Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 55) (1878 08 13)
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THE UNKNOWN SCOUT: The Seiletet Piincaiissieuss BY BUFFALO BILL, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘KANSAS KING,” ‘ TIE PHANTOM Spy,” ETO,, ETO. CHAPTER I. THE BRANDED BROTHERHOOD. A Brivovac of outlaws! a wild-looking but picturesque camp-scene far out in the “land of the setting sun.’ A “prairie sea” upon every hand, here and there dotted with a timber-island, a cool and re- freshing covert from the heat of the plain. Miles and miles of land, unfurrowed by the plowshare, untilled by human hands, stretch away in boundless expanse as far as mortal vision can sweep. Winding its silvery length along, like a huge serpent crawling across the rolling prairies, is a clear and lazy river, its waters cold and inviting, coming from the icy fountains in the hills, and its hanks flower-bespangled and many- Lued, while here and there a motte, or growth cf timber, casts fantastic shadows across the coream., In the deep recesses and shady retreats of one of the larger of these mottes, which break ina monotonous expanse of level landscape, is the bivouac of bandits. The day is far spent, the sun is near its setting, and its last rays cause the tall trees to stretch their shadows far cut over the waving grass, which, under the in- fluence of a light wind, resembles the restless waves of the ocean, Into the encampment of outlaws I would have the reader accompany me, in imagination, ier there he will behold a scene never to be :2ct with amid the boundaries of civilization vaere Law holds its gripe upon the throat of ravine and murder. A wild and striking assemblage of horsemen, dismounted and gathered in groups, either pre- paring their evening meal around the blazing camp-fires, or else indifferent y lounging around, avaiting the completion of the culmary arrange- inonts, A strange set of human beings of many tongues and costumes, but with the buck-skin le sgings, flannel shirt, and slouch hat predomi- no .ing. ; Men outlawed from the homes of civilization; mon upon whose brows rests the curse of Cain, and who are branded, far and wide, as a broth erhood of bandits. Brave souls, many of them; dashing, daring and gallant fighters, but turning the gifts God has given them to prey upon the lives and for- tunes of their fellow-men. Amid that motley group may be seen the de- serter from the army of the United States, the lively Frenchman, the florid Englishman, the beer-loving German, the swarthy Spaniard, the half-breed, the full blooded Indian, and the American, ' All are a bold and reckless set, held in check by onze man, who, half-reclining before a bright fire, is watching the movements of his negro cook, #£.d ever and anon addressing some words to the tree or four of his comrades around him. The sun is sinking toward the horizon, where flsecy clouds await to cast their vails before the fu:e of the gorgeous luminary, that the curtains vi night may be drawn around the world; lin- gering pce of sunlight fall athwart the prai- ris, and, penetratin, ‘the deep recesses of the ‘‘¢imber island,” gild the silver-mounted accou- terments and arms of the bandit chief, at the sa:ne time casting a ruddy glow npon his dark, handsome, but cruel face—a face showing no sizn of joy at beauteous nature spread out upon every hand, and indifferent to the thought that his hfe hangs by a slender thread. Once that elegant but powerful form had been clad in the uniform of an honored cavalry offi- cor of his country’s service, and the dark and lustrous eyes had, amid the brilliant saloons of the distant cities, “ Looked love to eyes That spoke again.” But that was long agone, and Time had brought many changes, and branded his once proud name with infamy. Fully six feet in hight, and of a supple, grace- ful form, the chief of the Branded Brotherhood wasclad ina suit of buck-skin sb pe elaborately worked with beads, and fring seams, down the outer Instead of moccasins his feet were incased in | nies top cavalry boots, armed with huge spurs, and a blue silk shirt and Mexican jacket, pro- fusely adorned with silver buttons, completed his costume, tard po a gray slouch hat, with exceedingly broad brim, turned up on one side SS half-encircled by a black plume upon the other. The hands and face were burned as brown as the sun and sapere could make them; a heavy brown beard, of a like shade, with his long, curling hair, completely hid the lower features of his face; but his nose was straight and firm, his forehead broad and intellectual, and his eyes strangely fiery and savage in ex- pression, while within their inmost depths was an expression hard to fathom, for at times it looked like fear, again was expressive of sad- ness, and at others of hatred and mischief. His men knew him only as “The Chief,” and along the frontier he was called‘‘ Captain Hen- rico, the Bandit;” but what was his real name none knew, or from whence he came, only it was surmised that he had once been a distin- guished cavalry officer, who, having been dis- missed the service for a crime committed, had taken to the plains as a highway robber, until, in a few years he had organized the band of which he was chief, and which had spread terror far and wide along the border. The steed of the chief, a splendid-looking iron-gray mare, fed near by, and serving as a resting place for his arm was a Mexican saddle, with a belt containing two revolvers and a bowie-knife, which Captain Henrico kept near at hand. The persons immediately surrounding the chief consisted of the negro cook, a cunning- faced, wiry fellow, black as a coal, and who never, sleeping or waking, went without his re- volver and knife, which he kept in a large leath- er belt around his waist. It was said the negro, whom his master called Buttermilk—as a contrast to his color—knew more of the chief’s life than did any one else; but, if so, he was never known to betray that knowledge. Then there was an Indian scout, a powerful and evil-looking Sioux, who had be- trayed his own people and then sought refu in the outlaw band, and, thoroughly knowing the whole country, Captain Henrico found him an able ally. There were, also, two others, both white men; one a square-framed, brutal-faced man of forty- five, whom Henrico had made his second in com- mand, and the other a renegade trapper and hunter, who, having robbed his comrades, a few ears before, had sought the band for protec- ion. Turning to his officer, who was impatiently watching the rather lazy preparations of the negro, Buttermilk, Captain Henrico remurked in a voice strangely soft and pleasant for ‘one who led his wild life: ‘*T see no reason why the train should not fall easily into our hands, for they must cross the river at a point near here.” * Yes, chief; but if we wait for them to come up here the troop will have rejoined them, and now, you know, the Injun here says Captain La Clyde and his troopers are off on a scout and he train has only its own men to guard it,” re- turned the lieutenant, who hailed to the name of Red Burke, both on sccount of his red hair and beard and his bloody deeds, for at heart he was a perfect brute. “The chief’s right. You hear me talk, Red Burke, kase ef we waits for them fellers here well and good, for yer see, they’ll come onsuspecting like, right onto our trap; but ef we goes out on the prairie to fight ’em, then we'll get some hard knocks and no pay. ‘* You see Ise been in thar train, as I told the chief, and I knows what I’se talkin’ about,” and the pea squatted down on the ground near the chief, who replied: “You really went into their train, Long Dave?” “You bet! I just tole ’em I was a hunter as was going to the forts, and I tell you they has just got a ticklish lookin’ set of fellers to tackle. “They axed me "bout ‘you, chief, and ef I thought they’d run across you, and of course I tole ’em no, and they aia ef they did you’d have to git up early to catch them napping.” “How many fighting men are there, Long Dave?” ‘Some forty, or more, big boys included; and then there’s the twenty troopers under Captain La Clyde, who you might count on, for he just gues scouting around, you sec, and has taken a | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. Deadly-Eye, shine to one of the gals in the train, and he’s go- ing to be on hand when it comes to a row, you t. “Which way did the cavalry go when they — left the train last night?” ‘“That’s jist what I was going to find out when I see’d that devil of a fellow they called Deadly-Eye a-coming across the prairie and I jist lit out for these diggin’s, you bet, chief, ase I knows that fellow, and don’t want him near me.” ‘*You refer to the Unknown Scout?’ “Yes; the fellow is getting mighty bold of late.” ; ‘He is, indeed, and I would be willing to pay around sum to take him, for he has thwarted my plans more than once. Well, we'll lie in wait for the train here, and to-night, Long Dave, you and Black Wolf must start out and brin, me the exact-whereabouts of both the train an the troopers, for this rich harvest must not be lost for want of reaping. “Now let us have supper, Buttermilk, you lazy dog.” “You be lazy too if you have to cook tough ole buffalo bull a t’ousand year ole,” grumbled the negro, who always had a way of answering back when addressed, and which his master ap- red not to notice, but would severely punish in any one else. Just as night set in the chief and his three comrades fell to and were soon enjoying the really delicious meal which the culinary skill of Buttermilk had prepared. An hour or more passed away and the bandit camp was as silent as a ‘“‘city of the dead,” for the men had rolled themselves in their blankets and sought their rest, excepting the half a doz- en sentinels who had been set to keep watch and ward. Now and then the how] of a hungry wolf out on the prairie broke the stillness of the night, or the startled snort of a horse was heard. Then again all was quiet, until suddenly there rung forth the sharp crack of a rifle, followed by a loud death-shriek. ‘ Instantly every man in that camp was on his feet, exce ang one, and that one was a senti- nel who a ead where he had fallen beneath the aim of an unseen foe, ‘ In silence the band awaited, the chief at his ra and all ready to meet an expected attack; ut slowly *the minutes passed and no other sound was heard to prove an enemy near, and the prairie looked free of danger. But presently another sharp crack of a rifle rung out, a light flashed out upon the prairie, and momentarily a horseman was seen by its glare. Then a dozen voices cried out: ** Deadly-Eye!” ** The Unknown Scout!” Beneath his aim another bandit had bitten the dust. In an tones the robber chief cried: “Mount! and after him, men! A thousand dollars for his scalp!” There was mounting in hot haste and half a hundred horsemen swept out from the dark covert of the timber na spread over the star- lit prairie in pursuit of a small, dark object, dimly visible, flying swiftly from the human bloodhounds — his track, but so rapidly dis- tancing them by the remarkable speed of his horse that, ere long, in despair of ever captur~ ing the daring foe, one by one the bandits return- ed to camp to talk over, around the replenished camp-fires, the mystery that hung about the life of the Unknown Scout and wonder at his many marvelous escapes from death, ——— CHAPTER II, THE UNKNOWN MARKSMAN. Wuen the horseman, who had so daringly approached the bandits’ bivouac and laid two of their number dead beneath his aim, sped across the prairie with a score of horsemen at his heels, he had urged his horse to a speed which caused him to soon draw out of range of their rifles, for he was mounted upon a steed that had never found an equal on the plains. Having kept up his swift flight for a few niles, and observing that his pursuers had given up the chase, the horseman halted and dis- mounted to give his horse a short rest. His eye now caught a rosy eae the eastern horizon, and then, as though rising from the ocean, sailed upward the moon, launched forth upon her heavenly voyage. Intently watching the rising moon the horse- man suddenly started and bent his gaze more earnestly over the prairie, for across the bright rf
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—> Deadly Eye. face of the luminary he distinctly saw several dark objects glide. Yes, one, two, three, four horsemen—nay more, several more, like specters, glided by, going at a swift pace in a southerly direction. Instantly the horseman turned and tightened his saddle-girths, and then looked well to his weapons ere he prepared to mount. Standing as he did then by his horse, and in a clear moonlight, which fell full upon him, he was a striking-looking man, of perhaps twenty-seven years of age. His face was browned most thoroughly, but every feature was cast in a perfect mold, and each was indicative of stern resolve and con- scious power. The eyes were deer-like in size and expres- sion, and would have been the envy of any wo- man on account of their dark beauty, and the fascinating expression which dwelt in them— an expression that none could fathom. His forehead was broad and high, his nose slender and straight, and his mouth stern, determined, and perhaps with a look of daring thereon amounting to recklessness. An imperial, worn long, and a drooping mustache were all the beard he wore, and his brown, waving hair fell down his back nearly to his waist, giving him a still more effeminate look. His form was just six feet in his moccasins, yielding in every movement, and with broad, square shoulders, that indicated his great strength and agility. Upon his head he wore a re Mexican sombrero, exceedingly broad in brim, and sur- rounded by a scarlet crepe sash, with the ends hanging down behind, while his form was clad in a richly ornamented suit of buck-skin, con- sisting of hunting-shirt, leggings and moccasins. {f the rider deserves notice so also does the steed, a large, long-bodied, clean-limbed bay possessing every requisite for great speed and endurance, qualities he possessed to such an extent, that his master had named him after the sea-bird of tireless wing, only calling him Prairie Gull. The saddle and bridle were of Mexican pat- tern, and a long horse-hair lasso hung from the saddle-horn, upon either side of which were two holsters, with the butts of silver-mounted re- volvers protruding therefrom, while behind the seat was a tightly rolled serape or blanket, aleathern haversack and ammunition-pouch, and a bow and quiver of arrows, proving that the horseman did not put his whole trust in fire- arms, his knife and the speed of his steed. Having at length discovered the direction taken by the horsemen, whose presence near at hand the rising moon had betrayed, the horse- man sprung into his saddle; a word to his noble animal and he was off, skimming the prairie almost as does the sea-gull skim over the sea. A rapid gee of two miles and the tall trees of a motte ioomed up before him; a few moments more placed him beneath the dark shadows of the timber. Then, turning, he —— out over the moon- lit prairie. His eyes fell upon the dark forms of haif a dozen or more horsemen coming directly toward the motte. ‘*Well, I hold the vantage-ground thus far, and ’ll not yield it without a struggle, whoever they may be,” and the horseman pushed further into the dense thicket, where, dismounting, he spoke a word to his horse and the faithful ani- mal lay down, the better to conceal him from view. A few moments passed and presently the horsemen entered the motte and the murmur of voices was heard; then a bright light glared through the trees, ‘As I thought, they came here to camp for the night, and now Ill see who they are,” and the horseman arose and stealthily approached the spot where the new-comers soon had a bright fire blazing, around which he beheld a group of seven human beings, five of whom were Sioux warriors, in all their war-paint, and the other two were pale-faces, a man and a woman. Stealing still closer the horseman observed that the steeds had been staked, as if for the night, and the Indians were Preparing their Eee of buffalo-meat toasted on the coals, while the whites stood listlessly by, their hands bound behind them, and the expression of their faces proving them to be prisoners. “ They are certainly not residents on the bor- der. Ihave it; they belong to the wagon-train now ooming hither and which I must warn of the presence of the Branded Brotherhood in this neighborhood; but, indeed, that maiden is most beautiful,” and the horseman gazed intent- ly upon the fair prisoner, a young girl, of scarcely more than seventeen, with a truly lovely face, although saddened by her captivity. Her wealth of golden hair had become loos- ened from its confinement, and hung in wavy masses far down her back, concealing the rude bonds that held her hands behind her. She wore a straw sun-hat and was clad in a riding-habit of neat home-spun, but which was torn by the rough usage she had received at the hands of her savage captors, Her white companion was a man of perhaps twenty-five, his face bold and reckless, and with a fair amount of good looks, He was attired as a civilian, in a suit of dark, gray cloth, wore cavalry boots, and a dove- colored soft hat. The horseman took the whole scene carefully in, and then thought: ‘* Well, there are five against me; but what should I care for five Sioux braves? Those prisoners must be released and I’ll bide my time and do it; so here goes.”’ The spy quietly settled himself full length upon the ground, and with the patience of an Indian awaited until the supper had been dis- posed of and the Indians had prepared for the night’s rest, after having securely bound the captives to a tree. ne of the warriors then shouldered his rifle and moved off to act as sentinel, while his four comrades rolled themselves in their blankets and stretched out before the fire. The Indian sentinel first cautiously advanced toward the edge of the motte and took a care- ful survey of the moonlit prairie, after which he made a rapid circuit of the timber, his eyes keenly glancing far and near for lurking danger. Having oo panna satisfied even his cautious self that was quiet and safe, the Indian ap- ages oe the camp-fire once more, coming in a ine that would lead him directly upon the crouching horseman. Slowly he approached, wholly unconscious of danger until within a few feet of his foe, and sess his eyes fell upon the dark object in his path, But, ere he could draw back or utter a cry of alarm, the horseman was upon him, his iron grasp upon his throat. One, two rapid knife-thrusts, and the Indian sentinel was “Off duty forever.” But the almost noiseless ~~ had caught the quick ears of the yet e-awake Sioux around the camp-fire. In alarm they sprung to their feet, one to fall dead across the burning logs, a bullet in his brain, another to utter his dying war-whoop as a leaden messenger from the horseman’s repeating rifle pierced his heart. ounding from his covert with a wild, pro- lon and ringing war-whoop, One well known on the border, the horseman rushed upon the two remaining red-skins, but in dismay they had turned to flee, for their unseen foe had every advantage, and rapidly through the tim- ber they darted to seek safety. A long, shrill whistle then pierced the grove as the horseman sped after them; then another shot was heard, and a fourth warrior fell to the ground in death-agonies, while, brought to bay, the remaining red-skin turned to meet his enemy. Raising his rifle the savage fired hastily upon his rapidly advancing foe. But his aim was untrue, as a wild war-whoop from the pursuer at once assured him, and the next moment the two met face to face armed with their glittering knives, The Indian warrior, a man of herculean frame and strength, might have given the horse- man a desperate encounter, but, just as their knives clashed, there came a rapid clattering of hoofs, and from the dark timber dashed Prairie Gull, neighing loudly as he rushed to the side of his master Believing a host of horsemen upon him, the Sioux brave uttered a whoop of terror, and, ere the horseman could prevent, had away and disappeared in the thicket. “Old comrade, you have frightened that red- skin almost to death,” laughed the horseman, as his steed halted beside him, and then he con- tinued: “Let him go, poor devil, but sooner or later his time will come. Out of five scalps I have taken four, and those should suffice. Now to release the prisoners.” caging d retracing his way toward the camp- fire, the horseman soon stood in the presence of the - omgece saying in a pleasant voice: “Cheer up, my friends, for I have charge of this ranch now.” i 3 “‘Oh, sir, you aré very, very brave and noble, and you have saved us,” cried the maiden, seiz; ing both of the horseman’s hands, as soon as her own were released from their bonds. ‘*And 1 offer my thanks, sir, for I deemed it | all up with us,” said the maiden’s companion, and both of them gazed earnestly into the face of the splendid-looking man before them, who replied indifferently: ‘No thanks for performing one’s duty; but you are not safe yet, for there may be more red-skins about, so we'll get away from here at once. You are not too tired to stand a rapid ride, miss?” “Oh, no, sir, and it cannot be far to the wagon-train, for we only left it about an hour before sunset.” “On what trail were you, can I ask?” ‘“We were en route toward the head-waters of the Republican river, sir, on the trail from Fort Hays.” “Then your train is within twenty miles of here and doubtless encam upon the river for the night. If you will aid me, sir, we will take in the little lot of cattle the red-skins have willed us and decamp.” A few moments more and the horseman and his new-found companions were mounted and rapidly leaving the motte, carrying with them the ponies that had been ridden by the five In- dian warriors. It was with perfect trust that the maiden and her fellow captive yielded to the guidance of their brave companion, for he had informed them, in answer to a question of the young girl, that he was called Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, a name often heard by them around the nightly camp-fires, and con- nected with deeds of marvelous daring and mystery. CHAPTER III. A TRAITOR IN CAMP. Upon the banks of a small stream, and beneath the shelter of a few scattering prairie trees, a large wagon-train was encamped dur- ing the night on which the scenes related in the foregoing chapter transpired. There were fully half a hundred wagons, with their covers, once snow-white, but now stained brown with exposure and travel; while, staked out upon the prairie, were herds of horses and cattle, enjoying the rich verdure around them. The wagons were encamped in a crescent form, with either end resting upon the river bank. Within the space thus inclosed a score of bright camp-fires were shedding their ruddy ight far across the prairie. hrough the camp was a scene of busy life reparing the en meal being the principal uty in progress. There appeared to rest upon all a shade of sadness, for from their num two were missing, and around their camp-fires their absence was sorely felt, for, a few hours before, they had s forth for a gallop over the prairies, and a scout coming in meaeees that they had been captured by a d of Sioux Indians. But what could be done? Night was coming rapidly on; it was ee time, and until the morrow no move for their recovery could be made, for it was impossible to follow the trail of the Indians in the darkness. The wagon-train consisted of a dozen families, their teamsters and guides, moving from the boundaries of civilization to the prairies of the far West, there to build themselves new homes and new associations, afar from the haunts of their childhood, With one family particularly, among these daring pioneers, we will have to become friends, reader, for they will occupy no inferior place in this romance of life on the far frontier, In that family were five persons, consisting of Major Austin Courad, wife—a sad-faced matron of forty-five, a son of twenty-two, Gerald Conrad, and a ie ges of seventeen, the joyous and beautiful Sibyl. Then there were a niece of the major, and his ward, Ruth Whit- field, a. dashing, brilliant-looking brunette of twenty, who had once been belle in her native city until financial reverses had reduced her once proud parents to want, and cast her upon the bounty of her uncle. Major Conrad was an ex-army officer, who in early life had seen much service on the frontier but at length married his cousin and settled — to private life and the enjoyment of his riches, But reverses had at last befallen him and he was almost crushed beneath his sorrows and misfortunes, until his brave wife boeged that he would leave the scene of his troubles and find a new home far in the western country. New life seemed instilled into the major a
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4. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. the thought, and two months after found him | white, and his eyes lighted up with a malicious | like this one about to be forced upon us, andt en route for a home on the border, accompanied by his loving wife, noble children, and his niece. Joining a western moving train, they decided to accompany the emigrants, and the major upon account of his military experience an former knowledge of the country, was made the sepeeen of the expedition. Without serious mishap the train had wended its way for many weary miles, and then it came into a country where the brave pioneers felt that danger was upon every hand. But, undaunted, they pressed on, well-know- ing that if they could once get a foothold and establish a settlement, they would be able to bid defiance to all troublesome bands of Indians and the desperate band of Branded Brotherhood, who, rumor said, warred upon all settlers on the frontier. At length they met with their first serious mishap in the capture of Sibyl Conrad and Howard Talbot, a young man who had joined the train ere it departed from Kansas city, and who, by his genial manners and undisputed courage, had won the esteem of every one in the pioneer band. Sibyl and Howard Talbot had ridden forth to look up a good ree. oar for the night, they had declared as their intention, and a re- mr py) hunter had reported that they had been suddenly surrounded and captured by a band of Sioux warriors. The hunter had then concealed himself in a motte until the Indians had disappeared with their prisoners, and then coming rapidly to the train had brought the evil tidings that dealt a sad blow to all, for Sibyl was loved by all who knew her, and what might be her sad fate none ew. Slowly the hours of night passed away in the encampment on the stre and with the first oe of day in the east all were up and busy, or a band of twenty horsemen, led by Major Conrad and guided by the hunter, who had seen the capture of Sibyl and Howard Talbot, were preparing to start forth to the rescue. Suddenly a ery of alarm was heard, and the guards papontee a body of horsemen approach- ing, and through the dim morning light a small cavalcade was indistinctly visible. Nearer and nearer they approached, and as the daylight grew brighter the cry of alarm turned to one of joy, or the forms of Sibyl Conrad and Howard Talbot were recognized, ac- companied by one other, a tall, splendid-looking horseman, followed by a number of led ani- mals, nave’ the ery of the guards was taken up, and then through the entire nie re- sounded the notes of joy, until, as the party rode up, a ringing welcome awaited them, and their friends gathered around in delight at their return. Instantly Sibyl was folded in the arms of her loving parents, and warm grasps met the hand of Howard Talbot, who, in a few words, made known their brave rescue at the hands of the Unknown Scout. “The Unknown Scout! You are then the man that is called Deadly-Eye, on account of his wonderful marksmanship, and whose t life none on the border know?” said Major Con- rad, advancing quickly and gazing intently into ‘the handsome face of the man before him, and upon whom every eye was now turned with ad- miration and awe, for his wonderful career and the mystery hanging about him were known far and wide, and invested him with a strange charm, “Tam called Deadly-Eye, sir, and Iam glad to have saved your daughter, ‘Major Conrad; but, can I ask, as I learn you are destined for the head-waters of the Republican, why I find you bearing so much out of your way to the southward?’ and the Unknown Scout spoke modestly and as if anxious to turn the conver- sation from himself, “We are under the guidance of an experi- enced plainsman, sir. onder he comes now,” replied Major Conrad. he Unknown Scout turned around at the words of the officer and glanced in the direction of the coming man. It was the hunter and the guide of the train— | a man of almost giant frame, attired in a suit of buck-skin, and with a face scarred in such a manner by a knife-cut across the nose and cheek, | as to give it a most forbidding expression. One glance at the hunter, and Deadly-Eye ex- | Seta - ‘“ What! that man your guide? Red Dick, do you know me?” With a bound the Unknown Scout was in tront of the hunter, whose brown face turned expression as he said, savagely: A man who has left 1 mark on me such asI | Conrad, advancin bear is not soon forgotten, I'll take my Bible oath.” Instantly the giant hunter drew a long knife and stood at bay, as though a tr an at- tack, while the Unknown Scout quickly drew his own keen blade and appeared as if about to advance upon him. “Hold, ide! Hold, sir. There must be some mi e here, for this man has been a most faithful guide and was strongly recommended to us,” and Major Conrad stepped forward be- tween the two men. “There is no mistake, Major Conrad. This man is a renegade desperado and we have met before, as he well knows. Stand aside, please, and let Red Dick prove his boasted words to meet me whenever he crossed my path,” and the Unknown Scout’s face became hard and stern, and his nerves like iron, and he quickly ne eer nearer to his foe. t deadly feud existed between these two men? What terrible deed was there to be avenged by one or the other? None in all that band of hardy pioneers could tell, and’with ter- rible interest they gathered around and watched the two central figures. A step nearer advanced the Unknown Scout, his eyes ablaze and fastened upon Red Dick, who somewhat nervously awaited the expected attack, which now seemed most imminent, for none present seemed called upon to interfere. But, suddenly, a slight and graceful form lided in between the two men, and the tiny nd of Sibyl Conrad was laid upon the arm of the Unknown Scout, and the beautiful face up- turned to his, while her sweet voice said: ‘‘Surely, one so brave, so noble, would not stain his hand unnecessarily with blood in the presence of women and children.” The face of Deadly-Eye flushed, his knife was lowered immediately, and he replied in deep, earnest tones: tf Lady, you know not the accursed life of this man, or you would not: plead for him; but it shall be as you ce Then, turning to his burly enemy, the Un- known Scout continued, sternly: “Red Dick, this lady has prevented an en- counter that should have ended in your death or mine, and now I bid you leave this camp or by the God of Heaven you shall die.” The giant hunter turned an earnest look into his foe’s face, and reading there only deadly de- termination, said: “Tll go now, Scout, Ree hold the win- ning card; but Red Dick will be on your trail hot in the future.” So saying he wheeled away, walked to one of the wagons, and, taking his rifle and accouter- ments, mounted hi raw-boned horse and departed, leaving the Unknown Scout master of the situation. But hardly had the huge form of the exiled horse and rider ee ao over a roll in the rairie when suddenly he es | onemer and at is back rode over a hun mounted Sioux warriors, who came rushing down upon the train with discordant yells and the war-cries of their tribe. CHAPTER IV. RUNNING THE GANTLET. ‘ EVERY man to his post.” It was the clear and commanding voice of the Unknown Scout that gave the order, and the effect upon the pioneers was electrical, while they felt that in him they had a leader who fully understood the cunning of the Indians, and whose bravery was upon every tongue on the frontier. True, strange stories were told of the remark- able man, and the Indians and a few border- men held the superstitious idea that he was leagued with the Evil One, for, around his whole life hung a mystery, the curtain of which none could raise. Frequently he had aided frontiermen and also wagon-trains Fares | through the Indian country, and also had given warning to settle- ments of the coming of the red-skin and the Branded Brotherhood; but that he was looked upon by the military with some suspicion—was _known te be on intimate terms with many In- dian warriors, and had often been seen in close | vicinity to the stronghold of Ricardo and his cruel band, were acknowledged facts. | Still, the emigrants were glad that Deadly- | Eye was with them, and his having just rescued | from captivity two of their train, caused them to look most kindly upon him. i “Scout, you are well accustomed to scenes would like you to take command,” cried Major quickly to the side of the Unknown Scout, who glanced out upon the prai- rie toward the coming Indians, as he replied: “Fortunately the train is in corral, sir, and the men are ready for a fight. I would advise that the women and children be placed under cover of the river-bank yonder, and the ravine will also protect the horses and cattle, while, with the wagons for a breastwork, the men can hold out splendidly.” This advice was acted upon, and in a few moments the camp was ready for action. Stationing himself upon the outer edge of the line of wagons, Deadly-Eye was seen to sudden- ly raise his repeating rifle; a quick aim, a shout, and a painted warrior fell from his horse and a yell of exultation from the emigrants was an- swered by aseries of wild war-whoops from the infuria dians, ‘* Now, Major Conrad, you see that I knew yonder renegade guide well, for he is doubtless the leader of the approaching band of red-skins, and was guiding you into a trap,” said the Un- known Scout. ‘““We have much to thank you for, sir; but the Indians have halted.” “Yes, they are too wary to charge these lines in the daytime, and—” ‘* And what, sir?’ asked Major Conrad, as the Scout paused, thoughtfully. “ And by nightfall I can bring relief, for not many miles from here is a band of Pawnees hunting buffalo.” “ But, sir, you can never escape from here for see, the Indians are beginning to surroun us, and two separate parties are swimming the river, The Unknown Scout took in the scene at once, and then said, quietly: ‘‘- You must hold the red devils at bay. Mind, act only on the defensive, and I will run the gantlet of their fire, and bring what relief I can. A shrill whistle followed, and the steed of Deadly-Eye trotted up to his master, and stood ready for his command. Remonstrance with the Scout was useless, for after another warning to all, he sprung into the saddle and rode down to the river. A word of encouragement to Prairie Gull, and the noble anima] bounded into the clear watcrs, and was soon swimming bravely toward the other shore, followed by the eyes of all the emi- grants, who were wafting Go ed to the dar- a, ore riling his life to aid them. re half the river was crossed the Indians dis- covered the Scout, and with discordant yells the two parties, one up and the other down the stream, rushed to cut him off ere he could es- ca . . The Scout observed their intention but kept bravely on, urging his horse, however, to swim still faster. Leading one of these parties who were rush- ing toward the point where the Scout was to land, was the traitor guide, Red Dick, who now seemed to feel assured that his revenge would be satiated, for he urged his large roan forward at a tremendous pace, etre shooting ahead of the inferior horses ridden by the red-skins. Soon the Scout reached the other shore, and dismounting, the horse shook himself like a huge Newfoundland dog. Then the girths were tightened, and the hol- ster pistols returned to their places; after which the Scout mounted as coolly as though almost certain death did not stare him in the face. The deadly rifle was raised, and with a quick aim was fired in the direction of the band fur- thest off. A red brave threw up his arms and fell from his steed, to be trampled upon by those behind. Again the rifle rung out, and the large roan ridden by Red Dick was seen to stagger, stum- ble, and then go heavily down, hurling his giant rider with terrible force upon the ground. From the lips of Deadly-Eye then broke forth his wild and biood-stirring war-whoop of defi- ance, and away bounded Prairie Gull, keeping an equal distance between the two lines rushing vind upon him and hardly more than two hundred yards distant. “On, on, my good steed, for you have a brave duty to perform, and the bright eyes of beauty are upon you,” cried Deadly-Eye, as he turned in his saddle and glanced back toward the camp. Seeing the action the pioneers gave him three hearty cheers, which the Indians answered with their discordant yells. ‘“‘ But, what is the daring rider going to do? Has his courage failed him? Is he mad?” Such were the hurried questions that burst ao
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- ; - from the astonished emigrants’ lips, as they saw Deadly-Eye suddenly come to a halt, and coolly gaze first upon one side and then upon the other. In surprise, also, the Indians saw him halt and their superstitious minds were im ressed with the idea that he was leughing at their ef forts to take him, and intended to escape by some supernatural means unknown to them, for, often before had they known him to elude them when in their very grasp. With their leader dismounted, and sppeaets hurt, for Red Dick was seated beside h horse, the Indians hardly knew what to do, and, as they drew nearer and nearer to the mysteri- ous Scout, they gradually checked the speed of their horses, until the smaller party, consisting of a dozen braves, came to a halt, and with won- dering eyes and wild gestures, seemed to be holding a council of war. This was what Deadly-Eye had doubtless ex- pected, for, as soon as the squadron halted, he wheeled Prairie Gull directly toward them, and with the air ringing and echoing with his terri- ble war-cries, and a revolver in each hand, charged directly upon the astonished savages, and added to their consternation by opening a brisk and telling fire upon them, which prov- ing fatal in several instances with horses and riders, the frightened braves turned and fled, and with the dof an arrow the Un- known Scout rushed on toward the open prairie, having safely run the terrible gantle Then, as the emigrants looked with eager eyes, they beheld the cause of the sudden move- ment of Deadly-Kye, for directly in his former path arose the forms of a dozen painted war- riors, doubtless of the same band, and who were hiding in a shallow gulch and would have sprung up in the pathway of the Scout, had not his quick eye detected the plumed head of some brave too eager to catch his prey to keep.wholly concealed, Long watched the emigrants the fl Prairie Gull, and they saw with pleasure t the Indians quic es gave up the chase, for the famous steed of the Scout left them rapidly be- hind, and in an hour appeared as a mere speck upon the prairie, CHAPTER V. THE HUNTER’S CABIN HOME, Far from the home of his kindred, far from the home of any of his race, and in the wilds where the red-men roamed without restraint, was the cabin of Alfred Carter. Three Aeon before the opening scenes of this Alfred Carter had squatted upon the ba of the Republican river, and with the aid of only his brave wife and pretty daughter, Rose, and his young son, Edgar, he had built a — and comfortable cabin, half fort, half ouse. The prairies around him furnished food for his small family, and his cattle roamed near at hand until the shades of evening caused them to be housed for safety. A quiet, sad-looking man, ever generous and peaceable, Alfred Carter had no enemies, and even the Sioux were friendly to him, although at war with the whites, for the settler had often fed them from his table, and when their t chief was severely wounded and would have died for want of care, Alfred Carter had nursed him back to life, and forever won his friend- ship. ented in the cabin door, upon the day that the Unknown Scout ran the gantlet of the band of Sioux warriors, was a maiden of eighteen, with large velvety eyes, a dark complexion, and long waving black hair. The maiden was Rose Carter. She was en- aged in knitting a pair of cotton socks for her ather, for she was a true frontier girl, ever in- dustrious and brave, Presently a shadow fell upon her, and glanc- ing up, Rose beheld beside her an Indian maiden of sixteen, a beautiful child of the forest, with a graceful, slender form, clothed in a handsome suit of bead-wrought buck-skin, and with a crown of richly-colored feathers upon her head. “Who are you, girl, and what can I do for ou?” said Rose, softly, struck with the great beauty and grace of the Indian maiden, ‘‘T am the Red Bud of the Forest, the child of the mighty Pawnee chief, and I have come from my ‘wine beyond the prairie to tell the pale- face maiden to beware of the false tongue of the pale-face brave with eyes like the skies, for he would lead her from her happy home.” ‘““Of whom do you speak, Red Bud of the Forest?” said the mystified Rose. “Of the white brave whom the Forest Rose loves as she does the sunshine, the trees, the | her to return. is dead | Deadly Eye. birds, the rivers. He has a false tongue, so let the White Rose beware. Red Bud of the Forest has spoken,” and without another word the Indian girl turned and glided away, turning no ear to the call of Rose Carter, who ple2zd for Long sat the lovely girl, pondering over what she had heard, and wondering if she could refer to one whom she loved most dearly, and who was then absent, and had been for months, gone to the Eastern settlements for awhile ere he re- turned to make her his wife. Then over her face stole a look of distrust of him who had won her young heart, for the words of the Forest Red Bud had left a deep impression. esently her mother returned from milking the cows, and Alfred Carter from a day’s hunt, loaded down with game, while her brother, two years the junior of Rose, came up from the river with a long string of fish. The night shades fell upon the earth, and around the well-spread board gathered the set- tler’s family—the cheerful fire, comfortable room, and pleasant faces ph caine, a happy and homelike scene, and yet the same feeling of dread, of coming evil, clutched at the heart of Rose Carter, and the smile upon her face was forced. Presently there was a loud bark from the watchful dog without, a shot followed, a yelp, and then heavy blows upon the door. prringing to their feet, the father and son their rifles, while the mother and daughter in considerable alarm awaited the result. ‘““Who is it that thus comes to my cabin?” cried Alfred Carter, in a stern voice. ‘*Open your door, old man, or it will be the worse for you,” replied a coarse voice outside. “And why should I open my door to you? Had you come as a friend you would have been welcome; but as you come as a foe I will meet you as you deserve.” ‘‘The Branded Brotherhood parley not long, old man,” suddenly rung out aclear, stern voice, and with a few hea lows from without, the door crushed in, and one of the Brotherhood rushed across the threshold, to fall dead with a shot from Edgar’s rifle through the heart. Another shared the same fate at the hands of Alfred Carter, and then into the cabin poured a score of desperate men, and the brave old settler fell beneath a sweeping blow from Ricardo’s knife, just as Red Burke pe the butt of his pistol own upon the head of ee ‘*Ha! spare the women!” cried Ricardo; but, alas! the order was too late to save poor Mrs. Carter, who, with a shriek of terror and agony, met her death at the hands of one of the d while another seized the fainting Rose around the waist, crying: “ve got the richest prize; the gal’s mine.” One glance in the beautiful face, and Ricardo, the bandit chief, staggered back, his hand upon his head, while he cried aloud: “God in heaven! who is that girl?” Tt don’t make no difference, chief, who she mout be, but she’s my rize,” insolently replied the ruffian, who still held her in his arms. “Release that maiden instantly, sir,” cried Ricardo, his face strangely pale and stern. **' You bet I won’t do it!” replied the man. A quick shot followed, a cry of agony, and a stream of hot blood burst from a bullet-wound in the head of the renegade, as he fell dead, still frye ‘et his strong arms the fainting form of Rose er. Take that girl from that hound’s and see to it, Red Burke, that no harm befall her for if there does there shall be weeping and wailing in this band,” and thus saying, the rob- ber chief set to work to examine the contents of the cabin, for, to gain booty had this raid been made by the Branded Brotherhood upon the quiet home of poor Alfred Carter. It did not take long for those experienced hands to go through the humble cabin, and then the order was given to mount. The band de- parted, Ricardo at their head, and by his side mounted upon her own horse, which the chief had ordered saddled for her, was the veri Rose, who had returned to consciousness to fin her parents and brother slain, and herself in the power of the bandit chief. Strangely soft and kind was Ricardo’s man- ner toward thesorrowing girl, but he was never- theless so firm in his purpose that she had to ac- company him to his stronghold. What would be her fate she dared not think, as she rode quietly along with the bitter, scalding tears coursing down her cheeks, and a terrible dread at her heart. | Swiftly on rode the band of the Branded | Brotherhood, taking a course down the river, | 5 until the quick ear of the chief detected distant firing, and he suddenly drew rein. “What can that mean?” he cried, striving to parep the darkness of the prairie in the direc- ion of the sound. “Pll tell you, chief; it’s the train being pitch- ed into by some roving band of Injuns, and cf we wants any of the goods we'd better, ride fur it, kase you see thar’s a host of red-skins whar all that shootin’ is going on.” ‘“You are right, Long Dave, and the train is bearing to the southward, contrary to our ex- pectations; so come on, and we'll drive off the red-skins and then wipe out the settlers.” A yo of joy answered the words of the chief, for the men were anxious to get a chance to make a capture of the wagon-train, which pone Dave had reported to be an exceedingly ric one in supplies of all kinds, and money. Almost with the speed of the wind the caval- cade spurred on, Ricardo leaving Rose with a suard and the led horses bearing the booty ey in the recent foraging expeditions of the An hour’s ride, and the flashes of distant firin were visible, and the rapid discharges ery that the battle was raging most savagely, and that the defenders of the wagon-train were hold- ing out most bravely against the overwhelming numbers that were attacking them. CHAPTER VI. THE BATTLE FOR VICTORY. As Long Dave had said, the settlers’ train had been attacked by the Indians—the same band that had besieged them all day peter | for night to come onso that they could attack them with ter safety to themselves and less dan- ger of defeat, for Red Dick, having recovered artially from the effects of his severe fall, was etermined that he would yet be revenged upon all who had witnessed his disgraceful departure from his position as guide, Wistfully had the eyes of the emigrants scanned the prairie all that long day, in hopes of seeing the coming of the Unknown Scout and re-enforcements; but night came and no succor was visible, and with determined manner the men set to work to defend to the end of their lives their families and their riches, , As soon as it was dark the Indians commenced the attack, and charged boldly down upon the train; but during the day the emigrants had strongly fortified their position, and after a ira and short fight the attacking party fell ck, Yet they did not dream of defeat, and their savage minds began to plot various methods of taking the settlers at a disadvantage, for the Indian never cares to fight an open battle if he can gain his ends by cunning and strategy. Failing in one plan after the other, Red Dick at length determined to lead one desperate charge, in column, hoping to break through the line by mere weight and numbers, and he was propery his red allies for the work, when sud- enly a cry of alarm was heard in their rear, and up dashed the Branded Brotherhood, with their erate chief at their head. The Sioux warriors at first thought they were attacked by a troop of soldiers, and began te scatter in all directions, when the loud voice of Red Dick recalled them, for he recognized the commanding form of Ricardo, and riding up to him, cried: .““ Hallo, chief! have you come to aid me in a division of the spoils?” Ricardo turned his keen look upon the rené- cua and apparently recognizing him, replied: “You are then leading this attack upon my wagon-train, renegade?” * Your train, chief? Not so fast—for I guided this train from Kansas City,” replied Red Dick. “Yes, guided them into a trap, for you are backed by your band of Dog Soldier Sioux, I see “ And sheyt stick to me too, you bet, chief: Once, I owed allegiance to you, but I got ti of hard knocks and little pay, so I sided wi these Injuns and they made me their chief, and they’ve waiting for me to bring out this for weeks. Now, I tell you, they are a leetle too strong for me, I admit, for we've tried em for some time; but there’s honor among thieves, you know, chief, and Ill share squarely with you and the boys if you give me a lift.” Dick, you are a fool, to think I would share a prize with you and your red hounds, Ey there was a truce between your band of red devils and my men; but_you are a deserter pes my ranks, and if Ye do not immediatel ¢ is Aga vg band, I'll shoot you down sak gang that og, and then sealp every one of 3 can catch,” and Ricardo pales
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6 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. sternly, and turning to Red Burke, his lieuten- ant, ga‘vo an order in a low voice, ** ow, look here, boss, you don’t hold the ace as much as you think, ’cause my red-skins ain’t a-goin’ to low no foolishness, if we has to fight for it, and as to killing a fellow like a dog, why, two kin play at that game, and no, questions axed.” As Red Dick By he gave a loud war- whoop, and leveled his pistol at Ricardo, whoas uick as lightning had his own weapon covering the head of the renegade, and quietly, but threateningly, the two men stood at bay, while around them gathered their separate bands. What might have been the result of this im- asi duel between the two chiefs, it would e hard to say, for, just at that moment there was a terrific discharge of firearms, fired in regular order, a loud cheering, a rushing of hoofs, and ere the surprised Indians and bandits could offer any resistance, a squadron of cavalr chee through their line, firing as they rode and dashing swiftly toward the camp, the next moment were safe within the fortification, while cheer after cheer rung out from the re- joicing emigrants. “‘Cusses on it, chief! While we’s act here like two tomeats on a fence, that cus Captain La Clyde and his troopers has gotten through our line and reinforced the emigrants,” srowled Red Dick savagely, at the same time owering his pistol. ‘That is true, Red Dick, and after all, we had better unite our forces and wage a common war upon the train,” responded Ricardo; but it was too dark for his foe to see the evil look of mis- chief that flashed in his eyes. “Tm agreed, boss, kase you see it’s no use talking about us rooting out that nest of hor- nets unless we jine forces,” “Very well, Red Dick. Now, my plan is that you take the greater part of your red-skins up the river above the camp, and taking to the water swim down and attack them from that quarter, while I keep up a constant fire upon ther in our front, and when you have landed and give the signal, I will charge with my men, aided by those you leave with me.” “Tt’s. a good Pope Ricardo, and we'll set out at once,” replie Red Dick, and accompanied by the greater number of his savage men, the des- perado strode away, leaving a small guard over 1is horses. As cunning as was Red Dick, and as wicked, he was no match for Ricardo, for he had not an- ticipated that the chief would betray him; but hardly had the renegade and his red allies been gone fifteen minutes, when the remaining In- i been quietly surrounded by the Branded Brotherhood, and wholly unsuspecting treachery, were egal terrified by being un- expectedly set upon by those whom they believ- ed their friends. Without warning, the Brotherhood instantly rushed upon the Tndian. warriors, and ere the slightest resistance could be offered, a score of them lay dead upon the prairie; but still the work of slaughter went on, until the few remain- ing savages crouched together in dismay, not knowing which way to turn, for although it was the Indian method to surprise and massacre de- fenseless victims, they had never before had the tables turned upon them. “Kill every cursed red heathen; leave not one to escape and warn his companions,” cried Ricardo. In vain did the terrified wretches at- tempt to break through the human barrier that surrounded them, for everywhere they were | met by steel and bullet. | | | At length the slaughter ended, and with a rrim and cruel smile, Ricardo turned to Red urke, and said: ‘Burke, yonder comes the maiden and led horses, and I wish you to collect these Indian ponies, and with a guard of ten men move down the river to the next motte and await until you hear from me.” ‘That will leave you only forty men, chief, with which to tackle the camp and the Ingins too. “True, but [intend Red Dick and his crew ehall play Kilkenny cats with the settlers, and when they have about used each other up, I will be on hand to reap the spoils. Now be off at once, and mind you, Burke, treat that girl with every respect.” “*T hear you, chief.” ** And see that you heed; now I will be off to the river-bank, and aid the settlers in driving | off Red Dick and his devils.” ‘‘- You wouldn’t fire upon the red-skins, chief?” | * Certainly; each one I slay is one out of my way to eventual success.” 8 saying, Ricardo called to his band to follow him, mounted his horse, and rode slowly in the direction of the camp. Approaching within a hundred yards, under ecver of afew straggling trees, he sent Long Dave and his Indian scont on abreast, to creep | up the river-bank, and give warning when Red | Dick and his followers should attempt a landing. He had not long to wait before the two scouts returned, and reported the river black with the heads of the attacking party, and then, lest the settlers should really be surprised, and the In- dians take the camp without his aid, Ricardo gave a low order, and under cover of the bank the Brotherhood approached until they could indistinctly see the dark mass upon the water, which they knew to be the swimming warriors, In the encampment all was quiet as the grave, and every glimmer of light had disappeared; but, whether it was from negligence in keepin guard, or from watchfulness, none knew, an the chief felt that he had to be wary, for Cap- tain La Clyde was known to be an expert and daring fighter, and might be setting some trap in which to catch his enemies. Slowly and steadily the moving mass of heads swerved shoreward, the waters undisturbed by a single ripple, so quietly did the Indians swim, and at last several tall forms reached the shore and stood upright. Others followed, and the braves were prepar- ing for the deadly rush, their hearts ne with joy at the hope of success. ‘* Aim true, men; let every shot tell. Fire!” In answer to the low, stern order of the ban- dit chief, a terrible volley rung forth from the river-bank, and a withering hail of lead was poured upon the human mass, who seemed to sink beneath the deadly assault. Then rung the stentorian voice of Red Dick. “At them, you red devils! Cut them into pieces.” Rallying around their brave but wicked chief, the Dog Soldier Sioux, in spite of their deadly | greeting, and fullv relyin upon the support of the Branded Brotherhood, rushed up the em- bankment, to be again and again driven back by the terrible fire poured upon them by the settlers, Coolly, and with a cruel smile upon his ips, and deadly hatred in the glitter of his eyes, Ri- cardo, the chief, stood with folded arms, gazin upon the combat, unmoved by the scene o bloodshed his double treachery was ori ‘Ha, ha, ha!” he ‘laughed. “Did Red Dick think I, Ricardo, chief of the Branded Brother- hood, would share a prize with him and his red hounds? Little does he know me!” For some moments the fight continued, the red-skins encouraged by Red Dick and his con- spicuous courage, Aghhingies seldom men fight in a bad cause, and then even Indian human na- ture could stand no more, for half of their num- ber had fallen; yet no cheering cry came from the other side of the camp to show that Ricardo had attacked as he had promised. Suddenly the tall form of a warrior glided to the side of Red Dick, and said a few words in a hasty and excited tone, and the renegade’s voice rung out loud and clear: ‘*Back, warriors! to the water all of you, for | the Branded Brotherhood have betrayed us, and are lene Oe at us now.” Red Dick spoke in the Sioux tongue, and well did his dusky braves understand him. Seized with a panic of fear, they rushed headlong into the water, veering yells of terror and fear. Then again was heard the ringing order from Ricardo’s trumpet-like voice: ‘Fire upon them, men! Killevery red hound.” mee the rifles of the Brotherhood flashed forth in livid flame, and between two fires the Sioux warriors melted away, and the river was stained dark with their blood, while only a few succeeded in reaching the other shore, and most of that number were bleeding from wounds re- ceived. Among those few was Red Dick, and the ris- ing moon showed upon his face a look of fiend- ish hatred and a thirst for revenge, a revenge which he intended to devote his life to accom- plish, for at last he fully understood the deep treachery of his evil ally. ‘Come, braves; we are outcasts now, and must back to our village; but the day of retri- bution shall come for Ricardo and his band of robbers, for they have slain our young men, robbed us of the spoils of battle, betrayed us to ruin and death, and brought wailing and _sor- row into our wigwams, Come, warriors of the Sioux nation; we wil! go to our village.” No word in reply was uttered, but silently, like grim specters, the remnant of Red Dick’s band of Dog Soldiers stole away across the moonlit praizie. | CHAPTER VII. FOR LIFE AND FOR LOVE. | Wen night settled down upon the emigrant | encampment, there were a number of gloomy faces around the impromptu fortifications, and many, both men and women, were sorry that | they had ever left their old homes in the East- ern country to seek new ones on the frontier, Yet, though gloomy, and dreading evil, they were none the less determined to defend their lives and families unto the bitter end, and Major Conrad was glad to see that he could de- pend upon his command as brave men. At length the Indians began the attack, and warming to their work, the emigrants grew less despondent, especially after they ia, several times driven back their red foes with considera- ble loss, and with no serious result to themselves, But on crept the weary hours of the night, and one of the teamsters, who had once been an old hunter and trapper, crept out of the camp to reconnoiter, and returned with the evil tidings that the Indians had been reinforced by a large band that had just come up. Then followed a long season of quiet, and the emigrants felt assured that their enemies were plotting some scheme of devilment against them, and they longed more than ever for the return of the Unknown Scout, Suddenly there was a scene of commotion in the enemy’s lines, pean firing followed, and the emigrants believed that at last Deadly-Eye had returned and was attacking Red Dick and his villainous crew, with the band of Pawnee braves for whom he had gone in search. But no! that loud and zingin halloo was not from Indian throats, but the hearty cheer of trained soldiers, and the next moment a dark and rapidly-moving mass was seen approaching, and the stern order was heard: ‘We are friends; open the barrier!” “La Clyde! Hurrah! hurrah!” went up from the delighted emigrants, and into the encam ment dashed a score of troopers with Captain Perey La Clyde at their head. Warmly were the young officer and his men welcomed, and having listened to the plan of defense adopted by Major Conrad, and stationed his troopers at wena 9 positions, the dragoon commander said: “Yes: that traitor guide, Dick—or rather, arts—” “What! was your guide the famous Red Dick? Now I know why he always seemed to | avoid me,” said Captain La Clyde, with sur- prise. “Yes, he was Red Dick, the renegade leader of the Dog Soldier Sioux, I believe.” “Yes, they mace him chief of their tribe, major; but what an escape you had, for in changing your course he was doubtless leading you into his hornets’ nest,” “Tt is just what he was doing, and would | have sueceeded, had not my daughter and How- | ard Talbot been captured by a band of regular | Sioux warriors, and rescued by Deadly-Eye, | the Unknown Scout, who informed us of the chaneatae yee ide.” : jor Conrad, you surprise me; Miss Sibyl captured, and also Howard Talbot?” if ‘ Yes, captain; they had ridden ahead to look up a camping-ground, and—” ** And were captured by Sioux Indians?” | _ “* Yes; five warriors, and four of them the si Scout killed in rescuing Talbot and iby. | “Strange indeed; and he it was who told you : the posig toy’ of ee — ee ‘Yes, he exposed publicly, and the would have met | a knife snoctinatos fe camp, h fl | not Sibyl interfered, and then the Scout drove | the guide from the encampment, and an hour after Red Dick returned at the head of his Dog | Soldiers. | ‘And what became of the Scout, major?” | Pe He oe the river, ouds - oe tlet of e Indian e most gallantly, that he might | seek some friendly Indians and bring them to | our aid.” ‘Major, I am more and more rised, for let me tell you that the fellow they call Deadly- Eye does not stand well in military circles, as he puts at defiance both officers and soldiers, and some months ago ruthlessly shot down three | soldiers who had been sent to arrest him for | violating some order. But he has certainly | served you well, and I have heard of a number of his noble deeds, and cannot easily connect them with other acts he is reported guilty of ; | but how are the ladies, major?”
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as 4] ** Stout-hearted as are the men; but come, we will go and see them, captain.” Leading the way, Major Conrad conducted the young officer toward the large ravine run- ning back from the river, and here a motle sight met their , for the women and chil- dren were huddled together in the bottom of the gulch, around several bright fires, and fur- ther down were closely packed the horses and cattle belonging to the train. ‘‘ Why, they are all as snug as bugs in a rug, major,” oom, grt Captain La Clyde, and as the firelight fell full upon him, it displayed his handsome, graceful form, a little under six feet in hight, and compactly built. His face was exceedingly tA germ beardless, and the features handsome, the mouth and dark blue eyes indicating courage and determination. Clad in the uniform of a captain of cavalry, and with his brown curling hair worn long, and a slouch hat and ostrich plume shading his face, Captain Perey La Clyde looked just what he was, a dashing, handsome, daring soldier, gen- erous to a fault, and ever true in both love and hatred. The gd child of wealthy parents, he had pre- ferred to lead a military life to one of idleness and dissipation, and after a successful career at West Point, had been ordered to the frontier, where he rapidly ascended the ladder of promo- tion on account of his courage and skill as an officer. Four days before the caravan reached their encampment on the river, Captain La Clyde had joined them by order of the commandant at Fort Hays, to serve as an escort to the emi- grants, and a until they were securely settled in their frontier homes, and a most leasant duty had the young officer found that io was detailed upon, for he had fallen desper- ately in love with Sibyl Conrad, and felt that she was the bright star that was to guard his fu- ture destiny. Bounding down into the ravine, he found a cordial welcome from all; but a shade swept over his face as he beheld Howard Talbot by the side of the maiden he loved. Percy La Clyde had watched with jealous eye the regard of his rival for pen and in spite of the many seeming noble qualities possessed by the young man, and his almost universal popu- larity, he could not like him, and felt for him a distrust he could not overcome. But then, this might have been on account of his jealous nature, for jealousy always exerts an evil influence upon the person of whom it takes possession. Yet Siby), greeted him in a friendly way, and so did Ruth itfield, who had always exhibit- ed warm regard for the young soldier. After a few words of comfort and hope to those around him, Percy La Clyde said: ‘* Well, ladies, we must now leave you, for every man must be at his post,” and he looked toward Howard Talbot as he spoke; but that young man smiled sweetly, and replied: ‘*So I think, captain, and should the enem seek to enter this ravine, I will defend it wit my life, for I am stationed here to watch the river approach.” ‘You cannot even see the water, sir, from your present position; so I would advise that you do a sentinel’s duty, as long as you repre- sent one,” and Captain La Clyde turned away, while Howard Talbot’s face flushed with anger, and Sibyl felt that a storm was brewing, an that she was innocently the cause; but with a sigh, she consoled herself with the thought that she could not love everybody that loved her, and turned her thoughts upon another, one who was not then in the encampment, but whose return she confidently expected, for her faith in the promise of the Unknown Scout was un- broken. — Returning to the line of fortifications, Major Conrad and Captain La Clyde were surprised and startled by the sound of conflict going on in the enemy’s lines, and for which they could not account, unless that the Unknown Scout had re- turned; but after a moment’s attention to the sound, the young officer remarked: “As I live, they are fighting among them- selves—or 7 icp to, to put us off our guard.” Then all was silent once more, and slowly dragged the moments away, until Major Con- rad began to nod with sleep, and feeling anxi- ous about the river front, Percy La Clyde cau- tiously crept there and reconnoitered. At first he believed all quiet and safe, but then his quick eye caught sight of a dark mass upon the water. : Closely he watched it, and he saw it slowly paid down upon the point near which he stoo ee Deadly-Eye. Bounding into the ravine, he startled Howard — who still remained by the side of Sibyl, with: ‘Be good enough to request Major Conrad to send me thirty men to this point at once; but to create no alarm.” Howard Talbot was off at once to obey the order, although he did not like the tone in which the order was given; still he felt he had been negligent of his duty, and wished to repair it all in his power. Ere five minutes had dthe men arrived, headed by Major Conrad, and Captain La Clyde remarked, quietly: ‘We are to be attacked by water, it seems; but we have greatly the advantage, so I will on- ly keep my troopers with me, major, and you can return with the remainder of the men, as the attack will doubtless be made at more than this point; and, major, as there is no need of a sentinel here now, perhaps you can find some other duty for Mr. Talbot.” Major Conrad and his men returned to their post, and Captain La Clyde was about to give the order to fire, when were startled by the discharge of the Branded Brotherhood, which leveled so many of the Dog Soldiers to the ground. ‘*By heaven, we have friends near, when we little dreamed of it. Ha! it must be the Un- known Scout, who has kept his word. Ready, men; fire!” After the order of the young officer, the troop- ers poured in a rapid fire with their repeating rifles, and Red Dick and his men found them- selves under two fires, until, in dismay, they broke and rushed for safety into the river, as soon as the Indian warrior arrived with the news of the massacre of their companions, Unable to account for the turn in their favor, or why, if friends, they did not make themselves known, Captain La C yde was about to go out- side of the fortifications for the poorer of dis- covery, when he observed a dark form crawl- ing toward the water, and springing down the embankment, he seized him in his powerful arms, and dragged him back. It was an Indian warrior, with a broken leg, and otherwise wounded; but, speaking the Sioux tongue fluently, the captain soon learned of him that Ricardo and his Branded Brother- hood were surrounding his encampment, and the treachery of the outlaw chief toward his red allies was also related. ‘* Well, it is dog eat dog, that’s certain. Now that we have Ricardo and his band to fight, we must indeed defend more than our lives,” and Percy La Clyde’s brow grew dark with dread, for he knew the desperate courage of the Brand- ed Brotherhood, and the awful fate that would fall upon Sibyl and the others, if taken. CHAPTER VIII. DEADLY-EYE TO THE RESCUE. FULLY acquainted with the plan of Ricardo, after his treachery to Red Dick, Captain La ee went rapidly around the line and quietly told the men whom they were to fight as their foe, and begged them to steel their hearts inst any thought of mercy, and to never ield one inch of ground, for the motto of the randed Brotherhood was that men must die. and beauty and booty be considered lawful prizes. Hardly had the young officer made the cir- cuit, when a dark mass of moving horsemen was seen approaching, and a clear voice hailed. “Well! what would you?’ answered Percy La Bde ‘“We have defeated your enemies, and would warn you that we are friends, that you might nee =e upon us,” replied the same voice t ‘We know no friends in the dark; if you are such as you represent, camp on the river until daylight; if you are enemies, we are ready for you,” coolly shouted back Captain La Clyde. “Charge!” was then yelled forth in the com- manding voice of Ricardo, and like a fiery whirlwind the horsemen swept down upon the devoted defenders of the train. ‘Throw no shots away, men! Fire!” cried Percy La Clyde, and a line of flame flashed forth from the wagons, and several of the Brotherhood and their horses went down; but from some cause or other the aim of the emi- — had been untrue, and the outlaws pressed ercely on, filling the air with their discordant cries, every man yelling in his native tongue, until it seemed as if the very fiends from below had burst forth for a gala night. “Men, be cool; there are devils upon you now, and your aim must be true; you must kill, or all is lost,” rung out in the clear tones of s 7 Captain La Clyde and Major Conrad; and How- aed: Talbot, who had thrown off his air of indif- ference and nobly come to the front, also en- couraged the men by voice and gesture. Then rolled forth a ceaseless roar of firearms, the heavy rush of: iron hoofs was heard, and the confused shouts of many voices filled the air until it seemed the grove was filled with a band of devils holding high carnival. But, unchecked, and with desperate daring and determination, the Brotherhood came on un- til they dashed their horses against the very line of breastworks, and then their weapons began to tell upon the emigrants, who broke from the fierce fire and fell back, to the horror of Percy La Clyde, who called forth in trumpet-voice, ‘Troopers! rally around your commander! Reedy now! charge!” Gallantly the soldiers did rally around their officer, and dashed forward with him to recover the ground lost by the emigrants; but already had Ricardo bounded on horseback over the barrier, and followed by a dozen of his pe horsemen, dashed at once upon the dismounte troopers, who, in a vain attempt to check his mad career, fell beneath the iron hoofs of the outlaws’ horses. ‘My God! it cannot be that all is lost!” cried Percy La Clyde, in dread, and then, drawing: his sword, he shouted: ‘Troopers, come on! Men, they are but a handful of murdering thieves; follow me, and drive them back!” ti In vain his gallant example and clear com- mands, In vain the order of Major Conrad, who, in a frenzy, strove to stay the torrent of defeat. In vain the conspicuous courage of Howard Talbot. Useless the stern discipline and bravery of the troopers; all, all was useless, for from some un- accountable reason, never understood, a panic had seized upon the settlers, brave men though they were, fighting for all they held dear on earth; rapidly they gave ground until two- score of the outlaws had secured a footing with- in the inclosure, and by the light of the waning moon, which made all around visible, Ricardo was forming his men for a desperate and final charge. Then his clear voice was heard alg. stern orders, but ere they could be obeyed ere was heard a wild oe war-whoop that made the blood of who heard it turn cold with dread, and then upon the moonlit scene dashed a single horseman, bounding over the barrier and whirling suddenly into the very midst of the band of outlaws, ‘*My God! the Unknown Scout!” **Deadly-Eye!” ‘The Scout, and alone!” Such were the cries that were heard, as with lightning rapidity the daring horseman, with a revolver in each hand, made his shots ring forth with telling effect. ‘No! not alone! hark!” cried a voice, and a rolling sound like muffled thunder was heard be e prairie, and again the wild war-whoop of the Unknown Scout broke forth and was an- swered from two-score of throats by three rcs cheers, “The troopers! the troopers!” shouted the outlaws, and hastily they turned to fly, Ricar- do, with a bitter curse, first spurring toward the Unknown Scout, who wheeled to meet him. But, as if thinking better of his intention, the outlaw suddenly checked his pace, and heading his splendid gray for the barrier, took it with a flying leap, and disappeared in pursuit of his men. Instantly Deadly-Eye followed him, and the two were soon lost to sight upon the prairie in the el direction to that from which the cavalry squadron was i pag pera 4A moment more and they dashed up, headed by Major Belden, one of the senior officers of the fort. “Major, I greet you; but though too late to join in the fun, you have scared off the enemy,” and Pa. 5 Bhp lyde stepped forward and ad- dressed Ernest Belden, a soldierly-looking man - forty, with a handsome, but dark, sinister ‘ace, ‘“Who were your foes, La Clyde?” asked the officer. “We have had two sets, major; first the Dog Soldier Sioux, under that desperado, Red Dick, and then none other than Ricardo and his des- perate band.” “A hard lot indeed, and you have been most, fortunate to escape them, and Iam glad to see that that reckless Scout told me truth; but where has he gone?” and the major turned ta look for Deadiy-Lye.
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8 “Gone like mad after the outlaw chief; but will we not give pursuit, major?” “No, Captain Fa Clyde, it would be useless, and Iam now destined pon a raid upon the Sioux village to the northward, so will leave you as soon as day breaks, which will be soon.” A short while longer conversation continued, and then Captain La Clyde presented his supe- rior to Major Conrad, and also to the ladies. who approached at that moment, and he could not but mark the start of surprised admiration that the major gave when he beheld the beauty of Sibyl Conrad. Then followed the melancholy duty of caring for the wounded, and burying the dead, until, ‘vhen the sun arose, it lighted up a sad scene, and the sound of the living wailing for those cear to them, who had fallen, filled the air. After a hasty breakfast, Major Belden and his troopers departed, leaving Captain La Clyde, as before, to be an escort to the train. Hardly had the forms of the squadron disappeared over a roll in the prairie, when up dashed the Un- known Scout, his horse 707s: 2d with foam, and showing every indication ot a hard ride, as did also his rider, for his race was pale and wore a look of fatigue. Yet his voice was calm and pleasant, as he re- pied, in acknowledgment to the cheers given im: “T thank you, comrades; but I wes almost too late, as I had far to ride ere I fouia aid for you, as the. Pawnees had left their nanting- grounds; fortunately I met Major Beiden, and he was willing to believe me, and come t your succor,” Dismounting, Deadly-Eye devoted himself to the care of his horse, and then, after partakin of a hearty breakfast which ay had prepare for him, threw himself down rest, and at once was lost in deep and refreshing slumber, while Major Conrad and Captain La Clyde set about their arrangements for continuing their way on the following morning, for they were enxious to get settled in the spot that was to be wie new home of the emigrants. ‘ CHAPTER IX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING AND DISCOVERY. Wirz the first glimmer of light in the eastern skies, the settlers were astir, and the bugle call to the troopers pierced through the motte. The Unknown Scout and Prairie Gull appear- ed to have fully recovered from their hard trip of the past few pe and Deadly-Eye was ever on a to render the slightest service to Sibyl, or any one else who desired his kind offices. etween Captain, La Clyde and the Unknown Scout a warm friendshi sprung UP; for no longer did the young officer appear ave any doubte regarding the noble character of the man whom, in the past, he had both praised and abused. ' 1 As regarded Sibyl, she certainly exhibited a most kindly interest in the mysterious rover of tie prairies, and with bitter sarcasm for lips se sweet, replied to Howard Talbot’s derogatory remarks regarding the man who had certainly served them all so well, But the fact is, Howard Talbot was deeply in love with Sibyl, and noticing that she most kindly regarded the man whose life was a romance and a mystery, he felt that he had a dangerous rival, and was determined not to vield one atom of any claim he held upon the iifection of Sibyl Conrad. , Then again, Ruth Whitfield exhibited a sud- ‘len and marked interest in the unknown prairie- nian; seemed most anxious to be ever near him, and a shadow would cross her brow whenever Deadly-Eye would turn, with one of his fascina- ting smiles, and address her lively cousin, for Ktuth had a fierce and jealous nature, and could luok only unkindly upon one who crossed her path in rivalry. ‘Thus were matters taking a stormy turn and threatening squally weather to those concerned, fur Percy lyde was jeajous of Howard Tal- bot, who in turn bated the young officer, but was jealous of the Unknown Scout, in whom both Sibyl and Ruth were more deeply interest- el than they would adinit aven to their own hearts. ? At énet the sun arose beyond the prairie and slowly the long train of wagons filed out from. the motte, with here and there a party on i orseback, and took up their march further on ward the setting sun, leaving behind them \ithin their narrow beds of clay, those who fallen in the battle the night before. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. At the head of the train rode a small caval- cade, consisting of Deadly-Eye, Percy La Clyde, Major Conrad and the troopers. The Unknown Scout was acting as a guide for the emigrants toward a point where he in- formed them, was one of the most fertile dis- | tricts on the plains, well watered, and where a | settlement would have every advantage that could be found on the frontier. When Howard Talbot heard Deadly-Eve speak of the point he considered most favorable as a settlement, he instantly remarked that he | intended riding on ahead for half a mile. Arming himself thoroughly, and declining Gerald Conrad’s offer to accompany him, the young pioneer set off, at first Keeping only a short distance ahead, but gradually drawing | away from the train, until, when the noonday halt was made, he was nowhere visible upon the prairie. As if fully acquainted with the country, he put his horse at arapid gallop, and continued on for miles, until a higher rollin the prairie gave him a view of the river through the green trees of a prairie island. Toward this point he directed his course until he found himself upon a peninsula, made by the river making a grand curve. On this point of land, entirely surrounded by water, excepting where it touched the open prairie, had been the home of Alfred Carter, who the night before had been ruthlessly murdered by the Branded Brotherhood. A more delightful place could not have been chosen for a settlement, for the point, or the peninsula, contained fully five thousand acres of land, of the richest kind of soil, with here and there large timber mottes, and the river bounding it upon three sides, while to the eastward stretched the unbroken prairie for miles, to serve as a luxuriant pasture for stock. As Howard Talbot rode along the trail lead- ing toward the humble cabin home upon the river-bank, his brow wore a troubled look, and he glanced nervously around him. earer and nearer he drew toward the cabin, but no lazy wreath of blue smoke curled up above the tree-tops, and all seemed strangely desolate around him, Presently a dark form glided forth from the foliage pondering the trail, and stood directly in the,pathway of the horseman, who suddenly reined his steed back with iron grasp as his eyes fell upon the person. j ‘*Red Bud of the Forest, what do you here near the lonely home of the pale-face hunter?” said Howard Talbot, speaking in the language of the Pawnees. __ “The Red Bud ‘is a free child of the woods; she asks not the false pale-face brave whither she can go,” houghnly, replied the Indian girl. ‘“‘The Red Bud turns her eyes with anger up- on me; have I offended her? “Yes; the Many-Faces has spoken with false tongue to the Red Bud of the Forest. Ere Many-Faces came to the wigwam of the Red Bud, she sung like a bird of the woods, and her heart was like the silvery river; her sorrows were light, only falling upon her as softly as the autumn leaves kiss the ground. But Many- Faces took away the joy of the Red Bud, and the wind sighs nightly ‘in her heart. The Great Spirit frowns at the child of the woods, and the heart of the Indian maid is breaking, and the snow of winter will rest upon her bosom. Many- Faces has.a false tongue, and a false light in his eyes, for he told the Red Bud he loved her; he took her from the wigwam of her people, and then left her alone to die. But the Great Spirit would not let her die then, but when she was worn down with hunger, when her feet would not press the earth, and the enemy of her peo- ple, the Sioux, would have danced around her scalp, the great white chief, who rides the prai- rie whirlwind, and whose eye ever looks death upon his foes, rescued her from her enemies and carried her back to her tribe.” a Wee i the Unknown Scout that saved your e, # Bud has spoken the truth; her tongue is not crooked; it was the strange Scout t carried her back to the Pawnee village, and he it was that told her that Many-Faces loved a maiden here by the rs ay (ng * ‘Curses on that Scout! Did you.come here to see that maiden?” said Howard T: t, harshly. “Red Bud has seen the Rose of the Wood- land, and told her not to love Many-Faces.” hs By Heaven, girl, you shall die for that!” cried the now aro’ man, and he attempted to draw a pistol from his helt; but, ere he could do so, Red Bud had unslung a light rifle from her back, and covered him with deadly aim. “Let not Many-Faces seek to slay the Paw- | nee girl, for she would not die by his hand. Her heart is broken, but she will not barm the pale- _ face chief who broke it. Let him go, and never _ cross the path of the Forest Red Budmore. Go; | the Red Bud bids him go.” Still holding her aim upon his heart, the look of the brave girl proved she would kill him did he hesitate, and with a bitter curse Howard Talbot drove the spurs into the flanks of his horse and dashed away, leaving Red Bud watch- ing him until he was out of sight, A rapid ride of five minutes brought Howard Talbot to the cabin door of Alfred Carter; but oh! what a scene met his gaze} Here and there were scattered numerous pieces of furniture and household effects; the strong door was broken from its hinges, and a scene of desolation was upon all, while blood- stains were upon the floor and ground. There lay the body of the faithful watch-dog, who had died at his post, and a few chickens were roaming disconso ately around. But nowhere visible were the occupants of the cabin, and the face of Howard Talbot turned pale with dread, as he quickly followed the trail where some heavy objects had been dragged and a walk of a few hundred yards brought him to a thicket of small timber upon the river- bank, and there he beheld three new-made graves side by side. ‘*My God! Alfred Carter and all his family gone! No, there are but three graves, and they numbered four. “Yes; Mrs. Carter, Rose, and her brother, lie here, and the father has escaped; or mayhap the father lies here, and Rose has been carried off into captivity. A sad, sad fate, r girl; but yet it were better so, and death army saved me a world of trouble, for I wish not two women as rivals in the same settlement. Well, it can-. not be helped, and now I am free to marry Sibyl Conrad, if that accursed Scout does not ewes: between us, and if he does, I must crush With a hard look upon his: handsome face Howard Talbot returned to the cabin, glanced carefully around among the rubbish for a while, and then mounting his horse, rode rapidly away, and making a wide circuit upon the prairie, overtook the wagon-train just as it went into camp for the night, on the edge of the peninsula mae ste mone ama ee Scout, accom- Siby Ruth, soon came w om, the deuated and desolate cabin home oF Alfred Carter, aad with a cry of alarm, Deadly- ve sprung from his horse and entered the little ut. ‘* All, all gone! In God’s name, who has done this foul deed? By the blue heavens above us, I swear that they shall rue this accursed act!” Never before had the cousins seen Deadly- Eye in any way moved by excitement; but now the look upon his face was terrible, and they almost feared him. But controlling himself instantly, he said gry re : if Conrad, it is due to both yourself and Miss Whitfield that I make known to you the deed done here. In this cabin home dwelt a man by the name of Alfred. Carter, and with him his wife, his daughter Rose—a beautiful irl—and his son. They had not an enemy in e world that I knew of; but, see here what a hellish deed has been committed! Following the same trail that Howard Talbot had, Deadly-Eye soon came to the graves, and then, after examining most carefully the tracks and trails around, as well as he could in the dy- ing light of day, he returned with the maidens to the encampment, and held a long conversa- tion with Major Conrad and Captain La Clyde, who just then came up from a scout with his men. “Major Conrad, this is the point I have decinad most favorable for your settlement,” said Deadly-Eye, at the conclusion of his talk re ing the massacre of the Carter family. “Here you will have every advantage, and protected by the river, as you will see in the morning. And I would advise that you at once set about building a stockade fort and wall across this end of the —_ and the river, be- ing wide and deep, will protect you upon the three other sides. In a few days I will return and aid you all in my power; but as soon as the moon rises, I will take the trail of the hell- hounds who have brought ruin upon the peace- ful family who dwelt here.” The Unknown Scout was as good as his word, for as soon as the moon arose and lighted up the prairie, he left the sleeping camp, and struck off over the plains, slowly following the trail of Ri- eardo and his d, after their deadly crime against poor Alfred Carter.
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+ wre One CHAPTER X. PLOTTING MISCHIEF. Taw days passed away after the arrival of the train in the new settlement, and the peninsula began to present a far different scene, for the settlers had also staked out their farms, chosen the sites of their cabin homes, and pitched their tents until their houses could be built, No contention, no envy existed among them, and the future promised brightly, as the whole male force worked upon the stockade fort, which was to be the common center of protection for all. Several days after their arrival Major Belden Deadly Eye. Whether Howard Talbot had changed his love for Sibyl none knew, as he was ever pleas- ant toward her; but, certain it is that he ap- peared to relinquish in favor of the major, and suddenly became devoted to Ruth, who, in the absence of the Unknown Scout, was willing to accept the attentions of the young man. 9 me tell you to report at once, as he wants you to lead an expedition to the south.” ** Indeed! ell, we will depart to-night.” ‘*Pardon me, major, but General Canton bids me remain at the settlement until our friends have their cabins built and crops in, and I am to retain command of twenty of your men.” Major Belden frowned visibly at this news The desolate cabin of Alfred Carter had be- | and compressed his lips as though in anger; bu come the home of Howard Talbot, with all its surroundings. The settlers having drawn lots for its possession, and he having been the lucky winner, he had at once installed himself in his SIA new residence, at the same time intimating that, as WwW , & . Ny VN 4 <a a fendi eo A DARK FORM GLIDED FORTH BORDERING THE TRAIL, AND STOOD DIRECTLY IN THE PATHWAY OF THE HORSEMAN. and his troopers dashed into the new settlement | and was greeted with pleasure by all, for the officer at once set his men to work aiding in building the stockade, and by many acts of kindness won the esteem of all the emigrants, With this extra force the work went bravely on, and in two weeks’ time the walls of the stockade went up, and the large cabin-fort was complete. In those two weeks Major Belden had con- stantly haunted Siby! Conrad with his presence, and the maiden’s kindness toward him he con- strued into a reciprocity of his affection, and commenced building up hopes of making her his wife. ere long, he hoped to have a housekeeper to look us g away the days at the peninsula settlement, or “ Riverside,” as the settlers had named. it, and still the Unknown Scout re- mained absent. One evening, the day prior to the Sapeurere of Major Belden to the fort, whither he had or- dered Captain La Clyde, the morning after his arrival in the settlement, that he might have no rivals in camp, the young cavalry officer suddenly rode up, followed by half a dozen goons. ‘Well, La Clyde, what news from the fort?” “Stirring times, major, and the general bids and mind, I see,” he remarked, pleasantly, as he walked up. ‘‘ Yes, sir,and both are the most agreeable occupations I could be engaged in.” “Indeed; I thought that you would be at least glad to see me, as I leave you to-morrow, or rather to-night, having been ordered to the fort to command a most dangerous expedition,” and the officer gazed down into the beautiful upturned face to mark the effect of his words, But Sibyl quietly replied: “Tt is the glory of a soldier’s life to partici- pate in dangerous service; so I have been told.” “True, Miss Sibyl, and it is a soldier’s duty to love, and also his pleasure, as I may safely
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10 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 4 say for dearly do I love you. Pardon me, Sibyl, for thus abruptly speaking of this, to me, most important subject, but to-night I leave you upon a service from which I may never return and if I fall, I would have you to know that i loved you more than all else in this world. If my life is spared, then, Sibyl, I beg you pro- mise me to one dav be my wife.” Major Belden had spoken earnestly, and ap- parently with deep feeling, but, neither his words nor manner had touched the heart of Sibyl Conrad, who, rising from the bank, replied: “Major Belden, you surprise and pain me by your words, for I have no love to give you, and never can have, though I| shall ever regard you most kindly as a friend.” “Curse your friendship, Sibyl Conrad!” hissed forth tho humiliated and Congeeintas man, and, wheeling quickly, he strode from the spot, leaving the maiden more surprised by this new phase in his character than by his declara- tion of love. A half-hour more and Major Belden rode forth from the settlement, his brow dark and lips com- pressed with internal emotion. As he reached the edge of the prairie he sud- denly came upon Howard Talbot, and bidding his men ride slowly on, he called to the young man, and when they halted side by side he said: ‘*Mr. Talbot, can I ask if you had a rival what would be your course with him?” ‘ are looked surprised, but replied almost ercely: ““T would overreach him by fair or foul means, even were he my brother!” “We think alike, Mr. Talbot. Now, let me ask you what regard you have for that prairie rover known as Deadly-Eye?” ** None whatever, sir.” ** Well, he is my rival.” ‘*Then court-martial him for the crimes it is said he has committed, and hang him to the nearest tree.” “Good advice, sir, and I will follow it; Mr. Talbot, it will give me pleasure to see you at the fort as my og and I think together we can, overreach the Unknown Scout. -day, sir. “*Good-day, Major Belden.” On dashed the major, and with a strange smile upon his face, Howard Talbot rode on, muttering to himself: “Yes, he sses I do not like the Unknown Scout, and I will use him as a tool to rid me of my dangerous rival, for that Sibyl loves him I know. Then, my gallant major, when you have removed the scout from my path, Pll devote my attention to you and that handsome captain, for all that cross my love-trail must die, and arrow or rifle-shot from the cover of a motte will easily make those two officers food for wolves. Now I must go on and improve my time with the lovely Sibyl, who is the cause of so much mischief,” and putting spurs to his horse he dashed on, to find upon his arrival at the stockade that the coast was not wholly clear, for the handsome face and form of Percy La Clyde was visible, sitting by the side of Sibyl Conrad. ith a smothered curse, Howard Talbot turned away, and the next moment met Ruth Whitfield with one of his sweetest smiles. “Well, Talbot, one of your rivals has just gone,” said Ruth, with a malicious smile, “True, and left another even more danger- ous; but, it is the Unknown Scout that I fear in that guarter most.” } “Yes, and it is he that J fear will be lost to me through her artful a) gal “ Leave that to me, Ruth Whitfield, as I have before told you. You and 1 understand each other thoroughly. I love Sibyl Conrad, and ‘ou love D y-Eye; now we will plot that he removed out of the way until I can marry her, and—” ‘But no harm must befall him, Talbot, or you will find me revengeful,” sternly said the maiden. “Leave that to me; he shall be captured and taken to a distant tribe of Indians, whom I know well, and held there until I marry Sibyl, and then he shall be allowed to escape, and it will depend upon you whether or not you be- come his wife. “She will not marry you if she believes him alive.” ‘‘No; he must be reputed dead, and that I will arrange; so give yourself no fear on that score.” ‘*T cannot help it, Talbot. Do you know that love for that man has altered my entire nature, and I would take life if it stood between him and me?‘and the glitter of Ruth Whitfield’s eyes pruyed that she spoke the truth, SSS SSS “No need of that; all will come right in the. ends only be my strong ally in all I ask you to 0. ‘T will say black is white if it but gains my ends,” recklessly said the handsome, but love- maddened woman, as she arose and walked to- ward her aunt who was approaching. “Well, Iam playing a deep game, but I will win her. Yet Ido not like her talking of re- venge if harm befall Deadly-Eye; but I must risk her vengeance, and I will be willing to, af- ter I make Sibyl my wife. I can lie Ruth and say that an Indian killed the Scout to re- venge himself for the death of some of his kin- dred whom Deadly-Eye had slain. Yes, all will come right; it must come right, or I am ruined, and Many-Faces, as the Indians call me, will have to pass in his checks, or get out of this prairie country.” CHAPTER XI. BEARDED IN HIS DEN. In his private quarters of the fort sat General Canton, the commandant of the chain of forts upon the far frontier. He was en in reading dispatches just arrived, and his brow was dark, his look trou- bled, as though the news therein contained was not pleasant. Around the general were si of comfort, and even luxury, for that Far-Western post, for his quarters were well furnished, and books and musical instruments were there with which pleasantly to while away leisure moments. Touching a small bell, an orderly soon ap- peared at the door. ‘* See if Major Belden is sufficiently recovered from his he doer trip to come to me.” ‘* Yes, sir,” and the orderly disappeared to re- turn in a few moments with the information that the major would come at once. Soon after the major put in an appearance at a general’s quarters, and was motioned to a sea ‘Major, Iam really pleased with your trip, and I feel certain that those Indians on the Southern Agency will behave, at least for a few months; but I have sent for you to learn what was the information you had regarding that desperado known as Deadly-Eye?” “‘T have information that should hang him, sir; for time og he has led a wild and reckless life, coming from none knew where, and to this day not aman on the frontier knows his home, or the mystery that surrounds him.” ‘‘He has committed several murders, I be- lieve?” ‘Yes, sir; he shot two soldiers a year or two since, and what for Heaven only knows. He has shot down Indians by the score, and I be- lieve is in league with some of the hostile bands, also with the Branded Brotherhood.” ‘“ Yet he has done a number of noble deeds, I have heard.” ““They have had that appearAne®, general; but, there has been some underhand reason for: it, I assure you. Now, on my return from the southward, as I told you this morning, I passed by the new settlement of Riverside, to see if they longer needed the services of Captain La Clyde, and all of a sudden the Unknown Scout appeared, after an absence of four weeks on some pretended trail, and demanded that I should.let him have a dozen soldiers to accom- pany him upon some trip, which he pretended would rescue a young girl from captivity. I considered it some —e to lead my men into and told him so, when he deliberately knocked me down. See, sir, here is the bruise on my left cheek.” : “He was most impertinent and daring, ma- jor. “Yes, general; and I arose and rushed upon him with my sword, when, as quick as a flash he wrested it from my grasp, broke it and hurled me from him with a strength I believed no man capable of.” ‘The daring desperado! What did you then, major?” “TI ordered the men to seize him, but he hurled them aside, drew his revolvers and strode right through their line, and I then ordered them to fire upon him, but Captain La Clyde half a dozen of the settlers and Miss Conr threw themselves in front of him, and the troop- ers could not obey, and, mounting his horse, the coward rode away.” **Not a coward, major; he is certainly not that, bad as he is,” said the general. x: Yes, sir, he is a coward—” ‘And you are a liar, Major Belden !” The sudden reply, breaking into the conversa- tion in a stern, deep voice, caused both General Canton and his officer to spring to their feet and glance toward the door. rtal, stood none other There, just inside the than Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, his eyes blazing, and fixed upon Major Belden witha menacing light. ‘“What! ho! the guard! orderly!” yelled the startled officer, and again the deep voice of the Scout was heard. “There stands one outside that door who would give up his life at my word, so you call in vain. One cry more from your lips and you are a dead man. Then, turning to the commander, the Scout continued: ** General Canton, I did not come here, sir, te beard the lion in his den, but to meet you face to face as man to man, and give the lie to all that has been said against me, sir. Will you spare me a moment of your time?” ‘““With a revolver staring me in the face, sir I see no choice, did I decide otherwise,” replied the poet with perfect coolness. “T will lower my weapon, sir; but, by the God above if any motion to betray me is made, I will slay the man that attemptsit. I came here voluntarily, to say that never have I raised a hand against the United States troops on this border, who did not first attack me.” “You slew two soldiers who once attempted your arrest, I learn.” “T slew two drunken soldiers who had boast- ed that they would take me alive and hang me without trial; they rushed upon me without orders from their officers. I warned them back; they would not heed the warning, and I shot them dead. You were not in command here then, sir, and heard only a garbled account of the affair from such as yonder man, who wears a major’s apape, which I will yet tear from a oer if he crosses my path with evil in- nt, “You speak boldly, Sir Scout.” “T know it, general; it is ahabit-I have. Re- gardin, wil 4 of ee Indians, it is all a lie, though I make war upon all hostile bands. N ow, sir, I desire to state why I sought you here: first to give the lie to all assertions against me such as have been brought to your ears, and then to say that upon arriving at the new settlement, whither I guided the Conrad emigrant-train, I saw with horror that a cruel enemy had been there, and left ruin and death behind, for Alfred Carter, his wife and son had been murdered, and his daughter, a beautiful gir! of eighteen, had been carried off into cap- ivity. Taking ter days of tedious work, I tracked them to their kennel, and found that Ricardo, the chief of the Branded Brotherhood, had done the deed.” “*Tnfamous!” “Well may you say so, General Canton; but, to continue: I tracked the renegades to their den, three days’ journey from here, and for over two weeks endeavored in some way to get ane ag of the maiden, butinvain. At length, owever, I disguised myself, and by night en- tered the stronghold, and sought the cabin where the young lady was held a prisoner.” ‘“You were most daring, sir.” The scout smiled quietly, and replied: “T risk my life every day, general. From Rose Carter I learned that Ricardo was off on another raid, and only a few of his men were in camp; also that she was too ill to then leave; so I returned to the settlement, and meeting there Major Belden, be for a few men to return with me. He re , and insulted me, and I promptly knocked him down.” “Served him right,” responded General Can- ton, who, astonished at the magnificent appear- ance and noble face of the man whom all called a d rado, and won over by his bold daring and manner, was rapidly leaning to his side. Before, he had believ. the Unknown Scout some burly outlaw, a brute in appearance and acts. “Thank you, general. I then left the settle- ment by forcing a way through the soldiers; and, rei ing to the outlaw stronghold, suc- ceeded in effecting the cane? of Rose Carter, who was greatly improved in health by the baste 4 of leaving Ricardo’s hated presence.” ther I brought her, half an hour since, for we ab hotly pursued by the Branded Brother- “The deuce you were! Well, I will lead m men at once ag: them,” said the command- ant, eagerly. “Hold, general! I have already seen Captain La Clyde, and, by this time, he has a troo ready. Jt was ugh his kindness I found the trail of the bloodhounds, af- -
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Deadly Eye. you hero, and the orderly cutside of your door is a man whose life I have twice saved, and he bade me enter and clear my character, which Major Belden was defaming. Now, general, if you will just give an order to see that poor Miss Carter is comfortably looked after, I will guide you in pursuit of Ricardo and his men,” ‘Miss Carter shall be the guest of my wife, Sir Scout, and I will at once follow you. Ma- jor Belden, you have, for some reason, I am certain, misrepresented this man’s character to me, sir, for I am confident he speaks the truth. Be more careful in future, and until my return hold command of the fort. Come, Scout.” So saying, the general walked from his quar- ters out into the court of the fort, where Captain La Clyde’s troop of horse was drawn up ready for the march. Presenting the general to Rose Carter, whose beautiful face was most sad looking and pale with fatigue, the kind officer at once conduct- ed her to the apartments of his wife, and re- turning soon after mounted his horse, and with the Unknown Scout by his side, and Percy La Clyde and his troop following, dashed rapidly away from the fort, leaving the crestfallen ma- jor swearing hatred and revenge upon all who crossed him, from the Phe, down to the drummer boy. CHAPTER XIi. THE BATTLE WITH THE BROTHERHOOD. DASHING rapidly on, under the guidance of the Unknown Scout, the squadron of cavalry, after a ride of ten miles, struck the trail where Ricardo and his men had turned back in their chase after the two fugitives. After carefully examining the traces, Deadly- Eye reported the outlaws about thirty strong and_with a cheer the troopers dashed on, unt the Unknown Scout suddenly drew rein, where a large trail was visible. ar Hare is another trail of fully a hundred horsemen, and they have followed on after Ricardo, Ah! I have it, they are the band of Dog Soldier Sioux under the desperate Red Dick, General, can I offer some advice?” ** Assuredly, Keout. Our success in this affair depends upon you.” ‘Well, sir, | would say dispatch half a dozen men at once to the fort for another squadron of horse, so that we can be able to manage both of these bands, and follow Ricardo to his retreat.” “Good! we'll make a ten-strike of him this time, and it will be a feather in our cap to rid the country of such a desperate renegade. Lieutenant Ainslie, take four men with you, re- turn to the fort, and tell Captain Kassidy to come on at utmost speed with his company, and see also that you bring fresh horses and ra- tions.” Away darted the lieutenant, while a halt was called, and the horses were allowed to rest, but the Unknown Scout determined to push on at once, alone, and reconnoiter; so, telling the general he would return if he discovered the exact whereabouts of the enemy, he rode away, and soon disappeared behind a roll in the prairie. For a few miles Deadly-Eye continued on, Prairie Gull creeping up s y, in a sweeping and untiring op; en he suddenly drew rein, for the distant crack of a rifle broke on his ear Cautiously advancing, Deadly-Eye soon reached a roll of the nails higher than ordinary, and, knowing that he could obtain an extensive view from its summit, he dismounted, and leav- ing Prairie Gull to await him, he advanced until he could see for miles before him. Then, quite to his surprise, he beheld a small timber-island, and around it, just out of rifle- range, were full two hundred Indians. Taking a small field-glass from his pocket, he soon discovered that the timber hid a number of horsemen, who taken refuge from their Indian foes. . “ Aha!” he exclaimed, as he turned his glass upon the Indian besieging- y. “Aha! Ri- cardo; you are in a trap, and Red Dick holds the winning hand, Well, so much the better for the troops. Ah! Ricardo, yor days are num- bered now, and mine must be the hand to tear from you your worthless life. After a long examination of the motte and the surrounding band, the Scout returned to his horse, mounted and rode rapidly back, arriving at the cavalry encampment just as Captain Kassidy and Lieutenant Ainslie arrived with about sixty more men. Reporting his discovery to the general, Dead- jy-Eye continued: “ « And now, sir, I think as soon as the horses are a little rested we had better push on. You have a hundred fighting men now, and we can defeat the two forces combined.” ‘You do not think the two men, now enemies, will join against us, do you, Scout?” *T do, general; the necks of both men are in the hangman’s noose, and, knowing that they cannot singly meet your force, they will join their thieving bands and make common war upon us.” ‘Well, well give them a supper of cold lead and steel by dark. Come, gentlemen, we must be on the move.” On swept the cavalcade over the prairie, and when the sun was low in the horizon they came up to the higher roll of the prairie, where a short halt was ordered. ‘They are at it, hot and fast,” said the Scout, as the sound of rapid firing reached their ears. ‘* Now, general, let me suggest that you divide the troops into three parties, you leading the center with about forty men, Captain La Clyde taking the right with about preamps men, Captain Kassidy the left with a like number, and at about a mile distant from Captain La Clyde, With your permission I will then take the remaining dozen troopers and the three hunters, and making a circuit of four miles will come out upon the prairie at a point far to your right, and at once advance toward the motte. hen the Indians catch sight of me they will at once send out a large force to fight me, and then you had better charge with your three u ms. “*Splendidly planned, Scout; you should have entered the army!” cried the general, and he at once gave the necessary orders, and in ten min- utes more, with the roll of the prairie still hid- takin g up their ing them, the four parties were respective positions. From their points of view the officers then saw Deadly-Eye suddenly emerge upon the prai- rie. At once his presence created an excite- ment in the Indian besieging ranks. But boldly on rode a party to meet and give them battle, while their main attack upon the motte did not cease in vigor. Rapidly the two parties approached each other—the Indians surprised at the boldness of the little band. Then broke forth across the rairie the wild and thrilling war-cry of the nknown Scout, and over the roll of land, from three differing points, bounded the cavalry squadrons, their regular cheers striking terror to the dusky besiegers of the motte. Instantly there was a cessation of hostilities between the Indians and Branded Brotherhood, and out from the motte bounded the iron-gray of the outlaw chief, his master upon his back, and, waving a white handkerchief, he approach- ed a central point from whence another horse- man emerged to meet him, Presently the two met upon the plain; the ley between them was excited and brief, and icardo returned to his motte, and Red Dick to his Indians, who at once broke in wild confu- sion and made for the motte. **Tt is as I thought; they have joined forces,” cried the Scout, and raising his voice to its er pitch he sent it across the prairie in one of his terrible war-cries. ‘Ride, men, ride! Press them into their den! Press them home and the game is ours!” A cheer answered the Scout’s words, and driving their spurs into their horses, the troop- ers bounded on in hot pursuit, closing up upon their foes in deadly earnest. At length the band of Indians, under Red Dick, reached the motte, and rallying around the nearest trees, turned to fire upon the advanc- ing cavalry, the stern voice of Ricardo giving forth his orders in a cool and decided manner. But the Scout gave them no time to form a solid line, for, ahead of the other three squad- rons, he dashed on with his little band right in- ts | timber, and instantly a hot firing was ea Almost immediately after, the squadron of Percy La Clyde struck the timber, then fol- lowed the general and Captain Kassidy and their troopers. Attacked thus from four points, and without time to rally, the Indians broke and fled, in spite of the cries of Red Dick and Ricardo, who were determined to sell their lives dearly. Through the motte like a fiery torrent swept the Unknown Scout and his d, crushing down many an Indian brave, and driving a mass of Indians pell-mell before his impetuous advance. _ On, on, right for the spot where Ricardo see A sat his horse, Red Dick, Long Dave, and Red Burke upon either hand, and his disciplined outlaws around him, determined to do or die. ““Here, accursed hound, ycu are my game,” e $$ Ow 4 Lt yelled the Unknown Scout, firing his revolvers right and left, and dropping a foe at every shot, as he urged his horse on toward Ricardo. But though the Indians had broken upon every hand, and were flying madly through the timber, shot and cut ruthlessly down by the charging troopers, the brave band of the Brand- ed Brotherhood still stood as firm as a rock, and met the attack with iron nerve. Suddenly a tall trooper fell from his horse by the side of Deadly-EKye, and instantly his saber was seized by the Scout, who, witha series of wild war-cries, still pressed on toward Ricar- do. But, ere he reached the chief, Red Dick spur- red forward to meet him, crying in his hoarse tones: : *‘Now, you cursed Scout, your time hes come.” “You lie, Red Dick, you lie!” fairly shrieked -Eye, and with one mighty sweep of his saber he cut down through the neck and breast of the burly ruffian, crying: “Take my second mark, Red Dick, though it cheats the gallows of its due.” Quickly yo the band of the Scout came Per Clyde and his troopers, and the moment after, up dashed General Canton and half a dozen men, he having dispatched the re- mainder of his squadron, under Lieutenant Ainslie, and Captain Kassidy and his dragoons, in pursuit of the flying Indians. 1¢ reinforcements, thus received by Deadly- Eye, caused the Branded Brotherhood to be out- Se and slowly they began to give ground. Then, as if maddened because he could not break their ranks, Deadly-Eye bounded forward once more, and his saber having been broken by coming in contact with the rifle of Long Dave, he drew his keen knife, and with desperate thrusts of his cruel ie forced Prairie Gull forward until he faced Ricardo. “Now, Captain Carleton, it is your life or mine!” “In Satan’s name, who are you that knows me?” cried the outlaw chief, his face turning ghastly pale, as he reined back his iron gray mare upon her haunches. ‘*T am one who has tracked you for years, I am the son of Nellie Carleton!” almost shricked the Scout. “Great God!” ° As the outlaw chief uttered the cry, his reins fell from his nerveless hand, and his mare would have bounded away, had not Deadly- Eye seized the bridle and hurled her back with cruel force, while spurring still nearer to his enemy, he raised his glittering knife and drove it deep into the bosom of the man whose life he had sworn to take. ‘“* Ha, ha, ha!” oan. ape the Unknown Scout, as, with a smother cry, the chief fell to the ground. Bending over the prostrate form the next instant Deadly-Eye seized Red Burke in ne oN arms, and dragged him from the e. “Here, La Clyde, this fellow shall not cheat the gallows,” he cried, and two troopers instant- ly seized the ruffian, while the remainder of the outlaws broke in wild confusion, and darted away to seek safety in flight. But avenging foes were upon their track, and ere darkness settled upon the scene, ge | 4 0 e fallen beneath the pistols and sabers an a At length night came on, and the sounds of suffering were heard in the motte, for around a large camp-fire the troopers had placed the wounded. At another fire, near by, stood General Can- ton and his officers, discussing the battle, and wondering at the absence of Deadly-Eye, who, when last seen, was in hot pursuit of the flying ean: rr But the night crept on, midnight rolled around, and yet the Unknown Scout came not, and anxious fears filled the hearts of all regi... ing his safety. CHAPTER XIII. A STARTLING REVELATION. In that motte, there on the wild plain, few cared to seek sleep, with the dead and wound d everywhere around them, General Canton and his officers still sat around the camp-fire, though midnight had come and gone. Presently the sound of rapidly advancin hoof-beats was heard, the sahaenah challenged, and the answer came in the stern, deep voice o the Unknown Scout. The next instant he dashed up to the fire, ac- companied b Buttermilk, another horseman, the negro e servant of Ricardo,
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“> — 12 “Thank God you have come, Scout. We feared danger had befallen you,” cried the ge- neral, ‘No, sir; I took the trail of this negro, and I caught him. Where is the body of Ricardo?” f ying where he fell, I suppose.” Walking hastily away into the timber, the Scout soon hailed: ‘*Send me a few men; the chief is not dead.” A few minutes more, and half a dozen troopers approached the fire, bearing between them the wounded form of Ricardo, the chief of the Bro- therhood, “Gently, men, gently! do you not hear his ‘oans, and he is no man to cry out at trifles. y him there,” said Deadly-Eye, and around the wounded chieftain gathered General Canton, the Scout, Captain La Clyde, the negro Butter- milk, and several others. ‘‘ Ricardo Carleton, do you know that you are dying?” suddenly asked Deadly-Eye, in an earn- est tone. “Yes; my sands of life are ebbing out rapid- ly; but who are you that calls my name—a name that has been dead to sound for long, long years?” replied the chief, speaking with diffi- culty, and turning his eyes upon the Scout. ‘“T will tell you, and you must say whether I speak true or not.” ‘“*T.am listening; hasten, for death keeps back at the bidding of no man.” After a moment’s silence, Deadly-Eye began speaking in a low but distinct voice, plainly heard by all. ‘* Nearly thirty years ago there were two bro- thers, sons of wealthy parents, living on the Missouri river. One of these brothers in his eighteenth year, left his home to serve in the army of his: country, and his brother; two years his senior, remained at home with his parents, who also had taken under their guar hi a — maiden of sixteen—a beautiful gir and an heiress. Between the elder brother and the maiden a warm feeling of love sprung up, and ere long they became engaged to be mar- ried. * About that time, the soldier brother—a handsome, dashing fellow and gallant soldier— returned home on a leave of absence, and at sight, loved the maiden who was the te so wife of the brother. Maddened by his love, and jealous of his brother, he told the young lady she should never wed any man but him- self, and 2 ey ae by his threats, she con- sented to put her marriage off with his brother. Convin that she would keep her word, the soldier left on a visit to New Orleans, and once from under his influence, the maiden confessed to her lover and guardians the promise made under compulsion, for she fea the reckless soldier would slay his brother. Instantly it was arranged that the lovers should be at once married and depart for a home in some distant State; and it was done. “In the far West the young couple found a home, and for two "gr were happy, for a young son was born to them, and” ‘Good God! who are you that haunts me with these specters of the past?’ groaned the wounded chief. . “Wait, and you shall know. My knife- blow was a deadly one, but, Ricardo Carleton ou will not die until you have heard what | ve to say. “Then a shadow darkened the home in the West, for, in the absence of the husband and father, the cruel brother found out the quiet abode, insulted the loving wife with disgraceful proposals, and finding his influence over her one, went mad with rage, and drove a knife to ter heart. “Flying from the hated spot, he dealt an- other severe blow upon his only brother by car- rying with him the child, and placing it in the keeping of some friend of his, saying it was his ‘own “ Returning to his command, with his hellish secret locked up in his own heart, as he believed ‘he soon was guilty of winnin; the'affection of ‘a young girl, the daughter of a: brother officer ‘stationed in the same fort with him. _ “‘Dishonoring her, for he cared not for the young girl, his crime was found: out, and the almost heart-broken father sought revenge for the disgrace upon his child, and was'slain in a duel at the hands of the man who had already brought untold sorrow upon him. . a Dismissed from the service, Ricardo Carle- ton then leagued himself with robbers, roaming over the western and south-western plains for years, until at length he became: the leader of the Branded Brotherhood. Have I truly told . your life, Ricardo?” : ‘ “You know all,” sadly replied the chief, and then he continued: ‘‘What became of my brother, and his child? for it was stolen from the person I left it with.” ‘“ After several years your almost broken- hearted brother married a young girl who had nursed him through the long illness that follow- ed his discovery of the death of his wife; and, convinced in his own mind that you had done the foul deed, though he would not betray you, he took the maiden name of his wife, which was that of Carter, and moved still further into the western wilds, until a few years ago he settled not very far from here; and Alfred Carter, the man whom you slew, whose second wife you murdered, whose son fell by your hand, and whose daughter you carried in captivity to your stronghold, intending to make her your victim, was your brother, your own kindred.” a ( h, God! what a judgment has overtaken me!’ ‘“* Trescued Rose Carter from your power, and Ihave brought upon you your ruin.” ‘“Who are you, fiend of Satan, who are you?” almost shrieked the chief. “T will tell you. You carried me, for I was the little son of your brother, to one whom you deemed your friend. Atthat time the man was your very slave, but, in a fit of anger, you one day struck him, and kicked from your path his little child, and he hated you, for that kick proved fatal. From that day I was trained up to know and hate you too, until my kind bene- factor and his wife, tor they were kind, notwith- standing the evil lives they led as youragent for the sale of stolen , moved to the , to live on the money they had accumulated. “In an eastern State I lived until my eigh- teenth year, receiving the best education that money could bestow, and then my adopted parents lost their lives in a collision upon a rail- road, and I was left alone, with a few thousand dollars they still had left. “From papers in the possession of your ene- my, I found out all thaw I would know, and westward I came, and devoted my life to be- coming a thorough scout and plainsman, and that I succeeded wt can well judge. “Determined to track you to the bitter end and slay you for the murder of my mother. if follow ou across the prairies by day and by night, to, in the end, find that you had become the slayer of my father, my stepmother and brother, had dragged m -sister to your den to bring dishonor upon her. **Nay, Ricardo Carleton, I have more to say, for I would have you know that the young girl whom you brought ruin upon, and whose father you slew, went forth in the world with her babe, and ere many years became the wife of a hor- rid brute—one whom this night I sent to his long account, and Who once before I marked, when ears ago he attacked me for interfering when e yee beating that poor, lonely woman. . “He had settled himself not far from Kansas City, and one night I stopped at his cabin, and then it was, in a fit of anger, he struck the woman whose life you had wrecked. **Infuriated with my interference, he the next day, killed the sorrowing woman, and fled to sneer wide, vad soon Land pee be . ia oand renegade from his people, the leader o. Sana of thieving, murdering Do Soldier Sioux. “The son, whose life you dishonored, was cast upon the world, and living at one time among the Indians, at another in the cities, cerning at all times a precarious living, he grew to manhood, a fit heir to his father’s crimes, for only this night, from your negro servant, who from boyhood to ood has followed you, and participated in iar of your evil deeds, did T find out really who that son was, although a suspicion of the truth has of late flashed over me; and now hear me, Ricardo Carleton. As I tracked you to death so will I hunt down your son, for he has committed against one whom I love a deadly sin, one who took care of me when wounded and sick I laid for weeks in an Indian wigwam.” ithout another word the Scout arose and walked away from the camp-fire, and only the groans of the chief broke the silence; but, whether most from pain of body or mind none knew, for he never spoke again, and with his head supported in the arms of the negro, But- termilk, who had so faithfully followed his mas- ter’s evil fortunes, his breath grew shorter and more labored, until, with a curse half uttered upon his lips, Ricardo, the chief of the Branded Brotherhood, was dead. CHAPTER XIV. THE DUEL ON THE PRAIRIE. Wuen the Unknown Scout, now also known Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. Carleton, left the camp-fire and his dying uncle, he mounted Prairie Gull and rode away across the prairie. Shortly after sunrise he beheld a single horse- man approaching, and upon a nearer view dis- gi 1im to be none other than Howard Tal- A cruel light flashed in the deer-like eyes of the Scout as he recognized the horseman, and, putting Prairie Gull into a rapid gallop, he started toward him. Whether it was a guilty conscience of intend- ing wrong to the Scout, or fear, we cannot tell, but Howard Talbot instantly turned to fly, when the Scout at once urged his horse forward in pursuit. Across the rolling prairie Howard Talbot urged his steed, A Pt for a piece of tim- ber soon disappeared in its leafy recesses. “*Ha! he has taken cover and intends to fight me! So be it,” said the Scout, and the next in- stant a look of disappointment was upon his face, for he suddenly saw the fugitive aac out on the other side of the motte and continue on across the prairie. The next moment Prairie Gull had reached the timber and was circling around it, when, suddenly, a shrill call was heard, and, glancin into the thicket, Deadly-Eye beheld the Bud of the Forest, just preparing to mount her white mare which stood near, Instantly he wheeled alongside of the maiden, and in surprise, asked: “What does the Red Bud here alone?” ‘She came to seek the Stranger Scout. der goes the enemy of Deadly-Eye—the man who taught the Rose of the Pawnees to love him —the man of many faces.” ‘Yes, Iam now on his trail, Red Bud, for I would take his life, for did he not try to destroy the Pawnee maiden, and was she not ever kind to me when I lay sick and wounded in her wigwam?. The Scout has a heart and a forgotten. But, why did you seek me ‘Yon- “The Red Bud came to warn the great Scout that Many-Faces was his enemy who would strike him in the back, for Red Bud heard the words of the wicked man and the warrior from the great fort,” ‘*Hal that must have been Major Belden.” “The great Scout speaks straight; the two wicked braves were to kill Deadly-Eye, and the Many-Faces was to make one of the pale-face maidens his squaw.” “This is news, Red Bud, and I thank you for it. Now I must be off after yonder running hound. Come!” Away darted Prairie Gull, and close behind followed the steed of the Bud. But gradually, the trained and swift horse be- gan to draw away from his less fleet companion, and once more, with tremendous strides, he was drawing nearer the magnificent animal ridden by Howard Talbot. Thus an hour passed, and Prairie Gull was not a hundred feet behind the fugitive, while two miles distant upon the prairie came Red Bud urging rig white mare forward at the top of er speed. With his repeating rifle Deadly-Eye could have brought down both horse and rider, but he cared not to do either; as that would have end- ed the affair too soon. A few more tremendous bounds, and Howard Talbot saw his pursuer almost eo him, and drawing a pistol he opened a rapid but harmless. tire upon him, ; F Instantly Deadly-Eye seized his lasso, which hung at the saddle-bow, and which he had learned to throw upon the southern prairies: with wondrous skill. It made a sweep around. his head. With a cry of horror, Howard Tal-. bot saw it coming, and endeavored to dodge the fatal noose. __ 5 Too late! Like a lightning-flash it settled’ around him, and he was jerked violently from his saddle. Instantly Deadly-Eye dismounted, and loos- ening the lariat from around his enemy’s waist, bade him rise. “What means this, sir?” sternly asked Howard Talbot, as he slowly rose to his feet. *s ‘‘Tt means, sir, that I have pursued you to take your life, or lose mine in the attempt.” “ And why, may I ask?” “First, sir, because you are the son of the man I hate because he slew my mother, my father, and others dear to me,” “ What do you mean?” “Simply, that you know, as well as I do, that your are the illegitimate son of Ricardo. Carleton, though you are not to blame for your to the reader under his real name of Alfred | birth.”
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A flush stole over the pale face of Howard Talbot, and he was silent. i ‘“Whether you know that Ricardo, the chief of the Branded Brotherhood, was your father, or whether you are ignorant of it, I am not assured; but, such is the case, and you are a fit son for such a father, for under numerous dis- ‘ses, you have led a most villainous life, and Sve brought ruin and death upon more than one household, and were plotting the ruin of Rose Carter, and also Sibyl Conrad, after hav- ing won the affection of yonder beautiful Indian girl, only in the end to tire of her, after she had iven up all for you, and cruelly desert her to er fate,” and the Scout turned and pointed to- ward Red Bud, who at that moment rode up, and in silence gazed upon the two. You have then become the champion of all the red-skin and pale-face girls on the border?” sneeringly replied Howard Talbot. ‘**T have sought you to take your life, as I slew your wicked father, last night.” ‘‘What! Ricardo dead?” “Yes, and you shall seen join him; but I would not shoot you down like a dog, but give ou a chance for your life, You have a knife in your belt, and report says Many-Faces has found but few equals in its use. Draw and de- fend yourself, Howard Talbot.” Instantly a gleam of hatred and triumph commingled, flashed in the eyes of the hunted man, and, drawing his long, keen knife, he sprung upon the Scout. But, Deadly-Eye met him with steel, and the blades flashed in the sunlight like a circle of fire. Both were men of splendid physique, and were noted for their strength, mas and courage, and therefore the duel between them was one of deadly ferocity, the Scout fighting for revenge, his antagonist struggling for his life. For many long moments in breathless suspense the Red Bud of the Forest, the poor, trusting, loving, but deserted squaw, watched the terrible encounter, and then her eyes gleamed with joy as she saw Aner tech spring within the guard of his enemy, and, once, twice, thrice drive his gleaming blade into his bosom. With a half-uttered cry Howard Carleton sunk to the ground, a dead man, and coolly wiping his blood-stained blade, his destroyer stood re- garding him. “Well, Red Bud, he will do no more harm.” “No, Many-Faces gone to happy hunting- grounds. Stranger ut is great brave, big chief. Red Bud want to be his squaw.” Deadly-Eye started and turned an inquiring look upon the beautiful Indian maiden, while shaking his head sadly, he said: ‘No, let the Red Bud of the Forest return and sing in her native wigwam, where her peo- ple dwell around her; the stranger Scout will ever love her, and think kindly of the Pawnee maiden, but his heart belongs to a daughter of the pale-faces,”’ ‘The Red Bud of the Forest is heartsick; the goere Scout will not have her love, wiil not let er bead his moccasins, work his leggins, cook his dinner, or dwell in his wigwam, and her eyes will grow dim with weeping. Deadly-Eye has spoken, and Red Bud will return to the vil- lage of her people.” ‘ Badly the lonely Indian maiden turned away, and ere the Scout could prevent, bounded upon her horse, and the next moment was flying across the prairie. “Well, it is better thus. Now I must bury this body, for even my enemy I cannot leave for the wolf to tear in pieces, and in his veins flows kindred blood to mine.” Thus saying, with his knife the Scout dug a grave in the soft soil, and after taking from the body the belt of arms, placed it within the nar- row ager which was soon filled up with earth. Mounting his horse, and leading the steed of his late enemy, Deadly Bye then set off across the prairie, just as the sun was sinking from sight beyond the distant horizon, CHAPTER Xy, THE RETURN TO RIVERSIDE, From the scene of his prairie duel, Deadly- Eye headed in the direction of the fort. At nighitels he halted for rest, for both steed and rider sally needed it. After looking to the comfort of the horse, and rolling himself in his blanket, Deadly-Eye was soon lost in slumber, With the first glimmer of the day he was astir, and after a few hours’ ride came in sight of the fort, and was shortly after welcomed by General Canton and Percy La Clyde, who had arrived the night before, bringing with him the prisoners taken and the wounded of both sides. The rage of Major Belden -was great indeed Deadly Eye. when he knew of the great triumph of his ene- my, and he at once offered his resignation, which the general received with satisfaction for he was now convinced that the major had been acting an underhand part toward both himself and the Scout. After his arrival, Deadly-Eye sought Rose Carter, or rather Carleton, as the reader knows her now to be, and found her greatly improved by her rest, and far more cheerful. Being left alone by the kind-hearted general, Deadly-Eye made known to his half-sister the secret that had so long divided them, and to- gether ger sorrowed for those they had lost. The next day Deadly-Eye and Rose left the fort, accompanied by Percy La Clyde and twen- ty troopers, who acted as an escort, and the fol- lowing night they reached the Riverside settle- ment. One other was of that party, and that other was Major Belden, who was determined, ere he left the western frontier, to once more seek to win the hand of Sibyl Conrad. Silently he rode along at the head of the troopers during the journey to the settlement, no one hardly speaking a word to him. But his hopes regarding gaining the hand of Sibyl rapidly faded away, when, upon his ar- rival, she never even noticed his existence. Soon all became known in the settlement, and the romantic career of Deadly-Eye, no longer the Unknown Scout, was upon every tongue, and his beautiful half-sister at once became greatly admired, and in her old cabin-home, which she had last seen under such painful cir- cumstances, and which had been the residence of Howard Carleton, Rose set to work to put things to right, and become her noble brother's housekeeper. Perfectly convinced, when she saw the meet- ing between Sibyl and Deadly-Bye, that she had no hope of success, Ruth Whitfield suddenly changed her tactics and bent all of her fascina- tions upon Major Belden, who was too philo- — a man to make himself miserable about a lost love, and devoted himself in return to the haughty beauty. So successful was his suit, that, within a few days, the two became en- gaged, and Major Conrad gave his consent that they should be at once married, as Major Belden was anxious to return to his home in Massachu- setts, pending action upon his resignation. The wedding arrangements were quickly made, an itinerant Indian missio preacher performed the service, and the well-matched couple set off for the nearest town, Percy La Clyde and his troopers acting as a guard of io or most reluctantly. One month after, and when autumn was painting the leaves many hues, Percy La Clyde returned once more to the settlement, and, with a sigh, learned that Sibyl Conrad was the pro- mised wife of Deadly-Eye, as he was still called among the settlers. But, the bright eyes and lovely face of Rose Carleton soon soothed the heartache of the gal- lant young soldier, and without rise, Dead- pel e received from Raney, La Clyde a proposal or the hand of his beautiful sister. Need I say the consent was Gladly given by the brother, for he greatly admired Captain Percy La Clyde and believed him one of the noblest soldiers that ever scalped an Indian or hunted down a desperado. CHAPTER XVI. CONCLUSION. THE snows of winter fell upon the Western rairies, and covered the humble roofs of the iverside settlement, which had wonderfully improved, and everywhere around presented an air of homelike comfort and prosperity. And in the months that had lided by since Major Conrad and his comrades had found new homes on the border, many changes had come and the onward march of Civilization was heard around them, for new friends were daily wel- comed in their midst, and improvement was striding bravely forward. One cold pe F night, when the moonlight gilded the fields of snow, and silvered the icicles upon the eaves of the roofs, a ruddy glare burst through the windows of Major Conrad’s cabin, and the light of many candles fell upon a happy and goodly company of “Fair women and brave men.” It was ascene of joy long to be remembered by the participants, and among the plain but neat costumes of the frontier belles and beaux glittered the uniforms of a number of gallant soldiers—most conspicuous among whom were General Canton and Captain Kassidy. The cause of this joyous gathering was a dou- if ble wedding, for Alfred Carleton, once the fa- mous Deadly-Eye, was to claim as his bride the beautiful Sibyl Conrad, and Captain La Clyde was happy because that night he was to make Rose Carter his wife. Soon the chaplain of the fort entered the room, and then followed the grooms and_ brides, and taking their places before the clergyman, he soon made each couple one. Since that joyous eve years have passed away, and the settlement is now a flourishing town; but never is it a dry subject among its denizens to discuss the romantic life of Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. THE END. THE NEW YORE Fireside Library. 1—Was She His Wife? By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell..:.............10 cents, 2—Fleeing From Love, By Harriet Ir- Vi aval withstinss Va 6 Oa wba bain bs. 087 10 cents, 3—Did He Love Her? By Bartley T. Campbells... 2... ce .eg 1@s,cuy 10 cents. 4—A Strange Woman. By Rett Win- WOES A R's - <stescke wees. 20 cents. 26—That Boy of Norcott’s. By Charles Lp CWOR i idle’ da salic( i ars situ, shawinldie, 34 0 cents. 27-28—Charlotte’s Inheritance. by Miss M. E, Braddon......... 20 cents- 29—A Girl’s Heart. By ReitWinwood 10c. 30-31—Red asa Rose is She. By Rhoda Broughton. Double number... . .20 ets. 32—The Lily of St. Erne. By Mrs. POW i so <'sch R REMEBER» «LU CONT 33—Strangely Wed. [y Mrs. Jennie PIAGIs. 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Beadle & Adams’ Standard Dime Publications. Speakers. BEADLE AND ADAMS have now on their lists the follow- ing highly desirable and <i text-books, pre- pared expressly for schools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the bes 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.: j. American Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 2. National Speaker. 12. Exhibition Speaker. 8. Patriotic Speaker, 13. School Speaker. 4. Comic Speaker. 14. Ludicrous Speaker. 6. Elocutionist. 15. Komikal Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker. 16. Youth’s Speaker. %. 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. 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Pomfret’s Ward. | 272 Single Hand. 81 Double Hero. 273 Little Thunderbolt. 82 Lrona. 4 The Sea King. s8 Maum Guinea, 20c. %4 Ruth Margerie. 35 East and West. 276 Two-Handed Mat. 277 Abdiel, the Avenger. 278 Boon, the Hunter. 86 Riflemen of the Miami. | 279 The Girl Captain. 38 The Wrong Man. 280 Border Vengeance, 39 The Land Claim. 281 The Black Spy. 40 Union’s Daughter, 20c. | 282 Rub Rolant 42 The King’s Man. 233 The Lone Chief. 44 Agnes Falkland. 284 236 The Maange ve e Mas venger. 287 Ethan Allen’s Rifles. 239 The Balloon Scouts, 46 Wreck of the Albion. 47 Tim Bumble’s Charge. 51 The Two Guards. 53 Hates and Loves. 292 Black John. 54 Myrtle. 293 The Tonkawa Spy. 56 Ahmo’s Plot. 204 The Rival Rovers. 60 Jo Daviess’ Client. 61 Laughing Eyes. 62 The Unknown, 63 The Indian Princes. 64 Rangers of Mowhawk,. 205 Arkansas Kit. 296 Death Trailer. 297 Black Nick. 208 The Hussar Copteln. 94 Mossfoot, the Brave. 65 The Wrecker’s Prize. The Crested Serpent. 68 The Brigantine. 301 Mustang Sam. 69 Black Hollow. 802 Cuban Conspirators, 0 The Indian Queen. 803 The Corsair Prince. 72 The Moose Hunter. 305 The Girl Scout, 73 The Silver Bugle. 806 Caribou Zip. 74 Cruiser of Chesapeake. | 808 Glass Eye. W7 Quindaro. 810 Foghorn Phil 81 The Two Hunters. 311 Sonora Ben. 84 The Seminole Chief, 312 Dick Darling. 85 The Fugitives. 813 The Red Brotherhood. 86 Red Plume. 814 Rival Lieutenants. 87 On the Deep. 315 Tiger Heart, Tracker, P| Gantein Molly. gi6 Bieabe Bul. ast Away. Pp, e Texan. 91 The Lost Cache. 818 The Stone Chief. 92 The Creole Sisters, 95 fRb Peters. 96 Little Moccasin. 97 The Doomed Hunter. 98 Ruth Harland, 100 Karaibo. 101 Maid of Wyoming. 102 Hearts Forever. 104 Guilty or Not Guilty. 106 Simple Phil. 107 The Peddler Spy. 109 Sei cp 110 The Hidden Home. 112 The Falcon Rover. 113 Rattlepate. 114 Ned Starling. 115 The Sons of Liberty. 823 The Dashing Dragoons. Su Will-o'-the-Wisp. 825 Dashing Dick, $26 Old Crossfire. i is Roleted Gopttn @ Brigand Ca 829 Old Strategy, ¥ 8380 Gray Hair, the Chief, 331 The Prairie Tigers, a are res ee e Texan ut, 834 Zebra Zack. 835 The Maskee Messenger. 116 Port at Last. 836 Morgan, th 117 The Mohegan Maiden, | 887 The Bos Spy * ge 118 The Water Waife. 838 Tahle, the ratler. 119 The Five Companions, | 839 The Boy Chief. 121 Vailed Benefactress, S40 im the Trailer. 122 Barden, the paneer. 123 The Missing Bride, 842 Stella, the Spy. 124 Sumter's Scouts. 843 The White venger. 125 The Hunted Life, $44 The Indian King. 127 Bald Eagle, The Long Trail. 128 The Gulch Miners, 846 Kirk, the Guide. 129 Blackeyes. 347 The Phantom Trail. 122 Old ey + he Apache Guide, 133 Yenkee E The Mad Miner. 135 The Cherokee Chief, Keen Eye, the Ranger. 137 The Traitor Spy. 351 Blue Belt, Guide. 139 The Border Foes. 2 On the Trail. 142 The Sagamore of Saco. 147 Maid of the Mountain. 154 Rob Ruskin, d Knit 159 Snowbird. 856 SI Cone, transer. 162 The Border Rivals. Hunter, 165 The Unseen Hand. 169 The White Canoe. 359 The White Chief. 176 The Trader Spy. 830 Cortina, the Sco 180 Giant Pete, the Patriot.) 361 The Squaw Spy. 203 Masked Guide. 362 ut of 76. 205 The Gray Scalp. Soy Spanish Jack, 207 The ‘alo Trapper. 44 Masked Spy. 212 Silver Spur, Kirke, the Fienegade. 213 Squatter Dick. 366 Dingle, the Outlaw. 31s The White Hermit. dos on u e ont , the ¥, 317 Mountain Gid. 369 Metamora. — 219 The Scioto Scouts, 221 Thelue Clipper. 871 Foul-weather Jack. 223 King of the Mountain, | 872 The Black Rider, 224 The Mohave Captive. | 873 The Helpless Hand. 227 The Forest Princess, 2283 The Mute Chief. 230 The Partisan Spy. Lake Ran 875 Alone on the fains, 876 Phantom Horseman. 222 The Prairie Queen. 377 Winona. 234 The Forest Specter. 378 Silent Shot, the Slayer. 237 The Plymouth Scout, 379 The Phantom Ship. Bo Switeni 381 The Grizzly Hunters. 2h Mink Coat Be The Mad Hanger v Es) 248 '’he Black Prineess, | 884 The Red. Goya pid Keetsea, %85 The Hunchback, 386 The Black Wizard 401 The Ice Fiend 387 The Mad Horseman 402 The Red Prince 388 The Privateer’s Bride | 408 The First Trail 3389 The Jaguar Queen 404 Sheet-Anchor Tom, 390 Shadow Jack 4 old Avoirdupois 391 Eagle Plume 406 White Gladiator 302 The Ocean Outlaw 407 Blue Clipper 393 Red Slayer 408 Red Dan 304 The Phantom Foe 409 The Fire-Kater 395 The Blue Anchor 410 Blackhawk 396 The Red-Skin’s Pledge | 411 The Lost Ship 897 The Quadroon Spy 42 Black Arrow 398 The Black Rover 413 White Serpent 399 Red-Belt, the Tuscarora Others In Presa, 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. The Island Pirate The Boy Ranger The Florida Scou The Island Trapper 1 Hawkeye Harry | 54 Arkansas Jack 2 Dead Shot | 55 Blackbeard 8 The Boy Miners 56 The River Rifles 4 Blue Dick 57 Hunter Ham 5 Nat Wolfe 58 Cloudwood 6 The White Tracker 59 The Texas Hawks 7 The Outlaw’s Wife 60 Merciless Mat 8 The Tall Trapper 61 Mad Anthony's Scouts 9 Lightning Joe 62 The Luckless Trapper 12 Bess, the Trapper 65 Wolf-Cap 13 The French py 66 Rattling Dick 14 Long Shot 67 Fed mde 15 Gunmakerof the Border 68 Iron-Hand 16 Red Hand 69 The Yellow Punter 17 Ben, the Cg 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 7 The Wood Witch 283 Old Kent, the Ranger 76 Old Rutf, the Tra 24 The One-Hyed Trapper 7% The Scariet Shoutd ers 25 Godbold, the Spy 78 The Border Rifleman 26 The Black Ship 7 Outlaw Jack 27 Single Kye 80 Tiger Tail, the Seminole 28 Indian Jim 81 Death Dealer 29 The Scout 82 Kenton, the Ranger 30 Eagle Kye 83 The Specter Horsemaa 81 The Mystic Canoe 8 The Three Trappers 382 The Golden Harpoon 8 Kaleolah 33 The Scalp King 86 The Hunter Hercules 34 Old Lute 87 Phil Hunter 35 Rainbolt, the Ranger 88 The Indian Scout 386 The Boy Pioneer 89 The Girl Avenger 37 Carson, the Guide 9 The Red Hermitesa 38 The Heart-Eater 91 Star-Face, the Slayer 39 Wetzel, the Scout 92 The Antelope Boy 40 The Huge Hunter 93 The Phantom Hunte. 41 Wild Nat, the Trapper | 9 Tom Pintle, the Pilot 42 Lynx-ca % The Red Wizard 43 The White Outlaw 96 The Rival Trappers 44 The Dog Trailer 97 The Squaw Spy 45 The Elk ning 98 Dusky Dick 46 Adrian, the Pilot 99 Colonel Crockett 47 The Man-hunter 100 Old Bear Paw 48 The Phantom Tracker | 101 Redlaw 49 Moccasin Bill 102 Wild Ru 50 The Wolf Queen 103 The Indian Hunters 51 Tom Hawk, the Trailer | 104 Scar Eagle 62 The Mad Chief Others in Press, 53 The Black Wolf THE FIRESIDE LIBRARY. 46 A Woman’s Hann. D Letter.” . . oer tip BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. 1 Was Sut His Wirk? Mrs. Mary R.Crowell,. . . 10¢ 2 FLEEING FROM Love. By Harriet Irving,. . . . 10¢ 8 Dip He Love Her? Bartley T.Campbell,. . . . 100 4 ASTRANGE WOMAN. By Rett Winwood, ... . 10¢ 5 NADIA, THE Russian Spy. F. Whittaker, . . . . 10¢ 6 Two Gries’ Lives. Mrs, Mary R. Crowell, . . . 100 7-8 LaDy AUDLEY’s SrcreT. Miss M. E. Braddon, . 10c 9 Tok Wak Or HEARTS. Corinne Cushman, . .. 100 10 LEIGHTON GRANGE. Miss M. EB. Braddon, . . . . 10¢ Ul THe Fatse Wipow. Mrs. J.D.Burton,. . . . +. le 12-13 Lost For Love. Miss M. E. Braddon, . .. . 100 14-15 ToILERS OF THE SEA. By Victor Hugo,. . . . 100 17-18 UNCLE Siuas. By J.S.LeFanu,. ...... 10¢ 19-20 DEAD-SEA Fruit. Miss M.E.Braddon,. .. . lc 21-22 LitTLE Kate Kirpy. F. W. Robinson,. . . . 10c 23 SOWING THE WIND. Mrs. Mary R. Crowell, . . . le 2-25 Brrps oF Prey. Miss M.E. Braddon, . .. . 100 26 THaT Boy oF Norcorr’s. Charles Lever,. . . . 10¢ 27-23 CHARLOTTE’S INHERITANCE. Miss M.E. Braddon, 10c 29 A Gmw’s Heart. By Rett Winwood, ..... 106 30-31 Rep As A Rose 1s SHe. Rhoda Broughton, . . 0c 82 THE Lity or St. Erne. By Mrs. Crow, . . .. . 100 88 STRANGELY WED By Mrs. J.D. Burton, . . .. 10e 34 THE Gipsy Brive. By M.E.O.Malen, . . .. . 100 85 ANNIE TempLe. Rev. J.H.Ingraham, .... . 10¢ 36 WirHout Mercy. Bartley T. Campbell, , . . . 100 87 BLACK EyEs AND Biur. CorinneCushman,. . . 10¢ 88 BRAVE BARBARA. Corinne Cushman,, . ... 10¢ 89 A DANGEROUS WOMAN. Margaret Blount, . . . 10c 40 Ovrpa’s LovE. Henrietta E.De Conde, . .. . 100 41 Lost: A Wire. Corinne Cushman, . ... . . 100 42 WINNING Ways. Margaret Blount, oe eos. 100 43 A Woman’s HEART. Mrs. M. V. Victor, .... . 10¢ 44 THE DEAD LETTER. Seeley Regester, . . . . . 10¢ 45 LORD LISLE’s DAUGHTER. C. M. Braeme, 5, ‘ oe 10¢ re) o e By the author
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Deadwood Dick, THe PRINCE oOFf THE Roap. By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, THe TRAPPER OF THE ENCHANTED Ground. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Kansas King; or, THe Rep Ricur Hanp. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm, F, Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; THE Youna WANDER- In@ JEW. By Oll Coomes, & Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Lirr vn THE Nortuwest, By Edward S. Ellis. The Flying Yankee ; or, THz OcEAN Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE Frontier. By Edward 8, Ellis, 9 The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen. 1 Nat Todd; or, THe Fare or THE Sroux Captive, By Edward 8, Ellis. 1 1 The Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes or A Bowery Girt. By Albert . Aiken, author of ‘‘ The Spotter Detective,” ete. Ww. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput, and a Voyage to Brobdingnag. 13 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, author of ‘‘ Vagabond Joe,” etc, 1 4 Aladdin; LAMP. The Sea-Cat; or, THE Wiron or 1 Darien, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker, 16 Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) 1 * Ralph Roy, The Boy Bucca- neer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ] & Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- ages. From the Arabian Nights, 19 The Phantom Spy; or, THe Piwor or THE Prargig. By Buffalo Bill. The Double Daggers; or, Drap- woop Dick’s DEFIANCE. By Edward L, Wheeler, author of ‘* Deadwood Dick.’ 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. By Edward 8. Uilis, author of ‘Seth Jones,” etc. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, THe Boy Roprnson Crusor. By Col, Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Night: or, THe Boy Siy or 76. By T. C. Harbaugh, Diamond Dirk: or, Tax Mystery oF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, author of ‘‘ The Flying Yankee,” etc, 4 5 The Boy Captain: or, THe Pmartr’s DAUGHTER. y Roger Starbuck, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. Edward L. Wheeler 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes, Qs Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol: or, DEApwoop Dick IN Diseurse: By Edward L. Wheeler. 29 The Dumb Page; or, THE Doar’s DaveuTrr, By Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, THE RecKLEss Ranecer. By Harry St. George. 31 Keen-Knife, THe PRINCE OF THE Pratrigs. By Oll Coomes. 32 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian: or, Toe Girt Drap-Suor. By Edward L, Wheeler, author of “ Deadwood Dick,” etc., ete. 3 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE RED PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEES, By Samuel ‘W. Pierce, author of ‘‘ The Boy Detective,” etc., etc. 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Warrr.ss’ Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, or, THE WONDERFUL By BEADLE’S HALF-QIME LIBRARY. Every one of them “Live” Stories by ** Live® Authors, a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME, BUFFALO BEN.—NO, 28, 35 Wild Ivan, Tux Boy CLaupE Dvvat; or, THE BrorTHERHOOD oF Dratu. Dead- wood Dick Romance No, 4. By Edward L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA. By Frank S. Finn. 3 4q The Hidden Lodge; or, THE LitrLe HounTER OF THE ADIRONDACKS. By T. C. Harbaugh, author of “ Nick o’ the Night,” ete. 38 Ned Wylde, Tux Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face, the Detective; or, Livre AND LovE IN New York. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 4 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American who wanted to see the world. By John J. Marshall. 4 Lasso Jack, THE YounG MustTana- ER. By Oll Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner: or, Drap- woop Dick’s Bonanza. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. ‘By Capt. F. Whittaker. Rattling Rube: or, THE Nicurt- HAWES oF Kentucky. By Harry St, George. Eureka! Excelsior! ! Each number 4. 5 Old Avalanche, the Great An- nihilator: or, THE Girt BRIGAND. By Edward L. Wheeler. 46 Glass Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 47 Nightingale Nat: on, Tax Forest APTAINS, By T. C. Harbaugh. . 48 Black John, the Road-Agent, or, THe OvuTLAW’s RETREAT. By Jos. FE. Badger, Jr., 49 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, or, Deapwoop Dick in Dancer. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, THk Trapper. A Tale of the North-west Hunting-Grounds, By Charles E. Lasalle. 51 The Boy Rifles, or, Toe UnpEr- GRounD Camp. By Archie C, Iron. The White Buffalo. A Tale of Strange Adventure in the North-west, By Charles E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., Tu Boy PuEnrx; or, THROUGH TO THE DEATH. L. Wheeler. 5 Ned Hazel, Tux Boy TrappER; or, THE PHANTOM Princess. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, 5 falo Bill. 56 Nick Whiffies’ Pet, or, In THE VALLEY OF DeaTH. By Capt. J. F. C. By Edward Deadly-Eye, THe Unknown Scout; or, THE BRANDED BRoTHERHOOD. By Buf- Adams, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, Tax Parps oF Firoop Bar. By Edward L. Wheeler, 58 The Border King; or, Tux Srcret For. By Oll Coomes, 59 Old Hickory, or, Panpy ELL.Is’s Scatp. By Harry St. George. 60 The White Indian; or, Tax Scout OF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Capt. J. F.C, Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill, or, Tur Rep Ririz Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship, or, THE RIvau LinuTenants. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Red Brotherhood, or, THe TWELVE AVENGERS. By W. J. Hamilton. 6 4 Dand THE 6) Hurricane Bill, or, Mustane Sam AND His ‘*Parp.”’ By Jos. E, Badger, Jr. 66 Single Hand, or, A Lirrz ror A LIFE. By W. J. Hamilton. Patent-Leather Joe: or, OLD Rar- TLESNAKE, THE CHARMER. 4 Philip 8. Warne, author of “A Hard Crowd,” “Tig “* Always on Hand,” ete. er Dick,” & & The Border Robin Hood; or, Tre Prairie Rover. By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, THr Younc S#Harp- SHOOTER; Or, THE Boy DETECTIVE OF THE Buack Rancu. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, THE Green- HORN IN THE Woops. By Captain J. F, C, Adams. Ready November 26th. rg 1 Delaware Dick; Tur Younc Rane. ER Spy; or, BrorHER AGAINST’ BROTHER, By Oll Coomes. Ready December 8d. Jack, or, THe OuTLAW oF REGON Tram. By T, C. Harbaugh. A new issue every week. The Hal{f-Dime Library is for sale by all | Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.