in particu- lar ov course. No man must make love ter Princess Pet while we rseck ter avenge the burnin’ ov Dead Line.” ‘¢ Thet’s satisfactory, Red Scar. No traitors an’ no love-makin’, Iaccept the motto in all its meanings! We'll sbake over it now.” In the ghostly shadows of rock and tree the ‘six pards of Dead Line shook hands and regis- tered in Heaven a terrible oath to hang the first, and to break up the second. “One came ter Dead Line on a hoss, ther other was found in an old wagon,” said Red Scar Dave af.er the oath, ‘* We've got ter look after both. One already bas been caught writin’ letters ter Cap’n Clutch, an’ t’other, the girl, steps between him an’ the nocse, Now for the Injun.” Once more the ruffian band glided forward with the bully of Dead Line in the van. “Tm fixin’ things for the future,” he said under his breath, ‘‘ The boys will wake short work ov Ivan. The youngster’s got no show now, even if Clover Phil an’ the rest ov the camp take a stand for him. I’m goin’ ter win in this game. The first time I looked into thet rickety ol wagon the reds left on the trail an’ saw yer ha starved face, Princess, 1 said to myself, ‘ Hyer’s a bonanza ov beauty. Red Scar,’ an’ I’ve watched you ever since. Now, let thet boy try ter cheat me out ov my stake, let any livin’ man try it if be dares! At my back ar’ five ov the the best pards ov Dead Line, an’ ef I can’t win with them I ought ter to lose the game.” Ten minutes later the Comanche trailers came toa halt more than a bundred feet above the camp, but the spot where they expected to find Velvet Foot they found vacant although a moc. easin track in the soft earth of the trail told them that it had lately been tenanted, ‘‘T wan; ter choke cut ov thet red-skin the name of tbe man he calls a traitor,” growled Red Scar Dave, ‘An’ I wouldn’t mind meet- in’ Cap’n Clutch,” ‘Ts that so, Red Scar Dave?” sung out a voice so stern and clear that tle balf-dozen involun- tarily recoiled at the s:me moment, ‘‘Thet’s whai I said,” stammered the Dead Line ruffian, ‘* Wal, hyer I am!” and there stepped into the trail a veritable giant who was easily seen de- spite the uncertain light of the stars, : Proudly erect he stood, with his light som- brero thrown back, revealing a broad thongh swarthy forehead, and a handsome face whose main ornament was a Mexicanish mustache. mh 4's Vu & i J k A a
Page 6
Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. The Dead Liners recognized him in the twink- ing of an eye: *Cap’n Clutch!” they ejaculated, **The man from Pistol Pocket, a place which afew years ago went re in smoke like your town hes done to-night. ou rather wanted to gee me, Red Scar. ai, look yer eyes out.” Silence seemed to have placed a seal on the lips of Red Scar Dave. Scarcely more than fifteen feet one cigs Cap- ' 2. tain Clutch and the banded six of Dead Line. The latter saw the gleaming revolver-barrels that drooped below the Taos Tiger’s bands. ‘* Hands up! every mother’s son ov ye!” sud- denly shouted Captain Clutch as up went the revolvers and covered the desperadoes in his path. ‘‘Handsuper die whar ye stand! I’m n0 boy, roughs ov Dead Line!” Red Scar Dave glanced at his pards. ** Up!” he said in a whisper which was almost ahiss. ‘‘The drop is ag’in’ us. Accommodate the Taos hyena.” The next moment twelve dark hands were lifted above the heads of the halted Dead Liners, and Captain Clutch’s mad eye fairly snapped, ; “Now!” he laughed. ‘I'm goin’ ter spoil yer grips. You won’t be able ter shake with ther next friend you meet.” The last word was lost among the rapid shots of the two revolvers which the Taos ruffian had thrust almost into the very faces of the aston- ished tougts, and every bullet bit a human hand! The flashes of éae captain’s revolvers were in- cessant, the many shots seemed one continuous sound, ‘*That’s for Pistol Pocket!” he exclaimed as the wounded ruffians fairiy danced and yelled in their pain. ‘I’m the boss tiger ov tber Taos menagerie, an’ I’ve been unchained for a spell, I had a brother once, but the louts oy Dead Line City lengthened his neck! ‘urn about’s fair play, my mountain lizards! Crawl back to camp an’ show yer hands!” He turned away, but there sprung after him a man who dared him to halt, “Do you want to die now, Red Scar?’ he hissed wheeling upon the Dead Liner, “I had reserved you for a different fate, but if you want to go, take that!” There was another shot, and Red Scar Dave dropped in bis tracks! CHAPTER VI. SO DOES CLOVER PHIL. “Whar meant the letter you hid under the stone?” asked Princess Pet the Dead Line waif as she looked up into Ivan’s face when the camp had become quiet after the accusation and its t. ivan looked down into the young girl’s eyes and for a moment made no reply. ‘SIt meant no treason, Princess,” he said resently. ‘*I don’t know who wrote the letter Red Scar Dave found in the trail after Captain Clutch robbed the mountain post-office, but I did not.” **T believe that, Ivan, but’ you acknowledged that you hid a letter there?’ eT gid.” * And it was not for Captain Clutch?” * A thousand times no!” cried the boy, flush- ing to his temples. ‘‘I loathe, detest that vil- lain. I will never league myself with such a monster, and Red Scar knew that his accusa- tion was a mass of lies while he was making it. There was a method in that devil’s madness. He hates me, and yet I never raised a hand against him.” : ‘ “Tet the ruffian go. I shall dismiss him from my mind,” said the girl. **But I can’t from mine,” was the response, ‘67 will know why he accused me of treason,” and the young man clinched his hands, ‘“‘Now that I am suspected, I might as well move forward.” ‘* Not to treachery, Ivan?” “No! the men down yonder are not worth betraying. Clover Phil may be a little better than the rest, but I doubt it.” ** He dismissed the case against you.” ** Yes, when you faced him with a cocked re- volver and dared him and his backers to ad- vance astep,” smiled Ivan. ‘Last night I had made up my mind to leave the pards of Dead Line, now I shall remain.” ““They may warn you off.” ** Ab! that would be another thing, Princess, When Red Scar comes back, I look for trouble.” Princess Pet might have replied if a human figure had not stepped into view, and she recoil- | hand of Clover Phil’s pard had stripped him ef all, and he was indeed helpless in the starlight ed with a light cry, * Ar’ you busy, Ivan?’ said the man, who | before the ruffians’ eyes. wus Clover Phil, late postmaster at Dead Line. ‘“No,” answered Ivan, advancing and halt- ing be ore Clover Phil. ‘‘Do you want to see me; ‘*For a moment.” Seeing that her presence was not desired there by the Dead Liner, Princess Pet withdrew with un admonitory glance at Ivan, and the two men were alone, ‘I didn’t take any stock in Ned Scar’s charge from the first,” said Clover Phil. ‘‘ I’m bhyer ter tell ye this, Ivan, but also ter ask ye a question.” ‘* Well?” ‘* Who do you suspect?” **Of what?” 4 ‘* Ov treason,” said the bronzed postmaster. “You heard what thet Comanche said. He cVared you, an’ said thet another man is in league with Cap’n Clutch. Who is he?” “T haven’t thought,” said Ivan, with a stnile, “Oh, you hevn’t? Don’t you think we oughter ferret the traitor out an’ hang him?” ‘Tt wouldn’t be a bad idea,” **} should remark thet it wouldn’t!” grinned Clover Phil. ‘‘ Hyer we ar’, with Dead Line in ashes bebind us an’ a traitor in the camp. Hang me, ef the thought isa pleasant one! But mebbe tibet red-skin lied,” “*No. I am convinced that he told the trath,” Clover Phil seemed to recoil an inch, ‘‘ What proof kev you? Out with it!” ‘“The proof of the letter you read before the whole camp.” ‘* Mebbe it warn’t written in Dead Line.” ‘Prove that it wasn’t, and the Indian is a liar!” triumphantly exclaimed Ivan, Clover Phil was silent, “I can’t just prove that,” he said, a moment iuter; “but I say thet the red-skin lied. You didn’t write it; ther Injun says » Dead Liner did. Now, who writ that letter?” Ere lvyan could answer be heard a quick foot- step behind him, and before he could turn a man sprung upon him, and elutched his throat before he could make the slightest resistance. It was the work of a second. “Not a word, youngster!” was hissed ‘in his ear. ‘‘ We don’t care a cuss who writ thet letter. We ar’ goin’ ter settle you forever!” A stride brought Clover Phil to the spot, and .| Tvan saw the unmistakable gleam of triumph that lit up the ruffian’s eyes. ‘* Yes, Ivan, we can’t have even a suspected traitor in camp these times,” he said. ‘‘ Horse- shoe Hank an’I will deal with you. I didn’t like ter doit among the pards a while ago, but now, Ivan, you ar’ goin’ ter leave Dead Line forever.” ns By your hands?” flashed the youth. ‘Kinder so,” was the quick answer. ‘ Hold him fast thar, Horseshoe, an’ march ‘im straight abead! Forward!” Ivan shut his teeth and said nothing. He saw that he was completely at the mercy of the two men, and as he was marched from the spot, held by Horseshoe Hank and menaced by the heavy six shooter that was clutched by lover Phil’s hand, be could readily believe that he was going to his doom. The trail was narrow and somewhat tortuous, but the stars showed the Dead Liners the way, and not a word was spoken until Clover Phil ordered a halt and wheeled upon the prisoner. ‘Look around you, Ivan,” hesaid. ‘*Do you know whar you ar’?” | , The youth’s eyes told that he had already re- cognized the spot. ** Ah! you’ve been hyer afore, eh?’ continued the postmaster rough. ‘‘ About four years ago we brought a hoss-thief hyer an’ made im jump from thet rock,” and the bronzed finger of the speaker pointed to a flat rock whose surface was as smooth as glass, ‘‘Stand him up thar, iy gabe Thar! Now step back an’ cover im. The following minute the three commands had been obeyed, and Ivan, the young Mazeppa of Colorado, stood free on the surface of the rock, at tbe mercy of the two desperadoes whose re-. volvers were at bis bead. A step to the left and.be would disappear over the edge of e reser? whose walls no man had ever measured, +Tt was a terrible cliff, und far below its pebbly fringe a little stream rippled over rocks th it aioe here and there like shining nuggets of ver. : Not a weapon did he now possess, for the Still, for all the danger he did not quail. The horror of the situation did not daunt him;,. he even seemed to increase an inch in stature as: he gave the Dead Liners look for look. “Your days ar’ numbered,” suddenly said Clover Phil. ‘‘ You’ve been a Jonah ter Dead Line ever since thet black hoss brought you from Heaven knows whar. Now, before you go, answer two questions,” . Ivan made no reply with lips, but his eyes shot defiance into the cruel orbs of Clover Phil, and told the tough that he had more than met his match in courage. ‘‘Did the Injuns really tie ye to thet hoss?” asked the postmaster, who displayed a good deal of eagerness as he Jeaned forward anxious not to miss a word of Ivan’s reply, ““T have told Dead Line so a thousand times,” was the answer. ** An’ you ar’ goin’ ter stick to it ter the last?” “ Yes,” “Allright. Now, who in yer candid opinion wrote the letter that told Cap’n Clutch ter come: ter Dead Line?” ‘The only man in Dead Line who was cool. enough to write such a letter.” A hasty step carried the postmaster forward, ‘¢ What's that?” he cried. ‘* Do you mean—” He stopped suddenly, for just then a number~ of revolver-sbots greeted the ears of all, and Horseshoe Hank so far forgot himself as'to turn about with an exclamation. ‘*My God! Clover Phil,” he cried, ‘‘ Red Scar Dave has found the Injun!” Clover Phil did not speak until the last report had died away, and the silence of night had once more settled down upon the spot where the- deadly revolvers had been emptied. “That means death to somebody,” he said. ‘*Come back to yer work, Horseshoe. Cover thet young Jonah. I’m at the end ov the game, I war goin’ ter ask him a question when the re-. volvers went off up thar, but Ill not trouble: bim with it.” ‘¢-You need not, Clover Phil,” said Ivan. ‘‘ You wero goin’ to ask me who wrote the traitor’s let-- ter for Captain Clutch.” Clover Phil could not repress a ery. “Do you want to see him, Horseshoe?’ And’ Ivan turned to the astonished pared as he raised his arm, ‘There stands the traitor of Dead Line. Clover Pbil, I brand youas the pard, the. spy, of Captain Clutch, the Taos Tiger)” \ The voice, the outstretched hand, the demean-- or of Ivan were enough to unmask the mcf. cunning traitor. The effect on Clover Phil was magical, He started back with the countenance of & guilty wretch, and even Horseshoe Hank saw © tbat the bolt had struck home, ; **By Jove! Thet war a hard blow, cap’n}’’ cried the pard. ‘What! do you believe it?” and quick as a. flash Clover Phil whirled upon his friend, ‘‘Ther arrer hit somewhar, Clover; it made: /you stagger—” s ““Thet’s enough! Ill begin with you, Horse-: shoe!” ; The menaced pard threw up his hand, the pistol gripped by bis swarthy fingers darted toward the postmaster’s head, but just then another hand shot upward, and fire flashed in bis face, Quick as Horseshoe Hank was to d+ fend his life, Clover Phil was quicker, and from the jet. of fire the confederate spun across the glassy’ surface of the flat rock, to disappear in the twinkling of an eye over the edge of the chasm?! ‘*That’s one!” fell from the killer’s lips. ‘* lm: ther chap what wrote that letter! Now, Ivan, I'll tend ter yer case. Wheel an’ jump!” There was no response. Clover Phil uttered a startling ery. The rock was occupied no longer! CHAPTER VII. IVAN’S LOVE. Ir was barely possible that Horseshoe Hank in felling from the rock bad struck Ivan and carried him over with him, and that the smoke of the revolver had prevented Clover Phil from witnessing the catastrophe. The shooting postmaster of Dead Line City~ looked nonplused when he discovered that: Ivan was no longer on the rock. ns ea oa x oie % inte) <A yt i id $68 oo bas 4 4 . “What! has that youngster gone back to — a camp to unmask me thar?” parted bis lips. “I sbould have dropped bim first an’ then whirled i ee Z take any stock in Ivan’s charge. Yes, ’m traitor an’ the captain, an’ I ar’ goin’ ter win upon Horseshoe, but I didn’t think he eget '
Page 7
a wall eect s4 ae P > aa : 1. ‘ x, SF Let him go, Princess,” said the postmaster, this mountain game. I'll go back an’ see, I guess I’m able ter hold my own ag’in’ a boy.” Clover Phil knew that be had finished Horse- shoe Hank, the man who but a moment before had served as his tool in the scheme against Ivan, and confident that he was a match for the young Mazeppa, he turned on his keel and went back toward the camp among the hills. He found the place in an indescribable up- roar. There were five men there who, with many an oath and threat of future vengeance, had just explained to an exasperated crowd the meaning of the rapid shots whose cchoes had come down from the elevated trails. Each of the five was shot through the right hand, and a regular how! of fury had soared starward when they said that the shootist was the renowned devil, Captain Clutch, or, as the Dead Liners knew him best—Captain Theobald. * Whar’s Red Scar?’ demanded Clover Phil. ** He led you up to thet Injun’s trail. Did Cap- tain Clutch shoot at his head?” “ We didn’t stop ter hunt Red Scar,” was the answer. ‘‘He started arter Cap’n Clutch mad as a rattler, we beard another shot, but we didn’t investigate.” The five right hands were dressed in the light of several torches, and their enraged owners swore new oaths against the man from Taos. All this time, there lurked in the depths of Clover Phil’s eyes a gleam of satisfaction, and _whenever he glanced at the bronzed surgeons at work, a faint smile came fo the corners of his mouth, “'They’re gettin’ paid back,” he said to him- self. ‘‘They don’t suspect me, but if I let Ivan get his work in, thar’ll be ther deuce ter pay in camp. Whar is the boy?” Clover Phil turned as he put the question to himself, and searched the camp with a pair of eager eyes, All at once he caught sight of a person who took him forward with lengthy strides. “The Taos Tiger shows his teeth, Princess,” he said, halting before this person who was the waif of the wagon, and gazing down into her eyes. ‘‘T saw the five come back,” was the reply. “They will have to shoot left handed for awhile.” ‘*Not for long, Princess. We'll corral Cap’n Clutch an’ his Comanche spy before a great while, then we’ll bev targets which no man can miss. But I want to say, that for all you did to-night, you bevn’t Jost the respect ov the Dead Lice pards. You saw fit to put in for Ivan, an’ I don’t blame you, seein’ thet; you two ar’ friends,” Did Clover Phil see the young girl start, and did he notice the flush that stole across ber temples, rendering her more beautiful than ever? ‘*We are friends. {do not believe him the traitor of the camp. He has enemies, and they showed their hands to-night,” she said, “That’s so, Princess, an’ Red Scar Dave got settled by Cap’n Clutch for his smartness,” “T rutber guess not, Clover Phil.” The postmaster wheéled as though a rattle- snake bad sounded his warning behind him. ‘I’m sti!l on this side ov etarnity,” continued the deep bass voice which bad startled Clover Phil, “The boys hey got but one good hand, but I’ve got two. Even Cap’n Clutch misses sometimes, though the furrow his bullet plowed along my cheek speaks ov a closer shave than even Red Scar wants. What’s thet ye war sayin’ about ther Taos hyena settlin’ me for my smartness?’ ; Clover Phil, who bad not recovered from his surprise, continued to gaze at the mountain hercules, who coolly confronted him with a heavy six-shooter in his right band. There vas fury in Red Scar’s eyes, and he looked every inch just what he was, a mad- dened desperado. Princess Pet saw that unless Clover Pbil _ weakened a terrible encounter was imminent. Not more than three yards separated the two Dead Liners. Would they come together? “Keep it to yerself, then,” suddenly cried Red Scar. ‘‘ We'll compare notes some other time. I’m back hyer ter see arter the boys. We didn’t see Velvet Foot, but we found Cap’n Clutch! You hevn’t done anything with Ivan, the Jonah I left in yer bands; of course not! _ The young skunk will soon know thet J am back!” With a parting look which breathed con- tempt and hatred for Clover Phil, Red Scar Dave started off, followed by the eyes of the ‘ “o> “ i ~ 7 wr \ + ' BS tg SS) ee ie WAY MA hae s. = > a %, “fen ei, «oe » , Princess Pet saw through it all, and deter.
Page 8
Nettie ies gc ee ee tit tee eg ke ee ¢ —— any = oe ee qed! AOR Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. mined to give neither of the rivals a chance to | i You should know, not I,” was the quick re- afflict her with their jealousies and hates, If Captain Clutch had applied the torch to Dead Line, he had not completed his work of vengeance, Clover Phil, the self confessed traitor, knew he had not, and all the rest believed that he still lurked in the vicinity, watching for another opportunity to show the tiger’s claws beneath the veivet. ¢ Clover Phil watched constantly for Ivan, Why didn’t the boy come back to give him the chance he wanted? And what kept him away? pi bye waited one day,” he growled, as the sun went down; “ an’ I'll be hanged if I stand it another. Ivan won’t come, so I'll go to Ivan.” He stood at the edge of the camp, and one of his bands held the bridle-rein of a young horse that champed his bit impatient to be off. “JT have nothing to fear from the captain,” he went on in the same tone, ‘an’ he will help me find the boy. It’s to our interest to find him. He more than suspects who I am, Red Scar’s attempt to make a traitor out of him failed, an’ now the boy might see fit to call me Captain Clutch’s man in presence of the bull camp. Tien, he stands between me an’ Princess Pet. For that reason alone I would hunt him, if necessary, Lo the ends of the earth!” Wi h an agile leap he landed himself on the back of the horse as he finished, and threw a sharp look toward Camp Vengeance ere he touched the eager young animal with the spur. Away went the horse asif shot from a mon- ster catapult, and the next instant he was bear- ing Clover Phil over the mountain trail. - ia the postmaster of Dead Line know where to look for Ivan? Five minutes after his start he drew rein beside a huge rock and slid from the saddle, “A mail-bag with two compartments,” he observed with a smile, as he ran one hand under one corner of the stone and felt something on which his swarthy fingers closed, ‘We'll see what the captain says,” he said, straightening and producing a match which ignited without producing a report. ‘* Aha! it is from the old fellow himself!” Cloyer Phil soon unfolded the communication he had taken from beneath the bowlder, and two minutes later he had mastered the following sentences: “Parp:—So far we are doing admirably. The nest is burned and the vultures have taken to_the mountains. Stand me and we'll succeed. You played your part coolly last night. Nobody suspects you, but look out. That accursed Comanche is in the neighborhood. ‘Tw CapTarn.” “I'm not afraid oy that Injun,” said Clover Phil as he closed the letter and crushed it in his hand. ‘They call him a red detective, but haw! he never ran anybody down. I know oo around, captain, but ju-t now I want the oungster. The danger to our future plans lies in him, not in Velvet Foot, the Comanche. I needn’t answer this letter; no reply is required. Yes, I'll look out for Velvet Foot, but not that I fear him, for I do not.” At that very moment a pair of eyes that littered like a serpent’s were not ten feet away rom Clover Phil. : The bowlder was all that separated bim from his watcher, and when the Dead Line post- master again mounted, a human figure, naked to the waist, glided around the stone and darted toward Camp Vengeance. If he could run like a deer he could also glide over the trail without making the least noise, and nobody heard him enter the camp a few minutes later. For fear of showing Captain Clutch where to shoot should he come back to resume the work of vengeance, not a light shone within the boundaries of the camp, and the shadows of the mountain walls that rose all around it seemed to render objects doubly indistinct. Catlike the invader of the desperadoes’ cam lided hither and thither, with eyes that too in Gh Pha ag If Veivet Foot was a detective, he was cer- tainly playing the role to perfection. Now be seemed a darker shadow against a rock. now the rock itself. All at once Princess Pet, who reclined against a tee wrapped in thought and wondering what had become of Ivan, started as a hand soft as velvet touched her wrist. An ejaculation reached her li and looked into the face of the as she turned omanche, ‘No speak, Princess,” said the indian detec- tive. “ Where is the white boy sponse. ‘I have not left the camp all day, but have waited here for him: You have come ag Na and I look to you for informa- ion. The girl saw before she finished that the Co- manche was perplexed, and that he knew noth- ing of Ivan. **'When did white boy leave?’ ‘* Last night.” “In a hurry?” + Yes.” “* Will Princess tell Velvet Foot all?” **T will, but not here.” With his band at the girl’s wrist the Coman- che led ber from the camp, ard neither spoke until more than four hundred yards from the pards of Dead Line. ‘*In first place,” he said, turning upon Prin- cess Pet as he halted, ‘* Princess hates Vel- Yet Boot for coming with Captain Clutch last night. ‘*No,” cried the wagon-waif. ‘‘I trust you. You are wy friend and, besides Ivan, the only one I have,” A gleam of satisfaction lit up the dark eyes of tte Comanche brave, and he drew his splen- did figure to its full bight before her. ‘Velvet Foot hates the Taos Tiger,” he ex- claimed. ‘‘ His trail follows the one the cap- tain makes, but he knows it not. The Co- manche will reach the end of the hunt by an’ by. Let Princess trust him. He saw her be- fore last night, be knew her father who fought the Comanches years ago when they sent their arrows into his wagon, Let the white girl look at Velvet Foot. He is strong, he bas an eagle’s eye in bis head, heis a giant among his red people.” ‘*Heavens! what a target!” grated a voice that sent a La through the young girl’s frame, ‘‘ As you hate me so cordially, trailing hound, I'll settle all accounts with you where you stand!” A human figure sprung into the trail as the last words sounded, a pistol-shot rung clearly out, and as Velvet Foot, the red detective, reeled away with a cry of pain, a hand clutched the girl’s arm. She recoiled but could not escape. ‘*-You’re in the hands of Captain Clutch, my beauty !” hissed the victor. CHAPTER IX. IN THE TIGER’S CLAWS. CAPTAIN CLUTCH! Princess Pet could not look without a shiver into the triumphant eyes of the man whose fin- gers encircled her arm and held her fast. Clover Phil bad told her with a laugh only a little while before that the Taos Tiger had heard of bs 3 beauty, and that she would see him soon enough, And now she was bis captive, and the Indian who had drawn her from Camp Vengeance to impart a secret of some kind lay motionless, if not dead, only a few feet away! * Warn’t looking for the captain, eh?” laugbed the girl’s captor. ‘‘He always turns up when nobody expects him; that’s been his habit for fif- teen years. They told me about the Dead Line flower a long time ago, an’ now I behold you for the first time. You ar’ a daisy an’ no mis- take, girl, The boys had it right when they painted your picture.” The girl did not reply but faced the despera- do in silence, but eager to see to what lengths his words would carry him, “They tell me that the boy ran off last night,” Captain Clutch went on, “ What boy?” exclaimed the girl. ‘Ah, don't you know?—the youngster Red Scar accused of treason,” ‘He is not in camp.” “T thought so! Got afraid ov a rope an’ va- mosed the ranch!” laughed the Taos sport. Instantly the eyes of the captive flashed. ‘*Tvan is no coward!” she cried resentfully. “The threat of a rope and Red Scar’s lie did not drive him away.” ‘* What did, then?” ‘He will answer when he comes back.” ‘““When will that be?” ‘** When he wishes to return.” “Do not be so fast, Princess Pet. Ivan be- longs to Dead Line which has been, but is not now. Haven’t you heard tbe men hyenas back in the camp say that I bate everything that be- longed to that accursed city?’ sk: T have heard them say that they hate you. “Of course! Wal, Ivan is one of the Dead Line pards. He wasn’t on hand when they hus- Pe oer S45 tled Pistol Pocket out of existence with torch: Page an’ revolver, but he belongs to the gang now, an’ that’s enough! You are goin’ with me now,, but not back to Camp Veugeance.” The young yirl hesitated, but the fingers of’ Captain Clutcn tightened arcuud ber »rm, and. almost lifted her from the ground. ‘“‘Men haven’t misjudged you,” she said.. ‘They tell me that you are a tiger in Taos—” ““Wal, I should ejaculate!” laughed the ruf- fian. “I’m the bead animal ov thet menagerie, ov wonders. Don’t look at me thet way, girl.. Ef eyes war arrers, you’d shoot to kill!” Princess Pet made no answer, but shut her lips firmly and permitted the Taos Tiger to bear: her to a horse that all the while had waited for him two hundred feet from the scene of. her capture, **Look hyer, Princess,” suddenly cried the: sport, wheeling upon the girl and transfixing her with his gleaming binge eyes. ‘* Be tracta-- ble an’ we'll get along withowt a jar;. give me. trouble an’ ’ll be rude. It alllies with you. I didn’t come up from my den to war on women. IT came byer ter fight men—tigers like myself— but I never go back on rage when I run across a sample like yourself. Between me an” the hyenas ov Dead Line City there is a war - which only death can stop. I’ve a friend back thar in camp—a spy, who has kept me posted for five years, You couldn’t go back an’ lay your finger on him in twenty guesses. He has. covered bis tracks so well that the most suspi- — cious galoot ov Dead Line has never suspected him, Ivan is not the traitor; it never entered into his head ter betray bis pards. Red Scar knows it, too, but he attempted a ten-strike for another purpose. Do you think you could pick out my pard—eb, Princess?” Leaning forward, Captain Clutch gazed into. the girl’s face with a confident leer. ‘‘Blurt out bis name if you know it!” he went on. ‘Aha! you never knew till now that I had a pard in Dead Line.” ‘¢1 knew there was a traitor there,” said the young girl calmly. “ What?” ‘Yes, a traitor—not a pard!” ‘‘Name him!” But the lips of Princess Pet did not unclose. “You don’t know him, or_ you would speak!” cried the Taos sport. ‘Remain with me an’ you'll see him. Last night I gave Dead Line to the flames; last night I shot Red Scar’s pards through the hands. Before the week ends there won’t be a man left who can boast that he helped to destroy Pistol Pocket ar’ Captain Theobald’s band! This is mountain y engeatas girl. Here to-dvy, gone to-morrow! By the stars that shine above us! I will spread a feast for the Colorado vultures that will tickle their maws, You shall see it all.” He ceased abruptly, seized the girl around the waist, and sat her on the back of the horse al- most before she could speak. What had startled the Taos Tiger? ‘* 1 didn’t hear a footstep, Princess,” he laughed as he landed in the saddle bebind her, ‘‘I take these spells sometimes, an’ one unacquainted with me would think that i have just caught an Indian’s step, but no. Velvet Foot is dead engng an’ no one is near to snatch from Cap- tain Clutch the prize he bas just won!” Held firmly by the left arm of the sport, Prin- cess Pet soon found herself borne along the trail at a smart gallop which was taking her further and ere from the camp of the burned out toughs. mer thoughts naturally went back to the men she bad left bebind, to Clover Phil and Red Scar Dave and their jealousies, to the wounded men who had peaghly thanked her for attentio: to their hurts, and to Ivan. . Strong ties bound her to the Boy Mazeppa of Colorado. An unaccountable fate bad thrown them to- gether; one had ridden into Dead Line tied to an Indian horse, the other bad been carried thither from an old wagon whose arrow-pierced horses had fallen dead in their barness. | Was it strange that the two young people thus thrown together should grow up with feel- ings akin to love, That their compen onany should make them more than friends : Red Scar Dave might have surmised this, and long before the burning of Dead Line City, Clover Phil should haye opened bis eyes ta the true state of affairs. ; aire Ivan had not left the country for good; at least Princess Pet thought be bad not, ¢ She had told Captain Clutch proudly that the lyncber's rope had not frightened bim off. Sbe believed tbat an important mission of some kind had taken the youth away, and ber — ts.
Page 9
< 4 Sap te ~ & “ baw Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, = ne foe v * band *\ A * be ~*~ i ‘ea! - ted "sh OR AMS TOY. ae - pe th ms i ame aa ; a ae raat Mh ’ ew ot _-only fear regarding bim as she rode the starlit * trail in the claws of the Taos Tiger, was that he would reappear at Camp Vengeance and walk into a trap set for him by Clover Phil and Red ‘Bear Dave. Her thoughts were rudely intruded upon by the sudden halting of Captain Clutch’s horse, and Princess Pet looked forward, fully expect- rm, see the handsome sport covered by a rifle, ut she was agreeably disappointed for the trail was clear ahead as far as she could see, and the captain had stopped for a purpose which was to her a profound mystery. ** Princess,” he said, ‘‘I am compelled to blindfold you.” She gave him a quick look. “Tt will only last for a few minutes,” he went on. ‘‘ When you see again you can in- spect one of the numerous dens of the Taos iger.” At the same time he produced a large silk handkerchief and began to fold it in a proper manner for blindfolding. “ Now, girl, we'll cover those pretty eyes,” he said suddenly, placing the handkerchief over the girl’s brilliant orbs before she could remon- strate, and the next moment he had knotted the silk behind her head. Of course Princess Pet submitted, and when the operation of blindfolding was completed Captain Clutch ordered the horse on again. “ Halt! Lift a hand or draw a weapon, ‘Captain Clutch, and the burning of Dead Line will be avenged!” Instantly the horse stood still in the trail and the girl, though she could not see the speaker, ‘murmured a name that chased the hot blood swiftly through her veins, ‘**Tvan!” she said. ‘‘ Heaven has sent him in ‘the hour of need!” If Princess Pet did not see the person who had - appeared so suddenly on the scene, there was .one interested individual who did—Captain Clutch! A frown dark asa thundercloud came to his ‘brow, his eyes blazed with madness, and the threat of his confronter was the only force 'that could arrest the hand that glided toward his revolver. In an instant the “boss tiger of the Taos wiehageric ” had recognized the man on his trail. He saw the youth who leaned forward in his saddle with a cocked rifle at his right shoulder, and Captain Clutch had a splendid opportunity to gaze into the barrel of the weapon, tor it was leveled at his head. ‘Drop the girl gently and go back,” con- tinued Ivan, for it was the young Mazeppa. ‘I don’t like a hair on your head, captain. If you want to live to fight the banded pards of Dead Line, release your captive and go back.” Under bis black mustache the Taos desper- ado bit his lip till the blood ran, ** From the boy?—from Ivan?” the girl heard him hiss. ‘‘ What! Captain Theobald, the Taos Tiger, give up the fairest jawelin Colorado be- cause a boy says, ‘ Give her up?” ‘*You had better, captain,” whispered Prin- cess Pet. ‘“Iknow Ivan better than you do, Refuse to obey him, and he will kill.” There was no reply. “T count three, captain,” came over the Col- orado rifle. **Confound it! taka the girl!” growled the Taos sport. As he finished, he lifted Pet from the saddle, _ and leaned over as if to lower her to the ground, but instead of setting ber on the trail, he sud- pars drew her against the horse, threw him- self forward on the steed’s neck, and then, with a yell that would have done credit to a Co- manche, sent bome the spurs, and shot like an arrow straight at Ivan, the Colorado Mazeppa! It was the work of a second, the shrewd trick of the shrewdest ruffian south of Deadwood. For a momentit seemed as if the two horses would collide, but Captain Clutch’s shot past Ivan by the breadth of a hair, and before the youth could touch the trigger, the wily rough was thundering down the trail. ‘* Your blood for that trick, Captain Clutch!” criedIvan, _ ; Recovering in an instant, he wheeled and at- tempted to cover the Taos sport, but the fickle starlight was against him, But all at once the young Mazeppa’s rifle cracked, to be followed by a wild shriek far down the mountain road. “* My God!” burst from Ivan’s throat. ‘‘ Mad- ness made me press the trigger, and the ball has _ found Princess Pet’s heart sentence ended in a wail of agony, he _ geemed to reel in the saddle, and the rifle which / SS eT TR eee had wrought such terrible work, he threw dis- gustfully away. ‘Tf I have killed that girl,” he cried, ‘‘ may the wrath of Heaven hound me to doom!” CHAPTER X. BACK TO THE OLD DEN, HALF an hour after the encounter between Ivan and Captain Clutch, a horse and his rider made their appearance on one of the elevated trails of the mountain, about five miles from the place, } ‘No success,” said the individual in the sad- dle, inno good humor, ‘The captain carried her clear off, and I am baffled. If my bullet took her life, may fate make me a vagabond on the face of the earth, I did not intend to shoot, but rage made me give the trigger too much Sener and after the unfortunate shot came ack the girl’s wild cry.” Ivan was riding slowly back toward Camp Vengeance, He had spurred his horse after Captain Clutch after the unintentional shot, and though he had searched the mountains well, he had lost the trail, and Princess Pet’s fate was involved in much mystery. Why go back to the camp, now? Did he not know that Clover Phil hated him, and that Red Scar Dave wanted his blood? ‘*‘T haven’t given Pet up,” he went on, speak- ing his thoughts aloud; ‘‘neitner have I done with those hyenas who constant y snuff blood. Clover Phil dropped Horseshoe Hank because he saw that my words about the traitor of Dead Line had raised certain suspicions, I got away in the smoke of his revolver, not that I feared the wretch, for fear him I do not; but a mission rs me miles away, and now I am going ack, Back to Camp Vengeance, leaving Princess Pet dead or alive, he knew not which, in the clutches of the man from Taos, Ivan knew that his action looked ungrateful, but he resolutely kept his horse’s head turned toward the rendezvous among the mountains, and he seemed eager to ride into the lair he had left the night previous, He could not look far ahead for the uncertain light of the stars; therefore, he could not see the human figure that crept with difficulty up a mountain trail, and which had the movements of a wounded snake, Inch by inch, and stopping here and there for a brief spell to gain new breath, the crippled person made slow headway. All the time there was a mad light in the creeper’s keen black eyes, which increased in in- tensity as he seemed to near a certain goal. “The Taos Tiger shot Velvet foot. The Co- manche trailer will not forget him for that.” These two sentences more than once parted the crawler’s lips; he said no more, as if they were enough. At last he crawled to the edge of a cliff, and looked over the fringe of bush and rock. “The white dogs of the camp are quarreling among themselves,” he said, after listening fora moment. ‘The traitor of Dead Line and the man who accused the white boy are growling like hungry wolves, Velvet Foot will lie here and listen awhile,” The Indian shot by Captain Clutch, as we have witnessed, seemed to take delight in hear- ing tbe loud words that reached his ears from the camp a hundred feet below. He could not see the occupants of the place, but his keen ears almost instantly located them with correctness, and lying on the ground, lis- tening eagerly to every word, he forgot the memento of Captain Clutch’s rage which be car- ried in the shaps of a wound which would have killed many men. “Tt don’t quarrel with any man,” came up from below. ‘ You accused the boy, and couldn’t prove a word ov the charge. Now you stand thar an’ fling the epithet ov traitor into my teeth. Now, where is your proof?” _ “In yer own pocket, ef you hevn’t torn it up,” was the answer, ‘Thet paper which I said I found whar Cap’n Clutch had dropped it war never written by Ivan. I knowed it from the first, an’so did you when you read it in ther pres- ence ov ther kull camp. You know who wrote thet letter; you know who told Cap’n Theobald thet the time fer vengeance hed come; you know who hes been Dead Line’s traitor. Clover Phil, I’m no coward. By Jove! the man what ever saw Red Scar Dave go back on a charge doesn’t tread the ground, I stand byer an’ call you ther traitor ov Dead Line—the man who came among us in ther pay ov Cap’n Theobald!” These were words whose import was not to be mistaken, and they were spoken in a tone of voice that carried emphasis on each syllable. The rivals of Dead Line City stood in the enh with a space of only ten feet between them, Behind Red Scar Dave seven men had planted themselves, and five of these worthies carried their right hands in slings. é Clover Phil had the bulk of the camp at his ack, In the division that had taken placp at sun- down, the ‘‘ best men ” of Camp Veng@ance had arrayed themselves on the side of the post- master, And now the two factions stood face to face, with bronzed bands at the butts of deadly six- shooters, and eyes that looked rage to eyes again, ready to begin the deadly contest at the uplifting of a finger. Red Bier Dave had not minced words, but had branded Clover Phil a traitor to Dead Line, and was willing to back his assertion with physical courage and terrible determination. To the Indian lying at the edge of the lofty trail it was a case of dog eat dog. The Comanche knew both of the contestants. ‘Tet them tear one another up,” he said, with a faint smile. ‘It will help the boy.” Silence followed the utterance of Red Scar’s last words. ‘*You first accused the boy, Ivan,” said Clover Phil, ‘‘now you turn on me.” ‘*The first time I lied, that war all. Now I shoot straight at ther mark,” ** An’ I say you lie!” roared the postmaster. ‘With twenty-nine men at yer back,” laughed Red Scar Dave, derisively. ‘I’ve got a hos- pital behind me, but that’s no difference, Walk to ther line I drawed a while ago an’ toe it ef ye dare! Colorado, with all its' mountains, is too small for Red Sear Dave an’ Clov r Phil. From handlin’ letters, step forward an’ handle ther knife. Let's hev it out before ther hull camp, I’m not afraid ter meet Captain Clutch’s pard!” If Velvet Foot could have taken in this scene, he would have seen Clover Phil put up his re- volver and whip out a ten-inch bowie, “When my hand goes up!” he sent back over his shoulder.in a whisper to the men behind him, ‘‘don’t forget the signal. When I lift my hand, open with yer six shooters an’ riddle every mother’s son ov ’em.” Clover Phil ceased and advanced toward Red Scar Dave, ‘* Do we need a torch?” asked the boss of Dead Line. “No! Let the stars furnish light for our tussle,” answered Clover Phil. ‘* All right.” Red Scar Dave moved forward as he spoke and all saw that the rivals of Camp Vengeance would meet at the line the bi bad drawn on the ground with the point of his bowie a few minutes before. A personal conflict was inevitable, “Phe boy knows who the traitor is,” hissed Red Scar Dave. ‘‘He wouldn’t say so if he did,” was the quick response. ‘“‘ivan would never confirm the words of the galoot who attempted to swear his neck into a noose Jast night. ady I am, Red Scar,” and then Clover Phil suddenly lowered his voice. ‘‘ After this tussle Princess Pet will not have to choose between the rivals of Dead Line City!” be finished, Another stride brought the two men so close together that their toes almost touched. p went Red Scar’s bowie, and bis left arm was raised to a Jevel with his heart for the pur- pose of defending that organ from the blade clutched in bis enemy’s right band. All at once the twenty-nine men who occu- pied the spot just vacated by Clover Phil raised their revolvers. They were waiting for the signal, dead shots all after dark, as well as at noonday. ‘““Now, drive ahead!” grated Red Scar. “ After this fight, Cap’n Clutch won’t bave so many enemies!” f . ‘**Nor Colorado so many fools if you kill one anotber,” said a voice so near and distinct that the mountain rivals instinctively whirled upon the speaker. ba, 4 “The boy. oy George!” exclaimed a voice be- fore either Clover Phil or Red Scar recognized the person in their presence, Yes, the boy Ivan! : d He had reached the spot with the noiseless tread of a ghost; no eye bad seen him until the sentence just recorded fell from his tongue to the utter astonishment of all. “Thar he is!” cried Clover Phil. ‘Tbar’s the lad you tried ter swear into a noose,” and he pointed at Ivan while he looked at his rival.
Page 10
- 5 pails nhs Le eae ae 8 ee el ) a’ 10 divided. I have twenty-nine at my back, while but seven stand by you, Red Scar. He can see all this with his own eyes. Hating you as he does, and seeing the drift ov public opinion in camp, let him say who he thinks is Captain Clutch’s pard,” ‘Out with it, Ivan!” eried Red Scar Dave. “T war ag’in’ ye last nigot an’ I don’t like yer any too well now, Any way ye answer you ar’ likely ter get inter trouble. Shoot it out an’ ; show yer grit!” / Instead of shrinking from the ordeal, Ivan kept his ground, and his stature seemed to increase, Keen eyes like his could see the uplifted revolvers of the twenty-nine on one side, and the bandaged hands and tigerish looks of the seven on the other. Yet he did not hesitate. ‘*T know the traitor of Dead Line, He is the man who sent Horseshoe Hank to the bottom of the canyon with a bullet in his head, the man . we have called Clover Phil!” A devilish leer lit up Red Scar’s eyes. ‘*Thet’s what Ivan says!” he cried. **Men ov Dead Line, cover that young liar!” And Clover Phil’s finger described the youth as he glanced at the twenty-nine. ‘‘He has come back to Camp Vengeance to perish with a false- hood on bis lips. e shall die—” ‘““Great heavens! a shootin’-star!” was the startling cry that interrupted the postmaster of Dead Line. Instantly all eyes were turned aloft, and behold! a ball of fire, as large as a man’s head, and blazing furiously, wasseen descending upon the camp as if from the skies, The descending meteor held the whole crowd spellbound, and when it struck the ground and blazed up, throwing a light upon the scene, several started back with exclamations of amazement, / “Star be hanged! that’s only a bunch ov burnin’ grass!” suddenly cried Clover Phil. “ Somebody up yonder is tryin’ ter play a trick on us, Don’t drop Bors revolvers, but cover the boy. And when I litt my hand, make a sieve out ov him!” Then Clover Phil stepped back ‘and threw a quick look aloft. “Thanks for yer light, whoever ye ar’!” he cried in loud tones, ‘‘It shows my mountain daisies whar ter shoot. Now not one bullet will go astray!” The answer came from above in an unexpect- ed shape. It came in the sharp, whip-like reports of two % revolvers, and two of the dark-faced men at } Clover Phil’s back dropped their uplifted wea- pons and fell dead in their tracks! ** Put out the light!” thundered a voice. There was an oath and a bound on the part of Clover Phil, and the following second he Janded on the burning grass and crushed its life out under his heavy boots. CHAPTER XI. THE RED-SKIN'S TRAIL, THIS sudden ending of the quarrel between the Dead Line rivals startled the occupants of Camp Vengeance, and more than one man re- coiled aghast. As for Ivan, he stepped back a pace and laid his hand on bis revolver. ** Don’t you know who’s up thar?” vociferated Red Scar Dave. ‘That boss tiger from Taos has come back!” ' ' The five men shot through the right hand set up a howl for revenge, and darted toward the nearest pathway that ascended to the cliffs above. **Don’t be fools,” anc Red Scar threw himself before the impetuous five. ‘‘ You bunted bim once afore an’ found him. Then, it war a bullet through the hand, now it will be a hole in the head. Keep off! This time he shot two ov Clover Phil’s pards,” If Red Scar Dave could have gone up to the trail at that moment be would have found the Comanche brave still clutching the pistols with which he had sent two of the toughs to their a final reward. bsieae He was lying ‘on his breast with his face 14 turned toward the camp in the pass, and with eagerness mingled with revenge in the depths of bis eyes, .. Suddenly there came up to him the voice of Clover Phil, and if the fireball bad continued ee to burn, he would have seen the postmaster DES t shaking his clinched band at the trail across : which he was lying. e. “You daren’t show yerself, Cap’n Clutch! ' + ¥ou ar’ ther meanest man in Colorado, a cow- is eS Sg Tee *‘T needn’t tell hina thet Camp Vengeance stands Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. ard an’a skunk! Don’t think thet Dead Line is harmless just because the shanties ar’ in ashes, You’ll find yerself ther worst mistaken man on earth ef ye do! Oh, you dirty galoot! Come down hyer an’ do er die like a man!” ‘Captain Clutch!” grinned Velvet Foot. “Clover Phil don’t know wholam. What! go down there in my condition? Not much. I’m in no condition to fight the wolves of Dead Line, and a fight down there might make it bad for the boy.” Tbe Comanche did not reply to Clover Phil’s epithets and excited sentences, but dragged himself back from the edge of the cliff. He looked like a person who has just gained a victory of importance in which also he has gratified a revenge. ‘‘[Pve saved the boy,” he ejaculated. ‘My fire-ball landed among the men of Dead Line in the nick of time. It showed me the men who had covered Ivan with their revolvers, and two of them dropped when I shot. Ivan was foolish for going back to camp. He must not cross such men as Red Scar and Clover Phil.” it was true that Ivan had been saved by tho Indian’s fire-ball and by the two death shots he had fired in rapid succession. In another minute Clover Phil would have de- livered the signal which would have put an end to the youth’s career, for the twenty-nine pards were only too willing to shoot him where he stood. He hed also broken up the encounter between the rivals of the camp, but this was an event which was liable to take place again at the first opportunity. Velvet Foot managed to move slowly and with pain from the spot from which he had in- terfered, Captain Clutch, in capturing Princess Pet had given the red-skin a terrible wound, but the iron constitution of the Indian, coupled ‘to his iron will was in bis favor, He ground his teeth till they cracked, and passed on with his eyes snapping fire, One hundred yards from the spot from whence he bad launched the blazing ball, Velvet Foot stopped and turned in tke shadow of a rock with both revolvers at full cock. ‘‘They’ve come up from below, have they?” he hissed in an undertone. ‘‘They think they are going to run on to Captain Clutch, but in- stead they have found Velvet Foot, tha Co- manche! Come on, my wolves of the mountain. Velvet Foot will creep no further. He has halt- ed to wait for your scalps. Creep forward to your death, for the pistols of the Indian are ready to seal your doom,” The approach of some one had fallen upon the Comanche’s ear, and with every sense on the alert, he now waited for, as he supposed, the vengeance-hunters of the camp below. ‘“ What! Ivan, the boy!” he suddenly exclaim- ed as he caught sight of the sole figure that eame in sight. ‘‘Does he also bunt Captain Clutch? ell, he shall find Velvet Foot.” A moment later a noise made by the Indian’s lips caused a figure to halt in the trail several feet away, and a revolver was lifted as the lock sent forth its warning click. “Tt is Velvet Foot, not the Taos Tiger,” smiled the Comanche. “You? Is there any difference!” ‘That is for Ivan to say.” The youth came forward while the red-skin straightened against the buge rock at his back. “Did you kill those two men awhile ago?’ he asked, “Why not? They had covered you.” “Yes, I will own that I was at their mercy, but my case was not hopeless. I was armed.” ‘‘But your hands were not at your pistols. Velvet Foot saw by the light of the fire-ball that the men of Dead Line were the best prepared to shoot.” Ivan bit his lip. ; ‘*7 will admit that,” hesaid, ‘But why did you interfere? Men say that you are in league with Captain Clutch, and that demon hates all of us.” “The tongues of all men are not true,” said the Indian. ‘If Ivan would believe a lie let him believe the white faces below the high trail ” ‘Clover Phil and his pards?” “Yes, and Red Scar and bis wounded liars.” “1 will believe you!” cried the youth. ‘ Last night I cursed you for I believed you to be Cap- tain Clutch’s pard, Some men have called you an Indian detective. I cannotsay who or what youare, Wecan be friends. I hate the man from Taos, and the whole camp down there is against me. I shall ever be hunted like a wolf by two desperate men and their friends. But ‘shall Jive to know that when J bunt I always. I care not for that. As for myself, if I have — shed the blood I think I have, better for me — had I never seen the light of day, bat before | Heaven, Velvet Foot, 1 swear that I didn’t mean to shoot when my rifle went off! See! Iam armed only with my revolvers. I threw é the accursed gunaway. It has killed Princess tf ‘et > Despite his calmness the red-skin uttered a ae | ah horror. e started from the rock and staggered to ward Ivan, the exclamation still on his lips, ‘* Where—is—she?” he gasped. ** Would to Heaven I knew!” was the re- sponse. ‘She was Captain Clutch’s prisoner’ ‘ when I fired, she was blindfolded, and the horse carried them both on.” Velvet Foot seemed to grow into a statue of stone while he confrontei the youth. What was Piincess Pet that Ivan’s words. should shock him so# ; ‘‘Tf Ivan has killed the white girl, he had better get beyond the hands of the Comanche!” ay he said with a terrible emphasis that thrilled the youth. ‘See! the bullet from Captain Theobald’s revolver found Velvet Foot’s vitals,” and he threw back a dressed deerskin which a passing over his right shoulder was secured at “Ph his belt on the left side, / oe Full of curiosity Ivan stepped forward and’ 4 saw the track of the ball fired at clese range, ee then he looked up into the Indian’s tensely- drawn visage and read vengeance and deter- mination there. ; ae |, ‘‘ Great heavens! do you expect to live, shot \ 2 as you are?” he cried. aR ‘* Ball go clear through Velvet Foot,” was the ee reply, supplemented by a light laugh that , om sounded demoniacal to Ivan. ‘‘But the Co- «© ~- | manche will bold his life back till he has reached. ‘ the end of his trail.” ro “Tt will have to end very soonin my opin- » ion,” said Ivan, still inspecting the gaping ' wound aided by the now brilliant gleam of a heaven covered with stars. ‘‘If had that shot, I’d be locking for a place to die.” 3 ‘Tyan look round, mebbe, but Velvet Foot no think of dyin’ yet,” said the red. ‘‘ The end of his trailis not here. It is far from Camp Ven- geance, as the menof Dead Line have called | their new home.” — ‘Then you hate him cordially!” cried Ivan. " ‘‘ When did your hatred begin?” ~ The question seemed a barbed directly bome. mi Velvet Foot shrunk back a foot, andaquiver, | of aversion anpeared to pass over his frame, ' a “No! Don’t ask Velvet Foot when he began to hate Captain Clutch, the Taos Tiger!” he-— shaft that went a exclaimed, ‘* Follow the Comanche and find ~ out.” “Twill! But you can’t travel onfoot, with, that mark of the Tiger’s teeth on your body.” j ‘*No; must have borses.” ; “ Have you got them?” , The Comanche shook his head. e/ “T will get them,” said the youth quickly. -y ‘‘T have one down there. I left bim to come up: here to find, I thought, Captain Cluteh. It will be no harm to, take a horse for our expe- dition from the corral belonging toCamp Ven- geance, I will get you a horse,’ he ‘Be careful, boy,” admonished the Indian. — “The wolves of the camp will do morethan — growl if you stir them up; they will bite,” ** Aha! don’t I know the gang?” laughed Ivan,. drawing back. ‘‘I know the traits of each in- dividual Dead Liner, for I've studied them for years. Be here when I get back, Your trail is to end when we find the Taos Tiger? Good! We will find the mountain demon and I will help you to vengeance if that’s what you want.” Cobetedin hurriedly, Ivan did not wait to — hear any reply from the Comanche, but ng ae fey i on his heel and bounded back overthetrailhe = |, had traveled to Velvet Foot’s balting- place. ie For a few moments. or until he lost sight of him, the red detective gazed after Ivan, and all at once he threw both bands toward the stars and cried in tones that might have reached the youth’s ears: ‘ » ee “He says IT cannot live with the track of Captain Clutch’s bullet through my body! I will make him outa liar inthe faceoftheGreat Spirit! I have found the waifs. Ihave tracked the man of many crimes to his last human hunt- ing grounds! I have got all the enemies to- : ae. wy ae v4 y gether. I will live to reach the end of my trail. — Even if the lead of the Taos demon were in my oe heart, I would go on to the end! Men have i called me the Indian Detective. Aha! they find! This is the Comanche detective’s last trail!” is 4
Page 11
Sa eee Se » > a = 4 ~ eee egg ‘ ar ~ Wee eS oe 2 Se ST elle <i eee Strange words for an Indian brave, but true ones, He was on his last trail. CHAPTER XII. A SEVERED LASSO. WE go back to the mountain camp, to the re- sort of the rougbs of Dead Line whom we left directly after the shooting of the two by the Comanche from the cliffs above. Clover Phil who thought he had saved several lives by extinguishing the fireball which had descended like a meteor into the camp, was dis- ae for the time to forget his quarrel with ed Scar Dave. He believed that Captain Clutch had come back, and that his two pards had fallen by the Taos sport’s revolvers, When he turned to face Ivan again, behold! the boy was gone, and he saw only Red Sear in whose black eyes lurked a twinkle of satisfac- tion. “I’ve hunted the Taos Tiger. Dare you do it, Clover Phil?’ suddenly exclaimed the Dead Line bully. ‘I wouldn’t let my pards go up thar because they’re winged, as you see. Ef ou want ter hunt bim up, yonder he is wait- in’ for ye. But,” be hind bis teeth, ‘ef you ar’ ther traitor ov Dead Line, I guess you'll not hunt Cap’n Theobald with yer finger at ther trigger.” “Yes! Ill hunt the Taos coward!” suddenly roared Clover Puil. ‘‘When I have flung his head inter Camp Vengeance, I will settle with the men who call me traitor.” **Pil be byer when ye come back ef I’m not elsewhar,” grinned Red Scar Dave, ‘: Pick yer men and show yer grit.” Three minutes were sufficient for Clover Phil to select nine men from among his stalwart ckers, ‘Pil let Red Scar run ther camp awhile,” he said, speaking in low tones to those whom he had elected to stay behind. ‘‘Give him a good deal of rope as long as he doesn’t do any dirt, — when he gets out of bis latitude, tighten on im,” They understood these words, They meant that in the event of certain movements on the part of Red Scar Dave, he was to be riddled with bullets. Clover Phil left the camp with his nine men, - and Red Scar went to his growling pards who were still swearing because they had not been permitted to go up the mountain and encounter the slayer. The two factions did not intermingle. They were ory yards apart, and Red Scar found bis pards still gripping the revolvers they had drawn with their left hands, ‘Kin you chaps hold the fort till I get bagk?” was the question with which he startled the seven, For a moment all gazed or rather stared into his face without a word, . Ar’ ye goin’, too?” asked one at last, ‘ S ? ** Arter Cap’n Clutch?” ‘ Partly an’ partly on business ov my own, I'll be back hyer probably to-morrer, perhaps not for several days. Kin yer hold ther fort? Thet’s what I want ter know.” * Ag’in’ the pards thet faced us awhile ago?” “ Yes.” “ Bet yer life we’ll hold it, Red Scar, Thar’il be a pic-nic ef they don’t carry themselves durne straight. We'll hold it, cap’n. You kin go. There was in the voice and looks of the speak- eran assurance that more than satisfied Red Scar Dave; it delighted bim. “Til let ’em fight it out ef they want ter while I’m gone,” he said as he walked from the little group with a farewell look. ‘Ef Clover Phil really expects to find Cap’n Clutch, he in- tends ter help him on ter vengeance, It’s all plain tome, He left the sneaks bebind an’ took with bim the pards who were most instrumen- tal in wipin’ out Pistol’ Pocket an’ stirrin’ up the tiger from Taos. It’sa scheme, Ef Clover Phil expects ter find the cap’n he does not expect to bring one of them back to camp.” Red Scar Dave went to the corral over a roundabout way and approached it cautiously. But all his caution resulted in nothing, for be fonnd no one there, and in less than five min- utes after reaching it he was mounted on one of the best young horses it contained, fully wipped for a fight and a ride, witb an eager eq U flash under his arching brows. -“Thar’s goin’ ter be suthin’ did before I git back,” he said to bimself. ‘‘ I’m not ther kind oy hair-pin what gives up a girl like Princess; pot much! Though she gave us ther slip she’s ‘ : eva a wa Velvet Foot, th ; pete J a eae eS eee a ee Ie ad ae Ae ae Te t Pinscet, whar Ivan came from when he set out for camp an’ I'll find ’em both. Curse yer eyes! Ivan, I’ve hated ye since the bour the Injun. hoss fetched ye to Dead Line an’ ther moment I saw. ther girl, 1 looked at you an’ said, ‘She sha’n’t be yours, boy! J’ll see ter thet.’ And I’ve got ter see ter it now.” The Dead Line bully seemed to know what trail Clover Phil and his nine pards had taken for he took another, riding leisurely along in the starlight with eyes on the alert, and with his revolvers where he could lay hands on them in a second, The light breeze that stirred the foliage of the spectral trees that fringed the trail toyed gently with Red Sear’s long black locks which touched his broud shoulders, and attempted to lift the wide brim of his dark sombrero. The trail ascended gradually, and at the end ofan hour Red Scar Dave found bimself on a level bridJe-path two hundred and fifty feet above the camp he bad left behind. ‘We'll go forward a little faster,” he said iu audible tones to the horse as he touched bim lightly with the spur, sending him off into an easy gallop. ‘I’vegot an objective p’int, an’ we’ll tap it first. Ef any man knows these mountains better nor Red Scar Dave, he’s a daisy an’ no mistake.” One by one the stars slipped down behind a certain peak, but the man from Dead Line did not draw rein, He had descended into little valleys, mounted toward the peaks again, and found other trails level for a while and dimly lighted by the lan- terns of the skies. His ‘‘objective p’int” seemed very far away, but then, the way he went, the rough, toilsome ascents, and the constant watchfulness called forth by his journey, made him move slower than he seemed to. At last Red Scar Dave drew rein, and almost immediately afterward slid to the ground, ** Ef we don’t strike a trail ov some kind hyer I'll be disappointed,” he said. ‘ Five years ago I war foolish enough to show Ivan a diskivery ov mine. We war trailin’ the Durango hoss- thieves, an’ ther boy an’ me found ourselves alone in this part ov ther nat’ral kingdom, An’ I told ’im, too, thet I war ther only galoot thet knowed ov ther existence of ther cave. We went down ter it over my lasso, an’ he pretend- ed ter hev diskivered some writin’ on ther walls, but I never took any stock in what he said, Only this I know, thet 1 wara fool. Mebbe not though,” and the tough of Camp Vengeance suddenly brightened. ‘‘Hyer’s whar he’d be apt ter guide the girl, hyer ov all places would he come, thinkin’ himself able ter defend it ag’in’ Red Scar Dave.” The Colorado bully had walked to the edge of what x sean in the starlight to be a bottom- less gulch, He reached it at a spot where it was spanned by a fallen tree which formed an excellent bridge, and a gleam in his eager eyes told that he recognized the place, It was miles from Dead Line, and havin reached it by a somewhat circuitous route, Re Scar Dave had reasons for believing that he thd the only person in the vicinity at that ime. Relinquishing the leathern bridle, the ruffian threw himself on the ground and leaned over the chasm as if he would pierce the darkness that hung beneath him. ‘It war davtime when I showed Ivan the hidden cave, but I kin find it now, He’s behind me, Ov course; he war in camp to-night, an’ Til find Princess Pet alone. I’m a cute chicken when I take a notion ter meke a leetle love. Oh, they can’t git ahead oy ther boss rattler ov Dead Line!” The Jast sentence ended ina light chuckle of satisfaction, and Red Scar Dave got up and un- coiled a stout black lasso which hung at the saddle- bow. The horse seemed to watch his master’s move- ments with a great deal of interest. He saw Red Scar throw one end of the lasso over the tree and make it fast to the trunk, which was not large, This did not oceupy more than three minutes, when, with a glance at the horse, the Dead Liner seized the cord and let himself fearlesslv from the log into the dangerous darkness of the narrow canyon. - ‘*Pve been byer afore!” he ejaculated, as if some one had remonstrated against his venture. “ This ain’t ther first time ’ve swung myself over this log with only a knot an’ a lasso ’twixt me an’ eternity. Wait for me whar ye ar’, Crockett. I’ve never failed ter come back sound eg a dollar.” . setts spec Ork. tie ve me Pie eo ee te wt e Indian Detective. There was a fixed noose in the lower end of the swaying rope, and Red Scar Dave slipped downward, hand over hand, eager and of. confidence. . He stood at last with one foot in the noose,. and baving yecovered breath, began to swing” himself toward the wall a few feet away. His efforts increased the momentum, and an ejaculation of victory escaped him as his. bronzed fingers touched the canyon wall, al- though be was the next moment forced back by the recoil. But all at once a quiver came down the lasso, and its motion was checked with a suddenness that almost threw Red Scar Dave off, and caused him to look up. His head was twenty feet from the log above, yet he could see that it had an incum- rance which was not there when he began his. descent, ‘*Some men ar’ born fools!” came down to: him in alaugh that seemed to chill his very marrow. ‘: Look out, my swingin’ seraph ov the deep black eye! I hold ther best bowie in: Colorado ag’in’ the lasso!” Red Scar Dave saw the speaker now, He had barely made out his outlines up to this time, but now he saw the arm thrust down- ward, and he fancied he saw the devilish face, the gleaming eyes and the grinning teeth of an enemy who did not know what mercy was. And he was helpless! Not only helpless, but clinging toa bit of bull- hide over a canyon whose bed was seven hun- dred feet below bim! ‘ Can’t you talk?” followed the last sentence: of the man lying on tke tree. ‘I baven’t. turned ye ter stone, hev I, Red Scar? Look out now! Some men call me Captain Clutch; but ou an’ yer pards know me as Captain Theo- ald, the avenger ov Pistol Pocket!’ Red Scar Dave ground his teeth. ‘* Yer name warn’t necessary,” through then» he hissed. ‘'I know ye, Cap’n Clutch!” The answer was a laugh, ‘“‘Tt#’s a thousand feet ter yer landin’-place,”” said the Taos Tiger. ‘*Thet’s a lie! it’s only seven hundred.” “Count ’em ez ye go down, hal ha! Let me inform ye thet the daisy ov Dead Line, fired by my torch, isn’t in the cavern, All yer trouble. has been for nothin’, She’s olive an’ well, though, an’ when I have wiped out the banded pards ov Dead Line, ll make her Captain beobald’s wife}”’ : The boast parted Red Scar’s lips with a ery of madness, It ended suddenly. ““Good-by, Red Scar! Take with yer the- Feeel arian of the Taos Tiger!” And the ‘‘ best bowie in Colorado” cut the cord, and a yell went starward as a human form shot the dark- ness like a cannon ball! CHAPTER XIII. THE TIGER AT HOME. THE man with the bowie crept backward over the to solid ground. eneath the bridge dangled a piece of lasso which swayed hither and thither in the night winds. “One of the pang! he ejaculated in audible: tones. ‘I don’t know but what I got away with the worst pill in the box, Thar war no rebound when you struck, RedScar, When aman falls seven hun- dred feet through darkness an’ strikes solid rock. he never lives to spinthe yarn at a camp-fire.” Captain Clutch supplemented the last sentence with a laugh, and coolly put up the bowie as he turned away. Red Scar’s horse was no longer where the des- perado of Dead Line had left him, but near by was another steed just as supple-limbe«, and this horse, seemed to be waiting for some one, He pricked up his long fox-like ears as Captain Clutch came up and thrust his head forward, in greeting of the man who was his master, Instead of vaulting into the saddle, the Taos Tiger stroked the horse’s neck with one of his swarthy hands and walked down the trail, confident that the faithful steed would follow him. | Ten minutes later he drew aside a curtain of mountain vines that added much to the wild pictur- esqueness of a certain place, and disappeared, e was followed by the horse, for the opening thus displayed was large enough to admit a man in the catia, and the curtain dropped behind the ir, peCaptain Clutch was not a stranger in the place he had entered, and the horse also had been there be- fore, for he stepped aside into a large dark niche and stood perfectly still while the man from Taos proceeded onward. ‘The mountain. range of Southern Colorado can boast of wonderful caves as well as of wonderful canyons; caves still undiscovered there are large enough to conceal a regiment of soldiers, or a vil- lage of Indian braves. It was not strange that Captain Clutch should know of the existence of at least one of these. | places, /
Page 12
ea SY a bat tt eer agin Ne roa ne Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. eyes shut, but had Leos for the final grapple As he glided down a narrow but eae! corridor, he was mon ht suddenly face to face in the light of a groun the wall at her right extended a dark cord not unlike ithe one the desperado’s bowie had severed a few aminutes before. Princess Pet! The girl’s eyes lit up with curiosity as Captain Clutch came forward. She se med to read in his appearance that some- thing startling had happened, and her first thought was of danger to Ivan. “The wolves are on the trail, Princess, but one has just left it b avenger of Pistol Pocket City as he halted before the speechless captive and coolly folded his arms. “And that means, I suppose, that you have shed thuman blood,” she said. “T didn’t spilla drop. I only cut a lasso, but thar ‘war a man at the end ov it.” **A friend of mine?”’ *““That depends. He war a Dead Liner.”’ “Tt was Ivan!” Captain Clutch made no reply, but stepped to- ‘ward the girl as a frown darkened his face. ** Still thinkin’ ov him, eh?’’ he almost hissed, and then he added as furiously as ever: ‘No, it war not thet beardless pard, but I will get him by and by. I found a man tryin’ ter reach a cave in the canyon wall. He war suspended in mid-air at ther - ov & lasso. They called him Red Scar at Dead ine!’ Princess Pet could not supress an exclamation. “Seven hundred feet through darkness ter strike | ther soft side ov a rock—think ov it!’ Captain | Clutch went on. ‘One wolf less, an’ ther worst one ov ther gang, I think. Thet galoot wanted you, Princess.” ‘*He wanted Ivan’s life worse.” “Wal, he’ll not get either now. Two nights since when I rode inter Dead Line an’ claimed ther letter saddressed to the Le mat ard thar, I saw ther devil in his eyes just ez I saw him thar awhile ago. Thar warn’t a man in ther hull town with sand enough ter claim ther letter, an’ they either. I tried ter r’ile em when I sent it an’ when Ifound I had hit on ther wrong plan so far as a fight war consarned, I eame an’ took it away.” “Did you send that letter?” cried the girl. “T should gentl man tiger from Taos. ** What did it contain?”’ ‘“‘Nothin’ but a few choice epithets that would hev roused a sleepin’ crocodile. But they wouldn't claim it. If I he in Dead Line” they’d hev fought for it. I hit ’°em toohard. I madea mistake, but then I r’iled ’em a little later. Ther flames ov Dead Line waked ’em p. The girl could hardly wait for Captain Clutch to conclude, * Didn’t Clover Phil the postmaster know that the letter was a scheme of yours?” she asked, The question, entirely unexpected, startled the Tuffian. ** How could he know, girl?” he cried. ““Ah! I know something!” was the answer and Pet's black eyes became.riveted on the man before er. “What do you know? Out with it!” Amad stride and he was at her side, towering above her like a giant, and looking down upon her with a pair of blazing eyes. She never quavered. “ What do I know?” she said calmly. “I know that you have had a traitor, a pardin Dead Line. I know thet a man there has kept you posted. The letter which Red Scar Dave picked up in the trail near the bowlder post-office was written by that spy -and afterward lost by yourself. I know that Ivan didn’t write it, though Red Scar tried to fasten its authorship upon him. I know that there was only one other man with knowledge enough to pen it, and ‘that man is Clover Phil.” By the time the girl reached her last sentence | Captain Clutch had cooled down, and was waiting for her to close with the utmost sang froid. “Wal, what ov it?” he said derisively. ‘ What ef IThed a pard in Dead Line? ‘Clover Phil?” The black eyes of the captive were seen to flash. “Then a meaner reptile than the postmaster of Dead Line never crept over the face of the earth!” she exclaimed. The desperado laughed. “Oh! is that your estimate ov my pard? I'll tell him when we meet.” “And tell him, too, that [ hope his treason will go unrewarded, that the hatred of the waif of the Con- estoga shall forever follow him, and that the ven- eance of the betrayed will punish him one of these ys!’ “Is that all, Princess Pet?” The girl did not speak. “You're rayther hard on Clover Phil,’’ continued ‘Captain Clutch. ‘See hyer. You talk about ‘the vepmonnes ov the betrayed.’ Thet’ll never bother my Dead Line pard.” ‘Why not?” * Because before ther end ov five days from this thar will be no betrayed.” with a young girl from whose waist to | the lasso route,” laughed the ; warn’t beauties | remark, Princess,” chuckled the sent it ter ther “* handsomest man | What ef men call him | Se poey Clutch’s eyes exhibited a twinkle. “T can spare him if he does,’”’ he smiled, “You will have to spare him, then.” ‘What do you mean?” ‘* Wait and see.”’ “Tell me now /” demanded the Taos Tiger sudden- ly seizing the girl’s arm. ‘Do you mean that you will turn on Clover Phil—that you will avenge the destruction ov Dead Line?” ‘No. You have sworn vengeance on the pards of that mountain capital. There was a dweller there who was not a Dead Liner. He came to the place against his will. He—” “Ivan you mean?” interrupted Captain Clutch, The young girl’s eyes said ‘‘I do,’ ‘““A boy ag’in’ me an’ Clover Phil!” broke forth the mountain ruffian, and his coarse laugh awoke the echoes of the cavern. Princess Pet listened till her temples flushed and her cheeks burned. “He laughs best who laughs last, Captain Clutch,” she said. ‘* A boy you call him, but in the erd you shall find him a giant!” All at onée the laugher ceased, forthe whinny of a horse had reached his ears. With aglance at the girl, he suddenly deserted her and sprung toward the curtain of vines at the mouth of the underground retreat. “Comet hears something,’’ he said when he struck the gloom. Three minutes later a human figure rose in his path and a hand found his wrist in the darkness, “ve got nine ov ’em in a penfor you, cap’n,” said a voice, ‘ Ar’ yer six shooters loaded?” ‘Nine ov em?” he echoed. ‘ Good!” The informer was Clover Phil. CHAPTER XIV. COWED BY A LIE. THERE was no doubt of the postmaster’s treason now. He had brought the nine pards of Dead Line City to Captain Clutch, and had left them where the t.ger of Taos could shoot thei down without goss ; , Such an act was in keeping with Clover Phil’s character, oily, treacherous and full of villainy. Captain Clutch’s hands moved ceri toward the weapons in hs belt as he stepped forward and parted the curtain of vines that concealed from out- side observaiion the entrance to the cave, “Ning ov \:1”’ he was heard to repeat. * Jove! Clover }':!. you ar’ a pard worth havin’.” The Dea. Live: ss eyes glistened. ““When I sworo tcr help yer ter vengeance, cap- tain, [ meant every word ov my oath,” hesaid, ‘I couldn’t bring ellov ’em hyer. Thar war some who wouldn't hev followed me. hut the ones I did bring ar’ the worst whelps ov ther litter.”’ *“Come on, then, Show me whar you hey left the victims!” Side by side the two went up the mountain trail together. Clover Phil had not drawn his revolvers, as though he intended to let the man-tiger do all the shooting. He evidently thought he had done enough in bringing the nine pards to the man who had taken an oath to kill them all. Besides, he (Clover Phil) had not promised to shed their blood; that belonged to Captain Clutch. ““Whar’s the boy, Ivan?” asked the avenger as bey walked along. j “T don’t know. He wasin camp when you threw the fireball down among us an’ then dropped Slim Silas an’ Nugget Noll.” Captain Clutch stopped in his tracks and gave his companion a strange look. ** What fireball?”’ he asked. * Didn’t you throw one down inter camp while pF Po havin’ afew words with Red Scar Dave?” ‘No, “Then I'd like ter know who did.” came killed two men, eh?—two thet belonged ter me ” **Shot ’em dead in their boots.” The Taos Tiger grated his teeth till they seemed to | erack. “Didn’t you go up to see who did thet work, Clover?” he asked. “*T thought you did,” was the reply. “ Tharfore, I kept back. Ef it warn’t you, captain, mebbe it | | boys!’ cried the captain's cantar elevatin war thet Injun’s work.”’ “T settled him when—” Captain Clutch broke his own sentence like a man who sudtlenly discovers that he is trespassing on the domains of a secret. , He was on the eve of telling Clover Phil that Prin- cess Pet had fallen into his power, and this, perhaps, would not do, ‘“Never mind, Clover,” he suddenly continued. “1 will answer for that red-skin, Heis not in shoot- in’ condition just now.” “Then who shot the two pards in the light of the fireball?” ‘“ Let time answer thet.” A few rods further on Clover Phil halted Captain Clutch by touching his sleeve and whispered at his | tor of Dead Line had gui “Tf they’re all whar I left’em he’ll find some splendid targets,” said the postmaster to himself as he glided after Captain Clutch. es, resting on their horses in a little pen-like place surrounded by a natural barrier of rock, ana where Clover Phil had left them a few minutes be ae were the stalwart roughs of destroyed Dead ne. : Little did ey. dream that their leader and guide had brought them to that spot in order that the man he served could shoot them down in cold blood. We will not say that their lawless deeds did not deserve some terrible vengeance, but to be shot by a man like the desperado gliling upon them through the starlight—that was no justice at all. Catlike and with a pair of eyesin his head that flashed fire, Captain Clutch advanced step by step toward the rocks, He did not glance over his shoulder to see what had become of Clover Phil; he seemed to have lost all interest in that individual. When he halted he stood among the dense shad- ows thrown by the bowlders, and then he Jeaned forward until his breast touched the top of the pile. The sight that met his gaze, although he had par- tially prepared himself for it, almost drew an ex- clamation over his lips. He saw at first a confused lot of men and horses but presently he was unable to separate them, and his lips moved inaudibly as he counted thé gang. “T can’t see but eight an’ yet Clover said he fetched nine hyer,’’ he said to himself, and then, for fear of having made a mistake, he went over the lot again, ‘““Thar’s but eight. Th r ninth one may ‘ve prowl- in‘ around somewhar. I'll begin on what I have be- fore me. To-night somebody will know thet I heva’t forgotten the tragedy of Pistol Pocket!” He thrust his revolvers over the rock and covered the two men nearest his position. All unconscious of impending doom the pards of Dead Line faced the Taos Tiger. When Clover Phil left them the company consist- ed of nine, now Captain Clutch could count but eight, and the absence of the one seemed to worry hit not a little, Tf at the mement he thrust his deadly six-shooters into the faces of his enemies, he had gone back sev- eral yards and looked at a certain spot, he might have seen the missing man; but such a thought never occurred to him. Clover Phil was in his rear, and he ought to pro- tect him from foes in that direction. All at once the voice of the man-tiger sent a thrill bar the frames of the Dead Line pards. “Wake up an’ die, dogs ov Dead Line!” rung c‘early out on the mountain breeze. ‘ You’ve rid- den inter a pen ov death, an’ Captain Theobald, the Destroyer, holds yer lives at the muzzles of ‘his re- volvers! I shoot for Pistol Pocket. To perdition with the hounds thet gave it to the match!’ The last sentence ended in a wild cry for revenge, and the next second the flashes of the captain’s weapons showed his tigerish face, his glaring eye- bel to tne thunderstruck pards of the Colorado “Tt is my night!’ he yelled in thetr faces. ‘It is the doom of the Dead Line pards!”’ The foremost desperadoes tumbled backward over the haunches of their steeds, and the whole band seemed to reel at once from the deadly shots fired over the rocks. } But suddenly a man threw himself upon the Taos Tiger from behind—a man the captain’s equal in ss hon ue, courage and ferocity. ‘a dain Clutch felt his arms torn from their rest- ing-place on the natural breastwork, and suddenly pinioned at his sides, : He started back to combat his new foe, but just then he was dealt a blow that seemed to knock his head from his shoulders, “T guess we’ll turn the tables, cap’n,” said a voice at his ear, as his senses swam. ‘I’m one ov ther pards ov Dead Line—” ‘The ninth man!” flashed through the captain's mind as he interrupted the speaker with an oath, ** Bowlder Bill. the galoot who fired Pistol Pocket the night we cleaned it out! An’ now, cap’n, we'll see thet you shoot no more Dead Line pards arter to-night. I’ve got the boss tiger ov the sae ig 2 veice; and with yells, oaths and frantic cries of mad | agight, the toughs of Dead Line sprung from their | steeds and began to clamber over the stones, In another instant the Taos Tiger found himself | in the center of the maddest lot of men he had ever faced. : Behind the rocks in the “ } yh to which the trai- ded them, lay three stiff- — epee human figures, each with a bullet-hole between _ e eyes. Sel “Wal,” growled Captain Clutch, facing the bronzed crowd with the air of an unconquered des- perado, *‘ you’ve corraled. me, dogs of Dead Line, Ha! you know me, I’m Captain Theobald, the king- pin ov Pistol Pocket, the twin brother ov the man ie : “Do you think so?” ; “T know it!” And the man-tiger stepped sudden- + ly back and drew his ma cent brigandish figure ‘to its full bight. ‘‘The burnin’ ov Dead Line war only ther commencement. At ther end ov ther fifth day the pards oy thet den will be food for ther Col- ear: “We're gettin’ close to the corral, captain; this trail gives forth no sound, you perceive. Just be- at a heap of rocks stand the nine pards from “When?” aie” mp Vengeance.” “Right away! Tie his bands, pards. Thar’satreo _ “For me!” hissed the rufflan from Taos. ‘Let | somewhar nigh, thet spans the canyon. We'll let you hung thet night!”’ ued “Glad ov it, cap’n!”’ was the fierce response. Ps | ** We'll sarve you the same trick,” :
Page 13
him hang under it five minutes, an’ then shoot the rope in two!” ptain Clutch did not start at this merciless an- nouncement of his doom. He must have thought of the piece of lasso dang- ling at that moment from the tree-bridge, and of the man he had sent headlong to death down the dark- ened canyon. “Tie me, hang me!” he hissed, “Shoot off the rope en’ send Captain Theobald spivnin’ through the seven hundred feet ov space below thet tree, but know that it will only hasten yer ends.” ‘**Ho! ho! who’s goin’ ter avenge yer, cap’n?”’ laughed the Dead Liners. ** Live an’ see!” “By George! we'll run the risk!’ exclaimed Bowlder Bill, and seeing that the operation of tying the prisoner’s hands was complete, he gave the order to march to the tree. ““Mebbe. cap’n,” suddenly said one of the gang, ““mebbe you expect yer Injun pard ter avenge you. If you do, let me say that we'll take care of Velvet Foot, the Comanche. Dead Line gains a final vic- tory over Pistol Pocket to-night. Halt! hyer’s ther tree. Toss yer lasso round it, Bowlder Bill.” ‘* Thar’s a rope thar already.” * But it’s acut rope,” parted Captain Clutch’s lips. “Icut it an hour ago, an’ sent Red Scar Dave headlong down the canyon.” These words were greeted with ejaculations of astonishment, “ It's ther only service you ever did Dead Line, eap’n,”’ said Bowlder Bill “But it won’t save "y Did wm All right,” nonchalantly answered the Taos Tiger. ‘‘ Send me after Red Scar Dave, an’ twenty- four hours will see the end of every mother's son of T Bowlder Bill and his pards looked strangely at one another ‘Was it a threat backed by power to ‘stay? or the last stroke of a desperate man for life? “ Why don’t you go on with yer circus?” laughed the ruffiian captain. ‘‘ You stand there an’ look at one another like a perce ov cowards. I've only told ther truth. Twenty-four hours is ther limit if I foller Red Scar Dave.” A moment later the knife of Bowlder Bill ‘cut the captain’s cords. Go an’ wipe out Dead Line ef yer'kin. We give you another chance!” cried the deliverer. “Part an’ l-t the boss animile of the menagerie out, pards.” Though taken aback b. Dead Line pards step Taos Tiger through. He uttered no word of thanks, gave'them no look of gratitude, but clinched his hands and dashed madly up the mountaintrail. - **T scared ’em with a lie!” he laughed. CHAPTER XV. TIGERS REP AND ‘WHITE. Ix Captain Clutch had obtained ‘his deliverance by means of a futile threat whose success was a source of surprise to him, a still greater one awaited their leader’s action, the acide and :sullenly let the In his eagerness to gain the mountain cavern which he had left a short time before in company with Clover Phil, he looked neither to the right nor to the left for his friend. Dashing the vines aside he bounded into the darkened corridor, and pressed forward toward the main apartment. He landed in the apartment suddenly, and then awoke its echoes with a terrible malediction. The cave was Cr ged No longer stood before him the beautiful youn ereature whom he left at the end of a lasso whic the strength of a giant could not snap. What had become of Princess Pet? On the cavern floor lay a severed lasso, and the Taos Tiger snatched it ns and examined it closely. “Out with a knife!” he grated. “* By heavens! some one has been hyer. The girl herself could get no bowie. There was none in the den for her. Who has been hyer?”’ : The echo of his demand came back like a bitter derisive laugh which only increased his rage. All at once the truth flashed across his brain. “T know the thief!’ he cried. ‘Clover Phil, the l’s beauty has got away with you! I made youa raitor to your kind, an’ you’ye paid me back by turnin’ ki pepper Stand out of my way! I’ve been Captain Clutch to you all along; from this hour I am Captain Vengeance.” He went back to the corridor, and at the mouth of the cave made another discovery. His horse was missing. Another oath, and he sprung into the starlight with a cocked six-shooter in his hand. * To hunt you down first is my duty, Clover Phil fell from bis lips. ‘‘ After that I will make the pards of ruined Dead Line wish they had never seen the light of day! I don’t give a prize like Princess Pet up without a terrible fight.” He went down the trail as if he was going back to the spot where he had met and fought the Dead Line git: but he halted soon, and after a moment of self consultation turned aside into a bridle-path and disappeared. ‘‘ He'll take her back to camp, won’t he?’ he said to himself, ‘‘The pards don’t suspicion him, else they wouldn’t hev follered him hyer. Thar’s whar I'll find Prineess Pet, an’ thar, by Heaven! is whar Vl begin ter kill!” Daylizht was lighting the eastern horizon when a map, majestic in physical a ance, appeared on the spur of a mountain which overlooked the camp of the Dead Line pards, ; ? | Oo Although there were plainly visible evidences that he had traveled afoot over rough ways the greater part of the night, he still looked fresh, and the eagle eyes that shone in his head gazed searchingly down the mountain, He saw the little camp that lay hundreds of feet beneath his lofty position, too far below him to dis- tinguish its tenants with the naked eye; but he knew that it must contain the men he hated, for he was Captain Clutch, they the pards of Dead Line. ‘Look out, the eagle is hyer!’? he exclaimed, “Over yonder lie the black ruins ov yer town, an’ when I leave Camp Vengeance, as you call your new nest, it will be in no better condition.” He stepped back, looked carefully to the heavy revolvers that lifted their heads above his belt, and then went down the winding trail. The descent could not be accomplished in a few minutes; it was the work of an hour, and when, at the end of that period of time, Captain Clutch stood on a level with the camp of the burned-out Dead Liners, the sun had risen far above the eastern rim as was mounting zenithward through a cloudless sky. Step by step Captain Clutch crept down the rugged gorge at whose mouth the Dead Line pards had taken up their abode. He hugged the wall that was in shadow, and all the time my his fingers at the triggers of his wea- pons while his glances shot ahead for a sight of the men he hated. When he halted it was to straighten his figure and to crane his neck forward. He was at the edge of Camp Ven nce, He saw the few things the Teed Liners had saved from the flames but no buman figure met his gaze. ‘* Blamed ef the old place isn't as silent as a sep- ulcher,”” murmured Captain Clutch. ‘‘Something’s happened hyer, too. Mebbe the birds hev taken wings an’ left the kentry.”’ In no good humor he advanced again a few steps, and suddenly discovered the cause of the stillness, The camp was not entirely deserted although he was the only living tenant. The figures of four men lay on the ground, and the right hand of each was bandaged. aan Clutch’s eyes glittered while he regarded em *They’re the chaps I winged,” he ejaculated. “The pards ov Dead Line have disagreed amon themselves. Thar lie four galoots I will never ge ter settle with, but I will settle with the pistols thet wiped them out. I’m too late. I stand in Camp Ven- geance, but it holds only four men an’ their toes ar’ turned skyward. Clover Phil might hev fetched the girl hyer, but he isn’t hyer now.’ The pause of the Taos Tiger was abrupt. It galled him to think that he had reached Dead Liner’s camp to find it tenanted only by the dead. ‘*T’}l let somebody know I’ve been hyer,” he said. ‘Though I didn’t Pp the four pards, I'll write my autograph across their faces, so thet when their friends come back they’ll know that Colorado still contains the boss tiger of the cage!” He whipped out a ten-inch bowie and walked to where the dead men layin the positions in which they had tumbled when struck by tLe deadly bullets of the border. “PH just leave my mark with ye, boys,” he laughed, and quick asa flash he drew the keen point of the bowie across the face of the one nearest him. “Thar! Yer mother wouldn't know you!” And he stepped back and contemplated his work with a grin. Again he moter and gashed the fixed features of the second Dead Liner, but ere he could repeat the insult on the face of the third, a yell that made the orge resound sounded in his ear and a well thrown asso dropped over his head! It was the work of a second for Captain Clutch to leap up from his employment with a yell of rage. ‘*Lassoed, but not for keeps!’ he roared. “ No- body holds the Taos Tiger with a rope,” and in the flight of a second his yellow hands tore off the noose even before it tightened, and the next moment he thrust forward the deadliest revolvers in Colorado. The lassoer was completely taken aback. He stood not more than thirty feet. from Captain Clutch, amazed at the man-tiger’s agility. ““Confound you! I thought I had finished you!” wled the desperado. ‘‘ How often must an injun e shot before he tosses in his checks? But I’ve got rou now, Comanche. You've trailed me a long ime an’ Ive put up with it because I didn’t want ter dirty my hands with you. Now I’llshoot to kill.” He went forward in a quick bound as he shot out the last sentence, but all at once the red-skin reeled away with a wild cry and fell before Captain Clutch could press the trigger. “What does thet mean?” queried the Taos Tiger. “Tt may be a fortunate stroke ov apoplexy for yer, Velvet Foot. If you're foolin’ me, woe to the day thet brought ye into the world!” Three strides took him to the spot where the In- dian detective had fallen. “Dead! by Jove!” exclaimed the Taos Tiger, look- ing down into the face of the Comanche. ‘‘I finished him after all when I shot, but he held out till he had Jassoed me, an’ his failure snapped the thread ov Still, to fully satisfy himself he stooped and put his left hand on the Indian’s breast. “T war right. The Comanche dog is dead!” Dead ?—no; a cool man’s trick. Allat once the body of the red-skin seemed to leap up at the ruffian avenger, a pair of long red arms went round his neck, and before the man-tiger could comprehend the sudden change, he was drawn downward into the clutches of his Indian tracker! In vain he struggled. Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. >: A hand caught at his throat and as the fingers seemed to meet behind his windpipe, a voice hissed in his ear: * Velvet Foot is at the end of his trail!’ CHAPTER XVI. IVAN’S NEW ALLY, 7 Tre sun reached the meridian and sloped toward the west, the shadows of the mountain peaks length- ened once more, aud the winds that stir as the day wanes moved the boughs of bush and tree. “What’s the use of waiting longer for him?” said a young man who sat on the back of a horse on a trail walled with masses of dark-gray stone. ‘‘ He has died somewhere, therefore he will not ceme back. I knew that the Indian detective could not recover from the wound he carried in his breast, that it was sapping his life and that despite his: assertion that he would live till he had found Cap tain Clutch, he would die suddenly, and without a sign. I have waited long enough for him. He started out to find Pet’s trail. He has left me. F. must find it myself.” These words of course fell from Ivan’s lips. The young Mazeppa of Colorado was a long dis- tance from Camp Vengeance, and he did not think that Velvet Foot the Comanche had traveled back to the spot. ; “Yes, [ will find the girl alone and unaided,” he went on in determined tones, ‘‘I will never ask the Indian to assist me. And I trust that I may find the Taos Tiger also.” He urged his steed into a Relop and left the spot, but ten minutes later he guided him quickly to one side of the trail and drew 9, revolver as he leaned forward and held his breath. ‘*We've lost Clover Phil, but what ov thet?” laughed a coarse voice which Ivan seemed to recog- nize, for at sound of it he started. ‘We'll git another ef we reed one,” was the quick answer. ‘‘We war fools for lettin’ up on Cap’n Theobald when we had ‘im in our clutches. He'll turn on us for it, an’ open his shootin’ batteries: with killin’ effect.” : “Let im try!” growled a third party sas as seveti or eight swarthy horscmen came in sight, ‘I took upon myself the responsibility ov settin’ the boss tiger at liberty. I want ter find out who his pards ar “Tf we hed hanged him first, Bowlder Bill—” “Hanged thunder!” was the interruption, and the, speaker drew rein suddenly and turned upon the rowling dissatisfied crowd at his back. “If you don’t like what I did say so, an’ we'll separate.. Spit it out!” “We don’t like it; thar!” “‘Thet’s bizness. Nowride on. We've dissolved ardnership. Go back ter Camp Vengeance er hunt ‘aptain Clutch an’ get yer fill ov him, just as you like. l’ve had enough ov this kentry, anyhow. Thar’s a bonanza somewhar for Bowlder Bill, ov Dead Line City, an’ he hunts for it from this hour.’’ The long arm of the Colorado rough pointed toward distan® Camp Vengeance, and a firm resolve to } art from his companions scttled in his eyes. The toughs of the mountain looked at one another, but did not speak. “Go!” Thundered Bowlder Bill, ‘‘ We've been long enough together anyhow. Iwill be no men’s leader ef I can’t do as Iplease. Go back ter yer bonanzas if you have any. I'll go to mine!” ‘By thunder! go we will,” growled one of the gang. ‘*‘Good-by, Bowlder Bill.” The forward rough made no Shad ge and his arm still outstretched did not drop at his side until the last Dead Liner had ridden by. Ivan unseen among the bushes at the side of the trail witnessed this parting. Curiosity filled his heart. Those men had had Captain Clutch in their power and Bowlder Bill had rescued him. ‘*He must tell me about the Taos Tiger,” said Ivan to himself. ‘‘He may know Peserbins, oe about Princess Pet. I know him well. We were never enemies although, during my long stay in Dead Line City, we never became friends.” The next in t the voice of the youth made Bowlder Bill turn his head, and an exclamation of astonishment parted his lips. Ivan urged his steed upon the trail, and before he woke again he was in arm’s reach of the Dead iner. ‘** Where is Captain Theobald?” he asked. ‘Do you want him real bad?’ And a smile flitted across the desperado’s face. ‘*T am hunting him.” “To give him the dead drop on ye?” “Pl risk that. Tell me where you left the Taos Tiger. J know that you had him in your power, but I do not know why you let him go. I don’t want him particularty to shed his blood. I am on the trail of a dear friend.” “The girl, eh?” “ Princess Pet.” The eyes of Bowlder Bill seemed to twinkle with eagerness ‘Do you know, Ivan, thatyou’ve got a bad rival?” ke said. “ ear ‘ ” “ Couldn’t you guess “Red Scar Dave » ld The Dead Liner laughed. ‘Noman is a danger- ous rival who falls seven hundred feet through un- filtered starlight,” he said. ‘‘I mean Clover Phil.” “T know that, but I’m not afraid of the outcome if Pet has to choose between heandI. Where is Clover Phil?” “Ha! got on thet trail hev ye?” Bhaed Powlder Bill. ‘‘A minute ago ye war inquirin’ arter Cap’n Theobald, now it’s Clover Phil. ée left us last night ter reconnoiter an’ thet’s the last we've seen ov him,
Page 14
14 ET IEE 2 nel Ta a lS Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, Ten minutes arter he left us Cap’n Theobald came an’ opened on the boys. Warn’t it singular?” **No,”’ answered the youth. ‘ It was according to PA programme Clover Phil is the traitor of Dead ine. Lowlder Bill did not start as the youth expected he would, his countenance did not change. **T thought you would think it singular,” he merely said. ‘It didn’t take me by surprise. If I warn't goin’ off ter look up the bonanza I’ve got somewhar, I'd take a turn arter Clover Phil. But you want capes Clutch, don’t you, Ivan?”’ . res , “Por what?’ *“T left Pet with him.” ““The deuce you did!” ejaculated Bowlder Bill. *“Thet puts another face on the matter. We've ee been great friends, hev we, Ivan?” ‘ 0.” “Talways looked upon you as a curse ter Dead Line. Arter thet Injin hoss brought yer inter camp, we begun ter hev bad luck, I used ter think thet you brought it ter Dead Line, an’ more’n half ov ther boys got cy ther same opinion. We couldn't hey become pards; it warn’t in the nature ov things.” “Allright,” laughedIvan. “If there can be no love between us, I will do nothing to stir up hatred. I’ve had enemies enovgh in my time, I want no more. Let me find Princess Pet alive, and I will turn my faee forever from the mountain camps of Colorado."’ * What do you know about thet girl, boy?” Bowlder Bill leaned forward with eagerness de- picted on his countenance as he put the question. * She war found in a Conestoga whose hosses an’ driver had been arrered by the Comanches,’ he went on. “J used ter look at her an’ imagine that she resembled a sister I hed when I war a boy. But she didn’t recollect her mother’s name, though I asked her a thousand times,”’ *“ But I know what it was,’ said Ivan, not lived in Dead Line for nothing. Ihave discoy- ered Pet’s mother. Her father was killed when the Indians chased the wagon, but the horses got away with it afterward, to drop dead from arrow wounds, and the girl was left‘to her fate. I have corres ponded witb the mother. I used to write letters to er and put them under the big bowlder near Devd Line, where they would beefound by a secret agent in heremploy. I did not know for a long time that Clover Phil was using that same bowlder—the other side of it—to communicate with Captain Cluteh.” ‘But what war Pet’s mother’s maiden name?” asked Bowlder Bill. ‘* Yousee you’ve made me just ther least bit anxious. It’s no secret now, I suppose.” * No, though I’ve kept it diligently from Princess Pet for a purpose which might appear selfish. I wanted to gain her love first—” “But the name!” * It is Manderson.” The roucgh of Dead Line started back with an ejaculation. ‘*Alice Manderson, my favorite sister!” he ex- claimed, and then darting forward his hand closed onIvan’s arm. “ You wouldn't lie to Bowlder Bill on such a subject as this! no, no! Princess Pet is Alice’s child! Hooray! The bonanza can go to thunder for the time bein’! Hyer! turn yer hoss’s head about. Ef you brought bad luck ter Dead Line you’ve more’n made up far it by tellin’ me who ther waif ov ther Conestoga is! About face, I say. If Princess Pet is in Cap’n Theobald's grip we'll wrench her away, an’ Clover Phil, ther traitor, will never win the game he’s been playin’! Hooray! I feel like a mornin’ star! Bowlder Pill will make a red trail over these everlasting hills ef anybody op- poses his hunt!” Ivan could not but stare at the excited man. “T had Velvet Foot with me on the trail, but he left me suddenly,” he said. *Thet Injun? He’s been called a red detective, Do you know why, Ivan?’’ “Not exactly, He hates Captain Clvtch; he has trailed him for years for a purpose, I know not what, \But Velvet foot isdead. The captain’s bui- let has done its work ere this,” “Then let us find the girl. We can b®@ friends now. I feel like a mornin’ star, [say. An’ Alice is alive! Hooray!” And up went Bowidet Bill’s sombrero to- ward the sky. The next second the mountain echoes were again awakened by the ringing report of a fire-arm and the hat dropped over the Dead Liner’s hand pierced by a bullet! “Fancy shootin’ by a fool, Ivan! Look at thet!” cried Bowlder Bill holding up the perforated som- brero to the astonished youth’s gaze. *“* Thet means I calkerlate, that | maybe thankful thet my head warn’t inside.” He put the hat on as he concluded, and coolly turned toward that part ot the mountain fron whence the bullet had come. He seemed to know who had fired the shot, but he said poueg. “They think they kin win with the hand they hold,” he sent back overhis shoulder toIvan ‘yho was close behind. ‘The pards hev gone back ter Camp Vengeance ter fight like wolves among, them- selves. They had it rough-and-tumble thar last night and four died with their boots on. ‘oller me close, Ivan, I never waste powder shootin’ tossed- up hats, Pet is Alice’s child. Hooray! The mountain sent back in echoes Bowlder Bill’s doud shout. **T have CHAPTER XVII, THE END OF IT ALL. At the close of a previous cha reader in the belief that Princess we left the ‘ev, che waif of a a ee ee ee ee ee ee ee the Conestoga had changed masters, that is that she | had fallen into the power of a new admirer. This was true, and Captain Clutch hit the mark whep he essed that Ciover Phil bis pard and traitor had visited the cavern in the mountain-side, and ey faite it of its beautiful tenant. But Clover Phil had not gone back to Camp Ven- | geance, He was too shrewd to take the girl back to the | place he had betrayed, too cunning to return to the } pards of Dead Line, where he was liable to be treated | as the Taos Tiger’s spy. He knew that Red Scar Dave, his formidable rival, | had perished at the instance of Captain Clutch, but there still remained one who was likely to give him | serious trouble before he could call himself the per- | manent victor. poh was the existence of Ivan that irritated Clover iil. While he lived, Princess Pet would be searched for, and the young Mazeppa was likely to give him a good deal of trouble. One hour efter the sending of the bullet through Bowlder Bill’s sombrero, a man raised himself in his stirrups and cocked two heavy revolvers which he carried at his side. The sun had just gone down on another eventful day, but darkness had not yet followed the descent, a ps pe man on the horse could see some distance ahead, “I heard a horse an’ no mistake,” he said to him- self. ‘‘1t was comin’ this way a moment ago. Thar it goes ag’in! Now, when it comes round yon bend in the trail, Pl n ake his rider throw up his hands quicker’n he kin say ‘Jack Robinson.’ ” He raised the revolvers, covered a certain spot, and waited on, All at once a horse came into view and the next moment the stern ‘‘ Halt! hands up!’’ rung out dis- tinct oy “Hands up, yerself!’’ was the unexpected re- sponse from behind the person halted. “I’ve got the drop on ye, Clover Phii. Drop yer shooters am’ toss up yerhands. An’ be thunderin’ spry about it!” The answer was a pistol-shot by the man who | had issued the first command, and the foremost of | the two horsemen reeled, but kept his saddle. “This is no hat-shootin’ circus!” exclaimed a loud voice, and at the crack of the next revolver Clover Phil dropped one weapon, clutched the lines, and turning his steed’s head, drove the spurs deep into his flanks, “Tl capture the Dead Line traitor, Ivan!’ And away went the speaker past the youth whose face had suddenly grown white as he clung to his seat in the saddle. Ina minute the two men disappeared, and Ivan heard their horses’ hoofs in the gathering dusk. “We found Clover Phil where we least expected, to,” he said. ‘‘He was alone. If he has captured Princess Pet he must have left her somewhere, Let me see, Is there a cavern near by?”’ The youth moved his hand across his forehead as if to collect his thought. He knew the mountains that surrounded him, his Fides oop excursions from Dead Line had familiar- ized him with them, and there were few celebrated places he did not know. But now he could think of none, though he racked his brain fill the labor brought on a pain. Suddenly there rung out on the air behind hima. | shot and then a wild ery, like a woman’s shriek for assistance. “It is Princess Pet!"’ he cried wheeling about, and | just in time to see a frantic horse dash in sight, fol- | owed by another from whose saddle a man leaned with hand outstretched. i Ivan saw in a moment that there was to be a col- sion, The foremost horse which carried a young girl was almost meow him, and the second was not twen- ty feet behind. The trail was narrow and walled by steep rocks, so that Ivan had not room to turn aside and let the flying horses pass, He ground his teeth as his eyes flashed. “VI end it all right here,” he said. | The words had scarcely left his lips ere crash / the | horses came together; and the fair rider, who went over the head of one, landed in lvan's arms as he was forced from his own saddle. He struck the solid earth half-stunned by the shock, and staggered against the rocky wall. “You alive yet?’ hissed the waif’s pursuer, who | had barely missed the collision by good horseman- ship, ‘Stand where you ar’, and drop the beauty | ov the mountains!” Ivan’s response was a defiant look, and his right arm tigatened around the girl’s waist. ; ‘Look inter thet an’ take a minute for your dec!l- sion!” And the revolver thrust forward by the des- p*rado covered the youth’s head. **1 give Princess Pet up to no traitor!” was the fearless answer. ‘‘ Clover Phil, you can’t have the old Conestoga’s waif!’’ ‘“*Can’t, eh? I'll whisper three for you, Ivan. At the sound of the last number, if she isn't where I can reach her, I'll paint the gorge’s wall with your | brains!’ “Count till you’re out of breath! You sha’n’t have the girl, ’ll kill her first!” “You will? I guess not,my young wolf. Now make up yer mind; I mean business, Off I go. One —two—three! Shall she be mine?’ Ivan drew closer to the wall, **No!” he cried, Clover Phil's brow darkened and his eyes snapped } with new rage. | “Then, by Heavens, I'll lousen your grip with the | pistol!” was the hissed rejoinder. In another second there came a ringing shot, but it was not the postmaster’s revolver which had spoken. , : Dean saw Clover Phil’s horse bound from under him; he saw, too, the Tiger’s pard throw up his dark-brown hands, and he fell to the ground and lay quivering where Pet's feet touched the trail. All this in a second of time. The young Mazeppa turned his head to see his | deliverer, and to bear a voice he had heard before. “Hooray! Thisis what I call the nick of time!” exclaimed the individual who rushed forward and without tre least ceremony snatched the half-sense- less girl from Ivan’s arms, and held her at arm’s length. ‘It’s worth ten years ov life ter hold Alice’s child in my arms!”’ he went on. ‘Il always said she looked like my pet sister, but she couldn’t tell me anything. Thet galcot thar hed ther drop on yer, eh, Ivan?” and Bowlder Bill spurncd Clover Phil’s corpse with his boot. ‘‘He nearly got away from me arter all, Tcok a short turn on me an’ came back hyer an’ picked the girl up. Somehow or other she gave him ae slip an’ he shot arter her, ter scare her, I guess. He didn’t know thet I war comin’ u behind. Wal, isn’t she a beauty? She’s got Alice’s eyes an’ hair. She’s the Jim dandiest critter in Col- orado. Hooray!” Ivan saw Princess Pet recover to shrink from the swarthy tough of Dead Line. She had seen him a thousand times, but now she could not believe him a friend, much less look upon him as a relative. But a few words from Ivan’s lips told all, and she held out her hand and thanked Bowlder Bill for the deliverance. “Td like ter know. why thet Comanche hunted Cap’n Clutch,” remarked the tough, ‘You say he deserted you last night?” “Yes. He must have died somewhere. ried a terrible wound in his breast.” “T’ve known Injunster hev as many lives as cats,” said Bowlder Bill. ‘ Let’s take the back trail an’ hunt Velvet Foot up. We'll find him somewhar.” ‘I’m with you,” replied the youth. “I, too, want his secret.” He car- Again the sun had risen and was making his way toward the meridian when Bowlder Bill and Ivan, w' ose wound was slight and did not trouble him, rode into the gorge that received the Dead Liners after the destruction of their mountain “city.” The stillness of death hovered above the place, and the two men, glancing skyward, saw dark ob- jects moving under the cerulean cancpy. Well did they know that the Colorado vultures were hovering over a feast of some kind. é Pressing onward, with ready fingers at easy trig- gers, they entered Camp Vengeance. It had rained the night before, and water stood here and there in little pools, The camp was apparently deserted, as if the mountain pards had taken up their march for other places; not one was there to welcome the two trail- ers. But allat once they came upon two human figures locked in one another’s embraces. They were dead, “Captain Clutch!” cried Ivan, springing back from the glassy stare of a pair of eyes that confr- nt- ed him. “Velvet Foot!’ exclaimed Bowlder Bill. ‘ But look at that Injun’sface, It is half white, Ivan—” The boy uttered,another ejaculation of surprise and then stooped trembling over the dead men. * Great heavens! Velvet Foot was a white man!” he said, looking up into Bowlder Bill's face. ‘He played the Indian to perfection. I would have sworn that he was a true Comanche, but he has deceived us all. His secret has perished with him, but his trail ended where he found Captain Clutch.” ** Mebbe his secret kin be found for all,” said Bill, “ Rip open his belt to begin with.” Ivan went. to work with bis knife and brought to view a folded piece of paper which had nestled many years where it was found. : ““'Thet’s ther secret,”’ said Bowlder Bill. Ivan said nothing, but quietly unfolded the paper and began to master its contents, When he had done so thoroughly, he turned and fixed his eyes on the red detective, and then knelt beside the body. A “ He’s and somebody that knew him,” whis- pered Bowlder Bill to himself. When the youth rose, he began to make prepar- ations for burying Velvet Foot, and half an hour later he named from a mountain grave with a sigh. ‘“You needn't tell me who Velvet Foot was,” said Bowlder Bill, ‘‘I know. And the youth looked up into the sport’s face and answered: “Yes; he was my father.” A week later, Bowlder Bill read the paper found in the belt for himself. Then he knew that Velvet_Foot was a white man who had cause to hate the Taos Tiger; that Captain Clutch had robbed him of a son; that he had caused that boy to become a young Mazeppa; that he had ersonated a brave of the Comanche nation and fol- owed the man-tiger from trail to trail to find Ivan at last, and to reach the end of his hunt at the des- perado’s throat, : ; Not long after the ghastly discovery in Camp Ven- geance, Princess Pet was restored to her mother, and Bowlder Bill having tarried awhile with his new- found sister. set out in ss of the bonanza, which he averred was ‘‘somewhar, The mountain pards who escaped Captain Clutch’s vengeance never rebuilt Dead Line, but sought new uarters and and Princess Pet, as man and wife, took up their abode in Denver. THE END. played other red dramas, while Ivan -
Page 15
a] te y ry _ rt) ~ ie es - ane *. eee BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer 175 Capram Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask}; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vompires. B88 A Tough Boy 3 or, The Dwart’s Revenge. : 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 3 or, Cauglt in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race for « Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches 3; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A ‘Tale of the wlines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. S(T Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, BY OAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cats or, The Witch of Darien, 29 The Dumb ages or, The Doge’s Daughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco, 1 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coftin’s Craim to the Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoutnss or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The piger Tamer} or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 805 California Joe’s War Trall. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky's ** Boyees 3” or, Benito, the Young Horse reaker, 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, B07 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. $18 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo}; or, The Tarantula of Taos, 827 Creeping Cat, the Caddo} or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. B49 Wild Wolf’ or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, B57 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. ‘864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. B75 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. $81 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. $92 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Stary or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY EDWARD WILLETT. {99 Peete’ stalite the Dey Chad Muskingom, entherweight, the Boy Champion of the Muaktn 228 Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight ‘Mince the Outlaws, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, % Feurless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville, 811 The Rovi Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck S22 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta. 640 Clip, the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY J, ©. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Yoars Dead, 420 ft Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Withom » ame. 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, : 439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle, 524 The Engineer Detectives 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diflikilty.” BY JO PIERCE, 897 Bob o' the Bowery 3 or, The Prince pi beog 4 ga 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Hotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Kerryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil, 509 Jack Ja mers, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte, pee EE ahs Nat, ue ie Dethciive, = : en e@xy the e ofthe Sixth Ward, S41 yur Flicker, the Stable Boy Deteetive. ; BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, azo pores Kentucky or, The Red Lasso. Blizzard RB Th Josh, the Boy Tenderfuot a BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. zs Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chiefs Venge: 7 The Land Pi ri ty iat Re Tielptene fan or, The League of Devil’s Island. 289 The Géld-sceker Guldes on The Lad ea, BY MAJOR HENRY Bk. STODDARD, E£x-8cout. - 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards, $46 Rapier Raphael; or, Th BOE Plone Wit tk Dany af an of Zarate Soe Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. i ry Mod Man-H{unter;: or,’ The Mystery of Goldens 605 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, 89 Island Jim; or, The Pet of the Famil 1T Captain of the Clubs or. The Rival Athletes, ack Harkav'ay in New fork. EADLE’S» HALF Published livery Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers, * “ i“ 4 ri oat] in “, * > haw S _ I | BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Gir 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer, ZY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 268 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, ‘he Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. A498 Taos Ted, toe Arizony Sport. 610 Cool Colorado, the Hali-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rocks the Man from Texas, 90 ‘The Drend Rider; o1, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angal 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Mandy; or, Dandy Rock to the Resens, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The | aunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPT, J. I. 0. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glasa- Bye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiffles’s Pets or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of thy Yellowatona 70 Old Zip’ Cabin g or, The Greenhorn in the Wooda, 81 Lichtning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buekram sy or, Bess, the Memale Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Wis Petay or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-house Liges or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human Thunderbolt, BY ROGER STARBUOK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter, 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon: or, Lost Among the Floes, 848 Fire-Heela: or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Wie Worn Ike, the Hill Tramp} or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-house, Btw Jaher Ben, the Reef-Runner, BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke} or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Franky or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion ofthe Sea}; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond ; or, The Gambler’s Big Game, BY HARRY 8T. GEORGE, 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattling Rube; ov, The Nichthawks of Kentucky, 59 Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy Ellis’s oe 108 Daring Davy ; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf, 166 Hickory escape or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, 172 Thunderbolt Tomy; or, the Wolf-Herder. BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home, 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas, BY ©, DUNNING OLARK. 185 Captain Paul 4 or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Rajah: or, The Fate of the Black Sheree. BY GEORGE O, JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney, the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge, 518 The Demon Doctor. BY CAPT. ALFRED R, TAYLOR, U. 8. A, 191 Ruffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or “The Boomed rteen, 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES FE. LASALLE. 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest, BY JOHN J. MARSNALL. 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American, : 87 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes. BY WM. G PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed 519 Captain Myatery ; or, Five in One. Rock. 1 ay Dare, the Sport from Denver. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 838 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Qu: 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” B71 Kingbolt, Obras, the Young Hara-Shall Dentskoe aria, the Young Hard-Shell De B80 Avalanche Alf, the Foothilis Guire, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mount.in Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, a bd Hiern; Trenpes. eth ones or, The Captives ort 10 Nat Todd or, The Fate of the dinos Cone 21 The Frontier Angel. , 98 The Boy Miners: or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Munted Hunter; or, The Strange H 254 The Walf-Bloods or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The H=ge Hunter ; or, The Steam Prairie Maz. “BY MAJOR LEWIS W. OARSON. 27S The Three Trappe Th cin Monster. 288 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirteot the Hite babi ITO: COTE UNLES -DIMEs LIBR - a 3 a> : de Ea AL BES Se a es A at 7 eae he ve Pa . v2, 2 - 1 perrie gy ARY. BY W. J. WAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood} or, The Twelve Avengess 66 Single Mandy or, A Life fora Life, 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop, BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. CHD Tine Baw Rrecresss or, The Boy Shipp BY FRANK DUMOGNY, 390 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Myxaar, 327 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of Rogay 02 171 Ebony Dan, or, The Riva) Leagues. 185 Evil Eye} or, The Vultures of the Rio Grands, BY LIEUT. H. D. PERRY, U. 8S, Ny 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bag. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept, 192 Captain Kits or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY HARRY WAZARD, 828 Arkansaaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin Toms; or, The Demon’s Trall, ‘842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outless, BY COL, A. fF. MOLT, 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyeu: 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. A485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot ot the Woods. BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Lack, 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow BY FREDERICK DEWEY, 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shota, A478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. $42 The Canyon Pards, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Red emd Frederick Whittaker, 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Ilustrations,) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, 22 pa Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Jeane ow is ue 88 The Ocean Bloodhound, or, The Red Pirates of / Carribews, By S, W, Pierve, 86 ts Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arona, By Frank le nn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp, By Avobie + trons, \ 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebootere BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publiabera, . 98 William Street, New Fert’
Page 16
” ' i The Ne priate: Ss, BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME«[ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Defiance, 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wilda Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha on} or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5&< Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or. Calamity Jane, the Heroine. %7z Corduroy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Dendwood Dick as Detective. 129 mennwees Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. Blonde Bills or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, 149 A Game of Goldy or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked <a 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream ;, or, The Rivuls of the Roa 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture. Sugar-Coated Sam}; or, The Black Gown. Gold-Dust Dick, A Romance of Rough: and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Deadwood Dick’s Dozen ; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, 847 Deadwood Dick's Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, Deadwood Dick’s Claims; or, The Fairy Face of Faro 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Care,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, ot Shasta; or, Dendwood Dick Jr’s Full 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jx’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dic’ Jr’s 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood. Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwe 496 Monte Criato, Jr.t or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Digginuss or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. e 15 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee, 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three, 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Te 201 The Black Mills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. Deadwood Dick’s Divide ; or, The Spir.t of Swamp Lake. Oregon, 821 ings. 862 Flats, Porter. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Hand, Claim 471 Dog Detective. 491 { Dick Jr’a Compact. aoe Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks, xaa. 644 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Woof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Hob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miners or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Wateh-Eye 4 or, Arabs und Angels of a Great City. 118 Jack Hoyle _ the Young Speculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport, 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. TBS Kosa ob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boas Job. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada: or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the rail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret, 248 Sierra Sum’s Secret} or, The Bloody Footprints 258 Sterra Sam’s Pard 3 or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Saim’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joey the Koy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. Denver Doll’« Drift; or, The Road Queen. A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, "Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, Kelley, Uickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, Little Qu! ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, Kangaroo Kit; or, Tho Mysterious Miner, Kangaroo Kit’ Racket. Manhattan Mike, tho Bowery Blood. First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher, ne dim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of 8. Yreka Jim’s Prize. Nabob Nedy3 or, The Secret of Slab City. Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 97 Bieycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 94 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabaldes, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seualskin Sam, the Sparkier. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F, Cody). 8 Kanens Kings or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, ‘Il he Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Rehnaa Seeut, 68 Border Robin Hoody; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frenk of Colorado} or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRANAM, ? The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Kop, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk i or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dwellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Ben-Devil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captains or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume}; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy 3; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer j or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 a Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland, 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Marie Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.” 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirave’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Hilly Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Bemto, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Donble. 814 fan Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indlan Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WAI, the Boy Phantom, 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Consptrator ; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgent} or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Maphazard Marry or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Wills or, The Boy Ferret of New York, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster, 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard, 488 Ferrets Afloats or, Wizard WII\’s Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman, 5611 The Outlawed Middy. 5620 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue skin Rovers, 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Ria. 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 152 Black Weas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, 2 Will Wildfire in the Wooda, Billy Baggaye. the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wilifire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New. York, Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hand} or, Wi!! Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers, 89 Rob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed 3; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Biack Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charceal the Premium Darky. 2435 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy, 242 The Two ** Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and Hie Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trall, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim's Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, A479 Detective Dodge}; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman j or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. 6 6 z z z 8 s ks Neoeon BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Wurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam $¢ or, The King of the Plains, 186 Night-Ilawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport, 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. 855 The King of the Woods: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, ths Young Ranger Spy. v4 Howk-ero Harry the Young Trapper Repger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Murricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Sonne Outlaw Honters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Diaguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Rangen 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter, 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy aPe 800 The Sky Demon; or, Ra pbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big bing ow Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. Fredy or, Old Polar Saul. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 776. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littly Hunter. 47 Nightingale N at} or, Tne Forest py see 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tr. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight J ack or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 28 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 89 Judge Lynch, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. 55 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 69 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 88 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 98 Arkansaw ; or, The Quen ot Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolle, the King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckekin Detective. 27M Old Winchs or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany; or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa. B02 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bull» 816 Old Eclipse, Tromp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or. The Terror o! Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitilesa Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, 856 Oool Sam und Par’ s o- The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B86 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Brecuneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Robs or, The win Champions of Blue Blases, All The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, he New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt, 477 The Excelator Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. tt} nox and Faleese ms Bowery suadgvess 5 olger ek, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. J the Chaparral Cock. By Lieut. A. K. Sima. Bae Sante a) eh A Good Man Down. By P. S. Warne. 548 Mart, the Wiehe Express Detective. By J. C. Cowdrick. RAD Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. By E. L. Wheeler. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or- The Avenging Son. By Col. Prentle» B51 Ioerenvottle, the Boy Shadow. By Jo Pierce. i 1, the Athlete. By David Druid. a Pier Dick’s Desperate Case. By T. C, Harbaugh, 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, By E. L. Wheeler. 555 The Creole Corsair. By Col. Prenties Ingraham. B56 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. By Philip S. Warne. bb? Broadway Billy’s Death Racket. By J. C. Cowdriek. 55S The Sure-Shot Pardsa. By Arthur C. Grisson. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. By Col. P. Ingraham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston. By Edward L. Wheeler. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. By Ol] Coomes, &68 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. By T. C. Har augh. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. By John W. Osbon. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. By Charles Mozris* 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, Bv Edward L. Wheeler. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, By Jo Pierce. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Ready June 26. 571 Air-Line Luke, the Young Engineer. By J. C. Cowdrick, Ready July 3. B72 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. By E. L. Wheeler. Ready July 10. A New Issue Every Tuesday. 1f-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five Bed as or pre by mail i receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, oe