Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 44) (1878 05 28)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
j CNN WOE Te WE al hl cel suo Vol. 1. ffs, Rattling Rube; The Night Hawks of Kentucky. BY HARRY ST. GEORGE, AUTHOR OF “‘ ROARING RALPH ROCKWOOD,” ETC., ETC. Number. CHAPTER I. RATTLING RUBE, THE WOLF-SCALPER. “LISTEN |” The speaker raised his hand to command | silence. His companion came to a halt, with BEADLE i | Copyrighted in 1878, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. one foot advanced, and for a full minute neither | of them stirred. Around them stretched the | grand old Kentucky forest, with its multitude heavenward. Thestillness of death seemed to have de- scended about them, as even the usual sounds of the woods were missing. How long they would have re- mained in this listening attitude, had it been de- pendent upon the speaker, no one could possibly guess. for Rube Rand was we known to be the most patient of men; indeed, Job was no- where in comparison. It was his younger companion whose stock of patience ran out. “‘Treckon you're mistaken, Rube,” said he. ‘* Mistaken? me mistaken?” exclaimed the older hunter in a tone that implied more than it said. “Yes, I reckon so. The best of us can get out of “Hark; did ye hear that?” interrupted Rube eagerly, as a low but very distinct cry, borne by the cool western breeze, was wafted to their ears. It was decidedly hu- man. . : . ‘Some fellow-being in dis- tress. Let’s walk that way.” They hastened onward as fast as their unfamiliarity with the ground would per- mit. The view was a magni- ficent one, such as can only be obtained in the heart of old Kaintuck. Monster trees surrounded them. From some of these hung wild | art hgge festooned and orming fantastic figures, not a bad reminder of the hieroglyphies on the Egyp- tian pyramids. Soft velvety moss-covered the ground here and there, making as dainty a carpet as was ever trod up- on by lord or high-born lady. Every dozen yards opened up new and glorious of giant trees that reared their majestic heads | could be possible, suddenly rung out. P : aimiNS Price, 5 Cents. scenes—vistas that stretched to the right and to the left, far as the eye could reach. But the two hunters had no eye for beauty at that moment. A human cry rung out at intervals, as if some unfortunate was suffering. As they advanced, the sounds became more dis- tinct, until there could be no question that they proceeded from a human being. It was just E when this became quite certain that the cries | ceased as if the man’s breath had given out. Badly puzzled as to what this all meant, the | hunters hastened onward, even though the voice no longer directed their steps. Had death overtaken the man? That last shout had died away in a wail that might easily | be considered a last breath. On philosophical Rube this seemed to produce no effect, but his younger companion could not help meri A shout, a gurgling cry, a most horrible shriek, all mingled in one, if such a tony ear ven THE NIGHT HAWK’S RAID. Rube could not prevent a slight start, and as for is companion, he was badly shaken. “ Heavens! what fearful sound was that?” Rube did not reply, but turned ‘his eyes u ward. A large bird was sailing over their heads, lazily flapping its wings. It was a buzzard. Whatever the hunter thought, he said nothing, but marched hastily forward. Another half minute, and they entered what was to all appearances a small glade in the heart of the forest. No sooner had they left the shel- ter of the trees than a voice rung out: ‘Help! for the love of God, help!” Both men looked about them in amazement. From whence did the cry proceed? Not a per- son was in sight, but ante ow groan had the effect of directing their attention to a certain | point. | Something moved among the branches of the tree. A black object could be seen, two, three, a dozen of them. They were buzzards. Eve bird seemed to be cran- ing its neck, and watching a certain point ‘below; and as the hunters looked, one of the feathered scavengers dropped from its perch, to the earth, and hopped for- ward. Another of those fearful shrieks burst forth, but this time it ended in a sob, as ——, the speaker was terrified almost into convulsions. The daring bird arose in the air but only went a few jae before settling again. hose among the lrenches of the neighboring trees went through a form of move- ment, but seemed quite accus- tomed to the awful clamor: Now that their attention was directed toward the ground the two hunters could distinguish an object, that, at the distance of thirty yards looked like a large ball. As they gazed, how- ever, it moved. ‘Then the truth flashed upon them. “Great Heaven! It is a human head!” exclaimed the younger. ‘Beavers and bear-skins it is,” and Rube wassufiiciently amazed at the sight to lese a trifle of his stolidity. Scmethipg* moved behind the man’s head. A skulking) form made its appearance. It was an immense gray wolf, with his white fangs glistening in a frightful man- ner. As it: passed the. ‘buz vard, the fierce animal sna d viciously at the bird; ut kept straight toward the unfortunate man. By turn ing and twistinghis neck, ‘he could catch a glimpse of the new-comer. His shouts: and shrieks were absolutely fear: ful, yet the wolf was neither aw nor movéd: from: his purpose,
Page 2
2 The younger hunter seemed stupefied with horror. Yet no sooner had Rube’s eyes fallen upon the gray skulking up behind the human , than a fierce look came upon his face. Evidently the ater cherished some special grud oe the lupine race. The walt owly but surel ee ae and sho his teeth; but the wretched man buried up to his neck in the earth could not raise a hand in his own behalf. His horrible cries might well give the believer in a future hella faint idea of the agonies of the lost soul. Then the cries died away altogether; the poor wretch had fainted, for the wolf was within a yard of his victim; but at that moment the long rifle carried by Rube, sounded his death-knell. The sharp crack soe eee the forest, reverbera- ting from cliff to cliff, until it gradually died away. That wolf never moved again. The younger hunter ran forward, and with his knife began loosening the earth around the man’s chest. Rattling Rube paused for an in- stant to coolly cut a notch in the stock of his rifle where several long rows could already be seen, After performing what was to hi almost a religious duty, the hunter moved for- ward to the assistance of his comrade. Between the two of them, the unfortunate was taken from his grave, still senseless. A rough-looking character, Rube decided, even while throwing some water, from the creek close by, upon his face. While his comrade was watching the fellow’s return to consciousness, Rube whipped out his knife, and very deliber- ately commenced scalping the dead wolf, much to the other’s amusement. Was he only keep- ing his bent in, or had he some purpose in this CHAPTER II. THE NOTCHED RIFLE. “For God’s sake don’t put me back in that ve, Kill me if you will, but don’t do that.” The wretched man had regained conscious- ness, and these were the words he gave utterance to. He had struggled toa kneeling posture, and clasped his trembling hands to- gether as he made this prayer. Rattling Rube gazed on him with scorn, for he hated a coward worse than poison. His young companion could not help feeling some pity for the man whom their timely arrival had rescued from a fearful fate. ‘* How on earth did you come to be in such a scrape?” The man looked at him before replying. He was fast his wits, which evidently were not lacking in shrewdness “T was Powe in there by Dare-Devil Dick and his gang of horse-thieves,” said he, slowly, watch- the other’s face. ‘Dare-Devil Dick! Ah! then we are on the right trail!” muttered the young hunter. As for his companion, Rube was intently ex- amining the dead wolf, and wling to him- self that he’d rather look at a defunct one than a living specimen. Evidently the hunter had not been very favoraby impressed with the man’s face, for he gave him the cold shoulder altogether. “Tf you live in this neighborhood, perhaps ou can direct us to the town of Clarksville; or t TEs be ma are going that way?” ‘No, not just at present. My business takes me in the opposite direction. You see that giant a, baer yonder? When you reach that, a ies at your feet. All that remains is to follow it up and you’llreach Clarksville. ’Tain’t more’n five miles.” *Do JOS, know if a man named Turner Hall lives “Do 1? Wildcat Turner! I reckon,” returned the man, emphatically. ‘*T'm glad of that; it will save trouble. Well, we shall go on. Rube, aim for that bent syca- more yonder. Good-day.” | ““Good-day and luck go with Pa If ever a chance offers you'll find Tom wley don’t forget a favor that, and ’twas more you think, as you’ll find out at Clarksville.” against the tree under whose branches he had been so lately buried alive, with. the open grave and the dead wolf beside him, the man who had called himself Tom Crawley looked after his preservers. The sinister smile had given place to one of extreme 'd’a’ let me Likely as not that you ster'd ‘a’ let m ‘t like the loo if I'd ’a’ told the truth of that other feller. He hada pretty good _— Dare-Devil Dick and me weren’t roe Page he wasn’t far wrong. = ; he’s a good heart, some never had. Well. well, we can’t all arr I’m shaking like as if I had the palsy, and I won't get over it till I get some brandy. [d give the best hoss we’ve taken this season to be somewhere around, out of sight, but close by, when Wildcat Turner hears the news,” and as the man, after a hurried glance at the hole in the und, strode rapidly away, he grinned horribly to himself. Upon reaching the immense sycamore that had been pointed out to them, Rattling Rube and his companion found the path without much difficulty. cd walked along some dis- tance in silence, and then the young man spoke up: “Rube,” said he, ‘‘ you disliked that man’s looks. hat have you against him; what did you see?” “This much,” returned Rube, slowly; ‘he is every inch a scoundrel. He lied to you. I could see him watch your face in order to dis- cover whether you believed him or not.” ‘* But this isa mere supposition. Youreaders of faces are just as apt to make a mistake as any one else.” “Granted,” replied Rube, smiling, ‘‘ but there was no mistake made there. As soon as I set my eyes on that man’s mug I knew he was a rascal. Why, boy, do you think the great Maker ca) the face to reveal the nature of the man unless there was a reason for it? I tell’ee, bad passions will leave their traces in the end. Did you hear what he said? Gratitude made him that far honest that he said you might rue the act yet. He’s a bad ’un every time, ll take my oath on it.” ‘“‘ And yet you saved his life,” said the young man. The = pein pe ra es yah then i the = e carried, an ing significantly to the freshly-cut notch, ania: : ‘Probably I should have been human enough to have saved even the foulest wretch under the sun from such a horrible fate; but, if I had seen his face before I fired, I confess it might have itself.” “Then you have a special hate for wolves?” “Hate? Well, I’ll tell you, boy, I could spend every hour of my life hunting ’em down, with satisfaction. Do you see that scalp? Well, if I’ve got one of that kind stored omer in my old a among the Rockies, I’ve got all of a thou- sand. ‘“ What a waste of powder and lead,” thought the young man, but he only remarked that it was a considerable number. “You can well say so. I’m not much given to bene. but on this subject, once get me start- ed up and there’s ng stopping me. I’m general- ly reckoned a cool Customer; in fact, there ain’t many men who can go through what I can without a nerve trembling, even if I do say it myself; but, God knows, it ain’t because I have- ory eee a e -out, so what d’ye say to ng a seat on os oa log. I'm ont to tell you just why I hate the whole race o wolves worse than death itself. No man has ever heard this story; not that there is any thing to conceal about it, but one naturally hesitates to talk about a subject that makes the cold shivers run through him whenever he even thinks over it. Five years ago I had a chum named Joe Burns. A better man than Joe never lived, and I’ll swear to that through all time and eternity. geen dee i f loved him; they couldn’t help it, for Joe a kind word for all he met. Ihave seen strong men cry like babies when they heard Joe was dead. And yet I, who almost worshiped him; I, who followed him like a shadow, and loved him like a dog may love its master, I never ay te a tear at his death. My grief was too deep for tears. It seemed as though my brain was on fire. But to my yarn. “We were. out hunting among the foothills near the Rockies, Joe and 1. How often I have since cursed our pic tl in making such a foolish move, I couldn’t say. The winter had been a fearful one, such as no trapper had re- membered seeing before, nor have they since. It can be easily surmised that all manner of animals were sony f wild with hunger. We erg pom re out for Sg th come wo too dangerous to hunt y: So whenever we went out, it was sogeeee, That was all very well but it didn’t save poor ihe, Burns. is how he went under as near as I know. “Ten miles from the place where we had made our camp, we first e aware of our Joe made me notice the many skulk- In every direction their savage danger. ing wolves. made me hesitate. I wasn’t thinking so much | about the man when I drew a bead, as the wolf | howls rung out, and with each passing minute they seemed to grow bolder. e turned our faces toward camp. Before we had gone fifty yards I saw there was trouble ahead. Hun- dreds and hundreds of gaunt wolves made their appearance. Joe turned as white as a sheet, but nary a tremble from him. ‘Soon the varmints commenced closing in; on every side they pushed forward, their re tongues hanging out, and their bloodshot eyes fixed on us like death. ** We must run for it, Rube,’ said my chum. ‘* Away we went, but those wolves ran faster. They leaped on us as we dashed along, and tried to pull us to the ground. I saw my chum fall, and stopped to help him. Then he yelled out for me to run. I saw him climbing up a tree, and thinking he was safe started off again, full speed. The critters caught up with me be- fore I had made two hundred yards, and so I treed. Well, boy, there I sat for forty mortal hours. I must have tired the cfitters out for they gradually left me alone. The first thing I did after getting on the ground again, was to make for the back track. I found the tree Joey had climbed, and at its foot lay some human bones. They had not even left a shred of my poor chum’s clothing.” : Rattling Rube had just finished his sad story, when he threw himself backward in a very un- dignified way, and not only rolled from the log himself, but pulled his companion along with him. Nor did the young fellow offer any re- monstrance. Just as they vanished from view a rifle shot rung out with startling distinctness and the bullet oie through the empty alr in the exact spot where Rattling Rube’s body had been just a second before. CHAPTER III. A MODERN HERCULES. A GOLDEN sheen lingered in the Western sky, and the bright reflection glanced along the tree- tops. Old Sol had just sunk behind the hilly range that stood bol M out in relief against the “: and gentle twilight drew on apace, he ards twittered among their leafy coverts; squirrels frisked from limb to limb; the timid deer came down to the brooklet for a last drink before night enveloped all in her sable mantle. Gradually the bright line in the west’ grew fainter, changing into a dull gray, then van- ished altogether. Night, dark and gloomy, settled over forest and prairie, hill and valley. The bright stars twinklad in the dark blue vault of heaven, and a beautiful crescent just quivering above the ragged line that — the horizon, Wola reais the infant moon. Affrighted perhaps by the faint reflection of her own modest face in some limpid ool, she quickly hid herself behind the friendly fins, and vanished from the scene. Three men crouched among the shadows. Above them the great forest trees stretched their lofty heads, shutting out what little light the stars were persistently giving. “Sure ye heard it, Terry?’ asked one of them. ‘* Hush! not so loud. Confound it man, listen; don’t you hear it yourself? He’s coming this way too, as sure as my name’s Jack Parkhurst,” said another of the three. **Mebbe it’s one o’ them pesky hoss-thieves,” ventured the third. “Likely enough. Here, Stebbins, you take the lantern. Keep the slide shut. When I yell out ‘‘ Now!” throw her open, and put the light on him. As for you, Blake, be ready to assist. Now silence all.” A low whistle could aga be nay eT 4 person approaching was enlivening his lone walk. He. was undoubtedly familar with his route, for not a single exclamation told of a mis- hap. This was wonderful in itself. These three men had lived in the vicinity for years, and yet they were penpeee to use a lantern while poening through the woods on such a night, to save themselves from serious injury, for it was an easy thing to tumble into some hole, fall over a log, or run up against a tree. Hither the person now approaching was better acquainted with the forest than these old settlers, or else he some sense of intuition that warned him of the traps ha 3 in his way. Nearer came the sounds. tebbins had arranged the dark lantern and stood ready to draw the slide. The lonely wanderer was now close beside them. “ Now!” said Jack Parkhurst suddenly, Stebbins dextrously withdrew the slide, and raised the lantern. The light fell upon the figure of a man, who stood still in tracks not ten feet away. He was the finest specimen of a shapely human being one could ever expect
Page 3
to see, tall and magnificently formed in his build. His face was exquisitely molded, and almost perfect in its Grecian cast. A long mustache gave quite a striking air to his a) earance, and made the face seem a trifle cruel. n spite of Rattling Rube’s assertion I maintain that the face is not invariably an index to the man. By most people, this man might have been taken for a splendid fellow; what he really was I leave to the reader to discover as my tale progresses, When this sudden glare burst upon him, and he heardthe voice of Parkhurst saying ‘ Now” so vehemently, the man came to a full halt. Nine men out of ten would have looked amazed at least, even if they did not start back. This one did neither; he simply stood stock-still. An instant later the voice of Stebbins broke the silence. ; ““My God! it’s Dare-Devil Dick himself,” he shouted. The handsome wanderer through this lonely forest was no other than that celebrated prince of horse-thieves. Stebbins had good cause to remember him. One night, hearing some noise in the direction of his He og and fearing for the aap 6 of a valuable horse which he had lately bought, he took a lantern, and pistol in hand went out to see if all was right. Great was his suprise to finding the stable door wide open. Of course he naturally thought the horse was already gone. A little caution well invested might yet have saved him, but the excited far- mer must needs rush wildly in. He had only time to discover that the horse was still in the stall, when the pistol was plucked from him by an unseen hand. Turning, Stebbins found lf face to face with this dsome individ- He did not need any telling in order to know whom he was looking at. At a word from the chief, three men cameinto view, one of them being in the stall with the horse. A couple of revolvers aimed at the farmer’s head sufficed to keep him quiet, and while thus bull- pe his me. dag securely pene In this egrading position, he was com to remain and be a witness to the abdvietion of his much- prized animal. To aggravate him still more the thieves descanted upon the good qualities of the brute, and hazarded guesses as he roba- ble value to them. It may be surmised that so long as he lived Stebbins would have a vivid recollection of that night, and the face of Dare- Devil Dick had been as indelibly impressed on his memory. He might thank his lu stars that he was safe behind the lantern. is companions were not so fortunate. When Stebbins cried out that this lonely tramp was the chief of the very of border pests, in whose interests the misetig of Regulators had been called, to which they were even then hastening, both Blake and yaliant Jack Parkhurst were for the time being rendered dumb and motionless with astonish- ment. Jack was the first to recover. “Great guns! -get hold here, Blake. Won’t the boys open their eyes when they see this cap- ture?” he yelled. Some men are prone to count their chickens ease oe. hatched. | ek aig tabes one of e@ was n gree. co however, for he led the at , with Blake close behind him. Whatever the prince of horse-thieves may have thought of the matter, his action was prompt enough. Taking a ai forward, soas to meet the other, he gave J. a blow on the head that was simply tremendous. ost any other man woul ve had his skull cracked. Parkhurst reeled back out of the circle of light into the dense darkness. A heavy fall announced that the crack had been attended with serious results, Blake came to a halt between two opin- ions as it were. He hesitated whether to boldly assault this formidable adversary, or scamper away as fast as his legs would permit. Dare- Devil Dick had no idea of waiting until he had made up his mind, but rushed at the former just as soon as Parkhurst had been disposed of. lake was a much smaller man than either of his friends. He seemed to think that he was about to be made the recipient of a blow similar to that which had caused his friend to vanish so quickly, for he raised his hand as if attemptin to ward it off. The horse-thief appeared to f » much contempt for such a small man to strike and instead, suddenly seized him about the waist, raising him above his head. By an exertion of his ost h he threw the farmer from him. Blake ed through emp space and vanished in e gloom, A great eae 4 ge ollowed by a puffing and snort- ing, announced that the unlucky Regulator had Rattling Rube. landed ‘in a pool of some sort, where he was in danger of being drowned by the mud. Two of the enemy di of, Dare-Devil Dick turned tothe third. Stebbins watched this display of skill and strength in_ sheer amazement. He was powerless to use the old squirrel rifle he carried, but no sooner did the handsome horse-thief make a start in his direc- tion than the slide of the lantern was hastily pushed into its place. Then, taking advantage of the friendly darkness, Stebbins changed his base, and laid low. A derisive laugh floated on the night air, and a minute later Dare-Devil Dick’s whistle sounded some distance away. ventured to throw some light on the subject. He found Blake crawling out of the pool, and truly that individual presented a forlorn a pearance. From head to foot he was literally covered with mud, It was plastered half an inch thick on his face, and he continually spat out lumps that had been forced half-way down his throat. Between the two, Jack Parkhurst was brought to his senses, and then the sorry- locking trio took up their march for Clarks- 2. This then was the dare-devil horsé-thief, whom Rattling Rube’s young companion sought. There was another personage on the look-out for the handsome ; but of that, more anon. CHAPTER IV. THE FATAL MARKSMAN. A sHoT awoke the slumbering echoes of the Kentucky hills. The white smoke curled up and faded away. From among the trees there issued such a scream of mortal anguish as would lead one to believe the fiends from Hades had broken loose. A dozen men came running through the woods at a ey pe Leading them was Rat- tling Rube. e others were residents of the country, farmers of Clarksville and the imme- diate vicinity. _Rube’s presence among them is easily oF ed. We left the wolf-scalper and his friend ina predicament. Rattling Rube had caught sight of a shining gun-barrel among the tree- and thinking a shot from some unseen foe was about to follow, had tumbled backward over the log on which he had been seated, drawing his companion with him, The wolf-scalper’s movement proved the wis- dom of his cautious training. Just as their feet flew up into the air, a rifle cracked some forty a away, and Rube solemnly declared the between his extended legs, which assertion if true, gave evidence that marks- man had taken deadly ai Crouched behind aim. log, the old hunter was quick to act. He poked is long western rifle cautiously around the end of the log, and then took a peep. A gun sounded and the ball flew by within an inch of his face. The hunter an- swered this shot, and a howl from some unseen party attested to the accuracy of his aim. There the two men crouched for at least half an hour, during which more than a dozen shots were exchan Our friends discovered that they had to deal with more than half a score of enemies. Naturally they thought these men could. be no other than horse-thieves intent on demolishing them, never t ing for an instant that they t emselves were mi m for men of dishonest p fight of faith went on. Rube had a beautiful red line across his forehead that he called a ‘blaze,’ and which he had received from an affectionate bullet. But he had more than fully returned the com- pliment by giving | one of the enemy a lovel slash in the arm he exposed when bading his gun, and taking a goodly slice from the leg of a second, who had hard work to keep to his bhel- Things began to look pretty serious for both sides. e, the enemy were many times their number, but they were compelled to h aed ube’s shelter so rng: Sages na of Rattling cab gs ge we that they had no chance to make a ph, decided advantage, at least up to is time. Rube, old ranger that he was, knew full well that in the end some of the enemy would pro- bably get in their rear, where being devoid of melier they would fall victims, probably at the It was at this interesting stage of affairs, that a bustle announced new arrivals, much to the detec ret pepe rola oon a loud, ho us voice made itself’ heard. eee. as_ the two could make out, the owner of these thundering tones kept upon hiv men to advance, and Stebbins then | S taunting them for cowards, yet at the same ithe he remained quite invisible himself. At length some words were let drop that gave Rube an insight relative to their situation. Up- on communicating this new idea to his compan- | ion he found him of the same mind, and before matters became any more complicated it was determined to hail the other ; At first the man with the gruit voice was in- clined to be suspicious, but he could only ac- uiesce when Rube pro that they two should walk forward witout their arms. As soon as Rube’s. young companion found that this little red-faced man, whose gruff voice seemed to come up from his boots, was Wildcat Turner, he whispered a few words in his ears | that startled the leader of the Regulators. He took one earnest look at the young man’s frank face and then offered a band to each of them. They were out hunting the horse-thieves, whose depredations had become unendurable. A meeting had been held during the previous night, at which stern Judge Lynch presided, and as the immediate result a tree in the vicin- ity bore strange fruit in the shape of three men, old time offenders, who had been convicted a dozen times over. The meeting might have been satisfied with its prompt work, had nothing more oc But at this juncture the three farmers came in their adventure with Dare-Devil and rela Dick. They presented a forlorn ap ce to be sure. a. Stebbins had acraichiat into a bush and scratched his face almost beyond re- cognition. As for his companion, Jack Park- hurst was badly bruised; and a tremendous ne on his head, at least equal to an egg in pote of size, told where Dare Devil Dick’s fist struck him. Poor Blake was a perfect icture of misery, being covered from head to foot with a thick coating of mud. Hardly had they told their highly embellished to the indignant and sympathetic audi- ence, when one of Wildcat Turner’s men made his ap ce panting and perspiring, with news that set the fiery gentleman ! opping an- OX By the tin horn spoon of my uncle, this is adding insult toinjury. I for one shall stand it no longer. Those scoundrels must be cleaned out, or I shall quit the country.” ‘“What’s the matter, colonel?” asked a neigh- bor. ‘Ah! is that you, friend Coleburn? Matter enough for you and I. This very night those cursed thieves have paid our stables a visit, and while we were a horn together at the Kenton Arms, your Black Roger and my dar- ling Sachem were on the way through the woods ry 4 home of these rascals among the moun- tains. Now, gentlemen, here is just the way I feel, I solemnly vow to start out to-morrow after these devils, and never to come back un- less they are hung up for crow’s-meat. A pret- pass things have come to when an honest entuckian can’t keep a horse in his stable. Who goes with me?” ‘Count me in,” was answered, to a man. This was how the Regulators happened to be abroad in the daytime. Wildca er ex- paws it to our friends as they walked along. ube and the two wounded men had exchanged ei reese Me poe friends. When they laughingly of having rid themselves of Tom Crawley, our two hunters wisely remained silent. Turner importuned them into joining the hunt, and they did so from various reasons of their own, much to the delight of the red- faced, active little man, who rejoiced at the thought of having such an experienced trailer as Rattling Rube to bear them company, for it was known that the horse-thieves were possessed of a stronghold in the mountains, which it woud be difficult to find and dangerous to at- tac ge int in the woods, Rattling an open point in the woods i Rube came to a sudden halt. His long rifle leaped to his shoulder, and the rack in- stantly wag et the forest, reverberating among the , and more distant mountains. Then came a cry full of mortal anguish. One . of the runners was seen to cast his arms wildly aloft, and then roll over to the ground. en the pursuers reached the spot he was stone dead, having been shot thro’ the back. The other horse-thief vanished, nor eould
Page 4
“b they catch a glimpse of him in any direction. although the forest was more open at this poin than for some distance around. Wildcat Turn- er’s first and only conviction was that the man had been so scared by the death of his compan- ion, that he increased his speed, and had disap- peared from view before they came up. Rattling Rube appeared to entertain an en- tirely different view. ‘*Do you want to see me drop the pizen crit- ter?’ asked the hunter in a low tone, as he’ finished reloading. Wildcat Turner expressed himself in the affirmative. “Keep your peepers on me, but pretend to look t’other way.” Rube sauntered forward rather carelessly, looking straight ahead. His rifle, ready for use, was held in the hollow of his left arm. He passed over perhaps twenty yards. Then, all of a sudden, the rifle pointed directly above him; its sharp crack rung out loud and clear. as the hunter shooting for fun? Half a minute passed by; then with a shriek of agony in which his last breath was expended, the body of a man came tumbling to the ground from his lofty perch. It was the horse-thief. Flushed with success the Regulators hastened on like sleuth -hounds. “Forward to the mountains,” was now their battle cry. CHAPTER V. FIRE WOLF, THE SCOURGE. AMONG the mountains of Kentucky. Truly the gigantic hills bordering the shores of Bitter River, well deserved the name of mountains, for their lofty heads were reared to an altitude almost equal to the highest peaks of the more famed Blue Ridge. Indeed, being connected with that picturesque renee by a chain of rocky elevations, they might well belong to the same family, and the reader may understand what I refer to if at any time in the course of my narrative I speak of the Blue Ridge. Among many of the natives they went by that name, and it will come natural for me to fall into the common error. It was evening, and while the heavens were et lighted up with the glory of the setting sun, wo men were seen upon the side of a peak that seemed rather isolated from its fellows. Their very appearance betokened extreme terror; it showed in their faces, their actions, and their words. Both were rough-looking fellows, with whom no one would like to make an intimate acquain- tance on a dark night. They carried weapons of all descriptions. “As I am a living man, Yellow Yute, this Hines is getting too dangerous for me. First here’s them Regulators. You just came from town and say they’re out on the search for us. I’ve told the cap’n time and again that they'll get some man for a leader yet what ’ll take ’em right through thick and n, and some day we'll wake up to find ourselves dead, as Barney McGee would say. Now, as if that wa’n’t enough there’s this devil what’s been haunting our ranch the last six months. We've lost three men by his bloody knife, and more ’ll follow. You or I may be the next. Whether he’s human or the devil himself I can’t say for sure, but he hates the cap’n like pizen, which makes me think he’s flesh and blood, for surely Old Nick’s on our side. ““ We've all hearn his yells in the woods and on the hills, time and even in the ranch itself when Prince Hal was found stabbed to the heart, but they do say no man ever sets eyes on Fire Wolf, the wild man of the mountains, but what dies for it. Ha! listen! God in Heaven, he is coming. The speaker caught his companion’s arm. Both were trembling violently m extreme terror. Superstition almost infects ignorant minds; education is the light of the world. Then again a knowledge of guilt will make a |coward of a man, and these desperadoes were guilty of almost every crime in the calendar. A weird ery had rung out from the rocky hight, strange and blood-curdling in its tenor, Exactly where it came from, neither could determine. Afraid to move in any direction for fear of meeting the scourge which no man as yet had looked on and lived to tell the story, the two horse-thieves stood, rooted on the spot. _ . Yellow Yute was the color of parchment. As for his companion, who went by the name of Hank Dolce, he trembled so violently that one could not have kept him quiet long enough to make out what his features looked like. Again the horrid ¢ ed forth, the rocky yalls taking up the re until it seemed here, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. there, all around them, in their very midst. Suddenly, a light flashed before their eyes. Where the awful form came from was never made manifest. A horrible figure bearing aloft a flaming torch came bounding toward them. Be it what it might, man, beast or devil, or the three combined, Yellow Yute and his com- ion realized that they were gazing upon the rrible Fire Wolf. belyge. pe had by this time given place to dark- ness, still the forms of the two horse-thieves were emg outlined against the sky, which retained aint traces of the departed sun’s glory. Di- rectly toward them the awful form advanced with huge bounds. The swinging torch played with alternate light and shadow upon its features. Horror upon horror! it was the head of a wolf upon the shoulders of aman. And yet it was a human ing. In some countries such monstrosities as this seemed to be, are killed at their birth; this fearful half-man, half-wolf and wholly crazed being had lived, to become an especial terror to the settlers of the Kentucky hills. Now the creature was seen among the Cum- berland mountains, and then, after an interval of months, it would appear hundreds of miles away, at the her end of the State. Strangely enough the Fire Wolf had never been known to injure an honest man, although all feared the horrible creature. Of late, however, it had hovered around the Blue Ridge. Whether Dare-Devil Dick or any of his gang of desperadoes had ever given the monster cause for hatred, was not known, but the man-wolf seemed bent upon their utter extermination. This was the fearful sppartticn that burst upon the vision of the appalled couple standing upon the rocks. Fire Woli was not twenty yards away and approaching with the greatest se spr eaping over the ground like some wing f For a few seconds both horse-thieves seemed paral with fear. They could neither move nor utter a word. Their breath came in short, quick gas Yellow Vuto was the first to regain the use of his limbs. At the same time his voice seemed to come back. Uttering a cry in which both hor- ror and terror were platy defined, he dashed madly away, regardless of the many impedi- ments to his progres that threatened to thor- oughly demolish him. is companion seemed to be more fully trans- fixed, and could not follow this example for perhaps ten seconds. Fatal hesitation! The man-wolf was Pati him before he had gone twenty feet. ellow Yute, fleeing for life, glanced over his shoulder at this instant. He saw something gleam in the blaze of the torch carried by the awful figure, and the loud shriek that immediately rung out, told him that his friend had met his fate. Fire Wolf seemed to look about him as if searc for the other horse-thief. Then, after giving w rance to an eldritch shriek, the crea- ture bounded away, waving aloft his torch, and passing within a few yards of the terrified scoundrel, who crouch down among the bush- es. Yellow Yute was the only man who had seen the face of Fire Wolf and lived to tell it; nor did he hunger to see it again. CHAPTER VI. AN UNINVITED GUEST IN THE MOUNTAIN RANCH. “DEATH and destruction! what is this you tell me? Just a minute ago Blue Bob reported the killing of Pierre and the best man I had, in spite of his name, Worthless Walt. Now you say Big Hank Dolce has goneunder. That hun- ter means to clean us out, I reckon.” “The hunter what gave it to Hank ain’t the stranger you mean, Cap’n Dick, but one what’s been in this very ranch, and laid his man on the floor, yonder.” “Ha! you mean that devil?” “T reckon he must erage Mic At any rate Fire Wolf’s abroad again. e’re going one by one, Thar was atime, not so many months either, when we numbered fourteen all to How many can we muster now?” “Eight,” came the reply. “Six gone, and this wolf-devil has killed four. Captain Dick, this monster’s got a spite ag’in’ our crowd. Have we ever done anything ag’in’ it? I don’t remember.” “Nor do I. ad MA a is that we have a oe ee f-man and half-brute to fight. He hates us, that is certain; as for the reason we care little for that. Some day—but never mind, I will tell you when the time comes. hal now, Abe, you have news?” interrogative- y- rm It was a ranch among the Kentucky moun- tains in which this conversation took place. The building was formed of logs, and built in a side canon, so that any one going through the main pass would fail to.discover it unless his at- tention had already been directed in that di- rection. This position had been selected mainly because there happened to be a large cavity in the walls of the canon, which at a glance the horse-thieves saw would prove to be the very thing for their stolen booty. Here, in this mountain fortress they had livec for P bag: undiscovered. Time had served to render the men bold and reckless, until they felt certain that the settlers would never muster courage enough to assault them in their den. And they were quite right. But for the leader- ship of Rattling Rube, and the accumulation of aggravating acts, the farmers would have thought their work well done after the killing of the two horse-thieves in the forest, and never considered such a dangerous project as tracking the tiger of the border to his very lair. The time for action had come. The man whom Dare-Devil Dick addressed as Abe, was a thickset fellow with an evil, hairy face and hands. Every sentence he uttered was highly embellished with exclamations, the pecu- liar construction of which would have puz- zled the dictionary-makers. What this uncouth fellow had to communi- cate was of the greatest importance. The Regu- lators had been seen half an hour before sun- down, within a few miles of the mountains. It looked as though they meant business. Dare-Devil Bick became excited. His orders came fast and furious, but they were clearly given. Two men were dispatched to guard the canon so that surprise would be utterly out of the question. A third vanished inside the cavern of the “‘ ranch.” Gathering the remainder of his band around him, the chief discussed plans for their future movements. Granting that the infuriated Regulators did cause them to vacate their mountain retreat, they had the means of mak- ing good their escape, and there were many other places equally as secure where they might soon be in hiding. For this one night then they could laugh at their foes, and it was resolved to make merry. A small keg of fine liquor was tapped, and the six men proceeded to “ enjoy life,” as they look- ed at it. It was a wild orgie. They had drawn the four chairs that the ranch contained, up to a solid table, at least it looked solid bia , although in the end it proved treacherous. The cap and Yellow Vute sat side by side upon a bench. Each man held a tumbler, which made frequent trips to the jug. This latter in its turn was sup- plied from the fountain head, the keg. Yellow Yute was entertaining them with a vivid description of ‘his late experience. That the story contained much to interest his hear- ers, one could determine from their spell-bound attitude, and the mechanical“manner in which they emptied and filled their glasses without taking their eyes from the face of the speaker. Under the influence of the liquor, the lately- scared horse-thief waxed garrulous. He was in the midst of a glowing description of the ter- rible demon. His yellow face actually shone with excitement. At this moment occurred a startling interrup- tion. Never did a man enter a housein a stranger way. First the sound of falling dirt was heard on the roof; then came a resounding thump. The rotten boards gave way, and as the six horse-thieves sprung erect, a man shot down through the roof, upsetting the table, and roll- ing over Abe and Yellow Yute. It was the comrade of Rattling Rube, the wolf-scalper. CHAPTER VII. THE HUNTER SCOUTS, “Hist! down with ye!” It was Rattling Rube who spoke these words in a whisper. Both of the men crouched close to the ground. They were in the main canon, two-thirds of the way up the mountain. The Regulators had gone into campin a gulch at the foot of the great hill, intending to continue their man-hunt on the morrow, but_ after supper had been dispatched, Rattling Rube announced his determination of taking a scout up the moun- tain, with his friend for company. A code of signals was agreed aoe with Wildcat Turner, and then the two hunters departed. It was Rube who caught a glimpse of danger in their path, and directed the attention of his companion to the are The night was not pitch-dark, although a person’s movements might be invisible to the sight thirty feet away. 4...
Page 5
Rattling Rube. ——— = Soares Rube’s young companion soon saw what was pointed out tohim. A small red speck glowed and died away at intervals. An observer less suspicious might have taken it for a star. ‘What is it?’ asked his companion. “Take a whiff of air,” came the whispered reply. ** Ah! I see,” returned the other, after doing so; “a cigar, and a deuced good one at that. These fellows are high-toned.’ a Easy enough to be that on other people’s money,” said Rube. i t are you going to do about it?” Rube thought for several minutes. It was evident, from the low voices that reached their ears, that more than one man occupied the can- on above. The canon was too narrow to admit of their going by without discovery. Ah! the wall. Rube remembered that a ‘death yards back it was very low and could easily be scaled. Suppose they try it? His plan was quickly com- pe rgprg to his companion, who readily agreed it. A few minutes later and they were ascending the wall. It was not difficult work in itself, but they had to be very cautious for fear of draw- ing the attention of the sentries who guarded the canon. After gaining the top of the bank, they began to move slowly upward. Soon the low mur- mur of human voices could be heard; they were passing the sentries. It would have been easy work to have crawled forward and listened to what they were saying, but they had no desire for the information, intending to hunt up the king-pin of the lot. After getting some distance beyond the spot where the guards seemed to be stationed, Rube announced that he intended going down into the canon again, and scout up it a little distance, while his companion could rest where he was. Another instant and he had vanished from view, going over the edge with the dexterity of a cir- cus acrobat. The young hunter sat down on a rock to wait. What his relations with the prince of horse- thieves were, that could make Wildcat Turner look upon him with such respect, the reader will in due time discover. He was not an old friend of Rattling Rube’s by any means. Their friend- a 4 could only date a few weeks back, but it had a secure foundation. Rattling Rube was on his way to Kentucky for reasons of his own, and had reached Cincinnati. Possessed of con- siderable money, he had sported it around the hotel at which he was stopping, as no cautious man would have thought of doing. The result of this was that he fell into the hands of sharpers, who proposed to get him to drinking, and by slipping a drug into his liquor, so benumb faculties that he could be rob- bed with impunity. They were very nearly suc- cessful at their rascally work. Although a master hand, generally speaking, at reading faces, Rube was eventually induced to drink. In a short time the drug began to have its effects upon him. The two sharps had him in a dark street. They tried their best to get him to the house they had in view, but the dru be = too ae mgr opty found ind woul necessary to carry ily or else accom- plish their object in the street. Y, This latter was by far the easiest, and they went to work without delay. Rattling Rube was in the strangest, if not the most dangerous situation of his life. His mind was not benumb- ed, only hislimbs. He could see and understand what was going on, but could not lift a hand to prevent it. to shouting and giving the alarm, that was rendered impossible by the fact that one of the land-pirates had clasped his throat in a vise-like gripe, choking the loud ery he had attempted to utter. Ithappened, however, that a young man came out of a house close by, at thisinstant. Attrac- ted by the ling cry, he turned his eyes upon the struggling forms. in an instant he compre- hended the matter. One of the rascals was sent into the gutter by a terrific blow straight from the shoulder, and the other picked up bodil and tumbled down a flight of stairs into a dark Mage From that hour the two men were the best of friends, and in subsequent conversations they discovered that their paths ran together in the future. Some mutual confidences then followed, and the result was that when Rattling Rube placed his foot on Kentucky's soil, he had a companion whose cause had been made his own. The young man sat where his friend had left him, for some time, thinking of his closeness to the object of his search, and wondering in what manner he should face Dare-Devil Dick. A sound suspiciously like laughter aroused him. It came from a point directl y. in front of him; the sentries were on his right hand. De- termined to know what this meant, he arose and cautiously made his way forward. After five minutes had been consumed in picking his way among bowlders and ee found himself on the edge of aravine. One wall, that on which he stood, descended abrupt- ly. Directly below him he could see several long spears of light. Puzzled, he bent over to examine into the matter more closely, Fatal move! The treacherous earth gave way. Vainly he tried to save himself. Down went the young fellow, crashing upon the rotten boards, ro tes, Bae age h the roof, he landed upon the table. Even this article seemed pos- sessed, for it also —— way. What an appari- tion for the startled horse-thieves to witness! A comet would not have startled them more. CHAPTER VIII. A PRINCE OF HORSE-THIEVES. Ir was Abe’s first impression that the heavens had fallen, and that they were to be crushed un- der the roof like so many egg-shells. He had been sent backward several feet and fell prone on his back, where he lay, kicking wildly. Yellow Yute had gone down flat. In the Mo A a of his terrible experience with Fire Wolf, fancy his alarm at such an interruption! But the young hunter was just as much sur- prised as any of them. The table had fallen over, and thrown him directly at the feet of tear rte Dick, who had leaped erect at the rm. The young adventurer’s hat had fallen off, and as he scrambled to his feet he came face to face with the prince of horse-thieves, not two feet separating them! It was a perfect tableau. The men ciel as if made of An the ticne o in- of re- to each other’s faces, and with the cognition in their eyes. The young man’s features clearly expressed satisfaction; while Dare-Devil Dick, than whom there never lived a more reckless rascal, seemed to actually shrink before the other’s gaze. For at least half a minute they stood thus, during which Abe m to gain his footing. Dare-Devil Dick’s face gradually become ghastly —_— as he felt the blazing orbs of the hunter fastened upon him. Asif unable to stand it any longer, he held up a hand, warning the other away. ‘‘For Heaven’s sake tell me, are you living or dead?” he cried. ‘*Had your foul plct succeeded, Dick Darke, I should have been under ground by this time. But it failed, and I am here to seek satisfaction of you. I demand that you tell me where I can find my own.” “Your own! What am I to know of that?” muttered the other. ‘“You know whom I seek. I have sworn to find her if it took my lifetime. Again I ask, where is Madge Harrison? Attempt not to de- ceive me, or I will have your life.’ Dare-Devil Dick’s handsome face grew livid. ** Fool!” he net, eee his teeth. The young man was oming more excited every moment. ‘* Do you hear me, Dick Darke? So surely as ou stand there I shall take your life if you have armed as much as a hair of my Madge’s head, You sneer; I can see the evil look on your face. Ha! devil, I shall tear your heart out!” The frenzied man made a panther-like leap forward, and in another instant both he and the prince ot horse-thieves were struggling furiously ior the ee TE Rattling Rube’s youn man, and his natural agility was now aided by —right and furious anger; Dare-Devil Dick that power—tnight. At a word from the horse-thief chief two of the men sprung forward and seized hold of his opponent. Between them, he was d back, and there he stood, panting heavily and glaring in the face of his enemy. “Harm him not on your lives, men. Now listen to me, Duke Spencer. I wish you no evil, and never have. True, I hold your affianced a pris- oner here, but, as Heaven is my judge, no harm has ever come to her, My sister has been her companion all the time, and you know Kitty well enough to make sure that Madge is not dying with solitude. I shall keep her here until the old man agrees to my proposal. It is now my only hope; lose this hdd upon him and I ose all. ee 5 “‘ Dick Darke, I must believe you ear the truth. You were never a bad man, although a bold, and, sometimes thought, a cruel one. ou have almoct ruined three lives to further your own What has Madge or I ever done to you ‘“‘ Nothing,” answered Dick composed], ; ‘you owe all of your trouble to Madge’s uncle. Vet him agree my sgsiar gt no one will be more pleased to see you and Madge married than my- self. True, I asked for her hand, myself, some yours sm but she had met you, and I was re- y declined, but I never took it to heart. You have been searching for me many months, and it seems found me at last, by what manner of means I cannot even guess.” “What do you intend doing with me?’ asked Duke Spencer. ‘‘ Keep you a prisoner. You have come into be J net, and there you must remain. Birds of a feather flock together. Who knows but what I shall have the old man to entertain next?” ‘““Who knows?’ muttered Duke; then aloud he added: ‘‘I warn you thatI shall try to es- cape, and shall show you no mercy, Dick Darke, should the fortune of war place oy ae ay pore: Now do what you will, but ; or there is one on worse than death.” ‘* Ah!” cried the horse-thief, starting as if an adder had stung him, and turning almost fierce- ly upon the yo man; ‘‘ you know more than you will tell. Who is it?” “That I shall not say. I don’t think that he wishes you to know, but he bears you a deadl hate, and he intends paying the interest in full,” answered the other. ‘‘T understand now. Itis the hunter. Fool that I was not to think of Rube Rand when I heard who led the Regulators. You are right; he has cause to hate me. I wronged him long ago, and when we meet one of us dies. I have no desire to take his life but intend to defend my own. I wish you no harm, Duke, but you have put your foot into my den, and for fear of - the consequences, must be kept secure until the rms I proposed to the old man are agreed up- on. Take him away, boys, to the strong room. I depend on you. Let your lives answer for his security.” The young hunter was led through a hole in the rocky wall of the canon. One of the men carried a lantern. Five minutes later, Duke Spencer, stripped of his weapons, found him- in w the horse-thieves delighted to call their strong room. This was simply a deep niche in the side of the passage, in t of which stout planks formed the fourth wall. your track, whom you fear CHAPTER IX, UNDER GROUND. DARKNESS, gloomy and impenetrable, sur- rounded Duke Spencer. His was not the nature | to give up to anything. So long as there was life there was hope. What brought him here on the track of Dare- Devil Dick, can be explained very easily. The niece of Colonel Sacketts had suddenly disap- ared from her home in Ohio, She was known be an heiress in her own right, and it was erally supposed that when the colonel died, would come in for most of his property, quite an extensive estate,"by the way. Various conjectures were formed as to her sudden disappearance. Some went so far as to confident] a that she had fled with a lover whom her guardian was prejudiced. _ The ae woes it yee worse than — ~4 immediately sent for e cer, telegraph- ing that it was a matter of lif eand death. The young man was an army officer, stationed at en tort on the border. He made-all haste to io. ‘ Before his arrival the matter was explained. Colonel Sacketts received a letter post-marked Cincinnati, from one whom he had good cause to remember. Dick Darke acknowledged the abduction, declared that Madge was in a safe place where meril could never find her, and where she should remain until his terms were to. As it happened that these terms presented many points that Colonel Sacketts could not accomplish, even by ruining himself. but which the obstinate enemy swore he must do if he ever hoped to see his niece again, they were in despair. Time was asked to matters, and the kidnapper said they could all they wanted, as he was safe and in nohurry, having other fish tofry. At the same time he assured them of his honest intentions. No harm had befallen Madge, nor did he intend that any should. Months had flown by since then. The keen-
Page 6
- he had made. 6 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. est detectives on the force had taken hold of the case and been baffled, When almost ready to give up in despair, Major “eee happened to materially aid a man who had gotten himself into trouble, and who sent for him. Duke managed to effect his discharge, and asa reward received information relative to Dare-Devil Dick that served to put him on the track. The man had until lately been one of the horse- thieves, but had deserted, and was believed to have fallen under Fire Wolf’s savage blade. The night after he had heard this es news, Duke Spencer fell in with Rattling Rube as has been related. : To return again to the imprisoned young soldier: The footsteps of the two men died away in the passage, and he could no longer see the ight from their lantern through the cracks in the door. Duke wasted no time in thought. When Rattling Rube fitted him out in this hunter costume, he supplied him with many things that might be needed in the future. That future had now come. Although the horse-thieves had taken his belt and the weapons it contained, they had not searched him, for the simple reason that the chief seemed to bear him no ill will, and might resent any impudence shown the daring assail- ant. Duke soon had a small candle lighted with which he set about examining his quarters, A short survey convinced him that his only hope of escape lay in the wall just where the wood- work joined the rocks. This was strong enough to resist any effort made by the naked fingers, but the soldier produced a short serviceable knife from some secret receptacle where Rube had stowed it away for just such anemergency. With this blade he attacked the spot which appeared to be the least strong. A short time served to make tame an impression, and in half an hour he could poke his head through the hole Duke had blown out his precious candle as soon as he started work, for he might find a much better use for it in the future. At length he determined that he had worked aa. enough, so he started to ascertain if his work was satisfactory. Being rather a slim man, proved of material advantage to him. Another minute and the major was not to be found in the boasted strong room of the horse- thieves’ ranch. He stood in the passage with- out. A little reflection told him in what direc- tion he should go in order to reach the cabin, for he remembered that the door had been on his left when he first saw it. Duke turned his face directly the other way. He desired to go anywhere but to the ranch, for such a move, in his present defenseless condi- tion, he thought, would have been the hight of foolishness. Before him stretched a as dark as Ere- bus. Every step he took had to be carefully considered, and before he had gone twenty paces, Duke concluded that this uncertainty of what lay before him, was trying enough tomake aman gocrazy. What he needed was some light on the subject. In making the hole which had proved the means of his egress from the prison into which he had been thrust, Duke had cut off several long splinters of wood. These he had retained in his hand as a sort of cane with which to feel his way. They could now be put to a much better use. _ Striking a match he applied the light to the point of a splinter, and was delighted to see the wood spring into a clear blaze. His surround- ings were now clearly defined. The rocky roof was some ten feet in hight. On either hand ran the parallel lines of wall, along which he had been feeling his way so pa yy i Now, that he could see where he was going, Duke’s spirits be- an to rise. His pace was also quickened, as the nger of falling into unknown depths no long- er existed. He left the prison from whic his escape had been effected, some sixty yards be hind him, when his eyes fell upon a rough door similar to that connected with the strong room. At the sight of this, Duke’s heart beat tu- multuously. He remembered what the horse- thief chief had said about ha Madge in a lace of security, and his hand mbled vio- ase as he laid it on the heavy bar that e door. Summoning all his resolution, he poe back the bar. The door slowly opened. Holding his trode into the space that It was lighted up by a lamp. Hise es ht ef 4 on a soft CO. Tits sprung away; the other de- fiantly faced him, her little form drawn up. This was Dick Darke’s sister. “How dare you?” she demanded; ‘“m brother shall hear of this outrage. Your life shall be the penalty.” “JT willhave his life if we meet again. Madge, oh! Madge, don’t you know me, darling?” rung out, Duke! It’s my Duke! Thank God!” and in another instant his arms were aroudn her, full of love and tenderness, holding her tight, tight to his heart. ‘*Major Spencer, and here!” exclaimed the other young girl. “Yes, Kitty, it is Duke Spencer. Where else should he be but with the idol of his heart?’ said the young man. ‘But my brother Dick? Where 1s he?’ cried the girl, her face pen gr ay to a deathly white. The sisterly love of this little woman had re- strained Dick’s wild spirit on many an occasion. It was his redeemiug trait. ““T was taken prisoner and shut up, but es- ca from the strong room. Your brother is safe so far, but there is no telling how long he will be, as the Sa barge led by a man he fears, Rube Rand, are close at hand.’ ‘‘Rube Rand here!” murmured Kitty. ‘‘ Darling,” said the major, turning to Madge, ““T have been nigh distracted by your loss, e will get out of this hole, and be in safety before many hours.” ‘“‘Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched, my covey. Now, what do ye think of that for a tableau, ladies? Turning at the sound of this ro they saw that which made the two gir with apprehension. A cry “Ts h voice, tremble a CHAPTER X, HOW YELLOW YUTE WENT UNDER. A BRAWNY man stood just inside the door- way. His right hand was extended, and held a shining revolver in its grasp, which dangerous toy was aimed full at the majo . In the other hand he carried an extinguished lantern. It was Yellow Yute, the companion of the ill- fated Big Hank Dolce, who had fallen beneath the thirsty knife of the wood-demon, His evil, hment-colored face was aglow with a sneer- ing smile. The horse-thief did uot know of Duke’s escape. He was moving along the ont sage when the light coming from the open door attracted his attention. hat was his amaze- ment upon seeing the very man they had put in- to the strong room not two hours before, with the captain’s hostage in his arms, as if he never meant to let her go again. The major’s words explained what mystery there might have been about it, and then it was the fellow had put in the disclaimer that had so startled our young folks. Duke mpencee had seen service; he was not as oung as he looked, and had earned his rank b hard fighting. It may be Pe Sey then, that, having often supped with death, so to speak, he was not afraid of the old gentleman, when he presented himself in the shape of a revolver. Duke was surprised at the sudden interruption, and perhaps nota little angry. is first im- ulse therefore was to leap at the fellow. But was prevented from doi by several reasons. ’s arms were around his neck, as if she divined his reckless intention. Then he saw the fellow would certainly dis- charge his pistol, and the bullet must go some- where. Perhaps it might miss him, only to find a lodging in the body of her whom he loved far better than life. A shudder ran through him at the thought. Yellow Yute had lowered the weapon, but it was still ready for instant use, and Duke dared make no movement. “Hal ha! ha! Ina trap, my fine young hun- ter! Now I wonder whether it is best to shoot you down where you stand, or just put a bullet in each arm,” and the brute laughed horribly, not a shadow of his terrible impending fate, touching on his mind. The major felt that dear form tremble for his safe e knew this was sheer cruelty on the man’s part, and hastened to reassure e, te her that Dare-Devil Dick had sworn he would shoot the man who laid violent hands on ae pions F ust fq hud was while he was speaking, Yute leering horribly at them, that pet touch his hand. with instructions to use it if any one her, himself included. Duke could but feel more lenient toward the chief of the horse- thieves, when he realized the good luck that had come to them. But the tiny revolver was fated not to be used; at least this time. Just at this instant Madge’s face became as white as snow. Her eyes were distended with an expression of horror. ‘‘The monster! Oh! Duke,” and she fainted in his arms. Yellow Yute was a trifle vain of his ugliness. He actually thought his frightful grimaces had caused this swoon. Duke Spencer and Kitty knew better, They saw a fearful figure rising up just behind the chuckling horse- thief, a form the sight of which was calculated to give one ugly dreams for a lifetime. It was a gigantic man having a wolf’s head. In one hand he carried a half-burned torch; the other held a knife, on which the dried blood could be seen, It was Fire Wolf, the scourge of the. horse- thieves. Yellow Yute was Le aig down from the realms of bliss into which his vanity had taken him, by a touch on the shoulder. He looked down and saw the end of a partially burned torch. Then his form turned on a pivot, and he saw—great heavens! the wretched man stood as if frozen for a space and then his knees giv- ing way, he sunk down in the most abject manner possible. The terror that had assailed him when he saw his comrade Hank Dolce struck down by that red knife was compara- tively tame when placed in relation with his present to What the doomed wretch saw in his mind during the few seconds that intervened before his fate was sealed, no one ever knew, but his yellow face blanched to a deathly color and his eyes shone with a horrified glare, as if the troop- ing ghosts of past crimes were thronging his brain. Major Spencer stood ll-bound. The terri- ble scene had completely fascinated him, and had the fate of the world depended upon his movement, he could not have made one. Madge lay senseless in his arms, held close to his breast, while Kitty Darling crouched behind him, her horrified eyes fastened upon the mon- strous figure that had so suddenly appeared. For perhaps ten seconds of time each party stood as if made of stone. Yellow Yute had sunk to his knees. His eyes were glued upon the demon. He had the appearance of one whose breast had lost the last vestige of hope. All at once the singular tableau was disturbed. A low growl or moaning sound came from the man-wolf, not unlike the utterance of the an- imal he represented. At the same instant he made a move forward. No one knew better than the horse-thief what was coming, and yet he made no attempt to ward off the blow. He glared into the blood- shot eyes of the Fire Wolf, charmed as a bird might be by a rattlesnake, only that he was far from resembling the innocent little feathered songster. ajor Spencer drew a quick breath. His soldier eye detected the quivering of the blade, and he knew that in another instant all would be over. He was correct in his surmise. The knife descended as would a thunderbolt from heaven. Mortal eye could not have followed its passage. uke saw it still raised aloft, and then, like lighi , it was transferred to the horse-thief’s back, the point protruding from his breast. Even in death, the horror that had seized upon him seemed to render Yellow Yute ess, for not a sound broke from his lips. The blow was followed by instantaneous death. Duke saw the head fall back, and he | knew Yellow Yute was no more. Fire Wolf, with an exertion of his strength, ulled his knife from its sheath in the horse- hief’s body. Then, apparently without notic- ing the others, he swung his seemingly dead torch around his head until it burst into a bright flame. Duke had raised his little revolver, holding it in readiness to fire should the fearful figure threaten them, but without even a glance in their direction, Fire Wolf bounded into the pas- sage, and was quickly lost to view. CHAPTER XI. RATTLING RUBE ON HAND. RarttTiine Ruse found some little difficulty in his way down the wall of the canon. In the daytime the wi have been enough, but now he had two to , the darkness and nearness of easy ene- Being an experienced hand at such business, Rube managed to gain the bed of the canon
Page 7
without betraying himself. This accomplished he stood very quiet and listened. Above him a’ was quiet, for his young companion had seat- ed himself upon a rock and was engaged in thought. Rube began making his way up the canon. This proved a laborious task, for all around him was pitchy darkness. The walls, rising up on either side, cast their united gloomy shadows in- to the pass, and at times the ranger had to actu- ally grope his way along. It may be supposed, ' then, under these circumstances, that it was an easy thing for Rube to miss seeing the narrow opening that led to the smaller canon in which the horse-thieves had built their ranch. After going quite a distance upward, and seeing no signs of the enemy, Rube determined that scouting in the darkness, without any idea of how the land lay, was something that he had no love for. In considerable ill-humor, he started to re- turn. He had gotten just opposite the narrow opening, of which mention has been made, when a strange sound assailed his ears. It was, as the reader has perhaps guessed, Major Spencer, making his debut among the horse-thieves in his own original fashion. But Rattling Rube knew nothing of this. He heard the heavy crash, and at once crouched down, swinging his rifle around to bear upon the point from whence came the racket. Fol- lowing it he heard human voices raised in dis- ute, but at that distance could not recognize is friend’s tones. “Must be breaking up housekeeping,” mut- tered the ranger, as he pulled his long mus- tache, reflectively. Mirae silence had now come upon the place. Rattling Rube was badly puzzled; moreover he was curious. ‘““What in the dickens could that have been?’ he asked himself. Then he laughed. It was one of his characteristics, this laugh. There was somsthing so pleasant and musical about it, a peculiar charm that made one wish to hear it again. “Mahomet won’t get the mountain to come to him, that’s sure. Reckon he’ll have to stir his stumps. What's this? A ge, I declare. Ah! ha! [smell a mouse. areful’s the word now, friend of my youth, and forward we go. Easy now, oy 58 Cautiously he made his way along the pas- sage, which grew gradually wider until it de- bouched into the second canon. Rattling Rube had taken soms tims to make the trip. When he cauzht sight of the lighted windows of the ranch he halted to reconnoiter, being a cautious man in spite of his name. When assured that all was quiet, he began moving forward, very careful to keep away from the broad spear of light coming from the slit in that side of the ranch toward him. He could see moving figures inside, but found it hard work to gain a position where he could ob- serve them without being himself liable to dis- covery. When at length his eves fell upon Dare-Devil Dick, a something broke from between his set teeth, that was marvelously like an oath. Probably the scout had good cause to hate the handsome leader of the horse-thieves. His. emotion almost got the better of him. Twice was that long rifle brought up to his shoul- * der, and as many times did he glance along the shining barrel, (for the light from the window and open door served to dispel the darkness in some degree). But both times Rattling Rube seemed to give way to second consideration, for he lowered the gun and shook his head in a nega- tive way. : Dare-Devil Dick had no idea how close he was to death just then. He was playing eards with three of hismen. Yellow Yute was not to be seen. Over in a corner sat a form that seemed familiar to Rube even though he cast but a fleet- ing glance at it. Soon, ‘however, he looked in. The face was now to be seen. He knew it instantly. “The reptile,” the ranger muttered. It was Tom Crawley, the man whom the hun- ters had rescued from the living grave in which he had been pa by the Ving ene who of course supposed that he was dead-mutton by ary acer on ptt become Spe "aan, hav- g lost a © jollity for whi e once bret we lh ch y are- was well named. He knew that danger surrounded him on all sides. To fall into the hands of the V tes meant death, for Wildcat Tarner headed them. Then he aleo knevv he had an inveterate enemy close at kand in the person of Rube Rand. Per- Rattling Rube. haps after all Dick had more of a suspicion in regard to his danger than he has been given credit for, but if this was true, he was truly the rince of reckless men, for he laughed and joked with his men, ‘as if an army of friends surrounded him. Rattling Rube crouched beside the open door. Had one of the horse-thieves come out the could hardly have failed seeing him, but for this the scout cared little. One whom he had sought far and long, was in sight, and Rube was fast losing the discretion that usually characterized his movements. The leader of the horse-thieves was not ten feet away from the hunter, although sitting with his side toward him. Rube’s eyes were fixed upon his face; he had ears for nothing be- yond what they were talking about at the table. ‘* And so he’s hunted you ever since?” one of the men was saying. ‘Ever since,” replied Dare-Devil Dick; ‘‘ that was the oe I’ve ever had sincere regrets about. Rube Rand hates me worse than poison; it isn’t in him to forgive a wrong like that, and when we meet, the probability is that one of us will go under.’ ‘*You bet,” muttered the unseen listener. ‘* Well, there’ll be a fine show when the fight comes off, if what you tell us about this fellow be true, Dick. Count me in for a sight,” laugh- . it these Regulate 1 hing of ese rs leave anything of you to be counted in. Between then thet ea de- termined to wipe us off the face of the earth,” and Dick shook his head significantly. The man snapped his fingers in derision. “That for your Regulators. I’ve seen them before. They make a big show, but do mighty little,” said Rob. = s mee Fire Wolf?” asked the other, interroga- vely. Blue Bob’s face changed color. ““There you have me, boss. I fear no man as long as I can see him, but there ain’t one of us that has ever set eyes on that devil. If I - der, something tells me twill be b his knife. But, be he man or beast, Blue Bob of Kentucky will make a fight for it, even though it should turn out to be Old Nick himself. em’s my sentiments.” **And so this critter ye speak of is leading the Regs?” said Abe, whom we have noticed be- ore. “You heard what Major Spencer said,” re- turned the chief. “Ha! what does he mean by that?’ muttered Rube; ‘‘ how does he know we are here? There’s a mystery under it.” . He would undoubtedly have heard enough to explain the matter if he had remained undis- turbed for five minutes longer; but it was not so fated. In his eagerness to hear all that was said, Rube had leaned forward. Noneof those at the rude table saw him, but another pair of eyes did. Deeply interested, now that the name of his companion was mentioned, Rattling Rube had ears for nothing else. He did not hear the soft, catlike footfalls just behind him, and the first intimation he had of danger was when a pair of hands fstruck him square between the shoulders, , Such was the force of the shove, that he was Sec more than half-way across the room ringing up at length against a keg that once contained brandy. Together they rolled upon the floor and vanished from view in the oe to the cavern. The horse-thieves bound- ed to their feet as though on springs. CHAPTER XII, DARE-DEVIL DICK’S TRUSTY FRIENDS. “DeaTH and furies! what does this mean?” shouted Dare-Devil Dick, as he stood with a pis- tol in his hand. The entrance of the hunter had been at once so unexpected and sudden, that none of the men had obtained a glance of him. They knew a Auman form had flitted before their eyes, and vanished in the gloom of the cavern, but whether a man or a boy, black or white, in or well-dressed none could say. Dare-Devil Dick was the first to break the si- lence, and this he did by demanding to know what it meant. The others also turned toward the open doorway. A man was entering his face set in a fearful grin that stretched a hor- a} Ad mouth from ear to ear. «6 I send him in slick, cap’n?’ he asked, as soon as his muscles came under - “Who was it, what was it, and where did you find him?” The man with the big mouth seemed in no wise put out by this flood of questions, but be- gan tallying u his fingers. “Who was it? Idon’t know. What was it? A man dressed like a hunter; one of them bless- ed Regs I reckon. What was he a-doing? Why peepin’ in at the door thar, his eyes on y cap’n, and a-fingerin’ the lock of ee as = wouldn’t mind giving ye the contents free of charge. A man, dressed like a hunter! | That was enough for the chief. The color, forsook his cheeks, but he set his teeth hard, and! frowned to hide his or. ‘* Fiends take it! I told you he would be our death yet. It’s that meddling Rube Rand,” he exclaimed, furiously. pen Just so,” came in measured tones behind m. ‘ Turning with the ee ree 8 of a flash, the chief saw a sight that would have made any bold though he might be, feel sort of shaky about the knees. There stood his inveterate foe, the only person on earth, whom the reckless horse-thief ac- knowl ha a fear for. His head was bent forward, and his eyes glanced along the Dare-Devil Dick leaming barrel of his rifle. fia not need a very fine perception to tell him that the terrible weapon was bearing on his breast. A slight touch of the finger he would be hurled into eternity. Rattling Rube had not been thrown into the depths of the cavern, wholly by the push given him by the horse-thief. In stumbling over the brandy keg he received an additional momen- tum. Besides this, his quick eye detected the black hole, and like a he seemed to under- stand that he would fare better in there than with his enemies. So that his plunge into the darkness was partly voluntary. But, no sooner had he vanished from view of the astounded horse-thieves than he was on his feet, but little the worse for his rough ex- perience. He immediately oe back the ham- mer of his rifle, which he clung to tena- ciously all this time. bicts wera; an be sespped bilo view, the long chief’s words, as he s into view, rifle at his shoulder. ’ ‘ 3 el Silence fell upon the party. It was an imposing tableau; one man d six, and without the least particle of fear. well each one of the horse-thieves knew that if one of them drew a weapon or made a move- ment, their leader was a dead man. “T have you just where I want you, Dick Darke. I have searched for you these three years back. _It seemed a hopeless task, but when Rube Rand sets about doing anything, nothing An short of death can stop him. You did me a grievous injury, I was your friend, in you, and was betrayed. You acknowl it?’ Dare-Devil Dick said never a word, but nod- ded his head, a he a ge erg: wo or dead I would you, an possible, avenge my wrongs. Well, you are found; Iamhere. Are you ready to go?” sternly said the tra “Wait; I have something to say. You think ou will fire; I know you will not,” returned he chief without a flinch. “As cool as ever. You seem to know better than I do. This has been a pet scheme of mine for long, weary years. Do you think I will be cheated of my prey? I will give youa minute to on,” said Rattling Rube. “Very well. In the first place then, I know you can send me out of this world in a hurry. I do not forget your qualities with the rifle. But my dear fellow, it wo the or your d fellow, i ld be the si f own doom. Before the echoes of your shot would die away; while my form was yet writh- ing on the floor here, yours would be beside it. Here are five trusty friends of mine, whose re- volvers would sound your death-knell in a winking. Do you admit it?” “Granted; but my object would be obtained. I never was a coward; you are well aware of that. If you can give no bettér reason why I should withhold my fire than that, you had bet- ter say Your prayers, for the minute’s up, and Dick Darke, your time has come,” saying whieh the hunter made as if to fire. “Half a moment more, and I am done. There is another reason why you will net fire. Do you think Kitty would ever marry the man whe slew her brother, much as she loved him?” The shot told, as wily Diok meant it should. “What! do you mean to say Kitty ever eared for me?” eS she did. You were a fool net te 506 ‘* But she ran away from me,” persisted Rube, now off his guard.
Page 8
»* That was my doing, Rube. See here and I'll explain how the little fool cried, and told me how she loved you, and how I tricked her into hokey ae that you-had run away with another gir Having attracted the hunter’s attention in this way, Dare-Devil Dick saw his chance and used it. The rifle had fallen a trifle. He gave one splendid leap, landing fully ten feet away. The gun cracked almost instantly, and the bul- let raised a welt along the of the chief, but, sag suffered himself to taken una- wares, Rattling Rube had not done himself jus- tice, which fact was appreciated by the prince of horse-thieves. Dare-Devil Dick had held a pistol in his hand through the whole of this interesting conversa- tion, which, however, he had been prevented from using by the suggestive way in which Rube pointed his rifle. His weapon was now rendered useless. The spiteful crack of the horse-thief’s revolver now sounded. Dare-Devil Dick was forced to fire. . Through the smoke that followed Rube’s shot he caught a glimpse of the hunter coming toward him. : There were five other men in the ranch, and yee not one of them raised a weapon. Whether ey: were paralyzed with fear or that the ap- pearance of the hunter had thoroughly demor- alized them, can never be fully known. Even the chief was not himself. Rattling Rube’s idea was to make his escape. He had just fired and missed. Besides, although he would hardly have acknowledged it to him- self, what the handsome chief had said about his sister had touched the one tender spot in Rube’s heart, and some of his vindictive hatred against Dick was gone. Had the latter suffered him to depart in peace, his men would have fared much better. They stood, with the exception of Tom igs bye be- tween the hunter aor the open door, Natural- ly, however, Dare-Devil Dick thought the hunt- ‘er intended carrying out by a direct assault, what his bullet had failed to do. | §o he hastily discharged his revolver, and then threw himself flat upon the floor, paling over and over with great agility until he was a least ten feet from the scene of his ignominy. Rube did. not stop to inquire who had ; He heard the ball whiz by within an inch of his face, and saw his passage to the outer regions blocked by the horse-thieves. That was enough. In another instant he was among them. Blue Bob was the first to suffer. He went down like an ox in the shambles, felled bY a terrible blow from the hunter’s fist. Probably he thought an earthquake must have occurred for he lay quiet a long time. Abe and the man with the monstrous mouth were seized with a sudden determination to move. The former went beside Blue Bob, while the latter shot out into the cool night air. Prob- ably he went to laugh, but if so he took a strange method of. doing it, as his comrades found him sometime later, hugging a bowlder, with half a peck of gravel in his mouth. The way being cleared, Rattling Rube van- ished in the darkness, *¢ After him!” yelled-Dare Devil Dick, leaping outside, with a double object in view, for he |. thought Rube ht stop to use his revolver, and the wary chief did not want to be in the il- luminated ranch. A scornful laugh was all the answer he got. Five minutes later, while the horse-thieves were comparing es, the distinct sound of two shots reached their ears. Shortly after, the man who had been Big Mouth’s companion in the canon, rushed into the ranch, one arm hang- ing bloody and useless at his side. t was the work of Rattling Rube. ; CHAPTER XIII. THE UNDAUNTED SOLDIER. Ir would be extremely hard to describe the feclings of Major Spencer when the dread form stood before hum. But when Fire Wolf vanish- ed from view, he drew a long breath of relief. He had h raised the little revolver that Dare-Devil Dick had ae to Madge, but find- ‘ing no use for it he let the weapon drop, and turned his full attention to the young girl. She had fainted dead away. The soldier was alarmed,. but Kitty understood what was the matter. Under her orders Duke bore the be- loved form to a lounge, and Kitty soon brought her to, ' None of them had heard, or if they had, paid little heed. to, the discharge of 8, which echoed faintly through the long passages. It was Rattling Rube at work in the ranch, and what happened there the reader already knows. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. The major was delighted when Madge opened her eyes, and smiled up at him. “We must get out of this at once,” said he; “Kitty, do you know of any other entrance than the ranch?” The young girl replied that there certainly was one, but she had never seen it, and could no more guide them to it than fly. “Then we shall have to trust to good luck, that’s all. Madge, you are able to walk, dear?’ ‘*T am eager and anxious to get out of this re i and back to guardy again,” said the young girl. ‘*We will make a brave effort to leave this place. That little toy of yours, Madge, may come in useful yet, so I will secure it,” and the soldier took a step toward the little revolver, which lay just where it had fallen, in plain view. “ Halt!” The command rung out loud and authoritative, Major Spencer knew what generally accom- panied such an order. He drew up. Dare-Devil Dick stool in the doorway, one foot advanced, his head thrown back, and a gleaming revolver held in his right hand. There was a look in his face such as Kitty never re- membered seeing there before. The same glare might befita 2 pega tiger, brought to bay by a pack of hounds. Dare-Devil Dick seemed to be as pooramenly, amazed as Yellow Yute had been. For a short time silence ha 7 It was the prince of horse- thieves who broke it at length. ‘* Hang me if this isn’t more than a joke!” Major Spencer, despite the Tsk of the situation, could not resist smiling. e other saw it and it enraged him. “You have carried the thing too far, Duke Spencer. Mymen have a dislike for any one siding with those cursed Regulators, but if they saw poor Yute lying there dead, killed by your hand, even I myself would be powerless to keep their claws from tearing you to pieces. I really think it would be kind in me to fire now, and thus es it out of their power to torture you.” “You forget that 1 am a soldier, Darke; threats I laugh at. Then again you do us too much honor. True, that wretch was threaten- ing me, but Thad no hand in his death,” said Spencer. “T have long since cut my eye teeth; it will take a better yarn than that to deceive me,” de- clared the other, anoning SE “T beg * sed pardon, but you must be blind. If you will remember correctly, I had no knife or any weapon in fact. That man had his face toward me when he fell, and you can see that he has been stabbed in the back. I am not re- sable for his death; he brought it upon him- “But who killed him? Not Rube Rand, for he was in the ranch a short time ago. Speak; who slew Yellow Yute?’ demanded Dick. “T know not. Never in my life have I seen such a terrible figure, and such a swift, deadl blow. It was the form of a man, a hunter, wi the head of a wolf,” explained the major. The form of a man, with the head of a wolf! “Tt was Fire Wolf, the scourge,” cried the horse-thief. He cast a quick glance behind him, to the right, and to the left, as though fearful lest the dread demon should suddenly appear and claim him as his next victim. Then taking a silver whistle which at by a cord from his neck, he blew a long, shrill, rat- tling note that resounded through the subter- ranean passages. Dare-Devil Dick had taken u his inp ae with his back inst the wall, an in this place, where he could only be assaulted from one quarter, he stood, still keeping the re- volver pointed at the young soldier. Lights flashed without; hurried footsteps were heard upon the rocky floor. Then three men burst into the room. ey looked at their Curses arose, and bg ag flashed in the light. and re- life, the major was bho Bp spring forward, low Yute, when Dick’s words stopped him. The ef hastily ordered his men to put op their weapons, and explained to them how th comrade met his fate. It was amusing to see how they began looking over their shoulders, ania half expecting to see the terrible demon at d. Now that there was no chance of his losi his advan , the horse-thief chief remain lost in thought for a minute or two. Then look- ing, up as though his mind was settled, he gaid: “Carry poor Yute out into the passage, boys. Hide ta, bad, shece of business. I suppose I must go down into Dead Man’s Hole, and there’s no telling how many more of us will go the same way, before this is over. Our affairs have come to a crisis; we either win or lose all. What had we better do with the major, Bob?” Blue Bob was on hand, a bloody bandage tied around his head to hold that piece of furniture useful in its way to him, together, for what with the fearful blow from Rattin g Rube’s hard fist, and an equally severe one when he reached the floor, his frontispiece was badly out of repair. Upon bein led upon for his advice, he de- clared that the other place wasn’t fit for a pris- on if the og had already escaped from it, and the best they could do would be to shut him in this one. It was to be hoped that the ladies grown accustomed to seeing handsome men (here Bob leered horribly) and would not eat the soldier ae Dare-Devil Dick broke in upon his garrulous “That will do, Bob. Pick up those pistols, brs, gs Spencer, I leave you here. I hope you will pass the time more pleasantly than we sim for we expect to fight for our lives. If I do no come back, you are free to go, but if possible I shall not give ay Pie in regard to eins money out of that old lawyer-uncle of Madge’s, Kitty, good-by. Kiss me; little girl. I’ve been a bad brother to you.” “No, no, Dick,” said Kitty, earnestly. Another moment and the three were alone. The heavy door slammed shut, and they could hear the put into its place. Major Spencer’s first thought was of escape. He be examining the place attentively. Soon the heavy discharges of guns told thata be of some sort was in progress. itty Darke was ous for the two lovers to escape, but was undecided in ie pees to her- self. Although she had not the slightest sympa- thy for his wild, lawless life, yet she loved her dashing brother dearly. To one in the secret it was equally as evident that she also loved some one else. She had been Rousset to assist Madge alone, but now that Spencer was on hand with his courage and strength something might be done. The soldier was not long in beccming acquain- ted with the fact that there was an aperture in the roof, which could be reached by a daring climber. How to get the girls up bothered him, but Kitty solved this question by producing a thin but exceedingly strong rope. Fastening one end of this to his belt, Major Spencer commenced the ascent. It was a peril- ous job. More than once Madge covered her eyes with horror at the mere thought of what a happen should the bold climber lose his a) But such a catastrophe did not occur, and at aoe the soldier had gained the hole. He had just pulled himself through on the solid ground, when a hated voice was heard in the cavern be- low. Duke looked down. Despair seized hold of him. Dare-Devil Dick had broken in the door, and was excitedly questioning the girls. All was lost. CHAPTER XIV. FOUR SECONDS, AND THEN ETERNITY. WuaeEn Rattling Rube dashed out of the moun- tain ranch, he had no settled plan of action ar- ranged in his mind. All that he really desired was to give his enemies the slip. He was reck- oned a bold hunter on the plains, and as I have said before, had his moods, in which he might be either reckless or just the opposite. With the man he had hated and followed so long, before his eyes, it may easily be imagined that Rube’s careless fit was upon him, and yet he enough good sense to know that Dare-Devil Dick spoke the truth. True, he might shoot the man down but it would undoubt- edly prove his own death, and Rube would have thought his vengeance dearly bought if compell- ed to pay for it with his life. Out into the darkness he rushed then. He heard*the command of his enemy, and knew it was mere bluster that would never be put into execution. Nevertheless he could not forbear sending back that taunting, derisive laugh. It was dangerous work along that dark canon, but Rube was just in the mood to $
Page 9
ee Rattling Rube. do it. Either he was gifted with eyes after the style of a cat’s, or else there is y something in what is said about a reckless man escaping what a careful one would fall into, for certainly he A ah art without any serious mishap. uch was his haste to reach the camp of the Re tors, that he did not wonder long at the or’s absence from the rock where he had left him, but concluding that, grown tired of wait- ing, Duke had gone below, he hastened to do likewise. It happened that he descended into the main canon some distance above the place they had used before. This was unintentional on hispart. He made a noise in his haste that attracted the attention of the fellow whom Big Mouth had left in the pass, while he went to the ranch for something, tobacco or brandy we will say and hit it every time. The discharge of firearms in the direction of the stronghold, had attracted this fellow’sattention, and made him suspicious of évery forei sound; so what did he do but blaze away in the direction of the noise. Rattling Rube felt the wind raised by the ball as it hissed past, within an inch of his face. He was a man who had never been known to take an insult, and this was deemed such in his way of lookingatit. Whipping out his revolver he returned the shot. He had seen the flash, and governed his aim accordingly. A low but hearty curse declared that his bul- let had found a as somewhere in the corpo- rosity of the sentinel, and satisfied with his work, Rube did not shoot again, but hastened down the mountain as rapidly as the circumstances permitted. The Kentucky Regulators, under the hunter’s orders, had pi hed their camp in a secluded he glen, where ir presence would not be even suspected until the person coming upon the lace, was almost on its borders. ttling ube knew just where to find them, and twenty minutes after making such a hasty exit from epamesninin ranch, he stalked into camp, rifle What he had to tell, created quite a commo- tion in the camp. Wildcat Turner turned as red as a turkey cock, full of importance at the thought that he had led the expedition that cleaned out these border vipers, for of course Rube would not care to claim any of the honor. Rube was troubled a little when he found that the major had not come in, but the very worst he attributed to his absence, was that the soldier had lost himself upon the mountain side. That Duke had in the literal meaning of the word, fallen into the hands of the horse-thieves, none of them suspected for an instant. Now that there was a good prospect of work before them, the Regulators proved themselves to be men of energy. Rube gave his orders cl a and concisely, and before three minutes had elapsed, the camp in the gulch was deserted, save by a prowling wolf or two that fought over the bones found beside the dying embers of the fire. Like a troop of dark phantoms the Regulators made their way up the canon, with Wildcat Turner at their head. Rube had gone on some little distance in advance, in order to play the of scout, for it would be such an easy thing run into an ambuscade. Nothing of this hap- pened, however; even the guard had been called in, and their pomce was entirely undisputed. At length they saw the black outlines of the mountain ranch. Not a light showed itself. Nearer they went. The door stood open as when the hunter had seen it. Even with the windows, no attempt seemed to have been made toward defense. “‘ Deserted!” ejaculated Wildcat Turner, with a “eS disgust in his voice. ‘Well, boys, we might as well turn back and go home, for once these rascals are on the wing, with our best horses, there’s no luck for us.” Rattling Rube smiled queerly. It was not his hey Si give up any cherished object, until it had m proved worthless. “« Forw to the ranch,” came his quick order. Another minute and the Regulators were upon the very t where Major pipers had come through the roof, only the d not know it. Several of the men stable lanterns with them, something like the one used by the three farmers who met Dare- Devil Dick while on their way through the forest. These were now of their surro view that met their eyes. ue there were the chair, table and 885 used by the horse-thieves, even the sadly thumbed ced, and a survey taken . It was not a very en- as to human beings, not a sign of one besides themselves could they see. ‘“‘T thought as much,” growled Turner; ‘‘ now, where have they gone?” and he turned to the hunter, who stood beside him. “Into yonder hole I reckon. Boys, your lanterns. Follow me; we'll clean out this nest of vipers now or never,” and as he spoke, Rat- tling ube sprung forward to the entrance of the sage. This a4 quite undefended. The outlaws had deemed themselves secure inst intrusion at all times, and had not gone to the trouble of throwing up fortifications, so now, in their time of need it seemed as though they would have cause to regret it. ‘*Curse the fellow; he means business. I’m afraid the boys are gone this time,” muttered one of the most zealous among the pursuers. But of Joel Whittlesey, more hereafter. Into the depths of the they plunged. Even Rube was beginning to believe that the outlaws had forsaken the place that had been their refuge so long. If not, why could they not see some signs of fortifications? It seemed easy enough at , but a little reflection would have served to show what a difficult job this would have been. The passage was clear of any loose rocks such as might have been used to make a ram True, small stones were abundant, but would not have proved oe oe ee Rattling Rube boldly k the lead, with Wildcat Turner and a lantern close behind him. In their rear came the rest, and before many seconds had gone by, these valiant Regulators were pH to see what a Western ranger could do, besides being considerably electri themselves, They had gone perhaps gay She into the passage, when upon turning a bend they came suddenly upon a blazing torch. A placard was pasted toa stick that stood upright from a cir- cle in the floor. Upon this was roughly printed the following: “ Come a step beyond this line, and “the whole of you will be blown to atoms. ** It is connected with a mine of gunpowder.” ‘Ror God’s sake let us get out!” ejaculated Wildcat Turner, catching hold of the hunter’s sleeve. : As for the men they were perfectly willing to go. Not so Rattling Rube. He heard low voices further on; this told him that the horse- thieves were still in the cavern. Common sense informed him that they would not be likely to blow themselves up merely for the sake of re- be . broke away from Turner, and rushed for- ward. Those whom he had left were horrified to see a Ge at flame of fire run along in advance of him. His passing the given point had in — eat a wey beh the io " y the li of the burning powder, the ~ ulators Conk see a small keg lying on its Reg: It was a keg of iay get aeg partly spilled. No human agency could stop the running fire. In just four seconds they would be blown to at- oms. As if they were petrified the Regulators stood, frozen to the spot. CHAPTER XV. A BATTLE TO THE DEATH. Four seconds, and then the old mountain would be shaken by a tremendous explosion. One fifteenth part of a minute, and their bodies would be blown into a thousand pieces. It was the most exciting period of their lives. The Re tors stood like so many statu: frozen with horror, and had it been possible for them to have saved their lives by a simple rais- ing of the hand, not one of them would have been able to do. it. And yet they were brave men, who, on ordinary occasions, could show an astonishing amount self-possession. They were simply paralyzed with the extreme horror of the situation. True, Rattling Rube was the exception. He had seen the running fire and the keg of powder, but did not come to a halt. There was not the slightest chance in his reaching the spot in less than double the time required for the flame to gain the keg. . There had been giv- ese The four seconds passed. en but little time for the men to think, but a drowning man has ideas like flashes of light- , and there is no telling what they ran over in their individual minds during the time that intervened before the explosion. The fire draws closer; it is within a foot of 9 deck of cards lay scattered upon the floor, but | the keg; now it has the powder that has been illed; the fearful instant has come; there is a flash of flame that blinds the Regulator’s ey ae outlying powder catches, and then—to ess. The Regulators do not know whether they are in the other world or not; their e doom has made such a deep impression upon their minds that they can hardly collect them- selves, What had heppenee? No one could have extinguished the fire, for it had reached the keg of powder, when all the force of the world could not have saved them. Wildcat Turner had actually turned purple in the face when this horrible fate pn. threat- ri them, but he was the first to recover his wi ‘Forward witb the lights!” he roared. The men followed close behind him with their lanterns. A dozenlong strides sufficed to bring them to the spot where the object of their late terror stood. Wildcat Turner stooped over the keg and looked at the powder. Then he gave it a contemptuous kick. “Black sand!” he exclaimed, in derision. The puzzle looks so simple after it has been explained. So the envious courtiers thought when Columbus returned from his eventful voy: Now that the mystery was solved, it would have been hard to have found a man among the Regulators who had not suspected the truth from the first. To be candid, however, there was one of them who was well aware of the fact that his last mo- ment on this footstool had not yet arrived, and this individual was Joel Whittlesey. The Regulators were allowed but little time for reflection. Sounds came to their ears very like those that would emanate from a fight be- tween men, whose worst passions were aroused. Following this the sharp detonation of deadly revolvers rung out, echoing along the long un- derground passage. “Forward! it is our friend!” shouted Wildcat Turner, as a yell such as only a wild western ranger could give birth to, pealed forth. Cowards are scarce articles among the Ken- tucky backwoods of to-day, even as they were at this period. Without any hesitation the Regulators rushed along. e sight that met their eyes upon rounding the next bend was one they would never forget. Rube was battling against five men. A sixth lay wpoe the rocky floor of the cavern, motion- less, for a ball from the hunter's revolver had passed my his brain. Raining ube was a perfect devil when aroused; I can call him nothing else. He would have thrown himself into the midst of an o = ce horse-thieves like a panther, such was his agil- ity in bigs, and avoiding them in re- turn. One foe already been di of while a second had crawled away with a ball somewhere in his body. Probably Rube would have been killed in the end, had there been no assistance at hand, for one man can hardly hold out successfully against seven, but at the rate he was going when the tors hove in sight, he was getting away with them peers: lively. : Wildcat Turner uttered a war-cry in so hoarse a tone that it resembled the croaking of a bull- frog more than anything else. In another in- stant the Kentucky y oe, oe were upon those whom they had hated so long, and yet who had managed to elude their utmost vigilance. It was a terrible struggle, but ey short. From the first it was evident that the horse- thieves wanted to make their escape, and leave the field to their foes. In this they were frus- trated by the valor and determination of the Vigilantes, and each outlaw, fiercely assaulted, was obliged to defend himself. While his face was toward his foes, there was alwaysa chance but if he turned his back it would be the si for the discharge of a death-dealing revolver or ora So they fought with a courage born of e fight being one-sided, was, as I have said, of brief duration. When three minutes had passed, two more outlaws lay upon the rocks with the life-blood oozing from terrible wounds. Two more miscreants were held prisoners be- tween some of the Regulators. Rattling Rube uttered a hearty curse. After all their work,
Page 10
10 Beadle’s HalfDime Library. the ee had escaped them; Dare-Devil Dick had vanished! ‘““Worward!” commanded the indomitable Rube, and away they went. ‘ CHAPTER XVI. BACKWOODS JUSTICE. WueEN Major Spencer looked down, and saw the hated form of the handsome horse-thief burst into the place, he knew that all was lost. Had he possessed either a rifle or a revolver, he | would not have hesitated a minute, but would | have sent its contents at his enemy. Havin nothing of the kind, he could only watch an wait. Dare-Devil Dick seemed to question the girls, from whom he could get no satisfactory replies, judging from his fury, Then his eyes fell upon the dangling rope, which he followed upward, but Duke was hidden from view by the dense shadows. What followed, occupied but a minute. The major realized that his friends the Regulators, led by ot Rube, had entered the cavern; that a fight had occurred, from which the chief alone came out alive. He heard Dare-Devil Dick relate how he had blocked the passage which obstruction would take half an hour o his enemies’ time to clear away. Long before this he expected to have left the cavern far be- hind him.- The two girls were to put on what wraps they had at once. His face was flushed with rage at being chased by the men whom he had professed to despise, and Madge knew it would not do to anger him further. She cast one appealing glance up at the spot where she knew her lover was, and then did as the horse-thief command- ed. Major Spencer saw them leave the place by meansof the door, He waited several minutes to make sure that it was not a design to lure him down, and then, assisted materially by the rope, he lowered himself into the cavern. As soon as he touched the rocky floor, he seiz- ed the light and darted into the passage. Turn- ing to the left, he hurried on. There was no possibility of his getting lost, for his route lay straight ahead of him. In a few minutes he came upon a natural cav- ern of tremendous proportions, which had been used as a stable by the thieves. Two horses were even then in it, a beautiful gray, and an equally fine coal-black stallion. That there had been three others, Duke easily discovered, and he knew that Dare-Devil Dick had ridden away with the girls. Should he immediately pursue, or get Rube’s assistance? Reflection soon told him that this was all he could do, for the night was dark, and he had no means of telling in what direction they had one. Before leaving the great cavern, Duke Rufted up the rear entrance, and going outside, found that it was reached by a narrow gully, which would prove a hard road for a stranger to travel on horseback, in the dark. Ten minutes later he was in the passage, ex- amining the obstruction the wily chief had thrown in the way of the furious Regulators. This consisted of a mass of rocks which had been so nicely balanced upon a huge shelf, that a single man’s strength when applied to the lever, served to detach the fearful weight, and thus firmly block the passage. 3 4 Voices could be heard on the other side of this impediment, together with the blows‘from some mibtrtiinetite wielded by sturdy arms. Ina short time an iron bar broke through, and then a large opening was made. Quickly the men crawled into view, foremost of whom Duke recognized his friend, the hunter. Rattling Rube was amazed when he rose to his full hight, to find himself face to face with the major. How came he in the horse-thieves’ den, unbound? It was a puzzle, but Duke soon explained it, and as they hurried toward the stable, Rube related what had befallen them since Spencer was a No sooner had Wildcat Turner set eyes upon the gray steed than he gave vent_to a shout of royal satisfaction. It was his Sachem, whom the thieves had so lately stolen. Coleburn was also in ecstasies over the recovery of his Black Roger. Rube soon announced it as his opinion that it was utterly impossible to make any move before morning, and tha therefore they might as well ti some sleep. Wildcat Turner declared that was some business on hand which would be all the better for receiving prompt attention. He gave some orders, and the two pris- oners were brought before him, their hands se- curely bound. couple of running loops were | ™m | ing to die like do | us laughing in made at the end of as many ropes, which, in their turn, were over stones which pro- jected from the wall of the t cavern about wenty feet from the ground, in a charmingly convenient manner. “Now, you scoundrels, what have you to say?” thundered the colonel, shaking his fist under their noses. Big Mouth began whining like a hihi cur. As for Blue Bob he was defiant to the last, and with a recklessness that savored strongly of madness, he spat in the fiery face of the little an. “Up with them,” roared he, in a rage. “One minute,” said Blue Bob; “we ain’t go- , and have one just as bad as is sleeve. Turner, that’s the man what’s done more to harm you than all of the rest of us put together. J c.ve him a grudge, but I’m telling God’s honest truth now. Hie kept the captain cic Pe Ie about your sta- bles. Proof is it? k back; has Joel Whit- tlesey ever lost a horse? Now, do your worst; I defy ye.” “Seize that man,” roared Turner; ‘I have long had my suspicions about him. Now there'll be one farm in Kentucky without an owner, if there is any virtue in ropes.” Joel Whittlesey tried to declare his innocence, but his tongue seemed to cling to the roof of his mouth. There was not a man among those stern farmers, but fully believed the scoundrel guilty, and not a voice was raised in opposition to these orders. Willing hands placed the farmer-spy beside the two rascals, and at a signal from er, the three were lifted from their feet. The ma- jor turned his head away, unwilling to witness the hanging, although it would not have been the first he, as a soldier, had seen. They spent what was left of the night in the cavern where Madge and Kitty had lived for so long a time. Rattling Rube heard all that his companion had to say about the girls, with great interest. but did not t how his companion started every time Ki we name was mentioned. During the fight with the hunter, one man had limped away badly wounded, as the reader will perhaps remember. Major Spencer came uper him early in the morning, lying in a lit- e recess of the main passage, It was Tom Crawley. When the Regulators saw the man whom 90 6 had buried in the great forest several days back, and who had been counted on as dead, ey expressed a unanimous desire for his im- mediate execution. The poor wretch could of- fer no resistance, and probably he would have swung in the same manner as did his comrades, but for Duke. He had stepped into the place where the horse- thieves had left him in durance vile, just for curiosity, and had found a piece of paper that Crawley had pushed under the door, just after e had e his escape from the prison cell. t was a queer piece of writing, being inscribed with a lead-pencil on the back of an old en- velope. This is the way it read: ‘“To Mager Spencer: You saved my life the other day, and Tom Crawley, ruff man az he is, ain’t the won to furget it nether. About the middle ov the nite, you will hear a scratch- ing noise at the dor. It willbe me. Tom will get you out of this, and don’t you furget it nether. Tom CRAWLEY.” It was lucky for the man that he had let his gratitude get the better of his rough nature, for it was certainly the means of saving his life. Major Spencer declared that as he discover- ed the horse-thief, he claimed him, and none could dispute it. “Tom Crawley, go free, and lead a better life,” he said. The man was visibly affected at Duke’s noble action. ** Major,” said he earnestly, ‘‘ from this day, I shall lead an honest life. You may laugh, butI have too much honor to betray the captain I swore allegiance to. Although I can’t you where he is, I wish you all success, and T know with that bloodhound” (pointing ‘to Rattling Rube who smiled at the compliment) “to follow the trail, Dare-Devil Dick will never get away. Good-by, boys; you won’t be troubled with me again; after this Kentucky ain’t the safest place in the world for Tom Crawley,” saying which the horse-thief vanished from , hor was he ever seen again by them. nagar Rigi: hens tag pop omega 3 as his youn, companion, as soon as it was t enough to see their way, the two rode down the gully. The tors were to follow on foot, for, stirred up by the recent fight, Wildcat Tur- ner was resolved to be in at the death. CHAPTER XVII. ON THE TRAIL. Bot Rattling Rube and Duke Spencer were anxious to overtake those whom they pursued. The former bore the prince of horse-thieves a deadly hatred, and besides this, what Dare- Devil Dick had said when the rifle of the hunter was bearing full upon him, had stirred up the stream of memory, as one would take a stick and agitate the waters of some quiet pond. On the other side, Major Spencer’s sole idea was to save his darling from the hands of his —— There was comfort to him in the knowledge that no harm would befall her save that of being wholly separated from her friends by this strange whim of the outlaw’s. Where they were going neither of them had the slight- est idea, but they would pursue to the end. The gully continued for perhaps two hundred ards. Then it debouched into a wide canon. own this the two hunters thundered as thesun began to peep above the ragged outline that in- dicated the Eastern horizon. This seemed to make a gradual descent, and in an hour’s time they struck the low lands. Dare-Devil Dick had kept along the foot of the mountains, as if he had a purpose in view. Perhaps he desired to avoid attracting the at- tention of any roving backwoodsman who might happen to be traveling across the low country, and to whose generosity and manliness Madge could appeal for aid. She would not have been compelled to cry for assistance twice to a Kentuckian. Again there was another view of the case, which they were inclined to believe was the truth, as the day advanced. Without a doubt, the horse-thief was aiming for some place where he had friends, and from the aspect of the coun- try it seemed very probable that he would find these among the mountains. The trail was very easy to find and keep, as the soil was moist, and gave deep impressions of the horses’ hoofs, They rode at a full gallop, oe a little in advance, with his head bent ow. Thus the morning passed away. At noon they came to where, as they had sus- ted it would, the trail led up into the moun- ins bee ‘*Probably we'll have to clean out another nest of vipers before we can rescue your little Madge,” said Ruke, as they toiled up the canon. His words came true, but he did not suspect when he spoke them, what a strange nest of vipers they were drawing near. ‘I wonder what that means?” said Rube, at length, halting and pointing just at his horse’s feet. ‘‘ I’ve noticed it several times down on the level land. What do you make it out to be?’ ‘The imprint of a man’s foot, although it’s so flat I couldn’t swear to it. I don’t see any heel- mark; looks more to me like an’ Indian moc- casin, but that’s absurd in Kentucky,” answered the major, actually getting off his horse and ex- amining the mark. “You've hit it exactly, major. A moccasin made it. Now the next point under discussion is, who wore the moccasin? Could one of the ening escaped and accompanied them on 00 ‘* Impossible; all were killed or captured that I knew of. Besides, not one of them would be likely to wear moccasins. Depend upon it, this was made by some roving hunter,” said Spencer, te ‘* He’s been following the trail then. Do you know that’s a queer-shaped footprint? I only remember one other like it in my life, and as Ive trailed hundreds in my time, I’ve looked on many a footprint. The one I speak of was Joe Burns’s. He’s dead now; you remember I told ou about him, One of my reasons-for coming was to visit his old home somewhere in Kentucky, but I lost the address, and had given up all thought of it when Imet you. Poor Joey! ose wolves have paid dearly for that scrape.” They rode along in silence. ; The mountains were extremely wild and rug- ged. Not a human soul who had respect for he law, lived within a radius of perhaps fifty miles. Such another place for the home of an outlaw could not be found anywhere. Rube and the major had no doubt but what they were going to such a place, and they had even gone as far as to discuss the question as to whether they had better wait for their friends to come up or assault the stronghold at once. The future would prove how useless it was for them to take s for granted, but at the time they were content to lay their plans. .
Page 11
Rattling Rube. — When the mountain-top was reached, it was almost sunset. Down in the valley ng left, the shadows were already steali ike so many ghosts, hurrying here, there and every- where as if detecting and closing every avenue through which the light maint force its way. True, on the other side where they now found themselves, it bade fair to remain light for an hour or more; Resolved to make the most of this time, they urged their horses forward, and went down the declivity at quite a rapid pace. At length the shadows began creeping around them; twilight, so gentle and soft in its shades, was now retreating before the rapid advance of night. Spencer thought it would be dangerous to go any further over this unknown ground, but Rattling Rube had caught a glimpse of an opening ahead, which he thought they could gain before darkness settled in. A few minutes later and it was reached. In the dusk of evening they found themselves looking upon the blackness that indicated a valley in the heart of the mountains. Outlined against the western sky, and also to the north, they could see the rough tops of the high hills that inclosed the place. Did their trail end here? Rube caught sight of a light away down in the valley, which shone like a beacon or a star. It came from a window; the valley was in- habived. CHAPTER XVIIL. BRIAN THE WOLF-HERDER. ‘“‘ WuHat, in the name of all that’s wonderful, is that?” The still silence of the night had been rudely disturbed. Even as our hunter-friends looked down toward that solitary light, and wondered what would attend their efforts, success or fail- ure, a terrible din arose in the valley. First a single howl sounded, clear and distinct; then a second joined in, and a third, and a fourth, until the two men actually gaped in amazement. Major Spencer’s question could hardly be heard above the racket. “Hang me if I know. I could have sworn that they were wolf voices; I’ve heard enough to know ’em, but that’s impossible. Them crit- ters ain’t in full chase of any thing, but cooped up, every time. Reckon it must be some hun- ter, with’a yard full of hounds, though I’d like to swear that there’s wolf-blood among ’em.” The clamor was now gradually dying away, and they could hear a man’s gruff tones shout- ing ae ee old yer noise, ye varmints! iet, now, or I'll take the hides off some of Roth ae panied by the sharp cracking of a whip, The hunters stood listening until silence came. Both were now convinced that it was an im- mense pack of dogs, although the wolf-hater would not give up his idea that there was wolf- blood among them, for his trained ear was ever ready to catch their detested notes. ‘‘ What shall we do?” asked the major, quite willing that his older and more experienced friend should take the lead. “Go down, of course, and do our work. First of all we want to hide our horses somewhere near here. We will reclaim them for i owners, if we live through the e,” said Ru Dismounting, they led their animals to one side and fastened them securely with their bridles, to some of the rocks. Then the descent began, The _ was not as rough as they had expected, and would probably have been much smoother had they been able to see where to place their feet. ; After perhaps twenty minutes of this sort of work, they reached what was, without doubt, the level of the little valley, hidden among the very wildest mountains of Kentucky. Soft grass could be felt underneath their feet and the low murmur of a running brook sounded from the unknown region to their right. They went ht forward. The gloom was even more intense down here than on the mountain side, and all they had for a guide, was the light which still flashed from the window. It was larger and brighter now, in consequence of their being much closer. As rf drew nearer, their caution became redoubled. All at once the light seemed to go out as i thought. Rattling Rube realized the ag te of gan a few ee when he ’ trying to save from # fall, banged up against: hi made of long pi with a board here and there nailed over some crack larger than ° It was this that had come between the light and themselves. His accident necessarily made a little noise. 11 The response was almost instantaneous. Even Rube started back in dismay as a prolonged howl rung out within a yard of him, followed by a chorus from half a hundred throats. The clamor so close to their ears was perfectly fearful. Duke put his hands to his head, but upon seeing spears of light show through the cracks in the high fence, he Magee followed eae Rube’s example, and springing for- ward, glued his eyes to one of the crevices. The inclosure was a yard, perhaps twenty yor square. A two-story house stood at the her end. From an open door, a gigantic man, heavily bearded, had suddenly come forth. In one hand he carried a lighted lamp, while the other held a long black-snake whip, which he cracked with a vicious snap as he spoke. The yard was a perfect mass of leaping, howl- | ing animals. There might have been fifty; there might have been two hundred; the major could not tell. At first he had taken it for granted that they were hunting-dogs, but he quickly re- alized his mistake. They were gaunt wolves. Astonishment kept both the hunters mute, and they watched the colossal figure that had ap- peared so suddenly upon the scene. “Quiet, ye varmints! Ye act asif the devil had got into ye. Thar will be no sleep for Brian to-night. As sure as I’m a living man [ll clean out half of ye to-morrow. ge I say.” His words, accompanied a fierce cracking of his whip, which the animals in all ag pears | knew only too well, served to stop the fearful racket, and absolute silence fell upon the scene. Then Brian, as the man had called himself, withdrew. “Thar,” said Rube in triumph,” I knew a wolf’s howl, Reckon if I was dying I’d rise up to have a crack at the varmints after nearly setting me crazy that time. Now, what do you make of this, major?” “T am beginning to understand it somewhat. them mention this man’s name. They said he was a noted wolf-hunter who lived somewhere among the wild mountains spending all of his time in hunting wolves, for the scalps of which he received a certain amount from head-quar- ters. The animals have been so bad the last few years that the authorities took this means of ridding the state of them.” “T see, I see,” said Rattling Rube, ‘‘ and this old coon found the trade so profitable that be has actually started a wolf farm. Now the ques- tion is, shall we find those we seek here?” “That can be easily answered; let us move forward toward the house. Keep away from the fence, or you will have the brutes in full cry again. I can hear them sniffing at the cracks,” and the major stepped ahead as he spoke. “My hand is itching to raise every one of their scalps and I'll do it too. When that neat | job is accomplished, poor Joe Burns my old comrade will be well avenged. Howl away, ye brutes; the time for your extermination is draw- ing near. How’s that, major? Are we drawing near the house?” ‘Hush! the window is just beyond us. They- *ve drawn a curtain over it. We will move along to the door. Have your gun ready, Rube. There may be some tough work stheeth: pered the major. Passing the window, from which the light had find a door. Nor were they mistaken in their . e door was there, sure enough. Rattling Rube now took the lead. Themajor expected to see him knock, but instead of thi he lifted the latch, and quietly a in. They entered a hall that was quite dark. A narrow strip of yellow light told of a door beyond, and to this Rube walked. Beyond it the low murmur of voices could be heard, and after listening half 1 minute they distinguished the voices of Dare-Devil Dick and Brian. the wolf-slayer. There was at least one other but they had never heard it before. a ‘Ready boy?’ asked Rube, his hand on the oor. “ Ready,” answered the major in a steady voice. “Then the curtain will go up.” rik, eum te, bests. iti open the door an in e room to himeelf face to face vith five men. CHAPTER XIX. Rarriivo RUBE was a little astonished a self. He _ expected per. him- to see two men in the room, three at the outside, but not five. Although = have been the case he did not for an instant lose the admirable presence of b . ; »” Whis- | | at a straw, an mind that, almost invariably marked his move- ments, ‘“ Rube Rand by the eternal!” < As Dare-Devil Dick uttered this exclamation, he sprung to his feet. He had been seated at a rough table, along with the rest, and from their attitudes, together with the magi d that were in plain view, if was easy to ju ge that the prince of horse-thieves, whom they looked up to asa man to be obeyed, had been regaling the others with an account of the disaster that had over- taken his band. As a general thing he was lightning on the trigger, but Rube got the ‘‘drop” on him, asa Texan would say. While the outlaw’s hand _ still rested on his pistol, he realized that the hunter’s rifle was bearing directly on his heart. “Stop!” said Rube, sternly. Not a hand moved in all that room. _ Just be- hind the hunter a second form had made its ap- | pearance, and major Spencer stood there, revol- ver in hand. : ‘‘What have you done with the girls, Dick Darke?” ‘“‘Pyve done nothing with them. Kitty chose to come with me, and Madge couldn’t be left alone. I suppose the game is up now, but if there was any show I'd fight you to the end. I doubt not but what you call this a fair thing, | twenty to five,” said the horse-thief in a savage tone. Major Spencer should have been wise bee y= to have kept silent, but the taunting tone of the outlaw made him speak before he realized what he was saying. 4 “You are mistaken; the odds are in your favor; it is two against five,” he said, quickly. “Then Turner and his wildcats are not on hand. Boys, do you hear that?’ cried Dare- Devil Dick turning to his friends. Clean sweep, my hearties. Leave the hun- ter tome. At ’em ye go and—” but the balance | of Brian’s words were drowned in the crack of When we were with the Regulators I heard | the hunter’s rifle. Fate seemed to have decided that. Rattlin Rube should not kill the brother of the gir. whom he loved, even though he did his level best to bring such an event to pass. Once be- fore had the horse-thief been in just such a situa- tion, and he had escaped the death that hovered over his head. Some sense of intuition must have told him when Rube, urged by the warlike movements of the fierce men opposed to him, was about to pull the trigger, for just at that very instant he made a quick leap to one side, The bullet buried itself harmlessly in the tim- bers composing the wall, and yet Dick had a very narrow escape of it, as the slit in his sleeve testified. One of his ruffianly-looking friends was not so fortunate. The crack of Major Spencer’s revolver sounded directly after the rifle-shot. A horrified shout of intense agony burst from the man at whose broad breast the weapon had been aimed. He fell back as though struck by a heavy club. One frantic grasp at the emp air for support, as a drowning man might clute d the fellow toppled over.. Death had come with terrible suddenness, and in all -sibeg yap his life was gone before he touched the floor. The others made nohalt. Common sense told | them that to do so was to waste the precious been entirely hidden, they went on, expecting to | seconds, and enable their enemies to keep their advantage. They were still two to one, Rattling Rube knew he would have no time to draw his six-shooter, so he instantly clubbed his rifle. The giant wolf-herder and Dare-Devil Dick assaulted him. é What occurred during the next minute would take five times as long to narrate. Brian was much larger than the hunter, and in a hand-to- hand conflict, his brute strength might have overcome Rube’s suppleness, but the latter had no intention of meeting the ruffian wolf-herder in that way. : Anxious to close with the hunter, Brian rush- ed forward. In his haste he forgot discretion. Down rushed the clubbed rifle with all the force Rube was capable of throwing into the blow. It took Brian square on the side of the head, and sent him over into a corner, where he lay like one dead, all huddled up and quite motion- less. The wonder was that his was not crushed, as nine out of ten would have gone in like an eggshell, Rattling Rube had now but one enemy to deal with, aad that his mortal foe, Dare-Devil Dick. The hunter saw the horse-thief across the room with a pistol in his hand, and felt for his own weapon. To his disma Fa ae sauped from his against the belt, probably when he stumbl fence; at any rate it was gone.
Page 12
12 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. He was actually defenseless, and Dick had his revolver ready. The two men who sprung to meet the major were savage-looking cases, whom he would have no more compunction in slaying than so many wolves. Always providing the fortune of war decided in his favor. By a quick movement he dodged the shot of one of them delivered at short range. As he sprung aside, the major managed to | ull back the hammer of his revolver. When e weapon spoke, one of his foes staggered up against the wall, all the fight taken completely | d hole in his breast | out of him, for he had a rag through which his life-blo every heart-throb. Before the major could make use of his weapon again, the other fellow had sprung forward and closed with him. Locked in each other’s arms, they were so evenl was spurting with matched in | strength, that had they been alone the two | might have struggled on for hours, until ex- haustion overtook one or both of them. Rattling Rube’s chances of escaping a shot were very slim. He must either leap at Dare- Devil Dick, or else try to pick up a heavy re- volver that lay close to his feet. He chose to attempt the latter. As he stooped over, the horse-thief took a dead aim. It looked as though Rube had but one chance in a hundred, but they had not calculated on a new actor making his appearance upon the scene. Dare-Devil Dick’s back was toward the large window, over which the curtain had been pulled. Even as he raised his revolver there was a tre- mendous crash, as a large body bounded through this, breaking both glass and curtain. The horse-thief turned to find himself face to face with the wild man of the mountains! Fire Wolf, in all his hideousness, stood before him, a a ee 8 burning torch in one hand, and the nife red with the blood of former victims in the other. For once the daring chief was frozen literally Pleo horror, and could neither move hand nor oot. “At last!” yelled the horrible man-wolf, springing forward. A blow, swift and deadl as the bolt from heaven, and Dare-Devil Dic fell to the floor, stabbed through the heart. The prince had stolen his last horse. CHAPTER XX. FIRE WOLF’S LAST BLOW. ‘““My Gop! I am killed!” burst from the lips of the dashing outlaw. His left hand was pressed against his breast, and between the white fingers, oozed the crim- son tide of life. him at the most. His glaring eyes were fixed on the form of the wolf-man who seemed to be looking upon his work with satisfaction. With a last effort Dare-Devil Dick raised the arm that held the revolver. rible cries, the fearful creature sprung forward as if he realized his danger, and intended trying to distract the other’s aim. He was too late. The pistol sounded, sharp and clear. Dare- Devil Dick fell back dead, and the form that toppled over upon him, had no more life in it than was contained in the horse-thief’s body. Fire Wolf had lived to see the last of the band whom he seemed to hate so heartily, go under, and had then given up the ghost. Our friends now had their attention directed to another quarter. When the fearful form of the man-wolf made its appearance, Major Spen- cer and his antagonist had involuntarily let go each other. Now that the tragedy in that di- rection was over, the horse-thief saw a chance to escape, and ran from the room. Rattling Rube and the major followed in close pursuit. Whatever object the fellow had in view I can- not say. Perhaps he intended using the girls as a means of saving his life. At any rate instead of running out of the door, he darted up-stairs. Here a lantern swung in the hall. e man tried to force an entrance into the first room but failed, owing to the fact that the girls had locked the door. Into the next room he plunged, nearly wild with fear, and hotly pursued by the ranger. Thinking only of the danger behind, the fellow took a flying leap through the window, carry- ing sash and all with him. This might have saved him only for one unfortunate thing. It happened that he chose the wrong window. ube heard loud cries below. Then came a pistol-shot, followed by a terrible howling. The man’s shouts grew fainter. He had leaped into the den of wolves, and perished miserably. There was but a minute left | Giving one of his hor- | | the wolves he never knew. Another moment and Major Spencer had were in his arms. Rube spoke a few words to Kittie, whose first thought was her brother and before she could be prevented, the girl had run down stairs to where he lay. Kitty loved him in spite of his faults, nor did Rube think cA the less of her because of it. e took hold of the dead Fire Wolf and drew him away, after which he looked at him more closely. It was a man of immense build and without doubt crazy. With an ingenuity that could only originate in a madman’s brain, he had invented a head-covering in exact imitation of that of a gigantic wolf. This Rube removed, totally icious of the great surprise in store for him. He uttered a cry, and bent over the dead man. ‘““Great Heavens! what mystery is this! my chum, Joe Burns!” It was even so. Further scrutiny revealed evidences of Fire Wolf’s being that person, that were beyond dispute. : The great m ny was never solved by Rat- | i tling Rube. ow his chum had escaped from The only theory | that seemed plausible, was that Joe Burns had | gone crazy in the tree, and either fought his way through the savage creatures or remained in ‘his perch until they left. The bones Rube saw must have been those of an Indian. Per- haps he fell at the hands of the madman; this | could never be discovered. But this theory did not explain the presence of the crazed hunter in his native country, his hatred for Dare-Devil Dick, what injury that personage had done him, and why his crazy no- tions made him assume the guise of a wolf. These questions were a matter of speculation to Rattling Rube long after he had committed the body to the grave, but Fire Wolf’s secret was buried with him. It was about an hour after daybreak, when the Regulators came in sight. Rube had been at work for some time past, popping over the ravenous wolves. Seated in the upper room of the house he banged away at them until every one had bitten the dust. There were exactly sixty-three dead wolves. . As to the owner of the ranch, he was lying, bound hand and foot, in a corner of his own house. The Regulators had a little interview with the giant wolf-herder. When they left the ranch he was kindly suffered to remain behind, but in such a_ peculiar situation that he could not a ete the advantage his high sition sho have given him. Another Ken- tucky rope had been used, and Brian the wolf- herder was no more. Relieved of their untiring foe, Major Spencer and Madge hastened to join the latter’s r- dian, who was leading a rigorous search in | another part of the State, where he thought he had a clew. Thinking he might as well have it done with, now that he was in the East, Major Spencer pro- posed something to blushing Madge and urged the matter so strongly that when he went back to his border post he took a bride with him. So you see the uncle lost his birdie after all, although by fair means, Handsome Rube had long loved Kitty Dar- ling. It was her brother who had separated them, and the dashing hunter soon won her hand, as he had long before won her heart. Some of the Kentucky Regulators still live. Among them I might mention Wildcat Turner. His property was owned by Major Spencer, which accounted for his respect toward the sol- dier. At this late day Kentucky is sadly in need of such a gallant band of Regulators. THE END. The Sunnyside Library 1—Lalla Rookh. By Thomas Moore. 10c, 2—Don Juan. By Lord Byron....... 20c. 3—Paradise Lost. By Joln Milton. 10c. 4—The Lady of the Lake. By Sir Walter, SCO. z5- Se ansiee 10c. 5—Lucile. By Owen Meredith....... 10c. 6—Undine, or, Tuk Warer-Sprrit. From the German of Friederich De La Motte Pouquessss . swyvet els s act 10 cents, For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid, on receipt of twelve cents for single numbers, double numbers twenty-four cents. ADAMS, VICTOR & CO., Publishers, 98 William street, N. Y. THE NEW YORE Fireside Library. 1—Was She His Wife? By Mrs. Mary MeCd CLOWEU. «+ orci tea on. 10 cents. 2—Fleeing From Love. By Harriet Ir- VRE SL Ss a cep 0 eee US. 3—Did He Love Her? By Bartley T. Canipbelli or S20 G.. AS 10 cents. 4—A Strange Woman. By Rett Win- Woodaicu. sult ee lied 2.3 10 cents. 5—Nadia, the Russian Spy. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker... siee sd. 10 cents. 6—Two Girls’ Lives. By Mrs. Mary Reed CUPL WEI ap pri Sivas prelvached addivenrece 10 cents. 7-8—Lady Audley’s Secret. By Miss M. E. Braddon. ‘l’wo Numbers in one, 20ce. 9—The War of Hearts. By Corinne Gastiman. tor. a ee eee 10 cents. 10—Leighton Grange. By Miss M. E. BMWbonls 22a, & APA 10 cents. 11—The False Widow. By Mrs. Jennie Davis Barton sr A. . 10 cents. 12-13—Lost For Love. By Miss M. E. Braddon. (Double number)... . 20c. 14-15—Toilers of the Sea. By Victor Hugo. Two numbers in one. 20 cents. 16—The Octoroon. By Miss M. FE. Brad- UD: «0.2 dg. s'est apie 6-4 tee Se 10 cents. 17-18—Uncle Silas. By J. 8. Le Fanu. Two numbers in one........ 20 cents. 19-20—Dead-Sea Fruit. By Miss M. E. Braddon. Two numbers in one. 20c. 21-22—Little Kate Kirby. By IF. W. Robinson. Two numbers in one. 20c. 23—Sowing the Wind. By Mrs. Mary Reed: Growell sins ecw eth 10 cents. 24-25—Birds of Prey. By Miss M. E. ISTAGCODs 30.0 wads actin os EERO 20 cents. 26—That Boy of Norcott’s. By Charles VIRUGE ¢ Be -sldadtincare ade ockd co 10 cents. 2'7-28—Charlotte’s Inheritance. By Miss M. E. Braddon......... 20 cents- 29-—-A Girl’s Heart. By Rett Winwood 10c. 30-31—Red as a Rose is She. By Rhoda Broughton. Double number... . .20 ets. 382—The Lily of St. Erne. By Mrs. Orqwsgsxed Hae AO. TH 10 cents, 33—Strangely Wed. By Mrs. Jennie Davis: Barionss «ii 9sstieexan 10 cents. 34—The Gipsy Bride. By M. E. 0. WOR 1006 5:055 ne irtch okive eed 10 cents. 35—Annie Temple. By Rev. J. H. In- PER as tn. 9 010.00 fe anasdene & 10 cents 36—Without Mercy. By Bartley T. Campbell..... rae BY sic .---10 cents, 3'7—Black Eyes and Blue. By Corinne Ouslimawes- Heyes wees ee. oe + 100. 38—Brave Barbara. By Corinne Cush- Manis. foe. FRINLUE GO 10ce. 39—A Dangerous Woman. By Muir- garet Blount... .. 2.0.05 eee eee tenes 10c. 40—Ouida’s Love. By Henrietta E. De Conde... sees sree rere sess eee 10e. 41—Lost: A Wife. By Corinne Cush- pre eke gee cop ae es 10c. 42—Winning Ways. By Margaret BAGG HGF 8S Tdi. wo BEighe 10 cents. 43—A Woman’s Heart. By Mrs. M. V. MR ee 6 Se eich: ob ahs cient 10 cents. b on Facelpt Ge twelve contest cape name, does ble numbers twenty-four cents, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 WILLIAM Srreet, New YorK,
Page 13
“A Model Family Paper, and Most Charming of the Weeklies.” t UNRIVALLED AMONG POPULAR PAPERS In the good repute of its large corps of Contributors ; In the variety, scope and interest of its con-ents ; In the beauty of illustration, typography and order of its “‘ make up.” FIRST CLASS POPULAR WEEKLY, aiming at what is Best, Freshest anD Most Atrractive in Fiction, Romance and Novel—in Sketch, Story and Narrative—in Adventure on Sea and Land—in City Life Revelations—in History, Biography and Events—in Wit and Humor—in Poetry and Essay—in the Useful and Practical—in Answers to Correspondents, Topics of the - Times, Editorials, etc., etc., etc. ENTERTAINING, INSTRUCTIVE and AMUSING, It meets the tastes, wants and demands of old and young alike, and is the Congenial Companion, the Welcome Guest, at Firesides, im Houses, Shops and Offices IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNION! No paper now published in this country having a wider circulation, and none being received with so much favor by that class of people who are solicitous that what they read shall be both pure and good. The corps of regular contributors embraces the following Most Popular Living American Writers: ALBERT W. AIKEN, MARY GRACE HALPINE, HAP HAZARD, MRS. MARY REED CROWELL, EBEN E. REXFORD, EDWARD L. WHEELER, OLL COOMES, MATTIE DYER BRITTS, DR. WM. MASON TURNER, CORINNE CUSHMAN, C. D. CLARK, GARRY GAINES, JOSEPH E. BADGER, Jr., COL. DELLE SARA, CAPT. CHARLES HOWARD, MRS. JENNIE DAVIS BURTON, COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, A. W. BELLAW, CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKER, HENRI MONTCALM, MARO O. ROLFE, LUCILLE HOLLIS, T. C. HARBAUGH, MRS. ADDIE D. ROLLSTOX, CHARLES MORRIS, RETT WINWOOD, ROGER STARBUCK, erc., as well as the celebrated Wits and Humorists WASHINGTON WHITEHORN, JOE JOT, Jr., and BEAT TIME, and the sparkling essayists and pen-preachers THE PARSON’S DAUGHTER and EVE LAWLESS, all of whom cater exclusively for the SATURDAY JOURNAL, while in its department of ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS those who are conversant with such literature pronounce it the best and most interesting column of the day. Taken all in all the SaTurR- DAY JOURNAL is the _ Journal Par Excellence for the Lovers of a Wholesome Ponular Literature, and those seeking for what is best and most enjoyable in that line should become its readers. The Saturday Journal is Published Weekly at the Following Rates: For Biur Month 56 feseir i i... Si $1.00 Two Copies for One Year........... ore gear $5.00 For One Year........... oe eect eeceerreweweerees 3.00 Single Copies..........-+-++- eT oS ee ap 6 cents Supplied by all Newsdealers. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORE. {
Page 14
Speakers. BEADLE AND ADAMS have now on their lists the follow- ing highly desirable and attractive text-books, pre- pared expressly for schools, families, ete. Each volume contains 100 large oy So printed from clear, open type. comprising the Bee collection of Dialogues, Dramas an Recitations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1877—as far as now issued—embrace eighteen volumes, viz.: 1, American Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 2. National Speaker. 12. Exhibition Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. 13. School Speaker. 4. Comic Speaker. 14. Ludicrous Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. 15. Komikal Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker. 16. Youth’s Speaker. 7. Standard Speaker. 17. Eloquent aker. 8. Stump Speaker. 18. Hail Columbia Speaker. 9. Juvenile Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker. 20. Select Speaker. These books are Re with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete. They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some of the choicest oratory of the times. 75 to 100 Declamations and Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, embrace twenty books, viz.: Dialogues No. One. Dialogues No. Twelve. Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No. Thirteen. Dialogues No. Three. Dialogues No. Fourteen. Dialogues No. Four. Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Sixteen. Dialogues No. Stix. Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No. Highteen. Dialogues No. Eight. Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Nine, Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty one. ialogues No. Eleven. Ditlogues No. Twenty-two. 15 to % Dialogues and Dramas in each book. These volumes have been prepared with especial re- ference to their availability in all school-rooms. They are adapted to schools with or without the furniture of a stage, and introduce a range of characters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet offered to schools, at any price, contain so many available and useful dia- logues and dramas, serious and comic, A NEW BOOK OF POPULAR Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Amateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new and standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. BEADLE’S Dime HAND-BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE cover a wide range of subjects, and are especially adapted to their en They constitute at once the cheapest and most useful Works yet put into the market for popular circulation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Book of Etiquette. Book of Verses. Book of Dreams. . Hand Book of Games. BEADLE’s Dime HAND-BOOKS OF GAMES AND POPULAR HAND-BOooKS cover a variety of subjects, and are especi- ally adapted to their end. Base-Ball Player for 1877. Book of Croquet. Chess Instructor. Cricket and Football. Book of Games. Fortune-Teller. Lovers’ Casket. Ball-room Companion. Book of Beauty. Guide to Swimming. Yachting and Rowing. Riding and Driving. Book of Pedestrianism. Manual for Housewives. BEADLE’s Dime FAMILY SERIES aims to supply a class of text-books and manuals fitted for eve rson’s use— the old and the young, the learned and the unlearned, They are of conceded value. 1, Cook Book. 4. Family Physician. 2. Recipe Book. 5. Dressmaking and Millin- 3%. Housekeeper’s Guide, ery. Lives of Great Americans. Are presented complete and authentic bi pies of many of the men who have added luster to the Republic by their lives and deeds. The series embraces: L—Geo Washington. VII.—David Crockett. JI.—John Paul Jones. VIU.—Israel Putnam. lil.—Mad Anthony Wayne.| IX.—Kit Carson. IV.—Ethan Allen. X.—Tecumseh, V.—Marquis de Lafayette. | XI.—Abraham Lincoln. VI.—Daniel Boone. XIL.—Pontiac. These beautiful books are complete in one volume— one hundred large 12mo pages each, and sold by all newsdealers; or sent, st-paid, to any address, receipt of price—ten coms cash.” sf = SONG BOOKS. BEADLE’s Dime Sona Books, Nos. 1 to 33, containing the only popular collection of copyright songs to be found in the market. MISCELLANEOUS DIME BOOKS. Robinson Crusoe. Jim ©: J Pocket Joke Book. Paddy Whack Jobe Hook, The above publicat ons for sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of BEAD E ADAMS, 08 Wanteam Bro. Yee Bro by ~ DIME NOVELS. Incomparable in Merit. Unapproachable in Price, t Be very careful not to confound these books with those of other publishers, sold at the same price. The vast success of the Dime Novels called into existence “Ten Cent Novels,” which the public is sometimes de- ceived in buying as Dime Novels. The only Dime Novels are those published by BEADLE AND ADAMS, whose Cle right trade-mark and signet the word “Dime” Novel is. Ask always for BEADLE’s Dime Novels, and you will then get what you wish: The follo comprises a com- plete list as far as published. Numbers omitted are out of print. 2 The Privateer’s Cruise. { 246 The White Apache. 8 i. 249 The Squaw Sachem, 9 The Slave Sculptor. 250 The Border Renegade. 10 The Backwoods Bride. 252 The Prairie Scourge. 11 Prisoner La Vintresse. | 256 Antelope Abe. 14 The Emerald Necklace.) 253 The White Brave. 16 Uncle Ezekiel, 263 The Border Huntress. 17 Madge Wilde. 264 Mountain Kate. 22 The Maid of Esopus. 263 The Specter Riders. 23 Winifred Winthrop. 269 The Young Mustangers. 24 The Trail Hunters. 270 Black Panther. 25 The Peon Prince, 271 The Gray Hunter. 20 Put. Pomfret’s Ward. | 272 Single Hand. 81 Double Hero. 273 Little Thunderbolt. 32 Irona. 274 The Sea King. 33 Maum Guinea, 20c. | 276 Two-Handed Mat. 34 Ruth Margerie. 277 Abdiel, the Avenger. 35 East and West. 278 Boon, the Hunter. 36 Riflemen of the Miami. | 279 The Girl Captain. 38 The Wrong Man. 230 Border Vengeance. 39 The Land Claim. | 281 The Black Spy. 40 Union’s Daughter, 20c. | 282 Ruby Roland, 42 The King’s Man. | 233 The Lone Chief. 44 es Falkland. 46 Wreck of the Albion. 47 Tim Bumble’s Charge. 51 The Two Guards. 53 Hates and Loves. 54 Myrtle. 56 Ahmo’s Plot. 60 Jo Daviess’ Client. 234 The Young Spy. 236 The Masked ave 2, 287 Ethan Allen’s Rifles. 289 The Balloon Scouts. 292 Black John. 203 The Tonkawa Spy. 294 The Rival Rovers. 295 Arkansas Kit. 296 Death Trailer, | 297 Black Nick. 298 The Hussar Captain. | 299 Mossfoot, the Brave. 300 The Crested Serpent. | 301 Mustang Sam. 64 Rangers of Mowhawk. 65 The Wrecker’s Prize. 68 The Brigantine. 69 Black Hollow. | 802 Cuban Conspirators. 70 The Indian Queen, | 808 The Corsair Prince. 72 The Moose Hunter. 805 The Girl Scout. 73 The Silver Bugle. 74 Cruiser of Chesapeake. 77 Quindaro. 81 The Two Hunters. 84 The Seminole Chief. 85 The Fugitives. 806 Caribou Zip. Glass 308 Eye. 810 Foghorn Phil. 811 Sonora Ben. 312 Diek Darling. 313 The Red Brotherhood. 86 Red Plume. 814 Rival Lieutenants, 87 On the Deep. 315 Tiger Heart, Tracker. 88 Captain Molly. 816 Hurricane Bill. 90 Cast Away. 317 Tippy, the Texan. 91 The Lost Cache. 818 The ne Chief. 93 The Creole Sisters. 819 The Pearl Pirates. 820 The Child Spy. 98 Ruth Harland. Tossfire. 827 Ben Bramble. 828 The Brigand Captain. 329 Old Strategy. 104 Guilty or Not Guilty. 106 Simple Phil, 107 The Peddler Spy. 109 Kidna b 830 Gray Hair, the Chief. 110 The Hk den Home. 831 The Prairie Tews. 112 The Falcon Rover. 832 The Rival Hunters. 118 Rattlepate. 114 Ned nome gS 115 The Sons of Liberty. 116 Port_at Last. 117 The Mohegan Maiden. 118 The Water Waife. 119 The Five Companions. | 889 The Boy Chief. 121 Vailed Benefactress. 340 Tim, the Trailer. iB pacing wats | 3a Seta 23 The Missing e. 2 Stella, the Spy. 124 Sumter’s Scouts. 843 The White y 125 The Hunted Life, 844 The Indian King. 833 The Texan Scout. Sera e Mas esse: L 836 Mor, the Pirte 127 Bald Eagle. 845 The Long Trail. 128 The Gulch Miners. 346 Kirk, the Guide. im Old Honest Sei ape Ehaptom Teall onesty. e Guide. 133 Yankee Ep 849 The Mad Miner. 135 The Cherokee Chief. 850 Keen Eye, the Ranger. 137 The Traitor Spy. = 139 The Border Foes. 852 On the Trail. 142 The Sagamore of Saco, y- 147 Maid of the Mountain. | 854 Old Bald Head. 154 Rob Ruskin, 855 Red Knife, Chief. 159 Snowbird. 856 Sib Cone, ‘Trapper. 162 The Border Rivals. 857 The Bear Hunter. 165 The Unseen Hand. 853 Bashful Bill, Spy. 169 The White Canoe. 359 The White Chie? 176 The Trader Spy: i Cortina, the Scourge. 130 Giant Pete, the Patriot. 361 The Squaw Spy. 203 Masked Guide, 862 Scout of "76. 206 The @ Scalp. 863 Spanish Jack, asked Sp alo Trapper. 864 - 865 Kirke, the Senaendd. 207 The 212 Silver Spur. 213 Squatter Dick. 866 Dingle, the Outlaw. 214 The Forest Monster. 367 The Green er. 263 Montbars, the Scourge. 217 Mountain Gid. 3 mre ornpath, the Trailer. By Bre blue Cipper., | #4 Hout weather Jack. e Mountain. ack er, 24 an At 873 The Helpless Hand. 874 The Lake Rangers. 875 Alone on the Plains. 230 The Partisan Spy. 876 Phantom Horseman. 232 The © Queen, 377 Winona. 234 The Forest Specter. 878 Silent.Shot, the Slayer. 237 The Plymouth Scout. 379 The Phantom Ship. 239 Old Zip. 380 The Rider. 240 ek Ong: 881 The G ly-Hunters. aut yak Coa 882 The Mad . 883 The Specter pper. 43 The Black Princess. ' 884 The Red Coyote. 4 Keetsea. 385 The Hunchbaek. Beadle & Adams’ Standard Dime Publications. 386 The Black Wizard 401 The Ice Fiend 337 The Mad Horseman 402 The Red Prince 388 The Privateer’s Bride | 403 The First Trail 3389 The Jaguar Queen 404 Sheet-Anchor Tom, 390 Shadow Jack 405 old Avoirdupois 391 Eagle Plume 406 White Gladiator 392 The Ocean Outlaw 407 Blue Clipper 393 Red Slayer 408 Red Dan 394 The Phantom Foe 409 The Fire-Eater 395 The Biue Anchor 410 Blackhawk a4 The Red-Skin’s Pledge’! 411 The Lost Ship ‘ lack = The Quadroon Spy 42 B Arrow 398 The Black Rover 413 White Serpent 399 Red-Belt, the Tuscarora) Others in Press. 400 The Two Trails THE ILLUMINATED DIME POCKET NOVELS, Comprising the best works only of the most popular liv- ing writers in the field of American romance. Each issue a complete novel, with illuminated cover, rivaling in effect the popular chromo, 1 Hawkeye Harry ; 54 Arkansas Jack 2 Dead Shot | 55 Blackbeard 3 The Boy Miners The River Rifles 4 Blue Dick | Hunter Ham 5 Nat Wolfe Cloudwood 6 The White Tracker The Texas Hawks 7 The Outlaw’s Wife Merciless Mat 8 Mad Anthony’s Scouts The Tall Trapper | 9 Lightning Joe | The Luckless Trapper 1. The Island Pirate | The Florida Seou 56 57 53 59 60 61 63 li The Boy Ranger | 64 The Island Trapper 12 Bess, the Trapper | 65 Wolf-Cap 13 The French Spy 66 Rattling Dick 14 Long Shot | 67 Sharp-Eye 15 Gunmaker of the Border, 68 Lron-Hand 16 Red Hand 69 The Yellow Punter 17. Ben, the Tra r 70 The Phantom Rider 18 Wild Raven, Ranger 71 Delaware Tom 19 The Specter Chie 72 Silver Rifle 20 The B’ar-Killer 73 The Skeleton Scout 21 Wild Nat 74 Little Rifle 22 Indian Jo, the Guide % The Wood Witch 23 Old Kent, the Ranger 76 Old Ruff, the pyepaee % The One-kKyed Trapper | 77 The Scarlet Shoulders 25 Godbold, the Spy 73 The Border Rifleman 26 The Black Ship 79 Outlaw Jack 27 Single Eye 80 Tiger Tail, the Seminole 28 Indian Jim 81 Death Dealer 29 The Scout 8&2 Kenton, the Ranger 30 Eagle Eye 83 The Specter Horseman 81 The Mystic Canoe 84 The Three Trappers 8 The Golden Harpoon 8 Kaleolah 83 The Scalp King 86 The Hunter Hercules 34 Old Lute 87 Phil Hunter 35 Rainbolt, the Ranger 88 The Indian Scout 36 The Boy Pioneer 89 The Girl Avenger 37 Carson, the Guide 90 The Red Hermitess 38 The Heart-Eater 91 Star-Face, the Slayer 89 Wetzel, the Scout 92 The Antelope Boy 40 The Huge Hunter 93 The Phantom Hunte. 41 Wild Nat, the Trapper | 94 Tom Pintle, the Pilot 42 Lynx-ca | 95 The Red Wizard 43 The White Outlaw 9 The Rival Trappers 44 The Dog Trailer 97 The Squaw Spy 45 The Elk ming, 98 Dusky Dick 46 Adrian, the Pilot 99 Colonel Crockett 47 The Man-hunter 00 Old Bear Paw 48 The Phantom Tracker | 101 Redlaw 49 Moccasin Bill 02 Wild Rube 50 The Wolf Queen 103 The Indian Hunters = Tom Hawk, the Trailer | 104 Scarred e The Mad Chief Others in Press, 53 The Black Wolf THE FIRESIDE LIBRARY. 1 Was SHE His Wire? Mrs. Mary R.Crowell,. . . 10c 2 FLEEING FROM Love. By Harriet Irving,. . . . 10c 8 Dip He Love HER? Bartley T.Campbell,. . .. 10c 4 ASTRANGE WomMAN. By Rett Winwood, .... 100 5 NADIA, THE RussIAN Spy. F. Whittaker, . . .. 10¢ 6 Two Grrts’ Lives. Mrs, Mary R. Crowell, . .. 10¢ 7-8 LaDy AUDLEY’s SECRET. Miss M. E. Braddon, . 2c 9 THe Wark OF Hearts. Corinne Cushman;’,... ... 10c 10 LEIGHTON GRANGE. Miss M. E. Braddon, . .. . 10c ll Tak FALSE Widow. Mrs. J.D.Burton,. . .. . 10c 12-13 Lost For Love. Miss M.E. Braddon, . .. . 2c 14-15 TomLeRS OF THE SHA. By Victor Hugo,. . . . 2c 16 THe OcToROON. By Miss M. E. Braddon, . . . . 10¢ 17-18 UnctE Simuas. By J.S.LeFanu,....... 2X 19-20 DeEAD-SEA Fruit. Miss M.E.Braddon,. . . . 0c 21-22 LitrLe Kate Kirsy. F. W. Robinson,. . . .) 2c 23 SowING THE WIND. Mrs. Mary R. Crowell, . . . 10c 24-25 Birps of Prey. Miss M.B. Braddon, .... . We 26 THat Boy or Norcort’s. Charles Lever,. . . . 27-28 CHARLOTTE’s INHERITANCE. Miss M.E. Braddon, 20c 29 A Grew’s Heart. By Rett Winwood, .... . 10c 30-31 Rep as A Rost 1s SHe. Rhoda Broughton, . . 2c 32 Tux Liwy or St. Erne. By Mrs. Crow, . . » «++ 10c 383 STRANGELY WED. By Mrs. J.D. Burton, . . .- . 10c 34 THE Gipsy BripE. By M. E.O.Malen, ...-. . I0¢ 85 ANNIE TEMPLE. By Rev. J. H.Ingraham,. .. . 10¢ 36 Wirnout Mercy. By,Bartley T. Campbell,. . . 10¢ 37 BLack Eyes AND BLUR. ByCorinneCushman,. . 10¢ 88 Brave BARBARA. By Corinne Cushman,. . . . 100 39. A DANGEROUS WoMAN, “By Margaret Blount, .°; 10e 40 Ourpa’s Love. By Henrietta E.De Conde, . . . 10c 41 Lost: A Wire. By Corinne Cushman,. . : . . 10¢ 42 Winninc Ways. By Margaret Blount,. ... . 160 43 A WoMAN’S HEART. By Mrs.M.V.Victor,.°. . . 10¢ READLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. — — _-
Page 15
32 Large Three-Column Pages, KIT CARSON, JR.—No. 3. 1.A Hard Crowd: or, GENTLEMAN Sam’s Sister. By Philip 8. Warne, author of “ Tiger Dick,”’ ete. 2. The Dare-Devil: or, THe WincED Wircn or THE SEA. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 8. Kit Carson, Jr., THz CrAcK SHOT OF THE West. By Buckskin Sam. 4, The Kidnapper: or, THE GREAT SHANGHAI OF THE NORTHWEST. By Philip S. Warne. 5, The Fire-Fiends: or, HeRcuLEs, THE Hunycupack.. By A. P. Morris. 6. Wildcat Bob, Tue Boss Bruiser: or, Tot BorDER BLoopHouNps. By Edward L. Whee- ler, author of ‘‘ Deadwood Dick,” “* Double Daggers.” 7. Death-Notch, THE DresTROYER: OR, Tue Sprrtr Lake AVENGERS. By Oll Coomes. 8. The Headless Horseman, A strange story of Texas. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 9. Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 10. Vidocq, THe Frencu Po.Lice Spy. Written by himself. 11. Midshipman Easy. ryat. 12. The Death-Shot: or, TRACKED TO Drate. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 13. Pathaway: or, Nick WHIFFLES, THE OLp TRAPPER OF THE NorTHWwEST. By Dr. J. H. Rob- inson, By Capt. Mar- HANDY ANDYy.—No, 9. BEADLE’ IBRARY. Each Number Complete, a 10 cts, 14, Thayendaneges; THE Scourcs ; or, THE WAR-EKAGLE OF THE Monawks. By Ned Bunt- line, author of ‘‘ The White Wizard.” 15. The Tiger-Slayer: or, Eactr- Heap To THE Rescur. By Gustave Aimard, author of ‘‘ Red Cedar,” ‘The Bandit at Bay,” etc. 16. The White Wizard: or, THE GREAT PROPHET OF THE SEMINOLES. By Ned Buntiline, au- thor of ‘“ Thayendanegea,”’ etc. 17. Nightshade, THe Rosser PRINCE oF HounsLow Hratsa. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 18. The Sea Bandit: or, THE QUEEN oF THE IsLE. By Ned Buntline, author of ‘‘ Thayen- danegea,”’ ‘‘ The Red Warrior,” etc. 19. Red Cedar, THE Pram OvuTLAWw. By Gustave Aimard, author of “The Tiger-Slayer,” ‘* Trapper’s Daughter,” “‘ Prairie Flower,” etc. 20. The Bandit at Bay: or, Tue Pr- RATES OF THE PRAIRIES. By Gustave Aimard- au- thor of ‘* The Tiger-Slayer,” ‘‘ Red Cedar,” ete, 21. The Trapper’s Daughter: or, THE OvTLAw’s Fare. By Gustave Aimard, MIDSHIPMAN EASY.—NO, 11. 31. The New York Sharp 7? on, THE Fase or LiguTxinc. By Albert W. Aiken, 32. B’hoys of Yale; or, THe Scrapers oF A Harp Set or Cotuecrans, By John D. Vose. 33. Overland Kit. By Albert W. Aiken. 34. Rocky Mountain Rob. bert W. Aiken. 35. Kentuck, the Sport. W. Aiken. 36. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 37. Hirl, the Hunchback; or, THE SWORDMAKER OF THE SANTEE. By Dr. J. H, Robinson. 38. Velvet Hand; or, THE [Ron Grip oF Ingun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 39. The Russian Spy: or, THE BKotH- ERS OF THE STARRY Cross. By Frederick Whittaker. 40. The Lon Tue TARTARS OF THE By Al- By Albert Haired ‘Pards;’ or, “s. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 41. Gold Dan: or, THe WHITE SAVAGE OF THE GREAT SALT Lake. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready May 29th. A new issue every week. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN,—No. 8. 22. Whitelaw: or, NATtie or THE LAKE SHORE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson, author of “ Patha- way,” “ Nightshade,” etc. 23. The Red Warrior: or, STELLA DELoRME’s CoMANCHE Lover. By Ned Buntline, au- thor of ‘* Thayendanegea,”’ ‘‘ White Wizard,’ ete. 24, Prairie Flower. By Gustave Ai- mard, author of “ Tiger-Slayer,” ‘‘ Bandit at Bay,” “Trapper’s Daughter,” ete. 25. The Gold-Guide: or, Streit Arm, THE REGULATOR. By Francis Johnson, author of “The Death-Track,”’ ete. 26. The Death-Track: or, THE Ourt- LAWS OF THE Mountain. By Francis Johnson, au- thor of ‘‘ Gold-Guide,”’ ete, 27. The Spotter-Detective : or, THE Greats of New Yor. By Albert W. Aiken. 28. Three-Fingered Jack, Tur Roap- AGENT OF THE Rockies; or, THe Boy Miner or Harp Luck. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. # ay Tiger Hck, RE i Faro Kina; or, HE CASHIER’s CRIME. i Warne of “A Hard Crowd,” ear of. rar 30. Gospel George; or, Frery FRED, Tas OvTLaw. By Tooene Te Bad Jr., author of “Three-Fingered Jack,” “Old Bull's Eye,” ete.
Page 16
Contents of No. 1. Whoa, Emma (ew version), Ten minutes too late, Miss Gruber’s boarding house, See that my grave’s Rope green, The man in the moor is looking, ove, “-'Twixt two stools a man goes to the ground,” Let the girls alone, They all do it, My pretty red rose, Rose of Killarney, Johnny, you’ve been a bad boy, Whoa, Emma (original version), Angel Gabriel, Come, gang awa’ wi’ me, The railroad engineer’s song, Molly Bawn, Cheer, boys, cheer, I knew that I was dreaming, Auld lang syne, “ Clicqhot,’ Landlord, fill your flowing bowl, Ag time coming, The stantingale’s trill, Co-ca-che-lunk, Poor Jack, ee, Under the willow she’s sleeping, They borrow, but never return, Sweet by and by, Land of my birth. way, can’t I have a beau? Rol 7 Beadle’s Half-Dime Singer’s Library. mr FIFTY OR MORE SONGS IN EACH ISSUE. Sing, birdie, sing, The tempest, Call me when breakfast is ready, Jim, the carter lad, The drunkard’s raggit wean! Twinkling stars, The Marseilles hymn, Put me in eo little bed, The old English squire, Lord Lovel, Billy Larkin. Contents of No. 2. Captain Cuff, You make me laugh, When the pigs begin to fly, My vife is so awfully thin, Babylon is fallen, The fields of home, Dandy Pat. Beautiful Rose, A cushla gal mochree, Robinson Crusoe, One by one they crossed the river, The march of the Cameron men, John Chinaman, Bitter beer, The style in which it’s done, Constantinople, The five cent shave, Jimmy’s wooing, Gentle Jennie Gray, I’m looking at you now, I know when I’ve enough, Within a mile of Edinboro’, Rockaby, Lullaby, The cork leg, The soldier’s tear, I’m lonely since my mother died, Pull down the blind {t’s nice, Mine host! hither! I’ll be watching for you at the wihdow, My brudder gum mine host! come What were all the world without Goa bless the little church around The kin high e king’s highway, Captain Jinks, The O’s and the Mc’s, A motto for every man, Her bright smile haunts me still, I’m a b’hoy, Little waxed mustache, The steam arm, Single blessedness a fib, uit dat ticklin’ me he sparkling solitaire, May the best man win, Beside the sweet Shannon. Contents of No 3. The Gainsboro’ hat, Hildebrandt Montrose, Mary McGinnis I do feel so awfully loose, Is there any such place? Cackle, cackle, cackle, Bold Robin Hood, He isn’t as rich as he used to be, Bryan O’Lynn, He was such a nice young man, Human nature. the corner, Only a flower there, The low back’d car, It’s naughty, but it’s nice, I love my native land, The Campbells are comin’, I’m in it The Yankee boy, Mary Avourneen, The fighting dog, Red,. white and blue, When the flowers fall asleep, Wake! Dinah, wake! The brave old oak, Yankee ship, and a Yankee crew, Camptown races, Why have my loved ones gone? A national song, one blarney, apa says I may, Sprig of shillelah, Shall we know each other there? Good-by, John, Old folks at home, Father will settle the bill, Whisper it softly, Hail to the chief, Little maid of Arcadee, Pop goes the weasel “Our boys, ” ne i yey gun at sea, own the shadowed lane she goes Lather and shave, * Good-by, Charlie, Good-by till I see you again, The other side of Jordan, Mollie Brady, s Par excellence, Few days, Row, row, In her “little bed” we laid her. Iam waiting, Essie dear, You never miss the water till the well runs dry, “TI cannot sing the old songs,” Whisperings of love, The old oaken bucket which hung in the well, : at the bee ae wh e brake on when down the hill,” ea The rollicking old man, There are kisses waiting for me, sara eighing with m: 1, |The monks of old. mgt Home, sweet home | Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Hard times, Rory O’Moore, Auld Robin Gray, Old Rosin the Beau, The fine old paeen gentleman, The fine old Dutch gentleman, The fine old Irish gentleman, The spider and the fly, ape og violets, Rosa Lee, Aaa mowers, an pring, gentle s Over the left, —— “There’s nothing succeeds Mke success, The stylish servant girl, out! heave dat cotton, George Constantine McKeown, Billy Grimes. the rover, Juanita, The butcher boy, The merry widow, Sing! sing! sing! Never despair. Waiting for papa, a = aa light guard, erie coon, Gay and ha ; 6 pilot, e man’s boy, The hazel aot Norah, the pride of Kildare, The summer of love, Contents of No. 4, The vacant chair, Sweet vision of childhood, The runaway mare, Johnny Morgan Tom Bowling, ome again, Peter Gray, ~“ Fifth avenue George,” I muse on thee, hall we ever meet again? Mary of the wild moor, The king of trumps, Pull down your vest, ' You get more like your dad every | Song of the locomotive, Broadway promenade, Rhine vine Sharley, 4 day, Coaxing with a kiss, Little green vail, Who will care for mother now? | The cracksman’s chant, Lager beer song, Oh! 92 pretty blue-eyed witch, | The mocking bird, Heather Jock, Take it, Bob, Our army and navy of blue, Sparkling moselle, “Crooked whisky!” Dandy barber J oe, Looking back, French and English, Juliana Jones, Limburger sheese, Barbara Allan, Uncle Tom’s lament, Son of a gambolier, Up and be doing, The midnight bugle, The heathen Chinee, 1 Deadwood Dick, Tar Prince or THE Roap; or, THe Brack Rimwer or THE BLACK Hitts. By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, Tat TRAPPER OF THE ENCHANTED GrounD. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr., author of ‘ Pacific Pete,” etc. 3 Kansas King; or, Tae Rep Ricut Hanp. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; THz Youna WANDER- ING Jew. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Lire 1 tHe Nortuwest. By Edward §. Ellis. 4 The Flying Yankee; or, THz OcEAN Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Seth Jones; or, THE CAprives OF THE Frontier. By Edward §, Ellis. 9 The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen. Nat Todd; or, Tue Fare or THE 10 Sroux Captive. A Sequel to * Bill Biddon, Trapper.”’ By Edward §, Ellis. 1 1 The Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes or A Bowery Grau. By Albert W. Aiken, author of ‘‘ The Spotter Detective,” etc. 1 Gulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput, and a Voyage to Brobdingnag. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, author of “ Vagabond Joe,” ete. 1 4 Aladdin; or, THE WONDERFUL Lamp. 1 The Sea-Cat; or, Tae WITCH oF Darien. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker, Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) 17 Ralph Roy, The Boy Bucca- neer; or, THE FuGITIVE YACHT. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Captain Spike of the musketeers The roast beef of old — Massa’s in de cold groun The timid awkward | squad! Nancy Lee, Pink dominoes, The boulevard, The ocean burial, The Brooklyn fire, After toiling cometh rest, The miller of the dee, A starry night for a ramble, Sold by all newsdealers, five cents each; or sent, post-paid, to any address, on receipt of six cents per copy. Star-spangled banner, Nelly was a lady, The Irish regiment Ridin’ in a railroad keer, Darling old stick, Rob Ridley. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, N. Y BEADLE’S HALF-JIME LIBRARY. Every one of them ’** Live® Stories by *‘ Live®? Authors. a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME. ages. From the Arabian Nights. 19 The Phantom Spy; or, Tur Pmor 20 The Double Daggers; or, Drap- woop Dick’s DEFIANCE. By Edward L. 2 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. By Edward S. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, THz Boy Roxsryson Crusoz. By Col. Ri uan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Night: or, Taz Boy Diamond Dirk: or, Taz Mystery OF THE YELLOwsToNE. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, author of “‘ The Flying Yankee,’’ etc, DavueuterR. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. By Edward L. Wheeler 27 By Oll Coomes, ' Pistol: or. DeEaApwoop Dick IN Diseuise. By Edward L. Wheeler 29 The Dumb Page; or, Tue Docr’s taker, author of ‘‘The Wild-Horse Hunters,” etc. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, THE 30 RECKLESS fasten. By Harry St. George. 31 Praries, By Oll Coomes, or, Tae Grrt Drap-Suor. By Edward L. Wheeler, author of “ Deadwood Dick,” ete., etc. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE 1 be, Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- oF THE Prarrie. By Buffalo Bill. Wheeler, author of ‘‘ Deadwood Dick. Ellis, author of ‘* Seth Jones,”’ etc. Spy or "76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 2 5 The Boy Captain: or, THz Pimarr’s Antelope Abe, the Boy Guid Qe Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Daveuter.- By Capt. Frederick Whit- Keen-Knife, THE PRINCE OF THE 32 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian: Rep Prrates or THE CaRTBBEESs. By Samuel W. Pierce, author of ‘The Boy Detective,” etc., etc, Each number 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Wuirr.xs’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Wild Ivan, Tux Boy CLaupE Dovat; or, THE BROTHERHOOD or DraTH. Dead- wood Dick Romance No, 4. By Edward L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown; or, THz QUEEN oF THE ARENA. By Frank §. Finn. 3 7 The Hidden Lodge; or, Tux Litritz HUNTER OF THE ApIRONDACKS, By T. C. Harbaugh, author of “‘ Nick o’ the Night,” etc. 3 & Ned Wylde, Tue Boy Scour. By Texas Jack, 3 Death-Face, the Detective; or, word L. Wheeler. Lire AND Love In New Yorn. By Ed- 40 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American who wanted to see the world. By John J. Marshall. Al Lasso Jack, THE YounG MusTAno- ER. By Oll Coomes. 4 The Phantom Miner: or, Drap- woop Dick’s Bonanza. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 43 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. A Story of the Overland Trail. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Rattli Rube: or, Tse Nicur- 44. snencetaiaioces By Harry St. George. 4. 5 Old Avalanche, the Great An- nihilator: or, THE Giri Banprr. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready June 4th. 46 Glass Eye, the Great Shot ofthe West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Ready June 11th. A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt or six cents each, BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.