Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 417) (1885 07 21)
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NINTH EDITION, lM tala © WOME Wg Sy a: Ww" __ WL ORRE So Oy) ww Ml Sir SMC Ine hae IAS $2.50 a year. Hntered:atithe'Rost Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyright, 1885, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, 20 July 21, 1885. Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. XVII. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 417, =& A\WES\ 1 \ \\ ANS \ \ WO NURS WS: ] IS! / i ; . A x —s Ty ve . oat = ° \ OR, | . 1, SZ ES —_ a >>—| The Boy Bear-Slayer of the Sierras, BY OLL COOMBES, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ WHIP-KING JOR,” ‘LITTLE Fox-~ FIRE,” ‘‘ MINKSKIN MIKE,” ETC., ETO, WSS CHAPTER I, BEARSLAYER, i ea Ir is night in Virginia City. A thousand iam If My, YY twinkling lights on the side of Mount Davidson h/t) EN) | Wg mark the location of the famous camp, Every | MA Ny AWGN, light represents a cabin or residence. High up MV | i TInie — ™ Y ty Yy, LPug Mei ——=— the mountain-side, above all others, a single light straggles down through the night. It shines from the window of a little cabin whither we would take the reader, and having climbed \ ———- | \ HN | \ i hal WW \ the hillside and reached the door, we enter the { ii! aL \\\V 1) AN A My] i | domicile. | \ ec ANU = TTT We find it has but a single occupant—a youth NOW, YOUNGSTER,” SAID THE VILLAIN, WINGER, TURNING WITH A SHUDDER FROM THE of perhaps sixteen years. He is above the me- BLACK DEPTHS BELOW, “JF YOU'VE ANYTHING TO SAY, SAY IT QUICK.” dium hight, and as he stands erect in his shirt.
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sleeves, his head bare, we see a specimen of noble manhood even in the boy, He seems the very embodiment of health and strength; he is broad-shouldered, deep-chested and sinewy; the very poise of his head is indicative of the alert- ness of the deer, his movements the suppleness of the panther. His eyes are of a dark blue, his hair long and wavy; his mouth, his nose, and, in fact, every lineament of his face, bears evidence of dashing courage, manly dignity and honor. The interior of the cabin does not indicate its being the home of a miner, but rather that of a hunter. There are several guns, pistols and knives of various kinds and patterns hanging in racks and in sheaths against the wall. A pallet of bearskins is in one corner, and there are deer and wolf-skins and other trophies of the chase about tke room. In short, the cabin is the home of ahunter. The youth we have met is the occupant. His name is Ned Hooker, or as he is better known in the camp, Bearslayer, the Boy Hunter of the Sierras. © one in Virginia City was better known than the young hunter, He had won a name and fame as the slayer of many a fierce grizzly. He was a natural-born Nimrod and lover of ad- venture. He preferred the rifle to the pick and shovel. He roamed the hills through, for the wild excitement there was in it. By the death of two friends—one a relative—vho were killed by grizzly bears, he had been led to wage a war of ex- termination upon the ferocious beasts of the mountains. And his success had been most re- markable while his hair-breadth escapes had been many and miraculous. He had been en- couraged in his work of destruction by a number of wealthy miners, who gave him, in addition to a bounty on every scalp, a handsome price for every bearskin brought in, so that he had an in- come in money, as well as the sport and adven- ture, in his dangerous calling of bear-hunter. The boy was a great favorite among the old men and young in Virginia City and outlying camps, and many a pleasant evening the miners spent in the cabin of the intelligent and jelly young rifleman to listen to the recitals of his ad- ventures in the mountains. But, on the night that we introduce him, his company, several young miners, had left early, It was nearing midnight. Most of the lights in the great camp were out, and Ned was prepar- ing to retire when there came a rap at the door. Supposing it was someof his friends returning, the young hunter called out: ** Come in!” At once a tall manin along coat and with a mask upon his face entered, He was followed by four others, all cloaked and masked. ‘“‘ Hullo, friends! this is a joke, isn’t it?” ex- claimed the boy with a smile, showing no signs of fear. ; ‘* No, sir;” replied the first of the intruders, ** it is stern pomiiie as you will find out.” An announcement which did not cause Bear- slayer to flinch or manifest any surprise, for he demanded: “What kind of a su Vigilantes or road-agents?’ ‘We are what you term road-agents,” replied the spokesman of the maskers. ‘*Tndeed! and why am J indebted for this late call?” ‘*We have come to ask a favor of you,” re- plied the man. “To join your party?” questioned the boy. ‘‘ Suppose we did make such a request?” “You'd find you were barking up the wrong tree,” was the prompt and indignant reply. ha Well, that’s not what we want of you. Knowing you are ever on the ramble through the mountains and ie to find things which, if reported to the Vigilantes, would give us trouble, we want you to either give up bear- hunting or swear that you will never divulge _ the secrets of the surrounding mountains.” ** Gettin’ uneasy, eh?’ retorted the boy; ‘‘ but, suppose I refuse to quit huntin’ bears, or to swear myself to secrecy?” “Then it will be our painful duty to silence you,” declared the masked leader, ‘‘So, think the matter over before youreply. I think you wil: decide to obey our wishes,” “Do you take me for a coward?” indignantly demanded the boy. ‘Oh, not at all. We take you for a brave and truthful boy, and are afraid the Vigilantes will make a spy of you, so have anticipated them by this call to secure your silence by oath or death.” ‘Oath or death!” sneered Bearslayer. ‘Yes, if you refuse to swear that you will keep a still tongue, death must be your fate,” rise-party are you? eres i a ts Re RS 5 nS CLT RE ' iy hy #84, 4 my ats 5 ee y ‘A i R r ae Reha Sas te Shs, 4 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp-Detective. said a second outlaw, displaying a rope with a noose on the end of it. But the sight of the rope had a contrary effect from what they had expected upon the boy. Instead of being frightened Ned was stirred to anger and defiance. ‘*“Curse you and your rope!” he hissed, “I oe you to force me to take the oath of a cow- ard!’ As he spoke Bearslayer stepped back and reached for the revolver on the wall, but, before he could lift it from its holster, two powerful men seized him by the arms and held him power- less until his hands were bound at his back. Then the rope’s noose was thrown around his neck and the other end of the line thrown over a beam, overhead, ‘* Now, then, what shall it be, boy? death or the oath?” demanded one of the men, ‘*T consider it an honor to die rather’n com- promise with outlaws and murderers!” was the defiant reply. ‘‘ Hang away! Do your worst ou cack Searied villains; Lam only a boy, but never yet flinched in the face of death.” ‘‘That will do, men; restore him to liberty!” commanded one of the maskers, in a satisfied tone. As one of the men cut the fearless youth’s bonds a strange voice—a voice from the dark- ness outside—suddenly exclaimed: * Hold! that will not do!” At the same moment six men, all masked and with revolvers in hand, stalked into the room and confronted the others upon whose breasts they leveled their weapons, their leader saying in a stern voice: ** Gents, we hold a full hand over you. and we'll fire.” ‘‘ What in the plague does this mean?” Bear- slayer demanded, unable to conceal his surprise any longer. ** Who are you?” called out the leader of the first masked party, his voice betraying no little agitation. ‘““That is none of your business,” said the leader of the second party; ‘‘ we have the drop on you, and demand that you unmask your faces, this moment.”’ ‘‘You are not Vigilantes,” said the leader of the first party making a sign with his hand that none of those before him seemed to recognize. ‘¢ Neither are you road-agents,” responded the other, ‘‘and we will give you just one minute to remove those masks from your faces that we may see who you are, or we will shoot every man of you!” The two parties stood about six feet apart, the one with drawn revolvers, the others with their hands at their hips. That a bloody fray was to be soon enacted Bearslayer had not a doubt, and which of the parties, if either, was friendly to him he could not tell. He was satis- fied, however, that they were enemies to each other—that one was a party of outlaws and the other Vigilantes, It was rather a peculiar and trying situation for the boy. In case of a conflict he would be unable to take a hand in it through fear of in- juring a friend, and since neither party seemed disposed to let its true character be known, he conceived a plan to avert a conflict. So, turn- ing, he quickly blew out the light, wrapping the room in blinding darkness, at the same time dropping flat on the floor. Oaths and exclamations escaped the lips of the masqueraders; the clink of rising pistol- hammers was quickly followed by the flash and report of the weapons in the hands of the last comers. To this fire the others at once ahs ee ed, The dull “spat” of the bullets was heard on the walls of the cabin, mingled with a sharp ery of pain and the hasty shuffling of feet. Out through the open door Bearslayer saw a shadowy form stagger, quickly followed by others, and in less than half a minute the room was deserted by the combatants; then all be- came as quiet as the grave in and around the cabin. When assured that no one lingered in the room, the boy arose, struck a light and ex- amined his surroundings. He found blood upon the floor and a couple of crimson trails leading to and out at the door. This discovery told him that the conflict was no farce. But, who were the combatants? This question confused, mystified Ned, but, after reflecting a few moments upon it, his sur- prise and wonder changed into indignation. He could conceive no reason why he should be treated so rudely, insultingly; nor why his cabin should be made the scene of such a tragedy. But, what puzzled him most was the voice of the leader of the second party of mask- ou are playing a double game, but Draw a weapon Wine re 2h) by i it ers. It sounded like that of one who had always. been a welcomed guest in his cabin—one whom he had regarded as a friend, and he could not dismiss the thought that he had been singled out as the victim of some treacherous plot. How- ever, he was not certain of this, for he knew no reason why any man’s hand should be raised against him; but, with a firm resolution, char- acteristic of his fearless spirit, he determined to know the truth, and if his suspicions proved correct, meet the foe upon his own pai Nor was there a moment to be lost in carrying out his resolutions; so at once donning his hunt- ing-jacket and cap, and arming himself with a knife and revolver, Ned glided out into the night, a self-constituted detective. CHAPTER II. SILENT DEATH-BLOWS. Ir was past midnight and the moon was high in the heavens when Bearslayer stepped out mto the night. Mount Davidson rose up grim and somber above his head. Virginia City lay at his feet, voiceless and silent. The barking of wolves could be heard over in the mountains, but this sound seemed only to make the silence more oppressive. Which way he should turn the resolute lad knew not now that he was ready for work. Had it been lighter he might have followed one or the other of the parties by the trail of blood leading out of his cabin. He was satisfied that the party, the voice of whose leader had so star- tled him—they who came last were outlaws, and these he wished to follow. But, there were many ways leading into the mountain fastnesses they could have taken, and to strike the right one was what bothered any trailer, no matter how expert. However, he was possessed of that wonderful faculty so essential to the successful mountaineer, scout and hunter, of determining facts by the voices of the night. Off toward the southwest the howling of the wolves had changed to short, sharp yelps and barks that appeared to be retiring further away into the hills, and the keen-eared lad jumped at the conclusion that the beasts, attracted by the scent of blood, were following the outlaws. Without further hesitation, he bounded in the direction whence the sound came, and nimbly almost as a deer sped over the way. In less than an hour he was traversing a low, wooded valley which, as he advanced, grew deeper and narrower, until it became a deep canyon, with towering walls on either side. The darkness in- creased with the depth of the pass, but this did not trouble the young pathfinder. Every foot of the way was familiar to him, and having no doubt but that he was upon the trail of his enemies, he pressed on. 6 had every hope of overtaking them, for he felt sure they were in- cumbered with one or two wounded men. This hope was strengthened by the fact that he was, at least, gaining rapidly upon the wolves, whose noise still continued in the ea before him. Another hour’s pursuit brought him almost within a stone’s throw of the yelping pack, which, in a body, was moving slowly westward, without a doubt following something, or some one, that gave them hope for a feast, The pursuer now began to realize that he was in some danger of the wolves himself. The ani- mals were fierce mountain wolves, and if mad- dened by the scent of fresh blood might turn . upon him as soon as his presence was discovered. However, the young hunter was not to b turned from his course by possible dangers. The patter of footsteps and a low snarl suddenly fell upon his ears, estopped. 1, Poa 1 +! = PP U Bali + SARI eid | ad oe ae a 7 / Ss ‘ ti ae ei an! he i ) yerag Py!) ‘ : \ e tS . t y, : a ay, © + fe f 4 et . ‘ an i ek 4; ont ‘ an “h 7
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Webfoot Mose, the Tramp-Detective, 3 the beasts. who charged upon the pack, firing right and left with their revolvers into the shaggy nass. Ina twinkling the wolves had vanished, put in the darkness Bearslayer could not tell whether he was now confronted by friends or foes, and he stood against the rock, motionless and silent. ‘*There’s the young coyote!” a voice sudden- ly yelled out, and before Ned had time for even a thought, five men sprung from the shadows upon him. A struggle ensued, and blows were struck, but the brave boy was soon overpowered, disarmed and made prisoner by the very band of outlaws he had followed from his cabin door! One of the rascals lit a match and held it be- fore the lad’s face to make sure of his iden- tity. “Yes, it’s the young bloodhound,” he said; ** you thought you'd play it fine, but I was watchin’ you when you left your cabin and fo!- lered at your nimble heels.” * Bearslayer,” said another outlaw—the ver one whose voice had startled the boy in his cabin, ‘‘ what induced you to follow us?” ** Your voice that I have heard many times in apparent friendship in my cabin,” retorted the boy; but no sooner had he spoken than he would have recalled the hasty and indiscreet words had it been possible to do so. ‘* By the Utah Saints!” exclaimed an outlaw, **he reecognizes you, Lieutenant Zill.” ** His own admission,” replied the man ad- dressed as Lieutenant Zill, ‘is his death war- rant. Sixty, you and Winger take him at once to the Devil’s Gap and consign him to the keep- ing of its dragon. He knows too much ever to escape, and the Gap leaves no trail behind.” “Come along, then!” ordered Winger, a powerful man, who seized the lad by the arm and fairly dragged him along. The prisoner’s hands had been tied at his back, and therefore were powerless. He made up his mind that his time had come, but resolved to meet his fate without murmur. He knew full well what the Devil’s Gap was—an abyss but a few feet wide, and yet hundreds of feet in depth. It was not far away, in the mouth of a defile that branched off from the one they had been petal To prevent his escape an outlaw walked on either side of the boy, holding on to his arm, The gloom of the pass was deep, but the ground seemed perfectly familiar to the freebooters, and they moved along toward the abyss without hesitation. Coming to where half a dozen ponies were hitched, and a lifeless form lay stretched upon the earth, ‘‘ Lieutenant” Zill and two of his companions stopped, while the,two with the young hunter moved on, A Eanired »aces further on they came to the edge of the chase known as the Devil’s Gap, which was approached with caution and a deep sense of awe. When the three stood upon its brink they could hear the sullen roar of water far down in its black depths. A current of cold air came up and rustled the foliagé of the pines overhanging the gap. 3 ae , “Now, youngster,” said the villain, Winger, turning with a shudder from the black depths below, ‘if you’ve anything to say, say it quick. We alers give a feller that chance, and—” The fellow’s speech suddenly ended in a wild unearthly shriek of agony. He fairly leaped into the air, clutching at his side as he did so. Then he reeled to and fro, and losing his balance, plunged headlong into the Devil’s Gap, a horri- ble, terrifying scream from his lips trailing down into the black depths, With an involuntary cry Bearslayer and his other captor started back, in sudden terror; but before the cry of Winger had ceased ringing on the night, ‘‘ Sixty” uttered a shrick, and al- most doubling himself backward fell to the earth, writhing in his frightful agony. Bearslayer was thunderstruck to say the least. Around him the shadows were wre The innu- merable tree-trunks were blended in one solid mass of blackness. He could neither see nor hear anything except the groans of the stricken man at his feet, and the hollow, gurgling moans that were still coming up faintly from the abyss, He could not imagine what had so suddenly smit- tenthe outlaws unless it were the breath of the le- gendary Dragon of Devil’s he 9 But, why had not he too beer smitten, if such wastrue? Sure- ly the reputed monster was no respecter of per- sons, The boy stood gazing around him, then was startled by the sound of Zill’s voice. The outlaw and his two men were coming to the rescue, and Suddenly a new din was added to the noise cf | as they approached a voice in the darkness above It was the shout of five or six nn | the young hunter seemed to whisper: ‘Fly, stranger, and save your life! Quick!” Bearslayer’s hands were still tied, but there was nothing to prevent his escape, and turning, he slipped away before Zill came upon the scene. Within earshot of the outlaws the lad stopped to ascertain, if possible, the source of his de- liverance. ‘* What in the dickens is the matter here?” Zill asked excitedly, as he came up to where Sixty lay rolling in pain. ‘Oh God!” groaned the writhing wretch, **T’ve been stung todeath! Poor Winger’s dead and in the gap! The dragon—” ‘* And where’s that boy?” broke in Zill furi- ously. ‘*T don’t know,” replied the suffering man, ‘* but do help me from this accursed place!” Filled with no little fear Zill and his com- panions assisted ‘‘ Sixty” to his feet, and started with him toward the horses; but they had gone only a few paces when one of the men uttered a iercing cry of agony, and falling forward upon his face, gave a few convulsive gasps and ex- pired, The source from whence the silent blow had come was a mystery, and the outlaw “ lieuten- ant” and his uninjured friend would have fled from the spot had Sixty not clung to their arms with the tenacity of death. As it was, they hustled him along with remarkable speed, and soon had him seated in his saddle. Bearslayer, having fortunately freed his hands of their fetters, followed, as close as he dared, at the villains’ heels, He had no fears of the ruf- fians, now. They were terror-stricken while he was himself filled with fear and uncertainty. He could not think that the death of the two outlaws had been the work of the mythie Dragon of Devil’s Gap, for he was not at all supersti- tious; and yet the whole affair was a startling mystery. Listening, the youth finally heard one of the excited outlaws ask: ‘* Had we best try to take ‘‘ Rusty’s” body, or hurry on without it?” ‘*The captain will never forgive usif we don’t take the body in,” was the reply. ‘* Rusty was a friend of the captain’s, and each promised that whoever died first should have decent burial by the other, We'd better try and take him.” ‘¢ Then let’s be aboutit with a will.” ** Rusty ” was the outlaw who had died of his wounds received in Bearslayer’s cabin. ‘*My God!” Zill was suddenly heard to ex- claim; ‘‘ what is in the air of this accursed spot to-night? Rusty’s body is bloated to twice its natural size! Tobe, we'll have to leave it after all, and hurry on, or clse this night’s deplorable work will end in the death of all of us.” So saying, the two brigands mounted their horses and with the wounded friend and the riderless ponies rode mips Bearslayer sat down. Something akin to hor- ror’s fascination held him to the spot. It was not long until daylight and he resolved to wait. An hour went by and objects around him were gradually unfolded from the blending shadows. The first thing the boy noticed was the form of the dead outlaw lying covered with a gray blanket, and, from appearances, fright- fully bloated. Day finally dawned. A noisy bird itself in a tree over the silent form an chattering shrilly. At this juncture Bearslayer started, his eyes fixed upon the body. He saw it move; he saw the blanket flung aside, and the supposed dead man rise to a sitting posture, and gaze around him in apparent Kew ldarment. A look of mingled surprise and contempt set- tled upon the boy’sface. He recognized the sup- posed dead and bloated outlaw at a glance! Tt was one Webfoot Mose, a notorious tramp and bummer, who for months had been “ beating” the camps of Gold Hill and Virginia City! A man of perhaps thirty or thirty-five years of age, he was under medium hight and a regu- lar Jack Falstaff in obesity. A big round head was set upon a short, fat neck between broad, massive shoulders, His short arms terminated in huge, fat hands, whose digits could scarcely be closed over the puffy palms. His moccasined feet harmonized with the rest of his person, being so short and wide as to be suggestive of the pedal extremities of a web-footed fowl—so noticeable in fact, as to give rise to the psuedo- nym of Webfoot Mose, tris big round face was devoid of beard, smooth and ruddy as a baby’s, He had a large blue eye, a “‘ Jewish” nose, and a mouth expresstve of good nature and an easy, carelesa disposition. verched began He was dressed in buckskin trowsers ye ed by a pair of red leather suspenders that show ed off well over a blue miner’s shirt. An old slouched felt hat covered his head. His feet were incased in buckskin moccasins. He carried no weapons that were visible un- less a short rough cane, stout enough to knock a bull down, be considered such, How the fat vagabond had come there was the next question with Bearslayer, and he was half- inclined to think the fellow was in league with the outlaws. But, whatever the facts in the case might be, he resolved to make his presence known, and at once emerged from his conceal- ment among the pines and hailed him thus: ‘*Hullo here! Good-morning, Fatty!” ‘Whew! morning-glories!” exclaimed the tramp, apparently surprised and yet rejoiced at sight of the boy; ‘‘it’s Bearslayer, the Noss Boy of Virginny, or ’m a walkin’ skeleton!” ‘*Webfoot, what are you doing here so far from a saloon? I’m astonished, man, to find you adrift so far from camp.” ‘JT am, too, Bearbutcher,” rejoined the tramp, ‘*but I see you hav’n’t heard the latest news— that the Vigilantes gave we gents of leisure and constitootional weariness just so long to leave camp and we left, youcan bet! All the other lovers of rest racked ont for other camps, but I took to the hills. Tired of life [ came over here into the vicinity of the Devil’s Gap OPER that the Dragon what dwells there in its black depths might fan me into etarnal rest; but nary dra- gon, nor nary fan have I seen. 1 believe the story’s all a red-skin lie gotten up for the bene- fit of outlaws.” ‘See here, old posey,” said Bearslayer, satis- fied now that the, fat vagabond was deliberate- ly lying, ‘“‘you’re trying to deceive me. How does, it come you were lying there in the place of a supposed dead outlaw? ‘*That’s an easy question, Bearslayer. I heard a racket up this way—some groanin’ an’ swear- in’—and I tumbled along to see what was up. Stumblin’ against the dead man in the dark, an idea popped into my head, and that was to rc- move the dead while the others were away, roll up in his blanket, stiffen out, and thereby play eavesdropper on the robbers. I didn’t s’pose they were goin’ on, and when they come fcr their friend’s dead body, and found it all bloat- ed too bad to carry, I thought I’d die for want- in’ tolaugh. Oh! if they’d ever lita match an’ took a last peep at the Siew there’d been music in the air, I tell you! But I had my trouble for my pains!” **‘Webfoot Mose!” cried Bearslayer, manifest- ing his impatience, ‘‘ you are talking to deceive me, You are playing some bold and desperate game, I now think you are the man who res- cued me from the outiaws last night and killed those men on the edge of the abyss.” ‘“Wild, visionary boy! I’m a_ harmless Quaker. I’ve no weapon buta single derringer. Did you hear a derringer Paks out? Do I look like a murderous destroyer © LT look like the Dragon of Devil’s Ga Yi ‘* Come with me, will you?” Bearslayer asked, seeing he was to get no satisfaction out of the man. “Certainly,” he answered, and scrambling to his feet, he waddled after the boy. The two proceeded to where the outlaw lay dead on the edge of the abyss, and examined the body for marks of violence. On the left breast they found a wound which had evidently been made by a slender-bladed knife that had been plunged to the heart. “There is the death-wound,” said Bearslayer; ‘but who dealt the silent blow?” “Tt must be the mark of the Dragon’s fangs,” answered Webfoot Mose, in apparent uneas> ness, Bearslayer turned and looked the tramp squarely and sharply in the eye. The fat man returned the gaze. There was a momentary si- lence. A vague suspicion arose in the boy’s mind. A smile hovered about the mouth of the bar ‘* Well,” Bearslayer finally said, ‘‘ I’m goin back to camp. [ve had enough of this—enoug. adventure to last me a whole year.” ‘Sorry to have you go, boy,” returned Mose, regretfully, ‘Won't you go back with me?” asked the boy. “ Never!” declared the tramp, with an air of injured innocence; ‘‘but you can give my re- gards to the Vigtllantes, and when you see any of my chums tell ’em to come over and see me—~ plenty room over here; water’s abundant and good, bugs and ve etables are fat, and a feller can live, laze and loll like a Lotus-eater. No; all the gold in the Comstock wouldn’t take moe
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4 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp-Detective. back to camp. Ill be fanged by the Dragon of Devil’s Gap first.” With the firm belief that Webfoot Mose was playing a desperate game—that it was he who dealt those mysterious death-blows and sav- ed his life, Bearslayer reluctantly bade the queer and eccentric vagabond good-by, and started on his return to his cabin on Mount Davidson, — CHAPTER III. AN UGLY ENCOUNTER, THE rumbling wheels and creaking springs of a heavily-loaded stage-coach mingled with the clatter of the iron-shod hoofs of eight mules and the occasional crack of the driver’s long whip, started the echoes of Grizzly Pass, as the vehicle came tearing along the defile going in the direc- tion of Virginia City. Six passengers were in the coach and three on top with Prince John, the driver—all going in by way of the Golden Gate to seek a fortune in the Golconda of the Sierras made famous by the —. fabulous output of the great Comstock ode. Among the passengers in the coach were two ladies—the daughter and niece of Judge John Shannon,a gentleman who had previously located in Virginia City where he now had mining in- terests of great value and to which he was return- ing, taking with him his daughter and niece for a temporary if not permanent residence. Judge Shannon was a man of five-and forty, a lawyer by profession who had honorably won his title as an upright and just judge. His daughter Eva was a maiden of some seventeen ears with dark-brown eyes and a face fair and ovely. She was intelligent, bright and viva- cious. The music of her voice, the sunshine of her fair face and laughing eyes had, in connec- tion with the grand picturesque scenery of the mountains, made the long journey almost a pleasure excursion. . Miss Edith Baker, the judge’s niece, was a wo- man of perhaps three-and-twenty and possessed of remarkable beauty in form and face. She was accompanying her friends by her uncle’s re- quest and it was her intention to make her future home with himand Eva. As she was an orphan and Eva was motherless, the two fair girls found sweet companionship in each other's soceity. “Although the party had traversed weary miles of the most dreary and perilous mountain road they had met with no accident nor dangers, not- with standing the hills were reported swarming with tramps, road-agents and hostile Indians, * When they entered Grizzly Pass ays were scarcely half a day’s journey from their destina- tion, but despite their near approach to the mines, Prince John, the brave and genial driver, dreaded this part of the road more than any other of his division, for twice within the year had he been held up there by road-agents, while his brother drivers had met with similar’ adven- tures, It is true that none of his ers had been injured, though relieved of everything of value about them. The freebooters had been careful, up to that time, not to disturb the mail and therefore they had not met with government interference, while for the civil authorities they seemed to care nothing whatever. Prince John would have felt less uneasiness had it not been for his two fair lady passengers. He had never been stopped by outlaws when he had a woman aboard, and he was sorely afraid that the beautiful face of Eva Shannon, if attacked by robbers, might tempt the villains to abduct her and in case of such attempt there would surely be bloodshed and violence. The pass was many miles in length and wound and twisted with the sinuosity of a ser- pent’s tail among the hills. lt was deep, nar- row and in places heavily timbered. Twilight shadows ever pervaded the most desolate places. It was an admirable place for the stage-robbers to operate, and the passengers themselves did not tail to note the advantages it offered the plundering villains. Prince John, however, did not betray his uneasiness by word or action ex~- cept, perhaps that he drove a little faster than had been his wont, though at no time had the ers complained of slow driving. Beside the driver sat a loquacious little Irish- man whose pipe was never from between his lips except when eating or sleeping. He had ridden days and nights there in the boot and being naturally a witty and jolly fellow, he had proven himself a rollicking companion to the driver and those who took turns in riding out- ide. me And faith, Misther Prince John,” the Irish- man observed after they were fairly into the great, darksome pass, and Sse along at a rattling gait, ‘‘ and why is’t that vad are dhrivy- in’ now as if Ould Nick was after yees?” **T want to git out of this pass Just as soon as possible,” said Prince John. ‘‘ It’s a favorite re- sort of grizzly bears and the darned, measly things have eat up nearly every Irishman that ever attempted to travel through here.” ‘Och! and by the swate Virgin!” exclaimed Mike fumbling at his revolver in affected fear, ‘*and isn’t it queer now, that the bloody bears niver eat up large liars, eh?” “Well, jokin’ aside, Mike,” said the driver flinging the silken end of his long whip for- ward over the lead mules where it exploded with a sharp crack that started the echoes around them, “this is said to be a bear-walk, and I’ve heard of no less than—well, let me see—no less than five persons being killed herein within the last year ortwo. ButI’vethe first live grizzly to see in this pass yet. I saw a dead one a few months ago that had been killed by a boy—” “A b’y!” exclaimed Mike, truth yees are givin’ us, now?” ‘Trishman, it’s the gospel truth,” continued Prince John, ‘‘ and I’d have you know that Ned Hooker, or Bearslayer, as he’s called, is an eighth-mule-team-with - the - ribbons - in - Prince John’s hands. Some two years agone he and two pacsls older than him, and one of them his brother, war out in the hills prospecting, when they ran afoul of two grizzlies and in the fight, which be ag ensues unless you git out of the griz’s way, Ned’s pards were killed. That set- tled prospectin’ for the boy and he become a bloody bearslayer from that very day, and I tell ou has made it epidemicish for Old Eph’s tribe. t are dangerous work but they say Bonrainyer has become an expert and knows exactly whar to locate his bullets in the bear’s anatomy. He makes money, too, at the business, for the rich nabobs of the camp gives him a handsome price for every pelt and scalp. He owns a little rat of a Mexican burro and it would do your wicked, Irish heart good to see him mounted on that critter, riding through camp. The last time I seen him he came leading his Jack-rabbit into town with three green grizzly pelts upon it and all you could see of donkey was its ears and hoofs. But I’d honestly ruther meet forty-leven road-agents in this pass than two frolicsome old grizzlies—” ‘Hullo, Prince!” suddenly exclaimed one of the passengers, seated behind, ‘‘ here comes a horseman behind us!” “ Road-agent Pll bet!” exclaimed the driver glancing back over his shoulder—‘‘ no it isn’t, either; it are—” “ And by the holy Vargin what’s that?” sud- denly interrupted the little wild Irishman inting ahead to two an shaggy forms that fad suddenly appeared before them not fifty paces evi : Prince John gave one glance at the objects and then throwing his foot upon the break and giving the lines a violent jerk shouted out: ‘““Whoa! Grizzlies, by the eternal!” With the quickness of lightning almost the coach was brought to a stop, and so sudden was it made that the passengers inside were pitched forward into a heap, while Mike Hogan was fired from his seat over the dash-board and falling on the rump of a mule bounded off and fell sprawl- ing on the earth ten feet a Vith a yell like that of a Comanche warrior, the pugnacious Irishman sprung to his feet, and whipping out his revolver began popping away at the grizzlies that were now not over twenty paces away, evincing more surprise at the scene of confusion before them than a disposi- tion for war. “Stop that shootin’, you wild bog-trotter!” yelled Prince John, endeavoring to quiet his team that had become frightened by sight of the bears and the demonstrations of Mike. But ‘is warning came too late, A bullet struck one of the bears and while it inflicted but a slight wound it was sufficient to arouse the volcanic fury of the beast and with a ferocious growl it charged toward the coach followed by its mate, ‘Tn God’s name what’s the matter out_ here?” shouted Judge Shannon, throwing open the door of the coach and leaping out. ‘Grizzlies, jedge! grizzlies!” cried the excited, terrified Mike. The mules became unmanageable as the bears advanced, and frantic with affright they swung around to the right so abruptly as to upset the coach, and but for the fortunate fact that the animals became entirely detached from_ the vehicle, those inside would doubtless have been ed to death. e plucky driver was jerked from his seat “and is’t the and dragged several rods by the frantic beasts before the lines were torn from his hands. Cries and shrieks of terror issued from the overturned coach. A piteous cry of agony broke from the lips of one of the passengers who had been riding upon: the top of the coach. He had been seized y one: of the bears, and in an instant almost crushed tu death. Mike Hogan ran, yelling bloody murder << the nearest tree, pursued by the other griz— Vi Dropping the mangled form of the passenger, the first bear—the one Mike’s bullet had wound- bE eel a upon Judge Shannon, who was in the act of assisting his daughter from the coach. Another instant and he and his child would have been slain by the mad monster, had it not been for the intervening bullet of a rifle that rung out behind him. The bear fell in its tracks, within a few feet of the judge, its head shattered with the terrible missile that had scat- tered blood and brains on the garments, and in the very face of the judge. So excited was Shannon, that he had not noticed whence the providential shot had come and in speechless surprise and terror he gaze around him. His eyes fell upon a young man standing about forty feces away, at the side of a diminutive donkey, his rifle raised and pointed toward the second grizzly. Before he could utter a. word—had time for a thought, the weapon of the young stranger boomed out, and a piteous howl of pain from the bear, blended with the other direful sounds that were rever- berating through the dismal pass. And as if to make the terror of the situation all the more frightful, some one suddenly yelled out: “A road-agent! a robber!” Judge Shannon who, by this time, had become somewhat composed, turned toward the youth whose timely shot had saved his life. The bo was now approaching him, a look of trium upon his face, his rifle in his left hand, and his donkey following with the docility of a dog at. his heels. ‘* A road-agent!” again yelled a terrified pas- senger, and at the words, a broad smile over- spread the boy’s face; but never halting he ad- vanced straight to where Shannon and his daughter stood, saying: ‘Folks, I am not a road-agent, but—” ‘¢ No, indeed!” suddenly broke in the voice of Prince John, who had not had time until that moment to look about him, ‘‘by the beard of Mahomet! that’s Ned Hooker—Bearslayer, the Boy Hunter of the Sierras, God bless him!” CHAPTER IV. A CAMP-FIRE STORY BY BEARSLAYER. BLEEDING and bruised, the clothes half-torn from his body in his struggle with his team, Prince John rushed forward and grasping Bear- slayer’s hand, exclaimed: ‘Lord bless you, boy, I say again! You have done some noble work—saved some sweet lives, and—oh thunder! I can't say what I want to. But, Bearslayer, this gentleman is Judge Shan- non of Virginia City.” ‘“‘ Bearslayer,” said the judge, ‘‘I have heard fucB 8 often and had ought to know you. Iam truly glad to meet you. This, Bearslayer, is m daughter, Eva, and this my niece, Miss Baker.” The young hunter lifted his hat and bowed politely to the ladies, his handsome face coloring slightly. Eva was so beside herself with joy and excite- ment that she involuntarily extended her hand to the brave boy and with a look of admiration upon her fair face, exclaimed: ‘““Oh, sir, you have saved our lives! You are a hero!” ‘‘Thank you for the compliment, Miss Shan- non,” said the youth, not a little confused, then to the judge he continued: ‘‘ but, Mr. Shannon, you are wounded—there’s blood on your hand at any rate.” e judge glanced at his left hand. It was Peo with blood. A little cry burst from Eva’s lips. Instantly almost Shannon turned ale and he became conscious of stinging pain in his arm that was soon traced to a flesh wound between his elbow and wrist. There was a hoje in his coat-sleeve that looked as though made by a bullet. ‘* What does it mean, father?” asked Eva, ex- citedly. si | a not know,” the judge answered, in per- plexity. ‘*T can tell you, judge,” said Bearslayer. ‘‘ It was my bullet that grazed your arm there—the same bullet that killed the bear. I fired asquick as I could end had I been the fraction of a mo- ment later you would have been slain by the grizzly. I was compelled to hold just where I
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— eee ea ee a (25 Ae SSR a ‘did to reach a vital spot in the animal’s head. You moved your arm as I touched the trigger, and it is well the ball did not meet with more resistance or strike a bone in your arm, or you, instead of the bear, would have been killed, for it was an explosive ball.” * Ah! that accounts for the shattered head of the bear,” said Shannon. ‘But it was a close call for me all around; but they say a miss is good as a mile, and to your skillful marksman- ship, Bearslayer, I will ever bear witness, and also be indebted for—” **Don’t speak of ’debtedness, judge,” said the boy; ‘‘for I done no more than you or any one else should have done. Besides, bear-killing’s my business, and while my bullets helped you folks out they will also bring me in at least twenty- five dollars in them grizzlies’ pelts. But it looks as if you folks are all in a pretty bad fix here; and I see one poor fellow’s been killed.” ‘¢- Yes, poor Rodgers! he was unable to escape death,” said one of the passengers. “And it’s meself that’s skeered out of me senses like a whole iad asylum,” ews in the voice of Mike Hogan who had by this time got back to his friends, ‘*T’'m tempestuous glad to seo you alive, Mike,” said Prince John, ‘‘if you did precipitate the trouble with your pop; but friends, this is the worst break that I’ve had in all my stage-drivin’ life. It makes me weary and TI feel like goin’ away back into the hills and feedin’ myself to the bears. But whinin’ over spilt milk won’t mend matters. Them mules have got to be rescued. I’m goin’ to haul that old stage into camp if I have to hitch Mike Hogan in with the other mules to pull us through.” “You can have my donkey, Arizona,” said Bearslayer, ‘‘ if you need another horse for he’s a young elephant on the Pein *¢ And phat a sphlendid team tho baby jackass and Prince Johnny would make,” declared Mike, **for, by me honest soul, they look like twins.” ‘Pity the bear didn’t git you, Irishman,” re- torted the driver; ‘‘ but what’s the use fooling here. Friends, I’m going after them mules at once, and leave Bey in Bearslayer’s care. Don’t look for me till I git back, for them cussed crit- ters may not stop short of ’Frisco.” After giving some further instructions to be observed during his absence, Prince John took his departure in search of his team, The first thing the passengers did was to dress each other’s wounds and bruises, in which oper- ation they were assisted by the boy hunter, This done, a grave was hollowed out and the remains of the dead passenger tenderly placed therein and covered over with dirt and stones, the spot being carefully marked that the body hs be recovered should relatives ever desire its removal. : Then the coach was turned back upon its wheels, and the scattered baggage and effects of the party gathered up and replaced where it i Nothing further could now be done except to sit down and await the return of the driver and watch Bearslayer skin the two bears, which operation the young ened i with a skill and dexterity that proved quite interestin to the passengers, Ina very short time he ha peeled off the shaggy coats of the dead mon- sters, and turning to the passengers, said: ‘Wor fear you may have to remain here longer than you expect, I'd better save some of the choicest parts of the bears for food in case of necessity.” , To this all readily assented; and having cut off some meat the youth hung it in the crotch of a bush, then going to a little spring not far away he carefully washed his hands, rolled down his sleeves, and put on his hunting-coat. The party now engaged in a couple hours’ con- versation, and then, as Prince John had not yet put in his appearance, and the sun was fast sink- ing in the west, the boy hunter suggested that, through fear they might not get away from there that day, they make preparations for pass- ing the night. This suggestion meeting general approval, a suitable camping-place was selected under a cluster of pines near the little spring before mentioned. The coach was drawn up, by the united efforts of the men, to the camp- ground, The ax carried on the stage was brought down, and some wood cut and a camp-fire lighted. As soon as a bed of red coals could be had, Bearslayer proceeded in true hunter style to broil some of the bear-meat, and upon this, song with the remnants of the passengers’ last Tune poe at the stage station and cold water from the spring, the party made a hearty supper. : Nt length the sun went down, and then it ea Sy Webfoot M . seemed a settled fact that the party would have to remain there that night. Bearslayer had promised to remain with them till Po es: and thisfact gave them some ease of mind. The youth had proven himself an in- telligent and jolly-hearted companion, and he seemed to have such a perfect knowledge of bis surroundings, and was so fertile in expedients to meet emergencies, and so prompt to act, that all felt that his presence and experience would be an assurance of safety. No one regarded the gallant young moun- taineer with greater admiration than did Eva Shannon, though with true maidenly modesty. Her father attributed it to no stronger feeling than that of girlish gratitude for his noble wor in saving them from death; but Edith Baker, with woman’s intuitive perception, did not fail to notice that her cousin regarded the glances and address of the handsome mountain boy with that confusion which tells of unconscious admiration stronger than mere friendship. Night finally set in black and ominous in tho pass. Nothing had been heard of Prince John yet, and so further arrangements for spending the night there were made, The coach was drawn closer and the space between the seats filled in with baggage and a couch thus pre- pared for the girls in the vehicle. The men were assigned more commodious quarters—all outdoors with a blanket and the ground for a bed. Two of the passengers were placed on guard in the pass, one below and one above camp. A roaring fire was kept burning not only on account of the chilly, mountain air, but to dispel the depressing gloom. Around this the men finally seated themselves, the girls having taken seats in the stage, and entered into a gen- eral conversation. Finally Judge Shannon said to Bearslayer: ‘*Ned, I presume you have met with reed ad- ventures in your bear-hunting excursions, have you not?” ‘“‘'Yes, sir,” replied the young hunter, ‘I have had many narrow escapes from both rizzlies and hostile Indians, and some of them ave been as ludicrous and amusing as dan- gerous and thrilling. I had one about one ear ago with a wounded grizzly and an Ingin both at the same time. But to appreciate it one had ought to have seen the performances.” ‘* Well, tell us about it, anyhow,” said Judge Shannon. ‘* Vis, reel it off, Bearshlayer, for it’s me own honest self that loves a lively sthory,” said Mike Hogan. “‘T can tell a story on somebody else better than myself,” said Bearslayer, ‘‘ for then I can nut on frills and trimmin’s, as Old Redwood ill used to say. But, as I said awhile ago, it was some twelve months ago that I was huntin some twenty miles north of Silver City. I ha left Arizona, my donkey, and had gone afoot over a rough, barren ridge and descended into a deep, wooded valley where I knew there was a bear-wallow, which I was going to watch for a pelt or two. ‘T was about half-way across the valley when I was suddenly startled by a crashing in some bushes on my right, and before I had time to think a whoppin’ old Phoned came tearing outand charged upon me. The brute had been wound- ed some way—by an Indian I supposed—and it made up its mind to vent its spite on me. Of course, [ bounced away about as lively as you ever saw a boy bounce. It was too close for me to undertake to shoot, and I’d hopes by lively work to put distance enough-between us to give me time to turn and put a bullet into the critter, The way I whizzed across that valley was equal to the speed of Mike there when he Jit out for a tree to-day with that grizzly in pursuit. I had gone about twenty rods when a great fallen tree appeared before me right across my path. was not over twenty paces from it when I first discovered it, and just as I did, I discovered a Washoe savage in war-paint a few rods beyond the log with his rifle at a trail. I knew the red wretch was as hostile as a rattlesnake and be- tween him and the bear I felt that my chances were slim. I was too busy trying to keep out_of the clutches of the bear to shoot the Injin. In fact, I preferred holding my fire for the grizzly for, of the two, I feared it most. I’d no time, you see, to turn aside for this would give the bear an advantage in the race and so I bolted straight ahead in hopes the bear ’d take after the Injin when I got close to him. “Coming to the fallen redwood I attempted to leap over it, but it being very large I struck my toe against it and over I went, heels over head, falling flat on the earth. At this juncture ose, the Tramp-Detective. =_ ee the red-skin’s rifle pealed out. I don’t know whether he fired at me or the bear, but which- ever it was he seemed to have missed, ‘*My fall kind o’ throwed me off my balance, I knew the bear was at my very heels, and there was no time to be lost. But instead of —— I rolled over and pressed my body close up under the side of the great log. /hat possessed me to do so I don’t know. At any rate, I did it with- out ever thinking, and the next instant here came the bear scrambling over the log right above me. Indragging its great form over, the thick, rotten bark of the redwood peeled off and came down with the bear completely burying me under it. And this saved my life, no doubt, for, covered completely over with the bark, the bear lost sight of me, but catching a glimpse of the Washoe it lunged on after him, determined not to be cheated out of a victim. ‘“*T was so completely exhausted that I laid there perfectly quiet, my heart thumping wild- ly. I did not even attempt to throw off the avalanche of bark that lay over me, and it is well I didn’t, for, in a few moments, I heard a scream and then a wild Indian yell, Shakin my head a little the bark settled apart so that could see out with one eye, and to my horror I saw the Ingin in the clutches of the grizzly, while from over a little knoll beyond no less than fifty Washoes were coming to the help of their friend. But they were too late to save him. The grizzly gave him one diff and he was a good Ingin forever; but thenext moment two- score arrows and bullets rattled into and against that grizzly’s carcass; but they didn’t down him and with a ferocious growl he charged upon his tormentors. How they did scatter! when the bear charged in one direction the reds in the other directions would turn and belt it to him with bullet and arrow. This confused Old Eph not a little, and kept him flying first one wa and then the other until his hide was shot so fu of holes he wasn’t worth skinnin’. The des- perate beast was finally compelled to yield up the fight, and to my dismay he fell dead within twenty feet of where I lay. The Ingins gather- ed around it with demonstrations of flendish joy, and their proximity made me restless. You see [ didn’t know whether they or any of them had seen me at any time or not, but I was cer- tain that the red that did see me was deader than the mother of Adam, as Old Redwood Bill — would say. ‘Then, again, I wasn’t sure that my entire person was concealed by the bark, and if not, I was sure to be discovered, and in that case the jig’d be up with me. In a fair foot-race I'd ve no fears, and once I was almost tempted to jump and run, but when I saw a savage look my way, and appear to scan the log where the bark was peeled off without showing any evident signs of surprise, I breathed easier and lay quiet as a kitten. ‘*T hadn’t a very good view of the reds but I could see that they were in war-paint and knew it was a war-party either after white scalps or Utes, or both. They stood around the bear for quite awhile and it seemed they would never go away. Tomake my position all the more distress- ing, the bugs, ants and crickets that had been dis- turbed in their repose under the redwood bark began to trot over my face, creep under my collar, waltz up my shirt sleeves, dance fan- dangoes on my breast, pinch me here and tickle me there till it seemed I couldn’t hold in. To add to this torment, no less than a hundred more Ingins came over from the north and joined those around the bear, and I'll swear they lit a fire, and skinned that bear, and cut it into slices, or the best of it, and roasted and eat bear-meat till I thought they’d bu’st. I was awful afraid they’d come for the bark that cov- ered me for fuel, but as rotten bark is the poor- est thing to be had to reast meat with, I s’pose that fact alone saved me. “ But [ resolved that if I ever got out of that redicament alive I was going to fire that bark to git even with that million of insects that were waltzing, fighting and capering over me. My only wonder now is} that a rattlesnake, or, at least, a green lizard, didn’t drag its clammy length over my hands and face or invade my clothing somewhere. ‘* Suddenly, however, bug's and ants were for- gotten in a wild, unearthly, savage yell from down the valley, and if ever you saw Ingins hustle around lively it was them Wakthoe gor- mands. The yell was the war-cry of their old enemies, the Utes, and although taken by sur- prise, the Washoes answered the cry and then and there began one of the fiercest Ingin battles ever fought in these hills, I expect. ** The Washoes dodged behind trees and stones and about fifty of them got behind that big reé JNA
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wood log. A big buck dropped on the bark that covered me and | thought before he got off he would weigh 4 ton. ‘*For quite awhile the battle raged at lon range and the way bullets and arrows whistled through the wood above me was a caution. Finally the Utes, who were in superior force, charged the Washoes, Fora few moments there was a desperate hand-to-hand conflict right over that log. My big Ingin yanked a Ute over the redwood plump on top of me, and killed and scalped him right there, But the Ute were too many for the Washoes, and finally the latter were routed and away they went hotly pursued by the victorious Utes, and in a short time the scene of the conflict was transferred to other quarters. Then I flung aside my cover and sprung to my feet. I didn’t stop to cremate t bug outfit, but just scattered out for tall timber. I never stopped runnin’ till I was aboard of Arizona pudgin’ homeward at a—” “Hark!” suddenly exclaimed a passenger, as a strange noise fell upon his ears; ‘‘ whatin creation was that?” “‘It was a subdued groan!” answered Judge Shannon, starting to his feet. ** And comes from the hillside above us,” said Bearslayer, laying his hand upon the polished pistol-butt at his hip. In a moment every man had sprung to his feet, and Eva and Edith, who had been listening to the Boy E.unter’s story, closed the door of the coach shutting themselves in. The party listened. They heard a rolling, crashing noise on the steep mountain-side above them as if of a gathering avalanche from out the midst of which issued cries, groans and curses as if of men engaged in mortal combat. CHAPTER V. AN UNCEREMONIOUS INTRUSION. THOSE around the camp-fire stood aghast at the startling noise that had so suddenly burst upon their ears. Loosened stones came rattling down the steep hillside, some of the larger ones bounding across the level endangering the limbs of the astounded arty. The sound of those angry voices grew ainter as the volume of other sounds grew louder. Shortly a great mass of stones, dirtand debris janded at the foot of the hill near the camp-fire an ig in a cloud of dust that filled the air around. But this cloud quickly rose and then, to the astonishment of the party, they beheld, in the very midst of the miniature landslide and half buried under it, two white men clutched in each other’s grasp, evidently engaged in a des- perate combat, Ths moment, however, that the dust lifted, and the light of the camp-fire lit up their sur- roundings, the belligerents released their hold on each other, rose to a sitting posture, and glared into each other’s faces, then at the speechless party. by the fire. Their faces were bruised, leeding and covered with dust and dirt, and the look they gave each other was as ludicrous as it was contemptuous, One of the men was atall, angular fellow, of perhaps fifty years, dressed in the suit of a mountaineer. His lantern jaws hung apart as he sat amid the heap of dirt and stones, and glared first at his adversary, and then the pas- sengers, in speechless surprise and confusion. The other man was the very opposite in build, being short and stout, with a face like a full moon. This man, despite the dust and dirt upon his face, and the sad plight of his raiment, Bear- slayer recognized, and in tones of surprise ex- claimed: ‘By gracious! that is Webfoot Mose!” The sound of the boy’s voice seemed to break the spell of silence that bound all parties speech- less, and the fat man, who was indeed the Gold Hill Tramp, raised his chubby finger, and point- ing at the man before him, exclaimed in a sharp, disdainful voice: “And that thing’s Redwood Bill, wild-eyed idiot of—” **'You, Goosefoot Mose!” broke in the tall man contemptuously, ‘‘ blubbery mullet-head—” “The great hunter,” the fat man went on without heeding the other’s interruption, ‘ of Calaveras—the mighty, wall-eyed Ingin-slayer and scout!” “Gentlemen,” said Judge Shannon, ‘‘ there seems to be some mistake here.” ‘There surely is,” declared Bearslayer, ‘‘ for that other man is Redwood Bill, the California hunter.” “There it is—there’s the mistake,” said Web- foot Mose as he rose to his feet and pointed to the old hunter; ‘‘there’s the mistake, the blun- der—that’s the catastrophe!” 6 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. ‘* Strangers,” said Redwood Bill as he rose to his feet. nd straightened up to over six feet in his moccasins, ‘I’m ashamed of myself, and if you’ve a mule around, lead it up and let it kick me over into the promised land, I owe you folks an apology for comin’ here in the company 0’ that big-breasted tramp, I confess it was by an accident [ did so, and if you'll forgive—” ** And that accident,” interposed the fat man with a grin of triumph, ‘was my pheelanges clustered around your windpipe.” ‘* Look here, folks,” said Bearslayer, ‘‘ there’s no need of you fellows quarreling for you’re not enemies if you have made a mistake somehow or other. I know Redwood Bill there, and know he’s a whole camp-meeting, while Webfoot Mose, I have seen before and mistrust he’s im- mense.” With this explanation on the partof Bearslayer, Redwood Bill seemed fully satisfied and, turning to the fat man, said: ** Webfoot Mose, ’m glad to meet you—to know you and look upon your classic figure. Dve heard o’ you, tho’, before.” ‘The same to you, Redwood,” responded Webfoot extending his hand. ‘I’ve heard of you these ages, and your angelic beauty, and now that the dust and excitement are clearin’ from mine eyes, and mine brain is getting clear- er, I behold thine majesty and glory, oh, Red- wood Bill!” Judge Shannon had heard of both these men before but had never met them. From their general appearance, and their address, he made up his mind that they were a pair of odd, ec- centric fellows, But from the manner in which they had entered camp he would have been sus- icious of them had they not been identified by 3earslayer. ‘* Gentlemen,” the judge said. ‘‘I am of the opinion that you mistook each other in the dark for an enemy and got into—” ‘** That’s the size of it, stranger, prezactly,” de- clared the giant, Redwood Bill. ‘ Iespied your fire here as I swung down the mountain-side and not knowin’ whether you were Injins or outlaws, I began to reconnoiter. I descended the hillside on hands.and knees and crept softly along until just above you here when, all to once, I was seized by that inflated bladder by the throat. He war concealed in a clump of bushes and I run bang up against him; but I reckon he can tell what he war doin’ there.” Just what you war doin’,” said Webfoot Mose. ‘‘I war comin’ up the pass and espied a light and, not knowing whether friend or foe was here, I tumbled gracefully up the hillside to reconnoiter. Id reached some bushes just above you when I detected a crawling noise hard by. I made up my mind it was an Injin scout. and so I threw out a skirmish line and seized hira by the jugular. He responded quite vigorously and the result was I lost my plumb and rolled out of sition, and we were then drawn down here by the attraction of a gravitation. Whew! itis an awful wonder that I didn’t kill Bill before I discovered who he was. But, Bearslayer, I don’t understand your situation here: has the road-agents been at work? What is that stage- coach doing there?” ‘“ We're the victims of grizzly bears,” said Judge Shannon. ‘And now may I ask what you are doing *way over here ?” asked Bearslayer. ‘*T walked over here for exercise,” was the unsatisfactory reply; ‘tI think Grizzly Pass is the finest promenade this side of Jerusalem. Yes, I come over here for a little exercise.” ‘And you got it, too,” put in Old Redwood, **comin’ down that mountain-side, It’s a won- der I didn’t splatter you all over this pass.” “fa! ha! ha!” laughed Webfoot, his fat sides shaking violently; ‘‘ what a jolly-joker you are, Redwood. Jill tumble you’d now be warming up in the tropical clime of the sinful.” ‘* Hullo!” suddenly exclaimed Redwood, as he glanced toward the coach, ‘‘I see thar’s ladies present.” Eva and Edith had opened the coach-door, and their pretty, eager faces could be plainly seen in the light of the camp-fire, “Oh, indeed!” exclaimed Webfoot with evi- dent confusion, glancing at the stage and then at the judge, ‘‘ T hope the ladies will excuse my extravagent remarks and Old Bill’s toilet.” ‘*Oh, certainly,” replied the judge with a smile, ‘* Bill,” said the fat man ix. a low tone, with affected earnestness. ‘‘ mebbe you'd better retire for fear your tremendous ugly face ‘ll frighten the ladies.” ‘** Ruins o’ deestruction!” exclaimed Old Bill, **you’ve as much cheek as bulge. You must If it hadn’t been for our Jack-and- | think vre a beauty—a royal blue-bell with painted cheeks. Heavens! you make me weary with your lip. But say, judge,” and he turned to Mr. Shannon, ‘‘ you didn’t ew us the par- ticulars o’ your bein’ stranded here; who war your ribboneer?” ‘* Prince John, he is called,” replied the judge. ‘He is now off in search of the mules that got away from him when the coach upset. You see we run intoa pair of grizzlies that caused our trouble. One of the passengers was killed and, but for the timely work of Bearslayer there, a, of the rest of us would have met a like ate. Eva and her cousin remained in the coach, leaving the door ajar. They had no desire for sleep now. When all had again become silent, a general conversation ensued: The situation and sur- roundings were discussed by Bearslayer and Old Redw Bill. Meanwhile Webfoot Mose had fished a big, clubby cane from out the avalanche in which he had descended the hill, and seating himself at one side, maintained an unusual silence. But finally Judge Shannon said to him: “‘T am truly surprised to see you here, Web- foot. I don’t see howa man of your corporosity can get around through these hills and valleys.” “Tt: don’t surprise me, judge, for I had to come,” replied Mose; ‘‘ the Vigilantes gave me so much time to dust and I dusted. No, there’s no room for tramps in Virginia City and Gold Hill any more.” “Oh, ho!” exclaimed Redwood Bill in evident surprise, ‘‘I begin to catch on to your true character, Webfoot. I s’posed you were only a tramp in name. So the Vigilantes fired you, eh?” ‘“‘That’s exactly what they did,” frankly ad- mitted Mose; ‘‘I’m an exiled man—a wanderin’ Jew—a mountain tramp.” ‘*Tt?s a wonder you got here alive,” declared Redwood Bill, who, since he had discovered the fat man was in reality a pronounced tramp, had turned against him and addressed him with dis- dain and contempt, to the mortification of Bear- slayer, who regarded Mose as a brave, myste- rious man, ‘Well, I got here in time to thumb your throat,” was Webfoot’s rejoinder. ‘* Folks,” exclaimed adwockk: seeming to be- come exasperated by the tramp’s reply, ‘‘ your camp here is jist as deservin’ of respect as Gold Hill or Virginia City, and I advise you to issue an order of expulsion or else keep your eye on your valuables while that festive tramp is around, for he—” “That makes me out a thief!” interrupted Webfoot Mose, his face flushed and his eyes flashing with passion; ‘‘ and, sir, you’ve got to eo that unless youw’re a better man than be!” ** Fatty, you don’t want to cork yourself so fur from fodder,” retorted Redwood, in a pro- voking manner. ‘You're either a fool or a coward, Redwood Bill!” asserted Webfoct, ‘‘and I brand you as both and defy you to resent the charge!” ‘Hold, men!” cried Shannon. “I hope you will not let this lead to blows.” ** Judge!” Redwood fairly roared, ‘‘1’ve been insulted, and that I won’t take off o° one that admits he’s a tramp and been driv’ outen camp, T believe he’s in collusion with the outlaws and’s here in their interest. No, I sha’n’t take that off’n him, for I’m his sooperior in every respect, and as I started, I'll jist slap his ears for him! As he concluded his speech the big hunter flung out his long arm and aimed a blow with nis open hand at the side of Mose’s head; butthe fat man was on his guard, and brushed aside the hunter’s arm in a most dexterous manner with his left hand, while his right fist shot upward and outward, and with a “‘ spat,” landed square- ly on Redwood’s cheek. With a cry of surprise and pain the over- confident hunter went down under the blow as heavily as though he had been struck with a sledge-hammer, and as he again rose to his feet, half-stunned, and gazed around him in unaffect- ed confusion, he demanded: ‘¢‘ What done that? Who hit me? Did youdo that, Webfoot Mose?” ‘* Yes, and I’ve plenty more of the same kind when you come to time,” was the tramp’s cool reply. The spectators were astounded by the sudden change in the situation and the grit and science of the fat man. . ‘*Men, I implore you to let this trouble go no further,” Judge Shannon begged, stepping between the combatants. :
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of secreting himself on the deck of the coach among some baggage, doing so before any one | else had entered or mounted the vehicle. He went straight from where he had left his burro out in the defile and silently climbed to the top of the coach whose right side and top were con- cealed in shadows, lie knew his absence would create no uneasiness or delay for he had told Judge Shannon that he would hunt up his burro and go on in advance of the coach. As soon as he found himself lying flat upon the stage he began to think the situation over. le wondered.what Judge Shannon and the girls would think of him could they seo him lying there with all the silence and stealth of an as- sassin. He finally began to regard his position and conduct as unwarranted and sneaking, if not cowardly, and at length concluded he would slip off the coach while he could do so undetect- ed. But he was too late in arriving at this con- clusion, for, just as he was about to rise, Gos- per merge into the boot and shouted his “all r In half a minute afterward the youth had reason to be thankful that he was on the coach, for as the vehicle dashed away amid the yells and firing of the outlaws, he was satisfied that Gosper’s call for ‘‘all aboard” was the signal for the attack of his ambushed confederates. Whether that signal was given prematurely or not, he could not tell. Certain it was to him, however, that but three persons had entered the coach, and two of these he knew were the girls. He was not sure, however, that one of the three in the stage did not jump out as the vehicle dashed away. That his suspicion of Gosper being in collusion with the outlaws was correct, was placed be- io doubt when he saw a man on the near ead mule virtually directing the course of the team. The darkness in the pass was very deep, though, at times, where tho pass widened and the timber was sparse, there were flashes of light that enabled Bearslayer to note the situa- tion and act as we have seen. He had got rid of Gosper easier than he had expected, for, from the first, he made up his mind the fellow was a desperate villain, if a villain at all; but he had still the fellow on the mule to dispose of and the crisis was hastened by the outlaw discovering despite the darkness, and rumble of wheels, an clatter of hoofs, that something was going wrong on the coach and calling out: ‘‘ What's the matter back there, Goss?” There was no answer save the flash and report of Bearslayer’s revolver. ** Cuss it, Goss! what do you mean? It’s me, Limber Dave,” were the excited words that fol- lowed the shot. *“‘Tll limber you,” thought Bearslayer, and again he fired at the outlaw rider; but as before the darkness and the swaying of the coach made his aim uncertain and his bullet failed to take effect. The next moment a revolver in the hand of the mule-rider rung out and a bullet cut close to the boy’s head. Again Bearslayer fired and again he was an- swered by a shot from before. Several shots were thus exchanged, but not one of them ap- peared to do further mischief than to excite the mules to renewed s ; Suddenly the team came to a halt—so abrupt that the boy was almost pitched forward out of the boot. Excited voices in frent cf the ani- mals were heard, and then Bearslayer knew they had been met by a party of outlaws, no doubt lying therein wait, and that he was infor a lively time. The youth endeavored to force the mules for- ward, but not a step would the mob in front permit them to budge, and so dropping the lines the young dare-devil leaped to the ground, de- termined to open the way with his revolver. But scarcely had his feet touched the earth when he received a blow from a sledge-hammer fist that staggered him back against the coach, and before he could recover himself, he was seized from each side, hurled violently to the earth and despite his efforts, overpowered, dis- armed, and made prisoner by a band of desper- ate mountain outlaws, , CHAPTER VIII. WEBFOOT MOSE GETS IN SOME LIVELY WORK. va SHANNON and Edith Baker were scarce- ly inside che coach before the yells of the out- Jaws rung out upon the night and the vehicle sped away into the gloom of Grizzly Pass, Sinking into their seats the terrified maidens shrieked wildly for help, and Eva in her excite- ps PMR BET a7 Fen ea ti ani - — — wee sai aaa a eo Be So : a Kn ray a , i Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective, % ie ment endeavored to leap from the coach. But a wget seized her by the arm and forced her back into her seat while the door of the coach was banged shut. Then a familiar, mas- culine voice greeted their ears, saying: ‘*Girls, don’t be frightened—brave up and trust to luck.” ‘*Eiva!l” cried Edith, “did you hear that? There’s some one in the coach with us!” “Tt’s me, girls, Webfoot Moses,” said the voice, **Oh, Mose!” cried Eva, her voice scarcely audible above the noise of the flying vehicle, $s what does this all mean? what is to become of us? ‘God only—knows—¢gi-rls,” answered Mose, ag te rocking stage thrashed him from side to side, The fat man was ina deep quandary. In en- tering the coach by Mr. Shannon’s request he had placed himself in danger. His presence was unknown to the maidens until he spoke, for he occupied the rear seat while the girls occupied the front one. A third seat was between them, and the darkness in the coach impenetrablo. The fat man had entered the stage unknown to any one. He gotin from the dark side and had but just seated himself when the girls entered. ‘Oh! we shall be dashed to death!” Edith Baker cried, wringing her hands in terror. ‘*T'll swear to man, ladies,” Webfoot said, “I wish I could stop that team, but if the driver can’t do it, I don’t see how Ican, And it would be sure death to undertake to jump out of this flying concern.” **Oh, my poor father! I shall never see him again!” moaned Eva; ‘‘the outlaws will slay him!” ‘*Mebby not, Miss Eva,” said Webfoot, con- solingly, ‘* but tm thinking that there is—woof! how it slams one around!—some bad work—ah! —going on with thatdriv—er. Ibelievehe’s an outlaw.” It.was as much as the fat man could do to make himself heard and at the same time retain his seat, while the maidens were violently tossed about in their seats. After going some distance the coach came to a sudden halt, and the hope that the driver had got the mules under control was cherished in the maidens’ breasts. But they were doomed to a bitter disappointment for the stage again dash- ed away before one of them could utter a word. And what was most surprising was, that during the ap gaat S stop, the door of the coach was opened from the outside, a dark form leaped in- to the vehicle and the door banged shut. ‘Who are you?” shrioked Eva, an intuitive fear seizing upon her mind, as some one brushed against her. There was no reply to her inquiry, but in- stantly the blinding rays of a dark-lantern were flashed into the girls’ faces by the intruder who had seated himself on the middle seat, ‘‘Have no fears, my dear girls,” a strange, cold, cruel voice said, ‘this is only a romantic adventure peculiar to the wild, wild West. I assure you no harm shall befall you. We know you are the ladies of Judge Shannon, whose mines are turning him out a fortune every day. In due course of time the judge will have an op- portunity to ransom you. Meanwhile, you shall be honored guests in the stronghold of Cuba, Kidd. We will soon leave this old coach for the saddle.” ‘*So that’s your game, is it, my dashing moun- tain bandit?” It was Webfoot Mose who spoke from the darkness behind the outlaw, and if ever a man made a quick movement it was that bandit. He turned on his seat, and as he fumbled for a weapon, he endeavored to flash his lantern upon Mose’s face; but the fat tramp was on the alert, and seizing the villain by the throat to prevent him crying out, jerked him violently over the seat, A silent struggled then ensued that filled the maidens’ hearts with a new, agonizing terror. The outlaw gasped and wheezed for breath, and in his struggle he held on to his lantern which, in its ae changes, threw its bars of light around the inclosure in dizzy, blinding flashes. Not a word did the fearless Webfoot utter, though he panted like a worried, overgrown ox. Not a word could the cunning bandit utter, for his vocal apparatus was in a giant grip. In the narrow limits of the coach—in the darkness, with the vehicle rocking and swaying violently, it was a death-struggle from which it seemed impossible for either of the combatants to escape death or injury. In dire suspense, in breathless terror the maidens sat trembling in each other’s arms, ex- . a " : " ed AS oe be Pek siege ie . ats eas a \ ! a on pecting every instant to see. the flash and hear the murderous report of a pistol, The, outlaw finally dropped his lantern, and then, the.silent conflict seemed to become all the more desperate. The girls heard the gasping of one, and the heavy panting of the other of the combatants. No violeut blows were struck, al- though the booted feet of the outlaw pounded furiously against the side of the coach. Thus; the struggle continued for several mo- ments though they seemed hours to the maidens, Finally it seemed to grow less furious and gradually ceased altogether. But who was the victor? Before this could be determined by the maidens the crack of a pistol on the coach out- side.rung out. “Oh: heavens!” cried Edith, ‘‘ just listen to that outside!” ‘““Something’s awry out there.” It was Web- foot, Mose who spoke thus as if nothing whatever had just happened within. ““Oh, Mose!” eried Eva joyfully, ‘‘thank tho Lord, you are alive! Are you hurt, Moses?” “No, not the least bit that ever was,” was the cool reply. “But what of the outlaw, Moses?” “ Heavens!” exclaimed the fat tramp, heeding not the girl's question, “‘ there’s a regular shoot- ing matinee going on out there! That part of it I don’t understand unless our folks have caught up with the coach and are peppering the driver full of holes—hullo! we've ccme to a stop again, Wonder if it’s to take somebody else aboard? Pll peep out, anyhow.” He opened the door on the right and looked out. It was dark as Egypt and he could see nothing; but he could hear angry, excited voices in front of the team and on the opposite side of the coach. An idea flashed into the tramp’s brain and turning to the girls he said in a whisper: “Come, girls, let’s jump outand run, Iam sure the way’s clear on this side. seem to be quarreling among themselves—the iron’s hot and let’s strike—come.” As he finished Speseng he arose and crowding his bulky form through the door stepped to the ground. Eva and Edith followed him quickly, silently. Excited voices and ‘the sound of a scuffle could be heard on the other side. The mules were rearing and plunging in the harness, and the man in charge cursing furiously. Grasping each of the girls by a hand the gal- lant tramp. waddled briskly away with them without caring as to the course he was going, so that it took them away from the vicinity of the outlaws. Thus had Bearslayer and Webfcot performed deeds of daring outside and in the toach with- out the slightest knowledge of each other’s pres- ence. When about twenty rods frcm the stage the three fugitives stopped to listen. They heard the outlaws speaking in loud, excited tones. They heard one of them wy ‘Curse him! we'll make him pay for this!” ‘*T wonder who they mean?” whispered Mose, . recious little pay, for: ullo!: “Tf it’s me, they'll get I’m financially suspended—I’m bu’sted. there goes a light!” True enough, a light was flashed into the coach, and an instant afterward a voice raved, out: ‘Great thunder and furies! there’s no one in: the coach but a dead man! The girls are one, and— By Heavens! the dead man is enver Pete!” Eva and Edith shuddered, for this told them that Webfoot Mose had slain his antagonist. ‘* Whist!” suddenly ejaculated Mose, as a hasty footstep was heard approaching. Aman, breathing heavily, passed near them at a run, going in the direction of the outlaws. ““ Smotheration!” said Mose, ‘‘ I hope it wasn’t any of our folks!” His fears of this, however, were dispelled when the footman, reaching the stage, was heard to ask: ‘Have you got that young demon, boys?” To this was given the reply: ‘Why, Gosper, what does this mean?” “That sly young devil,” Gosper replied, ‘‘ got onto the hearse some way, and pulled his iron on my jaw, and I had to deliver up the ribbons; then he knocked me overboard.” ‘Well, Goss, we’ve got the young vampire and don’t you neglect to remember that we'll make him smoke,” was the response. ‘*Strangulation!” exclaimed Webfoot Mose; “some one of our friends is in the bardits? power, and I’m afraid it’s that brave boy, Bear- sat ne Girls, I believe I'll go back there, and— The outlaws. ~ = — es ie ie A = » PS oy See ras ¢.-£> 4 z “4 s ~* “_. ate fies ged | wire amie | bio » ! eee i] 7s “Va a! aa ety - AY J a y ae ee
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. ont: ' = Veal tc _ . , — , -_— SM eas Ae a pearee | Thats es 4 los aca cs art a , 7c 7 Ly Webfoot Mose, the Tramp-Detective. “No, no, Moses!” begged Eva, clinging to the | *man’s arm; ‘‘ you must not leave us. Thereare | while on the upper the hill rose a quired: ‘many of them there, and you could do nothing. | its fagade being covered with bushes and vines. ** Well, boys, how have our plans worked?” ‘Stay with us. You must not leave us!” From the lower side tall pines thrust their state- ‘* Not at all—they’re a ear failure—we’ve abruptly off into an acclivity of caver Wie, from his saddle as he drew rein, eagerly in- ar, ‘Just ‘as you say, girls,” Mose replied. ‘I | ly heads above the rock thus making a narrow | been outgeneraled, and flanked, and beaten at iv ‘couldn’t turn a deaf ear to your pleadings, | lane or avenue walled in on one side with green | ever int,” answered one of the men, ‘s though I would like to know who it is them vil- | tree-tops and the other with the emerald fes- rs at do you mean, Elder Joe?’ asked the nue lains have, and destroy a few of the wretches. | toonery of the hillside. outlaw chief. So let’s be moving along. I think this is the As soon as they had reached the ledge, Web- ‘“T mean that Bearslayer, the Boy Hunter, way that leads back toward the camp we left so | foot stopped, drew a long breath of relief, re- | got onto the hearse and knocked Goss heels over unceremoniously.” moved his hat that the cool balmy breeze might | head; some one got into the coach and killed ‘‘ But instead of leading us to friends it may | fan his brow upon which stood great beads of | Denver Pete and escaped with the girls. All apt Reef lead us to enemies,” said Edith. perspiration, and exclaimed: we've left out of the ’reck is the festive Bear- * eg (af “Tm thinking, girls,” said Mose, ‘‘that the * Land of love! behold what a lovely spot | slayer.” dk outlaws got flaxed out in their attack on our | this is, girls! This path is the avenue that leads he outlaw captain cursed and swore like a + et friends.” upward to fairyland, surer’n creation. S’pose | mad demon, He shared with his men in the be- ie “Oh! I hope so!” said Eva. we go on to that sublime realm? Wouldn’t I | lief that their defeat had been accomplished VSS . Webfoot led the way through the gloom and | cut a beautiful figure there?” and he indulged in | through treachery, and turned to Bearslayer and [pei ‘soon they were out of hearing of the enraged | a silent laugh that forced a smile to the maiden’s | demanded an ex janation. But he soon found i { fay outlaws; but it finally became evident to the | sad faces. that the Boy Honter was determined upon R Be fat man that they were not following Grizzly ‘““You are rather hard on yourself, Mose,” | silence despite his blustering threats of violence. ‘ aa ‘Pass but:a deep, dark defile that trended off to- | Eva said. ‘* Never mind, a rope round his neck and slung | ward the northeast, He said nothing of this to ‘“‘ Well, joking aside,” he observed, as he cast | over a limb ’ll loosen his tongue, maybe, cap- i his fair protegees, but continued on slowly, fear- | his eyes across the valley through an opening in | tain,” said an outlaw. at ing to undertake to retrace his steps not know- | the tree-tops. ‘‘ I'll die a skeleton if I don’t seo ‘“Humph!” ejaculated the bandit chief, “it >? -ing what new dangers might be encountered. smoke rising above the trees away over yonder. | hasn’t been a week since them masked Vigilantes, Boe e girls placed implicit confidence in their | Look right through here, girls, and see if you | masquerading as road-agents, undertook that ie ie ‘rescuer. He had shown himself to be a brave | can’t see it, too.” game in the boy’s own cabin and failed. But a) ‘and fearless man notwithstanding the name he He pointed off across the valley and toward a | then when he sees we are in earnest perhaps he’ll bore. He was always cool and self-possessed wooded vale that entered the main defile at | come to time. There’s no fooling about our ie the seemed fully conscious of the magnitude of right angles, from which all could distinctly see | work this time.” ‘| ae ‘the surrounding dangers. a thin column of blue smoke rising lazily upon ‘“ No compromise with villains is my motto,” : | After traveling along an hour or two, Eva | the air. declared the helpless boy, defiantly. . Sie sasked: ‘‘Do you think friends are there, Mose?” Eva “Well, we'll see about that,” said the cap- ) i z ‘¢ Ts it not time we were back to our old camp, | asked eagerly. tain; ‘‘ but, men, we must not tarry here longer. aa -Mose?” ‘“‘T hope so, but I can’t say sure, and I must | Them fellows will be ane here presently. = ath! Seeing he could truthfully keep the fact of | make sure before I go further. Girls, I’m go- | They’ve got that bloody old Redwood Bill to r their being lost from the girls no longer, Web- | ing to leave you right here and skip over there help them out.” foot replied: ; and see whose camp-fire that is. Do you remain “Did you down any of the passengers, cap- “We've traveled far enough, Miss Eva, but I guess we’ve missed Grizzly Pass entirely and are rambling off in a side canyon; but I expect it’s -all the better for us.” This news created a feeling of despondency in here until I return or send for you.” tain?” ‘*Oh, do be careful, Mose!” Eva said in an “Not that we know of, although I tried hard anxious tone. to wing Old Redwood when I found he was ‘“‘That I will, girls,” the man responded; ‘‘my | there. We lost two men in the attack, and bump of self-preservation is enormously devel- | expect if we'd showed ourselves every dog of gr ay the breasts of the girls, but the assurances of | oped, and I'll take care of Webfoot Mose.” us would have been shot. So you see our part— ; (4 their brave friend revived their spirits and they With this he turned and began the descent of | attracting attention while the coach escaped, ae trudged on. the hillside. . was the only part successfully carried out. ‘ie Finally Webfoot concluded they were out of ‘What a brave, kind, queer fellow he is,” said | Tie up them mules to a tree and let us get away ae reach of immediate danger and called a halt. | Edith as he disappeared from their sight. from here forthwith, but keep a hand and eye cn a He selected a secluded P ace under a cluster of ‘*T don’t believe he’s a tramp, do you, Edith?” | that Bearslayer.” 4 ines and bade the girls be seated and rest while | asked Eva. The outlaws hurriedly made arrangements for Ba i stood guard. “Tt is a fortunate thing for us that the Vigi- | departure. The mules were tied up to a tree, Yi ane Here they passed the remainder of that event- | lantes thought he was,” responded Edith philo- | Bearslayer was we upon the back of a horse, 4 ful night, and it was with a feeling of supreme | sophically. whose owner had doubtless been among the slain - ding the mountain peaks and heard the twit- | ly anhour. They had begun to look fur Web- | the party separated and moved away, the horse- and song of birds. foot’s return, and were expressing the hope of | man continuing on up the pass and the footmen The fat man could now see that they were not | soon = delivered from their peril when they | cutting across the hills. in Grizzly Pass, but a narrow, winding defile on | were suddenly startled with terror by the ap- Daylight found the horsemen with their cap- either side of which rose mighty hills in places | pearance before them of an Indian warrior | tive many miles from the scene of the night’s toa. hs. zi that they finally beheld the morning sun And thus the two maidens conversed for near- | of that night, and securely tied thereon. Then r a nae covered with tall, dark pincs, decked out in all the savage paraphernalia of | adventure over in the fastnesses of the moun- - Ceppae The want of sleep and food, and the fear and | the war-path!” tains. ; i ; 3 ; excitement of the night, had blanched the fair The footmen had not = joined them. In BS de faces of the maidens and filled their hearts with CHAPTER IX. fact, they had been sent back aways from Grizzly cod sadness and gloom. But Webfoot Mose was the BEARSLAYER A PRISONER, Pass to elude discovery, await the coming of ake. same; if any difference, he was more cheerful Wuen Bearslayer found himself a prisoner he | day and then make such reconnoissanceas might exe and his step was more elastic. became more uneasy about the fate of Eva and | enable them to secure the girls or, at least, de- raat a To the maidens of Gold Hill, Tramp had be- | Edith than himself; but when the outlaw that | termine, their whereabouts. In case they were > tan come a hero—a brave and fearless man whose | looked in the coach announced it empty, with | successful in the first instance, they were to i a ungainliness of figure was lost sight of entirely | the exception of the dead body of Denver Pete, | meet the captain and his party at their desig- Lager in he gallantry of his brave and undaunted | he breathed freer. He knew at once that some | nated bivouac; but should they need assistance ial spirit, in the kindness of his great heart, and the | one else besides the girls had entered the vehiclo | a messenger was to be dispatched there. ae riosaintt: boyish expression of his big eyes and | at camp, and that it was his hand that had slain ‘Cuba ” Kidd and his band had long set their F x Jes round fat face. : the outlaw and by his help the girls had escaped. | hearts upon securing a fortune through the cap- es Mgnt The trio began their morning tramp quite | But he could not imagine who that person was, | ture of Judge Shannon on his passage toor from ” early, and now, Webfoot realized that they had | and of all those he had met at camp, Webfoot | Virginia City; but when they learned through a not the friendly cover of night to hide them and | Mose was the last one he would have thought of | their spies in camp that on his return from that greater caution must observed. After | in connection with such a daring feat. the east, via San Francisco, he would be ac- oing a short ways he stopped suddenly, sniffed | Newt Gosper, the deposed driver, coming up | com anied by his daughter, a lovely girl whom the air like n beagle and said: could throw no light upon the mysteries of the | he idolized, they changed their plans in that the **Seems to me I smell burning pine.” interior of the coach, but he could describe in | daughter instead of the judge should be abducted . “T thought so, too, awhile ago,” said Edith | glowing language what had occurred outside. | anp held for ransom. So carefully and system- Baker. e became so worked up over the subject that | atically had they planned their work that they ‘Tt may be from the camp-fire of friends, and | but for the intervention of his friends he would | knew to the very day when the coach, hearing it may be that of foes,” Mose said; ‘‘ and I pre- | have wreaked bloody revenge on the now help- the judge and his daughter to the famous camp, sume we'd better makeareconnoissance. Friends | less author of his broken head. would pass through Grizzly Pass. Within five we're anxious to meet, but foes we want to| The outlaws had use for Bearslayer alive. | miles of where the stage was stopyed by the Ly elude. Suppose we ascend this hillside, girls, | They felt sure that he could enlighten them as } bears, the attack was to have been made; but and like Moses of old, view the landscape o'er?’ | to the death of Denver Pete and the escape of | that accident produced a bitch in all their well- ‘© Where ever you lead we will follow, Mose,” | the girls, and this information they resolved to | conceived plans, and so the bandits were com- va said; “you are our guide and protector.” | have at all hazards, They also suspected treach- | pelled to adopt another course which resulted, «‘ An honor to me, I assure you,” the fat man | ery in theirown ranks for, so carefully had their | as we have seen, rather disastrously. And to said proudly. plans been laid for the abduction of Judge Shan- | the outlaws it seemed impossible for the judge They turned and entering a goat-path began | non’s daughter that they thought it impossible | and his friends to have brought about this dis- ‘ the ascent of the hill that was covered with a | for so disastrous an outcome to have resulted | aster without_a previous knowledge of their a dense growth of small pine trees. The path was | from any other cause than-the bad faith of some | movements. How this knowledge was obtained, 7) r worn deep in the hillside, and it was about all | one of their band. And if this was true, they | Cuba Kidd now determined to ascertain and, \" a Webfoot could do to crowd his bulky frame | had hopes of detecting the traitor through the | turning to Bearslayer who lay upon the earth in ry ; through in places. Boy Hunter. bonds, said: a #& The path did not run straight up the acclivity efore they had put any — to the “Young man, I want you to tell me this but angled off to the left, and about two hun- | youth, however, a party of half a dozen mount- morning how you learned of our movements last dred feet from the valley it reached a ledge of | ed friends came gelloctug up the pass and joined | night.” rocks that wound around the hillside like a| them. With this party was their leader, the ‘We guessed at them,” was the lad’s reply. spiral stair. On the lower side this ledge went | notorious Captain Cuba Kidd, who, springing’ “Boy, I want none of your impertinence,”
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e thundered the outlaw in a tone calculated to carry conviction; ‘‘ I’ve had enough ofit, You thwarted me in your cabin a few nights ago, and I shall not be again. Understand that! Some one divulged our plans to you last night, and—” ‘¢- Yow’re mistaken, old man,” said Bearslayer fearlessly; ‘‘the trouble is you fellows didn’t know our plans. If you’d sent a less suspicious lookin’ critter to camp with them mules than that sneakish Gosper you might have got the drop on all of us. But, if Iam a boy, I can tell pretty well when I meet a villain just by his actions. No, you needn’t lay your defeat to treachery ’mong your followers.’ “Who killed Denver Pete in the coach after it left camp?” Kidd asked, ‘‘ and spirited them women off?” **T do not know.” **'You lie!” “T would not tell you if I knew,” the lad de- clared. “Men, bring a rope!” commanded ‘‘ Cuba,” “and we'll see what we can do for the brat, if it’s nothing more than to make food for coyotes of him. [’m tired of this impertinence and bravado.” Newt Gosper hurried off to where the horses were hitched, and procured a lariat, eager to repay the young bear-killer for the blow he had given him the night before. Bearslayer was made to standup. <A noose on one end of the rope was placed around his neck, and the other end thrown over the limb of a tree under which he stood, ‘¢ Now, young man,” said Captain Cuba, ‘‘ you can make up your mind to tell what we desire to know, or take a last look at the morning sun and the peaks of the Sierras. Understand, this is no farce, but a business proceeding.” As the outlaw spoke, Bearslayer fixed his eyes upon him with a look of defiance and scorn. The outlaws, six in all, now gathered around the boy, eager to see him hang or hear him speak, The party was in a deep, narrow ravine under a clump of pine trees, “Above them the defile was choked up with a dense growth of under- brush and vines; below them the way was open to the main canyon, into which the defile de- bouched. The steep hills that rose on either side were covered with bushes and stunted pines, The spot was a lonely, dismal one in which to die, for this Bearslayer had made up his mind to do, rather than concede one thing to the out- laws. At the time the rope was adjusted the youth’s hands and feet were tied, but seeing this, Cuba d: ‘‘Untie his feet so that we can see him kick, and his hands, so that, ab any time before he becomes unconscious and yet cannot speak, he can motion with his hands should he conclude to communicate with i.. You understand that, do you, Bearslaye: /”’ **T do, sir,” answered the defiant youth. The bonds were severed. “Do you still refuse to tall?” again asked Cuba Kidd. ‘Think now of what yow’re do- ing.” “*T defy you!” was the boy’s reply. ‘¢Pull him up easy, boys,” commanded the outlaw chief. Gosper and a companion began pulling down upon the rope, and Bearslayer’s toes were near- ly clear of the ground, when there was heard a “zip” and a “thud,” and with a sharp cry of agony Gosper let go the nope and falling to the earth rolled and floundered as if in mortal pain, clutching frantically at his face. The feathered shaft of an arrow, that was buried deep in the right eye of the outlaw, told the cause of his agony. Cuba Kidd and his men quickly glanced in the direction whence they knew the weapon came. They saw a form on the hillside above them flitting among the bushes, ‘*Run him down, men!” cried Cuba Eidd; ‘slay him, for he has wounded Goss to death!” Two of the men glided away after ihe un- lanown whose arrow seed gy a stop, tur {Lo time being, to the execution of Bearslaycr. Cuba turned to the assistance of Gosper. He endeavored to draw the barbed weapon from the man’s eye, but so agonizing was the pain that the wretch went into convulsions, and in half a minute was dead. All this time that Captain Cuba was busy elsewhere, one of the outlaws held on to the rope around Bearslayer’s neck with one hand, whiJe with the other he grasped a revolver. But for this latter fact the boy would have made a dash for liberty, but his custodian seem- ed to have read the thought in the youth’s mind Webfoot Mose, the Tramp-Detective, it, ae ne NT a Tc cn RR nh mn lain view of the other two outlaws, he raised and watched him closely. But even while Cuba Kidd lingered over the form of the dying Gos- per, a noise in the bushes up the canyon caused earslayer’s guard to look around, and as he did so, he saw a huge grizzly emerge from the thick- et not over thirty feet from where they stood, stop and look at them in surprise. ‘** A grizzly, by heavens!” burst from the fel- low’s lips, and, filled with that sudden fear which is inspired by the first sight of one of those fero- cious, shaggy monsters, and which leads to a panic, the man raised his revolver and fired at the animal. Bearslayer, who had, also, seen the bear, en- deavored to prevent the man firing for he knew too well the result of such an act; but his warn- ing came too late—the pistol cracked, the bullet struck the bear which uttered a fierce growl and charged upon them. ‘*Run, for your lives!” yelled Captain Cuba with an oath, breaking for the nearest tree, ‘*and may the devil take the infernal brute!” Bearslayer and his custodian dashed away side and side the latter holding on to the rope around the lad’s neck. These two the bear followed, and although they had several yards the start the beast gained rapidly upon them. Reaching a tree with low boughs the outlaw started up into its friendly hights with remark- able celerity, still endeavoring to hold on to the rope. But now was Bearslayer’s opportunity, and he had the presence of mind to improve it. As the outlaw sprung for the tree the youth deftly snatched the villain’s knife—a long-bladed huntiog-knife—from its sheath at his hip, and with a single stroke severcd the rope around his neck, then bounded on alone; and not alone, either, for the grizzly followed close at his heels. Bearslayer realized that his situation was as dangerous as that of his vaunted foes was ridic- ulous, He might have sprung into a tree and eluded the bear, but this would not have placed him out of reach of other dangers, for the out- laws from their perch in the pines might take it into their heads to pick him off with their re- volvers—useless weapons against the bear. But when out of reach of the outlaws the boy found himself out of the immediate vicinity of tree or bush, with the bear at his very heels. Less than half a minute was left him in which to act, and well did he improve this time. A deer path, that had been worn out a foot deep and nearly two wide by the action of the water, lay before him. Into this he flung himself face up- ward, the outlaw’s knife grasped in his hand. The grizzly rushing on madly could not check itself before reaching the ditch, and was carried by its momentum across the prostrate form of the boy. But it passed over him as it was com- ing toa stop, and with the quickness of light- ning Bearslayer drove his knife upward into the animal’s body to the guard and with a back- ward sweep of the blade laid the belly open half its length. With a howl that fairly shook the hills the great bear half-curled himself on the earth, and in his agony tore at his entrails that fell from the cavity of the body with his teeth and paws. Yells from the outlaws in the trees greeted the boy’s fearless and desperate act, and Cuba Kidd leaping to the ground began firing at the grizzly with his revolver. But the bear was not as near dead as he had supposed, and starting up, it dashed back toward the villain with more than half its entrails trailing out upon the round, Quickly the outlaw scrambled back into the tree, while Bearslayer, springing to his feet, ran swiftly in the direction of the outlaws’ horses. Two shots were fired after him from the trees, but he soon had gained the cover of one of the horses, and was about to unfasten it with the intention of mounting and fleeing, when he es- pied hanging to another saddle his own trusty ‘bear-rifle” and cartridge-belt, which the enemy had found on the coach, With this dis- covery, he quickly changed his mind, and se- curing the rifle and belt he turned his attention to the outlaws and the bear. The latter had laid down under the tree in which Cuba Kidd and one of his men had taken refuge and to all appearance was in the last throes of death. But its presence there was enough to hold the two outlaws at bay, but the third one, who was a few paces further down the canyon, was hastily descending from his roost, when the deadly rifle of the young hunter rung out and with a shriek the villain lost his hold on the tree and fell dead to the ground. At the sound of the gun the bear never moved. It was dead. A grim smile of triumph now lit up the face of the young hunier, and, stepping out into is rifle, and in a clear, ringing voice shouted out: “‘Captain Cuba Kidd, it’s my turn now, and unless you surrender at once [ll drop you from that tree as though you were a panther!” ; CHAPTER X. WHAT WEBFOOT’S RECONNOISSANCE REVE D. Eva SHannon and Edith Baker were fairly pane with terror at sight of the Indian that ad eet before them, as silently as though he ha oes from the clouds. They started back, their faces blanched, and their white lips voiceless, The Indian showed by his actions that he him- self was surprised by the presence of the maidens, and after gazing at them for a few moments, to make sure they were not visions of loveliness, that would ecg pec at the utter- ae of a sound, he grunted out in good Eng- ish: ‘* Ugh! white squaw.” The savage was a young man with a slender, supple form, and a movement like that of a panther. He was armed with a bow, which he carried in his hand, and a well-filled quiver that was slung at his shoulder, In his girdle was a knife. To his ejaculation the girls made no reply. They were so frightened they could not at a This the Indian saw, and laying down his bow, he held up his hands, palms outward, in token of friendship, saying: ‘“White squaws need no be afraid, Little- Fox no make war on squaws—he pale-face friend—Washoo scout, Let pale-face squaws speak.” He said this so plain, and in such apparent honesty, that the girls had a great burden lifted from their minds, and Eva then mustered cour- age to say: “* Oh! we are so glad you are our friend!” The Indian lowered his hand, and his painted face relaxed into a natural expression. Stoop- ing, he picked up his bow, and advancing a step nearer the girls, asked: ‘* ‘What white squaw do here?” ‘* We were left here by a friend,” replied Eva. ‘* Where come from?” : Eva told him, The Indian glanced quickly around him and said; ‘There bad Ingins in hills—bad Utes—bad pale-face, too—white squaw not safe there.” ‘‘We know it, Little-Fox,” the fair Eva re- sponded; ‘‘our friend went to investigate a smoke he saw *’way over yonder. He will be back soon and then we will move on in search of our friends. 1 wish you could tell us where to find them.” ** Don’t know,” the Indian answered with a shake of his head. Thus they conversed for several minutes when suddenly the Indian started, fixed his eyes on something on his right, and then exclaimed: “Waugh! what that?” Looking in the direction indicated the maid- ens saw Webfoot Mose advancing toward them along the ledge, his hand upon his revolver, and his eyes upon the Washoe. “That is our friend)” said Eva, and despite the gravity of their situation the maidens could not repress a smile at the surprise and curiosity manifested by the red-skin’s question, “Ugh! he heap big bosom,” said the Indian, laying his hand upon his stomach. “Hullo, girls! who’s that you’ve captured?” was Webfoot’s first remark as he approached, ‘“‘His name is Little-Fox,” answered Eva; “‘he says he is a Washoe scout, and a friend of the pale-faces.” ‘* How?” exclaimed the red-skin, extending his hand in friendly salutation. ‘“Well, thank you; how’s Little-Fox?” re- sponded Webfoot advancing and grasping tho Indian’s hand in a strong grip. ‘You heap big eat,” said_the Indian, scan- ning the corpulent figure of Mose from head to foot, as though he were an animal on exhibition. The girls could scarcely conceal their mirth while Webfoot, himself, was not a little amused. at the red-skin’s curiosity. ‘* Yes, red-skin, I used to have a good appe- tite,” Mose answered, “‘ but seems like an age since I’ve tasted food. I’m wasting away to a mere skeleton. But say, Little-Fox, what’s the news? Do you know there’s a whole nest of Ute Indians camped over yonder?” ‘“Ves—Ute dogs there,” replied the sava pointing away across the valley, ‘thorse-tracks go that way,” and he pointed in another direc- tion—“* Little-Fox go see where go—who them are?
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‘all his might and w “And when you find out will you come back and tell us?’ asked Webfoot. ‘' They may be our friends and if so we are frightful glad for them to find us for they’re lost if they’re friends,” * Little-Fox come back—he friend of pale- face. You wait here?” «Yes, right here,” answered Mose. “Then watch out heap for Ute—he sneak like wolf,” cautioned the Friendly as he turned and rted de ' RThat’s a bit of good-luck striking that red- skin,” said Webfoot, ‘‘for 1 unders and ho’s a sworn friend to the whites, a personal friend of Bearslayer, and a famous scout. But, girls, I don’t want to scare you, but there’s no less than a hundred Utes over yonder and they’re hostile, too. But if we keep :till here till that Washoe gets back we'll get away from them. So be patient and brave as you have been, and all will be well.” After conversing awhile with the maidens Webfoot walked out to the end of the ledge from whence he could command a view of the big pbe: leading down into the valley. He ad stood there but a few moments when he | caught a glimpse of a stealthy fi trees below. He started bac around him. His eyesfoll upon a great rock lying half hid among the drooping vines at the upper side of the ledge. With another cautious ance into the valley the fat tramp turned and astening to the rock laid hold of it, and sum- moning all his strength, succeeded in moving it out into the middle of the ledge. The maidens saw him and, filled with curi- osity, arose and advanced to where he sat upon the rock, great beads of perspiration rolling down. his face, his hat off, and the wind toying with his thin, flaxen locks. Before either of the girls could speak he put his fingers to his lips significant of silence, and shook his head. A look of fear whitened the faces of the girls and stopping they stood silent before their friend. “I don’t know,” said Webfoot, leaning for- ward and speaking just above a whisper, ‘‘ but what there’s some one at the foot of the hill try- ing co follow our trail, and if it’s an enemy, anc he undertakes to come up here, I'll bat him on the head with this stone as sure as I’m a moun- tain ‘ tourist.’” The girls could see that he was uneasy des- pite the manner in which he spoke, for he at once arose and creeping hack’ to the end of wpe ede? cautiously peered down the cimmaron t re among the and glanced In a moment he turned and hurried back and again laid hold of the stone and began working it toward the spot where the ledge dropped off so suddenly into the goat ret. He labored with en at length he had reached the edge of the ledge he was almost out of breath. But he did not stop to rest, but glanced down the path, uttered an_ exclamation of sur- prise, which was answered by a subdued savage war-whoop, then bending over the rock again he rolled it off the ledge and sent it bounding down the path. ; a aR Four Ute savages were ascending the hillside eyidently upon the trail of the fat man. They were following one behind another in the goat- path and, unaware of the deadly trap the white man was setting for them, they glided up the hill. But suddenly they saw the great stone leap over the ledge and come bounding toward them following the depression worn by the hoofed feet of the mountain sheep. The fore- most red-skin leaped out of its way, but the others were struck down and crushed to death in a twinkling, their bedies scarcely checking the deadly missile in the least, On down the hill swept the great stone, landin in the valley with a sullen boom, while a clouc of dust rose upon its track and drifted away upon the breeze. } The escaped red-skin glanced at the crushed and mangled bodies of his comrades lying quivering in the path, then with a cry of baffled rage he bounded off down the hill. But he had hesitated a moment too long, for he had gone but a few steps ere the revolver in the hand of Webfoot Mose rung out, the bullet struck him on the back of the neck and he plunged head- long down the steep hill lifeless. ! As the report of the weapon rolled in pro- longed echoes through the hills, Webfoot’s brows contracted, and with a dissatisfied look he owled: “Smother me! that pistol-shot’s a_bad job. It will be heard clear up to British Columbia; but I had to do it. There’s one thing certain, though; te can leave here, Washoe or no: *Florrin, whom I have met more’n once in the Washoe, and since we've been paddling our own canoe pretty well since we disembarked from that old coach I a we can continue to do so, Let’s follow this ledge on around and see where it does lead to.” The girls were only too glad to bo moving, and the trio at once started off along the ledge, Webfoot Mose leading the way. They had gone perhaps half a mile when turn- ing the abrupt angle of a great rock Mose found himself face to face with a white man. Both started back in surprise. Tho hand of each involuntarily sought a weapon of defense; at the same instant the stranger’s face li hted up with a smile of recognition, and he said: ‘* Webfoot Mose, as I live!” Yes, sir, Pm that tourist,” replied the fat man; ‘and if I’m not mistaken, you are Daniel salons of Gold Hill.” ‘“* Exactly,” replied the man, with a low laugh, glancing restlessly across the valley. Eva and Edith had not yet come insight of the man, for the angle of the rock concealed him, nor could they see him when they finally stopped a few paces behind Mose to hear what the men were saying. At the sound of Florrin’s voice Edith Baker started as if suddenly aroused froma frightful dream, and when the man spoke in a clearer tone her face turned deathly pale, her eyes star- ed wildly, and her bloodless lips parted as if to speak, She clung nervously to Eva for support, and finally, witha moaning gasp, sunk uncon- conscious to the earth! CHAPTER XI. CUBA KIDD HAS TO COME DOWN. As Bearslayer’s demand for Captain Cuba Kidd's surrender fell upon that worthy’s ear, his jaws dropped apart and he glanced at his friend in the tree before him, his face the very picture of baffled rage. Both the outlaws held their revolvers in their hands, but the young dare-devil, who had so suddenly turned the tables upon them, was over a hundred yards away, ensconced behind a tree, with his own unerring rifle in hand. He could shoot them both while descending to the ground, and figure the matter out as they might, the result was the same—they were at the boy’s mercy. ‘* Surrender, old cappies!” the young hunter again demanded, seeing they hesitated, SOr Lal rive no quarter. Remember, that it’ll be shot or shot from this on.” ‘ , ‘* Captain, the young heilion has got us foul,” said Kidd’s companion in a woful voice. ‘*Tt’s a most humiliating position, Dug, for men that occupied the place we did a few min- utes ago,” said the robber chief, a look of abject misery upon his dark, ‘piratical ” face. «Ghost of Lazarus!” exclaimed the man “Dug”; “if the boys that went in pursuit of tosper’s slayer would only return now and take that sardonic youth from behind, you and I, captain, might think this wasn’t such a bad world after all.’’ ‘Ten to one Gosper’s slayer was a Washoe savage,” said Kidd, ‘and, that he'll draw Nick and Tiger-Tooth into a death-trap. It begins to look as though we were doomed. Out of twenty men that started into the Shannen-Abduction scheme half are already dead and—” ‘*But, don’t you see, the ‘divy’ ll be all the greater, captain?’ interrupted the cold-blooded wretch on the limb before him; “ fifty thousand divided among ten men’s better than ’mongst twenty.” “Well, man! but you’re a cool one,” declared Captain Cuba. ‘‘ You talk as though we had the girl in our power and the gold was on the way for her ransom, instead of our sitting here like a pair of grinning apes liable to be shot down dong at any instant. Hear that? does that sound much like our doing a banking busi- ness on Shannon’s gold?” - d It was Bearslayer’s voice again demanding their surrender that led to the bandit’s facetious interrogative. ¥ “Let's parley with the murderous young scamp in hopes of gainin’ time till Nick and Tiger-Tooth can come to our relief,” said the cunning Dug Tarr. | ‘‘You’ve the brain-fertility of a Napoleon, Dug,” said Kidd, “and Tl try your scheme though it may cost us our lives,’ ‘There'll be that much more for the other boys on the _divy if we are sacrificed in the cause,” was Dug’s reply. Cuba Kidd could not repress an oath at the man’s reckless bravado; then turning his head he shouted to Bearslayer: “What more do you want? don’t you see tive, a 11 we're at the mercy of the bear and your cow- ardly self?” ‘Don’t be afraid of that bear, Mr. Kidd,” re- turned the boy in the most aggravating way, ‘for he’s dead as you'll be in about fourteen sec- onds *less you surrender, If the bear’s all that keeps you up there like a pair of ‘possums, just try to get down without my permission—just make one shadow of an attempt. I want an ex- cuse to plug youtwo, Oh, you royal mountain- eers! I’ve got thedrop on youthistime. Iexpect it makes you hot but I can’t help it. I’m alittle lord of all I survey—and that’s you bold, bad buccaneers—and I want you fellows to be digni- fied about your surrender.” ‘“'You infernal whelp!” exclaimed Kidd, ‘‘ do you want us to give up and set here like warts on these limbs till we rot?” ‘* No, not exactly,” replied their young tor- mentor, ‘‘ but cach of you have a pistol in your hand. I want you to drop them—toss them out this way.” The discomfited outlaws looked at each other, spoke in a low tone, and then tossed their re- volvers to the ground. ‘**'Phere, that’s very nicely did,” shouted Bear- slayer, ‘‘ but yow’ll next unbuckle your belts and fling them down, You might have another shooter there,” ‘“We have not,” was Dug Farr’s reply. ‘Well, throw them down anyhow,” ordered the boy. The belts were thrown to the ground. ‘*Got anything dangerous in your pockets?” Bearslayer demanded, ‘*A jack-knife,” answered Dug Tarr. ‘* Drop it,” commanded the youth. The knife was dropped. ‘* Got any thing else?” ‘* No,” Captain Kidd answered. “Then one of you climb down and advance into the opening pase with your hands above yceur head,” said Bearslayer. ‘‘‘ Remember now, only one at a time; and I want him to get down slowly, and with the fear of the. Lord in his heart. Any hasty movement will be to invitea shot from me. Steady now.” Dug Tarr began to descend, a sinister gleam in his eyes, Captain Cuba whispered something to him as they parted. The boy knew, by their very actions, that they had some suddenly con- ceived scheme on foot. Tarr soon passed the last limb and in ‘‘ craw- fishing” down the trunk he edged around so as to place the tree between him and the boy. But the pine was too small to cover the villain’s en- tire body and Bearslayer called out: **Say, old horse, if you think you’re safe just say so and I'll show you how easy I can shoot a lung or bu’st a shoulder for you.” With apparent reluctance the man stepped from behind the tree and advanced into the opening indicated, rT) Ugh!” It was a low, guttural ejaculation that fell upon Bearslayer’s ears. It came from behind him. Quick as a flash the startled youth turned his head and saw an Indian warrior standing near him, a triumphant gleam in his eyes, Two reeking human scalps hung at his girdle. “Ah! it Little-Fox, the Washoe,” the boy said. ‘*Yes—look!” responded the. Indian, pointing from one to the other of the outlaws. Bearslayer turned quickly and saw that both bandits were endeavoring to take advantage of the diversion the Washoe’s coming had created in their favor. Captain Cuba Kidd was nearly down to the ground while Dug Tarr wasmaking for the nearest thicket on the double-quick,. Seeing that one of them was bound to escape the young hunter leveled his rifle on the outlaw chief ia as that worthy’s feet touched the grounc The villain saw the deadly rifleman’s move- ment and believing the fatal shot was about to be fired at him he threw himself flat upon the earth. Little-Fox sprung forward a few paces, fixed an arrow to his bow and quickly sent tho missilo after the fleeing Dug Tarr. But the distance was long and the arrow fell low piercing the calf of the villain’s leg and causing him to rear with pain. But scarcely halting he jerked the i rom the limb and sped on like a frightened uck, Bearslayer Jaughed outright at the ee mo- tions of the outlaw chief, and in mocking tones, called out: ‘Come, rise up there, William Riley; Pm no idol that you need prostrate yourself in the dirt before me, Come, the escape of your chum’s not going to make the situation any better for
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12 7 ee oh ‘you. Come this way; I want to introduce you to my friend, Little-Fox, who's a scientific scalp- slider. I know it’s hard to come to this, Cap- tain Cuba Kidd, but then you know the way of the transgressor is hard. A few minutes ago I stood—ay, almost dangled, under a limb up yonder, when along came a friendly arrow and —presto! the scene changes. I now recognize in this Washoe here my rescuer—that is, with the aid of the grizzly, he was my salvation. And glance at his girdle, Cuba, and behold how swift- ly the hand of justice is doing its work among Cuba Kidd’s Sierra Tigers.” While the boy was delivering this speech Cuba Kidd arose from his lowly position and with long quick strides advanced toward his enemy with a look of affected defiance. When he was about twenty feet away Bearslayer bade him halt. ‘* Tt is well,” the villain fairly hissed, ‘that I am not permitted to come in reach of you!” “That’s what 1 thought,” replied young Hooker, ‘‘ for I know you are a bold, bad man, But now you'll have to submit to have your hands tied at your back, and I guess Little-I'ox here will do the rope-act for you.” The outlaw’s face grew black with rage. Little-Fox, the Friendly, took a lariat from the saddle of one of the seven horses hitched near, and advanced to the side of the outlaw with a grin upon his painted face. The bandit was inclined to resist being bound, and struck the red-skin a sounding blow on the head that sent him to grass; but quick as light- ning the Washoe flirted himself around while yet down, and seizing the outlaw round the ankles, jerked his feet from under him, and threw him violently backward upon the earth. Quite a struggle then ensued, in which Bear- slayer took an active part; and not until Kidd been dealt a stunning blow on the head was the desperate and athletic villain overcome and his hands secured at his back. In fact, the struggle with him convinced Bearslayer that it was a good thing that they did not have the other outlaw to contend with, for he had found that the outlaws had greater respect for hisskill as a rifleman than his physical prowess. After Kidd had been secured, Bearslayer said to the Washoe: ‘* Now, Little-Fox, I’ve a chance to thank you with all my heart for your timely service. You done some noble work for me.” ‘* Little-Fox is the Bearslayer’s friend; ho al- ways divide bread and meat with Little-Fox— have little, have much. They have hunted together, slept in same wigwam; they much good friends,” And so they were, A mutual friendship cx- isted between the young red-skin scout and the boy hunter. behalf, like the one we have just witnessed, had wrought a bond of union between them that only death could sever. Their friendship for page other had been the means of bringing about a lasting peace between Little-Fox’s tribe and the white miners. This fact had made the out- laws and Washoes enemies, and many and dead- ly were the blows that the cunning Little-Fox had dealt the bandits who alone found friends le the more powerful and bloodthirsty tes, After talking a few minutes, Bearslayer pro- posed to divide the outlaws’ horses and weapons with the Washoe. To this proposition, the In- dian replied: **Me take one, two, three horses, Found le-face squaws and man over here—give them forsee” ‘* What? did you find two women and a man in these hills?’ exclaimed Bearslayer; and even Cuba Kidd turned his head to catch the answer. ‘*-Yes—two heap pretty squaws—one brave— big belly—’way out—so,” and the Indian held his hand out atarm’s length before him to illus- trate his idea of Webfoot’s corporosity. ‘“Webfoot Mose! I'll beta grizzly-skin!” ex- claimed the boy. ‘* That him name,” said the Indian. “Well, who ever dreampt of such a thing of Webfoot Mose?” the boy went on in complete surprise; ‘‘ that’s the man, Mr. Kidd, that res- cued the girls, and the last one I’d ever thought of. He’s the chap that killed your Denver Pete. But why didn’t—pshaw! what’s the use wasting time? Little-Fox, I will go with you right now to where you left the pale-faces. They are my friends. e will escort you, Captain Cuba, along with us. I know those girls will be glad to look upon the leader of the wild Sierra Tigers,” “* Boy,” said the outlaw chief, ‘‘ you may live to beg favors of the leader of the Sierra Tigers. The end of this thing is not yet, and even though a) ag bo J , > yh 4 Webfoot Mose, th Deeds of daring in each other’s Dn. AOR b SS Nee? aes ‘ rie hae es 4 rah ef sans oS ae, oP you may slay me, you will find that I have friends where you least expect to meet them.” ‘Pll take care of the present and you, cap- tain, and let the future take care of itself and your friends,” was Bearslayer’s rejoinder. A horse was brought up and the outlaw given his permission to mount and ride or be led be- hind with a lariat attached to a saddle. He chose the former and after being assisted into the saddle his feet were tied together by ropes passing from one foot to the other under the animal’s belly. Little-'ox concluded to walk and lead the prisoner’s horse. Bearslayer tied the other horses together, | mounted one and bade the Indian lead the way. They started off down the canyon but had gone but a short distance when the Indian stop- ped, threw up his hand and uttered a low excla- mation. ** Something come!” he said, peering down the defile through the shadows of the pines, Before Bearslayer could respond a rather novel sight appeared before them. It was Web- foot Mose mounted upon an Indian pony. His face bore marks of violence and his clothing was badly torn. Bearslayer dismounted as he rode up, and in a tone that betrayed no little fear and suspense, exclaimed: **Good Lord, Webfoot! what has happened?” “Boy, I’m glad to meet you; the devil’s to pay,” was the fat man’s reply, given in a most serious tone as he rolled his bulky form from the poe back, ‘* Has anything happened the girls?” “Yes, Cuba Kidd’s outlaws have got them!” A cold, sardonic laugh broke from the lips of the outlaw-chief, but it came near costing him his life, for Bearslayer, in a fit of rage, drew a revolver and antag have slain him but for the arrest of his act by the hand of the Washoe. ‘Don’t shoot more—pistol make noise—Utes in hills,” the Indian said; ‘‘ knife—arrow no make noise.” “‘Tiow many of the demons are there yet?” Bearslayer asked, turning to Mose, his face white with rage. ‘*Ten,” answered Mose; “I give them the best I had, but they were too many for me, and I had to yield.” ‘Flow came you to get away from them?” ie er sent me away—to bear a message to Judge Shannon, the import of which is that for fifty thousand dollars and no questions asked, the girls will be restored to him unharmed.” “Ha! ha! ha!” burst in mocking laughter from Kidd’s lips, ‘‘ you'll find, Sir Bearslayer, that the Sierra Hae hold a full hand yet!” As he concluded his speech, he dug his heels against his horse’s side and uttered a sharp cry. The animal, evidently the villain’s own, and trained to that cry, shot away like an arrow, snatching the rein from Little Fox’s hand. But Bearslayer, who was standing a few paces in front of the animal, was as quick as it, and as it shot past him he leaped forward and grasped the reins; but as he did so he was jerked off his feet and dragged along by the frantic horse that was in a fair way to escape, when the Indian, whipping out his knife, sprung forward with the quickness of a tiger, and with one sweep of the blade hamstrung the animal. With a snort of pain the poor beast fell back upon its haunches, and Bearslayer, regaining his feet, stepped backward and drawing his revolver fired at the outlaw. But again he escaped death, for the floundering horse throwing up its head received the bullet in its brain, and with a iteous groan it rolled over on its side, pinioning its rider under its quivering body. CHAPTER XII. A DESPERATE BATTLE. A SHARP cry of pain escaped the lips of the foiled outlaw as the horse fell upon his leg al- most crushing it. “‘Give it up after awhile, won’t you, captain?” Bearslayer asked, advancing to the side of the prostrate bandit whose face was black and con- torted with all the rage of an incarnate fiend. Webfoot Mose dismounted to confer with Bearslayer, and to assist in removing the dead horse from Cuba Kidd’s leg. But before any- | thing had been done the “‘ thrum” of Little Fox’s bow-string was heard and it was immediately eee by a savage wail from the woods hard ry. ‘Good Lord! what’s the matter, Little Fox?” exclaimed Bearslayer turning to the Washoe. ‘Bad Ingins—Utes come there!” was the startling response of the Indian wha, half crouch- ing, glared into the shadows, A ST EE, Se an ——? . oe Lire cS) Tramp-Detective. | PS STs Wag 2 ies Looking down the pass Bearslayer was almost ™ horrified to see a score or more savage forms stealthily gliding from tree to tree and stone to stone toward them. Within fifty paces of them and trying to withdraw from his shoulder Fox’s arrow. ““By smotheration!” exclaimed Webfoot, ‘‘there’s either a big fight or a lively run on hand!” Bearslayer took up his rifle and brought it to his shoulder and at the first opportunity downed a savage whose death wail was answered by a defiant yell from two-score throats, and the whizz of arrows through the air about the young | hunter and his friends. Two of the horses were wounded by the barb- ee a and a stampede of the animals fol- owed, ** Boys,” exclaimed Bearslayer, ‘t we've got to retreat. Til put a bullet through Captain Cuba—” His remarks were here cut short by a loud shout bebind him, and turning the boy was re- joiced to see Old Redwood Bill, Judge Shannon and the passengers of the ill-fated stage-coach coming toward them. But as none of them ex- cept Old Bill were armed with rifles the youth at once realized that even all of them could never cope with the horde of Ute savages swarming through the woods. ‘Hurrah, Old Bill!” yelled Webfoot Mose ‘‘here’s the place to try your Damascus mettle!” ‘* Boys!” the old hunter cried as he came up, ‘you're in a hill of a perdicamint, ar’n’t yet How many million o’ the red devils be there?” ‘More than we can handle if they make a charge,” said Bearslayer, as he flung his rifle to his shoulder and took a red-skin on the wing. “‘ Bearslayer.” exclaimed Judge Shannon, ‘‘ do ou know aught of my daughter and niece?” ** Webfoot Mose tells me they arein the power | of the outlaws,” replied the boy. | “Oh, my God!” the distracted father cried, ‘it is as I feared!” But_ there was no time for explanations now. | The Utes were coming closer and closer, though keeping under cover of tree and rock. White men were séeti among them, and Bearslayer was | sure he got a glimpse of the villain, Dug Tarr, | among the very hearest. The Indians were | mostly armed with bows and arrows, though a few possessed guns of inferior kinds. | Our friends took refuge behind rocks and trees, Bearslayer keeping close to the prostrate form of Cuba Kidd, determined that, if the foe | made a charge, he would slay the outlaw chief and run. He knew that it would be useless to undertake to contend in a hand-to-hand fight with the savages, for they undoubtedly outnum- bered them ten to one. The sound of the whizzing arrows, and the “click” of their barbed points against the rocks behind which the whites were concealed, was music to the heart of Captain Cuba Kidd. But he knew that he dare not utter a word, or show any demonstrations of joy over the difficulty of his captors, through fear of provoking them into shooting him. That the conflict would ul- timately end in favor of the Indians he had not a doubt. He could see enough of the red-skins’ movements to understand what they were up to, and that was to surround the whites before making a charge, and this they were rapidly doing. But suddenly there arose a deafening yell on the right of the canyon, that seemed to startie both Utes and whites. The latter started with blanched faces, They saw that another band of savages had arrived on the field of battle. They could see them swarming over the brush-covered hills, and sweeping down into the valley like destruction. Bearslayer was in tho act of giving word for his friend to flee, when Little-Fox glided to his side in wild excitement and said: ‘* Little-Fox’s friends come there—Washoe warriors!” Then the young red-skin uttered a defiant war- whoop. His friends answered it, and for several moments the canyon fairly shook with the yells of first the Washoes and theh the Utes, | After the yelling had somewhat subsided, a , general battle began. The Washoes were in force equal to their enemy, and like them, arm- ed principally with bows and arrows. __ e woods fairly roared with the flight of ar- rows, The rifles of Bearslayer and Old Red- wood Bill chimed in regularly and with effect. The brunt of battle was now between the In- dians, but there was a party armed with re- volvers that seemed to turn their fire in the di- rection of the whites, From what he could see of this party, / a warrior lay behind a rock writhing in agony ¥ ttle Bearslayer was satisfied that: they - ~ See a on : ‘- 2 re, Claes ey ee et te cae . a4 , As. Pe. I. OS ed : “< % me
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were white men and, without a doubt, outlaws who had the release of their leader in view. But the Boy Hunter was on the alert. He de- voted his attention to the security of the bandit chief, and turned his rifle against those he mis- trusted of being the outlaw’s followers. Fierce and furious waged the battle. Neither side seemed to gain any advantage. They fought, Indian fashion, from behind cover of trees, bushes and rocks. ‘Say, boy,” said Old Redwood Bill to the Boy Hunter, after the conflict had ie for some minutes; ‘‘s’pose we end this fight by we whites all makin’ a tumultuous charge upon them darned Utes? An Ingin can’t stand a charge o’ white men, and if we can get’em started ona run the Washoes can finish the fight. What do you say?” “Tm ready for anything,” responded the boy. “i and I'll speak to the rest of our friends about t He crept from one to the other of the whites and made known Old Bill’s proposition, in which all readily acquiesced; and at a signal from Bearslayer, every man sprung from his conceal- ment, and with a yell that sounded above the roar of conflict charged into the woods firing their revolvers as they advanced. The din and noise made by this little party was most terrific. Like incarnate thunder they hurled themselves into the very midst of the as- tonished Utes who, as the old hunter and In- dian-fighter had anticipated, broke and ran like go many sheep. The Washoes, with a yell of triumph, took up the chase and soon the sound of battle had rolled away into the distant hills. Our friends did not follow up the enemy, but at once turned back to care for their friends who had fallen in the charge. Of these one had been killed and three wounded. Bearslayer had received a painful flesh wound from an arrow in the arm, but catching sight of a white man endeavoring to take advantage of their absence to free Captain Cuba Kidd, he dashed back un- mindful of his injury and shot the outlaw’s would-be rescuer down before he could escape. Kidd’s bonds had been severed and, but for the fact that his leg had been completely paralyzed by the weight upon it, the scamp would have made good his escape. In a few minutes he was in bonds again and as he realized that his friends—the Utes—had been defeated, and saw the at numbers of the victors gathering around, his courage and none deserted him. ong the dead found upon the field were four white men. There were also three wound- ed whites found, and these Webfoot Mose recog- nized as belonging to the party that had cap- tured him and the girls. This discovery led him to examine the faces of the four dead men, and he felt assured they were also some of his late captors whom he had left less than two hours before. From the four dead outlaws, or renegades, Webfoot Mose walked over and looked at the face of the man Bearslayer had caught in the act of liberating Cuba Kidd andshot. At sight of the man’s face he started back with a cry of deep surprise. Judge Shannon who was near him advanced and asked: “ What is it, Mose? or rather, who is it?” “Judge, do you not recognize the face of that dead man?” Shannon scanned the face closely and replied: ‘‘Tnever saw the face before that I remem- ‘* Indeed!” exclaimed the fat man in surprise, ‘that is rather singular, judge, ins that man was the husband of your niece, Edith Baker! CHAPTER XIII. A REVELATION. JupGE SHANNON turned and fixed his eyes upon Webfoot Mose with the look of one who had been grossly insulted. ‘What do you mean, Mose, by that asser- tion?” he demanded. ' ‘* Exactly what I say, Judge; according to your miece’s own confession that man lying there was her husband.” “Ts Edith crazy was. ve Edith fell in a 4 faint. Before she had full recovered the outlaws captured all of us includ- that man Daniel orrin—that’s his name West. Idid my level best to lick the whole Webfoot Mosé, the Tramp eo abn ee Detective. outfit but this bruised face and soiled dress were the result. “The outlaws hustled Florrin away as soon as he had been disarmed, and when Edith came to her senses she gazed around her and inquired for him—calling him Walter Chase. When told by myself that he was gone she seemed easier, though the presence of the outlaws and her dis- covery of our predicament proved another ter- rible blow to her. ‘* We were at once hurried away, and about a mile from where we were taken we were con- ducted into a dark, secluded place at one side of the pass we had been following, and which puts into the main canyon about two miles below here. Having bound my hands, the outlaws withdrew a few paces to hold a conference, and while they were thus engaged Edith told us of her secret marriage with that man five years before she became an inmate of your house—a member of your family. ‘“‘Her story was substantially this: that, while she and her mother were living in Virginia somewhere, she met and became acquainted with young Chase. He called to see her a time or two, and when her mother saw that she was infatuated with the dashing Chase, she forbade his further attentions to her daughter because the old lady did not like him. She made up her mind he was a scamp, notwithstanding he came to the village from Canada with recommenda- tions of good character signed by a minister and Members of Parliament, which were undoubted- ly forgeries. But Edith was blind with infatua- tion—girlish infatuation—and so one day she poe away, and was secretly, clandestinely mar- ried. “Of course, she went back home, saying’ Her nothing to her mother of the marriage. husband remained in the village. “* About a week after this, her mother’s house was burglarized and nearly every dollar she had in the world stolen. The burglary was traced almost straight to the door of Walter Chase’s boarding-house. Suspicion was fixed upon the a Canadian, and, getting wind of it, he skip saw him or even heard of him again till to-day. ‘““She kept her marriage a secret. Her mother died soon after the robbery of her house, and Edith then went to New York to live with ou, and brood over her secret which, she says, ine been a gnawing canker at her heart ever since. But the Boy Tfunter’s bullet has divorced her from the villain!” = a God!” exclaimed Shannon, deeply pan - the revelation; ‘‘ this seems like a orrible dream, and yet Edith would not utter a falsehood. I knew nothing of her life until she came to live in my family, and while she has been a gentle, loving girl, at times happy and joyous, there have been times again when she be- came silent and melancholy. But this we al- ways attributed to brooding over the death of her sainted mother of whom she always talked when in these moods. Poor child! God knows what she must have suffered in all these years. Terrible, indeed, has been her punishment for heeding not the request of her mother. And you say that is the body of the man who de- ceived her—Walter Chase?” “Yes, though he was known in Gold Hill as Daniel Florrin,” said Webfoot; “and what's more, he was a high-flyer there—one of the prominent citizens. e was called on to preside over a meeting the last night I was there,” ‘But what is he doing here in these hills?” ‘** Helping to abduct your daughter and noth- ing else, judge! That man has been a follower of Cuba Kidd. His capture to-day was all a pretense—I thought so at the time; and since he endeavored to liberate that outlaw-chief I’m satisfied of it. But his was a rather sudden taking off. But, judge I haven’t told you all. After the outlaws h 1eld_a conference, they came back and told me they’d a message to send you, and wanted me to carry it to you; and they agreed to furnish, and did furnish mea horse. The message was that for fifty thousand dollars in gold, or its equivalent, they would return Eva and Edith to youunharmed. While I was gone they intended to hide the girls away in a different place from where I last saw them, so that any attempt at their rescue would be futile. you agreed to pay over the money I was to return and let them know, when the arrangements for the ranson would be made. To guard against further rise I was to re- turn by this route, and at some point or other I would be met by one of the band. I could do nothing else but consent to bear the message to you, and have done so, though I didn’t expect to meet you so soon,” “The devils!" hissed the judge; “I d for parts unknown, and Edith never hate to compromise with such wretches but will do anything to save my child.” ‘But see here, judge,” said Mose; “ great changes have taken place since I left them out- laws. There were ten of them, not counting Florrin. No less than four of them lie dead out onder and three of them are wounded and will killed by the Ingins. and scalped just as soon as our backs are turned. Now, there can’t be over three left in charge of the girls—four ati furthest, and we might swoop down upon them. and rescue the women before their guards hear of the death of their friends and spirit the girls. away. Moreover, we've got their captain whom they’ve been expecting to join them alk morning with Bearslayer a prisoner. It seems. the captain and a few friends came around heaps the hills on horseback after leaving Grizzly Pass, and they were to meet over here somewheres this morning—they never once dreaming that the frisky Bearslayer would get: away with the whole boiling of them. But with the help of Little-Fox, the friendly Washoe, it seems a has demolished the outfit and got the captain foul.” “Well, what do you think, Mose?—what shall I do?” the distracted father asked. ‘‘We might effect an exchange of prisoners,, judge—give Captain Kidd up for the two girls.. But then I think I'd better make haste back to where I left. them with the girls and see how many of the gang’s left. I’m afraid if they git wind of the result of this battle theyll spirit the girlsaway.. I'll call up Bearslayer and Red- wood and get their opinion about my plans.” The two hunters were called up and con- sulted. “ Why not march our forces, Indians and all, ‘down there, and deliberately rescue the girls and be done with it?’ said Bearslayer. “That might do in one sense,” said Old Red- wood,.‘‘ but if the outlaws have got wind o’ the way things stand up here ruther than be defeat- ed all. around they may kill the girls er turn ’em over: to the Utes who'd slay ’em too quick. jist for revenge.” : “That’s all very true, Bill,” said the impulsive Bearslayer, whose youthful blood was running hot in his veins. “Men,” said Shannon, ‘‘ Webfoot Mose has shown himself equal to any emergency so far, and Iam willing to let him carry out his cwn. plans.” “That settles it,” said Redwood; ‘‘ perceed,, Goosefoot Moses, and anything that I can do: will be cheerfully did.” “Then I’m going back to the outlaws’ rendez-- vous and try an exchange of prisoners,” de-- clared Mose; ‘‘that’ll be the quickest done if accepted; but if not I’ll make the arrangements: for the ransom.” Without further delay the fat man struck out: afoot, his horse having broken away during the: battle. As he proceeded down the canyon he was met every few rods Ly a Washoe warrior returni from the chase of the foe, some of them wi scalps at their girdles. As few, if any of them had ever seen the pussy man before, they stopped and deliberately gazed at him in amazement. They had never’ seen the likes before and some of the younger and more curious of the warriors: turned and followed him aways like boys follow- ing a pet bear through the street. Their curi- osity was highly amusing to Mose, and yet he was quite glad when he got rid of them, and had turned from the main canyon into a narrower passage on the right. Half a mile further on he came suddenly upon a wounded outlaw cgi to make his way back to the rendezvous. e had sunk with exhaus- tion by the way, but as Mose came up to him he looked up and said: - Hullo, fatty, you’re gettin’ around pretty uick.’ ca Yes, had better luck than I expected—found the eee up the gulch on his wey north,” re- li Mose; ‘but it seems to me that you're urt. “‘That’s no name for it, fatty; I was all shot to pieces in the fight up the ass. Didn't you hear the din of the battle? Utes and Washoes there by the thousand, and I tell you it was an awful fights The Utes got licked but they never would if it hadn’t been for about a thousand white mountaineers—all old Ingin-fighters—that charger them with bayonets. An Ingin can’t stand a bayonet charge.” ‘“*T was present at that fight, old man,” said Mose, amazed at the fellow’s monstrous and de-~ liberate falsehood. “Oh, you was?” rejoined the outlaw; “then you can tell my friends that most of the boys. are killed, and, tell one of them toceme down. - a
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7 . ee Nets 9 - ‘ 14 g ** All right; who shall I tell them’s down here anting help?” “Tell them it’s ‘Ananias Dick‘ and they'll understand.” With a broad smile upon his face Webfoot resumed his tramp, and a mile further on he was challenged by an outlaw. A. few moments later he stood in the presence of Eva and Edith and three of the robbers, all of whom were greatly surprised to see him back $0 soon. ‘Oh, Moses! did you meet my dear father that you are back so soon?” Eva asked. ** Yes, I did, Miss Eva,” the fat man answer- ed, ‘‘Heis buta few miles from here; but by the way, gents, Ananias Dick is lying down the pass yonder badly wounded and he wanted me to tell you to send some one to help him away.” The outlaws started uneasily. “Who wounded him?” asked one of them, sus- picious of Webfoot. ‘* He got hurt in a big fight up the canyon. Didn’t you folks hear it? It was between the Utes and Washoes and was a scorcher.” ** Which party whipped?” ‘* Ananias Dick said the Utes were repulsed,” Webfoot answered, evasively. ‘* Boys, we must know more of that affair,” said an outlaw; ‘suppose, Redwing, you and Wagner assist me to conduct the girls and this fat gentleman up to ‘Number Two Rest,’ and Moloch and I'll guard them while you fellers go after Ananias and the information we desire.” To this all were agreed and Webfoot informed that he must remain in the valley under guard until the two, Redwing and Wagner, returned; and, furthermore, he and the girls were to be conducted to a place of greater security further up the pass. The fat man was disappointed, yet entered no protest against this arrangment for he knew it would be entirely useless, in the face of the odds against him, As they turned to leave, Mose’s eyes fell upon his big cane lying upon the groundnear. It had been taken from him at the time of his capture with the girls, and he had f gaes it up as lost. Stooping he picked it up, and waddled on, say- ing: “ Bless my eyes, this ’s luck. I can’t navigate without a cane to do much good.” ‘*Ther blasted thing’s heavy ’nuff to make a saint tired to tote it,” said Redwing, garru- lously, and the subject was thus dismissed. The girls and the mountain tramp were hur- ried along over half a mile when the party, crowding close upon the right wall of the can- yon, were suddenly challenged by the demand: “Who comes there?” It was a gruff, rasping voice that spoke. ‘* Friends, Moloch,” answered Wagner, ‘‘ with risoners.”’ ‘* All right, then; advance.” They entered a thicket of low, scrubby trees and came to the mouth of a cavern in which sat a hideous, repulsive creature with but little sem- blance of man. He was a beardless dwarf of gigantic size, and as he arose to allow the party the cave, designated by the outlaws as ‘‘ Num- ber Two Rest,” the creature’s form and dress of skins recalled to Webfoot’s mind the description he had heard of the African gorilla. Into the cavern the fat man, and weary, de- spondent girls wero taken. The dwarf struck a light, then Redwing and Wagner hastily departed to the assistance of Ananias Dick, leaving the prisoners in the eare of Moloch and the other outlaw, who an- swered to the name of “ Falcon.” That Moloch was a man of herculean powers and savage cruelty, Webfoot had no doubt, and he shuddered when he thought what a demon the giant would be to contend with, should his anger be aroused. It was a great relief to the maidens when the ugly wretch went back to his watch at the en- trance to the cave, accompanied by Falcon. Lager to know how their friends had all fared since they had been carried away in the coach, ‘he maidens began to ply Webfoot with ques- tions. The fat man told them the particulars of his meeting with them, of the battle, and his mission back into the pass, ‘Oh, dear!” exclaimed Eva, when he had concluded, ‘*if we could only escape that horrible man at the mouth of the cave we would be free! ‘*Have you no weapons, Mose?” asked Edith. ‘‘Nothing-but this cane,” replied the tramp, “and I was afraid they would relieve me of it. But I guess they don’t think I’m a very formid- able fellow.” a ‘* A club in this place would be useless against such a monster as that Moloch,” declared Eva. ‘“* Besides, both of them have knives and pistols.” ‘Td like to. get out of here before them other fellows get back,” said Mose. Oh, surely you would not attack that giant empty-handed, woull you, Mose? He would crush you in a moment, I know he would. Do not offend him, I pray.” **Girls,” said the tramp, holding up his cane, ** this club is a more terrible weapon than you’d think from the looks of it. See here.” He took hold of the rough, iron ferule and pulled upon it, To the surprise of the girls they saw the cane began to grow in length. In other words, they saw there was a cane within acane, and after it had been drawn out fully two feet the fat man drew a third cane out of the second like the sections of atelescope. This he repeated, drawing a fourth out of the third—all four sec- tions remaining together, making a tapering cane fully eight feet in length. ‘“ Why! what a cane that is,” remarked Eva. “* Tt’s a ‘ telescope’ cane,” said Webfoot; ‘‘ and it’s a masked death-trap—an ingenious contriv- ance that was invented by an old detective friend. Those three smaller, or inside sections, are metallic ones—all hollow, of course—which makes the club so heavy. Inside this hollow is— But there comes that sneak, Falcon, and I'll tell you the rest another time.” Falcon came up and seated himself about ten feet from Webfoot and the girls, who sat to the right of their fat friend. An oil lamp set upon a little projection on the wall lighted the low, gloomy cave with a weak, sickly glow. spell ri said Falcon, as he seated himself, ‘what does Judge Shannon propose to do about his girls?” ‘* He proposes an exchange of prisoners,” said Webfoot, playfully tapping the earth before him with his long cane; “he'll release your lead- er, Cuba Kidd, i you'll release the girls,” ‘Do you mean to tell me Cuba Kidd is a pris- oner in his power?” exclaimed the astonished outlaw. “I do; I saw the captain with mine own eyes. dee rage i broke loose among them like a tiger, killed off his men and took Cuba a prisoner.’ ‘** Then I will consent to no such an exchange 4 declared the outlaw, in apparent rage. ‘If Cuba Kidd’s such a fool as to be entrapped by a boy after half of the best men in our camp have iy: their lives in his cause, he can go to the e’il for me, and the rest of us will take the ran- som money or nothing.” ** But the prise has no money with him,” said Mose; ‘‘and it will take several days to get around with it from camp.” ‘*T don’t care if it takes a month!” ‘‘ But these girls will be dead by that time.” ‘No, I will take them over to head-quarters where they will be well cared for.” ** Of course, it’s for you to fix the terms, I sup- pose; but the judge t meet you’d rather have your captain t the cash.” “For that matter, we can have both, and I will add that amendment tomy first proposition —that is, for fifty thousand dollars in hand paid, and the release of Cuba Kidd, the girls will be given up; and as soon as Redwing and Wagner return hee can carry the terms to the judge, and I will await his answer in this can- yon. Tell him there will be no appeal from this proposition,” “Sir,” said Webfoot knitting his brows, ‘you are unreasonable.” ‘“That’s none of your business, sir/” retorted the outlaw; ‘‘you have nothing to lose in this matter and something to gain.” ‘* But perhaps I might make it my business.” ‘* Vagabond! don’t think because there are few of us that you can insult us with impunity. One word from me and that man Moloch will send you into quarters. Say, pass me that pole you have there: Ill take care of that.” It was Mose’s ‘‘telescope” cane that he re- ferred to. Tho tramp quickly raised the rod and reaching forward touched it against the outlaw’s breast. As he did so, the villain ut- tered a shriek of awful agony, clutched at his breast, started to his feet and fell prone upon the floor in the convulsions of death. A cry burst from the girls’ lips as they started up. “Come, gals,” said Webfoot Mose, springing nimbly to his feet and blowing out the light, ‘*we must elude that hunchback!” The fat tramp led the way to one side of the cave to elude Moloch, who, alarmed by the cry of Falcon, was rushing lke a tiger into the cave roaring out: Tramp Detective, ae ‘‘Ho, Falcon! what are the matter-ah? Fal- con? Falcon?” , : He rushed by the crouching trio blowing like a worried ox. ‘‘ Now for open air and liberty!” whispered Webfoot Mose. Silently yet swiftly the three hurried from the cavern. As they emerged into the open air, a roar like that of a lion sounded behind them, ‘‘Oh, heavens!” cried Edith, ‘‘ that dreadful giant has discovered our escape!” “Easy, girls, easy!” admonished the brave and fearless Webfoot who, stopping just without the cavern, turned facing the entrance, at the same time drawing out the joints of his big cane and extending the end of it before him. The next moment Moloch came tearing from the cave the very picture of an incarnate fiend. In his hand he clutched a murderous knife and with asnar] like that of a mad beast he rushed toward W ebfoot. But the latter was on his guard and threw up the end of his lengthened cane on a line with the giant’s neck and, as the latter rushed madly against it, the maidens saw a long, glittering steel blade or needle dart, like a serpent’s tongue from the end of the cane and pierce the throat of the giant, the point coming out at the back of the nae With a gurgling roar like that of a half- strangled lion, the giant started back, clutching at the cane. He seized the end of it and en- deavored to wrench it from Webfoot’s hand, but the creature had received his death-wound and in the struggle sunk to his knees, his eyes glar- ing like a dying beast’s, Webfoot jerked the cane from the fellow’s yielding grasp and quick- ly ‘*telescoping ” the deadly instrument, began retreating from the cave. Moloch, true to his trust unto death, endeav- ored to rise tohis feet, The blood was spurting, with each breath, from his mouth and the wound in his hairy throat. With a super- human effort he succeeded in gaining his feet, but staggered forward a few steps and fell heay- ily to rise no more. ‘Now, girls, brace up,” said the tramp, “and in a few minutes we will be out of danger. We've got to dodge them two fellows that went up to help Ananias Dick. The yell of that hunchback undoubtedly reached their ears and may bring them back in haste.” “Oh; Mose! what a brave, daring and noble man you are!” said Edith, as she laid her hand upon his arm and gazed up into his face through a mist of tears. “Thanks, Miss Edith,” responded the gallant Mose; ‘‘ I do hope you'll always think that way of me; but here we go!” The three moved briskly down the defile, Webfoot keeping a sharp lookout for Redwing and Wagner. Presently he saw the two outlaws coming on a run without their wounded friend. They had undoubtedly heard Moloch’s cry and were hast- ening back to learn the cause. The fugitives quickly concealed themselves in a dense thicket until the outlaws had passed, then they resumed their flight. They soon came to where Ananias Dick lay groaning in terrible misery. ‘Well, old man, you're still in a terrible shape, ar’n’t you?” Mose said to him, “Yes; but how did you git the gals, fatty?” asked the wounded wretch in apparent surprise. ‘*Made an exchange for them,” responded Webfoot. “Patty, I mistrust foul play. You're a bad, deceptive man, and I’d like to live to see you hung, but I guess I sha’n’t. The boys told me your folks had Cuba Kidd a prisoner. Give Cuba my compliments and tell him [ll see him later on t/other side o’ the range.” ‘* All right, Ananias,” replied Webfoot, as he passed on down the defile after the girls, his eye and ear on the alert for danger. CHAPTER XIV. THE END OF IT ALL. WHILE awaiting the return of Webfoot Mose Judge Shannon and his friends whom we left on the battle-field were not altogether idle. The body of Dan Florrin was given burial along with the white friends and foes that had fallen in battle. Bearslayer recognized in Florrin the man who had often visited his cabin as a friend, and whom a wounded outlaw confessed was known among the outlaws as Lieutenant Zill the man who led the masked bandits the night of the raid on Bearslayer’s cabin, and who so narrowly escaped death the same night at’ the Devil’s then where two of his men hand of a silent foe. It was also learned that Florrin was Kidd’s trusted spy, and the man ss : ell at the |
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+4 peter e Re le He, ht ef ir ee Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detec tive, ‘ _ who furnished the information of Judge Shan- non’s expected return to camp with his daugh- ter, and helped lay the plans for her abduction. Guba Kidd regarded the scene around him with a silent, dejected spirit, for, as one after another of his followers was brought in from the field dead, he began to realize that he had but few friends left and that his wicked career was about to draw to a close. The party concluded to await the return of c Webfoot before taking — further action re- @ &««ogarding the disposition of the bandit chief. The @ Washoes were eager to take his scalp but Shan- . non was afraid his death might indirectly jeop- ‘th ardize the lives of the girls. } Hours were passed in anxious waiting, and ey, Bearslayer was growing decidedly uneasy at oy) Webfoot’s prolonged absence, when suddenly a buzz of excitement stirred the assembled band of Washoes and in an instant every man was upon - his feet. To the joy of all Webfootand the girls Bh were seen approaching from down the ee oF A few moments later, amid shouts of joy, Eva é: and Edith were clasped to the breast of the hap- . | RY father and uncle while cheers for Webfoot ose, the hero of the hour, rung in prolonged 4 echoes through the mountains, , Edith Baker, as soon as all had become quiet, Near 1" hastened to tell her uncle and friends of the he- 4 roic courage of Webfoot Mose, and narrate the TB: daring and skillful manner in which he had ef- 0 fected their escape from the cavern. he) Bearslayer quietly listened to her story and B. when she had finis shed he walked up to Webfoot at: and said: aay ‘*Mose, you’re a deceptive fraud, Confound ys aad you are the very critter that played the ao ragon of the Devil’s Gap a few sate ago. . However, I mistrusted you'd something to do eS ns, with it, and now I want you to show up the i secrets of that old club of a cane.” Py i “Tl do so, Bearslayer, my boy,” said Webfoot ree after a hearty laugh; and then taking up his cane he drew it out section by section and hold- ing it out before him said: ry ** Now watch the end.” “ANE Every eye was at once focused on the end of iy the cane. Webfoot pressed an almost invisible >. button when to the surprise of alla long, slender dagger fully ten inches in length darted out like a serpent’s tongue and as quickly sprung back ic. ea into the hollow of the cane, Ve That explains all,” said Webfoot; “that’s Be by the dragon’s fang, Bearslayer—an ingenious oY contrivance of an old friend made upon tho din principle of a spring lancet, It’s a silent and he deadly weapon.’ De “T can eee to that, Webfoot, you bold, rie brave, fat rascal,” replied Bearslayer complete- Sf ly surprised by the revelation of the mystery of S Ve evil’s ve: 1: Cuba Kidd was turned over to the Washoes Ca for punishment, What the Indians did with 7. ig him was never known; but certain it is that the ¥ villain was never heard of again. s The party, under the guidance of Bearslayer, i seemed turned their faces toward Virginia City, : satisfied all dangers were passed, for a time at ey least. In due course of time they reached the iy camp, tired and weary, though in good spirits, on Judge Shannon invited rie he Webfoot ae and Old Redwood Bill to become his guests at ot the hotel where he stopped, but this invitation oe | all three respectfully declined. Webfoot and ria Redwood had previously promised to stop a few days with Bearslayer, aha after taking leave of the judge and his fair friends the trio repaired to the humble cabin of the Boy Hunter. X The return of Webfoot Mose, the tramp, be- , oe came known through the camp before night, va! and shortly after dark who should call at the By young hunter’s cabin but a party of masked : Vigilantes, who informed Mose that his time si had come, and that they proposed to deal with ra him as with all other tramps who had disre- at), garded their warnings. 4 | Bearslayer and Redwood interceded with a a3 strong plea for the fat man, but tho Vigilantes eat were immovable, and they were about to remove rt Mose from the cabin when he said: pee eg ‘Gentlemen, I see you will not listen to the . onaeette appeals of my friends, therefore, I will have to er: he make a disclosure in order to save myself, I at now deny the charge of being a tramp or dead- beat, although, at times, I have personated such characters. Please read that before you pro- ond ceed further.” ee He handed a Vigilante a folded parchment which the man unfolded and read aloud. To the astonishment of all it proved to be the commission of an agent in the Secret Service of the Federal Government—which was, at the time of which we write—1863—engaged in the great war for the Union—with the rank of cap- tain. The name therein was Moses 8S. Farland. It was signed by the ie eg of War, and the chief of the Secret Service. There was no doubt of its being genuine, and so there and then the Vigilantes made amends-honorable for their conduct toward him. ; Of course, Captain Farland accepted the apology in a very amiable way, adding: ‘* But I presume I should explain ane conduct and acts of vagabondage; well, you know the mining-camps, Indian villages and outlaw ranks have been the refuge of army deserters, ‘ bounty- jumpers’ and ‘ conscription-dodgers.’ It was to unt up this class of fellows that I was assigned to duty in Virginia City and outlying camps, I concluded I could work best in the guise of a bummer, my corporosity aiding me immensely in this. That’s why I have been content to be known as Webfoot Mose. I have been the means of having dozens of men arrested and carried away by the provost marshals. Now this, gentlemen, is all there is in it.” ‘“*Confound your fat picture!” exclaimed Redwood Bill, ‘if you ain’t a delightful fraud I never met one. ut then, you have proven yourself worthy o’ the shoulder-straps o’ a brig- adier-gineral, and I’m goin’ to reecommend your promotion to Uncle Abe. Gentlemen, Webfoot —beg parding—Captain Farland, is a rustler in fat. I’ve tested him myself. See that purple lump there on my cheek? He did it tother night, and he did it sweetly.” ‘But what in creation did you ever suffer yourself to be driven out of camp for when you could have set yourself right?” questioned one of the Vigilantes. “It was the best act of my life,” declared Mose, ‘‘for I was the means of saving Bear- slayer at the Devil’s Gap, and think I have been of great service to Judge Shannon’s party. My object in going into the hills, however, was to hunt out a nest of deserters that I had reason to believe were hiding away there somewhere.” Thus the conversation lasted for some time. Webfoot and Bearslayer narrated their adven- tures in the hills with the outlaws and Indians. Mose showed the Vigilantes his wonderful cane and explained its ingenious mechanical arrange- ments. It was late when the conservators of law and order left the cabin, having pledged Captain Farland their assistance in fis work whenever called upon. Through Judge Shannon the destruction of Cuba Kidd’s band of outlaws became known the next day. This brought Webfoot Mose, as well as the fearless Bearslayer and Redwood Bill, into greater prominence than ever; and then it was not long until the fat man’s true character became known throughout the camp and there was no one in the place so honored and feted as the gallant captain. Mose was a frequent and welcome guest at the home of Judge Shannon, and, although he left Virginia City in a few weeks, he kept up a regular correspondence with the judge, Edith and Bearslayer. Some two years later he re- turned to the famous mountain city and, to tho surprise of everybody, except his most intimato friends, became the husband of the lovely Edith; and who dares to say that he had not won her heart by all that was fair, gallant and brave? And still a few years later there was another wedding at the Shannon mansion. lt was that of the beautiful Eva to the handsome, dashing Edward Hooker, or Bearslayer as we have known bim, now assistant superintendent of the great Stockholm Mine. The brave old stage-driver, Prince John, was never heard of after leaving his friends in Grizzly Pass, although Redwood Bill and Bear- slayer made a long and patient search for him. He had no doubt been slain by the outlaws; but his bravery and kindness of heart will ever be held in grateful memory by those who knew his real worth and character. THE END. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin Tomy or, The Demon’s Trail, $42 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw. BY WILLIAM ©. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine, 210 Faro Frank}; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY FREDERICK DEWEY. 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda, BY LIEUT, H. D. PERRY, U. 8S. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Oaptain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY GEORGE ©, JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney, the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor, BY CAPT, ALFRED RB. TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; oz, The Doomed Thirteen. 194 Buffalo Bills Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion of the Seas or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Deamond; or, The Gambler's Big Game, BY JOHN J. MARSHALL, 40 Roving Ben. A Story of a Young American, 97 The Vutlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpe, BY BRAOCEBRIDGE NHEMYNG, 89 Ialand Jims; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or, The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Markaway in New York. BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Wand; or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bar 171 Ebony Dany or, The Rival Leagues, 185 Evil Eve; or, Tho Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY JAMES L, BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentucky; or, The Red Lasao, 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfvot. : BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 GCactua Burr, the Man trom Hard Luck. 5687 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas, 90 The Nonad 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 Rock’s Pledge}; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock's Rival; or, The | aunted Maid of Taos, BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Pauls or, The Boy Spy of the Mountaina. 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shoreef. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo, A Tale of the Northwest, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's laland, 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-sceker Guide; or, The Lost Mountain, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien, 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter, 48 Dick Darling, the bony Express Rider, 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco, 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabex Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sen. 200 The Boy Bedoutna; Sh ney of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 M ihe itemer the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, Tho League of the Jungle, $81 Black Riek, the Demon Rider, 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY MAJOR E, L. ST. VRAIN. 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. B01 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. B12 Redtop Kube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand,” BHY Ducane truve, the Y wny Coa ion Wreatier, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountvin Mail-Line, BY J, C. COWDRICK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. B60 Shasta, the Gold King ¢ or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Ame, 424 Cibuta Johny or, Red-Hot T.mes at Ante Bar, 4389 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Diaco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 5614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 624 The Engineer Detective 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diftikilty.” A new issue every Tuesday. The Half{-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail, on receipt of six cents pate BEADLE & ADAMS. Publishers, 98 William street, New York.
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"4 ed Me ro RRR Te ae meme arres ae Sliced aera a al edna st Tah dota all bat i, , » , Go ete ee BEADLE'’S«H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Ken; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha Ol; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. Bt Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 7B Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine. @7 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 aa Detective. 129 «Sr shee Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s suich. 188 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Diek’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Goldy or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreams; or, The Rivals of the Rond. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture, 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Samy; or, The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- rings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 manewees Dick’s Claims; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ate. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 pescweod Dick’s Diamonds ; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Duaty; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Neds or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, ot Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claim 10. 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Diek | Jr's Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings s or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 608 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee, 522 Deadweod Dick's Three. 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks. 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 86 Cloven Hoof; the Buffalo Demon. £2 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, 5S Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, $5 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshovter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anacenda in Sitting Bubl’s Camp, 06 Watch-Eye; or, Arabe nbd Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 185 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Boas Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp: or, The Arab Detective, 286 ApoHo ill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven} or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 256 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonansa. 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot ; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 Wirat-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 868 ¥reke Jim, the Gold-Gatherer 3 or, The Lottery’ of sile, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned} or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bleyele Ben; or, The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 406 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Nat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabalides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk Lifes The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dnellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier, 111 The Bea-Devil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Orimeson Kate 3; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy i or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure Island, 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 meric Monte’s Orulse; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.’”’ 280 Merle Monte’s Fate}; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. $04 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit ; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 nee Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 838 The Indlan Pilots or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawall, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Yachtaman 3 or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corasir. 487 The Sea Raider, 441 Vhe Oceun Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Harry 3 or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will; er, The Boy Ferret of New York, 454 Wizard WIIl’s Street Scouts, 462 The Born Gulde3 or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer. 465 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster, 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferreta Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. AS? Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy 3; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted een 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 586 The Buc. skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander ot the Rie, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers; the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete 3 or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick} or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harrys the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Bess, Wi!) Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merrys the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods. 165 Billy Baggage. the Railroad Boy. 170 A Tramp Card; of, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 174 Bob Rockett} or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Beb Rockett, the Bank Runner, 4188 The Hidden Wand} or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smagglers, 13 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 96 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 06 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 2 ‘212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. '220 Tom Tanner} or, The 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 Chic ago. 262 The Young Sharps: oF, Rollicking Mike’s fot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The mC Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. ‘858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman }; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack’; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranea Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Riders or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, “885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. 855 The King of the Woods: or, Daniel Boone’s Last Trail, ‘449 Kit Fox, the Bordér Boy Detective. No Double Numbers. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado ; or, The Trapper’a Trust, BY OLL COOMES. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies, 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. %1 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Bhot Keth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Viger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little fldfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Disguised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. $00 The Sky Demon}; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred}; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big ig tae! Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red Rivér Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. BY T. 0. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o? the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or. The Little Hunter, A? Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tratl. $2 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lyneh, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gok Tri er, the ey or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Toms or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tepknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phils or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apolle, the King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch? or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dans or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bullys, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda3 or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benapn; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. B56 Cool Sam and Pard¢ or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, Ihe B ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter, 425 Texas Trump, tie Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Rigets. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, A470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. At? The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Kingle Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, B21 Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge. 528 Fox and 5 Soon ee Shadows, BSS Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock, By Lieut. A. K. Simsy, BAT Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. By P. S. Warne. 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. By J.C. Cowdrick, b4AY Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. By E. L, Wheeler. 650 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. By Col, Prentisa. Ingraham. BH1 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. By Jo Pierce. BS2 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Druid. BS Dodeer Dick’s Desperate Case. By T. C. Harbaugh. B54 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Gotham, Wy E. L. Wheeler. 55 The Creole Corsair. By Col. Prentiss ngraham. B56 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast fora Life. By Philip S, Warne. 5b? Rroadway Billy’s Death Racket. By J. C. Cowdriek,. BS The Sure-Shot Pards. By Arthur C, Grisson, BBY Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce. 560 Pawnee BIII, the Prairie Shadower. By Col. P. Ingraham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston. By Edward L. Wheeler. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. By Oll Coomes, 568 Dodger Ditk, the Boy Vidocq. By,T. C. Har’ augh. Ready May 8. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, By John W. Osbon. Ready May 15, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Ready May 22. 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. By Charles Morris, Ready May 29. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. By Edward L, Wheeler. Ready June 5. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five conte per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,