Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 392) (1885 01 27)
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” Reo, NS USE, —-- = 7 4e i 2, eee SSNs ' | nt ‘htt! i lal 2. $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyrighted In 1885, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. January 27, 1885. VT Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, Vol. x ’ I. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 392. CHAPTER I. A SKELETON AT THE FEAST. Bancrorr Rancw, situated ina bend of the Rio Medina, five miles east of the Bandera Hills and oer miles west of Castroville—the latter a mere collection of ranches a quarter of a cen- tury ago—was owned by Benjamin Bancroft, a true type of the old Southern gentleman of his day. He was also the owner of quite a large stock , y of cattle, horses, mules, and sheep, these last ee SN Sieh eR ' xs being herded by Mexicans in the Bandera Hills, S Zea —. : — who encamped the greater portion of the time : ‘ with the flocks. There were six cowboys, Marker Mose being the chief, and three vaqueros, whose principal duty it was to look after the horses and mules. Old Ben Bancroft, as the ranchero was called, was the father of two children, of whom he was justly proud. Theson, William, had come to be own as * Bandera Bill” from his frequentin those hills for the purpose of hunting; an Bertie, the daughter, was a golden-haired beau- ty, and the belle of the Rio Medina. andera Bill was, at the time of which we write, twenty-two years of age, and his sister but little more than sweet sixteen. Both Bertie and Bill had been at Bancroft THEN DOWN SHOT THE NEGRO LAD LIKE A PROJECTILE FROM A CATAPULT.
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2 Ranch just one year at the date to which we refer, their father having established himself at the bend for that time, previous to sending for his children, who had been at school in San Antonio. : The old ranchero was a widower. Young Bill Bancroft had roamed the country around for twelve months when our story opens, and the fair Bertie had explored the boi- tom-timber for miles up and down the river from the bend, and galloped frequently over the prairies upon “ Colorado,” her favorite mus- tang. She was also fond of fishing, and had a t spot some distance up tho stream trom hor ome, and which was destined to bo the scene of her first serious adventure on the borders. As, for a year past, the maiden had ridden at will in every direction, without encountering any danger or aught to frighten hor, this event was all the more startling and terrible to er. Bandera Bill had been in the habit of cncamp- ing in the hills, for days and nights at a timo; and in this way he had made the acquaintance of three persons who were destined to become leading characters in the tragic drama which was fated to be played at the ranch and in its vicinity. Two of these were Chiota, a friendly Creek chief, and his squaw, Dancing Fawn, the la'tor one of a thousand among her people, being not only han isome, but graceful as the animal after which she was named. Chiota was a superb specimen of physical manhood—a vcritablo prince of the prairies. He lived only for revenge upon tho Anaches, who had slain and scalped his fathcr and mo- ther, and stolen all ther horses. He was generally attired in buckskin leggin., highly ornameated, and woro fringed mocca- sins; but his arms and body from tho belt up were naked. He carried bow and quiver, a3 also a carbine and Colt’s revolver, which lattcr arms had been presented to him by the rangers, for his services as scout and guido. Dancing Fawn dressed with a natural tasto for ornamentation that was remarkable. Neither the chief nor his squaw had ever vis- ited Bancroft Ranch—the home of their ‘* whito brother,” as they termed Bandera Bill. The other friend and pard, whom Bill had so- cured, and whom he had learned to esteem hich- ly, was Frank Forbes, whose father’s ranch was on the Rio Frio, and who hence bore tho sob- riquet of “Frio Frank.” Liko Chiota and Dancing Fawn, Frank had never yet visited his friend’s home on the Rio Medina. Frio Frank had a father, mother, and sister, and he was as much liko Bandera Bill in_ build, age, and dress, as could well be imagined. Ilis face and form were well-nigh perfect. Tho two friends were likewise of about the samo ago. Chiota and his squaw had agreed to visit tho ranch and meet Bill. Tho latter, in tho mean time, had met his pard, Frank, and had incuced him to accompany him to tho Medina, Frank being well acquainted with the Creeks, who were then on their wey to Bancroft Ranch. Frio Frank had heard grcat reports of tho beauty of his friend’s sister, but always cx- cused himself in some way from visiting tho ranch. Bill, in like manner, had never been at Frank’s home, on tho Rio Trio. On their way to the Medina, in passing through a defile tho Bandera Hills, a hordo cf Apaches, under the leadership of that terriblo scourge of the border, Lone Wolf, dashed into both entrances of the passage, thus ‘‘ corraling” the young Texans. They mado a bravo stand, and’ killed a number of the Indians; but wero eaptured, and taken on down tho Rio Medina to the neighborhood of Bill’s home, near which no hostile Indian had been seen since Ben Bancroft - located the ranch. Lono Wolf had miagaes out a new war-trail, and was reserving his two cap- tives for torture. ? Meanwhile, Chiota and his squaw, also arrived in the vicinity of Bancroft Ranch, unawaro thet the war- y was cncamped so near thera. The Creeks had halted in a small ‘ open,” when a shriek from the river caused tho ¢h-cf to boast to that point. He arrived just in timo to shoot with his bow and arrow the head of a huge moccasin snake that lay coiled in the mud, ready gr day Fees Bertie croft. Just then dye pom from Dancing Fawn forced him to rush to her assistance; but the young squaw had fired twice ye ~ 5 lp ton oe aye pies a wee tho ** open,” an iota found an Apac ying, who lted lost his life in an attempt to capturo Dancing Fawn. ! Again was Chiota summoned back to the river by anothercry. Bertie had crawled untho bank, after he had shot the snake, and had ; | } Romeo and the Reds. confronted by a monster black bear. Once more did the chief save the maiden’s life by slaying the fierce beast. Dancing Fawn soon arrived upon the scene and Chiota, not wishing Bertie to sco the dead Apache, led his horse and that of his squaw to the river-bank, and directed the females to rido at once to the :anch—he Lelieving that a war- parly was near. Aiter they had gone, tho chief succeeded in slaying two more Apache spies; and, finding six equipped mustangs in a thicket, ho know that threo other spies were still down the river. But hoe was confident that Dancing Fawn could pro- toct herself and Bertie. Tie, therefore; ceciced to follow .tho back trail cf tho red riders; thus gaining a knowledgo cf the war-party. Chiota succeeded, but, to his great anguish and concern, ho discovered, ticd to trecs, in a | narrow belt, at tho west cf the Apache camp, j nono others than Bandera Bill and Frio Frank. Ue recognizes Lone Wolf, and sees that three- score and more braves form the war-party. He contrives, while the Apaches are busily de- vouring horse-mceat, to release the two young Texans. Heo, then, proceeded stealthily to the opposite sido of the camp, amid the undecr- growth, and stabbed one of the Apache guards, allowing him to give the death-how]. Tho mustangs were staked between this slain guard and the feasting braves, and the latter cll rushed through the midst of the animals to tho point of alarm. Our three friends bounded upon their Lorces, and at once opened a fusilado from their rovcl- vers, Scon eight Apaches lay dead, end tho romainder rush amid the mustangs, which cro stamneded by Chio‘a and the Toxans. This loft the war-party on foot, and thereforo compare- tively helpless. Tho threo pards proceeded slowly Cown along tho kank cf tho river, Frank ridin’ in tho roar, Th# runof tho narretivonow cells v3 to folow the throo Anacho spiot, who had escaped the notico of the Creck end tho rquaw. Thoso survivors of the half-cozen braves, sent Cown tho river to ascertain tho location cf the ‘*log-lodsc,” Which was supposed ky Leno Volf to ko not far distant, from thero keing catilo and horses cn tho plain—theso spies heard the rovolver-chots, when Dancing Pawn dispatched tho Apacho; but, sunnosing tho rhots to havo been mado ky tomo White hunter, two of them secreted themselves in tho branches of n tree, over 0. cow-path thet ran paralcl with tho river, and with coiled lassoos awaited their Slvr to canturo a victim for tho torture. he o!her red spy reached tho kend, and from 29 branches of a treo gazed upcn tho ranch, just a3 cll Ben Bancroft walked to tho end of tho veranda, worricd at tho continued asenco cf his daughter, Tho ranchcro perceived tho painted face, ran for his ride, and darted toward tho treo. Tho Indian had fled, and liko a madman the old ranchero rushed up tho river, to tho favorite haunt of L's daughter; where, to his korror, ho camo upon tho two scalpless Apache corpses, which had becn placed by Chiota with the car- éass of ths monster bear. Ben Bancroft no loner doubted that his dar- ling had been captured, and ho fcll senseless. n tho mean timo, tho two Apaches in the treo, in placo cf the white hunter they expected, caw Bortio and Dancing Fawn, who were on the'r way to tho ranch. Them they lassoed, bound, and gagged; end then, mounting be- hind them, tho savages proceeded, near tho margin cf tho timber, toward tho plain. There, thoy wero joincd by their comrade who had Ciscovered tho ranch. hen, tho trio cf red fiends hastened toward their camp, with their femalo captives. Trio Frank, a3 has been said, roco in the rear of Chiota and Bandera Bl; but ho Enecred ke hind, very providentially, and far cff in the undergrowth caught tho glimmer cf golden hair, and tho fauating of a feather above tho Lushcs, II> mew that tho sister of his friend had hair of that color, and instantly tho idea struck him that Bortio Ban-roft had becn captured; and withoct a word with Lis pards, ho started to- ward tho point whero ho had mado his startling discovery, ~ Tio waited until convinced. There, secreted in tho bushes, ho recégnized Dancing I awn,.2nd with her tho most angelic being he had ever Le- held—both captives to three hidegus Aneches! To Imew that if ho succeeded in killing but onc, the others would stab the captives. Nerving himself, Frank made a grand dash “nicking” triggers lively, killing three of tho braves, and rescuing the females—Dertio ee "oy fainted; but had revived, only to find herself ; Bancroft and her handsome, daring and sziliful rescuer falling in love at first sight. Frio Frank, the happiest man on carth, then turned about wiih the females, end procceced toward the ranch. Meanwhile Chiota and Bill missed their perd but concluded that Lo had struck a trail crd could take caro of himself. So cnward ikey vent to the clear space, where tke chief shovcd Bill tho slain Apackes and tho Lear. Dut there, to the great amazement end gricf cf Lcihb, they discovered the senseless form cf tho cld 1ancl- cro. y They wero then suspicicus that Lecriio crd Dancing Pawn hed becn captercd by the threo remaining spies, cf whose presence Chiota Lad informed Bandcra Lill. They revived tho cld men, who was ergvithed to the very berders cf intarity, ard then cll went at cnce to tho ranch, cnly to (xd their worst fears realized. Bortie and Dancing Fawn had not crrived, and of course kad been captured. Tho cowboys wero sienaled ircm tke plein, and preparations ct cnco made to £o to iLo res cue of the maiden and tho ycung rquaw. Tho roport made by Bill and Chicia thet the war-pa y was encamped near causcd tLo great- est apprehension; but just as ovr fricres were all rcady to start, who should rice up kvt Cer- ter, escorted by Frio Frank, with Dancing Tavn by their side! Bertio sat upon her own mustang, Ccleraco, which they kad found in tho ketter-tirker. Creat was tho relief end joy cf tho cld renck- pees a well as cf Dandera Dill ard tho Creck chicf. Trio Frank wes tho hero cf tho Lour; ard, after preparing tho rench, fer Cefcnco crd ccr- raling tho herces, cll ecated. themsclycs to o feast thet kad been gotten up by tho cld ceck, Auntio Sue. Tho latter, with ker scn Remco, cnd Chunk, tho ugly ard Ci"nutive ccg cf tho laticr, como in fcr their skaro cf attcnticn, in the seccrd number cf this cerics, which details tho creed cecurrences cf tho nigkt {cllowing that cventfrl eo tho ovents cf which wo Lavo Just civen in ricf. CHAPTER II. PRES PEANS CN TLE IKRIo, Tre pecplo cf Dancroft Rench, crd their new ly arrived friends ccngratulated themselves upen heir miraculous escapes. Dvery preparaticn vas now mado fcr tho cc fenco of the ranck, and as timo paescd, cll Le camo moro anxious; althcugh, frcm his hcevy' losses, if appeared rcascnable to suppcse thet Lene Wolf would return, westward, to his vil lage. Chiota, however, together with Dill and Frank, wero net so cenfldent cf this; Lut they did not wich to alarm Bertie, by oxpressing their ap- prchbensicn. Tho chief, with the old ranchero end bis ron, had gono to the end cf the veranca; Chicta wishing to learn the location cf the spot where tho Apache spy had been seen within the foliage. Just as the finger of Den Bancroft pointed to tho place, tho paint-daubed face of another spy cp- pearcd as before! Instantly tho carbine of the Creck sprung to his shoulder, and tho Indian sprung free cf tho branches, end fell, with a death-how] bursting from his li Tho chict then scalped his victim. No lenger did the Texans believo themselves safo from ettack. ; Chiota rushed into the shades cf tho bottem- timber, to ascertain if moro Apaches were lurk- ing there, A consultation between the old ranchero, his son, Frio Frank, and Marker Mose, resulted in a decision to at once dispatch Remeo, tho little necro, to Castroville, for assistance. Tho led was found, hidden with his mother and his dog Chunk, beneath the couch of Bertie; the n being terrified nearly to death. Speechless with terror, Romeo was bound upon a mustang, with his dog Chunk before him, to the great of Auntic Suc. Thus he was started, for help, to Castroville. But, in place of turning in that direction, tho mustang, which proved to bo one that Chiota had taken from tho Apaches when he rescued Billand Frank, headed west, toward the encamp- ment of the Apache be og The Texans were astounded, but it would have been impossible to overtake the boy before he reached a point where his would-be preserver stood in danger of capture also. Then it was,that the thought of a new and prob- able danger, struck Frio
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— Romeo and the Reds. tho Apaches would shoot fire svrows upon the | ture. The old ranchero fell senseless. Frank, rooi, iorce the defenders to abaudon the dwell- | Bill, and Chiota rushed to the rescue. In the ing, and then massacre them. o longer were the females considered safe. Frank’s suggestion now was, that they be se- creted in the branches of a tree, where he be- lieved they would be safe from discovery. This plan was immediately adopted, and the two young men conducted Bertie, with Dan- cing Fawn and Auntie Sue, to a huge yine-and- moss-draped treo; where, high up, they con- structed a comfortable perch, or “nest” for them, with a net-work of lariats. Impressing upon them the necessity of re- maining perfectly quict, and assuring them they woull be safo, the young Texans returned to the defense of the ranch. Ths three Mexican vayueros were, with two of the cowboys, stationed in trees, above the corrals in which were the horses and mules. This left one man to guard cach side of the two apartments of the ranch, including tho open space between them. One cowboy, upon his horse, was stationed at the ontrance of the bend. Chiota’s absence occasioned concern to all, but, as will be seen, he was well occupied. Two, of four braves who had set out from tho By orig war-camp in pursuit of Frank and Bill after their rescue by Chiota, happened to striko the a eg sa that had been so recentily traversed by our three friends; but neither of them was aware of ths presenco of the other. In ths same manner, the other two chanced upon the trail of the mounted spies who had been slain; neither knowing of tho other being near. Tho leading brave of each pair reached the border of the narrow space, where. the two corpses reclined upon the carcass of the bear. Just before reaching it, however, each heard tho rustle of tho bushes behind him, and rushed headlong forward as soon as the open space was perceived. There it was twilight, while in the undergrowth it was dark. The two trails entered the ‘‘ open” at points not three feet apart; consequently, the first pair, White Owl and Beaver Tail rushed into each other’s arms. Each, in his. astonishment anJ alarm, believed the other to be an enemy. They, at once, clutched, rolling over the bank of the river into the soft black mud, and direct- ly upon the huge headless moccasin snake, which was yet living. Feeling the reptile st beneath them, both struggled apart, when they recornized each other. Completely covered with the black mud, they scrambled up to the bank together. At the same time, the two rear braves rushed, in much the same manner, into each other’s arms, and fought desperately; but, sudden! they beheld the others, looking like nothing they had ever before seen—the black mud every- where clinging to them. Both these braves, Swift Foot and Black Buz- zard, thought they now looked upon the Bad Spirits of their traditions, and bounded into the undergrowth, as if the fiends were after them, While there secreted, they beheld little Romeo, upon the ens speeding toward their camp. White Owl an Beaver ail were relieved and rejoiced at having frightened Swift Foot and Black Buzzard, as they would have been dis- , had they been recognized. They hast- ened to a airy where pay oe bathe, and then to the border of the timber above the plain, where there was sufficient light to renew their war-paint, and start out afresh. _ Chiota meanwhile, was in the timber, on the lookout for spies, after shooting Red Elk from the tree near Bancroft Ranc The second party of spies sent down, of whom Red Elk was one, recovered their slain comrades and the mustang; but, in their search, encountered not the four young braves. , On their way toward the ranch, Swift Foot was slain by Chiota, and Black Buzzard ca and sewed up in the skin of the blac moaudin uoake be Pages th moce snake being as appendages—thus making up, each king object. ‘ Then Chiota went to the bend, forcing the dis- guised Indian before him. Having secured him in a thicket, the chief returned to ascertain if there were any more Apaches in the timber. White Owl and Beaver 7 discovered the ranch, and also the hiding-place of the women. They succeeded in ca 4 and Danc- ing Fawn, and knocked poor Auntie Sue sense- less; leaving the old woman thus, as they did not wish to be incumbered by her. Then they were undecided which way to flee. Auntie Sue partially recovered, and crawled to the dwelling, betraying the fact of the cap- mean time, the two braves had detached a couple of logs from amass of driftwvod, and were floating, with their captives, down the river. During this time, Romeo had dashed into the | ward the Rio Frio; — united. Chiota, the next day, followed the Apache trail, to be dumfounded at evening, Ly the ar- rival of twenty-five more warricrs to join Lone Wolf, and the departure cf the war-party to- oing in an exact course to Poe commas were gone, and our friends ré- tec Apache camp; but, previously, the burial of | lead to Forbes Ranch, the home of Frio Frank. tho braves, the war-dance, and the bringing of ! but Cat Me the Forbes the scalped victims of Chiota, occupied the time of the Apaches. They then forced tho little negro to guide them to the ranch. His dread terror vanished, at the thought of the danger of his mother and friends, and he rosolved to lead the war-party past the bend; trusting that, as the entrance was narrow, it would not bo observed by them. Again were our friends startled and agcnized, once crganized to save, if possible, family {rom massacre. Their successes and defeats wll be given as we roceed. CHAPTER ITI. AN ORGANIZED EFFORT, Frio Frank stood speechless as he realized fully the awful significance of the statement of This heroic determination ho carried out, but | ‘Chiota; when the latter strode in ard reported, a brave perceived tho ranch when neariy past ! in his peculiar manner, the departure of the it, and Lone Wolf tomahawked Romeo. He was borne away, clinging to his saddle, Chunk still accompanying him, the blade of the hatchet having struck sideways, thus rendering the black unconscious. Then, in a wild charge, the Apaches dashed toward Bancroft Ranch, Frio Frank, unable to find any trace of Bertie, rushed madly down the river, insanely anxious on her account, Chiota, with some assistance, placed Black Buzzard, in his awful masquerade, upon the veranda roof, and suspended the corpse of Red Elk in front of the open space in the middle of tho dwelling. With terrible whoops of war, the Apaches charged down from tho plain into the entrance of the bend; when a terrific, volley from the house, followed close after by’ another from tho timber, mowed the paind-daubed demons down. At tho samo moment, Black Buzzard, in the bearskin, bounded from the roof, and rolled over and over; but, gaining his feet, he stag- gered toward the already demoralized Indians, stumbling over dead and dying! In superstitious terror, the survivors, some twenty-five in number, Icaving fifteen behind them, lashed their mustangs into the dark shades, and disappeared; fully convinced that “bad medicine” been scattered along -the Rio Medina. Chiota had cut away some of tho skin of tho bear, to enable Black Buzzard to sco his com- rades when they charged upon the ranch; but he loft the spy, ga; as Lefore. White Owl and Beaver Tail, with Bertic and Dancing Fawn, floated down the river; the logs drifting apart some yards. From being in the water, the buckskin bonds about the young squaw’s wrists became stretched, and she succeeded in freeing herself; but was forced still to maintain tho same position as when bound. Both captives were secured to the logs by a cord about their right arms, their ca tives being behind them; tho logs screening the heads of all from the south bank. Dancing Fawn still retained her knife, and anxiously awaited a chance to use it. That chance came, through the whoops of the Tae as they charged up tho river. While this was going on, Frio Frank was dashing headlong, -Insane, down a cow- war ong the river-bank, but screened by the ushes, The moon shone brightly on the river, but it was dark in the bottom-timber; and ,ata bend, flew headlong into the river! This gave the Creek squaw her opportunity, and she drove her knife to the hilt in her cap- tor’s breast; jerking him, at the same instant, beneath the water, to drown his death-yell. Then she swam beneath the surface, and pulled the other Apache under; but he struggled free, eat aga Bertie, raised his knife over her But Frio Frank, as he arose to the surface, «dl recognized her. _ Herculean were his efforts, as he spurned the water, and his soul was filled with anguish and horror, as the Indian shot up from the river, and raised his glittering knife over that gold- crowned head. But strength was still furnished him, and he slew the savage captor of his dar- ling, and rescued her. . While this was transpiring, Auntie Sue, who had partly revived, and wandered down the river, discovered her son, Romeo, spperen ty dead. With a bitter cry, the old negress f fainting beside aa This shriek led Frio Frank, Dancing Fawn, and Bertie, to the “ »” when the uncon- scious couple were revived, and all went on to- gether tothe ranch. — Apache war-party towaid the Rio Frio. or three days and nights, Frank ard Bill had been in a tortured state of mind and body, cither as captives themeelves, cr using every ex- ertion to rescue others frcm the merciless sav- ages. Although neither Bandera Bill, his father, nor his sister, had ever met the Forbes family, with the exception of Frank; yet they knew them well by reputation, and felt as sincere sympathy and concern as they could kave entertained had they been on intimate terms with them all. io Frank had met his fate, and it secmed to him that it was most terribly unjust that, just as he had relieved his tortured mind by rescuing the one dearer to him than all the earth from the fiends of the Rio Pecos, he must tear himself from her side—tearing his very heart-strings— and hasten, to Ealop like the wind nearly all night in his worn and fatigued conditicn, to de- fend his parents, his sister, and his home, frcm Lone Wolf and his demon herde. Frank had served in the Rangers, and as es- cort and guide to wagon-trains; conrecuently, he had been in many a fght with the Ay aches, who knew him, and doubtless were aware of the location of his hcme. If this was so, they intended to avenge them- selves on the young man for slaying their braves and assisting in the defense of Bancroft Ranch, which they had just been prevented from cap- turing. The direction they had taken seemed to indicate their intention. To be sure, the Hondo, Deer, and cther small erecks, were between the Rio Mcdina and the main Rio Frio; these being tributaries of the same, and running almost due south. But there were no ranches cn these streams, except near et junction with the Frio, and but few at that. However, there was but one course open for Frank to pursue, and that was to speed at once toward his heme. Bandera Bill and the Creek chief had decided on the instant that they would follow up the Apaches, and assist in preventing the hcme of their prairie pard from being destroyed, and the old ranchero was ¢0 filled with gratitude at the heroic services rendered by the young man that he insi upon Marker Mose, with four of the ees accompanying Frank, Bill, and Chi- Oo As not the slightest suspicion lingered in the minds of the Texans or the Creck that any dan- r was likely to threaten Bancroft Ranch dur- ng their absence, there was no anxiety enter- tained by either those who were leaving or those who intended to remain, Poor Bertie was much distressed, on finding that both her brother and her lover were to face fresh dangers, in which they might be slain, and her young and happy life made desolate. Up to this time, she had been as joyous as a bird, and as free from care and trouble, but if all her bright anticipations were now to be dashed frem her, existence would, she felt, be insupportable. So overwhelming were the thoughts and the dread ibilities that arose in ee tee girl’s mind, that for a Jong time she stood clinging to the arm of Dancing Fawn, and staring at Frio Frank, as the Jatter prepared for the trail. Frank and Bill had already suffered so much, that the dread news brought by Chiota ¢cm- pletely dazed them for a time. Old Ben Bancroft, after leoking for some mo ments at his idolized daughter whom be had feared he would never again behold, began to bustle about, entertaini but little apprehen- sion as to the safety of his son. Indeed, the ranchero had, with good grounds, come to the conclusion that Bill, Frank, and the Creek were invincible. He did not fail to notice that Bertie was suf- fering great anxiety in regard to the departure .
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«bk of the young men, and he could not wonder at it; but he strove to impart to her some of his cheerful anticipations. Auntie Sue, now almost herself again, ‘‘ hus- tled around lively” at her usual avocation, cooking food sufficient for a company of hungry rangers. This came in good use, however, to be packed in the malettos of those who were go- ing on this scout to the Rio Frio. ‘he horses of the party were fresh, and full of Marker hardy fire and vim; and had been selected "b Mose as animals that were known to and fleet of foot. Chiota, after giving his information, went again to the timber soon returning with his black steed, fully equipped, his carbine upon his saddle-horn, and after examining his arms, he stepped up in front of his squaw. he eyes of the two met, speaking more plain- ly their regard and the emotions born of the coming par cachet than words could have done. Bertie, in her gratitude, and in her deep re- spect and regard for the noble chief who had done so much for them all, cli d his bronzed hand, and Indian-like, pressed is palm to her breast, saying with much feeling: - May the Good Spirit bless my red brother! You will not_let the Apaches kill Will and Frank? Oh! I shall be in such torture until you return.” ““My white brothers’ eyes sharp. Got fast shooting-guns. Apaches, they squaws. War- trail open. War-cry on lips of Chiota. Danc- ing Fawn, she stay with Bertie. It is g Thus s spoke the Creek chief. ‘Oh, I hope and pray!” exclaimed the maid- en, ‘‘ that you will all return safe!” ‘* Chiota’s heart grow big in breast when see Bertie, when hear Bertie talk like song of birds. Bertie, she sister of Chiota, sister of Dancing Fawn. It is good. War trail open.” Then, , catching up the scalp of the spy, Red Elk, the Creek attached it to the mane of his mustang, and circling his long knife over his lumed head, he shot out the war-whoop of his ‘ibe. It was plainly evident that Chiota was not only eager to goon the trail, but was rejoiced at an aang for gaining further revenge upon his hated foes. Bandera Bill, taking his sister upon his arms, said to her, in a low voice: ‘Don’t worry, Bertie dear! We will take ood care of ourselves. Show no more anxiety, fetore Frank, than you can possibly avoid. The poor fellow is nearly distracted already. Now, sister mine, we must cheer up, and we must both try and cheer poor Frank in this new mise and ms enagve 2 ell all gay when we come back, and Auntie Sue will be in her glory, cooking for all hands. Come, give me a Bertie. Now brace up! Put on ‘By-by! brightest smiles, and | ma wish us God-speed Hastily ae tag the Yeele girl, Bandera Bill sprung to the side of his father, whose naturally jolly face had recovered much of its usual ap- pearance. The farewells between father and son were almost childish in the emotions that were mani- fested; so affectionate and demonstrative were they rt Bill left Bertie, the latter saw Frio Frank throw of and she strove with all her power to ow off her anguish and apprehension at ; turning, and going into the ranch, to sets aving fe farewell scene observed by others. Fr; followed her, by a great effort of will crushing down the mental spony that was his. fe Bertie Bancroft,” he said, with deep feeling, as he sprung forward into the apartment, Danc- ing Fawn having considerately remained on the veranda; ‘‘ Bertie, my darling, my love and life —I am about to leave you! “Duty calls me to defend my home, and those there who are very dear to me. It is quite paseg et that I may be killed; but, as the ‘ew days’ events—events most tragic—have n a succession of narrow, of miraculous esca for us all, let us hope that our Heavenly Father will still rd us, “But I must here, before I leave you, my darling, declare that from the moment I’ first gazed nto your eyes, I have loved you as few mon, I do believe, can love! «1 confess to you now, in words, that love y hich my looks and acts must have many times declared, and that more strongly than my words ean do. Bertie, I love you more nvvy life! ‘Con it be that I am so blessed as to be loved J you—that I have not been, in my own blind Juve, deceived by the behef that it is returned? 4 mee Ce el ne and the oe i OT eo ee i de Bertie Bancroft, if God permits me to come back to you, will you be my wife?” Frank finished, he caught the trembling maiden in his arms. Bertie quickly clas her arms around the neck of her hero. who lifted her from the fioor to his breast—her head u upon his shoulder, her gold- | en hair hanging in‘wild abandon over it, as he | into her eyes, ‘Frank Forbes,” she returned, ‘‘I love you more than all the world. May God protect ~ img your dear ones, and bring you bac That was all. Frio Frank realized that the poor girl was making superhuman efforts to control herself, and that to prolong the interview would be cruelty to both; he, therefore, quickly placed her in a chair, saying, as he rushed from the apartment: ‘* God bless and keep you, my Bertie!” Filled with the sympathy for her lover, the maiden went out again upon the veranda, and stood beside Dancing Fawn. Into their saddles sprun as did likewise Bill and ank—Chiota being already mounted. Then, with a wave of som- breros and a Texan you all drove deep their urs and galloped at full speed from the bend; e three Mexicans and two cowboys that re- beat and the ranchero himself, giving part- ing cheers. ertie waved her handkerchief, and old Auntie Sue a bandana of brilliant colors, while Romeo danced and _ yelled, repudiating his wounded head, and Chunk added his bark to the “ send off” shouts of the Texans and Mexi- cans, The beautiful Creek squaw alone was charac- teristically quiet. CHAPTER IV. THE RUSE OF THE REDS. WHEN the Apaches had been repulsed, and lashed their mustangs into the bot m-timber, they were not only appalled at the disaster that had befallen them, but were filled with super- stitious terror. PVE Lone Wolf, much less superstitious than of his braves, was filled with dread at the hic eous monstrosity that had advanced to meet them. Especially affrighted were the survivors, now twenty-five in number, when, upon comin toa halt at a small “open,” the tf ad Spirit, in the shape of Black Buzzard in the bearskin, broke forth from the undergrowth. Instantly, howls of horror came from the ter- rified Indians, and they lashed their mustangs up the river toward their old camp A few side scouts had been pk ae to keep along the bank of the river, and others near the te form of the plain, and ‘it so happened that rmer came upon the flayed nanan of the otis at once banished their fears, for they de- cided that the monster they had seen was one of the Texans gotten up to frighten them. At once, upon reaching the camp, they in- formed Lone Wolf of their discovery, and the Apache chief was most jubilant over it, He or- dered a lookout to be kept up for the supposed uer Texan, the warriors aston- ished and relieved as diag as ashamed at having been thus imposed upo Satisfied that nothing unearthly was connect- ed with the object that had so terrified them, ug? were now all anxious for a shot at it. , however, did not banish the fact sd they had met with most unprecedented death, or lessen their belief that the Medina sad river was ‘‘ bad medicine” for an Apache war- party. Even Lone Wolf was satisfied as to his, and realized when too late the foolish- ness of charging upon a ‘‘log-lodge,” within which were Texans armed with d * rifles. Resolved that in future he would resort to stratagem, and not attack a ranch until he knew the number of its defenders, the chief proceeded to get into order the demoralized remnant of his war-party, and it was while thus engaged that the monster which had so terrified them all burst into the camp. Instantly a score of arrows cut the air, and My yee in the doomed bea Pong eh" My in his agony, om his mou and ea out the. that hori ot bin erties et pyeches were dumfounded. lane olf sprung forward, knife in hand, d slashed open the bear-skin, perseling the form of anes om own y' orrible how erected y abba They had slain one of their own braves—one of the worst omens, in their belief, that could the five cowboys, have happened. This was more ‘‘ bad etl idh Wisechay ai | acti Taahasank (42. Gnd. cokes ah iermiadd (Same abeaenh’: hie stunned toa cine” to a certainty. At once they decided to hasten to the fastness- es of the Bandera Hills. Eeach brave who had drawn bow, now con- tributed a scalp from his belt or shield, to be | buried with their ill-starred fallen warrior, thus relinquishing a trophy of savage honor and rank, in order that Black Buzzard might enter into the Bright Valley beyond the moon with as high a nition as he cond. possibly have attain- ed had he not been cut off, on his first war-path, by his own comrades. After the burial, all galloped free from the timber, and up along the same to a gorge in the Bandera Hills, where they remained until near sunset. Then they equipped their mustangs and with a far-sounding war-whoop, Lone Wo announced his intention of galloping to the Frio to attack Forbes Ranch. This was greeted with loud yells, and the five and twenty Apache fiends dashed south toward the Rio Hondo, a branch of the Frio. Before galloping a mile, however, the war- party jerked jaw-strap, their mustangs making sudden halt, and a terrific yell of welcome shot from every savage throat, for, just dashi ng from the narrow ribbon of timber that marke the course of a small creek, was a mounted band of Apaches, equal in number to them- selves. These had branched off from the main war- party the day before the Bandera Hills were reached, and had gone to inspect the small branches of the Hondo and Deer creeks, to as- certain if there were any ranches upon these streams. Unsuccessful in their search, they had decided to start toward the Rio Medina, and rejoin Lone Wolf, Greatly rejoiced was the chief, at this unex- pected increasing of his force to double the number, and he resolved, now that_he was able, to have revenge upon those who had slain his braves. Here was a grand opportunity He would proceed to the Rio Frio, and burn Forbes Ranch, slaying all who might there be found, capturing the foods for a worse fate. The’ warriors, who were now coming to join him, should return and capture Bancro t Ranch! A cunning plot, Lone Wolf conceived in his brutal brain. He believed that the keen-eyed Creek chief and the Texans were on the alert at the bend and watching at all points to discover in what direction he went when he departed, or if he i in- tended again to attack the ranch. He would now make this work to his own ad= vantage. The | proceedings that followed will enable the reader to understand the scheme concocted by the Apache chief, which could not fail to ba a ardize all our friends, as well as those on t Rio Frio. The meeting of the two sections of the war- ey. was a terrifically imposing scene, both hing headlong toward each other, with fright- ful yells, as though they were enemies, and each body of braves sought the ret of the other; their bows and arrows in Not until both formed a whirlpool of bound- ing and snorting mustangs, flying hair, flaunt- ing. feathers, and writhing forms and arms— ich, to an observer, would have appeared like a most fiendish Tare until then, at a whoo from Lone Wolf, did each jerk jaw-strap, an all, with mustangs pulled to haunches, sent out a terrific yell of mutual greeting; which, how- ever, would to a civilized ear seem far from a sound that could be interpreted as expressive of a welcome from friends who had just met. A few hasty and suggestive wipe between each party of braves, was t passed in communicating the disaster sae death on the Medina war-trail. Ata signal from Lone Wolf, in a mad mass the fifty erty dashed after their chief; the sun just di pearing behind the western plain, painting tae, in a flow of red gold, and glinting upon their ornaments, knives, and lances, On, like a force of fiends, on in a frightful , insane for revenge, for blood and scal 8, the savage horde sped. On they dashed, with the rush of a “norther,” the fast-flying hoofs, through the prairie grass and flowers, sounding like the fierce wind we have mentioned, as its first furious breath sweeps grass and reeds to the On, with their long black hair, scalp decora- tions, and the manes and tails of their mustangs flying, feathers flaunting, and their quirts hiss- ing t! rough the a to torture the hams of their snorting ‘wild steeds, that, with re eyes. | -
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- Pn i . ——— eS ee ~ Romeo and the Reds. flashing, bound frantically over the prairie sward! Slightly bent forward in their peculiar sad- dles, which were formed of a band of buffalo- skin, suspended from pointed horn and cantle, and swinging from side to side free from the animal’s backbone—thus on, their snake-like eyes shooting glances over the plain toward ‘Bancroft Ranch; which, from a gesture from those who had good reason to know its location, is made known to the new-comers. All notice that Lone Wolf has changed his course a little east of south, when he might have dashed ahead, and taken advantage of the cover of the creek timber to shield the war-party and his course from possible watchful eyes on the Rio Medina, For fully a mile they rode thus; and then, swerving to the original course, the chief head- ed south, almost parallel with the line of tim- ber that marked the course of the creek. By galloping a mile thus, and gradually quartering toward the timber, the same could be reached; and Lone Wolf would then be con- fident that his war-party had been seen by the Sao and the Creek chief, at Bancroft The cunning Apache chief was positive that the eyes of Frio Frank had been fastened upon him and his warriors, and that the young scout wee ao that his home was in danger, and is people. is would cause the latter to act at once. He would hasten to the Frio, taking as many of the defenders of Bancroft Ranch as would lace the bend ina position in which it could defended against those whom he intended to send back. The timber was at length reached, and all halted at the wide, shallow partion of the stream. Not until then did Lone Wolf disclose his plans, in the way of orders. Those braves, who had been with him on the Rio Medina, were to continue with him to the Rio Frio; while those who had recently joined hun were, under big Panther, to dash back to the Bandera Hills, and along the margin of the west side of the line of timber—thus screen from all view at the Medina, or on the plains which lay to the south and west of the bend. But they were to remember that the ever- vigilant Chiota would be on the trail, and that he must be deceived, if possible. Previous to the start of Lone Wolf from the hills, he dispatched the extra mustangs, whose masters had been slain, by two braves, to the southwest; they passing west of the line of tim- ber. Big Panther was, likewise, at once in- formed of the plan of his superior chief. ; brave was also sent up the bed of the stream, and dashed into the undergrowth at a distance from the crossing-place of the war- party, and sped toward the distant herd. Upon reaching the extra mustangs, twenty-five were driven to the stream, and into and down the bed of the same, to the crossing-place, Each of Lone Wolf’s party took a mustang in lead, while Big Panther and his five-and- twenty warriors proceeded up the bed of the creek a reasonable distance, and then surmount- ed the bank, passing through the bottom-tim- ber. Then they dashed along the same, north, toward the Bandera Hills; while the chief, with as many horses as he needed, en- tered the ford, and sped from the same, up the west bank, and then south along the timber line, on his way to the Rio Frio. Thus, by a cunning ruse, Lone Wolf deceived any but the most skillful trailer—and he with daylight to aid him—as to there having been aa ivision of his war-party. | p gain, black clouds of despair, and anguish, and death, rolled toward Bancroft Ranch; from which dash Chiota, Frio Frank, and Marker Mose, with half of his boys—the principal de- fenders of Bertie, the belle of the bend, of Dan- cing Fawn, the beautiful squaw of the Creek chief, of faithful Auntie Sue, of Romeo, and of Bancroft Ranch! Had Lone Wolf lingered a moment or two on the east side of the timber of the creek which he _ forded, he would have discovered this cavalcade of avengers; but time was too precious to delay, ‘and he saw them not, « Would our friends reach the creek, and ford it in time to find out, by the warning light, the ruse of the Apache chief? The life and death—ay, the more terrible fight, a thousand times.than death, to Bertie Bancroft, and Dancing Fawn, depended, in all human probability, on this; and the lives of the few defenders of the ranch, besides the safety of. the ranch itself, 5 God help poor Frio Frank, whether the strat- | attention and admiration in an assemblage of agem of Lone Wolf be discovered or not! If it be, the safety of father, mother, sister, and home, call him one way; and the more than life of one who, to him, is far more than his own life, call him another way; CHAPTER V. ADVANCING TOWARD THE FRIO. AT the time of which we are speaking, it was the custom from necessity, in connection with the dangerous and destructive Indian raids, for those locating their houses on the southwest- ern border, to erect them in places as secluded as possible. The consequence of this was that horse-shoe bends—and the narrower the en- trance the better—were selected. And, in a horse-shoe bend of the Rio Frio, was Forbes Ranch; as was Bancroft Ranch, on the Rio Medina. There was no chance whatever of its bein discovered from the south plain, as timber sid dense undergrowth for half a mile in width ex- tended from the south bank to its border. Thus, the river, on three sides of the ranch, ahs ce any charge upon it by ‘‘horse” In- ians, as were all that frequented this border. Mr. Forbes had been located on the Frio for a year before old Ben Bancroft established him- self on the Medina; he having: migrated from Eastern Texas, where his two children, and Florence, had been educated. Every year, however, made Forbes Ranch more dangerous, as a residence; for the reason that the stock increased in numbers, and neces- sarily filled the bottom-timber with beaten paths, besides leaving plain *‘ sign” on the prai- ries. But, as the cattle of old man Forbes ranged north of the Frio, between it and Deer Creek, where no war-party had ever been know to pass or encamp, x a Puebes family had not been molested up to the time we bring them before the notice of the reader. The dwelling was almost a counterpart of Ban- croft Ranch, it being a style that prevailed through Texas and the Southwest generally. There were two negro cabins, a smoke-house and a bake-oven in the rear; the main building front- ' ing south, toward the river, and but half a pistol-shot distant from the perpendicular bank. This was at least fifteen feet in hight. A beautiful flower-garden extended from the veranda nearly to the river, the same being kept in neat and tasteful order, attesting to the cul- ture of the female inmates of the ranch. The ranchero had brought a few of his slaves with him. These were two field-hands, with their wives, and seven children of both sexes, all under twelve years of age. The ficld hands were, however, pote ge So cowboys on the ranch, together with four Mexicans, who lived in a jacal of their own build, just within the timber from the clearing. Mr. Forbes was a quiet, sedate man, and about the age of Ben Bancroft. He was spare in flesh in fact tall and lank, and had long hair sprink] with gray. He dressed in homespun breeches of butternut brown, washed, bleached, carded, woven, and made Fe: his wife and fair daugh- ter; top-boots, slouc hat, and the inevitable belt of arms, to complete his ‘‘ make-up.” Old man Forbes was brave and daring, as his presence on that exposed border proved. Ho was skilled in the use of arms, and very uick when excited; walking in a long stride that few could keep up with, although he was seldon out of his saddle except when hunting in the timber. His wife was of medium hight, tall and robust with a round, full, and rosy face; health and happiness being expressed in‘her hazel eyes, and upon her cheeks. Both Mr. and Mrs. Forbes fairly worshiped their children, Frank and Floss. Floss Forbes—well, we have spoken of the beauty of Bertie Bancroft, and fair, indeed, she was; but Floss Forbes was regally beautiful, ‘perfectly princess-like in bearing, a head taller than Bertie, and with long and abundant dark brown hair, which hung at times in wavy masses far below her small waist. _ Her neck was swan-like, her movements fawn- like, and indeed the perfection of grace, while her ey Grecian profile would have enrap- tured a cameo-cutter. ; Floss was a brunette, and Bertie a blonde. The former had large limpid eyes of hazel, like those of her mother, and with long lashes. Her home-spun costume, of mixed white and dark brown, was cut and fitted as well as any, first-class modiste could have made it. So also was that of her mother. In short, Floss Forbes would have attracted beauties fully as much as Bertie Bancrotit, al- though their types of beauty were directly op- osite. . The ranch was far better furnished than was usual on the border, Floss having quite a library, as well as piano. It would have been plain to any one meet- ing such a maiden on that far frontier that she might move, did she so desire, in the highest circles of prey Cerge rege at home. When Lone Wolf and his fiendish braves, murder-bent, dashed from the ford to gallop to- ward Deer Creek, and thence to the Rio Frio, as the fun was setting in the west, Forbes Ranch was wrapped in a semi-twilight. The air was cool, ee the twittering birds were flitting from the prairie to seek their resting-places in the timber for the coming night. The evening was beautiful and most enjoy- able, and Floss sat with her mother knitting upon the veranda, while the old ranchero was with his negroes, giving them directions as to the salting of the cattle in the corrals on the following day. It was the custom, on the ranches, to do so every week, on a certain day; which, after it was continued for a time, would cause the stock tofcome in from the range on that particular day, when they could be counted without difficulty, and a beeve lassoed if neces- sary. The two black cowboys were repairing their saddles, and their little ones, half nude, were frolicking on the grass. : Smoke curled lazily from a camp-fire before the jacal of the Mexicans, who were preparing their supper of dried beef, and the inevitable tortilla, or corn ‘‘ slap-jack.” These cakes, the universal substitute for bread, are made by soaking the corn until it can be mashed into a soft state. It is then formed into thin, flat pancakes with the hands, in the same primitive manner as did the E tians three thousand years ago; corn-mills being unknown in Mexico, until introduced quite re- cently by the Americans. Mother,” spoke Floss, in a silvery voice, but which betrayed some mental worry; “I do wish Frank would return. I begin to feel ap- prehensive inregard to his absence; and it is strange that I should, for he hasfrequently been away for a much longer time. ‘**Last night, mother, I had a terrible dream. I thought I saw Frank secured to a stake, with a circle of hideous savages dancing around him. When I awake, I was trembling all over.” : ‘*Had you been reading of any depredations committed by the Indians further north?” ‘* No, indeed, mother! And I had notthought of the red-men previous to my falling asleep; and this makes my dream appear the more strange. “ Not only that, but all this long day, the whole scene has been vividly impressed upon my mind. It has occupied my thoughts, not- withstanding I have striven to think of other matters, I was never thus impressed before.” ‘“* It is strange, Floss,” returned Mrs. Forbes also beginning to betray some uneasiness, and glancing toward the path, by which her som would, on his return, enter the clearing through the narrow ribbon of timber. “It is stranger and more unaccountable, for the reason that have had a presentiment of some danger, this entire day,. originating from a’dream not un- He your own, Frank being connected with it te) ‘*T have not mentioned it to you, for fear of needlessly worrying you; nor haveI to your father, for fear of hisridicule. He would say we were superstitiously inclined, and would call our dreams and presentiments all nonsense.” ‘*Yes, I have no doubt zope would,” agreed Floss. *‘‘ All of the human family are, I be ieve, more or less superstitious, but father appears to be free from such weakness. Perhaps we are foolish in thus borrowing trouble. Frank would laugh at us, did he know of it. ‘**Come, let us try and throw off the feeling. Brother has braved the dangers of the far fron- tier with the rangers, and is well able to take care of himself.” The young girl ke thus to relieve her mother’s mind, after nding that the latter was really worried, and that the feeling had been in- creased since she herself had spoken. “Father is making his regular evening rounds,” she continued, with the view of chang- ing the current of her mother’s thoughts. ‘He is going from the negroes to the Mexicans, But, mother, I see only two of the ‘ yellow- skins,’ as Frank sometimes calls them. I won-. der where Antonio can be?” “I’m sure I donot know. They are generally JNA
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6 3 Romeo and the Reds. together, and I always thought that neither one of them dared remain alone on the prairie as late as this.” ‘“‘Where is Antonio?” asked Mr. Forbes, as he strode up to the camp-fire. ‘“‘Wedo not know, Senor Forbes,” answered one of them, Pedro by name. ‘‘ He went after a deer, an hour before we started for the ranch.” “In what direction did he ride?” “Toward Deer Creek, senor,” was the reply. ‘‘ [tis strange,” mused the ranchero, in a low tone, more to himself than to the Mexicans. Then he turned about, and strolled in a listless way toward the ranch, gazing downward as he went; a strange and unusual attitude for him, as his wife and daughter did not fail to notice. For some time, the three sat together, upon the veranda, conversing on various topics; each striving to assume a cheerful voice and manner, although all were apprehensive of something. But, at the same time, not one of them could have given any reasonable explanation, in con- nection with their unaccountable forebodings of danger to come, The ranchero had not failed to perceive that both of the Mexicans seemed greatly worried in regard to the non-arrival of their comrade; al- though they evidently strove not to betray it. When the shades became dark, and the sil- very moon bathed the ranch and clearing—ex- cept to the eastward of the building, where tho towering trees cast their shadows—in a flood cf light, then Mr. Forbes arose from his chair, sug- gesting that his wife and daughter should retire to their chambers, mentioning that he was go- ing out to ascertain if Antonio had arrived. The females knew well that the Mexican had not returned, and so also did the old ranchero, for they would have heard his horse, and also seen him ride up to the jacal. The remark of the husband and father, therefore, betrayed his anxiety, and they both resolved to await his return. Upon reaching tho jacal, Mr. Forbes found both of the Greasers smoking, as they stood near the smoldering fire, and with their eyes fixed a the point at which Antonio must enter the « earing on his return. Both the Mexicans started nervously as they detected the approach of their employer. “* Well, boys,” said Mr. Forbes, ‘‘ Antonio in- tends to camp on the prairie to-night, it seems.” * Antonio will—” The Greaser stopped speaking abruptly, listen- intently, as was his comrade. hen, a moment after, beth in with great relief: ** Antonio comes! Bueno /” And sure enough the sound of hoofs upon the sward came plainly and then more plainly. Soon the missing man dashed from tho line of timber that screened tho ranch from tho ‘* open” of the bend headlong toward the house. He appeared terrified and indeed speechless, and his horse was foam-fiecked and panting from over-exertion. As the animal halted, the ranchero clutshed the bridle-rein and jerked him cut into tho bright moonlight. One glance into Antonio’s face revealed tho fact that the Greaser was greatly affrighted. “In Heaven’s name, what’s tho matter with ou, Antonio?” demanded Mr, Forbes, in a voice “that betrayed his own_ excitement. ‘‘ eer man, and to the point! Where havo you been, and what has frightened you?” ‘Los Apaches!” gasped the Greaser, in a half-whisper and with trembling lips. ‘*Good Heavens! Where? You must be mis- taken, Antonio! How many?” Antonio pointed, and answered in the same manner: ‘‘Deer Creek—come from Hondo—big war- party—ride fast—come hero straight this night!” ‘*You are sure of this?’ demanded his em- ployer, in a hoarse voice. ‘" Dios grande curse me if it is not tho truth!” returned the Mexican, making the sign of the . eross with his fingers. Order the | chorus said, eects essere comm men i meth A A Te A LC A eT A A eT “Get all your a instantly! negroes into the ranch. Close tho shutters, and stand guard on the veranda with Julius!” exclaimed the ranchero. | ‘First, however, one of you go and saddle my | horse! Tit go out on the plain and ascertain if ! the red fiends are really heading for this point. 1 want no cowardice now, for you've got to keep your wits about you or lose your lives!” Mr. Forbes rattled these words off in the most rapid manner. he startling intelligence seemed to have elec- trified him to action. He ran, instantly, to the house, bade his wife | Pomp and and daughter go inside, and dispose the furni- ture in such a manner as not to impede the move- ments of men at the loop-holes, We may imagine the effect of this upon Mrs. Forbes and Floss. They were dazed and speechless, They stood, and looked at each other in si- lence. Certainly their dreams and_presentiments had not been without their dread signification. Before either of them had recovered sufficient- ly to speak, the husband and father bounded from the veranda, and thence to the jacal, where he found Pedro, with his horse, which, agreeably to orders, he had equipped. The old ranchero, sprung, at once, upon it, and spurred at full speed, from the clearing. CHAPTER VI. PREPARING FOR DEFENSE. TE ranchero spared not spur, for he Inew that the lives of his family and slaves depended upon his excrtions; for, he felt that, unless there was some change in the Mexicans—unless they became recklessly brave, from being con- vinced that there was no hope of escape—and fought to the death, they would be of very little use in defending the ranch. However, he was confident he could depend upon the negroes. Pomp and Julius would fight like demons to protect their master and his family, and their own wives and little ones, All plans of defense, and all command as well, must fall upen his shoulders; and, on the instant that Antonio made his report, Mr. Forbes had determincd to satisfy himself in re- gard to the truth of it. He had not the slightest doubt that the Greaser had seen the Indians, and pernae that the latter were galloping toward tho Frio; but the ranchero wished to satisfy himself as to tho truth of the latter report, and also to find out, if possible, the number of red marauders thero were in the war-party. It was not at all unlikely that the man’s fears might have magnified them. Mr. Forbes knew that, had there been no mcre than a half-dozen, Antonio would have decided there were at least half a hundred. For three years had the old ranchero resided, with his loved ones, cn that dangerous border, and in all that time no Indians had been seen between his ‘ranch and Deer Creek; although war-parties had passed within a mile, cn the opposite side of the timber—that is, on the south side of the Rio Frio—and had committed their atrocities on the Rio Hondo, He had come to feel entirely secure, but he knew ‘that the Indians might by chance discov- er his home at any time, or be led to it ly the numerous cow-paths and stock-trails on the prairie. Whilo now riding out toward tho plain, ho congratulated himself upon having, when ho first erected his dwelling, dug a tunncl from a small cellar beneath tho same to the river- bank; and over the exit of which he had trailed thick vines to hide it from observation. This passage, he then thought, might prove the means of escape should the savages attack his home and set it on fire. There was now, he feared, but too great a prospect of this. Greatly agonized was Mr. Forbor, as he sped north over the prairie, when he thought of his wifo and daughter, and of tho negroes. He knew that both Mrs. Forbes and Floss must: be suffering the most excruciating an- guish and dread iety, on account of his own absence, that, had he lingered, they would have prayed him, upon bended knees, and with tears streaming down their cheeks, to remain with them, and not thus tempt fate by exposing him- self. If he should be slain, what could they co? Surely tho neg could do nothing without a leader, or the Mexicans cither. These thoughts flashed through tho old ran- chero’s mind, and he resolved that he would curb his natural recklessness, realizing how very much depended upon hi His hatred toward the Apaches was intense for several of his friends been tortured and killed by them. Why was it that, at this timo, of all times, his brave and skillful son was absent? This was a source of the greatest possible worry, yet nothing could be done. It seemed fated that it was to be so, It was coeeeny providential that the Mexi- can, Antonio, started in chase of the buck that afternoon; but his employer did not believe that gre Greaser had seen the savages on Deer reek. Antonio must have ventured through the timber of the latter stream, and seen the Apaches afar off, toward the Hondo. his must have been the true state of affairs, Mr. Forbes decided, as the timber of Deer Creek became visible, and no indications of human beings of any description were to Le seen. But this did not entirely satisfy him. He must know, definitely, the whole dreadful , extent of the threatening calamity. On, and still on, galloped the old ranchero, until he was within a half rifle-shot in distance from the timber line before referred to when suddenly he pulled rein; for the thought of the number who depended upon his satety, again flashed upon his mind. With it, came another thought, which startled im. This was that, even had the Greaser seen the Indians from the north of the timber line of the stream, now £0 near, the savages would have had ample time, since then, to reach Deer Creek, had they advanced directly toward the samo! Either the Apaches had continued on, down the stream, on the opposite or north side, and were now screened from his view by the timber; or, they had discovered his apprcach, and were lying in wait, to ambush and capture him. “Thank God!” was the prayerful ejaculation of the old ranchero, as he ran to realize how near he probably might have been to death, had he proceeded, hen, to fully satisfy himself, he resorted to a ruse. Ie knew that his horse, especially as the ani- mal was fresh, could easily cutrun tho Apache mustangs. Being positive of this, he procecded rlowly & short distance further, ard then halted; pazing up and down tho timber line, as if searching for a stray animal, Then he turned his horse about, as if ho had given up the search. The ruse succeeded. Not five —_ had ho gone when, cuf frcnr the dark shades dashed two lines of Apache braves—ono to his right, and another to his left, while more came on directly behind him! Instantly he whirled his horse, and his riflo sprung to his shoulder. A loud report followed, and then, as an echo, out on the still night air, shot a terrible death-howl. Hardly had this died away, when a whoop of war burst from every threat. Then the ranchero drove spurs, and dashed toward the Rio Frio and his home: his horse / skimming the plain like a grcund-swallow. Old man For perp § relcaded his rifle, as he sped on; and _ then, when ready for another thot, he jerked his hcrse to haunches, and half-whirled the animal, facing the cn-eweeyin red demons, whose whoops now fled the right air. The scene presented was a picture of the most noble and Caring; and, at the same time, cf the most cowardly and hellich. The cld man, singly and elone, with rifle thrown across the hollew cf his leit arm, thus waiting, with a murdercus longing to annihilate the painted fiends, whose object was destruc- tion, torture, ard death to him and his! On they came, their arrcws fittcd to bow- strings, and other deadly shafts held ‘between fingers, ready to send tke stecl-pointed missiles of death in shewers, tcward the eclitary Texan, who confronted them with the micn cf an avenging god! ho Apaches came cn in a crescent+haped line, the outer points cf which were kcacing to- ward tho ranchero’s right ard left—recking thus to inclose him in a savage circle cf death. Then, as he suddenly threw his rifle to his shoulder, a volley cf arrows cut the air; for he had permitted, in his reckless disdain, the Aveibcs to attain a point less than sixty yards. from him. Yot he sat, undaunted. Three arrows ypicrced his clcthing, and his sombrero was shot from his head. However, ho pulled trigger before tho feath- ered shafts reached him, and another warrior foll to the prairio sward, pierced through the vitals by his bullet. Then the horse, maddened by the pain cf the arrow-points, whirled with a terrified snert, and shot toward the Rio Frio at terrific speed, while the yells of vengeful fury that followed him, most forcibly reminded the ranchero of tho hor-. rors those demons were ready to inflict upon his — dear ones. He must reach the ranch in advance of them, an
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; | _. And nobly did his gallant steed serve him, leaving the red pirates of the plains further and furthe: in his rear; the timber of the Frio that shielded from view his darlings, winding like a dark ri’sbon upon the wide plain that stretched out }efore him. Soon he reached the dark shades and then no longer in his rear could he see the black spots scattered upon the prairie. The frantic Apaches | had been unable to keep near him, alihough lashed with torturing quirts, and pierced with + knife-points. salam : -. Mr, Forbes had been too cunning to head di- rect to the bend, as he was positive tho Apaches knew rot the exact location of his home. He entered the timber about half a mile above and tien tore down a cow-path toward his ranch, with little less speed than when dashing over the prairie. In «. few moments more he was in the clear- ing, w here stood his agonized wifeand daughter. Nei. har of them could speak a word, but both gazed into his face, striving to read by the ox- ression of the same, some hope that Antonio iat been mistaken. The ranchero sprung from his saddle, struck the horse a blow wiih his hand, and the fa- tigued, foam-covered animal staggered into the es, This act, in itself, was sufficient proof to the fearfully anxious wife and daughter that their lives and homes were in danger, and the expres- sion of the husband and father’s faco told this as plainly as the words that followed: ** Antonio’s eyes did not deceive him! His re- port was but too true, The red demons are ds coming! “I have shot two of them. Keep a sharp lookout, boys! You've got to fight or die, so no shirking. The first man I see show the white feather, I'll blow his brains out! ‘* Now, my dears, you must prove yourselves true Texan women! Keep watch fromthe a holes. You can both shoot, fortunately. Only ne ealm, and obey every order I give. ‘I am going now to reconnoiter. Stay in- side, and make no noise. All depends upon silence and cool action.” So saying, Mr. Forbesrushed toward the open portion of the bend, rifle in hand. ; The agony of mind and apprchension of Mrs. Forbes and Floss were too wa 5 to find expres sion in words. They entered the dwclling, Poth controlling themselves by a great effort, and taking their stations at the same end of the ent, on the east end of the house, At each end of the verandas, front and rear, stood a negro, or a Mexican, rifle in hand; their forms hidden by tho vines on the supporting poste, Tho negroes were on the west end, that bemg the point at which the Apaches were expected. One of tho Greasers stood at the door of the apartment, in which were the women and chil- dren, both white and black; the little ones being now asleep. * All was still about Forbes Ranch—still as the me] that seemed fated to come down upon them all! CHAPTER VII. SIXEN BY THE RELIEF PARTY, CuaroTA, Bandera Bill, Frio Frank, Marker Mose, aud the four cowboys, when they gal- loped from Bancroft Ranch, out from the bend upon the open plain, could see, far away to the southward, a slowly moving black mass; the glitter of the reflection from the red sunset sky upon the silver ornaments of the Apaches, being at times plainly seen, and now and then the glint of lance-points above the heads of the savages. This to an experienced eye, would have proved the character of the moving mass, even they been without any information in d to them. "rio Frank’s fear for those at his home, min- ged with the strong cmotions occasioned by ing forced to part wiih Bertie Bancroft, was almost more than he could endure; for, he at once, as well as those with him, realized that, were the intentions of Lone Wolf as suspected, the savages would reach tho Rio Frio before they could overtake them, Especially would this he the case, did the war-party become awa © f_ur uit; for the lat cr worll rin their mustalizs Lo death, to A orm the ranch ahead of the pursuers, and do infernal work. How could this be averted? Frio Frank honestly believed that there could be no more heavy cross put upon a human being than that which he was now called upon to bear, and that human being retain his reason; yet, he scarce dreamed of what was before him. a een i ——— Romeo and the Reds. 7 He was fated to be ten times more burdened | All Imew, however, that this was not the with anguish and agony of soul, and that too | Apaches. within ‘the hour, although, had he been told | ‘Let my white brothers wait. Chiota soon that such was possible, he would have declared | read trails.” that deeper misery than he now suffered there | “ With these words the Creek galloped at full could not be. | speed up along the line of timber for some dis- His very soul was racked, his brain seeming | tance, when he halted and sprung to the earth. to seethe, and expand against its natural casket, | But almost instantly he remounted, and rode at as if it would burst. | a terrific rate of speed on his return. ° Bandera Bill cast frequent glances of pity and May Heaven sustain you now, Frio Frank! sympathy at his friend’s haggard, pallid, and There was a terrible look in the eyes of Chiota agony-drawn face, as did also the Creek chicf. as his black steed bounded in among the Texans, There was neither time nor inclination for | who had dashed clear of the undergrowth when words. Indeed, it was decidedly an occasion for | they saw the chief returning. acts, in place of words. ‘* Lone Wolf forgets not revenge,” said Chiota. Eivery eye became fixed upon the far-away | ‘So many braves —indicating with his fingers moving mass, which, they were well aware, was | twenty-five—“ ride fast up Hondo to Bandera speeding like leaves before a gale. | Ifills. When moon there”—pcinting to the But, ere long, the Apache war-party had | western sky—‘' they ride fast down Medina to disappeared amid the dark timber of the | Bancroft Ranch. Hondo, *“Sound war-cry, kill, scalp, burn. Lone Chiota and the young Texans noted well the | Wolf same warriors ride fast to Frio, down spot. | IIondo. Go to ranch of my white brother, Frio Time passed, and our friends, not having | Frank. Lone Wolf have herd horses.. Braves spared their horses, reached the ford, where | shoot from. Drive from hills déwn Hondo. Lone Wolf had put in practice his strategy. **This side Chiota no see. All stay in ford. The Creek chief, being in the lead, and cager | Bring mustangs. Big Panther, with braves, to study the trail on the south bank, while yot | ride up Hondo in water. Soon ride cut on plain. there was sufficient light from the graduaily- | Lash mustangs, Go fast to hills. Lone Wolf's dying red glow of sunset, forced his horse near | braves lead mustangs. the opposite bank before allowing the animal to “Think too dark, trail no show ‘ sign,’ but drink. Chiota eyes sharp. Bad, heap bad. Some go Then, sitting his steed, Chiota, ever sus- | back to Medina. Scme ride fast Frio. Ta picious, scrutinized tho hoof-prints in the moist | quick. Who go routh? Who go ncrth?” soil and mud, The eyes of Dill and Trank fairly glared, with “ Ugh!” a glassy look, into the face of the Creek chief as This guttural ejaculation burst at once from | he spoke. the Creek’s throat. Both, with lips apart, gasped for breath, His keon eyes had detected, on the instant, | panted, end grew as] allid as corpses, that there were led animals with the war-party. “Oh, where, where is God's justice?” gasped As there had been none except those that | out Frio Frank, at length. ‘Fly, pard Bill! were ridden, when he had inspected the remnant | Fly on the back trail, end defend your father of Lone Wolf’s band, and as he was confident | and sistcr! Let us divide fcrces at cnce. , that the pare of warriors which had joined the ““A life, yes, many lives, may depend upcn Apache chief did not have any extra animals in | a single moment. our sister is my promised the lead, his suspicions as to something being | wife, Bill. Do not, I implore ycu, let harm wrong were doubled. come to her! Quickly he lodsened the ity he from his or: ‘* The safety of my fathcr, mother, and sister, saddle-horn, and sprung from his se to the | call me south; and that cf my more than life, bank, north. I must galloped toward the Frio at cnca,. The Texans watched the chief anxiously, and | cr I shall be forced toward the Medina. May, with some surprise. God help us all!” They did not understand why there should be! Like a madman, Frio Frank drove spurs, and any attention paid to the trail. dashed off in the directicn of his kcme. urely their proper course was to specd direct It was plainly his duty to do £0, and just as to Forbes Ranch, in a bee-line, regardless of the | plain was it the duty cf Bandera Rill to speed. trail of the Apaches. | on the back trail to his own home, his father This courso might possibly—ey, probably— , and sister. be the means of their rcaching the ranch ahcad Such an occurrence as the war-party dividing of the savages; and thus they would gain every | had not been dreamed of by any except Chiota, advantage. and had not the chicf thought such amove prob» Not one of the party had tho remotest suspi- able, the facts would not have been ascertained cion that the Apaches, after being rcunited, had | so soon by h'm. again separated. The situaticn was now most papexing, but. Chiota, the Creek, however, held many secret | the Creck had his thoughts and plans, and he thoughts in his brain; and one was that Lone expressed them in words: Wolt was too revengeful to Ict the people of ‘Dancing lawn, she squaw of Chiota; rhe on Bancroft Ranch off, without anothcr attcmpt at | Medina. Chicta go cn back trail. It is good, destroying the home of Bandera Bill, and cap- | Bandera Bill, he go on back trail. turing or slaying his relatives. “Marker Mcce take his boys to Frio. Help Upon his hands and knees Chiota now exam- | fight Lone Wolf. He bad, heap bad. Big Pan- ined critically the hoof-prints, carefully estimat- | ther he bad, not heap tad. Come! War-trail ing their number, open. War-cry cn lips.” P is keen eyes, even when he was upon his There wes not the slightest hesitation cn the horse, had noticed that many of the tracks were | part of any. Each started as thus directed. sunk much deeper than the others. But not far had Frank gcne when one foreleg It was an casy matter for a skilled trailer to | of his steed was thrust into a burrow, the bone distinguish by the hoof-prints the lcd from the snapping, and the poor beast going down, never ridden horses. to rise. There, too, the rider lay unconscicus, Both Bandera Bill and Frio Frank, who had | when Marker become impatient, urged their animals to the border of the bank, and at once detected that at least half of the mustangs that had advanced up ose and his boys galloped up to es * Frank was, however, with the aid of whisky and water‘frcm the canteens, recovered; but the bank from the ford were not ridden. They | awaking only to deeper depths of anguish, and could not fail to perceivo this, clmost utter despair. The wonder indeed was It took but a momentary inspection to decide | thet the young men kept his reason, Chiota that the same number of animals had There was but little Celay from this accident, passed up the south bank from the ford,and that for all new they must hasten on tothe Frio. there were warriors in both the war-partiesafter | Frank mountcd behind cne of the cowko 8, joining each other—that is, fifty. : and away the six dashed, to the succor of For He also knew that the Indians had not! Ranch. ‘*doubled,” or one sprung up behind another, as| Frank sprung from one horse to another, fre- is sometimes done when animals give out on the ; quently changing; his brain, one wild whirlpool trail, for there was no occasion for this. of agonizing thoughts and imaginary impossi- With a gesture for the Texars to follow | bilities—a hellish pancramic view of savage through the timber, Chiota passed along directly | scenes flitting through his tortured mind; Bertie south, leaving the plainly-marked trail of the | Bancroft, the leading and prominent figure sonar which swerved easterly through the | and sufferer in each and all. es | But the Apaches had a favorable start, and Soon they all reached a point from which they | unlike their pursuers had taken a straicht could gaze out over the plain. Then the Cr course. The consequence was that, when Frank's chief pointed away to the westward. fi father approached the timber of Deer Creck, There, a moving dark mass was plainly dis-| where the Apaches grt observed him t that very cernible, lay hidden to _ aanbush hi
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‘ 8 —— eine ———— ~time, his brave son and the cowboys were dash- ing toward the timber that secreted the Indians going toward the south. And, hadthey not hear the rifle reports, all no doubt would have dashed clear of the timber, and thus have been taken at a fearful disadvantge. The race for life, and the cease of his father, were witnessed by the young Texan and the cowboys; who were now compelled to gallop far to the westward, and strike a timbered creek that ran into the Frio some two miles above Forbes Ranch. This, they then followed down for some dis- ‘tance, screened by the dense shades from the ‘view of the Apaches. CHAPTER VIII. THROUGH THE TUNNEL. A DEATHLIKE silence reigned at Forbes Ranch. As was natural, the two negroes were nerved to desperation by the thought that their wives and children were in danger, and they were re- solved to fight like demons, Had the Mexicans dared, they would have de- ‘serted their employer, and taken to the shades; but they imagined the savages to be lurking everywhere in the dark timber, Mrs. Forbes and Floss believed fully that the coming danger had cast its shadow before; that they had been warned, by dreams and presenti- ments of the approach of the red demons. But. ‘they were naturally brave and self-reliant, an ‘they were determined to do all in their power to defend their home and lives. If only Frank were at home! They had every confidence in the husband and father, but then knew that one man could not be in several places at the same time. The negro women sat, weeping and trembling, while they watched the slumbers of their little ones; every possible atrocity, that the Indians could commit, flashing through their minds. Old man Forbes kept along within the border of the timber, on the west side of the bend, until at the entrance of the same. From this point, he could gain a view of tho plain, over which he had just galloped, and from which he ‘ had dashed into the timber. To his relief, he saw the Apaches gallopin headlong toward the very point where he ha struck the shades. This proved that they did not know the location of the ranch. . Back on his trail he strode at a quick pace, ‘when he bethought himself that it would bea good idea to equip some of his saddle-horses and ‘secrete them in the thickets east of the clearing. There was ample time for this before the savages could come up, and it was possible in the dark- ness that they might take a wrong direction. Calling the two negro men to his assistance, equipments for a dozen animals were taken from cabin, and as many horses made ready for use. These were led from the corral and secured to imbs of trees some distance from the clearing, nd near the bank of the river. Then the three hastened to the ranch, and all went inside, barring the doors with heavy oaken bars. The open space in the center of the dwel- ling was floored above, and, by ascending a stairway the occupants of one apartment could reach the other. The old ranchero hastened to his wife and daughter, cheering them by his words and man- ner as far as was possible; although he was far from being confident that he could defend his home ering 8 Had there not been the underground passage to the river, he would have been in a most de- spondent and hopeless condition, But, as yet, there were no indications of the presence of enemies in the vicinity, which show- ed that Lone Wolf had decided upon a different mode of operations from that pursued by him at Bancroft Ranch. * Soon, however, sounds were heard; and, un- observed, half a score of the red fiends crawled to the cook’s cabin, against which leaned a large hewn log. This, they dragged, noiselessly toward the dwelling. ‘ ‘ Gaining a position just clear of the first loop- hole on the front side of the western end of the building, they rushed toward the door of tho east ea annie the end of the huge piece of timber within three feet of it; when, with a lunge forward, all sprung free! The concussion was terrific, in force and sound; indeed, few doors could have withstood the shock. The iron sockets, which held in place the upper bar of the door, were driven clear from the logs; the bar flying half across the room. The upper hinge was also broken and the lower one : nt; thus forcing the top of the door inward, sufficiently for one man at a Romeo and the Reds. time, or two by crowding, to spring into the room, No sooner had the crash sounded, than every Apache shot out a fearful war-whoop, each as ae and a rush was made for the half-open oor. The scene and sounds, that followed, beggar description. The negro women and their children shrieked and screamed in terror, huddling together, but powerless to flee up the stairway. Both Mrs. Forbes and Floss uttered cries of alarm, as they beheld two hideous, painted faces at the partly-crushed door. Candles were burn- ing in the apartments, but clothing had been hung up before the loop-holes, and under it the watchers had thrust their heads. In another moment, two Indians had crowded over the door, while Mrs. Forbes and her daugh- ter stood as if paralyzed. Quickly they recov- ered, however; and, having taken up their rifles, they aimed, and pulled trigger. One of the braves gave a terrible death-how], and fell over among the negro children, a corpse. War-whoops now rung out, above the cries of the terrified slaves. More Apaches sprung in, the first splitting the head of a negro boy with his tomahawk. ut he made no further move. <A_ bullet pierced his brain, from the ranchero’s rifle. All the inmates of the ranch now saw that they were in the greatest danger. antically they hastened up the stairway to the flooring of the loft, and rushing across it, Moe women and children beheld the awful scene elow. After shooting the Apache, old man Forbes had darted forward to protect his loved ones— the two negroes following. Two more savages fel before the ranchero’s revolver, and then he yelled: ate the stairs now, all of you! Climb for ife He was speedily obeyed, but none too soon for their safety. Feathered shafts flew into the apartment, and a hail of leaden bullets out the door; but the Indians soon sprung from the opening, for they realized that they had not only lost four of their number, besides several being wounded, but that they had gained nothing. Indeed, the bursting in of the door, had been but the form- ing. of a death-trap for themselves. heir signal-whoops revealed this to Lone Wolf and the remainder of the war-party, who were in the timber, waiting to shoot down all who might rush from the besieged ranch. Tho fury of the Apache chief was fiendish. The next instant, he and those of the warriors who remained with him, rushed into the clear- ing; bounding from side to side, to avoid the aim of those at the loop-holes. But there was no danger, as the charge was made from the west, and the apartment on that end of the building was unoccupied; except that the corpses of four of their number, and that of the negro lad, lay there. All had, by this time, gained the east apart- ment, the Mexicans being stationed in the loft, to shoot down any Indian, who might rush in at the broken door. During the terrible din, when all were de- moralized by the fearful surprise which the Apaches had given them, the ranchero and the two slaves retained remarkable self-possession and control. They sprung at once to the loop- holes, after guarding the retreat of the women and children. The Apache chief was frantic. At his signal-yell all s wht 3 along the veran- da and from the west end of it; on, at command of the chief, striking a light with flint and stecl, and igniting a lot of dry grass and twigs, Then some of this was bound about arrow- points, and then, rocket-like, the fire-laden shafts shot through the air and upon the roof of the dwelling. Forbes Ranch was doomed! In less than five minutes a shower of burning reeds and cinders would fall upon the heads of those in the east apartment. The demons in paint and feathers danced wildly around the clearing, now brightly lighted up by the forked and hissing flames. They knew that they were in no further danger from the rifles of the Texans, for the time of the latter would now be fully occupied. They were right, for the old ranchero at once abandoned his post, me out: “No use, boys! r) ose doomed, if we can’t escape by the underground passage to the river, which, as L have not been in it for a year, may be caved in and blocked up.” As he spoke he lifted a trap-door, and down a rude flight of steps passed his wife and daugh- re ter, both of them as pale as death, but still clutching their rifles. Already sparks fell from the burning thatch. The Mexicans, with wild yells of terror, sprung from their perch into the west apartment, be- lieving the crashed-in door to be the only means of escape from being roasted alive. They knew nothing of the underground pass- age, and they could not see that the others were escaping in that way. But escape in some way they must. It was a terrible moment! A terrible moment to those who were descend- ing into that dark tunnel, which, for aught they knew, might be closed up and prove ty their tomb. <A terrible moment, for a shower of sparks fell into the room, and the negro women and children tumbled over each other with cries and moans. The two negro men stood with rifles clutched, but thes« were useless against the terrible enemy that caused them to cringe and the perspiration to pour from them, It was a terrible moment to the three Mexi- cans, braced amid corpses on the blood-strewn floor of the west room, with hissing flames over their heads, and yelling fiends surrounding the building in which they were. . But it was death to linger, and out the trio dashed, to behold the veranda-roof blazing and a perfect rain of burning fragments falling upon the flooring; the smoke hiding all beyond, in the cool, free air, from their view. : Like madmen the three Greasers bounded through the shower of sparks and falling, burn- ing reeds, their black eyes glaring with despera- tion and every nerve and muscle strained. The Apaches, who had begun to think they were to cheated out of their prey, gave out a yell of exultation in chorus, as a dozen of them darted forward, with uplifted weapons. Three rifie-shots, the guns aimed at random by the Mexicans, then a series of dull blows, and the three men lay, as if dead, at the feet of the red fiends. . Quickly they were bound, and Lone Wolf or- dered them to be borne into the shades, where the mustangs had been left. Three braves start- ed, dragging them along, and then another transformation took place. The Apaches had surprised the people of the ranch. It was now their turn to be surprised. Not half the distance between the burning ranch and the bordering timber of the clearing had been passed by the three warriors, who were dragging their Mexican captives, when a line of fire spurts shot from the shades, followed by a stunning report, and the three Apaches fell dead; while beyond, in the circle of exul- tantly whooping and dancing demons, threo more death-howls were heard, as that number of the red-fiends threw their arms in the air, with their weapons still grasped in tho death- clutch. ' Then they fell, prone upon the sward, the fiery flames playing upon their painted faces, and set and soulless eyes, ‘ CHAPTER IX. ONCE MORE TO THE BREACH, CuioTa, with Bandera Bill, allowed their horses to proceed at an easier gait when they started on the back trail; for they knew that they could reach Bancroft Ranch much sooner than the Apaches under Big Panther, who would, to prevent discovery, be forced to travel in a roundabout course. Their pace permitted conversation, and most certainly they had a subject to hand. ‘* By Heavens, Chiota!” exclaimed Bill; ‘‘ mat- ters are getting decidedly mixed. Who would have thought of that fiend, Lone Wolf, even upon receiving reinforcements, attacking our ranch again, after having lost nearly all his braves? If he is so bent upon revenge, why did he not send the new-comer to Forbes Ranch, if that is his destination, and return himself with those who have learned the approaches to, and know the exact location of our ranch, with all the advantageous points of attack?” The Creek meditated a moment, striving to ar- rive at the main grew and general meaning of his white pard. © then returned: ** Lone olf, he cunning like fox. Know braves who been at Bancroft Ranch think ‘ bad medicine’ on that war-trail, so no good in fight. Apache in bearskin jump from log- lodge, run after war-party. Braves heap scare. Lone Welf, he heap scare. Think Bad Spirit put ‘bad medicine’ on trail, make lose heap warriors. “When get in old camp, up Medina, one bravo ho ride in camp. Say big bear on river bank been skinned. Then all say, no Bad Spirit.
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Say he white man with skin on to scare Apache. ‘Lone Wolf, he heap glad. Say shoot bear- skin man when come. Soon come in camp from bush, Apache in bearskin, he see but no yell. Want get back to brother braves. Run fast in —— Lone Wolf. ‘Warriors shoot quick. Many arrows go in bearskin brave. He fall. Buckskin in mouth fly out. Sound death-howl. Apachesrun. Cut bearskin off, then see brother brave. “That bad, heap ‘bad medicine,’ for Apache shoot Apache. ury quick. Put scalps in =, urn all arrows that shoot in brother rave. ‘That heap more ‘bad medicine.’ Lone Wolf know braves no dare go back to Bancroft Ranch. Heap scare. So send Big Panther and warriors. ‘They no see ‘bad medicine. ‘Lone Wolf, he cun- ning like fox. So he think. Chiota laugh at Lone Wolf. Apache chief think Chiota no see trail of led mustangs.’ Bime-by Lone Wolf think Chiota cunning like fox. It is good.” “Then you saw them shoot the Apache that you sewed up in the bearskin, did you?” ‘* Chiota say see, did see. Lay in bush.” “* And they consider it ‘ bad medicine’ to have killed one of their own number by mistake, thinking it to be one of our men, who was gotten itp to spy up, and frighten them?” ‘‘My white brother’s ears open. He talk like hear Chiota. It is good.” ‘*Now I understand. But I should have sup- that the braves under Lone Wolf would ve informed the new-comers of the strange events, and their heavy losses.” * Chiefs talk on war-path. Warriors tongues “Well, that is a good idea. But I hope we shall have the satisfaction of giving Big Panther and his braves good cause to decide that the Medina is ‘ bad medicine’ for Apaches. ‘‘Poor Frank! He has, indeed, been called upon to suffer more than one in ten thousand. I trust the ‘boys’ will aid him and the people of Forbes Ranch, in defending his home against those fiends. Infuriated as they are by their losses, they will use all the cunning and strategy they can practice, to bts bre capture. ‘They have learned better, by their experi- ence at our ranch than to charge on their mus- tangs, upon a Texan home, in bright moon- ight. *“Good talk. My white brother, he great brave. Apaches leave mustangs in woods. Craw] like snakes in bushes.” ‘Yes, without doubt; and as, of course, it is impossible for Frank and the ‘boys’ to reach Forbes Ranch ahead of the Apaches, to warn his father, and prepare for defense, there seems to ‘me to be little hope for the ranch and the Forbes family. By heavens, it is terrible to think of! ‘Tt will drive poor Frank insane, if his people are killed, and his home destroyed.” ‘‘Heap fool have ‘bad medicine’ on brain. Apache kill father, kill mother, steal atl mus- tangs of Chiota. Chiota, he no sit down, like squaw, with ‘rain of sorrow’ on cheeks. No. “*Chiota jalagh knife. Go on war-trail. Sound war-cry, kill, scalp.” And the Creek chief circled his knife in the air, shot out his terrifi¢ whoop of war, and sped on as if he wished te have no more conversation ‘with his white pard. Much to the surprise of Bandera Bill, he found himself almost continually dwelling in thought on the Forbes family, and especially on Floss and Frank, although he had never met any of them except the latter. Frio Frank had so often described his sister, and so graphically and particularly that his de- scription had been the means of Bill’s haying created in his imagination a picture of the Frio maiden not unlike the reality, and that picture ‘was often in his mind’s eye. : But he excused himself for dwelling less upon the dangers that hovered over his own home and dear ones by the conclusion that there was little danger to be apprehended from the party of Big Panther. To be forewarned was to be forearmed. But Bandera Bill shuddered as he thought of the consequences that might have been had not the Creek chief discovered the Apaches dashing over the plain toward the Frio, and given warn- ing of the same in time for them to reach the Hondo ford before it was too late for Chiota to find out, by the false “trail, the division of the war-party. In that event, without doubt, all at Bancroft Ranch would have been massacred except Dan- Romeo and the Reds. As a matter of course, all at Bancroft Ranch | or in prospective; and he restored the turkey to were greatly surprised at seeing Bill and Chiota riding toward the bend, they having been dis- covered by one of the Mexicans, who was sta- | tioned at the entrance of the bend on guard. | All gathered on the veranda as the returning | pair urged their horses to the same and dis- | mounted. | Bill sprung forward and folded Bertie in his | arms. He could see that her lovely face was | rs a with extreme anxiety. At once he | said: ‘¢ Wrank and the boys have gone to the Frio to protect the ranch and his father, mother, and sister from the Apache wolves, ‘Don’t worry about him, Bertie; for we must take care of ourselves. We are not, by a long shot, out of danger.” Poor Bertie shuddered, but bore up bravely, awaiting her brother’s explanation, which was made plain enough, however, by the Creek chief who strode to the front of Dancing Fawn, an said in his characteristic way: | ‘When moon up high in s Apache war-cries, here. Bertie here. Bill here. So war-trail here.” Old Ben Bancroft stood, the very picture of Joy and wonder at the return of his son, ‘Well, Will,” he said, ‘‘what’s up now? Were you on a false scent? But, no—I’m sure Chiota made no mistake. He never does. ‘Did Frank and the boys think they could de- fend the Frio ranch, or that you two were needed here?” ‘* Father,” explained the young man, ‘‘ we must prepare for another night of danger. Twenty-five Apaches, who were not with Lone Wolf in his raid here on the Medina, joined him on the plain, and have gone up the Hondo, to the hills. They will come down the river to-night, and attack us, while Lone Wolf pro- ceeds to the Frio, to destroy and slay at Forbes Ranch, ‘* Now you know why we have returned.” ‘Merciful Heaven! Are these horrors never to end? It was a black day that I located here, and a blacker day when I brought our darling Bertie to this wild frontier. “Heaven help us, and the Forbes family! For mercy’s sake; Chiota, attend to the prepara- tions for defense. Let the red fiends come, We'll give them a hot reception!” The old ranchero paced back and forth on the veranda, in great agitation, casting frequent and anxious glances at Bertie and Will; while the latter strove to inspire his sister with hope, and allay her fears, Romeo, his head still swathed in bandages, heard sufficient to make him hasten, and report the terrible tidings to his mother, Auntie Sue. The old woman dropped a turkey that she was preparing for the oven, upon the floor, the very instant that the word ‘‘ Apaches” left Romeo’s lips; her eyes starting from her head in terror. She rushed forward near Bertie, while Romeo stood behind her, clutching her skirt, and Chunk was at his little master’s heels, with bristling hair, his eyes darting suspicious glances at Chiota, not being able to decide poste between that friendly chief and the owling demons who had created such fearful excitement at Bancroft Ranch. “Don’t be alarmed, Auntie Sue,” said Bill, reassuringly; ‘‘ there is no danger at present; indeed there will not be until after midnight, e | sisted then hear | hiota, he come ack, Squaw and then we are, I hope, able to protect our- selves from the red raiders. “ But Chiota and I are hungry, and I hope you have some supper for us. Run back, Auntie, and shake up some grub as quick as you can,” ‘““Ye’re sho’, Mars’ Will, dar’s none ob dem red debbils nigh der ranch?” ‘‘ None nearer than the Bandera Hills, Auntie Sue; so rest easy. You'll *be in the ranch with Miss; Bertie hours before they arrive.” ‘“‘Bress de Lawd! An’ chile”—turning to Romeo—“ don’t yer leave yer mudder dis time. Pick up dat turkey, chile; Mars’ Will an’ dat Chiota Injun done want some grub! ‘“*Tclar’, hit do pear mighty strange "bout a Injun bein’ de savin’ of Wwe-'uns from gittin’ killed, an’ hevin’ our heads skunt by oder no- ‘count Injuns. Hit jist upsots my old head ter think o’ hit, é “Tl jist sot hit down, *fore de good Lawd, dat Chiota am a white man what’s painted his- self red. He’s done bin sont ter dis ranch, ter save we’uns—I’m cl’ar sho’ ob dat. Now, you mind!” Romeo was too much occupied with dread any comments as to the situation of affairs, past his mother, and then crawled under the table, pileying his bandaged head upon Chunk—the atter, accommodatingly, and sympathizingly lying down for this purpose. After Bandera Bill and the Creek had satisfied their appetites, the Mexicans were stationed at the loop-holes, and all was made ready for a i ay defense of the ranch. n, Chiota, to the amazement of all, in- that Bertie, Dancing Fawn, Auntie Sue. and Romeo, should be taken to the big tree, an placed in the “nest” of lariats, which had proved to be anything but a safe retreat at the time of the previous attack. But the Creek had no doubts, apparently, on this occasion. ‘“‘ Chiota say, Big Panther’s Apaches no know where ‘‘nest” in tree. Mebbe so shoot fire- arrows, burn ranch. Then Chiota, Bill, Mexi- cans, all run fast. Fight fast. No take care squaws. Squaws all get kill. Nest, he good.” Thus the chief reasoned. And old Ben Bancroft and his son were forced, by these reasonings, to admit that he was right. His advice, therefore, was taken, the women being supplied with arms, with which to defend themselves. Doubtless, Dancing Fawn would not again, after her past experience, descend the tree to reconnoiter. But much trouble was had with Auntie Sue, who had not the slightest confidence in the se- curity of the retreat in that huge tree by the river-bank; but she soon perceived that she would be left behind otherwise, so she hastily assented, calling frequently upon ‘“‘de good Lawd” for protection. Chiota recommended that the dog, Chunk, be shut up in the cook’s cabin; but the little cur found its way to the tree, and was secretly car- ried up to the nest by Romeo. All the females being thus, as was believed, in a secure position, Chiota, Bill, the old ranchero, and the birt Mexicans proceeded to secure the doors and shutters, and then stationed themselves at the loop-holes; the Mexicans being posted in the east apartment, and the Bancrofts, father and son, with Chiota, in the west room, at which end of the building it was presumed the savages would begin the attack. CHAPTER X. HAD HE BEEN TOO L:‘TE? ' A FEARFUL picture it was that was presented to the horrified gaze of Frio Frank andt e cowhoys as they had thrust their rifles shrougn the scrcen of folinge, and fired the volley that laid six of Lone Wolf s demon crew low in death, The forked flames of the Lurning ranch shot up- ward, for all that lrank knew, devouring those so near and dear to him. Had he arrived too late? What, oh, what had occurred between these log walls since the first wild war-cries of the Apaches bad neryed him and his comrades on tearing through the undergrowth, panting vith exertion, and they saw the lurid light of the conflagration shouting here and there above their heads, and a red glow betwecn the limbs of the towering trees and the toys cf the undergrowth—who can imagine the arguish that racked Frank Forbes to the very soul, and caused the cowboys, with set teeth, to srip weapons more tightly as they strove to reach the scene of the hell- ish work of the red pirate of the Pecos. Little hope was there in the breasts of the Texans as they saw that the ranch wasa mass cf flames, yet, as they perceived that the Apaches bad taken no captives, apparently, except the three Mexicans whom they themselves had just rescued, there might be—but what? ‘As in one agonized glance the flendish scene was opened before them, and they saw that there were no dead bodies cpposite the blazing owelling. then Frio Frank, Marker Mose, and the “‘ bcys,’ felt bo that the inmates of the ranch had «scaped by the underground passage, the existence of which the young man had on the way :evealed to those who were with him. They knew at once that the Mexicans were yet living, or they would have be en hacked and scalped by the main party of red maraucers, The Greasers had evidently been captured for the torture-stake, Such had been the greet loss of life among the Apaches that Lone Wolf would take all the cr ptives he could. in order that he might gratify his braves by scenes of torture, in which they eculd glut their thie for revenge. is was the decision of Frank, who knew well the character of the Arache chief. The instant the Indians saw their comrades fall, they saw also, to their unbounded amazement, tne six terrible avengers, with their fast-sho. tiog guns in hand, and death in their flasbing eyes. At once a signal-y+ Il shot from the throat of the frantically furious Lone Wolf, the intonation of which revealed the intensity of his baffled rage; and uick almost as lightning, a volley of steel-pointed cing Fawn and r Bertie, who would have | imaginings, in connection with his experi- | chafts cut th inting’ es they whirled in their been carried off to_a fate, which, even to think | ences with the A hes, and Pim mets. en- | conte,’ a une wale ue ee "empcus flarien. sa Wy ef, gave him a deadly faintness. sions of the possible horrors to come, to make ; So unexpected and sudden was this volley fired, Pa } eB ans) ‘
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the Texins being bent on closing in witb the red foe, ond bending every nerve and muscle to that end, that they were not prepared to avoid the shafts by falling o the earth, or to confuse the aim of the fue by a fusiladv from theirrevolvers Ihe consequence | was tha two of the cowboys fell mortally wounded, the deadly arrows jierciug their breasis, feather deep. peak not one cf tho litile party of. whites escap ‘d either being wounded, or having thcir c.oth- iuy pierced. But the survivors, led ty Frio Frank, bounced on- wart, wi hveng-ful yells: As an echo to the yells of agony that came from the two cow oys, whe» the stcel-pointed shafts pi reed throuzh and tlrough their vitals, out rung th instan'aneous discharg : of four revolvers. But th» Apaches, who expectel this. and who had all sprurg at oncstowarl the timb r as their bow- strings twanged, fell flat to tue carth, thus escap- lg. Ss quicly cid the warriors bound to the’r fret, and ( sh for cover; rennin sin ascrpcntine course, to avoil th:expect J showcr of leaden balls. A perfect voll y followed ths first, and two more of tie fiends of t e Pecos, vith doa l-bowls, sunk to the earth; leavin; Lone Woilf with but ten braves —more than half of t .e number w.th which he had left the Rio M dina, to avenge the heavy losses Lo had thers sustained, having been s'nin. ittle vonder that, as these warriors dashed into | th: dark sails, they were foreed to beli.ve that “bad medicine’’ bad followed therm from tho Mo- dina, Lone Wolf was frantic with bafflol rags bit he realiz2 1 t»athe was in a mest Cesperats position; on account of tho Texans being between his braves ant their mustangs. And, as tue Texans, who he know had, in some mysterious manner, r.ach d tho Frio fruin tho Me- dina—f or he 1ecoznized Frio Frank—unnoticed on the back trail, had burst from the west side of the clearing; this caused the Aprchs chief to be rritly w rried, ho thinking it probable that they fad discovered tho mustan s of hisparty. If £0, ed had cut the avimals loose, and stampedad them Their relief, however, was intense, as they rushed into asmall ‘open,” to discover a doz n horses ge.11re | to Limbs, and fully equipped. When tho red braves ran t..cir bands over the fram sani limbs of these animals, that snorted in fright, and sprunz away from them, they were doubly cl t d; for, at once, they realized that the had accilentally discovered a very fine lot of fresh siveds, that would bear them away from the vicin- ity fas ec than their own fatigued mustangs, or the hors s the iexans had 1idden from the Rio Mcdina. Notwithstanding the loss of more than half his Htt'e war part + since reaching the Frio, the Apache chief now began to realize that there was a sprink- ling of “‘ good medicine ” on his war-trail. First, h» had no doubt thas all tho people of the ranch, exe pt the three Mexicans—allof Frio Frank’s pl:—had been burned alive in the log-lodge; fcr 5 would have been im ible for a human being to exist inside ths building many moments, after the frantic rush cf the Geasers from it. This wa a grana triumph, and a suitable revenge upon Fri» Frank. Ihshom and people of the young scout had been sw pt from the ca th! Frank lad arrived too late, but ho had arrived in the very nick of time to suit Lone Wolf. It was the moment that ths Apache chi-f most desired. Tho young T xin had bebeld th ; confla~ration at a stage when it was impossib e for living b.ings to be witbin the aoome! dwellins! The anzuish of Frio Frank must be terrible, Tuis wis moet gratifying to Lone Wolf. Besi !es this, his braves had slain two of the Tex- an;, and wounded others. And, tocap tho climax, the Apach:s had, in their flizht, bn lel by tre spirits of their fathers, cirect to the concealed horses. That these animals had been _cquipped, and thers 1 ft by the people of the ranch, for the purpose of escape, the chi f was confluent; and tlis prove}, that the poople of Frio Frank could not have escaped from th: burning dweliin s. Ta:ing all thess things into cons'deration, Lone Wolff It that he had much upon wwich to congratu- late himself. So «lat. d was ho, that he hesitated but a moment, deciling toinspect the clearing and ths burnin ; bu:!ding from a point near tie river; and thus en- deavor to surprise, and kill or capture the remaining exans. Coull he but capture Frank, h’s Frio war-trail would be a complete success; and the pr-sence of the young scout and the cowboys giatified him much frit proved that his ruse had worked well— that by having expos:d his little war party on tho plain, he had, as he Se eat and hoped drawn oh large portion of the defenJers of Bancroft ch, ‘ This would probably insure tho success of Bi¢ Panther. in burning the ranch. killing t..e inmates, ° aud per’ aos securing Bandera B'll for the torture. That Chiota was nt with Frio Frank's lana A however looked snspicious. It indicated that b de the Cre'k and Bill, perhaps with others had re- turned to the Mecina, upon finding that the war- party had divided. and one h If gone up the Hondo, This seemed probable, as Lone Wolf believed both Chiota and BanJera Bill woul? have accompanied Frio Frank to defend the home of the latter, if they had not had good grounds to believe that another attack was meditated uvon Bancroft Ranch. No sooner did this thought occur to the Apache ’ Romeo and the Reds. . chief, than he resolved, as he hed discovered the ** bonanza,” in the shape of a dozen finely equipped horses, to make an ¢ffort to capture Fiio Frank, and then dash headloug io the Rio Medina; ashe knew he could, upon such fresh horses, reach that river at a very favorub.e time to make an attack, und wuich time might be chosen by biz Panther. Thus baving lait out his line of action, the Apache chi f ord:red four of his warriors to gua 4 the | horses, bidding the remaiping six to follow him as stealthily as s rpents, Thus were the cruel fates influencing both whites and reds toward a common point—toward a mect- ing that wou'd canse tcrribie torture «f mind—lead- ing Texans and Apach s to a point which was dcs- tin-d to bs the scene of a most tragic struggle; for Lone Wolf and lis Lraves proc:’eded to the ve spot with the object of r°connoitering the burniag ranch and the cle rine below. This was the exit from the undersrovnd passage by whic’ ths p ople o’ For.ves Ranch weve escaping from t eir burning home. And the Texans, Frio Frank jn the load, andhe nearly prostrated by fatizue, privation from food ands! ep, ani agony of soul, were also proceeding cautiously within th» bord«r of the under-rowth to the same point, hopin + and praying that the unfor- tunate people of tue ranch wero now ia the tunnel, CHAPTER XI. IFTANK AND FLO:S. Tux six Apacho braves and their chief reached a eint ou tue bank cf ths river, at the swell cf the end, where a belt of low rushesscreened them from view. The whole building was now one immense pils of flame. Somewhat to the surprise of tho Indians, the four Texaus were not to be seen. Their abseiico scemed toin icate th t they had stolen into the shaces in s archcf theirfoes, This caused somo uneasin’ss to Lone Welf and the warriors who were with him, although they were confident that the Texans knew nothing about the horses they had discovered. Indeed, it was impossible that they should, As this thought occurred to the Ar ache chief, one of the Mexicans, who had been rescucd and kft lying where their red captors had been shot down, raised himself to a sitting posture and gazed in a bewildered manner at ] is see:ingly dead comra'es, The heat was now strong, and as the Greaser began gradually to realize the near and frichtful past, be as the sign of the cross and stagge to his eet, Instantiy, vpon perceiving him, the hideous facs of Lone Wolf contorted more hideously, and he at once ordered two of his braves 1o steal around the border of the clearing and knifo the Mexicans, se- cure their scalps, and drag their own slain comrades into the thicket to be buri_d before the hated Texans cold scalp them, The two braves Cesignated by Lone Wolf at once proceeded to craw] cautiously on their mission. The remaining four braves and Lone Wolf, though enx- ious for their safe y, had their attention soon drawn to another quarter; one from which they had ex- cied no alarm nor any evidence of enem’‘cs. Vhat they saw filled the demors w.th murderous joy and exultation. They first heard the slight rustling of tho vines on the steep bank directly behind them, and a little be- low their cr uching p'ace. At this snot the moon shone Cown upon the waters of the Rio Frio, but it was some time, nceverthe’ess, before the Apaches could discern the occasion of the movement among the vines. They belisved that the Texans had become fright- ened after the loss «f two of their number, and had secreted themselves, hoping that from the place of their concealment, they could ret a shot at thir enemics. Not fora moment, cid they ry eer it to oe ap connection with those who had been in the ranch, Consequently, rreat was the ast-nishment of the savages, when they beheld the head of the oli ranchero, whom t. ey had chased over the prairie, and who had shot down two of their brother braves, rojecting from tie curtain of vines. Then they etected ths sound of whisperinz. At once, the Indians decided that the ranch must have been built over a subt rrancan passage, the entrance to which was beneath the log-lodge, and the exit at the river-bank. If this was the case, and there secmed no other explanation, then there was lit'le doubt in rezard to all the inmates of the dwelling having cscaped death. This must have been it. for otherwise they woul! have rusbed ou , end braved a far Jess tortur- ing death, thant at buare, The eyes of the rd fi nds rlittered. as they now gioated over the prospect before them. Only for 1 moment was the }ead of Mr. Forbes frea from the.ines. Then it disappeared, but tho nxt his arm was scen boldiy tearing them away, and then with his daughter supported by the other arm, he descended toward the water, some s x fevt below; it being impossible to surmount the bank, as it slightly overhung the river at that point. Thon Mrs, Forb s peeped out from the exit of the tunnel. an’ the cries ‘f the nerro children, and tne acalding of their mothers becrme audible, ith a few gestures to his braves, Lone Welf, with knife in hand, stood ready. A most terrible revenge was within his power, a fiendish on«! It was evident that those in the underground pas- sage had heard the reports of the rifles, and believed that the red maraud:rs had been driven away, cr they would not have ventured out, especially in so careless a manner, Knife in hand, the Apache chief sprung down upon the shoulders of the ranchero; the piercing shriek of poor Floss Forbes changing to a gurgling cry, as she was clutched by Lone Wolf, and the urm of ber father was wrenched from her side. Then the brutal captor, and b s fair captive, sunk bencath the +urface of the Rio Frio! That ery wes the signal for a startling change cf scene upon the bank. and in the waters, ou side cf the bound downward cf the hidcous «hief. Tho | we'ght«f Lone Wolf forved old man Korb s far be- | neath the surface, in an alz ost p ralyzed conditica | both mentally and j hysically. | _ The ho-ror of the ranch: ro, as he strvggled fecbly | beneath the waters, was most ¢ xcruciating. 1 | ' In cnother instant, one of the braves smung after his chivf. erasninz ashe skot downwaréa the horror- stricken Mrs. Forbe>: but jurt then, with loud crics of vengeance? Frio Frank, Marker Mosc, and t!e two | cowboys, bou ded forward upon tle trio of » Apaches, who wvre leaning over the bonk, "rank left th» recs to t_e merey of the c>whoys, who rushed upon them with gleaming bowi s, Poor Frank had errived but a few minutes too | Inte,o make a daring attempt to prevent t) e cc- | Struction of his home; end now it seemed it had been but afew seconds too Inte to scvo Lis Carling sister, for Floss wasnowhere to he secn! The weters of t’ e1iver, the current onthororth side being slow. were fr ‘atly agitated a two points; and the readcr mey faint’y imagine the rg ny of suspenss that fol'owrd this discovery by the young man, for he knew that it was occasioned by human beings bencath the surface. With bowie clutched, ..o stood ready for a bound into the river. Soon the pallid’ faco of his father met his vier— the oll mai gasping for breath, and struggling as if wounded. Fr nk with a cry that was heart-piercing, was about to make a s»vring to the assistance cf his father; when, to his horror, two more faces broke the water, a little nearer the Lank, No wo cer was Frank's emotion mingl-d with overvowering anxie+ty; for oue face wes that cf bie mother, apparently more dead then living, whilo, grasping her by the hair, his right arm beiny thrust upward. with long knife clutcaed for murderous” Liow, was a hi*eous Apache! l.ut a moment passed while Frank gazed down at the disturbed waters, but it seemed to him an hour, No sooner, howevir, had tle young T xan fully realiz>d the scene, than, panther-like, he leaped out, wi h arms extended; and, etriking the wrtcr wit in a foot of the exultant, but now cumfounded Indian, the scout tore te arm of the red flend from its clutch upon his mother, and at the same time buried bis knife in the Aprcle's throat. The latter caught wildly at lis white fre, and a in desperate encounter, snk beneath tho sur- ace, Meanwhile the three cowboys had been having a flerce knife conflict wih the trio of braves vtpon w om they lad sprung but a moment previous to the leap « f Frio Frank into the river. Two desperately fighting coupl s fell over the bank into the stream; but one prir remnincd cn tirrsfirma, and the cowboy socn dispatched his red opnonent, Ere long Frenk arose to tho surface, when ho cauzht asight of his mother elinging to bo vines on the bank; and then of his father, who was tlowly and feebly struggling to rain the bark lower cown. Then a blow from a hatchet of an Indian, who had just slain his cowboy antagonist, shut off all sense, and all cons iousn: ss. At asi~nal from Lone Wolf. the form of the brave young Texan was shoved down-stream, and in be- bind the screen cf vines. This last act was not observed by the cowbcy on the bank, nor by his pard in the rtream—tLe latter now held in the dc atl -grip cf his red cp" onent. More terrible and rapidly changing scenes have rarely been wilnesscd. The cowboy on the bank threw a Jasso to his ecm- rade, who secured it beneat the arns «f Mrs. Forbes: and then, the boy in the watcr +truck ous dow:.-stream to assist the oid ranchcro. But ho fiever knew how near he wes to death, cslterwam past the cove:t of L ne Wolf and his brave, with tle captive brother and sistcr, Realizing that they must at once cscape. Lore Wolf, and the warrior wit! him, s}owly floated clong the bank, hiddcn ly the drooy ing reeds snd vincs, until they found a p'ace casy <f aseert. Then they dragged th ir captives upward, beund their rrns behind them, and the brave departed. He soon ro- turned, however, leading two of the cquipped hi rses, The captive pair were at ones placed upon theso animals, one uron cach,ard Lo'e Wilf end tho bravesfprung up behind hae A tho un- conscious Floss end Frank. The |crs s§ were at once urged forward through the woed. urtii vo other animals end tho guaid that had been left over them, were reachec. While this had bien going on, tho Mexiern who had recovered was Cispotched ty the Indian wlo first observed him; and his two senrclers comradcs were made serselers forever by the Lrives fa cowardly pair of Apach:s, The eca!ps of all three were then torn frem their heads, These now — their chicf, at a guttural order from whom. they and the otbers vaultcd i: tos d- eles; the horses which were not ncede', being 1d along. In this way Lone Wolf gellope awiy, on his return to the Rio Medina, wih two captivis; one. the fairest maiden on the Frio, and tke other her brave and noble brother. No sadder, or more deplorable condition could two morels be pisced in, They believed their father and mother to have
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— ‘of curio is r ‘sponsi been killed, and they knew that, if not rescued, a terrible ueath awaited them. So intense and ov. rpowering were the feelings of Fran, aud F.oss Forbes that they fou: d no words with which to express themselves, although the lan- g age of tae eye Was practiced between them, Utterly brosen ia :piist, and bhop.less, was Frio Frank; more from the piivations tLrough which he hal pusieJ, than aughe else, Poor F&F. s3 knew but roo well that there was little hop? of rescue, notwithstanding the small number | | that the solitary hors-mun was a white man, of braves who held thein Tne two owbovs who survived, one cf whom was Marker Mos’, succeeded in getiing Mr, and Mrs. Forb s out from the liver, in safety. But it al:nost appear, d that it would have been a mzicy hai they di d, rather than suffer what t ey mu itin connection with the fate of their children, Mir«er Moie, dashins cut from the bend, Cciscov- ered tae Apacho chief, his five braves and two ca tives. Toon returning, the ranchero and his wits were con lucted to one cf th» n. gro cabins, The sliv+s were all brought safely ous from the tunnel and instructed .ocare for their master and mistress. Thea. ofter burying the bodies of their s'ain com- rates, Mark r Mose and his one remaining ‘‘ hoy “’ galloped at ful spesd on the trailof Lone Worf, which, they were rejo'ced to find, led back towarl tne Medin i, they keeping within sigh: of ths Apachcs and their captives, whom Mose swore should be res- cuel, even suoul i th» fiendish pirates of the plains aga iaecrcssing the Rio Pecos with Frank and oss. Let us hope that now.ecs he had ever done be- fore, the brave cowboy ill keep his oath. CHAPTER XI. WHAT CHIOTA SAW. Tour after hour passed at Bancroft Ranch, and there had been no indications of the approach of the red marau ler-, During the earlier portion of the night Bandera Bill threw himself upon a couch and fell into a heavy slumber, which, indeed. he stood rreatly in ne d of. But if seemed that the Creek chi f never induize-lin sleep, unles; it might be occasionally, in astand nz tion, while at the loop-hoie. Oace, atthe earnes: solicitation of old Ben Ban- cr ft, be stole away to asceriain if eve:yihing was richt at tie “nest” in the tree, As he rached it, without hearin: the : lightest sound that could have come from the retreat, th» little dog growled low ani tareatesingly, as thourh well posted in regard to th: nee ssity of not causing any disturbance. But Caunk seemed to realize that Chiota was a fri nd, and at a low word of caution from the Creek hushed growling. Our red friend was not one to notice a dog, however, and he returned withous his visi; having been known to the occupants of the covert in the tree. : There sile by side, al wrapped in deep, Ileaven- sent slu nar, were a golden-haired rm aidcn, a beau- tiful InJ an woman of nearly the same age, anazed and wrinkle] negr_s:, and a ragged little black boy, while, sitting upon ‘he breast of the latter was an ly and diminutive cur, its brig th eyes darting rus- Biciow glances aroun the shades, anl then gazi £ own anon the slo ping human beings, with an air ility as guardian cf their slum- bers anlth ir safety. Slowly an | funerea! like swayed the ghostly moss, depending in long festocns from every limh; and silver arr ws of moonlizht shot down one brighter than the rest playing upon the rold-crown d head oad io face of Bertie Bancroft, the belle of the nd. A strange and striking picture it all made, and more so to on2 who knew ths circumstances which brouzht that quartette of human beings thus to- her-all equal now in the slumber that bounl Sy all equalin the dread danger that threatened em, The old ranchero was rreatly relieved and pleas°d, at beins informe.i,' kat the occunants of th» “* nest” were sl‘epinz; which. considering the p.in, priva- tion an! anguish they had suffered, was not to be wondered at. Morpheus had tonched their lids with bis wand, and banisied the torturing thoughts and terrors from their minds. Bandera Bll awoke. the dangers of the night ressing too heavily upon his brain to be Lanished y sle p; and he too, was relieved yreatly ly th> report brougut in by Ciiota from the slcepers in the As milni ht passed, the Creek, no longer able to control himseif within the log-lodge. stole out, and crawled stealtiily toward the entr nee of the bend, toa voint from wich he could gaina vie v of the far-stretching s uthern plain, and to tLe west, along the timer tine of the Rio Medina. But the chi f went not to the border of the under- growth. Instead of doing so, h» stole up in‘o the rancies of a towering tree, wlich er w on the ou'er ecge of the timber jine. He deign d not to faze ou' upon the plain until he had reached a con- a Kale igs ae : i vot ngned until he hod the permost branches, where itt a Obstructed: the view. Sdskng thabcbaaeite unt oeiond ih lips of cnn came an ejaculation, ™ e very extrem ome aevol dof roncern. ry extreme of amazement, not was not without good cause, for away toward the Hon‘o he beheld a squad of hight-riders —cight in number—all s: eeding, like the wind, toward the Medin», and aiming as if they ted to strike the bottom-timber but a short distance above the EEE — Romeo and the Reds. It required but a short, though close and keen serutiny, for the Creek chief to decide tiat six of the cight night-riders were Anach.s; anl that two were white peopl-—one, eviden ly, a female, Again the ejaculati p burst irum the lips cf Chiota, expressing intense concern, apprehension, and astonishment. Then Lis gaze was altracted far in the rear of this arty. to a single hcrseman, speeding on a.ter those e had first observed Te lingered barely long enough to saci uen he hastily descended. The cnief conc.uded that Lone Wolf had lost all his oraves but five; but, that he had taken two cap- tiv s, aman an] a woman, Were these Frio Fran. and his sister? It appeared more than jrobable, Far away, toward the south, Cviota, as he gained aclear view in his Ccecc’nt. detecied the glow of a conflagration. Thon he felt sure that he knew the main points ia connection with the attack on Forbes Ranch. He belicved that Lone Wolf had set fire to the ranch on the Frio, Lut that a ecsperate fivht had foll »wed, res Itingin the slayi g cf nearly allcf the Apacies; the survivors, however, having taken L., 0 cantives, Chiota came to the conclusion. also, that the lone rider, apparently in pursuit, must be Frio Dran ; now dashing, in desperation and alone, to the res- cu: of some of | is people. If this was true, a dash must be made, to assist Frank in the rescue; even though Bancroft Raneh shoul.l be Icft to the mercy cf the Apaches. The Creek was almost certain that the war-partr. un ler Lig Panther, were steali-g stealt! ily aown through the timber, toward the ranch; and that they were not aware of the neer pre ence of what he belisved to be the remnant of Lon» Wolf's war- party. The movements of the chief were more than usually rapid, efter be lad reeched these conc.u- sion*; and, in five minutes, he bounded upon the veranda at the ranch, and into the wes: apartment —he door having Leen unbarred and opened for Lim by Band ra Lill. ‘““My white brother get mustang—Chio‘ta get mus- tang. Sari Ride fast. So many Apaches on plain "’—indicating six, with extended fingers. ‘Ride fast from Fiio, Have so rany captives" —cxtending two fingcrs—‘ one squaw. Must rs- cue, Chiota think Frio Frank ride fast after Apaches, “ Chicta not go, Ban“era Bil not go. Frio Frank lose scalp. Sister gone, father gone, both torture, Ugh! Itis bad. ‘* Mexicans stay at ranch. My brother's father stay at ranch, Apache no find 1anch. Mebbe so too late. Co el! “Great Heavens!, What next?” cried out Ban- dera Bill. ‘ Father, we must ride to the rescue. The r mnant oi: Lone Wolf’s war-party, as I under- stand Chiota, are galloping ov. r the prairie with two captiv s—vu ‘of them a woman—and a white man in pur In another minute both Chiota and Bill w re che and galloping toward the entrance to the end, “Come in bush quick. Nolet Apache see. Mebbe s0 kilcapt.ves. That bad heap.” Thus advised, Bill saw the prudence cf acting upon it—even the n ccs ity, when the lives of the captives were considered. At ones, upon hearing the report of Chiota, Ban- ders Bill’s mind was made up. Ile wes alniost yesitive, although he could give no reason or cxplanation why, that one of the captives in the power of the Apaches wes Floss Forbes, the beautiful sister of his prairie pard. he whole na ure of young Bancroft was s'irred, and he became braced up with : ew streng b and resolution, determined to rescue Fless even though a dozen Apache demons stood between them, The course plosard, as advised by Ch’ota, was the ona way of proceeding that was open to the daring pair. but it was to them a most dangerous course, es they might at any moment be surprised by the Jurking braves of Biz Pentber’s perty, who must at that late hour have gained a position near the ranch. B t they repudiated all dangers. At times they peered out upon the plain, and saw the six hideous Apaches with the two captives. Eventually, they recognized Lone Wolf. Tho next glance revealed Fro Frank fast bound to the horse ho bestrode; and besides, bound fast to bs nia mustang, was a young and beautiful maiden, The two men were now instilled with the strength and determin®tion of ten. Their eyes flashed fury. Both fullv realized that life and death depended upon the skill and rapidity of their movements, and the choice of time they made in which to make the attempt at rescue. he Jone rider on the plain they now perceived to be Marker Mose, é One fact our two friends could seo was in their ‘avor. There were but two Indians in the rear of the cap- tives and those in advance were fully tift. en yards ahead ef them and riding at full speed toward the shades, as if a moment too long ou that exposed plaii might balk th-ir pluns, seal their doom, and be the means or their losing their captiv. s. With the greatest caution Chioia urged his horse to a point beyond his companion; thus one of the rescuers v as on each side o1 that] articular spot to- ward which the 4pacies were 1 ow beading. They w re riding vich the cvident intcation of dashiag directly into the timber, and wi out « nter- taining the slightest suspiciun of the presence of enem‘es in that quarter. It was evilent they feared that Marker Mose, wh m they knew to bein close pursuit, would yell, or perhaps shoot; tlus jeopardizing their safety, by atracting o'‘tention, and Lringing assistance from Bancroft Ranch With revolvers fripped. rnd at full cock. the car- ing pair in the undergrov.th—their biicle-reins in their left hands. a:d tleir hmls diawn, ready to drive spurs; their senses cs well es their muscl s strained for the (:sperate rttempt to prevent the red demons frem Lurying thir knives in the breasts of their captiv s ct the first sicht of w) ite foes— thus yor Bandera Bill, and Chiota, the Creek, | osi- tioned. Soon, headlon~, upon panting rnd ferm-flecled mus‘an*s, the hidecus Apache clief, Lone Welf, and his paint-daubed bra.‘s, with flaucting feathers and wildy-flying ! air, cxulation stamprd upon their flendish faces, Cashed directly toward them; while in the midst cf the horde of serpent-eyed sav- ages, were t e two captiv( s. h_ re sat Frank and Floss in their sac dies, hound, ond pallil as death; hop less d spar and anfuish that was terrible to witness, Leing stamped upon their feat res! Tt required but one glance for Bancer Bill One look into the face cf Fioss—whom he now saw for the fist time—and tle young man weuld rather have lost a dozen lives than see Ler thus in such mental and physical ruffcring. One }ok, and |e knew that. (1; God rpare their I'ves, Floss Forbes would rule his hcartand soul for- ever! Ye gods! Tow the muscles and nerves drew and twitched, in the frame of Bandera L'il; lis tec th rinding, and astrength that was herculeon seem- ing to have been given him by the sight before h'mt Nerved thus, no score of braves could have stecd the charge cf those two magnificently-formed ard determined men, ; CHAPTER XII. “ rHrIns BUT TO DO OR DIEZ." Wrrn no abatement of : pred, the three Apache braves anil Lone W. lf dasned toward tbe shaccs. Had they been able to 0 80, they would have jerked jaw-strap, believing that whatever they might do to d fend themselves v ould be useless—that the plitter- ing tubes held in the hans cf their skillfi] foes would belch out death to all in a momcrt’s time. And, indeed, this wo 1d have becn the case had not the captives been just in the rea~, But even the keen gaze of the Apaches could de- tect nothing, s9 on they dashed. Then cam? a transformaticn in that ravage scene. At the same instant beth Chiota and Dandera Bill shot out from the e' ad s. \\ ith a crashing of bush and brenech, men rnd mus- tangs dartec. Chiota past Lon» Wolf, cnd Lill pest the brave who was on theother aud cuter end of the line of leading Apachcs. Straight toward the heads of tho horses to which the captives were bound carted the caring rescuers with leveled revolvers, Twin spurts of fire. a loud c+ tone t’en that echoed throuch the tim! er, and the death-bov.] Luret frcm the throats of both the rear braves, as they sunk over the hams cf their mustangs. All this took but a moment. Then followed a] erculean struggle on the part of the re.cuers to bring to halt tue mustargs upon which were ‘he captives in the | ast p. ssible space of time, fcr they realizcd that the m xt moment might end their jives, as the four Apaches were in their rear. A powcrtul pull at the jaw-straps brouzLt both animals srocnd succenty, ard then came a quick flash of I:nives, and Frark and F.oss wer: free. The Creck chief placed the jaw-strep and a revol- verin the almost rervelcss | uncs cf Lis reseucd white Lrother; but Bandera Dil saw tl at the leau- tiful maiden whom he hed released from ervel boads was losing all consciousness. and he irs‘antly caught her and drew her before Lim in Lis saddlc. Not a wort had been spoken. d The time foraccomplishing this dangerous and carefully-arranged and executed plan had bcen chosen at the very instant to insure success, as Ce- scribed, for, as our two fricnds darted cut fiom the urdergrowth, Lone Wolf end his three braves sh t irto the same with great specd and mcmentum, causing it to be an impossibili y for the staitle . sav- ages to halt ond at o~ce extricate themselves from the thick beau eke They each |} caucht a glimpse of the two horse- men, as they had dashed past them, and had recog- nized them both; which fact not cnly gave them great concern, fearing Sher went’ be shot in thei backs. but decided them t be rescued. Tre reports of the two revolvers, and the death- howls of th-ir two comrade braves were proof prett positive of the loss of the captives, yet up to thi t their captives wo
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‘they had hope 12 Romeo and the Reds. time no sound came from the lips of the four | Apaches, But soon the terrible war-whoop of Lone Wolf | rung through the wood, drowning the echo of the d.ath-howls, and this was followed by the whoops of tne three braves, Then the dark shades seemed to be swarming with Apaches as whoop followed whoop, here and there, from many throats; but up the river, some distance from the scene of the rescue, was all this heard, The fury of the savage chief was terrible Fierce rallying cries were sent out by bim, as he urged his mustang forward. Speeding headlong out upon the moonlit plain was Cuiota, his taunting war-cry sounding with exultant in: onation, while beside him galloped Frio Frank and wandera Bill, the latter holding Floss in his arms, The two captives, that it had cost Lore Wolf twenty warriors to secure, had been torn from him, when he was within a few arrow-flights of the war- party of Big Panther, As he galloped madly in pursuit, in his ungoverna- ble rage, the rescuers and rescued were joined by another Texan, who had evidently come from the burned ranch on the Frio. Lone Wolf balted sud- denly, perceiving that to attempt to regain his cap- tives aud avenge tbe death of so many of his braves, would be but to hang his own scalp on the belt of the detested Creek chiet, But a moment’s reflection decided the Apache leader that revenge most gratifying was yet within his poses, Big Panther, with his five and twenty warriors, was near at hand. The Texans and Chiota were swerving in their course and circling toward the bend. Lone Wolf swore by the spirits of his fathers, that the ranch should be the food of fire: and that all who escaved the flames should be put to the torture except the Creek squaw, the sisterof Bandera Bill, and any other females who might be found there. These should be his slaves for a time, and then their scalps should decorate his war shield. No sooner did the Apache thus decide than, with a signal to his three braves to follow, he sped back toward the timber and disappeared in the . dark shades. Then all became still in the somber bottom- timber, along the Ri» Medina, Yet, amid those d-ep shadows were many hide- ous forms, ail stealing down-stream toward Ban- croft Ranch, and the vengeful Lone Wolf was in pe rat of them—all bent on destruction and eath. Not a word had passed between Chiota and Frio ¥rank, or between the latter and Bandera Bill; but glancing behind them they discovered that the Apaches had bt up the itea of pursuit, which would have been maintained; and to encourage which they had struck out upon the open plain, hoping there to make a stand and to slay the scourge of the Texas border—the demon torturer of women and babes, the master fiend, Lone Wolf! The whoops of the Apaches und-r Big Panther, however, warned our friends that they were far from being safe; indeed, they realized that the time “was near at hand, which would decide the fate of Bancroft Ranch. and of all those who had been con- nected with it during the tragic drama of the last two days and nights. So extremely complicated had affairs become that all were, for a time, greatly perplexed and worried. The Mexicans were in the ranch, or ‘were sup- osed to be; and it was not known whether old Ben ancroft had gone, as he had been advised or di- rected to do, to the covert in the tree—there to pro- be the females, and to be in asafer position him- self, The Greasers must be saved, if possible. The ‘‘nest’’ in the tree was liable to be discov- ered, as the whoops of the Apaches betrayed the fact that they were scattered in every direction, and searching the bottom-timber with the greatest care. Some slight noise, the very slightest, might betray the presence of human beings in the branches of the huge tree. Auntie Sue, or Romeo, might catch a glimpse of a painted face in some bar of moonlight below in the undergrowth, and cry out in alarm; thus betraying their presence. Great, indeed, would be the triumph of Lone Wolf. at seenring the golden-haired maiden, Bertie Bancroft, to say nothing of Dancing Fawn, the squaw of his most hated foe, Chiota, the Creek. Not only this, but they now hod with them, Floss Forbes, the beautiful sister of Frio Frank; and no secure retreat, in which they cou!d place her. Frio Frank was recovering his wonted strength and vim. since he had found himself to be free, and his darling sister safe; but he had, through seeing Floss bound to a horse beside him, and doomed to a fate too fearful to contemplate—together with the - ankles, pouring water freely upon them. Whisky was also furnished by the Creek chief, from cantesns, ' H | which he had, with most conmmendable forethought, | brought from the ranch. just at the west end of the ranch, and but half a pistol-shot distaut from it. To the anxious inquiries of all, the Mexicans reported, that their employer had followed Chiota’s As for Bandera Bil!, his ghd nerve was vibrating | directions, and joined the women in their retreat. with an ecstatic happiness, as deep as it was heaven- ly; and suchas he h a human being to experience. He gazed into the upturned face of Floss Forbes, with an adoration that was most worshipful in his eyes. It was thus that the young man wished he might be fated to gailop through life, with that fair form in his arms. \ So bent was he upon contemplating the pale but most lovely face betore him, and creaming of the ssible happiuess in store for him, should he be so ortunate as to win the maiden’s love, that he did ad never dreamed possible for | | | | / not pay the slightest attention to his surroundings; | even being, at times, oblivious of the dangers that were ahead, or the fearful scenes that h recently passed. : But soon he was brought to a realization of the necessity for immediate action, as were his com- | rades also. Chiota had given one of his revolvers to Frio Frank; and, as the war-party had retreated into the shades, our friends now at headlong speed. CHAPTER XIV. ONE MORE HORROR IN RESERVE, Brerore reaching the entrance to the bend, Ban- dera Bill, Frio Frank, Chiota and Marker Mose, agreed to signal the Mexicans, and give them to understand tuat they had better abandon the ranch, tban remain, and be in danger of being massacred in an attempt to fly from the buildin; after it had been fired by the Invians. Since it was now known to Bill and Chiota that Forbes Ranch had been burned to the ground, they oped toward Bancroft Ranch, | been so | | of the rescue of Frank and Floss. had no doubt, since Lone Wolf had now joined Big | Panther, that an attack somewhat the same in character would be attempted at Bancroft Kanch. Indeed there could be little question that an at- tempt would be made to fire the ranch, which would undoubtedly be successful. Frio Frank’s mind had been greatly relieved, by the report made by Marker Mose of the rescue of his father and mother; but he knew they must both be suffering the most excruciatin aware that he and Floss were in the power of the fiend who had destroyed their home. The sufferings which poor Floss Forbes had undergone, Pn to her rescue, had been too much for both brain and body: and she had sunk into a semi-comatose state, from which Bandera Bill had found it impossible to revive her. So desperate was the situation, that but a little time had been spared in the effort to do so; Frank assuring his much alarmed friend that Floss would revive soon, that she was in no danger of death. | For Bill’s manner and expression of iace seemed to imply that this was what he feared. The consequence was that the maiden stil! Wy limp and senseless, in the arms of Bandera Bill, when ail reached the entrance to the bend; Frio Frank not offering to relieve Bill of his fair burden, as he believed his pard was at that time mrre capable of protecting Floss than he was. Besides, he read in Bill’s face, the new-born love that ruled at brave young Texan’s heart, and indeed his whole eing. Frio Frank had so recently ‘* been there himself,” that he easily comprehended matiers, and was much more pleased than otherwise with the way they were oe Even amid the surrounding dangers, and the pos- sibility that all might be murdered within the hour, the newly-aroused emotions of the two young men could not be banished, even for a moment; and these nerved them to do everything, and brave everything, in the defense of tuose whom they loved, even unto almost certain death; for life would be worse than death to them. without those angel maidens to walk beside them along life’s | trail. “ Bandera Bill, ride fast in wood. ing down the river—‘ take sister of Frio Hide in dark woods. ‘**Chiota, Marker Mose, Frio Frank, we get Mexi- cans, Lay in bush, ’side ranch. _There”—indicat- ing the eastern border of the bend—* when Apache come, shoot fast. Mebbe so run in woods. Mebbe so stay, fight. Itis good. Come!” Thus spoke the Creek chief. urging his horse in the direction of the ranch, followed by Marker There ’—point- rank, anguish, being | | Mose; Frio Frank lingering to give one lok of con- | cern at the corpse-like face of his sister, _ **So Jong, Bili!” he said. “ Chiota’s plan is a good one. We may be able to save the ranch. Steal to the river and hide. T»ke care of yourself, old pard; and may the good Lord take care of us all!” ‘*All rieht, Frank! Never fear for me, I'll de- fend Floss with my latest breath, Ido hope Bertie thoughts of his father and mother, both prugeling ‘and the other females are safe. I must try and in the waters of the Rio Frio; and, for all he knew, dead, mutilated, an scalped by the red demons— all this had been more than poor Frank could well “bear, even had he been his usual self to begin with. But privation from f od, rest, and sleep, had pros- trated him; to say nothing of the torture of body and rw of soul, he had endured for days and nights, ope had, however, been born in his breast, when “he saw the daring dash of his prairie pards, Chiota and Bindera Bill; and, upon being set free, and r alizing that Floss was free also. and with a tolera- bie chance for escape—then Frank had braced him- self, rubbed his bruised and swollen wrists and gain a position near their hiding-place.” Thus the two Maga men parted. Rill dashed, with his fair burden, into the shades, and Frank spurred on after Chiota, The latter were overtaken by Marker Mose, near the veranda, 84 As they approached the ranch, the three Greasers within opened the door of the west apartment uickly; and stood, looking at those upon whom they believed their lives depended, for they had heard the war-cries of the Apaches, and feared the worst. They immediately. and with eager and joyous haste, followed the new-comers into the dark shades This greatly relieved the minds of all. Our friends quickly dismounted, leading their horses into a dense thicket some distance from the border of the timber. They then retuned, all crouching in a line, and peering out into the open bend, and upon the ranch. ; All was still, except the usual sounds of the night —the hum of insects, and the occasional hoot of an owl, shriek WE gesagt or distant yelping of coyote. The door had been shut by the Greasers, and the ranch might be filled with men, for all the Apaches knew to the contrary. ‘ The Indians knew that the people of the ranch had been warned of their presence by the whoops of war, that had been Dah pong § called forth by the yells of Lone Wolf and his braves, at the time But the approach to the ranch, for all that, must be secret and silent. The reverses and wholesale death that had over- taken the war-party of Lone Wolf had been astound- ing, and caused the practice of great p:udence by the braves under Big Panther. who had read the “sion” at the abandoned camp of Lone Wolf, and thrcughout the bottom timber. But a more determined and bloodthirsty party of red-men were never on a trail together; and Lone Wolf incited them on, be being resolved to avenge his losses at any cost. Yet, just as daring and determined were the gal- lant defenders of the ranch. Throughout all this, the females, with the excep- tion of Dancing Fawn, slumbered in the “nest” so soundly, that old Ben Bancroft had reached them and lain down without awakening any one; he, too, in a short time, falling into a deep slumber, which even the war-whoo;s in the distance did not dis- turb. Chunk, the little cur, manifested great delight upon the arrival of the ranchero; and the pri sence of the dog gave the old man mo. confidence, he feeling that Chunk would permit nm wemies to approach without giving the alarm, ‘Thus were all our friends situated. Thus, as described, was their condition; those who slept being providcntially free, for the time being, from the anxiety, apprebension, and fatigue, which had made them so miserable for so many hours. But, not long were the watchers that crouched in the border of the undergrowth on the eastern side of the bend—not long were they to wait, after thus secreting themselves; for soon a half-dozen arrows darted from the branches of the towering trees on the west side of the bend—each arrow having bound to its shaft a bunch of blazing dry grass. wLich had been rubbed with the gum of the mesquite. These arrows all struck with dull thuds into the dry cedar shingles of the roof of Bancroft Ranch. But a great,a most astcunding surprise, awaited those who sent from their bows these fite-arrows. The keen eyes of the lurkers in the thickets had been watching the shades. and the first glow of fire- light which had betrayed the presence of the Apaches caused a hiss to be given by the Creek | chief. wl ich drew all eyes to the point of interest— there soon being as many glows of light as there were shooters cf arrows. No sooner had the biss of Chiota left his lips tran Frank, Mose and the three Mexicans at once brought their carbines to their shoul*ers. “Shoot well ib thé rear of the points where the arrows leave the foliage, boys!’’ dirc cted Frio Frank, hie pick your mark according to position in the ne ’ ai Good talk, heap good talk,” agreed the Creek chief. The words were spoken in voices that were hardly audible. Not until the sounds made by the fire-arrows drop- ping on the roof reached them did another hiss- signal come from Chiota, Then came the pressing of triggers, and then a line of fire spurts, six in num- ber, burst from the border at the eastern side of the | bend, This wes followed by a th@nderous report. The instant the charges exploded, our friends sprung up and ran some distance toward the river, where they again crouched. : The report cf the carbines was the signal fcra perfect pandemonium. First, horrible death-howls came from the shades high above the r of of the ranch; and then, crash- ing through branches and vines, fell three braves, the burning reeds clutcbed in a death grip. Yelis of terror and agony were also heard from the seme point, proving that others had been hit by the bullets. T»rrible war-whoops then sounded. But these had not ceased to echo when arother sound was heard, that caused Chiota, Frio Frank and Marker Mose to bound to their fret. carbines clutched, teeth clinched and facgs drawn in deepest apprehension. It was a sound that tore through Frank's heart like a ragged dart of red-hot steel. It wasa cry of dread terror from female lips— from the lips of none other than the angelic, golden- haired Bertie Bancroft, CHAPTER XV. AT FIRST SIGHT. BANDERA Birw. efter parting with Frio Frank, with the beautiful and unconscious sister of the lat- ¢ /
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Romeo and the Reds. ter in his arms, soon sag J his horse into the shades Les short distance below the entrance to the nd. But he drew rein at the very border of the under- growth, where it was comparatively light, and gaz- ed into the face of the maiden whom he had res- cued from a dreadful fate. It a Yee to Bill that he had known and loved Floss Forbes for a long time—ay, ever since her brother, his prairie pard, had spoken of her beauty and virtues. From his intimate acquaintance with, and regard for Krank Forbes, and after the glowing descrip- tions ziven by the latter of his sister, William Ban- croft had believed sincerely that when he should meéet that sister, he would love her with his whole heart an | soul. The picture of Floss, as created in his imagina- tion, was so near the original—although far from equaling itin some respects—that the young man had been most joyously amazed. Love, as he had anticipated, sprung spontaneous- ly into life the moment he had met the pieoaing: trustful, and yet agonized gaze of the captive maid- en as he dashed from the undergrowth to her rescue, And after he had held her form in his arms, after having rescued her from the red demons, then he felt an ecstasy heretofore undreamed of—the undy- ing love of atrue, noble, and brave heart filling his whole being. And now that he was for the first time alone with the beautiful girl, her fair head still reclining upon his breast, and her pale but angelic face near his own, he felt that he cared not ever again to see other than her—that henceforth he would enjoy the gg happiness conceivable. could he but pass is life in striving to make her happy. But, if she to whom he had thus at sight given his whole heart and soul—if she should not recipro- cate that love, life would not be worth the living. This extravagance of emotion was produced in a great cabanas Wr the privation, pain, and agony of soul that he had experienced since his own capture by the A; achigyin the Bandera Hills. Bill did u«, @ven press a kiss upon the brow of the unconscious maiden. for he felt that, senseless as she was, t1is wou!d have been a sacrilegious act. The young man could hardly repress his tears when he gazed upon that lovely though pallid and horror-stamped face, upon which, however, might be traced a slight expression of relief and trust. born of the last flickering consciousness she had known, when she comprehended the partial success of the rescuers. But that senseless face reminded Bandera Bill of his duty, and heurged his horse to a point whereh » knew there was a cow-path, along which he could pass to the river without disturbing the under- growth to any extent. This path bill soon struck and was in a short time at the bank of the Medina, where he with care suc- ceeded in dismounting with his lovely charge, and quickly placed her rec!ini>g upon a mossy bank. Dense thickets.shi>.ded them from view, except from the river, from which direction no danger was to be apprehended. Quickly our young friend filled his canteen with the fresh cool water, and returning, bathed the head of the maiden, pouring a tiny stream between her almost colorless lips. To his relief and joy, alow moan escaped her, and she wearily threw up her arms, placing her to pe upon her brow. On the instant Bill raised his fair patient to a more comfortable position. 3 ! At this particular spot the silvery moon found its way, and also upon the waters; and. as the young Texan had laid aside his sombrero. Floss, when she Sean = recovered—indeed, only sufficient to open er eyes, and to gaze inad manner at her res- cuer—his handsome face was fully revealed to her. No sight could have recalled the near and terrible pee more inatentaniraes and cbr Forbes, with a ery. sprung to a ng posture, gras the cand of her rescuer in both her own, Grasping Still she was speechless. ‘* Miss Forbes.” began the young man, hesitating- .“I hope you are not feeling very ill after the earful experience you have had. “But allow me to relieve your mind at once. Your father and mother, and also your brother Frank, are alive, safe, and [ trust will remainso. Frank is now with Chiota, Marker Mose, and three Mexicans, but a short distance from us.’ d ‘You are, you must be, William Bancroft, my brother's friend, and you have rescued me from a terrible fate. My eyes and heart tell me the first, my peeton the Toss, Ts it not so?” ‘Tam Will Bancroft, though generally known as ae al wee the young nab $ reply i “andI m most ha to have been instrumen n rescu- ing the sister ot one who I hold in the highest re- gard from those red demons.” May Heaven bless you!"’ exclaimed the maiden, fervently. ‘I owe you more than life, and I know not in what manner I can ever repay you.” She had again clasped his band, her heart over- flowing with gratitude that even now was blended be 4 much stronger feeling. ¢ more t i = Miss Forbes!" an repaid, Floss—pardon me, » yicenevall me Floss!" oe ar more than paid already,” repea Bandera Bill, raising the hand of the young girl to Mere “Ihave been told so much about you, by Frank that it really seem long a time as I meeciemel bo wry gp tp - ‘And he has frequently spoken of you. Ihave often heard my father and mother bid Frank bring ou with him to our home—alas, no longe* aught ut ashes! “But we must be thankful that our lives have been, spared. Do tell me of your sister! Is she safe?’ ‘ Safe, I trust—secreted in a tree-top near the ranch, and but alittle way from here. But I dare pot risk the danger of discovery by taking you to er. The words of Bandera Bill had been tame, but a very volcano of love was seething in his breast; and this was made plain by his burning glance, his very soul being in his eyes, as he gazed into the orbs of Floss, who could not but be greatly influenced by his evident emotion. Her hands remained clasping his, and siowly his arm stole around her waist. And she? Her strergth, as well as her color, re- turned, and she felt drawn to her preserver by an almost ungovernable influence. There was a magnetism, a fascination, in the gaze of Will Bancroft, which the fair maiden could not, and cared not to resist; and, before the arm of the ia man pressed her forward to his embrace, she impulsively clasped ber arms about his neck. : Will’s head sunk forward, his face within her wavy air. Not a word was spoken. Words would have marred the ecstatic happiness of that blissful moment. Bandera Bill was the happiest of men, and Flor- ence Forbes was the happiest of maidens. Both had experienced the happiness of an emo- tion heretofore undreamed of. It seemed to each, that they had been eer es to a new, and bright, and most beautiful world. And neither of them cared to speak. Even the dangers, that still surrounded them, were for the time forgotten. Each knew that they were with the other, and each loved the other more than self. That was sufficient. Thus they remained, enjoying a dream so heaven- ly that earth for the time, was forgotten. Earth, and friends, and dangers, were banished to the depths of oblivion. ut, they were destined to be awakened, and to have the dread dangers and horrors &0 near them, recalled to them in a most startling manner. This was by the terrific discharge of the six car- bines, as the fire-arrow shooters became targets for the party in the thicket. More closely did Bill press Floss to his breast; for he knew that he could be of no assistance in the fizht—knew that, to venture forth with the young girl, would be to place her in the greatrst peril. She clung wildly to him, as the whoops of war rune, and panded. in roaring echoes, through the imber. _Then came the shriek, that had caused such ex- citement and dismay in the line of lurkers on the border of the bend; especially in the soul of Frio Frank, Bandera Bill no sooner heard it, than he cried out: _““ Merciful Heaven! discovered, and is doomed! That’s Bertie—she has been When, oh! when will this terrible strain end?” “Tt is, indeed, too horrible,” said Floss. ‘‘ Will, do go and endeavor to rescue your sister, I must not keep you from her. “Twill be brave, and remain here until you re- turn. Go,I repeat,and at once! I will pray for your life and success, until you return to me.” ‘*Heaven bless you!” returned the young man; ‘you are noble, brave, and true! Such prayers as yours must be heard. ‘But, hear me, before I leave you; for I may be stain. I love you most devotedly, most sincerely! Will you not comfort me with the same _ sweet words? It will strengthen me to meet what I must brave to rescue my sister, Dancing Fawn, Auntie Sue, and little Romeo. “Tf it were not that Frank, with Chiota, Mose, and the three Mexicans were near the tree in which Bertie is seated, I should feel like blowing out my brains !”’ “You forget that I still live, Will Bancroft, or you would not speak thus, Do you not know, Will, that your death would either kill me, or plunge me into the deepest despair while life was left to me? “Will, [ love you! I owe you my life, and that life, and my undying love are yours! Will you not remember that? “T shall forget nothing, Floss, my darling, my new-found destiny. Lut, good-by! This, I hope, will be the last attack we shall ever experience from those sav: ** Heaven bless you for what you have said! Here is one of my revolvers—take the weapon, and de- fend yourself, should any of the red fiends come this way, which I hope and pray they may not. Keep beside my horse; you can mount him, and speed down the river, if you hear the approach of an of our enemies. The crisis, I feel, approaches. Either the last of Lone Wolf's force are to be defeated and scattered, or we are all doomed to death, or worse. Once more, poor oy hed Folding the maiden in his arms, Bandera Bill ressed kisses upon her brow, and cheek, and lips. hen he tore himself from her, and rushed, revol- ver and bowie in hand, through the shades, and up the river. The words he had spoken to Floss, were rapidly delivered, and with Taped expression. e His soul was in es as he pay. his. hand- some and proudly-poised form and face freatly im- g, even at that diead moment, the maiden whom he had rescued, only to become a captive to himself. 13 But, when Bandera Bill had gone, a great change came over the fair girl. Her form became erect, and she stood proudly defiant clutching tightly the revolver of her lover. This was but for a moment. Then she stepped up beside the noble steed of the young Texan, and wound her arms about the ani- mal’s neck. The horse rubbed his muzzle against her shoulder, as it pawed the leafy carpet; seeming thus to manifest a desire for the maiden to mount and away. And mount she did, sitting the saddle with that same determined air and look, while she gazed up the river, listening intently. Every indication of fear, or concern for self, seemed to have been banished; to be replaced by an anxiety and apprehension for Will Bancroft, to which every other feeling was now subordinate. Her love had changed her from a weak and help- less girl, toa brave and defiant woman—eager to battle for him, who had battle. for her and hers! CHAPTER XVI. EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY. Wuen the report of the rifies rung through the dense woods. the slumbers of those in the tree were stirred; and Chunk started as if one of the bullets had pierced him, growling in alow and continous manuer. The Creek squaw, however, did not see fit to awaken the other occupants of the “nest.” She hushed the dog. gripped her carbine, and listcne | to the sounds she could so well interpret. Dancing Fawn-was satisfied that stirring scenes must have transpired at the ranch. Then came the war-whoops of the Apaches, so —_ pe Bertie Bancroft sprung up, with a piercing sbriek. From that moment, Dancing Fawn knew that did not the defenders ccme at once from their covert, all was lost—that the ery of her white sister had be- trayed to the savages the fact that the females were secreted in the timber near them. Poor Bertie stared around her. Auntie Sue and Romeo also spring upward, but the yourg squaw clapped her hands over their mouths to prevent their outcries. She then at once warned the old ranchero, the moment he opened his eyes. “What have I done?’ exclaimed the maiden. “Have Iendangered our lives? I knew not where I was, nor what had happened!” The horrible war-whoops, some so near, proved — the fearful consequences that would proba- ly be occasioned by the startled shriek so involun- tarily uttered. Old Ben Bancroft was in a terrible state of mind, and said ‘o his daughter, who now clung to him: “ For God’s sake, Bertie, leave me free to act, or we are lost! Romeo, take a rifle,and again show you have good s ‘uff in you, Dancing Fawn, signal Chiota and my son. If they do not come to our as- sistance, we shall be hacked to pieces!” The ranchero was instantly obeyed in everything. Nerved by the words of his master, and filled with pride and pleasure at hearing his former heroism referred to, Romeo seized a carbine, and sprung as'ride one of the huge branches. E Soon a single, peculiar yell shot through the tim- er. Dancing Fawn well knew its meaning. It preceeded from Lone Wolf, and was the signal for his braves to rally. It came from the vicinity of the very tree in which they were secreted, and toward which Chiota, Frank, Mose, and the Mexicans were mak- wg ng sd ihe ey e crisis had, indeed, arrived, Ps fate of all depended upon a few moments of e. And come it did, even before the defenders could reach the tree; for the keen-eyed Dancing Fawn perceived a painted face in a bar of moonlight, and but a few yards from the ‘nest,’ and nearly on a level with it. Instantly the squaw took aim, and pulled trigger. With a horrible death-howl, the Apache fell, crash- ing through the limbs, and knockin another brave from his hold; both striking the earth together. The next moment, two other reports from_car- bines rung, one sera following the other. These were fire by the ranchero, and Romeo. Down fell two more braves, with blood-curdling howls of death. This caused the Apaches to become perfectly frenzied, They rushed toward the tree. wi hout further conce ent, and another fell by the skillful aim of Dancing Fawn. As the warriors on the ground rushed tothe trunk of the huge tree, again that thunderous report sounded, of six carbines fired as one; spurts of flame bursting from the undergrowth near at hand. Before the echoes had died orey, the Creek chief, followed by Frio Frank, Marker Mose, and the threc Mexicans, rushed from the bushes, casting aside their carbines, and jerking their bowie-knives, Then the war-cry of Chiota shot clear through the air. All of the Apaches, who had not been too badly wounded, or slain outright sprung into the branches of the tree, while the avengers sprung madly after them. The scene that followed was simply indescribable. In the midst of it all rung the yell of Bandera Bill, as he arrived at the sc-ne of conflict and darted madly up the tree also, The rush upon the “nest’’ had been made by a haif-dozen braves under Lone Wolf, the leader lead- ing his warriors as fast forward as it was possible in climbing along the limbs, But three more of the reds fell before the carbines of those in the tree, be~ foie the Apaches reached the ‘‘nest.””
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14 Then, hurling t*eir carbines at the on-coming aint daub d demons, the trio that had fired their ast shot drew their kuives. Dancing Fawn gave tie signal of close danger to Chiota, and he ture u ward toward bis squiw, as did also Frio Frank and Bandera. Bul. The screams of Auntie Sue were simply unearthly; but tre other three crouched, knife in hand, to de- fend themselves and erzie. Like a panther, how ever, the Apache chief sprung forward, fe.ling old main vancro't by a blow trom his havchet Aunti> Sue met the same fate; and then c:utching Bertie who had fainted, L ne Wolf shot forward along a huge branch that interlocke.| with another from a ncigbboring tree an disappeared. Dancing Fawn an! Romeo remained, striving to defend their lives, Both, however, were fell d by blows from the . tomahawks of the Anaches. and fell tack into the ““n st,” with the ranchero and Auntie Sue Tbe two braves were prevent d, however, from finishing their bloody work; the bowies of Chiota and Frank being burie:l in their breasts. * Bertie, sve gone. Lone Wolf got Bertie. It is bad. Must save. Come!” cups criel out the Creek chief, as he sprung down- ward. Not an Indian, «xcept the dead and wounded, were now to be secn, Marker Mose and the three Mexicans lay dead amid the corpses and .he dying. Chio’a was not within view. Bandera Billand Fno frank starcd at each other in silences. Just then there came a shritk frcm down the river—the cry cof a fenaloin deadly t-rror! This was followed by a revolv r-shot. **itloss, too!’ exclaimed Frank. ‘‘On, on to tho resen *!" 1il had all the sp rit and strength displayed by his p'rJ. A g'eam of hope shot through his mind, and both tora toward the horses; realizing, cv u then, that the captors of the maidens would make a cash for ths mustanzs and tben sy; eed on tho open plain to- ward the west and up the Medina. Bt, to return to Floss Forbes. The daring girl had decided to advance and cid in driving off the Apaches; but as she urged tie horse of Bandera ill forward. and the sounds ctf the conflict increased, sh: concluded that sho might cause more harm chan good, as she would prodably detrac’: the : ttention of the defende:s from those who were in such peril to herself. S‘19 therefure halted ina clear space by the bank of th: river. She lad been there but a very short time. when the very, blocd in her v-ins seemed sg ice, and hor- rer took possession of her whole being; for, from the under-r wtih Cirectly in fiont of h r, darted the Haas hideous and fiendisu-looking Indian imagi- uabl*. Ono side of his face was danbed with paint. the ot «r having . pon it from temple to mouth, a joathsome and livil scar; while, upon his broad breast, in pigment was a fair r. presentation of a wolf, with fangs and lolling r.d tongue exp sed! Long black hair, decorate with silver ornaments, « a beaded fille with three eagle-feathers flaunting therefrom, buckskin leggins and moccasins—such hea ared. While flashing, murd rous, snake-liks cyes, that eared with gloating exultation, completeJ the dia- tical pictur, All this Floss saw, and then her eycs rested upon a golden naircd maiden, who hung, limp and se1.se- les. over the arm of tho demon rava eé. The raze of Floss Forbes became fixed. All was plain. Lone Wolf, the Apache chief, was before her, b ta ‘pein Bandera Bill's sister, in his vile em- race Then it was, that the shriek burst from Floss Forbes, and she taised her revolver to shout; but the Apacbe chief, with a grunt of derision, held the captive rirl as a shield b fore him, and sprung for- ward. The ting rof Floss pressed the trigzer un- consciously, and the bullet penetrated the foot of the savage fiend. With a zat of agony and fury, Lone Wolf sprung astride of the horse of Bandera | ill, behind the horror-stricken Floss and still holding Bertie with a _ hand, while he clutched the bridle with his right. The demon speedily worked himself into the sad- dle, when, placing Bertie and Floss before him Jike sacks of corn. he jabbed the animal with his knife, and sped toward the open plain. Triumph was stamped upon his hideous face. and gloating in his eye, as he gazed down into the faces of the two maidens—sisters of those he so hated, Bandera Bill and Frio Frank! Had he but succeece.l in capturin? Dancing Fawn also, his cup would have been full, or. at least, he would have to a certain extent aven the defeats the death and destruction of his war-party—all of which had been brought about through that terrible trio, the two young scouts, and Chiota, the Creek. CHAPTER XVII. ROMEO TO THE RESCUE, Littie Romeo had received but a slight blow. in ‘tthe haste made by Lone Wolf to secure Bertie: the Apache chief having, at a glance, decided that she roust be either the sister or squaw of Byndera Bill The young negro revived quickly, and then per- ceiving that his young mistress had been carried aw y by the terrible Indians, he became almost frantic with gri f, He saw that his mother, as well as Dancing Fawn and his old master, were but stun- ned, and would soon recover. | | Romeo and the Reds. They needed not any attenti-n from him. Tbe whole nature of the black boy had become changed. He hal com-~ to the front. a hero, upon two occ isions of late, as detaile:] in a previous uum- ber. He therefore made tittle Lesitation vow, Neariy wild with grief aud auxiety, the lad, wih Chunk at his heels, ran through tue timber iu so | coufuses a state that he lost cis bearings aud wan- | dered east from the ranch. Romeo hac a very rasonable idea that the Apachcs who survived wouid dash for the open piain, and hasten as tast as mustangs could carry them back on their trail west, fearing entire annihi- lation. ence h> had striven to 1eacu a point rom weich he could look out u. on the plain But b. coming b. wildercd, the boy climbed a tree in order to ascertain in what diuection t_o plain was, Hardly secure in the lower branches, bowever, was Romeo, when he heard a movement among the bushes, and th’n the tramp cf a horse on a hard trodden cow-path. Chunk had slunk into a thicket, to await his mas- ter’s retur 1 from the tree. The boy stopped climbing, and remained silent. Thon, ina moment, he was horrified by the ya vefore | anc) of amost hideous Apsc'e, : ho held him on the saddle-horn—as the carcas« of fawns might be carried—nene other than the beautiful Miss Bertie, and another young lady, both of whom were seus: less, The horse wes the animal of his young master, Bandera Lill. Romeo resolved to brave death to rescue the maidens, al‘hough thers seemed not the slightest chance for a boy like him to do so. Did the savage escape with his fair captives—Rv- meo hal made up bis mind that the stranze young lady must be Frio I'rank’s sist r—then the families of both woul! be plunged into Pe gaa misery. Perhaps he could prevent all f! is. He resolved to stake his lif» in the attempt. A bright idea was born of his position in the tree, and Romeo made ready to carry out a plan that promised success. He drew his knife, and waited. a ‘arer came the Apache chief with his intended victims. : Nearer still he came, until directly beneath the limb where stocd Romeo. Then uown shot the negro lad like a project’le from a ca apult—his legs outspread, and one pass- ing on each side of the head of tiie savaye chiof. As he thus caught him about the neck, Romeo threw himself over the right shouluer of the Indian, clutching his rigkt erm. Then, with all his strength, he wourd his email arms around and fastened his teeth in the musc.es of Lone Wolf’s «ris*. This was don while the Apache chi-f hung over the side of the horse, forced thus by the wc ight upon his shoulders and ti:e lunge of Romeo to the rizhtto clute” his wrist. The next instant Lone Wolf was | wr thing upon tbe ground, the most amazed and en- raged Indiin imaginable—Chunk, at a signal from | his little master. springing with fury from the thicket, and fastening bis fangs in the left hand of the no littl» terrified Apache. | The affrichted horse bounded forward into the | thi-kets, bot : maidens slipping from the : addle to. | the ground nearly side by side. Seei-g the Indian now prevented from helping limself, Romao sent out ycll upon yell; and t en. releasing his knife hand, he jabbed the hand of ape Welf until tho blade of the satter dropped from S$ grasp. This hb boy elt teed, and flung into the thicket. The contcrtions of Lone Wolf were now terrible, and caused his litle antaconist great torture. Over and over rolled the Indian, the negro la’, and the dog; yet the last mentioned two loosened not their | grip until R»meo, entirely exhausted, sudd: nly let go. He then bounded tow rd the point where he felt assured he would find the two mai¢ers, still sign ly p the top of his lungs, and whistling Chunk 8 side. Loud yclls now resounded from the direction of the bend—yelis of cheer—an'l the crashing of bushes fo'lowed, as steeds were beard valloping forward. Lone Wolf stoppe | to listen for an instant. Then he bounded toward the river, and plunging in, swam to the opposite side. Ov ce there, hegave a sallying yell, and struck up-stream. into the dark shades— never agai» to “buck ’’ against the ‘*bad medicine” of the Rio Medina. Wren Chiota, Frio Frank and Bandera Bill urged their horses to the pcint where the last scene in the concluding act of our tragic drama took place, guided toit bythe yells of Romeo, they were—we | may be well assure!—greatly gladdened at the pic- ture presented to their view. There upon the sward sat Rert'e and Floss, each clasping one of the little llack hands of Romeo, down w ose ebon cheeks rolled tears of se while Crunk sat at their feet, wagering hs toil, his jaws red with the blond of Lone Wolf, the Apache ma- rauder and murderer! Few words have we to say in conclusion, rentle reader: for words could not describe the relief, joy, and heavenly happiness. that followed close after the scenes of terrorand deeds of blood, which we have striven, as truthfu'ly as ncssible, to rec rd. Marker Mose and the three Mexicans were buried, with great grief and every honor, beneath the bot- tom-timber. Bancroft Ranch was not doomed, after all. Tt did evil burn, as the shingles were wet, from the heavy ew. */ ih Consequently, one home of the two was saved; . ' and Mr. and Mrs. Forbes were brought to the bend, there to remam until avotler aweling was erected fur them, by the help of the rancheiocs cf Castro- , Ville. These kindly offered all tre services that | ecuid be required, to piace Leth 1arclcs on tLeir tormer footing Old Ben baucroft, Auntie fue, rnd D: ncing Fawn Were soon restored to ccprcicusmss, ond their bruised heads atie.ded to ‘lcit joy wes Lescnd ' expression, when they fourd tlat buitie wes safe; |! aud there Was Lo )10uUdcr notler in Texas then od Auntie Sue, upon b erning iat Remeo wth the help of ( buik. had rescucd the yeurg lacis frcm a terribls f. te—even fiom the clutch «fi Lone Worf. | Asa maiter of ccurse, Remcob came ore cf the ‘heroes of the M.dinae—little t lack sieve 1) cup h-he |! was—and, cver after, he wee funisled yih as much elothing as he ecculdw I) ter cf v bile en- gaged in his fevorite partine cf ] wi ting ccen: and opossums; b sidis b Irg presented witL a fine rifle, revolver, and knife. with e Le] ton aich te sane, Chunk. too, seemed clweys ifierward to lcok with contem;t upon tle ct) erciis, ¢ crying, as he | did. in a silver ccllar with a solid gold cle: p. It was just three months efter the scores which we have in this series 1¢cc1Ced thet there was a doutls wedding at B:inerc{t Teno. the cereneny being performed bereath the grend old moss- | Crapen tree in wl ich was the ‘ nest’ ti at Lad twice been the | iding-place—1] ough it rover su ing Cure | a one—to t] e icmales at tl e ranch, Old Ben Bancroft, with Mr. and Mrs. Torbes, were most hoppy inceed tr witness tlhe ec) mxities that thus united the two fen ilies, tle maiicge cf Ficss orbes to William kere:ft, cr Baidera Bll ard. that cf Bertie Bencre!t. the ;ocen-lcired Lelle of the Rio M: dina, to Fraik Forbes. Letter krcown as Frio Frank And. near at hand Curing this impesirge dovble ceremony. althcugh the rarcterccs, with 1] cir wives and sons, and daughters. frem “«ll arcund,”? were present, there were romore impr esive crs ncscme acovple among the gucs's then cur icd hiuo und heroine. There beneath the sway'ng festcons of ross, his cagl> plumes mingling with ‘he si: me, lis head proudly poised and his arms folded acroes Lis bres st —straight as a Jance sl eft in ell | is v ar- cint, wer- g ar, and ecalp ccc rations—Ly tre ride cf hit payly bedecked squaw, Dancirg Yawn stcod the bronzed princes of the prairies, Chicta. tle Cr ck. An extensive larbecue folewed tle ceremory. | whole oxen, sheen. decr erd keat being ro: sted; ond the /-p e of our Creek fiiercs vas yitchcd in the | bend, where tht y r maived lerg. 7s ite lorcied guests end friencs cf thorev hom they hid so biave- ly risked their lives :o ceive, Never did two ]Irncsoner covple stand side ty side, or a quertette v ho wore aevctediy loved each | other, than Bil ard Frark with their bic ce; end a family e unci). ere 1) e wedcing-day w: s over, cnded in <n agrcemcnt with Mr. ond Mrs. Forbes end their | gon, that they should rnove ficm tle Fiio to the | Medina—two new buildings to be tr-«ted in the b n@, Bill and Ficss ceciding that they would re- | main with the father of the former in Bancroft | Ranch. ¢ | Thus, for mutnal protection pgainst ressible fur- | ther dangers from marauding | ands, v he ther of In- | dians or of Mexican bandits frem the Rio Giende, it was decided that the tv o families un'te fc rces. We leave our friends there, with the bii¢htest poe before them; efter they had, ajl of them, en elmost niraculously saved. on several occa- sions, from the most dreacful Certi s. Chiota ceparted. after a merry moon with bis w ite friends, Dancing Fawn accompa ying him, on a trail for revenge cn the hated om hes; end, per- haps, in the near future, we mry give in detail sme cf he adventures and daring exploits of the wancer- ing pair, Dancing Fawn and Cuiora, TEE CREEK. THE END. : DIME DIALGGUES AKD SPERKERS FOR SCHOOL EXH!B!TIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS, Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 31 inclusive, 15 to 2% popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each « vol- | ume 100 pages 12mo. ; Speakers, Nos. 1 to %4 inclusive. Each speaker | 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces, YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERIES. Dime Book of Winter Soorts. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports Dime Gents’ T.ctter Writer. y Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Rook of Verses, Dime Book of Dreams. Dime Laces" Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket, Dime Ball-Room Comnanion, Dime Rook of 100 Games. Dime (ess Instructor, Vime Book of Beauty, "The above bocks are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, post- to any ad- dress, on receipt of priep, ten cents each. BEADLE ! anp Apams, Publishers, 98 William st., N.Y. - Dime Fortune Teller. . ~-
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Le . ‘412 The Mad _ 125 75 The Roy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea Wolf. vy Cul. Prentiss Ingraha.u. 76 Abe Colt, the Ciow-Killer; or, To Creat Fizhting Man of the West. By Alber W. Aiken. We reamed tharliv«, tie Boy Brav..; cr, Deaiwood Dick’s Last Act. 78 Bue Dick; or, Toe Yellow Chief's Ven- ceance. By C.iptain Mayne R:id. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper; or, The lowe. of the Blackfeet, By Albert W. Acken. 80 ktosebud Bob 3 or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Guich. By E-lward L. Wheeler. 81 Liszhtning J, the Terror of the Prairie. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. $2 Kit iSarcfoot, the Woodl-Hawk; or, Old ee eee an. Wis Demons. By T. C. Dar ugh. 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger: or, The Ieiress of the Golden Horn, By Oil Coomes. 84 Idyl, the Girl Min r; cr, Rosebud Rob cn Tand, By Elwar! L. Wheeler. 85 Buck Buckramy or, Boss, the Female Trapper. By Ciptain J. F. C Adams, 86 Dandy Mock, the Mau Irom Texas. By G. Waido Brown, 87 the Land Pirates; cr, The League of Devl's Island. By Captain Mayne R i. 88 Photograph Puil, the Loy tleut:; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance. By Edward L. Wheel r. 5 89 Island Jims or, The Pet cf the Family. By Bracebridge Hemyng. : 00 ‘The Mread_Bider; or, The Texan Duelist. By Gaorge W. Browne. e 91 ‘The Captain of the Clnb; cr, The Young Rival Athletes. By Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Har. away.) $2 Canada Chet, the Counterfciter Chicf; or, Old Anaconda iu Sitting Bull’s Camp. By Eu- ward L. Wheeler $3 The B migerss or, The Enchanted I lind. by Edward 8, Ellis, 94 Midnight Jack, the Road-Acent; or, Gopher Gid, the Boy Trapper of the Cheyenne, By T. Cc Harbangh. 95 ‘The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of th - Mis-issippi. 96 Watch-aye, the Shadow; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. iy Edward L. Wheeler. $7 ‘whe Outl w_Brothers; or Tuc Captive of the Harpes. By John J. Marshall. 98 . bin Hood, the Out.awed Earl; or. The Merry Men of Greenwvod. By Prof. S:ewart Giidersleeve. 59 The Tiger of Taos} or, Wild Kate, Dandy Rock's Aagel. by Georse Waldo Biowno, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. ueeler, 101 Jack Markawayin New Vork 3 or The Adventures of th- Traveler’s Club. By Brace- bridge Hemyng (Jack Harkaway), 102 Di-k 6). aa-tye, the Boy Smuggler; or, The Cruise of the Vixen. By Col. Ingraham. 103 The Lien ot the Sex; Lady of San Tropez. By Cojon | Delle Sara. 304 Deadw od ick’s Device; or, The ss age of the Double Cross. Py E. L, Wheelrr. 105 O1d Kube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Cap- tive. By Captain Hamilcon Holmes. 106 wld Kronty, the Guice: or, Niokana, tho White Queen of the Blackfeet. By T. C. Harbaug 107 ¢oue-ayed Sim 3 or, The Abandoned Forest Home. By James L. Bowen, 108 Daring Davy, the Young Bear Killer; or, The T of the Border Wolf. By Harry St. George. 10v Deadwood Dick As Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 410 the BI ck Steed of the Pratries, By James L. Bowen. 411 ‘The Sen-Devil; or, The Midslipman’s By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Hunter; or, Ihe Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 113 Jack Moyle the Young § lator; or, The Road to Fortune. By E. L. Whal r 114 The Black Scheoner ; or, Jib vunk, the Old Tar. By Roger Starbuc. 415 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock's Doom. By G. Waldo Browne. 416 The Hussar ig toe or, The Hermit of Hell-Gate. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 117 Gilt-hdged Dick, the Sport-Detective; m The Road Agent's Daughter. Ly Edwa 118 Wines: »mers, the Boy Detective ere Charles Morris. ” 2 ih astawe Sam 3 or, the King of the Plains, 27 oR E. Badger, Ji. 120 The # anded tand; or, The Man of 121 rF rete re ase veo aint s Th } on « e Gir 5 or. e Golden luol of Mt. Rosa. By Bf, Wheeler. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boas’ Bo ; or. The Mys- tery of the Strongbow. By Charles Morris. 123 Kiowa Charles, the White Mustanver; or, Rocky Mountain Kit’s Last Scalp Hunt. Ah C. Harbaugh. 124 ppy, the Texan $ or, The Young Cham- ion. By George Gleason, onnnze EB, Miners or, Madam Mys- tery, the Female Forger. By E. L. Wheeler. 126 Picayune Pete}; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. By Charles Morris. 427 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road; or. The Wolves of Satan's Gap. By Frank Dumont. The Young Privateer ; or, The Pirate's = Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish By Ed. L. Wheeler, | By Li ut.-Colonel Hazeliine. | or, The Vailed | | 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. By EB. L. Wheeler. 130 wetvctive Dicks or, Tue Hero in Rags. By Charles Morris. 131 ‘fhe Golden Hand3 or, Dandy Rock to the R scue. By George Waldo Browne. 132 fhe Munted Wunterys or, The Strance Horseman of t e Pairie. By Edward §. Ellis. 133 Boss Bob, the Kins of Bootblacks; or, The Pawnbroker’s Plot. By Edward L. Wheeler. 134 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman; cr, The Young Patriots of the North. By Oll Coomes. 135 Captain Paul, the Kentncky Moonshiner; cr, Tbe oy Spy of the Mountains. Ly C. Dunning Clark. Night-ilauwk_ Kits or, The Doughter of the Ranch. I’y Joseph E. Padger, Jr. Khe Helpless Mand; cr. Packwoods Retribution By Captain Mayne Reid. &Slonde Bilis or, Deadwood Dick's Tome Base. By Edward L. \\ hee er. Judge Lynch, Jr.3 or, The Boy Vigilante. T. C. Harbaugh fue Blazes or, The Break o’ Dey Boys of Rocky Ba. Vy rank Dumont. Solid Sam, th: Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branced Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. Man‘some Marry, the Bootblack Detec- tive. By Charles Morris. Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter; or, The Mystery of Fort Rane. By Oil Coomes. Dainty Lance, th> wat Sport; or, The eae mga Decoy Duck. By Joseph E. adger, Jc. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job.’ By E. L, Wheeler. Silver Star, the Boy Knight. By Oll Coomes. Will Wildfire, the Tnorouchbred; or, The Winning Hand. By Charles Morris, 136 137 138 139 i40 141 142 143 144 145 146 4i7 148 Sharp Sam} or, The Adventures of a Friendless Bo,, By J. Alexander Patten. 149 or, Deadwood Dick's A Game of Gold; Big Strike. By Edwer1 L. Wheeler, Lance and Lasso} or, The Children of the Chaco. By Captain Fred, Whittaker. Panther Psu, the Prairie Pirate; or, Dain y Lance to the Rescux By Joseph EB. Badger, Jr. Black Besa, Will Wildfirc'’s Rocer; or, Win- ning Against O ds. By C arles Morris. Eagle Kit, the Tcy D mon; or, Tke Out- la‘vs of the Gold Hitls, By Ol Coomes. The Sword Hunters} cr. Th® Land of the El phant Riders. By Capt. F. W! ittater Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. By T (C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Pick of Deadwood} or, The Picked Party. By E1. L. Wheeler. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy; or, Sp a ight-Hawks of Philad\lphia. By Cuarles orris. tansy Frank, cf Colcrado; or, The Trap- per’s Trust. By Buffalo Bill. 159 The Lost « Peroys or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. By pe Fred. Whittaker. The Black a Me or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Jos. KE. B der Jr. New ‘ork Nell, the B: y Gil Detective; or, Old Blakesly’s Money. By Ed. L. \\ beeler. Will] Wildfire in the bape? or, Camp Life in the Alleghanies. By Chas. Morrie. Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes, Dandy Reek’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. Ty George Waldo : rowne. Billy = ge, the Railroad Boy; or, Run to Earth. Ctarles Morris, Hickory arry; or. The Trapper-Bri- gade’s Spy. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, tho Steamboat Boy; or, The Land Pirates of the Mississippi. 1 y Ed. Willett. Deediz Bash $ or Ti chtine Fire With Fire. By Jos. E Tacper, Jr. Tornado Tom; cr, Injun Jack From Red Core. By T. C. Harbau:b, $6 + ibang 4 Card3>? o1, Will Wildfire Wins and woses, By Charles M: rris. Ebony Dan3 or, The Rival Leagues of Silver Circle. ref Frank Dumont. Tom; o 150 151 Thunderbol r, The Wolf-Herder of the Rockies, By Harry St. George. Dandy Rock’s Rivat; or, The Hunted Maid of Taos. By George Wsldo Browne. 174 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dodger; or, Mys- teries of New York. By Chr rles Morris 175 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road- Agcnts; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Lig Game. By Philip S. Warne, 176 The Hey Kunawayvs; or, The Buzcaneer of the Bay. By Lieut. H. y berry, U. 8. N. 177 Nobbs Nick of Nevaday or The Scamps of the Sierras. By Edwar J. Wheeler. 178 Old Soli ary, the Hermit Trapper; or, The Dragon of Silver Lake. Hy Oll Coomes. 179 Bob Hocker, the Bank Runner; or, The Road to Ruin. By Charles M -rris. 180 The Sen Trailers or, A Vow Well Kept. By Lieut. fl. D. Perry, U 8S. N. 181 Wild Frank, "the ‘Buckskin_Brayo; or, Lady Lily's Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. 182 Littl Hurricane, the Boy Captain; or. The Oath of the Young Avengers. By oll Coomes. 183 ‘The Hidden Hand; or, Will Wildfire's EN My oon Morris. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the “ar-Path. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 185 Evil Kye, King of Cattle Thieves; or, Vultures of the Rio Grande. By ¥, Dumont. ——_—— BEADLE’S | HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 Cool Besmendy cr, The Gambler's be Game. ly Ccl. Delle Sara. Kee d Haiyerad, the Life Boat Poy; or, The Smugglers of the Inlet. Ly Charl s Moins. Ned ‘Bemapte, the Border | oy; or, » he Mad Hunter of Powder River. By T. C. Ha baugh, Bob Rockett, the Cracksman; or, Driven tothe Wall. By Gi arl s Morris. Danuwy Warkes or, The Tigers of High line. Ly Wm. R. fp eter, Muffale Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed Thirtcen. By Capt A. B. T: ylor. ‘aptein Kit, ct) e Will o’ th:-Wirp; or, The Mystery of Mcvtauk Pvint. By Lieut. H. D. Peiry, U.S. 8. aptain MBask. the Lady Road-Agent; or, Patent Leather Joe’s Defeat. by P. 8. Warne. ruffal» Hiti's Bets or The Gambler Guide. By Ca; t. Alfred B. Taylor, U.S. A. Deadwood Dir k°s Dreams or, TLe Ri- v ls of the Road. By Edward L. Wh¢eler. Shadoweds or Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. By Charles Morris. Little Grit, th Wiid Rider; or Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s ] augi ter. By Col. Ingraham, Arkaunxaw, the Man with tie Knif: ; or, The Queen 0° Fate’: Revenge. By Ha:baugh, Meatherweivht, tle ~~ Cl ampion ot the Muskingum 3 or, On his Muscle, Wilts and Honor. By Edward Willett. Th. Bey Hedouinss or, The Brothers ot the Plumed Lance. By Capt F. WLittaker. Khe Bleck Hills Jezebets or, Dead wood Dick’s Ward. Ty Ed. L. Wheeler. Prospect Pete, of the Loy Pricade; or, The Yung Outlaw Hunters. Iy Ol’ Coomes, 203 The Boy Pardsy3 or, Dainty Lance Un- masks. Ty Js. E. Ladger, Jr. 204 «sold P ums, the] oy L: ndit; or, The Kid- Glove Sport. Ty Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 205 Deai wood Bick*'s teoms; or, Calamit7 Jane’s Last Adventure. }y Ed. L. Wheeler. 206 Bark Paul, tho Tiger King; or, Caught in 207 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 His Own Trap. 1 y Charles Morris. Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter; or, The Three Pards of the Lasaltic Luttes. Ly T. C. Harbaugh. + ‘the Boy Hercules; or, The Prairie Tramps. Py O.1 Coon es. Fritz, the |ound-Bey Detective; or, Dot Le tle Game Mi: Rebecca. By E. L. Vihveler. Faro Frank of High Pine; or. Dendy Darke’s Go-Dcown Parcs. Ey Wm. PR. Eyster. Crooked ¢ ‘ale, the Caliban of C.kst.al City, By JoseyhE vadgir Jr, Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective; or, The L ague of the Secret Brotherhood. by Charl s Morris, Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Scamp-uuunter By Ecward L, Wheclcr. Wolfgang the Rebber of the Rhine; cr, Tie Young Knight of tle Crossicorde. By Capt. Fr d. Whitteker. Capt in Hullet, the Raider King; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. By T. C. Harbaugh. Bisen Bill. the Prince of the Reins; or, The Red Riders of the Overland. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; “tong Jack from Jimtown. Py Edward I.. V. he ler, Tiger Tom, the Tcxan Terror. Py Ol! Coomcs. 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 2.5 216 217 218 219 220 - The Black Shecp of the Flock. Ly Philip . Warne. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam 3 or The Black Gowns of G.im Gulch. By Ed. L. Wheelcr. 222 airit, the Bravo Scort; or, Tie Woman Treiler. Ccl. Prentires Ingraham. 223 Ozark If, King of the Nourtain; or, Featherweight Among the Outlas s Ly Ed’ ward \\ Lett. 224 Paxhing Dick} or, Trapper Tom's Castle. By Ol) Coomes, 225 Sam Chercoal, the Premium Drrky; or How the | oy Got Even, By Chas Mcriis. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab De- tective. By Edward L. \. hi cler. 227 Pusky Darrell, Trapper; or. The Green Ranger of the \ ellowstone. Ly Edwin Emer- son, 228 Little Wi dfire, the Your g Prairie Nomad; or, The Idyl of Echo Canyon, By Ull C. omes. 229 Crimsen Kate, t e Gri Trailer; or, The Cowboy's —— By Col. P. Ingraham, 230 The Yankee Rajah ; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. By C Dunning Clerk. 231 Plucky Phil. of the Mountain Traii; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. By T. C. Harbaugh. 23 Gold Dust Dick. By Ed. L. Wueeler. 233 Joe Buck of Angels and His Bov Pard Paul Powderhorn; or. The Three Wild Men of Eagle Bar. By Albert W. Aiken. 234 Old Rocky’s ** Boyees 3°? or, Benito. the Young Horse-Breaker. By Maj Sam S. Hall, * Buckskin Sam. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy; or 236 A poll Bill, the Then Tornndo; or, Rows pollo 1, the ‘ornndo; 0 wdy Kate from Right Bower. By Ed. L. Wheeler. A New Issue Every Tvesday. The Half-Dime Library ts for sale by all newsdealers. five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pra.uisurrs, 98 Wilham Street, New York,
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237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The 218 The Parson Detectives ot Line areey, ass the Ranger of Raven Roost. By Oll Coomes. 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 Mountain. By Captain Mayne Reid. Cyclone Kit sthe Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. By Edward L. Wheeler. Bill Bravo, and His Bear Pards; or, The Roughs of the Roclkies, By T. C. Harbaugh. and His Gang. By Charles Morris. The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger of the North. By Oll Coomes. Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. By Edward L. Wheeler. Merle, the Widay3 or. The Heir of an Ocean Freelance. Giant George; or, The Ang'l of the Range. By Major Sam's. fail—* Buckskin Sam. Old Grizzly and Wis Pets; or, The Wild Huntress of the Hills. By Capt, ‘‘ Bruin” Adams. Sierra Sam's Secret; Footprints. By Edward L. Wheeler. Milo Bomer, the Animal King; or. The Round the World Wanderer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. By Col. P. Ingraham. Light-House Lige 3 or, Osceola, the Fire- brand of the Everglades. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. Dirck Dashaway; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. By Charles Morris. Sierra Sam’s Pardj; or, The Angel of Big Vista. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Half-Blood 3; or, The Panther of the Plains. By Edward S§. Ellis. 5 Captain Apollo, the King-Pin of Bowie; Of, en o’ Lightning’s Feud. by T. C. Har- yaugh. 256 Young Kentuck3 or, The Red Lasso. By Captain Mark Wilton. 257 The Lost Hunters 3 or, The Underground Camp. By Captain J. F. C. Adams, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride, By Edward L. Wheeler. 25) The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. By Roger Starbuck. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, th» Young Prairie Ran- ger; or, Old Rosebud’s Boy Brigade, By Oil Coomes. 261 Fergus Fearnaught, the New York Boy. By George L. Aiken. 262 The ou ng Sleuths; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. By Charles Morris. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 264 the Floatin Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 265 The Viger Tamer; or," he League of the Jungle. By Captain Fred. Wh ttaker. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide{ or, Davy Crockett’s ! Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren, 267 The Buckskin Detective; or, Claude King of American Road-Agents. By T. C. Harbaugh. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From Ocean to Ocean, Ky Ed. L. Wheeler. 269 The Gold Apip 3 or, Merle, the Con- demned. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 270 Blizzard Ben, the Arizona Cyclone; or, The Riot at Keno Camp, By Capt. M. Wilton. 271 Whe Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By Edward §, Ellis. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter; or, Columbia Jim onthe Warpath. By Ol Coomes. 273 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs. ame oa heeler, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective agg 8 or, Harry Keen’s Big “ Lay.’ By Charlcs Morris. 275 Arizona Jack; or, Giant George’s Tender- foot Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 276 Merle Montes Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.” By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or Yankee KEisler’s Big Surround. By Edward L. Wheeler. 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountain Monster. By Major L. W. Carson. 279 Old Winch, the Rifle King; or, The Buck- skin Desperadoes. By T. C. Harbaugh. 280 Merle "lonte’s Fate; or, Pearl, The Pi- rate’s Pride. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and 282 ace atin B ep nee a L. Wi o> A ny ypo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, By Edward Willett. 283 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. By Major Lewis W. Carson. 284 The Sea aused sr} or. Merle Monte’s Pledge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 285 Denver Doll's Deco. § or, Little Bill's Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 286 Josh The Boy ‘Tenderteots or, The wae Men of Buzzard Bar. ly Captain Mark ilton. 287 ving 8 Bliue-Eyes, Pe Boy Rover of the Rio Grande; or, Terror Tom’s Thorny Trail. Fe Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 288 The Scalp King; or. The Human Thun- derbolt. By Captain J. F. OC. Adams. 289 Jolly Jim’s Jo"; or. The Young Detec- 900 Livi. Foxfire, the Boy Spr; or, Old e Fexfire, the + OF tective, By ou 248 249 250 Caleb Arbuckle, Mountain Coomes. Whe Gold-seeker yesees or, The Lost e | 294 The Two ‘ Bloods?; or, Shenandoah Bill | | 297 | 298 By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. | 299 | 301 or, The Bloody | | 304 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. By E. L. Wheeler. | 292 Sancho Pedro, the a * Bandit; or, The Pards of Sierra rain. Fightin at. By Major E. L. St. 293 Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock, Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa. Le ie ¢C. Harbaugh. ~ Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartz- ville. By Edward Willett. Denver Dolls Drift; or, The Road Queen’s Big Campaign. By E. L. Wheeler. he Tarantula of ‘Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. By Buckskin Sam. The Water-Hound; or, Thoroughbred. By Charles Morris. A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker; or, The Schoolmarm o’ Sassafras. By E. L. Wheeler. Whe Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ran- ger. By Oll Coomes. Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport; or, The ee Miner’s Vengeance. By Major E. L. St. rain. ‘the Mountain Detective; or, The Bul- ly of Trigger Bar. By T C. Harbaugh. ‘Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, The Iron- Nerved Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 295 296 300 302 303 Boy Bugler. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Dashaway of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. By Chas. Morris. Neck-'Tie Ned, the Lariat-Thrower; or, The Dug-Out Pards. by Maj. Henry B. Stoddard. The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. By Buckskin Sam. Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler’s Pard; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. By Col. P. Ingraham, 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 Gold Brick of Oregon. By Ed. L. Wheeler, Whe Barranca Wolf} or, The Beautiful Decoy. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Whe Boving ge a ¥ or, The Pride of vis Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. EL. St Vrain. ; (imarron Jack, the King Pin of MNifle- Shots; or, The Phantom Trucker. By Fredk. Dewey. 314 The Mysterious Marsxuder;: or. The Boy Bugler's Long Trail. By Col. P. Ingraham. 3815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Haunted Fort. By Jack Farragut. 316 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona; or, ; Little Snap Shot’s Horse Hunt, By T. C. Harbaugh. 317 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Lead- ville. By Lieut. Alfred Therne. 318 Ker-Whoop, Ker-Whoo! or, The Tar- antula of Taos ou the War-Path. By Buck- skin Sam, 313 319 The Black Rider ; or, The Horse-Thieves’ | | 374 League. By Jos. E Badger. Jr. 320 The Sea Sorceress; or, Lieutenant Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jack Farragut. 3821 Deadwooc¢ Fakir of Phantom Flats. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 322 Nemo, the Det: ctive; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta. By Edward Wille tt. 323 Arkansaw Jack, of the Man Hunters; or, The Scourge of the Mines. By Harry Hazard. 324 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective; or, Tracking the Foxesto Earth. By Chas. Morris. 325 melts Hickey & Co,, the Sleuths of P. iladelphia; or, Satan’s Secial. By Edward L. Wheeler. 326 Whe Ten Pords; or. The Terror of Take- Notice. By T. C, Harbaugh. 327 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Parcs. By Buckskin Sam. 328 The Sky Detective; or. A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor. By Major Mickey Free. 329 Hed-Skin Toms or, The Demou’s Trail. By Harry Hazrd. 330 Little Quick-sShot, the Scarlet Scout; or, The D Face of Daygersviile. By Edward L. Wheeler. 831 Black Nick, the Demcen Rider; or, The Mountain Queen’s Warning. By Captain F. Whittaker. 332 Frio Fredy; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. by Buckskin Sam. 333 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette; or, Major Bragz’s Ride to Tomb- stone, By coy * . L. §t. Vrain. 334 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler. 335 Old Double Fist; or, The Strang: Guide. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 336 Bix enson, the Brazos Bombshell; or, The Queen of the Lasso. By T. C. Harbaugh. 387 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete's Scoop. B W. J. Hamilton. 338 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. By Philip 8. Warne. 339 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, be Pride ecler. 340 Clip, of Played-Out. By Edward L. or, The Vigilantes of Montana, the Contortionist; By Edward Willett. 341 Fa | Thorn, the Vagabond Detective; or, Running Down a Rogue. By Charles Morris. 342 ‘The Mountain Devi); or. Yellow Jack, the Outlaw Captain. By Harry Hazard. 343 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood; or *Working-Up” a Difficult Case By Edward L. Wheeler, 344 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. By Buckskia Sam. 345 Pitiless Mat, the White Slayer; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. By T. C. Harbaugh. Hed Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The | The Young | The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benito, the | Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, ‘The | tedtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince; or, | The Black Regulators of Arizona. By Major RARY. | 346 Rapier Peete 3 or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. | 347 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. By Edward L, Wheeler. 348 Wireheels; or, Old Skinflint, the D:ath- Shadow. By Roger Starbuck. | 349 Wild W olf, the Waco; or, Big-Foot Wal- lace to the Front. By Buckskin Sam. 350 Ked Ralph, the River Rover; or, Toe Brother’s Revenge. By Ned Buntline. 351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The ‘Terrible Vendetta. By Edwaru L. Wheeler. | 352 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of , “Sand”; or, The Hyena from Hard Luck. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Fly- er’s Blizzard. By Charles Morris. Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards. By Roger Starbuck. The -Kiug of the Woods}; or, Daniel Boone's Last Trail. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Cool Sam and Pardy; or, The Terrible Six From Texas, By T. C. Harbaugh. ’ The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort he ef By Buckskin Sam. First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher; or, The Deadly Drop from Brimsione Bar. By Edward L, Wheeler. 4 Durango Dave, the Young Champion Wrestler; or, The Colorado Song Queen. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. Silver-Miask, the Man of Mystery; or. The Cross of the Golden Keys. By J. C. Cowdrick. The Phantom Light-HWouse; or, “Black Rock,” the Smuggler Spy. By Roger Starbuck. Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. By Edward L, Wheeler. Little Tornado} or, The Outcasts of the Glen. By Philip 8. Warne. Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger; or The Srake and the Dove. By Buckskin Sam. Baltimore Ben, the Bootblack Detective; or. The Fortunes of an Orphan Girl. By An- thony P. Morris. 1 , Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective; or, The Taos Tiger. By T. C, Harbaugh. Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. By Charles Morris. | 353 354 355 356 Dick’s Dozens or, The | a. Yreka Jim, the_Gold-Gatherer; or The Lottery of Life’ By Edward L. Wheeler. Shasta, the Gold ‘King; or, For Seven Years Dead. By J. C. Cowdrick. Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner; or, The Telltale Hand. By Roger Starbuck, Kingbelt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective; or, The Solid Man From Slow- Coach. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. Wreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, By E. L. Wheeler. Little Jingo; or, The Queer Pard. By Philip S. Warne. " Gold Dust Tom; or, Ambergris Ben's Double Match. By George Henry Morse, 5 Chiota, the Creek; or, Tae Three fhun- derbolts.. By Buckskin Sam. 376 California Joe’s First Trail, <A Story 372 373 | 382 Cool Kit, of the Destroying Angelis. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 377 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 378 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. By Edward L. Wheeler. 379 Larry, the Leveler3 or. The Bloods of the Boulevard, By Charles Morris, _ 380 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide; or, The Snow-Prisoners of Colorado. By Major E. L, St. Vrain. 381 Bandera Bill; or, Frio Frank to the Front. By Buckskin Sam. i the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. By Edward L. Wheeler, 383 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirates’ Island. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 384 Whips Joe, the Boy Ranchero; or, The Border Schoolmaster, By Oli Coomes. 885 Wreka Jim’s Jokers; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. By E, L. Wheeler. 886 Captain Cutlass, the Ocean eb or, The Buccaneer’s Gir] Foe. a GC. Harbaugh. 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom; or, The Traitor Guide. By Col, Prentiss Ingrakam, 383 Little Oh-my; or, Caught in His Own Trap. By Philip S. Warne. _. 889 Bicycle Ben; or, The Lion of Lightning Lode. By Edward L. Wheeler. 390 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. Pf Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 391 Kid-G1- ve Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies. By Maj. H. lt, Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 392 Monae and the Keds, By Buckskin Sam. 893 Seawatf, the Boy Lieutenant. By Oolenel Prentiss apereve Jim m, 894 VWreka ot Yuba Dam, By Edward L. Wheeler. 395 Calitornia Joe’s War Trail. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 896 Reugh Kob, of Dynamite; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. By T.C. Harbaugh, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all | newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pus.isHERrs, 98 William Street, New York,