Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 405) (1885 04 28)
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tea Single Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. ¢ “i = <3 if wi | 4) : Cite ‘ iy 4 i, oy ¢ i DLW iy Lea <1 YY Sl Wh y ety cx) \ Yi N ieee / ty = YJ ‘CZ Up yp EN FAOT IT WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE REDOUBTABLE DEADWOOD DICK WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO A HALT, —. ae oes ps Lo fe PS S ial | ’ dugway trail, w I \) \ SAMY & we ~ 4a In aJANS. April 28, 1885. No. 405, Price, 5 Cents. CHAPTER I. DEADWOOD DICK. “@ Lana, there! Gol-dan i bee ot Kitty. quit yer bitin’, or ’m a lunk-headed lizzard, ef t dont cut yer ears off!” and the long lash of the formidable coach whip shot out through the air likea flying serpent, and there was a sha pistol report, that caused the horses to material. ly increase their The stage-coach plying between the mining. camps of Redville and Gordon's Gulch, Arizo- na, was onset pa | along a rugged, mountainous ich was bordered on one side by a deep canyon, and the remarks of the driv- yy Y er were directed to the right leading horse of his irited six-in-hand, who had a habit of biting “ its mate whenever urged to a faster rate of ‘ speed by the Jehu. Amasa Jukes, the rein-manipulator, boasted that he had driven stage-coach in the halcyon days of ’49; anyhow, he was old, scarred and grizzled, and looked as if he might have been through many strange experiences, To-day, a y day in budding springtime, he carried but two passengers, both of whom were going to Redville. The more noticeable of the twain was a man who occupied the inside of the coach, lea but little room for any one else, for he was &
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x monster in size, such a “ corporation” as it had never before been Amasa Jukes’s honor to haul, as he remarked to passenger Number Two. The man was of good average hight, and so broad and ponderous of trunk and limb, that only with difficulty coul he squeeze through the coach doorway. He agrnitbed that he weighed over three hun- dred, and dryly remarked something about | not being full weight at that. | In face he was rather good looking, for he wore no beard. His eyes were small and bril- liant, and his attire implied that he was well-to- do in finances as well as in flesh. Jonathan Jester was his name, he had in- formed Amasa Jukes, and also stated that he was going to Redville on business. : The other passenger was perched on the driv- er’s seat, alongside Amasa, partly owing to the fact that Mr. Jonathan Jester monopolized the greater part of the space within the coach, and artly to the fact that Number Two appeared to ke the outside fresh spring air, and the beauti- ‘ful landscape; but it was not a man who sat beside Amasa Jukes, although a person lookin upon the stage-coach might have formed suc an impression from the fact that the ‘‘ outside ” was dressed in male attire; but a girl between seventeen and eighteen years, it was, who rode on the driver’s seat. A trifle under the average hight of women, she powencs a royally graceful figure, while her at? Hake round, fres out pretty, * al by rilliant starry eyes, and a rogui maiptin; mouth too sweet to leave es ag : pes Her hair was dark brown, luxuriant and fine, with fluffed ne wind-tossed over a -waxen forehead, from where it rippled back, and flowed in Flossy profusion over her shoulders. y man, certainly, might be held excusable for falling in love with the little beauty, at sight, for there was a magnetic something about her glance, her expression, her very presence, that was winning, charming, inexpressible. Her costume caiarn 6B of the usual patent- leather A gee a complete suit of the heaviest immaculate white duck, a jaunty slouch som- brero to match, with the left side pinned up with a diamond-set star. Contrary to inland Arizona rules and regula- tions, she wore a ‘“‘b’iled” shirt, and stand-u evollar, while a magnon diamond in her Birt front reflected a thousand dazzling rays, as the / ‘warm May sunshine kissed it. Her hands, fair and white, boasted of no ring adornment; neither did she carry exposed wea ‘ons, as many another girl sport, such as she wight be classed, was wont to do, as an adver- itisement that they were ‘‘on the shoot” should weir tances necessitate. Amasa Jukes had driven stage many a year ‘and had encountered many an odd character o. the many wild West varievies of humanity, but he ‘cond it hard to recall the time when he had “*hauled-a flyer gal,” than his present outside nger, who “allowed” that her name was erret Fan. Be ’ She, too, was going to Redville, but, unlike Jonathan Jester, did not satisfy Jukes with an e tion of the nature of her business. uch to Jukes’s relief, however, she was enter- tainingly gabby concerning the events’of the y. self, but was well posted about what was going ‘on, generally. She made'no inquiries in regard to the inside Pemenge., and appeared to take but little inter- est in him;but he, on the contrary, seemed so favorably impressed with her, on their first meet- ing at Gordon’s Gulch, where they took the stage, that he had sought to ‘“‘mash” her, by casting admiring glances at her. Unnecessary to state, the effort went without reward, Ferret Fan evidently having yo dispo- sition to flirt with a man of Jester’s propor- tions. The stage had journeyed something like half } the distance between Gordon’s Gulch and Red- ville, when Jukes drew rein, and proceeded to water his horses, with the aid of a bucket, ata rill that crossed the trail, when the huge Jester thrust his head from the window to inquire as to whether road-agents ever bothered the stages of that trail. : ** Road-agents?” echoed the driver, loftily— ‘“road-agents? Now, gov’nor, I allow not. Thar ~was a time afore I tuk charge o’ the hearse, thet woad-agents war thicker ‘long this trail then crawlers on old c Thet war before I ther ribbons, ye must extinctly under- ‘stand. But when J tuk charge, ther light-fin- ‘gered imps vanished like dew afore a red-hot ner sunshine. Nary a soatenent trail arter et became known thet ak o’ summ wmolested ther ot a word did she drop relative to her~ LE = Deadwood Dick in Dead City. Amasa Jukes war steerin’ this enterprise—no, sir-ee!” And the posture that Amasa struck was novel if not tragic. **T must infer, then!” Jonathan Jester ob- served, ‘‘ that you are something of a terror to road-agents?” “A terror? Mighty Cesar, stranger, that ain’t a Candlemas shadder tew what Ibe. When a road-agent hears thet I am within a hundred miles of his hang-out, he immegetly packs up his traps an’ trade-marks and lights out fer pastures new. I’m counted wuss’n a man-o’-war, an’ when ther breeze kerries my breath-scent ter the norstrils uv a road-agent, he says: ‘ Thar’s no use ’round hyer fer me, an’ ther best thing I can do is ter mosey!’ Accordin'ly, sir, he gits /” The man of flesh indulged in a slight laugh at Jehu’s conceit, as he remarked: ‘*T am exceedingly pleased to know that there is no prospect of our meeting a band of road- agents,” and then settled himself back out of sight, with a grunt of relief. Amasa having finished watering his horses, the coach rolled on toward Redville. ‘* No, road-agents never bother me!” Amasa repeated, with a glance at the fair passenger on the seat beside him. ‘Dunno as I’m so much more orful than ther other drivers, but the im- pression seems to exist that I’m on ther shute an’ never misses my man.” **T presume you have heard of the greatest road-agent the West has ever known?” Ferret Fan said, interrogatively. “Hev I? Waa , { should chaw my cud! I’ve seen him more times than I’ve got fingers an’ toes, an’ he’s the only gerloot as I'could never git a straight bead on. Ther poor cuss passed in is checks at last, however, an’ died wi’ his boots on, too, they say!” ° “ Dead ?” ** Deader than ther camp from which the ger- loot tuk his name!’ Amasa declared. ‘‘ He war a fly chap, war Deadwood Dick, but not fly enuff ter escape the Noe, Sos Committee who elevated him fer hoss-stealin’!” } An expression about Ferret Fan’s lips, indica- ted doubt about the news Amasa vouchsafed. ““Were you present, when Deadwood Dick was lynched?” she asked. ‘**Nixy! I wasn’t within two hundred miles o’ the place where the thing tuk place.” “*Then, how did you gain your information, that Deadwood Dick was lynched?” ~ “Oh! Tread all about itin the Phoenix Times. Thar’s a full account ’bout it, in a recent issue of the paper, although et happened several months ago.” ‘Then, you are satisfied that it was the gen- uine Deadwood Dick, who was hung?” ‘“*Sart’in sure. The committee hed bin on his trail fer a couple o’ weeks, an’ know’d him, ov old. Lopine thar’s a couple o’ the papers in this trip’s mail bag, an’ I’d give ye a look at one on ’em, only it’s ag’in’ the law to tamper wi’ the mail. But yecan bet yer boodle thet Dead- wood Dick has played his last keerd, an’ the trails won’t be troubled no more by him.” ‘* Would to Heaven that such were the fact!” Ferret Fan said, with manifest earnestness. ** But as a fact, the report don’t weigh an ounce to the ton. Deadw Dick still lives, and the man who died by lynching was an innocent man!” Jukes looked incredulous. ‘*'Ye don’t say so!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ Ye must be dreamin’!” ‘Ah! no—far from it, or else ’d not be on the trail of vengeance!” the girl replied. ‘‘ Dead- wood Dick still lives—was a hundred miles from Phoenix when the ice * man was lynched, in his stead. Can you read?” “Waal, T should chaw my cud! When ye come tew readin’, I’m settin’ on the summit ov Perfection Hill—but, spellin’ an’ grammer don’t move in ther same society I do, nohow.” ‘Perhaps, then, you may be able to make out the substance of this!” and taking an unenvel- oped letter from her pocket, Fan handed it to him.” Jukes passing the lines to his passenger, took the letter and gave it the benefit of a careful scrutiny. - This is what he read: “ Near Paani, A, T., —, 18—. “ Dearest Fannre:— “When your eyes rest upon this letter, if they ever do.I shall have been dead for weeks, if not months—the victim of mistaken identity. Since leaving you.T have been hunted by a band of blood- thirsty Vigilantes. who believed that Iwas the no- torious Deadwood Dick, of whom we have heard so much, and for whom you once expressed a keen sense of admiration. Little I thought then, that he would be the cause of my death, ‘“*T have used my utmost endeavors to avoid cap- ture, anticipating what my fate would be if cap- ee tured; but at last they have nabbed me, and I am apprised that I have but half an hour to live. They disbelieve all my protestations, and nothing I can say or do seems to change their opinion but what I am Deadwood Dick. “T bave been granted the respite to write this last letter, and have been assured that it will be sent tc you. “Tt is hard to die, Fannie, my darling, knowing how truly we have loved each other, but, as fate hes ordained that it shall be so, I beg that you will not grieve over my death, but instead, avenge me. IT pray—lI command, that you will avenge me. IJ die in the stead of another man, and it is my last earth- ly eke be that you take the trail of vengeance, and never love another than me until you have laid low the man I die for. . ‘**Good-by, my darling—good-by. We shall never meet again here below, but I trust we may be re- united in the hereafter. * Your own ‘* FRED.” The missive wasof a good style of chirography, and written in pencil. Amasa Jukes read it over and over, and final- ly returned it to Ferret Fan, with a shrug of the shoulders, ‘Well, what do you think of it?” Fan asked, eagerly. ‘‘ Isn’t that evidence enough that Dead- wood Dick isn’t dead?” ‘* Kinder luks that way; ’cordin’ ter the docky- ment,” Amasa Reidwietced. ‘* S’pose the feller who writ that were yer lover, hey?” ** Possibly,” Fan replied. ‘‘ At any rate, Iam on the trail of vengeance, and my mission is to take the life of Deadwood Dick!” ‘‘ Waal, ef ther cuss hain’t dead already, I'll bet you won’t hurt him!” Amasa declared. “ He’s too cute ter git tuk in by pe cope who can’t chaw steel an’ drink gore. Ef ye war to meet Deadwood Dick to-day, I’m bettin’ ye wouldn’t make an attempt to hurt him.” ‘© Wouldv’t I? Well, just show him to me and see!” and the flash in the young woman’s eyes nn i to speak more vengefully even than her words. The stage was now toiling up a steep ascent of the dugway road, Ahead, half a mile, was the summit, beyond which lay the town of Red- ville in a sort of mountain-locked basin. On one side of the stage-trail was a thicket of young timber; on the other was the steep de- clivity which had skirted the road for miles. The coach had nearly reached the summit when a man suddenly stepped from the thicket into the road in front of the horses, and the sun- light of the spring day reflected upon a pair of nickel-plated revolvers in his grasp. ‘Slow up there!” he ordered, in a ringing voice. ‘Make no attempt at resistance, or my men, iying in ambush, will make a pepper-box out 0’ yer hearse, horses an’ hide!” Did the ferocious Amasa Jukes obey the com- mand? To be sure he did! The coach came to a halt with astonishing quickness, and, despite his boast of being a ter- ror to road-agents, Amasa Jukes made not the slightest attempt to draw a weapon. he individual who had ordered the halt was a wiry-built fellow of about medium stature, and dressed in a dark suit, top-boots, and black slouch hat. } / f His hands were incased in black gloves, and his face from forehead to chin, was covered by a dark cloth mask. ‘* Toss off the mail-pouch, thar!” he ordered, as the stage slowed ny an’ then ye kin drive on. en you come back this way, to-morrow, find the bag all right in the bushes. urry up with it now, or them horses will carry three stiffs on ter Redville!” : 4 What der yer want wi’ the mail-bag?” Amasa growled, trembling in spite of a master effort to appear brave, in the presence of Ferret Fan. ‘None of your business. Off with it, or TI] uta pill through your cabeza. Boys! ef thet bag don’t take a tumble in two minnits, fire!” is latter order, addressed to some invis- ible persons, had the desired effect. The mail- bag was hauled from under the seat, and cast upon the ground, whereat the road-agent step- ped to one side and motioned Amasa to drive on, which, it is unnecessary to add, he did, with- out delay, and the coach scon disappeared over the summit of the trail. : Then the road-agent slashed open the mail- bag with his knife, and searched among the contents, until he found that which he wanted— & newspaper. ; Tearing away the wrapper he scanned its col- umns, until he came to the following news item: ‘“‘DeaTH OF DEADWoop Dick —We learn. on good authority, as we are about going {to press, that the notorious outlaw, Deadwood Dick, was lynched near French's Ford, last night, by @ posse of Vigilantes,
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Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 3 headed by Howlin’ Jake Budd, who had been chas- fing him for nearly a month. The country will breathe freer, now that the famous footpad bas met the fate he so richly deserved.”’ A dry laugh burst from the highwayman, as he thrust the paper in his pocket, and gave the mail-bag a kick into the underbrush. ’ So the country will breathe freer, eh?” he soliloquized. ‘‘ Well, let er breathe, and Dl be enjoying the same great privilege, for_Dead- wood Dick is dead—oh! of course! If the Phoenix Times makes the assertion, it must cer- tainly be so, no matter how Richard might feel on the subject himself, Ha! ha! ha!” CHAPTER II. A NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE. Two days later saw the man who had stopped the Redville stage miles away from the trail, and riding through a deep mountain gulch in the midst of a terrific thunder-storm which had broken loose with relentless fury as the night closed in. The darkness was dense, the wind blew a veritable hurricane, and the rain came down in torrents. Deadwood Dick was mounted on a large, spir- ited bay horse, and was himself enveloped in an oilskin suit, that, im a measure, protected him from the fury of the storm. He wore no mask now and his handsome face with its ful mustache and keen eyes, had lost nothing in the way of attractiveness since last we saw him. Wild though the night, he urged his willing horse as fast as the rugged nature of the route would permit, and he appeared to have no im- mediate intention of seeking shelter from the storm. E The gulch ran between towering mountains in nearly a straight course to the northwestward, and was yery narrow in places, huge out- i ie of rocks nearly meeting overhead. nsverse gorges or ravines branched off the main gulch every little ways—dark, ominous passages, very suggestive of ambushed foes. But wood Dick seemed to entertain no idea of enemies lying in wait for him, for he urged on his thoroughbred steed with cheerful chirp. The further he proceeded the more furious grew the storm, and it seemed as if the heavens ‘were endeavoring to pour down their utmost contents. Water rushed down the gulch, swift and fast, beneath his horse’s feet, and the pyrotechnic Pinte up among the crags, was something fearfully grand. At last the fury of the storm, as it eddied down through the gulch, became so great that Deadwood Dick drew rein. “Tt ain’t much use trying to make headway through this storm, Patsy,” he said, addressin is horse. ‘‘I reckon we shall have to seek shel- ter in the next ravine, out of this wind. Looks as if it might rain for hours yet.” Pushing along a. few rods further they came to a narrow transverse gorge where the wind did not play and the rain scarcely penetrated, owing to huge outcroppings and archings of rocks overhead. : . Here Deadwood Dick dismounted, and to dis- 1 the on ere long kindled a roaring fire rom. fagots and timber found under the shelter. He then threw himself upon the ground near the ruddy glow, leaving his horse to wander at will, knowing that it would not stray off, and would be quick to report any danger. Feeling thus secure, and very much fatigued, Jick soon dropped off into a sound sleep—some- thing unusual with him, for he generally, as the expression goes, Slept with one eye open. is repose was that of complete unconscious- riess and he slept on, while overhead and around the elements warred furiously. When he awoke, it was with a start, and to find that he was being carried along between a quartette of men. r 2 He tried to twist himself from their grasp, only to discover that his limbs had been securely pinioned. 4 He tried to see, but his eyes were blindfolded. He was, in short, a prisoner, an ing borne along to—where?” That was a question. Sie And there was no immediate way of deciding it—not at least until his captors should reach ir destination. On! on! the srarepedd, with regular measured tread, and Dick could not hear that they uttered ® word as they went. A The thunder had ceased to alarm the night, nd the rain had ceased falling. eard the men move around for several minutes, left pinioned. The scene that met his gaze, was to him a great surprise. He had formed an idea that he was being car- ried to some outlaws’ stronghold, where he was to meet some ignominious fate, but he gad to discover that he was in a large, well-plastered, single-roomed cabin, where a fire roared in the big fireplace, and a lamp furnished additional illumination. There were a number of stools, a table, and two cot beds, in the way of furniture while the walls were decorated with rifles, an the paraphernalia of a hunter. Deadwood Dick was seated near a bed, on which lay a young and beautiful woman. In a row, a short distance away, the four cap- were stature, each attired in with the fur side out, which, in connection with the fact that they wore full, jetty beards, and masks of a like color over their faces, gave them rather a tors were each seated upon a stool. men of commandin complete suits of black beaver-skin They savage appearance. Hard at contrast was their appearance to that g woman upon the bed, and Dead- wood Dick turned another inquiring glance upon her, after he had given the quartette a of the youn searching scrutiny. one of the her cheeks, are surprised to find yourself in such strange surroundings?” ‘Tn truth it is a surprise to me,” Dick replied. ‘*T must have been in a very sound sleep, not to have heard the approach of my gd ca I was in the gorge, and sent my friends, the Dumb Deveres, to ae the her,” “The Dumb Deveres?” Dick echoed. these men not speak.” , “No. They are brothers of one birth, and have never uttered a word, more than an unin- bat eg grunt, or growl.” ** And you?” ‘Am nothing more to them than a strange whom they found dying in the mountains, an took in, that I might not perish in the storm.” “What is the matter of you? Are you hurt —wounded?” ‘Probably you were. were aslee “Yes. Iam shot through the left lung, and am gradually filling up inside, although the wound has not bled, externally. I marvel that But, when I learned that some one was near, whom I could I have survived as long as I have. talk with, it strengthened me up, wonderfully. The Deveres cannot write, you know, and it is difficult for one to understand their finger lan- guage. However, you have come, and I am glad for I have much to say to you. Whatis your name?” “Deadwood Dick—or, at least, that’s about the only name that I ever get.” ‘“‘T have heard of you, sir. ow whether I can trust you or not.” make any sacrifice.” ‘Oh! ; , body, for I cannot die without leaving behind my statement. Are you ready to listen?” ‘Iam. Goahead.” . ? She lay silent, a few minutes, with her gaze riveted upon the collint as if collecting the words she had to utter; then, shé spoke: “T hardly know how to begin that which I have to tell » she said, ‘‘excepting by going back several years. I am one of two sisters, who were born of rich and respectable parents, who resided near Sacramento, California. parents were farmers, but were so wealthy that we, their children, lacked for nothing, and were, to some extent spoiled. We had the best advantages of education, dress and society, at very early age, and, when I was but sixteen, I eloped with my lover, and we were married. “* At first my parents were much incensed, for Finally the captors came to a halt, and their precast was deposited upon the ground. Dick but without speaking, which somewhat puzzled im. At length he was raised from his reclining osition, and placed upon a chair; then the andage taken from his eyes, but his limbs were $ gaze was met by the earnest, appealing young woman, who, although ap- arently not yet out of her teens, and outlined in Nature’s happiest mold, was evidently suf- fering pain, judging by the pallor that suffused ‘“‘ Sir!” she said, in a voice sweet and low, as Deadwood Dick turned to her, ‘‘no doubt you ld that you * Can You have a sin- r reputation—both good and bad. I don’t “Suit yourself about that. I never go back on my word, if it is possible to avoid it, nor am I particularly anxious to burden myself with any one else’s secrets, or sorrows; but, when duty and honor are involved I stand ready to will trust you. I must trust some- my husband was not well-to-do; but finally, they took us home, and set my husband a-goin in the world. My father was the president an rincipal stockholder of a local bank and Rex vel (that was my husband’s name) soon in gratiated himself into papa’s esteem to such an extent that he was made cashier. Our family name was Harrison—mine is Lelia. ‘““Thus matters ran along for over two years. In the mean time a child was born to us, and we were very happy—at least I was, and I had no reason to believe otherwise than that Rex was the same. Then all changed—suddenly. The shocking truth came out that Rex had abscond- ed, with seven thousand dollars of my father’s money, and that my younger sister, oma. had gone with him. You may imagine how the ter- rible news affected me, and how it disgraced my family. Flora, a year my senior, had been the pet of the family, and was, at the time, en- gaged to an estimable young man named Har- old Haines, and none of us for an instant ever suspected that she had any intrigue with my husband. ‘* Well, to make a emg Bary, short, for I feel that I am growing weak, the shock killed my mother, who was in ill-health, and my father only survived her three weeks. As for myself, I came very near to death’s door, but gradually recovered, ‘““When my father’s will came to be opened and read, it was found that he had left the bulk of his fortune, which was in money, to my child, little Rex, or, as the will read, to‘ Rexford S. Ravel.’ Of course, the fortune was meant for my child, but as there was no mention made of any guardian, the lawyers claimed that the intent of the will gave the money to my runa- way husband, Rexford 8. Ravel. the tri- fling sum of five thousand dollars, together with the homestead, was left me. ‘“Well, as soon as the contents of the will be- came known, a lawyer appeared upon the scene to look after the matter in my runaway hus- band’s behalf. Hespent money freely, to influ- ence opinion, and succeeded _ so well that nearly eve wyer agreed that the money veges legally to my husband instead of my son. C) lawyer Sandford Shields, who had drawn up the will, stated that he had been given no cause to conclude for which Rexford 8. Ravel the be- uest was meant, as my father had made no dis- tinction. ‘Before my father’s fatal illness he had plac- ed the amount of his bequest to Rexford 8. Ravel in the hands of a personal friend, by him to be held in trust until demanded by the heir. This, man believed my son to be the intended heir, and so declined to deliver the inheritance until a final decision was made by the court. ‘He, however, came to me and said if I would marry him the money should never go to any one but my son. He held possession of it, was worth nothing in particular himself, and pos- session was nine points of the law. Of course I refused him. He was a man I could never have fancied, were I free to work i which, of course, I was not. So he departed, saying he should then feel constrained to act according te the decision of the court. — ‘‘ A few days later I received a telegram from Phoenix, Arizona, that Flora was there, desert- ed, and dying from wounds inflicted by my hus- band, and requesting that I should hasten to her bedside, At first I hesitated, but at length, influenced by a spirit of pore renee: 1 took my departure, agin erea by little Rex. At last after a long and tiresome journey, I reached Phoenix, and learned that no such person had been at the place my sister had named. I had been led away on a wild-goose chase—a false ail! ~ “Failing to learn anything of either Flora or my husband, I set out on my return to m home in California, When I arrived there was apprised that the court had rendered a de- cision in favor of Rexford Ravel, senior, and the decree ordered the custodian of the fortune to deliver it to tke rightful heir. y “ Accordingly, he, in company with Sprig- ins, my husband’s lawyer, had set out to de- iver the money to my husbard, who was said te be living in Arizona. At first I was unable to learn where, but finally, by dint of a little detec- tive work, I found that their destination was a played-out mining-camp called by miners Dead City ather wae » eg L = ae A “Thoroughly with indignation, I e a ed the po le of a detective, and, PEE No proper papers, we set out on my mission of ven- nee, little Rex, my bright little three-year- old boy accompanying us. “To-day, shortly after noontide, we were at- tacked by ambushed enemies, in a pass not many —s
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miles from here, and Mr. Amler, my detective, was shot dead, while I was mortally wounded. I remember falling from my horse, and that my ete child was snatched from my arms by a rutal-looking wretch; then I lost consciousness. When I recovered I was here, where you see me. ‘I have learned that one of the brothers found me, and brought nie here, but found nothing of Detective Amler, or my poor child!” Here she ceased speaking, tears filling her eyes. Deadwood Dick had listened attentively to her recital, and evidenced considerable interest. ‘This is indeed asad case!” he said, gently. ‘Were you robbed when you were attacked, Mrs. Ravel?” “Nol no! That was not the object. M money and jewels were not molested, The attac was made to get rid of me, and obtain possession of my boy!” ‘““fhen you presume that it was made at the —— of your Lusband?” ‘¢ Without a doubt. No one else would want my poor child. It was my faithless husband, no doubt, who lured me to Phoenix, in hopes of get- ting a chance of possessing himself of my boy, but I was then too vigilant for him. And now sir, you have heard my story—nearly the last words of a bitterly-wronged and many woman. You are a stranger to me personally, but I can- not believe you would add an injury to that I have already received. Therefore, can I beg and poy of you to do me a favor?” s tt ere is anything I can do for you, dear lady, you may command me. y time is my own, and I seldom, if ever, refuse to assist a person who is in distress.” ““Oh, thank you! thank you, sir. But let me tell you what I want of you. Do you know where Dead City is, sir?” “‘A report of the place having reached me, and being of a curious turn of mind, I am now oat 2 thither to see what the place looks e ‘“So much the better. What I want you to promise me, is this: That you will get possession of my boy, and either bring him up yourself, or else give him into the k ping of some kind famtiy who will rear him a their own son; also, that you will obtain possession of the fortune rightfully belonging to my child, and divide it equally between yourself and him, taking care to put his share away so his father can’t get at it. Promise me that you will do this, sir, and I will invoke God’s blessing upon your head!” ‘‘T make no hesitation in promising that which you have requested, dear lady. Your story has deeply interested me, and it will bea pleasure for me to do you the service. The boy thall be taken from his unnatural father, and well-cared for. I will also secure the money and place it to his benefit, if possible. What was the amount of the bequest? ‘Forty thousand dollars, sir.” “Indeed? That is a large sum. Was it not rather odd that your father should place so large a sum in one man’s hands?” “Yes, it was. But then, he trusted Mr. Jes- ter, implicitly.” “ Jester, eh?” “Yes, sir,” “ And the name of your husband’s lawyer?” “ Silas } !? “ And your sister’s lover?’ “ Harold Haines!” vid ig the man who drew up your father’s ‘ell ; * Sandford Shields.” ‘**Ts he still in Sacramento?” “J do not know.” They chatted on for a few minutes longer when the Dumb Deveres arose, and stood as if in waiting. “‘ They mean that they are ready to take you back whence they brought you!” Mrs, Ravel said. “They are strange men, who, for cause, have thus ated themselves, and wish to keep the exact locality of their home, a secret. So I shall — to say good-by, and may God speed and ou.” She seized his bound hands, and covered them with grateful kisses, and after they had _ex- changed a few more words of parting. Dick suffered himself to be blindfolded, by the strange brothers, and was by them raised, and born from the cabin. — No halt was made for over an hour, and when Deadwood Dick was finally stood upon his feet, he felt that the thongs about his wrists were loose enough for him to free his hands. By the time he had freed them, and tore the bendage away from \efore his eyes, the Deveres had vanished as surely from view, as if ‘the earth had opened ap and swallowed them. Deadwood Dick in Dead City. ee Se And he was back where he had been abducted from, as was evidenced by the pense e | em- bers of his fire, near at hand, and his horse, which was lying close oy: Thus, he was at the end of a singular nocturnal adventure, which seemed more like a dream to him, than reality. And before him, was a mission, as strange as his visit to the hidden cabin—a mission, no doubt, full of rich promise of—adventure and ril. PBat what ofthat? ~ pide Life had no charm to Deadwood Dick, if un- attended by those two conditions, CHAPTER III. BUG-JUICE BOB’S VISITOR. Z “Say, thar, stranger, jest hold yer Arabian charger, or rm put an ounce of plumbago through yer cabeza, quicker than lightnin’ ever slid down a iceberg, begum!” The speaker sat astride a huge bowlder, one of many that filled a rugged gulch bottom, an held a rifle leveled at a horseman who had just ridden around an abrupt bend, close to where the challenger was seated. The horseman drew rein, as promptly as if he were in the habit of being stopped in this deci- sive manner, and the two men surveyed each other, with mutual curiosity. The challenger was a man of over forty years, with lank but muscular figure, that betrayed in every lineament that be was no stranger to roughing it in the mountains. His face was scrawny, reddened, and bore the scars of many scrimmages. His eyes were keen, however; he wore a straggling apology of a sandy beard. He was roughly and slouchily attired, and, at the best, a dangerous-looking individual to meet, in a lonely place in the mountains, especially, as besides being armed with the rifle, his belt fairly bristled with weapons. Man number two, who was mounted upon a fine-looking horse, with perfect accouterments, was seemingly about thirty years of age, wirily built, and handsome of figure, despite the fact that his habiliments were somber black. A clear cut, recklessly handsome face was his, with a firm but pleasant mouth, shaded by a graceful mustache, dark, flashing eyes, in whose lance there was intense magnetism, long wa air that fell gracefully back over his shoul- ders—in fact it was none other than the re- pe Deadwood Dick, who had, been brought a ‘ The two men surveyed each other, critically at a couple of minutes, ere either one ventured Well, sir, what you want?” the somber sport at length demanded, his manner not betraying any trace of alarm. P ink Lath I oa oT the ita sh me gun. me in’ poppy, 1 want yerter sto’ ,, dismount, tell me who ye aire, where ye’r’ pe an’ so forth—in fac’, give a clear verbatim account 0’ yerself, as ye orter do, since I axed ye ter slow up fer ther special 0’ offerin’ ye a drink o’ ther primest old Monongyheeler thet ever tickled ther thorax uv mortal man, My ek aire Bug-juice Bob, an’ now, w’ot’s ourn y. The rifle-muzzle ec sed to earth, and the scaly looking straggler wa quart bottle of whisky from one of his capacious pockets. “My name might be Peter bd i peed r= but it ain’t!” Dick replied, dryly, not ancy ing the looks of his accoster, ‘If you find yourself un- der any obligations to call me anything, Night- shade Nick will do as well as any.” ‘*Kerect. Thet ain’t a bad handle. Et cor- responds wi’ yer appearance. Goin’ ter Dead City Tallow?” “Tam journeying that way. Why?” “Oh! nothin’}” “And here Bug-juice Bob un- corked the bottle and took a swig. “‘Reckoned ye war goin’ thar, fer ther ain’t nary other place ter go, up in this d’rection. Hev a soak? Et’s ther prime stuff—an’ thar’s no better judge o’ ther animal in ther country than yours truly!” “No, thank you. I don’t use the stuff except on necessary occasions. How far is Dead City from here?” ‘Dunno, exactly. Tho’t mebbe when I stopped yer thet ye could give me some fea ” “Then, are you traveling that way?” “‘T should smile. *Cordin’ ter my chronolo- ercal conclusions, ther camp can’t be far ahead. fost likely I shed be thar now, only I stopped hyer ter drink a pint 0’ old monongerheeler, an’ when I hed finished suthin’ happened.” ‘“*-You don’t mean to tell me you drank a pint of liquor recently?’ Dick asked, noticing no effects of intoxication about him. ‘Humph! of course! Thet’s nothin’, Myreg’s lar rations aire a pint every cornsecutive twelfth part o’ a day, or I’d fall by ther wayside, a vic- tim o’ Sahara-like thirst. Mebbe ye don’t know et, Mr. Nightshade, but I’ve got ther gold meda} fer being able ter drink more bug-juice per diem, an’ never-be-fazed, than ary other gerloot west o’ the Mississip. Ter prove it, ef you an’ I journey on ter Dead City tergether, I'll punish this quart afore we git thar.” ‘“‘T do not care to witness the disgusting ex- hibition!” Dick said, dryly, “Oh! tain’t nothin’. I hed me orthodox biler shot away by red-skins years ago, an’ hed a non-corrosive copper one put in its place, ye see, What yer goin’ ter Dead oe fer?” ‘Out of curiosity. I heard of the place being without an inhabitant, and concluded to take it in, for the novelty 0’ the thing.” ‘‘ Jest my case, exactly allow we’re pards, then, in the wisit?” “That is for you to say. Iam going on to- day. Do you know anything about the place— about its history, I mean?” ‘‘Not much. I’ve hearn tell thet er colony o” prospectors located there, headed by a Spiritual- ist, who allowed the place war a reg’lar mint 0, ‘old fer ther workin’. They built a town, but idn’t git _no gold, an’ hung Mr. Spiritualist ter a limb. No sooner hed they done this tham small-pox set in, an’ ther’ was a time, you bet? Some got over ohh an’ mosied, while them thet , kerflumixed aire thar yet. I’ve hearn trappers tell as how they wouldn’t spend a night thar fer a mount’in o’ gold—sed as how et war a reg’lar cemetery 0’ stiffs, wi’ ghostses throw’d in.” ‘Rather a lugubrious place, I should say, from that outline,” Dick observed. ‘‘ How does, it happen you pk going there? You are not superstitious, infer?” ‘ ‘Nary a bit, me bloomin’ Nightshade. Ther only speerits as effects me air them from monon- erheeler, when the serpents begin ter hiss in me oots, an’ thet ain’t often. It’s many a day, neow, sence I’ve cut off the head o’ a snake, an” as fer ghosts, an’ sich like, do me countenance: luk like thet of a man who is afeard ov small things ethereal? Yer don’t know Bug juice Bob yet, Mr. Nightshadder Nicholas!” ‘It would seem not!” Dick admitted, as the peculiar man took another long pull at his bot~ tle. ‘*By the way, did I not hear you remark something about something happening—that you. would be in Dead City now if something had not happened?” ‘“Kerect! You did. S’pose ye’d like ter know what I meant?” ‘oes,?? “Waal, I'll tell ye. I hed bari ae myself on this rock an’ taken one small-sized corral, when I heard a voice say, prisoner poe ‘Hillo, stranger, thar!’ I looked around ‘an’ re~ sponded. ‘What yer want? without seein’ a soul. ‘Aire ye goin’ ter Dead City? war the next caluteI got, an’ I replied thet I were. Them out o’ them bushes over yonder cum ther pur- tiest gal I ever see’d—a reg’lar stunner, she war, rigged out in Sunday-go-gallop togs—an’ she Yinted her a at me, an’ sez she, in desprit Fone w’ot made me shiver: ‘Go to Dead City at your peril She put on the hydraulic pres- sure on your peril, tgp, Al who go there die, and neverreturn,’ Then, pard, thet aire gal she jest floated back inter the bushes, like a cloud 0” smoke from a clay pipe wi’ the stem broke off an’ dissapated from view, an’ I war cogitatin over the occurrence when I heerd ye cummin’, and made up my mind ter fetch ye inter the scrape fer company.” Deadwood Dick’s discerning eye had never once left the face of Bug-juice Bill; he had been. studying the man, as a preceptor of human na- ture d do, and his conclusion was that the fellow had not been lying by the wholesale. ‘‘ Pooh!” he said, however. ‘‘ There must have been a large opportunity to cut the head off a snake a few minutes ago. j “Not by a jugfull!” Bob declared, seriously. ““'Thar’s nary a ram butted me this many a day, Nightshade, an’ what I’m tellin’ you aire solid, Plymouth Rock scripture. There’s a myst’ry about this bizness, an’ ef ther wind don’t blow north when it’s blowin’ south,in you I hey struck the as air not afeard ter try ter solve it. I’m Bug-juice Bob, an’ hev a capacity fer two bar’l, fire-test, copper-distilled—but I'm a liar ef I'm lyin’ ter yer. A beautiful gal did jest what I hev told ye, an’ that’s sure’s there’s hair on & cat’s back, Ef ye say s0, we'll investigate!” well!” Dick said, sliding from the sad- dle, ‘I? your statement is correct we can no Together they approached the bushes, and fy scanned the ground.
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ace Tenens - ‘was the reply. Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 5 Proof was plenty that Bug-juice Bob had not been deluded, for small footprints were found, and, further on, the hoof-marks of a horse. “We will go on to Dead City and investigate!” Deadwood Dick said. ‘‘ We will find out what’s in the warning!” ales CHAPTER IV. IN DEAD CITY. THE announcement of Deadwood Dick proved that he was satisfied the scaly looking Mr. Bug- juice Bob—had met with ‘the adventure he claimed; so, after a short consultation, Dick remounted his horse and they moved on. The tramp had no horse, but that did not bother him in the least. His long legs strode beside Deadwood Dick’s horse with perfect ease. Nothing was spoken between them for some time when, just as the sun was tinting the mountain-tops in gold, Deadwood Dick drew rein at a point where the gorge, rapidly nar- rowing for a mile back, suddenly opened into a vista that was pleasing—ay, charming to the eye, at the first glance. First giances rarely form correct impressions. The second glances does rhore toward that. What Deadwood Dick saw, and what Bug- juice Bob saw, standing beside the dark-clad sport, was a scene that perhaps no other Western country could equal, except Arizona, with its wealth of historical data and pre-his- toric remains. In a mountain-locked valley—or, in more proper Western phrase in a “pocket,” with mayhap halt a thousand level acres, imprison- ed by gigantic—ay! stupendous—walls of craggy mountains, reaching far up toward the sky, lay their destination—the much-talked-of Dead City. From where Dick and his compan.on had halted was a descent, hence they overlooked the alleged played-out mining-town. Half a hundred or more half-cabin, half- shanty, habitations were dotted in the heart of the pocket, which had the rather peculiar novelty of a double street—that is, a rapid tor- rent stream divided the town very nearly in half, and a street bordered éither bank, the fur- ther side of each street being lined with the re- a sae business establishments of the ** City. OS Dick and partner saw—and more; they beheld a lovely acreage spread out before them, in spots luxuriant with grass, in others with May’s prettiest flowers, No signs of mining; no signs of prospecting; mo signs of grazing or agricultural pursuit; no signs of business, or humanity, about the place—within the silent “* City.” “That must be our place?” said Dick interro- gatively, his eagle eye never leaving Bob’s face. “Thet's ther cheese, skippers throw’d in!” ‘Ther ain’t another human dot within sixty—mebbe a hundred miles from here, an’ I reckognize the description to a capital dot —semi-colon! That’s the roost, whar you git the small-pox, ghosts, an’ horrifications all done up in a box—an’ you can sell the box for what you want to take for it—should some one wander along!” rt mepoes me might as well take advantage of ain ht, and explore the camp. If corpses and the like are lying around loose, as you have suggested, it will be infinitely more pleasant to Te them by daylight, than by night,” suggested “Yas, I reckon ye’r’ right!” Bug-jui sented, after taking another swig ine is flask. “* But, who knows ut what we may git salivated ef we go nosin’ around too permiscuss? Ef thar war anything in the girl’s warnin’, I'l] sw’ar et luks like ther might bea hornets’ nest or two down there.” ’ Deadwood Dick app Eve t his gaze search- ingly over the apparently dese town, but vend see nothing to indicate that the place was inhabited by either man or beast. “IT don’t anticipate any trouble!” he said, ‘‘ so come along. If it comes to fighting I've done a turn at that, in my time!” 2 “ Heer tew, you bet! I’m with yer, Nightshade, ef et comes ter spillin’ gore. So lead ahead!” eadwood Dick obeyed, and the tramp brought ob as- ‘up the rear, whistling unconcernedly—which Dick particularly noticed. : Somehow, he ris not quite satisfied but what the fellow had been in the camp before, and knew a a he Dead City than he was willing to a ; In a few minutes they reached the pocket bot- tom, and the beginning of the street that bor- dered the left bank of the noisy, swift, deep creek. As they reached the firsf cabin habitation with its battlement front, they were confronted “gang, and capable of any bruta by a bulletin board, on which was pasted a large sheet of cloth, containing the following notice in rude lettering. ‘*BEWARE! “*This ’ere’s Dead City, an’ no one lives here. Ther small-pox cleaned out ther citizens, an’ ther place ain't no good, nohow. No gold—no nothin’! So let ther stiffs hev,et. Disturb ’em not, at yer peril. Ther rie is theirn, an’ ye’r’ warned ter take a back trail quicker’n Jightnin’, or ye’ll git the small-pox. Ther very air is full uv it. So mosey, while ye heva chance, or ye’r” a dead chicken, ** Signed Bruit GROWLER, “* Ther last e:tizen who puckacheed |” Deadwood Dick and Bug-juice Bob read the notice, the former breaking out with a laugh! ‘‘ That’s pretty good!” he said, ‘‘I wonder ef the poor fool who put it there thought it would scare anybody? If so, he must have been green. Go in that first cabin, Bug-juice, an’ see what’s there.” Bob eyed the place, hesitatingly, and took a fresh nip from his bottle. ‘““Why don’t you go?” he demanded. “Because [Tm mounted. Ef you're afraid, however, ll dismount, and go in myself!” s¢ oe nh! me afraid? Weal, I guess not—no sir-ee, bob-tail hoss!” and advancing he pushe open the cabin door, which was artly ajar. ** Two skeletons layin’ on the floor!’ he report- ed a moment later. ‘‘ Wolves skinned ’em clean’s a whistle.” “Try the next place!” Dick ordered, briefly. Likely the result willbe the same While you are at it, look into every cabin on this side of the creek, and T’ll cross over, and do the same on the other side.” There was a bridge over the creek, near the heart of the camp. Crossing it, Dick dismount- ed, before a large cabin, with a rude veranda in front oft it. A creaking sign announced that it was the Big Nugget Hotel. On either side of it were store-front cabins and saloons. : Securing his horse, who sniffed the air and looked uneasily about him, as if afraid of some- thing, Dick mounted the steps of the hotel, and tried the door. It opened readily enough, and he entered what appeared to have been a com- bined office, bar and gambling-room. Tables and chairs were scattered around, and behind the bar, on shelves, were bottles contain- my uors, and glasses, cigars, and so forth. ick paused and took a good look about the i apartment, before he ventured far into it. e was far from satisfied that Dead City was uninhabited, and presumed if there were any inhabitants, they would repulse his arrival. The moment he entered the Big Nugget his keen eyes made one discovery. At one of the tables were seated four dead men, who appeared to have died right where they were sitting. for their arms rested support- ingly on the table, and each man held a hand of Biv ng cards, They were roughly-dressed, bearded men— miners, probably. . Decomposition had never set in after death; their skin and flesh had dried like parchment to their bones! Sih This was not all Deadwood Dick saw, He had heard of Dead City, full six months ago; therefore, if the town had been deserted that long, dust and cobwebs would naturally collect over everything. d Such was not the case within the Big Nugget bar-room. The floor had been cleanly swept, recently ; there were no cobwebs; nor was there any dust upon the card-tables or bar. CHAPTER V. A PRISONER. — Dreapwoop Dick wheeled quickly, and found himself confronted not by one man, as he had expected but by a half a dozen, all of whom held cocked six-shooters, in their grasp. They were big, burly fellows, and typical Specimens of border anism, both in feature, attire and armament. Each wore full or idee 8 gling beards; their faces were scarred and eac man had lost his left eye! Bony All in all, they were a desperate lookit ity or ruffian’s work, This much Deadwood Dick saw, at a glance. The man who had clapped him on the shoulder. was a trifle taller and heavier than the rest, and appeared to be chief in command. “Well! Whatdoyou want?” Dick demanded with that coolness of demeanor characteristic of the man. : ‘“We want you!” was the grim answer of the stalwart leader. ‘‘ You are an intruder, here, and are consequently under arrest!” ‘* How am I an intruder, sir?” “Because ye are! Ye read the notice, didn’t ye, as py rode into town?” ¢ I id. ” ‘Well, that told ye to take back trail. Ye didn’t do it, an’ so you'll have to take the con- | sequences. This hyer camp is a private ceme- tery an’ we don’t allow no intruders.” ‘indeed! What are you but intruders?” ‘“‘ We’re guardians of the dead, put here to see that the town ain’t disturbed!” “Bah! That won’t work on me. or whatever you are, you don’t care much for the dead. You've got a lay more profitable than that, or I’m a fool.” “Well, you’re a fool, then. This is asa spot, this Dead City, and whoever in here, contrary to the posted orders, commits a sacrilege that forfeits his or her life. Throw up or hands and surrender. Refuse at your peri Deadwood Dick saw at once that it was use less if not perilous to attempt resistance, for the gang had the drop on him sure enough, and hey were not the sort of men to brook trifling, as their evil, sullen expression of countenance bev tokened. “It is not necessary for me to throw up my arms!” Dick returned, “because if you pro- nounce me under arrest, that is enough, hat do you propose to do with me?” ‘“Throw up your hands!” the leader of the gang ordered, savagely. ‘‘ You’ll find out what we are going to do with you, soon enough!” The click of the leveled revolvers warned Dick to obey, and pear he did so. He was at once disarmed, and relieved of his watch and money; then his hands were bound behind his back, The captors advanced to to the bar and helped themselves to a round of drinks, after which they led Deadwood Dick from the hotel by a rear door, to a spot where seven horses were in waiting. é One of the ruffians mounted, and being given the bridle-straps of the other horses, rode off, leading them after him. The other five then re-entered the hotel, fore- ing Dick to cmap 9 2 them, and bidding him be seated at one of the tables, proceeding to help themselves to more liquor at the bar. All of which was a cause of no little wonder- ment to Deadwood Dick. Who or what were they, and what did they intend to do with him? Without doubt they were outlaws, or, at any rate, desperadoes. But their movements puzzled him. é Were they waiting for some one to gee them, or were they purposely lingering at the B pet hh order to fill up on the free supply whis red too, what had become of Bug-Juice Bob? Had he been captured? Dick judged not. It was possible, however, that he had beem killed outright. 5% It grew dark within the Big Nugget bar- room. ae , Four of the miners still lingered a the bar, The fifth came and sat near Deadwood Dick te prevent him from escaping. He appeared to be the leader, as near as Dick could judge, owing to the dense darkness. “« What are you waiting here for?” Dick asked, finally growing impatient to know what his fate was to be. “ pews fer the boss to cum back!” was the gruff reply. “Ah vt Who's the boss?” ‘© Colonel Choker!” ‘‘Humph! a suggestive name. Where's the eTrOrT s Mbeths etine Hign'ts 3E vials es a-huntin’, cuss f he’d b neck it would be ’a good thing!” ” ‘“* What’s your name?” Pica ah yer ge ank you. ey hav funny handles up in theseparts, I eo,” leone a _‘*My name’s Bloody Jake!” the man conde- scended to assert, aftera moment. ‘ I’m boss o! my gang, an’ I’m a bad customer!” ‘Your looks belie you, then, At first sight 1 took you for a parson, How'd you all lose yot¥ left eyes?” Whoever ee eee JNA
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“‘ Fightin’ !” “Indeed! What's to be done with me?” “ Dunno—kill ye, Is’pose. Jest accordin’ how the colonel feels.” ‘‘ Have you captured my companion yet?” **Oh, he’s all right!” was the unsatisfactory response. hour more elapsed; then one of the men left the hotel. He was absent half an hour, when he re- turned, and made the sententious announce- ment of; “* All right!” The gang then regaled themselves at the bar once more, after which Dick was hustled from the room into the street. Here he was suddenly raised bodily in the arms of four of the men, while the fifth held a sponge to his lips as they walked along. The apenge was well saturated with chloro- form, which Dick was forced to inhale, and in spite of his efforts to resist the effects, be soon felt oblivion enshrouding him. Then all became blank! . When he awoke it was with the consciousness that his head ached fearfully. He lay perfectly still until his brain gradually became clearer, when he opened his eyes, and gazed inquiringly about him. He was lying upon his side on a sort of uphol- stered lounge in a large room which was lit by several lamps. The ceiling of the room was high and appear- ed to be of some chalky substance. From ceil- ing to skin-carpeted floor, pended magnificent damask curtains on all four sides of the room. The fur of the carpet was uppermost, and there was, besides the couch, in the way of furniture, several cushioned easy-chairs, and a handsomely- carved round-top center-table. . Dick could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses, as he gazed about, and wondered if he had been transported into some oriental ace, He was the only visible occupant of the apart- ment at the time he awoke, butin a few minutes afterward the curtains were pulled aside and two persons entered. After getting a good look at them through his half-closed eyelids, Dick made up his mind to feign that he was unconscious yet—at any rate for a time, for he was in hopes he might over- hear something to his advantage. The first of the twain was a man of large build and rather stately carriage. He had a full round face, a handsome mustache, and keen gray eyes, and, despite his portliness, was prob- ably not over twenty-seven or eight years ,of age. le was well-dressed in citizen’s garb, of East- ern cut, and a diamond pin threw out dazzling rays from his shirt-front. The second person was a woman of medium hight and possessed of a charming figure, that was both suggestive of girlishness and womanli- ness, and showed off to advantage in a neat-fit- ting dress of some dark material. ith such a figure might naturally be expect- ed to go a pretty face; but if the woman was possessed of such, it was not for other eyes to aze upon, for over it, she wore a thick vail, ough which apertures had been made to en- able her to see and breathe. Only the tip of her chin, her fair throat, anda bit of her forehead were left unmasked. Her hair was brown, wavy and luxuriant and becomingly arrayed, ; She wore no ornaments except a little bunch of wild flowers. * Yes, there is trouble brewing, Shasta, and I’m all upset about it!” the man said, as they entered. ‘‘ Here is the fellow that came to-day, and I’ve no doubt that he’s one of the advance- guard of the gang that’s coming. I see he has re yet recovered from the effects of the chloro- ‘orm, They came close to the couch and gazed down nol ex-Prince of the Road for several sec- onds, ; ‘*He’s not a bad-looking fellow,” the man wenton. ‘Have you ever seen such a looking fellow before?—for you say yours has been a wild and adventurous life, Shasta.” “So it has, sir. And I think I have not only seen men who look like this man, but I am quite sure I have seen him somewhere before.” “Indeed? Perhaps, then, you could {pro- nounce his name?” ‘Yes, If he is the m I think he is, he isone whose name has become famous all over wie Far West—Deadwood Dick!” The ere young man gave vent to a slight whistle, indicative of surprise. “Deadwood Dick!—the famous road-agent?” Deadwood Dick in Dead City. _ — ‘* The same.” ‘“‘Then it is fortunate perhaps that I have captured him, for I may be able to enlist him in my service. Something must surely be done, for if the coming band of gra naa are not sent on the back trail, a part of them may con- clude to locate permanently in the pocket, and thus bar out all possibility of my ever realizing my oar expectations.” ‘ Then it is sure that there is a band of pros- pectors en route for Dead City?” “Yes. During my absence I satisfied myself beyond the question of a doubt on the matter. There is a regular stampede of miners and the attendant swarm of adventurers, coming here, and are liable to make their appearance to-mor- row. ‘‘Mor your sake, sir, I am sorry to hear it, What do you propose to do?” “That’s what I don’t know. My men are not numerically strong enough to keep the crowd out of Dead City, I fear. But one thing I have sworn: Until my mission here is accomplished, I will make it uncomfortably warm for all who try to take up their residence in the pocket. Do you think I could win this Deadwood Dick to my side?” *“*T do not know. If the man is Deadwood Dick, he is invincible as a friend, and equally powerful as an enemy. “Bah for his enmity! If I cannot make terms with him, he’ll never see the light of day again—at least, not until I am ready to say good-by to this place.” ‘Shasta, when I have completed my mission here, I shall go far miley ast, most likely, where gold will purchase luxury, independence and position, But I do not intend to go alone. You must go with me as my wife. ou must let me see your face, which I know is pretty and you must be mine. I care not to know o your past—let both our past lives remain as a dead-letter, while we look to the future for lux- ury and pleasure. Tell me, Shasta, may I hope that Le consider my. hasty and informal pro The masked woman shrunk back a pace. “You pos ig me, Mr. Bingham!” she said, quickly,” and I must beg of you not to propose such a thing again. I know nothing of you, but did I know you to be the best and most honor- able man in existence, it could make no differ- ence tome. I hired out to youasa servant, and as such I wish you to consider me. What my past may have m can concern no one, This mask shall assist to conceal my identity as long as I live, and I shall remain as I am, simpl Shasta Kate. If you wish a wife do not see after me; I shall never marry!” ‘Bingham looked discomfited. ** You may change your mind?” he suggested. ‘*By no means. [ will act as your servant, for a time, providing you treat me as such; but I want no lover-like consideration from you, nor any one else.” ‘Very well; Pll not annoy you. You ma go, now. I shall remain here until this fellow awakens.” With a slight bow, Shasta Kate turned and left the room. * When she was gone, the man approached the y the shoul- couch, and seizing Deadwood Dic der, shook him, vigorously. Allowing him to shake for awhile, Dick final- ly opened his eyes, and sat up. ‘‘ Well, what is it you want?” he demanded, ina tone by no means pleasant. ‘‘T am here to have a talk with you!” Bing- ham replied. ‘‘ I am Colonel Choker, the owner of Dead City.” “Oh! Pe are, eh? Well, how does that con- cern me?” ‘¢ You will have an opportunity to find out, no doubt. Whoare you?” . ‘‘ Nightshade Nick!” ** Alias, Deadwood Dick!” “Well, suft yourself as to that. I don’t know as it can make much difference with my wel- fare whatever you may choose to call me.’ ‘¢'You are Deadwood Dick, nevertheless. You have boldly ventured into the forbidden para- dise, over which I rule, as king. You are not the first one who has disregarded the warning for allnew-comers to take the back trail. Others than you have invaded Dead City, in defiance of that warning, and what do you suppose was their fate?’ eign very likely!” Dick declared, com- “To some—yes!” Colonel Choker replied, imly—‘‘ to others, a fate far worse—everlast- ing imprisonment where the light of day can never reach them.” “*TIndeed! Well, what else?” ‘¢ You have defied my orders but Ihave defer. red peeing sentence upon you until I could have a talk with you!” ‘‘Or, in other words, until you could learn if you could not make me a member of your cut-throat gang—a tool of your evil schemes!” Dick suggested, with a sarcastic smile. The colonel started, and gazed sharper at his prisoner. ‘“‘Do I understand that you overheard me talking with another person, a bit ago?” he de- manded. “Tt is quite likely you do!” Dick replied. ‘*T overheard your conversation with the wo- man you addressed as Shasta.” ‘“‘Humph! Well, it matters but little if you did. Do you know the woman?” ““Not that I am aware of. It would appear, however, that she has seen me, on some former occasion!” ‘‘ You are Deadwood Dick, then?” ‘“‘T reckon Iam. I read a newspaper ac- count, not long ago, to the effect that I was dead, but from all I can learn, I am still alive!” “Tt would wre 4 be a mercy, so far as you are concerned, if the newspaper account had not been a mistake!” Choker said, ba fa ‘for if you do not come to my terms, you'll be im~ risoned where the others are. What I told hasta is true. The Dead City is to be invaded by a horde of prospectors, whose coming will in- jure some individual plans I have, These peo- ple must be driven off or killed and you must do it! “*T must?” “You must. It is the only condition that wilk save you from everlasting incarceration. If the invaders cannot be driven out by warnings, they must add to Dead City’s already large in- animate census—must be killed by the whole- sale! And you and the One-Eyed Vultures must do the job!” ; Deadwood Dick regarded Choker, grimly. ‘¢You infernal wretch!” he exclaimed. ‘Do you for a moment suppose that I would become involved in such a clita butchery? You make very light of murder to reckon on me as an accessory to such an inhuman scheme!” ‘*Bah! The invaders will be warned to turn back, before they enter Dead City. If they come on in defiance of the warning, they come to their death, and their fate will be their own fault. Do you refuse to serve me, as I have outlined?” ‘* Most assuredly !” ‘*Then, say a long good-by to the fair world in which you have achieved such a wide-spread. notoriety. You go hence, to your living tomb !” He placed a small whistle to his lips and blew a sharp shrill blast. Almost instantly the six men whom Dick had seen at the Big Nugget Hotel, in Dead City, en- tered and s in waiting. : ‘“‘ Seize yonder prisoner, and away with him!” the colonel ordered. “Before you dump him remove the bonds that bind him!” The ruffians, grim-visaged and evil-eyed, ad- vanced, and seizing Deadwood Dick as though he were but a child, bore him from the room and the presence of Colonel Choker, whose mandate, evidently, was their only law and ospel. . Poor Dick! Well might he wonder, with a feeling of hor- ror stealing over him into what sort of a place or prison he was to be consigned, CHAPTER VI. THE MAIL-BAG STRUGGLE. Two weeks after the occurrence of the scene just narrated, we look down once more upon: Dead City, but this time not to find the camp the abode of the dead, but, to the contrary, ex- ceedingly alive. | ’ The warm spring sunshine dwelt caressingly upon a busy and cheerful scene. The two main. streets of the town were thronged with pedes- trians, and an occasional horseman; every habi- tation appeared to boast of occupancy; and that part of the pocket bottom not built up was even a busier scene than the inhabited section, for, with pick and shovel and pan, half a hundred or more of miners were actively engaged in tear- ing up the earth. Every now and then, there wasa hearty shout, as evidence of ‘‘pay-dirt” was found, Under- lying the surface soil was an extensive nomen’ stratum—the ‘‘ wash” of many a year, rich wit auriferous particles, which were as a balm of Gilead to the miner’s heart. One thing was evident:—the stampeders had come! And the fact that there was plenty of “‘ sign” that Dead City was the placer-camp of that par-
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Deadw ticular part of the Territory, seemed to indicate that the stampeders had come to stay. The town was wild—afflicted with the insati- able crazy ‘‘ fever” which possesses every min- ing district from the moment a paying ‘ find” is struck, until the camp begins to ‘' peter out.” Every inch of available space had already been staked out into claims, and these claims had been divided and sub-divided, and changed hands with great rapidity, commanding start- ling prices. ’ ; ot a few sagacious miners, who had first staked out claims or locates, preferred to sell them for a fat price, and then turn around and work for big wages as laborers. It is these men who, in the ups and downs of mushroom mining life, generally come out with enough “‘sand” to prevent the necessity of their quitting a camp on their ‘‘ uppers.” Beside the miners in the pocket was a crowd of speculators and adventurers, who stood mang d to snap up a claim the minute there was enoug “wash” to make it reasonably certain said claim was likely to pan out well. — As for Dead City proper, it enjoyed the pros- perity usual with every booming camp. The defunct residents of former days, owing to the prospective value of the gulch bottom, had been given a float down the stream, that being the easiest as well as the most economical wey of getting rid of them, he incoming horde had included merchants, gamblers, and adventurers of all sorts peculiar to the average flash mining-town; consequently, within a weeks’ time, after the arrival of the new crowd, business of nearly every sort had sprung into existence along the course of the two rival streets. The Big Nugget Hotel, however, was the chief place where ‘‘ bug-juice” was dispensed, and ac- cordingly was the popular resort of the camp. It had been doubled in size to meet the demand for accommodations, and new attractions had been added to the huge bar-room, in the shape of a stage and faro-table. Something like three hundred people were al- ready in the camp, and the prospects were that double that number would arrive within the space of another week, as the news had been sent out that Dead City was the biggest sort of a success. The day on which we look down upon the metamorphosed camp was the one set for the arrival of the first mail and passenger stage, from the nearest but distant town. Of course, there were but few expected any mail, yet that made no difference. Miners in those ’way back pry: look with as much eager- ness for the arrival of the stage, when not expect- ing eee, as though they were to receive a pouchful. he day was advanced to past the noonday hour, when a shout gave warning that the Ae was coming, and there was a general rush to the vicinity of the Big Nugget Hotel. — And here the stage with its six-in-hand, final- ly drew up, both coach and horses looking con- meee the worse for their first journey to the ominously-named mining-camp. A gigantic, weather-beaten mountaineer held the reins, and beside him was the girl sport whom we described in the opening chapter— Ferret Fan. Within the stage was crowded as many per- sons as could be squeezed into it, while on top, the same state of affairs prevailed, some passen- ey having barely room to sit and leave their egs dangling over the sides, As soon a3 the stage stopped, the Jehu tossed the mail-bag into the midst of the waiting crowd, when there was a P eho Sey scramble and a rough-and-tumble fight for its possession, and the honor of carrying the first mail into the Big Nugget, for distribution. ; was no slight skirmish, but a genuine, lusty _ fight. Men of the mines don’t often hustle one another, for the fun of the thing, but when they enter a melee are in dead earnest, And so it was in the struggle for the mail. The man who should come off victorious, and bear the prize into the Big Nugget, would be afterward looked upon as a “ double-barreled cuss from Cusstown,” and become popular to such an extent as to be an object of envy in the eyes of many of the “‘ toughs” and “‘ citizens,” Wild oaths, fierce yells, groans, curses, the clash of steel, the reports of fire-arms—such were the sounds that arose above that writhing, squirming mass of humanity—that test the en- durance, strength and grit, in which more than half a hundred men were involved. _, Kansas Jim, who drove the hearse—and who, if he did not lie, had icipated in a hundred pitched battles for life or death—stood up, on his seat, and clapped his hands and applauded vociferously—his stentorian yells makimg the mountain-locked pocket resound with echoes, while the other passengers looked on, some startled and alarmed, others curious, and eager to mark the winning man. At last, after full tive minutes’ desperate fight, the battle ended, as suddenly as it had begun, almost. A man, with the mail-bag held high above his head—a man wild-eyed, hatless, and with the clothes half-torn from his body—a man with the blood flowing from half a dozen wounds— such a man was seen bounding over the tops of the heads of the howling mob, and to vanish within the hotel. When it was seen that he had escaped with the prey the crowd became suddenly silent. But it was only for a minute. Then there rung out in stentorian voice the shout of a miner, who was himself bleeding all too freely: ‘Rah! boys, hip! hip! hooray fer ther vic- tor!” And the invitation—a crimson toast it might be called—was responded to with a vengeance, a wild simultaneous shout awakening the echoes. It was not a vengeful shout, but rather a shout commending the success of the victor. There were at least a score of wounded and bleeding men in that crowd, but they all had entered the struggle for ‘‘ honor” and would not ‘* squeal,” whatever their injuries. \ Let us look after the victor. el aig a from the heads or shoulders of the mob to the veranda, he daslied into the hotel bar-room and flung the bag to Handsome Hank, the man who ran the ** shebang,” and stood be- hind the bar in waiting to receive the mail. Then the conqueror would have quickly sought more private apartments, but was at once sur- rounded by a crowd of congratulating admirers and had by far too few hands to accommodate the many who were eager for a shake with the gamest man in Dead City. He had won the prize, and rough though the men of the mountain town were, they were not ashamed to acknowledge their defeat y a hearty hand-shake with the winner. He was a medium-sized young man, perhaps twenty-four years of age, with brown hair and mustache, His face would have been rather pre- ane but for the fact that it was now evt and bloody. And as for his clothing, it had been half-torn from him. Seeing that he must go through the ceremony of hand-shaking, he received the congratulations of the crowd gracefully, and finally managed to get away and escape to his room. Here he dressed his wounds, which were not serious, and supplied himself with a new suit of clothes from his trunk, thus bettering his ap- pearance considerably. He then once more descended to the bar-room and office of the hotel. The scanty mail had already been distributed, and the office was less crowded. _As the young man entered the office, he found himself face to face with a person he had least expected to meet, he recognition, too, appeared to be mutual, ‘The man whom the victor found confronting him was the huge bulk of avoirdupois we have met once before—Jonathan Jester, ‘Harold Haines, by all that’s wonderful!” he Halen putting out his hand, ‘ Why, I thought you were in California!” ‘“‘ Did you?” Haines replied, rather dryly. “ Pve not been in California in five months—not since the unfortunate marriage of Lelia Har- rison to Rex Ravel.” “ Ah! yes. I remember, now, that you were a suitor for Lelia’s hand.” ‘“Yes, After the unfortunate match, I left Sacramento, and plunged into the wilderness.” ‘*T suppose you heard of what followed?” ‘Yes, I heard the report that Ravel had robbed his father-in-law, and absconded, and that Lelia’s sister, Flora, had eloped with him.” “Such was the case. The affair broke the hearts of Harrison and his wife, and was the prime cause of their deaths. But, the strangest rt of the affair was the old man’s will, which eft everything, except a mere pittance, to Ravel!” : ‘The deuce, you say! But their chila—” ‘* His name, like his father’s, was Rexford S. Ravel. But, that made no difference, you see. The will failed to state which Rexford §. Ravel the bequest was to goto. Without a doubt it was meant for the child, but there was no clause to prove that such was the intent of the testator. Lelia pushed the matter into the courts, and, as . ood Dick in Dead City. a result, the jury gave the elder Ravel the bene- i 7 fit of the dou ti and decided that the fortune be- longed to him!’ “* And the mower was paid over to Ravel?” “No. The will made me custodian of the money, until it was claimed by the heir, The court gave me instructions to hunt up Ravel, and pay him the money. So in company with his lawyer—an unscrupulous fellow named Spriggins, who had engineered the case—I set, out for this place, where Ravel was said to re- side. Before we got out of California, Spriggins attempted to rob me, and I was forced to kill him, in defense of my life.” “Then you have brought the money with you?” “ce Yes,” “Then you'd better look out for yourself, and let drop no hint that you carry such a sum, for there are plenty of men in this camp who would a hesitate to murder you, to get possession of ‘*So Iam aware. How long have you been here, in Dead City?” Mi I came with the stampede, a couple of weeks ago. bs ee you seen anything of Rex Ravel here?” 18) ‘Strange! here.” ‘* Quite unlikely. There was not an’ inhabit- ant here when the stampeders arrived. If Ravel is here, he is either cleverly disguised, or else ia hiding.” Harold Haines went on: ‘Tt will not be well for Rex Ravel if I meet him, after the way he treated poor Lelia. Even though she jilted me for him, I will avenge her wrongs. Where is she, and her son, now?” “Tdo not know. At last accounts they were scmewhere up in this territory in search of Flora.” ‘‘They will never find her, itis likely. I can give you some news in regard to her, Riaaeeee She never eloped with Rex Ravel as reported,” “What?” ‘Just as Tsay. She did not elope with him, Instead, she eloped with a strolling actor, named Argyle, who had been playing with a company in Sacramento, and with whem she had become mitten, As their flight was almost simultane- cus with that of Rex Ravel, the supposition was naturally formed that she had fled with him.” ‘“This seems incredible.” ‘It is true, nevertheless, She and Argyle started for Leadville, where: he was to play. En route he was killed. She wrote back to me for money to get her home. I sent it, and wrote her, also, the disgraceful cloud that had settled upon her name. wad.” ‘* Well, this is news, indeed!” Jonathan Jester said, ‘‘and will in some measure lift a weight from Mrs. Ravel’s mind when she hears of it, I never saw this sister, Flora, although I and her father were friends of long standing. I hear she was remarkably pretty?” “So she was, ers, however, was a hoyden- ish, vivacious style of beauty, where Lelia’s waa of a more quiet and refined type.” ‘*T presume, should Rex Ravel die, you woul@ renew your suit for the hand of his widow?* Jester interrogated with a smile. “T don’t know. In case Rex Ravel dies before you deliver the money to him—what then?” ‘‘ Why, I shall place the fortune in his wife's hands, for the benefit of her youug son.” The declaration seemed to please Harold Haines, for he nodded his approval. And _ there entered his eyes a gleam, which might have been interpreted to mean: *“Look out for yourself, Rex Ravel, senior, for that fortune shall never belong to you!” - As the two men continued their chat, a door opened, and the girl sport, Ferret Fan, entered the bar-room. Harold Haines saw her as she entered, and clutched Jester’s elephantine arm, convulsively, ‘“Ha! look! Do you see that girl?” ** Yes! yes! What of her?” “Why, that is Flora Harrison!” CHAPTER VII. IN THE CRYPT, Let us turn back and see what became of Deadwood Dick. After passing beyond the curtains that lined the walls of Colonel Choker’s luxurious a ment, Dick’s captors bore him through a doar- way into a wide hallway with high, vaulted ceil- ing. The hall was lighted by lanterns, and_ the ex- Prince of the Road was enabled to make some note of his surroundings. ‘ Spriggins assured me he was I never heard from her after- ee ee”
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. & He saw that the walls and ceiling were of solid rock, and concluded that the passage was hewn into the bowels of the mountains—probably the handiwork of some past and gone race, whose presence in Arizona is now attested by the re- mains of whole cities which have been found in various parts of the wild region. Ess this hall Dick was carried by his grim saptors, for several minutes the march continued; then they entered a sort of caldron-shaped cavern, and descended a steep incline to its bottom Here Deadwood Dick was placed upon his feet, as the Vultures came to a halt. One of the ruffians had brought a lantern along from the hall, and deposited it on a rock, There was a black round hole in the bottom of the cavern, several feet in circumference, out of which arose an odor that was far from pleasant to the sense of smelling. “There! that’s yer tomb!” the leader of the gang announced, gruffly. ‘‘ Thet’s the colonel’s oa pai an’ them as goes down through thet ole never gits out ag’in. We chucks ’em down some grub ’casionally, tho’, an’ I reckon they gits on fair to middling.” ‘** What kind of a place is it?” Dick demanded, with difficulty repressing a shudder. “Dunno! Never was down there. Reckon you'll find out. Ef you’ve got any prayers ter ~ be quick about it!” ick glanced around him, with an observant e 6. Me This is a gold-mine!” he said. “You bet, an’ a daisy, too—but it won’t pan out nary an ounce fer you. Aire you ready?” ‘** As ready as I shall ever be, likely!” Without another word the ruffians seized hold of him, and raising him in the air, pitched him headforemost down through the hole into the un- known depths below. Down! down! went Deadwood Dick, and in their eagerness to peer after him and listen, one of the ruffians knocked over the lantern, and it, too, rolled over into the pit. Terrified at being left in the awful darkness, the Vultures turned and fled from the spot. . Down! went Deadwood Dick, until, ker-souse! he plunged into a pool of foul-smelling water, which proved to be neck — The lantern came down almost as quickly as he did, but as good-luck would have it, did not go out as it too struck the water, when with the sudden inspiration of hope he managed to catch the ring of it between his teeth and raise it above water. His feet were tied, and likewise his hands. | How was he to help himself? By aid of the lantern, he was able to make out that no 0 ie covered but a small space, and was situa’ in a rugged cavern, or subter- ranean chamber, not anlik e that from which he had descended. The pry 2 was full twenty feet above. So far as Dick could see, there were no other prisoners in the place After taking a good look around, he began to try to work his way out of the pool, inch by inch, It was a Godsend the lantern had accompanied him, for it would have been a most horrible fate to be in that place in total darkness, At last, after ten minutes of struggle, he man- ag to get out of the water basin; then he set e lantern down on the rocky floor, He found that the bonds about his feet were slipping, owing to being water-soaked, and after some working he so stretched them that his feet were freed. He then arose, wondering how he would get i er loose, they being fastened behind c As he gazed around, he uttered a cry of as- tonishment. : Upon a bowlder, a few feet away, sat a hu- man et eee he none other than Bug-juice Bob, who laughed y, as he saw the sur- prise depicted upon Dick’s countenance. “Hillo! How'd ye cum down, friend Night- shade?” he demanded, wish a grin. “Dropped!” Dick replied. “Come and un- loosen my hands.” The tramp obeyed, and then the two stared at each other, inquiringly. ‘Well, were you pitched down through the hole?’ Dick asked. ‘You bet, an’ nigh broke my neck. Hev bin wonderin’ ef I war in—” And he named a bay sy place, ‘“‘ Might as well be, I dare say!” Dick declared. ** Have you explored the place?” : ‘ Nary explore. Too many snakes!” “ es?’ ‘** You bet—reg’lar old hissers!” ““Pshaw! I see what’s the matter with you; —you miss your whisky!” ‘Nary! I told the gang I hed a tooth fer ‘bug,’ an’ they took compassion on me, an’ tossed down a couple of canteens 0’ regular old throat- skinner, after me. Ef ye don’t b’lieve there’s snakes, fetch the glim, an’ come ahead!” Dick obeyed, and they advanced into the depths of the chamber. t then became evident, for a second time, that Bug-juice was not a wholesale liar. Myriads of snakes, both large and small, ran across their path, hissing and protruding their forked tongues, in a manner horrible to see. “ Ain’t I level?” Bug-juice Bob demanded, with a chuckle. ‘‘ What d’yer call ’em, snakes, or hop-toads?” **T should — they were real snakes, not jim- jams nor bad dreams.” They went on with their exploration. New surprises awaited them, at every step. The chamber was a veritable crypt! Every little ways, they found a human skele- ton, or some dismembered portion of one. They were not skeletons, however, of persons who had died recently. The shape of the skulls, and certain other culiarities, prociaimed that they were the ones of some past-and-gone race. Among the whole assortment not one had the appearance of having belonged to an animate form, within a century, most of them being green with age. It was a veritable chamber of horrors and the two men eagerly and anxiously sought for an out- let from the awful tomb, but except,the black hole far up in the ceiling, through which they had made their unceremonious descent, there ap- parently was no exit. When they had finished their exploration, they returned to the edge of the pool, which was about the only place where there were no snakes. ‘Well! what do you think of the prospect?” Deadwood Dick asked, when they had perched themselves, respectively, upon a couple of bowlders. ‘‘Do you reckon we'll ever get out of here?” “Tt don’t luk much like it, [ll swear!” Bug- juice Bob replied, sourly. ‘‘ What we goin’ ter do when ther glim goes out?” ‘*T don’t know. aybe we'd better put it out, and reserve it for a future occasion!” ‘* But, the snakes! Gora-mighty! they’ll eat us up alive!” The thought of being attacked by the hideous reptiles caused both men to shudder. ‘I have a couple of dozen matches in the lin- ing of my hat!” Dick said. ‘‘ But they won’t be of much account, when the oil in the lantern is used up!” Their situation was indeed desperate. They dare not extinguish the light, for fear of snakes, and so turned it down, to a mere glim- mer and left it burning. The hours passed slowly, and the two prison- ers discussed their prospects until they wearied of ean 4 Then, they took turns at obtaining a few min- utes’ pod one or the other remaining awake, to fe) kee e mts. us the night passed oie 9 and they knew, finally, that another day m have dawned in the outer world, ‘Then, knowing not what else to do, they took the lantern and set out once more to explore the crypt, having no idea, in the mean time, but what their search would be fruitless. And so it proved, after a half-hour’s clamber- ing among the rugged bowlders and rude pas- $a; es, Tbs no go,” Deadwood Dick said, in a dis- couraged tone. ‘‘We might as well save our boot-leather, and pag it up as a bad job.” % icewta my idea, too,” Bug-juiee agreed. ‘* But ’twon’t pay ter git down im speerits!” and here he helped himself to a nip from one of his eh canteens of whisky. “Jest try a bit o’ this ere throat-tickler, an’ I’m durned ef et won’t set ye way up in G!” is time Dick did not refuse. He needed ene to stimulate him, for he felt decidedly ue, He took a light draught; then they set out on their return to the pool, when suddenly Dead- wood Dick paused. f ‘‘A current of air,” he said, holding out his hand, ‘‘ and it comes up from below /” 4 ‘Bt ain’t no air!” Bug-juice announced, with a sniff. ‘I’m a fang-toothed liar ef it ain’t gas —natteral gas! Try a match to et.” Nothing loth, Deadwood Dick hastened to obey. The moment ke applied a lighted match to the ‘socks, I Deadwood Dick in Dead City. — current that issued from a crevice in the rocky floor, a jet of brilliant flame shot up high above their heads, and illuminated that inner chamber in every part. ‘“‘ Tuck aire wi’ us!” Bug-juice Bob cried, bam enthusiasm, ‘* an’ we sha’n’t fall short o im, : The gas geyser burned furiously, and showed no signs of waning. But now that ey had light, another question arose: what were they to subsist on? This was satisfactorily answered, a few hours later, when a noise in the outer chamber at- tracted their attention, and proceeding to the vicinity of the pool they discovered a whole le of venison, which vy romeo had been drop down from the upper chamber and landed on the rocks beside the pool. . There was enough of it to last them several days, and they were not slow in making their way back to the illuminated cavern and there roasting the savory meat by the gas-fire, had a sumptuous repast. Time dragged on. Long, weary hours merged into days, and still the two prisoners in the crypt found no method of escape. They received meat ribp A other day, and sc did not suffer except from the monotony of their penned-up existence. Bug-juice Bob’s stock of whisky expired be- fore the end of the first week, and for the next two or three days he came near collapsing for the want of more. He was nervous, uritable, and half-crazed. The mood gradually wore away however. and then he became more like his natural self. What was, as near as they could calculate, the thirteenth day of their stay in that horrible hole, proved to be the last, ‘ When they awoke in the morning—for since the lighting of the natural gas, there were no snakes in the chamber to prevent both sleepin at the same time—a surprise awaited them, an a most agreeable one, too. Seated near where they had been lying was no less a personage than Shasta Kate! Both men quickly arose and stared at her with expressions of eagerness. ‘“* You here?’ Dick exclaimed. ‘‘ Are you too a victim of Colonel Choker’s devilishment?” ‘“T am here!” was the calm reply, ‘‘ but not as a prisoner, Did Choker know of my pres- ence here my life would not be worth a penny.” ‘¢ Then you have come to set us at liberty? ‘‘Perhaps. It will all depend whether you agree to my conditions or not!” ‘* What are they?” “You must permit me to blindfold you and ees me to make no attempt to remove the andages until I shall have had time to get out of your sight—five minutes at least. Swear to do this and I will lead you to liberty!” ‘T swear to respect your wish, in the fullest!” Deadwood Dick assented without hesitation. “ An’ yer kin bet yer Sunday-go-ter-meetin’ ll never ann’int me larnyx wi’ liquid hornet ef them ain’t my senty alee too!” Bug- juice Bob affirmed, holding up his hand. “Very well. ere’s no time to be lost and so you will permit me to blindfold you,” Shasta said, briefly. She produced a couple of heavy cloth band- ages and soon had the prisoners’ eyes so covered that it was impossible for them to see, Taking one by each shoulder she then told them to march. : They obeyed, and continued for some ten mine tes, by which time a change of temperature made them GyAr that they were out of the crypt, and probably in some passage. "X walk of ten minutes more, perhaps, and they felt grass and yielding soil beneath their feet, They still continued on for several min- utes, during which time Dick formed the idea pa they were going around and around in a circle. Finally she brought them to a halt and said: ‘Now, gentlemen, you are at ljberty, but £ shall expect you to wait five minutes before rex moving your bandages, according to promise,” ‘We will do so,” Deadwood Dick replied. Then they heard her move away. When he thought the five minutes had expit~ ed, Dick tore away the blindfold, Bug-juice do~ ing likewigg. A ‘The found themselves standing in Dead City ocket, but a few hundred pervs: om thecamp, ay was just breaking and the town was getting ir. But Shasta Kate was gone from view. ‘Free, be thunder!” ejaculated Bug-juice Bob, “Sure enough—free, but penniless!” Dick re-
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Deadwood Dick in Dead City. i ae thrusting his hand into his coat ©) As he did so, his hand came in contact with something, and drawing it forth, it proved to be a roll of bank notes, around which was pin- neda slip of paper, containing feminine chirog- raphy. The face of Deadwood Dick expressed great astonishment, as well as eagerness, as he read what was written. It was as follows: ‘*Drapwoop Dick:—Here is money to help you get outof Dead City. I’d advise you to go, as your life is not safe here. And, though we both have sed thro’ many bitter experiences, let us not go own the hill of life hating one another. I have much to forgive and to have forgiven. I have also given you your life, Take it asa present from one who wronged you. Take it and go; but never waste time planting flowers or shedding tears over the grave you made in the mountains,* for the wo- man you buried there, was not “ CALAMITY JANE.” CHAPTER VIII. BUG-JUICE BOB COMMISSIONED. Ir ever there was a surprised person, it was Deadwood Dick. And, moreover, he was deeply affected by what he read, although he endeavored to_hide his emotion so that “Bug-juice Bob would not notice it. , ; Could he believe it?—was Calamity Jane still alive? He was positive that she it was whom he had buried, months before; yet this paper seemed to aver that she was not ead—ay! and his quick intuition now led him to the conviction that his wife was indeed alive. When the hand of Shasta Kate had touched him, a strange inexplicable thrill had affected him that he could not account for. He knew the reason, now. ‘ It was Calamity’s hand that had touched him —Calamity, who, in the guise of Shasta Kate, had given him his rhea ! She was alive!—had forgiven all the strange past—ay! herself yearned for forgiveness, and to be united to him once more! The very thought thrilled him with a wild tumultuous feeling of commingled happiness and Perhaps there were never two human beings more suited to each other, than he and Calam- ity—both wild, restless spirits—both brave, and devoted to their purpose with recklessness born of their wild lives, How long he would have stood staring at the aper and money is hard to say, had not Bug- juice Bob aroused him. “Say thar! What’s ther fang-toothed racket, e?’ he demanded. ‘* Whar’d ye git ain’t **How much do you want?” “Nuff ter hire me board fer a year, an’ buy a bar’l o’ fusil ’ile.” Here’s a ten-dollar note.” Ill tend yer funeral, an’ see ther lid ’s screwed on RE ae er that. I’m off now, se my tank up ter ther chime. Tra-la- Cs) ‘But hold on! Don’t be in a hurry.” “Well, hurry up, fer I kin feel the liquid hor- net oozin’ down me org nigh a’ready. ‘‘Tf you know when you're well off, you'll ~~ the ‘bug’alone. I want you to do me a ‘avor. ‘‘ What’s ther racket, pard?” “Go to the camp and get me a false beard of some sort, and fetch it out here to that clump of bushes yonder, where I'll wait.” ‘* What fer ye’r’ goin’ to mask, pard?” ‘‘ Wer reasons of my own.” ~ ‘“‘ Where’ll I get the whiskers?” “Why, yoni have to find out. I see the camp is now peopled. Likely, if you can find a Jew shop, you can get what I want; but if there’s no Jew shop, then canvass the crowd, If you are sharp-eyed you're likely to find some chap who wears a false beard. I’ve known doz- ens of men in a town to thus keep their identi- ty under an eclipse.” *“ Well, what then?” as > snatch the beard, and make yourself scarce.” y ‘Kerect. I’m off.” And the tramp moved ba adding to himself: ‘**Let me see. He’s ter wait till I come back. a See “‘ Deadwood Dick’s Claim,"" Half-Dime No. do you propose about the fortune That'll be hours from now. Afore I kin hey ther red-headed audacity ter snatch onter a fel- ler’s face riggin’, I shall hev ter get as b’ilin’ drunk as a flimsy X will make me, asides ther time et’ll take me ter find me man, Howsum- ever, Mr. Nightshade Nick, ye kin look fer me, when ther song-birds uv evenin’ hev ceased to twitter, an’ ther stars fasten their sparklin’ ra- diance on ther bald pate uv ther nocturnal, per- ambulatin’ American eagle. Wi’ sum, et’s— ** First in luv, first in war; but wi’ me et’s ‘* First in bug-juice, second in slumber!” And accordingly it seemed doubtful if Dick would get the coveted disguise right away. CHAPTER IX, FERRET FAN OFFERS A REWARD. TuE words of Harold Haines caused Jonathan Jester to gaze toward Ferret Fan, and, as his eyes fell upon her, he nodded his head. ‘“‘ Yes, friend Haines, I think I see a trace of resemblance to my old friend Harrison. I could not say positive that itis Flora, for I have not seen her since she was a child, owing to the fact that being something of an incorrigible, she was kept at school much of the time, The girl yon- der, however, traveled on the same stage as I two different times since I entered Arizona— once as I was staging it to Redville, and again, ri the stage that brought me to Dead City to- ‘Indeed! Have you had any conversation with her?” ‘* Very little. She did not seem inclined to speak to me. Perhaps, however, it was because there is so much of me to speak to that she did not feel equal to the task!” and Jester’s sides shook with laughter. “That girl is certainly Flora Harrison, and et she is not Flora Harrison!” Haines said, ooking puzzled. ‘‘Flora Harrison, when I saw her last, was the possessor of beautiful blonde hair. This girl, as you perceive, has brown hair. Yet in face and figure she is the same.” ‘* You might be mistaken. Resemblances most startling are often encountered.” _“* True, but I'd be almost willing to wager my life that [ am not mistaken now!” ‘“Why don’t you put the matter to a test, then?” ‘“What! all patched and plastered up as I am? Why, Id frighten the poor gir] into fits.” “Bah! Unless I miss my guess, she’s not one of the sort to get skeered so easily.” ‘*May be not. I’ve a mind to risk it,” He hesitated a moment, then approached where Ferret Fan stood, watching a faro game. She turned as she felt a touch upon her shoul- der and they came face to face, pretty face se Sir! I presume you have made a mistake?” 6 said. “T think not!” Haines persisted. ‘ You are am tly mistaken.” “ Then you are greatly mistaken!” she replied, SO. ” studying her so closely that me!” she replied, and then watch the game. ont Considering himself dismissed, Haines turned away, and rejoined Jonathan Jester, who had pete hse er the attempt with considerable in- rest, “No go, eh?” he said, as Haines approached. “No. She wouldn't have it. But if she is not Flora Harrison then I am the most deceived man in the world.” 3 “Which is not at all improbable. As I re- marked, resemblances are often startling. How about her hair?” y “T don’t think it is a wig, as I first sup f But, then, you know hair is readily dyed. “True, “What name did she give?” ‘Said she was called Ferret Fan Py those who knew her, and that I was certainly mis- taken, That was all I could get out of her.” ‘* And very likely you are mistaken.” ‘*T am not yet satisfied on that pein What usiness?” I shall await here several days—a couple of 9 ————« weeks, perhaps. If Rex Ravel does not turn up during that time, I shall return to Califorma and advertise, awaiting his orders.” The two men separated, Jester retiring to his room, as he said, to rest from the fatigue of his recent journey. Harold Haines continued to haunt the bar- room, and it was seldom that his eyes were off the girl sport, who, after watching awhile, took it seat at the faro-table and bought a stack of chips. If she was conscious that Haines was watch- ing her she gave no token of the fact, either in. ge or action. he played for an hour, with good luck, and then arose, Before her on the table lay quite a heap ct gold coin and greenbacks. ‘* Gentlemen!” she said, ‘‘ here’s five hundred dollars, in clean cash, which I have fairly won. I don’t often Ps, for money, but I happened to be in need of this sum, and sc I tried my luck. I will leave it deposited with the landlord of the house, and give you all an opportunity to secure i She brent the money into a little buckskin pouch, and tossed it over to the landlord, who was seated at the table. Then she took from her pocket and unfolded a printed one-sheet poster}; then also drew out a tack-hammer and tacks, and crossing the room, she nailed the poster up in full view on the wall opposite the bar, The habitues of the Big Nugget watched her with interest, and read Se was printed upon the bill. The contents were as follows: ‘** $500 REWARD, “T will pay a reward of five hundred dollars for the capture, alive, of the notorious outlaw known throughout the West as Deadwood Dick. The re- port that he is dead is false. Another, and an in- nocent man, was lynched in his stead. Deadwood Dick fs alive, and in this vicinity, and I will pay the above reward to the person or persons who will de- liver him into my custody. “ Signed, Frrret Fan.” The girl sport turned to the spectators, ‘‘-You see for yourselves,” she said, “‘T want Deadwood Dick. The money awaits in the hands of the man who runs this shebang!” She then walked up to the bar, purchased a” drink of wine, and left the Big Nugget. Harold Haines followed her, directly, and saw her saunter leisurely away toward where the miners were at work. Later in the afternoon saw him walking in the immediate vicinity of the dense cluster of bushes where Deadwood Dick had promised to await the return of Bug-juice Bob. He gnawed away at the end of a cigar, as he strolled along, and his face wore a moody ex- pression. “Poor Lelia!” he muttered. ‘‘How much happier her lot might have been had she chosen me instead of that scoundrel, Rex Ravel!” He uttered the words aloud, and his suddenly rested upon the face and form of Ferret Fan, who stood before him assuddenly, as though she had risen from out the earth. There wes a quiet smile upon her face, in con- trast with his look of rise. ‘* How do yeu do, Mr. Haines?” she said, put- ting out her hand. ‘““Eh?—you—?” he began, hardly knowing what tosay. . : ‘“T am she who was once Flora Harrison!” she said, with a musical laugh, . “But you told me you were not, up at the Big Nugget?” Because I was not anxious to have any one know me by any other name than Ferret Fan.” Haines shook her hand warmly. “Tam glad to meet you!” he said, ‘I had not heard from you, of late.” “T wrote you at Sacramento, after you kind- ly sent me the money, but you had gone. Then set out on the trail of vengeance!” ‘ Vengeance?” “Yes. You saw the notice I posted up, in the Big Nugget bar-room?” es. “Well, that’s explanatory. My husband, Pred Argyle, was mistaken for the cntlaw Dead- wood Dick, and lynched by the Vigilantes.” “You wrote me so,” a ‘“ Well, I swore, then, that I would be re- venged by taking Deadwood Dick’s life, in ex- change for Fred’s—a life for a life, you know. I’ve been pretty close upon the trail, ever since, and have reason to believe that Deadwood Dick is either in this vicinity, now, or will be soon. So here I shall await my prey. “Tam afraid you have taken a job much too big for you, Flora!” Haines said, gravely. ‘‘ I’ve
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10 heard of this fellow, and when men can’t got away with him how do you ever ee to?” “Tt matters not how. I shall have my re- venge, even if I die getting it. When I have finished Deadwood Dick, I’ve another wrong to avenge—the foul wrong Rex Ravel did my sis- ter!” ‘* Bravo! you can count me in, on that score. I have, nepaonelly, sworn to hunt the scoundrel down, and force him to fight me!” ‘Good! We will follow that trail, together. Do you know where Lelia and her child are?” “ Jester has informed me that she is wander- ing through Arizona, in search of you.” “Poor sister! How foolish of her!” Ferret Fan said, betraying considerable emotion. ‘‘ She ought never to have attempted such a thing, for she has not the grit or experience of one fitted to travel through almost constantdanger. You say Jester informed you. Who is he, pray?” ‘I wrote to you about your father’s singular will? Well, Jonathan Jester is the man to whom the main fortune was intrusted.” “Ah! yes, I see. The court decided that it belonged to Rex Ravel, and not to his child!” ‘* So it would appear.” ‘Where is Jonathan Jester?” “Here, in Dead City. He came on the same stage with you.” “ What!—not the fat man?” ‘The same,” ‘* What is he here for?” “Why, you see, the court ordered him to pay over the fortune to Ravel, senior. Ravel's law- yer declared Ravel to be living here. The two set out, to bring the money here. While en route, Jester was forced to shoot the lawyer, for attempted robbery, and so came on alone.” “Then, is Rex» Ravel here, in Dead Ferret Fan demanded, with flashing eyes.” ‘That remains to be found out. I have been here, two weeks, and have seen nothing of him. If he is here, it is probable he is in hiding, or in ise. “Jester will pay the money to him if he per- sonally demands it, then?” “Without a doubt. Indeed, that is his lawful duty.” ‘Then, mark you, Harold Haines, you and I must work. The fortune belongs to my poor unfortunate sister’s child, and Rex Ravel, the scoundrel, shall not touch a penny of it!” “So say I. I am with you, hand and heart, on that score. Although your sister did uot choose to accept of my love, I bear her no mal- ice, and will only too glad to fight in her cause,” “T believe you, Harold. It would have been much better had she linked her fate with yours!” Ferret Fan said, gravely. ‘‘ Poor, in- nocent Lelia! She was always the lily of the family, while I was the hardy rose, and better able to bear up under the blight of mis- fortune. Poor Lelia! I wonder where she is now?” . ‘*She is dead!” a voice announced, from tke vicinity of the thicket near which they had been standing! CHAPTER X. WAR DECLARED, Tur words, uttered in an impressive tone, caused Ferret Fan and Haines to wheel about, with utterances of surprise. Standing but a few feet away, with his arms folded across his breast, was the man who had spoken—Dead wood Dick! : “ ‘Hello! Who are you?” Ferret Fan demand- ed, suspiciously, her hand dropping to one of her revolvers. ‘‘ Nightshade Nick, at your service!” was the reply, and Dick advanced, fearlessly. ‘‘I ama detective, and was in the thicket, yonder, watch- ing for a party, when I chanced to overhear our conversation, and hid tow on to some points happened to be acquainted with,” ey Indeed ! What do you know about me, or about my sister?’ Fan demanded, still regard- ing the ex-prince doubtfully. * Of you—nothing, except what I learned by overhearing your conversation. Of your sister, J know somewhat more!” ‘You say she is dead?” Haines spoke up. > What reason have you for making that asser- n, * From the simple fact that I was called to her death-bed, some three weeks ago. To explain more fully, will require some time. If you care to listen, however, [ will accommodate you.” “If you really know anything in regard to my sister, I shall be very glad to receive the news, sir,” Ferret Fan said. Deadwood Dick in Dead City. Accordingly, Deadwood Dick made known all about his singular nocturnal adventure, and visit to the camp of the Dumb Deveres.. ‘““Then, my sister was not dead, when you were taken from her presence?’ Fan asked, when Dick had completed his narration. “No. But, if what she said be true, she prob- ably did not live long afterward.” “God grant she may not be dead, yet! Do you think you could find the place where you saw her?” ‘Possibly. But it would likely require weeks, and maybe months of active search.” “Tt don’t matter, if it takes years. I must find my sister, or her remains. But, not yet! First I have a greater mission—to hunt down Rex Ravel, the wretch, the murderer, the hu- man demon, and visit vengeance upon him.” ‘It would seem that the three of us were bent on one and the same purpose!” Dick added. ‘Yes, if you propose to fulfill your promise to my sister. naevtar rage to Gea report, little Rex is undoubtedly in his father’s possession?” ‘*T presume so,” *‘And.do you think Rex Ravel is in Dead City, or vicinity?” ““T haven't a doubt about the matter.” ** And why not?” Dick hesitated a moment, thoughtfully, and then went on and narrated his experience from the time of his arrival in Dead City, up to when he had been released, that morning—explained everything except that Bug-juice Bob had been a party to his adventures, and that part relative to his discovery that Shasta Kate was none other than Calamity Jane. “Then, it is rbd opinion that this man Bingham, alias Colonel Choker, is really my rascally brother-in-law, Rex Ravel?” Ferret Fan asked. ‘“*T do think so.” _ ‘*And you also think he has got little Rex with him, in this secret retreat?” “Very ae The woman, Shasta Kate, was no doubt hired to take care of the boy.” The girl was silent a moment, in thought. ‘*You intend to try and find the boy, I sup- pose?” she finally said. ‘*T do, most assuredly.” ‘*Then, in case you recover him, I suppose you_will turn him over to my care?” ‘“‘T should deem it necessary to consider, somewhat, before deciding on that question.” “Oh! of course. But, 1, you see, would be the nearest and most natural person to take charge of him.” ‘*Perhaps. It will be time enough to discuss that matter, when we get the boy.” ‘Of course I see no reason why we three might not as well combine forces and work together.” “That plan would hardly be agreeable. You have your friend here, to assist you, while I always pre:er to work alone. Then, too, I do not care to endanger my life too much!” ‘* How do you mean ‘“‘T mean that I am Deadwood Dick, the person whom you have sworn to kill for no cause whatever, moré than that your husband was mistaken for me—I was miles from the lace at the time—and hung, by the Vigilantes!” Dick uttered the words coolly, a half-amused expression upon his face. You Deadwood Dick?’ Ferret Fan gasped, her face growing pale, and a gleam of sudden- wrought pession, entering her eyes—‘‘ you Dead- wood Dick?” “That same embodiment of fles, bones and notoriety !” was the prompt answer. : “‘Then, you spoke the truth when you said it would not be agreeable to work in concert. Through your unenviable notoriety I lost m husband, and Ill not go back en the oath I too over his grave!” She spoke with the fierceness of baa hatred, and drew a revolver from her_ belt, evidently fully intending to use it, but Haines etaspel her wrist, firmly. ‘None of that, Flora!” he said, authoritative- y: ‘* Your grudge against this man is both un- reasonable and unwarranted, no matter what his reputation may be, or has been. He had nothing todo with your husbands’ death, and you shall attempt no rash act when I am about. ould you shoot a man who is unarmed?” “As ge as l’d crusha fly! However, I'll not shock your nerves by taking my revenge, now. Wewillreturn tothe camp. As for you, sir,”—and she turneda burning glance upon the impressive Dick—‘‘ my vengeance will reach you yet. Iswear it!” camp, Harold Haines slowly following her. a a a ern Pa EA ee gaa ce ee a ge ETI ec RE EA: ES eee ae ee ee ro CHAPTER XI. : BUG-JUICE BOB ON A RACKET. BuaG-sJu1cE Bop had, to some extent, shown himself to be a ‘‘ character,” and though at first Dick had been suspicious of him, these suspi- cions had passed away, and the wary ex-road- agent came to the conclusion that Bob was on the square, so far as loyalty was concerned. But all the peculiarities of the mountain tramp and happy-go-lucky vagabond had not as yet had an airing, as we shall see. After leaving Deadwood Dick, Bug-juice Bob hastened toward the camp and into the first place where his favorite beverage was dis- pensed, which happened to be the Big Nugget, it being open earlier than any of the other saloons. rag the saloon, Bob paused, felt of the crisp ten-dollar note in his pocket, and looked wistfully at the bar, where a number of persons were taking their morning ‘‘ breakfast coaxer.”’ “Only a saw-buck,” Bob mused, reflectively. “*T wonder if it will buy enuff _—o ter git up er sensation in me stummick? It’s doubtful. It takes a soakin’ rain ter make a drouth feel moist, an’ ther same applies ter me, an’ whispers in me equitable ear: ‘Don’t go ter shootin’ off yer boodle too suddintly, Robby, fer ye may need severial cart-wheels ter brace ye up when ther sun goes down.’ An’ thet’s a true fact. I must let some good Samaritan do ther treatin’, ter start with.” If he had presented a forlorn appearance when he first encountered Deadwood Dick, he looked incomparably worse now, and wore the air of a man who had passed through a severe winter without food, fire or water. His entrance caused those who were gathered at the bar to look around, and their faces as- sumed an expression of commiseration. ‘* Hello, my man!” a well-dressed member of the party cried out. ‘‘Come this way. What are you—what do you call yourself? Are you alive?” “No, ’'m dead—dead—dead!” Bug-juice an- nounced, in a tone of deep solemnity. ‘*Dead broke, I presume,” was the retort. ‘* Where’d you come from, anyhow?” “From the grave, noble sir—from the grave! I am ther ’riginal Rip: Van Winkle, an’ I hev jest awoken from a sleep uv thirty years, an’ *m werry dry!” ‘* Ha! ha! pretty good! ou?” ‘¢Dryer then ther desert uv Sarah, noble sir! Oh, look not_on me wi’ scorn because I am rag- ed! Once I wore raiment even more cos y than thine, sir, and proudly did I tread the boards ’mid ringing plaudits!” “The boards?” “Ay! ther stage. I am an actor, sir—or [ uster afore the troupe went up the flume an’ left me in the relentless clutches of advarsity. It was since then thet I became the walking scare-crow you now behold, noble sir!” ‘‘ He’sa regular professional vagabond, Bent- ley!” the bartender said, addressing the man a had opened the conversation. : ‘¢ Oh, I presume so,” was the careless a ‘*No, I ain’t no vagabond!” blustered Bug- juice. “I don’t pan out well fer looks now, ut ye kin bet I uster ‘draw’ when I war on ther stage.” ghee did you do on the stage?” Bentley asked. “Everything, sir. I’ve filled every persition from supe ter manager, an’ played every part from Hamlet ter an organ-grinder’s monkey. Then, too, I’ve bin in ther speshilty biz as a jug- gler, Great fang-tooth fakes! Yer jest orter see me juggle! Ef I wasn’t so nigh broke up fer a drink o’ suthin’ stimulatin’, I’d give yer anex- erbition of my skill,” ‘*-You go on and prove that you’re what you have represented, and you shall have what you want to drink!” Bentley encouraged, ‘* By the sandals uv ther original Shylock, it’s a bargain!” Bug-juice responded, brightenin up. ‘But hold! Where are my tools? Ah! hev et, whar ther leader had the fiddle! Ye see reg long-necked bottles, yonder, behind the ar? ‘*T see them,” ‘*Well, sir, ter prove ter you that Iam an artist in adversity, I will juggle seven 0’ them bottles in the air, one on top of the other, holdin’ ther bottom bottle in my mouth, an’ makin’ ther top one dance a jig—thet is, ef any galoot’s mornin’-bracer hes taken effeck so he kin whis- tle me an aria!” ‘“Bosh! nonsense! You’r’? a humbug! You can’t do nothing of the sort!” Bentley pro- So you are dry, are She turned, then, and walked toward the | tested. ‘‘ But allow me, noble sir, to insinuate thet J | | | | | t “
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soe ony Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 11 ean. Alas! my last shekel has departed my purse, or I'd gamble on it!” “Would you? Now, see here; it strikes me ou are about the mouthiest fraud I ever met. ou can do the act you’d not be here.” ‘Set out ther bottles, Sir Bartender, and al- low me to fill this scoffer’s boots chock-full 0’ conviction!” cried Bug-juice, waving his arms dramatically. “* Nix-ee Yottles!” the dispenser of ‘‘light- ning” gate y. ‘‘Them bottles are full ©’ ther best whisky !” placed the bottles on the bar. “And as for you, sir,” Bentley said, address- ing the bummer, ‘if you succe:sfully perform the feat you have claimed to be able to do, the seven bottles of liquor belong to you, at my ex- mse. ‘To me—allto me!” and Bob’s fingers worked convulsively. “Yes, ou can take ’em, go out and lay down under some bush, and soak yourself in whisky till you are dissolved, for all I care.” “What! Them few gulps dissolve me? Nary time, my royal sir. Ef ye wanter see me real bilin’, funny drunk—wanter see all ther wit an’ comedy in me nature brought out ter ther sur- face, you'll hey ter roll out a bar’l!” The tramp then took one of the bottles, turn- ed it over and over, and ts a it in his hand —then the cork shot suddenly ceilingward, the bottle was seen raised to his Hye and the con- tents heard to go gurgling down his throat, He only took a good swig, however, after which he recovered the cork and returned it to the bottle. Thea kissing his hand to the crowd, he held the bottle by the neck and upside down in his left hand, by way of beginning his performance. He next Par the second bottle on top of the first and followed with the third, fourth and fifth, balancing them with the greatest apparent ease. The ee was now higher than he could reach, but after steadying himself, he tossed the sixth bottle into the air, and it came down in its roper place on seh of the other bottles without Poking any of them out of p'ace. A murmur of astonishment escaped the spec- tators. This was something too scientific or skillful for their understanding. With a triumphant smile, Bug-juice Bob seiz- ed the seventh bottle, and steadying the waver- ing pyramid in his right hand, thrust his left end: behind his back, and by a little jerk sent the last bottle spinning up over his right shoul- der toward the top of the pyramid, where it landed, the crowning triumph of the wonderful act, in safety! It was certainly all a marvel of nerve and a jugglers precision. : nd early as was the hour, the Big Nugget bar-room rung wildly with uproarious cheers. But Bug-juice was not done. He waved his hand to enjoin silence, and then — pointed up toward the pinnae of the pyramid, To the astonishment of the crowd, the top bottle began to jump up and down, and weave from one side to the other, like a drunken thing. Then it dumped off into Bob’s left grasp, and the others followed suit, until they were all on the floor. : ‘* Bravo! bravo! The whisky is yours, my man!” Bentley cried, enthusiastically, ‘‘ and be- sides that, you must come up and have a drink wi “And Ill give you a hundred dollars a week to perform that act here once each evening!” de- clared the boss of the Big Nugget, seeing bi profits at the bar through having such a car on exhibition. F ‘“‘Nary a hundred!” Bug-juice replied. ‘“T hev foresworn the stage orever. Here’s yer health, Bentley, old stockin’s!” He tossed off the drink, then gathered up the bottles in his arms and said: “'Tral-la-lee! gents, Dll be back when Ive fed me snakes, y-b 1” and he left the hotel. Bentley and several of the crowd followed, but when they got out of doors, Bug-juice Bob had vanished from view as completely as if an | earthquake had swallowed him. Nor was his battle-scarred visage Seen again until evening. , ; It was then sate as he entered the Big Nugget, that he had been indulging consider- ably, for his walk was unsteady, and his face Had he swallowed the contents of the whole seven bottles? eS = uo] r=) I l sar) S o = re) = re 3) JQ 2 If so, it had not ‘‘dissolved” him by any means, nor had the liquor satisfied his appetite, for he made straight for the bar, put out the cash for ‘‘ four fingers” of the ‘* bug,” and gul ed down the fiery stuff, smacking his lips as if it were a draught of elixir. He then took from his pocket a sort of fife, which, though rude, and of his own recent manu- facture looked as if it might be musical. And so it proved, Placing the instrument to his lips, he began to waltz about the bar-room, in a manner most Mele a and in perfecttime with the weirdly eautiful waltz music he played. In silence, and with rapt attention, the crowd listened, for here, surely, was a refreshing novel- ty, and one that they appreciated. After continuing his antics for some ten min- utes, Bug-juice took off his hat and proceeded to pass it around, Did he get any contributions? Of course he did! Scarcely a man in the crowd, was there, who did not put in a nickel or quarter, and by the time he had gone the rounds, Bob’s sorry specimen of a hat was heavy with coin, Bug-juice stowed the collection away in his ockets, with an expression of urbanity wonder- ul to see upon such a face as his, and then, sud- denly, espied a man whom he had not appealed to for a contribution—a well-built, well-dressed person, with a luxuriant flowing black beard and mustache, who was seated alone, at a table, in an obscure corner of the room, Bug-juice was on the make, and he no sooner saw the man than he arose, and swaggered to- ward him. “ Hillo! pard!” he saluted, with a hiccough andaleer. ‘‘ Reckon I didn’t reach you, w’en war tookin’ up ther kerlection!” “Tt’s just as well. ‘You'd have got nothing if ou had!” was the gruff answer, and the black- earded individual did not look as if he were in an overly pleasant state of mind. ‘‘T wouldn’t, eh?” and Bob braced himself b spreading his feet wide apart, and putting his arms akimbo, ‘So yer ain’t on ther give, hey, boss?” “‘ Decidedly not!” was the reply. “I don’t care to fraternize with tramps, so about the safest thing you can do is to keep at a distance,” “ Hillo! You don’t tell me! Why yure bad, aire you?” ‘‘You’ll find out how bad Iam if vou don’t mind your own business and move on!” the man said, savagely. ae If his en implied a threat Bug-juice Bob was entirely too good-natured from the effects of booze to take any note of the fact. He mere- ly stared harder at the man with the raven hir- me appendage, and uttered a prolonged whis- e. ““ Waal, I'll be cussed! Yer kinder talks es tho’ ye run this hyer caboose!” he finally re- torted. ‘‘ Guess hes od ye don’t know me? “No, and don’t want to. Are you going to move on?” and a polished ‘‘ six” peeped over the top of the table, ‘Great fang-toothed fumes 0’ fun! That set- tles it!” Bug-juice exclaimed. ‘ You kin have the jack-pot, pardner—I’m out of the game!” and, good as his word, Bug-juice made himself scarce about that particular portion of the great apartment, It was not because he was 80 particularly frightened, however. Thére was a uliar twinkle in his blood-shot eyes, which bespoke triumph. ‘“Reckon I hev struck ther blow-end uv a bonanza!” he chuckled. ‘Ef them whiskers aire the bona fidy article, ’m a durn web-futted eae Weill see, in ther sweet by an’ by—we wi Bob took another ‘ stimulant” at the bar, and then threw himself into a chair by the wall, near the faro-table, and to all appearances went to sleep. But he was not asleep by any means, and by peering between his heavy eye-lashes he kept well informed as to the movements of pretty nearly every one in the room, and knew what was going on. j As he anticipated, it was not long ere the man with the black whiskers came and sat down at the faro-table, and invested in chips, The game was running large, and the new de- votee lost, twice in succession. Each time he uttered a curse at his ill luck, but made no move to stop playing. Three times he lost, and tried it again. ‘*Tf I don’t do something for myself now, I’m out of the game!” he said, grimly. ‘‘ Here’smy last money.” ; The other players made no reply. * If they were sorry for anything, it was that ie man did not have a bigger pile of money to O80. » The game was played, and the bank ‘‘ hauled the heap!” While he of the black whiskers arose. ‘My money’s all gone!” he declared. ‘¢ An’ so’s yer whiskers!” cried a rough voice, and, at the same time, a hand seized hold of the sweeping false beard and jerked it from the man’s face. Colonel Choker—for it was he—uttered a cry of consternation and rage, as he saw Bug-juice Bob darting from the bar-room, waving the chin-scalp victoriously in the air, But Bob had vanished, ere Choker could make any move to stop him. CHAPTER XII. FERRET FAN’S RESOLVE. WHEn Ferret Fan and Harold Haines returned to the mining-camp, after their encounter with Deadwood Dick, they did not speak a word. Fan’s face was stern and angered of expres- sion, and it was evident that she chafed under the fact that Haines had in a measure restrained her from carrying out her vengeful purpose. When they reached the hotel, she announced her intention of retiring to her room, and Haines saw no more of her until toward night, when she came down into the bar-room. Procuring a drink at the bar, she left the hotel, beckoning Haines to follow. He did so, and they met just at the edge of the camp where the bulletin board had stood, the day of Deadwood Dick’s arrival. ere, in the shadow of the only tenantless cabin in Dead City, the two faced each other. Fan’s face was not frank and calm of expres- sion, but still wore a sullen look, and her eyes: emitted a peculiar gleam. ‘‘T suppose you wonder what I want of you?” she said, coming to the point at once. ‘Oh! not particularly!” Haines replied, ‘TI presumed you had something to say’to me.” ‘‘And so I have. I wish to ask you a pointed question.” ‘Well, what is it?” to do so.” ’ “Very well. How would you like to make ten thousand dollars?” : Haines gave her a quick, inquiring glance, ‘*T don’t know that I should be particularly averse to it, so long as 1 get it honestly.” “Winners cannot always be choosers!” was the dry retort. ‘Answer me one question more: In event of Rex Ravel’s death, who do you think is most entitled to the fortune my father left behind—my sister’s son or myself?” T don’t know that I could give an honest an- swer to that question without some deliberation. As your father’s will wholly sgncred you, I pre- sume the majority of the people would decide im favor of your sister’s son.” ’ ‘Perhaps they would, But it was not right: that papa should disinherit me when Lelia made even a worse match than I?” ‘Maybe not. That does not affect the case, in a legal sense, however!” “Tam aware of that. How do you suppose Jonathan Jester thinks? If I were to argue to him that the fortune was more mine than the child’s, do you suppose it would have any effect on him?” Haines laughed. ‘ “Not the least,” he replied. ‘‘ Jester is a man of great avoirdupois, and as firm in resolve as he is considerable in weight!” “Then you take it for granted that, in case he does not settle the money on the father, he will do so on the son?” ‘Of course.” Ys And also assume the guardianship of the “ Not at all improbable.” : Ferret Fan was silent a moment, her burning gaze fixed upon the ground. | : ‘Well! I’ve made up my mind to one thing!” she said, at length. ‘The boy is in his father’s care, according to Deadwood Dick’s tell, and will likely fare well, He is the very image of his father, and as I detest his father, it is not: likely that I should ever like the son, There- fore, let him remain where he is. The fortune is lawfully mine, and I propose to have it!” “Indeed!” Meyer ‘ each. I am not talking idly. I meam just what y. Ihave fully made up my mind at the fortune rightfully belongs to me, and I mean to ada it.” ‘“* How?” ‘ . By fair means, if possible. If not, other wise,’ — ee easel
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“but rather thick-set. His 12 Deadwood Dick in Dea d City. ‘¢T am astonished, Miss Harrison!” ‘* Are youf You needn’t be, for you must as- sist me.” ‘*You are wrong, for I could never take a thand in any scheme that would defraud a mo- ‘itherless child.” ‘*Bah! Nonsense! There is no defrauding about it. Let Ravel look out for the boy, him- self. He is amply able to do it, with the mone he robbed my father of. The fortune is mine, tell you. I shall first make a formal demand on Jester, for it. If he refuses to recognize my claim, we'll steal it !” Haines looked astounded, and shook his head. ‘No! no! I can never take part in your scheme,” he declared, with decision. ‘* But you can—you must! If you refuse, you will afterward regret it. As soon as I get pos- session of the money, I will pay you ten thou- gaod dollars. After that, the chance will be sopen jo you to become owner of half the remain- ing thirty, should you be of a matrimonial turn of mind.” Haines looked thoughtful. Ten thousand dollars! . It was a big sum, in his eyes—larger than he ‘had dreamed of soon possessing. en, too, as Flora had broadly hinted, his chances for pos- sessing her and half her thirty thousand, were aassured, But, could he squeeze his conscience enough to allow him to enter into a scheme that would de- fraud little Rex Ravel of his natural rights? It was this accusing question which he was turning over in his mind, and endeavoring to answer. “Come! It’s as fair as fair can be!” Ferret Fan said, persuasively. ‘‘ There’s no real crime attached to the matter. If there was I would not ask your assistance, but would go it alone. I don’t know how much money you have got, but I reckon I’m safe in concluding you are far from rich. You assisted me once, and now, I -offer you a reward. However, do as you like. If you prefer poverty to luxury, all right, Tl not urge you a bit.” “Tf you steal, you know the consequences, if you are caught.” ‘““Pooh! Once we get the money we'll not tarry long in this burg!” ‘¢ When will you tackle Jester?” » “* At once!” . ** And it he refuses to give up the money?” ‘** We will go through him when he’s asleep.” “ Very poe As you have suggested, ten ‘thousand dollars is too nice a sum to let slip by. So you can count me in,” ‘Tl thought you’d come to your senses. I am mot a scheming nor a bad-meaning girl, but I cam satisfied the money is as much mine as any one elses, and I mean to have it.” ‘Then, if you get your money, you will fore- ‘go your contemplated vengeance on Rex Ravel cand Deadwood Dick?” ‘‘By no means, In disguise I shall lay for ‘them, and shoot them down!” Shortly after the foregoing conversation took lace, a man’s Seep actions, in the rear of ‘the Big Nugget otel, might have attracted at- ‘tention, there been any one in that im- mediate vicinity to notice them. He was an individual under medium hight, ents were coarse ‘and mud-splashed, his boots big and coarse, his Anat slouchy and i pulled down to his eyes. His face was also bewhiskered to the eyes, and ‘he was a most sinister-looking chap. He was skulking about the rear of the hotel, vand evidently making an optical inventory of its — and windows, of which there were sev- eral, He finally selected one, and eyed it more ‘minutely than the rest. It was located midway between the two ends of the building in the second story. The sash of the window was raised. The skulker looked sharply about him to see if he was observed, and then took a ladder which lay on the ground beside the hotel, an raising it, placed it against the ledge of the win- dow casement. : He lightly ascended, and took a look into the space beyond the window. Whatever he saw did not seem to frighten thim off, for, after a moment’s survey of the in- ‘terior he clambered through the opening, and disappeared. Some ten minutes elapsed ere he made his re- appearance and descended to the ground, his wmovements as soft and catlike as before. He removed the ladder, and restored it to dte position as he had found it. he skulked swiftly away. — » What had been his mission within the hotel? No one had seen him enter—no one had seen him depart. But, whatever had been his mission, it had evidently been successful, for ho chuckled in triumph as he hurried away. CHAPTER XIII. THE DEMAND. Desprte the fact that he had retired at mid-after- noon, to take his nap, that ponderous piece of hu- man corporosity, Jonathan Jester, did not awaken until after dark. He hastily arose, and glanced at his watch, and was astonished to find that it was after nine o’clock, After lighting the candle on the stand, he sat down and passed his hand over his expansive fore- head, which was covered with perspiration, ‘*Heavens! what a dream!’ he gasped, glancing nervously at the open window of his room, which looked out at the .ear of the hotel. “I thought burglars were in the room, robbing me of the money. Drat the infernal fortune—I’ll be glad when I get rid of1t, for a man with so much money in his possession is liable to be murdered in his bed.” He looked under that las: mentioned piece of fur- niture, and then went and peered out of the window. ‘*T guess Iam safe enough. so far as the window is concerned, but the door is a flimsy affair. Perhaps however, I am nervous, without cause. No one knows I am here with so much money, except Haines, and possibly Ravel, himself, He would not be apt to try to get possession of it, without first making a demand forit. As for Haines, he always seemed to be an honest sort of fellow. There’s no telling what aman willdo. Forty thousand dollars, in clean cash, is a bigsum, and would be apt. to tempt the average man, sorely, if he thought he could safely get away with it.’ There was plenty of reason in the idea, and Jester was thoughtful for several minutes. “Yes, it’s a big sum,’ he mused on, ‘and the more I think about it, the more Iam impressed with the idea that it ain’t safe in this hotel. Harold Haines might be tempted to turn traitor, and, in such an event, he could easily overpower and rob me, as I dare say he could get plenty of fellows, in this rough place, to help him. I’vea mind to take the money, and secrete it.” He picked up his traveling bag, and unlocking it, took therefrom, a package, done up in brown paper, and looking as if it might contain mouey, it being of the length and width of a bank note. “There’s forty one-thousand-dollar bills in_this!” he muttered—‘‘a snug fortune. But it don’t belong to me, and yetit is my duty to look toitssafety, I doubt not I can finda safer ‘place for it, than in this room, j He thrust it in one of his pockets, and, after mak- ing his toilet, went down-stairs, There was no way of egress from the hotel, with- out first entering the great bar-room. And itso happened that,as Jester entered, the “scene” at the faro table was Mis takin place, wherein Bug juice Bob becaine the victor by pos- sessing himself of tbe falss black beard, and escap- ing from the room. After swearing at a fearful rate, for full two min- utes, the undisguised man gave chase, and was no more seen in the Big Nugget. He was in fact none other than Bingham, alivs Colonel Choker. To Jonathan Jester, however, he was a man of an entirely different name. * By my soul! That was Rex Ravel!” the fat for- {une-holder mused, ‘and he was here, in disguise no doubt to see me. I wonder who in the worl that could have been, who unmasked him? He must have enemies on his trail.” lt now required several minutes of deliberation, on Jester’s part, to enable him to decide how to act. Should he retain possessiou of the fortune, about his person, until Ravel reappeared? He argued not; it might not be advisable. In mg it was his intention to try and influence Ravel to allow him to retain part of the money, and put it to the credit of little Rex, So he decided to secrete the fortune somewhere in the guich, where it would not be apt to be dis- covered, and then he could feel safer in attempting to make his own terms with Ravel. Wandering about the saloon for awhile, he finally slipped out of doors, as he thought, uunoticed, and was soon in a dark part of the gulch. ‘There was no moon in the heavens, and what stars were there, cast but a dim light. When he was off the street. and beyond where there were any habitations, Jester took the precau- | tion to pause an t listen. He heard nothing to indicate that he was fol- lowed, however, and went on and soon reached the edge of the mountain, which surrounded the * pocket. itter a short search, he found a dry niche, or ¢revice, partly hidden by creeping vines, just large enough to hold the package. fo therein he deposited it, and after viewing his surroundings a moment, and satisfying himself that he had not been followed, he returned toward the Big Nugget. 3 “The money’s safe. now, at any rate, be con- Beemolaved himself. ‘* There's no telling what a few ours may bring forth, and therefore, I sball be in no particular hurry to give up the prize. I feel that it ought to go to Lelia’s heir. And, if Rex Ravel has | an enemy here, as I should infer, by what I saw, to- night, there’s no telling but what there may be a shooting or knifing affair, if I await long enough, in which Ravel will get his everlasting ticket-of-leave from this earth. Gods! it would be a mercy if the rascal would get murdered!” ; And Jonathan Jester went back tothe Big Nugget, easier of mind, because he believed the fortune was hidden where no one would find it. : He had been in the husy bar-room of the hostelry but a few minutes, seated at a table with a bottle of wine, and cigars, before him, when he was approach- ed by Ferret Fan. The girl was looking her prettiest, and as fat Jonath*n had a great eye for feminine beauty, he regarded her with curiosity, not unmixed with ad- miration. “You are Mr. Jester, I believe?’ Fan said, paus- ing by the table, and resting one hand upon it. “That's my name, when I speak seriously, and without jesting!” Jonathan replied, with one of his blandest smiles. ‘* You, I believe—” ‘*lam Flora Harrison— otherwise Argyle. Here, however, I am known as Ferret Fan.” ‘““ Ah! yes. Iam very glad to meet you.” ‘And I am equally glad to meet you, sir. Mr. Haines has informed me that you hold the fortune my father left behind, and I am here to see you about it.” “Yes! Well, what canI do for you—will you be eonted ?’—and he placed a chair for her, at the table. She sat down, and looked Mr. Jester over, as if his aS ogy proportions were something of a curiosity to her, “Yes, I want to see you about the fortune,” she said, atlength. ‘‘I understand that in bis will, my father disinherited me?” ‘“Well, yes, or at least, pretty nearly. To make the will legal, he left you one dollar. As I am au- thorized to do so, I will pay you now!” and with a half-amused twinkle in his eyes, Jester laid a silver dollar on the table. “Thank you for nothing!” Fan said, with a shrug of her shoulders. ‘‘ You can return that to your pocket. I do not take inheritances in 2s small chunks as that. I want the whole or none.” “Ah! you do?” “Most assuredly. In fact, to be plain with you, I want the forty thousand dollars you have brought here to Dead City.” : “Indeed!” and Jester looked around uneasily, lest some one should have overheard her, ‘Why, you surprise me, Miss Harrison.” “ Dol? Well, [don’tsee why. AmInot a daugh- ter of my father? Was it rigbt to cut me off, with- out recognition? My sister is dead, and I am the most natural heir to the fortune.” “Your sister d+ad?” “Yes, She was murdered, in the mountains, by Rex Ravel or some of his allies, and her ‘boy stolen!” “T had not heard of that!” “Probably not. I only heard of it to-day!” “Who was your informant?” “Deadwood Dick!” ~ “oe What?” “Deadwood Dick, I said.” “The fellow who stopped the stage, when we were en route for Nedville?”’ “Yes, if that was Deadwood Dick, as the driver claimed.” ‘Where did you see him?” “I encountered him, in the pocket, to-day. He in- formed me that he attended my sister’s death-bed, about three weeks ago, and she exacted a promise from him that he would ¢ et possession of little Rex, ae the fortune also, and put it out to the boy’s credit. “Indeed! And he is here, in search of the boy?” ‘*So he says. But bah! Once he gets possession of the money he'll not bother himself to hunt up little Rex.” “He hasn’t got the fortune yet—nor has aie body else!” Jonathan announced, with considerable emphasis. “Tam glad to hear that. The fortune rightfully belongs to me.” “TI presume not,” Jester said. “J as holder of the legacy, am authorized to pay it to Rex Ravel, se- nior, In case of his death, by the terms of the will, little Rex will be the heir.” Ferret Fan's face flushed dark with anger. ‘Then you refuse to countenance my claim alto- gether?’’ she demanded. “T don’t see how I am to do even that, for you have no actual claim to countenance or discounte- “Pshaw! Youare provoking. Ifyou were in my place, don’t you suppose you would want what was rightfully yours?” ‘If so, and I had been disinherited, I should con- sider my chances worthless.” : “But I don’t /’? Fan declared, firmly. “ Lelia’s boy has not half the right to that fortune that I have. Do you refuse to give it to me?” “‘ Most assuredly, my dear Miss Harrison, and ex- cuse me if I say you are very foolish to expect such a thing.” i, Thank you for notbing, again. And at thesame time, allow me to inform ne: that JI do not intend te be cheated outof my rights. Rex Ravel, senior, nor Rex Ravel, junior, shall ever have one penny of tbat fortune, mark my word!” . Jonathan Jester smiled, good-naturedly, as she arose. ‘Well, don’t get in a passion about the matter, my dear!” he said, benignantly. ‘*I sbal!l without doubt have the pleasure of etting rid of the troublesome fortune very soon ile it would afford me the reatest pleasure to recognize a claim, on your part, f am sorry to say 1 cannot conscientiously do so aud therefore, I would advise you to make light of
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‘Deadwood Dick in Dead City, your disappointment. Wealth is but a mockery, at pest.’ : ‘“Searcely more of a mockery than your words are!’’ she retorted. ‘‘Remember, I am but a wo- man, but I’ve got plenty of game in me, and when that forty thousand is carried out of this camp, it will be 1 who carries it!” “Oh, well, all right! When you get it, my impet- uous Miss Flora, call around and let me know!” mod vonaiban silently laughed until his fat sides shook. While Ferret Fan walked away, her rage knowing no bounds. ““Won’t I get it?’ she hissed—“ won't 1? Well, we . shall see! lt will be strange, indeed, if I allow it to slip away once I lay hands upon it—and that will be this very night. aines is solid, I guess, and I don't anticipate that we shall have much difficulty in capturing the prize,”’ Perhaps she calculated, while thus reasoning, that Mr. Jonathan Jester was altogether a sleepy man; but it happened tha’ Jonathan had taken a nap that afternoon! CHAPTER XIV. DEADWOOD DICK ON TRACK. Tur unbewhiskered Colonel Choker, alias Rexford Ravel, did not pursue Bug-juice Bob far beyond the entrance to the Big Nugget Hotel, for the simple and yet potent reason that when the colonel got out into the open air, the Bug-juice was nowhere to be seen, “Ten thousand furies!’’ the colonel muttered. ‘I wonder who the cursed fellow ws? Some one that knows me, it must be. I wonder what effect my unmasking had on the people inside?” He dared not re-enter, for he was aware that Har- old Haines, Flora Harrison and Jonathan Jester, all three, were somewhere about the hotel and would recognize him, ether any of them had been in the bar room to witness the scene just occurred, he did not know. He skulked around to the rear of the hotel, and peered through one of the windows into the bar- room. There did not appear to be much excitement” go- ing on, but he saw something that caused a gleam to enter his eyes. “There’s Jonathan Jester!’? he muttered, ‘ He has come with my forty thousand dollars. Ha! ha! See how sharply he looks at everybody. He ex- cts to see me. I wonder where ~y trusty lawyer, en gins, is? Maybe he concluded to remain in alifornia!”’ He kept his eye on Jester’s movements eagerly. “The cuss don’t seem much concerned with hav- ing so much money about him. I wonder how I shall contrive to get the boodle without facing him— which I do not care to do.. Spriggins wrote me to look out for him. as, being a private detective, he might have a warrant for id arrest on the charge of rtion. It would spoil all to get into the clutches of the law now.” He uttered the last word with considerable em- phasis, and shivered slightly, as if some unwelcome ae mes had forced itself back on him. Finally he saw Jester come toward the window— then turn back, and leave the hotel by the front oor. “1 wonder where he is going? It’s my business to follow him and see!”’ He was soon on Jester’s track, and followed as cautio as a sleuth, * Hal goes out into the pocket toward the mountain-side, I wonder what for? To bury the money? Lucky thought! That's his very errand. He fears that some one may steal it from bim at the hotel. Ho! ho! It’s mine now for sure, and no trouble to get it, either!” He dogged Jester like a shadow. He saw him search among the rocks, and marked well the spot where the package was secreted. Then he slunk back, and remained in hiding until iu, pi “3 atqrped. reps for the note), Na abd og on ° scamp approac CG) he, xd found tt without difficulty.” : A chuckle of triumph escaped him as he drew out the ers ‘“‘Ha! the fortune is mine now in earnest!’ he cried, exultantly. ‘I’ve got it, and that’s all I've been figuring for these several years. With my boy I'll now go East, and spend the remainder of my daysin luxury. The gold mine can go to thunder— or, better yet, the Vultures can work it, and send mea percentage. Undoubtedly they would do so!” and he laugh sarcastically at the idea. ‘My fair sister-in-law, who is no doubt in Dead City hoping to get a slice out of this boodle, will get beautifully left!” i He laughed again, triumpbantly. After storing the package away about his person, he took his departure, Reegryet A bates end wen at the thought of bow easily he e for- tune, mhemdddnihan Jester thought he had hidden it most securely. The villain did not go back into the mining-camp but skirted around it, and made for the other end o Oe cee e a shadow, a dark figure followed him, but so he pone and atiiive that Ravel had no suspicion © e shadower was Deadwood Dick. Himself on a reconnoissance, he ha ber-room episode, and had surmised * Ravel will return at once to his rendezvous, and hasten his departure from this vicinity,” Dick con- cluded. ‘*T’d relieve him of the money now ovly that I must get possession of the boy. The scoundrel is not fit to have the bringing up of an innocent witnessed the Rex Ravel’s =a child, and, besides, my promise to the mother must be fulfilled.” So Dick hesitated not to follow. At times be was close behind Ravel, but the villain was too engrossed in gloating over the prize he had captured to think of enemies. hen he reached the further end of the pocket, however, he paused. and gazed searchingly about im. Deadwood Dick was flat on his face in an instant, and thus escaped detection. After satisfying bimself that no one had followed he entered a agen of bushes that grew close against the mountain wall, Before him was a natural fissure in this wall, wide enough and high enough to admit two men abreast. It was probably but a natural crevice originally, but human hands had enlarged it to its present pro- portions, Pausing in this entrance, Ravel fumbled about, found a lantern and lit it. He then hurried on into the recesses. The passage was long and winding and grew steep- er the further it penetrated into the bowels of the mountain. He continued on his way, and soon reached a level transverse hall, which he followed a short distance, and then turned through an arched entrance pe ed aside a mass of curtains, and found himself njthe apartment, where he had the interview with Dead- wood Dick, There was no one in the room, however, at which he seized a bell, and rung it violently. After a short delay, Shasta Kate made her appear- ance. ‘*Did you want me?” she calmly inquired. tien ate you? Of course I want you! Where is ex?'’ ** Asleep!” “Then Fo prepare him, and yourself, for a jovr- ney. We leave Dead City and vicinity to-night, for- ever! You and Rex accompany me.’ *You speak before you are sure. I have no in- tention whatever of pe anh you.” “But you must. [could not get along without you on account of the child.” “Tt matters not. When you leave here, I am through with you!” The man evidently was annoyed at this rebellion but answered by taking the package of money from his Rocket, and tapping it significantly. ‘You see that?” he said, ‘Yes, I’m not blind.” “Well, that pocnage contains forty thousand dol- lars, all in clean cash. Go with me, marry me, and be a mother to my child, and half of it is yours.” “Bah! I would not go with you, nor marry you, Rex Ravel, if you were to give me ten times the whole amount!” ‘*Rex Ravel!” he echoed, aghast. happen to know my name?” “It matters not. I know a great deal more about ou than you think. And I doubt very much if you ave got the amount you claim,” “Do you? Well, to satisfy you, I'll give you con- vincing proof!’’ He tore off the wrapper triumphantly, but a furi- ous cry escaped him. Instead of astack of bank-notes, his gaze rested upon a number of strips of newspaper, cut up into bank-note size, and neatly piled up, one on top of another, “Ten thousand devils!"’ he gasped. cheated!” ‘* As you deserved to be,” the woman retorted. “Curse you! you gloat in bay defeat, do you?” She only laughed sarcastically. He eyed her a moment with his burning gaze. His rage was awful. “*T believe you had a hvnd in this, you she-devil,” he hissed, and with a quick move, he seized a club, or bower cane, standing near at hand, and rushed upon her. She threw up her hands to ward off the blow, but the cane came down with stunning force, and with a cry, she fell back insensible, a stream of blood eyes from the wound the club had inflicted on er head. ; Without a second glance at her, Ravel dropped the cane, and rushed from the room. upon Jester!’’ he cried, beeen “You have fooled me, but it shall cost oy your life. And I'll have the fortune if I have to overturn heaven and earth!” “How do you “*T have been CHAPTER XV. FAN SHOWS HER TEETH. Arrer her unsatisfactory interview with Jonathan Jester, Ferret Fan retired to her room in the hotel, and did not make her appearance again until mid- night. he crowd in the bar-room had largely thinned out by that time. Harold Haines was there, how- be and the girl approached him and drew him one e. “Everything works welll’? she said. ‘I have been reconnoitering, and find that Jester has re- tired to his room. I listened at the door, and his heavy Greathing indicates that he is asleep. Our time for action is near at hand.” Haines regarded her steadily for a moment before making any reply. ** Miss Flora!” he said, finally, ‘I’ve made up my Siind not to become a partner to this prop rob- ery. ‘ ‘““What!” she gasped. ‘Will you go back on your word, at this stage of the game?” No—for I gave no binding promise that I would assist you. I have thought the matter all over, and my resolve is fixed!"’ 13 “You are a fool!” “T don’t think so. I have always been a man who: valued honor and integrity. I have also endeavored to lead a sinless life, and I do not care to commence sinning now. So,{ will have nothing to do with your scheme!” “Very well!” and Ferret Fan's eyes flashed vi- ciously. ‘See that nen don’t repent your piety when it is too late. Mind one thing, however!’ ‘* What is it?’? he demanded. “Tf you sa sepn to interfere with my schemes, you will never get out of Dead City alive!” we 3 “T shall not bother myself in the least. What - you do, does not matter to me so long as I have no and in it!’ ‘See that it is so!’’she said, and turned away and left the saloon, Fan had not set her mind upon possessing the fortune, without forming her plans, for, on leaving the bar-room, she made her way around to the rear of the building. Here all was dark and gloomy, except that from Jonathan Jester’s window a light shone. She made a careful search of the neighborhood, before attempting to enter Jester’s room, as was: her design. She at length became satisfied that she was the ae one in the neighborhood. er next move was to raise the ladder and rest it against the window:sill of Jester’s room. ‘To do this: without making any noise, was no easy matter, but she finally succeeded cleverly enough, and them mounted the ladder until her head was above the: window ledge. Then, she paused and locked into the room, The window-sash was still raised, asit had beem during the afternoon. Upon the bed lay the rotund Jonathan, He was: lying upon his back, and Ferret Fan could not see his face, but concluded by his heavy breathing that. he was asleep. Tucked away, in under the bed, she also spied his: traveling bag. ‘He keeps the money in that, without doubt!" she: mused, ‘for he could not well carry forty thousand dollars in his pockets. If I can get pessession of the sachel, without awaking him. I'll be all right.” After a short pause she crawled stealthily through the open casement into the room. To do so her, back was partly turned toward the bed. When safely in the room, she turned—a cry of consternation burst from her lips. Sitting up on the bed. and gazing at her was Jona- than Jester, In either hand he clutched a revolver, = oem of which looked straight at the young oman, “ Hal hal so I have caught you, have I?” he cried. ‘‘ Failing to get the fortune for the asking, you thought to rob me of it, did you?” She gazed at him a moment, speechless with rage and chagrin. . “Yes, [came here to rob youn—ay! murder you, if necessary—anything. 80 J got possession of the money, which is awfully mine.’ “Tf that is your purpose Thad better kill you here and now!” and he looked as if he had made up his mind to kill her. ‘Tf you harm me you will hang for it that is sure;. - I will bid you good-night to save you from being: need, “Stop! don't you dare to leave this room, until I order you to do so!” Jester cried, sternly. “If you do, 1 ut a bullet through you. Are you not. ashamed of this attempted robbery? ‘Not in the least!’’ **T’'m astonished—shocked beyond e 4 tae welcome to be. I’m sure I lections!” Jee) Flora! for heaven's sake be sensible.” ‘“Bah! I want the fortune!” “It’s not yours. You cannot have it!” “Can't I? ButIwill/ Nothing shall stop me—do- ou hear—nothing / 1 will remove all obstacles by fair means or foul. CanI go?” “Not until I have had my say. It is with deep re- gret that I have found you to be so unnatural, and untrustworthy. But, your conduct and threats: satisfy me that you are thoroughly lost to all honor and { mean to treat you accordingly. Go, now! Leave Dead City without delay. If you are found here, in the morning, I will have you arrested and reveal this act of yours—which you know, will give you a lynch-court penalty.” ' “Oh! well, I'l go, then. I take great pleasure in bidding you a long farewell, Mr. Jester!’ She bowed low, and with a mocking laugh, turned and clambered out of the window, Jester ona 4 her with his revolvers, until she had disappe from view. Going to the window, he peered out; all was dark and silent, and he could see nothing of her below. The ladder, however, still leaned egainst the win- dow ledge. ; ““T must throw it down!” he muttered, and seiz- ing hold of it he did so, it falling upon the ground with a crash. Almost simultaneously there was the sharp re- port of a revolver, and with a groan Jester sunk back into the room, and fell flat upon his back, From an ugly hole in his temple blood spurted in a sickening stream. \ He gave but a few moans—¢rew but a few gasping breaths, and then expired. The shot had been a dead shot, indeed, A short while afterward, Ferret Fan once more entered the room, with a face white and scared, and made 4 enh for bape oa phy te ia a vy of rage esca er when she failed and she hastily departed, ression,”’ ave no ob-
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14 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. The pistol-shot had attracted no attention within the hotel! It was toocommon an occurrence in Dead City to be investigated. CHAPTER XVI. DICK AND CALAMITY MAKE UP ScarcgELy had Rex Ravel left Shasta Kate, lyin in a state of insensibility, when the curtains parted, mene Deadwood Dick upon the scene. s face was stern and white, and he was plainly laboring under considerable excitement. He kneeled down beside the prostrate woman, and applied his ear to the region of her heart, “Thank Heaven, she lives!’’ he said — only a stunning blow, after all.” e raised her from the floor, and laid her on the couch he had occupied a couple of weeks previously. He then examined the wound. There was a painful scalp abrasion and cuts, but so far as be could ascertain, there had been no frac- ture of the skull. Searching about the room, he found both water and a bottle of liquor. He at once proceeded to dress the wound as best he could. To do so, he was obliged to remove the mask from Shasta Kate’s face, to discover that it “It is per- was indeed his former wife, known far and wide as | Calamity Jane. She was changed, however, but, to Dick’s eyes, it was a change for tlie better. Her face was a trifle thinner, and its former ex- pression of reckless vivacity was toned down by the pression of reckl ivaci dd by th impress of sadness and care, which gave to the clear-cut features a look of refinement that betrayed the long-suppressed nature of the woman-soul. Tenderly and carefully Dick dressed the wound, and then set to werk to restore her to consciousness, wondering how they should meet each other, Afew drops of liquor poured down her throat, caused a tremor to pass over her, and in a few mo- ments she opened her eyes. Deadwood Dick was standing beside her, holding one of her hands in his, and looking down at her. She started at sight of him, and y averted her face—trembled slightly, he fancied. “ Calamity dear!’’ he said, speaking in the old ten- der tone, ‘‘ how do you feel?”’ A sigh, as of relief, escaped her. ‘* Very weak!”’ she replied. ‘Am I hurt bad?” ‘**Not seriously, I think; merely a scalp wound, which I have dressed. It’s a wonder, however, that the ruffian’s blow did not kil) you” ‘* Pity it didn’t, more than a wonder,” she replied. “*TIs he gone?” ‘Yes; he fled, immediately after striking you. an ae gone to Dead City after the fortune, no oubt. “Likely. He will not get it, though. Was you behind the curtains before he struck me?” ‘Yes, but the move was too quickly executed for me Where ‘did ‘he get th kage which h * Where e ge e which he su contained the money pre m “Jonathan Jester hid it in a crevice in the rocks, | i] | | | | t Ravel was spying on him, and obtained possession [ of the package after Jester had gone back to the hotel. was spying on them both, and followed Ravel here. Did you know about this fortune case?” ** Not until I overheard your interview with Fer- ret Fan in the pocket.” ‘*Ah! you were near, then?”’ ‘In the very same thicket you had been hiding.” “ Where is this boy of Ravel’s?”’ “In a place of safety. 1 have, since learning about the affair, put him where Rex Ravel will never see him again.” ‘* How came you here with Ravel?” “TI met him in a card-room in Phoenix. I was broke, and he offered me. fifty dollars a month to come here with him, and attend to the boy. I took a liking to the little fellow, and on his account, most of all, came.” Deadwood Dick took a turn up and down the room, his face indicating that he was in deep thought, “Calamity!’’ he said, finally, without looking at her, ‘‘ it was one of the greatest surprises of my life, when I found that you were still alive, for I believed Thad buried you in the mountains, to the north of Faro Flats. However, the surprise was far from an unwelcome one. We both have passed through some strange experiences thus far in life, but have managed to come out O. K. What course in life do you propose to follow in the future?” “I don’t know as I can tell. I have no definite idea!” she said, in a voice that trembled with emo- tion. ‘*My future life, in fact, is like an unwritten page. I only know one thing concerning it.” **May I ask what that is?” ‘Certainly. It is no secret. I have become de- votedly attached to little Rex, and mean to keep him. His father is no proper person to have charge of him, and I will take him and bring him up right.” “And right glad am I to hear you say so, The boy, whom I have never seen, undoubtedly needs a woman’s motherly care. and I do not know of any- thing to prevent your having your desire fulfilled. Is he where he can be seen handy?”’ ‘*No! I have removed him from here, and tempor: oy placed him in charge of a miner’s wife in Dead ity. en a is well so. Ravel will be back likely and want im 7” “ He'll not get him. and, more than that, he’d bet- ter — out of my sight, orI’ll put him out of the way of wanting anything!” Calamity said, the old spirited fire returning for a moment to her eyes. “Tf Flora Harrison gets hold of him it’s not likelv you will get an opportunity to harm him,” Dick said. ‘*Do you think Ravel stands any show of get- ting re: * oO bi “Why not?” “Oh! because, in the first place, Jonathan Jester hasn’t got the fortune?” ““Ah! How do you make that out? Did he not bring it to Dead City ?”’ “Yes. But since this afternoon he has not had possession of it,”’ “Tam still in the dark!”’ “TI will explain, then, During the afternoon I over- heard an interview between Ferret Fan and Harold | Haines, in which she announced her intention of ob- taining possession of the fortune, claiming that it was more rightfully hers than any one else’s. She induced Haines to join her, and it was their plan to ! make an open demand of Jonathan Jester for the money. If he refused to give it up, they were to visit his room in the dead of night and rob him of it.” * Ha! So that was the game, eh?” “Yes. I knew enough about the matter to be strongly impressed with the idea that little Rex was \| the only rightful heir, and so I made it a point to anticipate them.” “Ah! then you—” ; ‘Paid a quiet visit to Jester’s room when he was asleep, removed the fortune from his sachel, and skipped out, First, however, I cut up some strips of paper into bank note size, and left them in place of the genuine, more as a joke than anything else. Jester, not suspecting that the package or his sachel ; had been tampered with, hid the package, and thus it fell into Ravel’s possession.” ‘* And you have the fortune?” *‘ Yes—that is, it is secreted in a place where I can get it when wanted.” x qa e you’re a trump, as you always were! Tam glad the fortune is secure and out of the reach of either Ravel or Ferret Fan. And now, Calamity, before I go, 1 want to ask you one question. Have you any desire to come back to me as my wife?” “Do you want me back, Dick?” sal you wish to come, I shall be glad to welcome either of us have been angels,in the past, ut, let that drop. No one ever gets any consola- tion looking back into a shadowed past. The future may have much happiness in store for us.” “True. If you are willing to let bygones be by- gones, Iam.” “Then, it’s a bargain, my little wife—my Queen Calamity !”” He took her to his breast, and kissed her with all the old-time fervor, and she nestled in his embrace, joyous and happy in tne knowledge that his love was still hers. Later, they consulted as to what was to be their next plan of action, and were thus engaged when footsteps were hetrd appréaching. An instant later, the curtains were parted, and grim-faced and resolute five of the One-Eyed Vul- tures filed into the room. Their very coming seemed like an omen of evil, to reunited Dick and Calamity. But, where was the sixth man? CHAPTER XVII. CONCLUSION. THE occurrences of that eventful day and nightin and about Dead City, have not all been told yet or else our tale would be finished. Out in Dead City pocket, beneath the starry hea- vens, stood Rex Ravel, looking off toward the min- ing-camp, where a few lights were still to be seen, “ Jonathan Jester is eep by this time,” he mut- tered. ‘‘ But, the question is, has he the money in his possession? Something tells me not—something tells me not. The package he secreted in the rocks, he evidently believed to be the money, the same as I did, when I afterward stole it. By heaven, I be- lieve there’s been some funny business going on. It looks very much to me as though some one had stolen the original package of money from Jester, without his suspecting it, and substituted the pack- ane of paper. ho would be ey to do it, except lora Harrison, or Ferret Fan, as she calls herself?” “Ferret Fan didn’t do it, however!" replied a voice, and wheeling he beheld that very personage standing near at hand. A revolver in her grasp, was held ready for instant use. “Ha! you here?” Ravel gasped, feeling far from cons al for he presumed the girl bore him no ‘ood will. . ‘*-Yes, I’m here!’’ was the cool reply. | “‘ Ain’t you glad to see me?” “1 don’t know that I am particularly delighted!” he peor: “What are you doing out so late at night?’ y Tm on the same racket you are—fortune-hunt- ing!” Fan answered. ‘‘From what I just over- heard you say, you are not successful, I tke it?” “No. I thought I had it, pat. when I got hold of a package which Jonathan Jester hid in the rocks. But, the package turned out to be made up of paper.” * Ha! ha! That was clever.” ““We shall see about it. . Jester shall give me the money or Ill fix him!” “‘ Have you made any demand on him for it?” “Not openly or ** Well, you'll not have a chance to, then!” “Why not?” ‘* Because he’s gone to join the angels!” ** What! dead?’’ * As a herring.” “You are lyin “Not a bit of it” * When did he die?” ‘** Something lixe half an hour ago.” to me.” a“ You—” ‘Killed him!” Fan added viciously. ‘‘!’m on the kill to-night, and have marked you for the next martyr.”’ ‘* Me? and Ravel looked alarmed, for she had the drop on him, “T have a sister’s death to avenge, you villain!” ‘‘Nonsense. I had nothing to do with Lelia's death!” P Bi Le lie. You shot her and stole the boy. Where is he?” “In a safe place, never fear. So you expect to lay on to the fortune, do you?” “Most assuredly. ‘It ismore mine than yours or the kid’s!" “Neither of us have got it, and there’s no use of fighting over peas we haven’t got! We might better lay aside all other things and work together to the one end that of securing the money !”’ ‘To share and share alike?” “When we get it, yes. The money is what we both want, and to get it I am quite willing to give anny one-half. Do you think Jester has got it?” “No. Isearched him and his effects thoroughly, He had but a few dollars!” “Then. who has got it—Haines?”’ “No. He’s too pious to steal a straw. If any one has got it, it is Deadwood Dick!” ‘Bah! That rascal isshut up where he can get no money!” ‘*T know you had him imprisoned, but he is again at her; He was released by your servant, Shasta ate A torrent of oaths burst from Rex Ravel’s lips. “Curses seize the woman!” he cried. ‘I never suspected her of such treachery as that. Are you positive that Deadwood Dick is at liberty?” “Tam. I had a talk with him, during the day ec passed. It was from him that [ learned of lia’s murder, and that you had the boy!” “Ha! than Deadwood Dick is on my track?” , “Yes; he wants you, and the boy, too.” “Curse him, It may be he who has got posses- sion of the fortune?” _ “Tam pretty well satisfied. on that score. He of all persons I know of now. I would suspect, for he a Ea Lelia to secure the fortune and the boy, 0 “Then, we must find the cuss!” “You are right. But, we can’t go too careful about it. He’s a bad customer to deal with.”’ ““Solam aware. But, once we get a glimpse of bast only one thing to do, shoot him down at si ” xf I’m reeable to that. I’ve a grudge against Deadw Dick, and have sworn to take his life!” i od er ye hev, hev ye? Waal now, I wonder ef ye ev?’ It was not Rex Ravel who uttered the words—in fact, they were not uttered aloud, at all, but were the musing of a man, who was crouching near by, in the shadow of a rock—none other than the bibuious and happy-go-lucky tramp, Bug-juice Bob. The apne of the Vultures was startling alike to Deadwood Dick and Calamity Jane, and both pp back a pace and drew their revolvers. - at do you want here?’’ Dick demanded stern- ly, resolved to fight for dear life, if their visit should prove to be a hostile one. ‘*You can put up your weapons!” one of the five said. ‘‘We ain’t here as enemies, by a long shot, True, we’ve bin servin’ Choker, but we’ve never got a cent ferit, an’ we hear he counts on skinnin’ out an’ leavin’ us in the lurch!” “ Ah! that’s it, eh?” ‘‘Exzactly. We didn’t hire out to him to come hyer an’ do no dirty work; but he offered us big money to keep Dead City shut o’ strangers, an’ that’s how we cum ter nab you an’ t’other feller. D’ye know what the colonel did a bit ago?”’ ““T haven’t the slightest idea.” ‘*Waal, he knifed our sixth pard, Jim Folger. Jim war down in the passage, an’, Somehow, got in the way, an’ the colonel swore at him, an’ stuck a knife thru’ him!” “Indeed!” “You bet thet’s pe what he did, an’ poor Jim is a corpus. But, capting, we ain’t ther boys ter stand that, nary time. We all on ussez‘’Rah fer revenge!’ an’ you can bet we're goin’ ter do ther thing up brown, When ther sun luks down inter Dead City: ocket, Choker will be hangin’ ter ther limb uv a ree! “You intend to lynch him?” “You bet yer buttons thet's what we intend! Ther ornery mean cuss did ther act ter our pard, an’ we're goin’ ter make him dance fer it!” ‘Well, I don’t know as I blame you. The rascal Geeeree hanging, for the murder of his wronged wife! ‘**On course he does. and sence we’ve found out who you be, we kinder take ter ye. An’ that’s why we are here now. We want yer ter lend us a hand —that 1s ter say, act as our capting, until we’ve did the job up brown.” “Thanks for the offer, byt really, you will have to excuse me, I have one here who needs all my at- tention for the present!’ Dick said, nodding to Calamity. “All right, We won't urge you. We thought _ mebbe you’d like ter take a hand. D’ye propose ter leave here?” “ Yes. ” ‘“‘ Then we want yer ter promise not ter give away on secret o’ ther mine ter them miners 0’ Dead ty.’” Very well.. You can depend on it that I'll say nothing about such a place existing.” “Thankee, sir. Ye’r’ a gentleman, an’ you ’n’
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* the Vultures cried. — yer gal is welcome ter stay here as lon please, or come an’ go when ye please. now—fer vengeance!” And the avengers stalked from the apartment. When they were gone, Dick said: “Tf you are not afraid to remain here alone, Calamity, I ought to go into the pocket to look after my pard, Bug-juice Bob. I fear he has got into trouble, and may be in need of help.” “Go ahead!” Calamity said. ‘I am feeling all tight, except that I have a headache, and I can look out for myself, well enough.” ‘*Tf Ravel should return here—”’ ‘*No fear of that. There is but one entrance to the caverns, and the Vultures will take care not to let him get past that.” Deadwood. Dick looked to his revolvers, to see that: they were in working order, and kissing Calamity, took his departure, and was soon out in the pocket, under the stars. At the entrance to the mine, one of the Vultures was stationed, but he made no comment, as Dick passed out, Dead City was now dark and silent, and it was evident that its population had all retired to rest. After deliberating, a few minutes, Dick took his course toward the thicket that had rer ges served him as a hiding-place, concluding that, if Bug-juice Bob was not dead drunk up in the camp, he would be there. When he arrived near the spot, he heard Bob's voice. “T tell yer, pards, Rex Ravel ner no Cunnel Choker, aire my handle!” “Git out! That won’t work!” the voice of one of ‘“Ye'r’. Choker, an’ ye’r’ our meat, Ye killed our pard, en’ yer’s got ter swing fer et.. At him, boys. Git ther noose ready!” And then there was a rush of feet. ‘Heavens! They’ve mistaken Bug-juice for Ra- vel!” Dick cried. He dashed forward and in upon the scene, just as the Vultures were in the act of shirring the noose around Bob’s gullet. A glance showed Dick why the avengers had made the mistake, Although dressed as formerly, Boe juice had embellished his appearance, by the addi- tion of the false heard, which he had snatched from Rex Ravel’s face, at the Big Nugget Hotel. “Hold on! Let up there, for you’ve got the wrong man!” tcp cried. “This fellow is Bug-juice Bob, my par The avengers, at first, were loth to believe it, until Bug-juice removed the whiskers, and explained how he came by them! | “You came just in the nick of time, sir,’’ said Graham, one of the five, addressing Deadwood Dick, “for your pard would havé been in Kingdom Come, by this time. Well, boys, if we haven’t scared the game away, we'll continue the search.” *“An’ ef ther’s to be a neck-tie party, this eve!" Bug-juice declared, grimly, “T’m goin’ erlong, ter see thefun. Ef thar's one saing { enjoy, more than another, et’s ther sublime sight o’ seein’ a feller hangin’ by his neck, in mid-air, wi’ his legs kickin’ out in more directions than do blow ther twenty- seven orthodox winds of the earth!” _As the Vultures made no oy the party moved off—all except Deadwood Dick. He stood and gazed after them until the darkness hid them from view. *“ 1 reckon { might as well return to Calamity, and make preparations to leave these parts at once,” he muttered. ‘ There’s scarcely a doubt but what the svonners will accomplish their purpose, and then little Rex will have no one to look after his welfare but Calamity and I—for Ferret Fan has proven her- self to be no proper person to have control of him. And, if I am not mistaken, the custody of the boy will serve to apa A Calamity to the charms of home life, and subdue her wild, roving spirit.” He turned and walked toward the entrance to the caverns, but had gone only a few steps when a blow on the head felied him to the earth unconscious. But unconscious only for a moment, for he heard a voice say: ‘* Maybe the blow killed him!” It was the voice of Ferret Fan. He knew it, and did not open his eyes. ‘** Bah! I did not hit him hard enough to kill him!’’\ another voice said—that of Rex Ravel, much to Dick’s surprise. ‘‘He’ll come to, give him time enough, We don’t want him dead yet; he must tell where the mone hie? Rie “ n i e re us “Then I'll blow his accursed brains out!” ““Which wouldn’t be policy. Deadwood Dick dead, we never would get any trace of the money.” Ravel made no response; he seemed in meditation. “T have been thinking!” the villair finally said *‘and have come to aconclusion. Shasta Kate and this Deadwood Dick are evidently acquainted, or else Shasta would not have released him. If Dead- wood Dick can’t give us what we want to know, we will kill him, and rely on Shasta Kate for the information. That is final /” “Lead ahead, then. If I do not get half of the fortune, you know I have a sister’s death to avenge!” Ferret Fan warned, Deadwood Dick opened his eyes—the same bril- liant eyes which so often had served him in the past. ‘Ha! he is awake!” Ravel uttered. “Tam!” Dick replied. ‘I have been awake for some time. From what you have said, I take it that you believe I have the Harrison fortune?” ‘We do, without the least doubt!” “Then you are wrong. I only know that Jona- than Jester no longer has the Bicones, 6a that an- ether person hagit. More I cannot you.” as you We're off e’ve made a mistake. I’m no Bug-juice Bob Dead “You are sure it is all?’ Rex Kavel demanded, fiercely. “You might sp me in a hydraulic press, and you aber possibly squeeze any more information out me! Ravel laughed viciously. “Well, if we don't get the desired information out of you,” he said, drawing and cocking his revolver, ‘we will at least have the satisfaction of witnessing your death-struggles. Flora, bave you a watch?” “T have!” “What time is it?” “Twenty minutes after one!” “All right!” Ravel said, pulling the hammer of his revolver back to fuil cock, ‘* When it is twenty- five after, you are to cough—then git, as per pre-ar- rangement!”’ “That is not necessary! a stern voice called, from out in the darkness. ‘ Down with that revol- ver, Choker, or you're riddled /”” Ravel’s face iurned white, He knew the voice, and the revolver fell from his hand. Seeing that the game was up, Ferret Pan turned, and made a dash for liberty; but, quick as she was, the power of a revolver was quicker, and uttering a scream of agony, she fell to the ground. So far as the fortune was concerned, she was counted out. The Vultures rushed forward with a howl of ven- geance, asenee: seized Ravel, put the noose about his neck, But let’s draw the curtain, over a picture by no means pleasant even to narrate, Poor Jester’s body was, by D back to Sacramento’ and ropatiy jn a ‘e _The Vultures remained at the secret mine, for @ time, and then abandoned it; and about the same time, Dead City changed its name, and lost its iden- uty with the strange events we have recorded. Pir whe rome ba a said to his credit, stuck to his urposes, an now a promi able teen of Leadville, Goikada foes agg = pe yw coneiactl Bug Juice Bob, (of course under another name) was doing his ch esr in a Western Variety Theater. righ, asad s for Deadwo c alamity Jan Rex, we shall hear fromtisel again, ant oe THE END, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY JO PIEROE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lowvers Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horae-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Pointa Phil. 5609 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective, 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, 641 Jelf Flicker, the Strble Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Qld Rocky's **Boyees;” or, Benito, the Young Horse- reaker, 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range, 275 Arizona Sack} or, Giant George’s Pard, : 297 The Tarantula of mons or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, oe per-wnas » gs Py Sy | or, The areneuls of Taos, 27 Creeping Ca e Caddo; er, The Red and W y $4 Wile Ripon Heidy witha, we ont, 44 The F ng Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Ton ; 849 Wild Wolf: or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, eeyay 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creek ; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. 427 The Three Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bills or, The Lynx of the Leona, 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY J, C. COWDRIOK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a ame. #3 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 9 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Brondway BIlly, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Bilt a Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diffikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 8071 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. rimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 85 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of * Sand,” 59 Durnusyo teave, the Youne Se oon Wrestler, 43) Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche ALf, the Foothills Guide. 0 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountiin Mail-Line. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. i 78 Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chief's V Z 87 The Land Piratea; gs The Lengbe tt yovil’s Island, 187 The Helpless Mand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, The Lost Mountain. | wood Dick in Dead City. | o BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, , 66 pangs Hand; or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger, 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Peto’a Scoop. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man trom Hard Luck. 557 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Bey Miner. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, ek 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 ‘The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 181 The Golden Mandy or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Reck’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rivals or, ‘The tiaunted Maid of Taos. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Caprain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask}; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Defeat. | 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vompires, B88 A Tough Boy}; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Warnndan or, The Outeasts of the Glen. BTB Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my zor, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race for a Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the wines. 480 Three Jolly Parda, 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. $47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 666 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb wages or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the siepueet Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea, 200 The Boy Bedoutns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfrang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The Tiger Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle, / $81 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trall. BY CAP’. J. F. 0. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol}; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. Glass-Kye, the waren BAO of the West. N el, the Boy Trapper, be Nick Wein ena Pets a In The Valley of Death, 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram j or, Bess, the Female T: 247 Old Grizzly and His Peta; or, The Wild Huntress,’ 251 Light-house Liges or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Loat Hunters; or, The Underground Camp, 288 The Scalp King; or, ‘The Human Thunderbolt, BY ARTHUR C, GRISSOM, 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid, 1158 The Sure-Shot Parda, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters, By Capt. Mayne Reld and Frederick Whittaker. ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinsox Crusoe, By Juan per, Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribevs, By 8S, W. Pierce, 86 pe Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena, By Frank n » n. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack, 61 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie C, Trons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Misatesippt. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- aie mabe wt ng rae The C 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. ptaln © aniton Holmen é a : . aplive, BK Ce 112 ec Ma unter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy. the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George epson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Bov, By J. Alexander Patten. ¥ 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 yarwas Fearnaught the New York Boy. By George L. en. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s» Crooked Trall. By Ensign C. D. Warren, 298 Red Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff, By Captain Comatock, B17 Peacock Pote. the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- t t Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky. Iberectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Hed Ralph, the seven Rover} or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, ace Haltimore Ben or, Ben’s Double Match, By George Hy 876 Galtfornia Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Thomas 418 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. $. Winthrop. At& The Black Ship. By John S, Warner, 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinctblea By Henry Ja Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F, Holt, -Arm J . . tt za ’ By Retwin rooke Forrest, The Cowboy Duke. 44 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Druid. A New Issue Every Tucaday- ‘ The Half-Dime Library is for sale by ail newsdealers five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, * BEADLE AND ADAMS, ublishers, ’ 98 William Street, New Yorks
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BEADLE’S*HALF-DIME*] IBRARY. ~ Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Butfalo Ken; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wilda Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha O11; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5? Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine. %? Corduroy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick aw Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s nich. 188 Blonde Bll; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood} or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivsls of the Road. 201 The Black Hilla Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 ener Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture, 217 Captain Orack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, ‘The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Rough’ and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide 3 or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Dregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- gings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced}; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 To rahe ean Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ate. + 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 ne hea Dick’s Dinmonds ; or, The Mystery of Joan orler, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Care.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Nedj or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance, 458 Sunflower Sam, o! Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand. 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at m . 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. : 476 Pampolat Marry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Detective, 481 Moll Mystery; or, Dendwood Dick Jr, in Dendwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings sor, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’a Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three. 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks, 5684 Deadwood Dick’a Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq. 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 1 Deadwood Dick in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix, 61 Muckhorn will or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob het ugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 | Baste a h Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Preappestance. 92 Canada Chet}; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye ; or, Arabs und Angels of a Great City. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 117 a Edged Dick, the Sport Detective. Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Bows Bob the King of Bootblacka, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 bi ae ig Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 2558 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’sa Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, Denver Dolls Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. $08.’Liza Jane, the irl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. 880 Little Qu!ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville. 84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer3; or, The Lottery of Life. 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. sg Nabob Ned} or, The Secret of Slab City, 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Bal! Detective, Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas K or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The rere 8p : or, The Flot of | the Prairie, t. order Robin Hood ; or, The Prairie Rover. a Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scou ‘aney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete ; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildtire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire in the Wooda, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Trump Card ; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 183 The Hidden Hands or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 18% Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner 3 oreThe Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy, 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’« Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dashaway, of Daketa; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective 3 or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, etective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret service Boy Detective. BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies, 4l Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King i or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Nawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Renger. ) 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texaa, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 pen ect Pete 3 or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, > 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 nie Wiek ; or, Trnpper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. . 248 The Dixguined Gulde; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Deyil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, tle Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The ae, Demon ¢ or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hereuless or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedtoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul, 463: Tamarne ‘l'om, the Big Tieppar Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. C. HARBAUGH, 8 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat } or, Tne Forest hy tem 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trai, Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack i or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Gir] Avenger. 169 Tornado ‘Pom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Quevn of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet 3 or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, 231 Plucky Phily or, Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoliv, we King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch : or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa. — 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Buily. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderholt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Par?’ ov The Terrible Six. . 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, ' he Boccanecer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The !'win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Fla the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Slant, the One-Eved Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives. 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, % The Flying Yankee}; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Riva] Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier, 111 The Sea-Devil 3 or, The Midsbipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain ; or, ‘Ihe Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume ; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate $3 or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 2837 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy 3 or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 ane Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold 280 Merle Monte’s Fate}; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sen Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit ; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Doubles $14 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long ra 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Marry ; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferre: of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Saiior Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, | 507 The Hunted Midshipman. ‘ 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow 52 thers in Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Rue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Lee, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, By Jo Pierce, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By. Edward L, Wheeler. 579 The Chimney @Dys or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. By J. C, Cowdric’ 580 The Outeast Cadets or, The False Detective. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam, 581 ad urve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. By George C, enks, ’ 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By T. C. Harbaugh. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. "By Ed. L, Wheeler. BSS Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Entoni' : 586 The Buckskin Avenger. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. By Wm. G, Patten, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, By Jo Pierce. 589 pem-Dee ae Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. By jeut. A. K, Sims. ; 590. Deadwood Dick, Jr’a., Decree. By E. lL. Wheeler. 591 Delmonte. the Young Sea Rover. By Col. P Ingraham. 592 The ney Pinkerton. By J. C. Cowdrick. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. By P. 8. Warne. ~ 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 595 Deadwood’ Dick Jr, In Beelzebub’s Basin. By E: . Wheeler. 596 ones the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Chas. orris. 597 The Sebively Texan Detective. Col. P. Ingraham. 598 Flute, the Singer Detective. By Geo. OC, Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport. By P. S. Warne. 600 Beadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. By Edward LL heeier, 601 Ha Wana, the Dutch Vidocq; or, Red-Hot Times at. Round-Up: By ‘Lieut. A. K. Sims, pia 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, By Col. P. Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. By Jo. Pieree. 604 T Ferny the Man.of Fire. By Wm. G, Patten. 605 W Ham Or Brasdwsyi or, The Boy Detective’s Big In- ning. By J. C. Cowdrick, 606 Daadnaed Dick Jr’a Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and: Bncket’s 1 oom. _ By E. L. Wheeler, 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. By Col. P.. Ingraham. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Double Curve Dan’e Double Piay. By Geo, C. Jenks. ’ 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \eterwn Detective; or, Little L/ghtning’s Invincl*les. By John W. Osbon. ; 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. By T. C. Harbaugh, Ready £pril 2. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules; or, The Tussle at Tble Mountain, By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Ready April 9. 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan. By Edward L, Wheeler. Resdy April 16. 618 ay Plasess or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. By P.S. Warne.. rn ril 23. ; 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detectives Aid; or, The Queer Com- 615 Flahilng Heresy the Chist of Chained Cyclones or, The tin arr e ie? oF aine clone; Heathen inee’s Mission. By J. C. Cowdrick. Ready May 7. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Walf-Dime Library ie for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMA, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yerk..