Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 401) (1885 03 31)
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a iim mim efatalalala| | r v Di oo ro Zz, »| a P| p= | NY AY NY . . WAKsy VO ~ at Hecate RN = fe WOME y SSS in | are! Sear 5 at re per an SR ee ey ; \ Qu a an i it em vans Ss Oe EIS See! FIN 22.00 a) ete Entered | at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright, 1885, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. March 31, 1885. ; V Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADI é, sas [son ; ol. XVI. s cL 3EADLE AND ADAMS Price, Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. No. 40 1 ° A Tale of Grazing Life. BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE, AUTHOR OF “ PATENT-LEATHER JOE,” ‘‘ LITTLE TORNADO,” ‘‘ LITTLE JINGO,” ‘‘ LITTLE OH-MY,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. MAMMY’S PICKANINNY. ‘“ WHan’s mammy’s pickaninny?” “‘T dunno!” ‘‘ T hyeah ye, chile!” The door flew open with a bang that made its hinges creak. Over the threshold shot a dark object, as if propelled by a catapult. A slide, a scuff, a spatof a broad-soled brogan, and there, in the middle of the kitchen, with hands on hips, hat cocked on the side of his head, mouth stretched from ear to ear, and eyes rolling in a paroxysm of jollity, stood as comical a little darky as ever struck a pose at the finish of a double-shuffle—stood, and delivered himself thus: “Go ’way, shoo-fl But with a scoop he was caught into mammy’s fat bosom, as if into an animated feather-bed; and while he struggled to get his face free, in imminent danger of being smothered, she rock- 17? LITTLE SHOO-FLY. ed back and forth with him, crying:
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2 Little Shoo-F ly. “Ps happy! Bress de Lamb!” “Lock hyeah!—look hyeah—look hyeah!” ‘sputtered Little Shoo-fly, fighting for breath. “ Hyuh! byuh! hyuh! De good Lo’d done ‘brung y’s pickaninny back ag’in, safe an’ soun’! Dat’s joy ’nough fur one day!” ** Dat’s all hunk fur you, but—” **Dah! dah, honey! De ole mammy’s clean upsot--” And choking with emotion, she covered the face of her offspring: with tears and kisses, just —well, just asif her skin had been of the whitest, and her speech the most cultivated! But Little Shoo-fly, like most boys, was too matter-of-fact for any great refinement of senti- ment; so he asked: *““What ye cryin’ fur? Reckon, now, you’s sorry I’s hyeah!’ To him this was a joke. take it so. “Sorry?” she repeated, with a sort of gasp. Then, with a sudden shift of feeling to in- dignant reproach, she pushed him from her, cry- ing; * "Gong wid ye! Reckon you l’arn yo’ man- nehs f’om Mars’ Jim’s crowd! Didn’t git nuffin’ likedat o’ me!” **Q-o-oh, now, mammy! look hyeah! I’s only foolin’.” Well, ye can’tdo none 0’ yo’ foolin’ roun’ me! Go ’way!’ She waved him off peremptorily, determined to have nothing further to do with such an in- grate. Little Shoo-fly stood before her, his face now as long with ruefulness as it had been round with fun but a moment since. The maternal eye ran over him critically rhaps with some latent suspicion that he had rought home a jo of torn trowsers for her to mend, But the first glance made a far different discovery. ‘*What’s dat’ah you got hangin’ toyo"— Oh, Lo’d a massy!” Little Shoo-fly brightened ride, ‘Dis hyeah’s a revolver!” he replied, giving the weapon its most sounding name. He drew it from its holster with a flourish, leveled it at the ape he which hung against the wall, and squinting along the barre] with one eye closed so tight that it seemed to tie his face in a knot, cried: ** Crack! fizz! bang !” Now mammy hada deadly fear of fire-arms —which indeed isnot altogether without reason, when they are in the hands of the dangerous small boy!—so she was thrown into a blind yanic, and in scrambling out of harm’s reach ell over a chair, screaming lustily: “Take it away! Take it away! Take it But mammy didn’t instantly, with away!” a1 lL hbyuh! hyuh! hyuh!” laughed Little Shooty with a ie fou F of filial reverence, to say the least of it. ‘‘ Why, look a-hyeah, mam- my! Dis hyeah ain’t jest nuffin’ at all. I’s VYarned to shoot e’ena’most as good as Mars’ Jim hisself. He said so. Now jést you see me put a hole frough dat ole tin can out yonder.” Suiting the action to the word, he fired through the open door, and, truth to tell, per- torated the can_as cleverly as a more promising inarksman might have done. “*T hain’t been off wid Mars’ Jim all dis time fur nuffin’!” he said; turning proudly to receive the maternal wonder and admiration. But his display of skill met with a very unex- egies. it must be added, undeserved—re- ward. A broom, wielded by no inexperienced hand, descended on his head! “Git out o’ hyeah! Git out o’ hyeah, I tole e!” cried mammy, following ,him up vigorous- ry, as he shrunk before her. “Hold on! What’s—” <i a out o hyeah! Git outo’ hyeah!” ce ‘Git out o’ hyeah! Git out o’ hyeah!” 7 And so she ran him through the door, out in- to the yard. What’s all this?’ cried a graff ‘“* Hallo! voice. ““Hal ha! hal” laughed another, equally hoarse, ‘‘ The leetle imp has met with a hot re- ception!” ° ‘Hold on, mammy! What's the matter with Shoo-fly?” asked a third, as manly as the other two, but more cultivated. ~ ‘Then mamm paused for breath, and prviad on her broom, looked up into a iling, genia face, framed in a handsome black beard and shaded by Pad Fgh brim a) a oe ot pet “ Ts i , e pan ‘ w y ou 2 dat young rapscallion back hyeah fo’? “Oh, come, now, mammy! you don’t mean that! ‘What ‘would you do—what should any of us do without Shoo-fly?” ‘Don’t ye talk tome! Dat little limb done brung his ole mammy nuffin’ but sorrer an’ trib- bullation ebber sence he was bawn!” ‘** What! Little Shoo-fly?. Why, he’s the jol- liest little chap that ever was. Ain’t he, boys?” The men thus appealed to laughed boisterous- ly while they gave in their assent. But it was plain that mammy didn’t think this a question to be settled by a count of noses. She held to her majority of one. ** He’s altogedder too jolly fur my likin’!” she affirmed. Whereupon Little Shoo-fly proceeded to plead his own cause, struggling against an inclination to ‘‘ biubber.” ‘* Look a-hyeah, Mars’ Jim!” he urged, plain- tively. “I hain’t done jest nuffin’ at all—’deed I hain’t!” ** Wha’s dat you say?” cried mammy, indig- ae ‘‘ Didn’t you done skeer me ‘mos’ ter eff?” ‘* But, mammy, that was only his fun.” “T tole ye what it is, Mars’ Jim, J don’t like no sich fun!” ** But you'll overlook it this time? If you only knew how Little Shoo-fly has counted on getting back to hismammy! Thefirst thing he aon ht of was that he could show you how he hag learned to shoot. I tell you, he can beat some of the men!” At this praise Little Shoo-fly grinned from ear to ear, and looked at mammy, to see if she could be proof against such glory. ‘Ts afraid o’ pistols an’ guns!” she declared. But the softening in her voice showed that she was somewhat molilified. *‘ An’ I reckon,” she added, ‘‘ dey’ll be de deff ob dat chile!” *“'No, dey won't!” cried Little Shoo-fly, stout- ly. ‘*But ef I don’t crack ober some o’ dese hyeah—” ‘That'll do!” interrupted “‘ Mars’ Jim,” with an indulgent smile. ‘“‘I don’t wonder that mammy is afraid of such a sanguinary young pirate! Come! make off with you.” ‘* Whoop! Go ’way, shoo-fly!” And cutting a pigeon’s-wing that carried his brogan higher than his head, Little Shoo-fly lea away in the direction of the stables. ne of the herders, of whom there were a score, more or less, struck him with his hat as he pass- ed; and the others catching the humor of the thing, Little Shoo-fly ran this gant et, the most delighted one of the party. Mars’ Jim turned to mammy, and while his eye ran with furtive anxiety over the low ramb- ling ranch-house, asked: - ‘* Where's father?” ‘**He’s gone wid de missus down to de Flat. Been gone right smart. ° *deyll be baek pury. soon. Reckon dey didn’t count on you in’ home.” : Then a covert twinkle came into her eyes; but ing in the most innocent manner possi- ble, she went on: *? Shouldn't wondeh, now, ef Missy Lina was ivantin’ roun’ seme’r’s—down by de falls, mose likely.” ‘*Mammy,” said Mars’ Jim, dropping his voice and scrutinizing the old auntie’s face with watchful anxiety, ‘‘is—is—Miss Lina—happy?” ‘ Happy?” “Yes. You know she ain’t used to this kind of life. It must seem rather rough to her. Do you think she takes to it kindly? She might feel—homesick, you know.” “She hain’t said nuffin’ to me,” said mammy, non-committally. **No—of course not. But how does she look? How does she act?” ** Chipper—most o’ the time.” “Most of the time? Does she ever look sad— lonely?” *in she sets all alone by her- se’f, lookin’ away off, kind o’.” ‘“Yes! Yes!” ‘* Not a-sayin’ nuffin’ to nobody.” ** Go on!” : ‘Wid her head on oné side—so—jest like de little bird.” aan Mikel 2 2 ; = ‘* Den she heab a sigh—’way down deep.” _. Mars’ Jim waited with compressed ti , his cheeks pale, and his eyes gloomy with trouble. “Den she jump an’ look roun’, skeered ef somebody hyeah’d her. Den she up an’ run away, wid her cheeks red an’ her eyes a-shinin’, smilin’ all to herse’f, an’ singin’ as ef de joy hab to come out dat-a-way, or she bu’st sure!” Mars’ Jim stood staring open-mouthed, be- wildered at this unexpected denouement, ood-natured Mammy turned her head so as to glance up at him out of the corner of her eye. Then her fat stomach began to shake up and down—a motion which gradually extended all over her body; after which she shut her eyes and began to rock from side to side. No sound escaped her; she even ceased breathing while that internal convulsion set her quivering like a great lump of jelly. 7 A sudden flush leaped to Mars’ Jim’s temples, With a! spasmodic motion he caught her wrist, panting breathlessly : “What do you mean?” ‘““Go ’way boy!” she cried, as if exploding with the pent forces within her. Then she went off in a long roll of Jaughter. ““Hel he! he! he! he! he! he! he! he! Go *way! You don’t want nuflin’ o’ de olemammy! Go ask Missy Lina what she mean! He! he! he! he! he! he! he!” And leaving Mars’ Jim pale and ‘trembling, and with the perspiration starting from every pore, she waddled to her kitchen. There she stood in the middleof the floor, slap ping her fat’knees and bending almost double in er struggles with the imps of mirth. ** Oh, dat boy! He! he! fre! he! he-e! he-e-e-e-e! he-c-e—e—-e——¢ e!” Her sides ached as she squeezed the last parti- ele of breath out of her body. She managed to make her way to a chair, and there again and ain was she convulsed, until the tears ran down her black cheeks and it seemed as if she would roll out of her seat. Her hint had set Mars’ Jimafire. The blood surged up into his face in waves, and receded again. Now he was swept away by a whirlwind of mad elation. Anon he flared up with anger at mammy, as if she had been guilty of some out- rage. Then he was overwhelmed with self- a ment. **Oh, I’m a fool—a confounded ass!” But the blood tingled through every vein with a mad delight, and set his muscles in motion. With his head in a whirl, he did not heed where his rapid strides were bearing him. It was cer- tainly with no conscious purpose that he went down a little glen which wound away back of the ranch into denser and denser shadow, until he found his way to as romantic a dell as ever Greek lover courted the Muses in. What he found there—we shall know pres- ently! ae CHAPTER II. A DESPERATE LOVER. THE dell had been ee still, save the musi¢ of a tiny waterfall, for so long that a bob- olink, rocking on a sprig not ten feet from the ground, poured forth his joy in full-throated melody. Almost directly beneath him sat a young girl on a bowlder. - Her dress was of soft muslin, which seemed to cling lovingly to her figure, unlike the starched calico one would expect to find in that wild country—‘‘a thousand mile west o’ nowhar!” Moreover, though partoctly simple, it had a grace about it which showed that it must have been made ‘‘ in the States.” Beside her on the ground Jay a broad-brimmed straw hat, filled with ferns and grasses and wild flowers. She was not looking in the brook that rippled by over yellow and red and brown pebbles. o!—her eyes rested with a strange, sweet shy- ness on the golden sand that stretched as smooth as a tablet from her feet to the water’s edge. On it she had traced with a willow rod the name; “JAMES REARDON.” Below this she had written, in the same deli- cate script, with graceful curves and curls here like the tendrils of a vine: “Tina Re—” So far sho got in her work, and then dropped her hot face in her hands, bowed until it rested on her knees. . ** Are you sad in your wilderness home?” asked a voice close beside her. With a scream the girl leaped up, One lightning sweep of her foot, and the writ- ing on the sand was effaced. Then with pale =e panting bosom, and flash- ing eyes, she turned to confront the speaker. tf was a man of fine physique, and not unpre- possessing Gountenance, dressed in the rough garb of the Pacific Slope, yet wearing it with a certain jaunty grace, so that it took its character from his Cepewrngyele instead of determining his place in the social scale. and there, His hair was brown, his whiskers becoming
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sandy at the ends, His features were good. His eyes had a boldness about them which most ‘women would have rather liked. Just now they burned internally, and he was pale, as with suppressed emotion. Had he seen and deciphered the writing on the sand? : ; “Mr. Caldor!” cried the girl, ‘‘ what right had you to steal upon me like this?” A flush swept to his brow, showing that the eadence of indignation in her voice had cut deep; yet he said, in conciliatory tones: ” ‘“‘T beg your pardon, Miss Merrill! I did not mean to startle you. But you were so deeply absorbed, and what with the noise of the cascade and the softness of the turf—” He did not finish. The girl pressed her handover her beating heart, and bent to pick up her hat. ‘* Allow me!” he said, springing forward so quickly as to anticipate her. He lifted the hat with reverent touch, and presented it to her with the ease of a polished gentleman, a “ Thank you!” she said, receiving it from him, but not raising her eyes. Had she done so peas shé might have sur- prised a danger signal in his glance. Thé white circle that formed about his lips might have warned her. But his voice, under better con- trol, was still gently deprecatory. ‘You are not going to punish me by desert- ing me at once?” *I—I ought to go to the house. I am mo- mentarily expecting Mr. and Mrs, Reardon’s return.” _ He knew that this was an evasion. He bit his p- *“ We can hear them as they drive up. Will you not give me a few minutes, until then?” “You forget the waterfall!”—with a faint smile. ‘*T shall never forget or forgive it, since it has been the means of winning me your dis- pleasure!” He spoke with an intensity of passion which ave unmistakable significance to his words, e looked into her eyes with a burning earnest- ness that startled her. “Y—T beg your pardon!” she stammered, in confusion. ‘* You must let me go—at once!” “ Stay ! ” He caught her wrist as she sought to pass him. She started back, more in surprise and indig- nation than alarm. “Mr. Caldor!” And she transfixed him with a woman’s ‘weapon offensive and defensive—the glance of her eye. He dropped her arm instantly. _“T beg your pardon!” he said, bowing before her with as great humility as even she could re- quire. ‘‘Iam going from. bad to worse, it ap- poate But—but there are times when one reaks over the icy barrier of politeness, You see, it was made for men who are run by ¢lock- work and women of—of Parian marble. It certainly becomes an, iron manacle to a man who has a—a heart in his body, especially when that heart happens to have Apne out to a woman who—who does not—who fails to—” He stood before her with clinched hands, and teeth set down hard on his nether lip. He was as pale as death, and his eyes fairly burned her! he stood gazing into his face, frightened ‘out of h. oi Tl see you understand me,” he said. “It has come to that!” Still she could not find voice. ‘“‘ Have you nothing to hey me?” he asked, A look of pain came into her face. “*T think—I hope—for your sake—you are mis- taken! .JI—I—” But the words died on her lips, She inter- her fingers piteously, and her eyes filled. “Tam making it hard for you,” he said. ‘I see I must tell you in words that T love you.” Then, with a quick abandonment to the strong emotion that swayed him, he dropped upon his knee, and extending his hands, cried out her name with intense passion: “Tina!” “Oh, no! no! no!” she cried, shrinking back and repulsing him with her hands. » , At that he bounded to his feet with a roar of Ree did not articulate a word; but the girl “stood appalled by the expression of his coun- tenance, Then her ears were gladdened by what seemed - the sweetest sound she had ever heard. _ Tt-was a voice crying lustily: . Go way, shoo fry ye For a moment George Caldor stood irresolute, —————ooOoooOoCOCcCoooooooooe=——_——_—~—_—eEEEEE_—_—__= Little Shoo-Fly. Then he seemed to grind an oath of rage be- —— his ee said inally he opened his lips, as if to speak a last word to the oat whose love he had sought in vain, but, changing his mind, turned and sprung away into the undergrowth, without farewell by speech or gesture. If he had looked back, he might have seen Little Shoo-fly leap into view but an instant after he had vanished, and Lina Merrill, nearly fainting, catch both of the little black paws of “*mammy’s pickaninny,” with a tremulous cry of relief and eager welcome. He did not see this; but before he got beyond earshot he heard a peal of laughter in her mu- sical soprano. “That, then, is how much impression my love has made upon her!” he muttered between his set teeth. “It is‘matter of jest for her. I sup- pose she is telling that accursed milksop!” He was not thinking of Little Shoo-fly, but that Mars’ Jim had followed his, young Mer- cury. He drove his spurs into his horse’s flanks as some vent for his impotent rage, and coursed madly over the prairie, But the phantom of the favored lover ‘pursued him, ride he never so fast; and he cast’ about in his fevered brain for some means of circumvent- ing him, There is but one thing, and that is to kill him!” was his final conclusion. ‘ With him above-ground there is no hope for me. ‘But what good will come of it?) She will shrink in horror from a man with his blood on his hands! But he shall not have her either. Curse him! what right has he to stand in my path? If I down him in a general fight, nothing can be done about it.” “That's it! that’s it!” he muttered, with ghoulish ab sag “Tf we get on the land rst, he will fight for it. He then is the ageres- sor, and I stand justified! IU kill him! I ig kill him, so help me God!” This conclusion reached, he wheeled his horse and dashed back almost over the course he had come. As he 1. oronge a wood not more than a mile from the spot where he had met with his rebuff, he heard the dull thud of hoofs and the pee and crackle of branches thrust roughly aside. ‘“‘ What's that? Some of his men hunting? It won't do to be seen by them!” And he glanced about for some means of secret- ing himself until the chase was past. ut ‘a look of uncertainty and anxiety suc- costes as another thought flashed through his mind. “Tt can’t be any of my own men? They wouldn't dare to kick up such a row for any- thing that runs’on four legs. If it is them—” He finished the menace with a frown. While he hesitated between the necessity of hiding if it was his enemy’s followers and _stop- ' ping the chase if it proved to be his own, the op- portunity for the former passed, Out of the wood dashed a horse at full speed, his rider lying along his neck to escape the dan- er of peing srept off or at least lashed in the ace by the branches. At a little distance in his rear came a troop of riders in headlong pursuit. Ope of She phan 173 called to Caldor on sight; and with an oath of surprise and anger he put spurs to his horse and dashed forward to intercept the fugitive. CHAPTER ITI. A TONGUE-TIED_ LOVER, “On, Clem! I’m_ so ger to see you!” cried Lina, in the rebound of her feelings, Little Shoo-fly’s eyes glistened, and his mouth Pprpad from ear 1 ear. 8 you, missy 4 - ‘of course Tam! What have you been one all the time you have been away?” Oh, lots!” ‘Forgetting your best friends, I] warrant!” ‘Not you, pretty missy!” “Hush! None of that! You haven't tead a line, I know.” sl Well—ye see—Missy Lina—” “Oh, yes! J see that you haven't seen the’ in- side of a book or Pare this two months!" ‘But I hain’t furgit. how to spell physic!”"— triumphantly. : ‘* How do you spell it?” . He set out at railroad speed, panting and gasp- ing, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, hitching his hands up, wriggling his shoulders, and rolling his eyes until it seemed as’ jingling spurs fring oa 3 ~ | | buttoned jackets and broad- if they would pop ou of their sockets, | ys!— “ Fee-i-iz, p " 3 But Lina interrupted him with a ripple of laughter. ‘“Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!*ha! ha!” ; One of her own sex would have detected that it was hysterical. Her nerves yet quivered from the strain to which they had been sub- jected. It was unfortunate that the sound reached the ears of the man who was fleeing her preserice with his soul on fire—struck upon his heart- strings with a jar that maddened him. Unconscious of this, Lina replied to her dere- lict pupil: That’s the old way.” ‘** Oh, no, Clem! “De ole way?” ; “Your way, you know. Nobody but sucha genius for the unheard-of as’ Mr.’Clem Johnson could ever perform such ground and lofty tam- bling in spelling! I think your brains ‘take the infection from your nimble heels, Clem.” : ‘Spec’ dey do, missy!’ ‘assented Little Shoo- fly, with a good-natured grin. * ; Then he went off at a tangent; hoping to hide his blunder in the glory’of his achievement in another direction. “But I tell ye what it is; Missy’ Lina!» I's larned to shoot, I has!” : And with the quick dexterity which comes only of pence added to natural aptitude, he clapped his hand to his back and whipped out, his weapon. r “Look out, Clem! Don’t point it ‘this way, please!” ‘* No, siree! I’s powerful keerful 0’ you; Lis! Ain’t taking no chances, nohow!” “Thank you!” ‘*Dye see dat knot yondah, dat look jes’ like a of ag peekin’ roun’ de cawneh?” es, \ “Well, mind yer eye! I’s goin’ to raise de bark off'n dat ’ah! Now den!” A Sy crack, Then a little scream, “Oh! Why, Clem! that’s capital! teught you to shoot so well?” She turned her lustrous eyes upon the boy, her voice softening into a low, gliding, tremu- lous music, and a delicate color played in her cheeks. ‘“* Mars’ Jim!” answered Little Shoo-fly, proud- ly. ** Tell ye what it is!—he’s a good one; ain’t he, Missy Lina?’ The blush-rose in her cheek showed its heart more fully. Instead of answering, she turned her head slightly, in the attitude of listening, while her eyes went past him up the defile, Little Shoo-fly, whose ears were as sharp as hers, heard a heavy tread comizig down’ the zlen. Its firm, soldier-like regularity could not be mistaken. ‘* Hil Dah’s somebody comin’!”cried the knowing urchin. ‘‘ Reckon a little skyoodle dat you an’ me knows, better make hisse’f skeerse roun’ hyeah *bout dis time 'o’ day!” : “Oh! don’t go away!” cried Lina; in sudden Who anic. “ Mars’ Jim hain’t got no use fur dis chile! Sees too much ob him ebbery day to be took wid his stylé 0’ beauty! Go ’way, shoo-fly!” And fling.ng his heels into the air, he left his - friend, with her forces all in disarray, to meet the enemy alone. But a plucky little woman never says die!) Lina turned her back in the direction whence Mars’ Jim was coming, and pretended tobe greatly amused looking after Little Shoo-fly. ‘Miss Lina!” Oh! Mr. Reardon, how-you startledmeé!” She gave a little jump in the most natiral manner ible, as she faced about. Then she'extended her hand with a welcoming smile, saying arcbly: ‘9 10 ‘“‘T am glad to see you back. ' But there is one who has beer beforehand with you paying’ his ts! nd, lo! she was perfect mistress of hersélf, . and Mars’ Jim, who could look down the bore of anenemy’s revolver without blinking, was routed, horse and foot! ae She chatted with charming vivacity while she walked toward the house, and he, burning to ask her to stop or go in the opposite direction, kept pace beside her like a bashful school-boy! So they came in sight of the house, where she was surprised to find the stable-yard full of men and horses. The animals were turned loose to rest, their saddles and bridles of elaborately-stam Mex- ican leather being piled on the or hung over the branches of trees, according to the care of their riders. ii : The men, in their not less picturesque garb— Ss, Sashes, Matry~ jackets rimmed sombreres .
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FE 4 “Well! well!” she cried, gayly, 58 beara _— exico, y t they? I am almost ready to take you for a cap- tain of banditti!” Mars’ Jim longed to tell her that it would be more to his taste if she would take him fora husband; but the cold perspiration started at thought of such boldness! ‘*We met with such aa aacag good-luck,” he said, ‘“‘ that I was in the humor to make the boys whatever advances were necessary to en- able them to gratify their whims in the matter of toggery.” ‘*But where are your cattle—to ‘crown a thousand hills,’ ‘ make the earth tremble beneath their multitudinous tread,’ and all that sort of ‘Tf you were thirty miles to the southwest as ‘the crow flies, you might possibly have your wildest fancies realized.” ‘* What should I see?” ‘* Five or six miles fairly covered with grazing beeves, with a herder hereand thereriding along the outskirts, keeping them together.” “So man as that? Oh, how I should like to gee them! When will they reach here?” ‘‘T am sorry to say that this isn’t their desti- nation.” ‘‘ What are you going to do with them, then?” ‘‘Bamley met me with the intelligence that he has secured the garden-spot of the Slope, not less than fifty miles almost due northwest from here.” “ And you are going to graze them there?” “ Yes.’ ‘‘ Then the herd is as near as it is going to be?” ** Just about.” “ And I shall have no opportunity of seeing it at all?” * At the expense of a sixty-mile ride, there and back.” Then the honest fellow blurted out his next thought aloud. The fact was, he wanted to gratify her. “Tf you were only a western girl, now—used to this sort of thing—” ‘* Well, I declare, sir!” she cried, bridling with quick spirit. ‘‘ Don’t es suppose an eastern irl can do anything that a western girl ever Sremmcdl of doing? I'd ride it if it were a hun- dred miles!” His radiant face and wondering eyes showed his appreciation of her oe. ‘*You shall ride it!” he cried, ‘‘ with Little Shoo-fly as your escort.” She a glance of surprise into his face, and the sensitive color faded from her cheeks. ‘*T should contest with him for the honor,” he added, quickly, ‘“‘ but that I have only an hour to for the resting of my horses, and must be in the saddle again.” ‘So soon? But to go whither, if not back to your herd?” ‘To our new site. By rights, I ought to be there now.” “ And * came so far out of your way?” ‘To bid you good-morning.” Mars’ Jim was now getting on famously. He bent over her and threw into his voice a ca- dence that thrilled her through and through. She quickly shifted her tion off that dan- gerous ground. “But what is your rate hurry? Won't the — wait for you ‘“‘T wish I felt sure that it would!” laughed Mars’ Jim. . She looked at him inquiringly. ‘‘ We're likely to have a case of disputed title on our hands,” he explained. ‘‘ And possession, you know, is nine points in the law. If one gets a decent piece of land in California, he must expect to fight an old Spanish grant, fraudulent or otherwise.” ‘*But you do not anticipate trouble—serious trouble, I mean?” ‘Not if we get there first!” said Mars’ Jim, with a light laugh. ‘* Who is the rival claimant?” “« George Caldor.” “Oh! do not get into a conflict with him!” The blood fled her cheeks, and even her lips, as with quick fright; and in her earnestness she laid her d on Mars’ Jim’s arm. ‘Why not?” he asked, a pang of jealous sus picion eating throngs him. But before she could reply, if she would have done so, a hearty voice hailed him: as Hallo, Jim, my boy! Back again?” It was followed y a second greeting, at two octaves higher pitc o. “Ob, me ee Little Shoo-Fly. They had passed the corner of the house and — into view of ‘‘ Father and Mother” Rear- on. The old gentleman had thrown the reins over the horses’ backs, and was standing up in front of the light spring-wagon, preparatory to alight- ing, while his wife sat beside him, with a loose bundle in her lap, the corners of a newspaper being brought ether and pinned in a way that suggested a ‘* Sunday-go-to-meeting ” bon- net, Mars’ Jim ran forward to assist his mother out of the wagon, and the next few minutes were taken up with eager greetings. After that he had no opportunity to get Lina alone and learn what interest she in George Caldor. It did not occur to him that her inter- est might be in himself! In the midst of a pleasant family reunion the were startled by a furious clatter of a horse’s hoofs, and Little Shoo-fly’s voice calling fran- tically: $s Mars’ Jim! Mars’ Jim!” CHAPTER IV. RUNNING THE GANTLET. LitrLE SHOO-FLY was possessed of the demon of restlessness. His next move, after leaving Lina, was to catch the first horse he could lay his hands on and scour away at breakneck pace, to visit all his old haunts, and see what had happened during his absence. Cave or crag, hollow tree or ‘‘ dead hole” in the brook—everything that a small boy could climb, or creep into, or poke with a stick, had its association. His rounds included a wood about a mile wig 5 which he expected to find deserted. t then was his surprise to dash headlong into the midst of a party of horsemen? They were dismounted, but their horses yet cham the bit and chafed under the saddle. This showed that their stay was but a transient one, while the restlessness of some of the men ve evidence that they were impatient to be off. Just before the appearance of Little Shoo- fly one of them had muttered to a comrade: “Td like to know what keeps the boss. We'll be a day after the fair, ef he don’t look out. ‘* That’s so,” was the 5 ‘*T don’t see what was to be gained by tram in’ all round Robin Hood’s barn, when we could have made a bee-line for the place. Here we’ve come five miles out of the way, at least.” ‘*T reckon the boss has his own idees.” ‘“Maybe he has. Hallo! What's this?” It was Little Shoo-fly. Seeing that he had run into something un- dipetind: he drew his horse on his haunches and sat staring at the men, who stared as hard a ” cried one, guardedly, ‘‘ it’s Reardon’s little darky!” ; , “The deuce it is! He don’t bring no good luck to us.” “You bet he don’t! Ef Reardon’s on hand and he gives us away—” “Button up yer lip! What's tobe donet The boss had orter be hyar.” ‘But as he ain’t, we'll have to do it ourselves, whatever it is, and mighty quick too!” This su ion was made pertinent by the actions of Little Shoo-fly. **Caldor’s crowd!” he muttered to himself. ‘Mars’ Jim orter know dis!” _ And without a word he wheeled his horse for Baral nt eoeibibas al be stopped s! that youn r ‘ot to stop ’ or he'll blow tha whole thing! him then!” ** Hallo, you, Sam!” “Dat ain’t dis chile’s name!” cried Little Shoo-fly, over his shoulder, meanwhile not los- ing any time in adn the greatest distance possible between himself and the enemy’s forces. + Hold on, hyar, lsay! We want to speak to ou “ Hain’t got no time, marse! I’s got a call a good ways from hyeah!” “* After him! n’t let the little whelp es- ca 7 ith exasperated oaths they sprung into the saddle. , hazittle Shoo-fly plied his heels, and yelled to his 0) Tse, Then a pell-mell chase followed. Take the straightest course boys. We've got to head him off! there’s money in this thing.” But Little Shoo-fly was as sharp as they make ’em! He knew that he had no time to follow to the open, Remember ; -——-! the winding cattle-paths. He too took a straight course through the woods, lying close dowm upon his horse’s neck as they swept under the branches that threatened to brush him off. ‘*Pard, he’s goin’ to best us,” cried one of the men, ‘*T believe my soul he will, ef we trust to heels alone.” ‘* What's to be done, then?” ‘* Would the boss stand it ef we was to drop his horse?” ‘*He’d stand anything rather than be beat.” ‘‘ Waal, hyar goes then!” Drawing a revolver, the speaker pulled up his horse and took deliberate aim, “Hold on! You may hit the youngster!” “* So much the worse for him!’ Crack ! Little Shoo-fly’s horse gave a spasmodic bound, as if he felt the touch of the spur. __- “‘ Gorry-mighty!” cried the DoT, to hi f, his eyes bulging with alarm. ‘“Dey’s powerful pean Tp Dey’ll scotch dis nig, ef dey cotch ’im, sure But the irregular movements of his horse and the swish of the boughs as he brushed through them were at once protection and his peril; for while it was thus made difficult to hit either, yet, the aim pang at the animal, it was as likely to take effect in one as the other, So swept the mad rout through the under- brush, Little Shoo-fly holding his own, until ae reached the open prairie. here they came upon George Caldor hasten- ing to the execution of his jealous revenge. ‘It is that little imp of darkness,” he cried, “and my men after him! What can it mean? “Head him off!” yelled the foremost of Little Shoo-fly’s pursuers. Then Caldor tookin the situation, and with a furious oath dug the rowels of his spurs into his horse’s flanks so deeply as to cause him to bound forward with a shrill cry of pain and rage. “Dat settles dis chile!” cried Little Shoo-fly to himself, in despair. ‘“‘ Halt there!” shouted Caldor. But now our little hero gathered courage from the very desperation of his fix. “‘Dey’ll scotch me anyway, ef dey cotch me!” he muttered; ‘‘so might as well be hanged fur a sheep asalamb. But ef I git frough, Mars’ Jim he'll stan’ by me ag’in’ dat Caldor 1 know dat, ebbery time. Reckon dey won’t flax Mars’ Jim out 0’ dat ’ah land ef I kin help it!” : So he quietly resolved to take aleaf out of his enemies’ book. Without changing his course, he kept his horse at his highest : ‘*You little fool!” cried Caldor, ‘‘ don’t a know that you can’t get by me? Halt, I say!” Little Shoo-fly made no reply, but kept on, the distance between them rapidly decreasing. “Tl tie you up to a tree and lash the life out of you, phy don’t do as I tell you!” Still Little Shoo-fly was mute, only keeping his eye upon Caldor as he bs aches ed, And now a few more bounds would fetch them together. Caldor ripped out a volley of ont ad reached forth his hand in readiness to seize Little Shoo-fly’s bridle. “Not dis ebening, boss!” said our little hero. ** Some udder ebening!” And suddenly whipping. out his revolver, he fired at the head of the animal which his would- be captor bestrode. “Hi!” he yelled,as the horse went to the ground with a crash, burling his rider over bis ead, so that he fell directly under the feet of Little Shoo-fly’s beast. The latter leaped over the whirling body, and sped on. Behind, the followers of the fallen leader set up a yell of astonishment and rage. George Caldor was considerably Shaken up, though not stunned. A fall upon the soft prai- rie loam need not be a very serious matter, if one is fortunate enough not alight on one’s head He scrambled to his feet so bewildered as not to have a very clear apprehension of what was going on as the horses of his men swept by him. _ One drew up, dismounted, and put a sustain- ing arm about him. : “Boss, air you hurt?’ : “ Why, I hardly know. What—” He rubbed the dirt out of his eyes, and stared at his supporter. “It’s an ugly fall,” said the man, trying to tone his voice down to soothing cadences, ‘ Yes—yes,” assented Caldor, slowly. Then he looked after the horsemen. “The kid flummixed you,” said his compan- ion, helping him. His wits then came back with a flash,
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ee gery dead ‘ “+ Reardon’s boy, Shoo-fly?” at Yes.” “« Where’s my horse?” 7: “Fixed fur good, I reckon. He ain’t moved ssense he dro : They Ayr an to the fallen animal. Lit- tle Shoo-fly’s shot bad been most effectual. It soho a peradventure. ‘« Will he get away?” “Tm afraid he will That’s no slouch of a mount he’s got.” ; : ‘The men have stopped shooting at him,” ‘‘ More’n that—they’re pullin’ up.” This was true. The chase had been abandon- eed, The men had the good sense not to follow the boy too near to his own home, where his friends would have come to his rescue, and thus brought on a general engagement. In that wild country, where the lines of law -were not very clearly drawn, they might have captured Little Shoo-fly and held him a prisoner until it was too late for his warning to.be pre- judicial to them, and the thing would have pass- ved as sharp practice. As it was, he had cleverly turned the tables on them. Their only plan now was to make the most of tthe few minutes’ start they would yet have of their rivals. , George Caldor ordered his men to make a dead break for the place they hoped to get pos- session of. ‘Don’t stop to goina body. The first man on the ground gets a hundred dollars! Once there, defend the place at the mouth of the re- ‘volver and the point of the bowie! I assume the responsibility! Come, away you go!” And away they did go, pell-mell, helter-skel- ter, every man for himself and— Little Shoo-fly, as we know, dashed up to the Reardon ranch, yelling lustily: ‘Mars’ Jim! Mars’ Jim!” CHAPTER YV. TO HORSE! TO HORSE! ““ Wuat’s that?” cried Mars’ J im, aly SL ““Tt?s Clem,” responded Lina. ‘ He’s ing ou!” = ‘And he wouldn’t make such a row without good cause.” =e *” All ran to the door, Mars’ Jim in advance, Little Shoo-fly was just throwing himself from ‘his horse. ‘What's the matter?” : or} ‘‘Qh, Mars’ Jim! Don’t lose a minute's time! Git de men an’ hosses ready! We-uns has got to cYar out o’ dis!” ** Come, cone! brace up! ing to get through you?” . f its dat Cal ari He’s out yon—him an’ his crowd!” “Caldor? Out where?” “Out in de bresh—bout a mile off! Dey come nigh cotchin’ dis chile! An’ jes’ look at dat hoss!” of Why, he has been shot!” “Dats so. I's jest lookin’ roun’ a bit, an’ I run in en ’em like a nest 0’ hornets. Dey yelled ‘to me fur to hold on; but you bet I slid out 0’ dat like as if I was greased. Den dey took arter me, an’ tried to shoot de hoss, so’s I couldn’t come to you an’ blow on’em. Jest on de aige ob de perairy, dah we come onto Mars’ Caldor hisse’f. Den tried fur to pullmeup. But I reckoned what was sass fur de goose was sass fur de gander; so I let drive at his hoss’s head, an’ flummixed him— Oh, golly! Hyuh! hyuh! hyuh! Reckon I hain’t ’arned fur to shoot fur nuflin’! ‘‘Caldor and his men!” repeated Mars’ Jim, turning and looking into Lina’s face. The girl flamed scarlet, and could not meet his questioning 8Ze. t A pang of jealous fear shot to his heart, tak- ing all the strength out of him. e turned deadly =, but walked straight «up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. ““ Lina,” he gan, brokenly, ‘if you—” **Oh, no! no!” she interrupted him, divining his meani “Don’t think so for an instant! Go! go! without losing a moment’s time!” He caught her hand with the fever of passion ae through him. ‘Tt is not true?” he cried. - “No! no!” she assured him. ' TJ have your word?” a Yes!” “God bless you—” 4 He bent mh ng to her, so that his astonished ‘parents, who saw his actions, could not hear the darling!” She broke away from him and ran back to the ‘house—turned in the doorway, and looked back What are you try- Little Shoo-Fly. 5 at him with her eyes suffused with happy tears and her cheeks scarlet with maiden shame. His heart was swelling as if his body were not big enough to hold it. He was ready to try con- | last laggards were fast falling into position. clusions with George Caldor now! Mars’ Jim turned for a last look at the woman ‘* Men!” he shouted, ‘‘to horse at once! Cal- | whose smile was to carry him through the im- There was no time to argue this point. Mars’ Jim was already in the saddle; most of his men were waiting the word of command; and the dor has been reconnoitering us, and has not | pending crisis. more than two miles’ start. Are we going to Mother Reardon had followed Lina into the let his crowd cut in ahead of us?” house and taken her in her arms. ‘‘ Never!” was the unanimous response. ‘** My dearest dear!” she had murmured, kiss- And in a twinkling the stable-yard was con- | ing her with a mother’s love. verted into a perfect pandemonium of hurry ina had thrown her arms about the old lady’s and confusion. | neck, with a spasmodic hug; but without words. Little Shoo-fly sprung away to get a fresh | Her heart was too full for expression, and there horse for himself. ; was really no need of it. At this moment mammy made her appear- They fully understood each other, Mars’ Jim ance at the door of her kitchen. was the link between them. One loved him ‘“* What's all dis?’ she cried. ‘Is all my boys | with the unswerving devotion of a mother, and wine fur to cl’ar out an’ leabe dis hyeah good | one with the wild ecstasy of a first all-engross- inneh what I’s been cook’n’ fur ’em?” ing passion. ‘We'll have to take a round meal to-day,” ‘The older woman wept silently, but the young- said Mars’ Jim. er was convulsed with sobs. A ‘round meal,” as distinguished from a “Oh! he is going into such dreadful danger!” ** square meal,” is, be it understood, drawing up | she presently burst forth. ‘‘ Tell him—tell your belt one hole further! him— Oh, it will break my heart! Mother! ‘“Waal, I’clar’ to goodness!” cried mammy, | mother! mother!” in undisguised disgust, ‘‘dis hyeah’s de fu’st| ‘‘Hush! hush!” said the other, soothingly. time I ebber see hungry men run away f’om | “I reckon it won’t be so bad. Jim’s got the ood victuals! What’s to be done wid all dis | pluck of a young lion; and you may believe that yeah meat an’ t’ings?—dat’s what I want to | that Caldor fellow will think twice before he know!” tries to tackle him!” But no one stopped to make any suggestions. ‘*Oh! you dear creature!” cried the girl, re- Mars’ Jim was flying about as busy as the | warding this praise of her lover with renewed busiest of his men. hugging and kisses, while she smiled through her ‘* Muster every man on the place!” he di- | tears. rected. ‘‘ We may have warm work before we But then she thought she was showing her get through with this thing.” heart too freely before there was a. definite *“That’s jest what ’ll suit us!” cried one of the | understanding between her and Mars’ Jim; men. and she slipped out of Mrs, Reardon’s arms, And this sentiment was cheered by all the | and ran to her own room. est, There she removed the traces of tears from With men of their class partisanship runs so | her eyes, and drawing aside the white curtain, high that they would rather fight than eat. It looked out, to see if she could get a glimpse of makes little difference to them individually | her lover at the head of his men. whether their employer is right or wrong—it is Mars’ Jim saw her, and lifted his hat. whipping their rivals that they think about. It wasin her heart to throw a kiss to him; In an incredibly short time every available | but the eyes of two-score men were on her, and man about the premises was in the saddle ex- | overcome with embarrassment, she quickly cept old Mr, Reardon. Even he took the in- | dropped the curtain before her crimson face! fection of excitement and was for going; but “Forward!” shouted Mars’ Jim. Mars’ Jim said no. And the cavalcade dashed away, leaving Lit- ‘* We'll leave you as the home-guard,” he said, | tle Shoo-fly sitting idly in the saddle and gazing laughingly. after them with envy. ‘*“ What! you take me for a non-combatant?” Had he hein e adventures that were to cried the old gentleman, straightening himself | fall to his share, he would not have exchanged up. ‘Td have you to know that I’m not past | places with the best man of the party! my usefulness yet, by a long ie ‘““Come in hyeah an’ git yer dinneh!” called ‘For a good many things, father. But when | mammy. - ape to fighting, we'll put you on the retired | That roused him to the duty that he was st. leaving unfulfilled. ‘**See here, Jim! You don’t look for a pitched ‘‘Hyeah I is!” he cried, springing into the battle with that scalawag?” kitchen. ‘‘ Now stan’ aroun’; fur I hain’t got “Not if we get on the land first. We've got | no time to waste!” ' enough good men to stand him and his crowd ‘‘Look a-hyeah, young felleh!” retorted his off without actual hursing of powder.” mother, ‘“‘don’t you put on so many airs! “But if they get there first?” Mars’ J. im hisse’f couldn’t play de boss wid you! ** Well, we'll have to see what can be done | One would t’ink dat you run de place!” after we reach the field.” _ Little Shoo-fly took his place at the table quite ‘Don’t expose yourself, J er? unnecessarily !” crestfallen. “You may depend on that!” “It only ‘quires de ole mammy to take de He was thinking of Lina as hespoke. Henow | buckram out o’ you!” chuckled his mother, as had something which made it worth his while | she hea his plate with smoking meat and not to throw away his life for the mere fun of | vegetables. ‘“‘It’s a mons’us pity, dough, dat the thing! dah ain’t dem as is mo’e d vin’ to sp’il dis “Hi, Shoo-fly!” he cried, as our little hero | good grub!” came dashing up on a fresh horse, Little Shoo-fly fell to with a vigor which ‘*On deck, Mars’ Jim!” responded Little Shoo- | showed that, whatever his deserts, there ccald fly, with soldier-like promptness, be no debate as to his appetite. “Get outside of fnree or four mouthfuls of | While knife and fork, and occasionally hands, were engaged in this furious rivalry, Lina came upon the scene of action. ‘“ Why, Clem! what are you doing here?” she asked. “ Mars’ Jim wouldn’t take me ‘long!” was the r grub the quickest you ever did in your life and then make a bee-line for the herd. Tell Dorn to send every man he can spare up to the new run. Tell him that it’s business, and we don’t want any lagging. But if the boys have to pass Caldor’s crowd, they’re to be careful | reply, in a most lugubrious voice. Toe to get into a row with them, if it can be tirhy not?” avoided.” ; ‘He said I was to go whah de herd is, an’ hab “T's off, Mars’ Jim! I ain’t hungry a bit!” Dorn send a lot mo’ o’ de men up to de new feed- “No! no! You needn’t be in such a hurry, | in’-groun’.” There’s time enongh for you to get your dinner, ‘Well, I'm sure that’s a very responsible er-» if you're quick about it. But after you get in- | rand.” to the saddle, don’t let the grass grow under | ‘Oh, yes! it’s ’sponsible ’nough!” your feet!” ‘* What's the matter with you, then?” ‘‘Tll be dah mose as Soon aS you be. See’fI| ‘He ain’t goin’ fur to let me be at de doin’sf don’t!” T's got to come back hyeah to do de chores wid “No, You're to come back to the ranch de ole marse.’ ” : ee ; Lina started with a sudden thought. “ Ain't I goin’ to be in it?” cried Little Shoo- “You are to go to the herd, and then came fly, in keen disappointment. back here?” “Tt won’t do to leave all the chores upon| ‘* Yes, missy.” * father,” said Mars’ Jim. ‘‘ Don’t you see that The girl left the kitchen abruptly without fur- ~ I’m taking all the men off the place?” ther words, ‘- Yes!” said Little Shoo-fly, ruefully. ‘‘ Dey’s all goin’ to be in it ’cep’ me!” “He said that I could go, with Clem for my gom e! escort, if—if I was a Western girl! I'll show
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* ¥ i | a a 6 him that an Eastern girl can be all that a Wes- tern one is, and more too!” She did not know that Mars’ Jim had not fully expressed himself when he said that Little Shoo-fly should be her escort. He had intended tosend a trustworthy man in their company, Little Shoo-fly’s position being a rather honor- ary one. She did not tell any one what she intended to do, fearing that Mrs. Reardon, with the caution which younger people despise, would try to dis- suade her. : But a few minutes later, when Little Shoo-fly cleared the grove which surrounded the ranch- house, he was surprised to find himself joined by ‘‘ Missy Lina.” ‘“Whah’s you goin’, Missy?” he asked. ‘With you,” was the quiet reply. “Ts you?” cried the youngster, opening his eyes to their widest extent with surprise and de- light. ‘‘ Dat’s hunk! Hooray! But we’s gotto ride like de wind.” ‘““You lead the way, and I'll see that you are not delayed!” And they s away over the prairie, laugh- ing gayly with exhilaration at the rapid motion. Now—when—were they to return? } CHAPTER VI. A RACE FOR A RANCH-SITE. ‘THERE they go, boss!” ‘“With a good start, too,” replied Mars’ Jim. They had reached the open prairie. j Far ahead of them they could see their rivals scampering off toward the distant horizon. ‘‘Bamley, they’ll never let us pass them with- out a fight for it, even if we’ve got the legs and bottom to do it.” ““No more they would,” assented the herder idressed. ‘‘ We'll let them open the ball; and that will clear us of blame, anyway.” ‘* Boss, I know a trick worth two of that.” “* What is it?” ‘‘ What we want is the land, without fightin’, ef we kin git it?” ‘*Of course.” “Tt will stand us in hand, then, to git round them fellers without passin’ close by ’em.” “If we could. But how? They are directly in our line.” ‘© Suppose we take the south pass?” ‘We could never get through there.” ““Yes we kin. There’s been a land-slide that has filled in the only absolutely impassable break. We may have to dosome tall scratchin’ ; but we kin make it, an’ ’ll bet money on it.” ‘‘Bamley, if we should miss it, it will be all day with us!” “*T know that.” ‘“‘ And yet you feel so confident that you ad- vise me to take the risk?” ‘**'Yes, I do.” ‘“Tt’s a shorter way, if we can only get through the ag “If we git on the ground fu’st, we’re goin’ to bluff them fellers. But if we try to pass ’em in a narrow gulch, thar’ll be trouble; an’ don’t you furgit it!” RS t’s the ugly feature of it. I don’t want to fight if I can secure my rights without it.” ‘“*Ts it the south pass, then?” “Yes, Ill trust to your judgment.” “We'll take the left of yonder motte after they’ve got out o’ sight; an’ when they see us ag’in we'll be four miles out 0’ line, so’s it*ll be too late fur ’em to try to cut in ahead of us.” This suggestion was acted upon. “Boys,” cried George Caldor, when he again caught sight of his rivals, ‘‘ they’ve concluded to risk the south pass.” “They're welcome to that,” cried one of his men. “If they don’t git stalled, I lose my guess!” “¢ Are you sure itis impassable?” asked Caldor, anxiously. ‘‘T was routir’ around thar two weeks 860; an’ the devil himself couldn’t jump the big break,” “Then we're solid!” This divergence of course separated the two ies further and further from each other. ey struck the foot-hills very nearly at the same time, but several miles apart. Our friends had chosen a gulch of the most rugged description. Crags towered and chasms ‘yawned on every side, while they made their ‘way among jagged bowlders and along seamed re a horse lost his footing, his rider consid- ering himself lucky if he was cast clear of the “vine ¥ and not rolled upon; and both rose bruis- ved and bleeding. ae ee ns no] Little Shoo-Fly. am ——<—$—$$$< <= There an animal balked, and stood trembling and obstinate. All made their way with the utmost difficulty and risk over as torturous and ragged a path as was ever attempted. But in the end they cleared every difficulty, and stood once more on traversable ground. ‘‘Hurrah!” shouted Mars’ Jim, swinging his hat above his head. ‘* Hooray!” responded his men, lustily. ‘* How do we stand, boys?” “Two disabled hosses, an’ one man purty bad hurt,” replied Bamley, “Who is he?” ** Gallaway.” «There was some one left to look after him?” ‘« Yes, Bushy Bill. He said as his hoss was used up, he couldn’t be o’ no good to us; so he’d see to Gallaway, an’ fetch him up easy.” ‘Tt won’t forget either of them. Forward, men! It has cost a great deal of time to get through there.” He looked at his watch and consulted Bamley, in whose judgment he had great confidence. “We're goin’ to make it, boss,” said the old herder, ‘‘ unless George Caldor has got better stock under him than I believe he has.” ‘“‘ But we haven’t any time to spare.” ‘*Not much! It'll be a tight squeak, the best we kin do.” ‘** Boys, you hear that?” ‘We'll make it, Cap!” ** Away, then!” And away they scampered once more. Now they rode with compressed lips and a look of indomitable resolve. By that set expression it was manifest that if they found their rivals on the spot before them, there would be a desperate struggle for the mastery. With their heads thrust forward in a direct line with their necks, their eyes rolling, their nostrils distended, and foam flinging in snow fiecks from their mouths, the faithful animals they bestrode skimmed ‘the prairie like birds on the wing. Time passed; the prairie changed‘ to moun- tain pass, and mountain pass returned to prairie. Then came gently-rolling hills, threaded by a silver lace-work of streams, into which their horses leaped, to scramble up the crumbling bank, and on again without pause. The sun of that long afternoon was not down when, dabbled with mud and reeking with sweat, they bore their masters into a perfect paradise of pasture lands.. ‘See! see!” cried Mars’ Jim, looking eagerly away to the northward. A single horseman was visible, urging his beast to the utmost, “It is George Caldor himself!” responded Bamley. ‘Yes, He has distanced his whole party.” “He means to git his foot on the ground, an’ have us oust him. ‘“‘ That’s his game, evidently.” ‘See! thar comes another one!” *« And just clearing that hill are two more!” ‘‘They have strung out s0’s to put their best foot foremost, fur a fact.” “Boys, are we going to let them walk into that pasture under our very noses?” a3 Not much, we ain’t!” The response went up from a score of throats, accompanied in most cases with more or less embellishment in the way of profanity. ‘One last strain, then! Away! away!” “'Ya-a-a-ah!” yelled Mars’ Jim's crowd. The shout was borne afar on the clear moun- tain air. George Caldor turned his head and glared at his enemies. ‘“Gurse them! curse them!” he grated be- tween his teeth. 2 His Soe were blood-shot, his face livid. “To be beaten in this, too!” he fairly howled. “On! on! or I'll tear the heart out of you!” Again and again, with savage fury, be plung- ed the rowels of his cruel Mexican spurs into his horse’s flanks, already streaming with blood. The animal responded feebly, with a last rous- ing of his flagging energies. t was plain that he was dead beat, and if he survived this terrific ride, he would never be worth anything again. ‘* Bamley!” cried Mars’ Jim, ‘he’s goin’ to beat us, in spite of our teeth! Id give a thou- sand dollars rather than see him put his foot on that land first!” ‘* He ain’t across that creek yet!” replied Bam- ley, who was less than a length behind his em- loyer. ‘“ Neither are we!” ned Mars’ Jim, ** Do you see that broken willow?’ ‘With a little opening to the right of it— about a rod?” “That's it! Strike that spot, and you cap jump it from bank to bank. He’d be in luck if e could do the same whar he is.” ‘“‘ He'll try it—you may depend on that!” ‘*T only hope he will!” ‘* Follow, boys!” shouted Mars’ Jim, turning in his saddle and waving his hand to his men. They responded with a wild cheer, finishing with a yell of defiance at their adversaries. George Caldor’s followers responded with a shout of derision. They saw.that their man was. ahead. Caldor reached the bank first, and with spur’ and voice forced his horse to take the leap. is. eye told him that he could not hope to reach the other side in safety; but he resolved that his horse should carry him as far as possible, if he was thrown the rest of the way. They reached mid-stream; and there the horse and rider went out of sight with a tremendous splash. Bamley drew rein just sufficiently to fetch himself directly behind his employer; and an in- stant later they sailed over the boundary im quick succession, soon followed by their com- rades, Such a cheer as went up the instant Mars’ ; a horse struck the coveted territory with his. oof! Then his men gathered about him with smiles. of congratulation. “Boys!” he cried, ‘‘we owe this to Clem.. Three cheers for Little Shoo-fly! Hip! hip!” ‘* Hooray !” ‘* Hip! hip!” “ ** Hooray !” ‘** Hip! hip!” “Hooray! YA-A-A-A-AH!” While the victors were paying this tribute to our little hero, George Caldor was borne down by the swift current, to be fished out on the other side by his own men. His horse had succumbed. With the effort of that last leap he burst his gallant heart—worthy to fail in the service of a bett«r master!—and. the stream was crimsoned with the blood that gushed from his nostrils. It is not an easy thin but a judicious frien awkward necessity. George Caldor had such a henchman in one Ad Selman. ‘* Boss,” he said, ‘‘the jig’s up. We might as well cave easy, an’ lay fur ’em another time. They’re too many fur us, I hate to crawfish as bad as the next man; but common-sense is & jewel, an’ that’s so!” “Tm not fool enough to try to fight twice our number, and with the law against us!” said Cal- dor, roughly. ‘‘ Come, men! pull out of this!” And they rode psig b If George Caldor had known what he was going to, he would have left the spot in far bet- r humor. Had Mars’ Jim known, he would have thought his victory dearly bought! to acknowledge defeat; may help one over the CHAPTER VIL. Lost! THE scamper over the sun-lit prairie was to Lina most exhilarating fun, to begin with; but long before she reached her destination the monotony of ever-recurring swells, dotted with mottes of timber that looked all alike, depressed her spirits; and she was forced to admit to her- self that she was tired. Clem, on the other hand, though he had made the distance once before that day, seemed as fresh as a daisy. ‘““T suppose it’s because I am not @ Western girl!” she reflected, making a pretti mouth at recollection of Mars’ Jim’s unluc speech. ‘But I won’t let even Clem know t I feeb it, if it kills me!” But when they came in sight of the herd, all sense of weariness disappeared before the ex- citement of wonder and admiration with which she was inspired by the seemingly endless num- ber of cattle. As far as the eye could reach im every direction, the vast plaiu fairly swarmed with them. Some were grazing quietly; some were lying down. Here a couple of belligerent old bulls were ag ben] the earth and charging each other with heads down and eyes rolling. Yonder a great wing of the herd was moving restlessly, like a 1g of cavalry, checked in its: incipient stampede by a cowboy riding at f ed, and employing a great deal of profanity. “Tet me stay here on this knoll, Clem, while you go and deliver your message, said Lina, ‘ ’
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‘ f ee A ee ee ate — =>. > an ‘ we =e —— a ‘ j Little Shoo-Fly. 7 “T don’t care to go among those rough fellows. But don’t stay long.” “Ts dah an’ back in no time, missy. Don’t you worry.” While Lina dismounted and walked about with her arm linked through her bridle-rein, Little Shoo-fly rode toward a motte above which rose a pillar of smoke far into the sky. The excitement caused by his announcement was soon apparent. Two horsemen issued from the clump of trees, to gallop furiously in oppo- site directions, skirting the herd. As they passed a herder, a hasty word was ex- changed without pause, and the man spoken to abandoned his post and galloped toward head- quarters. | When this influx of men had ceased, a body of not less than a score issued from the motte, rid- ing northward at a swinging gallop, between ‘Lina and the herd. They swung their hats and cheered her as they passed; and she waved her handkerchief in return, Clem came forth with them, and branching off, rode up to Lina. “Tell ye what it is, Missy Lina!” he cried, breathlessly. ‘‘Ef de boys cotch dat Caldor gang cuttin’ up rusty wid Mars’ Jim, dah’ll be music! Golly!” | d he wagged his head after the manner of the small boy in such cases. ‘* What a bloodthirsty set you all are, Clem! I believe you are glad there isa likelihood of trouble.” “@Qlad? I'd be glad ef I was dah! dah be gran’ times ef deh git at it?” Despairing of making any impression on this young savage, Lina said: ‘* Meanwhile, the afternoon is more than half gone. We shall be overtaken by night, Come! not another minute to waste!” “Ye needn’t be skeered, Missy Lina. We's gwine to hab a moon as big as a cart-wheel to- night. ‘But we mustn’t be out after nightfall, What will uncle and aunt say? They don’t even know that I have gone with you.” Little Shoo-fly leaped from the saddle, and of- fered his knee as a mounting-block; and with light spring Lina was in her seat. ithin an hour a change occurred for which The Ki! won’t Little Shoo-fly had made no calculation. sky became overcast. ; Then Lina asked, apprehensively: ‘‘Clem, are you sure you can keep our direc- tion?” “Oh yes, missy! a log!” Dat’s as easy as rollin’ off’n “But you can go no longer by the sun.” «All de same, we kin feel de wind! Hyuh! hyuh! hyuh!” : And he laughed gleefully at his shrewdness. But there was just where he fooled himself, After rising out of the West, the wind veered round until before sunset it had made a half-cir- cuit of the heavens, and was blowing almost directly back where it came from. The result was that Little Shoo-fly traveled in a circle, and the gloom of falling night found him not five miles from where he " and without the faintest idea of where he was. “Clem, we are certainly lost!” cried Lina. ‘Oh, no we ain’t missy!” he protested, stout- ly. ‘‘ You know it was so late when we started back dat we hain’t had time to git home, no- how. You said so yerse’f!” “ But it is getting dark! sha’n’t be abl ! “ But in half an hour we'll be all hunk. Don’t ye see dat ’ah motte ober yandeh?” “Yes! yes!” ‘Well, afteh we pass dat, you kin see de trees dat’s aroun’ de ranch. Dat’s de woods wha’ Mars’ Caldor an’ his gang chased me.” But alas for his prophecy! After they passed the motte indicated, he was forced to admit that he had mistaken it for another; and the ranch lay still on beyond, just out of sight, So the night fell, and they stood close to- gether, trembling, and asking each other what was to be done. ; Lina was frightened by the chill, damp wind and the yelping of the coyotes. Little Shoo-fly was not a little alarmed, but he tried to keep 3 a show of bravery. | “Tell you what it is, missy,” he said. fixed fur de night—dat’s sure!” In half an hour we le to see our hands before our “We's terrible! Oh! Clem, what shall we do? what shall we do? How foolish of me to go off like this without letting any one know!” But repining availed nothing. They must make the best of the situation. Their horses were weary, and Lina herself wane exhausted that she could hardly keep her e. At last she consented to dismount, finding herself cramped and stiff as she moved about. _ Little Shoo-fly tethered the horses and built a e. For a time the girl crouched near it, peering around into the night with terror. But she was thoroughly fagged out and weak with hunger; and Little Shoo-fly finally persuaded her to lie down, with her saddle for a pillow. Every once in a while she would start up in alarm, but being reassured, lay down again. So, presently, she fell into an exhausted sleep. Little Shoo-fly began to nod; for he had been up and active since long before daylight. So they were not startled by a dull, rumbling sound that seemed to quiver in the air, It swelled louder and louder, until it resem- sembled the continuous roar of falling water. The very earth began to tremble. Then the sleeping girl started up and leaped to her feet with a shriek of terror. “Clem! Clem! What is about to happen? It is an earthquake! Oh, what shall we do?” Thus _ startled out of sleep, Little Shoo-fly scrambled to bis feet, his distended eyes glisten- ing in the fire-light. ‘What's dat? What's dat?” “Don’t you hear it? I thought it was thun- der, But see! the sky is perfectly clear. And can’t you feel the earth shake?” It was true. The wind had silently swept the sky while they slept, and a full moon was flood- ing the earth with silver light. t revealed something more terrible than an earthquake to Little Shoo-fly. ‘*Thunder!” he cried. ‘Dat ain't. thunder! Look dah, Missy Lina! We’s done gone, fur sure!” He pointed wildly toward the west. Lina looked and saw a dark line, like a black cloud, hugging close to the ground as it swept toward them. ‘* What is it?” she cried. ‘It’s de cattle! Dey’s stampeded Dey’ll tramp us out so dat you can’t find a grease-spot! Oh! Lo’d sabe dis po’ sinneh!” “The cattle? en we can’t stay here. We shall be trampled to death. We must fly. Clem! oh, Clem! the horses!” er shrill cry was caused by seeing the horses rear, 80 as to tear up the lariat-pins, and then make off like the wind. | “Dat settles it!” cried Little Shoo-fly, de- spondently, ‘What are we to do? What are we to do?” cried the terrified girl, clinging to him. ‘Dah ain’t nuffin’ dat we kin do only to pray.” “Pray! But we shall be crushed by those cruel hoofs! Let us run for shelter some- where!” She essayed to drag him away with her; but Little Shoo-fly hung back. And that black death bore down upon them in its brute pitilessness! CHAPTER VIII. A MARE’S NEST. * “Bamuny, I don’t like the way that fellow has gone off.” ‘Waal, boss, to tell ye the truth, I don’t nuther.” ‘* What do you think about it?” ** He’s sot to git square, somehow.” EY incny Se eed eR his uppose he takes it In S head to ti i hand at stampedin’?” 9 3 “ That's eae what has occurred to me! Iam sorry that I had Little Shoo-fly go for the men. We don’t want them here; and we may need them there before the night is over.” “* That’s so.” 3 ‘* What can we do about it?” ‘* Koller ’im up?” ‘‘Our stock is about played out.” ‘“« A the men dead beat.” ‘‘Suppose we send a couple of scouts out? And if they find that he goes into camp, we needn’t trouble ourselves.” “That ain’t sich a bad idee. Tl go myself.” _“T wish you would, Bamley. And take Her- rick with you. If you make up your mind that they are really going there, send him back to us, but keep on yourself, and try to cut in ahead of them and warn the boys.” The faithful fellow, who was used to all sorts of privation, did not think of being discontent at what was asked of him, but entered upon his task with zeal. While the horses were being rubbed down for them, the scouts ate a hasty meal of jerked meat, washed down with water from the creek, and then sprung into the saddle. Clouds obscured the sky; and the gloom cover- ing their movements, the scouts at once entered upon the trail of George Caldor and his men. Unable to distinguish the actual trail, they took the direction which, they must follow, an were not long in coming upen their camp-fires. ; em Slab tied up in a pocket,” observed Her~ rick. “Yes,” answered Bamley. ‘‘An’ I know it like a book, Thar’s no way out but through the front door. Ef we’ve got em in thar, we’ve got ’em under our thumb. But we can’t take our hosses in thar without their spottin’ us.” They therefore dismounted, and crept forward on hands and knees, The place Caldor had selected was, as has been said, a pocket, with a narrow gulch leading into Through this opening several camp-fires could be seen in the distance, their light now and then intercepted by a passing figure. But the fires were too far in the pocket for one on the outside to identify the persons, as the undergrowth prevented him from forming an estimate of their number. ‘It may be another crowd,” said Bamley. ‘“*We want to make sure o’ that.” “All I ask is to git my peepers on one 0’ George Caldor’s gang,” saic Herviok: ““T know ’em to a man.” “Go slow! They may have pickets out; an’ we don’t want to give ourselves away.” ‘That's so. It might put the idee into their heads, ef it ain’t thar now.” They crept forward with every precaution, and the event proved the wisdom of their course, At the very mouth of the ravine Bamley sud- denly put = ceaniniags hand on Herrick’s wrist. Directly in their path they discoveral a senti- nel, seated with a carbine across his knees. It was impossible to pass him without almost brushing against him. Bamley began to ‘‘ crawfish,” and Herrick fol- lowed him in a silent retreat. When they were at a safe distance, the for- mer gee his lips to the latter’s ear, and whis- pered: ‘* Let us agree what is to be done.” ‘‘Thar’s no use in tryin’ to slip by him,” re- sponded Herrick, using the same precaution. ‘* Not while he's alive and awake.” “ But we can capture him.” ‘That won’t do. Ef the chief, we don’t want to a-watchin’ of ’em.” ‘* But ef we let it go as it is, we may wake w an’ find ourselves watchin’ a mare’s nest, while Caldor an’ his gang is sailin’ gayly into them cattle!” ‘* We ain’t doin’ nothin’ o’ that kind, you bet! Ef we have to down him, why, down he goes. But suppose you sly up an’ look him over? ou say you've sized ’em all up.” ‘ Pard, that’s jest what I'll do; an’ ef it’s one 0’ Caldor’s galoots, you bet I kin place him!” Herrick once more crept forward, so cautious- ly that the slight noise he unavoidably made was covered by the whispering of the wind through the tree-tops. Getting quite close to the sentinel, he rose so as to bring his profile in a line with one of the fires, and so recognized him. ‘“‘ Well?” whispered Bamley, the moment he made his reappearance. “We're all right. It’s Patsy Magoon.” “Then all we’ve got to do is to guard this doorway; an’ they can’t change their minds to- night without our knowing it.” “'That’s about the size of it.” ‘It won’t take but one to do that. You back an’ make the boss easy, an’ I'll take care o? Mr. Caldor. Ef thar’s any trouble during the night, you'll hyar from me.” Herrick went back with this message, and Bamley settled himself for an all-night watch, “That gives us a good night’s sleep,” said Mars’ Jim, w!.en he was informed of the appar- ent state of things. ‘* But I wonder why he went into such a place. He couldn’t have feared that we would attack him.” Had he only known! Coca Caldor had not accepted his defeat so easily. The moment he turned away he addressed his enchman: “ Ad, this thing don’t rest so!” “It wouldn't ef I was in your shoes.” * can be done? The land is lost. It ain’t up to mis- et on that we're »
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8 SS A SS eS SSIS SS << a oa ae ee a ee nen a ee 2 es ee LES LP Fis a eas might be in the courts ten years, while he con- tinued to get the substance off of it.” ‘‘ Strike him on the other hip.” a3 Eh?’ “ He's knocked you out of the land. Suppose you knock him out o’ some of his stock?” ‘* By Jove!” ‘* What’s sass fur the goose is sass fur the gan- der. That’s what I say.” ‘* But how can we do it?” ‘“ With so many men u short-handed down yonder.’ ‘‘'That’s so. But then, we can’t attack them.” ‘*No more we kin. But suppose their cattle happened to be stampeded to-night? That would bevartl luck, wouldn’t it?” And Selman laughed. ‘¢ But it wouldn’t be so funny if I had to pay for the damages afterward!” objected Caldor. ** Remember, I’ve got something that the law can get hold of.” “But suppose we was fifty miles away when the thing happened?” ** Show up, Selman. t at?” And then was laid the plot which was after- ‘ward carried out. “ By Jove! it is just the thing!” cried Caldor, when Selman had detailed his scheme. ‘Of course they will be suspicious, and will look after us. And they will fall into the trap as neatly as one could wish.” They rode forward to the pocket described above, where only a handful of men were left, the rest riding on toward the south. So Bamley was keeping watch over a mare’s nest, after all; and Mars’ Jim was sleeping in false security. And far to the south was taking place that night a scene that would have brought his heart into his mouth, and turned his blood to ice! He dreamed of Lina—not happy, with the love-light beaming in her eyes, but white with terror, stretching out her arms to him to save her from some danger that he could not see, He woke, dripping with perspiration and trembling from head to foot, with her despair- ing ery yet ringing in his ears, blended with the mocking laugh of George Caldor! hyar, he must be What are you trying to CHAPTER IX. MARS’ JIM’S OATH. | «Manny, what’s become of Miss Lina?” ‘Deed, Marse Reardon, I dunno.” ‘‘T haven’t seen her since dinner-time.” ** No mo’ has I.” ‘Come to think— No, she wasn’t at the table at all. Hasn’t she been in for a bite since?” “No, sah,” ‘‘ Mother, do you know where Lina is?” ‘¢T reckon she ought to be in her room,” said Mrs. Reardon, recalling with a tender smile the cause the girl had for wishing solitude. ‘* Per- haps ou’d better not disturb her, father.” . Woracuns! I tell you what it is, mother: T’ve got so used to having her at my elbow when I take a run around the place that I feel lost without her. I say! did you notice anything between her and our vagabond Jim?” ‘*Oh! not vagabond, father!” protested ma- ternal pride. ‘‘Confound him! I’m afraid he’s going to run away with her! I’d show him a thing or two, though, if I was thirty years younger, and—and—” ‘Had me off your hands!” laughed mother Roardon, as he stammered somewhat at a loss how to put it gracefully. ‘‘Oh! speak out! I’m not a bit jealous; because you haven’t a ghost of a show against Jim.” ‘* We'll see about that!” And father Reardon strode to Lina’s door, and pounding a rousing summons on it, cried: ff Wide awake in thar! It’s time to make our wenier rounds!” here was no answer; and the door being opened, the room was found to be empty. Then a general inquiry was made, until one of the maids said: mH If you please, sir, she went out to ride with ts) a) ‘* What's that? Why Shoo-fly was sent to the herd, thirty miles away.” ‘‘T was comin’ in from the spring-house, sir, and I seen her ride out and join Clem. Then he asked her whar she was goin’, and she said with him. And then they rode away as fast as they could,” ‘+ Good heavens!” cried the old man. ‘‘ Why, the child is crazy! Mother, did you know any- tu:235 about this?” / a a Little Shoo-Fly. “* Not a word. Oh, Ned! come to her! Jim has set she on him, I know!” ** Jim!” shouted the old man. pers eves about Jim! Fetch my pistols, while I yr dle the best horse that those scoundrels have eft. He ran off, growling his expectation not to find one fit to be a cart-horse. A few minutes later he was sagt aa og ly in the direction Little Shoo-fly and Lina had taken earlier in the day. His aim was to meet them on their return rer night-fall, if they were delayed so long, as was probable. He left his wife wringing her hands in tearful helplessness, and the whole business of the ranch = a stand-still with anxiety on behalf of ‘‘ Missy ina. He himself was scarcely less moved than the women. ‘Dear old Jim!” he muttered to himself, ‘‘ he deserves her; but I wouldn’t say the same of any other man that ever stood in shoe-leather! But he’ll never forgive me if anything happens! Pshaw! what can happen? Little Shoo-fly is as knowing as most men, if he is a rattle-brain. Jim wouldn’t have sent him, if he hadn’t been sure that he knew the way.” But the sky became overcast, so that but for his familiarity with the country he might have lost his way; and in despair he saw the night closing in about him, and nothing yet seen of Lina or Little Shoo-fly. The darkness compelled a halt; but soon the Be pat and he resumed his way. pected ou mustn’t let harm is heart on her, and ‘* Who cares e was within ten miles of where he ex to find the herd, when a horse came tearing to- ward him riderless, and without saddle or bridle, but dragging a tethering pin, at the risk of broken legs or possibly a broken neck. The runaway came up to him quite docilely upon being called, and he discovered that it was one of his own, and the sweat-marks on its back showed that it had worn a lady’s saddle. That discovery drove him wild with fear, and without stopping to so much as tether the beast, wre oy forward to learn what had become of its rider. He soon encountered a herd of stampeding cattle, and then his distress knew no bounds. ‘*She is dead! dead!” he cried, aloud, in his despair—‘‘ trampled out of all human sem- blance! Poor Jim! poor boy!” He was surprised to find no herders striving to stem the mad-rushing tide of the brutes. Even when he had evaded the cattle and gone on, he could find no one, alive or dead. Nor was there as * trace of Lina and Little Shoo-fly. h! what is that? A dark object lying on the open prairie! He urged his horse toward it, all his soul shrinking with dread! It was a dead horse, its body mangled to a jelly. One hind-foot was drawn forward by entangle- ment in the tether, The beast had been thrown and then trampled to death. The old man choked with sobs, and tears ran down his beard. This was conclusive evidence that the girl to whom he looked to add strength to Jim’s manhood and ce to his own old age had been overwhelmed by the stampeding cattle. But another and terrible discovery awaited him. Further on he found a man lying with his ghast- ly face to the moonlight, stark and rigid in death. A bullet having penetrated an eye-socket showed how he had met his fate. Mr. Reardon wiped away the blood, expect- ing to identify one of his son’s men; but he re- cognized another. “Abe Hardy! One of Caldor’s men! There has been treachery here. While Jim was off to protect his claim, they have come here and struck him in the back.” With this misunderstanding, he turned his horse northward, sadly wondering how he could find words to tell a tale like this to his unfortu- nate boy. He reached his destination some time before daylight, and woke the sleeping camp. **Good heavens, father! you here?) What can be the matter? Speak quickly!” cried his son, startled by his appearance. “Try to be a man, Jim!” exclaimed his father, wringing his hand. “What is it? What is it?” asked Mars’ Jim, buskily. ‘‘ The ranch has not—” “ We're all right at home, but—but—” ** Well,” said Mars’ Jim, the color returning to his face and his breath coming freer, “ it can’t be so bad, then, father. Come! cheer up. Do you know? for just one moment I feared that that devil had taken his revenge on me where he could hurt me most. Anything will be cheerful news, now that I know you are all right at home.” And he smiled, in the reaction after that sharp twinge of anguish. ‘Jim! Jim! for God’s sake, don’t talk that way!” cried the old gentleman. ‘ You don’t know what you’re saying. Did you know that Lina went with Clem?” ‘‘Lina? Clem? Went where?” Once more the blood fled cheek and lips. ‘*To see the herd, Jim.” ‘** Good God!” He stood as if smitten by lightning, ghastly pale and quive ring in every limb. ‘Oh, but it’s all right!” he said, with a sud- den change of manner, wiping the icy sweat from his forehead. “ Shoo-fly isa sharp little chap, ou know. And he knows the way like a book. oys, put every horse under saddle quicker than you ever did in all your lives before! You couldn’t lose him. I'll bet he’s got back since you started away from home. We'll find him there all right, mark my word for it. Don’t stop for anything, but just pull things together any way. The thing is to get out of here as soon as possi- ble. But how in the world did—” He was on the point of asking how they had come to let her go; but his generous nature checked him. If some terrible calamity actual- ly befell them all, the old folks must not feel that he reproached them in any degree. “* Jim,” said the old man, shrinking more and more from the disclosure of the terrible truth, as he saw how — his son was affected, ‘they haven’t got back.” ‘*Oh, well! they may have seen that they would be overtaken by night, and so wisely con- cluded to stay with the boys until morning. You remember, it clouded over; and Shoo-fly ma, have been sharp enough not to start under suc circumstances. ‘Oh, Jim! Jim!” sighed the father, ‘“‘I have hardly courage to tell you!” Now a terrible change came over Mars’ Jim. All the false hopes with which he had been try- ing to delude himself were swept away. ** What is it?” he shouted, seizing his father by the shoulders. ‘‘Speak! Do you know that you are wringing my heart— For God’s sake, tell me! What has happened to her? Is she dead? Have you seen her? : Like the lightning-stroke had come his pas- sion. As abruptly he broke down. He stood serteeiriy his hands, as one awaiting his death- ow. ‘“ We missed her about the middle of the af- ternoon—” ‘* Ts she dead?” “Have patience, Jim! God knows I cannot tell you!” Mars’ Jim dropped his face in his hands. ‘*Go on! go on!” he said, brokenly. ‘*T learned that she had gone with Clem, with- out our knowledge.” “My God! my God! my careless words led her into it! I told her that she might go under Clem’s escort. I never dreamed of letting her go alone with him. I intended to send Bamley with them—the most reliable man I have. Then in the excitement of having to compete with Caldor, I forgot what we had talked about.” ‘“‘T found no trace of them until I had almost reached the grazing ground, when I was met by Kate. She was dragging a lariat-pin, and was without saddle or bridle. So they must have stopped for the night. A little further on I en- countered the herd stampeded.” ‘** What?’ cried Mars’ Jim, with asharp twinge of pain and terror. “Planking them, I found another horse that had been thrown and trampled to death.” “i My God! my God!” Mars’ Jim was now wringing his clammy hands. : ‘Where were the boys all this time?” he asked, piteously. “J don’t know. I couldn’t find a trace of them. But, Jim, I found something else.” ** What was that?” “A dead man. He had been shot.” “One of the boys? Shot? How could that be?” “It wasn’t oneof our boys. It was one of George Caldor’s. It was Abe Hardy.” “Abe Hardy? Why, he is within four miles of us, now. Boys, wasn’t Abe Hardy with Cal- dor last night?” : ““Yos, he was,” replied one of the men; and others corroborated the statement. “T could not be mistaken, It was in the broad moonlight. I know it was Hardy.” “Then they must have give Bamley the slip somehow, And this is Caldor’s' revenge! Fail- ing to get possession of the land, he has stamped- ed my cattle—and caused her death!”
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~ Now a terrible look came into his face. He dropped upon one knee, and extended his hand toward heaven. ‘Hear me swear, Almighty God!” he cried. ‘**Tf harm has come to her through his means, I will drain his heart, drop by drop, and feed it to my dogs!” Then with a bound he sprung up. ‘No horse! to horse!” he cried. In an instant they were in the saddle, and sweeping southward. There was no time to stop to see whether Bam- ley was yet on guard. His one thought was to ét to his darling, dead or alive. _When he had a her, there would be time to look up George aldor. CHAPTER X. THE STAMPEDE. “Now, boys, if any of you are at all squeam- ish about this thing, now is your time to back out,” said George Caldor. “Cap, we ain’t o’ the backin’-out stripe,” re- plied one of his men. ‘*‘T don’t ask any man to serve me against his will; but if he goes in with me I want him to | stand by me when the pinch comes.” ‘““You lead on, boss; an’ you bet you'll find us thar, every time!” ““There’s going to be some ugly work; I won’t hide that from you.” ‘We've done it before!” ‘‘Hanging work, if we’re caught. For we may have to knock some of those fellows out.” “That’s all right.” “T don’t like to resort to extreme measures where it can be helped; but if we are spotted by any of their men, we don’t want to let them get away to blow on us.” ‘We'll look out fur that. If a galoot’s a- standin’ round in the way, it’s his misfortune.” ‘“- You are all agreed?” “To a man!” ‘‘Then forward!” Through the black night they made their way like birds of evil omen, until they came to where Mars’ Jim’s vast herd rested quietly on the lain. ma What we want first, is an hour’s rest for our horses,” said Caldor. ‘* Meanwhile, Selman, you and I will put in the time making a recon- nvissance.” ; By this means they satisfied themselves that the herd was very scantily guarded. “* A whoop-la, and they are off,” said Selman. ‘But it strikes me that there are signs of the clouds breaking away,” observed George Caldor. ‘“So much the worse for us; there’s a full moon to-night.” ‘We'll have to put the boys en masque. It’s an ugly bers to have to drop any of those fellows in cold blood!” Albeit a man of violent passions, George Cal- dor was not ak destitute of humanity. ‘* We can tear a blanket up, an’ disguise ‘em so that their mothers wouldn’t know ’em,” said Selman. ‘* That’s just what we will do.” This plan was carried out; and soon, dis in this rude way, the men were re action. “Now, boys,” was their leader’s last word, pra. can yell all you like, but let me do all the king. e don’t want any voices recognized. And above all, if any of our fellows get knock- ed out of the saddle they mustn’t be left on the ground. If it calls for a pitched battle to do it, all of our disabled men must be got away.” The men scattered in opposite directions, so.as to strike the herd at different points, and then waited for the discharge of a pistol, which was the signal agreed upon for making a break for the cattle. ised y for The sky was just beginning to clear in the East as George Caldor fired his revolver into the air, Then there was a swift rush of horses, A moment, and yells burst from a score of throats, as they dashed in among the resting cattle. ‘ Then followed snorting and bellowing in terror. The vast herd started to its feet and began to swarm like a nest of disturbed ants, For a time all was the wildest confusion. Bodies of frightened beasts, pouring 1 opposite ions, met in terrific collision, breaking each other’s ranks, and intermingling so as to be brought to a standstill, only to start again until turned aside by some countercurrent. In these encounters many were gored; some ‘were thrown down and trampled to death. Whichever way they turned they seemed to dashing back and forth, yell- | meet a horseman Little Shoo-Fly. ing like a drunken Comanche, and firing his re- volvers into the air. But gradually the conflicting currents took a general direction; and the mighty horde of brutes swept over the plain like the sea through a crevasse. Faithfully Mars’ Jim’s men fought this as- sault, at first thinking that it was the work of thieving savages, But the wind swept the sky, and the full moon showed them men of their own race. By their blanket masks they were easily dis- tinguished, though unrecognizable. hen Phil Dorn shouted: ‘*A hundred dollars to a cent, it’s that infer- nal Caldor gang! Charge ’em, boys, an’ make a capture ef you kin!” There was only one of his men near enough to hear him; but the others needed no prompting. Though outnumbered, they charged their ene- mies with the indomitable pluck which has made the cowboy the terror of the West. It was hopeless to try to stop the stampede while a score of yelling demons were goading the beasts to madness. But they could have revenge first, and then see what could be done in the way of re-collecting the herd in the morn- ing. A spirited battle ensued, which was not fought out until the cattle were far out of sight and hearing, and with half of his men dead or dying and nearly all.the rest more or less se- verely wounded, Phil Dorn was obliged to call them off, But before he sounded the retreat he had one purpose to accomplish. ** My bully boys!” he muttered between his set teeth, ‘‘I don’t leave you, ye onderstand, until I'm fixed to report to the boss who he to thank fur this pretty trick!” And selecting one who appeared to be a lead- er, he made his way to him and engaged him in single combat. Selecting the old Californian mode of encoun- ter by hurling one horse against another, Dorn piece his animal into a terrific collision with that of his enemy; and while the other strug- pled to keep his horse on his feet and maintain is seat in the saddle, he made a snatch at his mask, and succeeded in tearing it from his face. ‘** Ad Selman!” he shouted. ‘‘I know you and your master!” Then he wheeled and dashed away. -“ After them!” yelled Selman, cursing his luck. ‘*Not a man who has heard that must be let to escape alive!” Then followed a running fight, in which more than one on both sides felt the plowing of cold lead through his flesh! ; But in the end the intrepid Dorn and some of his stanch fellows made their escape. This battle, however, had engaged only a part of George Caldor’s men, not including himself. _He saw that the cattle were not going in the direction he wanted them to. ‘Not that way, boys!” he yelled. ‘‘ Head them off! Drive them over the cliffs!” In this effort he and several of his men were brought directly before the rushing herd. _They yelled and shot into the ranks of the ter- rified cattle. Nowthat the moon disclosed their figures, they took off their jerkins and flirted them in the air before the very eyes of the mad- dened brutes, as they rode but a few feet beyond the reach of their tossing horns, Some had blankets tied over one shoulder and under the other; and these, being loosened, they flapped like the wings of gigantic bats. ut all effort was futile. The immense body had got its start; and those in the rear goaded the vanguard on. This was most hazardous business, A stumble, a fall, and man and horse would be trampled into an indistinguishable mass of mangled flesh and broken bones! Yet so determined was the malignity of the destroyers that the struggle was kept up for miles. If the herd could be checked or turned, it might be directed toward some cliffs which lay along the western horizon; and in the morning Mars’ Jim might look for his magnificent herd on the jagged rocks at their base. As it was, George Caldor was swept to the east- yon before the irresistible tide of tossing brute esh. So he came in sight of a twinkling fire on the open prairie. os r’s somebody who'll be in hard luck if he hasn’t got a good horse!” shouted one of the men, so as to be heard above the roar of hoofs, “That's not our lookout,” returned Caldor, savagely. ‘‘A man has no business on the plains without good legs under him.” As they approached, the fire suddenly went 9 down, and then blazed up higher than before, as if an armful of prairie-grass had been thrown upon it. This was the fact. Little Shoo-fly had caught sight of the flashes of the revolvers and interpreted them aright. “Took! look, Missy Lina!” he had cried. “Don’t ye see de shootin’?” “The shooting? I don’t hear it.” ‘No, no! ye can’t hyeah nuffin’. But don’t ye see de fiashin’ ob de pistols?” “Oh, Clem! I see! I see! There must be somebody riding before the cattle!” ‘Ob co’se dah is! It’s de cowboys a-tryin’ te stop *em |!” “Then why are we standing here idle? Oh! we may be able to attract their attention, and get them to come to our rescue!” *‘ Dat’s so, we kin—ef we only had a cannon or two to fiah off. But dey couldn’t hyeah our revolvehs no mo’ dan we kin hyeah deirs.” ‘“No; but the fire! They can see that, Hurry, Clem! Let us pull up some grass and throw on it! "We must make it so big that they can’t help seeing it! Hurry! hurry! Our lives depend upon our quickness!” They sprung to the work, with the result which we have seen. ‘‘ Now, Clem, stand here before the fire, shake your jacket above your head, and dance as you never danced before in all one life!” “Hi! hi hi!” yelled Little Shoo-fly, following out her instructions, and adding the full power of his lungs, though he knew that his voice would be drowned by the thunder of the myriad hoofs. Lina wore a little plaid shawl folded corner to corner and crossed over her bosom, This she waved frantically, involuntarily adding her voice to Clem’s. <2 CHAPTER XI. TREACHERY. “ Boss!” cried Moran once more, “ that thar’s a woman—blow me ef it ain’t!” “There are two of them.” “Mother's a youngster, by his size.” ry Why don’t they pull out of that, if they are awake?’ ‘‘They’re signalin’ to us. They have seen the flash of our revolvers. Boss, I reckon they’rein a fix. Their stock may have gi’n ‘em the slip, I don’t see no hosses. Do you?” “Curse the luck!” growled Caldor. ‘‘We can’t stop to pick up people who can’t take care of themselves!” “But a woman, Cap?” “Can blow us as high as a man,” “ You're furgittin’ our masks.” ** That’s so.” 7 : Caldor made the admission un iously enough. He was impatient of anything that came between him and his revenge. ‘ Tt’s a go, then?” ‘Yes; I suppose so.” “We hain’t got no time to spare.” Abandoning their efforts to turn the herd Caldor and Moran put spurs to their horses and rode straight toward the fire. But, tired as they were, even their fleet mus- tangs could not gain much on the cattle. “They are coming! they are coming!” cried Lina, as the horsemen cleared the herd suffi- ciently to be distinguished from them in the moonlight. ‘Oh, Clem! we are saved! we are saved!” They took their positions one on one side of the fire and one on the other, a little back, so that the light falling upon them would make them clearly perceptible to the riders. , Then George Caldor uttered a cry of astonish- ment. “My God! It is Miss Merrill!” «« And Reardon’s little darky!” added Moran, “Blast his leetle pictur’! who'd ’a’ thunk he’d git ketched like this, after givin’ us the slip so cleverly this mornin’?” : It was plain that Moran bore no malice, but rather felt admiration for Little Shoo-fly’s skill. ‘““What can they be doing out here?” asked Caldor, urging his horse to greater speed. “Tl bet they was sent to Dorn with some kind 0’ word.” “Of course! To send all the men he could spare north. That accounts for their being so short-handed.” But now they dashed up to the fire. Lina was shaking her hands and sobbing with suspense. 2 aldor drew his horse on its haunches, and bending, seized her under the arms. : She would have assisted him by jumping, but the sight of his masked face filled her with terror; and even in that moment of peril she
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, f f ; . his bride! 10 stared at him stupidly, and left him to lift her by main strength. ‘* Shall I fetch along this leetle smoked Yan- keo?” asked Moran, though ho had already given his hand to Little Shoo-fly and thrust forth his foot for him to scramble up on. ‘*'Yes!” growled Caldor. ‘‘ He is the cause of all this! Pll flay him alive when we get clear of these beasts!” TForgetful of his mask, he thought that recog- nition of him had a that stony look to Lina’s face; and it made him savage, She knew his voice, and cried, with relief— for her fear of him in that moment when her re- jection of his suit brought the look of the mur- derer into his face was now forgotten: ‘* Oh, Mr. Caldor!” Then she caught hold of and clung to him as if he were a friend. That sent the blood spinning through his veins. “Oh, if we could ride to death like this!” flashed through his brain, as he straine her to his breast. She could not see the expression of his face; and as his horse flew on she did not notice the closeness of his embrace. So they rode out of that peril, she in the arms of Mars’ Jim’s bitterest enemy, and Little Shoo- fly behind one who, at the command of his mas- ter would have left him to be trampled by the Lrutes with the same cheerful good-nature that he was now bearing him to life—and the lash! George Caldor sha his course so as to clear the fi of the rushing herd, and let them pass him. He rode in gloomy silence. ‘*T have saved her,” he mused; ‘and she will repay me by betraying me!” t was unreasonable to suppose that she would retain this secret from her accepted lover, While he pondered this, she felt the chill of his silence. e moment of extreme peril past, she had time to recall their relations. And what was the meaning of tho mask he wore? More than that, why was he here, when Mars’ Jim had entered upon a race with him for a ‘spot fifty miles away? She ‘no longer clung to him, She held just enough to keep from peay ? He felt her shrink; and it filled him with bit- terness and hatred of his rival. ‘** Curse him!” he reflected, ‘‘ with all of chance on his side, am I to be made to serve him too, whether I will or no? My own hand is to be used to ras A my own defeat and give him back ¢ He started violentl ‘* What is that? Why should I?” Now strange thoughts began to flash through his heprapeope os that flushed his cheek and made his eyes glitter in a way that would have made Lina shudder, had she seen them. “Give him back his bride!” he repeated. ‘*Ha! ha! ha! what a blind fool! Why, a turn of the hand, and fortune is all with me! Here she has thrown oqereaning into my lap, and Iam growling about it! Ha! ha! ha!’ So busy was he with these thoughts that he did not notice that he had gained the flank of the stampede and a motte at the same time. ‘* Hyar we air!” cried Moran. ‘* En?” asked Caldor, recovering himself with a start. He looked about. They were now out of dan- or’. wc Let us stop here,” he said, and drew up as his horse entered the shelter of the trees. The herd swept by like a black cloud. ‘* Signal the boys to come here,” he ordered. He lifted Lina from the withers of his horse, end allowed her to slide to the ground, Then be swung out of the saddle. Little Shoo-fly reached the ground with the agility of a monkey, and Moran followed. -‘* Look alive hyar, Snowball!” he cried, brisk- ly, «ff aeip me to fetch sticks fur a rousin’ fire,” Little Shoo-fly went to work with a will, and they soon had a blaze crackling. Meanwhile, the boy’s eyes were ‘as big as saucers.” The masks impressed him strong- ly. Then he recognized George Ualdor’s voice, ‘* Hi!” he reflected. ‘tDey’s up to some debil’s work—dat’s what dey is! bullwhackin’ fur Mars’ Jim fur no good. An’ dat Mars’ Caldor’s at de outs wid Missy Lina. Dat’s flat! Ain’t said nuffin’ to her sence he picked her up. Ain’t said nuffin’ to dis chile nudder. ’Low he ain’t takin’ it so easy dat I tumble him dis mawnin’.” He kept his eyes rolling about, taking in every- thing that occurred. George Caldor walked moodily about, with a restlessness unusual to him, _ -_——..__.___. with a new thought. ive him back his bride? on now dey ain’t — Little Shoo-Fly. Lina drew near the fire, and called: ia) Clem. ” Little Shoo-fly was going up to her when Cal- dor interfered. ‘* Set that boy to gathering grass,” he said, as if he had not heard Lina speak to him. Little Shoo-fly saw the troubled look on his mistress’s face, ** She’s afraid o’ dat debbil,” he reflected, ‘‘ Ef we git a chance to git out o’ dis libely, I’s goin’ to take it!” Caldor’s men responded to the recalling sig- nal, and he conferred with them apart. He then mounting, they rode back over the course the cattle had come until they were joined by those of their number who had stayed to fight with Dorn and his aids. Caldor swore at the men for letting Dorn escape, Then moodily he took the line of march toward the north. _ “Dis ain’t de way home!” reflected Little Shoo Ay, ‘“Whah’s he gwine to take us 0?” But he had no opportunity to communicate with Lina, and she was ignorant of directions. However, when they began to penetrate hills her attention was attracted, and looking for the north star, she saw that they were not going eastward, ‘** Mr, Caldor,” she asked, drawing nearer to his side, ‘‘are we going in the direction of my home?” “T cannot go there direct,” he answered | ‘and do not think it safe to send you alone, If you will try to endure my company a little onger, you shall suffer no greater inconveni- ence.” She was repelled by the bitterness of his words, and drew away without a word further, He shortly afterward called Moran to his side. “IT want you to take that boy away on some pretext or other, and lose him? Do you under- stand? Lose him so effectually that he will never find his way back.” “*How—’ “That is nothing to me. Do it your own way; only lose him !” Little Shoo-fly was riding on a horse from the back of which one of Mars’ Jim’s cowboys had been shot. His quick eye had noticed that the beast was a good one and much fresher than those ridden by Caldor’s men, He had also picked out another on which he proposed to himself to mount Lina, if opportun- ity offered, and attempt flight from their churl- ish entertainers. At the first halt that the party made, at a safe distance from the scene of the stampede, he was accosted by Moran. “Look a-hyar, youngster, do you like ’coon?” he asked. ** Bet I do, massa!” replied Little Shoo-fly, not the less vivaciously that he suddenly remem- bered that he had had nothing to eat since din- ner, and was decidedly hungry. “So do I,” said Moran. ‘‘ Suppose we git some. Come along.” Not a little surprised, Little Shoo-fly followed the AD. arn - 's we gwine git any coons roun’ hyeah?” he asked. . “Tl show ye. Come on.” Little Shoo-fly followed, sorely puzzled, for a distance of not less than half a mile, his guide riding in silence. He did not like to be thus separated from Lina, yet was afraid to rouse the hostility of the men in whose power he was, by opposition. Presently Moran stopped abruptly. ‘Look out!” he said, cautiously, glancing up into the trees, Little Shoo-fly drew up at his side, and looked too, without seeing anything, ‘Suppose you go that way, and I'll go this way,” said Moran, pointing in the direction he wished Clem totake. “Go slow, now! We may start something at any minute,” Little Shoo-fly had never hunted coons in ex- actly this way: but he did not venture to ques- tion the method of his elder. He started to do as he was bid; but his back was hardly turned when he heard the click of a revolver, Somehow, although this was what he might have expected in a hunt, the sharp sound thrilled through him, and roused his suspicions, He turned his head to look back, and expe- rienced that sensation of the scalp which has been described as the hair rising on end, He found himself staring down the bore of a revolver over the barrel of which Dan Moran was taking deadly aim, out a horse at Lina’s service, and ! ee aon gery arson poems flash oy the quick port; an 2 00-) 0 the neck of his horse!) Rat Aer wardee CHAPTER XII, IN THE TOILS, GEORGE CALDOR awaited Moran’s return with increasing impatience, and as time passed, with suspicion. ‘* Selman,” he said, at last, ‘take torches and follow his trail. And, a word!” _ He dropped his voice, and whispered the rest in Selman’s ear, with a fierceness which con- firmed the other in the opinion that George Cal- dor was an ugly man to ‘*‘ buck ag’in’” when he was ‘‘r’iled.” “Follow him to perdition and back, if neces- sary; and if-you find that he is up to any snide game, fetch him back, dead or alive!” _ With these instructions Selman set out, tak- ing half a dozen men with him. eorge Caldor resumed his rapid pacing back and forth, his frown blacker than ever, From where she sat, a little apart from the others, Lina watched him uneasily, She had felt a vague misgiving at the departure of Little ay t last she summoned courage, and w to re ti ” tine “Mr. Caldor,” she said, ‘‘ where hav sent yore : ? ef ees e turned upon her, the frown not relaxing, ‘Back to his onic,” e replied, , ‘“* Back home?” she echoed, blankly, ‘ Then why have you not sent me with him? ‘I thought that one would be enough to de- liver the message I sent,” ‘* Message? What message? To whom?” **To Jim Reardon.” Lina bridled at once, at this disrespectful designation of her lover. ‘“What message did you send to Mr. Rear- don?” she asked. ‘*That I was square with him at last!” ‘*T do not understand you.” ‘* He will understand me,” ‘Will you tell me what he will understand?” That, gaining all else, he has lost what he most prized!” said Caldor, leaning toward her and fairly hissing the words into her face, Lina shrunk back; and though she was shaken to the soul by a sense of his meaning which yet seemed too horrible to be true, she asked, in a faltering voice: *“Will you explain yourself a little more clearly?” Yes,” he said. ‘“ Now is as good a time as ever. have formed my resolve, Nothing in heaven or on earth can change it,” He was now fairly choking with the intensity of his passion. The girl waited trembling until he resumed, ‘“‘ This morning [ told my love for you.” ‘Let us not discuss that, if you please!” said Lina, more and more disturbed. «As you please!” he replied, enraged at her opposition. “‘ There is no need of any discussion whatever, so far as I am concerned.’ But she could not let it rest so. Let her have the truth, no matter how terrible. “What bearing has that on your message to Mr. Reardon?” she asked, tremulously, “There is but one point of importance, This morning I pleaded, with all the advantage on your side, To-night I still plead, but with our relations somewhat altered. You may not find it matter for laughter, as you did this ‘morning, the moment my back was turned.” She recurr to. her interview with Little Shoo-fly, and recalling that unfortunate laugh, showed him that it had no reference to him. He ignored her explanation. ** Are you engaged to Reardon?” he asked. She hesitated, her cheeks flaming scarlet, What could be considered an engagement? Tacitly she was. Mars’ Jim had shown his love as plainly as words could do it; and she had ac- cepted him, though no explicit word had passed between them. She resorted to evasion. “You have no right to ask me such a ques- tion,” she said, ‘‘ But if you must know, Mr. Reardon has never used the word love to me.” “Then you do not love him?” he cried, with a burst, ready to cast himself at her feet. ‘‘ Oh, Lina, my darling! it is I that love you! I—” “Stop!” she said, coldly. ‘That is all over between us. I have said all that I can to youon that subject.” ‘‘ Well!” he cried, flying again into a passion; “T intend to talk to you shout it all our lives long!” he looked at him with an undefined dread in her eyes, not speaking, She was not ready yet / '
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to acknowledge to herself what his words and manner implied. ‘‘ With your will or against it,” he went on, **T shall you! Lover or master, you can have me as you choose!” But once more, overcome by his passion, he returned to solicitation. ‘* But this is not the way! Oh, will you not listen to me? I will take you to the nearest mission. We will be married and then go into Texas to live. I will devote myself to your hap- iness. I— ‘‘ Bnough! I will never consent to anything of the kind. I have already told you that I do not love you, and never shall.” ‘¢ Well, then listen to the alternative. I shall take you to the mission as I proposed, and at least go through the form of the marriage ser- ice— ‘¢ But that will not make me your wife!” “Oh, yes it will;—or at least it will fix itso that you can at any time make it a legal mar- riage by merely assenting to it—” ‘“Which I will never do!l—never! never! never!” She spoke with the vehemence of terror and despairing indignation. ‘* Don’t be too sure of that,” he said, confident- ly. ‘Other women have been as as you think you are now, and yet in the end yielded to their fate.” ‘¢ Acknowledge a marriage which has been forced upon me—which is revolting to me? You must think me a strange—” ‘*Qne moment. I will force you to live with me as my wife; and you may be glad toclaim the Saget ay of a legal wife.” ‘But this is infamous; it is monstrous; it is devilish! You cannot do such a thing—you dare not! I will appeal to all the world for protec- tion from you! No one will countenance you in such fiendish work! It is worse than murder! I would rather be dead, a hundred thousand times!” P She spoke with the rapidity of wild terror. She ted and gasped for breath. She could not find words to express her revolting from this horrible calamity. She thought of Mars’ Jim and his rage and despair, It seemed to her that the situation would be so beyond repair that, having crushed her destroyer like a viper beneath his heel, he would kill himself in hope- less chagrin. Pe Oh, heaven! must their lives be poisoned like this? She wrung her hands. An icy sweat oozed from every pore, though she was consumed with fever. Had manand God deserted her? George Caldor answered her in cold, measured terms. ‘“‘ The little world that you will have access to acknowledges me as its master!” “Oh, it cannot be!” she cried, wildly, ‘‘ Men are not such brutes! I will cry out against you even now!” She turned to make her appeal to the men who stood at a little distance. ‘* Try it!” said Caldor, not attempting to in- terfere with her. ‘*Gentlemen!” she eried, walking rapidly to- ward them, “I claim your protection. You are men; you have hearts; you have mothers and sisters! You cannot stand and see a wo- man made the victim of anything so inexpressi- ag cruel, so awful, so— Oh! oh!” ears were streaming from her eyes; she army her hands; and sobs choked her utter- ce, The men dropped their eyes to the ground, oe ar einly uneasy before the sigh pe stress. 4 ere Was no generous arousing of chivalric feeling in her aolenak. They frown- ed, as if annoyed. «Gentlemen! gentlemen!” she pleaded, hope dying out of her heart, “Mr. Caldor threatens me with a forced marriage, I do not love him. I told him s0, only this morning. But in spite of that he says that he will compel me to go through the form of a marriage and then to live with him, without regard to my wishes. He is your employer— Ah! she falt the force of that relation! ‘‘But—but,” she sobbed, “‘ you cannot uphold him in anything so wicked as this!” ‘‘ Bf the boss is willin’ to mare: yer, what air oe kickin’ about?’ asked one of the men, rouga- y. ‘ Ye’re devilish lucky to have him take so much trouble, to my way 0’ thinkin’!” She stood staring at the speaker dumbly. She looked from him to the other men; and not one of them said anything, though they shifted uneasily from ono foot to the other, The conviction of utter uselessness of any fur- ther appeal to them settled down upon her heart like a weight of lead, ly. Little Shoo-F ly. Without another word she turned away, and went and sat down by herself, and fell to shiv- ering and shuddering with a nameless dread. Caldor resumed his feverish walk, more fiercely determined than ever by her opposition. ‘‘T will break her!” he muttered. ‘‘I will have her at my feet, glad of a smile from me. Curse her! She shall learn to watch to see whether [am in good humor or not. She shall fawn upon me like a slave, like one of those Sultanas, who are no doubt as proud as she when they are first carried away from their Caucasian homes. I will let her see that she can have kindness or harshness, whichever she bids for; and she will be glad to compromise, and take what good she can get out of life,” And yet, as he spoke, he knew that there was a difference between the Oriental women to whom he referred and one of Anglo-Saxon blood and rearing. After a long interval, during which he chafed with impatience, Selman and his party re- turned. Lina looked up. Here was another chance. Selman was more intelligent than the others. She sprung toward him. But Caldor’s impa- tience carried him before her; and she* recoiled to await the end of his interview. CHAPTER XIII. A PLUCKY LITTLE WOMAN. ‘“* WELL?” exclaimed Caldor, hurriedly. ‘* Boss,” answered Selman, ‘‘ we couldn’t find hide nor hair of either one of ’em. But we found somethin’ else that—” ‘“* What else?” “Blood! A leetle ways from hyar we lost the trail, the ground bein’ so rocky; but thar was only one way to go, so we kept it fur about half a mile. har we come onto a pool 0’ blood that showed as how somebody had been plugged. Then thar was signs o’ the body bein’ drug to the aige o’ the cliffs an’ heaved over. Thar was no way 0’ gittin’ down, an’ we could- n’t see the bottom. More’n that, the country opened up so’s you could go m any direction but was so rocky that the old feller himself couldn’t pick up no trail. So, allowin’ that ou’d be wantin’ to be on the move, I reckoned ’d better come an’ report before goin’ any further,” @ “That's all right,” said Caldor, with satisfac- on. He wondered at Moran’s continued absence, but that the deed of violence had been done was the thing of importance; and he doubted not that the man would join him later with a satis- factory explanation. | ‘** Meanwhile, here is a lady who appears to have something to say to you.” Her heart sinking at this evidence of his in- pt ig Lina availed herself of her oppor- unity. “Oh, sir!” she cried. ‘‘ You are my last hope! You will save me, I know!” “From what?’ asked the man, as her sobs stifled her voice. In a few rapid words she told him her strait. He listened coolly, and then answered her: **T allow the boss knows his own business best. He pays me fur bullwhackin’. When that’s done, an’ I git my money, I hain’t no fault to find with him ef he hain’t no fault to find with me.” “But I am a woman. I am helpless. He holds me as a prisoner against my will, without a shadow of right. He meditates against mea crime at which the very fiends must shudder! What could you do against a woman equal to this? I would rather he killed me! I would rather be burned at the stake! You are a man. You cannot be so dead to all human feeling as to stand coldly by and see this cowardly act per- petrated.” ‘“T kin mind my own business, that I kin do!” said Selman doggedly. ; Then she fell back from him in dismay. ‘* Are there such wretches in the world?” she cried, breathlessly. ‘‘ Can God look down on them and be dumb?” d “That has been the despairing cry of suffer- ing humanity since the world began,” said Cal- dor, with a sardonic smile. ‘ Yet the lightnings do not fall; Heaven smiles on with unruffled serenity.” She did not look at him. She made one more appeal to the crowd, this time descending to eir own level. ‘* Men!” she cried, “* Tam to be James Reardon’s e— "You lied to me!” interrupted Caldor, fierce- ly, turning livid with sealord rage. ’ he did not heed him. She kept on unbroken- | 1l ‘He loves me. I know that he would givealk that he has in the world to save me from this horrible fate. I promise you that he shall make the fortune of the man who helps me to escape. TI have money of my own—over five thousand dol- lars. I pledge you my word of honor that it shall be equally distributed between the men who stand by me. This, with what you'll re- ceive from Mr. Reardon, will give to every one of you more than you can earn in a year cer- tainly. I am offering to each one of you, if hEN all come over to my side, from a thousand to fifteen hundred dollars. All I ask is that you shall put me on a horse under the guidance of the little negro boy with whom you found me, and hold this man back from following us for twelve hours,” At last she was speaking in a language that they could understand. George Caldor saw the covetous flash in the. eyes of his men, as they covertly glanced at one another, each to see how his colleagues were af- fected. He knew that the best of them would sell him out for a consideration. Yet he was perfectly unconcerned. He laughed lightly and snapped his fingers. “My dear young lady,” he said, ‘‘ your offer is a shrewd one; but it comes too jate. If you had approached us in the same way an hour or two ago, I don’t know but I might have made terms with you myself. But that has happened since then which puts it out of the question. Since then we have stampeded Jim Reardon’s cattle and killed three or four of hismen. The man who helps you puts a halter about his neck, by admitting that he was concerned in this raid. You see, we are all in the same boat, and must stand by one another.” The faces of his men dropped. They saw that he had them, if any meditated treachery, Lina saw it too. ** And these are men!” she cried, in an agony of disappointment. “You will learn to take men as you find them,” said Caldor, with a laugh; ‘‘and in the, end you will come to see that you can do worse than look to me.” “You?” she cried, with a sudden fury that transformed her. ‘Never! never! Do you suppose that I will tamely submit to this infa- mous outrage? I hold life sacred; but God and the angels must look on with approval while I rid the earth of such a viper as you in defense of my honor! You shall not destroy my life and break James Reardon’s heart, if there is skill in this hand and firmness in these nerves!” And somewhere from the folds of her dress she roduced a small revolver, and aimed it at eorge Caldor’s heart. ‘“‘ Now,” she declared, ‘I purpose to kill you, if you make it necessary! To begin with, throw up your hands!” eorge Caldor was thunderstruck, ‘Kill me!” he repeated, blankly, “Throw up your hands!” she directed once more, with a flash of the eye and a ring in her voice which was a revelation of character to him. And to his amazement, he saw the hammer of the self-cocking revolver which she held slow- ly raised. This evidence of the firmness of her nerves was the most impressive manifestation of her high courage and implacable purpose that she could have given him. With whitening lips he obeyed her, as if she had been the most desperate man who had ever voiced that well-known command. ‘Now, commana one of your men to disarm you! But first they must all understand that I will not be trifled with. If I see the slightest evidence of a treacherous design, I will make sure of your life at least.” ‘* Boys,” said the leader, who now really trem- bled for his life, ‘ obey her.” Selman stepped forward and relieved him of revolvers and bowie. Throw them there on the ground!” she order- ed, indicating the spot. He complied. , ‘‘Put your own arms in the same place.” Selman hesitated. “Obey!” commanded Caldor, He did so. ‘Step apart there to the left.” This was done. “ Now let your men, one at a time, come for- ward, leave their arms there, and join Mr. Sel- man. Remember, you are all under my eye; and if one tries to sneak away, the life of your leader will pay the penalty. I may have to kill myself the moment afterward; but I will have e “* Boys,” said Caldor, ‘ there’s no use in deny-
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ing that she’s got me; and I don’t want to have to pay for any of your funny business. Give it And by this means this gentlest of women, driven by desperation to show her true metal, ‘drew the teeth of the human wolves that sur- rounded her. ‘Let one man separate from the rest and gather an armful of pine knots suitable for torches.” While this was being done, she asked Caldor: ‘What have you done wit Clem?” “] don’t know what has become of him,” he replied, truthfully enough. ‘“‘One of the men took him out to help hunt some fresh meat, and neither of them has returned. If you remember the man who was with me when I had the pleas- ure of picking you up on the prairie, you will see that he is not here now. Isent several others to look for them, so that we could be going, and they were unable to find them.” Lina paused in perplexity. She could not de- sert her friend Clem. She knew that he would not desert her. Presently she formed a resolve. ‘‘T will hold him as a hostage for Clem’s safe delivery! This works so nicely for my preserva- tion, Clem shall have the benefit of it too!” To the man who had brought the torches, she said: ‘‘ Lead forward twohorses. And see that you pick out those that you got from Mr. Reardon’s men. I will not have the jaded animals you have ridden all day. Make no mistake about this; for I know a fresh horse when I see him as well as you do.” “JT reckon you're up to most things, miss!” said the man, with a grin. The horses were brought. “Now then, men, form in two ranks and march on before. You, sir, lead the horses at the head of the column. Let two torches be lighted and carried next to the horses. Mr, Caldor, i me by going just before me.” In the midst of this maneuver Lina suddenly tri over a twig, and fell to the ground. ith a yell of perfectly fiendish triumph George Caldor sprung toward her. He saw his chance to throw off this humiliation of being entrapped with all his men by a woman. Lina’s heart sunk in despair. She had fallen upon the hand that held her revolver, and could not hope to free it before he would have her in \ his remorseless grip. CHAPTER XIV. “Go "WAY, SHOO-FLY!” To be strictly accurate, we should have put the dropping of Little Shoo-fly forward upon the neck of his horse before the flash of Dan Moran’s revolver. He was in time to escape with the ball graz- ing his shoulder. a flash he realized the purpose of murder, and that the blow struck at him menaced Lina as well. “Curse you, ye leetle Paddy’s-flea!” cried Moran, firing a second shot. To the euflan all this was a good joke. But he was soon to have cause to “ laugh on the other side of his face.” Before the second shot reached him, Little Shoo-fly had slipped from the back of his horse, retaining the b dle-rein, however, in his left hand. The bullet pierced one of the animal's ears, and this, with the sudden jerk on the bridle, ‘caused him to toss his head and start back. The movement brought him directly between Little ny and his assailant, so that the boy -was protected from a third shot. ““ Now, boss, what’s sass fur de goose is sass fur de gander!” said our little hero. Even as he spoke a flash came from behind his rampart of horse-flesh. With a cry as short as it was sharp, Dan Moran jerked back on the rein, and his horse reared and threw him over backward. While the animal was plunging, and before the could break away, Little Shoo-fly caught his ‘bridle. There was no need to oe any further atten- tion to Dan Moran. e lay on his back, motionless, with a bullet in his head, stone dead! “Dat settles him!” said Little Shoo-fly, hav- ing secured the horses, and then coretully exam- ined his would-be murderer, ‘‘Now what is I to do next?) Reckon Mars’ Caldor will be look- in’ fur his butcher. Better tumble him ober de rocks, De sooner dey find him, de sooner dey’ll ‘ be huntin’ dis chile!” ~ He therefore dragged the body to a preci- ‘pice and rolled it over. “Now den, dis hyeah means dat dat Caldor Little Shoo-Fly. Ne ———— ain’t huntin’ no good fur Missy Lina. He ain’t takin’ her home nohow. Reckon he ain’t been hangin roun’ de ranch fur nuffin’ when. Mars’ Jim was away. He don’t ’spec’ dat I seen him cut an’ run whenI come down to de falls dis mawnin’. He wasn’t lookin’ as mad as de berry debbil ’kaze Missy Lina say she lobe him, Z bet! Reckon now, she ib him de sack;—dat’s what’s in his crow? ars’ he’s euchered him out o’ dat lan’, ur he wouldn’t be down hyeah stampedin’ de cattle wid his face in a blanket. He’s boun’ fur to git squar’ wid Mars’ Jim. Ef he run off wid Missy Lina, dat ’u’d be wuss’n ef he dribe all de stock ober de cliffs;—dat’s so! Dah ain’t nobody but Shoo- fly to sabe her. What °ll Mars’ Jim say ef I let her git stoled?” The more he reflected on the situation, the more clearly he saw the necessity of acting at once. “fof I run to tell Mars’Jim, whar’ll dat Cal- dor be when we come back? Dat’s what I want to know! ‘Twouldn’t do no good fur Mars’ Jim to git him an’ cut him up into inch | pieces arwr he had broke Missy Lina’s heart, dat’s so! She lobe Mars’ Jim, an’ Mars’ Jim he lobe her; an’ dis hyeah Caldor ain’t gwine to sp’ile all dat ef I kin help it!” With this resolve, he went to the horses and examined them both thoroughly. He saw that Moran had found a better horse than his own among those ridden by some of Mars’ Jim’s dead cowboys, and had effected an exchange without troubling himself about the equity of the case. “ Dat’s lucky fur me,” said Little Shoo-fly. “‘ It eib me two fresh hosses, ef it comes to hard ridin’.” He now took a roundabout way to regain the vicinity of the halting-place, so as to approach it from the eastern side. Tying his horses at a safe distance, he crept forward on hands and knees, to see if he could get access to Lina. What he saw caused his eyes to dilate wider then ever before in his life with astonishment. It was Lina holding her y captor at bay at the point of her revolver. “Hi, golly!” he ejaculated, under his breath. For a moment he could scarcely keep from be- traying his presence; but on second thought he resolved to await developments, and come at some critical moment, if such arose. When Lina fell, and all that she had fought for so desperately and bravely seemed lost, he sprung forward with the cry: “ce Go *way, shoo-fly !? And George Caldor found himself brought up under the muzzle of a 1evolver_the deadly accu- racy of which he had cause to know. ““Oh, Clem! Clem!” fairly screamed Lina. *‘ Don’t let him touch me!” “Don’t ye worry, missy! T’s got ’im!—hyuh? lagu |-rae like you had *im! Hold on, gemmen! e's got anoddeh half-hitch on dis hyeah wo- man-fighter!” The men could scarcely suppress their amuse- ment at Caldor’s discomfiture. All the humili- ation they considered his, not theirs, Their hands were tied to save his life. “To be fetched to taw by a leetle nig like that!” muttered one of them under his breath. And this was what especially galled Caldor. He stormed, he swore, he threatened; he stamped his foot and ordered Little Shoo-fly to lower his weapon, “No go, massa!” laughed our little hero. ‘‘Reckon, now, missy wouldn’t like to put a hole frough yo’ carcass; but ef I could knock you ober wid de law on my side—hi! wouldn’t dat be a fedder in my cap! Somebody do som’fiin’, so's1 kin put a sky-light in his upper story! Hyuh! byuh! hyuh!” y this time Lina was on her feet again. “Oh, Clem!” she cried, ‘* we're safe now! ru hug you, and kiss you too, when we are safely out of this!” “Will ye, missy? Ki! how’s dat, boys? But won't ye let me touch him up a leetle—only jest a, leetle?” ‘No, Clem. Only stay beside me; andif any- thing happens, there will be two of us. But don’t spare him if it becomes necessary to shoot! Let the one shot lay him dead at your feet! I would rather die a thousand deaths than fall in- to his hands.” “Don’t you be skeered about me lettin’ him off, missy! De only danger is dat Pll git a crick in elbow, an’ let off too soon! Better walk a chalk line, Mars’ Caldor; ’kase ef you make me narvous, dah ain’t no tellin’ what I may do!” And Little Shoo-fly laughed in the face of the humiliated man. “ Dah’s two mo’e hosses dat I got,” said Little a Shoo-fly. ‘‘Dat Moran hab one on ’em, an’ I hab t’odder. Dem ’ah an’ de ones you got am all the ones dat dey git from Mars’ Jim’s men. Ef wé git a little start wid dem, dat’s all we want.” So the four horses were led out from the mountainous country to the plain; and here Lina commanded a halt. They were now full two miles away from an horses other than those that she held control of; and their arms were equally distant. “Now, men,” said Lina, “ about face, and make such time as you please back to your arms and horses. Mr. Caldor, you will oblige me by standing where you are for the present.” Supposing that she only meant to hold him until she was fairly in the saddle, Caldor offered no opposition, When the men were at a safe distance, she went on: “Hold him, Clem, until I get into the saddle; and then I will relieve you.” Then Little Shoo-fly mounted, and by her in- struction took one of the horses in lead. ‘‘ But we want ’em bofe,” he said. “T have use for the other. Mr. Caldor, Pll trouble you to mount him.” “* What?” ‘The other horse is at your service.” ‘¢ What for?” His suspicions were aroused. And they were well grounded, too! ‘7 purpose to take you to Mr. Reardon, so that he can hold you to a strict account for the mischief you have done him,” she said, firmly. “What?” he fairly screamed. ‘‘ Be jed to the gallows by a woman?” He said not another word, but with a howl of fury leaped away after his men, taking the risk from which he had shrunk until now. ““Stop! stop, Clem!” cried Lina; or he would have beendropped in his tracks. “Ts you gwine to let him git away?” shouted Little Shoo-fly, excitedly. “Yes, yes! It is better so. It is bad enough to shoot a man even in self-defense. I would not have such a thing on my conscience for any amount of property, We have a change of horses, and both fresh, while his are all fa ged out; so we have nothing further to fear from him in the way of personal inj Come! let us make the most of our advantage, however. ” Pa ng Shoo-fly looked longingly at the fleeing villain. Ws only wish’t [ could hab one crack!” he said, But again Lina urged him to homeward flight; and he yielded. rat ‘‘ Look a-hyeah, Missy Lina,” said Little Shoo- fly, when they had proceeded far enough so as to be out of sight of their baffled enemies, *‘ dat ‘ah Caldor is a heap riled; an’ I allow he ain’t one 0’ the kind what lets go easy.” ‘T’'m afraid not.” ‘Well, now, he knows dat de ranch'am mighty short-handed. Dah ain’t nobody dah ’cept de ole marse.” ‘* But we will get there long before Mr. Caldor can; so he cannot harm him.” ““S’pose we do git dah, missy? Den dah won't be nobody dah but ole marse an’me. An’ you! Ki! reckon we'll hab to count you in, afteh dis! You is as good as a fo’-hoss team an’ a yalleh dorg undeh de waggin! Hyuh! hyuh! hyuh! how you make dat ‘ah Caldor stan’ roun’! But s’pose we do git dah; an’ dis hyeah ole debbil comes wid all his men? We won't stan’ noshow! He’s in fur it now, an’ he jes’ as leab burn de ranch an’ skulp eberybody he find dah!” This was a new thought to Lina. The terrible posites involved shocked her beyond words. he thought of the kind old people, Jim’s parents, who had given her, a recent orphan, so warm a welcome that the dreary chill of loneli- ness had been lifted from her heart. In im- agination she saw the brave old man fightin desperately to the last. to fall with his life-b] staining his silver locks! She saw the woman who had walked so many years by his side lyin broken-hearted, with her despairing arm clas about the body that would never again know her touch of love! Ever thoughtful of others, the noble girl cried at once: “ ; “Clem, we can’t let this terrible thing happen! We must warn Mr. Reardon. Do you know way to the new grazing-ground?” “You jest bet I do! I wouldn’t ’a’ got lost dis afternoon, missy, only it was on de pea whah eberything looks jest alike; an’ de clou knocked me!” said Little Shoo-fly, chagrined at his failure. ‘‘ But ye can’t lose me in dese hyeah mountains!—dat ye can’t!” It was not an easy thing for a girl wholly un-
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used to this wild life to face the unknown perils of the mountains added to the danger of again falling into the hands of her enemy; but with high courage and devotion to those that she loved Lina put aside all sense of fatigue—and in- : deed she could scarcely sit in her saddle—and fear, and turned her horse’s head northward. Little Shoo-fly had a little jerked meat and a flask of whisky which he had taken from the body of Moran before pushing it over the cliffs, as also the arms and ammunition of the ruffian, The meat appeased their hunger, and the liquor gave them artificial strength to endure the task before them. Day was just breaking when they reached the vicinity of the new grazing site. ‘‘°Tain’t mo’n fo’ or five miles mo’,” Little Shoo-fly was saying, when they suddenly found onted by a party of mounted men, ‘*Blow me ef that ain’t them now!” cried one of the men, under his breath, ‘‘ Boys, the boss is ravin’ crazy. Ef we kin hitch onto them, it'll be money in our pockets—an’ don’t yeti it!” ‘‘Dat Caldor gang!” ejaculated Little Shoo- breathlessly. up, Lina beheld one of the men whom she held under her revolver—no less a person than Selman!—accompanied by several others, whom she had never seen before. “Bout!” shouted Little Shoo-fly, wheeling the horse he bestrode and dropping the leading-lines of the others. With her heart in her mouth, Lina imitated him; and together they dashed away with their pursuers at their heels. They had gone but a few rods in the new di- rection, when they encountered another man on horseback, Then the hunted girl gave up in despair. CHAPTER XV. IN A ‘‘POOKET.”? But then came a ringing shout from Little Shoo-fly, so full of delight that there could be no question that he saw deliverance in the new- comer. : “Bamley! Mars’ Bamley!” ‘This way!” cried Bamley, in return. And the next instant the fugitives passed him at a bound, and he reined in between them and their enemies. 3 The first thing that his experienced eye saw | was that Lina could not much longer endure the terrible strain to which she been sub- ected. : She swayed as she rode, her seat the less secure in that she was mounted on a man’s saddle, and any unexpected turn of her horse might send her whirling to the ground. ; “6 She'll never reach the new ground at this rattlin’ gait,” he said to himself. ‘*11l put her in the pocket—that’s what I'll do; an’ we kin stand ag’in’ ’em thar tell Tophet freezes over!” With this happy thought, he called out to Little Shoo-fly: ‘To the left! to the left!” ‘‘ Dat ain’t de way to de new groun’,” objected our little hero. “Do asl tell you! I know what I am about!” There was no time for debate, and concluding to ‘go it blind” on the instruction of one in whom he knew Mars’ Jim reposed much confi- dence, Little Shoo-fly reined into a glen which opened at right-angles to the course they were pursuing. f A short ride brought them to a spot which the reader will recognize as the mouth of the ket at which we left Bamley watching, the night before. C) cig aes, = without velit until before daylight a single horseman dashed up in a grea athe his jaded beast showing how furiously he had ridden the night through, To the sentinel in the mouth of the pocket he had cried, with so little caution that every word was distinctly audible to the secreted scout: “Patsy, the jig’s up! Rout out all the boys os h | We've got to cut this section in ort order!” ‘““Phwat’s the row!’ asked Patsy Magoon. ‘“‘Didn’t yez shthampade the cr’atur’s, T dunno?” “You bet we did, an’ hooked onto Reardon’s pretty one in the bargain; but— By this time they were beyond ear-shot of the — interested scout. | : hile they were striking camp in the pocket, he busied himself getting his horse in position so that he would be ready to strike out to re- See ali themselves co port to his employer as soon as he had learned all he could ion can chance words dropped on their way out. What was his hen the little handful rode forth, sagwrty letonlng to a more detailed Little Shoo-Fly. account of what had happened to the south- ward. ° Then Bamley learned that he had been watch- ing a ‘‘ mare’s nest,” and that Caldor and the bulk of his men had given him the slip. Little Shoo-fly was mistaken in supposing that the four horses he and Lina had brought away were the only ones that had been got from Mars’ Jim’s cowboys. There was another, and a good one; and on this Caldor had dis- atched Selman, to fetch away those he had left in the pocket to deceive his ee. He had outstripped Little Shoo-fly and Lina by “on than half an hour, with the result de- scribed. The out-going party rode toward the east, to reach the plains before turning southward; and Bamley, taking the same general direction at a slight angle, had meee Ne them, when they met Little Shoo-fiy and Lina coming in. In beating his retreat, Little Shoo-fly turned to the fbethwesd and hearing the shots and ue and curious to know what they meant, amley had ridden southward, thus encounter- pe tee fugitives in the nick of time. irecting them back over the route he had come, he guided them into the now empty * pocket,” where he hoped to hold out against comers until » Jim came along in the morning, under the direction of Herrick, to learn what had become of him. “‘Halt, hyar, Shoo-fly!” he ordered, as they dashed through the mouth of the pocket. ‘‘ But you, miss, keep on tell you git out o’ pistol- —— Then you're safe anywar in thar. Ye needn't be skeert. Nobody kin git to ye only through this hyar gut; an’ the boss is only afew mile from hyar, an’ll be slong b Bas However, her nerves sorely tried, Lina felt safer close to her defenders. So she pulled wu her horse the moment she had turned the angle of the rocks, and dismounted, She was scarcely on her feet when she stag- gered with dizziness, and would have fallen to the ground but that she caught at a sapling. Little Shoo-fly sprung to her assistance, and at her direction led her to a place where she would be protected from the bullets of the enemy, and at the same time be near enough to converse with Bamley. ‘Take it easy, miss,” he said. ‘‘ Set down an’ be quiet fur a minute, an’ you’ll come round all right. I reckon you’ve had a purty tough ride, fur one as ain’t usen to it, comin’ all the way from the ranch.” “Tell me about Mr. Reardon,” said Lina. “Did you have any difficulty with Mr. Caldor?” ‘‘ Haw! haw! haw!” laughed the borderman, at the recollection of Caldor’s dip in the brook. ‘*T reckon he didn’t trouble us none. It would ‘a? been money out 0’ his pocket fur to try it on. He then told Lina of the race and its results; and in return she narrated what had taken place at the south. ‘isiteutty Bamley with suppressed some pre leneiien letives that rose to his lips; Bae 9 4 dis; with himself for being so ed was so ludicrous that even in that moment of anxiety Lina could not repress @ smile. The enemy outside held a council of war, the outcome of which was a scout sent to the north- ward to reconnoiter Mars’ Jim’s camp, and an- other dispatched post-haste to the southward to summon Caldor to one more effort to get posses- sion of Lina, while the rest staid to watch the prey. In due time the first-mentioned scout returned with intelligence which caused great rejoicing on the part of the besiegers. ‘* Boys, we've got ’em!” cried Selman, who had assumed command. “ Let’s poke em up on the inside with three rattles an’ a button.” They made the rocks ring with their cheers and the derisive tiger at the end, Then the outlaw, for the gratification of his malicious triumph, shouted: 4 o, in ! ow air ye comin’ on? Have you hyeared anythin’ of a man called Jim Reardon, lately?” : Not a sound in response came from the picket. The outlaws exhenvie® their fe in taunting ibes. Still, only the echoes replied. & “Look a- an, boys.” said Selman, finally. “Tt would be a deuce of a note, ef they should happen to give us the slip out o’ some back door that we don’t know nothin’ about!” “Bf they kin climb with a woman whar it would stump the best man in our crowd,” re- plied one, who had been in there over night, ‘they’re solid! Ef they can’t, they’re fixed!” “That’s all right; but t me ef I would hanker to meet the boss with the news that our big find was a last year’s bird’s nest.” 13 i en, —————————— ‘‘ Suppose ye goin thar an’ nose ’em out!” pro- one of the men. ‘* That’s jest what I pro to do.” Having arranged for their support, Selman preceded his men into the gut which led into the pocket. Cautiously he advanced, until he stood en- tirely within the inclosure of rocks, having dis- covered nothing. ‘** Boys!” he said, ‘‘they’ve gone, fur a fact. Right in hyar with ye, an’ foller em up sharp!” hey were about to obey this command, ee they saw him start, and his jaw drop with ismay. The next instant he threw up his hand, and his revolver exploded. But another report pre- ceded his by an instant, and with a short, sharp cry he reeled and fell backward. is men were rushing through the gut, whem they found themselves confronted by Bamley and Little Shoo-fly, both with a revolver in either hand. ‘Give ’em Hail Columbia!” shouted the scout. ‘ Go’way, shoo-fly !” responded our little hero. And four self-cocking revolvers raked the de- file with leaden hail. Three men went down, with “ finis” written at the end of their villainous record, and the rest beat an incontinent retreat, but not alto- gether unscathed. ‘*Dat’s de time we fotch em!” cried Little Shoo-fly, fairly dancing with delight. “But that only shows how we'd git it, if we tried to pass that openin’,” responded Bamley, coolly. ‘‘ Youngster, now’s the time to go fur reinforcements. Ef we wait until they git Cal- dor and all his g g hyar, we won't stand no show ag’in’a rush. Air you monkey enough to scramble up the rocks som’ers hyarabout?” —at try it. An’I kin do itef annybody n. “Then ‘light out, an’ keep a-goin’ until you strike the boss.” Little Shoo-fly took off his shoes and slung them over his back. Then he went about the pocket in search of a place which could be scaled. It was not easily found; but at last he made the attempt, and after not a little risk to his neck, accomplished his task. He had the prospect of a long tramp on foot before him: but he had not gone far when what was his delight to come upon one of the led horses which he had been forced to abandon in making his escape from Selman and his men. Mounted once more, he dashed away toward the new grazing ground. Meanwhile, Bamley had turned to Lina, and said: “Miss, thar’s goin’ to be hot work hyar, ef the boss ain’t on hand before Caldor chips in, the which they’ve more’n likely sent fur him. It’s you that they’re after, an’ you'll stan’ all the better chance ef you’re hid away somewhar so’s they can’t find you too er ‘But Iam not useless,” protested Lina. ‘I will stay here and help you to defend this pass. You already know that 1 can handlearevolver.” “That’s all right, miss; but with twenty men comin’ through thar, we won’t stan’ no show to keep ’em out, like we do with half a dozen. Once in hyar, you can’t handle yourself like as if youwasaman. But ef I don’t have to stan’ up before you, I kin keep ’em busy for some e, dodgin’ in an’ out an’ round about; an’ every minute that we stand ’em off is jest one more minute fur the boss to git hyar.” Lina was finally convinced that this was the wiser course; and as there was little r that another attempt would be made to effect an entrance before reinforcements came, Bam- ley left the pass unguarded while he took her to a place of hiding. Arrived at the new grazing-ground, Little Shoo-fly stood in dismay. He knew the cause of his enemies’ hilarity. place was deserted. Mes ths bane eae and, to Bab en the hours and no help came to the besieged. of Bamley grew more and more anxious. Some- thing must have happened to Little Shoo-fly, or to Mars’ Jim and his men. At last the sound of voices outside apprised him of the arrival of his enemies. jaced himself where, hidden from view himself, he could mark the first man who entered the pocket. He had no doubt that it would be Caldor; for whatever his faults, he was no coward, and would not ask his men to take a risk from which pe Til Sx him at te!” mused th . at any rate!” m e scout. ‘With him slung cold, the leetle gal won’t have so much to be afeard of. Bless her heart! she’s
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| ~~ er 14 @ Sp one, an’ she unbeknownst to this way ©’ life until lately.” Even as he spoke, there came a silent rush through the gut. True to Bamley’s expectation, George Caldor headed his men. They found nobody to oppose them until they ‘were inside the inclosure. Then came a single shot which caused George Caldor to start con- vulsively. Looking in the direction whence the shot came, they discovered a puff of white smoke rising from some bushes. Instantly a shower of bullets fairly riddled the place, and with a yell the men rushed to- ward it. They found nothing there. But a second shot from another point once more showed that their leader was to be the tar- get of this hide-and-seek warfare. A second time George Caldor escaped with his life, though, as before, not without a painful token of his enemy’s determined hostility. And yet again the hidden foe eluded his‘pur- suers. They thought it was Sor and Little Shoo- fly; and scattering in every direction, they pro- ceeded to beat the cover with a vigilance that must soon start their game, From her hiding-place Lina watched this tick- lish game, until suddenly a view-halloo was set up, and a wild chase =a the glen. Faithful Bamley led them away from Lina, in the hope that she might see her chance to slip out of the ges and so escape them for good. But our heroine was not made of that kind of stuff. “Oh! I cannot leave him to struggle on alone against such odds!” she cried. And springing forward, she ran to intercept his pursuers. She was in time to confront them with a lev- eled revolver in either hand and her resolute eyes flashed defiance. ‘“‘Back! back, you cowards!” she cried. *‘ How many does it require of you to overcome one man?” But while she spoke, and ere she had taken the blood of any of her enemies on her hands, she heard a mocking laugh at her back, and the next instant a pair of arms were thrown about her, rendering her a helpless prisoner. She writhed round, to find George Caldor’s lips within an inch of her own, and his eyes flashing malicious triumph into hers. ‘‘Ha! ha! ha!” he laughed. ‘‘Where’s Jim Reardon now?” ‘*Here!” yelled a stentorian voice, and— CHAPTER XVI. LITTLE SHOO-FLY’S LUCKY SHOT. Mars’ Jr had proceeded southward full ten miles, when he and ‘his men were observed by another party which happened to be ina motte when he came in sight. . “ Thore they go!” muttered George Caldor, for it was he, ‘‘ no doubt called southward by some of the fellows who ben A us, Well, let him go. ‘That takes him out of our way just when we can best spare him.” So it a sei that he entered the pocket in pursuit of Lina with a fecling of perfect safety, But ‘a little further on Mars’ Jim was et by one of his own men—no less a person n Dorn, who had been a aie Caldor up. From him Mars’ Jim got the details of what ‘thad happened ‘at the south, and learned that the instead of to- herd hyip} out on the plains ward the cliffs, could be reherded without much Oss. By watching his enemies, Dorn had learned of the rescue, captivity and escape of Lina and Little Shoo-fly; that, his identity betrayed Caldor had not taken’ the time to collect and ‘bury his dead, but had at once gone in pursuit of the girl, and lastly that the fugitives had turned northward, evidently to seek Mars’ Jim himself. “And we have passed both parties!” cried Mars’ Jim, in despair. ‘‘ About, men! We may be in time to save them yet!” Pressing hotly after his foes, he was next en- countered by Little Shoo-fly, who informed him of the strait in which he’ had left Lina and Bamley. ~ Thus gnided directly to the pocket, Mars’ Jim ained on the jaded horses of his enemies, until e reached the mouth of the pocket but a few minutes behind Caldor, Tho chase after Bamley was in full course, and Lina had just rushed to his aid at the risk of whatever might befall herself, when Mars’ Jim dashed through the gut on horseback. ‘“Where’s Jim Reardon now?” mockingly Little Shoo-Fly. cried the triumphant villain, with his arms about his victim. ‘* Here!” shouted the outraged lover, with his hand on his revolver and his eye selecting the spot where he should plant his bullet. But with the quickness of light George Caldor drew his own weapon and turned it upon the girl who had stretched out her arms, crying: ‘* Jim! Jim! oh, Jim!” ‘‘Ha! ha! ha!” he laughed, mockingly, as he saw the lover rein in his horse with a sudden whitening of the lips. ‘‘I have learned a trick from this little beauty herself. I have you as she had me a few hours ago. Lift a finger, and the goes into eternity ahead of me!” Mars’ Jim was in despair. He could only stare at the ruthless villain, momentarily expec- ting the explosion of his revolver. Hescarcely dared breath, lest he should precipitate the ca- tastrophe. But Little Shoo-fly saw that Caldor’s eyes were fixed on his principal foe,and that he— Shoo-fly—was therefore out of range of his vi- sion. It was a moment that demanded quick exe- cution. He thought and acted perhaps more quickly than a man with a more comprehensive view of the danger might have done. His revolver ‘flashed; and George Caldor’s right arm fell to his side, shattered, the weapon that had menaced Lina’s life dropping to the ground from his relaxed grasp. A moment of breathless pause; then a yell of triumph and delight. Caldor saw that he was baffled, and sprung away. - Xtter him! after him!” shouted Mars’ Jim, His men dashed in pursuit; but he, with more concern for his darling than for his enemy, now that he could do no more harm, sprung from his saddle, and caught her, almost faint- ing, to his breast. Oh, Jim!” ‘* Lina, my dearest!” Her arms were about his neck. His lips were to hers. All peril was behind them, and the happiness of a long life of perfect concord be- fore. An old man who loved both with an equal affection threw his arms about them, whispering: **God bless you, my children!” Then his wonted humor came to the surface, and he added, jovially: “Jim, if it was anybody but you, Id call him out!—hang me if I wouldn’t!” **But where’s Little Shoo-fly?” asked Mars’ Jim, looking about for the boy. ‘ We owe all our hap: iness to him.” Shoo-fly had gone in hot pursuit of the ‘baf- fled ruffian. Caldor, as fleet as a deer, had escaped any mortal wound, though pierced in several places by the shower of bullets sent after him. Even with his broken arm, he had . succeeded in mounting a horse, and had dashed away. But, hotly pressed, with Little Shoo-fly foremost among’ his le mae he had dug his spurs into his horse’s flanks so viciously that the animal, frantic with pain, had taken the bit in its teeth and run away. Then the bridle had broke, and the beast be- came wholly unmanageable. In this condition he torn along the ledges, until suddenly brought to a sheer precipice. Here, unable to check his headlong speed, he had leaped out into space, and gone .down! down! to a nameless doom On his return, Little Shoo-fly was overwhelm- ed with praises and expressions of gratitude. In the midst of it all, he looked at Lina with a twinkle’in his eyes, and said: : ‘‘’Pears to me you’s furgittin’ yo’ promise ” For an instant the girl looked blankly at him. Then she suddenly blushed crimson. ‘* What's this?” cried Mars’ Jim, gayly, scent- ing fun. ‘ ittle Shoo-fly only rolled his eyes and threw his head back ‘so as to stretch his mouth to its widest capacity. “Tm afraid; ” said Lina, laughing through her'confusion, “that, in the exuberance of my relief and gratitude, [ promised Clem a kiss for coming so cleverly to my rescue when Mr. Cal- dor had me at his mercy.” Mars’ Jim roared with laughter. He was so happy that it was easy to am just then. But as soon as he could fetch breath, he made a grab at our little hero, shouting: “A kiss! Let me catch you at it, you young rascal!” ad ae Clem eluded him, cut a pigeon’s-wing, and y . e. H “Go way, Shoo-fly! Hyuh! hyuh! ‘hyuh!” THE END ts BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large es, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations, The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-four volumes, viz.: 1. 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Dialogues No. Twenty-two, Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No. Twenty-three, Dialogues No. Eight. {Dialogues No. Twenty-four. Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No, Twenty-six. Dialogues No, Eleven. |DialoguesNo. Twenty-seven. Dialogues No. Twelve. | Dialogues No. Twenty-eight. Dialogues No, Thirteen. |Dialogues No. Twenty-nine Dialogues No. Fourteen | Dialogues No, Thirty. Dialogues No. Fifteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-one. Dialogues No, Sixteen. !Dialogues No. Thirty-two, 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo0 Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy. Farce, D'ess Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new :nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. 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85 Buck Buckramy or, Bess, the Female Trapper. By Captain J. F.C. Adams. 86 Dandy tock, the Man Frora Texas, By G. Waido Brown. $7 'the Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island.. By Captain Mayne Reid. $88 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. By Edward L. Wheeler. 89 Island Jims; or, The Pet of the Family. By Bracebridge Hemyng, 90 The Dread Hider; or, The Texan Duelist. By George W. Browne. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Young Rival Athletes. By Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway.) : 92 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, By Ed- or, ward L. Wheeler 3 The Enchanted Island, By Edward 8: Bilis, 93 The Boy Miners 94 Midnight Jack, the Road-Agent; or, Gopher Gid, the Boy Trapper of the Cheyenne, By T. C. Harbaugh. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Licut.-Colonel Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Kye, the Shadow; or, Arabs ‘and Angels of a Great City. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes. By John J. Marshall. 98 Kobin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Greenwood, By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. 99 Whe Tiger of Taos}; or, Wild Kate, Dandy Rock’s Angel. By George Waldo Browne, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. Wheeler. 101 Jack Markaway in New York; or,The Adventures of the Traveler’s Club. By Brace- bridge Hemyng (Jack Harkaway). 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler; or, The Cruise of the Vixen. By Col. Ingraham. 103 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady of San Tropez. By Colonel Delle Sara. 104 Deadw od ick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. By E. L. Wheeler, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Cap- tive. By Captain Hamilcon Holmes, 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, Niokana, the White Queen of the Blackfeet. By T, ©. Harbaugh, 107 4#ne-Kyed Sims; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. By James L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy, the Young Bear Killer; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. By Harry St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick As Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 410 The Black Steed of the Prairies. By James L. Bowen. 111 The Sea-Devils or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 112 The Mad Hunters or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 413 Jack Woyle the Young Speculator; or, The Road to Fortune. By E. L. Wheeler. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib vunk, the Old Tar. By Roger Starbuck. 115 The Mad Miner}; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. By G. Waldo Browne. 116 The Hussar Captain 3; or, The Hermit of Hell-Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, * 117 Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sport-Detective; or, The Road-Agent’s Daughter. By Edward L. Wheeler. 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective By Charles Morris. 119 Mustang Sam; or, the King of the Plains. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 120 The Branded Handj3 or, The Man of Mystery... By Frank Dumont. 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl apes or. The Golden Idol of Mt, Rosa. By I, Wheeler. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss sf or, The Mys- ar tery of the Strongbow. By Charles Morris, 423 Kiowa wharley, the White Mustanger; or, Rocky Mountain Kit’s Last Scalp Hunt. — T. C. Harbaugh, 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Cham- ion. By George Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mys- tery, the Female Forger. By E. L. Wheeler. 126 Picayune re hin| or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. By Charles Morris, 127 Wild-E Boss of the Road; or, The Wolves of Satan’s Gap. By Frank Dumont. 128 The Youn Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By, Harry Cayendish, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. By B, L. Wheeler. 130 Detective Dick} or, The Hero in Rags. 181 The Golden Hands. or, D The Golden or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue. By George Waldo Browne. 4132 The Hunted Hunters; or, The Strange Horseman of the Prairie. By Edward §, Ellis. 133 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks; or, The Pawnbroker’s Plot. By Edward L. Wheeler. 134 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman; or, The Young Patriots of the North. By Oll més, 135 Captain Paul, the Kentucky Moonshiner; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. By Q) Dunning Clark, ht-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Retributi B: in Ma; Reid ae ution. ; 338 Blond Bills or, on bey Dick’s Home e By Edward L. Wheeler. » pt icey | BEADLE’S | HALF-DIME 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy Vigilante. ey T. C. Harbaugh. Iue Blazes}; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont. Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. By ward L. Wheeler. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detec- tive. By Charles Morris, Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter; or, The Mystery of Fort Rane, By Oll Coomes. Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport: or, The Bank-Breakers’ Decoy Duc y Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 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 Wildtire, the Thoroughbred; or, The Winning Hand. By Charles Morris. Sharp Samy or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. A Game of Goldj3 or, Deadwood Dick's Big Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lance and Lasso}; or, The Children of the Chaco. By Captain Fred, Whittaker. Panther Paul, the Prairie Pirate; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer; or, Win- ning Against Odds. By Charles Morris. Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon; or, The Out- laws of the Gold Hills! By Oll Coomes. The Sword Hunters } or, The Land of the Elephant Riders. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. By T C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood} or, The Picked Party. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy; or, ae Night-Hawks of Philadelphia. By Charles orris. Fancy Frank, of Colorado; or, The Trap- er’s Trust. By Buffalo Bill. he Lost Captains or, Skipper Jabez Coffin's Cruise to the Open Polar Sea, By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. The Black Giants; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Jos. KE. Badger. Jr. New York Nell, the Boy Girl Detective; or, Old Blakesly’s Money. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods}; or, Camp Life in the Alleghanies. By Chas. Morris, Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock's Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. By George Waldo browne. Billy Bagg ‘ge, the Railroad Boy; or, Run to Earth. By Charles Morris. : Hickory Warry; or, The Trapper-Bri- gade’s Spy. By Harry St. George. Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy; or, The Land Pirates of the Mississippi. hy Ed. Willett. Deadly Dash ; or, Fighting Fire With Fire. By Jos, E. Radger, Jr. Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, By T. C. Harbaugh. “© A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. By Charles Morris. 171 Eb 172 173 D 174 175 176 177 178 179 Sbony Dany; or, The Rival Leagues of Silver Circle. By Frank Dumont. Thunderbolt Tom; or, The Wolf-Herder of the Rockies. By Harry St. George. andy Rock’s Rival; or, The Hunted Maid of Taos. By George Waldo Browne. Bob Rockett, the oy Dodger; or, Mys- teries of New York. By Charles Morris. Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road- Agents; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Big Game. By Philip S. Warne. The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. By Lieut. H. D. berry, U. S. Nobby Nick of Nevada3 or, The Scamps of the Sierras. By Edward L. Wheeler. Old Solirary, the Hermit Trapper; or, The Dragon of Silver Lake. _By Oll Coomes. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner; or, The Road to Ruin. By Charles Morris. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, fo Well Kept. 181 182 183 184 185 186 © 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U.S. N. Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. Little urricane, the Boy Captain; or, The Oath of the Young Avengers. By O Coomes. The Hidden Hand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. By Charles Morris. The Boy iprailers or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Evil Eye, King of Cattle Thieves; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. By F. Dumont. ool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game.’ By Col. Delle Sara, Fred Halyaré, the Life Boat Roy; or, The Smugglers of the Inlet. By Charles Morris. Ned Temple, the Border Boy} or, The Mad Hunter of Powder River. By T. 6. Harbaugh. Bob Rockett, the Gracksman; or, Driven to the Wall. Bv Charles Morris, Dandy Darke; or, Tle Tigers of High Pine. By Wm. R. hoyster. Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed Thirteen. By Capt A. B. Taylor. Captain Kit, the Will-o’ the-Wisp; or, The of Moule Point. By Lieut. H. D. 8 N. Captain Mask, the Lady Reed Dgont: or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. By P. 8, Warne. Buffalo Bill’s Bets or, The Gambler Guide. By Capt, Alfred B. Taylor, U. 8. A. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Ri- vals of the Road. By Edward L. eeler, LIBRARY. 196 197 198 199 Shadowed; or. Bob Rockett’s Fight far Life. By Charles Morris. Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. By Col. Ingraham. Arkansaw, the Man with the Knife; or, The Queen of Fate's Revenge. By Haibaugh, Featherweight, the Boy Champion of the Muskingum; or, On his Muscle, Wits and Honor. By ‘Edward Willett. The Boy Bedouins; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. By Capt F. Whittaker. The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Dead- wood Dick’s Ward. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Prospect Pete, of the Poy Prigade; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, By Ol! Coomes, The Boy Pards3 or, Dainty Lance Une masks. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Gold Piume, the Poy Bandit; or, The Kid- Glove Sport. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure. By Ed. L. Wheeler, Dark Paul, the Tiger King; or, Caught in His Own Trap. By Charles Morris. Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter; or, The Three Pards of the Fasaltic Buttes,. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Boy Wercules3; or, The Prairie Tramps. By Oll Coomes, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective;. or, Dot Leetle Game Mit Rebecca. By E. L. Wheeler. Faro Frank of High Pine; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards. By Wm. R, Eyster. Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, By Joseph E. Badger. Jr. Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective: or, The Leave of the Secret Brotherhood. By Charles Morris, Fritz to the Front} or, The Ventriloquist Scamp-Hunter. By, Edward L. Wheeler. Wolfgang _ the Robber of the Rhine; or, The Young Knight of the Crossicorde. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. caer in Bullet, the Raider King; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. By T. C. Harbaugh. Bison Bill. the Prince of the Reins; or, The Red Riders of the Overland, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; or, Gipsy Jack from Jimtown, By Edward L. Wheeler. 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 Tiger Tom, the Texan Terror. Py Ol Coomes. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vampires. By Philip 8. Warne. 220 Tom Tanner, Scalawag and Scapegrace; or The Black Sheep of the Flock, Ly Philip . Warne. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam} or. The Black Gowns of Grim Gulch. By Ed. LL. Wheeler. 222 dirit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 223 Ozark Alf. King of the Mountain; or, Featherweight By Ed- ward Willett. : Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom's Castle. By Oll Coomes, Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky;_or, How the Boy Got Even. By Chas. Morris. Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab De- tective. By Edward L, Wheeler, Dusky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yellowstone. By Edwin Emer- son, 228 Little Wildfire, the Yourg Prairie Nomad; or, The Idyl of Echo Canyon. By Oll Ccomes: 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy's i pind By Col. P. Ingrabam. 230 ‘Fhe Yankee Rajah ; or, The Fate of the Biack Shereef. By C, Duntiing Clark. 231 Plucky Phil, of the Mountain Traii; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. By T. C. Harbaugh. 232 Gold-Dust Dick, By Ed. L. Wheeler. 233 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy 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 8. Hall, “Buckskin Sam. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy;_ or, Turning the Tables. By Charles Morris. 236 Apolto Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate from Right Bower. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Cantee or, The Mysterious Ranchero, . By Col. P. Ingraham, 238 The Parson Detective; or, Little Shocky, the Ranger of Raven Roost. By O}l Coomes, 239 Whe Gold-seeker Gnides or, The Lost Mountain. By Captain Mayne Reid. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The « cked Valley. By Edward L. Wheeler, 241 Bill Bravo, and His Bear Pards; or, The Roughs of the kies. By T. C. Harbaugh. 242 The Two ‘ Bloods’; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. By Charles Morris. 243 Bhe Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger of the North. By Oll Coomes, 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, By Edward L. Wheeler. 245 Merle, the Middy3 or. The Heir of an Ocean Freelance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’l of the Range. By Major Sam 8. Hali— Buckskin Sam. A New Issue Hoery Tuesday: The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers. five cents per copy, or sent by mail on Among the Outlaws, 224 225 226 227 receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pustisners, _ 98 William Street, New York,
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247 Old Grizzly and His Pets; or, The Wild Huntress of the Hills, By Capt. ‘ Bruin” Adams. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, By Edward L. Wheeler. 249 Milo Homer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. #250 The Midshipman lMfutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. By Col. P. Ingraham. 251 Light-House Lige 3 or, Osceola, the Fire- brand of the Everglades, By Captain J. F.C, Adams. Dick Dashaway 4, or: A Dakota Boy in Chicago. By Charles Morris. Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of ae By Edward L. Wheeler. The Malf-Blood 3 or, The Panther of the Plains. By Edward §. Ellis. Captain Apollo, the King-Pin of Bowie; -, Fis bh @’ htning’s Feud, by T. C. Har- augh, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, By Hage ark Wilton. 257 The Lost Hunters}; or, The Underground Carap. By Captain J. F, C. Adams. 58 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen 252 253 254 255 2 Bride, mt Edward L. Wheeler. 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Ameng the Floes. By Roger Starbuck. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ran- ees ce Oe Rosebud’s Boy Brigade. By Oll 261 262 263 264 Fergus Fearnaught, the Ne York Boy. pe George L. Aiken. The oun Sleuths; or, Rollicking or, The Mike’s Hot Trail. By Charles Morris. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; Spirit of Swamp Lake. By Ed. L. Wheeler. ‘the Float ug eI omESeeS or, Merle Monte’s Treasure island. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, The Tiger Tamer; or, “he League of the J nngie. ‘by Captain Fred. Wh.ttaker. Kilib’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C.D. Warren, The Buckskin Detective; or, Claude Crecy, King of American Road-Agents. By T. C. Harbaugh. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From Ocean to Ocean, By Ed. L, Wheele*. 269 The Goid Ship; or, Merle, the -Oon- demned By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 270 Blizzard Wen, the Arizona Cyclone; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. By Capt. M. Wilton: 271 The Huge Munter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By Edward 8. Ellis, 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter; or. Columbia Jim onthe Warpath. By Oll Coomes. 273 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs. By Edward L Wheeler. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice; or, H Keen’s Big “ Lay.” By Charles Morris. 275 Arizona Jack; or, Giant George’s Tender- foot Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 276 Merle MWonte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of ‘The Gold Ship,” By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or 265 266 267 Yankee Eisler’s Big Surround, By Edwar L, Wheeler. 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountain Monster. By ior L. W. Carson, 279 Old Winch, the Rifle King; or, The Buck- skin radoes. By T. C. Harbaugh. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, The Pi- rate’s Pride. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and Cross-bones. By Edward L. Wheeler. 282 The Typo ig or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. By Edward Willett. 283 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the H By Major Lewis W. Carson. 284 The Sea arander; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy; or, Little Bill's Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 286 Josh The Boy Tendertoot; or, The Wild Men of Buzzard Bar. By Captain Mark Wilton. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande; or, Terror Tom’s Thorny Trail. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 288 e Scalp King; or, The Human Thun- derbolt, By Ca J. F.C. Adams, 289 Jol im’s Job; or. The Young Detec- tive’s Triumph. By Charles Merris, 290 Little Fexfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, Mountain Detective. By Oll Coomes, ze3 Turk, the Boy Ferret. By FE, L. Wheeler. 92 Sancho Pedro, the ooh tee or, The Fighing Pards of Sicrra t. By Major E. L. Bt. Vrain. 293 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Chir. By Captain Comstock 294 Dynamite Dan 4 or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa, By T. C. Harbaugh. 295 Fearless P A ote The King of Quartz- ville. By Edward Willett. 296 Denver Dolls Drift; or, The Read ‘s Big Campaign. By BE. L. Wheeler. 297 ® Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant rge’s Revenge. By Buckskin e 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred Charles Morris, 299 A No. 1, the Bashing Toll-Taker; or, The Schoolmarm o’ Sassafras. By E. L. eeler. 300 The pty Bemon}; or, Rainhelt, the Ran- ger. By Oll Goomes. 301 Leadville Niek, the Boy Sport; or, The | 302 |. 3O4 Mad Miner’s Vengeance, y Vrain. The Mountain Detective; or, The Bul- ly of Trigger Bar. By T ©. Hardau h. °Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, The Iron- Nerved Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler, The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Dashaway of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. By Chas. Morris. Neck-Tie Ned, the jiat-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, Deadwood Dick's Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. By Ea. L. Wheeler. The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy._ By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. ; The Reving eperts, or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. Kedtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince; or, The Black Regulators of na. By Major E L. St. Vrain. Cimarron Jack, the King Pin of Rifle- | ated or, The Phantom Tracker. By Fredk. ewey. The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Long Trail. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Haunted Fort. By Jack Farragut. Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona; or, Little Snap Shot’s Horse Hunt, By T. C. Harbaugh. Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Lead- ville. By Lieut. Alfred Thorne. Ker-Whoop, Ker-Whoo! or, The Tar- antula of Taos on the War-Path. By Buck- skin Sam, The Black Rider 3 or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, By Jos. E Badger, Jr. The Sea Sorceress; or, Lieutenant Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jack Farragut. Deadwood Di¢ck’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta. By Edward Willett. Arkansaw Jack, of the Man Hunters; or, The Scourge of the Mines. _ By Harry Hazard. Kalph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective; or, Tracking the Foxes to Earth, By Chas. Morris. Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Sleuths of P. iladelphia; or, Satan’s Social. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take- Notice. By T. C. Harbaugh. Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. By Buckskin Sam. The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor. By Major Mickey Free. Red-Skin Tom}; or, The Demon’s Trail. By Harry Hazard. Little Quick-Shot, the Scarlet Scout; or, The D Face of Daggersville. By Edward L, Wheeler. Black Nick, the Demon Rider; or, The Mountain Queen’s Warning. By Captain F. Whittaker, Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway's Trust. By Buckskin Sam. Hrimsto ne Bob, and His Lightning Horse e to Tomb- Quartette; or, Major Bragg’s stone. By Major E. L. St. Vrain, it; or, The Mysterious Miner. ward L, Wheeler. 834 mae aroo y 335 Old Double Fist; _or, The Strange Guide. Joseph FE, ig FY Jr. 336 Big Benson, the Brazos Bombshell; or, The Queen of the Lasso. _ By T. C. Harbaugh. 337 Ben Mird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete's or B . J. Hamilton, 338 A Tough Boy ; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 339 ip 8. Warne. or, The Pride 340 Clip, the Contortionist or. The Vigilantes of jor E. L. St. 303 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 813 314 315 316 317 313 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 angaroo Kit’s Racket Pl eecler. lett. The Swordsmen of B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 347 Deadwood Dick’*s Bucats, or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. By Edwar’, L. Wheeler. 348 Fireheels; or, Old Skinflint, the Death- Shadow. B er Starbuck. 349 Wild Wolf, the Waeo; or, Big-Foot Wal lace to the Front. By Buckskin Sam. 350 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Revenge. By Ned Buntline. 351 Deadwood ‘pick Sentenced} or, The Terrible Vendetta. By Edward L, Wheeler. 352 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand":; or, The Hyena from Hard Luck. By Major ¥, L. St. Vrain. 853 © Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Fly- er’s B . By Charles Morris. 354 Biz Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, By Roger Starbuck. 355 The King of the Woods; or, Daniel Boone's Last Trail. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. rai 356 Cool Sam and Pard; or, The Terrible Six From Texas, By T, C. Harbaugh, 357 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. By Buckskin Sam. 358 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher; or, The Deadly Drop from Brimstone Bar. By Edward L. Wheeler. 359 Durango Dave, the Young Champion Wrestler; or, The Colorado Song Queen. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. 260 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or. The Cross of the Golden Keys. By J. C. Cowdrick. 361 The Phantom ight-House; or, a hoe gp the Smuggler Spy. By Roger tarbuck. 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. By Edward L. Wheeler. 363 Little Tornado}; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. By Philip 5. Warne. 364 Sna ot, the Boy Ranger; or The Snake and the Dove. By Buckskin Sam. 865 Baltimore Ben, the Bootblack Detective; or, The Fortunes of an Orphan Girl, By An- thony P. Morris. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective; or, The Taos Tiger. By T. C. Harbaugh. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, By Charlies Morris. 368 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or The Lottery of Life’: By Edward L, Wheeler. 369 Shasta, the Gold ing: or, For Seven Years Dead. By J. C, Cowdrick. 370 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner; or, The Telltale Hand. By Roger Starbuck. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective; or, The Solid Man From Slow- Coach. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain, $72 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. By E. L. Wheeler. 373 Little Jimgo3 or, The Queer Pard. By Philip 8. Warne, 374 Gold Dust Tomy; or, Ambergris Ben's Double Match. By George Henry Morse. 375 376 a Chiota, the Creek 3 or, The Three Thun- derbolts. By Buckskin Sam. California Joe’s First Trail. A Story of the Destroying Angels. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Nabob Ness or, The Secret of Slab City. By Edward L. Wheeler. Larry, the Leveler; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard. By Charles Morris. 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. 382 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. By Edward L, Wheeler. 383 The Indian Pilots or, The Search for Pirates’ Island, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 384 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero; or, The Border oolmaster. By Oll Coomes. 885 Wreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. By E. L, Wheeler. 386 Captain Cutlass, the Ocean Spider; or, The Buccaneer’s Girl Foe, By T. C. Harbaugh. 887 Warpath Will, the Poy Phantom; or, The Traitor Guide. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 383: Little Oh-my}3; or, Caught in His Own Trap. By Philip 8. Warne. 389 Bicycle Ben; or, The Lion of Lightning Lode. By Edward L. Wheeler. 390 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 392 Remove and the Beds. By Buckskin m. 877 378 379 380 393 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 394 Yreka Jim ot Yuba Dam, By Edward L. Wheeler. 395 California Joe’s War Trail. By Capt. F, Whittaker. 396 Rough Rob, of Dynamite; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, By T. CO. Harbaugh. 397 Bob o’ the Bowery} or, The Prince of ‘ Mulberry Street. By x4 erce, of the New York Detective Force. or, The Gold 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard Kingof Weird Canyon. By Maj. H. B. Stoddard. 899 Black Buckski or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon: By Col. A. F Holt, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 401 Little Shoo-Fly3 oT 4 Race for a Ranch. By Philip S. Warne. 402 Isodor, the Young Ovnspirator; or, The Fatal League. By Col. P, Ingraham. 403 Firefly Jack, the Boy Detective of the Quaker City. By Charles Morris. 404 Little Lariat. By Buckskin Sam. | A New Tesue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PustiisHers, 98 William Street, New York. all on